Part 18 (1/2)

The Chief was inquisitive concerning every action. Why did the s.h.i.+p act like a human and turn around? He could hardly believe the statement when told that the anchor was a giant claw, and that when it reached the bottom it took hold and had sufficient strength to stop the s.h.i.+p and make it swing around, as he had witnessed.

A boat was lowered, and the last one to descend was Sutoto. Uraso pointed out his figure, and the Chief kept his eyes on him. The first man to leave the boat was Sutoto, and both boys rushed down to meet him.

It was the course they always pursued, to be in the lead to welcome anyone.

They led him to the Chief, and he put his great arms about Sutoto, to the latter's great embarra.s.sment. But what affected Sutoto more than anything else, were the eyes of the Chief's daughter, who had acted so shyly to George the night before. From that moment Sutoto saw no one else, and she,--well, Harry and George laughed, and slyly caressed Sutoto, as they saw her admiring glances.

Sutoto was the handsomest native on Wonder Island. He was the brave and fleet runner who undertook the mission to pa.s.s through the three savage tribes to carry a message, written on a plaintain leaf by the Professor, to John and the boys while they were surrounded by the hostiles.

The friends.h.i.+p between him and the boys grew stronger and better from that day on. The tribute to him was one which the boys enjoyed for his sake, and because he deserved it.

There was a feast that night, unparalleled in the knowledge of the boys.

It was like going to a new world, and meeting new people. Only one little thing seemed to mar the joyous occasion for the boys for a time.

When they were returning from the beach, they saw three of the natives, together with their wives and children, with their hands bound, and in charge of a half dozen warriors.

George recognized the three as his captors. Then was impressed upon him the fact that they were about to pay the penalty for stealing his things and hiding the theft from the Chief. They were to be exiled to the place where the bad people lived.

George hurriedly told Uraso the story of the theft, and begged him to intercede with the Chief. Instantly, when he learned that George requested it, he turned to Uraso, and said: ”He may release them.”

He rushed up to the now bewildered culprits, in order to sever the bonds, and then recalling that he had given his knife to the Chief, he called to Harry, and together they freed the limbs of the captives and the Chief, with a few words of admonition, dismissed them. The boys never forgot the grateful looks that came from the men and their wives.

When they had departed Muro said: ”Under their law the women and children of the culprits are criminals also, and so they were doomed to go together.”

It would be a difficult matter to describe the food prepared and eaten at this banquet. Several varieties of fowl, all wild types, and the wild boar, as well as the 'possum, provided the meats. Of course taro and amarylla were the chief vegetables; and of nuts, the well known Brazil species was found everywhere, and to be seen in all dwellings.

The outer portion of the sh.e.l.l of the Brazil nut formed bowls and cups, which the boys early learned to utilize. There were bananas, a species of fig, and loquats.

”What surprises me is that they have no fish, or sea food of any kind,”

observed Harry.

John mused for a while, and then said: ”It is likely that the people here have the same aversion to fish as some natives along the Australian continent, and in the islands near there.”

”What is that?” asked George.

”The natives of New Guinea, for instance, wors.h.i.+p snakes, lizards, sharks and crocodiles, and there is a strict law among them not to injure anything, of that kind. As a result, they are afraid to eat anything that approaches the shape of these animals.”

”Well, if they wors.h.i.+p the snakes they must have some kind of religion,”

ventured Harry.

”Yes; and with them go the witch doctors who practice on the people and charge fees just the same as the physicians do in our country.”

”Do they claim there is a Great Spirit, like some of the people here!”

”No; they have a G.o.d called Baigona, who lives in the mountains, and instead of being a good G.o.d, is a bad one; he has the power to speak without being heard, to strike without being seen, and he loves and hates, just like human beings. He gives the witch doctor the power to do anything, without being wrong, and without being liable to punishment.”

”Well, that is a pretty convenient G.o.d to have,” said Harry, as he mused at the idea.