The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages Part 24

CHAPTER XIV

THE SURPRISE AND CAPTURE OF THE ILLYAS' STRONGHOLD

John smiled, as he saw with what satisfaction Uraso gave him this parting shot. Still he hesitated.

Uraso went up to him, and he started back. "You need not fear me because we will keep our word. Say to your chiefs that Uraso tells them they are fools. The Illyas cannot succeed. They will be crushed and their villages taken. Your village is surrounded, and you cannot get aid from your other villages. Go and tell them that we shall not again ask them to treat with us."

This address a.s.sured him and he first marched along carefully, and soon made his way with celerity to the village. The Illyas were, unquestionably, as much surprised as the messenger at the treatment he had received. It was so unlike all former experiences.

During John's investigations he had discovered that the approach to the village on the east side offered the best chance for a rush, as the character of the ground was better suited to go up close to the line of works, and from that point a better view was obtained of the interior of the village.

A movement during the daytime would disclose his motives, and he therefore advised Uraso and Muro of his plans, and suggested that as they would be able to ma.s.s the troops better during the night, the attack should be delayed until early morning.

"During the day we will make a great show of putting up a line of works to deceive them into the idea that we intend to attack from this side.

During the early morning we will take three-fourths of the force and steal around to the east, and attack them with a rush."

"But suppose they rush out in this direction?" asked Muro.

"We must keep a sufficient force here to hold them in check, and, if necessary, to rush in from this quarter; and I would like to have you hold the ones left for that purpose."

Muro was delighted at the position a.s.signed him, and thought he saw the slightest bit of feeling on the part of Uraso; but this was soon quelled when John took Uraso aside and said: "I want you with me, as you know how to handle and direct the men."

"I have no right to feel offended because you have given Muro this post.

He is the best man."

"He is no better than you, but you are better than he for the position required when the charge is made."

This was, really, true. John knew the capacities of each. Muro was a better tactician, but Uraso had a much better hold on the affections of the warriors, and he was a fearless and intrepid fighter.

The boys could not help admiring the fine situation of the village, and the imposing appearance of the town.

"See that building facing this way? It has pillars different from the building to the left. Why do you suppose they made them unlike?" was George's query, as they sat in the wagon with John during the afternoon waiting for night to come.

"I suppose they wanted to put in the different kinds of architecture, simply as a freak, or for some other purpose that I have not yet settled in my mind. If I am not mistaken there are at least three different orders of architecture represented in the buildings. On the other side of the town you can see another building, somewhat smaller than the one to the left, which has still different columns."

"I imagine the one fronting us is the main building. What order does that belong to?"

"That is a Doric front. It had its origin in the log hut, which was called Dorus."

"How many kinds of architecture are there?"

"There are five distinct orders, as they are called."

"What are those besides the Doric?"

"The Ionic, the Corinthian, the Tuscan and the Composite."

"What is that building to the left?"

"That is distinctly Ionic."

"I don't see much difference from the Doric," remarked Harry.

"The distinction is very marked. The Ionic is proportioned to the dimensions of a man, and has the delicacy of the human figure."

"Yes; I can see that now. Has the proportion anything to do with the order?"

"The Tuscan is distinguished by the fact that the column is usually made seven times the diameter of the lower part of the shaft in height."

"But I notice that the ones shown in the two buildings don't appear to be very much different in proportions."

"No, for the reason that the distinctive features between the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian pertain to the capitals. Notice how exceedingly simple the Doric is. I am sorry there are not other examples present, but I shall make some sketches to show the differences which are marked."

"I have heard more about the Corinthian than any other kind."

"That order is the most beautiful of all, and for that reason is so frequently referred to by writers. It is designed to represent the delicacy of a young girl. The capital is the most ornamental of all the orders, and it is also larger and much more showy."

"But you have not yet described the Composite."

"The Composite or Roman, is the Ionic grafted on the Corinthian. From this you will see that not only the general form, but also the proportion and the ornamentation, go to make up the various orders. To ill.u.s.trate: The Ionic has, as one feature, two scroll-like ornaments, called volutes, and it has more moldings and is much more slender than the Doric. To make the Composite there is borrowed the quarter round molding (A) from the Tuscan; the leaves (B) from the Corinthian, and the volutes (C) from the Ionic."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Doric. Ionic. Corinthian. Tuscan._ _Fig. 19. Orders of Architecture._]

During the night all preparations were made for a quick transfer of the main force to the east. Works were thrown up very ostentatiously during the afternoon, in their position on the west of the village, and it was obvious to the trained eye of John, who was constantly observing the movement in the village, that they were bringing the warriors to the side facing these preparations.

John, together with Muro and Uraso, crept up close to the line of breastworks, during the night, and satisfied themselves the Illyas were deceived as to the point of attack.

Shortly before four in the morning the warriors marched out, making a wide detour to the right, and within an hour were close to the east line, and carefully concealed. The plan was for the men under Muro to commence the attack, as soon as it was light enough to see plainly, and the firing of four guns was to be the order for the rush on the part of the main force.

All awaited the signal with impatience. Soon the firing was heard, and instantaneously, as though expecting it, the Illyas were seen rus.h.i.+ng through the village to the western line.

John gave the word. To approach close to the breastworks without firing a gun, and not to discharge a single piece until they were well within the fortified line.

The entire force moved forward at the shots. The line of entrenchments was reached, and John, with Uraso by his side, was the first to leap over. They halted fifty feet beyond the ridge, to allow the warriors to come in and form the line, those having the guns in front.

With a shout, the allies bounded forward, withholding their fire until the command should be given. The Illyas up to this time were princ.i.p.ally arranged along the western wall, discharging their arrows at the force under Muro.

The appearance of the allies within the walls was such a terrible surprise that all semblance of order was lost in their ranks. They began to scatter. Uraso shouted out in stentorian tones:

"Throw down your arms, or we will fire. Surrender and you will not be killed."

John and the front line were now alongside of the second building, the one described by him as having the columns of the Ionic order, which had interested the boys so much.

Notwithstanding the excitement of the moment, Harry could not help looking at the building with its tawdry and crumbling columns, and in doing so espied a half dozen peculiarly garbed Illyas rus.h.i.+ng out and attempting to escape to the north along the narrow street.