s who were
captured with us were sacrificed last week, and our turn would
undoubtedly have been the next, as we had been captured fighting against
them."

This narrative greatly impressed the boys, and it showed what suffering
they had undergone, and they could not help but contrast their lot with
that of their unfortunate companions.

The story made clear another thing: That there must have been another
boatload of their wrecked ship on the island.

CHAPTER VII

THE ESCAPE IN THE NIGHT

The waiting savages showed no disposition to attack under cover of
darkness. Everything was quiet, and with reinforcements no doubt would
resume the aggressive in the morning. It was approaching midnight and no
one had retired. All were too busy listening and retailing stories to
think of sleep.

But they now had to consider the important things connected with their
immediate security. Various plans were suggested, but none seemed to
meet the conditions, and the Professor suggested that it might be well
to make a careful reconnoiter of the enemy before deciding on a course.
Harry and the Professor took up the guns, and John, divining the object,
grasped one of the guns and held back both. He disappeared from the
wagon on the side facing the river, and then slowly worked his way
around toward the encircling band.

When he had gone less than a hundred feet toward a point directly
abreast of the wagon, so that he was moving at right angles to the shore
line, he disappeared, and they could readily understand how his
crouching attitude would enable him to approach closely without being
recognized.

He was absent more than a half hour, and although the watchers in the
wagon kept up a vigilant guard in every direction, John reappeared, and
was almost at the wagon before he was noticed. He had returned by way of
the north bank of the stream, and entered the wagon on the same side
from which he had left.

As stated previously, the extreme height of the wagon bed enabled them
to make a small closet-like enclosure, which would not expose any light,
and to this place the Professor drew John, and lighting the lamp the
latter showed by signs that no savages were in the immediate vicinity.

The Professor by signs motioned that they should take up their flight
along the bed of the stream, and to this John gave his immediate
approval. The boys were informed of the decision, and all consented. It
would certainly take them nearer hom