CHAPTER II.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1994, 18 April 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 11.

Out on the glaisy se« we'll launch our boat, And round this mystic frowning island float ; And gliding gaily pait it try and find What story lies these gloomy chlFs behind : Out on the sea Come all with me And mystery Long 'twill not bo ! The music ceased, and with a start Herbert awoke from hia reverie. "No chance of a wind to-day, Douglas ? " he asked of a tall, strapping young fellow, who was the captain or navigating master of the yacht. •■ I do not think there is, sir," was the reply. " This calm is likely to last a day or two. After that I expect a good hlow, which will carry us into the sea of inhabited islands." " You do not think, then, this island is inhabited ? " " I can't understand how it could be, seeing that men must have wings to land." •' Yet strange lights were seen last night." " I have suspicion that this is an island thrown up — some comparatively recent convulsion. For all we know, there may be an active volcano in the centre." 41 Yet there is no cloud or smoke. Well, Harry, what do you say to a cruise round it in one of the boats. When we're tired of rowing we can throw out or lines and catch Borne of the strange fish that abound here, to add to our museum. Ebby and you and I can go, and the rest can amuse themselves fishing or in any way they please." " I'm quite agreeable, Herbert," replied Harry Forbes; " anything rather than inaotion, Musio, of course, hath its charms to soothe the savage beast, even when it comes from n double bass " — hero his eyes lit upon the youthful performer on that portentous inatramen ti_» but you know the beast may not bap. pen to be at hand." " Why," cried Sam Slaughter, the contre bassist, turning quite red, "If you call m( a beast again, Harry, you might find I air one." " I don't care about proof in these matters, 1 replied his tormentor, " other than that al ready vouchsafed, though I doubt if yourfangi are equal to your roaring." Sam bit his lips. Harry made a butt of every one except Herbert, and particularly of pool soft-hearted, sentimental Sam. Once, aftei imbibing a lot of champagne, when lying of Tahiti, Sam had ventured to give Harrj battle — in Herbert's absence, for he never al lowed warfare of any kind — and had dis covered to his sorrow that one of the mil lionaife'a Rccompliuhments was how to übi

his " dukes." If Harry had fallen into tho sea at that moment and been swallowed by a shark, Sara would hay» played the " Dead Mirchin Saul" on his instrument with, the greatest pleasure. * •' Come, no quarrelling," said Herbert. ' Piovision the boat, Douglass, and let us make a start. I long to be on the cool, glassy sea." " You want the small one, sir?" queried Douglass. " Certainly." "It's got Mr Smith's apparatus and things in it," B,iid D-juglaas ; " they were not removed since he landed on the small island we la9t touched at and frightened the natives out of their wits." " Oh, that don't matter," replied Herbert ; " it will only steady her." So the boat was got ready, and in a Bhort time Harry and Herbert were at the oars, and Ebby steering. Thoso who remained on deck entered into consultation as to how they would spend the day. Some determined to fish, others to go out in boats ; but not a few, both sailors and passengers, decided to devote themselves to cards. This Herbert allowed, but sternly fixed a limit, beyond which no one was allowed to bet. He was a masterful man when he liked was Herbert, and everyone knew it. Douglass, the sailing master, a careful and conscientious man, did not forget to direct the wanderers and to instruct them. "Ba sure, Mr Glifford," he said on parting, "not to go too near the cliffs, especially where the sea beats heavily. I know these islands, and that there are dangerous currents. There are strange tales of these i°lands, if old whalers and others are to be believed, We will keep a sharp look out, and will at once answer your signal." " Oh, you need not fear," said Herbert, as he bent to the oar ; "we are not freshwater sailors." And then he broke out into the famous pirate chorus, '• Here upon my vessel's deck," generally interpolated in Massinello, and the little bark sped away, cleaving the blue waters and turning them into feathery ravishing lace work. Edward Douglass stood watching the boat forsomefcime. There wasafondlookinhisface as he noted the fine form, the glowing face, of his young captain. Herbert had a wonderful power of attaching young men to him. His disposition was so generous and open, his face so handsome and kind, his ways so considerate, that he was ever a favourite. When we are young we love the beautiful, and if to a handsome form there is added a good heart, the attraction is irresistible. "God bless him," said Douglass, as he turned aw&y. " He's a prince ; a real trump. If all rich men were like him what a world this would be." He sat down on a cane seat, and taking out his glass, put it occasionally his eye to watch the boat that bore bis hero, paying hitle attention to the lifo and merriment on deck. The Yarra was essentially the home of ]oy and light-heartedness and gaiety and youth. All wero young ; all in the summer of life, Herbert had willed it so ; not that he disliked mature life and age, but that he desired on this voyage to have around him only those in the spring time of life. It was aa experiment, and bad so far turned out most happily. Douglass watched the boat as it coasted along the island in a wayward manner ; now standing out to sea ; now steering dangerously near, as he thought, to the land ; occasionally stationary, riding like a duck upon the waters — it was evident they stopped to fish. They were to return before the heat became too great. Suddenly Edward Douglass sprang up as if he were shot. The boat had been rounding what seemed a promontory, when it vanished as if by magic. At first he thought she was lost behind a swell, but when she did not reappear, a terrible fear came upon him. " My God 1 she is gone," he cried. There was an instant rush, and every eye was strained to catch a glimpse of the Petrel. Nothing was to be seen, save the gentlyswelling blue sea, over whiub skimmed the birds. " Out with the large boat at once," oned Douglass ; " work for your lives. Some terrible disaster has happened." " The boat has only disappeared behind some jutting rocks," said Sam Slaughter,who was very hale. " Heaven send it may be so," said Douglass. Very soon— for love of their darling owner and commander animated every heart — the large boat was ready and speeding over the water, with Douglass at the prow, glass in hand. It was not long before they reached the spot where the small boat had vanished, for they took a direct course, but no glimpse of it rewarded the rescuers' eyes. There was no promontory, no jutting rocks ; only a solid pillar-like wall of basalt cliffs. The hearts of everyone sank. Had the little boat struck on a hidden rock, and was their bright-haired, bright-faced darling dead under the cold waves ? Even Harry's fate was commiserated. Sam Slaughter, who had contemplated only a little while baok his entombment in a shark with satisfaction, now sighed to think of his end. " Back for your lives, men I " roared Douglass, just as the men had rested and were looking in every direotion for the boat they would never see again. " Back, baok 1 " he absolutely shrieked. They were aroused to their own terrible danger. They were being drawn into a current swift and engulfing as ever was the Maelstrom. Every hand went to work, there was one great unanimous effort, and in a few minutes they were out of reaoh of the fatal suction. When they felt secure they rested, the perspiration standing in huge drops on their white faaes, and breathed a prayer of thanks to heaven. Douglass sank on to a seat, and covered bis face with his hands. "It is all over, lads," he said at last, and they could see the salt tears were in his eye. " As brave and as generous a man as ever God made is gone. He was too good for the world. I have heard of these currents before, but I never believed in them. These volcanio islands have great rents and fissures — in faot, are hollow— extending from side to side, and into these the sea rushes with a power that cannot be estimated. We escaped by a miracle ; one minute later and we would have been in the full force of the current, and were every man a Hercules it would be vain. Herbert's frail boat got into it, and was whirled to destruction. My God IMy God I surely il is a dream. So bright, ao handsome, sc generous, so rich, so young, gone to an un timely and terrible death. Peace to hii gentle heart and noble soul 1 " " Amen 1 "