“And how many people are there?”
“I could not tell you, but so many you could not count them.”
“And do you have many tribes in your country?”
“No; we have only one tribe.”
All this was conveyed and expressed, not in the order given, but by careful explanations, and by counting the numbers with pebbles, as they had no numbers beyond twenty which could be indicated by any words in their language.
When the warriors were ready for the start, the Professor was surprised to find that the chief had prepared a litter, to be carried by four of the warriors. This was to be his carriage of state. He did not refuse to accept his place in it, as he knew that it would have been in bad taste, and he was the more gratified when he learned from the boys that it was the chief’s own litter.
The cavalcade marched directly to the north, the speed being about three miles per hour. What a glorious reunion he anticipated with his boys and friends, for he had no fear of their ability to cope with the various tribes, unless all combined, and this he knew would be very unlikely.
He had been careful to get from the chief an outline of the enmities and the feuds which existed, and the knowledge of this would the better enable him to deal with the different ones when brought into contact with them.
Ralsea, the sub-chief, was a powerful warrior, and the Professor found him a most agreeable man. In respect for his position, every order was a request made through him, and it was soon perceived that the deference which the Professor extended, flattered him beyond measure.
Thus, by a diplomatic policy, he made a friend of the next most powerful personage in the tribe. He took him into his confidence, and explained his plans in the best manner possible, to the great satisfaction of the native.