The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages

by Roger T. Finlay

During the preceding day no message had come from Blakely, but he knew that the party would leave the Cataract on this day, and they felt no apprehension on his account.

One of the runners from John reached the Professor on the day the train left the Cataract. While the latter tried to prevent the knowledge of his occupation of the Kurabus village from reaching the ears of the warriors, the scouts sent out by the Professor intercepted and tried to capture the messengers which were sent to inform the allies, but failed in their efforts.

When John and his party left, Blakely had drawn the allies to a point within eight miles of the Cataract, and with the reinforcements, headed by Muro, he made a stand. During the night, after a consultation with Muro, the latter, with fifty of his warriors, made a wide detour to the north, and swung around to the west, thus taking a position behind the allies, and this was effected without their knowledge, as they believed.

The object of this movement was to protect the Professor, as the force from the Cataract, joined to that of Blakely's, would be ample to drive them forward, and it was desirable to effect a capture[p. 55] of the allies, and thus at one operation place them in their power.

Unfortunately, the messengers from the Kurabus' village reached the allies before Muro started on his trip. The effect on the allies was startling, and the Kurabus were determined to protect their homes. The latter believed that the object was to destroy the village and carry off the women and children, and it was but natural that they should go to their assistance.

As a result the allies during the night quietly stole to the south, which was in the direction of the Illyas' territory, intending to march thence west, and thus attack the Professor from the south.

Their departure was not discovered until morning had been well advanced, and Muro's runner did not reach Blakely until the train from the Cataract came in sight.

This was most discouraging news, as it meant danger to those left with the Professor.

"There is but one alternative now," said John. "We must make a forced march to the relief of the Professor. Uraso has the matter of controlling the force well in hand, and Blakely, you and I will take all the men excepting the one hundred in charge of the material, and go forward rapidly."

The first news the Professor had of the new situation was gleaned from the messenger which Muro had dispatched the moment the escape of the allies was discovered.