"You must further tell him that we must have his answer at once, and if he does not answer by the time the sun is above us (noon), we will consider him our enemy, and shall attack him."
The captive received full instructions from Uraso, who warned him that if he failed to convey this information in the manner given it would go hard with him.
John went forward with the prisoner, and he was released within sight of the Illyas' camp. The enemy was at that time in great commotion, as they were, from all indications, preparing for defense.
They occupied a naturally strong position. The camp was on the western side of a hill and at the bottom was a small stream.
Directly behind the camp was a heavy forest, which, in case of retreat, would afford them shelter. There was a bend in the river, where the camp was located, so that the position was impregnable as against the native weapons.
The Illyas were not counting on meeting a foe armed with guns like the allies possessed. They did not conceive how their enemies could possibly make a sufficient number of guns to count against their numbers and their skill.
In the talks which John had with Uraso he learned the history of this peculiar tribe. Originally the tribe had practical sway over the entire island. They were bitter and vindictive, and this intense feeling was that which acted against them in the end.
The result was that in times past a constant tribal warfare was in evidence among the heads of the leading families. The Kurabus and the Tuolos were originally Illyas, or offshoots from this great tribe. This was also shown by the[p. 148] characteristics of those three tribes, and by their dress as well as language.
John had noticed that the Berees were the whitest people on the island, and that the Osagas and Saboros were much lighter in color than the other tribes. Uraso confirmed Suros' statement to the Professor, that there was white blood in the veins of many of the people of these three tribes, brought about by castaways who had been adopted by the people in earlier times.