The Wonder Island Boys | Page 4

the drift and a rope. The dense forest. Crossing the river to the
south. Finding a camp fire with fresh bones. Numerous traces of
inhabitants. A glowing fire. Following the trail. Trying to catch them
before night. Efforts to capture one as a means of opening
communication. Sighting the camp. Hurried consultation. Surrounding
the camp of the natives.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
"He poised his spear as he raised himself out of the water" Frontispiece
"The main body of the savages broke for cover, but several, more
venturesome than the rest, sought to carry away the chief"
"'Come out into the light,' and Harry and George each put his arms
around one of the boys"
"He started back in fright as his own image appeared to him"
The First Boat The Match Safe Scene of the Fight on the River The
Wagon Raft Savage's Hut Deep Stream Shallow Stream Salsify Rubber
Carricature Plant Angel, His New Suit and Gun Poising the Spear
Northern Hemisphere (Stellar Map) Southern Hemisphere (Stellar Map)
Testing Eggs Rope Knots Rope Hitches The Color Spectrum Amarylla,
Chief's Poison Vegetable The Portable Fort Gravitational Pull Using
the Fort as a Raft

THE TRIBESMEN
CHAPTER I
THE FIRST OF THE TRIBESMEN
"They seem to be terribly excited about something, and many of them
are running back and forth," said Harry, from his perch on the wagon
top.
George made his way back again in time to see a half dozen of the
savages dart off into the bush to the left. They were from two to three
miles distant when first discovered, so that it was difficult to make out
their movements distinctly.

The Professor could not see them clearly, so that he also took a position
on the top of the wagon. "Do you see any movement to the left of their
camp?"
After gazing a while, Harry answered: "It seems that another party is
coming up." In a moment more he continued: "Yes, and they appear to
be waiting in ambush for them."
George Mayfield and Harry Crandall, together with an aged Professor,
had been wrecked on an island, one year before the opening event in
this chapter. They were attached to a ship training school that met with
disaster in mid-Pacific, and when cast ashore had nothing whatever
except the clothing they wore.
By extraordinary energy they began an investigation of the
surroundings and discovered many things which not only excited their
intense curiosity, but learned that the island was inhabited by one or
more tribes of savages. In this helpless state, with no means of defense,
and compelled to depend on nature for a supply of food and clothing,
they were truly in a pitiful state.
The Professor was a man of profound learning, and knowing that such a
condition must be met in a manner which would enable them to cope
with the situation, gradually turned the attention of the boys to
producing things of use, first making the articles most needed in their
impoverished condition, and afterwards adding some wonderful things
which enabled them to become bold enough to attempt the exploration
of the island.
A brief review of the situation was this: The first consideration was
food. A number of vegetables were found, some of them well known,
but in a wild state, as well as nuts and fruit. Barley was one of the
cereals early discovered, and from that bread was made. Then ramie, a
well-known fiber, was found in the early days of their occupation, as
well as flax, and a wild species of hemp.
They were surprised to find various ores, clay and slate, and with these
began a series of experimental work which was wonderful in its

character, as every part of the work had to be carried on with the most
primitive sort of tools and appliances.
Among the first adventures in the field of making the useful necessities
was the construction of a water wheel; the building of a sawmill, from
which lumber was turned out to make their dwelling; a loom was put
up which enabled them to weave clothing; and, finally, a wagon, which
arose from the desire to utilize a herd of yaks, which they succeeded in
capturing.
Before the present adventure a number of useful articles and tools had
been made, among which might be mentioned a lathe, a foundry, in
which they turned out articles in iron and brass, and this gave them an
opportunity to make first a few pistols, and lastly, several guns, with
which the present expedition was equipped.
All these things interested the boys, and they took delight in every part
of it, and it gave them satisfaction to see the results of their work on
every hand. But that which attracted them more intensely were the
series of