n
the Illyas chief and all his people prisoners, and all their women and
children are now captives. The Illyas have not acted right and the
chiefs must now go to the Great Chief and show that he is sorry, and
that he will not again try to take captives, and will not make
sacrifices."

Without waiting for a moment, the train started back for the Illyas'
village. It is wonderful how the stimulating influence of surroundings
will build up and strengthen the depressed. The poor boys, emaciated as
they were, had smiles and tears, as they heard little snatches of
experiences from the boys.

"We are telling you these things, but we are simply crazy to hear your
stories. But they will keep. Let us do the talking now. You will be all
right in a day or two."

The boys' eyes were kept on the vessels containing the food. Time and
again George would shake his head as one or the other tried to get
another "bite." The liquid food was the first administered. The journey
back took much longer, because Harry would not hurry the animals over
the rough roads with the patients in their low condition.

When the wagon and the train of warriors arrived at the village, the
only thing the boys saw were the warriors of the allies. The captives
were in the buildings, and were guarded on all sides.

CHAPTER XVI

REMARKABLE GROWTH OF UNITY

"We haven't heard from John for two days. I wonder if they have met with
any difficulties?" asked Will, as they were together the evening after
their trip to the hill and forest.

"John is very prudent, and a man of very extensive knowledge as a
campaigner. If they had met any disaster we should have known of it
before this."

"We ought to have had a telegraph line. That would keep us in touch with
the army," added Jim.

"Wireless telegraphy would be still better," responded Tom.

"But how about wireless telephones?"

"And if wireless telephones, why not wireless power?"

The Professor smiled, as one suggestion after the other was made. The
other boys smiled, too, at Jim's last suggestion that power might be
transmitted by wireless.

"That is going a little too far," said Will. "I can understand why
sounds can be sent, but power is another thing, it seems to me."

"I am afraid that is not a very logical conclusion," interposed the
Professor. "What is the difference between sound and power?"

"I should say that sound is a motion in the air," replied Will, "and
that power is motion----