We employed the next rainy season in making the passage through the cavern wider and better, so that we could run up and down without torches or fears. The rainy season had commenced with what Felix called a very savage storm, and it seemed likely to end with one equally fierce. The thunder pealed so loud that many large pieces of rock were shaken down in the cavern by the concussion, and it became dangerous to live in it. Schillie turned us all out, therefore, one day, and taking Oscar and Gatty, she placed them in different safe corners with guns, and they all three fired their guns in the cavern for half an hour, thereby bringing down any loose rocks or dangerous parts of the cavern. When we were re-admitted, we were nearly all choked with the smell of the gunpowder, which did not go off for a good while. The cavern was so dry, healthy, and large, and being able to run down to the brook was so delicious, that we scarcely thought of the danger we incurred in living in it. But this storm was tremendous. We ran to the narrow part, close by the waterfall, to flee out at a minute's warning. As we sat huddled together, all silent and awe-struck, what was that we saw in the flash of lightning? Some uttered a hurried exclamation, all started, but none said a word. The thunder crashed louder; we longed for the lightning. It came, one long, bright flash, and every mouth uttered "a ship! a ship!"

How unaccountable were our feelings. Fear for the ship predominated. Then the wild conjectures, the hopes, the fears. Suppose it was the beloved La Luna, or some stranger. We heeded not the storm for ourselves now. We longed for the flashes of lightning to reveal to us the strange, the welcome, the bewildering sight. She was apparently riding at anchor, endeavouring to weather the storm under the shelter of the great rock, for each flash showed her in the same place, but each flash also took away from the most sanguine the hope that it was La Luna; yet still we clung to the idea that it might be the dear captain come in another vessel. To leave the spot was impossible; the maids brought cloaks and wrappers for the children, who slept at our feet, but the older watchers remained with their eyes fixed on the one spot, waiting for the coming dawn. The wind lulled, the rain ceased, the thunder was silent, and the impenetrable darkness remained unrelieved by the lightning. Thus we sat through that dark night, waiting for the coming hour so important to our fate.

Over the wide-spread sea streamed the first light of morning. As it spread from one end of heaven to the other our hearts beat, our eyes ached to penetrate still quicker the fast-receding gloom. It was then that Madame spoke, beseeching me earnestly to suffer no signs of our being on the island to show themselves until we had carefully scanned and examined the strangers. To this I silently agreed. Schillie and Gatty, with the three girls, were so absorbed in their watch that Madame went to each and gave them the caution she had given me. In a few minutes the world was in a blaze of light, and conspicuous on the troubled but brilliant sea was the long, low, black hull of a schooner-rigged vessel. There seemed no signs of life on board, which sent a chill to our hearts. If our dear captain had been there, would he not have been watching for the daylight as we had been? Would he not have been landing at this moment, and we rushing down to meet him? Many sobbed aloud, half overcome at the sight of human beings again, half overwhelmed at the fatal fear that they came not for us. Madame alone seemed to have her senses about her. Silently beckoning the maids to follow, she left us, but what to do we neither asked or cared to know. The little ones still slumbered, we still watched, no life, no signs of humanity to be seen on board the object of our fond wishes, our deep anxiety. An hour passed, and, as the little sleepers each awoke, Madame had them carried off. Presently the maids brought us each some coffee, but we hardly cared to drink it.

At last a man is seen. We grasped each other's hands and withdrew, clinging closer together, though the veil of waters effectually screened us, well as we could see through it. Another half hour, and the vessel was alive with human beings. Finally, about a dozen, all armed, got into a boat and came to land. They, one and all, anxiously gazed on the cliffs and rocks, while some used their telescopes. When landed, they examined with wonder and curiosity the remains of our tent; we had left but few signs there, as nothing could remain out in the wet weather without being damaged. But still there was enough to show them that human beings had been there, and that within a month or so. They sat down, and talked vehemently, always looking with great earnestness on the island. We supposed them to be alarmed, for they did not venture one hundred yards from their boat. How little did they think what a helpless party was watching them, and that, too, with greater fear than interest. Not that I was not already feeling the wisdom of Madame's advice, for, as far as we could judge, they seemed a black strange wild-looking set of men. But our suspense was soon ended. We heard one shouting, the others all ran, and he pointed to something on the cliffs we could not see. I trembled as I looked round for the children, but Gatty, whose curiosity and excitement took her beyond the bounds of prudence, exclaimed it is the snake's skin, they are wondering at it. She was quite right. Two got into the boat and rowed back to the ship, the rest ran without apparent fear to the rock on which our captain had nailed the great skin, and which we had never removed, and which neither time or storms had apparently injured. The boat brought back another load, who also ran to the place, and all seemed in a great state of excitement.

"June," said Schillie to me, "they are not alarmed about us, you see. They must have known of this island, and the great snake, and been afraid of it; now they see its skin you'll see they'll be all over the island. I misdoubt me, that big fellow is the King of the Pirates, whom fate has wafted hither in compliance with my mad wishes; and that house we found on the plain is his castle, and now he'll go and take possession, and find out that somebody has been beforehand. I don't like their looks, June, we must keep close at present. But what infatuated geese we are to sit here, when we must run to Tir-y-hir, and do away with as much of our whereabouts as we can."

Leaving the children to watch, with Sybil in charge of them, we ran for our lives. Here we found the wise and thoughtful Madame beforehand with us, she and the maids had been moving everything, and it required but willing hands and quick work to pile up stones, and remove all vestiges of the cavern. Of course our house would speak for itself. Luckily we had been living in the cavern for a month, so that no very recent traces of us could be discovered. Gatty grumbled a little, indeed I don't think she would have worked had she not anticipated some amusement in watching the new arrivals, whilst they must be utterly ignorant of our existence. Schillie worked with a will; from the first I think she had a foreboding that all was not right about these people. We now went back, and found the watchers full of news, and also full of squabbles amongst themselves. More people had come from the ship; fires had been lighted. Every one had gone to look at the big snake's skin. Working was going on; symptoms of a tent had been commenced. The squabbles amongst the little ones arose because of their different opinions of the new comers. Oscar voted them pirates, and declared he would shoot the first one that came near us. The little girls declared they must be friends, and would be sure to take them home if they gave them money. Felix was most anxious to be amongst them and get on board, and go home, and every other variety of scheme, but the promise from Oscar that he should have the first chance of shooting the first pirate completely turned him, and he became perfectly convinced that they were horrible robbers, perhaps slave-stealers, and did he not shoot them he and his Mother would be stolen and sold for slaves to different masters. A climax of fate that seemed to him would settle the period of his life.

We took little food that day, and the strangers never imagined that throughout the whole time at least four pairs of eyes were constantly watching them; nay, even when night arrived two of us kept watch, though we had most of us fits of impatience, not to say remorse, at thus welcoming strangers so long desired. In fact, if it had not been for Schillie and Madame we should certainly have rushed upon our fate in our anxiety to find out whether they were friends or foes. Gatty chafed like a young lion, every handkerchief that came near her was soon in tatters. Sybil glowed with animation as she said, "They never could harm us, they will be only too glad to help us, they will pity us so much for our sad fate; we have only to tell them our story and they would take us all away; oh I am sure, quite sure they would. It seems so unkind and ungracious to be thus suspicious of the first human beings we have seen so long."

Schillie.—"Pooh, pooh, child, it is better to leave them in ignorance of our unkindness, for fear you should find out when too late that they will be equally unkind in chopping you up into beefsteaks, at least you had better make up your mind which of the two acts will be the most unkind."

Sybil.—"But, surely they are not cannibals; I don't think there is a sailor in the world who could be a cannibal, they are all such good fellows."

Schillie.—"Humph! Think as you like my dear. I honour your innocence and applaud your approbation of sailors. But you are such a noodle, and, being the stoutest of the party, ought to have more compassion on yourself."

Serena.—"But I agree with Sybil in thinking it very ungracious, not giving them the option of being kind to us, if they like it. They can but leave us behind if they don't like us."

Schillie.—"If they would promise to leave us behind in case they don't like us, I am ready to go and meet them now."

Gatty.—"Then do come, for I do think this most horrid work, peeping and watching, and imagining every evil thing against them. Besides, supposing they do turn out uncivil, what is to prevent us when they are all asleep rising and taking possession of their vessel, and sailing off with it, leaving them a note to say we will pay them for it as soon as ever we arrive in England."

Schillie.—"And I trust you are prepared to act captain to the vessel, as well as mate and crew. I promise you that I am not going to sea without some experienced hands to guide the ship."

Sybil.—"Perhaps we can bribe some of them to come with us. For if they are wicked people there are sure to be some unfortunate good ones among them, who will be glad to get away."

Mother.—"Well! between us we shall weave a romantic story about them. In the meantime don't let us be impatient."

Serena.—"But, dear sister, won't they think it unkind of us hiding ourselves from them in this suspicious way, supposing they turn out to be good friendly people."

Madame.—"My sweet child, let them think us anything rather than we should get into their power. Once in their hands we should never get out again so helpless as we are. Indeed they look so ferocious that two of them would be quite enough to kill us all."

Oscar.—"I should like to see two dare to do it."

Felix.—"And so would I, we would soon settle their business, would we not Otty? You should take the left fellow, and I would knock down the right one."

Gatty.—"Yes! indeed; two! Why I could settle two myself! But this is such sorry work; peeping like brats. We might be even now making preparations to go away, they having promised to take us by this time. I can't stand waiting another day, I know I cannot."

Serena.—"Then you must sit, and be patient, meanwhile let me tell you——"

Schillie.—"I think you are very childish. Think if these people turn out to be enemies what an advantage we have in being able to see and watch all they do, and yet they not being able to find out anything about us."

Sybil.—"But I don't like to think they are enemies or that they would be so to us."

Gatty.—"Of course not, Syb. For once I agree with you, and I think it a great shame to behave like this to them; so like Madame fearing an elephant behind a straw."

This last sentence was muttered between her teeth, but Schillie caught it, and turning round said, "I'll tell you what Miss Gatty, if you say another word on the subject, or favour us with any more of your remarkably silly ideas, I'll have you locked up."

"Where, little Mother?" said Gatty, winding her great arms round Schillie, who struggled in vain to release herself from the potent grasp. "June, June, con—— no, I don't mean that, hang—— no nor that, you horrid—— Well! I am in a vice, June, I say June, make her release me. What arms the wretch has, will you let me out you good-for-nothing, I'll give it you well, Miss; come release me, June, I'll never speak to you again, if you don't let me free instead of laughing in that absurd manner."

Truly it was very ridiculous; Gatty so cool and quiet, but holding her fast; Schillie in a red hot rage, and utterly unable to release herself. But we were getting too noisy, so peace was proclaimed, and harmony restored.

The next morning we found it a true prophecy that the strangers would be all over the island. First of all they examined all our remains and marks of habitation on the cliffs, especially the church, where our foot-marks would be more recent than anywhere else. But we trusted to the great rains that had fallen to obliterate them as much as possible. In examining the cliffs they came so near us that we could distinguish their voices, and even found that they spoke a sort of Spanish. The nearer they came the less prepossessing they appeared, and even Gatty retreated with a shudder as two wild fierce-looking hairy faces showed themselves just above a ledge of rocks within fifty yards of our hiding place.

Some of us remained under the waterfall, the noise of which prevented us hearing anything distinctly, while the remainder ran up and watched at the other entrance. There, through chinks and crevices we could watch them, as they gradually came in different parties towards the little valley in which our house was built. It was quite inevitable their discovering it, so we made up our minds to that matter; and it was not long ere the shouts of those who did so drew all the others to the place.

How rejoiced we were on a nearer view of them that Madame had been so provident in advising us to keep close until we could learn something of them. Even Sybil was obliged to allow that she did not recognise a single good face amongst them. So wild and fierce a set I never saw, and their looks made me shudder. From our small knowledge of Spanish we could make out that they were greatly surprised, and evidently guessed some one was on the island. Also they said a great deal about the snake, and their rejoicings it was dead, making evident allusions to the island as if they knew it quite well. After satisfying their curiosity some sat down to smoke, as if intending to wait patiently for the arrival of the inhabitants, others pursued their researches and we had no doubt went to the other house, while all examined their arms and primed their guns, as if preparing for an engagement with the warlike people who had slaughtered so great a monster as the snake.

We made all these remarks amongst ourselves, and were greatly amused at our conjectures and interpretations of all they said.

But we could not thus calmly give up all our fond hopes and wishes. We had still some struggles, frightened as we were at the sight of our new companions. It was necessary, however, that we should come to some regular arrangement of our time and work, as we were in danger of starving to death in our eagerness to watch these people. Unluckily a great part of our store of food was in the house they were now so busily smoking in. We had enough with us for a few days, but we generally kept our stores there, as they seemed to do better there than in the cavern. Also it was useless the whole set of us watching; accordingly we took it turn about, two at each entrance for two hours at each time, a little one and a big one always together. The remainder went about their usual occupations, all except lessons, about which Madame seemed to have tasted the waters of Lethe. We suffered rather in point of meals, as we dared not light a fire for fear of the smoke discovering us. Besides our kitchen apparatus was all in the house, so that altogether, what with fatigue, worry, and discomfort, we were getting unanimous in abusing our new neighbours. We came to one agreement, namely, that the next day being Sunday we should observe how they spent it. If, in anything like a christian manner we would open negotiations with them by some means yet to be discussed, but, if in a heathen manner, then we should consider them as savages, cannibals, and no one knows what; and, hiding close, we should quietly endure our privations as best we could, until the ill-omened, disappointing black vessel should leave us once more to our fate.

In the security of darkness and secrecy we slept that night, Madame and Jenny moving their mattresses to the waterfall side, Schillie and I to the side where Tir-y-hir was, that, at all events we might have the first intimation of any discovery they might make. Before we went to sleep, however, we assured ourselves that they had been to the other house, and, if anything could have completed our disgust it was the fact that they returned dragging with them all our summer clothes, with which they covered themselves. The pretty white hats belonging to the girls, which they had learned to plait themselves, were thrust on the great, dirty, greasy heads of these horrid men. All the pretty silk Sunday frocks, the shawls, the scarfs, the caps, the bonnets, the carefully hoarded remains of our civilized attire, alas! alas! did they not also tell these wretches what a helpless party were on the island? Everything was recklessly thrown about, torn, and trodden under foot. Hargrave flew from the sight, and hid her tears and stifled her sobs in the darkest corner of the cavern. From that hour they were doomed in her estimation as the acme of wickedness and vice.

Many times during the night were we awakened by their noise and drunken revelry, and alas for the hopes we had formed of the Sabbath-day none ever were less fulfilled.

The scenes of riot, quarrelling, drinking, and imprecation were so dreadful we could not keep watch any more, but hurried as far we were able from the sight and sounds of life so abhorrent to our nature, so horrid to witness. With pale faces and tearful eyes, and ears yet filled with oaths and bitter words, we proceeded to gain courage and implore help from the throne of grace, feeling how we stood in need of such aid. For not even when about to be a prey to the stormy elements, or the desolate feeling when left alone in a solitary island, or the sudden death which appeared inevitable in the jaws of the horrid snake, not even in all these did we feel our helplessness as we did now. And it was our own species we feared, for whose coming we had so often prayed. It was man, once created in the image of God, that sent this pang of horror through us.

But, enough of this; suffice it to say we were a set of miserable, trembling, quaking women, but God in his mercy calmed and comforted us, so that after the morning prayers we proceeded to make our hiding place still more secure.

As I said before, the waterfall was a most effectual screen, especially now that there was so much water in the brook. The more water that fell of course the more liable we were to get wet as we passed in and out, but, owing to the height from which it fell, the water cleared the rock by some feet, and thus gave us a passage underneath. The tall ones had always to stoop, but the little ones ran out and in like rabbits in a burrow. At the other entrance it was almost as well concealed. Now we got in and out, for the rock projected some ten feet out, and then just round the corner appeared a sort of recess. This seemed exactly smooth with the rock, but, by edging round and squeezing a little, you came to a sort of slit or cleft in the rock and that led to the cavern. But even when there we had innumerable holes and hiding places, and it would have been a good week's work to ferret us all out from thence. In case, however, of discovery, we organised a plan and arranged our places of retreat, and we practised ourselves in quick hiding, and, to get our lesson perfect, in every now and then calling out "The pirates are coming." Whereupon, as a matter of course, every one ran for their lives to their appointed place. Each place had a communication with another, so that we could telegraph all round. The place from whence we made our observations was on a ledge up in the cavern, from whence some of the light came in; it might be about twenty feet from the ground, and we looked down on them. Dreadful wretches.