The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages Part 13

It was all done with such wonderful celerity and precision that it astounded the circle of warriors beyond measure, and the effect was doubly so to the two Krishnos. John had staged this to produce the greatest effect. The Krishnos were bound with their heads side by side, and a cloth put over their heads, so that they had no knowledge who their tormentors were.

They danced about, and in their shrieks called out imprecations on their enemies, but soon, as the blows continued, begged for mercy, and Muro signaled them to cease.

The cloth was removed and John again addressed them. They again persevered in their silence, and at a motion the cloth was again placed over their heads.

Before the second chastis.e.m.e.nt began they yielded and the cords were released.

"You see the Great Spirit did not come to your a.s.sistance. Why were you going to the village?"

"To tell the chiefs not to yield to you."

"The Great Spirit has told me to tell you that the Tuolos must give up their captives, and cease war. Will you tell the chief so?"

"The Great Spirit did not tell you so," they defiantly answered.

At a signal from John the cords were again brought into play, and the cloth exhibited. At this sight they pleaded for mercy, and promised to do as John requested. They were released and conducted to the outer line of pickets, and quickly disappeared within the village.

It was now nearly four in the morning, and the first streaks of light began to show in the east. Muro knew the Tuolo character. They regarded themselves to be the superiors of all the tribes, and hitherto had treated the others with contempt, excepting the Illyas, whom they respected only because they were the most powerful.

"They are having a warm time discussing the situation," remarked John, as he noted the surging inhabitants. That there was indecision became apparent, and the condition of the Krishnos more precarious, as light began to give them a more decided glimpse of the activities in the village.

Soon warriors were noticed rus.h.i.+ng to and from the large circle within which the Krishnos sat. Bows and spears were hurriedly grasped.

"What does it mean?" asked John.

"It is likely they know they are surrounded, and have decided to defend themselves," answered Muro.

A warrior of distinguished appearance emerged from the circle, and advanced toward the position occupied by John. Muro beckoned to John, and together they moved into the open. The warrior saw the two approaching, and he halted.

Turning to his band he spoke a word, and another no less distinguished stepped from the rank and moved toward him.

"The first one is the chief, and the other one he called to follow is the next in rank. As there are two of us, so must there be two on his side."

John and Muro advanced without halting, and as they neared each other the chief, in the most haughty manner, addressed Muro as follows:

"Why do you come to make war on my people?"

Muro, taking his cue from John's previous att.i.tude, rose to his full height and replied: "You have always been the aggressor against the other people, and you have within the last moon killed and taken two Brabos in captivity, and we demand their return."

"That I will not do."

"Then the White Chief will speak to you."

John advanced and began the conversation. "The white people do not desire war. You captured two of my people and I took them from you with only four men. All the tribes but you and the Illyas have united to compel you to submit, and you shall not again be free to murder and injure other people.

"If you want war, we are prepared to fight you. Your village is surrounded, and we have the fire guns which will compel you to yield. If you will surrender, we will see to it that you and your people shall not be harmed, but if you resist you will be killed. You cannot escape."

The chief was stunned, and could not answer. John saw the impression the address had made, and proceeded: "What did the Krishnos tell you? Did they not tell you to surrender? Did they not tell you that they lied when they said the Great Spirit wanted you to kill us?"

The chief was silent. Was he debating the matter in his mind? John continued: "When this speaks," he said, pointing to his gun, "all of the fire guns about your village will speak."

"How shall we know you will keep your word?"

Muro held up his hand, as he spoke: "Ask the Kurabus whether the White Chief keeps his word."

Before he could reply, John added: "The White Chief keeps his word. He believes the people here will keep their word if they know the others will do so. He has armed the tribes who have allied themselves with him, because he believes in them, and we do not want to make you captives, or offer sacrifices of your brave men."

"The White Chief speaks wisely," said Muro. "He does not believe in making sacrifices. The Great Spirit has told him that is wrong."

Still the chief pondered, and, slowly raising his head, said: "I believe the white man, and what he says. I will tell my people."

He turned and moved toward the village, John and Muro remaining there, as an indication that they expected an immediate answer.

"He will yield," said Muro, "and according to custom, will first tell his people what his decision is."

Muro was right. Within a half hour the chief advanced at the head of his warriors, the latter of whom had left their bows and spears at the circle, and the two stood ready to receive them.

As the two chiefs appeared the warriors lined up behind them.

"I have brought my warriors here to show you that we will be friends."

And John advanced and took the hand of the chief.

"In my country we become friends when we take each other's hands, and I am glad to see that you have wisdom to accept us as your friends."

At a signal from Muro, the warriors advanced from all sides, and together they marched into the village, the different ones telling the Tuolos the wonderful things the White Chief was doing, and how they were bringing all the tribes together, and making them stop war.

The first act of the Tuolo chief was to liberate the two Brabo warriors.

When the wagon was driven into the village, the people gathered around the curious contrivance. Some of them remembered it when it was there nearly a year before, but under quite different circ.u.mstances.

The boys, Ralph and Tom, soon attracted the attention of the chief. He went up to them, and simulating the act of John, held out his hand. The boys understood it, and respectfully responded and saluted the chief, in regular military fas.h.i.+on.

Then, climax to the foregoing events, Blakely gave a word of command to the fifty who were armed with the guns, and for the benefit of their new allies, put them through a manual of arms. The precision with which this was done, and the remarkable manner in which the subsequent evolutions were performed, astonished the Tuolos.

While this was going on there was little time to notice the condition of the Krishnos. They had been bound; and were now lying in disgrace at the place where the circle had been formed, trembling at their fate.

Before preparations had been made for breakfast, the chief gave a command, and a number of warriors rushed up to the poor fellows, and began to drag them to the large hut.

Muro motioned to John, and quietly said: "They will probably torture them."

John appeared before the chief and said: "The Great Spirit will be offended if you injure the Krishnos."

"What would you have me do with them?"

"Give them to me."

The chief ordered them to be brought forward, and spoke to them: "The White Chief has asked me not to injure you, and at his command I have given you to him."

This announcement seemed to stun them, but Muro was quick to a.s.sure them that the White Chief meant no harm.