Part 7 (2/2)
When the latter came into the village, the first sight that met his eyes, was the demolished stockade. He looked at it for a moment, in silence. Then some of the old men came forward, and began to tell him the wondrous tales of kindness.
The Chief went to his own home, and when he saw that everything was untouched, and that none of the people was harmed, he could not understand the actions of the White Chief, and so expressed his astonishment to Uraso and Muro. When he was told that the latter were Chiefs of two tribes on Wonder Island, he was still more surprised.
”Do you not fight each other?” he asked.
Uraso smiled, as he answered: ”Why should we fight? There is no pleasure in killing, or in causing suffering. We used to think about those things as you do.”
”What made you think otherwise?”
”The White Chief told us it was wrong, and we have found that his words were true.”
”Where is this place where your tribe may be found?”
”It is on the other side of the sea, over there,” answered Uraso, pointing to the west.
”Will it take long to get there?”
”It takes only one sun, and the White Chief would be so happy to take you there and show you the great village, and to see the people and the Chiefs who live together in happiness, and to learn from the people themselves how they enjoy their homes, and make the many curious things that the White Chief has brought over for you.”
The Chief looked about him, and finally said: ”I want to see the White Chief.”
John had purposely refrained from going to the Chief's home, but Uraso accompanied him at John's request, because he was the more diplomatic, and wielded a stronger influence than Muro, owing to his remarkable personality.
John was glad of the opportunity, and the boys, as usual, were also present. The Chief's eyes followed the two boys, as they entered. He smiled at them, as John came up and greeted him.
Uraso told John what they had talked about, and that the Chief was interested in his story of Wonder Island.
”Our Great Chief will welcome you to Wonder Island,” said John.
The Chief looked at John for a moment, and then his eyes wandered to Uraso, as he answered: ”Is there still a greater Chief? Is there a man more powerful than this Chief?”
Uraso laughed, as did John. ”Tell him,” said John, ”that our Chief is powerful, because he is wise.”
He did not seem to understand this, and asked for more information.
Uraso told him that the white man did not regard the strong man as the greatest, but that the wisest man was always the Chief.
Here was certainly a new philosophy. ”But,” he inquired, ”then how can he rule his people, if he is not strong?”
”The people willingly submit to his will because they know what he says is best for them.”
”But does not the Chief sometimes tell them lies, and does he not often deceive them?”
”Yes; but when they do so then the people choose another Chief in his place.”
”And after they have killed the first Chief, and have taken another, and he lies, do they also kill him?”
”No; they do not kill the Chiefs, but they only put others in their places.”
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