but
many times they saw that some of the men seemed to desire additional
information, and by degrees the boys encouraged them to put the
questions, and to seek inquiries.

This had a very stimulating effect. John was delighted at the spirit
thus developed, and he gave it a still broader range by refusing
sometimes to answer the questions, and thus inviting answers from the
men themselves.

Thus discussion developed. It taught them to begin to think for
themselves. If men know that the ready answer is always at hand, it
prevents the mind from expanding. The evenings, therefore, were seasons
of enjoyment, alike to the men as well as to the boys.

After they had reached the cove in the rocks, and all the dispositions
had been made for the night, John warned the men that while the natives
were no doubt, in consternation, the utmost care must be observed to
prevent any surprises.

The moon had not yet arisen, but there was a beautiful clear sky. The
great Southern Cross hung in the heavens like a giant lantern. On one
side, and on line with each other, shone the two brightest stars in the
heavens, the first being the Dog Star Sirius, and the next in order,
Canopus, the one white, and the other a yellowish white.

Then, on the other side of the Great Cross, sparkled Antares, the
brilliant red star, of the first magnitude, while Spica, another star
made up a most remarkable combination of heavenly orbs.

George had always been impressed with the appearance and the arrangement
of the stars, and he was struck by the intense interest which all
savages manifested in astronomy.

"Your observations are correct," said John, when the discussion began.
"Almost all of the savage rites, their feasts and religious ceremonials,
have something to do with the appearances and the movements of the
heavenly bodies."

"I suppose the grouping of the stars, when they named these groups of
the planets after animals, and the like, was done by the ancients, and
really meant something in a religious way," ventured Harry.

"It is difficult really to determine the origin of what is called the
Zodiac. From the evidence attainable it was known to the Babylonians,
over 2300 years before the Christian era. They divided the heavens into
twelve parts, each cluster of stars representing some fanciful animal or
being, such as the Lion, or the Bear, or the Dragon."

"Isn't it funny that the tribes here, as well as some on Wonder Island
have an idea