After losing sight of Kaahlanai, the party of travellers on the Eliza
Judd turned their attention to providing themselves with clothing, which
would at least be presentable for them to appear in when they should
reach America. It was easy enough to fit out Captain Gray, Ahleka and
Hans from Captain Harris’ store of clothing, but Mabel, what was she to
do for wearing apparel? That was the question. Sheets were made by her
deft fingers to serve as under garments, and some brown linen, which had
been used to cover chairs and a couple of couches, was turned into a
dress that was surprisingly becoming, considering the material used in
its construction. Mabel’s preparations to step ashore in San Francisco
were completed the day before arriving there.
“Now, Ahleka, how do you like my appearance?” Mabel inquired, after
having arrayed herself in her simple garments.
“You always look charming in my eyes,” he replied, “still, I cannot but
think that the costume of our country allows more freedom of movement,
and on that account it is much more graceful and becoming.”
“Yes, what you say is true and I admit that I hate to put on again the
uncomfortable clothes which women wear in my own land.”
“What is that you say Mabel?” broke in Captain Gray. “Do you mean to say
that you like the hideous dress of the heathens that we have lived
amongst for the past three years?”
“Captain Gray, they are not heathens. Their religion is the true
religion. They worship the bestower of all good; they see the beautiful
works of God all about them and give him the glory. Their religion is
sincerity, purity and love. What more can there be in any religion?”
“You talk it very nicely Mabel, and I presume you believe what you say;
it is as well that you do, as you are going to marry Ahleka; but I said,
and I meant it too, that I would rather see Etta die than have her marry
one of those heathens, and, mourning for my dead child as deeply as I
do, I still say that I would rather have her dead than married to Uala
or any other beggarly, black-skinned rascal.”
“Captain Gray, your daughter is not dead,” broke in Ahleka. “She has a
much happier fate, for, in all likelihood, she is, before this time,
happily united to the man of her choice, from whom she would not part at
the command of her father.”
“What do you mean, Etta not dead? Do you mean to say that she was not
drowned in the sea-cave? Why didn’t you tell me before we left the
island, that she might still be alive?” exclaimed Captain Gray.
“Because,” replied Ahleka, “I knew that you would part those two fond
hearts which nature had intended for each other.”
“You worthless wretch! how dared you keep it from me, her father? But
what better could I expect from you, a fellow of no principle or
education, than, trickery or deception.”
“You wrong me, Captain Gray; you never asked me of the possibility of
Etta being still alive or I should have felt that I must tell you the
truth, however much I disliked to do so. But, as you asked no one the
question, none felt called upon to betray to you the probable safety of
Etta and Uala, as it would not be keeping faith with those whom we had
every reason to wish to aid in their plan of escape.”
“You are an accursed lot and——”
“Captain Gray, how dare you speak so of the people, who for three years,
have done everything possible for your comfort and happiness,” exclaimed
Mabel. “I left home in your vessel respecting you as my father’s friend,
but I never wish to speak again to you, a man who has shown himself dead
to all feelings of gratitude, lost to all sense of justice. How can you
blame any one for the fact that Etta obeyed the dictates of her
conscience and heart?” Having said which, Mabel took Ahleka’s arm and
walked rapidly to the other end of the vessel. It was with a feeling of
relief that she realized that on the next day they should in all
probability reach San Francisco, then she would no longer be thrown in
contact with a man so repulsive to her as Captain Gray had become.
It was indeed true, as Ahleka had said, Uala and Etta were not dead.
After the first wild plunge into the rushing waters, Uala had pressed on
with Etta clasped by one arm, until they came to a large, open space,
where the floor of the cave was smooth and raised so that no water
reached it; it was, in fact, an immense under-ground cave. After
carrying Etta to a place of safety, he threw himself down beside her,
showering frantic kisses upon her upturned face. “My little sea queen,
you have braved the terrors of the deep, and faced death for my sake.
Now, when I feel sure that the vessel has left, we will go back
together, to life and happiness See, here are things provided for you to
eat,” pointing to a liberal supply of food, which was placed on a ledge
of rocks, high out of the reach of the waves, “and here is kapa to keep
the delicate limbs of my dear one warm,” saying which he opened a
water-tight calabash, from which he took some fine fiber cloth and
wrapped about her.
“I came here while the rest were at the village at their supper, and
brought these things, so that, if my fair one came here with me, she
should at least not suffer from cold or hunger.”
The hours passed unheeded by the happy pair until, finally, Etta dropped
into a sweet sleep. When she awoke, Uala, who had remained awake that he
might see that no harm befell Etta, said, “I think that, by this time,
the sun shines again above us. I will go to the opening of the cave and
learn if the ship is still here.”
“Oh Uala, do not leave me here. I was not afraid to come with you, but I
am so afraid to stay for one moment without you,” cried Etta, clinging
to his arm.
“I shall not leave you for one moment, but do you see those large leaves
floating in the water over there? On those leaves, in all likelihood, is
a message sent to me by friends above.”
“Do others know of this cave then? Will they not tell my father?” she
asked in some alarm.
“No, do not fear. None of my people would betray a friend. But, let us
see the message,” saying which he advanced to a place where several
large leaves were revolving slowly in the water, being carried about by
the whirlpool. Catching hold of a couple of these, he found that it was
as he had thought. They each bore a message, written on their smooth
surface with the point of a sharp stick.
“See, Etta,” he exclaimed, “it is just as I thought. We are free. Your
father has gone. Now we will return to our friends.”
Holding her tightly in his arms, he made a spring into the center of the
pool. Instantly they were carried upward by the mad rush of water. In a
moment they stood breathless and safe on the rocky beach once more.
“Look Etta, there are our friends who have waited here for our return.”
A large body of young people rushed toward them, singing and shouting.
They soon covered the dripping pair with garlands of flowers, and bore
them away to the village of Howcu, to the home of Allen and Maula, where
a grand feast had been prepared for the returning merry makers. The
lives of these two were, from that day forth, a dream of happiness.