BlownToBits

ByR.M.Ballantyne

BLOWNTOBITS

CHAPTERITHEPLAYCOMMENCES

Blowntobits;bitssoinconceivably,soineffably,so"microscopically"smallthatbutletusnotanticipate.Aboutthedarkesthourofaverydarknight,intheyear1883,alargebriglaybecalmedontheIndianOcean,notfarfromthatregionoftheEasternworldwhichisassociatedinsomemindswithspices,volcanoes,coffee,andpiraticaljunks,namely,theMalayArchipelago.Twomenslowlypacedthebrig'squarter-deckforsometimeinsilence,asifthe elemental quietudewhichprevailed aboveandbelowhad infected them.Bothmenwerebroad,andapparentlystrong.Oneofthemwastall;theothershort.Morethanthisthefeeblelightofthebinnacle-lampfailedtoreveal."Father," said the tall man to the short one, "I do like to hear the gentlepatteringof thereefpointsonthesails; it issosuggestiveofpeaceandrest.Doesn'titstrikeyouso?""Can't say it does, lad," replied the short man, in a voice which, naturallymellowandhearty,hadbeenrenderednauticallyharshandgruffbyyearsofpersistentroaringintheteethofwindandweather."Moresuggestivetomeoflosttimeandlee-way."

The son laughed lightly, a pleasant, kindly, soft laugh, in keeping with thesceneandhour."Why,father,"heresumedafterabriefpause,"youaresosternlypracticalthatyoudriveallthesentimentoutofafellow.Ihadalmostrisentotheregionsofpoetryjustnow,underthepleasantinfluencesofnature.""Glad I got hold of 'ee, lad, before you rose," growled the captain of thebrigforsuchtheshortmanwas."Whenayoungfellowlikeyougetsupintothe clouds o' poetry, he's like a man in a balloonscarce knows how he gotthere; doesn't know very well how he's to get down, an' has no more ideawherehe'sgoin'to,orwhathe'sdrivin'at,thanthemaninthemoon.Takemyadvice, lad, an' get out o' poetical regions as fast as ye can. It don't suit ayoungfellowwhohasgottododutyasfirstmateofhisfather'sbrigandpushhiswayintheworldasaseaman.WhenIsentyoutoschoolan'madeyouafar better scholar thanmyself, I had no notion theywas goin' to teach youpoetry."The captain delivered the last word with an emphasis which was meant toconveytheideaofprofoundbutnotill-naturedscorn."Why, father," returned the young man, in a tone which plainly told of agleefullaughwithinhim,whichwasasyetrestrained,"itwasnotschoolthatputpoetryintomeifindeedtherebeanyinmeatall.""Whatwasit,then?""Itwasmother,"returnedtheyouth,promptly,"andsurelyyoudon'tobjecttopoetryinher.""Object!" cried the captain, as though speaking in the teethof aNor'wester."Ofcoursenot.Butthen,Nigel,poetryinyourmotherispoetry,an'shecandoit, ladscreedsof itequal to anything thatDibdin,or,or,thatother fellow,youknow, I forget his nameever put pen towhy, yourmother is herself a poem!neatlymadeup,roundedoffatthecorners,French-polishedandallshipshape.Ha!youneedn'tgoan'shelteryourselfunderherwings,wi'yourinflated,upintheclouds,reef-point-patterin',balloon-likenonsense.""Well,well,father,don'tgetsohotaboutit;Iwon'toffendagain.Besides,I'mquite content to take a very lowplace so long as yougivemother her rightposition. We won't disagree about that, but I suspect that we differconsiderablyabouttheothermatteryoumentioned.""Whatothermatter?"demandedthesire.

"Mydoingdutyasfirstmate,"answeredtheson."Itmustbequiteevidenttoyoubythistime,Ishouldthink,thatIamnotcutoutforasailor.Afterallyourtrouble,andmyowneffortsduring this longvoyage round theCape, I'mnobetter than an amateur. I told you that a youth taken fresh from college,withoutanypreviousexperienceoftheseaexceptinboats,couldnotbelickedintoshapeinsoshortatime.ItisabsurdtocallmefirstmateoftheSunshine.ThatisinrealityMr.Moor'sposition""No, it isn't, Nigel, my son," interrupted the captain, firmly. "Mr. Moor issecondmate.Isayso,an'ifI,theskipperandownero'thisbrig,don'tknowit,I'dliketoknowwhodoes!Now,lookhere,lad.You'vealwayshadabadhabitofunderratin'yourselfan'contradictin'yourfather.I'manoldsalt,youknow,an'Itell'eethatforthetimeyou'vebinatsea,an'theopportunitiesyou'vehad,you'reasorto'walkin'miracle.You'renomoreanammytoorthanIam,andanothervoyageortwowillmakeyouquitefittoworkyourwayallovertheocean,an'finallytotakecommando'thisherebrig,an'letyouroldfatherstayathomewi'wi'""WiththePoetess,"suggestedNigel."Justsowi'theequalo'Dibdin,nottomentiontheotherfellow.Nowitseemstome.How's'erhead?"Thecaptainsuddenlychangedthesubjecthere.Nigel,whochancedtobestandingnextthebinnacle,stoopedtoexaminethecompass,andthefloodoflightfromitslamprevealedasmoothbutmanlyandhandsome facewhich seemedquite to harmonisewith the cheery voice thatbelongedtoit."Nor'-east-and-by-east,"hesaid."Are'eesure,lad?""Your doubting me, father, does not correspond with your lately expressedopinionofmyseamanship;doesit?""Let me see," returned the captain, taking no notice of the remark, andstoopingtolookatthecompasswithacriticaleye.The flood of light, in this case, revealed a visage inwhich good-nature hadevidently struggled for years against the virulent opposition of wind andweather, and had come off victorious, though not without evidences of theconflict. At the same time it revealed features similar to those of the son,thoughsomewhatruggedandred,besidesbeingsmotheredinhair.

"Vulcanmustbeconcoctin'anewbrew,"hemuttered,ashegazedinquiringlyoverthebow,"orhe'sstirringupanoldone.""Whatd'youmean,father?""I mean that there's somethin' goin' on there-awayin the neighbourhood o'SundaStraits," answered theCaptain, directing attention to that point of thecompass towardswhich theship'sheadwas turned."Darkness like thisdon'thappenwithoutacause.I'vehadsomeexperienceo'themseasbeforenow,an'depend upon it that Vulcan is stirring up some o' the fires that are alwaysblazin'away,moreorless,aroundtheStraitsSettlements.""Bywhichyoumean, I suppose, that oneof the numerous volcanoes in theMalayArchipelagohasbecomeactive,"saidNigel;"butarewenotsomefiveor six hundred miles to the sou'-west of Sunda? Surely the influence ofvolcanicactioncouldscarcelyreachsofar.""So far!" repeated the captain, with a sort of humph which was meant toindicatemildcontempt;"thatshowshowlittleyouknow,withallyourbook-learnin',aboutvolcanoes.""I don't profess to know much, father," retorted Nigel in a tone of cheerydefiance."Why, boy," continued the other, resuming his perambulation of the deck,"explosionshavesometimesbeenheardforhundreds,ayhundreds,ofmiles.IthoughtIheardonejustnow,butnodoubttheunusualdarknessworksupmyimaginationandmakesmesuspicious,forit'swonderfulwhatfoolstheimag.Hallo!D'eefeelthat?"Hewentsmartlytowardsthebinnacle-light,ashespoke,and,holdinganarmclosetoit,foundthathissleevewassprinkledwithathincoatingoffinedust."Didn't I say so?" he exclaimed in some excitement, as he ran to the cabinskylight and glanced earnestly at the barometer. That glance caused him toshouta suddenorder to take inall sail.At thesamemomenta sighofwindswept over the sleeping sea as if the storm-fiend were expressing regret athavingbeensopromptlydiscoveredandmet.Seamen are well used to sudden dangerespecially in equatorial seasand toprompt,unquestioningaction.NotmanyminuteselapsedbeforetheSunshinewasunder the smallest amountof sail shecouldcarry.Evenbefore thishadbeenwellaccomplishedastiffbreezewastearingupthesurfaceoftheseaintowildfoam,whichafuriousgalesoonraisedintoragingbillows.

Thestormcamefrom theSundaStraitsaboutwhich thecaptainandhis sonhadjustbeentalking,andwassoviolentthattheycoulddonothingbutscudbeforeitunderalmostbarepoles.Allthatnightitraged.Towardsmorningitincreasedtosuchapitchthatoneoftheback-staysoftheforemastgaveway.Theresultwasthattheadditionalstrainthusthrownontheotherstayswastoomuch for them. They also parted, and the fore-top-mast, snapping short offwith a report like a cannon-shot, went over the side, carrying the main-topgallant-mastandallitsgearalongwithit.

CHAPTERIITHEHAVENINTHECORALRING

It seemed as if the storm-fiend were satisfied with the mischief he hadaccomplished,forimmediatelyafterthedisasterjustdescribed,thegalebegantomoderate,andwhen thesunrose ithadbeenreduced toastiffbutsteadybreeze.Fromthemomentoftheaccidentonward, thewholecrewhadbeenexertingthemselvestotheutmostwithaxeandknifetocutandclearawaythewreckofthemastsandrepairdamages.Not the least energetic among themwas our amateur firstmate,NigelRoy.Whenallhadbeenmadecomparativelysnug,hewentafttowherehisfatherstoodbesidethesteersman,withhislegsnauticallywideapart,hissou'-westerpulled well down over his frowning brows, and his hands in their nativepockets."Thisisabadendingtoaprosperousvoyage,"saidtheyouth,sadly;"butyoudon'tseemtotakeitmuchtoheart,father!""Howmuchor little I take it toheartyouknownothin'whatever about,myboy,seein'thatIdon'twearmyheartonmycoat-sleeve,noryetonthepointofmynose,fortheinspectionofallandsundry.Besides,youcan'ttellwhetherit's a bad or a good endin', for it has not ended yet one way or another.Moreover,whatappearsbadisoftenfoundtobegood,an'whatseemsgoodisprettyoftenuncommonbad.""Youareawalkingdictionaryoftruisms,father!Isupposeyoumeantotakeaphilosophicalviewofthemisfortuneandmakethebestofit,"saidNigel,withwhatwemaystyleoneofhistwinklingsmiles,foronnearlyalloccasionsthatyoungman'sdark,browneyestwinkled,inspiteofhim,asvigorouslyasany"little star" that was ever told in prose or song to do soand much moreexpressively, too, becauseof the eyebrowsofwhich little stars appear to bedestitute.

"No, lad," retorted the captain; "I take a common-sense viewnot aphilosophical one; an' when you've bin as long at sea as I have, you'll callnothin'amisfortuneuntilit'sprovedtobesuch.TheonlymisfortuneIhaveatpresentisasonwhocannotseethingsinthesamelightashisfathersees'em.""Well, then, according to your own principle that is the reverse of amisfortune,forifIsaweverythinginthesamelightthatyoudo,you'dhavenopleasureintalkingtome,you'dhavenooccasiontoreasonmeoutoferror,orconvincemeoftruth.Takethesubjectofpoetry,now""Luff,"saidCaptainRoy,sternly,tothemanatthewheel.Whenthemanatthewheelhadgonethroughthenauticalevolutioninvolvedin"luff,"thecaptainturnedtohissonandsaidabruptly"We'llrunfortheCocos-Keelin'Islands,Nigel,an'refit.""AretheKeelingIslandsfaroff?""Liftupyourheadand lookstraightalong thebridgeofyournose, lad,andyou'llseethem.They'reaninterestinggroup,aretheKeelin'Islands.Volcanic,theyare,witha coral top-dressin', so to speak.Sitdownherean' I'll tell 'eeabout'em."Nigel shut up the telescope throughwhich he had been examining the thin,bluelineonthehorizonthatindicatedtheislandsinquestion,andsatdownonthecabinskylightbesidehisfather."They'vegotaromantichistorytoo,thoughashortone,an'aresetlikeagemonthebosomofthedeepbluesea""Come,father,you'redriftingoutofyourtruecoursethat'spoetical!""Iknowit,lad,butI'monlyquotin'yourmother.Well,youmustknowthattheKeelin' Islandswe call themKeelin' for shortwere uninhabited between fiftyand sixty years ago, when a Scotsman named Ross, thinking them wellsituatedasaportofcallfortherepairandprovisioningofvesselsontheirwaytoAustraliaandChina,sethisheartonthemandquietlytookpossessioninthename of England. Then he went home to fetch his wife and family of sixchildren,intendin'tosettleontheislandsforgood.Returningin1827withthefamily and fourteen adventurers, twelve of whom were English, one aPortugeeandoneaJavanee,hefoundtohisdisgustthatanEnglishmannamedHarehadstepped inbeforehimand takenpossession.ThisHarewasaverybad fellow; a richmanwhowanted to live like aRajah,with lots o' nativewivesandretainers,an'beasortofindependentprince.Ofcoursehewason

bad termsatoncewithRoss,who, finding that thingsweregoingbadly, feltthat itwouldbeunfair toholdhispeople to theagreementwhichwasmadewhenhethoughtthewholegroupwashisown,soheofferedtoreleasethem.Theyall,excepttwomenandonewoman,acceptedthereleaseandwentoffinagun-boatthatchancedtotouchthereatthetime.ForagoodwhileHareandhis rival lived therethe one tryin' to get the Dutch, the other to induce theEnglishGovernmenttoclaimpossession.NeitherDutchnorEnglishwoulddosoatfirst,buttheEnglishdiditatlong-lastin1878andannexedtheislandstotheGovernmentofCeylon."Longbeforethatdate,howeverbefore1836HareleftandwenttoSingapore,wherehedied,leavingRossinpossessionthe'KingoftheCocosIslands'ashecame tobecalled. Ina fewyearschiefly through theenergyofRoss's eldestson,towhomhesoongaveupthemanagementofaffairstheGroupbecameaprosperoussettlement.Itsshipstradedincocoa-nuts(thechiefproduceoftheislands)throughoutalltheStraitsSettlements,andboat-buildin'becameoneoftheirmostimportantindustries.Buttherewasonethingthatpreventeditfrombein'averyhappythoughprosperousplace,an'thatwasthecoolieswhohadbeen hired in Java, for the only men that could be got there at first werecriminalswhohad served their time in thechain-gangsofBatavia.As thesemenwerefitforanythingfrompitch-and-tosstomurderandsoonoutnumberedthecolonists,theplacewaskeptinconstantalarmandwatchfulness.For,asIdaresayyouknow,theMalaysaresometimesliabletohavethespiritofamokonthem,whichleadsthemtocareforandfearnothin',andtogoinforafight-to-death,fromwhichwegetoursayin'runamuck.An'whenastrongfellowisgoin' about loose in this state o' mind, it's about as bad as havin' a tigerprowlin'inone'sgarden.""Well,sometimestwoorthreeo' thesecoolieswouldmutinyandhideinthewoodso'oneo'thesmalleruninhabitedislands.An'thecolonistswouldhavenorest till theyhunted themdown.So, tokeepmatters right, theyhad tobeuncommonstrict.Itwasmadelawthatnooneshouldspendthenightonanybut what was called the Home Island without permission. Every man wasboundtoreporthimselfattheguard-houseatafixedhour;everyfiretobeoutatsunset,andeveryboatwasnumberedandhadtobeinitsplacebeforethattime.Sotheywentontilltheyear1862,whenadisasterbefellthemthatmadeaconsiderablechangeatfirstfortheworse,butforthebetterinthelong-run.Provin' the truth,my lad, ofwhat Iwaswell, noIwasgoin' to drawamoralhere,butIwon't!"Itwasacyclonethatdidthebusiness.Cycloneshavegotafree-an'-easywayofmakin' a clean sweep of thework of years in a few hours. This cyclonecompletely wrecked the homes of the Keelin' Islanders, and Rossthat's the

secondRoss, the sonof the first onesent home for his son,whowas then astudentofengineeringinGlasgow,tocomeoutandhelphimtoputthingstorights.Rossthethirdobeyedthecall,likeagoodson,observethat,Nigel.""Allright,father,fireaway!""Like agood son," repeated the captain, "an' he turnedout tobe a first-rateman,whichwaslucky,forhispoorfatherdiedsoonafter,leavin'himtodotheworkalone.An'wellablewas theyoungengineer todo it.Hegot rido' thechain-gangmen altogether, and hired none butmen o' the best character intheirplace.Heclearedoff theforestsandplanted thegroundwithcocoa-nutpalms.Gotoutsteammills,circularsaws,lathes,etc.,andestablishedasystemofgeneraleducationwithayoungerbrotherashead-masteran'tail-mastertoo,forIbelievetherewasonlyone.Healsotaughtthementoworkinbrass,iron,andwood,andhiswifeaCocosgirlthathemarriedaftercomin'outtaughtallthewomenandgirlstosew,cook,andmanagethehouse.Inshort,everythingwenton in full swingofprosperity, till theyear1876,when the island-borninhabitantswereabout500,ascontentedandhappyascouldbe."InJanuaryofthatyearanothercyclonepaidthemavisit.Thebarometergavethemwarning,and,rememberingthevisitoffourteenyearsbefore,theymadeready to receive the new visitor. All the boats were hauled up to places ofsafety,andeveryotherpreparationwasmade.Downitcame,ontheafternoono' the28thworse than theyhadexpected.Manyof the storehousesandmillshad been lately renewed or built. They were all gutted and demolished.Everythingmovablewas swept away like bits of paper. Lanes, hundreds ofyards in length, were cleared among the palm trees by the whirling wind,which seemed to perform a demon-dance of revelry among them. In somecases it snapped trees off close to theground. In others it seemed to swoopdownfromabove,lickupapatchoftreesbodilyandcarrythemcleanaway,leavingthesurroundingtreesuntouched.Sometimesitwouldselecta treeofthirty years growth, seize it, spin it round, and leave it a permanent spiralscrew.Iwasintheseregionsaboutthetime,andhadtheaccountfromanativewho had gone through it all and couldn't speak of it except with glaringeyeballsandgaspingbreath."Aboutmidnightofthe28ththegalewasatitsworst.Darknessthatcouldbefeltbetweentheflashesoflightning.Thunderthatwasnearlydrownedbytheroaringofthewindan'thecrashingofeverythingallround.Tosavetheirlivesthepeoplehadtoflingthemselvesintoditchesandhollowsoftheground.Mr.Rossandsomeofhispeoplewerelyingintheshelterofawallnearhishouse.Therehadbeenaschooner lyingnot faroff.WhenMr.Rossraisedhisheadcautiously above the wall to have a look to wind'ard he saw the schoonercomin'straightforhimonthetopofabigwave.'Holdon!'heshouted,fellflat

down, and laid hold o' the nearest bush.Nextmoment thewave burst rightover thewall, roaredonup to thegarden,150yardsabovehighwatermark,and swepthishouse cleanaway!Bygood fortune thewall stood the shock,andtheschoonerstuckfastjustbeforereachin'it,butsonearthattheendofthe jib-boompassed rightover theplacewhere thehousehold layholdin'onfor dear life and half drowned. It was a tremendous night," concluded thecaptain, "an' nearly everything on the islands was wrecked, but they'vesurvivedit,asyou'llsee.Thoughit'ssevenyearssincethatcycloneswep'overthem, they're all right and goin' ahead again, full swing, as if nothin' hadhappened.""AndisRossIII.stillking?"askedNigelwithmuchinterest."Ayat least he was king a few years ago when I passed this way and hadoccasiontolandtoreplaceatops'lyardthathadbeencarriedaway.""Thenyouwon'tarriveasastranger?""Ishouldthinknot,"returnedthecaptain,gettingupandgazingsteadilyattheatollorgroupofisletsenclosedwithinacoralringwhichtheyweregraduallyapproaching.Nighthaddescended,however,andthegalehaddecreasedalmosttoacalm,eretheysteeredthroughthenarrowchannelorwhatwemaycallabrokenpartoftheringwhichledtothecalmlagooninside.NigelRoyleanedoverthebow,watchingwithprofoundattention thenumerousphosphorescent fishandeel-like creatures which darted hither and thither like streaks of silver frombeneaththeiradvancingkeel.Hehadenoughofthenaturalistinhimtoarouseinhismindkeeninterestinthehabitsandactionoftheanimallifearoundhim,andthesedenizensofthecoral-groveswereasnewtohimastheirappearancewasunexpected."You'llfind'emverykindandhospitable,lad,"saidthecaptaintohisson."What,thefish?""No,theinhabitants.Portportsteady!""Steadyitis!"respondedthemanatthewheel."Letgo!"shoutedthecaptain.Aheavyplunge,followedbytherattlingofchainsandswingingroundofthebrig,toldthattheyhadcometoananchorinthelagoonoftheCocos-KeelingIslands.

CHAPTERIII

INTERESTINGPARTICULARSOFVARIOUSKINDS

BythefirstblushofdawnNigelRoyhastenedondeck,eagertoseetheplacein regard to which his father's narrative had awakened in him considerableinterest.It not only surpassed but differed from all his preconceived ideas. The brigfloatedon thebosomofaperfectlycalm lakeof severalmiles inwidth, thebottom of which, with its bright sand and brilliant coral-beds, could bedistinctly seen through the pellucidwater. This lakewas encompassed by areef of coral which swelled here and there into tree-clad islets, and againstwhichthebreakersoftheIndianOceanweredashedintosnowyfoamintheirvainbut ceaseless efforts to invade thecalmserenityof the lagoon.Smallerislands,richwithvegetation,werescatteredhereandtherewithinthecharmedcircle, throughwhichseveralchannelsofvariousdepthsandsizesconnectedthelagoonwiththeocean."Weshallsoonhavethekinghimselfofftowelcomeus,"saidCaptainRoyashecameondeckandgaveasailor-likeglanceallroundthehorizonandthenupattheskyfromthemereforceofhabit."Visitorsarenotnumeroushere.Afew scientific men have landed now and again; Darwin the great naturalistamongothers in1836,andForbes in1878.Nodoubt they'llbeveryglad towelcomeNigelRoyinthisyearofgrace1883.""ButI'mnotanaturalist,father,more'sthepity.""Nomatter,lad;you'reanammytoorfirstmate,an'pr'apsapoetmaycountforsomethin'here.Theyleadpoeticallivesandarefondo'poetry.""Perhapsthataccountsforthefondnessyousaytheyhaveforyou,father.""Justso,lad.See!there'saboatputtin'offalready:theking,nodoubt."He was right. Mr. Ross, the appointed governor, and "King of the CocosIslands," was soon on deck, heartily shaking hands with and welcomingCaptain Roy as an old friend. He carried him and his son off at once tobreakfastinhisisland-home;introducedNigeltohisfamily,andthenshowedthemroundthesettlement,assuringthematthesametimethatallitsresourceswereattheirdisposalfortherepairoftheSunshine."Thank'eekindly,"saidthecaptaininreply,"butI'llonlyaskforasticktorigup a foretop-mast to carry us to Batavia, where we'll give the old craft aregular overhaulfor it's just possible she may have received some damage

belowthewater-line,wi'bumpin'onthemastandyards."Thehouseofthe"King"wasacommodious,comfortablebuildinginthemidstofagarden,inwhichtherewererosesingreatprofusion,aswellasfruit-treesand flowering shrubs. Each Keeling family possessed a neat well-furnishedplank cottage enclosed in a little garden, besides a boat-house at thewater-edgeon the inneror lagoonsideof thereef,andnumerousboatswere lyingabout on the white sand. The islanders, being almost born sailors, werenaturallyveryskilful ineverythingconnectedwith the sea.Therewasaboutthemagooddealofthatkindlyinnocencewhichonesomehowexpectstofindassociatedwithamildpaternalgovernmentandalimitedintercoursewiththesurroundingworld,andNigelwaspowerfullyattractedbythemfromthefirst.Afteranextensiveramble,duringwhichMr.Rosspliedthecaptainwitheagerquestionsastothelatestnewsfromthebusycentresofcivilisationespeciallywith reference to new inventions connectedwith engineeringthe island kingleft themto theirownresources tilldinner-time,saying thathehadduties toattendtoconnectedwiththekingdom!"Now,boy,"saidthecaptainwhentheirhosthadgone,"what'll'eedo?Takeaboat and have a pull over the lagoon, or go with me to visit a family I'mparticularlyfondof,an'whoareuncommonfondo'me!""Visitthefamily,ofcourse,"saidNigel."Icanhaveapullanyday.""Comealongthen."Heledthewaytooneoftheneatestoftheplankcottages,whichstoodonthehighest ridge of the island, so that from the frontwindows it commanded aviewof thegreatblueoceanwith itsbreakers that fringed thereefaswitharingofsnow,while,ontheoppositeside,laythepeacefulwatersandisletsofthelagoon.Ashoutofjoyfulsurprisewasutteredbyseveralboysandgirlsatsightofthecaptain, for during his former visit he hadwon their hearts by telling themwild stories of the sea, one half of each story being founded on fact andpersonalexperience,theotherhalfonavividimagination!"Wearerejoicedtoseeyou,"saidthemotherofthejuveniles,astoutwomanof mixed nationalitythat of Dutch apparently predominating. She spokeEnglish,however,remarkablywell,asdidmanyoftheCocospeople,thoughMalayisthelanguageofmostofthem.Theboysandgirlssoonhauledthecaptaindownonaseatandbegantourgehimtotellthemstories,usingastyleofEnglishthatwasbynomeansequalto

thatofthemother."Stop, stop, letmeseesisterKathy first. Ican'tbeginwithouther.Where isshe?""Somewhere,Is'pose,"saidtheeldestboy."Nodoubtofthat.Gofetchher,"returnedthecaptain.Atthatmomentaback-dooropened,andagirlofaboutseventeenyearsofageentered. She was pleasant-looking rather than prettytall, graceful, and withmagnificentblackeyes."Hereshecomes,"criedthecaptain,risingandkissingher."Why,Kathy,howyou'vegrownsinceIsawyoulast!Quiteawoman,Ideclare!"Kathywasnottoomuchofawoman,however,tojoinherbrothersandsistersinforcingthecaptainintoaseatanddemandingastoryonthespot."Stop,stop!"criedthecaptain,graspingroundtheirwaistsasmallboyandgirlwhohadalreadyclamberedonhisknees."Letmeinquireaboutmyoldfriendsfirstand let me introducemy son to youyou've taken no notice of him yet!That'snothospitable."All eyes were turned at once on Nigel, some boldly, others with a shyinquiringlook,asthoughtosay,Canyoutellstories?"Come,now,"saidNigel,advancing,"sinceyouareallsofondofmyfather,Imustshakehandswithyouallround."Theheartywayinwhichthiswasdoneatonceputthechildrenattheirease.Theyadmittedhim,asitwere,intotheircircle,andthenturningagaintothecaptaincontinuedtheirclamourforastory."No,noaboutoldfriendsfirst.Howhow'soldmotherMorris?""Quite well," they shouted. "Fatterer than ever," added an urchin, who inEnglandwouldhavebeenstyledcheeky."Yes,"lispedaverylittlegirl;"oneof'edoorsin'ehousetoosmallforshe.""Why,Gerchin,you'velearnedtospeakEnglishliketherest,"saidthecaptain."Yes,fathermakeeveryonelearn.""Well,now,"continuedthecaptain,"whataboutBlackSam?"

"GonetoBatavia,"chorusedthechildren."Andandwhat's-'is-name?themanwi'thenose"Aburstoflaughterand,"We'sallgotnoseshere!"wasthereply."Yes,butyouknowwhoImeantheshortmanwi'the""Oh! with the turned up nose. I know," cried the cheeky boy; "you meansJohnson?Hegoedawaynobodyknowwhar'.""AndlittleNellyDrew,whatofher?"A sudden silence fell on the group, and solemn eyes were turned on sisterKathy,whowasevidentlyexpectedtoanswer."Notdead?"saidthecaptainearnestly."No,butveryveryill,"repliedthegirl."DearNellyhavenevergitoverthelossofherbrother,who"At this point they were interrupted by another group of the captain's littleadmirers,who, having heard of his arrival, ran forward to give him a noisywelcome. Before stories could be commenced, however, the visitors weresummoned toMr.Ross's house to dinner, and then the captain had got intosuchaneagertalkwiththekingthateveningwasuponthembeforetheyknewwhere theywere, asNigel expressed it, and the stories had tobepostponeduntilthefollowingday.Of course bedswere offered, and accepted by Captain Roy andNigel. Justbeforeretiringtothem,fatherandsonwentouttohaveastrollonthemarginofthelagoon."Ain'titaniceplace,Nigel?"askedtheformer,whosekindlyspirithadbeenstirreduptoquiteajovialpitchbythegushingwelcomehehadreceivedalikefromoldandyoung."It'scharming,father.Quitedifferentfromwhatyouhadledmetoexpect.""Myboy," returned the captain,with that solemndeliberationwhichhewaswonttoassumewhenabouttodeliverapalpabletruism."W'enyou'vecometolive as long asme you'll find that everything turns out different fromwhatpeoplehavebinledtoexpect.Leastwaysthat'smyexperience.""Well, in themeantime, till I have come to your time of life, I'll take yourwordforthat,andIdohopeyouintendtostayalongtimehere."

"No,myson,Idon't.Whydoyeask?""BecauseIliketheplaceandthepeoplesomuchthatIwouldliketostudyitandthem,andtosketchthescenery.""Businessbeforepleasure,mylad,"saidthecaptainwithagraveshakeofthehead. "You knowwe've bin blown out of our course, and have no businesshereatall.I'llonlywaittillthecarpentercompleteshisrepairs,andthenbeoffforBatavia.Dutyfirst;everythingelseafterwards.""Butyoubeingowneraswellascommander,thereisnoonetoinsistondutybeingdone,"objectedNigel."Pardonme," returned the captain, "there is a certain owner namedCaptainDavidRoy,averysterndisciplinarian,whoinsistson thecommandero' thisherebrigperformin' hisduty to the letter.Youmaydependupon it that if aman ain't true to himself he's not likely to be true to any one else. But it'slikelythatwemaybehereforacoupleofdays,soIreleaseyoufromdutythatyoumaymake themosto'your timeandenjoyyourself.Bytheway, itwillsaveyouwastin'timeifyouaskthatlittlegirl,KathyHolbein,toshowyouthebestplacestosketch,forshe'saborngeniuswithherpencilandbrush.""No, thank you, father," returned Nigel. "I want no little girl to bother mewhile I'm sketchingeven though she be a born geniusfor I think I possessgeniusenoughmyselftoselectthebestpointsforsketching,andtogetalongfairlywellwithouthelp.AtleastI'lltrywhatIcando.""Please yourself, lad. Nevertheless, I think you wouldn't find poor Kathy abother;she'stoomodestforthatmoreover,shecouldmanageaboatandpullagoodoarwhenIwasherelast,andnodoubtshehasimprovedsince.""Nevertheless,I'dratherbealone,"persistedNigel."ButwhydoyoucallherpoorKathy?She seems to be quite as strong and as jolly as the rest of herbrothersandsisters.""Ah,poorthing,thesearenotherbrothersandsisters,"returnedthecaptaininagentlertone."Kathyisonlyanadoptedchild,andanorphan.Hername,Kathleen,isnotaDutchone.Shecame to these islands in a somewhat curiousway.Sit downhereandI'lltell'eethelittleIknowabouther."Fatherandsonsatdownonamassofcoralrockthathadbeenwasheduponthebeachduringsomeheavygale,andforafewminutesgazedinsilenceonthebeautiful lagoon, inwhichnotonly the islets,but thebrilliantmoonand

eventhestarryhostsweremirroredfaithfully."About thirteen years ago," said the captain, "two pirate junks in theSundaStraitsattackedaBritishbarque,and,afterafight,capturedher.Someo' thecrewwerekilledinaction,someweretakenonboardthejunkstobeheldtoransom I s'pose, and some, jumping into the sea to escape if possible byswimming, were probably drowned, for they were a considerable distancefrom land. Itwasoneo' these fellows, however,who took to thewater thatmanagedtolandontheJavashore,moredeadthanalive.Hegaveinformationabouttheaffair,andwasthecauseofagun-boat, thatwasinthesewatersatthetime,bein'sentoffinchaseo'thepiratejunks."ThismanwhoswamashorewasaLascar.Hesaidthatthechiefo'thepirates,who seemed to own both junks, was a big ferociousMalay with only oneeyehemighthaveaddedwithnoheartatall, ifwhathesaido' thescoundrelwastrue,forhebehavedwithhorriblecrueltytothecrewo'thebarque.Aftertakin' all he wanted out of his prize he scuttled her, and then divided thepeople that were saved alive between the two junks. There were severalpassengers in the vessel; among them a young mana widowerwith a littledaughter, four year old or so. He was bound for Calcutta. Being a verypowerful man he fought like a lion to beat the pirates off, but he wassurroundedandat lastknockeddownbyablowfrombehind.Thenhisarmsweremadefastandhewassentwi'therestintothebiggestjunk."Thispoorfellowrecoveredhissensesaboutthetimethepiratesweredividin'theprisonersamongthem.Heseemeddazedatfirst,sosaidtheLascar,butashemust have bin in a considerable funk himself I suspect his observationscouldn'thavebinverycorrect.Anyhow,hesaidhewassittin'nearthesideo'thejunkbesidethispoorman,whosenameheneverknew,butwhoseemedtobe anEnglishman fromhis language,when awild screamwas heard in theotherjunk.Itwasthelittlegirlwhohadcaughtsightofherfatherandbegantounderstandthatshewasgoingtobeseparatedfromhim.Atthesoundo'hervoice he started up, and, looking round like awild bull, caught sight o' thelittleoneon thedecko' theother junk, justas theywerehoistin'sail to takeadvantageofabreezethathadsprungup."Whetheritwasthattheyhadboundthemanwithapieceo'badrope,orthatthestrengtho'Samsonhadbeengiventohim,theLascarcouldnottell,buthesaw the Englishman snap the rope as if it had bin a bit o' pack-thread, andjump overboard. He swam for the junk where his little girl was. If he hadpossessedthestrengthofadozenSamsonsitwouldhaveavailedhimnothin',forthebigsailhadcaughtthebreezeandgotwayonher.Atthesametimetheotherjunklayovertothesamebreezeandthetwoseparated.Atfirsttheone-eyedpiratejumpedupwithanoathandfiredapistolshotattheEnglishman,

but missed him. Then he seemed to change his mind and shouted in badEnglish,withadiabolical laugh'Swimaway;swimhard,p'rapsyoukitch 'imup!'Ofcoursethetwojunksweresoonoutofsighto' thepoorswimmerandthatwastheendofhim,for,ofcourse,hemusthavebeendrowned.""But what of the poor little girl?" asked Nigel, whose feelings were easilytouched by the sorrows of children, and who began to have a suspicion ofwhatwascoming."I'm just comin' to that.Well, the gun-boat thatwent to look for the piratessighted one o' the junks out in the Indian Ocean after a long search andcapturedher,butnotasingleoneo'thebarque'screwwastobefoundinher,and it was supposed they had been allmurdered and thrown overboardwi'shotstiedtotheirfeettosinkthem.Enougho'thecargoo'theBritishbarquewasfound,however,toconvicther,andonamorecarefulsearchbein'made,thelittlegirlwasdiscovered,hidawayinthehold.Bein'onlyaboutfouryearold,thepoorlittlethingwastoofrightenedtounderstandthequestionsputtoher.Allshecouldsaywasthatshewanted'togotofather,'andthathernamewasKathy,probablyshortforKathleen,butshecouldnottell.""Thenthatisthegirlwhoisnowhere?"exclaimedNigel."Thesame,lad.Thegun-boatraninhere,likeaswedid,tohavesomeslightrepairsdone,andKathywaslanded.SheseemedtotakeatoncetomotherlyMrs.Holbein,whoofferedtoadopther,andasthecaptainofthegun-boathadnomorenotionthantheman-in-the-moonwhothechildbelongedto,orwhatto dowith her, he gladly handed her over, so here she has been livin' eversince.Ofcourseattemptshavebeenmadetodiscoverherfriends,butwithoutsuccess, and now all hope has been given up. The poor girl herself neverspeaks on the subject, but oldHolbein and hiswife tellme she is sure thatKathyhasneverforgottenherfather.Itmaybeso;anyhow,shehasforgottenhisnameifsheeverknewit."NextdayNigelmadenoobjections tobeingguided to themostpicturesquespotsamongthecoralislesbytheinterestingorphangirl.Ifshehadbeenolderhe might even have fallen in love with her, an event which would havenecessitated an awkwardmodification of the ground-work of our tale.As itwas, he pitied the poor child sincerely, and not onlyrecognising hergeniusaskedheradviceagooddealonthesubjectofart,butrecognisingalsoher extreme youth and ignorancevolunteered a good deal of advice inexchange,quiteinapaternalway!

CHAPTERIVNIGELUNDERGOESSOMEQUITENEWANDINTERESTING

EXPERIENCESThe arrangements made on the following day turned out to be quite inaccordancewiththewishesandtastesofthevariouspartiesconcerned.The ship's carpenter havingbeenduly set toworkon the repairs, andbeinginspected in that serious piece of prosaic business by the secondmate, ourcaptainwassetfreetocharmtheverysoulsofthejuvenilesbywanderingformiles along the coral strand inventing, narrating, exaggerating to his heart'scontent.Pausingnowandthentoaskquestionsirrelevanttothestoryinhand,likeawilyactor,forthepurposeofintensifyingthedesireformore,hewouldmountablockofcoral,andthence,sometimesasfromathrone,orplatform,orpulpit,impresssomeprofoundpieceofwisdom,orsomethrillingpoint,orsome exceedingly obviousmoral on his followers open-mouthed and open-eyed.Thesewerebynomeansidlers,steepedinthetoocommonbusinessofhavingnothingtodo.No,theyhadregularlysoughtandobtainedaholidayfromworkorschool; forall theactivitiesofsocialandcivilised lifeweregoingonfullswingfuller, indeed, than the average swingin that remote, scarcely known,andbeautifullittlegemoftheIndianOcean.MeanwhileNigelandKathy,withsketch-booksundertheirarms,wentdownto where the clear waters of the lagoon rippled on the white sand, and,launchingacockleshellofaboat,rowedouttowardtheislets."Now,Kathy,youmust letmepull," saidNigel,pushingout the sculls, "foralthoughthecaptaintellsmeyouareverygoodatrowing,itwouldneverdoforaman,youknow,tositlazilydownandlethimselfberowedbyagirl.""Verywell,"saidKathy,withaquietandmostcontentedsmile,forshehadnotyet reached the self-conscious ageat least, as ages go in the Cocos-KeelingIslands!Besides,Kathywasgiftedwiththatcharmingdispositionwhichneverobjectstoanythinganything,ofcourse,thatdoesnotinvolveprinciple!But it was soon found that, as the cockleshell had no rudder, and theintricacies they had towind amongwere numerous, frequent directions andcorrectionswerecalledforfromthegirl."D'youknow,"saidNigelatlast,"asIdon'tknowwhereyouwantmetogoto,itmaybeaswell,afterall,thatyoushouldrow!""Verywell,"saidKathy,withanotherofherinnocentsmiles."Ithinkeditwillbebettersoatfirst."

Nigel couldnothelp laughingat theway she said this ashehandedher thesculls.She soon proved herself to be a splendid boatwoman, and although herdelicateandshapelyarmswereasmerepipe-stemstothegreatbrawnylimbsofhercompanion,yet shehadadeft,mysteriouswayofhandling thescullsthatsentthecockleshellfasteroverthelagoonthanbefore."Now,wegoashorehere,"saidKathy, turning theboat,withapromptback-wateroftheleftscull,andavigorouspulloftherightone,intoalittlecovejustbigenoughtoholdit.Thekeelwentwithsuchaplumponthesand,thatNigel,whosatonaforwardthwartwithhisbacklandward,reversedthenaturalorderofthingsbyputtinghisbackonthebottomoftheboatandhisheelsintheair.To thisday it is anunsettledquestionwhether thiswasdoneonpurposebyKathy. Certain it is that she did not tumble, but burst into a hearty fit oflaughter,whileherlargelustrouseyeshalfshutthemselvesupandtwinkled."Why, you don't even apologise, you dreadful creature!" exclaimed Nigel,joininginthelaugh,ashepickedhimselfup."Why should I 'pologise?" asked the girl, in the somewhat broken Englishacquiredfromheradoptedfamily."Whyyounotlookout?""Right, Kathy, right; I'll keep a sharp lookout next time.Meanwhile I willreturngoodforevilbyofferingmyhandtohelpyouahallo!"Whilehespokethegirlhadsprungpasthimlikeagrasshopper,andalightedonthesandlikeabutterfly.Afewminuteslaterandthislittlejestingfithadvanished,andtheywerebothengagedwithpencilandbook,eagerlyforbothwereenthusiasticsketchingoneofthemostenchantingscenesthatcanwellbeimagined.Wewillnotattempttheimpossible.Descriptioncouldnotconveyit.Wecanonlyreferthereader'simaginationtotheoneold,hackneyedbutexpressive,wordfairyland!Onepeculiarlyinterestingpointinthescenewas,thatontheoppositesideofthelagoonthecaptaincouldbeseenholdingforthtohisjuvenileaudience.ARTONTHEKEELINGISLANDSARTONTHEKEELINGISLANDSWhenaprettylongtimehadelapsedinabsolutesilence,eachsketcherbeing

totallyobliviousoftheother,Nigellookedupwithalongsigh,andsaid:"Well,youhavechosenamostexquisitesceneforme.ThemoreIworkatit,themoreIfindtoadmire.MayIlooknowatwhatyouhavedone?""Ohyes,butIhavedonenotmuch.Iamslow,"saidthegirl,asNigelroseandlookedoverhershoulder."Why!whathowbeautiful!butbutwhatdoyoumean?"exclaimedtheyouth."Idon'tunderstandyou,"saidthegirl,lookingupinsurprise."Why,Kathy,Ihadsupposedyouweredrawingthatmagnificentlandscapeallthistime,andandyou'veonlybeendrawingagroupofshells.Splendidlydone,Iadmit,butwhy"Hestoppedatthatmoment,forhereyessuddenlyfilledwithtears."Forgiveme,dearchild,"saidNigel,hurriedly;"Ididnotintendtohurtyourfeelings.Iwasonlysurprisedatyourpreference.""Youhavenothurtme," returnedKathy in a lowvoice, as she resumedherwork,"butwhatyousaycallsbacktomemyfatherwasveryfondofshells."She stopped, and Nigel, blaming himself for having inadvertently touchedsometenderchord,hastened,somewhatclumsily,tochangethesubject."Youdrawlandscapealso,Idoubtnot?""Ohyesplenty.Ifyoucomehometometo-night,Iwillshowyousome.""I shall be only too happy," returned the youth, sitting down again to hissketch, "and perhaps I may be able to give you a hint or twoespecially inreference toperspectivefor I'vehad regular training,youknow,Kathy,and Idaresayyouhavenothadthathere.""Notwhatyouwillthinkmuch,perhaps,yetIhavestudyalittleinschool,andverymuchfromNature.""Well,youhavebeenunderthebestofmasters,"returnedNigel,"ifyouhavestudiedmuchfromNature.Andwhohasbeenyourotherteacher?""A brother ofMr. Ross. I think hemust understand verymuch.Hewas anengineer, and has explained tome the rules of perspective, andmany otherthingswhichwereatfirstveryhardtounderstand.ButIdoseethemnow.""Perhaps then,Kathleen," saidNigel, in that drawling, absent tone inwhich

artistsareapttoindulgewhenbusyatwork"perhapsyoumaybealreadytoofaradvancedtorequireinstructionfromme.""PerhapsbutIthinkno,foryouseemstounderstandagreatdeal.ButwhyyoucallmeKathleenjustnow?""BecauseIsupposethatisyourrealnameKathybeingtheshortforit.Isitnotso?""Well, p'raps it is. I have hearmotherHolbein say so once. I likeKathleenbest.""Then,mayIcallyouKathleen?""Ifyoulike."Atthispointbothartistshadbecomesoengrossedintheiroccupationthattheyceased to converse, and for a considerable time profound silence reignedatleastontheirpart,thoughnotasregardedothers,foreverynowandthenthefaintsoundoflaughtercamefloatingoverthetranquillagoonfromthatpartofthe coral strand where Captain Roy was still tickling the fancies andexpanding the imaginations and harrowing or soothing the feelings of theCocos-Keelingjuveniles.Inferioranimallifewasalsoinceaselessactivityaroundthesketchers,fillingthe airwith those indescribablyquiet noiseswhich are so suggestiveof thatgeneralhappinesswhichwasoriginallyinterrestialparadiseandisultimatelytobethelotofredeemedcreation.Snipeandcurlewswerewadingwithjauntystepandabsorbedinquiringgazeintheshallowpools.Hermitcrabsofseveralspeciesandsizeswerescuttlingabout searching for convenient shells in which to deposit their naturallyhomelessandtendertails.Overheadtherewasasortofsea-rookery,thetreesbeing tenanted by numerous gannets, frigate birds, and ternsthe first gazingwitha stupidyetangryair; the lastonebeautiful little snow-white species inparticularhoveringonlyafewfeetabovethesketchers'heads,whiletheirlargeblackeyesscannedthedrawingswith theowlishlookofwisdompeculiar toconnoisseurs.Noddiesalsowerethere,and,ontheground,lizardsandspidersandinnumerableantsengagedinallthevariedactivitiesconnectedwiththeirseveraldomesticarrangements.Altogetheritwasasceneofbrightpeacefulfelicity,whichseemedtopermeateNigel's frame right inward to the spinal marrow, and would have kept himentrancedthereathisworkforseveralhourslongerifthecravingsofahealthyappetitehadnotwarnedhimtodesist.

"Now,Kathleen,"hesaid,risingandstretchinghimselfasoneisapttodoaftersittinglonginaconstrainedposition,"itseemstomeabouttimetobytheway,we'veforgottentobringsomethingtoeat!"Hisexpressionashesaidthismadehiscompanionlookupandlaugh."Plenty cocoa-nuts," she said, pointing with her pencil to the overarchingtrees."True,butIdoubtmyabilitytoclimbtheselongstraightstems;besides,Ihavegotonlyasmallclasp-knife,whichwouldbebutapoorweaponwithwhichtoattackthethickouterhuskofthenuts.""ButIhavegotafewwithoutthehusksintheboat,"saidthegirl,risingandrunningtotheplacewherethecockleshellhadbeenleft.She returned immediately with several nuts divested of their thick outercovering,andintheconditionwithwhichwearefamiliarinEngland.Someofthem were already broken, so that they had nothing to do but sit down tolunch."Hereisone,"saidKathy,handinganuttoNigel,"thathasgotnomeatyetinitonlymilk.Boreaholeinitanddrink,butseeyouboreintherighthole.""Therighthole?"echoedtheyouth,"aresomeofthemwrongones?""Ohyes,onlyoneofthethreewilldo.Oneofourcrawbsknowsthatandhasclaws that can bore through the husk and shell. We calls him cocoa-nutcrawb.""Indeed! That is strange; I never heard before of a crab that fed on cocoa-nuts.""Thisonedo.Heisverybig,andalsoclimbstrees.Itgoesaboutmostatnight.Perhapsyouseeonebeforeyougoaway."ThecrabtowhichKathyreferredisindeedasomewhateccentriccrustacean,besidesbeingunusuallylarge.Itmakesdeeptunnelsinthegroundlargerthanrabbit burrows, which it lines with cocoa-nut fibre. One of its claws isdeveloped into an organ of extraordinary power with which it can break acocoa-nutshell,andeven,itissaid,aman'slimb!Itnevertakesallthehuskoffacocoa-nutthatwouldbeanunnecessarytrouble,butonlyenoughofftheendwherethethreeeyeletsare,toenableittogetattheinside.Havingpiercedthepropereyewithoneofitslegsitrotatesthenutroundituntil theholeislargeenoughtoadmitthepointofitsgreatclaw,withwhichitcontinuesthe

work.This remarkablecreaturealsoclimbs thepalm-trees,butnot togathernuts; that iscertain, for itshabitshavebeencloselywatchedand ithasbeenascertainedthatitfeedsonlyonfallennuts.Possiblyitclimbsforexercise,ortoobtainamoreextendedviewof itscharminghabitat,orsimply"for fun."Whynot?AllthisandagreatdealmorewastoldtoNigelbyKathleen,whowasabitofanaturalistinhertendenciesastheysatthereunderthegracefulfrondsofthepalm-treesadmiringtheexquisiteview,eatinganddrinkingcocoa-nuts."Isupposeyouhaveplentyofotherkindsoffoodbesidesthis?"saidNigel."Ohyes,plenty.Mostofthefishinourlagoonbegoodforeating,andsoalsothecrawbs,andwehaveturtletoo.""Indeed!Howdoyoucatchtheturtle?Anothernut,please.Thankyou.""Thewaywegets turtle isbythemendivingfor themandcatchingtheminthewater.Wehaspigstooplenty,andthewildbirdsaresomeverynice."[1]Whentheartistshadfinishedtheyproceededtotheshore,andtotheirsurpriseand amusement found the cockleshell in possession of a piratical urchin ofabout fouryearsof age inacharmingly light stateof clothing.HewaswellknowntoKathleen,anditturnedoutthat,havingseenthecocklestartattoogreat a distance to be hailed, and having set his heart on joining in theexcursion, he had watched their movements, observed their landing on theisletwhichwasnotfarfromthemaincircletoflandand,runningroundtillhecameoppositetoit,swamoffandgotintotheboat.Beingsomewhattiredhehadlaindowntorestandfallensoundasleep.Onthewayhomethisurchin'ssoledelightwastoleanoverthebowandwatchthefishandcoralgrovesoverwhichtheyskimmed.InthishewasimitatedbyNigelwho,ungallantlypermittinghiscompaniontorow,alsoleanedoverthesideandgazeddownintotheclearcrystaldepthswithunwearyingdelight.For the wonderful colours displayed in those depths must be seen to bebelieved.Notonlyistheeyepleasedwiththeever-varyingformationsofthecoralbowers,butalmostdazzledwiththeglitteringfishblue,emerald,green,scarlet,orange,banded,spotted,andstripedthatdarthitherandthitheramongthe rich-toned sea-weed and the variegated anemones which spread theirtentaclesupwardsasifinvitingthegazertocomedown!Amongthese,crabscouldbeseencrawlingwithundecidedmotion,asifunabletomakeuptheirminds,whileinoutofthewaycrevicesclamsofagiganticsizeweregapingindeadly quietude ready to closewith a snap on any unfortunate creature thatshouldgivethemtheslightesttouch.

Nigelwassharplyawakenedfromhisdreambyasuddensplash.Lookingupheobserved that the small boywasgone.With a boundhe stood erect, onefootonthegunwaleandhandsclaspedreadytodive,whenaglancerevealedthefactthatKathywassmilingbroadly!"Don'tjump!"shesaid."Heisonlyafterafish."EvenwhileshespokeNigelsawthebrownlittlefellowshootingaboutlikeagalvanisedtadpole,withasmallharpooninhishand!Next moment he appeared on the surface shouting and spluttering, with asplendidfishontheendofhisharpoon!Bothwerehauledintotheboat,andverysoonaftertheydrewneartoland.In the shallow water Nigel observed some remarkable creatures whichresembled hedgehogs, having jaws armed with formidable teeth to enablethemtofeed,Kathysaid,oncoral insects.File-fishesalsodrewhisattentionparticularly. These were magnificently striped and coloured, and apparentlyveryfearless."Whatconvenient tails theyhavetolayholdof,"remarkedourhero,as theyslowlyglidedpastone;"IbelieveIcouldcatchitwithmyhand!"Stoopingswiftlyashespoke,hedippedhisarm into thewater,andactuallydid grasp the fish by its tail, but dropped it again instantlyto the shriekingdelightof theurchinandKathy,for the tailwasarmedwithaseriesofsharpspineswhichranintohishandlikelancets.Thiswasanappropriateconclusiontoadaythatwouldhavebeenotherwisetooenjoyable.PoorNigel'sfelicitywasfurtherdilutedwhenhemethisfather."We'll have to sleep a-board to-night," said the captain, "for there's a fairbreezeoutsidewhichseemslikelytohold,andthemasthasbeentemporarilyriggedup,sowe'llhavetoupanchor,andawaybybreakofdayto-morrow."Nigel'sheartsank."To-morrow!father?""Ay,to-morrow.Businessfirst,pleasureafterwards.""Well, I supposeyouare right, but it seemsalmost a shame to leave suchaheaven upon earth as this in such a hurry.Besides, is it not unkind to suchhospitablepeopletoboltoffafteryou'vegotallthatyouwantoutofthem?""Can'thelpthat,lad

"Dootyfirst,an'funtofollow,That'swhatbeatscreationhollow.""Comefather,don'tsaythatyouquotethatfrommother!""Nomore I do,my boy. It'smy ownhomemade. I put it together last nightwhenIcouldn'tsleepforyoursnorin'.""Don't tell fibs, father. You know I never snore. Butreallyarewe to start atdaylight?""Weare,ifthewindholds.Butyoumaystayaslateasyouchooseonshoreto-night."Nigel availed himself of the opportunity to see as much of the place andpeople as was possible in the limited time. Next morning the good thoughdamagedbrigwasrunninginthedirectionofSundaStraitsbeforeastiffandsteadybreeze.

CHAPTERV

CAPTAINROYSURPRISESANDGRATIFIESHISSON,WHOSURPRISESANEGRO,ANDSUDDENLYFORMSANASTONISHING

RESOLVEArrived in Bataviathe low-lying seaport and capital of the Dutch island ofJavaCaptainRoyhadhisbrigexamined,and found that thedamageshehadsustainedwassoseriousthatseveralmonthswouldprobablyelapsebeforeshewouldbeagainreadyforsea."Now, Nigel, my lad," said the old gentleman, on the morning after theexamination had beenmade, "come downbelowwithme; Iwant to have aconfabulationwith'ee.""Why,father,"saidtheyouth,whenseatedatthesmallcabintableoppositehisrugged parent, "you seem to be in an unusually solemn frame ofmind thismorning.Hasanythinghappened?""Nothin', boynothin'.Leastwisenothin' inparticular.Youknowall about thebrig,an'whatadealo'repairshe'sgottoundergo?""OfcourseIdo.YouknowIwaspresentwhenyoutalkedthematteroverwiththatfellowwhat's-'is-namethatgaveyouhisreport.""Just so.Wellnow,Nigel, youdon't suppose,doyou, that I'mgoin' tokeepyouhereforsomemonthsknockin'aboutwithnothin'todoeatin'yourgrubin

idleness?""Certainlynot,"saidtheyouth,regardingthesterncountenanceofhisparentwithanamusedlook."Ihavenointentionofactingsuchanignoblepart,andI'msurprisedatyouaskin'thequestion,foryouknowIamnotlazyatleastnotmoresothanaverageactivemenandtheremustbeplentyofworkformetodoinlookingafterthecargo,superintendingrepairs,takingcareoftheshipandmen.Iwonderatyou,father.Youmusteitherhavehadashockofdotage,orfallenintoapoeticalvein.Whatisafirstmatefitforif""Nigel,"saidCaptainRoy,interrupting,"I'mtheowneran'commanderoftheSunshine,besidesbein'thepaternalparentofanimpertinentson,andIclaimtohavetherighttodoasIpleasetherefore,holdyourtongueandlistentome.""Allright,father,"repliedtheyoungman,withabenignantgrin;"proceed,butdon'tbeharduponme;sparemyfeelings.""Wellnow,thisishowthelandlies,"saidtheoldseaman,restinghiselbowsonthetableandclaspinghishandsbeforehim."AsMr.MoorandI,withthestooardandmen,arequitesufficienttomanagetheaffairso'thebrig,andasweshallcertainlybehereforaconsiderable timetocome,I'vemadeupmymindtogiveyouaholiday.You'reyoung,yousee,an'foolish,andyourmindneedsimprovin'.Inshort,youwantagooddealo' thepoetryknockedouto'you,forit'snotlikeyourmother'spoetrybyanymeans,soyouneedn'tflatteryourselfnotbuiltonthesamelinesbyalongway.WellwherewasI?""Onlygotthelengthoftheholidayyet,father.""Only,indeed.Youungratefuldog!It'saconsiderablelengthtoget,that,isn'tit?Well,Ialsointendtogiveyousomemoney,toenableyoutomoveaboutinthiscuriousarchipelagonotmuch,butenough tokeepyoufromstarvation ifusedwitheconomy, so I recommendyou togo into the town,makegeneralinquiriesabouteverythingandeverywhere,an'settleinyourmindwhatyou'lldo,forIgiveyouarovin'commissionan'don'twanttobebotheredwithyouforsometimetocome.""Areyou in earnest, father?" askedNigel,whohadbecomemore interestedwhilethecaptainunfoldedhisplan."Nevermoreinearnestinmylifeexcept,p'raps,whenIinquiredovertwentyyearsagowhetheryouwasaboyoragurl.""Well, now, that is good of you, father.Of course I need not say that I amcharmedattheprospectyouopenuptome.AndandwhenmayIstart?"

"Atonce.Upanchorandawayto-nightifyouchoose.""Butwhere?""Anywhereeverywhere,Java,Sumatra,BorneoallMalaysiabeforeyouwheretochoose.Nowbeoff,andthinkoverit,forI'vegottoomuchtodotowastetimeonyouatpresent,"saidthecaptain,rising,"and,stayNigel.""Well?"saidtheyouth,lookingbackashewasabouttoleavethecabin."Whatever you do, don't grow poetical about it. You know it is saidsomewhere,thatmischiefisfoundforidlehandstodo.""Allright,father.I'llkeepclearofpoetryleaveallthatsorto'nonsensetoyou.I'll"I'llfleeTemptation'ssirenvoice,Throwpoesytothecrows,Andletmysoul'setherealfireGushoutinsoberprose."Itneedscarcelybesaid thatourherowasnot slow to takeadvantageof theopportunity thus thrown in his way. He went off immediately through thetown,armedwiththeintroductionofhisfather'swell-knownname,andmadeinquiriesof all sortsofpeopleas to thenature, theconditions, the facilities,and theprospectsof travel in theMalayArchipelago. In thisquesthe foundhimself sorelyperplexed for theverygood reason that "all sorts"ofpeople,havingallsortsofideasandtastes,gaveamazinglyconflictingaccountsoftheregionanditsattractions.Wearied at last with his researches, he sauntered towards afternoon in thedirection of the port, and began in a listless sort of way to watch themovements of a man who was busily engaged with a boat, as if he weremakingpreparationstoputtosea.Now,whateverphilosophersmaysaytothecontrary,weholdstronglytotheopinionthatlikingsanddislikingsamongmenandwomenandchildrenaretheresultofsomeprofoundoccultcausewhichhasnothingwhatevertodowithexperience. No doubt experience may afterwards come in to modify orintensifythefeelings,butitisnottheoriginatingcause.Ifyousayitis,howarewetoaccountforloveatfirstsight?Beautyhasnothingnecessarilytodowith it, for men fall in love at first sight with what the world calls plainwomenhappily!Characterisnotthecause,forloveassailsthehumanbreast,ofttimes,beforethelovedobjecthasutteredaword,orperpetratedasmile,oreven fulminated a glance to indicate character. So, in likemanner, affectionmayarisebetweenmanandman.

ItwassoonthisoccasionwithNigelRoy.Ashestoodabstractedlygazingattheboatmanhefellinlovewithhimatleasthetookapowerfulfancytohim,andthiswasallthemoresurprisingthatthemanwasanegro,awoolly-headed,flat-nosed,thick-lippednigger!Wewouldnotforamomenthaveitsupposedthatitisunnaturaltolovesuchaman.Quitethereverse.Butwhensuchamanisaperfectstranger,hasneverutteredaword inone'spresence,orvouchsafedsomuchasaglance,and isgravely, stolidly engaged in the unsavoury work of greasing some of thetacklingofaboat, itdoesseemunaccountable thatheshouldbeunwittinglycapableofstirringupinanotherman'sbosomfeelingsofardentgoodwill, toputitmildly.Afterwatchinghimforsometime,Nigelunderanalmostinvoluntaryimpulseshouted"Hullo!""Hullo!"repliedthenegro,lookingupwithasomewhatsternfrownandapoutofhisthicklips,asmuchastosay"Whoareyou?"Nigel smiled, and made that suggestive motion with his forefinger whichsignifies"Comehere."Thefrownfledandthepoutbecameasmileasthenegroapproached,wipinghishandsonapieceofcotton-waste."Whatyouwantwi'me,sar?"heasked."Well,uponmyword,"saidNigel,somewhatperplexed,"Ican'tverywellsay.Isupposesomethingmusthavebeeninmymind,butanyhow,Ifeltadesiretohaveatalkwithyou;thatis,ifyoucansparethetime."Thefirstpartofthisreplyinducedaslightrecurrenceofthefrownandpout,butatitsconclusiontheblackbrowclearedandthemouthexpandedtosuchagum-and-teeth-exposingextentthatNigelfairlyburstintoalaugh."You'sberygood,sar,"saidtheman,"an'I'shabmuchpleasuretomakeyouracquaintance.Deran'tnogreaseon'emnow."Thelastremarkhadreferencetotheenormousblackpawwhichheheldout.Nigelatoncegraspeditandshookitheartily."I'sberyfondobatalk,sar,"continuedthenegro,"soasyouwantsone,heabeahead."Thusencouraged,ourherobeganbyremarkingthatheseemedtobepreparing

foratrip."Dat'szacklywhatI'sa-doin',sar.""Alongone?""Well,datdependsonwhatyoucallshort.Goin'toSundaStraits,whichp'rapsyouknow,sar,isnighahundredmilesfro'here.""Andwhatmayyoubegoingtodothere?"askedNigel."Goin'hometoKrakatoa.""Why,Ithoughtthatwasanuninhabitedisland.Ipassedclosetoitonmywayhere,andsawnosignofinhabitants.""Da'scauseIwasabsintfro'home.An'massahekeepsindoorsagooddeal.""Andpraywhoismassa?"askedNigel."Sar," said the negro, drawing up his square sturdy frame with a look ofdignity; "fair-play is eberyt'ing wid me. You've ax me a heap o' questions.Now'smyturn.Wharyoucomesfro'?""FromEngland,"repliedNigel."An'wharyougoto?""Well, you'veposedmenow, for I reallydon't knowwhere I'mgoing to. InfactthatistheverythingIhavebeentryingtofindoutallday,soifyou'llhelpmeI'llbemuchobliged."HereNigel explainedhis position anddifficulties, and itwas quite obvious,judgingfromtheglitteringeyesandmobilemouth,thathepouredhistaleintopeculiarly sympathetic ears. When he had finished, the negro stood for aconsiderabletimegazinginmeditativesilenceatthesky."Yes,"hesaidatlast,asifcommuningwithhimself,"It'inkIain'tquitesure,butIt'inkImayventur'.""Whateveritisyouarethinkingabout,"remarkedNigel,"youmayventuretosayanythingyouliketome."The negro, who, although comparatively short of stature, was herculean inbuild,lookedattheyouthwithanamusedexpression."You'reberygood,sar,butda'snotwhat I's t'inkin'ob. I's t'inkin'whedder I

dar' ventur' to introdoce you tomymassa.He's not fond o' company, an' itmightmake 'imangry,buthecamebyaheaby loss latelyan'p'rapshemaycond'sendtoreceibeyou.Anyhowyou'dbequitesafe,forhe'ssuretobeciviltoanyfriendobmine.""Ishethensofierce?"askedNigel,becominginterestedaswellasamused."Fierce! no, he's gentle as a lamb, but he's awrful when he's rousedtigers,crokindiles,'nocerosesisnuffin'tohim!""Indeed!what'shisname,andwhatdoeshedo?Howdoeshelive?"Thenegroshookhishead."Da'smore'nIdartelltillIaxhisleave,sar.Ikinonlysaydepeepilaroundcalls'imthehermitobRakata,'causehelibsbyhisself(widme,obcourse,butIcountsfornuffin),closeunderdeolevolcanoobKrakatoa. Dey tinksome ob de foolish peepildat he hab sold his-self to dedibil,butIknowsbetter.He'sagoodman,andyou'dhabgreatfunifyoustopwid him.Now,what I's a-gwine to advise you is, comewidme an' see dehermit.Ifheletsyoustop,good.Ifnot,Ifetchyouobertodemainlandwharyoupleasean'youkincomebackhereorgowharyouchoose.Itswort'yourwhiletotakeyourchance,anyhow."ThenegrosaidthiswithsuchanearnestlookthatNigelmadeuphismindonthespottoacceptthiscuriousinvitation."I'llgo!"heexclaimedwithsuddenenergy."Whendoyoustart?""To-morreratdaybreak,sar.""Well, I shallhave to talk itover firstwithmy father,but I'msurehewon'tobject,soyoumaylookoutformehereatdaybreak.ShallIhavetofetchanyprovisionswithmeforthevoyage?""No,nuffin'.Boat'scrammedwi'grub.Butyou'dbetterbringaguno' somesortan'a'volver,an'abigknife,an'amortalbigappetite,foraman'snogoodwidoutdat.""Ialwayscarrythataboutwithme,"saidtheyouth,"whateverelseImayleavebehind;andI'llseetotheotherthings.Bytheway,what'syourname?""Moses.""Isthatall?""Isn'tdatenuff?"returnedthenegrowithalookofdignity."Quite; but I have the advantage of you there, Moses, for I have two

namesNigelRoy.""Well, I don't see much use ob two, but which does you like to be calledbyNadgelorRoy?""Whicheveryouplease,Moses;I'llanswertoeither.Sonow,good-byeforthepresent,andlookoutformeto-morrowatdaylight.""Good-bye,MassaNadgel,tillto-morrer."Thenegrowavedhishandand,saunteringslowlybacktohisboat,remarkedin an undertone, "I lub dat young feller!" Saying which, he resumed hisgreasingoperations.Of course Captain Roymade no objection to his son's proposal, though hefreelygavehisopinionthatitwasawild-goosechase."However,lad,pleaseyourselfandyou'llpleaseme,"headded;"andnow,beparticular tobear inmind thatyou'vegot towrite tomeevery timeyougetwithinhailofapost-officeorapassingshiporsteamerthatmaychancetobecomin'thisway,andineachletterbesuretotellmewhereyou'regoin'tonext,soasImaysendaletter theretoyouincaseIwantyoutoreturnsuddenorotherwise.Wemustn't lose touch,yousee.Youneedn'twrite longscreeds. Ionlywant toknowyourwhereaboutsfromtimeto time.For therestyoucanspinitoutinyarnswhenyoucomeback."

CHAPTERVITHEHERMITOFRAKATAINTRODUCED

Nothingworthyofparticularnoteoccurredduringtheboat-voyagealongthenorthern shore of Java to Sunda Straits. A fair, steady breeze wafted themwestward, and, on the morning of the third day, they came in sight of thecomparativelysmalluninhabitedislandofKrakatoa.Theboatinwhichtheyvoyaged,althoughalittleone,hadasmallportionofthebowdeckedover,sothatourheroandhissablefriendcouldfindshelterfromthenightairwhendisposedtosleepandfromthefierceraysofthesunatnoon.By the advice of his father, Nigel had changed his sailor costume for the"shore-goin'toggery"inwhichhehadlandedontheKeelingIslands,asbeingmore suitable to his new character as a traveller, namely, awhite cloth capwithapeakinfrontandacurtainbehindtoprotecthisneck,alight-greytunicbeltedatthewaist,andapairofstrongcanvastrousers.Hehadalsopurchasedan old-fashioned double-barrelled fowling-piece, muzzle-loading and with

percussionlocks."For you see,Nigel," the captain had said, "it's all verywell to use breech-loaderswhenyou'vegot towns and railways and suchlike to supplyyouwi'cartridges, but when you've got to cruise in out-o'-the-way waters, there'snothin'liketheoldstyle.It'snotdifficulttocarryafewthousandpercussion-capsan' abullet-mouldaboutwi'youwhereveryougo.As topowder,why,you'llcomeacross that 'mosteverywhere,an' lead too;and, for themattero'that,ifyourlifedependedonityoucouldshoveahandfulofgravelorapen-knifeortooth-pickintoyourgunan'blazeaway,butwithabreech-loader,ifyourunouto'cartridges,whereareyou?"So, as Nigel could not say where he was, the percussion-gun had beenpurchased.The peak of Rakatathe highest in the islanda little over 2600 feet, came insightfirst;graduallytherestoftheislandroseoutofthehorizon,anderelongtherichtropicalverdurebecamedistinguishable.Krakatoadestined so soon to play a thrilling part in the world's history; tochangetheaspectoftheheavenseverywhere;toattractthewonderinggazeofnearlyallnations,andtodevastateitsimmediateneighbourhoodisofvolcanicorigin,and,at the timewewriteof (1883)wasbeginning toawaken fromalong, deep slumber of two hundred years. Its last explosion occurred in theyear 1680. Since that date it had remained quiet. But now the tremendoussubterraneanforceswhichhadoriginallycalleditintobeingwerebeginningtoreasserttheirexistenceandtheirpower.Vulcanwasrousinghimselfagainandbeginning oncemore to blow his bellows. So said some of the sailorswhowereconstantlygoingclosepasttheislandandthroughSundaStraits,whichmaybestyledthenarrowsoftheworld'shighwaytotheChinaseas.Subterraneanforces,however,aresoconstantlyatworkmoreorlessviolentlyin those regions that people took little notice of these indications in thecomparativelysmallislandofKrakatoa,whichwasbetweenfiveandsixmileslongbyfourbroad.Aswehavesaid,itwasuninhabited,andlyingasitdoesbetweenSumatraandJava, about sixteen miles from the former and over twenty miles from thelatter, itwasoccasionallyvisitedbyfishermen.ThehermitwhomNigelwasabouttovisitmight,insomesort,becountedaninhabitant,forhehaddwelttheremanyyears,buthelivedinacavewhichwasdifficultofaccess,andheldcommunication with no one. How he spent his time was a mystery, foralthoughhisnegroservantwenttotheneighbouringtownofAnjerinJavaforsupplies, and sometimes toBatavia, aswehave seen, nopieceof inanimate

ebony from the forest could havebeen less communicative thanhe. Indeed,our hero was the first to unlock the door of his lips, with that key ofmysterioussympathytowhichreferencehasalreadybeenmade.Someofthebolder of the young fishermen of the neighbouring coasts had several timesmade futile efforts to find outwhere and how the hermit lived, but the fewwhogotaglimpseofhimatadistancebroughtbacksuchareportthatakindof superstitious fear of him was generated which kept them at a respectfuldistance.Hewastenfeethigh,someromancerssaid,withshouldersfourfeetbroad,achest like a sugar-hogshead, and a countenance resembling a compound oforang-utanandtiger.Ofcourseourheroknewnothingoftheserumours,andasMosesdeclinedtogiveanyinformationregardinghismasterbeyondthatalreadygiven,hewaslefttothefullplayofhisimagination.Moseswas quite candid about it. Hemade no pretence to shroud things inmystery."Youmus' know,Massa Nadgel," he said, as they slowly drew near to theisland,"I's'fraidob'imdoughIlub'im.""Butwhydoyoulovehim,Moses?""'Causehesabemylifean'setmefree.""Indeed?well,thatisgoodreason.Andwhydoyoufearhim?""Da'swhatIdon'know,massa,"repliedthenegrowithapuzzledlook."Isheharsh,then?""No.""Passionate?""No.Gentleasalamb.""Strong?""Yesoh!mightystrongan'big.""Surelyyou'renotafraidofhisgivingyoualicking,Moses?""Ohno,"returnedthenegro,withasmileofexpansivebenignity;"I'snot'fraidobdat.I'sbinaslabeonce,gotusedtolickin's.Don'tcarenuffin'atallfora

lickin'!""Thenitmustbethatyou'reafraidofhurtinghisfeelings,Moses,forIknowofnootherkindoffear.""Pr'apsda'sit!"saidthenegrowithabrightlook,"nowIwouldn'twonderifyou's right,MassaNadgel. Itnebercome intomyhead indat lightbefore. Iused to be t'ink, t'inkin' ob nightswhen I's tired ob countin' my fingers an'toesButIcouldn'tmakenuffin'obit.NowIknows!It's 'fraidIamobhurtin'hisfeelin's."In the excess of his satisfaction at the solution of this long-standing puzzle,Moses threw back his head, shut his eyes, opened his enormousmouth andchuckled.By the time he had reversed this process they were sufficiently near toKrakatoatodistinguishallitsfeaturesclearly,andthenegrobegantopointouttoNigelitsvariouslocalities.Therewerethreeprominentpeaksonit,hesaid,namedrespectively,Perboewatanabout400 feethigh,at thenorthernendoftheisland;Danan,nearthecentre,1500feet;andRakata,atthesouthernend,over2600feet.Itwashighuponthesidesofthelastconethattheresidenceofthehermitwassituated."Andyouwon'ttellmeyourmaster'sname?"saidNigel.Mosesshookhiswoollyhead."No,sar,no. I's 'fraidobhimhe!he! 'fraidobhurtin'hisfeelin's!""Well,nevermind;I'll finditoutfromhimselfsoon.Bytheway,whatwereyoutellingmeaboutexplosionsyesterdaywhenthatlittlewhitegullcametoadmireyourprettyface,andtookoffourattention?""Well,Idunknow.Notgotmuchtotell,onlydar'sbinrumblin'an'grumblin'san'heavin'slatelyindemountainsasdidn'tusetobe,an'crackslikesomet'in'bustin' down blow, an' massa he shook 'is head two or free times an' looksolemn.Hedon'toftendodatshook'ishead,Imeanforhemostlyalwayslookssolemn."A fewminutes later the boat, running through a narrowopening among therocksintoasmallcircularharbournotmorethanfiftyyardsindiameter,restedits keel gently on a little bed of pure yellow sand. The shore there was sodenselycoveredwithbushes that theharbourmighteasilyhavebeenpassedwithoutbeingobserved.Jumpingashore,Mosesmadethepainterfasttoatree.

"Whataquiet,cosyplace!"saidNigel,ashesprangonthebeachandlookedadmiringlyround."Yes,an'noteasytofindifyoudon'tknows'im.Wewillleabedeboathere,nodangerobbein'tookedawayan'dengouptodecave.""Isitfar?"askedNigel."Agoodbitneardetopobdemountain,"answeredthenegro,wholookedathiscompanionsomewhatuneasily."Why,what'sthematter,Moses?""Nuffin'oh!nuffin'butbutwhenmassaaxesyouwhoyouis,an'whatyoubinupto,an'wharyoura-gwineto,an'whatwagesyouwant,jistyouanswer'iminasorterpermiscuousway,an'don'tbetoopartikler.""Wages!man,whatd'yemean?""Well, you'll 'scuse me, sar," returned the negro with an air of profoundhumility,"butmymassalostaoldsarvintaniggerlikemyselfonlylastmunt',an'hewantstogoononeobhisusualexpeditionsjus'now,sohesendsmetoBataviatogitanoderman'agoodone,youknow,'saysmassa,an'asyou,sar,was good 'nuff to axmewhat you should do, an' you looked a pritty smartman,I""Youscoundrel!"criedNigel,interruptinghim,"doyoureallymeantotellmethatyou'vebroughtmehereasahiredservant?""Well,notzackly,"returnedMoses,withsolemnsimplicity,"youneedn'taxnowagesunlessyoulike.""ButwhatifIdon'twanttotakeservice?"demandedourhero,withasavagefrown."Youkingohomeagin,"answeredMoses,humbly.Nigelcouldcontainhimselfnolonger.Asheobservedtheman'sdeprecatoryair, and thought of his own position, he burst into a fit of hearty laughter,whereuponthenegrorecoveredhimselfandsmiledthesmileoftheguiltless."Come," saidNigel at last. "Leadon, you rascal!When I see yourmaster Ishallknowwhattosay.""Allright,MassaNadgel,butmindwhatyousay,elseIwon'tanswerfordeconsikences.Follermean'lookarteryourfeet,forderoadisroughish."

The negro's last remark was unquestionably true, for the roadif a merefootpath merits the namewas rugged in the extremehere winding round thebase of steep cliffs, there traversing portions of luxuriant forest, elsewhereskirtingthemarginofthesea.Moses walked at such a pace that Nigel, young and active though he was,founditnoeasymattertokeepupwithhim.Pride,however,forbadehimtoshow the slightest sign of difficulty, andmade him even converse now andthen in tonesofsimulatedplacidity.At last thepath turnedabruptly towardsthefaceofaprecipiceandseemedtoterminateinasmallshallowcave.Anyone following thepathoutofmere curiositywouldhavenaturally imaginedthatthecavewastheterminationofit;andaverypoorterminationtoo,seeingthatitwasaratheruninterestingcave,thewholeoftheinteriorofwhichcouldbeseenatasingleglancefromitsmouth.Butthiscaveservedinrealityasablind.Climbingbyoneor twoprojectingpoints, the negro, closely followed by Nigel, reached a narrow ledge andwalkedalongitashortdistance.Oncomingtotheendoftheledgehejumpeddown into a mass of undergrowth, where the track again becamevisiblewinding among great masses of weatherworn lava. Here the ascentbecameverysteep,andMosesputonwhatsportingmencallaspurt,whichtookhimfaraheadofNigel,despite thebesteffortsof the latter tokeepup.Stillourheroscornedtorunorcallouttohisguidetowait,andtherebyadmithimselfbeaten.Hepushedsteadilyon,andmanagedtokeeptheactiveMosesinview.Presently the negro stepped upon a platform of rock high up on the cliffs,where his form could be distinctly seen against the bright sky. ThereNigelobservedthathewasjoinedbyamanwhosetallcommandingfigureseemedinsuchapositiontobeofgiganticproportions.The two stood engaged in earnest conversation while watching Nigel. Thelatter immediatelyslackenedhispace, inorderatonce torecoverbreathandapproachwithaleisurelyaspect."Thewildmanof the island,Isuppose,"he thoughtashedrewnear;butoncoming still nearer he saw that he must be mistaken, for the stranger whoadvancedtomeethimwithgraciouseaseandself-possessionwasobviouslyagentleman,anddressed,notunlikehimself, inasortofmixedtravellingandshootingcostume."Imustapologise,Mr.Roy,forthepresumptionofmyman,inbringingyouhereundersomething likefalsepretences,"said thestranger,holdingouthishand, whichNigel shook heartily. "Moses, I find, has failed to executemy

commission,andhaspartiallydeceivedyou;butasyouarenowhere,theleastIcandoistobidyouwelcome,andofferyouthehospitalityofmyroof."Therewassomethingsocourteousandkindly in the toneandmannerof thestranger,andsomethingsowinninginhissoftgentletones,whichcontrastedstrangely with his grand towering figure andmassive bearded countenance,that Nigel felt drawn to him instantly. Indeed there was a peculiar andmysterioussomethingabouthimwhichquitefascinatedourheroashelookedup at him, for, bordering on six feet though Nigel was, the stranger stoodseveralinchesabovehim."Youareverykind,"saidthevisitor,"andIdon'tthinkthatMosescanfairlybechargedwithdeceivingme,althoughhehasbeensomewhatunwiseinhiswayofgoingaboutthisbusiness,forIhadtoldhimIwantedtoseesomethingof these regions, and perhaps it may be to my advantage to travel in yourservicethatis,ifIcanbeofanyusetoyou;butthetimeatmydisposalmaybetoolimited.""Howmuchtimehaveyoutospare?"askedthestranger."Well,sayperhapsthreemonths.""That will do," returned his questioner, looking thoughtfully at the ground."Wewilltalkofthishereafter.""Butexcuse me," said Nigel, "your man spoke of you as a hermita sortofofforgivemeawild-man-of-the-island,ifImay""No, I didn't, Massa Nadgel," said the negro, the edge of whose flatcontradictionwastakenoffbytheextremehumilityofhislook."Well,"returnedNigel,withalaugh;"youatleastgavemetounderstandthatotherpeoplesaidsomethingofthatsort.""Da'sright,MassaNadgelkiteright.You'rek'rectnow.""Peoplehave indeedgotsomestrange ideasaboutme, Ibelieve," interposedthehermit,with a grave almost sad expression and tone. "But come, letmeintroduceyoutomyhermitageandyoushalljudgeforyourself."So saying, this singular being turned and led theway further up the ruggedsideofthepeakofRakata.Afteraboutfiveminutes'walkinsilence,thetrioreachedaspotwheretherewasaclearviewoverthetree-tops,revealingthebluewatersofthestrait,withtheJavashoresandmountainsinthedistance.

Behind them there yawned, dark andmysterious, amighty cavern, so blackandhighthatitmightwellsuggestaportalleadingtotheregionsbelow,whereVulcanissupposedtostir thosetremendousfireswhichhavemouldedmuchof the configuration of the world, and which are ever seethingan awfulInfernounderthethincrustoftheglobeonwhichwestand.Curiously formed and large-leaved trees of the tropics, with their pendentparasites, as well as rank grasses, sprouting from below and hanging fromabove,partiallyconcealedthiscavernfromNigelwhenhefirstturnedtowardsit,butafewstepsfurtheronhecouldseeitinallitsruggedgrandeur."Myhome,"saidthehermit,withaveryslightsmileandtheairofaprince,asheturnedtowardshisvisitorandwavedhishandtowardsit."Amagnificent entrance at all events," said Nigel, returning the smile withsomethingofdubiety,forhewasnotquitesurethathishostwasinearnest."Followme,"saidthehermit,leadingthewaydownanarrowwell-wornpathwhichseemedto loseitself inprofounddarkness.Afterbeingafewminuteswithinthecavern,however,Nigel'seyesbecameaccustomedtothedimlight,andheperceivedthattheroofrapidlylowered,whileitswallsnarroweduntilthey reached a spot which was not much wider than an ordinary corridor.Here,however,itwassodarkthatitwasbarelypossibletoseeasmalldoorintheright-handwallbeforewhichtheyhalted.Liftingalatchthehermitthrewthedoorwideopen,andaglareofdazzlinglightalmostblindedthevisitor.Passingthroughtheentrance,Nigelfollowedhisguide,andthenegrolettheheavydoorshutbehindhimwithaclangthatwasdepressinglysuggestiveofaprison."Again Ibidyouwelcome tomyhome," said thehermit, turning roundandextendinghishand,whichNigelmechanically tookandpressed,butwithoutverywell knowingwhat he did, for hewas almost dumfoundedbywhat hesaw,andforsomeminutesgazedinsilencearoundhim.And,truly,therewasgroundforsurprise.Thevisitorfoundhimselfinasmallbut immensely high and brilliantly lighted cavern or natural chamber, thewalls of which were adorned with drawings of scenery and trees andspecimensofplants,whileonvariousshelvesstoodinnumerablestuffedbirds,andshells,andotherspecimensofnaturalhistory.A table and twochairs stood at one endof the cave, and, strangest of all, asmallbutwell-filledbook-caseornamentedtheotherend.

"ArabianNights!"thoughtNigel."Imustbedreaming."Hiswanderingeyestravelledslowlyroundthecavernuntiltheyrestedatlaston thedoorbywhich theyhadentered,besidewhichstoodthenegrowithabroadgrinonhissablevisage.

CHAPTERVIIWONDERSOFTHEHERMIT'SCAVEANDISLAND

The thing that perhaps surprised Nigel most in this strange cavern was theblaze of light with which it was filled, for it came down direct through afunnel-shaped hole in the high roof and bore a marvellous resemblance tonatural sunshine. He was well aware that unless the sun were shiningabsolutelyinthezenith,thelawsoflightforbadetheentranceofadirectrayintosuchaplace,yettherewerethepositiverays,althoughthesunwasnotyethigh in the heavens, blinding himwhile he looked at them, and casting theshadowsofhimselfandhisnewfriendsonthefloor.Therewasthefaintestsemblanceofasmileonthehermit'sfaceashequietlyobservedhisvisitor,andwaitedtillheshouldrecoverself-possession.AsforMoseswords are wanting to describe the fields of teeth and gum which hedisplayed, but no soundwas suffered to escape hismagnificent lips, whichclosed like the slide of a dark lantern when the temptation to give way tofeelingbecametoostrong."Mycaveinterestsyou,"saidthehermitatlast."Itamazesme,"returnedourhero,recoveringhimselfandlookingearnestlyathishost,"foryouseemnotonlytohaveallthenecessariesoflifearoundyouin your strange abode, but many of the luxuries; among them the cheeringpresenceofsunshinethoughhowyoumanagetogetitisbeyondmypowersofconception.""Itissimpleenough,asyoushallsee,"returnedthehermit."Youhaveheardofthesaying,nodoubt,that'allthingsarepossibletowell-directedlabour'?""Yes,andthat'nothingcanbeachievedwithoutit.'""Well,Ihaveprovedthattosomeextent,"continuedthehermit."Yousee,bythevariousandmiscellaneousimplementsonmyshelves, thatIamgiventodabblingalittleinscience,andthushavemademylonelyhomeaspleasantassuchahomecanbebutletusnottalkofthesemattersjustnow.Youmustbehungry.Haveyouhadbreakfast?""No,wehavenotunless,atleast,youcountaseabiscuitdippedinsaltwatera

breakfast.After all, thatmaywell be the case, for hermits are noted for thefrugalityoftheirfare.""Iamnotagenuinehermit,"remarkedhishostgravely."MendoindeedcallmetheHermitofRakata,becauseIdwellalonehereundertheshadowofthisparticular cone of Krakatoa, but I do not ape the austere life of theconventionalhermit,asyousee,eitherinmydomesticarrangementsorfood.Come,yourbreakfastisready.FrommyoutlookIsawyourboatapproachingsomehoursago,andknewthatitwasmine,soImadereadyforyourarrival,though I did not guess that Moses was bringing me a guest instead of aservant!"Sosaying,heledthewaythroughashortnaturalpassagetoaninnercave,theentrancetowhich,liketheouterone,wasboarded.Onopeningasmalldoor,Nigel was again greeted as before with brilliant rays of sunshine, and, inaddition, with a gush of odours that were exceedingly grateful to a hungryman.Alow"Ho!ho!"behindhimtoldthathisblackcompanionwasequallygratified.Theinnercaveormess-room,asthehoststyledit,combineddining-roomandkitchen,forwhileinonecornerstoodadealtablewithplates,cups,etc.,butno tablecloth, in another stood a small stove, heated by an oil lamp, fromwhich issued puffing and sputtering sounds, and the savoury odours abovereferredto.Nigelnowperceivedthatalthoughhisstrangehostnecessarilyspokeagooddealwhilewelcominghimandofferinghimthehospitalitiesofhisabode,hewasbynomeanscommunicative.Onthecontrary,itwasevidentthathewasnaturally reserved and reticent, and that although polite and gentle in theextreme, there was a quiet grave dignity about him which discouragedfamiliarity. It must not be supposed, however, that he was in any degreemorosely silent.Hewas simplyquietandundemonstrative, said littleexceptwhenaskedquestions,andspoke,aliketoNigelandMoses, inthesoft, low,kindlytoneswithwhichonemightaddressveryyoungpeople.Goingtothestovehetookacoffee-pottherefromandsetitonthetable.Atthesametime,Moses,withoutrequiringtobetold,openedtheovenandbroughtforthfriedfish,meatofsomekind,andcakesofheknewnotwhat,butcaredlittle,fortheirexcellencewasunquestionable.During the meal that followed, Nigel ventured as far as politenesspermittedindeed a little further, if truth must be toldto inquire into thecircumstancesandmotivesofhisentertainerintakinguphisabodeinsuchastrange place, but he soon found that his eccentric friendwas not onewho

could be "pumped." Without a touch of rudeness, and in the sweetest ofvoices, he simply assumed an absent manner and changed the subject ofdiscourse, when he did not choose to reply, by drawing attention to someirrelevantmatter, or by putting a counter questionwhich led away from thesubject. Nigel also found that his host never laughed and rarely smiled,though,whenhedidsothesmilewassoslightasmerelytoindicateageneralfeelingofurbanity andgoodwill, and itwas followed instantlybya lookofgravity, if not sadness. Altogether the guest was much perplexed about thehost at first, and somewhat constrained in consequence, but gradually hebegan to feel at ease. Another discovery that he soon made was, that thehermittreatedMosesnotasaservant,butasifhewereinallrespectsanequalandacomrade.After eating for some time in silence, and having tried to drawout his hostwithoutsuccess,Nigelchangedhistacticsandsaid"Youweresokindastospeakofmeasyourguest,Mr.Mr.Ibegpardon,mayI""MynameisVanderKemp,"saidthehermitquietly."Well,Mr.VanderKemp,ImusttellyouthatIamquitewillingtoacceptthepositionforwhichMoseshiredme""No,Ididn't,"contradictedthenegro,flatlyyetverygently,bothintoneandmanner, for long residencewith thehermithadapparently imbuedhimwithsomethingofhisspirit."Well, then," said Nigel, "the position for which Moses should have hiredsomeoneelse. ('K'rectnow'whisperedMoses.)OfcourseIdonot intend toask for or accept wages, and also, of course, I accept the position on theunderstandingthatyouthinkmefitfortheservice.MayIaskwhatthatserviceistobe,andwhereyouthinkofgoingto?""Theservice,"returnedthehermitslowlyandwithhiseyesfixedontheflooras if pondering his reply, "is to accompany me as my attendant andcompanion,totakenotesasoccasionmayserve,andtopaddleacanoe."Atthisreplyourheroalmostlaughed,butwaspreventedfromdoingsobyhishostaskingabruptlyifheunderstoodcanoeing."Well,yes.AtleastIcanmanagewhatinEnglandisknownastheRobRoycanoe,havingpossessedoneinmyboyhood.""Thatwilldo,"returnedthehermitgravely."Canyouwriteshorthand?"

"Ican.Afriendofmine,areporterononeoftheLondondailies,oncegavemeafewlessons,and,becomingfondofthesubject,Ifolloweditup.""Thatiswell;youdidwell.Itisofimmenseadvantagetoaman,whateverhisposition in life, that he should be able to write shorthand with facility.Especiallyusefulisitincommerce.Iknowthat,havinghadsomeexperienceofcommerciallife."At this point in the conversationNigelwas startled bywhatwas to him anabsolutelynewsensation,namelyashakingortremblingofthewholecavern,accompaniedbyfaintrumblingsoundsasifindeepercavernsbelowhim.He glanced quickly at his host and at the negro, but to his surprise theseremarkablemenseemednottobeawareoftheshaking,althoughitwassevereenoughtocausesomeofthefurnituretorattle.Observinghislookofsurprise,Mosesremarked,withabenignantthoughcapacioussmile,"Mountain'sgotdemulligrumpsprittybadjistnow.""We are prettywell accustomed to that," said the host, observing thatNigelturnedtohimforanexplanation."Nodoubtyouareawarethatthisregioniscelebratedforearthquakesandvolcanoes,somuchsothattheinhabitantspaylittle attention to themunless they become unusually violent. This island ofKrakatoais itself thefragmentofanextinctvolcano;but theterm 'extinct' isscarcelyapplicable tovolcanoes, for it iswellknown thatmanywhichwerefor centuries supposed to be extinct have awakened to sudden and violentactivity'quiescent'mightbeamoreappropriateterm.""Yes," saidMoses,ceasing tomasticate forpurposesof speech; "dem 'stinktvolcanoes hab got an okard habit ob unstinkin' dereselves hereabouts whenyoudon''spectitof'em.Goon,massa.Iaxyerpard'nfor'truptin'."The hermit's peculiar good-natured little smile played for a moment on hismassivefeatures,andthenfadedawayashecontinued"Perhapsyoumayhaveheardthatthisistheveryheartofthedistrictthathaslongbeenrecognisedasthegreatestfocusofvolcanicactivityontheglobe?""Ihaveheardsomethingofthesort,"answeredNigel,"butIconfessthatmyknowledgeislimitedandmymindhazyonthesubject.""Idoubtitnot,"returnedhisfriend,"forgeographicalandscientifictraininginprimaryschoolsanywhereisnotwhatitmightbe.TheislandofJava,withanarea about equal to that ofEngland, contains no fewer than forty-ninegreatvolcanicmountains, some of which rise to 12,000 feet above the sea-level.Manyofthesemountainsareatthepresenttimeactive('Yes,muchtooactive,'

muttered thenegro), andmore thanhalfof themhavebeenseen ineruptionsince Java was occupied by Europeans. Hot springs, mud-volcanoes, andvapour-ventsaboundallover the island,whilstearthquakesarebynomeansuncommon. There is a distinct line in the chain of these mountains whichseemstopointtoagreatfissureintheearth'scrust,causedbythesubterraneanfires. This tremendous crack or fissure crosses the Straits of Sunda, and inconsequencewe find a number of these ventsas volcanicmountainsmaybestyledin the Island of Sumatra, which you saw to the nor'ard as you camealong. But there is supposed to be another great crack in the earth'scrustindicated by several volcanicmountainswhich crosses the other fissurealmostat rightangles, andat theexactpointwhere these two lines intersectstandsthisislandofKrakatoa!"I emphasise the fact," continued the hermit after a pause, "first, because,although this has been a quiescent volcano since the year 1680, and peoplehavecometoregarditasextinct,thereareindicationsnowwhichleadmetobelieve that its energy is reviving; and, second, because this focus wherefissurescrosseachotherthisKrakatoaIslandisinrealitypartofthecraterofanolder and much larger volcanic mountain, which must have been literallyblownawayinprehistorictimes,andofwhichKrakatoaandtheneighbouringisletsofVarlaten,PolishHat,LangIsland,andtherest,arebuttheremnantsofthegreatcraterring.Iftheserumblingsandminorearthquakes,whichIhavenoticed of lateand the latest of which you have just experiencedare theprecursorsofanotherexplosion,myhomeheremayberendereduntenable.""Hi!"exclaimedMoses,whohadbeenlisteningwithopenmouthandeyestothisdiscourse,whichwasobviouslynewstohim,"Ihope,massa,heain'ta-gwineto'splodeto-dayanyhow,nottillafterbreakfast!""Youmusthavestudiedthesubjectofvolcanoesagooddeal,Isuppose,fromwhatyousay,"observedNigel."Naturally; livingas Idoalmoston the topofone.My library,which Iwillshowyoupresently,containsmanyinterestingworksonthesubject.Butcome,ifyouhave finishedwewill ascend thePeakofRakataand Iwill introduceyoutomysunshine."Heroseand ledhisguestback to theoutercavern, leavingMosesstillbusywithknifeandfork,apparentlymeditatingonthepleasureofbreakfastingwiththeprospectofapossibleandimmediateexplosion.Inpassing throughthefirstchamber,Nigelobserved, inanatural recess, thelibrary just referred to. He also noted that, besides stuffed birds and otherspecimensandsea-shells,therewerechisels,saws,hammers,andothertools,

besides something like a forge and carpenter's bench in a side-chamberopeningoutofthelargeone,whichhehadnotatfirstseenfromallwhichheconcluded that the hermitwas imbuedwithmechanical aswell as scientificandliterarytastes.At the further anddarker endof theouter cave therewas a staircase, partlynatural,andpartlyimprovedbyart,whichledupwardintoprofounddarkness."Letme takeyourhandhere,"said thehermit, lookingdownuponhisguestwithhisslightbutwinningsmile;"itisaroughanddarkstaircase.Youwillbeapttostumble."Nigelplacedhishandin thatofhishostwithperfectconfidence,andwithacuriousfeelingaroused,probably,bytheactionofhavingreturnedtothedaysofchildhood.Thestairwas indeed ruggedaswell aswinding,andsopitchydark that theyouthcouldnothaveadvancedat allwithout stumbling,unlesshishosthadheldhimall theway.At last aglimmerof lightwas seen in thedistance. Itseemed to increase suddenly, and in a fewmoments the two emerged fromtotaldarknessintodazzlingsunshine.WhenNigellookedroundhimhesawthattheyhadgainedaplateau,highupon the very summit of the mountain, which appeared to be absolutelyinaccessiblebyanymeanssavethatbywhichtheyhadreachedit."ThisiswhatIcallmyobservatory,"saidthehermit,turningtohisguest."Wehavepassed right through thepeakofRakata,and reached itsnorthernside,whichcommands,asyousee,aviewofall thenorthernpartof the island. Icomehereofteninthenighttostudythefaceoftheheavens, themoon,andstars, and meditate on their mysterious Maker, whose ways are indeedwonderfulandpastfindingout;butallwhichmust,inthenatureofthings,beright."AsthiswasthefirstmentionthatthehermithadmadeoftheCreator,andthereferencewasonerequiringmorethoughtthanNigelhadyetbestowedonit,hemadenorejoinder."Haveyoustudiedastronomy,Mr.Roy?""Noatleastnotmoreofitthanwasneedfulfornavigation.Butpray,sir,donotcallmeMr.Roy,"saidtheyouth,withasomewhatembarrassedair."IfIamtobeyourassistantandfamiliarcompanionfortwoorthreemonths,IhopethatyouwillagreetocallmeNigel.Yourmanhasdonesoalreadywithoutaskingleave!"

"Iwill,ononecondition.""Andthatis?""Thatyoualsodispensewiththe'Mr.'and'sir,'andcallmeVanderKemp.""Agreed,"saidNigel,"thoughitdoesnotseemsoappropriateinmeasinyou,consideringthedifferenceofouryears.""Lookhere,"saidthehermit,turningabruptlytoasmallwoodenshedwhichhad hitherto escaped the youth's observation, so covered was it withoverhangingboughsandtropicalcreepingplants,"thesearemyastronomicalinstruments."He pointed to a table in the hut on which stood several telescopesandmicroscopesaswelloneof theformerbeinga large instrument,certainlynotlessthansixfeetlong,withadiameterofapparentlysixoreightinches."Here,yousee,IhavethemeansofinvestigatingthewondersofNatureinhergrandest aswell as herminutest scales.And there," he added, pointing to acoupleoflargereflectingmirrorsinstrongwoodenframes,erectedonjointsinsuch a way that they could be turned in any direction,"there you have thesecret ofmy sunshine.Oneof thesemirrors catches the sunshinedirect andreflectsitontheother,which,asyousee, issoarrangedthatit transmitstherays down the natural funnel or chimney into the cave.Bymeansof chainsconnected with the mechanism, and extending below, I can change thedirection of the mirrors as the sun changes its place in the sky, withoutrequiringtocomeuphere.""Very ingenious!" saidNigel; "but how do youmanagewhen themountaincomesbetweenyouandthesun,asIseeitcannotfailtododuringsomepartoftheday?""Simplyenough,"returnedthehermit,pointingtoadistantprojectingclifforpeak."OnyonsummitIhavefixedfourmirrorssimilartothese.Whenthesuncannolongerbereflectedfromthispair,thefirstofthedistantmirrorstakesitupandshootsabeamoflightoverhere.Whenthesunpassesfromthat, thesecondmirror is arranged to catch and transmit it, and so on to the fourth.AfterthatIbidgood-byetothesun,andlightmylamp!"Nigel felt an almost irresistible tendency to smile at this, but the gravesimplicityofthemanforbadesuchfamiliarity."Lookyonder,"continuedthehermit,sweepingoneofhislongarmstowardsSumatra,"inthatdirectionrunsthelineofvolcanicdisturbancethefissureof

whichIhavealreadyspoken.Focusthistelescopetosuityoursight.Now,doyouseethelittleislandawaytheretothenor'-west?""Yes.""Well, that is Varlaten. Imentioned it when at breakfast. Sweep your glassround to the nor'ard, the little island there is PolishHat, and you see LangIslandinthenor'-east.These,withKrakatoa,aremerelythehigherpartsstillremainingabovewaterof theringor lipof theancientcrater.Thiswillgiveyou some ideawhat an enormousmountain the original of this old volcanomusthavebeen.This island-mountain is estimated tohavebeen twenty-fivemilesincircumference,and10,000to12,000feethigh.Itwasblownintotheair in1680,andthis island,with thefewisletsIhavepointedout, isall thatremainsofit!Now,castyoureyedownthecentreoftheislandonwhichwestand; you see several cones of various sizes. These are ancient vents,supposedtobeextinct""But one of them, the one furthest away," interrupted Nigel, steadying histelescopeonthebranchofatree,"seemstobeanythingbutextinct,forIseeathincolumnofwhitesmokeorsteamrisingfromit.""That is justwhatIwasgoingtopointout.Theycall thatPerboewatan.It isthelowestpeakontheisland,about400feethigh,andstands,Ishouldsay,inthe very centre of the ancient crater, where are the two fissures I havementioned.FortwohundredyearsPerboewatanhasnotsmokedlikethat,and,slight though it is at present, I cannot help thinking that it indicates animpendingeruption,especiallywhenIconsiderthatearthquakeshavebecomemorenumerousoflateyears,andtherewasonein1880whichwassoviolentastodamageseriouslythelighthouseonJava'sFirstPoint.""Thenyouhaveresidedhereforsometime?"saidNigel."Yes,formanyyears,"repliedthehermit,inalow,sadtone."But is itwise inyou tostay ifyou thinkanexplosionso likely?Don'tyouneedlesslyrunconsiderablerisk?""Idonotfeartodie."Nigel looked at his new friend in surprise, but there was not a shadow ofboastfulnessoraffectationeitherinhislookortone."Besides,"hecontinued,"theexplosionmaybebutslight,andPerboewatanis,asyousee,aboutfourmilesoff.Peopleintheneighbourhoodofthestraitsandpassing ships are so accustomed to volcanic explosions on a more or less

grandscalethattheywillnevernoticethislittlecloudhangingoverKrakatoa.Thosewho,likemyself,knowtheancienthistoryoftheisland,regarditinamoreseriouslight,butwemaybewrong.Come,now,wewilldescendagainandhavearambleoverpartoftheisland.Itwillinterestyou.Notmanymenhave penetrated its luxuriant forests or know their secrets. I havewanderedthroughtheminalldirections,andcanguideyou.Indeed,MosescoulddothataswellasI,forhehaslivedwithmemanyyears.Come."Returningtothecaverntheyfoundthattheactivenegrohadnotonlyfinishedhisbreakfast,buthadwashedthedishesandclearedupthekitchen,sothathewas quite ready to shoulder a wallet and a gun when his master bade himprepareforadayintheforest.It isnot,however,our intention to follow the trio thither.Mattersofgreaterinterest,ifnotimportance,claimourattentionatpresent.Letitsufficetosay,therefore, that after a most delightful day, spent in wandering amongst theluxuriant tropical vegetation with which the island was densely covered,visitingoneoftheextinctcraters,bathinginoneofthenumeroushotsprings,andcollectingmanyobjectsofinteresttothehermit,intheshapeofbotanicalandgeologicalspecimens, theyreturnedintheeveningtotheircavern-housenotonlyreadybuteagerforsustenanceandrepose.

CHAPTERVIIIPERBOEWATANBECOMESMODERATELYVIOLENT

Thecavewasenshrouded in almost totaldarknesswhen theyentered it, butthis was quickly dispelled, to Nigel's no little surprise, by the rays of amagnificent oil lamp, which Moses lighted and placed on the table in thelargercave.Asmalleroneofthesamekindalreadyilluminatedthekitchen.Notmuchconversationwasindulgedinduringtheprogressofthesupperthatwas soon spread upon the rude table. The three men, being uncommonlyhungryandpowerfullyrobust,foundinfoodasufficientoccupationfortheirmouthsforsometime.Aftersuppertheybecamealittle,butnotmuch,moresociable,for,althoughNigel's active mind would gladly have found vent in conversation, heexperiencedsomedifficultyinmakingheadwayagainstthediscouragementofVanderKemp'sveryquietdisposition,and thecavernousyawnswithwhichMoses displayed at once his desire for slumber and his magnificent dentalarrangements."Wealwaysretireearlytorestafteradayofthissort,"saidthehermitatlast,turningtohisguest."Doyoufeeldisposedforbed?"

"Indeed I do," saidNigel,with a half-suppressedyawn, thatwas irresistiblydraggedoutofhimbythesightofanotherearthquakeonthenegro'sface."Come,then,Iwillshowyouyourberth;wehavenobedroomshere,"saidthehermit,withasortofdeprecatorysmile,asheledthewaytothedarkerendofthe cavern,where he pointed to a little recess inwhich therewas a pile ofsomethingthatsmeltfreshandlookedlikeheather,spreadonwhichtherewasasingleblanket."Sailorsaresaidtobeindifferenttosheets.Youwon'tmissthem,Idaresay?""Not in the least," returned Nigel, with a laugh. "Good-night," he added,shakinghandswithhishost and suppressinganotheryawn, forMoses' face,evenintheextremedistance,wasirresistiblyinfectious!Ourherowasindifferentnotonlytosheets,butalso,incertaincircumstances,to the usual habiliments of night. Indeed,while travelling in out-of-the-wayregionsheheldittobeadutytoundressbutpartiallybeforeturningin,sothathemightbereadyforemergencies.On lying down he found his mattress, whatever it was, to be a springy,luxuriousbed,andwasabouttoresignhimselftoslumberwhenheobservedthat,fromthepositioninwhichhelay,hecouldseethecaverninallitsextent.Opening his half-closed eyes, therefore, he watched the proceedings of hishost, and indoing so, aswell as in speculatingonhis strangecharacter andsurroundings,hebecamesomewhatwakeful.HesawthatVanderKemp,returning to theotherendof thecave,satdownbesidethelamp,theblazeofwhichfellfullonhisfinecalmcountenance.Amotion of his head brought Moses to him, who sat down beside him andenteredintoearnestconversation,tojudgefromhisgestures,fornothingcouldbeheardwhereNigel lay save themonotonousmurmurof theirvoices.Thehermit did not move. Except for an occasional inclination of the head heappearedtobeagrandclassicstatue,butitwasotherwisewiththenegro.Hispositioninfrontofthelampcausedhimtolookifpossibleevenblackerthanever,andtheblacknesswassouniformthathisentireprofilebecamestronglypronounced, thus rendering everymotion distinct, and the varied pouting ofhis huge lips remarkably obvious. The extended left hand, too, with thefrequent thrusting of the index finger of the other into the palm, wassuggestiveofargument,andofmuchreasoningeffortifnotpower.After about half-an-hour of conversation,Moses arose, shook hismaster bythehand,appearedtosay"Good-night"veryobviously,yawned,andretiredtothe kitchen, whence, in five minutes or so, there issued sounds which

betokenedfelicitousrepose.Meanwhilehismastersatmotionlessforsometime,gazingatthefloorasifinmeditation.Thenherose,wenttohisbook-caseandtookdownalargethickvolume,whichheproceededtoread.Nigelhadbythattimedroppedintoadrowsycondition,yethisinterestinthedoingsofhis strangeentertainerwas sogreat thathe struggledhard tokeepawake,andpartiallysucceeded."I wonder," he muttered, in sleepy tones, "if that's a ffam'ly Bible he'sreadingororavol'mo'theEnEncyclopidaBrit"Hedroppedoffatthispoint,but,feelingthathehadgivenwaytosomesortofweakness,hestruggledbackagainintowakefulness,andsawthatthehermitwasbendingoverthelargebookwithhismassivebrowrestingonthepalmsof both hands, and his fingers thrust into his iron-grey hair. Itwas evident,however,thathewasnotreadingthebookatthatmoment,foronitspageswaslyingwhat seemed tobe aminiatureorphotographcase, atwhichhegazedintently.Nigelrousedhimselftoconsiderthis,andindoingsoagaindroppedoffnotyetsoundly,however,forcuriosityinducedonemoreviolentstruggle,andhebecameawareofthefactthatthehermitwasonhiskneeswithhisfaceburiedinhishands.The youth's thoughtsmust have become inextricably confused at this point,yettheirgeneraldriftwasindicatedbythemutteredwords:"II'mglado'thatagoodsignan'an' it'snot th'Encyclop."HereMorpheusfinallyconquered,andhesankintodreamlessrepose.How long this condition lasted he could not tell, but he was awakenedviolentlybysensationsandfeelingsofdread,whichwereentirelynewtohim.The bed onwhich he rested seemed to heave under him, and his earswerefilled by sharp rattling sounds, something likeyet very different fromthecontinuousrollofmusketry.Starting up, he sprang into the large cavernwhere he foundVan derKempquietlytighteninghisbeltandMoseshastilypullingonhisboots."Sometin'sbu'stedan'nomistake!"exclaimedthelatter."Aneruptionfromoneofthecones,"saidthehermit."Ihavebeenforalongtimeexpectingit.Comewithus."Hewentswiftlyupthestaircaseandpassageswhichledtotheobservatoryashespoke.

Thescenethatmettheireyesonreachingtheledgeorplateauwassublimeintheextreme,aswellasterrific."AsIthought,"saidVanderKemp,inalowtone."ItisPerboewatanthathasbrokenout.""TheconefromwhichIobservedsmokerising?"askedNigel."The same.Theoneover thevery centre of theold crater, showing thatwewerewronginsupposingittobeextinct:itwasonlyslumbering.Itisinwhatvulcanologiststermmoderateeruptionnow,and,perhaps,mayproveasafety-valvewhichwillpreventamoreviolentexplosion."That theconeofPerboewatanwas indeed ina stateofconsiderableactivity,worthyofastronger termthan"moderate,"wasveryobvious.Althoughatadistance, as we have said, of four miles, the glare of its fires on the threefiguresperchednearthetopofRakatawasveryintense,whileexplosionafterexplosionsentmoltenlavaandred-hotrocks,pumice,anddust,highintothethickeningaircloudsofsmokeandsteambeingvomitedforthatthesametime.Thewind,ofwhich therewasvery little,blew it all away from thepositionoccupiedbythethreeobservers."Whatifthewindweretochangeandblowitallthisway?"askedNigel,withverypardonablefeelingsofdiscomfort."Wecouldreturntothecavern,"saidthehermit."ButwhatifRakataitselfshouldbecomeactive?"It was evident from the very solemn expression on the negro's face that heawaitedthereplytoNigel'squestionwithsomeanxiety."Rakata,"answeredthehermitthoughtfully,"althoughthehighestcone,istheonemostdistantfromthegreatcentreofactivity.ItisthereforenotlikelythatthevolcanicenergywillseekaventherewhilethereareotherconesbetweenusandPerboewatan.Butweshallsoonseewhether theonevent is likely tosuffice.Thereisundoubtedlynodiminutionintheexplosionsatpresent."Therecertainlywasnot,forthevoiceofthespeakerwasalmostdrownedbythehorribledincaused,apparently,bythehurtlingofinnumerablefragmentsofrockandstonesintheair,whileasuccessionoffieryflashes,eachfollowedbyaloudexplosion,litupthedome-shapedmassofvapourthatwasmountingupwardsandspreadingoverthesky.Vividflashesoflightningwerealsoseenplayingaroundthevapour-column.Atthesametime,therebeganafalloffinewhitedust,resemblingsnow,whichsooncoveredthefoliageandtheground

ofall thelowerpartoftheisland.Theseaaroundwasalsoerelongcoveredwithmassesofpumice,which,beingverylight,floatedawayintotheIndianocean, and thesewere afterwards encountered in large quantities by variousvesselspassingthroughSundaStraits.The Scientific Committee, which ultimately wrote on the details of thiseruptioninKrakatoa,mentionthisfirstoutburstasbeingaphaseofmoderateactivity,similartothatwhichissaidtohavebeenexhibitedforsomemonthsduringtheyears1680and1681,andtheyaddedthat"theoutburstwasoneofconsiderableviolence,especiallyatitscommencement,"thatfallsofdustwerenoticedatthedistanceofthreehundredmiles,andthat"thecommanderoftheGermanwar-vesselElizabethestimatedtheheightofthedust-columnissuingfromthevolcanoat11kilometres(36,000feetorabout7miles)."[2]To our hero, however, and to Moses, the outburst seemed anything but"moderate," and thatnight as they two sat together in the cave after supper,listeningwithawe-struck faces to thecannonadingandwildmusketrygoingonasitseemedundertheirveryfeet,thenegrosolemnlyimpartedtoNigelinalowwhisperthathethought"deendobdewurldhabcomeatlast!"Returningatthatmomentfromhisobservatory,towhichhehadascendedfora fewminutes to view the scene through one of his glasses,Van derKemprelievedtheiranxietiessomewhatbyremarking,inhisquietmanner,thattherewasadistinctdiminutionintheviolenceoftheexplosions,andthat,fromhisknowledge and experience of other volcanoes in Java, Sumatra, andelsewhere,hethoughtitprobabletheyhadseentheworstofitatthattime,andthatnoneoftheotherconeswouldbelikelytobreakout."I'm glad to hear you say so," observed Nigel, "for although the sight isextremelymagnificentandveryinteresting,bothfromascientificandartisticpointofview,Icannothelp thinkingthatweshouldbesaferawayfromthisislandatpresentatleastwhilethevolcanoisactive."Thehermit smiledalmostpitifully."Idonotapprehenddanger,"hesaid,"atleastnothingunusual.Butithappensthatmybusinessrequiresmetoleaveinthecourseofafewdaysatanyrate,so,whethertheeruptionbecomesfiercerorfeebler,itwillnotmattertous.Ihavepreparationstomake,however,andIhavenodoubtyouwon'tobjecttoremaintillallisreadyforastart?""Oh,astothat,"returnedtheyouth,slightlyhurtbytheimplieddoubtastohiscourage,"ifyouarewillingtoriskgoingofftheearthlikeaskyrocket,Iamquitereadytotakemychanceoffollowingyou!""An'Mosesamdeman,"saidthenegro,smitinghisbroadchestwithhisfist,"what'sreadytoserveasarocket-sticktobof,an'goupalongwidyou!"

ThehermitmadethenearestapproachtoalaughwhichNigelhadyetseen,asheleftthecavetoundertakesomeofthepreparationsabovereferredto.

CHAPTERIXDESCRIBES,AMONGOTHERTHINGS,ASINGULARMEETING

UNDERPECULIARCIRCUMSTANCES

There isunquestionablyaclassofmenespeciallyEnglishmenwhoaredeeplyimbuedwiththeideathattheUniverseingeneral,andourworldinparticular,hasbeencreatedwithaviewtoaffordthemwhattheycallfun."Itwouldbegreatfun,"saidanEnglishcommercialmantoafriendwhosatbesidehim, "togoandhavea lookat this eruption.They say it isKrakatoawhichhasbrokenoutafterasleepoftwocenturies,andasithasbeenburstingawaynowfornearlyaweek,itislikelytoholdonforsometimelonger.Whatwould you say to charter a steamer and have a grand excursion to thevolcano?"Thefriendsaidhethoughtitwouldindeedbe"capitalfun!"Wehave never been able to ascertainwho theseEnglishmenwere, but theymusthavebeenmenofinfluence,orabletomovemenofinfluence,fortheyatoncesettoworkandorganisedanexcursion.TheplacewherethisexcursionwasorganisedwasBatavia.Althoughthatcitywas situated in Java, nearly a hundred miles distant from Krakatoa, theinhabitantshadnotonlyhearddistinctlytheexplosionsofthevolcano,buthadfelt some quakings of the earth and much rattling of doors and windows,besidesa sprinklingofashes,which indicated that theeruption,even in thateruptiveregion,wasofunusualviolence.Theylittleimaginedtowhatmightythroes the solid rocks of Krakatoa were yet to be subjected before thosevolcanic fires could find a vent. Meanwhile, as we have said, there wasenoughoftheunusualinittowarrantourmerchantsintheiranticipationofaconsiderableamountoffun.Asteamerwasgotready;anumberofsightseeingenthusiastswerecollected,and they set forth on the morning of the 26th of May. Among theseexcursionistswas our friend CaptainDavid Roynot that hewas addicted torunning about in search of "fun," but, being unavoidably thrown idle at thetime, andhaving apoetical turnofmindderived fromhiswifehe thoughthecouldnotdobetter than take a run to thevolcanoand seehowhis sonwasgettingalong.

Thepartyreachedthesceneoftheeruptiononthemorningofthe27th,havingwitnessed during the night several tolerably strong explosions, which wereaccompanied by earthquake shocks. It was found that Krakatoa and all theadjoiningislandswerecoveredwithafinewhitedust,likesnow,andthatthetreesonthenorthernpartoftheformerislandandVarlatenhadbeentoagreatextentdeprivedoftheirleavesandbranchesbyfallingpumice,whilethoseonLangIslandandPolishHat,aswellasthoseonthePeakofRakata,hadtoagreatextentescapednodoubtowingtotheprevailingdirectionofthewind.It was soon seen that Perboewatan on Krakatoa was the cone in activeeruption,andthesteamermadeforitsneighbourhood,landingherpartywithinashortdistanceofitsbase.Explosionswereoccurringatintervalsoffromfiveto tenminutes. Each explosion being accompanied by an uncovering of themolten lava in thevent, theoverhanging steam-cloudwas lightedupwith agrandglowforafewseconds.Someoftheparty,whoseemedtobeauthoritiesonsuchmatters,estimated that thevapour-columnrose toaheightofnearly10,000 feet, and that fragmentsofpumicewere shotupwards to aheightof600feet."That's a sign that theviolenceof theeruption isdiminished," remarked theyoungmerchant,whowasinsearchoffun,ashepreparedtowadeankle-deepintheloosepumiceuptheslopesofthecone."Diminished!" repeated our captain, who had fraternised much with thismerchant during their short voyage. "If that's what you call diminishin', Ishouldn'tliketobeherewhenit'sincreasin'.""Pooh!"exclaimedthemerchant,"that'snothing.I'veseen,atothervolcanoes,pieces of pumice blown up so high that they've been caught by the uppercurrents of the atmosphere and carried away in an opposite direction to thewindthatwasblowingbelowatthetime.Ay,Ibelievethatdustissometimesblownmilesupintotheair."AsCaptainRoythoughtthatthemerchantwasdrawingthelongbowhemadeno reply, but changed the subject by asking what was the height ofPerboewatan."Threehundredfeetorthereabouts,"repliedhisfriend."Ihopemysonwillhavethesensetoclearoutoftheislandifthingslooklikegittin'worse,"muttered thecaptain,asanunusuallyviolentexplosionshookthewholesideofthecone."No fear of him," returned the merchant. "If he is visiting the hermit ofRakata, asyou tellme,he'll be safeenough.Although somethingof adare-

devil,thehermitknowshowtotakecareofhimself.I'mafraid,however,thatyou'llnotfinditsoeasyto'lookup'yoursonasyouseemtothink.Justglanceroundat thesealmost impenetrable forests.Youdon'tknowwhatpartof theislandhemaybe in just now; andyoumight aswell look for aneedle in abundle of hay as look for him there. He is probably at the other end ofKrakatoafourorfivemilesoffontheSouthsideofRakata,wherethehermit'scaveissupposedtobe,fornooneseemstobequitesureastoitswhereabouts.Besides, you'll have to stick by the excursionists if you wish to return toBatavia."CaptainRoypausedforamomenttorecoverbreath,andlookingdownuponthedensetropicalforestthatstretchedbetweenhimandthePeakofRakata,heshookhishead, andadmitted that themerchantwas right.Turning roundheaddressedhimselfoncemoretotheascentofthecone,onthesidesofwhichthe whole excursion party now straggled and struggled, remarking, as hepantedalong,thathill-climbingamongashesandcindersdidn't"comeeasytoasea-farin'man."Now,nothingwasmorenaturalthanthatVanderKempandhisguestshouldbesmittenwiththesamesortofdesirewhichhadbroughttheseexcursionistsfrom Batavia. The only thing that we do not pretend to account for is thestrange coincidence that they should have been so smitten, and had soarrangedtheirplans,thattheyarrivedatPerboewatanalmostatthesametimewiththeexcursionistsonlyabouthalfanhourbeforethem!Their preliminary walk, however, through the tangled, almost impassable,forest had been very slow and toilsome, and having been involved in itsshadowfromdaybreak,theywere,ofcourse,quiteunawareoftheapproachofthesteamerorthelandingoftheexcursionparty."Ifthevolcanoseemsquietingdown,"saidNigeltohishost,"shallyoustartto-morrow?""Yes;bydaybreak.EveniftheeruptiondoesnotquietdownImustsetout,formybusinesspresses."Nigel feltmuch inclined toaskwhathisbusinesswas,but therewasaquietsomethingintheairofthehermit,whenhedidnotchoosetobequestioned,whicheffectuallysilencedcuriosity.Fallingbehindalittle,tillthenegrocameupwithhim,Nigeltriedtoobtaininformationfromhim,forhefeltthathehadasortofrighttoknowatleastsomethingabouttheexpeditioninwhichhewasabouttoactapart."Doyouknow,Moses,whatbusinessyourmasterisgoingabout?"heasked,inalowvoice.

"Nomorenordemanobdemoon,MassaNadgel,"saidMoses,withanairatoncesotruthfulandsosolemnthattheyoungmangaveitupwithalaughofresignation.OnarrivingatPerboewatan,andascendingitssides,theyatlastbecameawareoftheapproachoftheexcursionsteamer."Strange,"mutteredthehermit,"vesselsdon'toftentouchhere.""Perhapstheyhaverunshortofwater,"suggestedNigel."Even if they had it would not be worth their while to stop here for that,"returned the hermit, resuming the ascent of the cone after an interveningclumpoftreeshadshutoutthesteamerfromview.Itwaswithfeelingsofprofoundinterestandconsiderableexcitementthatourherostoodforthefirsttimeonthetopofavolcanicconeandgazeddownintoitsglowingvent.Thecratermightbedescribedasahugebasinof3000feetindiameter.Fromtherimofthisbasinonwhichthevisitorsstoodthesidesslopedsograduallyinwardthattheflatfloorat thebottomwasnotmorethanhalfthatdiameter.Thisfloorwhichwasabout150feetbelowtheupperedgewascoveredwithablackcrust,andinthecentreofitwasthetremendouscavitybetweenoneandtwo hundred feet in diameterfrom which issued the great steam-cloud. Thecloudwasmixedwithquantitiesofpumiceandfragmentsofwhatappearedtobeblackglass.Theroarofthishugeventwasdeafeningandstupendous.Ifthereader will reflect on the wonderful hubbub that can be created even by akitchen kettle when superheated, and on the exasperating shrieks of asteamboat's safety-valve in action, or the bellowing of a fog-horn, he mayformsomeideaoftheextentofhisincapacitytoconceivethethunderousroarofKrakatoawhenitbegantoboilover.When to this awful sound therewere added the intermittent explosions, thehorrid crackling of millions of rock-masses meeting in the air, and thebubblingupofmoltenlavaverilyitdidnotrequiretheimaginationofaDantetoseeinallthistheveryvomitingofGehenna!Soamazedandwell-nighstunnedwasNigelatthesightsandsoundsthatheneitherheardnor saw thearrivalof theexcursionists,until theequally awe-strickenMoses touched him on the elbow and drew his attention to severalmenwho suddenlyappearedon thecrater-brimnot fiftyyardsoff,butwho,likethemselves,weretoomuchabsorbedwiththevolcanoitselftoobservetheothervisitors.Probablytheytookthemforsomeoftheirownpartywhohad

reachedthesummitbeforethem.Nigel was yet looking at these visitors in some surprise, when an elderlynautical man suddenly stood not twenty yards off gazing in open-mouthedamazement,pastourhero'sverynose,atthevolcanicfires."Hallo,Father!"shoutedtheone."Zounds!Nigel!"exclaimedtheother.Bothmenglaredandwerespeechlessforseveralseconds.ThenNigelrushedat thecaptain,and thecaptainmethimhalf-way,and theyshookhandswithsuch hearty goodwill as to arrest in his operations for a few moments aphotographerwhowashastilysettinguphiscamera!Yes, science has done much to reveal the marvellous and arouse exaltedthoughts in the human mind, but it has also done something to crushenthusiastsandshocktheromantic.Veracityconstrainsustostatethattherehewas, with his tripod, and his eager haste, and his hideous black cloth,preparingto"take"Perboewatanona"dryplate"!Andhe"took"ittoo!Andyoumayseeit,ifyouwill,asamarvellousfrontispiecetothevolumebythe"KrakatoaCommittee"aworkwhichisapparentlyasexhaustiveofthesubjectofKrakatoaaswasthegreatexplosionitselfofthoseinternalfireswhichwillprobablykeepthatvolcanoquietforthenexttwohundredyears.ButthiswasnottheGreatEruptionofKrakatoaonlyarehearsal,asitwere."Whatbroughtyouhere,myson?"askedthecaptain,onrecoveringspeech."Mylegs,father.""Don'tbeinsolent,boy.""It'snotinsolence,father.It'sonlypoeticallicence,meanttoassureyouthatIdidnotcomeby'busorrailthoughyoudidbysteamer!Butletmeintroduceyoutomyfriend,Mr."Hestoppedshortonlookinground,forVanderKempwasnotthere."He goed awaywheneber he saw de peepil comin' up de hill," saidMoses,whohadwatched themeetingof fatherandsonwithhugedelight."Butyoukininterdoocemeinstead,"headded,withacrater-likesmile."True, true," exclaimed Nigel, laughing. "This is Moses, father, my host'sservant,andmyverygood friend,anda remarkably free-and-easy friend,asyousee.Hewillguideusbacktothecave,sinceVanderKempseemstohave

leftus.""Who'sVanderKemp?"askedthecaptain."ThehermitofRakata,fatherthat'shisname.HisfatherwasaDutchmanandhismotheranEnglishor IrishwomanIforgetwhich.He'sasplendidfellow;quite different from what one would expect; no more like a hermit than ahermit-crab, except that he lives in a cave under the Peak ofRakata, at theotherendof the island.Butyoumustcomewithusandpayhimavisit.Hewillbedelightedtoseeyou.""What! steer through a green sea of leaves like that?" said the captain,stretchinghisarm towards thevast forest that lay stretchedoutbelow them,"andonmylegs,too,thathavebeenusedalltheirlivestoaship'sdeck?No,myson.Iwillcontentmyselfwiththisluckymeetin'.But,Isay,Nigel,lad,"continuedtheoldman,somewhatmoreseriously,"whatifthePeako'RaRa,what's-'is-name,shouldtaketospoutin'likethisone,an'you,asyousay,livin'underit?""Ha! das 'zackly what I say," interposed Moses. "Das what I oftin says tomassa,buthenebberanswers.Heonlysmile.Massa'snotalwayssopurliteashemightbe!""Thereisnofear,"saidNigel,"notatpresent,anyhow,forVanderKempsaysthattheforceofthiseruptionisdiminishing""It don't look much like it," muttered the captain, as the volcano at thatmoment gave vent to a burst which seemed like a sarcastic laugh at thehermit'sopinion,andsentthemoretimidoftheexcursionistssprawlingdownthecinder-slopeingreatalarm."There's reason inwhatyousay, father," saidNigel,when thediminutionofnoiserenderedspeechmoreeasy;"andafterall,aswestartoffonourtravelsto-morrow,yourvisitcouldnothavebeenalongone.""Wheredoyougofirst?"askedthecaptain."Notsure.Doyouknow,Moses?""No;nomore'ndemanobdemoon.P'r'apsBorneo.Hegodarsometimes."Atthispointanotherroarfromthevolcano,andashoutfromtheleaderoftheexcursioniststoreturnonboard,brokeuptheconference."Well, lad, I'm glad I've seen you. Don't forget to write your whereabouts.They say there's a lot o'wild places aswell aswildmen and beasts among

themislands,sokeepyourweather-eyeopenan'yourpowderdry.Good-bye,Nigel.Takecareofhim,Moses,andkeephimouto'mischiefifyecanwhichismorethaneverIcould.Good-bye,myboy.""Good-bye,father."Theyshookhandsvigorously. Inanotherminute theold seamanwas sailingdown the cinder-cone at the rate of fourteen knots an hour, while his son,setting off under the guidance of Moses towards a different point of thecompass,wassoonpushinghiswaythroughthetangledforestinthedirectionofthehermit'scave.

CHAPTERXACURIOUSSEA-GOINGCRAFTTHEUNKNOWNVOYAGEBEGUNItwasearlynextmorningwhenVanderKempandhismanlefttheircouchesanddescended to the shore, leaving theirvisitor enjoying thebenefitof thatprofound slumber which bids defiance to turmoil and noise, howeverstupendous, andwhich seems to be the peculiar privilege of healthy infantsandyouthfulseamen.Perboewatan had subsided considerably towardsmorning, and had taken tothat internal rumbling, which in the feline species indicates mitigatedindignation.Thehermithadthereforecometotheconclusionthattheoutburstwasover,andwentwithMosestomakearrangementsforsettingforthonhisexpeditionafterbreakfast.They had scarcely left the cave when Nigel awoke. Feeling indisposed forfurther repose, hegot up andwent out in that vague state ofmindwhich isusuallydefinedas"havingalookattheweather."Whetherornothegatheredmuchinformationfromthelookwecannottell,but, takinguphisshortgun,which stood handy at the entrance of the cave, he sauntered down the pathwhich his host had followed a short time before. Arrived at the shore, heobserved that a branch path diverged to the left, and appeared to run in thedirectionofahighprecipice.Heturned into it,andafterproceedingthroughthebushesforashortwayhecamequiteunexpectedlyonacavern,themouthofwhichresembled,butwasmuchhigherandwiderthanthatwhichledtothehermit'shome.Just as he approached it there issued from its gloomy depths a strangerumblingsoundwhichinducedhimtostopandcockhisgun.Acuriousfeelingofserio-comicawecreptoverhimastheideaofafierydragonleapedintohismind!Atthesametime,thefancythattheimmenseabyssofdarknessmightbeoneof thevolcanicventsdiminished thecomicand increased theserious

feeling. Ere long the sound assumed the definite tone of footsteps, and thedragonfancyseemedabouttobecomearealitywhenhebeheldalongnarrowthingofuncertainformemergingfromthedarkness."Itmustbecomingout tail-foremost!"hemuttered,withashort laughathissemi-credulity.Another instantand thehermitemerged into theblazingsunshine,andstoodpictured against the intense darkness like a being of supernatural radiance,withtheendofalongnarrowcanoeonhisshoulder.AsNigel passed round a bush to reach him he perceived the dark form ofMosesemergingfromthedepthsandsupportingthebodyofthecanoe."I see you are active and an early riser," said the hermit, with a nod ofapprovalonseeingourhero."Ialmost tookyouforaKrakatoamonster!"saidNigel,as theycameout infrontof thecavernand laid thecanoeon theground."Why,you'vegothereoneofthecraftwhichweinEnglandcallaRobRoycanoe!""It is fashioned on the samepattern," said the hermit, "butwith one or twoalterationsofmyowndevising,andanimprovementasIthinkfoundedonwhatIhavemyselfseen,whentravellingwiththeEskimosofGreenland."VanderKempherepointedoutthatthecanoewasnotonlysomewhatbroaderthan the kind used in England, butwas considerably longer, andwith threeopenings or manholes in the deck, so that it was capable of holding threepersons.Also,thattherewasalargeroundedmassofwoodfixedinfrontofthethreemanholes."Thesesaddles,asIcallthem,"saidthehermit,"havebeensuggestedtomebytheEskimos,who, insteadofwearying their armsby supporting thedouble-bladedpaddlecontinuously,restitonthesaddleandletitslideaboutthereonwhile being used. Thus they are able to carry a much longer and heavierpaddlethanthatusedintheRobRoycanoe,theweightofwhich,asitrestsonthesaddle,isnotfelt.Moreoveritdoesnotrequirenearlysomuchdiptoputitin the water. I have heard of a sort of upright with a universal joint beingapplied to the English canoe, but it seems tome amuchmore clumsy andmuchlesseffective,becauserigid,contrivancethantheEskimosaddle.Inside,under the deck, as I will show you by and by, I have lighter and shorterpaddlesforusewheninnarrowrivers,butIpreferthelongheavypaddlewhentraversinggreatstretchesofocean.""Youdon'tmeantosayyouevergotoseainaneggshelllikethat!"exclaimed

Nigelinsurprise."Indeed we do," returned the hermit, "and we are fitted out for longishvoyagesandroughweather.Besides, it isnotsomuchofaneggshellasyousuppose. I made it myself, and took care that it should be fit for the workrequiredofit.Thewoodofwhichitismade,althoughlight,isverytough,andit is linedwithaskinofstrongcanvaswhich is fixed to theplankswith tar.Thismakesthecraftwatertightaswellasstrong.Theribsalsoareverylightandclose together, andevery sixth rib is larger and stronger than theothersandmadeoftougherwood.Alltheseribsareboundtogetherbylongitudinalpieces, or laths, of very toughwood, yet so thin that thewholemachine iselastic without being weak. Besides this, there are two strong oiled-canvaspartitions, which divide the canoe into three water-tight compartments, anytwoofwhichwillfloatitifthethirdshouldgetfilled.""Isthisthenthecraftinwhichyouintendtovoyage?"askedNigel."Itis.Weshallstartinanhourortwo.Ikeepitinthiscavebecauseitisnearthelanding-place.Butcome,youwillunderstandthingsbetterwhenyouseeusmakingourarrangements.Ofcourseyouunderstandhowtomanagesailsofeverykind?""IfIdidnotitwouldillbecomemetocallmyselfasailor,"returnedourhero."Thatiswell,becauseyouwillsitinthemiddle,fromwhichpositionthesailispartlymanaged.Iusuallysitinthebowtohavefreerangefortheuseofmygun,ifneedbe,andMosessteers."Van der Kemp proceeded down the track as he said this, having, with thenegro,againliftedthecanoeonhisshoulder.Afewminutes'walkbrought themto thebeachat thespotwhereNigelhadoriginallylanded.Hereaquantityofcargolayontherocksreadytobeplacedin the canoe. There were several small bags of pemmican, which Van derKemphadlearnedtomakewhiletravellingontheprairiesofNorthAmericaamong the Red Indians,for this singular being seemed to have visitedmostpartsofthehabitableglobeduringhisnotyetverylonglife.Therewerefivesmallcasksoffreshwater,twoorthreecanistersofgunpowder,asmallboxoftea and another of sugar, besides several bags of biscuits. There were alsootherbagsandboxeswhichdidnotbytheirappearancerevealtheircontents,andall thearticleswereofashapeandsizewhichseemedmostsuitable forpassingthroughthemanholes,andbeingconvenientlydistributedandstowedinthethreecompartmentsofthecanoe.Therewasnotverymuchofanything,however, so that when the canoe was laden and ready for its voyage, thehermit and his man were still able to raise and carry it on their shoulders

withouttheassistanceofNigel.Therewasonepassengerwhomwehavenotyetmentioned,namely,asmallmonkeywhichdweltinthecavewiththecanoe,andwhich,althoughperfectlyfreetocomeandgowhenhepleased,seldomleftthecaveexceptforfood,butseemedtohaveconstitutedhimselftheguardianofthelittlecraft.Spinkie,asMoseshadnamedhim,wasanintenselyaffectionatecreature,witha countenance of patheticmelancholywhich utterly belied his character, formischiefandfunwerethedominatingqualitiesofthatmonkey.Hewasseatedonawater-caskwhenNigel firstcaughtsightofhim,holding theendofhislongtailinonehand,andapparentlywipinghisnosewithit."Isthatwhatheisdoing?"askedNigelofthenegro."Ohno,MassaNadgel," saidMoses. "Spinkie nebber ketch cold an' habnoneed ob a pocket-hangkitcher.He only tickles his nosewid 'is tail.But he'sberyfondobdoin'dat."Being extremely fond of monkeys, Nigel went forward to fondle him, andSpinkie being equally fond of fondling, resigned himself placidlyafter oneinterrogativegazeofwide-eyedsuspicionintothestranger'shands.Alifelongfriendshipwascementedthenandthere.After stowing the cargo the party returned to the upper cavern, leaving themonkeytoguardthecanoe."An'he'sagooddefenderobit,"saidMoses,"for ifmanorbeasthappentocomenear itwhenSpinkie's in charge, datmonkey sets up a skriekin' fit tocausea'splosionobPerboewatan!"Breakfastover,thehermitputhiscaveinorderforaprettylongabsence,andtheyagaindescendedtotheshore,eachmancarryinghisbedonhisshoulder.Eachbed,however,was lightandsimple. Itconsistedmerelyofoneblanketwrappedupinanoil-clothsheet.Besides,anold-fashionedpowder-flaskandshot belt. Van der Kemp and Nigel had slung a bullet-pouch on theirshoulders,andcarriedsmallhatchetsandhunting-knivesintheirbelts.Moseswas similarly armed, with this difference, that his couteau de chasse borestrongerresemblancetoanancientRomanswordthanaknife,andhisaxewasoflargersizethanthehatchetsofhiscompanions.Launching thecanoe, thehermitandhismanheld it fastateitherendwhileNigelwas directed to take his place in the central of the three openings ormanholes.Hedidsoandfoundhimselfseatedonaflatboardonthebottomofthe canoe,whichwas so shallow that the deck scarcely rose as high as his

waist.Roundthemanholetherewasaledgeofthinwood,aboutthreeincheshigh,towhichacircularapronofoiledcanvaswasattached."Yes,you'dbetterunderstandthatthingbeforewestart,"saidVanderKemp,observingthatNigelwasexaminingthecontrivancewithsomecuriosity."It'sanaprontotieroundyouinbadweathertokeepthewaterout.Infineweatherit is rolled as you see it now round the ledge.Undo the buckle before andbehindandyouwillseehowitistobeused."Actingasdirected,Nigelunbuckledtherollandfoundthathewassurroundedbyasortofpetticoatofoil-skinwhichcouldbedrawnupandbuckledroundhischest.Inthispositionitcouldbekeptbyaloopattachedtoabutton,orawoodenpin,thrustthroughthecoat."Yousee,"explainedthehermit,"thewavesmaywashalloverourdeckandroundourbodieswithoutbeingabletogetintothecanoewhilewehavethesethingsontherearesimilarprotectionsroundtheotherholes.""Iunderstand,"saidNigel."Buthowifwatergetsinthroughaleakbelow?""Doyouseethatbrassthinginfrontofyou?"returnedthehermit."Thatisapumpwhich iscapableofkeepingunderaprettyextensive leak.Thehandleunships,soastobeoutofthewaywhennotwanted.Ikeepithere,underthedeckinfrontofme,alongwithmastandsailsandagoodmanyotherthings."Ashespokeheraisedaplankof thedeckinfrontof theforemosthole,anddisclosed a sort of narrowbox about six feet longby six inches broad.Theplankwashinged at one end and fastenedwith a hook at theother so as toform a lid to the box. The hole thus disclosedwas not an opening into theinteriorofthecanoe,butwasaveritablewatertightboxjustunderthedeck,sothateven if itwere toget filledwithwaternotadropcouldenter thecanoeitself.Buttheplank-lidwassobeautifullyfitted,besidesshuttingtightlydownon indiarubber, that the chance of leakage through that source was veryremote.Althoughverynarrow,thisboxwasdeep,andcontainedavarietyofusefulimplements;amongthemaslendermastandtinysail,whichcouldberenderedstillsmallerbymeansofreefpoints.Allthesethingswerefittedintotheir respective places with so keen an eye to economy of space that thearrangementcannotbebetterdescribedthanbythefamiliarphrasemultum,inparvo."Wedon'tusethesailsmuch;wedependchieflyonthis,"saidthehermit,ashe seated himself in the front hole and laid the long, heavy, double-bladedpaddleonthesaddleinfrontofhim.Mosesusesasingleblade,partlybecause

itishandierforsteeringandpartlybecausehehasbeenaccustomedtoitinhisownland.Youareatlibertytousewhichyouprefer.""Thanks,IwillfollowtheleadofMoses,forIalsohavebeenaccustomedtothesinglebladeandpreferitatleastwhileIamoneofthree.Ifalone,Ishouldpreferthedoubleblade.""Now,Moses,areyouready?"askedthehermit."Allready,massa.""Getinthenandshoveoff.Comealong,Spinkie."Themonkey,whichallthistimehadbeenseatedonarocklookingonwithanexpressionofinconsolablesorrow,atonceacceptedtheinvitation,andwithalivelyboundalightedonthedeckclosetothelittlemast,whichhadbeensetup just in front of Nigel, and towhich it held onwhen themotions of thecanoebecameunsteady."YouneednotgiveyourselfanyconcernaboutSpinkie," said thehermit, astheyglidedoverthestillwaterofthelittlecoveinwhichthecanoeandboatwereharboured."Heisquiteabletotakecareofhimself."Boundingtheentrancetothecoveandshootingoutintotheoceanundertheinfluence of Van der Kemp's powerful strokes, they were soon clear of theland, and proceeded eastward at a rate which seemed unaccountable to ourhero,forhehadnotsufficientlyrealisedthefactthatinadditiontotheunusualphysicalstrengthofVanderKempaswellasthatofMoses,tosaynothingofhisown,thebeautifulfish-likeadaptationofthecanoetothewater,thegreatlengthandleverageofthebowpaddle,andtheweightofthemselvesaswellasthecargo,gavethiscanoeconsiderableadvantageoverothercraftofthekind.About a quarter of an hour later the sun arose in cloudless splendour on aperfectlytranquilsea,lighteduptheshoresofJava,glintedoverthemountainsof Sumatra, and flooded, as with a golden haze, the forests ofKrakatoaemulating the volcanic fires in gilding the volumes of smoke thatcould be seen rolling amid fitful mutterings from Perboewatan, until thehermit'shomesankfromviewinthewesternhorizon.

CHAPTERXICANOEINGONTHESEAAMYSTERIOUSNIGHT-SURPRISEAND

SUDDENFLIGHTAtfirstthevoyagerspaddledovertheglassyseainalmosttotalsilence.

Nigelwasoccupiedwithhisownbusythoughts;speculatingontheprobableendandobjectoftheirvoyage,andonthecharacter,themysteriouslife,andunknownhistoryof themanwhosat in frontofhimwieldingsopowerfullythegreatdouble-bladedpaddle.VanderKemphimselfwas,aswehavesaid,naturallyquietandsilent,savewhenrousedbyasubject that interestedhim.As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendlyintercourse,heseldominitiatedaconversation,andSpinkie,graspingthemastand leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep orbroodingoverhissorrows.OnlyafewwordswereutterednowandthenwhenNigelaskedthenameofapointorpeakwhichroseinthedistanceoneitherhand.Itseemedasifthequiescenceofseaandairhadfallenlikeasoftmantleonthepartyandsubduedthemintoanunusuallysluggishframeofmind.TheypassedthroughtheSundaStraitsbetweenSumatraandJavanotmoreatthenarrowestpartthanaboutthirteenmileswideand,incourseoftime,foundthemselvesinthegreatisland-studdedarchipelagobeyond.About noon they all seemed towake up from their lethargic state. Van derKemplaiddownhispaddle,and,lookinground,askedNigelifhefelttired."Notintheleast,"hereplied,"butIfeeluncommonlyhungry,andIhavejustbeenwonderinghowyoumanagetofeedwhenatseainsosmallacraft.""Ho!ho!"laughedMoses,ingutturaltones,"yousoonseedatI 'sposeittimeformetogetoutdegrub,massa?""Yes,Moseslet'shaveit."Thenegroatoncelaiddownhissteeringpaddleandliftedasmallsquarehatchorlidinthedeckwhichwasrenderedwatertightbythesamemeansasthelidinfrontalreadydescribed.Fromthedepthsthusrevealedheextractedabirdofsomesort thathadbeenshotandbaked thedaybefore.Tearingoffa legheretaineditandhandedtheremaindertoNigel."Helpyou'self,MassaNadgel,an'pass'imforid."WithouthelpinghimselfhepasseditontoVanderKemp,whodrewhisknife,slicedoffawingwithamassofbreast,andreturnedtherest."Alwayshelpyourselfbeforepassingthefoodinfuture,"saidthehermit;"wedon'tstandonceremonyhere."Nigelatoncefell inwith theircustom, toreoff theremainingdrumstickandbegan."Biskit,"saidMoses,withhismouthfull,"an'lookoutforSpinkie."

Hehandedforwardadeeptrayofthesailor'sfamiliarfood,butNigelwastooslowtoprofitbythewarninggiven,forSpinkiedartedbothhandsintothetrayandhadstuffedhismouthandcheeks full almostbeforeamancouldwink!Thenegrowouldhavelaughedaloud,butthedangerofchokingwastoogreat;he therefore laughed internallyan operation which could not be fullyunderstoodunlessseen."'SplosionsofPerboewatan,"maysuggestthething.Sorrow,griefwhateveritwasthathabituallyafflictedthatmonkeydisappearedforthetimebeing,whileitdevoteditselfheartandsoultodinner.Feelings of a somewhat similar kind animatedNigel as he sat leaning backwithhismouthfull,abiscuitinonehand,andadrumstickintheother,andhiseyesrestingdreamilyonthehorizonofthestilltranquilsea,whilethebrightsunblazeduponhisalreadybronzedface.Tomanymenthefierceglareoftheequatorialsunmighthaveprovedtrying,butNigelbelongedtothesalamandertypeofhumanityandenjoyedthegreatheat.VanderKempseemedtobesimilarlymoulded,andasforMoses,hewasinhisnativeelementsowasSpinkie.Strangeas itmayseem,sea-birdsappearedtodivinewhatwasgoingon,forseveralspecimenscamecirclingroundthecanoewithgreatoutstretchedandallbutmotionlesswings,andwithsolemnsidelongglancesofhopewhichVanderKempevidentlycouldnotresist,forheflungthemscrapsofhisallowancefromtimetotime."Ifyouhaveplentyofprovisionsonboard,Ishouldliketodothattoo,"saidNigel."Doit,"returnedthehermit."Wehaveplentyoffoodforsomedays,andourguns can at any time replenish the store. I like to feed these creatures," headded, "they give themselves over so thoroughly to the enjoyment of themoment, and seem to be grateful.Whether they are so or not, of course, ismatterofdispute.Cynicswilltellusthattheyonlycometousandfawnuponus because of thememory of past favours and the hope ofmore to come. Idon'tagreewiththem.""Neither do I," saidNigel,warmly. "Anymanwhohas ever had to dowithdogsknowsfullwellthatgratitudeisastrongelementoftheirnature.AnditseemstomethatthespeakingeyesofSpinkie,towhomIhavejustgivenabitofbiscuit,tellofasimilarspirit."Ashespoke,Nigelwasconveyinganotherpieceofbiscuittohisownmouth,whenasmallbrownhandflashedbeforehim,andthemorsel,inthetwinkling

of an eye, was transferred to the monkey's already swollen cheekwhereatMosesagainbecamesuddenly"'splosive"andred,aswellasblackintheface,forhiscapaciousmouthwasinordinatelyfullasusual.Clearwater,fromoneofthecasks,andpouredintoatinmug,washeddowntheir cold collation, and then, refreshed and reinvigorated, the trio resumedtheir paddles, which were not again laid down till the sun was descendingtowards the western horizon. By that time they were not far from a smallwoodedisletnearthecoastofJava,onwhichVanderKempresolvedtospendthenight.During theday theyhadpassedat somedistancemanyboats andprausandothernativevessels,thecrewsofwhichceasedtorowforafewmoments,andgazedwith curiosity at the strange craft which glided along so swiftly, andseemedtothemlittlemorethanalongplankonthewater,butthesetooknofurther notice of our voyagers. They also passed several shipspart of thatconstant stream of vessels which pass westward through those straits ladenwiththevaluableteasandrichsilksofChinaandJapan.Insomecasesacheerof recognition, asbeinganexceptional styleofcraft,wasaccorded them, towhich the hermit repliedwith awave of the handMoses andNigelwith anansweringcheer.Thereissomethingverypleasantintherestwhichfollowsadayofhardandhealthful toil.OurMakerhas soordained it aswell as stated it, for is itnotwritten, "The sleep of the labouring man is sweet"? and our travellersexperienced the truth of the statement that night in very romanticcircumstances.Thesmallrockyislet,notmorethanafewhundredyardsindiameter,whichthey now approached had several sheltered sandy bays on its shore, whichwere convenient for landing. The centre was clothed with palm-trees andunderwood,sothatfuelcouldbeprocured,andcocoa-nuts."Sometimes," said thehermit,whilehe stooped to arrange the fire, after thecanoe and cargo had been carried to their camping-place at the edge of thebushes,"sometimesitisnecessarytokeepconcealedwhiletravellingintheseregions,andIcarryalittlespirit-lampwhichenablesmetoheatacupofteaorcoffee without making a dangerous blaze; but here there is little risk inkindlingafire.""Ishouldnothavethoughttherewasanyriskatall inthesepeacefultimes,"saidNigel,asheunstrappedhisblanketandspreaditonthegroundunderanoverhangingbush."Therearenopeacefultimesamongpirates,"returnedthehermit;"andsome

ofthetradersinthisarchipelagoarelittlebetterthanpirates.""Where Iputsyourbed,massa?"askedMoses, turninghishugeeyesonhismaster."Thereunderthebush,besideNigel.""An'wherewouldyouliketosleep,MassaSpinkie?"addedthenegro,withalowobeisance to themonkey,whichsaton the topofwhatseemed tobe itsfavouriteseatawatercask.Spinkietreatedthequestionwithcalmcontempt,turnedhisheadlanguidlytooneside,andscratchedhimself."Unpurliteness is your k'racter from skin to marrow, you son of a insolentmother!"saidMoses,shakinghisfist,whereatSpinkie,promptlymakinganOofhismouth,lookedfierce.The sagacious creature remained where he was till after supper, whichconsisted of another roast fowlhot this timeand ship's-biscuit washed downwith coffee.Of courseSpinkie's portion consistedonlyof thebiscuitwith afew scraps of cocoa-nut. Having received it he quietly retired to his nativewilds,withtheintentionofsleepingthere,accordingtocustom,tillmorning;buthisreposewasdestinedtobebroken,asweshallsee.Aftersupper,thehermit,stretchinghimselfonhisblanket,filledanenormousmeerschaum, and began to smoke. The negro, rolling up a little tobacco intissuepaper, satdown, tailor-wise,and followedhismaster'sexample,whileourherowhodidnotsmokelaybetweenthem,andgazedcontemplativelyoverthefireatthecalmdarkseabeyond,enjoyingthearomaofhiscoffee."Fromwhatyouhavetoldmeofyourformertradingexpeditions,"saidNigel,looking at his friend, "youmust have seen a good deal of this archipelagobeforeyoutookexcusemetothehermitlife.""Ayagooddeal.""Haveyouevertravelledintheinteriorofthelargerislands?"askedNigel,inthe hope of drawing from him some account of his experiences with wildbeastsorwildmenhedidnotcarewhich,solongastheywerewild!"Yes,inallofthem,"returnedthehermit,curtly,forhewasnotfondoftalkingabouthimself."I suppose the larger islands are densely wooded?" continued Nigelinterrogatively.

"Theyare,very.""Butthewoodisnotofmuchvalue,Ifancy,inthewayoftrade,"pursuedourhero, adopting another line of attack which proved successful, for Van derKempturnedhiseyesonhimwithalookofsurprisethatalmostforcedhimtolaugh."Notofmuchvalueinthewayoftrade!"herepeated"forgiveme,ifIexpresssurprise that you seem to know so little about usbut, after all, theworld islarge,andonecannotbecomedeeplyversedineverything."Havingutteredthistruism,thehermitresumedhismeerschaumandcontinuedtogazethoughtfullyattheembersofthefire.HeremainedsolongsilentthatNigelbegantodespair,butthoughthewouldtryhimonceagainonthesamelines."Isuppose,"hesaidinacarelessway,"thatnoneoftheislandsarebigenoughtocontainmanyofthelargerwildanimals.""Myfriend,"returnedVanderKemp,withasmileofurbanity,asherefilledhis pipe, "it is evident that you do not know much about our archipelago.Borneo,tothewoodsandwildanimalsofwhichIhopeerelongtointroduceyou,issolargethatifyouweretoputyourBritishislands,includingIreland,downonittheywouldbeengulphedandsurroundedbyaseaofforests.NewGuineais,perhaps,largerthanBorneo.Sumatraisonlyalittlesmaller.Franceisnotsolargeassomeofourislands.Java,Luzon,andCelebesareeachaboutequalinsizetoIreland.Eighteenmoreislandsare,ontheaverage,aslargeasJamaica,morethanahundredareaslargeastheIsleofWight,andthesmallerislesandisletsareinnumerable.Inshort,ourarchipelagoiscomparablewithanyoftheprimarydivisionsoftheglobe,beingfull4000milesinlengthfromeast to west and about 1,300 in breadth from north to south, andwould inextentmorethancoverthewholeofEurope."It was evident to Nigel that he had at length succeeded in opening thefloodgates. The hermit paused for a few moments and puffed at themeerschaum, while Moses glared at his master with absorbed interest, andpulledatthecigarettewithsuchobliviousvigourthathedrewitintohismouthatlast,spatitout,andpreparedanother.Nigelsatquitesilentandwaitedformore."As to trade," continued Van der Kemp, resuming his discourse in a lowertone,"why,ofgoldthegreatrepresentativeofwealthweexportfromSumatraaloneover26,000ouncesannually,andamongothergoldregionswehaveaMount Ophir in the Malay Peninsula from which there is a considerable

annualexport."Continuing his discourse, Van der Kemp told a great deal more about theproducts of these prolific islands with considerable enthusiasmas one whosomewhatresentedtheunderratingofhisnativeland."Wereyouborn in this region,VanderKemp?" askedNigel, during a briefpause."IwasinJava.Myfather,asmynametells,wasofDutchdescent.MymotherwasIrish.Botharedead."He stopped. The fire that had been aroused seemed to die down, and hecontinuedtosmokewiththesadabsentlookwhichwaspeculiartohim."And what about large game?" asked Nigel, anxious to stir up his friend'senthusiasm again, but the hermit had sunk back into his usual condition ofgentledreaminess,andmadenoanswertillthequestionhadbeenrepeated."Pardonme,"hesaid,"Iwasdreamingof thedaysthataregone.Ah!Nigel;youareyettooyoungtounderstandthefeelingsoftheoldthesadmemoriesofhappyyearsthatcanneverreturn:ofvoicesthatarehushedforever.Noonecanknowtillhehasfelt!""But you are not old," saidNigel,wishing to turn the hermit'smind fromasubjectonwhichitseemedtodwelltooconstantly."Not in years," he returned; "but old, very old in experience, andstay,whatwasitthatyouwereaskingabout?Ah,thebiggame.Well,wehaveplentyofthatinsomeofthelargeroftheislands;wehavetheelephant,therhinoceros,the tiger, thepuma, thatgreatman-monkey theorang-utan,or,as it iscalledhere, themias,besideswildpigs,deer,andinnumerablesmalleranimalsandbirds"The hermit stopped abruptly and satmotionless, with his head bent on oneside,likeonewholistensintently.Suchanactionisalwaysinfectious.Nigelandthenegroalsolistened,butheardnothing.Bythattimethefirehaddieddown,and,notbeingrequiredforwarmth,hadnot been replenished. The faint light of the comingmoon,which, however,wasnotyetabovethehorizon,onlyseemedtorenderdarknessvisible,sothatthe figure ofMoses was quite lost in the shadow of the bush behind him,thoughthewhitesofhissolemneyesappearedliketwoglow-worms."Doyouhearanything?"askedNigelinalowtone.

"Oars,"answeredthehermit."I hear 'im,massa,"whispered the negro, "but das not su'prisin'plenty boatsabout.""Thisboatapproachestheisland,andIcantellbythesoundthatitisalargeprau. If it toucheshere itwill be for thepurposeof spending thenight, andMalayboatmenarenotalwaysagreeableneighbours.However,itisnotlikelytheywill ramble far fromwhere they land,sowemayescapeobservation ifwekeepquiet."As he spoke he emptied the remains of the coffee on the dying fire andeffectuallyputitout.Meanwhile the sound of oars had become quite distinct, and, as had beenanticipated, the crew ran their boat into one of the sandy bays and leapedashorewithagooddealofshoutingandnoise.Fortunatelytheyhadlandedontheoppositesideoftheislet,andasthebushonitwasverydensetherewasnot much probability of any one crossing over. Our voyagers therefore layclose,resolvingtobeoff inthemorningbeforetheunwelcomevisitorswerestirring.Asthethreelaytherewrappedintheirblanketsandgazingcontemplativelyatthenowrisenmoon,voiceswereheardasifofmenapproaching.Itwassoonfound that two of the strangers had sauntered round by the beach andwereslowlydrawingneartheencampment.Nigelobservedthatthehermithadraisedhimselfononeelbowandseemedtobeagainlisteningintently.The twomenhaltedon reaching the topof the ridgesof rockwhich formedone side of the little bay, and their voices became audible though too fardistanttoadmitofwordsbeingdistinguishable.Atthesametimetheirformswereclearlydefinedagainstthesky.NigelglancedatVanderKempandwasstartledbythechangethathadcomeover him. The moonbeams, which had by that time risen above someinterveningshrubs,shonefullonhimandshowedthathisusuallyquietgentlecountenancewasdeadlypaleandtransformedbyafrownofalmosttiger-likeferocity.So strangeandunaccountabledid this seem toourhero thathe layquitestill,asifspell-bound.Nordidhiscompanionsmoveuntilthestrangers,havingfinishedtheirtalk,turnedtoretracetheirstepsandfinallydisappeared.ThenVanderKemprosewithasighofrelief.ThenegroandNigelalsosprangup.

"What'swrong,massa?"askedMoses,inmuchanxiety."Nothing,nothing,"saidthehermithurriedly."Imustcrossovertoseethesefellows.""Allright,massa.Igowidyou.""No,Igoalone.""Not widout arms?" exclaimed the negro, laying his hand on his master'sshoulder."Yes,withoutarms!"Ashespokehedrewthelongknifethatusuallyhungathisgirdleandflungitdown."Nowattend,bothofyou,"headded,withsuddenandalmostthreateningearnestness."Donotonanyaccountfollowme.Iamquiteabletotakecareofmyself."Nextmomentheglidedintothebushesandwasgone."Can you guess what is the matter with him?" asked Nigel, turning to hiscompanionwithaperplexedlook."Notmorenordemanobdemoon.Inebbersaw'd'imlikedatbefore.It'inkhe's go mad! I tell you whatI'll foller him wid a rifle an' knife and tworevolvers.""You'lldonothingofthesort,"saidNigel,layingholdofthenegro'swristwithagripofiron;"whenamanlikeVanderKempgivesanorderit'sthedutyofinferiormenlikeyouandmestrictlytoobey.""Wellp'rapsyou're right,Nadgel," returnedMosescalmly. "Ifyouwasn't, I'dknockyouintodemiddleobnixtweekfortakin'agripo'melikedat.""You'llwishyourselfintothemiddleofnextfortnightifyoudisobeyorders,"returnedourhero,tighteningthegrip.Moses threw back his head, opened his cavern, and laughed silently; at thesametimehetwistedhisarmfreewithasuddenwrench."You's awrful strong, Nadgel, but you don't quite come up to niggers!Howse'ber,you'sright.I'llobeyorders;neberdelessI'llgetreadyforaction."Sosaying,thenegroextractedfromthecanoeseveralrevolvers,twoofwhichhehandedtoNigel,twohethrustintohisownbelt,andtwohelaidhandyfor"massa"whenheshouldreturn.

"Now,ifyou'resmartatarit'metic,you'llseedatsixtimesixamt'irty-six,andtwodoublegunsdasfortyfortydeadmen'smore'nenuffbesidesdeknives."Moses had barely finished these deadly preparations when Van der Kempreturnedasquietlyashehadgone.Hisfacewasstillfierceandhaggard,andhismannerhurriedthoughquitedecided."Ihaveseenhim,"hesaid,inalowvoice."Seenwho?"askedNigel."Himwhom I hadhoped andprayednevermore to see.My enemy!Come,quick,wemustleaveatonce,andwithoutattractingtheirnotice."Hegavehis comradesno time toput furtherquestions,but laidholdofoneend of the canoe; Moses took the other end and it was launched in a fewseconds,whileNigelcarrieddownsuchpartof the ladingashadbeentakenout.Fiveminutessufficedtoputallonboard,andthatspaceoftimewasalsosufficient to enable Spinkie to observe from his retreat in the bushes that adeparturewas about to take place; he thereforemade for the shorewith allspeedandboundedtohisaccustomedplacebesidethemast.Taking theirplaces theypushedoffsosoftly that theymightwellhavebeentakenforphantoms.Acloudconvenientlyhidthemoonatthetime.Eachmanpliedhispaddlewithnoiselessbutpowerfulstroke,andlongbeforetheclouduncovered the faceof theQueenofNight theywereshooting farawayoverthetranquilsea.

CHAPTERXIIWEATHERINGASTORMINTHEOPENSEA

Inprofoundsilencetheycontinuedtopaddleuntiltherewasnochanceoftheirbeingseenbythepartyontheislet.ThenVanderKemprestedhispaddleinfront of him and looked slowly round the horizon and up at the sky as ifstudyingtheweather.Nigel longed to ask him more about the men they had seen, and of this"enemy"whomhehadmentioned,buttherewasthatinthehermit'sgravelookwhichforbadequestioning,andindeedNigelnowknewfromexperiencethatitwouldbeuselesstopresshimtospeakonanysubjectinregardtowhichhechosetobereticent."I don't like the look of the sky," he said at last. "We are going to have asquall,Ifear."

"Hadwenotbetterrunforthenearestland?"saidNigel,who,althoughnotyetexperiencedinthesignsoftheweatherinthoseequatorialregions,hadquiteenoughofknowledgetoperceivethatbadweatherofsomesortwasprobablyapproaching."The nearest island is a goodway off," returned the hermit, "andwemightmissitinthedark,fordaylightwon'thelpusyetawhile.No,wewillcontinueourcourseandacceptwhatGodsends."Thisremarkseemedtoourherotosavourofunreasoningcontemptofdanger,for the facing of a tropical squall in such an eggshell appeared to him theheightoffolly.Heventuredtoreply,therefore,inatoneofremonstrance"Godsendsusthecapacitytoappreciatedanger,VanderKemp,andthepowertotakeprecautions.""Hedoes,NigelthereforeIintendtouseboththecapacityandthepower."Therewas a tone of finality in this speechwhich effectually sealedNigel'slips,and,intruth,hisever-increasingtrustinthewisdom,power,andresourceofhisfriendindisposedhimtofurtherremark.Thenighthadbythis timebecomeintenselydark,forabankofblackcloudhadcreptslowlyovertheskyandblottedoutthemoon.Thiscloudextendeditself slowly, obliterating, ere long, most of the stars also, so that it wasscarcelypossibletodistinguishanyobjectmorethanayardortwoinadvanceof them. The dead calm, however, continued unbroken, and the few ofheaven'slightswhichstillglimmeredthroughtheobscurityabovewereclearlyreflected in thegreatblackmirrorbelow.Only thefaintgleamofKrakatoa'sthreateningfireswasvisibleonthehorizon,whiletheoccasionalboomofitsartillerysoundedintheirears.Itwas impossible for any inexperiencedman,howevercourageous, to avoidfeelingsofawe,almostamountingtodread,inthecircumstances,andNigelashetriedtopenetratethedarknessaroundhimandglancedatthenarrowcraftinwhichhesatandoverthesidesofwhichhecoulddipbothhandsatonceintotheseamightbeexcusedforwishing,withallhisheart,thatheweresafelyonshore,oron thedeckofhis father'sbrig.His feelingswerebynomeansrelievedwhenVanderKempsaid,inalowsoliloquisingtone"The steamerswill constitute our chief danger to-night.They comeonwithsucharushthatitisnoteasytomakeouthowtheyaresteering,soastogetoutoftheirwayintime."

"Butshouldwenothearthemcomingalongwayoff?"askedNigel."Ay.Itisnotduringacalmlikethisthatwerunrisk,butwhenthegalebeginstoblowwecannothear,andshallnot,perhaps,seeverywell."As he spoke the hermit lifted the covering of the forehatch and took out asmallsailwhichheaskedNigeltopassafttothenegro."Close-reefit,Moses;weshallmakeuseofthewindaslongaspossible.Afterthatwewilllay-to.""Allright,massa,"saidthenegro, inthesamecheerfulfree-and-easytoneinwhichhewaswonttoexpresshiswillingnesstoobeyorderswhethertriflingorimportant."Don'forgitSpinkie,massa.""YoumaybesureIwon'tdothat,"repliedthehermit."Comealong,monkey!"EvidentlyVan derKemp had trained his dumb companion as thoroughly toprompt obedience as his black follower, for the little creature instantlyboundedfromitsplacebythemastontotheshoulderofitsmaster,whobadeitgointotheplacefromwhichhehadjustextractedthesail.Nigelcouldnotseethisnotonlybecauseofthedarkness,butbecauseoftheinterventionofthehermit's bulky person, but he understood what had taken place by theremark"That's a good little fellow.Keepyour headdown, now,while I shutyouin!"From the same place Van der Kemp had drawn a small triangular foresail,whichheproceededtoattachtothebowofthecanoerunningitspointoutbymeansoftacklelaidalongthedeckwhileMoseswasbusyreefingthemainsail.Fromthesamerepositorywereextractedthreewaterproofcoats,which,whenput on by the canoe-men, the tails thrust below-deck, and the aprons drawnover them and belted round their waists, protected their persons almostcompletelyfromwater."Now, Nigel," said the hermit, "unship the mast, reeve the halyard of thisforesailthroughthetopandthenre-shipit.Moseswillgiveyouthemainsailwhenready,andyoucanhookthehalyardsontoit.Thethingistoosimpletorequireexplanationtoasailor.IattendtotheforesailandMosesmanagesthemainsheet,butyouhavetomindthehalyardsofboth,which,asyouwouldseeif it were light enough, run down alongside the mast. All I ask you toremember is to be smart in obeying orders, for squalls are sometimes verysuddenherebutIdoubtnotthatsuchacautionisneedless.""I'lldomybest,"saidNigel.

By this time a slight puff of air had ruffled the sea, thereby intensifying, ifpossible,theblacknesswhichalreadyprevailed.Thetinysailscaughtthepuff,causing the canoe to lean slightly over, and glide with a rippling soundthroughthewater,whileMosessteeredbymeansofhispaddle."YouhaveputSpinkiedownbelow,Ithink,"saidNigel,whohadbeenstruckmore than once with the hermit's extreme tenderness and care of the littlecreature."Yes, toprevent it frombeingwashedoverboard. Inearly lost thepoor littlethingonceortwice,andnowwhenwearelikelytobecaughtinbadweatherIputhimbelow.""Ishenotapttobesuffocated?"askedNigel."Witheverythingmadesotightto preventwater getting into the canoe, you necessarily prevent air enteringalso.""I see you have amechanical turn ofmind," returned the hermit. "You areright.Yetinsolargeacanoetheairwouldlastaconsiderabletimetosatisfyamonkey.Nevertheless, I havemadeprovision for that.There is a short tubealongsidethemast,andfixedtoit,whichrunsalittlebelowthedeckandrisesafootaboveitsoastobewellabovethewashofmostwaves,andinthedecknearthesternthereisasmallholewithacapfittedsoastoturnthewaterbutadmittheair.Thusfreecirculationofairisestablishedbelowdeck."Suddenlyahissingsoundwasheardtowindward."Look out,Moses," saidVan derKemp. "There it comes. Let go the sheet.Keepgoodholdofyourpaddle,Nigel."Thewarningwasbynomeansunnecessary,forasthecanoe'sheadwasturnedtomeettheblast,ahissingsheetofwhitewatersweptrightoverthetinycraft,completelysubmergingit,insomuchthatthethreemenappearedtobesittingmorethanwaist-deepinthewater."Lower themainsail!"shouted thehermit, for thenoiseofwindandseahadbecomedeafening.Nigelobeyedandheldon to the flappingsheet.Thehermithadat the samemoment let go the foresail, the flapping of which he controlled by a rope-tacklearrangedfor thepurpose.Hethengraspedhissingle-bladepaddleandaidedMosesinkeepingherheadtowindandsea.Forafewminutesthiswasall that could be done. Then the first violence of the squall passed off,allowingthedeckofthelittlecrafttoappearabovethetormentedwater.Soonthewavesbegantorise.

Themerekeepingofthecanoe'sheadtowindrequiredalltheattentionofbothmaster and man, while Nigel sat waiting for orders and looking on withmingledfeelingsofsurpriseandcuriosity.Ofcoursetheywereallthreewettothe skin, for the water had got up their sleeves and down their necks; but,beingwarm,thatmatteredlittle,andtheoiledapronsbeforementioned,beingsecurely fastened round their waists, effectually prevented any of it fromgetting below save the little that passed through the thickness of their owngarments.No word was spoken for at least a quarter of an hour, during which time,althoughtheyrosebuoyantlyonthewater,thewaveswashedcontinuallyoverthelow-lyingdeck.Asthisdeckwasflushwiththegunwale,orrather,hadnogunwaleatall,thewaterranoffitasitdoesoffawhale'sback.Thentherecameamomentarylull."Now,Moses'boutship!"shoutedVanderKemp."Standby,Nigel!""Ay,ay,sir."Althoughthecanoewaslongandthereforeunfittedtoturnquicklythepowerfulstrokes of the two paddles in what may be called counteracting-harmonybroughtthelittlecraftrightroundwithhersterntothewaves."Hoistaway,Nigel!Wemustrunrightbeforeitnow."Upwent themainsail, the tiny foresail bulgedout at the samemoment, andawaytheywentlikethedrivingfoam,appearingalmosttoleapfromwavetowave. All sense of danger was now overwhelmed in Nigel's mind by thatfeelingofexcitementandwilddelightwhichaccompaniessomekindsofrapidmotion.Thiswas, ifpossible, intensifiedbythecrashingthunderwhichnowburstforthandthevividlightningwhichbegantoplay,revealingfromtimetotimethetumultuousturmoilasifinclearestmoonlight,onlytoplungeitagaininstillblackernight.Bydegreesthegaleincreasedinfury,anditsoonbecameevidentthatneithersailsnorcordagecouldlongwithstandthestraintowhichtheyweresubjected."A'mosttoomuch,massa,"saidthenegroinasuggestiveshout."Right,Moses,"returnedhismaster."Iwasjustthinkingwemustriskit.""Riskwhat?Iwonder,"thoughtNigel.Hehadnotlongtowaitforananswertohisthought.

"Downwi'themainsail,"wasquicklyfollowedbytheloweringoftheforesailuntilnotmorethanamerecornerwasshown,merelytokeepthecanoeend-ontotheseas.Sooneventhiswaslowered,andVanderKempusedhisdouble-bladepaddletokeeptheminposition,atthesametimetellingNigeltounshipthemast."And plug the holewith that," he added, handing him a bit ofwoodwhichexactlyfittedtheholeinthedeck.Watching for another lull in the blast, the hermit at last gave the order, androundtheycameasbefore,headtowind,butnotquitesoeasily,andNigelfeltthattheyhadnarrowlyescapedoverturningintheoperation."Keepherso,Moses.Youcanhelpwithyourpaddle,Nigel,whileIgetreadyouranchor.""Anchor!" exclaimedourhero in amazementobeyingorders,however, at thesamemoment.Thehermiteitherdidnotheartheexclamationordidnotcaretonoticeit.Hequicklycollected themastandsails,withacoupleofboat-hooksandall thepaddlesexceptingtwosingleones.Theseheboundtogetherbymeansofthesheetsandhalyards,attachedthewholetoahawser,oneendofwhichpassedthroughanironringatthebowandtosseditintotheseapayingoutthehawserrapidly at the same time so as to put a few yards between them and theirfloatinganchorifitmaybesocalledintheleeofwhichtheypreparedtorideoutthegale.It was well that they had taken the precaution to put on their waterproofsbefore the gale began, because, while turned head to wind every breakingwave swept rightover theirheads, andevennowwhileunder the leeof thefloatinganchor theywereforsometimealmostcontinuallyoverwhelmedbythickspray.Being,however,setfreefromthenecessityofkeepingtheir tinycraftinposition,theyallbowedtheirheadsonthedeck,shelteredtheirfacesintheirhandsandawaitedtheend!WhilstinthisattitudesoliketothatofprayerNigelalmostnaturallythoughtofHimwhoholdsthewaterinthehollowofHishand,andliftedhissoultoGod;for,amidtheroaringofthegale,theflashesoflightning,theappallingthunder,the feeling thathewas in realityallbutunder thewavesand theknowledgethat the proverbial plank between him and death was of the very thinnestdescription, a sensationofhelplessness andofdependenceon theAlmighty,suchashehadneverbeforeexperienced,creptoverhim.Whatthethoughtsofthe hermitwere he could not tell, for that strangeman seldom spoke abouthimself;butMoseswasnotsoreticent,forheafterwardsremarkedthathehad

oftenbeencaughtbygaleswhileinthecanoe,andhadbeenattachedforhourstotheirfloatinganchor,butthat"datwasoutobsightdewustbustobwedderdey'dhadsincedeycometolibatKrakatoa,an'hehadberynighgibenupindespair!"Theuseofthefloatingbreakwaterwastomeetthefullforceoftheseasandbreakthemjustbefore theyreachedthecanoe.Inspiteof thissomeof themwere so tremendous that, broken though they were, the swirling foamcompletelyburiedthecraftforasecondortwo,butthesharpbowcutitswaythrough, and thewaterpouredoff thedeckandoff the stooping figures likerainfromaduck'sback.Ofcourseagooddealgotinattheirnecks,sleeves,and other small openings, and wet them considerably, but that, as Mosesremarked,"wasnot'ingtospeakob."Thustheylaytossinginthemidstoftheragingfoamforseveralhours.Nowand theneachwouldraisehisheada little tosee that theropeheldfast,butwasgladtoloweritagain.Theyhardlyknewwhendaybroke.Itwassoslowin coming, and so gloomy and darkwhen it did come, that the glare of thelightning-flashseemedmorecheerful.Itmaybeeasilybelievedthattherewasnoconversationduringthosehoursofelemental strife, though the thoughts of eachwere busy enough.At last thethunderceased,or,rather,retiredasifingrowlingdefianceoftheworldwhichithadfailedtodestroy.Thentheskybegantolightenalittle,andalthoughthewinddidnotmateriallyabateinforceitbecamemoresteadyandequal.Beforenoon,however,ithadsubsidedsomuchthatMosessuggestedtheproprietyofcontinuingthevoyage.TothisVanderKempagreed,andthefloatinganchorwashauledin;thelargepaddlewasresumedbythehermit,andthedangerousprocessofturningthecanoewassuccessfullyaccomplished.Whenthemastwasagainsetupandtheclose-reefedmainandforesailswerehoisted,thelightcraftboundedawayoncemorebeforethewindlikeafleckoffoam.Thenagleamofsunshineforceditswaythroughthedrivingclouds,andpainteda spotof emeraldgreenon theheaving sea.Soonafter thatVanderKempopenedthelid,orhatch,oftheforehold,andSpinkie,jumpingoutwithalacrity, tookpossessionofhisusualseatbesidethemast, towhichheclungwithaffectionate tenacity.Gradually thewindwentdown.Reefafter reefofthe two sailswas shaken out, and for several hours thereafter our travellersspedmerrilyon,plungingintothetroughsandcuttingthroughthecrestsofthestormysea.

CHAPTERXIIIFRIENDSAREMETWITH,ALSOPIRATES,ANDALIFE-OR-

DEATHPADDLEENSUESInphysics,asinmorals,astormisfrequentlytheprecursorofadeadcalm.Muchtothemonkey'sjoy,tosaynothingofthemen,thesunerelongasserteditsequatorialpower,and,clearingawaytheclouds,allowedthecelestialbluetosmileontheturmoilbelow.Thefirstresultofthatsmilewasthatthewindretiredtoitssecretchambers,leavingtheshipsofmentoflaptheiridlesails.Thentheoceanceasedtofume,thoughitsagitatedbosomstillcontinuedforsome time to heave.Gradually the swellwent down and soon the unruffledsurfacereflectedadimplingsmiletothesky.Whenthishappystagehadbeenreachedourvoyagersloweredandstowedthecanoe-sails,andcontinuedtoadvanceunderpaddles."Wegetalongwonderfullyfast,VanderKemp,"saidNigel,whilerestingaftera pretty long spell; "but it seems to me, nevertheless, that we shall take aconsiderabletimetoreachBorneoatthisrate,seeingthatitmustbeovertwohundredmilesaway,andifwehavemuchbadweatherorcontrarywind,weshan'tbeabletoreachitforweeksifatall.""Ihavebeenthrownsomewhatoutofmyreckoning,"returnedthehermit,"byhaving to fly from the party on the islet, where I meant to remain till asteamer,ownedbyafriendofmine,shouldpassandpickusup,canoeandall.Thesteamerisashort-voyagecraft,andusuallysopunctual thatIcancounton it to a day. But it may have passed us in the gale. If so, I shall takeadvantageofthefirstvesselthatwillagreetolendusahand.""How!Doyougetthemtotowyou?""Nay,thatwereimpossible.Ajerkfromthetow-ropeofasteameratfullspeedwouldtearusasunder.Haveyouobservedthesetwostrongropesrunningallroundourgunwale,andthebridlesacrosswithring-boltsinthem?""I have, and did not ask their use, as I thought theyweremerelymeant tostrengthenthecanoe.""Sotheyare,"continuedthehermit,"buttheyhaveotherusesbesides""Massa,"criedMoses,atthispoint."You'll'scusemefor'truptin'you,butit'smyopiniondatSpinkie'ssufferin'jus'nowfromaemptystummik!"ThehermitsmiledandNigellaughed.Layingdownhispaddletheformersaid"Iunderstand,Moses.Thatspeechmeansthatyouaresufferingfromthesamecomplaint.Wellgetoutthebiscuit."

"Jus'dewayohdewurld,"mutteredthenegrowithablandsmile."Ifapoorman obsarves an' feels for de sorrows ob anoder, he allers gits credit fort'inkin'obhisself.Nebermind,I'susedtoit!"Evidentlytheunjustinsinuationdidnotweighheavilyonthenegro'sspirit,forhesoonbegantoeatwiththeappetiteofahealthyalligator.Whilehewas thusengaged,hechanced to raisehiseyes towards the south-western horizon, and there saw somethingwhich causedhim to splutter, forhis mouth was too full to speak, but his speaking eyes and pointing fingercausedhiscompanionstoturntheirfacesquicklytothequarterindicated."Asteamer!"exclaimedthehermitandNigelinthesamebreath.The vessel in questionwas coming straight towards them, and a very shorttimeenabledVanderKemptorecognisewithsatisfactionthesteamerownedbyhisfriend."Lookhere,runthattothemast-head,"saidVanderKemp,handingaredflagtoNigel."Weliesolowinthewaterthattheymightpassquiteclosewithoutobservingusifweshowednosignal."Animmediatethoughslightchangeinthecourseofthesteamershowedthatthe signal had been seen. Hereupon the hermit and Moses performed anoperation on the canoe which still further aroused Nigel's surprise andcuriosity.Heresolvedtoasknoquestions,however,buttoawaittheissueofevents.Fromthemarvellousholdofthecanoe,whichseemedtobeamagazineforthesupply of every human need,Moses drew a short but strong rope or cable,with a ring in themiddle of it, and a hook at each end.He passed one endalongtohismasterwhohookedittothebridle-ropeatthebowbeforereferredto.Theotherendwashookedtothebridleinthestern,sothattheringinthecentrecameclosetoNigel'selbow.This arrangement had barely been completed when the steamer was withinhail,butnohailwasgiven,forthecaptainknewwhatwasexpectedofhim.Hereducedspeedasthevesselapproachedthecanoe,andfinallycamealmosttoastopasherangedalongside."What cheer,Van derKemp?D'yewant a lift to-day?" shouted the skipper,lookingovertheside.Anodandawaveofthehandwasthehermit'sreply.

"Heave a rope, boysbow and sternand lower away the tackle," was theskipper'sorder.A coilwas flung toVan derKemp,who deftly caught it and held on tight.AnotherwasflungtoMoses,whoalsocaughtitandheldonslack.Atthesamemoment,Nigelsawalargeblockwithahookattacheddescendingtowardshishead."Catchit,Nigel,andhookittotheringatyourelbow,"saidthehermit.Our hero obeyed, still in surprise, though a glimmer ofwhatwas to followbegantodawn."Haulaway!"shoutedtheskipper,andnextmomentthecanoewasswingingin the air, kept in position by the lines in the hands of Van der Kemp andMoses.Atthesametimeanotherorderwasgiven,andthesteamerwentaheadfullspeed.Itwasallsosuddenlydone,andseemedsucharecklessproceeding,thatNigelfound himself on the steamer's deck, with the canoe reposing beside him,before he had recovered from his surprise sufficiently to acknowledge insuitabletermsthewelcomegreetingofthehospitableskipper."Yousee,Nigel,"saidVanderKempthatnight,asthetwofriendspacedthedecktogetheraftersupper,"Ihaveothermeans,besidespaddlesandsails,ofgettingquicklyaboutintheJavaseas.Manyofthetradersandskippershereknowme,andgivemealiftinthiswaywhenIrequireit.""Verykindofthem,andveryconvenient,"returnedNigel.Hefeltinclinedtoadd:"Butwhyallthismovingabout?"foritwasquiteevidentthattradewasnot the hermit's object, but the question, as usual, died on his lips, and hesomewhatsuddenlychangedthesubject."D'yeknow,VanderKemp,thatIfeelasifImusthaveseenyousomewhereorotherbeforenow,foryourfeaturesseemstrangelyfamiliartome.HaveyoueverbeeninEngland?""Never.AsIhavetoldyou,IwasborninJava,andwaseducatedinHongkongatanEnglishSchool.Butafancyofthissortisnotveryuncommon.Imyselfoncemetaperfectstrangerwhoboresostrongaresemblancetoanoldfriend,that I spoke to him as such, and only found out from his voice that I wasmistaken."The captain of the steamer came on deck at thatmoment and cut short theconversation.

"Areyouengaged,VanderKemp?"heasked."NoIamatyourservice.""Comebelowthen,Iwanttohaveatalkwithyou."Thusleftalone,andoverhearingaloudburstoflaughterattheforepartofthesteamer,Nigelwentforwardtoseewhatwasgoingon.HefoundagroupofsailorsroundhiscomradeMoses,apparentlyengagedingood-natured"chaff.""Come,now,blackey,"saidone;"beagoodfellowforonceinyourlifean'telluswhatmakesyourmaster liveonadesert islandlikeRobinsonCrusoe,an'goabouttheoceaninacanoe.""Look'erenow,whitey,"returnedMoses,"whatyoutakemefor?""Anigger,ofcourse.""Ob course, an' you're right for once, which is sitch an unusual t'ing dat I'dviseyougoan'axdecappentomakeanoteobitindelog.I'sanigger,an'anigger'ssomuchmore'cutedanawhitemandatyoushouldn'toughttoexpecthimtoblabhismassa'ssecrets.""Right you are, Moses. Come, then, if you won't reweal secrets, give us asong.""Couldn't t'ink ob such a t'ing," said the negro, with a solemn, remonstrantshakeofthehead."Whynot?""'CauseInebersingasongwidoutamoral,an'Idon'tliketohurtyourfeelin'sbysingin'amoraldatwouldbesuretowakenupsomeo'yourconsciences.""Nevermindthat,darkey.Ourconsciencesareprettytough.Heaveahead.""Butdere'sachorus,"saidMoses,lookingrounddoubtfully."Whato'that?We'lldoourbestwithitifitain'ttoodifficult.""Oh,it'snotdiffikilt,butifdelazyfellersamongyousingsdechorusdey'llbesingin' lies, an' I don't 'zackly like to helpmen to tell lies. Howseber, heregoes.Itbeginswiddechorusso'syoumayknowitaforeyouhastosingit."So saying, Moses struck two fingers on the capstan after the manner of atuning-fork,and,holding themgravely tohisearas if toget the rightpitch,beganinareallyfinemanlyvoicetochantthefollowingditty:

"GOTOWORK."Ohwhendesunamshinin'bright,andeberyt'ingamfair,Clapondesteaman'gotowork,an'takeyourpropershare.Dewurldhabgottogoahead,an'demwhat'syoungandstrongMus'dodeirbest,widallderest,torolldewurldalong.Delazymandoesallhecantostopitswhirlin'round.Ifhewaskinghe'dloafan'singandguzzle,I'llbebound,Healwaysshirkdehardestwork,an't'inkhe'sawfulclebbar,Butboderhisheadtoearnhisbread,Oh!no,he'llnebber,nebber.ChorusOhwhendesun,etc.Deselfishmanwouldraderdanputouthishandtowork,Letwomentoil,an'sweatandmoilaswickedasdeTurk.Decreamobeberyt'inghewants,letodershabdeskim;Infactdewurldandallitholdswasonlymadeforhim.ChorusOhwhendesun,etc.Sokeepdeballa-rollin',boys,an'eachonedohisbestTomakedewurldahappyonefordat'showmanisblest.Dountoodersallarounddet'ingwhat'sgoodandtrue,An'oders,'turningtitfortat,willdodesametoyou.ChorusOhwhendesun,etc.Thesailors,whowereevidentlymuchpleased,tookupthechorusmoderatelyatthesecondverse,cameoutstrongatthethird,andsangwithsuchgenuinefervouratthelastthatitwasquiteevident,asMosesremarked,therewasnotalazymanamongstthematleast,iftheyallsangconscientiously!Theweather improvedeveryhour, andafter a fine runof about twenty-fourhoursoverthatpartoftheMalaySea,ourthreevoyagerswereloweredoverthe steamer's side in their canoe when within sight of the great island ofBorneo."I'm sorry," said the captain at parting, "that our courses diverge here, for Iwouldgladlyhavehadyourcompanya little longer.Good-bye. Ihopewe'llcomeacrossyousomeothertimewhenI'mintheseparts.""Thanksthanks,my friend,'" repliedVanderKemp,withawarmgripof thehand,andatouchofpathosinhistones."Itrustthatweshallmeetagain.Youhavedonemegoodservicebyshorteningmyvoyageconsiderably.Farewell.""I say,Moses," shouted one of the seamen, as he looked down on the tinycanoewhiletheywerepushingoff."Hallo?"

"Keepyourheartup,forwe'lltryto'dotoodersallarounddet'ingwhat'sgoodan'true!'""Dasdeway,boy'an'oders,'turningtitfortat,willdodesametoyou!'"Heyelledratherthansangthisatthetopofhistunefulvoice,andwavedhishandasthesharpcraftshotawayoverthesea.Fortunatelytheseawascalm,foritwasgrowingdarkwhentheyreachedtheshores of Borneo and entered the mouth of a small stream, up which theyproceeded to paddle. The banks of the streamwere clothedwithmangrovetrees.We have said the banks, but in truth the mouth of that river had nodistinguishablebanksatall,foritisthenatureofthemangrovetogrowinthewaterusingitsrootsaslegswithwhich,asitwere,towadeawayfromshore.Whendarknessfellsuddenlyonthelandscape,asitispronetodointropicalregions, the gnarled roots of those mangroves assumed the appearance oftwining snakes in Nigel's eyes. Possessing a strongly imaginative mind hecouldwithdifficultyresistthebeliefthathesawthemmovingslimilyaboutintheblackwater,and,inthedimmysteriouslight,treestemsandotherobjectsassumed the appearance of hideous living forms, so that hewas enabled toindulge the uncomfortable fancy that they were traversing some terrestrialStyxintooneofDante'sregionsofhorror.In some respects this was not altogether a fancy, for theywere unwittinglydrawingneartoabandofhumanbeingswhosepurposes,iffullycarriedout,wouldrendertheearthlittlebetterthanahelltomanyoftheircountrymen.It is pretty well known that there is a class ofmen in Borneo called HeadHunters.Thesemenholdtheextraordinaryandgruesomeopinionthatayouthhas not attained to respectablemanhood until he has taken the life of somehumanbeing.Thereare twodistinctclassesofDyaksthosewho inhabit thehillsand thosewhodwellonthesea-coast.Itisthelatterwhorecruittheranksofthepiratesofthoseeasternseas,anditwastothecampofabandofsuchvillainsthatouradventurerswere,asalreadysaid,unwittinglydrawingnear.They came upon them at a bend of the dark river beyond which point themangroves gave place to other treesbutwhat sort of trees theywere it wasscarcely light enough tomake out very distinctly, except in the case of theparticulartreeinfrontofwhichtheDyakswereencamped,therootsofwhichwerestronglyilluminatedbytheircampfire.Wesayrootsadvisedly,forthissingularandgigantictreestarteditsbranchesfromacomplexityofaërialrootswhichthemselvesformedapyramidsomesixtyfeethigh,beforethebranchesproperofthetreebegan.

Ifourvoyagershadusedoarsthesharpearsofthepirateswouldhaveinstantlydetectedthem.Asitwas,thesoftlymovingpaddlesandthesharpcutwaterofthecanoemadenonoisewhatever.The instant thatVanderKemp, fromhisposition in the bow, observed the camp, he dipped his paddle deep, andnoiselesslybackedwater.Therewasnoneedtogiveanysignaltohisservant.Suchathoroughunderstandingexistedbetweenthemthatthemereactionofthe hermit was sufficient to induce the negro to support him by a similarmovementontheoppositeside,andthecanoeglidedasquicklybackwardasithad previously advanced.When under the deep shadow of the bankMosesthrustthecanoeclosein,andhismaster, layingholdofthebushes,heldfastandmadeasigntohimtolandandreconnoitre.Creeping forward to an opening in the bushes close at hand,Moses peepedthrough.Thenheturnedandmadefacialsignalsofakindsocomplicatedthathe could not be understood, as nothingwas visible save the flashing of histeethandeyes.VanderKempthereforerecalledhimbyasign,and,steppingashore,whisperedNigeltoland.THEYDISCOVERAPIRATES'BIVOUACTHEYDISCOVERAPIRATES'BIVOUACAnotherminute and the three travellers stood on the bankwith their headsclosetogether."Waithereforme,"saidthehermit,inthelowestpossiblewhisper."Iwillgoandseewhotheyare.""Strange,"saidNigel,whenhewasgone;"strangethatinsoshortatimeyourmastershouldtwicehavetostalkstrangersinthisway.Historyrepeatsitself,theysay.Itappearstodosoratherfastintheseregions!Doeshenotrunaverygreatriskofbeingdiscovered?""Notdesmallest,"repliedthenegro,withasmuchemphasisaswaspossibleina whisper. "Massa hab ride wid de Vaquieros ob Ameriky an' hunt wid deInjuns on deRockies.Nomore fear ob deir ketchin' him dan ob ketchin' astreako'lightnin'.Hecomebackberysoonwidalldenews."Moses was a true prophet. Within half-an-hour Van der Kemp returned asnoiselesslyashehadgone.Hedidnotkeepthemlonginuncertainty."Ihaveheardenough,"hewhispered,"toassuremethataplot,ofwhichIhadalreadyheardarumour,hasnearlybeenlaid.Wefellinwiththechiefplotterson the islet the other night; the band here is in connection with them and

awaits their arrival before carrying out their dark designs. There is nothingverymysteriousaboutit.Onetribeplottingtoattackanotherthatisall;butasafriendofminedwellsjustnowwiththetribetobesecretlyattacked,itbehovesme to dowhat I can to save him. I am perplexed, however. It would seemsometimesasifwewereleftinperplexityforwisepurposeswhicharebeyondourknowledge.""Perhapstotestourwillingnesstodoright,"suggestedNigel."I know not," returned the hermit, as ifmusing, but never raising his voiceabovethesoftestwhisper."Mydifficultylieshere;Imustgoforwardtosavethelifeofmyfriend.Imustnotleaveyouatthemouthofamangroverivertodieorbecapturedbypirates,andyetIhavenoright toaskyoutoriskyourlifeonmyaccount!""Youmaydismissyourperplexitiesthen,"saidNigel,promptly,"forIdeclinetobelefttodiehereortobecaughtbypirates,andIamparticularlyanxioustoassistyouinrescuingyourfriend.Besides,amInotyourhiredservant?""Theriskwerunisonlyatthebeginning,"saidVanderKemp."Ifwesucceedin passing theDyaks unseen allwill bewell. If they see us, theywill givechase,andourlives,underGod,willdependonthestrengthofourarms,forIamknowntothemandhavethwartedtheirplansbeforenow.Iftheycatchus,deathwillbeourcertaindoom.Areyouprepared?""Ready!"whisperedNigel.Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.Mosessteppedintothestern,andourherosatdowninthemiddle.Beforepushingoff, thehermitdrewa revolverandacutlass fromhis store-roominthebowandhandedthemtoNigel,whothrust thefirst intohisbeltandfastenedtheothertothedeckbymeansofastrapfixedthereonpurposeto prevent its being rolled or swept off. This contrivance, aswell as all theotherappliancesinthecanoe,hadpreviouslybeenpointedoutandexplainedtohim.Thehermitandnegrohavingarmedthemselvesinsimilarway,letgothebusheswhichheldthemclosetothebankandfloatedoutintothestream.Theylet thecanoedriftdownashortwaysoas tobewellconcealedby thebendintheriverandamassofbushes.Thentheyslowlypaddledovertotheopposite side and commenced to creep up as close to the bank as possible,under the deep shadow of overhanging trees, and so noiselessly that theyappearedinthedarknesslikeapassingphantom.But thesharpeyesof thepirateswere toomuchaccustomed tophantomsofeverykindtobeeasilydeceived.Justasthecanoewasabouttopassbeyond

thelineoftheirvisionastirwasheardintheircamp.Thenasternchallengerolledacrosstheriverandawoketheslumberingechoesoftheforestperchancetothesurpriseandscaringawayofsomeprowlingbeastofprey."Noneedforconcealmentnow,"saidVanderKemp,quietly;"wemustpaddlefor life. If you have occasion to use your weapons, Nigel, take no lifeneedlessly.Mosesknowsmymindon thispointandneedsnowarning.Anyfoolcantakeawaylife.OnlyGodcangiveit.""Iwillbecareful,"repliedNigel,ashedippedhispaddlewithallthemuscularpowerathiscommand.Hiscomradesdidthesame,andthecanoeshotuptheriverlikeanarrow.Ayell from theDyaks, and the noise of jumping into and pushing off theirboatstoldthattherewasnotimetolose."They are strong men, and plenty of them to relieve each other," said thehermit,whonowspoke inhisordinary tones, "so theyhavesomechanceofoverhaulingusinthesmoothwater;butafewmilesfurtherupthereisarapidwhichwill stop themandwillonlycheckus. Ifwecan reach itweshallbesafe."Whilehewasspeakingeverymuscleinhisbroadbackandarmswasstrainedto theuttermost;soalsowere themusclesofhiscompanions,and thecanoeseemedtoadvancebyaseriesofrapidleapsandbounds.Yetthesoundofthepursuers' oars seemed to increase, and soon the proverb "it is the pace thatkills" received illustration, for the speed of the canoe began to decrease alittleverylittleatfirstwhilethepursuers,withfreshhandsattheoars,graduallyoverhauledthefugitives."Putonaspurt!"saidthehermit,settingtheexample.The pirates heard the words and understood either them or the action thatfollowed, for they also "put on a spurt," and encouraged each other with acheer.Mosesheard thecheer,andat thesametimeheard thesoundof therapid towhichtheywerebythattimedrawingnear.Heglancedoverhisshoulderandcouldmakeoutthedimformoftheleadingboat,withatallfigurestandingupinthebow,notthirtyyardsbehind."Shallwemanageit,Moses?"askedVanderKemp,inthatcalmsteadyvoicewhichseemedtobeunchangeableeitherbyanxietyorperil."No,massa.Unpossablewidoutdis!"

Thenegrodrewtherevolverfromhisbelt,slewedround,tookrapidaimandfired.Thetallfigureinthebowoftheboatfellbackwithacrashandahideousyell.Greatshoutingandconfusion followed,and theboatdroppedbehind.Afewminutes later and the canoewas leapingover the surges of a shallow rapid.Theydashedfromeddytoeddy,takingadvantageofeverystonethatformedatail ofbackwaterbelow it, andgraduallyworked the light craft upward in away that the hermit and his man had learned in the nor'-western rivers ofAmerica."We are not safe yet," said the former, resting andwiping his brow as theyfloatedforafewsecondsinacalmbasinattheheadoftherapid."Surelytheycannottakeaboatupsuchaplaceasthat!""Nay,buttheycanfollowupthebanksonfoot.However,wewillsoonbafflethem, for the riverwinds like a serpent just above this, andby carryingourcanoeacrossone,two,orthreespitsoflandwewillgainadistanceinanhourorso thatwouldcost themnearlyaday toascend inboats.Theyknowthat,andwillcertainlygiveupthechase.Ithinktheyhavegivenitupalready,butitiswelltomakesure.""Iwonderwhytheydidnotfireatus,"remarkedNigel."Probably because they felt sure of catching us," returned the hermit, "andwhentheyrecoveredfromtheconfusionthatMosesthrewthemintowewerelost to them in darkness, besides being pretty well beyond range. I hope,Moses,thatyouaimedlow.""Yes,massabut it'ssca'celyfairwhenlifean'defamindebalance toexpectme tohit 'imonde legsonadarknight.Legs isabad targit.Bullet'sapt topass between 'em. Howseber, dat feller won't hop much for some time tocome!"Acoupleofhourslater,havingcarriedthecanoeandbaggageacrossthespitsof land above referred to, and thusput at least half-a-day's journeybetweenthemselvesandtheirfoes,theycametoahaltforthenight."It won't be easy to find a suitable place to camp on," remarked Nigel,glancingat thebank,where thebushesgrewso thick that theyoverhungthewater, brushing the faces of our travellers and rendering the darkness sointensethattheyhadliterallytofeeltheirwayastheyglidedalong."Wewillencampwhereweare,"returnedthehermit."I'llmakefasttoabush

andyoumaygetoutthevictuals,Moses.""Dasdeberybestwordyou'vesaiddisday,massa,"remarkedthenegrowithaprofoundsigh."I'sprittywelltirednow,an'deberyt'oughtobgrubcomfortsme!""Doyoumeanthatweshallsleepinthecanoe?"askedNigel."Ay, why not?" returned the hermit, who could be heard, though not seen,busyinghimselfwiththecontentsoftheforelocker."You'llfindthecanoeaprettyfairbed.Youhaveonlytoslipdownandpullyourheadandshouldersthroughthemanholeandgotosleep.Youwon'twantblanketsinthisweather,and,seethereisapillowforyouandanotherforMoses.""Icannotsee,but Icanfeel,"saidNigel,withasoft laugh,ashepassed thepillowaft."T'ankee,Nadgel,"saidMoses;"herefeelbehindyouan'you'llfindgrubforyourselfan'sometopassforidtomassa.Mindwhenyouslipdownforgotosleep dat you don't dig your heels intomassa's skull.Dere's no bulkhead topurtectit.""I'llbecareful,"saidNigel,beginninghisinvisiblesupperwithkeenappetite."But how aboutmy skull,Moses? Is there a bulkhead between it and yourheels?""No,butyoudon'tneedtomind,forIallerssleepsdoubledup,widmykneesaginmychin.Itmakesdearmsan'legsfeelmoresociablelike."With this remark Moses ceased to encourage conversationhis mouth beingotherwiseengaged.Thereafter theyslippeddowninto their respectiveplaces, laid theirheadsontheirpillowsandfellinstantlyintosoundrepose,whilethedarkwatersflowedsluggishlypast,and theonlysound thatdisturbed theuniversal stillnesswastheoccasionalcryofsomecreatureofthenightortheflapofanalligator'stail.

CHAPTERXIVANEWFRIENDFOUNDNEWDANGERSENCOUNTEREDAND

HEWHOPESDELAYEDWhengreydawnbegantodispelthegloomofnight,NigelRoyawokewithanuncomfortable sensation of having been buried alive. Stretching himself aswas his wont he inadvertently touched the head of Van der Kemp, anexclamation from whom aroused Moses, who, uncoiling himself, awoke

Spinkie. Itwasusually theprivilegeof thataffectionatecreature tonestle inthenegro'sbosom.Withthealacritypeculiartohisrace,Spinkiesprangthroughthemanholeandsatdowninhisparticularplacetosuperintend,perhapstoadmire,theworkofhis human friends, whose dishevelled heads emerged simultaneously fromtheirrespectiveburrows.Dawnisaperiodofthedaywhenthespiritofmaniscalmlyreflective.Speechseemeddistastefulthatmorning,andaseachknewwhathadtobedone,itwasneedless. The silently conducted operations of the men appeared to arousefellow-feelinginthemonkey,foritscareworncountenancebecamemoreandmore expressive as it gazed earnestly and alternately into the faces of itscomrades.Toallappearanceitseemedabouttospeakbutitdidn't.Pushingoutfromtheshoretheypaddledswiftlyupstream,andsoonputsuchadistancebetweenthemandtheirlatepursuersthatallriskofbeingovertakenwasatanend.All day they advanced inland without rest, save at the breakfast hour, andagain at mid-day to dine. Towards evening they observed that the countrythroughwhichtheywerepassinghadchangedmuchincharacterandaspect.The low and swampy region had given place to hillocks and undulatingground,allcoveredwiththebeautifulvirginforestwithitspalmsandcreepersand noble fruit-trees and rich vegetation, conspicuous among whichmagnificentfernsofmanykindscoveredthesteepbanksofthestream.On rounding a point of the river the travellers came suddenly upon aninterestinggroup,inthemidstofamostbeautifulwoodlandscene.Underthetreesonaflatspotbytheriver-bankwereseatedroundafireamanandaboyand amonkey.Themonkeywas a tameorang-utan, youthful but large.TheboywasaDyakinlightcottondrawers,withtheupperpartofhisbodynaked,brass rings on his arms, heavy ornaments in his ears, and a bright kerchiefwornasa turbanonhishead.Themanwasasortofnondescript ina semi-European shooting garb,with awide-brimmed sombrero on his head, blackhair, a deeply tanned face, a snub nose, huge beard and moustache, andimmensebluespectacles.SomethingnotunlikeacheerburstfromtheusuallyundemonstrativeVanderKemp on coming in sight of the party, and he waved his hand as if inrecognition.Thenondescriptrepliedbystartingtohisfeet, throwingupbotharmsandgivingventtoanabsoluteroarofjoy."Heseemstoknowyou,"remarkedNigel,astheymadeforalanding-place.

"Yes.HeisthefriendIhavecometorescue,"repliedthehermitinatoneofquiet satisfaction. "He is anaturalist and liveswith theRajahagainstwhomthepiratesareplotting.""Hedon'tlookz'ifheneedsmuchrescuin',"remarkedMoseswithachuckle,astheydrewtoland.Themanlookedintruthasifhewerewellabletotakecareofhimselfinmostcircumstances,beingofcolossalbulkalthoughsomewhatshortoflimb."Ah!mein frond!mine brodder!" he exclaimed, in fairly idiomatic English,butwithabrokenpronunciationthatwasamixtureofDutch,American,andMalay.Hislanguagetherefore,likehimself,wasnondescript.InfacthewasanAmerican-bornDutchman,whohadbeentransportedearlyinlifetotheStraitsSettlements, had received most of his education in Hongkong, was an oldschool-fellowofVanderKemp,becameanenthusiasticnaturalist,and,beingpossessedof independentmeans, spentmostofhis time inwanderingaboutthevariousislandsofthearchipelago,makingextensivecollectionsofanimalandvegetablespecimens,whichhedistributedwith liberalhand towhatevermuseumsathomeorabroadseemedmosttoneedordesirethem.OwingtohistastesandhabitshehadbeendubbedProfessorbyhisfriends."Ach!Van derKemp," he exclaimed,while his coal-black eyes glittered astheyshookhands,"vatabooterflyIsawto-day!Itbeatallcreation!Thevayitflewoh!But, excusemev'eredidyou come from, andvydoyou come?An'whoisyourfrond?"HeturnedtoNigelashespoke,anddoffedhissombrerowithagraciousbow."An EnglishmanNigel Roywho has joined me for a few months," said thehermit. "Let me introduce you, Nigel, to my good friend, ProfessorVerkimier."Nigelheldouthishandandgavethenaturalist'sashakesohearty,thatatruefriendshipwasbegunonthespotafriendshipwhichwasrapidlystrengthenedwhen the professor discovered that the English youth had a strong leaningtowardshisownfavouritestudies."Vevillhontan'shottogezzer,minefrond,"hesaid,onmakingthisdiscovery,"antIvillshowyouv'eredebestbooterfliesaretobefountOh!soochavonasIsawtobut,excuseme,VanderKemp.Vyyoucomeherejoostnow?""Tosaveyou"saidthehermit,withascintillationofhishalf-pitifulsmile."Tosafeme!"exclaimedVerkimier,withalookofsurprisewhichwasgreatly

intensifiedby the rotundityof theblue spectacles. "Vell, I don't feel tovantsafingjoostatpresent.""ItisnotthatdangerthreatensyousomuchasyourfriendtheRajah,"returnedthe hermit. "But if he falls, all under his protection fall along with him. Ihappen to have heard of a conspiracy against him, on so large a scale thatcertaindestructionwouldfollowifheweretakenbysurprise,soIhavecomeon in advance of the conspirators to warn him in time. You know I havereceivedmuchkindnessfromtheRajah,soIcoulddonolessthanwarnhimof impending danger, and then the fact that you were with him made medoublyanxioustoreachyouintime."Whilethehermitwassayingthis,thenaturalistremovedhisblueglasses,andslowlywiped themwithacornerofhiscoat-tails.Replacing them,hegazedintentlyintothegravecountenanceofhisfriendtillhehadfinishedspeaking."Arezeeraskilsnear?"heasked,sternly."No.Wehavecomeonmanydaysaheadofthem.Butwefoundapartyattheriver'smouthawaitingtheirarrival.""Antzeycannotarrife,yousay,forseveralveeks?""Probablynoteventhoughtheyhadfairandsteadywinds."Asighofsatisfactionbrokethroughthenaturalist'smoustacheonhearingthis."ZenIvillvevill,youandI,MisterRoy,goafterzebooterfliesto-morrow!""But we must push on," remonstrated Van der Kemp, "for preparations toresistanattackcannotbecommencedtoosoon.""Youmaypushon,minefrond;goahead ifyouvill,but Ivillnot leavezeebooterflies.YouknowveilzatIvilldieifneedbeforzeeRajah.Vemustalldievonce,atleast,andIshouldliketodieifImustdieinagootcause.Whatcausebetterzanfrondship?Butyousayjoostnowzereisnodancher.Vell,Ivillgoantseezeebooterfliesto-morrow.Afterzat,IwillgoantdieifitmustbevithzeeRajah.""I heartily applaud your sentiment," said Nigel, with a laugh, as he helpedhimself tosomeof thefoodwhichtheDyakyouthandMoseshadprepared,"and ifVanderKempwillgiveme leaveofabsence Iwillgladlykeepyoucompany.""Zankyou.Passroundzeevictuals.Myappetiteisstrong.Italvaysvasmoreorlessstrong.Vatsayyou,VanderKemp?"

"Ihavenoobjection.MosesandIcaneasilytakethecanoeuptheriver.Therearenorapids,anditisnotfartotheRajah'svillage;soyouarewelcometogo,Nigel.""Dasdemost'straord'narycrazeIeberknow'dmeninflictedwid!"saidMosesthat night, as he sat smoking his pipe beside the Dyak boy. "It passes mycompr'ension what fun dey find runnin' like child'n arter butterflies, an'beetles,an'sitchlikevarmint.Mymassaamdewisestmanoneart',yethegoalittlewilddatwaytoosometimes!"MoseslookedattheDyakboywithapuzzledexpression,butastheDyakboydidnotunderstandEnglish,helookedintentlyatthefire,andsaidnothing.NextmorningNigelenteredtheforestundertheguidanceofVerkimierandtheDyak youth, and the orang-utan,which followed like a dog, and sometimeseventookholdofitsmaster'sarmandwalkedwithhimasifithadbeenaverysmallhumanbeing. Itwasanewexperience toNigel towalk in thesombreshadebeneaththetangledarchesofthewilderness.Insomerespectsitdifferedentirelyfromhisexpectations,andinothersitsurpassedthem.Thegloomwasdeeperthanhehadpicturedit,buttheshadewasnotdispleasinginalandsoclosetotheequator.Thenthetreesweremuchtallerthanhehadbeenledtosuppose, and the creeping plantsmore numerous,while, to his surprise, thewild-flowerswerecomparativelyfewandsmall.Butthescarcityofthesewassomewhatcompensatedbytherichandbrilliantcolouringofthefoliage.Theabundanceandvarietyofthefernsalsostrucktheyouthparticularly."Ah! zey aremagnificent!" exclaimedVerkimierwith enthusiasm. "Look atzattree-fern.Youhavenot'inglikezatinEnglandeh!Ihavefoundnearlyvonhoondredspecimensof ferns.Zen, lookatzee fruit-trees.Vehavehere,yousee, zee Lansat,Mangosteen, Rambutan, Jack, Jambon, Blimbing antmanyozersbutzeequeenoffruitsiszeeDurian.HaveyoutastedzeeDurian?""No,notyet.""Ha!anewsensationisbeforeyou!Stay,youvilleatvonbyantby.Look,zatisaDuriantreebeforeyou."Hepointedashespoketoalargeandloftytree,whichMr.A.R.Wallace,thecelebratednaturalist and traveller,describesas resemblinganelm ingeneralcharacterbutwithamoresmoothandscalybark.Thefruitisround,orslightlyoval,about thesizeofaman'shead,ofagreencolour,andcoveredalloverwithshortspineswhichareverystrongandsosharpthatit isdifficulttoliftthefruitfromtheground.Onlytheexperiencedandexpertcancutthetough

outerrind.Therearefivefaintlinesextendingfromthebasetotheapexofthefruit,throughwhichitmaybedividedwithaheavyknifeandastronghand,soastogettothedeliciouscreamypulpinside.There is something paradoxical in the descriptions of this fruit by variouswriters, but all agree that it is inexpressibly good! Says onewriting of thesixteenthcentury"Itisofsuchanexcellenttastethatitsurpassesinflavouralltheotherfruitsoftheworld."Anotherwrites:"Thisfruitisofahotandhumidnature.Tothosenotusedtoit,itseemsatfirsttosmelllikerottenonions!butimmediately they have tasted it they prefer it to all other food." Wallacehimselfsaysofit:"Whenbroughtintothehouse,thesmellissooffensivethatsomepersonscanneverbeartotasteit.ThiswasmyowncaseinMalacca,butinBorneoIfoundaripefruitontheground,and,eatingitoutofdoors, IatoncebecameaconfirmedDurian-eater!"ThiswasexactlytheexperienceofNigelRoythatday,andthewayinwhichthe fruit came tohimwasalsoanexperience,butofaverydifferent sort. Ithappenedjustastheywerelookingaboutforasuitablespotonwhichtorestand eat their mid-day meal. Verkimier was in front with the orang-utanreachinguptohisarmandhobblingaffectionatelybyhissidefortherewasastrongmutual affectionbetween them.TheDyakyouthbroughtup the rear,withasortofgame-bagonhisshoulders.SuddenlyNigel felt somethinggrazehis arm, andheard aheavy thudat hisside. It was a ripe Durian which had fallen from an immense height andmissedhimbyahairbreadth."ZankGot,youhaveescaped!"exclaimedtheprofessor,lookingbackwithasolemncountenance."I have indeed escaped what might have been a severe blow," said Nigel,stoopingtoexaminethefruit,apparentlyforgetfulthatmoremightfollow."Comecomeavay.Myboyvillbringit.Menaresometimeskilledbyzisfruit.Herenowvevilldine."They sat downon a bankwhichwas canopiedby ferns.While theboywasarrangingtheirmeal,Verkimierdrewaheavyhunting-knifefromhisbeltandapplyingitwithanunusuallystronghandtotheDurianlaiditopen.Nigeldidnotatallrelishthesmell,buthewasnotfastidiousorapttobeprejudiced.Hetastedand,likeMr.Wallace,"becameaconfirmedDurianeater"fromthatday."Ve draw near to zee region vere ve shall find zee booterflies," said thenaturalist,duringapauseintheirluncheon.

"Ihopeweshallbesuccessful,"saidNigel,helpinghimselftosomemoreofwhatmaybestyledDuriancream."Tojudgefromtheweightandhardnessofthisfruit,Ishouldthinkablowonone'sheadfromitwouldbefatal.""Sometimes,notalvays.IsupposezatDyakskullsarestrong.Butzeewoundisterrible,forzeespikestearzeefleshdreadfully.ZeeDyakchief,Rajah,vithwhomIdwelljoostnow,wasflooredoncebyone,andheexpectedtodiebuthedidnot.Heisalifeantvell,asyoushallsee."Ashespokealargebutterflyflutteredacrossthesceneoftheirfestivities.Withalltheenergyofhisenthusiasticspiritandstrongmuscularframethenaturalistleapedup, overturnedhis dinner, rushed after the coveted specimen, trippedoveraroot,andmeasuredhislengthontheground."Zatcomesoftoomuchhorry!"heremarked,ashepickeduphisglasses,andreturned,humbly, tocontinuehisdinner. "Mine frond, learna lesson fromafoolishman!""Ishalllearntwolessons,"saidNigel,laughing"first,toavoidyourtooeagerhaste,and,second,tocopyifIcanyouradmirableenthusiasm.""Youareverygoot.Somemorecheekin'ifyouplease.Zanks.Vemostmakehastevizourmealantgotovork."Thegrandeurandnoveltyofthescenerythroughwhichtheypassedwhentheydid go to work was a source of constant delight and surprise to our hero,whose inherent tendency to takenoteofandadmire thewonderfulworksofGod was increased by the unflagging enthusiasm and interesting runningcommentaryofhiscompanion,whose flowof languageandeagersympathyformed a striking contrast to the profound silence and gravity of the Dyakyouth, as well as to the pathetic and affectionate selfishness of the man-monkey.Itmustnot,however,besupposedthattheyoungorang-utanwasunworthyofhis victuals, for, besidesbeing an amusing andharmless companion, hehadbeentrainedtousehisnaturalcapacityforclimbingtreesintheserviceofhismaster.ThusheascendedthetallDuriantrees,whenordered,andsentdownsomeofthefruitinafewminutesanoperationwhichhishumancompanionscouldnothaveaccomplishedwithouttediousdelayandtheconstructionofaningeniousladderhavingslenderbamboosforoneofitssides,andthetreetobeascendedforitsotherside,withsplintersofbamboodrivenintoitbywayofrounds."Zatiszeepitcher-plant,"saidVerkimier,asNigelstoppedsuddenlybeforeaplantwhichhehadoftenreadofbutneverseen.Hewastoldbyhisfriendthat

pitcher-plants were very numerous in that region; that every mountain-topaboundedwiththem;that theywouldbefoundtrailingalongthegroundandclimbingovershrubsandstuntedtrees,withtheirelegantpitchershangingineverydirection.Someof these,he said,were longandslender,othersbroadand short. The plant at which they were looking was a broad green one,variouslytintedandmottledwithred,andwaslargeenoughtoholdtwoquartsofwater.ResumingthemarchNigelobservedthatthegroupoforchidswasabundant,butalargeproportionofthespecieshadsmallinconspicuousflowers.Some,however, had large clusters of yellow flowerswhich had a very ornamentaleffect on the sombre forest. But, although the exceptions were striking, hefoundthatinBorneo,aselsewhere,flowerswerescarcerthanhehadexpectedinanequatorialforest.Therewere,however,morethanenoughofstrikingandsurprisingthingstoengagetheattentionofourhero,andarousehisinterest.One tree they came to which rendered him for some moments absolutelyspeechless!totheintensedelightoftheprofessor,whomarchedhisnew-foundsympathiserfromoneobjectofinteresttoanotherwiththesecretintentionofsurprising him, and when he had got him to the point of open-mouthedamazementhewaswonttoturnhisspectaclesfullonhisface,likethemouthsofabluebinocular,inordertowitnessandenjoyhisemotions!Nigelfoundthisoutatlastandwasratherembarrassedinconsequence."Zat," exclaimed the naturalist, after gazing at his friend for some time insilence,"zatisatreevitchplanteditselfinmid-airandzensentitsrootsdowntozeegroundanditsbranchesuptozeesky!""Itlooksasifithad,"returnedNigel;"Ihaveseenatreeofthesamekindnearthecoast.Howcameittogrowinthisway?""Iknownot.Itiszoughtzatzeyspringfromaseeddroppedbyabirdintozeeforkofanozertree.Zeeseedgrows,sendshisrootsdownanthisbranchesup.Venhisrootsreachzeegroundhelayshold,ant,venstrongenough,killshissupportzusreturningefilforgood,likeazanklessdependent.Ah!zereismuchresemblancebetweenplantsandanimals!Com',vemustfeedhere,"said theprofessor,restinghisgunagainstoneoftheroots,"Ihadexpectedtofindzeebooterflies sooner. It cannotbehelped.Letusmakezisourbanqueting-hall.VevillhaveaDurian to refreshus,anthere isabandy treewhichseems tohave ripe vones on it.Go," he added, turning to the orang-utan, "and senddownvonortwo."The creature looked helplessly incapable, pitifully unwilling, scratching itssidethewhile.Evidentlyitwasalazymonkey.

"Doyouhear?"saidVerkimier,sternly.Theorangmoveduneasily,butstilldeclinedtogo.Turningsharplyonit, theprofessorbentdown,placedahandoneachofhiskneesandstaredthroughthebluegogglesintotheanimal'sface.Thiswasmorethanitcouldstand.WithaverybadgraceithobbledofftotheDurian tree, ascended it with a sort of lazy, lumbering facility, and hurleddownsomeofthefruitwithoutwarningthosebelowtolookout."My little frond isobstinate sometimes," remarked thenaturalist,pickingupthefruit,"butvenIbringmyglassestobearonhimhealvaysgivesin.Ineverfoundzemfail.Comenow;eat,an'vevillgotovorkagain.Vemustcertainlyfindzeebooterfliessomeverebeforenight."DOYOUHEAR?SAIDVERKIMIER,STERNLY"DOYOUHEAR?"SAIDVERKIMIER,STERNLYButVerkimierwaswrong. Itwas his destiny not to find the butterflies thatnight,orinthatregionatall,forheandhiscompanionhadnotquitefinishedtheirmealwhen aDyakyouth came runningup to them saying that hehadbeensentbytheRajahtoordertheirimmediatereturntothevillage."Alas! vemost go. It is dancherous to disobey zeeRajahant I am sorryverysorryzatIcannotshowyouzeebooterfliesto-day.Nomatter.Go"(totheDyakyouth),"tellyourchiefvevillcome.Betterlockzeenexttime!"

CHAPTERXVHUNTINGTHEGREATMAN-MONKEY

Although Professor Verkimier had promised to return at once, he wascompelledtoencampintheforest,beingovertakenbynightbeforehecouldreachtheriverandprocureaboat.Nextmorning they startedatdaybreak.Thecountryoverwhich theypassedhad again changed its character and becomemore hilly.On the summits ofmanyofthehillsDyakvillagescouldbeseen,andricefieldsweremetwithastheywentalong.Severalgulliesandrivuletswerecrossedbymeansofnativebamboobridges, and theprofessor explained ashewent along the immensevalueofthebambootothenatives.Withittheymaketheirsuspensionbridges,buildtheirhouses,andprocurenarrowplankingfortheirfloors.Iftheywantbroader planks they split a large bambooon one side and flatten it out to a

plank of about eighteen inches wide. Portions of hollow bamboo serve asreceptacles formilkorwater. If aprecipice stopsapath, theDyakswillnothesitatetoconstructabamboopathalongthefaceofit,usingbranchesoftreeswhereverconvenientfromwhichtohangthepath,andeverycreviceornotchintherockstoreceivetheendsofthebamboosbywhichitissupported.Honey-beesinBorneohangtheircombs,tobeoutofdangernodoubt,underthe branches of the Tappan, which towers above all the other trees of theforest.But theDyaks love honey andvaluewax as an article of trade; theythereforeerect their ingeniousbamboo ladderwhichcanbeprolonged toanyheightonthesmoothbranchlessstemoftheTappanandstormthestrongholdofthebeeswithmuchprofittothemselves,forbees'-waxwillpurchasefromthetradersthebrasswire,rings,gold-edgedkerchiefsandvariousornamentswith which they decorate themselves. When travelling, the Dyaks usebamboosascookingvesselsinwhichtoboilriceandothervegetables;asjarsinwhichtopreservehoney,sugar,etc.,orsaltedfishandfruit.Splitbamboosform aqueducts by which water is conveyed to the houses. A small neatlycarved piece of bamboo serves as a case inwhich are carried thematerialsused in the disgusting practice of betel-nut chewingwhich seems to beequivalenttothewesterntobacco-chewing.IfapipeiswantedtheDyakwillin a wonderfully short space of time make a huge hubble-bubble out ofbamboosofdifferentsizes,andifhislong-bladedkniferequiresasheaththesame gigantic grass supplies one almost ready-made.But the uses towhichthis reed may be applied are almost endless, and the great outstandingadvantageofitisthatitneedsnoothertoolsthananaxeandaknifetoworkit.Ataboutmid-daytheriverwasreached,andtheyfoundanativeboat,orprau,whichhadbeensentdowntoconveythemtotheRajah'svillage.HereNigelwas received with the hospitality due to a friend of Van der Kemp, who,somehowprobably by unselfish readiness, as well as ability, to obligehadcontrivedtomakedevotedfriendsinwhateverpartoftheMalayArchipelagohetravelled.Afterwards, in a conversation with Nigel, the professor, referring to thosequalitiesof thehermitwhich endearedhim tomeneverywhere, said,with aburstofenthusiasm,whichalmostoutdidhimself"YoucannotoonderstantVanderKemp.Nomancanoonderstanthim.Heisgoot, right down to zee marrowkind, amiable, oonselfish, obliging, nevairseemstozinkofhimselfatall,ant,abofallzings,iscapable.Vathevilldo,hecandovathecandohevilldo.Butheissadverysad.""Ihaveobservedthat,ofcourse,"saidNigel."Doyouknowwhatmakeshimsosad?"

Theprofessorshookhishead."No, Idonotknow.Nobodyknows. Ihave tried to findout,buthevillnotspeak."The Orang-Kaya, or rich man, as this hill chief was styled, had providedlodgingsforhisvisitorsinthe"head-house."Thiswasalargecircularbuildingerectedonpoles.ThereissuchahouseinnearlyallDyakvillages.Itservesasatrading-place,astrangers'room,asleeping-roomforunmarriedyouths,andageneralcouncil-chamber.HereNigelfoundthehermitandMosesenjoyingagood meal when he arrived, to which he and the professor sat down afterpayingtheirrespectstothechief."TheOrang-Kaya hopes that wewill stay with him some time and help todefendthevillage,"saidVanderKemp,whentheywereallseated."Ofcourseyouhaveagreed?"saidNigel."Yes;Icameforthatpurpose.""We's allers ready to fight in a good cause," remarked Moses, just beforefillinghismouthwithrice."Ortodieinit!"addedVerkimier,engulfingthebreastofachickenatabite."Butaszeepiratesarenotexpectedforsomedays,vemayasveilgoafterzeemiaszatiswhatzeenatifscallzeeorang-utan.Itisabetterword,beingshort."Mosesglancedattheprofessoroutofthecornersofhisblackeyesandseemedgreatlytickledbyhisenthusiasticdevotiontobusiness."I am also," continued the professor, "extremely anxious to go at zeebooterfliesbefore""Youdie,"suggestedNigel,venturingonapleasantry,whereatMosesopenedhismouthinasoundlesslaugh,but,observingtheprofessor'sgoggleslevelledathim,hetransformedthelaughintoanastoundingsneeze,andimmediatelygazedwithpoutinginnocenceandinterestathisplate."Doyoualvayssneezelikezat?"askedVerkimier."Notallers,"answered thenegrosimply,"sometimesIgibswayagooddealwuss.Dependsondeinsideobmynosean'destateobdewedder."What the professorwould have repliedwe cannot say, for just then aDyakyouthrushedintosaythatanunusuallylargeandgorgeousbutterflyhadbeenseenjustoutsidethevillage!

Noapplicationof fire togunpowdercouldhaveproducedamore immediateeffect.Theprofessor'sricewasscatteredonthefloor,andhimselfwasoutsidethehead-housebeforehiscomradesknewexactlywhatwasthematter."He's always like that," said the hermit, with a slight twinkle in his eyes."Nothingdiscouragesnothingsubdueshim.TwiceIpulledhimoutofdeadlydanger intowhichhehad run inhiseagerpursuitof specimens.Andhehasreturned the favour tome, forhe rescuedmeoncewhenamiashadgotmedown and would certainly have killed me, for my gun was empty at themoment,andIhaddroppedmyknife.""Is,then,theorang-utansopowerfulandsavage?""Truly,yes,whenwoundedanddriventobay,"returnedthehermit."YoumustnotjudgeofthecreaturebythebabythatVerkimierhastamed.Afull-grownmaleisquiteaslargeasaman,thoughverysmallinthelegsinproportion,sothat it does not stand high. It is also very much stronger than the mostpowerfulman.Youwouldbequitehelplessinitsgrip,Iassureyou.""Ihope,with theprofessor," returnedNigel, "thatwemayhaveahunt afterthem,eitherbeforeorafterthearrivalofthepirates.IknowheisveryanxioustosecureagoodspecimenforsomemuseuminwhichheisinterestedIforgetwhich."As he spoke, the youth who had brought information about the butterflyreturnedandsaidafewwordstoMosesinhisnativetongue."Whatdoeshesay?"askedNigel."DatMassaVerkimierisinfullchase,an'it'smyopiniondatwhenhecomesbackhe'llbewetallober,andhabhisshinsandelbowsbarked.""Whyd'youthinkso?""'Causedat'sdewayhegoedonwhenwewashuntin'widhimlastyear.Henebberlarnsfro''sperience.""That's a very fine-looking young fellow," remarked Nigel, referring to theDyakyouthwhohadjustreturned,andwho,withanumberofothernatives,waswatchingthevisitorswithprofoundinterestwhiletheyate.Astheyoungmanreferredtowasagoodsampleoftheyouthofhistribe,weshall describe him. Though not tall, hewaswell and strongly proportioned,andhis skinwasof a reddish-browncolour.Like all his comrades, heworelittleclothing.Agayhandkerchiefwithagoldlaceborderencircledhishead,

from beneath which flowed a heavy mass of straight, jet-black hair. Largecrescent-shapedornamentshungfromhisears.Hisfacewashandsomeandtheexpression pleasing, though the mouth was large and the lips rather thick.Numerous brass rings encircled his arms above and below the elbows. Hisonly other piece of costume was a waist-cloth of blue cotton, which hungdownbeforeandbehind.Itendedinthreebandsofred,blue,andwhite.Therewerealsorowsofbrassringsonhislegs,andarmletsofwhiteshells.Athissideheworea longslenderknifeanda littlepouchcontaining thematerialsforbetel-chewing."Yes,andheisasgoodashelooks,"saidthehermit."HisnameisGurulam,andallthepeopleofhistribehavebenefitedbythepresenceinBorneoofthatcelebratedEnglishmanSirJamesBrooke,RajahBrookeashewascalled,whodidsomuchtocivilisetheDyaksofBorneoandtoamelioratetheircondition."The prophecy of Moses about the professor was fulfilled. Just as it wasgrowingdarkthatgenialscientistreturned,drenchedtotheskinandcoveredwithmud, having tumbled into a ditch.His knuckles alsowere skinned, hiskneesandshinsdamaged,andhisfacescratched,buthewasperfectlyhappyinconsequenceofhavingsecuredareallysplendidspecimenofa"bootterfly"asbigashishand;thescientificnameofwhich,forverysufficientreasons,wewillnotattempttoinflictonourreaders,andthedescriptionofwhichmaybeshortlystatedbythesinglewordgorgeous!BeingfondofVerkimier,andknowinghisdesiretoobtainafull-grownorang-utan,Gurulamwentoffearlynextmorningtosearchforone.Half-a-dozenofhiscomradesaccompaniedhimarmedonlywithnativespears,fortheirobjectwas not to hunt the animal, but to discover one if possible, and let theprofessorknowsothathemightgoafteritwithhisrifle,fortheyknewthathewasakeensportsmanaswellasamanofscience.Theydidnot,indeed,findwhattheysoughtfor,buttheyweretoldbynativeswithwhomtheyfellinthatanumberoftheanimalshadbeenseenamongthetree-tops not more than a day's march into the forest. They hurried homethereforewiththisinformation,andthatdayaccompaniedbytheDyakyouths,Nigel, the hermit, and MosesVerkimier started off in search of the mias;intending to camp out or to take advantage of a native hut if they shouldchancetobenearonewhennightovertookthem.Descendingthehillregion,theysooncametomorelevelground,wheretherewasagooddealofswamp,throughwhichtheypassedonDyakroads.Theseroadsconsistedsimplyoftree-trunkslaidendtoend,alongwhichthenatives,beingbarefooted,walkwith ease andcertainty,butourbootedhunterswereobligedtoproceedalongthemwithextremecaution.Theonlyonewhocame

tomisfortunewas,asusual,theprofessor;andintheusualway!Itoccurredatthesecondofthesetree-roads."Look, look at that remarkable insect!" exclaimed Nigel, eagerly, in theinnocence of his heart. The professor was in front of him; he obedientlylooked,sawtheinsect,madeaneagersteptowardsit,andnextmomentwasflaton theswamp,while thewoodsrangwithhiscompanions' laughter.Theremarkableinsect,whateveritwas,vanishedfromthescene,andtheprofessorwasdragged,smiling thoughconfused,outof thebog.These thingsaffectedhimlittle.Hissoulwaslargeandrosesuperiortosuchtrifles.Thevirginforestintowhichtheypenetratedwasofvastextent;spreadingoverplain,mountain,andmorassineverydirectionforhundredsofmiles,forwemustremindthereaderthattheislandofBorneoisconsiderablylargerthanalltheBritish islands put together,while its inhabitants are comparatively few.Verkimier had been absolutely revelling in this forest for severalmonthsrangingitsglades,penetratingitsthickets,bathing(inadvertently)initsquagmires, and maiming himself generally, with unwearied energy andunextinguishable enthusiasm; shooting, skinning, stuffing, preserving, andboilingthebonesofallitsinhabitantsexceptthehumantothegreatadvantageofscienceandtheimmenseinterestandastonishmentofthenatives.Yetwithall his energy and perseverance the professor had failed, up to that time, toobtain a large specimen of a male orang-utan, though he had succeeded inshootingseveralsmallspecimensandfemales,besidescatchingtheyoungonewhichhehadtamed.Itwas thereforewithmuchexcitement thathe learnedfromapartyofbees'-waxhunters,onthesecondmorningoftheirexpedition,thatalargemalemiashadbeenseen thatveryday.Towards theafternoon they found thespot thathadbeendescribedtothem,andacarefulexaminationbegan."You see," said Verkimier, in a low voice, to Nigel, as he went a step inadvancepeeringupintothetrees,withrifleatthe"ready"andbendingalittleas if by thatmeans he better avoided the chance of being seen. "You see, Icame toBorneoforzeeexpresspurposeofobtainingzeegreatman-monkeyandvatchinghishabits.Hush!DoInothearsomet'ing?""Nothingbutyourownvoice,Ithink,"saidNigel,withatwinkleinhiseye."Vellhush!Keepkviet,allofyou."Asthewholepartymarchedinsinglefileaftertheprofessor,andwereatthemomentabsolutelysilent,thisorderinducedthedisplayofagoodmanyteeth.Justthenthemanofsciencewasseentoputhisriflequicklytotheshoulder;

the arches of the forest rang with a loud report; various horrified creatureswereseenandheardtoscamperaway,andnextmomentamiddle-sizedorang-utan came crashing through the branches of a tall tree and fell deadwith aheavythudontheground.The professor's rifle was a breechloader. He therefore lost no time in re-charging,andhurried forwardas ifhesawothergame,while the restof thepartyexceptVanderKemp,Nigel,andGurulamfellbehindtolookatandpickupthefallenanimal."Look out!" whispered Nigel, pointing to a bit of brown hair that he sawamongtheleaveshighoverhead."Vere?Icannotseehim,"whisperedthenaturalist,whoseeyesblazedenoughalmosttomelthisblueglasses."Doyoufire,Mr.Roy?""My gun is charged only with small-shot, for birds. It is useless for suchgame,"saidNigel."Ach!Isee!"Upwenttherifleandagaintheechoeswerestartledandtheanimalkingdomastounded, especially thatportionatwhich theprofessorhad fired, for therewas immediately a tremendous commotion among the leaves overhead, andanotherorangofthelargestsizewasseentocrossanopenspaceanddisappearamongthethickfoliage.Evidentlythecreaturehadbeenhit,butnotseverely,for it travelled among the tree-tops at the rate of full five miles an hour,obligingthehunters torunatarapidpaceover theroughgroundinorder tokeepupwithit.Initspassagefromtreetotreetheanimalshowedcautionandforesight,selectingonly thosebranches that interlacedwithotherboughs,sothat itmadeuninterruptedprogress,andalsohadaknackofalwayskeepingmassesofthickfoliageunderneathitsothatforsometimenoopportunitywasfoundof firinganother shot.At last,however, it came tooneof thoseDyakroadsofwhichwehavemademention,sothatitcouldnoteasilyswingfromonetreetoanother,andthestoppageofrustlingamongtheleavestoldthatthecreaturehadhalted.Forsometimetheygazedupamongthebrancheswithoutseeinganything,butatlast,inaplacewheretheleavesseemedtohavebeenthrustasidenearthetopofoneofthehighesttrees,agreatredhairybodywasseen,andahugeblackfacegazedfiercelydownatthehunters.Verkimier fired instantly, thebranchesclosed,and themonstermovedoff inanotherdirection.IndesperateanxietyNigelfiredbothbarrelsofhisshot-gun.Hemight as well have fired at themoon. Gurulamwas armed onlywith aspear,andVanderKemp,whowasnotmuchofasportsman,carriedasimilarweapon.Therestof thepartywerestilloutofsight inrear lookingafter the

deadmias.Itwasastonishinghowlittlenoisewasmadebysolargeananimalasitmovedalong. More than once the hunters had to halt and listen intently for therustlingoftheleavesbeforetheycouldmakesureofbeingontherighttrack.Atlasttheycaughtsightofhimagainonthetopofaveryhightree,andtheprofessorgot twomore shots,butwithoutbringinghimdown.Thenhewasseen, quite exposed for amoment, walking in a stooping posture along thelargelimbofatree,butthehunterwasloadingatthetimeandlostthechance.Finally he got on to a tree whose top was covered with a dense mass ofcreeperswhichcompletelyhidhimfromview.Thenhehaltedandthesoundofsnappingbrancheswasheard."You'venotmuchchanceofhimnow,"remarkedthehermit,astheyallstoodin a group gazing up into the tree-top. "I have often seen themias act thuswhenseverelywounded.Heismakinganesttoliedownanddiein.""Zen ve must shoot again," said the professor, moving round the tree andlookingoutforasignoftheanimal.Atlastheseemedtohavefoundwhathewanted,forraisinghisriflehetookasteadyaimandfired.A considerable commotion of leaves and fall of broken branches followed.Then thehugeredbodyof themiasappearedfalling through,but itwasnotdead,foritcaughtholdofbranchesasitfellandhungonaslongasitcould;thenitcamecrashingdown,andalightedonitsfacewithanawfulthud.After firing the last shot Verkimier had not reloaded, being too intent onwatching the dying struggles of the creature, and when it fell with suchviolence he concluded that it was dead. For the same reason Nigel hadneglected to reload after firing. Thus it happened that when the enormousbrutesuddenlyroseandmadeforatreewiththeevidentintentionofclimbingit,noonewaspreparedtostopitexcepttheDyakyouthGurulam.Hechancedtobestandingbetweenthemiasandthetree.Boldlyhelevelledhisspearandmadeathrustthatwouldprobablyhavekilledthebeast,ifithadnotcaughtthepointofthespearandturneditaside.Thenwithitsleftpawitcaughttheyouthbytheneck,seizedhisthighwithoneofitshindpaws,andfixeditsteethinhisrightshoulder.Neverwasman renderedmore suddenly and completelyhelpless, anddeathwouldhavebeenhissureportionbefore thehuntershadreloaded ifVanderKemphadnotleapedforward,and,thrustinghisspearcompletelythroughtheanimal'sbody,killeditonthespot.

CHAPTERXVI

BEGINSWITHATERRIBLEFIGHTANDENDSWITHAHASTYFLIGHT

The hunt, we need scarcely say, was abruptly terminated, and immediatepreparationsweremadeforconveyingthewoundedmanandthetwoorangstothe Dyak village. This was quickly arranged, for the convenient bambooaffordedready-madepoleswherewithtoformalitteronwhichtocarrythem.Thehugecreaturewhichhadgiventhemsomuchtrouble,andsonearlycostthemonehumanlife,wasfoundtobeindeedofthelargestsize.Itwasnottallbut very broad and large. The exact measurements, taken by the professor,whonevertravelledwithouthistapemeasure,wereasfollows:Heightfromheeltotopofhead4feet2inches.Outstretchedarmsacrosschest7feet8inches.Widthofface1foot2inchesGirthofarm1foot3inchesGirthofwrist8inchesThemuscularpowerofsuchacreatureisofcourseimmense,asNigelandtheprofessor had a rare chance of seeing that very eveningof which, morepresently.OncarefulexaminationbyNigel,whopossessedsomeknowledgeofsurgery,itwasfoundthatnoneofGurulam'sboneshadbeenbroken,andthatalthoughseverelylaceratedabout theshouldersandright thigh,noveryseriousinjuryhad been donethanks to the promptitude and vigour of the hermit's spear-thrust.Thepooryouth,however,wasutterlyhelplessforthetimebeing,andhadtobecarriedhome.Thatafternoonthepartyreachedavillageinaremotepartoftheforestwheretheyresolvedtohaltforthenight,asnootherresting-placecouldbereachedbeforedark.WhileasupperofriceandfowlwasbeingcookedbyMoses,VanderKempattendedtothewoundedman,andNigelaccompaniedtheprofessoralongthebanksofthestreamonwhichthevillagestood.Havingmerelygoneoutforastroll theycarriednoweaponsexceptwalking-sticks, intending togoonlyashortdistance.Interestingtalk,however,onthecharacterandhabitsofvariousanimals,madethemforgettimeuntilthediminutionofdaylightwarnedthemtoturn.Theywereabouttodosowhentheyobserved,seatedinanopenplacenear the stream, the largest orang they had yet seen. It was feeding onsucculentshootsbythewater-side:afactwhichsurprisedtheprofessor,forhis

inquiries and experience had hitherto taught him that orangs never eat suchfood except when starving. The fat and vigorous condition in which thisanimalwas forbade the idea of starvation.Besides, it had brought aDurianfruit to the banks of the stream and thrown it down, so that either taste oreccentricitymust have induced it to prefer the shoots. Perhaps its digestionwasoutoforderanditrequiredatonic.Anyhow, it continued to devour a good many young shoots while ourtravellerswerepeepingatitinmutesurprisethroughthebushes.Thattheyhadapproachedsonearwithoutbeingobservedwasduetothefactthatabrawlingrapidflowedjustthere,andthemiaswasontheothersideofthestream.Bymutualconsent themencrouched towatch itsproceedings.Theywerenotalittleconcerned,however,whenthebruteseizedanoverhangingbough,and,withwhatwemaystyle sluggishagility, swung itselfclumsilybut lightly totheirsideofthestream.ItpickeduptheDurianwhichlaythereandbegantodevourit.Bitingoffsomeofthestrongspikeswithwhichthatcharmingfruitiscovered,itmadeasmallholeinit,andthenwithitspowerfulfingerstoreoffthethickrindandbegantoenjoyafeast.Now,withmonkeys,nolessthanwithmen,thereismanyaslip'twixtthecupandthelip,forthemiashadjustbegunitsmeal,or,rather,itsdessert,whenacrocodile,whichtheprofessorhadnotobservedandNigelhadmistakenforalog,suddenlyopeneditsjawsandseizedthebigmonkey'sleg.Thescenethatensuedbafflesdescription!Grasping thecrocodilewith itsother threehandsbynose,throat,andeyes,themiasalmostperformedtheAmericanoperationof gougingdigging its powerful thumbs and fingers into every crevice andtearingopen itsassailant's jaws.Thecrocodile, takenapparentlybysurprise,wentintodireconvulsions,andmakingfordeepwater,plungedhisfoethereinoverheadandears.Nothingdaunted,themiasregainedhisfooting,hauledhisvictimontoamudbank,and,jumpingonhisbackbegantotearandpommelhim.Therewasnothingoftheprize-fighterinthemias.Heneverclenchedhisfistneverhitstraightfromtheshoulder,but thebuffetingandslappingwhichhegaveresoundedallover theplace.At lasthecaughtholdofa foldofhisopponent's throat, which he began to tear open with fingers and teeth.Wrenching himself free with a supreme effort the crocodile shot into thestream and disappeared with a sounding splash of its tail, while the miaswadedlamelytotheshorewithanexpressionofsulkyindignationonitsgreatblackface.Slowly the creature betook itself to the shelter of the forest, and we needscarcely add that the excited observers of the combat made no attempt tohinderitsretreat.It is said that the python is the only other creature that dares to attack the

orang-utan, and that when it does so victory usually declares for the man-monkey,whichbitesandtearsittodeath.Thepeopleofthevillageinwhichthehuntersrestedthatnightwereevidentlynot accustomed to white menperhaps had never seen them beforefor theycrowded round themwhile at supper and gazed in silent wonder as if theywerewatchingagroupofwhite-facedbaboonsfeeding!Theywere,however,veryhospitable,andplacedbeforetheirvisitorsabundanceoftheirbestfoodwithoutexpectinganything inreturn.Brassringswere thegreatornament inthis villageas they are, indeed, among the Dyaks generally. Many of thewomen had their arms completely covered with them, as well as their legsfromtheankletotheknee.Theirpetticoatswerefastenedtoacoilofrattan,stainedred,roundtheirbodies.Theyalsoworecoilsofbrasswire,girdlesofsmallsilvercoins,andsometimesbroadbeltsofbrassring-armour.It was break of dawn nextmorningwhen our hunters started, bearing theirwoundedcomradeandthedeadorangswiththem.Arrivedatthevillagetheyfoundthepeopleingreatexcitementpreparingfordefence,asnewshadbeenbroughttotheeffectthatthepirateshadlandedatthemouthof the river, joined thedisaffectedbandwhichawaited them,andthatanattackmightbeexpectedwithoutdelay,fortheywereundercommandofthecelebratedMalaypirateBaderoon.NigelobservedthatthecountenanceofhisfriendVanderKempunderwentapeculiar change on hearing this man's name mentioned. There was acombinationofanxiety,whichwasunnaturaltohim,andofresolution,whichwasoneofhischiefcharacteristics."IsBaderoon theenemywhomyou sawon the isletonour firstnightout?"askedNigel,duringaramblewiththehermitthatevening."Yes,andIfeartomeethim,"repliedhisfriendinalowvoice.Nigelwassurprised.TheimpressionmadeonhismindsincetheirintercoursewasthatVanderKempwasincapableofthesensationoffear."Ishesoverybitteragainstyou?"askedNigel."Very,"wasthecurtreply."Haveyoureasontothinkhewouldtakeyourlifeifhecould?""Iamsurehewould.AsItoldyoubefore,Ihavethwartedhisplansmorethanonce.WhenhehearsthatitisIwhohavewarnedtheOrang-Kayaagainsthim

hewillpursuemetothedeathandandImustnotmeethim.""Indeed!"exclaimedNigel,withrenewedsurprise.Butthehermittooknonoteoftheexclamation.Anxietyhadgivenplacetoafrown,andhiseyeswerefixedontheground.ItseemedtoNigelsoevidentthathedidnotwishtopursuethesubject,thatheslightlychangedit."I suppose,"he said, "that there isno fearof theDyaksof thevillagebeingunabletobeatoffthepiratesnowthattheyhavebeenwarned?""Nonewhatever.Indeed,thisissowellknowntoBaderoonthatIthinkhewillabandontheattempt.Buthewillnotabandonhisdesignsonme.However,wemustwaitandseehowGodwillorderevents."Nextmorningspiesreturnedtothevillagewiththeinformationthatthepirateshadtakentheirdeparturefromthemouthoftheriver."Doyouthinkthisisanattempttodeceiveus?"askedthechief,turningtoVanderKemp,whenheheardthenews."Ithinknot.Andevenshoulditbeso,andtheyshouldreturn,youarereadyandwellabletomeetthem.""Yes, readyand well able to meet them," replied the Orang-Kaya, drawinghimselfupproudly."Didtheyallgoinonedirection?"askedVanderKempoftheyouthswhohadbroughtthenews."Yes,allwentinabodytothenorthexceptoneboatwhichrowedsouthward.""Hm!Ithoughtso.Myfriends,listentome.Thisisnopretence.Theydonotmeantoattackyounowyouareonyourguard;butthatboatwhichwentsouthcontainsBaderoon,andIfeelcertainthathemeanstohangaboutheretillhegetsthechanceofkillingme.""Thatiswell,"returnedthechief,calmly."Myyoungmenwillhunttill theyfindwhereheis.ThentheywillbringustheinformationandVanderKempwillgooutwithabandandslayhisenemy.""No,myfriend,"saidthehermit,firmly;"thatshallnotbe.Imustgetoutofhis way, and in order to do sowill leave you at once, for therewill be nofurtherneedformyserviceshere."Thechief lookedathis friend insurprise."Well,"hesaid,"youhaveagoodjudgment,andunderstandyourownaffairs.Butyouhavealreadyrenderedme

good service, and I will help you to flythough such is not the habit of theDyaks!Thereisatrader'svesseltostartforSumatrabythefirstlightofday.Willmyfriendgobythat?""Iamgrateful,"answeredthehermit,"butIneednohelpsavesomeprovisions,forIhavemylittlecanoe,whichwillsuffice."As this colloquywas conducted in thenative tongue itwasunintelligible toNigel, but after the interviewwith the chief the hermit explainedmatters tohim,andbadeMosesgetreadyforastartseveralhoursbeforedawn."Youseewemustdothefirstpartofourtripinthedark,forBaderoonhasakeeneyeandear.Thenwewilllandandsleepalldaywherethesharpesteyewillfailtofindusand,luckily,pirateshavebeendeniedthepowerofscentingout their foes.Whennightcomeswewill start againandgetoutof sightoflandbeforethenextdawn.""Mine frond," said the professor, turning his moon-like goggles full on thehermit."Ivillgovizyou.""Ishouldbeonlytoohappytohaveyourcompany,"returnedthehermit,"butmycanoecannotbyanycontrivancebemadetoholdmorethanthree.""Zat isnomatter tome," rejoinedVerkimier;"youforgetzee trader'sboat. IvillgoinzattoSumatra.Vevillfindoutzeeportheisgoingto,antyouvillmeetme zere.Vait forme if I have not arrivedor I vill vait for you. I havelongedtovisitSumatra,antvatbetterfrondscouldIgovizzanyourselfs?""But,mygoodfriend,"returnedthehermit,"mymovementsmaynotexactlysuit yours. Here they are,you can judge for yourself. First I will, Godpermitting,crossovertoSumatrainmycanoe.""Butitist'reehoondertmilesacross,ifnotmore!""Nomatterthereareplentyofislandsontheway.Besides,somepassingvesselwill giveme a lift, no doubt. Then Iwill coast along to one of the easternports, where I know there is a steamboat loading up about this time. Thecaptain is an old friend of mine. He brought me and my companions thegreaterpartofthewayhere.IfIfindhimIwillaskhimtocarrymycanoeonhis return voyage throughSundaStraits, and leave itwith another friend ofmineatTelokBetongonthesouthcoastofSumatranotfar,asyouknow,frommyhomeinKrakatoa.ThenIwillproceedoverlandtothesameplace,sothatmyfriendNigelRoymayseealittleofthecountry.""Antvatifyoudonotfindyourfrondzeecaptainofzeesteamer?"

"Why,thenIshallhavetoadoptsomeotherplan.Itistheuncertaintyofmymovementsthatmakesmethinkyoushouldnotdependonthem.""Zatisnot'ingtome,VanderKemp;youjoostgoasyousay.Ivillfollowanttake my chance. I am use' to ooncertainties ant difficoolties. Zey can notinfluenceme."Afteragooddealofconsiderationthisplanwasagreedto.Theprofessorspentpart of the night in giving directions about the preserving of his specimens,whichhemeanttoleaveatthevillageinchargeofamanwhomhehadtrainedtoassisthim,whileVanderKempwithhiscompanionslaydowntosnatchalittlesleepbeforesettingoutontheirvoyage,or,astheDyakchiefpersistedincallingit,theirflight!WhenNigel had slept about fiveminutesas he thoughthewas awakened byMoses."Don'tmakeanoise,MassaNadgel!Deremaybespiesindecampforallweknows,sowemus'gitofflikemice.Canoe'sreadyan'massawaitin';wegibyoutodelastmomint."Inafewminutesourherowassleepilyfollowingthenegrothroughthewoodstothespotwherethecanoewasinwaiting.The night was very dark. This was in their favour,at least as regardeddiscovery."Buthowshallweeversee tomakeourwaydownstream?"askedNigelofthehermitinawhisperonreachingtheplaceofembarkation."Thecurrentwillguideus.Besides,Ihavestudiedtheriverwithaviewtothisflight.Becarefulingettingin.Now,Moses,areyouready?""Allright,massa.""Shoveoff,then."Therewassomethingsoeerieinthesubduedtones,andstealthymotions,andprofound darkness, that Nigel could not help feeling as if they wereproceedingtocommitsomeblackandcriminaldeed!Floatingwith thecurrent,withas littlenoiseaspossible,andhavingmanyanarrow escape of running against points of land and sandbanks, they flewswiftlytowardsthesea,sothatdawnfoundthemamongthemudflatsandthemangroveswamps.Heretheyfoundaspotwheremangroverootsandbushesformed an impenetrable screen, behindwhich they spent the day, chiefly in

sleep,andinabsolutesecurity.Whendarknesssetintheyagainputforth,andcautiouslyclearingtheriver'smouth,weresoonfaroutontheopensea,whichwasfortunatelycalmatthetime,theslightairthatblewbeingintheirfavour."Wearesafefrompursuitnow,"saidVanderKempinatoneofsatisfaction,astheypausedforabreathingspell."O massa!" exclaimed Moses at that moment, in a voice of consternation;"we'sforgottenSpinkie!""Sowehave!"returnedthehermitinavoiceofregretsoprofoundthatNigelcouldscarcerestrainalaughinspiteofhissympathy.But Spinkie had not forgotten himself.Observing probably, that these nightexpeditions were a change in his master's habits, he had kept an unusuallywatchfuleyeonthecanoe,sothatwhenitwasputinthewater,hehadjumpedonboardunseeninthedarkness,andhadretiredtotheplacewhereheusuallysleptunderhatcheswhenthecanoetravelledatnight.Awakened from refreshing sleep at the soundof his name,Spinkie emergedsuddenly from the stern-manhole, right under the negro's nose, and with asleepy"oo,oo!"gazedupintohisface."Ho! Dare you is, you mis'rible hyperkrite!" exclaimed Moses, kissing theanimalinthedepthofhissatisfaction."He'shere,massa,allright.Now,yougotobedagin,yousmallbundleobhair."Thecreatureretiredobedientlytoitsplace,andlayingitslittlecheekononeofitssmallhands,committeditselftorepose.Van derKempwaswrongwhen he said theywere safe.A pirate scout hadseen the canoe depart. Being alone and distant from the rendezvous of hiscommander, some time elapsed before the news could be conveyed to him.WhenBaderoonwasat length informedandhadsailedout tosea inpursuit,returningdaylightshowedhimthathisintendedvictimhadescaped.

CHAPTERXVIITELLSOFTHEJOYS,ETC,OFTHEPROFESSORINTHE

SUMATRANFORESTS,ALSOOFACATASTROPHEAVERTEDFortunatelytheweathercontinuedfineatfirst,andthelightwindfair,sothatthe canoe skimmed swiftly over the wide sea that separates Borneo fromSumatra. Sometimes our travellers proceeded at night when the distance

betweenisletscompelledthemtodoso.Atothertimestheylandedononeoftheseisleswhenopportunityofferedtorestandreplenishthewater-casks.Wewill not follow them step by step in this voyage,which occupiedmorethan a week, and during which they encountered without damage severalsquallsinwhichasmallopenboatcouldnothavelived.Beachingatlastthegreat island of Sumatrawhich, like its neighbour Borneo, is larger in extentthan theBritish Islandsthey coasted along southwards,without further delaythanwas absolutelynecessary for rest and refreshment, until they reached aportwheretheyfoundthesteamerofwhichtheywereinsearchjustabouttostartonitsreturnvoyage.VanderKempcommittedhislittlecrafttothecareofthecaptain,who,aftervainlyadvisinghisfriendtotakeafreepassagewithhimto theStraitsofSunda,promised to leave thecanoe inpassingatTelokBetong.WemayaddthatSpinkiewasmostunwillinglyobligedtoaccompanythecanoe."Now,wemustremainheretillourfriendVerkimierarrives,"saidthehermit,turningtoNigelaftertheyhadwatchedthesteameroutofsight."Isupposewemust,"saidNigel,whodidnotatallrelishthedelay"ofcoursewemust,"headdedwithdecision."I sees no 'ob course' about it,MassaNadgel," observedMoses,who neverrefrainedfromofferinghisopinionfrommotivesofhumility,orofrespectforhisemployer."My'dviceistogoonan'letdepurfesserfoller.""ButIpromisedtowaitforhim,"saidthehermit,withoneofhiskindly,half-humorousglances,"andyouknowIneverbreakmypromises.""Dastrue,massa,butyoudi'n'tpromisetowaitforhimforeberan'eber!""Notquite;butofcourseImeantthatIwouldwaitareasonabletime."The negro appeared to meditate for some moments on the extent of a"reasonable"time,forhishugeeyesbecamehugerashegazedfrowninglyattheground.Thenhespoke."A 'reasonable' time,massa, is such an oncertain timewariable, so to speak,accordin' to the mind that t'inks upon it! Hows'eber, if you's promised, obcoorsedat'sanendobit;forw'enamanpromises,he'sboundtosticktoit."Suchdevotion toprinciplewasappropriately rewarded theverynextdaybythearrivalofthetradingprauinwhichtheprofessorhadembarked."We did not expect you nearly so soon," saidNigel, as they heartily shookhands.

"It vas because zee vind freshen soon after ve set sailant, zen, ve made astraightlineforzisport,w'ereasyoupossiblycrossedover,antzenpushdownzeecoast.""Exactlyso,andthataccountsforyourovertakingus,"saidthehermit."IsthattheladBasoIseedowntherewiththecrewoftheprau?""It is. Youmust have some strainch power of attracting frondship, Van derKemp,forzeepooryout' issofondofyouzathebegantentreatmetotakehim,anthesayshevillgoonvitzee traders ifyourefuse to lethimfollowyou.""Well,hemaycome.Indeed,weshallbethebetterforhisservices,forIhadintended to hire a man here to help to carry our things. Much of ourjourneying,yousee,mustbedoneonfoot."Baso,tohisgreatjoy,thusbecameoneoftheparty.Wepassover thenext fewdays,whichwerespent inarrangingandpackingtheirprovisions,etc.,insuchawaythateachmemberofthepartyshouldcarryonhis shouldersa loadproportioned tohis strength. In thisarrangement theprofessor,muchagainsthiswill,wascompelledtoacceptthelightestloadinconsideration of his liability to dart off in pursuit of creeping things and"bootterflies" at amoment's notice. The least damageable articleswere alsoassigned to him in consideration of his tendency at all times to tumble intobogs and stumbleover fallen trees, and losehimself, andotherwiseget intodifficulties.We also pass over part of the journey from the coast, and plungewith ourtravellersatonceintotheinteriorofSumatra.One evening towards sunset they reached the brow of an eminence which,beingrocky,wasfreefrommuchwood,andpermittedofawideviewofthesurrounding country. It was covered densely with virgin forest, and theyascended the eminence in order that the hermit,whohad been there before,mightdiscoveraforestroadwhichledtoavillagesomemilesoff,wheretheyintendedtoputupforthenight.Havingascertainedhisexactposition,VanderKemp led his followers down to this footpath,which led through the denseforest.Thetreesbywhichtheyweresurroundedwerevariedandmagnificentsomeofthemrisingclearupseventyandeightyfeetwithoutabranch,manyofthemhadsuperbleafycrowns,underanyoneofwhichhundredsofmenmighthavefoundshelter.Othershadtrunksandlimbswarpedandintertwinedwithawild

entanglementofhugecreepers,whichhunginfestoonsandloopsasifdoingtheir best to strangle their supports, themselves being also encumbered, oradorned,with ferns and orchids, and delicate twining epiphytes.A forest ofsmaller trees grew beneath this shade, and still lower down were thornyshrubs, rattan-palms, broad-leaved bushes, and a mass of tropical herbagewhich would have been absolutely impenetrable but for the native road orfootpathalongwhichtheytravelled."A most suitable abode for tigers, I should think," remarked Nigel to thehermit,whowalkedinfrontofhimfortheymarchedinsinglefile."Arethereanyintheseparts?""Ay,plenty.Indeed,itisbecauseIdon'tlikesleepingintheircompanythatIamsoanxioustoreachavillage.""Arezeydangerows?"askedtheprofessor,whofollowedcloseonNigel."Well,theyarenotsafe!"repliedthehermit."Ihadanadventurewithoneonthisveryroadonlytwoyearsago.""Indeed! vat vas it?" asked the professor, whose appetite for anecdote wasinsatiable."Dotellusaboutit.""Withpleasure.Itwasonapitch-darknightthatitoccurred.Ihadoccasiontogotoaneighbouringvillageataconsiderabledistance,andborrowedahorsefromafriend""Anozer frond!" exclaimed the professor; "vy, Van der Kemp, zee countryseemstobesvarmingvidyourfronds.""Ihavetravelledmuchinitandmademanyfriends,"returnedthehermit."Thehorse that Iborrowed turnedout tobeaverypoorone,andwent lamesoonafterIsetout.BusinesskeptmelongerthanIexpected,anditwasgettingdarkbeforeIstartedtoreturn.ErelongthedarknessbecamesointensethatIcouldscarcely see beyond the horse's head, and could not distinguish the path. Ithereforelettheanimalfindhisownwayknowingthathewouldbesuretodoso,forhewasgoinghome.Aswejoggedalong,Ifeltthehorsetremble.Thenhesnortedandcametoadeadstop,withhisfeetplantedfirmlyontheground.Iwasquiteunarmed,butarmswouldhavebeenuselessinthecircumstances.Suddenly, and fortunately, the horse reared, and next moment a huge darkobjectshotclosepastmyfacesoclosethatitsfurbrushedmycheekasitwentwithaheavythudintothejungleontheotherside.Iknewthatitwasatigerand felt thatmy life, humanly speaking,was due to the rearing of the poorhorse."

"Areveneartozeespote?"askedtheprofessor,glancingfromsidetosideinsomeanxiety."Not far from it!" replied thehermit, "but there isnotmuch fearof suchanattackinbroaddaylightandwithsolargeaparty.""Vearenotaverylargeparty,"returnedtheprofessor."IdonotzinkIwouldfearmuchtofaceatigervidmygootrifle,butIdonotrelishhischoompingonmeunavares.Pushon,please."Theypushedonandreachedthevillagealittlebeforenightfall.Hospitality is a characteristic of the natives of Sumatra.The travellerswerereceived with open arms, so to speak, and escorted to the public buildingwhichcorrespondsinsomemeasuretoourwesterntown-halls.Itwasahugebuildingcomposedlargelyofbamboowooden-planksandwicker-work,withahighthatchedroof,anditstood,likealltheotherhouses,onpostsformedofgreattree-stemswhichroseeightortenfeetfromtheground."You have frunds here too, I zink," said Verkimier to the hermit, as theyascendedtheladderleadingtothedoorofthehall."Well,yesIbelieveIhavetwoorthree."Therecouldbenodoubtuponthatpoint,unlessthenativeswereconsummatehypocrites, for they welcomed Van der Kemp and his party with effusivevoice,lookandgesture,andimmediatelyspreadbeforethempartofasplendidsupper which had just been prepared; for they had chanced to arrive on afestiveoccasion."Idobelieve,"saidNigelinsomesurprise,"thattheyarelightinguptheplacewithpetroleumlamps!""Ay, and you will observe that they are lighting the lamps with Congrevematchesat least with matches of the same sort, supplied by the Dutch andChinese.Manyoftheiroldcustomshavepassedaway(amongothersthatofprocuring fire by friction), and now we have the appliances of westerncivilisationtoreplacethem.""Nodoubtsteamiszeecauseofzeechange,"remarkedtheprofessor."That,"saidNigel,"hasagooddealtodowithmostthingsfromthesingingofa tea-kettle to theexplosionofavolcano; though,doubtless, thecommercialspiritwhichisnowsostrongamongmenistheproximatecause.""Surelydesepeoplemus'bereech,"saidtheprofessor,lookingroundhimwith

interest."Theyarerichenoughandwelloffineveryrespect,savethattheydon'tknowverywellhowtomakeuseoftheirriches.Asyousee,muchoftheirwealthislavishedontheirwomenintheshapeofornaments,mostofwhichareofsolidgoldandsilver."Therecouldbelittledoubtaboutthat,for,besidestheornamentsproper,suchas the bracelets and rings with which the arms of the young women werecovered, and earrings, etc.,all of solid gold and native-madethere werenecklacesandcollarscomposedofSpanishandAmericandollarsandBritishhalf-crowns and other coins. In short, these Sumatran young girls carriedmuchofthewealthoftheirparentsontheirpersons,andwereentitledtowearituntiltheyshouldberelegatedtotheranksofthemarriedthesupposed-to-beunfrivolous,andtheevidentlyunadorned!As thiswas a region full ofbirds, beasts, and insectsofmanykinds, itwasresolved, for the professor's benefit, that a few days should be spent in it.Accordingly, the village chief set apart a newly-built house for the visitors'accommodation,andayouthnamedGrogowasappointedtowaitonthemandactasguidewhentheywishedtotraverseanypartofthesurroundingforest.Thehousewason theoutskirtsof thevillage,amatterof satisfaction to theprofessor, as it enabled him at once to plunge into his beloved workunobserved by the youngsters. It also afforded him a better opportunity ofcollectingmoths,etc.,bythesimplemethodofopeninghiswindowatnight.Amatorwicker-workscreendividedthehutintotwoapartments,oneofwhichwasentirelygivenovertothenaturalistandhismatériel."Ivilbeginatvonce,"saidtheeagerman,ontakingpossession.Andhekepthiswordbyplacinghislamponatableinaconspicuousposition,sothatitcouldbewellseenfromtheoutside.Thenhethrewhiswindowwideopen,asageneralinvitationtotheinsectworldtoenter!Moths, flying beetles, and other creatures were not slow to accept theinvitation.Theyenteredby twos, fours,sixesat lastbyscores, insomuchthattheroombecameuninhabitableexceptbythemanhimself,andhiscomradessoonretiredtotheirowncompartment,leavinghimtocarryonhisworkalone."Youenjoythissortofthing?"saidNigel,ashewasabouttoretire."Enchoy it? yesit is 'paradise regained'!" He pinned a giant moth at themomentandgazedtriumphantthroughhisblueglasses.

"'Paradise lost' to themoth,anyhow,"saidNigelwithanod,ashebadehimgood-night, and carefully closed thewicker door to check the incursions ofuncapturedspecimens.Beingrathertiredwiththeday'sjourney,helaydownonamatbesidethehermit,whowasalreadysoundasleep.But our hero found that sleep was not easily attainable so close to aninexhaustibleenthusiast,whoseeverystepproducedarattlingofthebamboofloor,andwhoseunweariedenergyenabledhimtohuntduringthegreaterpartofthenight.At length slumber descended onNigel's spirit, and he lay for some time inpeacefuloblivion,whenarattlingcrashawokehim.Sittinguphelistened,andcame to theconclusion that theprofessorhadupset somepieceof furniture,forhecouldhearhimdistinctlymovingabout ina stealthymanner,as ifontip-toe,givingventtoagrumbleofdissatisfactioneverynowandthen."What can he be up to now, I wonder?" murmured the disturbed youth,sleepily.The hermit,who slept through all noiseswith infantine simplicity,made noanswer,butapeculiarsnort fromthenegro,wholaynot faroffonhisotherside,toldthathewasstrugglingwithalaugh."Hallo,Moses!areyouawake?"askedNigel,inalowvoice."Hoyes,MassaNadgel.I'sbinwakin'agoodwhile,larfinfittobu'stmysides.Depurfesser'sbeenagoin'onlikeamadrenocerosformore 'nanhour.He'sartersuthin,whichhecan'tketch.Listen!Youhear 'imgoin'roundan'roundonhistip-toes.Deregoesanoderchair.Ionlyhopehewon'tsmashdelampan'setdehousea-fire.""Veil,veil; I'vemissedhimzee tence time.Nevairmind.Haveatyouvoncemore,youaggravatingleetlezing!"Thus the unsuccessful man relieved his feelings, in a growling tone, as hecontinuedtomoveaboutontip-toe,rattlingthebambooflooringinspiteofhiscarefuleffortstomovequietly."Why,Verkimier,whatareyouafter?"criedNigelat last, loudenoughtobeheardthroughthepartition."Ah! I am sorry to vake you," he replied,without, however, suspending hishunt."Ihave triedmybest tomakenonoice,butzeebamboofloor ishah! Ihave'imatlast!""Whatisit?"askedNigel,becominginterested.

"Vonleetlebat.Hecomeinvisamoss""Awhat?""Amossabig,beautifulmoss.""Oh!amothwell?""Vell, I shut zeewindow, capture zeemoss, ant zen I hunt zee bat vithmybootterfly-net for an hour, but have only captured him zismoment. Ant heissooch asooch a splendid specimen of a very rar' species, zee Coelopsfriziigootness!Zeregoeszeelamp!"Thecrashthatfollowedtoldtooeloquentlyofthecatastrophe,andbroketheslumbers even of the hermit. The whole party sprang up, and entered thenaturalist'sroomwithalight,forthedangerfromfirewasgreat.Fortunatelythe lamphadbeen extinguished in its fall, so that, beyond an overpoweringsmellofpetroleumandthedestructionofagoodmanyspecimens,noseriousresultsensued.AftersecuringtheCoelopsfrithii,removingtheshatteredglass,wipinguptheoil,andputtingchairsandtablesontheirlegs,theprofessorwasurgedtogotobed,advicewhich,inhisexcitement,herefusedtotakeuntilitwassuggestedthat,ifhedidnot,hewouldbetotallyunfitforexploringtheforestnextday."Vy,itisnextdayalready!"heexclaimed,consultinghiswatch."Justso.Nowdoturnin.""Ivill."Andhedid.

CHAPTERXVIIIATRYINGORDEALDANGERTHREATENSANDFLIGHTAGAIN

RESOLVEDONWhen theearlybirdsare singing, and theearlymists are scattering, and theearlysunisrisingtogladden,aswiththesmileofGod,allthingswithlifeinearth and sea and skythen it is that early-risingman goes forth to reap theblessingswhichhislazyfellow-manfailstoappreciateorenjoy.Among the early risers thatmorningwas our friendMoses. Giftedwith aninquiringmind,thenegrohadproceededtogratifyhispropensitiesbymakinginquiriesofageneralnature,and thushadacquired,amongother things, the

particular information that the river on thebanksofwhich thevillage stoodwasfulloffish.Now,Moseswasanardentangler."Ilubfishing,"hesaidonedaytoNigelwheninaconfidentialmood;"Ican'ttellyouhowmuchIlubit.Seemstomedatder'snuffin'likeitforproggin'aman!"WhenNigeldemandedanexplanationofwhatproggin'meant,Mosessaidhewasn'tquitesure.Hecould"understandt'ingseasyenoughthoughhecouldn'tallers 'splain 'em." On the whole he thought that prog had a compoundmeaningitwasacombinationofpokeandpull"widaflavourobticklin'aboutit,"andwasratherpleasant."Yousee,"hecontinued,"whenaleetlefishplayswidyourhook,itprogsyourintellec'an'ticklesupyourfancyaleetle.Whenhegrabsyou,datprogsyourhopes a good deal.When a big fish do de same, dat progs you deeper.An'whenarealwalloperalmostpullsyouintoderibber,datprogsyourheartupintoyourt'roat,whereitsticktillyoulandhim."Withsurroundingsandcapacitiessuchaswehaveattemptedtodescribe,itisno wonder that Moses sat down on the river-bank and enjoyed himself, incompany with a little Malay boy, who lent him his bamboo rod andvolunteeredtoshowhimthepools.But therewerenoparticularpools in that river Itwasasuccessionofpools,andfishswarmedinallof them.Therewereat leastfifteendifferentspecieswhich nothing short of an ichthyologist could enumerate correctly. The lineusedbyMoseswasasinglefibreofbarkalmostasstrongasgut;thehookwasa white tinned weapon like a small anchor, supplied by traders, andmeantoriginallyforserviceinthedeepsea.Thebaitwasnothinginparticular,butasthefishwerenotparticularthatwasofnoconsequence.Thereaderwillnotbesurprised, then,whenwestate that inanhourorsoMoseshadhadhisheartproggedconsiderablyandhadfilledalargebagwithsuperbfish,withwhichhereturned,perspiring,beaming,andtriumphanttobreakfast.After breakfast the whole party went forth for what Verkimier styled "zeebusinessofzeeday,"armedwithguns,spears,botanicalboxes,bags,wallets,andbutterflynets.In the immediate neighbourhood of the village large clearings in the forestwereplantedascoffeegardens,eachseparatedfromtheotherforthepurposeof isolation, for it seems that coffee, like the potato, is subject to disease.Being covered with scarlet flowers these gardens had a fine effect on thelandscapewhenseenfromtheheightsbehindthevillage.Passingthroughthecoffee grounds the party was soon in the tangled thickets of underwood

throughwhichmanynarrowpathshadbeencut.Wedonotintendtodragourreadersthroughbogandbrakeduringthewholeofthisday'sexpedition;sufficeittosaythatthecollectionofspecimensmade,ofallkinds,farsurpassedtheprofessor'smostsanguineexpectations,and,asfor theothers, thosewhocouldmoreor less intelligentlysympathisedidso,whilethosewhocouldnotwerecontentwiththereflectedjoyof themanofscience.At luncheonwhich they partook of on the river-bank, under amagnificentlyumbrageoustreeplansfortheafternoonwerefixed."Wehavekepttogetherlongenough,Ithink,"saidVanderKemp."Thoseofuswhohavegunsmustshootsomethingtocontributetothenationalfeastonourreturn.""Vell,letusdivide,"assentedtheamiablenaturalist.Indeedhewassohappythathewouldhaveassentedtoanythingexceptgivingupthehunt."Vonpartycangovonvay,anodercangoanodervay.Ivillcontinueminebusiness.Zeeplaceismoreofaparadisezanzeelast.Vemustremaintwoortreeveeks."ThehermitglancedatNigel."Ifearitisimpossibleformetodoso,"saidthelatter."Iampledgedtoreturnto Batavia within a specified time, and from the nature of the country Iperceive itwill take all the time atmydisposal to reach that place so as toredeemmypledge.""Ha!Zatisapeety.Vell,nevairmind.Letusenchoyto-day.Com',vemustnotvastemoreofitinzeemeregratificationofouranimalnatures."Acting on this broad hint they all rose and scattered in different groupstheprofessorgoingoff aheadofhisparty inhis eagerhaste, armedonlywith abutterflynet.Now, as the party of natives,including Baso, who carried the professor'sbiggestbox,andGrogo,whoborehisgun,didnotovertaketheir leader, theyconcluded that hemust have joined one of the other parties, and, as it wasimpossibletoascertainwhichofthem,theycalmlywenthuntingontheirownaccount! Thus it came to pass that theman of sciencewas soon lost in thedepthsofthatprimevalforest!Butlittlecaredtheenthusiastforthator,rather,little did he realise it. With perspiration streaming from every poreexceptwhere theporeswere stoppedbymudhedashedafter "bootterflies"with thewisdom of Solomon and the eagerness of a school-boy, and not until theshadesofeveningbegantodescenddidhistruepositionflashuponhim.Then,

withallthevigourofapowerfulintellectandanenlightenedmind,hetookitinataglanceandcametoasuddenhalt."VatshallIdo?"heasked.Notevenanechoanswered,andtheanimalkingdomwasindifferent."Latmesee.Ihavebeenvanderingavayalldistime.Now,Ihavenot'ingtodobutright-about-faceandvanderback."Could reasoningbeclearerormoreconclusive?Heactedon it atonce,but,afterwanderingbackalongtime,hedidnotarriveatanyplaceorobjectthathehadrecognisedontheoutwardjourney.Meanwhile, as had been appointed, the rest of the party met a short timebeforedarkattherendezvouswheretheyhadlunched."Whereistheprofessor,Baso?"askedVanderKempashecameup.Basodidnotknow,and lookedatGrogo,whoalsoprofessed ignorance,butbothsaidtheythoughttheprofessorhadgonewithNigel."Ithoughthewaswithyou,"saidthelatter,lookinganxiouslyatthehermit."He'sgoedan'losthisself!"criedMoseswithalookofconcern.Van der Kempwas aman of action. "Not amoment to lose," he said, andorganised theband intoseveralsmallerparties,each ledbyanativefamiliarwiththejungle."Letthisbeourmeeting-place,"hesaid,astheywereonthepointofstartingoff together; "and let those of us who have fire-arms discharge themoccasionally."Meanwhile, the professorwaswalking at full speed inwhat he supposed tobeandintruthwas"back."Hewas not alone, however. In the jungle close beside him a tiger prowledalongwiththestealthy,lithe,sneakingactivityofacat.Bythattimeitwasnotabsolutely dark, but the forest had assumed a very sombre appearance.Suddenlythetigermadeatremendousboundontothetrackrightinfrontoftheman.Whether it hadmiscalculated thepositionof its intendedvictimornotwecannot say,but it crouched for another spring.Theprofessor, almostinstinctively,crouchedalso,and,beingabraveman,staredtheanimalstraightin the face without winking! and so the two crouched there, absolutelymotionlessandwithafixedglare,suchaswehaveoftenseeninacoupleof

tom-catswhoweremutuallyafraidtoattackeachother.Whatthetigerthoughtatthatcriticalandcrucialmomentwecannottell,butthe professor's thoughts were swift, varied, tremendousalmost sublime, andonceortwiceevenridiculous!"VatshallIdo?Deafstaresmeinzeeface!Noveapons!onlyanet,antheisnot a bootterfly! Science, adieu! Home of my chilthood, farevell! MymoderHah!zeefusees!"Suchwereafewofthethoughtsthatburnedbutfoundnoutterance.Thelastthought however led to action. Verkimier, foolish man! was a smoker. Hecarried fusees.Slowly,withnomoreapparentmotion than thehour-handonthefaceofawatch,helethishandglideintohiscoat-pocketandtookouttheboxoffusees.Thetigerseemeduneasy,buttheboldmanneverforoneinstantceasedtoglare,andnodisturbedexpressionorhastymovementgavethetigerthe slightest excuse for a spring. Bringing the box up by painfully slowdegreesinfrontofhisnosethemanopenedit,tookoutafusee,struckit,andrevealedthebluebinoculars!Theeffectonthetigerwasinstantaneousandastounding.Withademi-voltorbackwardsomersaultithurleditselfintothejunglewhenceithadcomewithaterrificroarofalarm,anditstailundoubtedlythoughnotevidentlybetweenitslegs!Heaving a deep, long-drawn sigh, the professor stood up and wiped hisforehead.Thenhelistenedintently."Ashote,ifmineearsdeceivemenot!"hesaid,andlistenedagain.Hewas right.Another shot,much nearer,was heard, and he repliedwith ashouttowhichjoyasmuchasstrengthoflunggavefervour.Hurryingalongthe tracknotwithout occasional side-glances at the junglethe herowas soonagaininthemidstofhisfriends;anditwasnotuntilhiseyesrefusedtoremainopenanylongerthatheceasedtoentertainanadmiringcirclethatnightwiththedetailsofhisface-to-facemeetingwithatiger.ButVerkimier'santicipationsinregardtothatparadisewerenottoberealised.The evil passions of a wicked man, with whom he had personally nothingwhatever todo, interferedwithhisplans. In themiddleof thenightanativeMalay youth namedBabu arrived at the village and demanded an interviewwiththechief.Thatworthy,aftertheinterview,conductedtheyouthtothehutwhere his visitors lived, and, rousingVan der Kempwithout disturbing theothers,badehim listen towhat theyoungmanhad to say.Anexpressionofgreatanxietyoverspread thehermit'susuallyplacidcountenancewhileBabu

wasspeaking."Itisfate!"hemurmured,asifcommuningwithhimselfthen,afterapause"no,thereisnosuchthingasfate.Itis,itmustbe,thewillofGod.Go,youngman,mentionthistonoone.Ithankyouforthekindnesswhichmadeyoutakesolongajourneyformysake.""It is not kindness, it is love that makes me serve you," returned the ladearnestly. "Every one loves you, Van der Kemp, because that curse ofmankind,revenge,hasnoplaceinyourbreast.""Strange! how little man does know or guess the secret thoughts of hisfellow!"said thehermitwithoneofhispitiful smiles. "Revengenoplace inme!butIthankyou,boy,forthekindthoughtaswellastheefforttosaveme.Mylifeisnotworthmuchtoanyone.Itwillnotmatter,Ithink,ifmyenemyshouldsucceed.Gonow,Babu,andGodbewithyou!""Hewill surely succeed ifyoudonot leave thisplaceatonce," rejoined theyouth,inatoneofdecision."Baderoonisfuriousatalltimes.Heisworsethaneverjustnow,becauseyouhavethwartedhisplanssoitissaidveryoften.IfheknewthatIamnowthwartingthemalso,hewouldhuntmetodeath.Iwillnotleaveyoutillyouaresafebeyondhisreach."Thehermitlookedattheladwithkindlysurprise."Howcomesit,"hesaid,"thatyouaresomuchinterestedinme?Irememberseeingyou twoyears ago, but haveno recollectionof havingdoneyou anyservice.""Doyounotrememberthatmymotherwasillwhenyouspentanightinourhut,andmylittlesisterwasdying?Younursedher,andtriedyourbesttosaveher,andwhenyoucouldnotsaveher,andshedied,youweptasif thechildhadbeenyourown.Idonotforgetthat,VanderKemp.Sympathyisofmorevaluethanservice.""Strangely mistaken again!" murmured the hermit. "Who can know theworkingsofthehumanmind!Selfwasmixedwithmyfeelingsprofoundlyyetmysympathywithyouandyourmotherwassincere.""Weneverdoubtedthat,"returnedBabuwithatouchofsurpriseinhistone."Wellnow,whatdoyouproposetodo,asyourefusetoleaveme?"askedthehermitwithsomecuriosity."Iwillgoonwithyoutothenextvillage.Itisalargeone.Thechiefmanthereismyuncle,whowillaidme,Iknow,inanywayIwish.IwilltellhimwhatI

knowandhaveheardofthepirate'sintention,ofwhichIhaveproof.Hewillorder Baderoon to be arrested on suspicion when he arrives. Then we willdetainhimtillyouarebeyondhisreach.Thatisnotunjust.""TrueandIamgladtoknowbyyourlastwordsthatyouaresensitiveaboutthejusticeofwhatyoupropose todo. Indifference topureandsimple justice isthegreatcurseofmankind.It isnot indeedtheroot,but it is thefruitofoursins.The suspicion that detainsBaderoon ismore than justified, for I couldbringmanywitnessestoprovethathehasvowedtotakemylife,andIknowhimtobeamurderer."At breakfast-time Van der Kemp announced to his friends his intention ofquitting the village at once, and gave an account of his interview with theMalay lad during the night. This, of course, reconciled them to immediatedeparture,though,intruth,theprofessorwastheonlyonewhorequiredtobereconciled."It is very misfortunate," he remarked with a sigh, which had difficulty inescapingthroughahugemassoffishandrice."Youseezeevonderfulvarietyof ornizological specimens I could find here, ant zee herbareum, not tomention zee magnificent Amblypodia eumolpus ant ozer bootterfliesach!-aleetlemor' feesh ifyouplease.Zanks.Myfrond, it isagreatsacrifice,but Ivill go avay viz you, for I could not joostifymyself if I forzook you, ant Icannotaskyoutoremainvileyourlifeisindancher.""Iappreciateyoursentimentsandsacrificethoroughly,"saidthehermit."SodoesI,"saidMoses,helpinghimselftocoffee;"butobcourseifIdidn'titwouldbealldesame.Passdevenison,MassaNadgel,an'don'tlookasifyouwasgoin'togibina'ready.Itspoilsmyappetite.""You will have opportunities," continued Van der Kemp, addressing theprofessor,"togatheragoodmanyspecimensaswegoalong.Besides,ifyouwill consent to honour my cave in Krakatoa with a visit, I promise you aheartywelcomeandaninterestingfieldofresearch.Youhavenoideawhatavariety of species in all the branches of natural history my little islandcontains."Hereupon the hermit proceeded to enter into details of the flora, fauna, andgeologyofhisisland-home,andtoexpatiateinsuchglowinglanguageonitsarboreal and herbal wealth and beauty, that the professor became quitereconciledtoimmediatedeparture."Buthow,"heasked,"amI togetzerevenve reachzeesea-coast? foryourcanoeholdsonlyt'ree,asyouhavetoldme."

"Thereareplentyofboatstobehad.Besides,Icansendovermyownboatforyoutothemainland.Thedistanceisnotgreat.""Goot.Zatvilldo.Iamhappaynow.""So," remarkedNigel as hewent offwithMoses to pack up, "his 'paradiseregained'isratherspeedilytobechangedintoparadiseforsaken! 'Offwi'theoldloveandonwi'thenew.''Theexpulsivepowerofanewaffection!'""Das true, Massa Nadgel," observed Moses, who entertained profoundadmirationforanythingthatsoundedlikeproverbialphilosophy."Depurfesseramanaffectionitcreeter. 'Pearstomedathelubsdewholecreation.Hekillsan' tenderly stuffs 'mosteberyt'inghekin layhandson. Ifhecouldonly layholdobBaderoonan'stuffan'stickhiminamoozeum,he'ddogoodservicetomymassaan'alsotodewholeobmankind."

CHAPTERXIXATERRIBLEMURDERANDASTRANGEREVELATION

Afterlettingthechiefofthevillageknowthatthenewsjustreceivedrenderedit necessary that they should proceed at once to the next townbut carefullyrefrainingfromgoingintoparticulars lestBaderoonshouldbyanymeansbeled to suspect their intentionsthe party started off about daybreak under theguidanceoftheMalayyouthBabu.Anxiousashewasthatnoevilshouldbefallhisfriend,Nigelcouldnothelpwonderingthatamanofsuchacalmspirit,andsuchunquestionablecourage,shouldbesoanxioustoescapefromthispirate."I can't understand it at all," he said toMoses, as theywalked through theforesttogetheralittleinrearoftheparty."NomorekinI,MassaNadgel,"answeredthenegro,withoneofthoseshakesoftheheadandglaresofsolemnperplexitywithwhichhewaswonttoregardmattersthatweretoodeepforhim."SurelyVanderKempiswellabletotakecareofhimselfagainstanysinglefoe.""Dastrue,MassaNadgel,'gainstanyhalf-dozenfoesaswell.""Fear,therefore,cannotbethecause."Thenegroreceivedthiswithaquietchuckle.

"No,"saidhe."Massanebberknowedfear,butobdisyoumaybeberysure,massa's allers got good reasons forwhat he does.One t'ing's sartin, I nebersawhimdonuffinforfear,norrevenge,noranger,no,noryetforfun;allersfor luband,"addedMoses,afteramoment's thought, "sometimes formoney,whenwegoesonatradin''spiditionbuthedon'tmakemuchaccountobdat.""Well, perhaps themysterymay be cleared up in time," saidNigel, as theyclosedupwiththerestoftheparty,whohadhaltedforashortrestandsomerefreshment.This last consisted largely of fruit, which was abundant everywhere, and alittlericewithwaterfromsparklingspringstowashitdown.Intheafternoontheyreachedthetownalargeone,withasortofmarket-placein the centre, which at the time of their arrival was crowded with people.Strangers,especiallyEuropeans,werenotoftenseeninthatregion,sothatVanderKempandhisfriendsatonceattractedaconsiderablenumberoffollowers.Among these was one man who followed them about very unobtrusively,usually hanging well in rear of the knot of followers whose curiosity wasstrongerthantheirsenseofpropriety.Thismanworeabroadsun-hatandhadabandageroundhisheadpulledwelloveroneeye,asifhehadrecentlymetwithanaccidentorbeenwounded.Hewasunarmed,withtheexceptionofthekriss,orlongknife,whicheverymaninthatregioncarries.ThiswasnootherthanBaderoonhimself,whohadoutwittedhisenemies,hadsomehowdiscoveredatleastpartoftheirplans,andhadhurriedoninadvanceofthemtothetown,where,disguisinghimselfasdescribed,heawaitedtheirarrival.Babuconductedhisfriendstothepresenceofhiskinsmanthechiefmanofthetown,and,havingtoldhisstory,receivedapromisethatthepirateshouldbetakenupwhenhe arrived andput inprison.Meanwhile he appointed to thepartyahouseinwhichtospendthenight.Baderoonboldlyaccompanied thecrowdthat followed them,sawthehouse,glancedbetweentheheadsofcuriousnativeswhowatchedthetravellerswhileeatingtheirsupper,andnotedtheexactspotonthefloorofthebuildingwhereVanderKempthrewdownhismatandblanket,thustakingpossessionofhisintendedcouch!Hedidnot,however,seethatthehermitafterwardsshiftedhispositionalittle,andthatBabu,desiringtobenearhisfriend,laydownonthevacatedspot.In the darkest hour of the night, when even the owls and bats had soughtrepose, the pirate captain stole out of the brake in which he had concealedhimself,and,krissinhand,glidedunderthehouseinwhichhisenemylay.

Nativehouses,aswehaveelsewhereexplained,areusuallybuiltonposts,sothat there is anopen spaceunder the floors,which is availableasa storeorlumber-room.Itisalsounfortunatelyavailableforevilpurposes.Thebambooflooringisnotlaidsocloselybutthatsoundsinsidemaybehearddistinctlybyany one listening below.Voiceswere heard by the pirate as he approached,whicharrestedhissteps.TheywerethoseofVanderKempandNigelengagedin conversation. Baderoon knew that as long as his enemy was awake andconversinghemightprobablybesittingupandnotinapositionsuitabletohisfellpurpose.Hecrouchedthereforeamongsomelumberlikeatigerabidingitstime."Why are you so anxious not to meet this man?" asked Nigel, who wasresolved,ifpossiblewithoutgivingoffence,tobeatthebottomofthemystery.Forsomemomentsthehermitwassilent, theninaconstrainedvoicehesaidslowly"Because revengeburns fiercely inmybreast. Ihave striven tocrush it, butcannot.IfeartomeethimlestIkillhim.""Hashe,then,doneyousuchfoulwrong?""Ay, he has cruellyfiendishlydone theworst he could.He robbedme ofmyonlychildbutImaynottalkofit.TheunholydesireforvengeanceburnsmorefiercelywhenItalk.'Vengeanceismine,saiththeLord.'MyconstantprayeristhatImaynotmeethim.Good-night."Asthehermitthusputanabruptendtotheconversationhelaydownanddrewhisblanketoverhim.Nigelfollowedhisexample,wonderingatwhathehadheard,andinafewminutestheirsteadyregularbreathingtoldthattheywereboth asleep.ThenBaderoon advanced and counted thebambooplanks fromthesidetowardsthecentreofthehouse.Whenlookingbetweentheheadsofthe people he had counted the same planks above. Standing under one helookedup, listened intentlyforafewseconds,anddrewhiskriss.Theplacewasalmostpitchdark,yetthebladecaughtafaintgleamfromwithout,whichitreflectedonthepirate'sfaceashethrustthelongkeenweaponswiftly,yetdeliberately,betweenthebamboos.Ashriek,thatfilledthosewhohearditwithathrillofhorror,rangoutonthesilent night. At the same moment a gush of warm blood poured over themurderer'sfacebeforehecouldleapaside.Instantuproarandconfusionburstout in theneighbourhood,andspread likewildfireuntil thewhole townwasaroused. When a light was procured and the people crowded into the hutwhere the strangers lay,Van derKempwas found on his knees holding the

handofpoorBabu,whowasathislastgasp.Afaintsmile,thatyetseemedtohave something of gladness in it, flitted across his pale face as he raisedhimself,graspedthehermit'shandandpressedittohislips.Thenthefearfuldrainofbloodtookeffectandhefellbackdead.One great convulsive sob burst from the hermit as he leaped up, drew hisknife,and,withafierceglareinhisblueeyes,rushedoutoftheroom.Vengeancewould indeedhavebeenwreakedonBaderoonat thatmoment ifthe hermit had caught him, but, asmight have been expected, themurdererwasnowheretobefound.Hewashidintheimpenetrablejungle,whichitwasuseless to enter in the darkness of night. When daybreak enabled thetownspeople to undertake an organised search, no trace of him could bediscovered.Flight,personalsafety,formednopartofthepirate'splan.Theguiltymanhadreached that state of depravity which, especially among the natives of thatregion, borders close on insanity.While the inhabitants of the village werehunting far a-field for him,Baderoon lay concealed among some lumber inrearofahutawaitinghisopportunity.Itwasnotverylongofcoming.Towards afternoon the various searching parties began to return, and allassembledin themarket-place,wherethechiefman,with thehermitandhisparty,wereassembleddiscussingthesituation."IwillnotnowproceeduntilwehaveburiedpoorBabu,"saidVanderKemp."Besides,Baderoonwillbesuretoreturn.Iwillmeethimnow.""Idonotagreevizyou,minefrond,"saidtheprofessor."Zeemanisnotafoolzoughheisavillain.Heknowsvatavaitshimifhecomes.""Hewillnotcomeopenly,"returnedthehermit,"buthewillnotnowresttillhehaskilledme."Evenashespokealoudshouting,mingledwithshrieksandyells,washeardattheotherendofthemainstreet.Thesoundsofuproarappearedtoapproach,and soon a crowd of people was seen rushing towards the market-place,utteringcriesof fear inwhich theword"a-mok"washeard.At thesoundofthat word numbers of peoplespecially women and childrenturned and fledfromthescene,butmanyofthemenstoodtheirground,andallofthemdrewtheirkrisses.Amongthelatterofcoursewerethewhitemenandtheirnativecompanions.Wehavealreadyreferredtothatstrangemadness,towhichtheMalaysseemtobepeculiarlyliable,duringtheparoxysmsofwhichthoseaffectedbyitrush

in blind fury among their fellows, slaying right and left. From the terrifiedappearanceofsomeoftheapproachingcrowdandthemaniacshoutsinrear,itwasevident thataman thuspossessedof thespiritofamokwasventinghisfuryonthem.Anotherminute and he drewnear, brandishing a kriss that drippedwith thegoreofthosewhomhehadalreadystabbed.Catchingsightofthewhitemenhemade straight for them.Hewas possessed of only one eye, but that oneseemed to concentrate and flash forth the fire of a dozen eyes, while hisdishevelled hair and blood-stained face and person gave him an appallingaspect."ItisBaderoon!"saidVanderKempinasubduedbutsterntone.Nigel,whostoodnexttohim,glancedatthehermit.Hisfacewasdeadlypale;his eyes gleamed with a strange, almost unearthly light, and his lips werefirmly compressed.With a sudden nervousmotion, unlike his usually calmdemeanour,hedrewhislongknife,andtoNigel'ssurprisecast itawayfromhim.Atthatmomentawomanwhocameinthemadman'swaywasstabbedbyhimtotheheartandrenttheairwithherdyingshriekasshefell.Noonecouldhavesavedher,theactwassoquicklydone.VanderKempwouldhaveleapedtoherrescue,butitwastoolate;besides,therewasnoneedtodosonow,forthemaniac, recognisinghis enemy, rushedathimwitha shout that soundedlikeatriumphantyell.Seeingthis,andthathisfriendstoodunarmed,aswellasunmoved, regardingBaderoonwitha fixedgaze,Nigel steppedapace inadvance to protect him, but Van der Kemp seized his arm and thrust himviolentlyaside.Nextmomentthepiratewasuponhimwithupliftedknife,butthehermitcaughthiswrist,andwithaheaveworthyofSamsonhurledhimtotheground,wherehelayforamomentquitestunned.Beforehecould recover, thenatives,whohadup to thismomentheldback,sprang upon the fallenmanwith revengeful yells, and a dozen kniveswereabouttobeburiedinhisbreastwhenthehermitsprangforwardtoprotecthisenemyfromtheirfury.Butthemanwhosewifehadbeenthelastvictimcameupat themoment,andledanirresistiblerushwhichborebackthehermitaswellashiscomrades,whohadcrowdedroundhim,andinanotherminutethemaniacwasalmosthackedtopieces."IdidnotkillhimthankGod!"mutteredVanderKempasheleftthemarket-place,wheretherelativesofthosewhohadbeenmurderedwerewailingovertheirdead.Afterthiseventeventheprofessorwasanxioustoleavetheplace,sothatearlynextmorningthepartyresumedtheirjourney,intendingtomakeashortstayat

thenextvillage.Failingtoreachitthatnight,however,theywerecompelledtoencampinthewoods.Fortunatelytheycameuponahillwhich,althoughnotveryhigh,wassufficientlyso,withtheaidofwatch-fires,toprotectthemfromtigers. From the summit, which rose just above the tree-tops, they had amagnificentviewoftheforest.Manyofthetreeswerecrownedwithflowersamongwhichthesettingsunshoneforabriefspacewithgloriouseffulgence.VanderKempandNigelstoodtogetherapartfromtheothers,contemplatingthewonderfulscene."Whatmustbethedwelling-placeoftheCreatorHimselfwhenhisfootstoolissogrand?"saidthehermitinalowvoice."Thatisbeyondmortalken,"saidNigel."Truetrue. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind conceived it. Yet,methinks, the glory of the terrestrial was meant to raise our souls to thecontemplationofthecelestial.""AndyethowsignallyithasfailedinthecaseofBaderoon,"returnedNigel,withafurtiveglanceatthehermit,whosecountenancehadquiterecovereditslookofquietsimpledignity."WoulditbepresumptuousifIweretoaskwhyitisthatthispiratehadsuchbitterenmityagainstyou?""It is no secret," answered the hermit, in a sad tone. "The truth is, I haddiscovered some of his nefarious plans, andmore than once have been themeansofpreventinghisintendeddeedsofviolenceasinthecaseoftheDyakswhomwe have so lately visited. Besides, theman had doneme irreparableinjury,andit isoneofthecuriousfactsofhumanexperiencethatsometimesthosewhoinjureushateusbecausetheyhavedoneso.""MayIventuretoaskforafulleraccountoftheinjuryhedidyou?"saidNigelwithsomehesitancy.For somemoments the hermit did not answer. Hewas evidently strugglingwithsomesuppressedfeeling.Turningalookfulluponhisyoungfriend,heatlengthspokeinalowsadvoice"IhavenevermentionedmygrieftomortalmansincethatdaywhenitpleasedGodtodrawacloudofthickestdarknessovermylife.But,Nigel,thereisthatin you which encourages confidence. I confess that more than once I havebeen tempted to tell you of my grieffor human hearts crave intelligentsympathy. My faithful servant and friend Moses is, no doubt, intenselysympathetic, butbutwell, I cannot understand, still less can I explain,why Ishrink from making a confidant of him. Certainly it is not because of his

colour,forIholdthatthesoulsofmenarecolourless!"Ineednottroubleyouwiththestoryofmyearlylife,"continuedthehermit."I lostmydearwifeayearafterourmarriage,andwas leftwitha littlegirlwhose lovely facebecamemoreandmore like thatofhermothereverydayshelived.Mysoulwaswrappedupinthechild.AfterthreeyearsIwentwithher as apassenger toBatavia.On thewaywewereattackedbya coupleofpiratejunks.Baderoonwasthepiratecaptain.Hekilledmanyofourmen,tooksome of us prisoners, sank the vessel, seized my child, and was about toseparateus,puttingmychildintoonejunkwhileIwasretained,bound,intheother."Hepaused,andgazedovertheglowingtree-topsintothegoldenhorizon,witha longing, wistful look. At the same time something like an electric shockpassedthroughNigel'sframe,forwasnotthisnarrativestrangelysimilarinitsmainfeaturestothatwhichhisownfatherhadtoldhimontheKeelingIslandsaboutbeautifullittleKathleenHolbeinandherfather?Hewasonthepointofseizingthehermitbythehandandtellinghimwhatheknew,whenthethoughtoccurredthatattacksbypirateswerecommonenoughinthoseseas,thatotherfathersmighthavelostdaughtersinthisway,andthat,perhaps,hissuspicionmightbewrong.Itwouldbeaterriblething,hethought,toraisehopeinhispoorfriend'sbreastunlesshewereprettysureofthehopebeingwellfounded.He would wait and hear more. He had just come to this conclusion, andmanagedtosubduethefeelingswhichhadbeenaroused,whenVanderKempturnedtohimagain,andcontinuedhisnarrative"Iknownothowitwas,unlesstheLordgavemestrengthforapurposeashegaveittoSamsonofold,butwhenIrecoveredfromthestingingblowIhadreceived,andsawthejunkhoisthersailsandheardmychildscream,Ifeltthestrengthofalioncomeoverme;Iburstthebondsthatheldmeandleapedintothe sea, intending to swim to her. But it was otherwise ordained. A breezewhichhadsprungupfreshened,andthejunksoonleftmefarbehind.Asforthe other junk, I never saw it again, for I never looked back or thought ofitonly,asI left it, Iheardamockinglaughfromtheone-eyedvillain,who,Iafterwardsfoundout,ownedandcommandedbothjunks."Nigelhadnodoubtnow,buttheagitationofhisfeelingsstillkepthimsilent."NeedIsay,"continuedthehermit,"thatrevengeburnedfiercelyinmybreastfromthatdayforward?IfIhadmetthemansoonafterthat,Ishouldcertainlyhaveslainhim.ButGodmercifullyforbadeit.SincethenHehasopenedmyeyestoseetheCrucifiedOnewhoprayedforHisenemies.AnduptillnowIhaveprayedmost earnestly thatBaderoon and Imight notmeet.Myprayerhas not been answered in the way I wished, but a better answer has been

granted,forthesinofrevengewasovercomewithinmebeforewemet."VanderKemppausedagain."Goon,"saidNigel,eagerly."Howdidyouescape?""Escape!WherewasIOh!Iremember,"saidthehermit,awakingasifoutofadream"Well,Iswamafterthejunkuntilitwasoutofsight,andthenIswamon in silent despair until so completely exhausted that I felt consciousnessleavingme.ThenIknewthattheendmustbenearandIfeltalmostglad;butwhenIbegantosink,thenaturaldesiretoprolongliferevived,andIstruggledon.Justasmystrengthbeganasecondtimetofail,Istruckagainstsomething.Itwasadeadcocoa-nuttree.Ilaidholdofitandclungtoitallthatnight.NextmorningIwaspickedupbysomefishermenwhoweregoingtoTelokBetongbytheouterpassageroundSebesiIsland,andwerewillingtolandmethere.But asmy business connections had been chieflywith the town ofAnjer, IbeggedofthemtolandmeontheislandofKrakatoa.Thistheydid,andithasbeenmyhomeeversince.Ihavebeentheremanyyears.""Haveyouneverseenorheardofyourdaughtersince?"askedNigeleagerly,andwithdeepsympathy."NeverIhavetravelledfarandnear,alloverthearchipelago;intotheinteriorof the islands,greatandsmall,buthave failed to findher. Ihave longsincefeltthatshemustbedeadforforshecouldnotlivewiththemonsterswhostoleheraway."Acertaincontractionof themouth,ashesaid this,andagleamof theeyes,suggested toNigel that revengewasnotyet deadwithin thehermit's breast,althoughithadbeenovercome."Whatwashername?"askedNigel,willingtogaintimetothinkhowheoughtto act, and being afraid of the effect that the sudden communication of thenewsmighthaveonhisfriend."WinniedarlingWinnieafterhermother,"said thehermitwithdeeppathos inhistone.A feeling of disappointment came over our hero.Winnie bore not themostdistantresemblancetoKathleen!"Did you ever, during your search," asked Nigel slowly, "visit the Cocos-KeelingIslands?""Never.Theyaretoofarfromwheretheattackonuswasmade."

"Andyouneverheardofagun-boathavingcapturedapiratejunkand""Whydoyouask,andwhypause?" said thehermit, lookingathis friend insomesurprise.Nigelfeltthathehadalmostgonetoofar."Well,youknow"herepliedinsomeconfusion,"youyouarerightwhenyouexpectmetosympathisewithyourgreatsorrow,whichIdomostprofoundly,andandinshort,Iwouldgiveanythingtobeabletosuggesthopetoyou,myfriend.Menshouldnevergivewaytodespair.""Thankyou.Itiskindlymeant,"returnedthehermit,lookingattheyouthwithhissadsmile."Butitisvain.Hopeisdeadnow."They were interrupted at this point by the announcement that supper wasready.Atthesametimethesunsank,likethehermit'shope,anddisappearedbeyondthedarkforest.

CHAPTERXXNIGELMAKESACONFIDANTOFMOSESUNDERTAKESALONELYWATCHANDSEESSOMETHINGWONDERFUL

ItwasnotmuchsupperthatNigelRoyatethatnight.Theexcitementresultingfrom his supposed discovery reduced his appetite seriously, and the intensedesire to open a safety-valve in theway of confidential talkwith some oneinducedanervouslyabsentdispositionwhichatlastattractedattention."Youvantagootdoseofkvinine,"remarkedVerkimier,when,havingsatiatedhimself,hefoundtimetothinkofothersnotthattheprofessorwasselfishbyanymeans,onlyhewasaddictedtoconcentrationofmindonallworkinhand,inclusiveoffeeding.Thehermitpaidnoattentiontoanythingthatwassaid.Hisrecentconversationhadgivenventtoafloodofmemoriesandfeelingsthathadbeenpentupformanyyears.AftersupperNigelresolvedtomakeaconfidantofMoses.Thenegro'sfidelityto and love for his master would ensure his sympathy at least, if not wisecounsel."Moses,"hesaid,whentheprofessorhadraisedhimselftotheseventhheavenbymeansoftobaccofumes,"comewithme.Iwanttohaveatalk.""DaswhatI'sallerswantin',MassaNadgel;talkin'smystrongpointifIhaba

strongpointatall."Theywenttogethertotheedgeofacliffonthehill-top,whencetheycouldseeanalmost illimitablestretchof tropicalwildernessbathedinagloriousfloodofmoonlight,andsatdown.On a neighbouring cliff, which was crowned with a mass of grasses andshrubs,asmallmonkeyalsosatdown,onafallenbranch,andwatchedthemwithpatheticinterest,tempered,itwouldseem,bycutaneousirritation."Moses, I am sorely in need of advice," saidNigel, turning suddenly to hiscompanionwithill-suppressedexcitement."Well,MassaNadgel,youdoeslooklikeit,butI'msorryIain'tadoctor.Pra'psdepurfesserwouldhelpyoubetternorme.""Youmisunderstandme.Canyoukeepasecret,Moses?""Ikintryififhe'snottoodiffikilttokeep.""Well,then;listen."Thenegroopenedhiseyesandhismouthasifthesewerethechieforificesforthe entranceof sound, and advanced an ear.Thedistantmonkey, observing,apparently, that some unusual communication was about to be made, alsostretchedoutitslittlehead,cockedanear,andsuspendeditsotheroperations.Then,inlowearnesttones,NigeltoldMosesofhisbeliefthatVanderKemp'sdaughtermightyetbealiveandwell,anddetailedtherecentconversationhehadhadwithhismaster."Now,Moses;whatd'yethinkofallthat?"Profundityunfathomablesatonthenegro'ssablebrowashereplied,"MassaNadgel,Idon'tberywellknowwhattot'ink.""But remember,Moses,beforewego further, that I tell youall this in strictconfidence;notawordofitmustpassyourlips."The awful solemnity with which Nigel sought to impress this on hiscompanion was absolutely trifling compared with the expression of thatcompanion's countenance, as, with a long-drawn argumentative andremonstrativeOh!hereplied:"MassaNadgel.Doesyoureallyt'inkIwouldsayordoanymortalt'ingw'atsumiveraswouldinjuremymassa?""I'm sure, you would not," returned Nigel, quickly. "Forgive me, Moses, Imerelymeantthatyouwouldhavetobeverycautiousverycarefulthatyoudo

notletawordslipbyaccident,youknow.Ibelieveyou'dsoonerdiethandoanintentionalinjurytoVanderKemp.IfIthoughtyoucapableofthat,IthinkIwouldrelievemyfeelingsbygivingyouagoodthrashing."Thelisteningmonkeycockeditsearalittlehigheratthis,andMoses,whohadatfirstraisedhisflatnoseindignantlyintheair,graduallyloweredit,whileabenignantsmilesupplantedindignation."You're right dere,MassaNadgel. I'ddie a t'ousand times soonerdan injuremassa.As toyour last obserwation, it rouses two idees inmymind.First, Iwonderhowyou'dmanidgetogibmeat'rashin',an'second,Iwonderifyourownmoderwouldrikogniseyouarteryou'dtriedit."At this themonkey turned itsotherearas if tomakequitesure that itheardaright.Nigellaughedshortly."Butseriously,Moses,"hecontinued;"whatdoyouthinkIshoulddo?ShouldIrevealmysuspicionstoVanderKemp?""Cer'nlynot!"answeredthenegrowithpromptdecision."What!wakeupallhis old hopes to hab 'em all dashed to bits p'raps when you find dat you'swrong!""But I feel absolutely certain that I'mnotwrong!" returnedNigel, excitedly."Considerthereis,first,theone-eyedpirate;second,thereis""'Scuseme,MassaNadgel,dere'snooccasion togoallober itagain. I'll tellyouwhatyoudo.""Well?" exclaimedNigel, anxiously,while his companion frowned savagelyundertheforceofthethoughtsthatsurgedthroughhisbrain."Here'swhatyou'lldo,"saidMoses."Well?"(impatiently,asthenegropaused.)"We'reonourwayhometoKrakatoa.""Yeswell?""Oneobourmenleabesusto-morrergoesto 'ishomeondecoast.Kitchoneobdesteamersdat'sallersdueaboutdistime.""Well,whatofthat?""Whatobdat!why,you'llwritealettertoyourfadder.It'llgobydesteamertoBatavia.Hegitsit longbeforewegitshome,sodere'splentytimefor 'imto

takehaction.""But what goodwill writing tomy father do?" askedNigel in a somewhatdisappointedtone."Hecan'thelpus.""Hoyes,hecan,"saidMoseswithaself-satisfiednod."Seehere,I'lltellyouwhattowrite.Youbegin,'DearfadderorDearestfadderI'snotquitesureobdestrengt'obyouraffection.P'rapsdesafestway.""Oh!geton,Moses.Nevermindthat.""Ho! it's all bery well for you to say dat, but de ole gen'leman'll mind it.Hows'ever,put itasyou t'inkbest'Dear fadder,victualyourship;upanchor;hois'desails,an'steerfordeCocos-Keelin'Islands.Goashore;githoldobdeyoung'oomancalledKat'leenHobbleben'""Holbein,Moses.""What!issheMosestoo?""No,no!geton,man.""Well, 'Dearestfadder,gitaholdobher,whateberhernameis,an'carryheroff body and soul, an'whateber else b'longs to her.Take her to de townobAnjeran'waitdereforfurderorders.'Obcoursefordewindin'upo'deletteryoumustappealagintodestateobyouraffections,for,as""Notabadidea,"exclaimedNigel."Why,Moses,you'reagenius!OfcourseI'llhavetoexplainalittlemorefully.""'Splainwhatyouplease,"saidMoses."Mybusinessistogibyoudebonesobdeletter;yoursbein'ascholaristocloveitwidflesh.""I'lldoit,Moses,atonce.""I should like," rejoinedMoses, with a tooth-and-gum-disclosing smile, "toseeyourfadderwhenhegitsdatletter!"Thepictureconjuredupbyhisvividimaginationcausedthenegrotogivewayto an explosive laugh that sent the eavesdropping monkey like a brownthunderboltintotherecessesofitsnativejungle,whileNigelwentofftowriteanddespatchtheimportantletter.Next day the party arrived at another village, where, the report of theirapproachhavingpreceded them, theywere receivedwithmuch ceremonyallthemorethattheprofessor'spowerwiththeriflehadbeenmadeknown,andthattheneighbourhoodwasinfestedbytigers.

There can be little doubt that at this part of the journey the travellersmusthavebeendoggedallthewaybytigers,anditwasmatterforsurprisethatsosmall a party should not have beenmolested. Possibly the reason was thatthese huge members of the feline race were afraid of white faces, beingunaccustomed to them,or, perchance, the appearance andvigorous strideofeven a few stalwart and fearless men had intimidated them. Whatever thecause,thepartyreachedthevillagewithoutseeingasingletiger,thoughtheirfootprintswereobservedinmanyplaces.Thewildscenerybecamemoreandmorebeautifulasthisvillagewasneared.Althoughflowersasaruleweresmallandinconspicuousinmanypartsofthegreat forest throughwhich theypassed, the richpinkandscarletofmanyofthe opening leaves, and the autumn-tinted foliage which lasts through allseasons of the year, fully made up for the want of themat least as regardscolour,while thewholevegetationwas intermingled ina richconfusion thatdefiesdescription.Theprofessorwent intoperplexedraptures,hismindbeingdistractedby theexuberantwealthofsubjectswhichwerepresentedtoitallatthesametime."Lookzere!"hecried,atoneturninginthepathwhichopenedupanewvistaofexquisitebeauty"lookatzat!""Ay, it is aSiamangapenext in size to theorang-utan," saidVanderKemp,whostoodathisfriend'selbow.The animal in questionwas a fine full-grown specimen,with long jet-blackglancing hair. Its heightmight probably have been a few inches over threefeet,andthestretchofitsarmsoverratherthanunderfivefeet,butatthegreatheight at which it was seennot less than eighty feetit looked much like anordinarymonkey.Itwashanginginthemosteasynonchalantwaybyonehandfromthebranchofatree,utterlyindifferenttothefactthattodropwastodie!TheinstanttheSiamangobservedthetravellersitsetupaloudbarkinghowlwhichmadethewoodsresound,butitdidnotalteritspositionorseemtobealarmedinanydegree."Vata'straordinarynoise!"remarkedtheprofessor."It is indeed,"returnedthehermit,"andithasanextraordinaryapplianceforproducing it. There is a large bag under its throat extending to its lips andcheeks which it can fill with air by means of a valve in the windpipe. Byexpellingthisairinsuddenburstsitmakesthevariedsoundsyouhear."

"Mos'vonderful!Asortofnaturalair-gun!Ivillshootit,"saidtheprofessor,raising his deadly rifle, and there is no doubt that the poor SiamangwouldhavedroppedinanothermomentifVanderKemphadnotquietlyandgravelytouchedhisfriend'selbowjustastheexplosiontookplace."Hah! you tooched me!" exclaimed the disappointed naturalist, lookingfiercelyround,whiletheamazedapesentforthaburstingcrackofitsair-gunasitswungitselfintothetree-topandmadeoff."Yes, I touched you, and if youwill shootwhen I am so close to you, youcannotwonderatitespeciallywhenyouintendtotakelifeuselessly.Thetimenowat thedisposal ofmy friendNigelRoywill not permit ofourdelayinglongenoughtokillandpreservelargespecimens.Tosaytruth,myfriend,wemustpressonnow,asfastaswecan,forwehaveaverylongwaytogo."Verkimierwasnotquitepleasedwiththisexplanation,buttherewasasortofindescribablepoweraboutthehermit,whenhewasresolvedtohavehisway,thatthosewhomheledfounditimpossibletoresist.On arriving at the village they were agreeably surprised to find a grandbanquet,consistingchieflyoffruit,withfowl,rice,andIndiancorn,spreadoutfor them in theBalai or publichall,where also their sleepingquarterswereappointed.Aneventhadrecentlyoccurred,however,whichsomewhatdampedthepleasureof their reception.Ayoungmanhadbeenkilledbya tiger.Thebrute had leaped upon him while he and a party of lads were traversing anarrowpaththroughthejungle,andhadkilledhimwithoneblowofitspaw.Theotheryouthscourageouslyrushedatthebeastwiththeirspearsandaxes,and,drivingitoff,carriedthebodyoftheircomradeaway."Wehavejustburiedtheyoungman,"saidthechiefofthevillage,"andhavesetatrapforthetiger,forhewillbesuretovisitthegrave.""Myfriendswouldliketoseethistrap,"saidthehermit,who,ofcourse,actedthepartofinterpreterwherevertheywent,beingwellacquaintedwithmostofthelanguagesanddialectsofthearchipelago."Therewillyetbedaylightafteryouhavefinishedeating,"saidthechief.Althoughanxioustogoatoncetoseethistrap,theyfelttheproprietyofdoingjustice towhathadbeenprovided for them, and sat down to theirmeal, forwhich,tosaytruth,theywerequiteready.Then theywentwitha largebandofarmednatives tosee thiscurious tiger-trap,thebaitofwhichwasthegraveofahumanbeing!

Thegravewasclosetotheoutskirtsofthevillage,and,ononeside,thejunglecameuptowithinafewyardsofit.Thespotwassurroundedbyastrongandhighbamboofence,exceptatonepointwhereanarrowbutveryconspicuousopeninghadbeenleft.Hereasharpspearwassoarrangedbesidetheopeningthat it could be shot across it at a point correspondingwith the height of atiger'sheartfromthegroundaswell,atleast,asthatpointcouldbeestimatedbymenwhowereprettyfamiliarwithtigers.Themotivepowertopropelthisspear was derived from a green bamboo, so strong that it required severalpowerful men to bend it in the form of a bow. A species of trigger wasarranged to let the bent bow fly, and a piece of fine cord passed from thisacross the opening about breast-high for a tiger. The intentionwas that theanimal, in entering the enclosure, should become its own executionershouldcommitunintentionalsuicide,ifwemaysoputit."Ihaveanambitiontoshootatiger,"saidNigeltoVanderKempthatevening."Doyouthink thepeoplewouldobject tomygettingup intoa treewithmyrifleandwatchingbesidethegravepartofthenight?""Iamsurethattheywouldnot.Butyourwatchwillprobablybeinvain,fortigers are uncommonly sagacious creatures and seem to me to haveexceptionalpowersforscentingdanger.""Nomatter,Iwilltry."Accordingly, a little before dark that evening our hero borrowed theprofessor'sdouble-barrelledrifle,beingmoresuitableforlargegamethanhisowngun, and saunteredwithMosesdown to thegravewherehe ensconcedhimselfinthebranchesofalargetreeaboutthirtyfeetfromtheground.Theformofthetreewassuch,thatamongitsforksNigelcouldformasortofnestinwhichhecouldsit,infullviewofthepooryouth'sgrave,withouttheriskoffallingtothegroundevenifheshouldchancetodropasleep."Good-night,massaNadgel,"saidMosesasheturnedtoleavehiscompaniontohissolitaryvigil."Seeyounotgotosleep.""Nofearofthat!"saidNigel."An'whateberyoudo,don'tmiss.""I'lldomybestGood-night."Whiletherewasyeta littledaylight,ourhunter lookedwellabouthim;tooknoteoftheexactpositionofthefence,theentrancetotheenclosure,andthegrave;judgedthevariousdistancesofobjects,andarrangedthesightsoftherifle,whichwasalreadyloadedwithabraceofhardenedballs.Thenhelooked

upthroughthetree-topsandwishedfordarkness.It came sooner than he expected. Night always descendsmore suddenly intropical than in temperate regions. The sun had barely dipped below thehorizon when night seemed to descend like a pall over the jungle, and anindescribablesensationofeerienesscreptoverNigel'sspirit.Objectsbecamevery indistinct, andhe fancied thathesawsomethingmovingon thenewly-madegrave.Withastartledfeelinghegraspedhisweapon,supposingthatthetiger must have entered the enclosure with cat-like stealth. On secondthoughts, however, hediscarded the idea, for the entrancewasbetweenhimandthegrave,andstillseemedquitevisible.Dowhathewould,however,thethought of ghosts insisted on intruding upon him! He did not believe inghostsoh no!had always scouted the idea of their existence.Why, therefore,didhefeeluncomfortable?Hecouldnottell.Itmustsimplybetheexcitementnaturaltosuchaverynewandpeculiarsituation.Hewouldthinkofsomethingelse.Hewoulddevotehismindtothecontemplationoftigers!Inashorttimethemoonwouldrise,heknewthenhewouldbeabletoseebetter.While he was in this very uncomfortable state of mind, with the junglewrappedinprofoundsilenceaswellasgloom,therebrokeonthenightairawailsoindescribablethattheverymarrowinNigel'sbonesseemedtoshrivelup.Itceased,butagainbrokeforthlouderthanbefore,increasinginlengthandstrength,untilhisearsseemedtotinglewiththesound,andthenitdiedawaytoasighofunutterablewoe."I have always,"mutteredNigel, "believedmyself to be aman of ordinarycourage,butnowIshallwritemyselfacoward,ifnotanass!"Heattemptedtolaughatthispleasantry,butthelaughwashollowandseemedto freeze inhisgullet as thewail broke forth again, ten timesmorehideousthanatfirst.Aftera timethewailbecamemorecontinuous,andthewatcherbegantogetused to it.Thenahappythoughtflashed intohismindthiswas,perhaps, somesortofmourning for thedead!Hewas right.Thedutyof thefatherof thepooryouthwhohadbeenkilledwas, for severaldaysafter thefuneral,tositaloneinhishouseandchantfromsunsettilldaybreakadeath-dirge,or,asit iscalled,theTjeritabari.Itwasnottillnextdaythatthiswastoldtohim,butmeanwhilethesurmiseaffordedhiminstantaneousrelief.As ifnaturesympathisedwithhis feelings, themoonaroseat thesame timeanddispelledthethickdarkness,thoughitwasnottillmuchlaterthat,sailingacross a clear sky, she poured her bright beams through the tree-tops andfinallyrestedonthedeadman'sgrave.By that timeNigelhadquite recoveredhisequanimity,andmentallyblotted

out thewritingof "coward"and "ass"whichhehadwrittenagainsthimself.Butanothertroublenowassailedhim.Hebecamesleepy!Half-a-dozentimesatleastwithinhalf-an-hourhestartedwideawakeundertheimpressionthathewasfallingoffthetree."This will never do," he exclaimed, rising to his feet, resting his rifle in apositionofsafety,andthenstretchinghimself tohisutmostextentsothathebecame thoroughly awake. After this "rouser," as he called it, he sat downagain,andalmostimmediatelyfellfastasleep.How longhe sat in this condition it is impossible to say, but he opened hiseyes at length with an indescribable sensation that something requiredattention,andthefirstthingtheyrestedon(fordaylightwasdawning)wasanenormoustigernotfortyyardsawayfromhim,glidinglikeashadowandwithcat-likestealthtowardstheopeningoftheenclosure.Thesightwassosuddenandsounexpectedthat,forthemoment,hewasparalysed.Perhapshethoughtitwasadream.Beforehecouldrecoverpresenceofmindtoseizehisrifle,thebreastoftheanimalhadtouchedthefatalline;thetriggerwasdrawn;thestoutbamboostraightenedwithaboomingsound,andthespearor,rather,thegiantarrowwasshotstraightthroughthetiger'sside!ThenoccurredascenewhichmightwellhaveinducedNigel to imaginethathedreamt,forthetransfixedcreatureboundedintotheenclosurewithaterrificroarthatrangfearfullythroughthearchesofthehithertosilentforest.Rushingacross the grave, it sprang with one tremendous bound right over the highfence,carryingthespearalongwithitintothejunglebeyond.Bythat timeNigelwashimselfagain,withrifle inhand,but toolate tofire.Themoment he heard the thudof the tiger's descent, he slid down the tree,and,forgetfulorregardlessofdanger,wentcrashingintothejungle,whiletheyellsandshoutsofhundredsofarousednativessuggestedthepeoplingoftheregionwithanarmyoffiends.Butourherohadnottogofar.Inhishastehealmosttumbledoverthetiger.Itwaslyingstonedeadonthespotwhereithadfallen!A few minutes more and the natives came pouring round him, wild withexcitementandjoy.Soonhewasjoinedbyhisowncomrades."Well,you'vemanagedtoshoothim,Isee,"saidVanderKempashejoinedthegroup."Alas!no.Ihavenotfiredashot,"saidNigel,withahalfdisappointedlook."You's got de better ob him anyhow," remarkedMoses as he pushed to the

front."Thespeargotthebetterofhim,Moses.""Veilnow,zatisasplendidanimal.Latmesee,"saidtheprofessor,pullingouthistape-measure.It was with difficulty that the man of science made and noted hismeasurements, for the people were pressing eagerly round the carcase togratify their revenge by running their spears into the stillwarm body. Theydipped the points in the blood and passed their krisses broadside over thecreature that they might absorb the courage and boldness which weresupposedtoemanatefromit!Thentheyskinnedit,andpiecesoftheheartandbrain were eaten raw by some of those whose relatives had been killed bytigers.Finallytheskullwashackedtopiecesforthepurposeofdistributingtheteeth,whichareusedbythenativesascharms.

CHAPTERXXIINWHICHTHEPROFESSORDISTINGUISHESHIMSELF

Leaving this village immediately after the slaying of the tiger, the partycontinued to journeyalmostby forcedmarches, fornotonlywasNigelRoyvery anxious to keep tryst with his father, and to settle the question ofKathleen's identity by bringing father and daughter together, but Van derKemp himself, strange to say, was filled with intense and unaccountableanxietytogetbacktohisislandhome."Idon'tknowhowitis,"hesaidtoNigelastheywalkedsidebysidethroughthe forest, followed by Moses and the professor, who had become veryfriendlyon thestrengthofacertainamountofvacantcuriositydisplayedbytheformerinregardtoscientificmatters"Idon'tknowhowitis,butIfeelanunusuallystrongdesiretogetbacktomycave.Ihaveoftenbeenabsentfromhome for long periods at a time, but have never before experienced thesestrange longings. I say strange, because there is no such thing as an effectwithoutacause.""Maynotthecausebepresentiment?"suggestedNigel,who,knowingwhatatremendouspossibilityforthehermitlayinthefuture,feltalittleinclinedtobesuperstitious.Itdidnotoccurtohimjustthenthatanequally,ifnotmore,tremendous possibility lay in the future for himselftouching his recentdiscoveryorsuspicion!"Idonotbelieve inpresentiments," returned thehermit. "Theyareprobablythe result of indigestion or a disordered intellect, from neither of which

complaintsdoIsufferatleastnotconsciously!""But you have never before left home in such peculiar circumstances," saidNigel."HaveyounottoldmethatthisisthefirsttimeforabouttwohundredyearsthatKrakatoahasbrokenoutinactiveeruption?""True,butthatcannotbetomethecauseoflongingsoranxieties,forIhaveseenmanyalong-dormantcraterbecomeactivewithoutanyimportantresulteithertomeortoanyoneelse.""Stop, stop!" criedProfessorVerkimier in a hoarsewhisper at thatmoment;"look!lookatzeemonkeys!"Monkeys are very abundant in Sumatra, but the nest of them which thetravellers discovered at that time, andwhichhad called forth theprofessor'sadmiration,wasenoughasMosessaidtomakea"renocerus laugh."The treesaroundabsolutely swarmedwithmonkeys; thoseof a slender formandwithvery long tails being most numerous. They were engaged in some sort ofgame, swinging by arms, legs, and tails from branches, holding on to orchasing each other, and taking the most astonishing leaps in circumstanceswhereaslipwouldhavenodoubtresultedinbrokenlimbsorindeath."Standstill!Oh!dostandstilllikeyouvaspetrivied,"said theprofessor inalowvoiceofentreaty.Being quite willing to humour him, the whole party stood immovable, likestatues, and thus avoided attracting the attention of the monkeys, whocontinuedtheirgame.Itseemedtobeasortof"followmyleader,"foronebigstrongfellowledoffwithaboundfromonebranchtoanotherwhichevidentlytried the nerves of his more timid and less agile companions. They allsucceeded,however,fromthelargesteventothesmallestwhichlastwasaverytinycreaturewithapinkface,asadexpression,andacorkscrewtail.Foratimetheyboundedactivelyamongthebranches,nowhighnowlow,tillsuddenlythebigleadertookatremendousleap,asiffortheexpresspurposeof baffling or testing his companions. Itwas immensely amusing to see thedegrees of trepidationwithwhich the others followed.The last two seemedquiteunabletomakeuptheirmindstotheleap,untiltheothersseemedabouttodisappear,whenoneof them tookheart andboundedwildlyacross.Thuslittle pink-face with the corkscrew tail was left alone! Twice did that littlemonkeymakeadesperateresolutiontojump,andtwicediditslittleheartfailas it measured the distance between the branches and glanced at the abyssbelow.Itscompanionsseemedtoentertainafeelingofpityforit.Numbersofthemcameback,asiftowatchthejumpandencouragethelittleone.Athirdtime it made an abortive effort to spring, and looked round pitifully,

whereuponMosesgaveventtoanuncontrollablesnortofsuppressedlaughter."Vatyoumeanbyzat?"growledtheprofessorangrily.The growl and snort together revealed the intruders, and all the monkeys,exceptpink-face,crowding the treesabove thespotwhere theystood,gazeddown upon them with expressions in which unparalleled indignation andinconceivablesurprisestruggledforthemastery.Then,withawildshriek,thewholetroopfledintotheforest.This was too much for poor, half-petrified pink-face with the twisted tail.Seeingthatitscomradesweregoneinearnest,itbecamedesperate,flungitselffrantically into the air with an agonising squeak, missed its mark, wentcrashingthroughtheslenderbranchesandfelltotheground.Fortunatelythesebranchesbrokeitsfallsothatitaroseunhurt,boundedintoabush,stillsqueakingwithalarm,andmadeafteritsfriends."Why did you not shoot it, professor?" asked Nigel, laughing as much atVerkimier'sgraveexpressionasatthelittlemonkey'sbehaviour."VydidInotshotit?"echoedtheprofessor."Ivouldassoonshotababy.Zeepluckofzatleetlecreatureisadmirable.Itvouldbeahorribleshametotakehis life. No! I do love to see ploock vezer in man or beast! He could notshoompzat.Heknewhecouldnotshoomp it,buthe tried toshoomp it.Hevouldnotbebeat,an'IvouldnotkillhimzoughIvant 'imverymoochforaspecimen."It seemed as if the professorwas to be specially rewarded for his generousself-denialonthisoccasion,forwhilehewasyetspeaking,asoft"hush!"fromVanderKempcausedthewholepartytohaltindeadsilenceandlookatthehermitinquiringly."Youareinluck,professor,"hemurmured, inasoft, lowvoiceverydifferentfrom that hissing whisper which so many people seem to imagine is aninaudible utterance. "I see a splendid Argus pheasant over there makinghimselfagreeabletohiswife!""Vare?oh!vare?"exclaimedtheenthusiastwithblazingeyes,foralthoughhehadalready seenandprocured specimensof thismostbeautiful creature,hehadnotyetseenitengageinthestrangelove-danceifwemaysocallitwhichispeculiartothebird."You'll never get near enough to see it if you hiss like a serpent," said thehermit. "Get out your binoculars, follow me, and hold your tongue, all of

youthatwillbethesafestplan.Treadlightly."It was a sight to behold the professor crouching almost double in order torenderhimselflessconspicuous,withhishatpushedback,andtheblueglassesgivinghimtheappearanceofagreat-eyedseal.Hecarriedhisbutterfly-netinonehand,andtheunfailingrifleintheother.Fortunately the hermit's sharp and practised eye had enabled him todistinguishthebirdsinthedistancebeforetheiradvancehadalarmedthem,sothattheywereabletoreachamoundtoppedwithlowbushesoverwhichtheycouldeasilywatchthebirds."Zat is very koorious an' most interesting," murmured the professor after ashortsilence.Hewas right. Therewere twoArgus pheasants, amale and femalethemalealonebeingdecoratedsuperbly.TheArgusbelongstothesamefamilyasthepeacock,but isnot sogaudy incolouring,and therefore,perhaps, somewhatmorepleasing.Itstailisformedchieflybyanenormouselongationofthetwotailquills,andofthesecondarywingfeathers,notwoofwhichareexactlythesame,andthecloser theyareexaminedthegreater isseentobe theextremebeautyoftheirmarkings,andtherichvariedharmonyoftheircolouring.WhenamaleArguswishestoshowoffhismagnificencetohisspouseorwhensheaskshimtoshowitoff,weknownotwhichhemakesacircleintheforestsometenor twelvefeet indiameter,whichheclearsofeveryleaf, twig,andbranch.Onthemarginofthiscircusthereisinvariablyaprojectingbranch,oroverarchingrootafewfeetabovetheground,onwhichthefemaletakesherplace to watch the exhibition. This consists of the male strutting about,pluminghisfeathers,andgenerallydisplayinghisgorgeousbeauty."Vatineffablevanity!"exclaimedtheprofessor,aftergazingforsometimeinsilence.Hisownfollyinthusspeakingwasinstantlyprovedbythetwobirdsbringingtheexhibitiontoanabruptcloseandhastilytakingwing.Notlongafterseeingthistheycametoasmallbutdeepandrapidriver,whichforatimecheckedtheirprogress,fortherewasnoford,andtheporterswhocarriedVerkimier's packages seemed to knownothing about a bridge, eithernatural or artificial. After wandering for an hour or so along its banks,however, they found a giant tree which had fallen across the stream andformedanaturalbridge.Ontheothersideofthestreamthegroundwasmoreruggedandtheforestso

dense that they had towalk in a sort of twilightonly a glimpse of blue skybeingvisiblehere and there through the tree-tops. In someplaces, however,thereoccurredbright littleopeningswhichswarmedwithspeciesofmetallictiger-beetles and sand-bees, and where sulphur, swallow-tailed, and otherbutterflies sported theirbrief lifeawayover thedampgroundby thewater'sedge.Thenativeforestpathwhichtheyfollowedwaslittlebetterthanatunnelcutthrough a grove of low rattan-palms, the delicate but exceedingly toughtendrilsofwhichhungdowninalldirections.Thesewerefringedwithsharphookswhichcaughttheirclothingandtoreit,orheldonunrelentingly,sothattheonlywayofescapewastostepquietlybackandunhookthemselves.Thisofitselfwouldhaverenderedtheirprogressslowaswellaspainful,butotherthings tended to increase the delay.At one place they came to a tree aboutsevenfeetindiameterwhichlayacrossthepathandhadtobescrambledover,and this was done with great difficulty. At another, a gigantic mud-baththewallowingholeofaherdofelephantsobstructedtheway,andayellfromoneoftheporterstoldthatinattemptingtocrossithehadfalleninuptothewaist.Acomradeintryingtopullhimoutalsofellinandsankuptothearmpits.Buttheygotoveritasresolutemenalwaysdosomehow!"Zis is horrible!" exclaimed the professor, panting from his exertions, andmakingawildplungewithhis insect-net at some living creature. "Hah! zeebrute!Ihave'im."Themanofsciencewasflatonhisstomachashespoke,witharmoutstretchedand the net pressed close to the ground, while a smile of triumph beamedthroughthemudandscratchesonhisface."Whathaveyougot?"askedNigel,doinghisbesttorestrainalaugh."AsplendidOrnit'opteraaday-flyingmoss',"saidVerkimierashecautiouslyrose,"vichmimicszeeTrepsichroismulciber.AntzisverymorningIcaughtvonLeptocircusvirescens,vichderivesprotectionfrommimickingzeehabitsantappearanceofadragon-fly.""Whatrubbishdatpurfesserdotalk!"remarkedMosesinanundertonetothehermitastheymovedonagain."Notsuchrubbishasitsoundstoyou,Moses.Thesearethescientificnamesof thecreatures,andyouknowaswellashedoes thatmanycreatures thinktheyfind itadvantageous topretendtobewhat theyarenot.Manhimself isnotquitefreefromthischaracteristic.Indeed,youhavealittleofityourself,"said the hermit with one of his twinkling glances. "When you are almostterrified of your wits don't you pretend that there's nothing thematter with

you?""Nebber, massa, nebber!" answered the negro with remonstrative gravity."WhenI'snighoutobmywits,so'smyinnardsfeelslikenuffin'butwarmishwater, I gits whitey-grey in de chops, so I's told, an' blue in de lips, an' Ipretendsnuffin'Idon'tcarewhoseesit!"Thetrackforsomedistancebeyondthispointbecameworseandworse.Thenthenatureofthegroundchangedsomewhatbecamemorehilly,andthepath,ifsuchitcouldbestyled,moreruggedinsomeplaces,moreswampyinothers,while,toaddtotheirdiscomfort,rainbegantofall,andnightsetindarkanddismalwithoutanysignof thevillageofwhichtheywere insearch.BythattimetheporterswhocarriedVerkimier'sboxesseemedsotiredthatthehermitthought it advisable to encamp, but the groundwas sowet and the leechesweresonumerousthattheybeggedhimtogoon,assuringhimthatthevillagecouldnotbefardistant.Inanotherhalf-hourthedarknessbecameintense,sothatamancouldscarcelyseehisfellowevenwhenwithintwopacesofhim.Ominous mutterings and rumblings like distant thunder also were heard,which appeared to indicate an approaching storm. In these circumstancesencampingbecameunavoidable,andtheorderwasgiventomakeahugefiretoscareawaythetigers,whichwereknowntobenumerous,andtheelephantswhose fresh trackshadbeencrossedand followedduring thegreaterpartoftheday.Thetrackofarhinocerosandatapirhadalsobeenseen,butnodangerwastobeanticipatedfromthosecreatures."Shall we have a stormy night, think you?" asked Nigel, as he assisted instrikingalight."Itmaybeso,"repliedthehermit,flingingdownoneafteranotherofhiswetmatches,whichfailedtokindle."Whatwehearmaybedistantthunder,butIdoubtit.Thesoundsseemtomemorelikethemutteringsofavolcano.Somenewcratermayhaveburstforth in theSumatranranges.This thickdarknessinclinesmetothinksoespeciallyafterthenewactivityofvolcanicactionwehave seen so recently atKrakatoa.Letme try yourmatches,Nigel, perhapstheyhaveescapedmineareuseless."ButNigel'smatcheswereaswetasthoseofthehermit.Sowerethoseoftheprofessor.LuckilyMosescarriedtheold-fashionedflintandsteel,withwhich,andasmallpieceoftinder,asparkwasatlastkindled,butastheywereaboutto apply it to a handful of dry bamboo scrapings, an extra spirt of rainextinguishedit.Foranhourandmoretheymadeineffectualattemptstostrikealight.Eventhecessationoftherainwasofnoavail."Vat must ve do now?" asked the professor in tones that suggested a wo-

begonecountenance,thoughtherewasnolightbywhichtodistinguishit."Grinandbear it,"saidNigel, inavoicesuggestiveofaslightexpansionofthemouththoughnoonecouldseeit."Dere'snuffin' else left todo," saidMoses, in a tonewhichbetrayed suchaverywideexpansionthatNigellaughedoutright."Hah! youmay laugh,my yoong frond, hot if zee tigers find us out or zeeelephantstrampleonus,yourlaughtervillbeturnedtoveeping.Vatiszat?Isnotzatvonderful?"The question and exclamation were prompted by the sudden appearance offaintmysteriouslightsamongthebushes.That theprofessorviewedthemasunfriendlylightswasclearfromtheclickofhisrifle-lockswhichfollowed."It isonlyphosphoric light," explainedVanderKemp. "Ihaveoften seen itthus in electric statesof the atmosphere. Itwill probably increasemeanwhilewemustseatourselvesonourboxesanddothebestwecantilldaylight.Areyouthere,boys?"This question, addressed to the bearers in their native tongue, was notanswered,anditwasfound,onafeelingexamination,that,inspiteofleeches,tigers, elephants, and the whole animal creation, the exhausted porters hadflungthemselvesonthewetgroundandgonetosleepwhiletheirleaderswerediscussingthesituation.Dismal though the condition of the partywas, the appearances in the forestsoonchangedtheprofessor'swoeintoeagerdelight,forthephosphorescencebecame more and more pronounced, until every tree-stem blinked with apalishgreenlight,andittrickledlikemoonlightovertheground,bringingoutthick dumpy mushrooms like domes of light. Glowing caterpillars andcentipedes crawled about, leaving a trail of light behind them, and firefliesdartingtoandfropeopledtheairandgaveadditionalanimationtothescene.Inthemidstofthedarkness,thusmadesingularlyvisible,thewhitetravellerssat dozing and nodding on their luggage, while the cries of metallic-tonedhornedfrogsandothernocturnalsoundspeculiar to thatweirdforestformedtheirappropriatelullaby.ButMosesneitherdozednornodded.Withapertinacitypeculiarlyhisownhecontinued toplay a running accompaniment to the lullabywithhis flint andsteel,untilhisperseverancewasrewardedwithasparkwhichcaughtonadryportionofthetinderandcontinuedtoburn.Bythattimethephosphoriclightshad faded, and his spark was the only one which gleamed through intense

darkness.How he cherished that spark! He wrapped it in swaddling clothes of drybambooscrapingswithasmuchcareasifithadbeentheessenceofhislife.He blew upon it tenderly as though to fan its delicate brow with the softzephyrs of a father's affection. Again he blew more vigorously, and hisenormouspoutinglipscamedimlyintoview.Anotherblowandhisflatnoseand fat cheeks emerged from darkness. Still anotherwith growingconfidenceand his huge eyes were revealed glowing with hope. At last thehandfulofcombustibleburstintoaflame,andwasthrustintoapreparednestof twigs. This, communicatingwith a heap of logs, kindled a sudden blazewhich scattered darkness out of being, and converted thirty yards of theprimeval forest into a chamber of glorious light, round which the humanbeings crowdedwith joy enhanced by the unexpectedness of the event, andbeforewhichthewildthingsofthewildernessfledaway.When daylight came at last, they found that the village forwhich they hadbeensearchingwasonlytwomilesbeyondthespotwheretheyhadencamped.Here,beingthoroughlyexhausted,itwasresolvedthattheyshouldspendthatdayandnight,and,weneedscarcelyadd,theyspentaconsiderableportionofbothinsleepatleastsuchpartsofbothaswerenotdevotedtofood.Andherethe professor distinguished himself in a way that raised him greatly in theestimationofhiscompanionsandcausedthenativesoftheplacetoregardhimassomethingofademi-god.Ofcoursewedonotvouch for the truthof thedetailsoftheincident,fornoonesavehimselfwastheretosee,andalthoughwe entertained the utmost regard for himself, we were not sufficientlyacquaintedwithhismoralcharactertoanswerforhisstricttruthfulness.Astothemainevent,therewasnodenyingthat.Thethinghappenedthus:Towards the afternoon of that same day the travellers began to wake up,stretch themselves, and think about supper. In the course of conversation ittranspiredthatatigerhadbeenprowlingaboutthevillageforsomedays,andhad hitherto successfully eluded all attempts to trap or spear it. They hadtetheredagoatseveraltimesnearasmallpondandwatchedthespotfromsafepositions among the trees, with spears, bows and arrows, and blow-pipesready,butwhentheywatched,thetigerdidnotcome,andwhentheyfailedtowatch,thetigerdidcomeandcarriedoffthegoat.Thustheyhadbeenbaffled."Minefrond,"saidtheprofessortothehermitonhearingthis."Ivillshotzattiger!Iamresolved.Villyouaskzeechieftoshowmezeeplaceantzentellhis people, on pain of def, not to go near it all night, for if zey do I villcertainlyshotzembyaccidentofcourse!"

Thehermitdidashewasbid,butadvisedhissanguinefriendagainstexposinghimselfrecklessly.Thechiefwillinglyfellinwithhiswishes."Won'tyoutelluswhatyouintendtodo,professor?"askedNigel,"andletushelpyou.""No,Ivilldoitallbymineselfordie!Ivillvantashofeloraspadeofsomesort."Thechiefprovidedtherequiredimplement,conductedhisvisitoralittlebeforesunset to thespot, justoutside thevillage,and lefthimtherearmedwithhisrifle,arevolver,andalongknifeorkriss,besidesthespade.Whenalone,theboldmanputoffhisglasses,madeacarefulinspectionoftheground, came to a conclusionfounded on scientific data no doubtas to theprobable spot whence the tiger would issue from the jungle when about toseize the goat, and, just opposite that spot, on the face of a slope about tenyardsfromthegoat,hedugaholedeepenoughtocontainhisownperson.Thesoil was sandy easy to dig, and quite dry. It was growing dusk when theprofessorcreptintothisrifle-pit,drewhisweaponsandthespadeinafterhim,and closed themouth of the pitwithmoist earth, leaving only a very smalleye-holethroughwhichhecouldseethegoatstandinginnocentlybythebrinkofthepool."Now,"saidhe,ashelayrestingonhiselbowswiththeriflelaidreadytohandandtherevolverbesideit;"now,Iknownotvezeryoucansmellornot,butIhaveburiedmineselfineart',vichisanon-conductorofsmell.Veshallsee!"Itsoonbecameverydark,fortherewasnomoon,yetnotsodarkbutthattheformof thegoatcouldbeseendistinctlyreflectedin thepond.Naturally theprofessor's mind reverted to the occasion when Nigel had watched in thebranchesofatreeforanothertiger.Theconditionsweredifferent,andso,hethought,wastheman!"Mineyoongfrond,"hesaidmentally,"isbrav',oondoubtedly,buthisnerveshave not been braced by experience like mine. It is vell, for zere is moredancherherezaninatree.Itmattersnot.Iamresolftoshotzattigreordie!"Inthisresoluteandheroicframeofmindhecommencedhisvigil.It is curious to note how frequently the calculations of men fail themeventhose of scientificmen! The tiger came indeed to the spot, but he came inpreciselytheoppositedirectionfromthatwhichthewatcherexpected,sothatwhileVerkimierwasstaringover thegoat'sheadatanopening in the jungle

beyond the pond, the tigerwas advancing stealthily and slowly through thebushesexactlybehindtheholeinwhichhelay.Suddenly the professor became aware of something! He saw nothingconsciously,heheardnothing,buttherestoleoverhim,somehow,thefeelingofadreadpresence!Was he asleep? Was it nightmare? No, it was night-tiger! He knew it,somehow;hefeltitbuthecouldnotseeit.Tofacedeathiseasyenoughaccordingtosomepeoplebuttofacenothingatallisatall timestrying.Verkimierfelt it tobesoat thatmoment.Buthewasatrueheroandconqueredhimself."Come now," he saidmentally, "don't be an ass!Don't lose your shance byvoomanlyfears.Keepkviet."Anothermoment and therewas a very slight sound right over his head.Heglancedupwardsasfarasthelittleholewouldpermitandthere,notafootfromhim, was a tawny yellow throat! with a tremendous paw moving slowlyforwardsoslowlythatitmighthavesuggestedtheimperceptiblemovementofthehour-handofawatch,orofaglacier.Therewasindeedmotion,butitwasnotperceptible.Theprofessor'sperceptionswerequick.Hedidnotrequiretothink.Heknewthattousetherifleatsuchclosequarterswasabsolutelyimpossible.Heknewthat the slightestmotionwouldbetrayhim.Hecould see that asyet hewasundiscovered,fortheanimal'snosewasstraightforthegoat,andheconcludedthateitherhishavingburiedhimselfwasasafeguardagainstbeingsmelt,orthatthetigerhadacoldinitshead.Hethoughtforonemomentofburstingupwith a yell that would scare the monster out of his seven sensesif he hadsevenbut dismissed the thought as cowardly, for it would be sacrificingsuccess to safety. He knew not what to do, and the cold perspirationconsequent upon indecision at a supreme moment broke out all over him.Suddenlyhethoughtoftherevolver!Like lightningheseized it,pointed itstraightupandfired.Thebulleta largearmy revolver oneentered the throat of the animal, pierced the root of thetongue,crashedthroughthepalateobliquely,andenteredthebrain.Thetigerthrewoneindescribablesomersaultandfellfellsopromptlythatitblockedthemouthofthepit,allthecoveringearthofwhichhadbeenblownawaybytheshot, and Verkimier could feel the hairy side of the creature, and hear thebeatingof itsheartas itgaspedits lifeaway.But inhiscrampedpositionhecouldnotpushitaside.Wellawareofthetenacityoflifeintigers,hethoughtthat if the creature revived it would certainly grasp him even in its dying

agonies,fortheweightofitsbodyanditsstruggleswerealreadycrushingintheupperpartofthehole.Toputanendtoitssufferingsandhisowndanger,hepointedtherevolveratits side and again fired. The crash in the confined hole was tremendoussoawfulthattheprofessorthoughttheweaponmusthaveburst.Thestrugglesofthe,tigerbecamemoreviolentthanever,anditsweightmoreoppressiveastheearthcrumbledaway.Againthecoldperspirationbrokeoutallovertheman,andhebecameunconscious.Itmustnotbesupposedthattheprofessor'sfriendswereunwatchful.Althoughthey had promised not to disturb him in his operations, they had heldthemselvesinreadinesswithrifle,revolver,andspear,andtheinstantthefirstshotwasheard, they randown to thesceneofaction.Before reaching it thesecond shot quickened their pace as they ran down to the ponda number ofnativesyellingandwavingtorchesattheirheels."Hereheis,"criedMoses,whowasfirstonthescene,"deadasmutton!""What!theprofessor?"criedNigelinalarm."No;detiger.""Where'sVerkimier?"askedthehermitashecameup."Idunknow,massa,"saidMoses,lookingroundhimvacantly."Searchwell,men, andbe quick, hemayhavebeen injured," criedVanderKemp,seizingatorchandsettingtheexample."Letmeout!"cameat thatmoment fromwhatappeared tobe thebowelsoftheearth,causingeveryonetostandaghastgazinginwonderaroundandoneachother."Zounds!vydon'tyouletmeout?"shoutedthevoiceagain.Therewasanindicationofatendencytoflightonthepartofthenatives,butNigel'sasking"Whereareyou?"hadtheeffectofinducingthemtodelayfortheanswer."Hereoonderzeetigre!Kveek,Iamsuffocat!"Instantly Van der Kemp seized the animal by the 'tail, and, Avith a forceworthyofHercules,heaveditasideasifithadbeenadeadcat,revealingtheman of science underneathalive and well, but dishevelled, scratched, andsoiledalso,asdeafasadoor-post!

CHAPTERXXII.

APYTHONDISCOVEREDANDAGEYSERINTERVIEWED."It never rains but it pours" is a well-known proverbwhich finds, frequentillustrationintheexperienceofalmosteveryone.AtalleventsVerkimierhadreasontobelieveinthetruthofitatthattime,foradventurescamedownonhim,asitwere,inasortofdeluge,moreorlessastounding,insomuchthathisenthusiasticspirit,bathing,ifwemaysayso,inanoceanofscientificdelight,pronouncedSumatratobetheveryparadiseofthestudentofnature.Wehavenotroominthisvolumetofollowhiminthedetailsofhiswonderfulexperiences,butwemustmentiononeadventurewhichhehadontheverydayafterthetiger-incident,becauseitverynearlyhadtheeffectofseparatinghimfromhistravellingcompanions.Being deaf, as we have saidowing to the explosion of his revolver in theholebutnotnecessarilydumb,theprofessor,afteroneortwofutileattemptstohearandconverse,deemeditwisetogotobedandspendthefewconsciousminutes that might precede sleep in watching Van der Kemp, who kindlyundertook to skin his tiger for him. Soon the self-satisfied man fell into asweetinfantineslumber,anddreamedoftigers,inwhichstatehegaveventtosundry grunts, gasps, and half-suppressed cries, to the immense delight ofMoses,whosatwatchinghim,indulginginarunningcommentarysuggestiveof the recent event, and giving utterance now and then to a few imitativegrowlsbywayofenhancingtheeffectofthedreams!"Look! look!MassaNadgel,he's twitchin' all ober.De tiger's comin' tohimnow.""Lookslikeit,Moses.""Yesan',see,hegripde 'volverno, toosoon,orde tiger'sgoedaway,forhe'sstoppedtwichin'dare;detigercomesagin!"A gasp and clenching of the right hand seemed towarrant this assumption.Thenayell rang throughthehut;Mosesdisplayedall,andmore thanallhisteeth,andtheprofessor,springingupononeelbow,glaredfearfully."I'n'titawrful?"inquiredMosesinalowtone.The professor awokementally, recognised the situation, smiled an imbecilesmile,andsankbackagainonhispillowwithasighofrelief.Afterthat,whentheskinningofthetigerwascompleted,thedreamsappearedtoleavehim,andallhiscomradesjoinedhiminthelandofNod.Hewasfirst

toawakewhendaylightenteredtheirhutthefollowingmorning,and,feelinginafresh,quiescentstateofmindaftertheexcitementoftheprecedingnight,he layonhisback,hiseyes fixedcontentedlyon thegrand tiger-skinwhichhungontheoppositewall.Bydegreeshiseyesgrewweariedofthatobject,andheallowedthemtotravellanguidly upwards and along the roof until they rested on the spot directlyoverhishead,wheretheybecamefixed,and,atthesametime,openedouttoaglare,comparedtowhichallhispreviousglaringwasasnothingfor there, inthe thatch, lookingdownuponhim,was theangularheadofahugepython.The snake was rolled up in a tight coil, and had evidently spent the nightwithinayardoftheprofessor'shead!Beingunabletomakeoutwhatsortofsnake itwas, and fearing that itmight be a poisonous one, he crept quietlyfromhiscouch,keepinghiseyesfixedonthereptileashedidso.Oneresultofthis mode of action was that he did not see where he was going, andinadvertentlythrustonefingerintoMoses'righteye,andanotherintohisopenmouth.The negro naturally shut hismouthwith a snap,while the professoropened his with a roar, and in another moment everyman was on his feetblinkinginquiringly."Look!zeesnake!"criedtheprofessor,whenMosesreleasedhim."Wemustgethimoutofthat,"remarkedVanderKemp,ashequietlymadeanoosewithapieceofrattan,andfastenedittotheendofalongpole.Withthelatter he poked the creature up, and, when it had uncoiled sufficiently, heslippedthenoosedeftlyoveritshead."Clearout,friends,"hesaid,lookinground.Allobeyedwithuncommonpromptitudeexcept theprofessor,whovaliantlystoodhisground.VanderKemppulledthepythonviolentlydowntothefloor,where it commenced a tremendous scuffle among the chairs and posts. Thehermitkept itsheadoffwith thepole,andsought tocatch its tail,but failedtwice.Seeingthistheprofessorcaughtthetailasitwhippedagainsthislegs,andspringingdownthestepssoviolentlythathesnappedthecordbywhichthehermitheldit,anddrewthecreaturestraightoutathickmonsterfulltwelvefeetlong,andcapableofswallowingadogorachild."Out of zeeway!" shouted the professor,making awild effort to swing thepythonagainstatree,butthetailslippedfromhisgrasp,theprofessorfell,andthesnakewentcrashingagainstalog,underwhichittookrefuge.Nigel,whowasnearest to it,sprangforward,fortunatelycaught its tail,and,swingingitandhimselfroundwithsuchforcethatitcouldnotcoilupatall,dashed it against a tree.Before it could recover from the shock,Moses had

caughtupahatchetandcutitsheadoffwithoneblow.Thetailwriggledforafew seconds, and the head gaped once or twice, as if inmild surprise at sosuddenafinale."Zatisstrainchverystrainch,"slowlyremarkedtheprofessor,as,stillseatedontheground,hesolemnlynotedthesefacts."Not so very strange, after all," saidVan derKemp; "I've seen the head ofmanyabiggersnakecutoffatoneblow.""Minefrond,youmistakeme.Itiszeevorkingofphysicallawinzeespiritualvorldzatperplexesme.Moseshascutzeebruteintwophysicalfact,substancecanbedivided.Zeetwopartsarestillalife,zerfore,zeelifezeespirithasalsobeendivided!""It is indeedvery strange," saidNigel,with a laugh. "Stranger still that youmaycutawormintoseveralparts,andtheliferemainsineach,but,strangestofall,thatyoushouldsitontheground,professor,insteadofrisingup,whileyouphilosophise.Youarenothurt,Ihopeareyou?""IrazerzinkIam,"returnedthephilosopherwithafaintsmile;"mineonkle,Izink,isspraint."Thiswasindeedtrue,anditseemedasifthepoorman'swanderingsweretobe,foratimeatleast,broughttoanabruptclose.Fortunatelyitwasfoundthataponycouldbeprocuredatthatvillage,and,astheyhadenteredthebordersofthemountainousregions,andtheroadsweremoreopenandpassablethanheretofore, it was resolved that the professor should ride until his anklerecovered.Wemustnowpassoveraconsiderableportionoftimeandspace,andconveythereader,byaforcedmarch,tothecraterofanactivevolcano.BythattimeVerkimier'sanklehadrecoveredandtheponyhadbeendismissed.Theheavyluggage,withtheporters,hadbeenleft inthelowgrounds,forthemountainthey had scaled was over 10,000 feet above the sea-level. Only one nativefrom theplain belowaccompanied themas guide, and threeof their porterswhoseinquiringmindstemptedthemtomaketheascent.Atabout10,000feet thepartyreachedwhat thenativescalled thedempooredge of the volcano, whence they looked down into the sawah or ancientcrater,whichwasalevelspacecomposedofbrownsoilsurroundedbycliffs,and lying like thebottomofacup200feetbelowthem.Ithadasulphurousodour,andwasdottedhereandtherewithclumpsofheathandrhododendrons.In the centre of thiswas a conewhich formed the trueormoderncrater. On

scrambling up to the lip of the cone and looking down some 300 feet ofprecipitous rock they beheld what seemed to be a pure white lake set in acentralbasinof200feetindiameter.Thesurfaceofthislakeletsmoked,andalthoughitreflectedeverypassingcloudasifitwereamirror,itwasinrealityabasinofhotmud,thesurfaceofwhichwasaboutthirtyfeetbelowitsrim."Youwillsoonseeachangecomeoverit,"saidthehermit,asthepartygazedinsilentadmirationattheweirdscene.Hehadscarcelyspoken,whenthemiddleofthelakebecameintenselyblackandscoredwithdarkstreaks.This,thoughnotquiteobviousatfirstfromthepointwheretheystood,wascausedbytheslowformationofagreatchasminthe centre of the seething lake of mud. The lake was sinking into its ownthroat.Theblackness increased.Thenadull sullen roarwasheard,andnextmomenttheentirelakeupheaved,notviolently,butinaslow,majesticmannersomehundredsof feet into theair,whence it fellback into itsbasinwithanawfulroarwhichreverberatedandechoedfromtherockywallsofthecaldronlike the singing of an angry sea. An immense volume of steamthe motivepower which had blown up the lakewas at the same time liberated anddissipatedintheair.Thewave-circlesdiedawayonthemarginofthelake,andtheplacid,cloud-reflecting surfacewas restored until the geyser had gathered fresh force foranotherupheaval."Amazing!" exclaimed Nigel, who had gazed with feelings of awe at thiscurious exhibition of the tremendous internal forceswithwhich theCreatorhasendowedtheearth."Vonderful!"exclaimedtheprofessor,whoseastonishmentwassuch, thathiseyebrowsrosehighabovetherimofhishugebluebinoculars.Moses,towhomsuchanexhibitionofthepowersofnaturewasfamiliar,was,we are sorry to say, not much impressed, if impressed at all! Indeed hescarcely noticed it, but watched, with intense teeth-and-gum disclosingsatisfaction,thefacesoftwoofthenativeporterswhohadneverseenanythingof thekindbefore,andwhose terrifiedexpressionssuggested theprobabilityofaprecipitateflightwhentheirtremblinglimbsbecamefittoresumeduty."Willitcomeagainsoon?"askedNigel,turningtoVanderKemp."Everyfifteenortwentyminutesitgoesthroughthatprocessalldayandeveryday,"repliedthehermit."But,ifImayjoodgefromzeestonesantscoriaearound,"saidtheprofessor,

"zeevolcanoisnotalvayssopeacefulasitisjoostnow.""Youare right.Aboutonce in every threeyears, and sometimesoftener, thecrops of coffee, bananas, rice, etc., in this region are quite destroyed bysulphur-rain,whichcoverseverythingformilesaroundthecrater.""Hah!itvouldbetoohoteaplacezisforus,ifzatvastohappinjoostnow,"remarkedVerkimierwithasmile."Itcannotbefaroffthetimenow,Ishouldthink,"saidYanderKemp.AllthistalkMosestranslated,andembellished,tothenativeporterswiththesolemn sincerity of a true and thorough-paced hypocrite. He had scarcelyfinished,andwaswatchingwithimmensedelightthechangefulaspectoftheirwhitey-green faces, when another volcanic fit came on, and the deep-tonedroar of the coming explosion was heard. It was so awesome that thecountenanceevenofVanderKempbecamegraverthanusual.Asforthetwonative porters, they gazed and trembled.Nigel and the professor also gazedwithlivelyexpectation.Moseswegrievetorecordithuggedhimselfinternally,andgloatedoverthetwoporters.Another moment and there came a mighty roar. Up went the mud-lakehundredsoffeetintotheair;outcamethesteamwiththesoundofathousandtrombones, and awaywent the twoporters, head everheels, down theouterslopeoftheconeandacrossthesawahasifthespiritofevilwereafterthem.Therewasnocause,however, foralarm.Themud-lake, fallingback into itsnative cup, resumed its placid aspect and awaited its next upheavalwith asmuch tranquillityas if ithadneverknowndisturbance in thepast, andwereindifferentaboutthefuture.Thateveningourtravellersencampedincloseproximitytothecrater,suppedon fowls roasted in an open crevice whence issued steam and sulphuroussmells,andsleptwiththegeyser'sintermittentroarsoundingintheirearsandre-echoingintheirdreams.

CHAPTERXXIIITELLSOFVOLCANICFIRESANDASTRANGERETURN"HOME"

Thistremendousintroductiontovolcanicfireswasbutthepreludetoaperiodoferuptiveactionwhichhasnotbeenparalleledintheworld'shistory.Forashort timeafterthis, indeed,thegenialnatureoftheweathertendedtobanish from the minds of our travellers all thoughts of violence either interrestrialorhumanaffairs,andastheprofessordevotedhimselfchieflytothe

comparatively mild occupation of catching and transfixing butterflies andbeetlesduring themarch southward, there seemed tobenothing in thewideuniverse above or below save peace and tranquillityexcept, perhaps, in themindsofbeetlesandbutterflies!Throughout all this period, nevertheless, there were ominous growlings,grumblings, and tremorsfaint but frequentwhich indicated a condition ofmotherearththatcouldnothavebeencalledeasy."Some of the volcanoes of Java must be at work, I think," said Nigel onenight,asthepartysatinasmallisolatedwood-cutter'shutdiscussingasupperofriceandfowlswithhisfriends,whichtheywerewashingdownwithhome-growncoffee."Itmaybeso,"saidVanderKempinadubioustone;"butthesounds,thoughfaint, seem to me a good deal nearer. I can't help thinking that the craterswhichhavesorecentlyopenedupinKrakatoaarestillactive,andthatitmaybenecessaryformetoshiftmyquarters,formycaveislittlemore,Isuspect,thanthethroatofanancientvolcano.""Hah!sayyouso,minefrond?ZenIvouldadviseyoutomakenodelay,"saidtheprofessor,criticallyexaminingawell-pickeddrumstick."Yousee,itisnotpleasant tobeblownupeizerby the terrestrialeruptionsofzeevorldorzeecelestial explosions of your vife.A leetle more rice, Moses if you please.Zanks.""Now,minefronds,"hecontinued,afterhavingdisposedofasupperwhichitmight have taxed a volcano's throat to swallow, "it is viz great sorrowzat Imustpartfromyouhere.""Part!Why?"askedthehermitinsurprise."Vy,becauseIfindziscontrieisheavenuponeart'.Zatis,ofcourse,onlyinascientificpointofview.Zeevoodsare svarming, zeeair is teeming, ant zeevatersarevallo'ingvitlife.Icannottearmyselfavay.ButveshallmeetagainatTelokBetong,orKrakatoa,orAnjer,orBatavia."It was found that the man of science was also a man of decision. Nothingwouldpersuadehimtogoastepfurther.Thewood-cutter'shutsuitedhim,sodid thewood-cutter himself, and so, as he said, did the region around him.Withmuchregret,therefore,andanearnestinvitationfromthehermittovisithiscave,andrangethealmostunexploredwoodsofhis island, the travellersparted from him; and our three adventurers, dismissing all attendants andhiringthreeponies,continuedtheirjourneytothesouthernshoresofSumatra.

As theyadvanced it soonbecameevident that the sceneofvolcanicactivitywasnotsofardistantastheislandofJava,fortheairwasfrequentlydarkenedbythefallingofvolcanicdustwhichcoveredthelandwithagreyishpowder.As,however,at least sixteenvolcanoeshavebeenregistered in the islandofSumatra, and there are probably many others, it was impossible to decidewherethesceneoferuptionwasthatcausedthosesigns.One afternoon the travellerswitnessed a catastrophewhich induced them toforego all idea of spending more time in examining the country. They hadarrived at a villagewhere they found a traveller who appeared to be goingaboutwithoutanyspecialobjectinview.HespokeEnglish,butwithaforeignaccent.Nigelnaturallyfeltadesiretobecomesociablewithhim,buthewasvery taciturn and evidently wished to avoid intercourse with chanceacquaintances.Hearingthattherewerecurioushot-waterandmudspringsnotfaroff,thestrangerexpressedadesiretovisitthem.Nigelalsofeltanxioustoseethem,andasoneguidewassufficientforthepartythestrangerjoinedthepartyandtheywenttogether.Thespottheywereledtowasevidentlyamerecrustofearthcoveringfiercesubterranean fires. In the centre of it a small pond ofmudwas boiling andbubbling furiously,and round this,on the induratedclay,weresmallerwellsandcratersfullofboilingmud.Thegroundnearthemwasobviouslyunsafe,foritbentunderpressurelikethinice,andatsomeofthecracksandfissuresthesulphurousvapourwassohotthatthehandcouldnotbeheldtoitwithoutbeingscalded.Nigelandthestrangerwalkedclosebehindthenativeguide,both,apparently,being anxious to get as near as possible to the central pond. But the guidestoppedsuddenly,and,lookingback,saidtoVanderKempthatitwasnotsafetoapproachnearer.Nigel at once stopped, and, looking at the stranger,was struck by thewild,incomprehensibleexpressionofhisfaceashecontinuedtoadvance."Stop! stop, sir!" cried the hermit on observing this, but the man paid noattentiontothewarning.Anotherinstantandthecrustonwhichhestoodgavewayandhesankintoahorriblegulf fromwhich issuedagustofsulphurousvapourandsteam.Thehorror which almost overwhelmed Nigel did not prevent him boundingforwardtotherescue.Wellwasitforhimatthattimethatacoolerheadthanhis own was near. The strong hand of the hermit seized his collar on theinstant,andhewasdraggedbackwardoutofdanger,whileanappallingshriekfromthestrangerashedisappearedtoldthattheattempttosuccourhimwould

havebeentoolate.Aterribleeventofthiskindhasusuallytheeffectoftotallychanging,atleastfor a time, the feelingsof thosewhowitness it, so as to almost incapacitatethem from appreciating ordinary events or things. For some days afterwitnessingthesuddenandawfulfateofthisunknownman,Nigeltravelledasif inadream, taking littlenoticeof,or interest in, anything,and replying toquestions in mere monosyllables. His companions seemed to be similarlyaffected,fortheyspokeverylittle.EventhevolatilespiritofMosesappearedto be subdued, and it was not till they had reached nearly the end of theirjourneythattheirusualflowofspiritsreturned.Arriving one night at a village not very far from the southern shores ofSumatra they learned that thehermit's presentimentswere justified, and thatthe volcano which was causing so much disturbance in the islands of thearchipelagowas,indeed,thelongextinctoneofKrakatoa."I've heard a good deal about it from one of the chief men here," said thehermitashereturnedtohisfriendsthatnightaboutsupper-time."Hetellsmethatithasbeenmoreorlessinmoderateeruptioneversincewelefttheisland,butaddsthatnobodytakesmuchnoticeofit,astheydon'texpectittoincreasemuchinviolence.Idon'tagreewiththeminthat,"headdedgravely."Whynot?"askedNigel."Partlybecauseofthelengthoftimethathaselapsedsinceitslasteruptionin1680; partly from the fact that that eruptionjudging from appearancesmusthave been a very tremendous one, and partly because my knowledge ofvolcanicactionleadsmetoexpectit;butIcouldnoteasilyexplainthereasonformyconclusionsonthelatterpoint.IhavejustbeentothebrowofaridgenotfaroffwhenceIhaveseentheglowintheskyoftheKrakatoafires.Theydonot,however,appeartobeveryfierceatthepresentmoment."Ashespoketherewasfeltbythetravellersablow,asifofanexplosionunderthehouseinwhichtheysat.Itwasastrongverticalbumpwhichnearlytossedthemallofftheirchairs.VanderKempandhisman,afteranexclamationortwo,continuedsupper likemenwhowereusedtosuchinterruptions,merelyremarkingthat itwasanearthquake.ButNigel, towhomitwasnotquitesofamiliar,stoodupforafewsecondswithalookofanxiousuncertainty,asifundecided as to the path of duty and prudence in the circumstances.Mosesrelievedhim."Sotdown,MassaNadgel,"saidthatsableworthy,ashestuffedhismouthfullofrice;"it'seasiertosotdantostandw'enitseart'quakin'."

Nigel sat downwith a tendency to laugh, for at thatmoment he chanced toglance at the rafters above, where he saw a small anxious-faced monkeygazingdownathim.He was commenting on this creature when another prolonged shock ofearthquake came. It was not a bump like the previous one, but a severevibrationwhichonlyservedtoshakethemenintheirchairs,butitshookthesmallmonkeyofftherafter,andthemiserablelittlethingfellwithashriekandaflopintotherice-dish!"Gitouto'datyou scoundril!" exclaimedMoses,but theorderwasneedless,for the monkey bounced out of it like indiarubber and sought to hide itsconfusioninthethatch,whileMoseshelpedhimselftosomemoreoftherice,which,hesaid;wasnonetheworseforbeingmonkeyfied!At last our travellers found themselves in the townofTelokBetong,where,beingwithinforty-fivemilesofKrakatoa,thehermitcouldbothseeandhearthathisisland-homewasinviolentagitation;tremendousexplosionsoccurringfrequently,whiledensemassesofsmokewereascendingfromitscraters."I'mhappytofind,"saidthehermit,soonaftertheirarrivalinthetown,"thatthepeakofRakata,onthesouthernpartof theislandwheremycavelies, isstillquietandhasshownnosignofbreakingout.AndnowIshallgoandseeaftermycanoe.""Doyouthinkitsafetoventuretovisityourcave?"askedNigel."Well,notabsolutelysafe,"returnedthehermitwithapeculiarsmile,"but,ofcourse,ifyouthinkitunwisetoruntheriskof""I asked a simplequestion,VanderKemp,without any thought ofmyself,"interruptedtheyouth,asheflusheddeeply."Forgiveme,Nigel," returned the hermit quickly and gravely, "it is butmydutytopointoutthatwecannotgotherewithoutrunningsomerisk.""Anditismydutytopointout,"retortedhishurtfriend,"thatwhenanyman,worthyofthename,agreestofollowanother,heagreestoacceptallrisks."Tothisthehermitvouchsafednofurtherreplythanaslightsmileandnodofintelligence.Thereafterhewentoffalonetoinquireabouthiscanoe,which,itwill be remembered, his friend, the captain of the steamer, had promised toleaveforhimatthisplace.TelokBetong,whichwasoneoftheseverestsufferersbytheeruptionof1883,is a small town at the head of Lampong Bay, opposite to the island of

Krakatoa,fromwhichitisbetweenfortyandfiftymilesdistant.Itisbuiltonanarrowstripof landat thebaseofasteepmountain,but littleabovethesea,and is the chief town of the Lampong Residency, which forms the mostsoutherly province of Sumatra.At the timewewrite of, the only Europeanresidents of the place were connected with Government. The rest of thepopulationwascomposedofaheterogeneousmassofnativesmingledwithanumberofChinese,afewArabs,andalargefluctuatingpopulationoftradersfromBorneo,Celebes,NewGuinea,Siam,andtheotherinnumerableislesofthearchipelago.Theseweremoreorlessconnectedwithprausladenwiththerichandvariedmerchandiseoftheeasternseas.Aseachmaninthetownhadbeen permitted to build his house according to his own fancy, picturesqueirregularitywastheagreeableresult.Itmaybeaddedthat,aseachmanspokehisownlanguageinhisowntones,Babelandnoiseweretheconsequence.InasmallhutbythewatersidethehermitfoundthefriendaMalaytowhomhiscanoe had been consigned, and, in a long low shed close by, he found thecanoeitselfwiththefaithfulSpinkieincharge."Don'tgonearthecanoetillyou'vemadefriendswiththemonkey,"saidtheMalayinhisowntongue,ashewasabouttoputthekeyinthedoor."Whynot?"askedthehermit."BecauseitisthesavagestbruteIevercameacross,"saidtheman."Itwon'tletasoulcomenearthecanoe.Iwouldhavekilleditlongagoifthecaptainofthe steamer hadnot toldmeyouwished it to be takengreat care of.There,lookout!Thevixenisnottiedup."He flung open the shed-door and revealed Spinkie seated in his old place,muchdeterioratedinappearanceandscowlingmalevolently.Theinstantthepoorcreaturehearditsmaster'svoiceandsawhisformforhisfeaturesmust havebeen invisible against the strong lightthe scowlvanishedfrom its little visage.With a shriek of joy it sprang like an acrobat from aspring-board andplunged into thehermit's bosomto the alarmof theMalay,who thought thiswas a furious attack.Weneednot say thatVanderKempreceivedhisfaithfullittleservantkindly,anditwasquitetouchingtoobservethemonkey'sintenseaffectionforhim.Itcouldnotindeedwagitstaillikeadog,butitputitsarmsrounditsmaster'sneckwithawondrouslyhumanair,andrubbedits littleheadinhisbeardandwhiskers,drawingitselfbacknowand then,putting itsblackpawsonhischeeks, turninghis face round to thelightandopeningitsroundeyeswideaswellas itsroundlittlemouthas if tomake sure of his identitythen plunging into the whiskers again, andsometimes, when unable to contain its joy, finding a safety-valve in a little

shriek.When themeeting andgreetingwereover,VanderKempexplained that hewould require his canoe by daybreak the followingmorning, ordered a fewprovisionstobegotready,andturnedtoleave."Youmustgetdown,Spinkie,andwatchthecanoeforonenightmore,"saidthehermit,quietly.ButSpinkiedidnotseemtoperceivethenecessity,forheclungclosertohismasterwitharemonstrativecroak."Getdown,Spinkie,"saidthehermitfirmly,"andwatchthecanoe."The poor beast had apparently learned thatMedo-Persic lawwas not moreunchangeablethanVanderKemp'scommands!Atalleventsitcreptdownhisarm and leg,waddled slowly over the floor of the shedwith bent back andwrinkledbrow,likeamanofninety,andtookupitsoldpositiononthedeck,theverypersonificationofsuperannuatedwoe.The hermit patted its head gently, however, thus relieving its feelings, andprobablyintroducinghopeintoitslittleheartbeforeleaving.Thenhereturnedtohisfriendsandbadethemprepareforimmediatedeparture.Itwas the night of the 24th ofAugust, and as the eruptions of the volcanoappeared to be getting more and more violent, Van der Kemp's anxiety toreachhiscavebecamevisiblygreater."Ihavebeentold,"saidthehermittoNigel,astheywentdownwithMosestotheplacewherethecanoehadbeenleft,"thehistoryofKrakatoasinceweleft.A friend informs me that a short time after our departure the eruptionssubsided a little, and the people here had ceased to pay much attention tothem,butaboutthemiddleofJunethevolcanicactivitybecamemoreviolent,andonthe19th,inparticular,itwasobservedthatthevapourcolumnandtheforceoftheexplosionsweredecidedlyontheincrease.""AtKatimbang,fromwhichplacetheislandcanbeseen,itwasnoticedthatasecondcolumnofvapourwasascendingfromthecentreoftheisland,andthattheappearanceofPerboewatanhadentirelychanged,itsconspicuoussummithaving apparently been blown away. In July therewere some explosions ofexceptionalviolence,andIhavenownodoubt that itwas theseweheard intheinteriorofthisislandwhenweweretravellinghither,quitelately.Onthe11thofthismonth,Ibelieve,theislandwasvisitedinaboatbyagovernmentofficer, but he did not land, owing to the heavymasses of vapour and dustdriven about by thewind,which also prevented him frommaking a careful

examination,buthecouldseethattheforestsofnearlythewholeislandhavebeendestroyedonlyafewtrunksofblightedtreesbeingleftstandingabovethethick covering of pumice and dust.He reported that the dust near the shorewasfoundtobetwentyinchesthick.""Ifso,"saidNigel,"Ifearthattheislandwillbenolongerfittoinhabit.""I know not," returned the hermit sadly, in a musing tone. "The officerreported that there is no signof eruption atRakata, so thatmyhouse is yetsafe,fornoshowersofpumice,howeverdeep,caninjurethecave."Nigelwasonthepointofaskinghisfriendwhyhewassoanxioustorevisitthe island at such a time, but, recollecting his recent tiff on that subject,refrained. Afterwards, however, when Van der Kemp was settling accountswiththeMalay,heputthequestiontoMoses."Ican'thelpwondering,"hesaid,"thatVanderKempshouldbesoanxioustogetbacktohiscavejustnow.Ifheweregoinginabigboattosavesomeofhisgoodsandchattels Icouldunderstand it,but thecanoe,youknow,couldcarrylittlemorethanherordinarylading.""Well,MassaNadgel,"saidMoses,"it'smyopiniondathewants togoback'causehe'sgotanuncommonaffekshnitheart.""How?Surelyyoudon'tmeanthathisloveofthemereplaceissostrongthat""No, no, Massa Nadgel's not dat. But he was awrful fond ob his wife an'darter, an' I knowhe's got a photogruff ob 'em bof togidder, an' I t'ink he'dsoonerlosehisheaddanlosedat,forI'veseedhimlookat'emforhours,an'kiss'emsometimesw'enhet'oughtIwasasleep."The return of the hermit here abruptly stopped the conversation. The canoewascarrieddownandput into thewater,watchedwithprofound interestbyhundredsofnativesandtraders,whowereallmoreorlessacquaintedwiththehermitofRakata.ItwasstilldaylightwhentheypaddledoutintoLampongBay,butthevolumesofdustwhich rose fromKrakatoaalthoughnearly fiftymilesoffdidmuch toproduceanunusuallyearlytwilight."Goin' to be bery dark, massa," remarked Moses as they glided past theshipping."ShallIlightdelamp?""Do,Moses,butweshan'tneedit,foraswegetnearerhomethevolcanicfireswilllightusonourway."

"Devolcanicdustisa-goin' topowderusonourwaytoo,massa.Keepyourhandsouto'theway,Spinkie,"saidthenegroashefixedasmalloil-lamptothemast,andresumedhispaddle."Afterwegetoutabitthewindwillhelpus,"saidthehermit."Yes,massa, if hedon't blow too strong," returnedMoses, as a squall camerushing down the mountains and swept over the bay, ruffling its now darkwatersintofoamingwavelets.Altogether,whatwiththeincreasingdarknessandthehissingsquall,andthenight-voyagebeforethem,andthefiresofKrakatoawhichwerenowclearlyvisibleonthehorizon,NigelBoyfeltamoreeeriesensationinhisbreastthanhe ever remembered to have experienced in all his previous life, but hescornedtoadmitthefacteventohimself,andsaid,mentally,thatitwasratherromanticthanotherwise!Just then there burst upon their ears the yell of a steam-whistle, and a fewmomentslaterasteamerborestraightdownonthem,astern."Steamerahoy!"shoutedVanderKemp."Willyethrowusarope?""Ay!ay!ease'er!stop'er!whereare'eeboundfor?"demandedanunmistakablyEnglishvoice."Krakatoa!"repliedthehermit."Whereareyou?""Anjer, on the Java coast.Do 'eewant to be smothered, roasted, and blownup?"askedthecaptain,lookingdownonthecanoeasitrangedalongsidethedarkhull."No,wewanttogethome.""Home!Well,you'requeerfellowsinaqueereggshellforsuchwaters.Everymantohistaste.Lookoutfortherope!""Allright,cappen,"criedMosesashecaughtthecoil.Nextmomentthesteamerwentahead,andthecanoeploughedovertheSundaStraitsattherateofthirteenmilesanhour,withhersharpprowhighoutofthewater, and the stern correspondingly low. The voyage, which would haveotherwisecostourthreetravellersalonglaboriousnightandpartofnextday,wasbythismeanssogreatlyshortenedthatwhendaybreakarrivedtheywerenot more than thirteen miles to the east of Krakatoa. Nearer than this thesteamboatcouldnottakethemwithoutgoingoutofhercourse,butasVanderKempandNigelgratefullyacknowledged,itwasquitenearenough.

"Well,Ishouldjustthinkitwasrathertoonear!"saidthecaptainwithagrin.And,truly,hewasjustifiedinmakingtheremark,fortheexplosionsfromthevolcano had by that time become not only very frequent, but tremendouslyloud,whilethedensecloudwhichhungaboveitandspreadfarandwideoverthe sky covered the sea with a kind of twilight that struggled successfullyagainst the full advent of day. Lightning toowas playing among the rollingblack masses of smoke, and the roaring explosions every now and thenseemedtoshaketheveryheavens.Castingoffthetow-rope,theyturnedthebowoftheircanoetotheisland.Asastiffishbreezewasblowing,theysetthesails,close-reefed,andsteeredforthesouthernshoreatthatpartwhichlayundertheshadowofRakata.

CHAPTERXXIVANAWFULNIGHTANDTERRIBLEMORNING

ItwasamatterofsomesatisfactiontofindondrawingneartotheshorethatthepeakofRakatawasstill intact,andthat,althoughmostotherpartsoftheisland which could be seen were blighted by fire and covered deeply withpumicedust,muchoftheforestintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthecavewasstillundestroyedthoughconsiderablydamaged."D'youthinkouroldharbourwillbeavailable,Moses?"askedVanderKempastheycameclosetothefirstheadland."Pr'aps.Bes'goan'see,"wasthenegro'spracticalreply."EvidentlyRakata isnotyetactive,"saidNigel, lookingupat thegreydust-coveredcragsasthecanoeglidedswiftlythroughthedarkwater."That ismorethancanbesaidfor theothercraters,"returnedthehermit."Itseemstomethatnotonlyall theoldonesareatwork,butanumberofnewonesmusthavebeenopened."Theconstantroaringandexplosionsthatfilledtheirearsandtherainoffineashesboretestimonytothetruthofthis,thoughthesolidandtoweringmassofRakata rose between them and the part ofKrakatoawhichwas in eruption,preventingtheirseeinganythingthatwaspassingexceptthedensemassesofsmoke,steam,anddustwhichrosemanymiles into theheavens,obstructingthelightofday,butformingcloud-massesfromwhichtheluridflamesofthevolcanowerereflecteddownward.On reaching the little bay or harbour itwas foundmuch as they had left it,

save that the rocks and bushes aroundwere thickly covered with dust, andtheirboatwasgone."Strange! at such a time onewould scarcely have expected thieves to comehere,"saidthehermit,lookingslowlyround."Not'iefbinhere,massa,"saidMoses,lookingoverthesideofthecanoe."Iseedeboat!"Hepointeddownwardsashespoke,andonlookingoverthesidetheysawthewreck of the boat at the bottom, in about ten feet of water, and crushedbeneath a ponderousmass of lava, whichmust have been ejected from thevolcanoandafterwardsdescendedupontheboat.The destruction of the boat rendered it impossible to remove any of theproperty of the hermit, and Nigel now saw, from his indifference, that thiscould not have been the cause of his friend's anxiety and determination toreachhisislandhomeinspiteofthedangerthatsuchacourseentailed.Thattherewasconsiderabledangersoonbecameveryobvious,for,havingpassedto some extent at this point beyond the shelter of the cliffs of Rakata, andcomepartly intoviewof theother parts of the island, the real extent of thevolcanicviolenceburstuponNigelandMosesasanewrevelation.Theawfulsublimityof thesceneat firstalmostparalysed them,and theyfailed tonotethatnotonlydidaconstantrainofpumicedustfalluponthem,butthattherewasalsoaprettyregulardroppingofsmallstonesintothewateraroundthem.Theirattentionwassharplyarousedtothisfactbythefallofalumpofsemi-moltenrock,aboutthesizeofacannonshot,ashortdistanceoff,whichwasimmediatelyfollowedbynotlessthanacubicyardoflavawhichfellclosetothecanoeanddelugedthemwithspray."Wemust go," said the hermit quietly. "No need to expose ourselves here,though the watching of the tremendous forces that our Creator has atcommand does possess awonderful kind of fascination. It seems tome themoreweseeofHispowerasexertedonourlittleearth,themoredowerealisethe paltriness of our conception of the stupendous Might that upholds theUniverse."Whilehewasspeaking,VanderKempguidedthecanoeintoitslittlehaven,andinafewminutesheandMoseshadcarrieditintotheshelterofthecaveoutofwhichNigelhadfirstseen itemerge.Then the ladingwascarriedup,afterwhichtheyturnedintothetrackwhichledtothehermit'shome.Thewholeoperationmaybesaidtohavebeenperformedunderfire,forsmallmassesofrockkeptpatteringcontinuallyonthedust-coveredgroundaroundthem,causingcloudlets,likesmoke,tospringupwherevertheystruck.Nigel

and Moses could not resist glancing upward now and then as they movedquickly toand fro,and theyexperienceda shrinkingsensationwhena stonefellverynearthem,buteachscornedtoexhibitthesmallesttraceofanxiety,ortosuggestthatthesoonertheygotfromunderfirethebetter!AsforVanderKemp,hemovedaboutdeliberatelyasiftherewasnothingunusualgoingon,andwithanabsent lookonhisgravefaceas thoughtheoutburstsofsmoke,andfire,andlava,whichturnedthefaceofdayintoluridnight,andcausedthecliffs to reverberatewith unwonted thunders, had no effectwhatever on hismind.Ashortwalk, however, along the track,whichwasmore than ankle-deep indust,brought themunder theshelteringsidesofRakata,upwhich theysoonscrambled to themouthof theircave.Hereallwasfoundas theyhad left it,savethattheentrancewasknee-deepinpumicedust.Andnowanewandverystrangesensationwasfeltbyeachofthem,fortheloudreportsandcracklingsoundswhichhadassailedtheirearsoutsidewerereducedbythethickwallsofthecavetoacontinuousdullgroan,asitwere,likethesoftbutthunderousbassnotesofastupendousorgan.Tothesesoundswere added others which seemed to be peculiar to the cave itself. Theyappearedtorisefromcrevicesinthefloor,andwerenodoubtduetotheactionofthosepent-upsubterraneanfireswhichwereimprisoneddirectly,thoughitmay be very far down, under their feet. Every now and then there came asuddenincreaseof theunitedsoundsas if the"swell"of thegreatorganhadbeenopened,andsuchout-gushingwasalwaysaccompaniedwithmoreorlessofindescribableshocksfollowedbyprolongedtremorsoftheentiremountain.If the three friendshadbeenoutside toobservewhatwas takingplace, theywouldhaveseenthatthesesymptomsweresimultaneouswithoccasionalandextremelyviolentoutburstsfromthecraterofPerboewatanandhiscompeers.Indeed they guessed as much, and two of them at least were not a littlethankful that, awesome as their position was, they had the thick mountainbetweenthemandthefieryshowersoutside.Of all this the hermit took no notice, but, hastening into the inner cavern,openedasmallbox,andtooktherefromabundleofpapersandalittleobjectwhich,atafirstglance,Nigelsupposedtobeabook,butwhichturnedouttobeaphotographcase.Thesethehermitputcarefullyintothebreastpocketofhiscoatandthenturnedtohiscompanionswithasighasifofrelief."Ithinkthereisnodangerofanythingoccurringatthispartoftheisland,"heremarked, looking round the cave, "for there is no sign of smoke and nosulphurous smell issuing from any of the crevices inwalls or floor. This, Ithink,showsthatthereisnodirectcommunicationwithRakataandtheactive

volcanoatleastnotatpresent.""Doyouthenthinkthereisapossibilityofanoutbreakatsomefutureperiod?"askedNigel."Who can tell?People here,whodon't study the nature of volcanoesmuch,thoughsurroundedbythem,willexpectthingserelongtoresumetheirnormalcondition.IcanneverforgetthefactthatthegreaterpartofKrakatoastands,as you know, exactly above the spot where the two great lines of volcanicaction cross, and right over the mouth of the immense crater to whichPerboewatanandalltheothercratersserveasmerechimneysorsafety-valves.Wecannottellwhetheragreateruptionsimilartothatof1680maynotbeinstoreforus.TheonlyreasonthatIcanseeforthequiescenceofthispeakofRakatais,asIsaidtoyouoncebefore,thatitstandsnotsomuchabovetheoldcraterasaboveandonthesafesideofitslip.""I t'ink,massa, ifImayventur' tospeak,"saidMoses,"datdesoonerwegitoffhislipdebetterlestwetumbleintohismout'.""You may be right, Moses, and I have no objection to quit," returned thehermit,"nowthatIhavesecuredthephotographandpapers.AtthesametimeIfeartherainofstonesandlavaisgrowingworse.Itmightbesafertostaytillthereisalullintheviolenceoftheeruption,andthenmakeadashforit.Whatsayyou,Nigel?""Isaythatyouknowbest,VanderKemp.I'mreadytoabidebyyourdecision,whateveritbe.""Well,then,wewillgooutandhavealookatthestateofmatters."Theviewfrom theentrancewasnotcalculated to tempt them to forsake theshelterofthecave,howeveruncertainthatmightbe.Thelatestexplosionshadenshrouded the island in such a cloud of smoke and dust, that nothingwhateverwas visible beyond a few yards in front, and even that spacewasonlyseenbythefaintraysofthelampissuingfromtheoutercave.Thislamp-lightwassufficient,however,toshowthatwithinthesemicircleofafewyardstherewas a continuous rain of grey ashes anddustmingledwithoccasionalstonesofvarioussizessomelargerthanaman'sfist."Togoout in thatwouldbesimply tocourtdeath,"saidNigel,whosevoicewasalmostdrownedbythenoiseoftheexplosionsandfallofmaterial.As itwasmanifest thatnothingcouldbedoneat themomentexcept towaitpatiently, they returned to the cave, where they lighted the oil-stove, andMoseswhohadtakentheprecautiontocarryupsomeprovisionsinabagfrom

thecanoeproceededtoprepareameal."Stummicksmustbeattendedto,"hemurmuredtohimselfashemovedaboutthecave-kitchenandshookhisheadgravely."Collapsesindatregioniswuss,alongway,dan'splosionoftheeart'!"Meanwhile,Nigelandthehermitwenttoexaminethepassageleadingtotheobservatory.Theeruptionhadevidentlydonenothingtoit,for,havingpassedupwardswithoutdifficulty,theyfinallyemergeduponthenarrowledge.Thescenethatburstupontheirastonishedgazeherewasawfulintheextreme.Itwillberememberedthatwhilethehermit'scavewasonthesouthernsideofKrakatoa, facing Java, the stair and passage leading to the observatorycompletelypenetratedthepeakofRakata,sothatwhenstandingontheledgethey faced northward and were thus in full view of all the craters betweenthemandPerboewatan.Thesewereinfullblastatthetime,and,beingsonear,theheat,aswellas thedust,molten lava,andothermissiles, instantlydrovethembackundertheprotectionofthepassagefromwhichtheyhademerged.Here they found a small aperture which appeared to have been recentlyformedprobably by a blow from a mass of falling rockthrough which theywere able to obtain a glimpse of the pandemonium that lay seething belowthem.Theycouldnotseemuch,however,owingtothesmokewhichfilledtheair. The noise of the almost continuous explosionswas so loud, that it wasimpossible to converse save by placing the mouth to the ear and shouting.Fortunatelysoonaftertheirascentthewindshiftedandblewsmoke,fire,anddustawaytothenorthward,enablingthemtogetoutontheledge,whereforatimetheyremainedincomparativesafety."Look! look at your mirrors!" exclaimed Nigel suddenly, as his wanderinggazehappenedtoturntothehermit'ssun-guides.And he might well exclaim, for not only was the glass of these ingeniousmachinesshiveredandmelted,buttheirironframeworksweretwistedupintofantasticshapes."Lightninghasbeenatworkhere,"saidVanderKemp.Itdidnotatthemomentoccurtoeitherofthemthatthepositiononwhichtheystoodwaspeculiarlyliabletoattackbythesubtleanddangerousfluidwhichwasdarting andzig-zaggingeverywhere among the rolling cloudsof smokeandsteam.Alouder report thanusualheredrew theirattentionagain to the tremendousscenethatwasgoingoninfrontofthem.TheextremesummitofPerboewatan

hadbeenblownintoathousandfragments,whichwerehurtlingupwardsandcrackling loudly as the smaller masses were impelled against each other intheirskywardprogress.Thiscracklinghasbeendescribedbythosewhohearditfromneighbouringshoresasa"strangerustlingsound."Toourhermitandhis friend, whowere, so to speak, in the verymidst of it, the sound ratherresembled the continuous musketry of a battle-field, while the louderexplosions might be compared to the booming of artillery, though theynecessarily lose by the comparison, for no invention ofman ever producedsounds equal to those which thundered at that time from the womb ofKrakatoa.Immediatelyafterthis,afountainofmoltenlavaatwhiteheatwelledupinthegreatthroatthathadbeensoviolentlywidened,and,overflowingtheedgesofthe crater, rolled down its sides in fiery rivers. All the other craters in theisland became active at the samemoment and a number of new ones burstforth. Indeed it seemed to those who watched them that if these had notopenedup togivevent to the suppressed forces thewhole islandmusthavebeenblownaway.Asitwas,thesuddengenerationofsomuchexcessiveheatset fire to what remained of trees and everything combustible, so that theislandappearedtobeonevastseethingconflagration,anddarknesswasforatimebanishedbyaredglarethatseemedtoNigelfarmoreintensethanthatofnoonday.Itisindeedthepartiality(ifwemaysayso)ofconflagration-lightwhichgivesto it the characterof impressivepowerwithwhichweare all so familiartheintenselightsbeingherecutsharplyoffbyequallyintenseshadows,andthengrading into dull reds and duller greys. The sun, on the other hand, batheseverythinginitsgenialglowsocompletelythatallnatureispermeatedwithit,and thereareno intensecontrasts,noabsolutelyblackandstrikingshadows,exceptincavernsandholes,toformstartlingcontrasts."These safety-valves," said the hermit, referring to the new craters, "have,underGod,beenthemeansofsavingusfromdestruction.""Itwouldseemso,"saidNigel,whowastoooverwhelmedbythesighttosaymuch.Even as he spoke the scene changed as if by magic, for from the cone ofPerboewatan there issued a spout of liquid fire, followed by a roar sotremendous that the awe-struck men shrank within themselves, feeling asthoughthattimehadreallycomewhentheearthistomeltwithferventheat!Theentire lakeofglowing lavawas shot into the air, and lost in the cloudsabove,whilemingledsmokeandsteamwentbellowingafterit,anddustfellsothicklythatitseemedasifsufficienttoextinguishtheragingfires.Whether

itdidsoornotisuncertain.Itmayhavebeenthatthenewpallofblackvapouronlyobscuredthem.Atallevents,aftertheoutburstthedarknessofnightfellsuddenlyonallaround.Justthenthewindagainchanged,andthewholemassofvapour,smoke,andashes came sweeping like the very besom of destruction towards the giddyledgeonwhichtheobserversstood.Nigelwassoentrancedthatitisprobablehemighthavebeencaughtinthehorribletempestandlosthadnothiscoolercompaniongraspedhisarmanddraggedhimviolentlyintothepassagewheretheyweresafe,thoughhalfsuffocatedbytheheatandsulphurousvapoursthatfollowedthem.Atthesametimethethunderousroaringbecamesoloudthatconversationwasimpossible.VanderKempthereforetookhisfriend'shandandledhimdownto the cave,where the soundswere so greatly subdued as to seem almost acalmbycontrast."Wearenodoubtingreatdanger,"saidthehermit,gravely,ashesatdownintheoutercave,"butthereisnopossibilityof takingactionto-night.Hereweare,whetherwiselyorunwisely,andherewemustremainatleasttillthereisalullintheeruption.'Godisourrefuge.'Heoughttobesoatalltimes,butthereareoccasionswhenthisgreat,and,Iwouldadd,gloriousfactispresseduponourunderstandingswithunusualpower.Suchatimeisthis.ComewewillseewhatHiswordsaystousjustnow."To Nigel's surprise, and, he afterwards confessed, to his comfort andsatisfaction,thehermitcalledthenegrofromhiswork,and,takingdownthelargeBiblefromitsshelf,readpartofthe46thPsalm,"Godisourrefugeandstrength,averypresenthelpintrouble.Thereforewillnotwefear,thoughtheearthberemoved,and thoughthemountainsbecarried into themidstof thesea."Hestoppedreadingattheversewhereitiswritten,"Bestill,andknowthatIamGod."Then, going down on his knees,without even the familiar formula, "Let uspray"heutteredabriefbutearnestprayerforguidanceanddeliverance"inthenameofJesus."Rising,hequietlyputtheBibleaway,and,withthecalmnessofathoroughlypracticalman,who looksupon religionandordinarymattersaspartsofonegrandwhole,orderedMosestoservethesupper.Thustheyspentpartofthatmemorablenightof26thAugust1883inearnestsocial intercourse, conversing chiefly and naturally about the character,

causes, and philosophy of volcanoes, while Perboewatan and his brethrenplayedarumbling,illustrativeaccompanimenttotheirdiscourse.Thesituationwasapeculiarone.Eventhenegrowasalivetothatfact."Ain't it koorious," he remarked solemnly in amoment of confidence afterswallowing the lastbiteofhis supper. "Ain't it koorious,MassaNadgel,datwe'reasottin'herecomf'rablyenjoyin'ourwittlesoberdemout'obav'licanoas isquite fit toblowus all tobits an' hois' us intodeberymiddleobnextweekifnotfarder?""Itisstrangeindeed,Moses,"saidNigel,whohoweveraddednocommentary,feelingindisposedtopursuethesubject.Seeingthis,Mosesturnedtohismaster."Massa,"hesaid."Youdon'wantnuffin'moreto-night,Is'pose?""No,Moses,nothing.""An'isyouquiteeasyinyourmind?""Quite,"repliedthehermitwithhispeculiarlittlesmile."Den it would bewuss dan stoopid forme to be oneasy, so I'll bid ye bofgood-night,an'turnin."Inthistrulytrustfulaswellasphilosophicalstateofmind,thenegroretiredtohisfamiliarcouchintheinnercave,andwenttosleep.Nigelandthehermitsatupforsometimelonger."VanderKemp,"said theformer,afterapause,"II trustyouwon't thinkmeactuatedbyimpertinentcuriosityifIventuretoaskyouaboutthephotographthatIthinkyou""Myyoung friend!" interrupted the hermit, taking the case in question fromhis breast pocket; "I should rather apologise to you for having appeared tomakeanymysteryofitandyet,"headded,pausingashewasabouttoopenthecase, "I have not shown it to a living soul since the day thatWell,well,whyshouldIhesitate?ItisallIhaveleftofmydeadwifeandchild."HeplacedthecaseinthehandsofNigel,whoalmostsprangfromhisseatwithexcitementashebeheldthecountenanceofalittlechildofapparentlythreeorfouryearsofage,whosoexactlyresembledKathyHolbeinallowingofcourseforthedifferenceofagethathehadnownodoubtwhateverastoherbeingthehermit's lost daughter. He was on the point of uttering her name, when

uncertaintyas to theeffect thesuddendisclosuremighthaveuponthefathercheckedhim."Youseemsurprised,myfriend,"saidVanderKempgently."Mostbeautiful!"saidNigel,gazingintentlyattheportrait."Thatdearchild'sfaceseemssofamiliartomethatIcouldalmostfancyIhadseenit."Helookedearnestlyintohisfriend'sfaceashespoke,butthehermitwasquiteunmoved, and therewasnot a shadowof change in the sad low toneof hisvoiceashesaid"Yes,shewasindeedbeautiful,likehermother.Astoyourfancyabouthavingseen itmankind is formed in groups and types. We see many faces thatresembleothers."Theabsentlookthatwassocommontothesolitarymanhereoverspreadhismassivefeatures,andNigelfeltcrushed,asitwere,backintohimself.Thus,withouthavingdisclosedhisbelief,heretiredtorestinaveryanxiousstateofmind,whilethehermitwatched."Don'ttakeoffyourclothes,"hesaid."Ifthesoundsoutsideleadmetothinkthingsarequietingdown,Iwillrouseyouandweshallstartatonce."Itwasveryearlyonthemorningofthe27thwhenVanderKemprousedourhero."Arethingsquieter?"askedNigelasherose."Yes,alittle,butnotmuchneverthelesswemustventuretoleave.""Isitdaylightyet?""No.Therewillbenodaylight to-day!"withwhichprophecy thehermit lefthimandwenttorouseMoses."Massa," said the faithful negro. "Isn't you a goin' to take nuffin' wid you?Noneobdebooksort'ings?""NonothingexcepttheoldBible.AlltherestIleavebehind.Thecanoecouldnotcarrymuch.Besides,wemayhavelittletime.Getready;quick!andfollowme."Moses required no spur. The three men left the cave together. It was sointenselydarkthattheroadcouldnotbedistinguished,butthehermitandhismanweresofamiliarwithitthattheycouldhavefolloweditblindfold.

Onreaching thecaveat theharbour,somelightwasobtainedfromthefitfuloutburstsofthevolcano,whichenabledthemtolaunchthecanoeandpushoffin safety.Then,without sayingaword toeachother, theycoastedalong theshoreoftheisland,and,finally,leavingitsdangersbehind,them,madefortheisland of Javapoor Spinkie sitting in his accustomed place and lookinguncommonlysubdued!Scarcely had they pushed off intoSundaStraitswhen the volcanoburst outafresh.Theyhadhappily seizedon theonlyquiet hour that thedayoffered,andhad succeeded,by theaidof the sails, ingetting severalmiles from theislandwithoutreceivingseriousinjury,althoughshowersofstonesandmassesofrockofallsizeswerefallingintotheseaaroundthem.VanderKempwassofarrightinhisprophecythattherewouldbenodaylightthat day. By that time there should have been light, as it was nearly seveno'clockonthememorablemorningofthe27thofAugust.Butnow,althoughthe travellers were some miles distant from Krakatoa, the gloom was soimperviousthatNigel,fromhisplaceinthecentreofthecanoe,couldnotseetheformofpoorSpinkiewhichsatclingingtothemastonlytwofeetinfrontofhimsavewhenablazefromPerboewatanoroneoftheothercraterslightedupislandandoceanwithavividglare.Atthistimetheseabegantorunveryhighandthewindincreasedtoagale,sothatthesailsofthecanoe,smallthoughtheywere,hadtobereduced."Lower the foresail,Nigel," shouted thehermit. "Iwillclose-reef it.Doyouthesametothemainsail.""Ay,ay,sir,"wasthepromptreply.MosesandNigelkeptthelittlecraftstraighttothewindwhiletheforesailwasbeingreefed,VanderKempand theformerperforming thesamedutywhileNigelreefedthemainsail.Suddenlytherecameabriefbuttotalcessationofthegale,thoughnotofthetumultuousheavingofthewaters.Duringthatshortintervalthereburstuponthe world a crash and a roar so tremendous that for a few moments thevoyagerswerealmoststunned!It isnofigureofspeechtosaythat theworldheardthecrash.Hundreds,ay,thousandsofmilesdidthesoundofthatmightyupheavalpassoverlandandseatostartle,moreorless,thenationsoftheearth.Theeffectofastupendousshockonthenervoussystemiscuriouslyvariousindifferent individuals.The threemenwhoweresonear to thevolcanoat that

moment involuntarily looked round and saw by the lurid blaze that anenormousmass ofKrakatoa, rent from top to bottom,was falling headlongintothesea;whiletheentireheavenswerealivewithflame,lightning,steam,smoke,andtheupward-shootingfragmentsofthehideouswreck!Thehermit calmly restedhis paddleon thedeck andgazed around in silentwonder.Nigel,notlesssmittenwithawe,heldhispaddlewithanirongrasp,everymusclequiveringwith tension in readiness for instantactionwhen theneedforactionshouldappear.Moses,ontheotherhand,turningroundfromthesightwithglaringeyes, resumedpaddlingwithunreasoningferocity,andgave vent at once to his feelings and his opinion in the sharpexclamation"Blowntobits!"

CHAPTERXXVADVENTURESOFTHE"SUNSHINE"ANDANUNEXPECTED

REUNION

We must request the reader to turn back now for a brief period to a verydifferentscene.A considerable time before the tremendous catastrophe described in the lastchapterwhichwe claim to have recordedwithout the slightest exaggeration,inasmuch as exaggeration were impossibleCaptain David Roy, of the goodbrig Sunshine, received the letter which his son wrote to him while in thejunglesofSumatra.ThecaptainwasseatedinthebackofficeofaBatavianmerchantatthetime,smokingalongclaypipeontheprinciple,nodoubt,thatmoderatepoisoningisconducivetomoderatehealth!Asheperused the letter, thecaptain'seyesslowlyopened;sodidhismouth,and the clay pipe, falling to the floor, was reduced to little pieces. But thecaptain evidently cared nothing for that.He gave forth a prolongedwhistle,gotup,smoteuponhisthigh,andexclaimedwithdeep-tonedemphasis"Therascal!"Thenhesatdownagainandre-perusedtheletter,withavarietyofexpressiononhisfacethatmighthaverecalledthetypicalAprilday,minusthetears."Therascal!"herepeated,ashefinishedthesecondreadingoftheletterandthrustitintohispocket."Iknewtherewassomethin'i'thewindwi'thatlittlegirl! Thememory o'my own young dayswhen I boarded and captured thepoetess is stronguponmeyet. I saw it in the rascal'seye thevery first time

theymetan'hethinksI'masblindasabat,I'llbebound,withhispoeticalreef-point-patteringsharpness.But it'sa strangediscoveryhehasmadeandmustbelookedinto.Theyoungdog!Hegivesmeordersasifheweretheowner."Jumpingup,CaptainRoyhurriedoutintothestreet.Inpassingtheouterofficeheleftamessagewithoneoftheclerksforhisfriendthemerchant."Tellhim,"hesaid,"thatI'llattendtothatlittlebusinessaboutthebillwhenIcomeback.I'mgoingtosailfortheKeelingIslandsthisafternoon.""TheKeelingIslands?"exclaimedtheclerkinsurprise."YesI'vegotbusinesstodothere.I'llbeback,allbein'well,inaweekmoreorless."Theclerk'seyebrowsremainedinaraisedpositionforafewmoments,untilherememberedthatCaptainRoy,beingownerofhisshipandcargo,wasentitledtodowhathepleasedwithhisownandhimself.Thentheydescended,andhewentonwithhiswork,amusinghimselfwiththethoughtthatthemostcuriousbeingsintheworldwereseafaringmen."Mr.Moor,"saidthecaptainsomewhatexcitedly,ashereachedthedeckofhisvessel,"areallthemenaboard?""AllexceptJimSloper,sir.""ThensendandhuntupJimSloperatonce,forwesailthisafternoonfortheKeelingIslands.""Verywell,sir."Mr. Moor was a phlegmatic man; a self-contained and a reticent man. IfCaptainRoyhadtoldhimtogetreadytosail tothemoonthatafternoon,hewouldprobablyhavesaid"Verywell,sir,"inthesametoneandwiththesameexpression."MayIask,sir,whatsortofcargoyouexpectthere?"saidMr.Moor;fortohispracticalmind some re-arrangementof the cargo alreadyonboardmight benecessaryforthereceptionofthattobepickedupatKeeling."Thecargowe'lltakeonboardwillbeagirl,"saidthecaptain."Awhat,sir?"."Agirl.""Verywell,sir."

This ended the business part of the conversation. Thereafter theywent intodetails so highly nautical that we shrink from recording them. An amateurdetective,intheformofashipmate,havingcapturedJimSloper,theSunshinefinally cleared out of the port of Batavia that evening, shortly before itsnamesaketookhisdeparturefromthatpartofthesouthernhemisphere.FavouringgalescarriedthebrigswiftlythroughSundaStraitsandoutintotheIndianOcean.Twodaysandahalfbroughther to thedesiredhaven.Ontheway,CaptainRoytooknoteof theconditionofKrakatoa,whichat that timewas quietly working up its subterranean forces with a view to the finalcatastrophe; opening a safety-valve now and then to prevent, as it were,prematureexplosion."Myson'sfriend, thehermitofRakata,"said thecaptain tohissecondmate,"willfindhiscavetoohottoholdhim,Ithink,whenhereturns.""Lookslikeit,sir,"saidMr.Moor,glancingupatthevastcloudswhichwereatthattimespreadinglikeablackpalloverthere-awakenedvolcano."Doyouexpect'embacksoon,sir?""Yestime'saboutupnow.Ishouldn'twonderiftheyreachBataviabeforeus."Arrived at the Keeling Islands, Captain Roy was received, as usual, withacclamationsofjoy,buthefoundthathewasbynomeansaswellfittedtoactthepartofadiplomatistashewastosailaship.Itwas,intruth,asomewhatdelicate mission on which his son had sent him, for he could not assertdefinitelythatthehermitactuallywasKathleenHolbein'sfather,andherself-constitutedparentsdidnotrelishtheideaoflettingslip,onamerechance,onewhomtheylovedasadaughter."Why not bring this man who claims to be her father here?" asked theperplexedHolbein."Becausebecause,p'rapshewon'tcome,"answeredthepuzzledmariner,whodid not like to say that hewas simply and strictly obeying his son's orders."Besides,"hecontinued,"themandoesnotclaimtobeanythingatall.Sofaras I understand it,myboy has not spoken to himon the subject, for fear, Isuppose,ofraisin'hopesthatain'ttoberealised.""Heisrightinthat,"saidMrs.Holbein,"andwemustbejustascarefulnottoraise falsehopes indear littleKathy.Asyour son says, itmaybeamistakeafterall.Wemustnotopenourlipstoheraboutit.""Right you are,madam," returned the captain. "Mum's theword; andwe've

onlygottosayshe'sgoin'tovisitoneofyouroldfriendsinAnjerwhich'llbequitetrue,youknow,forthelandladyo'thechiefhotelthereisagreatfriendo' yours, and we'll take Kathy to her straight. Besides, the trip will do herhealthapowero'good,thoughI'mfreetoconfessitdon'tneednogoodtobedonetoit,bein'A.1atthepresenttime.Now,justyouagreetogivethegirlaholiday,an'I'llpledgemyselftobringherbacksafeandsoundwithherfather,ifhe'shim;withouthimifheisn't."With such persuasive words Captain Roy at length overcame the Holbeinobjections.Withthegirlherselfhehadlessdifficulty,hischiefanxietybeing,as he himself said, "to give her reasons forwishin' her to gowithout tellin'lies.""Wouldn'tyou likea trip inmybrig toAnjer,mydeargirl?"Hehadalmostsaiddaughter,butthoughtitbestnottobetooprecipitate."Oh! I should like it somuch," saidKathleen, clasping her little hands andraisingherlargeeyestothecaptain'sface."Dearchild!"saidthecaptaintohimself.Thenaloud,"Well,I'lltakeyou.""ButIIfearthatfatherandmotherwouldnotlikemetogoperhaps.""Nofearo'them,mygirl,"returnedthecaptain,puttinghishugeroughhandonherprettylittleheadasifinanactofsolemnappropriation,for,unliketoomany fathers, this exemplaryman considered only the sweetness, goodness,andpersonalworthofthegirl,caringnotastrawforothermatters,andbeingstronglyofopinionthatamanshouldmarryyoungifhepossessthespiritofamanorthemeanstosupportawife.AshewasparticularlyfondofKathleen,andfeltquitesurethathissonhaddeeperreasonsthanhechosetoexpressforhiscourseofaction,heentertainedastronghope,not tosayconviction, thatshewould also become fond of Nigel, and that all thingswould thusworktogetherforasmoothcoursetothiscaseoftruelove.It will be seen from all this that Captain David Roy was a sanguine man.Whetherhishopeswerewellgroundedornotremainstobeseen.Meanwhile,having,asMr.Moorsaid,shippedthecargo,theSunshinesetsailoncemore for Sunda Straits in ameasure of outward gloom that formed apowerful contrast to the sunny hopes within her commander's bosom, forKrakatoawasatthattimeprogressingrapidlytowardstheconsummationofitsdesigns,aspartlydescribedinthelastchapter.Shortthoughthatvoyagewas,itembracedaperiodofactionsothrillingthatever afterwards it seemed a large slice of life's little day to thosewhowent

throughit.Wehavesaidthattheculminatingincidentsofthedramabeganonthenightofthe 26th. Before that time, however, the cloud-pall was fast spreading overlandandsea,andtherainofpumiceandasheshadbeguntodescend.The wind being contrary, it was several days before the brig reached theimmediate neighbourhood of Krakatoa, and by that time the volcano hadbeguntoenteruponthestagewhichisstyledbyvulcanologists"paroxysmal,"theexplosionsbeingextremelyviolentaswellasfrequent."It isveryawful," saidKathleen ina lowvoice,as sheclasped thecaptain'sarm and leaned her slight figure on it. "I have often heard the thunder ofdistantvolcanoes,butneverbeensonearastohearsuchterriblesounds.""Don'tbefrightened,myducky,"saidthecaptaininasoothingtone,forhefeltfrom theappearanceof things that therewas indeedsomeground foralarm."Volcanoesalwayslookworsewhenyou'renearthem.""Inotfrightened,"shereplied."OnlyIgotstrange,solemnfeelings.Besides,nodangercancometillGodallows.""That'sright,lass.Mrs.Holbeinhasbeenatruemotherifshetaughtyouthat.""No,shedidnottaughtmethat.Myfathertaughtmethat.""What!OldHolbein?""Nomyfather,whoisdead,"shesaidinalowvoice."Oh!Isee.Mypoorchild,Ishouldhaveunderstoodyou.Forgiveme."Asthecaptainspoke,atremendousoutburstonKrakatoaturnedtheirmindstoother subjects. They were by that time drawing near to the island, and thethundersof the eruption seemed to shakenotonly theheavensbut even thegreatoceanitself.Thoughthehourwasnotmuchpastnoonthedarknesssoonbecamesodense that itwasdifficult toperceiveobjectsa fewyardsdistant,and,aspiecesofstonethesizeofwalnuts,orevenlarger,begantofallonthedeck,thecaptainsentKathleenbelow."There'snosayingwhereorwhenabigstonemayfall,mygirl,"hesaid,"andit's not the habit of Englishmen to letwomen come under fire, so you'll besaferbelow.Besides,you'llbeabletoseesomethingofwhat'sgoin'onouto'thecabinwindows."Withtheobediencethatwasnaturaltoher,Kathleenwentdownatonce,and

thecaptainmadeeverythingassnugaspossible,batteningdownthehatchesandshorteningsailsoastobereadyforwhatevermightbefall."Idon't like the looko' things,Mr.Moor,"said thecaptainwhenthesecondmatecameondecktotakehiswatch."NomoredoI,sir,"answeredMr.Moorcalmly.Theaspectofthingswasindeedverychangeable.Sometimes,aswehavesaid,allnatureseemedtobesteepedinthickdarkness,atothertimesthefiresofthevolcanoblazedupward, spreadinga redglareon the rollingcloudsandovertheheavingsea.Lightningalsoplayeditspartaswellasthunder,butthelatterwas scarcely distinguishable from the volcano's roar. Three days beforeSundaythe26thofAugust,CaptainRoyaswellasthecrewsofseveralothervessels thatwere inSundaStraits at the timehadobserved amarked thoughgradualincreaseintheviolenceoftheeruption.Onthatday,aswereadintheReport of the Krakatoa Committee of the Royal Society, about 1 P.M. thedetonations caused by the explosive action attained such violence as to beheardatBatavia, about100Englishmilesaway.At2P.M.of the sameday,CaptainThompsonof theMedea,whenabout76milesE.N.E.of the island,saw a black mass rising like clouds of smoke to a height which has beenestimated at no less than 17 miles! And the detonations were at that timetakingplaceatintervalsoftenminutes.But,terriblethoughtheseexplosionsmusthavebeen,theywerebutasthewhisperingsofthevolcano.Anhourlatertheyhad increasedsomuchas tobeheardatBandongandotherplaces150milesaway,andat5P.M.theyhadbecomesotremendousastobeheardoverthewholeislandofJava,theeasternportionofwhichisabout650milesfromKrakatoa.And the sounds thus heard were not merely like distant thunder. InBataviaalthough,aswehavesaid,100milesofftheyweresoviolentduringthewhole of that terrible Sunday night as to prevent the people from sleeping.Theywerecomparedtothe"dischargeofartillerycloseathand,"andcausedarattlingofdoors,windows,pictures,andchandeliers.CaptainWatsonoftheCharlesBal,whochancedtobeonly10milessouthofthevolcano,alsocomparedthesoundstodischargesofartillery,butthisonlyshows the feebleness of ordinary language in attempting to describe suchextraordinarysounds,foriftheywerecomparabletocloseartilleryatBatavia,the same comparison is inappropriate at only ten miles' distance. He alsomentionsthecracklingnoise,probablyduetotheimpactoffragmentsintheatmosphere, which were noticed by the hermit and Nigel while standingstunnedandalmoststupefiedonthegiddyledgeofRakatathatsameSunday.

Aboutfiveintheeveningofthatday,thebrigSunshinedrewstillnearertotheisland,butthecommotionatthetimebecamesointense,andtheintermittentdarknesssoprofound,thatCaptainRoywasafraidtocontinuethevoyageandshortened sail. Not only was there a heavy rolling sea, but the water wasseething,asifabouttoboil."Heavethelead,Mr.Moor,"saidthecaptain,whostoodbesidethewheel."Yes,sir,"answeredthe imperturbablesecondmate,whothereupongave thenecessary order, and when the depth was ascertained, the report was "Tenfathoms,sand,witha'otbottom.""Ahotbottom!whatdoyoumean?""Thelead's'ot,sir,"repliedthesailor.Thiswastrue,asthecaptainfoundwhenheappliedhishandtoit."I do believe theworld's going on fire," hemuttered; "but it's a comfort toknowthatitcan'tverywellblazeupaslongasthesealasts!"Justthenarainofpumiceinlargepieces,andquitewarm,begantofalluponthedeck.Asmostpeopleknow,pumiceisextremelylight,sothatnoabsoluteinjurywasdone to anyone, though such rainwas excessively trying.Soon,however,achangetookplace.Thedensevapoursanddust-cloudswhichhadrendereditsoexcessivelydarkwereentirelylightedupfromtimetotimebyfierceflashesoflightningwhichrentaswellaspaintedtheminalldirections.Atonetimethisgreatmassofcloudspresentedtheappearanceofanimmensepine-treewiththestemandbranchesformedofvolcaniclightning.CaptainRoy,fearingthatthesetremendoussightsandsoundswouldterrifythepoorgirlinthecabin,wasabouttolookinandreassureher,whenthewords"Oh!howsplendid!"camethroughtheslightlyopeneddoor.HepeepedinandsawKathleenonherkneesonthesternlocker,withherhandsclasped,gazingoutofoneofthesternwindows."Hm!she'sallright,"hemuttered,softlyreclosingthedoorandreturningondeck."Ifshethinksit'ssplendid,shedon'tneednocomfortin'!It'squiteclearthatshedon'tknowwhatdangermeansandwhyshouldshe?Humph!theregosomemoresplendidsightsforher,"headded,aswhatappearedtobechainsoffireascendedfromthevolcanotothesky.Just then a soft rain began to fall. Itwaswarm, and, on examination at thebinnacle lamp, turnedout tobemud.Slight at first, it soonpoureddown insuchquantitiesthatintenminutesitlaysixinchesthickonthedeck,andthe

crewhadtosettoworkwithshovelstoheaveitoverboard.AtthistimetherewasseenacontinualrollofballsofwhitefiredownthesidesofthepeakofRakata, caused, doubtless, by the ejection of white-hot fragments of lava.Thenshowersofmasseslikeironcindersfellonthebrig,andfromthattimeonwardtillfouro'clockofthemorningofthe27th,explosionsofindescribablegrandeurcontinuallytookplace,asifthemountainswereinacontinuousroarofterrestrialagonytheskybeingatonemomentofinkyblackness,thenextinablazeof light,whilehot,choking,andsulphuroussmellsalmoststifledthevoyagers.At this point the captain again became anxious about Kathleen and wentbelow.Hefoundherinthesameplaceandattitudestillfascinated!"Mychild,"hesaid,takingherhand,"youmustliedownandrest.""Oh!no.Doletmestayup,"shebegged,entreatingly."Butyoumustbetiredsleepy.""Sleepy!whocouldsleepwithsuchwondersgoingonaround?Praydon'ttellmetogotobed!"It was evident that poor Kathy had the duty of obedience to authority stillstronguponher.PerhapsthememoryoftheHolbeinnurseryhadnotyetbeenwipedout."Well, well," said the captain with a pathetic smile, "you are assafecomfortable,Imeanhereasinyourberthoranywhereelse."As therewasa lull in theviolenceof the eruption just then, thecaptain leftKathleen in thecabinandwentondeck. Itwasnotknownat that timewhatcausedthislull,butasitprecededthefirstofthefourgrandexplosionswhicheffectually evisceratedemptiedthe ancient crater of Krakatoa, we will give,briefly,theexplanationofitasconjecturedbythemenofscience.Lyingasitdidsoclosetothesea-level,theKrakatoavolcano,havingblownawayallitscones,andvents,andsafety-valvesfromPerboewatansouthward,exceptthepeakofRakataletthesearushinuponitsinfernalfires.Thisresult,ordinary people think, produced a gush of steam which caused the grandterminalexplosions.Vulcanologiststhinkotherwise,andwithreasonwhichismore than canbe saidofordinarypeople,who little know thepowerof theforcesatworkbelowthecrustofourearth!Thesteamthusproduced,althoughonsostupendousascale,wasfreetoexpandandthereforewentupwards,nodoubt inasufficientlyeffectivegustandcloud.Butnothingworthyofbeingnamedablow-upwasthere.

Theeffectofthein-rushingwaterwastocooltheuppersurfaceoftheboilinglavaandconvertitintoathickhardsolidcrustatthemouthofthegreatvent.In this condition the volcano resembled a boiler with all points of egressclosed and the safety-valve shut down! Oceans of molten lava creatingexpansive gases below; no outlet possible underneath, and the neck of thebottlecorkedwithtonsofsolidrock!Oneoftwothingsmusthappeninsuchcircumstances: the cork must go or the bottle must burst! Both eventshappened on that terrible night.All night long the corkswere going, and atlastKrakatoaburst!In the hurly-burly of confusion, smoke, and noise, no eye could note theprecisemomentwhentheislandwasshattered,buttherewereonthemorningof the 27th four supreme explosions, which rang loud and high above thehorrible average din. These occurredaccording to the careful investigationsmade, at the instance of the Dutch Indian Government, by the eminentgeologist,Mr.R.D.M.Verbeekatthehoursof5.30,6.44,10.2,and10.52inthemorning.Ofthesethethird,about10,wasbyfartheworstforviolenceandforthewide-spreaddevastationwhichitproduced.At each of these explosions a tremendous sea-wave was created by thevolcano, which swept like a watery ring from Krakatoa as a centre to thesurroundingshores.Itwasatthesecondoftheseexplosionsthatof6.44thatthefallofthemightyclifftookplacewhichwasseenbythehermitandhisfriendsas they fled from the island, and, on the crest of the resulting wave, werecarriedalongtheyscarceknewwhither.As the previous wavethat of 5.30had given the brig a tremendous heaveupwards,thecaptain,onhearingthesecond,randownbelowforamomenttotell Kathleen there would soon be another wave, but that she need fear nodanger."Thebrigisdeepandhasagoodholdo'thewater,"hesaid,"sothewaveissuretoslipunderherwithoutdamage.IwishIcouldhopeitwoulddoaslittledamagewhenitreachestheshore."Ashe spokea strangeandviolent crashwasheardoverhead,quitedifferentfromvolcanicexplosions,likethefallingofsomeheavybodyonthedeck."One o' the yards down!"muttered the captain as he ran to the cabin door."Hallo,what'sthat,Mr.Moor?""Canoejustcomeaboard,sir.""Acanoe?"

"Yes,sir.Crew,threemenandamonkey.Allinsensiblehallo!"The"hallo!"withwhichthesecondmatefinishedhisremarkwassounlikehiswontedtone,andsofullofgenuinesurprise,thatthecaptainranforwardwithunusualhaste,andfoundacanoesmashedtopiecesagainsttheforemast,andthemateheldalanternclosetothefaceofoneofthemenwhilethecrewwereexaminingtheothers.Asingleglancetoldthecaptainthatthemud-bespatteredfigurethatlaybeforehimasifdeadwasnoneotherthanhisownson!Thegreatwavehadcaughtthe frail craft on its crest, and, sweeping it alongwith lightning speed for ashortdistance,hadhurleditonthedeckoftheSunshinewithsuchviolenceasto completely stun thewhole crew. Even Spinkie lay in amelancholy littleheapintheleescuppers.Youthinkthisafar-fetchedcoincidence,goodreader!Well,allwecansayisthat we could tell you of anothera doublecoincidence, which was far moreextraordinarythanthisone,butasithasnothingtodowithourtalewerefrainfrominflictingitonyou.

CHAPTERXXVIACLIMAX

Three of those who had tumbled thus unceremoniously on the deck of theSunshineweresoonsufficientlyrecoveredtositupandlookaroundindazedastonishmentnamely Nigel, Moses, and the monkeybut the hermit still laypronewherehehadbeencast,withaprettyseverewoundonhishead,fromwhichbloodwasflowingfreely."Nigel,myboy!""Father!"exclaimedtheyouth."WhereamI?Whathashappened?""Don'texciteyourself,lad,"saidthemariner,stoopingandwhisperingintohisson'sear."We'vegotheraboard!"Notreatmentcouldhavebeenmoreeffectual inbringingNigel tohissensesthanthiswhisper."IsisVanderKempsafe?"heaskedanxiously."Allrightonlystunned,Ithink.That'shimthey'rejustgoin'tocarrybelow.Put'iminmybunk,Mr.Moor.""Ayay,sir."

Nigelsprangup."Stay,father,"hesaidinalowvoice."Shemustnotseehimforthefirsttimelikethis.""All right,boy. Iunderstand.You leave that tome.Mybunkhasbinshiftedfor'idmoreamidshipsan'Kathy'swellaft.Theyshan'tbe let run foulofeachother.Yougoan'restonthemainhatchtillwegethimdown.Why,here'sanigger!Where did you pick himoh! I remember. You're themanwemet, Isuppose,wi'thehermitonKrakatoathatdayo'theexcursionfromBatavia.""Yes,dasme.Butwe'llmeetonKrakatoanomore,fordatplaceamblowntobits.""I'm pretty well convinced o' that by this time, myman. Not hurt much, Ihope?""No, sarnotmore 'n I can stan'.But I's 'fraiddat poorSpinkie's a'most useduphallo! what you gwine to do with massa?" demanded the negro, whosewanderingfacultieshadonlyinpartreturned."He'sgonebelow.Allright.Now,yougoandliedownbesidemysononthehatch.I'llseetoVanderKemp."ButCaptainDavidRoy's intentions, like thoseofmanymenofgreaternote,werefrustratedbythehermithimself,whorecoveredconsciousnessjustasthefourmenwhocarriedhimreachedthefootofthecompanion-ladderclosetothecabindoor.Owing to thedeeper thanmidnightdarkness thatprevailedalampwasburninginthecabindimly,asif, infectedbytheuniversalchaos,itwereunwillingtoenlightenthesurroundinggloom.On recovering consciousnessVanderKempwas, not unnaturally, under theimpression that he had fallen into the hands of foes. With one effectualconvulsionofhispowerful limbshe scatteredhisbearers right and left, andturninglike all honestmento the light, he sprang into the cabin,wrenched achairfromitsfastenings,and,facinground,stoodatbay.Kathleen,seeingthisblood-stainedgiantinsuchviolentaction,naturallyfledtohercabinandshutthedoor.As noworse enemy than Captain Roy presented himself at the cabin door,unarmed,andwithananxiouslookonhisruggedface,thehermitsetdownthechair,andfeelinggiddysankdownonitwithagroan."Ifearyouarebadlyhurt,sir.Letmetieahandkerchiefroundyourwoundedhead,"saidthecaptainsoothingly.

"Thanks,thanks.Yourvoiceisnotunfamiliartome,"returnedthehermitwithasigh,ashesubmittedtotheoperation."IthoughtIhadfallensomehowintothehandsofpirates.Surelyanaccidentmusthavehappened.Howdid Igethere?WherearemycomradesNigelandthenegro?""My sonNigel is all right, sir, and so is yourmanMoses.Makeyourmindeasyan'praydon't speakwhile I'mworkingatyou. I'll explain itall ingoodtime.Stay,I'llbewithyouinamoment."Thecaptainfearing thatKathleenmight comeout fromcuriosity to seewhatwas going on, and remembering his son's injunctionwent to the girl's berthwiththeintentionoforderinghertokeepcloseuntilheshouldgiveherleavetocomeout.Openingthedoorsoftlyandlookingin,hewasstartled,almosthorrified, to seeKathleen standingmotionless like a statue,withbothhandspressedtightlyoverherheart.Thecolourhadfledfromherbeautifulface;herlonghairwasflungback;herlargelustrouseyeswerewideopenandherlipsslightly parted, as if her whole being had been concentrated in eagerexpectancy."What'swrong,mygirl?" asked the captain anxiously. "You'veno cause forfear.Ijustlookedinto.""That voice!" exclaimedKathleen,with something of awe in her tones"Oh!I'vehearditsoofteninmydreams.""Hush!sh!mygirl,"saidthecaptaininalowtone,lookinganxiouslyroundatthewoundedman.Buthisprecautionswereunavailing,VanderKemphadalsoheard a voice which he thought had long been silent in death. The girl'sexpressionwasalmostrepeatedinhisface.Beforethewell-meaningmarinercoulddecidewhattodo,Kathleenbrushedlightlypasthim,andstoodinthecabingazingasifspell-boundatthehermit."Winnie!"hewhispered,asifscarcelydaringtoutterthename."Father!"She extended both hands towards him as she spoke. Then, with a piercingshriek, she staggered backward, and would have fallen had not the captaincaughtherandlethergentlydown.VanderKempvaultedthetable,fellonhiskneesbesideher,and,raisingherlightform,claspedher tohisheart, justasNigelandMoses,alarmedby thescream,sprangintothecabin."Come, come; away wi' youyou stoopid grampusses!" cried the captain,

pushing the intrudersoutof thecabin, following them,andclosing thedoorbehind him. "This is no place for bunglers like you an'me.Wemight haveknownthatnatur'wouldhaveherway,an'didn'tneednohelpfromthelikeo'us.Let'sondeck.There'senoughworktheretolookafterthat'sbettersuitedtous."Truly there was enoughand more than enoughto claim the most anxiousattentionofallwhowereonboardoftheSunshinethatmorning,forhotmudwasstillfallinginshowersonthedeck,andthethundersofthegreatvolcanowerestillshakingheaven,earth,andsea.To clear the decks and sails of mud occupied every one for some time soearnestly that theyfailed tonoticeat first that thehermithadcomeondeck,foundashovel,andwasworkingawayliketherestofthem.Thefrequentandprolonged blazes of intense light that ever and anon banished the darknessshowed that on his face there sat an expression of calm, settled, triumphantjoy,whichwasstrangelymingledwithalookofquiethumility."I thankGodforthis,"saidNigel,goingforwardwhenheobservedhimandgraspinghishand."Youknewit?"exclaimedthehermitinsurprise."Yes.Iknewitindeed,helpedtobringyoutogether,butdidnotdaretotellyoutill I was quite sure. I had hoped to have you meet in very differentcircumstances.""'It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,'" returned the hermitreverently. "God bless you, Nigel. If you have even aimed at bringing thisabout,Ioweyoumorethanmylife.""You must have lost a good deal of blood, Van der Kemp. Are you muchhurt?"askedNigel,asheobservedthebandageroundhisfriend'shead."Somewhat.Notmuch,Ihopebutjoy,aswellasblood,givesstrength,Nigel."Areportfromamanwhohadjustbeenorderedtotakesoundingsinducedthecaptainatthistimetolay-to."Itseemstome,"hesaidtoNigelandthehermitwhostoodclosebesidehim,"thatwearegettingtoonearshore.Butincaseso'thiskindthebottomo'theseaitselfcan'tbedependedon.""Whatpartoftheshorearewenear,d'youthink,father?""Standby to letgo theanchor!" roared thecaptain, insteadofanswering the

question."Ay, ay, sir," replied the second mate, whose cool, sing-song, business-liketoneatsuchamomentactually tended to inspireameasureofconfidence inthosearoundhim.Anothermoment, and the rattling chain caused a tremor through the vessel,whichceasedwhen theanchor touchedbottom,and they rodehead towind.Coruscations of bluish light seemed to play about the masts, and balls ofelectricfiretippedtheyards,throwingforashorttimeaghastlysheenovertheshipandcrew, for theprofounddarknesshadagain settleddown,owing,nodoubt,toanotherchokingoftheKrakatoavent.Beforethelightreferredtowentout,Moseswasstruckviolentlyonthechestbysomethingsoft,whichcausedhimtostagger.ItwasSpinkie!Inthemidstoftheunusualhorrorsthatsurroundedhim,whileclinging to the unfamiliarmizzen shrouds onwhich in desperation the poormonkeyhadfoundatemporaryrefuge, theelectricfireshowedhimthedarkfigureofhisoldfamiliarfriendstandingnotfaroff.Withashriekofnotquitehopelessdespair,andan inconceivablebound,Spinkie launchedhimself intospace.Hisearlytrainingintheforeststoodhimingoodsteadatthatcrisis!Asalreadysaidhehitthemarkfairly,andclungtoMoseswithatenacitythatwasborn ofmingled love and desperation. Finding that nothing short of crueltywouldunfixhislittlefriend,Mosesstuffedhiminsidethebreastofhiscottonshirt.Inthishavenofrestthemonkeyheavedasighofprofoundcontentment,foldedhishandsonhisbosom,andmeeklywenttosleep.Twoof theexcessivelyviolentparoxysmsof thevolcano, above referred to,hadbythattimetakenplace,butthethird,andworstthatwhichoccurredabout10A.M.wasyet instore for them, though theyknewitnot,anda lull in theroar,accompaniedbythickerdarknessthanever,wasitsprecursor.Therewasnot,however,anylullintheviolenceofthewind."Idon'tliketheselulls,"saidCaptainRoytothehermit,astheystoodclosetothebinnacle,inthefeeblelightofitslamp."Whatisthatstrikingagainstoursides,Mr.Moor?""Lookslikefloatingpumice,sir,"answeredthesecondmate,"andIthinkIseepalm-treesamongstit.""Ay,Ithoughtso,wemustbeclosetoland,"saidthecaptain."Wecan'tbefarfromAnjer, and I fear thebigwaves thathavealreadypassedushavedonesomedamage.Loweralanternovertheside,no,fetchanemptytar-barrelandlet'shaveaflare.Thatwillenableustoseethingsbetter."

While the barrel was being fastened to a spar so as to be thrust well outbeyond the side of the brig, Van der Kemp descended the companion andopenedthecabindoor."Comeupnow,Winnie,darling.""Yes,father,"wasthereply,asthepoorgirl,whohadbeenanxiouslyawaitingthesummons,glidedoutandclaspedher father'sarmwithbothhands. "Arethingsquietingdown?""Theyare,alittle.Itmaybetemporary,butOurFatherdirectsitall.""True,father.I'msogladofthat!""Mindthestep,weshallhavemorelightondeck.ThereisafriendtherewhohasjusttoldmehemetyouontheCocos-KeelingIsland,NigelRoy;youstart,Winnie?""Yyes,father.Iamsosurprised,foritishisfatherwhosailsthisship!AndIcannotimaginehowheoryoucameonboard.""Well,IwasgoingtosaythatIbelieveitispartlythroughNigelthatyouandIhave been brought together, but there is mystery about it that I don't yetunderstand;much has to be explained, and this assuredly is not the time orplace.Here,Nigel,isyouroldKeelingfriend.""Ayfriend!humph!"saidoldRoysoftlytohimself."Mydearchild!"saidyoungRoy,paternally,tothegirlashegraspedherhand."IcannottellyouhowthankfulIamthatthishasbeenbroughtabout,andandthatIhavehadsomelittlehandinit.""There's more than pumice floating about in the sea, sir," said Mr. Moor,comingaftat themomentandspeaking to thecaptain ina low tone. "You'dbettersendtheyoungladybeloworgetsomeonetotakeupherattentionjustnow.""Here,Nigel.Sitdownundertheleeofthecompanion,an'tellKathyhowthisall came about," said the captain, promptly, as if issuing nautical orders. "Iwantyouhere,VanderKemp."Sosaying,thecaptain,followedbythehermit,wentwiththesecondmatetothe place where the flaming tar-barrel was casting a lurid glare upon thetroubledsea.

CHAPTERXXVII"BLOWNTOBITS"

ThesightthatmettheireyeswaswellcalculatedtoshockandsaddenmenofmuchlesstenderfeelingthanVanderKempandCaptainRoy.Thewaterhadassumedanappearanceofinkyblackness,andlargemassesofpumicewerefloatingpast,amongwhichwerenumerousdeadbodiesofmen,women, and children, intermingled with riven trees, fences, and otherwreckagefromtheland,showingthatthetwogreatwaveswhichhadalreadypassedunder thevesselhadcaused terribledevastationonsomepartsof theshore.Toaddtothehorrorofthescenelargesea-snakeswereseenswimmingwildlyabout,as ifseekingtoescapefromthenoveldangers thatsurroundedthem.Thesailorslookedoninawe-strickensilenceforsometime."P'rapssomeof 'emmaybealiveyet!"whisperedone."Couldn'tweloweraboat?""Impossible in such a sea," said the captain, who overheard the remark."Besides,nolifecouldexistthere.""CaptainRoy,"saidVanderKempearnestly,"letmeadviseyou togetyourforesail readytohoistatamoment'snotice,andlet themstandbytocut thecable.""Whyso?Thereseemsnoneedatpresentforsuchstrongmeasures.""Youdon'tunderstandvolcanoesasIdo,"returnedthehermit."Thislullwillonly lastuntil the imprisonedfiresovercometheblock in thecrater,and thelonger it lasts the worse will be the explosion. Frommy knowledge of thecoastIfeelsurethatweareclosetothetownofAnjer.Ifanotherwavelikethelastcomeswhilewearehere,itwillnotslipunderyourbriglikethelastone.Itwilltearherfromheranchorandhurlusalltodestruction.Youhavebutonechance;thatis,tocutthecableandruninonthetopofitapoorchanceatthebest,butifGodwills,weshallescape.""Ifweareindeedasnearshoreasyouthink,"saidthecaptain,"Iknowwhatyou say must be true, for in shoal water such a wave will surely carry allbeforeit.Butareyoucertaintherewillbeanotherexplosion?""Nomancanbesureofthat.Ifthelastexplosionemptiedthecratertherewillbenomore.Ifitdidnot,anotherexplosioniscertain.AllIadviseisthatyoushouldbereadyforwhateveriscoming,andreadytotakeyouronlychance."

"Right you are, sir. Sendmen to be ready to cut the cable,Mr.Moor.Andstandbythetopsailhalyards.""Ay,ay,sir."During the anxious minutes that followed, the hermit rejoined Winnie andNigelonthequarter-deck,andconversedwiththelatterinalowvoice,whilehe drew the former to his side with his strong arm. Captain Roy himselfgraspedthewheelandthemenstoodattheirvariousstationsreadyforaction."Letnomanactwithoutorders,whateverhappens,"saidthecaptaininadeeppowerfulvoicewhichwasheardoverthewholeship,forthelullthatwehavementioned extended in some degree to the gale as well as to the volcano.Everyonefeltthatsomecatastrophewaspending."Winnie,darling,"saidthehermittenderly,ashebentdowntoseethesweetface that had been restored to him. "I greatly fear that there is sure to beanother explosion, and itmay beHiswill thatwe shall perish, but comfortyourselfwiththecertaintythatnohairofyourdearheadcanfallwithoutHispermissionandinanyeventHewillnotfailus.""Iknowit,father.Ihavenofearatleast,onlyalittle!""Nigel," said the hermit, "stick close to us if you can. It may be that, ifanythingshouldbefallme,yourstrongarmmaysuccourWinnie;minehaslostsomewhatofitsvigour,"hewhispered."Trustmenothingbutdeathshallsunderus,"saidtheanxiousyouthinaburstofenthusiasm.ItseemedasifdeathwereindeedtobetheimmediateportionofallonboardtheSunshine,forafewminuteslatertherecameacrash,followedbyaspoutofsmoke,fire,steam,andmolten lava,compared towhichall thathadgonebeforeseemedinsignificant!Thecrashwasindescribable!Aswehavesaidelsewhere,thesoundofitwasheardmany hundreds ofmiles from the seat of the volcano, and its effectswereseenandfeltrightroundtheworld.ThenumerousventswhichhadpreviouslybeennoticedonKrakatoamustatthat moment have been blown into one, and the original crater of the oldvolcanosaid to have been about sixmiles in diametermust have resumed itsdestructivework.All the eye-witnesseswhowere near the spot at the time,and sufficiently calm to take note of the terrific events of thatmorning, areagreedas to the splendourof theelectricalphenomenadisplayedduring this

paroxysmaloutburst.Onewho,atthetime,wasfortymilesdistantspeaksofthe great vapour-cloud looking "like an immense wall or blood-red curtainwith edges of all shades of yellow, and bursts of forked lightning at timesrushing like large serpents through the air." Another says that "Krakatoaappeared to be alight with flickering flames rising behind a dense blackcloud."Athirdrecordedthat"thelightningstruckthemainmastconductorfiveor six times," and that "the mud-rain which covered the decks wasphosphorescent,whiletheriggingpresentedtheappearanceofSt.Elmo'sfire."Itmayberemarkedhere,inpassing,thatgiantsteam-jetsrushingthroughtheorificesoftheearth'scrustconstituteanenormoushydro-electricengine;andthe frictionof ejectedmaterials striking against eachother in ascending anddescending also generates electricity,which accounts to some extent for theelectricalconditionoftheatmosphere.In these final and stupendous outbursts the volcano was expending itsremainingforceinbreakingupandejectingthesolidlavawhichconstituteditsframework,andnotinmerelyvomitingforththelava-froth,orpumice,whichhad characterised the earlier stages of the eruption. In point of factas wasafterwardsclearlyascertainedbycareful soundingsandestimates, taking theaverageheightofthemissingportionat700feetabovewater,andthedepthat300 feetbelow ittwo-thirdsof the islandwereblownentirelyoff the faceoftheearth.Themasshadcoveredanareaofnearlysixmiles,andisestimatedasbeingequalto1⅛cubicmilesofsolidmatterwhich,asMosesexpressedit,wasblowntobits!If this had been all, it would have been enough to claim the attention andexcite thewonder of the intelligentworldbut thiswas not nearly all, asweshallsee,forsaddestofalltheincidentsconnectedwiththeeruptionisthefactthatupwardsofthirty-sixthousandhumanbeingslosttheirlives.ThemannerinwhichthatterriblelossoccurredshallbeshownbythefutureadventuresoftheSunshine.

CHAPTERXXVIIITHEFATEOFTHE"SUNSHINE"

Stunnedatfirst,forafewminutes,bytheextremeviolenceoftheexplosion,nooneonboardtheSunshinespoke,thougheachmanstoodathispostreadytoact."Strange,"saidthecaptainatlast."Thereseemstobenobigwavethistime.""Thatonlyshowsthatwearenotasneartheislandaswethought.Butitwon'tbe longofSee!There it comes," said thehermit. "Now,Winnie, cling tomy

armandputyourtrustinGod."Nigel,whohadsecuredalife-buoy,movedclosetothegirl'sside,andlookinganxiouslyoutaheadsawafaintlineoffoaminthethickdarknesswhichhadsucceeded the explosion. Already the distant roar of the billow was heard,provingthatithadbeguntobreak."Thewindcomeswithit,"saidVanderKemp."Stand by!" cried the captain, gazing intently over the side. Next momentcamethesharpordertohoisttheforetopsailandjib,soonfollowedby"Cutthecable!"Therewasbreezeenoughtoswingthevesselquicklyround.Inafewsecondshersternwaspresentedtothecomingwave,andherbowcleftthewaterassherusheduponwhateveryonenowknewwasherdoom.Toescape thegreatwavewasnopartof thecaptain'splan.Tohavereachedtheshorebeforethewavewouldhavebeenfataltoall.Theironlyhopelayinthepossibilityofridinginonthetopofit,andthegreatdangerwasthattheyshouldbeunabletorisetoitsternfirstwhenitcameup,orthat theyshouldturnbroadsideonandberolledover.Theyhadnotlongtowait.Thesizeofthewave,beforeitcamenearenoughtobe seen, was indicated by its solemn, deep-toned, ever-increasing roar. Thecaptain stoodat thewheelhimself,guiding thebrigandglancingback fromtimetotimeuneasily.Suddenlythevolcanogaveventtoitsfourthandfinalexplosion.Itwasnotsoviolent as its predecessors had been, though more so than any that hadoccurredonthedaybefore,andthelightofitshowedthemthefullterrorsoftheir situation, for it revealed themountainsofJavaapparentlyquiteclose infront, though in reality at a considerable distancewith a line of breakersbeatingwhiteon theshore.Butasternof themwas themostappallingsight,for there, rushing onwith awful speed and a sort of hissing roar, came themonstrouswave, emerging, as it were, out of thick darkness, like amightywall of water with a foaming white crest, not much lessaccording to anaverageofthemostreliableestimatesthan100feethigh.Wellmighttheseamenblanch,forneverbeforeinalltheirvariedexperiencehadtheyseenthelikeofthat.Onitcamewith theunwaveringforceofFate.To theeyeofCaptainRoy itappearedthatupitshugetoweringsidenovesselmadebymortalmancouldclimb.Butthecaptainhadtoooftenstareddeathinthefacetobeunmanned

bytheprospectnow.Steadilyhesteeredthevesselstraighton,andinaquietvoicesaid"Layholdofsomethingfirmeveryman!"The warning was well timed. In the amazement, if not fear, caused by theunwontedsight,somehadneglectedtheneedfulprecaution.As the billow came on, the bubbling, leaping, and seething of its crestwasapparentbothtoeyeandear.Thentheroarbecametremendous."DarlingWinnie,"saidNigelatthatmoment."Iwilldieforyouorwithyou!"Thepoorgirlheard,butno signof appreciationmovedherpale faceas shegazedupattheapproachingchaosofwaters.Nextmomentthebrigseemedtostandonitsbows.VanderKemphadplacedhisdaughter against themast, and, throwinghis longarms roundboth, heldon.Nigel,close to them,hadgraspedahandfulofropes,andeveryoneelsewasholdingonforlife.Anothermomentandthebrigroseasifitwerebeingtosseduptotheheavens.Immediatelythereafteritresumeditsnaturalpositioninaperfectwildernessoffoam.Theywereonthesummitofthegreatwave,which was so large that its crest seemed like a broad, rounded mass oftumblingsnowwithblacknessbeforeandbehind,whiletheroarofthetumultwasdeafening.Thebrigrushedonwardataspeedwhichshehadneverbeforeequalledeveninthefiercestgaletossedhitherandthitherbytheleapingfoam,yetalwayskeptgoingstraightonwardbytheexpertsteeringofhercaptain."Come aftall of you!" he shouted, when it was evident that the vessel wasbeingbornesurelyforwardonthewave'screst."Themastswillgoforcertainwhenwestrike."ThedangerofbeingentangledinthefallingsparsandcordagewassoobviousthateveryoneexceptthehermitandNigelobeyed."Here,Nigel,"gaspedtheformer."II'velostbloodfaint!"OurheroatoncesawthatVanderKemp,faintingfrompreviouslossofblood,coupled with exertion, was unable to do anything but hold on. Indeed, hefailedeveninthat,andwouldhavefallentothedeckhadNigelnotcaughthimbythearm."Canyourunaft,Winnie?"saidNigelanxiously."Yes!" said the girl, at once understanding the situation and darting to thewheel,ofwhichandofCaptainRoyshelaidfirmhold,whileNigelliftedthe

hermit in his arms and staggered to the same spot.Winnieknelt besidehimimmediately,and,forgettingforthemomentallthehorrorsaroundher,busiedherselfinreplacingthebandagewhichhadbeenloosenedfromhishead."Oh!Mr.Roy,savehim!savehim!"criedthepoorchild,appealinginanagonytoNigel,forshefelt instinctivelythatwhenthecrashcameherfatherwouldbeutterlyhelplesseventosavehimself.Nigelhadbarelytimetoanswerwhenawildshoutfromthecrewcausedhimtostartupandlookround.Aflarefromthevolcanohadcastaredlightoverthebewilderingscene,andrevealedthefactthatthebrigwasnolongerabovetheocean'sbed,butwaspassinginitswildcareerrightthrough,orratherover,thedemolishedtownofAnjer.Afewofthehousesthathadbeenleftstandingbythepreviouswaveswerebeingswepthurledawaybythisone,butthemassof rolling, rushing, spouting water was so deep, that the vessel had as yetstrucknothing save the topsof somepalm-treeswhichbent their heads likestrawsbeforetheflood.Even in the midst of the amazement, alarm, and anxiety caused by thesituation, Nigel could not help wondering that in this final and completedestructionofthetownnosignofstrugglinghumanbeingsshouldbevisible.He forgot at themoment,whatwas terriblyproved afterwards, that the firstwaveshadswallowedupmen,women,andchildrenbyhundreds,andthatthefewwhosurvivedhadfledtothehills,leavingnothingforthelargerwavetodo but complete the work of devastation on inanimate objects. Ere thesituationhadbeenwell realised thevolcanic fireswentdownagain,and lefttheworld,foroverahundredsurroundingmiles,inopaquedarkness.Onlythehumbleflickerofthebinnaclelight,likeatrustysentinelonduty,continuedtosheditsfeebleraysonafewfeetofthedeck,andshowedthatthecompassatleastwasstillfaithfultothepole!Thenanothervolcanicoutburstrevealedthefactthat thewavewhichcarriedthemwasthunderingoninthedirectionofaconsiderableclifforprecipicenotindeedquitestraighttowardsit,butsufficientlysotorenderescapedoubtful.Atthesametimeaswarmofterror-strickenpeoplewereseenflyingtowardsthiscliffandclamberingup its steepsides.Theywereprobablysomeof themorecourageousof the inhabitantswhohadsummonedcourage to return totheirhomesafterthepassageofthesecondwave.Theirshrieksandcriescouldbe heard above even the roaring of the water and the detonations of thevolcano."God spare us!" exclaimed poor Winnie, whose trembling form was nowpartiallysupportedbyNigel.

Asshespokedarknessagainobscuredeverything,and theycoulddonaughtbutlistentotheterriblesoundsandpray.Onon went the Sunshine, in the midst of wreck and ruin, on this strangevoyageoverlandandwater,untilacheckwasfelt.Itwasnotacrashashadbeenanticipated,andasmighthavenaturallybeenexpected,neitherwasitanabruptstoppage.Therewasfirstahissing,scrapingsoundagainstthevessel'ssides, thenasteadycheckingwemightalmostsayahindrancetoprogressnotviolent,yetsoverydecidedthattheriggingcouldnotbearthestrain.Oneandanother of the back-stays parted, the foretopsail burst with a cannon-likereport, after which a terrible rending sound, followed by an indescribablecrash,toldthatbothmastshadgonebytheboard.Then allwas comparatively stillcomparativelywe say, forwater still hissedandleapedbeneaththemlikearushingriver,thoughitnolongerroared,andthewindblewinunfamiliarstrainsandladenwithunwontedodours.At thatmomentanotheroutburstofKrakatoarevealed thefact that thegreatwavehadbornethebriginlandforupwardsofamile,andleftherimbeddedinathickgroveofcocoa-nutpalms!

CHAPTERXXIXTELLSCHIEFLYOFTHEWONDERFULEFFECTSOFTHIS

ERUPTIONONTHEWOULDATLARGEThegreatexplosionsofthatmorninghaddonemoredamageandhadachievedresults more astounding than lies in the power of language adequately todescribe,orofhistorytoparallel.Letustakeaglanceatthissubjectinpassing.An inhabitant ofAnjerownerof a hotel, a ship-chandler's store, twohouses,and a dozen boatswent down to the beach about six on themorning of thatfateful27thofAugust.Hehadnaturallybeen impressedby thenightof the26th, though, accustomed as he was to volcanic eruptions, he felt noapprehensionsastothesafetyofthetown.Hewenttolooktothemooringsofhisboats,leavinghisfamilyofsevenbehindhim.Whileengagedinthisworkheobservedawaveof immensesizeapproaching.Heleapedintooneofhisboats,whichwascaughtupbythewaveandsweptinland,carryingitsownerthere in safety.But thiswas thewave that sealed thedoomof the townandmost of its inhabitants, including the hotel-keeper's family and all that hepossessed.

Thisisoneonlyoutofthousandsofcasesofbereavementanddestruction.A lighthouse-keeper was seated in his solitary watch-tower, speculating,doubtless,on theprobablecontinuanceof suchaviolentoutbreak,whilehisfamily and matesaccustomed to sleep in the midst of elemental warwereresting peacefully in the rooms below, when one of the mighty wavessuddenly appeared, thundered past, and swept the lighthouse with all itsinhabitantsaway.ThisshowsbutoneofthemanydisasterstolighthousesinSundaStraits.ADutchman-of-warthe Berouwwas lying at anchor in Lampong Bay, fiftymiles fromKrakatoa. The greatwave came, tore it from its anchorage, andcarrieditlikethevesselofourfriendDavidRoynearlytwomilesinland!Massesofcoralofimmensesizeandweightwerecarriedfourmilesinlandbythesamewave.TheriveratAnjerwaschokedup;theconduitwhichusedtocarrywaterintotheplacewasdestroyed,andthetownitselfwaslaidinruins.But these are only a fewof the incidents of the great catastrophe.Who canconceive,muchlesstellof,thoseterribledetailsofsuddendeathanddisasterto thousands of human beings, resulting from an eruption which destroyedtownslikeTelokBetong,Anjer,Tyringin,etc.,besidesnumerousvillagesandhamletsontheshoresofJavaandSumatra,andcausedthedestructionofmorethan36,000souls?Butitistoresultsofaverydifferentkind,andonamuchmoreextendedscale,that we must turn if we would properly estimate the magnitude, the wide-spreadingandfar-reachinginfluences,andtheextraordinarycharacter,of theKrakatoaoutburstof1883.In the firstplace, it isa fact, testified tobysomeof thebest-knownmenofscience,that theshockoftheexplosionextendedappreciablyrightroundtheworld,andseventeenmiles(somesayevenhigher!)upintotheheavens.Mr. Verbeek, in his treatise on this subject, estimates that a cubic mile ofKrakatoawaspropelledintheformofthefinestdustintothehigherregionsoftheatmosphereprobablyaboutthirtymiles!Thedustthussentintotheskywasof"ultra-microscopicfineness,"andittravelledroundandroundtheworldina westerly direction, producing those extraordinary sunsets and gorgeouseffectsandafterglowswhichbecamevisibleintheBritishIslesinthemonthofNovemberfollowingtheeruption;andthemightywaveswhichcausedsuchdestruction in the vicinity of Sunda Straits travellednot once, but at leastsixtimes round the globe, as was proved by trustworthy and independentobservations of tide-gauges and barometersmade and recorded at the same

timeinnearlyalllandsincludingourown.Othervolcanoes,itissaidbythosewhohavearighttospeakinregardtosuchmatters,haveejectedmore"stuff,"butnotonehasequalledKrakatoa in theintensity of its explosions, the appalling results of the sea-waves, thewonderfuleffectsinthesky,andthealmostmiraculousnatureofthesounds.Seatedonalogunderapalm-treeinBatavia,onthatmomentousmorningofthe27th,wasasailorwhohadbeenleftbehindsickbyCaptainRoywhenhewentonhis ratherQuixotic trip to theKeeling Islands.Hewas a somewhatdelicate son of the sea.Want of self-restraintwas his complaintleading to asurfeitoffruitandotherthings,whichterminatedinaseverefitofindigestionandindispositiontolifeingeneral.Hewassmokingthatbeingasovereignandinfalliblecureforindigestionandallotherillsthatfleshisheirto,aseveryoneknows!"I say, oldman," he inquired,with that cheerful tone and airwhich usuallyaccompaniesincapacityforfood."Doitalwaysrainasheshere?"TheoldmanwhomheaddressedwasaveteranMalayseaman."No,"repliedtheMalay,"sometimesitrainmudhotmud.""Do it? Oh! wellanything for variety, I s'pose," returned the sailor, with agrowlwhichhadreferencetointernaldisarrangements."Is it often as dark as this in the daytime, an' is the sun usually green?" heaskedcarelessly,moreforthesakeofdistractingthemindfromothermattersthanforthedesireofknowledge."Sometimeit'smoredarker,"repliedtheoldman."I'veseeditsodarkthatyoucouldn'tseehowawfuldarkitwas."Ashespoke,asoundthathasbeendescribedbyear-witnessesas"deafening"smote upon their tympanums, the log onwhich they sat quivered, the earthseemed to tremble, and several dishes in a neighbouring hut were throwndownandbroken."Isay,oldman,suthin'bustedthere,"remarkedthesailor,takingthepipefromhismouth and quietly ramming its contents downwith the end of his bluntforefinger.TheMalaylookedgrave."Thegasometer?"suggestedthesailor.

"No,thatneverbusts.""Anoomountaincomeintoaction,p'raps,an'blow'ditstopoff?""Shouldn't wonder if that's itclose at hand too.We's used to that here. Butthem'sbiggercracksthanor'nar'."TheoldMalaywasrightastothecause,butwrongastodistance.Insteadofbeingavolcano"closeathand,"itwasKrakatoaevisceratingitselfahundredmilesoff,and thesoundof its lastgrandeffort"extendedover50degrees=about3000miles."On thatdayall thegas lightswereextinguished inBatavia, and thepicturesrattledonthewallsasthoughfromtheactionofanearthquake.Buttherewasnoearthquake.Itwastheair-wavefromKrakatoa,andthenoiseproducedbytheair-wavesthatfollowedwasdescribedas"deafening."TheeffectofthesoundsoftheexplosionsontheStraitsSettlementsgenerallywas not only striking, but to some extent amusing.AtCarimon, in Java355milesdistantfromKrakatoaitwassupposedthatavesselindistresswasfiringguns, and several native boats were sent off to render assistance, but nodistressed vessel was to be found! At Acheen, in Sumatra1073 milesdistanttheysupposedthatafortwasbeingattackedandthetroopswereturnedout under arms.At Singapore522miles offthey fancied that the detonationscamefromavesselindistressandtwosteamersweredespatchedtosearchforit.Andheretheeffectonthetelephone,extendingtoIshore,wasremarkable.Onraisingthetubesaperfectroarasofawaterfallwasheard.Byshoutingatthetopofhisvoice,theclerkatoneendcouldmaketheclerkattheotherendhear, but he could not render a word intelligible. At Perak770miles offthesoundswerethoughttobedistantsalvosofartillery,andCommanderHon.F.Vereker,R.N.,ofH.M.S.Magpie,when1227milesdistant (in lat.5°52'N.long.118°22'E.),statesthatthedetonationsofKrakatoaweredistinctlyheardby those on board his ship, and by the inhabitants of the coast as far asBanguey Island,onAugust27th.Headds that they resembleddistantheavycannonading.InaletterfromSt.LuciaBay1116milesdistantitwasstatedthatthe eruptionwas plainly heard all over Borneo.A government steamerwassentout from the IslandofTimor1351milesofftoascertain thecauseof thedisturbance! In SouthAustralia also, at places 2250miles away, explosionswereheardonthe26thand27thwhich"awakened"people,andwerethoughtworthy of being recorded and reported. From Tavoy, in Burmah1478milesawaythe report came"All day on August 27th unusual sounds were heard,resembling theboomofguns.Thinking theremightbeawreckora ship indistress, theTavoySuperintendentsentoutthepolicelaunch,butthey 'couldseenothing.'"And soon, far andnear, similar recordsweremade, themost

distant spot where the sounds were reported to have been heard beingRodriguez,inthePacific,nearly3000milesdistant!One peculiar feature of the records is that some ships in the immediateneighbourhood of Krakatoa did not experience the shock in proportionateseverity.Probablythiswasowingtotheirbeingsonearthatagreatpartoftheconcussion and sound flew over themsomewhat in the same way that thepiecesofabomb-shellflyovermenwho,beingtooneartoescapebyrunning,escapebyflingingthemselvesflatontheground.Each air-wavewhich conveyed these sounds, commencing atKrakatoa as acentre,spreadoutinanever-increasingcircletillitreachedadistanceof180°from its origin and encircled the earth at its widest part, after which itcontinuedtoadvanceinacontractingformuntilitreachedtheantipodesofthevolcano;whence it was reflected or reproduced and travelled back again toKrakatoa.Hereitwasturnedright-about-faceandagaindespatchedonitslongjourney. In this way it oscillated backward and forward not fewer than sixtimesbeforetracesofitwerelost.Wesay"traces,"becausetheseremarkablefactswere ascertained, tracked, and corroborated by independent barometricobservationinallpartsoftheearth.Forinstance,thepassageofthegreatair-wavefromKrakatoatoitsantipodes,and from its antipodes back to Krakatoa, was registered six times by theautomatic barometer at Greenwich. The instrument at Kew ObservatoryconfirmedtherecordsofGreenwich,andsodidthebarometersofotherplacesinthekingdom.EverywhereinEuropealsothisfactwascorroborated,andinsomeplacesevena seventhoscillationwas recorded.TheGreenwich recordshows that the air-waves took about thirty-six hours to travel from pole topole, thus proving that they travelled at about the rate of ordinary sound-waves,which, roughly speaking, travel at the rateofbetween six and sevenhundredmilesanhour.The height of the sea-waves that devastated the neighbouring shores, beingvariouslyestimatedatfrom50to135feet,issufficientlyaccountedforbytheintervention of islands and headlands, etc., which, of course, tended todiminishtheforce,height,andvolumeofwavesinvaryingdegrees.These, like the air-waves,were also registeredby self-acting tide-gauges andbypersonalobservationallovertheworld,andtheobservationscoincidedastodatewiththegreateruptionsofthe26thand27thofAugust.Theinfluenceofthe sea-waveswas observed and noted in the Java seawhich is shallow andwhere thereare innumerableobstructionsas faras450miles,but to thewestthey swept over the deepwaters of the IndianOceanon toCapeHorn, andeven,itissaid,totheEnglishChannel.

Theunusualdisturbanceofocean invariousplaceswassufficientlystriking.At Galle, in Ceylon, where the usual rise and fall of the tide is 2 feet, themaster-attendant reports that on the afternoon of the 27th four remarkablewaveswerenoticedintheport.Thelastofthesewasprecededbyanunusualrecessionoftheseatosuchanextentthatsmallboatsattheiranchoragewereleftagrounda thing thathadneverbeenseenbefore.Theperiodof recessionwasonlyone-and-a-halfminutes;thenthewaterpaused,asitwere,forabriefspace,and,beginningtorise,reachedthelevelofthehighesthigh-watermarkinlessthantwominutes,thusmarkingadifferenceof8feet10inchesinsteadoftheordinary2feet.Atoneplacetherewasanebbandfloodtide,ofunusualextent,withinhalf-an-hour.Atanother, abeltof land, includingaburying-ground,waswashedaway,sothataccordingtotheobserver"itappearedasifthedeadhadsoughtshelter with the living in a neighbouring cocoa-nut garden!" Elsewhere thetideswere seen to advance and recede ten or twelve timesin one case eventwentytimesonthe27th.AtTrincomaleethesearecededthreetimesandreturnedwithsingularforce,atoneperiodleavingpartoftheshoresuddenlybare,withfishstrugglinginthemud.Theutilitariantendencyofmankindwasatoncemademanifestbysomefishermenwho, seizing theopportunity,dashed into the strugglingmassandbegantoreaptheaccidentalharvest,whenalasforthepoorfishermen!thesearushedinagainanddrovethemallaway.In the Mauritius, however, the fishers were more fortunate, for when theirbeachwasexposed in a similarmanner, they succeeded in capturingagoodmanyfishbeforethewaterreturned.Even sharkswere disturbed in their sinister and slimy habits of life by thisoutburstofKrakatoaandnowonder,when it is recorded that in someplaces"thesealookedlikewaterboilingheavilyinapot,"andthat"theboatswhichwere afloat were swinging in all directions." At one place several of thesemonsterswereflungoutoftheirnativehomeintopools,wheretheywereleftstrugglingtilltheirenemymanterminatedtheircareer.Everywherethosegreatwavesproducedphenomenawhichweresostrikingastoattracttheattentionofallclassesofpeople,toensurerecordinmostpartsofthe world, and to call for the earnest investigation of the scientific men ofmany landsand the conclusion to which such men have almost universallycomeis,thatthestrangevagariesoftheseaallovertheearth,themysterioussoundsheard in somanywidelydistantplaces, and thewonderful effects inthe skies of every quarter of the globe, were all due to the eruption of the

Krakatoavolcanoin1883.With reference to these lastthe sky-effects-a few words may not be out ofplacehere.The superfine "ultra-microscopic" dust,whichwas blown by the volcano inquantitiessoenormoustosuchunusualheights,was,afterdroppingitsheavierparticlesbacktoearth,caughtbythebreezeswhichalwaysblowinthehigherregions fromeast towest, and carried by them formanymonths round andround theworld.Thedustwas thickly andnotwidely spreadat first, but astimewenton it graduallyextended itselfoneither side,becomingvisible tomore and more of earth's inhabitants, and at the same time becomingnecessarilylessdense.Through thismedium the sun's rays had to penetrate. In so far as the dust-particles were opaque they would obscure these rays; where they weretransparentorpolishedtheywouldrefractandreflectthem.Thatthematerialof which those dust-particles was composed was very various has beenascertained,proved,andrecordedbytheKrakatoaCommittee.Theattempttoexpound this matter would probably overtax the endurance of the averagereader,yetitmayinterestalltoknowthatthisdust-cloudtravelledwestwardwithinthetropicsattherateofaboutdoublethespeedofanexpresstrainsay120miles an hour; crossed the Indian Ocean and Africa in three days, theAtlanticintwo,Americaintwo,and,inshort,putagirdleroundtheworldinthirteendays.Moreover,thecloudofdustwassobigthatittooktwoorthreedays to pass any given point. During its second circumnavigation it wasconsiderably spread and thinned, and the third time still more so, havingexpandedenoughtoincludeEuropeandthegreaterpartofNorthAmerica.Ithadthinnedawayaltogetheranddisappearedinthespringof1884.Whohasnotseenatleastreadorheardofthegorgeousskiesoftheautumnof1883?NotonlyinBritain,butinallpartsoftheworld,thesesameskieswereseen, admired, andcommentedonasmarvellous.Andso theywere.Oneofthe chief peculiarities about them, besides their splendour,was the fact thattheyconsistedchieflyof"afterglows"thatis,anincreaseoflightandsplendourafter the setting of the sun, when, in an ordinary state of things, the greyshadowsofeveningwouldhavedescendedontheworld.Greenish-bluesuns;pink clouds; bright yellow, orange, and crimson afterglows; gorgeous,magnificent,blood-redskiesthecommentatorsseemedunabletofindlanguageadequately to describe them. Listen to a German observer's remarks on thesubject:"ThedisplayofNovember29thwasthegrandestandmostmanifold.Igiveadescription as exactly; as possible, for its overwhelming magnificence still

presentsitselftomeasifithadbeenyesterday.Whenthesunhadsetaboutaquarter of an hour, there was not much afterglow, but I had observed aremarkablyyellowbowinthesouth,about10°abovethehorizon.Inabouttenminutesmorethisarcroseprettyquickly,extendeditselfallovertheeastandup to and beyond the zenith. The sailors declared, 'Sir, that is theNorthernLights.'IthoughtIhadneverseenNorthernLightsingreatersplendour.Afterfiveminutesmore the-light had faded, though not vanished, in the east andsouth,andthefinestpurple-redroseupinthesouth-west;onecouldimagineone's-selfinFairyland."Allthis,andagreatdealmore,wascausedbythedustofKrakatoa!"Buthowhowwhy?"exclaimsanimpatientandpuzzledreader."Aythere'stherub."Rubbing,bytheway,mayhavehadsomethingtodowithit.Atalleventswearesafetosaythatwhatevertherewasofelectricityinthematterresultedfromfriction.Hereiswhatthemenofsciencesayasfaraswecangatherandcondense.The fine dust blown out of Krakatoa was found, under the microscope, toconsist of excessively thin, transparent plates or irregular specks ofpumicewhich inconceivably minute fragments were caused by enormoussteampressureintheinteriorandthesuddenexpansionofthemassesblownout into the atmosphere.Of this glassy dust, thatwhichwas blown into theregionsbeyond the cloudsmust havebeenmuch finer even than thatwhichwasexamined.TheseglassfragmentsweresaidbyDr.Flügeltocontaineitherinnumerableair-bubblesorminuteneedle-likecrystals,orboth.Smallthoughthesevesicleswerewhenejected from thevolcano, theywouldbecomestillsmaller by bursting when they suddenly reached a much lower pressure ofatmosphere at a great height. Some of them, however, owing to tenacity ofmaterial and other causes, might have failed to burst and would remainfloatingin theupperairasperfectmicroscopicglassballoons.Thusthedustwas a mass of particles of every conceivable shape, and so fine that nowatches, boxes, or instruments were tight enough to exclude from theirinterior even thatportionof thedustwhichwasheavyenough to remainonearth!Now, to the unscientific reader it is useless to say more than that theinnumerableandvariedpositionsof theseglassyparticles, some transparent,others semi-transparent or opaque, reflecting the sun's rays in differentdirections,withacomplexmodificationofcolourandeffectresultingfromthebluenessofthesky,theconditionoftheatmosphere,andmanyothercausesallcombined to produce the remarkable appearances of light and colourwhich

arousedtheadmirationandwonderoftheworldin1883.The more one thinks of these things, and the deeper one dives into themysteries of nature, the more profoundly is one impressed at once with ahumbling sense of the limited amount of one's knowledge, and an awe-inspiring appreciation of the illimitable fields suggested by thatcomprehensiveexpression:"THEWONDERFULWORKSOFGOD."

CHAPTERXXXCOMINGEVENTS,ETCWONDERFULCHANGESAMONGTHE

ISLANDS

SomedaysafterthewreckoftheSunshine,asdescribedinapreviouschapter,CaptainRoyandhissonstoodonthecoastofJavanotfarfromtheruinsofAnjer.Avesselwasanchoredintheoffing,andalittleboatlayontheshore.Allsignofelementalstrifehadpassed,thoughacloudofsmokehangingoverthe remains ofKrakatoa told that the terrible giant belowwas not dead butonlysleepingtoawake,perchance,afteranapofanother200years."Well, father,"saidourherowithamodest look,"itmaybe,asyousuggest,thatWinnieVanderKempdoesnotcareformemorethanforafathomofsaltwater""Ididnotsaysaltwater,lad,Isaidbilgeafathomo'bilgewater,"interruptedthecaptain,who,althoughsecretlyrejoicedatthefactofhissonhavingfallenover head and ears in love with the pretty little Cocos-Keeling islander,deemed it his duty, nevertheless, as a sternly upright parent, to,make quitesure that the lovewasmutual as well as deep before giving his consent toanythinglikecourtship."Itmatters not; salt or bilgewatermakes little difference," returned the sonwithasmile."ButallIcansayisthatIcareforWinniesomuchthatherloveistomeofasmuchimportanceassunshinetotheworldandwehavehadsomeexperiencelatelyofwhatthewantofthatmeans.""Nonsense,Nigel,"returnedthecaptainseverely."You'reworkin'yourselfintothem up-in-the-clouds, reef-point-patterin' regions againwhich, by the way,shouldbeprettywellchokedwi'Krakatoadustbythistime.Comedownouto'that if yewant to hold or'nary intercoursewi' your old father. She's far tooyoungyet,myboy.Youmustjustdoasmanyayoungfellowhasdonebeforeyou,attendtoyourdootiesandforgether.""Forget her!" returned the youth, with that amused, quiet expression which

wisemen sometimes assumewhen listening to foolish suggestions. "I couldalmostaseasilyforgetmymother!""Averypropersentiment,Nigel,veryespeciallythe'almost'partofit.""Besides," continued the son, "she is not so very youngand that difficultyremediesitselfeveryhour.Moreover,Itooamyoung.Icanwait.""The selfishness of youth is only equalled by its presumption," said thecaptain."Howd'eeknowshewillwait?""Idon'tknow,father,butIhopeshewillIIthinkshewill.""Nigel,"saidthecaptain,inatoneandwithalookthatweremeanttoimplyintensesolemnity,"haveyoueverspokentoheraboutlove?""No,father.""Hassheeverspokentoyou?""Noatleastnotwithherlips.""Come,boy,you'rehumbuggin'youroldfather.Hertonguecouldn'twelldoitwithoutthelipslendin'ahand.""Well thenwith neither," returned the son. "She spoke with her eyesnotintentionally, of course, for the eyes, unlike the lips, refuse to be undercontrol.""Hm! I seereef-point-patterin' poetics again! An' what did she say with hereyes?""Really,father,youpressmetoohard;itisdifficulttotranslateeye-language,but if you'll only let memory have free play and revert to that time, nighquarter of a century ago, when you first met with a certain real poetess,perhaps""Ah!youdog!youhavemethere.Buthowdareyou,sir,venturetothinkofmarryin'onnothin'?""Idon'tthinkofdoingso.AmInotafirstmatewithahandsomesalary?""No,lad,you'renot.You'renothin'betterthanaseamanouto'work,withyourlateshipwreckedinacocoa-nutgrove!""That'strue,"returnedNigelwithalaugh."Butisnotthecargoofthesaidshipsafe inBatavia?Has not its owner a good bank account inEngland?Won't

anothershipbewanted,andanotherfirstmate,andwouldtheownerdare topassoverhisownson,whoissuchacompetentseamanaccordingtoyourownshowing?Come,father,Iturnthetablesonyouandaskyoutoaidratherthanresistmeinthismatter.""Well,Iwill,myboy,Iwill,"saidthecaptainheartily,ashelaidhishandonhisson'sshoulder."But,seriously,youmusthauloffthislittlecraftandclapastopperonyourtongueay,andonyoureyestootillthreepointsareconsideredan'made quite clear. First, youmust find outwhether the hermit would beagreeable. Second, you must look the matter straight in the face and makequite sure that you mean it. For better or for worse. No undoin' that knot,Nigel,onceit'sfairlytied!And,third,youmustmakequitesurethatWinnieissureofherownmind,an'thatthat""We're all sure all round, father. Quite right. I agree with you. 'All fair an'aboveboard' should be the sailing orders of every man in such matters,especiallyofeveryseaman.But,willyouexplainhowIamtomakesureofWinnie'sstateofmindwithoutaskingheraboutit?""Well,Idon'texactlyseemyway,"repliedthecaptainslowly."Whatd'eesaytomysoundin'heronthesubject?""Couldn'tthinkofit!Youmaybefirst-rateatdeep-seasoundings,father,butyoucouldn'tsoundthedepthsofayounggirl'sheart. Imust reserve that formyself,howeverlongitmaybedelayed.""Sobeit,lad.TheonlyembargothatIlayuponyouishauloff,andmindyoudon't let your figurehead go by the board.Meanwhile, here comes the boat.Now, Nigel, none o' your courtin' till everything is settled and the windfairdead aft my lad, and blowin' stiff. You and the hermit are goin' off toKrakatoato-day,Isuppose?""Yes.IamjustnowwaitingforhimandMoses,"returnedNigel."IsWinniegoing?""Don'tknow.Ihopeso.""Humph!Well, ifwe have a fairwind I shall soon be inBatavia," said thecaptain, descending to business matters, "and I expect without trouble todispose of the cargo thatwe landed there, aswell as that part o' the returncargowhichIhadboughtbeforeIleftforKeelingataloss,nodoubt,butthatdon'tmattermuch.ThenI'llcomebackherebythefirstcraft thatoffersarterwhich.Ay!Ay!shoveherinhere.Plentyo'water."

Thelastremarkwasmadeto theseamanwhosteeredtheboatsentfromthevesselintheoffing.Ashort time thereafterCaptainRoywas sailingaway forBatavia,whilehisson, with Van der Kemp, Moses, Winnie, and Spinkie, was making forKrakatoainanativeboat.Thehermit, in spiteofhis injuries,had recoveredhiswontedappearance, ifnot his wonted vigour. Winnie seemed to have suddenly developed into amaturewomanunderherrecentexperiences,thoughshehadlostnoneofhergirlishgraceandattractiveness.AsforMosestimeandtideseemedtohavenoeffect whatever on his ebony frame, and still less, if possible, on hisindomitablespirit."Now you keep still," he said in solemn tones and with warning looks toSpinkie."Ifyoukeepfidgitin'aboutyou'llcapsizedeboat.Youhear?"Spinkie veiled his real affection for the negro under a look of supremeindifference,whileWinniewentoffintoasuddengiggleattheideaofsuchasmallcreaturecapsizingtheboat.Mindfulofhisfather'swarning,Nigeldidhisbestto"hauloff"andtopreventhis"figurehead"fromgoing"bytheboard."Buthefoundituncommonlyhardwork, for Winnie looked so innocent, so pretty, so unconscious, sosympatheticwitheverybodyandeverything,soveryyoung,yetsowondrouslywiseandwomanly,thathefeltanirresistibledesiretoprostratehimselfatherfeetinabjectslavery."Dear little thing,"saidWinnie,puttingherhandonSpinkie's littleheadandsmoothinghimdownfromeyestotail.SpinkielookedasifhalfinclinedtowithdrawhisallegiancefromMosesandbestow it on Winnie, but evidently changed his mind after a moment'sreflection."O that Iwere amonkey!" thoughtNigel, paraphrasingShakespeare, "that Imight"butitisnotfairtoourherotorevealhiminhisweakermoments!Therewassomethingexasperating,too,inbeingobliged,owingtothesizeoftheboat, to sit soclose toWinniewithouthavinga right to touchherhand!Whohasnotexperiencedthis,andfelthimselftobeaveryheroofself-denialinthecircumstances?"Mos'awrfulhot!"remarkedMoses,wipinghisforeheadwiththesleeveofhisshirt.

"Youhot!"saidNigelinsurprise."Ithoughtnothingonearthcouldbetoohotforyou.""Dat'syourignerance,"returnedMosescalmly."Usniggers,yousee,oughttosuffermorefro'heatdanyouwhites.""Howso?""Why, don't your flossiphers say dat black am better dan white for 'tractin'heat, an' ain't our skins black? I wish we'd bin' born white as chalk. I say,MassaNadgel,seemstomedatdere'snotmuchleftobKrakatoa."Theyhadapproachednearenoughto the islandby that timetoperceive thatwonderfulchangeshadindeedtakenplace,andVanderKemp,whohadbeenforsometimesilentlyabsorbedincontemplation,atlastturnedtohisdaughterandsaid"Ihadfearedatfirst,Winnie,thatmyoldhomehadbeenblownentirelyaway,butIseenowthatthePeakofRakatastillstands,soperhapsImayyetshowyouthecaveinwhichIhavespentsomanyyears.""Butwhydidyougo to live insuchastrangeplace,dear father?"asked thegirl,layingherhandlovinglyonthehermit'sarm.Van der Kemp did not reply at once. He gazed in his child's face with anincreaseof thatabsentairandfar-awaylookwhichNigel,eversincehemethim, had observed as one of his characteristics. At this time an anxiousthoughtcrossedhim,thatperhapstheblowswhichhisfriendhadreceivedonhisheadwhenhewasthrownonthedeckoftheSunshinemighthaveinjuredhisbrain."Itisnoteasytoansweryourquestion,dearone,"hesaidafteratime,layinghis strong hand on the girl's head, and smoothing her luxuriant hair whichhung in theuntrammelled freedomofnatureoverhershoulders. "Ihave feltsometimes,duringthelastfewdays,asifIwereawakingoutofalonglongdream, or recovering from a severe illness in which delirium had played aprominentpart.Evennow, thoughI seeand touchyou, I sometimes tremblelestIshouldreallyawakeandfindthatitisalladream.Ihavesooftensoveryoftendreamedsomethinglikeitinyearsgoneby,butneversovividlyasnow!Icannotdoubtitissintodoubtthatmyprayershavebeenatlastanswered.Godisgoodandwise.Heknowswhatisbestanddoesnotfailinbringingthebesttopass.YetIhavedoubtedHimagainandagain."VanderKemppausedhereanddrewhishandacrosshisbrowas if toclearawaysadmemoriesofthepast,whileWinniedrewclosertohimandlooked

uptenderlyinhisface."Whenyourmotherdied,dearone,"heresumed,"itseemedtomeasifthesunhadlefttheheavens,andwhenyouweresnatchedfromme,itwasasthoughmysoulhadfledandnoughtbutanimalliferemained.Ilivedasifinaterribledream.IcannotrecallexactlywhatIdidorwhereIwentforalonglongtime.IknowIwanderedthroughthearchipelagolookingforyou,becauseIdidnotbelieveatfirstthatyouweredead.ItwasatthistimeItookupmyabodeinthecaveofRakata,andfellinwithmygoodfaithfulfriendMoses""Yoursarvint,massa,"interruptedthenegrohumbly."I'sproudtobecallyourfrind,butI'sonlyyoursarvint,massa.""Trulyyouhavebeenmyfaithful servant,Moses,"saidVanderKemp,"butnotthelesshaveyoubeenmytrustedfriend.Henursedmethroughalongandsevereillness,Winnie.Howlong,Iamnotquitesure.AfteratimeInearlylosthope.Thentherecameaverydarkperiod,whenIwasforcedtobelievethatyoumust be dead.Yet, strange to say, even during this dark time I did notceasetoprayandtowanderaboutinsearchofyou.Isupposeitwastheforceofhabit, forhopeseemed tohavedied.Then,at last,Nigel foundyou.GodusedhimasHisinstrument.Andnow,praisetoHisname,wearereunitedforever!""Darlingfather!"weretheonlywordsthatWinniecouldutterasshelaidherheadonthehermit'sshoulderandweptforjoy.Two ideas, which had not occurred to him before, struck Nigel with greatforce at that moment. The one was that whatever or wherever his futurehouseholdshouldbeestablished, ifWinniewas tobe itschiefornament,herfathermustofnecessitybecomeamemberof it.Theother ideawas thathewas destined to possess a negro servantwith a consequent and unavoidablemonkeyattendant!Howstrangethelinksofwhichthechainofhumandestinyis formed, andhowwonderful thepowersof thoughtbywhich that chain isoccasionallyforecast!HowtoconveyallthesepossessionstoEnglandandgetthemcomfortablysettledtherewasaproblemwhichhedidnotcaretotacklejustthen."See,Winnie,"saidVanderKemp,pointingwithinteresttoamarkonthesideofRakata,"yonderis themouthofmycave.Ineversawitsoclearlybeforebecauseofthetreesandbushes,buteverythingseemsnowtohavebeenburntup.""Dasso,massa,an'whathasn'tbinbu'ntuphasbinblow'dup!"remarkedthenegro.

"Looksverylike it,Moses,unless that isahazewhichenshroudstherestoftheisland,"rejoinedtheother,shadinghiseyeswithhishands.Itwasnohaze,however; for they found,ondrawingnearer, that thegreaterpartofKrakatoahad,aswehavealreadysaid,actuallydisappearedfromthefaceoftheearth.When the boat finally rounded the pointwhich hid the northern part of theislandfromview,asightwaspresentedwhichitisnotoftengiventohumaneyestolookupon.ThewholemountainnamedthePeakofRakata(2623feethigh)hadbeensplitfromtoptobottom,andaboutone-halfofit,withallthatpartoftheislandlyingtothenorthward,hadbeenblownaway,leavingawalloralmostsheerprecipicewhichpresentedagrandsectionofthevolcano.Pushingtheirboat intoacreekat thebaseof thisprecipice, theparty landedand tried to reach a position from which a commanding view might beobtained.Thiswasnotaneasymatter,fortherewasnotaspotforafoottoreston which was not covered deeply with pumice-dust and ashes. By dint ofperseverance, however, they gained a ledgewhence the surrounding districtcould be observed, and then it was clearly seen how wide-spread andstupendoustheeffectsoftheexplosionhadbeen.Where the greater part of the richlywooded island had formerly flourished,the ocean now rippled in the sunshine, and of the smaller islands around itLang Island had been considerably increased in bulk as well as in height.VerlatenIslandhadbeenenlargedtomorethanthreetimesitsformersizeandalsomuchincreasedinheight.TheislandnamedPolishHathaddisappearedaltogether,andtwoentirelynewisletsafterwardsnamedSteersandCalmeyerIslandshadarisentothenorthward."Now,friends,"saidVanderKemp,after theyhadnotedandcommentedonthevast andwonderfulchanges thathad takenplace, "wewillpull round toourcaveandseewhathashappenedthere."DescendingtotheboattheyrowedroundthesouthernshoresofRakatauntilthey reached the little harbourwhere the boat and canoe had formerly beenkept.

CHAPTERXXXIENDSWITHASTRUGGLEBETWEENINCLINATIONANDDUTY

"Decave'sblowedaway too!"was the first remarkofMoses as they rowedintothelittleport.

Ashockof disappointmentwas experiencedbyWinnie, for she fancied thatthenegrohadreferred toherfather'soldhome,butheonlymeant the lowercaveinwhichthecanoehadformerlybeenkept.Shewassoonrelievedastothispoint,however,but,whenalandingwaseffected,difficultiesthatseemedto her almost insurmountable presented themselves, for the ground wascovered knee-deep with pumice-dust, and the road to the upper cave wasblockedby ruggedmasses of lava and ashes, all heapedup in indescribableconfusion.On careful investigation, however, it was found that after passing a certainpoint the footpath was almost unencumbered by volcanic débris. This wasowing to theprotectionafforded to itby theconeofRakata, and thealmostoverhangingnatureofsomeofthecliffsonthatsideofthemountain;stillthetrack was bad enough, and in places so rugged, thatWinnie, vigorous andagilethoughshewas,founditbothdifficultandfatiguingtoadvance.Seeingthis,herfatherproposedtocarryher,butshelaughinglydeclinedtheproposal.WhereuponNigelofferedtolendherahandovertherougherplaces,butthisshealsodeclined.ThenMoses,steppingforward,assertedhisrights."It's my business," he said, "to carry t'ings w'en dey's got to be carried.M'r'over, as I's bin obleeged to leabe Spinkie in charge ob de boat, I feelsokardwidoutsomet'ingtocarry,an'youain'tmuchheavierdanSpinkie,MissWinnieso,comealong."HestoopedwiththeintentionofgraspingWinnieasifshewerealittlechild,butwithalightlaughthegirlsprangawayandleftMosesbehind."'S'myopinion,"saidMoses,lookingafterherwithagrin,"datifdepurfesserwasherehe'dnetherinmistookforabufferfly.Dar!she'sdown!"heshouted,springingforward,butNigelwasbeforehim.Winniehadtrippedandfallen."Areyouhurt,dearchild?"askedNigel,raisinghergently."Ohno!only a little shaken," answeredWinnie,with a little laugh thatwashalfhysterical."Iamstrongenoughtogoonpresently.""Nay,mychild,youmustsufferyourselftobecarriedatthispart,"saidVanderKemp."Takeherup,Nigel,youarestrongerthanIamnow.Iwouldnothaveaskedyoutodoitbeforemyaccident!"Ourherodidnotneedasecondbidding.GraspingWinnieinhisstrongarms

heraisedherasifshehadbeenafeather,andstrodeawayatapacesorapidthathesoonleftVanderKempandMosesfarbehind."Putme down, now," saidWinnie, after a littlewhile, in a low voice. "I'mquiterecoverednowandcanwalk.""Nay,Winnie,youaremistaken.Thepathisveryroughyet,andthedustgetsdeeperasweascend.Dogivemethepleasureofhelpingyoualittlelonger."WhateverWinniemayhavefeltorthoughtshesaidnothing,andNigel,takingsilenceforconsent,boreherswiftlyonwardandupward,withan"Excelsior"spiritthatwouldhavethrowntheAlpineyouthwiththebannerandthestrangedevice considerably into the shade,until he placed her at the yawning blackmouthofthehermit'scave.Butwhatachangewasthere!Thetreesandfloweringshrubsandfernswereallgone, lava,pumice,andashes lay thickoneverythingaround,andonlyafewblackenedandtwistedstumpsofthelargertreesremainedtotell thatanumbrageous forest had once flourished there. The whole scene might befittinglydescribedinthetwowordsgreydesolation."Thatistheentrancetoyourfather'soldhome,"saidNigel,ashesethisfairburdendownandpointedtotheentrance."What a dreadful place!" saidWinnie, peering into the black depths of thecavern."ItwasnotdreadfulwhenIfirstsawit,Winnie,withrichverdureeverywhere;and inside youwill find it surprisingly comfortable. Butwemust not enteruntilyourfatherarrivestodothehonoursoftheplacehimself."Theyhadnottowaitlong.FirstMosesarrived,and,shrewdlysuspectingfromthe appearance of the young couple that theywere engaged in conversationthatwouldnotbrookinterruption,or,perhaps,judgingfromwhatmightbehisownwishes in similar circumstances, he turned his back suddenly on them,and,stoopingdown,addressedhimselftoanimaginarycreatureoftheanimalkingdom."What a bootiful bufferfly you is, to be sure! up on sitch a place too, widnuffin'toeat'ceptKrakatoadust.Iwonderwhatyourmoderwouldsayifsheknow'dyouwashere.Youshouldbeashamedobyourself!""Hallo!Moses,whatareyoutalkingtooverthere?""Nuffin',MassaNadgel.Iwason'yhabin'abriefconv'sationwidamemberobde insectwurld in commemoration obde purfesser.Leastwise, if itwarn't a

insectitmusthabbinsuffm'else.Won'tyougoin,MissWinnie?""No, I'd ratherwait for father," returned thegirl, lookinga little flushed, forsome strangeand totallyunfamiliar ideashad recently floated intoherbrainandcaused some incomprehensible flutteringsof theheart towhichhithertoshehadbeenastranger.Mindful of his father's injunctions, however, Nigel had been particularlycarefultoavoidincreasingtheseflutterings.Inafewminutesthehermitcameup."Ah!Winnie,"hesaid,"therehasbeendiredevastationhere.Perhaps inside thingsmay lookbetter.Come, takemyhand and don't be afraid. The floor is level and your eyes will soon getaccustomedtothedimlight.""I's afeared,massa," remarkedMoses, as they entered the cavern, "dat yoursun-lightswon'tbewu'thmuchnow.""You are right, lad. Go on before us and light the lamps if they are notbroken."Itwas found,as theyhadexpected, that, theonly lightwhichpenetrated thecavernwasthatwhichenteredbythecave'smouth,whichofcoursewasveryfeeble.Presently,toWinnie'ssurprise,Moseswasseenissuingfromthekitchenwithapetroleumlampinonehand,thebrilliantlightofwhichnotonlyglitteredonhisexpressiveblackvisagebutsentaruddyglarealloverthecavern.Van der Kemp seemed to watch his daughter intently as she gazed in abewilderedwayaround.Therewasapuzzledlookaswellasmeresurpriseinherprettyface."Father,"shesaidearnestly,"youhavespokenmorethanonceoflivingasifinadream.PerhapsyouwillwonderwhenItellyouthatIexperiencesomethingof that sort now. Strange though this place seems, I have an unaccountablefeelingthatitisnotabsolutelynewtomethatIhaveseenitbefore.""Idonotwonder,dearone,"he replied,"for thedrawings that surround thischamber were the handiwork of your dear mother, and they decorated thewallsofyourownnurserywhenyouwerealittlechildatyourmother'sknee.Forovertenlongyearstheyhavesurroundedmeandkeptyourfacesfreshinmymemorythough,truthtotell,itneedednosuchreminderstodothat.Come,letusexaminethem."Itwaspleasant to see the earnest faceofWinnie as shehalf-recognisedand

strovetorecallthememoriesofearlychildhoodinthatsingularcavern.Itwasalso a sight worth seeingthe countenance of Nigel, as well as that of thehermit, while theywatched and admired her eager, puzzled play of feature,anditwasthemostamazingsightofalltoseetheallbutsuperhumanjoyofMoses as he held the lamp and listened to facts regarding the past of hisbelovedmasterwhichwerequite new tohimfor thehermit spoke as openlyabouthispastdomesticaffairsasifheandWinniehadbeenquitealone."He either forgets that we are present, or counts us as part of his family,"thoughtNigelwithafeelingofsatisfaction."What a dear comoonicative man!" thought Moses, with unconcealedpleasure."Comenow, let us ascend to the observatory," said the hermit,when all thethingsinthelibraryhadbeenexamined."Therehasbeendamagedonethere,Iknow;besides,thereisalockettherewhichbelongedtoyourmother.IleftitbymistakeonedaywhenIwentuptoarrangethemirrors,andinthehurryofleavingforgottoreturnforit.Indeed,oneofmymainobjectsinre-visitingmyoldhomewastofetchthatlocketaway.Itcontainsalockofhairandoneofthose miniatures which men used to paint before photography drove suchworkoffthefield."Winniewasnothing loth tofollow,forshehadreachedaromanticperiodoflife, and it seemed to her that to be led throughmysterious caves and darkgalleriesintheveryheartofastillactivevolcanobyherownfatherthehermitofRakatawastheveryembodimentofromanceitself.But a disappointment awaited them, for they had not proceeded halfwaythrough the dark passage when it was found that a largemass of rock hadfallenfromtheroofandalmostblockeditup."Thereisaspacebigenoughforustocreepthroughattheright-handcornerabove,Ithink,"saidNigel,takingthelanternfromMosesandexaminingthespot."Jump up,Moses, and try it," said the hermit. "If your bulky shoulders getthrough,wecanallmanageit."ThenegrowasabouttoobeytheorderwhenNigelletthelanternfallandtheshockextinguishedit."Oh!MassaNadgel;dasaprittybusiness!""Never mind," said Van der Kemp. "I've got matches, I think, in myno, I

haven't.Haveyou,Moses?""No,massa,Iforgittorememberhim.""Nomatter,runbackyouknowtheroadwellenoughtofollowitinthedark.Wewillwaitheretillyoureturn.Besmart,now!"Mosesstartedoffatonceandforsomemomentsthesoundofclatteringalongthepassagewasheard."Iwill trytoclamberthroughinthedark.LookafterWinnie,Nigelanddon'tleavethespotwhereyoustand,dearone,fortherearecracksandholesaboutthatmightsprainyourlittleankles.""Verywell,father.""Allright.I'vegotthrough,Nigel;I'llfeelmywayonforalittlebit.Remainwhereyouare.""Winnie," said Nigel when they were alone, "doesn't it feel awesome andstrangetobestandinghereinsuchintensedarkness?""ItdoesIdon'tquitelikeit.""Whereaboutsareyou?"saidNigel.Hecarefullystretchedouthishand tofeel,ashespoke,and laidafingeronherbrow."Oh!takecareofmyeyes!"exclaimedWinniewithalittlelaugh."Iwishyouwould turnyoureyes towardsmefor I'mconvinced theywouldgivesomelight?tomeatleast.Here,doletmeholdyourhandItwillmakeyoufeelmoreconfident."Toonewhoisatallfamiliarwiththehumanframe,thewayfromthebrowtothehandiscomparativelysimple.Nigelsoonpossessedhimselfofthecovetedarticle.Likeotherthingsofgreatvaluethepossessionturnedthepooryouth'shead!He forgothis father'swarnings for themoment, forgot thehermit andMosesandSpinkie,andthethickdarknessforgotalmosteverythinginthelightofthattouch!"Winnie!"heexclaimedinatonethatquitealarmedher;"II"Hehesitated.Thesolemnembargoofhisfatherrecurredtohim."Whatisit!Istheredanger?"exclaimedthepoorgirl,claspinghishandtighteranddrawingnearertohim.

This was too much! Nigel felt himself to be contemptible. He was takingunfairadvantageofher."Winnie,"hebeganagain, inavoiceofforcedcalmness,"thereisnodangerwhatever.I'manassadoltthat'sall!Thefactis,Imademyfatherasortofhalfpromise that I would not ask your opinion on a certain subject untiluntil Ifound out exactly what you thought about it. Now the thing isridiculousimpossiblefor howcan I knowyouropinionon any subject until Ihaveaskedyou?""Quitetrue,"returnedWinniesimply,"soyoubetteraskme.""Ha!ha!"laughedNigel,inasortofdesperateamusement,"IIYes,Iwillaskyou,Winnie!ButfirstImustexplain""Hallo!Nigel!" cameat thatmoment from theother sideof theobstruction,"areyouthereallright?""Yes,yesI'mherenotallrightexactly,butI'llbeallrightsomeday,youmaydependuponthat!"shoutedtheyouth,inatoneofindignantexasperation."Whatsaidyou?"askedVanderKemp,puttinghisheadthroughthehole."Hi!I'sa-comin',lookout,dar!"hallooedMosesintheoppositedirection."Just so," said Nigel, resuming his quiet tone and demeanour, "we'll be allrightwhenthelightcomes.Here,giveusyourhand,VanderKemp."Thehermit accepted the proffered aid and leapeddown amongst his friendsjustasMosesarrivedwiththelantern."It's of no use going further," he said. "The passage is completely blockedupsowemust go round towhere themountainhasbeen split off and try toclamberup.Therewillbedaylightenoughyetifwearequick.Come."

CHAPTERXXXIITHELAST

Descendingto theboat theyrowedroundto thefaceof thegreatcliffwhichhad been so suddenly laid barewhen thePeak ofRakatawas cleft from itssummit to its foundations in the sea. Itwas awonderful sightamagnificentsection,affordingamarvellousviewoftheinternalmechanismofavolcano.But therewasno time to spend incontemplationof thisextraordinary sight,foreveningapproachedandthehermit'spurposehadtobeaccomplished.

Highupnearthetopofthemightycliffcouldbeseenasmallholeintherock,whichwasallthatremainedoftheobservatory."Itwillbe impossible, I fear, to reach that spot," saidNigel; "theredoesnotappeartobefootholdforagoat.""Iwill reach it," said thehermit ina lowvoice, ashe scanned theprecipicecarefully."SowillI,"saidthenegro."No,Moses,Igoalone.Youwillremainintheboatandwatch.IfIfall,youcanpickmeup.""Pickyouup!"echoedMoses. "Ifyou tumblesa t'ousand feet intodewaterhowmucht'inkyouwillbeleftopickup?"ItwasuselesstoattempttodissuadeVanderKemp.Beingwellawareofthis,theyallheldtheirpeacewhilehelandedonaspuroftherivencliff.The first part of the ascent was easy enough, the ground having beenirregularlybroken, so that theclimberdisappearedbehindmassesof rockattimes,whilehekeptasmuchaspossibletothewesternedgeofthemountainwhere thecleavagehadoccurred;butasheascendedhewasforced tocomeout uponnarrow ledges that hadbeen left here and there on the face of thecliff,where he seemed, to thosewhowerewatching far below, like amereblack spot on the face of a giganticwall. Still upward hewent, slowly butsteadily,tillhereachedaspotnearlylevelwiththeobservatory.Herehehadtogooutonthesheerprecipice,wherehisfootholdswereinvisiblefrombelow.Winniesat in theboatwithblanchedfaceandtightlyclaspedhands,pantingwithanxietyasshegazedupwards."It looksmuchmoredangerousfromhere than it is inreality,"saidNigel toherinareassuringtone."Das true,MassaNadgel,dasbery true," interposedMoses,endeavouring tocomforthimselfaswellastheothersbytheintenseearnestnessofhismanner."De only danger,MissWinnie, lies in your fadder losin' his head at sitch at'riffic height, an' dar's no fear at all ob dat, for Massa neber loses hisheadpooh!youmightaswell talkobhimlosin'hisheart.Look! look!hegitclosetodeholenowheputhisfootyesnextstepdar!he'vedoneit!"With the perspirationof anxiety streamingdownhis face the negro relievedhis feelings by a wild prolonged cheer. Nigel obtained the same relief by

means of a deep long-drawn sigh, butWinnie did notmove; she seemed torealise her father's danger better than her companions, and remembered thatthedescentwouldbemuchmoredifficultthantheascent.Theywerenotkeptlonginsuspense.Inafewminutesthehermitreappearedandbegantoretracehisstepsslowlybutsteadilyandthewatchersbreathedmorefreely.Moseswasright;therewasinrealitylittledangerintheclimb,fortheledgeswhichappearedtothemlikemerethreads,andthefootholdsthatwerealmostinvisible,wereinrealityfromafoottothreefeetwide.Theonlydangerlayinthehermit'sheadbeingunabletostandthetrial,but,asMoseshadremarked,therewasnofearofthat.The watchers were therefore beginning to feel somewhat relieved from thetensionoftheiranxiety,whenahugemassofrockwasseentoslipfromtheface of the cliff anddescendwith the thunderous roar of an avalanche.Theincidentgavethoseintheboatashock,forthelandslipoccurrednotfarfromthe spot which Van der Kemp had reached, but as he still stood there inapparentsafety thereseemednocauseforalarmtill itwasobserved that theclimberremainedquitestillforalongtimeand,seemedtohavenointentionofmoving."God help him!" cried Nigel in sudden alarm, "the ledge has been carriedawayandhecannotadvance!Staybytheboat,Moses,Iwillruntohelphim!""No,MassaNadgel," returned thenegro,"Igo todiewid 'im.Boatkin lookarteritself."He sprang on shore as he spoke, and dashed up the mountain-side like ahuntedhare.OurherolookedatWinnieforaninstantinhesitation."Go!"saidthepoorgirl."YouknowIcanmanageaboatquick!"Another moment and Nigel was following in the track of the negro. Theygained thebroken ledge together,and then found that thespacebetween thepointwhich theyhad reachedand the spotonwhich thehermit stoodwasasmoothfaceofperpendicularrockanabsolutelyimpassablegulf!VanderKempwas standingwithhis back flat against theprecipice andhisfeetrestingonalittlepieceofprojectingrocknotmorethanthreeincheswide.This was all that lay between him and the hideous depth below, for Nigelfoundoncarefullydrawingnearerthattheavalanchehadbeenmoreextensivethanwasapparentfrombelow,andthattheledgebeyondthehermithadbeenalsocarriedawaythuscuttingoffhisretreataswellashisadvance.

"Icanmakenoeffort tohelpmyself,"saidVanderKempinalowbutcalmvoice,when our hero's foot rested on the last projecting point that he couldgain,andfoundthatwiththeutmostreachofhisarmhecouldnotgetwithinsixinchesofhisfriend'soutstretchedhand.Besides,Nigelhimselfstoodonsonarrowaledge,andagainstsosteepacliff,thathecouldnothaveactedwithhis wonted power even if the hand could have been grasped.Moses stoodimmediatelybehindNigel,wheretheledgewasbroaderandwhereashallowrecess in the rock enabled him to stand with comparative ease. The poorfellow seemed to realise the situation more fully than his companion, fordespairwaswrittenoneveryfeatureofhisexpressiveface."Whatistobedone?"saidNigel,lookingback."Deboat-rope,"suggestedthenegro."Useless,"saidVanderKemp,inavoiceascalmandsteadyasifhewereinperfectsafety,thoughtheunusualpallorofhisgravecountenanceshowedthathewasfullyalivetotheterriblesituation."Iamrestingonlittlemorethanmyheels,andthestrainisalmosttoomuchformeevennow.Icouldnotholdontillyouwenttotheboatandreturned.No,itseemstobeGod'swilland,"addedhehumbly,"Hiswillbedone.""OGod, sendushelp!"criedNigel inanagonyof feeling thathecouldnotmaster."If Ihadbetter footholdImightspring towardsyouandcatchholdofyou,"said the hermit, "but I cannot spring off my heels. Besides, I doubt if youcouldbearmyweight.""Try, try!" cried Nigel, eagerly extending his hand. "Don't fear for mystrengthI'vegotplentyofit,thankGod!andsee,Ihavemyrightarmwedgedintoacrevicesofirmlythatnothingcouldhaulitout."ButVanderKempshookhishead."Icannotevenmaketheattempt,"hesaid."Theslightestmovewouldplungemedown.Dearboy!IknowthatyouandyourfatherandMoseswillcareformyWinnie,and""Massa!" gasped Moses, who while the hermit was speaking had beenworking his bodywithmysterious and violent energy; "massa! couldn't youfalldisway,an'Nadgelcouldkitchyourhand,an'I'sgotmylegshovedintoaholeasnuffin' 'llhaul itoutob.Dere'sahollerplacehere. IfNadgelswingsyouintodat,an'Ionlyoncegrabyoubydehairyou'resafe!""Itmightbedonetriedatleast,"saidthehermit,lookinganxiouslyathisyoung

friend."Tryit!"criedNigel,"Iwon'tfailyou."It is not possible for any except thosewho have gone through a somewhatsimilar ordeal to understand fully the test of cool courage which Van derKemphadtoundergoonthatoccasion.Shuttinghiseyes foramoment insilentprayer,hedeliberatelyworkedwithhisshouldersuponthecliffagainstwhichheleaneduntilhefelthimselftobeon the point of falling towards his friend, and the two outstretched handsalmosttouched."Now,areyouready?"heasked."Ready,"repliedNigel,whileMoseswoundbothhispowerfularmsroundhiscomrade'swaistandheldon.Anothermomentandthehandsclasped,Nigelutteredanirrepressibleshoutasthehermitswungoff,and,comingroundwithgreatviolencetothespotwherethenegrohad fixedhimself, just succeeded in catching the edgeof the cliffwithhisfreehand."Letgo,Nigel,"heshouted;"safe!"The poor youth was only too glad to obey, for the tremendous pull hadwrenched his arm out of the crevice in which he had fixed it, and for amomentheswayedhelplesslyovertheawfulabyss."Don't letmego,Moses!"heyelled,ashemadeafranticbutfutileeffort toregainhishold,forhefeltthatthenegrohadloosenedoneofhisarmsthoughtheotherwasstillroundhimlikeahoopofiron."No fear, Nadgel," said Moses, "I's got you tightonly don' wriggle. Now,massa,upyoucome."Moseshadgraspedhismaster'shairwithagrip: thatwell-nighscalpedhim,andheheldonuntil thehermithadgotasecureholdof the ledgewithbothhands.Thenheletthehairgo,forheknewthattoanathletelikehismastertheraising himself by his arms on to the ledge would be the Work of a fewseconds. Van der Kemp was thus able to assist in rescuing Nigel from hispositionofdanger.But the expressions of heartfelt thankfulness for this deliverance whichnaturally broke from them were abruptly checked when it was found thatMoses could bynomeans extract his leg out of the hole intowhichhe had

thrustit,andthathewassufferinggreatpain.Aftersometime,andagooddealofviolentwrenching,duringwhichoursableheromingledafewgroansinstrangefashionwithhiscongratulations,hewasgotfree,andthenitwasfoundthatthestrainhadbeentoomuchforevenhispowerfulbonesandsinews,forthelegwasbroken."Mypoorfellow!"murmuredVanderKemp,ashewentdownonhiskneestoexaminethelimb."Don'careabuttinfordat,massa.You'resafe,an'Nadgel'ssafean'itonlycostabrokenleg!Pooh!dasnuffin'!"saidMoses,unabletorepressafewtearsintheexcessofhisjoyandpain!With considerable difficulty they carried the poor negro down to the boat,where theyfoundWinnie,asmightbesupposed, inahalf-faintingconditionfrom the strain of prolonged anxiety and terror to which she had beensubjected;butthenecessityofattendingtothecaseoftheinjuredMoseswasanantidotewhichspeedilyrestoredher.Do you think, good reader, that Nigel and Winnie had much difficulty incomingtoanunderstandingafterthat,orthatthehermitwasdisposedtothrowanyobstaclesinthewayoftruelove?Ifyoudo,letusassureyouthatyouaremistaken.Surelythisisinformationenoughforanyintelligentreader.Still,itmaybeinterestingtoadd,difficultiesdidnotallatoncedisappear.Theperplexities that had already assailed Nigel more than once assailed himagainperplexitiesaboutanegroman-servant,andahouseholdmonkey,andahermit father-in-law, and a small incometo say nothing of a disconsolatemother-poetess in England and a father roving on the high seas! How toovercomethesedifficultiesgavehimmuchthoughtandtrouble;buttheywereovercomeatlast.Thatwhichseemedimpossibletomanprovedtobechild's-play in thehandsofwoman.Winniesolved thedifficultybysuggesting thatthey shouldall return to theCocos-Keeling Islands anddwell together thereforevermore!Letusdropinonthem,goodreader,atalaterperiod,havealookatthem,andbidthemallgood-bye.Onagreenknollbythemarginofthelagoonstandsabeautifulcottagewithagardenaroundit,andapleasure-boatrestingonthewhitecoralsandinfront.From the windows of that cottage there is a most magnificent view of thelagoon with its numerous islets and its picturesque palm-trees. Within thatcottagedwellNigelandWinnie,andabrown-eyed,brown-haired,fair-skinnedbabygirlwho is "themost extraordinaryangel that everwasborn." Ithasa

nurse of its own, but is chiefly waited on and attended to by an antiquepoetess,whodwells inanothercottage,astone's-castoff,on thesamegreenknoll.Theresheinspiresanancientmarinerwithpoeticalsentimentsnotyourup-in-the-clouds, reef-point-patteringnonsense,observe;but the realgenuinearticle,superior to"thatotherfellow's,"youknowwhennotactivelyengagedwiththebaby.ThefirstcottageisnamedRakata,inhonourofourhermit,whoisoneofitsinhabitants. The second is named Krakatoa by its eccentric owner, CaptainRoy.Itmustnotbeimagined,however,thatourfriendshavesettleddowntheretospend their lives in idleness. By no means. This probably would not bepermittedbythe"KingoftheCocosIslands"eveniftheywishedtodoso.Buttheydonotwish that.There is no suchcondition as idleness in the livesofgoodmenandwomen.Nigel has taken to general superintendence of the flourishing community inthemidstofwhichhehascasthislot.Hemaybealmostregardedastheprimeministeroftheislands,inadditiontowhichhehasstartedanextensiveboat-building business and a considerable trade in cocoa-nuts, etc., with thenumerousislandsoftheJavaSea;alsoasaw-mill,andaforge,andaSunday-schoolinwhichlastthepretty,humble-mindedWinnielendsmostefficientaid.Indeeditissaidthatsheisthechiefmanageraswellasthelifeandsoulofthatbusiness,thoughNigelgetsallthecredit.CaptainRoysometimessailshisson'svessels,andsometimeslooksafterthesecular education of the Sunday-school childrenthe said education beingconductedon theprincipleofunlimited story-tellingwith illimitableplayoffancy.Buthisoccupationsareirregularundertakenbyfitsandstarts,andnevertobecountedon.Hiseveningsheusuallydevotestopoetryandpipesforthecaptain is obstinate, and stickslike most of usto his failings as well as hisfancies.There is a certaineccentric individualwithanenthusiastic temperament andbluebinocularswhopaysfrequentandprolongedvisitstotheKeelingIslands.ItneedscarcelybesaidthathisnameisVerkimier.Thereisnoaccountingforthe tastesofhumanbeings.Notwithstandingallhisescapesandexperiences,that indomitablemanof sciencestill ranges, likeamadphilosopher, farandwideoverthearchipelagoinpursuitof"booterfliesantozerspecimensofzeeinsect vorld." It is observed, however, even by the most obtuse among hisfriends, thatwhereas in former times the professor's nightswere centrifugalthey have nowbecome centripetaltheKeeling Islands being the great centretowardswhichheflies.Verkimieris,andprobablywillalwaysbe,asubjectof

wonderandofprofoundspeculationtotheyouthfulinhabitantsoftheislands.They don't understand him and he does not understand them. If they wereinsectshewouldtakedeepandintelligentinterestinthem.Astheyaremerelyhumanbeings,heregardsthemwiththatpeculiarkindofinterestwithwhichmen regard theunknownandunknowable.He isbynomeans indifferent tothem.Heistookindlyforthat.Hestudiesthemdeeply,thoughhopelessly,andwhenheenterstheSunday-schoolwithhisbinocularswhichheoftendoes,tolistenadegreeofawesettlesdownonthelittleoneswhichitisimpossibletoevokebythemostsolemnappealstotheirspiritualnatures.NigelandWinniehaveagardener,and thatgardener isblackasblackas theAceofSpadesortheKingofAshantee.HedwellsinacorneroftheRakataCottage,but is addicted to spendingmuchofhis spare time in theKrakatoaone.Heisasstrongandpowerfulasever,butlimpsslightlyonhisrightleghis"game" leg, as he styles it.He is, of course, an immense favouritewith theyoung peoplenot less thanwith the old. He has been known to say, with asolemnity that might tickle the humorous and horrify the timid, that hewouldn't"habdatgamelegmadestraightagin!no,notforahundredt'ousandpounds.'Causewhy?itwasaneber-presentvisiblereminderdatonceuponatimehehaddelibesobmassaandNadgelinhisarmsahangin'ontohisgameleg,an'dat,t'roughGraciousGoodness,hesabedembof!"Ha!Youmay smile atMoses if youwill, but he can return the smile withkindlyinterest,forheisactuatedbythatgrandprinciplewhichwillsoonerorlater transform even the scoffers of earth, and which is embodied in thewords"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw."Even the lower animals testify to this factwhen thedog licks thehand thatsmitesitandaccordsinstantforgivenessontheslightestencouragement.Doesnot Spinkie prove it also,when, issuing at call, from its own pagoda in thesunniestcorneroftheRakatagarden,itforsakescocoa-nuts,sugar-cane,fruits,and other delights, to lay its little head in joyful consecration on the blackbosomofitsbenignantfriend?AndwhatofMoses'opinionofthenewhome?Itmaybeshortlyexpressedinhis own words-"It's heaben upon eart', an' de most happiest time as eberoccurred to me was dat time when Sunda Straits went into cumbusti'n an'KrakatoawasBlowntoBits."

THEEND

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