engaged during the day in transporting
copper from the cave to the hold of the _Wonder_.
The feast and the celebration that night in a village which, only a few
months before, was of the most savage character, was, indeed, a marvel.
Oma could scarcely express himself with enough earnestness, and the
women were following the boys with their eyes, and actually caressing
them, in their eagerness to show appreciation.
When the time came for them to leave, the Chief accompanied the men to
the shore below South Mountain to witness their departure. Before they
left the village, the things which had been brought there by the ships
for the Illyas were placed in the Chief's storehouse, and Blakely paid
the members of the party who had assisted them. This, also, was the
occasion for much rejoicing.
Blakely, on board the _Wonder_, waved an adieu to the boys and John as
the boats separated, and Sutoto gave the order to sail directly
southeast.
During the afternoon the sea was calm and afforded a beautiful sail, but
during the night a strong breeze came up and its intensity varied during
the night. The next day, however, the sea became choppy, and over
two-thirds of the natives were rolling around on the deck in the agonies
of sea-sickness.
"This will give us an opportunity to try the new cure for the malady,"
said John.
"What is that?" asked George.
"Simply atrophine."
"How is it administered?"
"By injecting it."
"What is atrophine?" asked Harry.
"It is a crystalline, bitter and poisonous alkaloid, taken from the
deadly nightshade, and the same principle is also found in the thorn
apple."
"Isn't it the same as belladonna?" remarked George.
"No; but belladonna is also an extract of nightshade."
"Have you any of it here?"
"Yes; I brought some, together with the other drugs that the Professor
ordered, and I am anxious to try it. The remedy was discovered by Prof.
Fischer, of Munich, and also simultaneously by Dr. Reginald Pollard, of
South Kensington, England."
Accompanied by the boys John went among the sufferers, and administered
the medicine, giving at each injection about 1-64th of a grain. It was
remarkable in its effects. Within a half hour the sickening feeling in
the stomach disappeared, the eyes began to grow bright again, the pulse
full, and the patient became strong and vigorous.
None of them objected to John's ministrations. Their confidence in his
ability was sufficient for them an
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