One of their first improvements is a canal for irrigation
purposes. Mr. Wolston, a skilful engineer, and Ernest, clever and thoughtful,
reader of many books and with a distinct scientific bent, are quite capable of
planning such things as this.
There are
seven people left on the island— M. and Mme. Zermatt, Mr. and Mrs. Wolston,
Jack Zermatt, adventurous and keen on sport, Ernest, and the charming Hannah.
Between these last two a strong affection develops. The brothers, very unlike
in nature, have little in common, but are good friends in spite of that fact;
and the whole seven form practically one united and very happy family.
Only a small
part of the island has ever been really explored during the ten years the
Zermatts have been there. They now determine to find out more about it. In
their pinnace, the Elizabeth, they voyage to a hitherto unknown coast,
and, after a very arid stretch, find the mouth of a river, capable of floating
the pinnace. They christen this the Montrose, in compliment to Jenny.
To the south they
see a great mountain range. In order to get as near this as possible Mr.
Wolston and Ernest make a canoe trip up the Montrose, but are stopped at length
by rapids and a great natural dam.
They all
return to Rock Castle and face the dull days of the rainy season, which proves
more stormy than usual, and does some damage to their possessions elsewhere
than at Rock Castle. That season over, they make preparations for another
expedition—this time wholly by land, and made by Mr. Wolston, Jack, and Ernest only,
M. Zermatt remaining with the three ladies.
The three are
determined to reach the topmost peak of the mountain range, and after some
considerable difficulty they achieve their object. They plant the British flag
there, Lieut. Littlestone having provisionally taken possession of the island
in Great Britain's name, and they christen the mountain crest Jean Zermatt
Peak. From it they discern out at sea a ship flying the British colours. But
she disappears, to their intense disappointment.
At Rock Castle
those left behind grow anxious when the time the explorers had expected to be
away lengthens itself by several days. Then Mr. Wolston and Ernest turn
up—without Jack.
That
adventurous young man has wandered off after three elephants, in the hope of capturing
and taming the calf after killing the father and mother. They have searched in
vain for him, and are almost forced to the conclusion that something tragic
must have happened.
But Jack
turns up, safe and sound. He has, however, an alarming tale to tell. It would
seem that their days of peace on the island are numbered. He has been captured
by savages, and, though he has escaped by adroit courage, all know that the
chance of the savages finding the Promised Land is one with which they must
reckon.
The Unicorn
is now past the time appointed for her return, and the seven have thus a
double reason for anxiety.
-
Here
"Their Island Home" finishes, and in the present book may be read
what came of it all, and in what way they emerged from heavy trouble into peace
and prosperity even greater than of old.
THE
CASTAWAYS
OF THE FLAG
NIGHT—a
pitch-dark night! It was almost impossible to distinguish sky from sea. From
the sky, laden with clouds low and heavy, deformed and tattered, lightning
flashed every now and then, followed by muffled rolls of thunder. At these
flashes the horizon lit up for a moment and showed deserted and melancholy.
No wave broke
in foam upon the surface of the sea. There was nothing but the regular and
monotonous rolling of the swell and the gleam of ripples under the lightning
flashes. Not a breath moved across the vast plain of ocean, not even the hot
breath of the storm. But electricity so charged the atmosphere that it escaped
in phosphorescent light, and ran up and down the rigging of the boat in tongues
of Saint Elmo's fire.
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