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HN 1YE4 74

CICICIO
THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

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Hu
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AR

.. The report of
"The 01 a rifle broke
hroke the stillness air."
stillness of the air."
[See page '57.
[See 157.

DiQilizedbyGoogle
THE GOLDEN LAKE
THE GOLDEN LAKE

OR
OR
.'
THE MARVELLOUS HISTORY
THE MARVELLOUS HISTORY OF A JOURNEY
OF A JOURNEY

THROUGH
THROUGH THE
THE GREAT LONE LAND
GREAT LONE LAND OF
OF

AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA

BY
BY

W. CARLTON
W. CARLTON DAWE
DAWE
AUTHOR OF .. SKETCHES IN
"SKETCHES IN VERSE," ETC.
ZANTHA," ETC.
VERSE," .." ZANTHA,"

Colonial Edition

E.
E. A.
A. PETHERICK
PETHERICK & CO.
& CO.
MELBOURNE SYDNEY, &
MELBOURNE,, SYDNE~ ADELAI~E
& ADELAIDE
TRISCHLER &
TRISCHLER & COMPANY,
COMPANY, LoNDON
LONDON
18 91
1891

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KD 54399

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
FEB 2 1956

C.7. Feller

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 AKUNCEN
JOGAL
SE
CONTENTS.
CONTENTS .

CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
PAGE
WHICH II HEAR
IN WHICH
IN OF THE
HEAR OF GOLDEN LAKE
THE GOLDEN FOR THE
LAKE FOR THE
FIRST
FIRST TIME
TIME ... ... ... 9
9

CHAPTER
CHAPTER 11.
II.
CONTAINING THE
CONTAINING THE DEATH AND HISTORY
DEATH AND HISTORY OF
OF ONE
ONE
JOSEPH MORTON, OF YARMOUTH, ENGLAND ... 13
13

CHAPTER
CHAPTER Ill.
III.

IN WHICH IS RELATED A CONVERSATION BETWEEN MY

COUSIN HARDWICKE AND MYSELF ... ... 28
28

CHAPTER
CHAPTER IV.
IV.
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF OUR SETTING
OF OUR SETTING OUT,
OUT,
ALSO A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE
ROYAL
ROYAL BETWEEN HARDWICKE
HARDWICKE AND THE
THE BULLOCK
•••
DRIVER ... ... ... 32

CHAPTER
CHAPTER V.
V.
IN WHICH IS 'RELATED
RELATED OUR FARTHER PROGRESS WEST
WESTJ
WARD,, AND
WARD AND OUR
OUR FLIGHT FROM
FLIGHT FROM THE
THE MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAIN
OF FIRE 600
... ... ... ... ... 46

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vi
vi CONTENTS.
CON TENTS.

CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI .
PAGE
PAGE
IN WHICH IS RELATED OUR STILL FARTHER PROGRESS
WESTWARD, WITH
WESTWARD, WITH AN
AN ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT OF
OF THE
THE MISFOR
MISFOR-
TUNES THAT BEFELL US ON OUR WAY 61
61
ClIAPTER
CHAPTER VII.'
VII.
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT .oF
OF OUR EXPERIENCES AT
THE
THE OASIS
OASIS ... 76
76

CHAPTER
CHAPTER VIII.
VIII.
IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS RELATED OUR
IS RELATED OUR DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY OF
OF THE
THE SALT
SALT
LAKES, ALSO AN
LAKES, ALSO ACCOUNT OF
AN ACCOUNT THE DEATH
OF THE DEATH AND
AND
BURIAL OF MURPHY
MURPHY ... ... ... 93
93

CHAPTER
CHAPTER IX.
IX.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH ARE
ARE RELATED
RELATED THE
THE FURTHER
FURTHER MISFORTUNES
MISFORTUNES
THAT BEFELL US AS
BEFELL US WE JOURNEYED
AS WE INTO THE
JOURNEYED INTO THE
GREAT LONE
GREAT LONE LAND... ... ... 106
106

X.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER
DESCRIBING OUR ARRIVAL AT THE GREAT WHITE CITY
AND OUR BATTLE WITH ITS FIERCE INHABITANTS 116
116

CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
OF OUR
OUR MARCH ACROSS
ACROSS THE
THE
GREAT
GREAT DESERT
DESERT ... ... ... ... 131

CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
THE GOLDEN
THE GOlJ)EN LAKE
LAKE ... ... 148

CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS
IS RELATED
RELATED OUR
OUR INTERVIEW.WITH
INTERVIEW WITH KALUA
KALUA
THE KING
THE KING ... ... 164
164

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 CONTENTS.
CONTENTS. vii

CHAPTER XlV.
CHAPTER XIV.
PAGI
PAGI
DESCRIBJNG THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES OF THE MAN-
DESCRIBING MAN
DANYAH, ALSO A
DANYAH, ALSO SANGUINARY NAVAL ENGAGEMENT 178
A SANGUINARY

CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV .
IN WHICH IS GIVEN A DESCRIPTION OF THE CORRO
CORRO-
•••
BOREE, OR NATIVE DANCE ... ... .... 199
199

CHAPTER XVI..
CHAPTER XVI
CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE SACRED AXE AND
THE
THE PEOPLE
PEOPLE OF THE
THE MANDANYAH ... 217

CHAPTER
CHAPTER XVII.
XVII.
CONCERNING THE ADVENTURES WHICH BEFELL US.
US IN
THE
THE GREAT
GREAT CAVE .••
CAVE ... 233
• •• 233
...

CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HOW WE ACCOMPLISHED
HOW WE ACCOMPLISHED THE PASSAGE OF
THE PASSAGE THE CHASM
OF THE CHASM 251
251

CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
CONTAINING
CONTAINING ANAN ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT OF OUR FLIGHT,
OF OUR FLIGHT, AND
AND
DESCRIBING
DESCRIBING THE VIO['ENCE OF
THE VIOLENCE THE GREAT
OF THE GREAT
EARTHQUAKE
EARTHQUAKE ... 264
... 264

CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
CONCLUSION ·._ ...
•••. 279
279

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 ILLUSTRATIONS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.

..• ,.
66
"THE REPORT OF
THE REPORT OF A RIFLE THE
RIFLE BROKE THE
STILLNESS OF THE AIR
STILLNESS AIR""2 Frontispiece.
... ... Frontispiece.
"" II SANK SENSELESS UPON
SANK SENSELESS UPON THE
THE SAND
SAND
BEHIND THE PROTECTING BODY OF
MY
MY DEAD "" •••
HORSE" ...
DEAD HORSE FadmJ page 44
... ... Facing page 44
"6
"THE
THE MOON NOW SHONE OUT BRIGHTLY
AND ILLUMINED THE GREAT WHITE
GLORY ""
GUM WITH A WEIRD GLORY" ... ..
"9 99
"
8e
8c

IT
' IT WAS NO OPTICAL ILLUSION,,
OPTICAL ILLUSION
..
I NO
PHANTASY "" ...
PHANTASY" ... ... ... "" "" 116
116
"
"SOON
" SOON AFTI!;R',
AFTER WE WE LEFTLEFT THE THREE
THE THREE
BROTHERS WE WE SAWSAW THE
THE REASON
REASON OF
OF
"2"
THEIR NAME
THEIR NAME" ... ... ... :) "9 152
" "
"HERS WAS THEN
66 HERS WAS THEN THE
THE TASK
TASK TO
ΤΟ DE-
DE
LIVER WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED THE
FUNERAL ORATION ""
FUNERAL ORATION" ... "" "" 188
188
" "
66 SHE NOW
"SHE NOW GRASPED
GRASPED THE
THE ROPE
ROPE WITH
WITH
BOTH HANDS
HANDS""" ... ... 224
""" ""
"
66 THIS TIME
"THIS TIME II SAW
SAW TO
TO MYMY HORROR THAT
HORROR THAT
THE
THE SAVAGES
SAVAGES MEANT
MEANT TO ΤΟ ATTACK
ATTACK
""
US IN A
US IN A BODY
DODY" ... ... "1 10 260
=

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLD EN LAKE ..
LAKE

•••••
CHAPTER-I.
CHAPTER I.

IN WHICH I HEAR OF THE GOLDEN LAKE FOR THE FIRST

TIME.
TIME.

MANY
MANY marvellous
marvellous stories were set
stories were set afloat
afloat concerning
concerning the the
great Colony of
great Colony of Western
Western Australia,
Australia, and and not not thethe least
least
marvellous
marvellous of the many
of the many II hadhad heard
heard during
during my stay in
my stay in
the Queen
the Queen City City ofof the
the Southern
Southern Hemisphere
Hemisphere (as the
(as the
Victorians
Victorians delight
delight in in calling
calling Melbourne)
Melbourne) was was one which
one which
was related
was related to to me
me by by my
my cousin,
cousin, Richard
Richard Hardwicke,
Hardwicke,
with whom
with whom II was was at that time
at that time staying
staying in in the
the Victorian
Victorian
capital.
capital.
We were
We were seated
seated at at dinner
dinner one one night-Dick,
night- Dick, his two
his two
sisters, his
sisters, his mother,
mother, andand myself.
myself. The The weather
weather beingbeing
extremely close, all
extremely close, all the
the large windows were
large windows were thrown
thrown wide
wide
open,
open, andand wewe could hear the
could hear the monotonous
monotonous moan moan of the sea
of the sea
as it
as it flung
flung itself
itself languidly
languidly on on thethe beach
beach below,
below, forfor the
the
home
home of of the
the Hardwickes
Hardwickes was was in in the
the charming
charming suburbsuburb of of
St.
St. Kilda.
Kilda. A A solitary
solitary servant
servant administered
administered to to our
our wants
wants
-an individual who
—an individual who appeared
appeared to to me
me to to be
be older
older inin
experience
experience than than years,
years, for though his
for though his shoulders
shoulders stooped
stooped
and his
and his hair was snow-white,
hair was there was
snow-white, there was an an indelible
indelible im-im
pression
pression of something stronger
of something stronger than than years
years uponupon him.him.
Intelligent was
Intelligent was hishis face
face and
and almost
almost handsome,
handsome, and and yet
yet
withal
withal so so strange
strange and dejected that
and dejected that II seemed
seemed to to guess,
guess,
as
as if by intuition,
if by that his
intuition, that his had
had been 66
been aa "strange,
strange, eventful
eventful
history."
history."
Our
Our conversation wandered on
conversation wandered on many topics during
many topics during the
the
B
B

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10
IO TilE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

progress of
progress of the
the meal-the theatre, the
meal-the theatre, the race for the
race for the CUp-
Cup
which I,
which I, unfortunately,
unfortunately, had
had missed-the
missed-the latest marriage,
latest marriage,
and that
and that ever-recurring
ever-recurring subject, the weather,
subject, the weather, the
the heat
heat
during aa part
during part of
of that
that day
day having
having been
been exceptionally
exceptionally
intense.
intense.
"It
" It was
was nothing
nothing toto what
what II havehave experienced
experienced in in the
the
northern parts
northern parts of of South
South Australia,"
Australia," said
said my my cousin.
cousin.
" There the
"There the thermometer
thermometer registered for ten
registered for ten days
days in in
succession 130
succession degrees in
I 30 degrees in the
the shade,
shade, and
and it was even
it was even
said
said that that the
the beard
beard of
of one
one of of our party had
our party been set
had been set on
on
fire by
fire by the
the sun.
sun. YouYou see, it was
see, it was aa red
red one."
one."
"That
" That was warm, Dick,"
was warm, Dick," said his eldest
said his eldest sister, Kate,
sister, Kate,
while peals
while peals of
of laughter
laughter went
went round
round the
the table.
table.
" Which do
"Which you mean,
do you mean, thethe story
story or
or the beard?"
the beard ?"
" Both."
11 Both ."
"Ccc Well," continued Dick, "I didn't see it while it was
Well," continued Dick, " I didn't see it while it was
actually burning,
actually burning, butbut II saw
saw it it shortly after, and
shortly after, and I'll
I'll swear
swear
that it
that it had
had been
been burnt.
burnt. The boss vowed
The boss vowed the lazy beggar
the lazy beggar
had gone
had gone to to sleep
sleep with his pipe
with his pipe in his mouth,
in his mouth , though, the
though, the
fellow, who
fellow, who by by the
the wayway waswas anan Irishman,
Irishman, sworeswore byby all
all the
the
holy popes
holy popes right
right back
back to to Peter
Peter that
that if
if it
it wasn't
wasn't the
the sun
sun that
that
did it,
did it -'as
it, it as something
something a a moighty
moighty sight
sight hotter."
hotter. "
" II suppose
" suppose these these are the usual
are the usual tales
tales with
with which
which youyou
tingle the
tingle the ears
ears ofof the ' new chum'
the 'new chum ' ?"
? " II remarked
remarked.. ""It was
It was
, not bad, old
not bad, fellow, but
old fellow, but you
you ought
ought to to produce
produce something
something
better in
better such aa marvellous
in such country as
marvellous country this. Take
as this. Take West
West
Australia,
Australia, for for instance."
instance." And And asas II spoke
spoke these
these words
words II
looked towards my
looked towards my cousin,
cousin , and
and caught
caught the the eyes
eyes of the old
of the old
servant scanning me
servant scanning me curiously.
curiously.
"Almost aa myth,"
"Almost myth," said said Mrs. Hardwicke.
Mrs. Hardwicke.
"A
" A cipher,
cipher, " " remarked
remarked Miss Miss Kate.
Kate.
"Not altogether,"
"Not altogether," Dick Dick answered
answered coolly.
coolly. "I have heard
" I have heard
some
some wonderful
wonderful yams yarns about that place,
about that place, old chap "-he
old chap "—he waswas
now riding
now riding oneone of of his
his pet
pet hobbies,
hobbies, "and
" and shall be mightily
shall be mightily
disappointed
disappointed if if II do not find
do not find that my imaginary
that my imaginary castles have
castles have
been built
been built upon
upon substantial
substantial foundations."
foundations."
"Then
" Then why why don't
don't youyou go go exploring,
exploring, Dick."
Dick. " It was still
It was still
the eldest
the eldest sister who spoke.
sister who spoke. ""You know, you
You know, you might
might make
make

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDeN LAKE.
LAKE. IJ
II

a reputation
a reputation even even as as great
great as as Burke's,
Burke's, besides
besides discover
discove!'·
ing some
ing some of those mountains
of those mountains of of gold
gold of of which
which you you are are
eternally ""
eternally dreaming,
dreaming, "
But
But Dick Dick paid
paid nono attention
attention to this young
to this young lady's
lady's sarcasms
sarcasms.
He turned
He turned to to meme with
with aa smile.
smile . " cc They
They say there is
say there is never
never
smoke
smoke withoutwithout fire."
fire." .
cc A truism
"A truism which,
which, metaphorically,
metaphorically, does does not not always
always holdhold
good.""
good.
"No matter.
"No matter. We'll We'll presume
presume therethere is is not."
not."
" And
" And whatwhat thenthen?? ""
" I'll
" I'll tell
tell you
you aa queer
queer yarn yarn II onceonce heardheard about
about that that
,' mythical
mythical'' colony."
colony." And And here,here, chancing
chancing to to look
look towards
towards
the old
the servant" II saw
old servant, saw him him tremble
tremble violently
violently as as hehe gazed
gazed
with intensity
with intensity upon upon my my cousin.
cousin. :But Dick, utterly
But Dick, utt&rly
oblivious of
oblivious of the
the interest
interest he he was
was creating
creating in breast ~f
the breast
in the of atat
least one
least one of the assembly,
of the assembly, continued,
continued , "It " It waswas told
told to to meme
when II was
when was in in South
South Australia,
Australia, andand you you shall
shall have
have it it just
just asas
I did."
I did."
We sat
We sat all
all attention,
attention, thoughthough II thought
thought II perceived
perceived all an
almost imperceptible
almost imperceptible smile smile play
play round
round the the 'corners
corners of his
of his
eldest
eldest sister's
sister's mouth.
mouth. She
She evidently
evidently knew knew \' it lt was
was
coming.
coming. The The old old servant
servant moved moved softly about the
softly about the room.
room .
Dick
Dick took took aa sipsip of
of wine
wine and and began.
began.
"II heard
" heard the the story
story from from aa fellow
fellow who who was was oneone of of the
the
party, and
party, as II knew
and as knew him him well
well II have
have no no cause
cause to to disbelieve
disbelieve
him, for
him, for II was
was notnot aa 'new chum,'' and
' new chum, and there
there was was nothing
nothing to to'
be gained
be gained by by getting
getting at at me.
me. It was this
It was this:: HeHe said
said thatthat
"hile he
while he was
was working
working with with aa party
party of of surveyors
surveyors away away up up in in
tlte North
the North West West of of South
South Australia,
Australia, somesome fifteen
fifteen or or sixteen
sixteen
years ago,
years ago, they
they oneone day day picked
picked up up aa nigger,
nigger, moremore dead dead
than alive,
than whom they
alive, whom they foundfound crawling
crawling towards
towards theirtheir camp
camp
on his
on his hands
hands and and knees.
knees. He He had
had followed
followed theirtheir tracks
tracks for for
days over
days over aa most most sterile
sterile region,
region, but but onon account
account of of the
the
rapidity with
rapidity with which
which they they travelled
travelled to to the
the Springs,
Springs, he he had
had
not been
not been ableable to to .come
come up up with
with them,
them, consequently
consequently when when
discovered he
discovered he waswas almost
almost in his last
in his last gasp.
gasp.
cc When spoken
"When spoken to to he he could
could make
make no no answer,
answer, hi!fhis tongue
tongue
and throat being
and throat being most moat fearfully
fearfully parched
parched and and swollen
.
swollen..

Digitized by Coogle
12
12 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

They,
They, however,
however, attended
attended the the poor wretch carefully,
poor wretch carefully, withwith
the result
the result that that he was speedily
he was speedily brought
brought round,
round, and
and when when
the chief
the chief of the party
of the party leant
leant overover himhim to to see how he
see how he looked,
looked,
the fellow's
the fellow's bloodshot
bloodshot eyes rested with
eyes rested with the
the utmost
utmost curiosity
curiosity
on the
on the surveyor's
surveyor's watch-chain,
watch-chain, which which was was gold
gold and
and of of aa
considerable size.
considerable size. He stretched out
He stretched out hishis hand
hand to to feel
feel it,
it,
and then
and then criedcried in in his
his own own language,
language, which which oneone of of the
the
black boys
black boys luckily
luckily understood
understood-
666'What
,le What you you call it?'
call it ?'
" 'Gold,'
" Gold,' he he was answered.
was answered.
" , Good?'
" Good ?' he he asked
asked next.
next.
"'The
" The bestbest thing
thing in in thethe world,'
world,' he he was
was told,
told, which
which reply
reply
he seemed
he seemed searcelyscarcely to to understand,
understand, though though he he immediately
immediately
pointed to
pointed to aa roughly-shaped
roughly-shaped ring ring ofof dirty metal, which
dirty metal, which he he
wore
wore on on his
his ankle,
ankle, andand which
which they,they, examining,
examining, foundfound to to be
be
gold
gold.
" 'Plenty
" Plenty o' that stuff,
0' that stuff,'' hehe cried.
cried.
"66 6'Where?'
'Where ? '
"With aa quick
"With quick movement
movement he jerked his
he jerked his hand
hand towards
towards the the
face of
face the setting
of the setting sun.
sun.
" 'Behind
" Behind the the mountains-by
mountains-by the the lake.'"
lake.""
At
At the the mention
mention of of the the word
word""lake lake""" the
the old
old servant,
servant,
who was
who was thenthen engaged
engaged removingremoving some glasses to
some glasses to the
the
other end
other end of the room,
of the room, upsetupset the the tray,
tray, and
and crash
crash upon
upon the the
floor
floor they they went.
went. No No one one spoke,
spoke, but but Mrs.
Mrs. Hardwicke
Hardwicke
arose
arose at that moment,
at that moment, and and withwith herher daughters
daughters leftleft thethe
room. Then
room. Then both both Dick
Dick and and II swung
swung roundround andand surveyed
surveyed
the delinquent.
the delinquent. His His faceface waswas ashy pale, and
ashy pale, his hands
and his hands
trembled violently, but his eyes
trembled violently, but his eyes met ours with a steady met ours with a steady
searching
searching gaze gaze which
which was was almost
almost awfulawful in in its
its intensity.
intensity.
"I ask
"I ask your
your pardon,
pardon, sir,"sir," he stammered.
he stammered.
"Oh, it's
"Oh, it's nothing,
nothing, Morton,"
Morton,” repliedreplied my my cousin,
cousin, "though
" though
I'm afraid
I'm afraid you you startled
startled the the ladies."
ladies."
No more
No more was was said
said at that moment,
at that moment, but, but, strange
strange asas itit may
may
seem,
seem, this this apparently
apparently unimportant
unimportant incident incident was was but
but thethe
beginning of
beginning of aa series
series of of remarkable
remarkable revelations
revelations which
which cul cul-
minated
minated in in thethe undertaking
undertaking of of one
one of the most
of the most surprising
surprising
journeys ever
journeys ever attempted
attempted by by man.
man.

D.,g'tized by Google
 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 13
13

CHAPTER
CHAPTER 11.
II.

NING THE
CONTAINING
CONTAI DEATH AND
THE DEATH HISTORY OF
AND HISTORY JOSEPH
ONE JOSEPB
OF ONE
MORTO N, OF YARMO
MORTON, YARMOUTH, ENGLAND.
UTH, ENGLA ND.

NOTHING of
NOTHING of any
any consequence
consequence occurred occurred for for the
the nextnext two two
months. II had
months. had tested
tested Australian
Australian hospitality,
hospitality, bothboth in in town
town
and country, to
and country, to its
its utmost,
utmost, and and hadhad not not found
found it it wanting.
wanting.
Existence
Existence appeared
appeared to to be quite as
be quite uneventful in
as uneventful the new
in the new
land
land as as the
the old.
old. All All thethe wild life of
wild life of former
former days days had had
vanished, leaving behind
vanished, leaving behind it it flourishing
flourishing cities
cities inhabited
inhabited by by
sober, hardworking citizens.
sober, hardworking citizens.
It was
It was shortly
shortly after
after mymy return
return fromfrom aa visit
visit to
to the
the famous
famous
goldfields of
goldfields of Ballarat
Ballarat that that my my cousin Hardwicke informed
cousin Hardwicke informed
me
me of the serious
of the serious illness
illness of their old
of their old servant
servant Morton,
Morton, which, which,
I must
I must confess,
confess, seemed
seemed not not of much consequence
of much consequence to to me.
me.
But when he
But when told of
he told the extraordinary
of the extraordinary things things the the manman had had
said and
said and done,
done, II began
began to to understand
understand the the reason
reason of his
of his
great interest,
great interest, though
though at at that
that moment
moment II little foresaw how
little foresaw how
much the
much the strange
strange old old fellow
fellow waswas to to influence
influence our our future
future
lives.
lives.
It seemed at
It seemed at one time the
one time the patient
patient had had become
become quite quite
delirious, and for
delirious, and for hours
hours together
together he he did nothing but
did nothing but rave
rave of of
mountains, deserts, savages,
mountains, deserts, savages, dried-up water-holes, golden
dried-up water-holes, golden .
lakes, precious
lakes, precious stones,
stones, andand many
many other
other things
things equally
equally mixedmixed
and curiolls.
and curious. Once Once he awoke as
he awoke as if
if to reason, and
to reason, and peevishly
peevishly
demanded the
demanded the keykey of
of hishiS box,
box, saying
saying theythey should
should not not rob rob
him of
him his secret,
of his secret, nornor would
would he he rest satisfied till
rest satisfied till they
they had had
round it,
found it, and
and made
made it fast about
it fast about his his neck.
neck.
These things being
These things reported to
being reported to my my COUSID
cousin DiCk, Dick, he he
evinced an
evinced an anxious
anxious curiosity which, to
curiosity which, to my thinking, was
my thinking, was
perfectly absurd.
perfectly absurd. Was Was he, he, after
after all,
all, nothing
nothing but but aa dreamer,
dreamer,
aa visionary
visionary?? II was was at
at aa loss
loss toto tell.
tell. It It seemed
seemed strange
strange that that
apparently practical
10 apparently
50 practical aa man man should
should dwell unceasingly
dwell unceasingly

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14 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

upon the
upon the ravings
ravings of of aa fever-stricken
fever-stricken brain. brain. Yet Yet soso itit was;
was ;
and
and on on oneone occasion
occasion when when it had again
it had again been
been reported
repotted to us
to us
that the
that the oldold fellow
fellow hadhad repeated
repeated his his talk
talk ofof savages,
savages, deserts,
deserts,
and golden
and golden lakes,lakes, my my cousin
cousin whispered
whispered to to me-
me
e, The lake
"The again, you
lake again, you hear.
hear. He He spokespoke of of aa golden
golden lake."
lake .”
"Nonsense," said
"Nonsense," said I. I. "What
" What does does he he know
know of of a a lake
lake
beyond
beyond the the story
story he heard you
he heard you tell tell that
that night
night?? He He has has
dreamt
dreamt it, it, asas all
all poor
poor devils
devils dream
dream of gold. Besides,
of gold. Besides, thethe
blackfellow in
blackfellow your story
in your story never
never mentioned
mentioned aa goldengolden one."
one. ”
But when aa man
But when man has has once
once mademade up up hishis mind
mind to to believe
believe
a thing,
a thing, it is aa task
it is task of of nono little
little difficulty
difficulty to dissuade him
to dissuade him
from it.
from it He He answered
answered quite quite seriously-
seriously
"" But
But do do youyou remember
remember he he let
let thethe glasses
glasses fall-a thing
fall—a thing
II never reeollect him
never recollect him doing
doing before?
before ? ""
II could
could scarcely
scarcely help smiling at
help smiling the analogy
at the analogy between
between
brokeR glasses
broken glasses and and golden
golden lakes.
lakes.
""An accident, my
An accident, my boyboy;; nothing
nothing more." more. "
"Perhaps," said
"Perhaps," said he, and there
he, and there the the conversation
conversation ended.ended.
The n~t day
The next the patient
day the patient was was worse,
worse, but but in the evening
in the evening
the high
the high pulsation
pulsation had had ceased,
ceased, and and he he was much better.
was much better.
About
About nine nine o'clock
o'clock thatthat night
night his his attendant
attendant came came to to us
us
with the
with the information
information that that she thought the
she thought old fellow
the old fellow was
was
dying.
dying.
"He is
"He is quite
quite calm now," she
calm now," she said
said to to my
my cousin,
cousin, “"and and isis
anxiously inquiring
anxiously inquiring for for you,
you, sir.
sir."”
I accompanied
I accompanied Dick Dick to to the
the sick man's room,
sick man's room, and,
and, as we
as we
entered, the
entered, the old
old fellow
fellow slowly
slowly turned
turned his his head.
head.
" Is
" Is that
that you,you, sir?
sir ? Is that you,
Is that you, Mr. Mr. Dick?"
Dick ? "
"Yes, Morton.
"Yes, Morton . You You wantwant to to speak
speak to to me?
me ? ""
He first waved
He first waved the the nurse
nurse from from the the room,
room, then
then turned
turned to to
Hardwicke.
Hardwicke .
"Take this
"Take this key
key from
from my my neck,
neck, sir.sir. Thanks.
Thanks. It belongs
It belongs
to my
to trunk. When
my trunk. When II am am dead-don't
dead-don't shake your head,
shake your head,
Mr. Dick,
Mr. Dick, II know'I'mknow I'm going; going ; when when II am am dead
dead a-a a-a
fortnight, open
fortnight, open it, and you
it, and you willwill find
find a packet addressed
a packet addressed to to
yourself."
yourself ."
"Yes,"
66 Yes," said said Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
,e You promise
"You promise not not toto open
open it it before
before a a fortnight,
fortnight, sirsir?? II

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shall
shall bebe well dead then,
well dead then, and
and you
you will will be
be able to forgive
able to forgive m} my
long deception."
long deception."
""
" I promise
"I promise "
"You and
"You and my my deardear mistress
mistress,, God bless her,
God bless have been
her, have been
good to
good to me,
me, very
very good good,, and
and I'll
I'll make
make your your fortunes.
fortunes. Yes, Yes,
old
old Morton
Morton ''ll 11 make
make all all your
your fortunes."
fortunes."
Dick looked sadly
Dick looked sadly on the white,
on the withered ·face
white, withered face ofof the
the old
old
. man.
man. Both Both he he andand II believed
believed his his reason
reason had had fled
fled again,
again,
for
for hehe continued
continued to to rave
rave on-
on
"Yes, Mr.
"Yes, Mr. Dick,
Dick, your your fortune,
fortune, and and aa big big fortune,
fortune, tootoo;;
as
as much
much gold gold as as a a ship
ship could
could carry,
carry, ay,ay, twenty
twenty ships.
ships. You You
spoke
spoke of of aa golden
golden lake; lake ; you thought there
you thought there wasn't
wasn't one,
one, well,
well,
there is-there
there is--there is is !! "
"
He worked
He worked himself
himself into into a high pitch
a high pitch of of excitement
excitement whichwhich
Hardwicke
Hardwicke in in vain
vain attempted
attempted to to allay. Nature would
allay. Nature would
brook no
brook no interference.
interference. She carried the
She carried the oldold man
man to to the
the
very verge of
very verge of frenzy,
frenzy, and and then,
then, swiftly
swiftly stealing
stealing away, left him
away, left him
aa livid
livid corpse.
corpse.
The
The old old fellow
fellow was was buried
buried two two days after, amidst
days after, amidst thethe
general regret
general regret of of thethe Hardwicke
Hardwicke family, family, forfor he
he had
had been
been aa
true and
true and trusted
trusted servant
servant to them for
to them the last
for the last ten years.
ten years.
I was
I was about
about to to start
start for
for Sydney,
Sydney, some some few few days
days after,
after, toto
continue the
continue the tour
tour of the world
of the world which
which II had had mapped
mapped out out
for myself;
for myself; but but Dick,
Dick, on on whom
whom the the revelations
revelations of the dying
of the dying
man
man had had a a most
most pronounced
pronounced effect, begged me
effect, begged me toto wait
wait for
for
the fortnight
the fortnight to to expire,
expire, so so that
that II might
might see see what
what secret the
secret the
old fellow had
old fellow had left left behind.
behind. At this II was
At this was very
very much
much
inclined
inclined to to laugh,
laugh, but but asas aa week
week moremore or or less
less made
made little
little or
or
no difference
no difference to to me, me, II decided
decided to to stay
stay andand seesee what
what thethe
mysterious
mysterious trunk trunk contained.
contained.
The evening of
The evening of thethe fourteenth
fourteenth day day at at last
last arrived,
arrived, andand
as the
as the hand
hand of of the
the clock
clock pointed
pointed to to ten,
ten, that
that being
being about
about
the time
the time the the oldold man man expired,
expired , DickDick I looked
looked at at me,
me, rose
rose
from
from his his seat,
seat, left the room,
left the room, and and II followed.
followed. We We wended
wended
our
our way way to to his
his bedroom,
bedroom, neither speaking. He
neither speaking. seemed
He seemed
quite
quite unlike
unlike .his his usual
usual self,
self, and,
and, expectation
expectation being being con-
con
tagious,- II suffered
tagious, suffered from from thethe Sl!.me
same complaint.
complaint. To tell the
To tell the
truth, the
truth, the words
words of the dying
of the dying man man had had filled
filled meme with
with aa

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16 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

strange
strange impression.
impression. What What it it all
all meant
meant II could
could notnot say,
say,
but fancy,
but fancy, ever willing to
ever willing to roam,
roam, sees
sees far into the
far into the depths
depths of
of
its self-created
its self-created future,
future, and
and II was one of
was one those individuals
of those individuals to
to
whom imagination
whom imagination is is allotted
allotted inin no
no meagre
meagre extent, though
extent, though
whether it
whether it was
was of the first
of the first quality
quality or not is
or not is another
another matter.
matter.
In the
In the centre
centre of the floor
of the stood the
floor stood the trunk-old,
trunk-old, iron-iron
bound, and
bound, and dilapidated.
dilapidated. Dick Dick took
took the
the key from his
key from his
pocket,
pocket, while
while II looked
looked onon from
from mymy seat on the
seat on the edge
edge of his
of his
bed.
bed.
"Now for
"Now for the
the great
great secret,"
secret," hehe cried,
cried, and with aa click
and with click
the lock
the flew back.
lock flew back.
He lifted the
He lifted the lid,
lid, but
but nothing
nothing in in the
the shape
shape ofof aa packet
packet of
of
papers
papers met met hishis sight.
sight. He found some
He found some oldold shirts
shirts and
and a a
pair or
pair two of
or two of trousers,
trousers, with
with various other kinds
various other kinds of
of wearing
wearing
apparel, which he
apparel, which threw out
he threw out on the floor,
on the but discovered
floor, but discovered no
no
letter or
letter packet. He
or packet. He seemed
seemed to to grow
grow more
more anxious,
anxious, and
and
peered with keener
peered with keener intensity into the
intensity into the trunk.
trunk. SomeSome books
books.
lay in
lay in one
one corner,
corner, and these he
and these he began
began toto hand
hand out,
out, rather
rather
excitedly,
excitedly, II thought,
thought, for for if he found
if he found nono packet
packet now,
now, all
all
Morton's talk was
Morton's talk was truly
truly but
but the
the ravings
ravings ofof aa delirious
delirious brain.
brain.
"Ah, here it
"Ah, here is at
it is last," he
at last," he suddenly
suddenly cried, and turned
cried, and turned to
to
me with
me with aa parcel
parcel ofof papers
papers inin his
his hand.
hand •
His face
His was aa perfect
face was perfect study,
study, being
being aa strange
strange mixture
mixture ofof
hope and
hope fear. He
and fear. He held the envelope,
held the envelope , oror wrapper,
wrapper, upup to
to
me.
me. It It bore
bore this
this inscription
inscription :- .
:
-
:
"FOR
" FOR MR.
MR. RICHARD
RICHARD HARDWICKE."
HARDWICKE. " .
II was
was now now participating
participating inin his
his strange
strange excitement.
excitement. II
looked at
looked at the
the frail paper wrapper
frail paper wrapper with
with as much interest
as much interest as
as
though it
though it contained
contained aa recipe
recipe for the elixir
for the elixir of life. Hard-
of life. Hard
wicke also
wicke also surveyed
surveyed it it curiously,
curiously, and
and held it as
held it as gently
gently as
as
though it
though were some
it were precious sensitive
some precious plant.
sensitive plant.
"Open it,
"Open it, Dick.
Dick.""
He inserted his
He inserted finger behind
his finger behind thethe wrapper,
wrapper, andand gently
gently
tore it
tore it apart.
apart. A A sheet
sheet of
of paper,
paper, with
with writing
writing upon
upon it,
it, was
was
exposed
exposed to to view.
view. This was carefully
This was carefully wrapped
wrapped roundround
another bundle
another bundle of of papers, which bore
papers, which the same
bore the inscription,
same inscription,
"For Mr.
"For Mr. Richard
Richard Hardwicke."
Hardwicke." But But it was this
it was this particula
particul;v

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piece of
piece of paper
paper that that riveted
riveted Dick's
Dick's attention.
attention. His breath
His breath
came
came quickly
quickly as as he read Then
he read. Then he he handed
handed it to me.
it to me.
" Read," he
"Read," he said
said.
I took
I took it it from
from hishis hand,
hand , andand read
read as follows :: —
as follows -
.. There is
"There is aa Golden
Golden Lake,
Lake, Mr.
Mr. Dick.
Dick. II have
have seen
seen it.
it. II have
have stood
stood
within
within thethe secret
secret chamber
chamber of the Great
of the Great Cave,
Cave, amid tons upon
amid tons upon tons
tons of
of
the precious
the precious metal.
metal. Gold
Gold enough
enough waswas there
there toto ransom
ransom the the whole
whole
world. It
world. It lies in tIN
lies iN the mountains over the
mountains O'IJtr the great desert. If
great desert. you can
Ifyou can reach
reach
it
it and
and return
return inin safety,
safety, your
your fortune
fortune isis made,
made, for
for there
there are
are thousands
thousands of of
fortunes there.
fortunes there. II intended
intended toto revisit the place,
revisit the place, but
but could
could never raise
never raise
money
money enough
enough for for the
the expedition.
expedition. People
People have
have thought
thought meme mad,
mad, but
but II
dared not
dared not disclose
disclose my my secret,
secret, and
and how
how II knew
knew of the lake's
of the lake's where-
where
abouts. If
abouts. If you
you should
should entertain
entertain the
the thought
thought ofof seeking this treasure,
seeking this treasure,
these few directions,
these few directions, which
which II should
should have
have followed
followed myself,
myself, will
will be
be of
of
use
use toto you.
you. Remember,
Remember, II only only speak
speak from
from memory,
memory, butbut as
as sure
sure as
as
there's a God above, there is a Golden
there's a God above, there is a Golden Lake. Lake.
DIRECTIONS.
DIRECTIONS.
.. Follow the
"Follow the main
main road from Port
road from Port Augusta
Augusta as far as
as far Mount Arden;
as Mount Arden ;
then strike
then strike aa north-westerly
north-westerly coursecourse across the Great
across the Great Salt
Salt Lakes
Lakes tilltill
you come up with a long, low range of hills, which
you come up with a long, low range of hills, which should be imme should be imme-
diately in your path; climb them, and you will discover
diately in your path ; climb them, and you will discover a big mountain a big mountain
lying to
lying to the south. If
the south. If so far you
so far have not
you have not seen all as
seen all herein written,
as herein written,
tempt that
tempt that wild
wild country
country no no farther,
farther, for
for the
the desert
desert nownow opens
opens with
with
desolation upon
desolation upon desolation;
desolation ; butbut should you see
should you see these
these things,
things, and
and be be
determined to
determined to push
push on,
on, still
still steer
steer the
the same north-westerly course,
same north-westerly and
course, and
you will
you will strike
strike more
more drydry salt lakes. To
salt lakes. To the
the north
north of them II found
of them found
water.
water. FromFrom there
there you
you enter
enter the
the Great
Great Desert,
Desert, but
but still
still steer the same
steer the same
course, and
course, and you
you will
will fetch
fetch the
the Great
Great White
White City
City inin the
the mountains.
mountains.
Climb the
Climb the principal
principal street,
street, and
and then
then follow
follow the
the river
river that
that loses
loses itself
itself in
in
the sands
the sands at at the
the foot
foot of
of the
the Three
Three Brothers.
Brothers. FromFrom there
there steer
steer due
due
west. I found water half way across the desert. In the
west. the next range
of mountains
of mountains that that looms
looms up up you
you will
will find
find the
the One
One Tree Hill. Climb
Tree Hill. Climb
the south
the side of
south side ofit, and you
it, and you will
will see
see the
the Golden
Golden Lake.
Lake.""
II read
read this
this aloud
aloud inin an
an amazed
amazed and tremulous tone,
and tremulous tone,
scarcely
scarcely believing that II could
believing that could have
have deciphered the words
deciphered the words.
correctly.
correctly.
Dick looked on
Dick looked on with
with wonder. "What do
wonder. "What you think
do you think of
of
it? "
it? " he
he said.
said .
"II hardly
" hardly know,"
know," II replied
replied.. "It's
" It's a story, if
wonderful story,
a wonderful if
true, and
true, and hehe seems
seems sincere
sincere enough about it.
enough about it. But how did
But how did
he
he cross?"
cross ? "
" How
" How did the blackfellow
did the blackfellow?"?"

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18 , THE
THE GOLD
GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

"66 Then
Then you you believe
believe thethe yarn
yarn?? ""
". II thi
" think so.. There
nk so There is is nono rea
reason
son whwhy the story
y the story of thiss
of thi
untold
unt old weawealth
lth should
should notnot bebe tru
true. As for
e . As for the
the jou
journey, un-
rney, un
paralleled
par alleled as as it
it see
seems, it is
ms, it not imp
is not impossible, though
ossible , tho I grant
ugh I grant
you it,
you it, it
it app
appears
ears so. so. But But is is not
not so
some one always.
me one always doi doing
ng
something
som ething tha thatt no
no one
one eve
ever did bef
r did before?"
ore ? ”
It is
It is little
little or
or no use arguing
no use with aa man
arguing with man who
who isis convinced.
convinced.
You might
You might as well tell
as well tell aa Papist that his
Papist that his form
form of of worship
worship isis
false, or
false, or aa Protestant
Protestant that the Pope
that the Pope isis infallible.
infallible.
"" Perhaps
Perhaps thatthat other
other packet will throw
packet will throw more
more light
light on the
on the
subject,"
subject," said said I. "Open it."
I. "Open it."
He did
He did so, and answered,
so, and answered, " " Yes
Yes;; II believe
believe it's
it's aa history
history of
of
his life."
his life."
"Then read
"Then read it,it, old fellow," and,
old fellow," and, lighting
lighting aa cigar,
cigar, II threw
threw
myself
myself back back on the bed,
on the bed, while
while he,
he, unfolding
unfolding thethe manuscript,
manuscript,
commenced-
commenced
"FOR
" FOR MR.
MR. RICHARD
RICHARD HARDWICKE."
HARDWICKE. ”
""" Being
Being an old man
an old man now,
now, and
and feeling
feeling that
that the
the hand
hand ofof
death is
death is upon
upon me, me, andand no no longer
longer dreading
dreading the the law,
law, I,I,
]oseph Morton,
Joseph Morton, of Yarmouth, England,
of Yarmouth, England, swear
swear thatthat what
what II
am
am about to write
about to write is
is as true as
as true the Gospel,
as the Gospel, andand call the
call the
Almighty
Almighty to to witness.
witness.
"" My father was
My father was aa prosperous
prosperous man man in in his
his own rank of
own rank of
life. He
life. He owned
owned several
several of the finest
of the fishing boats
finest fishing boats that
that
sailed out
sailed out of
of the
the port
port ofof Yarmouth,
Yarmouth, and, and, asas aa consequence,
consequence,
we . were
we were in
in pretty easy circumstances,
pretty easy circumstances, and and I was the
I was the
recipient of
recipient of an
an education
education considerably
considerably aboveabove thatthat which
which
falls to
falls the lot
to the lot of most young
of most young 'lllen
men of of mymy ownown class.
class.
Unfortunately
Unfortunately the the tide
tide of
of our happiness ebbed
our happiness ebbed slowly out.
slowly out.
First
First one boat was
one boat was lost,
lost, then
then another,
another, andand as as calamities
calamities
usually crowd
usually quickly upon
crowd quickly upon thethe heels
heels of
of each
each other,
other, wewe soon
soon
found ourselves
found ourselves fallen
fallen from
from simple
simple affluence
affluence to to comparative
comparative
poverty.
poverty.
"When the
"When the horizon
horizon of of our fortunes was
our fortunes was darkened
darkened with
with
its blackest
its clouds, my
blackest clouds, father died,
my father died, and
and I, to maintain
I, to maintain my my
mother, entered aa merchant's
mother, entered merchant's office
office as
as aa clerk.
clerk. II got got on
on so
so
well, and
well, became such
and became such a a favourite
favourite with
with mymy employer,
employer, that
that

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II waswas soon
soon upon
upon the the highhigh road
road to to anan honourable
honourable career.
career.
Fate
Fate seemed
seemed at at last
last to to have
have grown
grown wearyweary of of persecuting
persecuting us, us,
and
and II looked forward with
looked forward with pleasure
pleasure to to aa happy,
happy, though
though
uneventful,
uneventful, existence.
existence. Alas Alas I! how
how little
little II foresaw
foresaw my my destiny.
destiny.
Four
Four years after my
years after my entrance
entrance into into the the confidence
confidence of of my
my
master,
master, my my deardear mother mother took took ill ill and,
and, in in great
great agony,
agony,
died.
died .
"I owe my
" I owe my fall
fall toto herher untimely
untimely death.death. While While she lived
she lived
I had
I had some
some one one to to love,
love, to work for,
to work for, to
to live
live for.
for. After
After she
she
was gone
was gone II became
became as as the the others
others aboutabout me. me. Perhaps
Perhaps II
was naturally
was naturally bad, bad, perhaps
perhaps my my evil
evil inclinations
inclinations would would have
have
shown themselves
shown themselves sooner sooner or or later.
later. II drank, drank, gambled,
gambled,
and committed
and committed all sorts of
all sorts of extravagant excesses-for all
extravagant excesses-for all
the world
the world like
like aa gentleman
gentleman !!
" But
" But whywhy need
need II enterenter into into these
these particulars?
particulars ? I I owed
owed
some money
some money on on a a horse
horse race.race. II was was pressed
pressed by by mymy
creditors. All
creditors. All who who know know anything
anything of of gambling
gambling know know
full well
full well thethe sanctity
sanctity of of so-called
so-called debts debts of of honour.
honour.
II forged
forged my my master's
master's name. name. II had had hoped
hoped to to save up,
save up,
to pay
to pay thethe money
money back, back, and and thenthen throw
throw myselfmyself on on his
his
mercy. But
mercy. But before
before these these good good intentions
intentions could could be be
accomplished, the
accomplished, the forgery
forgery was was discovered
discovered and and II arrested.
arrested
II was
was tried
tried two
two months
months after after andand sentenced
sentenced to to transporta-
transporta
tion to
tion to the
the Swan
Swan River settlement for
River settlement twelve years.
for twelve years.
"The misery
"The misery II endured
endured in that court,
in that court, whichwhich was was full
full
of
of my my former
former friends,
friends, all all come
come as as it were, to
it were, to gloat
gloat over
over my
my
misfortunes;
misfortunes ; the the horror
horror of the voyage
of the voyage out out inin the
the convict
convict
ship;
ship ; thethe forced
forced labour
labour on on thethe public
public roads,
roads, chained
chained like
like
wild beast,
aa wild beast, to to the
the leg leg of another man,
of another man, are things too
are things too
overwhelming with
overwhelming horror for
with horror for meme to to dwell
dwell on on even
even now.
now.
"After
" After serving
serving full full five years of
five years of my sentence, and
my sentence, and inin
the meanwhile,
the meanwhile, bearing bearing aa good character, II was
good character, was allotted by
allotted by
the government
the government to to aa Mr.Mr. Williams,
Williams, aa rich rich squatter.
squatter. ThisThis
gentleman was
gentleman was more
more than than goodgood to to me,
me, andand II should
should have
have
been content
been content to to have
have lived lived with
with him him for for the
the remainder
remainder of of
my life,
my life, had
had heaven
heaven been been pleased
pleased to to spare
spare him.him. But But hehe
died, and
died, and another
another boughtbought his his land,
land, aa brutal
brutal bully,
bully, named
named
Carson.
Carson.

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20 THE GOLden
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
lakE.

"The
" The overseer
overseer of this station
of this station on which we
on which we lived
lived waswas
also aa convict,
also convict, but but oneone of the most
of the thorough gentlemen
most thorough gentlemen
that ever
that ever walked
walked in in two
two shoes.
shoes. Mr. Mr. Williams
Williams treated
treated him him
as
as a friend, and
a friend, and II was was always
always pleased
pleased to to do his slightest
do his slightest
bidding, So
bidding, so agreeable
agreeable was was his
his manner
manner of speaking. He
of speaking. He
was aa fine:looking
was fine-looking man, man, with
with yellow
yellow hairhair andand beard,
beard, an an
open, honest
open, honest face, face, and and physical
physical development
development that that diddid
credit to
credit to the country of
the country his birth.
of his birth. He, He, unlike
unlike mostmost of of
the convicts,
the convicts, was was married,
married, and dwelt in
and dwelt in a a neat
neat little
little cottage,
cottage,
which
which he he himself
himself had had built,
built, with his wife-a
with his wife-a poor, poor, delicate
delicate
creature,
creature, and and one one child,
child, aa pretty
pretty little
little fairy-like
fairy-like thing with
thing with
her
her father's
father's blue
blue eyes
eyes andand golden
golden hair.
hair.
"Harold
" Harold Mayne Mayne was was hishis name,
name, and and he-as
he-as II learnt learnt
shortly
shortly after
after mymy arrival
arrival on on the
the station-had
station-had been been transported
transported
for appropriating
for appropriating large large sums
sums of money. He
of money. He was
was thethe man-
man
ager of
ager of aa bank
bank in in London,
London, and and many thousands of
many thousands of pounds
pounds
being missed,
being missed, suspicion
suspicion' fellfell on
on him.
him. He He waswas arrested
arrested and and
accused, and
accused, and though
though he he pleaded
pleaded innocent
innocent,, as as only
only an an
innocent man
innocent man couldcould plead,
plead, hehe was
was found
found guilty,
guilty, principally
principally
through the
through the evidence
evidence of of the
the chief
chief cashier
cashier of of the
the same
same bank,
bank,
and convicted.
and convicted. He He never
never spoke
spoke of of his
his misfortunes,
misfortunes, never never
tried to
tried to right
right himself.
himself. Every Every convict
convict sayssays he he is
is an
an injured
injured
man. The
man. The officials
officials only
only laugh.
laugh. But But aa settled
settled melancholy
melancholy
pervaded all
pervaded all Mayne's
Mayne's actions,
actions, andand II could
could see see that
that his
his great
great
sorrow was
sorrow was slowly
slowly killing
killing the
the noble
noble spirit
spirit with
with which
which nature
nature
had endowed
had endowed him. him.
"With the
"With the arrival
arrival of of our
our new
new master, things underwent
master, things underwent a a
disagreeable
disagreeable change. change. No No one seemed to
one seemed to please
please him.him. We We
could do
could do nothing
nothing right,right, and
and oneone day while Mr.
day while Mr.'" Mayne
Mayne was was
having
having his his after-dinner
after-dinner smoke smoke underunder the the cool
cool shade
shade of of a
a
tree, Carson
tree, Carson came came along,
along, and seeing him
and seeing him sitting there, he
sitting there, he
blurted out
blurted that he
out that he would
would havehave no no lazy
lazy convicts
convicts skulking
skulking
about his
about his land.
land. II saw saw Mayne's
Mayne's fair fair face
face flush
flush toto aa vivid
vivid
crimson, but
crimson, but he he said nothing. That
said nothing. That veryvery quietness
quietness whichwhich
all men
all men admired
admired in in him,
him, butbut angered
angered Carson
Carson the the more.
more.
""From
From that that dayday he he never
never addressed
addressed Mayne Mayne with with aa civil
civil
word, and
word, and shortly
shortly after
after caused
caused him him toto bebe removed
removed from from the
the
post
post of of overseer
overseer to to that
that ofof labourer.
labourer.

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21

'Cl You're
" You're no no good,'
good,' he said 'You
he said. ' You dontdont suitsuit me;me ; you you
don't know
don't know youryour work
work.'.'
'" I'm
" I'm veryvery sorry,
sorry, sir,'
sir,' answered
answered Mayne Mayne respectfully,
respectfully,
though 1I could
though could seesee his blood was
his blood boiling, 'that
was boiling, that such should
such should
be your
be your opinion,
opinion, for for Mr.
Mr. Williams
Williams thought thought me me competent,
competent,
and 1I don't
and think 1I ever
don't think ever betrayed
betrayed his his trust.'
trust.'
'" Williams
" WilIiams was was aa fool,
fool, then
then!" ! " hehe coarsely
coarsely replied.
replied. "I "I
don't
don't think think youyou competent,
competent, and and 1 I don't
don't trusttrust you;you ; d'yed'ye
see?
see ? And And that's enough for
that's enough for you.'
you.'
"666,' I'm
I'm sorry, sir.'
sorry , sir.'
" 'No
" No backback ansanswers,
wers, - - you you 1! Go Go about
about you yourr work,
work,
and
and don'tdon't letlet meme catch
catch you idle;; don't,
you idle don't, if you value
if you value yOUl your
skin.'
skin.' He He turned
turned to to go
go but but sto stopped
pped suddenly,
suddenly , 'And ' And get get
that wife
that wife and
and brat
brat ofof yours
yours out out of the hou
of the house;se ; II wanwantt it for
it for
the new
the new over
overseer.'
seer.'
"'" But,
But, sir,
sir, it's
it's mine,
mine,'' said Mayne;; 'I
said Mayne built it
' I built it with
with my my ownown
hands.'
hands.'
" Yours, - - you,
"Yours, you, isis it? We'll see
it ? We'll see about
about that,
that, my my finefine
fellow.
fello w. A A pretty state the
pretty state the country
country would would come come to to if if we
we
allowed
allo the filth
wed the filth and
and scum
scum of of England
England to to live
live as
as gentlemen.'
gentlemen .'
"'You'
" dogl' said
You dog!' said Mayne
Mayne advancing threateningly
advancing threateningly
towards him,
towards him, as though about
as though about to to administer
administer a thrashing.
a thrashing.
But luckily he
But luckily he remembered
remembered himself. himself. 'I ' I dare
dare not not touch
touch
you, Carson,'
you, Carson,' he he continued,
continued , 'but " but 1 I can
can telltell you
you,, to youl
to your
face, that
face, that you
you areare aa contemptible
contemptible cur, cur, and
and if if it were not
it were not
for the
for the cursed
cursed bonds
bonds that
that weigh
weigh me me down,
down , II would
would thrashthrash
you within
you within an an inch
inch of your life.'
of your life.' And And he he turned
turned on on
·his heel and
his heel and departed.
departed. Carson Carson smiled diabolically, for
smiled diabolically, for he he
knew
knew that that Mayne,
Mayne, beingbeing aa convict,
convict, dareddared not not laylay aa finger
finger
upon him
upon for fear
him for fear ofof severe punishment at
severe punishment the hands
at the hands of of thethe
government.
government.
"66 Mayne
Mayne was was forced
forced to to q.uit
quit hishis house,
house, and for some
and for some time time
he lived
he with his
lived with his wife
wife and
and child
child in in a a poor,
poor, mean
mean hut. hut. How How
they managed
they managed to to exist
exist at at all,
all, GodGod only only knows,
knows, for for thethe
winter was
winter was nownow uponupon us, us, andand the the cold
cold in the evenings
in the evenings
bitterly intense.
bitterly intense. But, But, as as II foresaw,
foresaw, the the change
change was was too too
great for
great for his
his delicate
delicate wife;
wife ; sheshe sickened
sickened and and dieddied. From From
that time
that time aa mighty
mighty change
change took took placeplace in him. He
in him. He wa wass

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22 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

another, an
another, an entirely
entirely different
different man. man. The genial smile
The genial smile of of
old was seen
old was seen no no more
more upon upon his his face.
face. He nodded'' good
He nodded good
morning,'
morning,' but but never
never spoke
spoke it. it.
"This
" This lifelife continued
continued for for about
about eighteen
eighteen months.
months. His His
daughter was
daughter was nciw
now nine
nine or ten years
or ten years of of age,
age, and
and asas beautiful
beautiful
as
as aa piece
piece of of new
new gold,
gold, quick quick and and strong
strong in in limb,
limb, andand
active
active in in intellect.
intellect. II being being the the only
only one one withwith whom
whom he he
ever
ever associated,
associated, he would now
he would now and and again
again askask meme strange
strange
questions
questions of of her.
her. Did Did II not not thinkthink she she waswas exceptionally
exceptionally
strong for
strong for her years?? or
her years or ifif II thought
thought she would be
she would capable
be capable
of enduring great
of enduring great fatigue
fatigue?? To To all these questions
all these questions II
answered, as
answered, as in
in duty, Yes. Though
duty, Yes. Though having having not not the
the least
least.
conception
conception at at what
what he he waswas driving,
driving, I I had
had marked
marked the the
strange, anxious, almost
strange, anxious, almost nervous
nervous spirit spirit which
which had had come
come over
over
him of
him of late,
late, and
and one
one day,day, while
while we we were
were working
working together
together
sawing
sawing timber,
timber, he he revealed
revealed the the cause
cause to to meme byby inquiring
inquiring if if
II had
had ever thought of
ever thought of escape.
escape. In In truth
truth II scarcely
scarcely had,
had, forfor
II knew
knew not not toto what
what place
place we we could
could escape.
escape. Then, Then, after
after aa
little
little fencing
fencing with with thethe subject,
subject, and and after
after II had had vowed
vowed
secrecy,
secrecy, he he unfolded
unfolded his his plan.
plan . If If II would
would go with him,
go with him, we we
were
were to to take
take some
some of the station
of the station horses,
horses, well well provision
provision
them,
them, and and start
start right
right across
across the the Continent
Continent to to the
the Eastern
Eastern
Colonies. Had
Colonies. Had II then then knownknown the the dangers
dangers incident
incident to to
such
such a a journey,
journey, II doubt
doubt if if II should
should ever ever have
have undertaken
undertaken it it;;
but,
but, not
not knowing,
knowing, .and and hating
hating with with allall my
my soul the life
soul the life I I
was then leading,
was then leading, II consented.
consented. He He swore
swore thatthat he he waswas
determined
determined to to risk
risk it,
it, even
even if if II would
would not,not, forfor his
his life
life had
had
now
now become
become aa torture
torture to to him,
him, and and he he would
would die die rather
rather than
than
live on so.
live on so.
" Wen, we
"Well, we easily
easily completed
completed all all arrangements,
arrangements, being being
allowed, as
allowed, we were,
as we were, so so much
much freedom,
freedom, and and oneone April night
April night
we stole
we stole away,
away, we we three-Mayne,
three-Mayne, his his little
little daughter,
daughter, Ada, Ada,
and myself.
and myself. We were
We were well well armed,
armed, and and otherwise
otherwise well well
equipped, and
equipped, and pushed
pushed on on at at aa rapid
rapid pace,
pace, forfor we
we knew
knew the the
police would be
police would be after
after us us,, and
and that,that, should
should we we bebe taken,
taken,
our escapade
our escapade would would endend uponupon the the gallows.
gallows. Mayne vowed,
Mayne vowed,
with
with clenched
clenched teeth,teeth, that
that he he would
would nevernever return
return to to suffer
suffer
such
such degradation,
degradation, that that he he wouldwould kill kill himself
himself first;
first ; and
and

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23

there was
there was aa look
look in in his
his eyes which boded
eyes which boded no good to
no good to him·
him
self
self or or his would-be captor.
his would-be captor.
"We travelled
"We travelled for for days,
days, weeks,
weeks , months,
months , till till atat last
last our
our
horses
horses sanksank exhausted,
exhausted , and and we we were
were forced
forced to walk. No
to walk. No
fear had
fear had wewe of the police
of the now, but
police now, but in their place
in their place two two still
still
more
more cruelcruel enemies assailed us-hunger
enemies assailed us-hunger and and thirst.
thirst. Even Even
food we
food we might
might have done without,
have done without, but but the the want
want of of water
water
caused us
caused us indescribable
indescribable anguish,
anguish, and and the the possibility
possibility of of
discovering it
discovering was so
it was so remote,
remote, thethe country
country throughthrough which which
we journeyed
we journeyed being nothing better
being nothing better thanthan aa sandy
sandy waste,
waste, that
that
II could
could have
have laid
laid down
down and died with
and died with veryvery grief.
grief.
" At
" At last we struck
last we struck aa long,
long, low
low range
range of of mountains,
mountains, and and
here, worn
here, worn outout andand almost dead, with
almost dead, with the the little
little girl
girl like
like aa
small
small skeleton
skeleton child between us,
child between us, wewe threw
threw ourselves
ourselves down down
upon the
upon the rocks
rocks to to die.
die.
"We had
"We had notnot lain
lain long
long thus
thus before
before the the poorpoor child
child aroused
aroused
me from
me from my semi-slumber by
my semi-slumber by gently
gently pulling
pulling my my sleeve.
sleeve.
"" , Mr.
Mr. Morton,'
Morton,' she murmured in
she murmured in aa voice
voice so so feeble that
feeble that
II could
could scarcely
scarcely catch
catch herher words,
words,'' II can can hearhear suchsuch sweet
sweet
music.
music. It is so
It is so pleasant,
pleasant, so so cool.'
cool. '
"I thought she
" I thought she was
was dying,
dying, andand tooktook her her hand
hand in in mine,
mine ,
and
and pressed
pressed it it gently.
gently. II could
could notnot speak
speak aa word word in answer
in answer
to her
to her plaintive tones. My
plaintive tones. My heart
heart waswas bursting
bursting... This This brave
brave
child' had
child' been my
had been my onlyonly comfort
comfort throughout
throughout our our dreary
dreary
march;
march ; and and now now she she was
was dying-was
dying-was going going from
from me me forfor
ever.
ever.
'" Go
" over there
Go over there and
and see
see whowho it it is,
is,'' said she, •• and
said she, and telltell
them,, if
them if they
they please,
please, to to come
come aa little
little nearer,
nearer, for for II love
love their
their
music,
music, oh,oh, so
so much
much!! ''
"I could
"I could notnot tell
tell her
her it was the
it was the angels
angels who were waiting
who were waiting
to bear
to bear her sweet soul
her sweet soul away
away to to aa bright
bright land land farfar beyond
beyond the the
regions of
regions of the
the great wilderness, so
great wilderness, so II staggered
staggered to to my feet
my feet
and tottered
and tottered in in the
the direction
direction to to which
which she she hadhad pointed.
pointed. II
had not
had proceeded many
not proceeded many yards before II saw
yards before saw thethe cause
cause of of
the music.
the music. It was aa small,
It was silver waterfall
small, silver waterfall that that rushed
rushed
sparkling over aa ledge
sparkling over ledge ofof rock,
rock, and dashed itself
and dashed itselfat at mymy feet.
feet.
Though
Though I I had
had fully
fully believed
believed the the music
music she she heardheard was was
heavenly,
heavenly, II hopehope it it is not profane
is not profane to to say that II was
say that was glad
glad

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24 7 HE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

it
it waswas of of the
the earth.
earth . II filledfilled thethe bottle
bottle II had had round
round my my
shoulders,
shoulders, and and hastened
hastened back back to to them.
them. First,First, II put
put it it to
to
the dear
the dear child's
child's lips.
lips. She
She drank
drank greedily
greedily of it, smiled
of it, smiled
sweetly
sweetly upon upon me, me,' and then fell
and then fell into
into aa peaceful
peaceful sleep.
sleep. II
immediately turned
immediately turned to to mymy companion.
companion.
" , Come,
" Come, sir,'
sir,' said
said I, I, 'here's
' here's water
water at at last.'
last.'
"He neither
"He neither moved
moved nor nor made
made answeranswer to to my
my words,
words, but but
stared
stared up into my
up into my face with fixed,
face with fixed, glazed
glazed eyes.
eyes. II put put the
the
bottle to
bottle to his
his open
open mouth,
mouth, and and yetyet he he gave
gave no no signs
signs ofof life.
life.
passed my
II passed my hand
hand acrossacross his his face.
face. It was
It was as as cold
cold as as
a stone.
a stone.
" And
" then II knew
And then knew that that hehe waswas dead,
dead, dead!
dead ! andand that
that II
was
was alone, alone in
alone, alone the centre
in the centre of the great
of the great unknown
unknown desert,
desert,
far, it
far, it seemed
seemed to to me,me, beyond
beyond the the reach
reach of of God
God or or man.
man.
The burning tears
The burning tears rushed
rushed to to my my eyes,
eyes, andand II prayed
prayed that that
the Almighty would
the Almighty would strike
strike meme deaddead as as well.
well. And And eveneven as as
II prayed
prayed my my eyes
eyes fellfell upon
upon the the sleeping
sleeping child-poor,
child-poor, wee, wee,
helpless thing-and aa new
helpless thing—and new spirit
spirit entered
entered my my despondent
despondent
breast,
breast, andand II knew
knew that that II would
would go go on-go
on-go on till II died,
on till died,
if only for
if only for her
her sake.
sake. My My natural
natural energyenergy returned
returned in the
in the
moment,
moment, and, and, for
for fear that her
fear that her sweet
sweet eyes
eyes should
should witness
witness
her
her dear
dear father's corpse, II moved
father's corpse, moved the the body
body of of my
my unfortu-
unfortu
nate
nate companion
companion a little on
a little on oneone side, and, for
side, and, the lack
for the lack of of
Implements and
implements and better
better material,
material, covered
covered it it with
with stones.
stones.
"After
" After the the child
child had had completely
completely rested rested her her worn-out,
worn-out,
wasted frame, we
wasted frame, continued our
we continued our journey
journey up the mountains,
up the mountains,
but had
but had notnot proceeded
proceeded far far before
before we we were
were suddenly
suddenly sur- sur
rounded by
rounded by some
some half half aa hundred
hundred blacks. blacks. Fully armed
Fully armed
were they,
were they, andand carried,
carried, in in addition
addition to to the
the boomerang,
boomerang, spear spear
and waddy,
and waddy, great
great stone
stone axesaxes which
which possessed
possessed aa most most for for-
midable appearance.
midable appearance. II fully fully expected
expected to to bebe murdered
murdered on on
the spot,
the spot, but
but instead
instead of of offering
offering any any violence,
violence, they
they evinced
evinced
nothing but
nothing but aa profound
profound curiosity.
curiosity. This This was was soso exceed
exceed-
ingly strange
ingly strange that that II immediately
immediately began began to to improve
improve the the
shining hour
shining hour by by making
making tokenstokens of of amity
amity and and good-will,
good-will,
to which
to which theythey responded
responded by by gestures
gestures equally
equally as as friendly.
friendly.
During this
During this time
time several
several of of them
them held held aa confab
confab among
among
themselves, and
themselves, and then
then he who seemed
he who seemed to to bebe the
the leader
leader of of

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25

the party
the party advanced
advanced to to me,
me, and and saying
saying something,
something, pointed
pointed
up the
up the mountain,
mountain, and and the the whole
whole partyparty immediately
immediately set set out,
out,
Ada being
Ada being carried
carried on on a rude stretcher
a rude stretcher which
which had had beenbeen
hastily manufactured
hastily manufactured by by the
the blacks.
blacks.
"When we
"When we reached
reached the the top top of the mountain
of the mountain aa most most
curious sight presented
curious sight presented itself.itself. RightRight at at the foot of
the foot of the
the
great valley
great valley down
down which
which we we travelled,
travelled, sparkled
sparkled the the waters
waters
of
of a considerable lake;
a considerable lake ; andand upon upon its its bosom floated many
bosom floated many
canoes, while aa good
canoes, while good-sized native village
-sized native village nestled
nestled cosily
cosily onon
its margin. The
its margin. nearer we
The nearer we drew
drew to the water
to the water thethe greener
greener
became the
became the country,
country, trees trees and shrubs of
and shrubs of many
many descrip-
descrip
tions
tions being abundant. As
being abundant. As the the news
news of of our
our coming
coming had had
spread
spread withwith rapidity through the
rapidity through village; we
the village, we were
were met,
met, upon
upon
our
our arrival,
arrival, with
with itsits almost
almost entire population. The
entire popUlation. The people
people
showed
showed unbounded
unbounded astonishment
astonishment at at my
my presence,
presence, II being
being
the first
the first white
white manman they
they had had ever
ever seen.
seen. But that astonishment
But that astonishment
was changed
was changed to to absolute
absolute wonderwonder and and amazement
amazement when when they
they
beheld
beheld Ada'sAda's beautiful
beautiful goldengolden hair. hair. One woman took
One woman took it it
in her
in her hand, felt it
hand, felt it carefuil),
carefully to to see
see if
if it was real,
it was real, then
then held
held
her own
her own arm beside it,
arm beside it, upon which sparkled
upon which sparkled a a gold bracelet,
gold bracelet,
and made
and made somesome remark
remark to to herher companions,
companions , at which
at which
seyeral of
several the women
of the women followed
followed her her example,
example, and and II saw,
saw, toto
my surprise,
my surprise, that
that nearly
nearly all all the
the women
women wore wore either
either aa bracelet
bracelet
or
or anklet
anklet of of roughly
roughly beaten beaten gold; while many
gold ; while many of of both
both
sexes wore pretty red stone ornaments,
sexes wore pretty red stone ornaments, which might be which might be
rubies.
rubies. These These II afterwards
afterwards discovered
discovered were were the the principal
principal
personages
personages of of the place. The
the place. women, however,
The women, offered
however, offered
her
her no no violence,
violence, but but on on thethe contrary
contrary surveyed
surveyed her her with
with
enthusiastic
enthusiastic reverence.
reverence. II was was delighted
delighted at this unexpected
at this unexpected
turn to
turn to our fortunes, and
our fortunes, and so so that
that II might
might impress them the
impress them the
more
more withwith the
the wonder
wonder of of her being, II knelt
her being, knelt before
before her
her andand
"devoutly kissed
"devoutly kissed thethe hemhem of her dress,
of her which afterwards
dress, which afterwards
caused her
caused her nono inconsiderable
inconsiderable annoyance,annoyance, for for she had no
she had no
peace until
peace until every
every man, woman, and
man, woman, child in
and child in the
the village
village had
had
done
done the the same.
same. I own that
I own that my my action
action was was aa piece
piece ofof
irreverence, and,
irreverence, and, perhaps,
perhaps, cowardly
cowardly in in the
the bargain,
bargain, butbut
when men
when men are are placed
placed in in desperate
desperate straits they are
straits they not
are not
usuany fastidious
usually fastidious as as to to their manner of
their manner of gettin/!:
getting out
out ofof
e
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them. Anyhow,
them. Anyhow, my my action
action was was notnot without
without its its effect.
effect. The The
primitive souls
primitive souls really
really believed
believed she she waswas of some superior
of some superior
origin,
origin, and and ourour safety
safety from
from that moment was
that moment was assured.
assured.
"II stayed
" stayed for for more than twelve
more than twelve moons
moons with these curious
with these curious
people,
people, and and could tell many
could tell many strange stories had
strange stories had II the
the time
time
and
and inclination;
inclination ; but but these
these beingbeing useless
useless andand discoverable
discoverable
of themselves, II will
of themselves, will hasten
hasten to to whatwhat mostmost men men would
would
think
think the the most
most important
important pointpoint of of all.
all.
"II had
" had observed,
observed, as as II have
have said, that nearly
said, that nearly all the
all the
women wore
women wore anklets
anklets or bracelets of
or bracelets of gold.
gold. This was the
This was the
cause
cause of much speculation
of much speculation to to me,
me, and and II wondered
wondered from from
what source
what source the the metal
metal waswas procured.
procured. But But all
all my
my attempts
attempts
to know
to know were were nevertheless
nevertheless in in vain
vain tilltill II had
had broached
broached the the
subject with
subject with the chief of
the chief the tribe,
of the tribe, an old, good-hearted
an old, good-hearted
fallow, who,
fellow, who, with
with thethe chief priest, equally
chief priest, equally as as good
good aa man,
man,
had taken
had taken Ada Ada andand myself
myself underunder theirtheir special
special protection.
protection.
He informed
He informed me me that
that it it came
came fromfrom the the secret
secret chamber
chamber of of
the god
the god;; that
that none
none butbut he he andand the the chief
chief priest
priest knew
knew of of
its whereabouts,
its whereabouts, and and that
that none
none but but they were allowed
they were allowed to to
behold it.
behold it At At this
this II appeared,
appeared, and and was,was, much
much concerned,
concerned,
and entreated, ay,
and entreated, implored him
ay, implored him to to show
show me me the
the wonderful
wonderful
chamber, and
chamber, and at at length
length prevailed
prevailed upon llpon him him so so with
with my my
arguments, that
arguments, that hehe consented
consented to to lead
lead me me to to the
the chamber
chamber
on the
on the condition
condition that taat II went
went there
there blindfolded
blindfolded..
Cl And
" And II did go, and
did go, and II remember
remember crossing water, and
crossing water, and
entering some
entering some cavern,
cavern, through
through which which the the wind
wind rushed
rushed likelike
a hurricane;
a hurricane ; and and when
when the bandage was
the bandage was removed
removed from from my my
eyes, II stood
eyes, stood in the golden
in the golden chamber
chamber and and sawsaw more
more of the
of the
wonderful metal
wonderful than man
metal than man hashas ever dreamt of.
ever dreamt of. TheThe chief
chief
knew not
knew its value,
not its value, neither
neither did did II telltell him,
him, but
but hehe informed
informed
me
me thatthat itit was
was taken
taken from
from the the mountains
mountains ages ages before,
before, andand
that the
that tile chief
chief priest
priest and
and he were its
he were its sacred guardianll. My
sacred guardians. My
eyes were
eyes were thenthen bandaged
bandaged once once more,more, and and when
when thethe cover
cover-
I ing was
ing was again
again removed
removed II was was back
back in in the
the village.
village.
".. At last II made
At last made up up my my mind
mind to continue my
to continue journey
my journey
eastward,
eastward, for for though
though the the people
people were were kindkind enough,
enough, in in all
all
conscience, II could
conscience, not settle
could not down to
settle down to such
such an an existence.
existence.
Therefore II made
Therefore made known
known my my determination
determination to to the
the chief.
chief,

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who expressed
who expressed considerable
considerable sorrow sorrow at at mymy departure,
departure, but but
told me
told me that that II was was freefree to to dodo as as II pleased.
pleased. But But whenwhen
II asked
asked him him if if he would allow
he would allow me me to to have
have somesome bearers
bearers to to
carry Laughing Hair
carry Laughing Hair (for (for so so they
they had had named
named Ada Ada),), his
his
dark
dark faceface assumed
assumed a blacker aspect,
a blacker aspect, and and he he peremptorily
peremptorily
informed me
informed me thatthat sheshe should
should not leave the
not leave the village.
village. She She
was the
was the good
good spirit
spirit ofof it,it, he
he said,
said, and and the the warriors
warriors would
would
never sanction
never sanction her departure..
her departure
" Of
" this II spoke
Of this spoke to to AdaAda later on, when,
later on, when, to to mymy astonish
astonish-
ment,
ment, she she absolutely
absolutely refused
refused to to accompany
accompany me, me, saying
saying that
that
she would
she would never never livelive to to cross
cross the the dreadful
dreadful desert
desert again.
again.
What was
What was II to to dodo?? To To leaveleave her her there
there seemed
seemed cruelcruel;; yet
yet
had II attempted
had attempted to to force
force her her into
into going,
going, the the natives
natives would
would
have slaughtered
have slaughtered me me without
without compunction
compunction.. II told told her
her
that II would
that would go go alone,
alone, and and if if II reached
reached the the other
other side
side inin
safety II would
safety would get get relief
relief for for her
her;; if if not,
not, she
she waswas to to know
know
that II died
that died in in crossing.
crossing.
"We parted
"We parted with with many
many tears,
tears, forfor she she hadhad got
got toto love
love meme
dearly.
dearly. As As forfor myself,
myself, had had sheshe been been ten ten times
times my my own
own
child,
child , sheshe could
could not not have
have been been more more beloved.
beloved . II waitedwaited
till the rainy
till the rainy season
season began,
began, and and luckily
luckily for for me me itit was
was aa good
good
one,
one, or or II should
should have have left left mymy bones
bones to to whiten
whiten amid amid the the
sands
sands of the Great
of the Desert. The
Great Desert. The nativesnatives paddled
paddled me me
across
across to the eastern
to the eastern sideside of of the
the lake,
lake, and and taking
taking withwith me
me
the one
the one man man who who had had decideddecided to to accompany
accompany me, me, II
launched
launched out out upon
upon my my awfulawful journey.
journey.
"I will
"I will not
not attempt
attempt to to narrate
narrate it it here.
here. Suffice
Suffice it it that
that II
speak the
speak the truth
truth whenwhen II say say that
that it it is
is one
one longlong wayway of of
indescribable desolation
indescribable desolation.. II took took mental
mental notes notes of of the
the prin
prin-
cipal landmarks
cipal landmarks as as II journeyed
journeyed on, on, for for II waswas determined
determined
to re-visit
to re-visit that
that lakelake,, should
should fortune
fortune so so ordain.
ordain. Those Those
notes II have
notes have already
already marked marked down. down. If you find
If you find them
them
false-should
false should you you attempt
attempt the the journey-turn
journey-turn back, back, forfor who
who
can say
can say that
that chance
chance willwill lead
lead youyou aright
aright?? and and thethe land
land ofof
the setting
the setting sun sun is is the
the white
white man's man's tomb.tomb. II have have only
only this
this
to add,
to add, the the black
black fellow
fellow whom whom the the surveyors
surveyors you, you, Mr.Mr.
Dick, mentioned
Dick, mentioned picked picked up up,, must
must have have been been thethe comcom-
panion of
panion of my
my dreadful journey, the
dreadful journey, the person
person whom whom II lost lost in
in

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the desert
the desert between
between thethe great
great White
White CityCity and the Salt
and the Salt
Lakes.
Lakes . We We separated
separated toto look
look forfor water
water andand II never
never sawsaw
him
him again.
again. .
is now
" It is
"It now fifteen
fifteen years
years since
since II left
left the
the lake.
lake. If If Ada
Ada is is
living, she is
living, she is a woman. II would
a woman. would have
have helped
helped her,
her, II would
would
have gone
have gone back
back;; God knows II meant
God knows meant to to!! but
but when
when II
mentioned my
mentioned belief of
my belief great wealth
of great wealth in in such
such and
and such
such a a
place, everyone
place, every laughed, and
one laughed, and II had
had no no money
money to to organise
organise
an expedition
an expedition of of my own. II -was
my own. afraid to
was afraid to tell
tell my
my story
story
outright, to
outright, to tell
tell them
them what
what II had
had seen with my
seen with my ownown eyes,
eyes,
for fear
for fear ofof being
being sent
sent back
back to to the
the Swan River-to chains-
Swan River—to chains
to the
to the lash-perhaps
lash-perhaps to to death.
death. II have have been
been aa coward.
coward.
God forgive me!
God forgive me ! ButBut now
now that
that death
death is is drawing around
drawing around
me its cold
me its cold shroud for the
shroud,, for the first
first time
time inin mymy life
life II am
am not not
afraid God
afraid. rest my
God rest my soul.
soul.
"JOSEPH MORTON."
" JOSEPH MORTO N ."

CHAPTER
CHAPTER Ill.
III.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS
IS RELATED A CONVERSATION
RELATED A BETWEEN
CONVERSATION BETWEEN MY
MY
COUSIN
COUSIN HARDWICKE AND MYSELF.
HARDWICKE AND MYSELF.

AT the
Ar the conclusion
conclusion of this most
of this remarkable narrative,
most remarkable narrative, Dick
Dick
dropped
dropped the the manuscript
manuscript upon upon hishis dressing-table and
dressing- table and
significantly inquired, ""Well?"
significantly inquired, Well ? "
A fitting
A fitting reply
reply. to
to so
so ambiguous
ambiguous aa remark:
remark being
being entirely
entirely
beyond my
beyond my powers,
powers, II answered interrogatively-
answered interrogativ ely
".. What
What is is your
your opinion,
opinion, Dick?"
Dick ? ”
"II scarcely
" scarcely ha ha ve
ve one,"
one," hehe answered
answered candidly.
candidly. "The
" The
yarn has
yarn has knocked
knocked me me silly.
silly. Who
Who would
would have
have dreamt that
dreamt that
quiet, inoffensive
quiet, inoffensive old
old manman had
had been
been the
the hero
hero of
of such an
such an
unoaralleled adventure
unparalleled adventure?? ""

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"Unparalleled, truly,"
"Unparalleled, truly," II rejoined
rejoined with
with something
something very
very
like aa touch
like touch of sarcasm.. "
of sarcasm "It sounds like
It sounds like one
one of
of those
those
marvellous romances
marvellous romances in in which
which impossible
impossible heroes
heroes perform
perform
incredible feats."
incredible feats."
" No
" No doubt,
doubt, nono doubt.
doubt. ButBut what
what object
object would
would he
he have
have
in lying
in lying?"?"
"A
" weakness of
A weakness the brain,"
of the brain," II ventured
ventured.. "You"You know
know
how pe\lple's minds
how people's minds have
have run riot over
run riot that wonderful,
over that wonderful,
unknown interior."
unknown interior."
"II think
" think not,"
not," said he, answering
said he, the first
answering the first portion
portion of
of my
my
speech, and .entirely
speech, and entirely ignoring the second.
ignoring the second. " "Morton
Morton was
was aa
very quiet,
very quiet, sensible
sensible oldold fellow.
fellow. And, And, withwith thisthis exception,
exception,
II have
have never
never yet yet had
had reason
reason to to suppose
suppose him him mad.
mad. His His
horror at
horror at being
being sentsent back
back to to thethe Swan
Swan RiverRiver Settlement
Settlement
may
may seem
seem exaggerated,
exaggerated, but the convicts
but the convicts werewere often treated
often treated
with
with unnecessary
unnecessary harshness,
harshness , and and thethe crime
crime he he and
and his his
companion
companion had beeJl guilty
had been guilty of of meant
meant hanging.
hanging. II have have
both
both read
read and
and heard
heard of of many
many desperate
desperate attempts
attempts to to escape
escape
from
from the
the penal
penal settlements
settlements in the old
in the old days;
days ; howhow thethe men
men
sought
sought the the inhospitable
inhospitable regions
regions of of the
the bush
bush in in preference
preference
to
to the
the abject,
abject, brutish
brutish life
life led
led in in those
those seething
seething hells,
hells, but
but
never
never have
have II heard the like
heard the like of
of this
this before."
before."
"" II should
should thinkthink not,"
not," II replied.
replied. " " But tell me,
But tell me, Dick-
Dick
Do
Do youyou honestly
honestly believe
believe he performea that
he performed that journey
journey?? ""
66
"Certainly. Why not not?? ""
Certainly. Why
" But
" think. How
But think. How couldcould it it be
be possible
possible for for him
him toto do
do itit
without an
without an escort
escort oror provisions?
provisions ? The The country
country is is as
as dry
dry as
as a a
bone."
bone." .
" II cannot
" cannot tell you how
tell you how ne ne diddid it,
it, Archie;
Archie ; but but that
that itit has
has
been done
been done by by him
him II do
do not doubt for
not doubt for aa moment.
moment. Who Who can can
say what
say what providence
providence watched
watched over over him
him?? ""
"Then you
"Then believe it
you believe it might
might be done?? ""
be done
"With the
"With the help
help of
of God,"
God," saidsaid he he devoutly.
devoutly.
This was
This was coming
coming it it pretty
pretty strong,
strong, and and II looked
looked on him in
on him in
wonder;'; but
wonder but so so entirely engrossed was
entirely engrossed was he he with
with hishis own
own
thoughts that
thoughts that hehe appeared
appeared not not to to notice
notice thethe ardour
ardour of of my
my
gaze.
gaze.
"Then,"
" Then," said said I, I, "" you
you thinkthink that that providence--
providence-or or

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whatever you
whatever you may may callcall it-
it— taking
taking pity
pity on this man,
on this man, would
would
offer him
offer him its special protection?"
its special protection ? "
"Who knows
"Who knows?" ? " hehe answered.
answered " "He
He had had aa great
great duty
duty
to perform
to perform." ."
There
There was was aa pause
pause in the conversation,
in the conversation, each being busy
each being busy
with his
with his own thoughts.. Here
own thoughts Here thenthen waswas aa strange tale, and
strange tale, and
the opening
the opening for for anan adventure
adventure equalling
equalling in in its
its intensity the
intensity the
wild search
wild search for for Manoa,
Manoa, the the Golden
Golden City City ofof South
South America.
America.
But
But wouldwould not not this
this Golden
Golden Lake prove as
Lake prove great aa myth
as great myth
as the
as the fabled
fabled city?city ? MightMight not not thethe wonderful
wonderful story story we we
had just
had just heard
heard be be but
but the
the ravings
ravings ofof aa madman
madman?? A A delusion,
delusion,
a dream
a dream of of wealth
wealth in in which
which beggars
beggars so so often indulge??
often indulge
And
And yet yet II had had no no reason
reason to to suppose
suppose the the man man waswas mad,
mad,
though for
though for the
the matter
matter of of that
that madness
madness is is so prevalent as
so prevalent as to
to
attract little
attract little or or nono attention.
attention. At At thethe same
same time time II must
must
candidly confess·that
candidly confess that there there was
was aa certain flavour of
certain flavour of romance
romance
about the
about the narrative
narrative not not altogether repugnant to
altogether repugnant to my tastes.
my tastes.
Being young,
Being young, and and particularly
particularly fondfond of of excitement,
excitement, II saw saw
something supremely
something supremely fascinating
fascinating in in this
this strange
strange story of the
story of the
great unknown
great unknown interior interior;; and and my my mind
mind immediately
immediately bore bore
me off
me off across
across the the great
great deserts,
deserts, and and II was was arduously
arduously
climbing the
climbing the Principal
Principal Street
Street of of the
the Great
Great White
White CityCity inin the
the
Mountains, when
Mountains, when Dick Dick abruptly
abruptly terminated
terminated my my imaginary
imaginary
journey by
journey by suddenly exclaiming, ""Well?"
suddenly exclaiming, Well ? "
" Well, Dick?"
"Well, Dick ? " II replied
replied.
""I'll tell you
I'll tell you what,
what, Archie,"
Archie," saidsaid he he turning
turning his his serious
serious
eyes
eyes uponupon me me ;" if II had
; " if had thethe money
money II wouldwould get get two
two oror
three people
three people to to go
go along
along withwith meme and try and
and try and discover
discover that
that
lake. If
lake. If II did
did notnot find
find thethe landmarks
landmarks old old Morton
Morton speaks
speaks
of II would
of would know know he he either
either lied
lied or was mad;
or was mad ; but but until
until I I
prove it
prove it one
one way way or or the
the other,
other, II must,
must, II do do believe
believe him.
him.""
""And
And do do you you meanmean to to say you seriously
say you seriously entertain
entertain the the
thought of
thought of such
such a a journey
journey?? ""
"66 Why
Why not? not ? It It will
will be
be easy
easy enough
enough to to turn
turn back
back ifif we
we
discover none
discover none of the marks
of the marks he gives us.
he gives us. I I amam serious,
serious , and
and
shall
shall never
never rest rest satisfied
satisfied tilltill II have
have proved
proved the the truth
truth oror
falsehood
falsehood of of his story. If
his story. If hehe has
has spoken
spoken the the truth,
truth, wewe who
who
know his
know his secret
secret owe owe aa sacred
sacred duty
duty to to that
that poorpoor child
child he he

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ieft behind him

left behind him fifteen
fifteen yearsyears ago; ago ; and and if if wewe cannot
cannot
undertake to
undertake to rescue
rescue her, her, it it is
is imperative
imperative that that wewe letlet the
the
authorities know
authorities know the the whole
whole history."
hil;tory."
"You
" You areare right,
right, old old fellow,"
fellow," II replied
replied;; "the" the story
story maymay
be true, and
be true, and it it is
is our
our duty
duty to to do
do all that is
all that is within
within ourour power
power
for the succour
for the succour of of that
that unfortunate
unfortunate girl. girl. But the directions
But the directions
to this
to this lake
lake areare so so horribly
horribly vague.
vague. How How can can wewe possibly
possibly
strike
strike the the places
places he he mentions,
mentions, knowing knowing neither their
neither their
latitude nor
latitude longitude ? .."
nor longitude?
" But he
"But he has given us
has given us aa course;
course ; vaguevague II grant,
grant, butbut still
still aa
course, and
course, with one
and with one' exception
exception the the principal
principal marksmarks are are all
all
hills or
hills mountains-things not
or mountains-things not very
very easily missed in
easily missed in a
a desert."
desert."
"Well, then,"
"Well, then," said said I, I, "supposing
" supposing all this explained
all this explained
satisfactorily enough,
satisfactorily enough, II want want youryour opinion
opinion on the 'Great
on the Great
White City
White City in in thethe Mountains.'
Mountains.' Do Do you you forfor one moment
one moment
believe there is
believe there is such
such a thing?"
a thing ?"
"I
" I don't
don't know,"
know," he he answered
answered. "It seems incredible,
" It seems incredible,
and yet
and yet II do
do not disbelieve it.
not disbelieve it. II havehave convinced
convinced myselfmyself
into belief,
into belief, youyou willwill say.
say. Perhaps
Perhaps so. so. But this riddle
But this riddle of of
the mountain
the mountain city need trouble
city need trouble us us but little, for
but little, for if we did
if we did
not discover
not discover the the landmarks
landmarks previous previous to to it,
it, we
we could
could turnturn
back
back andand abandon
abandon the the expedition."
expedition."
II was silent for
was silent for aa longlong time,
time, turning
turning and and twisting
twisting the the
matter
matter over
over in my head
in my head. After After all, the story
all, the might be
story might be true,
true,
and,
and, as as he
he truly said, if
truly said, if we
we found
found not the landmarks
not the landmarks Morton Morton
mentioned,
mentioned, there there was was nothing
nothing to prevent us
to prevent from re-
us from re
turning.
turning.
" And
" And so money is
so money is the
the only
only bar,
bar, Dick?"
Dick ? "
"Unfortunately,
Unfortunately , yes." ""
" yes.'
"Then II will
"Then will undertake
undertake to to equip
equip the the expedition;
expedition ; and, and,
what is
what is more,
more, will make one
will make one of the party."
of the party."
" Archie, you
"Archie, you are are aa brick,"
brick," said said he,he, and
and wrung
wrung my hand,
my hand,
by way of
by way of expressing
expressing thanks thanks;; " "and
and if if we
we do not strike
do not strike thethe
Golden
Golden Lake,Lake, and and makemake all all our
our fortunes,
fortunes, II will will repay
repay youyou
for your outlay
for your outlay if if it takes me
it takes me years
years to to do it.·
do it.”
With that
With that hehe deposited
deposited the the oldold servant's narrative in
servant's narrative the
in the
trunk again
trunk again andand carefully
carefully locked
locked it, it, putting
putting the the directions
directions to to
the lake
the lake in his pocket-book.
in his pocket-book.

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THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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cc We must
"We must not tell the
not tell the mother
mother or the girls
or the girls what
what wewe realty
really
intend doing,"
intend doing," said he. ""I'll
said he. I'll say we are
say we are going
going on on aa
hunting expedition-so
hunting expedition- we are,
so we are, you
you know,
know, and
and such
such game,
game,
too-and
too- and ,that the Lord
that the only knows
Lord only knows when
when we'll
we'll be
be back."
back."
"" If
If we ever come
we ever back at
come back at all."
all."
"Yell, even
"Yes, even that's
that's on
on the
the cards.
cards. But we'll wait
But we'll wait till
till our
our
doom threatens
doom threatens before we indulge
before we indulge inin gloomy
gloomy forebodings.
forebodings.""
With that
With that the
the conversation
conversation ceased
ceased;; and
and thus
thus it
it was
was that
that
I, Archibald
I, Archibald Martesque,
Martesque, ofof Mintington,
Mintington, in in the cou~ty of
the county of
Somerset, became
Somerset, became oneone ofof the
the small
small band
band of of adventurers
adventurers
that plunged
that plunged into
into the
the unknown
unknown depths
depths ofof the
the great
great interior
interior
in search
in search of the Golden
of the Golden Lake.
Lake.

CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.

CONTAINING AN
CONTAINING ACCOUNT OF
AN ACCOUNT OF OUR.
OUR SETTING OUT,
SETTING OUT, ALSO
ALSO
A COMPLETE
A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF
OF THE BATTLE ROYAL
THE BATTLE ROYAL
BETWEEN HARDWICKE
BETWEEN HARDWICKE AND
AND THE
THE BULLOCK DRIVER.
BULLOCK DRIVER.
PREPARATIONS
PREPARATIONS for for our
our journey
journey went
went on apace. We
on apace. We were
were to
to
leave Port
leave Augusta by
Port Augusta by the
the beginning
beginning of of April,
April, so
so as to have
as to have
the whole of
the whole the winter
of the winter months
months for for our
our great
great march
march across
across
the desert.
the desert. Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's sister
sister Kate
Kate poked
poked aa good
good deal
deal of
of
fun
fun atat him for what
him for what she she was
was pleased
pleased to to call
call our
our great
great expe-
expe
dition
dition in
in search
search of of kangaroo
kangaroo rats;
rats ; but
but asas neither
neither she
she nor
nor
the others
the others guessed
guessed our our real
real intentions,
intentions, we we bore
bore her
her pleasant-
pleasant
ries
ries good-naturedly.
good-naturedly.
Our party was
Our party was toto comprise
comprise four,
four, all
all told.
told. Hardwicke
Hardwicke as as
leader, myself
leader, myself as as second
second in in command,
command, while while our
our retinue
retinue
·was
was to to consist
consist of of mymy servant,
servant, TimTim Murphy,
Murphy, whomwhom II had had
brought out
brought out from
from England,
England, andand an an Australian
Australian black
black who
who
rejoiced in
rejoiced in the
the magnificent
magnificent titletitle of
of King Jimmy. This
King Jimmy. This

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33

worthy, who
worthy, who waswas now
now reduced
reduced to to the
the plebeian
plebeian occupation
occupation of of
station
station hand, boasted descent
hand, boasted descent from from aa long long lineline ofof dusky
dusky
kings somewhere
kings somewhere on the Murrumbidgee
on the Murrumbidgee river. river. WhatWhat had had
become
become of the dynasty
of the dynasty II nevernever knew,
knew, but but II suppose
suppose rum rum
and
and thethe white
white manman could
could tell tell a a sorrowful
sorrowful tale. tale. Now,Now, like
like
Othello,
Othello, hishis occupation
occupation was was gone
gone;; but but he he was
was nevertheless
nevertheless
an excellent personage,
an excellent personage, and and oneone whom whom we we knewknew would
would
prove invaluable
prove invaluable on on such
such aa journey.
journey. He He had had been
been Hard
Hard-
wicke's companion
wicke's companion on many an
on many an expedition,
expedition, and and Dick
Dick gave
gave
me glowing
me glowing accounts
accounts of of his
his valour
valour and and sagacity.
sagacity. He He was
was aa
splendid bushman
splendid bushman and and tracker,
tracker, and and could follow the
could follow the trail
trail ofof
man or
man or beast
beast with
with aa less
less erring
erring instinct
instinct than
than the the bloodhound.
bloodhound.
He was
He was working,
working, at at the
the time
time of of our
our proposed
proposed journey,
journey,
on an
on an up-country
up-country station,
station, but but he he no no sooner
sooner received
received
Hardwicke's message
Hardwicke's message than than he he started
started for for Melbourne
Melbourne
immediately..
immediately
Soon after my
Soon after my last
last conversation
conversation with with my cousin II had
my cousin had
drawn my
drawn my man Murphy aside,
man Murphy aside, and and told told him him of our
of our
intention of
intention piercing the
of piercing the interior
interior of the Great
of the Great LoneLone Land,
Land,
where hardships
where hardships and and danger
danger most most surely awaited us,
surely awaited us, and
and
perhaps in
perhaps in the death-for lI was
end, death-for
the end, was determined
determined to to let
let
him
him knowknow what what he he hadhad to to expect,
expect, should
should he he agree
agree to to
accompany
accompany us. us. On On the
the other hand, if
other hand, he did
if he not wish
did not wish to to
risk so much,
risk so much, II offered
offered to to pay
pay hishis passage
passage back back to to England
England
or give him
or give him itsits value
value in in hard
hard cash.cash. The brave fellow
The brave fellow
answered with
answered with tears
tears inin his
his eyes that he
eyes that he would
would go go with
with usus if if
it was
it was only
only forfor the
the pleasure
pleasure of of dying
dying in in my my company.
company. I
knew such
knew \Vould be
such would be hishis answer, though II gave
answer, though him the
gave him the
chance
chance to refuse. As
to refuse. As for for the
the journey,
journey, he he wound
wound up up by by
declaring that
declaring that he
he cared
cared not not two straws for
two straws for allall the
the journeys
journeys
in the
in world so
the world that he
so that he had
had thethe honour
honour to to bebe inin my
my society.
society.
And herein was
And herein was an instance of
an instance that ignorance
of that ignorance which which is is
bliss.
bliss.
We left
We left Melbourne
Melbourne ill the beginning
in the beginning of· of ?v,Iarch
March and and
arrived at
arrived at Adelaide
Adelaide some
some threethree days later.. We
days later We stayed
stayed butbut
a night
a night andand aa dayday in in that
that city,
city, andand thenthen tooktook boat
boat for for
Port Augusta,
Port Augusta, which
which place
place we we reached
reached safelysafely in in due time.
due time.
As we
As wc had had brought
brought most most of of the the necessaries
necessaries for for thethe

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34 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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expedition with
expedition with usus we were ready
we were ready for the road
for the road byby the
the 31St
31st
of the month.
of the month .
Our
Our train consisted of
train consisted four pack
of four pack horses,
horses , laden with' every
laden with every
conceivable thing
conceivable thing in the way
in the way of provisions, &c.,
of provisions, that
&c., that
Hardwicke
Hardwicke had bad heard
heard of of explorers taking, or
explorers taking, that King
or that King
Jimmy could
Jimmy could suggest, while four
suggest, while four powerful
powerful saddle horses for
saddle horses for
ourselves completed
ourselves completed the the cavalcade.
cavalcade. Dick himself
Dick himself hadhad
personally superintende
personally superintendedd the the purchase
purchase of of these
these animals,
animals,
and aa very
and very fine fine lot
lot they
they were,
were, deepdeep in in the
the chest
chest and
and
muscular, and
muscular, and likely to bear
likely to well the
bear well the great
great fatigue
fatigue that
that lay
lay
before them.
before them.
"Start to-morrow, Mass'r
"Start to-morrow, Mass'r?" ? " said King Jimmy
said King Jimmy coming
coming up up
to me as
to me as II sat
sat smoking
smoking my my pipe
pipe under
under thethe verandah
verandah of of our
our
" hotel."
" hotel."
" Everything ready,
"Everything ready, Jimmy
Jimmy ?? ""
"Yes,
" Yes, sir."
sir."
"Very well, then."
"Very well, then."
Jimmy turned
Jimmy turned on his heel,
on his heel, but but before
before he he had
had gone
gone
half aa dozen
half dozen yards,yards, Dick,
Dick, who who at that moment
at that moment came came
from the
from the inside
inside of the house,
of the house, criedcried inin aa loud voice,
loud voice,
"No,
" No, no no !I" and the
" and the black
black looked
looked round
round to to know
know the the
reason.
reason.
"This
" This isis the
the 31St, isn't it
31st, isn't it?? "" said
said Hardwicke
Hardwicke to to me.
me.
" Certainly."
"Certainly."
"Then what's to-morrow
"Then what's to-morrow?? ""
"The first
"The first of the month."
of the month."
" Of
" what month?"
Of what month ? "
"Why, of
"Why, of April."
April."
"Yes. All
"Yes. All Fools'
Fools' Day.
Day. II wouldn't
wouldn't setset out
out to-morrow
to- morrow
for the
for the world."
world."
"We will
"We will go
go the
the day after to-morrow,"
day after to-morrow," said
said II toto the
the
aborigine,
aborigine, whowho stood
stood surveying
surveying his
his master with aa surprised
master with surprised
and inquisitive
and inquisitive look.
look.
"Yes, the
"Yes, the day
day after to-morrow,
after to Jimmy," repeated
- morrow, Jimmy," repeated
Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
66
" Right,
Right, Mass'r Dick," growled
Mass'r Dick," growled that worthy as
that worthy as he went
he went
off, shaking
off, his ugly
shaking his head and
ugly head mumbling something
and mumbling something about
about
wasting aa whole
wasting whole day.
day.

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As soon
As soon as as hehe was
was gone
gone Dick
Dick burst
burst intointo a a roar
roar 01of
laughter.
laughter.
66
"Fancy,
Fancy, All
All Fools'
Fools' Day.
Day. Good
Good heavens!
heavens ! II never though:
never though
of
of that.
that. We We cannot
cannot possibly
possibly think
think ofof going
going to-morrow."
to-morrow."
" "Yell,"
" answered, "I
Well ," II answered, " I don't
don't suppose
suppose it it matters
matters much.
much.
What more
What more appropriate
appropriate day day could
could wewe have
have for the beginning
for the beginning
of such an an expedition
expedition ? "
seemed rather
He seemed rather nnettled at this, butut replied:
replied : "" II own it
eem aa silly
does seem wea
silly weakness to delay our setting-out, but it
our setting-out,
struck me that to
me that to st rticular day
start on that particular day out
out of the
undred and
three hundred and six
sixty-five would be e aa coincidence
coincidence better
avoided. d. II think mething of
think aa bbushman has something the super
of the
5t1t1On
stition of
of aa sailor; he is
sailor ; he IS apt to put
apt to things down
put things down to to fate
fate or
or
providence that
providence that merely
merely happen
happen because
because they
they must
must in in the
the
natural
natural course
course of of events.
events. I I have
have seen
seen much
much in my short
in my short
life, and
life, and the
the solemnity
solemnity of this vast
of this vast interior
interior is is a thing II
a thing
never trifle with
never trifle with."."
I know
I know not not if he was
if he was really
really serious.
serious. I I only
only know
know thethe
weird and
weird mystic charm
and mystic charm of his strange
of his strange country
country seemed
seemed toto
impresss himhim soso strongly
stron that he lounged nged into
into thethe bar
b and
for aa Scotch
called for wh
Scotch whisky.
The 1St1st ofof April
April duly passed, and nd onon thethe morning
mor of
the 2nd d our little ca
our little cavalcade set out on on its
its great jo
great journey.
llowed the
We followed the main
main road to the north, rth, in
in a a very
very leleisurely
manner, r, and
and camped
camped a little to the right ght of it, that
of it, that eevening,
before sundown. It
before sundown. It now
now became
became exceedingly
exceedingly heavy, heavy, rain
rain
having fallen
having fallen inin great
great quantities
quantities previously,
previously, so so that
that had
had we
we
taken aa cart,
taken cart, as
as wewe atat first
first intended
intended doing,
doing, we we should have
should have
found great
found great difficulty
difficulty inin getting
getting itit along.
along.
All the
All the next
next morning
morning we we plodded
plodded slowly
slowly onward,
onward, and
and
just before
just before dinner-time
dinner-time we we came
came up up with
with three
three bullock
bullock
t m one
teams, one ofof which
which was apparently stuck fast
I stuck fast inin the
th mud, d
for we could hear the
could hear the lash of the great at whip
whip cracki
cracking, and
arse shouts
the coarse shouts of of the drivers, long ng before
before we we hhad ap
proacheded close enough to take in the true
close enough true position
position of of affairs ;
but on n drawing
drawing near near, our ears were assailedassailed withwith volleys
of the most
most hideou
hideous oaths, interspersed ersed withwith sickening,
sic
buds, caused
dull thuds, caused by b the angry teamsters'
eamsters' thick thick soled
36 THE
T GOLDEN LAKE.
HE GOLDEN LAKE.

boots on
boots on the the unoffending
unoffending stomachs stomachs .of of thethe unfortunate
unfortunate
bullocks.
bullocks.
As we
As we came
came up up toto the
the scene
scene of of this brutal exhibition,
this brutal exhibition, we we
instantly perceived
instantly perceived that that all the kicks
all the kicks and blows from
and blows from thethe
whole of
whole humanity would
of humanity would not not better
better thethe case
case one jot, for
one jot, for
the waggon, heavily
the waggon, heavily laden,
laden, had had sunksunk deep
deep in in aa rut
rut almost
almost
up to
up to its
its axle,
axle, and and every
every strain
strain on the wheels
on the wheels but but pressed
pressed
them
them farther
farther into the soft
into the soft ground.
ground . .
Three sinister-looking
Three sinister-looking blackguards,
blackguards, of of a most objection-
a most objection
able type,
able type, went went about
about cursing
cursing and and swearing
swearing in in aa truly
truly
shocking manner,
shocking manner, administering,
administering, by by way
way of of variation,
variation,
sundry cruel
sundry cruel kicks
kicks and and blowsblows upon upon those
those portions
portions of of the
the
oxen which
oxen which they knew to
they knew to be
be the
the tenderest.
tenderest.
" What
" What brutes
brutes !" !" I I said
said to to Dick.
Dick. "It's lucky for
" It's lucky for them
them
they are
they are aa bit bit beyond
beyond the the bounds
bounds of of civilisation.
civilisation. Why Why,,
that leading
that leading bullock
bullock has has a terribly sore
a terribly sore shoulder
shoulder whichwhich his his
collar is
collar but goading
is but goading the the more."
more. ”
"You are
"You right," he
are right," he replied;
replied ; " "those
those drivers
drivers are nothing
are nothing
but brutes."
but brutes." Then Then turning
turning to them he
to them he cried
cried out,
out, "I say,
" I say,
you fellows,
you fellows, what's
what's the the use use ofof licking
licking into
into those
those bulls
bulls like
like
that?? They
that They can'tcan't possibly
possibly get get out
out of the hole
of the they're in."
hole they're in."
They ceased their
They ceased their execrations
execrations and and surveyed
surveyed us us con-
con
temptuously.
temptuously.
"Who the
"Who the devil
devil areare youyou?" said aa burly,
? " said burly, bearded fellow,
bearded fellow,
addressing Hardwicke.
addressing Hardwicke. "Mind " Mind your your own bloomin' business;
own bloomin' business ;
the bullocks
the bullocks ain't ain't yours,
yours, are they?"
are they ?" .
Dick
Dick flushed
flushed angrily
angrily at this uncourteous
at this uncourteous rejoinder,
rejoinder, and and
answered, "" It's
answered, It's lucky
lucky for you they're
for you they're not."
not. "
At this
At this the fellow laughed
the fellow laughed aloud,aloud, as as did
did his
his two
two com-
com
panions;; and,
panions and, by by way
way of of showing
showing his his supreme
supreme contempt
contempt for for
my cousin,
my cousin, he he began
began to to blaspheme
blaspheme more more horribly
horribly thanthan
ever, and
ever, and kickedkicked the the unlucky
unlucky animal
animal with with increased
increased
vehemence.
vehemence.
The
The poorpoor beastbeast bellowed
bellowed with with thethe pain,
pain, andand turned
turned its its
big brown
big brown eyes eyes round
round as if appealing
as if appealing for mercy.
for mercy.
The blood
The blood rushed
rushed furiously
furiously to to Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's face, and he
face, and he
cried out
cried out to to the
the man
man in in aa short,
short, sharp
sharp tone—
tone-aa peculiarity
peculiarity of
of
his when
his when getting
getting angry-"
angry-Cl Don't Don't do do that again."""
that again.

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 THE GOLDEN
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37

""I'll
I'll do
do itit as often as
as often as II like,"
like," replied the fellow.
replied the fellow.
Cl But it's
"But it's not
not necessary,"
necessary," said said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, suppressing,
suppressing, as as
II saw,
saw, an inclination to
an inclination to ride
ride his his horse
horse over
over thethe man.
man. " If If
you want
you want to to get
get out
out ofof this,
this, why
why don't
don't you
you level
level thethe road
road
before
before the the wheels
wheels?" ?"
Cl Look
" Look here,"here," said
said thethe fellow,
fellow, flaring
flaring upup and and getting
getting
exceedingly nasty,
exceedingly nasty, "you
" you go go andand learn your grandmother
learn your grandmother
how
how to to suck
suck eggs.
eggs . You're
You're a a pretty
pretty smart
smart chap,chap, II don'tdon't
think. Where
think. Where was you dragged
was you dragged up, up, II wonder,
wonder, that you got
that you got
so
so damned
damned cockey?cockey ? Take Take my my advice
advice andand mind
mind your your own own
bloomin'
bloomin' business.
business. I'll I'll get
get them
them bullocks
bullocks out out in in whatever
whatever
way
way II please;
please ; and and I'll
I'll kick
kick them
them as as much
much as as II bloomin'
bloomin'
well
well please,
please, andand youyou too
too ifif you
you give
give me me any
any more
more lip, lip, you
you
half-bred
half-bred son son ofof aa lubra
lubra I" ! " (blackwoman)
(blackwoman ) and and suiting
suiting the the
action
action to to the
the word,
word, he he administered
administered anotheranother unmerciful
unmerciful
kick
kick upon
upon the the already
already bleeding
bleeding stomach
stomach of the animal.
of the animal.
Dick
Dick was was off his horse
off his horse with with thethe rapidity
rapidity of of a a flash
flash of of
lightning, and,
lightning, and, almost
almost before
before the the fellow
fellow was
was aware
aware of of it,
it, he
he
had
had struck
struck him him aa sounding
sounding blow blow on the side
on the side of the head
of the head
which knocked
which knocked him him into
into thethe mudmud beneath
beneath the the bullock's
bullock's
feet. Here
feet. Here was was aa chance
chance of of revenge;
revenge ; but,
but, luckily
luckily for for the
the
teamster, the
teamster, the animal
animal had had not the power
not the power ofof reflection,
reflection, else else it
it
might
might have have gonegone extremely
extremely ill ill with
with him.
him. He, He, however,
however,
arose quickly,
arose quickly, not not relishing
relishing such such adjacency
adjacency to to hishis victim's
victim's
heels, and
heels, and wiping
wiping the the mudmud from from his his face,
face, rushed
rushed madly madly
upon Hardwicke,
upon Hardwicke, who, who, stepping
stepping quickly aside, allowed
quickly aside, allowed him him
to pass
to harmlessly by
pass harmlessly by dealing
dealing desperate
desperate blows
blows upon upon the the
air.
air.
All
All waswas now now excitement,
excitement, the the partisans
partisans of both sides
of both sides
casting defiant
casting defiant looks upon each
looks upon each other.
other.
"Go
" Go forfor him,
him, JJoe oe I" shouted one
! " shouted one of
of thethe teamster's
teamster's
companions. "
companions. " Knock
Knock his his damned
damned head head off
off!! ""
66 Why don't
" Why don't you
you fight
fight?" shouted the tbe other,
other, who,
who, because
because
? " shouted
he had seen
he had seen Dick dodge his
Dick dodge his adversary,
adversary, imagined
imagined that that he he
did not
did not want
want to to do battle. "Stand
do battle. " Stand up up to to Joe,
Joe, for
for five
five
minutes,
minutes, if you can.
if you He'll eat
can, He'll eat a a dozen
dozen like you."
like you ."
Will he,
,e Will
" he, by
by God?" shouted King
God ? " shouted Jimmy. "Go
King Jimmy. "Go for fot
him,
him, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick;
Dick ; go
go for
for him.
him. Remember
Remember Black
Black Pete,
Pete, on
on

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TH GOLDEN
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the Limestone
the Limestone Creek Creek!" And his
! " And his dark
dark face positively
face positively
beamed with
beamed with thethe recollection
recollection of that auspicious
of that auspicious occasion.
occasion.
Cl Hold
" Hold youryour row,row, you you black
black devil,
devil, oror I'll
I'll wring
wring youryour
cursed
cursed neck,"
neck," criedcried one
one of the fellows
of the fellows toto Jimmy.
Jimmy.
"If you
"If you do,"
do," said
said my my man man Murphy,
Murphy, whosewhose Irish blood
Irish blood
was rising
was rising at at thethe thought
thought of of aa shindy,
shindy, ""bedad,
bedad, but but
there'll be
there'll be twotwo necks
necks wrung, and
wrung, and yours will be
yours will be one
one of the
of the
same."99
same.'
"66 Enough
Enough of this jaw,"
01 this jaw," growled
growled he he who
who hadhad been
been called
called
J oe. Then,
Joe. Then, turning
turning to to Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, he he said
said:: "Look
" Look here,here, my
my
bird, you
bird, you hit
hit me me when
when II wasn't
wasn't looking."
looking."
" II did
" did nono such thing," replied
such thing," replied mymy cousin.
cousin.
" Then
" Then I'm I'm aa liar,"
liar," said the man.
said the man.
"You
" You are."
are." Dick Dick waswas now now asas cool
cool as
as aa frosty night.
frosty nigh t.
"" Oh, II am,
"Oh, am, am am II?"? " he he replied.
replied. Then with aa leer
leer at
Then with at
his companions,
his companions, which which spoke
spoke volumes
volumes for for hishis own
own clever-
clever
ness, he
ness, he said,
said, " "You'll
You'll havehave to to fight
fight me,
me, sonny.
sonny. A A man
man
never
never calls
calls another
another a liar in
a liar in these
these parts for nothing.
parts for nothing.""
"1'11--"
" I'll—-” Dick Dick was beginning, but
was beginning, but II cut him short.
cut him short.
" He'll
" He'll do nothing of
do nothing the kind,"
of the kind ," said I, for
said I, for II did not like
did not like
the look
the look of of the
the man,
man, and and II waswas totally
totally ignorant
ignorant of Hard-
of Hard
wicke's powers
wicke's powers..
"Then he's
"Then he's aa cur,"
cur," replied
replied the the man
man called J oe, "and
called Joe, " and
shall
shall lie
lie down
down in the mud
in the mud and let me
and let me kick
kick him."
him."
At this
At this Dick
Dick smiled grimly, whilst
smiled grimly, whilst Jimmy,
Jimmy, in in the
the midst
midst
of aa piercing
of shriek of
piercing shriek laughter, screamed
of laughter, screamed out, out, "Oh,
“ Oh , lord,
lord"",
that am
that am good
good!! that that am rich !I Mass'r
am rich Mass'r Dick,
Dick, lie
lie down--"
down
and
and he he almost
almost suffocated
suffocated with with thethe force
force of of hishis own
own
exertions.
exertions.
"" Look here," said
Look here," said Dick,
Dick, stepping
stepping towards
towards the man, "I'll
the man, " I'll
fight you
fight you with
with pleasure.
pleasure.""
He then
He then came
came overover to to me.
me.
"You
" You areare not going to
not going to fight
fight him,
him, Dick?
Dick ? Consider."
Consider."
"I know it's
" I know it's low,
low, Archie,
Archie, but but II must.
must . YouYou keepkeep youryour
eye
eye on those other
on those other fellows,
fellows, and
and see that we
see that we get
get fair
fair play.
play.
This
This is
is aa queer
queer country
country wewe are
are travelling
travelling through,
through, andand
unless aa man
unless man upholds
upholds his honour by
his honour by his
his fists, he is
fists, he is not
not
reckoned
reckoned worth
worth the
the ground
ground hehe walks
walks on."
on."

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39

"" Be
Be careful, then;; he
careful, then he isis aa strong,
strong, savage-looking fellow."
savage-looking fellow."
One
One of the teamsters
of the teamsters here here camecame overover toto us,
us , and
and address-
address
ing Dick,
ing Dick, said,
said, le " Look
Look here, here, you;
you ; JJoe's
oe's willin'
willin ' enough
enough to to
let you
let you off
off onon his
his conditions."
conditions."
" What are
"What are they
they?" ? " said
said Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
"Don't
" Don't you you know
know?" ? " replied
replied the the fellow,
fellow, bursting
bursting into into aa
coarse laugh,
coarse laugh, evidently
evidently imagining
imagining my my cousin
cousin glad
glad to to come
come
to any
to any terms.
terms.
"Indeed
" Indeed II do do not"
not."
"Joe must
"Joe must kick kick youyou till till he's
he's tired
tired."
." And And the the manman
grinned and
grinned and giggled
giggled immoderately.
immoderately.
"It's very
"It's very kindkind ofof Joe,"
J oe," answered
answered Dick, Dick, "but
" but I'm I'm afraid
afraid
I can't
I can't accommodate
accommodate him. him. As for you
As for my friend,
you,, my friend, II suppose
suppose
you think
you think this this aa very
very funny
funny message?
message ? A A little
little more
more of of
your impudence
your impudence will will put
put meme under
under the the painful
painful necessity
necessity of of
giving you
giving you aa dose
dose that
that won't
won't agree
agree with
with you."
you."
The fellow scowled
The fellow frightfully, and
scowled frightfully, and looked
looked as as though
though he he
would like
would like toto have
have eaten
eaten Hardwicke.
Hardwicke .
"You blow
"You blow too too much,"
much," he he said.
said. " "Jaw never won
Jaw never won aa
battle yet"
battle yet"'"
"Indade,
" Indade, and didn't it,"
and didn't it," cried
cried Murphy.
Murphy. "Then “ Then what what
about Samson,
about Samson, you you haythen
haythen ?? ""
"Samson
" Samson be be - - - , "39 growled
growled the the man
man.. " "He ain'tt no
He ain' no
Samson."
Samson."
" Him
" Samson enough
Him Samson enough for for dam
dam thief
thief like you," rejoined
like you," rejoined
Timmy, grinning
Jimmy, grinning from from ear ear toto ear.
ear.
But the ambassador
But the ambassador utterly utterly ignored
ignored the the coloured
coloured gentlegentle-
man's
man's remark,
remark, and and turned
turned to to Dick
Dick with
with anan evil
evil smile.
smile. "" II
only
only wanted
wanted to to make things comfortable
make things comfortable like. like. JJoe oe isis aa
pretty stiff
pretty stiff cuss,
cuss, II can tell you
can tell you';; at least, he's
at least, he's reckoned
reckoned so so
about this
about this partpart of the country,"
of the country," saying which he
saying which he turned
turned
and
and rejoined
rejoined his his companions.
companions.
We now
We now adjourned
adjourned to to aa green
green spot
spot a a little to the
little to the right
right ofof
the waggons,
the waggons, and and here
here the the combatants, throwing off
combatants, throwing off their
their
superfluous
superfluous clothes,
clothes, stood
stood up up toto one
one another.
another. They They werewere
both excellently
both excellently made made men, men, talltall and strong, Dick
and strong, Dick having
having
the advantage
the advantage in in height,
height, but but the the teamster
teamster thatthat in in breadth.
breadth.
Yet when
Yet when II saw saw mymy cousin's
cousin's magnificent
magnificent chestchest andand muscles,
muscles ,

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 40 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE,

I knew
I knew thatthat hehe would
would proveprove no no ordinary
ordinary opponent,
opponent, and and thethe
fears II before
fears before entertained
entertained of of his
his ability
ability as as a boxer were
a boxer were
partially allayed.
partially allayed. II forgot forgot thethe repugnance
repugnance of of such
such an an
encounter;; my
encounter my blood
blood grew grew warmer,
warmer, and and II foresaw
foresaw that that
unless aa fair
unless fair fight
fight waswas allowed,
allowed, there
there waswas going
going toto bebe aa rare
rare
old quarrel
old quarrel.. II believebelieve II even even went
went so so farfar as
as toto wish
wish thatthat
one of
one of the
the other fellows would
other fellows would create
create aa disturbance.
disturbance. But But
it was not
it was not to to be.be. They They were were so so certain
certain of of their
their man man
thrashing Dick
thrashing Dick thatthat they
they looked
looked uponupon the the encounter
encounter as as aa
little pleasant
little pleasant diversion
diversion,, the the result
result of of which
which was was aa foregone
foregone
conclusion.
conclusion.
At first
At first began
began some some cautious
cautious sparring,
sparring, and and here,
here, at at aa
glance, II saw
glance, that Dick's
saw that Dick's agility
agility stood
stood so so many
many points
points to to
his
his favour, though II was
favour, though was dreadfully
dreadfully afraid
afraid of of the
the enromous
enromous
strength of
strength of thethe other
other man,man, should
should they they come
come to to close
close
quarters. Hardwicke was
quarters. Hardwicke was thethe first
first toto begin
begin thethe music,
music,
which
which consisted
consisted of of aa sound
sound not not unlike
unlike the the rattling
rattling of of
bones
bones on piece of
on aa piece of wood.
wood. As As thethe result
result of of this
this playful
playful
attention,
attention, the the teamster's
teamster's mouth mouth began
began to to bleed,
bleed , and
and spitting
spitting
the
the blood
blood upon upon his his adversary,
adversary, he he rushed
rushed at at himhim and and
caught
caught DickDick aa mighty
mighty thump thump on on thethe chest,
chest, which
which changed
changed
the colour of
the colour of his
his skin
skin considerably,
considerably, and and caused
caused him him to to
stagger
stagger back
back several
several feet;feet ; but before J
but before oe could
Joe could follow
follow up up
his
his success,
success, DickDick had had regained
regained hishis equilibrium,
equilibrium, and and stepping
stepping
quickly
quickly aside,
aside, escaped
escaped the the savage
savage onslaught
onslaught of of his
his opponent,
opponent,
but
but dealt
dealt thethe teamster terrific blow
teamster aa terrific blow on on the
the neck,
neck, which,
which,
coupled
coupled withwith the impetus of
the impetus his rush,
ofhis rush, sent
sent him
him with
with dreadful
dreadful
violence
violence to to the
the earth.
earth .
The
The man man was quickly on
was quickly his feet
on his feet again,
again, and rushed with
and rushed with
renewed fury
renewed fury upon
upon the the cause
cause ofof hishis downfall.
downfall. Dick Dick met met
him boldly,
him boldly, and and the the shock
shock of of those
those two two meeting
meeting fairly fairly
shook the
shook the earth,
earth, as as itit used
used .to
to shake benea:th the
shake beneath the feet
feet of
of
Homer's heroes.
Homer's heroes. They They wrestled
wrestled for for aa time,
time, and
and thenthen fellfell·
heavily,
heavily, Dick
Dick underneath
underneath ;; and and here
here it must be
it must be remarked,
remarked,
to the
to the honour
honour of of the
the bushman,
bushman, that that he he took
took no no advantage
advantage
of my hero's
of my hero's discomfiture,
discomfiture, but but loosening
loosening himselfhimself fromfrom the the
arms of
arms of his
his adversary,
adversary, allowed
allowed.him him to rise.
to rise.
Again
Again theythey faced
faced each other, and
each other, this time
and this time it was clearly
it was clearly

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 THE GOLDEN
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seen that
seen that they
they meantmeant business,
business, for for they
they trod trod the
the ground
ground
with aa quick,
with quick, impatient
impatient step, step, their
their breath
breath coming fast, and
coming fast, and
their eyes
their eyes flashing.
flashing. The The teamster
teamster seemed seemed not not inclined
inclined to to
waste
waste timetime in in fancy
fancy sparring,
sparring, but but continued
continued to to make
make des- des
perate
perate lunges
lunges in in thethe direction
direction of of Dick's mouth. But
Dick's mouth. that
But that
worthy was
worthy was wide-awake,
wide-awake, and and either
either dodged
dodged the the blows
blows or' or
countered with
countered with unerring
unerring accuracy.
accuracy. The The man,man, J ne, began
Joe, began to to .
show
show signssigns of of distress,
distress, not not onon account
account of the punishment
of the punishment he ha
had received,
had received, but but through
through the the exertion
exertion of slogging the
of slogging the air,
air,
which he
which he hadhad done done to to an
an unmerciful
unmerciful extent.extent. This being
This being
not at
not at all
all toto his
his liking,
liking, he he made
made aa tremendous
tremendous rush rush atat Dick,
Dick,
and, breaking through
and, breaking through his his guard,
guard, dealt
dealt my my cousin
cousin such such aa
dreadful blow
dreadful blow in the eye
in the eye as as toto lay him out
lay him out on the flat
on the flat of
of
his back.
his back.
.. Well done,
"Well done, Joe Joe!! Well Well done,done, my my lad lad!! Another
Another like like
that,, and
that and his his blessed
blessed mothermother won't won't know
know him. him. Upon Upon my my
"" This remark was caused
sivey, II do
sivey, do believe
believe he's crying !I" This
he's crying remark was caused
by Dick,
by Dick, who who had had arisen with sundry
arisen with sundry ounces
ounces of mud upon
of mud upon
him, violently
him, violently rubbing
rubbing his his eye.
eye.
"It's
" It's tootoo bad bad on on you,
you, Joe,"
J oe," his his two
two friends
friends continued.
continued.
"One
" One wouldwould think think you you waswas licking
licking intointo aa blessed
blessed gum gum·
tree. If
tree. you go
If you go on on like
like that,
that, you'll
you'll endend by by spoiling
spoiling his his
lovely features
lovely features." ." And,And, tickled
tickled with with their
their own own fanciful
fanciful con con·
ceits, they
ceits, they laughed
laughed aloud.aloud.
AA broad
broad grin grin overspread
overspread Joe's Joe's ugly face. "Cl II didn't
ugly face. didn't want
want
to lick
to lick thethe kid,kid, boys,"
boys," he he said.
said. " "II promised
promised to to let
let him
hir
orf with
orf with aa kickin',
kickin', but he's so
but he's bloomin' particular."
so bloomin' particular."
Things
Things now now began
began to to look
look awkward
awkward for for ourour side.
side. Dick Dick
had received
had received aa very very ugly
ugly blow,
blow, and and was
was busily
busily rubbing
rubbing his his
eye, for, though
eye, for, though he he had
had butbut lately
lately seen
seen stars,
stars, atat the
the present
present
moment
moment he he could
could see see nothing
nothing with with that
that particular
particular orb.orb.
" Don't
" Don't hit hit him
him in the other
in the other eye, Joe;; you
eye, Joe you might
might spoilspoil
the both
the both on on ''em-ruin
em- ruin his blessed eyesight,"
his blessed eyesight," said said one
one of of
the fellows
the fellows in in aa mock
mock piteous
piteous tone.tone.
"You got
"You got too too much
much dam dam jabber-jabber,"
jabber-jabber," cried cried KingKing
Jimmy, whose
Jimmy, whose face face waswas almost
almost white white with with excitement
excitement..
" Wait till
"Wait Mas~'r Dick
till Mass'r Dick finish
finish.. He He knock
knock him him damdam headhead
clean off.
clean oft'.-"
D
D

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42 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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Dick turned
Dick turned to to his
his enthusiastic follower and
enthusiastic follower smiled.
and smiled.
Jimmy broke
Jimmy broke outout once
once more.
more. " "Remember
Remember Black Pete,
Black Pete,
Mass'r
Mass'r Dick Dick;; Black
Black PetePete on on the
the Limestone
Limestone Creek." Creek."
Once
Once more more thethe combatants
combatants faced faced each other, and
each other, and DickDick
for the
for the first
first time
time began
began to to force the fighting
force the fighting;; and and soso fierce
fierce
was his
was his onslaught
onslaught that that the the bullock-driver
bullock-driver receded receded with with
alarming rapidity before
alarming rapidity before him. him. He He delivered
delivered blow blow after
after
blow upon
blow upon the the man's
man's iron-like
iron-like body,
body, but without apparently
but without apparently
making
making any any impression,
impression , though though the the self-sufficient
self-sufficient air had
air had
left the
left teamster's face,
the teamster's face, and
and his his companions
companions began began to look
to look
alarmingly
alarmingly serious.
serious. At last Dick
At last Dick got got one one home,
home, and,and, as as
aa result
result of the gentle
of the gentle ministration,
ministration, the the blood
blood oozed
oozed in in aa
perfect
perfect torrent
torrent fromfrom thethe driver's
driver's nose,
nose, covering
covering his his beard
beard
and
and completely
completely saturating
saturating his his body.
body.
""That's
That's the the style,
style, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick," shouted Jimmy,
Dick," shouted Jimmy, in in aa
perfect frenzy
perfect frenzy of delight. "Another
of delight. " Another like like that,
that, and
and you you
shut him
shut ugly mouth
him ugly mouth up up for for certain,
certain,"" and and hehe roared
roared and and
danced about
danced about like
like aa mad
mad thing.
thing.
In the
In the meantime
meantime the the teamsters
teamsters were were endeavouring
endeavouring to to stop
stop
the flow
the flow of of blood
blood fromfrom the the nasal
nasal organ
organ of of their
their hero,
hero, andand
sundry
sundry oathsoaths ofof a a ruby
ruby colour,
colour, suggested,
suggested , no no doubt,
doubt, by by the
the
ruby stream,
ruby stream, fell
fell glibly
glibly from
from their
their lips.
lips. Indeed,
Indeed, the the ease
ease
with which
with which theythey poured
poured out great floods
out great floods of of blasphemies
blasphemies was was
aa marvellous
marvellous exposition
exposition of of the
the popular
popular art art of
of swearing,
swearing, and and
proved them
proved them rare
rare adepts.
adepts. Imagination
Imagination and and construction
construction of of
sentences were
sentences were alike
alike wonderful
wonderful.. The The lawslaws ofof syntax
syntax were
were
spurned, but
spurned, but the
the sense
sense was was always
always apparent.
apparent.
Joe
Joe called
called forfor the
the whisky,
whisky, and and tooktook a long pull,
a long pull, while
while
Dick,
Dick, on the contrary,
on the contrary, only only rinsed
rinsed his mouth out.
his mouth out.
" How
" How do you feel,
do you feel, old
old fellow?
fellow ? "" II saidsaid to
to him.
him.
""C Right
Right so so far,
far, Archie.
Archie. II think think II shall
shall lick him."
lick him."
"For
" goodness sake
For goodness sake watchwatch him him well. well. He He hashas been
been
drinking whisky.""
drinking whisky.
"He
" won't get
He won't get home
home again like this,"
again like this," replied
replied Dick,
Dick,
pointing to
pointing to his
his left
left eye,
eye, which
which was was already
already swollen,
swollen, andand dis-
dis
closed several
closed marks of
several marks of aa bluish-black
bluish-black hue. hue. " "It was aa
It was
warm one,
warm one, II can
can tell
tell you,
you, but but I'll
I'll be
be even
even with
with him.
him.""
Once
Once more more theythey facedfaced each each other,
other, and,and, without
without aa

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moment's hesitation,
moment's hesitation, immediately
immediately fell fell to
to knocking
knocking one. one
another about.
another about. Blow Blow for for blow
blow was was given
given and
and taken with as
taken with as
good
good grace
grace asas possible
possible till, till, in
in making
making aa savage rush at
savage rush Dick,
at Dick,
the teamster
the teamster overshot
overshot the the mark,
mark, and and stumbled
stumbled forward.
forward.
He
He might
might have have fallen
fallen on on hishis faceface hadhad notnot Hardwicke
Hardwicke
come to
come to his
his rescue
rescue by by planting
planting two two lightning-like
lightning-like blows
blows on on
his
his defenceless
defenceless features,
features, which which pulledpulled himhim up up sharply,
sharply,
straightened
straightened him him for for aa moment,
moment, and then forced
and then him rather
forced him rather
savagely
savagely to to the
the ground
ground on on the
the broad
broad of of his
his back.
back.
Jimmy fairly
Jimmy fairly shrieked
shrieked with with delight,
delight, andand II could
could not not
suppress
suppress an an exclamation
exclamation of of joy joy asas II felt
felt my
my face
face burn
burn
with aa pleasant
with pleasant tingling
tingling sensation
sensation,, while
while mymy man, Murphy,
man, Murphy,
swore that
swore that anything
anything nater nater he he hadhad never
never seen
seen in the ould
in the ould
country. We
country. We werewere winning
winning now, now, and and itit is
is pleasant
pleasant to to win,
win,
no matter
no matter whatwhat the the stake
stake..
The
The man, man, however,
however, arose arose fromfrom his his recumbent
recumbent attitude
attitude aa
mass of
mass blood and
of blood and dirt,dirt, and and spitting
spitting aa couple
couple of of teeth
teeth
out, which
out, which Dick Dick had had so so unceremoniously
unceremoniously loosened, loosened, he he
rushed, bellowing
rushed, bellowing like like a wild bull,
a wild bull, atat my
my hero,
hero, who,
who, skipping
skipping
aside, escaped
aside, escaped the the savage
savage charge
charge with with but
but aa slight brush;;
slight brush
but in
but in return
return for for thethe teamster's
teamster's attentions
attentions caught him, as
caught him, as
he shot
he shot by, by, aa ringing
ringing blow blow on on thethe cheek,
cheek, which
which made
made the the
man's jaw
man's jaw rattle
rattle likelike dice
dice in in aa box,
box, and
and was
was the
the cause
cause of of
hurrying him
hurrying him unmercifully
unmercifully to to the
the earth.
earth. ButBut he he waswas
quickly up
quickly up again,
again, furious
furious and and raving
raving;; hishis face
face presenting
presenting aa
hideous picture
hideous picture of of blood
blood and and dirt.
dirt. He He seemed
seemed moremore likelike
an animal
an animal than than aa man, man, and and II feared
feared himhim nownow more
more thanthan
ever, for
ever, for one
one of of hishis terrific
terrific blows
blows sent sent well
well home
home would would
end the
end the battle
battle there
there and and then.then. Dick, Dick, II waswas glad
glad to to see,
see,
was as
was as cool
cool as as aa man man could could possibly
possibly be under such
be under such
circumstances, and
circumstances, and II knewknew that that this
this would
would prove
prove anan advan
advan-
tage to
tage to him
him over
over his his maddened
maddened adversary.adversary.
Like
Like a wild beast
a wild beast he he rushed
rushed at at Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, his his huge
huge
fists fiying through
fists flying through the the air air with
with the the rapidity
rapidity of of aa couple
couple
of
of steam hammers;; but
steam hammers but Dick's
Dick's agility
agility stood
stocd him
him in good
in good
stead,
stead, and and the
the blows.
blows were were moremore thanthan half
half spent
spent whenever
whenever
they reached
they reached theirtheir mark.
mark. Once Once Dick Dick slightly
slightly tripped,
tripped, and and
the teamster,
the teamster, lunging
lunging (Jut, cut, caught
caught him him on the side
on the side of the
of the

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head, and
head, and over
over he went like
he went like a nine-pin.
a nine- pin . In In a a second
second he he
was on
was on his his feet
feet again,
again, hishis eyes
eyes flashing with anger,
flashing with anger, forfor toto
be so
be treated is
so treated not pleasing
is not pleasing to to thethe most
most cold-blooded
cold- blooded
individual, and
individual, and rushing
rushing at his adversary,
at his adversary, he he broke
broke through
through
his guard,
his guard, and and dealt
dealt him him aa terrific
terrific smack
smack in in the
the eye, which
eye, which
he followed
he followed up up by by one
one in in the
the mouth,
mouth, and over went
and over went the the
great bushman
great bushman like like aa log.
log.
When he
When arose again,
he arose again, andand rushed
rushed at at my
my cousin,
cousin, it it was
was
truly the
truly the charge
charge of of anan infuriated
infuriated animal.
animal . He He bellowed
bellowed
more
more dreadfully
dreadfully than than one one ofof his
his ownown oxen,
oxen, andand whether
whether in in
his
his madness
madness he he knew
knew not not what
what he he was
was doing,
doing, or if the
or if the
thrashing
thrashing he he hadhad received
received had had somewhat
somewhat dazed dazed his his brain,
brain, II
cannot
cannot say; say ; II only
only know
know he he rushed
rushed at Dick with
at Dick with increased
increased
vehemence,
vehemence, and kicked him
and kicked him in the side.
in the side.
A cry, partly of pain
A cry, partly of pain but more of but more of anger,
anger, rushed
rushed fromfrom
Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's lips. lips. " "You
You cur cur!! You You damned
damned cur!" cur ! " and
and
with the
with the bound
bound of of a tiger, aRd
a tiger, and almost
almost withwith the
the fury
fury of that
of that
animal, he
animal, he sprang
sprang upon upon his his adversary
adversary,, and and rained
rained suchsuch aa
shower of
shower blows upon
of blows upon his his head
head and and faceface as as quickly
quickly
felled him
felled him to to thethe ground.
ground. Then, Then, with with superhuman
superhuman
strength, he
strength, he lifted
lifted thethe manman by by thethe hair,
hair, and
and delivered
delivered aa
succession of
succession of terrific
terrific blows
blows full
full on on his
his opponent's
opponent's face. face.
His fury was
His fury was so so great
great that
that II was
was afraid
afraid hehe would
would killkill the
the
fellow.
fellow.
I rushed
I rushed between
between them, them, andand seized him. ""For
seized him. For God's
God's
sake, Dick, don't
sake, Dick, don't killkill him
him!! ""
He
He flungflung the the man man savagely
savagely from from him.
him. " " No,
No, no; the
no ; the
dog's not
dog's not worth
worth it.” it."
The
The fightfight was
was now now over,
over, for the teamster
for the teamster mademade no no show
show
of resuming
of resuming the the contest;
contest ; indeed, doubt if
indeed , II doubt he would
if he would be be
able to
able to move
move for for some
some timetime toto come,
come, andand on the strength
on the strength
of one
of one of of the fellows declaring
the fellows declaring Joe Joe had
had hadhad enough,
enough, I I
led
led Hardwicke
Hardwicke to to aa small pool of
small pool of water
water which
which lay lay some
some
few yards
few yards away,
away, and and washed
washed the the blood
blood andand dirtdirt from
from him,
him,
Murphy in
Murphy in the
the meantime
meantime getting getting out out some
some ointment,
ointment, with with
which II anointed
which anointed his his injured parts. II then
injured parts. then gave
gave thethe rest
rest toto
the teamsters
the teamsters for for the
the benefit
benefit ofof the vanquished..
the vanquished
"I' How
How do do you you feel
feel now,
now, old fellow?"
old fellow ? " said
said I, I, after
after hishis

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45

dressing was
dressing was completed,
completed, and
and he
he had
had taken
taken aa stiff
stiff""nobbler"
nobbler"
of brandy..
of brandy
"A
" little sore,"
A little sore," he
he replied
replied;; "but there's no
" but there's no damage
damage
done." And,
done." And, indeed, with the
indeed, with the exception
exception of of his black eye,
his black eye,
he seemed
he seemed nonenone the worse for
the worse the encounter.
for the encounter.
We then
We then went
went over
over toto the
the fallen
fallen teamster, who ha
teamster, who had just
just
regained consciousness,
regained consciousness, and and a a horrible
horrible picture
picture hehe made
made in in
his bruised and
his bruised and bloody
bloody state.
state.
" Look
" here, mate
Look here, mate,"," said Dick;; "you
said Dick " you forced the fight
forced the on
fight on
me. Our
me. Our little
little difference
difference of opinion wasn't
of opinion wasn't worth
worth itit all.
all.
I'm sorry
I'm sorry enough
enough it it happened."
happened. "
"Bedad,
66 Bedad, but but II know
know somesome oneone else
else who's sorry as
who's sorry well.
as well.
It'll tach
It'll tach him
him to keep aa civil
to keep civil tongue
tongue in in his
his head
head for
for the
the
future when
future when he'she's talking
talking to to gintlemen
gintlemen," ," II heard my man
heard my man
Murphy remark
Murphy remark to to King
King Jimmy,
Jimmy, to to which
which that
that worthy
worthy
answered, in
answered, in aa tone
tone of of suppressed
suppressed merriment,
merriment, " "Mass'r
Mass'r
Dick can
Dick slog, no
can slog, no gammon.
gammon . I I see him polish
see him polish off
off Black
Black
Pete on
Pete the Limestone.
on the Limestone. It It was
was fine
fine thing.
thing.""
;. You're
" You're a a better
better man than II thought,"
man than thought," said the fallen
said the fallen
teamster, surveying
teamster, surveying Hardwicke through his
Hardwicke through his bloodshot
bloodshot eyes;
eyes ;
"I'm
" sorry II kic~ed
I'm sorry you-there!
kicked you What more
there ! What more do do you
you
want?? Go
want Go to to the
the devil.
devil. You've
You've broke
broke meme up.
up. II hope
hope
you're satisfied."
you're satisfied."
As
As wewe had
had no no reason
reason for
for prolonging
prolonging this
this disagreeable
disagreeable
interview, we
interview, we mounted
mounted our our horses,
horses, and
and once
once more
more pursued
pursued
our way.
our way . .
Shortly
Shortly after ~his we
after this we sighted
sighted Mount Arden, the
Mount Arden, the first
first
landmark on
landmark our journey
on our journey;; and
and at the foot
at the foot of
of a piece of
a piece of
rising ground,
rising ground, about
about a mile to
a mile to the
the west
west of the road,
of the road, wewe
pitched our
pitched our camp
camp forfor the
the night.
night.

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45 THE
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CHAPTER
CHAPTER V.
V.

IN WHICH IS RELATED OUR FARTHER PROGRESS WESTWARD

FARTHER PROGRESS WESTWARD,,
AND OUR FLIGHT FROM THE MOUNTAIN OF
THE MOUNTAIN FIRE.
OF FIRE.

Two
Two days days after
after wewe struck
struck the the southern
southern end end of of the
the salt
salt
lakes spoken
lakes spoken of of in in thethe Directions,
Directions, our our partyparty beingbeing in in
excellent health
excellent health and spirits, for
and spirits, for as yet we
as yet we hadhad met met no no
serious opposition,
serious opposition, though though the the roadroad at at times
times had had beenbeen
extremely rough.
extremely rough. A A fewfew miles
miles farther
farther on on we we crossed
crossed the the
bed of
bed of a dry lake,
a dry lake, the salt of
the salt which, in
of which, in thethe- glaring
glaring sun, sun,
shone
shone likelike burnished
burnished silver, ver, and
and we we hadhad great
great difficulty
difficulty in in
preventing our
preventing our horses
horses from from eating
eating it. it. The The next next dayday we we
came
came up up with
with another
another large large lake
lake (Gairdner),
(Gairdner), which which we we were
were
forced
forced to to skirt
skirt to the north.
to the north .
So far,
So far, then,
then, Morton's
Morton's tale was true,
tale was true, and
and Dick,Dick, who,who, with
with
the exception
the exception of of his
his discoloured
discoloured eye eye and swollen cheek,
and swollen cheek, had had
quite recovered
quite recovered from from the the effects
effects of his late
of his late encounter,
encounter, was was
exceedingly
exceedingly joyousjoyous thereat.
thereat. He jokingly made
He jokingly made light light ofof
our journey,
our journey, built
built wonderful
wonderful palaces
palaces with with imaginary
imaginary riches, riches,
and vowed
and vowed that
that ourour explorations
explorations would would be be the wonder of
the wonder of
genemtions to
generations to come.
come. II doubt doubt he he meant
meant half the things
half the things he he
said, but was
said, but was always
always underunder the the impression
impression that that he he had had so so
little
little faith
faith inin the
the whole
whole of of Morton's
Morton's story, story, that that he he was
was
trying to
trying to force
force himself
himself into into a a belief
belief of of it
it ;; yet
yet be be that
that as as itit
may, he
may, he was
was merry
merry enough
enough in in all
all conscience,
conscience, and and infused
infused aa
life
life into the little
into the little party
party which
which the the great solitude was
great solitude was apt apt
to banish. Had
to banish. Had the the country
country presented
presented aa more more charitable
charitable
appearance we
appearance we shquld
should have have been
been moremore content,
content, but but as as yet
yet
no
no accident
accident had had befallen
befallen us, us, and
and our leader was
our leader was not not of of that
that
tempemment
temperament which which delights
delights in in creating
creating difficulties.
difficulties.
We pushed
We pushed on rapidly in
on rapidly the direction
in the direction of of the
the range
range of of
1Il0untains, from
mountains, from the the summit
summit of which we
of which we werewere to to see the
see the
kbig hill
"big hill to
to the
the south.
south."" andand truly,
truly, as as night
night was was drawing
drawing
•

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47

near, we
near, we sighted
sighted the the range
range lyinglying low low downdown on on the the blue
blue
borizon, and
horizon, and at at eight
eight o'clock
o'clock that that same evening drew
same evening drew rein
rein
at its
at Its base.
base. It It being
being too too latelate to to ascend
ascend it it that
that day, day, we we
determined to
determined to wait
wait patiently
patiently for for the the morning.
morning. And And longlong
into the
into the nightnight DickDick and and II sat sat smoking
smoking and and talking,
talking, and and
wondering if
wondering if we
we really
really should
should see see thethe ""big hill ".. looming
big hill looming in in
the south
the south..
On the
On following morning
the following Hardwicke, Jimmy
morning Hardwicke, Jimmy and and 1, 1,
leaving my
leaving my man man Murphy Murphy behind behind to to prepare
prepare breakfast,
breakfast,
began the
began the ascent
ascent to to the
the south,
south, for for there
there we we saw
saw thethe highest
highest
peak,
peak, and and from there we
from there we reckoned
reckoned the the"" bigbig hill,"
hill, " which
which of of
course could
course could be be nono other
other than than Mount
Mount Finke, Finke, would
would be be most
most
easily
easily discerned.
discerned . The hillside was
The hillside was composed
composed of of rough,
rough,
uneven rocks,
uneven rocks, set set in in a loose gravelly
a loose gravelly soil, which crumult:d
soil, which crumbled
away
away beneath
beneath our our feet.
feet. Here Here and and therethere werewere patches
patches of of
shrub
shrub and and yellow
yellow grass,
grass, as dry as
as dry as thethe dUH they seemed
dust they seemed to to
live on;
live on ; all all else
else waswas as as completely
completely withered withered as as thethe face
face ofof
an
an old
old man.man.
We reached
We reached the the peakpeak in in duedue course
course of time, but
of time, but thethe sun
sun
not having
not having yet yet arisen
arisen we we couid discover no
could discover no semblance
semblance of of
the hill
the hill toto the
the south.
south. Like Like a thin gauze
a thin gauze veil veil lay the morning
lay the morning
shadows
shadows over over the the limitless stretch of
liniitless stretch of country.
country. North,
North,
south,
south, east, west, always
east, west, always the the same unvarying sweep
same unvarying sweep of of land;
land ;
always
always the the same
same vast, vast, rugged
rugged ocean ocean of of rock
rock and and sand,
sand,
which, like
which, like itsits liquid
liquid brother,
brother, seemedseemed leading leading awayaway into into the
the
mystic
mystic shadows
shadows of of eternity.
eternity. II often often wonder
wonder if if thethe desert
desert
through which
through which the the Israelites
Israelites marchedmarched was was half
half so so weird
weird
and
and solemn,
solemn, half half so so beautiful
beautiful in in its
its magnificent
magnificent desolation.
desolation.
For
For therethere is is aa weird
weird and terrific beauty
and terrific beauty in in these
these vastvast
stretches
stretches of of loneliness;
loneliness ; they they seem seem to to bring
bring youyou nearer
nearer to to
Him,
Him, and and thethe fate
fate of of all
all earthly things.
earthly things.
We sat
We sat upon
upon aa long, long, barebare rock,
rock, and and eagerly
eagerly awaited
awaited the the
first glimpse
first glimpse of the sun
of the above the horizon.
sun above the horizon . The air, laden The air, laden
with the
with the scent
scent of of forests
forests far far away,
away, was was beautifully
beautifully mild mild andand
delicious to
delicious to inhale.
inhale. II took took off off my my hat hat and
and letlet the the cool,
cool,
soft breeze
soft breeze blow blow through
through my my hair.
hair.
" What aa delightful
"What delightful morning morning!" ! " said
said I I to
to Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, a a
remark
emark not not exceedingly
exceedingly wise wise in in itself,
itself, or unconventional,
or unconventional,

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48 THE
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but still
but still aa remark
remark forcedforced from from me, me, as as it were, by
it were, by thethe
beauty of
beauty nature-a trite
of nature-a trite offering
offering at at her
her ethereal
ethereal shrine.
shrine.
"II was
" was thinking
thinking the the same,"
same," said said he.he. "I don't know
" I don't know
what your
what your English
English mornings
mornings are like, Archie;
are like, Archie ; butbut is is not
not
this beautiful
this beautiful?? Was Was there
there everever aa purer
purer or more delicious
or more delicious
air, II wonder?
air, wonder?"" And, And, as as if to more
if to thoroughly enjoy
more thoroughly enjoy it, he
it, he
opened
opened his his mouth
mouth and and drewdrew in in aa long
long breath,
breath, while
while he he
loosened
loosened the the collar
collar ofof hishis shirt
shirt andand laid
laid his
his hat
hat beside
beside him. him .
"66 They
They saysay this
this isis not
not aa poetic
poetic country,"
country," he he went
went on,on, "and
“ and
yet
yet II doubt
doubt much
much if if the
the oldold Greeks
Greeks ever ever breathed
breathed aa more more
inspiring or
inspiring invigorating air.
or invigorating air. Not Not that
that II know
know what
what Greek
Greek
air,
air, is
is like,
like, but
but they
they were
were finefine oldold fellows
fellows in in those
those days,
days, full
full
of
of fire
fire and
and go,
go, for
for which
which II should should think think the the climate
climate was was
partly
partly answerable.
answerable. But
But look,
look, look!"
look ! " cried
cried hehe suddenly,
suddenly,
breaking
breaking off off and
and pointing
pointing to the east.
to the east. "Did "Did you you ever
ever seesee
such sight as
such aa sight as that
that before?"
before ? "
Away in
Away in the
the east the pale
east the pale blue blue skysky wawass slowly
slowly changing
changing
to aa delicate
to pink, as
delicate pink, as sweet
sweet and and warmwarm as the colour
as the colour onon a a young
young
girl's
girl's cheek.
cheek. Then Then it turned to
it turned to aa deeper
deeper red, red , and
and one-half
one-half
of heaven's vault
of heaven's vault shone
shone with with aa beautiful
beautiful roseate
roseate hue, light-
hue, light
ing the
ing the dull, dead rocks
dull, dead rocks aroundaround us us into
into glowing
glowing life. life.
Like
Like a a blood-red
blood-red sea sea the the desert
desert lay lay before
before us,us, weirdly,
weirdly,
horribly solemn ; a.
horribly solemn; a sea
sea over
over which
which the the ghosts
ghosts of of ships
ships and and
the ghosts
the ghosts of of menmen mightmight revel revel forfor eternity.
eternity. A A stagnant
stagnant
world of
world of dull,
dull, red fire it
red fire seemed, save
it seemed, where here
save where here and and
there the
there the great
great redred light from the
light from the sky caught the
sky caught the trembling
trembling
sheets of
sheets of dew,
dew, and and converted
converted them them into into gems
gems of of living
living
glory-beautiful jewels
glory-beautiful jewels thatthat added
added aa supernatural
supernatural loveliness
loveliness
to the
to the desolate
desolate bosom
bosom of of their
their mistress.
mistress. Then Then the
the heavens
heavens
grew from
grew from redred toto yellow,
yellow, and and the the whole
whole eastern
eastern world
world shook
shook
its mighty
its mighty curtains
curtains of glistening gold
of glistening gold aside,
aside, and from the
and from the
depths
depths of of the
the unknown
unknown the the sun sun rushed
rushed forthforth-and
- and it it was
was
day.
day.
For
For several
several minutes
minutes we we sat sat watching
watching its its golden flight to
golden flight to
the north,
the north, satsat inin aa sta~e
state of delighted wonderment,
of delighted wonderment, when when
Hardwicke
Hardwicke arose arose with
with the the very
very commonplace
commonplace remark remark that that
it was
it was ""going
going to to be
be aa hot
hot day."
day." The The dream
dream of of aa moment
moment
was gone,
was gone, andand the the oldold time-worn,
time-worn, though though never-wearied
never-wearied

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reality, was
reality, back once
was back once more.
more. The power of
The power the sun,
of the sun. had
had
already banished
already banished the the haze,
haze, andand on looking to
on looking to thethe south
south
we saw,
we saw, looming
looming up through aa cloak
up through cloak of misty blue,
of misty blue, the
the
ponderous form
ponderous form of the "big
of the hill."
"big hill."
""There
There it it is,
is, Archie,"
Archie, " shouted
shouted Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. Cl " Hurrah
Hurrah
for the
for the Golden
Golden Lake!"Lake ! "
Ay, there
Ay, there it it was
was plain
plain enough,
enough, with with its long, round
its long, round peak peak
lifting itself
lifting itself above
above its its massive body-as rears
massive body-as rears the
the spire
spire ofof aa
church
church aboveabove the the church
church itself.
itself. Every
Every moment
moment it it loomed
loomed
up clearer,
up clearer, tilltill II thought
thought II saw saw thethe indentations
indentations on on itsits
sides. Hardwicke
sides. Hardwicke turned turned to me.
to me.
"Old
" Old Morton
Morton must must have
have climbed
climbed this this hill
hill,"
," hehe said
said..
" Poor
" devil!! what
Poor devil what an unhappy look-out
an unhappy look-out waswas his.
his. The The spirit
spirit
that man
that man possessed
possessed would would have made aa hero
have made hero of of a a more
more
fortunate individual.
fortunate individual. But But instead
instead of gaining the
of gaining the approba-
approba
tion of
tion of the
the world,
world, he was forced
he was forced to to hide
hide hishis heroism
heroism from from
the light
the light ofof day.
day. Poor Poor devil
devil !I ""
We then,
We then, fully
fully satisfied
satisfied with
with our
our morning's
morning's work,
work, began
began
our return to
our return to the
the camp,
camp, Jimmy
Jimmy advancing
advancing some some steps
steps before
before
us.
us. We We hadhad descended
descended the the peak,
peak, andand were
were passing
passing along
along
aa short
short valley
valley formed
formed by by two
two smaller
smaller hills,
hills, when
when the the
aborigine
aborigine of of aa sudden
sudden came came to to aa standstill,
standstill, and
and motioned
motioned
with
with his his uplifted
uplifted hand hand forfor usus toto remain
remain quiet.
quiet. His gaze
His gaze
riveted upon
was riveted
was upon a a hole
hole in in thethe ground,
ground, to to which
which he he
approached with
approached with the
the stealth
stealth andand softness
softness ofof aa cat.
cat.
"Watch him,"
"Watch him," whispered
whispered Dick Dick to to me.
me.
I saw the
I saw the black's
black's bodybody bend slowly, slowly,
bend slowly, slowly, as with out
as with out-
stretched hand
stretched hand and face all
and face all aglow with eagerness,
aglow with eagerness, he he stooped
stooped
lower and
lower and lower
lower overover thethe slight
slight excavation
excavation in in the
the earth,
earth,
into which
into which aa moment moment later later he he dived
dived hishis hand
hand with with in in-
describable swiftness,
describable swiftness, and and as as quickly withdrew it,
quickly withdrew holding
it, holding
a long,
a long, dark
dark object.
object. This This he he whirled
whirled round
round his head as
his head as
one would
one would the the lash
lash ofof a whip. Crack
a whip. Crack !I He He hadhad thrown
thrown
it from
it from him,
him, andand on on advancing
advancing we we beheld,
beheld, writhing
writhing in in all
all
the agonies
the agonies of of death,
death, aa long,
long, black
black snake.
snake. He He hadhad broken
broken
its back.
its back.
" Dangerous
" Dangerous work, work, Jimmy,"
Jimmy," said said Dick.
Dick.
"Plenty use
"Plenty use this
this sort
sort ofof thing,"
thing," replied
replied the
the aborigine,
aborigine,

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50 THE GOLDEN
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la ughing and
laughing and showing
showing the the full
full extent
extent of his by
of his by no means
no means
dainty mouth.
dainty mouth. " "Not much danger
Not much danger to to black
black fellow.
fellow. WhiteWhite
man no
man no good.
good. This fellow plenty
This fellow plenty poison.
poison. Make Make ’um 'um
bite--plenty glory,"
bite--plenty glory," and and he he turned
turned his his eyes
eyes to to heaven,
heaven,
meaning that
meaning that aa bite bite from
from the the object
object he he hadhad justjust de de-
spatched meant
spatched meant aa sure sure andand rapid
rapid journey
journey into into thethe land
land ofof
spirits.
spirits.
He
He thenthen whipped
whipped out out hishis clasp-knife,
clasp- knife, and, and, after
after severing
severing
the head
the from the
head from the body,
body, tooktook thethe latter
latter partpart of the snake
of the snake
upup and
and dropped
dropped it it carelessly
carelessly in in his
his pocket.
pocket.
"What's he
"What's going to
he going to do with that
do with that beast?
beast ? "" II asked
asked..
"What are
"What are youyou going
going to to do
do with
with it,it, Jimmy?" inquired
Jimmy ? " inquired
Hardwicke, with
Hardwicke, with aa knowing
knowing smile.smile.
The
The black black smiled
smiled similarly,
similarly, II thought,
thought, and and answered,
answered,
"Him
" Him make make plenty
plenty good breakfast," and
good breakfast," and he he positively
positively
limacked his
smacked his lips
lips in in anticipation
anticipation of of such
such dainty fare.
dainty fare.
66
" Do they eat these things,
things, DickDick?"
Do they eat these ?”
"Oh,
" yes," he
Oh, yes," he replied,
replied, ""and very fair
and very fair eating
eating they
they are.
are. II
have heard
have heard of of old bushmen absolutely
old bushmen longing for
absolutely longing them as
for them as
aa delicacy
delicacy after
after being
being surfeited
surfeited with with kangaroo.
kangaroo. It was aa
It was
very common
very common thing thing for for the
the oldold explorers,
explorers, when when hard hard up up for
for
food, to
food, to eat
eat snakes.
snakes. Warburton Walburton found found themthem excellent
excellent
eating,
eating, but but as as II am am notnot veryvery partial
partial to them myself,
to them myself, II
hope
hope we we shall
shall not not comecome down down to to need
need aa closer closer
acquaintance."
acquaintance."
""Indeed,
Indeed, II hope not," II answered,
hope not," answered, and felt aa loathing
and felt loathing
rise within me
rise within me at the bare
at the bare idea.
idea.
We arrived
We arrived at at ourour camp
camp without
without encountering
encountering anythinganything
more remarkable
more remarkable than than aa fewfew green
green andand golden
golden lizards which
lizards which
had come
had come outout to warm their
to warm their scales
scales in in the
the sun.
sun. Murphy
Murphy
was anxiously
was anxiously awaiting
awaiting our our arrival,
arrival, and and as as breakfast
breakfast was was
ready, we
ready, we fell-to
fell-to and
and mademade aa hearty
hearty meal.
meal. Jimmy,Jimmy, true true to
to
his word,
his word, after
after broiling
broiling the the snake
snake on on thethe glowing
glowing embers
embers of of
our camp
our fire, despatched
camp fire, despatched it it with
with great
great relish.
relish. And And here,
here,
lest this
lest this should
should seem seem strange,
strange, II may may remark
remark that that there
there is is
nothing animal
nothing animal an an Australian
Australian black black willwill not
not eat.eat. Jimmy
Jimmy
certainly had
certainly had come
come underunder civilising
civilising influences,
influences, but but thethe old
old
saw says
saw says something
something about about things
things· being
being bred bred in in the
the bone,
bone,

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and
and I I doubt
doubt not not thatthat Jimmy possessed some
Jimmy possessed some of of thethe
hereditary traits
hereditary traits ofof his
his illustrious
illustrious ancestors.
ancestors .
We struck
We struck our our campcamp and and proceeded
proceeded on on our journey
our journey
round the
round the northern
northern base base of the range,
of the range, thethe southern
southern being being
too far and
too far and thethe hills
hills tootoo worn
worn and rough for
and rough for our horses.
our horses.
Soon we
Soon we entered
entered uponupon whatwhat seemed
seemed to to meme a a stony
stony desert.
desert.
The earth was
The earth was dry
dry and
and crumbling,
crumbling, and and covered
covered with with huge
huge
loose
loose boulders,
boulders, round
round and and over
over which
which our our horses
horses stumbled
stumbled
in
in aa most
most shocking
shocking manner.
manner. No No rain
rain seemed
seemed to to have
have fallen
fallen
here for
here years;; the
for years the ground
ground was was like
like aa huge
huge sponge
sponge whichwhich it it
would
would have have taken
taken the the sea
sea toto fill.
fill. OurOur horses
horses continually
continually
sank
sank into
into it it past
past their
their knees,
knees, so so that
that our progress was
our progress was both
both
laborious
laborious and and terrible.
terrible. The The sweat
sweat ranran off
off them
them in in cataracts,
cataracts,
and
and they panted so
they panted so frightfully
frightfully that that after
after aa little
little over
over an an
hour's journey we
hour's journey we were
were forced
forced to to dismount
dismount and and give
give them
them aa
rest.
rest. We We then
then tried
tried toto walk,
walk, butbut found
found the the labour,
labour, after
after aa
little
little experience,
experience, so so great
great thatthat wewe hadhad to to confess
confess ourselves
ourselves
beaten.
beaten. We therefore remounted
We therefore remounted our our half-dead
half- dead steedssteeds
and
and forced
forced them them slowly
slowly overover thethe dreadful ground. The
dreadful ground. The
sun
sun all this time
all this time had had beaten
beaten down down with with unprecedented
unprecedented
vigour,
vigour, scorching
scorching us us like the flame
like the flame of of a furnace. Above
a furnace. Above in in
the hazy,
the hazy, smoky
smoky blue blue it it sped
sped itsits course,
course, seeming
seeming to grow
to grow
with
with every
every step we took
step we took moremore fierce, fiery. II could
more fiery.
fierce, more could
not
not help contrasting it
help contrasting now with
it now with the the delicate
delicate warmth
warmth of of its
its
rise.
rise. Dick's
Dick's prognostication
prognostication was correct. It
was correct. was aa hot
It was hot
day.
day.
Presently we
Presently we emerged
emerged upon upon a a somewhat
somewhat firmer firmer footing
footing
anQ
and II heaved
heaved aa sigh sigh ofof relief,
relief, for
for long
long dense patches of
dense patches of scrub
scrub
appeared before
appeared before us,us, and
and II thought
thought we we had come to
had come to the
the end
end
of things
of things objectionable
objectionable for while. But
for aa while. But II was
was doomed
doomed to to
disappointment.
disappointme nt.
" This
" This is is getting from bad
getting from bad to to worse,"
worse," shouted
shouted Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
"This is
"This is aa plain
plain of spinifex, the
of spinifex, the curse
curse of all who
of all who travel
tra', el
in the
in the interior.
interior. Keep Keep your your horse
horse clear
clear of of it
it as
as well
well as you
as you
can."
can. "
This spinifex of
This spinifex of which
which he spoke is
he spoke is a sort of
a sort of long,
long,
tussocky grass,
tussocky grass, as sharp as
as sharp as aa knife
knife andand very
very dangerous
dangerous to to
horses. cutting their
horses, cutting their legs
legs literally
literally to to pieces.
pieces. II had had much
much

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difficulty in
difficulty in avoiding
avoiding it, it, and
and was was not
not always
always successful.
successful . My My
horse, as
horse, as a consequence, was
a consequence, was punished
punished very very severely.
severely. This This
was bad,
was bad, forfor inin so hot aa region
so hot region any any little
little cut
cut isis aggravated
aggravated
aa thousandfold.
thousandfold
A dreary
A dreary journey
journey was was thisthis over
over the the desolate wilderness.
desolate wilderness.
No blade
No blade of green grass
of green grass was there, no
was there, no sign
sign ofof water,
water, nothing
nothing
but
but the the dull,
dull, melancholy
melancholy waste before and
waste before and behind,
behind, to to the
the
right
right and and to to the left. As
the left. As thethe sunsun mounted
mounted higher higher in in
the steely
the steely air air aboveabove it it seemed
seemed to to glow
glow and and glare
glare
with an
with an intenser
intenser heat, heat, tilltill II felt
felt mymy brain
brain bursting
bursting and and
my skin scorching
my skin scorching as
as with
with fire.
fire. My
My tongue
tongue was
was swollen
swollen
and
and dry, dry, and lifted my
and II lifted my water-bottle
water-bottle to to my
my lips.
lips. PahPah !!
it
it was
was warm,·
warm, almost almost boiling.
boiling. How
How II longedlonged then then for for
aa cool
cool breeze,
breeze, just just one one cool touch of
cool touch of our
our wintry
wintry weather,
weather ,
the
the weather
weather II used used to to abuse
abuse and and detest
detest so so much
much at at
home.
home. And And II tried tried to to dream
dream of of the
the cold
cold and and snowsnow
and
and bitter
bitter easteast winds
winds as as one
one wouldwould wish wish to to dream
dream of of
paradise.
paradise. After After all,all, how
how weak weak is is man,
man, and and howhow dreadful
dreadful
is
is pain!
pain ! You You pinch pinch us us and and we we cry;
cry ; youyou tickle
tickle us us and
and wewe
laugh.
laugh . Children
Children of of thethe senses
senses are are we,
we, after
after all.,
all. We We
eat,
eat, sleep,
sleep, laugh,
laugh, cry, cry, love,
love, hate,
hate, till the Great
till the Great Prompter
Prompter
rings
rings down
down the the curtain,
curtain, and and thethe play
play of life is
of life is over.
over.
We continued
We continued our our march
march acrossacross thethe dreadful wilderness--
dreadful wilderness
on,
on, on,
on, horses
horses and and riders
riders equally
equally prostrate;
prostrate ; yet yet on,on, on,
on, ever
ever
on.
on. No No complaints
complaints came came from from thethe lips
lips ofof our
our small
small band.
band
Complaint was
Complaint was useless
useless-then-then why why complain?
complain ? And And yetyet itit
is no easy
is no task to
easy task to refrain
refrain fromfrom so so doing
doing whenwhen you you have
have good
good
grounds
grounds to to go upon. My
go upon. My man man Murphy
Murphy bore bore fatigue
fatigue badly.
badly.
He gasped
He gasped and and panted
panted and and stared
stared withwith listless, vacant eyes
listless, vacant eyes
into space . The
into space. veins stood
The veins stood outout like
like cords
cords on on hishis forehead,
forehead,
and
and II waswas afraid
afraid thatthat he he would
would fall fall from
from his his horse.
horse. A A few
few
kangaroo rats,
kangaroo rats, startled
startled at at our approach, would
our approach, would bound bound fromfrom
the thick
the thick cover,
cover, and and scudscud away with their
away with their peculiar hopping
peculiar hopping
motion;; but
motion but so so utterly
utterly prostrated
prostrated did did we we allall feel
feel that
that not
not
one
one of us had
of us had energy
energy enoughenough to to unsling
unsling aa gun gun and and shoot.
shoot.
At length
At length the the spinifex
spinifex grew grew less,
less, and guessing that
and guessing that we were
we were
well out
well out ofit
oCit now,now, we we dismounted
dismounted from from our our horses
horses and gave
and gave
the poor
the poor beasts
beasts aa good good drink drink and and half-an-hour's
half-an·hour's rest. rest. At At

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the end
the end of that time
of that time we we remounted
remounted once more and
once more pursued
and pursued
our way with
our way with comparative
comparative ease. ease. The The country
country upon upon which
which
we now
we now entered
entered was was firm
firm and
and wellwell grassed
grassed and and fairly
fairly well
well
wooded, though
wooded, though all all the
the trees
trees werewere stunted
stunted in in growth,
growth, andand
the numerous
the numerous shrubs shrubs thatthat grew
grew around
around appeared
appeared more more dead
dead
than alive.
than alive. Had Had this this been
been aa country
country of of even
even moderate
moderate
rains II could
rains could have have conceived
conceived no no more
more fertile
fertile spot
spot on on earth
earth,,
but as
but as it was, the
it was, the grass
grass waswas talltall and
and rank
rank and as dry
and as dry as theas the
earth from the
earth from the surrounding
surrounding desert. desert.
We caused
We caused a halt to
a halt to bebe made
made aboutabout four
four o'clock, wiped
o'clock, wiped
our horses
our horses down down with with the the drydry grass,
grass, andand gave
gave themthem the the
regulation quantity
regulation quantity of water, which
of water, which theythey greedily
greedily drank,
drank,
turning upon
turning upon us us beseeching
beseeching eyes for more.
eyes for more. Food Food their
their
was none,
was none, and and the the drydry grass
grass waswas suchsuch asas even
even they,
they, inin their
their
half-famished condition,
half-famished condition, could could not not· swallow.
swallow. It turned to
It turned to
dust at
dust at the
the touch
touch as as does
does the the Dead
Dead Sea-fruit
Sea- fruit upon
upon the the lips.
lips.
Poor beasts
Poor beasts!! the the last two days'
last two days' journey
journey had had told
told dreadfully
dreadfully
upon them.
upon them. They They showedshowed such extreme signs
such extreme signs of of distress
distress
that II began
that began to to have
have horrible
horrible fears fears of their suddenly
of their suddenly cavingcaving
in, which
in, which calamity
calamity would would necessitate
necessitate an an abrupt termination
abrupt termination
to the
to the expedition.
expedition .
Murphy lit
Murphy fire,, and
lit aa fire and soonsoon our our tea
tea waswas ready,
ready, andand like
like
the sweetest
the sweetest nectarnectar it it seemed
seemed after after the
the lukewarm
lukewarm water water we we
had sipped
had sipped for for so many hours.
so many hours. Tea Tea hashas been
been found
found thethe
most useful beverage
most useful beverage for for the the Australian
Australian bush. bush. Spirits
Spirits
would kill
would kill one,.
one, and and thethe impure
impure water,water, which
which bushbushmenmen tootoo
frequently have
frequently have to drink, is
to drink, apt to
is apt to bring
bring on various diseases.
on various diseases.
Hardwicke
Hardwicke proposed proposed a a start
start as soon as
as soon the horses
as the horses had
had
sufficiently rested, for
sufficiently rested, there was
for there was no water thereabouts,
no water thereabouts, and and
we could
we could not not feelfeel absolutely
absolutely safe until we
safe until we had
had found
found some.
some.
Therefore,
Therefore, when when we we thought
thought them them ableable to to continue
continue the the
journey till
journey till camp-time,
camp-time, we we remounted
remounted once once more more and and
started oft'
started off withwith the the bestbest possible
possible despatch
despatch we we could
could
command.
command . We We all four fiIled
all four filled ourour pipes
pipes andand crept
crept silently
silently
along, like so
along, like so many
many spectres,
spectres, through
through the the tall,
tall, yeIlow
yellow grass,
grass ,
which shone
which shone in the dazzling
in the dazzling sunshine
sunshine like like aa great
great seasea ofof
gold. Beautiful,
gold. unending it
Beautiful, unending it seemed,
seemed, and and yetyet how
how terrible!
terrible !
How
How one's
one's soul
soul could
could havehave gonegone out to such
out to such magnificence
magnificence

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54 THE GOLDEN
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had there been no

had terrors for
terrors for self. golden,,
But this golden
gleam
gleaming world of grass rass waswas as as aa grave to us, containing ntaining
neith joy nor hope. Better
neither Better the the barren
b housand
desert a thousand
times for here life seemed
times, emed aa mockery,
mocke eleton, aa
a gilded skeleton,
golde shroud enveloping
golden oping the the grinning
grinni jaws of death. h.
It was a long, trying
It ing journey
journey;; but b towards sundown ndown aa
breeze sprang
breeze sprang upup from
from thethe S.E.,
S.E., which
which mademade the the atmosphere
atmosphere
agreeably cool,
agreeably cool, though,
though, like like aa vast
vast furnace,
furnace, the the sinking
sinking sun sun
still streamed
still streamed upon
upon our
our faces.
faces. At At last
last itit went
went down,
down, fierce
fierce
and red,
and as if
red, as if angry
angry atat being
being forced
forced to to set,
set, and
and we,we, follow
follow·
ing our
ing our custom,
custom, pitched
pitched our our campcamp for for the
the night
night in in the
the
middle of
middle of the
the great plain of
great plain grass. When
of grass. When we we came
came to to
water our horses
water h we e were
were made made acquainted . t d with ith thethe
unwel
unwelcome fact that we we hadhad muchmuch less of that precious reclOUS
fluid
fluid-owing greatly, no no doubt,
doubt, to to evaporation-than han we we
imagi
imagined. Hardwicke ke looked
looked serious,
serio and sometime me after
after
sent J
sent Jimmy off to seee ifif he
he could
could discover
di more.
Th sun no sooner disappeared
The disappeared than t darkness began egan to to
settle over the greatt melancholy
settle melancholy plain. We were re nownow
in the
in the winter
winter months
months (it (it being
being thethe 5th 5th ofof MayMay by by my my
pocket-book),
pocket- book), andand as as there
there is is little
little or or no no twilight
twilight in in
Australia in
Australia in summer,
summer, there there is is consequently
consequently less less inin winter.
winter.
Winter!! what
Winter what aa mockery
mockery of words it
of words it seemed.
seemed. What What an an
appalling misnomer
appalling misnomer to to the
the sense
sense that
that associates
associates winterwinter with
with
ice and
ice s~ow, frost,
and snow, frost, sleet,
sleet, andand bitter
bitter winds
winds-winds
- winds that, that,
guard
guard against them ass you you will,
will, som
somehow steal in . between
between
the warm
the w clothes and d thethe body
body en enclosing the latter ter in in aa
shrou
shroud of ice. Here,, on the contr
on the contrary, the sun seemed med to to
burn with the force of
burn of twenty
twenty sun suns, the air was charged charged
with oppression, and
with d thethe dust wh
dust whirled in great cloudsclouds.
about us. Truly a mad
about mad world,
world, my my masters.
As thee night
As Dig flew ew onon thethe wind
wind increased
in re se In in ve emence.
vehemence.
Above,
Above, the the stars
stars came
came out out inin millions
millions and and litlit the
the face
face ofof the
the
far-off blue
far-off blue with
with aa magnificence
magnificence surpassing
surpassing aught aught thatthat II
had
had ever
ever conceived
conceived. How How they they beamed
beamed!! how how cool,
cool, beau-
beau
tiful, and
tiful, and smiling they looked
smiling they looked away away up there;; and,
up there and, stretched
stretched
out on
out on my rug with
my rug with mymy head head resting
resting against
against my my saddle,
saddle, II
gazed
gazed into the blue,
into the blue, strange,
strange, far-off
far-off space,
space, and and wondered
wondered

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what it
what it all
all meant,
meant, and and if if all those stars
all those were worlds,
stars were worlds, and and
the one
the one great
great God God ruled
ruled over over all.all. Strange, wonderful
Strange, wonderful
world,
world, shall
shall your
your sons
sons ever
ever know
know you you??
How long
How long II remained
remained thus thus II scarcely
scarcely know,
know, but was
but II was
just dosing
just dosing off off into
into aa tiredtired sleep
sleep whenwhen II was was suddenly
suddenly
awakened by
awakened by aa distant"
distant " coo- coo-eeee ""-the cry of
the cry of the
the Australian
Australian
blacks. Hardwicke
blacks. Hardwicke also heard it
also heard it and
and coo-eed
coo-eed back,back, andand
the next
the next moment
moment Jimmy Jimmy bounded
bounded into into the
the camp,
camp, breathless
breathless
and excited.
and excited.
"" Quick,
Quick, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick Dick!! Quick,Quick, Mass'r Archie!"
Mass'r Archie ! " hehe
shouted. "The
shouted. "The busk bush is is on fire I! ""
onfire
" Great God,
"Great God, no no!"! " cried Hardwicke.
cried Hardwicke.
"Fact,
" Fact, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick-no
Dick- no dam jabber-Look!"
dam jabber-Look ! " and the
and the
black fellow
black fellow seized
seized Hardwicke
Hardwicke by by the
the armarm and pointed
and pointed
towards the
towards the south-east,
south - east, wherewhere aa soft rosy light
soft rosy illuminated
light illuminated
the horizon
the horizon as though the
as though the sun
sun were
were rising.
rising.
C' What time
"What time is is it,
it, Archie
Archie?" ?"
" Half-past-eight."
" Half-past-eight."
"Then, my
"Then, my God,
God, the the grass
grass is is burning,
burning, and and the
tlee wind
wind is is
blowin/[ the
blowing the fire straigkt down
fire straight down uponupon us us I! WeWe must
must runrun forfor
it_ Jimmy,
it. Jimmy, the the horses
horses I! Murphy,
Murphy, pack pack up up;; and,
and, as as you
you
value your
value your soul,
soul, be quick !I"
be quick " AndAnd we we three
three worked
worked as as men
men
never worked
never worked before
before..
The
The windwind roserose higher
higher and and higher,
higher, and moaned above
and moaned above
our heads like
our heads like some
some drear harbinger of
drear harbinger the doom
of the doom to to come.
come.
Under
Under the the clear,
clear, bright
bright starsstars we we worked,
worked, under under the the
beautiful blue
beautiful blue vaultvault of heaven which
of heaven smiled as
which smiled as sweetly
sweetly
upon us
upon as though
us as though no no seething
seething hell hell came rushing over
came rushing over the
the
great yellow
great yellow waste
waste so so eager
eager to to devour.
devour.
We had
We had packed
packed up up before
before Jimmy returned, and
Jimmy returned, and so so
Murphy
Murphy and and II went went to to help
help him him with
with thethe horses,
horses, the the
tinkle of
tinkle of whose
whose bells bells we we could
could distinctly
distinctly hearhear afarafar off.
off.
They
They had had wandered
wandered to to some
some distance,
distance, but but wewe quickly
quickly
caught
caught them them,, and,
and, unfastening
unfastening their their hobbles,
hobbles, drove
drove them them
with all
with all possible
possible speedspeed to to the
the camp.
camp. Then, Then, with
with the
the quick-
quick
ness
ness of of despairing men-and what
despairing men—and what alacrity rity will
will despair
despair not not
give ?-we saddled
give ?—we saddled and and mounted
mounted them, them, and and were away. II
were away.
"ast
ast one
one hurried
hurried look look behind
behind ere ere starting,
starting, and found that
and found that

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in the
in the few few minutes
minutes we we had had taken
taken to to get
get ready,
ready, thethe soft,
soft,
rosy light
rosy light soso faintly
faintly seen
seen at at first was now
first was now aa huge
huge and and ugly
ugly
glare,
glare, covering
covering the the whole
whole of the eastern
of the eastern sky.
sky.
We urged
We urged our jaded horses
our jaded horses on on with whip and
with whip and voice.
voice.
Poor things!! they
Poor things they struggled bravely, but
struggled bravely, but could
could emerge
emerge into into
nothing better
nothing better than canter. The
than aa canter. last two
The last two days
days hadhad done
done
their work.
their work. AroundAround us us grew
grew the the grass
grass and
and shrubs
shrubs in in such
such
profusion as
profusion as to
to partly bar the
partly bar the wayway ofof escape.
escape. We We slipped
slipped
and
and stumbled
stumbled along along in in a a truly
truly appalling
appalling manner,
manner, and what
and what
added
added an an intenser
intenser anguish
anguish to to our
our already
already troubled
troubled faculties
faculties
was
was thethe knowledge
knowledge that that the
the dense.
dense growth
growth grew
grew no no less,
less, and
and
our
our ignorance
ignorance of of what
what distance
distance the the desert
desert or or sandy
sandy plain
plain
might
might be be from
from us. us. To To reach
reach it it was·
was ourour only
only hope,
hope, and and
though that
though that hope
hope waswas reduced
reduced to to the
the vaguest
vaguest shadow,
shadow, yet yet
we
we pressed
pressed on on and
and on
on as as is the manner
is the manner of of man
man in in the
the face
face
of the direst
of the direst calamities.
calamities.
" My
" My God,God, look
look atat it!" shouted Hardwicke,
it ! " shouted Hardwicke, who who rode
rode
beside me,
beside me, and
and II turned
turned and and saw saw what
what appeared
appeared to to be be the
the
whole world
whole world burning.
burning. Like Like aa gigantic
gigantic range
range of mountains
of mountains
it swept
it swept the the whole
whole horizon
horizon to to the
the S.E.
S.E.,, completely
completely barring
barring
out the
out the world
world beyond
beyond.. The The pale,
pale, blue
blue sky
sky had
had turned
turned to to aa
ruddy tinge,
ruddy tinge, through
through which
which the the stars
stars shone
shone like
like great
great balls
balls
of fire. The
of fire. The moonmoon had had grown
grown bloodblood-red and the
-red and the earth
earth
partook of
partook of its
its redness,
redness, and and allall the
the world
world glared
glared melancholy
melancholy
in the
in the lurid
lurid night.
night. No No signsign waswas there
there of of the
the desert,
desert, no no
sign of
sign of the
the growth
growth diminishing,
diminishing, and and asas II felt
felt mymy horse
horse.
panting and
panting and stumbling
stumbling beneath
beneath me, me, the
the hope
hope that
that had
had thus
thus
far borne
far borne me me along
along began
began to to abandon
abandon me. me. II saw saw no no
escape. Like
escape. Like rats
rats in
in aa trap
trap we we were
were caught
caught and and would
would as as
miserably perish
miserably perish.. Every
Every moment
moment the the fierce
fierce mountain
mountain of of
flame drew
flame nearer and
drew nearer and nearer,
nearer, and and we we were
were enveloped
enveloped in in
the very
the very substance
substance that that gave
gave it it life.
life.
On, on,
On, on, on!
on ! andand still
still nono sight
sight of of the
the wished-for
wished-for desert.
desert.
The horses were
The horses were reeking
reeking withwith sweat;
sweat ; thethe foam
foam flew
flew in in large
large
flakes from
flakes from their
their mouths,
mouths, and and II saw saw that
that aa little
little more
more of of
the same
the same pace pace would
would irrevocably
irrevocably knock knock themthem up. up. Hard Hard-
wicke was
wicke was evidently
evidently of of mymy opinion,
opinion, for for hehe made
made aa sign sign toto
stop, and
stop, and we all drew
WP. all drew rein,
rein.

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"Water them,"
"Water them," he he cried,
cried, " "or they'll drop
or they'll drop." ."
In aa moment
In moment one one ofof our
our bigbig cans
cans was
was unslung,
unslung, and and each
each
horse was
horse was allowed
allowed to to taste
taste thethe precious
precious fluid,fluid, whilst
whilst its its
rider wiped
rider wiped it it down
down withwith handfuls
handfuls of dried grass.
of dried grass.
This
This spell
spell hadhad not
not cost
cost us us more
more thanthan aa minute
minute or two of
or two of
our time,
our time, yetyet even
even in in so short aa space
so short space thethe fire
fire had
had drawn
drawn so so
terribly near
terribly near thatthat wewe could
could now it, while
smell it,
now smell while ever and anon
ever and anon
thin clouds
thin clouds of of smoke passed flying
smoke passed flying over
over ourour heads
heads.. But But
though short
though short the the time
time had been our
had been horses had
our horses had regained
regained to to
aa considerable
considerable extent their wind,
extent their wind, and,
and, asas ifif sniffing danger
sniffing danger
from afar,
from they bounded
afar, they bounded onward.
onward. On, On , on,
on, asas ifif fear
fear gave
gave
them strength;
them strength ; on, on, on,
on, from
from the the great fiery death
great fiery death thatthat
reared its
reared awful form
its awful form behmd.
behind.
We were
We were now now rushing
rushing alongalong at at a splendid rate,
a splendid and
rate, and
something
something like glow of
like aa glow of exhilaration
exhilaration flew flew through
through my veins
my veins
at the mad
at the mad speed speed and and our immediately brightened
our immediately brightened pros pros-
pects;; but
pects but of of aa sudden Hardwicke's horse
sudden Hardwicke's horse stumbled
stumbled and and
fell,
fell, and
and II saw saw himhim shot
shot withwith dreadful
dreadful velocity
velocity from from hishis
saddle.
saddle. II drew drew my my horse
horse up up in
in a moment, and
a moment, and ledled it
it back
back
to where
to where my my unfortunate
unfortunate cousin cousin lay,lay, doubly unfortunate,
doubly unfortunate,
indeed,
indeed, to have such
to have such anan accident befall him
accident befall him at at such
such aa time.
time.
As we
As we were
were riding
riding behind
behind our two servants
our two servants theythey diddid notnot
perceive the
perceive the mishap,
mishap, and,and, consequently,
consequently, kept kept on their way
on their way
driving the
driving the pack-horses
pack-horses before before them.
them.
Dick, II was
Dick, was gladglad to to see,
see, was
was nonenone thethe worse
worse for for his
hig
sudden tumble.. He
sudden tumble He was
was on his feet
on his feet examining
examining the the COD-
con
dition
dition ofof his
his horse
horse almost
almost as soon as
as soon as II had
had reached
reached him. him.
" You
" You areare notnot hurt,
hurt, old
old fellow?"
fellow ? "
"N ot the
"Not the least
least;; but
but I'm
I'm afraid
afraid mymy horse
horse is.is. He put his
He put his
foot into
foot into aa hole,
hole, and
and II think
think he'she's broken
broken his his leg,"
leg," which
which
thought,
thought, aa close close butbut rapid
rapid examination
examination proved proved to to bebe
correct.
correct.
"I can't
"I can't let let the
the poor
poor beast
beast burn,"
burn, " said
said he. he. " "HeHe did did
his best, but
his best, but luckluck was
was against us," and,
against us," drawing his
and , drawing his revolver
revolver
from his
from his belt,
belt, hehe went
went up up toto the
the agonised
agonised animal
animal and and fired
fired
a bullet
a bullet in in itsits ear.
ear. One One convulsive
convulsive kick, followed by
kick, followed by aa
gasping cry,
gasping cry, andand the
the poor
poor thing
thing was
was dead.
dead.
"Now,
" Now, whatwhat willwill you
you dodo?" ?"
E

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"" Run,"
Run," he he answered
answered.. "I " I used
used to to be
be considered
considered a a smart
smart
fellow on
fellow on mymy feet.
feet. II must must try try and
and overtake
overtake the the others
others andand
mount aa packhorse.'
mount packhorse."
He then handed
He then handed me me hishis rifle
rifle and
and water-bottle.
water-bottle.
"" If this is
Ifthis is the
the _last
last ofof it,"
it," hehe said,
said, seizing
seizing my my hand
hand and and
shaking
shaking it it most
most warmly,
warmly, "good-bye,
" good-bye , old fellow, and
old fellow, and maymay
God
God bless bless you
you!" ! " and
and before
before II could
could makemake answer
answer of of any
any
kind
kind to to this
this brave
brave man, man, he he hadhad bounded
bounded from from my my side
side
and
and was was lost
lost inin the
the darkness.
darkness.
II immediately
immediately remounted remounted my my horse,
horse, and and urged
urged him him
on at
on the top
at the top of of his
his speed
speed in in the
the direction
direction DickDick hadhad taken,
taken,
hoping that
hoping that II might
might come come up up with
with him,him, soso that
that wewe could
could
take turn
take turn andand turn
turn about.
about. But was not
But II was not thus
thus favoured
favoured by by
fortune. II beheld
fortune. beheld no vestige of
no vestige him. He
of him. He hadhad vanished
vanished
into the
into the night
night withwith thethe speed
speed of of the
the wind.
wind.
On, on
On, on wewe flew,
flew, if if flying
flying might
might be be called
called the the speed
speed at at
which my
which my crippled
crippled horse moved. The
horse moved. The skysky above
above my my head
head
was now
was now clouded
clouded with with smoke,
smoke, and and every moment the
every moment the heat
heat
grew more
grew more intense,
intense, whilewhile the
the glare
glare ofof the
the mountain
mountain of flame
of flame
lit the
lit the great, wide stretch
great, wide stretch of of land
land with
with aa weird
weird andand ghastly
ghastly
radiance.
radiance. II dared dared not not look
look behind
behind lestlest gazing
gazing II should
should see see
the
the horror
horror of of mymy position
position and yield up
and yield up my life without
my life without
further struggle.
further struggle. Birds,
Birds, driven
driven onward
onward by by the
the smoke
smoke and and
approaching
approaching flame, flame, filled
filled the
the air with aa tumultuous
air with tumultuous rush rush of of
wings
wings and and multitudinous
multitudinous strange strange cries.
cries. Where
Where theythey came
came
from Heaven
from Heaven alone alone knows,
knows, for for wewe had
had seen
seen none
none of them
of them
during
during the the day.
day. Kangaroos
Kangaroos hopped hopped past me with
past me with immense
immense.
bounds,
bounds, things things that that in the now
in the now dulldull light
light appeared
appeared like like
strange,
strange, huge huge spectres.
spectres. Now
Now was was II racing
racing neck
neck andand neck
neck
with
with an an emuemu till till with
with hishis mighty
mighty strides
strides he he left
left meme farfar
behind;
behind ; and and now now withwith thethe kangaroo
kangaroo II tried tried toto hold
hold my my
own.
Own. But But whatwhat availed
availed it? it ? Everything
Everything passedpassed me me with
with
consummate
consummate ease. ease. II was was like
like one
one inin aa nightmare
nightmare watching
watching
others
others flee flee from
from the the danger
danger that that held
held me me as as inin chains.
chains.
Doomed,
Doomed, doomed! doomed ! The The word
word keptkept ringing
ringing in in my
my ear,
ear, till
till
my
my brainbrain surged
surged wildlywildly and and II gasped
gasped and and panted
panted for for
breath.
breath. Yet Yet on on II pushed
pushed my my tottering
tottering horse;
horse ; on, on , on,
on ,
for
for every every moment
moment now now the the glare
glare grew
grew stronger
stronger and and

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stronger and
stronger and thethe heat
heat from from the the great
great furnace
furnace more more fierce fierce
and fierce.
and fierce. .
At last
At last II thought
thought the the grass grass grew grew less, though now
less, though now II
could
could scarcely
scarcely see, the smoke
see, the smoke from (rom the the great fire having
great fire having
advanced with
advanced with rapid
rapid strides,
strides, blotting
blotting out out the the' moon
moon and and
stars and
stars and rendering
rendering the the surrounding
surrounding country country black black and and
indescribable. More
indescribable. More hot hot and and burning
burning grew grew the the atmos
atmos-
phere till
phere till II felt
felt as one would feel who
as one would feel who stood in the very stood in the very
jaws of
jaws of aa volcano.
volcano. My My horse,horse, as as terrified
terrified as as myself,
myself,
bounded screaming
bounded screaming through through the the thick
thick air.
air. Its Its cries
cries were were
horrible as
horrible as the
the heat
heat grew
grew more more intense,
intense, and with that
and with that energy
energy
which despair
which despair alone
alone can can give, give, it it fairly
fairly flew
flew along.
along. On, On, on on
it rushed
it rushed through
through the the thick,thick, black black smokesmoke which which now now
surrounded us,
surrounded us, blinding
blinding our our eyeseyes and and choking
choking our our lungs.
lungs.
II urged
urged with
with voice,
voice, II even
even lashedlashed it it on,
on, for
for hehe rides
rides brutally
brutally
who rides
who rides forfor his
his life.
life. The The brave brave beast beast answered
answered nobly nobly to to
my repeated
my repeated calls calls,, and
and boundedbounded on, on, still
still on,
on, till,
till, like
like aa
drunken man,
drunken man, it it gave
gave one one long long lurchlurch forward
forward and and fellfell
heavily..
heavily
I was
I was thrown
thrown with with great great violence
violence to to the
the earth,
earth, but but
happily received
happily received no no injury
injury beyondbeyond aa severe severe shaking,
shaking, for for the
the
ground whereon
ground whereon II lay lay was was softsoft and yielding to
and yielding to the
the touch
touch
and
and II knew
knew thatthat itit was
was sand,sand, and and likelike aa quick
quick gleam
gleam of of hope
hope
the thought
the thought shot shot through
through me-was me — was it it the desert?? If
the desert If so,
so, far
far
more welcome to
more welcome to me that dreary
me that dreary wastewaste thanthan the the most lovely
most lovely
groves of
groves of the
the famed
famed gardensgardens of the Hesperides.
of the Hesperides. II had had
noted previously that
noted previously that thethe grassgrass had had grown
grown less,less, but
but howhow far far
II had
had journeyed
journeyed on on to to thethe barren
barren plainplain waswas nownow thethe thought
thought
that racked
that racked me. me. What What distance
distance had had II putput between
between me me andand
the grass
the grass?? and and would
would that that distance
distance be be sufficient
sufficient for for me me to to
escape the
escape the great
great wallwall of of firefire?? TheseThese were were somesome of of thethe
thoughts which
thoughts which rushed
rushed with with the the speed
speed of of the
the thunderbolt
thunderbolt
through my
through my brain,
brain, andand like like that
that engine
engine of of destruction
destruction left left
nothing
nothing but but desolation
desolation behind. behind. My My horse horse laylay gasping
gasping
beside me
beside me andand II knew knew that that it it was
was dying.
dying. It It hadhad done done
nobly, poor
nobly, poor beast,
beast, butbut there
there are are limits
limits to to endurance.
endurance.
In the
In the meantime
meantime the the great
great mountain
mountain of flame drew
of flame drew closer
closer
and closer.
and closer. Like Like aa lurid lurid worldworld II saw saw it piercing the
it piercing the vast
vast

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banks of
banks of smoke-clouds·
smoke-clouds which which roserose before
before it. it. LikeLike thethe
great dark
great dark wingswings of of a hideous'death
a hideous death they they unfolded
unfolded themthem-
selves
selves over
over thethe air,
air, casting
casting the the deadly
deadly shadowshadow of the grave
of the grave
over
over thethe wide
wide world.world. My My eyeballs
eyeballs werewere bursting
bursting beneath
beneath
the
the unnatural
unnatural strain,strain, andand the the ashes
ashes of the burnt
of the burnt grass,
grass, borne
borne
on
on the wings of
the wings the black
of the black clouds,
clouds, entered
entered my my mouth.
mouth
and
and nostrils
nostrils in in such
such quantities
quantities as as to
to almost
almost chokechoke me. me. I I
thought of
thought of flight,
flight, and and thenthen theth-e insignificance
insignificance of of my my efforts
efforts
matched
matched with with those those of the giant
of the giant flames,
flames, forbade
forbade the the
attempt.
attempt. What What was was II in the face
in the face of the inevitable
of the inevitable??
And now
And now II knew knew my my end end waswas come,
come, and and with th~ near
with the near
approach of
approach of death
death my my nerves
nerves grew grew more
more composed.
composed It i'i
It is
a strange
a strange experience
experience to to stand
stand uponupon the the brink
brink of of the
the grave
grave
with all
with all your
your faculties
faculties in in full
full play
play;; it is aa sad
it is sad one,
one, too,
too,
when the
when the lifelife is is young,
young, and and earth
earth possesses
possesses so so many
many
pleasures., And
pleasures. And yet yet when
when all all hope
hope is is gone,
gone, andand no no loop
loop-
hole of
hole of escape
escape is is left,
left, itit is
is marvellous
marvellous with with what
what fortitude
fortitude aa
man can
man can look
look intointo thethe face
face of of the
the great
great avenger.
avenger.
saw the
II saw the denser
denser smoke-clouds
smoke-clouds pass, pass, andand then
then there
there
rushed towards
rushed towards me me the the great
great flaming
flaming mountain-the
mountain-the
gigantic
gigantic monster
monster that that hadhad pursued
pursued us us so many awful
so many awful miles.
miles.
Like
Like some
some huge huge demondemon from from outout thethe world
world of of cursed
cursed spirits
spirits
it leapt
it leapt andand bounded
bounded on, on, on, till it
on, till it seemed
seemed to to dance
dance up to
up to
the stars
the stars andand set set thethe sky sky on on fire.
fire. On On with
with the the roar
roar ofof
thunder
thunder it it came, lighting up
came, lighting up thethe surrounding
surrounding desolation
desolation
with aa wild
with wild andand awfulawful splendour,
splendour, and and illuminating
illuminating the the long
long
stre,tching
stretching barrenbarren plains
plains with with all
all the
the glory
glory andand fierceness
fierceness of of
aa thousand
thousand suns. suns. II felt felt the the flesh
flesh scorching
scorching on on my
my hands
hands
and face ; my
and face; my clothes
clothes burnedburned as as though
though they they hadhad beenbeen
made of
made of heated
heated iron; iron ; my my eyes
eyes throbbed
throbbed with with intense
intense agony,
agony,
and my
and my brain
brain surged
surged so so fiercely
fiercely that
that II felt
felt II was
was going
going mad.
mad.
My
My throat.
throat was was drydry andand parched,
parched, and and my my tongue
tongue swollen.
swollen.
Then,
Then, thenthen II felt
felt thethe agony
agony of of such
such aa death,
death, and and II tried
tried to
to
cry
cry aloud,
aloud, but but speech
speech failedfailed me.me. With With one one long
long look
look into
into
the fiery
the fiery mountain
mountain that that now now seemed
seemed to to rear
rear itsits dreadful
dreadful
crest
crest above
above me, me, II ,comm~nded
commended my my soul
soul to to Him,
Him , and then
and then
sank
sank senseless
senseless upon upon the the sand
sand behind
behind the the protecting
protecting body body of of
my
my dead
dead horse.
horse.

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 Fr

Umelispect

.."I
I sank
sank senseless
senseless upon
upon the
the sand
sand behind
behind the
the protecting
protecting body
body of
ofmy
my dead horse."
dead horse."
[S .. pagl60.
[Seepage 60.

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAK.E: 61
61

CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS
IS RELATED
RELATED OUR
OUR STILL
STILL FARTHER
FARTHER PROGRESS
PROGRESS
WESTWARD, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF
OF THE MISFORTUNES
THAT BEFELL US ON OUR WAY.

WHEN consciousness
WHEN Consciousness returnedreturned I I found
found myself
myself stretched
stretched
upon the
upon the broad
broad of of my
my back,
back, gazing
gazing languidly
languidly at at the
the moon
moon
and
and stars.
stars. It It waswas some
some timetime before
before II could
could bring
bring myself
myself
to fully
to fully comprehend
comprehend my unparalleled situation;
my unparalleled situation ; but but byby
degrees
degrees the the past
past returned
returned to me. II saw
to me. saw again
again ourour sudden
sudden
departure
departure from from the the camp,
camp, the the wild
wild flight
flight from the great
from the great
mountain
mountain of of flame,
flame, Dick's
Dick's rapidrapid good-bye,
good-bye, the fall of
the fall of mymy
horse, and
horse, and my my own own expected
expected doom doom.. Each Each scene
scene flashed
flashed
rapidly before
rapidly before my my half-dazed
half-dazed brain. Mechanically II arose,
brain. Mechanically arose,
feeling
feeling as though II had
as though had been been thoroughly
thoroughly beaten.beaten. My My
face and
face and hands
hands stungstung as though they
as though they had had been
been scorched,
scorched ,
while the
while hair upon
the hair upon my head and
my head and face
face had
had positively curled
positively curled
with the
with the heat.
heat. II feltfelt but
but the wreck of
the wreck of mymy former
former self.
self.
Still was II alive,
Still was alive, and
and the thought of
the thought of Heaven's
Heaven's mercy filled
mercy filled
my heart with
my heart with thankfulness.
thankfulness.
Yet, what
Yet, availed my
what availed life cut
my life cut off
off from friends, assistance?
from friends, assistance ?
What availed
What availed thisthis seemingly
seemingly gracious
gracious boonboon of of fate?
fate ? HadHad
my companions fallen
my companions fallen victims
victims to to the
the fire?
fire ? AndAnd was was II
saved
saved from from one one terrible
terrible fate
fate merely
merely to to suffer
suffer aa worse,
worse, a a
still more cruel-to
still more cruel-to die die byby slowslow degrees
degrees of of hunger
hunger and and
thirst, that
thirst, that most
most hideous
hideous of of all deaths?? At
all deaths At the
the thought
thought
my brain grew
my brain grew mad,mad, andand II arose
arose toto mymy feet
feet and
and shouted
shouted
wildly
wildly to to my
my companions;
companions ; but but only
only the
the echo
echo of of my
my own
own voice
voice
stole
stole ghost-like
ghost-like back back as as anan answer.
answer. II was was alone,
alone, alone
alone inin
the dreadful
the dreadful desert with nothing
desert with nothing but the recollection
but the recollection of the
of the
past
past toto cheer;
cheer ; nothing
nothing but but thethe memory
memory of happy days
of happy days toto
torment.
torment.
By degrees II resigned
By degrees resigned myself
myself to to my
my desolate
desolate position,
position,

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62 THE GOLDEN
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and tried to
and tried to look
look on on death
death as as aa thing
thing notnot of of woe,
woe, but joy,
but joy,
since woe
since woe fled
fted atat its
its approach.
approach . And And I I gazed dreamily into
gazed dreamily into
the stars,
the stars, and
and a thousand strange
a thousand strange thoughts
thoughts throbbed
throbbed throughthrough
my brain, and
my brain, feeling II no
and feeling no longer feared the
longer feared the coming
coming of the
of the
King
King of Terrors, II fell
ofTerrors, fell asleep.
asleep .
When II awoke,
When awoke, the the sunsun was was beginning
beginning to to mount
mount the the
eastern world. His
eastern world. first beams
His first beams had had awakened
awakened me, me, andand on on
what aa ghastly
what ghastly scenescene of of desolation
desolation they they fell.
fell. Around,
Around, the the
black, barren
black, barren desert
desert lay lay asas gloomy
gloomy and and forbidding
forbidding as the
as the
plains of
plains the infernal
of the regions.. The
infernal regions face of
The face of thethe sandsand waswas
covered with
covered with the the ashes
ashes of the great
of the great fire,
fire, adding
adding a a more
more
shocking barrenness
shocking barrenness to to the
the melancholy
melancholy waste.waste. No No blade
blade
of grass, no
of grass, no single
single shrub
shrub was was visible
visible;; and though for
and though for the
the
moment
moment II deploreddeplored the the dreary outlook, II saw
dreary outlook, saw as as quickly
quickly
again that
again the wretched
that the wretr.hed statestate ofof the
the country
country was was the the cause
cause
of
of mymy deliverance.
deliverance . Had Had 'there been even
there been even the the scantiest
scantiest
herbage,
herbage, II should
should havehave beenbeen burnt
burnt toto aa cinder.
cinder.
With the
With the advent
advent of of day
day II seemed
seemed to to regain
regain moremore cheer-
cheer
fulness, though
fulness, though my my prospects
prospects were were not
not one
one whit
whit the the better
better;;
but night
but night magnifies danger, whereas
magnifies danger, whereas day day seems
seems to to dispel
dispel it.it.
What had
What had become
become of of Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, Jimmy, Jimmy, and Murphy,
and Murphy,
poor fellows
poor fellows?? Poor, Poor, andand yet yet II envied
envied them them that that poverty
poverty
which allowed them
which allowed them to to die
die inin each
each other's
other's company.
company. I was
I was
not afraid
not afraid of of death-though
death-though II meant meant to to fight
fight forfor the
the life
life
providence had
providence had so so marvellously
marvellously protected-
protected-but but II hated
hated the the
lonesomeness of
lonesomeness of mymy fate.
fate. And And for for the
the first
first time
time II knewknew
what aa hero
what hero Morton
Morton had had been.
been.
I now began
I now began to to feel
feel the
the pangs
pangs of of hunger,
hunger, but but hadhad nothing
nothing
wherewith to
wherewith to allay
allay them,
them, and and II sought
sought the the earth
earth and and skysky in in
vain
vain tilltill my
my eyes
eyes rested
rested on on thethe poor
poor oldold horse.
horse. Though Though
not the
not the most
most delicate
delicate of of luxuries,
luxuries, horseftesh
horseflesh is is a boon to
a boon to aa
starving
starving man, man, and and II atat once
once set set to
to work
work abstracting
abstracting a a steak,
steak,
which
which II knew knew not how II should
not how should cook, there being
cook, there being no no signs
signs
of
of wood
wood or or any
any inftammable
inflammable materialmaterial about.
about . Happily,
Happily, II
was
was notnot forced
forced to to the
the extremity
extremity of of eating
eating sun-sun-dried horse-
dried horse
ftesh,
flesh, for for while
while leaning
leaning overover thethe animal,
animal, intent
intent upon upon my my
work,
work, II heard
heard aa sound,
sound, II think
think the
the loveliest
loveliest sound
sound that that ever
ever
fell
fell upon
upon my my ears.
ears. LikeLike the the sweet
sweet ripple
ripple of of water
water to the
to the

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dying desert
dying desert traveller
traveller it it seemed;
seemed ; it it seemed
seemed as as a voice from
a voice from
heaven calling
heaven calling backback some
some spiritspirit from
from the the damned.
damned. And And
yet it
yet it was
was merely
merely the the wild,
wild, strange
strange coo-ee falling from
coo-ee falling from the the
parched-up lips
parched-up lips of King Jimmy.
of King Jimmy.
Ay, there he
Ay, there he came bounding towards
came bounding towards me me with
with arms arms
flying, face aglow
flying, face aglow withwith excitement,
excitement, and and shouting
shouting at the top
at the top
of
of his voice. A
his voice. A moment
moment after after we
we were
were shaking
shaking each
each other's
other's
hand as
hand though we
as though we hadhad no no intention
intention of of leaving
leaving off
off till
till we
we
had
had dislocated,
dislocated, at at least,
least, aa couple
couple of of shoulders.
shoulders .
"The
" The Lord Lord be be praised,
praised, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie,"
Archie," he he cried,
cried, "the
" the
Lord
Lord be be praised."
praised ."
"And-Mr. ""
" And- Mr. Dick?" Dick ? II felt
felt my
my heart beat violently
heart beat violently as as II
spoke.
spoke.
"Safe,
" Mass'r Archie,
Safe, Mass'r Archie, quite safe-and paddy-man
quite safe-and paddy-man too too."."
(His name
(His name for for Irishman.
Irishman.)) " "Dam
Dam near near thing
thing though.
though.
Mass'r Dick
Mass'r Dick camecame flying along more
flying along more quick than emu-soon
quick than emu- soon
catch
catch us- us-cut cut Milky's
Milky's pack pack adrift-mount
adrift- mount him— him-flyaway!
fly away !
Fire
Fire come
come dam dam close,
close, but
but no no harm."
harm. "
"And Mr.
"And Mr. Dick-where
Dick-where is is he
he now?"
now ? "
"He
" He go go look
look for for you-paddy-man
you-paddy-man look look too.
too. Mass'r
Mass'r
Dick
Dick no no sleep
sleep lastlast night.
night. Think Think allall the
the time
time 'bout
'bout you."
you ."
Poor Dick-God
Poor Dick- God bless bless himhim!!
After Jimmy had
After Jimmy had given
given me me aa little
little food-
food-which
which his his
master
master made made him him taketake before setting out-and
before setting out-and a good
a good
drink of
drink water, we
of water, we started
started off off in the direction
in the direction of the camp,
of the camp,
which lay
which lay aa little
little to
to the
the north
north of of my
my position, and shortly
position , and shortly
afterwards II had
afterwards had the the great
great pleasure
pleasure of se,eing Hardwicke's
of seeing Hardwicke's
figure in
figure in the
the distance.
distance. He He waswas just
just returning
returning from
from an an unun-
successiul search
successful search forfor me,
me, andand hishis astonishment
astonishment on on beholding
beholding
me walking
me walking alongside
alongside of of Jimmy
Jimmy may may wellwell bebe imagined.
imagined. II
shaH never
shall never forget
forget thethe way
way he he seized
seized and
and shook
shook my my hand,
hand, or or
the devout
the devout mannermanner in in which
which he he thanked
thanked God God for for mymy
deliverance, as
deliverance, as though
though he he hadhad passed
passed through
through no no dangers
dangers of of
his own
his own.. ThereThere were were tears
tears in in his
his eyes
eyes asas he
he looked
looked in in
mine, and
mine, and II saw saw such
such aa depth
depth of of love
love andand gladness
gladness in in his
his
gaze, that
gaze, that II fervently
fervently blessed
blessed the the Almighty
Almighty for for granting
granting me me
the affection
the affection of of this
this brave
brave soul.soul.
God bless thee,
God bless thee, Dick-God
Dick-God bless bless thee
thee !I

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"I thought
"I thought you you were
were done
done for,for, Archie."
Archie."
"Touch-and-go, old
"Touch-and-go, old fellow."
fellow."
"Ay.
" Ay. What What aa marvellous
marvellous escape!escape ! It's It's played
played the the
deuce
deuce withwith our
our horses though. Yours
horses though. Yours is is dead,
dead, II presume?
presume ?
Two
Two gonegone and and the the others
others dreadfully
dreadfully knocked
knocked up. up. If If we
we
. don't
don't find feed and
find feed water for
and water them soon,
for them soon, we we shall be in
shall be in aa
pretty dilemma.”
pretty dilemma."
Jimmy was
Jimmy was then
then sent in the
sent in the direction
direction Murphy
Murphy had had taken,
taken,
to acquaint
to acquaint him him withwith thethe news
news of of my
my discovery;
discovery ; and while
and while
he was gone
he was gone DickDick tooktook thethe opportunity
opportunity of telling me,
of telling me, in in aa
few simple
few simple sentences,
sentences, how how he he had
had escaped.
escaped.
After leaving me,
After leaving me, he,
he, to
to useuse hishis own
own words,
words, putput on full
on full
speed for
speed for about
about aa mile, mile, at
at thethe endend of which he
of which he distinctly
distinctly
heard the
heard the harness
harness bells bells of
of thethe horses,
horses, andand,, redoubling
redoubling his his
exertions, quickly
exertions, quickly came came up up with
with the the flying party. To
flying party. To dis-
dis
encumber
encumber one one ofof thethe horses
horses of its pack,
of its pack, waswas thethe work
work of of aa
moment-the next
moment-the next he he was
was on od its back and
its back and away.
away. Thus Thus
they flew
they flew till
till their
their weary
weary animals
animals couldconld go go no
no farther
farther;; and,
and,
like myself,
like myself, theythey out out of sheer necessity
of sheer necessity werewere forced
forced toto stand
stand
and watch
and watch the the great mountain of
great mountain fire sweep
of fire sweep down down uponupon
them. And
them. And theythey werewere saved
saved in in precisely
precisely the the same
same manner
manner
as I,
as I, though
though beingbeing two two oror three
three miles
miles farther
farther in in the
the desert,
desert,
they did
they did notnot suffer from the
suffer from the anger
anger of the flames.
of the flames.
On looking at
On looking at the
the pack-horse
pack-horse Dick Dick hadhad ridden,
ridden, II found
found
it was the
it was the very
very one one thatthat carried,
carried, amidamid some
some of of our
our pro-
pro
visions, all
visions, my scientific
all my scientific instruments,
instruments, for for II knew
knew how how to to
take
take thethe altitude
altitude of of the
the sun,
sun, andand could
could find
find our
our position
position byby
the stars;
the stars ; and
and II had had meant,
meant, if the Golden
if the Golden Lake Lake diddid not
not
turn out
turn out aa myth,
myth, to to mark
mark itsits proper
proper position
position on on the
the chart
chart
for the
for the future benefit of
future benefit of mankind-or
mankind- or myself. myself. Now,
Now,
supposing
supposing such such aa placeplace did
did really exist, we
really exist, we should have no
should have no
more guide to
more guide to itit than
than ourour ownown experience
experience and and ourour present
present
directions,
directions, whichwhich were were as as vague
vague as they could
as they could wellwell be,be,
and which, II often
and which, thought, none
often thought, none but but fools
fools would
would follow.
follow.
II mentioned
mentioned this this toto Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, thinkingthinking he he had
had done
done
it by
it by accident,
accident, but but he had not.
he had not. Scientific
Scientific instruments,
instruments, he he I
said,
said, would
would not not direct
direct us us to to the
the Golden
Golden Lake. Lake. If If we
we
reached
reached it, it, it
it would
would be be bvby luck
luck alone.
alone. As As for
for our
our return,
return,

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 THE GOLDEN
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-----------------------------------------
he was not
he was not afraid
atraJd of of that.
that. The The instruments
instruments would would prove
prove of of
undoubted value
undoubted value then,
then, butbut in in thethe meantime
meantime our our stores
stores
were the
were the things
things we we had
had to to consider
consider first and foremost,
first and foremost, andand
so he
so he had
had sacrificed
sacrificed science
science to to the
the stomach.
stomach. Luckily Luckily II had
had
my pocket
my pocket compass
compass upon upon me, me, andand by by this
this wewe steered
steered the the
rest of
rest of the
the journey.
journey.
Shortly after
Shortly after hehe hadhad finished
finished his his tale,
tale, Jimmy
Jimmy returned
returned
with my
with my man
man Murphy.
Murphy. The The poor fellow was
poor fellow was so so overjoyed
overjoyed
at
at seeing
seeing me me safe
safe again,
again, that
that he he fell
fell at at my
my feet,
feet, kissed
kissed my my
hands,
hands, and
and called
called on on all
all his
his pet
pet saints
saints to to shower
shower theirtheir blessings
blessings
on my
on my darling
darling head.
head. II was was muchmuch affected
affected at at this
this show
show of of
devotion,
devotion, and and with
with aa few few cheering
cheering words words beggedbegged him him to to
arise.
arise.
"Ah, sor," he
" Ah, sor,” he said,
said , cc to think
" to think that that II should
should nearly
nearly have
have
been
been the death of
the death of you.
you. It It goes
goes straight
straight to to my my heart
heart like
like
aa dagger
dagger;; and and if it wasn't
if it wasn't that
that II may may be be of use to
of use to you
you yet,
yet,
sor, I'd
sor, I'd blow
blow my my brains
brains outout widwid my my own own gun."
gun."
" Why, Murphy,
"Why, Murphy, what what are
are youyou talking
talking aboutabout?? "" II inquired.
inquired.
"II fail
" fail to
to see
see that you were
that you were in in any
any wayway to to blame for the
blame for the
narrow escape we
narrow escape we have
have allall had."
had."
" But
" But II was,
was, sor,"
sor," he he replied,
replied, coming
coming closer closer to me and
to me and
dropping his
dropping his voice
voice to to aa whisper
whisper so so that
that theth& others
others might
might
not hear
not hear him.
him. "Don't" Don't telltell them-
them-II wouldn'twouldn't have have them
them
think me
think me such
such aa fool
fool-especially
- especially that that black,
black, but was the
but II was the
cause, the
cause, the only
only cause..
cause.. II must must tell tell you,
you, sor, because if
sor, because if II
didn't, II should
didn't, should never never be be able
able to to slape
slape again
again;; but,but, God
God
forgive me,
forgive I forgot to
me, Iforgot to put
put the fire out.
the fire out. You You remember,
remember, sor, sor,
you remember
you remember the the wind
wind rose soon after
rose soon after we we leftleft the
the camp.
camp.
It must
It must havehave blown
blown some some of the sparks
of the sparks amongamong the the dried
dried
grass;; d'ye
grass d'ye see,
see, sor,
sor, d'ye see ?? ""
d'ye see
"Yes, yes," II answered.
" Yes, yes," answered. Truth Truth to to tell,
tell, II was
was very
very angry
angry
at
at such
such gross
gross carelessness
carelessness on on hishis part,
part, carelessness
carelessness which which
might
might have
have resulted
resulted so so fatally,
fatally, andand II think think he he saw
saw itit onon
my face,
my face, for
for he
he cried,
cried, "Ah,
" Ah, sor,
sor, don't
don't be be angry
angry wid wid aa poor
poor
boy who'd
boy who'd lay lay down
down his his life
life for
for youyou;; who'd
who'd give the last
give the last
drop of
drop of his
his blood
blood to to save
save youyou oneone moment's
moment's pain. Forgive
pain. Forgive
me, sor, forgive
me, sor, forgive me me !! ""
I made
I made a slight pretence
a slight pretence of thinking seriously
of thinking seriously of the
of the

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matter, and
matter, and then then withwith seeming
seeming reluctance forgave him,
reluctance forgave him,
though not
though not before
before II had had cautioned
cautioned him him about
about his ~is behaviour
behaviour
in the
in the future.
future.
" If
" If II ever
ever do do thethe like
like agin,
agin, sor,"
sor," hehe said, with aa face
said, with face as
as
grave and
grave serious as
and serious the proverbial
as the judge's, ""may
proverbial judge's, may II be be
burnt to
burnt to aa cinder
cinder on on thethe very
very spot,
spot, andand maymay thethe divil him-
divil him
self minister to
self minister to mymy soul for all
soul for all etarnity--and
etarnity --and well well would
would II
desarve
desarve it it for
for aa blackguardly
blackguardly fool foo1."."
With this
With this demonstrative
demonstrative outburstoutburst our our conversation
conversation ceased,
ceased,
and we
and went and
we went and partook
partook of the food
of the food which
which Hardwicke
Hardwicke and and
Jimmy had
Jimmy had laid laid out.
out. And And here
here II maymay say
say that
that Jimmy
Jimmy never
never
knew what
knew what really really caused
caused the fire-I don't
the fire-I think he
don't think he ever
ever
gave it
gave it aa second
second thought-while
thought-while Hardwicke, Hardwicke, who who hadhad
puzzled himself
puzzled himself considerably
considerably over over it,it, put
put itit down
down to to one
one
of those
of those accidents
accidents which will happen
which will happen wherewhere fires
fires are
are made
made
and people
and people smoke.smoke.
After breakfast we
After breakfast we setset out
out once
once moremore,, steering
steering the the same
same
north-westerly course.
north-westerly course. Our supply of
Our supply water was
of water was now
now so so
low that,
low that, with
with care, care, wewe reckoned
reckoned we had not
we had not more than
more than
enough
enough to to last
last us us for
for the
the next
next twotwo days,
days, butbut in that time
in that time wewe
hoped to
hoped to strike
strike the the great
great salt
salt lake
lake .of which Morton
of which Morton had had
spoken,
spoken, and and on on thethe north
north sideside of of which
which he he found
found water.
water.
In the
In the meantime
meantime there there was
was every
every chance
chance of of our
our discovering
discovering
aa native
native wellwell (holes
(holes dug dug in the sand
in the sand by by the
the blacks).
blacks). Many Many
of
of these
these had had been been found
found in in the
the barren parts of
barren parts the south
of the south
and
and east,
east, andand we we prayed
prayed thatthat fortune
fortune would
would likewise favour
likewise favour
us in these
us in these arid arid regions.
regions.
The first
The first dayday passed
passed withwith little
little ofof note.
note. ThereThere was was thethe
same scorching
same scorching sun sun above
above;; the the same
same hazyhazy glare
glare before
before the
the
eyes, and
eyes, and the the same same long,
long, desolate
desolate stretch
stretch of of sand
sand around.
around
No sign
No sign of of vegetation,
vegetation, no no sign
sign of of water.
water. Even Even the the dreaded
dreaded
spinnifex seemed
spinnifex seemed unable unable to to exist
exist here,
here, andand it, as far
it, as far as
as II
could see,
could see, lived
lived on on nothing
nothing but but stones
stones and and dust.
dust.
That evening we
That evening we struck
struck a bit of
a bit of scrubby
scrubby country,
country, which
which
we thought
we thought gave gave promise
promise of of better
better things
things ahead
ahead;; butbut in
in
which, II am
which, am sorry
sorry to to say,
say, we
we were
were going
going to to be
be disappointed.
disappointed.
During the
During the afternoon
afternoon the the wind
wind changed
changed to to the
the north,
north,
which made
which made the the temperature
temperature extremely
extremely hot hot and
and disagreeable
disagreeable;;

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and to
and to add
add to to our
our discomfiture,
discomfiture, our our campcamp became became infested
infested
that very
that very night,
night, withwith millions
millions of of ants.
ants. II awoke
awoke as from an
as from an
unpleasant dream,
unpleasant dream, and and found
found myself
myself fairly
fairly swarming
swarming with with thethe
little
little brutes.
brutes. Hands, neck, hair,
Hands, neck, hair, and
and allall my
my bodybody was
was literally
literally
covered with
covered with the the pests,
pests, and felt, myself
and II felt myself in in various
various placesplaces
see if
to see
to if any
any of of meme waswas missing.
missing. II arose arose and and leant
leant over over
Hardwicke and
Hardwicke and my my man Murphy, and
man Murphy, and found
found them them in much
in much
the same
the same state.
state. JimmyJimmy was was sleeping peacefully with
sleeping peacefully with his his
mouth wide
mouth wide open,open, round
round which
which many many ants ants strolled gazing
strolled gazing
into the
into the great
great cavity.
cavity. But But instinct
instinct must
must have warned them
have warned them
not to
not to tempt
tempt its its depth, for though
depth, for though withinwithin all all looked
looked no no
doubt
doubt enticing,
enticing, that that inner
inner sagacity
sagacity cried,
cried, "beware
" beware of. the
of the
trap."
trap."
II awoke
awoke the the sleepers,
sleepers, and,
and much
much annoyance
annoyance the the little
little
animals caused us
animals caused before we
us before we could
could get get rid
rid of them, which
of them, which
we succeeded
we succeeded only only inin doing
doing after
after stripping;
stripping ; Dick Dick remark·
remark.
ing, by
ing, by the
the way,way, that
that wewe were
were in in for
for aa picnic,
picnic, asas the
the little
little
brutes were
brutes were nothing
nothing less less than
than aa species
species of of the
the bull-
bull-dogdog
ant, and
ant, and that
that unless
unless he was mightily
he was mightily mistaken,
mistaken, they they were were
poisonous. Then
poisonous. Then he he begged
begged thatthat wewe would
would feel feel ifif wewe hadhad
not several
not several small
small bumps
bumps on on several
several portions
portions of of our
our bodies
bodies,,
and when
and when we we made
made answer
answer that
that such
such waswas thethe case,
case, he he sagely
sagely
remarked-
remarked
" II thought
" thought so." so. "
Our packs were
Our packs were alsoalso covered
covered with multitudes of
with multitudes the
of the
atrocious
atrocious littlelittle creatures; but, thanks
creatures ; but, thanks to to the
the stout
stout canvas
canvas
casings
casings and and the the manner
manner in in which
which Murphy
Murphy had had tied
tied themthem
up, the
up, the little
little pests
pests hadhad not been able
not been able to to penetrate
penetrate into into our our
eatables.
eatables.
"By Jove !"
"By Jove ! " cried Dick, "what
cried Dick, " what a blessing they
a blessing they did did notnot
get at
get at the
the stores.
stores. What What aa mess
mess they
they would
would have have mademade of· of
them." And
them." And all who know
all who know thethe ravages
ravages antsants can can make
make with with
food will
food will heartily
heartily concur
concur with
with him
him..
We extracted
We extracted a pot of
a pot of ointment
ointment from from ourour medicine
medicine chest chest
and
and well well rubbed
rubbed our our bodies
bodies withwith it, thereby hoping
it, thereby hoping to to
alleviate
alleviate thethe consequences
consequences incidentincident to to such
such aa disagreeable
disagreeable
adventure.
adventure.
Dick, who in
Dick, who ill the
the meantime
meantime had had been
been hunting
hnnting roundround to to

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discover
discover the the cause
cause of of our
our annoyance,
annoyance, here here returned
returned with with
the news
the news thatthat wewe had pitched our
had pitched our camp
camp aboutabout thirty yards
thirty yards
from aa huge
from huge ant-hill,
ant-hill, and and thatthat the
the indefatigable
indefatigable pests,pests,
smelling our
smelling our food,
food, hadhad attacked
attacked us us in
in true
true military
military fashion.
fashion.
We then
We then proposed
proposed aa shift shift of
of quarters
quarters as as itit still
still wanted
wanted
about
about four four hours
hours to to daybreak..
daybreak. We We did did not
not care
care toto travel
travel
before the
before sun was
the sun up, for
was up, for fear
fear that
that wewe should pass aa native
should pass native
well in
well in the
the dark,
dark, which
which in in our
our present
present predicament
predicament would would
have
have been
been almost
almost suicidal. Therefore, we
suicidal. Therefore, we got
got together
together our our
things and
things and moved
moved off off toto a a considerable
considerable distance,
distance, where,
where,
though it
though it was
was insufferably
insufferably hot, hot, wewe managed
managed to pass the
to pass few
the few
hours before
hours before daylight
daylight free free from
from the the assaults
assaults of of our
our puny
puny
though dreaded
though dreaded assailants.
assailants .
I, however, slept
I, however, but little
slept but little during
during thethe remainder
remainder of the
of the
night,
night, andand on on one
one occasion
occasion when when II had had awakened
awakened from from anan
unquiet
unquiet doze, doze, II thought
thought II heard heard aa suppressed
suppressed chuckle,
chuckle,
and on
and on sitting
sitting upup II beheld
beheld KingKing Jimmy
Jimmy a a short
short distance
distance off off
dancing
dancing and and behaving
behaving generally
generally in in aa veryvery undignified
undignified
and
and unkingly
unkingly manner.
manner.
On seeing me
On seeing me awake
awake he shouted, "Come
he shouted, " Come here, here, Mass'r
Mass'r
Archie, come
Archie, come herehere and
and look.
look. Dam funny.. See
Dam funny same on
See same on
Murrumbidgee side
Murrumbidgee once· Horse
side once. Horse dropdrop downdown sick-ants
sick- ants
come
come to to gobble
gobble him-him-horsehorse get wild,, get
get wild get upup and
and run
run half
half a a
mile-ants follow-gobble
mile-ants follow-gobble him him after
after all."
all.”
Much
Much more more he he jabbered
jabbered in the same
in the same strain, to which
strain, to which II
paid no
paid attention, for
no attention, for my
my eyes were riveted
eyes were riveted uponupon thethe spot
spot
at which he
at which he pointed
pointed.. There,There, coming
coming along
along at what might
at what might
be called
be called aa rattling
rattling pace,
pace, if they speak.
if they speak in in ant-land,
ant-land, waswas aa
whole colony
whole colony of the ferocious
of the ferocious creatures,
creatures, and and what was more,
what was more,
they were
they were following
following our our tracks.
tracks.
"Why,
" Why, these these are the same
are the same ants?"
ants ? " II queried.
queried.
Cl No doubt
"No doubt 0' that," answered
o' that," answered Jimmy.Jimmy. " "White
White man, man,
plenty sweet,"
plenty sweet," andand he he laughed
laughed immoderately.
immoderately.
. II looked
looked at at the
the little
little beasts
beasts toiling
toiling manfully
manfully overover thethe
rough sand
rough sand withwith wonder
wonder and and loathing, wonder at
loathing, wonder their
at their
marvellous
ma ellous instinct instinct and loathing at
and loathing at the thought of
the thought being at
of being at
their mercy.
their mercy.
Jimmy,
Jimmy, who who hadhad beenbeen studying
studying them them intentlv.
intently, tooktook aa

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piece of
piece of damper
damper from from hishis pocket
pocket and threw it
and threw in their
it in their midst.
midst.
In aa moment
In moment there there was
was aa most
most extraordinary
extraordinary scene, scene , aa truly
truly
Homeric
Homeric battle. battle. TheyThey rushed
rushed for for the
the bit
bit of
of bread
bread with with all all
the savage
the savage fury fury of an army
of an army of of starving
starving tigers
tigers atat thethe body
body
of
of a a dead buffalo.. They
dead buffalo They bit,bit, tore,
tore, andand lashed
lashed each each other
other
with all
with their pigmy
all their pigmy powers, creating aa terrific
powers, creating terrific tumult
tumult in in
their swarming
their swarming ranks. ranks. How How the the desert
desert would
would ring,
ring, thought
thought
I, if
I, if they
they had had thethe power
power of utterance of
of utterance any kind
of any kind;; and and
though II had
though had never
never seen
seen aa battle
battle between
between the the armies
armies of of two
two
great countries,
great countries, II couldcould well
well imagine
imagine its its dreadful
dreadful confusion.
confusion.
Jimmy, who
Jimmy, who still
still intently
intently surveyed
surveyed the the proceedings,
proceedings, here here
sagely remarked
sagely remarked-
"Dam hungry."
"Dam hungry."
" II should
" should thinkthink so,"
so," II replied.
replied.
" II wonder,"
" wonder," said said he,
he, with
with aa puzzled
puzzled look look on on his
his face,
face, as as
though trying
though trying to to master
master somesome intellectual conundrum,, ""II
intellectual conundrum
wonder if
wonder if the
the Lord
Lord made
made this this country?
country ? ""
was rather
II was taken aback
rather taken aback at this sudden
at this sudden and unexpected
and unexpected
query, for
query, for II hadhad no no idea
idea Jimmy
Jimmy thoughtthought of of anything
anything but but
his stomach (Hardwicke
his stomach (Hardwicke told told me me afterwards
afterwards that that some
some
travelling revivalists
travelling revivalists hadhad once
once visited
visited hishis station,
station, and and thatthat
Jimmy was
Jimmy was for for aa time
time an an excellent
excellent convert),
convert), and and so so unun-
knowing his
knowing his theological
theological opinions answered-
opinions II answered
"Undoubtedly
" Undoubtedly God made this
God made this country, Jimmy.""
country, Jimmy.
"le Preacher
Preacher fellow fellow plenty
plenty jabber
jabber jabber
jabber about
about God God makemake
everything, but
everything, but II nono believe
believe he he makemake this this country,"
country," he he
answered.
answered.
"Ah,
" Ah, butbut he he did,"
did ," II replied.
replied.
""Then
Then Mass'rMass'r Archie,
Archie, whatwhat make make him him so so mighty
mighty wild wild
that he
that he gogo make
make dam dam country
country like like this
this?? No No grass,
grass, water,
water,
gum-tree,
gum nothing. Suppose
-tree, nothing. Suppose II take take thethe trouble
trouble to to make
make 'um 'um
country, II no
country, no dodo this
this sort
sort ofof thing.
thing. Can't Can't seesee the
the use
use of of aa
place like
place this, Mass'r
like this, Archie;; can't,
Mass'r Archie can't, for the life
for the life ofof me.
me."”
And, as
And, as if if thoroughly
thoroughly disgusted
disgusted with with the the order
order of of creation,
creation,
he turned on
he turned his heel
on his heel and marched back
and marched back to to the
the camp,
camp, II
following in
following in his
his footsteps
footsteps aa few few minutes
minutes later.
later.
After awaking
After awaking the the others,
others, and and acquainting
acquainting them them withwith the the
situation, we
situation, we moved
moved our our goods
goods and and chattels
chattels aa little
little farther
farther

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on, which
on, which gavegave us us plenty
plenty of time to
of time to eat
eat our
our breakfast
breakfast withwith·
out fearing
out fearing moremore annoyance
annoyance from from ourour Lilliputian
Lilliputian enemies.
enemies.
After
After our meal, the
our meal, the word
word to to march
march was was givengiven;; andand so so
that we
that we might
might rest rest ourour horses,
horses, which which now now beganbegan to to look
look
poor things
poor things of of skin
skin andand bone,
bone, we we walked,
walked, leading
leading them,
them, for (or
a considerable
a considerable time. time. But But as as the the sunsun grew
grew hotter,
hotter, our our
ant-bites began
ant-bites began to to sting
sting soso dreadfully
dreadfully that that we were forced
we were forced
to mount
to mount our our dilapidated
dilapidated Rozinantes,
Rozinantes, and and urge them over
urge them over
the burning
the burning plain.
plain.
The heat
The heat of the sun
of the sun was
was fearful
fearful as the day
as the day flew
flew on,
on, and
and
the wind,
the wind, which
which as as II said before had
said before had gone
gone to to the
the north,
north,
burnt
burnt likelike what
what the the poet
poet must
must have imagined aa "blast
have imagined " blast (rom
from
hell"
hell " to to be.
be. Dry Dry and and hot,hot, it it carried
carried the the burning
burning sand sand
along
along withwith it, it, creating
creating a a shower
shower of of fire,
fire, which,
which, flung
flung with
with
the impetuosity of
the impetuosity of a a hurricane
hurricane upon upon us, us, was
was an an experience
experience
of the most
of the most distressing
distressing description.
description. Our Our faces,
faces, which
which as as
you may
you may be be sure,
sure, hadhad already
already become become hardenedhardened with with
exposure,
exposure, literally
literally cracked
cracked in the burning
in the burning wind. wind. The The antant-
bites
bites grewgrew more more acute,acute, and and the the dust thicker, so
dust thicker, so thatthat
between
between being being suffocated
suffocated with with sand,sand , and
and drivendriven to to des-
des
peration
peration by by the
the tingling
tingling sensation
sensation of the bites
of the bites on various
on various
portions
portions of of our anatomy, II was
our anatomy, was beside
beside myself
myself with with anger,
anger,
and
and thought
thought that that thethe being
being whowho sits sits up
up aloft
aloft keeping
keeping watchwatch
over
over poor
poor Jack
Jack might
might givegive that
that worthy
worthy aa rest rest andand meme aa turn.
turn.
The dust
The dust at last grew
at last grew so thick as
so thick as toto partially blind us
partially blind us;;
and therefore
and therefore finding
finding progress
progress almost impossible, we
almost impossible, we werewere
rorced to
forced to rest
rest awhile
awhile andand letlet the
the storm
storm blowblow over.
over. AndAnd whatwhat
a storm
a storm it it was
was!! Away Away to to thethe N. N. andand N.W. N.W. the the whole
whole
of the
of the horizon
horizon was was shrouded
shrouded in in aa yellow,
yellow, dustydusty fog, which
fog, which
every moment
every moment drew drew nearer
nearer and and nearer
nearer withwith terrific
terrific speed.
speed .
We quickly
We quickly got got the
the horses
horses downdown upon upon the the sand
sand,, and then,,
and then
with them
with them as as aa shield,
shield, sat
sat andand awaited
awaited the the attack
attack of of thethe
dust-fiend.
dust-fiend.
Along
Along it it came
came witb with aa roar
roar andand shriek,
shriek, as though it
as though it bore
bore
on its
on its dusky
dusky wingswings millions
millions of of infernal
infernal spirits who took
spirits who took
deligbt in
delight in the
the mad
mad fury fury they
they created.
created. Like Like a thick shroud
a thick shroud
it passed
it passed over over the the sunsun andand hid hid it, it, and
and in in aa moment
moment the the
darkness of
darkness night fell
of night upon the
fell upon the howling
howling waste.
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Thud!
Thud ! It It struck
struck thethe sides
sides of of our
our poor
poor animals
animals with with
such violence that
such violence they IJhrieked
that they shrieked aloud aloud withwith terror,
terror, and and inin
aa moment
moment we we were
were enveloped
enveloped in in aa whirlwind
whirlwind of of burning
burning
sand,
sand, which
which hurled
hurled itself
itself with
with suchsuch outrageous
outrageous fury fury upon
upon
us
us as to tear
as to tear the
the skin
skin from
from our faces. The
our faces. The windwind was was like
like
the breath
the breath of of aa furnace,
furnace, andand the the sand
sand the the red-hot
red-hot ashesashes ofof
aa volcano.
volcano. How How it it stung!
stung ! II scarcely
scarcely dareddared to to open
open my my
mouth
mouth to to breathe,
breathe, for for whenever
whenever II did did so, the sand
so , the sand forced
forced
itself
itself inin such
such quantities
quantities down down my throat as
my throat as toto gogo close
close
upon
upon choking
choking me. me. Had Had the the storm
storm lasted
lasted long,
long, II am am sure
sure
it
it would
would have have destroyed
destroyed both both horses
horses and and men;men ; for for when
when
the
the worst
worst of of the
the desert
desert hurricane
hurricane had had passed
passed over,over, and and the
the
sun
sun enabled
enabled us us toto view
view eacheach other,
other, fourfour moremore pitiable-
pitiable
looking adventurers II feel
looking adventurers feel sure
sure were
were never
never seen.
seen. The The sandsand
had
had indeed
indeed played
played sad sad havoc
havoc withwith us, us, changing
changing our our natural
natural
colour
colour to to aa dulldull sandstone-face,
sandstone -face, clothes, clothes, and and hair,hair , all
all
alike,
alike, so so that
that thethe colour
colour of Jimmy's face
of Jimmy's face waswas scarcely
scarcely dis- dis
tinguishable from
tinguishable from that
that of
ofmy
my own.
own. It It was
was aa dismal
dismal look-out,
look-out,
and
and II thought
thought if if ever there was
ever there was aa foolfool inin the world, it
the world, it was
was
I,
I, Archibald
Archibald Martesque.
Martesque.
But like all
But like woes that
all woes that do
do notnot kill, the storm
kill , the storm passed
passed away,away,
and
and thethe sunsun shone
shone out more fierce
out more than ever,
fierce than ever, as though
as though
intent upon
intent upon making
making up up for
for the
the time
time he he had
had beenbeen forced
forced to to
hide himself.
hide himself. The The wind
wind still
still blew
blew small
small clouds
clouds of dust
of dust
from the
from the north,
north, butbut they
they were
were aa comparative
comparative luxury lUXUry when when
put beside
put beside the the fury that had
fury that had justjust howled
howled over over us.us. It is
It is
almost needless
almost needless to to say
say that
that our our ant-bites
ant-bites becamebecame more more
irrit,1.ted through
irritated through being being brought
brought in in contact
contact with with the burn-
the burn
ing sand,
ing sand, andand aa shockingly
shockingly bad bad timetime of of it we had
it we had until
until wewe
disencumbered
disencumber ourselves of
ed ourselves of our
our clothing,
clothing, shookshook the the sand
sand
from it,
from it, and
and once
once more
more applied
applied the the ointment
ointment to to our
our bodies.
bodies.
Our horses were
Our horses were alsoalso in dreadful state;
in aa dreadful their lungs
state ; their lungs werewere
so full
so full ofof the
the fiery
fiery dust
dust that
that when
when we we began
began againagain to to march,
march,
they w"heezed and
they wheezed and carried
carried on on as as dreadfully
dreadfully as as ifif they
they had had
been suddenly
been suddenly afflicted with acute
afflicted with acute asthma.
asthma. We We therefore
therefore
had to
had to give
give them
them an an extra
extra drink,
drink, which,
which, though
though appreciated
appreciated
by them,
by them, was was notnot exactly
exactly the
the thing
thing for for usus,, water
water being
being so so
appaIlingly scarce
appallingly scarce that we began
that we began to to look
look upon
upon every every dropdrop

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72 THE GOLD
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EN LAKE.

of
of itit with
with muchmuch the the same
same eyes eyes as as aa woman
woman regards regards a a
diamond necklace not
diamond necklace not her
her own.
own.
For
For the the next
next two
two days
days we we struggled
struggled on without mishap,
on without mishap,
and on
and on thethe evening
evening of the second-the
of the second- the day day on which we
on which we
reckoned to
reckoned to strike
strike the
the lake
lake,, ifif lake
lake there was-we drank
there was—we drank ourour
last drop
last drop of of water.
water. It It was
was certain
certain now now thatthat ifif wewe did
did notnot
soon discover
soon discover more more of of that
that precious
precious liquid,
liquid, ourour adventures
adventures
would be
would be brought
brought to to aa speedy
speedy and and horrible termination.
horrible termination.
We sank
We sank several
several holes
holes in the sand,
in the sand, in in what
what we we thought
thought
were likely
were likely spots,
spots, butbut ourour efforts
efforts were
were always crowned with
always crowned with
failure.
failure. Not Not aa drop
drop of water had
of water had one
one of them given
of them forth.
given forth.
It seemed
It seemed as though the
as though the plain
plain waswas asas dry
dry beneath
beneath as as above
above
the surface.
the surface.
We managed
We managed to to pass
pass aa few few hours
hours of of semi
semi-slumber
- slumber that that
night, but
night, but asas soon
soon as there was
as there light enough for
was light enough for us to see, us to see,
we were
we were up up andand away.
away. Our lives were
Our lives were now now at at stake, and
stake , and
we redoubled
we redoubled our our assiduity
assiduity and and exertions
exertions in in our
our search
search
for the
for the life-giving
life-giving liquid.
liquid. We We spread
spread out out over
over the the plain,
plain,
Hardwicke
Hardwicke and and Jimmy
Jimmy taking taking the the extreme
extreme wings,wings, Murphy
Murphy
and II the
and the centre.
centre. Thus Thus we we covered
covered fullyfully half
half aa mile mile ofof
the ground,
the ground, and and hoped
hoped by by soso doing
doing that that should
should any any water
water
lay in
lay in our
our path
path it it would
would not not escape
escape us. us. But But we we might
might
have spared
have spared ourselves
ourselves the the trouble,
trouble, for for not
not aa drop
drop was was seen
seen
all that
all that day.
day.
About
About noon noon we we closed
closed up up and tried to
and tried to eat
eat some food,,
some food
but with
but with thethe exception
exception of of Jimmy,
Jimmy, none none of of usus could
could swallow
swallow
a morsel.
a morsel. My My throat
throat refused
refused to to allow
allow it it to
to pass,
pass, seeming
seeming
as thoroughly
as thoroughly blockedblocked up up as as though
though aa network
network of of tissues
tissues I
had been
had been twisted
twisted across
across the the cavity.
cavity.
Hardwicke
Hardwicke looked looked long long at at me,
me, but
but spoke
spoke not. not. Yet Yet II
could see
could see within
within his his eyes that he
eyes that was marvellously
he was marvellously affected
affected
at
at -ourour situation,
situation, and and II knew knew he he imagined
imagined himself himself the the
cause
cause of all our
of all our miseries,
miseries, so so II went
went to to himhim andand tooktook himhim
by
by thethe hand
hand and said, "Let
and said, " Let us us on,
on, Dick.
Dick. If there is
If there is water
water
ahead we
ahead we will
will find
find it;it ; if
if not-we
not-we can can diedie game."
game."
" And you don't
don't blame
blame me, me, old fellow?? "" he he said.
—————

" And you old fellow said.

"cc Blame
Blame you, you, Dick;
Dick ; why why should
should II ?? ""
"II don't
" don't carecare a rap for
a rap for myself,"
myself," he answered,, “Cc because
he answered because

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 THE GOLDEN
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73

I'm the
I'm the cause
cause of of it it all.
all. But But to to think
think that
that through
through me, me,
you--"""
you
"My
" My deardear old fellow," II cut
old fellow," cut himhim short,
short, ""II was was well
well
aware
aware of the dangers
of the dangers that that beset
beset thisthis undertaking
undertaking before before II
undertook
undertook it, it, so
so please
please say say nono more
more about
about it. it. Let Let us us on,
on,
my friend, on.
my friend, on. Courage,
Courage, we'll we'll find
find the
the water
water yet."yet."
"God
" God blessbless you you!! old old man,"
man, " he he said,
said , as
as he he wrung
wrung my my
hand again
hand again and and again.
again. He
He thenthen turned
turned from from me, me, and
and
shortly after we
shortly after we were
were onceonce more more pursuing
pursuing our our way,way, amid
amid aa
deathly
deathly silence,
silence, across
across the the great
great burning
burning plain.
plain.
The night came
The night came on on andand found
found us us in the same
in the same dilemma.
dilemma .
The
The windwind still
still blew
blew fromfrom the the burnt-up
burnt- up northnorth lands,lands, andand
while it
while it continued
continued in that quarter
in that quarter therethere waswas small
small hope hope of of
rain.
rain. Rain!
Rain ! whatwhat wouldwould we we not
not have
have given
given for for one
one good
good
shower,
shower, only only one.
one. Not Not aa dropdrop had had fallen
fallen since
since the the day
day we we
left
left Port
Port Augusta,
Augusta, and and yet yet wewe were
were in in what
what was was called
called the the
rainy season.
rainy season. Rainy
Rainy season, season, forsooth
forsooth!! It It seemed
seemed as as
though for
though for centuries
centuries no no shower
shower had had fallen
fallen inin these
these barren
barren
regions. No
regions. No sign
sign waswas there
there of of man,
man, of beast, or
of beast, or of bird.
of bird.
All life
All life seemed banished from
seemed banished from the the face of this
face of this terrible
terrible land.
land.
The gloomy
The gloomy shadow
shadow of death hung
of death hung overover the the wilderness
wilderness
daring life
daring life to
to plunge
plunge within
within its its depths
depths,, andand gloating
gloating over over
the trackless
the trackless wastes
wastes of of misery
misery it it had
had created
created.. A A horrid,
horrid,
desolate country,
desolate country, fit fit home
home for for thethe scorching
scorching wind wind and and the the
fiery dust-storm.
fiery dust-storm.
That night II saw
That night saw the the moonmoon rise rise in in aa cloudless
cloudless sky, sky,
beautiful and
beautiful and clear
clear as as aa great
great globe
globe of polished silver.
of polished silver.
I watched
I watched it it rise
rise higher
higher and higher in
and higher in the the blue,
blue,
and II wondered
and wondered where where we we all all should
should be be when
when next next it it
rose.
rose.
Next morning,
Next morning, as as soon
soon as there was
as there was light
light enough
enough for for usus
to see,
to see, we we again
again began began our our journey,
journey, well well-knowing
-knowing that that
should we
should we nownow fail fail toto discover
discover water,
water, the the morrow's
morrow's sun sun
would show
would show the the day
day thethe distorted features of
distorted features four corpses.
of four corpses.
Scarcely aa word
Scarcely word was was spoken
spoken;; but but there
there waswas aa looklook on on the
the
face of
face of each
each thatthat told
told its its own
own tale.
tale. No No murmur
murmur arose arose;;
each was
each was brave
brave and and calm,
calm, and prepared to
and prepared to meet
meet the the worst.
worst.
was proud
II was proud of of the
the heroism
heroism of of our
our little
little band,
band, and and was was glad
glad
F
F

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7 THE
T GOLDEN
HE G LAKE.
OLDEN L AKE.

to see
to see howhow bravebrave aa bravebrave manman can can be be in the face
in the face ofof a a
dreadful
dreadful calamity.
calamity.
It must
It must havehave beenbeen three
three or four hours
or four hours afterafter starting,
starting, andand
just when
just when the the sun
sun waswas beginning
beginning to to give
give us us anan extra taste
extra taste
of his
of his quality,
quality, that that we we called
called a a halt
halt inin aa small,
small, sandy gully,
sandy gully,
and extracting
and extracting the tl\e spade
spade from
from oneone of of the
the packs,
packs, began
began to to
dig for
dig for water,
water, for for this
this gully
gully had every indication
had every indication of of once
once
being the
being the bed
bed of of aa stream.
stream. HopeHope stimulated
stimulated our our energies
energies,,
and though
and though we we were
were nearly
nearly dead
dead with
with thirst,
thirst, wewe succeeded
succeeded,,
after about
after about halfhalf anan hour's
hour's hard
hard work,
work, at at which
which we we took
took turn
turn
a,nd turn
and turn about,
about, in in sinking
sinking ourour well
well some
some five five oror six
six feet.
feet.
. Still
Still nono sign
sign waswas there
there of of the
the moisture
moisture for for which
which we we panted.
panted.
"" No
No go,
go, Archie,"
Archie, '" said
said Dick,
Dick, as he threw
as he threw the the spade
spade outout ofof
the ohole
the hole ;; " "we must try
we must further on."
try further on."
His voice was
His voice was drydry and
and husky,
husky, forfor he,
he, like
like the rest of
the rest of us,
us,
could only
could only speak
speak in in aa hoarse
hoarse whisper.
whisper.
("
"Hard
Hard luck,luck, old old boy,"
boy," hehe continued,
continued , as as hehe clambered
clambered
out
out of of the
the hole,
hole, and and sat
sat onon the edge of
the edge of it.
it. "" Things
Things
seem
seem goinggoing all all against
against us.us. Ever
Ever since
since that
that cursed
cursed fire,
fire, we
we
have had
have had nothing
nothing but but misfortune."
misfortune."
"Still,
" Still, Dick,
Dick, we've
we've pulled through, you
pulled through, you know,
know, andand we've
we've
sworn
sworn to to go
go on."
on ."
"Yes,
" till we
Yes, till we drop."
drop. " AndAnd he he prepared
prepared to to spring
spring to to his
his
feet to
feet to hurry
hurry away,away, when when of of a sudden ,he
a sudden he stopped,
stopped, and and
seized me
seized violently by
me violently the arm.
by the arm. " " Look!
Look ! " "
II followed
followed his gaze, and
his gaze, and saw
saw distinctly
distinctly in the bottom
in the bottanl' of of '.
the hole
the hole we we hadhad dug dug the
the sparkle
sparkle of of water.
water. What What new new life,
life,
what joy
what flew through
joy flew through me me at that moment.
at that moment. Salvation Salvation had had
come at
come at last
last!!
"Water, water
"Water, water!" !" I I shouted
shouted as as loudly
loudly as as mymy swollen
swollen
throat would
throat would permit;
permit ; and and in
in aa moment
moment Jimmy Jimmy and and Murphy
Murphy
were by
were my side
by my side laughing
laughing withwith very joy. Water
very joy. Water waswas found
found
at last.
at last.
What ecstasies we
What ecstasies we might
might notnot have
have beenbeen guilty
guilty of,of, II
cannot
cannot say, say, hadhad notnot Hardwicke-who
Hardwicke —who had had been
been kneeling
kneeling in in
the well-here
the well- here arisen arisen with
with aa look
look of of unutterable
unutterable dismay dismay
upon his
upon his face,
face, while
while he he scarcely
scarcely more more than whispered in
than whispered in
his husky,
his husky, deathly voice, "My
deathly voice, " My God,God, ifs salt I"
it's salt !" ,

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 THE GOLDEN
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75

A sickening
A sickening dread dread came came overover me.me. II triedtried toto speak,
speak, to to
ask him
ask him aa question
question;; but but my tongue refused
my tongue refused me me utterance.
utterance.
I was
I was dazed,
dazed, struck
struck downdown as as ifby
if by a terrific blow.
a terrific blow. II felt the
felt the
life-that
life that but but aa moment
moment beforebefore had had coursed
coursed so so swiftly
swiftly
through my
through my veins
veins bringing
bringing hope
hope on on hope-pass
hope-pass quickly quickly out out
of
of me,me, andand II became
became conscious
conscious of of aa sudden,
sudden, icy icy chill
chill
against my
against my heart.
heart.
II leapt
leapt into the well.
into the well. A A wild,
wild, soul-sickening
soul - sickening hope hope sweptswept
over
over me. me. He might be
He might be mistake,n!
mistaken ! Alas'l Alas ! no, no, it it was
was too
too
true.. The
true water was
The water was as bitter as
as bitter gall.
as gall.
Only
Only he he who
who has has suffered likewise can
suffered likewise can imagine
imagine my my
feelings.
feelings. My pen
My pen fails
fails utterly
utterly to to convey
convey one one single
single
fraction of
fraction of thethe agony
agony II endured;
endured ; to to picture
picture the the dull
dull
despaIr which,
despair which, likelike a gloomy mountain,
a gloomy mountain, settled
settled upon upon me, me,
crushing out
crushing out hope
hope andand faith.
faith.
was awakened
II was awakened from from thethe dull,
dull, lethargic. reverie into
lethargic reverie into
which II had
which had fallen
fallen by Hardwicke, who
by Hardwicke, who shook
shook me me violently,
violently,
saying-
saying
" We must
"We must start,
start, Archie, before our
Archie, before our remaining
remaining strength strength
gone. II think
is gone.
is think we we may
may yetyet hope
hope;; only,
only, for for God's
God's sake, sake,
pull yourself
pull yourself together.
together. II believebelieve we we are
are near
near the the lakelake of of
which old
which old Morton
Morton spoke. spoke. That water is
That water is salt-what
salt- what more more
likely than it
likely than it came
came fromfrom thethe lake
lake?? ""
With an
With an effort
effort II threw
threw off the dulness
off the dulness that that seemed
seemed to to
stupefy me,
stupefy me, and
and we we once
once more
more struck
struck out
out across
across the the burn
burn-
ing sand.
ing sand. How How I I got
got over
over thethe weary
weary miles
miles of of desert
desert I I
hardly know.
hardly know. II was was conscious
conscious of of a blazing sun
a blazing above, aa
sun above,
giddy motion
giddy motion before
before my my eyes,
eyes, and
and a a dull, tired feeling
dull, tired feeling in in
my body. II felt
my body. felt no
no pain,
pain , II was
was only
only tired,
tired, andand II staggered
staggered
several times as
several times though about
as though about to to fall.
fall. Then
Then II felt felt Hard-
Hard
wicke
wicke pass pass his
his armarm through
through mine,mine, and and II remember
remember him him
speaking
speaking words words of of comfort;
comfort ; and and II can
can still see, as
still see, through
as through
a mist,
a mist, hishis bent,
bent, determined
determined brow brow beside
beside me, me, andand his his clear,
clear,
brave eyes
brave eyes searching
searching the the wide
wide horizon.
horizon. And And then then II felt felt
my
my strength
strength ebbebb slowly
slowly away,
away, andand thethe strong
strong arm tighten.
arm tighten
on
on mine,
mine, andand inin the
the one
one brief
brief second
second of of consciousness
consciousness that that
was
was leftleft me,
me, I. thought II heard
I thought heard somesome one one cry:cry : " "Water
Water J!
water !I""
water '

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76 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.

CONTAINING AN
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT OF
OF OUR
OUR EXPERIENCES AT THE
EXPERIENCES AT THE
OASIS.
OASIS.

WHEN sense
WHEN sense once once moremore returned
returned and and my my eyeseyes slowly
slowly
opened, II beheld
opened, beheld the the strained
straint!d,, anxious
anxious faceface of of Hardwicke
Hardwicke
bending over
bending over me,me, and heard his
and heard his voice
voice uttering
uttering words
words of ot
gratitude.
gratitude.
"Thank
" Thank God! God ! oldold man,"
man," he he said, and II felt
said, and his strong
felt his strong
hand tighten
hand tighten on on mine.
mine. Then Then,, seeing
seeing my my puzzled counte-
puzzled counte
nance, he
nance, he added
added quickly, "We're' safe
quickly, "We're safe now,
now, quite safe.
quite safe.
Jimmy has discovered a well and we have
Jimmy has discovered a well and we have plenty of water." plenty of water."
" And
" And you, Dick?"
you, Dick ?"
"As right
"As right as as ever,"
ever," he he answered
answered cheerfully.
cheerfully. ""But But it it
was
was a a close touch with
close touch with you,
you , old
old chap.
chap. How How do do youyou feel
feel
now?"
now ?"
" A little
"A little giddy
giddy and sore," II replied.
and sore," replied. " " I'm
I'm afraid
afraid that
that 1I
have been
have been aa great
great burden
burden to to you,
you, old fellow."
old fellow ."
" Don't
" talk like
Don't talk like that
that,, Archie,"
Archie," he he said;
said ; "you
" you see this
see this
sort of
sort thing is
of thing is all
all so
so new
new to to you.
you. WaitWait till
till you
you get used
get used
to it,
to it, and
and you'll
you'll dodo as well as
as well as any
any ofof us."
us."
" And
" And thethe lake
lake?" ? " II asked.
asked
"We
" have as
We have yet discovered
as yet discovered no no signs
signs ofof it,"
it," he
he replied,
replied,
"and at
"and present are
at present are tootoo knocked
knocked up up to to even
even attempt
attempt a a
search. Jimmy
search. Jimmy and and Murphy
Murphy are are now
now sleeping,
sleeping, poor poor felfel-
lows, tired
lows, tired outout with
with their
their awful
awful exertions."
exertions. "
"And you
"And you?" ?"
" Oh, II shall
"Oh, shall sleep
sleep presently."
presently."
le How long
"How have II been
long have been unconscious
unconscious?" ?"
" About three
"About three hours."
hours."
" And you
"And you have
have watched
watched me me ??""
66
"'Certainly.
Certainly. There There was was nothing
nothing else for me
me to to do."
else for do."
I pressed
I pressed his his hand
hand warmly,
warmly, and and II felt
felt aa lump
lump riserise in
in mymy
throat. "
throat. "God bless you,
God bless you, Dick,
Dick, GodGod bless
bless you.
you.""

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 THE GOLDEN
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He
He pressed
pressed my my hand
hand in in return,
return, but but uttered
uttered no word
no word.
Shortly after, when
Shortly after, when II rose rose onon my my elbow
elbow to to see
see what
what hadhad
become.
become of him, II saw
of him, him lying
saw him lying fast
fast asleep beside me
asleep beside me with
with
the great
the great white
white moon moon streaming
streaming full full upon
upon his his upturned
upturned
face. Poor
face. Poor fellowfellow!! he he hadhad battled
battled with with fatigue
fatigue until
until it it
finally
finally overcame
overcame him, him, andand he he had had literally
literally fallen
fallen to to the
the
earth.
earth. •
The next
The next morning
morning found found aa wonderful
wonderful improvement
improvement in in
our physical
our physical abilities,
abilities, andand wewe managed
managed to to demolish
demolish a fairly
a fairly
good breakfast,
good breakfast, thoughthough little
little remained
remained now now of of the
the immense
immense
quantity of
quantity provisions with
of provisions with which
which we we hadhad provided
provided our- our
selves
selves on on setting
setting out from Port
out from Port Augusta.
Augusta. Our Our horses
horses
benefited
benefited greatly
greatly by by having
having an an almost
almost unlimited
unlimited supplysupply of of
water
water at their disposal,
at their disposal, but they suffered
but they suffered much much fromfrom hunger,.
hunger,
there being
there being absolutely
absolutely nothing
nothing for for them
them to to eat.
eat.
As we were
As we were all all too
too weak
weak to to start
start at at once
once in in search
search of of the
the
great salt
great salt lake,
lake, we we determined
determined to to pass
pass thethe dayday beside
beside thethe
well, nor
well, tempt fortune
nor tempt fortune further
further in in our
our crippled
crippled condition.
condition.
Therefore, as
Therefore, as soon
soon as as we
we hadhad finished
finished our our meal,
meal, we we pro
pro·
ceeded to
ceeded to make
make ourselves
ourselves as as comfortable
comfortable as as our
our unfortunate
unfortunate
position would
position would admit.admit.
The
The sun
sun roserose like
like aa ball
ball ofof fire,
fire, the
the angry
angry harbinger
harbinger of of
another frightful
another frightful day, and as
day, and as we we sawsaw neither
neither scrub
scrub nornor
rock which
rock which would
would afford
afford a moment's shelter
a moment's from its
shelter from its rays,
rays,
we dug
we dug a sort of
a sort of trench large enough
trench large enough for for the
the four
four ofof us,
us,
piling up
piling up the
the sand
sand to to the
the north
north so so asas toto make
make a wall against
a wall against
which the
which the full force of
full force the sun
of the sun wouldwould strike.
strike . ThisThis we we
impro'Yed
improved upon upon laterlater on
on byby raising
raising another
another moundmound of sand
of sand
to the
to the south,
south, and and stretching
stretching one one of of our
our bigbig pack
pack casings
casings
across
across thethe spacespace between.
between. ThoughThough rather rather a a primitive
primitive
method of
method of baffling
baffling the the sun's
sun's rays,
rays, it yet answered
it yet answered its its purpose
purpose
not indifferently, and
not indifferently, glad enough
and glad enough were were we when the
we when the fiery
fiery
god
god rose higher and
rose higher and higher
higher in in the
the heavens,
heavens, growing
growing hotter
hotter
and hotter as
and hotter as he
he rose,
rose, that
that wewe had
had eveneven taken
taken suchsuch primi
primi-
tive precautions.
tive precautions.
The day
The day passed
passed slowly away, little
slowly away, little talk being indulged
talk being indulged in, in,
for none
for none of of us us had
had heart
heart oror energy
energy enough
enough to to supply
supply con-
con
versation. Pipe
versation. after pipe
Pipe after pipe of tobacco was
of tobacco was consumed
consumed in in

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silence. Each
silence. Each man man was was filled
filled with
with hishis ownown unpleasant
unpleasant
thoughts. II say
thoughts. say unpleasant,
unpleasant, for for though
though II questioned
questioned not not
the motives
the motives that that keptkept my my companions
companions silent silent,, II guessed
guessed
their feelings
their feelings from from my my own.own. Go back
Go back we we could
could not.not.
Advance we
Advance we must
must!! Where Where?? What What misery
misery lay lay before
before us, us,
we knew
we knew not-therefore
not-therefore we we should
should go go on.on. WhatWhat lay lay
behind ?-Death. Therefore
behind ?-Death. Therefore we we must
must not not gogo back-
back-it it
being far
being far better
better to to face
face the
the illsills we
we did
did notnot know,
know, than
than fly fiy
to those
to those which
which we we most
most certainly
certainly did. did.
It was aa dreadful
It was dreadful experience
experience to to lie
lie stretched
stretched out out in that
in that
trench, with
trench, with never
never a breath of
a breath wind to
of wind to cool
cool us,us, and
and aa
blazing sun
blazing above. Yet
sun above. Yet by by degrees
degrees the the fiery
fiery monster
monster ran ran
its course,
its course, andand we we watched
watched it it descend
descend the the steel-
steel-blue
blue skysky
with feelings of
with feelings the utmost
of the utmost relief.
relief. And And whenwhen at at last
last itsits
awful
awful power
power grewgrew feeble,
feeble, we we crawled
crawled fromfrom our our grave-like
grave- like
retreat with the
retreat with the glad
glad feelings
feelings of of boys
boy let let loose from some
loose from some
horrid
horrid confinement.
confinement.
We had
We had scarcely
scarcely done done moremore than than stretch
stretch ourselves
ourselves whenwhen
Jimmy called
Jimmy called our attention to
our attention to one
one of of the
the pack-horses.
pack-horses. It It had
had
refused the
refused the water
water he he offered,
offered, and and all all our
our coaxing
coaxing to to make
make
it drink
it drink proved
proved utterly
utterly futile.
futile. As As the
the evening
evening stole
stole on, the
on, the
animal grew
animal grew worse
worse;; it it snorted
snorted and and panted
panted frightfully,
frightfully, andand
was ultimately
was ultimately taken taken withwith aa severe
severe shivering
shivering which
which in in aa few
few
minutes left
minutes left it
it lifeless.
lifeless.
This
This was was aa terrible
terrible blow blow to to us,
us, especially
especially as we thought
as we thought
that on
that on our
our horses
horses depended
depended our our salvation.
salvation . Three were
Three were
now gone
now gone outout of of the
the eight,
eight, and and we we were
were in in deadly
deadly terror
terror
lest we
lest we should
should likewise
likewise lose lose the the others.
others. It It was
was not
not aa
cheerful look-out.
cheerful look-out. No No wonder
wonder gloom gloom reigned
reigned universally
universally
throughout the
throughout the little
little camp
camp that that night.
night.
The
The same same evening
evening II reckonedreckoned up up my my note-book,
note-book, and and
found that
found that it was the
it was the i11thIth ofof May,
May, or forty days
or forty days from
from thethe
date of
date of our
our departure.
departure. And And during
during that that period
period we we could
could
not have
not have travelled
travelled above above 400 miles. This
400 miles. This was was slowslow
progress, but
progress, but it it was
was no no useuse railing
railing atat fate,
fate, and
and so so II kept
kept
my opinions
my opinions to to myself.
myself: Though Though II littlelittle knew
knew it it then,
then, our
our
progress was
progress was destined
destined to to be be slower
slower before
before we we attained
attained the the
end of
end our great
of our great journey.
journey.

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We all
We all slept well that
slept well that night,
night, though
though the the next
next morning
morning II
was so
was so far
far from
from strong
strong thatthat II was was forced
forced to to inform
inform Hard Hard-
wicke of
wicke of my miserable condition;
my miserable condition ; but but added
added that that though
though II
felt unwell,
felt unwell, II was was yet
yet quite
quite able
able to to push
push on. on . He He would
would not not
hear of
hear of it.
it.
"You must
"You must stay here at
stay here least another
at least another day day oror so,"
so," he he said.
sai.d.
" Jimmy and
"Jimmy and II will
will take
take aa couple
couple of of horses,
horses, aa little
little grub,
grub,
and some
and some water,water, andand push
push on on in in the
the direction
direction of of this
this lake
lake,,
which II am
which am certain
certain mustmust be be somewhere
somewhere hereabouts
hereabouts.. Old Old
Morton cannot
Morton cannot have have lied.
lied. He He spoke
spoke the the Gospel
Gospel truth,truth, I'dI'd
swear to
swear to it.
it. If we find
If we find another
another well, well, so much the
so much the better
better;;
Jimmy shall
Jimmy shall return
return andand bring
bring you you along.
along. But But for for. you
you to to
start in
start in your
your present
present plight
plight would
would be be little
little short
short of of mad·
mad
ness.. Murphy
ness Murphy will will stay
stay with
with youyou--" ,,
"" But, Dick," II said
But, Dick," cutting him
said cutting him short.
short.
""MyMy dear dear Archie,"
Archie," he he answered
answered quite quite as as quickly;
quickly ; "" to to tell
tell
you the
you the plain
plain truth,
truth, it is bett~r
it is better thatthat you
you should
should stay.stay. You You
might
might only only hamper
hamper our our searches."
searches."
II felt
felt the
the truth
truth ofof this
this remark,
remark, although
although II did not care
did not for
care for
its abruptness, and
its abruptness, and soso said nothing.
said nothing.
Hardwicke
Hardwicke was was a a man
man of of action,
action, and and hadhad no no soone~
sooner made made
up his
up his mind
mind to to do
do a thing than
a thing than he he began
began to to dodo it. it. The The
horses
horses were were quickly
quickly ready,
ready, andand ere the sun
ere the sun hadhad risenrisen 9utout .
of the great
of the great desert,
desert, the
the twotwo adventurers
adventurers moved moved slowly
slowly away. away.
II watched
watched them them for for a long time,
a long time, waving
waving my my hat hat to to :Qick,
Dick,
who answered
who answered by by waving
waving his,his, till
till II lost
lost sight
sight of them amid
of them amid
some
some distant
distant sand sand ridges.
ridges.
Murphy
Murphy looked looked at at me
me andand II at at him,
him, neither
neither of of usus speak.
speak
ing.
ing. The The vast vast waste
waste seemed
seemed to to grow
grow more more desolate,
desolate, and and
when at
when at last
last the the sun rose, like
sun rose, like aa great
great dulldull redred lamp,lamp, it it
seemed to
seemed to flood
flood thethe dreary plain with
dreary plain with aa weirder melam::hol.y.
weirder melancholy.
" Bedad, sor,"
cc Bedad, sor," said
said Murphy,
Murphy, breaking
breaking the the ominous
ominous silence silence
between
between us, us, "but
"but Mister
Mister DickDick is is aa moighty
moighty fine fine gintleman.
gintleman.
He's got
He's got a a heart
heart as as big
big as as a mountain and
a mountain and as as brave
brave as as itit is
is
big."
big."
"You
" You are right, Murphy."
are right, Murphy," II answered;
answered ; .. " he
he is is indeed
indeed all all
.. you
you say."
say."
66
"Only to seesee him
him helping you along,
'Only to helping you along, sor, the day
sor, the day you you

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nearly died
nearly died for
for the
the want
want of of the
the blessed watt:r. .It
blessed water. was aa
It was
sight that I shall niver forget to the day of my
sight that I shall niver forget to the day of my death. Poo death. Poorr
man!! though
man though he he was
was nearly dead himself,
nearly dead yet no
himself, yet thought
no thought
had he
had he of of letting
letting you
you go,go, sor.
sor. '' Jimmy'
Jimmy' he he says, and his
says, and his
voice was
voice was as
as dry
dry as
as aa gate
gate that
that wants
wants oiling,
oiling,'' this
this can't
can't last
last
much longer.
much longer. Go Go ahead,
ahead, it's our only
it's our chance.'. ' And
only chance And that
that
same black,
same black, and
and the
the Lord
Lord bless
bless him,
him, sor, for taking
sor, for taking aa leafleaf
out of
out of his
his master's
master's book,
book, forfor he's
he's aa brave
brave boy,
boy, black
black asas he
he
is, rushed
is, rushed ahead
ahead;; and
and Mister
Mister Dick
Dick putput his
his arm
arm about
about youyou
and
and struggled
struggled on on ;; ah, how he
ah, how he did
did struggle.
struggle. May May thethe Holy
Holy
Mother guard
Mother guard himhim.. TheThe horses
horses followed
followed usus atat aa distance;
distance ;
poor bastes,
poor bastes, they
they were
were almost
almost entirely
entirely killed.
killed. II don't
don't believe
believe
they could
they have carried
could have carried youyou had
had Mister
Mister Dick
Dick and
and II strength
strength
enough
enough to to put
put you
you on the top
on the top of one. Then
of one. Then II don't
don't know
know
how long it
how long was, for
it was, for II was
was like
like one
one inin aa drame;
drame ; thethe brave
brave
black bhoy came
black bhoy came back with his
back with his bottle
bottle full
full of water, which
of water, which
Mister Dick,
Mister Dick, shouting,
shouting, seized
seized and
and put
put to your lips,
to your lips, and
and gave
gave
you aa good,
you good, long
long drink.
drink. And And then,
then, may the saints
may the saints presarve
presarve
him ! before
him before he he had
had tasted
tasted aa blessed
blessed drop
drop himself,
himself, what
what
should
should hehe dodo but
but actually
actually offer the bottle
offer the bottle toto me.
me. But But may
may
I have
I died on
have died on the
the spot if I'd
spot if I'd been
been mane
mane enough
enough to to take
take it,"
it,"
and here
and here Murphy,
Murphy, who who had
had accompanied
accompanied this this narrative with
narrative with
sundry strange
sundry strange gesticulations,
gesticulations, stopped
stopped suddenly.
suddenly.
"God speed
"God speed them,
them, Tim;
Tim ; theythey are
are a brave pair,"
a brave pair," I I
answered.
answered.
He replied volubly
He replied volubly once
once more,
more, and
and evidently
evidently wished
wished to to
talk, but my
talk, but thoughts were
my thoughts were too
too wretched
wretched for for expression,
expression, andand
so
so II paced
paced gloomily
gloomily upup and
and down
down within
within aa fewfew yards
yards of of the
the
camp, which, even
camp, which, even with
with Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's companionship,
companionship, was was
bad enough,
bad enough, but but which
which now
now seemed
seemed likelike aa tomb.
tomb.
That day
That day passed
passed without
without the
the return
return of the adventurers,
of the adventurers,
as did
as did also
also that
that night
night;; and
and thethe next
next day
day and and night
night also
also
flew by
flew by without
without bringing
bringing their
their wished-for
wished-for presence,
presence, andand I]
began to
began to grow
grow more than anxious.
more than anxious. The The sun sun dawned
dawned on on
the third
the third day,
day, and
and pursued
pursued its its course through the
course through the steely
steely
sky, and
sky, and yet
yet they
they came
came not. What had
not. What had happened
happened to to them
them??
Had
Had theythey lost
lost their
their way?
way ? or
or .had they, overcome
had they, overcome with with the
the
fatigue of
fatigue their journey,
of their journey, sunk
sunk dying
dying upon
upon the the sand? Might
sand ? Might
•

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they
they not not atat that
that very
very moment
moment be be dead?
dead ? II scarcely
scarcely dared
dared
to think,
to think, for for thought
thought occasioned
occasioned me me intense agony. The
intense agony. The
day
day flew flew on,
on, and
and the
the stars
stars came
came outout once
once more.
more. My My God
God!!
would they
would they never
never return
return??
The fourth day
The fourth day was
was ushered
ushered in in like the others
like the others with
with a a
blood-red
blood-red sun, sun, and like its
and like its predecessors
predecessors sped sped on on and
and on,
on,
and
and yet yet itit brought
brought themthem not. not. What What waswas to to bebe done?
done ? İ I
thought of
thought of setting
setting out
out in in their
their tracks,
tracks, but
but that would have
that would have
been
been both both futile
futile and
and foolish,
foolish, as as neither
neither Murphy
Murphy nor nor II had
had
the least
the least knowledge
knowledge of tracking;; we
of tracking we should
should have lost their
have lost their
trail,
trail, and and wandered
wandered on on andand on on until
until death
death endedended all.all.
Plunged
Plunged in in a world of
a world of horrible thoughts, II threw
horrible thoughts, threw myself
myself
upon
upon the the sand,
sand , and
and tried
tried to think, but
to think, thought came
but thought came notnot.
My
My brainbrain was was in in a whirl, the
a whirl, the confusion
confusion of which utterly
of which utterly
debarred
debarred me me from
from forming
forming aa definitedefinite plan
plan of of action,
action, or or
following aa definite
following thought.
definite thought.
Suddenly
Suddenly II was was aroused
aroused from from my my painful reverie by
painful reverie by
a wild
a wild"" hurro,"
hurro," andand thethe next
next moment
moment Murphy
Murphy was was shouting
shouting
over
over me. me.
"They've come,
"They've come, they've
they've come come!! ""
was instantly
II was instantly on on my my feet,
feet, and
and mymy eyes
eyes fell upon the
fell upon the
welcome forms
welcome forms of Dick and
of Dick Jimmy just
and Jimmy just emerging
emerging from from the
the
sand ridges, among
sand ridges, among which
which II had had lost them four
lost them four days
days before.
before.
II ran
ran towards
towards them,them, andand soon soon hadhad Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's hand hand in in aa
strong,
strong, warm warm clasp.
clasp.
"" How
How gladglad II amam to to see you, Dick.”
see you, Dick."
""The feeling is
The feeling reciprocated, Archie.
is reciprocated, Archie. But But II have
have good
good
news," he
news," he continued
continued,, smiling,
smiling, "the"the best
best wewe have
have had had for
for
many aa day.”
many day."
"You have
"You have found
found thethe lake?"
lake ? "
"No; better than
" No ; better than that."
that."
." Better-surely
"Better- there is
surely there is nothing
nothing good
good in this place?
in this place ?
"My boy,
"My boy, ourour troubles
troubles are are ended-at
ended- at least
least forfor a· time,"
a time,"
he added
he added in in anan altered
altered voice.voice. And then:: "
And then "II have
have dis-
dis
covered what
covered what is is of
of more
more value value to to us
us than
than aa thousand
thousand lakes.
lakes.
II have found an
have found an oasis."
oasis."
" An
" oasis ? """
An oasis?
"Yes;
" Yes ; plenty
plenty ofof grass
grass for for the
the horses,
horses, and
and plenty
plenty of of water
water

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for ourselves."
for ourselves." And And he he and and Jimmy
Jimmy here here produced
produced aa largelarge
bundle of
bundle of grass
grass each.
each . " "You
You see see wewe diddid not forget them,"
not forget them,"
for which
for which II was was indeed thankful, as
indeed thankful, the poor
as the beasts had
poor beasts had
eaten nothing but
eaten nothing but dried
dried grass grass for for many
many days. days. He He concon-
tinued :: ""It's
tinued It's a a regular
regular flower flower garden,
garden, a a garden
garden in in the
th e
wilderness. So
wilderness. So let let usus away,
away, for for I'mI'm suresure you you must
must be be
heartily sick
heartily sick of of this
this dreary
dreary spot."spot.”
He
He was was right.
right II was was sicksick unto
unto deathdeath of of itit and
and needed
needed
no urging
no urging to to bebe gone.
gone. In In aa veryvery little
little time
time we we hadhad every
every-
thing ready
thing ready and and werewere soon soon on on our
our way way;; this
this time
time with
with aa
cheerful heart,
cheerful heart, for for wewe knewknew there there waswas certain
certain safety ahead.
safety ahead.
We walked,
We walked, leading
leading our our horses
horses,, for for they
they werewere reduced
reduced to to
such aa degree
such degree of of poorness
poorness that that they
they were
were absolutely
absolutely unfitunfit toto
carry us.
carry us.
II learnt
learnt from
from DickDick the the particulars
particulars of of his
his journey,
journey, which
which
he gave
he gave in his usual
in his usual rapidrapid fashion,
fashion, as as we travelled along.
we travelled along.
After leaving
After leaving the the camp
camp he he and Jimmy had
and Jimmy had steered
steered in in aa
north-westerly direction
north-westerly direction till till noon without finding
noon without finding water
water or or
any sign
any sign of of life.
life_ After After a short spell
a short they were
spell they were away
away
again,
again, but for the
but for the remainder
remainder of of that
that dayday saw saw nothing
nothing of of
what they
what they had
had come come in search. Wearied
in search. Wearied out out andand almost
almost
broken down
broken down in in spirit they flung
spirit they flung themselves
themselves upon upon the the sand
sand
that night,
that night, andand sleptslept a troubled sleep
a troubled sleep tilltill morning,
mornmg, when when
with the
with the first
first gleam
gleam of of daylight
daylight they they were away again.
were away again. OnlyOnly
aa little
little water
water was was left
left them,
them, and and of it they
of it they drank,
drank, andand let
let their
their
horses drink,
horses drink, but but sparingly.
sparingly. They They were were now now beginning
beginning to to
feel the
feel the bad
bad effects
effects of of thethe journey.
journey. The The horses
horses could
could no no
longer bear
longer bear them,
them, so so they
they werewere forced
forced to to dismount
dismount and and lead
lead
the poor
the poor animals
animals along.along. At At last
last they
they began
began the ascent of
the ascent of a a
sand ridge,
sand ridge, muchmuch largerlarger than than any any· of the others
of the about, to
others about, to
have aa last
have last look
look round
round beforebefore they they finally
finally abandoned
abandoned their theh
expedition and
expedition and returned
returned to to the camp;; when
the camp when Jimmy-who,
Jimmy-who,
ja a m

cat-like-had
cat-like-had got got some
some few few yards
yards aheadahead of of Hardwicke,
Hardwicke , no no
sooner reached
sooner reached the the toptop thanthan he he turned
turned to to mymy cousin
cousin with
with a a
cry of
cry joy, for
of joy, for right
right before
before them, them, not not moremore than than three
three oror
four miles
four away, lay
miles away, lay aa great
great thickthick clump
clump of trees. To
of trees. tell
To tell
the truth,
the truth, Dick
Dick was was rather
rather disappointed
disappointed at at notnot seeing
seeing thethe
lake, but
lake, but when
when he he remembered
remembered that that those
those trees
trees possibly
possibly

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shaded water and

shaded water and foodfood,, he he knew
knew how how preferable
preferable they they were
were
to any
to any salt
salt lake
lake the the world
world might might show.show. .
It is
It is almost
almost needless
needless to to say they hurried
say they hurried on on toto the
the shady
shady
haven with
haven with increased
increased swiftness,
swiftness, and and about
about two two hours
hours before
before
the sun
the went down,
sun went down, on on thethe second
second day day of of their
their journey,
journey, they they
entered
entered whatwhat appeared
appeared to to them,
them, after
after the the frightful
frightful wilder
wilder-
ness they
ness they had had crossed,
crossed, an an earthly
earthly paradise.
paradise. There There they they
found plenty
found plenty of of water
water and and game,
game, as as the clump of
the clump trees
of trees
proved
proved to to bebe several
several miles
miles in in extent.
extent. They They alsoalso sawsaw many
many
blacks, but
blacks, but so so shy were the
shy were the aborigines
aborigines that that they
they could
could not not
get near
get them. They
near them. They rested
rested all the next
all the next day,day, and
and on on thethe
following morning, long
following morning, long before
before the the sun
sun had risen, they
had risen, they hadhad
mounted
mounted and were on
and were their way
on their way backback to to the
the camp,
camp, the the
horses travelling
horses travelling remarkably
remarkably well well after
after their
their good
good day's
day's rest.
rest.
Such was
Such was the the story
story II listened
listened to, to, asas narrated
narrated by by Hard-
Hard
wicke,
wicke, with
with rapt rapt attention,
attention, for the prospect
for the prospect of of such
such a a place
place
after what we
after what we had
had gonegone through
through sounded
sounded like the acme·
like the acme of of
all
all earthly bliss..
earthly bliss
We camped
We camped that that night
night at at sunset,
sunset, DickDick saying
saying thatthat about
about
a dozen
a dozen miles farther would
miles farther would see see usus atat Martesque
Martesque Springs,Springs, for for
so
so hehe had
had named
named the the oasis,
oasis, after
after your
your veryvery humble
humble servant
servant.
The next
The next morning
morning we we were
were awayaway at the first
at the first glimpse
glimpse of of
day, and
day, though we
and though we found
found progress
progress tryingtrying in the extreme,
in the extreme,
we managed
we managed to to drag
drag ourselves
ourselves and and our our horses
horses into into thethe
clump of
clump trees two
of trees two or three hours
or three hours before
before the the sunsun wentwent
down. It
down. was like
It was like entering
entering a a different'
different worldworld.. How How sweetsweet
and cool
and cool andand beautiful
beautiful it seemed. 'I
it seemed. I shall never forget
shall never forget the the
feeling
feeling ofof gratitude
gratitude that that camecame over over me me as as II stepped beneath
stepped beneath
the shade of
the shade the long
of the long red red gum-trees,
gum -trees, and and inhaled
inhaled their their
pleasant
pleasant odour,
odour, or the joy
or the joy with
with which
which II beheld beheld the the great
great
pool of
pool of clear
clear waterwater which which Dick Dick had had christened
christened the the
Martesque
Martesque Springs.Springs.
We pitched our
We pitched our camp
camp upon upon aa green, grassy plot
green, grassy plot of of land
land
that ran
that ran down
down to the very
to the very edgeedge of it. It
of it. It was
was a a strange
strange and and
wonderful thing
wonderful thing to see so
to see much verdure.
so much verdure. II could could scarcely
scarcely
believe that
believe that it was real,
it was real, for for II had had almost
almost forgotten
forgotten what what
fresh grass
fresh grass was was like.
like. The The horses, however, fell
horses, however, fell to
to devouring
devouring
it with
it with avidity,
avidity, and and II waswas glad that they
glad that they at last had
at last found
had found

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something
something fit to eat.
fit to eat. To To the
the left
left of
of our
our campcamp were
were piles
piles of of
huge boulders
huge boulders precipitously
precipitously walling
walling in in the
the water,
water, butbut to to the
the
right it
right traced its
it traced way through
its way through aa small small gully,
gully, till
till it
it lost
lost
itself
itself in in thethe sand,
sand, a quarter of
a quarter of a mile of[
a mile off. Its width
Its width
from the
from the footfoot of of our
our campcamp to to thethe opposite
opposite side side could
could
not have
not have been been less than fifty
less than fifty feet;
feet ; this,
this, coupled
coupled with with its its
great length, made
great length, made it it aa magnificent
magnificent reservoir.
reservoir. NumerousNumerous
birds whirled over
birds whirled over our our heads,
heads, and and just just before
before the the sun sun
sank we
sank we sawsaw several
several kangaroos
kangaroos come come down down to to the
the water's
water's
edge to
edge to drink.
drink. We We alsoalso caught
caught sightsight of of some natives, but
some natives, but
t~ough we
though we called
called and and beckoned
beckoned to to them,
them, they they heeded
heeded us us
not.
not. Getting
Getting what what waterwater theythey required,
required, they, they, on on the the
slightest sign
slightest sign of our approach,
of our hastily fled.
approach, hastily fled . However,
However, we we
molested them
molested them not, not, andand consequently
consequently felt felt no
no danger
danger from from
their presence,
their presence, though,though, had had wewe known
known how how treacherous
treacherous the the
villains were
villains were going
going to to prove,
prove, we we should
should not not have
have sat sat down
down
to our
to our evening
evening meal meal with
with such
such light
light hearts.
hearts.
That
That nightnight was was passed
passed in in comparative
comparative luxury, luxury, for for with
with
the exception
the exception of of aa few
few mosquitoes,
mosquitoes, attracted
attracted no no doubt
doubt by by
the water,
the water, we we slept
slept without
without annoyance—an
annoyance-an exceedingly exceedingly
rare thing.
rare thing. In In the
the morning
morning we we were
were awake awake betimes,
betimes, and and
while Murphy
while Murphy and and Jimmy
Jimmy beganbegan to to build
build our our huthut (for
(for we we
had determined
had determined to to remain
remain herehere at at least
least aa week
week or or ten
ten days
days
to recruit
to recruit our our strength
strength and and that
that of of our
our horses)
horses),, Dick
Dick and and II
shouldered our
shouldered our guns,
guns, and and set
set offoff toto find
find somesome game game withwith
which to
which to stock
stock our our larder.
larder. As As thethe area
area over over which
which we we were
were
to shoot
to shoot was was thickly
thickly wooded,
wooded, we we had had not not· proceeded
proceeded more more
than aa hundred
than hundred yards yards before
before II sawsaw Dick's
Dick's gun gun go go up.
up. There
There
was aa flash,
was flash, and and the the next
next thing
thing II beheldbeheld was was aa smallsmall
kangaroo hopping
kangaroo hopping rapidly away. Another
rapidly away. Another shot, shot, however,
however,
toppled it
toppled it over.
over.
66
"AnAn excellent
excellent breakfast,"
breakfast," said said he,he, as as hehe took
took outout his his
knife and severed
knife and severed the the jugular
jugular vein
vein of of the
the struggling
struggling animal.
animal.
Then
Then he he coo-eed
coo-eed aloud. aloud. The The cry cry was immediately
was immediately
answered from
answered from our our camp,
camp, and and the the nextnext moment
moment Jimmy Jimmy
came bounding into
came bounding into view,
view, and and to to him him was was give..J
given the the
custody
custody of the animal,
of the animal, with instructions to
with instructions to cook
cook certain
certain
portions of
portions of it for breakfast.
it for breakfast.

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85

The
The sunsun was was nownow beginning
beginning to to rise, and with
rise, and with it
it the
the
birds awoke
birds awoke and and filled the air
filled the with their
air with their strange
strange music.
music. We We
had plenty of
had plenty of shooting
shooting here, here, and and in in half-an-hour
half-an-hour had had aa
dozen
dozen brace
brace of beaccoos (slate-coloured
of beaccoos (slate-coloured parrots),
parrots) , andand several
several
brace
brace of of bronze-winged
bronze-winged pigeons, pigeons, whichwhich we we saw
saw flying to and
flying to and
from the
from the water
water in in hundreds.
hundreds.
"No fear of starving here," here," said 66
" No fear of starving said Dick.
Dick. "Ah, what aa
Ah, what
country this
country this would
would be be if it only
if it only hadhad more
more water."
water."
We proceeded
We proceeded as far as
as far as what
what might
might be be called
called the the outer
outer
edge
edge of of the
the oasis,
oasis, and being by
and being by this
this time
time rather
rather peckish,
peckish, we we
determined to
determined to return
return to to the
the camp
camp.. We We saw
saw several
several blacks
blacks
on this
on this journey
journey;; but but beckon
beckon as we might,
as we might, they
they would
would neither
neither
come near
come near usus nor
nor allow
allow us us toto come
come near
near them.
them. They They were
were
as entirely
as entirely destitute
destitute of of clothing
clothing as as the
the babe
babe new-born,
new-born, aa fact fact
not much
not much to to bebe wondered
wondered at, at, considering
considering the the excessive
excessive heatheat
of the
of the weather.
weather. We We threw
threw aa couple
couple of of brace
brace ofof parrots
parrots on on
the ground,
the ground, and and thenthen walked
walked some some distance
distance away,away, still
still
watching them
watching them.. Presently
Presently we we sawsaw oneone ofof their
their number
number
stealthily advance,
stealthily advance, as as though
though doing doing aa veryvery clever
clever thing,
thing,
hurriedly pick
hurriedly pick up up the
the birds,
birds, andand then
then retire
retire in
in double-quick
double-quick
time, without
time, without eveneven soso much
much as as aa friendly
friendly sign.
sign.
"The
" gratitude of
The gratitude of man,"
man," growled
growled Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
We again
We walked on,
again walked on, and
and emerged
emerged into into an
an openopen space,
space,
which ran, much
which ran, much like the spot
like the spot upon which we had pitched
upon which we had pitched
our
our camp,
camp, down
down to to the
the water's
water's edge.
edge. Presently
Presently Dick,Dick, whowho
was some
was some few few yards
yards before
before me, stood suddenly
me, stood suddenly still,still, and
and
pointed to
pointed to aa large
large gum-tree
gum-tree which which reared
reared itself
itself in
in our
our path.
path.
"Look!
" Look ! " "
And
And in in another
another moment
moment he he had thrown down
had thrown down his his birds
birds
and was
and was standing
standing against
against the the tree,
tree, eagerly
eagerly scanning
scanning some som e
figures
figures which
which had been traced
had been traced uponupon it,it, but which time
but which time had
had
somewhat
somewhat effaced.
effaced . II also also advanced
advanced closer closer andand withwith ease
ease
deciphered them
deciphered them..
They were
They were as follows ::
as follows

L.- I8 49·
L.- 1849.

"What does
"What does this
this mean, Dick?"
mean, Dick ?"

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 GOLDEN

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86 THE GOLDEN LAKE.

.
"66 Why,
Why, that
that the
the last
last explorer,
explorer, Leichhardt,
Leichhardt, mustmust have
have been
been
on this very
on this very spot
spot in the year
in the year 1849.
1849. It It was
was the
the, custom
custom of of
explorers to
explorers to initial trees, and
initial trees, and thisthis must
must haveha'{e been
been
Leichhardt'swork,or
Leichhardt'swork, or some
some one one attached
attached to to his
his party.
party. PoorPoor
fellow wonder if
fellow!! II wonder if he got farther
he got farther than this. He
than this. He was
was last
last
heard of
heard of in
in '48,
'48, and
and he he then
then hoped
hoped to to accomplish
accomplish his his dar-
dar
ling project,
ling project, as as he
he called
called it, it, which was to
which was to cross
cross from east to
from east to
west Australia.
west Australia. Mter After onceonce plunging
plunging intointo the
the interior
interior hehe
was never
was never heard
heard of of again.
again. Poor Poor devil
devil!! ""
It seemed
It seemed strange
strange that that I. who had
I, who had heard
heard soso much
much of the
of the
lost explorer
lost explorer Leichhardt
Leichhardt durmg during my my stay
stay in
in Melbourne,
Melbourne , should
should
be one
be one of the first·
of the first to to find
find any tangible trace
any tangible trace of of him.
him.
Expeditions
Expeditions had had been
been sent sent out
out with the fate
with the fate of
of Leichhardt
Leichhardt as as
1
their special
their special object-notably
object-notably the the one under that
one under that intrepid
intrepid
explorer, Forrest-but
explorer, Forrest-but all all without
without avail.
avail. The fate of
The fate the
of the
"lost explorer"
"lost explorer " was was destined
destined to to be
be shrouded
shrouded in in mystery.
mystery.
Dick took out
Dick took out hishis long
long knife
knife and began to
and began to carve upon
carve upon
the tree,
the tree, just
just under
under whatwhat we had no
we had no doubt was Leichhardt's
doubt was Leichhardt's
work, and
work, and soon
soon he had shaped
he had shaped the the figures
figures :- :

H.-1878.
H. - 1878.

We left
We left the
the spot
spot with
with much
much the the same feeling that
same feeling that one
one
leaves
leaves thethe grave
grave of of an
an old
old friend
friend. It It is true the
is true the " "lost
lost ex-
ex
plorer "" was
plorer was no no friend
friend in the strict
in the strict meaning
meaning of of the
the word,
word,
but there is
but there is that
that fellow-feeling
fellow-feeling in misfortune which
in misfortune which makes
makes
the whole world
the whole world kin.
kin.
On returning to
On returning to the
the' camp
camp we we found
found aa savoury breakfast
savoury breakfast
awaiting us,
awaiting us, to
to which
which we we did
did full
full justice.
justice. The hut had
The hut had not
not
advanced very
advanced very rapidily,
rapidily, owing
owing to to the
the sudden
sudden indisposition
indisposition
of my man
of my man Murphy.
Murphy. Poor Poor fellow
fellow I! he
he was
was but
but the
the ghost
ghost of
of
his former self,
his former the privations
self, the privations through
through which
which hehe had
had gone
gone
rendering him
rendering him almost
almost too weak to
too weak to stand
stand.. It was indeed
It was indeed aa
lucky thing
lucky thing forfor him
him that
that wewe had
had reached
reached soso comfortable
comfortable aa
camping ground,
camping ground, for for aa little
little more
more excessive
excessive fatigue
fatigue would
would
have irrevocably
have irrevocably sealed
sealed his
his fate
fate..
After breakfast my
After breakfast my cousin
cousin andand II took
took our short axes
our short axes and
and
IIOEIn had
Roon had aa goodly
a;oodly quantity
Quantity ofof timber
timber felled,
felled. and
and with
with it
it and
and

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the branches
the branches of of the
the trees,
trees, we we quickly
quickly had had a fairly decent
a fairly decent
hut
hut constructed.
constructed. Very Very primitive
primitive it it was
was to to be
be sure,
sure, butbut wewe
considered it
considered it equal
equal to to our
our requirements
requirements in in so
so strangely
strangely dry dry
a country.
a country. During During this this time time Jimmy
Jimmy was was preparing
preparing the the
birds for our
birds for our larder,
larder, andand as as we we beheld
beheld them them spread
spread out out we we
anticipated some
anticipated some veryvery finefine eating.
eating. Our Our flour
flour hadhad gone,
gone, aa
cask of
cask of it
it being
being left behind with
left behind with the
the scientific instruments
scientific instruments
on the
on the memorable
memorable occasionoccasion of the fire,
of the fire, but
but wewe had
had yet yet one
one
large box
large box of of rough
rough ships'ships' biscuits
biscuits,, and and while
while there
there is is
a shot
a shot inin the
the locker
locker the the good
good adventurer
adventurer ought ought never
never to to
despair.
despair.
" And what
"And what about
about that lake?"
that lake ? " II said,
said, asas we
we sat
sat smoking
smoking
in the
in the shade
shade after dinner.
after dinner.
"We have
"We have evidently
evidently missedmissed it," answered my
it," answered cousin.
my cousin.
"But
" what does
But what does it it matter
matter?? We We havehave keptkept thethe north
north-
westerly route
westerly route andand we we are bound to
are bound to strike
strike thethe Great White
Great White
City
City inin the
the mountains.
mountains. We We can't very well
can't very miss mountains
well miss mountains
in aa desert,
in desert, you
you know."
know."
"I don't know
“ I don't know so much about
so much that," II answered.
about that,” answered . " " AsAs
we have
we have missed
missed the the salt salt lake,
lake, so so might
might we we missmiss the the
mountains,
mountains, which which may may not not be mountains at
be mountains at all,
all, but
but
merely hills. Therefore,
merely hills. Therefore, Richard Richard (I invariably called
(I invariably called himhim
Richard
Richard whenwhen II waswas extra
extra serious),
serious), we we must
must first
first find
find thethe lake.
lake .
To
To speak freely, II do
speak freely, do not not care care to to push farther inland
push farther inland
without first knowing
without first knowing that that we we areare on the proper
on the track.""
proper track.
" You
" You areare right,"
right," he he replied.
replied. " " If there is
If there is no lake, there
no lake, there
is
is likely to be
likely to be no White City."
no White City."
"N ow tell me
"Nowtell me honestly,
honestly, Dick," Dick," II said.
said. " "You
You surely
surely don't
don't
imagine
imagine for for one
one moment
moment that that there
there is is such
such a a thing
thing as as aa
Great White City
Great White City in in these
these regions,
regions, do you?? ""
do you
"To tell
"To tell you
you the the truth,
truth, Archie,
Archie, that that question
question is is too
too
much
much forfor me.
me. That That citycity is the cause
is the cause of the only
of the only uneasiness
uneasiness
II feel.
feel. Remember,
Remember, this this is is an an unknown
unknown country, country, and and
Heaven
Heaven only knows what great secrets are
only knows what great secrets are shut
shut upup within
within it. it.
Morton was
Morton was a a steady-going,
steady-going, sensible sensible old old fellow,
fellow, and and II am am
perfectly
perfectly convinced
convinced that that he he would
would not not lielie to
to me.
me. We We shall
shall
see by-and-by.
see by-and-by. In In the
the meantime
meantime we we must
must find this lake."
find this lake."
"You
" You mean
mean we we must
must try.",
try.",

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.
"66 Certainly.
Certainly. If If wewe Gon't
don't go go to the lake,
to the you may
lake, you may bebe sure
sure
the lake
the lake won't come to
won't come to us."
us."
" And suppose
"And suppose we we fail
fail?" ?"
"" The
The devil take it,
devil take it, Archie
Archie ;; if you go
if you go on like that,
on like you'll
that, you'll
knock
knock all the go
all the go outout of of me.
me. It's It's nono useuse worrying
worrying now.now.
We are
We are here for better
here for better or or for
for worse.
worse. Let Let us us make
make thethe best
best
of
of it."
it." _
It is
It is no
no use
use crying
crying over over spilt
spilt milk,
milk, however
however much much we we may
may
deplore
deplore the the incident.
incident. II knew, knew, or or II thought
thought II knew knew whatwhat
the privations
the privations of of such
such aa journey
journey would would be be before
before II under-
under
took
took it, it, and
and II had
had no right now
no right now to to show
show thatthat II was·heartily
was heartily
sick of
sick the whole
of the whole business.
business. Therefore,
Therefore , II was was determined
determined
that
that II wouldwould not not be be a a millstone
millstone round round my my cousin's
cousin's neck.
neck.
If II failed
If failed toto catch
catch the the glory
glory of of his
his wonderful
wonderful enthusiasm,
enthusiasm, so so
much
much the the worse
worse forfor me.
me. II must must not not dulldull his
his spirit
spirit like
like my
my
own.
own. Yet Yet look
look at at our
our position
position as as II might
might II could
could seesee nono
escape
escape from from it except by
it except by death.
death. II also also think
think thethe history
history of
of
Leichhardt
Leichhardt and his untoward
and hiS untoward fate fate added
added not not aa little
little to the
to the
general
general gloom gloom of of mymy spirits.
spirits. There There was was something
something ghostly
ghostly
in
in the the knowledge
knowledge that that he he hadhad trodden
trodden that that very
very spot
spot soso
many
many years years before,
before , and and that
that the the sole relic of
sole relic of him
him was the
was the
half-obliterated
half-obliterated carving carving on the tree.
on the tree.
"It
" It isis evident,"
evident," said said Hardwicke
Hardwicke to to me, later on,
me, later on, ""that
that
we have
we have not the ghost
not the ghost of of an idea in
an idea in which
which direction
direction thisthis
lake lies,
lake lies, so
so we
we may
may have have to to explore
explore all all the
the points
points of the
of the
compass before
compass before we we find
find it.it. Therefore,
Therefore, we we must
must catch one of
catch one of
those niggers
those niggers and learn its
and learn whereabouts from
its whereabouts from him."
him. ”
It was
It was aa good
good idea,idea, andand we we quickly
quickly set set about devising
about devising
some plan
some plan whereby
whereby we we might
might get get oneone of of the
the blacks
blacks into
into
our
our camp. camp . But though
But though we we coaxed
coaxed the the sullen
sullen brutes
brutes asas
men have never 1
men have never coaxed
coaxed before before;; thoughthough we we offered them
offered them
birds
birds and well-cooked bits
and well-cooked bits of kangaroo, they
of kangaroo, they remained
remained I
with exasperating
with persistence on
exasperating persistence their side
on their side of the water.
of the water.
Jimmy advised
Jimmy advised Hardwicke
Hardwicke to to shoot
shoot aa couple
couple of them-that
of them—that
is, wound
is, wound them-but
them-but Dick Dick wisely
wisely refrained
refrained from from such
such aa
course, and
course, and notified
notified to to the
tjle dusky
dusky kingking from from thethe Murrum-
Murrum
bidgee, that
bidgee, that hehe expected
expected him him to to get
get oneone of of the
the fellows
fellows
in our
in our power
power..

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This
This hint
hint was
was quite
quite enough
enough for for thethe royal
royal Jimmy.
Jimmy. He He
immediately darted
immediately behind the
darted behind the hut,
hut, andand a moment or
a moment two
or two
after we
after we heard
heard himhim crying,
crying, "" Mind
Mind the the clothes,
clothes, paddy-man,"
paddy-man,"
and on
and on turning
turning round
round we we beheld
beheld him him stripped
stripped stark naked..
stark naked
He waved
He waved hishis hand
hand to to us,
us, and
and with
with aa broadbroad gringrin upon
upon his his
ugly face,
ugly face, rushed
rushed off off amid
amid thethe bushes.
bushes.
We laughed
We laughed loudly,
loudly, and and cracked several jokes
cracked several jokes at at hishis
expense, which,
expense, which, being
being ended,
ended, we we lit
lit our
our pipes
pipes andand sat down
sat down
to watch
to watch the unfolding of
the unfolding of events.
events.
We had
We had not
not been
been seated
seated moremore thanthan a a quarter
quarter of of anan hour
hour
before we
before we heard
heard a a great
great shouting
shouting and and rushing
rushing of feet on
of feet on
the other
the side of
other side the water,
of the water, and
and presently
presently there there emerged
emerged
to view,
to view, on the opposite
on the opposite bank,
bank, twotwo naked
naked struggling figures.
struggling figures.
They
They had had hold
hold of of each
each other
other by by thethe hair,
hair, andand were
were be-be
labouring the
labouring the respective
respective partsparts of one another
of one another with terrible
with terrible
effect.
effect. The
The blood
blood streamed
streamed from from their their faces
faces in in such
such
quantities as
quantities to make
as to make themthem scarcely
scarcely recognisable
recognisable at at first; but
first ; but
my cousin,
my cousin, who
who hadhad been
been watching
watching them them intently,
intently, suddenly
suddenly
cried out,
cried out, "It's
" It's Jimmy
Jimmy "-and
"—and started
started off off with
with aa rush rush toto
gain the
gain the other
other side.
side. But But before
before he he had had gone
gone manymany yards
yards
there
there was
was aa terrific
terrific splash
splash andand yel~yell, and both combatants
and both combatants
fell
fell from
from aa height
height of of eight
eight or ten feet
or ten feet into the water.
into the water. Being Being
excellent
excellent swimmers
swimmers their their fall
fall affected
affected them them but but little,
little, and
and
Jimmy, who
Jimmy, who seemed
seemed instantly
instantly at at home,
home, at at once
once appeared
appeared
most
most eager to resume
eager to resume the the fray.
fray. Not Not so so his
his opponent.
opponent. He He
saw his chance
saw his chance andand immediately
immediately grasped
grasped it. it. Before
Before Jimmy,
Jimmy,
who
who hadhad struck
struck outout towards
towards him,him, could
could getget atat all
all close, the
close , the
black
black disappeared
disappeared beneathbeneath the the water
water withwith the the rapidity
rapidity of of
aa fish.
fish.
King Jimmy
King Jimmy stood stood treading
treading water
water and and vainly
vainly staring
staring
about him
about him forfor thethe appearance
appearance of of hishis adversary.
adversary. That
That
individual, after
individual, after remaining
remaining underunder forfor aa great
great length
length of of time,
time,
at
at last
last made
made his his appearance,
appearance, puffing
puffing and and gasping
gasping like like a a
porpoise. He
porpoise. He was was fully
fully thirty
thirty feet
feet awayaway from
from our our dusky
dusky
friend, who, thinking
friend, who, thinking he he was going to
was going to escape,
escape, shouted,
shouted, "Stop"Stop
him,
him, Mass'r Dick I! stop
Mass'r Dick stop him,
him, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie
Archie !! ""
The bewildered
The bewildered black black fellow redoubled his
fellow redoubled his efforts, but like
efforts, but like
a madman
a madman came came towards
towards our side of
our side the pool.
of the pool. Presently
Presently
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he felt the
he felt the bottom
bottom and and sprawled
sprawled rapidly
rapidly landwards.
landwards. He He
rushed straight
rushed straight intointo thethe arms
arms of of Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, whom whom he did
he did
not see,
not see, butbut who,
who, once
once he he got
got his
his hands
hands on on him,
him, held
held him
him
as in
as in aa vice.
vice. The fellow struggled
The fellow struggled and roared like
and roared like a very
a very
demon,
demon, but but it was of
it was of nono avail.
avail. Dick's
Dick's legslegs were
were round
round him
him
in aa moment,
in moment, and and while
while he he waswas yetyet wondering
wondering what what hadhad
got hold
got hold of of him
him,, hehe waswas on on the
the broad
broad of of his
his back.
back.
By
By thisthi~ time
time II hadhad arrived
arrived uponupon the the scene
scene of of action,
action, and
and
in
in a very little
a very while we
little while we had
had our our prisoner
prisoner securely
securely bound.
bound.
Jimmy
Jimmy next emerged from
next emerged from the the water,
water, and and we we had
had no little
no little
difficulty
difficulty in in restraining
restraining that that worthy
worthy fromfrom dancing
dancing aa corroboree
corroboree
upon
upon his his adversary's
adversary's head. head. Our Our royalroyal companion
companion was was
extremely
extremely annoyed
annoyed at at being
being so so worsted,
worsted, and and he he made
made useuse.
of
of many
many words words in in hishis ownown language
language which which II am am sure
sure
were
were veryvery unseemly
unseemly in in a king, not
a king, not toto say indelicate.
say indelicate.
We placed
We placed our our captive
captive on his feet,
on his feet, and
and mostly dragged
mostly dragged
him towards
him towards the the camp,
camp, for for hehe was too sullen
was too sullen and and obstinate
obstinate
to go
to go without
without force.force. When When there,
there, we we offered
offered him him various
various
meats, all
meats, all of
of which
which he he at at first
first refused,
refused, but but when
when Jimmy
Jimmy
passed them
passed them under
under his his nose,
nose, thethe fragrant
fragrant smell smell ascended
ascended his his
nostrils, and
nostrils, and he he made
made such such aa sudden
sudden grab grab at at the
the stuff
stuff with
with
his open
his open mouthmouth that that hadhad thethe redoubtable
redoubtable James James not not been
been
particularly smart
particularly smart aa portion
portion of of his
his finger
finger would
would for for aa surety
surety
have disappeared
have disappeared with with aa portion
portion of of thethe meat.
meat
"Yah, you
"Yah, you dam savage," cried
dam savage," cried our our royal
royal friend
friend with
with
indignation;; and
indignation and hehe caught
caught the the unhappy
unhappy captive captive a ringing
a ringing
smack
smack on on thethe nose,
nose, whichwhich made made that that individual
individual blinkblink
curiously.
curiously.
Hardwicke saw
Hardwicke saw thisthis action.
action , andand suddenly
suddenly applied
applied his his
foot to
foot to aa certain
certain portion
portion of his henchman's
of his henchman's exterior, exterior, which
which
made
made that that worthy
worthy jump,
jump, whilewhile at at the
the same
same time time he he threat
threat-
ened
ened thatthat should
should he he ever
ever do do the
the like
like again
again he he would
would knock
knock
his (Jimmy's)
his (Jimmy's) head head off.off. The kingly dignity
The kingly dignity was was wounded,
wounded,
and the
and the ex-monarch
ex-monarch retired retired crestfallen.
crestfallen. He, He, however,
however, shortly
shortly
reappeared, and
reappeared, and Dick,
Dick, calling
calling himhim to to us,
us, told
told himhim toto speak
speak
to the
to the prisoner,
prisoner, and and try try and
and find
find out
out if if· there
there waswas aa big
big salt
salt
lake in
lake in that
that part
part ofof the
the country.
country.
first the
At first
At the captive preserved aa sullen
captive preserved sullen silence
silence to to the
the

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questions of
questions of his
his interrogator,
interrogator, notwithstanding
notwithstanding all all the
the deli
deli-
cate compliments
cate compliments showered
showered upon upon him.him.
"Do
" Do youyou think
think he he understands
understands you you?"? " asked
asked my my cousin.
cousin.
" Him
" Him understood
understood plenty,
plenty, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,;
Dick ; onlyonly him
him savage
savage
brute."
brute." And then he
And then went for
he went for the
the prisoner
prisoner againagain withwith a a
perfect volley of
perfect volley the choicest
of the choicest epithets.
epithets. " "So help my
So help my bob,
bob,
Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,"
Dick," said
said he, turning to
he, turning to usus after
after expending
expending his his
torrent of
torrent of abuse
abuse in in vain;
vain ; "suppose
" suppose him him no no speak,
speak, II cu' cut
him
him damdam ears clean off."
ears clean off. "
The constallt repetition
The constant repetition of the word
of the word"" dam,"dam," in in King
King
Jimmy's conversation,
Jimmy's conversation, was was not not used
used withwith any any ideaidea of of
profanity. He
profanity. He had
had learnt
learnt the the three
three great
great accomplishments
accomplishments
of the
of the white
white man-
man-smoking, drinking, and
smoking, drinking, and swearing-and
swearing-and
those accomplishments,
those accomplishments, in in his
his eagerness
eagerness to to become
become an an adept
adept
at, he
at, he overdid.
overdid. He He used
used his his oaths
oaths .indiscriminately,
indiscriminately, which, which,
though it
though it made
made them them amusing,
amusing, gave gave them
them no no disgusting
disgusting
value. The
value. The bush
bush school
school is is aa rough
rough one
one to to learn
learn aa language
language
in, and
in, and the
the English
English thatthat first fell upon
first fell upon hishis ears
ears hadhad an an oath
oath
after every
after every second
second wordword.. Thus, Thus, his his constant
constant repetition
repetition of of
the distinguishing
the distinguishing adjective
adjective above-mentioned
above-mentioned,, was was not not so so
much with
much with an an idea
idea of of profanity,
profanity, as as itit was
was to to show
show how how
cleverly he
cleverly he spoke
spoke thethe white
white man's
man's language.
language.
But to
But to continue.
continue.
"Tell
" him," said
Tell him," Dick,"
said Dick, that if
" that he doesn't
if he doesn't speak,
speak, I'll I'll
blow his
blow his brains
brains out,"
out," andand he he waved
waved his his revolver before
revolver before
the eyes
the eyes of of the
the aborigine
aborigine who, who, however,
however, gazed gazed with
with con-con
summate indifference upon
summate indifference upon him him andand his pistol. Then,
his pistol. Then,
from my
from my cousin,
cousin, hishis eyes
eyes sought
sought the the remains
remains of of aa broiled
broiled
duck, upon
duck, upon which
which they they fastened
fastened as as though
though riveted
riveted with with
steel.
steel.
""Try
Try himhim with
with that bird, Jimmy.
that bird, Jimmy. Will Will thatthat make
make him him
speak,
speak, II wonder
wonder?" ?”
"The very
"The very thing,
thing, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick," replied that
Dick," replied that worthy.
worthy.
" Black fellow
"Black fellow all belly," and
all belly," and he he held
held thethe bird
bird within
within an an
inch of
inch the prisoner's
of the prisoner's mouthmouth while while he he addressed
addressed him him in in
language plain
language plain and
and strong,
strong, of of which
which thethe following
following is is aa fair
fair
equivalent.
equivalent.
"Listen
" Listen to to me,
me, youyou son son of of a dingo-you lizard-you
a dingo-you lizard-you

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92 THE GOLDEN
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snake-you bloodsucker-listen to
snake-you bloodsucker-listen to meme!" and he
! " and he tore 08
tore off
a leg
a leg ofof the
the duck
duck and and rammed
rammed it it into
into the the capacious
capacious mouth mouth
of the
of the captive,
captive, who who made
made no no objection
objection to to such
such un un-
ceremonious treatment.
ceremonious treatment.
"Listen
" Listen to to me,"
me," continued
continued King King Jimmy,Jirllmy, working
working 01 or
seeming to to work
work himself
himself into into aa furious 66 These
seeming furious passion.
passion. "These
are the mighty
are the mighty chiefschiefs of the white
of the white menmen who who dwelldwell on the
on the
borders of
borders of the the great sea-you son
great sea-you son of of a pig, you
a pig, you filthy
filthy
savage. They
savage. They have have journeyed
journeyed many many miles miles to to find
find thethe
great lake
great lake,, .the
the waters
waters of which are
of which are bitter
bitter to to the
the taste,
taste, so so
bitter, that
bitter, that eveneven aa dogdog like thee, dare
like thee, dare not drink of
not drink them..
of them
Speak then
Speak then the the truth,
truth, and answer, for
and answer, for thethe great
great white
white chiefs
chiefs
play with
play with fire,
fire, and
and the
the fire
fire slays--"
slays--" Here Here he he motioned
motioned
to Dick
to Dick to to discharge
discharge his his revolver,
revolver, which
which action action made made the the
captive's eyes
captive's eyes open wide. ""And
open wide. And if if you you answer
answer not not thethe
truth, you
truth, you shall
shall diedie like
like aa wombat
wombat in in his his hole,
hole, you you filthy
filthy
beast,.you
beast, bloodsucking savage,"
you bloodsucking savage," &c &c.
&c.,., &c.
It was thus
It was indelicately J
thus indelicately immy railed
Jimmy railed at at our prisoner,
our prisoner,
stuffing
stuffing him him continually
continually with with duck,
duck, tilltill by
by dintdint of threats
of threats
and
and cajolings
cajolings he he elicited
elicited the the information
information that that there
there was was aa
sheet
sheet of of water
water to to the
the south-west,
south-west, about about one one day's
day's journey.
journey.
We were
We were naturally
naturally delighted
delighted at at such
such good news, Dick
good news, Dick in in
particular cutting
particular cutting a a caper
caper andand swearing
swearing that that hehe knew
knew Morton
Morton
did not
did lie to
not lie to him,
him, and
and that that wewe should
should find find thethe Golden
Golden
Lake
Lake after all.
after all.
11 You see,"
"You see," he he said,
said,"" we we have
have borne
borne too too much
much to to the
the
north.. Unless
north Unless II am am greatly
greatly mistaken,
mistaken, we we are right at
are right the
at the
very head
very head of the great
of the great lake,
lake, and and consequently
consequently some some miles miles
farther
farther on on our journey than
our journey than we we anticipated.
anticipated. Morton Morton said said
nothing of
nothing this oasis,
of this which proves
oasis , which that he
proves that he must
must havehave passed
passed
to the
to the south
south of it. He
of it. He found
found waterwater to to the
the north
north of the
of the
salt
salt lakes.
lakes. A A well,
well, nono doubt,
doubt, fed fed by
by this this very
very pool.
pool. We We
should
should find find several
several of of themthem to-morrow;
to-morrow ; for for to-morrow,
to-morrow,
Archie, we
Archie, we mustmust do this day's
do this day's journey
journey and and see see the lakes
the lakes
for
for ourselves-not
ourselves-not that that II for for aa moment
moment doubt doubt their their ex- ex
istence, but
istence, but it it will
will be
be so
so much
much more more satisfactory
satisfactory to behold.
to behold
them with
them with our our own
own eyes."
eyes."
Later on
Later on we we loosened
loosened the the hands
hands of of our our prisoner,
prisoner, thoughthough

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not before
not before we we had bound him
had bound him securely
securely to to aa tree,
tree, for
for wewe
had
had determined
determined to to take
take himhim with
with us
us asas a guide on
a guide the
on the
morrow.
morrow. We then gave
We then gave him
him aa couple
couple of
of pigeons,
pigeons, which
which hehe
demolished
demolished with with evident
evident relish.
relish. Jimmy
Jimmy warnedwarned him him that
that
if
if he
he led
led us
us not
not direct
direct to the waters,
to the waters, or
or the
the dried
dried salt
salt beds,
beds,
or
or whatever
whatever they they were,
were, that
that we we would
would tie tie him
him down
down to to an
an
ant-bed,
ant-bed , andand do
do many
many other
other things
things equally
equally atrocious.
atrocious. But But
II am
am afraid
afraid he
he paid
paid little
little or
or no
no attention
attention toto these
these diabolical
diabolical
threats,
threats, for
for so
so low
low inin the
the scale
scale ofof humanity
humanity are are these
these people
people
that
that they
they seem
seem toto value
value life
life not
not one
one jot.
jot.
That night my
That night my manman Murphy
Murphy was was taken
taken with with violent
violent
shiverings.
shiverings. Poor fellow!! he
Poor fellow he now
now began
began to to look
look a truly
a truly
sorrowful
sorrowful object, having lost
object, having flesh in
lost flesh the most
in the unprecedented
most unprecedented
fashion. Quinine
fashion. Quinine was was thethe only
only safe medicine we
safe medicine we carried,
carried ,
but it
but it failed
failed to
to effect
effect him
him inin any way for
any way for the better. II was
the better. was
at aa loss
at loss what
what toto do,
do, when
when DickDick suggested
suggested that that cure for all
cure for all
ailments--brandy. II got
ailments-brandy. got itit and
and gave
gave himhim the the last
last drop
drop
we possessed
we possessed.. It seemed to
It seemed to do
do him
him aa great
great deal
deal of
of good,
good,
for very
for very shortly
shortly afterwards
afterwards he he fell
fell asleep.
asleep.

CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS REI,ATED OUR
IS RELATED DISCOVERY O~'
OUR DISCOVERY THE SALT
OF THE LAKES,
SALT LAKES,
ALSO AN ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH AND BURIAL BURIAl, OF
MURPHY.

THE next
THE next morning
morning we we were
were up
up at daybreak, aa course
at daybreak, course of
of
early rising
early rising being
being necessary
necessary in
in such warm latitudes,
such warm latitudes, for as
for as
the day
the day runs
ru'3S on
on the
the heat
heat becomes
beeomes intense
intense while
while the
the morning
morning
is usually
is usually delightful.
delightful.
We had
We had agreed
agreed the
the preceding
preceding night
night that
that Hardwicke
Hardwicke andand
II should
should set
set out
out in the direction
in the direction of the lake,
of the forcin~ our
lake. forcing our

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captive to
captive to accompany
accompany us, us, while
while Jimmy
Jimmy was was toto remain
remain behind
behind
to take
to take charge
charge of the camp
of the camp and and of Murphy, who
of Murphy, who throughout
throughout
the night
the night had had manifested
manifested such such alarming
alarming symptoms
symptoms as as to
to
make
make us us positively
positively tremble
tremble for for his
his safety.
safety.
was awake
II was awake with the first
with the first beams
beams of of day,
day, and
and after
after shaking
shaking
my
my cousincousin II arose
arose to to make
make my my morning
morning ablutions,
ablutions, whenwhen toto
my
my amazement
amazement II discovereddiscovered that that our
our captive
captive had, had, during
during
the long
the long hours
hours of the night,
of the night, mademade goodgood his his escape.
escape. TheThe
rope
rope that that had
had bound
bound him him was was lying
lying atat the
the foot
foot ofof the
the tree
tree
not
not untied,
untied, but but absolutely
absolutely gnawedgnawed through.
through. How How he he had
had
wriggled
wriggled and and twisted
twisted sufficiently
sufficiently to to get
get his
his teeth
teeth into
into itit
was
was a a mystery
mystery to to me,
me, butbut that
that hehe had
had done
done so so wewe had
had ocular
ocular
proof.
proof.
"" It's
It's aa pity,"
pity," said
said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, as as hehe surveyed
surveyed the ropes
the rope,
with one
with one of his curious
of his curious expressions
expressions which which always
always meant
mean
a great
a great deal deal more
more than than he he allowed
allowed his his tongue
tongue to utter,
to utter,
"because he
"because he might
might havehave led led usus direct.
direct. Now Now we we shall
shall have
have
to go
to go ourselves
ourselves and and trust
trust to to luck.
luck. ThisThis isis indeed
indeed a a case
case 01
of
mistaken
mistaken kindness,"
kindness," he he continued
continued sadly.sadly. "If " If II had
had only
only
guessed
guessed what what sortsort ofof bird
bird we we had
had II should
should have have made
made aa
very different
very different cage.
cage. BeholdBehold the the consequences
consllquences of of humanity.
humanity.
If
If we we hadhad studied
studied his his comfort
comfort less and bound
less and bound him him standing
standing
instead of
instead of sitting,
sitting, he he would
would not have escaped
not have escaped with with such
such
impunity. However,
impunity. However, it it can't
can't be be helped.
helped. Jimmy,
Jimmy, Jimmy,"
Jimmy,"
he cried as
he cried that worthy
as that worthy started
started up, up, "get breakfast as
" get breakfast as quickly
quickly
llS
as youyou can,can, for
for wewe must
must be be off
off at once."
at once."
66
"Yes,
"Yes, sir,"
sir," answered
answered that individual as
that individual as hehe arose with aa
arose with
sleepy yawn
sleepy yawn;; but but whenwhen he he saw that the
saw that the aborigine
aborigine was was no
no
longer bound
longer bound to to the
the tree
tree he he was
was wide-awake
wide-awake in in an
an instant.
instant.
" Where's that
"Where's that dam
dam black
black fellow?"
fellow ? " he he exclaimed.
exclaimed .
"Gone,
" Gone, Jimmy,"
Jimmy," said Dick;; "gone,
said Dick " gone, bolted,
bolted, given
given us the
us the
slip." And
slip." And he he held
held up the rope.
up the rope.
For aa moment
For moment the the fellow
fellow looked
looked at at it
it in
in astonishment,
astonishment,
and then
and then burst
burst into
into a hilarious roar
a hilarious roar of
of laughter.
laughter. " "Well,
Well, II
never I! Who
never Who think
think that
that savage
savage havehave so so much
much sabbee?" And
sabbee ? ” And
be went
he went about
about thethe kindling
kindling of the fire
of the fire with
with the
the sweetest
sweetest ofof
iweet smiles
sweet smiles uponupon his his face.
face. Though
Though he he was
was more than
more than
fond of
fond of calling
calling all blacks by
all blacks by the
the most insulting names,
most insulting names, II amam

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quite
quite convinced
convinced that that hehe was
was pleased
pleased at heart that
at heart that one
one of of his
his
colour
colour should
should have had the
have had the cunning
cunning to to outwit
outwit us.us. Yet Yet hehe
protested
protested that, that, should
should he he laylay hands
hands on the filthy
on the filthy savage
savage
again,
again, he he would
would beat beat his brains out
his brains for his
out for impudence.
his impudence.
We stewed
We stewed aa pigeon
pigeon forfor Murphy
Murphy that that morning,
morning, and though
and though
the brave
the brave fellow
fellow did his best
did his best to to eat,
eat, it was aa great
it was great ordeal
ordeal for for
him to
him swallow aa couple
to swallow couple of of mouthfuls,
mouthfuls, and and an an equally
equally
difficult task
difficult task to to retain them. We
retain them. spoke kind
We spoke words to
kind words to him
him
and tried
and tried to to cheer
cheer him him up up toto the best of
the best of our
our ability;
ability ; butbut
what seemed
what seemed to to occasion
occasion him him untold
untold misery
misery waswas the thought
the thought
that
that hehe might
might prove
prove an an obstacle
obstacle to to our
our advancement.
advancement. We We
did
did our
our best
best to to dissuade
dissuade him him of of such
such ideas,
ideas, telling
telling him that
him that
aa long
long spell
spell would
would be be as beneficial to
as beneficial to us
us and
and thethe horses
horses as as
to himself;
to himself ; and and II added
added that that if he did
if he did not try his
not try his hardest
hardest
to get
to get ridrid of such absurd
of such absurd imaginings,
imaginings, II shouldshould be very angry
be very angry
with him.
with him. The The poorpoor fellow protested,, with
fellow protested with tears
tears inin his
his eyes,
eyes,
that he
that he loved
loved me me better
better thanthan life,
life, and
and added
added thatthat if
if he was
he was
going to
going to be
be aa burden
burden to to me,
me, hehe hoped
hoped the the Lord
Lord would
would at at
once deprive him
once deprive him of of existence.
existence. We We werewere all deeply affected
all deeply affected
by his
by his sad, brave words,
sad, brave words, and and II was was forced
forced to to turn
turn aside
aside to to
hide
hide my my emotion.
emotion.
Our horses
Our horses had had picked
picked up up marvellously.
marvellously. The The rich
rich grass
grass
and fresh
and fresh water
water had had worked
worked such such wonders
wonders in in them
them that that wewe
felt the
felt the journey
journey on which we
on which were bent
we were bent waswas aa matter
matter of of little
little
moment We
moment. We enjoined
enjoined JimmyJimmy to to stick
stick close
close toto the
the camp
camp
and take
and take goodgood care care of of Murphy,
Murphy, and having caught
and having caught and and
saddled
saddled the horses, we
the horses, we mounted
mounted and and rode
rode away.
away.
The travelling
The travelling was was notnot difficult,
difficult, andand as as the
the animals
animals we we
bestrode were
bestrode were in in first-rate
first-rate form,
form, we we gotgot along
along at at aa fairly
fairly
good pace
good pace.. Once only, when
Once only, when we we had
had to to cross some sand
cross some sand
ridges, did
ridges, did anyany difficulties
difficulties present
present themselves,
themselves, but but luckily
luckily
for us
for us they
they soon
soon came
came to to an
an end
end and and wewe pursued
pursued our our journey
journey
with comparative
with comparative ease. ease.
By sundown we
By sundown we reckoned
reckoned we we could
could not not have travelled
have travelled
less than
less than thirty
thirty or thirty. five miles,
or thirty-five miles, butbut as as we
we sawsaw no no signs
signs
of the"" dry
of the dry salt lakes," we
salt lakes," we came
came to to aa standstill
standstill forfor the
the night.
night.
It was
It was not not aa bad
bad day's
day's work,
work, and and II waswas coming
coming to to thethe con-
con
clusion that
clusion that our
our sullen prisoner had
sullen prisoner had lied
lied to
to us.
us. YetYet Jimmy
Jimmy,,
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who possessed
who possessed considerable
considerable cunning, vowed that
cunning , vowed that he had
he had
spoken
spoken the the truth,
truth, and
and II waswas fain
fain toto believe
believe himhim before
before mymy
own
own inclinations.
inclinations.
In the
In the early
early morning
morning we we were
were away
away again,
again, and
and before the
before the
sun had
sun had attained
attained any any great
great height
height we we had
had traversed
traversed another
another
ten miles
ten miles.. Then Then the the sand
sand became
became softer
softer and
and progress
progress more
more
difficult,
difficult, andand as as if to make
if to things still
make things still more
more objectionable,
objectionable,
the dreaded
the dreaded sand ridges rose
sand ridges before us
rose before us about
about aa milemile away.
away.
We drew
We drew reinrein at their base,
at their base, and while II set
and while set about
about preparing
preparing
aa slight
slight meal,
meal, Dick
Dick began
began to to mount
mount the great hill
the great hill at
at whose
whose
foot we
foot we hadhad camped
camped.
I had
I had notnot paid
paid particular
particular attention
attention to to his
his doings,
doings, being
being
otherwise busily
otherwise busily engaged.
engaged. II knew knew that
that hehe had
had mounted
mounted
the big
the big sand
sand hill
hill from
from which
which to to obtain
obtain a a good view of
good view the
of the
surrounding country,
surrounding country, but but beyond
beyond that that mymy thoughts
thoughts were
were
many thousands
many thousands of of miles
miles away.
away. Suddenly
Suddenly II was was forced
forced toto
heed him,
heed him, for for he
he waswas coo-eeing
coo-eeing with with all his might
all his might andand
gesticulating in
gesticulating in aa most
most excited
excited manner.
manner.
"The lake,
"The lake, the
the lake
lake I" he cried.
! " he cried.
II instantly
instantly dropped
dropped the the dinner
dinner and and hastened
hastened to to his
his side.
side.
There,
There, not not more
more thanthan aa mile off, stretching
mile off, stretching straight before
straight before
us and
us shining like
and shining like a a huge
huge sheet
sheet ofof silver
silver in the glare
in the glare of the
of the
burning sun,
burning lay the
sun, lay the object
object of of our journey, attesting
our journey, attesting to to the
the
truth
truth of of old
old Morton's
Morton's story.
story.
""What
What think you now,
think you now, Archie?"
Archie ? " said
said he,
he, turning
turning with
with aa
glow
glow of of triumph
triumph uponupon hishis {ace.
face. "" Does this not
Does this not augur
augur well
well
for
for the
the truth
truth of the narrative?
ofthe narrative ? and
and cancan you
you doubt
doubt now
now that
that
we are
we are on the road
on the road toto the
the Golden
Golden Lake?"
Lake ?"
"" My dear Dick,"
My dear Dick, " II replied,
replied, "that's the dry
" that's the dry salt lake for
salt lake for
certain,
certain, andand II own
own II am am inclined
inclined to to place
place more
more credence
credence in
in
the story,
the story, but that we
but that we areare any
any nearer the Golden
nearer the Golden Lake is
Lake is
another matter."
another matter."
"Well, you
"Well, you are
are aa dreadful
dreadful fellow,"
fellow," he said. "What
he said. "What will
will
convince you
convince you?" ?"
" II wil
" willl tell
tell you
you.. When
When we findd the
we fin the Great
Great White
White City
City
in the
in the Mountains
Mountains and and enter
enter its
its Principal
Principal Street."
Street .”
" Then
" Then we we shall
shall find
find it
it if
if we live."
we live."
"That
" That II don't
don't doubt."
doubt."

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He, however,
He, however, was undaunted by
was undaunted by my
my coldness,
coldness, of of which
which toto
tell the
tell the truth,
truth, II was
was heartily ashamed. Yet
heartily ashamed. Yet I I could
could not
not
help it,
help for something
it, for something seemed
seemed to to be
be continually
continually telling
telling me
me
that was engaged
that II was engaged on one of
on one the wildest
of the wildest fool's
fool's errands
errands that
that
had ever fallen
ha ever fallen to
to the
the lot
lot of
of mortal man. But
mortal man. But Hardwicke
Hardwicke
was so
was so sure
sure of being on
of being the right
on the right track,
track, and
and his
his enthusiasm
enthusiasm
was so
was so catching
catching thatthat I, I, notwithstanding
notwithstanding my my half-belief
half-belief of of
the whole
the whole story,
story, found
found myself
myself glowing
glowing asas he
he spoke.
spoke.
" I'll
" tell you
I'll tell what it
you what it is, old chap,"
is, old he said
chap, " he said;; ""we're bound
we're bound
to strike
to strike that
that lake,
lake, wewe can't
can't help
help it.
it. Morton
Morton did d;j notnot lie,
lie,
he could
he could not-
not-to me. The
to me. The finding
finding ofof the
the gold
gold apparently
apparently
concerns you
concerns you but
but little,
little, but
but itit means
means aa lot
lot to
to me.
me. II a amm
poor, as
poor, you know,
as you know, but but ifif fate
fate treats
treats us
us kindly,
kindly, II shall
shall be be
one of the
one of the richest
richest menmen on on earth
earth." ."
Now the
Now the finding
finding of the gold
of the gold did did not concern me
not concern me butbut
little;; on
little on the
the contrary,
contrary, it it concerned
concerned me me very
very much,
much, forfor II had
had
seen
seen enough
enough of of life
life to
to know that however
know that however comforting
comforting birth birth
may
may be be toto aa man's
man's dignity, that same
dignity, that same dignity
dignity isis ever
ever soso
much better carried
much better carried off off with
with aa long
long purse
purse atat the back of
the back it.
of it.
For aa young
For young man man to to see
see his few hundreds
his few hundreds a a year
year swelling
swelling
into so
into so many
many thousands
thousands was was aa very
very beautiful
beautiful sight,
sight, and
and II
made it
made it known
known to to Dick
Dick thatthat II was
was just
just as
as anxious
anxious to to handle
handle
the gold
the gold asas he,
he, though
though II assured
assured him him that was not
that II was not quite
quite
so certain
so certain ofof acquiring
acquiring it. it. And
And II warned
warned himhim not
not to to dwell
dwell
too much
too much uponupon it, it, for
for it was possible
it was possible that
that the
the adventure
adventure
might fail
might fail;; and
and II spoke
spoke of of thethe Golden
Golden City City ofof South
South
America, which
America, which despite
despite the the apparently
apparently truthful
truthful stories
stories thatthat
had been
had been toldtold of of it,
it, adventurers
adventurers had had proved
proved to to be be a a
phantasy.
phantasy.
"But we
"But we areare following
following no no phantasy,
phantasy, no chimera," he
no chimera," he
said. "
said. "The
The Golden
Golden Lake Lake exists,
exists, and
and we we shall
shall find it,
find it,
Archie ; we
Archie; we shall
shall find
find it.it. I'd
I'd stake
stake mymy life
life on
on the
the truth
truth ofof
the story,
the story, and
and you you shall
shall seesee that
that II am
am right,
right, if
if we
we do do not
not
blunder."
blunder."
"And that
"And that we we are are very
very likely
likely to do with
to do with such
such vague
vague
directions
directions as as toto its
its whereabouts."
whereabouts ."
"II own
" own the the directions
directions do do seemseem vague
vague at at first,
first, but
but inin
reality they
reality they areare not
not so.
so. It is true
It is true wewe missed
missed thethe lake,
lake, butbut
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T HE G OLDE LAKE.
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by how
by how little
little ?? We We can can scarcely
scarcely do do so so again.
again. Mountains
Mountains
are not
are not so so easily
easily missedmissed in in aa barren
barren wilderness.
wilderness. They They
must stand
must stand out, out, even
even at at unprecedented
unprecedented distances, distances, in in such
such a a
pure air
pure air asas this.
this. This This lake
lake we we see
see isis much
much belowbelow the the level
level
of the land.
of the land. II think think for for usus to to have
have come come so so close.
close is is a a
wonderful
wonderful bit bit otof instinctive
instinctive steering,
steering, take
take it
it how
how you
you will.
will.
Had
Had it it not
not beenbeen for for thethe fire,
fire, which
which threwthrew us us off
off our
our course,
course,
we might
we might have have marched
marched straightstraight into into it.it. Herein
Herein see see the the
wonders of
wonders of providence.
providence. Had Had we we discovered
discovered the the lake
lake first,
first,
we should
we should never never have have found
found the the oasis.
oasis. Then Then whatwhat would
would
have become of
have become of our
our horses
horses and and ourselves?
ourselves ? Depend Depend upon upon
it, we shall
it, we shall strike
strike the the mountains."
mountains."
" I hope
"I hope so so !! ""
"There
" There is is only
only one one danger
danger•.
•, And
" And that that is is ?? ""
"Water.
" Water. II don don't likee th
't lik thee look
look of of th thee land
land beyond.
beyond .
Butt the
Bu there,
re , faint
fai nt heart
hea rt never
ne ver won
wo n fair
fai r lady,
la and
dy, and th thee ti
timidmid
adventurer
ad venturer never never yet yet mamade his fortune.
de his fortune . Farewell,"
Farewell," he he cried,
cried ,
turning
tur ning to to th thee wiwide de exexpanse
panse of of glittering
glittering sal salt; "you
t ; "yo have
u ha ve
given
gi ven meme ne new life,
w lif new
e, ne hope,"
w ho pe, " anand d wawaving
ving his his hahatt to
to th thee
far-off shi
far-off shining
ning be bed. of gl
d of gleaming
eaming crystal,
crystal, he he tuturned, andd we
rned , an we
began
be gan ou ourr de descent
scent of of th
thee san
sandhill.
dhill .
We ate
We ate our our slight
slight mealmeal withwith keenkeen relish,
relish, especially
especially my my
companion,
companion, who who was was in in excellent
excellent spirits.
spirits. Then Then we we packed
packed
up our
up our fewfew things
things and, and, mounting
mounting once once more,
more, retraced
retraced our our
steps towards the
steps towards camp. The
the camp. horses seemed
The horses seemed to to know
know that that
they were
they were gOIng going back back to to fresh·
fresh grass
grass and and water,
water, for they
for they
cocked
cocked up their ears
up their ears and travelled at
and travelled at a a remarKably
remarkably good good
pace across
pace across the the soft soft sand.
sand. We We spared
spared them them but but little
little
during this
during this journey,
journey, well well knowing
knowing the tl1e good
good things
things thatthat were
were
awaiting-►them
awaiting them at at the end of
the end of it,
it, so that we
so that we did
did not not draw
draw
rein till dose
rein till close on on ten ten o'clock
o'clock thatthat night.
night.
With the
With the first glimpse of
first glimpse of day
day wewe were
were away again, and
away again, and
but for
but for an an hour's
hour's rest rest at
at noon,
noon, stayed
stayed not not till
till the
the welcome
welcome
sight of
sight of thethe oasis
oasis met met ourour eyes.
eyes. We We feltfelt glad
glad at returning
at returning
home,
home, for for home
home it it seemed
seemed to to us,
us, and
and utged
urged our our horses
horses at at aa
{aster
faster rate.
rate. Alas! Alas ! that that joy
joy waswas destined
destined soon soon to to be
be turned
turned
to sorro\~, for
to sorrow, for when
when about about five
five or or six
six hundred
hundred yards yards fromfrom
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the first
the first copse which marked
copse which marked the the utmost boundary of
utmost boundary the oasis,
of the oasis,
we were
we were surprised
surprised to to see
see aa man
man running
running towards
towards us us at the
at the
top of
top of his
his speed.
speed. In In aa moment
moment we we recognised
recognised Jimmy,
Jimmy,
and instinctively
and instinctively drewdrew rein.
rein. He reached us
He reached us puffing
puffing andand
blowing with
blowing with terrific
terrific force,
force, and and with
with aa fixed,
fixed, scared look
scared look
upon his
upon his face.
face.
" Good
" Good God God!! what's
what's the
the matter?
matter ? " " cried
cried Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
It was
It was aa moment
moment or or two before Jimmy
two before Jimmy could gain his
could gain his
breath, and
breath, and then
then hehe gasped
gasped out-out
"" Black
Black fellow-
fellow-he he come-mob
come-mob the the camp-steal
camp-steal horse horse-
think he
think he kill
kill 'em!"
'em ! "
" And
" And Murphy
Murphy ?? ""
"" All the same-kill
All the same-kill him him too.
too.""
" Where were
"Where were you,
you, you villain?"
you villain ?"
" Me go
"Me go shoot
shoot wallaby-come
wallaby-come back back minute-find
minute-find black black
fellow in
fellow camp-twenty-thirty--"""
in camp-twenty-thirty
"You wretch
"You wretch I" cried Hardwicke,
! " cried Hardwicke , drawing
drawing his his revolver,
revolver,
"I'll
"I'll kill you."
kill you ." And
And II really
really thought
thought he he would
would have
have done
done so,
so,
for his
for face had
his face grown as
had grown hard as
as hard as iron.
iron.
Jimmy evidently
Jimmy evidently shared
shared my my opinion
opinion,, for
for hehe fell
fell on
on hishis
knees, crying
knees, crying:: ""Don't shoot, Mass'r
Don't shoot, Dick;; don't
Mass'r Dick don't shoot.
shoot. I I
belong dam
belong dam black fellow;; all
black fellow the same,
all the same, don't
don't shoot,
shoot, forfor
the Lord's
the Lord's sake, don't shoot."
sake, don't shoot."
"Listen to
"Listen to me,
me, Jimmy,"
Jimmy," said said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, dropping
dropping his his
revolver. "I
revolver. " I let
let you
you off this time,
off this time, but,
but, so help my
so help my God!
God ! if if
you ever
you ever disobey
disobey me again,, I'll
me again I'll shoot you as
shoot you as dead
dead as as a a
door-nail."
door-nail."
Jimmy seized
Jimmy seized hishis stirrup
stirrup and
and began
began toto kiss
kiss his
his boot.
boot.
66
ee Suppose
Suppose II do, Mass'r Dick,"
do, Mass'r Dick," said he;; ""you
said he you all the
all the
same shoot
same shoot meme like one dam
like one dam 'possum."
'possum. "
"Now lead
"Now lead the
the way," replied his
way," replied his master.
master. "We must
" We must
surprise them
surprise them before
before they
they do
do any further damage."
any further damage."
Unfortunately we
Unfortunately we had
had left
left our rifles in
our rifles in the
the camp;
camp ; but
but as
as
Re each
we each had
had a a revolver,
revolver, and the cUlprit
and the culprit Jimmy
Jimmy aa shot-gun
shot-gun
as well,
as well, we
we felt
felt that
that we
we should
should drive
drive our
our enemies from the
enemies from the
ield without
ield without much
much difficulty.
difficulty.
We hastily
We made for
hastily made the clump
for the clump of
of trees,
trees, and
and dismounting,
dismounting,
Ditched our
nitched horses to
our horses to aa couple
couple ofof saplings,
saplings, and while we
and while we
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were superintending
were superintending the the order
order of our arms,
of our arms, we we formed
formed our our
plan. It
plan. It waswas simplicity itself. Jimmy
simplicity itself. Jimmy was was to to advance
advance aa
few yards
few yards ahead
ahead of of us
us as scout till
as scout till we
we came
came up up toto the
the camp,
camp,
then if
then if the
the enemy
enemy presented
presented itself, we were
itself, we were to to discharge
discharge our our
revolvers atllibitum,
revolvers ad libitum, and trust to
and trust to noise
noise and
and fright
fright toto give
give usus
the day.
the day .
Jimmy led
Jimmy the way
led the way withwith allall the
the agility
agility and
and softness
softness of the
of the
native
native race.
race . He bounded,, leaped
He bounded leaped and and twisted
twisted in in the most
the most
remarkable
remarkable manner, manner, and and yetyet so so quietly
quietly were
were allall these
these strange
strange
evolutions
evolutions gone gone through,
through , that there was
that there was scarcely
scarcely the the rustle
rustle
ofof aa leaf
leaf beneath
beneath his his feet.
feet. We We followed
followed in in aa less
less artistic
artistic
manner,
manner, but but with
with an an almost
almost equal equal softness.
softness . Yet, notwith-
Yet, notwith
standing
standing the the carefulness
carefulness and rapidity of
and rapidity of our
our approach,
approach, we we
~ad
had in in some
some manner
manner become become observed,observed, for for when
when aboutabout
three hundred
three hundred yards yards fromfrom the the camp
camp we we were
were greeted
greeted withwith aa
most
most outrageous
outrageous shriek.shriek. The shriek was
The shriek was followed
followed by the
by the
whiz of
whiz of aa boomerang
boomerang above above my my head,
head , and
and thethe next
next moment
moment
aa twig,
twig, which
which that
that strange
strange instrument
instrument had had cut
cut from
from thethe tree
tree
under
under which stood, fell
which II stood, fell at
at mymy feet.
feet.
cc Get behind
"Get behind the the tree,"
tree," shouted
shouted my cousin. "66 The
my cousin. The
devils will
devils will be
be onon us
us inin aa minute."
minute."
He
He waswas right,
right, for
for presently
presently we we beheld
beheld some some sixteen
sixteen or or
·seventeen
seventeen blacks blacks advancing
advancing towards towards us us inin aa body.
body. They They
were
were allall armed,
armed, thatthat is,is, they
they carried
carried spears
spears and and clubs,
clubs, oror as
as
they call
they them"" waddies,"
call them waddies," while while half-a-dozen
half-a -dozen of them poised
of them poised
boomerangs in
boomerangs in their
their hands.
hands. This This instrument,
instrument, shaped shaped
somewhat
somewhat similar similar to to aa bow,
bow, is is anan exceedingly
exceedingly destructive
destructive
weapon in
weapon in the
the hands
hands of of an an experienced
experienced thrower.thrower. Many Many
strange
strange talestales have
have been
been told
told of of this
this wonderful
wonderful weaponweapon which,
which ,
if
if thrown
thrown properly,
properly, sailssails out
out to to aa tremendous
tremendous distancedistance and and
then returns
then returns by by aa circuitous
circuitous route route to to the
the thrower.
thrower. But the
But the
story
story that
that caused
caused me me thethe most uneasiness was
most uneasiness was one
one in in which
which
it was
it was saidsaid that
that a a really
really goodgood thrower
thrower couldcould so so hurl
hurl itit as to
as to
make
make it twist behind
it twist behind aa tree tree and and brain
brain hishis adversary
adversary hiding
hiding
there. But
there. But on that point
on that point II had had my my doubts.
doubts. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,
the feeling
the feeling was was notnot one
one of of absolute
absolute comfort,
comfort, for for inin fighting
fighting
;avages
savages one one never
never knows
knows what what one one isis to
to expect
expect.
In the
In the meantime
meantime the the savages
savages came came boldly towards us,
boldly towards us,

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IOI

waving their
waving their spears
spears andand shouting,
shouting, and and evidently
evidently not not thethe
least concerned
least concerned as as to
to the
the reception
reception they they werewere likely
likely to to
receive. II saw
receive. Dick dart
saw Dick dart rapidly from one
rapidly from one tree
tree toto another,
another,
and immediately
and immediately aa shower shower of of spears followed his
spears followed flying
his flying
form.. The
form The nextnext moment
moment he he cried
cried outout-
" Are you
"Are you ready
ready?? ""
"Yes.
" Yes. "" "
"Then
" fire."
Then fire."
Bang, bang,
Bang, bang, bangbang I! Such
Such an uproar had
an uproar had never
never assailed
assailed
the ears
the ears of the natives
of the natives before
before.. TheyThey stood stood for for aa moment
moment
thunderstruck, making
thunderstruck, making no no attempt
attempt to to use use the
the weapons
weapons in in
their hands.
their hands. Then, Then, as as ifif suddenly
suddenly realising
realising the the danger
danger
they were
they were in,in, they
they turned
turned,, and with hideous
and with hideous howls howls of of terror
terror
fled for
fled for their
their lives,
lives, leaving
leaving four
four of their comrades
of their comrades dead dead or or
dying
dying on on thethe .field,
field, Jimmy,
Jimmy, with with aa wild shout of
wild shout victory,
of victory,
and
and quite unheeding our
quite unheeding our cries
cries toto him,him, gave them chase,
gave them chase,
loading
loading his his revolver
revolver as as he
he ran,
ran, andand forfor somesome minutes
minutes afterafter
we heard
we heard thethe distant
distant popping
popping of of his
his pistol.
pistol.
We advanced
We advanced to to where
where thethe fallen
fallen savages
savages lay, lay, and found
and found
three of
three them were
of them were shot
shot through
through the the body,
body, two two of whom
of whom
were already
were already dead dead,, while
while aa bullet
bullet hadhad scattered
scattered the the brains
brains
of the
of fourth. The
the fourth. third black
The third black laylay upon
upon his face, writhing
his face, writhing
in great
in great agony,
agony, and and on on turning
turning him him round round we we discovered
discovered
to our
to our surprise
surprise that that it was the
it was the same
same fellowfellow whomwhom we we hadhad
taken captive,
taken captive, and and who
who so so unceremoniously
unceremoniously had had given
given us us
the slip.
the slip. He He scowled
scowled frightfully
frightfully as his eyes
as his met ours,
eyes met and
ours, and
made convulsive
made convulsive efforts to seize
efforts to seize his
his spear,
spear, whichwhich lay lay beside
beside
him. The
him. The blood
blood was was streaming
streaming from from aa woundwound in in his
his breast,
breast,
and as
and as II stooped
stooped down down toto examine
examine it it toto see
sce ifif II could
could not not
alleviate his
alleviate his sufferings,
sufferings, he he rose
rose of of aa sudden
sudden and, and, taking
taking me me
unawares, pushed
unawares, pushed me me with
with violence
violence to to the
the earth,
earth, and anli
grasping his
grasping his spear,
spear, he he whirled
whirled it it triumphantly
triumphantly round round
his head
his head preparatory
preparatory to to plunging
plunging it it into
into me. me. But But thatthat
triumphant whirl
triumphant whirl was was the the cause
cause of of my my salvation,
salvation, for for
Hardwicke, who
Hardwicke, who was was some
some few few yards
yards off, off, had
had heard
heard me me
raIl, and
fall, and on on looking
looking round
round had had taken
taken in in the
the situation
situation at at aa
~lance..
glance
Bang !I
Bang

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102 THE GOLDEN
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With aa wiid
With wHd cry cry 'the savage fell
the savage fell dead
dead uponupon me. me. Dick Dick
had shot
had shot him
him not not aa moment
moment too too soon.
soon.
I disencumbered
I disencumbered myself myself ofof thethe objectionable
objectionable carcase.
carcase.
"II am
" am once
once more
more youryour debtor,
debtor, Dick."
Dick. "
"A close
"A shave, old
close shave, chap;; but
old chap but where
where waswas your
your revolver
revolver?" ?"
I told
I told him that II had
him that laid it
had laid it on the grass
on the previous to
grass previous to my
my
kneeling beside the
kneeling beside the wounded
wounded savage.
savage.
66
"Moral;" muttered,"" always
he muttered,
' Moral, " he always keepkeep youryour revolver
revolver in in
your belt."
your belt."
"II shall,"
" shall," II answered.
answered. "" But But whowho would
would havehave thought
thought aa
dying
dying manman equal
equal to to such
such a piece of
a piece of mischief?
mischief? ""
" Ah,
" that's it,"
Ah, that's it," said he. "
said he. Always think
.c Always think anybody
anybody capable
capable
of anything
of anytbillg.. Even Even a a dead
dead man man is is not
not safe.
safe. He'll breed aa
He'll breed
plague if
plague if he
he can't
can't do do anything
anything else. else. ButBut let
let usus onon to to the
the
camp."
camp."
Away we
Away we hurried
hurried and soon came
and soon came uponupon aa scene
scene of un-
of un
utterable confusion
utterable confusion;. The The camp camp was was completely wrecked.
completely wrecked.
Our provisions were
Our provisions were scattered
scattered all all over
over thethe place,
place, the the hut
hut
was
was demolished,
demolished, and and what
what to to usus was
was aa thousand
thousand times times moremore
appalling, was
appalling, was thethe discovery
discovery of poor Murphy's
of poor Murphy's body beaten
body beaten
almost
almost to to aa jelly.
jelly. II verily
verily believe
believe thethe wretches
wretches had had not not left
left
one
one sound
sound bonebone in in it
it. II was
was completely
completely overcome
overcome with the
with the
shock,
shock, and and when
when II gazed
gazed uponupon his his unrecognisable
unrecognisable features,features,
felt like
II felt like oneone half
half guilty.
guilty. Poor Poor Murphy!
Murphy ! he he had
had been
been aa
true
true servant
servant to to me-noble,
me-noble, brave-hearted
brave-hearted and and generous,
generous, and and
to
to lose
lose him him in in such
such aa brutal
brutal manner
manner cut cut me me toto the
the heart.
heart.
The
The merry tongue with
merry tongue with its its charming
charming brogue brogue was was still
still
for ever,
for ever, and
and the the bright,
bright, laughing
laughing faceface would
would nevernever smilesmile
again.
again. II could could now now understand
understand the the reason
reason of of my
my cousin's
cousin's
fierce resentmerJt when
fierce resentment when KingKing Jimmy Jimmy firstfirst told
told him him the the
unwelcome news.
unwelcome news. Had Had that
that individual
individual obeyed
obeyed ordersorders and and
kept
kept guard
guard overover thethe camp,
camp, thisthis catastrophe
catastrophe wouldwould havehave been
been
averted.
averted.
Presently
Presently that that worthy
worthy returned,
returned, glowing
glowing withwith the the excite
excite-
ment
ment of his chase,
of his chase, andand hadhad Hardwicke
Hardwicke not not ordered
ordered him him
off to
off to bring
bring in in the
the horses,
horses, II feelfeel positive that II should
positive that should have have
visited him
visited him with
with aa rigorous
rigorous chastisement.
chastisement
We collected
We collected the the scattered
scattered stores with great
stores with great care,
care, and
and

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10
-------------------
were glad
were glad toto find
find that though the
that though the savages
savages had had destroyed
destroyed
much,
much, much much still
still remained.
remained. Among Among other things our
other things our rifles
rifles
and ammunition were
and ammunition were uninjured.
uninjured . Nothing
Nothing had had beenbeen
removed
removed j; and and this
this fact
fact we
we putput down
down to to our
our sudden
sudden return,
return ,
the blacks
the blacks not not having
having had had time
time to to carry anything away.
carry anything away.
Had
Had we we been
been an an hour later the
hour later the consequences
consequences might might havehave
been
been awful. awful. We We found
found the bodies of
the bodies of thethe two
two horses
horses theythey
had
had slain, but where
slain, but where thethe third
third had
had got got to to we
we were
were atat aa loss
loss
to conjecture.
to conjecture. This This waswas aa great
great piece
piece of of misfortune,
misfortune, so so
great, indeed,
great, indeed, thatthat aa shadow
shadow fellfell upon
upon the the usually
usually cheerful
cheerful
face of
face of my
my cousin
cousin Dick.
Dick. MurphyMurphy was was gonegone to to his
his last
last
home,
home, our horses were
our horses were killed,
killed, and
and our our provisions
provisions partlypartly
destroyed What
destroyed. What was was to to bebe the
the nextnext movemove of the great
of the great
regulator of
regulator fate?? I,
of fate I, for
for one,
one, shuddered
shuddered to to think.
think. But But
thanks
thanks to to that
that providence
providence which which seems seems in in some
some unac-unac
countable way
countable way to to minister
minister to the wants
to the wants of of men,
men, ourour gloomy
gloomy
feelings
feelings were were somewhat
somewhat brightened
brightened later later on on byby seeing
seeing thethe
missing
missing horse hobble quietly
horse hobble quietly into
into camp.
camp.
As night
As night came
came on on we made preparations
we made preparations for the burial
for the burial ofof
poor Murphy.
poor Murphy. Sad Sad and and small
small preparations
preparations were they,
were they,
merely
merely consisting
consisting of wrapping him
of wrapping him in in his
his blanket
blanket and and
making
making it it fast
fast about
about hishis head
head and and feet.
feet. Then Then as the
as the
moon
moon came came out out wewe carried
carried him him to to the
the treetree onon which
which the the
ill-fated
ill-fated Leichhardt
Leichhardt had had engraved
engraved his initial, for
his initial, for atat its
its foot
foot
had
had II determined
determined to to dig
dig his grave. The
his grave. The spotspot seemed
seemed not not
so
so desolate
desolate as as another,
another, for for there
there thethe white
white man man hadhad stood,
stood,
that
that fact fact alone
alone making
making the the earth
earth more
more sacred.
sacred.
II seized
seized thethe spade
spade and began to
and began to shovel
shovel out out the
the earth,
earth,
which,
which, considering
considering the the firmhess
firmness of of the
the surrounding
surrounding ground,
ground,
or
or the the appearance
appearance of firmness it
of firmness it possessed,
possessed, proved proved to to
be
be remarkably
remarkably soft. soft. After
After II had
had excavated
excavated to to the
the depth
depth
of
of aa foot,
foot, II handed.
handed over over thethe spade
spade to to Hardwicke,
Hardwicke , who, who,
after taking aa long
after taking long spell
spell at at it,
it, surrendered
surrendered it it in
in turn
turn
to Jimmy.
to Jimmy. That That worthy
worthy had had not
not been
been shovelling
shovelling longlong before
before
he
he stooped
stooped down down and and picked
picked up up something
something which which he he held
held
towards
towards us us.•
.. What's this,
"What's this, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick?"
Dick ? " hehe said.
said.
Hardwicke
Hardwicke took took itit from
from hishis outstretched
outstretched hand. hand.

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104 THE GOL
THE GOLDEN
DEN LAKE.
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-----------------------------------
"Good God,
"Good God, it's lzuman, skull
it's aa human sku/1I! "" he
he cried.
cried.
"“ A
A human
human skull,
skull, say you.?? ,"•.
say you
Cl Yes, and
"Yes, and what
what is it's aa wlzlte
more, it's
is more, man's !/"”
white man's
I felt
I felt aa cold,
cold, creepy
creepy shivershiver rush through me.
rush through me.
"Leichhardt's
" Leichhardt's party?"party ? " II Queried.
queried.
"Yes;; perhaps
"Yes perhaps this this is is Leichhardt's
Leichhardt's skull."
skull." He He was now
was now
more than
more than serious,
serious, and and II knew
knew the the full
full reality
reality ofof our
our unun-
fortunate position
fortunate position had had at at last
last forced
forced itself
itself upon
upon him.
him. ThenThen
he turned
he turned with
with anan exclamation
exclamation of of annoyance
annoyance and and threw
threw the
the
skull back
skull back into
into the
the grave
grave.. " "Faugh
Faugh !1 Let Let usus to
to work."
work.·'
No·more
No more was was spoken
spoken,, and and amid
amid a deep, oppressive
a deep, oppressive silence
silence
we laid
we laid poor
poor Murphy
Murphy in in his
his last
last home
home beside
beside his
his ghastly
ghastly
companion. Then
companion. Then gentlygently we we piled
piled the
the earth upon him,
earth upon him,
and on
and on thethe top
top of that again
of that again laid the turf
laid the turf which
which we we had
had
cut carefully in
cut carefully in squares,
squares, so so that
that when
when we we hadhad finished
finished and
and
strewed some
strewed some dried
dried leaves
leaves over all, one
over all, would scarcely
one would scarcely have
have
known that
known that the
the earth
earth had had been
been molested.
molested. .
The
The moonmoon now now shone shone out out brightly
brightly andand illumined
illumined the the
. great
great white
white gumgum with with a weird glory.
a weird glory. It It looked
looked like
like some
some
strange, ghostly figure
strange, ghostly figure grimly
grimly watching
watching overover the
the forms
forms of of
the departed.
the departed. II felt felt an indescribable loneliness
an indescribable loneliness possess
possess
me, aa terror
me, terror which
which II could could not not control.
control. The The great
great carven
carven
letters stood
letters stood outout like
like hideous
hideous gashes
gashes on the white,
on the white. gleaming
gleaming
trunk of
trunk the tree.
of the tree.
L.
L. J84'.
1849.
H. 18
H. 1878.
78.

Hardwicke
Hardwicke saw them too,
saw them too, and he cried
and he out' with
cried out with aa strange
strange
laugh:: "
laugh "If
If II were
were aa superstitious
superstitious fellow,
fellow. II should
should believe
believe
1I had
had carved
carved mymy own
own tombstone."
tombstone."
II did not like
did not to tell
like to tell him that II thought
him that thought he had, but
he had, but
nevertheless such was
nevertheless such was my firm conviction.
my firm conviction. '
The rest
The rest of
of the
the night
night was
was passed
passed in
in quiet, though for
quiet, though for fear
fear
of-an
of an attack from the
attack from the savages
savages we we kept
kept watch
watch and watch
and watch
throughout the
throughout whole of
the whole of it,
it, aa precaution
precaution quite unnecessary,
quite unnecessary,
our opponents
our opponents evidently
evidently having
having hadhad enough
enough ofof us
us and
and ourour
shootmg irons.
shooting irons. When
When thethe morning
morning broke,
broke, Jimmy
Jimmy and and II

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H.1878

HomeNisbet

".. The
The moon
moon now
now shone
shone out brightly and
out brightly and illumined
illumined the
the great
great white gum with
a weird glory."
rSee page 1104.
[See 04.

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 THE GOLDEN
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105

undertook aa reconnoitre.
undertook reconnoitre. We We saw saw several
several natives
natives in in thethe
distance, but
distance, but they
they would
would nevernever allowallow us us to to come
come within within
range of
range them.. We
of them We therefore
therefore returned
returned to to the
the camp, feeling
camp, feeling
perfectly secure
perfectly from further
secure from further attack.
attack.
was agreed
It was
It agreed that
that we
we should remain aa week
should remain week longer
longer in in the
the
oasis,
oasis, and
and thus thus enable
enable the the horses
horses to to regain
regain thatthat strength
strength
which was
which was necessary
necessary to to carry them over
carry them over the the next
next stagestage of of
the journey.
the journey. They They were
were carefully
carefully watched
watched and and never
never allowed
allowed
to stray
to stray far far from
from thethe campcamp lest lest they
they should
should fall fall into
into thethe
murderous hands
murderous hands of of the
the savages.
savages. We We also
also continued
continued our our
watches through
watches through the the night,
night, but for the
but for the whole
whole week
week no no black
black
molested us
molested us or
or attempted
attempted aa raid raid on on our
our little
little settlement.
settlement.
As
As we we only
only possessed
possessed three three horses
horses now, now, and and as there was
as there was
yet aa goodly
yet goodly quantity
quantity of of provisions
provisions left, left, itit was
was painfully
painfully
evident that
evident that one
one ofof us would have
us would have to to walk
walk;; oneone ofof the
the three
three
horses being
horses being required
required to to convey
convey the the remaining
remaining stores.
stores. That, That,
however, was
however, was easily
easily arranged.
arranged. We We were were to walk in
to walk in turns,
turns,
each of
each us declaring
of us declaring that
that he he minded
minded not that aa rap,
not that rap, so so long
long
as the
as the water
water and and provisions
provisions held held out. out. With With an an assembly
assembly
so small
so small and and unanimous
unanimous as as ours,
ours, preparations
preparations sped sped cheer-
cheer
. fully
fully along,
along, and and on the morning
on the morning of the seventh
of the seventh day day fromfrom
poor
poor Murphy's
Murphy's sudden sudden end, end, we we were
were bothboth eager
eager andand readyready
for the
for the journey
journey..
Our larder was
Our larder was well
well stocked
stocked with with kangaroo
kangaroo flesh flesh and and
several species of
several species birds, all
of birds, done up
all done up in in true
true bush
bush fashion,
fashion,
that is,
that is, smoked,
smoked, 'sun-dried,
'sun-dried , &c.,&c., soso asas toto withstand
withstand the the severe
severe
heat which
heat which we we knew
knew we we were
were to to experience.
experience. And And that that we we
might
might not not take
take more
more things
things thanthan were
were necessary,
necessary, we undid aa
we undid
package that
package that contained
contained some some new new clothes
clothes and and rigged
rigged our our-
selves out
selves out from
from head
head to foot. Two
to foot. Two smallsmall water-casks,
water - casks, each each
containirig
containing about four gallons,
about four gallons, werewere slung
slung on on either
either side side of of
the pack-horse,
the pack-horse, and and these,
these, with
with thethe half
half gallon
gallon each
each horseman
horseman
carried in
carried in his
his waterbottle,
waterbottle, completed
completed our our store
store ofof that
that invalu-
invalu
able liquid.
able liquid. Thus equipped,, and
Thus equipped with the
and with the distinct
distinct chance
chance
of falling in
of falling in with
with some
some nativenative wells
wells on on our our way,
way, we we feltfelt
certain of
certain of accomplishing
accomplishing our our march,
march, which which we we reckoned
reckoned a a
fortnight at
fortnight at the
the most,
most, at at twelve
twelve or fifteen miles
or fifteen miles a a day.
day.
I was more
I was more thanthan glad
glad when
when the th~ time
time came
came for for leaving,
leaving, for for
H
H

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106 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

II had taken an
had taken an indescribable
indescribable dislike to the
dislike to the place,
place, notwith,;
notwith
standing the fact
standing the fact that
that it
it had
had been
been our salvation. II could
our salvation. could
not help
not but think
help but think of Murphy's terrible
of Murphy's terrible end,
end , and how II
try how
and try
would, II could
would, not get
could not get the
the idea
idea out
out of my mind
of my that we
mind that we
should never leave
should never leave it
it alive.
alive . Therefore
Therefore it was with
it was with feelings
feelings
bordering closely
bordering upon the
closely upon the domains
domains of pleasure that
of pleasure that II
heheld our
beheld our little
little cavalcade
cavalcade step
step boldy forth into
boldy forth into the
the Great
Great
Lone Land.
Lone Land.

CHAPTER IX,
CHAPTER IX.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH ARE
ARE RELATED
RELATED THE FURTHER MISFORTUNES
THE FURTHER MISFORTUNES
THAT
THAT BEFELL
BEFELL US
US AS WE JOURNEYED
AS WE INTO THE
JOURNEYED INTO THE
GREAT
GREAT LONE
LONE LAND.
LAND.

HARDWICKE undertook
HARDWICKE undertook the the first
first walk
walk despite the objections
despite the objections
both Jimmy and
both Jimmy and II raised.
raised.
"No mutiny,"
"No mutiny," he he cried.
cried " "II am
am the the leader
leader of of this
this
expedition, and
expedition, and II walk
walk first."
first." AndAnd all
all who
who have the pleasure
have the pleasure
of
of my
my cousin's
cousin's acquaintance
acquaintance mustmust know
know thatthat he
he is
is aa man
man ofof
his
his word.
word. Therefore
Therefore we we demolished
demolished aa hearty breakfast,
hearty breakfast,
and after we
and after we had
had filled
filled and
and lit
lit our
our pipes,
pipes, hehe gave
gave thethe word
word
"forward,"
"forwar d," and
and with
with aa long
long and
and swinging
swinging stride
stride stepped
stepped
out. The
out. The black
black and
and II followed
followed on on horseback,
horseback, thethe former
former
driving the pack-horse
driving the pack-horse before
before him.
him.
We steered
We steered a more westerly
a more westerly course,
course, thereby
thereby making
making due due
allowance for
allowance for the
the northern
northern position
position wewe had
had attained.
attained. Meagre·
Meagre
in the
in the extreme was our
extreme was our conversation,
conversation, each each adventurer being
adventurer being
~ntirely engrossed
entirely with his
engrossed with his own
own thoughts.
thoughts. Now Now and again
and again
King Jimmy's
King Jimmy's voice was heard
voice was heard asas he
he shouted
shouted andand swore
swore at at
the pack-horse,
the pack-horse, butbut beyond those ebullitions
beyond those ebullitions ofoffeeling
feeling on on his
his
part, it
part, was aa very
it was very silent
silent procession, broken only
procession, broken only by
by remarks
remarks

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THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 107
107

on the nature
on the nature of of the
the country
country we we were
were travelling,
travelling, and and what
what it it
was likely
was likely toto bebe farther
farther on. on. AboutAbout mid-day
mid-day we we passed
passed on on
the northern
the northern side side ofof some
some gigantic
gigantic sand ridges, but
sand ridges, but as they
as they
lay not
lay not within
within our our course,
course, they they affected
affected us us but
but slightly,
slightly,
though they
though they foreboded
foreboded difficulties
difficulties in in the
the future.
future.
For the first
For the first five
five days
days the the travelling,
travelling, though
though heavy,
heavy, was was
not too
not too laborious,
laborious, nothing
nothing of of anyany consequence
consequence impeding impeding
our progress.
our progress. The horses continued
The horses continued to to go go well,
well, and
and thethe
little party
little party remained
remained in good health.
in good health. We unfortunately
We unfortunately
discovered
discovered no water. A
no water. A few
few shrubs
shrubs seemed
seemed to to spring
spring as as
if by
if by enchantment
enchantment out out of the dry
of the dry sand,
sand, but but beyond
beyond that that
there was
there was no no sign
sign of of life,
life, animal
animal or or vegetable.
vegetable. The The landland
lay before
lay before us us aa dreary
dreary wilderness,
wilderness, over over which
which we we passed
passed
silently as
silently as spectres.
spectres.
On the
On the sixth
sixth dayday we we sank
sank a well in
a well in what
what appeared
appeared to to bebe
a likely
a likely spot,
spot, and and werewere lucky
lucky enough
enough to to get
get about
about two two
gallons and
gallons and aa half
half ofof fresh water from
fresh water from it,
it, which,
which, it it is
is scarcely
scarcely
necessary to
necessary say, was
to say, was aa moremore than than welcome
welcome addition
addition to to
our scanty store.
our scanty store. The The next next day day we
we were
were awayaway again
again at at
sunrise,
sunrise, butbut after
after traversing another five
traversing another five miles,
miles, our
our good
good
fortune suddenly
fortune suddenly deserted
deserted us. us. We We hadhad struck
struck a region of
a region of
mountainous
mountainous sand sand ri9ges.
ridges .
These
These sand sand ridges,
ridges, which
which are are exactly
exactly similar
similar to to huge
huge
waves, were
waves, were about
about eighty
eighty or or ninety feet in
ninety feet in height,
height, andand on on
an
an average
average between
between four four andand fivefive hundred
hundred yards yards long.
long.
They stretched
They stretched from from easteast toto west,
west, andand at the bottom
at the bottom of the
of the
great valleys formed
great valleys formed by them we
by them we pursued
pursued our our way.
way. The The
heat was more
heat was more than than intense.
intense. Hitherto
Hitherto we we had the breeze
had the breeze
as
as well
well as as the
the sun,sun , but
but in in these
these mighty hollows it
mighty hollows it was
was allall
sun, all heat;
sun, all heat ; stifling, choking heat.
stifling, choking heat. The The heavens
heavens seemed
seemed .
not to
not to possess
possess aa tiny tiny breath
breath of of wind.
wind. My My brain whirled
brain whirled
giddily. II felt
giddily. felt like undergoing an
like undergoing an eternal
eternal suffocation.
suffocation.
The
The poorpoor horses
horses foamedfoamed at the mouth,
at the mouth, and and gasped
gasped and and
sweated
sweated so so exceedingly
exceedingly that that II expected
expected every every moment
moment to to
see them drop.
see them drop. When When the the evening
evening came came about,
about, we we three
three
would climb
would climb to to thethe toptop of the highest
of the highest ridge
ridge to to pass the
pass the
dreadful
dreadful night,
night, being
being forced
forced to to leave
leave ourour wretched
wretched horses
horses
gasping
gasping on on the
the sands
sands below.
below.

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108
108 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

This horrible experience

This horrible experience lasted lasted forfor three
three days,
days, daysdays
that seemed
that seemed like like an an eternity.
eternity. It
It appeared
appeared as though we
as though we
were never
were never to to emerge
emerge from that hideous
from that world of
hideous world of hills.
hills. Had
Had
the road
the road beenbeen aa very very difficult
difficult oneone wewe should
should never never havehave
survived
survived so so exhaustive
exhaustive and and terrible
terrible an ordeal. As
an ordeal. As it
it was,
was,
we were in a most
we were in a most wretched plight,wretched plight, even
even our
our finger-nails
finger-nails
becoming as
becoming as brittle
brittle as as glass
glass andand breaking
breaking in in little
little pieces
pieces at at
the slightest
the slightest provocation.
provocation.
On emerging from
On emerging from our our prison
prison we we were
were astonished
astonished to to find
find
ourselves
ourselves standing
standing upon upon the margin of
the margin of a a great
great drydry salt
salt lake,
lake,
or
or swamp.
swamp . Morton Morton had had said
said nothing
nothing of of such
such a a place,
place, andand
I began
I began to to have
have horrible
horrible fears
fears that we had
that we had strayed
strayed far far out
out
of our proper
of our track. Dick
proper track. Dick could
could notnot account
account for for it
it either,
either,
though,
though, like like myself,
myself, he he believed
believed we we had
had gone
gone astray
astray during
during
our
our wanderings
wanderings among among the sandhills. We,
the sandhills. We, however,
however, pitched
pitched
our.
our camp
camp upon upon its its shores
shores thatthat night, thankful for
night, thankful what we
for what we
had
had escaped
escaped and and wondering
wondering what what waswas stretched
stretched before.
before.
The
The next next morning
morning we we finished
finished thethe last
last drop
drop of water,
of water,
and then
and then pushed
pushed on with all
on with all haste.
haste. Small
Small comfort gained
comfort gained
we from
we from the the prospect
prospect that that opened
opened to to our
our view.
view. Before
Before
us
us stretched
stretched the the glittering swamp as
glittering swamp far as
as far the eye
as the eye could
could
reach,
reach, while
while to the south
to the south rose
rose the sandhills toan
the sandhills to an apparently
apparently
greater height
greater height thanthan any any wewe as yet had
as yet had seen.
seen.
At first
At first the
the wayway was was firm,
firm, butbut byby degrees
degrees it it grew
grew softer
softer
and softer,
and softer, until further advancement
until further advancement was was anan utter
utter impossi
impossi-
bility.
bility. ThenThen aa council
council of of war
war waswas held
held,, and
and itit was
was decided
decided
to make
to make aa détourdetour to to the
the south,
south, since
since we we werewere unable
unable to to
steer due
steer west. "
due west. cc For," added Dick
For," added Dick by by way
way ofof convincing
convincing.
me that such
me that such was was our our better
better plan,
plan, and
and perhaps
perhaps to to con-
con
vince himself
vince himself as well, "
as well, "Morton
Morton must must have
have passed
passed to to the
the
south
south of of this
this swamp,
swamp, to to the
the south
south of of those
those big big sandhills
sandhills
yonder, which
yonder, which completely
completely hid hid this
this marsh
marsh from from SIght,
sight, oror hehe
would have
would have mentioned
mentioned it it in
in his
his directions.
directions.""
We then
We then retraced
retraced our our steps, steering aa southerly
steps, steering southerly course,
course,
and by
and by degrees
degrees got got onon much
much firmer
firmer footing,
footing, which
which enabled
enabled
us to
us to push
push forward
forward at at aa much
much better pace.
better pace.
All that
All that dayday we we jogged
jogged along with the
along with the fixed
fixed determination
determination
n( men
of men who who knowknow that that on their own
on their own strenuous
strenuous exertions
exertions

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 109
109

depend
depend their their lives.
lives. The The heatheat of the sun
of the sun was terrible, and
was terrible, and
the blinding
the blinding glare
glare of of the
the glittering
glittering salt salt bed
bed so so awful
awful as as to
to
make the
make the eyes ache till
eyes ache till they
they ran with water.
ran with water. We We alsoalso expe
expe-
rienced great
rienced great difficulty
difficulty in in preventing
preventing our our horses
horses from
from licking
licking
the gleaming
the gleaming crystal.
crystal. It It seemed
seemed cruel cruel to to deprive
deprive them them of of
that for
that for which
which theirtheir mouths
mouths literally
literally watered
watered,, but but the the salt
salt
would have
would have hadhad thethe same
same effect
effect on on themthem as as sea
sea water
water on on aa
shipwrecked mariner.
shipwrecked mariner.
About ten
About ten o'clock
o'clock thatthat night
night ourour laborious journey came
laborious journey came
to
to an
an end, and tired
end, and tired out
out and
and half
half dead
dead withwith thirst,
thirst, we we threw
threw
ourselves upon
ourselves upon the the soft
soft sand
sand andand slept
slept a dull,, heavy
a dull heavy sleep sleep
till morning.
till morning. Then Then beganbegan a feverish search
a feverish search forfor water,
water, and and
notwithstanding the
notwithstanding the unlikely
unlikely looklook of the country,
of the country, we we were
were
fortunate
fortunate enough
enough to to discover
discover some some amid amid aa great
great mass mass of of
red sandstone
red sandstone rocks. rocks. It It was
was in in aa large
large basin,
basin, sheltered
sheltered
from the
from the sun
sun byby aa projecting ledge, and
projecting ledge, and beside
beside it it we
we stayed
stayed
all that day,
all that the rest
day, the rest being
being bothboth necessary
necessary for for ourselves
ourselves
and our
and our horses.
horses. The next morning,
The next morning, after after filling
filling our kegs
our kegs
and waterbottles
and waterbottles and taking aa long
and taking long farewell
farewell drink
drink ourselves,
ourselves ,
we were
we were away
away once more. By
once more. By sixsix that
that night
night wewe must
must have have
covered aa good
covered good twenty-
twenty-five miles, aa performance
five miles, performance on which
on which
we greatly
we greatly prided
prided ourselves.
ourselves.
The
The nextnext day day we we werewere again
again unfortunate
unfortunate enough enough to to·
encounter the
encounter the dreadful
dreadful sandhills,
sandhills, and and this this time
time an exceed-
an exceed
ingly
ingly difficult task was
difficult task was setset us,
us, for instead of
for instead of running
running east east
and west, as
and west, the former
as the former ones, they bore
ones, they bore north
north and and south,
south,
so that we
so that we had
had to to cross
cross them
them at at right
right angles.
angles. Two Two whole whole
days were
days were we we kept
kept ascending
ascending and and descending
descending those those barren
barren
hills,
hills, and during that
and during that time
time II am am suresure we we could
could not not havehave
gone
gone more more than
than five miles.
five miles. How
How we were enabled
we were enabled to to
survive
survive thethe ordeal
ordeal II cannot imagine ; how
cannot imagine; the poor,
how the poor, half-half
starved,
starved, broken-down
broken-down horses horses lived through it,
lived through it, is is even
even aa
greater puzzle.
greater puzzle. We We almost
almost dragged
dragged them them up the soft
up the soft sides
sides
of the ridges,
of the ridges, and and eveneven hadhad to to push
push them them to to make
make them them
begin
begin thethe descent.
descent.
At
At length
length the the horrible
horrible tasktask came came to to an
an end,
end, and and we we
emerged
emerged once once moremore uponupon the the level plain, or
level plain, what appeared
or what appeared
to be
to be level,
level, after
after thethe awful
awful country
country we we had
had crossed.
crossed . Here
Here

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tIo
110 rHE
THE GOLDEN
GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

a sort
a sort of shrub grew,
of shrub grew, of which the
of which the horses
horses ate ate plentifully,
plentifully,
and glad
and glad werewere we we toto see
see them
them find find something
something palatable
palatable at at
last. Alas
last. Alas!! we we little foresaw the
little foresaw the consequences.
consequences. Next Next day day
they refused
they refused to to drink, while to
drink, while to make
make theirtheir symptoms
symptoms more more
alarming, they
alarming, they had had visibly
visibly swollen through the
swollen through the night.
night.
About four
About four o'clock
o'clock thatthat afternoon
afternoon the the horse Jimmy rode
horse Jimmy rode
caved in.
caved in. It It rushed
rushed along along like like a drunken man,
a drunken man, then then
staggered and
staggered and fell heavily to
fell heavily to the
the earth, and five
earth, and five minutes
minutes
after
after lay lay dead
dead.
Here was
Here was an an appalling
appalling situation
situation indeed,indeed, andand oneone to to make
make
aa man's
man's heartheart quail
quail within
within him him;; and, and, as as if
if to
to add
add an an intenser
intenser
gloom to
gloom to ourour already
already dreary dreary prospects,
prospects, the the pack-
pack-horse
horse
gave up
gave up thethe ghost
ghost inin aa similar
similar manner
manner two two hours
hours later,
later, and
and
was quickly
was quickly followed
followed by by the
the third.
third.
For
For the the first time in
first time in all
all our troubles Hardwicke
our troubles Hardwicke fairly fairly
broke
broke down. down.
"66 My
My God, this is
God, this awful I"
is awful ! " he
he said,
said, looking
looking at me in
at me in blank
blank
dismay. "While
dismay. "While we we had had those
those animals
animals to to carry
carry our stores
our stores
II did
did not,not, would
would not not harbour
harbour aa thought thought of of despair.
despair. But But
now-my God-what
now-my God—what now now?" ?”
" Cheer
" Cheer up," up," said
said I, assuming aa cheerful
I , assuming cheerful tone, though II felt
tone, though felt
in no
in no gay mood. ""We
gay mood. We areare worth
worth a a thousand
thousand dead dead men yet."
men yet."
"" But
But do you know
do you know wherewhere we we areare?" ?"
"No-that
" No- that is, is, II guess.
guess. But But II knowknow where
where we we are
are going."
going. "
"Ah
" Ah !" !"
" To the
"To the Golden
Golden Lake;Lake ; so so cheer
cheer up, up, Dick,
Dick, and and onward."
onward."
"Yes, onward,"
"Yes, onward," said said he,he, his face growing
his face growing more fixed and
more fixed and
determined.
determined. " "And we'll fight
And we'll fight for for it yet, Archie
it yet, Archie j; we'll
we'll fight
fight
for it
for it yet."
yet." And And II knewknew that that nothing
nothing less less than
than downright
downright
exhaustion would
exhaustion would quell
quell that
that indomitable
indomitable spirit. spirit.
"There
“ There is no 'time
is no time to to lose,"
lose," he he continued.
continued. " "WeWe mustmust go go
forward while
forward while we we have
have the the strength,
strength, for Heaven only
for Heaven only knows
knows
what lies
what lies before
before us us in
in this
this cursed
cursed country."
country. "
We then
We then proceeded
proceeded to to unpack
unpack our our provisions,
provisions, to to see how
see how
we best
we best might
might carry them.
carry them.
"II have
" have ·never
never donedone any any slave-driving,"
slave-driving," said said he,he, inin thethe
midst of
midst of his work ;j ""but
his work but if if II came
came across
across anyany natives
natives now,now,
II should
should be be sorely
sorely tempted
tempted to to press
press them
them intointo mymy service.
service.""

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. III
III

But
But as as there
there were
were no no natives
natives to to press,
press, we were forced
we were foreed to to
depend upon
depend upon ourour own
own skillskill and
and stamina.
stamina.
We had
We had altogether
altogether about three gallons
about three gallons of water when
of water thi~
when this
great
great misfortune
misfortune befellbefell us; but as
us ; but as itit was
was impossible
impossible for for us
us
to carry
to carry anything
anything like like that
that quantity,
quantity, we we could
could do do nono more
more
than fill
than fill our
our bottles,
bottles, each bottle, as
each bottle, as II have
have said before, holding
said before, holding
about half
about half aa gallon.
gallon. We We boiled
boiled aa gallon gallon of of that
that which
which
remained,
remained, and and mademade tea tea with
with our our last packet of
last packet that
of that
precious leaf.
precious leaf. The The fire-arms
fire-arms and and ammunition
ammunition were were next
next
served out,
served out, Dick
Dick andand II each each having
having aa rifle, rifle, besides
besides our our
revolvers, while
revolvers, while Jimmy
Jimmy undertook
undertook to to carry
carry the the shotshot gungun
with aa box
with box of of one
one hundred
hundred cartridges
cartridges;; for for on on this
this gun
gun
we depended
we depended chieflychiefly for for subsistence
subsistence when when we we came
came into into
the regions
the regions' of birds or
of birds game. We
or game. We could
could carry carry sufficient
sufficient
meat to
meat to last
last for
for six six days,
days, supposing
supposing that that we we ateate butbut
sparingly. But
sparingly. But in in those
those latitudes
latitudes water water is is the
the chief
chief
necessity of
necessity of existence,
existence, and and Dick Dick determined
determined to to carry
carry
the spade,
the spade, as as without
without it, it, to
to sink
sink aa well well would
would have have beenbeen
an impossibility.
an impossibility.
These
These thingsthings we we wrapped
wrapped in in 66 our
our rugs,
rugs, making what
making what is is
known "" These
known in bush parlance
in bush parlance as as a a "swag."
' swag.' These swags are
swags are
slung
slung overover thethe shoulders
shoulders by the aid
by the aid of of straps,
straps , andand answer
answer
the purpose of
the purpose of a a soldier's knapsack, everything
soldier's knapsack, everything being being
carried in
carried in them,
them, thus
thus rendering progress, even
rendering progress, even with with aa good
good
weight, more
weight, more easyeasy than
than any any other
other method
method.. Thus Thus equipped
equipped
we set
we set outout across
across the the dreary
dreary plain plain,, knowing
knowing not not what
what
country lay
country lay before,
before, knowing
knowing not not at what moment
at what moment death death
would
would strike
strike usus down.
down.
Early
Early the the next
next morning,
morning, having partaken of
having partaken of aa good break-
good break
fast
fast and
and drunk
drunk deeply
deeply of the fragrant
of the fragrant tea tea (ambrosial
(ambrosial nectar nectar
it seemed),
it seemed), we we started
started on on our journey to
our journey to pierce
pierce farther
farther andand
farther into
farther into thethe great
great unknown.
unknown. Dick Dick led led the the wayway with
with
the same
the same long,
long, swinging
swinging stride; stride ; II followed,
followed, and and then
then came
came
Jimmy, who,
Jimmy, who, by by the
the way,
way, seemed
seemed concerned
concerned but but little
little at
at our
our
misfortunes.
misfortunes. So So long
long as that worthy
as that worthy had plenty to
had plenty to eat and
eat and
drink, he
drink, he could
could notnot conceive
conceive the the existence
existence of calamity. In-
of calamity. In
deed, he
deed, he had
had feasted
feasted so royally during
so royally during the the last
last twelve
twelve hours
hours
on our
on our spare
spare provisions,
provisions, that that his face positively
his face positively beamed beamed

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112
112 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
EN LAKE.
---._-------
with gladness.
with gladness. II envied envied him him his his savage
savage state, his contented
state, his contented
lot. Truly
lot. Truly civilisation
civilisation and learning create
and learning create a world of
a world woe
of woe
for their
for their possessor
possessor.. This fellow would
This fellow would havehave dieddied withwith aa
smile on
smile on his face as
his face as contentedly
contentedly as if he
as if he were
were going
going to to sleep.
sleep.
He
He knew
knew not not the the mind's
mind's disease-the
disease-the longing,
longing , sickening
sickening
hope. II was
hope. was almost
almost tempted
tempted to to say-lucky
say-lucky is is hehe whowho is is
born aa savage
born savage..
We walked
We walked aa good good twenty
twenty milesmiles before
before sundown—
sundown-at at least
least
Dick and Jimmy
Dick and Jimmy reckoned
reckoned it at that
it at while II,, if
that,, while if my
my state
state of
of
exhaustion counted
exhaustion counted anything,
anything, felt felt that
that we
we had
had gonegone twicetwice
or three
or three times
times thatthat distance.
distance. Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, who who led led thethe way
way
throughout, never
throughout, never onceonce diminished
diminished his his speed
speed,, except
except to to now
now
and again
and again pointpoint out out some object, or
some object, or else
else slow
slow down down to to
smoke
smoke a pipe for
a pipe for half-an-hour.
half-an-hour. All the rest
All the rest of of thethe time
time
he kept well
he kept well to the fore
to the fore,, with
with thethe oneone dogged,
dogged, determined
determined
look on
look on his his face,
face, aa looklook which
which meantmeant to to conquer,
conquer, or or at
at
least to
least to die
die game.
game. It was aa great
It was great comfort
comfort to to me me to to see
see
him so
him so defiantly
defiantly scornful
scornful of the many
of the many obstacles
obstacles FateFate seemed
seemed
to wilfully
to wilfully throw
throw in in our way. He
our way. He waswas aa true
true descendant
descendant of of
the old
the old British
British adventurer,
adventurer, knowing neither fear
knowing neither fear nor
nor defeat.
defeat.
He was
He was one one whowho inspired
inspired confidence,
confidence, and and one whom, had
one whom, had
he been aa soldier,
he been soldier, his his men
men would
would havehave followed
followed to to the very
the very
gates
gates of the infernal
of the infernal regions.
regions.
That night
That night aa heavy heavy dew dew fell
fell which
which completely
completely saturated
saturated
our
our clothes,
clothes, for, for, little thinking of
little thinking of such
such a mishap, we
a mishap, we hadhad
thrown ourselves
thrown ourselves down down upon upon the the sand without first
sand without first wrapping
wrapping
our rugs
our rugs about
about us. us. We We consequently
consequently awoke awoke stiff with the
stiff with the
cold,
cold, that
that is,is, my
my cousin
cousin and and II did,
did, Jimmy
Jimmy absolutely
absolutely recusing
refusing
to stir,
to stir, saying
saying thatthat no no dew
dew could
could harmharm him, which II verily
him, which verily
believe was
believe true, his
was true, his constitution
constitution beingbeing like
like iron.
iron. To keep
To keep
ourselves
ourselves warm warm and and our joints loose·
our joints loose till
till our
our oldold friend
friend the the
sun
sun came
came out, out, Dick
Dick and and II decided
decided to to dig
dig a a well,
well, especially
especially
as the
as the spot
spot on on which
which we we had
had camped
camped had had thethe appearance
appearance
of
of once
once being
being aa creek
creek or or gully.
gully. We We were
were fortunate
fortunate enoughenough
to find
to find aa plentiful supply of
plentiful supply of fresh
fresh water
water atat aa depth
depth of of about
about
eight feet,
eight feet, and,
and, as as aa consequence,
consequence, there there was
was great
great rejoicing,
rejoicing,
Dick
Dick declaring
declaring that that some
some kindkind providence
providence was was watching
watching us us
after
after all.
all.

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-----------------------------------------
When the
When the sunsun came
came out, out, our clothes speedily
our clothes speedily dried
dried uponupon
us. Jimmy
us. Jimmy was was awakened
awakened from from hishis damp
damp couch,
couch, butbut his
his wetwet
clothes seemed
clothes seemed to to trouble
trouble him him but but little
little.. HeHe shook
shook
himself much
himself much after after thethe style
style of of aa dog,
dog, and
and then
then went
went on on
with his
with his work
work in in his
his usual
usual stoical
stoical manner.
manner.
We pushed
We pushed on on rapidly
rapidly that that day beneath aa sweltering
day beneath sweltering sun.sun.
Luckily we
Luckily we suffered
suffered no no inconvenience
inconvenience from from our previou~
our previous
soaking-aa fact
soaking fact wewe put
put down
down to to the
the exercise
exercise we we had
had under
under-
taken-for in
taken-for our present
in our present state,
state, withwith constitutions naturally
constitutions naturally
weakened by
weakened by exhaustion,
exhaustion, we we werewere very
very liable
liable to to be
be seized
seized by b)
one of
one of the
the numerous
numerous complaints
complaints that fall to
that fall to the
the lot
lot of
of thethe
unhappy explorer
unhappy explorer;; fever,fever, ague,
ague, scurvy,
scurvy, and and various
various other
other
bodily ailments
bodily ailments being being prevalent
prevalent in in this
this desert
desert country.
country.
At mid-day we
At mid-day we were
were much much surprised
surprised to to see
see before
before us us
what appeared
what appeared to to be
be aa forest.
forest We We could
could scarcely
scarcely believe
believe
our eyes,
our eyes, yet
yet there
there itit rose
rose weirdly
weirdly strange,
strange, but but withal
withal most
most .
pleasing to
pleasing to thethe sight
sight that
that had rested upon
had rested upon nothing
nothing but but sand
sand
and the
and the coarsest
coarsest vegetation
vegetation for for so
so many
many days.days. DickDick was was
loud in
loud in his delight.
his delight. .
"This
" This is is thethe promised
promised land land of of which
which people people have have
drearped," he
dreamed," he said,
said, "and
" and we we shall
shall be be the
the first to give
first to give thethe
good news
good news to to the
the world."
world."
But
But asas wewe drew
drew nearer,
nearer, his his sudden burst of
sudden burst of pleasure
pleasure was was
turned to
turned to unutterable
unutterable dismay, dismay, for for we we found
found the the great trees
great trees
gradually decrease
gradually decrease in in size till they
size till they proved
proved to to be
be nono more
more
than mere
than mere shrubs
shrubs of three or
of three or four
four feet
feet inin height.
height. At first
At first
we could
we could scarcely
scarcely creditcredit our our senses,
senses, and and feltfelt as though
as though
we were
we were the the sportsport of of some
some monstrous hallucination,
monstrous hallucination,
but it
but was all
it was all too
too true.
true. The The forest
forest had
had dwindled
dwindled to to aa scrub,
scrub,
and that
and that of
of thethe poorest
poorest and and mostmost beggarly
beggarly description
description..
"Well," said
"Well," Dick, c'this
said Dick, " this beats
beats everything
everything in in the way of
the way of
optical
optical illusions
illusions II havehave ever seen. Had
ever seen. Had II alone
alone observed
observed
it
it II should
should have have swornsworn my my brainbrain was was turning.
turning. What What
a remarkable
a remarkable thing thing!! II wonder wonder what what is the cause
is the cause ofof it."
it."
It now
It now struck
struck me me that
that II hadhad readread somewhere
somewhere of similar
of similar
illusions caused by
illusions caused the extreme
by the extreme expansion
expansion of the atmosphere
of the atmosphere
which forced
which forced all all objects,
objects, that that rose
rose to to any height out
any height out of the
of the
level plain.
level plain, to wear an
to wear unreasonably distorted
an unreasonably distorted aspect.
aspect. This This

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we found
we found to to bebe thethe true
true solvent
solvent of the puzzle,
of the puzzle, forfor as as wewe
went farther
went farther on on and
and left the patch
left the patch of of scrub behind, we
scrub behind, we sawsaw
many objects
many objects which
which appeared
appeared to to bebe high
high ranges
langes of of hills,
hills, but
but
which in
which in reality
reality were
were nothing
nothing more more'than than big lumps of
big lumps rock
of rock
and clay.
and clay.
We got
We got aa few few kangaroo
kangaroo rats rats in in the the above-mentione
above-mentionedd
scrub, which, as
scrub , which, as our larder was
our larder running low,
was running low, were
were aa
welcome addition
welcome addition to to it.
it. SuchSuch food food was perhaps not
was perhaps not thethe
most
most dainty
dainty one one couldcould wish wish to to eat,eat, butbut when
when properly
properly
grilled
grilled on the live
on the live embers,
embers, as as only
only aa native knows how
native knows how to to
grill them, they
grill them, they makemake not not indifferent
indifferent eating.eating. Later Later on on wewe
saw
saw aa flock
flock of of pigeons
pigeons aa little
little toto the
the north
north which,
which, though
though we we
were
were not near enough
not near enough to to shoot,
shoot, we we regarded
regarded as as aa favourable
favourable
sign,
sign, for
for where
where one one sees
sees game
game of of any
any sort
sort itit is
is aa sure
sure sign
sign that
that
water
water of of some
some description
description is is not
not farfar off.
off. .
We now
We now began
began to to look ahead for
look ahead for that
that range
range of of mountains
mountains
which hid
which hid inin its
its recesses
recesses the the Great
Great White White City.City. II couldcould
not bring
not bring myself
myself to to entirely
entirely believe
believe that that wewe should
should behold
behold
so wonderful
so wonderful aa phenomenon
phenomenon in in thethe midst
midst of of this
this barren
barren
land, and was
land, and was quite
quite convinced
convinced within myself that
within myself that the
the only
only
city Morton
city Morton saw saw was was inin the
the regions
regions of his own
of his own imagination;
imagination ;
yet what
yet what had
had passed
passed had had beenbeen so so true
true that
that II hovered
hovered in in aa
perpetual state
perpetual state ofof uncertainty
uncertainty between between doubting
doubting and and believ
believ-
ing. I,
ing. I, however,
however, kept kept my thoughts to
my thoughts to myself,
myself, well
well knowing
knowing
tha~ their
that their expression
expression could could do do no good, whereas
no good, whereas the the disap-
disap
pointment attending
pointment attending failure would be
failure would be forfor my my companion
companion
keen enough
keen enough miserymisery in in itself.
itself. We We were already several
were already several
days
days over
over ourour estimate,
estimate, but but as as that estimate was
that estimate was simply
simply aa
chance
chance shot,
shot, wewe hadhad no no cause
cause to to be be angry
angry withwitb itit on that
on that
account. Water
account. Water and provisions were
and provisions were rapidly becoming
rapidly becoming
scarce,
scarce, andand fatigue
fatigue beganbegan to to tell upon us,
tell upon us, butbut yet
yet thethe
mythical
mythical citycity loomed
loomed not not toto our eager gaze.
our eager gaze. That That it would
it would
never appear
never appear II feltfelt sure,
sure, yetyet onon II trudged
trudged in in moody
moody silence
silence
after my companion,
after my companion, who who nevernever once once slackened
slackened his his rapid
rapid
pace or
pace or let
let one
one sigh
sigh of
of dissatisfaction
dissatisfaction escape escape him. him. Yet Yet II
could
could see as the
see as the dayday flew
flew on,on, andand no no signsign of the wished
of the wished-for -for
goal
goal arose
arose to our view,
to our view, thatthat hishis face
face became
became more more pinched
pinched
and determined,
and determined, while while his his restless
restless spiritspirit scarcely
scarcely allowed
allowed

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him a
him a moment's
moment's repose.
repose. On, On, on he went
on he went,, and
and if if anything,
anything,
walked faster
walked faster and faster in
and faster in his
his excitement
excitement till till hishis speed
speed
almost
almost amounted
amounted to to what
what is is commonly
commonly called called a a "" jog
jog trot."
trot."
He
He continually
continually shaded
shaded hishis eyes with his
eyes with his hand
hand so so as to
as to
protect them from
protect them from the
the rays
rays of the sun
of the sun and
and obtain
obtain a a clearer
clearer
view,
view, but the wished-for
but the wished-for sight
sight never
never metmet hishis vision,
vision , and the
and the
sun had begun
sun had begun to to sink fiercely in
sink fiercely in the west, flooding
the west, flooding the the
great
great dreary
dreary plain
plain with
with a world of
a world of rosy
rosy fire.
fire.
At last he
At last he stood
stood stock-still and beckoned
stock- still and beckoned me me towards
towards
him.
him.
"What do
"What you see,
do you Archie?? "" he
see, Archie he said
said inin aa suppressed
suppressed and and
tremulous tone,
tremulous tone, pointing
pointing straight before him.
straight before him .
" Nothing,"
" Nothing," II replied.
replied.
"N othing ?"
"Nothing ?" hehe almost
almost screamed.
screamed . "Look " Look again."
again. "
I did
I did asas II was
was bidden,
bidden, and
and this
this time,
time, taking
taking aa longer
longer and and
more intense
more intense gaze, distinctly saw
gaze, II distinctly saw thethe faint
faint blue
blue outline
outline ofof
a range
a range of of hills.
hills.
"Well," said
"Well," said he,he, anxiously,
anxiously, "Can " Can you you seesee nothing,
nothing,
now?"
no w? "
"Yes," II answered,
"Yes," " unless it
answered, "unless is another
it is another illusion,
illusion, II can can
see aa range
see range of of mountains.
mountains."”
"It is
"It is no
no illusion,
illusion, Archie,"
Archie, ” hehe cried,
cried, "that
"that is is thethe range
range
of mountains
of Morton mentioned,
mountains Morton mentioned, and yonder is
and yonder is the
the Great
Great.
White City,"
White City." .

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CHAPTER :x.
CHAPTER X.

DESCRIBING OUR ARRIVAL

DESCRIBING OUR ARRIVAL AT THE
THE GREAT
GREAT WHITE ClnCITY
AND OUR BATTLE WITH ITS
ITS FIERCE
FIERCE INHABITANTS.
INHABITANTS.

resumed our
WE resumed
WE journey with
our journey with redoubled
redoubled energy,energy, and and inin
half-an-hour
half -an-hour had had thethe extreme pleasure of
extreme pleasure of beholding
beholding the the
dim,
dim, blue
blue outline gradually transform
outline gradually transform itself itself into
into thethe bold
bold
and rugged
and rugged peaks peaks of of aa long,
long, high
high range
range of hills. That
of hills. That we we
were the
were the sport
sport of of no no optical
optical illusion
illusion was was now now proved
proved
beyond aa doubt,
beyond doubt, for for atat each
each stepstep we took, the
we took, the range
range loomed
loomed
up clearer
up clearer and clearer. By
and clearer. the time
By the time we we had
had approached
approached
within five
within five or or six miles of
six miles of it,
it, the
the sunsun hadhad sunk,
sunk, and and we we
decided to
decided to camp
camp on on thethe plain
plain that
that night,
night, andand resume
resume our our
march again
march again at day-break. Our
at day-break. Our object
object was, was, of of course
course,,
to climb
to climb the the hills
hills through
Ihrough the lire Pnncipal
Principal StreetStreet ofof the
lire city,
dly.
but as
but as we
we hadhad notRot yet yet even
even discovered
discovered that that city,
city, we we were
were
forced to
forced to wait
wait the
the advent
advent of of the
the day.
day.
Most of
Most that night
of that night DickDick and and II passed
passed in the wildest
in the wildest of of
wild talk,
wild talk, thethe most
most absurd
absurd and marvellous conjectures.
and marvellous conjectures.
We could
We could not not sleep.
sleep. Even when
Even when stretched
stretched out out forfor that
that
purpose, so
purpose, so completely
completely exhausted
exha"lsted as as we
we were,
were, we we found
found the the
sweet soother
sweet soother as as coy
coy as as aa wilful
wilful maiden
maiden who who is is dying
dying to to be
be
kissed, but
kissed, but who who for
for some unaccountable reason
some unaccountable reason refuses
refuses thethe
dear consolation. Now
dear consolation. Now we we had
had reached
reached thatthat point
point of our
of our
journey second
journey second only only in interest to
in interest to the
the lake itself, expecta-
lake itself, expecta
tion rose
tion rose to to such
such aa feverish
feverish pitch
pitch as as toto make
make the the suspense
suspense
almost unendurable.
almost unendurable. It grew beyond
It grew beyond our our control,
control, and and II
relt myself
felt trembling with
myself trembling with thethe burden
burden of my own
of my own thoughts.
thoughts.
What after all
What after all ifif we we failed
failed to to discover
discover this this city, this
city, this
phantom city?-for
phantom city ?—for my my brain
brain waswas haunted
haunted with with the the one
one
horrible idea
horrible idea that
that it it was
was nothing
nothing but but aa phantasy,
phantasy, aa dream,dream ,
brought on
brought on by misery and
by misery want and
and want and the the thousand
thousand horrorshorrors
which must
which must havehave befallen
befallen that that unfortunate
unfortunate fugitive.
fugitive. Mv My

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grew sick
Deart grew
neart sick at at the
the thought.
thought. Was Was it it not
not thethe most
most
absurd story
absurd story that
that ever
ever emanated
emanated from from man's
man's brain
brain?? A A city
city
In this
in this vast, unknown, unpopulated
vast, unknown, unpopulated interior.
interior. Who Who but but aa
madman could
madman could have have toldtold so so wild,
wild, soso improbable
improbable aa story story ??
and who
and who but but madmen
madmen would would believe
believe it it?? II tried
tried toto close
close
my eyes,
my eyes, toto dream
dream that that it was all
it was all real, but away
real, but away up up above
above
the bright
the bright stars
stars were
were mocking
mocking me, while the
me, while the great
great white
white
moon seemed
moon seemed to to smile
smile in in derision
derision as as it
it sailed
sailed on and on
on and on
through the
through the misty
misty blue.blue.
Hardwicke was
Hardwicke was evidently
evidently as as ill
ill at
at ease
ease as as myself.
myself. When When-
ever
ever II chanced
chanced to to look towards him,
look towards him, hehe was
was either
either sitting
sitting
up or
up or wriggling
wriggling and and twisting
twisting beneath
beneath his rug. II pitied
his rug. pitied
him, poor fellow,
him, poor fellow, if if on
on thethe morrow
morrow we we failed
failed to to discover
discover the the
object
object of of our
our search.
search. II dreaded dreaded to to think
think how how keenkeen hishis
anguish would
anguish would be, be, howhow terrible
terrible hishis disappointment.
disappointment. I I
all
all along
along had had been
been aa disbeliever,
disbeliever, or or had
had onlyonly accepted
accepted the the
story with
story with aa half half belief,
belief, but but hehe placed
placed implicit
implicit faith
faith in in
Morton
Morton and and his tale, and
his tale, and II knewknew thatthat should
should he he fail
fail toto
discover
discover the the city,
city, it would prove
it would prove aa blow almost as
blow almost as keen
keen as as
death itself.
death Jimmy, as
itself. Jimmy, usual, slept
as usual, as soundly
slept as soundly as as though
though
cushioned on
cushioned on a bed of
a bed of down
down with with the
the happy prospect of
happy prospect of
aa magnificent
magnificent breakfast
breakfast awaiting
awaiting him him when
when he he awoke.
awoke. He He
had
had heard
heard us us talk
talk of the city
of the city we
we expected
expected to to find,
find , but
but soso
little interested
little interested was was he he in in thethe matter
matter thatthat he he never
never tooktook
the trouble
the trouble to to ask ask a a single
single question
question concerning
concerning it. it.
It was
It was quite
quite enough
enough for for him him that
that he he hadhad to to carry
carry hishis
share
share of of the
the burden
burden and and march march on on till
till hehe waswas told
told to to
stop.
stop.
When II awoke
When awoke out out of of a a dull,
dull, uneasy
uneasy dozedoze intointo which
which II
had fallen,
had fallen, II beheld
beheld my my cousincousin sitting
sitting up up puffing
puffing vigovigo-
rously at
rously at his pipe, and
his pipe, and as there was
as there was apparently
apparently no no chance
chance of of
any more
any sleep for
more sleep for me that night,
me that night, II got
got mine,
mine, and and we we sat
sat
and talked
and talked till
till the
the day
day began
began to to break.
break.
"To-day,"
" To-day," said said he solemnly, "is
he solemnly, " is a day so
a day so fraught
fraught withwith
significance to
significance to us us that
that II am almost afraid
am almost afraid to to see
see itit dawn.
dawn.
How
How it will end
it will end God alone can
God alone tell. We
can tell. We are are now,
now, by by the
the
roughest calculation,
roughest calculation, many many hundreds
hundreds of of miles
miles from
from civili
civili-
sation.
sation. BeforeBefore us us stretches
stretches the the great
great unknown
unknown;; behind, behind, aa

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118 THE GOLDEN
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road so
road long and
so long and difficult that to
difficult that to attempt
attempt to to repass
repass it it
means, in
means, in our
our present
present state
state,, utter
utter annihilation."
annihilation."
"We
" We must must onward,
onward, Dick Dick;; we we must
must onward.
onward. In In a few
a few
hours we
hours we shall
shall know
know our fate," for
our fate," for I I could
could see see he he was
was in in
doubt lest
doubt lest the
the city
city after all should
after all should prove
prove a a myth
myth;; "so let us
66 so let us
not
not plague
plague ourselves
ourselves with with vain imaginings. If
vain imaginings. If wewe are
are to
to
find it,
find it, so
so it is;; if
it is if not,
not, wewe are not beaten
are not beaten yet, yet, and
and II am am not
not
going to
going to cave
cave in in while
while there's
there's aa shot
shot in in the
the locker."
locker."
I must
I confess my
must confess words were
my words were much much bolderholder thanthan my my
spirits, but
spirits, but II could
could notnot tolerate
tolerate thethe ideaidea of of mymy companion
companion
being despondent.
being despondent. Once Once let let him,
him, thethe head
head and and heart
heart ofof
our expedition,
our expedition, give give way
way toto uneasy
uneasy fears,
fears, and and thethe ultimate
ultimate
failure of
failure of the
the whole
whole journey
journey would
would be be thethe result.
result.
The
The firstfirst pale
pale gleam
gleam of day had
of day had no no sooner
sooner begun
begun to to
whiten the
whiten the eastern
eastern horizon,
horizon, thanthan we we were were up up once
once moremore
and away. We
and away. We journeyed
journeyed on on for
for half-an-hour
half-an·hour by by the
the inin-
distinct glow
distinct glow of the dying
of the dying stars
stars and
and the the far-off
far-off morning
morning
light. But
light. But in in these
these latitudes
latitudes dayday comes
comes with with the rush of
th e rush of aa
whirlwind Suddenly
whirlwind. Suddenly the the sun
sun shot
shot forth
forth like
like a a blood-red
blood-red
ball
ball ofof fire,
fire, flooding
flooding the the dreary
dreary plains
plains behind,
behind, and and bathing
bathing
the rugged
the rugged hillshills in
in front
front with
with oneone great sheet of
great sheet of wonderful
wonderful
light.
light.
An exclamation
An exclamation arose arose to to our
our lips lips at at the self~same
the self-same
moment:
moment :
""The
The CityCity !I ""
It was
It was no no optical
optical illusion,
illusion, no no phantasy.
phantasy. There, There, lying
lying
before us,
before with its
us, with its towers
towers actually glistening in
actually glistening in the
the bright
bright
red sunshine,
red sunshine, was was thethe City
City of of the
the Mountains.
Mountains. II could could
scarcely believe my
scarcely believe my eyes,-
eyes, and for aa moment
and for moment hardly hardly knewknew if if
I were
I were awake
awake or or dreaming.
dreaming. But But itit waswas no no dream,
dream, unless
unless
life is
life is aa dream,
dream, and and we we live
live in imagination only.
in imagination only.
Hardwicke laid
Hardwicke his hand
laid his hand on on my
my shoulder:
shoulder, "Look, " Look, looklook I!
How wonderful!! ""
How wonderful
And II looked
And looked and and saw what appeared
saw what appeared to to be
be aa marble
marble city,
city,
over which was
over which was thrown
thrown aa blood-red
blood -red mantlemantle of of sunshine.
sunshine .
It
It stretched
stretched from from thethe base
base of the hill
of the hill to to the
the very
very top,
top, and
and
there huge
there huge spires
spires andand towers
towers arose, many hundreds
arose, many hundreds of of feet
feet
in the
in the air.
air. These
These S1)ires
spires thethe great
great lightlight flooded
flooded till they
till they

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optical illusion,
illusion, no
no phantasy
phantasy."
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shone
shone and and sparkled
sparkled like like hugehuge pillars
pillars ofof crystal.
crystal. II couldcould
easily discern the
easily discern the streets,
streets, which which seemed
seemed to to run
run at right
at right
angles to
angles to one
one another,
another, therebythereby giving
giving thethe city
city an
an appear-
appear
ance of
ance of being
being builtbuilt in in great white blocks
great white blocks;; whilewhile to to add
add
the more
the more confusion
confusion to to ourour already
already bewildered
bewildered senses,senses, we we
were actually
were actually walking
walking straight
straight into the Principal
into the Principal Street.
Street. '
We stood
We stood utterly
utterly dumbfounded,
dumbfounded, gazing gazing on on one
one anoth.!r
another
in wonder.
in wonder. Dick's Dick's face face was wreathed with
was wreathed with aa strange
strange smile
s mile
of gladness
of gladness and and awe. awe. Though
Though he he hadhad advocated
advocated so so
strenuously
strenuously reliancereliance upon upon Morton's
Morton's story,'
story, he he seemed
seemed
scarcely to
scarcely to understand
understand that that the the wild,
wild, strange
strange tale tale waswas
realised at
realised at last.
last.
""Well,"
Well," saidsaid he,he, atat length
length waking
waking fromfrom hishis long
long reverie
reverie;;
"who
" would have
who would have guessed
guessed it it ?? Who
Who would
would have have dreamt
dreamt
of such
of such aa placeplace as as thisthis?? A A city,
city, aa veritable
veritable city,city, and
and
perhaps inhabited
perhaps inhabited too. too. By By whom
whom?" ?"
"Onward,
66 Onward, and and we we shall see," II answered.
shall see," answered .
•• Yes,
" yes."
Yes , yes ."
By t.his time
By this time the the sun sun had had mounted
mounted to to aa considerable
considerable
height
height in in the
the heavens,
heavens, and and had had dispelled
dispelled all the morning
all the morning
shadows,
shadows, consequently
consequently the hills now
the hills now loomed
loomed up up clearly,
clearly, andand
I thought
I thought therethere was was something
something unnatural-looking
unnatural-looking about about the the
place,
place, especially
especially those those greatgreat squares
squares II had had taken
taken forfor blocks
blocks
of buildings. True,
of buildings. True, the the whole
whole scene scene mostmost strongly
strongly
resembled
resembled an an eastern
eastern hillside
hillside city,city, and
and yetyet its
its massive
massive
~andeur
grandeur was was so so unlike
unlike anything
anything II had had ever
ever seen
seen that
that doubts
doubts
of its reality
of its reality began
began to to assail me.
assail me.
"By
" golly," cried
By golly," cried Jimmy,
Jimmy, who who had had been
been watching
watching it it
intently, with wonder
intently, with wonder depicted
depicted upon upon hishis ebony
ebony countenance,
countenance,
"this aa mighty
"this mighty fine fine place,
place , Mass'r
Mass'r Dick.
Dick. KnockKnock spotsspots out
out
of Melbourne.
of Melbourne. Nebber Nebber see see anything
anything like this before.
like this before.
Nebber
Nebber can think how
can think how blackblack fellow build 'em
fellow build 'em such
such a place.""
a place.
And
And he he continued
continued to to jabber
jabber thus thus forfor aa considerable
considerable time, time,
till he
till suddenly burst
he suddenly burst forth with, "Good
forth with, " Good Lord,
Lord, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,
Dick,
that no
that no belong
belong township,"
township," and and he he laughed
laughed convulsively.
convulsively.
The same
The same idea idea hadhad already
already dawned
dawned upon upon us. us. A A closer
closer
inspection, for
inspection, for we we had had rapidly
rapidly drawn
drawn near,
near, disclosed
disclosed the the
fact that
fact that our
our supposed
supposed city city was
was nothing
nothing more more thanthan the the

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curious groupings of
curious groupings of aa huge
huge mass mass of whitish granite,
of whitish granite, whilewhile
what we
what we had
had taken
taken to to bebe crystal
crystal pinnacles
pinnacles or or spires
spires proved
proved
to be
to but vast
be but boulders of
vast boulders of pure white stone.
pure white stone. Thus Thus rudely
rudely
was our
was our dream
dream of of discovering
discovering an an inhabited
inhabited city dispelled,
city dispelled,
but so
but so like
like a a city
city waswas it, viewed from
it, viewed from aa distance,
distance , thatthat wewe
blamed Morton
blamed Morton but but little
little for for thus
thus definitely
definitely naming
naming it, it,
though we
though we were
were sorry
sorry he he had had notnot given
given us us aa little
little more
more
information on
information the subject.
on the subject.
We camped
We camped at at the
the footfoot of of what
what II shallshall call,
call, for
for want
want of of aa
better name,
better name, thethe Principal
Principal Street,Street, for
for so so the
the broad
broad white
white wayway
that stretched
that stretched aboveabove us us hadhad been designated.. Here
been designated Here we we
discovered aa clear,
discovered fresh spring
clear, fresh spring of of water,
water, and and as as there
there werewere
plenty of
plenty of shrubs
shrubs andand small trees about,
small trees about, we we roasted
roasted two two ducks
ducks
we had
we brought down
had brought down previously
previously from from a flock that
a flock that was
was flying
flying
over our
over our heads.
heads. We We saw saw two two dingoes
dingoes (wild (wild dogs),
dogs), allured
allured
no doubt
no doubt by by the
the fragrant
fragrant smell smell of of the baked meat.
the baked meat. They They
were gaunt,
were gaunt, wild,
wild, half-starved
half-starved looking looking brutes,
brutes, andand advanced
advanced
within an
within an impertinent
impertinent distancedistance of of us,
us, whining
whining and and uttering
uttering
their short,
their short, sharp yelp. Unable
sharp yelp. Unable to to bark
bark like
like an an ordinary
ordinary
dog, their strange,
dog, their strange, weirdweird howl,howl, whenwhen heard heard in the lonely
in the lonely
bush at
bush night, sounds
at night, sounds like like thethe ghostly
ghostly wail wail ofof some
some inhuman
inhuman
spirit.
spirit. A A dog
dog baying
baying the the moon
moon creates
creates ""sweet discords"""
sweet discords
by comparison.
by comparison. So So closely
closely had these particular
had these particular savages
savages
encroached upon
encroached upon whatwhat we we rightly
rightly or or wrongly
wrongly deemed
deemed our our
preserves, and
preserves, and so indifferently did
so indifferently did they
they treat
treat our
our presence,
presence,
that my feelings,
that my feelings, like Alexander Selkirk's,
like Alexander Selkirk's, were exceedingly
were exceedingly
shocked It
shocked. It was,
was, therefore,
therefore, necessary
necessary to to drive
drive them
them off, off,
which II only
which only succeeded
succeeded in in doing
doing after wounding one
after wounding with aa
one with
shot from my
shot from my revolver.
revolver.
- After
After our meal, Dick
our meal, Dick and and II began
began an an exploration
exploration of the
of the
city, the streets
city, the streets of which we
of which found, in
we found, in most
most cases,
cases, to to bebe -
nothing
nothing but great yawning
but great yawning chasms, chasms, the the bottoms
bottoms of which it
of which it
was
was impossible
impossible to to see.
see. And And yet yet it seemed
seemed as though the
as though the
hand
hand of of man
man had had beenbeen here here too,too, forfor asas we
we pursued
pursued our our
course along aa very
course along very uneven
uneven way way of great loose
of great loose stones,
stones, we we
were
were struck
struck by by the
the fact that excavations
fact that excavations in the shape
in the shape of of
caves
caves hadhad been
been made
made in the solid
in the granite walls
solid granite walls at at regular
regular
intervals, and
intervals, and wewe felt
felt sure
sure thatthat such
such remarkable
remarkable regularity
regularity

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could not
could have been
not have been aa freak
freak of of nature.
nature. We penetrated into
We penetrated into
several of
several of these
these apertures, but as nothing worthy
apertures, but as nothing worthy of remark of remark
met our
met eyes, we
our eyes, we were
were at at a loss to
a loss to even
even conjecture
conjecture their their
uses. At
uses. At last,
last, at the extreme
at the extreme end end of the street
of the street we trod, aa
we trod,
somewhat
somewhat broader opening appeared,
broader opening appeared , and and as as itit seemed
seemed to to
lead up
lead up instead
instead of of down,
down, as was the
as was the case
case of of thethe others,
others, wc we
, both entered,
both entered, Dick Dick leading
leading the way. A
the way. sharp hiss
A sharp hiss welcomed
welcomed
OUr
our approach,
approach, but but as as neither
neither of of us us hadhad beenbeen bitten,
bitten, it it
troubled us
troubled us but
but little.
little.
Dick then
Dick then litlit aa match
match and and we we found
found oursClves
ourscives in in a a broad
broad
passage,
passage, the walls of
the walls which shone
of which shone like like crystal
crystal in in thethe dimdim
light and
light and reflected
reflected the the power
power of the tiny
of the tiny flame
flame in in aa mostmost
marvellous
marvellous manner. manner. We We couldcould not not see see thethe roof,
roof, that that
apparently
apparently being being of great height,
of great height, but but the floor was
the floor was covered
covered
with aa strong-
with strong-smelling shrub, the
smelling shrub, the same
same as we had
as we had found
found in in
the
the other
other apertures.
apertures. A A handful
handful of of this
this we tore up
we tore up andand lit,lit,
and
and it it answered
answered sufficiently
sufficiently well well thethe purpose
purpose of of a torch,
a torch,
though its
though flame was
its flame was aa sickly
sickly blue
blue in in colour
colour and and its its odour
odour
f~r from
far from pleasing.
pleasing.
Along this
Along this crystal-like passage we
crystal-like passage we wandered
wandered for for nearly
nearly aa
hundred yards
hundred yards,, and were beginning
and were beginning to to imagine
imagine it it endleis,
endless ,
when all
when all ofof aa sudden
sudden we we entered
entered into into aa spacious
spacious room room or or
vault. We
vault. We spokespoke and and our
our voices
voices echoed
echoed above above and and around
around
us
us strangely.
strangely. We We were
were at at aa loss
loss which
which way way to to turn,
turn, for for our
our
torch gave
torch gave but but aa feeble
feeble light,
light, and
and we we were
were afraid
afraid to to advance
advance
lest
lest we we should
should come come to to aa sudden
sudden and and undesirable
undesirable end. end.
What
What place place we we hadhad discovered
discovered we we knew
knew no no more
more than than the the
man
man in in the
the moon,
moon , and and though
though our our surmises
surmises were were many many
II am
am afraid
afraid theythey were
were notnot over
over ingenious.
ingenious.
After we
After we had had debated
debated some some time time the the possibilities
possibilities and and
impossibilities of
impossibilities the place,
of the place, II suggested
suggested that that we we should
should
move round
move round by by the
the wall,
wall, feeling
feeling carefully
carefully with with our our feetfeet atat
every step.
every step. This This we we did,
did, and
and found
found bothboth wallwall andand floor
floor so so
extremely smooth,
extremely smooth, with with thethe exception
exception of of an undergrowth on
an undergrowth on
the latter, as
the latter, as toto setset us us both
both fast
fast thinking
thinking no no end end of of
improbable things.
improbable things.
"Good God!
"Good God ! What'sWhat's thatthat?? ""
was rudely
II was rudely awakened
awakened from from my reflections by
my reflections by this
this
1

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exclamation of
exclamation of my
my cousin. His voice
cousin. His voice rang
rang again
again and
and again
again
throughout the strange chamber. Then, holding the
throughout the strange chamber. Then, holding the light
light
above
above his
his head
head to
to examine the cause
examine the cause of
of his
his sudden
sudden shock,
shock,
he answered
he answered his own interrogation.
his own interrogation. " ., An idol. What
An idol. What a a
start
start it it gave
gave me," me," and and he he laughed,
laughed, and and his his laugh
laugh echoed
echoed
and re-echoed
and re-echoed in in aa thoroughly
thoroughly displeasing
displeasing manner.manner.
He
He hadhad spoken
spoken truly. truly. There,
There, standing
standing out out in the mystic
in the mystic
gloom, was
gloom, was as as hugehuge and and hideous
hideous a a piece
piece of of sculpture
sculpture as as itit
has been the
has been the lot lot of of civilised
civilised man man to to gaze
gaze on.on. No No wonder
wonder
.' Dick
Dick received
received aa shock. shock. Seen, Seen suddenly
suddenly in in the
the strange
strange
gloom of
gloom of the
the chamber,
chamber, it was the
it was the embodiment
embodiment of of all
all one's
one's
grotesque fancies
grotesque fancies of of thethe truly
truly horrible.
horrible. . It It was
was about
about
twelve feet
twelve high, and
feet high, and had had scaly
scaly legs,
legs, much
much like the tail
like the tail of
of aa
fish, the breasts
fish, the breasts ,and and bodybody of of a woman, and
a woman, and a head half-
a head half
human
human and half beast
and half beast withwith thethe jaws
jaws andand teeth
teeth of of aa shark
shark oror
some horrible
some horrible marinemarine monster.
monster. But what was
But what was most
most dread-
dread
ful of
ful of all, was the
all, was the fixed
fixed andand horrid
horrid grin upon the
grin upon the awful
awful face.
face.
It was
It was aa gringrin so so outrageous,
outrageous, so disgusting, and
so disgusting, and so so truly
truly
appalling as
appalling as to to almost
almost make make one'sone's flesh
flesh creep.
creep. II dare dare say
say
that such
that such a figure would
a figure would but but create
create derision
derision in in the
the broad
broad
daylight, but
daylight, but in in the
the weird
weird gloomgloom of of that
that mystical
mystical chamber
chamber
the hideously
the hideously distorted
distorted thing thing seemed
seemed to to make
make its its influence
influence
felt.
felt.
"Well, you
"Well, you are are a beauty," said
a beauty," Hardwicke, apostrophising
said Hardwicke, apostrophising
the image,
the image, " " aa perfect
perfect beauty."
beauty. " Then Then he began to
he began interrogate
to interrogate
it. " Who stuck
it. "Who stuck you you up up there,
there, II wonder
wonder?? Whose Whose was the
was the
brain that
brain that conceived,
conceived, the the hand
hand that that made
made you? you ? Who Who and and
what were
what were the the people
people that that knelt
knelt before
before you,you, you
you grinning
grinning
fiend, you
fiend, you misbegotten
misbegotten imp imp?? If If the thing could
the thing could only
only speak,
speak,
Archie," he
Archie," turned to
he turned to me,
me, "what
" what could
could it it not
not tell?"
tell ? ”
But though speech
But though speech was denied the
was denied the awful thing, it
awful thing, actually
it actually
appeared
appeared to to gringrin the the more.
more. Its Its jaws
jaws positively
positively seemed
seemed L
to expand,
to expand, whilst whilst its its huge
huge discoloured
discoloured teeth teeth shone with
shone with.
shocking brilliancy.
shocking brilliancy.
"" Look, look," he
Look, look," he wentwent on, on,"" here
here are more of
are more them;; ""
of them
and he
and he held
held thethe light
light close
close to to the
the left
left side
side ofof the
the great
great idol,
idol,
and II saw
and saw more hideous forms,
more hideous forms, but but onon aa smaller
smaller scale.
scale. On On
1
the right
the right it it was
was the the same,
same, six on each
six on each side,
side, making
making twelve
twelve

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•
of the
of the most
most outrageous
outrageous picturespictures thatthat everever emanated
emanated from from
the human
the human brain.
brain. Above Above their their heads
heads hung,hung, or or seemed
seemed to to
hang
hang (for
(for all these things
all these things were
were cut from the
cut from the solid
solid rock),
rock) , a a
whole host
whole host ofof beasts
beasts and reptiles of
and reptiles the most
of the most appalling
appalling de- de
sCliption.
scription. No No pains
pains had had beenbeen taken
taken to to copy nature as
copy nature she
as she
was. On
was. On thethe contrary,
contrary, to to distort
distort andand outrage
outrage her her seemed
seemed
the only
the only wish
wish ofof the
the artist,
artist, and that he
and that he hadhad succeeded
succeeded well well
my own
my own emotions
emotions told told me.
me.
""Well,"
Well," said said Hardwicke
Hardwicke at at last,
last, " 'I this
this beats
beats cock-
cock
fighting."
fighting."
This remark was
This remark was not not so so elegant
elegant as as expressive,
expressive, but bat waswas
appropriate enough
appropriate enough for for all
all purposes,
purposes, and and so so II added
added-
" Indeed
" Indeed it it does,"
does, ” which
which showsshows thatthat II waswas just just as
as much
much
at aa loss
at loss forfor words
words to to express
express my my astonishment
astonishment as as hehe
was.
was. -
"What do
"What you think
do you think of of itit all?" he queried.
all ? " he queried .
"There can
"There can onlyonly be be one
one answer,"
answer," II replied.
replied. "" These These
mountains must
mountains must have have beenbeen peopled
peopled in the long
in the long ago
ago by by aa
race of
race of beings
beings infinitely
infinitely superior
superior to to the
the present
present denizens
denizens of of
the country.
the country. Not Not alone
alone mustthey
must they have have had had aa religion,
religion, butbut aa
knowledge
knowledge of the fine
of the arts as
fine arts well."
as well."
"I
" I don't know much
don't know much about about finefine art,"
art," saidsaid my my cousin,
cousin,
"but if
"but if this
this is
is aa specimen
specimen of of theirs,
theirs, II can
can quite believe them
quite believe them
equal to
equal to anything.
anything. But But on on the score of
the score of religion,
religion, II dare dare
say you are
say you are right.
right. This This mustmust havehave beenbeen the the temple
temple and and
that the
that the god.
god Wonderful!
Wonderful ! And yet who
And yet who knowsknows whatwhat the the
people
people of of this
this island
island might
might not have been?
not have been ? Their Their pastpast is is
dead. The
dead. The world
world shall
shall never
never knowknow their
their history,
history, therefore
therefore
it
it doubts
doubts theythey ever
ever hadhad one,
one, forgetting
forgetting thatthat if if events
events repeat
repeat
themselves, as
themselves, as they
they say they do,
say they do, what
what is is to-day
to-day mightmight havehave
been thousands
been thousands of years ago.
of years ago. Yet Yet how
how people
people would would laugh
laugh
if
if they
they heard
heard me me argue
argue so."
so."
"No
" No doubt Ignorance invariably
doubt. Ignorance invariably laughslaughs at at a a thing
thing it it
cannot comprehend.
cannot comprehend The The wise wise menmen of England called
of England called
Harvey
Harvey a fool, but
a fool, but he he wasn't.
wasn't What What after after all all is
is oriental
oriental
art but
art but aa mass
mass of of fantastic
fantastic absurdities,
absurdities, almostalmost as grotesque
as grotesque
as these very
as these very images
images we we thinkthink so so little
little of? of? What
What is is
beautiful in
beautiful in China
China is barbarous in
is barbarous in Europe.
Europe. II believe believe the the

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people who
people who carved these images
carved these images lived
lived in what are
in what are commonly
commonly
calkd
called the the pre-historic
pre-historic days,days, thethe days when the
days when the whole
whole of that
of that
sandy
sandy plainplain we we have
have crossed
crossed was was covered
covered by by the
the sea.
sea. AndAnd
II will
will tell
tell you
you why.
why. Without
Without the the sea and its
sea and its accompanying
accompanying
monsters
monsters as, as. models,
models, these these fish devils could
fish devils could never
never havehave
been executed."
been executed ." .
"You
" You speak speak likelike aa book,
book, oldold chap,"
chap," said
said Dick
Dick as as hehe
stooped down
stooped down to to gather
gather some
some more more shrubs, which he
shrubs, which he no no
sooner lit
sooner lit than
than he he began
began examining
examining a small object
a small object thatthat hehe
held in
held in his
his hand.
hand.
66
"ByBy Jove Jove !" said he,
!" said he, ." what aa strange
" what strange little
little weapon.
weapon.
Look at
Look at it,"
it," and
and he he handed
handed it it to
to me.
me.
It had aa red
It had red glistening
glistening head,head, shaped
shaped not not unlike
unlike that
that of of
an axe,
an axe, withwith aa point
point as as sharp
sharp as as aa needle.
needle. It It was
was let
let into
into
a handle of
a handle of some dark substance
some dark substance rather rather weighty
weighty and and about
about
nine inches
nine inches in length.
in length.
"Put
" Put it it inin your
your pocket,"
pocket," saidsaid I, I, "and we'll examine
" and we'll examine it it
closer when
closer when we we get
get out."
out."
"Which II propose
"Which propose our our doing
doing at at once,"
once, " he
he replied.
replied . "I “I
have
have hadhad enough
enough of this uncanny
of this uncanny chamber
chamber for for aa while."
while. "
Being similarly disposed
Being similarly disposed II accordingly
accordingly acquiesced.
acquiesced.
When we
When we emerged
emerged into the sunli,ght
into the sunlight once more, and
once more, and hadhad
shaken the
shaken the dustdust of the cave
of the cave off off our shoes, we
our shoes, we examined
examined
with leisure
with leisure the the little
little axe, when, to
axe, when, to our
our great
great surprise,
surprise, we we
discovered that
discovered that thethe head
head of the instrument,
of the instrument, which which we we had
had
. taken
taken for for anan ordinary
ordinary red stone, was
red stone, was nothing
nothing lessless than
than aa
great ruby
great ruby crowned
crowned with, with, toto give
give it it weight,
weight, aa thickthick plate
plate
of gold,
of gold, which
which when when rubbed
rubbed aa little,
little, shone
shone brilliantly
brilliantly inin the
the
sunshine. The
sunshine. The handle
handle was was also
also of
of solid gold with
solid gold with another
another
large ruby
large ruby let let in
in at the extreme
at the extreme end end ofof it
it. Strange
Strange signssigns
and figures, partly
and figures, partly obliterated
obliterated by by time,
time, were
were wrought
wrought upon upon
both the
both the gold
gold plate
plate and
and thethe handle,
handle, but but what
what they
they signified
signified
was of
was of course
course aa mystery
mystery to to us.
us. The The workmanship
workmanship was was
most excellent, and
most excellent, might have
and might have beenbeen executed
executed by by some
some
first-class artist.
first-class artist.
"By Jove
"By Jove!! Dick,
Dick, you you have
have something valuable there
something valuable there if if
never find
YOll never
you find the
the Golden
Golden Lake,Lake,"" said
said II to
to my
my cousin,
cousin, whowho
...as intently
was intently examining
examining the the pretty
pretty little
little weapon.
weapon.

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 THE GOLDEN
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1255
"It looks
"It looks valuable,"
valuable," he he replied.
replied. " "This
This metal
metal is is certainl,
certainly
gold, but
gold, but the
the rubies-
rubies-II wonder wonder if they are
if they are real
real rubies?
rubies ? ""
"Not doubt of
" Not aa doubt of it,
it, mymy boy.
boy. II flatter
flatter myself
myself II knowknow aa
ruby when
ruby when II see see it,
it, and
and you you may may depend
depend uponupon it it those
those
stones are
stones are good.
good. And And what what is is more
more marvellous
marvellous still,still, they
they
are actually
are cut. Wonder
actually cut. Wonder upon upon wonder.
wonder. What What relics might
relics might
we not
we not discover
discover in in aa month's
month's earnest search among
earnest search among these these
hills. What
hills. What aa strange
strange taletale wewe should
should havehave to to tell
tell toto thethe
quidnuncs of
quidnuncs the world.
of the world Keep Keep the axe, Dick
the axe, Dick;; ,you will find
you will find
it worth
it worth thethe trouble
trouble of of porterage
porterage,, and and ifif we
we don't
don't strike
strike thethe
Golden Lake
Golden Lake we we shall
shall have
have thethe queerest
queerest story
story to
to tell
tell of
of the
the
interior that
interior that mortal
mortal ears
ears havehave ever
ever listened
listened to."
to."
On our
On our return
return to to the
the camp
camp we we showed
showed JimmyJimmy the the axe,axe,
and a1,so pointed
and also pointed out out thethe the
the strange inscription on
strange inscription on the
the gold
gold
plate and
plate and handle,
handle, but but that
that intelligent
intelligent savage evinced neither
savage evinced neither
curiosity nor
curiosity nor surprise,
surprise, nor nor could
could he he read
read the
the characters,
characters, nor nor
had he
had he ever heard-knew not
ever heard-knew not even
even a legend of
a legend the people
of the people
who at
who at one
one time
time must
must havehave dwelt
dwelt uponupon the the shores
shores of of thethe
great inland
great inland sea.sea. . .
We shot
We half-a-dozen pigeons
shot half-a-dozen pigeons that that afternoon
afternoon as they flew
as they flew
westward in
westward in huge
huge flocks
flocks above
above us. us. It was aa welcome
It was welcome sight,sight,
for where
for where game
game was, was, water
water would
would surely
surely bebe found
found;; besides,
besides,
it fitted
it fitted into
into thethe tale
tale that
that Morton
Morton had had told
told of the river
of the river on on
the other
the side of
other side these very
of these very mountains
mountains' that that lost
lost itself
itself in tlu
in the
rand.
sand.
Jimmy was
Jimmy was sentsent trudging
trudging up up thethe Principal
Principal Street
Street to to see
see
if he
if he could
could obtain
obtain moremore waterwater farther
farther on, for we
on, for we diddid not not
wish to
wish to resume
resume our journey till
our journey till the
the next
next day,
day, and
and to to camp
camp
anywhere but
anywhere but where
where we we had had aa goodly
goodly supply
supply of the precious
of the precious
liquid was not
liquid was not to to be
be thought
thought of of for
for aa moment.
moment. He He returned
returned
an hour
an hour later
later with
with the
the news
news thatthat hehe had
had discovered
discovered aa good good
spring about
spring about aa mile mile upup thethe mountain
mountain,, and and wewe immediately
immediately
hoisted our
hoisted our swags
swags and and set set off
off toto reach it.
reach it.
On arriving
On arriving at at our destination we
our destination we discovered half-a-dozen
discovered half-a-dozen
dingoes drinking
dingoes drinking at at the
the spring,
spring, andand immediately dispersed
immediately dispersed
them, upon
them, upon whichwhich they they sneaked
sneaked off, off, snarling
snarling ominously.
ominously.
During the
During the cooking
cooking of of our
our evening
evening mealmeal we we were
were also also
much annoyed
much annoyed by by them,
them, the the brutes
brutes appearing
appearing in in every
every

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THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

conceivable
conceivable place, place, and and growing
growing more more bold bold as as though
though contact
contact
with our
with our presence
presence created
created impudent
impudent familiarity.
familiarity. On On either
either
side
side of the rocks
of the rocks aboveabove our our heads
heads (for(for wewe were
were camped
camped in in
sort of
aa sort gully) they
of gully) they stood,
stood, and, and, yelping
yelping dolefully,
dolefully, sniffed
sniffed
in the
in the air
air that
that carried
carried thethe incense
incense of the broiled
of the broiled pigeons.
pigeons.
We were very
We. were very glad glad at that moment
at that moment the the dingo
dingo was was not not
aa thinking animal ; for
thinking animal; had he
for had he been,
been, he he might
might havehave made made
our
our position
position extremely uncomfortable by
extremely uncomfortable by rolling big stones
rolling big stones
down
down uponupon us.us. Dick Dick thought
thought they looked nasty,
they looked nasty, andand even
even
Jimmy mumbled
Jimmy mumbled somethingsomething about about theirtheir queer behaviour,
queer behaviour,
so we unstrapped
so we unstrapped our our shooting
shooting irons, irons, deciding
deciding to to be pre-
be pre
pared in
pared in case
case Mr. Mr. Dingo should think
Dingo should think it it worth
worth hishis while
while toto
attack.
attack.
It was aa beautiful
It was beautiful night.mght. The The great
great white
white moon flooding
moon flooding
with rays
with rays of silver this
of silver this city
city of the dead,
of the dead, created
created a a solemn
solemn
and magnificent
and magnificent sight. sight. II stood
stood on on a a lofty
lofty eminence
eminence of of rock,
rock,
and let
and let my eyes wander
my eyes wander over over the the strange,
strange, dead,
dead, ghostly
ghostly
scene. Like
scene. Like a city of
a city of the
the Titans
Titans it it seemed,
seemed, huge, huge, petrified
petrified
in the
in the eternal
eternal sleep
sleep of death. No
of death. No sound
sound brokebroke the
the stillness
stillness
of the
of the night,
night, save
save nownow andand then
then the the wild
wild howl
howl of of the
the dingo
dingo
on the
on the adjacent
adjacent rocks,rocks, or or the
the weird
weird cry cry ofof the
the curlew
curlew as as it
it
rushed through
rushed through the the air
air above.
above. Fit Fit inhabitant,
inhabitant, fit fit songster.
songster.
We held
We held some conversation later
some conversation lateron on asas toto the
the advisability
advisability
of keeping
of keeping watch
watch that that night
night for for fear
fear ofof anan attack
attack from
from thethe
wild dogs,
wild dogs, but
but as as both
both Dick
Dick and and Jimmy
Jimmy declared
declared the the dingo
dingo
to be
to be aa most
most arrant
arrant coward,
coward, we we decided
decided that that such
such aa course
course
would be
would be unnecessary
unnecessary.. Therefore, Therefore, feelingfeeling perfectly
perfectly secure
secure
in the
in the protection
protection our our camp
camp fire fire afforded
afforded us, us, we,
we, being
being
utterly' exhausted,
utterly exhausted, soon fell into
soon fell into aa profound
profound slumber.
slumber.
How
How longlong it it lasted
lasted II know
know not, not, butbut II was
was awakened
awakened by by
the low
the growl of
low growl of anan ,animal
animal closeclose to to my
my head,
head, andand on on look
look-
ing up
ing up II saw
saw thethe wildwild blazing
blazing eyes eyes of of aa huge
huge dogdog almost
almost.
directly over
directly over me. me. His teeth glistened
His teeth glistened brightlybrightly in in the
the
moonlight, and
moonlight, and his his great
great hothot tongue
tongue lolled lolled so so far
far outout ofof
his mouth
his mouth thatthat II seemed
seemed to to feel
feel itit upon
upon me. me. II riveted
riveted my my
eyes upon
eyes upon his,his, feeling
feeling at at the
the same
same time time for for my
my revolver,
revolver,
but not
but not daring
daring to to turn
turn round
round and and looklook lest
lest the
the moment
moment my my
eyes were
eyes were withdrawn
withdrawn,, the the brute
brute would
would spring spring uponupon me. me. II

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127

luckily felt
luckily felt mymy hand
hand touchtouch the the weapon,
weapon, and, and, drawing
drawing it it
slowly and
slowly and deliberately
deliberately back, back, II raised
raised it it quickly
quickly and and fired
fired
full in
full in the
the animal's
animal's openopen mouth.
mouth. Nor Nor waswas II a moment too
a moment too
soon. He
soon. He hadhad perceived
perceived the the movement
movement of of mymy armarm andand
was
was in the very
in the very act
act ofof springing.
springing. As As it was, the
it was, the body
body roserose
in the
in the airair and then, carried
and then, carried by by its
its own
own impetus,
impetus , fell full
fell full
upon me.
upon me.
My shot
My shot aroused
aroused my my companions,
companions, who who werewere on on their
their feet
feet
in aa moment,
in moment, and and soonsoon shotshot afterafter shot
shot rang
rang out upon the
out upon the
night air,
night air, mingled
mingled with with the the yells
yells of
of thethe frightened
frightened and and
infuriated animals.
infuriated animals. One One glance
glance was was enough
enough to to take
take in in the
the
situation. We
situation. We werewere attacked
attacked by by the dingoes-a fierce
the dingoes-a fierce,,
wild pack
wild pack of of gaunt
gaunt and and famished
famished brutes.brutes. They They had had defied
defied
the fire (usually
the fire (usually aa perfect
perfect safeguard)
safeguard) and and thatthat instinctive
instinctive
dread of
dread of man
man which
which seemsseems implanted
implanted in in every
every beast,
beast, and,
and,
driven on
driven on by
by hunger,
hunger, had had attacked
attacked us us in
in this
this unprecedente
unprecedentedd
manner.
manner.
""This
This is is aa pretty
pretty go," go," roared
roared my my cousin
cousin Hardwicke
Hardwicke
between the
between the flashes
flashes of his revolver
of his keep your
revolver;; cc" keep your back
back to to
the wall,
the wall, old fellow, and
old fellow, don't let
and don't let them
them get get behind
behind you."you."
A good
A good piece
piece ofof advice
advice whichwhich II am am afraid
afraid was was not
not carried
carried
out
out toto the
the letter
letter byby any
any of of us.
us.
Shot
Shot now succeeded shot
now succeeded shot in in quick
quick succession,
succession, and and by by
the indifferent
the indifferent lightlight of of the
the moon
moon we we beheld
beheld many many of of ourour
savage adversaries
savage adversaries writhing
writhing upon upon the the ground,
ground, but but those
those
that were not
that were not seriously wounded,, becoming
seriously wounded becoming maddened maddened
with the
with the pain,
pain, threw
threw themselves
themselves upon upon us us with
with terrific fury,
terrific fury,
snapping and
snapping and snarling
snarling in in so so dreadful
dreadful aa mannermanner that that we we
were all
were all severely
severely bitten
bitten before
before we we could
could beat
beat themthem off.
off. So So
many of
many of them
them were
were there
there that
that no no sooner
sooner was was one given his
one given his
quietus than
quietus than another
another sprang,
sprang, as if by
as if by magic,
magic, in in his
his place.
place.
II had,
had, with
with aa dexterity
dexterity II would would not not have
have given
given myself
myself
credit for, managed
credit for, managed to to reload
reload my my revolver,
revolver, but but to to attempt
attempt
such
such aa featfeat again
again would
would have have been the acme
been the acme of of supreme
supreme
folly;; so,
folly so, with
with it it inin one
one hand
hand and and mymy knife
knife in the other,
in the other, II
stood
stood at at bay
bay and
and slashed
slashed and and hit hit whenever
whenever the the opportunity
opportunity
occurred. The
occurred The ferocity
ferocity of the great
of the great dogs
dogs seemed
seemed to to increase
increase
with the
with the increasing
increasing quantity
quantity of blood. They
of blood. literally screamed
They literally screamed

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 128
128 TH.E GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.
,
with anger
with anger as a'!; they
they rushed
rushed upon upon us, us, utterly regardless of
utterly regardless the
of the
destructive
destructive blows blows that that we we were
were raining
raining upon them. Their
upon them. Their
numbers seemed
numbers seemed endless endless;; the the horror
horror of their discord
of their discord waswas
deafening, and
deafening, and II already
already began began to to see
see visions
visions of of the
the dread
dread-
·ful ehd.. One
ful end One huge huge fellow
fellow sprang
sprang upon upon me me while
while II was
was
engaged giving
engaged giving aa final final blowblow to to another,
another, and and so so close
close did
did
he get
he get to my throat
to my throat thatthat his his hot
hot bloody
bloody nostril
nostril grazed
grazed my my
chin
chin as as II ran
ran my my knife
knife intointo him,
him, andand he he fell
fell dead.
dead.
The fighting now
The fighting now grew grew more
more fast
fast and
and furious,
furious, if if such
such aa
thing were
thing were possible,
possible, and and II became
became so so distressed
distressed that that II
foresaw an
foresaw an awful
awful termination
termination to to the
the battle,
battle, unless
unless thethe unun-
foreseen should
foreseen should suddenly
suddenly turn turn up up in our favour.
in our favour. ThingsThings
seemed to
seemed to bebe going
going dead dead against
against us,us, and
and II thought
thought thenthen
that, situated
that, si.tuated as as we we were,
were, our our defensive
defensive tactics
tactics would
would
the undoing
be the
be undoing of of us.us. Hardwicke
Hardwicke must must have have thought
thought
similarly, for
similarly, for suddenly,
suddenly, with with the
the agility
agility ofof aa cat,
cat, hehe seized
seized a a
rifle that
rifle that waswas lying
lying on on the
the ground
ground aa few few yards
yards fromfrom him,
him,
and after
and after discharging
discharging its its contents
contents intointo the
the howling
howling mass,mass, he he
charged them
charged them withwith suchsuch fury
fury asas to
to scatter
scatter them
them beforebefore him.
him.
Crash, crash,
Crash, crash, crash
crash !I went
went the the instrument,
instrument, as as with
with mighty
mighty
strokes he
strokes he brought
brought it it down
down on on thethe head
head or or body
body of of the
the
brutes, beating
brutes, beating to to aa jelly
jelly whatever
whatever part part ofof thethe animal
animal itit
struck. They
struck. They gave gave wayway before
before his his giant
giant strokes,
strokes, snapping
snapping
and snarling
and snarling all all the
the time,
time, andand II doubt
doubt not not but but that
that hehe
would gradually
would gradually have have driven
driven them
them off,off, had
had he he not
not inin step
step-
ing forward
ing forward quickly
quickly to to administer
administer the the death-blow
death-blow to to one
one
gigantic brute,
gigantic brute, slipped
slipped in in some
some unaccountable
unaccountable manner, manner, and and
fallen heavily
fallen heavily to to the
the earth.
earth. In In aa moment
moment the the great
great dogdog
he had
he had sought
sought to to demolish
demolish was was upon
upon him,him, while
while thethe others,
others,
emboldened by
emboldened by thethe accident
accident whichwhich hadhad befallen
befallen their
their oppo
oppo-
nent, leapt
nent, leapt furiously
furiously forward.
forward.
II happened
happened to to see
see Hardwicke
Hardwicke fall, fall, and
and also
also beheld
beheld thethe
great dog
great dog rush
rush upon upon him, him, andand then
then another follow suit
another follow suit;;
but unfortunately II co_uld
but unfortunately render him
could render him no no assistance,
assistance, for for we,
we, .
Jimmy and
Jimmy and I, I, were
were so so beset
beset by by the
the animals
animals that that toto turn
turn
from them
from them forfor aa moment
moment would would have
have been
been to to court
court instant
instant
defeat.. II,, however,
defeat. however, shouted shouted to to him
him words
words of of encourage
encourage-
ment, and
ment, and then
then seizing
seizing the the rifle
rifle which
which had flown from
had flown from hishis

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 , THE
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------------------.--~---

grasp as he tripped, II laid

grasp laid about
about me m with such good d will,
will,
and was
and w so well backed ked up up by by Jimmy,
Jim who, with a a long
long
knife in
knife i his hand, fought ght likelike aa veritable
verit demon, that at in
in aa
few moments
few roo we had thehe extreme
extreme felicity
felic of knowing that hat the
the
battle was over. I retraced
battle raced my my steps
steps hurriedly, calling ng the
the
good news to Dick ; but
good but toto my my exceeding
exc ment II
astonishment
received no
received answer. II felt
no answer. felt aa deadly,
deadly, sickening
slckenmg dread
dread creep
creep
over me,
over me, andand could
could scarcely
scarcely stagger
stagger to where II saw
to where saw hishis
still form in
still form in the
the moonlight.
moonlight. One One of the great
of the great dogs
dogs waswas
lying across
lying across his his breast,
breast, and
and the the other
other by by his
his side.
side_ BothBoth
were dead. He
were dead. He had
had strangled
strangled them,them, andand even
even in
in his
his uncon-
uncon
scious
scious state,
state, hishis hands
hands still
still held
held their
their vice-like grip upon
vice- like grip upon
the brutes'
the brutes' throats,
throats while
while on his face
on his was the
face was the fixed
fixed,, hard
hard
lopk that
look t always came me therethere whenwhen he had something ething
difficul
difficult to do, and when hen he he meant
mean to do it. He e was
was
breathi though, and with
breathing, with thethe except
exception of a cut on the he side
side
ofthe head,
ofthe h which he must ust have
have inflict
inflicted upon himselff when when
he fell,, seemed to be little
he fell little the
the worse
worse for his encounter. ter. II
held
held h his head and poured oured some some wa water down his throat, throat,
and in
and in aa few few minutes
minutes his his eyes
eyes slowly
slowly opened,
opened, and, and ,
seeing
seeing my my faceface above
above him, him, he he recognised
recognised me me withwith aa
smile.
smile.
"" It's
It's all
all over,
over, Archie
Archie?? "" he he queried.
queried.
"Yes," II replied,
"Yes," replied, "we've
" we've driven
driven thethe enemy
enemy off. Jimmy
off. Jimmy
is at
is at the
the present
present moment
moment giving
giving several
several of of them
them the
the finishing
finishing
touch. How do you feel,
touch. feel, old man?? ”"
old man
" A bit sore about the
"A he head."
head."
"Yo cut it when you
"You ou fell."
felL"
"Th that accountss for
"Then for mymy faint in
fainting," ing up.
he said, sitting up.
"And you, old fellow ??"”
"And
" A few scratches-nothing
"A nothing serious.
serious."
~'Tha well. And Jimmy?"
"That's Jimmy ? "
"" Oh, nothingg affects
Oh, nothin affects him."
him."
" Did
" Did he he fight
fight well?
well ? ""
""Like
Like a a Spartan."
Spartan . ”
" II am
" am glad
glad of of that.
that. I, I, it
it seems,
seems, waswas thethe only
only lady
lady this
this
time. II don't
time. don't know
know how
how II slipped, I'm sure.
slipped , I'm sure. II heard
heard youyou
shout to
shout to meme andand then
then II pulled
pulled myself
myself together
together aa bit bit and
and

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seized
seized both
both dogsdogs byby thethe throat.
throat. ThenThen II have
have an an mdistinct
indistinct
recollection of
recollection of their blood-shot eyes
their blood-shot eyes andand big teeth, and
big teeth, and II
felt myself
felt myself put put forth
forth allall my
my strength
strength for
for aa final
final effort-and
effort—and
then II remember
then remember no no more."
more."
"Thank heaven
"Thank heaven it it is all over
is all over now,"
now, " said
said I.I. " "Though
Though it it
was pretty
was pretty tough
tough while
while it it lasted.
lasted.""
"It was
"It was indeed,"
indeed," he he answered.
answered. "If " If II had
had been
been toldtold the
the
dingo would
dingo would have have shown
shown such
such fight II should
fight should havehave laughed
laughed
at the yarn
yam." "" ,
at the .'
"C
" There were so
"There were so many
many of them," II ventured.
of them," ventured . "Besides, Besides,
they were
they were mad mad withwith hunger."
hunger.”
"That's
" That's it,"it," said
said Dick.
Dick. "And " And hunger
hunger and and companion-
companion
ship made
ship made them them defiant.
defiant.""
We kept
We kept watchwatch all all through
through the the rest
rest of the night,
of the night, and and
though we
though we were
were not not molested
molested we we discharged
discharged our rifles at
our rifles at any
any
too adventurous
too adventurous dingo, dingo, for for we
we were
were inin deadly terror lest
deadly terror lest they
they
should again
should again assail us. They,
assail us. They, however,
however, refrained
refrained from from so so
doing, though
doing, though they they howled
howled dolefully round all
dolefully round through the
all through the
long night,
long night, attracted
attracted to the camp,
to the despite their
camp, despite their fear,
fear, by by the
the
smell of
smell blood.
of blood.
In the
In the morning
morning the the field
field ofof battle presented aa ghastly
battle presented ghastly
spectacle.
spectacle. Fully Fully aa score
score of of our
our canine
canine opponents
opponents lay lay dead,
dead,
exhibiting
exhibiting strangestrange distortions
distortions of of nature.
nature. Above Above soared soared
several birds
several birds of of prey,
prey, only
only awaiting
awaiting our our departure,
departure, while while
from the
from the rocks
rocks around
around the the wild,
wild, sharp
sharp yelp
yelp of the dingoes
of the dingoes
told the
told the sophisticated
sophisticated ear ear how
how anxiously
anxiously theythey were
were waiting
waiting
to
to dine
dine off their brothers.
off their brothers.
We were
We were not not long
long in packing up
in packing up our
our traps
traps andand departing,
departing,
the sun
the having no
sun having no sooner
sooner risen
risen out
out of the great
of the great desert
desert
beyond than
beyond than we we were
were awayaway with
with thrice
thrice ourour ordinary
ordinary speed,speed ,
and II do
and do not believe we
not believe we could
could have
have gone
gone more
more thanthan twenty
twenty
yards before
yards before the birds were
the birds were down
down upon their victims,
upon their victims, while
while
the sharp
the sharp growls
growls of the dingoes
of the dingoes told
told us us that
that thethe feast
feast ofof
blood had
blood had begun.
begun .
" We are
"We are well
well out
out o£.that,
of that, Dick."
Dick. "
"We are
"We are indeed.
indeed. It is positive
It is positive proof
proof thatthat fatefate in-
in
tends us
tends us toto accomplish
accomplish our journey. So
our journey. So onward,
onward, Archie,
Archie,
onward!'
onward."

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" Yes, onward

"Yes, onward !! "" And
And we
we pursue
pursuedd aa rapid
rapid course along
course along
the broad
the broad white
white street, glad enough
street, glad enough toto get
get far
far beyond
beyond the
the
wild inhabit
wild inhabitants
ants of the City
of the City in
in the
the Mounta
Mountains.
ins .

CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
OF OUR
OUR MARCH ACROSS THE
THE
GREAT DESERT.
DESERT.

THE mountain
THE mountain path path along which we
along which we strode
strode ran,
ran, for
for about
about aa
mile. sheer
mile, sheer up up'the valley of
the valley of the hills, at
the hills, at aa width
width of from aa
of from
hundred
hundred and and sixty to aa hundred
sixty to hundred and and seventy feet. It
seventy feet. It was
was
aa rough,
rough, uneven
uneven way, way, composed
composed for for the
the most
most part
part of of big,
big,
loose stones,
loose stones, over
over which
which we found progress
we found progress neither
neither easyeasy
nor
nor pleasant.
pleasant. This This proved
proved extremely
extremely provoking,
provoking, for, for, at
at aa
distance, the road
distance, the appeared as
road appeared as smooth
smooth as though it
as though it had
had
been
been paved
paved with
with white
white asphalt.
asphalt. However,
However, the the endend came
came
at
at last,
last, and
and aa curious
curious oneone itit was,
was, consisting,
consisting, as as it
it did,
did, ofof an
an
immense
immense white white wall,
wall, fully
fully aa hundred
hundred feetfeet high,
high, which
which pre-pre
sented
sented soso abrupt
abrupt aa termination
termination thatthat at the first
at the first glance
glance we we
imagined
imagined it it an
an impassable
impassable barrier.
barrier. Fortunately
Fortunately we we were
were
wrong
wrong in in our
our surmises,
surmises, for for to
to the
the right
right ofof us
us we
we discovered
discovered
aa narrow
narrow opening
opening intointo which
which Dick
Dick immediately
immediately plunged,
plunged,
Jimmy
Jimmy and and II following. Burdened as
following . Burdened as we
we were
were with
with things,
things,
we
we found
found thethe ascent
ascent arduous
arduous in the extreme,
in the extreme, forfor itit was
was nono
less
less an
an undertaking
undertaking than than that
that ofof mounting
mounting the the precipitous
precipitous
sides
sides of
of the great wall.
the great wall. ButBut as as it
it was
was imperative
imperative that that wewe
should
should mount
mount it, it, we
we took
took things
things in the most
in the most workman-like
workman-like
fashion,
fashion, and
and after
after half-an-hour's
half-an-hour's severesevere straining
straining foundfound
ourselves
ourselves arrived
arrived at at the
the wished-for
wished-for height
height in in safety.
safety. Then Then
we
we threw
threw ourselves
ourselves upon the ground
upon the ground with
with aa sigh
sigh of of relief
relief
and
and partook
partook of of some
some breakfast,
breakfast, of which we
of which we were
were much
much in in

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need, and
need, and after
after devoting
devoting half-an-hour
half-an-hour to to aa smoke,
smoke, we we hoisted
hoisted
our swags and
our swags and onceonce more
more pushed
pushed forward.
forward.
This
This newnew road road was was almost
almost as as difficult
difficult to travel as
to travel its
as its
predecessor, and
predecessor, swift progress
and swift progress was was consequently
consequently an an impos
impos-
sibility. Nevertheless
sibility. Nevertheless we we advanced
advanced, at at aa fairly
fairly decent
decent rate,rate,
still passing
still passing up up the valley of
the valley the hills,
of the hills, for
for by by this
this way
way alone
alone
we felt
we felt sure
sure oldold Morton
Morton had had intended
intended us us toto journey.
journey. The The
only difficulty we
only difficulty we hadhad ofof choosing
choosing our our road
road on on this
this occasion
occasion
was when
was when we we suddenly
suddenly emerged
emerged upon upon thethe base
base of of a hill and
a hill and
stood not
stood not knowing
knowing whetherwhether to to steer
steer toto the
the right
right oror left, but
left, but
the right
the right being
being the the larger
larger valley
valley ofof the
the twotwo,, wewe entered
entered it it
after
after a a few
few moments'
moments' consideration.
consideration. And And well well it was we
it was we
did so;
did for not
so ; for not alone
alone diddid it turn out
it turn out toto bebe the
the proper
proper one, one,
but after
but after going
going aa short short distance
distance we we struck
struck aa very very easy
easy
pathway, at
pathway, at thethe bottom
bottom of of which
which aa smallsmall clear
clear stream
stream
flowed merrily
flowed merrily along. along. Yet Yet muchmuch vexation
vexation of of spirit
spirit waswas
caused
caused us us as we discovered
as we discovered alps alps rising upon alps,
rising upon alps, as the
as the
poet puts
poet puts it.it. But, thank heaven,
But, thank heaven, therethere is is an
an end
end to to all
all
things, even
things, even to to the
the height
height and breadth of
and breadth mountains, and
of mountains, and
just before
just before sundown
sundown we we had
had thethe extreme
extreme felicity
felicity of finding
of finding
ourselves at
ourselves at thethe veryvery top,
top, forfor toto the
the westward,
westward, or. right
or right
before us,
before us, the
the hills
hills began
began to to slope.
slope.
We decided
We decided to to camp
camp therethere that
that night
night and and begin
begin the the
descent in
descent in the
the morning.
morning. In In the
the meantime
meantime the the sky
sky appeared
appeared
so
so heavy
heavy and threatening that
and threatening that wewe began
began to to look
look about
about us us
for
for shelter.
shelter. Both Both Jimmy
Jimmy and and DickDick declared
declared it it was
was going
going
to
to rain
rain in
in torrents,
torrents, and and that unless we
that unless we discovered
discovered some some
refuge we
refuge we should
should have have aa very
very disagreeable
disagreeable time time of of it. This
it. This
salutary
salutary warning
warning stimulated
stimulated our our energies,
energies, and and aa great
great holehole
being
being perceived
perceived some some twenty
twenty feet feet up
up the
the sideside of of aa jagged
jagged
wall,
wall, Jimmy
Jimmy was was relegated
relegated aloft aloft toto explore.
explore. Upon Upon his his
shouting
shouting thatthat it it was
was the
the very
very place,
place, Dick
Dick and and II ascended,
ascended,
and
and found
found ourselves
ourselves in in aa kind
kind of of cave
cave about
about twelve
twelve feet feet inin
width and
width and asas many
many in in depth-just
depth-just large large enough
enough for for us us toto
stretch
stretch ourselves
ourselves at at ease.
ease.
We had
We had' notnot been
been ensconced
ensconced in in this
this airy
airy retreat
retreat manymany
minutes
minutes before
before a a most
most terrific
terrific clap
clap of of thunder
thunder shook shook the the
mountain to
mountain to its
its very
very foundation.
foundation. It It waswas followed
followed by by peal
peal

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133

after peal in
after peal in rapid
rapid succession,
succession, till till the
the whole
whole place
place trembled
trembled
and
and swayed
swayed like like aa shipship at at "Sea.
sea. Then Then the the lightning
lightning flashed
flashed
in huge
in huge vivid flames, illuminating
vivid flames, illuminating the sudden darkness
the sudden darkness with with
aa weird
weird and terrible splendour,
and terrible splendour, bathingbathing the the far-off
far-off mountain
mountain
peaks with blinding
peaks with blinding clouds clouds of of fire,
fire, and playing before
and playing before thethe
entrance of
entrance of ourour cave cave in in aa sort
sort of of ghostly
ghostly gleeglee as as though
though
delighted at
delighted at the the inconvenience
inconvenience it it was
was creating.
creating. Such Such aa
wild world
wild world of fire it
of fire had never
it had never been been my my lot
lot toto see
see before.
before.
One could
One could easily
easily imagine
imagine that that thethe gates
gales of of thethe infernal
infernal
regions had
regions had been been thrownthrown open, open, and and all all the
the hideous
hideous fire fire
contained therein
contained therein let let loose
loose uponupon the the world.
world
Then the
Then the rain
rain splashed
splashed down, down, big, big, solitary drops at
solitary drops first,
at first,
as
as it falls in
it falls tropical regions.
in tropical regions. But But the the drops
drops soon grew to
soon grew to
a deluge,
a deluge, and and fell fell in
in such
such vast quantities as
vast quantities as toto make
make one one
quite
quite believe
believe that that the the Supreme
Supreme Being Being had had repented
repented of his
of his
promise.
promise. How How it it roared.
roared and hissed ! The
and hissed! The noise
noise waswas so so
deafening that
deafening that it it was
was impossible
impossible to hear each
to hear each other
other speak.
speak.
Stones, torn
Stones, tom by by thethe force
force·.of the rain
, of the from their
rain from their resting-
resting
place on
place on thethe side side of of thethe mountain,
mountain, rattled rattled unceasingly
unceasingly
before the
before the entrance
entrance of of our
our cave, till, with
cave, till, with aa noise like the
noise like the·
crack of
crack of doom,
doom, a huge mass
a huge mass of the mountain
of the mountain gave way, and
gave way, and
precipitated itself
precipitated itself so violently before
so violently before us us that,
that, forfor several
several
seconds, we
seconds, we thought
thought our our end
end had had come.
come. Our rocky retreat
Our rocky retreat
shook so
shook fiercely that
so fiercely that we we instinctively
instinctively clutchedclutched the the wall
wall forfor
support, expecting
support, expecting every every moment
moment some some diredire calamity.
calamity.
But the
But the storm
storm was was too violent to
too violent to last
last long,
long, and,
and, as as isis
the case
the case inin these
these regions,
regions, aa couple couple of of hours
hours afterwards
afterwards the the
moon came
moon came out out and and therethere was was not not aa vestige
vestige of of the
the wild
wild
hurricane seen
hurricane seen in in the
the sky.sky. Had Had it it not
not been
been forfor the
the sudden
sudden
coolness of
coolness of thethe air,air, and
and the the. roarroar of of the
the flood
flood water
water as as itit
rushed foaming
rushed foaming down down the the rocky
rocky valleys,
valleys, no no soul would ever
soul would ever
have guessed
have guessed that that so so short
short a time ago
a time ago thethe wildest
wildest elements
elements
of nature had
of nature had ragedraged so furiously.
so furiously.
Next morning,
Next morning, after after passing
passing a a most
most comfortable
comfortable night, night,
we descended
we descended from from our our airy
airy perchperch and and proceeded
proceeded on on our
our
way.
way. The The storm
storm water water had had already
already run run itself
itself dry
dry in the
in the
gully beds,
gully beds, and and above,above, the the sun spn was was shining
shining as as though
though
nothing unusual
nothing unusual had had occurred
occurred during during his his visit
visit toto the
the

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people in
people in the
the northern
northern world.world The The rocks rocks and and soil were
soil were
slippery, but
slippery, but that,
that, merely
merely causing
causing a a little
little moremore precaution,
precaution,
interfered not
interfered not with
with the
the swiftness
swiftness of of our
our descent.
descent.
All that
All that day
day wewe pushed rapidly on
pushed rapidly till night-fall,
on till night-fall, when when we we
camped
camped. We We suffered
suffered so so extremely
extremely with with the the cold
cold that
that night
night
-our
-our clothes
clothes beingbeing entirely
entirely unsuited
unsuited for for anything
anything in the
in the
way of
way of chilly
chilly weather-that
weather-that we were glad
we were glad to to seesee day-break
day- break
and feel
and the first
feel the first rays
rays of the warm
of the warm sun.sun.
About noon
About noon on on thethe same
same dayday we we camecame into into aa world
world of of
vegetation, which
vegetation, which was was so
so unusual
unusual aa sight
sight thatthat II could
could scarcely
scarcely
credit my
credit senses. The
my senses. The farther
farther we we proceeded
proceeded the the thicker
thicker
grew the
grew the trees
trees' and
and grass.
grass. Down Down the the centre
centre of the valley
of the valley
we were
we were now now treading flowed aa small
treading flowed small stream,stream, and and we we
wondered if
wondered if this
this was
was one
one we we were
were to to follow
follow till till it led us
it led to
us to
the river
the that""lost
river that lost itself
itself in the sand."
in the sand."
Later
Later on the descent
on the became more
descent became more steepsteep and and thethe ground
ground
more slippery and
more slippery and damp,
damp, causing
causing us us to to be be extremely
extremely
cautious
cautious in in our movements. Around
our movements. Around us grew numerous
us grew numerous
small
small ferns, which, the
ferns, which, the farther
farther wewe descended,
descended, grew gradually
grew gradually
larger
larger till we were
till we were in the midst
in the midst of of aa true
true gully
gully of of ferns,
ferns, aa
veritable fairy
veritable fairy picture.
picture. Above Above us, us, aa mass mass of of gold
gold and and
green,
green, stretched
stretched the the beautiful
beautiful broadbroad fronds,fronds, creating
creating a a
canopy
canopy that that almost
almost excluded
excluded the the light
light of of the sun. Down,
the sun. Down,
down,
down, by by thethe sideside of musical waterfalls,
of musical waterfalls, deeper deeper and and
deeper we
deeper we got,got, thethe ferns becoming larger
ferns becoming larger and larger
and larger
and
and the the light froIp. the
light from the blinding
blinding sun sun lessless andand less.
less. The The
change
change was was so so great
great from
from what
what we we werewere accustomed
accustomed to to
that had
that had II awakened
awakened in this spot
in this spot II should
should have have had had no no
difficulty
difficulty in in convincing
convincing myselfmyself thatthat II had had shuffled
shuffled off off this
this
earthly
earthly coil coil and
and had had left world of
left aa world of misery
misery for for oneone of of
marvellous
marvellous beauty. beauty. At At ourour feet
feet whirled
whirled the the small
small bright
bright
stream which, like
stream which, like aa streak
streak ofof silver,
silver, shotshot overover the the dark
dark
rocks
rocks or darted from
or darted from beneath
beneath a a bridge
bridge of leaves, singing
of leaves, singing as as
merrily
merrily as the Brook
as the Brook of of Tennyson.
Tennyson.
was enraptured
II was enraptured with with thethe beauty
beauty of of thethe fairy-like
fairy-like spotspot
and imagined
and imagined many many things
things which
which were were both both foolish
foolish and and
fanciful. We,
fanciful. We, however,
however, had had no no timetime to to dwell
dwell on on itsits
romantic beauties.
romantic beauties. Our Our duty was to
duty was to get
get out out of of itit before
before

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the night
the night camecame on, for the
on, for the place,
place, to to say the least
say the least of
of it,
it, was
was
shockingly damp,
shockingly damp, and and thoughts
thoughts of of rheumatism
rheumatism and and agueague
fretted our
fretted our ignoble
ignoble souls.souls. At At last,
last, after
after many
many slips
slips andand
falls, all
falls, all of which were
of which were of no consequence,
of no consequence, we we emerged
emerged
once more
once more upon upon open open ground
ground and and saw saw before
before us us aa huge
huge
valley, at
valley, the bottom
at the bottom of which rushed
of which rushed a a considerable
considerable stream
stream
of water.
of water.
"That's
" That's the the river,"
river," said
said Dick.
Dick. " "Our duty is
Our duty is to
to follow
follow
it to
it to the
the end.
end. We We needneed fear
fear nothing
nothing now."now. "
"Wonderful," II replied.
"Wonderful," replied. " "The
The waysways of of Providence
Providence are are
truly inscrutable.
truly inscrut;lble. We We could
could notnot havehave come more direct
come more direct
had we
had we known
known every inch of
every inch the way."
of the way."
" Then
" Then you you have
have no no more
more doubts
doubts of the existence
of the existence of the
of the
Golden
Golden Lake Lake?" queried he,
?" queried he, significantly.
significantly.
"II own
" own youyou havehave thethe laugh
laugh of me, Dick
of me, Dick;; butbut II always
always
flattered
flattered myself
myself thatthat II was
was aa very
very practical
practical sort
sort of
of fellow."
fellow."
" And yet
"And yet you
you came
came on on such
such a journey as
a journey as this?"
this ? "
"Well, to
"Well, to tell
tell you
you thethe truth,
truth, II never thought it
never thought would
it would
resolve itself
resolve itself into
into anything
anything but but a hunting expedition.
a hunting expedition. I I
own up
own up toto being
being wrong
wrong and and am now converted
am now converted." ."
We descended
We descended to the bed
to the bed ofof thethe valley
valley and
and continued
continued
our
our march
march along along the the side
side ofof the
the river.
river. DickDick whistled
whistled and and
sang
sang in in evident
evident glee, while II smoked
glee, while smoked more more complacently
complacently
than had
than been my
had been wont for
my wont for many
many a a day.
day. We We shot
shot aa couple
couple
of
of wild
wild ducks
ducks that that evening,
evening, and and on on arriving
arriving at at aa fit
fit place
place
camped,
camped, and and Jimmy
Jimmy prepared
prepared for for usus an
an admirable
admirable supper.
supper.
We three
We three werewere nownow in in excellent
excellent health
health andand spirits
spirits and
and fully
fully
confident
confident of of reaching
reaching the the Golden
Golden Lake,
Lake, which
which II may
may atat once
once
say
say II was
was nono longer
longer a a misbeliever
misbeliever in. in. I I had
had seen too many
seen too many
real proofs
real proofs to to doubt
doubt its existence. To
its existence. have remained
To have remained
callous
callous under
under such such circumstances
circumstances would would havehave been absurd,
been absurd,
and
and I I now
now entered
entered as as heartily
heartily into
into our our undertaking
undertaking as as II
before
before had had indifferently.
indifferently.
The
The next next eight
eight days
days werewere of the most
of the most enjoyable
enjoyable descrip·
descrip
tion, that is,
tion, that is, by
by comparison
comparison with with our
our former joyless existence.
former joyless existence.
We had
We had followed
followed the river for
the river for about twenty miles
about twenty miles and
and hadhad
at
at last
last come
come into into aa country
country magnificently
magnificently wooded, grassed,
wooded, grassed,
and literally stocked
and literally stocked with with game.
game. Not Not more
more welcome
wdcome to to the
the

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THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

Israelites
Israelites o( old was
of old was their
their promised
promised land than this
land than this splendid
splendid
stretch
stretch of of country
country to to us.us. Here
Here we we pitched
pitched our our camp,
camp,
and
and as as our larder required
our larder required replenishing,
replenishing, Dick Dick and and I I
passed
passed the the time
time in in easy
easy explorations
explorations and and bagging
bagging game.game.
JimmJ rarely went
Jimmy rarely went withwith us us on on our
our shooting
shooting expeditions,
expeditions,
taking more
taking more delight
delight in in remaining
remaining in in camp
camp preparing
preparing the the
provisions
provisions and and stuffing
stuffing to to his
his heart's
heart's content.
content. His His cooking
cooking
was truly
was truly wonderful,
wonderful, and and his his ingenuity
ingenuity quite
quite enough
enough to to make
make
aa professional
professional cook cook eat eat hishis nails
nails 'with
'with envy.
envy. No No lacklack of of
articles
articles baulked
baulked his his good
good intentions.
intentions. One One dayday he gave us
he gave us
aa sort
sort of
of bread
bread made made from from rootsroots he he hadhad collected
collected and and
pounded between two
pounded between two grahite
granite stones,
stones, which,
which, though
though it it
tasted
tasted aa trifle earthy, was
trifle earthy, was such such excellent
excellent eatingeating that
that we we
ordered
ordered him him to to prepare
prepare two two or or three
three pounds
pounds of of it
it for
for useuse
on the journey.
on the journey. Another Another day day hehe served
served up up aa dish
dish of
of boiled
boiled
rushes,
rushes, which
which he he also
also collected
collected on the bank
on the bank of the river,
of the river,
and
and which,
which, though
though not not quite
quite possessing
possessing the flavour of
the flavour of
asparagus,
asparagus, mademade aa capital
capital substitute
substitute for for that
that vegetable,
vegetable, and and
added
added aa decided
decided flavour
flavour to to thethe wild
wild turkey
turkey we we were
were then then
eating.
eating. Countless
Countless other other dishes,
dishes , which
which it it is
is not
not necessary
necessary to to
enumerate,
enumerate, but which he
but which he seemed
seemed to to manufacture
manufacture from from
absolutely
absolutely nothing,
nothing, adorned
adorned our our primitive board. He
primitive board; He was was
aa perfect
perfect jewel
jewel of of aa companion,
companion, aa priceless
priceless black
black pearl.
pearl.
At length
At length the the time
time camecame for for us to resume
us to resume our our wayway once
once
more, and we
more, and we pursued
pursued the the course
course of the river
of the river for
for the
the bestbest
part of
part two days,
of two days, at the end
at the end of which period
of which period the the country
country
again presented aa desolate
again presented desolate face, face, nothing
nothing but few scanty
but aa few scanty
shrubs and some
shrubs and some black black barebare rocks meeting the
rocks meeting the view.
view. But But
we were
we were all
all in
in excellent
excellent health,
health, thanks
thanks to to the
the good
good food
food andand .
long rest,
long rest, and
and nothing
nothing daunted
daunted with with thethe prospect
prospect before
before us, us,
we pushed
we pushed rapidly
rapidly on. on.
By degrees the
By degrees the river
river dwindled
dwindled down down and down till
and down till itit
came
came to to aa sudden
sudden stop stop in in aa sheet
sheet of water not
of water not more
more than than
twenty 'yards
twenty yards long long and and as as many
many wide,wide, and
and so so extremely
extremely
shallow that we
shallow that we could
could see the bottom
see the bottom quitequite distinctly.
distinctly. To To
the west,
the west, oror on
on thethe desert
desert side side of this pool,
of this pool, which
which was was so so
insignificant an
insignificant an ending
ending to to the
the great
great mountain
mountain torrent
torrent we we
had followed
had followed so so long,
long, rose three black,
rose three black, spire-shaped
spire-shaped rocks, rocks,

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 THE GOLDEN
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137

looking (or
looking all the
for all the world
world like
like soso many
many solemn
solemn sentinels
sentinels
gu~ding the
guarding the sacred
sacred waters
waters of the vanquished
of the vanquished river. river.
" These
" These mustmust be be the
the Three
Three Brothers,"
Brothers," said said Dick,
Dick, looking
looking
towards the
towards the great rocks, "but
great rocks, where old
" but where old Morton
Morton saw saw thethe
resemblance is
resemblance beyond me."
is beyond me."
" He evidently
"He evidently gave them that
gave them that name,"
name," II replied
replied;; "not
" not
for their
for their resemblance
resemblance to to each
each other,
other, butbut because
because theythey are
are
the only
the only rocks
rocks hereabout.
hereabout II own own I I should
should have have preferred
preferred
a likeness-not
a likeness - not that that brothers
brothers necessarily
necessarily resemble
resemble each each
other-though
other though it it would
would havehave seemed
seemed more within the
more within the con·
con
sistency
sistency of things if
of things there had
if there had been
been thethe ghost
ghost of of a
a similarity.
similarity.
But
But after
after the
the Great
Great White City, we
White City, we cannot
cannot speaJe
speak too
too highly
highly
of
of Morton's
Morton's nomenclature."
nomenclature ."
We camped
We camped that that night
night at the foot
at the foot ofof the
the Middle
Middle Brother,
Brother,
and before
and before thethe sun
sun hadhad risen next morning
risen next morning over the great
over the great
grey hills,
grey hills, in
in our
our rear, we had
rear, we once more
had once more begun
begun ourour mighty
mighty
march.
march . We We steered
steered due due west,
west , for Morton had
for Morton had said that he
said that he
had steered
had steered east from the
east from the waterhole
waterhole in the desert,
in the desert, and
and that
that
such
such aa course
course hadhad brought
brought him him straight
straight up up toto the
the Three
Three
Brothers.
Brothers. Each Each man man had had sufficient
sufficient food
food to last him
to last him about
about
six
six days,
days, but
but ofof that
that we we thought
thought butbut little,
little, well
well knowing
knowing that.
that
the scarcity of
the scarcity of water
water would
would bebe our
our one
one great
great trouble.
trouble. WithWith
care, we
care, we could
could count
count on three, or
on three, or perhaps
perhaps (our four days'
days' supply,
supply,
and
and in tbat time
in that time wewe hoped
hoped toto cover
cover ninety
ninety miles
miles atat least.
least.
II doubt
doubt if if we
we ever
ever should
should havehave gone
gone forth
forth soso badly
badly equipped
equipped
had we
had we not
not known
known that that Morton
Morton had had crossed
crossed before,
before, andand
what
what he he had done we
had done we most
most decidedly
decidedly felt felt capable
capable o( of ac-
ac
complishing.
complishing. Besides, Besides, it it was too late
was too late toto think
think now.
now. We We
had got ourselves
had got ourselves intointo an
an unenviable
unenviable predicament
predicament and and
there were
there were only
only ourselves to get
ourselves to get us out... Hardwicke
us out Hardwicke
kept
kept on
on asserting
asserting that the farther
that the west we
farther west we got
got the
the more
more
would
would thethe country
country improve,
improve, andand II thought
thought he he might
might
be right,
be well knowing
right, well that he
knowing that he could
could not
not be
be very
very far
far
wrong.
wrong.
The ground over
The ground which we
over which we went,
went, though
though barren
barren of the
of the
tiniest blade of
tiniest blade of grass,
grass, was
was firm beneath the
firm beneath the feet,
feet, so
so that
that we
we
strode along
strode along at at aa good
good swinging
swinging pace.
pace. All
All that
that day
day the
the
sun beat
sun beat fiercely down upon
fiercely down upon us,us, scorching the very
scorching the very flesh
flesh
. K
K

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138 THE
T HE G OLDEN L
GOLDEN LAKE.
AKE .

beneath our
beneath our clothes,
clothes, causing
causing unspeakunspeak able able inconvenience,
inconvenience,
but preventing
but preventing not not our
our excellent
excellent progress.
progress.
Soon after
Soon after wewe hadhad left
left thethe Three
Three Brothers
Brothers we we saw saw thethe
reason of
reason their name.
of their name. Looking
Looking at them from
at them from the the desert
desert
they
they were were as as like
like each
each otherother as though they
as though they had been
had been
sculptured
sculptured with with an an especial
especial object.
object. Beyond Beyond a little ir-
a little ir
regularity
regularity in their size-the
in their size—the centre centre one one being
being much much the the
taller of
taller the three-they
of the three-they were were as as like
like asas so
so many
many peas,peas, and
and
brothers
brothers they they must
must have
have seemed
seemed to to poor
poor oldold Morton
Morton who who
found
found at at their
their base
base such
such aa quantity
quantity of of precious
precious water.
water. We We
waved
waved the the three
three great
great silent
silent stones
stones aa lastlast good-bye
good-bye and and setset
our
our faces
faces once once moremore towards
towards the the regions
regions of the setting
of the setting
sun.
sun.
We walked
We walked full full thirty-five
thirty-five miles miles that that day,
day, and
and ceased
ceased
only
only whenwhen the the redred sun
sun had
had sunk sunk some three hours
some three hours in the
in the
desert. The
desert. The break
break of of day
day saw saw usus again
again journeying
journeying onwards,
onwards ,
and we
and we had
had accomplished
accomplished many many milesmiles before
before thethe god
god of of light
light
had
had attained
attained his his intensest
intensest heat. heat. Then, Then, being
being thoroughly
thoroughly
done
done up, up, we we called
called aa halthalt andand did did notnot attempt
attempt to to push
push
on
on till
till the
the blazing
blazing ballball ofof fire
fire had
had begun
begun to to rush
rush downdown the the
western slopes
western slopes of the sky,
of the sky, when,
when, shouldering
shouldering our our swags
swags
once
once more,
more, we we walked
walked far far into
into the the middle
middle of of thethe night.
night.
We pursued
We pursued the the same
same tactics
tactics on on thethe following
following day,day, and and as as
aa consequence
consequence got got on
on extremely
extremely well, for so
well, for great was
so great was the
the
heat during five
heat during five or or six
six hours
hours of of mid-day
mid-day that that we we should
should
have
have exhausted
exhausted ourselves
ourselves had had we we attempted
attempted to to continue
continue
the march
the march duringduring that
that time.
time.
On
On the the evening
evening of of the
the fourth
fourth day day we we finished
finished our our supply
supply
of water, and
of water, and minemine were were not not enviable
enviable feelings
feelings at that
at that
moment. Around
moment. Around us, us, asas far
far asas thethe eye could see
eye could see by by the
the
fast dying
fast dying light,
light, stretched
stretched the the great,
great, brown,
brown, dreary
dreary desert,
desert,
as uninviting
as uninviting and forbidding as
and forbidding the jaws
as the jaws of the grave.
of the grave. No No
hill,
hill, shrub,
shrub, tree,tree,_ or
or stone
stone rose rose out out of of the
the great,
great, flat,
fiat,
melancholy
melancholy waste waste to to break
break its its dreadful
dreadful. monotony.
monotony. It was
It was
the one
the one sombre,
sombre, barren
barren prospect
prospect;; aa sea sea of
of sand,
sand, cheerless
cheerless
and terrible,
and terrible, without
without an an end
end or or beginning.
beginning.
That night we
That night we resumed
resumed our march, Dick
our march, Dick first,
first, II following,
following,
and Jimmy
and Jimmy bringing
bringing up up thethe rear.
rear. Like three spectres
Like three spectres we we

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1

00

Home Nisbet

Soon after
"Soon
U after we
we had
had left
left the
the Three
Three Brothe rs we
Brothers saw the
we S3.\V the reason
reason of
of their
their name."
name."
[Sce
[See page
page 138.
138.
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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 139
139
--- - - - - - - - - -
glided on
glided on beneath
beneath the the bright
bright moonlight
moonlight and and thethe millions
millions of of
stars that
stars that hung
hung likelike glittering
glittering jewels
jewels in the air.
in the air. We We spoke
spoke
little, and
little, and thatthat little was not
little was not comforting.
comforting. What What consolation
consolation
can speech
can speech give give toto men
men in such an
in such an extremity
extremity ?? We We talked
talked
of our
of our unfortunate
unfortunate position,position, of of the
the dreadful
dreadful sameness
sameness of of the
the
country, of
country, of ourour chances
chances of of discovering
discovering the the water
water Morton
Morton
had so
had so miraculously
miraculously found, found, tilltill at
at last
last the
the conversation
conversation broke broke
down completely,
down completely, and and we we marched
marched on on in in moody
moody silence.
silence.
Once we
Once we stopped
stopped and and sanksank aa wellwell in in what
what seemed
seemed to to bebe aa
likely place,
likely place, but but wewe hadhad notnot thethe good
good fortune
fortune to to discover
discover
water, Dick
water, Dick remarking
remarking that that ifif there
there was was anyany thereabouts,
thereabouts, it it
was far
was far too
too deep
deep for for usus toto hope
hope to to reach
reach it. it.
We tramped
We tramped on till three
on till three o'clock
o'clock the the following
following morning,
morning,
when, being
when, being thoroughly
thoroughly dead-beat,
dead-beat, we we flung
flung ourselves
ourselves upon upon
the sand,
the utterly wretched
sand, utterly wretched,, and and almostalmost dying dying of thirst.
of thirst.
Indeed, the
Indeed, the thought
thought flashed through my
flashed through my mind,
mind, as as II threw
threw
myself log-like
myself log-like to to the
the earth,
earth, that
that it it would
would mattermatter but but little
little
if II never
if never roserose again.
again.
We slept
We slept but but aa short time, the
short time, the rays
rays of the sun
of the sun andand thethe
burning thirst
burning thirst within
within forbidding
forbidding the the luxury
luxury of such sweet
of such sweet
forgetfulness. With
forgetfulness. With difficulty
difficulty II managed
managed to to force
force two two or or
three mouthfuls
three mouthfuls of food down
of food down my throat, but
my throat, but to to eat was
eat was
impossible. II wanted
impossible. wanted to to drink,
drink, drink,
drink, nothing
nothing but but drink.
drink .
Like people fleeing
Like people fleeing from from some some evil, evil, we we onceonce more more
shouldered our
shouldered our swags,
swags, and and struck
struck out out across
across the the burning
burning
sand. No
sand. No sign sign was there of
was there of mountains,
mountains, no no cloud
cloud in the
in the
sky,
sky, nono blade
blade of grass that
of grass that we
we might
might even even chew.chew. It It was
was
one vast, deadly
one vast, deadly desolation,
desolation , over over whichwhich the the spirit
spirit of woe
of woe
had
had sown
sown the the seeds
seeds of of despair.
despair.
The day
The crept on,
day crept on, slowly
slowly it it seemed, dreadfully, horribly
seemed, dreadfully, horribly
slowly.
slowly. The The sun sun mounted
mounted its its meridian,
meridian, pouring pouring on on our
our
devoted
devoted headsheads the the concentrated
concentrated rays rays of of all his power.
all his power. ThenThen
he began
he began to to sink,
sink , sink,
sink, lower
lower andand lower,
lower, flooding
flooding the the ghastly
ghastly
plain with aa sea
plain with sea of
of blood-red
blood-red fire, fire, lighting
lighting its its hideousness
hideousness as as
with the
with the flames
flames of hell. The
of hell. The wholewhole wide wide world
world seemed
seemed
ablaze.
ablaze. Earth Earth and and air air metmet in in one
one magnificent
magnificent conflagra-
conflagra
tion,
tion, almost
almost overpowering
overpowering with with itsits intenseness
intenseness the the soul
soul that
that .
gazed
gazed upon
upon it. it. Then
Then the the fierce
fierce lightlight gradually
gradually died died away,
away,

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140 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

changing from
changing from redred to to pink,
pink, andand pink
pink to to yellow,
yellow, andand yellow
yellow
to green
to with incredible
green with incredible swiftness,
swiftness, till till the
the east
east had grown
had grown
to glimmering
to glimmering pearl, pearl, andand in the west
in the west thethe cloud
cloud of of fire
fire was
was
gradually losing
gradually losing itself
itself in the bosom
in the bosom of of the
the air.
air. Then
Then of of aa
sudden
sudden it it broke
broke as as ifif by
by magic,
magic, and and away
away up up in in the
the sky
sky
we saw
we pleasant mountains,
saw pleasant mountains, and and cool-looking valleys, and
cool - looking valleys, and
broad, blue
broad, blue lakes,
lakes, fringed
fringed withwith edges
edges of of gold.
gold Spellbound
Spellbound
and fascinated
and fascinated we we stood
stood surveying
surveying the the wonderful
wonderful scenescene,,
and while
and while yetyet wewe gazed
gazed the the picture
picture passed
passed away,away, andand thethe
cold, unpitying
cold, unpitying starsstars came
came out, out, and
and night,
night, with
with thethe swoop
swoop
of an
of an eagle,
eagle, spread
spread her her dark
dark pinions
pinions overover the
the earth.
earth.
We had
We had now now been
been moremore than than twenty-four
twenty-four hours hours without
without
water, and
water, and felt so acutely
felt so acutely our thirst, and
our thirst, and thethe great
great exertions
exertions
we had
we had undergone,
undergone, that that our
our walk
walk waswas little
little better
better than
than an an
ungainly shuffle.
ungainly shuffle. Yet Yet on on wewe pushed,
pushed , how how II scarcely
scarcely know,
know,
the same
the same grim
grim silence
silence prevailing.
prevailing. We We had had not the heart
not the heart toto
talk, even
talk, even if if there
there had had been
been an an interesting
interesting subject
subject at at hand.
hand.
Even
Even the the weirdweird and and beautiful
beautiful sunset, though it
sunset, though it had
had
stamped
stamped itselfitself ineffaceably
ineffaceably on on my my mind,
mind, called
called up up no no
eKclamation.
exclamation. II gazed gazed upon
upon it it in
in silence,
silence, II passed
passed on on inin
silence, following
silence, following like like aa spectre
spectre in the tracts
in the tracts of of mymy cousin
cousin
Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. No No wordword he he spoke,
spoke, but but ever
ever and and anon
anon he he
would
would turn
turn his his head
head to to see
see if if we
we were
were following,
following, and and wave
wave
his
his hand,
hand, and and thenthen swing
swing on on again.
again. It It was
was an an awful
awful
journey.
journey. My My throat
throat became
became so so sore
sore that
that on on attempting
attempting to to
force
force some
some food food down down it, it, II inflicted
inflicted uponupon myself
myself such
such
misery
misery that
that II inwardly
inwardly vowedvowed II wouldwould endeavour
endeavour to to eat
eat nono
more,
more, and
and II thought
thought then then of the rich
of the rich manman in in hell
hell crying
crying
for
for aa drop
drop of of water,
water, andand II wondered
wondered h9W how thethe angels
angels could
could
refuse
refuse toto give
give it.
it.
We walked,
We walked, as as onon thethe preceding
preceding night,night, till
till our
our strength
strength
gave out
gave out completely,
completely, and and then,then, weary, despairing, and
weary, despairing, and
hopeless, with
hopeless, with more
more of of death
death than than life
life inin our
our bodies,
bodies, we we
flung ourselves
flung ourselves upon upon the the sand,
sand, andand tried
tried to to read
read our
our future
future
in the
in the stars.
stars. Our future-that, alas,
Our future-that, was plain
alas, was plain enough
enough;; and and
it was aa dreadful
it was dreadful thing thing toto contemplate
contemplate that that we we should
should diedie
in the
in very prime
the very prime of of our
our manhood,
manhood, die die for for aa drop
drop of of
water. But
water. But what
what else
else was
was there
there to to look
look forward
forward to to?? Hope
Hope

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LAKE. 141
141

there was
there none. Even
was none. Even God's
God's influence
influence on this spot
on this spot seemed
seemed
as barren
as barren as the barren
as the barren sand.sand. II had had made made up up my mind
my mind
that we
that we would
would die that night,
die that night, and and II triedtried to to gaze upon
gaze upon
death with
death with philosophical
philosophical indifference;
indifference ; asked asked my:;elf
myself whatwhat
mattered aa few
mattered few years
years moremore or or less
less onon earth.
earth. DeathDeath was the
was the
certain
certain goalgoal of of life,
life, and
and in the grave,
in the perhaps, was
grave, perhaps, was thethe end
end
of
of all.
all. AndAnd then then visions
visions of of youth,
youth , andand lifelife and
and love
love flew,
flew,
as
as it
it were,
were, before
before the the eyes
eyes of of mymy brain,
brain, andand II grew
grew furious
furious
with
with my my direful
direful fate,
fate, andand arose
arose in in my my agony,
agony, shouting
shouting
incoherently, but
incoherently, but thethe stars
stars shone
shone on on unchanged,
unchanged, and and thethe
cold,
cold, placid
placid moonmoon looked
looked down,
down, freezing
freezing me me with
with her
her stare.
stare .
Sleep
Sleep camecame not not nearnear us us. that
that night.
night. The The long
long dreary
dreary
hours were
hours were passed
passed in in fitful
fitful dozes.
dozes. Whenever
Whenever my my eyes
eyes shut
shut
and slumber
and slumber dazed dazed my my senses
senses,, the
the vision
vision of of aa crystal stream
crystal stream
of water
of water would
would present
present itself before me,
itself before me, flcwing along so
flcwing along so cool
cool
and merrily
and merrily as as toto turn
turn thethe great
great brown
brown desert desert through
through
which it
which it passed
passed into into aa more
more thanthan heavenly
heavenly paradise.
paradise. Yet Yet
when II knelt
when knelt to to drink
drink II could
could not not force
force the the water
water through
through
my lips
my lips into
into thethe burning
burning throat
throat thatthat literally
literally gasped
gasped forfor its
its
cool touch,
cool touch, and and inin the
the struggles
struggles incident
incident to to the
the· attempt
attempt II
would awake
would awake and and wishwish that
that II were
were dead.
dead. Dick Dick spoke
spoke little
little
of his sufferings,
of his sufferings, but but hishis cheeks
cheeks had had growngrown thinner,
thinner, hishis
eyes more
eyes more sunken
sunken,, and and hishis general
general aspect
aspect gaunt
gaunt and and wild.
wild.
Jimmy, brave
Jimmy, brave little
little man,
man, was was the the least
least affected
affected,, through
through
being, II suppose,
being, suppose, more more usedused to to privations
privations than than either
either my my
cousin or
cousin or I,I, and
and troubling
troubling himself
himself not not one one whit
whit with
with thethe
curse of
curse of thought.
thought. He He waswas nevertheless
nevertheless in in aa most
most wretched
wretched
plight. His
plight. His tongue,
tongue, almost
almost hanging
hanging from from his his mouth,
mouth, had had
become swollen
become swollen and black as
and black his face,
as his face, while
while his his bloodshot
bloodshot
eyes resembled
eyes resembled two two round
round ballsballs of fire.. Yet
of fire Yet hehe never
never comcom-
plained, and
plained, and whenwhen he was aroused
he was aroused from from slumber
slumber (for (for hehe
seemed to
seemed to sleep
sleep well
well enough)
enough) sprangsprang up up with
with avidity.
avidity.
A slight dew
A slight fell that
dew fell night which
that night which somewhat
somewhat damped damped our our
clothes,
clothes, so so we we took
took themthem off off and wrung them
and wrung them overover thethe
billy-can, thereby
billy-can, thereby hoping
hoping to to accumulate
accumulate a a few
few drops
drops of water,
of water,
but in
but that we
in that we were
were doomed
doomed once once more
more to to disappointment,
disappointment,
and were
and were forced
forced to to press
press Qurour swollen tongues upon
swollen tongues upon the the
damp clothes
damp clothes to to gain
gain aa moment's
moment's relief.relief.

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142 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

Once
Once moremore we we trudged
trudged upon upon our weary way,
our weary way, butbut this
this time
time
all vitality was
all vitality was gonegone from from the the springing
springing step step and,and, like
like
drunken men,
drunken men, we we staggered
staggered along.along. Then Then out out came came the the
blazing sun
blazing sun scorching
scorching our flesh and
our flesh and confusing
confusing our brains,
our brains,
and still
and still no
no break
break in the endless
in the plain, no
endless plain, no signsign of of a rain-
a rain
cloud
cloud in in thethe misty,
misty, burning
burning blue.blue. But
But from from the the far-off
tar-off
north-lands the
north-lands fiery breeze
the fiery breeze toretore down
down uponupon upon upon us, us, burn
burn-
ing the
ing the skin till it
skin till it cracked
cracked and and peeled
peeled from from our our faces,
faces, andand
whirling into
whirling into our
our eyes
eyes and parched-up
and parched throats clouds
-up throats clouds upon upon
clouds
clouds of red-hot sand.
of red-hot sand. II could
could havehave given
given up up the
the journey
jo urney
without aa pang,
without pang, could
could havehave contentedly
contentedly laid down, like
laid down, like a a
tired child,
tired child, and passed into
and passed the great
into the unknown;; but
great unknown but Dick,
Dick,
who now
who now walked
walked beside
beside me, me, seeing
seeing the the look
look upon upon my face,
my face,
wound his
wound his armarm round
round mine, mine, and gazing entreatingly
and gazing entreatingly into into
my eyes,
my eyes, pointed
pointed westward
westward with with his other hand.
his other hand.
Finding
Finding it it impossible
impossible to to proceed
proceed in in our
our horrible
horrible condition,
condition,
under so
under so fierce
fierce a a sun,
sun, wewe were
were forced
forced to to rest
rest for
for many
many hourshours
during
during the middle of
the middle that day.
of that day. We We rigged
rigged up up aa sortsort of of
triangular
triangular tent tent withwith the the two two rifles
rifles and
and gun gun as as supports
supports
and
and aa rug rug for the roof,
for the roof, while
while aa second
second one one we we transformed
transformed
to
to aa curtain,
curtain, whichwhich hung hung downdown on on thethe sunnysunny side.side. It It
offered,
offered, in in aa kindkind of of primitive
primitive way, way, aa veryvery fair
fair protection,
protection,
but
but the the wind
wind arising
arising shortly after, blew
shortly after, blew the the whole
whole construc-
construc
tiondown,
tion down, and and as as other
other attempts
attempts to to fix
fix it it failed,
failed, wewe were
were
constrained
constrained to to sit
sit baking
baking in in the
the sun,
sun, enduring
enduring all all the
the agonies
agonies
of
of the
the damned,
damned, till till Hardwicke
Hardwicke motionedmotioned us us toto once
once moremore
journeyon.
journey on.
II obeyed,
obeyed, as as did Jimmy, though
did Jimmy, though everyevery sparkspark of of hope
hope andand
interest in
interest in life
life had
had dieddied outout of of mymy breast, leaving nought
breast, leaving nought
behind
behind but but a a dead,
dead, dulllangour.
dull langour. We We staggered
staggered on, on, and
and on on
for it
for was not
it was not walking,
walking, and the sun
and the sun went
went down down in in aa seasea ofof
fire as
fire as before,
before, and and thethe stars
stars came
came out,out, and
and the the moon
moon sailed
sailed
on, and
on, and thethe wind
wind came
came roaring
roaring over over thethe great
great black
black desert,
desert,
yet on
yet on wewe staggered
staggered,, we we three
three;; on, on, on,
on, till
till Nature
Nature refused
refused
her aid,
her aid, and fell senseless
and II fell senseless to to the
the earth.
earth.
When II awoke,
When awoke, the the east was beginning
east was beginning to to lighten
lighten withwith thethe
coming day.
coming day. II felt felt frightfully
frightfully cold
cold andand ill,
ill, and
and onon stretching
stretching
out
out my my hand
hand foundfound that that mymy clothes
clothes werewere completely
completely satu- satu

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rated, and
rated, and on on dropping
dropping my my hands
hands again
again to to my
my sides
sides II felt,
felt, toto
my great astonishment,
my great astonishment, the the touch
touch of of wetwet grass.
grass. In
In a a
moment
moment II had had turned
turned on on mymy face
face andand buried
buried it in the
it in the
yellow herbage, which
yellow herbage, which waswas covered
covered withwith a thick dew.
a thick dew. I I tore
tore
it
it up
up in in handfuls
handfuls and and pressed
pressed it into my
it into my cracked
cracked and and
parched-up
parched-up mouth. mouth. Poor Poor as as it
it may
may appear
appear it it was
was aa fore-fore
taste
taste of of heaven,
heaven, and and II felt
felt new
new life
life and
and hopehope come come back. back.
Then remembered my
Then II remembered my companions,
companions, and and found
found them them
stretched aa few
stretched few yards
yards distant,
distant, apparently
apparently dead dead. But But dead
dead
they were
they were not,not, though
though howhow any any ofof usus remained
remained alive alive was
was a a
miracle,
miracle, and and II awoke
awoke them them by by pressing
pressing some some of the dew
of the dew
from
from the the grass
grass between
between theirtheir swollen
swollen lips.lips. At first Hard-
At first Hard
wicke gazed
wicke gazed dreamily
dreamily uponupon me, then at
me, then at the
the grass
grass in in mymy hand,
hand,
and
and thenthen around
around him, him, andand aa new new light
light beamed
beamed from from his his
bloodshot
bloodshot eyes, eyes, and
and hehe sprang
sprang quickly
quickly to to his
his feet.
feet.
He
He thenthen collected
collected a large handful
a large handful of of the
the spongy yellow grass,
spongy yellowgrass,
motioning
motioning Jimmy Jimmy and and II to to dodo the
the same.
same. This This he he rubbed
rubbed
carefully over
carefully over thethe dew-laden
dew-laden earth earth andand thenthen squeezed
squeezed it it,, as
as
you would
you would aa sponge, over the
sponge, over the billy-can,
billy-can, and and to to my my surprise
surprise
it actually
it actually yielded
yielded several
several drops
drops of water. II now
of water. now sawsaw the the
drift
drift inin anan instant,
instant, andand set to work
set to work in good earnest,
in good earnest, as as diddid
Jimmy, and
Jimmy, and in in aa little
little over
over an an hour
hour we we had had the
the can, which
can, which
held about
held about three pints, full
three pints, full ofof water
water.. By By that
that time
time thethe sun sun
had arisen,
had arisen, and and every glistening drop
every glistening drop had had evaporated
evaporated
under its
under its rays
rays..
Who can
Who imagine the
can imagine pleasures of
the pleasures that drink-ah,
of that drink-ah, who who I?
Only he
Only he who
who likelike ourselves
ourselves has has been dying of
been dying thirst. The
of thirst. The
first mouthful
first mouthful hissed hissed onon mymy burning
burning tongue
tongue as water hisses
as water hisses
when thrown
when thrown against
against some
some heated
heated metal.
metal. II felt felt that
that II could
could
drink aa gallon,
drink gallon, butbut asas our
our allowance
allowance (about (about aa pint pint each)
each )
had
had been
been served
served out,out, II dared
dared notnot consume
consume more more than than halfhalf
of it,
of it, though
though aa desperate
desperate temptation
temptation seizedseized me me to to dodo so.
so.
"Well," said
"Well," Dick huskily,
said Dick huskily, forfor though
though the the liquid
liquid had had
loosened his
loosened his throat
throat hehe could
could notnot yet
yet speak distinctly, "Fate
speak distinctly, " Fate
does not
does throw much
not throw much in in our
our way,
way, butbut when
when she she doesdoes she she
can't say
can't that we
say that we refuse
refuse to to take
take advantage
advantage of it." ,
of it."
"No," II answered
"No," answered in in aa similar
similar tone.
tone. " "But
But that that was
was aa
rare ide:1 of
rare idea of yours,
yours, Dick.
Dick. II should I;lever have
should never thought of
have thought it.""
of it.

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144 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKĖ.

"The idea
"The idea was
was notnot exactly
exactly mine,
mine, old fellow,"" he
old fellow, he answered.
answered.
It is
cc It
" is said that Eyre
said that Eyre once
once saved
saved his his life
life by
by aa somewhat
somewhat
similar process. He
similar process. He waswas the
the first
first explorer,
explorer, you you know,
know, who who
ever crossed
ever crossed from from eastelst toto west.
west. As As soonsoon as as II sawsaw thethe
damp grass
damp grass in your hand,
in your hand, the the story
story II had had heard
heard came
came
back
back to to me,
me, andand II beheld
beheld aa wayway of of escape."
escape."
"True,
66 True, we we have
have warded;off
warded off the the inevitable,
inevitable, but for how
but for how
long?"
long ?" .
II Who can
"Who can saysay?-pcrhaps
?—perhaps till till wewe die,
die , like
like decent
decent old old
people, in
people, our beds.
in our beds. You You shake
shake your your head.
head. II shookshook mine
mine
last night,
last night, because
because II began
began to to doubt
doubt Providence,
Providence, but but you
you
see how
see how little
little II knew.
knew. We We have have water
water enough
enough here here for
for
another day.
another day. Who Who can can tell
tell what
what the the nextnext twenty-four
twenty-four
hours may
hours may not not bring
bring forth
forth?? Before
Before the the sunsun sets
sets to-morrow
to·morrow
night we
night we may
may havehave reached
reached the the Golden
Golden Lake." Lake."
It was
It was no no use
use prolonging
prolonging the the topic,
topic, for for Dick, when he
Dick, when he
pleased, .was
pleased, was as as argumentative
argumentative as as anyany fellow
fellow II ever knew,
ever knew,
so II asked
so asked him him abruptly
abruptly whatwhat he he thought
thought of of our
our position
position as as
regards the
regards well old
the well old Morton
Morton had had found.
found.
" We have
"We have passed
passed it, it, wherever
wherever it it is,"
is," he he answered
answered;; cc" so so
we must
we must expect
expect nothing
nothing in in that
that quarter.
quarter. Chance Chance led led him
him
to it
to it and
and led us by,
led us by, which
which reminds
reminds me me thatthat we we had
had better
better
push on
push on before
before thethe sun becomes too
sun becomes too oppressive."
oppressive."
He evidently
He evidently wished
wished to to talk
talk as as little
little as as possible.
possible of our
of our
painful position,
painful position, and and as as II was
was in in no no mood
mood to to prolorig
prolong so so
spiritless aa subject,
spiritless subject, II readily
readily acquiesced
acquiesced with with his
his suggestion,
suggestion ,
and, shouldering
and, shouldering our swags, once
our swags, once moremore we we turned
turned our faces
our faces
westward and
westward and trudged
trudged rapidly
rapidly off.
off. .'
Most strange
Most strange and and wonderful
wonderful is the inner
is the inner man,
man, andand most
most
astonishing is
astonishing the effect
is the effect a a little
little refreshment
refreshment has upon it.
has upon it.
Our
Our spirits
spirits rose
rose aa hundred
hundred per per cent.,
cent. , andand a a new
new activity
activity
seemed to
seemed to have
have taken
taken lodgment
lodgment in in our
our heels.
heels. We We swung
swung
along
along with something of
with something the old
of the old vigour,
vigour, for the black
for the black cloud
cloud.
of despair was
of despair was fringed
fringed withwith aa tiny
tiny silver
silver rim,
rim, andand hope,
hope,
faint,
faint, butbut still hope, was
still hope, was once
once moremore in the ascendant.
in the ascendant. We We
halted
halted aboutabout noon,
noon, the the sun
sun being
being too too hot hot toto travel
travel under,
under, .
nor did
nor did we we begin
begin our our journey
journey againagain till till he
he had
had lost
lost all
all his
his
power and
power and was was beginning
beginning to to sink
sink beyond
beyond the the distant
distant

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145

horizon.
horizon. Then Then we we walked
walked on on and
and on through the
on through the calm
calm
bright night,
bright night, munching
munching the food as
the food as wewe went,
went, and and washing
washing
it down with
it down with sips
sips ofof water.
water. We We journeyed
journeyed far far into the best
into the best
part of that
part of that night,
night, then then flung
flung ourselves
ourselves onceonce moremore uponupon the the
sand
sand and
and slept
slept feverishly
feverishly on on till
till daybreak,
daybreak, when when we we arose
arose
with
with weary
weary spirits
spirits and and continued
continued our our dreary
dreary march.march. The The
privations
privations and and suffering
suffering we we hadhad undergone
undergone were were now now
beginning
beginning to to play
play sad havoc with
sad havoc with my my constitution.
constitution. II
trembled
trembled so so violently
violently that feared II was
that II feared was going
going to to be
be seized
seized
with
with the
the ague
ague or or some
some other
other formidable
formidable form form of of disease,
disease,
though
though II breathed
breathed no no word
word of of suspicion
suspicion to to my my cousin,
cousin,
knowing
knowing that that if if such.
such should
should be be the
the case
case whatwhat extra
extra worlds
worlds
of
of pain
pain itit would
would causecause him. him. The The thought
thought was was too
too horrible
horrible
to contemplate.
to contemplate. Had Had II really fallen ill,
really fallen ill, II think
think II should
should
have blown my
have blown my brains
brains out. out.
That morning the
That morning the last drop of
last drop of precious
precious water water was was con-
con
sumed,
sumed, and and yetyet nono mountains
mountains loomed loomed up up toto meet
meet the view.
the view.
We were
We were allall unfitted
unfitted for for another
another severesevere struggle
struggle withwith fatefate,,
our previous
our previous privations
privations being being so so great
great as as to totally debar
to totally debar us us
from.attempting
from attempting to to combat fiercely with
combat fiercely with adverse
adverse fortune.
fortune.
Fate
Fate seemed
seemed to to take
take aa hideous
hideous delight
delight in in thwarting
thwarting us. us. Our
Our
misery had
misery had beenbeen extreme
extreme enough,
enough, God knows!! and
God knows and yet yet the
the
black cloud of
black cloud of evil
evil destiny
destiny seemed
seemed as though it
as though it gloated
gloated in in
the intense
the intense gloom
gloom it it had
had spread
spread over the landscape
over the landscape of of our
our
lives. The
lives. The hot hot sunsun poured
poured ,its its fierce
fierce rays
rays uponupon us us with
with
redoubled vigour,
redoubled vigour, as though glad
as though glad of of thethe opportunity
opportunity it it
possessed
possessed of of tormenting
tormenting the the hearts
hearts thatthat had had beenbeen bold bold
enough
enough to to pierce
pierce the the regions
regions over which it
over which it had held un-
had held un
challenged
challenged sway sway since
since the the world
world began.
began.
How
How we we lived
lived through
through that that dayday II cannot
cannot tell. tell. I I was
was
conscious
conscious of staggering on
of staggering on and
and on,
on, how
how II knew
knew not not. Before
Before
my
my eyes
eyes swam
swam many many strangestrange sights,
sights, while
while in in my
my ears ears aa
thousand
thousand bells bells seemed
seemed clanging
clanging aa hideous discord. The
hideous discord. The
hot
hot sun
sun scorched
scorched me through and
me through through. My
and through. My tongue
tongue
• grew too
grew too bigbig forfor my my mouth.
mouth. II tried tried to to speak
speak but.but waswas
conscious
conscious only only of of uttering
uttering somesome unintelligible
unintelligible sound. sound . And And
to add
to add horror
horror to horror, away
to horror, away up up above
above us, us, circling
circling roundround
and round in
and round in the
the terrible
terrible burning
burning blue, were two
blue , were two great
great

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EN LAKE.
LAKE.

vultures. Ever
vultures. and anon
Ever and anon would
would they they scream loudly as
scream loudly as .
though impatient of
though impatient our respite from death, yet
of our respite from death, yet kept they kept they
straight above
straight above our heads and
our heads always the
and always the same great distance.
same great distance.
Dick
Dick eyed them, but
eyed them, spoke no
but spoke no word.
word. He He took
took thethe shot
shot·
gun from
gun from Jimmy
Jimmy and and loaded
loaded it, it, but
but the
the great
great things gave
things gave
him no
him no opportunity
opportunity to to shoot,
shoot, andand we we were
were forced
forced to to march
march
on, on,
on, on, greeted
greeted every
every nownow and and again
again with
with aa hoarse
hoarse caw caw
from the
from the vampire
vampire birds
birds above.
above.
By degrees the
By degrees the sun went down.
sun went down. II watched
watched it it sink
sink lower
lower
and lower
and lower into the far-off
into the far-off west,
west, leaving
leaving aa great
great wide
wide cloud
cloud ofof
fire in
fire in its wake, but
its wake, but II nono longer
longer gazed upon it
gazed upon it with
with interest.
interest.
II only wished to
only wished lie down
to lie down and and sleep.
sleep. Then
Then Dick Dick seized
seized
my
my arm
arm andand pressed
pressed hishis flask
flask to
to my lips, and
my lips, and II remember
remember II
drained
drained it it mechanically.
mechanically. It It was
was only
only aa mouthful,
mouthful, but,but, like
like
some
some wondrous
wondrous elixir,
elixir, it
it brought
brought me me back
back toto life,
life, and
and II read
read
his
his action
action in in his
his eyes.
eyes. He He had
had given
given me me his
his last
last drop.
drop.
Brave heart, brave
Brave heart, brave Dick
Dick!! Eternity
Eternity shall
shall never blot from
never blot from
my soul the
my soul the love
love and gratitude that
and gratitude th.at your
your great
great heartedness
heartedness
has engraven
has there.
engraven there.
was long
It was
It long into
into the
the night
night before
before wewe fell utterly exhausted
fell utterly exhausted
upon the
upon the yielding
yielding sand sand-to die. We
-to die. We hadhad battled
battled hard hard
against fate, but
against fate, but fate
fate had
had conquered.
conquered . II commended
commended my my
soul to
soul to God
God as as II closed
closed my my eyes
eyes that
that night,
night, for
for II felt
felt certain
certain
they would
they would never
never openopen again
again on
on earth.
earth. And And yetyet they
they did,
did,
and II looked
and looked up up and
and sawsaw that
that the
the sun
sun had
had arisen,
arisen, andand felt
felt
that my
that my sleep
slee had had actually refreshed me.
ctually refreshed me. Above Above still still
soared the
soared the two
two great
great vultures,
vultures, though
though theythey were
were closer,
closer, if if
anything, than
anything, than theythey hadhad ever
ever been
been before.
before. For For aa time
time II
lay watching
lay watching theirtheir wonderful,
wonderful, horrible
horrible movements,
movements, fasci fasci-
nated by
nated by their
their inimitable
inimitable gracegrace on on the
the wing,
wing, andand the the
dreadful ideas
dreadful ideas that
that associated
associated .them
them withwith ourselves.
ourselves. And And
as II pictured
as pictured aa fate fate too
too horrible
horrible to to even
even write,
write, the
the great
great
birds uttered
birds uttered aa hoarse
hoarse caw.
caw. It sounded like
It sounded like aa diabolical
diabolical
laugh, aa laugh
laugh, laugh that
that told of victory
told of victory secured.
secured. II shutshut my my eyes
eyes
to hide
to hide their
their dreadful
dreadful forms,
forms, and
and allall my
my nerves
nerves palpitated
palpitated
violently. Then,
violently. Then, like like one
one dazed
dazed,, II sat
sat up
up and
and tried
tried toto think
think,,
and as
and my brain
as my brain wandered
wandered listlessly
listlessly over
over many
many things,
things,
lacking the
lacking concentrate~ power
the concentrated power ofof deep
deep thought,
thought. II happened
happened

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to turn
to turn to
to the
the westward
westward andand almost fell back
almost fell back with
with sudden
sudden
astonishment,
astonishment, for for straight
straight before
before meme II perceived
perceived aa long,
long, low
101tJ
chain of
chain mountains.
ofmountains. •
II looked
looked again
again and
and saw
saw it,
it, then
then rubbed
rubbed my my eyes
eyes and
and saw
saw
it
it again;
again ; and
and lest
lest II was
was yet
yet dreaming,
dreaming, II shut
shut mymy eyes
eyes for
for aa
little
little space
space and
and then
then opened·
opened them,
them, and
and still
still the
the hills
hills were
were
there. It
there. It was
was nono dream,
dream, no
no illusion.
illusion. We We had had come
come up up
with
with them
them during
during the the night.
night. TheThe Golden
Golden Lake Lake was
was close
close
at
at hand,
hand, and
and the
the great
great journey
journey waswas over
over at
at last.
last.
I awoke my
I awoke my companions.
companions .
"The mountains-the
"The mountains ! II shouted
mountains-the mountains!" hoarsely,
shouted hoarsely,
excitement lending
excitement lending me the power
me the power of utterance. "We
of utterance. "We are are
saved-we
saved- we are
are saved!"
saved ! "
Dick and Jimmy
Dick and Jimmy bounded
bounded to to their
their feet,
feet, the
the former
former
trembling like
trembling like aa boy
boy with
with excitement,
excitement, and and the
the latter
latter looking
looking
with open-mouthed
with open-mouthed wonderwonder at the scene.
at the Intense was
scene. Intense was the
the
gaze
gaze my my cousin
cousin fixed
fixed on
on the
the blue
blue outline
outline ofof the
the hills.
hills. HisHis
breath came
breath came quickly,
quickly, and
and all his frame
all his frame denoted
denoted an an eager-
eager
ness II had
ness had never
never seen
seen before.
before. Then Then he he turned
turned to to me.
me.
"Yes, yes,"
"Yes, yes," hehe gasped;
gasped ; "it is the
" it is the mountains,
mountains, Archie;Archie ; itit
it is the
it is the mountains.
mountains. Thank Thank God God wewe are
are saved,
saved, we we are
are
saved!"
saved !" AndAnd II thought
thought he he would
would have brokQ down
have broken down with
with
very joy.
very joy. HisHis hollow
hollow eyes
eyes shone
shone with
with thethe brilliancy
brilliancy of of
diamonds, while the
diamonds, while the red
red blood
blood rushed
rushed in in torrents
torrents to to his
his
haggard cheek.
haggard cheek. No other word
No other word was was spoken,
spoken, butbut withwith the
the
frenzy of
frenzy madmen we
of madmen we seized
seized ourour swags, utterly regardless
swags, utterly regardless
of the devil-birds
of the devil-birds above,
above, thethe burning thirst within
burning thirst within,, and
and
rushed
rushed staggering
staggering on on towards
towards the the goal that had
goal that had loc loc med
med atat
last.
last.
Excitement
Excitement lent lent us
us such
such great
great energy that we
energy that we bounded
bounded
madly along;; for
madly along for had
had wewe not
not come
come toto the
the mountains-the
mountains-the
mountains
mountains thatthat held
held everything,
everything, even even life
life itself?
itself ?
Suddenly
Suddenly Hardw:icke
Hardwicke seizedseized me me by
by the
the arm,
arm, and
and pointing
pointing
away to
away to the
the southward
southward whispered
whispered hoarsely
hoarsely in in my
my ear-ear
" Look,
" Look, Archie,
Archie, look
look!! The The OneOne Tree Hiil!"
Tree Hill !"
Yes, there
Yes, there it was, the
it was, the great
great bare
bare mount standing out
mount standing in
out in
bold relief
bold from among
relief from among its its fellows,
fellows, and
and upon
upon its its massive
massive
brow there
brow there stood
stood a a solitary tree.
solitary tree.

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GOLDEN LAKE.

A feeling
A feeling of
of infinite
infinite joy
joy rushed through me,
rushed through me, and
and II
thanked that
thanked that power which had
power which had so
so miraculously
miraculously guided
guided our
our
footsteps over
footsteps over the
the dreary waste.
dreary waste.
Towards
Towards thethe great
great hill we now
hill we now steered
steered.. HowHow wewe got
got ovel
over
the ground
the ground II cannot
cannot attempt
attempt to to tell.
tell. On,
On, on we went,
on we went,
swaying, staggering,
swaying, staggering, and
and atat times
times almost falling;; yet
almost falling on, on,
yet on, on,
moved
moved by by some
some vital
vital impulse, some power
impulse, some power which
which is
is beyond
beyond
me to
me to analyse.
analyse. AndAnd then
then II have
have but
but dim
dim remembrances
remembrances
of what
of what passed,
passed, till we rested
till we rested and
and aa handful
handful of water was
of water was
thrown in
thrown in my
my face,
face, and
and aa flask
flask put
put to
to my
my lips.
lips.
We had
We had reached
reached thethe goal
goal and
and were
were saved
saved.

CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.

THE
THE GOLDEN
GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

took me
IT took
It me some
some little
little time
time to to recover
recover what
what II might
might call
call
my proper senses,
my proper senses, but,
but, under
under the the genial
genial influence
influence of of my
my
cousin
cousin Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, return
return theythey most
most assuredly
assuredly did.did. Then
Then
was
was II able able with
with ease
ease to to look
look about
about me, me, andand for
for our
our
merciful
merciful deliverance thank God
deliverance thank God with
with all
all mymy heart.
heart. WeWe
had
had accomplished
accomplished aa terrific journey, during
terrific journey, which we
during which we had
had
waged
waged unceasing
unceasing war war with
with fate,
fate, and
and now
now the the end
end was
was
nearly
nearly come,
come, andand we
we should
should soonsoon know
know all
all.
c, Well," said
"Well," said Dick,
Dick, who
who sat sat beside
beside me,
me, a a glad
glad light inu-
light illu
eyes, I' we
mining 66 we are here at last, old man, here
mining his hollow eyes,
his hollow are here at last, old man, here
at last.
at last. It It seems
seems incredible,
incredible, II know, but it
know, but it is
is as true as
as true as day.
day.
Look, there is
Look, there the One
is the One TreeTree Hill, the thing
Hill, the thing youyou thought
thought
had no
had no existence
existence except
except in in Morton's disordered imagina
Morton's disordered imagina-
tion. Many
tion. Many a a time
time have
have II dreamt
dreamt of this sight,
of this Archie,"
sight, Archie,"
he continued,
he continued , his voice becoming
his voice becoming grave grave in in aa moment,
moment ,
:c dreamt
" dreamt of of it when II scarcely
it when scarcely even dared to
even dared to hope that
hope that

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149

such dreams
such dreams would would everever bebe realised.
realised. But But thethe dayday isis come
come
at last;
at the dreams
last ; the dreams are are realised,
realised, the the goldgold is is almost
almost within
within
our
our grasp.
grasp . Our fortunes are
Our fortunes are made.
made . IIthank thank Heaven,
Heaven, not not
so much
so much for for thethe gold,
gold , but
but for
for what
what II shall shall be be able
able to to do
do
with it for
with it those who
for those who areare dearer
dearer to to meme than
than life."
life."
I neither
I neither interrupted
interrupted nor nor questioned
questioned his his enthusiasm,
enthusiasm, but but
contented myself with
contented myself with remarking
remarking that that such ind~ed seemed
such indeed seemed
the case,
the case, andand thatthat II hoped
hoped we we should
should get get as as safely
safely out out
of the
of the country
cQuntry as as we
we had
had got
got into
into it. it.
The water which
The water which we we so so opportunely
opportunely discovered,discovered, and and
beside which
beside which we we camped,
camped, was was aa small small clearclear stream
stream that that
flew sparkling
flew sparkling over over aa rocky
rocky bed bed till till it
it lost
lost itself
itself inin the
the
sand below. Dick
sand below. vowed that
Dick vowed that thethe stream
stream was was an an overflow
overflow
of the lake
of the lake itself,
itself, which
which argument
argument I, I , having
having no no reason
reason to to
doubt,
doubt, accepted.
accepted . We We bothboth felt
felt sure
sure that that it it was
was thethe very
very
water Morton
water Morton had had mentioned,
mentioned, and and that that surety
surety was was made
made
positive aa little
positive little while
while after
after byby our our discovering
discovering aa big big M M
built of
built stones. It
of stones. was partly
It was partly overgrown
overgrown by by grasses,
grasses, but but
when these
when these were
were cleared away, the
cleared away, the great
great letter
letter stood
stood outout inin
bold relief.
bold relief. It It was
was here,
here, then,
then, thethe natives
natives had had parted
parted withwith
him, and
him, and to to while
while away
away an an idle
idle hour
hour he he hadhad left
left his
his mark,
mark,
a guide
a guide to to future
future travellers.
travellers. Dick Dick upbraided
upbraided himself himself
greatly that
greatly that he he had
had notnot examined
examined our our other
other resting
resting places
places
more closely,
more closely, " "For,"
For," saidsaid he,
he, "there
" there can can be be little
little doubt
doubt
that Morton
that Morton left left aa regular
regular trail
trail behind
behind him him,, which
which we, we,
but for
but for 'our carelessness, would
our carelessness, would have have foundfound with with little
little
trouble.""
trouble.
The rest
The rest ofof that
that day
day wewe spent luxuriously-eating,
spent luxuriously- drink-
eating, drink
ing, smoking,
ing, smoking, and and sleeping whenever we
sleeping whenever we felt
felt inclined.
inclined. We We
were too
were too thoroughly
thoroughly exhausted
exhausted to to attempt
attempt the the ascent
ascent of of
the mountains
the mountains then, then, so decided to
so decided to waitwait till
till the
the following
following
day;
day ; andand in the meantime
in the meantime we we made made ourselves
ourselves as lazily
as lazily
comfortable
comfortable as as ourour limited luxuries would
limited luxuries would allow.allow. But But
even had we
even had we determined
determined to to move,
move, II do do not
not think
think II could
could
have
have done
done so so had
had my life depended
my life depended upon upon it, it, for
for II was was
thoroughly
thoroughly prostrate
prostrate iri in body,
body, and and moved.my
moved my limbs limbs with with
great difficulty.
great difficulty. '
During
During the the night
night II suffered
suffered terribly
terribly from from the the cold,
cold, or or

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THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

what II at
what at that
that time
time thought
thought waswas thethe cold,
cold , and when II
and when
finally awoke
finally awoke in the morning,
in the morning, II knewknew II had had contracted
contracted
some
some kind
kind of illness. Icy
of illness. Icy shivers
shivers ran
ran down
down my my back,
back, and
and II
trembled as
trembled as II have
have seenseen people
people tremble
tremble withwith creeping
creeping
paralysis.
paralysis. Glad Glad waswas II toto see the sun
see the sun come
come out.out. Its
Its hot
hot
rays were thrice
rays were thrice welcome,
welcome, for for they
they pleasantly
pleasantly warmed
warmed my my
chilly
chilly blood.
blood. My My companions,
companions, on the contrary,
on the contrary, hadhad bene-
bene
fited
fited to
to aa remarkable
remarkable degree,
degree, and
and Hardwicke
Hardwicke assured
assured meme
that another
that another goodgood night's
night's rest
rest would
would set set him
him up up as
as well
well asas
he
he had
had ever been.
ever been.
Jimmy then
Jimmy then parcelled
parcelled outout the
the breakfast
breakfast in in equal
equal shares
shares
as usual,
as usual, and
and mymy companions
companions fell fell with
with avidity
avidity upon
upon their
their
portions, declaring
portions, declaring they they were
were as hungry as
as hungry as the
t.he proverbial
proverbial
hunter. But
hunter. But II could
could not eat. To
not eat. swallow aa mouthful
To swallow mouthful waswas
a superhuman
a superhuman task, task, and
and quite
quite beyond
beyond me. me.
Dick looked at
Dick looked me in
at me in consternation.
consternation. " "You
You are not ill,
are not ill,
Archie?"
Archie ?"
"A little
"A little knocked
knocked up, up, old
old chap, that's all.
chap, that's alL II shall be·
shall be
well again
well again in in aa day
day or two. You
or two. You see,
see, I'm not used
I'm not used to
to this
this
work, and
work, and toto put
put it mildly, that
it mildly, that last
last stretch was aa teaser.
stretch was teaser.""
"It
" was, indeed,"
It was, indeed," he he answered.
answered . "But " But we we did
did it,it,
Archie,
Archie, andand nono thanks
thanks to
to anyone." Then, as
any one." Then, as if
if he
he dreaded
dreaded
anything
anything but but an
an affirmative
affirmative reply,
reply, he said, c'" But
he said, But youyou cancan
walk
walk ??"”
"" Certainly,"
Certainly," II replied,
replied, rising
rising toto my
my feet.
feet. " "IfIf I I am
am
going to
going to be laid up,
be laid up, Dick,
Dick, it must be
it must be a/te, we have
after we found
have found
the Lake-do
the Lake-do you you understand?"
understand ? ”
"Right,"
" Right," he he said,
said, his
his eyes
eyes beaming.
beaming. "Jimmy,"
" Jimmy," he he then
then
called
called outout toto that worthy, "see
that worthy, " see that
that everything
everything is is ready,
ready,.
you rascal.
you rascal. We We are
are on the last
on the last stage
stage of
of our journey.""
our journey. ,
" Well, Mass'r
" Well, Mass'r Dick,"
Dick," said
said Jimmy thoughtfully, "it's
Jimmy thoughtfully, about,
" it's about
time.. This
time This amam the
the longest
longest wallaby
wallaby track
track (tramp)
(tramp) II ever ever
followed Never
followed. Never seen
seen such
such a journey. Think
a journey. Think for for certain,
certain,
Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,
Dick, wewe never
never come
come to to end Wonder what
end. Wonder what forfor you
you
do all this
do all this dam
dam fool's
fool's work."
work."
Dick roared with
Dick roared with laughter.
laughter.
"So it's
"So it's dawned
dawned upon
upon you
youat last, has
at last, has it,
it, James?
James ? Now Now
can't you
can't you guess
guess what
what has
has brought
brought us us here
here?? ""

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"Never thought
"Never thought of it, Mass'r
of it, Mass'r Dick,
Dick, tilltill II· see
see. them
them dam dam
crows.
crows. Then Then me me think
think whatwhat for for you
you wantwant to to come
come here here
_and
and letlet them fellows gobble
them fellows gobble you you up."
up.”
" Well
" Well then,then, Jimmy,
Jimmy, we we have
have comecome for for gold."
gold. "
" For
" For goldgold,, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick?
Dick ? Ah!"Ah ! " and and in that-exclamation
in that exclamation
the worthy
the worthy black black spoke volumes.. "But,
spoke volumes " But, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,"Dick,"
said
said he,he, scratching
scratching his his head
head and-looking
and looking as though he
as though be was
was
oppressed
oppressed by by some
some mighty
mighty problem,
problem, "suppose
" suppose you you find
find 'um
'um
gold, how
gold, how you you take
take 'um
'um back
back to to Melbourne?
Melbourne ? ""
"We will
"We will come
come again,
again,"" answered
answered his his master.
master. "Plenty " Plenty
of horses, plenty
of horses, plenty of of men
men,, andand plenty
plenty of of grub-you
grub-you sabbee sabbee?" ?"
"" Plenty
Plenty sabbeesabbee grub, Mass'r Dick,"
grub, Mass'r Dick," and and he he opened
opened his his
mouth and
mouth and smiled
smiled insinuatingly
insinuatingly at at the
the portion
portion II couldcould not not
eat, which
eat, which II handedhanded over over to to him,
him, andand which
which he he demolished
demolished
with great
with great gusto.
gusto .
We cleaned
We cleaned and and loaded
loaded our our fire-arms,
fire-arms, that that is,
is, Dick
Dick cleaned
cleaned
and
and loaded
loaded them, them, andand withwith himhim by by my my side,
side, andand JimmyJimmy
bringing up
bringing up the rear, we
the rear, we began
began the the final
final stage
stage of of our
our great
great
journey.
journey.
For
For a a time
time we we followed
followed the the small
small stream
stream of which II have
of which have
spoken
spoken till till we found it
we found branching off
it branching off to the north
to the north sideside of of the
the
One
One TreeTree Hill,Hill, the
the south
south sideside of
of which
which our our directions
directions bade bade us us
climb,
climb, so so wewe were
were accordingly
accordingly forced forced to to abandon
abandon it. it. Our
Our
way
way waswas exceedingly
exceedingly disagreeable,
disagreeable, being being for for the
the mostmost part
part
over
over rough,
rough, loose loose boulders,
boulders, which which so so distressed
distressed me that to
me that to
take my
take my cousin's
cousin's armarm became
became aa necessity.
necessity. II felt felt soso indignant
indignant
with
with myself
myself that that II could
could havehave cried
cried aloud
aloud withwith anger,
anger, and and
would have
would have implored
implored him him to to leave
leave me me behind,
behind, only only
II knew
knew such such aa request
request wouldwould havehave been useless. In
been useless. this
In this
manner we
manner we struggled
struggled on, on, with
with occasional
occasional rests,rests, for for about
about
three
three hours,
hours, at at the
the end
end of of which
which timetime we we had
had reached
reached the the
base
base of of One
One TreeTree Hill.
Hill. Here Here our our wayway waswas slightly
slightly better,
better,
being
being up up thethe centre
centre of of aa valley
valley that wound, as
that wound, as itit were,
were, round
round
the
the southern
southern side side ofof that
that curious
curious mount.
mount. Up Up this
this valley,
valley,
which was
which was mostly
mostly composed
composed of of volcanic
volcanic rocks,
rocks , wewe struggled
struggled
to
to an
an exceedingly
exceedingly great great height
height till
till we
we found
found ourselves
ourselves at at the
the
head
head of of itit onon the
the western
western side side of of the
the aforementioned
aforementioned hill. hill.
Here
Here we we rested
rested awhile,
awhile , II needing
needing it it especilllly.
especially, for for bvby this
this

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time II could
time could scarcely
scarcely walk.
walk. However,
However, the the rest
rest refreshed
refreshed me me
greatly and
greatly and wewe resumed
resumed our our journey
journey as before, Dick
as before, passing·
Dick passing
his arm
his arm through
through minemine and and helping
helping me me cårefully
clrefully overover the the
rough way.
rough way. JimmyJimmy was was sent
sent onon ahead
ahead with with instructions
instructions to to
return immediately
return immediately the the lake
lake came
came in view, for
in view, for that
that it
it was
was
hereabouts we
hereabouts we had
had not
not now
now thethe ghost
ghost of of aa doubt.
doubt. '
In
In thethe meantime
meantime Dick Dick andand II trudged
trudged slowlyslowly along
along a a small
small
plateau
plateau that that stretched westward from
stretched westward from the the head
head of of the
the valley,
valley,
and along
and along which
which Jimmy
Jimmy had had directed
directed his his course.
course. At At thethe
northern end
northern end ofof this
this wide
wide space
space the the ground
ground gradually
gradually rose rose
till it
till it ended
ended in in aa steep
steep hill,
hill, and
and toto the
the base
base or or southern
southern side side
of this
of this elevation
elevation we we steered,
steered, hoping
hoping that that from
from there
there thethe lake
lake
might
might open open up. up. But But we we werewere onceonce more more doomed
doomed to to
disappointment, for
disappointment, for the
the valley
valley stretched
stretcheq for for quite
quite half
half aa
Illile
mile farther
farther onon and then swept
and then swept thethe northern
northern base base of of another
another
big hill,
big hill, which
which looked
looked likelike anan extinct
extinct volcd""
volcano. Along Along thisthis
valley we
valley we stumbled,
stumbled, the the loose
loose stones
stones giving
giving way way beneath
beneath our our
feet, rendering
feet, rendering our our progress
progress anything
anything buq11easant
but pleasant or or easy.
easy.
Yet on
Yet on approaching
approaching the the foot
foot of the hill
of the hill just
just mentioned,
mentioned, our our
eyes were
eyes were suddenly
suddenly gladdened
gladdened by by the the welcome
welcome vision vision of of
Jimmy, who
Jimmy, who came rapidly towards
came rapidly towards us. us.
"Did
" Did youyou seesee thethe lake?" shouted Hardwicke,
lake ? " shouted Hardwicke, long long
before the
before the worthy
worthy black
black had had reached
reached us. us.
"Me see
"Me see plenty
plenty of of water,
water, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick. Dick. Suppose
Suppose 'um 'um
lake?? ""
lake
"66 Yes, yes!"
Yes, yes and II felt
!" and felt his
his arm tremble in
arm tremble in mine with
mine with
excitement, and
excitement, and he,he, quite unknowingly II am
quite unknowingly am sure,
sure , moved
moved
forward at
forward at aa more
more rapid pace•.·
rapid pace.
We passed
We passed the the hill
hill above-mentioned
above-mentioned and and thenthen found
found
the valley
the valley slope
slope downwards,
downwards, which, which, as as itit was
was moremore even,
even,
made walking
made walking comparatively
comparatively easy, easy, so so that
that we we fairly
fairly bowled
bowled
along, excitement
along, excitement givinggiving us us renewed
renewed vigour. vigour. The The cry
cry ofof
many birds
many birds filled
filled the
the air while grass
air,, while grass grew
grew herehere and there
and there
in small
in small patches,
patches, andand even
even the the sun seemed to
sun seemed to lose
lose some
some of of
his horrible
his horrible power..
power.
Presently aa great
Presently great cry
cry of
of astonishment
astonishment arose arose fromfrom Hard
Hard-
wicke's lips.
wicke's lips.
""M My V God look. look
God !I look, look 1"!"

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We had
We had at that moment
at that moment rounded rounded a a huge
huge massmass of of fallen
fallen
stones,
stones, and and the the lake-the
lake-the veritable veritable lake
lake wewe hadhad suffered
suffered so so
much
much to reach-lay not
to reach-lay not more more thanthan aa hundred
hundred feet below
feet below
us.
us. We We stepped
stepped out out of of thethe path
path that
that evidently
evidently wound wound
down to
down to its
its shores,
shores, and and sitting
sitting on on a ledge of
a ledge of a rock that
a rock that
overlooked it,
overlooked it, let
let ourour eyes eyes wander
wander across
across thethe bright,
bright, blue
blue
stretch
stretch of of water
water till till they
they rested
rested on the mountains
on the mountains aa couple couple
of away. What
miles away.
of miles What our our feelings
feelings werewere it would be
it would be difficult
difficult
to describe.
to describe. Dick Dick was was animated
animated with with the
the keenest
keenest joy.
joy. It It
sparkled in
sparkled in hishis eyeseyes and and spread
spread itself
itself inin smiles
smiles over
over hishis
face. He
face. He looked
looked as as happy
happy as though he
as though he had
had accomplished
accomplished
the greatest
the greatest task task ever
ever set set to to man.
man. He He hadhad reached
reached the the
lake, the
lake, the Golden
Golden Lake Lake at at . last, and henceforth
last, and henceforth he he could
could
snap his
snap his fingers
fingers in in thethe faceface of of thethe genius
genius of of poverty.
poverty.
Jimmy was
Jimmy was quite
quite unmoved
unmoved at at our
our success, while II looked
success, while looked
upon the
upon the water
water with with feelings
feelings of of joy
joy and
and awe.awe. We We had had
done what
done what no no party
party of human beings
of human beings had
had ever
ever accomplished
accomplished
before. We
before. We hadhad penetrated
penetrated to to the
the very
very centre
centre of of the
the great
great
desert, the
desert, the desolation
desolation and and miserymisery of of which
which had had hitherto
hitherto
been insurpassable
been insurpassable bars bars to to all
all mankind.
mankind. And And yet yet my
my gratifi
gratifi-
cation at
cation at our
our success
success· was was accompanied
accompanied by by thethe paingiving
paingiving
thought that
thought that the desolation and
the desolation and misery which had
misery which had barred
barred
so many
so many out,out, might
might bar bar us us in.in.
Luckily
Luckily for the spirits
for the spirits of the party
of the party these
these gloomy thoughts
gloomy thoughts
were all
were all mymy own.
own. Dick Dick was was in in ecstasies
ecstasies of delight.
of delight.
" So
" So wewe are here at
are here at last,
last , old
old man,"
man, ” said
said he.he. " We have
"We have
had
had a a tough
tough pull,pull, butbut now now comescomes the the reward.
reward. And And suchsuch
a reward.
a reward. Is Is not not the
the goldgold we we shall
shall get
get worth
worth the the trouble
trouble
of attaining
of attaining it it ?? What What new new prospects
prospects lifelife already
already opens.
opens.
What aa change
What change from genteel poverty
from genteel poverty to to unbounded
unbounded wealth.wealth.
II imagined
imagined II was was more
more of of aa stoic, Archie, and
stoic, Archie, and believed
believed that that
nothing on
nothing on earth
earth could
could affectaffect me me so much as
so much the thought
as the thought of of
this gold
this gold does.
does. II know know my my words
words sound
sound sordid;
sordid ; but,but, after
after
all,
all, what
what is is life without money
life without money but but anan everlasting
everlasting affliction?
affliction ?
You think
You think II am am premature,
premature, that that I I might
might at at least
least wait
wait till
till
we have
we found the
have found the gold?
gold ? You surely do
You surely do notnot d.oubt that
doubt that
we shall
we shall find
find it?"
it ? "
"" Not
Not for
for an instant,"" II answered;
an instant, answered ; Cl " not for an
not for an instant"
instant. "
L
L

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"But,"
" But," he he continued,
continued, "you " you havehave aa ''but' there, you
but ' there, you
would say
would say more.
more. You would tell
You would tell me
me that
that wewe are
are not yet out
not yet out
of the
of wood. No,
the wood. No, but
but please
please GodGod we we shall be. Sufficient
shall be. Sufficient
for the
for the day
day.. Get Get well
well and
and strong,
strong, oldold chap,
chap, andand you
you will
will
see things
see things withwith aa brighter
brighter eye.
eye. I have
I have notnot been
been without
without
my despairing moments,
my despairing moments, though
though II have have notnot broached
broached them them
to you
to you,, because
because II would
would not.not. But that night
But that night before
before thethe
dew fell
dew fell II thought
thought waswas going
going to to be
be our
our last
last on
on earth.
earth. Then
Then
we were
we were miraculously
miraculously saved.saved. LaterLater on on thethe dreadful
dreadful com com-
panionship of
panionship of the
the two
two vultures
vultures forced
forced our our heart-breaking
heart-breaking
situation with
situation with keener
keener intensity
intensity upon
upon me, me, but
but even
even then
then was
was
fate's merciful
fate's merciful handhand stretched
stretched out out and
and we we were
were drawn
drawn from
from
a death
a death too too hideous
hideous eveneven toto think
think of. of. AndAnd doesdoes all all this
this
mean nothing,
mean nothing, think
think you
you?? DeathDeath has has claimed
claimed one one ofof our
our
number, and
number, and is is satisfied.
satisfied. We We have
have reached
reached the the Golden
Golden
Lake, we
Lake, we shall
shall find
find the
the gold,
gold, andand what
what is is perhaps
perhaps moremore to to
you, you
you, you shall
shall see
see England
England again."
again."
" I wonder,"
"I wonder," said said I,
I, changing
changing the the conversation,
conversation, for for II did
did
not like
not like mymy secret
secret thoughts
thoughts beingbeio$ readread so so easily
easily byby mymy
grave-faced, earnest-voiced
grave-faced, earnest-voiced companion,
companion, "if " if we
we shall
shall find
find the
the
little girl,
little Mayne1s daughter,
girl, Mayne's daughter, you you know-safe
know-safe and and sound
sound?" ?"
I must
I must confess,
confess, with
with shame,
shame, thatthat this
this same
same daughter
daughter of of
the gentleman
the gentleman convict's
convict's hadhad held
held but
but aa secondary
secondary standing
standing
in our
in thoughts. II will
our thoughts. will not attempt to
not attempt to deny
deny that
that gold
gold was
was
motive of
the motive
the our journey.
of our journey. Should Should the the girl be living,
girl be living, wewe
said,
said, andand willing
willing toto go
go with
with us,us, we
we would
would exert
exert ourour utmost
utmost
power to
power to see
see her
ller safely through the
safely through the journey,
journey, but but should
should sheshe
refuse
refuse us, us, as she did
as she did Morton,
Morton, we should not
we should attempt to
not attempt to
force her.
force her. Ho\y little is
How little is itit possible
possible for for aa man
man to to predict
predict
what aa day
what will bring
day will bring forth.
forth.
"Perhaps," replied
"Perhaps," replied Dick
Dick to to mymy query.
query. "Though
" Though you you
must rerpember that
must remember that same
same little girl, if
little girl, if alive,
alive, is is now
now a a
woman of
woman twenty-three or
of twenty-three twenty-four,
or twenty- and may
four, and may be be married
married
to aa chief
to chief and the mother
and the mother of of a family of
a family savages-horrid,
of savages- horrid,
black, dirty
black, dirty savages
savages
" What aa horrible
"What horrible idea,
idea, Dick.
Dick '•
"It's
" It's not pleasant, is
not pleasant, it
is it he replied. "
he replied. " But
But what
what is is aa
girl to
girl do?"
to do ?"

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As this
As this question
question exceeded
exceeded my my bounds
bounds of of comprehension
comprehension
II made
made no no reply,
reply, while
while he
he fingered
fingered his
his rifle
rifle dexterously
dexterously
preparatory
preparatory to to testing
testing his
his skill
skill as
as a
a marksman
marksman upon upon some
some
black swans
black which floated
swans which floated on the lake
on the lake about
about four hundred
four hundred
yards
yards away.
away.
" What do
"What you bet
do you bet II don't
don't knock that leader
knock that leader over,"
over, " he
he
said
said.
"A
" thousand pounds
A thousand pounds toto aa horseshoe."
horseshoe."
"Done," and he
66 Done," and he was
was about
about to to fire,
fire, when
wben there
there arose
arose aa
fluttering in
fluttering in the
the camp
camp of the swans,
of the swans, and they immediately
and they immediately
took to
took wing.
to wing.
""Well, that is
Well, that is strange,"
strange," he he ejaculated.
ejaculated . cc " One
One might
might
almost swear
almost they knew
swear they knew oneone was
was going
going to to fire.
fire. The birds
The birds
must be
must pretty sharp
be pretty sharp about here. Look!"
about here. Look ! " He He broke
broke off off
suddenly
suddenly and and uttered this exclamation
uttered this exclamation in in aa loud
loud key.
key.
From behind
From behind aa rocky
rocky promontory
promontory that that jutted
jutted out
out into the
into the
lake
lake on the northern
on the northern sideside ofof our
our position,
position , and
and not
not more
more
than three
than three hundred
hundred yards
yards from
from where
where the the swans
swans hadhad been
been
swimming,
swimming, therethere suddenly
suddenly shot
shot forth
forth to our view
to our view aa small
small canoe
canoe
containing one
containing person who
one person who appeared
appeared to to bebe straining every
straining every
muscle to
muscle to force
force the
the little
little craft
craft along.
along. Almost
Almost immediately
immediately
there followed
there followed in its wake
in its wake another
another canoe propelled with
canoe propelled with
much
much more swiftness, for
more swiftness, we saw
for we saw it it gain
gain rapidly
rapidly on the
on the
first-comer.
first-comer. This This second
second boat boat contained
contained also also aa solitary
solitary
individual who
individual worked with
who worked with such tremendous will
such tremendous will that
that the
the
small craft
small craft seemed
seemed impelled
impelled forward
forward by by more
more than human
than human
ilgency. It
agency. It literally bounded over
literally bounded over thethe blue water, flinging
blue water, flinging
the white
the white foam
foam from
from its bows with
its bows with all the dignity
all the dignity ofof aa little
little
ship.
ship.
As both
As both boats
boats came
came nearer,
nearer, DickDick cried
cried out that he
out that he
believed the
believed the person
person in the first
in the first one was aa woman,
one was woman, and that
and that
a man
iL was after
man was after her-very
her very likely
likely on
on aa kidnapping
kidnapping expedition
expedition
-and
—and thatthat for
for two
two pins
pins he'd
he'd potpot him.
him. Jimmy,
Jimmy, who who was
was
watching the
watching the race
race with
with glistening
glistening eyes
eyes andand aa joyous,
joyous, deep.
deep
meaning
meaning smile
smile upon
upon hishis lips,
lips , was
was of the same
of the same opinion
opinion as as
his master.
his master. At At that
that moment
moment the the two
two canoes
canoes gotgot more
more in in
the
the open,
open, and
and thethe leader
leader turned
turned her her boat's
boat's prow
prow towards
towards aa
cocky
rocky headland
headland that that rose
rose aa little
little to
to the
the south,
south ofof us.
us. This
This

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brought their
brought their outlines
outlines more
more distinctly
distinctly in view, and
in view, and we
we saw
saw
beyond aa doubt
beyond doubt that
that the
the first
first craft
craft contained
contained a woman, and
a woman, and
the second
the second aa man, and that
man, and that she was most
she was cer~nly fleeing
most certainly fleeing
from him.
from him.
They were
They were now now close
close upon
upon the the spot
spot on which the
on which the swans
swans
had
had been been swimming
swimming a a moment
moment or or two
two before,
before, and and whether
whether
it
it waswas aa stronger
stronger puff puff ofof wind,
wind, or or an extra bit
an extra bit ofof exertion
exertion on on
the woman's
the woman's part part II do do not know, but
not know, her hair
but her hair suddenly
suddenly
streamed
streamed out behind, and
out behind, and the the sun
sun falling
falling upon
upon it, it, caught
caught it it,,
and lit
and lit it
it with
with aa thousand
thousand gleams.gleams.
""Good heavens!"
Good heavens cried Dick.
! " cried Dick. " Cl She
She has
has golden
golden hairhair /"!"
"Mayne's
" Mayne's daughterdaughter?" ? " II queried
queried...
" Yes, yes,"
"Yes, yes," added
added he he excitedly,
excitedly, "it must, it
" it must, it can only be
can only be
she."
she."
II wawa'Ss nownow th thoroughly
oroughly alive alive and and glowing
glowing wi with
th th thee
excitement
excitement of of th thee scene,
scene , even though II guessed
even though guessed not not how
how
sensational
sensational th business was
thee business was to to be.
be. But But II was was soonsoon to to
know.
kn ow. Th The e bi bigg savage
savage having
having comecome up up alongside
alongside of of the
the
woman,
wo man , ceased
ceased paddling,
paddling, and and seizing
seizing aa spear
spear whichwhich was was
lying
ly ing in in th thee bottom
bottom of of hishis canoe,
canoe , shook
shook it threateningly
it th reateningly
towards
to wards he her.
r. Sh She,e , apparently
apparently ter terrified,
rified , also
also letlet her
her paddle
paddle
falll an
fal and d heheld
ld herher hahands
nds before
before her her face
face asas though
though to to shield
shield
herself
he rself fr fromom th thee dreaded
dreaded thrust.thrust . He He waswas kneeling
kneeling in in his
his
canoe
ca noe ge gesticulating.
sticulating , ta talking
lking (taunting
(taunting he herr wewe fo found
und outout
afterwards),
af terwards ) , bu butt all
all ththee ti time
me continuing
continuing to to fl flourish
ourish th thee
dreadful spear as though each moment
dreadful spear as though each moment he intended to hurl he intended to hurl
it th
it through
rough he her.r. .
All this,
All this, though
though it it takes
takes somesome time time toto describe,
describe, was was
enacted
enacted in in aa few
few seconds.
seconds.
"66 Do
Do you you think
think youyou cancan hit hit him,
him, Dick
Dick?" ?”
"" I'll
I'll try.
try.""
"Then shoot,
"Then shoot, for for the
the love
love of of God,
God, shoot!"
shoot ! "
He leant
He leant upon upon one knee, and
one knee, and carried
carried his his rifle
rifle toto his
his
shoulder.
shoulder. was trembling
II was trembling with with excitement,
excitement, but but he he was
was
as
as steady
steady as the rocks
as the rocks around.
around. No No muscle
muscle moved.moved. He He
might have
might have beenbeen carved
carved of of stone.
stone. II knewknew he he would
would shootshoot
well, this
well, this man man withwith the the iron
iron nerves
nerves;; II could
could see see itit in
in his
his
clear grey
clear grey eyes,
eyes. and and II followed
followed the the barrel
barrel ofof his
his ride
ri.fle to
to the
the

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----------------------
lake below
lake below;; and and II saw
saw the the savage
savage partly rise with
partly rise with aa violent
violent
gesture poising
gesture poising his
his spear,
spear, saw saw thethe poor
poor woman
woman crouch,
crouch, as as itit
were, lower
were, lower andand lower
lower in in the
the boat
boat asas though
though she she hoped
hoped thatthat
by so
by so doing,
doing, sheshe would
would avoid avoid the the missile.
missile. Then,Then, justjust asas II
thought her
thought her last
last moment
moment was was come-the
come-the savage savage having
having
drawn himself
drawn himself backback for for a a final
final lunge-I
lunge-I involuntarily
involuntarily
closed my
closed my eyes
eyes.. .
Bang!!
Bang
The report of
The report of a rifle broke
a rifle broke the the stillness
stillness of the air,
of the air, and
and
my eyes
my eyes opened
opened instinctively.
instinctively. II saw saw thethe great
great savage
savage riserise.
to his
to full height
his full height inin his
his frail
frail canoe,
canoe , still
still grasping
grasping the the spear
spear
in
in his
his outstretched
outstretched hand, hand, which which he poised for
he poised for aa final
final effort,
effort,
but
but ere ere he he found
found the the requisite
requisite strength
strength to to hurl
hurl it,it, he he
tumbled
tumbled headlong
headlong intointo the the water.
water.
Dick's bullet
Dick's bullet had
had found
found its its mark.
mark.
" A good
"A good shot,
shot, Dick."
Dick."
"Not
" Not bad,"
bad," hehe answered
answered coolly, coolly, though
though II could
could see see hehe
was as
was as proud
proud of of it
it as
as I.I.
The report of
The report of the
the rifle,
rifle, andand the the sudden
sudden disappearance
disappearance of of
her
her assailant
assailant beneath
beneath the the water,
water, was was evidently
evidently the the cause
cause of of no
no
little wonder and
little wonder alarm to
and alarm to the
the girl,
girl, for she looked
for she looked most most
anxiously
anxiously aroundaround on on allall sides
sides of her. Then
of her. seeing us,
Then seeing us,
for
for wewe had
had all three arisen
all three arisen by this time
by this time and and were frantically
were frantically
waving our
waving hats, she
our hats, she pointed
pointed her her boat's
boat's head
head towards
towards us us
and
and came
came almost
almost under
under the the cliff,
cliff, when
when we we were
were subject,
subject, by by
her,
her, to to aa minute
minute examination.
examination. She She was was apparently
apparently well well
satisfied
satisfied with with her
her keen
keen scrutiny,
scrutiny, for she pointed
for she pointed with
with her
her
~and to
Land to .the
the shore,
shore, as as much
much as as to say 66 come
to say" come down."
down." We We
required no
required no second
second invitation,
invitation, but but hurriedly
hurriedly scrambled
scrambled back back
to the
to the path
path and
and descended.
descended.
The
The girlgirl sat
sat in her canoe
in her canoe about fifty yards
about fifty yards from
from thethe shore
shore
and eyed
and eyed us us with intense curiosity.
with intense curiosity. We We shouted
shouted to to her
her to to
come closer,
come that we
closer, that we were
were only only peaceful travellers, and
peaceful travellers, that
and that
we meant
we meant her her nono harm.
harm. She, She, however,
however, made made no no reply
reply nornor
seemed
seemed inclined
inclined to trust us
to trust us nearer,
nearer, but but sat
sat motionless,
motionless, still still
surveying
surveying us us with
with minute attention.. It
minute attention It was
was evident
evident she she
understood
understood not not aa word
word we we said,
said, andand was was inin consequence
consequence
doubtful of
doubtful of our
our integrity.
integrity. Then we told
Then we told Jimmy to speak
Jimmy to spfiak

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to her
to her in his own
in his own language and tell
language and tell her who we
her who we were
were and
and
what we
what we had
had said. This he
said . This he did,
did, she
she making
making some reply
some reply
and at
and at the
the same
same time
time approaching
approaching aa little
little closer.
closer.
"She
" all the
She all the same
same jabber
jabber my
my lingo, Mass'r Dick,
lingo, Mass'r Dick, only
only
another one,"
another one," said
said Jimmy by way
Jimmy by way of
of explanation, meaning
explanation, meaning
that she
that she spoke
spoke his
his language
language though
though with
with aa different
different dialect
dialect
or accent.
or accent.
""Then impress upon
Then impress upon her,"
her," said
said Hardwicke"
Hardwicke " that that we
we
are friends.
are friends. That That we we have
have travelled
travelled far
far and
and endured much
endured much
toto reach
reach thisthis lake;
lake ; that that it
it was
was wewe who
who destroyed
destroyed the the savage
savage
aa little
little while
while ago,ago, and that thus
and that thus suddenly
suddenly shall shall all perish
all perish
who would
who would seekseek to to harm
harm aa hair
hair of her head."
of her head."
This
This Jimmy repeated with
Jimmy repeated with many
many grand
grand flourishes
flourishes of his
of his
head and
head and arms,
arms, to to which
which she she listened
listened veryvery intently,
intently, still
still
scrutinising us
scrutinising us most
most keenly.
keenly. Then, Then, asas if
if still
still more
more satisfied,
satisfied,
she gave
she gave her her paddle
paddle a a couple
couple of of gentle
gentle strokes which
strokes which
brought her
brought her quite
quite within
within close
close quarters,
quarters, and and we we saw that
saw that
she was aa most
she was most beautiful
beautiful creature,
creature, withwith two
two great
great blue
blue eyes
eyes
as clear
as clear and and limpid
limpid as as the
the waters
waters ofof the
the lake,
lake, aa fair
fair face
face
tanned to
tanned to aa delightful
delightful brown brown withwith exposure
exposure to to the
the sun,
sun, and
and
a a cloud
cloud of of wonderful
wonderful golden golden hairhair which
which like like an
an aureole
aureole
framed her
framed her head
head withwith mystic
mystic splendour.
splendour.
We naturally
We naturally put put onon our
our very
very sweetest
sweetest of of smiles, beckoning
smiles, beckoning
her all the
her all the while
while to to approach
approach and telling her,
and telling her, at
at least
least in
in
effect,
effect, that we were
that we were quite
quite incapable
incapable of harm..
of harm
At last
At last she ventured
she ventur ed aa query-
query
" Who are
"Who you ?? ""
are you
This
This waswas excellent.
excellent. Once Once get get her
her curiosity
curiosity aroused and
aroused and
we knew,
we knew, or guessed , it
or guessed, it would
would overcome
overcome every every scruple,
scruple, for
for
aa woman
woman dearly dearly lovesloves to to know who's who
know who's who and and what's
what's
what.
what.
We told
We told her that we
her that we had
had come from far
come from far beyond
beyond the the great
great
desert to
desert to find
find this
this particular
particular lake,
lake, and
and to to take
take back
back toto her
her
own people
own people the the golden-haired
golden-haired maiden maiden called
called Ada.Ada.
At the
At sound of
the sound that name
of that name she visibly started
she visibly started and gazed
and gazed
upon us
upon us with
with an an intenser
intenser eagerness.
eagerness . Then her
Then her woman's
woman's
curiosity got
curiosity got the
the better
better of of her
her discretion
discreti:m,, and
and she
she immediately
immediately
drove her
drove her canoe
canoe upon upon the the sand
sand and
and leaped
leaped ashore.
ashore. If
If wewe

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159

admired her
admired her inin the
the boat
boat at at aa distance,
distance, that that admiration
admiration
changed to
changed to positive
positive worship
worship. as as sheshe came half-boldly and
came half-boldly and
half-tremblingly
half towards us
-tremblingly towards us with
with gratitude
gratitude beamingbeaming in in her
hel
big blue eyes,
big blue eyes, and
and a face full
a face full of the most
of the most intense,
intense, be be-
wildered eamestne.c;s.
wildered earnestness . Quickly kneeling upon
Quickly kneeling upon the the sand
sand sheshe
declaimed
declaimed most most passionately,
passionately, pointing
pointing alternately
alternately to to usus and
and
to the lake
to the lake with
with gestures
gestures representing
representing both both despair
despair andand joy.
joy.
Jimmy then
Jimmy made it
then made it known
known that that she she was
was giving
giving a history
a history
of her
of her adventures
adventures with with the the savage
savage Hardwicke
Hardwicke had had shot.
shot.
He was
He was aa Wyhuma
Wyhuma warrior,warrior, and and the the Wyhumas
Wyhumas were were con con-
stantly at
stantly war with
at war with herher people,
people, who who werewere the the tribe
tribe of the
of the
Mandanyah.
Mandanyah. She, it seems, had been
She, it seems, had been gathering herbs gathering herbs
which only
which grew by
only grew by aa certain
certain portion
portion of of the
the lake,
lake, when
when she she
was surprised
was surprised by by the
the Wyhuma
Wyhuma who, who, givinggiving chase,
chase, caught
caught
her up
her up with
with such
such fatal
fatal consequences
consequences to to himself.
himself.
This story she
This story she went
went through
through with with muchmuch impressive
impressive
fervour, and
fervour, and whenwhen she she came
came to to thethe part
part we we had
had played
played in in
the little
the little drama
drama the the tears
tears welled
welled in in her
her eyes,
eyes, and and it was as
it was as
much as
much as we we could
could do do to to prevent
prevent her her kissing
kissing ourour hands.
hands.
We said
We said aa thousand
thousand pleasant
pleasant thingsthings to to her
her in in return,
return, and and
Dick showed her
Dick showed her thethe rifle,
rifle, and,
and, through
through Jimmy, Jimmy, told told her
her
how he
how he had
had shotshot thethe Wyhuma.
Wyhuma. She She looked
looked upon upon him him
with admiration
with admiration and and awe,
awe, and and asked
asked him him if if he
he was
was aa spirit
spirit
or aa man
or man thatthat he
he could
could do do such
such things,
things, and and whenwhen he he laugh
laugh-
ingly told
ingly told her
her that
that he was only
he was only aa man, man, sheshe laughed
laughed too too and
and
said she
said she supposed
supposed men men with
with white
white facesfaces were
were different from
different from
those with
those with black.
black.
"II am
" am white
white too,"
too," sheshe added,
added, and and as as if if to
to prove
prove the the
truth of
truth of her
her words
words she she rolled
rolled up up her her sleeve
sleeve and and showed
showed a a
beautiful. milk-white
beautiful milk-white arm. arm. 11 My father
"My father lived
lived by by the
the shore
shore
of the
of the great sea-many moons
great sea-many moons away-and
away-and was was aa beautiful
beautiful
white man,
white man, as as beautiful
beautiful as as you,"
you," she she said,
said, turning
turning suddenly
suddenly
to me,
to me, at at which
which direct
direct address
address II became became conscious
co:onscious of of
growing red.
growing red.
"Don't
" Don't blush,
blush, Archie,"
Archie, " said said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, and Jimmy
and Jimmy
grinned from ear
grinned from ear toto ear.
ear. But But the the girl seemed to
girl seemed to heed
heed us us
not She
not. She continued-
continued
" Not
" Not that
that II remember
remember him him too too well.
well. butbut thethe old
old chief
chief

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160 THE GOLDEN
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who died
who twelve moons
died twelve moons ago, told me
ago, told me many
many things,
things, and and II
know my
know my father
father waswas like
like aa star.”
star."
"11 But
But not
not so so like
like as you," said
as you," said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, which which JimmyJimmy
translated before
translated before he he could
could be be stopped.
stopped.
She looked at
She looked at Dick
Dick and
and smiled.
smiled.
"II am
" am veryvery different
different fromfrolD thethe other
other women
women of of the
the
village," she
village," she said.
said. " "Their faces are
Their faces are black,
black, as black as
as black as the
the
liky when
sky when there
there is no moon,
is no moon, when when there
there is is no star. II used
no star. used
sometimes to
sometimes to wish
wish II was was like them," she
like them," she continued
continued ;j
"but now
"but now II have have seen
seen youyou two two II am am gladglad my my face
face is is
white."
white."
"And
" And so so are we,"" we
are we, we added
added simultaneously.
simultaneously.
" But
" tell me,"
But tell said Hardwicke,
me," said Hardwicke, "Is your name
" Is your name Ada?"Ada ? ”
She negatively
She negatively shook her head.
shook her head.
"66 Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair?? "" he
he went
went on.on.
She
She smiled.
smiled. “ "Yes, yes.. . II am
Yes , yes am Laughing
Laughing Hair."Hair."
""Mayne's daughter. Wonderful
Mayne's daughter. Wonderful!! And And what what aa: beauty,
beauty,
Archie. Whoever
Archie. Whoever would would havehave thought
thought of seeing such
of seeing such aa
flower in
flower this--"""
in this
But
But sheshe suddenly
suddenly cut cut short
short his his burst
burst of of eloquence
eloquence by by
asking
asking us us if we would
if we would not110t like
like toto journey
journey to to the
the village.
village.
That being
That being thethe thing
thing ofof things
things we we were most anxious
were most anxious to to do,
do,
we readily
we readily assented
assented ;jbut how were
but how were we we to
to reach
reach it?it ? At At our
our
right and
right and left,
left, at
at a a distance
distance of of not
not more
more thanthan aa hundred
hundred
yards, the
yards, the rocks
rocks rose
rose sheer
sheer from
from thethe lake,
lake, making
making aa journey
journey
to the village by water a necessity.
to the village by water a necessity. This being pointed This being pointed
out to
out to her
her sheshe spoke
spoke a a few
few words
words to to Jimmy,
Jimmy, at at which
which that that
worthy leapt
worthy leapt intointo her
her canoe
canoe and and paddled
paddled off off to
to bring
bring backback
the defunct
the defunct savage's,
savage's, which
which was was floating
floating upside
upside downdown aa little
little
distance off.
distance off.
Her
Her dress beggars any
dress beggars any description
description of of mine.
mine. It was co~­
It was com
posed
posed of feathers,, skins,
of feathers skins, and
and grasses,
grasses, the the latter
latter plaited
plaited with
with
such
such marvellous
marvellous neatness
neatness as to make
as to them resemble
make them resemble aa piecepiece
of
of coarse tweed. Her
coarse tweed. Her feet were encased
feet were encased in in skin
skin boots
boots or or
moccasins,
moccasins, the the sides
sides of
of which
which were ornamented with
were ornamented with bright
bright
red
red stones,
stones, which
which actedacted as as substitutes
substitutes for for buttons.
buttons . These These
I guessed
I guessed were were rubies,
rubies, remembering
remembering that that Morton
Morton had had
spoken
spoken of the chief
of the chief people
people wearing
wearing them.
them. On On one arm was
one arm was

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161
- - - -- -------------- - - - -
a roughly
a roughly shaped
shaped gold bangle,, but
gold bangle with the
but with tJIe exception
exception of of aa
large ruby
large ruby in in her skin cap
her skin cap which
which kept kept aa bright
bright feather
feather in its
in its
place,
place, sheshe displayed
displayed no signs of
no signs of undreamt-of
undreamt-of wealth. wealth. Though
Though
not altogether
not altogether beautybeauty unadorned,
unadorned, she she was was justjust adorned
adorned
enough to
enough to make
make aa lovely picture of
lovely picture of timid
timid savagery,
savagery, aa picture
picture
that any
that any young
young man man notnot austerely
austerely inclined
inclined mightmight well well be be
expected to
expected to rave about. And
rave about. And if if her
her faceface waswas perfect,
perfect, and and
in my
in my opinion
opinion the the tan
tan enhanced
enhanced its its effect,
effect, her
her figure
figure waswas
none the
none the less
less fascinating,
fascinating, while
while her her hair
hili was
was truly
truly thethe most
most
superb II have
superb have everever seen
seen on on woman.
woman. It reached to
It reached to the
the
bottom of
bottom her waist
of her waist andand looked
looked like like aa great
great glowing
glowing mass mass
of silky
of silky sunbeams.
sunbeams. Morton Morton said said thethe natives
natives called
called her her
Laughing Hair.
Laughing Hair. II should
should have
have called
called her her thethe Genius
Genius of of
Day-the
Day-the Sun Sun Queen.
Queen.
The
The excitement
excitement that that had
had borne
borne me me up up thus
thus far,
far, gradually
gradually
cooled
cooled down, down, the the old
old sick
sick feeling
feeling came came upon upon me, me, and and II
reeled giddily
reeled giddily andand waswas forced
forced to to sit
sit for
for fear
fear ofof falling.
falling. She She
saw
saw the the action,
action, andand knowing
knowing that that something
something ailed ailed me, me,
approached
approached to to my side and
my side and spoke
spoke in in aa tender
tender voice.
voice. Of Of
course
course II knew knew not what she
not what she said,
said, but
but her manner was
her manner was so so
gentle
gentle thatthat II felt
felt my
my heart
heart go go outout toto her.
her. There
There is is some-
some
thing so
thing so exquisitely
exquisitely tender
tender in in aa woman's
woman's sympathy,
sympathy, some some-
thing
thing so so utterly
utterly angelic
angelic that
that II often wonder why
often wonder any of
why any of them them
should
should want want to to change
change the the nature
nature God bequeathed them.
God bequeathed them .
The return
The return of Jimmy cut
of Jimmy cut short
short my my ruminations,
ruminations, and and we we
prepared to
prepared to embark.
embark. As As it
it was
was evident
evident the the canoes
canoes wouldwould
not hold more
not hold more than two each
than two each we were in
we were in aa dilemma,
dilemma, which which
,he however
she however righted
righted by by motioning
motioning me me to to get
get inin with
with her,
her,
invitation which
ID invitation
in which had had notnot to to be
be repeated
repeated aa secondsecond time. time.
Dick and
Dick and Jimmy
Jimmy entered
entered the the other.
other. No sooner was
No sooner was II
aboard than
aboard than she she stepped
stepped lightly
lightly in, in, seized
seized the the paddle,
paddle,
refusing
refusing to to allow
allow me me to to even
even touch
touch it, it, and
and signifying
signifying by by aa
motion
motion of of her head that
her head that II should
should sit sit still,
still, shot the boat
shot the boat out out
upon the
upon the lake,
lake, thethe other
other two two following,
following, Jimmy Jimmy being being
perfectly
perfectly at at home
home in the, canoe,
in the canoe, and and using
using the the paddle
paddle with with
unerring dexterity.
unerring dexterity.'
We rounded
We rounded the the headland
headland to the south,
to the south , of of which
which II spokespoke
before, when another
before, when another one one opened
opened up up about
about halfhalf aa mile
mile away.
away.

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162 THE GOL
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DEN LAK E.

a high,
a high, cone-shaped, volcanic-looking hill,
cone-shaped, volcanic-looking hill, and
and towards
towards it it
she
she directed
directed our our course.
course. The breeze upon
The breeze upon the the water
water revived
revived
me
me somewhat,
somewhat, and and II began
began to to talk
talk to to mymy fair
fair boat-woman,
boat-woman ,
and
and she
she to me, neither
to me, neither understanding
understanding a a word
word thethe other
other said,
said,
though both
though both werewere as as serious
serious as though holding
as though holding aa sobersobeI
conversation.
conversation. She She paidpaid the
the strictest
strictest attention
attention to what II
to what
said and
said and tried
tried her hardest to
her hardest to comprehend
comprehend my my meaning,
meaning, but but
she was fain
she was fain to
to shake
shake her head as
her head as signifying failure. Then
signifying failure. Then
used the
I used
I the word
word Ada, and pointed
Ada, and pointed to to her,
her, and believe the
and II believe the
name sounded
name sounded familiar,
familiar, forfor she
she smiled
smiled on on me me and and looked
looked
as though
as though she she partly
partly understood,
understood, whilewhile she she racked
racked her her brains
brains.
to their
to their utmost
utmost ;j thenthen aa look
look ofof despair
despair would would rush over
rush over
her face,
her face, and
and sheshe would
would shake
shake her her headhead sadlysadly andand bend
bend
again more
again more fiercely
fiercely over
over her work.
her work.
We
We were were nownow approaching
approaching the the great
great cone-shaped
cone-shaped hill hill
with rapidity,
with rapidity, forfor herher long,
long, strong
strong sweeps
sweeps made made the the canoe
canoe
fairly
fairly bound
bound over over thethe blue
blue water,
water, andand whenwhen at last we
at last we came
came
up with it
up with it and
and rounded
rounded its utmost point,
its utmost point, II saw saw that
that on
on thethe
other side
other side thethe lake
lake waswas not
not more
more than than half half aa mile
mile wide,
wide,
and that
and that straight
straight across,
across, or on the
or on the western
western marginmargin of the
of the
water, aa good-sized
water, good-sized village
village nestled
nestled snugly
snugly at at the
the foot
foot ofof aa
great hilI, and
great hill, and thatthat towards
towards thisthis village
village my my fair
fair canoeist
canoeist
steered her
steered her little
little craft.
craft. There were aa great
There were number of
great number of huts,
huts,
..nth
with oneone exceedingly
exceedingly large large oneone in in thethe centre, which we
centre, which we
afterwards discovered
afterwards discovered was the head
was the head man'sman's or or chiefs.
chief's. All,All,
or nearly all,
or nearly were conical
all, were conical in in shape
shape and and built
built of bark, no
of bark, no
mean substitute
mean substitute for for wood.
wood. As As wewe drewdrew nearnear the shore,, II
the shore
saw many
saw many people
people thronging
thronging the the water's
water's edge, edge, thethe crowd
crowd .
every minute
every minute increasing,
increasing, till by the
till by the timetime we we reached
reached the the
landing-place quite
landing-place quite aa big big assembly
assembly had had congregated.
congregated. II
thought my
thought my fair
fair companion surveyed the
companion surveyed the large
large gathering
gathering
somewhat disdainfully.
somewhat disdainfully. Anyway,Anyway, she she gave gave herher paddle
paddle an an
extra strong
extra strong pull and drove
pull and drove thethe canoe
canoe far far on the sand,
on the sand, and
and
leaping out
leaping out with
with wonderful
wonderful agility,
agility, steadied
steadied it for me
it for me to
to step
step
ashore, which
ashore, which II did did with
with some
some difficulty.
difficulty.
By this time
By this time DickDick andand Jimmy
Jimmy had had come come up up and
and made
made
their landing
their landing in in a a similar
similar manner,
manner, and and we we were
were immediately
immediately
surrounded by
surrounded by an an immense
immense throng
throng of of gaping
gaping blacks, whom
blacks, whom

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LAKE. 163

Ada, however,
Ada, waved. haughtily
however, waved haughtily aside,
aside, and, beckoning us
and, beckoning us to
to
follow, passed
follow, passed on.
on.
We walked
We walked towards
towards the
the big
big hut
hut II have
have spoken
spoken of. the
of, the
people following. Dick
people following. Dick assured me, as
assured me, as we
we went
went along, that
along, that
they were aa much
they were much more
more powerful and muscular
powerful and muscular lot
lot than the
than the
ordinary
ordinary Australian
Australian native.
native. They were wild
They were wild enough
enough looking
looking
in all
in all conscience, and were
conscience, and were entirely
entirely naked
naked with
with the
the exception
exception
of
of a
a skin
skin slung
slung round
round their
their loins.
loins. The women were
The women dressed,
were dressed,
or undressed, similarly,
or undressed, though several
similarly, though several of
of the village belles,
the village belles,
we found
we found out
out later
later on,
on, imitated
imitated Ada's
Ada's style;
style ; but
but beyond
beyond
that,
that, men and women
men and women went
went unclothed
unclothed alike.
alike.
At the entrance
At the entrance to to the
the large hut we
large hut found four
we found four huge
huge
savage-looking fellows
savage-looking fellows standing
standing leaning
leaning on their spears,
on their spears,
formidable
formidable looking
looking weapons
weapons with
with sharpened
sharpened stone
stone heads,
heads,
and
and to one of
to one of them
them Ada
Ada spoke
spoke several
several words,
words, whereat
whereat thethe
fellow,
fellow, raising
raising his
his spear
spear by
by way
way of
of salute,
salute, disappeared
disappeared behind
behind
a sort of
a sort of barricade
barricade that
that answered
answered thethe purpose
purpose ofof aa door.
door.
He
He waswas absent
absent butbut a few minutp.s,
a few minutes, andand on returning,
on returning,
motioned
motioned us to enter.
us to enter. SheShe led the way,
led the way, we
we following,
following, and
and
after
after passing
passing through the barricade
through the barricade and
and pushing
pushing some
some skins
skins
aside
aside which
which did duty for
did duty for curtains,
curtains , we
we entered
entered aa long,
long, dark
dark
chamber,
chamber, in which we
in which we remained
remained for
for several
several minutes,
minutes, neitheJ
neither
speaking nor
speaking nor moving.
moving. ThenThen some more skin
some more curtains aal
skin curtains
the farther
the farther end
end of this chamber
of this were pulled
chamber were pulled aside
aside and
and we we
were told
were told to
to advance.
advance.

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164 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
IN WHICH IS RELATED OUR INTERVIEW WITH KALUA THE
KING.

THE room
THE room into into which
which we we nownow entered
entered was was aa long
long oval
oval inin
shape,
shape, oneone half
half ofof which
which was was flooded
flooded in in sunshine
sunshine from from aa
large
large aperture
aperture in in the
the roof,
roof, the
the other
other half reposing in
half reposing in aa sort
sort
of
of semi-darkness.
semi-darkness. The walls of
The walls of this
this strange
strange place
place (doubly
(doubly
strange through being
strange through being in in the
the possession
possession of an Australian
of an Australian
chief) were
chief) were decorated
decorated with the skins
with the skins and
and feathers
feathers of of many
many
beasts and
beasts and birds,
birds, while
while spears,
spears, boomerangs,
boomerangs, waddies,
waddies, stone-
stone
axes and
axes and other
other warlike
warlike implements
implements were were hunghung artistically
artistically
among
among the the skins,
skins, or gaudily ornamented
or gaudily ornamented with with bright
bright feathers.
feathers.
What the
What the decorations
decorations in in thethe darker
darker portions
portions of the
of the
chamber were
chamber like we
were like could not
we could not tell,
tell, nor
nor diddid wewe know,
know, till
till
Ada stepped
Ada stepped out out ofof the
the brilliant
brilliant stream
stream of of sunshine
sunshine and and
began to
began to talk,
talk, that
that four
four eager
eager eyeseyes hadhad beenbeen intently
intently
scanning us.
scanning us. But But on on advancing
advancing from from the the glare
glare of of the
the
sunlight into
sunlight into the
the shade
shade beyond,
beyond, we we perceived
perceived two two persons,
persons,
one of
one of whom
whom was was half-lounging
half-lounging and and half-sitting
half-sitting in in aa sump
sump-
tuous, indolent
tuous, indolent fashion
fashion on on aa great
great pile
pile of
of skins.
skins. ThereThere waswas
no mistaking
no mistaking the the airs
airs of
of this
this individual.
individual. If he were
If he were notnot the
the
chief he
chief he ought
ought to to be, for he
be, for he tried
tried to to look
look as as imposing
imposing and and
superior as
superior as any
any prince
prince of of Christendom.
Christendom.
66
"By Jove !"
By Jove whispered Dick
!" whispered Dick to to me,
me, "the fellow's not
"the fellow's not
black
black at at all.
all. He's
He's a half-caste.
a half- caste . WhatWhat an an awful
awful face!
face ! ""
I could
I could scarcely believe my
scarcely believe my eyes
eyes at first, thinking
at first, thinking thatthat the
the
sudden
sudden change
change fromfrom dazzling
dazzling light light toto partial gloom might
partial gloom might
have affected
have affected them.them. But But aa further
further scrutiny proved the
scrutiny proved the
truth of
truth of Dick's
Dick's words
words andand my my ownown anticipations.
anticipations. The The manman
was certainly
was certainly a a half-breed
half-breed and and an an ugly
ugly one
one toto boot.
boot. His
His
ace was
ace was of of a a dark,
dark, sickly
sickly yellow
yellow in in colour,
colour, andand waswas orna·
orna
rmented by
fmented by aa thin,
thin, straggling
straggling black black beard;
beard ; hishis eyes
eyes were
were

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LAKE. 165

small, sunken,
small, sunken, and and bloodshot,
bloodshot, glossyglossy and and gleaming
gleaming like like a a
snake's.
snake's. His His mouth,
mouth, which
which was was large
large and
and cruel,
cruel, was was filled
filled
with gleaming
with gleaming whitewhite teeth,
teeth, butbut asas he
he unfortunately
unfortunately had had lost
lost.
an upper
an upper front
front one,
one, whenever
whenever he he spoke
spoke or or smiled
smiled his his mouth
mouth
presented aa spectacle
presented spectacle so so curious
curious as as toto quite
quite fascinate
fascinate one'sone's
sight And
sight. And yet yet about
about himhim there was an
there was an easy languor which
easy languor which
did not
did not illill become
become this this marvellous
marvellous mixture
mixture of white and
of white and
black vice. He
black vice. He was
was apparently
apparently thirty-five
thirty-five or or forty
forty years
years of of
age, and,
age, and, byby what
what wewe could
could see see ofof his
his stature,
stature, as he reclined
as he reclined
luxuriously upon
luxuriously upon hishis skins,
skins, of of good build and
good build great strength.
and great strength .
Round
Round his his neck
neck hehe wore
wore two two great
great necklaces
necklaces of of red stones,
red stones,
which we
which we truly
truly guessed
guessed were were rubies,
rubies, andand on on his
his left
left arm
arm aa
finely wrought
finely wrought gold gold bracelet
bracelet with with aa great ruby let
great ruby let in in the
the
centre of
centre of it.
it. This
This was
was hishis badge
badge of of office,
office, thethe kings
kings of the
of the
Mandanyah
Mandanyah wearing wearing it it instead
instead of of a crown as
a crown most kings
as most kings do.do.
Behind him
Behind him stood
stood anan individual
individual as black as night
as black night withwith aa
scrubby black
scrubby black beard
beard andand aa huge
huge shock
shock of of woolly
woolly hair.hair. His His
face was
face was so so thin
thin that
that his his cheek
cheek bones
bones almost
almost protruded
protruded
through the
through the skin
skin that
that covered
covered them. them. His His eyes
eyes were
were smallsmall
ilnd dazzling
and dazzling as as diamonds
diamonds,, his his figure
figure slight
slight butbut wiry,
wiry, indiindi-
cating the
cating the swiftness
swiftness andand elasticity
elasticity ofof a cat. He
a cat. He also wore
also wore
two necklaces,
two necklaces, one one ofof rubies
rubies and the other
and the other of gold,, and
of gold and waswas
the chief
the chief priest
priest or medicine man,
or medicine Wanjula.
man, Wanjula. .
But while
But while II had
had been
been taking
taking in in all these particulars,
all these particulars, Ada Ada
bad fallen
had fallen on her knees
on her knees before
before the the chief
chief andand had had gonegone
through the
through story of
the story of her
her pursuit
pursuit by by the
the Wyhuma
Wyhuma warrior warrior
and her
and her rescue
rescue by by ourselves,
ourselves, upon whom she
upon whom she dwelt
dwelt in the
in the
most glowing
most glowing terms,
terms, and
and wound
wound up up by
by imploring
imploring the the king
king
to grant
to grant us
us his
his protection.
protection. He He narrowly
narrowly examined
examined us us during
during
her narration,
her narration, and and looked
looked upon upon Hardwicke
Hardwicke with with anan almost
almost
Dorror-stricken gaze
horror-stricken when it
gaze when it came
came to to that
that portion
portion of of herher
story in
.tory which my
in which my cousin
cousin had had so marvellously killed
so marvellously killed the the
lavage. He,
savage. He, however,
however, mademade no no answer
answer to h«:;r, but
to her, but held
held some
some
conversation
conversation with with his
his wily-looking
wily-looking adviser.
adviser. What What they they saidsaid
was
was tootoo indistinct
indistinct for for Jimmy
Jimmy to to catch,
catch, but but theythey were were
f:vidently
evidently conscious
conscious that that wewe possessed
possessed some some mighty
mighty agencyagency
over
over death,
death, the the priest
priest inin particular
particular looking
looking on on Dick
Dick with with
absolute
absolute terror.
terror,

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166
166 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

Kalua, for
Kalua, for so the chief
so the chief was
was called, then asked
called, then asked if the
if the
black man
black man (Jimmy)
(Jimmy) couldcould speak
speak the the language,
language , and
and on her
on her
answering in
answering the affirmative,
in the affirmative, he he bade
bade our our dusky
dusky companion
companion
step forward,
step forward, and there followed
and there followed a string of
a string of questions which
questions which
Jimmy in turn repeated to us and
Jimmy in turn repeated to us and to which we gave the to which we gave the
necessary answers.
necessary answers.
It was
It was noticeable
noticeable fromfrom thethe very
very beginning
beginning that that Kalua
Kalua
had aa profound
had profound contempt
contempt for for one
one of Jimmy's colour,
of Jimmy's for he
colour, for he
opened his
opened his interrogations
interrogations by by inquiring
inquiring of of that
that worthy
worthy to to
what tribe
what tribe of of dogs
dogs he he belonged.
belonged. At At this
this Jimmy's
Jimmy's royal
royal
blood flared
blood flared up,up, and
and being
being anan irascible
irascible little
little man,
man, hehe told
told
Kalua in
Kalua in pretty
pretty plain
plain language
language that that he was the
he was the lawful
lawful king
king
of aa tribe
of tribe somewhere
somewhere on on the
the Murrumbidgee,
Murrumbidgee, aa tribe tribe that
that
had fought
had fought the the great
great white
white men
men manymany and and many
many aa time,
time,
and who would
and who would demolish
demolish such such aa wombat
wombat village
village asas his
his
(Kalua's) in
(Kalua's) in the
the remarkably
remarkably quickquick timetime ofof two
two minutes.
minutes.
The
The king's sallow face
king's sallow face flushed
flushed hotly
hotly atat this
this and
and hehe seized
seized
the spear
the spear that was lying
that was lying beside
beside him him with
with thethe intention
intention of of
burying it
burying it inin the
the haughty
haughty Jimmy's
Jimmy's body, body, but the priest
but the priest
Wanjula luckily
Wanjula luckily interposed
interposed in in time,
time, forfor both
both Dick
Dick and
and II had
had
drawn
drawn ourour revolvers
revolvers andand a a moment
moment later later would have hurried
would have hurried
the king
the king into
into eternity.
eternity. He,He, however,
however, being
being totally
totally ignorant
ignorant
of what
of what ourour actions
actions foreboded,
foreboded, continued
continued to to rail
rail at
at Jimmy
Jimmy
in
in aa most
most unkingly
unkingly manner, pouring on
manner, pouring his head
on his head such
such
mountains
mountains of of filthy
filthy abuse that II saw
abuse that saw Ada
Ada close
close her
her eyes
eyes
with
with pain
pain andand clap
clap her hands to
her hands to her
he r ears.
ears. At last the
At last the
great
great monarchal
monarchal rage rage subsided,
subsided, no doubt for
no doubt the want
for the want of
of
more expletives
more expletives (though
(though Jimmy
Jimmy told told meme after that the
after that the
king's
king's abusive vocabulary was
abusive vocabulary the choicest
was the choicest he he had
had ever
ever
heard),
heard), andand curiosity
curiosity getting
getting the better of
the better his not
of his not inborn
inborn
dignity,
dignity, the conversation was
the conversation was resumed
resumed on on aa somewhat
somewhat milder
milder
principle.
principle.
II warned
warned Jimmy
Jimmy to to be
be more
more civil,
civil, and
and pointed
pointed out out to
to
him that our
him that our lives
lives would
would not be worth
not be worth an hour's purchase
an hour's purchase
if we made
if we made an an enemy
enemy of the chief,
of the chief, and
and as as Dick backed me
Dick backed me
up and
up and hinted
hinted at the same
at the same time
time that
that it would not
it would not be good
be good
for his
for his hide
hide if he disobeyed
if he disobeyed us,
us, Jimmy's
Jimmy's demeanour became
demeanour became
lamblike in
lamblike in the
the extreme,' and when
extreme, and when he he again
again addressed
addressed

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 167

Kalua
Kalua it it was with the
was with the most
most humble,
humble, crawling-in-the
crawling-in-the dust dust voice
voice
that II am
that am certain
certain had had ever
ever passed
passed his his lips.
lips. ThThis is sudden
sudden
change
change in front had
in front had aa most
most palpable
palpable effect
effect onon his majesty
his majesty
and evidently
and evidently flattered
flattered his vanity greatly,
his vanity greatly, for was it
for was not an
it not an
open admission
open admission of of his
his power
power?? It, It, like
like music,
music, soothed
soothed the the
savage beast,
savage beast, while
while obstinacy
obstinacy in in usus but
but raised
raised his his evil
evil
passions to
passions to our
our detriment.
detriment.
"So ye
"So ye are
are white
white men men?" he asked
? " he asked though
though the the medium
medium
of Jimmy, through
of Jimmy, through whom whom againagain we we answered.
answered.
66
"Ay, great chief."
chief."
Ay, great
We thought
We thought it it asas well
well toto flatter
flatter him,
him, for there are
for there are few
few
creatures
creatures alivealive callous
callous to that seductive
to that seductive thing,
thing, and they you
and they you
are never likely
are never likely toto meet.
meet. As As it it happened,
happened, we we struck
struck the the
right chord.
right chord. Kalua's weakness was
Kalua's weakness was flattery,
flattery, which,
which , like
like
most kings, he
most kings, he was
was equal
equal to to digesting
digesting mountains
mountains ot: of.
He
He continued-
continued
"Ye are
"Ye are of of thethe same
same race race as as Laughing
Laughing Hair-the
Hair-the
Daughtef'
Daughter of of the
the Sun?"
Sun ? "
"We
"We are, are, ohoh chief.”
chief."
"What
"What seek seek ye?ye ? "”
"We are
"We travellers from
are travellers from the the borders
borders of the great
of the great sea.
sea.
Our people are
Our people mighty."
are mighty."
" Why left
"Why left yeye then
then your
your people
people to to come
come intointo thethe land
land
which knows
which knows not not thethe face
face of the white
of the white man?
man ? ""
"We came,
"We came, oh oh chief, to explore
chief, to explore the the great
great wild
wild lands
lands ofof
the interior,
the interior, so that we
so that we might
might telltell to
to men
men thethe wonders
wonders we we
have
have seen."
seen."
"" Is the white
Is the white manman suresure hehe came
came for for nothing
nothing else?
else ? ""
This
This question
question was was launched
launched directly
directly at Dick, who
at Dick, who had had
done all
done all the
the talking,
talking, but that worthy
but that worthy evinced
evinced no no surprise'
surprise at at
the remark
the remark and and answered
answered quite quite unconcernedly
unconcernedly-
"Surely
"Surely the the white
white man man could
could comecome for for nothing
nothing else?"
else ? "
"Then the
"Then the white
white man knows not
man knows not thethe value
value of this
of this
metal?"
metal ? " continued
continued the the king,
king, toying
toying withwith thethe bracelet
bracelet on on
his
his arm. "But II think
arm . "But think the
the white
white manman does,
does,"" and
and hehe showed
showed
his teeth
his teeth unpleasantly
unpleasantly and laughed in
and laughed in a most peculiar
a most peculiar
manner, the
manner, the wind
wind hissing
hissing through
through the the space
space made
made by by the
the
departure of
departure of his
his front
front tooth.
tooth.

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J68
168 THE
TH E GOLDEN
GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

" Who the

"Who the devil
devil can can he he bebe?"? " said
said Dick;
Dick ; but but we were
we were
not allowed
not allowed time time to speculate on
to speculate on his being, for
his being, for he
he continued
continued s,
with aa horrible
with horrible leer leer-
" The
" white man
The white man answers not."
answers not."
" What
" What can can thethe white
white manman say?" replied Hardwicke.
say ? " replied Hardwicke.
"Kalua is
"Kalua is too
too great
great aa chief
chief to to be
be deceived
deceived by by the
the tales
tales
of boys
of boys andand old women. When
old women. When the the great
great cloud blackens
cloud blackens
the face of
the face of the
the sun,
sun, eveneven like
like to night itself,
to night itself, who
who isis not
not so
so
wise but
wise but that
that he he looks
looks for rain?? ""
for rain
"The white
"The white man man speaks
speaks strangely,"
strangely," said said Kalua.
Kalua.
" II should
" should think think he he did,"
did," replied
replied Dick.
Dick.
That
That the the chief
chief was was not
not altogether
altogether satisfied
satisfied withwith Dick's
Dick's
replies could
replies could be be easily
easily seen;
seen ; yetyet he
he cloaked
cloaked as best he
as best he could
could
his doubts
his doubts beneath
beneath anotheranother dreadful
dreadful smile,
smile , andand continued-
continued—
"How
" How crossed
crossed ye ye thethe great plains of
great plains sand?? There
of sand There is is
no water,
no water, no no grass
grass;; the the kangaroo
kangaroo is gone, and
is gone, and the
the birds
birds
fall dead
fall dead in in the
the heat."
heat."
"Yonder," said
"Yonder," said Dick, pointing through
Dick, pointing through the the aperture
aperture up up
to the sky,
to the sky, "the"the God God of the white
of the white man man lives.
lives. It It was
was he
he
who helped
who helped us." us."
Kalua
Kalua seemedseemed scarcelyscarcely to to understand
understand this this reply,
reply, andand
s0ught accordingly
sought accordingly an an explanation
explanation from from his his priest,
priest, but
but that
that
individual was
individual was as much at
as much at sea
sea asas his
his royal
royal master.
master.
He turned
He turned again again to to us.
us•
.. And
" And is is the
the land
land by by the
the borders
borders of the great
of the great sea
sea well
well
grassed and
grassed and wooded
wooded?? Is Is itit as
as fair
fair as this?"
as this ?"
"Ay,
66 Ay, chief,
chief, a thousand times
a thousand times more
more fair."
fair. "
66
"Why
'Why roamsroams the the white
white man man thenthen through
through all all these
these
dreary lands, since
dreary lands, since he he comes
comes not not even
even for for the
the yellow
yellow metal
metal
which all
which all his
his people worship?? Surely
people worship Surely he he thinks
thinks notnot with
with
his head." And
his head." And he he smiled
smiled most most diabolically,
diabolically, his his mouth
mouth
hissing all
hissing the time
all the time likelike aa miniature
miniature steam-engine.
steam-engine.
"Who the
"Who the devil
devil can can he he be be?"? " queried
queried Dick Dick forfor the
the
second time.
second time. ""It It is is the
the fate
fate of the white
of the white man,"
man," he he con-
con
tinued, gazing
tinued, gazing at at Kalua,
Kalua, and totally ignoring
and totally ignoring all reference
all reference
to the
to the yellow
yellow metal,metal, "to "to roam
roam over over all lands, and
all lands, and over
over all
all
seas. He
seas. He is is asas mighty
mi!hty as as aa god,
god, and
and can can compel
compel eveneven the
the
winds to
winds to aid
aid him him." ."

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 169
169

He must have
He must have thought
thought we we were
were jesting with him,
jesting with him, forfor hehe
replied quickly,
replied quickly, "Surely
" Surely the the white
white man man does
does notnot lie
lie?"
?"
"The white
"The white man man never lies," said
never lies," my cousin,
said my cousin, with
with notnot
so much
so much as as the
the ghost
ghost of of aa smile
smile uponupon his face.
his face.
"Then
" Then is the white
is the white mail
man great
great beyond
beyond my my people,
people, or the
or the
people of
people the scattered
of the scattered tribes
tribes of of thethe country,"
country," said Kalua..
said Kalua
""But
But II think
think you you lie lie !I"" and
and he he stood
stood suddenly
suddenly up up and
and
~hook his
shook his clenched
clenched hand hand beforebefore us. us. His whole being
His whole being
tnderwent the
underwent the mostmost miraculous
miraculous change change in in aa moment.
moment.
From the
From the cool,
cool, cynical
cynical potentate
potentate he he became
became aa blustering,
blustering,
roaring savage
zoaring savage.. He He shook
shook with with excitement.
excitement The words
The words
nissed through
nissed through his his teeth
teeth snake-like
snake-like and and furious.
furious. His His
sickly face
sickly face grew
grew positively
positively greengreen with with rage.
rage. He He foamed
foamed at at
the mouth
the mouth like like aa mad
mad dog, and snapped
dog, and snapped the the words
words between
between
his teeth
his teeth as as though
though they they werewere lumpslumps of of flesh.
flesh. We We in in·
stinctively drew
stinctively drew our our revolvers,
revolvers, prepared
prepared for for any
any emergency.
emergency.
Ada shrank
Ada shrank back,back, overwhelmed
overwhelmed with with terror.
terror. The The priest's
priest's
diamond eyes
diamond eyes glittered
glittered withwith the the excitement
excitement of of the
the scene.
scene.
The monarch
The monarch raved raved on, on, ""II knowknow you you lielie;; II know
know the the
white man
white man cannot
cannot speakspeak the the truth.
truth. ListenListen!! II have
have heard
heard
of your
of your people
people by by the
the great
great sea,
sea, aa lying,
lying, cheating,
cheating, wonderful
wonderful
people. A
people. A people
people who who murder,
murder, lie, lie, cheat,
cheat, and
and robrob for
for the
the
yellow metal,
yellow metal, whose
whose valuevalue ye ye pretend
pretend not not toto know.
know. Liars Liars
that ye are,
that ye are, sons
sons of of liars
liars!! He He who who brought
brought Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair
here hath
here hath divulged
divulged the the secret
secret of of the
the Great
Great Cave.
Cave. Ye Ye have
have
journeyed as
journeyed as only
only the the white
white man man will will journey
journey for for the
the
precious metal
precious metal;; but but thethe desert
desert is is wide,
wide, and
and thethe vultures
vultures
caw loudly.
caw loudly. II know know ye, ye, for
for II am am partly
partly ofof your
your race,
race, andand
have some
have some of of the
the poison
poison of of your
your blood
blood within
within me.
me. My My
mother loved
mother loved the the white
white man man;; but but he he was
was aa beast
beast who who
thrashed her
thrashed her till
till her
her spirit
spirit was
was broken,
broken, and and then
then drove
drove herher
from him
from him with
with threats
threats to to kill
kill ifif she
she should
should return
return.. ThenThen
was she
was she forced
forced to to fly
fly to
to the
the wilderness.
wilderness. She She journeyed
journeyed on on
many days,
many days, till,
till, falling
falling sick
sick with
with exhaustion
exhaustion,, II was was born.
born.
And the
And the white
white man's
man's blood blood was was in in my
my veins
veins., and
and II was was
hated by
hated by mymy people.
people. And And theythey mademade aa law law that
that II should
should
die, because
die, because they they also
also hated
hated the the white
white man.
man. One One night
night I1
stole from
stole from thethe camp
camp and and took
took to to the
the desert,
desert, I,I, aa boy.
boy. And And
M
M

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170 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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why?? Because
why Because the the poison
poison of your blood
of your blood was was in in me."
me." He He
paused, gasping
paused, gasping for for aa minute,
minute, but but quickly
quickly continued,
continued,
" From
" From that that day
day to this have
to this have II not seen my
not seen my mother;
mother ; but but
the stories
the stories sheshe toldtold me me of the white
of the white man's ~an's greedgreed and and
cruelty
cruelty have
have never
never left left my my mind.
mind. 'Hate ' Hate the the white
white man,'man ,'
she
she said;
said ; 'always
always hatehate him,him, as thou wouldst
as thou wouldst the the poison
poison of of
the
the death
death adder!
adder ! '' ""
We were
We were so so startled
startled by by this
this furious
furious outburst
outburst of of passion
passion
that we
that we knew
knew notnot what
what to to do
do or or say.
say. They,They, quickly
quickly per·per
ceiving
ceiving our our uncertainty,
uncertainty, construedconstrued it it naturally
naturally to to timidity,
timidity,
and
and aa shade
shade of of contempt
contempt swept swept thethe distorted
distorted features
features of of the
the
chief. He
chief. He clapped
clapped his his hands,
hands, and and in in aa moment
moment was was sur-
sur
rounded by
rounded by aa dozen
dozen stalwart
stalwart ruffians.
ruffians. Ada Ada looked
looked uneasy.
uneasy.
The
The cold,
cold, diamond
diamond eyes eyes of the priest
of the priest glittered
glittered withwith triumph.
triumph.
We were
We were getting
getting intointo aa serious
serious dilemma.
dilemma. Dick, Dick, however,
however,
was
was equal
equal to to the
the occasion,
occasion, and and metaphorically
metaphorically took took the the bull
bull
by the horns.
by the horns. He He advanced
advanced aa step step towards
towards the the king
king andand
spoke,
spoke, holding
holding his his rifle
rifle in in readiness.
readiness. Jimmy, Jimmy, of of course,
course,
translated.
translated.
"It
" It is
is aa lie,
lie, chief,
chief, to to saysay all
all white
white men men are are liars.
liars. He He
who said
who said soso lies,
lies, hehe who repeats it
who repeats it lies!
lies ! SomeSome are are good,
good,
some bad,
some even as
bad, even as it
it is with your
is with your own people. We
own people. We seekseek yeye
no harm;; we
no harm we are travellers, and
are travellers, and claim
claim your your hospitality.
hospitality.
Refuse
Refuse it, it, and
and we we go go elsewhere."
elsewhere." And And he he pointed
pointed acrossacross
t~e lake
the lake toto where
where the the village
village of of the
the Wyhumas
Wyhumas lay. lay.
Kalua
Kalua was startled in
was startled turn,, for
in turn Dick made
for Dick made aa fierce
fierce figure
figure
in his
in his assumed
assu ll1ed angeranger.. The reference to
The reference to their
their ancient
ancient
enemy, the
enemy, the Wyhumas,
Wyhumas, brought brought aa look look of fury to
of fury to the
the face
face of
of
the king
the king andand ofof his
his followers.
followers.
Dick,
Dick, however,
however, gave them no
gave them no chance
chance to to speak,
speak, but but con-
con
tinued with
tinued with aa fiercer
fiercer air than ever.
air than ever. " "Though
Though we we be be·-harm-
harm
less people,
less people, oh,oh, Kalua,
Kalua, yet yet know
know we we howhow to to protect
protect our- our
ilelves;; and
selves and woe betide the
woe betide the manman or or men
men whowho would
would attempt
attempt
to lay
to lay a a finger
finger upon
upon us, us, for
for he he shall
shall die like aa dog,
die like dog, and and ODon
his carcase
his carcase shall the vultures
shall the vultures feed."
feed."
A slight change
A slight change swept swept over over thethe angry features of
angry features the
of the
chiet:
chief. " "The white man
The white man talks,"
talks," he he snarled.
snarled .
"The white
"The white manman can can do do more
more than than talk,"
talk," retorted
retorted Dick.Dick.

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Then, holding
Then, holding up up his rifle, "I
his rifle, hold in
" I hold in my hand aa mighty
my hand mighty
engine of
engine of death-death swift and sudden as
death-death swift and sudden as the the fiery
fiery
thunderbolt. II have
thunderbolt. have but but to to wish
wish thee
thee dead,
dead, oh, oh, Kalua,
Kalua, and and
lo!! the
lo the cloud
cloud that that tries
tries to to hide
hide thethe face
face of of the
the sun sun is not
is not
more
more weak weak thanthan you you to to me.me. And And to to show
show your your warriors
warriors
__ that
that the the white
white man man doesdoes not not lie,
lie, let
let the
the king
king butbut wish
wish it,it,
and II will
and will kill
kill him
him now,now, even even as as he
he sits,"
sits," andand hehe raised
raised thethe
rifle as
rifle as though
though to to take
take aim.aim.
Though
Though Kalua Kalua looked looked alarmed,alarmed, he seemed not
he seemed yet to
not yet to
fully comprehend
fully comprehend the situation, for
the situation, for he
he replied
replied withwith seeming
seeming
indifference, "I
indifference, " I doubt
doubt not not but but that
that thethe white
white man man speaks
speaks
the truth;; yet
the truth yet it it seems
seems strange
strange to to meme thatthat soso small
small aa tube
tube
can
can conceal
conceal a thunderbolt."
a thunderbolt."
66
"Chief, thou art
Chief, thou art still
still a a disbeliever
disbeliever in in the
the power
power and and
truth of
truth the white
of the white man. man. Yet Yet point
point meme out some object
out some object and and
behold how
behold how II shall shatter it
shall shatter it;; or,
or, 'bring
bring me me forth
forth somesome
animal, and
animal, and at at aa distance
distance whichwhich to to thee
thee maymay seemseem incredible,
incredible,
will slay
II will slay it,
it, even
even as as thethe thunderbolt
thunderbolt fells fells thethe great
great trees
trees
upon the
upon the mountains."
mountains." Then Then turningturning to to meme he said in
he said in a a
stage aside,
stage aside, "" HowHow does does that that sound
sound?" ?"
" Most excellent
"Most excellent," ," II answered.
answered. " "The
The idea idea is good.""
is good.
"Yes,"
" Yes," he replied,, "But
he replied " But II must must not work that
not work that thunder-
thunder
bolt to
bolt to death.
death. They They are are evidently discussing my
evidently discussing my proposal,"
proposal,"
he went on.
he went " If they
on. "If they accept
accept it, it, so
so much
much the the better.
better. It will
It will
give
give themthem an an ideaidea of what we
of what we can can do,do, though
though II wish wish I'd
I'd
mentioned
mentioned nothing nothing about about shattering
shattering objects."
objects."
The curiosity of
The curiosity of Kalua
Kalua and and his his warriors
warriors was was indeed
indeed
aroused. After
aroused. After a very short
a very short debate
debate theythey mademade it known to
it known to
us that
us that they
they would
would like like to to see
see an an exhibition
exhibition of of our powers,
our powers,
and though
and though sceptical
sceptical as as they
they tried
tried to to appear,
appear, theythey eyedeYlid our
our
weapons with
weapons with something
something akin akin to to reverence,
reverence, and and took
took excep
excep-
tional care
tional care not
not to to come
come withinwithin reach
reach of them..
of them
We passed
We passed from from the the room,
room, Kalua Kalua and and his his priest going
priest going
first, Ada,
first, Ada, Dick,
Dick, Jimmy Jimmy and following, and
and II following, and thethe warriors
warriors
bringing up
bringing up the
the rear.
rear. On On the the other
other sideside of the curtains
of the curtains of of
skin we
skin we ascended
ascended some some stepssteps and and presently
presently found found ourselves
ourselves
upon aa sort
upon sort ofof flat
flat roof
roof or or platform
platform which which commanded
commanded both both
an
an extensive
extensive view view of of the
the lakelake and and village.
village.

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172 THE GOLDEN
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"What would
"What would you you havehave me me killkill ?"
? " asked
asked Dick.
Dick.
Kalua looked around
Kalua looked around him, him, but but perceiving
perceiving no no animal
animal at at
which my
which my cousin
cousin could
could fire, pointed towards
fire , pointed towards an an oldold white
white-
haired woman
haired woman who who stoodstood on on the the sands
sands of of the
the lake,
lake, about
about
two hundred
two hundred yards
yards away.away.
"The
" white man
The white man is brave, chief,"
is brave, chief," exclaimed
exclaimed Hardwicke
Hardwicke
with look of
with aa look of horror
horror and and disgust,
disgust, " "and
and never
never killskills a a
woman. It
woman. is aa written
It is written law law withwith our our people
people thatthat man
man shall
shall
not
not even
even destroy
destroy man, unless in
man, unless in self-defence.
self- defence. Then Then is is the
the
white man
white man as as fierce
fierce and wild as
and wild the mountain
as the mountain torrent.
torrent. He He
knows no
knows no mercy,
mercy, no no pity,
pity, butbut sweeps
sweeps his his opponent
opponent from from hishis
path with the
path with the fury
fury ofof the
the whirlwind
whirlwind." ."
Kalua smiled
Kalua smiled unprepossessingly
unprepossessingly but made no
but made no reply.
reply. Had Had
it
it not been the
not been the custom
custom of of thethe Mandanyah
Mandanyah to to speak
speak in in anan
inflated manner
inflated manner II could could easily
easily have believed that
have believed that he he waswas
laughing in
laughing in his
his sleeve
sleeve (only(only he he hadhad no no sleeve
sleeve to to laugh
laugh in)in)
at Dick's"
at high falutin
Dick's " high falutin "" nonsense.
nonsense . He, He, however,
however, proceeded
proceeded
to question
to question his his medicine
medicine man, man, Wanjula,
Wanjula, as to the
as to the requisite
requisite
target they
target they should
should supply,
supply, when when Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, who who had had been
been
watching the
watching the lake,
lake, suddenly
suddenly seized seized the the shot-gun
shot-gun from from
Jimmy, and
Jimmy, and speaking
speaking to to the
the chief
chief said
said-
66
"Behold,
Behold, oh,oh, Kalua,
Kalua, those birds." And
those birds." And he he pointed
pointed to to aa
flock
flock ofof ducks
ducks that
that hadhad just
just arisen
arisen from from the the water
water and was
and was
flying towards
flying towards us. us. " "InIn aa moment
moment shall shall my death-engine
my death-engine
speak aloud, and
speak aloud, and fromfrom among
among their their cloud-like
cloud-like ranks ranks shall
shall
many
many fallfall dying
dying to to the
the earth."
earth."
The king
The king andand his his followers
followers were were so so utterly
utterly ignorant
ignorant of of
what Hardwicke was
what Hardwicke was about
about to to do,
do, and
and so so full
full of
of hishis doing
doing
something miraculous, that
something miraculous, that they
they fairly
fairly shivered
shivered withwith excite-
excite
ment,
ment, while
while thethe crowd
crowd which which had had collected
collected below,
below, seeing
seeing
us upon
us upon thethe platform,
platform, stood stood gapinggaping with with openopen mouths,
mouths,
wondering what
wondering what waswas in in .the wind.
the wind.
On
On came
came thethe birds,
birds, forty
(orty or or fifty yards above
fifty yards above the the water,
water, in in
a flock
a flock ofof thirty
thirty atat least,
least, making
making aa little little white
white cloud
cloud in in the
the
blue air.
blue air. DickDick smiled
smiled at me, and
at me, and I, I, ill
ill as
as II was,
was, could
could
...carcely
carcely refrain
refrain from laughing outright.
from laughing outright. To use his
To use his own
own
expression,
expression, he he couldn't have missed
couldn't have missed them
them with
with his
his eyes
eyes
shut.
shut.

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In aa couple
In couple of of seconds
seconds they they were
were almost
almost aboveabove us, us, and and
Dick, letting fly
Dick, letting fly both
both barrels,
barrels, brought
brought six six of
of them
them to to thethe
earth, one
earth, one falling
falling plumpplump at at the
the feet
feet of
of the
the king.
king. At At first
first
the sound
the sound appeared
appeared to to startle the onlookers,
startle the onlookers, but they no
but they no
sooner knew
sooner knew that that theythey werewere uninjured
uninjured than than theirtheir natural
natural
indifference broke
indifference broke down, down, and and theythey gave
gave ventvent to to their
their
feelings in
feelings in loud
loud cries
cries of admiration..
of admiration
The king
The king tried,
tried, with
with thethe usual
usual courtesy
courtesy of of kings,
kings, to to treat
treat
the exhibition
the exhibition with with thatthat indifference
indifference it it really
really deserved,
deserved, but but
he hid
he hid hishis feelings
feelings badly, badly, and
and II couldcould seesee thatthat he he was was
strongly moved.
strongly moved. As As for for hishis priest,
priest, Wanjula,
Wanjula, he he fairly
fairly
shivered as
shivered as he
he turned
turned his his eyes upon the
eyes upon the redoubtable
redoubtable Dick, Dick,
and II am
and am certain
certain he he would
would not not at that moment
at that moment have have laid laid
his hands
his hands upon upon the the "thunder
"thunder tube tube," as they
," as they afterwards
afterwards
called
called it,it, for
for allall the
the blessings
blessings thethe Mandanyahs
Mandanyahs could could grant
grant
him.. Kalua
him Kalua picked
picked up up the
the bird
bird that
that had
had fallen
fallen at his feet
at his feet
and examined
and examined it. it. There
There was was one tiny red
one tiny red spot
spot of blood on
of blood on
the breast.
the breast.
"It is
"It is wonderful
wonderful," he said.
," he said " My brothers,
cc My brothers, the the white
white
men,
men, areare great
great chiefs,
chiefs, and and possess
possess a a power
power unequalled
unequalled by by
the people
the people of of thethe Mandanyah.
Mandanyah. The The prayer
prayer of of Laughing
Laughing
Hair
Hair isis granted.
granted. Ye Ye need
need not
not seek
seek the the hospitality
hospitality of of thethe
Wyhumas. II have
Wyhumas. have spoken.
spoken.""
" We thank
"We thank you, you, chief,"
chief," Hardwicke
Hardwicke repliedreplied;; "and " and to to
prove that our
prove that our words
words are are not
not mere empty sound,
mere empty sound, we we beg beg
you to
you to accept
accept this this engine
engine of of destruction,"
destruction," and and he he held
held out out
the gun
the gun as as though
though to to present
present it it to
to the
the half-breed.
half-breed . "" But," But,"
he
he continued,
continued, "beware " beware of of it,
it, oh
oh chief,
chief, lest
lest the
the thunderbolt
thunderbolt
it contains fly
it contains fly forth
forth of of its
its own
own accord
accord andand smite
smite theethee to to the
the
death."
death."
The
The kingking drewdrew back back shuddering,
shuddering, while while Dick
Dick gavegave me me aa
significant
significant look look.. His His warning
warning was was thoroughly
thoroughly effective.
effective.
Kalua
Kalua would
would not not have
have touched
touched that that gun
gun for
for the
the world.
world. But, But,
thought I,
thought if we
I, if we cancan makemake himhim some useful present
some useful present it it will
will
please him
please him just
just asas well,
well, andand mayhap
mayhap get get usus into
into his his good
good.
graces, so
graces, so II got
got outout my my knife
knife and
and presented
presented it it to
to him.
him. He He
seized it
seized it instantly
instantly with with every
every sign
sign of satisfaction,, and
of satisfaction and mademade
known to
known to us us that
that he he waswas deli!!hted
delighted with with the
the gift
!!ift. In In facfar. t,
t,

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174 THE GOLDEN
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he eyed
he eyed the the great
great sharp
sharp bladeblade so so keenly
keenly as as toto make
make me me
almost
almost wish wish II had had not parted with
not parted with it.it.
Our
Our nextnext dutyduty waswas to to express
express our thanks to
our thanks to Laughing
Laughing
Hair for
Hair the great
for the great favour
favour she she had rendered us,
had rendered which Dick
us, which Dick
did in
did in the
the most
most courtly
courtly and and flattering
flattering style.
style. She blushed
She blushed
vividly as
vividly she inclined
as she inclined her head,, and
her head and looked,
looked, II thought,
thought, more more
beautiful than
beautiful than anything
anything in in the
the shape
shape of of woman
woman II had had ever
ever seen.
seen .
II noticed
noticed the the chief
chief also
also regarded
regarded her her with
with nono little
little admira
admira-
tion, and
tion, and II wondered,
wondered, for the moment,
for the moment, if if she
she might
might be be his
his
wife, and
wife, and positively
positively hated
hated his his uglyugly yellow
yellow and and greengreen face.
face.
But no
But no,, thought
thought I, the innate
I, the innate dignity
dignity of of so so charming
charming aa
creature would
creature would nevernever suffer
suffer suchsuch humiliation.
humiliation.
We at
We last took
at last took our
our departure
departure from from Kalua
Kalua and and his his men,
men,
leaving them
leaving them wondering
wondering over over the the fallen
fallen bird
bird ;; and,
and, following
following
Ada,
Ada, retraced
retraced our steps through
our steps through the the king's
king's U" palace."
palace. "
Outside,
Outside, a a crowd
crowd of of eager,
eager, excited
excited people
people pressed
pressed roundround us us
with
with shouts
shouts of of wonder,
wonder, whichwhich they they kept
kept up up till
till we
we reached
reached
the hut
the which was
hut which destined to
was destined to bebe ourour residence.
residence. II was was
now
now so so utterly
utterly exhausted
exhausted that that II no no sooner
sooner got got within
within thanthan
II flung myself full
flung myself full upon
upon aa couch couch of of skins
skins that
that lay lay inin one
one
corner.
corner. II am am also
also afraid
afraid that that something
something like groan of
like aa groan of
pain
pain escaped
escaped me me at that moment,
at that moment, for for Dick
Dick was was instantly
instantly by by
my
my side, while Ada
side, while Ada held held to to mymy lipslips aa gourd
gourd of of some
some re- re
freshing
freshing liquid,
liquid, which
which it it is
is needless
needless to to say
say II greedily
greedily drank.
drank.
I remember
I remember very little after
very little after that, for II was
that, for there an<;l
was there and
then struck
then struck downdown with
with fever,
fever, and and mustmust havehave beenbeen laidlaid up
up
for
for aBout
about fivefive weeks.
weeks. Dick, Dick, unfortunately,
unfortunately, kept kept no-account
no account
of
of dates,
dates, so so that
that from
from thatthat timetime forward
forward we we knewknew not not one
one
day from the
day from the other.
other.
When II had
When had regained
regained sufficient
sufficient consciousness
consciousness to talk and
to talk and
know my
know my cousin,
cousin, II waswas informed
informed of of the
the severe
severe attack
attack II hadhad
undergone, and
undergone, and also that Ada,
also that Ada, like like a guardian angel,
a guardian angel, hadhad
tended me
tended me night
nigllt and
and day.day. Dick
Dick had had done
done his best (a
his best (a
statement
statement not necessary for
not necessary for himhim to to make),
make), but but he he vowed
vowed
that had
that had it it not been for
not been for her unswerving devotion,
her unswerving devotion , II should
should
have
have given
given up the ghost.
up the ghost. II rememberremember sending sending for her to
for her to
receive my
receive thanks, and
my thanks, and II can can seesee her
her now
now as as she
she came
came and and
leant over
leant over me me ;; her
her great
great eyeseyes full
full of
of tears.
tears, her
her lips
lips ouiverine
quivering

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with
with emotion,
emotion, and and yet yet aa bright
bright and and happy
happy lightlight illuminating
illuminating
all.
all. II thanked
thanked her her a a thousand,
thousand, thousand
thousand times times for for all
all that
that
she
she hadhad done
done for for me,me, and
and you you may judge of
may judge of my my great
great
astonishment
astonishment and and joyjoy when
when II heardheard herher answer
answer in our own
in our own
language. True,
language. True, it it was
was with
with aa slight baby accent,
slight baby accent, but but it was
it was
nevertheless
nevertheless English,
English, and and it it seemed
seemed to to me me the the sweetest
sweetest
English
English II had had ever
ever heard.
heard. Dick, Dick, itit seems,
seems, had talked with
had talked with
her during my
her during long hours
my long hours of of quiet
quiet slumber,
slumber, and little by~
and little by
little
little her
her native
native tongue
tongue had had comecome back,
back, till till she
she spoke
spoke with'
with
scarcely
scarcely any inconvenience.
any inconvenience.
Favoured
Favoured by by aa strong
strong constitution,
constitution, II rapidlyrapidly recovered,
recovered,
and great
and great was was the
the excitement
excitement in
in our
our little
little camp
camp when
when lone
I one
day
day intimated
intimated a a wish
wish toto arise,
arise, andand gogo out
out andand taketake the
the air.
air.
As
As itit was
was summer
summer and and the
the weather
weather veryvery warm,
warm, therethere waswas
little chance of
little chance of taking
taking a a chill,
chill, so they led
so they led me me outout andand sat sat
me
me down
down on on the
the sands
sands of of thethe lake,
lake, and
and there
there DickDick and and II
talked
talked forfor more
more than than an an hour
hour of the strange
of the strange adventures
adventures
which
which hadhad befallen
befallen us, us, of the beautiful
of the beautiful Laughing
Laughing Hair, Hair, and
and
her
her ultimate
ultimate fate,fate, andand of the difficulties
of the difficulties that that would
would be be
thrown
thrown in our way
in our way of of discovering
discovering the the Secret
Secret CaveCave now now that
that
the
the ugly
ugly half-blood
half-blood had had guessed
guessed the the true
true reason
reason of of our
our
journey.
journey.
"Kalua has
"Kalua has certainly
certainly taken
taken aa most most pronounced
pronounced dislike dislike
to us,"
to us," said
said Dick;
Dick ; "" but,
but, notwithstanding
notwithstanding his his dislike
dislike or the
or the
dislike
dislike of of fifty
fifty such
such as he, we
as he, we must
must discover
discover that that gold.
gold. I I
have
have comecome all all this
this wayway to to find
find that
that Secret
Secret Cave, Archie,
Cave, Archie,
and
and II amam going
going to find it
to find it before
before II return."
return. "
"Then
" Then you you have
have considered
considered our our return?
return ? ""
"Oh,
" yes;; but
Oh, yes but we we must
must not not think
think of of attempting
attempting it yet.
it yet.
We are
We are nownow in in thethe hothot season,
season, and,and, consequently,
consequently, all all
thoughts of
thoughts journeying for
ofjourneying for some
some timetime will
will bebe impracticable."
impracticable."
"And
" And do do youyou still
still hold
hold the the idea
idea of journeying west-
of journeying west
ward when
ward when we we dodo start?
start ? ""
" Yes;
" because II am
Yes ; because am suresure we we shall
shall findfind both
both civilisa-
civilisa
tion and
tion good country
and good sooner by
country sooner by going
going that that way.way. We We
cannot
cannot bebe many hundreds of
many hundreds of miles
miles from
from the the coast,
coast, andand may.
may.
happen to
happen to strike
strike some station at
some station at half
half thethe distance.
distance. If If we
we
can arrange with
can arrange with Kalua
Kalua to let us
to let us have
have some
some carriers
carriers for the
for the

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THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
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first part
first part of
of the
the journey,
journey, our our arrival
arrival on on the
the outskirts
outskirts of of the
the
settlement is
settlement is reduced
reduced to to aa certainty."
certainty."
Cl By the
"By the way,
way, howhow is is Kalua
Kalua?? ""
" I have
Cl I have notnot seenseen him him since
since that day. He
that day. He isis aa surly,
surly,
morose devil
morose devil at at best."
best."
""That's unfortunate.. And
That's unfortunate And whenwhen you you get get to
to the
the settle-
settle
ment, Dick,
ment, what then
Dick, what then?" ?"
"II shall
" shall gogo back
back to to Melbourne
Melbourne and and organise
organise a secret
a secret
expedition;
expedition ; return
return here,
here, and
and load
load up
up with
with gold,
gold, my
my boy."
boy. "
"II am
" am on~
one withwith you,
you, oldold fellow;
fellow ; butbut we we must
must first find
first find
the
the gold."
gold."
" That we
"That we shall
shall do,do, never
never fear.
fear. Believe
Believe me, me, it
it will be a~
will be
queer thing
queer thing if if II don't
don't wormworm the the secret
secret outout ofof somebody.
somebody.
II am
am sorry
sorry to
to say Ada knows
say Ada knows absolutely
absolutely nothing
nothing about
about it it,,
though she
though she has
has heard
heard rumours
rumours of of some secret being
some secret being kept
kept in in
the Great
the Great Caves.
Caves. In In thethe meantime
meantime we we shall
shall live
live quietly
quietly
enough here
enough here till the winter
till the winter comes round. The
comes round. The people
people are are
civil and
civil and harmless
harmless enough,enough, and and so so far
far have
have not not been
been guilty
guilty
of anything greater
of anything greater thanthan curiosity.
curiosity. II don't don't care
care much
much
for that
for that half-bred
half-bred chief; and Wanjula,
chief ; and Wanjula, the the priest, medicine
priest, medicine
man,
man, and and general
general humbug,
humbug, is is as
as snaky-
snaky-looking
looking an an individual
individual
as it
as it has
has ever
ever beenbeen my my lotlot toto see, but II don't
see, but don't think
think they
they
mean us
mean us harm
harm;; at at least
least Jimmy,
Jimmy, who who mixes
mixes promiscuously
promiscuously
with the
with the people,
people, has has heard nothing-have you,
heard nothing-have you, Jimmy
Jimmy ?" ?"
""No, Mass'r Dick
No, Mass'r Dick;; I'veI've heard
heard nothen',"
nothen'," replied
replied thatthat
worthy.
worthy. " "All
All thethe same,
same, black
black fellow
fellow too
too civil. Jabber too
civil. Jabber too
dam
dam much much soft soap for
soft soap for me.
me. Jimmy Jimmy no no understand
understand one one
black fellow
black fellow who who give give another
another black black fellowfellow allall him
him
grub."
grub."
"Why.
" Why, Jimmy,"
Jimmy," said Dick, "you
said Dick, " you surely
surely don't
don't object
object to to
such delicate attentions
such delicate attentions?? Who Who ever heard of
ever heard of aa black
black
fellow grumbling
fellow grumbling becausebecause he he was
was given
given too too much
much to to eat?
eat ?
You
You growgrow epicurean,
epicurean, James. James_ But But make
make the the most
most ofof it,
it, for
for
we shall
shall soon
soon be be onon the
the'' wallaby
wallaby track ‫ܕ‬
track'' (tramp)
(tramp) again."
we again."
""The wallaby, Mass'r
The wallaby, Mass'r Dick,"
Dick," he he replied,
replied, his his face
face bright
bright-
ening. "The
ening. "The sooner
sooner the the better.
better. No No like
like this:dam
this dam country,
country,
gold or
gold or no gold. No
no gold. No can understand how
can understand how one one black fellow
black fellow
give
give another
another black
black fellow
fellow allall him
him grub,"
grub," and with aa brain
and with brain

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177

bowed down
bowed down by by that weighty problem,
that weighty problem, he he departed
departed alongalong
the sand,
the sand, puffing
puffing vigorously
vigorously at at his
his pipe.
pipe.
"What's the
"What's the matter
matter withwith him him,, Dick?"
Dick ? "
" The fool's
"The fool's inin one
one of of his
his sulky
sulky moods,
moods, II suppose."
suppose."
"Perhaps," 66
answered.. "But
" Perhaps," II answered But do you think
do you think there
there might
might
not
not be be something
something in the wind?
in the wind ? Something
Something he he guesses
guesses at,at,
but is
but is not
not certain
certain of."of."
"" There
There may may be. be. Anyhow,
Anyhow, we we can keep our
can keep our eyes
eyes open.
open.
I don't
I don't trust that sallow·
trust that faced devil,
sallow-faced devil, Kalua.
Kalua. II am am sure
sure hehe
hates us,
hates us, and
and what
what is is more,
more, he's he's jealous."
jealous."
" Jealous!
"Jealou s ! Of Of whom
whom?? ""
" Ada."
" Ada."
What?"
"" What ?"
"It's
" It's a fact. He
a fact. He has has thethe audacity
audacity to to aspire
aspire for for her
her
hand."
hand."
"" And
And sheshe?" ?" I I could
could not not help
help feeling
feeling greatly
greatly interested.
interested.
Indeed,
Indeed, II would would have have been been less than flesh
less than flesh and
and blood
blood
could
could I I have
have remained
remained indifferent
indifferent as as toto the fate of
the fate one so
of one so
beautiful, and
beautiful, and to to crown
crown all, all, one
one whowho had had nursed
nursed me back
me back
from the
from the grave.
grave.
""Hates
Hates him him likelike poison.
poison. II believebelieve she she would
would sooner
sooner
take aa lizard
take lizard toto her
her bosom
bosom than than that mongrel."
that mongrel."
An inexpressible feeling
An inexpressible feeling of of relief
relief shot through me,
shot through and II
me, and
turned my
turned my eyes
eyes to where she
to where she stood,
stood , some
some fifty yards away,
fifty yards away,
talking to
talking to aa native
native girl,
girl, and
and II thought
thought her her the
the sweetest
sweetest
thing in
thing in existence.
existence.
This
This native girl, Lusota
native girl, Lusota by by name,
name, was was Ada's
Ada's constant
constant
companion. She
companion. She affected
affected Laughing
Laughing Hair's Hair's style
style ofof dress,
dress,
that is,
that she covered
is, she covered all those portions
all those portions of her anatomy
of her anatomy
which her
which her less
less delicate
delicate sisters
sisters hadhad no no scruples
scruples in in showing,
showing,
owned aa most
owned most dazzling
dazzling pair pair of black eyes,
of black eyes, aa figure
figure full
full of
of
life and
life grace, and
and grace, and aa face, face, albeit
albeit its
its darkness,
darkness, possessing
possessing
few of
few the objectionable
of the objectionable traits traits ofof her people. She
her people. She waswas aa
true
true native
native belle,
belle, and
and had had beenbeen courted
courted by by most
most of the
of the
young
young men men of the village,
of the village, but but soso far
far none
none of them had
of them had
pleased
pleased her her fastidious
fastidious taste.taste. At this II was
At this was rather
rather sur-
sur
prised,
prised, for for some
some of the young
of the young men men were
were exceedingly
exceedingly well·
well
built,
built, andand quite
quite handsome,
handsome, as as blacks
blacks !to. go. Still
Still her
her heart
heart

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remained unconquered,
remained unconquered, and after she
and after she and
and Ada
Ada had
had
advanced,
advanced, and
and stood talking to
stood talking to us
us for
for a few moments,
a few moments, II
saw that
saw that no
no young
young man
man of the tribe
of the tribe of the Mandanyahs
of the Mandanyahs
would
would ever
ever be
be able to say
able to that he
say that had won
he had the heart
won the heart of
of
Lusota.
Lusota. '

CHAPTER
CHAPTER XIV.
XIV.

DESCRIBING
DESCRIBING THE
THE RELIGIOUS
RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES
CEREMONIES OF
OF THE
THE MAN-
MAN
DANYAH, ALSO A
DANYAH, ALSO A SANGUINARY
SANGUINARY NAVAL
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
ENGAGEMENT• •

AND the
AND the reason
reason?? She She was
was madly
madly in in love
love with
with' Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
She watched his
She watched his every
every movement
movement with with aa tenderness
tenderness in· in
expressible,
expressible, and whenever he
and whenever he chanced
chanced to to address
address aa straystray
word to
word to her
her she she trembled,
trembled, grewgrew confused,
confused, and and made
made a a
most
most elaborate attempt to
elaborate attempt to blush
blush violently;
violently ; and that she
and that she
failed
failed inin her
her endeavour
endeavour II wouldwould not swear, for
not swear, to my
for to my eyes
eyes
her
her dusky
dusky faceface changed
changed to to aa warm
warm red.
red. HerHer eyes
eyes never
never
left
left him,
him , no
no matter
matter wherewhere he he moved.
moved. It It was
was a a most
most
pitiable
pitiable case
case ofof devotion
devotion;; fawning,
fawning, and as humble
and as humble as as thelove
the love
of
of a dog. What
a dog. What the the young
young maiden's
maiden's inner
inner thoughts
thoughts were were
is beyond
is beyond me me to to define
define;; but
but II suppose
suppose the the heart
heart of of aa
savage beats,
savage beats, especially
especially whenwhen love is the
love is the motive
motive power,
power,
much like
much like the
tha heart
heart ofof any
any other woman.
other woman.
To
To say that Hardwicke
say that Hardwicke was was unconscious
unconscious of the passion
of the passion
he had
he awakened in
had awakened in Lusota's
Lusota's bosom would be
bosom would be equivalent
equivalent
to writing
to writing him
him downdown an an ass,
ass, which
which he he was
was not.
not. On the
On the
contrary, he
contrary, was as
he was as shrewd
shrewd asas he
he was
was brave,
brave, and
and saw that the
saw that the
native woman
native woman was was"66 dying
dying forfor him,"
him," as the saying
as the saying is; but
is ; but
being unsmitten
being unsmitten by by her
her charms,
charms, he he gave her no
gave her no encourage
encourage-
ment whatever,
ment which, as
whatever, which, is the
as is the manner
manner of these things,
of these things,
increased her
increased her passion
passion but but the
the more.
more. A kind look
A kind look from
from

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him was
him was construed
construed into into something
something totally totally different from
different from
what he
what he meant,
meant, and and if if a few words
a few words accompanied
accompanied the the look,
look ,
the acme of
the acme of Lusota's
Lusota's happiness
happiness was was reached.
reached.
Dick
Dick waswas aa man man whomwhom any woman might
any woman might havehave loved.
loved .
Not more
Not more thanthan twenty-nine,
twenty-nine, he he was was the the ideal
ideal model
model of of
manly
manly strength.
strength. Tall, Tall, so so close
close to to six feet that
six feet that hehe was
was not not
certain
certain of of being
being underunder or or above
above it it ;; he
he hadhad aa splendid
splendid face,
face,
and
and aa headhead so so gracefully
gracefully set set upon
upon his shoulders as
his shoulders as to to
remind one
remind one of of thethe cut cut of of aa thorough-bred
thorough-bred greyhound. greyhound.
Indeed, he
Indeed, he told
told me me once
once thatthat thethe boysboys at at school used to
school used to
call
call him
him byby that
that name,
name, but but he
he thought
thought it it was
was on on account
account of of
his swiftness of
his swiftness foot. Perhaps
of foot. Perhaps it was both.
it was both. Some Some people
people
would have
would have thought
thought his his face hard,, and
face hard and so so it it was,
was, but
but only
only
in anger,
in then it
anger, then it could
could growgrow as rigid as
as rigid as iron
iron;; butbut inin his
his
lighter moods
lighter moods it it was
was asas open
open and lovable as
and lovable as aa child's.
child's. As As
I close
I close my my eyeseyes and and let let my
my mind mind wanderwander back back to to the
the
old times, II see
old times, see himhim in in all the glow
all the glow of youthful strength;
of youthful strength ; II
look into his
look into his clear,
clear, truthful
truthful eyeseyes again;
again ; II hear hear his
his kind
kind oldold
voice;
voice ; II feel the warm
feel the warm claspclasp of his hand
of his hand in in mine,
mine, andand 1 I
think
think that
that had
had II been
been aa woman
woman II should,
should, like like Desdemona,
Desdemona,
have
have prayed
prayed heaven
heaven to to send
send me me such
such aa man. man . II couldcould not not
wonder
wonder at the great
at the great love
love thethe native
native womanwoman bore bore him.
him.
I sat
I sat out
out onon thethe sand
sand as long as
as long as II dared,
dared , andand tben,
then , for
for
fear of
fear taking cold,
of taking retraced my
cold, retraced my steps
steps to to thethe hut, leaning
hut, leaning
as before on
as before on DickDick and and Ada.Ada. The The touch touch of her sweet
of her sweet
figure against
figure against my my ownown acted
acted electrically
electrically upon upon my my nerves,
nerves,
and II felt
and my weakened
felt my weakened form form tingle
tingle withwith aa strange
strange new life.
new life.
The walk from
The walk from the the beach
beach to to the
the hut
hut was was all all too
too short,
short, and
and
II selfishly wished the
selfishly wished the few
few yards
yards could
could havehave beenbeen transformed
transformed
into so
into so many
many miles.
miles.
By degrees my
By degrees my strength
strength came came back;back ; slowlyslowly at first, but
at first, but
when once
when once the the returning
returning vitality
vitality got got the the upper
upper hand,
hand, it it
drove
drove the the remaining
remaining weakness weakness away away with with astonishing
astonishing
vdocity.
velocity. It It waswas splendid
splendid to to feel
feel strong
strong and and well
well once
once
more,
more, toto inhale
inhale the the life-giving
life-giving breeze,
breeze, to to bathe
bathe every
every morn-
morn
ing
ing inin the
the clear
clear blue waters of
blue waters of the
the lake,
lake, and and then
then return
return to to
the hut
the hut and
and eat
eat a a hearty
hearty breakfast.
breakfast. II verily verily believe
believe II was
was aa
much
much better
better man man afterafter my my illness
illness thanthan II had had ever
ever been
been

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180 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
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before. And
before. And my my delight
delight at at my my recovery
recovery 'was was intensified
intensified
by the
by the great pleasure II derived
great pleasure derived from from beholding
beholding the the joyjoy
which was
which was depicted
depicted upon upon everyevery lineament
lineament of of Ada's face.
Ada's face.
How good,
How good, how how tender
tender sheshe was was!! Dick,Dick, old friend, II loved
old friend, loved
none the
you none
you the less,
less, but
but life
life waswas different
different now. now. Many Many and and
many aa time
many time hadhad sheshe paddled
paddled me me over
over thethe lake,
lake, because
because it it
would do
would do meme good,
good, she she said
said;; and and whenwhen II grew grew stronger
stronger
she taught
she taught me me howhow to to use
use the the paddle,
paddle, and and herher delight
delight at at
my success
my success was was of of childlike
childlike intensity.
intensity. They They were were happy
happy
times, more
times, more happy
happy than than dreams
dreams of of dreams
dreams;; and and II grew
grew to to
love my
love my fairfair companion,
companion, love love her her as as II thought
thought only only an an
angel could
angel could be be loved.
loved. She She was was thethe very essence of
very essence of my my
being, this
being, this bright
bright wild,
wild, baby
baby thing thing;; my my purer
purer soulsoul against
against
which my
which my other
other nature
nature stoodstood out out dark
dark andand defiled
defiled.. So So
guilty aa creature
guilty creature II seemed seemed in h~r presence,
in her presence, so so unworthy
unworthy
her trusting,
her trusting, purepure affection,
affection, that that 1I shrank
shrank fromfrom whispering
whispering
to her
to her my
my passion
passion as as one
one would
would shrink shrink from
from doing
doing aa sinful
sinful
thing..
thing
We passed
We passed the the long,
long, bright
bright days together paddling,
days together paddling, shoot-
shoot
ing (I
ing tried to
(I tried to teach
teach her her thethe use use of the revolver,
of the revolver, but but sheshe
had no
had no love
love for
for such uncouth weapons),
such uncouth weapons), fishing, and in
fishing, and in short
short
excursions
excursions aboutabout the the mountains,
mountains, Dick Dick sometimes
sometimes with with us, us,
but oftener away
but oftener away withwith Jimmy
Jimmy ., " fossicking."
fossicking. " It It was
was during
during
one
one of these rambles
of these rambles that that sheshe pointed
pointed out out toto meme the the path
path
which led
which led over
over thethe mountains
mountains to the desert
to the desert on on thethe other
other
side; the path
side ; the path we we were
were destined
destined so so soon
soon to to take
take amid
amid suchsuch
incidents
incidents as as none
none of of usus are
are likely
likely everever toto forget.
forget.
One
One dayday we we told
told herher ofof our
our project
project to to take
take herher with
with us us
if she
if would consent
she would consent to to trust
trust her her welfare
welfare in in our
our hands.
hands. She She
was overjoyed
was overjoyed at at the
the proposition.
proposition. She She hadhad lately
lately begun
begun to to
think of
think the time
of the time that
that waswas coming
coming when when we we should
should leave leave
the village,
the village, and
and her thoughts of
her thoughts of our
our departure
departure had had beenbeen thethe
bitterest.
bitterest. GreatGreat tears
tears welled
welled up up inin her
her eyes
eyes asas she
she declared
declared
she would go
she would go with
with us us ifif, it
it were
were to to certain
certain death.
death. The The
journey had
journey had nono terrors
terrors forfor her,
her, and and thethe probability
probability of fatigue,
of fatigue,
always fatigue, was
always fatigue, was as as nothing,
nothing, she she declared,
declared, to to what
what her her life
life
would be
would be should
should we we depart without her.
depart without her. 1I quite
quite believed
believed
her when she
her when she said
said thatthat we we shouldshould find her as
find her good aa
as good

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181

traveller as
traveller any of
as any of us,
us, for her figure
for her figure waswas mostmost strongly
strongly and and
beautifully made
beautifully made-as —as II think
think II saidsaid before-
before-whilewhile her her step
step
was wonderfully
was wonderfully agile agile andand elastic.
elastic. We We impressed
impressed upon upon her her
the necessity
the necessity for for keeping
keeping the the project
project a secret, as
a secret, as we
we foresaw
foresaw
no little
no little difficulty
difficulty in in getting
getting her her away.
away.
The winter
The winter was was nownow approaching,
approaching, it it being
being thethe sixth
sixth moon
moon
of the
of thc summer
summer months, months, and and the the village
village showed
showed unusualunusual
signs of
signs activity. One
of activity. One of their great
of their feast days
great feast days waswas drawing
drawing
near. These
near. These days,days, or more properly"
or more times," for
properly " times," for they
they often
often
lasted aa week,
lasted week, were were two two in in number,
number, and and were
were celebrated
celebrated
at
at intervals
intervals of of sixsix months,
months, their their division
division of of winter
winter and and
summer.
summer. When When the the sixth
sixth moon reached its
moon reached its zenith
zenith the the
festivities began,
festivities began, and and lasted
lasted on on forfor days,
days, according
according to the
to the
inclination of
inclination the people.
of the people. General dissoluteness prevailed.
General dissoluteness prevailed .
The villagers danced,
The villagers danced, sang, sang, and literally stuffed
and literally themselves
stuffed themselves
with
with finefine things.
things. The The chief
chief priest
priest waswas general
general master
master of of
the ceremonies,
the ceremonies, and and by by his
his outrageous
outrageous exampleexample so demo-
so demo
ralised
ralised thethe people
people that that neither
neither lifelife nor
nor property
property was was sacred
sacred
for aa month
for month after.
after.
These things II learnt
These things learnt fromfrom Ada,
Ada, who who seemed
seemed to to dread
dread
the approaching
the approaching festival,festival, so so many horrors and
many horrors and excesses
excesses had had
it to
it to answer
answer for. for. What What those those horrors
horrors and and excesses
excesses were were
she
she did not say,
did not say, soso II was left to
was left to my
my own conjectures. Never
own conjectures. N ever-
theless, II was
theless, was anxious
anxious to to behold
behold the the revels,
revels, anticipating
anticipating no no
harm.. Jimmy
harm Jimmy was was stolidly
stolidly indifferent,
indifferent, or or ifif hehe showed
showed
feeling at
feeling all, it
at all, was more
it was more of nervousness than
of nervousness than anything
anything
else.
else. ThisThis was was so so strange
strange that that II waswas forced
forced to to question
question
him,
him, but
but hehe only
only answered
answered he he wished
wished we were going
we were going away away
before the
before the riot began. He
riot began. preferred the
He preferred the desert,
desert, even even in in
drought, to
drought, to the
the people
people about about him him;; and and wound
wound up up by by
repeating again
repeating again thatthat he he did not understand
did not understand one one black fellow
black fellow
who gave
who gave another
another black fellow all
black fellow all his
his grub.
grub. For For himhim to to be
be
the least
the least concerned
concerned at at anything,
anything, was was so so new
new aa feature
feature in in
his composition, that
his composition, that bothboth Dick Dick and and II werewere inclined
inclined to to
laugh him
laugh him outout ofof it,it, but
but we we restrained
restrained our merriment, for
our merriment, for
though we
though we failed
failed to to comprehend
comprehend the reason of
the reason of his taciturn
his taciturn
manner,
manner, we we camecame to to the
the conclusion
conclusion that that there
there might
might be be
some effect for
some etr.,q the cause.
for the cause.

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182
182 THE GOL
THE GOLDEN
DEN LAKE.
LAKE.

We were
We were suddenly
suddenly awakened
awakened one morning shortly
one morning shortly after this
after this
by hearing
by hearing aa dreadful
dreadful hum hum of of discordant
discordant noises,
noises, and and on on
arising and stepping
arising and stepping out out we we found
found that
that thethe whole
whole of the
of the
village was astir
village was astir and
and evidently
evidently ripe ripe for the approaching
for the approaching
festival.
festival. SuchSuch aa babel
babel and
and dindin II hadhad not
not thought
thought the the quiet
quiet
place
place capable
capable of producing. The
of producing. The people laughed and
people laughed and
sang, beat rude
sang, beat rude tom-toms,
tom -toms, and and blew
blew shrill music from
shrill music from reed
reed
pipes,
pipes, ear-splitting
ear-splitting to to aa superlative
superlative degree.
degree. Each Each person
person
was
was dressed
dressed in in what
what might
might be be called
called his his Sunday
Sunday clothes.
clothes.
He
He hadhad some
some extra extra hideous
hideous daubs daubs of of paint
paint on on faceface and
and
body; while aa few
body; while few gaudy
gaudy feathers,
feathers, stuck
stuck herehere and there
and there
promiscuously,
promiscuously, gave gave tone
tone to the animal
to the animal and and displayed
displayed the the
variety
variety ofof itsits costume.
costume. Some, Some, however,
however, had cloaks of
had cloaks of aa
very-
very gorgeous
gorgeous description,
description, being being entirely
entirely composed
composed of of many
many
varieties
varieties of of beautiful
beautiful feathers
feathers worked
worked together
together in in most
most
artistic
artistic patterns.
patterns. These These were were the the "aristocrats"
" aristocrats " of the
of the
place, and wore
place, and wore round
round theirtheir necks
necks ruby ruby ornaments,
ornaments, de- de
noting their proud
noting their proud position.
position. On On the the lake
lake werewere manymany
canoes,
canoes, allall gaily
gaily decorated,
decorated, one one in in particular
particular being
being of of great
great
size
size and
and having
having aa platform
platform in in one
one endend with
with an an awning
awning of of
woven
woven grasses
grasses above above it. it. This
This we we eyed
eyed withwith no no little
little
curiosity, for we
curiosity, for we knew
knew it it was
was thethe king's,
king's, and
and in in itit Ada,
Ada,
accompanied by
accompanied by Kalua
Kalua and and Wanjula,
Wanjula, would would make make the the
journey
journey to the Great
to the Great Cave.
Cave. She She waswas toto ask
ask permission
permission for for
us
us to go with
to go with them,
them, andand we we awaited
awaited anxiously
anxiously her her approach,
approach,
for
for be
be itit remembered,
remembered, Morton Morton had had spoken
spoken of of aa water
water
journey when
journey when he he waswas led led blindfolded
blindfolded into into the the Golden
Golden
Chamber,
Chamber, and and we we imagined
imagined this this visit
visit might
might offeroffer aa sub-
sub
stantial clue as
stantial clue as toto the
the whereabouts
whereabouts of of the
the treasure.
treasure . The The
journey
journey to to the
the cave
cave was
was thethe religious
religious portion
portion of of the
the festival,
festival,
and
and Ada
Ada being
being aa kind
kind of of priestess,
priestess, would
would naturally
naturally be be one
one ofof
the
the chief
chief personages
personages of of the
the carnival.
carnival.
We spent
We spent fullyfully two
two hours
hours upon upon the
the beach,
beach, awaiting
awaiting the the
arrival
arrival of the royal
of the party before
royal party before it it showed
showed any any appearance
appearance
of turning
of up. The
turning up. The people
people had had become
become less less boisterous,
boisterous, and and
aa gradual
gradual abandonment
abandonment of of interest
interest ensued,
ensued, when,
when, justjust asas
their spirits
their were at
spirits were at aa very
very low
low ebb,
ebb, there
there was was aa great
great beat
beat-
ing of
ing of tom-toms
tom-toms in in the
the chief's
chief's palatial
palatial hut,
hut, the
the barricade
barricade

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 183

swung slowly
swung slowly back,back, and and forth
forth stepped
stepped twenty twenty or or thirty
thirty
armed warriors
armed warriors looking
looking dreadfully
dreadfully savagesavage and wild in
and wild their
in their
outlandish rig
outlandish rig and daubs of
and daubs of red, white,, and
red, white blue paint.
and blue paint. A A
buzz of
buzz of admiration
admiration arose arose fromfrom the the populace
populace at at the
the brave
brave
show the
show the men
men presented, though each
presented , though each manman and woman who
and woman who
composed that
composed that populace
populace knew knew that that at at aa signal
signal from
from their
their
tyrannical king
tyrannical king those
those well-
well-armed warriors would
armed warriors would sweep
sweep themthem
from their
from their path
path like
like reeds.
reeds. And And yet they applauded . But
yet they applauded. But
I have
I have seen
seen thethe same
same thingthing donedone in in civilised
civilised countries.
countries.
After the
After the warriors
warriors came
came the the medicine
medicine man man,, Wanjula,
Wanjula, swinging
swinging
aa vessel
vessel which
which contained
contained some some smoking
smoking substance,
substance, and and as as he
he
slowly along
walked slowly
walked along he he repeated
repeated some some uncanny
uncanny incantation.
incantation.
He was
He was also
also received
received well well byby thethe crowd,
crowd, thoughthough in in their
their
heart of hearts
heart of hearts he he was
was detested
detested;; but but hehe was
was aa great
great power
power
in the
in the little
little place
place and and the the people
people bowed bowed low low before
before him. him.
Ada next
Ada next appeared,
appeared, very very pale
pale and and veryvery lovely,
lovely, andand yet yet
withal aa heartsick
withal heartsick look look in in her
her face
face.. Her Her dressdress was
was savage
savage
but beautiful,
but beautiful, being
being much
much like like the the other
other feathered
feathered cloaks
cloaks
II have
have mentioned,
mentioned, but but ofof much
much greatergreater beauty
beauty and and length.
length.
AA collar
collar ofof gold
gold waswas made
made fastfast round
round her her throat,
throat, inin which
which
there were rubies
there were rubies of of inestimable
inestimable value, value, whilst
whilst on on herher head
head
she wore
she wore aa cap
cap of of white
white feathers
feathers ornamented
ornamented with with more
more of of
the bright
the bright red
red stones.
stones. A A suppressed
suppressed murmur murmur of of admira
admira-
tion greeted
tion greeted her her appearance
appearance;; but but when
when Kalua,
Kalua, who who camecame
next, appeared,
next, appeared, dressed
dressed to to death
death and and literally
literally blazing
blazing with with
jewels, he
jewels, he was
was greeted
greeted by by the
the crowd,
crowd, whichwhich hated hated him
him eveneven
more than
more than thethe priest,
priest,with
with aa great
great burst
burst of of loyal
loyal enthusiasm.
enthusiasm.
He distorted
He distorted hishis face
face into
into aa smile
smile of of acknowledgment
acknowledgment and and
then marched
then marched on on with
with all
all the
the dignity
dignity of of aa true
true monarch.
monarch.
Slowly
Slowly thethe procession
procession made made its its way
way down
down to to the
the canoes
canoes,,
we accompanying.
we accompanying. A A glance
glance fromfrom Ada Ada assured
assured us us that
that wewe
might visit the Temple of the Great
might visit the Temple of the Great Spirit, the name by Spirit, the name by
which the
which the cave
cave waswas known
known,, soso we jumped into
we jumped into the
the great canoe
great canoe
without awaiting
without awaiting the the ceremony
ceremony of of an
an invitation.
invitation. Kalua Kalua
appeared to
appeared to be
be greatly
greatly annoyed
annoyed at at our
our intrusion,
intrusion, and and though
though
he had
he had not
not seen
seen me me since the day
since the day of of our
our arrival,
arrival, hehe showed
showed
no signs
no signs ofof recognition.
recognition. My My nod nod and and pleasant
pleasant smilesmile werewele
entirely wasted
entirely wasted on on the
the rascal, and II felt
rascal, and felt asas though
though II cou'd
cou'd

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184 THE
TH GOLDEN
E GO LDEN LAKE.
LAKE. c

have
have kicked kicked him him for for hishis incivility.
incivility. The The priest,
priest, on the
on the
contrary, welcomed
contrary, welcomed us us with
with a a smile,
smile, thanthan whichwhich aa moremore
cunning and
cunning and unsavoury
unsavoury one one thethe world
world has has never
never known.
known.
However, we
However, we pretended
pretended to to notice
notice these
these thingsthings butbut little.
little.
The paddles
The paddles gave gave way,way, andand keeping
keeping time time to to aa strange,
strange, soft
soft
song the
song the rowers
rowers sang,
sang, we we shot
shot outout onon to to the
the bright
bright waters,
waters,
the rest
the rest ofof the
the people
people following
following in in aa long
long procession.
procession.
We steered
We steered straight
straight across
across the the lake
lake to to thethe great
great cone
cone-
shaped hill
shaped hill II had
had observed
observed on on mymy arrival.
arrival. The dozens of
The dozens of
gaily dressed
gaily dressed canoescanoes and and thethe people
people in in their
their grandest
grandest attire
attire
must
must have have created
created quite quite an an attractive
attractive scene. scene. AboveAbove thethe
great
great sun sun shone
shone in in aa cloudless
cloudless blueblue sky, which seemed
sky, which seemed to to
reflect
reflect itself itself in the listless
in the listless waters,
waters, so so still
still and
and blue
blue were
were
they. All
they. All waswas laughter
laughter and and gaiety,
gaiety, the the sound
sound of many
of many
voices coming
voices coming acrossacross the the waters—an
waters-an incessantincessant hum. hum. The The
tom-toms were
tom-toms were heartily
heartily slapped,
slapped, and and the the shrill reed pipes
shrill reed pipes
fiercely blown,
fiercely blown, making
making as as merry
merry aa discord
discord as as one
one could
could
wish to
wish to hear.
hear.
Ada alone
Ada alone seemed
seemed melancholy.
melancholy. She She was was pale
pale and
and nervous,
nervous,
her timidity
her timidity increasing
increasing as as we
we neared
neared the the bigbig hill.
hill. II begged
begged
her to
her to tell
tell meme whatwhat ailed her, so
ailed her, that II might
so that might do do some
some-·
thing to
thing to alleviate
alleviate the the pain
pain II knewknew she she was was suffering.
suffering. But But
she only
she only whispered
whispered that that sheshe suffered
suffered no no pain,
pain, and
and that
that II
could not
could not help
help her.
her.
" I I You
You do not like
do not like this·
this business?"
business ? " asked asked Dick.Dick.
" II hate
" hate it it I! ItIt isis so dreadfully cruel."
so dreadfully cruel."
"Then why
"Then why do do it?"
it ? "
"" II must.
must-""
"" Must
Must !' I" We We botbothh spoke
spoke thisthis time.
time.
"" Yes,
Yes , yes.
yes. If If II did
did not
not ththey
ey would
wo uld killkill me."
me."
""TheThe devils!"
devils ! " II muttered.
muttered .
" Ah
" you do
Ah I! you not know
do not know all.all. TheThe people
people are are bad,
bad, heart-
heart
less.
less. They They hatehate me truly, but
me truly, but are afraid of
are afraid of thethe king."
king."
"But why
"But why should
should they they hate
hate youyou?"? " II asked.
asked.
"It
" grew with
It grew with the the women
women first.first. TheyThey envied
envied me me my my
white skin
white skin and yellow hair;
and yellow hair ; my power over
my power over the the old king
old king
and the
and the menmen of the village.
of the village. Now Now theythey hatehate me me because
because
Kalua seeks
Kalua seeks me me forfor hishis wife."
wife." She shuddered as
She shuddered as she
she spoke
spoke

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 18 5
185

the w~rd. "Nor

the word. "Nor willwill they
they believe
believe II hate him, for
hate him, for that
that dogdog
Wanjula has
Wanjula has told
told many
many lieslies about
about me.me.""
" 1I know
" know II shall wring his
shall wring his neck
neck before
before II havehave finished
finished
with him,"
with him," said
said Dick.
Dick.
" And
" And hashas Kalua
Kalua beenbeen good
good to to you then?"
you then ? " II asked
asked.
"He has
"He has not not harmed
harmed me," me," she she replied
replied ambiguously,
ambiguously,
U because
" because he he knows
knows thethe consequence."
consequence."
" And the
"And the consequence?
consequence ? '"I
" Many
" Many people
people sleep
sleep soundly
soundly at at the
the bottom
bottom of the lake.
of the lake.
Rather
Rather thanthan be be defiled
defiled by by the touch of
the touch of such
such aa beast
beast--" ______"
and
and she broke suddenly off, shivering with excitement. II
she broke suddenly off, shivering with excitement.
had
had never
never seen
seen herher agitated
agitated before
before and
and hadhad nono conception
conception
of
of such fire in
such fire her nature.
in her nature. Her Her eyes blazed, and
eyes blazed, and she
she put
put
ber
her teeth.
teeth fast
fast together.
together.
"Do
" not agitate
Do not agitate yourself,"
yourself," saidsaid Hardwicke
Hardwicke softly.
softly. " "WeWe
are with you
are with you now,
now, andand will
will protect
protect youyou with
with the
the last breath
last breath
of
of our bodies. Never
our bodies. Never forget that we
forget that we have
have weapons
weapons herehere that
that
kill
kill instantaneously.
instantaneously. If If Kalua,
Kalua, or or the
the priest,
priest, or
or people
people offer
offer
to harm
to harm you,
you, they
they shall
shall reckon
reckon first
first with
with us.us. In the mean-
In the mean
time, try
time, try and
and do do as
as you
you have
have always
always done,
done, so so that
that you
you shall
shall
arouse
arouse no no suspicion
suspicion of of our intentions. In
our intentions. In aa few
few days
days nownow
we
we shall
shall have
have left this cursed
left this cursed village
village far
far behind
behind andand all
all itsits
barbarous
barbarous nonsense."
nonsense."
"Ay, nonsense
"Ay, nonsense you you maymay well well say,"
say," sheshe replied,
replied, ""butbut
such
such nonsense
nonsense as will freeze
as will freeze the the blood
blood withwith its
its very
very .
horror.""
horror.
"What is
"What is the
the ceremony,
ceremony, then then?" ? ” II asked.
asked.
"I dare
"I dare not tell you,"
not tell you," and and sheshe cast
cast a furtive glance
a furtive glance
towards the
towards the chief
chief and
and his priest. "But,"
his priest. " But," andand herher voice
voice
dropped to
dropped whisper, "on
to aa whisper, 66 on no no account
account let let the
the face
face of
of thethe
god affect
god you.""
affect you.
.This
This communication
communication we we received
received with
with all
all soberness,
soberness,
though of
though of its
its meaning we were
meaning we were entirely
entirely in the dark.
in the dark.
Kalua, who had
Kalua, who had watched
watched usus all through this
all through this conversation
conversation
with evil
with evil eyes,
eyes, beckoned
beckoned Jimmy
Jimmy andand spoke
spoke toto us
us through
through
him.
him.
"The Laughing
"The Laughing Hair
Hair has
has soon
soon acquired the tongue
acquired the tQngue ofof
the white
the white man
man?" ? " he said.
he said.
N
N
 It\b
186 THE
TH E GO LDEN LA
GOLDEN LAKE.
KE.

""Is Is she
he notnot of of the the white
white race,
race, oh,
oh, Kalua
KaIua?" Dick
? " Dick
answered. " 'It
answered. It isis butbut natural
natura thatt at thee language
anguag of her h r
nfa cy should
infancy ho Id come om back b kto her h ragain."
ai" •
""But
But II comprehend
comprehend not not one
one word
word ofof your
your strange
strange
""
tongue, and
tongue, an yet ye I,I, too,0, amm offyour
y ur race.'
ac."
,
"God fo id ! "" ejaculated
0 forbid 'ac at Hardwicke.
ar wi ke. ""But" But," he h said
said
in answer
in answer to to the chief, “"your
the chief, mfaney was
your infancy was not
not passed
passed with
with
he white
the h' men. en. Hadd itt been, e, oh ki ,t
0 king, ou couldst
thou 0 ds haveha e
po n with
spoken th most
ith the m t mighty.
might. As As the
the king
king isis great
great above
above
all men
all men in rank, so
In rank, so isIS his
his intellect
intellect starlike
star I e as
as compared
compare with w'
he camp
the am fire i el ct off other
fi intellects th menm n ; his
hi language
la u e'is the t e
ssence of
essence ofthethe beautiful."
beautiful."
Hardwic e was
Hardwicke was nowno coming
c ing iti so so strongly
st ng that t t I was w s
fra' he
afraid h would
w ul overstep
0 rs p thee bounds
ou ds off modesty.
od sty II even ev
thought Kalua
thought Kalua had had doubts
doubts of of his
his genuineness,
genumeness, for for he
he
wat e him
watched hi fromf m out ut the
h corners
co e of hi bloodshot
0 his b od 0 eyes ey s
it aa deep,
with e ,ssearching
rchin gaze.gaze. ButBut Dick's
Dick's face
face lost
lost not
not its
its
imperturbability.
imperturbabil ity . He tie looked
looked so so unconscious
unconscIOus of of thee effect
effect
hee had ad produced,
pr u d, that ha aa more
mo cultivated
Iti te physiognomis
p ys' gn m tt
tha Kalua
than Kalua might
mi ht easily
easily have
have been
been deceived.
deceived
,66 Speaks
Speaks thethe Laughmg
Laughing Hair a much cl"
? " theh chief
c f askedsk
br tlly.
abrupt
"No
"No, chief."
chief."
,"Strang
tr ge, pI d. c," A woman
e," he replied. m whoho sp ak nnott
speaks
u ."
much."
It
It was
was curious
curious to to see
see him.
him. II know
know he e didId not eheve aa
not believe
or D
word k said,
Dick id an
and y yet m si Iilied so ggravely
my ccousin ve tto h' him
ha he
that he wasas forced
forced toto doubt
doubt his
his own
own sharp
sharp senses.
senses. Look,
Look,
and
and look again he
look again he wou
would,, but
ut never
ev by by aa flutter
ut 0of th the ey-eye
d did
lid d Dick
ic be i el f.
ay himsel
betray
.aughing
""TLaughi ng Hair
Hair is
is the
the daughter
daughter of of aa great
great race,
race," replied
replied
rIar
Hardwi wiccke.e. " "None
0 but or s of wisdo
t words d mm fall ro"" hher
11 from r
'ps . 17
lips He w who ea such
0 speaks much , s.speaks
eaks to little ~urpose.'.'
to little purpose.'
Kalua
Kalua mightmight havehave told
told Dick
Dick Itit was
was aa pity
pity he
he dl
did notnot
eep \."11
keep t precep
that ec tt in mind, nd bbut h' his tthough
u ts ts were
er ru m g
runnin
in aanothe
otb rr channe
hannell .
"66'Spoke
Spoke she not of
she not of tthee Temple
emp e foftthe Great ea Sp it ? "' he
Spirit
k •
asked.

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 187

" No,
" No, chief.
chief. Many were the
Many were the questions
questions wewe put
put to
to her,
her,
but she
but she refused
refused anan answer."
answer."
""Then
Then you sought to
you sought to know
know the the reason
reason of this
of this
gathering?? ""
gathering
·"Yes."
" Yes."
"" And
And she you not?"
told you
she told not ? "
""No."
No."
" It is
"It is well."
well." And And he he looked
looked towards
towards where
where sheshe sat,
sat,
with an
with an expression
expression upon
upon his face of
his face the most
of the most extraordinary
extraordinary
cunning.
cunning. But But she
she saw him not,
saw him not, for
for her
her face
face was
was buried
buried in in
her hands,
her hands, and
and she
she appeared
appeared in in absolute
absolute dejection.
dejection. II have
have
often
often wondered
wondered sincesince what
what would
would have
have happened
happened had had not
not
Dick
Dick liedlied so
so consistently.
consistently.
The canoe
The had in
canoe had in the
the meantime
meantime reached
reached the
the foot
foot of the
of the
big mountain,
big mountain, where
where we we disembarked,
disembarked, following
following thethe king
king
and
and his his medicine
medicine man, the rabble
man , the bringing up
rabble bringing the rear.
up the rear.
Our way
Our way laylay along
along aa narrow
narrow valley,
valley, which
which we gradually
we gradually
mounted
mounted by by the
the aid
aid of
of rough
rough steps
steps cut
cut deeply
deeply inin the
the rock,
rock,
till
till we
we came
came to the entrance
to the entrance ofof aa cave.
cave. Here the proces-
Here the proces
sion stopped for
sion stopped for aa moment
moment while while Wanjula
Wanjula uttered
uttered aa short
short
speech; then half-a-dozen
speech ; then fellows advanced
half-a-dozen fellows advanced and lit some
and lit some
torches,
torches, and the cavalcade
and the cavalcade entered
entered the the gloomy
gloomy jawsjaws of the
of the
cavern. There was
cavern. There was nothing
nothing exceptional
exceptional in in the
the structure
structure of of
this passage
this passage beyond
beyond the the fact
fact that
that it seemed both
it seemed both natural
natural
and
and artificial;
artificial ; natural,
natural, inasmuch
inasmuch as as some
some mighty
mighty force
force must
must
have
have driven
driven thethe great
great aperture
aperture through
through thethe rock
rock which
which the the
art of
art of man
man had
had carved
carved to to suit
suit man's
man's purpose.
purpose.
We travelled at
We travelled little better
at little better thanthan aa snail's
snail's pace for about
pace for about
two hundred
two hundred yards,
yards, when
when thethe passage
passage suddenly
suddenly opened,
opened, and
and
by the
by the wayway the
the torchbearers
torchbearers stood stood still
still II guessed
guessed we we had
had
reached the
reached the end
end ofof our journey. Then
our journey. Wilnjula spoke
Then Wanjula spoke some
some
words,
words, thethe echo
echo of which lingered
of which lingered longlong above
above our heads,
our heads,
and
and II knew that we
knew that we had had entered
entered somesome vast
vast subterranean
subterranean
chamber.
chamber. Nor Nor waswas II left
left long
long doubting.
doubting. His His order had
order had
been for
been for more
more light,
light, and
and in in aa moment
moment the the whole
whole of the
of the
great cavern was
great cavern was flooded
flooded with
with thethe glare
glare of
of many
many torches.
torches.
This cavern seemed
This cavern seemed to to be
be fully
fully aa hundred
hundred feet feet hroad,
broad,
and nearly
and twice as
nearly twice as long.
long. ThereThere could
could be be no
no doubt
doubt that
that

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the same
the same agency
agency whichwhich had had forced
forced the the passage
passage had had also
also
formed this
formed chamber, for
this chamber, beside and
for beside and above
above me me thethe rock was
rock was
torn away
torn away in in great
great masses,
masses, which
which nothing
nothing but but powder,
powder, or or
some agency far
some agency far more
more powerful,
powerful, couldcould havehave accomplished
accomplished.
could well
II could well see the roof,
see the roof, though
though it it was
was of of great
great height,
height,
which later
which later on surprised me
on surprised me much,
much, for for II sawsaw no no opening
opening
there, and
there, and II wondered
wondered how how the smoke of
the smoke of thethe torches
torches
escaped from
escaped from the the chamber.
chamber. As you may
As you may be be sure,
sure, DickDick and
and
I were
I were all
all eyes
eyes,, but nothing in
but nothing the shape
in the shape of treasure or
of treasure or a
a
secret cavern
secret cavern met met our
our vision.
vision.
In the
In the meantime
meantime Ada Ada and and her
her two
two evil
evil deities,
deities , as as II knew
knew
Kalua
Kalua and and the
the priest
priest to had traversed
be, had
to be, traversed to to thethe far
far end
end ofof
the cavern.
the cavern. I I kept
kept my my eyes
eyes fixed
fixed onon her
her and followed with
and followed with
Dick, wpndering
Dick, wondering what what waswas coming
coming next next. And And just just then
then II
thought of
thought of her
her warning,
warning, " "OnOn nono account
account let let thethe (ace
face of
of
the god
the god affect you," and
affect you," and II whispered
whispered it it to to my my twotwo
companions.
companions.
II had
had scarcely finished speaking
scarcely finished speaking the the words
words when when Dick
Dick
seized me
seized violently by
me violently by thethe arm.
arm.
"Good heavens,
"Good heavens, look look I! "" he
he whispered
whispered hoarsely.
hoarsely.
And
And II looked
looked and and saw the fac-simile
saw the fac·simile of of thethe monstrously
monstrously
hideous idol
hideous idol we we hadhad seenseen in in the
the cavecave of of the the White
White
Mountains.
Mountains.
II could
could scarcely
scarcely believe
believe my my senses.
senses. It It was
was so so very
very
strange, so
strange, so unaccountable.
unaccountable. Yet there the
Yet there the idolidol was,was, com-
com
plete
plete in all its
in all its horror,
horror, that
that horror
horror intensified
intensified by by the
the intense
intense
glare of
glare so many
of so many torches.
torches. There There werewere thethe same
same scalyscaly legs,
legs,
the
the breast
breast and body of
and body of aa woman,
woman, and and thethe head
head half half human
human
and
and half
half beast
beast withwith itsits jaws
jaws distended
distended in in a a horrible
horrible blood-
blood
curdling
curdling grin.grin. II could
could not not repress the shudder
repress the shudder that that crept
crept
over
over me me asas II looked
looked up up into
into thethe great
great redred glaring
glaring eyes eyes ofof
the brute. It
the brute. It seemed
seemed so instinct with
so instinct with life,
life , so
so like the living
like the living
emblem
emblem of of a a hideous nightmare. The
hideous nightmare. The dreadful
dreadful grin grin almost
almost
fascinated
fascinated me, me, and and II ceased
ceased to wonder why
to wonder why the the benighted
benighted
savages approached
savages approached it it with
with such
such humility
humility and and awe. awe. Upon Upon
their
their faces,
faces, distinctly
distinctly defined
defined by by the
the uncanny
uncanny glare glare of the
of the
torches, was
torches, was stamped
stamped their their horror
horror of of the
the strange
strange god they
god they
worshipped. They
worshipped. They stood quite stiU,
stood quite still, scarcely
scarcely daring daring to to
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breathe, and
breathe, and thethe silence
silence of of death
death reigned
reigned in the gloomy
in the gloomy
chamber. With
chamber. With eyes fascinated,, riveted
eyes fascinated riveted toto the
the hideous
hideous
face of
face the image,
of the image, which
which the the more
more it it was
was stared
stared at at
seemed to
seemed to grin
grin the
the more,
more, they they stood,
stood, till
till some
some of them,
of them,
overcome by
overcome by the
the terror
terror of their emotions,
of their fell shrieking
emotions , fell shrieking to to
the earth.
the earth. They
They werewere at at once
once pounced
pounced uponupon by by the
the body-
body
guard of
guard the king
of the king and and immediately
immediately securedsecured withwith thongs.
thongs.
There
There were six altogether,
were six altogether, five five women
women and and one
one man.
man.
Kalua,
Kalua, thethe priest,
priest, andand AdaAda now now mounted
mounted a a platform
platform
right in
right in front
front of of the
the great
great statue
statue and· beneath its
and beneath its out-
out
stretched arm.
stretched arm. This arm was
This arm raised as
was raised though in
as though in the
the act
act of
of
striking, but II paid
striking, but paid little
little oror nono attention
attention to to it
it then,
then, forfor
Wanjula had
Wanjula had arisen
arisen and and spoken
spoken somesome words
words toto the
the people,
people,
at which
at which they
they all fell flat
all fell flat onon their
their faces
faces muttering
muttering and and
moaning in
moaning in aa most
Ulost deplorable
deplorable manner.manner. AfterAfter aa goodgood tenten
minutes' groaning
minutes' groaning they they were
were bidden
bidden to to arise,
arise, and
and thethe priest
priest
once more
once more addressed
addressed them, them, although
although not not before
before he he had
had
paid homage
paid homage to to the
the idol
idol inin the
the following strain, as
following strain, translated
as translated
to me
to me afterwards
afterwards by by Ada,
Ada, who who knew
knew his his speeches
speeches by by
heart.
heart.
"0 Great
"O Spirit I! King
Great Spirit King of the people
of the who dwell
people who dwell by by the
the
shores
shores of the Blue
of the Blue Lake,
Lake, of trib~ of
the tribe
of the the great
of the great Man-
Man
danyah, of
danyah, the children
of the children of of the
the mighty
mighty Wanjula,
Wanjula, the the priest
priest of
of
the sun;; he
the sun he who
who traversed
traversed the the burning
burning sands
sands of the fierce
of the fierce
desert with the
desert with the chosen
chosen of his glorious
of his people, the
glorious people, the people
people
who dwelt
who dwelt in in the
the sacred
sacred White
White Mountains
Mountains ever ever since
since thethe
birth of
birth of Time,
Time, hail Thy voice
hail I! Thy voice shakes
shakes thethe earth
earth as as does
does
the wind
the wind thethe breast
breast of the water;
of the water; thy
thy anger
anger is is as the
as the
fire that lights
fire that the face
lights the face of the great
of the great sky
sky when
when the the trees
trees
upon
upon thethe mountains
mountains are are aglow
aglow withwith flame;
flame ; thythy frown
frown is is .
black
black and
and angry
angry as the smoke
as the smoke thereof; thou art
thereof ; thou the one
art the one
great Spirit
great Spirit of the Universe,
of the Universe, mighty
mighty andand everlasting-hail
everlasting—hail I! ""
And
And thethe people
people flung themselves upon
flung themselves upon the the earth
earth andand
shouted,
shouted, “ "Hail!"
Hail ! ”
. He He continued
continued to to harangue
harangue thethe assemblage
assemblage in in the
the same
same
far-fetched vein, exhorting
far-fetched vein, exhorting thethe people
people toto glorify
glorify thethe Great
Great
Spirit who watched
Spirit who watched over their welfare
over their welfare with
with such
such unceasing
unceasing
devotion,
devotion, andand that
that he
be would
would intercede with the
intercede with the same Great
same Great

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Spirit
Spirit on on their
their behalf,
behalf, so that all
so that their doings
all their doings might might be be
prosperous
prosperous and and general
general blessings
blessings fallfall on
on them
them like like the
the rain
rain
from heaven.
from heaven. And And the the ignorant
ignorant crowd
crowd murmured
murmured words words of of
approbation. He
approbation. He alsoalso exhorted
exhorted them them not not to to' forget
forget theirtheir
allegiance to
allegiance to the
the king,
king, for for in
in the
the king
king waswas thethe perfect
perfect ideal,
ideal,
or himself, for
or himself, for through
through himselfhimself alone
alone could
could their
their petitions
petitions
reach the
reach ears of
the ears the spirit.
of the spirit.
Then followed that
Then followed that which
which rather
rather puzzled
puzzled me me at the time,
at the time,
but which
but which II saw saw through
through shortlyshortly after.
after. He He spokespoke as as
follows ;-
follows :
Cl It had been the hope of the Priest of the Great Spirit,
" It had been the hope of the Priest of the Great Spirit,
that they
that they whowho entered
entered here here with
with thethe white
white skin upon their
skin upon their
faces would
faces would have have acknowledged
acknowledged the the power
power of of the
the Supreme
Supreme
Master. But
Master. But their
their heart
heart is is as white as
as white their face
as their face;; the the
blood stands
blood stands still
still inin their
their bodies
bodies !! they
they are under the
are under the carecare
of the
of the Evil
Evil One.
One. So So bebe itit till
till the
the time
time shall
shall come."
come."
All
All eyes
eyes werewere turned
turned upon upon DickDick and and me, me, butbut no no one one
made aa move.
made move. The The same same mocking
mocking smile smile overspread
overspread
Kalua's features
Kalua's features as as hehe watched
watched us us from
from beneath
beneath his his brows.
brows.
But he
But he looked
looked in in vain
vain forfor the
the qualm
qualm of of terror.
terror. We We listened
listened
to Jimmy's
to Jimmy's translation
translation with with the
the most
most apparent
apparent indifference.
indifference.
Ada sat
Ada sat pale
pale and
and trembling.
trembling. Wanjula continued-
Wanjula continued
"But
" there be
But there be many
many who who acknowledge
acknowledge the the power
power of the
of the
Deity. Great
Deity. Great andand glorious
glorious are are the
the blessings
blessings that that shall
shall be be
conferred
conferred upon upon them.
them. Their Their names
names shall
shall be be handed
handed down down
from generation
from generation to to generation,
generation, and and men
men and and women
women unborn unborn
. shall
shall sing
sing thethe praises
praises of of the brave who
the brave who gavegave their
their all all toto
glorify
glorify the the god
god. Let them approach."
Let them approach."
In aa moment
In moment there there was was a hideous din
a hideous din setset up,
up, thethe five
five
women and
women and the the man
man shrieking
shrieking with with terror.
terror. Poor things!!
Poor things
what could
what could it it mean?
mean ? I saw the
I saw the warriors
warriors dragdrag them
them one one by by
one over
one over to to the
the platform,
platform, II saw saw Ada's
Ada's face
face growgrow terribly
terribly
scared
scared andand white,
white, and and then,
then, as as at
at aa given
given signal, ~very torch
signal, every torch
was extinguished,
was extinguished, and and we we were
were in utter and
in utter and complete
complete
darkness.
darkness.
The shrieking
The shrieking continued.
continued. The The piteous
piteous accents
accents of despair
of despair
were truly
were truly heartrending.
heartrending. They filled the
They filled the cavern
cavern with with a a
thousand dreadful
thousand dreadful echoes, turning one's
echoes, turning blood to
one's blood to ice.
ice. II

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shall never
shall never forget
forget it.it. TheThe gloom
gloom seemedseemed to to heighten
heighten the the
horror aa thousandfold
horror thousandfold.. Shriek Shriek followed shriek, and
followed shriek, and groan
groan
followed groan,
followed groan, till till II felt my brain
felt my brain surge
surge to to and fro. II
and fro.
could
could conceive
conceive no no hell more dreadful.
hell more dreadful. II held held my my revolver
revolver
tightly and
tightly and tried
tried toto keep
keep my my brain
brain clear,
clear, for
for II fully
fully expected
expected
we should
we shoUld all all bebe assaulted
assaulted underunder this this cover
cover of of darkness.
darkness.
The suspense was
The suspense was awful,
awful, thethe horror
horror unendurable.
unendurable. My My
blood now
blood now burned
burned like fire, and
like fire, and II felt
felt aa mad
mad desire
desire to to rush
rush
forward, to
forward, to dodo something.
something. Then Then II thought
thought II heard
heard aa thud,
thud,
then another
then another and and another,
another, tilltill the
the noise
noise grew less and
grew less and lessless
and then
and then ceased.
ceased. And And while
while the stillness of
the stillness most dreadful
of most dreadful
death hung
death hung in in the
the airair it was startled
it was startled by by aa heavy
heavy groan,
groan, aa
gurgling, dying
gurgling, dying groan.
groan. Then Then everything
everything was was still again,
still again,
and aa moment
and moment after Wanjula spoke;
after Wanjula spoke ; the the torches
torches were were
relit, and II saw
relit, and saw a a sight
sight that
that made
made me me gasp
gasp forfor breath.
breath.
The six
The six people
people who who butbut a a moment
moment before before had had stood
stood up up
in
in all the flush
all the flush of of life,
life, were
were nownow stretched
stretched dead dead upon upon the the
platform,, with
platform with aa streamstream of of blood
blood traced
traced overover the the face
face of of
each. Being
each. Being so so close
close to the bodies,
to the bodies, to to look
look waswas to to examine
examine
them, and
them, and II found
found that that thethe left temple of
left temple of each
each had had been
been
pierced by
pierced by some
some sharp-pointed instrument. That
sharp-pointed instrument. Wanjula
That Wanjula
was the
was the executioner
executioner II had had no no doubt,
doubt, but but with
with whatwhat he he
had
had wrought
wrought the the terrible
terrible outrage
outrage II couldcould notnot guess.
guess.
Just then
Just then II felt
felt something
something wet wet fall
fall upon
upon thethe hand
hand II had had
placed on
placed on Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's shoulder.shoulder. It was
It was warm,
warnl, quite
quite
warm, and
warm, and on on closely
closely examining
examining it, it, II discovered
discovered it it was
was red red
in colour,
in colour, while
while aa still
still closer
closer inspection
inspection told told meme it was blood.
it was blood.
I started
I started likelike one
one suddenly smitten an
suddenly smitten undreamt-of
an undreamt- blow.
of blow.
Instinctively my
Instinctively my eyes wandered aloft.
eyes wandered aloft. We We were
were standing
standing
right under
right under the the outstretched
outstretched arm arm of the idol.
of the idol. II pulled
pulled DickDick
back with
back with an expression of
an expression horror;; the
of horror the thing
thing looked
looked so so like
like
preparing to
preparing to strike
strike us us down.
down. The The malignant
malignant grin grin uponupon its its
horrid face
horrid face became
became intensified,
intensified, and and II thought
thought aa more more keen
keen
~xpression of
expression hate shone
of hate shone from
from its blood-red
its blood eyes.
-red eyes.
Dick
Dick seized
seized a torch from
a torch from an attendant bearer,
an attendant bearer, and and held
held
It close
it close up up toto the
the armarm of the image.
of the image . A partly-suppressed
A partly - suppressed
cry of
cry of astonishment
astonishment escaped escaped him. him. "By heaven, Archie.
" By heaven, Archie,
look at
look at that
that axeaxe !! "
"

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It was
It was aa wonderful
wonderful thing, thing, but the hand
but the hand of the idol
of the idol held
held a a
small
small axe, similar in
axe, similar in all
all respects
respects to the one
to the one" hehe had
had found
found in in
the cave
the cave in in thethe White
White' Mountains.
Mountains. Blood Blood was was dripping
dripping
from it,
from it, and
and as as wewe watched
watched we we saw drop after
saw drop drop fall.
after drop It,
fall. It,
then, had
then, been the
had been the weapon
weapon employed
employed in in thethe killing
killing of the
of the
unfortunates.. But
unfortunates how came
But how came thethe people
people to to allow such un-
allow such un
willing sacrifices
willing sacrifices??
Wanjula spoke.
Wanjula spoke. " "Behold,
Behold, 0 worshippers of
O worshippers the Great
of the Great
Spirit,
Spirit, the bodies of
the bodies them that
of them that owned
owned the the power
power of the God
of the God
with the
with the Terrific
Terrific Face.
Face. The The great
great handhand waswas loosened,
loosened, and and
the Sacred
the Sacred Axe Axe descended;
descended ; the sacrifice is
the sacrifice is made,
made, and and thethe
god appeased."
god appeased."
I guessed
I guessed the the situation
situation in in aa moment.
moment. They They who who hadhad
shrieked
shrieked aloudaloud at the terrifying
at the terrifying appearance
appearance of the monster
of the monster
"had
had owned
owned his his power, thereby proving,
power, thereby proving, according
according to to their
their
awful form of
awful form worship, that
of worship, that they
they were
were the the people
people the the god
god
wished to
wished to take
take unto himself. II was
unto himself. was horror-stricken
horror-stricken at the
at the
thought.
thought. If If by
by anyany chance
chance we we hadhad been
been ledled into
into a a display
display
of feeling, neither
of feeling, neither Ada Ada nor nor Kalua
Kalua couldcould have
have saved
saved us from
us from
the clutches
the clutches of the priest
of the priest andand thethe people.
people. It It was
was aa law
law asas
unalterable
unalterable as those of
as those the Medes
of the Medes and and Persians
Persians thatthat who-
who
ever
ever owned
owned the the influe"nce
influence of the god
ofthe god should
should be be rendered
rendered as as
aa sacrifice
sacrifice to to him.
him. Luckily,
Luckily, it it took
took more
more than than an an idol to
idol to
frighten us,
frighten us, though
though how how great
great our
our astonishment
astonishment would would havehave
bee;l
beez at the sudden
at the sudden appearance
appearance of of such
such a a similar
similar form form it it
would
would have have beenbeen hardhard to to say,
say, hadhad we we not remembered
not remembered
Ada's warning, "On
Ada's warning, " On no no account
account let the face
let the face of the god
of the god
affect you."
affect you." II understood
understood the the priest's
priest's utterance
utterance now now ofof
not"
not " acknowledging
acknowledging the the power
power of of the
the Supreme
Supreme Master."
Master. "
Had
Had we we donedone so, so, we
we tootoo should
should have have swelled
swelled the the list
list of
of
those who
those who havehave been"
been " lostlost in the bush."
in the bush."
"What couple of
" What aa couple of cold-blooded
cold-blooded scoundrels!"
scoundrels ! " said said Dick
Dick
to me.
to me. "For "For two two pins
pins I'd put aa ball
I'd put ball into
into each
each of them,
of them,
and
and end their hideous
end their hideous business.
business. That That devil, Wanjula, has
devil, Wanjula, has
done
done allall this,
this, the
the fiend
fiend incarnate,"
incarnate," and and he worked himself
he worked himself
into such
into such a a passion
passion that that II was
was in in mortal terror lest
mortal terror lest he
he
should
should spring
spring forward
forward and and wreak,
wreak instantaneous
instantaneous vengeance
vengeance
on the two
on the two villains.
villains.

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HumeNisbet T
1
".. Hers
Hers was
was then
then the
the task
task to
to deliver
deliver what
what might
might be
be called the
the funeral
funeral oration."
oration."
[See page
[See page 193.
193.

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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193

cc For God's
"For sake, keep
God's sake, keep quiet!
quiet ! ""
I was all
I was an anxiety
anxiety toto see
see what
what part
part Ada
Ada would
would be be called
called
upon to
upon to play
play in
in this
this grim farce, and
grim farce, and my my curiosity
curiosity was
was about
about
to be
to satisfied , for
be satisfied, for at
at aa word from Wanjula
word from Wanjula she
she uncovered
uncovered
her
her hands from her
hands from her face,
face, and arose, pale
and arose, pale asas aa lily,
lily, and
and
broken-hearted
broken-hearted with woe, and
with woe, and inin a a sweet,
sweet, musical
musical voice,
voice,
chanted
chanted the following strange
the following strange words,
words, standing
standing with
with arms
arms.
stretched
stretched over
over the dead :-
the dead :

le They are
"They are gone,
gone, and the fire
and the fire of
of life
life is
is burnt
burnt lowlow within them,
within them,
Cold
Cold and white is
and white is its
its ash; they are
ash ; they are senseless
senseless and void of
and void of all motion.
all motion.
They are gone,
They are gone, forfor ever
ever gone,
gone, in the realms
in the realms of of the
the great
great unknown
unknown;;
The realms of
The realms of the
the unreturnable,
unreturnable, wonderful realms of
wonderful realms of the
the mystic.
mystic.
They are
They are gone
gone in in the
the flush
flush of
of their
their youth,
youth, in in the
the glory
glory and
and pride of
pride of
their life,
their life,
Gone
Gone to to the
the kingdoms
kingdoms of him who
of him who is is greater
greater and
and vaster
vaster than
than all
all
things ;;
things
Whose voice is
Whose voice is more
more loudloud than
than thethe voice
voice ofof aa thousand
thousand greatgreat
thunders,
thunders,
And whose words
And whose words are as keen as the flame of the prongs of wild
are as keen as the flame of the prongs of wild
lightning.
lightning.
Called he to them, and
Called he to them, and they they cried
cried aloud
aloud in
in their
their agony,
agony,
Thick
Thick and
and more fast fell
more fast their tears
fell their than the
tears than the fierce rains in
fierce rains in summer.
summer.
But
But their cries and
their cries their wails
and their wails shall
shall be be changed
changed intointo songs
songs ofof
rejoicing,
rejoicing,
And their
And their salt tears transformed
salt tears transformed to the cool,
to the cool, sparkling
sparkling drops
drops of the
of the
morning,
morning,
Which
Which gild with the
gild with the dazzle
dazzle of
of crystal the shrubs
crystal the shrubs and the grass
and the on the
grass onthe
mountain."
mountain."

Hers was
Hers was then
then the
the task to deliver
task to deliver what
what might
might bebe caned
called
the funeral
the funeral oration.
oration. Sometimes
Sometimes it it was
was of great length;
of great length ; itit
depended entirely
depended entirely on
on her
her mood.
mood. On this occasion
On this occasion she was
she was
far from
far from atat her
her best
best;; indeed,
indeed, she told me
she told after that
me after that she
she
could not
could not have
have said
said more,
more, even
even had her life
had her life depended
depended
upon it.
upon it
But her portion
But her portion of the ceremony
of the ceremony was was not yet accom-
not yet accom
plished.
plished. She She was
was toto place
place her
her finger on the
finger on the wound
wound of of each
each
corpse, and
corpse, and with
with the
the blood
blood that
that adhered
adhered to to it
it moisten
moisten the
the
great lips of
great lips the idoL
of the idol. HowHow she
she would
would have
have gone through
gone through
such
such aa dreadful
dreadful ceremony
ceremony II knowknow not.not. Luckily,
Luckily, thethe
whole
whole proceedings
proceedings came
came toto aa sudden
sudden and wild conclusion.
and wild conclusion.

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194 THE GOL
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A voice
A voice rang rang with with startling
startling effect throughout the
effect throughout the great,
great,
weird chamber-
weird chamber
"The Wyhumas
"The Wyhumas I! The The Wyhumas
Wyhumas !" !"
At that cry
At that the women
cry the women set up aa horrible
set up horrible shrieking,
shrieking, one one
half of
half of the the torches
torches were were extinguished,
extinguished, while while the the menmen
rushed wildly
rushed wildly about,
about, groping here and
groping here there for
and there for their
their arms,
arms,
or for any
or for any weapons
weapons they they could
could laylay their
their hands
hands on. on. All was
All was
consternation and
consternation and confusion.
confusion. At At aa sign
sign from
from Wanjula,
Wanjula, the the
warriors who
warriors who had had protected
protected the the platform
platform rushedrushed to to the
the
entrance of
entrance of the
the cave, with most
cave, with most ear-splitting yells, and
ear- splitting yells, and spears
spears
and axes
and axes uplifted.
uplifted. Their Their advance seemed to
advance seemed to inspire
inspire manymany of of
the others with
the others with bravery.
bravery. They They laid hold of
laid hold the first
of the first object
object
that came
that came to to their
their hand,
hand, and,and, shouting
shouting in in aa most
most barbarous
barbarous
fashion, rushed
fashion, rushed pell- pell-mell
mell inin the
the tracks
tracks of of their fellows.
their fellows.
We were
We were attacked
attacked by the Wyhumas,
by the Wyhumas, the the great
great enemies
enemies
of the Mandanyah
of the Mandanyah tribe. tribe. As As aa consequence,
consequence , terror terror reigned
reigned
supreme.
supreme. Men and
Men and women
women wailed
wailed in in aa most
most shocking
shocking
manner. Kalua
manner. Kalua crouched trembling on
crouched trembling on his seat. His
his seat. His
sickly, yellow face
sickly, yellow face had
had turned
turned to to aa livid
livid blue;
blue ; his his limbs
limbs
shook like
shook like an an aspen.
aspen. All All the
the supercilious
supercilious bounce bounce and and
swagger had
swagger had flownflown;; he he looked
looked meanmean enoughenough to to bebe pitied.
pitied.
Wanjula, on
Wanjula, on the the contrary,
contrary, was was allall ablaze
ablaze with with excitement
excitement
and fury.
and fury. He He exhorted
exhorted the the people
people withwith burning
burning words words to to
fight, fight
fight, fight till
till not
not a single Wyhuma
a single Wyhuma was was left
left toto pollute
pollute the the
face
face of the earth.
of the earth. Then Then would
would he he curse
curse thethe menmen for for dogs
dogs
and
and cowards;
cowards ; then then implore them, with
implore them, with cajoling
cajoling accents,
accents,
to rush
to rush forth,
forth, like the great
like the warriors they
great warriors they were,
were, andand annianni-
hilate
hilate the the enemy.
enemy.
But
But fromfrom him him my my attention
attention was was riveted
riveted to to Ada.
Ada. The The
women crowded
women crowded round round her,her, clinging
clinging to to whatever
whatever portion
portion of of
her clothing
her clothing they they could touch, and
could touch, and crying
crying in in piteous accents
piteous accents
for her
for her toto save
save them.
them. She, She, poor thing, looked
poor thing, looked as bewildered
as bewildered
and terrified
and terrified as as thethe rest.
rest. Her Her eyeseyes metmet mine, straining,
mine, straining,
anxious, and
anxious, full of
and full entreaty.
of entreaty.
I was
I was by her side
by her side inin aa moment.
moment. "What " What is it, Ada?"
is it, Ada ? "
She
She answered
answered rapidly,rapidly, "These
" These people think II have
people think have more
more
!han human power;
than human power ; that that II can make the
can make the Great
Great Spirit
Spirit do do
.llV
my will that I,
will;; that I, in fact. am
in fact, am a sorceress, and
a sorceress, and can destroy
can destroy

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195

the Wyhumas
the Wyhumas if if II choose.
choose. WanjulaWanjula first first told them the
told them the lie,
lie,
and he
and he has
has just
just again
again repeated
repeated it, it, and
and urged
urged them them to to use
use
force if
force if II refuse.
refuse. He He has
has told them that
told them that II wouldwould betray
betray
the tribe-the tribe
the tribe-the tribe that
that has
has protected
protected me me all all these
these years-
years
and
and go go over
over to to the
the camp
camp of the Wyhumas
of the Wyhumas with with thethe white
white
men. He
men. He hates
hates me, me, and
and would
would like like to to see them tear
see them tear me me
to pieces;
to pieces ; and and they they have
have growngrown so so fierce
fierce at at mymy seeming
seeming
ingratitude
ingratitude that that II fear
fear them."
them."
"The devil!"
"The devil ! " and and II shook
shook my my fist
fist at
at his
his ugly face..
ugly face
"Listen," she
"Listen," she continued
continued in in the
the same hurried manner.
same hurried manner.
""The
The WyhumasWyhumas think think II am am a a witch,
witch, thatthat II have
have wrought
wrought
their
their race race allall the misery it
the misery it knows,
knows, and and thatthat II havehave caused
caused
aa plague
plague to to carry
carry off many of
off many their people.
of their people. They They demanded
demanded
me
me of the old
of the old king-he
king-he who who dieddied twelve
twelve moonsmoons before
before you you
came,
came, who who waswas more more kindkind thanthan a a father-and
father-and of the old
of the old
white-haired
white-haired priest priest who
who was
was slain
slain by
by Wanjula
Wanjula when
when
Kalua
Kalua came came to to be
be chief;
chief; but
but they
they loved
loved me,me, and and would
would not not
give
give me
me up."
up."
66
"Why did they
they demand you?? ""
Why did demand you
"66 II was
was to to suffer
suffer death
death to to save their race
save their race." ."
""Horrible
Horrible!" !"
"When Kalua
"When Kalua was was made
made king,king, they
they sent
sent once
once more,
more, but but
he
he wouldwould not not surrender
surrender me either. He
me either. wanted me
He wanted me forfor his
his
wife. Now
wife. Now the the Wyhumas
Wyhumas have attacked us,
have attacked us, and unless II
and unless
prove
prove my my loyalty
loyalty to to the
the tribe
tribe by by saving
saving it, it, they
they will
will kill
kill
me."
me."
"Tell them,
"Tell them, then,"then," saidsaid I, I, "that
" that you you willwill save them.
save them.
You hear
You hear her,
her, Dick?
Dick ? Pray Pray God God we we maymay be be ableable toto drive
drive
them off,"
them off," and,
and , giving
giving herher aa looklook of of encouragement,
encouragement, II flew flew
towards the
towards the entrance
entrance of the cave,
of the cave, my my two two companions
companions
following hard
following hard in my tracks.
in my tracks.
II guessed
guessed our rifles would
our rifles would cause cause aa mighty
mighty dread dread in in the
the
ranks of
ranks of the besiegers, for
the besiegers, they could
for they never have
could never have seen or seen or
heard the
heard the like
like before.
before. This This was the thought
was the thought that that bade
bade me me
tell Ada
tell Ada to to let
let the
the people
people know
know that that she would save
she would save themthem,,
for II felt
for felt sure
sure that that the
the unknown
unknown agency agency of of gunpowder
gunpowder
would have
would have aa most most surprising
surprising effecteffect upon
upon the the uncivilised
uncivilised
denizens of
denizens of these
these wildwild places.
places. 1I had had never
never readread of of it failing
it failing

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196 THE GOLDEN
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to terrify
to terrify those
those whowho knew
knew itit Dot;
not ; and
and ifif our brush with
our brush with
the natives,
the natives, recorded
recorded in in a
a preceding
preceding chapter,
chapter, was
was anan indi-
indi
cator of triumphs
cator of triumphs to to come,
come, II felt
felt that
that victory
victory would
would be as
be as
sudden
sudden to to us
us as
as surprising
surprising toto them.
them.
On reaching the
On reaching entrance of
the entrance the cave
of the cave a a curious
curious sight
sight
presented itself. The
presented itself. water was
The water was alive
alive with
with canoes,
canoes, allall
jumbled together
jumbled together in in the
the most
most perplexing
perplexing manner.
manner. The
The
wild cries
wild that filled
cries that the air
filled the were like
air were like the
the shrieks
shrieks of
of a legion
a legion
of
of maddened
maddened demons.demons. Spears
Spears were hurled, axes
were hurled, axes and
and
waddies used
waddies used indiscriminately.
indiscriminately. Boats were driven
Boats were into
driven into
one
one another,
another, which,
which, sinking,
sinking, left
left their
their wretched
wretched occupants
occupants
struggling
struggling in the water,
in the water, when
when they they were
were immediately
immediately
speared,
speared, oror had
had their
their brains
brains knocked
knocked out out by
by the
the great
great clubs
clubs
which
which somesome of the more
of the more powerful
powerful savages
savages wielded
wielded likelike
straws.
straws.
It was
It was difficult
difficult toto determine
determine who who waswas getting the best
getting the best 01of
the engagement,
the engagement, for for the the combatants
combatants were were so so hopelessly
hopelessly
mixed
mixed thatthat atat first
first II scarcely
scarcely knewknew oneone fromfrom the
the other.
other. ButBut
I was
I was not
not left
left long
long in wonder, for
in wonder, for II sawsaw that,
that, whereas
whereas our our
canoes
canoes were were allall black,
black, the the hulls
hulls of those belonging
of those belonging to to the
the
enemy
enemy had had aa broad
broad white
white border
border round
round them them from
from stem
stem toto
stem,
stern, ifif such
such nautical
nautical designation
designation will will answer
answer thethe descrip-
descrip
tion of
tion of aa boat whose ends
boat whose ends are are similar.
similar.
We three
We three stood
stood watching
watching the battle, the
the battle, fury of
the fury of which,
which,
becoming contagious,
becoming contagious, entered
entered our our veins,
veins, and and made
made usus long
long
to have
to have aa handhand in the slaughter.
in the slaughter. JimmyJimmy was was like
like aa mad-
mad
man.
man. He He danced
danced up up and and downdown the the sands,
sands, waving
waving his his
hands, and
hands, and shouting
shouting at at thethe toptop of his voice.
of his voice. At At one time.
one time
II thought
thought he he would
would have have plunged
plunged into into the
the water,
water, and.
and
swum
swum over over to to .the
the combatants;
combatants ; but, but, if for aa ~oment
he for
if he moment I
entertained
entertained such such an an intention,
intention, he he did
did notnot attempt
attempt toto put
put itit
into practice.
into practice. His His master
master was was not
not much
much cooler.
cooler.
"Oh, Lord," he
" Oh, Lord," he cried,
cried , "if" if we
we only
only hadhad aa boat."
boat."
But
But we we had
had not.not. The The look-out
look-out had warned our
had warned our people
people
in time,
in and they
time, and they were
were able able to to get
get afloat
afloat before the enemy
before the enemy
could do
could any damage
do any damage to to their
their .ships.
ships.
It was
It was aa dreadful
dreadful engagement
engagement while while it it lasted.
lasted. TheThe com-
com
batants stabbed
batants stabbed and and cut cut without
without intermission
intermission till till that
that

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portion
portion of the lake
of the lake on which the
on which the canoes floated seemed
canoes floated seemed to to
be literally
be literally covered
covered with with bodies,
bodies, broken
broken candes,canoes, spears,
spears,
waddies,
waddies, and and all all other instruments of
other instruments of savage warfare. The
savage warfare. The
din grew
din louder, the
grew louder, the yells
yells more fierce, and
more fierce, and II saw saw toto mymy
horror that
horror that our our menmen were were getting
getting gradually
gradually drivendriven backback
upon the
upon the coast.
coast
At last
At last things
things. reached
reached a a climax.
climax. Two Two of of ourour biggest
biggest
boats, well
boats, filled with
well filled with men,
men, suddenly
suddenly turned turned tail,
tail, and
and made
made
for
for that
that part
part of the shore
of the shore on which we
on which we were
were standing.
standing.
"What are
"What are theythey doing,
doing, thethe curs?" yelled Hardwicke.
curs ? " yelled Hardwicke.
""If they don't
If they don't show fight, the
show fight, the battle's
battle's lost."
lost."
It was
It was too too truetrue;; but
but thethe fellows
fellows had had no no intention
intention of of
showing
showing fight.fight. They They bent bent over
over theirtheir paddles
paddles with with thethe
determination of
determination of men
men whowho are are going
going to to getget out
out of of a hot
a hot
corner if
corner if they
they can. can. But But what
what added
added to to their
their consternation,
consternation,
and also
and also caused
caused us us considerable
considerable alarm, alarm, was was thethe fact
fact that
that
two great
two great canoes,
canoes, crowded
crowded with with Wyhuma
Wyhuma warriors,warriors, had had
observed the
observed the retreat
retreat of of our
our men,
men, and and had had given
given chase.
chase..
"Those fellows
"Those fellows must must be be checked,"
checked," said said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke,
pointing to
pointing to the the Wyhumas.
Wyhumas. .
We understood
We understood his his meaning.
meaning. I I shouldered
shouldered my my repeater,
repeater,
and Jimmy
and Jimmy his his shot-gun.
shot-gun. We We waited
waited till the largest
till the largest of of the
the
enemy's
enemy's boatsboats was was within
within fifty
fifty yards
yards of of usus and
and about
about twenty
twenty\
from our
from our cowardly
cowardly crowd,crowd, when when Dick Dick gave gave the the word,
word,
"Fire!
" Fire !" "
Such
Such a a strange,
strange, wildwild roar
roar those
those hillshills hadhad never known
never known
since the birth
since the birth of of Time.
Time. Before
Before the bewildered savages
the bewildered savages had had
even
even guessed
guessed that that some supernatural agency
some supernatural agency was was at at work,
work,
we had
we had emptied
emptied our our magazines
magazines into their first
into their first canoe,
canoe, much,much ,
II could
could see, see, to to the discomfort of
the discomfort of its
its occupants.
occupants. Crack, Crack,
whiz,
whiz, crack,
crack, whiz,whiz, whizwhiz !I Like
Like dogs dogs our our rifles
rifles barked.
barked.
Dismay
Dismay overwhelmed
overwhelmed the the enemy;
enemy ; in in a a moment
moment all all fighting
fighting
ceased.
ceased. Every Every eye eye waswas turned
turned to to thethe shore,
shore, where
where the the
smoke from
smoke from our our guns
guns lay lay like
like aa little
little cloud
cloud uponupon the the air,
air,
while
while away
away amongamong the the distant
distant hills
hills thethe echoes pealed like
echoes pealed like
the
the cracked whisperings of
cracked whisperings of some
some hoarse-throated
hoarse-throated fiend. fiend .
Then
Then a a great
great cry cry ofof terror
terror arose
arose from from the the ranks
ranks of of the
the
Wyhumas. They
Wyhumas. They becamebecame suddenly impressed with
suddenly impressed with thethe

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belief that
belief that they
they hadhad beenbeen attacked
attacked by by aa band
band of of spirits.
spirits.
Some, standing
Some, standing bolt bolt upright
upright in in thethe canoes,
canoes, extended
extended
their arms
their arms to to heaven,
heaven, and and uttering
uttering -dreadful
dreadful cries, flung
cries, flung
themselves into
themselves into thethe waterwater and and were were drowned;
drowned ; others others
crouched low
crouched low in in their
their boats,
boats, and and moaned
moaned and and groaned
groaned
over the
over the bodies
bodies of the fallen
of the fallen;; while
while those who still
those who retaint:d
still retained
their wits,
their wits, seeing
seeing two two white
white menmen standing,
standing, as as it were, in
it were, in aa 1
cloud
cloud of of smoke,
smoke, criedcried· outout that
that we we were
were supernatural,
supernatural, and and
called upon
called upon theirtheir companions
companions to fly, to
to fly, to do do which
which they they
required no
required second bidding.
no second bidding. Ten Ten minutes
minutes after,
after. there
there was was
not aa single
not single live
live Wyhuma
Wyhuma seen. seen. The The broken
broken canoes
canoes and and dead
dead
bodies were
bodies were thethe sole mementoes of
sole mementoes of the
the sanguinary
sanguinary battle.battle.
II fully
fully expected
expected that that DickDick and and II would
would come come in for aa
in for
fair
fair share
share of of applause
applause in consideration of
in consideration of our
our services,
services, and and
was not
II was not disappointed.
disappointed . The The people
people crowded
crowded round round us us
with
with exclamations
exclamations of of wonder
wonder and and admiration,
admiration, and' and II knowknow
not
not how
how farfar their
their enthusiasm
enthusiasm would would have have carried
carried them them had had
not
not Kalua
Kalua and and thethe priest
priest at that moment
at that moment advancedadvanced from from
the cave,
the the former
cave, the former looking
looking as as large
large andand brave
brave as as the
the ideal
ideal
king should look,
king should look, while
while the the latter
latter cried
cried aloud
aloud to to the
the
people
people thatthat hehe had
had invoked
invoked the the godgod on their behalf,
on their behalf, andand
that consequently
that consequently victory victory had had crowned
crowned their their actions.
actions. The The
people studied
people studied us us curiously,
curiously, as though trying
as though trying to to think
think for for
themselves,
themselves, but but the
the effort
effort was
was tootoo much
much for them.. They
for them They
ended
ended in in believing
believing that that ourour great powers of
great powers of annihilation
annihilation
had
had been
been given
given us us byby thethe god
god through
through Wanjula's
Wanjula's interces-
interces
sion.
sion. ThusThus were were we we done
done out out of of that
that glory
glory by by which
which we we
had
had hoped
hoped to to profit.
profit.
"Well," said
"Well," said Dick,
Dick, glancing furiously at
glancing furiously the priest,
at the priest, "" if if II
am
am notnot even
even withwith you you yet,yet, II don't
don't deserve
deserve to to prosper.
prosper.
And
And look
look at at that
that cur
cur Kalua.
Kalua. One One would
would think
think he he hadhad just
just
won aa second
won second Waterloo.
Waterloo. But here comes
But here comes Ada."
Ada. "
She
She waswas very
very pale
pale andand more
more thanthan very lovely.
very lovely.
"What should
"What should II have have done without your
done without your aid?"
aid ? " she she
cried. "
cried. "II have
have nearly
nearly died died of fright."
of fright."
" Who has
"Who has dared--?"
dared- ?" II was
was beginning.
beginning.
"That man
" That man held held me,"
me," she
she gasped, looking
gasped, looking at at Kalua,
Kalua,
who surveyed
who surveyed us with the
us with the same tantalising smile
same tantalising smile uponupon his his

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evil face,
evil face, ""while Wanjula seized
while Wanjula the sacred
seized the sacred axe.
axe. At At thethe
first news of
first news of defeat
defeat II should have been
should have been slain and my
slain and my body
body
handed over
handed over to the Wyhumas.
to the Wyhumas. My My life
life is
is no
no longer safe,
longer safe,
nor yours.. Take
nor yours Take care, take care.
care, take care."” .
My blood
My blood rose
rose so hotly at
so hotly at this recital of
this recital of her wrongs that
her wrongs that
II know
know II should
should havehave killed both those
killed both those villains
villains on the spot
on the spot
had
had sheshe not
not restrained
restrained me me by by pointing
pointing out the probable
out the probable
consequences
consequences of of such an action.
such an action.
"We must
"We must escape,"
escape," sheshe said.
said. " "Several
Several of of my people
my people
will follow
will follow us.
us. Till
Till then,
then, as you value
as you value your
your lives,
lives, bebe calm
calm
and watchful.
and watchful. Let Let them
them never
never take
take youyou by by surprise.
surprise.
They are
They are asas cunning
cunning and and revengeful
revengeful as serpents. Sleep
as serpents. Sleep
with one
with one eye
eye open.
open.""
We knew
We knew her her advice was good,
advice was good, and unhesitatingly
and unhesitatingly
accepted it,
accepted it, though
though inwardly
inwardly my my cousin
cousin and
and II harboured
harboured
up thoughts
up thoughts of of Kalua
Kalua andand his
his priest which, if
priest which, if disclosed,
disclosed ,
might shock the
might shock the fastidious
fastidious sense.
sense.

CHAPTER
CHAPTER XV.
XV.

IN WHICH
IN WHICH IS
IS GIVEN A DESCRIPTION
GIVEN A DESCRIPTION OF
OF THE CORROBOREE, OR
THE CORROBOREE, OR
NATIVE DANCE.

WE returned
We returned toto the
the village
village aa diminished though jubilant
diminished though jubilant
procession. They
procession. They whowho had
had remained
remained behind
behind met
met us
us at
at the
the
water's edge,
water's edge, and
and loud
loud and long were
and long were the
the congratulations
congratulations
showered upon
showered upon one
one another.
another. TheyThey hadhad watched
watched the
the fight
fight
from the
from the shore,
shore, and
and also heard the
also heard the report
report of
of our
our rifles,
rifles, and
and
guessing we
guessing we had
had been
been the
the means
means ofof saving them all
saving them all would
would
have given
have given way,
way, inin their
their impulsive
impUlsive manner,
manner, to
to salvos
salvos of of
delight, had
delight, had they
they not,
not, as
as by
by instinct,
instinct, become
become aware
aware thatthat
such displays
such of feeling
displays of were not
feeling were in request
not in request just
just then.
then.

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We were
We were sickened
sickened with with theirtheir want
want of gratitude, and
of gratitude, and
marched hurriedly through
marched hurriedly through the the excited throngs to
excited throngs to ·the
the se se-
clusion of
clusion our hut.
of our hut. Ada Ada accompanied
accompanied us us in in all
all her
her regal
regal
splendour, and
splendour, and while
while JimmyJimmy was was busily
busily occupied preparing
occupied preparing
dinner, we
dinner, we held
held aa cabinet
cabinet council
council on on the
the situation
situation of of affairs.
affairs.
She was
She was the
the first
first toto speak.
speak.
"II said
" said a while ago
a while ago II waswas not not safe," she began,
safe," she began, as as soon
soon
as we
as we had seated ourselves,
had seated ourselves, "but " but if if II amam not not ,safe,
safe, you
you
are in
are in positive
positive danger.
danger. How How they they intend
intend to to strike you II
strike you
do not
do know, but
not know, but thatthat they
they mean mean you you mischief
mischief II guess guess
too well.
too well.""
"Then we
"Then we must
must be be prepared
prepared for them," said
for them," said Hardwicke.
Hardwicke.
" The
" The odds odds areare against
against us, us, but
but theythey shall
shall find
find we we don't
don't go go
down without
down without aa stru!!gle."
struggle."
" That
" That is well said,
is well said, Dick,"
Dick," she she replied.
replied. It was delight
It was delight-
ful to
ful to hear
hear her
her use the word,
use the word, and and II fancy,
fancy, though
though it it may
may be be
only
only fancy,fancy, that
that my my cousin
cousin blushed,
blushed. " " And
And spoken
spoken like the
like the
brave
brave man man that
that youyou are;are ; but
but what,
what, after
after all,
all, are
are two
two against
against
so many?"
so many ? ”
"Three,
" Three, Missy,"
Missy," said Jimmy, correcting
said Jimmy, correcting her. her. "Me " Me no no
belong the
belong the same
same stuff stuff as Mass'r Dick
as Mass'r Dick and and Mass'r
Mass'r Archie,
Archie,
but me
but me cutcut the the nosenose offoff any any damdam blackblack fellow
fellow in in thethe
camp."
camp. " .
..66 Yes, three, Ada.
Yes, three, Ada. You You must
must cOunt
count Jimmyas
Jimmy as one. one. He He
is
is a a good
good one,one, too,
too, an an absolutely
absolutely indispensable
indispensable one," one, " said
said
Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. '
"" You You must
must forgive
forgive me, Jintmy," she
me, Jimmy," she replied,
replied, smiling.
smiling.
""It's nothen', Missy,"
It's nothen', Missy," he he said.said. "I " I suppose
suppose I'm I'm gettin'
gettin'
old, now,
old, now, andand don't
don't count
count forfor much;
much ; but but there
there waswas aa time
time
when II could
when brain any
could brain any black
black on the Murrumbidgee
on the Murrumbidgee plains, plains ,
cut
cut his his dam
dam throat
throat and and eateat 'um,
' um, too,
too, ifif it
it comes
comes to that!"-
to that !"
and, muttering
and, muttering sundry threats against
sundry threats against thethe Mandanyahs,
Mandanyahs, he he
continued his
continued work, and
his work, and wewe ourour conversation.
conversation.
"66 Counting
Counting us us as three armed
as three armed men," men," wentwent on on Dick,
Dick, "and,
“ and ,
knowing the
knowing the power
power of of our
our arms,
arms, do do youyou not think they
not think they will
will
be afraid
be afraid to to attack
attack us us?"?"
"Suppose they
"Suppose they get get those
those arms from you
arms from you?" she answered.
? " she answered .
"Would they
"Would they dare?"
dare ? "

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"Wanjula
"Wanjula will will dare anything," she
dare anything," she replied,
replied, "and" and Kalua,
Kalua,
too for the
too,, for the matter
matter of of that,
that, when
when his his ownown interests
interests are are at at
stake. The
stake. The people
people thinkthink youryour guns
guns are are supernatural,
supernatural , and and
so did
so Wanjula at
did Wanjula first;; but
at first but Kalua,
Kalua, whose whose father
father waswas aa
white
white man,man, learnt
learnt fromfrom his his mother
mother all the wonderful
all the wonderful ways ways
of our
of people. Therefore
our people. Therefore is is it
it known
known to to him
him that
that every
every
white man
white man uses
uses the gun;; that
the gun that itit is
is not
not supernatural
supernatural,, or or only
only
useful to
useful to the
the whites,
whites, but but that
that itit is
is aa weapon
weapon manufactured
manufactured
by the
by the white
white manman and and easily
easily destroyed.
destroyed. That which was
That which was
long forgotten
long forgotten is is suddenly remembered again.
suddenly remembered again. The The old old
people talk
people of Morton
talk of Morton and and thethe strange, death-dealing
strange, death- tube
dealing tube
he
he carried,
carried, andand Wanjula
Wanjula and many of
and many the warriors
of the warriors areare con-
con
vinced that
vinced that you
you areare but but mortal
mortal likelike themselves.
themselves. Conse Conse-
quently your
quently your position
position has has weakened,
weakened, for for you
you must
must understand
understand
that position
that position waswas only
only safe while they
safe while they thought
thought you you something
something
more than
more than human.
human.""
66
"Then," said Dick," the only
Then," said Dick, " the only thing
thing we we cancan dodo is is to
to
make aa bolt
make for it-escape,"
bolt for it--escape," he he added,
added, seingseing she did not
she did not
1. comprehend
comprehend him. him.
"Yes, that
"Yes, that is
is all."
all."
"And your
"And your plan
plan?" ? " II asked,
asked, for for II hadhad implicit
implicit faith
faith inin
her sagacity.
her sagacity. Indeed,
Indeed, her her mind
mind was was of the very
of the very brightest,
brightest,
the most
the most wonderful,
wonderful, considering
considering the the limited opportunities
limited opportunities
which
which had had been
been hers
hers of of improving
improving it. it.
"You remember
"You remember the the path
path on on thethe mountains
mountains ?" ? " SheShe
turned to
turned to meme asas sheshe spoke.
spoke. "The "The one one II pointed
pointed outout to to
you that
you that day
day?? It It leads
leads rightright over
over them
them to to their
their base
base on on
the other
the other side.
side. It It was
was by by that
that road
road bothboth Morton
Morton and and II
were first
were first brought
brought to to the
the village.
village. Far Far on on thethe other side of
other side of
it stretches
it stretches aa desert
desert which which many many of of ourour people
people have have
penetrated to
penetrated to great
great distances,
distances, but but have have then then grown
grown.
frightened and
frightened and returned,
returned, sayingsaying thatthat it was limitless
it was limitless and and
that no
that no drop
drop of water was
of water was to to bebe found
found on its great
on its wide
great wide
face. Now
face. Now thisthis statement
statement must must be wrong, for
be wrong, for have
have not
not II,,
Morton, my
Morton, poor father,
my poor father, and,and, lastly,
lastly, Kalua,
Kalua, have have we we not
not allall
crossed it
crossed it?? and
and could
could we we accomplish
accomplish such such aa featfeat without
without
water?"
water ?"
We
We werewere bound
bound to reply that
to reply they could
that they could DOt.not.
o

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"Then," she
"Then," she continued,
continued, "there "there mustmust be be water
water some-
some
where, and
where, and we
we must it."
find it."
must find
" Bravo!"
.cc Bravo !" saidsaid Dick,
Dick, "you" you are
are aa brave
brave girl."
girl. "
She
She was was indeed,
indeec;t, and
and my my heart
heart beat
beat rapturously
rapturously as I
as I
surveyed
surveyed her. her.
11 Then,"
" Then," sheshe still
still continued,
continued, her her face
face flushing
flushing at the
at the
warmth 66
warmth of of our praise, "one
our praise, one day
day before
before wewe intend
intend to to put
put our
our
design
design into into execution,
execution, II willwill despatch
despatch with
with skins
skins ofof water
water
and provisions half-a-dozen
and provisions half-a-dozen carriers whom II well
carriers whom well know
know II
can trust. They
can trust. They at least will
at least' will keep
keep usus company
company for for many
many
miles
miles in in the
the desert,
desert, and
and bear
bear thethe necessaries
necessaries of of life.
life. After
After
that we
that we must
must depend
depend uponupon ourselves."
ourselves."
"66 And
And cancan you
you really
really do all this
do all this?"
? " II asked
asked.
She
She smiled
smiled and
and said
said she
she could.
could.
"Then we
"Then we are
are as
as good
good as as saved
saved!"! " II cried.
cried.
"Name but
"Name but the
the time
time of of starting,
starting, and
and II will
will guarantee
guarantee to to
do
do allall II have
have said,"
said," she replied.
she replied.
"Why should
"Why should it it not
not bebe at at once?"
once ? " II asked
asked. We We areare
not in
not in love
love with
with the
the village
village nornor its
its occupants.
occupants. Neither
Neither
are they
are they devotedly
devotedly attached
attached to us. The
to us. Golden Lake
The Golden Lake
would be
would be an
an excellent
excellent place
place if we had
if we had twenty
twenty well-armed
well -armed
men
men at at our
our back; but as
back ; but we have
as we have not,
not, the
the sooner
sooner we get out
we get out
of it
of it the
the better."
better."
"You are
"You right, Archie,"
are right, Archie," broke
broke inin my
my cousin.
cousin. " "ByBy Jove!
Jove!
it
it shall
shall be be at
at once.
once. It touches me
It touches me toto the
the heart
heart toto think
think
of flight. before
of flight before wewe have
have discovered
discovered the the gold,
gold, but
but II shall
shall
live in
live in expectation.
expectation. A A dead millionaire is
dead millionaire no better
is no better than
than aa
dead
dead pauper.
pauper. Avarice
Avarice must
must bend
bend to to self-preservation,
self-preservation,
though it's
though it's mighty
mighty hard,
hard, old fellow."
old fellow."
" I'm
" I'm afraid your chances
afraid your chances ofof discovering
discovering thatthat cave,
cave, eveneven
lhough it
though it exists,
exists, are very remote,"
are very remote, " said
said Ada;
Ada ; "particularly
" particularly
as the secret
as the secret isis one known only
one known only toto Kalua
Kalua and the priest.
and the priest."It
"" But
But don't
don't you
you tbVlk
think you
you could worm it
could worm it out
out of Kalua?"
of Kalua ?"
asked
asked Dick.Dick. .
She
She flushed
flushed and trembled, and
and trembled, and a a pained
pained expression
expression came came
in
in her
her eyes.
eyes.
"" II beg
beg your
your pardon,
pardon, Ada,"
Ada," he he said,
said, " " aa thousand,
thousand,
thousand times."
thousand times."

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"And you
"And you really
really think
think there
there will will bebe no no difficulty
difficulty in in
getting the
getting the people
people to to do do asas youyou wishwish?" ? " II asked,
asked, forefore-
seeing that
seeing that II had
had better
better cut cut in with some
in with remark.
some remark.
66
"None
" None whatever,"
whatever," she she replied
replied with with suchsuch conviction,
conviction,
adroitly
adroitly takingtaking up up mymy hint,
hint, that
that II could
could no no longer
longer doubt
doubt
ber capable of
her capa carrying out
of carrying out her her part
part of the programme.
of the programme.
Why should II?? So
Why should So sweet
sweet aa creature
creature must must possess
possess unlimited
unlimited
~sway
sway overover the the hearts
hearts of of civilised
civilised or or uncivilised
uncivilised mankind.
mankind.
These thoughts
l These thoughts flashed
flashed through
through me me as as II sat
sat looking
looking at at
her beautiful
her beautiful face, face, which,
which, withwith the the sun's
sun's bronze
bronze upon upon it, it,
only seemed to
only seemed to make
make it it more
more wholesome
wholesome and lovely, and
and lovely, and
set off
set off to to greater
greater advantage
advantage her her wonderful
wonderful eyes, eyes, those
those eyes
eyes
so earnest,
so earnest, brightbright andand piercing
piercing that that they
they seemed
seemed to to pene
pene-
trate your
trate your veryvery brain,
brain, andand read
read the the thoughts
thoughts you you could
could notnot
even whisper.
even whisper. As As sheshe sat sat there
there in in all
all the
the flush
flush and
and glory
glory
of young
of young womanhood,
womanhood, her her sunny
sunny hair hair gleaming
gleaming like like golden
golden
gossamer, the
gossamer, the red
red blood
blood tingeing
tingeing her her cheeks
cheeks,, andand aa bright
bright-
ness and
ness and animation
animation about about her whole being
her whole being which
which made
made her her
irresistible, II thought
irresistible, thought her her thethe divine
divine embodiment
embodiment of of all
all
that was
that was most
most glorious
glorious in in woman,
woman, and and II loved
loved herher with
with thethe
ardour of
ardour of aa giant,
giant, and vowed aa silent
and II vowed silent oath
oath to to God
God that
that II
would guard
would guard her her more
more tenderly
tenderly than than mymy own own soul.
soul.
Dick spoke.
Dick spoke. " "Can
Can you you get these people
get these ready in
people ready in aa day?
day ? " I,
"" II can."
can ." .
" And
" And theythey will
will keep
keep youryour secret
secret?" ?”
"Ah,
" Dick;; you
Ah, Dick you areare afraid
afraid to to trust
trust meme ?? ""
" No,
" No, Ada;
Ada ; you you are
are a brave, wise
a brave, wise girl,
girl, aa girl in aa million;
girl in million ;
but II am
but am naturally
naturally anxious."
anxious."
"And
" And so so am am I. Every hour
I. Every hour is is fraught
fraught with with horror
horror
to me
to me now.now. II shall shall know
know no no peace,
peace, no no rest,
rest, till
till II am
am
far away
far away from from the the power
power of of those
those two two dreadful
dreadful men. men .
Welcome aa thousand
Welcome thousand times times the the extreme horrors of
extreme horrors the
of the
desert
desert to to the
the life ofterror
life of terror II am am leading
leading now.now.""
"" Then
Then the sooner we
the sooner we have
have saidsaid good-bye
good-bye to the Golden
to the Golden
Lake, the
Lake, the better,"
better," II remarked.
remarked.
"Yes, indeed, indeed!
" Yes, indeed, indeed ! Oh, Oh, if if II had
had onlyonly the
the wings
wings ofof
the great
the great blackblack swan
swan ;i if if we
we all all had
had them,"
them," she she added
added
quickly.
quickly.

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"It
" would be
It would be more
more than than pleasant,"
pleasant," Hardwicke
Hardwicke replied replied ;;
"but
" but as as wewe havehave them them not, Ada, we
not, Ada, we must
must do without.
do without.
Now
Now for for' business.
business. Can Can youyou get your carriers
get your carriers away away by by
to-morrow night?
to-morrow night ? ""
"Yes."
" Yes." And And a veryy decided
a ver decided yes yes itit was.
was.
" Good.
" Good. Then Then on on the
the night
night following
following we will make
we will make the the
attempt."
attempt."
Jimmy now
Jimmy now brought
brought in in the
the smoking
smoking dinner,
dinner, and though
and though
we begged
we begged the the pleasure
pleasure of of her
her company
company at at our primitive
our primitive
meal,
meal, she she refused,
refused, saying saying that
that she
she had work to
had work to do,
do, and that
and that
she
she intended
intended to show us
to show us how
how well well she would do
she would do it.
it. We We
were loth
were 10th to to letlet herher outout of of our
our sight
sight j; butbut saying
saying we we
should see
should see plenty
plenty of of each
each other by-and-by, she
other by-and-by, she made
made us us
a pretty
a little bow
pretty little bow and and departed.
departed .
""Well," said Dick,
Well," said Dick, afterafter she
she had gone, Cl" that
had gone, that girl
girl is the
is the
I!ssence
essence of of all
all that
that is is brave
brave and and beautiful.
beautiful. II never never saw, saw,
never imagined anything
never imagined anything like like her,
her, and
and if if wewe don't
don't get get her her
safely
safely outout of this place,
of this place, old
old man,
man, it
it won't
won't be
be for
for the want
the want
of will it
trying, will it?? """
of trying,
will not,
" It will
"It not, Dick.
Dick. Poor Poor thing
thing!! she has little
she has little knowledge
knowledge
of
of what
what she she is undertaking."
is undertaking."
" No,"
" No," he he answered
answered j; "but " but sheshe hashas a brave heart,
a brave heart, and and
that is
that is worth
worth manymany a a pound
pound of of muscle."
muscle."
With all
With all of which II was
of which inclined to
was inclined to agree.
agree.
It is
cc It
" is an
an awful thing," he
awful thing," he presently remarked, in
presently remarked, in such
such
solemn
solemn tonestones that that II thought
thought something
something dreadful dreadful was was
coming,
coming, "that " that we we shall
shall have
have to to leave
leave this
this place
place so so soon,
soon,
especially
especially withwith thatthat secret
secret undiscovered.
undiscovered. But But after
after all,
all, our
our
life and
life and the life of
the life that dear
of that dear girl
girl are
are of more consequence
of more consequence
to us
to us than
than the the wealth
wealth of the universe.
of the universe. And And yet yet ifif II had
had
only myself
only myself to to consider,
consider, II would would findfind thatthat treasure
treasure if if II
stayed here
stayed here forfor years.
years. II came came here here to to find
find it,
it, and
and it it goes
goes
against the
against the grain
grain to to give
give itit up."
up."
" Then
" Then why why do do so?"so ? "
"I admit my
" I admit avarice, old
my avarice, boy, but
old boy, but I'mI'm not alto~ether
not altogether
selfish.
selfish. Besides
Besides I'm I'm notnot going
going backback empty-handed.
empty-handed . You You
see this
see this hashas been been aa long, long, tiresome
tiresome journey
journey of of ours,
ours,
and if
and if we
we received
received no no compensation
compensation for for thethe trialstrials

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we have
we have undergone,
undergone. do do youyou notnot think
think itit would
would bebe very
very
hard?? ""
hard
"What are
"What you driving
are you driving at?"at ? "
I never
cc I
" never thought
thought II should
should comecome to to robbing
robbing a a church,
church,
Archie,
Archie, but but that's
that's what
what it it resolves
resolves itself
itself into
into."
."
"le But where is
But where is the
the church?"
church ? "
"There
" There is is no
no church,
church, my my boy,
boy, butbut a temple-which
a' temple-which
distinction is
distinction is my
my excuse
excuse for for robbing
robbing it.it. A A church
church sticks
sticks in
in
one's throat, but
one's throat, but aa temple
temple can can bebe swallowed.
swallowed . In that
In that
temple
temple there there is is an
an idolidol with
with aa dozen little idols
dozen little idols inin
attendance,
attendance, and and all
all those
those idols
idols""have
have ruby
ruby eyes."
eyes.”
"66 And
And youyou meamean n to say--"
to say —
" II do."
" do ."
le Then heaven
heaven helphelp us "9
"Then us if they discover--"
if they discover
"But they won't. You see, old
" But they won't. You see, old fellow, rubies are fellow, rubies are of
of
great value-ladies
great value-ladies are very fond
are very fond of them, you
of them, you know-
know-and and
they are
they so much
are so much easier
easier to to carry
carry than
than gold.
gold. Think
Think what
what
a benefactor
a benefactor to the fair
to the fair sex
sex II shall
shall be.
be. Besides,
Besides, Archie, the
Archie, the
Temple
Temple of the Great
of the Great Spirit
Spirit can
can bebe the
the only
only place
place that
that holds
holds
the secret we
the secret we areare so
so anxious
anxious to to gain."
gain."
66'Perhaps you
"Perhaps you are
are right,"
right," II said.
said. " "And we'll have
And we'll have' one
one
more good hunt
more good hunt in there before
in there before we
we go."
go."
After
After dinner
dinner wewe hadhad a a smoke
smoke and,
and sat talking over
sat talking over our
our
prospects, thinking
prospects, thinking it best to
it best to keep
keep within
within doors,
doors, oror inside,
inside,
to be
to be more
more correct,
correct, till Jimmy, whom we
till Jimmy,'whom we had
had sent
sent out
out to to
reconnoitre, as
reconnoitre, as it were, should
it were, should return. When he
return . When he did
did do
do so
so
he had
he had nothing
nothing to to report
report but that there
but that was going
there was going toto be
be
a corroboree (native
a corroboree (native dance)
dance) thatthat night,
night,. and
and by by the
the prepara
prepara-
tions being
tions being made
made it was to
it was to be
be onon aa grand
grand scale.
scale. This
This
rather aroused
rather aroused my my curiosity,
curiosity, asas II had
had never
never seen
seen one
one ofof
these wild dances
these wild dances though
though II had had heard
heard much
much of of them,
them, and
and
we were
we were' debating
debating it it when
when one one of of Kalua's
Kalua's bodyguard
bodyguard
entered our
entered our tent
tent and
and informed
informed us us that we were
that we were invited
invited byby
the king
the king and
and his
his priest
priest to to bebe present
present atat the
the ceremony
ceremony thatthat
night. We
night. We sent
sent our
our respects
respects back
back to
to the
the king
king and
and his
his Chief
Chief
Rascal telling
Rascal telling them
them that that itit would
would give
give us
us great
great pleasure
pleasure
to avail
to avail ourselves
ourselves of oftheir invitation.
their invitation.
Twice saw Ada
Twice II saw Ada thatthat afternoon
afternoon and and onon one
one occasion
occasion II

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asked
asked her her if if she was going
she was going to the corroboree,
to the corroboree, to to which
which sheshe
gave
gave a shuddering negative.
a shuddering negative.
"I saw
"I saw it it once,"
once," sheshe added.
added. " "It was not
It was not so so bad
bad when
when
the last
the Wanjula was
last Wanjula priest, but
was priest, but nownow it it is
is horrible."
horrible . ”
"The
“ last Wanjula
The last Wanjula?" ? " II asked.
asked .
"t. All priests are
All priests are called Wanjula," she
called Wanjula," she replied,
replied, "after" after the
the
great chief
great priest, the
chief priest, the carver
carver of of the
the statue."
statue."
Here
Here then then was was aa piecepiece of of history which interested
history which interested me me
greatly. It
greatly. It was
was aa fact
fact after
after all, though few
all, though few people
people seemedseemed
to imagine
to imagine it, that the
it, that the Australian
Australian black black had not always
had not always beenbeen
the demoralised
the demoralised brute brute he he appears
appears to to us
us in these later
in these times.
later times.
Heaven
Heaven only only knowsknows what what he he might
might not not have
have been been in the
in the
far-off ages
far-off ages whenwhen mostmost of of thethe nownow civilised
civilised worldworld waswas a a
howling
howling waste. waste. China China was was civilised
civilised when when EuropeEurope was was
overrun
overrun with with savages,
savages, and and whowho can can saysay what
what these
these people
people
might
might not not have been in
have been the days
in the which knew
days which knew no no records?
records ?
Jimmy,
Jimmy, my my cousin,
cousin, and and myself
myself set set out
out forfor thethe scene
scene of of
the coming
the coming festivity
festivity about
about eight
eight in in the
the evening,
evening, thoughthough not not
before our
before dusky friend
OIar dusky friend had had prevailed
prevailed upon upon his his master
master to to
take with
take with him him thethe little
little jewelled
jewelled axe axe which
which all all this
this time
time had
had
remained bound
remained bound up up inin his swag. Dick
his swag. Dick was was inclined
inclined not not to
to
burden himself
burden himself with with it, it, but
but Jimmy
Jimmy pleaded
pleaded so so earnestly
earnestly
that he
that he complied
complied with with hishis request
request simply
simply to to humour
humour him. him.
We carried
We carried our our rifles
rifles and
and revolvers,
revolvers, for for ever
ever since
since we we hadhad
known of
known of the
the enmity
enmity which
which was was directed
directed against
against us us we
we never
never
left them
left them out out ofof our
our sight,
sight, fearing
fearing thatthat they
they might
might be be stolen
stolen
from us
from us andand destroyed.
destroyed. With With them them we we knew
knew we we could
could
command attention,
command attention, for for there
there is is nothing
nothing aa man man respects
respects
more than
more than thatthat which
which can can harm
harm him. him.
At the southern
At the southern end end of the village,
of the village, on on an an openopen space
space
that led
that right down
led right down to to the
the edge
edge of the lake,
of the the scene
lake, the scene of of
the' corroboree
the corroboree was was pitched.
pitched. Allured Allured by the glare
by the glare of the
of the
torches,
torches, the the shouts
shouts of of the
the people,
people, the the beating
beating of of tom-toms,
tom -toms ,
and
and thethe universal
universal shrieks
shrieks of of delight
delight which
which fellfell from
from the the lips
lips
of the swarms
of the swarms of of dusky
dusky savages,
savages, we we found
found that that our our arrival
arrival
was well
was well timed,
timed, thethe proceedings
proceedings being being about
about to to commence,
commence,
as the king
as the king andand his
his priest
priest hadhad just
just then
then come.
come.
Everything
Everything was was in in semi-gloom,
semi-gloom, the the number
number of of torches
torches

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not being
not being sufficient
sufficient to to dispel
dispel thethe darkness
darkness that that hunghung in in the
the
air, but
air, but wewe easily perceived Kalua
easily perceived Kalua and and his right-hand man
his right-hand man
sitting on
sitting on a a rude
rude elevation
elevation about about fivefive feet
feet from
from the the ground.
ground .
To them we
To them went, and
we went, and mounting
mounting the the platform
platform beside beside them,
them,
were received
were received by by the
the twotwo scoundrels
scoundrels with with apparent
apparent courtesy;
courtesy ;
with, in
with, in fact,
fact, too too much much effusiveness.
effusiveness. Then Then Wanjula
Wanjula
clapped his
clapped his hands
hands and and spokespoke aloudaloud;; the the torches
torches werewere
applied to
applied to aa great
great pilepile of of wood
wood round round whichwhich the the savages
savages
squatted, and
squatted, and in few minutes
in aa few minutes therethere was was aa roaring
roaring flame.
flame.
Then
Then the the tom-toms
tom-toms began began to to beat,
beat, andand about
about a a hundred
hundred
nearly
nearly naked
naked savages,
savages, forming
forming aa circlecircle round
round the great fire,
the great fire ,
began
began to to dance
dance and and singsing in in aa grotesque
grotesque and and horrible
horrible
manner.
manner. They They shouted,
shouted, raved, raved , wavedwaved their their spears
spears and and
waddies with
waddies with intense simulated fury,
intense simulated fury, while
while to to add
add aa more
more
startling
startling horror
horror to to the the scene,
scene, each savage was
each savage was painted
painted in in
streaks
streaks with
with somesome white white substance,
substance, looking,
looking, as as he
he danced
danced
about, like aa hideous
about, like hideous,, livingliving skeleton.
skeleton .
I see
I see itit all so plainly
all so plainly now now;; thethe dark
dark sky sky above,
above, the the great
great
red fire below
red fire below in the glare
in the glare of of which
which danced
danced and and shrieked
shrieked
aa hundred
hundred furiousfurious skeletons,
skeletons, a hundred fiends
a hundred incarnate,,
fiends incarnate
while round
while round aboutabout themthem sat sat hundreds
hundreds more, more, looking,
looking, in in the
the
weird red
weird red light which fell
light which upon them
fell upon them from from thatthat distance,
distance, aa
multitude
multitude of of evil, grinning spirits.
evil, grinning spirits. II shall shall nevernever forget
forget
the brutal
the brutal faces,
faces, the the wild,
wild, beast-like
beast-like laughter.
laughter. All All sense
sense
seemed to
seemed to have
have suddenly
suddenly left left them.
them. They They were were animals:-
animals
savage, growling,
savage, growling, laughing,
laughing, fighting
fighting animals.
animals. A A .universal
universal
madness
madness seemedseemed to to have
have seized them. All
seized them. All constraint,
constraint, all all
control
control waswas gone.
gone. Like Like a pack of
a pack of infuriated
infuriated brutes they
brutes they
roared and
roared and kicked
kicked till till their
their strength
strength left left them,
them, and and they
they
fell
fell exhausted
exhausted and and foaming
foaming at at thethe mouth
mouth like like menmen withwith
epilepsy.
epilepsy.
Still the fun
Still the fun waxed
waxed furious,
furious, for for when
when the the men men could
could
dance no
dance no more, there uprose
more, there uprose aa body body of women, painted
of women, painted in in
the same
the same hideous fashion, and
hideous fashion, and equally
equally as as naked,
naked, and and thethe
dance
dance grew faster and
grew faster and faster,
faster, andand the the shrieks
shrieks and and laughter
laughter
more fiendish and
more fiendish horrible. Their
and horrible. Their dreadful
dreadful faces faces seemed
seemed
ablaze
ablaze withwith fury,
fury, their
their eyeseyes shone
shone like like great
great clotsclots ofof illu-
illu
minated
minated blood;
blood ; they they gnashed
gnashed their their teeth
teeth till the foam
till the foam flew
flew

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in great
in great flakes
flakes from their mouth,
from their mouth, and their tongues
and their wagged
tongues wagged
to and
to and fro as
fro as do do the
the tongues
tongues of of dogs when they
dogs when they are dying of
are dying of
thirst. It
thirst. It was
was aa shocking,
shocking, a a sickening
sickening sight,sight, enough
enough to to
make one
make wonder if
one wonder if the
the same
same God God made
made us all.
us all.
" Do you
"Do you think,"
think," said said Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, "that "that our ancestors
our ancestors
used to
used to carry
carry on on in this manner?"
in this manner ? "
"" Perhaps."
Perhaps."
"What aa rare
"What rare time
time they
they must
must havehave hadhad of it.. But
of it. joking
But joking
apart, did
apart, did you
you ever
ever seesee such
such aa thing
thing?? They They are are not
not human
human
beings
beings at at all, but wild
all, but wild beasts.
beasts. II have have seenseen the the CfWrOboree
corroboree
three times
three times before,
before, but but itit has
has never
never beenbeen likelike this. What
this. What
are they going
are they going to to dodo now?
now?""
The
The she-fiends
she-fiends had had ceased
ceased their their infernal
infernal gyrations
gyrations onlyonly
through sheer
through sheer exhaustion,
exhaustion, and and were
were ledled oror dragged
dragged back back toto
the circle;
the circle ; moremore wood wood was was heaped
heaped upon upon the the fire,
fire, and the
and the
flames
flames springing
springing higher higher and and higher,
higher, lit the surrounding.
lit the surrounding.
scene
scene with with an unholy wildness.
an unholy wildness. Then Then whenwhen the the flame
flame abated
abated '
and
and the fire gleamed
the fire gleamed a mass of
a mass of living
living embers, half·a-dozen
embers, half-a-dozen
men
men advanced
advanced towardstowards it, it, bearing
bearing between
between them them some some long,
long,
dark
dark objects, which they
objects, which they jerked
jerked unceremoniou
unceremoniously upon the
sly upon the
glowing mass
glowing mass of fire. In
of fire. In aa fewfew moments
moments aa strong strong smell
smell ofof
burning flesh
burning flesh assailed
assailed our our 'nostrils.
nostrils .
"My God,
"My God, tkey're cannibals '"
they're cannibals !"
It was
It was Dick's
Dick's voice,
voice, andand he he bounded
bounded like like aa rocket
rocket from
from
hill seat
his seat beside
beside Kalua, while with
Kalua, while with horror
horror depicted
depicted upon upon hishis
countenance he
countenance he -surveyed
surveyed the the unnatural
unnatural sight.sight.
"" Who
Who and and what
what are are they,
they, II wonder?
wonder ? "" askedasked he. he.
"Him belong
"Him belong Wyhuma Wyhuma savage," savage," said said Jimmy,Jimmy, who, who,
seeing
seeing Dick Dick suddenly
suddenly spring spring up, up, bounded
bounded to to our
our side.
side.
" This fellow
"This fellow savage
savage bring
bring 'em'em ashore-now
ashore-now make make plenty
plenty eat."
eat."
66
" Come,
Come, let let us
us go,"
go," II said.
said. "" It It is
is impossible
impossible that that we
we can
can
look
look on on at at such
such aa scene."
scene."
" Better not,
"Better Mass'r Archie,"
not, Mass'r Archie," said said Jimmy.
Jimmy. "Black " Black man
man
make
make 'um 'um corroboree,
corroboree, finish finish 'urn
'um corroboree.
corroboree. He He getget dam
dam
wild."
wild."
"What," said
"What," said I, I, "do you mean
" do you mean that that if we were
if we were to to leave
leave
in the
in the midst
midst of of their
their ceremony,
ceremony, they they might
might look upon it
look upon it as
as
:tn insult
an insult?" ?" .

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209

Don't try
Cl Don't
" try 'em,
'em, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie.
Archie. Corroboree
Corroboree always always make make
the black
the black man's
man's blood blood burn.
burn. This fellow belong
This fellow belong man-eater.
man-eater.
White man
White man dam dam nice flesh. You
nice flesh. You sabbee?"
sabbee ? "
Cl Good heavens!"
"Good heavens ! "
Cl You are are right,
right, Jimmy,"
Jimmy," broke broke in in Hardwicke;
Hardwicke ; "we will
"" we wi ll
"You
see it
see it through.
through. Stand Stand by, by, mymy boy,
boy, in in case
case of row."""
of aa row.'
66
"Me ready, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick.Dic~.. You You sabbee
sabbee now now why why JimmyJimmy
Me ready,
no like one
no like one black
black fellow
fellow who who give
give another
another blackblack fellow
fellow all all
him grub?"
him grub ? " .
"Yes, blind
"Yes, blind foolfool that
that II was,"answered
was," answered his his master.
master. "But " But
have you
have you heardheard anything?
anything ? Do Do you you think
think they they intendintend
to attack
to attack us us?"?" .
"I've
" heard nothen',
I've heard nothen', seen nothen';; black
seen nothen' black fellow
fellow jabberjabber
me nothen'. All
me nothen'. All the the same,
same, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,Dick, watchwatch them them
two,"" pointing
two, pointing to to Kalua
Kalua and and thethe priest.
priest. "That Cl That priest priest
belong
belong big big rascal.
rascal. II wring wring him him damdam neck
neck yet.yet.""
"We are
"We are inin an an awkward
awkward fix, fix, old fellow," said
old fellow," said my cousin
my cousin
to me
to me.. "What"What they they intend
inten<i doing
doing II have
have a a notion,
notion , and and ifif
it comes
it comes to to that
that it it can't
can't bebe helped.
helped , but we'll give
but we'll give them them aa
taste of
taste our quality
of our quality beforebefore we we go under. In
go under. In the
the meantime
meantime
keep aa watchful
keep watchful eye eye on the priest,
on the priest, I'll
I'll look
look after
after Kalua.
Kalua.
Remember, they
Remember, they go go to to glory
glory with
with us."
us."
With the
With the endend of of our conversation was
our conversation was also
also completed
completed
the burning
the burning of of thethe bodies.
bodies. The brutes in
The brutes in attendance
attendance
jerked them
jerked them all all covered
covered with with red-hot
red-hot coals
coals outout of of thethe fire,
fire,
and disjointing
and disjointing their their several parts flung
several parts flung themthem in in the
the midst midst
• of the people as
of tbepeople as one
one would
would flingfling aa bone
bone to to aa dog.
dog.
In aa moment
In moment there there was was a a perfect
perfect uproar,
uproar, the the savages
savages
scrambling
scrambling for for thethe meatmeat like like soso many half-starved tigers.
many half-starved tigers.
. They
They kicked,
kicked. scratched, thumped, and
scratched, thumped, and howled
howled till till tbenight
the night
air rang with
air rang with thisthis battle
battle of the demons.
of the demons. Men, Men, women,
women, and and
children
children all all fought
fought with with terrific
terrific fury.
fury, allall made
made "night " night
hideous"" with
hideous with their
their shrieks
shrieks and and execrations.
execrations.
Kalua now
Kalua turned and
now turned and addressed
addressed us us for
for the
the first
first time.
time.
" What think
"What think the tbe white
white men men of the corroboree
of the corroboree ? ? ""
There was
There was the the same
same bitter,
bitter, cynical
cynical smilesmile upon
upon his ugly
his ugly
face, and
face, and he he laughed
laughed his his soft,
soft, hissing,
hissing, spluttering
spluttering laugh laugh
;hrough the
:hrough the hole
hole in in his
his teeth.
teeth.

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210 THE GOLD
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EN LAKE.
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"We think
"We think it it is
is in
in keeping
keeping with with the the custom.
customs of your
of your
people." It
people." was Dick
It was Dick whowho spoke.
spoke.
"Then the
"Then the customs
customs of of my my people
people are are not
not like those of
like those of
yours?"
yours ?"
"No,
" thank God
No, thank God I" ! " Dick
Dick replied.
replied.
cc The
" The whitewhite man
man likes
likes not not thethe feast?"
feast ? " andand he he laughed
laughed
his hissing
his hissing laugh
laugh aa little
little louder.
louder.
"No,
" chief. My
No , chief. My people
people would
would rather rather diedie than
than eat the
eat the
flesh of
flesh of one
one anot
another."
her ."
"Then
" Then your your people
people are are fools.
fools. But But perhaps
perhaps the the white
white
man
man is is not
not sweet."
sweet."
" He
" He is not, chief.
is not, chief. So bitter is
So bitter is he
he that
that none
none but but worms
worms
will tackle llim."
will tackle him. "
"We shall
"We shall see,"
see," andand he he laughed
laughed his his snaky
snaky laugh again,
laugh again,
in which
in which Wanjula
Wanjula joinedjoined,, much
much to to our
our united horror and
united horror and
disgust.
disgust.
"What mean
"What mean you you by by that,
that, oh,oh, Kalua
Kalua?" asked Hard-
? " asked Hard
wicke. He
wicke. replied not,
He replied not, but
but smiled
smiled his his own
own dreadful
dreadful smile
smile
and looked
and looked significantly
significantly at his confederate.
at his confederate. I I saw
saw Dick's
Dick's
hand go
hand go suddenly
suddenly to to his
his revolver,
revolver, but but he he restrained
restrained himself.
himself.
"Listen, oh,
"Listen, oh, Kalua,"
Kalua," he he said.
said. " "II amam notnot aa man man of of
many words, and
many words, and speak
speak forfor the
the last time. Thou
last time. Thou hast hast seen
seen
our prowess, thou
our prowess, thou hasthast known
known of of our
our endurance.
endurance. The The
Wyhumas shall
Wyhumas tell of
shall tell one as
of one they sit
as they round their
sit round their ca.mp fires
camp fires
when the
when the nights
nights areare cold;
cold ; of of the
the other,
other, thethe burning
burning desert,
desert,
could it
could it speak,
speak, would
would telltell thee
thee such marvels as
such marvels thine ears
as thine ears
could
could scarcely
scarcely credit.
credit. Therefore
Therefore listen listen well,
well, and
and take
take heed
heed
of
of what
what II say, say, thou
thou Kalua,
Kalua, and and thou,thou, too,too, oh,
oh, priest.
priest. The
The
moment
moment thou thou dost
dost seek
seek us us harm,
harm, that that moment
moment thou thou shalt
shalt
die,"
die," and
and he he turned
turned his his head
head from
from them them withwith aa haughty
haughty
flourish,
flourish, which
which meant
meant thatthat he he would
would speak speak no no more.
more. They They
scrutinised
scrutinised him him with
with aa most
most malicious
malicious scrutiny,
scrutiny, but
but made
made no no
reply.
reply.
In the
In the meantime
meantime the the fire had been
fire had been replenished,
replenished, and and thethe
great blaze shot
great blaze shot once
once more
more intointo the the sky,
sky, filling the gloom
filling the gloom
with aa lurid
with lurid glare.
glare. ThenThen the the wild
wild dances
dances began again, but
began again, but
this time
this time men men andand women
women joinedjoined promiscuously
promiscuously in the mad
in the mad
revels, giving
revels, giving aa fiercer
fiercer zestzest to to thethe proceedings.
proceedings. They
They

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shouted, screamed, and

shouted, screamed, and laughed
laughed with with redoubled
redoubled fury fury ;; the
the
women's
women's sharp,sharp, shrill,
shrill, hyrena-like
hyæna-like voices voices rising
rising clear
clear andand
distinct
distinct above
above the the general tumult. Some
general tumult. exhausted fell
Some exhausted fell
gasping upon the
gasping upon the earth,
earth , where
where theythey lay
lay rolling their skeleton-
rolling their skeleton
like
like bodies
bodies in in the dust, and
the dust, and keeping
keeping timetime with
with their
their hands
hands
and
and feet
feet toto the
the uncanny
uncanny chantchant of of the
the dancers,
dancers, gasping
gasping out out
the while
the while their
their mad,
mad, wild
wild cries
cries in in aa hoarse,
hoarse, throat-
throat-cracking
cracking
voice.
voice.
Then the
Then the dancing
dancing ceased;
ceased ; moremore woodwood was was heaped
heaped uponupon
the fire, and
the fire, and silence
silence horrible
horrible in in its
its stillness
stillness ensued.
ensued.
Presently
Presently the the quiet was broken
quiet was broken by by aa low,
low, moaning
moaning sound,sound,
and two
and two ofof Kalua's
Kalua's warriors
warriors werewere seenseen advancing
advancing towards towards
us,
us, dragging between them
dragging between them aa poor, old, white-haired
poor, old, white-haired woman woman
who groaned
who groaned and and moaned
moaned most most fearfully
fearfully at at every step..•
every step.
They released her
They released her asas soon
soon as she was
as she was before
before the the platform,
platform ,
and the
and the miserable-looking
miserable-looking old creature immediately
old creature immediately fell fell in
in
a heap
a heap toto the
the earth,
earth, which
which caused
caused aa smile
smile to to illumine
illumine the the
features of
features of Kalua
Kalua and and hishis worthy
worthy priest.
priest. She, however,
She, however,
managed with
managed with some
some difficulty
difficulty to to get upon her
get upon her knees,
knees, andand
raising her
raising her thin,
thin, ghastly
ghastly hands,
hands, while
while thethe tears
tears streamed
streamed in in
torrents from her
torrents from her eyes
eyes andand herher white
white hairhair flew wildly over
flew wildly over
her withered
her withered neck and shoulders,
neck and shoulders, she pleaded in
she pleaded in aa husky,
husky,
sobbing voice
sobbing voice for for them
them to to spare
spare herher fewfew remaining
remaining days, days ,
for by
for by aa barbarous
barbarous customcustom in use among
in use among thesethese people,
people, one one
person of
person of the
the female
female sexsex hadhad to to bebe sacrificed
sacrificed to to the
the god
god
every year,
every year, andand she was to
she was to bebe the
the oldest
oldest andand mostmost useless.
useless.
Sometimes the
Sometimes the god
god demanded
demanded two two females,
females, but that was
but that was
generally when
generally when some some youngyoung womanwoman had had offended
offended the the
Wanjula.
Wanjula.
A mocking
A mocking laugh laugh fromfrom the the priest
priest followed
followed her her heart
heart
rending
rending appeal.
appeal. " "Old
Old woman,"
woman," he he said,
said, in in his
his savagest
savagest
tones, "what
tones, "what would would you?
you ? The The godgod demands
demands the the sacrifice,
sacrifice,
and we
and we dare
dare not not disobey.
disobey. Evil Evil shall
shall fall upon her
fall upon her in in the
the
world of
world of spirits
spirits whowho renders
renders not not cheerfully
cheerfully up up herher life
life at the
at the
bidding
bidding of the god."
of the god. "
She, poor thing,
She, poor thing, only
only moaned
moaned the the louder, entreating with
louder, entreating with
wilder accents, with
wilder accents, with more
more appalling
appalling wails and sobs,
wails and that they
sobs, that they
would spare
would spare her her life.
life.

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"Look
" Look you," you," replied
replied the the fiendish
fiendish priest,
priest, "the
" the god god
demands it.
demands it. We We could
could not not spare
spare you you even
even if we would.
if we would.
What right
What right hast
hast thou
thou to ask for
to ask for life, thou. who
life, thou who canst
canst neither
neither
bring warriors
bring warriors into into thethe world
world nor nor gather thine own
gather thine own food?
food ?
What are
What thou but
are thou but a a burden
burden and and a a blot
blot ?? WeWe would
would Elot not
have
have our young women
our young women see see howhow hideous
hideous theythey may
may grow.
grow.
Strike!
Strike ! "
In aa moment
In moment aa burly burly savage
savage had had plunged
plunged his his spear into
spear into
the withered
the withered bosom bosom of the old
of the old woman,
woman, who, who, after
after giving
giving one
one
long wailing
long wailing cry,cry, fell
fell back
back dead.
dead. '
We were
We were horrified
horrified at this unnatural
at this unnatural sight, that horror
sight, that horror in- in
creasing aa moment
creasing moment later when we
later when we saw the same
saw the same burly
burly brute
brute
who had
who had struck
struck the the blow,
blow, taketake thethe body
body in in his
his arms
arms and and
cast it
cast in the
it in the flames, where, for
flames , where, for a moment, it
a moment, it rested
rested clearly
clearly
defined
defined against
against the the red-hot
red-hot embers,
embers, and and was
was then
then consumed
consumed
like
like a piece of
a piece of old
old cloth.
cloth.
The people
The people sat sat gazing moodily into
gazing moodily the flames.
into the flames. Savages
Savages
though they
though they were,
were, and and heated
heated by by thethe dances
dances and and other
other
horrible excesses,
horrible excesses, they they saw saw clearly
clearly enough
enough the the horror
horror of of the
the
crime that had
crime that had just
just beenbeen perpetrated,
perpetrated, and were silent;
and were the
silent ; the
women cowering
women cowering close close to to each
each other,
other, thinking
thinking of of the
the terrible
terrible
fate some
fate some of of them
them werewere sure sure to to suffer.
suffer.
Then Wanjula delivered
Then Wanjula delivered an an address
address to the god;
to the god ; the the
people set
people set upup aa' mournful
mournful chant chant as as melancholy
melancholy and and de de-
pressing as
pressing as the
the oneone before
before had had beenbeen hideously
hideously exciting;
exciting ;
more wood was
more wood was heaped
heaped upon upon the the fire
fire and
and we most anxiously
we most anxiously
awaited the
awaited the next
next item
item on on thethe programme
programme..
We were
We were notnot keptkept longlong in in suspense.
suspense. The The two two ruffians
ruffians
who had
who had brought
brought the the old old woman
woman forwardforward now now appeared
appeared
again, leading
again, leading no no less
less a person between
a person between themthem than
than Lusota,
Lusota,
the girl
the who had
girl who had lostlost her her heart
heart to to my
my cousin
cousin Hardwicke,
Hardwicke.
Her hands were
Her hands were bound,
bound, but but sheshe walked
walked with with aa defiant
defiant
attitude,
attitude, her her eyes
eyes literally
literally blazing
blazing withwith anger.
anger. As she
As she
gazed upon
gazed upon us us those
those angryangry eyeseyes metmet Dick's.
Dick's. In In aa moment
moment
they were
they were suffused
suffused with with tears,
tears, butbut with
with anan effort
effort she
she shook
shook offoff
her temporary
her temporary weakness,
weakness, and and they
they only
only shone
shone thethe brighter.
brighter.
"What are
"What are you
you going
going to to do
do with
with her
her?" asked Hardwicke
? " asked Hardwicke
of the
of the chief.
chief.

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"You
" will see,"
You will was the
see," was the ambiguous
ambiguous reply.
reply.
"Harm
" Harm her,her, oh,
oh, Kalua,"
Kalua," he he said,
said , "and the consequences
" and the consequences
be upon
be upon your
your own
own head.
head.""
The king lost
The king lost his unruffled cynicism
his unruffled cynicism forfor aa moment
moment andand
answered hotly,
answered hotly, ""Thou talkest more
Thou talkest more than
than is
is good for thee.
good for thee.
I have
I have many
many warriors
warriors at my command.
at my command. II could destroy
could destroy
thee as
thee as II would
would aa fiy."
fly."
"I have
"I have nono men
men at at my command, chief,"
my command, chief," Dick
Dick answered,
answered,
showing
showing an an undaunted front, "but
undaunted front, " but II have
have that,"
that," tapping
tapping his
his
rifie, " which will
rifle, "which will hurry thee to
hurry thee to thy
thy death
death long
long before
before one
one
, spear
spear of thine shall
of thine shall touch
touch me."
me."
Kalua hissed
Kalua hissed something
something disdainfully through his
disdainfully through teeth
his teeth
and waved
and waved his hand as
his hand though he
as though he would speak no
would speak no more,
more,
but he
but he exchanged
exchanged a a look with Wanjula
look with Wanjula which
which spoke
spoke volumes
volumes
of hate and
of hate pent-up revenge
and pent-up revenge.. LusotaLusota tendered
tendered Dick Dick a a
grateful, loving
grateful, loving glance,
glance, whichwhich the two arch
the two arch fiends
fiends ob ob-
serving,
serving, mademade them scowl more
them scowl more furiously than ever.
furiously than ever.
'" Cheer
" Cheer up, up, my my girl,"
girl," hehe said
said toto her.
her. "No "No harmharm shallshall
come to you
you." ""
come to ." Though
Though how how he he intended
intended to to stave
stave offoff the
the
coming
coming dangerdanger II was was at at aa loss to comprehend.
loss to comprehend.
Kalua
Kalua then then arose
arose andand addressed
addressed the the people,
people, andand thethe plot
plot
against Lusota was
against Lusota was unfolded.
unfolded. Wanjula,Wanjula, it it seems,
seems, hadhad .been
been
commanded by
commanded by the
the Great
Great Spirit to make
Spirit to make thethe extra sacrifice
extra sacrifice
of
of a female, of
a female, of which
which II have have spoken,
spoken, because
because the the god
god waswas
wroth with
wroth with the the women
women on on account
account of the laxity
of the laxity of their
of their
morals,
morals, and and as as Lusota
Lusota was was thethe worst
worst offender
offender (which
(which was was aa
lie). the god
lie), the god hadhad demanded
demanded that that she should suffer.
she should suffer.
The people
The people received
received the the speech
speech with
with silence, but the
silence, but the girl
girl
Lusota
Lusota fairly shook with
fairly shook fury.
with fury.
" You
" You dogdog!! you you dog
dog!! you you dog!"
dog ! she screamed at
she screamed the T
at the
priest, and
priest, would have
and would have flown
fiown atat him,
him, bound
bound as she was,
as she if I
was, if
the guards
the guards had had not held her
not held her back.
back. Then,
Then, cooling
cooling down aa
down
little, she
she turned
turned to to the
the throng
throng andand cried
cried aloud: 66
little, aloud : "0 people
O people
of the Mandanyah, listen to me
of the Mandanyah, listen to me and I will tell you and I will tell you howhow
great a liar is Wanjula, the chief priest.
great a liar is Wanjula, the chief priest. Many long moons Many long moons
has he
has he sought
sought me me for his wife,
for his wife, but
but II hated
hated him,him, thethe dog,
dog,
and would
and would sooner
sooner take take toto mymy bosom
bosom thethe black
black snake.
snake. I' Be Be
my
my wifewife and
and thou thou &halt
shalt trample
trample uponupon every
every woman
woman in in the
the

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214 THE GOLDEN
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village,' said 6
village,' said he.
he. 'Be Be my my wife
wife andand the the Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair
shall
shall serve
serve theethee on on her her hands
hands and and knees;
knees ; or or thou
thou shaltshalt
hand her
hand her overover to to the the Wyhumas
Wyhumas;; or or I will slay
I will slay her her
in the
in the sacrifice.
sacrifice. Thou Thou shalt shah have
have more more power power thanthan the the
king himself.
king himself. But But refuse,
refuse, and and thou
thou shalt
shalt bum burn with
with the the old
old
witch, for
witch, for soso II will
will say say thethe Great
Great Spirit
Spirit hath ha:th commanded
commanded
me.'
me.' I I speak
speak the the truth,
truth, II swear
swear II speak speak the the truth.
truth. 0
O
people of
people the Mandanyah,
of the Mandanyah, behold behold this this is the man
is the man ye ye have
have
made
made youryour priest-nay,
pries.t-nay, ye ye made
made him him not,
not, for he stabbed
for he stabbed to to
death
death thethe last
last Wanjula
Wanjula as as Kalua
Kalua the the king
king can tell.""
can tell.
" The woman
"The woman lies,"lies," roared
roared the the chief.
chief.
"The
" The womanwoman lies, lies,"" shouted
shouted the the people,
people, or or atat least
least that
that
portion of
portion them that
of them that stoodstood nearnear thethe platform,
platform, which
which 'was was
mostly composed
mostly composed of Kalua's bodyguard.
of Kalua's bodyguard.
"II do
" do notnot lie
lie "" cried
cried Lusota,
Lusota, her her eyes flashing with
eyes flashing fury.
with fury.
It is
U It
" is the
the king
king who
who is the liar!
is the "
liar ! "
""Strike her," roared
Strike her," roared Kalua, Kalua, his his pale,
pale, corpse-like
corpse-like face face
appearing
appearing to to turn
turn green.
green. "Strike " Strike her,
her, strike
strike her
her !! " "
The
The same same ruffian
ruffian who who had had smitten
smitten the the oldold woman
woman
advanced
advanced with with uplifted
uplifted spear, spear, but
but before
before he he had
had timetime to to
strike, the
strike, report of
the report Dick's pistol
of Dick's pistol rang
rang out,out, and
and he he dropped
dropped
dead with
dead with aa bullet
bullet in in hishis breast.
breast.
Then
Then followed
followed a a death-like
death-like stillness,
stillness, the the people
people being being
for the moment
for the moment awe-struck.
awe- struck. .
"Kill
" her, kill
Kill her, kill her
her!" ! " shouted
shouted both both Kalua
Kalua and and thethe priest
priest
as they danced
as they danced and foamed like
and foamed like madmen.
madmen.
Two warriors advanced
Two warriors advanced with with uplifted
uplifted spearsspears toto execute
execute
the barbarous
the barbarous order order;; two two reports
reports rangrang out, out, and
and the the twotwo
natives bit
natives bit the
the dust.
dust.
Then
Then the the cry
cry wentwent up: up : " "The
The white
white devils!.
devils ! thethe white
white
devils!
devils ! Kill them, kill
Kill them, them!"
kill them ! " And
And the the guards
guards with
with spears
spears
raised,
raised, surged
surged wildly
wildly before
before the the platform.
platform .
"Collar
" Wanjula," Dick
Collar Wanjula," Dick criedcried to to me, "and blow
me, "and blow his his
brains out
brains out ifif he resists."
he resists."
In
In a a moment
moment II had had the the chief
chief priest
priest in in aa strong
strong grasp,grasp,
with my
with my revolver
revolver in in close
close proximity
proximity to to his temple. My
his temple. My
cousin
cousin had had Kalua
Kalua in in aa similar
similar position.
position .
"Liste~
" Listen chief,"
chief," he he said,
said, and
and Jimmy
Jimmy glibly glibly translated,
translated,

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those warriors
" If those
"If warriors advance
advance one one step nearer, you
step nearer, you are
are aa dead
dead
man."
man ."
Kalua's
Kalua's faceface waswas ghastly
ghastly whitewhite withwith fear,
fear, for
for hehe could
could
feel the
feel the cold
cold barrel
barrel against
against his his forehead.
forehead. He waved the
He waved the
men back,
men back, and and forfor the moment we
the moment we were
were safe,
safe, though
though by by
their threatening
their threatening attitudes
attitudes II knewknew thatthat our
our safety
safety would
would notnot
be of
be of long
long duration.
duration . WhatWhat was was to to bebe done
done now?
now ? We We
could
could not not keep
keep Kalua
Kalua and and the the priest
priest in
in our
our clutches
clutches for for
ever.
ever. Once Once release
release them
them and and aa hundred
hundred furious
furious savages
savages
would
would dip their spears
dip their spears in in ourour blood.
blood. It
It was
was painfully
painfully
evident
evident that that they
they would
would soonsoon break
break through
through allall restraint,
restraint, and
and
then their fury
then their fury was
was too
too horrible
horrible to to contemplate.
contemplate.
King Jimmy
King J immy broke
broke thethe ominous
ominous stillness.
stillness.
"Where's the
"Where's the little
little axe;
axe, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick?
Dick ? ""
"In
" In mymy pocket.
pocket.""
"That
" That axe axe belong
belong plenty
plenty sacred,"
sacred," he he almost
almost screamed
screamed in in
·his
his excitement.
excitement. " "Show
Show ''em em it it and they no
and they no harm
harm ·you.
you .
Black
Black fellow jabber me
fellow jabber me plenty."
plenty."
I felt
I felt aa sigh
sigh ofof relief
relief escape
escape me. me. What fools we
What fools were not
we were not
to connect
to connect the two axes
the two axes before.
before. Dick Dick letlet go
go his hold on
his hold on
Kalua, and,
Kalua, and, diving
diving into the capacious
into the capacious pocket
pocket of of his
his shooting
shooting
jacket, brought
jacket, brought forthforth thethe axe.
axe. This This he held on
he held on high
high as as
though about
though about to to fling
fling it
it into
into thethe crowd,
crowd, while
while Jimmy
Jimmy roared
roared
out in
out in stentorian tones in
stentorian tones their own
in their own language-
language
"The Sacred
"The Sacred Axe!
Axe ! thethe Sacred
Sacred Axe!Axe ! ""
The people looked
The people looked about
about them them in in wonder.
wonder. The fire
The fire
sprang
sprang up up into
into aa fierce flame, illuminating
fierce flame, illuminating the the weird
weird scene
scene
with dazzling
with brilliancy. It
dazzling brilliancy. fell upon
It fell the outstretched
upon the outstretched figure
figure
of Hardwicke
of Hardwicke and and the
the axe
axe he he held
held aloft,
aloft, making
making its its ruby
ruby
glow like
glow like aa great
great red
red star.
star. All All eyes seemed to
eyes seemed to observe
observe it it
at once.
at once. The people uttered
The people uttered cries
cries of terror and
of terror and prostrated
prostrated
themselves upon
themselves upon the the earth.
earth. Kalua Kalua looked
looked utterly
utterly dumb-
dumb
founded;; but
founded Wanjula, who
but Wanjula, who glared
glared like
like a devil, sprang
a devil, with
sprang with
the bound
the bound of of aa tiger
tiger towards
towards Hardwicke
Hardwicke with with the
the intention
intention
of wresting
of wresting the the axe
axe from
from hishis grasp.
grasp.
" Look
" Look out out I"!" II shouted.
shouted.
But
But DickDick saw saw him,
him, andand catching
catching him him on the bound,
on the bound,
hurled
hurled him him withwith such
such force
force fromfrom him him that
that the
the priest,
priest,

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touching the
touching the edge
edge of the pJatform,
of the platform, disappeared
disappeared over over thethe
side with aa sickening
side with thud.
sickening thud.
"0 people
"O people of the Manclanyah,"
of the Mandanyah, " cried Dick, through
cried Dick, through
Jimmy, "
Jimmy, "wewe seek
seek ye ye nono harm.
harm. As As peaceful travellers we
peaceful travellers we
came;
came ; as as peaceful
peaceful travellers
travellers we we would
would depart.
depart. But But woewoe
betide
betide ye ye should
should ye ye seek
seek toto harm
harm us. us. The The Sacred
Sacred Axe Axe is is
uplifted,
uplifted, and and thethe Great
Great Spirit
Spirit alone
alone can can tell
tell on on whom
whom it it
shall
shall descend"
descend."
At this
At this thethe people groaned the
people groaned the more,
more, and perceiving aa
and perceiving
. good
good opportunity
opportunitY of of escape,
escape, theythey being
being stretched
stretched out out on on
their faces,
their faces, he whispered, "Let
he whispered, " Let us us clear,"
clear," andand wewe descended
descended
from the
from the platform
platform and hurriedly left
and hurriedly the scene.
left the scene.
About twenty
About twenty yardsyards from
from ourour hut
hut we
we metmet thethe girl
girl Lusota.
Lusota.
She rushed up
She rushed up to to Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, and and falling
falling on on herher knees
knees
before him,
before him, clasped
clasped andand kissed
kissed his his legs
legs till
till II thought
thought she she
would have
would have gonegone mad.
mad. He He being somewhat embarrassed
being somewhat embarrassed at at
this overwhelming
this overwhelming exhibitionexhibition of of gratitude,
gratitude, gently
gently raised
raised her
hel
to her
to her feet,
feet, when
when she threw her
she threw her arms
arms around
around him him and,
and, hiding
hiding
her head
her head on on his
his breast,
breast, burst
burst into
into aa torrent
torrent of tears.. Of
of tears Of course
course
he tried
he tried to to soothe
soothe her her-he
-he was was kinder
kinder to to her.
her. A A man
man does
does
not like
not like to to seesee aa woman
woman in in tears,
tears, bebe she
she white
white or or black.
black.
Hardwicke
Hardwicke was was no no exception
exception to to the
the rule.
rule. She She was was in in his
his
arms. She
arms. She poured
poured out out her
her love
love andand gratitude
gratitude in in one
one long
long
flow of
flow of passionate
passionate utterances.
utterances.
" This
" This gin gin too
too much
much dam dam jabber-jabber,"
jabber-jabber," remarkedremarked the the
Murrumbidgee king
Murrumbidgee king not
not over-delicately.
over-delicately.
" Hold
" Hold your your row,row, you
you fool,"
fool," said Dick. "" If
said Dick. you would
If you would
jabber aa little
jabber little less
less yourself,
yourself, it it would
would be be better
better forfor you."
you."

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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.

CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE SACRED AXE AND THE

PEOPLE OF THE MANDANYAH.
MANDANYAH .

I AWOKE
I with the
AWOKE with the first
first sign
sign ofof daybreak,
daybreak, Dick Dick andand Jimmy
Jimmy
following suit
following almost immediately
suit almost immediately after. after. My first thoughts
My first thoughts
were naturally
were naturally ofof the
the little
little axe
axe which
which hadhad soso strangely made
strangely made
us masters
us masters of of aa terrible
terrible situation.
situation. II dwelt
dwelt long
long and and
pleasurably upon
pleasurably upon the value of
the value its possession,
of its possession, andand thanked
thanked
that providence
that providence to to whose
whose unremitting attention we
unremitting attention we owed
owed
our series of
our series of successes.
successes. The
The Great White City
Great White City in the
in the
Mountains was,
Mountains was, after
after all,
all, not
not barren
barren of of good.
good. The
The axeaxe
had
had been
been our
our safeguard
safeguard in in our
our most
most serious
serious crisis,
crisis, and
and ofof
what
what untold value it
untold value it might
might proveprove in in future
future we we had
had yet to
yet to
learn.
learn.
Dick was
Dick was now wide awake,
now wide stretching himself
awake, stretching himself lazily upon
lazily upon
his
his couch
couch of skins. Jimmy
of skins. Jimmy had had' arisen,
arisen, and
and was away pre-
was away pre
paring the
paring the breakfast.
breakfast.
"Well," remarked
"Well," remarked my cousin, eyeing
my cousin, eyeing me slyly, "what
me slyly, " what do do
you think
you think of
of the
the people
people of the Mandanyah
of the Mandanyah?" ?"
I could
I could not conceal aa shudder
not conceal shudder of disgust.
of disgust.
"Ay,
" you may
Ay, you may wellwell shiver,"
shiver," he he continued.
continued. "To "To be be
stranded
stranded asas we
we are among aa mob
are among mob of of man-eaters
man-eaters is is a look-
a look
out black
out black enough
enough to to scare the devil
scare the devil himself."
himself. "
"II have
" had enough
have had enough of of corroborees,"
corroborees ,” II said.
said .
He laughed
He laughe d. " "And
And I. I. It was the
It was the wannest
warmest corner
corner II
was ever
was ever in
in in
in my
my life,
life, and that's saying
and that's saying something.
something. Un Un-
fortunately
fortuna we are
tely we are not
not yet
yet out
out of the wood."
of the wood."
"Then you
"Then you think
think they
they really
really intended
intended making
making us us aa
portion of
portion of the
the sacrifice
sacrifice?" ?"
"Decidedly
" Decidedly II do,
do. And
And what's
what's more, they have
more, they have been
been
feeding us
feeding us up for the
up for the occasion."
occasion."
" Hy heaven,
"By heaven, it's
it's awful
awful!! ""
p
P

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Cl Believe me,
"Believe it's aa fact.
me, it's fact. JimmyJimmy guessed
guessed it it 'a
a long time
long time
ago, but
ago, but we
we were
were so blinded by
so blinded by our
our own
own superior
superior penetration
penetration
that we
that we refused
refused to to see
see it."
it." _
"But
" But howhow strange
strange Ada Ada should
should nevernever have
have told told us us
that the
that people were
the people were cannibals.
cannibals. She must have
She must have knownknown." ."
"Undoubtedly;
" Undoubtedly ; but but perhaps
perhaps she she forgot,
forgot, or purposely
or purposely
omitted talking of
omitted talking of soso disagreeable
disagreeable aa subject.
subject. You You mustmust
remember
remember this this dreadful
dreadful custom custom wouldwould not not seem
seem half half so so
savage
savage to to her
her as as to to ourselves
ourselves;; and and though
though essentially
essentially
objectionable
objectionable to to her
her ownown tastes
tastes,, she knows not
she knows not enough
enough of of
our manners
our manners to to be sure that
be sure that wewe would
would regard
regard it it with
with equal
equal
abhorrence."
abhorrence."
"66 That
That maymay be be so."
so."
""Believe
Believe me me it it is.
is. And, And, as as for
for warning
warning us, us, she
she could
could
not tell
not us more
tell us more thanthan sheshe knew."
knew."
" True."
" True. "
"Their
" Their intentions
intentions have have been been kept
kept so strict aa secret,"
so strict secret," he he
went on,
went on, " "that
that neither
neither she, she, Jimmy,
Jimmy, nor the girl
nor the girl Lusota
Lusota
could have
could heard so
have heard much as
so much as aa whisper;
whisper ; had they, we
had they, we
should
should have have known
known of of it. it. The whole thing
The whole thing has has beenbeen
carried through
carried through with with astonishing secrecy. Kalua
astonishing secrecy. Kalua and and thethe
priest hate
priest hate us.us. The latter would
The latter would notnot hesitate
hesitate aa moment
moment
in giving
in giving thethe order
order for for ourour destruction
destruction;; but but the
the former
former is is
afraid,
afraid, for,for, like
like most
most human
human beings,
beings, hehe has
has aa weakness,
weakness, and and
that weakness is
that weakness is Ada.
Ada. HoweverHowever deplorable
deplorable the the association
association
of
of their
their names
names may may be, be, it it isis none
none the the less
less aa fact,
fact, aktd
and to to
that
that weakness-which
weakness - which does does himhim credit-we
credit- we owe owe ourour lives.
lives.
True,
True, the the axeaxe waswas our our saviour
saviour lastlast night,
night, butbut whowho has has
been
been our our saviour
saviour ever since we
ever since we setset foot
foot in this cursed
in this cursed
village ??""
village
"The loveliest
"The loveliest girlgirl in the world,"
in the world," II answered.
answered. ,
66
cc Ay," he repeated,
repeated, lookinglooking at at me me in in aa sudden
sudden and and
Ay," he
curious manner,
curious manner, cc" the the loveliest
loveliest girl
girl inin the
the world—
world-and and thethe
thought that
thought that byby some accident we
some accident we should
should eventually
eventually place place
ourselves
ourselves in the power
in the power of people in
the people
of the in such
such aa manner
manner
as to
as to leave
leave himhim notnot responsible
responsible for for our
our destruction.
destruction. The The
Temple
Temple of the Great
of the Great SpiritSpirit waswas one
one trap; the corroboree
trap ; the corroboree
the other.
the other. But But luckluck was was on on our
our side.
side. Blessed
Blessed be be thethe

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219

sacred
sacred axe
axe for
for ever,"
ever," and
and with
with those
those words
words hehe arose
arose and
and
. ke uup hi
picked his co
coat, w· ch was
which as lying
yi tthree
ee or r four
ur yards
ar
away.
away. But But he
he nono sooner
sooner took
took itit in
in his
his hand
hand than
than hehe
er aan ex
uttered ani io of
exclamation oe and
of woe nd rage.
g
"The
" The axe
axe is
is gone,
gone, Archie!
Archie ! Stolen
Stolen, as
as II am
am aa rvi
living
man. n. "
II was
was thunderstruck
thunderstruck . "wh "What t ddo you ou say
ay??"" I cri
cried..
""The e axe xe ISis gone.
gone ! " he he repeated,
repeated , as as though
though he he could
could
arc ly bbelieve
scarcely lie h' his owown w words. ds.
"" Do
Do youyou mean stolen ?? "
mean stole]l
"" I do do. IIt wa
was in in my my pocketoc he II turned
when rn d in la last
mght."
night."
""Then en some0 0one must st have av en re the
entered he huhut whwhile we
were
were all all asleep
asleep and carried it
and carried it off!
off! ""
"" Yess.'."
""What's
What's to to bebe done
done , now?
now ?
"" Heav aven 0only y know 0 s." "
" Then weeare
"Then e llostt afterf er all 11'"
!"
"" Badad enou
enough gh forfor even
even that.that. We We mustmust neith
neither expect
er expe ct
merc rcy nor
no consi
co sid derat atiionn now. w. A Andd I,o all men
of all me , am a
the caus
the cause;e ; mymy God,
God, Arch Archle,"
ie, " said
said he,he, grind
grinding his teeth
ing his teeth
and d clen en chin ing his
hi fists,
fis "' I c coulId blo my
d blow mOl own stupi up d
brainss out
brain out!" !"
"" Don't n' talkal like
lik that,
th ,0 old man,m n,'" I said,
s d, forr I hated
ha ed to0
see him
see him taketake thethe thing
thing so so much
much to to heart.
heart "" It It wass an
cid t-one
acciden t- In that ha might
mig t haveh ve been en avoide
VOl ed, tru y-but
d, truly- but as as
an acciden
an accident let us
t let us make
make thethe bestbe t of
of'it.""
"" Youu aree aa good good fellow, Archie, 'he
ellow, Archie," repHed, ""though
he replied, though
had you offeredd to
h duffer ki me II should
t kick ho d not av object
ot have ob teed.
Believe me,
Believe me, you
you areare notnot nearly
nearly so so much
much annoye
annoyed with me
d with me
as II am m with y f.. Do
'th myself Do you ~ s the
0 guess t enormi
e or ty ty of mym
offence?
offence ? II will
Will tell
tell you.
you. It It means
means thatthat we
we are
are entirel
entirelyy atat
thee mercy rc off thee rascal
lca who wh stole sto thatth axe.a . Itt means an that
th
I, throug
I, through sheer thick-
h sheer thick-headedness,
headedness, throug through h aa stupid
stu id feeling
feeli
ov -se ri have
of over-security, h e brough ou tt us u all
all to0 such
s h a passpass that
that our
our
very lives
very lives areare depend
dependent ent upon upon the wh' off aa canniba
the whim an- 'bal's'
fancy."
_iCY·
"~ell,"
"Well, ” said aIr: g as light
said I,I, making li t of the t ooccurr
u r encenc as as I
220
220 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

could, for
could, for II knew
knew aa great disaster had
great disaster had befallen
befallen us,us, and
and that that
had he
had he taken
taken moremore carecare of the axe
of the axe such
such a misfortune had
a misfortune had
never been,
never been, "let the cannibal
" let the cannibal onlyonly give
give us us breathing
breathing space space
and
and we'll
we'll elude
elude him him yet.
yet. Come,
Come, cheer
cheer up, up, Dick."
Dick." II could could
not bear
not bear to to see
see him
him so so dejected
dejected;; good brave fellow
good,, brave that he
fellow that he
was.
was. " " We've
We've gone through more
gone through more than than this
this together
together;; thickthick
and thin,
and thin, foulfoul and
and fair, and the
fair, and the time's
time's not come for
not come for tumtum-
bling under
bling under yet."yet."
At that
At that moment
moment Jimmy Jimmy entered
entered with with the
the breakfast,
breakfast, which
which
consisted of
consisted of kangaroo
kangaroo steakssteaks andand aa sort
sort of of sweet
sweet bread
bread the the
natives
natives m'anufactured,
manufactured, and and we fell-to, though
we fell-to, though not with the
not with the
same
same zestzest as as of of yore.
yore. We We informed
informed our our dusky
dusky friend
friend of of
our
our loss,
loss, and and he he looked
looked really
really scared
scared for,for, II believe, the first
believe, the first
time.
time.
"That's bad,
"That's bad, Mass'r Dick," he
Mass'r Dick," he said.
said. "That"That axe axe makemake
black fellow awful
black fellow awful scared.
scared. He think you
He think you belong
belong all all thethe
same great spirit,
same great you sabbee
spirit, you sabbee ?-angel
?—angel man-sort
man -sort of of fellow
fellow
preacher-man jabber
preacher-man jabber so so dam
dam muchmuch about.about. But But nownow axe axe
gone, black
gone, fellow forget
black fellow forget allall he
he think.
think. Me Me no no mind
mind plentyplenty
fight, Mass'r
fight, Mass'r Dick, Dick, butbut me me no like this
no like this dam
dam savage
savage gobble
gobble
me up."
me up." ,
This
This speechspeech of of Jimmy's
Jimmy's underunder more more favourable
favourable circum-
circum
stances
stances wouldwould have have provoked
provoked us us toto laughter,
laughter, but but there
there was was
no
no sign
sign of of itit now.
now. Dick vowed that
Dick vowed that hehe would
would there
there and and
then take
then lake instantaneous
instantaneous vengeancevengeance on on both
both Kalua
Kalua andand the the
priest,
priest, and and II know know not not toto ,what
what length
length he he might
might have have
carried
carried his threat had
his threat had not not Ada
Ada at that moment
at that moment enteredentered
with aa pleasant
with pleasant "Good" Good morning"
morning " and and aa bright
bright and
and happyhappy
smile upon her
smile upon face.
her face.
"II have
" have heardheard all,"all," she
she cried,
cried, "you " you havehaTe the
the axe,
axe, thethe
Sacred Axe.
Sacred Axe. What What luck,
luck, what fortune!"
what fortune ! " and
and before
before we we had had
time
time to to inform
inform her her that
that itit was
was gone,
gone, she she resumed
resumed with
with such such
rapidity
rapidity and and in such aa whirl
in such whirl of of excitement
excitement that that her
her eyes eyes
blazed
blazed and and her her cheeks
cheeks shoneshone withwith joy:joy : "Keep
" Keep it, it, Dick,
Dick,
guard
guard it well, for
it well, for itit is liberty, life,
is liberty, life, everything.
everything. It It is is the
the
most
most sacred emblem of
sacred emblem the Mandanyah
of the Mandanyah tribe, tribe, aa gift
gift direct
direct
from the
from the Great
Great Spirit.
Spirit. WithWith it it you
you may may defy
defy king,
king, priest,
priest,
ay, the whole
ay, the whole tribe,
tribe, forfor none
none of of them
them dare dare harm
harm youyou now."
now."

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Poor
Poor Dick! Ifhe was
Dick ! Ifhe was overwhelmed
overwhelmed with with Jimmy's remarks,
Jimmy's remarks,
his feelings may
his feelings may be be imagined
imagined on hearing hers.
on hearing hers. HisHis faceface.
grew deadly pale
grew deadly pale andand hehe bitbit hishis lips
lips till
till the
the blood
blood started
started
from them. He
from them. He neither
neither spokespoke nor nor looked
looked at at her;
her, but
but kept
kept
his
his eyes fixed fiercely
eyes fixed fiercely on the ground.
on the ground.
"What's
"What's the the matter?"
matter ? " she she said,
said, notnot failing
failing to to see
see our
our
distress.
distress. " " Are you ill
Are you ill ?
? "”
""No,"
No," II replied
replied..
A look of
A look of relief passed over
relief passed over herher face,
face, butbut itit was
was only
only
momentary.
momentary. It It waswas succeeded
succeeded by by one
one of of pale,
pale, anxious
anxious
inquiry.
inquiry.
" The
" The axe axe ?" she scarcely
? " she scarcely more more than whispered.
than whispered.
"Is
" Is gone."
gone ."
"Gone?
" Gone ? """
.. Yes, stolen,"
"Yes, stolen," andand II told
told her her how.
how.
"Then God
"Then God helphelp us us I"! " and
and sheshe broke
broke downdown and and weptwept
bitterly.
bitterly.
For
For a a time nothing was
time nothing was heardheard but but herher sobs, the disap-
sobs, the disap
pointment being
pointment being so so keen
keen as as toto utterly
utterly crush
crush her her spirit.
spirit.
Suddenly
Suddenly Dick turned to
Dick turned me. "
to me. "I'll tell you
I'll tell you what,"
what," he he
63.id.
said. " "I've
I've brought
brought this this trouble
trouble uponupon us us and
and it it behoves
behoves
me to
me remedy it.
to remedy Either Wanjula
it. Either Wanjula or or the
the chief
chief stole the axe,
stole the axe,
~erefore one
Cherefore one ofof them
them mustmust possess
possess it, or know
it, or where it
know where is."
it is."
"Well?
"Well ? " "
"I
" I shall
shall demand
demand it it of them as
of them as my property. If
my property.. they
If they
refuse
refuse toto give
give itit up,
up, I'll
I'll shoot
shoot themthem both."
both."
"" Alas!
Alas ! what good will
what good that do?
will that do ? Will Will it it give you back
give you back
the axe?"
the axe ?"
It was
It was Ada who spoke.
Ada who spoke. She She had dried her
had dried her eyes
eyes hurriedly,
hurriedly,
as though ashamed
as though ashamed of of her
her weakness.
weakness.
"It
" will at
It will at least
least give
give me me my revenge," he
my revenge," he said.
said.
"And
" perhaps bring
And perhaps bring thethe whole
whole village
village at at our
our heels.
heels. No, No,
Dick,"
Dick," she she continued,
continued, "the " the axe axe isis gone,
gone, and and it it will
will never
never
be
be seen
seen byby you again. II will
you again. will not
not attempt
attempt to to deny
deny thatthat anan
overwhelming
overwhelming calamity calamity has has befallen
befallen us. us. With With that
that axeaxe in·in
our
our possession
possession the the way
way waswas clear
clear for
for usus toto do do whatever,
whatever, or or
go wherever, we
go wherever, we pleased;
pleased ; to to demand
demand whatever
whatever we we desired,
desired ,
and
and they
they would
would not not have
have dared
dared to to disobey."
disobey. "

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222 THE GOLDEN
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" Is
" Is that
that so so?"?" I I could
could not help exclaiming.
not help exclaiming.
"Wonderful as
"Wonderful as it
it may
may seem,
seem, it it isis nevertheless
nevertheless true," true," sheshe
replied. "
replied. "Both
Both axe axe and and people
people have have a history, and
a history, and the the
superstitions
superstitions relating relating to to the weapon ·~ccount
the weapon account for for the the
reverence bestowed
reverence bestowed upon upon it. it.
" Long
" Long66 ago,"
ago," she she went
went on, on, plunging
plunging at at once
once into into thatthat
history, "so
history, long that
so long that it it seems
seems to to all
all the
the people
people like like a a
dream, for
dream, for therethere are are no no written
written records
records j; nothing
nothing but but
disconnected stories,
disconnected stories, which which have have moremore of the supernatural
of the supernatural
than the
than the real
real in in them,
them, therethere lived beyond the
lived beyond the great
great burning
burning
desert in
desert in the midst of
the midst the White
of the White Mountains,
Mountains, as they were
as they were
named, aa people
named, people called called the the Mandanyah,
Mandanyah, who who were were the the
forefathers of
forefathers this very
of this tribe of
very tribe of Lake
Lake Dwellers.
Dwellers. Little Little is is
known of
known of them,
them, ibut but it it is said they
is said they werewere aa brave
brave people,
people,
and as
and clever as
as clever as theythey were were brave,
brave, for for out
out of of the
the rocks
rocks
did they
did they carvecarve all all sorts
sorts of of wonderful
wonderful forms forms and and mademade
huge strange
huge strange canoes canoes which which carried
carried many many men men over over the the
big water
big water that that laved
laved the the foot
foot of the mountains.
of the mountains.
" One
" One day day aa son son waswas born
born to to the
the king,
king, and
and the the wise
wise men men
foretold his
foretold his coming
coming greatness.
greatness. When When he he grew
grew up up to
to man's
man's
estate he
estate he became
became renownedrenowned throughout
throughout the the country
country for for hishis
rock-drawings, which
rock-drawings, which they they saysay were
were of of surprising
surprising beauty
beauty and and
wonderful invention.
wonderful invention.
"When on
"When on thethe death
death of of his father he
his father became king
he became king he he
had
had a a marvellous
marvellous dream, dream, in which he
in which was told
he was told toto go go toto
aa certain
certain part part of the mountains
of the mountains which which was was as white and
as white and
clear as
clear as crystal,
crystal, and there consecrate
and there consecrate a portion of
a portion his life
of his life
in glorifying
in glorifying the the Great
Great Spirit.
Spirit. This This command
command he, he, being
being a a
devout man,
devout readily obeyed,
man, readily obeyed, and and he he could
could think think of of nono
better way
better way of of pleasing
pleasing the the godgod thanthan by by dedicating
dedicating to to him
him.
a statue
a statue ;j in in fact,
fact, thethe godgod made
made it known to
it known to him that such
him that such
an
an offering
offering would would be the most
be the most acceptable.
acceptable. This This statue
statue he he
carved
carved from from the the solid
solid rock rock in in a a cave
cave which
which had had beenbeen
specially excavated
specially excavated for that purpose
for that purpose by his own
by his own orders.
orders.
"Here
" Here the the people
people came came in throngs to
in throngs to worship,
worship, and and to to
behold
behold the the handiwork
handiwork of the king,
of the king, and when they
and when they saw
saw the the
face of
face of the
the .godgod manymany of of them
them were were struck
struck insensible
insensible with with
terror, for
terror, for it it is
is said
said the
the face
face was
was tootoo terrific
terrific toto behold."
behold."

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" We have
"We have seen
seen it."
it."
"You have
"You have seen it?"
seen it she asked
?" she asked in
in bewilderment.
bewilderment. " " Do
Do
you mean
you mean to
to say that you
say that you have
have seen
seen the
the statue
statue of
of the
the God
God
in the
in the mountains?" and her
mountains ? " and face was
her face was alive
alive with incredulous
with incredulous
wonder.
wonder.
" Yes."
" Yes." II replied.replied. " "WeWe explored
explored the the Great White
Great White
Mountain,
Mountain, discovered
discovered the temple and
the temple and the the statue,
statue, and
and there
there
. found
found the the Sacred
Sacred Axe."
Axe."
cc It is
"It is wonderful,
wonderful,"" she she murmured
murmured;; " wonderful, won
Cl wonderful, won-
derful!! Many
derful Many of the Mandanyah
of the Mandanyah have have tried
tried to to reach
reach that
that
place,
place, butbut havehave never
never yet yet succeeded.
succeeded . This This waswas long before
long before
my
my time,
time, thethe last
last pilgrimage
pilgrimage being being in the early
in the early days
days of the
of the
old
old priest
priest whomwhom Wanjula
Wanjula slew. slew. He He it it was
was who told me
who told me
the history
the history of the people,
of the people, and and all
all that
that II am am telling
telling you now.
you now.
And
And he he moreover
moreover said said that
that in the days
in the days when
when they they inhabited
inhabited
the
the regions
regions of the White
ofthe White Mountains
Mountains their their faces
faces were
were notnot black
black
but brown.
but brown. Oh, Oh, thatthat he he were
were alive
alive now
now to to hear from your
hear from your
own
own lipslips that
that you
you have
have seenseen thethe sacred
sacred statue,
statue, have
have trodden
trodden
the sacred
the sacred cave cave I! Or Or even
even now,now, ifif the
the people
people only only knew,
knew,
you would
you would be be more
more honoured
honoured than than king
king or twenty chief
or twenty chief
priests.
priests. Ah, Ah, whywhy did you not
did you not tell
tell me
me of these things
of these things before?"
before ? "
" II have
" have oftenoften meant
meant to, to,"" said
said Hardwickc,
Hardwicke, "and also to
“ and also to
show you
show you the the axe, though II had
axe, though had not the ghost
not the ghost of an idea
of an idea ofof
its value
its value then,then, and since II saw
and since saw itsits fac-simile yesterday we
fac-simile yesterday we
have been
have been so so busy
busy as as toto make
make me forget."
me forget."
"It
" It is is aa thousand
thousand pities,"
pities," she she answered;
answered ; "a " a thousand
thousand
pities." And
pities." And afterafter further
further conversation
conversation on on thethe subject
subject
of
of our misfortune, she
our misfortune, she again resumed the
again resumed the history
history of the
of the
Mandanyahs.
Mandanyahs.
"On
" On eacheach sideside of of this
this figure
figure were
were carved
carved six six smaller
smaller
ones, as
ones, as inin ours,
ours, though
though the the great
great redred stones
stones whichwhich answered
answered
the purpose
the purpose of of eyes
eyes in each of
in each of the
the statues
statues were both bigger
were both bigger
and purer
and purer thanthan thethe ones
ones we we have
have in in ours."
ours."
" And
" And whatwhat became
became of of those
those stones
stones?" ? " It was Dick
It was Dick whowho
spoke.
spoke.
" They must
"They must be be with
with the the statues yet."
statues yet."
"Good
" heavens I"
Good heavens he cried.
! " he cried. "And
" And to to think
think we we never
never
saw them
saw them." ."

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Cl Covered
" Covered with with thethe dustdust of of ages,"
ages," she replied;; "that
she replied " that is is
not
not to to bebe wondered
wondered at. at. But But letlet meme resume.
resume. The stories
The stories
which
which relate relate to the sacrifices
to the sacrifices are are extremely
extremely vague. vague. The The
Great
Great Wanjula
Wanjula (he (he it it was
was whowho carved
carved the the statues,
statues, and
and fromfrom
that
that time time every
every chief
chief priest
priest has has borne
borne the name) is
the name) is known
known
to
to have
have possessed himself of
possessed himself of two
two axes,
axes, thethe blades
blades of of which
which
were
were composed
composed of of twotwo magnificent
magnificent royal royal stones
stones of of thethe
Mandanyah,
Mandanyah, which which you you call rubies. The
call rubies. The otherother portions
portions
were of
were of pure
pure gold,
gold, aa metal
metal which
which the the people
people of of those
those times
times
thought
thought greatlygreatly of, of, but
but which
which we we see see no no use use forfor here,
here,
though, as
though, as II have
have toldtold you,you, it it is
is rumoured
rumoured that that the
the chief
chief
priest
priest has much of
has much of it it in
in his
his possession.
possession. How How the the axes
axes
came
came into into his
his hands
hands were were nevernever known,
known, thoughthough it it is
is said
said
they
they were were brought
brought to to him
him by by the
the godgod himsel£
himself.
" On·the
" golden portion
On the golden portion of the axes
of the were written
axes were written strange
strange
characters which
characters which were were a a source
source of of wonderment
wonderment to to all
all people,
people,
none being
none being ableable to to decipher
decipher them. them. They They were, however,
were, however,
eventually proven
eventually proven to to bebe ancient
ancient signssigns or or letters
letters asas used
used by,by,
to them
to them in in those
those days,
days, the the people
people of of the
the olden
olden times.
times. The The
meaning of
meaning these was
ofthese was at at last
last revealed
revealed by the Wanjula
by the Wanjula to to the
the
people, he
people, he getting
getting the the revelation
revelation directdirect from
from thethe god.
god. One One
part of
part of the
the writing
writing told told that
that thethe axeaxe was
was to to bebe the
the sacred
sacred
weapon of
weapon the sacrifice;
of the sacrifice ; the the other,
other, that
that none
none butbut thethe great
great
priests of
priests of the Spirit coul.d
the Spirit could touchtouch it it and
and live,
live, and
and thatthat
whosoever should
whosoever should lay lay sacrilegious
sacrilegious hands hands upon upon it, it, without
without
.the consent of
the consent of the
the chief
chief priest,
priest, would
would be be struck
struck down down by by
the god.
the god. FromFrom that that timetime it has been
it has been employed
employed in the
in the
yearly sacrifice."
yearly sacrifice." .
"But
" But do do youyou mean
mean to to tell
tell me,"
me, " said
said Dick,
Dick, Cl " that the
that the
people really
people believe it
really believe is the
it is the godgod whowho strikes them down?"
strikes them down ? "
Cl They do,
"They do, undoubtedly."
undoubtedly."
" Dear me.
" Dear me. And And do do you?"
you ? "
She flushed rather
She flushed rather painfully
painfully II thought.
thought.
"66 II did,"
did," she replied ; "but
she replied; " but thatthat was
was whenwhen II was young.
was young.
No, it
No, it is
is Wanjula
Wanjula who who kills
kills them.
them.""
.""If they knew
Ifthey knew it."it."
"Cl They
They willwill never
never knowknow it. it. They
They willwill never
never think-they
think—they
are too
are ~gnorant."
too ignorant."

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"But
"But if if they
they were
were told told?" ? " Dick
Dick continued.
continued.
" Ignorance
" Ignorance hates hates its its ignorance
ignorance to to be
be displayed."
displayed."
66
"Surely,
Surely, old fellow," II said,
old fellow," said, "you" you are are not thinking of
not thinking of
turning missionary
turning missionary?" ?"
"" No
No,, sir,"
sir," he answered, "that
he answered, " that is is not
not in in mymy line,
line, but
but it it
seems aa great
seems great pitypity they they cannot
cannot be be told
told what
what fools fools they
they
are."
are."
"They would
"They would not not thank
thank you," you," saidsaid Ada.Ada. She then
She then
continued
continued her her story.
story.
"Much time
"Much time has has now now to to be be bridged
bridged over, over, of of which
which II
can give
can give no no account,
account, but but it it is
is said that by
said that by degrees
degrees the the
great water that
great water that washed
washed the the footfoot ofof the
the White
White Mountains
Mountains
disappeared into
disappeared hito the the earth
earth and and left nothing behind
left nothing behind but but
aa barren
barren' wastewaste of of sandsand.. From From that that time
time the the people's
people's
greatness
greatness faded, famine fell
faded, famine upon the
fell upon the land,
land, andand .a a portion
portion
of the community,
of the community, more more brave brave and and venturesome
venturesome than than
the rest,
the rest, resolved
resolved to to leave
leave theirtheir country
country and and seek seek one one
more prosperous and
more prosperous fertile. The
and fertile. The man man who who was was then
then
the Wanjula
the Wanjula undertook
undertook to to lead
lead the the travellers,
travellers, and and for for
a charm
a charm or or safeguard
safeguard he he waswas given
given one one of of thethe sacred
sacred
axes.
axes.
"They journeyed
"They journeyed over over the the mountains
mountains till till they
they camecame to to
the great
the great burning
burning desert desert acrossacross whichwhich they they with with muchmuch
difficulty
difficulty passed,
passed, losinglosing many many people
people by by thethe way.way. At
At
length they
length they reached
reached this this lake,
lake, and liking well
and liking well the the spot,
spot,
finding grass,
finding grass, wood,wood, and and game game abundant,
abundant, they they pitched
pitched
their camp,
their camp, and and settled
settled in in their
their new new home.
home. The The cave cave waswas
discovered and
discovered and in in it it the
the Wanjula,
Wanjula, who who was was also
also famous
famous at at
rock-carving, as
rock-carving, as all
all chief
chief priests
priests werewere supposed
supposed to to be,
be, carved
carved
the statues
the statues after
after the the manner
manner of of those
those in in the
the White
White Moun Moun.
tains, and
tains, and created
created the the temple
temple where where every
every sixth
sixth moon moon the the
same hideous
same hideous scenescene is is enacted."
enacted."
"But don't
"But don't thethe people
people get get used
used to the sight
to the sight and and retrain
retrain
from screaming
from screaming out?" out ? " II inquired.
inquired.
"The
" The men men rarelyrarely scream,"
scream, " she she said,
said, "but" but the the women
women
always, consequently the
always, consequently the victims
victims are are nearly
nearly all all women.
women.
And
And it it is
is strange,
strange, too, that custom
too, that custom does does notnot familiarise
familiarise them them
with the
with the horror
horror of that face
of that face.. II havehave known
known women women gaze gaze

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upon it
upon half-a-dozen
it half-a- dozen times times without
without flinching,
flinching, and and thenthen
break down
break down and and become
become one one ofof the
the sacrifice."
sacrifice."
"You have
"You have toldtold us us aa remark
remarkable
able story, Ada," said
story, Ada," said
Hardwicke,
Hardwi cke, " "and
and one which II,, in
one which in my
my wildest
wildest dreams,
dreams, wouldwould
never have
never have imagin
imagined ed. True,True, 1I havehave though
thoughtt this this great
great
countryy could
countr could not always have
not always have been
been soso barren
barren of of interes
interestt asas
it appear
it appearss to to the
the casual observer,
casual observe but that
r, but that one one tiny
tiny portion
portion
of it
of it really
really posses
possessedsed so so strange
strange aa history
history II had had notnot dared
dared
to hope.
to hope. If If II had
had only heard it
only heard yesterday
it yesterd ay it would have
it would have
made aa world
made world of of difference.
difference. But that is
But that is past.
past. Nothing
Nothing
will
will avail
avail usus now
now but but courage
courage and and patience.
patience. II ask ask your
your
forgive ness for
forgiveness for my my blunder,
blunder, II cannotcannot do do more.
more. But But if if II
do
do not
not make
make up up for
for itit in the future
in the future it it will
will notnot be be for
for the
the
want of
want trying.""
of trying.
Then
Then we we fell
fell toto discussing
discussing our our plans.
plans. So So far
far sheshe had
had
arranged things most
arranged things most satisfactorily.
satisfactorily. Six Six strong
strong and and ableable
men, fellows who
men, fellows who werewere devoted
devoted to to her,
her, had had offered
offered to to
undertake
undertake the the part
part ofof carriers.
carriers . TheyThey werewere to to set
set out
out that
that
"night
night andaad wewe the
the night
night following.
following. We We thought
thought it advisable
it advisable
to grant
to grant them
them twenty-four
twenty-four hours hours start,
start, for, for, should
should they they
accompany
accompany us us and
and wewe should
should happen
happen to to bebe pursued,
pursued, therethere
would be
would be nono possibility
possibility of of their
their escaping
escaping with their heavy
with their heavy
packs.
packs.
Ada
Ada advised
advised us us before
before she she left,
left, not
not to to show
show ourselves
ourselves
that day
that day ifif we
we could
could avoid
avoid doing
doing so,so, asas thethe people
people would
would
take some
take some time
time to to cool
cool down
down after their savage
after their excesses of
savage excesses of
the previous
the previous night,
night, and and there
there waswas no no telling
telling whatwhat they
they
might not
might not bebe guilty
guilty of,of, especially
especially as as we
we had had cheated
cheated them them
out of
out of aa greatly
greatly anticipated pleasure-the taste
anticipated pleasure-the taste ofof the
the white
white
man. Therefore
man. Therefore we we kept
kept well
well within
within doors
doors that that day,
day, talking
talking
over our
over our plan
plan ofof escape
escape and and longing
longing for for the
the time
time to to come
come
when we
when we should
should be be free
free ofof the
the village
village and and all its horrible
all its horrible
associations, for
associations, for what
what we we hadhad gone
gone through
through and and what
what we we
were likely
were likely toto endure,
endure, made made us us utterly
utterly contemn
contemn the very
the very
thought of
thought of gold
gold..
When the
When the night
night came
came on on II sallied forth to
sallied forth stretch my
to stretch my legs
legs
and
and enjoy
enjoy a pipe of
a pipe of tobacco,
tobacco, for for thank
thank goodness
goodness aa little little of
of
that valuable
that valuable weed weed was left, though
was left, though it was most
it was most sadlysadly

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reduced in
reduced in size.
size. My My walk walk tooktook me me to to the
the back
back of the
of the
village, or
village, or up against the
up against foot of
the foot the mountains,
of the mountains, which which was was
as deserted
as deserted as as a a graveyard.
graveyard . The The nightnight was was dark,
dark, aa fewfew
stars alone being
stars alone being visible, while great
visible, while lumps of
great lumps of clouds
clouds swept
swept
over
over thethe face
face of the sky
of the sky hurled
hurled by the strong
by the strong wind
wind of the
of the
west.
west. I I was
was just
just thinking
thinking what what an an excellent
excellent nightnight itit was
was toto
carry
carry outout ourour design,
design, whenwhen not not far from me
far from me II heard
heard aa gentle
gentle
footfall, so
footfall, so gentle
gentle that that hadhad II not not beenbeen standing
standing stillstill II
should
should never never have heard it;
have heard then aa figure,
it ; then figure, phantom-like,
phantom-like ,
passed within aa few
passed within few yards
yards of of me
me andand waswas gonegone in the dark-
in the dark
ness. Another
ness. Another immediately
immediately followed, followed, then then another,
another, and and
another
another untiluntil II counted
counted seven, seven, though
though II thought thought the the last
last
one seemed somewhat
one seemed somewhat different different from from the the others.
others. These These
figures
figures II of of course
course guessed
guessed were were the the carriers
carriers AdaAda had had
engaged.
engaged. But But whowho and and whatwhat waswas the the seventh
seventh?? She She had had
only
only spoken
spoken of of six.
six . Could
Could it it be
be aa spy spy?? Was Was ourour plotplot
discovered?
discovered ? I I shuddered
shuddered as as II contemplated
contemplated the the thought.
thought.
Then the
Then the ideaidea struck
struck me me thatthat II ought
ought to to follow
follow and
and find
find
out
out for
for myself,
myself, and and thenthen again
again II thought
thought that that II would
would be be
no
no match
match for the savage
for the savage at at such
such aa game.
game. "Besides,"
" Besides, " saidsaid II
to mysel~
to myself, "if " if it
it is
is aa spy
spy hehe isis sure
sure toto come
come back back and
and report,
report,
and as
and as hehe scents
scents no no danger
danger he he will
will return
return the the way
way hehe went.
went .
This is
This is the
the only
only track
track thatthat leads
leads over
over the the mountains.
mountains. If If II
stay here I am bound to catch him as he comes along." ""
stay here I am bound to catch him as he comes along.'
And, unlike Macbeth, I was able to
And, unlike Macbeth, I was able to screw my determination screw my determination
to
to the"
the " sticking
sticking place."
place."
I could
I could not not have
have taken
taken up up mymy position
position for for more
more than
than ten ten
minutes
minutes when when II heardheard aa very very soft footfall coming
soft footfall coming downdown the the
path,
path, andand II edged
edged a a little mpre into
little more into the
the middle
middle of of it
it so that
so that
II might
might clutch
clutch the the person
person before
before he he had
had timetime to get away.
to get away.
A
A minute
minute after after II saw
saw thethe outline
outline of of aa figure
figure in the gloom
in the gloom
and prepared
and prepared myself myself to to spring,
spring, when when aa voicevoice addressed
addressed me me
in
in the
the native
native language.
language.
" Ada, by
"Ada, by all
all that's
that's living!"
living ! " I I exclaimed.
exclaimed.
" Is
" that you,
Is that you, Archie
Archie ?? ”"
"Yes."
" Yes."
It was the
It was the first
first time
time she she hadhad ever ever called
called me me by by my my
Christian
Christian name, name, and and there there was vas something
something so so veryvery

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charming
charming about about the the hesitant
hesitant way way in which she
in which she spoke
spoke it it
that my
that my poor
poor nerves
nerves thrilled
thrilled..
" II thought
" thought you you were
were aa spy,"
spy," sheshe said,
said, drawing
drawing close close toto me.
me.
o "And II you.
"And you. The surprise is
The surprise is therefore
therefore so much the
so much the
sweeter. II was
sweeter. was about
about to to give
give you you aa warmwarm reception.
reception. II
would not
would not have
have you you guess,
guess, for for all the world,
all the world , the horrible
the horrible
things II was
things was going
going to to do.do. You You would
would think think me me as as great
great aa
savage as
savage as any
any Mandanyah
Mandanyah warrior."warrior."
She laughed
She laughed at at this,
this, aa lovely
lovely little
little laugh,
laugh, and and drew,
drew, II
thought, just
thought, wee bit
just aa wee bit nearer.
nearer. '
" Were those
"Were those the the carriers?"
carriers ? " II inquired.
inquired.
"Yes,"
" Yes," she she answered.
answered " "II could
could not not rest till they
rest till they were
were
gone, till
gone, till II had
had seen
seen them
them safely
safely on on their
their way.way. It It seems
seems
now as
now as though
though part part of
of our
our ownown trouble
trouble was over."""
was over.
"You are a brave girl, Ada."
"You are a brave girl, Ada." I could have I could have gonegone on on
calling
calling herher brave,
brave, beautiful,
beautiful, and and allall other
other excellent
excellent adjectives
adjectives
without ceasing.
without ceasing .
"Oh,
" Oh, no,no, not
not brave,"
brave," sheshe replied.
replied. "" II want want toto save
save your
your
lives."
lives."
"And' II yours,
"And yours, forfor yours
yours is is far
far dearer
dearer to to me than my
me than my
own."
own."
We walked
We walked slowly
slowly along
along through
through the the still
still night.
night. Strangely
Strangely
dark and quiet
dark and quiet it it was.
was. No No sound
sound was was heard
heard but but thethe occa-
occa
sional
sional moan
moan of of the
the wind
wind as as itit came
came soughing
soughing over over the the lake
lake
below.
below. In In the
the village
0 village the the indistinct
indistinct glare glare of of aa few
few campcamp
fires
fires added
added aa still
still stranger
stranger aspectaspect to the scene,
to the scene, lighting
lighting as as
they did
they did thethe thick black air
thick black air with
with mistymisty gleamsgleams of of fire.
fire.
Mystically
Mystically luminous
luminous they they were,
were, enticing
enticing yet yet uncanny;
uncanny ; fit fit
sentinels
sentinels for for such
such dreadful
dreadful people.
people.
Why my
Why my mindmind should
should have have reverted
reverted to the people
to the people and and
their horrible
their horrible doings,
doings, II know know not, not, for for it was entirely
it was entirely
engrossed
engrossed with with something
something much much more more beautiful
beautiful than than native
native
dances, skeleton
dances, skeleton forms,
forms, and demoniacal chants.
and demoniacal chants. But thought
But thought
invariably gives
invariably gives birth
birth to to thought
thought;; so the image
so the image of the lovely
of the lovely
Laughing
Laughing Hair forced into
Hair forced prominence her
into prominence her barbarous
barbarous
surroundings:: as,
surroundings as, perhaps
perhaps the the fury
fury ofof thethe infernal
infernal shades
shades is is
drawn with
drawn with such
such harsh
harsh vigour
vigour so so asas to to better
better glorify
glorify the the
divine effulgence
divine effulgence of of heaven.
heaven.

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For some time

For some time nownow this
this beautiful
beautiful girl had been
girl had been constantly
constantly
in my
in my thoughts.
thoughts. When When II firstfirst saw
saw her her in
in her
her wild,
wild, half-
half
savage garqlents she
savage garments was aa revelation
she was revelation of of lovely
lovely womanhood
womanhood
to me.
to me. -Indeed
Indeed II thought
thought then,then, nornor has
has mymy mind
mind changed
changed
since, that
since, that sheshe was
was thethe perfection
perfection of of womanly
womanly loveliness,
loveliness, her ber
sun-tanned face,
sun-tanned face, flushed
flushed with
with hot,
hot, young
young blood,
blood, thethe full
full and
and
sensitive lip,
sensitive lip; the
the dainty
dainty nose,
nose, thethe dimpled
dimpled chin,chin, andand last
last
though
though notnot least,
least, her
her beavenly
heavenly blue blue eyes,
eyes, made
made suchsuch aa perfect
perfect
combination
combination of of womanly
womanly charmscharms that that must
must prove
prove irresistible
irresistible
to one who
to one who thinks
thinks there
there is
is no
no such
such beautiful thing on
beautiful thing on earth
earth
as
as a lovely woman.
a lovely woman. II could could have have loved
loved herher then
then forfor her
her
face alone;
face alone ; but later on,
but later on, when
when II was was attacked
attacked with with my my
serious illneS3 and
serious illness and sheshe nursed
nursed me me day day and
and night
night with
with thethe
tenderness of
tenderness of aa mother
mother who who watches
watches the the sick-bed
sick-bed of ber
of her
child.
child, II found
found her her inmUe
innate worth
worth and and she she became
became the the lode-
lode
star of
star of my life.
my life.
As II walked
As walked besidebeside her that night
her that night in in the
the thick,
thick, warm
warm air,air,
the >:>assion II had
the passion had sought
sought to to suppress
suppress for for fear
fear that
that Dick
Dick or or
she 'should
she should think think II endeavoured
endeavoured to to secure
secure an advantage
an advantage
over her
over her through
through her her ignorance
ignorance of of the
the world,
world, burst
burst its its
bounds and
bounds and II told told her
her that
that II loved
loved her.her. How How it it came
came
about II scarcely
about scarcely know. know. My My heart
heart was ~as tootoo wild
wild,, mymy brain
brain
too full of
too full the pain
of the pain of such dear
of such dear excitement
excitement for far me me to to
remember. II only
remember. only knowknow she she tooktook my my hand
hand to to lead
lead me me
round some
round some massive
massive boulders,
boulders, and and thatthat asas the
the spark
spark is is to
to
the mine
the mine so was that
so was that touch
touch of of her
her small
small warmwarm hand
hand to to my
my
blood.
blood.
"Do
" you love
Do you me, Ada?"
love me, Ada ? " My My arm
arm waswas about
about herher waist,
waist,
and she
and was nestling
she was nestling close
close to
to me.
me. II could
could feel
feel her
her heart
heart
beat and
beat and herher form
form tremble.
tremble. .
"Love
" Love you,you, Archie?"
Archie ? " sheshe replied,
replied, her
her breast
breast all the
all the
while heaving
while tumultuously, "I
heaving_tumultuously, " I scarcely
scarcely know
know what love
what love
you means.
you means. But if
But if it
it is to be
is to be happy
happy when
when youyou are
are near,
near, to to
be sorry
be sorry when
when you
you are away, to
are away, be ever
to be ever longing
longing to to see
see you,
you,
to
to have you always
have you always near
near me, then II love
me, then you very
love you very dearly."
dearly.".
And
And as as if to emphasise
if to emphasise this this avowal
avowal she
she nestled
nestled closer
closer still.
still.
"" God bless you
God bless you,, my
my darling, my darling."
darling, my darling." And And II drew
drew
ber to
her to me and kissed
me and kissed herher with
with aa very
very frenzy
frenzy ofof joy.
joy.

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230 THE GOLDEN
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We walked
We walked slowly
slowly back
back to to the
the village,
village, very
very slowly
slowly indeed-'
indeed.
for my
for my arms were about
arms were about her
her and and II stopped
stopped every
every few
few yards
yards
to feast my
to feast my soul
soul with
with kisses,
kisses, and'
and yet
yet we
we seemed
seemed toto arrive
arrive atat
our
our destination
destination all all too quickly. The
too quickly. The huts
huts of the village
of the village
loomed
loomed up out of
up out the darkn~s
of the darkness and and II had
had taken
taken her
her in
in my
my
arms
arms once once more
more to bid her
to bid her good-night,
good-night, when the moon
when the moon
suddenly
suddenly shot forth from
shot forth from behind
behind aa cloud,
cloud, illuminating
illuminating thethe
surrounding
surrounding scene scene with
with unusual
unusual brilliancy.
brilliancy.
At that moment
At that moment II heard
heard a a quick
quick step,
step, and,
and, on
on looking
looking
round, saw
round, saw mymy cousin
cousin Hardwicke
Hardwicke not not half-a-dozen
half-a-dozen yards
yards off.
off.
" II wondered
" wondered what what had
had become
become of of you,
you , Archie,"
Archie," hehe cried
cried
out. "Why,
out. " Why, you you dog, who've you
dog, who've you got--"
got " But he stopped
But he stopped
short on
short on recognising
recognising Ada.
Ada. "I " I beg
beg your
your pardon."
pardon." And And hehe
was gone
was gone as as suddenly
suddenly as as he
he had
had appeared.
appeared.
"Was Dick
"Was Dick angry?" she whispered.
angry ?" she whispered.
"66 Angry,
Angry, dear.
dear. No.No. Why Why should
should hehe be
be?? ""
"II don't
" know." But
don't know." But sheshe did;
did, and
and II also was to
also was to know
know
before
before longlong..
We lingered
We lingered butbut aa short
short while
while after this. Our
after this. talk was
Our talk was
of the morrow
of the morrow and and especially
especially of the morrow's
of the morrow's night
night when
when
we were
we were toto make
make the
the bid
bid for
for freedom.
freedom. Her Her child-like faith
child-like faith
and trust in
and trust in usus were
were beautiful.
beautiful She never questioned
She never questioned
where or
where to what
or to she was
what she was going.
going. II naturally
naturally refrained from
refrained from
telling her
telling her the
the true
true history
history ofof her
her father's
father's life.
life. She
She would
would
not have
not have understood
understood me me ifif II had.
had. II had made up
had made up my
my
mind that
mind that if we ever
if we reached the
ever reached the Swan
Swan River
River Settlement
Settlement I I
would find
would find out
out all
all II could
could ofof Harold Mayne. If
Harold Mayne. If he
he turned
turned
out to
out to have
have been
been aa worthless fellow she
worthless fellow she should know no
should know no
more of
more him than
of him than II had
had already
already toldtold her-viz.
her-viz.,, that
that he
he had
had
died through
died through exhaustion
exhaustion while
while trying
trying to
to cross
cross the
the continent
continent;;
but should
but should hehe have
have been
been more
more sinned
sinned against
against than
than sinning
sinning
and was
and was the
the victim
victim of of aa cruel
cruel wrong,
wrong. as as set
set down
down in in
Morton's story,
Morton's story, she
she should
should weep weep forfor him
him as as aa martyr.
martyr.
His failings
His failings would
would cause
cause no no diminution
diminution of of mymy love
love for
for
her.
her. .
II bade
bade her
her good
good night,
night, impressing
impressing her her to
to bebe ready
ready for
for
the morrow,
the morrow, andand stealing one more
stealing one kiss, made
more kiss, made my my way
way toto
our hut with
our hut with a a heart
heart as as light
light and joyous as
and joyous though no
as though no

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231
------------------------------------
danger darkened
danger darkened or would ever
or would ever darken
darken the the bright
bright horizon
horizon
of my
of my life.
life.
Dick
Dick was was not not inin when
when II entered.
entered. II called his
called his name
name
gently, but received no reply. Jimmy
gently, but received no reply. Jimmy only was complacentlyonly was complacently
snoring
snoring in in his
his corner.
corner. What had
What had become
become of of Dick?
Dick ? I I
asked
asked myself
myself timetime after
after time.
time. One, One, twotwo hours
hours went
went by,by, and
and
still
still hehe returned
returned not. Then II grew
not. Then grew alarmed.
alarmed. It It was
was not not his
his
wont to
wont to prowl
prowl aboutabout in in such
such a a manner.
manner. II thought thought some some
accident
accident must must have have befallen
befallen him. him. That That perhaps
perhaps Kalua Kalua
or the priest,
or the priest, finding
finding him him alone,
alone, hadhad seized
seized him,
him, and this
and this
thought suggested
thought suggested aa thousand
thousand horrible
horrible ones,ones, causing
causing me me nono
little
little anxiety.
anxiety. II dared dared not not even
even attempt
attempt to to guess
guess the fate
the fate
that
that would
would befall
befall himhim should
should he he be
be in in the power of
the power of those
those
most unscrupulous savages.
most unscrupulous savages. II knew knew thatthat his
his disdain
disdain had had
engendered
engendered hate, hate, andand that that thatthat hate
hate would
would take take such such
revenge as
revenge as would
would make make even even horror
horror creep.
creep.
I was
I was on on the
the point
point ofof arousing Jimmy, when
arousing Jimmy, when II heardheard aa
footstep outside
footstep outside,, andand aa moment
moment after after the
the wanderer
wanderer entered.
entered.
""By J ove! Dick,
By Jove! Dick, I'm glad you've
I'm glad you've come.
come. II was was beginning
beginning
to get
to get alarmed
alarmed at at your absence. The
your absence. The waysways of the savage
of the savage
are inscrutable,
are inscrutable, you you know.
know. In In another
another minuteminute II shouldshould
have had had Jimmy up and ""
have Jimmy up and begun
begun to search for
to search you."
for you .'
He laughed, but
He laughed, but said
said nothing.
nothing. It was not
It was not aa pleasant
pleasant
laugh. It
laugh. It seemed
seemed both both forced
forced and and cold,
cold , aa thing
thing soso unusual
unusual
in
in him
him that asked if
that II asked if anything
anything was the matter.
was the matter. He He replied
replied
in the negative,
in the negative, but but in in such
such a a weary
weary manner
manner that that II was was
certain
certain he he was
was trying
trying to to evade
evade my my queries.
queries . However,
However, as as
he
he refused
refused an an explanation
explanation it it was
was notnot mymy place
place toto press
press the the
subject,
subject, so so II immediately
immediately dropped dropped it. it. II could
could notnot sleep.
sleep.
My
My mindmind was was full
full of
of Ada
Ada and and the love that
the love that hadhad so so newly
newly
blossomed.
blossomed. II thought thought aa thousand
thousand bewildering
bewildering thoughts,
thoughts, I I
invented
invented a a thousand
thousand pleasures
pleasures for for her.
her. Indeed,
Indeed, so so far
far did
did
my
my imagination
imagination run run riot
riot thatthat II entirely
entirely overlooked
overlooked our our
present
present position
position and and thethe great journey which
great journey which awaited
awaited us us
before
before we we sawsaw again
again thethe face
face ofof aa civilised
civilised man. man.
was suddenly
II was suddenly awakened
awakened from from my my dreams
dreams of of rapture
rapture by by
hearing
hearing Dick Dick callcall mymy name.
name.
••" Archie
Archie !1" "

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23 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

"Well?? ""
"Well
There was
There was aa long
long pause
pause before
before hehe answered.
answered.
" You love
"You love Ada
Ada ?? ""
"II do
" indeed."
do indeed ."
Again
Again hehe paused.
paused.
And she-she-"
11 And
" she-she-" with with an
an effort,
effort, "loves y<?u?"
" loves you ?"
"" Yes."
Yes."
No answer
No answer came,
came, butbut II thought
thought II heard
heard the
the sound of aa
sound of
stifled
stifled sigh,
sigh, and
and byby his
his hard
hard breathing
breathing II knew that he
knew that he was
was
greatly agitated.
greatly agitated. ThenThen the the truth
truth dawned
dawned on on me in aa
me in
moment,
moment, and and II saw why Ada
saw why Ada hadhad asked
asked meme ifif he
he was
was
angry.
angry. He was in
He was in love
love with
with her
her himself
himself!!
Presently
Presently his voice came
his voice through the
came through the gloom again . He
gloom again. He
spoke with an
spoke with an effort,
effort, and
and yet
yet with
with great
great firmness.
firmness.
. "Of
“ Of course
course you-you
you-you love love herher as an honourable
as an honourable man? man ? ""
My first impulse
My first impulse waswas one
one of anger. II felt
of anger. felt like
like asking
asking
him his
him his right
right to
to question
question me.me. ThenThen II remembered
remembered what what
he
he had been to
had been me, of
to me, the great
of the love II had
great love had borne
borne him,
him ,
and that
and that he he too
too loved her, and
loved her, and had
had aa sacred
sacred right to be
right to be
answered.
answered .
"Don't be
"Don't be angry,"
angry," hehe said.
said. " "You know she
You know she is
is aa convict's
convict's
daughter,
daughter, and·and has not been
has not been brought
brought up up under
under thethe refining
refining
influences of
influences of an
an English
English life."
life."
"If
" If God
God should
should spare
spare us to once
us to once more
more regain
regain civilisa-
civilisa
tion," II answered,
tion," answered,"" sheshe shall
shall be be my
my wife.
wife. Is Is there
there any-
any
thing more
thing more youyou would
would know
know?" ?"
"No.
" No. God God bless
bless you
you both.
both. Good Good night."
night ."
"Good
"Good night.'"
night."

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THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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233

CHAPTER
CHAPTER XVII.
XVII.

CONCERNING THE ADVENTURES WHICH BEFELL US IN THE

GREAT CAVE.

WHEN II awoke
WHEN awoke next
next morning
morning II was was not not surprised
surprised to to find
find
my
my cousin
cousin had had already
already arisen
arisen andand was was out.
out. II knewknew thatthat
he had
he had passed
passed a a wretched
wretched night, poor fellow.!
night, poor fellow,! for,
for, whenever
whenever
I chanced
I chanced to to awake
awake from
from my my dreams
dreams of of happiness,
happiness , II could
could
hear
hear him tossing restlessly
him tossing restlessly on on hishis bed,
bed, and and at times II
at times
thought II heard
thought heard aa partly
partly suppressed
suppressed sigh. sigh. That That thisthis
melancholy
melancholy state state of
of affairs was not
affairs was not to to my
my liking
liking maymay easily
easily
be imagined.
be imagined. It was more
It was more thanthan sad sad to to think
think my my joy joy
should
should be be his
his woe-he
woe-he to to whom
whom II had leaned with
had leaned with aa more
more
than brotherly
than brotherly affection.
affection. It was aa strange
It was strange trick
trick fate
fate had
had
played
played us, us, aa sad
sad one
one it
it might prove. To
might prove. To love her, Dick,
love her, Dick,
was your
was your destiny
destiny as as mine
mine;; to to win
win her her love,
love, oldold friend,
friend,
was my
was my great
great blessing
blessing from
from God.God. It It was
was thethe sunsun ofof my my
universe,
universe, the the breath
breath of my existence,
of my existence, life, heaven itself,
life, heaven the
itself, the
hope to
hope to which
which II clung for peace
clung for peace in in this
this world
world andand happiness
happiness
in the
in the next.
next.
When he
When he entered
entered later
later on
on he bade me
he bade me good
good morning
morning withwith
what he
what he meant
meant should
should be the same
be the same old old smile,
smile, andand tried
tried toto
talk of
talk things in
of things the same
in the light-hearted fashion
same light-hearted fashion as as ofof yore,
yore,
but when
but when II stole
stole aa look
look atat his dejected face
his dejected face my my heart
heart bled
bled
for him.
for him. He He must
must have
have suffered
suffered aa world
world of of agony
agony through-
through
out the night.
out the night. HisHis mouth
mouth was was drawn,
drawn, his his eyes
eyes hollow,
hollow, and and
about
about his his words
words -and
and listless
listless movements
movements there there waswas an an
indifference which
indifference which he in vain
he in vain endeavoured
endeavoured to conceal. I,
to conceal. I,
however,
however, pretended
pretended not to notice
not to notice these
these things,
things, andand talked
talked
with him of
with him the night
of the that was
night that was toto come
come and and bring
bring us good
us good
or
or bad
bad fortune;
fortune ; ifif he thought we
he thought we should
should escape
escape thethe village
village
without aa fight,
without fight, and how far
and how far he
he imagined
imagined we we should
should havehave to to
travel westward
travel westward beCore
before wewe could
could once more hoee
once more hope to to see the
see the
Q
Q

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234 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
LAKE.

face of
face of a a civilised
civilised man.
man. To To all
all these
these things
things hehe answered
answered in in
a manner
a manner so so strange,
strange, andand so so little
little interest
interest did
did he he seem
seem to to
evince in
evince in our
our plans,
plans, that for the
that for the moment
moment II beganbegan to to think
think
such thoughts II blush
such thoughts blush forfor even
even now.
now. II know know II wronged
wronged
you, Dick,
you, Dick, butbut in the littleness
in the littleness of of my my ownown nature
nature II saw saw
with little
with little eyes
eyes;; yet
yet when
when you you read
read these
these words
words you you mustmust
think of
think of meme as as one
one who,
who, with
with allall his
his faults,
faults, bore
bore forfor youyou
an affection
an affection which
which even
even thethe grave
grave shall
shall not
not destroy.
destroy.
We had
We had despatched
despatched our our breakfast
breakfast and and had just finished
had just finished
cleaning
cleaning our guns when
our guns when we we were
were unpleasantly
unpleasantly startled
startled by by
the sudden
the appearance of
sudden appearance of Lusota.
Lusota. She She was
was breathless,
breathless, her her
eyes dull
eyes dull and heavy with
and heavy weeping, her
with weeping, her hair
hair loose
loose and flying,
and flying,
and her usually
and her usually tidy
tidy dress
dress draggled
draggled and and tomtorn in many places.
in many places.
We gazed
We gazed upon upon her her with
with consternation,
consternation, for for that
that her her
wretched appearance
wretched appearance foreboded
foreboded evil evil wewe too
too easily
easily guessed
guessed..
Her
Her taletale was
was soon told.
soon told.
That very morning
That very morning Ada Ada and she had
and she had been surprised by
been surprised by
Kalua
Kalua and and thethe priest,.
priest,. who,
who, inin company
company with with twotwo warriors,
warriors,
. had
had entered
entered theirtheir hut
hut and
and made
made them
them both prisoners. And.
both prisoners. And
then she
then related, with
she related, with aa passion
passion scarcely imaginable, how
scarcely imaginable, how
they first
they tied Ada's
first tied hands together
Ada's hands together and and then
then fastened
fastened her her
(Lusota) to
(Lusota) to one
one ofof ,the
the corners
corners of the hut.
of the hut.
When these
When these operations
operations were were complete
complete therethere ensued
ensued a a
furious outburst
furious outburst of long pent-up
of long anger . The
pent-up anger. The chiefchief de-de
voted all
voted all his
his eloquence
eloquence to Ada. He
to Ada. upbraided her
He upbraided her andand
abused
abused her her in in turns,
turns, told that he
told that he knew
knew of the preparations
of the preparations
for our
for our escape,
escape, and and finally
finally wound
wound up up byby declaring,
declaring, with with aa
hideous
hideous laugh, that we
laugh, that we should
should no no longer
longer prove
prove an an obstacle
obstacle in in
his path as
his path he had
as he determined on
had determined on our
our death
death that
that very
very night.
night.
To
To clll this she
all this she listened
listened with
with cheeks
cheeks aglow,
aglow, defied
defied him him to to
do his worst,
do his worst, butbut warned
warned him him that
that for
for the
the indignity
indignity he he had
had
put upon
put upon her her we would demand
we would demand aa horrible revenge: At
horrible revenge: At
this he
this grew so
he grew so furious
furious that
that he
he slapped
slapped her her face
face again
again andand
again, mentioned
again, mentioned something
something aboutabout the the caves
caves and
and refractory
refractory
women, and
women, and thenthen commanded
commanded the the twotwo warriors
warriors to to march
march
her off.
her off.
The priest and
The priest and Lusota
Lusota being
being thenthen alone,
alone, Wanjula
Wanjula re- re
newed the
newed the subject
subject of of his passion, "but
his passion, but finding
finding her her deaf
deaf toto

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all his prayers

all his prayers and
and entreaties he used
entreaties he used her
her with
with extreme
extreme
roughness, and
roughness, and wound
wound upup by
by seizing
seizing aa thong
thong that
that was lying
was lying
by
by and
and flogging
flogging her in aa most
her in most unmerciful
unmerciful manner.
manner. He He
then vilely
then vilely taunted
taunted her her with
with her her love
love forfor Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, told told
how he
how he had
had stolen
stolen the
the Sacred
Sacred Axe, Axe, and
and also
also informed
informed her her
that she
that she should
should havehave thethe pleasure
pleasure of seeing us
of seeing us burn
bum thatthat
very night.
very night. Then,
Then, withwith threats
threats of of aa similar
similar beating
beating when
when
he returned,
he returned, should
should she she still
still remain
remain obdurate,
obdurate, he he left
left her.
her.
With great
With great difficulty
difficulty she
she managed
managed to to loosen
loosen thethe thongs
thongs that
that
bound her,
bound her, and
and her
her first
first thought
thought beingbeing of of usus she
she made
made all all
. haste
haste to to inform
inform us us of
of this
this wretched
wretched development
development of of the
the
situation.
situation.
Such
Such was was the
the story
story to to which
which we we listened
listened withwith feelings
feelings of of
horror. All
horror. All ourour bright
bright prospects
prospects were were blighted
blighted in in aa
moment.
moment. Ada Ada was was gone,
gone, the the preparations
preparations for for our flight
our flight
discovered, and
discovered, and thethe leaders
leaders of of the
the tribe
tribe doubly
doubly incensed
incensed
against us.
against us. It It was
was aa dull,
dull, black
black look-out,
look-out, and and one
one against
against
which our
which our other
other troubles
troubles seemed
seemed as as nothing.
nothing.
66
"Why should he he want
want to to take
take Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair toto the
the
Why should
cave?"
cave ? " askedasked DickDick of of the girl. "Is
the girl. " Is not
not his hut, sur-
his hut, sur
rounded by
rounded by his
his men,
men , strong
strong or or safe
safe enough?"
enough ? ”
"Ay, great
"Ay, great chief,"
chief," she replied-she
she replied always called
- she always called himhim
chief
chief or or great
great chief-"
chief-" but but the
the cave
cave isis safer."
safer."
"" How
How safer?
safer ? What
What do you mean?"
do you mean ? "
cc It
" It isis sacred,
sacred, chief,
chief, and
and no no one
one isis allowed
allowed to enter it
to enter it,,
nay, not
nay, not even
even thethe king
king himself
himself,, without
without the the permission
permission of of
the priest.
the priest.""
"" The
The dog!"
dog ! " TheThe same same old old fire was beginning
fire was beginning to to burn
bum
his blood. The
his blood. The girl's
girl's eyes gleamed.
eyes gleamed.
66 Yes, hehe is dogs I! II hate
cc Yes, is a
a dog-a
dog- a dog dog of of dogs hate him,
him, the
the son
son
of
of a dog!"
a dog and she
! " and railed on
she railed on atat the
the memory
memory of the priest
of the priest
with such
with such aa Niagara
Niagara of terrific epithets
of terrific epithets thatthat poor Jimmy,
poor Jimmy,
utterly bewildered,
utterly bewildered, ceasedceased attempting
attempting to to translate
translate.. Then
Then
she cooled
she cooled down somewhat, and
down somewhat, and looking imploringly at
looking imploringly at .
Hardwicke, continued
Hardwicke, continued:: " "Thou
Thou art art great,
great, chief, and strong
chief, and strong
and beautiful
and beautiful as as a god. II am
a god. am thythy slave
slave andand love
love thee
thee more
more
than thou
than thou shalt
shalt ever know. At
ever know. At thy
thy command
command II would would lie lie
down f?r
down thee to
for thee to trample
trample on."on."

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" Well, well,"

"Well, well," said
said he he impatiently, foreseeing that
impatiently, foreseeing that she
she
meant to
meant to ask
ask aa favour.
favour.
c'I hate
"I hate thethe Wanjula
Wanjula chief chief."
."
"And
" And I." I."
.." And
And thouthou wilt
wilt avenge
avenge me? me ? "..
"Yes,
" Yes, Lusota,"
Lusota," he he replied.
replied.
She fell before
She fell before himhim and kissed his
and kissed his feet.
feet.
" Chief,"
" Chief," sheshe said,
said, and
and herher eyes
eyes ftashed
flashed ominously,
ominously, «thou" thou
art great.
art great. Give Give this
this dog
dog to to me
me and will die
and II will die for
for thee."
thee."
" It
" shall be
It shall be as you wish."
as you wish. "
"Then
" Then he he is mine, for
is mine, thou art
for thou mighty," and
art mighty," and sheshe arose
arose
to her
to feet with
her feet with aa furious
furious expression
expression upon
upon her her face.
face. "" II will
will
tear his
tear his lying
lying tongue
tongue from from hishis throat,
throat, the
the dog,
dog, and
and beat
beat it it
about his
about his face."
face."
.. Peace,
" Peace, peace,"
peace," cried
cried Hardwicke
Hardwicke sharply.
sharply. " "Art thou no
Art thou no
better than
better than thethe rest
rest ofof thy
thy tribe
tribe?? II like
like not
not such ferocity,
such ferocity,
girl No
girl. No more
more of of it,
it, or withdraw my
or II withdraw promise. II tell
my promise. tell thee
thee
thou
thou shalt
shalt be be avenged."
avenged . "
"It
" It is is enough,
enough, chief.chief. As As thethe fire
fire and
and the the storm
storm are are
mighty,
mighty, so so art
art thou."
thou."
"Then listen,
"Then listen, and
and forget
forget thy
thy anger, for it
anger, for is not
it is not seemly
seemly in in
thee, and
thee, and II like
like it not."""
it not.'
"I
" I listen,
listen, chief."
chief." But But II could
could seesee that
that she
she waswas thinking
thinking
more of
more of her revenge than
her revenge than anything
anything else.
else.
" Is
" Is there
there no no other
other reason
reason for for taking
taking the the Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair
to the
to the cave
cave butbut that
that itit is sacred?"
is sacred ?"
"Should
" Should KaluaKalua keepkeep the the Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair in in his
his hut," she
hut," she
answered, "" many
answered, many young
young men men ofof the
the village
village might
might demand
demand
her
her ofof him,
him, forfor she
she is
is asas sweet
sweet toto them
them as the south
as the south wind
wind to to
the parched-up
the parched-up forests,forests, andand well
well both
both hehe and
and Wanjula,
Wanjula, that that
dog
dog of of dogs, know it.
dogs, know it. And therefore he
And therefore he took
took herher to the
to the
cave where none
cave where none of of the
the tribe
tribe maymay enter
enter on on pain
pain ofof death."
death."
"On pain
"On pain ofof death?"
death ?”
66
.. Ay,
Ay, chief;
chief; andand itit is the Great
is the Great Spirit himself who
Spirit himself who strikes
strikes
the blow with
the blow with the
the Sacred
Sacred Axe."Axe."
" The
" The devils
devils !1""
Now that
Now that calamities
calamities so so numerous
numerous had had so so suddenly
suddenly
befallen us,
befallen us, my
my cousin
cousin seemed instinctively to
seemed instinctively have regained
to have regained

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his wonted
his wonted activity
activity ofof mind
mind and body. There
and body. There was was the
the same
same
bent brow, the
bent brow, the same tightly-drawn lips,
same tightly-drawn lips, and
and the the general
general
defiant look upon
defiant look upon hishis face
face which
which reflected
reflected thethe determined
determined
soul within. Interest
soul within. Interest hadhad taken
taken thethe place
place of of indifference,
indifference,
and excitement was
and excitement was rapidly
rapidly driving
driving thethe dreary
dreary languor
languor fromfrom
his
his blood.
blood. He
He no longer thought
no longer thought of of hishis unrequited
unrequited
affection.
affection. The The girl
girl he loved was
he loved was inin danger-he
danger- he had had forfor-
gotten all
gotten all else.
else.
" Then," he
"Then," continued , "it
he continued, would be
" it would be no
no useuse ourour asking
asking
any of
any of those
those young
young menmen youyou speak
speak of to accompany
of to accompany us us and
and
save the
save Laughing Hair?"
the Laughing Hair ?"
"" No,
No, chief; they dare
chief ; they dare not go."
not go."
" Then,"
" Then," turning
turning to to me,me, "we
66 we must
must carry
carry out
out this
this project
project
alone.
alone. We We have
have nothing
nothing to to expect
expect from them now.
from them now. It It is
is
war to
war to the
the knife."
knife."
Our arms were
Our arms were luckily
luckily in in perfect
perfect order,
order, andand while
while we we
were going
were going through
through the the necessary
necessary equipment
equipment for for such
such anan
undertaking II asked
undertaking asked thethe girl
girl Lusota
Lusota what what sh~ thought
she thought
had become of
had become Wanjula, foreseeing
of Wanjula, foreseeing serious
serious complications
complications
through him
through him should
should we we bebe unfortunate
unfortunate enoughenough not to find
not to find
him in
him in the
the cave with Kalua
cave with Kalua.. But But sheshe diddid notnot know,
know,
neither could
neither could sheshe guess
guess what
what mischief
mischief he he might
might be be brewing.
brewing.
" What aa pity
"What pity you gave that
you gave that half-breed
half-breed dog dog youryour knife,"
knife,"
remarked
remarked Hardwicke
Hardwicke as as wewe prepared
prepared to to set
set out.
out. "You" You
might
might findfind itit useful
useful presently."
presently."
66
"Good
Good intentions,"
intentions," II quoted
quoted. " "Though
Though II might have.
might have.
known what
known what aa cur he was."
cur he was."
Everything being
Everything being now now in in readiness
readiness we we sallied
sallied forth.
forth.
Kalua
Kalua had had not
not more
more than
than an an hour's
hour's start
start of us, if
of us, that, and
if that, and
we reckoned
we reckoned on on being
being up up with
with him,him, should
should we we meet
meet no no
serious opposition,
serious opposition, much much too too soon
soon forfor his
his liking.
liking. Quietly
Quietly
we stole
we stole through
through the the village
village,, meeting
meeting none none of of its
its inhabitants
inhabitants
but aa few
but few old
old men
men and and women,
women, and and quickly
quickly boarding
boarding aa
canoe in
canoe in safety,
safety, wewe four
four pushed
pushed off-Lusota
off-Lusota insisting
insisting upon
upon
making one
making one ofof the
the party,
party, nowithstanding
nowithstanding the the fact
fact that
that it was
it was
death to
death to enter
enter the
the cave
cave without
without thethe priest's
priest's authority.
authority. But But
II think
think she she would
would havehave gone
gone anywhere
anywhere so so that
that herher vision
vision
was blest
was blest with
with the
the form
form of of my
my cousin
cousin Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. Jimmy Jimmy
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and she
and she seized
seized aa paddle
paddle apiece
apiece andand the the frail
frail craft fairl,
craft fairly
bounded across
bounded across the the still water towards
still water towards the the great
great cone-
cone
shaped hill,
shaped from the
hill, from the summit
summit of which, as
of which, as we
we approached,
approached, II
:hought
thought II saw saw a a wreath
wreath of of smoke
smoke arise,
arise, but
but so so faint
faint was
was it
it
lhat when
that when II drewdrew Dick's
Dick's attention
attention to to the
the circumstance
circumstance it it
was
was gone.
gone.
"I dare say
" I dare say you you are
are right,
right, though,"
though," he he said,
said, "11 for
for the
the
summit of
summit that hill
of that hill looks
looks exactly
exactly likelike the
the picture
picture of of aa
volcanic mountain.
volcanic mountain. Look, Look, there
there it
it is again !I"" And
is again And II sawsaw
another light
another light blue
blue wreath
wreath of of smoke issue from
smoke issue from thethe rounded
rounded
top of the hill.
top ofthe hill.
Lusota likewise saw
Lusota likewise saw itit and
and cried
cried out,
out, "Ah, the god
" Ah, the god isis
angry.
angry. See
See how
how he
he frowns."
frowns."
So this was
So this was moremore of the mystery
of the mystery of the Great
of the Great Spirit.
Spirit.
Certainly volcano is
Certainly aa volcano a terrific
is a terrific god
god to to deal
deal with.
with. II ceased
ceased
to wonder at
to wonder the absolute
at the absolute submission
submission of those uninitiated
of those uninitiated
savages to
savages to their
their cunning
cunning priest.
priest.
"66 Yes,"
Yes," said
said Hardwicke
Hardwicke by by way
way ofof answer,
answer, for she seemed
for she seemed
to think
to think herher determination
determination to to act
act irreligiously
irreligiously had had awakened
awakened
the fury of
the fury the monster,
of the monster, "he is vexed
" he is vexed withwith Kalua
Kalua and the
and the
priest.""
priest. .
A few
A few minutes
minutes laterlater wewe hadhad landed
landed at at the
the mouth
mouth of the
of the
cave
cave into which, after
into which, Jimmy and
after Jimmy and thethe girl had hidden
girl had hidden thethe
canoe behind aa small
canoe behind small promontory
promontory a few yards
a few yards off,
off, we
we plunged
plunged
without aa moment's
without moment's hesitation.
hesitation. The darkness made
The darkness made slow slow
progress aa necessity.
progress necessity. We We stopped
stopped almost
almost every
every fewfew steps
steps
to
to listen
listen if we could
if we could catch the sound
catch the sound ofof voices
voices oror any other - ..
any other
noises, but
noises, nothing was
but nothing was moving.
moving. AllAll was
was asas still
still as
as death
death..
.when
When at last we
at last we reached the end
reached the end of the passage
of the passage Dick
Dick
whispered
whispered to to Jimmy
Jimmy and and me
me toto stand
stand still
still and
and let let no
no one
one
pass while
pass while he went forward
he went with the
forward with the girl,
girl, she
she having
having told
told
him where the
him where torches were
the torches kept. They
were kept. They passed
passed so so gently
gently
from my
from my side
side and
and crossed
crossed the
the great
great chamber
chamber with with aa footstep
footstep
so
so rapid
rapid and
and soso light that almost
light that before II was
almost before was aware
aware they
they
had gone,
had gone, the
the glare of aa torch
glare of torch illuminated
illuminated thethe far
far end
end of
of the
the
great vault.
great vault.
"66 Ada, Ada I! "" Hardwicke
Ada, Ada Hardwicke cried,
cried, but
but only the echo
only the echo of the
ofthe
place gave
place gave back
back aa faint
faint response.
response.

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We
We eacheach lit lit aa torch
torch andand searched,
searched, as as wewe thought,
thought, every every
corner of
corner the great
of the great cave,
cave, butbut could
could find find no no trace
trace of her.
of her.
The monstrous effigy
The monstrous effigy ofof thethe god
god grinned
grinned down down upon upon us, us,
mocking our
mocking our despair.
despair. It looked more
It looked more hideous
hideous than than everever
in the
in the indifferent
indifferent light shed by
light shed by ourour few few torches,
torches, more more
horridly, dreadfully real.
horridly, dreadfully real. Its Its handhand no no longer
longer held held thethe
Sacred
Sacred Axe. Axe. WanjulaWanjula was was no no fool.
fool. Lusota
Lusota trembled
trembled as as
she gazed
she gazed upon upon the the terrific
terrific features,
features, and and drew
drew close close to to
Hardwicke and
Hardwicke and hunghung uponupon his his armarm.. It It seemed
seemed as as though
though
she fully expected
she fully expected the the monster
monster to to step
step down
down from from its its high
high
pedestal and
pedestal and incontinently
incontinently brain brain her.her.
We were
We were nonplussed,
nonplussed, and stood looking
and stood looking at at one another
one another
in despair.
in despair. .
"Lusota,"
66 Lusota," ," said
said DickDick to to the girl, "are
the girl, " are you you. sure
sure KaluaKalua
would bring
would bring Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair here?
here ? Is there no
Is there no other
other place
place
to which
which he he could bring her? ""
to could bring her ? "
le No, chief;
"No, chief; no no place
place so so safe
safe as as this."
this."
"Then perhaps he
" Then perhaps he has
has notnot yet arrived?? """
yet arrived
"" Perhaps
Perhaps not, not, chief.
chief. But But he he will
will come.'
come."
"(6 Are you sure
Are you sure of of that
that?" ? " II asked
asked..
"Yes."
" Yes." To To disregard
disregard such such a a decisive.
decisive reply reply was was im im-
possible.
possible.
" Then
" Then we we mustmust waitwait?"?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
I now
I now remembered
remembered that that on first entering
on first entering the the cavecave II
had been
had been conscious
conscious of of thethe fact
fact thatthat notwithstanding
notwithstanding the the
immense number
immense number of torches burning
of torches burning at at one
one time,time, the the
smoke had
smoke had nevernever once offended me,
once offended me, but but seemed
seemed to to bebe
carried
carried off off in
in some marvellous fashion.
some marvellous fashion . It It struck
struck me me moremore
forcibly now.
forcibly now. There There mustmust be be another
another outletoutlet toto the
the chamber.
chamber.
When
When II made made knownknown my thoughts to
my thoughts to Dick
Dick he he almost
almost
shouted with
shouted with joy.joy. Of Of course
course therethere was, was, he he said,
said, andand added
added
that he
that he must
must have have beenbeen blind
blind not not to to have
have noted
noted the the fact
fact
himself.. He
himself He then then inquired
inquired of of Lusota
Lusota if if she
she had
had everever heard
heard
of such
of such an an opening,
opening, but but she
she answered
answered no, no, telling
telling him that
him that
no such
no such thing
thing existed.
existed. But But of this statement
of this statement we we took
took little
little
heed.
heed. That That an an outlet
outlet ofof some
some sort sort existed
existed somewhere,
somewhere, we we
knew, so
knew, so set
set ourselves
ourselves the the task
task of discovering it.
of discovering it.

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Jimmy,
Jimmy, the the girl,
girl, and
and II each
each tooktook aa portion
portion of of the the cavern
cavern
while
while Dick Dick " " fossick.ed"
fossicked " round round the the idols.
idols . But But as as we three
we three
happened
happened to to bebe unsuccessful
unsuccessful in in our
our researches
researches it it is
is little
little use
use
recording
recording them them;; therefore,
therefore, we we willwill follow
follow my my cousin
cousin who, who,
after
after having
having peeredpeered intointo every
every conceivable
conceivable nook nook andand cranny,
cranny,
was about to
was about to abandon
abandon his his explorations
explorations as as futile
futile when
when he he
suddenly missed
suddenly missed his footing and
his footing and fellfell heavily
heavily against
against the the bigbig
image.
image. To To his his surprise,
surprise, for for he he thought
thought it it part
part of the
of the
rock.
rock against
against which which it it stood,
stood, it it trembled violently. He
trembled violently. He
knocked it
knocked it again,
again, andand again
again it it shook,
shook, and then pressing
and then pressing
strongly against it
strongly against it with
with his his shoulder
shoulder he he found
found it it move
move aa
couple of
couple of inches.
inches.
"66 Archie,
Archie, Archie,
Archie, comecome here here I! ""he he shouted.
shouted.
was by
II was by his his side
side immediately
immediately and and he he made
made knownknown his his
find.
find.
" " Let
Let usus both
both push,"
push," II said.
said.
He put
He put his
his shoulder
shoulder to the side
to the side of of the.idol
the idol andand II pressed
pressed
against it
against with my
it with my hands.
hands.
"Now then."
"Now then."
We both
We both pushed
pushed with with allall our
our forceforce and the great
and the great statue
statue
went flying
went flying from from us us along
along a a groove
groove in in its
its pedestal.
pedestal. One One
man
man could could have have donedone thethe trick with the
trick with thc= greatest
greatest of of ease,
ease, soso
softly, once
softly, once it it was touched in
was touched in the
the right
right place,
place, diddid thethe great
great
thing move.
thing move. But But if if wewe werewere surprised
surprised at at this
this singular
singular
contrivance
contrivance you you may judge the
may judge the state
state of of our
our astonished
astonished
senses
senses on beholding that
on beholding that the the statue
statue had concealed an
had concealed an
aperture
aperture large large enough
enough for for aa man
man to to go through with
go through with ease.
ease.
II thrust
thrust m my y torch
torch intointo it, but so
it, but so strong
strong a a draught
draught of of wind
wind
rushed through
rushed through that that itit nearly
nearly suffered
suffered extinction.
extinction.
""That's
That's the the secret
secret we want," cried
we want," cried Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, "though" though
it
it does
does not account for
not account the disappearance
for the disappearance of the smoke."
of the smoke."
Lusota regarded us
Lusota regarded with absolute
us with absolute terror.terror. What she
What she
thOUght of
thought of our our proceedings
proceedings must must ever ever remain
remain a a mystery,
mystery,
but strange
but strange it it surely seemed to
surely seemed to herher to to see
see her
her god god thusthus
roughly pushed
roughly pushed about about by by aa couple
couple of of dar~devil white men.
dare-devil white men.
We closely
We closely examined
examined the the opening
opening and and found
found thatthat it it had
had
been clumsily
been clumsily walled walled by by thethe hand
hand of man. Four
of man. Four or five
or five
yards from
yards from the the entrance
entrance it widened out
it widened out considerably,
considerably,

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presenting
presenting the the rough,
rough, uneven uneven sides sides of of aa natural
natural cavern.
cavern .
The statue, then,
The statue, then, had had been been specially placed over
specially placed over thethe
aperture to
aperture to hide
hide it, it, and whatever lay
and whatever beyond, it
lay beyond, it was
was certain
certain
the people
the people of of the
the Mandanyah
Mandanyah had had no no conception
conception of of the
the
existence
existence of of such
such a a place.
place.
I stepped
I stepped in in first,
first, Dick
Dick next,next, the
the girl
girl and
and Jimmy bringing
Jimmy bringing
up the
up rear. The
the rear. The rushrush of of air
air was
was so so powerful
powerful that that with the
with the
greatest difficulty
greatest difficulty we we kept
kept our our torches
torches alight.
alight. As As it it was
was
they gave
they gave aa spluttering, indistinct glare
spluttering, indistinct glare which,
which, aa moment
moment
later, was
later, was extinguished
extinguished altogether altogether by by aa fresher
fresher and and
stronger
stronger blast blast of wind that
of wind that camecame from from above
above our our heads.
heads.
We were
We were immediately
immediately thrown thrown into total darkness,
into total darkness, but but
guessed
guessed that that thisthis waswas the the passage
passage through
through whichwhich the the air
air
rushed
rushed when when the statue was
the statue was in in its
its proper
proper place.
place. It being
It being
impossible, in
impossible, in such
such aa situation,
situation, to to relight
relight ourour smoking
smoking
torches, we
torches, we groped
groped on on inin thethe dark,
dark, hoping
hoping thatthat the
the cavern
cavern
would widen
would widen out, which would
out, which would naturally
naturally lessen
lessen thethe force
force ofof
the wind. As
the wind. As it it was,
was, itit seemed
seemed as though aa mighty
as though mighty hurricane
hurricane
was roaring
was roaring through
through the the funnel-like
funnel-like passage,
passage, which
which led led us
us
to suppose
to suppose that that either
either the the wind
wind had had arisen
arisen outside
outside or or that
that
there was
there was some
some agencyagency at at work
work of whose powers
of whose powers we we were
were
totally ignorant.
totally ignorant.
At that moment
At that moment II felt felt Dick
Dick slip slip one
one of of his
his hands
hands in in
mine, while with
mine, while with the the other
other he drew my
he drew my head towards his
head towards his
mouth,
mouth, and and shouted
shouted in in my my ear, ear, the
the roaring
roaring of the wind
of the wind
necessitating such
necessitating proceedings-
such proceedings
" This
" This must
must be the cavern
be the cavern through
through whichwhich Morton
Morton passed
passed
to the
to the secret
secret chamber."
chamber."
II did
did not not doubt
doubt it for aa moment,
it for moment, but but so thoroughly
so thoroughly
engrossed
engrossed had had II been been with with my thoughts of
my thoughts of Ada
Ada thatthat II
do not
do believe II should
not believe should have have remembered
remembered Morton'sMorton's story story
of the
of the cavern through which
cavern through which the the "wind rushed like
" wind rushed like aa
hurricane," had
hurricane," had not Dick so
not Dick forcibly brought
so forcibly brought it it to
to my
my mind.
mind.
Vet as
Yet as such
such knowledge
knowledge in in itself
itself was
was of of but
but little
little value,
value, wewe
pushed warily
pushed warily onward.
onward.
Frightfully slow
Frightfully slow was was thethe progress
progress made,made, as we had
as we had to to feel
feel
with our
with feet and
our feet hands every
and hands every inchinch of the way
of the way wewe travelled.
travelled.
Dick, who was
Dick, who was at at my my heels,
heels, laidlaid hold
hold ofof my
my waistbelt
waistbelt forfor

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further security,
further security, forfor to to navigate,
navigate, as as itit were,
were, such
such a passage
a passage
without aa gleam
without gleam of light was
of light was an an extremely
extremely risky, risky, not
not toto say
say
dangerous,
dangerous, undertaking. Yet still we went
undertaking. Yet still we went on, on, foot by on, on, foot by
fuot, through
foot, through aa darkness
darkness terrible
terrible in its intensity.
in its intensity. The The windwind
roared
roared likelike a fiend around
a fiend around us, us, nay,
nay, likelike aa million fiends.
million fiends.
It screamed
It screamed and and beatbeat itself upon us
itself upon us with
with thethe fury
fury of of aa
tornado. Would
tornado. Would it it never
never cease? would the
cease ? would the darkness
darkness nevernever
grow less
grow less??
How
How far far wewe had had gonegone II could
could not not eveneven guess,
guess, but
but atat
last
last II thought
thought the the passage
passage widened,
widened, and and feltfelt sure
sure the
the hurri-
hurri
cane-current
cane-current of of air
air had
had become
become less less violent,
violent, though
though it yet
it yet
blew terrifically.
blew terrifically. AnotherAnother dozendozen of yards, however,
of yards, however, con- con
vinced me
vinced me of the truth
of the truth of of my imaginings. Decidedly
my imaginings. Decidedly the the
wind was
wind was decreasing;
decreasing ; and and when
when appealed
appealed to, to, my
my cousin
cousin
held the
held the same
same opinion.
opinion . Still Still farther
farther on, on, itsits force
force still more
still more
diminished, and
diminished, eventually we
and eventually we were
were enabled
enabled to to relight
relight ourour
torches.
torches.
The cavern we
The cavern we were
were now exploring was
now exploring was exceedingly
exceedingly wide wide
and lofty,
and lofty, and
and had been, like
had been, like all all these
these subterraneous
subterraneous
excavations, the
excavations, the work
work of of some gigantic force.
some gigantic force. Great masses
Great masses
of rock
of rock hadhad been
been torntom bodily
bodily from from the the walls
walls andand roof,
roof, and
and
were now
were now piled,
piled, certainly
certainly by by thethe hand
hand of of man,
man, on on either
either
side of
side the cavern,
of the making aa clear
cavern, making clear pathpath in in the
the centre along
centre along
which we
which we strode.
strode.
" Ada, Ada
"Ada, Ada I" ! " II shouted
shouted again
again andand again,
again, butbut nono welcome
welcome
response came
response came back.
back. " "My Gqd, where
My God, where can can sheshe be
be ??""
"Here somewhere,
"Here somewhere, never never fear,"
fear," cried
cried Dick.
Dick. " "We shall
We shall
find her,
find her, Archie,
Archie, and unless II am
and unless am veryvery muchmuch mistaken,
mistaken, the the
golden chamber
golden chamber too. Look, look
too. Look, look !I ""
These
These wordswords ejaculated
ejaculated suddenly
suddenly quite quite startled
startled me.me. The The
cavern, which
cavern, which had had been gradually narrowing,
been gradually narrowing, here here came
came to to
an abrupt
an abrupt termination,
termination, and right before
and right before us us wewe beheld
beheld a a
fac-simile, though
fac-simile, though on on aa much
much smaller
smaller scale,
scale, of the monstrous
of the monstrous
effigy in
effigy in the
the great
great chamber
chamber..
"The
" guardian of
The guardian the treasure,
of the treasure, II will will stake
stake my life,It
my life,"
cried Hardwicke.
cried Hardwicke. "Found " Found at at last.
last.""
"Back,
" Back, back,"back," screamed
screamed Lusota Lusota as as Dick
Dick advanced
advanced
towards it,
towards it. ""or it will
or it will strike
strike you."
vou."

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 1'HE GOLDEN
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LAKE. 243
243
--------------------------
It is
It is true
true oneone of the great
of the great arms arms waswas extended
extended as as
though about
though about to to deliver
deliver a blow, but
a blow, but Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, laughingly
laughingly
telling her
telling her it was nothing
it was nothing but but stone, rapped his
stone, rapped his rifle
rifle against
against
its face, when
its face, when of of aa sudden
sudden thethe great
great arm
arm fell
fell with
with aa terrific
terrific
crash, knocking
crash, knocking the the weapon
weapon flying
flying from
from his
his grasp.
grasp. Had Had he he
been under
been under that awful arm
that awful arm and
and had had received
received thethe blow
blow which
which
smote the
smote barrel of
the barrel his rifle,
of his rifle, it would have
it would have killed
killed him him on on
the spot
the spot..
66
"A pleasant people
people these
these Mandanyahs,"
Mandanyabs," he he coolly
coolly
"A pleasant
remarked as
remarked as he
he picked
picked up the weapon.
up the weapon. " "Now
Now let let us us see
see
what you're
what you're mademade of."of." AndAnd as as there
there were
were no no more
more arms
arms
to fall we
to fall we approached
approached and and examined
examined the the image,
image, andand found
found
that by
that by aa simple
simple piecepiece ofof mechanism,
mechanism, much much after after the the
manner
manner in in which
which the the arms
arms are are putput onon aa wooden
wooden doll,doll, thethe
great thing had
great thing had thus
thus been
been ableable to so nearly
to so nearly destroy
destroy my my
cousin.
cousin.
"You have
"You have done
done youryour duty,"
duty," said said he,
he, addressing
addressing it, it, 11" but
but
it's
it's nono good.
good. You You must go," and
must go," and putting
putting hishis shoulder
shoulder to to
its side, he
its side, he pushed,
pushed, and and thethe thing
thing slid
slid along
along aa groove,
groove,
in the
in the manner
manner of the larger
of the larger one, disclosing aa similar
one, disclosing similar aperaper-
ture, into
ture, into which
which he he plunged,
plunged, we we following.
following.
As soon
As soon as as our
our eyes
eyes had become accustomed
had become accustomed to to the
the place,
place,
we knew
we knew we we had
had entered
entered the the veryvery chamber
chamber into into which
which
Morton
Morton had had been
been led led blindfolded.
blindfolded. It was
It was aa room
room some some
twenty by
twenty twenty-five feet,
by twenty-five feet, and
and onon every
every side
side ofof it
it great
great
lumps of
lumps of some
some dull-looking
dull-looking substance
substance werewere piled, which at
piled , which at
first
first seemed
seemed ordinary
ordinary rocks,
rocks, but
but which,
which, in reality, were
in reality, were
huge
huge nuggets
nuggets of of solid gold.. Neither
solid gold Neither of of us
us could
could believe
believe
our senses for
our senses for aa while, and it
while, and it was
was only
only after
after jagging
jagging some
some
dozen of
dozen of the
the larger
larger pieces
pieces with
with our
our knives,
knives, which
which disclosed
disclosed
the bright yellow
the bright yellow of the metal,
of the metal, that
that II could
could become
become per-
per
fectly
fectly convinced
convinced. ThereThere were
were also
also great
great stone
stone receptacles
receptacles
which,
which, once the covering
once the covering of dust was
of dust was removed,
removed , werewere found
found
to be
to be full
full of
of pieces
pieces ofof gold
gold ranging
ranging in lumps from
in lumps from an an ounce
ounce
downwards.
downwards. Ten Ten of of these
these wewe saw,
saw, and
and many
many others into
others into
which
which had had been
been thrown
thrown pieces
pieces ofof greater
greater value,
value, while
while even
even
the soft
the soft ground
ground upon
upon which
which we we walked,
walked, once
once turned
turned over,
over,
was shown
was shown to to be
be aa carpet.
carpet ofof thick
thick gold-dust.
gold-dust.

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II stood
stood likelike one one stupefied,
stupefied, forgetting
forgetting forfor thethe moment
moment
everything
everything but but this
this vast
vast wealth.
wealth. II took the lumps
took the lumps of of gold
gold
in my
in my handhand andand threw
threw them
them about
about thethe chamber;
chamber ; II kicked kicked
with my
with myoidold boots
boots the wonderful carpet
the wonderful carpet and
and mademade showers
showers
of gold-dust
of gold-dust fly. fly. It It seemed
seemed a a grand
grand idea to treat
idea to treat money
money in in
this fashion.
this fashion.
"How
" How many many millions
millions of of sovereigns
sovereigns do do youyou think
think thisthis
lot would coin?"
lot would coin ? " asked asked Dick from the
Dick from the other
other end end of the
of the
chamber.
chamber.
" About five."
"About five."
66
"Say ten, and
and you'll
you'll bebe nearer
nearer thethe mark.
mark. My My God if
Say ten, God !I if
we could
we could only
only getget it it away!"
away ! "
"That's
" That's whywhy II thinkthink itit dam
dam fool's
fool's work
work to to come
come all this
all this
way for
way for gold
gold youyou can't carry back,
can't carry back, Mass'r
Mass'r Dick,"
Dick," observed
observed
King Jimmy.
King Jimmy. .
11 Yet
" we'll take
Yet we'll take it it back,
back, Jimmy;
Jimmy ; nevernever fear,
fear, never fear.
never fear.
But
But look,
look, here
here areare thethe royal jewels. We
royal jewels. We can
can at at least
least take
take
them." And
them." And he he held
held upup several strings of
several strings of magnificent
magnificent rubies.rubies.
"They belong
"They belong to to Kalua
Kalua andand the
the priest,"
priest," said
said Lusota.
Lusota .
".. Then
Then we'll
we'll taketake care
care of them for
of them them," and
for them," and he he popped
popped
aa quantity
quantity of them in
of them in his
his pockets, throwing Jimmy
pockets, throwing Jimmy the the
remainder.
remainder.
"And
" And now,now, Dick,"
Dick, " II said,
said, as
as soon
soon as the excitement
as the excitement of of
our stupendous find
our stupendous had somewhat
find had somewhat abated,
abated , "" let
let us
us continue
continue
our
our search
search for for Ada.
Ada. I>"
""God forgive me,
God forgive yes," he
me, yes," he cried.
cried. " "Come,
Come, therethere is is
nothing more
nothing more to to bebe done
done here,"
here," and,
and, without
without even even one one
backward glance
backward glance,, we we made
made our exit from
our exit from the the golden
golden
chamber.
chamber.
"We have
"We have not not done
done so so badly,"
badly, " said he, as
said he, he rattled
as he rattled the the
precious stones
precious stones in in his pockets "and
his pockets " and if if we
we live
live we'll
we'll do do
better still."
better still." And And as as we
we retraced
retraced ourour steps
steps he he cried
cried to to me,
me,
who was
who was leading,
leading, " "Keep
Keep to to the
the right,
right, old
old fellow.
fellow. Unless
Unless
II amam much
much mistaken
mistaken this this passage
passage is is but
but a branch of
a branch the
of the
main one."
main one."
He was
He was right,
right, forfor soon our torches
soon our torches were
were again
again extinguished
extinguished
by
by the the current
current of of air,
air, and
and we we groped
groped on on as before in
as before in utter
utter
darkness.
darkness.

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 THE GOLDEN
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Presently
Presently II saw what appeared
saw what appeared to to be
be aa faint
faint glow
glow of of light.
light.
Mystically
Mystically dim, dim, it it waswas light
liiht beyond
beyond aa doubt, for the
doubt, for the others
others
also beheld
also beheld it it at the same
at the moment and
same moment uttered aa cry
and uttered of joy.
cry of joy.
Towards
Towards it we now
it we now movedmoved with with more rapid steps,
more rapid steps, aa mostmost
unwise proceeding
unwise proceeding as as II waswas presently
presently to to know,
know, forfor though
though
we saw
we saw itit distinctly
distinctly enough,
enough, it it was
was not not yetyet sufficient
sufficient to to
illumine the
illumine the footway.
footway. However, However, the the closer
closer we we approached
approached
the clearer
the clearer itit loomed
loomed up, up, and
and II knew
knew thatthat soon
soon thethe mystery
mystery
which enshrouded
which enshrouded the the fate
fate of my beloved
of my beloved wouldwould be be revealed.
revealed.
And while through
And while through my my brain
brain waswas rushing
rushing aa thousand
thousand thoughts
thoughts
of her,
of her, thoughts
thoughts chargedcharged with with painpain and and madness
madness at at her her
unhappy fate,
unhappy fate, our
our ears ears were
were suddenly
suddenly startledstartled by by aa long,
long,
wild cry
wild cry of
of agony
agony..
It was
It was her
her voice,
voice, and and was was so full of
so full of woewoe and
and horror
horror that that
II stood
stood forfor a a moment
moment like like one
one turned
turned to to stone.
stone. Then Then
as quickly
as quickly camecame the the reaction,
reaction, and and withwith aa crycry toto her
her that that
was coming,
II was coming, II boundedbounded forward forward like like oneone possessed
possessed..
Unluckily II was
Unluckily was too too excited
excited to to paypay attention
attention to to Dick's
Dick's
quick word of
quick word of warning
warning to to be
be careful.
careful. II only only saw
saw the
the light
light
ahead, only
ahead, only knew
knew thatthat she was in
she was in danger,
danger, and and bounded
bounded on. on.
The consequences
The consequences were were calamitous
calamitous in in the
the extreme.
extreme. II had had
not gone
not gone many
many yardsyards before
before II foundfound myself
myself whirling
whirling head head
over heels
over heels down
down aa long long flight
flight of of roughly
roughly hewn hewn steps.
steps. II
seemed to
seemed to have
have broken
broken every every bone
bone in in mymy body,
body, but but with
with
the aid
the aid of
of Dick
Dick and and Jimmy,
Jimmy, who who had had descended
descended carefully,
carefully,
was quickly
II was quickly placed
placed upon upon my my feet
feet and
and was was thankful
thankful to to find
find
that, with the
that, with the exception
exception of of aa fewfew cuts
cuts andand bruises,
bruises, no no
mischief had
mischief had beenbeen done.done.
" A lucky
"A lucky letlet off.--"
off " began
began Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, but but hehe stopped
stopped
suddenly,
suddenly, for for at at that
that moment
moment our our ears were again
ears were again startled
startled
by the same
by the same heartrending
heartrending scream. scream. This time it
This time it was
was so so
close that we
close that we could
could hearhear another
another voice, raised in
voice, raised in anan angry
angry
tone, accompanying
tone, accompanying it. it.
" Help!! help
"Help help !" I ,.
""Ada,
Ada, Ada,
Ada, we we are
are here
here!" !" I I cried.
cried
Dick bounded
Dick bounded forward forward like lightning, for
like lightning, for being
being at at thethe
bottom of
bottom the passage
of the passage now there was
now there was sufficient light to
sufficient light to see
see
the way,
the which at
way, which at every
every stepstep grew
grew moremore clear.
clear.

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246 THE GOLDEN
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She
She heardheard my my cry, for she
cry, for she answered
answered in in the
the same wild,
same wild,
terror-stricken voice
terror-stricken voice-
"66 Quick, quick, or
Quick, quick, or itit will
will be
be too
too late
late!! ""
It is
It needless to
is needless to say
say II ran
ran mymy fastest,
fastest, butbut mymy fall had
fall had
somewhat
somewhat stiffened stiffened my my limbs.
limbs. Dick Dick waswas consequently
consequently many many
yards in
yards in front
front of me. II saw
of me. saw himhim spring forward with
spring forward with aa
mighty rush-
mighty rush-he seemed to
he seemed to bound
bound in in the the air like the
air like the
greyhound
greyhound that that hehe was; then there
was ; then there waswas aa noise noise as as ofof
many
many things things falling
falling into
into aa deep
deep pit,
pit, and
and II stopped
stopped short short in in
my
my headlong
headlong flight,flight, for
for II was
was standing
standing uponupon the the brink
brink of of aa
great
great wide wide gulfgulf down
down which
which the the falling things II have
falling things have men-men
tioned
tioned roared roared withwith aa noise
noise like
like thunder.
thunder. Upon Upon the the opposite
opposite
ledge my
ledge my cousin
cousin was was struggling
struggling wildly.
wildly. He He was
was mounting
mounting
itit by
by his
his hands
hands and and knees,
knees, andand II was
was inin terror
terror lest
lest he
he should
should
fall
fall backback intointo thethe abyss,
abyss, when,
when, likelike an
an evil spirit, II saw
evil spirit, saw the
the
hateful
hateful Kalua Kalua dart dart forward
forward withwith the
the intention
intention of of hurling
hurling him him
over.
over. But But before
before he he could
could makemake good good his his evil
evil design,
design ,
another form
another form rushed
rushed forward
forward andand threw
threw itself
itself between
between him him
and
and my my cousin.
cousin.
It
It waswas Ada.Ada. She She saw Dick's peril
saw Dick's peril and and saved
saved him. him.
Before
Before Kalua Kalua could throw her
could throw her off,
off, which
which he he did
did byby hurling
hurling
her heavily
her heavily to to the
the ground,
ground, my my cousin
cousin had had pulled
pulled himself
himself over over
the ledge
the ledge and and waswas out
out ofof danger.
danger. This This thethe chief
chief nono sooner
sooner
observed
observed than than he he fled back into
fled back into thethe darkness
darkness of the cave
of the cave
and
and was was lost
lost to to sight.
sight. It It was
was aa painfully
painfully exciting
exciting time time
while it
while it lasted,
lasted, andand II breathed
breathed aa great sigh of
great sigh of relief
relief when
when it it
was
was all all over.
over. And And yet
yet that
that intense
intense relief
relief quickly
quickly gave
gave place
place
to unutterable
to unutterable horror
horror when
when II discovered
discovered the the terrible
terrible trap
trap
into which we
into which we had
had fallen.
fallen. Before
Before me yawned aa chasm
me yawned chasm
fully
fully forty feet wide,
forty feet the jaws
wide, the jaws and
and sides
sides ofof which, for aa
which, for
considerable
considerable distance,
distance, were
were illuminated
illuminated by by aa great
great broad
broad sheet
sheet
of light that
of light that descended
descended from from above.
above. A A moment's
moment's thought
thought
was
was all that was
all that was required
required to take in
to take the situation.
in the situation . The
The
chasm was
chasm the crater
was the crater ofof aa volcano,
volcano, andand the
the light
light came
came
from
from thethe top
top of
of the
the cone-shaped
cone-shaped hill
hill of
of which
which II have
have spoken
spoken
so
so often.
often. Indeed,
Indeed, on on looking
looking upup the
the big,
big, craggy
craggy funnel
funnel II
could
could seesee the blue sky
the blue sky above.
above.
cc Is she
"Is she hurt,
hurt, Dick?"
Dick ? " II shouted.
shouted.

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"No,"
" No," camecame backback the the answer,
answer, "she " she is is a
a little
little frightened,
frightened ,
that is
that is all.
all. The villain had
The villain had herher hands
hands bound--"
bound " and
and hehe
took out
took out his
his knife
knife (a thing with
(a thing with a a blade about seven
blade about inches
seven inches
. long, similar
long, similar to to the
the oneone II had had given
given Kalua)
Kalua ) and and cut the
cut the
bonds asunder.
bonds asunder. " "She
She is is all
all right
right now."
now."
"Thank God
"Thank God !I And And you,you, oldold fellow?"
fellow ? "
"Right,
" Right, too," too," he he answered
answered.. "Yet “ Yet thatthat half-bred
half-bred dog dog
played me
played me aa nasty nasty trick,
trick, and
and but but for
for Ada
Ada II should
should have have
been aa dead
been dead man man by by this."
this."
" What was
"What was it,
it, Dick
Dick?" ?"
"You heard
"You heard that that stuff falling into
stuff falling into the the chasm,
chasm, did you
did you
not?"
not ?"
" Certainly."
"Certain ly."
"Well, that
"Well, was aa small
that was small foot-bridge
foot-bridge whichwhich II waswas notnot more
more
than halfway across
than halfway across whenwhen yonder
yonder beauty heaved it
beauty heaved it over.
over.
But I've
But I've got
got himhim herehere now,
now, old chap, and
old chap, and I'll make him
I'll make him
sing before I'm
sing before I'm done with him,"
done with him," saying which he
saying which he turned
turned to to
Ada,
Ada, withwith whom
whom he held aa rapid
he held rapid conversation.
conversation.
II was
was like
like oneone standing
standing on the proverbial
on the proverbial pins pins and needles.
and needles.
To
To seesee her
her so so near
near me,me, andand yetyet asas surely
surely parted
parted as as though
though
an
an ocean
ocean rolledrolled between
between us, us, waswas madness intolerable.
madness intolerable.
What would
What would II not have given
not have given to to have
have beenbeen in in Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's
place,
place, to to have
have taken
taken her her in in mymy arms
arms and and comforted
comforted her, her,
and
and then
then to to have vented my
have vented my fury
fury on the savage
on the savage wretch
wretch who who
had
had been
been the the cause
cause of all our
of all our misery.
misery. But there II stood,
But there stood,
chained
chained like like oneone to to aa pillar,
pillar, incapable
incapable of of movement,
movement,
incapable
incapable of stretching out
of stretching out mymy hand
hand to to protect
protect thethe life that
life that
was dearer
was dearer to to me
me than
than allall the
the world.
world. Look Look at at our
our position
position
in whatever
in whatever way way II might,
might, II could
could see see nono chance
chance of escape,
of escape,
for how they
for how they were
were going
going to to recross
recross thatthat dreadful
dreadful gulfgulf was
was
an enigma
an enigma of which II held
of which held notnot the
the key.
key. ThisThis awful
awful thought
thought
caused me
caused me inexpressible
inexpressible anguish.
anguish. II carefully
carefully examined
examined the the
abyss on
abyss on mymy side
side and
and begged
begged Dick Dick to to dodo likewise
likewise on his,
on his,
but no
but no crags
crags or or rocks
rocks jutted
jutted out out which
which would
would afford
afford aa
passage, however
passage, however dangerous.
dangerous.
Such
Such a a mode
mode of of crossing
crossing was was impossible,
impossible, he he said,
said, and
and
II informed
informed him that my
him that my side
side ofof the
the chasm
chasm dropped
dropped sheer sheer
down as
down as though
though it it had
had been
been cut by the
cut by the hand
hand of man.
of man.

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"Have
" Have you you anyany idea,
idea, Dick
Dick?" ? " II cried,
cried, for
for this
this enforced
enforced
inactivity was
inactivity driving me
was driving me to the verge of madness . "We
to the verge of madness. “ We
cannot
cannot staystay here
here for
for ever."
ever."
"True," he
"True," he answered.
answered. "But "But tilltill we
we have
have discovered
discovered a a
possible plan
possible plan wewe can attempt nothing."
can attempt nothing."
"Forgive
" Forgive me, me, Dick,
Dick, but but II amam almost
almost mad.mad. II can can think
think
of nothing. It
of nothing. It seems
seems impossible
impossible that that- youyou will
will ever
ever
recToss."
recross ."
" Nothing
" Nothing is is impossible
impossible to to men
men who who areare determined,"
determined," he he
replied. "But
replied " But in in the
the meantime
meantime we we must
must make
make ourselves
ourselves
secure.
secure. Watch
Watch Ada Ada well,well, oldold fellow,
fellow, and
and should
should anyone
any one
but
but me me come
come near
near her,
her, shoot
shoot him.him.""
"What, then,
"What, then, do you intend
do you doing?"
intend doing ?"
"I am
"I going in
am going yonder," and
in yonder," and hehe pointed
pointed into into the
the black
black
interior
interior of the cave.
of the cave. " "We shall never
We shall never recross
recross thethe chasm
chasm
with that
with that fellow's
fellow's permission.
permission.""
" In Heaven's
" In Heaven's name name be be careful,
careful, Dick.
Dick. Think,
Think, should
should any any
harm
harm befall you."
befall you ."
He answered almost
He answered almost coldly,
coldly, "What
" What wouldwould it it matter?"
matter ? "
It would
" It
" break my
would break my heart,"
heart," said
said Ada.
Ada.
He
He turned
turned and and looked
looked upon upon her her suddenly,
suddenly, and and even
even at at
my distance II could
my distance could see see the
the intense
intense expression
expression of of his
his gaze.
gaze.
Then
Then he he laughed
laughed lightly.
lightly.
Don't be
cc Don't
" be afraid,"
afraid," he he said.
said. " "II value
value my my skin
skin too too
much."
much." Then Then he he cried
cried to to me.
me. "Ada
" tells me
Ada tells me thisthis
cavern opens
cavern opens intointo aa wide
wide chamber,
chamber, and and that
that II need
need havehave
no fear of
no fear of pitfalls.
pitfalls. Keep Keep a a good
good look-out,"
look-out, " and and almost
almost
before II was
before was aware
aware of of it it he
he hadhad glided
glided from
from her her side
side into
into
the darkness.
the darkness.
"Come
" Come as as much
much into into thethe light
light asas youyou can,
can, dear,"
dear," II
cried
cried to her, "and
to her, " and let let meme know
know the the approach
approach of the first
of the first
footstep. Be
footstep. brave, my
Be brave, my girl,
girl, we
we shall
shall escape this danger
escape this danger
yet." And
yet." held my
And II held my rifle
rifle ready
ready to to shoot
shoot at the first
at the first sign
sign
ofthe
ofthe enemy.
enemy.
What my
What my feelings
feelings werewere with
with regard
regard to to my
my cousin
cousin Hard
Hard-
wicke may
wicke may easily
easily bebe imagined.
imagined. Every Every minute
minute seemed
seemed an an
eternity. II peered
eternity. peered into
into thethe thick
thick blackness
blackness opposite with an
opposite with an
intensity of
intensity of vision
vision which
which was was painful
painful to to anan extreme
extreme degree.
degree.

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249

II seemed
seemed to to see the two
see the two men men as they crept
as they crept slowly
slowly and and
slowly round
slowly round each
each other
other withwith the
the long
long knives
knives in their hands,
in their hands,
scarcely
scarcely daring
daring to to breathe
breathe for for fear
fear 'of
of discovering
discovering to to each
each
other their whereabouts.
other their whereabouts. Was Was Hardwicke
Hardwicke a a match
match for for the
the
chief
chief in in such
such a a strange encounter ? Had
strange encounter? Had he he the
the same
same cat- cat
like
like agility
agility of of movement
movement which which characterised
characterised the native race~
the native races,
the same
the same wonderful
wonderful power power of of piercing
piercing the the darkness?
darkness ? II
knew
knew he he hadhad thethe heart
heart fifty
fifty Kaluas
Kaluas couldcould not not possess,
possess,
and
and that few men
that few men would
would be be aa match
match for him in
for him the open,
in the open,
but
but aa conflict
conflict in in that
that vast,
vast, vault-like
vault- like chamber
chamber had had aa horror
horror
for
for me
me which
which was was simply
simply unendurable.
unendurable.
Jimmy stood
Jimmy stood by by allall eyes
eyes andand ears.
ears. He gasped more
He gasped more
than breathed,
than breathed, yet yet never
never spoke
spoke a word Each
a word. nerve was
Each nerve was
drawn to
drawn to its
its utmost
utmost tension
tension and and he he quivered
quivered with with excite-
excite
ment. Occasionally
ment. Occasionally would would he he finger
finger his his Jmife
knife or or toytoy
nervously with
nervously with hishis pistol,
pistol, butbut nono sound,
sound, except
except his his quick
quick
gaspings, escaped
gaspings, escaped him. him. Brave little man,
Brave little man, he he would
would gladly
gladly
have changed
have changed places
places with
with hishis master,
master, andand would,
would, II am am sure,
sure,
have given
have given aa magnificent
magnificent account
account of of himself too. He
himself too. He hadhad
the cat-like
the cat-like tread,
tread, the the keen
keen instinct, the wonderful
instinct , the wonderful sight, sight,
and the
and the boldbold heart.
heart. All that was
All that was necessary
necessary for for such
such aa
combat
combat in in such
such a a place
place he he possessed
possessed in in full.
full. I I wished
wished you you
no harm,
no harm, Jimmy,
Jimmy, but but at at that
that moment
moment II would would you you had had
been in
been your master's
in your place. The
master's place. girl Lusota
The girl Lusota stood
stood beside
beside
him. She
him. She spoke
spoke not,
not, butbut by the hard
by the panting way
hard panting way in in which
which
she breathed II knew
she breathed knew thatthat she
she tootoo suffered
suffered all the horrors
all the horrors of of
that
that dreadful
dreadful uncertainty
uncertainty which which is is more
more cruel
cruel than
than the truth
the truth
itself.
itself.
The moments moved
The moments moved on on asas slowly
slowly as though they
as though they eacheach
carried the
carried the burden
burden of of aa thousand
thousand years. years. II strained
strained my my
ears, but
ears, but no movement, no
no movement, sound was
no sound was to to be
be heard
heard except
except
the short,
the short, quick
quick breathings
breathings of of mymy companions,
companions, and and the the
rustle
rustle of the wind
of the wind in the dark
in the dark cavern
cavern behind.
behind. II strained
strained
my
my eyes
eyes toto pierce
pierce the the horrible
horrible gloom,
gloom, and and in in imagination
imagination
saw
saw manymany hideous
hideous sights which, like
sights which, like oneone awaking
awaking from from
some
some awful
awful nightmare,
nightmare, II thanked
thanked God God werewere only
only dreams.
dreams.
The
The stillness
stillness waswas intense, the darkness
intense , the darkness frightful;
frightful ; andand out out ofof
that darkness
that darkness what what might
might not not come?
come ? II dreaded
dreaded to to think,
think,
R
R

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II tried
tried to to change
change my my thoughts,
thoughts, but but each
each attempt
attempt waswas
fruitless. What
fruitless. What if he he should
should never
never again
again emerge from
emerge from
that awful
that awful cavern?
cavern ? WhatWhat if if the
the half-breed's
half-breed's knife
knife should
should
find aa resting-place
find resting-place in his heart,
in his that lion
heart, that lion heart that never
heart that never
knew aa beat
knew beat of
of fear? And as
fear ? And as if to add
if to add toto my
my feelings
feelings an
an
intenser dreariness
intenser dreariness I I pictured
pictured poor
poor Murphy
Murphy sleeping his
sleeping his
eternal sleep in
eternal sleep in the far-off' oasis.
the far-off oasis. He He was
was the
the first
first victim
victim;;
was Dick
was Dick to to be
be the
the second
second?? . And then who
And then who waswas to
to
follow??
follow
In the
In the meantime
meantime Ada Ada satsat upon
upon thethe other
other side
side of the
of the
gulf as
gulf as still
still and
and motionless
motionless as the stone
as the stone around her. Her
around her. Her
form
form waswas clearly
clearly outlined
outlined in the pale
in the pale light which played
light which played
about the
about mouth of
the mouth the cavern,
of the cavern, andand upon
upon her her II fixed
fixed mymy
. eyes.
eyes. PoorPoor girl what must
girl I! what must have been her
have been her feelings?
feelings ? To To
sit there and
sit there and know
know not not at what moment
at what moment she she would
would hearhear
Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's death-cry
death-cry ring ring out,
out, and
and behold
behold the the half-bred
half-bred
savage Kalua rush
savage Kalua rush upon
upon her her with
with his
his blood-
blood-stained knife,
stained knife,
utterly regardless
utterly regardless of of me
me and
and my rifle, and
my rifle, hurl her
and hurl her into
into the
the
yawning gulf
yawning gulf below,
below, was was enough
enough to to freeze
freeze eacheach drop
drop ofof
blood in
blood in her heart. So
her heart. So shocking
shocking was was thethe contemplation
contemplation of of
this thought
this thought that
that II felt
felt my
my own own flesh
flesh quiver,
quiver, andand II knowknow
not what II should
not what should havehave donedone to to break
break the the stili,
still, uncanny
uncanny
spell
spell had
had II not
not at that moment
at that moment been been startled
startled by by aa long,
long,
wild shriek.
wild shriek. It It came
came rushing
rushing from from thethe inmost
inmost depths
depths ofof
the darkness
the darkness and and went
went howling
howling up up the
the craggy jaws of
craggy jaws the
of the
crater.
crater.
Whose was
Whose was that
that wild,
wild, unnatural
unnatural cry cry ?? II could
could notnot answer,
answer,
so unlike
so unlike anything
anything humanhuman was was it.
it II was was beside
beside myself
myself
with an
with an excitement
excitement which
which II vainly
vainly endeavoured
endeavoured to to control.
control.
Jimmy
Jimmy and the girl
and the Lusota were
girl Lusota were breathing
breathing harder
harder than
than ever,
ever,
and away on
and away the other
on the other side
side Ada
Ada hadhad arisen
arisen andand was
was peering
peering
into the
into the darkness.
darkness. No No other
other noise was heard.
noise was heard. That That one
one
wild cry
wild was the
cry was the only
only sound
sound which
which told
told the
the men
men hadhad closed.
closed.
Presently
Presently II saw saw AdaAda put put her
her hand
hand up up as as aa sign
sign that
that
some one
some one was coming, and
WRS coming, and II prepared
prepared myself
myself to to shoot
shoot should
should
it prove
it prove to to be
be the
the thrice
thrice unwelcome
unwelcome form form of of the
the half-blood
half-blood..
But her
But her hand
hand suddenly
suddenly fell fell to
to her
her side
side and
and in in aa voice
voice wild
wild
with joy
with joy she
she cried
cried-·

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"Dick!
" "
Dick ! "
The next moment,
The next to our
moment, to inexpressible relief,
our inexpressible relief, the form of
the form of
my cousin
my Hardwicke advanced
cousin Hardwicke advanced into the light
into the light of day.
of day.

CHAPTER
CHAPTER XVIII.
XVIII.

HOW WE ACCOMPLISHED THE PASSAGE OF THE CHASM.

CHASM .

IT would
It would be be aa futile
futile task
task toto attempt
attempt to to describe
describe thethe joy
joy
his presence
his presence gave
gave me.me. New New life
life rushed
rushed throbbing
throbbing through
through
my veins. My
my veins. My heart
heart palpitated
palpitated withwith indescribable
indescribable gladness.
gladness.
The
The wish wish dearest
dearest to to my
my soul
soul was
was realised.
realised . He was safe,
He was safe, safe
safe !!
"66 Are you hurt
Are you hurt at all, Dick?"
at all, Dick ? " II shouted.
shouted.
"No, old fellow,
66 No, old fellow, not
not inin the
the least."
least."
My
My relief
relief at
at getting this assurance
getting this assurance from from hishis lips
lips may
may
easily
easily be imagined. He
be imagined. He spoke
spoke not not then
then of the narrow
of the narrow
escape
escape which which had
had been
been hishis;; but
but II learnt
learnt afterwards
afterwards that
that soso
near had
near had Kalua's
Kalua's knifeknife been
been to to his
his heart
heart that
that the
the coat
coat
across his
across his breast
breast hadhad been
been cut
cut byby the
the point
point of the blade.
of the blade.
"Well, Jimmy,"
"Well, Jimmy," 1I said, turning to
said, turning to mymy two
two companions,
companions,
"Kalua
" Kalua is is dead."
dead."
"II think
" think Mass'r
Mass'r Dick Dick finish him off
finish him off once
once hehe start,"
start,"
replied the
replied the worthy black. "Him
worthy black. 'Him dam dam warmwarm member,
member, no no
gammon.
gammon. Eat twenty fellows
Eat twenty fellows like
like Kalua."
Kalua."
. II looked
looked at at Lusota.
Lusota. She was radiantly
She was happy. Her
radiantly happy. Her
eyes
eyes were were sparkling
sparkling like diamonds and
like diamonds and her
her frame
frame shook
shook
with excitement.
with excitement.
" Kalua is
" Kalua is dead,"
dead ," II repeated.
repeated .
She returned my
She returned my gaze with one
gaze with one of wonderful intensity.
of wonderful intensity.
"Yes,
" the dog
Yes, the dog I" she said.
! " she said. "How
" How could could hehe hope
hope to to
battle
battle withwith aa chief
chief soso great?
great ? A A tree
tree maymay stand before the
stand before the
breeze. but
breeze, but the
the hurricane
hurricane uproots
uproots it."
it."

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But from her

But from her and her hate
and her hate my my thoughts
thoughts quicklyquickly flew.
flew.
Now that
Now that Kalua
Kalua was was gone-for
gone-for though though Dick Dick hadhad not not abso-
abso
lutely said
lutely said so much there
so much could be
there could be no doubt that
no doubt that such
such was
was
the case-there
the case there waswas no one to
no one prevent our
to prevent our escape,
escape, provided
provided
we had
we had thethe necessary
necessary means.
means. Yet Yet asas they
they could
could neither
neither gogo
up nor
up nor down
down the the jaws
jaws ofof the
the chasm
chasm to to cross,
cross, andand as the
as the
cavern on
cavern on their
their side ended in
side ended in aa wide
wide chamber
chamber which which pos
pos-
sessed no
sessed no outlet
outlet,, their
their position
position was was oneone thethe horror
horror of which
of which
can scarcely
can scarcely be conceived. And
be conceived. And yet yet it
it was
was imperative
imperative that that
the abyss
the abyss should
should be be recrossed.
recrossed. But But how
how?? Where Where ~as the
was the
answer to
answer to that
that awful
awful question?
question ? What What method
method were were wewe toto
employ
employ to to bridge
bridge thatthat dreadful
dreadful gulf?
gulf?
"There
" There is is only
only one one way,"
way," Hardwicke
Hardwicke shouted shouted at last.
at last.
" We must
"We must get ropes of
get ropes of some
some sort."
sort."
Ropes, forsooth !I Was
Ropes, forsooth Was the the man man going
going mad? mad ? Where Where
were we
were we likely
likely to to find
find ropes,
ropes, and and howhow use use themthem when
when
found?? Ropes!
found Ropes ! Might Might we we not not just
just as well ask
as well ask for
for a a
bridge at
bridge at once
once?? There There wouldwould be be anan equal chance of
equal chance of
success. Luckily,
success. Luckily, however,
however, the the suggestion
suggestion of of ropes
ropes waswas not
not
so dismally
so dismally received
received by by Ada
Ada as myself, for
as myself, for she
she immediately
immediately
inquired if
inquired if thongs
thongs wouldwould notnot do do asas well.
well.
"The
" The very very things,"
things," said said Hudwicke,
Hardwicke, 11 if we
" if we can
can get
get
enough of
enough of them."
them."
She then informed
She then informed us that great
us that great bundles
bundles of thongs were
of thongs were
brought to
brought to the
the temple
temple (which
(which Jimmy instantly verified
Jimmy instantly verified by
by
saying that he
saying that had seen
he had seen them
them duringduring his his search
search for for the
the
secret cavern)
secret cavern) and that it
and that it was
was of of such thongs the
such thongs the people
people
were bound
were bound who who were
were intended
intended for for the
the sacrifice.
sacrifice.
"Then,"
" Then," shouted
shouted Dick Dick to to me,
me, "send
" send Jimmy
Jimmy and the girl
and the girl
back
back toto the
the temple
temple to to bring
bring somesome of those bundles
of those bundles along.
along.
They
They maymay be the means
be the means of of our
our salvation.
salvation. In In the
the meantime
meantime
I will
I will explore
explore this this side,
side, so
so kindly
kindly fling
fling oneone of of your
your torches
torches
over.""
over.
Neither Jimmy
Neither Jimmy nor nor Lusota
Lusota needed needed aa second second telling
telling
They were
They were away
away almost
almost before
before II had had finished
finished giving
giving them
them
Hardwicke's order,
Hardwicke's order, and and II then
then flung
flung DickDick aa torch,
torch, which
which
he no
he no sooner
sooner lighted
lighted thanthan II saw both it
saw both it and
and himhim gradually
gradually
disappear.
disappear.

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-------------------------------------
Ada and
Ada and II satsat regarding
regarding each each other
other fromfrom ourour respective
respective
sides of
sides of thethe chasm
chasm.. We We spokespoke but but little.
little. Our position
Our position
was not
was not oneone in which speech
in which speech couldcould keepkeep pacepace with
with thought.
thought.
Indeed,
Indeed , II doubtdoubt if if speech
speech could could have
have given
given utterance,
utterance, eveneven
though II wished
though wished it, to the
it, to the intense
intense imaginings
imaginings which which swept
swept
like the wild
like the wild waves
waves of the ocean
of the ocean through
through my my brain.
brain. The The
destruction
destruction of the bridge
of the bridge had had been
been our our great
great misfortune.
misfortune.
Had
Had we we approached
approached with with lessless noise,
noise, or or had
had II not not e~en
even
answered to
answered to her
her cry cry andand thus thus warned
warned the the king
king of that
of that
approach, we
approach, we should
should have have reached
reached and and crossed
crossed the the structure
structure
before
before he he had been able
had been able to to injure
injure it.it.
"He no
"He no sooner
sooner heard heard your your cry,"
cry ," sheshe said,
said, "than
" than .he he
began to
began to loosen
loosen the the bridge
bridge from from its its supports.
supports. Then Then it it was
was
I screamed
I screamed for for you
you to to bebe quick
quick or or itit would
would be be too
too late,
late, for
for
II saw
saw the the bridge
bridge was was moving
moving and and thatthat in in aa very little time
very little time 1
he would
he would have have itit effectually
effectually destroyed
destroyed. It It was
was butbut aa poor
poor
weak thing
weak thing at at best
best (saplings
(saplings bound bound together
together with with green
green
thongs), and
thongs), and when when Dick Dick suddenly
suddenly boundedbounded on on to to itit his
his
weight completed
weight completed what what the the chief
chief hadhad begun.
begun. II saw saw himhim
leap into
leap into thethe air, leap as
air, leap as II thought
thought only only the the kangaroo
kangaroo couldcould
leap, and
leap, then--""" and
and then-- and she she stopped
stopped with with aa shudder
shudder of of
horror.
horror.
" 1I know
" know the the rest.
rest. You You saved
saved him.him. Bound Bound as as you were
you were
you rushed
you rushed between
between that that fiend
fiend and and him,him, between
between him him and and
certain
certain death.
death. Dick Dick is is aa brave
brave man, man, Ada. Ada. He He will
will never
never
forget you."
forget you."
"Ah,
" Ah, what
what can can we we do, Archie, that
do, Archie, that willwill ever repay him
ever repay him
for what
for what he he has done for
has done for usus ?? ""
" Love
" Love him, him, dear,
dear, lovelove him him as as the
the noblest
noblest brother
brother God God
ever gave to
ever gave to woman.
woman.""
"Yes, yes.
"Yes, yes. II wil will,l, II wil
will."
l."
We talked in
We talked this manner,
in this manner, with with Hardwicke
Hardwicke for for our
our subject,
subject,
for some
for some time.time. It It pleased
pleased us us toto speak
speak of of him.
him. There
There waswas
so much
so much goodness
goodness and and nobility
nobility of of spirlt
spirit in the man
in the man thatthat I I
for one
for one could
could nevoer
never tire tire of of singing
singing his his praises.
praises . Hero-
Hero
worship never
worship never had had twotwo moremore devout
devout followers
followers than than Ada
Ada andand
myself.
myself. She She saidsaid onceonce that there was
that there was aa sense
sense of of security
security
about
about his his person,
person, and and she she spoke truly.
spoke truly. With him
With him allall

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254 THE
TH GULDEN
E GO LDEN LAKE.
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danger
danger andand difficulty was, or
difficulty was, or seemed
seemed to to be,
be, lessened.
lessened . His His
indomitable spirit
indomitable spirit and
and utter
utter disregard
disregard o( of unpleasant
unpleasant circum-circum
stances
stances could
could not not belp
help inspiring
inspiring the the most
most timidtimid withwith some
some
o( his own
of his own boldness.
boldness.
He
He returned
returned afterafter being
being gonegone about
about aa quarter
quarter of an hour
of an hour
and
and reported
reported that that hehe was
was unfortunate
unfortunate enough
enough to to discover
discover no no
thongs.
thongs. This This was was aa sad
sad blow,
blow, and and II wondered
wondered if if Jimmy
Jimmy by by
any
any chance
chance had had beenbeen mistaken
mistaken when when he he said
said thatthat he had
he had
seen bundles of
seen bundles of them
them in in the
the temple.
temple.
" II have
" have something
something for you, though,"
for you, though," he he c;:ried.
cried. " " Stand
Stand
aside!! ""
aside
I obeyed,
I obeyed, wondering
wondering what what that
that something
something was, was, while
while he,
he,
coming
coming close
close to to the brink of
the brink the abyss,
of the abyss, hurled
hurled it it across.
across. On On
picking
picking it it up
up I I found
found it it to
to bebe my
my knife, the very
knife, the very oneone II had
had
given
given Kalua.
Kalua. So then, the
So then, the chief
chief would
would never
never trouble
trouble us us
more.
more. I I understood
understood Dick's silence. He
Dick's silence. He would
would not not breathe
breathe
aa word
word ofof him
him before
before Ada
Ada (or for fear
fear ofof awakening
awakening unpleasant
unpleasant
memories.
memories. But But this knife o(
this knife of mine
mine waswas aa token
token II could
could not
not
misunderstand
misunderstand. Kalua Kalua was was dead
dead indeed.
indeed .
There
There . waswas no no sign
sign or or sound
sound of of Jimmy
Jimmy and and the the girl
girl
returning and
returning and II was was about
about to to set
set out
out in in quest
quest of them
of them
when II heard
when heard the the worthy
worthy blackblack coo-eeing
coo-eeing in in the
the distance
distance,,
and aa minute
and minute or or two
two after
after hehe and
and Lusota
Lusota appeared'carrying
appeared carrying
two great
two great bundles
bundles of thongs, which
of thongs, which they
they placed
placed at at my (eet
my feet
with every
with every show
show o( of satisfaction
satisfaction and and which
which II may may saysay II
regarded no
regarded no less
less satisfactorily.
satisfactorily.
" Have you
"Have you plenty
plenty?"?" saidsaid Dick.
Dick. .
"I think
"I think so, though as
so, though as they
they say there are
say there are more
more bundles
bundles
there II will
there will send
send thethe girl
girl back
back (orfor another."
another. "
"A good idea,
" A good idea,"" said
said Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. And And thenthen he he spoke
spoke toto
her, telling
her, telling her
her whatwhat to
to do.
do. She'She darted
darted offoff with
with alacrity,
alacrity, aa
smile lighting up
smile lighting up her
her dark face. Dick
dark face. Dick hadhad spoken.
spoken . That That
was
was enough.
enough. She returned with
She returned with another
another great great bundle
bundle
shortly
shortly after, and was
after, and was once
once moremore despatched
despatched on on aa similar
similar
journey, Dick
journey, telling her
Dick telling that it
her that it would
would moremore than than please
please
him if
him if she
she diddid as as he
he wished.
wished. Poor girl I! II believe
Poor girl believe she
she
would
would have jumped into
have jumped into the jaws o(
the jaws of thethe chasm.
chasm at at his
his
bidding.
bidding.

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. Jimmy
Jimmy and and II immediately
immediately began began joining
joining the the thongs,
thongs, whilewhile
Dick
Dick made known his
made known his ideas
ideas in the following
in the following manner.
manner.
"You have
"You have readread of of people
people making
making theirtheir escape
escape from from aa
wrecked ship
wrecked ship byby means
means of of aa rope
rope between
between the the ship
ship andand thethe
shore.
shore. That That is is the
the principle
principle uponupon which
which we we must
must work.
work.
We have
We have no no ropes,
ropes, but when the
but when the thongs
thongs are are knotted
knotted and and
plaited together in
plaited together in aa line
line sufficiently
sufficiently long
long enough
enough to to reach
reach
across,
across, and
and strong
strong enough
enough to to bear
bear mymy weight,
weight, we must pass
we must pass
over."
over."
This might be
This might be anan easyeasy enough
enough tasktask for for himhim with with his his
fingers of
fingers steel and
of steel and muscles
muscles of of iron,
iron , but
but for Ada ! And II
for Ada I And
thought of
thought her swinging
of her swinging over that frightful
over that abyss, of
frightful abyss, of a a
possible accident,
possible accident, and and II cursed
cursed the the fate
fate that
that hadhad brought
brought
us to
us to such
such dire
dire extremities.
extremities.
"For
" For God's
God's sake! Jimmy, knot
sake ! Jimmy, knot them
them wellwell andand strong,"
strong," I I
almost cried
almost cried to to my fellow-worker.
my fellow-worker.
"Never
" Never fear,fear, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie,"
Archie," he he replied.
replied. "Me "Me love love
Mass'r
Mass'r DickDick and and the lovely Missy
the lovely Missy tootoo well.
well. Me Me knotknot so so
that he
that he no
no break
break suppose
suppose the the damdam mountain
mountain fall fall onon him.
him.
How many
How many yards
yards you you think,
think, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie
Archie?? ""
" About eighteen
"About eighteen or or twenty.
twenty. Mr. Mr. Dick
Dick thinks
thinks the the holehole
about fifty feet
about fifty feet wide.
wide."" .
"Mass'r
" Dick got
Mass'r Dick got plenty
plenty sabbee, Mass'r Archie,
sabbee, Mass'r Archie, but but II nono
think this
think this hole more'n forty
hole more'n feet the
forty feet the most."
most."
"So
" much the
So much the less
less work then for
work then us," II answered.
for us," answered.
66
"Plenty work anyway."
Plenty work anyway." And And he he setset toto with
with renewed
renewed
vigour. "
vigour. "This
This green
green hide hide plenty
plenty strong, though, Mass'r
strong, though, Mass'r
Archie.
Archie. Bear Bear thethe weight
weight of the devil"
of the devil.”
Luckily
Luckily the the hide
hide had had been
been cut in thick
cut in widths, so
thick widths, that
so that
when we
when we plaited
plaited fourfour strips
strips together
together it it made
made aa good, good, broad
broad
band, capable
band, capable of of sustaining
sustaining aa weightweight much
much greater
greater than than we we
had any
had liny idea
idea of of testing.
testing. Being Being whatwhat isis called
called green,
green, it it was
was
very pliable,
very pliable, andand offered
offered splendid
splendid facilities
facilities for plaiting.
for plaiting.
It was
It was nevertheless
nevertheless an immense task,
an immense task, andand my my fingers
fingers on on
several
several occasions
occasions gave gave out out and
and II waswas forced
forced to to rest
rest them
them aa
while. But
while. But the
the spirit
spirit of of inquietude
inquietude had had possession
possession of of me.
me.
Every minute
Every minute was was of of inestimable
inestimable value,value, andand Jimmy
Jimmy and and II
worked on
worked on inin silence.
silence.

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256 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

Lusota had
Lusota had returned
returned fromfrom her
her second
second journey,
journey, and and II was
was
just thinking
just thinking of of despatching
despatching her her on a
on a third, when II heard
third, when heard aa
sound
sound which made my
which made my heart
heart stand
stand stilL
still. It It was
was aa slow,
slow,
distant
distant rumbling,
rumbling, as as of thunder afar
of thunder afar off.
off. The
The rocks
rocks about
about
us
us positively
positively trembled
trembled and and to to crown
crown all
all and
and add horror to
add horror to
horror,
horror, aa cloud
cloud of of smoke
smoke rose
rose slowly
slowly from the jaws
from the jaws of the of the
chasm,
chasm, passed before my
passed before my eyes,
eyes, entirely
entirely blotting
blotting outout thethe
forms
forms ofof Dick
Dick and
and Ada,
Ada, and
and then
then disappeared
disappeared up up the
the great
great
flue
flue of the mountain.
of the mountain.
This was followed
This was followed by by another
another low,low, roaring
roaring rumble;
rumble ; again
again
the rocks
the rocks around
around us us quivered
quivered perceptibly,
perceptibly, and and II felt
felt mymy
frame violently
frame violently tremble
tremble as though undergoing
as though undergoing an an electric
electric
shock; the smoke
shock ; the smoke rose
rose once
once moremore in in aa dense
dense cloud
cloud com-
com
pletely
pletely enshrouding
enshrouding every object and
every object and filling my throat
filling my throat with
with
aa sulphureous
sulphureous taste.
taste. Shock
Shock succeeded
succeeded shock with such
shock with such
startling rapidity and
startling rapidity and overwhelming violence that
overwhelming violence that II was
was inin
terror lest
terror the great
lest the great granite
granite roof should fall
roof should fall and
and crush
crush us.us.
The
The smoke
smoke roserose in huger volumes
in huger volumes thanthan before,
before, carrying
carrying
with
with it
it aa fine
fine ash-like
ash-like sand,
sand, which
which burnt
burnt the
the face
face and
and hands
hands
and for
and for aa moment
moment or two completely
or two completely blinded
blinded us. us. Lusota
Lusota
crouched
crouched shivering,
shivering, moaning
moaning something
something about the anger
about the anger ofof
the
the Great
Great Spirit.
Spirit. Jimmy
Jimmy rolled
rolled his
his eyes
eyes inin wonder,
wonder, yetyet
seemed
seemed notnot much
much affected
affected byby the anger of
the anger of aa force
force so
so mighty.
mighty.
Whether it
Whether it was
was indifference
indifference or or heroism
heroism II could
could never
never
rightly
rightly guess.
guess. Perhaps
Perhaps itit was
was aa little
little of
of both.
both.
"Wel~
" Well, Mass'r Archie," he
Mass'r Archie," he said,
said, ""that's
that's a dam queer
a dam queer
thing,"
thing,"" and
and then weBt on
then went with his
on with work.
his work.
But in me
But in there was
me there was nono feeling
feeling ofof indifference.
indifference. I I knew
knew
too well what
too well what those
those awful
awful signs
signs presaged.
presaged. The volcano, of
The volcano, of
whose existence
whose existence we we had
had notnot dreamt
dreamt aa week
week ago,
ago, was in
was in
eruption,
eruption, andand heaven
heaven alone
alone could tell the
could tell the moment
moment we we
should
should bebe overwhelmed
overwhelmed with the seething
with the seething red-hot lava, or
red-hot lava, or
scorched to
scorched to aa cinder
cinder byby the
the furious
furious flames
flames which
which must,
must, inin the
the
course of
course of nature,
nature, soon
soon make
make their
their appearance.
appearance. This was
This was
an unforeseen
an unforeseen catastrophe,
catastrophe, and and in in our
our calculations
calculations of of
escape we
escape we had
had notnot reckoned
reckoned on on such
such stupendous
stupendous opposition.
opposition.
The thought
The thought of of crossing
crossing the
the, chasm
chasm by by means
means ofof the
the plaited
plaited
leather was in
leather was in itself
itself an
an undertaking,
undertaking, thanthan which
which nono more
more

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dangerous
dangerous had had man man or woman ever
or woman ever essayed,
essayed, but but now
now that
that
undertaking
undertaking was was rendered
rendered a thousandfold more
a thousandfold more awful
awful by by
the thought
the thought that that the
the smoke,
smoke, fire,fire, or ashes might
or ashes might catch them
catch them
midway between
midway between the the two
two sides
sides of of the
the abyss, leaving them
abyss, leaving them
unconscious of
unconscious life, or,
of life, or, byby burning
burning the the thongs
thongs in in two,
two,
precipitate them
precipitate them intointo thethe gulf
gulf below.
below.
Such
Such were were some some of the painful
of the painful thoughts
thoughts that that rushed
rushed
like daggers through
like daggers through my my brain.
brain . II worked
worked with with redoubled
redoubled
energy
energy andand encouraged
encouraged Jimmy Jimmy to to dodo the
the same,
same, which,
which, by by
the way,
the way, waswas quite
quite unnecessary.
unnecessary. The The worthy
worthy black
black guessed
guessed
what he
what he did not know
did not know for for certain,
certain, andand guessing
guessing toldtold him
him that
that
on us
on us depended
depended the the salvation
salvation of of his
his master
master and and the
the Missy.
Missy.
Therefore
Therefore he he told
told Lusota
Lusota to to go
go once
once moremore and and bring
bring aa
bundle
bundle of thongs, and
of thongs, and she,
she, poor
poor thing! though quaking
thing ! though quaking and and
terrified
terrified almost
almost to to death,
death, went
went offoff into
into the
the darkness
darkness without
without
word.
aa word.
"How are
"How are you
you getting
getting on, Archie?"" Dick
on, Archie? Dick cried
cried across
across to to me.
me.
"Slowly, Dick,
"Slowly, Dick, but but surely,"
surely," II replied
replied..
"Bravo that's the
"Bravo !I that's the style.
style. We'll
We'll givegive Mr.Mr. Volcano
Volcano the the
slip now
slip now if if he
he does
does not not look
look alive."
alive." And And he he laughed
laughed aloud,
aloud,
though the
though the laugh
laugh seemed
seemed to to me
me less
less hearty than genuine
hearty than genuine
laughter should
laughter should be. be.
Dick,
Dick, in in fact, felt not
fact, felt like laughing
not like laughing as you may
as you may be be sure,
sure,
but II understood
but understeod him him exactly.
exactly. It was aa slight
It was slight though
though in in-
effectual attempt
effectual attempt to make light
to make light ofof our evil destiny
our evil and give
destiny and give
some comfort
some comfort to Ada. But
to Ada. But she was not
she was not toto be
be deceived.
deceived . Too Too
well she
well she guessed
guessed the the helplessness
helplessness of of our
our position
position andand thethe
horror of
horror the fate
of the fate which
which seemed
seemed surely
surely awaiting
awaiting us. us. Yet
Yet she
she
complained not,
complained not, but
but sat sat heroic
heroic and and martyr-like,
martyr-like, readyready to to
meet whatever
meet whatever shouldshould befall.
befall.
We must
We must havehave beenbeen fourfour hours
hours completing
completing that that twenty
twenty
yards of
yards of line,
line, hours
hours whichwhich seemed
seemed like like so
so many
many years.
years. The The
task appeared so
task appeared so Herculean
Herculean that that II thought
thought we we should
should never
never
accomplish it.
accomplish it. YetYet thethe end
end came,
came, as as it
it comes
comes to to all
all things,
things,
and it
and it was
was finished.
finished. Lusota Lusota had had notnot returned
returned fromfrom her her
last
last errand,
errand, a a fact
fact II could
could not
not understand,
understand, though, being so
though, being so
busy, II am
busy, am afraid
afraid II did did notnot pay that attention
pay that attention to to her
her
absence which it
absence which it should
should have demanded.
have demanded.

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258 THE GOLD
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The work was

The work was finished
finished and and measured,
measured, and and II examined
examined
with the
with the utmost
utmost care
care every
every inch
inch of that twenty
of that twenty yards, yards, and
and
found it
found flawless. Very
it flawless. uneven it
Very uneven was truly,
it was truly, and and a a mass
mass of of
knots in
knots the bargain,
in the bargain, but but each
each knotknot was was secure
secure and and the
the
whole was
whole was plaited
plaited together
together withwith no small amount
no small amount of of skill,
skill,
for II had
for thoroughly mastered
had thoroughly mastered this this little art during
little art during my my voyage
voyage
to Australia,
to Australia, andand II knew
knew thatthat itit would
would bear bear well well itsits precious
precious
burden.
burden.
The
The volcano
volcano had caused us
had caused us no trouble for
no trouble for the the last
last hour
hour
and aa half
and half;; indeed,
indeed, beyond
beyond aa few few subdued
subdued murmurings,
murmurings, and and
now and
now and again
again a a light whiff of
light whiff smoke, it
of smoke, it had
had behaved
behaved in in a a
most
most exemplary
exemplary manner,
manner, and and II prayed
prayed to to Heaven
Heaven that that it it
would continue
would continue to to do
do soso for
for aa little
little while
while longer.
longer.
Jimmy and
Jimmy and II tested
tested the the strength
strength of of thethe lineline as as best
best wewe
could by
could by hanging
hanging on on toto its
its different
different ends. ends. Then Then II ex ex-
amined it
amined it carefully once more,
carefully once more, and and finding
finding it it equal
equal to to my
my
anticipations, II heaved
anticipations, heaved one one endend of of it over to
it over to Hardwicke,
Hardwicke,
a feat
a feat II easily
easily accomplished
accomplished by by attaching
attaching aa big big stone
stone to to
it. He
it. He was
was delighted
delighted withwith the
the specimen
specimen of of ourour handiwork
handiwork
which came
which came within
within his
his reach,
reach, and and declared
declared, that that if if it
it was
was as
as
good throughout
good throughout it it would
would bearbear aa tonton with
with ease.
ease.
II had fastened my
had fastened my end end of of thethe lineline to to aa pole pole which
which
had. been
had been driven
driven into
into a crevice of
a crevice of thethe rock,
rock, and which
and which
formerly helped
formerly helped to to support
support the the bridge.
bridge. This This II made made knownknown
to my
to my cousin,
cousin, whowho discovered
discovered aa similar
similar supportsupport on on his side
his side
and accordingly made
and accordingly made fast fast thethe line line to to it. it. ThereThere it it
stretched-a
stretched—a long, long, dark
dark streak
streak bridging
bridging that that awful
awful abyssabyss and
and
sloping horribly
sloping horribly inin thethe centre.
centre. Like Like the the filmy
filmy thread
thread of of aa
spider it
spider it seemed,
seemed, and and only
only fit
fit for
for aa spider
spider to to venture
venture upon.
upon.
It was
It was anan appalling
appalling thought
thought that that valuable
valuable lives lives should
should
swing on
swing on such
such aa way.
way. Yet Yet there
there was was no no other
other manner
manner of of
crossing; Hesitancy
crossing. Hesitancy was was unavailing.
unavailing. Rather Rather were were we we toto
thank the
thank the fates
fates that
that hadhad provided
provided us us with
with such such meagre
meagre
means.
means.
II had
had also
also made
made a a sling,
sling, and
and in in this the person
this the person had had toto get
get
who was
who was toto cross.
cross. To To thethe sling
sling we we thought
thought of of attaching
attaching
two long
two strips of
long strips of leather,
leather, so that it
so that it could
could be be pulled
pulled along
along
the main line
the main line one way or
one way the other:
or the other ; but but this this we we afterwards
afterwards

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7 HE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
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259

thought impracticable,
thought impracticable, there there beingbeing so so many
many knots knots to to
negotiate in
negotiate the main
in the main structure
structure as as toto render
render it it impossible
impossible to to
pull any
pull heavy weight
any heavy weight along
along it.it. It, It, therefore,
therefore, resolved
resolved itself
itself
into this, that
into this, that thethe person
person to to cross
cross would
would have have to work her
to work her
or his
or way by
his way by means
means of his hands,
of his hands, which,
which, thoughthough compara-
compara
tively easy
tively easy forfor aa man,
man, would,
would, II guessed,
guessed, be be aa superhuman
superhuman.
undertaking for
undertaking for aa woman
woman.. And And yet yet that
that awful
awful had had to to bebe
was master,
was master, and and we we lost
lost nono time
time in in explaining
explaining the the method
method
of crossing
of crossing to to Ada
Ada.. It It was
was not
not natural
natural that that sheshe should
should like like
the idea,
the idea, yet yet sheshe declared
declared that that she she was was not not afraid
afraid.. She She
had not
had not lived
lived herher wildwild lifelife to to be be scared
scared at at the the first
first
appearance of
appearance of danger,
danger, and and II sincerly
sincerly thanked
thanked Heaven Heaven
for giving
for giving her her soso sweet
sweet and and brave
brave aa heart.
heart.
. "Jimmy,"
"Jimmy," cried cried Dick
Dick to to that worthy, "you
that worthy, "you get get intointo thethe
sling and
sling work your
and work your way
way across.
across. II want want Missy
Missy to to seesee how
how
the thing
the thing is is done.
done."” .
"Right, Mass'r
"Right, Mass'r Dick.
Dick. II suppose
suppose 'um safe?? ""
' um safe
"Of course
"Of course it is. It
it is. It will
will bear
bear twenty
twenty like like you."
you . "
Jimmy looked
Jimmy looked {or for a a moment
moment at at thethe narrow
narrow line line that
that
swung across
swung across the the great
great dark gulf, then,
dark gulf, then, getting
getting on on his
his knees,
knees,
seized
seized it it with
with both
both hands
hands and and let
let himself
himself over over thethe side into
side into
the sling.
the sling. Then he began very slowly
Then he began very slowly to work his way to work his way
along the
along the line,
line, raising
raising himself
himself with with one one handhand to io shift
shift thethe
sling forward, and then settling down
sling forward, and then settling down again. This process, again. This process,
though slow,
though slow, carried
carried him safely and
him safely and surely
surely along,along, and and
presently he
presently he was
was swinging
swinging over over thethe very
very centre
centre of of the
the abyss.
abyss.
The drooping
The drooping curve curve in in thethe line
line waswas herehere enormous,
enormous, owing owing
to that
to that slackness
slackness whichwhich it was impossible
it was impossible to to make
make taut,taut, and
and
II knew
knew the the difficulty
difficulty of of the
the journey
journey would would be be inin mount
mount-
ing the
ing the incline
incline on on thethe other
other side
side;; and and here here thosethose very
very
knots which
knots which prevented
prevented us us using
using lines
lines on on the the sling
sling to to pull
pull
it backwards
it backwards and and forwards,
forwards, now now stood
stood us us inin great
great stead,
stead, for for
'by putting the
by putting the sling
sling over
over oneone ofof them
them itit effectually
effectually checkedchecked
it (rom slipping
it from slipping back.back.
All the
All the while
while King
King Jimmy
Jimmy was was making
making this this passage
passage Dick Dick
was pointing
was pointing out out toto Ada
Ada the the different
different thingsthings she she would
would havehave
to do
to do,, and
and whenwhen the the black
black had had comecome up up thethe incline,
incline, his his
master
master mademade him him 1J0
go slowly
slowly down
down it it again,
again, andand then then comecome

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260 THE
TH GOLDEN
E GO LDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

as slowly up
as slowly up once
once more,more, so so that
that sheshe should
should have have the the full
full
benefit of
benefit of hishis experiences.
experiences. This This Jimmy
Jimmy did, did, and
and having
having
completed
completed orders, orders, raisedraised himself
himself out out of the sling
of the sling by the
by the
aid
aid of of Dick's
Dick's hand hand and and stood
stood safesafe andand sound
sound amid amid themthem
on
on the the other
other side:
side.
"There
" There you you are, are,"" II heard
heard Hardwicke
Hardwicke say say toto her.
her. "You " You
see
see how very easy
how very easy it is. Keep
it is. Keep your your heart
heart up, up, like
like a brave
a brave
girl,
girl, don'tdon't looklook beneath
beneath you, you, and you'll be
and you'll be alongside
alongside of of
Archie
Archie in in aa minute."
minute."
spoke to
I spoke
I to her words of
her words of encouragement,
encouragement, using using thethe most
most
endearing
endearing terms terms at my command.
at my command. She She answered
answered that that she
she
was not
was not afraid,
afraid, neither
neither was was II to to be,
be, for
for she
she felt
felt quite
quite equal
equal
to the
to the undertaking.
undertaking. And And thenthen Dick
Dick and Jimmy proceeded
and Jimmy proceeded
to put
to put herher inin the
the sling.
sling.
This
This was was no no easy task, the
easy task, the mouth
mouth of the chasm
of the chasm sloping
sloping
so abruptly
so abruptly as as it it did,
did, and watched them
and II watched them with with intensest
intensest
eagerness.
eagerness. Hardwicke Hardwicke first first made
made the the sling
sling fast
fast toto the
the main
main
rope
rope with with aa bitbit of of lashing
lashing II had had thrown
thrown him him;; he then bade
he then bade
Jimmy twist
Jimmy twist it it (the
(the sling) round and
sling) round and steady
steady the the loop,
loop, andand
holding on
holding on himself
himself to to her
her hands,
hands, guided
guided her her backwards
backwards
into it.
into it. As As soon
soon as as she
she was
was seated,
seated, he he ordered
ordered Jimmy Jimmy to to
slowly untwist, and
slowly untwist, and in in a a moment
moment my my dear
dear girl
girl 'fas facing
was facing
me,
me, with with herher feet
feet hanging
hanging over over the
the awful
awful gulf.
gulf.
"Have
66 Have you you any any moremore lineline there?
there?"" Hardwicke
Hardwicke shouted.shouted.
"" Yes."
Yes."
"" Then fling it
Then fling across, old
it across, old chap."
chap."
threw aa coil
II threw coil as as desired
desired which
which he, he, unwinding, knotted
unwinding, knotted
together with
together with the the other piece II had
other piece thrown him
had thrown him aa little
little
while before,
while before, and and fastening
fastening aa stonestone to the end,
to the end, threw
threw it it back
back
to me.
to me.
" II shall
" shall make
make this this fast to the
fast to the sling,"
sling," he he said.
said. ""You You maymay
find it
find useful in
it useful steadying us
in steadying us across;
across ; besides,
besides, it will do
it will do toto
drag the
drag the sling
sling backback with.'
with."
I seized
I seized thethe line line andand scrutinised
scrutinised him closely. He
him closely. He hadhad
cut aa piece
cut piece offoff the the endend of it, it
of it, being of
it being good length,
ofgood length, andand
",ith this
with this hehe bound
bound Ada Ada so so securely
securely in in the
the loop
loop that
that. even
even
though she
though she fainted
fainted it it would
would have have been
been impossible
impossible for for her
her
to fall
to fall unless
unless the the whole
whole structure
structure gave gave way.way. He He thenthen

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 261

unrastened the
unfastened the sling from the
sling from the main
main line, speal4ng words
line, speaking words of of
comfort and
comfort and hopehope all the time,
all the time, andand telling
telling herher to to be
be sure
sure
and do
and do this,
this, and
and to to be be careful
careful andand not not to to dodo that,
that, with
with aa
fervent "
fervent "God bless and
God bless protect you,"
and protect you," he he stood
stood back.
back.
"66 Courage,
Courage, dear dear one,
one, courage
courage I" ! " II cried.
cried. " " Be brave, be
Be brave, be
brave."
brave."
Now began
Now began the the journey.
journey. She did not
She did not hesitate a
hesitate a moment,
moment,
but
but directly
directly thethe sling
sling was was unfastened
unfastened launched launched out out onon herher
perilous voyage. First
perilous voyage. First of of all
all she
she raised
raised herself
herself by by one hand
one hand
and
and withwith the
the other
other shoved
shoved the the loop
loop on on about
about aa foot,
foot, in in
precisely
precisely the the same
same manner
manner as as Jimmy
Jimmy had had done.
done. This This sheshe
repeated
repeated with with clock-like
clock-like regularity,
regularity, amid amid criescries ofof encourage-
encourage
ment from
ment from both
both sides
sides of of the
the chasm,
chasm, till till she
she swung
swung fairfair in
in
the
the centre
centre of of that
that infernal
infernal pit.pit. So So far
far thethe journey
journey had had been
been
accomplished
accomplished with with comparative
comparative ease. ease. She
She hadhad looked
looked
steadily
steadily ahead
ahead of of her,
her, hadhad raised herself now
raised herself now withwith one
one hand
hand
and
and now now with
with the the other,
other, andand had
had uttered
uttered no no cry
cry Qfof fear.
fear.
How
How II thanked
thanked HeavenHeaven for for that
that wild
wild training
training which
which had had
given
given herher soso much
much muscle
muscle and and courage
courage I! What What would
would have have
become
become of of an an everyday
everyday young young girl girl in in such
such aa position?
position ?
She
She would
would havehave died
died of of fright.
fright. Terror
Terror Ada Ada felt,
felt, but
but itit was
was
not
not that
that terror
terror which
which cripples
cripples bothboth the the physical
physical and and intel-
intel
lectual
lectual energies;
energies ; but but rather
rather the
the tearfear of of aa brave
brave man man who,who,
surrounded
surrounded by by dangers,
dangers, sees sees butbut oneone likely
likely way
way of of escape,
escape,
and
and though
though it it be
be almost
almost through
through the the jawsjaws of of death
death itself,
itself,
yet
yet bravely
bravely dares
dares it.it.
So
So waswas it with her.
it with her. She She quaked
quaked with with thethe very horror of
very horror of
her position,
her position, but but sheshe knew
knew thatthat on on her her clear-headedness
clear-headedness
and strength
and strength of will depended
of will depended her her salvation,
salvation, and and she
she braced
braced
herself for
herself for the
the occasion.
occasion. To To seesee her her swing
swing there
there in in the
the
black jaws
black jaws of of that
that awful gulf, depending
awful gulf, depending entirely entirely uponupon her her
own exertions
own exertions forfor her safety, almost
her safety, almost froze froze my my blood.
blood. II tremtrem-
bled and
bled and shivered
shivered as as though
though aa violent
violent chill possessed me,
chill possessed me, andand
vet the
yet the perspiration
perspiration was was running
running in great drops
in great drops fromhom my my
rorehead The
forehead. The agony
agony II endured
endured those those few few minutes
minutes aa lifelife
oflove
of love and joy cannot
and joy cannot more more than
than repay.
repay.
Having
Having gone gone downdown the the line,
line, so
so to to speak,
speak, to to the
the centre,
centre,
ihe had
she had now
now to to come
come up up it it on
on my my side. side. This This waswas thethe

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262 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.
,
most
most difficult task, but
difficult task, but sheshe faced
faced it it bravely
bravely and and had
had mounted
mounted
fully half-way
fully half-way before before her her hands
hands gave gave in. in. ThenThen she gazed
she gazed
in my
in my face,
face, and and II sawsaw by by the
the despondent
despondent look look on hers that
on hers that
she
she could
could come come no farther. Her
no farther. Her face face was was as as white
white as as aa
sheet
sheet andand her her eyeseyes glazed
glazed and and heavy.
heavy. II thought
thought she she was
was
going
going to faint, and
to faint, and II spoke
spoke words
words of of courage
courage and and hope,
hope, butbut
she
she seemed
seemed to hear me
to hear me not.
not. LikeLike a a dead
dead womanwoman she she satsat
gazing up
gazing up to to me,
me, herher hand
hand clutching
clutching convulsively
convulsively the the line.
line.
To
To seesee herher so so helpless,
helpless, so so close
close toto me and yet
me and yet so far beyond
so far beyond
my reach, was
my reach, was anguish
anguish unendurable.
unendurable. II felt felt as
as though
though II was was
going mad.
going mad. '
"Tell
" her," shouted
Tell her," shouted Hardwicke
Hardwicke across across to to me,
me, "to raise
66 to raise
herself by
herself by both
both hands,
hands, and when she
and when she does, pull you
does, pull you thethe
sling."
sling. "
This
This was was an an excellent
excellent suggestion,
suggestion , for· for soso far
far sheshe hadhad
raised herself
raised herself by by one one hand
hand only only while
while II with with my my lineline
had merely
had merely kept kept the the sling from slipping
sling from slipping back.back. She She noW'
now
grasped
grasped the the roperope with with both
both hands-for
hands-for she she hadhad heard
heard
Dick,
Dick, and and immediately
immediately perceived
perceived the the value
value of the hint
of the hint
-
-I I pulled
pulled aa little,little, then
then. held
held the the sling
sling fastfast asas she
she sat sat
back
back in in it it again.
again. Again Again and and againagain she she raised
raised herself,
herself,
I pulling
I pulling and holding fast
and holding fast by turns, till
by turns, till she
she waswas right
right up up
against
against the the ledge.
ledge. Then Then stooping
stooping down down and untying her
and untying her
from the
from the loop,
loop, II stretched
stretched out out first
first one
one armarm and. then the
and then the
other,
other, and and catching
catching both both herher hands
hands in in mine,
mine, II gradually
gradually
drew her
drew her overover thethe ledge
ledge in in safety.
safety.
In aa moment
In moment she she waswas weeping
weeping on on my breast, breaking
my breast, breaking
down,
down, like like aa true woman, as
true woman, as soon
soon as the danger
as the danger was was over.
over.
It may
It may be be scarcely
scarcely necessary
necessary to to relate what joy
relate what joy her presence
her presence
illspired,
inspired, but but so wrapped up
so wrapped up waswas II in in herher escape
escape thatthat 1I
forgot for
forgot for the
the moment
moment the the two
two brave
brave men men who who had had brought
brought
about
about thisthis happy
happy consummation.
consummation. But But she she did
did not.
not. WithWith
a gentle
a gentle whisper
whisper she she brought
brought me me to to my my senses,
senses, and llnd ]I
threw the
threw the lineline back
back to to Dick,
Dick, who who quickly hauled the
quickly hauled th~ sling
sling
across.
across.
There
There was was evidcmtly
evidently some little difficulty
some little difficulty between
between the the
two as
two as to to who
who should
should go first, but
go first, but at last Jimmy
at last Jimmy swung swung
himself into
himself the sling,
into the Dick again
sling, Dick threw the
again threw the line
line to
to me.
me, and
and

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251

but

ne

98
neOv

เนื้

HomeNisbet

"..She
She now
now gras
graspped the rope
ed the both hand
with both
rope with hands."
•."
[5"pag
page 262.

-
[See e 262.
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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 263

in aa few
in few moments
moments the the worthy
worthy aborigine
aborigine had had hauled
hauled himself
himself
beside
beside me me and and waswas safe.
safe.
It was
It was nownow Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's turn, turn , and
and as as he
he 'swung
swung himselfhimselfintointo
the sling,
the sling, the thevo1cano,
volcano, whichwhich had had remained
remained quiet quiet for for so
so long,
long,
uttered
uttered a a low,low, angry
angry growl
growl as though anl'loyed
as though annoyed at at ourour
escaping
escaping so so easily
easily fromfrom his his infernal
infernal clutches;
clutches ; the the rocks
rocks
once
once moremore vibrated
vibrated violently,
violently, but but DickDick had had begun begun his his
journey and
journey and no no douht
doubt felt felt the
the movement
movement less less thanthan we,we, forfor
he
he came steadily along
came steadily along as though nothing
as though nothing had had happened.
happened .
He could not
He could not have
have gone above half-way
gone above half-way when when of of aa sudden
sudden
a dense
a dense cloud cloud of of smoke
smoke and and ashes
ashes arose,
arose, completely
completely blottingblotting
him from
him from my my view,
view, filling
filling mymy eyes with the
eyes with the same burning
same burning
sensation,
sensation, and and almost
almost choking
choking me with its
me with its sulphureous
sulphureous fumes. fumes.
I tried
I tried to to see,
see, toto'speak,
speak, but but found
found it it impossible
impossible to to do
do either.
either.
was besieged
II was besieged with with the the awful thought that
awful thought that the the fumes
fumes
would overpower him,
ould overpower him, forfor he was not
he was made fast
not made fast to to the
the sling,
sling,
and if
and if he
he should
should become
become unconscious
unconscious there there was nothing to
was nothing to
save
save him him from from slipping through the
slipping through the loop
loop and falling down,
and falling down,
down
down to to thethe very
very bottom
bottom of the hideous
of the hideous chasm.
chasm .
Luckily
Luckily it was only
it was only another
another huge huge puff puft" from
from the the mighty
mighty
pipe
pipe of the monster,
of the monster, and and when when it it passed
passed away away II saw saw my my
cousin
cousin clinging
clinging like like grim
grim death
death to to the
the line with his
line with his face
face
as white
as white as as a ghost's. He
a ghost's. He seemed
seemed almostalmost overcome
overcome with with thethe
fumes, for
fumes, for he he still
still remained
remained in in the
the centre
centre of the line
of the line coughing
coughing
in truly
in truly shocking
shocking manner.manner. The The ashes ashes hadhad pervaded
pervaded his his
lungs and
lungs and the the smoky
smoky fumesfumes his his brain.
brain. '
Again
Again the the same
same low low rumble
rumble was was heard,
heard, the the earth shook '
earth shook
as before, and
as before, was afraid
and II was afraid another
another cloud cloud of of smoke
smoke would would
arise
arise before
before he he could
could getget across.
across.
" Dick,
,cc Dick, Dick,Dick, forfor the
the love
love of of God,
God, comecome on' on ! ""
He heard me,
He heard me, andand also
also thethe low
low roarroar of of the
the volcano,
volcano, and and
it
it awoke
awoke the the torpid
torpid languor
languor of of his brain, for,
his brain, for, as as if if imbued
imbued
with
with a a sudden,
sudden , eager eager life,
life, he
he came
came up up the
the incline
incline of of the
the rope
rope
with
with thethe agility,
agility of a monkey.
ofa monkey. II stretched
stretched out out mymy handhand to him,
to him,
Jimmy laid
Jimmy laid holdhold of me, and
of me, and as as the
the first
first breath
breath of of .the horrid
the horrid
smoke-cloud
smoke-cloud came came rushing
rushing up up the the craggy
craggy jaws jaws of of thethe
abyss, we
abyss, we hadhad hauled
hauled him him over
over the the ledge,
ledge , and
and the the passage
passage of of
the chasm
the chasm was was accomplished.
accomplished. .

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He was
He was breathless
breathless and
and seemed
seemed on the point
on the point of
of fainting,
fainting,
but after
but after resting
resting aa few
few moments,
moments, his brain grew
his brain grew clearer
clearer and
and
the old
the old energy
energy returned.
returned. The The roaring
roaring noise
noise was
was more
more
incessant than
incessant than ever,
ever, and
and he
he no
no sooner
sooner got
got upon
upon his
his feet
feet
than
than he took in
he took the situation.
in the situation. .
"We must
"We must fly fly for
for our
our lives,
lives, Archie. Jimmy, go
Archie. Jimmy, you first;
go ""you first ;
Archie, take
Archie, take Ada, Ada, II will
will bring
bring upup the
the' rear."
rear.' Then
Then
suddenly missing
suddenly missing the the girl,
girl, he
he cried
cried:: ""Where's Lusota?"
Where's Lusota ?"
In the
In the keen
keen excitement
excitement of of the last hour
the last hour we
we all
all seemed
seemed to to
. have
have forgotten
forgotten her.her.
" She never
"She never came back," II said.
came back," said.
Strange," he
Cl Strange,"
"6 he muttered.
muttered. ""Surely she could
Surely she could notnot have
have
betrayed us
betrayed us?? "..
" No,
" No, nono j; sheshe would
would rather
rather die."
die." It was Ada
It was Ada who
who
spoke.
spoke.
"Strange," he
"Strange," he said again. "But
said again. go, Archie.
" But go, Archie. Quick,
Quick,
quick,
quick, or we shall
or we never leave
shall never leave this
this vault alive."
vault alive."

CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XIX

CONTAINING AN
CONTAINING ACCOUNT OF
AN ACCOUNT OF OUR FLIGHT, AND
OUR FLIGHT, AND DESCRIBING
DESCRIBING
THE VIOLENCE
THE VIOLENCE OF THE GREAT
OF THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE.
EARTHQUAKE.

WE made
We made ourour way,
way, as
as rapidly
rapidly as the indifferent
as the indifferent light
light
would allow,
would allow, up the rough
up the steps II had
rough steps had descended
descended so so pre-
pre
cipitously, then onward
cipitously, then onward slowly through the
slowly through the dark.
dark passage,
passage,
for the
for the current
current of air still
of air still rushed swiftly by,
rushed swiftly by, debarring
debarring usus
the use
the use of
of torches.
torches. Jimmy
Jimmy led led the way throughout,
the way throughout, and
and
though we
though we could
could not
not see him we
see him we found
found himhim anan invaluable
invaluable
guide. He
guide. He shouted
shouted what
what to to avoid
avoid and which way
and which to turn
way to turn
in
in such
such a manner and
a manner and so so precisely
precisely that
that we
we experienced
experienced
little difficulty
little in getting
difficulty in getting along.
along. We We soon
soon knew
knew byby the
the

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diminished
diminished current current of of air
air thatthat we we had had passed
passed the the great
great
overhead flue,
overhead flue, and
and aa minute
minute or two afterwards
or two afterwards our our worthy
worthy
guide thought fit
guide thought fit to
to call
call a a halt.
halt. Then Then he he glided
glided fromfrom our our
side
side andand presently
presently struck
struck a light, and
a light, and we we saw that we
saw that we had
had
come
come once once more
more intointo thethe temple
temple of of the
the Great
Great Spirit.
Spirit .
I helped
I helped Ada Ada through.
through. Above Above us us stood
stood the the big big statue
statue
with
with thethe same
same evil grin upon
evil grin upon its its face.
face. Ada Ada trembled
trembled as as
she gazed upon
she gazed upon it.it.
" Let
" Let usus go,"
go," she
she said.
said . " "That hideous thing
That hideous thing terrifies
terrifies me."
me. "
"Wait
" Wait a moment and
a moment and you you shallshall see the last
see the last ofof it," cried
it, " cried
Hardwicke.
Hardwicke. " It shall
" It shall claim
claim no no more
more victims,
victims, II assure you.
assure you.
Stand
Stand dear,
clear, Archie,
Archie, II am am going
going to to topple
topple it it over."
over." And And
with that
with that he he placed
placed his his shoulder
shoulder to to itit and
and pushed,
pushed , but but
though it
though shook he
it shook he could
could not dislodge it.
not dislodge it.
"Come up,
"Come up, Jimmy,
Jimmy, and and lend lend me me aa hand,"
hand," he cried. The
he cried. The
black, grinning
black, grinning fromfrom ear ear to to earear as though he
as though he appreciated
appreciated
the task
the task immensely,
immensely, was was beside
beside his master in
his master in aa moment,
moment,
and their
and their combined
combined efforts dislodged the
efforts dislodged the great
great thing.
thing. With With
a huge
a huge lurch lurch 'it fell crashing
it fell crashing to to the
the earth,
earth, thethe arms
arms and and legs
legs
smashing to
smashing to pieces,
pieces, and and the the headhead severing
severing from from the the body.
body.
Dick immediately took
Dick immediately took up up aa torchtorch and and hunted
hunted for for that
that
most objectionable
most objectionable portion portion of of the
the idol, which he
idol, which he no no sooner
sooner
found than,
found than, with
with hishis knife,
knife, he he began
began to to extract
extract its its ruby
ruby
eyes, remarking
eyes, remarking by by thethe wayway thatthat itit would
would be be nothing
nothing short short
of aa crime
of crime to to leave
leave such stones behind.
such stones behind.
was impatient
II was impatient at this delay,
at this delay, which,
which, considering
considering the the
immediate nearness
immediate nearness of the volcano
of the volcano and and itsits likelihood,
likelihood, at at
any moment,
any moment, to to burst
burst forth
forth into into violent
violent eruption,
eruption, was was most
most
unpardonable. II knew
unpardonable. knew the the rubies
rubies were were of of inestimable
inestimable
value. but
value, but of what would
of what would be be their
their worth
worth if if we
we should
should failfail
to escape
to escape??
"6
"Come,
Come, Dick Dick;; come,come, for for heaven's
heaven's sake sake !I ""
"" In
In a a moment,"
moment," he he answered;
answered ; " "you
you see,
see , II have
have aa downdown
on this
on fellow. He
this fellow. He has has had had things
things too too much
much his his ownown way,
way,
and wants
and wants lowering
lowering aa peg peg or two. There
or two. There you you are, are, my
my
beauty," he
beauty," he continued,
continued , as as he he manipulated
manipulated the left eye
the left from
eye from
the great
the great head,
head, "your" your splendour
splendour and and glory
glory are gone.
are gone.
Belshazzar's
Belshazzar's grave grave is is made.
made. Forward, Forward, Archie,
Archie, forward
forward I" !"
s
S

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We prepared
We prepared to to set out, when
set out, when our our attention
attention waswas suddenly
suddenly
arrested by
arrested by aa low groan. It
low groan. proceeded from
It proceeded from the the further
further
portion of
portion the chamber,
of the chamber, near near the the main
main entrance.
entrance. We We
listened again,
listened again, scarcely
scarcely daringdaring to to breathe,
breathe, but but thethe sound
sound
was not
was not repeated.
repeated
"That
“ That was was a a human
human moan,moan, I'll I'll swear,"
swear," Hardwicke
Hardwicke ejacu-ejacu
lated "
lated. "Here, Jimmy, lend
Here, Jimmy, lend meme youryour light,"
light," and
and seizing
seizing the
the
proffered torch,
proffered torch, he he went
went on on ahead,
ahead, cautioning
cautioning us us to remain
to remain
as
as wewe were.
were.
He
He had had notnot gone
gone many
many yards before he
yards before he stopped,
stopped, and and II
saw
saw himhim hold
hold hishis torch
torch low low down,
down, and and then
then kneel beside it
kneel beside it..
. We
We all all drew
drew near,
near, little imagining the
little imagining the sight
sight that
that was
was to to
meet our
meet gaze. There,
our gaze. There, gaggedgagged and and almost
almost naked,
naked, was was
stretched
stretched the the form
form of of Lusota,
Lusota, whilewhile fromfrom herher forehead
forehead
flowed aa small
flowed small stream
stream of of blood-the
blood-the trail trail of the Sacred
of the Sacred Axe.
Axe.
Ada trembled
Ada trembled violently,
violently, and and couldcould not not suppress
suppress a a
scream.
scream .
""Is she dead?"
Is she dead ? " I I asked
asked..
"I think
"I think so," Hardwicke replied,
so," Hardwicke replied, ""though
though the the body
body is is
not
not yetyet cold."
cold. "
"Who could
"Who could have
have done
done thisthis deed
deed?" ?"
"Wanjula," was
"Wanjula," was his
his fierce
fierce answer.
answer.
At the
At the sound
sound of of that
that word
word thethe eyes
eyes of of the
the unfortunate
unfortunate
girl suddenly
girl suddenly opened,
opened, and and then
then as swiftly closed
as swiftly closed again.
again. A A
tremor shook
tremor shook her frame, and
her frame, and sheshe waswas dead.
dead.
"You see,"
"You said Dick,
see," said Dick, "it was Wanjula.
" it was Wanjula. Poor thing,
Poor thing,
poor thing !! "" Perhaps
poor thing Perhaps he he thought
thought then then of the great
of the great love
love
this savage
this savage girlgirl had
had borne
borne him.him.
"Then the
"Then the priest
priest mustmust havehave been been herehere a a short time
short time
since?
since ? " "
" Undoubtedly."
" Undoubtedly."
,. Come, let
"Come, let usus go,"
go," saidsaid I,I, beginning
beginning to to scent
scent danger
danger
with that
with that fiend
fiend at large. "
at large. "Poor
Poor girlgirl !I we
we can
can do do her
her nono
good now.
good now. Peace Peace be be with
with her."
her."
He undid
He undid the the cruel.
cruel gag from her
gag from mouth, took
her mouth, took her hand
her hand
in his
in his and pressed it
and pressed to his
it to his lips,
lips, then
then crossed
crossed them
them reveren-
reveren
tially
tially upon
upon her her breast,
breast, and and rising
rising up,up, followed
followed us from the
us from the
oppressive chamber.
oppressive chamber.

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We reached
We reached the the entrance without mishap,
entrance without mishap, and
and on on looking
looking
towards the
towards the village
village discovered
discovered aa canoe canoe rapidly
rapidly approaching
approaching
it, but
it, but .whether
whether it it contained
contained Wanjula
Wanjula or not we
or not we could
could not not
ascertain.
ascertain.
Thanks
Thanks to to the
the precaution
precaution we we hadhad taken
taken. ofof hiding
hiding .our our
canoe
canoe the the arch
arch fiend had not
fiend had not tampered
tampered with with it,it, so
so we
we all
all
got aboard
got aboard and and paddled
paddled across
across to to the
the village.
village.
cc Is
" this not
Is this going into
not going into thethe lion's
lion's den?"
den ? " II inquired.
inquired.
"" True;
True ; but but wewe must
must put
put a a bold face on.
bold face on. Besides,
Besides, if if II
gauge Wanjula's
gauge Wanjula's heroism heroism correctly,
correctly, he won't put
he won't put himself
himself
within range
within range of of our
our bullets."
bullets."
"But that
"But that will
will not
not prevent
prevent him him sending
sending hishis men
men after
after us."
us."
"" Then
Then we we shall
shall fight them. Archie,
fight them. Archie, wewe must
must go back.
go back.
There is
There is nono other
other wayway of of escape.
escape. See, the
See, the sun
sun willwill bebe
down
down in in three
three oror four
four hours.
hours. Who Who knows
knows that
that we
we may may notnot
get clear
get away without
clear away without aa brush
brush?? Look Look at at that
that mountain
mountain
smoking.
smoking. The The people
people will
will find
find enough there to
enough there to rivet
rivet their
their
attention
attention withoutwithout thinking
thinking of of us."
us."
Great
Great clouds
clouds of of smoke
smoke were were nownow piling
piling upup into
into thethe air,
air,
and as
and we approached
as we approached the the village
village we we found
found the
the water's
water's edgeedge
thronged with
thronged with anan excited crowd. As
excited crowd. As there
there happened
happened to to bebe
several canoes
several afloat, we
canoes afloat, landed without
we landed without anyany special
special interest
interest
being evinced
being evinced in in our
our movements.
movements. Further Further up up thethe sand
sand
many people
many people werewere kneeling,
kneeling, lifting
lifting up up their
their hands
hands in in sup
sup-
plication towards the
plication towards the mount
mount and and exhorting
exhorting thethe Great
Great Spirit
Spirit
with might
with might and and mainmain to to stay
stay his wrath, for
his wrath, for they
they werewere
of
of one one opinion
opinion the the god
god had had been
been angered,
angered, and and in in this
this
terrific
terrific manner
manner was was he he displaying
displaying his his feelings.
feelings. As we
As we
passed
passed by by an an excited
excited group
group many many murmurs
murmurs and fierce
and fierce
looks
looks were were directed
directed towards
towards us. us. There
There were
were half-a-dozen
half-a-dozen
of
of Kalua's
Kalua's warriors
warriors among
among the crowd who!
the crowd who , II am
am sure,
sure, were
were
urging
urging the the people
people on. on. Ada Ada trembled
trembled and and walked
walked still still
faster.
faster.
"What are
"What are they
they saying
saying?" ? " II asked.
asked.
She
She answered
answered with with great
great emotion:
emotion : " "Quick,
Quick, quick,
quick, the the
people are
people are angry
angry withwith you
you ;j the
the god
god is angry with
is angry with you."
you."
. II guessed
guessed her her meaning
meaning and and hurried
hurried on, on , not
not liking
liking a a
longer acquaintance
longer acquaintance with with such
such scowling neighbours.
scowling neighbours.

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268 THE GOLDEN
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We reached
We reached our our huthut without
without opposition,
opposition, though
though Kalua's
Kalua's
warri ors no
warriors sooner saw
no sooner saw us us go than they
go than they mademade offoff in the.
in the
direction
direction of of thethe chief's
chief's residence,
residence, wherewhere we we guessed
guessed the the
priest would
priest would be. be. Having
Having filled filled ourour pockets
pockets with
with thethe
remaining cartridges,
remaining cartridges, and and taking
takillg aa little
little meat
meat andand our
our bottles
bottles
full of
full water, we
of water, we rolled
rolled up up ourour swags
swags and stood ready
and stood ready forfor
the march.
the march. We We then
then accompanied
accompanied Ada Ada to to her
her hut,
hut, where
where
her bundle was
her bundle was lyinglying already
already made made up, up, and without aa
and without
glance back
glance back to to see
see ifif wewe were
were perceived,
perceived, or or one thought of
one thought of
anything but
anything but relief,
relief, we we turned
turned our our backs
backs on on the
the village
village and
and
struck out
struck for the
out for the mountains.
mountains.
For about an
For about an hour
hourwe walked quickly
we walked quickly up the great
up the great valley,
valley,
at the end
at the end of of which
which time time the the village
village appeared
appeared no larger
no larger
than clump of
than aa clump of black
black spots almost immediately
spots almost immediately beneath
beneath us, us,
for this portion
for this portion of the ascent
of the ascent was was exceedingly
exceedingly steep.steep. We We
halted
halted awhileawhile to to regain
regain our our breath,
breath, and and as as we
we satsat wewe
surveyed
surveyed the the scene
scene with with mingled feelings of
mingled feelings of relief and
relief and
insecurity, relief
insecurity, relief atat our
our departure
departure and and insecurity because we
insecurity because we
knew
knew thatthat Wanjula
Wanjula was was still
still at
at large,
large, and
and whi:le
while hehe remained
remained
so there was
so there was no no safety
safety for for us.
us.
" Take
" Take youryour lastlast look
look of the village
of the village ofof thethe Mandanyah,"
Mandanyah,"
said Dick
Isaid Dick to to Ada.
Ada. "When "When the the sunsun rises to-morrow we
rises to-morrow we
shall
shall bebe far
far from
from it."
it."
"I am
"I am notnot sorry,"
sorry," she replied, as
she replied, as sheshe laid
laid her
her hand
hand in in
mine
mine andand looked
looked lovingly
lovingly into into my face.
my face.
"Nor shall
"Nor shall you
you be,"be," I I answered.
answered. "Keep " Keep up up that
that same
same
brave spirit,
brave spirit, mymy girl,
girl, for
for there
there is is much
much to to dodo before
before wewe can
can
hope to
hope to strike
strike thethe habitations
habitations of of civilised
civilised men.men. There
There areare
many weary days
many weary days ahead,"
ahead," II continued,
continued, drawing
drawing her her aa little
little
to one
to side, ""many
one side, privations;; perhaps
many privations perhaps the the very
very worst,
worst, who
who
knows?? ""
knows
"No matter,
"No shall be
matter, II shall with you-
be with you-and Dick.. So
and Dick So long
long asas
we do
we do not
not part
part II am am content.
content. Ah, Ah, do not be
do not be afraid
afraid ofof me.
me.
II have
have not Dot lived
lived among
among these these hills
hills for
for nothing.
nothing. II shall shall
!?ear the
bear the journey
journey well,well, never
never fear."
fear."
. ""Forward,"
Forward," cried cried Hardwicke
Hardwicke at that moment,
at that moment, and and
we slung
we slung our swags once
our swags once more more upon upon our our shoulders
shoulders
and were preparing
and were preparing to to depart
depart when when the the attention
attention of of

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all four was

all four was sqddenly
suddenly arrested
arrested by by a a strange,
strange, roaring
roaring
noise.
noise.
"The volcano,"
"The volcano," shouted
shouted Dick, Dick, and and we we stood
stood still
still toto
listen, watching with
listen, watching with breathless
breathless interest
interest the the smoking
smoking
mountain.
mountain. The The noise
noise grew
grew louder
louder and and louder.
louder.
"That
" That no no belong volcano, Maiis'r
belong volcano, Mass'r Dick,"
Dick, " said Jimmy.
said Jimmy.
"That
" That all all the
the same
same black fe11o'4'."
black fellow."
What do
11 What
" you mean?
do you mean ? ""
But
But it was not
it was not necessary
necessary to to wait
wait forfor aa reply.
reply. At At that
that
moment,
moment, distinct
distinct andand awfu~
awful, came
came the the cries
cries ofof the
the blacks
blacks up up
the
the great
great valley.
valley.
"We are
"We are pursued,"
pursued," shouted
shouted my my cousin.
cousin. " "RunRun forfor it.
it""
Ada and
Ada and II immediately
immediately took took thethe lead,
lead, Jimmy
Jimmy and and DickDick
following. Up
following. Up thethe uneven
uneven path path we we panted,
panted , scrambling,
scrambling,
sprawling,
sprawling, and and in in a bpil of
a boil of perspiration,
perspiration, while,
while, behind,
behind, the the
cries of
cries of our
our pursuers
pursuers drew drew nearer
nearer and nearer.
and nearer. It was
It was
evident
evident that that theythey were
were fastfast gaining
gaining upon upon us, us, which
which was was
hardly to
hardly to be
be wondered
wondered at at considering
considering the the lightness
lightness of their
of their
equipment and
equipment and the the way
way in in which
which we we were
were weighted
weighted down down
with swags,
with swags, water-bottles,
water-bottles, guns guns andand ammunition
ammunition..
"This
" This willwill never
never do,"do," cried
cried Hardwicke
Hardwicke in in the
the midst
midst of of
his
his gasps,
gasps, "we 66 we must
must tu turn
rn about
about andand faceface th them.
em. Get Get to to
the·
th e totopp of of th this
is ravine
ravine 'j'; itit will
will give
give us us aa commanding
commanding
position."
position. "
The
The ravine
ravine of of which
which he he spoke
spoke laylay before
before us us and
and was
was com-
com
posed
posed on on either
either sideside ofof huge
huge masses
masses ,of of rock
rock whichwhich rose
rose
from sixty
from sixty toto seventy
seventy feetfeet sheer
sheer into
into thethe air.
air. It It was
was aa sort
sort
of
of natural
natural pass, pass, andand from
from aa military
military pointpoint of of view
view Was
was aa
position
position a a captain
captain would
would rather
rather hold
hold thanthan storm.
storm . DickDick
saw this in
saw this in a a moment,
moment, consequently
consequently his his orders
orders to reach the
to reach the
top.
top. As As we we raced
raced up up between
between the the two
two jagged
jagged walls
walls ofof rock,
rock,
II looked
looked above above me me forfor aa moment
moment at their great
at their great frowning,
frowning,
precipitous
precipitous sides, sides, and though they
and though they mustmust have
have been fully
been fully
thirty or
thirty or forty feet apart
forty feet they did
apart they did not look half
not look half that
that width,
width,
so
so stupendous
stupendous were they. Steep
were they. Steep was this ravine
was this ravine and and
slippery,
slippery, being
being of of solid
solid rock,
rock, but
but once
once we we reached
reached the the top
top
we
we were
were amply amply repaid
repaid for for our
our toil.
toil. FromFrom that that height
height we we
could
could literally
literally sweep
sweep thethe whole
whole of the passage.
of the passage.

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" If
" we only
If we only had had aa Gatling
Gatling gun, gun, Dick
Dick I! ..”
" Ab
" Ah !"!" he he exclaimed.
exclaimed. There There was was aa wonderful
wonderful amount amount
of
of meaning
meaning in that expression.
in that expression .
there were
As there
As were heaps
heaps of of loose stones about,
loose stones about, in in a very few
a very few
minutes
minutes we we had built up
had built up an impromptu barricade,
an impromptu barricade, behindbehind
which we
which we rested,
rested, awaiting
awaiting the the approach
approach of of the
the enemy.
enemy.
We were
We were not not kept waiting long.
kept waiting long. The The yellsyells which
which had had
been drawing
been drawing nearer nearer now now sounded harshly in
sounded harshly in our
our ears.
ears.
We could
We could hear hear their furious panting
their furious panting criescries distinctly
distinctly as as they
they
clambered
clambered up up thethe steep, uneven way,
steep, uneven way, and and could
could alsoalso
distinguish
distinguish parts parts of the savage
of the war-song they
savage war-song they gasped
gasped or or
shrieked
shrieked out out with with increasing
increasing difficulty.
difficulty. It
It waswas aa wild,
wild,
fiendish clamour for
fiendish clamour for our
our blood,
blood , a piece of
a piece of information
information we we
could have
could have donedone justjust as well without
as well without.
Soon
Soon half-a-dozen
half-a-dozen of of the
the foremost
foremost warriors
warriors appeared
appeared in in
sight,
sight, about
about fiftyfifty yards
yards from
from thethe entrance
entrance to to the
the rocky
rocky pass.
pass.
They immediately
They immediately beheld beheld us us and,
and, with
with aa fierce
fierce crycry ofof ex
ex-
ultation, bounded
ultation, bounded forward forward with with uplifted
uplifted spears,
spears, shrieking
shrieking
hideously all
hideously all the
the time.
time.
" Wait till
"Wait till they
they are
are close,"
close," said Dick, "we
said Dick, 66 we must
must not not miss.
miss.
them."
them."
On they
On they came,
came, shrieking
shrieking more horribly than
more horribly than ever.
ever. Close,
Close,
closer, till
closer, till they
they could
could not not have
have been been moremore than than twenty
twenty
yards off.
yards off.
"" Fire
Fire!" !" cried
cried Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, and and thethe two
two rifles
rifles and
and gungun
beiflg let
being let offoff simultaneously,
simultaneously, filled filled the
the great valley with
great valley with aa
thousand weird
thousand weird echoes.
echoes.
We fired
We fired againagain andand again
again and and hadhad the the satisfaction
satisfaction of of
beholding five
beholding five ofof our
our enemies
enemies stretched
stretched out dead or
out dead or seriously
seriously
wounded, while
wounded, while the the. sixth, with aa wild
sixth, with wild cry
cry of terror, turned
of terror, turned
about and
about bC!unded down
and bounded down the the passpass with
with thethe rapidity
rapidity of of an
an
emu,
emu, to to where
where aa dozendozen moremore of of our our pursuers
pursuers had had collected.
collected.
But he
But was not
he was not fated
fated toto reach
reach them.them. A A bullet
bullet from
from Dick's
Dick's
rifle struck
rifle struck his his great,
great, broad
broad back,back, andand withwith aa cry he flung
cry he flung
his arms
his into the
arms into the air
air and toppled headlong
and toppled headlong to to the
the earth.
earth.
"II did
" did that,"
that," said
said Hardwicke
Hardwicke as as he
he began
began· to to reload
reload hishis
magazine, "to
magazine, " to give them aa taste
give them taste of of our
our quality."
quality."
And he
And he evidently
evidently succeeded
succeeded in in impressing
impressing them them with
with a a

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sense of
sense of our
our greatness,
greatness, for for they
they withdrew
withdrew some some little
little distance
distance
from the
from the mouth
mouth of the pass
of the pass and
and held
held aa council
council of war.
of war.
"I
" I dodo not
not see
see Wanjula,"
Wanjula," II remarked.
remarked.
""HimHim hide hide behind
behind them them rocks,
rocks, Mass'r
Mass'r Archie.
Archie. Me Me
see him
see him just
just aa minute
minute ago."
ago."
"" He'll
He'll take care of
take care of his
his skin, never fear,"
skin, never fear," said
said Dick;
Dick ; "he's
" he's
an excellent
an excellent general.
general. But But I'dI'd give
give something
something to to have
have a a
pot at
pot at him."
him."
" What are
"What are they
they up
up toto now?"
now ?" II inquired,
inquired, seeing
seeing aa solitary
solitary
black approach
black approach us us without
without spear
spear or waddy, and
or waddy, and hishis two
two
arms held
arms held straight
straight over
over hishis head.
head
" A parley,
"A parley," Hardwicke answered.
" Hardwicke answered. " "Come
Come toto make
make some
some
modest demand,
modest demand, I'll I'll bet.
bet.
The
The fellowfellow approached,
approached, still still holding
holding his his hands
hands aloft,
aloft,
thereby showing
thereby showing thatthat he he neither
neither carried
carried nornor concealed
concealed aa
weapon, and
weapon, and that
that consequently
consequently his his mision
mision was
was one
one of of peace.
peace.
When he
When had climbed
he had climbed to to within
within twenty yards of
twenty yards of our barri-
our barri
cade he
cade was commanded
he was commanded by by Dick
Dick to to stop.
stop.
Cl What seeks
"What the warrior
seeks the warrior of the Mandanyah
of the Mandanyah ? ? ”n
""C' Behold,"
Behold," replied
replied thethe man
man pointing
pointing across to the
across to the smoking
smoking
mountain, "the
mountain, "the God
God is is angry with the
angry with the people."
people."
"Well ??""
"Well
" He
" hath demandedofthe
He hath demanded of the people people a a sacrifice."
sacrifice. "
"Well?"
"Well ?"
"And
" And ere the sun
ere the sun goes down that
goes down that sacrifice
sacrifice must
must bebe
made."
made."
"Have
" Have ye ye nono more
more old women in
old women the village
in the village that
that ye
ye
come
come to to me
me with
with these things?"
these things ?"
This
This retort of Dick's
retort of seemed to
Dick's seemed to anger the fellow.
anger the fellow.
" I came
"I came notnot here
here to to bandy
bandy words
words with the white
with the white man,
man,
whose tongue
whose tongue is is like the bite
like the bite of the death
of the death adder.
adder. II came
came
to demand
to demand that
that you
you (meaning
(meaning Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, who who ofof course
course had
had
carried
carried onon this
this conversation
conversation through
through Jimmy)
Jimmy) and the girl
and the girl
Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair return
return toto the
the village
village of
of our
our people.
people. TheThe
bla
blackck man
man and
and he he with the hair
with the hair ofof the
the night
night (meaning
(meaning me)me)
ma
na yy pass
pass on
on without
without molestation."
molestation .”
, And
" And who
who hashas bid
bid thee
thee come
come on tBis child's
on this child's errand, thou
errand, thou
Coou"
fool ?"

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E GO LDEN LAKE.
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"He
" who is
He who is greater
greater than
than the
the greatest-Wanjula
greatest-Wanjula thethe
priest."
priest."
"Is Wanjula with
"Is Wanjula them yonder
with them yonder?"? " pointing down the
pointing down the
} defile.
defile.
""Ay
Ay·"
"Then tell
"Then tell him to come
him to come and
and fetch
fetch us."
us."
" Is
" Is that
that the
the answer
answer of the white
of the white man?
man ?
" It is."
" It is."
"Think
" welL We
Think well. have aa hundred
We have hundred warriors.
warriors. The white
The white
men are
men are but
but two."
two."
" Enough!
" Enough ! The The white
white man man never
never yields.
yields. Behold,
Behold, II am am
he
he who
who wore
wore thethe Sacred
Sacred Axe,Axe, the the gift
gift of the Great
of the Great Spirit,
Spirit,
and
and II tell
tell you,
you, ohoh fool,
fool, so
so that
that you
you may may carry
carry mymy words
words toto
your
your brother
brother warriors,
warriors, (or for theythey are the words
are the words of of wisdom,
wisdom,
and
and the the words
words o( of one
one whowho is is mighty
mighty upon upon earth.
earth. TheThe
Wanjula
Wanjula is is aa false
false priest,
priest, andand thethe Great
Great Spirit
Spirit will
will protect
protect
Laughing
Laughing Hair Hair till
till every
every one one of of your
your hundred
hundred warriors·
warriors is is
dead
dead and and sheshe walks
walks in in peace
peace once once more.
more. Mark yonder
Mark yonder
mountain,
mountain, warrior,
warrior, andand listen
listen to to what
what II say.
say. Seek
Seek to to harm
harm
the
the Laughing
Laughing Hair, Hair, seek
seek to to cause
cause her
her but
but one
one pang
pang of of pain,
pain ,
and
and thethe wrath
wrath of the Great
of the Great Spirit
Spirit shall
shall bebe as the voice
as the voice ofof
thunder,
thunder, and and the
the fury
fury ofof his
his anger
anger bumburn youyou asas the
the lightning
lightning
the great
the great trees
trees onon the
the mountains.
mountains. Now Now go, go, and
and if if ye
ye fear
fear
not the power
not the power of the white
of the white men, men, come
come on. on. II have
have spoken.
spoken.
So,"
So," he he remarked
remarked to to me
me asas thethe messenger
messenger turnedturned about
about and
and
departed,
departed, "I " I thought
thought it it would
would be be some
some modest
modest request.
request. I I
wish
wish toto the
the lord
lord that
that volcano
volcano would would flameflame out.
out. It It might
might
carry weight
carry weight with the twaddle
with the twaddle II have talked."”
have talked.
"At present
"At present it looks angry
it looks angry enough
enough for anything;; but
for anything but
suppose it
suppose it should
should get get no
no worse
worse?? "..
"Don't suppose
"Don't suppose anything
anything so so dreadful,"
dreadful," he he replied
replied.. ""It It
will be
will be a bad look-out
a bad look-out for(or us us if it does
if it does not."
not."
In the
In the meantime
meantime the the savages
savages had had clustered
clustered in in aa huge
huge
. mass
mass at at the
the bottom
bottom of of the
the defile.
defile. There seemed to
There seemed to be
be
fully
fully a hundred of
a hundred them, if
of them, not more,
if not more, and and II knew there
knew there
would be
would be no no chance
chance of of escape
escape for for us should they
us should they prove
prove
persistent in
persistent in their
their attacks.
attacks. The victory must
The victory must go go toto the
the
stronger
stronger party.
party. It was not
It was not a a pleasant
pleasant thing to contemplate,
thing to contemplate,

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273

but
but when
when you are continually
you are continually face to face
face to face with
with danger you
danger you
lose your
lose your respect
respect for
for it.
it. And
And when
when you
you are
are driven
driven into
into aa
corner you
corner you fight like aa madman.
fight like madman. That is the
That is the way heroes
way heroes
are mad
are made.
e.
That
That the the savages
savages were were debating
debating excitedly
excitedly we we could tell
could tell
by the
by the incessant
incessant shouting
shouting that that reached
reached us, though who
us, though who was
was
leading the
leading the debate
debate it it was
was impossible
impossible to to see,
see, for the great
for the great
rocks
rocks hid many of
hid many of them.
them . Wanjula,
Wanjula, we we doubted
doubted not. not. Had Had
it
it been
been anyone
any one else else there
there might
might have have been been somesome hope.
hope .
Superstition
Superstition could could as as easily have been
easily have been arousedaroused for for asas
against
against us.us. But Wanjula was
But Wanjula was tootoo well
well acquainted
acquainted with those
with those
superstitions
superstitions himself
himself to to let
let us profit by
us profit by themthem.. He had
He had
aroused
aroused the the people
people to frenzy against
to frenzy against us us .by by pretending
pretending the the
god
god hadhad demanded
demanded us us asas aa sacrifice,
sacrifice, and and they,they, the
the quin-
quin
tessence of
tessence of superstitious
superstitious ignorance,
ignorance, were were too too ready
ready to to believe
believe
him . He
him. He had
had now now a a splendid
splendid chancechance of of revenge,
revenge, which
which
he
he did
did not
not intend
intend to to let
let slip.
slip. AndAnd as the smoke
as the smoke fromfrom the
the
burning mountain
burning mountain grew thicker and
grew thicker and thicker,
thicker, so so their
their frenzy
frenzy
increased, till
increased, till the
the longing
longing to to gain possession of
gain possession of usus and
and
appease
appease the fury of
the fury the fiend
of the they worshipped,
fiend they worshipped, amounted amounted
to the
to the grossest
grossest form form of of madness.
madness. They
They danceddanced and and
shrieked
shrieked before
before the entrance of
the entrance the defile
of the defile likelike aa detach-
detach
ment
ment of of infuriated
infuriated devils.devils. They They screamed
screamed with with such
such
vehemence
vehemence and and shook
shook their their spears
spears at at usus with
with such
such
ungovernable
ungovernable fury, fury, that
that II wasWiS atat a loss to
a loss to understand
understand why why
they restrained
they restrained themselves
themselves from from rushing
rushing upon upon us us pell-
pell
mell.
mell.
At last
At last there
there waswas aa movement
movement among among them, them, and and aa dozen
dozen
of
of their biggest and
their biggest and most
most able-bodied
able-bodied men dashed into
men dashed the
into the
defile,
defile, and with continuous
and with continuous shrieks shrieks of of thethe most
most horrible
horrible
description, intended
description, intended no no doubt
doubt to to terrify
terrify us,us, came
came bounding
bounding
up the
up the steep
steep pass.
pass.
Crack, crack, went
Crack, crack, went our rifles and
our rifles and two two of of the
the foremost
foremost
savages threw
savages threw up up their
their arms
arms andand fell.
fell AgainAgain we we fired
fired and
and
two more
two more bitbit the
the dust,
dust, yet yet on
on they
they came
came undaunted,
undaunted, and and
whether it
whether it was
was intense
intense excitement
excitement on on our
our partpart oror the
the quick
quick
movement of
movement of the
the savages
savages whichwhich made made us us miss,
miss, II dodo not
not
know, but
know, but that
that we we missed terribly was an
missed terribly was an appalling fact. appalling fact.

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274 THE GOLD
THE GOLDEN
EN LAKE.
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To
To my my consternation
consternation II saw saw thatthat each
each bulletbullet did did not n01
bring down
bring down aa man man as as II confidently expected it
confidently expected would
it would.
Thus were
Thus were our our magazines
magazines emptiedemptied and and onlyonly six six of of thethe
enemy accounted
enemy accounted for, for, and
and as as we
we hadhad nono time
time to to refill
refill them
them,,
we were
we were obliged
obliged to to lay
lay aside
aside our our rifles
rifles andand draw draw our OUI
revolvers. By
revolvers. this time
By this time the
the remaining
remaining six six savages
savages were were sc sc
close that
close that before
before we we could
could bringbring moremore than than two two to to the
the
ground they
ground they had
had breasted
breasted our our little
little barricade.
barricade. II remember remembel
seeing two
seeing two of of them
them rushrush for for Dick
Dick;; II heardheard aa hard hard dull dull
thud, and
thud, and then then beheld
beheld one one of of the
the two two topple
topple down down
the steep
the steep rocksrocks.. ThenThen II was was in in turn
turn attacked,
attacked, and and
narrowly escaped
narrowly escaped aa spear-thrust
spear-thrust through through my my side,side, but but
II had
had my my revolver
revolver readyready and and thethe rash
rash black
black paidpaid for for his
his
boldness with
boldness with his his life.
life. So So was was itit with
with Jimmy's
Jimmy's assailant
assailant..
That sturdy
That sturdy little
little man
man hadhad closed
closed with
with hishis opponent
opponent and and in in
aa moment
moment had had passed
passed hishis knife
knife into
into his
his side.
side. Then, Then, with with a a
disdainful laugh,
disdainful laugh, he flung the
he flung the body
body over
over thethe barricade.
barricade.
II then
then turned
turned my my attention
attention to to the
the scuffle
scuffle thatthat was going
was going
on between
on between my my cousin
cousin and and aa bigbig savage.
savage. The The fellow
fellow was was
one of
one of the
the twotwo who who hadhad assaulted
assaulted Dick, Dick, and and he he waswas now
now
trying his
trying his best
best to to seize
seize Hardwicke
Hardwicke by by the
the throat.
throat. Being Being aa
powerful
powerful fellowfellow he he gave
gave my my hero
hero somesome little trouble, and
little trouble, and
while they
while they were were at what might
at what might be be called
called arm's arm's lengthlength
seemed to
seemed to possess
possess equalequal strength,
strength , but when, with
but when, with aa quick
quick
movement, Dick
movement, Dick closed
closed and and got got his his arms
arms round round his his
adversary, the
adversary, the aborigine
aborigine was was entirely
entirely at at his
his mercy
mercy and and yelled
yelled
with pain
with pain as as Hardwicke's
Hardwicke's arms arms pressed
pressed him him likelike aa vice.
vice. II
could have
could sworn II heard
have sworn heard hishis bones
bones crack.
crack. Then Then he he let
let go
go
his hold
his hold and and the the savage fell like
savage fell like aa loglog toto the
the earth
earth.. But But
with superhuman
with superhuman power power Hardwicke
Hardwicke seized seized him him once once moremore
by the
by the body
body and and lifted
lifted him
him higb above his
high above his head
head so that the
so that the
warriors at
warriors the entrance
at the entrance of the pass
of the pass might
might clearly
clearly see; then,
see ; then,
with aa great
with great swing,
swing, he he hurled
hurled the the body
body from from him,him, andand thethe
shriek
shriek that that flewflew from
from the the doomed
doomed man's man's lips lips waswas more more
horrible than
horrible than words
words can telL There
can tell. There was was a a dull thud as
dull thud as his
his
body struck
body struck the the rocks,
rocks below,
below, a wild cry
a wild cry ofof alarm
alarm from from thethe
savage
savage on·lookers,
on-lookers, and and thethe second
second attack
attack on on ourour position
position
had
had comecome to to an an end.
end.

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 HumeNisbet

"..This
Thistime
timeI1saw
sawto
tomy
myhorror thatthe
horrorthat savagesmeant
the savages to attack
meantto attackus in aabody."
usin body,"
Di by Google[S" [See pag
pageh275.
7 So
 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 275
275
,
WeWe hurriedly
hurriedly reloaded
reloaded our rifles, during
our rifles, during whichwhich operation
operation
II asked
asked Hardwicke
Hardwicke why why he he had
had not not used
used his his revolver
revolver in in
the late
the late scrimmage.
scrimmage. Stooping Stooping down down he he picked
picked it it up
up and
and
explained.
explained.
"When those
"When those two two fellows rushed me,"
fellows rushed me," he he said,
said, "they
" they
knocked it
knocked it out
out of of my hand."
my hand."
"66 Do
Do youyou think
think theythey will
will attack
attack us us again
again?? ""
"66 Certainly.
Certainly. You You may may bet bet your life Wanjula
your life Wanjula means
means to to
have us,
have us, and-"
and- " he he sank his voice
sank his voice so that Ada,
so that who all
Ada, who this
all this
time was
time was crouched
crouched behind behind aa rock
rock aa fewfew yards
yards off,
off, might
might not not
hear, "c, and
hear, and if if they
they attack
attack us en masse
us en masse we we are
are done for."
done for."
These
These were were most most unpleasant
unpleasant words words to hear, and
to hear, and yet yet II
wanted not
wanted this confirmation
not this confirmation of of my my ownown suspicions.
suspicions. II had had
seen all
seen all along
along thatthat we we could
could not not hopehope to to hold
hold outout against
against
so many
so many.. And And now now thethe end
end was was come.
come. We We had
had cheated-
cheated
death
death too often. He
too often. He was was about
about to to be
be revenged
revenged at at last.
last. I I
turned my
turned face to
my face to Ada
Ada and her eyes
and her eyes caught mine. There
caught mine. There
were great
were great tears
tears in in them,
them, but but she she spoke
spoke no nowcird.
word. She She
knew
knew too well the
too well the extreme
extreme perilperil ofof our
our position;
position ; howhow muchmuch
the odds
the odds werewere against
against us. us. She knew that
She knew that wewe would fight to
would fight to
the end,
the end, and then the
and then the rest
rest is
is silence.
silence.
II went
went overover to to her
her and
and kissed
kissed her.her.
"It may
"It may be be for for thethe lastlast time,"
time," II thought.
thought. "" Who Who
knows?"
knows ?"
"They're coming,
"They're coming, Archie,"
Archie," criedcried Hardwicke,
Hardwicke, who who allall this
this
time had
time had been
been watching
watching their their movements.
movements. II immediately
immediately
flew
flew fromfrom herher side
side andand posted
posted myself
myself in in myoid
my old position.
position.
This
This time time II saw saw to to my my horror
horror that that the the savages,
savages, to to the
the
number of
number seventy or
of seventy or eighty,
eighty, meant
meant to to attack
attack us us in
in :1 body.
a body.
They
They moved moved in in a a compact
compact mass mass brandishing
brandishing their their spears
spears
and axes
and axes andand chanting
chanting their their hideous
hideous war-song.
war-song.
" It
" It will
will go
go hard
hard withwith us this time,
us this time, oldold man,"
man," and without
and without
adding
adding anotheranother word word he he seized
seized my my hand hand and and shook
shook it it
warmly,
warmly, and then turned
and then turned to to watch
watch the the enemy.
enemy.
" Wanjula,
"Wanju look!"
la, look !"
Yes,
Yes, it was he,
it was he, hishis beard
beard and and hair
hair flying
flying confusedly
confusedly about,
about,
and every
and every action
action of his body
of his denoting the
body denoting the keen
keen excitement
excitement
under which
under which he he laboured.
laboured. He He waswas oneone of of the
the foremost
foremost of of

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the attacking
the attacking party
party and was, by
and was, by his
his gesticuiations,
gesticuiations, exhortingexhorting
the rest
the rest of
of his
his followers
followers to to advance.
advance.
Dick followed him
Dick followed with his
him with his rifle,
rifle, but the priest
but the priest waswas soso
restless
restless andand moved
moved aboutabout so so incessantly,
incessantly, that that it it was
was im-im
possible to
possible to get
get aa shot
shot at him.. There
at him There was was aa look
look of acute
of acute
disappointment
disappointme on Hardwicke's
nt on Hardwicke's face face..
"" If we could
If we could shoot
shoot him,"
him," he he said,
said, "the
" the others might not
others might not
be so
be so eager
eager to to attack.
attack. As As it it is, they require
is, they require no no endend ofof
pressing. He
pressing. He is is the
the soul
soul of the party,
of the party, andand by by personal
personal
influence alone
influence alone commands
commands them them against
against theirtheir will.
will.""
As he
As he finished
finished speaking
speaking the the priest
priest seemed
seemed to to stand
stand still
still
for
for aa moment.
moment. Up Up wentwent Dick's
Dick's rifle rifle in in anan instant
instant and and aa
snap-shot
snap-shot was was the
the result,
result, butbut instead
instead of of bringing
bringing the the priest
priest
to earth,
to earth, hehe hit
hit aa tall
tall warrior
warrior who who was was standing
standing besidebeside him.him.
The next
The IDQment Wanjula
next moment disappeared and
Wanjula disappeared and we we sawsaw himhim no no
more.
more.
The
The attacking force drew
attacking force drew nearer
nearer and and nearer
nearer withwith aa steady,
steady,
deadly precision.
deadly precision. They They werewere in in earnest
earnest this this time,
time, as as could
could
be seen
be seen byby the
the way
way they
they marched
marched and and held
held their
their heads
heads.. The The
leaders had
leaders had advanced
advanced more more than than halfway
halfway through
through the the defile
defile
and were now
and were now so so close
close to to us us that
that II could could see their eyes
see their eyes
gleaming with
gleaming with the fury of
the fury of wild
wild animals.
animals.
" God help
"God help us us I"
!" I I thought.
thought.
" Give
" Give it it to
to them,
them, Archie,
Archie, give give it to them
it to them !' I'
We both
We both raised
raised our rifles to
our rifles to fire
fire,, when
when of of a a sudden
sudden the the
earth gave
earth gave aa violent
violent quiver
quiver and and shook
shook as as shakes
shakes a a sheet
sheet of of
water when ruffled
water when ruffled byby aa squall.
squall. The The savages
savages stopped
stopped awe awe-
struck, and
struck, and gazed
gazed with
with dumb
dumb horrorhorror upon upon one one another.
another.
" Look
" Look at the mountain,"
at the mountain," cried cried Dick.
Dick.
was in
It was
It in violent
violent eruption.
eruption. A A mass
mass of fire and
of fire and smokesmoke
hung over
hung over its brow, while
its brow, while the the airair was
was filled
filled with
with ashes
ashes and and
small stones. Shock
small stones. Shock quickly
quickly followed
followed shock;shock ; thenthen aa severer
severer
one
one waswas felt
felt and
and aa low,low, rumbling
rumbling roar roar was
was heard
heard whichwhich
gradually grew
gradually grew louder
louder and and louder
louder till till it
it burst
burst forth
forth like
like one
one
great peal
great peal of thunder. The
of thunder. The earthearth swayed
swayed like the bosom
like the bosom
of
of the sea. It
the sea. It seemed
seemed as though some
as though some mighty
mighty giantsgiants
were
were beneath
beneath our our feet
feet heaving
heaving with with great levers the
great levers the moun-
moun
tains from
tains their solid
from their solid base.
base. The The air air grew
grew more
more dark dark with
with

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ashes
ashes and and smoke, while immense
smoke, while immense rocks, torn with
rocks, torn with terrific
terrific
force from
force from the the sides
sides of the crater,
of the crater, werewere hurled
hurled high
high into
into thethe
air and
air fell crashing
and fell crashing on on the
the hills
hills around
around us. us. .
"(( My
My God, look!! ""
God, look
Dick seized'my
Dick seized my arm and pointed
arm and pointed down down the the defile.
defile. There,
There,
all
all cowering together, too
cowering together, too terrified
terrified to to move
move,, stood
stood or or
crouched
crouched our our would-be
would-be assailants,
assailants, while while on on each
each side
side of of
them the
them the great,
great, precipitous
precipitous rocks which went
rocks which went to to form
form the the
pass, swayed
pass, swayed like like trees
trees inin aa wind.
wind. Suddenly
Suddenly aa great great cry cry of
of
horror
horror arose from the
arose from the ranks
ranks of the enemy,
of the enemy, and and before
before the the
poor wretches
poor wretches had had time
time to to escape
escape or or eveneven move,
move, oneone side side
of the pass
of the pass gave
gave way
way with
with a a roar like thunder,
roar like thunder, crushing
crushing the the
whole of
whole of our
our assailants beneath its
assailants beneath massive form
its massive form..
For aa moment
For moment the the position
position on on which
which we stood swayed
we stood swayed
horribly, but
horribly, but byby slow
slow degrees
degrees it it grew
grew less less and
and then
then quieted
quieted
altogether. The
altogether. The volcano
volcano still still spouted
spouted smoke smoke and fire, but
and fire, but
the trembling
the trembling of of the
the earth
earth had had ceased.
ceased. Jimmy Jimmy was was almost
almost
white with
white with excitement;
excitement ; Dick Dick and and II were were much
much the the same,
same,
while Ada
while knelt clinging
Ada knelt clinging to to aa rock,
rock, her her face
face more
more like like aa
ghost's than
ghost's than aa human being'S. II flew
human being's. flew to to her
her and
and took
took her her
in my
in my arms.
arms.
"We are
"We saved, Ada,
are saved, Ada, thank
thank God, thank God
God, thank God !I"""
And
And never never diddid manman moremore devoutly
devoutly thank thank his his Maker
Maker
for
for great
great mercies
mercies vouchsafed
vouchsafed than than did did II there
there and then in
and then in
the midst
the midst of of that
that stupendous
stupendous ruin. ruin. What What had had we we notnot
escaped
escaped through through the the merciful interposition of
merciful interposition of Providence?
Providence ?
The
The savagesavage fury fury both
both of of manman and and nature, which but
nature, which but aa
moment
moment before before had had roared
roared alike alike for for our lives, was
our lives, was now now
calm,
calm, one one stilled
stilled for
for ever
ever in the calm
in the calm of of death.
death . Beneath
Beneath
the great
the great granite
granite rock,
rock, which
which like like aa tombstone
tombstone marked marked their their
last home, lay
last home, lay stretched
stretched all that was
all that was left left of
of that
that wild
wild massmass
of savage hate.
of savage hate. BelowBelow again,again, thethe path path up up which
which we we hadhad
ascended was
ascended was seamed
seamed with with greatgreat rentsrents and and chasms,
chasms, as as
though the
though the earthquake
earthquake had had played
played sad sad havoc
havoc withwith the the
valley up
valley up toto our
our very
very feet.
feet. There
There it it ceased,
ceased, and the ground
and the ground
above
above us us remained
remained as though this
as though this strange
strange convulsion
convulsion of of
nature
nature had had never
never been.
been. For
For several
several minutes
minutes II stood stood
Burveving
surveying the the wild
wild ruinruin below,
below, buriedburied in in thoullht
thought too too

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complex even
complex even to to attempt
attempt defining,
defining, whenwhen my attention was
my attention was
arrested by
arrested by Hardwicke
Hardwicke asking asking me if II saw
me if saw anything
anything strange
strange
about the
about the mountain.
mountain.,7 II answered answered in in thethe negative.
negative.
"All
" the same,"
All the same," he he said
said "it's settling in
" it's settling the lake.”
in the lake."
A closer
A closer and and moremore studied
studied scrutiny
scrutiny convinced
convinced me me of the
of the
truth of
truth of this
this statement.
statement. The great hill
The great hill was
was indeed
indeed visibly
visibly
sinking. The
sinking. The smoke smoke and and flameflame still
still issued
issued in in immense
immense
clouds from
clouds from its its cone-like
cone-like top, top, but by degrees
but by degrees thatthat top
top waswas
most assuredly
most assuredly descending
descending to to the
the water.
water. Gradually
Gradually it it sank
sank
lower and
lower lower, till
and lower, till II almost
almost seemed
seemed to to see
see it move. Then
it move. Then
there was aa terrific
there was terrific roaring
roaring noise,noise, asas though
though the the eruption
eruption
was about
was about to to bebe repeated,
repeated , denser volumes of
denser volumes of smoke
smoke arosearose
completely blocking out
completely blocking out thethe view,
view, and
and we we stood
stood gaping
gaping intointo
the distance
the distance wondering
wondering what what was was coming
coming next. next. TheThe smoke-
smoke
clouds,
clouds, however,
however, gradually
gradually rolled away, and
rolled away, and over
over the
the spot
spot
where but
where but aa few few minutes
minutes before before stoodstood the the great
great fiery
fiery
mountain,
mountain, the the silvery waters of
silvery waters of the
the lake
lake now now sparkled.
sparkled. The The
great
great hill
hill had
had sunk
sunk for for ever
ever from the sight
from the sight ofof man.
man.
"And thus
"And thus ends ends the the temple
temple of the Great
of the Great Spirit,"
Spirit," said
said
Dick.
Dick.
" And all
"And that mighty
all that mighty pile pile of of gold, Mass'r Dick,"
gold, Mass'r Dick. "
"And aU
"And that mighty
all that mighty pile pile ofof gold."
gold."
"Dam
"Dam bad bad luck
luck and and no no gammon."
gammon.' ‫ر‬ ‫د‬
"And yet
"And yet II dare dare say say we we areare just
just as fortunate as
as fortunate as wewe
ieserve
deserve to to be,"
be," replied
replied his master. "But
his master. " But come,"
come,” he he said
said
to me,
. to me, " "itit is is time
time we we were
were away.
away. The The sun sun will
will soon
soon be be
down, and
down, and we we must
must reachreach the the top
top of this valley
of this valley before
before we we
camp for
camp the night.”
for the night."
And we
And we turned
turned from from the the spot which had
spot which had so nearly been
so nearly been
our grave
our grave andand resumed
resumed our our journey
journey withwith sad though thankful
sad though thankful
hearts.
hearts. .

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--- -----------------------

CHAPTER Xx.
CHAPTER XX.

CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.

ABOGT four
ABOUT four o'clock
o'clock thethe next
next day day wewe reached
reached the the western
western
base of
base the mountains
of the mountains and found the
and found the sixsix carriers
carriers patiently
patiently
awaiting our
awaiting our arrival
arrival. TheyThey had had feltfelt the
the same
same shock,
shock, had had
also seen the
also seen the great
great cloud
cloud of of smoke
smoke and and ashes,
ashes, but but had
had
no conception
no conception of of its
its meaning.
meaning. When When we we related
related to to
them aa complete
them complete description
description of the dreadful
of the dreadful catastrophe
catastrophe
which
which hadhad befallen
befallen our
our pursuers,
pursuers, their
their horror
horror andand astonish-
astonish
ment
ment knew knew no no bounds,
bounds, and and fearing
fearing something
something dreadfuldreadful
would
would happen
happen _to village now
the village
to the now it it was
was no no longer
longer
under
under thethe protection
protection of of the
the great
great idol,
idol, wewe had
had little
little trouble
trouble
in
in persuading
persuading them them toto journey
journey withwith us.us. This This was
was aa piece
piece of of
unlooked-for
unlooked-for good fortune, for
good fortune, for with
with such
such fellows
fellows to to carry
carry
the water
the water andand provisions,
provisions, of of which
which Ada Ada hadhad put
put up up aa goodly
goodly
quantity, we
quantity, we felt
felt our terror of
our terror the great
of the great plain
plain rapidily
rapidily
diminish.
diminish. The The winter
winter was was now
now come,
come, and and ifif the
the rain-god
rain -god
proved propitious, we
proved propitious, we might
might reckon
reckon uponupon surmounting
surmounting this this
last
last great trial. By
great trial. By rough
rough calculation
calculation we we had
had a a distance
distance of of
from
from four
four to to seven
seven hundred
hundred milesmiles to to go
go before
before we
we could
could reach
reach
the
the sea,
sea, but
but wewe hoped
hoped that
that half
half that
that distance
distance wou would Id find
find usus
striking
striking oneone of of the
the outlying
outlying postsposts of of some
some great
great station.
station .
It
It was
was aa terrible
terrible undertaking,
undertaking, especially
especially with with aa woman,
woman, but but
as there was
as there was no
no other
other or or better
better wayway of of getting
getting outout of of the
the
difficulty, we
difficulty, we were
were forced
forced to to face
face it it with
with what
what spirits
spirits we we
could
could command
command.
We decided
We decided to travel by
to travel night, as
by night, the heat
as the heat was
was still too
still too
great to
great to journey
journey in during the
in during the day,
day, and and about
about six six o'clock
o'clock
that very
that very evening
evening our our little
little band
band set set out
out to to cross
cross the the great
great
desert which
desert stretched away
which stretched away before
before us us into the illimitable
into the illimitable
glory of
glory of the
the setting
setting sun.
sun.
To repeat
To repeat "the history or
the history this march
OI this march to to thethe WestWest

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Australian
Australian seaboard
seaboard would would be be but
but to to narrate,
narrate, withwith slight
slight
variation,, that
variation that which
which has has been
been described
described so so fully
fully in
in the
the
preceding chapters. There
preceding chapters. There were
were thethe same
same vast
vast stretches
stretches ofof
desolation, the
desolation, the same
same cheerless
cheerless and dreary prospects;
and dreary prospects ;
though the
though farther west
the farther west we we advanced
advanced the the better
better became
became thethe -
country,
country, greatgreat forests
forests and and grassy
grassy plains
plains appearing
appearing in in the
the
place
place of the awful
of the awful sterility
sterility ofthe
of the innerregions.
inner regions. Luckily Luckily the
the
winter
winter was,
was, unlike
unlike its its predecessor,
predecessor, aa wet wet one,
one, and though ,ve
and though we
suffered
suffered much
much inconvenience
inconvenience from from cold,
cold, not
not once
once were
were wewe
afflicted with
afflicted those dreadful
with those dreadful pangs
pangs of of thirst
thirst which
which rendered
rendered
the first
the first part
part of of our
our journey
journey so so terrible.
terrible.
On the twentieth
On the twentieth day day outout wewe struck
struck aa native
native camp and
camp and
reckoned that
reckoned that at last we
at last we had
had left
left the
the great
great desert behind.
desert behind.
Here
Here ourour carriers
carriers tooktook French
French leave, but as
leave , but as the
the country
country
had every
had every appearance
appearance of of improvement,
improvement, grass grass shrubs
shrubs andand
occasional clumps
occasional clumps of of trees
trees being
being metmet with,
with, thethe loss
loss ofof their
their
companionship affected
companionship affected us us but
but slightly.
slightly. We We attempted
attempted to to
discover from
discover from the the natives
natives thethe whereabouts
whereabouts of the nearest
of the nearest
station,
station, but they could
but they could givegive usus no
no information, though when
information, though when
II asked
asked inin which
which direction
direction the the great
great city (Perth) lay,
city (Perth) lay, they
they
unhesitatingly pointed
unhesitatingly pointed to to the S. W.
the S.W.
The heroic behaviour
The heroic behaviour of of our fair companion
our fair companion was was beautiful
beautiful
to witness.- No
to witness. No finer
finer example
example of of sheer
sheer downright
downright pluck and
pluck and
tenacity of
tenacity of purpose
purpose did did ever
ever exist
exist inin man
man or or woman.
woman. She She
never
never flinched,
flinched, she she never
never murmured,
murmured , but but struggled
struggled bravely
bravely
on
on and
and onon beneath
beneath the the glaring
glaring sun,
sun, or or across
across thethe dark,
dark, cold,
cold,
rain-swept
rain-swept sands sands of the great
of the great solitude.
solitude. We We naturally
naturally
husbanded
husbanded her strength, for
her strength, for once
once letlet her
her break
break down
down and the
and the
horror
horror ofof our
our situation
situation wouldwould havehave beenbeen extreme.
extreme. Conse- Conse
quently
quently there were no
there were no forced
forced or or rapid
rapid marches
marches and and our
our
progress was
progress was exceedingly
exceedingly slow. slow. Yet Yet onon we
we went
went none the less
none the less
steadily,
steadily, and
and oneone day,
day, with
with feet
feet blistered,
blistered, clothes
clothes torntorn and
and
travel-stained, and
travel-stained, and all all our
our physical
physical energies thoroughly
energies thoroughly
exhausted, we-Dick
exhausted, we- Dick and and II leading
leading Ada Ada between
between us-drew
us- drew
up
up at the door
at the door ofof aa shepherd's
shepherd's hut hut through
through which
which stole the
stole the
grateful
grateful odour
odour of of aa meal
meal.
The
The shepherd
shepherd was was n0genone thethe less pleased than
less pleased than astonished
astonished
at our appearance, and with true bush hospitality begged
at our appearance. and with true bush hospitality begged

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us to
us to enter
enter and
and eat.
eat. We We stayed
stayed there
there that
that. night,
night, andand after
after
the meal
the meal II wellwell remember
remember how how anxiously
anxiously DickDick asked
asked the the
man
man if if he
he had
had any
any tobacco
tobacco in the hut,
in the hut, and with what
and with what joy joy
he received an
he received an affirmative
affirmative reply. reply. For For many
many a weary day
a weary day we we
had smoked
had smoked nothing
nothing but but stringy bark, and
stringy bark, and to to get
get a pipe oC
a pipe of
even bad
even bad tobacco
tobacco was was happiness
happiness inexpressible.
inexpressible.
In
In thethe morning,
morning, havinghaving again partaken of
again partaken of aa hearty
hearty meal,
meal,
we set
we set out
out for
for the
the home
home station,
station, which
which waswas about
about six six miles
miles
away. Before
away. Before we we departed, however, Dick
departed, however, Dick made made the the
shepherd aa present
shepherd present of of a a ruby
ruby which
which would
would have brought
have brought
him fifty
him fifty pounds
pounds at least.
at least.
Walanala was
Walanala was the
the namename of the station,
of the and aa Mr.
station, and Mr. James
James
Mitchell its
Mitchell its proprietor.
proprietor. He He was was aa good-hearted
good-hearted man man,,
and gave
and gave us us aa cordial welcome to
cordial welcome to his
his lonely
lonely homestead.
homestead.
His wife, aa kind
His wife, kind and
and gentle
gentle soul,
soul, nono sooner heard our
sooner heard our story
story
than she
than she took
took Ada
Ada in her arms
in her arms and and kissed
kissed andand cried over
cried over
her with all
her with all the
the affection
affection of of aa mother.
mother. She She alsoalso presented
presented
our dear
our dear companion
companion with with aa complete
complete outfitoutfit from
from her her own own
wardrobe, Mr.
wardrobe, Mr. Mitchell
Mitchell doing doing the the same
same forfor us.
us.
We stayed
We stayed with
with those
those charming
charming people people aa fortnight,
fortnight, and and
at the
at the end end of of that
that time,
time, ourour constitutions
constitutions havinghaving regained
regained
their wonted
their wonted vigour,
vigour, we we set
set out
out for the capital,
for the capital, Mr.
Mr. andand Mrs.
Mrs.
Mitchell accompanying
Mitchell accompanying us us for
for ten
ten miles
miles of the journey.
of the journey. We We
wished
wished to to buy
buy the
the splendid
splendid horses horses we we rode,
rode, butbut thethe genial
genial
squatter
squatter would
would not not hear
hear of of such
such a a thing.
thing. He He gavegave us us thethe
address
address of of aa livery
livery stable
stable in in Perth,
Perth, andand toto it
it we
we were
were to send
to send
the animals
the animals whenwhen we we bad had finished
finished with with them,
them, when
when in in due
due
time they
time they would
would be be returned
returned to to him.
him. He He alsoalso lent
lent us us
twenty
twenty pounds
pounds in in gold
gold to to help
help us us along,
along, ourour rubies
rubies not not
having
having yet yet been
been converted
converted into into that
that precious
precious metal.
metal. Such Such
great
great kindness
kindness in in aa stranger affected us
stranger affected us deeply,
deeply, and and
Dick
Dick before
before leaving
leaving pressed
pressed Mrs. Mrs. Mitchell
Mitchell to to accept
accept one one of of
the big
the big rubies.
rubies. Ada Ada and and sheshe wept
wept bitterly
bitterly atat parting,
parting, and and
as
as II wrung
wrung the the good
good squatter's
squatter's hand hand II feltfelt aa lump
lump riserise in in
my
my throat,
throat, andand with
with difficulty
difficulty II repeated
repeated my my invitation
invitation to to
him
him should
should he he ever
ever comecome to to England.
England .
The journey from
The journey from Walanala
Walanala to to Perth
Perth was
was soonsoon covered,
covered ,
and
and thethe day
day after
after our
our arrival
arrival in in the
the capital
capital Ada
Ada and and II werewerE'
T
Τ
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282 THE
TH GOLDEN
E GO LDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

married, Dick and

married, Dick and the
the landlord
landlord of
of our
our hotel
hotel witnessing
witnessing the
the
ceremony. Then
ceremony. Then II went
went toto make
make inquiries concerning the
inquiries concerning the
former life
former of Harold
life of Harold Mayne.
Mayne. II found the commissioner
found the commissioner
of police aa most
of police most agreeable gentleman, who,
agreeable gentleman, who, after
after II had
had
given him
given him mymy name
name and
and stated
stated my
my business,
business, at
at once
once gave
gave
the necessary
the necessary orders for an
orders for an investigation,
investigation, telling
telling me
me that
that he
he
would send
would send the
the report
report to
to my
my hotel
hotel as soon as
as soon it was
as it was ready.
ready.
That
That evening
evening II received
received the following letter
the following letter from
from the
the
chief commissioner's office
chief commissioner's office :-
:
.. Sir,-Harold Mayne
"Sir,-Harold Mayne waswas the
the manager
manager of of S--
S-— and and M--'s
M- -'s bankbank
in the City
in the of, London,
City of London, and was convicted
and was convicted of of robbing
robbing thatthat institution
institution
to the extent of £IS,ooo. He was tried at the
to the extent of £ 15,000. He was tried at the Old Bailey and sen Old Bailey and sen-
tenced to
tenced to transportation
transportation to to the
the Swan
Swan RiverRiver Settlement
Settlement for for fifteen
fifteen
years. There
years. There were,
were, we we believe,
believe, many
many doubts
doubts of his guilt
of his at the
guilt at the time,
time,
but circumstances
but proving qainst
circumstances proving against him,him, he
he was convicted as
was convicted as stated
stated
above. His
above. His career
career in in the
the settlement
settlement was was anan exceptionally
exceptionally goodgood one,
one,
he having
he having spent
spent tenten years without once
years without once being
being reported
reported forfor insubordi.
insubordi.
nation or
nation or any
any of those outbreaks
of those outbreaks so grievous to
so grievous to the
the welfare
welfare ofof that
that
unfortunate class
unfortunate class toto which
which hehe belonged.
belonged•
.. One day
"One day he
he disappeared from the
disappeared from the station
station to to which
which he he had
had been
been
allotted,
allotted, inin company
company with with another
another convict named Joseph
convict named Joseph Morton.
Morton. It It
is also
is reJlOrted that
also reported they took
that they took with them aa child
with them child of
of Mayne's.
Mayne's. Nothing
Nothing
has been heard
has been heard of them from
of them from that
that day
day toto this,
this, and
and itit is
is presumed
presumed by by
the authorities
the that they
authorities that they either
either died
died of
of starvation
starvation in in the
the bush
bush oror were
were
attacked
attacked andand killed
killed by the natives.
by the natives.
.. Six months
"Six months afterafter Mayne's
Mayne's escape
escape we received information
we received information fromfrom
England
England that that the
the chief
chief cashier
cashier of the bank
of the bank to to which
which he he belonged
belonged
had
had confessed,
confessed, upon
upon his death-bed, that
his death-bed, that hehe was
was guilty
guilty of the crime
of the crime for
for
which
which Mayne
Mayne suffered.
suffered . Accompanying
Accompanying the the despatch
despatch waswas aa free
free pardon
pardon
for that
for that unfortunate
unfortunate man."
man."
My eyes
My eyes swam
swam with
with tears.
tears.
"Thank God,"
"Thank God," II murmured
murmured again
again and
and again.
again.
Dick was equally
Dick was equally affected.
affected. "God
"God bless
bless her,"
her," said he.
said he.
"
MII knew
knew there
there was
was no criminal blood
no criminal blood in in her
her beautiful
beautiful
veins."
veins."
He in the
He in the meantime
meantime had had not been idle.
not been idle. He He had
had sent
sent
the horses
the horses toto the
the livery
livery stables,
stables, sold six of
sold six the rubies,
of the rubies, for
for •
which he
which he only
only received £ 300 instead
received £300 instead of
of so
so many thousands, •
many thousands,
and with
and with the
the exception
exception ofof half·a·dozen
half-a-dozen small
small ones
ones and
and one
one
eye of
eye the great
ofthe great idol, which he
idol, which meant for
he meant his sister
for his sister Kate, he
Kate, he
handed the rest
handed the rest to
to me
me to sell for
to sell for him
him when
when II got to England.
got to England.

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 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE. 283

"Though mind,"
"Though mind," he he said,
said, ""half their value
half their value belongs
belongs toto
Ada."
Ada."
er As there
As there was
was no
no more
more business
business toto detain us in
detain us in the
the West
West
Australian capital, we
Australian capital, we set
set out for King
out for King George's
George's Sound,
Sound,
where we took
where we took steamer
steamer for
for our
our different
different destinations,
destinations, II and
and .
my wife
my wife to
to England
England,, Dick
Dick and
and the
the trusty
trusty Jimmy
Jimmy back
back toto
Melbourne.
Melbourne.
Our parting was
Our parting was aa dreadfully
dreadfully sad
sad one.
one. We shook hands
We shook hands
time after time,
time after time, and
and it was only
it was only when
when he promised to
he promised to come
come
and visit me
and visit me inin England that II could
England that could makemake up up my my mind
mind to to
nk separate
00 separate from from him.
him. Ada, Ada , poor
poor thing,
thing, waswas asas pale
pale asas death,
death,
El and
and she
she wept
wept bitterly.
bitterly.
en "Good-bye, Ada,"
"Good-bye, Ada," he he said,
said, his his voice
voice choked
choked with with
R emotion, "good-bye,
emotion, "good-bye, and and may may God God blessbless you you forfor ever
ever
and ever
and ever!! "11 Then,
Then, as as if
if he
he could
could bear bear the
the torture
torture no no
longer, he
longer, he clasped
clasped her her in
in his
his arms
arms with with sudden
sudden fervour,
fervour,
printed his
printed his first
first kiss
kiss upon
upon herher lips,
lips, and
and was
was gone.
gone.
His ship
His ship steamed
steamed close
close toto ours
ours as as she
she passed
passed out out on hel
on her
way to
way to the
the great
great eastern
eastern cities,
cities, andand II sawsaw himhim standing
standing
amid
amid a a crowd
crowd of of gaping passengers waving
gaping passengers waving his his hat,
hat, while
while
over the
over the water
water came
came thethe strong accents of
strong accents of his
his voice
v()ice-
e ""God
God blessbless you,
you, Archie,
Archie, God bless you
God bless you!! 11"
Little remains to
Little remains to be told.. On
be told On my my arrival
arrival in in England
England II
had no
had no difficulty
difficulty in in disposing
disposing of the rubies,
of the rubies, which,
which, proving
proving
1
f to be
to be ofthe
of the very
very first water, brought
first water, brought the the splendid
splendid price price of of
forty thousand
forty thousand pounds.
pounds. A A half
half of this II retained
of this retained as as com-
com
manded,
manded, and and sent the balance
sent the balance to to my
my cousin.
cousin.
! Several years have
Several years have now passed since
now passed since oqr
our separation
separation at at
King
King George's
George's Sound,Sound, butbut Dick
Dick has has not
not yet yet kept
kept his his
promise
promise and and visited
visited me,
me, though
though he he writes
writes thatthat he he isis inin
excellent health
excellent health and and quite
quite equal
equal to to undertaking
undertaking another another
journey to
journey to the
the Golden
Golden Lake. When he
Lake. When he arrived
arrived in in Melbourne
Melbourne
he discovered
he discovered that his mother
that his mother and sisters had
and sisters had given
given himhim upup
for lost.
for lost. "Therefore,"
"Therefore," he he wrote,
wrote, ""you may imagine
you may imagine their their
amazement when
amazement when II suddenly
suddenly turned
turned up up with
with aa history
history of of
our journey.
our journey. My My poor
poor old
old mother
mother was was beside
beside herself
herself withwith
joy, for
joy, for however
however worthless
worthless aa fellow
fellow others
others may may think
think me, me,
she knows
she /m01Qs me me to be the
to be the very
very best
best son son in the great
in the great widewide

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284 THE GOLDEN
THE GOLDEN LAKE.
LAKE.

world.
world. Kate teases me
Kate teases me nono more.
more. She She says the ruby
says the ruby is is too
too
lovely for anything,
lovely for anything, and that 1I am
and that the best
am the best brother
brother aa girl
girl
ever had How
ever had. these women
How these women do do change
change to to be
be sure
sure I!
Jimmy, the
Jimmy, the ever worthy (I
ever worthy ( I h!lve
have sent you his
sent you his photograph
photograph as as
desired),
desired), stayed
stayed withwith meme forfor three
three months,
months, at the end
at the end of of
which time
which time hehe got
got so sick of
so sick town life
of town that 1I had
life that had toto pack
pack
him
him offoff toto aa station
station on on his beloved ~rrumbidgee.
his beloved Murrumbidgee.
He
He is
is not
not a a talker,
talker, but,
but, like
like the
the illustrious
illustrious parrot, he thinks
parrot, he thinks
aa deal.
deal. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, he he hashas hinted that Ada
hinted that Ada is the most
is the most
marvellous
marvellous womanwoman in in existence,
existence, while while youyou andand 1 I art:
are a a
couple of very superior persons,
couple of very superior persons, &c. " &c."
My wife
My wife isis as beautiful as
as beautiful as ever,
ever, and
and will
will ever
ever remain
remain so so
to my
to my bewitched
bewitched vision.
vision. She She hashas presented
presented me me with
with a a
wonderful boy
wonderful boy who
who is is destined
destined to to bear
bear through
through lifelife the
the
honoured name
honoured name of of Richard
Richard Hardwicke
Hardwicke Martesque.
Martesque. That That
the spirit
the spirit of his godfather
of his godfather may may animate
animate his breast and
his breast and
make
make himhim suchsuch aa man,
man, is the unceasing
is the unceasing prayerprayer of his
of his
devoted
devoted parents.
parents.
We often
We often speak
speak of the people
of the people of the Mandanyah,
of the Mandanyah, of of
Kalua the king
Kalua the king and
and Wanjula
Wanjula the the priest,
priest, and
and are
are longing
longing for for
the time
the time to to come
come whenwhen deardear old old Dick
Dick shall sit with
shall sit with us us
round our
round our own
own fireside,
fireside, and
and talktalk of the old
of the old wild
wild days
days we we
spent together
spent together while
while journeying
journeying to to and from the
and from the Golden
Golden
Lake.
Lake.

THE
THE END.
END.

HEAD &
W. WILFRED HEAD MARK, PRINTERS
& MARK. PRINTERS,, FLEET LANE,
LANE. OLD BAILEY, E.C.

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THE BORROWER
THE BORROWER WILLWILL BE
BE CHARGED
CHARGED

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THE COST
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NOTIFICATION

L
IF THIS
IF THIS BOOK IS NOT
BOOK IS NOT RETURNED
RETURNED TO
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E
THE LIBRARY
THE LIBRARY ON
ON OR
OR BEFORE
BEFORE THE
THE LAST
LAST
DATE C
DA TE STAMPED
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BELOW.
N
A
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JUN 2/2 1980

639167
6

J. H. SHERRING .
PRINTERS ,
BOOKBINDERS ,
Stationers, &c.,
Currie St., Adelaide
 16icle
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