The Lost Children.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Lost Children.

y By | ALICE A. KENNY.

CHAPTER 11. There was a slight track which they had made themselves leading to,the cave, otherwise they could never havo found their way in the dark, even with a candle. Elizabeth held on to Frank's arm, quaking, and hardly saying a word until they reached the top of the spur they were climbing. The track ceased there, but Frank knew exactly where his secreL i cavo was and could have found it without a light. It was under the roots of a great tree that grew on the farther side of the ridge, and was really nothing more than a device in the ground where the earth had worn away from the faco of an embedded lock. Frank lit the candle stump and they .squeezed in. It was sikli a small, drp place that it. was impossible to feel creepy in it. There was just room to spread the blanket and lie full length with Elizabeth's doll and the food they had brought beside them. " There's one thing," said Frank triumphantly, " even if old Smith found us here ho couldn't get us, because he couldn't squeeze in." The candle was so short that they couldn't use any of it for the purpose ot reading " Swiss Family Kobinson," which they had brought with them. They were, besides, too excited to read, so they lay looking at the stars and listening to the rustle of the leaves and whispering to each other till they fell asleep. They were awakened in the morning by a/very unexpected sound, the joyous, excited bark of Blink. " Oh ! " exclaimed Frank, starting up so suddenly that he bumped his head on a root. " It's Blink ! Someone lias let him loose arid ho lias followed us. No." ho added slowly, " I was mad—we ought to have brought him with us. Mr. Smith's there, too; ho let Blink loose and told him to find "us." With a bound and a wild bark Blink was in the cavo. Ho thought it was a splendid gamo and Jumped all over tho children, licking their faces and hands and making as much commotion as the small space of the cavo permitted. " So that's where you silly youngsters are," said tho voice of Mr. Smith from outside. " I thought the dog would find you. You'd better come out and not waste any more of my lime." Jfe pulled Blink out of the holo bv tho tail and looked in at the children. They were sitting on their heels in tho back of the cave, out of his reach, and solemnly staring at him. " Come out of that, Frank, you can't keep this foolery up any longer," he said angrily. " You can't get us out," said Frank, rather frightened. ' " You stubborn young brute! You need a bit of discipline, you do. I can get you out, don't make any mistake about that, but you'd better conio without giving me any more trouble." Frank made no reply. He still hoped that Mr. Smith would give it up and go awav, but the cutter man had carried a slash-hook into the bush with him to clear the creepers from his path, and using it as a spado, ho began energetically to enlarge the opening of the cave. Elizabeth began to cry with fright, as the drv earth tumbled in on the blanket, and Frank realised that he must give in. " All right, I'll come out," he said dismally, and crawled out on all fours, his feet entangled in the blanket. Mr. Smith picked him up by the collar of his coat and shook liini roughly. " You little fool! " he said. " What you deserve is a good hiding. Pick up your things! Bread, too! Going to live here, were you ? They were soon back at the cottage again. There seemed no escape now,

and under Mr. Smith's instructions they pacßed a few things into a box, including books and papers of their father's, and his cash-box. The Maoris stayed about tho house till they left. Mr. Smith, who spoke Maori as well as the children did, had explained ►t.o Kuaki, and he and the other Maoris took it for granted that Frank and Elizabeth must go to their own tribe now that their father was dead. -Blink, who had no idea of being left behind, jumped on hoard and sat flown between Frank and Elizabeth. Frank looked anxiously at Mr. Smith, who had taken such complete! control of their destinies. To be obliged to desert Blinkio would be more than they could bear. " Oh, yes, be can come," said the cutter man, and Klizabeth clasped the neck in speechless relief. Now that they were in the boat Mi. Smith's manner to them became kinder but he still seemed worried about them. ft was night when they reached the Mission Station wharf. They were tired and hungry now, but as soon as they got into the house and Mr. Smith began to explain about them, Frank could sec that Mr. Penn, the missionary, did not want them at all. He was oldish and thin and stooping, with unusually long grey hair, and he kept looking at tin bov and girl and rubbing his hands doubtfully. > " A girl," ho said, " but there arc no women here." " Oh, she's just a little thing, and it's only until we can find out where they aro to go." " Yes, yes, very well. It is undoubtedly my duty," he said, rather as if be were talking to himself. " Perhaps Mrs. Baker at the point could assist me, a worthy woman, though unlettered. " Mrs. Baker—the wife of old Baker, Whaler Bill ? " said Mr. Smith doubtfully. " She'd be all right for a time, 1 suppose, but these youngsters are gentry, Mr. Penn. Baker's is a rough place " " Nevertheless Baker is a good. Godfearing man, and very respectful," said Mr. Perm. " God-fearing—is lie," murmured Mr. Smith. A good many Maori boy 3 and girls lived in and about the mission bouse. Mr. Penn was teaching them to speak English and read and write, as well as other useful things. Some of them were now preparing a meal for him, anil at bis bidding they laid plates and cups for the three new-comers. " Take off your bonnet, my child," said the missionary to Elizabeth, " and come and speak to me." Elizabeth obeyed and shook hands with him, holding her doll tightly under her other arm. " What is your name ? '' asked the old man. Elizabeth Cunningham, sir." " A very nice name. I hope you are a good child. Though naturally sinful, under God's guidance any child may be good." Elizabeth did not know wli.it to say (o this, but happily the old gentleman turned his attention to Frank. " You are quite a big boy." he said kindly. " I hope you have been brought up to lie obedient and God-fearing." " I don't know about obedient," said Mr. Smith, who was sitting 011 a box and looking on with an amused air. " But I don't see why I should obey von," retorted Frank, looking gloomily at the cutter man. 'Tut! Tut!'" saiii the missionary in a shocked tone. " All well brought up children obey their elders, or else get punished. But now .you must come and have supper. Later, perhaps, I will give you a little volume to rcyl about a bov who was disobedient, and what happened to him.". (To be Continued.)