CHAPTER VIII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1559, 1 July 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER VIII.

Jack journeyed on to his favourite hill of Giit. Theie he gazed upon the panorama that the moon revealed— the lights and shadows — and heard the distantsonnd of rushing waters. Young as he was, came the lenieniberanoe of a few years back, when this place was all in solitude — when a foicst co\ creel the hills of Giit, and the only living beings m mo Beitha and himself, and their dogs and flocks of sheep. What change would he see here in another few years? He was too uneducated to apply the words of Biyant to the seene — "The c louds Sweep ovim with the shadows, and beneath 1 lie burf.ico lolls .mil fluctuates to this e\e. IJ.irk hollows seed to glide .iloi'g .and chase I he moonlit ndfjes." Sitting again beneath the favomite tree, Jack began wcaMiigdi earns of the future. Gradually the scene began to fade. His eyes closed in sleep, and leaning against the tiee, he slumbered peacefully, notwithstanding his Met clothes. Blessed sl<'ep ! Thou coin'st unbidden to the young, but flcc'st fiom the aged caaeM r oin, though wooded on beds of down ! Sleeping peacefully, in the shadow of the tree, unconscious of pan) and sorrow, Jack heeded not the change that came over native. The clouds passed away, and the moon shone bright ami clear in the intensely blue sky. Peace fell where there had been such wild commotion — peace like that of eternity ! This sleep at first was a perfect blank. No images flitted across his brain. But gradually there appeared as it there were an intensely black veil in front of him, which was lifted now and then, revealing his mothers agony striken face. Then the veil was slowly lifted, the sad face faded away, and the landscape remained just as it was ere the gi cat flood of humanity had changed its fair fcatiues. His flock was feeding by his side, and Spot snapping at the flies as of old. There was no sun, however ; only a golden light appeared to come from the east. Was it dawn ? It must be. Dawn evci was of that delicious gloiious, golden tint. Jn expectancy he looked knvards the cast, and his glance Mas le warded by the appeaiance of a beautiful form — fiom -whence came the golden aureola. Bright amber hair fell down horn the hist emerging head, like the glory aiound a saint. Slowly the figure rose until it assumed the form of a beautiful female, clad iv gossamer gold, ■with pearls and diamonds sparkling like stais in hoz vesture. Then the figure glided to his side, and, hovering near him, smiled sweetly. Who was this beautiful, but awful being ? He had never hvvn aught human that resembled her. Beitha Mas beautiful ; but this being M - as too t>j/i> ituelle to be of this world. Ifc felt awo-atricken in her presence. She must be one of the angels his mother spoke of sometimes. She spoke not, but lightly touched the ground beneath his feet. It sloM'ly opened until a great Hssuic, extending, it seemed to him, tor miles, lcbiilted. Then ho saw that in the coiitio of this, there was a Mall of white lock, lie had scun a substance like it, and remembeied the miners called it quart/.. The strange being touched it, and at once there issued fiom it streams of golden light. By that light he saw streaks of gold permeating the lovely white stone. There wore also specs of a bright blue niet.il, whioh he did not know. Then a voice Otimc from the beautiful unknoM'n — a voice rippling M'ith music. " Yours —the shining reef. Remember." The vision faded fast from his \ iew, and was followed by a dead blank, succeeded by a gloom so intense that it pained his eyes. A gieat horror, a fearful chill, came upou him, as he gazed into the ebon darkness. In this, as if illuminated by a lurid light, appeared the face of his mother, now livid and dis troted, and gazing upon him as if striving to speak. He strove to m ake himself. A teriiblo slniek appeared to echo through the air, and lie awoke. The moon Mas> shining peacefully on the quiet scene ; the ioav of the Maters had subsided, and there mms peace. What was this 1 Spot, m horn ho had left at home, stood near him, whining and scratching with his feet, and licking his hands. Something was wrong. The clog gave a short, joyous bark when his master awoke ; and prepared at onco to go Jack rubbed his eyes, and got up. He felt somewhat stiff, sore, and cold. He thought, therefore, the best thing would be to «o home. Yet, as he weut down the hill, he could not but think of the strange dream he had had. He looked carefully at the giound, and saw that it was exactly in its usual condition. Ho could not help smiling at his own stiange fancies.