The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages Part 8

"Yes," answered Uraso.

"Let us go there at once," responded the Professor.

Within two days the spot was reached, and at the sight of it all were pleased beyond measure.

"It is an ideal spot," exclaimed John. "The falls would be much better for our purpose than the Cataract, and it is close to the river. As the latter has ample depth for good-sized boats, and the sea is not more than three miles away, I judge, we are near enough to carry out the purpose of building the large vessel."

No conferences were required to make the decision. "Your judgment is to be commended," said the Professor to Uraso. "I do not think there is a better spot on the island."

"It suits me," said Blakely. "See the forest to the northwest? That is where I used to live. I know the boys will enjoy exploring it, and if they want excitement at any time, it is near enough to give them plenty of exercise."

The boys' eyes glistened with excitement at the news. "Won't we have fun over there, when we are fixed up!" said Will.

The Professor, addressing the Chiefs, said: "We do not need all the men we have here, as they will no doubt be needed for a time at their homes, in order to take care of the women and children. For the present I suggest that one-half of them be sent home, and the others remain here, and get the work started. This will take several moons, and we must then meet, unless we hear from the Illyas sooner, and march against them."

The chiefs selected the ones which were to remain, and those instructed to return home were advised that later on they would be brought to the new village, to take their part in the work, and thus give an opportunity to all.

The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and each tribe tried to outdo the other in generous acts. The example set by the Professor was, indeed, a lesson to these poor, ignorant creatures.

"Professor, what shall we do when the herd arrives? I think we had better fence in a field for them until they get used to the people and learn, to remain in this part of the country."

"I am glad that you suggested that, Ralph. You may build a fence to hold them, and I suggest that you use the s.p.a.ce in the forks of the river."

"How many men shall I take for the purpose?"

"As Sutoto will likely be here to-morrow, or on the following day, you should take enough to do it quickly. Use at least fifty of them. Stut would be the one to call in for help."

"What kind of a fence shall we build?"

"I will make a sketch of the best form for the present. Have some of the men cut posts that have several forks like the sketch shows. Cut these off at lengths so that one fork will be about two feet up out of the ground, and the other five feet or a little more above. Set others to work cutting the long poles, which you will find along; the river bank."

"How long should we make the poles?"

"Get them as long as you can; but make them, say, nine, eighteen or twenty-seven feet long. Then, at the same time, others can be digging the post holes, and make those eight feet apart and two feet deep. When the posts are set, the men with the poles can go along and lay them in place, just as I show."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Fig. 7. Sample of Island Fence._]

The warriors took the bolos and sallied down to the stream. Ralph had made a mental calculation that at least one hundred posts would be required; the line of the fence was laid out and the holes marked. Muro took charge of the digging of the holes, and the men showed a wonderful apt.i.tude for the work. During the afternoon the Professor wandered down to the line, and went among them, speaking words of cheer and commendation to all, so that he impressed his wonderful personality on every man.

Meanwhile Harry, with the other boys, was at work preparing a new water wheel. In this he had the aid of Uraso, as the director general of the men. Many hands make light work. In a single day the wheel was ready for mounting. The dried lumber which had been brought over was a great advantage in making it, and in preparing the bridge below the falls on which the wheel was mounted.

This was completed on the evening of the second day, just as Sutoto came into view with the cattle. It was an amusing sight to see how they had brought over the herd.

Apollo was the name of the bull which had the terrific fight with the old bull. The first thing Sutoto did was to catch Apollo, and firmly secure him with hobbles. He was led in front, and the others driven along after him, the rest following meekly.

When Apollo was finally loosened, and allowed the freedom of the corral, he gave a roar, pawed up the ground and shook his head at the indignant treatment.

Their appearance meant milk and b.u.t.ter. There were thirty-five in the herd, of which ten were young animals, from four to six months of age, and six calves, the latter of which r.e.t.a.r.ded the movement of the drove on the route.

Early in the morning the wheel was put up, and it began to turn, to the delight of the men.

"It would be better, Harry, to set up the sawmill at once, as I have directed a number of men to go to the forest with John, to cut the logs, and they will take the two teams along, so that by the time you are ready, the material will be here for you."

"What shall I cut first?"

"Get out the scantlings for the house and shop, as the latter will be the first to receive our attention. We must have some place to put the things we have in the wagons."

It is remarkable how quickly a set of men, working under intelligent directions, can carry out a purpose. The logs began coming in shortly after noon, and in the morning the saw was at work, and it did not cease its operations for many a day.

The natives were so fascinated with it that they considered it a grief to leave it. But the Professor had other purposes in view. George and Tom were selected to make several looms, similar to the one brought from the Cataract. In this work, as in everything else, some particular ones were selected and instructed to do the work.

Ramie fiber was found in abundance, along the streams, and after a set of men had been instructed how to cut and gather it, they were kept at that work, while others were directed how to wet it down and rot the woody fiber and taught the manner in which the fiber was freed of the stalks.

CHAPTER VI

BUILDING UP THE NEW TOWN

Within a week most disquieting rumors reached the new village as to the att.i.tude of the Illyas and Tuolos. The former sent an insulting message that if the White Chief wanted the captives he should come for them.

The Tuolos had returned to their country, but John was determined that they must have a visit. Thus far no bands from the warring tribes had molested either the Saboros, who were nearest on one side, or the Brabos on the other side.

Their silence after a peace message was sent them could only be interpreted to mean one thing, on the part of the Tuolos.

"The Illyas will not dare to injure the captives they have with such a warning as we gave them, and if they intended to destroy them it is possible that has been done already. Under the circ.u.mstances a little patience on our part may show them that we mean business."

Muro, who understood the Illyas' character better than the others, was of the opinion that the Professor's views were most likely to accomplish the purpose without bloodshed. On the other hand, he was of an entirely different opinion with respect to the Tuolos.

A few weeks of active work, first, in completing all preparations for defense, and second, in organizing the tribes into a working unity, would be of the greatest importance to the community.

The shop and the laboratory were completed, and most of the things in the wagons were now in place. The important thing was the disposition of the treasure. For the safe keeping of this a large pit was dug beneath one end of the shop, and an underground vault constructed, the brick for this purpose being made from a natural silicate found in the hills near by, and which hardened without burning. The interior was also plastered with the same material, and a strong door, small, but thick, was constructed to close the opening.

During the night John, the Professor and Blakely, with the boys, carefully stored the treasure there, so that the different tribes had no idea of the use to which the vault had been put.

Two of the simple looms had been made, so that there were now three ready to turn out goods, and the fiber was in such shape that it could soon be utilized. In the meantime the boys concluded that as the weaving process was the slowest operation it would be well to construct several additional looms, and two of them capable of making goods four feet wide.

One of the first acts of the Professor was to scour the hills to the north for minerals. He was in search of copper, and taking a half dozen of the natives with him, and one of the teams, a load of copper ore was brought in.

The furnaces and smelters had been set up by the boys, previous to this, and within ten days a hundred pounds of copper were run into clay receptacles, to be used for the various purposes.

"What do you suppose the Professor wants with so much copper?" asked Ralph.

"You can make up your mind he has some scheme or other," answered George.

The Professor really did have a scheme, for the first thing he consulted Harry about was a plan to make some small molds in two parts, out of bra.s.s, from a plaster paris disk which he had carved out.