Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-01-14

my bunk, made FOR the portfolio and
drawing back the little. curtain tha
covered it, gazed out upon the world
And what picture met my eager eyes
What scene to paint in words or pig
ments But, oh, how difficult! If / were
literary craftsman of more than ordi
nary ability, might possibly be able tt
give you some dim impression of what
l saw But being only an amateur worc
painter of the sorriest sort very much
fear it is a task beyond my capabilities
However, for the sake Of my story,
suppose must try.
TO begin with, you must endeavor tc
imagine small harbor, at most half 6
mile long by three-quarters wide, hav'
ing upon the side toward which l looked
wide plateau extending almost to the
sands that fringe the waters edge. Pic
ture this tableland, or plateau, as l have
called it, backed by tall, forest crown
ed hill, almost mountain, which scars
up and up couple Of thousand feet o.
more into the azure sky. while peering
out of the jungle that ornaments Its
base may be seen the white roofs Of
houses. with here and there the thatch
of native hut of the kind usually met
with OH the west coast Of Borneo and
the islands thereabout
To my surprise the harbor was entire
ly landlocked, and though I searched
for some time could discern no open
ing in the amphitheater Of hills through
which vessel of even the smallest size
could pass in from the sea. But, being
more taken up with the beautiful scen-
cry of the bay than its harbor facilities,
I did not puzzle over this for very long.
Ny old acquaintance Walworth Joined
me at the rail and laid himself out for
conversation
doctor, /" be said, II want you to
tell me candidly If in all your expe-
rience of the world you have ever looked
upon fairer scene than that you have
before you now?"
"No, l don't think l have" an
swered 1T is marvelously beautiful
but, all the same, must own one or
two things about it rather puzzle me. "
"And what are they?'
"Well, in the first place, since can
see no opening in the hills. how did we
get in here?'
"Ah, you have been thinking about
that. have you? Well. to save you any
further trouble on that score let me
tell you that if you were to look for
100 years from where you stand now
you would not be able to discover it,
and unless her ladyship gives permis-
sion it would be as much as my life is
worth for me to tell you. Now for your
second question.
"Well, can see, say, dozen huts,
all told, over yonder," answered.
"Surely they don constitute the settle
ment of which you spoke to me?"
"No, they do not Those you see over
there are only the outlying portions OF
the village, mealst to deceive the crew
of any vessel who might land and find
their way in here. The real place itself
lies five miles inland. round that hill.
through the gap you can just make out
alongside that bit Of terra Gotta colored
cliff yonder "
II see! And now to change the sub
ject. With regard to that lymph you
procured for me in Hongkong, where is
it?''
"It has already been sent to your
bungalow with the rest Of the medical
paraphernalia we brought with u.s."
"And her ladyship?"
event ashore as soon as we came to
anchor If mistake not, that's her
boat coming off to us now.
AS he spoke large white surfboat
put off from the beach and under the
sturdy arms of her crew came swiftly
across the stretch Of blue toward Us. AS
she ranged alongside carefully exam
ined the men rowing. They were of me-
dunn size and evidently of the Dyak
race, being taller than the average Ma
lay and inclining more to the build OF
the Solomon islander than to any other
class could think Of. They were bright,
intelligent looking fellows and evident
ly we'll cared for AS soon as they had
hitched on to the gangway the cockswain
came aboard and said something in ma
tive to my companion, who in reply
pointed to me.
Thereupon the man drew note from
his turban and handed it to me with
the confidence and easy bearing Of one
gentleman rendering a service to an.
other. It was addressed in Allies hand
writing.
Though q considerable time has
elapsed since my receipt of that little
note. l can plainly recall the thrill that
went through me as opened it. 1t ran
as follows:
DEAR DR. DE NoRMANvILLE-I beg you will
forgive my not remaining on board to welcome
you to my home, but as you will readily imag
Inc was most anxious to see for myself al
once how things were progressing ashore Un
fortunately, however, have nothing favorable
to report. will you come and breakfast with
me Immediately on receipt Of thisf My cock
swain will show you the way. Then, afterward,
could take you, myself, round the settle
ment With very kind regards, believe me
truly your friend, ALLIE.
thrust the note into my pocket and,
having told Walworth what | was
about to do, went below to my cabin to
prepare for my excursion. Then return
ing to the deck, l descended into the
boat alongside, and we set off for the
shore. As we rowed I was able to look
back and observe for the first time the
proportions and symmetry Of the beau.
tiful craft l had just left.
Within five minutes Of leaving her