Juno's epitaph--Fritz does not appear--We start in search of him--A
cachalot whale--The unexpected appearance of a savage--Fritz in a
dusky disguise--He leads us to Fair Isle, and shows us the wonders
therein--The stranger--Fritz narrates his adventures--How he saw
Toucans--Encountered a tiger--Lost Pounce--Found the Smoking Rock,
and Jenny Montrose--The history of the stranger--Wolves dispute
our right to the whale--Coco joins his brethren--Jack and Jenny
search for the truant--We leave Pearl Bay--A hearty reception--A
visit to Falconhurst--Jack displays our stud--The rainy season
again.
The mother 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 the
mother, who received them with delight, promising us therefrom many a
savory 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 the mother, 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 favorable 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 upward, 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 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
lookout for him, for I was unwilling to lose such a valuable prize, and,
reloading, stood toward 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 infuriate 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 the 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
toward 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 reconnoiter. 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 toward 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
reconnoiter. 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 toward me a glance full of meaning; "I
can lead you to an island where there is a 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, and turning
himself once more into a civilized being, 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 toward 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 expression made use of by Fritz I perceived that the girl
wished her sex to remain unrevealed to the rest of the party until the
mother 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 the mother hastened to set before us a
substantial meal, while the boys, anxious to make their new acquaintance
feel at home among 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 chattering 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 turned their
heads; and when I gave the sign for 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 drank in fragrant mead, amid 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, and 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 hyena, or the despairing death cry of a
hapless deer. Seldom have I experienced a greater feeling of solitude
than while 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 stranger 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 color, which was only rivaled
by the gay hue of the plumage. I wished 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 among 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, 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 upward 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 toward 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
skillfully with a knife, were fish-hooks of mother-of-pearl, needles
made from fish-bones, 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 marveled 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 been woven with
reeds, the roof thatched with palm-leaves, and the whole plastered
smoothly with clay, an open space being left in the center 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 toward 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.
"After the death of his wife, all the colonel's love and care was
centered 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 shell-fish, 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 reconnoiter. 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.
Among 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 the mother 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 to-morrow 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 offenses, 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 toward 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 among 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 homeward, was perfectly calm.
Slowly and contentedly we glided on through the wonders of the splendid
archway, threaded our passage among 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 among 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; when 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 toward Deliverance 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 upward 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 dovecots, 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 among a
family wrecked like herself upon a lonely coast.
My amazement, however, fully equaled that of my little daughter when,
beneath the shade of the veranda, 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 pine-apples, oranges, guavas,
apples, and pears resting on cool green leaves, lay heaped in pyramids
upon the porcelain dishes. A haunch of venison, cold fowl, hams, and
tongues occupied the ends and sides of the table, while in the center
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 honor 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 honor between the mother 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 boathouses, to one after the other did they lead
her.
Not a corner would they have left unnoticed, had not the mother, 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 toward us. Storm, Lightfoot, Swift,
Grumble, Stentor, Arrow and Dart were there, with Jack, on his fleet
two-legged courser, at their heels. At his saddlebow 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 toward 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 forward. 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 humor.
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 hencoops.
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 among 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.