Part 17 (1/2)
”Ask him if he knows who makes the rain and the suns.h.i.+ne, and the clouds.”
”He says that the questions are surprising to him.”
”Has he never thought of those things?”
”No; all he knows is that he lives and that he is a Chief and is the one who must govern the people.”
”Does he know why he is the Chief?”
”Yes; because he is stronger than any one else.”
”That would certainly make him a Chief,” remarked Harry. ”I never saw such a big man.”
”Do they have any big holes in the ground!”
When the question was asked he waited a moment, and then slowly shook his head.
”They have nothing of that kind to his knowledge.”
The countenances of Harry and George fell. John noticed it, and smiled at the disappointment.
”There are no caves around here,” said George.
”Are there any mountains on the island?”
”There are high hills.”
”Have they any neighbors, or different tribes?”
”Yes; to the north, (pointing in that direction) are some bad people, but they belong to him.”
”Why do they not live near to the village!”
”Because they would make the people bad.”
”What did they do that was so bad?”
”They stole and lied.”
”From whom did they steal?”
”From the Chief.”
”Did they steal from each other?”
”No; they could not steal from each other.”
At this remark the boys laughed. John began to be interested now in his questionings.
”Do you mean it is not wrong to steal from each other, but only from the Chief?”