Part 10 (2/2)

John noted all these things, but the boys were most interested in the birds and animals which roamed about. The latter were not large or vicious looking, but it was not permitted to shoot any of them lest it might alarm Uraso, who was at the landing.

Ahead could be seen several ridges, one of them heavily wooded. Reaching the summit they beheld a beautiful valley below, and opposite on a shelving rock, stood a type of mountain deer like a sentinel, while a dozen or more were feeding on the green slope beneath.

Frequently on the march the boys would take side trips, in the attempt to run down some of the curious animals, but they were careful to keep the main force in sight.

Thus they tramped on fully five miles beyond the crest of the ridge, and occasionally John would stop to examine some suspicious-looking indication of habitation.

”It would surprise me very much to find that the island is not inhabited,” he said, as he examined what appeared to be a path.

At this juncture one of the native scouts came up and showed John a curious stone formation. John took it, and turned it over several times.

”That is part of a stone hatchet.” The scout nodded a.s.sent with a smile.

All now became intent on searching. This finally resulted in bringing to light a well-formed spear, not unlike those originally used on Wonder Island among the native tribes.

Surely they were getting evidence pretty fast now. Then, while crossing a little rivulet, one of the scouts plainly saw the print of a native foot, which was unmistakable. True, it had been made days before, probably a month, but there it was, and now it was inc.u.mbent on them to find out where the people were.

The entire party scattered along the little stream, and searched both banks for a considerable distance, the boys taking an active part in the work. Usually the boys kept together, and entertained each other, but on this occasion all were so intent on discovering where, and in what direction the footprints would lead, that they quite forgot to watch each other.

John gave a customary whistle, as he was in the habit of doing, when it was desired to call the party together, and all of the scouts promptly returned, as well as Harry. George was nowhere to be seen. John questioned Harry. He had first missed him at the bend in the stream not two hundred feet to the north.

He rushed back in that direction, while John gave another blast on the whistle, and then listened intently for a reply. Harry came back without any intelligence, and almost frantic. John and the scouts then broke into a run, and Harry turned with them.

That instant a shot rang out. ”That must be George,” exclaimed John.

”Forward as quickly as possible.”

The party turned the bend of the river. All along this part of the stream the banks were cut up by ridges and diminutive cliffs, and in many places were large shelving rocks which came up close to the stream.

Immediately after the shot John stopped, and listened for some sound, and the natives, usually so alert to recognize noises, did likewise.

”That shot means that George is in some danger,” said John.

”But why does he not answer the whistle? Why should he shoot, and then not call to us, if there is any danger,” said Harry in despair.

They turned the bend, and searched to and fro. The shot could not have been more than eight hundred feet away. The searchers spread out into a fan-shaped formation. One of the scouts ran up hurriedly and called to John, who went forward, and there, alongside of a huge rock, where there was little gra.s.s, he saw unmistakable evidence of a scuffle.

”These are the footprints of George's shoes,” remarked Harry.

”Yes, and here are the prints of the native feet,” said John, as one of the scouts distinctly pointed out two or three well defined marks.

”They are, undoubtedly, near at hand. We must now be on our guard,” said John, as he pondered on the situation.

”I wonder why they didn't attack us?” asked Harry.

”The reason, no doubt, is that it is a small party. A larger body would not have attempted to capture one of us by stealth.”

John turned to Hasmo, one of the fleetest runners, and instructed him to go back to the landing place at once, and advise Uraso to bring his men and provisions, as well as additional ammunition, and to hold the s.h.i.+p until additional word should be sent.

Hasmo was off in an instant, and then John issued additional instructions. ”It is evident,” he said, ”that we must look for the people to the east or, more likely, toward the southeast. That is the reason why I had the boat held at the place where we have just landed.

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