OFFICIAL LANDING ii 



possessed the hardihood to establish a home even in this 

 lovely wilderness? We had tents and equipment and a 

 boat of our own, a workman to help us at the start, and two 

 faithful black servants. 



The year before, we had made the acquaintance of one 

 of the few survivors of the native population of the island — 

 stalwart Tom. Although our project and preparations had 

 been kept fairly secret, he had overheard a casual reference 

 to them ; had made a canoe, and paddling from island to 

 island with his gin, an infant and mother-in-law, had pre- 

 ceded our advent by a week. His duties began with the 

 discharging of the first boatload of portable property. He 

 comes and goes now after the lapse of years. 



They spread out tents and rugs for the weak mortal 

 who had greatly dared, but who, thus early, was ready to 

 faint from weariness and sickness. They made comforting 

 and soothing drinks, and spoke of cheery things in cheery 

 tones ; but the sick man refused to be comforted. He 

 wished himself back, a participator in the conflicts of 

 civilisation, and was fain to cover his face — there was no 

 wall to which to turn — and fancy that the most dismal 

 sound in the universe was the surly monotone the north- 

 easter harped on the beach. We reposed that night among 

 the camp equipment, the sick man caring for naught in his 

 physical collapse and disconsolation. 



But the first morning of the new life ! A perfect com- 

 bination of invigorating elements. The cloudless sky, the 

 clear air, the shining sea, the green folded slopes of Tam 

 o' Shanter Point opposite, the cleanliness of the sand, the 

 sweet odours from the eucalypts and the dew-laden grass, 

 the luminous purple of the islands to the south-east ; the 

 range of mountains to the west and north-west, and our 

 own fair tract — awaiting and inviting, and all the mystery 

 of petted illusions about to be solved ! Physic was never 

 so eagerly swallowed nor wrought a speedier or surer 

 cure. 



Feebleness and dismay vanished with the first plunge 

 into the still sleepy sea, and alertness and vigour returned, 



