CLASS DAY

“I had dinner with an old friend of mine last evening,” said Professor Fordney to his class at the University. “He related some of his interesting experiences as a young missionary in Africa, and one incident impressed me as being peculiarly applicable to our purpose. As the criminal investigator is frequently called upon to meet odd and unusual circumstances and as this story illustrates the successful handling of a perplexing situation, I am going to give it to you as your problem for today.

“Three missionaries were taking three cannibals to missionary headquarters. By themselves, or with an equal number of whites, the cannibals were entirely tractable. At the slightest opportunity, however, the missionaries knew they would revert to cannibalism. Therefore, it was absolutely necessary that at all times there should be no more cannibals than missionaries together.

“Preparing to cross a river, they found that their small boat would hold only two people. None of them could swim and while all the missionaries could row, only one of the cannibals could. What a dilemma!

“After some thought one of the missionaries arrived at the manner of getting across without permitting there to be at any time more cannibals than missionaries on the same side of the river. Oh yes, the cannibal who could row was named Whatso!

“Yes, you may use matches, pencils or anything you like to represent the cannibals and missionaries. Hop to it, fellows,” concluded the Professor with a smile.

How did you get them across? Turn page for solution.