Page:Neuroomia.djvu/57

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ITS HIGH CIVILIZATION AND PEOPLE.
45

the rare plants and flowers for their gardens and shrubberies.

After passing some time in this way, we returned to our lines, only to find, however, that they had not been disturbed by fish; still, the baits were gone, and this my friend said was the work of crustacea, so we decided to shift them and choose fresh places. Louva and myself threw ours in close to one another, but Fontin and the young lady went farther along the rocks, till we lost sight of them. The fish, however, did not seem inclined to bite, so we again made the lines fast, and went in search of shells.

The weather was sunny and beautiful, the birds sang in the trees above, and there was scarcely a ripple on the surface of the silent water. My clothes were now dry, and I began to enjoy the outing, for I loved Louva, and felt happy. Yes! happier, I thought, than I ever felt before; and I could not help reflecting how extremely pleasant an island like this would be for a home, and with loving Louva as a mate.

We now decided to climb one of the higher rocks, in order to get a better view of the shores. I was the first to reach the top, and judge my surprise on seeing Fontin in the very act of putting