When William W. Kolderup had read these words he burst into a shout of laughter. He understood all.
It was his enemy, J. R. Taskinar, his conquered competitor, who, to be revenged, had bought a cargo of wild beasts, reptiles, and other objectionable creatures from a well-known purveyor to the menageries of both hemispheres, and had landed them at night in several voyages to Spencer Island. It had cost him a good deal, no doubt, to do so; but he had succeeded in infesting the property of his rival, as the English did Martinique, if we are to believe the legend, before it was handed over to France.
There was thus no more to explain of the remarkable occurrences on Phina Island.
"Well done!" exclaimed William W. Kolderup. "I could not have done better myself!"
"But with those terrible creatures," said Phina, "Spencer Island—"
"Phina Island—" interrupted Godfrey.
"Phina Island," continued the bride, with a smile, "is quite uninhabitable."
"Bah!" answered Uncle Will; "we can wait till the last lion has eaten up the last tiger!"
"And then, dearest Phina," said Godfrey, "you will not be afraid to pass a season there with me?"