“Then tell me more, tell me all, and tell who you are.”
So Tom had to repeat the story of his own life and adventures from the very beginning, Bernard never once taking his eyes off his face while he spoke.
When he had finished, Tom took from a little pocket-book a bunch of portraits, and handed them to his companion. He looked half afraid of them at first.
“O,” he cried, “is this right? I have seen such things at Quito. Are these the souls of these peoples stolen away?”[3]
“No, no,” replied Tom laughing. “Only sun pictures—only shadow likenesses.”
He handled them rapidly now; but put them all aside except one—his mother’s.
On this he gazed long and fondly, the tears meanwhile chasing each other adown his sun-browned face.
Tom was glad to see him weep. It was so human. He was no longer the savage, no longer the wild man. He was Bernard Herbert, ’Theena’s brother.
Then Tom told him more about ’Theena, and about the dream he had in his boyhood.
“Part of this dream has come true,” said Tom; “and you see the Great Spirit has also heard my prayer. The other part about going back to my own country wealthy and restoring the old castle was but a child’s idle folly. O, Bernard, if ever we can leave this island, and return to dear old Craigielea and my parents, I shall be happy even if in rags.”