conversation among themselves, he was raised up and urged
forward. The first thing that George did was to note the position of the
sun, and he then stealthily drew out his watch.

When the savages, who were closely watching him, saw the watch two of
them pounced upon him, and in the struggle, one of them tore it from the
chain. The holder of the chain threw it away, and attacked the one who
had the watch.

This was certainly an interesting struggle for George to witness. He had
his thoughts, however. Now was the time to make a strike for liberty, so
he quietly moved his hand toward the revolver. George was not aware that
a pair of eyes was intently watching him while the struggle was going
on.

Before the hand reached the revolver, the savage leaped forward. His
heart sank. The opportunity was lost. He dove down into the pocket and
brought forth a knife, and it was hardly out of his pocket until the
prying native had it in his hand.

George gave a forced smile. The native saw it, and looked admiringly at
the beautiful handle. He turned it around and viewed it from every
side, and then deftly drew a strand of material from his clout and,
winding it around the knife, threw the loop of the strand over his head.

This, too, then, was an ornament! They did not know the uses of the
knife. George kept up the smile, and soon the savage smiled in return.
This was a good beginning, surely! But what surprised him most of all
was the perfectly natural manner in which the defeated party in the
contest after the watch took his loss.

The victor fashioned it as a pendant, and the other looked calmly on
while his opponent admired it. There was not a particle of resentment in
the loser.

George did not show any alarm to the savages, although it would be too
much to say that he was entirely at ease. The instructions received from
John, the experiences of Tom and Ralph when they were captured, were
lessons for him, so, when the savages smiled back at him he pointed to
the knife, and made motions as though he intended to open the blade.

All savages are curious. Many of them have this trait developed to a
remarkable degree. George's motions attracted the man. Then he leaned
forward, and removed the knife from the loop. He held it up, exactly
like a magician would exhibit some article that he intended should
disappear.

Then, as the savage's mouth was now open, he inserted his thumb nail
into the crease of the large knife, and o