In Search of the Castaways [186]
understanding, fearing lest the charm that enchained Kai-Koumou's tribe should be broken. Suddenly John Mangles uttered an exclamation which attracted the attention of his companions. He pointed to a little inclosure on the summit of the cone. "The tomb of Kara-Tete!" said Robert. "Are you sure, Robert?" said Glenarvan. "Yes, my Lord, it is the tomb; I recognize it." Robert was right. Fifty feet above, at the extreme peak of the mountain, freshly painted posts formed a small palisaded inclosure, and Glenarvan too was convinced that it was the chief's burial place. The chances of their flight had led them to the crest of Maunganamu. Glenarvan, followed by the rest, climbed to the foot of the tomb. A large opening, covered with mats, led into it. Glenarvan was about to invade the sanctity of the "oudoupa," when he reeled backward. "A savage!" said he. "In the tomb?" inquired the Major. "Yes, McNabbs." "No matter; go in." Glenarvan, the Major, Robert and John Mangles entered. There sat a Maori, wrapped in a large flax mat; the darkness of the "oudoupa" preventing them from distinguishing his features. He was very quiet, and was eating his breakfast quite coolly. Glenarvan was about to speak to him when the native forestalled him by saying gayly and in good English: "Sit down, my Lord; breakfast is ready." It was Paganel. At the sound of his voice they all rushed into the "oudoupa," and he was cordially embraced all round. Paganel was found again. He was their salvation. They wanted to question him; to know how and why he was here on the summit of Maunganamu; but Glenarvan stopped this misplaced curiosity. "The savages?" said he. "The savages," said Paganel, shrugging his shoulders. "I have a contempt for those people! Come and look at them." They all followed Paganel out of the "oudoupa." The Maories were still in the same position round the base of the mountain, uttering fearful cries. "Shout! yell! till your lungs are gone, stupid wretches!" said Paganel. "I dare you to come here!" "But why?" said Glenarvan. "Because the chief is buried here, and the tomb protects us, because the mountain is tabooed." "Tabooed?" "Yes, my friends! and that is why I took refuge here, as the malefactors used to flee to the sanctuaries in the middle ages." "God be praised!" said Lady Helena, lifting her hands to heaven. The fugitives were not yet out of danger, but they had a moment's respite, which was very welcome in their exhausted state. Glenarvan was too much overcome to speak, and the Major nodded his head with an air of perfect content. "And now, my friends," said Paganel, "if these brutes think to exercise their patience on us, they are mistaken. In two days we shall be out of their reach." "By flight!" said Glenarvan. "But how?" "That I do not know," answered Paganel, "but we shall manage it." And now everybody wanted to know about their friend's adventures. They were puzzled by the reserve of a man generally so talkative; on this occasion they had to drag the words out of his mouth; usually he was a ready story-teller, now he gave only evasive answers to the questions of the rest. "Paganel is another man!" thought McNabbs. His face was really altered. He wrapped himself closely in his great flax mat and seemed to deprecate observation. Everyone noticed his embarrassment, when he was the subject of conversation, though nobody appeared to remark it; when other topics were under discussion, Paganel resumed his usual gayety. Of his adventures all that could be extracted from him at this time was as follows: After the murder of Kara-Tete, Paganel took advantage, like Robert, of the commotion among the natives, and got out of the inclosure. But less fortunate than young Grant, he walked straight into a Maori camp, where he met a tall, intelligent-looking chief, evidently of higher rank than all the warriors of his tribe. The chief spoke excellent English, and he saluted the new-comer by rubbing the end of his nose against the end of the geographer's nose. Paganel wondered whether he was to consider himself a prisoner or not. But