Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-07-04

dispute captain DuSIln submitted the
feather to the Pearls naturalist. This
individual put the prize to various tests,
one of which was immersing it in q
solution which he prepared for the pur-
pose, but it came from the ordeal as
light and beautiful as when the old
native presented it to the Captain.
"When the Paupuan was questioned
about the bird from which the feather
had been obtained, he begged a private
interview with Captain Dustin, and
when this had been granted and had,
we were called back into the cabin.
Never shall l forget the eager tongue
with which the infatuated Captain OF
the Pearl told us that the roosting place
of the rare birds was in the forest, not
far from the very cove in which we were
anchored, and that the old native had
promised to guide a party to the spot
for few trinkets, which a trading
vessel always carries. Again there arose
murmurs Of doubt and suspicion, and
some of the men said openly that the
feather was a painted decoy, and had
been used for the purpose of drawing
us into bloody ambush.
"Captain Dustin laughed at this. He
believed that we had discovered new
species of the bird of paradise, and said
that little risk would enrich every
man ON the ship. 1t was that very risk
that held us back. still deferring to the
captain, whom we loved, we left the
matter to him, which meant that the
wonderful feathers would be sought.
"After the old natives departure
every canoe vanished as if by magic,
and strange quiet settled down over
sea and shore. Although night had
come it was not dark, for the sky was
studded with stars, which were reflected
in the water and seemed to render it
vast diamond field.
Meantime, we made rapid prepare
tions for our hunt for the feathers. The
native had said that the bird was es-
teemed sacred by his people, but added
that we could reach its retreat and Sc
cure a number of the species before
being discovered.
1T was near midnight when the cap
tain's boat, containing twenty picked
men, left the Pearl and pulled for shore.
The oars had been mufied so as not to
alarm any natives who might be on
BudiO, anu Ollo utAlOob licIhutioi III
every way was taken. We reached the
shore at the spot suggested by the old
Paupuan, and to our surprise found him
ON hand to take his place as guide at
the head Of the column. Single file we
managed to climb the cliffs to the high
ground, when we started of through
lot of stunted pines, guided by old
Ombu and boy, his son.
GAS we advanced we plunged deeper
and deeper into a south sea, terra IN
cOgnitd. More than once / wished my
self out of the muddle, and would have
given everything l possessed to have
been back in my bank on board the
Pearl. But we were in for it, and
there was no going back.
AT last a low command from Captain
Dustin halted us. Boys, said he, and
at the same time felt my hand taken
and pressed hard in the darkness,
Boys, our guide is gone
"a deep silence followed the Captains
words. We were in the Stygian heart
of forest of screw pines and palms,
and our surroundings we're of such a
shade that one could not see his hand 4
before his face. Alone in such wood,
and deserted by the guide We knew
what that meant.
"For five minutes we stood together 1
without even so much as a whispered /
word. No one seemed to break the /
stiffness, and am sure we pitied rather
than blamed Captain Dustin.
"Suddenly there came through the
forest the long and plaintive cry of
night bird, peculiar to the Aru islands.
'' 1t is q signal 7 said the captain.
Let us attempt to reach the boat.
"With heavy hearts We started back.
No one spoke. Captain Dustin held
my hand, and every now and then
fervid pressure told me that | was occu-
plying his thoughts. All at once the
whole forest resounded with hideous
cries Weapons which we could not
arrows, and missiles of
every descripticn--hurled through the
air, tearing the large leaves of the palms
and bruising the heavy trunks.
Forward 7 cried the steady voice of
Captain Dustin. Let every man draw
his pistol, and if the foe is seen pay him
back for the work of the false featherl
Fortunately, no one had been in
IeACA viz bAibof NAiANh AHo
been aimed too high but this good
luck could not he expected to last For
some distance we forged ahead almost
entirely surrounded BY the natives
Presently the enemy closed in before
rs, and Captain Dustin dropped my
hand. On every side there were now
ong fine-tipped reeds held by the Pau
Duans, whose black, naked bodies and
rowsy heads we could plainly see.
"When the captain left me he raised
both hands, and the next instant he was
iIing at our foes. Straightway all of
is began to pepper the black figures,
which lively work drove them off, and
We made another dash for the shore. A
perfect rain of spears fell upon us in
urn, and Captain Dustin pitched for
ward and dropped on his face.
"Don't leave the captainl cried
iome one behind me, and in spite of the
hover of death that interposed, we
eized his wrists and dragged him along.
While we confronted as best we could
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