e peculiarities of which could not be
distinguished, owing to the distance.

"That large man in the middle, is the Chief, and those about him are the
witch doctors. The Chief has brought the witch doctors so as to terrify
and destroy us," and John laughed as he remembered some of the wiles of
that class on Wonder Island.

To the beating of the drums, the Chief marched forward, his men
following, and closing in on his sides to afford him protection. John
motioned Uraso and Muro to step forward, and they advanced twenty feet
beyond the warriors, and awaited the Chief.

The latter stopped when within hailing distance, and John held up a
hand. Uraso then addressed the Chief, telling him that they came as
friends, and not as enemies, and desired to be present at the ceremonies
about to take place.

He also recited that they came from a neighboring island, where they
had a wonderful village, where all the people were happy, and they now
wanted to show, their friendship by offering presents.

The Chief was silent, and then said: "Why did you kill my people?"

"We only defended ourselves. Your warriors were the ones who attacked
us. We could have killed all of your warriors if we had been enemies."

"You speak lies," answered the Chief. "Why did you take my warrior?"

"Because he was wounded and we are making him well, and will then return
him to you so he can tell you that what we say is true."

"You are again speaking lies," he retorted. Notwithstanding the manner
in which Uraso had steeled himself, he was visibly affected by the blunt
manner in which the savage accused him, but he was judicious enough not
to appear disturbed.

"Ask him," said John, "what he wants us to do to prove that we are
friends, and not enemies."

The Chief, at this question, drew himself up proudly, and answered: "You
are on my dominion, and you have no right to ask any favor from me. You
must deliver yourself up as prisoners, and we shall then deal with you
as we see fit."

"In what way will you deal with us? Have we committed a wrong? Do you
intend to punish us?"

"You had no right to come here. Every one who does so without my
permission, must die."

"Then you expect us to surrender so you may kill us?"

"Yes."

"Then our Chief tells you that he has a right to come here, and that
you have no right to prevent it, and that if you try to kill us we will
have the Great Spirit visit you the same as he visited your warriors the
other