John and the boys made their way out and past the fires that were still burning, and which would be relighted no more. The two absent ones were not found. They had not returned. The reason was explained when the village was reached. They were captured by Uraso before they had left the cave a thousand feet.
During the day and the succeeding night the patients improved each hour. Both of the invalid boys were able to sit up. Rogers wanted a full meal, but still none were allowed to indulge. John announced that a start for home would be made in the morning.
There was intense bustle in the village the next morning. The chief was informed that he and two of his sub-chiefs would be required to accompany them, together with one hundred of his warriors. The ten wise (?) men were also to be of the party.
There was mingled feeling of emotion in the minds of the people when they saw their great chief for the first time in the knowledge of the people humbled and taken captive by a foreign tribe.
It was well to leave them with that impression. They would soon learn otherwise, and for the first[p. 221] time begin to appreciate that the white man's way is superior to their own.
The boys and Gustave were in the wagon with the Chief Oroto. The others were on foot. Occasionally John would take a place and delight in the chatter of the boys, and sometimes would listen to remarks about Oroto, that would not have been pleasant for his ears.
John didn't blame them a bit for it either. The pale, drawn faces of the two boys made them pitiable objects, and when he saw them he felt like cursing the chief who would permit such cruelties to innocent boys. But he remembered that the chief knew no better. He lived according to the best that was given him. Why was he to be blamed?
There was hardly a subject but was canvassed by the boys. The chief soon became interested, and he frequently asked Lolo questions. Before the journey ended the boys changed their opinions about Oroto. Perhaps the vivacity of the boys attracted him.
But later on, through Lolo, he began to learn things which astounded him. Muro had told his son Lolo that Harry was the one who made the wonderful guns, and this was communicated to the chief. Harry was a hero to him from that time on. Lolo told the chief about the wonderful things which they were making at the new town, and long before they sighted the place he was interested just like a common mortal.
But the Saboro village was in sight. "Moro," asked John, "how long will it take to get your family ready?"