Cataract matters were progressing favorably. Reports from Blakely
and the Professor assured them that they would have no difficulty, in a
few days, in getting at least thirty of the guns ready. Stut proved
himself to be the most apt pupil, and nothing interested him as much as
the forge and anvil, and John, noticing this, set him to work on the
small anvil to forge out arrow heads.

The arrows used by the natives were uniformly of stone, but the metal
ones were perfect, and so arranged that, with the ramie fiber, could be
readily attached to the shaft. The most deft workers in the making of
the native arrows were selected, and together they made up a large
quantity of arrows, and Stut seemed to be indefatigable in turning out
the heads for the workers.

During this period the larder was not forgotten. The hunters brought in
every day an immense quantity of taro, which seemed to be their favorite
vegetable.

This is a stemless plant, which has heart-shaped leaves, about a foot
long, and the leaves and stalks are prepared by them in the same way
that we use spinach and asparagus.

But the tuber, or root, of this vegetable is the most valuable part. It
is larger than the common beet, and sometimes grows to a foot or more in
length. This was beaten into a pulp by the natives, and made into a
bread or pudding.

[Illustration: _Fig. 4. The Taro Plant and Bulb._]

"I like the taro," said George. "It can be used in so many ways, and I
want to try it in the different forms as soon as we have an
opportunity."

"In the Sandwich Islands, and in many other places it is the vegetable
from which the well-known Poi is made," said John.

"Do you know how it is made?" asked George.

"It is beaten up, just as you see them do it here, and then set in the
sun to ferment for about three or four days. It is afterwards boiled
with fowl, and makes a very pleasant dish, most appetizing and
nourishing. The fermented Poi will last for weeks. It is the same as the
well-known kalo of the Pacific Island, the yu-tao of China, the sato imo
of Japan, and the oto of Central America. A fine dish is made of it by
boiling and then covering the leaves with a dressing of cocoanut oil."

Harry and the other boys had been in consultation for several days
concerning the cave, and a day or two before they were ready to start
had a talk with John about the treasure there. John listened
attentively, and when they had finished, said:

"You are quite r