r,
"and it might not be so interesting for you."

"Making guns is much more pleasant than using them against people."

George's face was a study. He was the sentimental one of the lot. He was
by all odds the most emotional, and the greatest lover of home. But
withal that he reechoed the sentiments of Harry. "If I could only see
home again, I would be content, and when I came back it would be to know
that I could return whenever I wanted to."

All the boys were enthusiastic about the trip home. Many plans were
projected, and talked over.

"Won't it create a sensation," remarked Ralph, "when it is announced
that three of the _Investigator's_ lifeboats were wrecked on an island,
and that the survivors arrived after an absence of--"

"Yes," broke in Tom. "How long?"

"That will depend on several things," said John. "First, to bring the
Illyas to terms, and second, to build a boat big enough to take us
safely to the nearest harbor which is in communication with America. As
for myself, this life and the hopes for the future are too alluring for
me to even try to get away."

With characteristic energy Blakely consulted Harry and the working force
in the shop.

"Do you think we could turn out some plows?" he asked.

Harry smiled. "This establishment is prepared to turn out anything it
has orders for."

"Then put down my order for a half dozen plows, to be delivered as
quickly as possible."

The new town was located within the territorial limits of the Osagas'
country, and it was now necessary to make immediate provision for some
sort of laws or regulations with respect to the land. The savage theory
was that the chief owned all the land, and this was a condition that
well might breed trouble.

Osaga was the chief. He was the first to receive the full understanding
of the new doctrine. It was proposed that he should receive as full
compensation a certain stipulated sum, and in return make a transfer of
all his rights to the State.

"But what is the State," he asked, "and who will he be?"

"The State will mean all of you."

"Then I will own a part of it just the same as everybody else?"

"Yes; let me explain that still further. When your people begin to raise
coffee and cocoa, and all the other things which the people in the world
will come here for and buy of you, the lands all about you will become
very valuable, and many will come here to buy them. The money will go
to the State, which means you and everyo