k about.'

"Several times, since it had grown dark, I had heard sounds like the
distant beating of drums, mingled occasionally with the long and
sorrowful note of the buccinum-shell, or native trumpet. Twice, also,
while Mowno was standing at his gate, messengers had arrived, apparently
in haste, and after briefly conferring with him, had posted off again.
When I remarked upon these sounds, Mowno said that they came from the
marae, where preparations for the approaching ceremony were going
forward; but to me, they seemed to proceed from several different
points, at various distances from us.

"I now began to feel painfully anxious at Rokoa's protracted absence.
It was nearly midnight, and there had been ample time for one less
active than he, to go to the shore and return. The terrible
apprehension, that in spite of all the resources of his skill and
courage, he had fallen into the hands of some of the parties of natives
which seemed to be scattered about in the forest, gained every moment a
stronger hold upon my mind.

"`He has either been taken, or else he finds that he cannot rejoin us,
without too great risk,' said Barton, breaking a long silence, and
speaking of that which each knew the other to be thinking about; `we
must start for the shore ourselves, if he does not come soon.'

"`Hark!' whispered Olla, `some one is approaching from the wood.' Her
quick ear had detected stealthy steps crossing the avenue. The next
moment some one bounded lightly over the hedge at the side of the house,
where the shadow of the bread-fruit trees fell darkest. Mowno started,
and seemed agitated, and for an instant a suspicion that he had betrayed
us, and was about to give us up, flashed through my mind. But the
figure which came forward into the light, was that of Rokoa, and I felt
pained at the wrong which my momentary doubts had done our inert, but
well-meaning, host. Rokoa breathed quick and short. Without speaking,
he pointed to the moon, now on the edge of the western horizon of
forest, to intimate that he was punctual to the time set for his return.

"The sounds which I had before heard, were now borne more plainly than
ever to our ears upon the night breeze. As soon as Rokoa recovered his
breath, he said that we had not a moment to lose, but must commence our
flight at once. He had passed an armed party of more than twenty men,
coming in the direction of the house, with the purpose, as he supposed,
of demanding