It was the beginning of a better time, for from that day what was like
the dawn of a return of his mental powers brightened and strengthened
into the full sunshine of reason, and by the time we had been waiting at
Ti-hi's village for the coming of the captain with his schooner we had
heard the whole of my father's adventures from his own lips, and how he
had been struck down from behind by one of the blacks while collecting,
and kept a prisoner ever since.
I need not tell you of his words to me, his thanks to the doctor, and
his intense longing for the coming of the schooner, which seemed to be
an age before it came in sight.
We made Ti-hi and his companions happy by our supply of presents, for we
wanted to take nothing back, and at last one bright morning we sailed
from the glorious continent-like island, with two strong middle-aged men
on board, both of whom were returning to a civilised land with the
traces of their captivity in their hair and beards, which were as white
as snow.
Neither shall I tell you of the safe voyage home, and of the meeting
there. Joy had come at last where sorrow had sojourned so long, and I
was happy in my task that I had fulfilled.
I will tell you, though, what the captain said in his hearty way over
and over again.
To me it used to be:
"Well, you have growed! Why, if you'd stopped another year you'd have
been quite a man. I say, though I never thought you'd ha' done it; 'pon
my word!"
Similar words these to those often uttered by poor, prejudiced,
obstinate old nurse.
To Jack Penny the captain was always saying:
"I say, young 'un, how you've growed too; not uppards but beam ways.
Why, hang me if I don't think you'll make a fine man yet!"
And so he did; a great strong six-foot fellow, with a voice like a
trombone. Jack Penny is a sheep-farmer on his own account now, and
after a visit to England with my staunch friend the doctor, where I
gained some education, and used to do a good deal of business for my
father, who is one of the greatest collectors in the south, I returned
home, and went to stay a week with Jack Penny.
"I say," he said laughing, "my back's as strong as a lion's now. How it
used to ache!"
We were standing at the door of his house, looking north, for we had
been talking of our travels, when all at once I caught sight of what
looked like a little white tombstone under a eucalyptus tree.
"Why, what's that?" I said.
Jack Penny's countenance changed, and there were a couple of tears in
the eyes of the great strong fellow as he said slowly:
"That's to the memory of Gyp, the best dog as ever lived!"
I must not end without a word about Jimmy, my father's faithful
companion in his botanical trips.
Jimmy nearly went mad for joy when I got back from England, dancing
about like a child. He was always at the door, black and shining as
ever, and there was constantly something to be done. One day he had
seen the biggest ole man kangaroo as ever was; and this time there was a
wallaby to be found; another the announcement that the black cockatoos
were in the woods; or else it would be:
"Mass Joe, Mass Joe! Jimmy want go kedge fis very bad; do come a day."
And I? Well, I used to go, and it seemed like being a boy again to go
on some expedition with my true old companion and friend.
Yes, friend; Jimmy was always looked upon as a friend; and long before
then my mother would have fed and clothed him, given him anything he
asked. But Jimmy was wild and happiest so, and I found him just as he
was when I left home, faithful and boyish and winning, and often ready
to say:
"When Mass Joe ready, go and find um fader all over again!"