observed Harry.

John mused for a while, and then said: "It is likely that the people
here have the same aversion to fish as some natives along the Australian
continent, and in the islands near there."

"What is that?" asked George.

"The natives of New Guinea, for instance, worship snakes, lizards,
sharks and crocodiles, and there is a strict law among them not to
injure anything, of that kind. As a result, they are afraid to eat
anything that approaches the shape of these animals."

"Well, if they worship the snakes they must have some kind of religion,"
ventured Harry.

"Yes; and with them go the witch doctors who practice on the people and
charge fees just the same as the physicians do in our country."

"Do they claim there is a Great Spirit, like some of the people here!"

"No; they have a God called Baigona, who lives in the mountains, and
instead of being a good God, is a bad one; he has the power to speak
without being heard, to strike without being seen, and he loves and
hates, just like human beings. He gives the witch doctor the power to do
anything, without being wrong, and without being liable to punishment."

"Well, that is a pretty convenient God to have," said Harry, as he mused
at the idea.

The peculiar thing about the absence of sea food at the banquet could
not be understood, particularly as the natives on Wonder Island were
great fish eaters, and were also the bitter enemies of snakes.

"We must consult the Chief about that," said John.

At the first opportunity the subject was brought up, and it was
discovered that the people were afraid to eat anything that came from
the sea. And then another thing was learned. There were no rivers of any
consequence on the island; only a few streams, that were dry most of the
year.

"I can understand," said John, "that in such a case you do not have
fresh water fish."

The Chief was, in many respects, a remarkable character. Most natives
are extremely superstitious, and it is particularly true of those who
have a belief in some form of God. While he would marvel at new things
they did not occur to him as being the result of some new occult force.

In this respect he differed from the natives of Wonder Island, all of
whom believed, more or less, in the tales of the Medicine Men, and of
the witch doctors. Old Suros, of the Berees tribe, was the only one who
did not believe in the existence of a being who could rule him.

But the Chief had other