towards us, but more swiftly still these narrow snake-like streams came
on.

Presently the streams veered towards each other and joined. The two men
were on an island with a shore of fire. There was one hope--the shore
was narrow yet. But in running the American fell, spraining his ankle
badly. We were speechless, but the King's lips parted with a moan, as he
said: "Lilikalu can jump the stream, but the other--!"

They were now at the margin of that gleaming shore, the American
wringing his hands. It was clear to him that unless a miracle happened
he would see his beloved Chicago no more; for the stream behind them was
rapidly widening.

I think I see that 1/60th of his Majesty's infantry as he looked
down upon the slight and cowering form of the American. His moment of
vengeance had come. A second passed, marked by the splashing roar of
the waves in the hill above us, and then the soldier-naked, all save the
boots he wore-seized the other in his arms, stepped back a few paces,
and then ran forward and leaped across the barrier of flame. Not quite
across! One foot and ankle sank into the molten masses, with a shiver of
agony, he let the American fall on the safe ground. An instant later and
he lay at our feet, helpless and maimed for many a day; and the standing
army of the King was deprived of 1/60th of its strength.

HOW PANGO WANGO WAS ANNEXED

Blithelygo and I were at Levuka, Fiji, languidly waiting for some
"trader" or mail-steamer to carry us away anywhere. Just when we were
bored beyond endurance and when cigars were running low, a Fijian came
to us and said: "That fellow, white fellow, all a-same a-you, long
a-shore. Pleni sail. Pleni Melican flag."

We went to the beach, and there was Jude Van Blaricom, our American. We
had left him in New Zealand at the Pink Terraces, bidding him an eternal
farewell. We wished it so. But we had met him afterwards at Norfolk
Island, and again at Sydney, and we knew now that we should never cease
to meet him during our sojourn on this earth.

An hour later we were on board his yacht, Wilderness, being introduced
to MacGregor, the captain, to Mr. Dagmar Caramel, C.M.G., his guest,
and to some freshly made American cocktails. Then we were shown over the
Wilderness. She looked as if she had been in the hands of a Universal
Provider. Evidently the American had no intention of roughing it. His
toilet requisites were a dream. From the dazzling completeness of the
snug s