This is but one incident in the history of the village which tended to instill in the minds of the people, the cardinal duty of man to man. It was a practical example, and the knowledge of it went from family to family. It became one of the topics of conversation among the men. Equal and exact justice was meted out to each, irrespective of what their tribal relations might be.
In the absence of Harry and George, Ralph and Jim had charge of the factory, and were busy each day turning out plows and other agricultural implements. At the suggestion of the Professor, eight more of the steers had been trained to work, and he gathered together a dozen of the best men, and gave instructions to secure as many of the yaks as could be found.
He offered certain sums for this purpose. It was known that, to the west, and north of the great forest, were large herds running wild. The proposal stirred them to activity. The party pre[p. 153]pared for the hunt, and in this were assisted by Blakely, who gave them many timely hints as to the best method to lasso them.
The first expedition started the day after John left, and within a week the first installment of ten animals arrived, and they had returned for more. These were tamed and broken to work. The scenes about the town were assuming the proportions of a vast beehive of the most earnest and enthusiastic workers that it was possible to imagine.
Fields were now laid out, and certain money offers made for the production of seeds of various kinds. Coffee-tree shoots, nutmeg plants, cocoa cuttings, and many other like species of vegetation were apportioned to the newly plowed fields.
Every kind of vegetable known to the island, and which now grew in a wild, but scattered, state, was sought for, and distributed in small patches over the plowed area. Fruit trees were set out, and these latter, with a view to make them the home sites which were to be the next lines to be developed.
It will thus be seen that there was enough to tax the energies of Blakely and the Professor, to keep the laborers employed, and prevent any drones from getting into the hive.
When the captive Illyas which John had sent with the ultimatum did not return, nor did the enemy show any symptoms of complying when the sun neared midday, it was concluded that the[p. 154] only plan to pursue would be a quick and a sharp assault.
The moment the sun reached its height, John ordered Muro to take one hundred of the men by a detour to the right, and Uraso with a like number to the left.
"Cross the stream and close up behind them in the woods. I will make the attack, and you remain at a distance. If they should attempt to retreat I will follow them up rapidly. We must, if possible, force their surrender."