Part 24 (1/2)
”Isn't it singular that the natives never knew about them, if there are any here?”
”No; I do not think that is strange; they do not believe in the witch doctors, and they have no Krishnos here, so that the caves are of no value to them.”
”But do you find much that is valuable in the way of ores?”
”The hills here are full of the most valuable minerals. The little prospecting I have done is sufficient to satisfy me on that point. I am trying to make a fair estimate so I can give an accurate report when we return.”
It was late in the afternoon when they reached the summit of the mountain which they had viewed from the south. It was green to the very summit, and from the elevation where they stood they could see a long and narrow stretch to the north, the distance in that direction being much farther than they had traveled from the little bight of land on the south.
”It does look inviting in that part of the island,” said Harry. ”Were you ever there, in the bad place?” asked Harry as the Chief's son came up.
”No; but I have heard much about it.”
One of the natives who heard the conversation said: ”It is a beautiful place.”
”Have you ever been there?” he was asked.
”I was a guard on two occasions when we took prisoners there,” he answered.
”Tell us about it,” said George.
”I have never been in the village, but within an hour's march of it. The Chief warned us never to go into the place itself.”
Aside from the village the place which interested John and the boys most was the mountain on which they were now standing. This must be explored.
It was now late in the afternoon, and at John's suggestion they encamped, and only short excursions were made by the boys in the quest for something new.
It was a delightful night. The elevation gave them the advantage of a beautiful breeze, and the odors wafted to them, from some unknown source, on the mild trade wind from the north, was almost like a narcotic, so soothing and restful.
”Did you ever visit a more delightful spot?” asked Harry, as he inhaled the beautiful perfume.
”It does not seem to me that the criminal colony is in a very bad place, if this is any indication of it. Isn't that way of dealing with crime a strange thing?” remarked George.
”Why so?” asked John. ”Is it anything peculiar for the wrongdoers to be banished from a community?”
”No; but it seems wrong to condemn the innocent women and children. Why should they be punished along with the guilty?”
”Probably, in the majority of cases, the women and children would prefer to accompany their husband and father. That does not seem to be so cruel, when it is considered that they are left free to live as much so as in their own community.”
”That is what I cannot understand. What is the use of sending them away, if they are not locked up?”
”Do you not know that among the ancients, banishment from a country was the greatest punishment; greater even than death, in the opinion of many; and there are many cases where suicide was preferable. The odium of banishment was so great in those days that only the strongest and the greatest of men could live it down.”
”It makes me feel, when I smell this delightful perfume, that the home of the bad people over there must be a beautiful place,” said George.
”To give such an opinion, just because of the fragrance that comes from the north is proper for a sentimentalist,” said John, as he laughed.
”Well, that is a pretty big name to give, and I suppose it means having some notion that hasn't any sense in it, but just theory?”
”That is a fairly close description, but I didn't mean it in that way.”