incipal
work of the women was to weave these articles of wear with the simple
tools they had.

When the boys built the looms, and the natives saw the wonderful goods
produced, and the dyes prepared to give the fabrics the different hues,
the women became most expert weavers, and the natural result was that
they vied with each other to make the best articles, and to form them
into the most fashionable garments.

When the _Pioneer_, and later their new steamer, _Wonder_, which was now
regularly running to one of the great seaports, began to bring in such
products as they could not make in the islands, a new impetus was given
to the dress designed for women.

Before the boys left for Wonder Island, that place attracted immigrants
from the north; they brought their families, and began to engage in the
business of exporting the fruits and the fibres, as well as the ores and
the dyes from the island. From the white women the native women learned
the new art of dressing, and of adornment.

Their coming was not needed to give them the desire, but they were not
slow to recognize that their fair-skinned sisters could teach them the
refining process.

Muro's wife was the sister of Uraso, the latter a man of naturally
strong intellect, and his sister was not behind him in her particular
domain. She was at all times the leading spirit in the development of
her people, and to her the Professor imparted many of the great secrets,
that might be of service.

Stut, the brother of Muro, was second in command of the vessel, and
before they left on the mission into the interior, John called in Stut,
and in presence of the boys imparted a scheme that met with hearty
approval.

It was now an open secret that Sutoto and Cinda were in love. If the
Chief knew of it he did not exhibit any alarm, or offer any objections.
John knew that courtships on the islands were not usually of long
duration. He thought it would be a fine thing to make the wedding a
"state affair."

"Now, Stut, I want to entrust you with a mission to the Professor and
Muro's wife, to whom you can explain the situation. She must prepare a
suitable outfit for the bride, and tell her I think she and the other
women that she might choose should also come over. They must not forget
to bring the proper costumes for Cinda's mother and for all the
attendants.

"The Professor will know what is suitable to send over for the Chief.
All this will take some time to arrange, and