was not long before we found them exceedingly
apt in understanding signs. They showed much commiseration for us, and
with manifestations of friendship invited us to follow them and test
their hospitality. This we were not slow in doing.

The island--we were made to know on the way--was a journey of ten hours
long and seven wide, and our eyes gave us proof of its wonderful
fecundity of soil, for there were great banana plantations and others
of curious kinds of grain. The narrowness of the roads convinced us
that there were no wagons or beasts of burden, but there were many
evidences of a civilization which, for these parts, was of
extraordinary development; such, for instance, as finely cultivated
fields and good houses of stone, with such evidences of an aesthetic
taste as found expression in the domestic cultivation of many of the
beautiful flowers which grew upon the island. These matters I mention
with some particularity, in order that the island may be recognized by
the rescuers for whom we are eagerly praying.

The town to which we were led is a place of singular beauty. While
there is no orderly arrangement of streets (the houses being scattered
about confusedly), there is a large sense of comfort and room and a
fine character of neatness. The buildings are all of rough stone and
are not divided into apartments; the windows and doors are hung with
matting, giving testimony of an absence of thieves. A little to one
side, upon a knoll, is the house of the king, or chief. It is much like
the others, except that it is larger, a chamber in front serving as an
executive-room, where the king disposes of the business of his
rulership.

Into this audience-room we were led, and presently the king himself
appeared. He was dressed with more barbaric profusion than his
subjects; about his neck and in his ears were many fine pieces of
jewelry of gold and silver, evidently the work of European artisans,
but worn with a complete disregard of their original purpose. The king,
a large, strong, and handsome man, received us with a kindly smile; if
ever a human face showed kindness of heart, it was his. He had us to
understand at once that we were most welcome, that he sympathized with
us in our distress, and that all our wants should be attended to until
means should be found for restoring us to our country, or sending us
whithersoever else we might desire to go.

It was not at all likely, he said (for he spoke German a little)