Ephraim's enemies?

It was learned that John and Ephraim, after the vessel started,
concluded it would be wiser to visit Hutoton first and get all the
information possible from them concerning the time, condition, and
circumstances of the casting ashore of the white man found there when
John and his party made their visit.

In explanation of their action, it may be well, also, to state that they
still had on board of the _Pioneer_, the white man they had rescued or
taken from the stockade in the Malosos village, and that there were
certain things in his tale that seemed improbable to John.

The visit to Hutoton might be able to clear up the mystery, and possibly
establish the identity of the paralyzed man, and in that event it would,
not be necessary to go directly to the Malosos village but await their
return from Venture Island before visiting the village.

While the old man was being taken from the vessel, George went to John
and inquired: "Did he ever tell you his name?"

"Oh, yes; he says it is Henry D. Retlaw."

All noticed that he stole furtive glances about him as he was being
conveyed to the village.

"Were you ever here before?" asked John, as they neared the house of the
magistrate.

He shook his head vigorously, and answered "No!" with a vehemence that
startled John.

CHAPTER XIV

RESCUE ISLAND

Orders had gone out to prepare to receive the visitors in true Hutoton
style, but, in truth, the people did not need any urging. The
remembrance of the last visit, when the gifts were so judiciously
distributed, was sufficient to assure a generous welcome.

It was out of the question to leave that night, and John felt it to be a
duty to cultivate their acquaintance, and confer with the chief
magistrate about starting the people at work gathering the native
products.

John announced that within a month it was proposed to establish regular
sailings between that port and Wonder Island, which would enable them to
get supplies and ship their products each week. This intelligence was
then imparted to the people, who received it with the greatest
enthusiasm.

"One of the objects of the present visit is to take you with us to
Wonder Island," said John, addressing the leader, "so that you may learn
what we are doing, and come back prepared to instruct your people."

When this information was conveyed to him, he cast down his eyes, and
said sorrowfully: "But I am a convict, like the others, and I h