little novels-第44章

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ng　this；　the　Captain　entreated　Aimata　to　let　him　see　the　emptied　lake；　in　the　absence　of　the　Priest。　She　hesitated；　but　his　influence　was　all…powerful。　He　prevailed　on　her　to　turn　back　with　him　through　the　forest。

Reaching　the　furthest　limit　of　the　trees；　they　came　out　upon　open　rocky　ground　which　sloped　gently　downward　toward　the　center　of　the　island。　Having　crossed　this　space；　they　arrived　at　a　natural　amphitheater　of　rock。　On　one　side　of　it　the　Temple　appeared；　partly　excavated；　partly　formed　by　a　natural　cavern。　In　one　of　the　lateral　branches　of　the　cavern　was　the　dwelling　of　the　Priest　and　his　daughter。　The　mouth　of　it　looked　out　on　the　rocky　basin　of　the　lake。　Stooping　over　the　edge；　the　Captain　discovered；　far　down　in　the　empty　depths；　a　light　cloud　of　steam。　Not　a　drop　of　water　was　visible；　look　where　he　might。

Aimata　pointed　to　the　abyss；　and　hid　her　face　on　his　bosom。　〃My　father　says；〃　she　whispered；　〃that　it　is　your　doing。〃

The　Captain　started。　〃Does　your　father　know　that　I　am　on　the　island？〃

She　looked　up　at　him　with　a　quick　glance　of　reproach。　〃Do　you　think　I　would　tell　him；　and　put　your　life　in　peril？〃　she　asked。　〃My　father　felt　the　destroyer　of　the　island　in　the　earthquake；　my　father　saw　the　coming　destruction　in　the　disappearance　of　the　lake。〃　Her　eyes　rested　on　him　with　a　loving　languor。　〃Are　you　indeed　the　demon　of　the　prophecy？〃　she　said；　winding　his　hair　round　her　finger。　〃I　am　not　afraid　of　you；　if　you　are。　I　am　a　creature　bewitched；　I　love　the　demon。〃　She　kissed　him　passionately。　〃I　don't　care　if　I　die；〃　she　whispered　between　the　kisses；　〃if　I　only　die　with　you！〃

The　Captain　made　no　attempt　to　reason　with　her。　He　took　the　wiser　wayhe　appealed　to　her　feelings。

〃You　will　come　and　live　with　me　happily　in　my　own　country；〃　he　said。　〃My　ship　is　waiting　for　us。　I　will　take　you　home　with　me；　and　you　shall　be　my　wife。〃

She　clapped　her　hands　for　joy。　Then　she　thought　of　her　father；　and　drew　back　from　him　in　tears。

The　Captain　understood　her。　〃Let　us　leave　this　dreary　place；〃　he　suggested。　〃We　will　talk　about　it　in　the　cool　glades　of　the　forest；　where　you　first　said　you　loved　me。〃

She　gave　him　her　hand。　〃Where　I　first　said　I　loved　you！〃　she　repeated；　smiling　tenderly　as　she　looked　at　him。　They　left　the　lake　together。

VII。

THE　darkness　had　fallen　again；　and　the　ship　was　still　becalmed　at　sea。

Mr。　Duncalf　came　on　deck　after　his　supper。　The　thin　line　of　smoke；　seen　rising　from　the　peak　of　the　mountain　that　evening；　was　now　succeeded　by　ominous　flashes　of　fire　from　the　same　quarter；　intermittently　visible。　The　faint　hot　breeze　from　the　land　was　felt　once　more。　〃There's　just　an　air　of　wind；〃　Mr。　Duncalf　remarked。　〃I'll　try　for　the　Captain　while　I　have　the　chance。〃

One　of　the　boats　was　lowered　into　the　waterunder　command　of　the　second　mate；　who　had　already　taken　the　bearings　of　the　tabooed　island　by　daylight。　Four　of　the　men　were　to　go　with　him；　and　they　were　all　to　be　well　armed。　Mr。　Duncalf　addressed　his　final　instructions　to　the　officer　in　the　boat。

〃You　will　keep　a　lookout；　sir；　with　a　lantern　in　the　bows。　If　the　natives　annoy　you；　you　know　what　to　do。　Always　shoot　natives。　When　you　get　anigh　the　island；　you　will　fire　a　gun　and　sing　out　for　the　Captain。〃

〃Quite　needless；〃　interposed　a　voice　from　the　sea。　〃The　Captain　is　here！〃

Without　taking　the　slightest　notice　of　the　astonishment　that　he　had　caused；　the　commander　of　the　_Fortuna_　paddled　his　canoe　to　the　side　of　the　ship。　Instead　of　ascending　to　the　deck；　he　stepped　into　the　boat；　waiting　alongside。　〃Lend　me　your　pistols；〃　he　said　quietly　to　the　second　officer；　〃and　oblige　me　by　taking　your　men　back　to　their　duties　on　board。〃　He　looked　up　at　Mr。　Duncalf　and　gave　some　further　directions。　〃If　there　is　any　change　in　the　weather；　keep　the　ship　standing　off　and　on；　at　a　safe　distance　from　the　land；　and　throw　up　a　rocket　from　time　to　time　to　show　your　position。　Expect　me　on　board　again　by　sunrise。〃

〃What！〃　cried　the　mate。　〃Do　you　mean　to　say　you　are　going　back　to　the　islandin　that　boatall　by　yourself？〃

〃I　am　going　back　to　the　island；〃　answered　the　Captain；　as　quietly　as　ever；　〃in　this　boatall　by　myself。〃　He　pushed　off　from　the　ship；　and　hoisted　the　sail　as　he　spoke。

〃You're　deserting　your　duty！〃　the　old　sea…dog　shouted；　with　one　of　his　loudest　oaths。

〃Attend　to　my　directions；〃　the　Captain　shouted　back；　as　he　drifted　away　into　the　darkness。

Mr。　Duncalfviolently　agitated　for　the　first　time　in　his　lifetook　leave　of　his　superior　officer；　with　a　singular　mixture　of　solemnity　and　politeness；　in　these　words：

〃The　Lord　have　mercy　on　your　soul！　I　wish　you　good…evening。〃

VIII。

ALONE　in　the　boat；　the　Captain　looked　with　a　misgiving　mind　at　the　flashing　of　the　volcano　on　the　main　island。

If　events　had　favored　him；　he　would　have　removed　Aimata　to　the　shelter　of　the　ship　on　the　day　when　he　saw　the　emptied　basin　on　the　lake。　But　the　smoke　of　the　Priest's　sacrifice　had　been　discovered　by　the　chief；　and　he　had　dispatched　two　canoes　with　instructions　to　make　inquiries。　One　of　the　canoes　had　returned；　the　other　was　kept　in　waiting　off　the　cape；　to　place　a　means　of　communicating　with　the　main　island　at　the　disposal　of　the　Priest。　The　second　shock　of　earthquake　had　naturally　increased　the　alarm　of　the　chief。　He　had　sent　messages　to　the　Priest；　entreating　him　to　leave　the　island；　and　other　messages　to　Aimata　suggesting　that　she　should　exert　her　influence　over　her　father；　if　he　hesitated。　The　Priest　refused　to　leave　the　Temple。　He　trusted　in　his　gods　and　his　sacrificeshe　believed　they　might　avert　the　fatality　that　threatened　his　sanctuary。

Yielding　to　the　holy　man；　the　chief　sent　re…enforcements　of　canoes　to　take　their　turn　at　keeping　watch　off　the　headland。　Assisted　by　torches；　the　islanders　were　on　the　alert　（in　superstitious　terror　of　the　demon　of　the　prophecy）　by　night　as　well　as　by　day。　The　Captain　had　no　alternative　but　to　keep　in　hiding；　and　to　watch　his　opportunity　of　approaching　the　place　in　which　he　had　concealed　his　canoe。　It　was　only　after　Aimata　had　left　him　as　usual；　to　return　to　her　father　at　the　close　of　evening；　that　the　chances　declared　themselves　in　his　favor。　The　fire…flashes　from　the　mountain；　visible　when　the　night　came；　had　struck　terror　into　the　hearts　of　the　men　on　the　watch。　They　thought　of　their　wives；　their　children；　and　their　possessions　on　the　main　island；　and　they　one　and　all　deserted　their　Priest。　The　Captain　seized　the　opportunity　of　communicating　with　the　ship；　and　of　exchanging　a　frail　canoe　which　he　was　ill　able　to　manage；　for　a　swift…sailing　boat　capable　of　keeping　the　sea　in　the　event　of　stormy　weather。

As　he　now　neared　the　land；　certain　small　sparks　of　red；　moving　on　the　distant　water；　informed　him　that　the　canoes　of　the　sentinels　had　been　ordered　back　to　their　duty。

Carefully　avoiding　the　lights；　he　reached　his　own　side　of　the　island　without　accident；　and；　guided　by　the　boat's　lantern；　anchored　under　the　cliff。　He　climbed　the　rocks；　advanced　to　the　door　of　the　hut；　and　was　met；　to　his　delight　and　astonishment；　by　Aimata　on　the　threshold。

〃I　dreamed　that　some　dreadful　misfortune　had　parted　us　forever；〃　she　said；　〃and　I　came　here　to　see　if　my　dream　was　true。　You　have　taught　me　what　it　is　to　be　miserable；　I　never　felt　my　heart　ache　till　I　looked　into　the　hut　and　found　that　you　had　gone。　Now　I　have　seen　you；　I　am　satisfied。　No！　you　must　not　go　back　with　me。　My　father　may　be　out　looking　for　me。　It　is　you　that　are　in　danger；　not　I。　I　know　the　forest　as　well　by　dark　as　by　daylight。〃

The　Captain　detained　her　when　she　tried　to　leave　him。

〃Now　you　_are_　here；〃　he　said；　〃why　should　I　not　place　you　at　once　in　safety？　I　have　been　to　the　ship；　I　have　brought　back　one　of　the　boats。　The　darkness　will　befriend　uslet　us　embark　while　we　can。〃

She　shrank　away　as　he　took　her　hand。　〃You　forget　my　father！〃　she　said。

〃Your　father　is　in　no　danger；　my　love。　The　canoes　are　waiting　for　him　at　the　cape；　I　saw　the　lights　as　I　passed。〃

With　that　reply　he　drew　her　out　of　the　hut　and　led　her　toward　the　sea。　Not　a　breath　of　the　breeze　was　now　to　be　felt。　The　dead　calm　had　returnedand　the　boat　was　too　large　to　be　easily　managed　by　one　man　alone　at　the　oars。

〃The　breeze　may　come　again；〃　he　said。　〃Wait　here；　my　angel；　for　the　chance。〃

As　he　spoke；　the　deep　silence　of　the　forest　below　them　was　broken　by　a　sound。　A　harsh　wailing　voice　was　heard；　calling：

〃Aimata！　Aimata！〃

〃My　father！〃　she　whispered；　〃he　has　missed　me。　If　he　comes　here　you　are　lost。〃

She　kissed　him　with　passionate　fervor；　she　held　him　to　her　for　a　moment　with　all　her　strength。

〃Expect　me　at　daybreak；〃　she　said；　and　disappeared　down　the　landward　slope　of　the　cliff。

He　listened；　anxious　for　her　safety。　The　voices　of　the　father　and　daughter　just　reached　him　from　among　the　trees。　The　Priest　spoke　in　no　angry　tones；　she　had　apparently　found　an　acceptable　excuse　for　her　absence。　Little　by　little；　the　failing　sound　of　their　voices　told　him　that　they　were　on　their　way　back　together　to　the　Temple。　The　silence　fell　again。　Not　a　ripple　broke　on　the　beach。　Not　a　leaf　rustled　in　the　forest。　Nothing　moved　but　the　reflected　flashes　of　the　volcano　on　the　main　island　over　the　black　sky。　It　was　an　airless　and　an　awful　calm。

He　went　into　the　hut；　and　laid　down　on　his　bed　of　leavesnot　to　sleep；　but　to　rest。　All　his　energies　might　be　required　to　meet　the　coming　events　of　the　morning。　After　the　voyage　to　and　from　the　ship；　and　the　long　watching　that　had　preceded　it；　strong　as　he　was　he　stood　in　need　of　repose。

For　some　little　time　he　kept　awake；　thinking。　Insensibly　the　oppression　of　the　intense　heat；　aided　in　its　influence　by　his　own　fatigue；　treacherously　closed　his　eyes。　In　spite　of　himself；　the　weary　man　fell　into　a　deep　sleep。

He　was　awakened　by　a　roar　like　the　explosion　　of　a　park　of　artillery。　The　volcano　on　th　e　main　island　had　burst　into　a　state　of　eruption。　Smoky　flame…light　overspread　the　sky；　and　flashed　through　the　open　doorway　of　the　hut。　He　sprang　from　his　bedand　found　himself　up　to　his　knees　in　water。

Had　the　sea　overflowed　the　land？

He　waded　out　of　the　hut；　and　the　water　rose　to　his　middle。　He　looked　round　him　by　the　lurid　light　of　the　eruption。　The　one　visible　object　within　the　range　of　view　was　the　sea；　stained　by　reflections　from　the　blood…red　sky；　swirling　and　rippling　strangely　in　the　dead　calm。　In　a　moment　more；　he　became　conscious　that　the　earth　on　which　he　stood　was　sinking　under　his　feet。　The　water　rose　to　his　neck；　the　last　vestige　of　the　roof　of　the　hut　disappeared。

He　looked　round　again；　and　the　truth　burst　on　him。　The　island　was　sinkingslowly；　slowly　sinking　into　volcanic　depths；　below　even　the　depth　of　the　sea！　The　highest　object　was　the　hut；　and　that　had　dropped　inch　by　inch　under　water　before　his　own　eyes。　Thrown　up　to　the　surface　by　occult　volcanic　influences；　the　island　had　sunk　back；　under　the　same　influences；　to　the　obscurity　from　which　it　had　emerged！

A　black　shadowy　object；　turning　in　a　wide　circle；　came　slowly　near　him　as　the　all…destroying　ocean　washed　its　bitter　waters　into　his　mouth。　The　buoyant　boat；　rising　as　the　sea　rose；　had　dragged　its　anchor；　and　was　floating　round　in　the　vortex　made　by　the　slowly　sinking　island。　With　a　last　desperate　hope　that　Aimata　might　have　been　saved　as　_he