The Wonder Island Boys: The Tribesmen

ng, and many of them are running back and forth

off into the bush to the left. They were from two to three miles distant when f

he also took a position on the top of the wagon. "

ther party is coming up." In a moment more he continued:

e year before the opening event in this chapter. They were attached to a ship training school that met

ir intense curiosity, but learned that the island was inhabited by one or more tribes of savages. In this helpless state, wit

the situation, gradually turned the attention of the boys to producing things of use, first making the articles most needed in their impoveri

known, but in a wild state, as well as nuts and fruit. Barley was one of the cereals early discovered, and from that bread was ma

eries of experimental work which was wonderful in its character, as every part of

ing of a sawmill, from which lumber was turned out to make their dwelling; a loom was put up which enabled them to weave

ioned a lathe, a foundry, in which they turned out articles in iron and brass, and this gave them an opport

see the results of their work on every hand. But that which attracted them more intensely were the series of exp

urpose, and this vessel was wrecked shortly after they had discovered the location of the savages. In the pre

e, and after the return the boys set out to get the boat. It was missing, and recovered several months af

a gruesome skeleton was found on the seashore not far from Observation Hill, and the wrecked portions of a boat, and to this may be added th

The Fi

g that some of the party had been taken by the inhabitants of the island, and this oc

ntained numerous skeletons and a vast amount of treasure, showing that it was a pirates' cave, but up to this time it had n

y were surprised to find a man at their home, who had entirely lost his memory. This happened six weeks before the occurrence in

get no clue. He had proven himself to be harmless, and in many ways he was of great service to them, and was now wit

ge, the elder of the two boys, had taken a special delight in teaching or training him, and the result was that the imitative quality of the a

it was apparent that the party sighted were on the point of meeting a hostile tribe, and while it was their intention to journey west to the large st

he stream there was not much wood, and the land was covered with comparatively little underbrush. They felt that with the strongly built wagon, which had been purposely made with a large, thick

way there, and gazed in the direction pointed out by Harry. He glanced toward the savages, and then looked wonderingly at the boys and th

ctions did not show it. How little we know of the workings of the human mind, and how should we know more of what passed in the mind of that animal as h

e, I can see them going toward each o

sor, "to go up nearer. In that way we may b

ly. The yaks had been unyoked, prior to this, but they were n

iles which would be hurled against them. Within were ten guns, each with a barrel twenty inches long, and a three-eighths of an inch bore. All were muzzle-loaders, as they had no facilities for mak

eltering range of the underbrush. All were in the vehicle, as its height gave

of the tributaries of the West, and before reaching the open area near the river, the Pr

o things were essential, one was food and the other water, and of the two water was of most value for a short period,

e kept at all times day and night. We must not separate, but keep closely together, and in watching just as much care must be taken of our rear and our flanks. We

p, going in the direction in which the wagon had taken, and they were of the impression that

a thing take place. I estimate that we are now directly south of the mouth of West River, and that the sea to the north is from fifteen to twenty miles away. Now, let it be understood t

him. For this purpose he made a chart to show the tributary stream on which they were encamped, flowing into the West River, and its course to the sea, and by pointing out the spot to the west

ight the warring factions, for now that they were much clo

ming this way." Such seemed to be the case. The retreating forces were coming dire

, Professor, if t

lf-defense," was his reply. This did not exactly suit the spiri

nd the Professor advised them to prepare for any emergency. The camp was not more than one hu

m ample time to note and act, whatever the circumstances might be. The Professor hoped that the pursued might deviate from their path and bring them to the river below their camp, b

f the South Sea Islanders, which their fancy had pictured them to be. Each carried a short spear and a bow, and the Professor called attention to

nition. It will not take them long, however, to make up a s

o hundred feet below the wagon, and before they had fairly landed, espied the wagon. The surprise at seein

fore, nearer the wagon. "Watch the party which has ju

rcling aroun

of the Professor and his party. Here was a situation not counted on. The wise savages h

to kill at the first shot. Before anything is do

apparition was as startling to them as it had been to the others. They stopped for a moment, and then with a whoop, fitted arrow

wounded, as they were at once taken in charge by their companions. The moment the first round was fired, the Professor ordered the relay guns to be grasped. But t

such as to win them over. They lurked at a distance beyond the wagon, and as the Professor advanced toward them and