This doctrine, so entirely new, could not be grasped at once, and he continued with his questionings: "But the people may not want me as their chief, and take some one else, and that would cause trouble, and no one would know who was chief."
"Then it becomes your duty to so conduct yourself that they will not want some one else to be chief. If a man works for me and he does not know or care how he does the work, or is careless, and I cannot depend on him, I get somebody else in his place. Would you keep such a man?"
"No; but I would have the power to send him away."
"Then the wise chief must know that if he acts as a true father to his people they will not try to get another chief."
Blakely had been a man of affairs at home, and was a sharp, shrewd business man. To him the Professor entrusted the arranging of the affairs of the town, impressing on him the importance of directing the natives into a wide and diversified character of enterprises.
The business was one admirably suited to his temperament. He had long ago spoken to the boys and John about the promotion of the island, by the establishments of various industries, and[p. 118] particularly agricultural pursuits, which would require workmen to cultivate coffee, cocoa, the spices, and the numerous vegetable products which grew in a wild state in great abundance everywhere.
These various articles, if grown systematically, would mean an immense source of wealth, and should afford employment for all the natives, and thus mean their advancement.
The hills were full of mineral. He knew this, and had the testimony of the Professor as to the valuable character of the various ores. Sooner or later communication could now be established with the outer world. All were contemplating the preparation of a suitable vessel which would enable them to return to the United States.
One evening, while the conversation was on this absorbing topic, he remarked: "I don't know how you gentlemen feel about this place, but as for myself I feel that from a business point of view this is the ideal spot. I am just as anxious as you are to see my home again, but the possibilities are so immense here, that, as soon as possible, I shall come back."
"For my part," replied the Professor, "if a ship should appear in the harbor to-morrow, I would not for a moment consider leaving these people. The work of their redemption is not even started in such a way as to permit me to safely leave them. The boys may well be pardoned and commended for wanting to go home, but my work is here."