The nature of this implement the sailor could not determine at the moment.

When the knowledge did come, it came so rapidly that he was saved from many earlier hours of abiding; dread, for one of those innocuous-looking weapons was fraught with more quiet deadliness than a Gatling gun.
In the neighborhood of the fire an animated discussion took place.
Though it was easy to see that the chief was all-paramount, his fellow-tribesmen exercised a democratic right of free speech and outspoken opinion.
Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned towards cave and hut.
Once, when the debate grew warm, the chief snatched up a burning branch and held it over the blackened embers of the fire extinguished by Jenks.

He seemed to draw some definite conclusion from an examination of the charcoal, and the argument thenceforth proceeded with less emphasis.

Whatever it was that he said evidently carried conviction.
Iris, nestling close to the sailor, whispered-- "Do you know what he has found out ?" "I can only guess that he can tell by the appearance of the burnt wood how long it is since it was extinguished.

Clearly they agree with him." "Then they know we are still here ?" "Either here or gone within a few hours.