Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-02-07
CHAPTER MI.

! ana thanked my creator.
CHAPTER MI.
My Father Explains.
Before I proceed any further with my
narrative I must say that you will not
find herein any notes concerning the
fauna and flora of Fiji, and that except
that have seen them. I know very lit
tie more about them than you who are
reading this. My story has to do with
men and mems passions, and the feel
ings that held me left me little room
for observation of my surroundings ex-
cept in so far as they might help to-
wards my sustenance, and you must,
therefore, imagine for yourselves. the
| trees, ferns, and so forth that made up
the landscape on which I gazed. BY
the sea shore. and in comparatively
| shoal water, found some shellfsh, and
from them made meal; coming upon
a cave that was dry, I gathered grass
and leaves and made couch, and lay
there until the next morning.
Behind me was ridge of hills, and,
gaining the crest Of this with some diff
| ", L SAAS
island, and there, not mile from me,
in corner of a bay, lay village. A
roughly constructed pier ran out into
the sea for some distance, and could
see people moving about on this. pll'ng
up bales of goods, and heir occupation
and the pier itself bespoke a state Of
civilization that promised both food and
water.
| Pulling myself and the few rags that
were left me together, I scrambled
| downwards through the thickets. and,
getting close to the outskirts of the vii
lage, lay perdu for some time, till, the
signs of peace working upon me,
made a detour and came close to the
shore end of the pier before was SEEN
Then there was such hubbub that l
scarce knew whether the dark skinned
individuals who surrounded me were
rejoicing at the prospect of eating me,
or lamenting over the meager meal l
should furnish, when tall native,
dressed in European fashion, pushed
the others aside and accosted me In eN-
ceedingly good English. Not only were
his words correct, but his accent was
as perfect as my own, and afterwards
learned that he had been educated at
first-class school in Tasmania.
"You have been shipwrecked," he
said. 'Tell me, in one word, was your
ship, the Corisande?"
NO. said I.
+ "Thank God for that!" he replied.
eve could ill.afford to lose such men
as Capt. Tremayne. But you are faint
and tired Come to my house, and we
can talk presently" And with that he
led to what, after my hardships,
seemed a veritable palace. He made
me comfortable, and had meat and
drink brought for me, and my heart
beat fast when he told me that my
fathers vessel was expected in a few
days. There isn't a better man afloat
than Capt. Tremayne. He calls here at
stated times to take away our produce.
such as cotton, fruit, and so forth, and
bring us news of the big world"
1t gave me the keenest pleasure to
hear him singing my fathers praises.
but I did not tell him who was, as it
| would have been very embarrassing to
have gone into a long explanation; and
so let him regard me as one who was
travelling for recreation, and who had
lost his belongings when the Nightin-
gale went down. In this character I
took I'D my quarters in his pleasant
house, and he played the host so natur-
ally. and, withal, SO kindly, that my
heart was drawn towards him. and be-
fore had been week on the island l
told him that had come from England
simply and solely to see Capt. Ire
mayne.
Some ten days had passed, and I was
sleeping, in the cool of the evening, on
the veranda that surrounded the house
when I was aroused by commot1on
betokening that something Of more
than ordinary moment was about to
happen, and noticed that the inhab-
itants of the village We're hurrying to
the pier. Joining them, I saw on the
horizon the smoke of steamer, and 1
knew that in few hours I should be
looking on the features Of him whom
my soul hungered to see.
Night came on quickly, and darkness
had set in some time when we saw the
lights of vessel close to the headland,
and in answer to the glare that went
I'D from the huge bonfire the islanders
had lighted. She threw up a rocket.
Everyone was so excited that my pres
ence was not noticed. And at last got
close to the man who had played host
to my willing guest.
"I want to speak to you for one min
ute," / said. IT have come thousands
of miles, as told you, to see Capt. Ire
| mayne, and tell him something that
so nearly concerns him that anyone
| preventing my doing so will be putting
him in danger of his life. Can you not
contrive that I may see him, in your
presence. and yours only, as soon as
possible?"
He hestated for moment.
Your reasons for seeing him must be
urgent" he said. "Tell me who you
are
| I felt could trust this man.