But the cyclone, terrible though it was, did not altogether put an end to the Dumplin’ picnic, if we may be allowed the phrase. It only delayed it. As soon as the weather cleared up, that interesting event came off.

 

“Who’ll go by land and who’ll go by water?” asked Thursday, when the heads of houses were assembled in consultation on the morning of the great day, for great it was in more ways than one in the annals of Pitcairn.

 

“I’ll go by water,” said Charlie Christian, who was one of the “heads,” inasmuch as he had been appointed to take charge of the hut which had been nearly carried away.

 

“Does any one know how the girls are going?” asked Matt Quintal.

 

“I’m not sure,” said John Adams, with one of those significant glances for which he was noted. “I did hear say that Sally meant to go by land, but, of course, I can’t tell. Girls will be girls, you know, an’ there’s no knowing when you have them.”

 

“Well, perhaps the land road will be pleasanter,” said Charlie. “Yes, now I think of it, I’ll go by land.”

 

“I think, also,” continued Adams, without noticing Charlie’s remark, “that some one said Bessy Mills was going by water.”

 

“You’re all wrong, Charlie, about the land road,” said Matt Quintal; “the water is far better. I shall go by water.”

 

“Dan’l, my lad,” said Adams, addressing young McCoy, “which way did you say you’d go?”

 

“I didn’t say I’d go any way, father,” answered Dan.

 

“That may be so, lad, but you’ll have to go one way or other.”

 

“Not of necessity, father. Mightn’t I stay at home and take care of the pigs?”

 

“You might,” said Adams, with a smile, “if you think they would be suitable company for you. Well, now, the sooner we start the better. I mean to go by water myself, for I’m gettin’ rather stiff in the legs for cliff-work. Besides, I promised to give Sarah Quintal a lesson in deep-sea fishing, so she’s goin’ with me.”

 

“Perhaps,” observed Dan McCoy, after a pause, “I might as well go by water too, and if you’ve no objection to take me in your canoe, I would lend you a hand wi’ the paddle. I would be suitable company for you, father, you know, and I’m very anxious to improve in deep-sea fishin’.”

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