made unlawful by all the great nations."

From that day there was no cessation on the part of the entire working
force to prepare the necessary ammunition required for a campaign
against the savages. It should be stated that by this time Chief had
learned many things, and John took particular pains to teach him daily,
until he could pronounce many words very distinctly, and understood the
meaning of them.

It was surprising to see how quickly his mind grasped the association of
a verb with some name, and the simplest and most common verbs of action
were taught. In this way it became apparent that all should be cautious
about talking of the proposed expedition in his presence. Nevertheless
all were anxious to enlist him in the enterprise.

He never inquired about the gun barrels, and curiously enough seemed to
take no interest in any of the weapons but the spears and arrows. He was
a fine archer. This was demonstrated on several occasions, the only
difficulty being that the bows which the boys had were too small.

Chief selected his own branches, for the bows, and showed the boys how
to hold the arrows, and the distance he could propel them was marvelous.
They were not by any manner of means a match, by comparison, with the
guns, but they would be dangerous missiles if attacked in the open, and
of this fact the boys had learned several lessons.

The wagon, which was constructed before the first trip across the
island, had been through some tough places, and the wheels and axles
were in bad condition. These needed replacing, and that was a task which
would occupy some time.

One day, at the evening meal, the boys asked about Chief. He had not
been noticed by anyone since noon.

He was usually at work with Harry, who was asked concerning him.

"The last I saw of him was right after lunch, and he was going in the
direction of the clay bank. As he was in the habit of going there quite
frequently I paid no attention to him."

"Did he have anything with him, that you noticed?"

"Nothing but the bolo and the bow and arrows that he always took."

"Possibly he is on some mission," replied the Professor. "It does not
seem likely that he has determined to desert us; but it may be he has
grown tired of this existence. It is a curious phase of these matters,
however, which, I believe, will apply in his case, that when he goes
back he will find his old life a very disquieting one to him, and I
predict he will be here agai