The Wonder Island boys. Capture and pursuit

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THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS

Chapter I The Fight At The Savages’ Camp

The Professor, Harry and Tom were dumbfounded at the excited condition of Ralph, as he emerged from the wood and told them to reach the wagon as quickly as possible.

“Where are John and George?” asked the Professor, as all hurriedly ran to the rear.

“George had already gone forward to take his position, when we saw a large number of the savages appear to our left, and he asked me to tell you at once, while he went after George to inform him of the danger.”

“It will not do to leave them in this way. Go back to the wagon and get all the guns ready, and I will remain here, so that at the first sign I may be ready to aid them. If we do not return for some time, or in the event you hear any firing, two of you must come to me with the reserve guns.”

The boys hurried to the wagon, all the reserve weapons were taken out, and the ammunition put in order for instant use. They waited impatiently for the first sign which would be the signal to act, but fully a half hour passed, and, after consulting, it was decided that Ralph and Tom should go to the Professor at once, and take with 11 them four extra guns, leaving Harry, who knew most about the yaks and how to handle them in an emergency.

In order to make the situation clear, it will be necessary to make a digression from the story.

About fourteen months previous to the opening event of this chapter, an aged Professor and two of the hoys, named George Mayfield and Harry Crandall, who were shipmates on the school ship Investigator, were wrecked at sea, and stranded on an unknown shore. They were stripped of everything hut their clothing, and of that had only a scanty supply.

Without tools of any sort, or any of the means to procure food or clothing, they did not despair, but set to work, in the most primitive way, to dig "the different things from the earth, and to make clothing, tools and other requirements.

They found the various metals and vegetable products ; constructed a water wheel ; a sawmill ; put up a small shop in which were installed the various tools, such as lathes, grindstone, drilling machines, and the like ; a loom was eventually devised, to utilize the vegetable fibers, and by means of which clothing was provided.

During the work which necessities forced upon them, they were desirous of knowing something of the land which had received them, and several trips were made into the interior, during which time evidence was found of the existence of tribes of savages as neighbors, but could not learn definitely where they were located, nor had they any means of determining the number.

Fortunately, some yaks, a wild species of cattle, were captured, and these they turned to use by taking advantage of the milk of the animals, and also by utilizing the fur for making felt, as well as tanning the hides for footwear.

But one of the most important uses was in training them for work, and a wagon was built, which served in several trips into the interior.

During the excursions they learned of the existence of others who had been shipwrecked, and later discovered that one of the boats made in the early occupation of the island, and which was left by them in a large river, about ten miles to the south of their home, had been taken by some one, who had put different oars and a rope in the boat, which they discovered after it had been found. This, together with the finding of a r lifeboat, companion to the one in which they were wrecked, was sufficient evidence that some of their fellow-voyagers were on the island, and this was confirmed when a message was found in the lifeboat, which stated that certain ones were captured by the savages.

Before they had an opportunity of making any exploring trips, the boys discovered a mysterious cavern, not far from their home, and this was explored, with the Professor, and they were startled to find the skeletons of a number of pirates who had inhabited the cave, and the position of the skeletons, and the weapons, showed conclusively that the entire band had been wiped out in a terrific fight.

In the caverns also were found the skeletons of chained captives, the existence of a regular arsenal of weapons, and an immense hoard of treasures, which had been hidden within the recesses of the cave, for centuries.

Many mysterious things occurred to them, too long to relate, but all of them bearing on the things which interested them, and the first serious attempt to discover the savages, was to build a boat twenty feet long, equipped with a sail, and with this, and an ample supply of provisions on board, the course was directed to the northwest, and along the western coast.

During the three days’ cruise, the weather was fair, but on the fourth day a terrible storm came up and drove them back around the northern point of land, and in the height of the storm they were east ashore, and their boat wrecked, fully seventy miles from their home.

Just before being driven back by the storm, they had the first view of lights, which showed the location of the savages. They laboriously made their way home, and on returning found John, one of the present party, who suffered loss of memory, and had also an attack of aphasia, or inability to speak.

His full name was John L. Varney, and for two months did not utter a word, nor did he seem to recognize the existence of those around him. Singularly enough, he was a first-class mechanic, and during hunting trips showed himself to be expert, as well as in fishing, and did anything and everything which he had seen others engage in.

Together with J ohn, the Professor and the two boys built a first-class wagon, and -undertook a trip in the direction of the savages. In the meantime they made several guns, so that they had ten muzzle-loaders, which, while they took time to reload, were better than bows and arrows, that the boys had formerly made and used.

Several months after landing they captured a baby orang-outan. This had now grown to be strong and active, and as these animals have great imitative qualities, George undertook to educate it to do many things, and it succeeded, on its own initiative, in doing many mischievous tricks, which afforded amusement for all the party.

He was called Red Angel, or more commonly Angel, and as he had a wonderful instinct for scenting danger, was always taken on trips, and was with them on the first extended tour made with the new wagon. During that trip the two boys, Ralph Wharton and Tom Chambers, were rescued from the savages, and it was found that both boys were companions on the ill-fated Investigator , and were captured by several tribes of natives, after they had been on the island over nine months.

During this trip they had a half dozen fights with the natives, which so depleted their stock of ammunition that it compelled their retreat, and finally returned, with determination to manufacture a new lot of guns, and lay in an ample supply of ammunition.

After their return John’s memory was restored, and he related his wonderful history, and together the six set to work preparing the new equipment. This comprised twenty-five guns and two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition. The wagon carried with it a portable fort which could be set up on one side of the wagon to protect the team of yaks, as well as themselves, and it was also so made as to serve as a float for enabling them to cross streams.

The particular reason for the present trip was not revenge, but to rescue the other boatload of their companions, and also some of the companions of John, who must be somewhere in the interior, unless sacrificed by the natives.

They were now on this trip, and had gone about twenty miles from home, and after crossing the South River, the day before, set out in the direction of the savages’ village, which lay to the southwest.

Early in the morning of the day, after discovering a half dozen savages encamped less than a half mile away, it was determined to surprise and capture them, so as to afford a means whereby they might treat with the inhabitants.

While in the act of surrounding their camp, John discovered a band approaching from the southwest, so that he was compelled to notify the others of the danger, and Ralph was sent back hurriedly with the warning, as related.

As they approached the Professor, the latter held up a warning hand, and whispered: “I do not think John and George will be able to make their way back by the left, as the new band has just come in, and they are now all together, so that if you will remain here I will go to the right. Await my coming, unless there should be firing, in which event go back to the wagon and prepare it to receive us.”

Before he had taken a step a shot rang out, and the Professor continued: “Go at once and get the wagon ready.”

The boys rushed back, and informed Harry, and the wagon was at once turned around into an advantageous position, the yaks unyoked, and the portable fort taken from the wagon and set up in position. The place selected was in the open, so as to compel the savages to travel over the open spaces before reaching the wagon.

In the meantime, let us see what John and George were doing. When John told Ralph to inform the others, he had seen the newly arriving warriors coming up slowly from the southwest, and as George had already gone on to take up his position to his left, he followed after him, and as he caught up, said:

“We cannot carry out our movement, as a number of savages are now coming up, and I have sent Ralph to warn the others. We must now make our way around the camp to the north, and then strike east. Move as quietly as possible, and follow me.”

Before they had gone three hundred feet, John held up a warning hand. “There is another lot of them coming from the northwest. What does all this mean!”

Their only salvation now was to move directly to the west, and this took them just the opposite direction from the wagon.

When the Professor left the boys he moved cautiously to the northwest, and before he had gone far saw the savages approaching from that quarter. As the band which John had advised them about, was coming in from the southwest, he was, for a time, mystified, but soon reached the conclusion that it must be a force not noticed by John, so he circled to the north, in wonder why John or George should have used the gun which they had just heard.

When George and John moved to the west, the band which they originally sighted, arrived in sight of the camp, and they at once changed the course to the south, and thus enabled them to make their way back to the wagon in that direction ; but before the trail was reached, John said: “We must approach the trail cautiously, as there may be stragglers, or some who are following behind.”

At that instant, two warriors crossed the path directly ahead of them, the brush being so close at this point that they could not see fifty feet ahead. The savages saw them instantly, and John held up his hand, as though to speak, but they did not wait to parley, and as one of them raised his spear to throw it, the other fitted an arrow to his bow, but before the spear left the native’s hand, George drew his gun and fired.

The other savage did not wait to shoot, as he saw his companion fall, but bounded forward, in the direction of the camp. The shot, of course, aroused the entire camp, and it also accelerated the movement of the tribe approaching from the northwest.

“Follow me quickly,” whispered John. “Let us go south, and then make our way east.”

In a short space of time the savages were at the scene of the shooting, and, as they had no means of knowing in which direction their enemies had gone, began the process of trailing. This was, necessarily, slow work, and it gave John and George time to make their way by a wide detour around to the wagon, to find that only Harry was there, but gratified to think that the precaution had been taken to erect the fort.

“Remain here, George, while I go forward to the Professor.” As he said this he darted forward, and soon reached the position of Ralph and Tom, and the latter at once informed him of the direction the Professor had taken.

“Too bad, I am afraid he has fallen into the hands of the band which has just come in from the northwest.”

This was, indeed, surprising news for the hoys, but he did not wait for their comments.

“Do not wait for us long, but go back to the wagon. I do not intend to come back until I get the Professor,” and he was away.

“I do not understand what -to make of the different forces all concentrating at this point. There must be something up, sure.”

John followed the direction the Professor had taken, making a wide detour to the north, and it was well he did so, as the savages, having lost the trail, were now in consternation at the condition of things. They knew the white men must be lurkin g somewhere near, but the direction was a mystery.

The search was continued by John for over a quarter of an hour, when a shot rang out in the direction of the wagon, and as he turned to go back, was gratified to see the Professor several hundred feet away, waving to him, and togetherthey started for the wagon.

When Ralph and Tom returned to the wagon and reported the situation, they were all in great excitement. They had no doubt but the savages would, sooner or later, discover the trail left by John and George, and this would lead to the wagon. In this they were not mistaken, for while it took some time to trace out the tracks made by them, they soon reached the wagon, and, in fact, entered the clearing before they had an idea they were so near the whites.

Harry showed himself above the top of the fort, and the savages, unused at the sight of such a spectacle, stood in amazement. He held up his hand, as several of the savages fitted arrows to their bows, as a signal not to fight, and they withdrew a short distance in consultation.

“If they only knew it, we could plug them without any difficulty at this distance,” remarked Harry. “What do you suppose they will attempt to do?”

“I only wish the Professor and John were here,” answered George.

“They are going to fight, that is sure,” observed Ralph.

“Let’s make a big show, anyway,” cried Harry. “Put a gun through each one of the portholes.”

The fort had four portholes on each side, and a gun was thrust through each and balanced in position.

It now appeared that an enveloping movement was taking place on the part of the savages. After disappearing, they could be seen at different quarters, as they again approached.

Without a word of warning a shower of arrows came from all sides, and Harry cautioned them to be cool and shoot only when a distinctive mark could be seen.

All was quiet within the fort, until Harry said : “See that chief near the large tree? I will make a try for him.” Carefully taking aim, he fired. This was the shot which John and the Professor heard.

They did not wait for any explanations. “I hope the boys are safe,” the Professor remarked, as they hurried forward.

“They are no doubt at the wagon. I advised them to go there and not wait for us.”

“Do you suppose that shot means they have discovered the wagon?”

“I have no doubt of it. They would be very stupid, indeed, not to be able to trace us, and that was the reason I admonished them to go to the wagon.”

As they approached the savages could be seen skulking about to surround the wagon. “Well, Professor, I suppose we shall have to give them a little surprise?”

The Professor smiled, as they crawled up to get a close position. The tactics were now well understood by both, and that was to rush the wagon from all sides, and thus hope, by overwhelming numbers, to succeed.

“The boys are pretty smart, after all,” said the Professor, as he noted the guns at the portholes, and John could hardly refrain from bursting out in laughter at the sight.

At a signal the savages sprang forward, and there was a volley from the fort. “Brave boys,” exclaimed John. “Shall we take a hand?”

“It would do me good to do so; but would it not be better to wait for the next movement on their part. That shot staggered them.”

It was too apparent that the savages had not counted on such a disastrous result of the charge ; but they were determined now. As they were springing forward, and before those in the fort had delivered the second volley, the Professor quietly said: “I think we can risk it now.”

Both fired at the same instant, and two of the warriors fell. The attack from the new quarter dumbfounded them. Neither John nor the Professor appeared in the opening, but reloaded as rapidly as possible, and while the boys were immeasurably surprised, kept their wits, and at the order of George, fired a second volley.

This was too much for the natives, and they scampered from the vicinity of the wagon, and away from their lurking enemies. John and the Professor deliberately walked over the intervening space, as the boys cheered them.

The result of the shots, for ten in all had been fired, were four dead and four wounded, two of them so severely that they were unable to move.

“ When George reached the limb which Angel occupied , the latter was jubilant in his expressions of pleasure”

Chapter II The Reconn Oiterin G Seat In The Tree

From the position of the wagon it was impossible to see very far beyond the clearing, and they had no means of knowing how far the attacking party had gone. The first step of the Professor was to bring in the two severely wounded men,, and administer to them.

One was found to be beyond hope, but the other did not appear to be struck in a vital spot. The other two, less severely wounded, were brought up and made comfortable outside of the fort, and so arranged that any attack of their enemies would bring them within line of the arrows.

The proceeding to dress the wounds was looked at in astonishment by the three unfortunates. They did not expect such care from their enemies. It was not their way. As soon as they had been made comfortable, John proceeded to interrogate them, to the best of his ability.

They could understand some words, and slowly the facts were brought out. In substance, the savages had knowledge of the existence of the white people on the island, and had by some means learned the location. When the Professor and the boys landed the first home built was near the landing place, but it was unsuited to their needs, as fresh water was not obtainable.

After some time they discovered a small stream, 23 which they eventually christened Cataract River, because they located their permanent home at a cataract about a quarter of a mile from the sea, and it was at this place that they put up the water wheel, and erected the workshop.

From John’s interpretations of the captives’ stories, all the savage tribes were now aware of the existence of the colony, and of the fights which had taken place near West River, but there was not sufficient cohesion among the different tribes, to form a bond of unity, so that two of the most powerful, or warlike, tribes had finally joined hands, and this accounted for the appearance of the bands from two different sources.

“I notice,” said the Professor, “that the headdresses worn by these people are different from any that we have yet come into contact with. Do you think you could draw from them any information which would enable us to determine whether the Chief’s tribe has joined them?”

“That is just what I have been trying to discover,” replied John. “I endeavored to describe the tribe by the location, but, as you may have noticed, we do not get along very brilliantly. The two that George and I met this afternoon were from a tribe that I know of; but this fellow here belongs to an entirely different people.”

The Professor turning to Harry said: “You will notice that the headdress of this one is similar to those we took from the first one shot in the second day’s fight. Under the circumstances we have definite knowledge of at least five tribes.”

“I will try to get some idea as to the number they have,” and turning to the more intelligent of the two, he tried to make himself understood, but at best it was only indefinite, as to numbers.

The characteristic feature of one of the headdresses was the curly hair, and this indicated that the enemy of that tribe was to the west, and clearly pointed out that neither of the two bands attacking them were the captors of Ralph and Tom.

“I am going to ask them the name of the tribe from which the hair was taken,” and pointing at the black curly hair, the captive pronounced the name “Tuolo.” This was instantly recognized by Tom, although he could not before that time recall the proper word.

“He says the name of his tribe is ‘Kurabu,’ and those from the south are the ‘Saboros.’ It would be well to remember those names, as it may come in handy hereafter. I suppose Ralph and Tom will have no trouble in recognizing the Tuolos.”

“For my part,” said Harry, “the people who sport the dark-brown hair in this fellows’ headpiece will be recognized by me from this time on, the Saboros, because they are the first ones who attacked us.”

This was really the case, so that it was obvious that the two tribes who had attacked them were not the ones they had the former battles with, and things began to assume a very grave aspect.

The chief referred to by John, in the former conversation, was wounded by them and captured in their former trip, and after his wounded legs had healed, had left them, and returned to his tribe, much to their regret. They had treated him handsomely, and grew to like him, as he showed many desirable traits. He belonged to the particular faction which had captured John, and was recognized by him when memory returned, and they had hoped that he would not forget them.

The serious aspect of the case was, that the Chief had not returned, nor was there any evidence that he was grateful for the interest which was taken in him.

The captives were constantly under guard, and provided with food, but during the entire night three kept guard constantly, to see that they did not communicate with each other.

The savages were entirely out of sight, and there was no indication that they were in the vicinity, and past midnight, John silently stole from the wagon and made his way across the clearing. He was absent more than an hour, until all began to be alarmed, but his return was so quiet that he was almost at the wagon before he was observed.

“What have you learned ?” was the Professor’s eager question.

“They are still guarding our camp, and intend to tight it out, if my observations are of any value. It is my opinion that they are waiting for the appearance of additional warriors. In any event, we must prepare for the fight of our lives.”

Before morning came one of the wounded savages died, thus leaving three still on their hands, and it began to be a problem what to do in this emergency. They now knew, undoubtedly, where the Cataract home was, and the boys worried because they did not want them to destroy that, and while the siege was in progress some of the band might go there and wreck it.

“This is a situation which demands our most careful consideration, 1 ” said the Professor, gravely. “We have considerable at stake, and may be able to keep them interested here, and probably in time get them to understand what our intentions are.”

J ohn and the Professor debated the matter during the entire night, except when John was on the scouting trip, and during such little snatches of sleep as they were able to take. There appeared to be nothing to do but to resist to the utmost of their power, and all felt able to do this successfully, unless something unforeseen should intervene.

When the gray light began to show in the east, George was busy preparing the morning meal, and it was fully eight o’clock before the savages showed themselves for the first time. They were seen on all sides of the wagon, but at distances out of gunshot range.

John again had an interview with the captives, and endeavored to make them understand that they did not wish to attack them, and had no hostile intentions; but all efforts of that character were soon found to be fruitless.

The day wore on, and no attack was made. They undoubtedly saw the disposition which had been made of the three captives, and this, unquestionably, deterred them from making an attack.

“What shall we do after to-morrow for water?

We have only enough to last ns and the yaks for about twenty-four hours more,” asked Harry.

“How far is it to the river?” asked George. The Professor and John both judged the distance to be less than a half mile.

They all looked at each other, and read the import of the question in each other’s eyes. Should they make a fight to reach the river ? With water they could defy the natives. It was a conclusion reached after a great deal of speculation.

When night came, and quiet again settled down, preparations were made for the transport of the wagon to the river. It was fortunate that the moon was not shining, but the night was clear, and this added some danger to the situation. At midnight, the yaks were unhitched, and the section nearest the forward end of the wagon pushed aside to permit them to pass through.

When they were yoked up, two of the captives were tied to the seat on the tailboard, and the top covering of the wagon raised sufficiently to enable them to manipulate the guns. The fort sections were secured in place, and quietly the wagon went forward.

They were as secure in the wagon as they had been in the fort, and the only danger was to the team, which might be struck by arrows, or they might be shrewd enough to aim at the animals, and thus prevent further progress.

“I fear,” said John, “that we shall have difficulty in guiding the animals through the brush, and I will lead them.”

This proposal was opposed by all, and he reluctantly consented to remain in the wagon. “I know,” answered Harry, “that I can see well enough to get us safely through, and it will be better to go slowly than to take such a big risk.”

The march began, and to their surprise, it was not answered by a shout or a shot. The savages had disappeared entirely. But before they had proceeded a quarter of a mile, the shouts and answering cries of the savages could be plainly heard.

“We have, unaccountably, gotten through their guard,” cried John, as he leaped from the wagon. “Follow me as fast as you can.” He sprang in front of the yaks to direct the way, and Harry urged the team forward as fast as the nature of the ground would permit, following closely on the heels of John.

The demons were coming on now in earnest, and could not be far behind, and they must have gone fully a half mile, with no river in sight. Suddenly John reappeared at the side of the wagon, and said: “Drive to the left for the open space. There is a brook there, and it will suit us just as well as the river.”

The wagon was rushed to the open space, and down to the little stream which came from the southwest. Without hesitating a moment John ordered the fort sections to be replaced, and heeding the practice lessons which they had exercised over and over again, before starting out, they were prepared, in less than three minutes, for the foe.

The besiegers again surrounded them, but evidently feared to attack. The first care of Harry was to provide the animals with fresh water. The two captives were again placed outside of the fort in a position where they could be easily guarded.