Once more the blacks formed a circle around our adventurer, who coolly drew his tube and said to the chief:
"Tell your people I'm going to walk away through those trees, and if any one dares to interfere with me I'll paralyze him."
The chief understood enough English to catch his meaning, and repeated the message to his men. Having seen the terrible effect of the electric tube they wisely fell back and allowed the boy to pass.
He marched through their lines with a fine air of dignity, although he was fearful lest some of the blacks should stick a spear into him or bump his head with a war-club. But they were awed by the wonders they had seen and were still inclined to believe him a god, so he was not molested.
When he found himself outside the village he made for the high plateau in the center of the island, where he could be safe from the cannibals while he collected his thoughts. But when he reached the place he found the sides so steep he could not climb them, so he adjusted the indicator to the word "up" and found it had still had enough power to support his body while he clambered up the rocks to the level, grass-covered space at the top.
Then, reclining upon his back, he gave himself up to thoughts of how he might escape from his unpleasant predicament.
