recked, but Wright knew nothing of Walter. If the solution of this
matter does not lie in some other island, we might as well give it up."

Before describing the events of the journey it is necessary to make a
digression, so that we may be able to recount some things which had a
bearing on the adventures and experiences of the two boys after they
returned.

The natives on Wonder Island, as well as on the island where they now
were, wore the most primitive kinds of clothing. The men had the
simplest clothing, merely a breech clout, worn about the loins, and the
Chiefs usually wore some distinguishing clothing about their shoulders,
and usually on their arms.

The women, however, had short skirts, and like their white sisters,
abounded in ornaments. Some of them had jackets, to which the trinkets
were attached. All delighted in bracelets. These were usually formed
like bands around their arms and limbs, and the wealth and importance of
the dame was judged from the number so employed.

As a result, when they became great and wealthy, more and more clothing
had to be used, to enable them to attach the ornaments. It might be
said, that clothing was worn, not for the purpose of covering the body,
or for comfort, but in order to serve as a vehicle to attach the much
desired trinkets, and the dangling character of these articles seemed to
be the great attraction.

For this reason bright and sparkling bits of jewelry were the most
sought. It mattered not what they were made of, but the glistening
surface had its value to them. Singularly enough, the women on the new
island strove to decorate themselves in like manner, and presumably, for
the same purpose.

When the savages in Wonder Island were brought out of their crude state,
the Professor and George knew that they could not change that
fundamental law of nature, nor did they attempt to work a revolution in
the minds and characters of the people in this respect.

Within certain limitations such a desire to ornament and render
themselves attractive is most laudable. They knew that among the few
peoples in the world, where that quality is entirely lacking, they are
of the lowest type, and possessed of the least intellect, and that all
such are the hardest to cultivate.

Here, as on Wonder Island, the natives understood weaving, the fabrics
being of the coarsest character, both in the matter of quality and
appearance. The work was necessarily slow and tedious, and the pr