The Wonder Island Boys: The Tribesmen

by Roger T. Finlay

The river was to their right, and not more than two miles away, and the boys saw the Professor frequently look in that direction. "I believe," he finally said, "we can better afford to take the risk of a daylight trip to the river, than to remain here another minute. The lesson we gave is rankling within them, and they will attack us with different tactics the next time."

The yokes were still on the yaks, and it was the work of moments only to bring them to the pole and when the ring had been slipped on Harry had them in motion down the hill. The Professor and John dismounted, and stood guard, and Harry was told to move directly toward the river and pass to the right of a hill, which appeared to have a precipitous side, which was not more than a half mile away.

The parting injunction of the Professor was: "Go on without stopping until you reach the clump of trees before you and just beyond the little stream in your path. That will give you a good view of every approach."

The wagon went down the hill at a rapid pace. The Professor and John kept a vigilant watch on their enemies, and it was not long before the disappearance of the wagon was noted, and then the utmost excitement prevailed. It was evident that there was no concerted movement among them. There was an aimless running to and fro, but the two stood there, guns in hand, and that no doubt disconcerted the natives, who evidently believed that the wagon had been removed to a more advantageous position.

The inaction did not continue long, for it was now noticed that parties of two and three stole out from the shelter of the huts, some going to the north and others to the south, with a view of surrounding and spying the new position. The wagon was beyond the sight of their position on the hill, and after John had looked inquiringly at the Professor several times, both began a forward movement after the wagon, and by proceeding at a rapid pace discerned it in the distance.

After crossing the little stream referred to by the Professor, both halted, in order to scour the country behind them. John clutched the Professor by the sleeve and pointed to several moving figures to their left, cautiously moving up the hill to the position previously occupied by the wagon.

This was a great relief, as it was evident the savages had no idea that the wagon was in full retreat toward the river. Moving cautiously from tree to tree the Professor and John traveled as rapidly as possible in the direction of the wagon, and the boys were commended for their forethought in keeping the wagon in a hidden position while awaiting their arrival.

"It looks as though we had outwitted them, at any rate for the time being, and it will keep them back long enough to enable us to get a good start, so hurry on as fast as possible. Make for the side of the hill which I pointed out before. If they discover our absence, and can gather their forces we may be able to use the precipitous side of the hill as a protection. But remember, the river is our objective point."

No urging was needed. On the way the second stream or running brook was crossed. Harry called to one of the boys: "Get some of the copper kettles from the wagon and get some water. If we are held up at the hill the yaks will need it, as well as ourselves." George and the boys recognized the importance of it, and weak as the two rescued boys were, they dragged the filled kettles to the wagon, and George fastened the wooden covers on them.

Within ten minutes more the hill was reached. It was not high nor difficult to mount, and at one point it seemed to spring up into a peak, the southern side of the point presenting a steep outline. The boys saw that on the side facing the river, which was less than a mile away, the precipitous portion was formed by a wall of peculiar brownish-gray rock.