it was for the purpose of preserving it.

[Illustration: "_He started back in fright as his own image appeared to
him_" [See p. 194]]

He kept it in the cover religiously from that day forward, except at
such times as he was employed in examining it.

[Illustration: _Fig. 32. Amarylla. Chief's Poison Vegetable._]

When Chief appeared it was not noticed that he carried a curious looking
bulb, and when he sat down to experiment the mirror several of them fell
from the pouch or pocket which was put in the garment which had been
provided for him.

The Professor saw the bulbs and picked up one of them and glanced about
the room, and then looked at John in a questioning way. The boys noted
this. Nothing was said at the time, but as the Professor passed out
George followed him.

"What was that bulb you picked up?"

"It is the root of the plant called Amarylla, and it is in the juice of
this plant that certain savages dip their arrow-heads for poisoning
them."

This information was not a little startling and disquieting to George,
who rushed back and quietly called out the boys. "Do you know what Chief
has been doing? Did you see the peculiar bulbs he had? The Professor
picked up one of them, and what do you suppose it is? It is the root
from which they make the poisons for arrow-heads."

Harry could not believe that the savage had any designs on them. "I
suppose he will bear watching, so let us see what he intends to do with
them!"

When Chief had admired himself sufficiently he took the bulbs to the
kitchen and placed them in the oven, as the boys called it, and when
George came in he was smiling, as he thought, in a very peculiar way.
George did not disturb the bulbs, and when the meal was brought in Chief
was on hand and went to the kitchen. He soon returned with the roasted
bulbs and deposited them at the table.

The boys looked at the Professor, and he and John exchanged smiling
glances, and both of them took the bulbs and began the meal with them in
the most nonchalant manner. The boys could not understand the
Professor's defiant manner in eating a poisonous bulb, and George cried
out: "Didn't you say that the bulb was poisonous?"

"Yes, it is, for some things."

"Well, how can it be poisonous for some things and not for others. Don't
the savages use the poisons of the arrows to kill people with?"

"Certainly; but it is used in that case as a blood poison. A blood
poison is not necessarily a stomach po