"

"It might also be well," remarked Blakely, "to have the different chiefs
select the most competent men in the four tribes to whom instructions
might be given in the use of the guns, and I will drill them and show
how to handle them to the best advantage."

The four chiefs selected the men for the expedition from the respective
tribes, and the four boys who had been together for so long, begged that
they might be of the party also, and the Professor could not deny them
this privilege.

Early in the morning the entire force started on the march for the
Brabos' village, and before night arrived at the main one, where the
Professor and his party had the first close sight of the village and the
inhabitants.

Runners were sent ahead to inform the people of the expected arrivals.
This was the first time in the history of the island that a foreign
tribe had ever visited them, except in a hostile manner, and the
curiosity of the women and children was intense.

Oma, the chief, had graciously ordered the best hut for the Professor,
but he declined it with many thanks, and presented the chief's wife with
one of the mirrors, which delighted them. Some of the warriors were
designated to procure game, and others to bring in wood for the fires,
and the most skilled were selected to scout to the northwest to
determine the movements of the enemy.

In the morning, John and his party, with the wagon, started for the
Cataract home. Uraso and Muro were designated to accompany them, and you
may be sure that to the boys this trip had in it every enjoyment that
could be brought to them.

"What a difference there is in things, now," mused Harry, as he drove
the yaks along. "I hope they will have no trouble with those treacherous
tribes until we get back."

"It makes me sad to think that we have to give up the Cataract," said
George. "The past year has been a happy one to all of us, even though we
have had serious times. And what shall we do with the flag?"

They had made a beautiful flag, which floated from a tall staff on
Observation Hill. It would have been a grief to permit it to remain.

John overheard the conversation. "Yes; we shall certainly take it with
us, and teach the natives here to respect it." And the boys applauded
the sentiment.

In two days more the party sighted the Cataract, and saw "Old Glory"
floating from the mast. When they saw it again, they took off their hats
and gave three cheers. This so astonished t