That night, while making the final arrangements on the vessel, the boys sought John, and asked him more particularly concerning his trip.
"We have had no opportunity to speak to you, but the Professor said you had learned enough about the island to determine you to explore it fully," said George.
"That is true. I have found what I believe to be the identical spot described in the charts, and I have found the solution, I think, of Walter's note and of the skull."
This was, indeed, something of importance to them, but John informed them that for certain reasons it might be better to defer the explanation until they had made the final explorations.
The boys knew he must have some pretty good reason for thus explaining and laying the matter before them, and they forebore further questionings.
The next morning, when all the supplies and ammunition had been taken off, and the final good-byes were said, the party stood on the shore while the Pioneer slowly moved out, and was soon racing before the wind on its way to Wonder Island.
A council was held before they attempted to march into the interior. "I have every reason to believe that the band which we met yesterday is in the immediate vicinity, and that they have been watching our movements," remarked John.
"In that case," remarked Uraso, "I favor the[p. 230] route to the east, which, while it may offer us still greater obstacles, in view of our observations there, still it might enable us the more quickly to overcome the tribe we have just met."
The boys looked at each other significantly. "I wonder what Uraso can be talking about? There must be something very much out of the usual, in the eastern part of the island."
"I am interested in knowing what he means by 'the observation' they made there," responded Harry.