"The Professor—the Professor, and Varney? Rogers spoke about Varney. Do you mean the professor of philosophy that you used to be so chummy with?"
"Yes," answered Harry, eagerly. "But let us get busy now." Stut had rounded up the warriors, and through Sama informed them that they were wanted at the village.
The women were in consternation, but Stut informed them that no harm would befall the men. Up to this time Stut had not permitted Sama to give any information about the situation at the village, but he now turned to the waiting warriors, and said:
"The Great White Chief and all the tribes have united, and have taken the Illyas chief and all his people prisoners, and all their women and children are now captives. The Illyas have not acted right and the chiefs must now go to the Great Chief and show that he is sorry, and that he will not again try to take captives, and will not make sacrifices."
Without waiting for a moment, the train started back for the Illyas' village. It is wonderful how the stimulating influence of surroundings will build up and strengthen the depressed. The poor boys, emaciated as they were, had smiles and tears,[p. 198] as they heard little snatches of experiences from the boys.
"We are telling you these things, but we are simply crazy to hear your stories. But they will keep. Let us do the talking now. You will be all right in a day or two."
The boys' eyes were kept on the vessels containing the food. Time and again George would shake his head as one or the other tried to get another "bite." The liquid food was the first administered. The journey back took much longer, because Harry would not hurry the animals over the rough roads with the patients in their low condition.
When the wagon and the train of warriors arrived at the village, the only thing the boys saw were the warriors of the allies. The captives were in the buildings, and were guarded on all sides.