"I am in your power. What do you want me to do? What will you do with me? I did not know you taught such things."
"You are in my village; but you are free to go where you will. My chief did not bring you here to humiliate you, or to punish you. I told him to bring you here so you might know how the white men live, and how they try to make the people happy. You can see these things for yourself. Then you can understand."
"I am told that you have people here from all the tribes, and that they live together in peace and in contentment."
"Yes; and why not? Because one man was born and lives in one place, is that any reason why he[p. 227] should be the enemy of one who lives somewhere else?"
"But how can we prevent them from fighting each other?"
"Let all the chiefs agree to do what is right to each other, and to their people; and treat each man the same, whether he belongs to your tribe or to some other. Do not seek revenge, but justice."
"I shall forever be the White Chief's friend."
"But you must be not only my friend, but the friend of all the chiefs. They have agreed to live together in peace. We will find work for all your people to do, so they can become happy and strong, and I want you to go with me to see the things we are doing to help the people. Before we do so you must talk to the chiefs who have been here and who know what we are trying to bring about."
Oroto sought out Marmo at once. He was the nearest in kin to the Illyas, and the Professor noted this action on his part with the greatest satisfaction. Soon Tastoa, of the Kurabus, was brought in, and no restraint was placed on any of these conferences.
When all the whites met that night you may be sure that there was a jollification that knew no bounds. What a wonderful thing had been accomplished. All grasped the Professor's hand, and many tears were shed in the joy of the meeting. Six boys and three men had been rescued from the jaws of death by the Professor and the two boys.