Eight Cousins Page 10

  Chapter 10--Rose's Sacrifice

  There certainly were "larks" on Campbell's Island next day, as Charliehad foretold, and Rose took her part in them like one intent on enjoyingevery minute to the utmost. There was a merry breakfast, a successfulfishing expedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, foreven Aunt Jessie appeared in red flannel. There was nothing Uncle Aleccould not do in the water, and the boys tried their best to equal him instrength and skill, so there was a great diving and ducking, for everyone was bent on distinguishing himself.

  Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; AuntJessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie paddling nearby like a little whale beside its mother; while the lads careered about,looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like thefamous dancing party in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

  Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in thebriny deep; that time-honoured dish demanded the concentrated actionof several mighty minds; so the "Water Babies" came ashore and fell tocooking.

  It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkablechowder ever cooked, and the quantity eaten would have amazed theworld if the secret had been divulged. After this exertion a siestawas considered the thing, and people lay about in tents or out as theypleased, the boys looking like warriors slumbering where they fell.

  The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngstersrose, refreshed and ready for further exploits. A hint sent them all offto the cave, and there were discovered bows and arrows, battle clubs,old swords, and various relics of an interesting nature. Perched upona commanding rock, with Jamie to "splain" things to her, Rose behelda series of stirring scenes enacted with great vigour and historicalaccuracy by her gifted relatives.

  Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the mostthrilling manner. Captain Kidd buried untold wealth in the chowderkettle at the dead of night, and shot both the trusting villains whoshared the secret of the hiding place. Sinbad came ashore there and hadmanifold adventures, and numberless wrecks bestrewed the sands.

  Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had everwitnessed; and when the performance closed with a grand ballet of FeejeeIslanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, she had no words inwhich to express her gratification.

  Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching thelighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port,ended the second day of the camping out, and sent everyone to bed earlythat they might be ready for the festivities of the morrow.

  "Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning forfresh milk and things?"

  "Yes, why?"

  "Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to arrange;you know I was carried off in a hurry," Rose said in a confidentialwhisper as she was bidding her cousins good night.

  "I'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind."

  "Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, anddon't say anything till then, except to Charlie. Promise," urged Rose,so eagerly, that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically,

  "By yonder moon I swear!"

  "Hush! it's all right, go along"; and Rose departed as if satisfied.

  "She's a queer little thing, isn't she, Prince?"

  "Rather a nice little thing, I think. I'm quite fond of her."

  Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent,saying to herself with sleepy dignity,

  "Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They willtreat me with more respect after to-morrow, I guess."

  Archie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readilygranted, as the lads were coming directly back. Off they went, and Rosewaved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air, for anheroic purpose glowed within her, and the spirit of self-sacrifice wasabout to be illustrated in a new and touching manner.

  While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe, ordered her to leave herdishes, to put on her hat, and take a note back to Uncle Alec, whichwould explain this somewhat mysterious performance. Phebe obeyed, andwhen she went to the boat Rose accompanied her, telling the boys she wasnot ready to go yet, but they could, some of them, come for her when shehung a white signal on her balcony.

  "But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it,"protested Charlie, in great amazement.

  "Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain.Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. I can have secrets as wellas other people"; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independencethat impressed her friends immensely.

  "It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. Allright, Phebe? Pull away, Prince"; and off they went to be received withmuch surprise by the islanders.

  This was the note Phebe bore:

  "Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her haveall the fun she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep her, andtell the boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't think it is easyto do this; it is very hard to give up the best day of all, but I feelso selfish to have all the pleasure and Phebe none, that I wish to makethis sacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it; I truly do not wish tobe praised, and I truly want to do it. Love to all from,

  "Rose."

  "Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go afterher, Jessie, or let her have her way?" said Dr. Alec, after the firstmingled amusement and astonishment had subsided.

  "Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, Iknow, and the best way in which we can show our respect for her effortis to give Phebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it"; and Mrs.Jessie made a sign to the boys to suppress their disappointment andexert themselves to please Rose's guest.

  Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and declaredthat she should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose.

  "She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back beforenoon, I'll wager anything," said Charlie; and the rest so stronglyinclined to his opinion that they resigned themselves to the loss of thelittle queen of the revels, sure that it would be only a temporary one.

  But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony,though Phebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the truantback, though more than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hairunder the round hat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the lovelycolour in the western sky.

  "I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bitof sentiment, but I see she was in earnest, and means that her sacrificeshall be a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a thousandtimes over, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done foreffect," Dr. Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his eyes through thedusk, fancying he saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had saton the keg the night before, laying the generous little plot that hadcost more than he could guess.

  "Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she isgoose enough to think she must hide in a dark closet and not look," saidArchie, who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming ingratitude.

  "She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, unlesspapa has forgotten all about them," added Steve, cutting short theharangue Mac had begun upon the festivals of the ancients.

  "I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworksthat ever went off," said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one of theboats if she could get a chance.

  "Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her shewill be a heroine," added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she wouldnot.

  Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, waiting onAunt Peace, and steadily resisting Aunt Plenty's attempts to send herback to the happy island. It had been hard in the morning to comein from the bright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming,crackers popping, and everyone making read
y for a holiday, and go towashing cups, while Dolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was veryhard to see the day go by, knowing how gay each hour must have beenacross the water, and how a word from her would take her where shelonged to be with all her heart. But it was hardest of all when eveningcame and Aunt Peace was asleep, Aunt Plenty seeing a gossip in theparlor, Dolly established in the porch to enjoy the show, and nothingleft for the little maid to do but sit alone in her balcony and watchthe gay rockets whizz up from island, hill, and city, while bands playedand boats laden with happy people went to and fro in the fitful light.

  Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, andonce, when a very brilliant display illuminated the island for a moment,and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went down on therailing, and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little whisper,

  "I hope someone wishes I was there!"

  The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill andisland answer each other with what Jamie called "whizzers, whirligigsand busters," and smiling as she thought how hard the boys must beworking to keep up such a steady fire, when Uncle Mac came walking inupon her, saying hurriedly,

  "Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, andrun off with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is gone, so Iwant you. I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with usand see my fireworks. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, orI shall be disappointed."

  "But, uncle," began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even aglimpse of bliss, "perhaps--"

  "I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now so muchas I do, and I insist on your coming," said Uncle Mac, who seemed in agreat hurry to be off, yet was unusually kind.

  So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waitingto help her in and convulse her with laughter trying to express hisemotions in pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as theygot out into the bay, and the island fireworks seemed to be over, for norocket answered the last Roman candle that shone on the Aunt-hill.

  "Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and howpretty they are," said Rose, folding her mantle about her, and surveyingthe scene with pensive interest.

  "Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there," muttered UncleMac, adding with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, "No; thereit goes! Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it was orderedespecially in honour of your coming."

  Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the likenessof a golden vase, then green leaves came out, and then a crimson flowerglowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre.

  "Is it a rose, uncle?" she asked, clasping her hands with delight as sherecognised the handsome flower.

  "Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are," answered UncleMac, chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy.

  A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below thevase, but Rose guessed what they were meant for, and stood straight up,holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly,

  "Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for eachboy! Oh, what a joke!" and she laughed so that she plumped into thebottom of the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle wasquite gone.

  "That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac, inhigh glee at the success of his illumination. "Now, shall I leave youon the Island or take you home again, my good little girl?" he added,lifting her up with such a tone of approbation in his voice that Rosekissed him on the spot.

  "Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the beautifulfirework you got up for me. I'm so glad I saw it; and I know I shalldream about it," answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance wenttoward the Island, now so near that she could smell powder and seeshadowy figures flitting about.

  Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, "It was harderthan I thought, but I'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want any rewardbut Phebe's pleasure."