As they passed the hut the guards lay in blissful sleep, and seeing this the boys rushed in and excitedly told John of the jail delivery and the advisability of giving the alarm.
He held up his hand, in caution, as he smiled at the announcement. "Do you want the poor fellows to be sacrificed?"
"By no means."
"Then let them go. Possibly the Chief may find some way to get them back."
Two hours later the village took on another aspect. It was now about five o'clock in the afternoon, but in the meantime boy-like they had investigated every part of the surrounding scenery, being particularly interested in the monkeys which were seen in the trees everywhere.
The most amusing to the boys was a small animal that had a "beard all around his face," as George expressed it. It was small, hardly exceeding a foot in height, a sort of olive-gray color, and a round tail twice the length of the body.
"I think I know what you have reference to," suggested John, when appealed to. "It is the Jacchus, and is related to the Marmozets and the Tamarins. They are very active, like squirrels, and live on nuts, seeds, roots and fruit."
The Chief awakened as the boys entered, and within the next half hour was ready for the continuance of the festival.
"I should like to know what the next thing is on the programme? This is a little inconvenient, not[p. 96] knowing just what is going to take place," was George's observation.
"John will know if any one does, but I suppose he is too busy now with his Royal Highness," answered Harry with a laugh.