and they were again compelled to camp without getting a sight
of the enemy. On this occasion the fort was put up, but no attempt was
made to light a fire.

As soon as darkness set in, John motioned to Tom to follow him, and
together they quietly made their way to the southwest, in the direction
of the trail they had followed during the day.

Within an hour both returned, and announced that the camp had been
discovered to the front and right of their position, and George and Tom
went in that direction, after being cautioned by John to observe the
strictest care not to disturb them by approaching too close.

The Professor and John had a long conference as to the wisest course
under the circumstances. "I am of the opinion that we should never allow
them to leave that camp," was John's observation, "because we are in a
much better position to dictate to them during the hours of darkness, if
we surround them."

"My only doubts about that plan maybe summed up as follows: We can
easily defeat them in a hand-to-hand fight; but we do not want to
slaughter them. If we can make them captives we shall have a strong
lever to work with in treating with the main band. In the night time it
is always a hazardous enterprise, and we cannot afford to risk the lives
of the boys."

"Then," John responded, "let us wait until morning, and before the sun
is up we can surround their position, and when it is light enough to see
approach them from the six quarters and demand surrender."

"I like that suggestion better than the other. It looks like a safe
plan, and it will prevent needless bloodshed, without risking the lives
of any, unless they show a bitter fight."

When the two boys returned the decision to surround the camp before
daybreak was announced, and the night was a long, long period of anxiety
to them. They had no fear of the results, nor would either hesitate for
a moment to engage in it, because all had become seasoned with the
perils of the past year.

It was the unexpected, the exhilaration of knowing that they had the
strength to attack the savages, that made them restless and to long for
the morning hours.

The first appearance of the slightest gray in the east was the signal
for preparation.

John led the way. As they were starting, John said: "This is a most
important step, because if we succeed we may be able to dictate to at
least one tribe, and that tribe the most powerful and vindictive on the
island. When we a