Part 10 (2/2)

”Eh? well, ah!” exclaimed Will, who had been in a reverie, ”I--I don't exactly see my way to--that is--if we only could find out if she is--is to remain here _always_, or hopes some day to return to England--”

Poor Will stopped in sudden confusion and blushed, but as it was very dark that did not matter much.

”What _does_ the man mean?” exclaimed Captain Dall. ”How _can_ she remain here always when she's to be off at daybreak--?”

”True, true,” interrupted Will hurriedly, not sorry to find that his reference to Flora was supposed to be to the s.h.i.+p. ”The fact is, I was thinking of other matters--of _course_ I agree with you. It's too good an opportunity to be missed, so, good-night, for I've enough to do to get ready for such an abrupt departure.”

Saying this, he started up and strode rapidly away.

”Halloo!” shouted Larry after him; ”don't be late--be on the baich at daybreak. Arrah he's gone mad intirely.”

”Ravin',” said Muggins, with a shake of his head as he turned the quid in his cheek.

Meanwhile Wandering Will rushed he knew not whither, but a natural impulse led him, in the most natural way, to the quiet bay, which he knew to be Flora's favourite walk on moonlight nights! The poor youth's brain was whirling with conflicting emotions. As he reached the bay, the moon, strange to say, broke forth in great splendour, and revealed-- what!--could it be?--yes, the graceful figure of Flora! ”Never venture,” thought Will, ”never--”

In another moment he was by her side; he seized her hand; she started, suppressed a scream, and tried to free her hand, but Will held it fast.

”Forgive me, Flora, dearest girl,” he said in impa.s.sioned tones, ”I would not dare to act thus, but at daybreak I leave this island, perhaps for ever! yet I _cannot_ go without telling you that I love you to distraction, that--that--oh! say tell me--”

At that moment he observed that Flora blushed, smiled in a peculiar manner, and, instead of looking in his face, glanced over his shoulder, as if at some object behind him. Turning quickly round, he beheld Thackombau, still decked out in his Sunday clothes, gazing at them in open-mouthed amazement.

Almost mad with rage, Will Osten rushed at him. The astonished savage fled to the woods, Will followed, and in a few minutes lost himself!

How he pa.s.sed that night he never could tell; all that he could be sure of was that he had wandered about in distraction, and emerged upon the sh.o.r.e about daybreak. His appointment suddenly recurring to him, he ran swiftly in the direction of the village. As he drew near he observed a boat pus.h.i.+ng off from the sh.o.r.e.

”Howld on!” shouted a well-known voice; ”sure it's himself after all.”

”Come along, young sir, you're late, and had well-nigh lost your pa.s.sage,” growled Captain Blathers.

Will jumped into the boat and in a few minutes found himself on board the _Rover_, which, by the time he reached it, was under weigh and making for the opening in the reef.

Another hour, and the island was a mere speck on the horizon. Gradually it faded from view; and the good s.h.i.+p, bending over to the freshening breeze, bounded lightly away over the billows of the mighty sea.

THE END.

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