The Wonder Island Boys: The Mysteries of the Caverns

by Roger T. Finlay

"I think it is well, now that we are about to come in contact with the people here, to be prepared to meet them in the proper way, so as to insure safety to ourselves. It is likely that we shall have to treat with the natives, and thus come to some understanding, before we entrust ourselves to their mercy. Above all things, we want to impress on them the feeling that we are not antagonistic and have no hostile intentions. We are unfortunate in not knowing the character of the dwellers on the island. They may have had frequent contact with the outside world. That may, or it may not, mitigate our lot. So we cannot count on that factor too much. If they are low down in the scale of humanity, we may find a still harder problem. In any event, however, this must be made plain. The wagon is our fort. From that we can defy them, unless they have firearms.

"From this time on let us keep together——"

Something unusual stirred beyond. The crackling of twigs was plainly recognized, and the mumbling sound of voices could be made out. They were human voices, but their intonations, as they came nearer, were sufficient to show that the language was not that of civilized people. They were more in the nature of successive grunts, not much more definable than the noises of animals.

They were wrought up to the highest tension, and the only fear was that either Angel or the yaks would make some noise which might attract the passers-by. To their great relief the sounds died away. This visit would have been welcomed during the daytime, but at night they could not afford to take any risks.

This incident showed they were now in an enemy's country. The river was fully ten miles to the west of them. How far the encampment or village of the inhabitants was to the south they could only imperfectly estimate, but it was certainly twenty miles or more.

What they longed for at this stage more than anything else was the open country. The proximity of the river would likely be the better place for them, so early the next morning the team was gotten ready, and before starting, the Professor made a survey of the surroundings in the direction that their visitors had gone.

At several places were indications of tracks, and these were followed, the team coming along behind. Everything was covered with leaves where the trees abounded, and in the more open areas the grass was so well advanced that it was difficult to distinguish tracks in the earth, but the broken-down grass plainly showed their trail, leading to the south.

Aside from that, nothing could be gathered to give any indications until they had proceeded over a mile, when a small rivulet, the first they had noticed since leaving West River, crossed their route. The Professor actually bounded forward at the sight and examined the footprints. The marks of bare feet were visible where they crossed, and they were of abnormal size.

After a careful examination, the Professor said: "There must have been at least a half dozen of them, judging by the different prints. See, this one has a deformed foot, or the big toe is missing; and this one must be a large man, judging from the deep impression made." Beyond the vicinity of the stream all footprints were again lost.

"As we are now likely to have an open country until we reach the river, we can make more extended observations from the top of the wagon, and one should be there constantly to notice any signs on either side."