d for all the spare men from the different
tribes. Fifty of the Tuolos just came in this morning, and thirty of the
Illyas arrived yesterday, with their families. The _Wonder_ must be
unloaded, and start back again before six this evening. But what did you
find that looks as good as Venture Island?"

"Rescue Island; a dandy place, and much bigger than Venture Island. And
what do you think? We found a chief there who is a white man," remarked
George.

"A white man? Where is he from?"

"Massachusetts; and he is humpbacked, but as bright as can be."

"I saw him, did I not? He was on the _Pioneer_?"

"Yes; there he is with Ta Babeda."

"Ta what?"

"That's the Chief's name who owned the other tribe on Rescue Island.
Isn't he an immense fellow? But he is a brick; I can tell you. Come over
and I'll introduce you," and Harry pulled Blakely over while the latter
resisted, as the men were constantly besieging Blakely for orders.

"Never mind the work now. Get acquainted with the _big_ men first," and
the Professor laughed as he saw the boys forcibly tug at Blakely and
haul him over to the group.

"This is one of the big men we have on the island," said Harry to Ta
Babeda, and the latter looked at Blakely for a moment, and began to
smile, for while Blakely was chunky he was not at all large, if the
Chief might be taken as a standard.

He took Ta Babeda's hand, and welcomed him most heartily, and then
turned to Ephraim, and also extended a greeting.

"This is the man who does all the business," said Harry, "and he is
going to make you a visit." At this point they were interrupted.

"Shall we store all the pineapples aft," said a man hurriedly.

"No; put them amidship," he answered.

"We have no crates for the vegetables," said another.

"Never mind, put them in the large boxes, and they can be crated on the
way."

"Some more men have just come; what shall we put them at?" was the
report of another, and so from one to the other, Blakely was ever ready
with a prompt answer.

The Chiefs and Ephraim watched and wondered at Blakely and his constant
readiness to entertain them, meanwhile giving orders to hundreds of the
workers who were crowding about. It was an object lesson of what
business meant, and the boys felt proud and happy to see the great
ability which he displayed.

But what a happy day it was for the Professor. He and John were in close
conference, after the formal introductions were over. "There is
s