Slowly and majestically he strode from the circle, closely followed by Jack. Not a man moved as they stepped between them and, as they approached the women, who were a short distance off, they scattered and fled with cries of fear. The boys walked slowly until they were beyond the grove of cocoanut trees and then Bob said:
"Now we want to get a move on. They may have a change of heart."
Down the hill they ran, heedless of the sharp grass which gave their hands many a scratch. But they hardly felt it as they plunged on, eager to put as much distance as possible between them and their erstwhile captors.
Just as they reached the bottom of the ravine they heard a shout.
"That's uncle," Bob said. "But don't answer just yet. Wait till we get to the top of the hill."
They had to go more slowly now, but finally they came to the top and then, as his uncle's shout reached them, Bob replied.
"Where the dickens are you?"
"Coming," Bob shouted back, as they started down the next hillside.
At the edge of the grove of trees they met the others.
"Where in the name of common sense you been," Captain Ole demanded.