SEEING THE FIRST SAVAGES
George's patience in teaching Angel was most commendable. Hours were devoted to this work. Even before leaving home the animal would recognize certain sounds, and performed many acts at the word of command. Such words as "come," "go," "take this," and others usually employed, were fully comprehended, and the names of Harry and the Professor were understood.
Frequent tests were made by George and the Professor, acting in concert, as this phase of the education greatly interested the latter, to ascertain whether the orang performed the services from an understanding of the meaning of the words, or whether it proceeded merely from the constant repetitions of the words and acts conjointly.
The value of this proceeding will be made apparent to the reader as we proceed in this history; but when they were educating Angel the idea of utilizing his future services, in a critical time, did not occur to them.
They camped for the night at the end of the trail; and now they hoped that the morrow would open the route over a more comfortable path than the last three days had offered them. Before going an hour on the way, a campfire was found, which evidently had been used not many days before.
There had not been any rains in their section of the country for ten days previous to this, and it was obvious that no rain had fallen on the ashes of this fire. From this it must be inferred that whoever made the fire must have been there recently.
The utmost vigilance would be necessary, in view of this discovery. The wagon moved forward slowly. Every part of the country within the limits of the trail was under scrutiny, and every sound and moving object fully investigated before proceeding. This made travel necessarily slow. The underbrush was very thick, and but few trees remained, and those were scattered, mostly in clumps or in detached groups.
Harry looked at the tall trees longingly many times, and the Professor divined his meaning. "I have a notion to try prospecting from one of these trees. We can, no doubt, see more from them than we can learn in a day's travel. But trees of that kind are pretty hard to climb."
"It might be done with a climbing ring," answered the Professor.
"What is that?"
"The cocoanut hunters and others put a hoop around a tree, and then get inside of the hoop, with the back against the hoop, so that the feet can get a purchase against the tree, and in that way the trees are scaled with the greatest agility."
"Well, if the savages can do it, I can."
"It might be well to make the trial, as even thirty or forty feet would give a fair view of the country. Before making the hoop we should select a tree most suitable for observation."
An oak tree with a bare trunk up to the first large limb was finally selected. The diameter was fully two feet at the base.
"With a tree of this size the hoop should be about three and a half feet in diameter."
"What material shall we make it out of?"
"If we can find a small hickory sapling it will be the most serviceable, because its natural strength and stiffness will permit us to use a small and light pole."
A search was made, and after a time several were cut and brought to the tree. The thick end of the sapling was cut or pared off along one side so it would bend in the direction of the slice, and this was put about the tree and the ends brought together and lapped. Thongs were then used to splice the lapped ends, and small nails driven in at intervals to assure security.
The use of hoops of this kind requires practice, and the natives use their bare feet against the tree, which prevents slipping. Harry, however, had shoes; not a very good thing to use against the bark, and after numerous trials both boys found the task a trying one. Their bare feet were too tender to use against the rough bark, and as a last resort one of the old pair of shoes was brought out, and studded with nails.
The climber gets inside the hoop, with the latter around the tree, and resting against the small of the back, or a little higher up. The feet are then braced against the tree, and the hoop grasped by both hands. In climbing the body is suddenly moved toward the tree, and this motion temporarily releases the outward pressure against the hoop, and at the same moment the hoop is moved upwardly about a foot. One or both feet then make an upward step, and this process is repeated.
More than an hour was occupied in learning to manipulate the hoop, so as to progress upwardly, and at the end of that time Harry made a slow and careful ascent to the first limb, a distance of thirty feet, stopping at intervals, as he made his way up, to view the ever-increasing landscape, and to take the needed rest.
"Do you see anything, Harry?" was George's eager questioning, as he moved upwardly.
"Nothing yet," was the invariable reply. When the first limb was reached he seated himself, and had an opportunity to view the surroundings from a far better vantage point.
"Can you see the river?" was the Professor's inquiry.
"It is too hazy to make out anything there. It is clearer to the south."
"What can you see to the southwest?"
Harry scanned the country in that direction for some time before replying. "All I can see there are trees, trees, just like the forest we have been going through; but directly west of us we would have comparatively easy traveling. The forest seems to extend southwest, and we have been traveling through it at an angle. If I could get higher I might have a better view."
He ascended fifteen feet higher, but even at that point the forest hid the view to the southwest.
"From your examination I judge our only hope is to reach the river and travel down its banks?"
"Yes; because we don't want any more of the forest with the team."
"Before we go, let us take off the hoop; I want to use it again." And Harry unwrapped the thongs and disengaged it from the tree.
After luncheon the marching was resumed, this time due west to the river. The trip during the day told on Jack, and a halt, was called before they had gone five miles. Harry and John took their guns and started south on a tour of investigation, making their way toward a slight elevation which he had noticed from the observation point.
It was really a hill, covered with trees, and gave the appearance, from the tree top, as being a continuation of the forest range. This was good news to carry back. While passing through the tallest of the trees, Harry, who was ahead, felt himself suddenly grasped, and he uttered a scream.
John rushed forward just as Harry saw the repulsive form of a huge snake which had wound itself around him. Harry was absolutely helpless in the folds of the serpent. John's quick eye took in the situation at once, and by the time he reached Harry the bolo was in his hand and poised. With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed above the last coil, and the portion suspended from the tree fell alongside of the combatants, and John's hands reached out to assist Harry.
"With a single stroke the body of the snake was severed above the last coil"
Harry was frightened so that he could hardly utter a word, and after some exertion he disentangled himself and gazed on the immense serpent. When he had recovered partially he was too much excited to proceed, and they returned to the camp with a story of the attack and the noble rescue on the part of John.
George's excitement was at fever heat. "We must get his skin." Harry was willing, because a trophy of that kind was worth preserving. The team was taken along, as it was fully a half mile from the camp. When the Professor saw the serpent he congratulated Harry on his escape, who, but for the fortunate presence of John, would have been killed.
It measured twenty-two feet in length and its greatest diameter was eight inches.
"What is this—the boa constrictor?"
"It belongs to the same family, but is known as the anaconda."
"What is the difference between the boa constrictor and the python?"
"The boas are the species found in the western hemisphere, whereas the pythons inhabit the eastern countries. The anaconda is a native of Brazil and some of the other South American countries. They are non-poisonous, and depend for securing prey on their wonderful swiftness and in the tremendous power which they exert when the victims are in their grasp."
As usual, George had been prospecting also, and when the skin had been removed and the excitement died away, he exhibited a peculiar fruit. It was the shape and size of a pear, but had a peculiar kidney-shaped pendant at its large end.
The Professor smiled when he saw it. "You have the fruit of the Anacardium, or cashew tree. That is, it is a combined fruit and nut."
"Is this little projecting part a nut?"
"Yes; and this evening we can try some of them; but they must be roasted. The fruit can be eaten as it is, but it is like the persimmon; it must be fully ripe, or it will be too astringent. It is a fine medicine, and the sap of the tree produces a product like gum arabic, and is known in commerce as acajou."
Fig. 31. Acajou.
The elevation which Harry was anxious to gain was before them, less than a mile, and as it was not more than four in the afternoon, the team was driven forward and the slight ascent begun. In a half hour the summit was reached. It was not at a great elevation, but the incline was a gradual one, and it was hoped that from the elevated portion a better glimpse could be obtained than the tree afforded.
It was too late when they reached the camping place to attempt any observations that night, but in the morning an investigation was made to find a tree of sufficient size to afford a good view. When it was finally found the hoop was again brought out and Harry slowly made his way upwardly, and those below waited in suspense for news.
He made a deliberate survey, and called down: "I can see the West River, and directly to the southwest are white objects, but so far away that I cannot tell what they are. They may be tents or huts, or something of that kind. I couldn't say positively."
"Do the objects appear to be at or near the river?" asked the Professor.
"It is difficult to say whether the river goes in that direction. I can see glimpses of the stream only here and there."
"Do you see any mountains to the south?"
"None whatever. Everything merges into a haze beyond the white objects I referred to."
"It is probable," said the Professor, "we have located them, as I find, from an examination of the sailing chart, that the village is located at about that point. I think our course should now be directed to the river, as traveling will be better near its shores, and we would, I think, be more likely to meet some of the inhabitants along the shore than in the dense interior."
The low mountain range beyond the West River was plainly visible from the elevation. The Professor noted how its lower end sloped down, and he knew their location beyond question, and explained that they were now practically due east of the point where they were compelled, on the tempestuous night, to turn back to the north.
It was a long, weary night for them, because expectation ran high. They were anxious, and yet dreaded the meeting, but they had sought it and could not go back now. No fires were kindled that night, although George had counted on some of the roast nuts. It would not be safe to hazard a light.
The utmost vigilance was now to be the watchword. There must be no firing of guns or wandering from the camp on the part of either. At the time the wagon was constructed the Professor had an eye to its use as a means of defense, which was explained to the boys, and this offered a great sense of security to them.
The sides had been made high with this end in view, and not for the purpose of hauling big loads. If attacked in the open, it would serve as a fort, and would enable them to move around from one side, or end, to the other without being exposed. In anticipation all the guns were examined and the ammunition placed within reach and conveniently arranged for any emergency.
The provisions were also arranged to prepare for a siege if necessary. During that evening the Professor for the first time explained in detail how the natives would be approached.
"I think it is well, now that we are about to come in contact with the people here, to be prepared to meet them in the proper way, so as to insure safety to ourselves. It is likely that we shall have to treat with the natives, and thus come to some understanding, before we entrust ourselves to their mercy. Above all things, we want to impress on them the feeling that we are not antagonistic and have no hostile intentions. We are unfortunate in not knowing the character of the dwellers on the island. They may have had frequent contact with the outside world. That may, or it may not, mitigate our lot. So we cannot count on that factor too much. If they are low down in the scale of humanity, we may find a still harder problem. In any event, however, this must be made plain. The wagon is our fort. From that we can defy them, unless they have firearms.
"From this time on let us keep together——"
Something unusual stirred beyond. The crackling of twigs was plainly recognized, and the mumbling sound of voices could be made out. They were human voices, but their intonations, as they came nearer, were sufficient to show that the language was not that of civilized people. They were more in the nature of successive grunts, not much more definable than the noises of animals.
They were wrought up to the highest tension, and the only fear was that either Angel or the yaks would make some noise which might attract the passers-by. To their great relief the sounds died away. This visit would have been welcomed during the daytime, but at night they could not afford to take any risks.
This incident showed they were now in an enemy's country. The river was fully ten miles to the west of them. How far the encampment or village of the inhabitants was to the south they could only imperfectly estimate, but it was certainly twenty miles or more.
What they longed for at this stage more than anything else was the open country. The proximity of the river would likely be the better place for them, so early the next morning the team was gotten ready, and before starting, the Professor made a survey of the surroundings in the direction that their visitors had gone.
At several places were indications of tracks, and these were followed, the team coming along behind. Everything was covered with leaves where the trees abounded, and in the more open areas the grass was so well advanced that it was difficult to distinguish tracks in the earth, but the broken-down grass plainly showed their trail, leading to the south.
Aside from that, nothing could be gathered to give any indications until they had proceeded over a mile, when a small rivulet, the first they had noticed since leaving West River, crossed their route. The Professor actually bounded forward at the sight and examined the footprints. The marks of bare feet were visible where they crossed, and they were of abnormal size.
After a careful examination, the Professor said: "There must have been at least a half dozen of them, judging by the different prints. See, this one has a deformed foot, or the big toe is missing; and this one must be a large man, judging from the deep impression made." Beyond the vicinity of the stream all footprints were again lost.
"As we are now likely to have an open country until we reach the river, we can make more extended observations from the top of the wagon, and one should be there constantly to notice any signs on either side."
They were within five miles of the river, and George, who occupied the post of lookout on the top bow of the wagon, called out excitedly: "I can see them; there must be a dozen or more." The wagon stopped, and the Professor and Harry hurriedly scrambled to the top. John saw the movement and seemed to understand, for he also crawled up and looked across the rolling landscape to the southwest.
In the distance were unmistakable movements of beings moving to and fro. They were distant at least two miles, and there was no evidence, from the character of their movements, that anything unusual had occurred, and it might therefore be inferred that the wagon had not yet been discovered.
At last they had come up to the people who occupied such a large share of their speculations during the past year, and in "The Tribesmen" are set forth the meeting of the savages and the hostile manner in which they were received, together with some of the things which really show why the land they lived in might justly be called "Wonder Island."
THE END
GLOSSARY OF WORDS USED IN TEXT
| Alloy. | A combination of two or more metals. |
| Actinic. | Photographic rays. Those vibrations above the vibrations which produce violet. |
| Acutely. | To the point. Being keen. |
| Allied. | Attached to; bound to; an arrangement with. |
| Alienation. | To cause to turn away; to make indifferent. |
| Amplitude. | Scope; reach; breadth; fullness. |
| Antiquated. | Adapted to the uses or customs of olden times. |
| Animation. | Possessing animal life; sparkling; lively. |
| Antagonistic. | Against; opposed. |
| Agility. | Quick; sprightly. |
| Assumption. | Taking it for granted. |
| Bacteria. | A microscopic microbe, very minute, widely distributed in all matter. |
| Betokened. | To give promise or evidence of; presage; indicate. |
| Bestowed. | To confer as a gift; to give freely as a gift. |
| Buccaneer. | A pirate or freebooter. |
| Bullion. | Gold or silver in mass, usually in convenient bar. |
| Calcareous. | Impregnated with lime, or largely composed of it. |
| Cardinal. | Of prime or special importance. |
| Caulking. | The process of filling the seams of vessels. |
| Cavities. | Holes; depressed portions. |
| Carbonate. | To impregnate or charge with carbonic acid. |
| Calcium. | Lime. |
| Canopied. | A covering. Usually a conical top. |
| Centrifugal. | Directed or tending away from the center. |
| Characterize. | To delineate or set forth in a particular way. |
| Consistently. | Standing together or in agreement. |
| Convolute. | Rolled one part on another or inward from one side. |
| Coefficient. | A number or letter put before an algebraic expression, to show that one is to be divided by the other. |
| Constant. | That which is permanent or invariable. |
| Convex. | Bulging outwardly; raised. |
| Conducive. | Helping; tending toward. |
| Contingency. | The awaiting of an event; in the event of. |
| Compounding. | Made up of two or more substances. |
| Contracted. | Made smaller; reduced in size. |
| Combustion. | Being consumed. Disintegration. |
| Contemplated. | To consider thoughtfully; to look at attentively. |
| Caucasian. | Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the white race of mankind. |
| Consistency. | Harmonious; not contradictory. |
| Clarified. | Made clear; not turbid or cloudy. |
| Crucial. | Decisive as between views or theories. Testing. |
| Cylindrical. | A barrel-shaped body. |
| Decoration. | To adorn with something ornamental. |
| Debris. | Accumulation of material. |
| Defect. | Something short; not perfect. |
| Density. | Closeness of parts. |
| Delver. | One who searches into things. |
| Demeanor. | Appearance; manner; action. |
| Domesticated. | To bring under the control of man. |
| Delusion. | The state of being deceived or led astray. |
| Dilapidated. | Torn up; fallen into decay; gone to ruin. |
| Discrimination. | Ability to select; to judge; to be able to pick out. |
| Deranged. | A disordered mind. |
| Deportment. | Manner of acting. |
| Dextrous. | Skilful; quick; adroit. |
| Designations. | A distinctive mark or appellation. |
| Depressed. | Lowered; made unhappy or unspirited. |
| Determination. | Insistence; firmness; fixed purpose. |
| Decomposition. | The act or process of separating anything. |
| Dimensions. | The measurements; sizes. |
| Dilemma. | A perplexing case to decide. |
| Duplicated. | Made in a similar manner. |
| Duct. | An opening, hole, or conveyor. |
| Ductility. | Capable of being drawn out. |
| Effective. | Fit for a destined purpose; a striking impression. |
| Emergency. | An unexpected happening calling for immediate action. |
| Emaciated. | Greatly reduced in flesh. |
| Entranced. | To put into a state of ecstacy. |
| Ensue. | That which follows; to go after. |
| Enraptured. | Overpowered with emotion. |
| Entablature. | The uppermost member held in place by columns. |
| Episode. | A particular occurrence. |
| Essential. | The particular thing; the important element. |
| Estuary. | The portion at the mouth of a river where it discharges into another body of water. |
| Exhilaration. | Lively, pleasing or enlivening sensation. |
| Extracted. | To take from. Taken out of. |
| Facial. | Pertaining to the face. |
| Facility. | Doing with ease. |
| Fascination. | A resistible influence. A pleasing impulse. |
| Fathom. | To find out; depth; penetration. |
| Fermentation. | A chemical condition where germs are developed and grow in a substance and change the elements comprising it. |
| Feasible. | Easy to accomplish; that which is practical. |
| Fiber. | A structure composed of filaments, like a vegetable stalk. |
| Formation. | The manner in which articles or substances are built up. |
| Fracture. | A break or crack. |
| Fraternity. | A body of persons held together by some common tie. |
| Fusing. | To melt by heat. |
| Fumigating. | To treat by means of gases. |
| Fulcrum. | The support against which a lever rests. |
| Granulating. | To form into small grains or particles. |
| Grotto. | A small cavern or cavern-like apartment. |
| Gruesome. | Suggesting gloomy or frightful thoughts. |
| Gunwale. | The upper portion of the hull of a ship or boat. |
| Horizontal. | At right angles to a line directed to the center of the earth. |
| Hypnotized. | A treatment which acts directly on the mind or nervous system. |
| Impervious. | Permitting no passage through or into. |
| Immoderately. | More than the usual; more than the ordinary. |
| Instructively. | Along educational lines; learning things. |
| Intonation. | The modulation of the voice. |
| Inactive. | Not vigorous. |
| Intestines. | That part of the digestive tube below the stomach. |
| Intimation. | A hint. |
| Intruder. | To enter or appear when not wanted. |
| Inscription. | A writing; an announcement. |
| Inevitable. | Anything which is bound to happen. A result. |
| Insulated. | Shielded from something. |
| Interim. | In the meantime. Within certain periods. |
| Incidence. | Happening at the same time. A circumstance. |
| Interpret. | To make plain. To bring to an understanding. |
| Ingenuity. | To devise; to bring forward out of the ordinary. |
| Inordinately. | More than the ordinary course or manner. |
| Indicate. | To show, or to point out. |
| Intensity. | With full vigor; strong; vivacious. |
| Inverted. | Upside down. Turned about. |
| Insistent. | To continue urging; determination. |
| Involuntary. | Without intent; in spite of all precaution. |
| Inefficient. | Not careful or prudent; without full capacity. |
| Jubilant. | Joyous. |
| Laboriously. | Consistently carrying out work without regard to the amount of labor required. |
| Lacerated. | To injure or to tear the flesh. |
| Lee. | The side or direction opposite to that from which the wind comes. |
| Malady. | Sickness. Particular kind of illness. |
| Manipulate. | The manner of handling. To artfully influence the result. |
| Manifestation. | Made known; acknowledged; understood. |
| Maneuvered. | To make methodical change of position. |
| Maritime. | Pertaining to the sea, or to naval affairs. |
| Mercury. | A silver-white metallic metal in a liquid state. |
| Minimizing. | The smallest state. In the least difficult position. |
| Misgiving. | A feeling of doubt or apprehension. |
| Miniature. | Small; a little copy. |
| Momentum. | The power of overcoming resistance possessed by a body. |
| Mobility. | The capacity to change or alter. |
| Monopoly. | Possessed of complete power. Full sway. |
| Nitrogenous. | Partaking of the qualities of nitrogen. |
| Normal. | A perpendicular; according to an established law or principle. |
| Obliquely. | A deviation from the direct line. |
| Octagonal. | Eight-sided. |
| Orbit. | The course in which a planet travels. |
| Orifice. | A hole; an opening. |
| Orgy. | Wild or wanton revelry. |
| Ozone. | An allotropic condition of oxygen. A substance made from oxygen. |
| Pandemonium. | A fiendish or riotous uproar. |
| Paleontologist. | A student in the origin of life on the globe. |
| Patriarch. | The elder; the one in a tribe on whom authority vests. |
| Pathetically. | In a vein of sadness; arousing tender emotions. |
| Parallel. | On a line with; side by side the same distance. |
| Paralyzed. | Loss of power to control the muscles or other parts of the body. |
| Penetrate. | To go into. |
| Perforation. | To make an opening or hole. |
| Periodical. | At regular intervals. |
| Peaty. | Having the characteristics of peat. |
| Personified. | To transform from a thought or speech into a person. |
| Perturbed. | To be disturbed in mind. |
| Perceptible. | Noticeable; seen. |
| Phenomena. | Something directly observable; anything visible. |
| Primitive. | The first way of doing things; the original plan or method. |
| Prospecting. | Investigating; trying to discover new elements or substances. |
| Profusion. | Many; an abundance. |
| Port. | A haven. The left side of a vessel. |
| Proportionally. | Relative magnitude, number or degree. |
| Predominating. | Overshadowing; possessing power. |
| Properties. | The elementary substances of any material. |
| Propagate. | To bring to a better condition or state. Making an improved breed or type of animals or plants. |
| Prognosticate. | To foretell. |
| Promulgate. | To announce; to give out. |
| Privation. | Hardship. To be kept from the necessaries of life. |
| Promontory. | A high point of land extending out into the sea. |
| Progenitor. | An ancestor in the direct line. |
| Proximity. | Close to; in the neighborhood of. |
| Radiating. | To emit or send out rays. |
| Relaxation. | A change from the ordinary routine. |
| Retarding. | Holding back; making the object go slower. |
| Reticent. | Habitually keeping quiet or in reserve. |
| Regulation. | In accordance with some law or order established. |
| Refraction. | That property in light which causes a bend as the ray passes from one substance through another. |
| Reverse. | In the opposite direction. |
| Rifling. | Spiral grooves in the bore of a gun. |
| Rotation. | Turning; moving around a common center. |
| Seepage. | Leaking; passing through. |
| Sequence. | That which follows as the result of a certain thing. |
| Secluded. | Kept hidden; not exposed. |
| Spherical. | Round like a globe. |
| Spiral. | Having the twist of a corkscrew. |
| Spawning. | The period when fish lay their eggs. |
| Stringers. | The longitudinal pieces which form the main frame of a structure. |
| Standard. | A post. Also the flag or ensign of a country. |
| Strata. | Parts of layers of earth, rock, or other material. |
| Strenuous. | Vigorous; insistent. |
| Suppressing. | Trying to keep out of sight; hidden. |
| Substitute. | In place of. |
| Sulphide. | A compound of sulphur with another element. |
| Subsided. | To stop; to proceed no further. |
| Symptoms. | Indications; showing effects of certain illness or treatment. |
| Synthesis. | The putting of different things together. |
| Theorist. | One who speculates; one who tries to arrange facts to harmonize. |
| Timbre. | The peculiarity of a sound whereby it is distinguished from another. |
| Tortuous. | Moving in a winding or irregular way. |
| Tourmaline. | One of the gems, found in various colors. |
| Traverse. | Across; traveling; to go over. |
| Triangulation. | The method of surveying whereby two known points are used to find a third, by means of the angles made. |
| Utilitarian. | One who tries to take advantage of any knowledge and make use of it. |
| Untenable. | Without good ground. |
| Vacuum. | A space entirely devoid of matter. |
| Veered. | Turned aside or in a different direction. |
| Veritable. | Truthful; well known to be correct. |
| Vibration. | Any movement which is more or less irregular and continuous. |
| Vividly. | Distinctly seen; brightly appearing. |
| Wrench. | To twist violently. To injure by a forcible turn or movement. |