We now determined to follow up
the track as far as it went, and Peterkin put the cat down; but it
seemed to be so weak, and mewed so very pitifully, that he took it up
again and carried it in his arms, where in a few minutes it fell sound
asleep.
About ten yards farther on, the felled trees became more numerous, and
the track, diverging to the right, followed for a short space the banks
of a stream. Suddenly we came to a spot where once must have been a
rude bridge, the stones of which were scattered in the stream, and
those on each bank entirely covered over with moss. In silent surprise
and expectancy we continued to advance, and, a few yards farther on,
beheld, under the shelter of some bread-fruit trees, a small hut or
cottage. I cannot hope to convey to my readers a very correct idea of
the feelings that affected us on witnessing this unexpected sight. We
stood for a long time in silent wonder, for there was a deep and most
melancholy stillness about the place that quite overpowered us; and
when we did at length speak, it was in subdued whispers, as if we were
surrounded by some awful or supernatural influence. Even Peterkin's
voice, usually so quick and lively on all occasions, was hushed now;
for there was a dreariness about this silent, lonely, uninhabited
cottage--so strange in its appearance, so far away from the usual
dwellings of man, so old, decayed, and deserted in its aspect--that
fell upon our spirits like a thick cloud, and blotted out as with a
pall the cheerful sunshine that had filled us since the commencement of
our tour round the island.
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