"But they are ready and will be flown as soon as we get nearer." As he said this the first ones were unfurled. Then the Wonder blew three long blasts which the Pioneer answered.
"They are going to let us go in first," said John. Such was, indeed, the case, for the Wonder slowed down, and the Pioneer entered the mouth of the river, for the last eight miles of the eventful cruise.
Two miles from the town both vessels began to blow signals with the fog horns, and long before the wharf was reached the people began to flock from all sides.
One little incident pleased the boys beyond all measure. On the bridge, and furiously waving his arms, and swinging an American flag was Sutoto, with his bride by his side.
"So Sutoto has been on a wedding trip to Chili?" remarked Harry.
Such was the case, as they afterwards learned. Both boys were busy explaining the sights and the locations of the different buildings to Beralsea and Ephraim, and the latter was much affected as he saw the flag floating from the tall staff in the principal square of the city.
Beralsea had seen Sutoto wave the flag from the bridge of the Wonder, and when he saw the same sort of emblem on the staff, he inquired of Ephraim the meaning of the curious thing. It was then explained to him that it was the magic combination of colors which their great tribe believed in, and which was always raised above them wherever they were, as a symbol that they were protected by it.
"But how can that protect the people? Is there something in it like the unseen lightning, which we have on the ship?"
"Unseen lightning, is a pretty good name, coming from a savage," remarked Harry in an undertone.