nent men in the community, and particularly Sutoto, the
intelligent Beree, and Stut, the brother-in-law of Muro, were on hand.
It was a great feast day for the people. Tears actually flowed from the
Professor's eyes, as he saw the women and children crowd about him. He
was almost a God to them. They were accustomed to receive visits from
him in his weekly rounds, and how at such times he loved to tell them
how to make and arrange things about the house, which contributed to
their comfort.
Everybody was at work; all were happy, and no one appreciated this more
than the women, who had been lifted out of the bonds of slavery and
elevated through the wise administration of the Professor.
Angel, too, was in evidence. He was the first to climb the mast, as the
ship floated in the stream.
"I wonder whether Angel remembers the first trip he took with us on boat
No. 1?" asked Harry.
Angel bestowed a knowing look on Harry. "I believe he knows what you
said," remarked George.
In another week the rigging had been put up, and the boiler and engine
were installed before the launching, so that the necessary work
required to enable the ship to sail, was the provisioning. John
suggested that what was of far more importance would be the work of
training a crew to handle the ship, so they turned their minds toward
the solution of this question.
The selection of a crew was a most difficult task, because all the men
were willing to volunteer. It was decided, however, that only the
unmarried men should be taken, and this at once eliminated many who
might otherwise have been selected.
For three days the ship was taken out to sea, under sail only, and John
found no trouble in maneuvering the vessel with his new crew. John was a
sailor, and had once been owner of a vessel, so that they were in
competent hands.
But the final day came, when they must go. It was a most trying time for
the poor boys. Almost at the last moment, Harry and George walked back
to the Professor's room, and broke out into tears.
"Everybody is leaving you," said Harry, "and I cannot bear to go and
leave you in this way."
All the rescued boys were on board, as well as Blakely, since the
Professor had insisted that the latter should go, for business reasons,
so that the Professor was left alone, the only white man on Wonder
Island, when the ship sailed down the river.
True, there was no reason to fear for his safety. The natives loved him
too devo
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