The wagon was headed due west, the object being to reach the river and thus move down its banks, until they reached the Osagas’ country, where Muro believed they would find shelter. They avoided the battle-ground which the Kurabus and Illyas occupied on one side, and the Brabos on the other side, the Brabos being to the southwest of the other forces.
This position was such, that as the two forces would, undoubtedly, quickly defeat the Brabos, who were not aware of the presence of the Illyas, the rout and the direction of the flight would be to the southeast, and the trail along the river would be left free from any enemies.
When the last messenger came from Uraso, stating that the Illyas and Brabos were maneuvering for a fight, and that they would await the result of that issue, he and Ralsea had not discovered the presence of the Kurabus.
The positions of the hostile forces, with the Illyas to the west and the Brabos to the southeast, with the Kurabus coming from the northeast, made the situation a difficult one for them to determine. Were the Kurabus on the way to aid the Brabos or the Illyas?
If they knew this they would be able to decide, just as Muro did, what direction would be the safest to go. Their only course was to escape the Kurabus, and then follow up their movements.
This description of the maneuvers will explain why the Professor did not get a messenger during the entire day, and he waited with the warriors, who watched the tribe to the west, until late in the afternoon, when the scouts reported that they had disappeared.
If the Professor had known that this tribe to the west was the Osagas, as was really the case, the settlement of all their troubles would have been more speedy, but they had no means of learning this, and the Osagas were much more intent, at this time, in watching the movements of the Illyas and the Kurabus.
CHAPTER XVII
THE SABOROS COMING TO THE RESCUE
Muro had just returned to the wagon from his position in the front, and John met him, as he expected some news from his actions.
“The Kurabus have joined the Illyas.”