ntended only for the rainy season, apparently, as was the
custom in many places on their own island.

But the Chief's dwelling was a most pretentious affair, judged by the
surrounding homes. It had a large interior court, without a roof, but
the immediate dwelling had four or more rooms. The Chief walked through
one room, and entered the court, where George was embarrassed to see two
girls, and several boys, together with three women, all of whom stared
at him, the girls giggling exactly as he had seen them do at home.

The articles taken from him were then deposited upon the floor, and the
Chief reclined on a sort of raised couch. George glanced around and the
first thing that his eyes met was a chair, in one corner of the room,
and then some articles that he knew could not have been made on the
island.

This was his introduction to the home of the Chief. He then fell to
wondering how it would be possible to talk and tell him about his
friends.

CHAPTER VIII

FIGHT OF THE NATIVES FOR THE TRINKETS

Scouting in an unknown country, with assurances that foes may be in
ambush at every turn, is not a rapid way of marching. Ordinarily, in the
open road, a man will walk three or four miles an hour. But in a forest,
where every tree may conceal a foe, it is quite different.

Muro was an expert in scouting work. He had had years of experience in
this sort of life, and, moreover, was a chief of one of the most
powerful tribes on the island.

He and his companion went directly east, in the most stealthy fashion,
and, a half mile beyond they circled to the south, next swinging around
to the north, so as to take in as wide a sweep as possible.

Before dark they obtained the first real traces of the tramp of feet,
and as it was now too late to enable them to follow up the trail they
went back toward the scene of the capture, so that they might thus be
able to follow the trail easily the next morning.

It was very dark when they crept in and were halted by the sentries
which John had posted. Harry was the first to greet Muro. "Have you
found anything?"

"Yes," answered Muro. "We know the direction they have gone. In the
morning we can go on from the place where we discovered the trail."

"How far is it from here?"

"More than ten miles."

The distance mentioned was in itself sufficient evidence that Muro had
not wasted time.

They spent the remaining hours of the evening awaiting further news and
it was ful