o march
thence west, and thus attack the Professor from the south.

Their departure was not discovered until morning had been well advanced,
and Muro's runner did not reach Blakely until the train from the
Cataract came in sight.

This was most discouraging news, as it meant danger to those left with
the Professor.

"There is but one alternative now," said John. "We must make a forced
march to the relief of the Professor. Uraso has the matter of
controlling the force well in hand, and Blakely, you and I will take all
the men excepting the one hundred in charge of the material, and go
forward rapidly."

The first news the Professor had of the new situation was gleaned from
the messenger which Muro had dispatched the moment the escape of the
allies was discovered.

"Has the Professor been notified?" asked Blakely.

"I sent two messengers early this morning," was Muro's response.

"That was a wise thing," remarked John. "You are to be commended for the
step. We must make a forced march at once, and you must lead the advance
with your best men."

Muro was much gratified at this position of trust, and called up the
warriors selected and spoke a few words to them. Without waiting to make
any other preparations than to provide a day's provisions, his party
sallied forth, and headed straight for the southwest.

The following day, the scouts sent out by the Professor to the
southeast, discovered the allies rapidly moving toward the direction of
the Kurabus' village, but he knew that he had not a sufficient force to
meet them, and he also deemed it wise to permit them to reach their
village, so that they might be able to learn for themselves that, while
he had their homes in his power, he had not despoiled them.

This was surprising news to the allies. Such a course meant, either that
the Professor and the tribes with him, were afraid of them, or, that
Blakely's message to them was in reality true.

Muro's column reached the Professor the following day, and before
evening John and the main body came up. The allies were still at the
Kurabus' village, and without waiting for the wagon and the remaining
part of the force to come up, all started on the march for the south.

The scouts reported commotion in the village, but its cause could not be
determined. Undoubtedly they knew of the presence of the force from the
north. Camp was made for the night, and when morning came it was evident
that the Kurabus had been deser