ck were
clearly revealed.

But these things were trifles on that great day, and when the fun did
begin, it was kept up with spirit. First, the greater part of the
population went to the beach for a little surf-sliding. It is not
necessary to repeat our description of that exercise. The waves were in
splendid order.

It seemed as if the great Pacific itself were pulsating with unwonted
joy. The billows were bigger grander, almost slower and more sedate
than usual. Outside it was dead calm. The fall of each liquid wall was
more thunderous, its roar more deep-toned, and the confusion of the surf
more riotous than ever. For average rejoicers this exercise might in
itself have sufficed for one day, but they were used to it, and wanted
variety; so the youths took to racing on the sands, and the maidens to
applauding, while the elderly looked on and criticised. The small
children went, loosely speaking, mad.

Some there were who went off on their own accounts, and cast a few of
those shadows which are said to precede "coming events." Others, less
poetically inclined just then, remained in the village to prepare roast
pig, yam-pie, and those various delicacies compounded of fruits and
vegetables, which they knew from experience would be in great demand ere
long.

As evening descended they all returned to the village, and at sunset
hauled down their flag.

This flag, by the way, was another souvenir of the _Topaz_. It was an
old Union Jack, for which Adams had set up a flagstaff, having by that
time ceased to dread the approach of a ship. By Jack Brace he had been
reminded of the date of the king's birthday, and by a strange
coincidence that happened to be the very day on which the two couples
were united. Hence there was a double, (perhaps we should say a
treble), reason for rejoicing. As John Adams was now endeavouring to
undo the evils of his former life, he naturally became an enthusiastic
loyalist. On passing the flagstaff he called for three cheers for the
British king, and with his own voice led off the first verse of the
national anthem before hauling down the colours. Thereafter, assembling
round the festive board in the school-room, they proceeded to take
physical nourishment, with the memory of mental food strong upon them.
Before the meal a profound hush fell on all the scene, and the deep
voice of Adams was heard asking a blessing on the food they were about
to receive. Thanks were returned wi