CHAPTER XXXV.—(Continubd.)

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2030, 11 July 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXXV.—(Continubd.)

"But no," he cried rising np in a fary; "we will not die as they would have us. L9t as fight to tlie last ; let us die any death but that they have prepared : the retribution for what I ordered them to suffer. Orinora, you will not become this viper's prey. I could not kill you, but take this— it is a powerful poison. When all hope is lost take it : you will die an easy death in a few minutes. He handed Orinora a small dark pill whioh he took out of a little box that he found in one of the cupboards— this room was one of his laboratories." " Oh, father," moaned Orinora, still in her lover's arms, " I will take it. Sooner than beoome his I will leave the world. It is after all but a short passage to Achernar. But oh, my Herbert, to think you should die for me. Why did my fatal love detain you ; why did you not fly with your friend. Ob, glorious star, pity us, pity us." But no Achernar was to be seen that night; nothing but the most intense gloom overhead made the more apparent by the fantastic light of the torches. "Why should any of us die ?" said Ebby in light confidiDg tones. Let us steal away in a boat— they will not know us from the others— and seek my balloon. Before they find us we will mount into the air and be far away from an island that is Paradise in appearance, Hell in reality. A gleam of hope lit up every faoe. "Let ui try it," saii John Morden, " it is our only hope. How blind I have been not to see the signs of disaffection ; not to knovr that Paranoa inherited his father's evil nature. Why did I take pity on the child when his mother was reported dead and rear him up as my own. I wish my right hand bad been ttraok off before I extended it to him. " Have you no weapons ?" asked Herbert. " Let as not die like rats in a hole. Give us something to defend ourselves with. Some of the natives must still be with us. I will defend Otinora till I die." " Here are the only weapons I have," said John Morden, opening a cupboard and producing some iwords and spears. " I never thought to see them need on this island. But of what value are they against those priceless armi, the guns. 0 for one of them to have vengeance, to shoot dead that hoary reprobate, that young serpent." " We can only die," said Herbert, taking a sword and flashing it in the light. "And that you will ai sure as Aohernar •bines behind the clouds,,' said a harsh and terrible voice, and the next moment Henry Allan, Paranoa and others were in the room, their gunu pointed at tho breasts of the helpleis party.