DONALD'S PLOT. A STORY OF An Unfaithful Guardian.

gy gyLVANTJS COBB, Jr.

CHAPTER VII,

STIRRISU TIMES,

TteM«o the Atlantic voyage the Wanderer t her full share of adverse winds and de- TltaK calms, but she suffered from no •dents nor untoward circumstances of aCC' kind On the evening of the last day "iLrcb'in the latitude of the Bermudas, ° n American brig was spoken, whose cap t • threw on board a file of the latest New y^rk newspapers. Geor S e aud Doris stood In the poop and watched the reced.ng 0 until its hull had sunk from sight, after W hich they went into the cabin, where they fonnd the captain and two passengers look in(! over the papers that had just been re , r ye(l s tliereadoraappearedtobodeeply •nterested, they did not disturb them, but Ltoa to their state room, where they ro fflO vcd their outer clothing, and then came back and quietly seated themselves, waiting patiently for the news. Gapt. D*rrow at !enst lowßrcd lus PaP el'> ad« Ah* Bertram, things are looking serious in our country. I fear yQU have como to us jn an unfortunate season. "No'-no 6open war, as yet; but I cannot , " j t j 3 to be avoided. The Southern S taking offence at the election of a Republican President, and the ascendancy S a political party opposed to chattel IJery and especially to its further exten 2™ into our Territories nro taking steps Ss uptthe Union Seven of the States South Carolina, Alabama, Misaiasippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas t' B already passed ordinances of secession and seized all Government property within heir borders. If I know the temper of the lamest, liberty-loving, truly patiiotic Citizens both North and South< nnd tho nan whom they have chosen for their chief executive, they will never submit to such a. you think there will be downright .. Captain-armies against armies, with fighting and al.ughter ?" aak«d TJoria. "Alai! I donot gee how it is to be avoided. The situation is most unfortunate. Should the North remain firm and uncompromis ing and iniiit upon the integrity of the Union as lam confident it will, war must be ths'result. The States in secession will nst willingly return to their allegiance.' "How is it with Virginia?" "Ah! there you may bo fortunate. Virginia has not seceded, nnd I doubt much if she does so Her situation, geographi cally ia peculiar, and should keep her in the Union- Should she join in the dis raptin»act, and war should follow, her soil must be the theatre of the heaviest of the fiahtin". Ido not see how it can bs other wise. -So; I do not believe- Bhe will go "0! la™ ft'ad °^ that!" Doris ex claimed. And her husband joined her in the sentiment. "However," said the captain, after a lengthy pause, during which ho glanced his evesafain over the paper in his hands, " if war should come, it may not be for several months yet. I do not think ths seven Btate3 now out will be prepared for armed resistance until others have joined them, nor can the North take tho Held without preparation. I think you may bo able to attend to the business you have in hand be fore the clash can disturb > ou. I think wo lillbein New York within five days—in four, if this wind holds and no accident befalls na. You will make your way at ones to Virginia, discover what is to bo done, and then be governed by circum stances. Ido not think you noed to fear." Georgo thanked the captain for thUin foraution, and shortly afterwards had a paper to himself, from which ho road aloud to Doris until they were summoned to supper. As dipt. Darrow had intimated, on Thurs day, the fourth day of April, the Wanderer let go hor anchors in the lower harbour of New York. Clearance was quickly ob tained from tho officers of quarantine, and en the next day she was taken in tow by a iteam tug and safely deposited at her dock it one of the slips on tho East River sido. Our hero's first anxiety, upon finding himself free to land, was with regard to Wenwlland Herter. Though the men had shown no sign since leaving Capo Town, ho conld not direst himself of hU old sus picion!. He wished to reich Owensvillo as quickly as posjible, and that, too, without wo risk of companionship with those two men. C»pt. Darrow offsrej his services, promising to send him on his way, with all necessary guidance and assistance, at the israe time advising him to borrow no trouble in accouut of Jacob Wonzell.

"Itiamy opinion," ho eaid, in explana tion, that both tba men ore planning to go South immediately; and I am very sure they havano thought of giving you trouble. At all events, you may depend upon it that they will not trouble you here in New York. I will guide yo^u to a good hotel, and beyond that, we can look over the ground and con «dcr. :1

A comfortable, home-like public-house tas found, where George and Doris, with their faithful Leila, tsok up their abode for the time during which they might remain in the city. It,was on tho second day of their lodg ment, and George was saying to his wife that he wished he knew where Jacob Wen zell was, when Captain Da-row was an nounced.

All right!" the visitor cried, as he entered the apartment. " You need koop watch no more. Your bugbears aro off. I saw them on board a small steamer bound for Norfolk, and taw the steamer oast off and eteara away. Bat you will find excit ing times in our streets. It is war, and rumours of war. The seven seceded States have organieed a separate government, under the title of The Confederate States of Amorica; they hare elected their President, Vice-President, and all the officers neces sary to governmental work. They havo taken possession ot every item of United states property found within their lines, including mints and money. Only two lorts-Sumter, in South Carolina, and Pickens, in Florida-still fly the Union flag; out the first named fort must coon fall, and wore, I opine, the first gun of war will be nted, The Confederates, as they call them ttlvea, have planted hoavy batteries com- Bunding it on every hand save its sea face, Md the boom of that fateful gun is looked 'or at any moment. j Doris had many questions to ask concern lag thetroublesomo times, and.their causes, Wof which {ho captain answered as best he wold, most of thorn intelligently and ■tttahetorily. At length said George: "I have been ooking at a map of Virginia, which the Wndlord procured for mr, and I find that wensville is Tory near tlis centre of the orate. Tsupposo tliero can bo no trouble «> reaching the place at tho present time." [None st all Virginia is still in the Union, and s^m« likely to remain there. Un the very day that wo entered New York Harbour she voted, by her delegates in con . "tntion, refusing to adopt tho ordinance of secession by st largo majority-eighty-nine w : forty-fire, if I remember rightly. So I Wmk you may feel perfectly safe there, "a can go by the way of Washington, spend a few da.- s at the capital if you wish, a»Q thence proceed direct, or very nearly so, '• your destination." ■This pleased both tho young people ; but joey were to be pleased more still. On tho blowing day, while they were considering wnenrt would be best for them to start on ™f. southern trip, Capt. Darrow appeared *«n the announcement that business would wu him to Washington as soon as he could ■get away. If they would wait for him he from th t0 b9 ready °n the Eecond day Ihoy heßitated not a moment in saying tnoy-Tronld wait, Darrow was cmietunl to his word. On ? Bevr' ne of Tbnrsday, April llth, he In .lorined Bertram that be would bo ready on }« following morning. Such baggago as .they could not conveniently take with them '« mugly packed, and forwarded by cx- S/? 1? tho ffl°ming of Friday they jtarted for Washington, reaching that city of thfn" ? ear tho first stofy of tho f» in B me Confederate guns upanSamter. a yi the ™°rning of tho Sabbath day, Doris tW i ? a ser.se of restfulne?s, feeling nwi^lT d enjoy aeea sonof quiet and ,Z*. The Sabbath wap, in her mind, as hidi „, • j peaco and holiness, and she cms „ c? the impression that the Ameri «w were rtnet oUetrtn of the day. But des~ n^ mllon awa>ted her. Wiien she wW n be dra»inj,'room of the house looked y, ■ Da"ow had" lodfe'«d them, and m out npon the broad avenue, «he waa

reminded of a Babel rather than of a Chris tian community. Or, was it a pande m°?n,m ? Sllrely it; mi Bnt be tho latter ? Oh ! Georgo, let us go away from this place. Are tho people iv the house going crazy ?" b

" We might think so, cortainly, if wo did not know what cause there is for the excitement. We have hit upon stirring times, darling." " £ !ln we not l?et away sooner ?" I 8.», I think co. Captain Darrow— mess him fora truo friend in our need !— has gone out to make inquiries. He knows wo are anxious to be on our way, and ho will inform himself so that ha can properly guide us. lam sorry for tho country, for I can eeo that a bitter war is at hand. When I consider tho spirit and temper of tho South, with its durling idol endangered, and the stern uncompromising spirit of tho North, With devotion to the Flag oi Our Union for its watchword, I can =co a dark and direful struggle -fierceand vindictive- in prospect. Since I am not an American, I care not to witness it."

Their conversation was interrupted by the announcement that the breakfast was ready, and in a moment tho good captain appeared to givo guidance He had ordered break fast for the four, Leila eating with them, at a private table, nnd in an apartment by themselves. When they had taken their scats at the table, Doris would havo asked concerning the prospect of their moving.on upon their journey, but Darrow hold up his hand warningly. " Let us eat first." he said, "and to busi ness afterwards. I shall have something to tell you at tho proper time." Doris smiled a ready assent, and allowed the captain to do tho duty of host on the occasion.

" I havo a question at present burdening my mind, which ia not business,'' said Georgo, after he hud been helped to a chop and muffins.

Darrow nodded, and bade him go on. " What I would ask is tin?," pursued tho young man with deep earnostnefs. "Do you think Virginia will secede from the Union 1"

"No, I do not," answered the captain, emphatically. " She cannot afford to do it. It would be suicidal. You say you havo looked at tho map. Just call the States of Virginia and Tennesseo to your mind Think how they are situated in their rela tion to tho seceded States. Should they join the Confederacy, the brunt of the battling must inevitably bo within their border", and especially so with regard to Virginia."

" It would certainly seem so."

"Aye, it is so. And remember, she has once most emphatically refused to pass the ordinance. There is only one thing that could lead her to tho folly. The Con federate Congress, I believe, has passed an act forbidding the importation of slaves from outside of the Confederacy. Should Virginia see in this, danger to her slave property, it is not impossible that she may finally conclude to cast liar lot with the ultra slave States ; but I do not believe it probable."

When the meal was concluded, and they returned to the drawing room, Darrow was ready to report business.

" You will bo glad to learn," he said,

" that you can leave Washington as soon as you please ; also, that your course is almost direct by rail. Leaving here by the Orange and Alexandria railroad, you will bo landed within ten miles of Owcnsville whither a regular coach will carry you free of further charge. The distance by rail is a hundred and forty miles. You will leave hero at oight o'clock in the morning, reaching Owensville Fomewhero near tho middle of the afternoon."

"Cnn't we go to-morrow ?" asked Doris, eagerly. I, "Hardly so soon as that, I think," said Barrow, with a light laugh. "Nobody - v will harm you here, dear lady. You can c content yourself fine day longer." b " Certainly, if need be " j ( " All ritfht. You shall be ready to start on Tuesday morning. You will witness exciting scenes to morrow, if I am not woe- - v fully mistaken." "Eh! What is it?" t) "I'll tell you. I have a dear friend in tho War Office. I met him this morning, and a he told me that tho ink was scarcely dry sn President Lincoln's draft of a proclamation jj to the country calling for seventy-five thou- . sand troops. To-morrow morning it will be g . given to the telegraph, and before another sun shall have set it will have roached the uttermost part of the Union." j " And I have no doubt it will bs promptly answered," said George. B "More promptly, 1 believe, than you '^ would think possible. The people of the North are aroused, and will literally spring ' a to answer the President's call." r Doris heard, and was more thankful than v before that she was going awiy so. soon, j George had pointed out to her on tho map a where Owensvillo was located, and it ap- c peared to her to be far away from tho theatre of any possible war. Darrow might f have told hor that much in that direction | f would depend upon whether Virginia.re- g mained true to the Union, or whether she should concludo to secede. Should the latter be tho case, the beautiful Valley of the Shenandoah might be tho scone of g much trouble. But he Eaid nothing of tho j kind to her. . a With regard to the balk of their baggage, t Capt. Darrow advised them to leave it ir. £ Washington for the present. It would bo , an ensy matter to send for it whsn they p should have become more settled. He would see it stored where it would bo per- ; fectly safe, and where the expense of storage ] would be small. And they followed his , advice. George went with him, and saw t the property safely and snugly stowed a«-ay, also arranging for its transfer when- j. ever he should wish to claim it. j Tho morning of Monday, April loth a v day for ever memorable in tho annals of tho nation, dawned upon the City of Washing- j ton far from brightly On the morning v President Lincoln issued hia call for seventy- t five thousand troops, to report at W ashing- ton at the cnrlie^t possible momont, Bert- y ram and Darrow took a turn on the avenue , beforo breakfast, leaving Doris under the t lands of her maid, who was preparing her l r the earning journoy. Upon approaching he Naval Monument they saw a large crowd, a short distance ahead, which ap- g peared to be stirred by great excitement, { and on drawing nearer they heard hard words, with a movement indicating tnat t blows were imminent. ( "Where's the man that said it? domanded { a sentorian voice. 1 '' That's him !" answered another. • Then thero was a rush and a blow, and a man wa» knocked down, and would have ( been trampled upon had not he who had . given the knock-down blow commanded them to desist. _ "Back! Back!" ho ehouted. ' Lea\o him to me. Let him get up. No !no - < don't trample on him. Never abuse a fallen foe" Then to tho prostrate man he added: i "Get up ! Up with you, and lets hear it , you'll repeat those words !'' . " Aren't this a free country ?" the victim I asked, as he got upon his feet and tried to ward off two orthrce bufie'.s that wero aimed at" It'ought to be a freo country," paid the , champion, who had taken the ca?o into. hiß own hands. Ho was a powerful iellow_ ot Herculean frame, with a handsome, pleasing face, and dressed like a gentlsnnn. It ouoht to be a free country " he repeated " but tuch men as you would moko it any thing but free. Now go your way, *nr toko « bit of my advice: Keep a civil tongue in your head ! you can. Every man has a right to think for himself, but ho ™as no right to traduce better men than ho is There ! Away you go ! The man thus admonished, seized the op portunity offered, hurried away Georeo Light a momentary sight of his face and was sure that he recognised it. The voice bad startled him; the face he , could not mistake It was that of Jacob Wenzell! "Did you ,oe him ?' he asked the captain. ''"\pim eb( e 3d-bim ) but lam not quite BU. r. elhTT could "ot have been mistaken. T never paw another face like it. ' " \nd yet, my dear Bertram, there may be dozen/like it. The face never waa that Wl not its strong likeness in »nother. But, suppose it should have been Jacob Wenzell, what «f it ? lam very sure ho has not been ha4o gw°d no y ™ know Ibat he did ,;ot come You havo a good revolver . it on mv person; being watchful of my urroundin^ at all times, *£ "'g^ grapple with any untoward circumstances that might arise." , ... » "Hold! Let mo speak with tin* man, SfSrast aupposed to be Wenzell.

" Excuse me, good sir," he continued, aa the Hercules came near. " I was a -witness of your passage with tho fellow whom you just now dismissed. Do you know him?" Either our hero's look or his speech marked him aa not being a Yankee. This giant gave him a keen, searching gaze, and finally answered, rather shortly: " Why do you ask that stranger?" "Because, sir," returned George, pleasantly and afl'ably, "is I caught a momentary glanco of his face, I thought I recognised one whom I believe to be my enemy." "Oho!" brightly. "That's it, is it? No, sir, I don't know him ; for your sake I am sorry to say it But," ho added, as a new thought seemed suddenly to strike him, " what's the name of your man ?" " Jacob Wenzell." " I'll Eeo. Just wait a moment." Ho then turned and hailed two men who stood at a little distance, and as they turned towards him, he went to meet them. He ppoke with them for a brief space, after which he came back, shaking his head. " No, it's not your man—unless, indeed, ho may bo sailing under false colours. Ho says his name is Owes. George was startled. There was some thing peculiarly significant in the man's claiming that name. However, ho thanked the gentleman for his kindness, and then, taking Darrow's arm, he turned away. " Let it drop," he said. " Say nothing to my wife about it. There is no need that she should be troubled. Yet, lam confident it was Wen/.ell; but I shall go on as though the ovent had not happoned." " Right!' responded the c ptain, heartily'" And ho promised that he would give no hint to Doris.

Shortly afterwards they returnod to their holel, where they found breakfast wait ing. The meal was disposed of, and an hour later the party woro at the railway station, whore the youthful eouplo wore to hid adieu to their faithful friend, with mutual pledgos oE lovo and good-will for all tho time to come.

CHAPTER Vll 1 UNCLE DOXALD.

Is one of the most beautiful nooks in one of the most lovely and fruitful valleys of Alle ghauies, near the centre of tho State of Vir ginia, surrounded by scenery as picturesque and romantic as is to bo found on the con tinent, lay the town of Onensvillo. It waa a prosperous and thriving town, and thus far, since its first settlement, it had beon quiet and pcacoful. There was no goal with in its borders —no lock-up for criminals of any sort; and its only court-house thus far had been the dwelling of its chief citizen. A crystal stream, coming down from the mountains, and emptying into tho great river not many miles distant, gave ample water-power to mills and manufactories ; while, not far distant, and within the con fines of tho town, hundreds of men found employment in one of tho richest coal mines in the country.

In the central village were a hundred and fifty dwellings, with stores, shops, faotories, a church, and school-houses, while outlying were from fifty to a hundred farms of dif ferent sizes, all gocd and productive. Tho mine was away in a mountainous distriot, where only one farm had ever been located.

Near tho centro of the village stood a largo, handsome house, old, but well pro served, surrounded by extensive ground?, tastefully laid out and ornamented, and planted with fruit trees and flowering shrubs aud vines. In a comfortably furnished apartment of thi3 house, on the evening of Monday, April 15th, IS6I, sat the chief mun of the town -Do.valu Owes. Ho was sixty

years of age ;of medium height; hoavily and strongly built; stout but not obeso ; his large, low crowned head covered with a thick mass of sandy hair, coarso and curl ing, and tlrckly sprinkled with silver. His eyes wero Email and sunken, keen and bright, of a silvery grey colour : tho other features being strongly marked, and far from attractive. Tho overhanging brow was deeply wrinkled, the coarse hair grow ing low upon it; the no>o was broad, with distended nostrils ; tho mouth largo and thick-lipped, tho nether lip being very heavy; the chia broad and strong, with a lower jaw in keeping. Ilia ear.-) woro peculiar.. Tho lower parts tho tips—woro flattened back upon the ba«o of tho skull, signifying a lighter, while tho upper parts Htood out liko a pair of spread wings, donoting great caution. In fact, ho was a peculiar man, as will appeur boforo wo are done with him.

An elegantly ornamented French clock, standing on the mantel, was chiming tho hour of five, when tho sharp galloping of a powerful horse broke upon tho slumbering air, and amused Donnld Owen from a deep roverie. Ho started from his chair and went to a window overlooking tho spacious front yard, ond paw a hor.'O, duet covered and flecked with fonm, with a man just coming down from the sid lie on his back. " Aua ! Good !" ho exclaimed to him eeif; and having taken a fow turns up and dowu tho room, ir -osumed his seat just in season to respond W c rip upon his door. "Come in !" ho saia. And in came Mr Jacoo Wenzsll, with tho dust of travel still on his p- reon. He was a sorvitor who feared not to t >ko each liberties. He hod put ofl" tho garb of tho sea, and now appeared in a costume such a= might have bc:n worn by a well to r'o planter. Ho entered the room uhh an oath upon hia lip-, exclaiming, as ho threw himself into a feat: " Look ye, Owen, if Virginia remains in tho Union —if t^he is content to hold her lot with the mudsills and cotton-spinners, I'm done with hor. I'll find another berth." "What's up now, Jacob? What has happened ?" asked tho host. His voice was hoarse and husky, like a voico broken and worn in howling against storm and tempest. "I was in Washington this morning, and I brought this away a3 a token that I had been there." And he turned his faco into tho light, and pointed to his right ey3, which waa clad in deep mourning. " I had ventured to make an uncomplimentary al lusion to their rail splitting president; also, to their flag, when a big elephant of a clod hopper knocked me down." " Didn't you have your pistol ?" " Yes, and there were a, hundred men around me who had piatola. likewise—" closing with a volley of oaths. "Well, well,-I think I can set your mind at rest. Just rend that," said Mr Owen, taking from his vest pocket a yollow envelope, from which ho took a slip of pnper, adding, ac he pissed it over, "you will keep it to yourself for the present." It was a printed slip, the printing being that of the Houpc Telegraph. Wenzell took it, and read aa follows : [private and confidential.] "Donald Owen.—Virginia will join tha Confederacy on Wednesday next, tho 17th. The delegates aro pledged. Be ready with men and munitions. Prospects glorious. John' Letcher." "Good!" exclaimed Wonzoll, when he had read. " That'd day after to-morrow. Whaw ! won't the soft-heads at Washing ton open their eyes when they see. Won't their hearts sink when they hear tho boom of Virginia's liberty-trained cannon ! It is tho general belief at the North that our State will not go out. They think we can't afford to do it Very likely Abo Lincoln has fancied himself seated in Richmond, with the blue blood at hia feet. Good ! I am satisfied. When did you get this?" " Not two hours ago. I have an instru ment in my private office, communicating direct with Richmond, Norfolk, and, in fact, w;th ail tho chief towns of the State But onough of that for the present. What of our friends from over tho water?" Jacob pulled a spittoon to his side, and having bitten a generous piece from fehe lump ""ho carried in bis pocket, he threw himself back like one who felt his import ance, though there was no air of presump tion. " I arrived in Washington on Saturday evening, having spent Friday in Norfolk, at the Navy Yard, whore a few of us have made partial arrangements for fitting out a piivateer if our government shall issue lotters of marque, which, of course, they will do. I had not been in Washington an hour before I saw Captain Darrow, and with him Goorgo Bertram. I pointed them out to Dan, and left him to track them ; and he did it faithfully. Ho knew when their baggage was stored, and when tickets i were bought for Owensville, and he die . covered at what hour tho young couple ■ would start; xo I had only to quiotly sco the sights, and hold myself in readiness." " Not a very, quiot sight when you got i that black eys." "No; but it might have been worse. I i urn not sure that Bertram did not discover me during that passage. He and Darrow came up just as I was regaining my fact. However, it matters little whether ho did or not. Ho is ncr0> and your beautiful young niece with him. I suppose you will call j " I don'fc know as it makes much odds 3 what I call her. She doubtless knows the s true relationship. Let's see :—Ralph's father and I were own consira ; and great " .'reat rouein to lih daughter ; but I suppose a second and third would sound better, be e cause the cousin3hip3 are bo many times removed."

" You'd better be her uncle. It will sound better so, [seeing that you are her legal guardian."

" All right. I'll be hey uncle And now about yourself. I think, for the present, you and Herter had better keep out of the way."

" Certainly. They must not see us until we have settled upon the course we will pursue."

" And there comes in tho question, Jake, What shall that course be ? This young Englishman must bo got out of our way as quickly as possible. He must not converse with our people. You say he is a keen, penetrating fellow ?"

" Yos, keen as a briar,"

" Then ho would be a dangerous man to have around. I have thought of half a dozen plans without settling upon any. I wish you had got rid of him on tho way."

" I took tho ehancos, Captain, and think 1 did for the best. I could not have removed him during the voyage without calliig an attention to mysolf that would have been fatal. The trouble was—they both sus pected me—Bertram and the girl. I made a blunder in Calcutta, I must confess ; but it might have been worse. You will acknow ledge that my removal of Jack Clearstar was.a good piece of work." " Yes, Jake; that was well done. You think he is dead, do you ?"

"1 am very sure ho is. In fact, I would bo willing to swear to it. Bless your soul! if he'd been living we should have seen his hand boforo this."

"That is so. But say—about this Eng lishman—you intimated that you had a plan." "No, not a plan. I said I ha# thought. A thought struck mo when I was reading the governor's telegram. Now if you held a commission from him —military—"

" Why—bless you I" broke in Owen, oagerly, " 1 am commissioned as general of brigade, holding military authority over three countries."

"Ha! My dear Donald, consider the matter as settled. Just.commiesion mo to raise a company hore in Owensvillo, and bo sure I will find moans to put Master George Bertram out of your way." Donald Owen started to his feet with an exclamation of joy and satisfaction. He caught the full intent of his henchman, and was well satisfied.

" Thus," pursued Wonzoll, "we will get the youth separated from the girl, and after that we can watch our opportunity."

"Remembering this one thing," added Owen, hoarsely,—" lie must never return to confound us!" "That will bo easily provided for."

" I understand that you will attend totho work."

" Yes. Do you look to tho girl, and leave the youthful husband to me."

"But," urged Owen, with intones eager ness, " lie is never to come back—he shall trouble me no more for ever I"

"I so understand it."

" Do it, Jacob, and you shall never regret it. You shall need to work no more. Hark ! What is that ?"

"That v the coach from the station, and

I must be oil". If lam wanted, sond for me to the Maypole. Petor will look out for me."

"All right. Take Horter with you, and" don't let him chow himself while the English man is in the place." \Vonz9ll gavo his word that all should bo properly and safely done on his part, after which Owen went to a closet in a corner of tho apartment i\ hero were decanters and glasses, and mixed for himself a strong toddy of Saint Croix rum. Jacob followed his example, and when they had drunk to the success of their scheming tho latter tool; his leavo.

Donald Owen hid scarcely put things in order and resumed his goat when a servant appeared with the announcement that a gentleman and two ladies had arrived. "Two ladies?" repeated tho l)o9t> in surprise. "Are you sure?" " One of thorn may bo a servant, sir."

"Ah, yes, I remember. Ye?, yes— ho young lady's Hindoo maid. You may (how them in and introduce them "

Our hero and heroino had accomplished thotrip from Washington farmoro pleasantly than thoy had anticipated. At two or three of the more important settlements, in telligence of President Lincoln's proclama tion calling for troops had been received, and thero the pooplo had been loud und vociferous in their tngor inquiries and ac clamations ; but thero had been no distur bance. They bvl reaehod tho station where they wero to leave tho cars, at four o'clock, and shortly nt'rernarda the coach had appeared that would convoy them to thoir destination.

Standing on tlio platform of tbo station, and 10-kiritf in tho direction of Owensville, us pointed out to them, our youthful ad venturers saw that the scenery on the way would be picturesque, if not wild, and curdy romantic ; nnd Gcorgo obtained s»ats for hira;olf and Doris upon tho outside. There wns a comfortably arranged soafc be hind that, of the driver, and a stop higher, which they could hnv# to themselves. And they onjoyed it. Tho ride—t\velr» miles in extent —proved ono of tho mtst attractive and entertaining that had over fallen to their lot.

Tho road lay through a sinuous valley—or, rather, through a succession of valleys, blooming on every hand with the verdure of the budding spring time ; far and nt'Rr, and round about tliom, arose densely wooded spurs of tho mountains ; while hero and there, in lovely nooks nnd sheltered [Hade?, tho cot of the husbandman gave token of civilisation. "We have nothing liko this in England," said George, ai they entered a deep rale, with rocky mountain /see directly before them, down which dashed a silvery thread of foaming water • a sparkling cascade, losing itself in ethereal distance at the mountain's top. " Nothing like it. Such a cascade as that would be impossible, for there aro no mountains for its bed —no such mountains «s these. There aro wild moun tnins in Scotland ; but mm there yon will not find those surroundings,"

"God grant that tho demon «f war may not lay its devastating touch upon theso peaceful scenes I" murmured Boris from tho depths of her hoart.

The driver, who had hoard her earnest ejaculation, and who appeared to be a right hearted man, glancing back towards her. said :

" I don't think there's any foar, lady. If tho war should happan to take a turn in this section of tho country, it would naturally follow the great gaps. There ain't no gap hereabouts. This road onds in the mountains, a fow miles boyond Owons villo." While he was speaking, tho puffing of a locomotive and tho rumbling of cart-waeels sounded near at hand, and presently they saw tho steam and smoke rising above the trees to the left. George asked if it was tha samo railway by which they bad come from Washington. " No," answered tho driver. And he ex plained' to them that it was a train from* the coal mine. A few years eiico there had been opened, within tho territory of Owensville, one of tho most valuable coal deposits in tha country. Tho coal was not only of the very best quality, but tho mine was unusually easy to work. At length they reached Owonsville.

"Horo is Mr Owen's house," tha driver said, as he reined up before the archway of the chief residence of the village; and shortly thereafter two men servants ap peared upon the scene, ready to render all assistance needed.

"Is this Mr Bertram?" the foremost asked, touching his cap visor as he spoke.

Georgo nodded assent. " Your baggage will bo taken care of, sir. Hero comes Susan, she will show you the way into the house. The master ia expect ing you." ' Acting under the advice of Capfc. Darrow, George had written to Donald Owen from New York, informing him of the arrival of the daughter of Ralph Owen and her hus band : so ho was prepared for this recogni tion.

Susan Draper, one of tho handy torvants of tho househeld, was a bright little girl, twenty years of ago, aud if looks oould lie belioved, she conceived a lovo for Doria at first sight, anil «hetook to tho little Hindoo maid as to a sister.

George saw that tho two men were hand ling the trunki and boxes with care, and the*, drawing his wife's arm within his own, the twain followed Susan into the wide hall, where Donald Owen met them. They looked at him, and he looked at them. Tho youth know that he had met an enemy. He saw it in ths quick, searching glance of the basilisk eyes. What Donald Owen thought was this : " Theyoungman is smart and intelligent, and he suspects me ; but neither hi: ffrnart ness ncr hia foresight can save him. I have tho first move, and can check him how and when I pleaae." On her part, Doris simply thought that the nearest living relative of her father— and, bo far as she knew, tho only—stood before her. The first look he turned upon her was a smile, and her heart warmed to wards him. He caught the gratofnl expres sion, and, on the instant, took advantage of it. With both hands extended, Le moved quickly forward.

"Doris! My dear niece ! Permit mo to pall you so, though your father was my Deloved cousin. Sweet child, I cannot tell you how the sight of you gladdens my heart. With the exception of my son Rupert, now absent at college, you and I are the last of our house—its only living representatives. It shall be mine to make you happy if I can. You will call me uncle?"

" Yes certainly, if you wish it."

"I do wißh it. Bless your sweet face. I am glad you are here. And you, young man, I give you a hearty welcome. If you will make yourself at home, you will please me. Now, thi< way. Susan, you will con duct tho lady to her chamber ; see that her luggage is carried up and opened for her, and render her what help you can. And this Miss—who is sho?"

" Undo, this is Loila Saba, my maid and my very dear friend. Though of Hindoo parentage, sho was born beneath tho roof of an English fimiily, and has been brought. up with me from childhood. Leila, thiii is myUncle Donald."

Mr Owen jjavo his hand to tho bright eyed Indian girl, and was evidently struck by her strange beauty. He welcomed her warmly, and then cent her away with the others, after which ho turned to the remain ing guest.

Mr Bertram, we aro in tho primitive fashion here. We eat breakfast in the morning ; we dine at noon ; and sup in the evening. Our supper will be the next meal, and will soon be ready. I suppose you would like to go to your room and get at a change of clothing boforo anything else is done."

George answered that the arrangement of tho meals suited him exactly, and, if it was agreeable, he would go to his room before he supped.

" Your priva'o apartment is next door to your wife's, and thero ia a door of com munication between them; so you can arrange matters as you please."

The youth thanked him, and after a few moro remarks of commonplace character, a servant was called to caTy up his luggage to his room.

Susan and Leila wore putting the finish ing touches upon Doris's toilet when there came a light rap upon the door communicat ing with the hall Susan answered tho summons, and found Donald Owen there in person. Ho wished to eco his dear niece.

"Comein, unc'.e,"shos:aid, brightly,going o the door.

" Aro you ready for Euppor, my doar?" he asked, but without stepping ovor tho threshold.

"All ready, undo. Susan has been very iandy and very kind."

"Bless your bright faco!" he cried, taking her hand kindly, " what a pleasure it is to havo you hero ! My dear, we have a few moments bofors tea, and 1 havo come to nsk you to give thorn to mo. There aro a fewquestions on family matters, which I wieh to ask you alono. Will you. corao with mo to my library ? I will not detain you long." Doris did not think it strange. In fa^t, sho had no timo to think. This man, in a measure, might hold her destiny in lih hands, and eho was desirous to please him. l.eila would certainly hnvo detained her had opportunity been given her, but Donald seemod to distrust her. As ho spoke he smilingly put forth hU hand, and when his fair ward had taken it he led her away with out further »em&rk.

{To U Cnnlhued.J

All Amazon's Land.

At Port Moresby I had heard of a woman's land,a land where only women—perfect Amn. zons-lived and ruled. Thoso ladies wore reported to bo excellent tillers of tho soil, splendid canoeists in sailing orpaddling, and quite able to hold tlieir o»-n against at tacks of tho stornei sex, who sometimes tried to invade tlieir country. At tho east end they knew nothing of this woman's land, and non-hero east of Hulla have I ever heard it spoken of. To find so in foresting a community was ono of great momont, and overywhoro wo

went wo inquired, but only to bo laughod at by tho natives; somotimesa-skedby them,

" How do they continue to exist ?' But that, too, puzzled us. As no part of thucoast from Enst Capo to I'ort llo'osby jrould bo left unvisitod by v.«, we were certain to eomn across tbo Amar.oniau .settlement : and when we did it wculd bo useful to keep a sharp lookitut, at I havo noticed that tho in etigntora of nearly all quarrels nro tho women. I hare if en lit South Capo, when

io men were inclined to remain quiet

the women nuh out and, na if tilled with devils, incitn them. In the early morn ing wo war* off (ho isiond and soon ready to land. On crossing the reef we n;et two cinoe\ ono with men, and tho other with women. Wo signed them to go to the vessel whilst we pulled up to the largo villages on the north std». As tho boat touched the fine, hard, isndy beach a man, tho only being in sight, ran don-n and ftood in front. I tv<--it forwa.id to spring a«horo, but ho said 11 :\*t not. Finding that ho know tho Dan na' dialect. I laid to him I must land ; that

1 vis ,i frienrl ami gave him my name wh -i ho already know from the East, i gavt, him a strip of red cloth and stopped ashoro, when ho ran away into tho bush. At our Arst approach I could only sco this one man ; but now I saw hundreds of grass petticoats on women standing under t!io house.". I could not see the upper parts of thoir bodies, only tho petticoats and feet Thoy wore, indeed, quiet until I advanced n«nrer, when o-.o wild scream was given, that would try stronger nerves than mine. and signs to keep away. It required mor i inquisitiveness than I prsse'icd to proceed. I retired a few paces, warning tho boat's crew to Uoep a good lookout, and especially from the bush end of tho village where the man ran to. 1 invite tho dusky damsels to como to me, if thoy objected to my visiting them ; but no ! I must return whence I came ; they had seen me, that was enough. " No,' my friend, wo must ineot, and you will have somo presents " I held up my beads and red cloth ; but strange to soy, they poemed to havo no effect on that strango

gether. How wore we ti, meet ? was not the question. To be hulked by them would never do I throw upon tho beach a piece of ved cloth and a fow beads, and walked away quito carelessly, and apparently not noticing what, was taking placo. A girl stealß out from tho crowd, stops, turns, eyes fixod on me,advanoes,stopp,cros?es her bands, pressingherbrea«r. Poor thing.notcourage enough; so, lightning speed, back. It is evident tho old ladies object to tho youngor ones attempting, and they aro themselves too frightened. Another joung dam*el about nine or ten years old come' out, runs, halt?, walks catlike, lost the touch of her feet on -the sand should wakon me from my reverie ; another halt, hold* her chesti, lest tho spirit should tako its flight or tho pattering heart jump right out. I tear it was boyond the slight; patter then, and had reached tho stentorian thump of serious times. On ; a rush ; well done ! She picks the cloth and beads up. I have gained my point, and will soon havo tho crowds—no need to wait so long to have tho baits picked up now, and, after a fo.v raoro such temptings, it is dono. lam besieged by the noisiest crowd I have over mot, and am truly glad to escape on board tho boat. —'■ Adventures in New Guinea."

Inoculation for Cholera.

Dr. FeRIWM's experiment in Valencia for tho prevention of cholera has recioved ;i sudden check ; but, although tho aotion of the Spanish Government may seem at first sight somewhat arbitrary, it can scarcely ho*called unwarranted. It is truo that Dr. Ferran makes tmta?>Wmra/rtcieargumcntfor being permitted to continue his system of in oculation. According to his statistics of re sults obtained at Alcira, 73 cases of cholera occurred duringthefirstlßighteendaysof Ma ,' among non-inoculated parson?, 39 ending fata'ly. On the othor hand, among 7,128 persons inoculated once, two died out of seven attacked, and among 3,011 inoculated twico, no deaths occurred at all. These are unquestionably striking facts, so far as they go, though of course they require, to be of real value, additional statistics concerning the persons operated upon and not operated upon — whet her they were taken indiscrirain • ately, or whether thoso whosbowed so much concern for their health and safety showed equally superior prudence in observing sanitary precautions and in their modo ot living. At any rate, the Government, act ing on tl-e inability oF physicians generally to give undivided counsel, have hold thi efficacy of inoculation to be still unproved <\ physician who could prevail upon the inhabitants of any ordinary town it Southern Europe to live cleanly and reason ably would do them double tho service o: L>r. Ferran ; and it ia to be hoped that thi.' is the view on which the authorities have acted. Cholera is still so little understooJ and still so apparently capricious, that ex periments conducted without a ba?o of sutii cient thoory aro as likely to mislead as not whatever their results in a given cightcc. days may sotm to bo.

SKINNY MEN.-"We:;-i ii..ipi, i:,,,,«-,,,i™, 1,.-.;.;!

A NEW ZEALAND RE MINISCENE.

Escape of the Chatham Island Prisoners.

(By the Math of the Rifleman.)

Some sixteon or seventeen yeara ago, on a bright February morning, I was strolling along tho wharf at Auckland, New Zoaland, a structure of great length stretching out into the Waiteinata. I had just come out of hospital, where I had been confined for

four or live vrcekg by an injury to my leg, which I had received in a vessol bound from London to Now Zealand during a gale o' wind olftho Tasmania!) coast, which injury had incapacitated me for duty, and caused mo to be sent aahoro. When the ship had discharged her cargo and passengers she proceeded onwards for China, leaving me in hospital. I may mention that tho vossel (in which I had been second mate, and in whicli I had served my apprenticeship) bolonged to one of tho bost-known firms in tho trade ; and, as I had made several previous voyages out, I was not altogether a stranger in Auck land ; I know, 'too, that I could procure a berth either in a foreign or colonial vessel whonovef I chose to a apply for it Being thus easy in my mind as to the future, I was indolently gazing at the myriads of small lUhes in tho clear wator below, and watch ing at the samo time somo Maori canoe? which had crossed from tho Thames, laden with kits of peaches for sale in tho streots of Auckland, when a cheery voice from a three-masted schooner which lay a few

yards off hailod me with, "Hallo, Harry! glad to see you about again ; hoard you had got hurt. Como on board and have a yarn about the old ship." It was the well-known voice of an old boatswain who had been in tho employ I had left. We had been shipmates together for two or three year.", and I learnt ho now commanded tho craft ho was at present aboard of. She was named tho Rifleman, was colonial built, carried about 150 tons on alight draught of water, and was en gaged mostly in the coasting trade, varied with an occasional run to the Fijis, or somo of tho other islands of tho Southern Pacific, I joined him, as requested, and we had a long and pleasant chat about old times and old shipmates. " By-tho by," ho romarked during a pause in tho conversation, "if you care to join us a<) mate, thevo is a berth here open for yon : tho wages aro £10, and as we don't sail for throo days you need not come on board till then, unlos=i you like-. If you make up your mind to do so, look in at tho agents' as you pass up town and tell them I liavo engagod you." After a few inquiries I agreed to his pro posal, railed on tho agents, and arranged to go with tuo schooner as only mate. I found she was bound for the Chatham Islands, by way of Wellington, where she was to call for Government stores for tho use q|.the colonial forces on tho Chathams. Theso forces were in charge of a number of Maori prisoners— men not only dangerous as rebels, but even more to b9 feared from the fanaticism with which they clung to the cruel and degrading rites and gross superstitions of tho Hau Hau religion. Tho agents likewise mentioned that tho schooner would look in at Tauranga and Napier, as cargo was expected for both theso places. On tho morning of tho day on which wo wore to sail I sont down my kit from tho bo.irding-houso, and shortly afterwards joined tho vessel. Ono reason I surmised why Captain B wished mo to go with him was that ho know mo to be a good navigator. Besides, ho knew little of navigation himself, and had been more than onco'placcd at the mercy of men who pro fessed much, but who upon trial had turned out grossly incompetent. This on such trip? nn our prosenfc ono did not so much matter ; but as tho schooner had mado two or threo voyages in tho labour traffic, just thon commencing, and as tho Pacific Islands wero at great distances ono from another, tho skipper knew that both time would be saved and anxiety averted by having a person with him on whom he could rely. Tho agonts, indeed, had hinted to mo that when we returned from the Chathams, wo would procoed to tho Islands for a cargo of labourers for Queensland. In tho afternoon wo got under wei^h with a light breeze, and next morning we were clear of tho Hauraki Gulf and had rounded CapoColvillo when tho breeze died away, and left us quite bocalmed. I may now mention that wo had taken four passengers on board at Auckland All wero Maoris, bound for the Chatham Islands. Throo of them lived forward, but tho fourth, who called himself a rangatira, or chief, having arranged with tlio agents, lived in the round h»ueo aft with Captain B and myself. liangi, for that was his name, looked a mr.n of about forty years of age ; he was toll and powerfully built, and had nil that suppleness and elasticity of move ment so characteristic of tho Maori race. His head was massive and well developed, »ntl was slightly tattooed. From each corner of his mouth thero flowed what had tho appearance of a thin blue-black ribbon, which undulated round the lower part of his chock, terminating in a scroll or epiral patch. When ho grinned ho showed a groat range of beautiful white teeth.but tho ribbonlont a half comical, half sinister expression to his countenance. That he was a man of savage and vindictive dis position I had no doubt; for whilst wo lay becalmed, with tho well-known _ Maori propensity for gambling he had induced somo of tho hands and one of the natives to have a gairrn of cards with him. Whether it was brag or poker, tho usual Maori games, I cannot now fay, but ero long a dispute arose, when he at onco seized an axo which happened to bo lying near, and flourishing it round his head with great velocity in a very excited manner, showing at tho same timo the whites of his eyes, and lolling out hi* tongue, ho looked more like a demon than aTmman being, and appeared as if he wore about to seize the opportunity to gratify his savago andbloodthirsty instincts. When after a short time ho had calmod down, ho turned to mo and said ho was only gammoning ; but none of the crew after that scene was disposed to sit down with him again, and so, by declining his overtures, ho was afterwards obliged to confine himself to tho society of his country men. There is no pleasanter sailing anywhere than round tho New Zealand coasts in summer weather, more especially in a weatherly craft like ours, drawing little, water, and closely hugging tho land. Tho purity of tho atmosphere enables tho oyo to pifrco tho wooded and romantic gorges, which at thetimo I speak of were gorgeously coloured with the crimson blossoms of tho rata, and to follow tho course of the silver streamlets, stealing their way to the main. As an example of tho wonderful distinctness with which distant objects are to bo seen, I may mention that when making the land on tho West Coast, wo had often beforo us Mount Egmont, in all its wonderful sym motry, rising like a pillar from tho sea, up wards of ISO miles distant, and nearly always intorsscfed by a bolt of clouds, cut-

ting it into halveß. Tho ship having little more than steer age way upon her, mado slow progress until tho next morning, when a northerly breeze sprung up, which carried us into Tauranga narbourdurin<*tbeaft»rnoon. This harbour, which has a good depth of water, is the port of debarkation for thoso who propose to visit the wonderland of New Zealand, the seat of the preysors and the White and Pink Ter raoen vrhioh are situated some thirty mile? in the interior. Whilst we were there, how ever, tho Unworn tribe, who had suffered much in their conflicts with the colonists, were hostile to strangers visiting the lakes, and without a guarantea from some of the chief men of the hapu or tribe, it was not advisable to penetrate inland. When wo had discharged what cargo wo had for the piacs, the principal storekeeper there asked Captain B to take- a? pas senger to tho Chalharas a young Arawa girl who wished to visit a brother confined nraongsfc tho prisoners there. To this tho captain willingly assented, and besides promised to look after her. When she came on board I wna favourably impressed with her. Slia was a. young maiden of above seventeen summers, with fine features of a. slightly Jewish ca?t; hei complexion was of a deep" olive, not darker than that of many ii Spaniard, and with thatperfectiOn of form, lithe and graceful, which tho Maori maiden 30 frequently possesses. When she came on board she woro in her hair a sprig of the plumaoo of the Tui grass and a fow natural llowers! Her sun bonnet was suspended from her neck by a binde of green flix, and hung carolcssly down her back : her broken English fell on the ear in soft musical and silvery tones, whiUfc her childish and caressing manner scon made her a favourite with alfon board. Her name was Maria, and it seemed strange that her brother should have got into this trouble, as the Arawa? were a loyal and friendly tribe, re nowsned for their prowess, and whoso assist ance1 had on many occasions beenof the greatest importance to the colonists in their contests with the rebels. However, with the rash and adventurous spirit of youth,

it appoared he had joined a party of Hau- Haus, had been captured, and sent to the Chathams to expiate his faults until more peaceful times camo round. We set sail from Tauranga with a fair breeze, and passing outside Motiti or Goat Island, were soon abreast of Whakari or White Island, This latter is of a conical shape, and is about the height of Arthur's Seat, near Edinburgh. The water within a few yards of it is several hundred fathoms deep, and from numerous crevices it sends forth vast clouds of steam which rise to an immense height, and assume the most fantastic shapes. When seen in the early morning with the sun brilliantly gilding the great white wreaths, it presents a spectacle which once seen wili not soon be forgotten, and although it is close on thirty miles from tho mainland, judging by the eyo alone it does not look half that distance. In a direct line opposite, in the ceatrt tt the bay, lies the village of. Opotiki, II it beautifully situated about half-a-mile from the beach. The plain on which it stands recedes about seven miles, and is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills. On the farther side it is pierced by two deep gorges several miles apart. From these there issue deep and rapid streams, which, after meandering over the plain, meet close to the shore, thus falling into the bay as one river. Here the vine, the fig, the quince, the peach, with all kinds of English fruits, flourish in per fection, whilst both the bay and the rivers yield an abundant supply of excellent fish, the halaka, the kawai, and schnapper being prominont among them. Close to the shore there are also to be found plenty of flat fish, and crayfish of a large size. It was in this lovely spot that the natives, under the domination of a fanatical Hau-Hau named Kereopa, rose in rebellion, and bru tally murdered the missionary, the Rev. Mr Volkner, subjecting the corpse to shameful mutilation. This foul deed was terribly avenged by the colonial troops, and the whole territory confiscated by the Govern tnont. Kereopa himself at tho time escaped, but two or three years afterwards was taken and executed at Napier. We rounded the Bast Cape with a fine westerly breeze, and reached the Iron Pot at Napier next afternoon. After landing what cargo we had for the place, I invited Marta, the Arawa girl, to walk to the town, about a mile or so away. I did this partly with the view of improvirfg my knowledge of the Maori language, but more because the joyous and artless nature of the girl had made her a special favourite with me.as with all the others on board.

As we stepped ashoro, Rangi, who was standing on the wharf, apparently in deep converse with some other natives, came for ward and accosted Marta in Maori. '' Whore go you ?" he asked. "Why do you inquire?" replied the girl. "Because," he retorted, "I do not wish you to go with the Pakeha." "Then," replied tho girl, "I shall go with him," and immediately sprang to my aid*. As we passed on, I saw by the malign expression of his face he would prove an ugly customer to those whom he regarded as enemies.

Arrived in town, I bought Marta some trifling presents, to hor great delight, ard for which she warmly expressed her thanks in Maori-English ; at the same time she warned me to beware of Rangi. She said that ho was a dangerous man ; she was sure he contemplated somo mischief, but of what nature sho could not at present surmise; but from his frequent communings with tho other Maoris, and from a few words which sho had accidentally overheard, she was certain that there wob something serious in view ; but whether it regarded the safety of tho ship or thoße on board, she could not tell. She strongly advised me to avoid in the meantime all occasion of quarrel, and to quietly ignore Rangi's overbearing manner. That Marta's in stinctive forebodings were not without somo foundation I thought was probable enough, at the same time I dismissed the idea of danger as regarded either the ship or crew. That the Maoris were an audacious and tesolute race, Captain Cook himsolf had experienced in this very bay ; whilst in a neighbouring one, Poverty Bay, the American ship Agnes, of six gunß, had been destroyed and her crow captured, somo of whom were afterwards sent to slavery, while others were reserved for even a more fearful fate. English, French, and Dutch navigators had at different times all suffered at their hands ; but those days I lookod upon as past, never to return. The temptations which led to theee outrages no longer loomed largo in the Maori mind; fowl ing pieces and gunpowder were possessed by all, and as for nails and looking-glasses, thoy could get suppliod at any store through- O*' tho land. Besides, the Bchoon6r was by no moans the sort of craft to tempt them. For these reasons, then, I dismissed from my mind any idea of danger, though at the same time I determined to keep my eyes open. When Marta and I returned, wo found that other three Maoris from Poverty Bay had taken up their quarters on board the ship, and were to go with us to the Chat hams ; tho agents in Napier had sc arranged with them, and of course the captain made no objections. Fortunately, they were supremely indifferent to sleeping accommo dation. Having disappeared down the forehold hatchway, they had quickly removed from tho bulkhead a couplo of loose boards and taken up their berths in the hold itself. This did not much matter, ai any spirituous liquors we had on board wore stowed in the round house aft, or in the lazaretto below. Wo left Napior for Wellington, our last port of call before proceeding to the Chat hams. After we had rounded the Kid nappers, I was leaning against the rail aft, enjoying a smoke, when I was joined by Chips, as we called him, although he was carpenter, boatswain, and sailmaker all in one. . " Rum lot those Maoris," says Chips 1 don't know what to make of them.'

" How so ?" I inquired "Why," he said, "thatlaetlot who came rifi board, whilst you were in town, brought with them five or six packages wrapped in Maori mats. They placed them against the bulkhead in the forehold, and whilst looking about for a marlinspiko which I had lost, in trying to shift the packages,! found them so heavy that I felt curious to know what the contents were ; so, undoing the flax bands with which they were bound, I discovered a lot of long-handled tomahawks, bright and sharp as razors; whilst in another packago, which I also overhauled, thsro were a lot of double-barrelled guns; and 1 have no doubt that there was some thing of the same sort in all the others. Now" what can they be up to 1" " Well,' I replied, " I don't know, but I do not think it concerns us, I suppose Rangi and the other Taranaki natives have been on a mission collecting arms, and as wo know that Europeans will furnish them in spite of the strictest laws to the contrary, our best plan, I think, is to say nothing about it. These fellows taking out their passage to the Chathams is probably a mere ruse, and we shall most likely get quit of them at Wellington, gunß, tomahawks, and all. I tell you I shall not bo sorry for it, for Marta's sake, as I perceive that that ruffian Rangi is perse cuting her with his attentions, and as she is a high-spirited girl, she is likely to give him a bit of her mind if he does not desist. However, do not mention anything about your discovery to anyone, and let us try and keep a Eharp lookout on Rangi. ' We arrived in Wellington, where we were to ship commissariat Btores for the use of tho military farce which held the stockade on the Chathams containing the Maori prisoners. The detachment was a small one, amounting only to some thirty men, whilst the number of prisoners wes double that amo-int. Tho Chatham Islands, I may mention, are fituatod about 400 miles to the eastward of the middle island of New Zealand, on about the same parallel of latitude as Bank's Peninsula on the mainland/ The_ group consists of several islands, the principal one being about seventy miles long ;it has a rough and broken surfaco, and is pretty well covered .with grass. On the i-eaehore it is nearly surrounded with downs of sand, interspersed with marshes and lagoons, the haunts of innumerable sea-birds. From tho summit of the hills which rise above the lake Te Whanga, the landscape is very acreeabletolook at, although its utter loneli ness is a little oppressive. The other islets are Pitt Isle, almost covered with titree or manuka scrub ; Manga, a small rocky islet difficult o c access ; and, lastly, a small islet to the south-east, which is the loftiest of the whole group. These inlands have been in habited by a totally different race from the Maoris, who were called Marions, and were a quiet, inoffensive people ; but a war party of Maoris, about fifty years ago, having prevailed upon the captain of a whaler to carry them across, they foil upon the help less natives and butchered the greater portion of them. Their numbers are now reduced to some 150 of both sexes. When we pot alongside the wharf at Wellington, tho Maoris did not leave the vessel as I had anticipated; on the contrary Rangi was the only one who went ashore at all, and he returned with four more of his "countrymen just as we were casting loose from tho wharf. The captain did not object to tho additional passengers, as hitherto they had not caused much trouble,

being satisfied with tho occasional use of tho galley to prepare their kumera, fish, and salt pork ; and as I remarked before, for sleeping accommodation all parts of the ship were alike to them; in their own whares they are so accustomed to exclude the fresh air and to repose tranquilly in an atmosphere which would stifle a European, that the forehold of a small vessel did not cause them the slightest inconvenience. We left Port Nicholson with a fair wind, and the weather promised to be fine. Marta passed moat of her time in playing draughts with Captain B and myself, but she-was such an adept that we were seldom able to beat her; even Rangi, who, like most Maoris, was a skilful player, had to strike his flag to her, though, with a woman's tact, and to avoid an open quarrel, she did indulge him so far as to allow him to win an occasional game. It was not difficult to per ceive that she detested him; she would never remain with him alone when Captain B and I happened to be called away. Rangi was too acute not to he aware of this antipathy ; but he pretended to ignore it, and I hoped that this philosophic frame of mind might last for the remainder of the passage. But it was not destined to do so, for as we were entering P6tre Bay, making for the roadstead at Waitangi, the principal settlement on the island, Rangi and Marta were observed in close com creation by the taffrail; he seemed to be pleading with her by turns in fervid and expostulatory tones, marked by the usual Maori gesticulations. As I stood on the round house looking out for the anchorage ground, I could not avoid hearing much of what was said, and as he laid his hand on her shoulder she turned angrily away, exclaiming, "Kohenna te Maori. Herre-go-wa, Kahaurri te tap-e ---tap-taurereka." (" You are a bad man. Go away! I would not marry you, slave that you are.") , To a man of hi 3 ferocious and vindictive nature this was an insult not likely to be overlooked, and as he sullenly strolled for ward and leant over the bow, he appeared buried in deep cogitation. As we were nearing the roadstead opposite the settlement, I leaped down and asked Marta what arrangements she had made as to seeing her brother. She took from her breast a packet covered with a wrapper of native cloth, inside of which was a letter, which she handed me to read. It was in an open envelope, addressed to the officer in charge of the stockade, and it onjoined him to permit Marta Parata access to her brother Honi at all reasonable hours, and if opportunity offered, both were to be allowed to depart for the mainland. This letter was signed by the all powerful Minister Sir Donald Mac Lean, and was doubtless granted to conciliate the potent Arawa chief, whose services had been so useful to the colonists in their wars with the natives. As I returned the letter to Marta, she took it and kissed it in an impassioned manner. " Yes," she exclaimed, " I shall see Honi, and I shall take him back to Maketu, far away from the wild men." As we let go the anchor, I perceived a whaler a short distance fiom us in the bay; she was the only vessel there besides our selves, and seemed to have just arrived, as the crew were still furling her sails.

(To be Continued.)

GAUNT HUNGER.

A Weird Picture of the Famine That

Desolated India.

Villages Tnrnod Into Charnel-Honseß— Heart-rending Scenes of Distress.

The telegrams speaking of the distress now raging in Cashmere call vividly to the mind ■of the writer similar scenes of unhappiness which afflicted in the years 1877-78 many a fair province of India. Scenes which can hardly be pictured by the most lively imagination ;n this fruitful country, scenes which in their grim, gaunt misery out rivalled the most horrid of horrors endured by any people in the world, which eink into insignificance the terrors faced by the unhappy populace of Jerusalem during its terrible siege by Titus. Of the three great afflictions from which in the Litany the devout pray to be de livered—sword, pestilence, and famine— famine is, perhaps, the greatest. By the first, death cornea speedily, and often with out pain ; by the second, the wasted frame becomes insensible to feeling, and then the agony of death is passed; by the third, the body, weakened and emaciated through continuous fasting, is often kept alive by tiny morsels of filthy food, which only serves to nourish strength and make the pangs of hunger the more acute. A Cold-Hearted Government. It was in October, 1877, that the Govern ment of India began to realise that famine, with all its tep-ible consequences, was in their midst. The Government was finan cially not in a flourishing condition; and so it at first resolved not to recognise the distress. It was thought that if theGovern men* offered to assist people, profes sional pauperism would be the rage, and that the entire population of India, from the desert banks of the Indus to the um brageous glades of Tinnevelly, would cast themselves upon the ground and demand of the authorities food. It was already hispered that the distress was sharp in aishmere. The smiling vales of that lovely land were described by returning holiday makers who had gone there to avoid the sultry heats" of Hindostan, as places of desolation, as fearfully unpleasant as the " Valley of Dead Men's Bones." But with trouble staring the English in their own territory, the official breast was not to be filled with any erratic feelings of sympathy; and the viceregal Government contented itself with addressing a note to the Mahara jah to try and save his people from death, rom hunger. After this philanthropic duty had been performed, Lord Lytton calmly folded his handa and prepared him self for the worst, by yielding up himself to the pleasures of a profligate court. A Terrestrial Paradise. In no better eeason can upper India be seen than in the months of October, Novem ber, December, and January. The rains have passed away as a mummer shower. The late barren earth has brought forth an abundant luxuriant vegetation. The heavy umbrage of the trees, which for these many months past have worn as livery of the country's wretched climate a dull brown colour, laden with accumulated dust, have now burst with c porgeous greed. The older leaves have diorpid and the young ones ire buddir.p f orOs v-th life and fresh ness. Hill and plain set mtoha ye long been cultivated with tender care, each dryyiver bed is alive with clear gushing water, each river is a mighty oca; each well an un measured depth from whUh the surroun ding country is to be fed duringthe months when not a drop of water damps the soil. And now, creeping animal life which came so soon into ugly prominence after the first rainfall had disappeared with the first touch of frost, and man can go forth to his tasks in harvest-field and orchard with more aß surance. The broad country round wears a mask of smiling joy. The high crops have already been garnered, and the assid uous rayat patiently potters over his acre age, tending zealously the outward welfare of the hidden vegetables. A Distressing Outlook. But in the autumn of the year 1877 the aspect was far different. Instead of crops covering the surface, not even a blade of grain relieved the monotony of bare brown earth. In all the dulness of barren ugliness the country proclaimed its distress. The wells were dry, the Persian wheels and ropes hung listless, by the sloping mound stood the cattle expectant to be yoked to the clumsy harness and draw the water, both to quench their thiret and the great thirst around them. The river-beds which -first sent a stream of trickling water grew less and lees in quantity and finally ceased. Then camo the cry of despair from that timid patient people. Then at each Hindoo temple and shrine were invoked, by half naked prießts with ashes on head, prayers for tho fall of water. In Mohammedan mosques the preachers made similar appeals. . On every side was palpable proot ol famine. In city as well as in country people perched by the hundred daily. In the great city of Agra, a city of fabulous wealth, the emporium of trade of all Uppei India, the death rate was appalling Corpses of hunger victims polluted ev/erj highway. The road to the Hindoo burning ghats was dotted with tho dying and thi dead. In order to save the city from beitif poisoned the Government had to undertaki the responsibility of burying and burning And yet, with this fact before them, th< Government paid that there was som slight distress in Upper India ! Startled into Activity.

Suddenly the Government awoke from its lethargy. With that haste which bo tokens insanity, preparations were com menced upon the most extravagant scale to combat the famine. To each district were sent orders to the rulerß to organise systems of relief and to make that system as psjing as possible, or in other words, to

provide the people with labour upon public works and to pay for that labour in the shape of food. The district officials were to closely scrutinise and make fair decision as lo those who were not incapacitated from work, and those whoso condition was so feeble that to save them from death they should be received into famine camps. No sooner was the decision made thiin prompt action followed. Young men from the various branches of the service w. re urjtttct into this new department, called ilie Famine Relief. The famine (hen raped with the direst violence thi-ovghmit tlio Presidencies cf Bombay and Madras. In Oudeandintbe Northwest the spectrei 01 gaunt hunger was not uncommon, but the Government thought it beat not to com mence work all over India at once.

Extent of the Famlno Field,

India is a huger country than most people imagine, and travel is perhaps, noi as expeditious as it might be. The writer had to travel through ita entire length bofore he reached his destination in tho ex treme south of India—and in those of long days and nights there was not a mile of land passed which had enough of vegetation upon it even to yield a breakfast for a halfsati' • fied locust. Animals had fled to parts ur - known. Even the timorous, cowardly jackal, whose food is the half-burned corpse, and whose presence in Indio. is ever ofl'en sively known, could not be seen. Never was such a deso'ation. Even the most ancient of,the Mohammedan chroniclers had in their faithful histories never reported tho fact of so grave, so general, co common a dis tress. As the trains drow into stations and exposed to the view of some few stragglers the bursting bags of grain, the wretches, regardless of the danger they ran, would board the vans and attempt to filch some handfulsof the grain. Andwhat spectacles of misery they presented ! What gaunt frames, mere spectres of the former man ! Disease in its most horrid form had attacked several, the disease gotten from the con tinual pinch of hunger. Formation of Famine Camps. The formation of one famine camp was much like that of any other. A huge, high fence bounded a row of buildings and an open space. Tho buildings were divided into hospitals, sleeping-sheds, and cooking sheds. Food was dispensed twico a day, consisting solely of rice and Cliilo water. The recipients of charity were carefully scrutinised as to their capability for work; and if they betrayed ths slightest sign of strength they wero remorselessly set to labour upon Government works. Tho idea of providing food and employment to starving multitudes deserves tho highest commendation, but the fact to be deplored and condemned is that no action w«s taken until the people were actually beyond tho power of relief. The mere starting of a camp brought no aid to many starving thousands, but when the glad news was bruited abroad that in the chief village of the district there was a free mart where who went would receive his dolo, then commenced the moat heart rending pilgrimage that the world over saw. For miles and miles the roada were thronged with a great crowd of people bound for the place where their hunger was to bo satis fied.

A Travel of Horror.

Those whose strength was past the effort of the walk were loft behind to die in the abandoned homes of that slow, certain, painful death of hunger. The olcjl and tlia young, the married and the unmarried, left their parents, wives, and children behind them. Villages stood like great charnel vaults. Houßes were locked up and left — and when, after several months had elapsed, British officers visited these cities of the dead, what sights met their affrighted ayes! Here in several houses were the indications of an ample wealth. Instead of bniss drinking vessels there lay Bcattered about the rooms vessels of the purest gold. And the inmates ; who can speak of them ? Some stretched out upon tho cold, pitiless mud floor, with their faces pressed to the earth, had there died, as if to shut out from that sight which would soon be dead, the spectacle of any otter misery than what they themselves felt. Others, again, in cramped positions, with faces bent between their knees and their arms locked across their legs, had stiffened thus in death. Everywhere was death, in horrid form. Spectacles of Misery. On the roadside, on the rooftop, by the dry well, lay many a corpse, and by their sido lay those of their household animals. Thus, of that pilgrimage who hud started from their home.? to tho great trysting place, some could barely stagger from out the confines of their village home. Whsn faint and weary, mothers would cast to the ground the babe which beat the withered breaßt, man snatched from woman tho berry her quick oye had seen upon the ground, mother and son quarrelled like wild and feeble hyenas over some putrid garbage. Thousands died by the way. The air for miles was poisonous. Men of ruddy health, fresh from the vigorous climes of the north, wero suddenly seized with frightful pains, and if instantaneous relief was not administered, died. For tax long months continued this plague. The land was devastated. Hardly were there left men enough to yoke the oxen, when like a curtain of godiike hope there ap peared in tho azure of tha pitiless heaven a darkening cloud. Blacker and blackor it grew. The priests renewed their lamen tations, and "in answer to their prayers there came the long-looked-for rain, which told that for the next season at least was famine to be averted.

LIFE IN SIAM.

Tho King With Three Thousand Wives.

'.Diplomatic Incidents.

" The King is a man of about thirty-two. He is a pleasant, intelligent and woll-mean ing man. He speaks English. His secre tary is' also his lialf-brothor. It is easy enough to secure an audience. Thero is very little ceremony, considering that it is an Asiatic court. I would, for'instarice, address a note to the secretary and say I wished to have an audience with the King. A reply would come promptly, agreeing to the request. I would don a full dress suit, present myself at the gates of the palace, be received by the guards, passed along by different functionaries until I reached his Majesty's presence. Ho would ehalte hands with me in ordinary European fashion,

listen to what I had to say, and when I had finished I would rise and bow myself out. When I told my English and French colleagues that I never awaited the King's pleasure to terminate tho interview, but always rose when I had stated my business, they wero somewhat surprised. They re garded it as a breach of etiquette ; but tho King, I am told, liked it vory much. "The King is a very much-married man. Ho has some throe thousand wives. Tho 6stablishment where they are housed is a city almost in itself. They are kept very close from the eyes of men. No Europeans and very few natives sf the male sex are al lowed to enter the sacred precincts. Mrs Palgravo, tho wife of the English agent, did get permission once to visit tho Queen's establishment. There is, by the way. only one Queen, the others are merely concu bines. It waa very plainly furnished. There was no splendour, gorgeousmefs, nnd all that sort of thing at all. The floors were marble and tho women sat on mats and rugf. They were chewing the betel root and constantly spitting; spittons abounded. A few hangings were all the decoratious the walls had. The women were very much like the Chinese women. The head is large, tho face broad, forehead low. tho cheek bones prominent, tho lips thick, the eyes black, thonsh not upturned as in tho case of tho Chinese There i? t o course, a whole army of female attendants.' "Now, something about Siam's politics?"

" Welli you know it ia an absolute mon archy. But there are two parties, orratlicr factions. Ono is headed by tko King, the other was led until recentiy, v.-hen lie died, by the ax-Regent, who governed during tho minority of the present King. There exists a good deal of jealousy, snd as the crown does not descend by right of primogeniture, the death of a ruler give? lisa always to serious trouble. The present dynasty has htld sway for rbout four, generations". I had a little difficulty when the ox-Regent died, which did not, however, lead to any eerious consequences. Ho was a sour old gentle man, querulous and cross, I paid him a visit in my official capacity, and did the English and French agents in theirs. Ho returned their calls but did not return mine. When he died all tho foreign repre sentatives half-masted their flags according to custom. I did not. I was roqueatoti by tho Prime Minister to do so. I refused. I said that a man who had shown- bo little respect for the flag of the United States should not bo honoured by it when dead.

The matter wa3 reported to tho King, He said nothing. But when I saw him later, he told me that he was very glad I acted as I did. It taught tho followers of the ex- Begent a lesson.—"New York Tribuue [Interview with Minister Haldtmaa,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1885

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