CHAPTER XII.—{Continued.)

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2003, 9 May 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER Xll.— {Continued.)

It appeared that after the party were landed they reached tho native settlement, where they weie kindly received. They learned, however, with a sinking of the heart, that the schooner whioh called at the island twice a year had just left, and that she need not be expected for six months. However, this onforced stay on the inland might have been borne with resignation had not, unfortunately, Stella's extreme beauty raised in the heart of the chief, who was quite young, having only just succeeded his father, a furious and unconquerable passion. To such lengths did he proceed, and so absolute was his power, that the captain, who was a man of high courage and morality, caw no resource except to take to the boat and endeavour to reach one of the islands that was more in the track of vessels. By playing* with the chief, and promising him Stella in a few days, after ■he had gone through ceremonies represented as essential among the people of her nation, they were able to allay the savage's suspioions, and to leave the island at night. Only the captain and the first mate accompanied Stella, the others being absent in in another part of the island, where they had made a temporary home for themselves with the natives. The oiroumstances of their flight prevented the provisioning of the boat except very slenderly, but tho captain was in hopes if tho weather held up to make an island in a day or two. Unhappily, bad weather came, and they were driven where t'JO waves willed, and having no instruments were unable to steer any certain course. How they survived the storm at all was a miracle. Gentlemen, I honor those noble men, tho captain and the mate. Though Stella did not know it till too late, they stinted themselves that she might have food. Days followed of horrible sufferings on a glassy sea with a merciless sun in an adamant sky, until at last the minds of the two men gave way, and, utterly demented, they flung themselves into the Hea. Stella believed that it was the gleam of reason that remained which induced them to tako this terrible course ; they felt that if their madness proceeded into another stage they would commit something horrible, and they escaped it by death. May the Great Power have ordered them their reward. After that oame to Stella a merciful weakness and unconsciousness, which, no doubt, saved her from following her companions. She knew no more until she woke in my arms. I believe, gentlemen, it was ordered that her boat should be guided to the island and steered safe of the dangers of the gulf, that she might make life bearable to me, and create a sunsbino in our island. I will pass over the period intervening until I made her mine. You must have long before this, young as you arc, noticed that man neither speaks or writes of the great emotions and pleasures of life. They are a sealed book. They take place in the mind and they remain there. Not even to the wife or tho friend of your bosom are they written or spoken of ; probably this is becauHo no language can express them. It took a long time to pernuade fjtella to tako the step. For me I made* no concealment of what I had been, of ray marriage, of the disasters of my latter days. But this did not set her against me. On the contrary, all the womanly Hympathy of her exquisite nature was aroused. There is wonder |ul truth in those celebrated lines that Shakojjpeare puts into the mouth of Othello : ' hlio gdvo me for my pairm a world of hi«lis Hhe wihlipcl she had not hoard it ; jet she wialird TJiftt Jl<;»ven had made hei nuch a mnn. Hlio loved mo for the dangers I had piinicd, And I loved her tlint nlie did pity me.' Unworthy me, I inspired in that pure virgin bosom the deepest of love. And when days G'ept on and the saw she was doomed to remain for lifo on this iMand, she surrendered herself to me. One happy, glorious day, we solemnly took eaoh other as man and wife in the sight, of our Greater. And from that time forth the cloud was lifted off my soul and I bscame a changed man. The presence of Stella on the island, and the certainty which soon oame upon me that ahe would soon become mine had roused me to a new life. At a very early period I set to work to remodel tho island, to give the people a oode of lawa and moralß, and make them industrious as far as the climate and their habits would allow. I had the nhip unloaded and placed the goods in a stors-house, it in just behind here in a clump of trees. There wtill a large btock, so heavily freighted was

tho vessel. One of the fiiHt tilings I dul \\fi<) 'o pour into the sea evrry drop of inro\icntin > liquor. I was resolved to baniih that fiend it all hazard". It was by tho liberal use of pints that llcnry had worked up tho islanders to runkc an attack upon me. Such wa3 the hold tho liquor had already had on them, that it nceJcd all tho supernatural powers they 'bought I possessed to pcrsuado them to throw tho liquor away. Thoy pleaded for a little drop " to put heart into them," they naid, but I was inexorable. a Within a fow months before I rmrricd Stella, I had the whole aspect of affairs changed. The islands were cleared of useless timber, beautified and planted with fruit and other trees, while on what I will call the mainland tho cultivation of cereals, vegetables and other plants was begun. The ship contained a collection of all kinds of seoda, so [ had a great opportunity to add to the productiveness of the island. Since then I have nover ceased to improve it in every way, and [ think wonders havo been accomplished. I found nature plastic to ray hands, but the humanity was not bo easily moulded. I have found man to bo the most objectionable, ungrateful, utubborn, and ovil disposed living thing on the earth, plant or animal. But I will apeak of this a little later on. I will now como to tho last great crisis in my life ; at least what I hope will be the last, for my days are now drawing to a close. Such tender and loving feelings now filled my heart th.it I almost relented to my prisoners. I would have released them had it not been that I felt certain the result would be death to mo and a moro horrible fate for my loved one. So they were kept in captivity. They were given a plentiful supply of tho best food and I sent books to Henry. Still theirs must have been a terrible existence. Timo glided by— l had to invent a new calendar, dating its commencement from my arrival in the island — and at last the event occurred that was the crowning joy of my life. Stella presented mo with a beautiful babe, the resnlt of our lovea. It was the counterpart of her beautiful glorious self. That ohild filled my cup of joy to overflowing. I almost trembled to think my happiness was too great, that some terrible shadow would destroy it. But how happy, unspeakably happy, it made me, words cannot describe. Home years elapsed after my marriage before Orinora was born, and she was a toddler of two years old when the second great calamity of my life occurred ; a calamity that I cannot think of even jythout tho deepest emotion. Even now my throat swells, my eyes moisten, when that dread panorama passes before me. Oh, that I had stifled my humanity and destroyed the two wretches who turned the island into a hell I I had by this time made great improvements on the island, and tho people, who somewhat rebelled at first, had come to look upon my rule as beneficent, as it made them happy and comfortable, and supplied them with plenty of food, and in variety. They evidently came of a race that had considerable intelligonco - up to a certain point— and under my care it was developing. They were soon awaro of the altered condition of things and its desirability, and I was careful not to put too great a strain upon them. So that I could well call our habitation the Happy Islo of the Sea ol Dreams. Ah, me ! Ono day a terrible storm came on, and the rain descended in torrents. The rush of water from the gulf was terrific, the maddened ocean pouring it in. I had nover seen such a terrible battle of the elements. The lightning almost made the world bright as if the sun was shining. This islet is so far from tho gulf that the other islets break tho fury of the great rush of waters through tho chasm, but even hero tho lake roso to that extent — the western gulf being unable to take the flood away — that I began to dread it would sweep over the islet and destroy us. Whilo we huddled together waiting for the worst, I could not but think of the prisoners on their islet. It seemed certain as they were so near the inlet of the sea it would sweep over and drown them. Would to Heaven it had 1 As in all tropical regions the morning after the storm broke bright and fair. Nature smiled a« if there had been no destruction, no tumult. I was up early, and went round to see what damage had been done. It was not so great an I thought, and I saw it oould soon be remedied, as far as our little islet was concerned. Very soon canoes began to arrive, giving mo accounts of more serious disasters. I had never relaxed my vigilance over the prisoners, for now I had a treasure to guard dearer than ray own life, my wife and child. Three oanoes were constantly on duty to watch their prisoners' home. My people informed mo only two of these had fled from the storm the previous night, and safely reached land. They had urged the natives in the other oanoes to fly, but the man in charge, a fine young fellow, who was greatly attached to me, and upon whom I placed the utmost relianco, had declined. He had been placed there to watch tho prisoners, ho said, and he would do it or perish. And the noble fellow did perish. Getting into a canoe, I steered for the prison islet. When we arrived there I found my fears realised. Tho sea had broken-down the wooden walls and carried portions of them away. Not a sign of the prisoners was to be seen. Tho waves had made a clean breach over the little islet, and no-doubt thoy had been swept away and drowned. I or tho moment as I stood there and gazed upon the wreck I felt my eyoa mointcn at tho thought of my boyhood's friend's fate. I only remembered him then as the child and lad I had lived and played with, and I breathed a prayer that tho Great Power would be merciful to him. * Days passed, during which I worked hard with the people to repair tha damages the Htorm had done. Ono morning when I had appointed a rendezvous at one of our best islets, I discovered that a largo number were absent. Those who camo had a strange, terrified look. And then tho terrible truth oame out. During tho storm worse spirits than those of the elements had been unchained. Henry and Marambola had eHoapod. It was afterwards ascertained bow : My faithful followers' canoe had beon upset at an early period, and its occupants drowned. The storm had lifted it over tho palisade. Marambola was a Hhrewd man and a cunning islander. He had sheltered himself and his companion in a place where they were safe from the rago of the nea, and in the morning they took the canoe and mado for the mainland, to a particular settlement, whioh had always been well affected towards the prophet. Here thoy appeared as if they dropped from the skies. Marambola at once declared the Spirit of the Storm had liberated them in order to have vengeance on the usurper. He stated that his defeat and imprisonment had been permitted as a punishment for not having killed me when I arrived on the island, knowing I had the marks that distinguish an ovil spirit (Ooherdooroo). But his probation was over, and he was released to accomplish the task of my destruction, and the bringing of the people back to the old faith. The island in futuro should produce plenteously, and the sago Henry would mako for them oceans of donalvno, by whioh name they knew the spirits. It is strange that mankind has invariably called alcouol water of life : eau de vie, aqua vita, usquebaugh moan the same an donalonn. Every man should do as seemed best to himself. And at once Henry bogan to mako npirit from the fruits in order to give tlie natives Iho great boon. You know what a hold anoient faiths have upon such people. The heathen who has bocome a Christian, and lived as one for yearn,

turns to tho coda of his youth when tho death agony comes. Bu t when.in addition to tha power of their old faith, camo the promiso of donalono and full license to do what they pleased, and to be freed from labour, thero was no resisting tho temptation ; at least, by the old people and those who were inclined to lazineHS and sensuality. Probably the whole population would have turned against me had it not been for the dread of ray supposed pupernatural powers. However, tho better Kort held fast to me — thoso who were wiser and had raoro control over themselve?, and who saw dearer than the thoughtless. Still, tho odds were terrible. Had I been as I was when I came to the island I would not have felt it 80 muoh ; but now this rebellion had indescribable terrors. But the thought of my wife and child nerved me to the task. I resolved that I would at once give the enemy battle, before the defoction had time to spread. I could have settled with them very quickly had I chosen to teach my natives the use of firearms, but -that I was resolved not to do ; it would utterly destroy my future. But I speedily manufactured iron-pointed pikes or ppears for them that would give thorn a vast advantage over their enemies. I had (<et up a forgo on a littlo islet, whioh I mado my workshop, and learned tho Hmiths' uaeful trade. Howevpr, I trusted mainly to the terror I would inspire by my firearms and a small cannon I rigged up on ono of the canoes. Tho hardest task of all was to part with ray wife and child : it almost unmanned me. Try what I could, I felt the most gloomy forebodings at leaving them on tho island. However, I did all that human ingenuity could to render them safe. I showed my wife over and ovor again how to turn on and off the electrio fluid so as to surcharge the wires with it, or to withdraw tho force, and gave her tho fullest instructions. I did think of leaving the old chief, of whom I havo made mention, and who had throughout been a staunch adherent, to proteot her, but I thought tho best protector would bo electricity ; I could not trust even the best of the natives with such a prize. I learned that Henry had ascertained who the wpman I had on the islet was, and this added to my fears, and resolved that the sun would not set before he or I was dead. My spies had ascertaiedn that tho enemy were congregated at the settlement whore Henry &nd Marambola had landed, getting ready for an invasion, and that already a crude spirit had been m&de which had been dealt out to ruadden them. Thither we took our way. The settlement, like every other one, was on a rising ground, and thus tho enemy had tho advantage. But I urged ray people to fight for their lives and their homes and their families, .and drew as powerful a picture as possible of tho result if they v/oio defeated. I assured them, however, of victory, as I would use the arra.s of the gods; tho firobreathers ( Ankaloa) as they called them. We found tho enemy on the beach ready to withstand our landing, with Marambola at their head. Paubing for a moment, I tried to make a speech to the misguided natives, offering freedom to all who would join me, but they were all mad with drink, and— probably at Marambola's suggestion — made such a noise that I could not be heard. Doubtless, Marambola represented that if a noise were made, my spells would be of no effect. I then directed my people to be ready to land the moment I let off tho fire of the gods, and having fixed my cannon, I fired it, following with a discharge of firearms. The effeot was terrible. The enemy being thick, the cannon shot destroyed a number of them. My people, encouraged by thoir consternation and cries, rushed on to the land, while I loaded again. I will not dwell upon that scene. The tiger in their blood was aroused, and a terrible slaughter ensued. In vain I landed, and endeavored to save the poor wretches, who were now sobered and cried for mercy. None was given. They were pursued up the mountain in the blood fury, and speared through and through. Victory was complete before noon, and I was able to restore order. A muster soon showed I had lost no men, though some were wounded, while very few of the enemy remained. These I had removed to an islet to undergo probation — those who would live. I searched anxiously for the bodies of Henry and Marambola, but could not find them. My work was in vain. Sending parties in every direction in search of the fugitives, and stationing men in the settlements to watch for them, I turned homeward with a heavy heart. When I arrived at what I had called tho Home of Love, a sight appeared that nearly turned mo into stone. On tho gate was a piece of paper, with the terrible words : " You have the victory ; I have the prize." I understood at onco what had happened. Henry had not been in the battle at all. While I had been decoyed to fight the islanders, ho had stolen round with a noloct fow and captured my wife and child. I found he had also token away firearms and ammunition, so that now he would meet me on equal terms. Evidently poor Stella had failed to work the machinery rightly. I soon saw she had, in trying to turn the electricity on, broken an important part of the machinery. To say I was frantic conveys no idea of my feolings — I was raving mad. It was some time beforo I could collect my reason sufficiently to go in pursuit. Tho old chief declared Henry must havo taken refuge in what wo called the Look-out, a bfoad plateau on the side of tho mountain, which, while supplying plenty of food, could easily be defended. Thither wo wont, and found the shrewd old man was right. Heedless of everything, I rushed up tho steps that bad been made, and, followed by a few brave men, fought my way to the plateau. How I escaped death I know not, for Henry, who was a splendid shot, aimed particularly at me : probably my impetuous movements saved me, for ray companions fell around rae. Tho villain retreated beforo me until he reached a sort of cave. Thero ho mado his last stand, and hold my wife in front of him. He had had to drop his arms in his flight. I did not hoaitato ; I made for him. And then " Here tho recollection of that awful scene wero too much for the old gentleman. 1 1 0 turned away for a few minutes, and seemed in agony. " And then," he resumed at last, " I saw the fiend Marambola raise a knifo on high and stab Stella to the heart, With a piercing shriek she fell off the ledge upon me, covering me with her blood 1 Oh, my God." Again he paused, unable to proceed. 11 What followed," he continued, when he had mastered his emotion, " I know only by hearsay. The tension wan too great ; I became mad. The old chief oaptured Henry and Marambola, and I was taken homo strapped with cords, my wife's body in the same canoe. Ileavon, however, did not altogether forget me. Orinora had hidden in some fern, and was found thero by ray people and taken home in another canoe. As for me I was mad for a long time. Tho old chief watched over me like a father, and at last I recovered, but the wreok of what I had been. Tho Hage old woman who nursed Stella when sho camo to the island took charge of Orinora. What Pwould havo dono had this littlo angel not remained to mo Ido not know. I would either havo pined away or taken my own lifo. As it was she gradually weaned me from my hoi - row ; she gave me an object in life, a companion. When I was sufficiently recovered I was aeked to judge the prisoners. I could not trust myself to see them lest I übould go mad,

co I ordered that they should bo taken to the •outlet of tho lako and thence hurled into the fatal whirlpool. And that was the last of two of the greatest wretches the world has r<een. Since that time I have lived as you see, improving my domain and educating my daughter and my people; comparatively happy, but with a sorrow upon my mind that will never leave it till tho gravo ends all. Stella rests on an islet on which no one has trodden Have her daughter and myself. There I often no to meditate upon hor love, and faith, and purity, ever returning a better and a happier man. And there, when all is over, I will p!eop the long sleep],that knows no waking.