SINGING SANDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1657, 8 September 1887, Page 3

SINGING SANDS

In one of the South Pacific Islands are some wonderful Binging Bauds. These cands are m a small deaert. In the centre of the desert are about a doz3n ojcoa-nut trees, and about five milea distant is the ocean. Ka Pule, a native guard, and myself reached the trees about noon. Oar horses as well as ourselves were about used up, travelling through the deep sand under a blazing eun. As we lay stretched at thti roots of the towering oocoa-nuts, the trade wind set m cool and refreshing, from the ocean. Notwithstanding the heat and wearied condition there was an enchantment about the situation that caused me to think of the beautiful slorieo I had read Id my childhood. I began tv ft-ol the aoft touch of Blumbor, and all at once I heard a faint musical tinkling as if troops of fairies were coming to greet us as they mcd to do the eochanted prinocß m the olden days. I tried to looate the melodious sounds. In all directions there was nothing hut hot glowing sand. I looked up ; there was nothing but the beautiful tropioal sky and the tremulous al ttuephero. Stilt louder sounded the mußic— it was all aroond us— it filled the air. I gizad towards the ocean, and there apparently a short distance away, was a beautiful lake, with its waves daehing apon mots coloured stones. It was not there when we firat arrived at the plaoe, and I became half-convinced it was the work of enchantment, Ka Pale had fallen asleep, and gazing at the lake and listening to the music m the air, I rested my head against the rough bark of a tree. As I did bo I heard the distant gurgle of a brook. I oould plainly hear the water splashing over the glistening stones and dying away m quiet eddiea. I was more and more bowildered, and at length awoke Ka Pule. I told him what I had heard, and- directed his attention to the | lake. He explained that the seeming lake waa a waililula, or mirage, that the sound of gurgling waters came from an underground Btrnam, and that the muslo was caused by the stirring of the flinty eands by the wind. Anyway, the whole experience was beautiful, and I have often said that I onoe made a visit to fairy land,

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