uld be seen in
the distance through the trees. Something unusual was taking place to
their left, and more than a mile away. Uraso agreed to go in that
direction, and gain the slight elevation, which might afford him an
opportunity to discover the cause of the excitement.

There was considerable shouting, and then the beating of the drums,
which they had not heard since the early morning. Uraso was gone not to
exceed a half hour.

"They are having something unusual in that quarter. A number of natives
have just come in, and a hundred, or more, from the village met the
visitors. I cannot account for the demonstration," observed one of the
boys.

"It is quite likely," suggested John, "that some other tribe has come in
to attend the ceremonies."

"I do not think so, because the visitors belong to the same people who
live in the village."

John was determined to go on, and they proceeded, reaching the outlying
portion of the village, just as the visitors, and those from the village
were entering it from the other angle.

"They have a prisoner there," said Muro. "I am sure that man in the
first group is being conducted to the village."

"Unquestionably, Muro is correct. It is plain that a party of the
villagers have captured the man, and the excitement we heard was caused
by that fact." And John began to speculate on the probability of the
island containing more than the one tribe.

"That man is a native, I am sure," was Uraso's observation.

"That looks like Tarra," said George, in excitement.

This announcement had an electrical effect on those present. If such
should prove to be the case, what likelihood was there that he had
delivered the message at the landing? Was he captured going, or coming.

"It looks to me as though he was captured this morning," observed Harry,
"because if he had been taken last night, on his way over, they would
not wait until to-day to bring him in."

This looked like a reasonable supposition; but they must first make sure
that it was Tarra.

"Forward march!" said John.

But before they had time to go far the whole town seemed to be alive.
From every part of the village men were running, and forming in the open
space next the first row of huts.

It was a most curious proceeding that the boys now witnessed. In the
center of the warriors was a large man, with a curious garb. On each
side of him were noticed men with dissimilar clothing, but bedecked with
every sort of device, th