anguage, "Long live Tahara, King of the two tribes!"

After this ceremony, Wabiti led the way to the clearing under his airy
village in the trees.

In a great pit, filled with glowing coals, were the carcasses of
mountain goats, antelopes and wild boars. Small birds were roasting on
skewers held by women of the tribe, while girls came forward with woven
trays heaped high with tropical fruits such as Dick had eaten among the
Taharans.

There were melons, dates, pomegranates and many others that he did not
know by name, also gourds full of a delicious drink made from honey and
wild grapes.

"Oh boy! This is the life!" exclaimed Dan. "Hey sister, bring over
that basket of figs! Look at this, Dick! Ripe figs, purple and white
figs! They're sweet as sugar."

Dick smiled and tasted the fruit but Dan insisted on keeping a basket
beside him while the guests and Wabiti sat on the grass and the feast
began.

Dan Carter, who enjoyed his meals and never passed up anything, was the
hero of the hour. The savages believed in doing everything thoroughly:
if they fought, they fought to kill and when they ate, they stuffed to
bursting.

Dick Oakwood, with his habit of moderate eating, would have made a poor
impression but for the exploits of Dan, who upheld the honor of both by
his attacks upon the food.

As Dan picked a bone, he threw it behind him, over his shoulder and
instantly a child of the tribe would snatch it as a prize.

The Gorols were in high spirits. They foresaw happy days ahead, days
of hunting and feasting with no more fear of war with the Taharans to
disturb their sleep.

"We are all friends and brothers!" said Wabiti, rising with a gourd
full of the honey drink.

"Friends and brothers," echoed Dick.

Wabiti chuckled sleepily, sat down abruptly and the next moment his
head fell forward and he began snoring like a buzz saw.

Dick was not displeased. He looked forward to many happy years,
studying these simple people, left over from the Old Stone Age, and
watching them develop as he taught them the arts of peace.

After the Gorols had eaten all their skins could hold, they began to
drop off to sleep and Dick called Raal to him.

"Now is a good time for us to explore the country undisturbed," he
said. "You and I will look over the Black Boiling Spring that I saw
one terrible night. And I would enter the cave of the Great Gorol,
where we stole the sacred black image."

"I hear. I obey!"

R