100 THE GBUISE OF THE ' GUBAQOA: 



This to a man not acciistomecl to protracted diving was 

 rather exhausting, and en reaching the surface of the water 

 witliin tlie cavern he liud to be helped across the short 

 distance which separated them from a ledge of rock, just 

 visible in the dusk, whereon they sat and rested. The little 

 light within the cave was derived solely ft'om the reflection 

 through the mouth of tlie submerged passage, save 

 when the watei"s within were disturbed by the swimmers, 

 then the phosphorescent light displayed was more beautiful 

 and brilliant than anything of the sort lie had ever seen 

 elsewhere, and he induced the natives to cross the cave in 

 all directions for the sake of admiring the streams of liquid 

 fire which followed every motion of their limbs. In return- 

 ing, after having passed the lowest point of the passage, the 

 glare of light, shining do^vn wards through the waves from the 

 open air beyond, repeatedly caused him to attempt too soon to 

 rise, thereby coming into collision with the rocks overhead. 

 The natives now refused to take anyone else down ; they said 

 that " the men of the sea are too short-winded," and that after 

 the difficulties they had had to keep the chief of the great 

 war-canoe clear of the roof of the passage, they feared tliat 

 an accident might happen should they attempt it again. 

 And, in truth, the appearance of our worthy chief was such 

 as in a great measure to cool the ai-doui-, and lessen the 

 disappointment of those who had been most anxious to 

 follow his example ; for his exhaustion for a minute or two 

 was such that, on showing above water, he had to be helped 

 to the boat, only a yard or two distant ; his complexion had 



