rished. As he was
unwilling to lose time by heaving-to to effect a landing, he stood on
towards Tahiti.

All hands were somewhat disappointed with the appearance of that island
when they first came in sight of it--jagged peaks and rugged mountains
being alone visible; for the shady groves and waterfalls, the verdant
meadows and fields, were not to be seen till the ship got close to the
entrance of the harbour. Before them appeared a line of breakers
dashing in snow-white foam on the encircling reef of coral, with a
lagoon of calm blue water within, out of which rose the shore, covered
with the richest tropical vegetation; numberless vines and creeping
plants making their way up the hillsides, amid which sparkling cascades
came falling down from the rugged mountains above.

"Well, after all, Tahiti does present a highly picturesque and beautiful
landscape," exclaimed Mildmay, taking out his notebook; "and I hope that
we shall find the inhabitants living in that Arcadian simplicity
appropriate to so lovely a region."

Alas! they found but little Arcadian simplicity when they reached the
shore; guns frowned from the surrounding heights down on the harbour;
the French flag flew from the battlements of the forts; French soldiers
were everywhere seen. It was soon, evident that the once free Tahitians
were a conquered race.

Jack lost no time in communicating with the French governor, who had
already heard that many of the natives of the outlying islands under
French protection had been carried off. He had already sent out two
men-of-war to try and catch the kidnappers, and he expressed his wish
heartily to co-operate with the English in putting a stop to so
abominable a system. Jack, being satisfied that the French would attend
to that part of the Pacific, determined to proceed to the westward,
where the appearance of an English man-of-war might effect some good.

The fires were lighted, and preparations were being made for weighing,
when a column of smoke was seen in the distance, announcing the approach
of a steamer. A French officer on board said that she must be direct
from Europe, as none of their own cruisers were expected. Jack, hoping
to obtain some news, accordingly waited for her arrival. As she
approached, she made the number of the _Eolus_. Soon, coming to an
anchor, visits were exchanged between the two ships' companies. Adair
told Jack that he had arrived at Callao the day after the _Dragon_ had