ghed, and slyly caressed
Sutoto, as they saw her admiring glances.

Sutoto was the handsomest native on Wonder Island. He was the brave and
fleet runner who undertook the mission to pass through the three savage
tribes to carry a message, written on a plaintain leaf by the Professor,
to John and the boys while they were surrounded by the hostiles.

The friendship between him and the boys grew stronger and better from
that day on. The tribute to him was one which the boys enjoyed for his
sake, and because he deserved it.

There was a feast that night, unparalleled in the knowledge of the boys.
It was like going to a new world, and meeting new people. Only one
little thing seemed to mar the joyous occasion for the boys for a time.
When they were returning from the beach, they saw three of the natives,
together with their wives and children, with their hands bound, and in
charge of a half dozen warriors.

George recognized the three as his captors. Then was impressed upon him
the fact that they were about to pay the penalty for stealing his things
and hiding the theft from the Chief. They were to be exiled to the place
where the bad people lived.

George hurriedly told Uraso the story of the theft, and begged him to
intercede with the Chief. Instantly, when he learned that George
requested it, he turned to Uraso, and said: "He may release them."

He rushed up to the now bewildered culprits, in order to sever the
bonds, and then recalling that he had given his knife to the Chief, he
called to Harry, and together they freed the limbs of the captives and
the Chief, with a few words of admonition, dismissed them. The boys
never forgot the grateful looks that came from the men and their wives.

When they had departed Muro said: "Under their law the women and
children of the culprits are criminals also, and so they were doomed to
go together."

It would be a difficult matter to describe the food prepared and eaten
at this banquet. Several varieties of fowl, all wild types, and the wild
boar, as well as the 'possum, provided the meats. Of course taro and
amarylla were the chief vegetables; and of nuts, the well known Brazil
species was found everywhere, and to be seen in all dwellings.

The outer portion of the shell of the Brazil nut formed bowls and cups,
which the boys early learned to utilize. There were bananas, a species
of fig, and loquats.

"What surprises me is that they have no fish, or sea food of any kind,"