A Tropic Isle ¹

Abstract

“IF a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears.” Our beachcomber is a squatter in search of the “simple life.” He takes up a little island off the coast of Queensland, determined to make it his home and himself master of all the lore that is thereon. Dunk Island, as it is called, is situated about lat. 18° S., and, being really a part of Australia, with high hills and fringing reefs of coral, presents a picture which may well serve in miniature for any tropic isle of continental origin. The rainfall is abundant, and the jungle is a well-described medley of trees, ferns, and lianes, chief of them the climbing palm.