rther on the hum of voices broke upon their ears. They were
approaching the sulphur spring, and from that direction the sound
emanated. There was a babble of tongues, jabbering in some unfamiliar
language.

"A party of natives at the spring," concluded the professor.

A cautious approach brought the islanders under observation, though the
professor and his party were hidden from the others. There may have been
a dozen of the tribe men grouped about the spring. The one, most
impressive appearing of the lot, had evidently but just completed a bath
and just resumed his scanty garments which he was then adjusting. This
person was not as dark of skin as those about him, and from the
servilent actions of the others it could readily be assumed that he was
their king or chief. None of the party were armed.

The professor viewed the scene for a brief interval, then, without
hesitation stepped from behind the barrier of leaves. Instantly the
islanders were alert and calls and exclamations filled the air. All
were, however, silenced by the chief, who turned now for the first time
and faced the visitors. To the latter's great astonishment the chief
immediately sprang forward, advancing toward the professor. Jo and Tom
quickly raised their rifles, but as quickly lowered them again, when
they saw that the approach was without menace.

The onlookers' astonishment was greater still when they heard the chief
in the best of English say, "My dear friend, what are you doing here?"

"Rather, may I say," was the prompt reply, "what are you doing here, my
dear Jranvin? What in all reason brought you to this end of the world?"

Thus saluted, and with further manifestations of regard, esteem and
affection the two men grasped hands, and with the other hand upon each
other's shoulders, stood thus for a full minute.

It was the professor who first bethought himself of the surroundings,
and with a recognition that they were not alone upon the scene, he
cried:

"Here, boys, and Berwick. Here is my old and well regarded friend. Let
me make you acquainted, Jranvin, with Jo Darlington and his brother Tom
and Mr. Berwick."

Greetings were exchanged, the islanders indifferently looking on, and
the professor undertook to hastily satisfy the curiosity of his friends.
There was little he could say, however, and explanations had to come
naturally from the chief, for such he announced himself to be.

"It's not a long story," he said, "my being here