“I am a prisoner, as well as yourselves, and was taken only four days ago, but have no fear for your safety.”
“But if you are a prisoner, why did you talk to the chief in that way?”
“He is under some obligations to me; but come along with me, and fix yourselves up;” and to the amazement of the boys he led them into the chief’s house. The chief pointed to the boys and to the Professor as he spoke to the latter. The Professor nodded, and put his arms about the boys as before.
“How long have you been here?” he asked.
“Oh, a long time; more than six months. Some of the boys may still be free; but they are way east of here, a great many miles.”
“How do you know they are east of this many miles?”
“Because there is where we were captured.”
“Can you understand any of the language?”
“Yes; we can talk with them a little.”
“I am glad to know that. Now I will see that you get water for taking a bath. How long is it since you have had a bath?”