ne else here."

"Will it be done the same with the Berees, and the Kurabus and the
Saboros?"

"Yes; each will be a State of its own, and will be governed in the same
way, and a Saboro will come here and buy some land, and you will protect
him, and when one of the Osagas goes to the Berees he can buy land
there, and they must protect him and his wife and children."

"Yes; I see what you mean. I am content. I will do this whether the
others do or not."

"But I assure you," continued the Professor, "that the others will be
compelled to do as you do."

"How can we compel them?"

"No one will want to buy their land, and they will not become valuable
for that reason, like yours, because the people who come here will buy
only where they know there is a law and where they know they will be
protected."

Uraso grasped the wonderful import of this statement, and became its
most enthusiastic advocate. He had many talks with Marmo and Muro, and
he presented the matter in such a way that most suitably appealed to the
savage mind.

The all-absorbing topic now was the proposed expedition to the Illyas.
Marmo, the Tuolo chief, had sent a message to their chief, in which he
set forth the advantages which would accrue to them to quietly submit,
and also stated that he did so willingly, in the belief such a course
would be of the greatest and most lasting benefit.

Marmo had received no response, and the outlook boded no good.
Preparations were begun, and Marmo insisted that his warriors should
form part of the force, and that he himself would accompany the
expedition. As the boys, by the aid of their helpers, had been at work
on the guns from the time the factory was set up, they had a hundred and
twenty guns completed. This was ample for any requirement.

Two new wagons were also made, and several smaller ones, designed for
single steers, the latter being used by the Professor and the chiefs in
going to and fro.

CHAPTER X

THE PECULIAR SAVAGE BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS

The chief Marmo had now an opportunity to learn another lesson he was
not prepared for. Many of the warriors objected to going on the
expedition. The work at the factory and in the various occupations so
fascinated them that they begged to be excused.

At the request of the Professor many were excused from going, care
having been taken to consult the boys who had charge of the various
parts of the business as to the ones which could best be spared.