Oliver suffered from a sensation of disappointment during those next two
hours, for he regretted not stripping the skins from the magnificent
fruit pigeons, but, as his companions said, he had no cause to complain,
for he secured specimens of two beautifully feathered birds of Paradise,
of an exceedingly rare kind. In addition he had a couple of brilliant
scarlet and green lories, and half-a-dozen sun-birds, while Drew's
collecting box and pockets were full of specimens, and Panton perspired
freely beneath his burden of crystals, vitrified rock, and pieces of
quartz. Several of these contained specks of metal, and proved
satisfactorily that in spite of volcanic eruption and the abundant
coral, the nucleus of the land on which they stood was exceedingly
ancient, and evidently a part of some continent now submerged.
Smith met them as they approached camp and announced dinner, and in
spite of the absence of bread and vegetables, no meat was ever more
enjoyed than the roast Goura pigeons, nor greater justice done to the
viand.
"Now then for the brig," said Oliver, decisively. "We must not stop by
the way, for the sun will soon be getting low. Mr Rimmer will be
coming after us if we are not there in good time, and we've a long tramp
yet to get to the shore."
"Collect as we go?" said Drew.
"Oh no, let's be content with what we have. I shall have enough to do
to preserve mine."
"And I to arrange my little lot," said Panton. "Here, Smith, carry a
few of these."
"Certeny, sir, but there's heaps of as good stones close to where the
brig lies."
"Never mind that, I want these."
"All right, sir," said the man, cheerily, and with a bag of stones and
the ropes, and with Wriggs at his side shouldering the ladder, the
little party started back, discussing the results of their expedition,
and the fact that though they had not climbed to the crater, they had
half explored the great mountain. That, and the fact that there were no
savages to be seen, they felt was news enough for the mate, while, as to
themselves, they were all three more than satisfied with their finds.
The long tramp in the forest before dinner and the dinner itself made
the journey back to the shore of the lagoon where they had left the boat
seem doubly long, but they reached it at last, just as the west was one
glory of amber and gold, and the globular cloud high up over the crater
appeared of a rosy scarlet. The long fringe of cocoa palms, too, seemed
as if their great pinnate leaves had been cut out of orange metal, and
reflected as they were in the glassy water of the lagoon, a scene of
loveliness met the travellers' eyes that made them soon forget their
weariness, and set to with a will to drag the boat over the sand, and
then launch it in the mirror-like sea.
"Now for a gentle pull back," said Oliver. "Shall we do it before
dark?"
"No; and there is no moon."
"Never mind, we can easily run the boat in among the trees, and avoid
the coral blocks and the pools as we walk to the brig. Crocs are pretty
active of a night, so let's give them a wide berth."
"Yes, we must," said Panton, "for I daresay they'll be getting hungry as
they finish all the fish left in their larder."
"If it had not been for those reptiles in the pools they would have been
getting offensive by now."
"And when they have cleared them out, you think the crocs will journey
down to the sea?"
"I haven't a doubt of it," replied Panton.
"Then I hope they will not have begun their journey to-night, for I'm
too tired to care about meeting enemies."
Their row along the narrow lagoon was glorious with the cocoa-nut grove
on one side and the reef with its tumbling billows and subdued roar on
the other. Then, as the sun set, the long mirror they traversed and the
backs of the curling over breakers were dyed with the most refulgent
colours, which grew pale only too soon. When the darkness closed in,
the croaking of reptiles and night birds rose from beyond the grove, and
the breakers grew phosphorescent and as if illumined by a pale fire
tinged with a softened green, while the foam resembled golden spray as
it was dashed over the coral sand.
The sailors were relieved from time to time as they rowed on with the
stars spangling the still water, so that in the distance it was hard to
tell where sea ended and sky began; and at last, dimly seen against the
sky, three tall trees marked the spot where they ran up the boat.
"Sure this is right?" asked Oliver, as the sharp prow touched the soft,
white sand.
"Oh, yes, sir, this is right enough," replied Smith. "Here's our marks
that we made this morning when we ran her down."
There was the faintly marked furrow, sure enough, and, all taking hold
of the sides, the boat was run up easily enough over the soft, loose
sand and then in amongst the smooth, round, curved trunks of the
cocoa-nut trees till her old quarters were reached, and the painter
secured to a stout stem.
"No fear of tide or wind affecting her," said Oliver; "but how dark it
is under these trees. Look here, Smith, I don't think you men need
carry that ladder on to-night. Leave it here. It will be ready for
next time we try the ascent."
"All right, sir," replied Smith.
"I don't know, though; perhaps it will be as well to bring it along.
We'll help you if you get tired."
"I sha'n't get tired o' carrying a thing like that, sir," said the man,
with a laugh. Then he shouldered it at once and the start was made for
the brig.
They reckoned upon it taking a good hour in the darkness, what with the
care they would have to exercise to avoid half-dried pools, scattered
fragments of coral rock, and the many heaps of snag-like trees half
buried in sand and mud, but when as near as they could guess an hour had
passed they were still some distance from the brig and suffering from a
feeling of weariness which made them all trudge along slowly and
silently in single file.
Oliver was leading with his gun over his shoulder, the piece feeling
heavier than it had ever felt before and as if it was increasing in
weight each minute.
Smith was behind him with the ropes over his shoulder, and Wriggs now
bore the ladder, coming last.
For some minutes they had been walking in utter silence, their footsteps
deadened by the soft sand, and a terribly drowsy feeling was coming over
Lane, making him long to lie down and sleep, but he fought it back and
strained his eyes to gaze forward in search of obstacles, knowing as he
did that the others were trusting him to pick out the best road and keep
them out of difficulties.
But it was very dark in spite of the stars, and hard to make anything
out till, all at once, he saw a misty and strange-looking form run by,
about twenty yards ahead.
"What's that?" he said to himself, and then he started, for Smith caught
his arm, and whispered,--
"Mr Lane, sir? See that?"
"Yes, what was it? Was it a deer?" and he involuntarily lowered his
piece.
"Two legged 'un, sir, if it was," said the man, softly. "Will you call
a halt? I think it was a hinjun."
"Nonsense. One of our men, perhaps," said Oliver, testily. "Don't say
that and scare them. We're close up to the ship now."
_Bang_.
The sharp report of a piece came from about a couple of hundred yards
farther on.
"There; I knew we were close up to the brig. Mr Rimmer fired that as a
signal to let us know the way in the darkness. I'll fire him one back."
The lock clicked and Oliver raised the muzzle to fire, when a ragged
volley came from ahead, followed by a savage yelling, and as the sounds
struck a chill to every heart there was utter silence. Then came a
flash and a bright gleam, which grew brighter and brighter, developing
into the sickly glare of a blue light, while as they stood there,
fearing to advance, all grasped the meaning of the light.
The brig had been attacked by the Indians. A gallant defence was being
made, and the blue light had been thrown out to show where the enemy
lay.