The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-04
CHAPTER ".
THE HOME OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE

CHAPTER Nv.
THE HOME OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE
DEVIL.
The sun next morning had scarcely
made his appearance when awoke to
knowledge of the fact that the yacht
was stationary. Such a circumstance
could have but one meaning-we had
arrived at our destination. Az soon,
therefore, as this IDEA became properly
Impressed upon my mind sprang from
my bunk, mcde for the portfolio and,
drawing back the little curtain that
covered it, ga2ed out upon the world.
And what picture met my eager eyes,!
What scene to. paint in words or pig.
ments! But, oh, how difhcult If Iwere
literary craftsman Of more than ordi-
nary ability, / might possibly be able to
give you some din, impression of what
I saw. But being only an amateur word
painter Of the sorriest sort very much
fear it is a task beyond my capabilities.
However, for tho sake Of my story, l
suppose I must try
To begin with, you must endeavor to
imagine small harbor at most half al
Miie long bv three-quarters wide, hay-
ing upon the side toward which looked
wide plateau extending almost to the
sands that fringe the waters edge. Pic
ture this tableland, or plateau, as have
called it, backed by tall. forezr crown
ed hill, almost mountain, which scars
up and up q couple Of thousand feet or
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
S native hut Of the kind usually met
with on the west coast of Borneo and,
the islands thereabout.
To my surprise the harbor was entire
~ landlocked. and though l 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 seen
cry Of the bay than its harbor facilities,
I did not puzzle over this for very long.
My old acquaintance Walworth joined
me at the rail and laid himself out for
conversation.
Doctor, I" he said, ssI 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, don't think I have,'' I an
swered. 1T is marvelously beautiful;
but, all the same, must own one or
two things about it rather puzzle me. y
And what are they?''
We'll, in the first place, since can
see no opening in the hills. how did we
get in here??"
All, 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 We're to look for
100 years from where you stand now
you would not be able to discover it,
and unless her ladyship gives permits
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 t 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, meant 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 seel And now to change the sub
jeot. With regard to that lymph you
procured for me in Hongkong, where is
it,"
ut has already been sent to your
bungalow with the rest of the medica,
paraphernalia we brought with us.
And her ladyship?'
Went ashore as soon as we came to
anchor. II 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
" 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 NO.
Thereupon the man drew note from
his turban and handed it to me with
the confidence and easy bearing of one
gentleman rendering service to an
other, 1t was addressed in Allies hand
writing.
Though a considerable time has
elapsed since my receipt of that little
note, can plainly recall the thrill that
went through me as opened it. It ran
as follows:
DEAR Oh. DE NoRMANvILLE-I beg you will
forgive my not remaining on board to welcome
YOU to my home, but as you will readily mag
ine was most anxious to see for myself at
once how things were progressing ashore. I'm
fortunately, however, have nothing favorable
to report. Win you come and breakfast with