to compare
with the softness of the hide when tanned. It feels like the finest
velvet, and is very strong and durable."

They were now ascending a series of hills, each more difficult than the
last, and the ground became extremely rough and broken. There was a lone
path, in many places nearly obliterated. It was the uninviting road to
the land of sorrow.

The Chief's son tried to be in the company of the boys at all times, and
while he could not understand their chatter, Sutoto was a willing
interpreter. He enjoyed the jolly freedom of the two chums, and their
uniform good nature.

George and Harry were ever on the alert to make him feel at ease and so
they talked with him, and told of the things which John explained, and
it was plainly seen that he marveled at things which were described.

Referring to the exiled people, George asked: "Do those people never
return after they are once condemned?"

"They are never permitted to come back."

"Do they stay there of their own free will?"

"No; I am told that they long to be at home again."

"Well, what would you do if they tried to come back?"

"We would drive them away. One time they tried to come back, all of
them, and we had to kill some of them," and he said it in a tone of
regret.

"Don't you believe in killing?"

He looked at George for a moment, and then looked up into Sutoto's eyes,
as he said: "No; it would do no good. Would that be the right way?" he
asked with a sort of innocence that brought a blush to George's cheeks.

"No; we do not believe in killing, except when we must to protect
ourselves."

"But do you have to make such wonderful things as those (pointing to
the guns) to protect yourselves?"

John threw back his head and tried to prevent a loud laugh, at this
perfectly obvious question, while he looked at the boys to see what sort
of an answer would be given.

George was non-plussed for a minute. John had no business to disconcert
him in that way. He turned and expected Harry to answer, but it seemed
as though he had imperfectly understood it. There was no way out of it,
and George tried to get his body into a proper position to answer it
with dignity.

"Well, you see, the guns were not made for the purpose of killing
people, but for sporting purposes."

"Do you have many wild animals in your country?" he asked naively.

"Not many now."

John laughed a little so as not to be too undignified, and George saw
the humor of the situat