CHAPTER XLII.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2033, 18 July 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLII.

TnE shook received by Henry Allan when he saw the Singoramba exhibited, and found that Paranoa aoserted himself, armed with such an all powerful talisman, was very great ; it for the moment cast all his calculations to the winds. He was a man, however, who from early youth had been cast upon his own resources, and who had been so accusttmed to face every danger, and [to meet every situation that in the end it was impossible long to dieconcert kirn. After a little reflection he saw how vain it was to row against the tide just then. But his quick mind saw means to soon regain the reins of power, and he laid himself out to change the position at tbo proper moment. The sudden change id the fate of the prisoners, affected them more than anything since the fatal night began. John Morden, I clasping his daughter to his bostm shed tears j of honest joy. At a glimpse he saw that he would have to go to the world, ho had a day i before wished never to Bee again. But the prospect presented no terror now. This daughter would plead for and obtain pardon for him. He felt a return of that love for his wife that had only been latent all these years. There was the trouble of Orinora's love for Herbert, but he cast that away from him ; the Divine power that had worked this wonderful deliveranco would also provide a happy solution of that difficulty. All this, while ho considered that Oiinora manifested no joy, that she was cold as ice and shuddered, and that she gasped convulsively. When Herbert, who had wept with joy when the sentence was reversed, had approached to embrace her, she shrank away quickly, saying, " Not now, darling, not now : for all you love, not now." Harry was the coolest and the calmest of all. The bitter look faded from his face, he straightened himself and walked about, and even condescended to smile at the remarkable appearance of the crowd ; so laughable at one moment, so ,terribly tragic the next. Ebby was essentially a man of action. The moment he understood the sword had been lifted he took Herbert's hand and wrung it, looking into his eyes with all the fond friendship he felt for him. The next moment he sprang forward and addressed the group of chiefs. " Noble chiefs," he said, " we thank you in the name of the Great Power we all adore. It is true we hay« the means to leave the island, and never, never will wo return. I invented the ship of the air. We have no desire to remain here, to interfere with you, one moment. Permit me, noble chiefs, to proceed to the workshop isle to get the air ship, and within two hour* we will be able to depart. Give me the workmen, I will point out and appoint a guard to see I do not escape." To that," said Henry Allan, " there oan be no objeotion. A Power we must obey haa declared you shall be permitted to leave. Paranoa proceed with this man and do as he desires. Upon your head will it be if he escapes." " But why should I go ?" queried Paranoa whose eyei were fixed upon Orinora. " Because," replied Henry Allan, " you have procured their freedom and the whole responsibility rests with you. I will see to those who remain here. It is best to obey," he added aside, Paranoa hesitated for a little while, f tr he did not like to lose sight of Orinora for a moment. " She will be safe ?" he asked. 41 As if you ware here— perhaps more safe," replied Allan. Paranoa said no more, he reflected that perhaps it would be as well for him to be away when the parting oame for he could not trust his temper, and he beokoned to Ebby and they were soon gone. 14 It will be as well, prisoners," said Henry Allan, after some time had elapsed, " to let you know the conditions upon which you escape. Orinora remains here, to beoome the wife of Paranoa of her own free will, having promised to love and obey him : that is the sole objeot of the compact." John Morden >ndJ t Hcrbert could hardly realise this terrible revelation, that in a moment destroyed their bright visions. But they quickly understood the compact : they wondered they had not at once guessed Paranoa's object. Orinora fell upon her knees and hid her face. " You would separate me from my daughter 7" cried John " surely you oannot be bad enough for that." 41 You separate me from my son, you caused my wife to die," said Allan. 41 You deserted the child," replied John 44 and as for your wife I know nothing of her death ; she could be as free and happy as the other islanders." 14 There is no necessity to speak further," said Allan ; 4l you have heard the compact ; if you doubt, ask your daughter." 11 Orinora," asked John bending to the poor broken figure at his feet, " is this awful thing true." " Father," she taanaged to mourn, " there was to be a sacrifice. Better that one should be offered than four. I will be the sacrifice." John's face grew bright and radiant as he lifted her up. 41 Truly," said he, " God has given me an angel. But I will not accept the sacrifice, Orinora. What, loave you here to these men, to the terrible life that will follow— aa well beat the life out of you this instant. No, Orinora, if these are the terms I will not, can not, accept them. Let our old idea stand ; let us die, and as for you— escape as I directed you. There is no other path." 11 And I will not aooept suoh a sacrifice, Orinora," eaid Herbert. "What, owe my life to your degradation and death— no, no, Orinora." 41 You will kill me before I can save you, said Orinora. Then she rushed forward to Henry Allan. 11 Great chief," she said, hurriedly, passionately, " do not listen to the rash words of the prisoners : they have not recovered their mind after the sentence of death being removed Let me ipeak to them by themselves in the bower. Plaoe what guard you will ariund, but let me speak to them. I will pernuade | them to accept your great meroy. Oh, let me speak to them." Henry Allan refleoted. He studied whioh course would best agree with the soheme he | was endeavoring to work out. 41 Go," he said at last. 41 See them guarded," he added to ft subordinate young chief. And Orinora and the prisoners rnovod on to the arbor, surrounded by a grim band of natives.