Some of the enemy were lucky; and with only a snip or two managed to get outside the fence—­where the parrots immediately left them alone.  But with most, before the black birds had done with them, the ears presented a very singular appearance—­like the edge of a postage-stamp.  This treatment, very painful at the time, did not however do them any permanent harm beyond the change in looks.  And it later got to be the tribal mark of the Bag-jagderags.  No really smart young lady of this tribe would be seen walking with a man who did not have scalloped ears—­for such was a proof that he had been in the Great War.  And that (though it is not generally known to scientists) is how this people came to be called by the other Indian nations, the Ragged-Eared Bag-jagderags.

As soon as the village was cleared of the enemy the Doctor turned his attention to the wounded.

In spite of the length and fierceness of the struggle, there were surprisingly few serious injuries.  Poor Long Arrow was the worst off.  However, after the Doctor had washed his wound and got him to bed, he opened his eyes and said he already felt better.  Bumpo was only badly stunned.

With this part of the business over, the Doctor called to Polynesia to have the Black Parrots drive the enemy right back into their own country and to wait there, guarding them all night.

Polynesia gave the short word of command; and like one bird those millions of parrots opened their red beaks and let out once more their terrifying battle-scream.

The Bag-jagderags didn’t wait to be bitten a second time, but fled helter-skelter over the mountains from which they had come; whilst Polynesia and her victorious army followed watchfully behind like a great, threatening, black cloud.

The Doctor picked up his high hat which had been knocked off in the fight, dusted it carefully and put it on.

“To-morrow,” he said, shaking his fist towards the hills, “we will arrange the terms of peace—­and we will arrange them—­ in the City of Bag-jagderag.

His words were greeted with cheers of triumph from the admiring Popsipetels.  The war was over.

THE SEVENTH CHAPTER

THE PEACE OF THE PARROTS

The next day we set out for the far end of the island, and reaching it in canoes (for we went by sea) after a journey of twenty-five hours, we remained no longer than was necessary in the City of Bag-jagderag.

When he threw himself into that fight at Popsipetel, I saw the Doctor really angry for the first time in my life.  But his anger, once aroused, was slow to die.  All the way down the coast of the island he never ceased to rail against this cowardly people who had attacked his friends, the Popsipetels, for no other reason but to rob them of their corn, because they were too idle to till the land themselves.  And he was still angry when he reached the City of Bag-jagderag.