Meanwhile Stut had taken his companion into the wagon, where he greeted Chump. A more happy set of savages could not be found than the group in the wagon, and the fortunate capture of John’s former companion also gave added joy to the entire party.
This exploit, so neatly contrived, and successfully executed, gave them a fighting force of ten, and with Chump, who, undoubtedly, would soon be able to assist, they had a very respectable array.
“But we must be on the alert, as our enemies will try and hunt us up as soon as they find how they have been tricked,” said John. Blakely was supplied with a gun, and Stut’s friends each presented with a bow and a spear.
The spears were not the savage-made variety, but were long, and of tough steel, the staffs being of shell-bark hickory, and the delight of the two warriors in handling the weapons was plainly shown in their actions.
The force in their front numbered fully a hundred. They still had to be reckoned with. There was no evidence to the savages that the whites had anything to do with the rescue, and they believed that the Saboros had effected the release.
“Well, if this isn’t an ingenious arrangement,” said Blakely, as he walked around and examined the fort. “You must have had an interesting time here. How long have you been on the island, Professor?”
“Nearly fifteen months. You landed about the same time, judging from John’s story.”
“I don’t want to interrupt,” said John, “but I have a little plan that should be carried out at once.”
“Go on,” said the Professor. “After what you have done to-night everybody ought to be willing to listen to you.”
“I have not yet had an opportunity to say that directly to the southeast of us, and not a half mile away, is a river. Beyond the river, probably three or four miles to the southeast, is a village, which, I take it, is the home of the tribe which has just been entertaining you,” and he looked at Blakely with a smile.