Why the “Duncan” Went to New Zealand

           ITwouldbevaintoattempttodepictthefeelingsofGlenarvanandhisfriendswhenthesongsofoldScotiafellontheirears.ThemomenttheysetfootonthedeckoftheDuncan,thepiperblewhisbagpipes,andcommencedthenationalpibrochoftheMalcolmclan,whileloudhurrahsrenttheair.

           Glenarvanandhiswholeparty,eventheMajorhimself,werecryingandembracingeachother.Theyweredeliriouswithjoy.Thegeographerwasabsolutelymad.Hefriskedabout,telescopeinhand,pointingitatthelastcanoeapproachingtheshore.

           ButatthesightofGlenarvanandhiscompanions,withtheirclothinginrags,andthin,haggardfaces,bearingmarksofhorriblesufferings,thecrewceasedtheirnoisydemonstrations.Thesewerespecterswhohadreturned—notthebright,adventuroustravelerswhohadlefttheyachtthreemonthsbefore,sofullofhope!Chance,andchanceonly,hadbroughtthembacktothedeckoftheyachttheyneverthoughttoseeagain.Andinwhatastateofexhaustionandfeebleness.Butbeforethinkingoffatigue,orattendingtotheimperiousdemandsofhungerandthirst,GlenarvanquestionedTomAustinabouthisbeingonthiscoast.

           WhyhadtheDuncancometotheeasterncoastofNewZealand?HowwasitnotinthehandsofBenJoyce?BywhatprovidentialfatalityhadGodbroughttheminthetrackofthefugitives?

           Why?how?andforwhatpurpose?Tomwasstormedwithquestionsonallsides.Theoldsailordidnotknowwhichtolistentofirst,andatlastresolvedtohearnobodybutGlenarvan,andtoanswernobodybuthim.