Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-07-26
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THE SECRET OF KOR0NG.

tree, toward WnlCn MS new most pO-
litely motioned him. you know the
people well, ana all their supersti-
tionS>'
'Helas, yes, monsieur" the French
man answered, with a sigh Of regret.
eighteen years have | spent alto
gether in this beast of a Pacific: nine
us convict in New Caledonia, and
nine more as a god here; and, believe
me, hardly know which is the harder
Iost. Yours is the first white face |
have ever seen since my arrival IN this
cursed island"
''And how did you come here?" Fee
Xix asked half breathless, for the very
magnitude of the stake at issue-no
less d stake than MurieIs life-made
him hesitate to put point-blank the
question he had most at heart for the
moment.
Monsieur" the Frenchman an
swered trying to cover his rags with
his native cape, "that explains itself
easily. | was a medical student in
Paris in the days of the Commune.
All that beloved Paris-hOw far away
it seems from Boupari. Like all other
students | was advanced-Republica
$Socialist-what you villa political
enthusiast. When the events took
plaCe-the events of 10 espOused
with all my heart the cause of the peo-
gle. You know the rest. The bOur-
geoisie conquered. | was taken red
handed as the Versallais 5aid-my
pistol ia my grasp an open revolution
ist They tried me by court-martia.-
hi'r'r-no delay -gnlty. M lie Presi
dent hard labor to perpetuity. They
sent me with that brave Louise Michel
aud so many other good comrades OF
ft,1,
nine years of convict life was more
than enough for me. One day [ found
n canoe on the shore-a little kanaka
canoe you know the type-a mere
ehapeless dug-out. Hastily I loaded it
with food-yam, taro, bread fruit T
pushed it off into the sea embarked
sltonc I intrusted myself and all my
fortunes to the Bon Dieu and the wide
Pacific. The Bon Dieu did not wholly
Justify my confidence. 1t is way he
has that inscrutable one. Six weeks
foated hither and thither before
varying winds. At last one evening [
reached this island. | ioated ashore.
And, enfin, me VOLTA"
,-, Then you were a political prisoner
only" Felix said, politely.
NJ. Jules Peyron drew himself up
with much dignity in his tattered cos
aume: do look like d card-sharper,
monsieur" he asked simply, with
offended honor.
Felix FASTENED TO reassurc him Of
his perfect confidence. ION the con-
<rary, monsieur" he said, the mo-
ncnt ] heard YOU were a convict
from New Caledonia, | felt certain in
any heart you could be nothing less
1hau one of those unfortunate and ILL
created Communicates
<'MOnsicur,' the Fren cnmao said.
selling his hand a second time, Il
perceive that | have to do with man
OF honor and a man Of feeling. Well,
1 landed on this island, and they made
sme n god. From that day to this [
mare been anxious only to shuttle off
ny unwelcome divinity, and return as
aanere man to the shores Of Europe.
BETTER be a valet in Paris, say I, than
Is diety of the best in Polynesia. 1t is
IL monotonous existence here no So
SO ciety, no life and the Cuisine-bah,
execrabic. But till the other day,
when your steamer passed, | have
scarcely ever sighted Euro Jean ship.
a boat came here once, worse luck,
40 put of two girls (who didn't belong
80 Bouparll, returned lnden-
tureG laborers from Queensland;
Rsut unhappily, it was during my Ia
boo 1000 the Month of Birds, as
my alters call it-and though | tried
to go down to it or TO make signals OF
distress. the natives stood round my
lam with their spears liz line, aud pre-
vented me by main force from signal
ing 10 them or communicating with
them. Even the other day, never
beard of your arrival till d fortnight
Essd elapsed, for had been sick with
,+,s,- a
soon IS my Shadow told me OF your az
vent 1t was my taboo again, and I was
obliged to defer for myself the honor
81 calling upon my new acluaintances.
am a God. OF course, and can do what
L like; but while my taboo is on, ma
5ai monsieur, | can hardly call my life
sny own, | assure you"
''But your taboo is up to-day" Felix
said, $50 my Shadow tells me-
"'Your Shadow is well-informed
young man." Mr.. Peyron answered,
with easy French sprightness AS COR
my donkey of a valet, he never by any
catance knows or tells me anything. [
had Just sent HIM out-the pig-to
learn. if possible, your nationality and
name. and what hours you preferred,
as proposed later in the day to pay
nay respects to madenoiselle, your
u.
me"
Miss Ellis would be charmed, I'm
sare,n Felix replied, smiling inspite OF
himself at such Partisan courtliness
under so ragged an exterior. 1T is a
great pleasure to us to find that we are
not alone on this barbarouS island. But
you were going to explain to me, [ be-
4ieve, the exact nature of this peril in
which we both stand. The precise
distinction between korong and Tula?"
''Alas. monsieur" the Frencnman
replied drawing circles in the dust with
his stick with much decomposure, |
can only tell you have been trying to
make out the secret of this distinction
myself ever since the first day came
10 the island: but SO reticent are all
the natives about it, and so deep is the
taboo hv which the mystery is
J., Az ] no ~