CHAPTER XII.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 4116, 7 July 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XII.

But as Kingsley says,' " Good times and all [times soon pass away," and our voyage ■ ended at last, and at Launceston we parted 1 for a time to meet ,i week later at the old Ihome of my girlhood. A dear home, in spite of its sad memories, every nook full of dead , echoes of my old sdf, of those so dear to me now no longer in their old places. Alas ! life plays sad havoc in a few years, but I had iguests to entertain and a certain subtle joy Ipervaded my soul as one face and form rose Ibefore my mind's eyes ; so I once more sealed the chamber of my sacred dead and became : tlie hostess, entertaining a merry party bent on pleasure. ■ » Two young married couples, two engaged couple^ out of whom scarce a word could bo got, so wrapped up in each, other were they, .two lively disengaged damsels, the two doctors, a young squatter from Queensland on a visit in the neighborhood, Grace Clarke and myself completed our house-party. Most of them had ridden or driven in their own buggies, and by the third morning after our assembling at the ''Sycamores" we were ready for our start to the caves. i Two large waggonettes, a buggy and a dogcart; conveyed our party,"tents and provisions; the rest of us riding, and off we set. How fresh the air; how delicious the .fragrant •briar and hawthorn hedges as we merrily travelled along. A halt was made h,alf way. /The gentlemen made fires, and our first picnic luncheon took place amid much laughter ■ 'and fun of all descriptions. Soon af fcer we 'resumed our journey and entered wjld-look-iing and mostly dense forest — only the Australian born can fully appreciate- how dear 'the bush is to Australians ; homo people 'laugh at it, "so gloomy, everlastingly the leame ngly, old gum-trees," &c. ;• buf its igjoom is fascinating, and now it was lightened iby, the varied foliage, sassafras, myrtle and tly blackwood cloven by frequent fern md streams, where the light underreminclotl one of » £ tsry glen, so lorely all. *Andfirer before us rose the m. nearer and wxkx tjUl at last we

were jn tho midst, and travelling becamo diffl; ult and slow ; gloomy crags, giant trees in all their primeval glory surrounded us, and produced a hush even in our merry friends soon however to be dissipated by the bustle of unloading, pitching tents, picketing horses, whilst the married folks attended to tho moro solid comforts, without which tho inner man and woman cannot well do, and 6oon a good, substantial, hot dinner was ready. Ducks and fowls, boiled and roasted, amused our men folk, who only expected cold fare ; but, after all, what man is there amongst the raco to whom a good dinner does not appeal with a happy and softening result?

'We wandered away in twos and threes, leaving only the two servants who accompaniod us in charge of tho camp. Some went up the mountains. By some chance I found myself at the entrance of the water cave, where over tho gloomy rocks the water dashed and foamed, sparkling with light, which I soon found enrerod through crovices hero and there in the fottf . We picked our way through the gloomy recesses, stopping now and again to listen to tho music of falling water, than which nothing is moro fascinating, an'! found ourselves in a while ascending a narrow gorge fringed on either sido with graceful, waving ferns or hanging lichens of giant growth. Coming, after a stiff climb, to a natural moss-grown bridge thrown completely across the chasm, we had a view which, from this •point, was magnificent, as there rose before us the ruggod and grand range of tho Western Tiers behind a vast strotch of forest trees backed in tho distance by tho blue mountain ranges. Vugc, moes-grown, lichencovered rocks rose in savage wildnefis around us, while at our feet we gazed some hundred and fifty feet down to where the water stole in a silver, trickling streamlet and lost itself in tho yawning opening Of the caves we had just passed through. Of my companions Gooff, and Dr. Clarke nad wandered away. Dr. Hamilton and I stood alone and contemplated the varied scenery around. "It is too beautiful for speech," he said, his rich, mellow voice, grave with the emotion of the moment. " 'Tis one of those times when silence is golden. Let us rest and I will repeat to you that gem of Mrs. Barrett Browning's collection, 'He giveth is be-

loved sleep.' "

Choosing a moss-covered stone, he threw himself at my feet, and, facing the crimson ■west -with the silent monuments of ages of past time siu'roundirig me, I listened for the first time to that perfect poem, given in a perfect place by the voice that had grown so resonant of earth's most perfect joy — the companionship of a refined and cultivated nature in harmony -with my own. The hour was not soon forgotten, but with the fading light the duties of hostess were again to the fore, and, having reached our camp, pleasant stories, catches and glees finished our pleasant day, and to rest vre all retired rest broken in my tent, at least, by ever-recurring exclamations from the chat- | tering girls concerning the unwelcome visitations of bull-ants, centipedes, &c., which they saw or felt or fancied. At lust gentle sleep had her reign, and nothing more disturbed tho silence of the night till tho cooics and laughter of our men folk at the early dawn aroused us as they wended their way to the inner caves, towels round their necks, for a morning bath in tho icy Avatets of tbe underground river. We were not long iv preparing our breakfast % arrangements, and immediately after we equipped ourselves in tho old garments and boots we had taken the precaution to I bring with us, and sallied forth to inspect tho dry caves — vast, solemn, long corridors opening into various huge chambers, whei'c the stalachtitcs and'stalagmites often meeting formed pillars whose beauty could not be surpassed by the " carving of conventional artists. The river, which flowed quietly in the dark places, now appearing a little streamlet and again hidden away in gome unknown turn, became suddenly broad and very obtrusive. "Must wade through this, 'ere water, ladies, if yer wants to see the glow-worms an' crystal eaves." "Wade through! Oh, how dreadful!" chorused-one and all. " Well, you girls may do as" you like !" exclaimed one of our married lady friends. "I, for one, have a little sense left, and don't mean to kill myself getting cold in that deathly river !" Several of the others joined her and turned back. TJgh ! how deadly .cold tho first plunge ! The exclamations were quick and sharp, and two or three more drew back frightened to continue so- cold, so dark and uncanny a journey. Only a small number eventually decided to carry through tho original plan and explore as far as the guides would allow. I could not help a sharp cry as the black, sluggish, ice-old water touched "my feet, but a gentle voice beside me whispered : "Do not fear ; take my hand and I will help you through." Where would I not have gone supported thus ! Alas, too dear for my peace was that strong yet tender clasp — and how many things it spoke! Of friendship stedfast, true ; of new and wonderful love, and of something else equally wonderful — I mean the sense which never left us, which first struck us 011 tJjB tla^y of our meeting; tjje sense that we 'had. bejen ojd friends, old but the cold of the water once again to be crossed drew my attention to the present moment. Deeper and deeper, noAv up to" my knees, now to my waist, higher yet, and, at last when the >arm-pits are nearly reached, suddenly the light of the guide's 'torch fizzed, spluttered and went out. The situation was anything but pleasant. There was the horror of blackness all around us, and not one of us knew what to do or which way to move. Kenneth was by my side, but I was too frightened to wonder what would be done next. At last one of the guides said that he would attempt to' make his way out if the gentlemen went with him. He could not understand how ' the torches went out, as such a thing had never occurred before. Dr- Hamilton at, once volunteered to be his companion, though I pressed his arm almost convulsively in dread of being left in such horrors. It was only by conjecture that the direction of the passage could he imagined. The guides and the gentlemen — in fact everyone of us shouted to each other so aa to keep our respective positions. Kenneth moved a little from my side, and then I heard a plunge followed by «i gurgle. What was it? I screamed aloud and the huge cavernre-echoed the sound. At once the whole scene became to me as clear as noon-day. The grim, water-worn walls, the high, irregular, arched roof, the jutting rock and the shivering people standing in the dark water — and within a short distance of me a white face with damp, straggling hair floating on the surface. At once my womanly fears were gone. To me only was given the power of sight. To tho rest it still remained utter darkness. "Quick! Quick!" I cried, "Let me have the rope !" Luckily there had been a rope brought, and, taking it whilst my friends marvelled at. I what I was doing, I walked confidently to--ward's tbe place where I had seen tbe white face gleaming as if lighted up by the uncertain beams of a u*w moon

I cannot analyze my sensations at this time. I really do not know whether I walked on the water or through it. I have a dim recollection that the fluid seemed more buoyant than it had been when we were shivering through the cold and solitary arches.

At any rate I walked on with confidence and without hesitation until I clasped in my hands what for a moment I took for the lifeless body of the man I lovcdmosfc in the world. That moment revealed that secret to me.

"Quick!" I cried again. "Quick, follow mo. There is not a moment to be lost. I shall guido you by my voice !"

I caught my Kenneth's head in my arm, raising it out of tho water, and at once turned towards the point of exit. Tho rest followed wondering what had happened beside them without their having tho smallest intimation of ik, and wondering how I had the- power to direct them. I callodDr. Clarke to my side,and having boon told what had occurred, ho aided mo with the body of his friend. Isur what was our astonishment to perceive Kenneth recover himself almost immediately. I could sec distinctly the pale face recall its color, and Dr. Clarke felt hie pulse renew their beating.

In a short time Kenneth stood up between his friond and myself. lie shook Dr. Clarke's hand and thanked him, but to me ke ■whispered : ' '

"To you I owe my life. May it bo granted that I should devote it to you. I have no idea why I fainted, and I am glad none of those folk knows my weakness. But wo shall not go back. Are you not brave enough to TenturcP"

I said I was brave enough, but tho torches, as ho saw, were quenccd and there was no light to pneced.

Just lien from the summit of the cave and round a column whero an almost imperceptible ledge jutted out two men dcscendedi with torches glowing and nickering. Where] they camo from even our guides did not know^ But I at once recognisptl tho features of thei leader. Ik was Che Indian. My feelings wifti respect to him were of -fire" most mingled character, and I could not adcount for it. I felt that, he had an immense influence on my life, but whether for good or evil I could not determine. The torch he carried in his hand flung its ruddy glare on the faces of the wet aud shivering group he overlooked. What brought him there ?

It took him only a few • minutes to reach me. "It was brave. You deserve and have conquered." Not one word more. Our guides meanwhile had relighted their torcheß, dnd we proceeded on our way — one at least of tho wanderers with littlo courage.

The Indian disappeared as he came. Ke was well known, our guides said, around there, and was considered to have a more exact knowledge of those caves than anyone else in the country.

After a dismal journey , through the chill water we reached the cathedral cave, whoso dim recesses and arched dome fully justified the name it bore. O, mysterious freak of nature to hide in the dark womb of the earth — 1 a place of Such grand beauty where human feet seldom trod ! But may it not be the entrance to the dwelling-place of sonic longforgotten race, or more wierd still, the abode of those whose life begun on another world, is continued and developed on this in its hidden places, the glorious beauties of which are hidden forever from mortal eyes. With such fancies did the ancients people their grottos and caves, making them the temporary dwelling-places of heavenly beings.

Soon after we returned, and tired, torn and bruised found ourselves in the welcome camp where hot tea, coffee and cakes awaited us.

I have given you an account of these caves, for they are one of tho things once scon never forgotten, which live in tho memory a lifetime, and were to mo the cause of much pleasure also much perplexity. Whither was I drifting, or what influence surrounded me ? I could not misunderstand the tones, the looks, respectful and tender as they we're, which, my friend bestowed on me.. Did ho know that I was ignorant of the fate of George Barton ? Was I wife or widow ?

Miserable were the hours passed in these thoughts, but with tho desperation of a drowning man I determined to thrust aside the misery that I might be forced to face later on and wrest from life one bright period on which to live, if tho after years should prove even more sad and dreary, for the possible might have been which would then forever be the after math of life to me. Besides, no declaration of love had passed between us. Wo had our present and it seemed sufficient to both.

With all my woman's wit and Bkill I warded off all approach made by tho doctor to subjects lying too close to the core of, life, and, after a pleasant month with our friends, several smaller picnics, rides, drives and dances I once more found myself in my New Zealand home.