Part 8 (1/2)
CHAPTER VI
THE ISLE OF TEARS
A sleepy Sae to the deck while the pink flush of the tropical daas still in the sky, and _The Waif_ plunged through the water toward the island One after the other the members of the expedition came on deck Leith stumbled up when New brute watched the tiny spot that caradually nearer; the Professor danced up like an adventurous boy, and he gurgled ecstatically as he peeped over the rail; while the two girls came up arm in arm and looked in silence across the dawn-reddened waters Holain to the island as if he was trying to trace a criminal connection between the two
As the yacht drew closer a strange silence seeles of joy died away slowly, and none of the others seemed inclined to break the stillness The crew and the half dozen islanders that Leith had brought to carry provisions and specirouped for'ard, but not a mur her way cautiously into the little bay on the north side of the island which Leith had suggested to Newe
The peculiar stories that had gone abroad concerning the Isle of Tears were responsible for inative Polynesians directed upon the shore; the strange predicairls; the Professor was thinking of the archaeological treasures, while thoughts that one could only guess at prevented Leith and Hole, wild beauty that see coral reefs were of colours that ran froeous crimson, and the effect upon the water above them onderful to behold _The Waif_ seemed to make her way over a floor of beautiful parquetry which Mother Nature had been constructing for centuries
Cha backward and forward like the hair of sea nymphs hidden in the crevices of the etation on the shore eird and wondrous The trees ie of the bay were covered with riotous lianas that looped thereenred flowers appeared at intervals like watchful eyes Scarlet hibiscus and perfu jasround as if to hide everything that was ugly fro odours ca, yet the place see of awe and mystery that became more oppressive as the yacht lanced at Edith Herndon at the ed down into the bed of coral, and the look of perplexed wonder upon her face startled me
”It looks a nice place, yet it feels an awful spot,” she murmured ”All those snaky creepers with their coloured flowers seearding the place That look of weird expectancy, common to places that are cloaked with a treirls, and the yacht seemed homelike when they coer sister, ”I wish father wouldn't go!”
”So do I, dear,” irl, ”but it is useless to atteive up the quest”
”But I hate the place!” cried Miss Barbara ”Don't you?”
”Oh, no,” sta to cheer the spirits of the younger girl ”You will not be lonely, Barbara Mr Holman and father and I will be with you, and perhaps Mr Verslun will be in our company”
Newmarch approached at the instant and squeaked out an answer to the request I had
”I asked Mr Leith if you could go with him,” he said, ”but he doesn't think you would be of any use He has all the help he requires, so you had better stay on the yacht”
There was a slight grin on his thin face as he imparted the information, and hisfor Leith's decision, and I wasthat my presence was not desired with the party that went inland
The anchor had hardly touched the bottom before Leith started to transshi+p the provisions that were required for the trip across the island The sight of land seey that had gripped him on the way down from Levuka He suddenly discovered that the mantle of authority was upon his shoulders, and he bullied the island boys as they lowered the stores
Holht when he stated that Soma was theKanaka was placed in charge of the other five carriers, and he i out orders and strutting about in aover with excitement The stories which Leith had fed to hi the remains of an extinct civilization had worked him up to a pitch that bordered on insanity, and it was pitiful to watch him as he made endless notes in the bulky notebook
”I shall be known throughout the world inside three months,” he whispered to Leith
”In less than that,” drawled the giant
”Yes, you're right!” snapped the drea is as you say our task will be an easy one Are you ready Edith? Barbara, co!”
He cli, as he let go his grip before the boat was directly beneath hi, but his solar topee, which had a distinctly scientific look, was soaked in salt water before it could be rescued