“Oh, no,” stammered Edith, bravely attempting to cheer the spirits of the younger girl.  “You will not be lonely, Barbara.  Mr. Holman and father and I will be with you, and perhaps Mr. Verslun will be in our company.”

Newmarch approached at the instant and squeaked out an answer to the request I had made the previous evening.

“I asked Mr. Leith if you could go with him,” he said, “but he doesn’t think you would be of any use.  He has all the help he requires, so you had better stay on the yacht.”

There was a slight grin on his thin face as he imparted the information, and his merriment tickled me.  I had made up my mind without waiting for Leith’s decision, and I was more pleased than annoyed at knowing that my presence was not desired with the party that went inland.

The anchor had hardly touched the bottom before Leith started to transship the provisions that were required for the trip across the island.  The sight of land seemed to stir the sallow-faced giant out of the lethargy that had gripped him on the way down from Levuka.  He suddenly discovered that the mantle of authority was upon his shoulders, and he bullied the island boys as they lowered the stores.

Holman was right when he stated that Soma was the man that Leith had picked as first assistant.  The big Kanaka was placed in charge of the other five carriers, and he immediately imitated Leith by shrieking out orders and strutting about in a manner that was ludicrous.  Professor Herndon was bubbling over with excitement.  The stories which Leith had fed to him continuously concerning the remains of an extinct civilization had worked him up to a pitch that bordered on insanity, and it was pitiful to watch him as he made endless notes in the bulky notebook.

“I shall be known throughout the world inside three months,” he whispered to Leith.

“In less than that,” drawled the giant.

“Yes, you’re right!” snapped the dream-fed scientist.  “If everything is as you say our task will be an easy one.  Are you ready Edith?  Barbara, come along!”

He climbed down the ladder with a haste that was nearly his undoing, as he let go his grip before the boat was directly beneath him.  Holman saved him from a ducking, but his solar topee, which had a distinctly scientific look, was soaked in salt water before it could be rescued.

Captain Newmarch stood by with a look of unconcern upon his thin face as the two girls went over the side, and he gave an unintelligible grunt as Leith followed.  Within two hours after The Waif had cast anchor the two boats containing the stores and the ill-assorted explorers were making for a small promontory that stretched out like a green tongue into the sparkling waters of the bay.

Once on shore, Leith put Soma and the carriers in the lead, Holman and the two girls next, with himself and the Professor bringing up the rear, and in that order they moved across the little strip of white sand that glittered like diamond dust.  The heavy green foliage came out to meet them, dropped over them like a veil, and left us staring at the riotous creeper masses with the brilliant flower eyes that appeared to be watching The Waif.