Part 11 (1/2)

There is also another reason why I think the tribes, if there are any, are to the south, and that is, in this lat.i.tude they are much less exposed to the effects of the great winds that occur at certain portions of the year.”

Harry wandered about, not knowing what to do, at this terrible catastrophe. George in the hands of the savages! He could hardly believe it.

”Don't worry about George too much,” said John consolingly. ”I am inclined to think he has had enough experience within the past two years to help him out of immediate trouble, and we will then be able to take a hand.”

This somewhat relieved Harry. It is possible that George might be able to take care of himself. ”But suppose they kill him?” This was his great fear.

”It is not at all likely they will do that,” remarked Muro. ”Those who captured him form only a small party, and it is not at all likely that there was a chief with them. Under the circ.u.mstances they would not dare kill him until the Chief ordered it.”

John smiled as he nodded at the explanation given by Muro. After all, it was not as bad as it might be. Now to the rescue. Muro begged permission to do scouting work until Uraso arrived, and selecting Stut as his companion, they glided through the forest directly to the east.

They were now fully twelve miles from the boat, and the runner could be depended on to reach Uraso within an hour, if not hindered on the journey. It would then take, possibly, two hours more for the party to return, so that it was safe to a.s.sume that they would have to remain in the vicinity for the next three hours.

John decided that the time should be spent in exploring the directions to the southeast and to the northeast as well, so they might be well informed when the reinforcements arrived.

Hasmo glided through the forest like a deer. He knew that it was imperative to reach the sh.o.r.e before one o'clock, because at that time the vessel would leave for the southeastern point. To get there too late would mean a trip for fifteen miles or more along the sh.o.r.e to reach the next landing.

The dense forest near the sh.o.r.e prevented him from seeing the vessel until he crossed the last ridge, and when he finally came within view of the harbor the s.h.i.+p had disappeared. He stopped and glanced to the south, but no s.h.i.+p was in sight. This was a situation which had been considered, from the point of view of the departure of the vessel; but where had it gone?

He went to the sh.o.r.e, where Uraso's party had been, and then, laboriously ascended the point beyond, and from which he could get a clear view of the sea. There, far beyond, was the _Pioneer_, sailing to the southeast under a strong breeze.

He tore off his jacket, and seizing a branch, began to wave it back and forth. The s.h.i.+p went on, and there was no indication that they noticed him. He remained thus for nearly a quarter of an hour, and then knew that he must follow the s.h.i.+p until he reached the next landing place.

The trip along the sh.o.r.e was a most difficult one, as he could not follow the beach. Many of the rocks along the sh.o.r.e were licked by the waves, so that he had to take a course beyond the cliffs, and the land was not only rough, but numerous gulleys, or draws, as they are called, were washed out, making speed impossible.

It required more than two hours to make the trip, and it was considerably after three when he hailed the boat from the sh.o.r.e, and hurriedly told the story of George's capture.

Uraso was not slow in gathering the men needed for the expedition, and when the guns and ammunition were brought out all of the men actually begged to go along, but he knew that John would not sanction leaving the vessel without a crew.

John and his scouts impatiently awaited the return of the men and during this time received the reports from the scouts as they came in. It was evident from the slight traces found that the band which captured George had gone east. It was no doubt from some indication to this effect obtained by Muro, that induced him to take his course in that direction, also.

All had departed but Muro: Four o'clock came, and then five, but neither Muro nor Uraso appeared. This did, indeed, look strange to John, who could, in a measure, account for Muro's non-appearance; but he could not understand why Uraso did not come. It then occurred that after all Hasmo might not have been able to reach the landing before sailing time, and with this theory he consoled Harry, who was constantly on the alert, waiting for tidings.

CHAPTER VII

CAPTURE OF GEORGE BY THE NATIVES

Let us now follow George. He went along the stream on its westerly side, while Harry was examining the eastern sh.o.r.e. Coming to a little rivulet, which flowed into the main stream at this point, he pa.s.sed alongside the projecting ledges of rock, that for the moment hid him from the view of Harry.

Here he saw some peculiar rocks, and outcroppings, which reminded him so forcibly of the early days on Wonder Island, when the Professor so strongly impressed on them the value of investigation. The gun was stood up, leaning against the rocks, when he was seized by two strong arms, and a hand placed over his mouth.

In the struggle his hand touched the gun, and as his captor drew him back, he took the gun with him, and no effort was made to dispossess him of the weapon. He was carried along, one hand pinioned to his side, while the other hand carrying the gun was free, but he was unable to use it.

He could not have been carried more than a hundred feet, before he heard John's whistle. This startled his captors, for he now saw that there were two burly specimens, almost wholly naked, and for the moment the hold on the imprisoned arm was relaxed.

Quick as a flash he drew up the gun and fired. This was the shot heard by John and Harry. The shot was such a surprise that the savages were almost paralyzed, and dropped their hold, but it was only for an instant. Realizing that the noise was made by George's weapon, and not caused by any of the boy's companions, the nearest savage swung around viciously, and poor George was knocked unconscious by the blow.

How long he remained in this state he did not know. When consciousness returned he was lying, on some tufted gra.s.s, and a half dozen vicious looking savages stood around him. Then he remembered the circ.u.mstances of his capture.