270 
KAMBIJJG ISLE, 
the friendly Kambing Isle is yet visible, to watch 
the streams of light from the eastern horizon 
touch her with wakening hand. Boon the mists 
creep from her crannies and crown her crests, ere 
long to float away, leaving the sunlight to dance 
on her ridges, and nestle into her nooks. Early 
morning past, she is coquetting with the wooing 
clouds, now all gay and responsive, again sulk- 
ing in sullen shade. Mid-day finds her reposing 
on the breast of the cobalt sea, colourless with 
brilliancy, as if pale from the strong heat. Thus 
she sleeps through the long afternoon, till she 
rouses to wear her richest blue and regal purple 
as she asserts her stately outline against the soft- 
tinted sunset sky ; and at last, when the monarch 
of day concentrates all brightness on himself for 
his glorious adieu, she slowly retires from view, 
and withdraws into the gathering shades. 
But as I have said, to live this Arcadian life 
was not the object of our visit to Timor, and we 
have made yet another pilgrimage to Billy to 
try to hasten arrangements for H/s journey into 
the interior. He fully hoped to have been gone 
long ere now ; but they say there is now no use 
in setting off until the rains have passed, and 
promise that as soon as Lent is over horses and 
men will be sent for the journey. 
