ience. He said that the band came
up, after John and the party left, and in order to make as big a showing
as possible he and his companions hid in the grass, being separated from
each other twenty feet or more, thus making a line over a hundred feet
in length.

The savages did not know that the entire line was occupied only by seven
men. To all appearances the waving of the grass at the different points
along the line, indicated to them the presence of a large force. As a
result they started for the east, instead of going to the south, as
Uraso had calculated they would do, and which indeed they would have
done had they not heard the peculiar savage-made signals of the party
which was hunting Muro.

The movement of the band in that direction drove them directly toward
the watchers who had been left behind by John, and for them to meet a
second party, immediately after they left Uraso, must have been a most
astonishing thing to them.

But the savages were still more confounded, when, after leaving the
boys, they learned from the signals that a third party (the one with
John), was still further to the east.

The first evidence the boys had, that the last party had reached the
main band of savages, was the recurrence of the same peculiar sounds
that were heard during the night.

"They are telling them that we are all over the island. They are worried
about the situation," said Uraso. "John purposely took the men forward
in order to create the impression that our people might be found
everywhere."

"Did you hear the shots that Muro fired?" asked George.

"Yes; they were on all sides of him, undoubtedly, but I am satisfied he
is all right now."

"What makes you think so?"

"For the reason that the natives are retreating, and dare not attack
him. The last signs were those indicating danger. They were entirely
different from those sent out last night."

The peculiar drum beats ceased. Only occasionally could the plaintive
signal cry be heard, and after waiting for more than half hour, the boys
were delighted to see John and Muro appear on the distant hill,
accompanied by the men who were detailed with him.

Muro's story was an interesting one. He went directly east for a
distance of nearly two miles, passing between two different parties, who
were, of course, unaware of his presence. He sent the messenger back
when he met the first natives, and when this messenger was on his way
back he found the savages before