guests and putting them in
their mouths. They were so much delighted with the results of the day's
work that they ate heartily and asked no questions. When the meal was
over, Cleary turned to the chief and thanked him in a little oration,
which was received with great favor.

"We have found our brothers," he said in conclusion, "and you have
found yours. You believe us now when we say that we have come to bless
you and not to injure you. We will not take your land. We will
generously give you part of it for yourselves. You see how we all love
you, the aged warrior and the red-headed chief as well as I. Why will
you not come with us when we set out on our journey to our great chief,
or why, at any rate, will you not send your chiefs with us, to tell
him that you have received us all as brothers and that we shall always
be friends and allies?"

Carlos translated this speech sentence by sentence. Cleary was a good
speaker, and they were impressed by his style as well as by his
argument. They palavered together for some time; then Carlos arose
and addressed his guests, but particularly Sam, whom he considered
as the leader.

"Brothers," he said, "we are indeed brothers by the torture, tattoo,
tom-tom, and top-feather. We did not know who you were, we did not
understand you. We wished to be left in peace. We did not want to have
the Castalians come here and rob us. We did not want their beads and
their brandy. We wanted to be let alone. But you are our brothers. You
are greater savages than we are. Why should we not go with you? The
chiefs of our other villages are coming to-morrow at sunrise. I will
conduct you back to your great chief with them, and we shall all
rejoice together."

It was now nearly dark. Carlos apologized for not having accommodation
for his guests in his tree-hut, but provided comfortable blankets on
the ground and had a fire built for them in a secluded place near the
village. The three men were soon sleeping peacefully, and they did not
awake until the sun had already risen.

CHAPTER IX

On Duty at Havilla

[Illustration]

When they woke they heard the noise of voices in the village and
hastened thither. The chiefs had already arrived and were exchanging
greetings with Carlos and the other residents. Breakfast was prepared
by the women on the same ground where they had dined, and by eight
o'clock the expedition started, composed of some thirty