Page:Neuroomia.djvu/229

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I ENJOY A PROLONGED HOLIDAY.
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romantic history, however, belongs to the survivors, who were lovers—two men and two young ladies. Each of the men met the girl to whom he became attached for the first time on board the fated vessel. The four were standing near the stern of the middle deck when she struck, and were thrown clean out into the water. No one saw her going down, for they began to swim with all their strength in the opposite direction. On looking round, they saw nothing where the Yannawanya once had been but a few pieces of timber from her upper parts. I need scarcely mention," he went on, "that the impression this sad occurrence left on the minds of the lovers was deep. However, they determined that the event should always remain fresh in their memories, and never returned to their homes or civilization, but chose fresh dwelling-places fur themselves on a high plateau, enclosed on all sides by lofty mountain ranges. Here, on the banks of a beautiful fresh-water lake, which they named 'Yannawanya,' they built their houses, and laid the foundations of the city of Yacla. The Government of the day confirmed their choice. Others soon followed, and remained with them, for the climate was salubrious, and the soil fertile. They lived to a ripe age, and now