.
I never thought it was that."

"What did you think it was, then?"

"Some o' them hot water-works gone off, _bang_! And blown up the
mountain.--There!"

He pointed to a hideous-looking head appearing above the edge of the
shelf, and seen by the evening light as it fell athwart it, the
countenance with its blue lines and scrolls ending in curls on either
side of the nose was startling enough to make any one fear danger.

The owner of the face climbed up to the shelf, followed by another
bronzed figure, when Don recognised the second as the tattooed
Englishman, while there was no mistake about the first, for he made Jem
give an angry grunt as a human voice shouted,--

"My pakeha."

"Somebody calling you, Mas' Don?"

"My pakeha!" shouted the New Zealander again. "Jemmeree Wimbee."

"Eh! Here, I say, call a fellow by his right name!" cried Jem, stepping
forward.

The chief met him with advancing step, and caught him by the shoulders,
and before Jem could realise what he was going to do, placed his blue
nose against that which was coppery white, and gave it a peculiar rub.

"Here, I say, don't!" cried Jem, struggling to free himself, when the
chief seized Don in turn, and bent down and served him the same.

"Don't you stand it, Mas' Don. Hit out."

"Don't you, youngster," said the Englishman. "It's only his friendly
way."

"Yes, that's what they say at home when a big dog goes at you, and
nearly rolls you over," grumbled Jem. "I say, have you got anything to
eat?"

"Not here, but plenty at Ngati's place. I'm glad to see you both safe,
my lads. It gave me quite a turn when he told me he'd hidden you in
here."

"Why?" said Don sharply.

"Well, I'll tell you, my lad. There's a kind o' bad steam lies along
the bottom farther in, and if a man was to lie down on the floor and go
to sleep, I don't s'pose he'd ever wake again. Come along!"

"Where are the men from the ship?"

"Gone off with their mates. Didn't you hear the gun?"

Don nodded.

"They've been searching all over for you. Can't make out whether you
two got to shore, or were chopped up by the sharks out yonder. They
won't come again till to-morrow, and you'll be safe till then. You must
be hungry."

"Hungry?" said Jem, with a mocking laugh. "Hungry? Lookye here: you'd
better take me where there's something, or it won't be safe. I heard
tell as people ate one another out here, and I didn't believe it, but I
do now. I'm ready