第102章

While we were being led ashore, we caught a glimpse of Avatea, who was seated in the hinder part of the canoe.She was not fettered in any way.Our captors now drove us before them towards the hut of Tararo, at which we speedily arrived, and found the chief seated with an expression on his face that boded us no good.Our friend the teacher stood beside him, with a look of anxiety on his mild features.

"How comes it," said Tararo, turning to the teacher, "that these youths have abused our hospitality?""Tell him," replied Jack, "that we have not abused his hospitality, for his hospitality has not been extended to us.I came to the island to deliver Avatea, and my only regret is that I have failed to do so.If I get another chance, I will try to save her yet."The teacher shook his head."Nay, my young friend, I had better not tell him that.It will only incense him.""Fear not," replied Jack."If you don't tell him that, you'll tell him nothing, for I won't say anything softer."On hearing Jack's speech, Tararo frowned and his eye flashed with anger.

"Go," he said, "presumptuous boy.My debt to you is cancelled.

You and your companions shall die."

As he spoke he rose and signed to several of his attendants, who seized Jack, and Peterkin, and me, violently by the collars, and, dragging us from the hut of the chief, led us through the wood to the outskirts of the village.Here they thrust us into a species of natural cave in a cliff, and, having barricaded the entrance, left us in total darkness.

After feeling about for some time - for our legs were unshackled, although our wrists were still bound with thongs - we found a low ledge of rock running along one side of the cavern.On this we seated ourselves, and for a long time maintained unbroken silence.

At last I could restrain my feelings no longer."Alas! dear Jack and Peterkin," said I, "what is to become of us? I fear that we are doomed to die.""I know not," replied Jack, in a tremulous voice, "I know not;Ralph, I regret deeply the hastiness of my violent temper, which, Imust confess, has been the chief cause of our being brought to this sad condition.Perhaps the teacher may do something for us.But Ihave little hope."

"Ah! no," said Peterkin, with a heavy sigh; "I am sure he can't help us.Tararo doesn't care more for him than for one of his dogs.""Truly," said I, "there seems no chance of deliverance, unless the Almighty puts forth his arm to save us.Yet I must say that I have great hope, my comrades, for we have come to this dark place by no fault of ours - unless it be a fault to try to succour a woman in distress."I was interrupted in my remarks by a noise at the entrance to the cavern, which was caused by the removal of the barricade.

Immediately after, three men entered, and, taking us by the collars of our coats, led us away through the forest.As we advanced, we heard much shouting and beating of native drums in the village, and at first we thought that our guards were conducting us to the hut of Tararo again.But in this we were mistaken.The beating of drums gradually increased, and soon after we observed a procession of the natives coming towards us.At the head of this procession we were placed, and then we all advanced together towards the temple where human victims were wont to be sacrificed!

A thrill of horror ran through my heart as I recalled to mind the awful scenes that I had before witnessed at that dreadful spot.