.

"But," continued the Professor, "I have something here that is more of a
curiosity than anything else." He drew forth a stem with a number of
leaves, and peculiarly marked. "Do you notice anything odd about this?"

[Illustration: _Fig. 8. Salsify._]

All of them examined it intently, and finally Tom remarked: "Why don't
you remember, Ralph, we saw these branches in the savage huts
frequently, but I have no idea what they used them for."

"This is the carricature plant. If you will look closely the outline of
human faces can be seen. Look at this leaf, the resemblance is plain.
Among the savages these leaves are plucked as charms, and the more
distinctly they are marked the more potent they consider them. It is
something like the ideas of many people about the four-leaved clovers.
So civilized people are not so very far above the savages, after all."

[Illustration: _Fig. 9. Rubber._]

In the afternoon of the third day they approached the vicinity of the
Cataract, and Harry and George were wild to make their way forward, so
the yaks were constantly urged to go on, and it frequently made
traveling difficult for those who were walking. Ralph and Tom were kept
in the wagon, but insisted that the Professor and John should take their
places there, and would not listen to their protestations.

About three o'clock Observation Hill was sighted, and there, proudly
floating, was the flag. When the attention of the boys was called to it
they almost wept for joy at the sight.

"Oh, how good it feels to see that old flag again," was Tom's comment,
as he tried to brush away something that looked like a tear. "How far
are we away now?"

"Not more than two miles from home, but the hill is three-quarters of a
mile farther."

[Illustration: _Fig. 10. Carricature Plant._]

Angel was in his element now, as the home was sighted, and he danced and
capered, just as George did. The Professor and John were in the wagon,
and Harry asked the Professor to take the reins, and before any of them
knew what he was about was out of the wagon and on a run down the hill,
followed by George and Angel.

Ralph and Tom followed suit, and they made a procession that gave great
pleasure to the Professor, as he saw their joyous spirits exhibiting
themselves.

John's eyes lighted up, and the Professor noted the look of pleasure on
his face. It was so good to see the steady increase in the developing
intelligence. When they left two weeks before