The camp that evening was made at a running brook, and in the open, as usual. The camp was again surrounded, and pickets were established to keep them at a safe distance. There was no indication of the appearance of the Kurabus, and this relieved the situation somewhat.
When morning came the besiegers were nowhere in sight, and this meant one of two things; either that they had given up the fight in sheer disgust, or that the Kurabus were at hand.
The country became more broken as they advanced, and the continual ascent indicated a ridge of some extent, and this might be the dividing line between the limitations of the tribes on the different sides, just as they had found the streams to effect this division, and this was also pointed out by John and Blakely.
The best trails were selected by John who was in the advance with Muro, and at noon stopped within a valley which had a curious rock formation that attracted the eye of the Professor. The old instinct, to discover minerals, was too strong for him to resist, and with a pick was soon prospecting along the rocky walls.
He was gone for an hour before his absence was particularly noted, and George was the first to direct attention to it. John and one of the Saboros started to the south in the direction taken by him, and returned in less than a half hour without any tidings.
It was certain he had gone to the south, and the wagon was set in motion, and hurried forward. All was excitement now. Both sides of the ridge were examined, and indications found where the rock had been chipped and samples set aside.
As John crossed one of the ridges, he saw in the distance a band of savages moving rapidly to the southeast, but too far distant to be able to distinguish the individuals containing it. When Muro came up, he gazed forward, and his sharp, piercing eyes were sufficient to confirm their fears.
The Professor had been captured!
This startling news was conveyed to the boys, and their grief was heartrending to witness. They moved about from place to place without knowing what to say or do. The tears came in spite of their efforts.
“What shall we do?” asked Harry through his tears.