Year: 1877

What was the lost Captain doing? and
what chance had the crew of finding him
that night.


He had committed himself TO his des-
perate adventure, without forming any
plan for the preservation of his own
safety, without even giving momentary
consideration TO the consequences that
that might follow. The charming picture
that he had seen through his telescope
had haunted him night and day. The
image of the innocent creature secluded
from humanity in her island solitude,
was the one image that filled his mind.
A man passing woman on the street,
acts on the impulse to turn and follow
her, and in that one thoughtless moment
shapes the destiny of his future life. The
Captain seeing the canoe on the beach,
acted on a similar impulse when he took
the paddle and shaped his reckless course
for the tabooed island.


Reaching the shore while it was still
dark, he did one sensible thing-he hid
the canoe so that it might not betray him
when the daylight came. That done, he
waited for the morning on the outskirts
of the forest.


The trembling light of dawn revealed
the mysterious solitude around him. Fol
lowing the outer limit of the trees, first
in one direction and then in another and
iinding no trace of any living creature,
he decided on penetrating TO the interior
of the island. He entered the forest.
An hour Of walking brought him to ri
sing ground. Continuing the ascent, he
got clear of the trees. and stood on the
grassy top of broad cliff which over
looked the sea. An open hut was on the
cliff: He cautiously looked in and dis.
covered that is was empty. The few
household utensils left about. and the
simple bed of leaves in the corner, we're
covered with fine sandy dust Night
birds flew blundering out of inner cavi-
ties in the roof, and took refuge in the
shawdows of the forest below. 1t was
plain that the hut had not been inhabit-
ed for some time past.


Standing at the open doorway, and
considering what he should do next, the
Captain saw bird fying toward him
out of the forest. Ii WAS u turtle-dOve,
so tame tina. it fiuttered close up to him.
At the some moment the sound ofsweet



laughter became audiable among the
trees. His heart beat fast; he advanced
few steps and stopped. In moment
the nymph of the island appeared, in
her white robe, ascending the cliff in
pursuit of her truant bird. She saw him,
and Suddenly stood still, struck motion
.ess by the amazing discovery that had
burst upon her. The Captain approach
ed, smiling, and held out his hand. She
never moved; she stood before him in
helpless wonderment her lovely black
eyes fixed onhini spell-bound; her dusky
bosom palpitating above the fallen folds
of her robe; her rich red lips parted in
mute establishment Spell bound on his
side. feasting his eyes on her beauty in
silence. the Captain, after a while, reeov
cred himself. He ventured to speak to
her in the language of the main island.
The sound of his voice addressing her
IN the language that she knew, reused
the lovely creature to action. She start
ed, stepped close up to him, and drop
ed on her knees at his feet.


MY father worships invisible deities ;
she said softly. Are you visible del
ty? Has my mother sent you?" She
pointed as she spoke to the deserted hut
behind them. You appear to me-" she
went on, "in the place where my mother
died. Is it for her sake that you show
yourself to her child? Beautiful deity?
come to the Temple-come to my faith
err


The Captain gently raised her from
the ground. If her father saw him he
was doomed man. infatuated as he
was, he had sense enough left to an
nounce himself plainly in his OWN char
acter, as a mortal creature from a far
distant land. The girl instantly drew
back from him with look Of terror.


He is not like my father she said to
herself; "he is not like me. Is he the
lying demon of the prophecy? lshe the
pedestineo destroyer of our islandg


The Captains experience of the sex
showed him the only sure way out oi
the awkard position in which ne was now
placed. He appealed to his personal
appearance. -rf. .llE


~Do look like demons" he asked.