e came across the intervening space, his face was stern,
and unforbidding, but as he neared John it relaxed, and he began to
smile.

John stepped forward, and extended his hand. "I am glad to meet you,"
said John.

The man looked at John for a moment, and then tried to mumble something,
that the boys could not understand. After a few attempts he fairly
shrieked out: "How are you?"

This was certainly a startling thing, because the voice and the
intonation were perfect. John opened his jacket and brought out a
miniature American flag, which was unrolled, and the moment the strange
being caught sight of it he seized it and pressing it to his lips,
kissed it fervently.

"I am an American," he finally struggled to utter. "I am a white man,
and you are the first white man I have seen for fifty years. You are
welcome to our home and village."

The boys could not credit their senses. How did this poor specimen of
the white race become the powerful Chief of a tribe of savage cannibals?

John looked at him for a moment in astonishment, as he asked: "How long
have you been Chief of the people here?"

"About forty-five years. They are good people too."

"We heard you were cannibals," remarked John.

For a moment he scowled, and then his face brightened up. "Yes; I know
my neighbors to the south have always believed that to be so, but they
have heard such tales from their witch doctors, such as we used to have,
but it is not true."

"You mean the Korinos?"

"Yes, those who left you two days ago, and have come to me for
protection," and he smiled as he said this.

"I tried to get them, but they eluded us," added John, by way of
information.

"You must pardon me, but it is still a little difficult for me to form
sentences. It is so long since I have talked to any one in my native
tongue. But I am impolite. Bring your people into the village, and let
us entertain you. I do so want to hear about the great world and what it
is now like."

The Chief turned to his people and told them that the White Chief was
from his own tribe, and that he came from a far-away country, on a visit
to him, and that they must treat the people as his own.

Nothing more was needed to make them welcome. George suggested to John
that Stut on the _Pioneer_ should be notified, but before they had time
to carry out the order a number of the villagers came rushing through
the village and sought out the Chief.

The latter turned to John and sai