he stumbled
down the mountain side, and saw the train of men with the loads.
They would now do some more visiting. They must surely go over to the
village where they captured the last of the hostile tribes. As they
neared the village they were surprised to see Oma coming toward them. He
greeted them like a monarch, and led them into the village.
"I am glad to welcome you," he said. The boys were astounded at the
words. This man, the most vindictive and bitter of all the tribesmen,
had learned to speak, and showed by his actions that he was glad to
welcome them.
But when they came to the village, the surprise of the boys was so great
that they could hardly speak. Instead of filth and uncleanliness
everywhere, they saw carefully attended lawns, and houses, instead of
huts. The people came out and greeted them with laughter.
And then the boys recognized many of the men who had lived in Unity, and
who had worked for them in the shops, and in the fields. The Chief then
escorted them to the large building, the same one in which the Chief was
captured by the boys, the year before.
What a change! Formerly the furniture in the room was one jumbled mass
of debris, and the household arrangements were only such as savage
conditions warranted. Now, the large interior had been cut up into
rooms, and they were furnished with comfortable belongings.
The Chief saw the curiosity of the boys, and he read their thoughts.
"You wonder at the difference? Yes; it is a difference. We owe it to
that wonderful Chief, and to you, and to John."
"Yes; John will be here soon," said George.
"I have seen him. He will be here. We are preparing a great feast for
him," and the boys opened their eyes and smiled as they heard this
announcement.
The people flocked about them, and the men who knew the boys were only
too proud to be recognized by them. Thus they visited every nook and
corner of the town, surprised and glad to see that the Chief had
insisted on his people going to Unity and learning the ways of the white
people.
There was a further reason why the coming of John and of Blake was a
joyous event. Oma had been informed that the great copper mines were to
be opened in the mountains, which would insure work for every one, and
that they would be able to buy every sort of luxury and enjoy all the
comforts of the white people.
Late that evening John and Blakely came accompanied by two hundred of
the Illyas who had actually been
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