“How many are there?” asked the Professor.
“About a hundred, but of this we are not sure.”
Night came on, and still there was no news from the firing line.
“What can all this mean?” said the Professor to the boys. The firing had ceased long before, but the mystery of the non-appearance of Uraso and Ralsea could not be accounted for.
About nine o’clock a commotion in the camp announced the appearance of a messenger from Uraso. “My people not fighting your people. Illyas and Brabos ready to fight.”
Where were the Osagas? and with whom were John and party engaged? The night was dark, so that it was difficult to make any attempt at a forward movement, and they impatiently awaited news from the two chiefs.
Will and Jim were with the Professor constantly, and the latter referred to the remarkable exhibitions of feelings expressed by the Chief Uraso during the exciting events of the day.
“I always thought,” said Jim, “that a great many people at home show their excitement when anything happens, but it is nothing compared with the savages here. You can tell when anything unusual happens with them a mile off.”
“The matter of expressing feeling or emotion by physical expressions has characteristic national traits. Among civilized people the French show the most intense actions physically, while the German is the most voluble. The Italians can cast the darkest frown, and the Turks are the least affected outwardly. The Englishman is always cool and collected. John Bull is shown typically as a cautious, self-satisfied individual, and Uncle Sam is always pictured in the European comic as the alert character.”
“We noticed a big difference between two of the tribes here. The Saboros are a very quick people; quick in their actions, and will take offense readily. The Sebrees are much slower, and show sympathy or any excitement more slowly.”