remarkably tenacious. This attack was a more determined one than they
had ever witnessed. There was no cessation in their forward advance, and
they were most skillful in seeking cover.

The boys looked at each other, but neither spoke his fears, if he had
any; to say the least, it was the most businesslike of anything which
they had witnessed.

Suddenly, they heard the noise of a volley behind the Illyas, and the
latter made a concerted rush for the underbrush to the west, as Muro,
with his men, sprang forward through the clearing; and the boys, with
Stut, sprang from the wagon and started the cheering, followed by the
warriors.

Muro rushed up and embraced Stut and the boys. A hurried breakfast was
prepared, and the fort sections replaced. There was no time to lose.
They must get back to John and be prepared to take part in the capture
of the great village of the Illyas.

CHAPTER XIII

THE REMARKABLE DISCOVERY AT BLAKELY'S MOUNTAIN HOME

It was the custom of the Professor to take the boys each week for an
outing in some direction from Unity. The most attractive part was toward
the great forest, west of the large river. Several boats had been made,
which were used principally for fishing, and one of these was usually
taken. They would then sail down the little branch stream, on which the
town was located, and cross the large river.

During the entire time they were at the village Blakely had not gone
across the river, although he frequently indicated a desire to do so,
particularly to look up the location of the home on the hill at the
forest's edge, where he found seclusion from the savages for nearly nine
months.

The Professor and the boys insisted on his accompanying them on this
occasion, and having given instructions to the men, they manned the
large boat and were soon on the western shore of the river.

The large quantity of driftwood, which was in evidence here, as
elsewhere, attracted the attention of Jim, as he turned to the
Professor.

"I have often wondered why it is that there is so much driftwood on the
western shore of this stream, and hardly any on the eastern shore."

Blakely, his attention having been drawn to it, remarked that he had
found this to be the case in a number of streams, not only on the
island, but elsewhere.

"That is a singular thing," replied the Professor. "It is accounted for
by the rotation of the earth, which is from west to east. The rotation
of the earth i