Part 28 (1/2)
”They must be some of the crew of the Roebuck.”
”Big wreck; log time; fild it low,” said the savage, pointing to the schooner again.
They had been looking for the wreck from which the four men had been saved, but had not been able to find it before.
”Whale s.h.i.+p over there,” added he. ”Take four mel off.”
”Is she there now?” asked Noddy, breathless with interest.
”Go sool--to-morrow--lext week.”
This was not very definite; but the way to his native land seemed to be open to him, and he listened with deep emotion to the welcome intelligence.
”Can we go over there?” asked Noddy, pointing to his companion.
”Go with we.”
”We will.”
”Big heap thigs,” added the savage, pointing to the storehouse again.
”Walt to trade?”
”Yes; what will you give for the lot?” asked Noddy, facetiously.
”Big heap thigs,” replied the man, not comprehending the wholesale trade.
It was of no use to attempt to bargain with these people; they had no money, and they could help themselves to what they pleased. Noddy gave them heavy articles enough to load their boat, for he felt that he had no further use for them, if there was a whale s.h.i.+p at the other island.
He questioned the savage very closely in regard to the vessel, and was satisfied that he spoke the truth. The welcome intelligence that a portion of the Roebuck's crew had been saved, rendered the exiles the more anxious to visit the island.
The savages all landed and gazed at Mollie with the utmost interest and curiosity. Probably they had never before seen an American girl. But they were respectful to her, and she soon ceased to be afraid of them.
She laughed with them, and soon became quite intimate with the whole party. They treated her like a superior being; and certainly her pretty face and her gentle manners were quite enough to inspire them with such an idea.
The savages had loaded their goods into the canoe, and were ready to return. The man who spoke English offered them a pa.s.sage in his craft; but Noddy decided that it would be better and safer for them to go over in their own boat. He proceeded to secure all his valuables, including all his own money and that he had saved from the state-room of the captain, which he concealed about his clothes. The boat was well loaded with such articles as he thought would be useful to Mollie, or would sell best when a chance offered. He had quite a cargo, and the savages began to be impatient before his preparations were completed.
While he was thus employed, Mollie gathered fresh flowers, and paid her last visit, as she supposed, to the grave of her father. She wept there, as she thought of leaving him in that far-off, lonely island; but she was consoled by the belief that her father's spirit dwelt in the happy land, where spring eternal ever reigns.
The boat was ready; she wiped away her tears, and stepped on board. Both of them felt sad at the thought of leaving the island; but home had hopes which reconciled them to the change.
CHAPTER XX.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
Noddy shook out the sail of the boat, and pus.h.i.+ng her off, followed the canoe. Though the exiles had been on the island but little over two months, they had become much attached to their new home, and it was with a feeling of sadness that they bade adieu to it. The house and other improvements had cost Noddy so much hard labor that he was sorry to leave them before he had received the full benefit of all the comfort and luxury which they were capable of affording.
”Don't you think we ought to live on the island for a year or so, after all the work we have done there?” said Noddy, as the boat gathered headway, and moved away from the sh.o.r.e.
”I'm sure I should be very happy there, if we had to stay,” replied Mollie, ”But I don't think I should care to remain just for the sake of living in the house you built.”