It was singular how this information seemed to supply the missing word
in the mysterious message found with the skeleton on the hill. The
Professor at once made a copy of the letter, and forwarded it by
messenger to John. In the letter he detailed the information of the
finding of the message, and he had hopes that they might be able to find
some traces of the people mentioned in the letter.

While awaiting the return of Muro, John made a complete examination of
the Illyas' village, encircling it to get its full position, and thus
enable him to devise the best mode to attack, if it should be found
necessary to do so.

He was astounded to note the character of the buildings. They had been
the work of white men, it was evident.

Muro, with the boys, and the wagons came in sight before ten o'clock, to
the intense relief of John. He suspected the cause of the delay.

"We had a lively brush with them, for a while," said Harry, "but we had
no fear at any time."

"Harry is right about that, but I want to tell you we have a different
class of fighters to deal with than anything we have experienced so
far," added George. "Why our fire didn't seem to frighten them a bit,
and they adopted the regular Indian plan of getting behind trees and
brush."

"What kind of a town is that!" asked Harry, as he took the first glimpse
of the place through the trees.

"Something different in that line, too, as well as in the fighting,"
answered John, as he smiled at the question.

"How big a town is it?" asked George.

"I judge, from its size, that there must be fully a thousand natives
there, but they are keeping pretty close. Do you see the line of
breastworks all around the place!"

The boys were astonished at what they saw. No wonder the other tribes
hesitated to attack them.

The two warriors captured by Muro were brought before John, after he had
made a survey of the place, and by the aid of Uraso one of them was
instructed to carry information as to their intention to the Illyas.

This was to the effect that in the event no reply was received before
noon no other effort would be made to open communications. It was
distinctly impressed on the warrior that the Illyas must give up all the
captives, and that an agreement must be entered into by them not to
leave their own boundaries in the future, and John also offered
protection and a safe return of any messenger who might be sent back
with the answer.

The captive was rele