The Chief noticed their movement, and continued: "I am tiring you, but permit me to add only a few things. I have endeavored to better the condition of these people, and have succeeded. To the south of us was a powerful tribe. My first care was to make ourselves secure against them.
"Like my people they, too, were cannibals. They were ruled over by a Chief who was cruel, and whenever any of their people escaped I took them in and cared for them, and there are now many of those living with us who could not be induced to go back. For more than forty years no one has been killed and eaten by my people."
"Your work here is certainly most commendable. There is nothing which needs apology. Under the[p. 143] circumstances you have done all that was possible, and to the best of your ability. No one can do more," was John's timely observation.
"I thank you for the compliment. I owe everything to the few books which my comrade taught me to read. When I left the United States my heart was bitter toward all mankind. I could not see why I should have been treated in such a harsh manner among civilized people, but when I landed here and saw how much worse the conditions were, I began to reflect. It would have been an easy and a natural thing for me to be brutal to others, as they had been to me."
"You have shown a noble spirit, and I shall try to help you in caring for your people. Our ship is here, and we have some things for you, as soon as they can be unloaded," rejoined John.
During the afternoon communication was established with the Pioneer, and the natives were willing helpers in bringing up the packages, but it was too late to distribute them. Before leaving John said: "You have not told us your name."
"I was christened Ephraim Wilmar."
John seized him by the hands, as he said: "And was your father's name William?"
"Yes," said Ephraim, as his great eyes grew still bigger. "Did you know him?"
"I knew him well; he died about thirty years ago. He was my father's friend."