ANEW ZEALAND ROBINSON CRUSOE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 217, 30 August 1862, Page 6

ANEW ZEALAND ROBINSON CRUSOE.

(From All the Year Bound.) (Continued.) IX. One thing tliat more than any other impressed my mind with the utter solitude of the island on which I was cast was the absence of animal life and the silence. I had seen, during several weeks' residence, little or no traces of life beyond the solitary instance of the wild cat, which had probably been thrown overboard, or had swum ashore from some passing ship. The only other living things I had yet seen, except birds, were lizards. "Wild pigeons abounded. I made about twenty snares to catch some. For several days I did not succeed, and I had almost despaired, when one day, to my great delight, a couple were caught. How eagerly I cooked them, and the enjoyment I had in eating them t need not describe. I afterwards took several more, securing altogether during the time I was on the island fourteen birds.

I now went up on the rocks, where I had cleared a place to lie and bask in the sun, and whence I could overlook the sea. Several weeks had elapsed since I saw the vessel.

About this time I found in the forest, near my tobacco plot, some yellow clay, a quantity ; of "which I carried home, and occupied my evenings in trying to convert into some vessel to hold water. I made several ungainly looking things, and spoilt all but two in trying to bake them. The occupation, however, served to divert my attention, and keep me from j brooding too much over my misery. In the hope of finding honey, I had several j bee hunts. How bees came on this desolate 'island puzzled me; but there they were; they could hardly be indigenous. I traced an immense swarm to a tree, which I had the cruelty to burn down ; that being the only expedient by which I could obtain the honey hived high up in the trunk. I was rewarded for-this toil (which was great, first and last) by the largest stock of honey 1 had ever yet seen take-., even in Sew Zealand, from a tree. A part of the mass of honey was two or three seasons old, being of a deep yellow color, and the wax brown ; the rest was of a pale straw color, in snow-white virgin combs. Of the latter I site eagerly, and then collecting the rest, deposited it in my clay vessels, leaving the oldest a prey to the lizards and ants. I found this honey a delicious addition tomy fish. I found afterwards two more bee trees, the contents of which I obtained and enjoyed. ."'■■' x. I had frequently noticed what I took to be the footsteps of some kind of animal on the pathway leading up the rocks into the forest. I had not, however, seen anything of any animal. I knew pigs and goats to be the only animals found in New Zealand in a wild state, and they are not indigenous: having been introduced, I believe, by Captain Cook. One day, as I was returning with a load of firewood, I heard below, to my great surprise, some animals bleating. Laying down my load quietly, I looked on the ground below, and, to my great delight, saw a herd of wild goats licking the salt on the, rocks. How was I to come at them? How could I catch one of them? 1 a remembered that Robinson Crusoe became swift enough of foot to run them down. I much doubted my capability of doing so. A?, however, no plan suggested itself to me other than that of stealing quietly upon them, and then making a sudden rush, I resolved forthwith to try that course. Slowly and stealthily I got within fifty yards of them unnoticed. One suddenly observed me, and gave a loud bleat of warning, and they all made a rush up the rocks where no human foot could follow. Having got out of my reach, they turned round and stared at me. What could I do ? Nothing, but quietly return for my firewood, and try and devise some-mode of catching them at some future time. Many were the devices that passed through my mind, all equally futile. Lying in the hut some days later, I heard some animals running over the gravel in front of it. It was mid-day, and I was resting from the heat of the sun. I peeped out; and saw six goats separated from their companions and browsing on some karaka bushes near my spring. I crept out a3 stealthily as cat after mouse ; the plashing of the little stream over the rock, drowned any little noise I might have made, and, fortunately, the wind blew from them to me. I found the distance between me and them graduailj' lessen, while the space between the pool of water and the steep precipitous rocks gradually narrowed, leaving them less and les3 room to rush past me. At length they saw me, and seemed so near that for a moment they stood perfectly still—paralysed. I rushed at them with a whoop. Five passed me; but the last, b shegoat, heavy with kid, got separated from hei companions, and in her perplexity leaped upon a large stone in the water, and there stood bleating most pitifully. I made one bonne after her, threw my arms about her neck, am held her in a close embrace. Now, I though; I have succeeded in catching the very goat ! would have chosen ; how shall I get her homel My doubts as to this important question wen very soon settled. The stone on wbich w< both were, was covered with a green slimj moss, and gradually I felt my feet slipping from under me. The goat made a suddet plunge for liberty, and down 1 came witl her into the water. I was forced t< loosen my hold. She beat me at swim ming, short as the distance was to land and, with a loud bleat, she rushed up the rock after her companions. I was consoled on the same evening fy finding an enormous shell which had beei washed up by the tide; this, along with tw< or three smaller ones, I carried away, rejoic ing in them as vessels to hold water. Man; and many a time, however, I sat planning hoy to secure a goat. For even one goat, as ; companion, would, have been a great boon but it was all to no purpose; I never got om One bright moonlight night, I fell short c wood. T had that day neglected getting i (why, I forget now), so I had to turn out an go up into the forest. The moon shone beau tifully^ and the effects of light and shad

among the huge trees and gigantic creepers were so fantastic and weird-like that I could

uot help sitting down on a fallen tree, and half-frightened, yet utterly entranced, gazing on the wonderful scene. As I sat, a loud shrill whistle sounded close behind me. After a short time I recovered sufficient self-possession to look cautiously around, and saw a dark object moving. J. waited until it came into the full light of the moon, when I saw what first I took for a quadruped. But it was a bird; a bird with neither wings nor feathers, but a sort of lur. ,It occurred to me that that this must be the "kiwi" 1 had heard much of from the . natives, called by the whites the apteryx. Apart from its skin, which I wished to obtain, it was as I knew, exceedingly good eating. I looked round for a stick or stope, and at length got hold of a stick without alarming the bird. I started forward, and made an unsuccessful blow at it. ( It ran very quickly ; I managed, however, to overtake it,, when the brute threw itself oh its back and struck at me with its legs ripped up my trousers with a sharp hind claw, and tore the skin of my leg most grievously. . I was so taken aliaek that the bird escaped. I had one satisfaction, however; Lhad ascertained the cause of the mysterious whistling,

and thus set all fears on tliatscibre-at rest. la, a day or two I found apteryx eggs which' made a welcome addition to my larder. XI. Four long weary months and two weeks | had passed. Three or four times in the day I regularly went up the rocks, trying to sight a eail. A long time had now elapsed since I saw the last, and my hopes of ever seeing another hecame every day fainter and fainter. At length, one fine warm sunny day as I was lying on the rock, looking every now and then seaward, I descried a small speck far out to sea. At first I thought my eyes deceived me; I rubtfed them, ■ and looked again, and saw it still more distinctly. I took a short walk in the forest, aud, coming back, found the object grown larger and plainer. I could now discern glistening in the light of the sun, the white sails of a vessel. How my heart beat! Would she come near enough for me to signalise her ? I made ready a fire, and, this time, gathered several green branches to make a smoke with. Nearer nnd nearer she came, until at length I made her out to be a large schooner bound to the southward, I supposed to Auckland. -When she arrived (as-near as I could guess) about four miles from the island, I lighted my fire, and heaped on it a mass of green wood and damp moss, and watched the smoke ascend in a large dense cloud. I looked eagerly towards the schooner. She came nearer and nearer. My heart palpitated. I could distinctly hear and almost count its loud and anxious throbs. "They see the smoke, they see it!" I cried in eestacy, as she suddenly hauled up to the wind, and I heard her sails flap sharply against her masts. In my excitement 1 screamed until my throat was sore, with the vain hope that the people on board would hear my cries. Do they really see the smoke ? Will they lower a boat for me ? The few minutes o( suspense during which she laved aback, seemed hours Hours? Years. "I know they see the smoke, I know it!" I cried ;*' how cruel not to hasten! Why do they not lower a boat ! and pull oft 1?" "They are going!" I shrieked, I in my agony, as I saw the vessel's head slowly j j turn, and the sails again belly out to the wind, | j " They are going ! Oh, my God, they are I i going ! And leaving me here ! Have mere)', | I have mercy, aud do not utterly forsake me !""; j 1 cast myself with my face to the ground, my j eyes hot, dry, and tearless. J dared not look i again. I felt as if I was going mad. At length I got up, and took one last despairing look at the receding ship now again diminiihed to a small speck. Silent and tearless 1 sat for hours looking | down into the quiet deep blue waters. Here ; and there, corals of all strange hues and many 1 forms branching out in different directions, I with bright coloured strange shaped fish I gliding m and out among the grotesque I stony foliage, and snow-white shells gl*am- | ing in the bright clear -water amongst J the dark green weed, which swayed idly j backwards and forwards with the - plashing jof the tide. <> All down there looked so > serene and peaceful that the thought crept j into my mind, " Would it not be better to roll j off this rock, and seek that resting-place ? It I would be but one plunge, a very brief pang, j and then to sleep," ' j As I sat broodingover those wicked thoughts I the words, " Gall upon me in the day of {trouble: I will deliver thet, and thou shalt ■I' glorify me," came suddenly into my mind. I ! rushed down to my hut, fell on my knees, and i | prayed God to pity me and give me patience ' i and submission. .I" " -■ xii. . . ' ' j Four more weary weeks passed without . i any incident worth noting. Methodically I I! fished, and gathered firewood, roamed through >! the forest, and formed futile plans for catch- . | ing goats. In this manner another month I-| passed. I had now been five months alone on L I the island. I had retired to bed one night as usual, when ■ I was startled by hearing something bump on ; the beach. 1 jumped up, and listened. Itcan--1 I not be my old boat lifted oft" the rocks by a * j high tide ? No. it could not be that; for the ' j boat had been almost all removed for onepurU pose or other. And, yet I heard footsteps; t i and then a loud gruff voice, saying, " Kumea, i i Kumea!" I knew that voice well, but I «1----i most thought I was dreaming.- I rushed out, ' and saw by the light of the moon, which was - ! then near theJ'uli, five or six dusky figures try- - i ing to haul up a large boat out of the reach of 1 i the breakers. With a loud bhout of joy I ran - i forward, but stood amazed and appal ed at the - I sudden yell Avhich. escaped from the persons. 2 \ who left off" dragging the boat, and tumbled , j precipitately into her, as if their only safety t were there. Moreover, I saw to my horror a > large bare brawny arm held up, with some- ? thing glittering in .the moon's silver light, 11 and 1 feared its flying at me. ." Kowai koe?" - j (Who arc you) shouted a loud voice. " Ivci r i Henare ahau'' ([ am Henry), 1 exclaimed, i I "Stop," answered the voice, "or I throw this!1 1 at the same time brandishing the small tomai hawk. I well knew the fatal aim that would ij follow if I moved. I stood perfectly still t The figure then moved towards the boat J " Stop Mongauui," I cried, in an agony of frai * lest they should go eff again and leave me c. "I am Henry—do not leave me." "Ka tekf c | koe" (You lie), he exclaimed, " kua mat< y Hanare (Henry is dead). You are his spirit' g "No, no," I answered, " T swear to you lam he n Come and touch me, and see whether lam no h flesh and blood.'"" "No," he said, "I do no o believe you. You are a spirit, and I shall go," - He made towards the boat. What agony ] ; suffered at that moment! But suddenly u< ■B turned, and stood still calling to me, "Xi kite koe tera kowhatu?" (Do you see tha y stone, pointing to one at my feet.) "Aera( n (Yes), I answered. " Take it up, then." '. o did so. "Now do you see that tree ?" point '•- ing to the very tree I had tied my boat t( y when I first landed, and which grew out o w the rocks. " I see it." "Throw the stone a a it." I did so, and hit it. "Ah" he said, " m t;- ghost could do that—only flesh and blooi c. could lift and throw a large stone like that.' sf " May I come then, to you ?"." Yes," he said it still, however, hesitating. I went up to bin id with the usual Maori salute of "Tena kou i- tou."

He caught hold of me and grasped my hand so hard that I flinched. "Ah," he said, "that is real flesh*and blood;" and then looking me full in the face, he said, " And you look something like Henry, only thinner." " Live here five months, Monganui," I replied, " and try to keep stout on it." As soon as he had fully got it into his mind that I was the person I represented myself to be, he began asking me innumerable questions The others had been listening all this time in the boat, and on his order came out reluctantly; we pulled the boat up high on the beach, the women (for they were the chief's five wives) casting all the time side, glances of doubt and mistrust on me But I contrived once or twice to knock against them rather roughly, as only flesh and blood and bones comd do, and this seemed to set their minds at rest. Monganui, who was the chief who had given me the two boys, came up to my hat, while his wives busied themselves in making shelter for the night with the oars of the boat and their .blankets. Monganui and I remaining at my house after supper, we lighted our pipes. I proceeded to' narrate my adventures, of the last few. months, in the course of which I was, frequently, interrupted by bis savage

ejaculatior.s of astonidlmieut. When I had done, he said, "Ah, well, you would make a good Maori," that being the'very highest compliment be could pay me, I then asked him how he had come, and why ? He told me he had been fishing ai the Black Rocks, and it had come on to blow very fresh, as in my own case; m freshly.did it blow at last, that, despite his having a whale boat and crew, they could not pull against it, and so ran before it to these islands. In the morning, as soon as it was light, we went out. "We found the women already up, a fire lighted, and somo potatoes and fish being cooked in an iron pot, or kohua. The women at first looked somewhat askance'at* me,: but seeing me take a potatoe- out of the pot and deliberately peel and eat it, they again neemed considerably relieved. Of course Monganui had made his mind up that T would leave the island with him as soon as the weather moderated, which it seemed about to do. lie arranged for our leaving early the following morning. Tho morning opened clear and fine, with the wind in the right direction for sailing back again. We were all astir early, and in a bustle of preparation. As soon as breakfast was over, the things were all put on board tfie boat, and everything was ready for the start. Just then my heart failed me, despite my long and lonely residence on the island. I could not overcome my fears of trusting myself in that small boat, deeply laden as she was, and leaking, as I knew of old she did, for so long a journey. When it came to the point, I drew back, much to Monganui's astonishment. " I will stay," I said; "should you. land safely, please go to Kororaika and tell the white people I am here, and that I have been living here five months. Seek the magistrate there, and ask him to send a small vessel for me, and I will remain pa- j tiently here until it arrives." "Hut,- Henry," he answered eagerly, " there is room. Tho sea is quiet, and I think I can find my way home again. Do come with us." Again and again he urged me, but to no purpose. They all got j into the boat and prepared to start, when up j j jumped the chief again and ran to me, pressed ] his nose against mine, and, with-tearjj iv his j eyes, said once more, . " Now, Henry, now] for the last time !" " No, Monganui, I j feel I cannot," 1 rushed away to my lint i scarcely daring to trust myself any longer, j and there gave way to a flood of ■ tears. j After a lapse of about a quarter of an j hour I rushed up the rock and looked after j the bout; there it was, a little white speck I dancing up and down on the swelling waters, I and as I watched it, my heart changed once | more, and I shouted and shrieked tor them to : come back. j xiii. ,! Alone, alone once more. Oh! that dreadI ful word. " alone." Perhaps [ should never I net away from this horrible place; never, .' never more! Fool! Coward! How I missed ,'the sound of human voices. How I listened \ \ for human fo;>?steps. How horribly lonely i . | w;w. 1 prayed to (Jo'l that they might land I j sa'ely and send otl some means of rescue. 1 . I felt I could not wait long ; that a very short 'I time would elapse before I became in very ' j truth mad. I went up the rock and strained 4 1 my aching eyes with gazing acos* the bright r" blue waves. Night came :it last, beautiful, I i still, cloudless, nml moonlight, and still I wit [ • and gazed at tho sen, I'stcniug in unutterable |! sadness f* its monuin^H. At length, cold, , ; weary, and sad, i betook me to my bed. 1 UnrcfVeshedl I woke in the morning, and. . as soon as breikf*is»t wai over, touk my ! lonely station once moro on the rocks, and j spent the weary weary.-day in gazing over i.the sea. I calculated that at least six days rI muf?t. elapse before any vessel could conic, [3et I could not leave my look-out. So 1 * passed the second day, and so the 1 ' third, and so the fourth, and so the i fifth. The sixth day came, and somewhat more 1 ; hopefully I took my station, waited and prayed, 1 'and watched, but the daylight faded and night " j came, and still no sign. So passed the seventh » ! day, and so dawned the eighth, and so died the L> I eighth, and so passed the ninth, and so came - i the tenth. On the tenth day, i was scarcely ;!' conscious. Still mechanically I sat and gazed .over the bright water of thu cruel 'mocking - I sea. 1 ; At length, towards mid-day, I fancied-1 dis--3 [ cerned a small durk speck. But I had been Z.\ deceived so often, that 1 expected it to fade ; away like all the rest. Hut no, it did not fade. i 1 looked again, and 1 looked again, and still it I \\:\* there, and surely increasing in size. 1 '. ! rnshed oil' for a few minutes into the forest, \ j.and when I returned—-there it was still; and \ 1 now I Haw and knew it was a vessel coming tl i towards the island!

Nearer, nearer, and nearer. It was a small j schooner. Again i lighted my fire and watched I the smoke curl upwards in thick dense clouds. A gun was lived. I could not hear the report. I could only see the small puff of white smoke fading slowly away. What passed during the next few hours I very dimly know. I have a.faint idea that I shouted, and danced, and whooped, and laughed, and cried. I rushed again and again down the rocks to my hut, and then again to the rocks. Once I fell and rolled down, tearing my clothes and skin, and bruising my hands and knees, and finally finding myself in the sea, whence with no small difficulty I emerged. Now, a small boat rapidly approached the beach, i pulled by two men. I rushed down to meet them. They grounded on the pebbles. One figure leaped out, and rushed up to me, throwing his arms about my neck, and rub- \ bing his nose against mine, crying all the time like a child. I felt my hand grasped by the other, and I saw before me my two native* i boys. XIV. ! £ hastened to my hut, aud, taking my blankets and the things Monganui had left, with me, I got into the boat, and they quickly pulled me alongside the schooner. Prom two English sailors in her, I heard my own native tongue the first time for nearly six mouths. How strangely it sounded in my ears! As soon as 1 got an board, they took me below and gave me some tea. I remained on deck all that night, scarcely able to realise the events of the past few months. And so I sat and watched, and thanked God through all the watches of that most blessed night, too excited to sleep, too thankful to do anything but return Him my humble thanks for all His good ness.

Next day, in the early morning, we neared land ; there, were the ill-fated rocks; there, loomed up once more that dreadful Cape Brett; a few hours and we should enter the bay. We rounded the point, and once more I saw the houses on the beach. Strangely they seemed to sway to and fro—strangely a mist came before my eyes. There was the'-well-known pier, and on it a number of faces, dnrk and white, all eagerly looking towards our small vessel as she swept up the hay. Once more I got into the boat, and was rowed rapidly towards the pier. I reached the steps, and a loud and deafening cheer saluted my ears. I looked up, I saw a face I well knew, I heard a voice I dearly loved. I heard and saw no more. As I tried to mount the last step of the pier I fell down on my face, and when I came to myself I found myself in bed in my friend's house, and a doctor sitting at my side —once more, thank God, at home!