was quickly improvised and the savage gently laid on, and with
this, as their only encumbrance, they started for the return march. Five
of the men had been wounded, all in the arms and body, and none of them
dangerously, so that there was no trouble in the march.

They filed out to the west, avoiding as much exposure as possible.
Muro's men had been on the observing line, and at Muro's suggestion they
occasionally showed themselves, so as to assure the natives that they
were still holding their ground.

As the two forces were starting for the ship, Muro prepared a decoy, so
that the savages could see what appeared to be two figures. Then he
hurriedly told John what he had done, and the march began, as rapidly as
possible, at first, and a rear guard was provided to watch the movements
of their enemies.

Two miles beyond the scene of the fight the party halted, and George was
assisted to climb a tree, from which point they might be seen.

"I can see them plainly," he called down. "They are now around the
wounded. I cannot see what they are doing, but there is a big crowd."

He waited for some time, and then cried out: "I believe they are coming
this way. I think it is time for us to be moving." And George slipped
down, as John gave the order to go on.

The rear guard, with John and Uraso, were now following up behind the
marchers. "Go on, without stopping," he said, as they took up their
positions.

The boys begged to be permitted to remain with the rear guard, but John
refused to have them exposed. In an hour and a half they ascended an
elevation from which the ship could be seen in the bay to the southwest.

During that time only once had the runner returned from John to notify
them of the progress of the natives. The last information, therefore,
was about a half hour before, and it was now obvious that the savages
were determined to follow them up, and this would bring them within view
of the vessel.

Before descending the last declivity that led to the beach, John and the
Chief appeared, and told the boys that all of the tribe was behind them,
and that the cause of the pursuit was, unquestionably, to recover the
Chief who had been taken along.

At the suggestion of John three shots were fired to attract the
attention of those on the boat, while several of the fleetest runners
speeded down the beach and quickly advised the Professor of the
situation.

Two boat loads of warriors were quickly sent to shore,