spoke, Zeppa and his son, who had been walking behind Ebony, came
up. The panting child only replied, "Rosco--queek!" and ran before them
to the fatal spot. Need we say that in a few moments the "born
mis'nary" was drawn like a cork out of a bottle, and set down right end
up? Then they carried him to a clear space, whence the sea was visible,
condoling with him as they went; but here all thought of the accident
and of everything else was banished, for the moment by the sight of a
ship on the horizon!

It turned out to be the mission-vessel with supplies, and with a young
native missionary, or Bible-reader; and thus, in a few days, not only
Betsy Waroonga, but Ongoloo and Wapoota, with Lippy and her mother and
Orlando, were enabled to return to Sugar-loaf Island.

The joy of the Sugarlovians at the return of their chiefs and friends is
not to be described, for, despite the assurances of Waroonga, they had
begun to grow uneasy. Neither is it possible to describe the condition
of the coal-scuttle bonnet after it had been crushed in the reckless
embrace of Betsy's spouse, nor the delight of the uncles, aunts,
brothers, cousins, nieces, and nephews of Lippy, when they got her safe
back again, though awfully disguised by the miniature coal-scuttle and
flaming petticoat.

By that time the Mountain-men and the Raturans had rubbed noses,
intermingled, intermarried, broken bows and spears, buried the
war-hatchet and otherwise made up their minds, like sane creatures, to
dwell in peace; for savages come to this condition sometimes--civilised
nations never do! Great, therefore, was their satisfaction when their
mourning, at the prospect of losing Waroonga, was turned into joy by the
decision of the young native teacher, who volunteered to take his place
and remain with them as their permanent instructor in the way of
Righteousness.

A dance was proposed by some of the chiefs as an appropriate way of
expressing their joy and getting rid of superfluous energy; but as their
only dance was a war-dance, it was thought better to celebrate the
occasion by a grand feast which, being preceded by games--wrestling,
jumping, and running, etcetera--served the purpose equally well--if not
better.

Thus was an island won from heathenism in those far off southern seas!

And now, what shall we say in conclusion? Time and space would fail us,
were we to continue the history of Ratinga island down to the present
time. We can only add t