“You wrong me, Captain Gray; you never asked me of the possibility of Etta being still alive or I should have felt that I must tell you the truth, however much I disliked to do so. But, as you asked no one the question, none felt called upon to betray to you the probable safety of Etta and Uala, as it would not be keeping faith with those whom we had every reason to wish to aid in their plan of escape.”
“You are an accursed lot and——”
“Captain Gray, how dare you speak so of the people, who for three years, have done everything possible for your comfort and happiness,” exclaimed Mabel. “I left home in your vessel respecting you as my father’s friend, but I never wish to speak again to you, a man who has shown himself dead to all feelings of gratitude, lost to all sense of justice. How can you blame any one for the fact that Etta obeyed the dictates of her conscience and heart?” Having said which, Mabel took Ahleka’s arm and walked rapidly to the other end of the vessel. It was with a feeling of relief that she realized that on the next day they should in all probability reach San Francisco, then she would no longer be thrown in contact with a man so repulsive to her as Captain Gray had become.
It was indeed true, as Ahleka had said, Uala and Etta were not dead. After the first wild plunge into the rushing waters, Uala had pressed on with Etta clasped by one arm, until they came to a large, open space, where the floor of the cave was smooth and raised so that no water reached it; it was, in fact, an immense under-ground cave. After carrying Etta to a place of safety, he threw himself down beside her, showering frantic kisses upon her upturned face. “My little sea queen, you have braved the terrors of the deep, and faced death for my sake. Now, when I feel sure that the vessel has left, we will go back together, to life and happiness See, here are things provided for you to eat,” pointing to a liberal supply of food, which was placed on a ledge of rocks, high out of the reach of the waves, “and here is kapa to keep the delicate limbs of my dear one warm,” saying which he opened a water-tight calabash, from which he took some fine fiber cloth and wrapped about her.
“I came here while the rest were at the village at their supper, and brought these things, so that, if my fair one came here with me, she should at least not suffer from cold or hunger.”
The hours passed unheeded by the happy pair until, finally, Etta dropped into a sweet sleep. When she awoke, Uala, who had remained awake that he might see that no harm befell Etta, said, “I think that, by this time, the sun shines again above us. I will go to the opening of the cave and learn if the ship is still here.”
“Oh Uala, do not leave me here. I was not afraid to come with you, but I am so afraid to stay for one moment without you,” cried Etta, clinging to his arm.
“I shall not leave you for one moment, but do you see those large leaves floating in the water over there? On those leaves, in all likelihood, is a message sent to me by friends above.”
“Do others know of this cave then? Will they not tell my father?” she asked in some alarm.
“No, do not fear. None of my people would betray a friend. But, let us see the message,” saying which he advanced to a place where several large leaves were revolving slowly in the water, being carried about by the whirlpool. Catching hold of a couple of these, he found that it was as he had thought. They each bore a message, written on their smooth surface with the point of a sharp stick.