Part 7 (1/2)

Within there was absolutely nothing but the bare ground, and a ma.s.s of indescribable filth, as may be imagined. Here, lying on the earth, were five men, with little or no clothing, covered with dirt and vermin. Two of them were in fairly good condition, an evidence that they had not long been prisoners.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”_'Stop!' cried John, 'It will be death for any one to touch him'_” [See p. 52]]

The other three were emaciated, and what surprised the boys most was the long, matted and tangled beard of one of the three. The moment John saw that form he turned to the boys and fairly shrieked: ”This is a white man. Cut down that fence, so the men can be taken out, and the moment they are removed set fire to this place.”

The boys could not understand John's vehement expression.

”Shall we burn the village?” asked Harry.

”Oh, no! Burn only this enclosure, and don't let a vestige of it remain.”

His orders were quickly carried out. Meanwhile, not a quarter of a mile away, were the Chief and the owners of the village, who, upon seeing the smoke and the flames, appeared to be frantic. No doubt they regarded it as a sign that the village was doomed, but they were soon rea.s.sured by the time the stockade was finally consumed, and the few watchers reported to the Chief that nothing but the prison had been destroyed.

”We have destroyed the Bastille,” remarked John, ”and must now take care of the prisoners.” They found that it was indeed a white man who had been rescued. He was frightfully emaciated, and too weak to talk.

This was also the condition of the two natives. The other two were soon restored, after receiving nourishment, and were ready to tell their story. They had been taken two weeks previously in a battle with the tribe to the north.

Through these men they learned that there were only two tribes on the island, and that this was by far the largest, in point of numbers. There had been continual war between the two people, and the only thing which saved his tribe from extermination was the fact that they lived in the mountain regions, and were thus protected.

This information was very welcome to John and the boys. The mountains seemed to have a fascination for them,--and then, the caves, how could they forget them now?

For three hours the Chief and his people waited in the distance. John did not pay any attention to them, apparently. Shortly thereafter two of his men came in, dragging one of the former patients.

”We saw him trying to steal away,” said one of the men.

”Was he going toward his people?” asked John.

”Yes.”

”Then let him go, by all means, and tell him that we would be glad to have the Chief and his people return.”

The poor fellow was astonished to learn that he was free. He was as much surprised at this as at the care which they had bestowed to cure him. He pa.s.sed through the village, looking about him with furtive glances, but, at the command of John, no one paid any attention to him.

When he reached the Chief there was a long consultation, and it was evident that a momentous change was taking place. The Chief could be seen constantly glancing toward the village, and soon the self-imposed messenger returned and approached John.

”The Chief is willing to see you, and will come to you, if you wish it.”

This was imparted to John, and the latter responded:

”I will go with you.”

He called the two chiefs Muro and Uraso, and the boys, and told them he would go with the messenger to the Chief, alone, and that they should have no fear for him.

Accompanied by the messenger, John walked boldly to the Chief, and going up, pressed his nose against him, in token of eternal friends.h.i.+p, and then motioned him to go back to the village.

The Chief was astounded, first, at the bravery of John in thus coming to him, and in then vowing eternal friends.h.i.+p.

There is something very peculiar in the characteristics of savages which forbids them from violating a peace pledge, or a treaty of friends.h.i.+p when entered into with the rites that they acknowledge. The most formal of these rites, is that of rubbing noses together.

How the custom originated, is not known. It is something like the kiss, in so far as it is a visible token of either love, friends.h.i.+p, or esteem. It is seldom that the savage violates the pledge which is thus given. John knew this, and felt a.s.sured the great Chief would respect it.