iful supply of trees.

In some respects, viewed from a distance, the scene did not look at all
primitive, and were it not for the crude character of the houses it
might have been taken for a typical modern town or village.

Only one hut had been passed, thus far. It was not at all crudely built,
and while it had been left to decay, it showed that the owner had some
ideas of comfort, and an eye to convenience, as it was located by the
side of a spring. On one side of the cottage was a weed-grown garden,
and some fine specimens of taro as well as wild potatoes were in
evidence.

Earthenware cooking utensils were discovered, which added to the
interest of the place, but no other furniture was found to show how the
people lived. It might have been deserted for a year or more.

Ascending the second small hill, they were startled to find themselves
face to face with a half dozen of the natives, who were frightfully
alarmed at the appearance of the visitors, for they set up a shout and
ran like deer toward the village.

John kept on at the head of his force, and while the commotion in the
village, not a half mile distant, was plainly visible, he did not halt,
until he saw a curious crowd surrounding a short individual, who stood
apart from those around him.

"That is the Chief," said Laleo. "It is said he is a terrible man, and
unlike all others," thus repeating what the Chief had told John.

As he made no attempt to come forward or indicate what his wishes were,
John directed the men to follow him, fifty feet in his rear, and he went
on until within two hundred feet of the motley crowd, the people in the
meantime making no sign of resistance, nor did they object to the
advance.

When John stopped, the curious figure, who was designated as the Chief,
moved forward toward John without a bit of hesitation, and the boys were
simply dumbfounded at his singular appearance, and at the gait he
assumed.

A word picture of him would not be amiss. He was a hunchback, with an
extraordinary lump on his back, the arms much too long for his body, and
crooked, distorted legs. The head, however, was massive, and covered
with a heavy beard, which seemed to grow close up to the eyes, giving
him a fierce appearance, because his head was covered with a thick
coating of long gray, or sandy hair, that swung around the darker beard,
as he shambled along.

As he neared John his bright and staring eyes were the first thing
noticed. When h