Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-16
Gales aud Sketfhes.
The Island OF Aurora.
How 1T WAS SUBMERGED BENEATH THE
WATERS OF THE PACIFIC.


II is unnecessary to recount the circum
stances which, in 1871. had for over two
years made me an inhabitant of the islant
| of Aurora. a small but most fertile islane
/ in the New Hebrides group, says writel
/ in the London Globe. The island was I'M
| inhabited up to the time of my presence
upon it. and my life, though lonely. a;
might be expected, was not devoid OF &
certain kind of interest. During the early
DAYS of nv soiourn there chafed consid
erably at the long hours. and my Thoughts
often reverted to the old life upon which
/ I had turned my back forever. But time
modified my feelings, and gradually
grew content with my singular surround
/ ings. Bounteous nature provided tor my
simple wants. and I spent the days in
roaming over the island and IN hshlne
/ from my rough canoe at some distance
from the shore The island was clothed
/ in the everlasting green of dense tropl
/ ical shrubbery, while the cocoanut, palm
and banana trees. which were numerous,
added variety to the enchanting scene
/ Aurora was about nine miles in length and
some three or four in breadth, while from
the waters edge on all sides it gradually
sloped to the summit of a wellwooded
hill. Without possessing any knowledge
of geology, | could readily see that the
island was of volcanic origin. From the
appearance of the coral reefs it was EVIL
dent that a number of upheavals had taken
place. In many places the coral had been
thrown up to great height, the volcanic
rock being plainly to be seen cropping
out in large quantities among it. Had
/ possessed the requisite knowledge
should doubtless have been able to give
the world a mass of Information on
MANY points of that branch OF
science, which, however, were unsolvable
enigmas to me. My greatest pleasure was,
however, found in fishing. The little bay
was well stocked with the bonito and 9TH
err specimens of the finny tribe, and many
an afternoon | spent in this fascinating en-
joyment. OF course, fished only for the
excitement of the sport, and, having taken
my fish, would carefully remove him
from the hook and return him to his native
element little the worse for his momentary
removal tterefrom. One lovely dav en-
tered my canoe, and, padding far out into
the bay, prepared my tackle, and was
soon endeavoring to tempt the scaly beau
ties with the dainty morsels threw over
board for their delectation. But the sport
was not exciting. The fish was unusually
shy, and bites were scarce and infrequent
Becoming tired of the paucity Of amuse.
ment, secured my line. and, curling N.Y.
self at the bottom of the boat. was
soon asleep. must have slept soupdly
for three or four hours, when was sud
denly awakened by violent rocking OF
the boat. The sea was still calm and
smooth. but the water had assumed a
hard. fixed appearance, and, as | peered
into its depths, it looked more like mass
OF liquid glass. Several times | noticed
the strange cOmmotion which had awak
ened me. huge waves passing toward the
shore, and rolling higher and higher over
the glistening sand. had never witness.
shining in the west from cloudless sky
and on sea and land there was that air Of
peaceful serenity which is only experienced
amid such scenes. AT length headed my
boat for the shore, and was leis.
urelv padding back when suddenly
| saw arise from the hill in the centre
Of the island a huge tongue of flame
enveloped in dense mass of smoke
gazed with awe upon the unwonted
sight Higher and higher leaped the
flames which beched forth from the
mountain, upon whose summit had only
that morning wandered. unconscious OF
the demon which Law beneath my feet
waiting for the moment in which to spring
forth with devilish fury. But to that
gave no thought at the time. In the pres
ence OF such scene | was too insignifi-
cant even for nv own thoughts. | was
speeches., spellbound. To my diving day
the scene can never be effaced from nv
memory. While every fibre OF my BEING
was strung to its utmost tension, sudden
ly found myself raised in air upon the
bosom of giant wave, which rolled ma
jestically by as if dsdainng me. 1t
moved grandly toward the shore. swept
over the shell-strewn sands. covered the
trees. and passing ruthlessly over the
burning mountain. enveloped the whole
island in its strange embrace. | waited
breathlesslv to see what effect would be
visible when the wave would have passed
But | waited in vain, it never receded, and
my poor home was forever hidden beneath
the waves of the smiling but treacherous
Pacific. The idea of seeing ones home
vanish from his sight is anything but a
pleasant enc under any circumstances
Fortunately | was unable at the time to
realize my position. My home buried in
the oceans depths, and l., alone. without
TODD or drink. in a small canoe. while
around me the declining sun shone up
on the vast expanse of water that
shut me from the world. | was how
ever, too dazed and Mortified to
think of these things. | was inca
pable of action, and my boat drifted as it
pleased. How long | floated aimlessly
about | know not. Days must have
elapsed, but | scarcely felt the
pangs of thirst or hunger. I sat mo-
tionless, with my eyes fixed upon what
seemed to be the spot where | had last
seen Aurora's sloping shores. One morn
ing saw land before me- The sight re-
vived the love for life which is within us
all. and Tor the first time | took up my
paddle and made for the shore As |
drew near enough to discern, saw that
the banks were lined with natives. eagerly
watching my approach. A new danger
awaited me. | was aware that many OF
these islands were inhabited by tribes OF
savage cannibals, and wondered if had
survived my recent perils only to appear
at some horrid orgie, served up as one
of the principal courses of the feast.
had stopped padding. hesitating whether
| should 60 on or not, when | SAW two
men spring into boat and come toward