What a moment of joy was that for the long-separated lovers, and now resored to each other under such strange circumstances. When the first effusion of love was over, Bella was the first to find speech, and whispered in her lover's ear, "Charlie dear, I have been true to you."
What a load of anguish these words removed from his mind. Folding her still more closely in his embrace, he exclaimed, raising his eyes to Heaven, "I believe you, Bella. Providence has been bountiful to us both."
Quandak, leading his faithful Maria, interrupted this happy re-union, by reminding them that their safety was not yet complete, and entreated them to make a speedy retreat from such dangerous quarters, remarking that when the effect of the sudden fright was over, the Warrigals would take courage, and attack them from the cliffs. Bella seconded this proposition, well knowing the disposition and determination of the Warrigals, especially Bungilina and his brother, whom she felt certain would face death sooner than surrender herself and Maria. A speedy retreat was accordingly commenced, but the steep ascent and intricate path made it a hard task, especially for Bella, and delayed them considerably.
On surmounting the last obstacle, and considering themselves comparatively safe, what was their alarm on seeing two powerful savages, with heavy bludgeons, advancing to contest the passage. "Save yourselves," exclaimed Bella, in terror, when Charlie and Quandak presented their rifles; but, alas! misfortune still clung to them, for they found that their sudden happiness had driven from their minds the duty necessary for their safety, namely, the re-loading of their rifles.
They had no room for consideration or time to repair the deficiency, for the savages attacked them at once, and their only means of defence was to take their rifles by the barrels, and ward off the blows, which were aimed at their heads, but the stocks flew to pieces at the first blow.
It was now that the small sword exercise, which
