The old man then said that the warriors were now in the north, and that the last band had gone there the day before to try and capture the traveling murka (wagon) which the white men had.
This information was sufficiently startling to determine the Professor to act at once; so turning to Ralsea he spoke as follows:
“We must try and prevent the Osagas from attacking my people. They will resist, and many of them will be killed. Let us go at once with the warriors.”
This was the most remarkable event which had ever taken place in the lives of these people—it was the first time that a hostile tribe had ever taken a village and not exacted a tribute. It was too astonishing for their comprehension.
The Professor and his party had no idea that John and the boys had directed the course of the wagon eastwardly, and were, therefore, at that time in the Kurabu territory fully ten miles east of the point where he hoped to find them.
For the present the most important thing was to follow the Osagas, and halt them from attacking, so the column was hurried forward, directly to the north in the trail of the fighters in the hope that they might be overtaken before the next morning.
While this was going on John and the boys were preparing for the fight of their lives. They were determined on forcing their way through the hostile forces. The two bands were coming forward at a rapid rate, and they saw them unite without any hostile exhibitions.
The parties had joined for some purpose, which was not then apparent, as neither of the factions could have known of the presence of the wagon before them. There was no movement for fully an hour, due doubtless to consultations upon the subject at hand.
About two o’clock the combined column was set in motion, and it was noticed that the two tribes, while marching toward them, along parallel lines, were separated from each other. John called Muro’s attention to this. He replied:
“That is the custom here with all tribes. They will not mix up when on the march. Each tribe keeps by itself.”