land, among those who are the most matter of fact people in the
world, signs are very common. It is a bad omen with them to stumble over
a threshold, or to step over green or red, or to sneeze while making up
a bed."

"After all, we are not so much ahead of the savages, are we?" mused
George.

During the march that day there was nothing specially worthy of note.
The animals they met were few and small, and it did not appear that
there were any which merited mentioning, so the boys gave up the idea of
meeting any adventure in that line.

Shortly after four in the afternoon they began to seek out some good
camping place. Laleo informed Uraso that they had now passed into the
territory claimed by the northern tribe, and the desirability of caution
was necessary.

A rocky shelter, only a short distance above a running brook below, was
found suitable, and there the halt was made for the night. Early in the
morning they were awakened by Muro, with the welcome intelligence that
the _Pioneer_ was sighted several miles to the north, where she lay at
anchor.

At the suggestion of John the boys went to the headland, a mile to the
east, and there hoisted a signal flag, which was observed by the vessel,
and the return signal given, this being indicated by four circular
sweeps of the flag.

Waving the flag twice to the right, and twice to the left indicated that
they were to remain there until further advised.

After a good breakfast the march was resumed, leading further to the
west to avoid the rugged hills near the sea. Either Uraso or Muro was
constantly in the lead, always accompanied by one of the men who, in
case of necessity, might be sent back to furnish John the reports of his
observations.

Before noon the messenger came in with the welcome information that the
first of the natives had been noticed, not far to the north. Muro, who
was in the lead, awaited the arrival of John and the boys.

Together they went forward, the men remaining in the camp. A few men
could thus move through the brush with less likelihood of observation,
than a large number, which was the principal reason for this mode of
procedure.

After another mile of cautious movement, a runner was sent back with the
order to bring all of them forward. Away in the distance the village was
sighted, George's field glasses now being brought into play. The huts
could be seen plainly along the mountain side, and scattered about in
profusion amid a plent