John was particularly insistent. “You know what Kipling calls the ‘white man’s burden’ is imposed on us. We have a duty to not only rescue the white men, but to rescue the natives as well. We have a wonderful field here, if we are true to ourselves. We may not be any too wise in finding a way of reaching them successfully, but sooner or later our efforts must win.”
The Professor and the boys applauded the position John had taken, and Harry, who was always an enthusiast in the matter of rescue work responded: “Speaking for myself, and for the boys as well, we are with you to the end, whatever the result may be.”
CHAPTER VI
APPROACHING THE FIRST HOSTILE CAMP
The only thing the boys really missed on the long journeys was the milk, and necessarily the butter. The yaks were a perfect feast for them. It was jolly fun to take care of them and milk the animals, and all took a hand in caring for the milk and churning the butter.
It was the jolliest, happiest community ever associated, and it was also a trying one in many ways, but these difficulties only brought them closer together, and showed the beauty of mutual aid and comfort, and the pleasures that grew out of them became keener as the days passed.
Each task appeared to be a pleasure; there was no work too hard or exertion too difficult to perform. Whether in preparing the food or making the ammunition, or the hunting or fishing, all seemed a part of the great work which John and the Professor had instilled in them.
They realized that there was something for them to live for; that they were placed on the island for some great object; and that while the rescue of their friends was a solemn duty, the other “burden,” to try and conquer the savages for their own welfare, was a part of their life.
Speaking of the subject one evening, the Professor observed: “Many people have a wrong impression of the divine injunction, that ‘it is better to give than to receive.’ This does not imply mere material things, but it goes far beyond that. A gift means nothing; it may be a pleasant reminder; but aside from that what is there which is really a service to either giver or receiver? The true giving is that which does not cost the giver anything. The great donor is he who can transfer to the recipient something which he could not otherwise gain. To teach a man how he can make two blades of grass grow where one grew before, or to impart the knowledge whereby a laborious task can be accomplished in an easier manner, or how the drudgery of life can be made a pleasant recreation, these are the great things of life, and are the greatest gifts in the power of civilized men.”
“It seems odd that it should be necessary to take a whole arsenal along with us for the purpose of trying to civilize the savages,” said George, laughing.
“Quite true,” answered John. “It has been said that England, the greatest civilizing force the world has ever known, sent her subjects to the shores of the foreign barbarians, with a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other. The Church and the fort seemed to be a necessary pair of instruments, put up opposite each other on the same highway that led to the rescue of the savages.”