The moment his eyes caught the picture he started, and nodded his head affirmatively. John then pointed to the Kurabu and then to the boys in the picture, but at this he shook his head. This was sufficiently intelligent to inform them that the boys, if captives, were not in possession of either of the tribes.
The Professor then produced one of the headdresses which they had taken from one of the warriors in the first day’s fight, two months before, and by the same sort of pantomimic language the Saboro nodded his head affirmatively.
“We are getting along splendidly,” said John enthusiastically. “We know where the boys are, at least.”
For the first time the Saboro addressed the Kurabu, who shook his head as he proceeded. What were they talking about? John arrested the attention of the Saboro, and drawing the picture of a bearded man, showed it to him. The answer of the Saboro was a startling one as he held up three fingers.
“I wish we could get him out to the boathouse, to see whether he recognizes the lifeboat.” This proposal of John told them the purpose of the inquiry in that direction.
“Before doing that let us proceed with the inquiry as far as we can, and, if possible, get the Saboro to inform his fellow captive that our mission is to get the white men and the boys, and that we have no other object in view.”
It was interesting to watch the eyes of the savages as they sat at the evening meal. They were supplied with knives and forks, which they eyed curiously.
“Do you suppose this is the first time they ever had an opportunity to use forks?” asked Tom, laughing. “I know the fellows who got us never used anything like that!”
“They used knives to convey the food to the mouth, did they not?” queried the Professor.
“Well, our limited acquaintance brought us only among those who ate with the forks and knives which nature furnished them,” added Ralph.