My wife and Franz, though somewhat startled by the unexpected absence
of Fritz, were delighted to see us return safely, and listened with
eager interest to our adventures. My wife shuddered, and scarcely
suppressed an involuntary scream as she heard of our desperate
encounter with the lion and his mate. Jack's danger and providential
escape, too, made her tremble; and so pale did he still look, that she
could scarcely believe he was uninjured.
Tears came into Franz's eyes when he heard of the sad death of poor old
Juno; and he inquired most tenderly whether her remains had been
brought back, that they might be interred near the house which had been
her home for so many years.
Next day he saw her buried carefully; and Ernest, at his request,
produced an epitaph, which was inscribed upon a slab of stone above her
grave.
'JUNO
'A servant true lies here:
'A faithful friend,
'A Dog,
'To all most dear;
'Who met her end
'Fighting right bravely in her master's cause.
The flesh of the wild boar and the truffles were handed over to my
wife, who received them with delight, promising us therefrom many a
savoury dish. She would fain have had the boar's head too; but my word
was pledged to Ernest that it should adorn his museum, and, though my
lips watered to taste it baked in Hottentot fashion, I would not break
my promise. This splendid head, therefore, together with the lions'
skins, we carried to the tannery on Whale Island, where they were
cleaned and dressed.
Five days passed, but Fritz still remained absent. I could not conceal
my anxiety, and at length determined to follow him. All were delighted
at the proposal, and even my wife, when she heard that we were to sail
in the pinnace, agreed to accompany us.
The boat was stored, and on a bright morning, with a favourable
breeze, we five, with the dogs, stepped aboard, and ran for Cape
Minster.
Our beautiful little yacht bounded over the water gaily, and the
bright sunshine and delicious sea-breeze put us all in the highest
spirits. The entrance of the archway was in sight, and thither I was
directing the boat's course.
Suddenly, right ahead, I saw a dark and shadowy mass just below the
surface of the water. `A sunken rock,' I thought to myself, `and yet it
is strange that I never before noticed it.'
I put down the helm in a moment, but a catastrophe seemed inevitable.
We surged ahead! A slight shock, and all was over! The danger was
passed!
I glanced astern, to look again at the dangerous spot; but the rock was
gone, and, where but a moment before I had distinctly seen its great
green shadow, I could now see nothing.
Before we had recovered from our amazement, a shout from Jack
surprised me.
`There is another,' he exclaimed, `to starboard, father!' Sure enough,
there lay, apparently, another sunken rock.
`The rock is moving!' shouted Franz; and a great black body emerged
from the sea, while from the upper extremity rushed a column of water,
which, with a mighty noise, rose upwards, and then fell like rain all
around. The mystery was explained; for, as the great beast emerged yet
further from the water, I recognized, from its enormous size and great
length of head, the cachalot whale.
The monster was apparently enraged at the way we had scratched his
back; for, retreating to a short distance, he evidently meditated a
rush upon us.
Fearful stories occurred to me of the savage temper of this whale, how
he has been known to destroy boat after boat, and even to sink great
ships, and with a feeling of desperation I sprang to one of the guns.
Jack leaped to the other, and almost simultaneously we fired. Both
shots apparently took effect; for the whale, after lashing the water
violently for a few seconds, plunged beneath its surface, and
disappeared.
We kept a sharp look-out for him, for I was unwilling to lose such a
valuable prize and, reloading, stood towards the shore, in which
direction he was apparently making. Presently we again sighted him in
shallow water, lashing fearfully with his tail, and dyeing the waves
around him with blood. Approaching the infuriated animal as nearly as I
dared, we again fired.
The struggles of the whale seemed for a few moments to become even yet
more frantic, and then, with a quiver from head to tail, he lay
motionless--dead!
The boys were about to raise a cry of victory, but checked the shout
upon their very lips; for darting behind a rock they espied a canoe
paddled by a tall and muscular savage, who now stood up in his skiff
and appeared to be examining us attentively. Seeing that we were
standing towards him, the swarthy native seized his paddle and again
darted behind a rock. An awful thought now took possession of me. There
must be a tribe of blacks lurking on these shores, and Fritz must have
fallen into their hands.
We, however, I determined, should not be easily taken; and our guns
were loaded and run out.
Presently a dusky face appeared, peeping at us from a lofty rock: it
vanished, and we saw another peeping at us from lower down.
Then again the skiff put out as though to make a further reconnoitre.
All, even Jack, looked anxious, and glanced at me for orders.
`Hoist a white flag,' said I, `and hand me the speaking-trumpet.' I
seized the instrument and uttered such peaceable words in the Malay
language as I could recall: neither the flag nor my words seemed to
produce any effect, and the savage was about to return to the shore.
Jack hereupon lost patience, and in his turn took up the trumpet.
`Come here, you black son of a gun,' he exclaimed. `Come on board and
make friends, or we'll blow you and your--'
`Stop! Stop! You foolish boy,' I said. `You will but alarm the man,
with your wild words and gestures.'
`No! But see,' he cried, `he is paddling towards us!'
And sure enough the canoe was rapidly approaching.
Presently a cry from Franz alarmed me. `Look! Look!' he shrieked. `The
villain is in Fritz's cajack. I can see the walrus' head.'
Ernest alone remained unmoved. He took the speaking-trumpet: `Fritz,
ahoy!' he shouted. `Welcome, old fellow!'
The words were scarcely out of his mouth when I, too, recognized the
well-known face, beneath its dusky disguise.
In another minute the brave boy was on board, and in spite of his
blackened face was kissed and welcomed heartily. He was now assailed
with a storm of questions from all sides: Where had he been? What had
kept him so long, and why had he turned blackamoor?
`The last question,' replied he, with a smile, `is the only one I will
now answer; the others shall be explained when I give a full account of
my adventures. Hearing guns fired, my mind was instantly filled with
ideas of Malay pirates, for I never dreamed that you could be here in
the yacht, so I disguised myself as you now see me, and came forth to
reconnoitre. When you addressed me in Malay you only added to my
terror, for it left not a doubt in my mind that you were pirates.'
Having in our turn described to him our adventure with the cachalot
whale, I asked him if he knew of a suitable spot for the anchorage of
the yacht.
`Certainly,' he replied, casting towards me a glance full of meaning.
`I can lead you to an island where there is splendid anchorage, and
which is itself well worth seeing, for it contains all sorts of strange
things.' And after removing the stains from his skin, he again sprang
into his canoe and piloted us to a picturesque little island in the
bay.
Now that there could be no doubt as to the success of Fritz's
expedition, I no longer hesitated to give to my wife an account of his
project, and to prepare her mind for the surprise which awaited her.
She was greatly startled, as I expected, and seemed almost overcome
with emotion at the idea of seeing a human being, and that being one of
her own sex.
`But why,' she asked, `did you not tell me of this at first? Why wait
until the last moment with such joyful news?'
`I was unwilling,' I replied, `to raise hopes which might never be
realized; but now, thank Heaven, he has succeeded, and there is no need
for concealment.'
The boys could not at all understand the evident air of mystery and
suppressed excitement which neither their mother, Fritz, nor I could
entirely conceal. They cast glances of the greatest curiosity towards
the island, and as soon as the sails were furled and the anchor
dropped, they sprang eagerly ashore. In a body we followed Fritz,
maintaining perfect silence.
Presently we emerged from the thicket through which we were passing,
and saw before us a hut of sheltering boughs, at the entrance of which
burned a cheerful fire.
Into this leafy bower Fritz dived, leaving his brothers without, mute
with astonishment. In another moment he emerged, leading by the hand a
slight, handsome youth, by his dress apparently a young English naval
officer. The pair advanced to meet us; and Fritz, with a countenance
radiant with joy, briefly introduced his companion as Edward Montrose.
`And,' he continued, looking at his mother and me, `will you not
welcome him as a friend and a brother to our family circle?'
`That will we, indeed!' I exclaimed, advancing and holding out my
hands to the fair young stranger. `Our wild life may have roughened our
looks and manners, but it has not hardened our hearts, I trust.'
The mother, too, embraced the seeming youth most heartily. The lads,
and even the dogs, were not behind-hand in testifying their
gratification at the appearance of their new friend--the former
delighted at the idea of a fresh companion, and the latter won by her
sweet voice and appearance.
From the expressions made use of by Fritz I perceived that the girl
wished her sex to remain unrevealed to the rest of the party until my
wife could obtain for her a costume more suited to her real character.
The young men then ran down to the yacht to bring up what was
necessary for supper, as well as to make preparations for a camp in
which we might spend the night. This done, my wife hastened to set
before us a substantial meal, while the boys, anxious to make their new
acquaintance feel at home amongst them, were doing their best to amuse
her. She herself, after the first feeling of strangeness had worn off,
entered fully into all their fun; and by the time they sat down to
supper was laughing and chatting as gaily as any one of the rest. She
admired the various dishes, tasted our mead and, without alluding once
to her previous life, kept up a lively conversation.
The mere fact of meeting with any human being after so many years of
isolation was in itself sufficient to raise the boys to the greatest
state of excitement; but that this being should be one so handsome; so
gay, so perfectly charming, seemed completely to have fumed their
heads; and when I gave the sign for the breaking-up of the feast, and
their new friend was about to be led to the night-quarters which had
been prepared for her on board the yacht, the health of Edward Montrose
was proposed, and drunk in fragrant mead, amidst the cheers and
acclamations of all hands.
When she was gone, and silence had been restored, Jack exclaimed:
`Now, then, Fritz, if you please, just tell me where you came across
this jolly fellow. Did you take your mysterious voyage in search of
him, or did you meet him by chance? Out with your adventures, while we
sit comfortably round the fire.'
So saying, Jack cast more wood upon the blazing pile, and throwing
himself down in his usual careless fashion, prepared to listen
attentively.
Fritz, after a few moments' hesitation, began: `Perhaps you remember,'
said he, `how, when I returned from my expedition in the cajack the
other day, I struck down an albatross. None but my father at the time
knew, however, what became of the wounded bird, or even thought more
about it. Yet it was that albatross who brought me notice of the
shipwrecked stranger; and he, too, I determined should carry back a
message, to cheer and encourage the sender.
`I first, as you know, prepared my cajack to carry two persons; and
then, with a heart full of hope and trust, left you and the yacht, and,
with Pounce seated before me, made for the open sea. For several hours
I paddled steadily on, till, the wind freshening, I thought it
advisable to keep in nearer shore; that, should a regular storm arise,
I might find some sheltered bay in which to weather it.
`It was well I did so; for, scarcely had I reached a quiet cove which
promised to afford me the protection I desired, than the sea appeared
one mass of foam: great surging waves arose; and even in the
comparative calm of the bay I felt that I was in some danger.
`I passed the night in my cajack; and next morning, after a frugal meal
of pemmican, and a draught of water from my flask, once more ventured
forth. The wind had subsided, the sea was tolerably smooth; and,
keeping my eyes busily employed in seeking in every direction to
detect, if possible, the slightest trace of smoke, or other sign of
human life, I paddled on till noon.
`The aspect of the coast now began to change: the shores were sandy,
while further inland lay dense forests, from whose gloomy depths I
could ever and anon hear the fierce roar of beasts of prey, the yell of
apes, the fiendish laugh of the hyaena, or the despairing death cry of
a hapless deer. Seldom have I experienced a greater feeling of solitude
than whilst listening to these strange sounds, and knowing that I in
this frail canoe was the only human being near. Giving myself up to
contemplation, I rested my paddle, and allowed my cajack to drift
slowly on.
`As I neared the shore, I noticed a large number of strange-looking
birds, who would sometimes flutter round me, and then dart back again
to the border of the forest, where they were feeding on what appeared
to be the pepper-plant; they seized the berries in their great
ponderous beaks, threw them up into the air and then dexterously caught
them in their fall. Their beaks were really something extraordinary:
they looked as though they must give their owners a perpetual headache,
from their immense weight. The only thing that relieved the extreme
ugliness of these great appendages was their gorgeous colour, which was
only rivalled by the gay hue of the plumage.
`I wish now that I had brought home a specimen; but, at the time, I was
so much amused by watching the grotesque antics of the birds, that I
did not think of obtaining one. When I left the spot, I settled in my
own mind that they were toucans: was I right, Ernest?'
The `Professor', unwilling to interrupt the narrative, merely gave an
oracular nod, and Fritz continued:
`For some hours after this I paddled quickly on, sometimes passing the
mouth of a stream, sometimes that of a broad river. Had I been merely
on an exploring expedition, I should have been tempted, doubtless, to
cruise a little way up one of these pathways into the forest; but now
such an idea did not enter my head. On, on, on, I felt I must go, until
I should reach the goal of my voyage.
`The shades of night at length drew on and, finding a sheltered cove, I
moored my cajack, and stepped on shore. You may imagine how pleasant it
was to stretch my legs, after sitting for so long in the cramped
position which my cajack enforces.
It would not do, however, to sleep on shore; so after preparing and
enjoying my supper, I returned on board, and there spent the night.
`Next morning Pounce and I again landed for breakfast. I lit my fire,
and hung before it a plump young parrot to roast. As I was so doing, I
heard a slight rustle amongst the long grass behind me. I glanced
round, and there, with glaring eyes, and his great tail swaying to and
fro, I saw an immense tiger.
`In another moment his spring would have been made. I should have been
no more, and our young guest would have been doomed to, God only knows
how many, more years of frightful solitude!
`My gun was lying by my side. Before I could have stooped to pick it
up, the monster would have seized me.
`Pounce saw and comprehended my danger: the heroic bird darted upon my
enemy, and so blinded him with his flapping wings, and the fierce blows
of his beak, that his spring was checked, and I had time to recover my
self-possession. I seized my gun and fired; and the brute, pierced to
the heart, gave one spring, and then rolled over at my feet.
`My enemy was dead; but beside him--alas!--lay poor Pounce, crushed and
lifeless. One blow of the great beast's paw had struck him down, never
to rise again!' Fritz's voice shook as he came to this point; and,
after remaining silent for a moment or two, he continued, hurriedly:
`With a sad and desolate feeling at my heart, I buried the faithful
bird where he had met his death; and then, unable longer to continue
near the spot, I returned to my cajack, and leaving the great tiger
lying where he fell, paddled hastily away.
`My thoughts were gloomy. I felt as though, now that my companion was
gone, I could no longer continue the voyage. The albatross, I thought,
may have flown for hundreds of miles before it reached me. This
stranger may be on different shores from these entirely; every stroke
of my paddle may be carrying me further from the blazing signal: who
knows?
`This feeling of discouragement was not, however, to be of long
duration; for in a moment more a sight presented itself, which
banished all my doubts and fears, and raised me to the highest pitch of
excitement.
`A high point of land lay before me. I rounded it, and beyond found a
calm and pleasant bay, from whose curved and thickly wooded shores ran
out a reef of rocks. From the point of this reef rose a column of
smoke, steadily and clearly curling upwards in the calm air. I could
scarcely believe my senses, but stopped gazing at it, as though I were
in a dream; then, with throbbing pulse and giddy brain, I seized my
paddle, and strained every nerve to reach it.
`A few strokes seemed to carry me across the bay, and, securing my
canoe, I leaped upon the rock, on which the beacon was blazing, but not
a sign of a human being could I see. I was about to shout, for as the
fire had evidently been recently piled up, I knew the stranger could
not be far off; but, before I could do so, I saw a slight figure
passing along the chain of rocks towards the spot on which I stood. You
may all imagine my sensations.
`I advanced a few paces; and then mastering my emotion as best I
could, I said, in English:
"Welcome, fair stranger! God, in His mercy, has heard your call, and
has sent me to your aid!"
`Miss Montrose came quickly forward--'
`Who? What?' shouted the boys, interrupting the narrative. `Who came
forward?' and amid a general hubbub, Ernest, rising and advancing to
his brother, said in his quiet way:
`I did not like to make any remark till you actually let out the
secret, Fritz, but we need no longer pretend not to see through the
disguise of Edward Montrose.'
Fritz, though much disconcerted by the discovery of the secret,
recovered his self-possession; and, after bearing with perfect
equanimity the jokes with which his brothers assailed him, joined in
three cheers for their new sister, and when the confusion and laughter
which ensued had subsided, continued his story.
`Miss Montrose grasped my hands warmly, and guessing from my
pronunciation, I am afraid, that I was not in the habit of speaking
English every day of my life, said in French:
`"Long, long, have I waited since the bird returned with your message.
Thank God, you have come at last!"
`Then, with tears of joy and gratitude, she led me to the shore, where
she had built a hut and a safe sleeping-place, like Falconhurst on a
small scale, among the branches of a tree. I was delighted with all she
showed me, for indeed her hut and its fittings evinced no ordinary
skill and ingenuity. Round the walls hung bows, arrows, lances and
bird-snares; while on her work-table, in boxes and cases, carved
skilfully with a knife, were fish-hooks of mother-of-pearl, needles
made from fishbones, and bodkins from the beaks of birds, fishing-lines
of all sorts, and knives and other tools.
These latter she told me were, with a chest of wearing apparel, almost
the only things washed ashore after the wreck, when three years ago she
was cast alone upon this desolate coast. I marvelled more and more at
the wonderful way in which this girl had surmounted obstacles, the
quarter of which would completely have appalled the generality of her
sex.
The hut itself was a marvel of skill; stout posts had been driven into
the ground, with cross pieces of bamboo, to form a framework; the walls
had then been woven with reeds, the roof thatched with palm-leaves, and
the whole plastered smoothly with clay, an open space being left in the
centre of the roof for a chimney to carry off the smoke of the fire.
`As we entered, a cormorant, with a cry of anger, flew from under the
table towards me, and was about to attack me fiercely. Miss Montrose
called it off, and she then told me she had captured and tamed the bird
soon after first landing, and since that time had contrived to train it
to assist her in every conceivable way: it now not only was a pleasant
companion, but brought her food of every description, fish, flesh and
fowl, for whether it dived into the waters, according to its natural
habit, struck down birds upon the wing, or seized rabbits and other
small animals upon the land, it laid all its booty at her feet.
`Before darkness closed in, all the curiosities and ingenious
contrivances of the place had been displayed the kitchen-stove,
cooking utensils, skin bottles, shell plates and spoons, the fishing
raft, and numberless other things--and then, sitting down with my fair
hostess to a most appetizing meal, she gave me a short account of her
life:
`Jenny* Montrose was the daughter of a British officer who had served
for many years in India, where she herself was born. At the early age
of three years she lost her mother.
* Some translations give her name as Emily.
`After the death of his wife, all the Colonel's love and care was
centred upon his only child; under his eye she was instructed in all
the accomplishments suited to her sex; and from him she imbibed an
ardent love of field sports. By the time she was seventeen she was as
much at home upon her horse in the field as in her father's
drawing-room.
`Colonel Montrose now received orders to return home with his regiment
and as, for certain reasons, he did not wish her to accompany him in
the ship with the troops, he obtained a passage for her on board a
vessel which was about to sail at the same time.
`The separation was extremely painful to both the old soldier and his
daughter, but there was no alternative. They parted, and Miss Montrose
sailed in the Dorcas for England. A week after she had left Calcutta, a
storm arose and drove the vessel far out of her course; more bad
weather ensued; and at length, leaks having been sprung in all
directions, the crew were obliged to take to the boats.
Jenny obtained a place in one of the largest of these. After enduring
the perils of the sea for many days, land was sighted; and, the other
boats having disappeared, an attempt was made to land. The boat was
capsized, and Miss Montrose alone reached the shore. For a long time
she lay upon the sand almost inanimate; but, reviving sufficiently to
move, she at length obtained some shellfish, and by degrees recovered
her strength.
From that time forth until I appeared she never set eyes upon a human
being. To attract any passing vessel, and obtain assistance, however,
she kept a beacon continually blazing at the end of the reef; and, with
the same purpose in view, attached missives to the feet of any birds
she could take alive in her snares. The albatross, she told me, she had
kept for some time and partially tamed; but, as it was in the habit of
making long excursions on its own account, she conceived the idea of
sending it also with a message, that, should it by chance be seen and
taken alive, it might return with an answer.
`Our supper was over; and, at length, both wearied out with the
anxieties and excitement of the day, we retired to rest, she to her
leafy bower, and I to sleep in the hut below.
`Next morning, having packed her belongings in the cajack, we both went
on board; and bidding adieu to her well-known bay she took her seat
before me, and I made for home.
`We should have reached Rockburg this evening had not an accident
occurred to our skiff and compelled us to put in at this island. The
boat was scarcely repaired when I heard your first shots. I instantly
disguised myself; and, never doubting that Malay pirates were near,
came forth to reconnoitre. Glad, indeed, I was to find my fears
ungrounded.'
All had listened attentively to Fritz's story, but now a dreadful yawn
from Franz, followed by others from Jack, Ernest and Fritz, and a great
desire on my own part to follow their example, warned me that it was
time to dismiss the party for the night. Fritz retired to his cajack,
the boys and I to the deck of the yacht, and the remainder of the night
passed quietly away.
Next morning as we assembled for breakfast I took the opportunity of
begging Miss Montrose no longer to attempt to continue her disguise,
but to allow us to address her in her real character.
Jenny smiled; for she had noticed, as the young men met her when she
came from the cabin, a great alteration in their manner, and had at
once seen that her secret was guessed.
`After all,' she said, `I need not be ashamed of this attire; it has
been my only costume for the last three years, and in any other I
should have been unable to manage all the work which during that time
has been necessary.'
Our pleasant meal over, I prepared to start for home, but Fritz
reminded me of the cachalot, and although he confessed he should not
care to repeat the operation of cutting up a whale, he thought it would
be a pity to lose such a chance of obtaining a supply of spermaceti.
I fully agreed with him; and embarking, we quickly reached the
sandbank on which the monster lay. No sooner did we come near than the
dogs leaped ashore, and before we could follow, rushed round to the
other side of the great beast; snarling, growling and howling ensued,
and when we reached the spot we found a terrific combat going on. A
troop of wolves were disputing fiercely with the dogs their right to
the prey.
Our appearance, however, quickly settled the matter; two of the brutes
already lay dead, and those that now escaped our guns, galloped off.
Amongst the pack were a few jackals, and no sooner did Coco catch sight
of these, his relations, than, suddenly attracted by his instinct, he
left his master's side, and in spite of our shouts and cries, joined
them and disappeared into the forest.
As it would have been useless and dangerous to attempt to follow the
deserter into the woods, we left him alone, trusting that he would
return before we again embarked. Fritz then climbed up the mountain of
flesh, and with his hatchet quickly laid open the huge skull; Jack and
Franz joined him--Ernest having remained on the island, where we had
left my wife and Jenny--and with buckets assisted him to bail out the
spermaceti.
The few vessels we possessed were soon full, and having stored them in
the yacht, we once more embarked and arrived at the little island
shortly before the dinner-hour.
A capital meal had been prepared for us and, when we had made
ourselves presentable, we sat down to it, and related our adventures.
The account of Coco's desertion was received with exclamations of
surprise and sorrow. `Yet,' said Jenny, after a time, `I do not think
you should despair of his recovery, for animals in their native state
seldom care to allow those that have been once domesticated to consort
with them.
`My poor albatross even, though he was never thoroughly tamed, and
certainly did finally desert me, yet used to return at intervals; and I
am pretty sure that were you, Jack, to search the wood early tomorrow
morning, you would find your pet only too willing to come back to
civilized life; or, if you like, I will go myself and find him, for I
should immensely like to have a paddle in the cajack all by myself.'
Jack was delighted at the former suggestion, and though he would not
listen for a moment to Jenny's request to be allowed to go alone, he
agreed, if she cared for the fun of an early cruise, to accompany her
in the canoe next morning, and to return to the yacht in time to start
for Rockburg.
At sunrise they were off, armed with `bait' in the shape of meat and
biscuit, and a muzzle and chain which Jack had manufactured in the
evening to punish the runagate for his offences, should they catch him.
Arrived at the sandbank, they landed; and, after entering the forest
and shouting `Coco, Coco!' till the woods rang again, they presently
espied the truant, slouching disconsolately towards them, looking very
miserable and heartily ashamed of himself.
With torn ears, and coat ruffled and dirty, he sneaked up. There was no
need to use the bait to entice him; and when the poor beast thus came,
unhappy and begging forgiveness, Jack had not the heart to degrade him
further with the muzzle and chain. He had evidently attempted to join
his wild brethren, and by them had been scouted, worried, and hustled,
as no true jackal; and, as Jenny had foretold, was now only too glad to
return to bondage and to comfort.
Poor Coco had recovered his spirits slightly by the time the yacht was
reached; and, after a hearty meal, again took his place amongst the
dogs, whom I had little doubt he would never again desert.
All was now bustle and activity; and breakfast over, we went aboard the
yacht. Fritz and Jack stepped into the canoe; and we soon left Fair
Isle and Pearl Bay far behind.
The morning was delightful. The sea, excepting for the slight ripple
raised by the gentle breeze wafting us homewards, was perfectly calm.
Slowly and contentedly we glided on through the wonders of the splendid
archway, threaded our passage amongst the rocks and shoals, and passed
out to the open sea. So slowly did we make our way, that the occupants
of the cajack announced that they could not wait for us when they had
once piloted us out from amongst the shoals and reefs, and plied their
paddles to such good purpose that they were soon out of sight.
Nautilus Bay and Cape Pug-Nose were in due time passed, however, and
Shark Island hove in sight. With great astonishment Jenny gazed at our
watch-tower, with its guard-house, the fierce-looking guns, and the
waving flag upon the heights. We landed, that she might visit the
fortification; then we displayed all our arrangements with great pride.
When they and the herd of lovely gazelles had been sufficiently
admired, we again embarked, and steered towards Safety Bay. On
reaching the entrance, a grand salute of twelve shots welcomed us
and our fair guest to Rockburg. Not pleased with the even number,
however, Ernest insisted upon replying with thirteen guns, an odd
number being, he declared, absolutely necessary for form's sake.
As we neared the quay, Fritz and Jack stood ready to receive us, and
with true politeness handed their mother and Jenny ashore.
They turned and led the way to the house through the gardens, orchards
and shrubberies which lay on the rising ground that sloped gently
upwards to our dwelling.
Jenny's surprise was changed to wonder as she neared the villa
itself--its broad, shady balcony, its fountains sparkling in the sun,
the dove-cots, the pigeons wheeling above, and the bright, fresh
creepers twined round the columns, delighted her. She could scarcely
believe that she was still far from any civilized nation, and that she
was amongst a family wrecked like herself upon a lonely coast.
My amazement, however, fully equalled that of my little daughter when
beneath the shade of the verandah I saw a table laid out with a
delicious luncheon. All our china, silver and glass had been called
into requisition, and was arranged upon the spotless damask cloth.
Wine sparkled in the decanters, splendid pineapples, oranges, guavas,
apples and pears, resting on cool green leaves, lay heaped in pyramids
upon the porcelain dishes. A haunch of venison, cold fowl, ham, and
tongues occupied the ends and sides of the table, while in the centre
rose a vase of gay flowers, surrounded by bowls of milk and great jugs
of mead. It was, indeed, a perfect feast, and the heartiness of the
welcome brought tears of joy into the lovely eyes of the fair girl in
whose honour it had been devised.
All were soon ready to sit down; and Jenny, looking prettier than ever
in the dress for which she had exchanged her sailor's suit, took the
place of honour between my wife and me. Ernest and Franz also seated
themselves; but nothing would induce Fritz and Jack to follow their
example. They considered themselves our entertainers, and waited upon
us most attentively, carving the joints, filling our glasses, and
changing the plates; for, as Jack declared to Miss Montrose, the
servants had all run away in our absence, and for the next day or two,
perhaps, we should be obliged to wait upon ourselves.
When the banquet was over, and the waiters had satisfied their
appetites, they joined their brothers, and with them displayed all the
wonders of Rockburg to their new sister. To the house, cave, stables,
gardens, fields and boat-houses, to one after the other did they lead
her.
Not a corner would they have left unnoticed, had not my wife, fearing
they would tire the poor girl out, come to the rescue, and led her back
to the house.
On the following day, after an early breakfast, we started, while it
was yet cool, for Falconhurst; and as I knew that repairs and
arrangements for the coming winter would be necessary and would detain
us for several days, we took with us a supply of tools, as well as
baskets of provisions and other things essential to our comfort.
The whole of our stud, excepting the ostrich, were in their paddocks,
near the tree; but Jack, saying that his mother and Jenny really must
not walk the whole way, to the great amusement of the latter, leaped on
Hurry, and fled away in front of us. Before we had accomplished one
quarter of the distance, we heard the thundering tread of many feet
galloping down the avenue, and presently espied our motley troop of
steeds being driven furiously towards us.
Storm, Lightfoot, Swift, Grumble, Stentor, Arrow and Dart were there,
with Jack, on his fleet two-legged courser, at their heels. At his
saddle-bow hung a cluster of saddles and bridles, the bits all jangling
and clanking, adding to the din and confusion, and urging on the
excited animals, who thoroughly entered into the fun, and with tails in
the air, ears back, and heels ever and anon thrown playfully out,
seemed about to overwhelm us.
We stepped aside to shelter ourselves behind the trees from the
furious onset; but a shout from Fritz brought the whole herd to a
sudden halt, and Jack spurred towards us.
`Which of the cattle shall we saddle for you, Jenny?' he shouted.
`They're all as gentle as lambs, and as active as cats. Every one has
been ridden by mother; and knows what a side-saddle means, so you can't
go wrong.'
To his great delight, Jenny quickly showed her appreciation of the
merits of the steeds by picking out Dart, the fleetest and most
spirited in the whole stud.
The ostrich was then relieved of his unusual burden, the animals were
speedily equipped, and Lightfoot bearing the baskets and hampers, the
whole party mounted and trotted forwards. Jenny was delighted with her
palfrey, and henceforward he was reserved for her special use.
The work at Falconhurst, as I had expected, occupied us for some time
and it was a week before we could again return to Rockburg.
Yet the time passed pleasantly; for though the young men were busy from
morning to night, the presence of their new companion, her lively
spirits and gay conversation, kept them in constant good humour.
When the repairs were all finished we remained yet a day or two
longer, that we might make excursions in various directions to bring in
poultry from Woodlands, stores of acorns for the pigs, and grass,
willows and canes, to be manufactured during the winter into mats,
baskets, hurdles and hen-coops.
Many a shower wetted us through during these days, and we had scarcely
time to hurry back to Rockburg and house our cattle and possessions
before the annual deluge began.
Never before had this dreary season seemed so short and pleasant; with
Jenny amongst us the usual feeling of weariness and discontent never
appeared; the English language was quickly acquired by all hands,
Fritz, in particular, speaking it so well that Jenny declared she could
scarcely believe he was not an Englishman. She herself already spoke
French, and therefore easily learned our native language and spoke it
fluently before we were released from our captivity.