ch, backed by the blue of the lagoon, appeared to the astonished
eyes of this wild boy. It was a girl--naked as Mother Eve, and as
innocently shameless.

In the first confusion of his faculties, when habit and inherent
propensity conflicted, habit dominated his mind. He was a
huntsman--feared and avoided: here was an intruder. He raised his
hatchet to throw, but a second impulse brought it slowly down; she had
shown no fear--no appreciation of what the gesture threatened. Dropping
the weapon to the ground, he advanced slowly, the wonder in his face
giving way to a delighted smile, and she came out of the pool to meet
him.

Face to face they looked into each other's eyes--long and earnestly;
then, as though the scrutiny brought approval, the pretty features of
the girl sweetened to a smile, but she did not speak nor attempt to.
Stepping past him, she looked back, still smiling, halted until he
followed, and then led him up to the wall, where, on a level with the
ground, was a hollow in the formation, somewhat similar to his cave,
but larger. Flowering vines grew at the entrance, which had prevented
his seeing it before. She entered, and emerged immediately with a
life-buoy, which she held before him, the action and smiling face
indicating her desire that he admire it.

The boy thought that he saw his property in the possession of another
creature, and resented the spoliation. With an angry snarl he snatched
the life-buoy and backed away, while the girl, surprised and a little
indignant, followed with extended hands. He raised it threateningly,
and though she did not cower, she knew intuitively that he was angry,
and feeling the injustice, burst into tears; then, turning from him,
she covered her eyes with her hands and crouched to the ground, sobbing
piteously.

The face of the boy softened. He looked from the weeping girl to the
life-buoy and back again; then, puzzled,--still believing it to be his
own,--he obeyed a generous impulse. Advancing, he laid the treasure at
her feet; but she turned away. Sober-faced and irresolute, not knowing
what to do, he looked around and above. A pigeon fluttered on a branch
at the edge of the wood. He whipped out his sling, loaded it, and sent
a stone whizzing upward. The pigeon fell, and he was beneath it before
it reached the ground. Hurrying back with the dead bird, he placed it
before her; but she shuddered in disgust and would not touch it. Off in
the lagoon a misguided shark