Within an hour new parties approached from the rear. Reinforcements were coming, and they probably intended to delay the attack until the entire force was available. This looked very serious indeed, but through all the Professor was grave and dignified, and showed no evidences of being unduly disturbed at the gathering clans.
"What we need fear more than anything else now is a night attack," was the Professor's comment, as he watched their movements.
Ralph stepped up to the Professor, and said: "I do not think they will venture to do so, because I do not remember that they have ever attempted to do so at night. The tribe that captured us always made night sorties, but these people never did, and for that reason I do not believe they will attempt it now."
The Professor thanked Ralph for the information.
CHAPTER VI
THE TALE OF THE RESCUED BOYS
Night set in without a sign of attack. The heavens were filled with stars, but there was no moon, and this afforded a cover for both parties.
And now, when they were at last quiet for the first time since the release of the boys from their loathsome captivity, all were eager to hear their history.
Harry and John had both learned during the snatches of conversation that they were able to take advantage of, that Ralph and Tom were companions on the ill-fated Investigator, when she went down. They were not remembered at the hut, and neither of the boys recalled the others, because the emaciated condition of the two was such as to make recognition impossible, and Ralph and Tom were too much excited to know or care who had delivered them, but they recognized the Professor before it dawned on them that the two boys were their former companions.