John and his companions knew that the Brabos and the Illyas were to the southwest and supposed that the Kurabus were to the north, and the most natural thing under the circumstances was to move to the southeast, as the route to Muro’s country was now clear.
Map showing position of all the parties.
Fig. 16.
The wagon was set in motion as fast as it could be driven, and within an hour Muro discovered a band ahead, and as it was a large one, and was moving to the southwest, he could not account for it.
With his gun he went forward while the wagon was halted, and soon came back with the intelligence that the Kurabus had circled their position, and were heading in the direction of the two warring forces.
It thus seemed that at every turn, some unfortunate element would bar their progress. John considered the situation from every standpoint, and in the consultations with Muro, decided that it would be unwise to remain in the present position, as the results of the battle could not long be in doubt, with the two forces arrayed against the Brabos.
It would mean, either that the Brabos would be captured, en masse, or they would be driven eastwardly, and thus again bring the two forces against them. Where were the Saboros? Stut must have failed to reach his tribe. This was now apparent, and no hope was expected from that quarter. The situation was indeed desperate.
To add to their perplexities, not one thing had been learned from the Professor and his party since the arrival of Sutoto. The latter affirmed that they should now be in that vicinity, unless they took a more westerly route. He knew they intended to go first to the Osaga village, and then follow up the warriors from that tribe.
These reasons made an entire change in the decisions of John and Muro. Why not take the route to the west, and thus avoid both of the tribes, and assure them of a much quicker flight to the south, although it took them away from Muro’s country.