<em>The author used the transition word "Surprisingly" to register the element of surprise which the tribe showed when the person indicated interest on addressing them.</em>
The tribe has always known him to be an unserious person but was taken unawre by his indication of interest.
Explanation:
The statement where the transition word was used is given below:
"<u>Surprisingly</u>, there was silence now; the tribe were curious to hear what amusing thing he might have to say"
