CHAPTER XVII.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2009, 23 May 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XVII.

What myitic ritei, And wandering lights Are these that now appear ; What mygtery I» this 1 nee — What gathering is hero » Perilously on the boundary of madness the unhappy lid Paranoa rushed out from the room where his hopes had been for ever blighted; his heart boiling with the most terrible passions, his brain on fire with incoherent achemea of veDgeance, and the gratification of hia tempestuous desires. Upon him the beautiful rioh, silver light of the moon, flooding the glorious scene of foliage and lake, the soft radiance of the almost eclipsed Htara, had no effect : he saw not; he heard not. By gome instinct ins feet led him to that part of the building where Herbert and Hftrry'e bedroom was, and finding the lattice thrown open. His face as it rested on the forms of the young men was distorted with the evil passions that had seized upon his ungovernable nature. There they lay almost within his reach, ■lumbering calmly side by side. How handsome they looked in the statuesque repose of sleep; how different to him. The terrible words " race and color " came into his mind like two sharp words, and for the time almost bereft him of reason. Race and color 1 Yes, indeed, the gulf was unbridgable. There he stood, larger in frame than, and as correotly moulded aB, these young men, yet how different. The moonlight lovingly played on their pure white arms and busta, and rested on their bronzed but delicately- tinted faces. No fatal mark of color was an their skins ; no evidence of mixed blood. At that moment had a weapon been in his hand he would have killed them, although the next moment Aranoah would have struck him dead with the Fire of the Great Power which he alone on the island could command. What might have resulted it is difficult to say had not the dread of Aranoah which was with thia lad an instinct, the result of his training, •tayed bis hand. Aranoah had not revealed his ueorets to Paranoa ; he waited until the youth had proved he could he trusted. He had early grasped the lad's character, and he had therefore brought him ap much like the other islandera, to stand in the utmost awe of hii mysterious powers. Even now when almost beside himself Paranoa turned hastily round to see whether the dread ruler was beside him, about to annihilate. Withdrawing his eyes from the fasoination of the two defenceless youths, he wandered away towards the beach, gesticulating like a maniao and speaking to himself. The world to him was an utter blank. Think as be would he could see no means of revenge or of succeeding in the one desire of hia life, the obtaining of Orinora. Aranoah was supreme in the island and had resources at his own command that made the inhabitants perfectly helpless. They were but children in his grasp. Since Paranoa remembered, their obedienoo hud been complete and their awe and dread of their ruler such as are felt by other people towards their God. Ho had made many attempt* to fathom the seoretH that gave Aranoah his power, but experience taught him there could be nothing bat failure. Aranoah bad taught no one to read ; hence they were helpless. If he could raise a party what hope of success would they have? He was aware that in secret there were many who rebelled against Aranoah 'b rule. Borne of the aged men still clung to the superstitions of their youth, and the more dissolute and idle of the young were impatient at the reptraint and industry Aranoah imposed. The largo majority of the islanders, however, had been brought to see that everything Aranoah did was for their benefit, and while they felt an awe of him, yet they regarded him as much as a father as a ruler. In this supreme moment of agony, as he itood on the brink of the lake, at the pier, the only resource seemed suioide. Why should he prolong his life to see the woman whose charms had maddened him surrendered to the embrace of this fairhaired young stranger and himself comp> lied to mate with one of his "race and color." Was it not certain that if be did live it would be to commit some terrible crime, for which his reward would be ■peedy death and eternal annihilation. He looked up into the heuveus and saw Achernur ■hining brightly near the major and minor Nebulae, and reflected that never would he wander there, a purified spirit clothed in a glorious body, as he had dreamed, side by nide with his lovely Orinora. As lie thought, he became convinced annihilation was the preerable fate. Neither hero nor in the hereaf tei of Aobernar would Orinora be bib. Why, then, not »nd all and pnrohue the most|delidoui

of draughts, eternal annihilation. 110 could I^o back and put on the elpctiie current ag ho had been shown by Aranoah, and ono touch of tho wires would end all. As he stood there thinking, a magnificent statue in flesh and blood, th^ro canio to Ihh »arß a utranKe and distant Bound, as of per sons singing far away. Looking over tlie Ukc he thought bo saw a glow aa of a fito, faintly reflected in the air. It had not been the first time he had noticed theie phenomena, nut he had set them down as proceeding from the spirits with) whom ho belioved Aranoub had converse. It oocurred to him now that if it waa so the chance of destruction pm ■iented itself. To break in upon their mjs tTies would be ;death, and death was welcome. It was a usual practice of Paranoa in his paH^ionato outbursts to take hia boat and expend hia t&^ or work off his melancholy by rowing over the lake at night, flashing like u dream through the labyrinthine channels. What <vould bo easier, if he did not moot the spirits, to float down to the outlet of tho lake and seek destruction in its terrible maw ? Soon he was speeding over the lake toward the guiding his craft with consummate skill. The exercise to some extent report d his reaaon, and even faint hopes began to rine m his breast, though the feelings that raised them wore criminal. Schemes rushed through hia brain of at one fell swoop, destroying Aranoah and the strangers, succeeding to the rule of the island, and obtaining undisputed possession of Orinora. Why should he die when life was opening, when there was ho much to enjoy. His heart glowed as he thought of what he could have, of the unhallowfd pleasures he could command. The youth's heart absolutely seethed with sensual passions. Whether he could have conquered thiH and become a better man, with nobler purposos, had Orinora become his, had the ■trangera never arrived, is a problem, the solution of which fate nevor allowed. I doubt it. Hia parents had transmitted to him a legacy of woe, their own passions. Suoh was the result of Aranoah's educational system, as far as Paranoa was concerned. Probably had he taught the lad to rfftd, and instructed him in the moralities of Christ, with their far-reaching influences, Paranoa would have been differont. While his nature was fiery and sensuous he was smoeptiblo through the emotions, and there ii no religion afftots so directly t to tho emotional part of our nature us Christianity. Heretofore Aranoah's system had experienced no strain, but it now/tippeartd to give way. Hardly making a sound Paranoa threaded the intricacies of the lsleU channels. As he iped on the sounds that he had beard from the pier grew louder, until ho could distinguish that they were a kind of chant, and tho light became brighter. Turning into a narrow channel between an islet and the mainland, Paranoa came upon a remarkable scene. On a stony led^e stood several persons attired in a fantastic garb, which he had never seen. Paranoa did not know, but this was the dresß that used to he w tn by the priests of the island before Aranoah had banished the old superstitions. It was composed of a robe of the peculiar fibre used in fabrics in the island before Aranoah's ship had come, and now in goneral use among the islanders, stained in •ooentrio pattorn in bright primitive oolors, with contrasts in browns and greys, and a rich feather mantle ; the gorgeous plnraago cunningly contrived to produce a splendid effect. On the head was worn a hideous mast, surmounted by a helmet, from which fell a plume of feathers. In the centre of the group was a tall commanding figure, whose mantle and helmet plume were composed of beautiful feathers white as snow. Each mem ber of the party held a torch of resinous wood in his hand, which was waved occasionally, while all intoned a solemn chant, the strain of whioh was wild and plaintive. On the lake fronting them w«»re several canoes, in whioh sat a number of figures robed in the old garb of the island, but of far more common materials. Their heads were bonfc in a reverential attitude, and their hands outstretched. They also wore masks. Paranoa was to some extent puzzled at this strange spectacle, to him utterly new, but tho impression was strong upon hia mind that the central figure was Aranoah, and that the others were visitants from the Hereafter, those spirits which tho islanders believed were under his control. Had tho young man been in a different frame of mind he would have shrank away in terror, bat he was bo strung up that to him this weird scene was but an encouragement to participate, and to brave the utmost wrath of the terrible oircle. Just then the principal figures ceased their chant and held the torches upright. Upon this tho figures in the boats rose, and in the native language, which Paranoa understood, ■ang thus in a low, imploring tone :—: — Ai laianora, nirah ore Ai laianora ah ; Nai kaiahoru nairah nora Kai kaithora sah — Marambola, Mar«ml>nln tnnli ♦ Marambola, Marambola mail ? Paranoa listened intently, and was able to catch a portion of the meaning. The singers announced they waited for the beautiful or promised hour, and asked how long it would be delayed, finishing with tho apostrophe : " Marambola, now ? Marambola, when ? " Then came tho answer, slowly intoned at first, and closing in a grand burst of triumph : Ho diorara, Ho tiosara, Caroon boon lira — Lai co o goom ! In this triumphant peuan, which meant that the end was at hand, that it was here, that tho chains would be broken, they were to come and pee, the whole of the assemblage joined. The leaders, waving their torches, turned towards the mountains, and the others leaped upon the land and followed them. Paranoa drew his canoe to a convenient place — he knew every inch of the lake ooast — and springing upon the the land he kept theprooesnon in view, treading with panther steps to prevent their hearing him. As he went on he wondered to himself what all this meant. The apostrophe to Marambola puzzled him. The name of Marambola, the great priest and statesman, was still mentioned by the old men, and his deeds recounted, but with bated breath, for Aranoah had forbidden it; his demro was that tho past should be buried. The procession wound its way slowly and solemnly through tho beautiful trees that urew upon tho slope, the effect being bizarre and striking. On reaohing a small plateau, wherein grew a velvet turf, and whioh was fringed with trees of feathery foliage, tho procession halted. The leaders handed their torches to | their followers, who took poflßfH»ion of them eagerly, and formed thomsolvos into a semioircle, inclining their heads. The loaders stood under a largo tree, whose branches spread for somedistance, Thon again burst forth the wild chorus : " Marambola, Marnmhola, nah ? Marambola, Marambola, mail J '' repeated in various ways, and ending in an eager expectant shout. When tho chorus was ended the man in the white mantlo advanoed ft stop and spoke. As he addressed tho assemblage slowly, though with wonderful 010 cution and effeot, Paranoa was able to understand him. " Surely" said the speaker," tho great God Karatara has remembered bin youthful followers, the few who still hold to his worship, though the clouds and tho darkness surrounded them. His anger at their sin in allowing this man from the World of Bin to lift and gotern here, nan not lasted for •for.

Wo hnvo puflfcred for our win, but tho expiation 18 about finished, and ho will withdraw the evidences of displeasure, and permit the blessings of tho great God Azowha to deHoend upon üb. For years, for weary yoars, wo have had to meet in seoret, and you, the faithful, have had to hide your priest and ruler, Marambola, in tho caves of tha island." Paranoa started. Then the dreaded Maramboln still lived I " But now," continued the Bpoaker, "he has given us a sign that the time has oome. Ho has allowed three more of tho ohildren of Sm to drift to our Land that we may sacrifice them with thiH Demon and his daugther, this tyrant who grinds us to the earth, to him upon the altars of our fathers, and no expiate our enormous crimes and purohaae ppaoo for evermore. It in, I nay, a dißtinot sign, else why Hhould thiH occur on the day Baored to the mighty Knratara, and you know that a number of the young men are weary of the yoko, and are ready to cast in their lot with UH— So diorara, So tio.Hara, Garoon boon ara 1 " A shout resounded through the woods and tho torches were wnved in frantio response. " Bo it now your task," resumed the speaker, " to find out who are with us, and to enrol them for tho last and great struggle. Toll them that a new rulo is at hand, that additional tanks will be imposed upon them, so that these white men may live in luxury ; that a timo is at hand whon they will have to suffer tenfold. Toll them that wu desire to free thorn from their ohains, and that we are able ; that they will have the liberty their father* had ; that the morals thia man has imposed will be known no moro ; that the labors and the discipline hi exaots will bo swept away. Promise them this — it will b« fulfilled— and they oannot resist. Another burst of oheering took plaoe, as the conspirators felt the conviotion of release growing in their minds. " One difliculty," continued tho orator, " you will have to meet : the terror with whioh this tyrant has inspired our follows, oven yon. Tho terriblo ntory of that deadly struggle which led to the sacrifice of so many lives, which euded in my capture and my being doomed to death, has never lost its influence. Tho fatal wires that killed as the lightning killed, the weapons that vomited fire and dea|h, hare made the hearts of the people like water. The manner in which Aranoah escaped when my companion sought to kill him with the fire-weapons has led the people to think he cannot be harnisd, that he will live for ever. Theno are fables. Look at him how aged he has become like all of you : does that say ho in eternal ? and as to the wires of death and the weapons of fire, the great god Karatara has revealed to mo how to mako them harmless. So well have we kept our secret that he never dreams Marambola still lives. Listen : In the dead of night, when he and his families are asleep, we will visit the island ; not a step will be heard, not a breath breathed. Death will not then be in tha wires. We will steal upon them and seize them. Then we will drag them to the altar, and their blood will flow an acceptable sacrifice to tho great god Karatara and the spirits of our dead, who look down upon us this night from Aohernar : it will bo life for life, and blood for blood — So diorara, So tioinra, Caroon boon ar» !" A yell like that of a company of fiends rang through the air as these terrible words were thundered forth with demoniac eloquence ; the speaker's fingers clutched together at if he had his enemies in his grasp. " One life alone must be saved," said the leader. "My dead companion married my daughter, and after we were drowned, long after he thought us dead, Bhe had a obild, which the demon has brought up as his own. That child, Paranoa, will be saved, and when I take my departure for our star, he will be your priest and prophet and ruler in my plaoe." There wan a loud shout of assent, and one of tho torch bearera stepped forward and made an obeisance. " Speak, worthy follower of the anoient faith," said the chief. " Great Marambola," said the tbo torohbearer, " I think we may win Paranoa to our Bide." " You can," exclaimed Marambola eagerly ; II mrely the Great God Karatara is too merciful." " lie partakes of his father and mother's nature," Baid the torohboarer, " and he has all their passions and courage. He loves to madness the beautiful Orinora, and he has bepn promised her as his wife. But Dorala, who is one of her attendants and her confidant, i» certain that Bhe will never acoept him. She baa over and over told her maidenn she will die before she accepts his embrace, and her father will refuse her nothing. Paranoa is resolved upon her being his beforo another moon. The presence of these beautiful creatures from the Other Land will Ret her against him stilL more, aud it is certain her father will allow her to choose otic of them, that they may perpetuate a white race.. The wrath of Paranoa will be terrible, and, if approached, thon he i"s ours. With him on our aide our work will be easy. We know not but that Aranoah may put death into the wires when we think not, but Puranoa can prevent that. He can convey to us the dread fire-weapons, and then Aranoah is at our nwroy." A shout rang through the air — a shout of raging, exultant triumph. " From this day," said Marambola, " you i are one of the Counoil. Be it your duty to secure us this ally and you will be next to myself and my grandson. If you secure him and he does what you contemplate, the terrors of Aranoah will disappear and the people will be ours without a blow. Tell Paranoa his grandsire lives, and that ho will havo hii desires, and surely he will be with us." "Ho is with you now," cried a powerful voice, and Puranoa sprang into the oirole. As if by mHtinot, every arm grasped a short spear-shaped weapon. Almost immediately the weapons wore dropped, and a great shout of " Paranoa " wan heard. " Yes," said the youth, "it is Paranoa ; Paranoa, who haa been refused the hand of tho White Chief's daughter with ignominy, that she may beoomo the bride of the fairhaired lad from the Other Land; Paranoa who is resolved to become one of you, to revenge hit wrongs, and to possess the Pearl of the Happy Island." Another infernal yell resounded through the wood, and Marambola, who seemed ter- | ribly agitated, /sprang forward and ombraood the stalwart form of his grandson. " My dear daughter's image in soul and form, ho cried with rapture. " But one condition I must mako," added Paranoa ; " Orinora must not be harmed ; ■ho must be surrendered to me." " She shall be yours," replied the chief, " and you shall raise from her the raoe that will rulo this island. You will return to the faith of your fathers." " Instruct me," was tho annwer, "and I will be un obedient dinuiplo. My god it) Orinora." '' It in well," replied Marambola. " And now," he Baid, addressing his followers, " when Karatara has more than answered our prajern, when the great day of retribution and release i> at hand, let us worship him ; let ua reoeive into the anoient faith the Bon of the departed." Ai if by magio more torehei w«re lit,

throwing Ihnr Btrango lights upon the hideous maakH. Parnnoa and Marurnbola occupied tho centre of a flaming cirolo, and then be^ an a Buries of irnpowng and myritoriouH rituH, the faces boiug at certain words turned towaids Achernar, which ahone like a poarlin the heavens. It was not tho Paranoa who left tho happy iule that night, with only thoughts of death, that returned to it ta the moon war ninking buhind the oliffs ; it was a man with high hopes and pleasuiablo anticipations of lovp and rerenge, albeit at times perhaps da»hed with some remorse for the terrible deed of in gratitude and crime that would secure him his desires.