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diff --git a/24896-h/24896-h.htm b/24896-h/24896-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..64165e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/24896-h/24896-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8926 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + The Ebbing of the Tide, by Louis Becke + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ebbing Of The Tide, by Louis Becke + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ebbing Of The Tide + South Sea Stories - 1896 + +Author: Louis Becke + +Release Date: March 22, 2008 [EBook #24896] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EBBING OF THE TIDE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE EBBING OF THE TIDE + </h1> + <h1> + SOUTH SEA STORIES + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + 1896 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Louis Becke + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> “LULIBAN OF THE POOL” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> NINIA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> I. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> II. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> III. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> BALDWIN'S LOISÈ—Miss Lambert. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> AT A KAFA-DRINKING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> I. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> II. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> MRS. LIARDET: A SOUTH SEA TRADING EPISODE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> KENNEDY THE BOATSTEERER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> A DEAD LOSS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> HICKSON: A HALF-CASTE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> A BOATING PARTY OF TWO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> I. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> II. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> “THE BEST ASSET IN A FOOL'S ESTATE” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> DESCHARD OF ONEAKA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> I. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> II. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> III. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> IV. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> V. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> VI. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> VII. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> NELL OF MULLINER'S CAMP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> AURIKI REEF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> AT THE EBBING OF THE TIDE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> THE FALLACIES OF HILLIARD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> I. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> II. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> A TALE OF A MASK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> THE COOK OF THE “SPREETOO SANTOO” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> LUPTON'S GUEST: MEMORY OF THE EASTERN PACIFIC + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> IN NOUMÉA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> THE FEAST AT PENTECOST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> AN HONOUR TO THE SERVICE </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + “LULIBAN OF THE POOL” + </h2> + <p> + A boy and a girl sat by the rocky margin of a deep mountain pool in Ponape + in the North Pacific. The girl was weaving a basket from the leaves of a + cocoa-nut. As she wove she sang the “Song of Luliban,” and the boy + listened intently. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a fine song that thou singest, Niya,” said the boy, who came from + Metalanien and was a stranger; “and who was Luliban, and Red-Hair the + White Man?” + </p> + <p> + “<i>O Guk!</i>” said Niya, wonderingly, “hast never heard in Metalanien of + Luliban, she who dived with one husband and came up with another—in + this very pool?” + </p> + <p> + “What new lie is this thou tellest to the boy because he is a stranger?” + said a White Man, who lay resting in the thick grass waiting for the + basket to be finished, for the three were going further up the mountain + stream to catch crayfish. + </p> + <p> + “Lie?” said the child; “nay, 'tis no lie. Is not this the Pool of Luliban, + and do not we sing the 'Song of Luliban,' and was not Red-Hair the White + Man—he that lived in Jakoits and built the big sailing boat for + Nanakin, the father of Nanakin, my father, the chief of Jakoits?” + </p> + <p> + “True, Niya, true,” said the White Man, “I did but jest; but tell thou the + tale to Sru, so that he may carry it home with him to Metalanien.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Then Niya, daughter of Nanakin, told Sru, the boy from Metalanien, the + tale of Luliban of the Pool, and her husband the White Man called + “Red-Hair,” and her lover, the tattooed beachcomber, called “Harry from + Yap.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “It was in the days before the fighting-ship went into Kiti Harbour and + burnt the seven whaleships as they lay at anchor{*} that Red-Hair the + White Man lived at Jakoits. He was a very strong man, and because that he + was cunning and clever at fishing and killing the wild boar and carpentry, + his house was full of riches, for Nanakin's heart was towards him always.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The Shenandoah, in 1866. +</pre> + <p> + “Was it he who killed the three white men at Roan Kiti?” asked the White + Man. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” answered Niya, “he it was. They came in a little ship, and because + of bitter words over the price of some tortoise-shell he and the men of + Nanakin slew them. And Red-Hair burnt the ship and sank her. And for this + was Nanakin's heart bigger than ever to Red-Hair, for out of the ship, + before he burnt her, he took many riches—knives, guns and powder, + and beads and pieces of silk; and half of all he gave to Nanakin.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Huh!</i>” said Sru, the boy. “He was a fine man!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Harry from Yap and Red-Hair hated one another because of Luliban, + whom Nanakin had given to Red-Hair for wife. This man, Harry, lived at + Ngatik, the island off the coast, where the turtles breed, and whenever he + came to Jakoits he would go to Red-Hair's house and drink grog with, him + so that they would both lie on the mats drunk together. Sometimes the name + of Luliban would come between them, and then they would fight and try to + kill each other, but Nanakin's men would always watch and part them in + time. And all this was because that Luliban had loved Harry from Yap + before she became wife to Red-Hair. The men favoured the husband of + Luliban because of Nanakin's friendship to him, and the women liked best + Harry from Yap because of his gay songs and his dances, which he had + learnt from the people of Yap and Ruk and Hogelu, in the far west; but + most of all for his handsome figure and his tattooed skin. + </p> + <p> + “One day it came about that his grog was all gone, and his spirit was + vexed, and Red-Hair beat Luliban, and she planned his death from that day. + But Nanakin dissuaded her and said, 'It cannot be done; he is too great a + man for me to kill. Be wise and forget his blows.' + </p> + <p> + “Then Luliban sent a messenger to Ngatik to Harry. He came and brought + with him many square bottles of grog, and went in to Red-Hair's house, and + they drank and quarrelled as they ever did; but because of what lay in his + mind Harry got not drunk, for his eyes were always fixed on the face of + Luliban. + </p> + <p> + “At last, when Red-Hair was fallen down on the mats, Luliban whispered to + Harry, and he rose and lay down on a couch that was placed against the + cane sides of the house. When all were asleep, Luliban stole outside and + placed her face against the side of the house and called to Harry, who + feigned to sleep. And then he and she talked for a long time. Then the + white man got up and went to Nanakin, the chief, and talked long with him + also. + </p> + <p> + “Said Nanakin the chief, 'O White Man, thou art full of cunning, and my + heart is with thee. Yet what will it profit me if Red-Hair dies?' + </p> + <p> + “'All that is now his shall be thine,' said Harry. + </p> + <p> + “'And what shall I give thee?' said Nanakin. + </p> + <p> + “'Only Luliban,'” said the White Man with the tattooed body. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “On the morrow, as the day touched the night, the people of Jakoits danced + in front of Nanakin's house, and Harry, with flowers in his hair and his + body oiled and stained with turmeric, danced also. Now among those who + watched him was Luliban, and presently her husband sought her and drove + her away, saying; 'Get thee to my house, little beast. What dost thou here + watching this fool dance!' + </p> + <p> + “Harry but laughed and danced the more, and then Red-Hair gave him foul + words. When the dance was ended, Harry went up to Red-Hair and said, 'Get + thee home also, thou cutter of sleeping men's throats. I am a better man + than thee. There is nothing that thou hast done that I cannot do.' + </p> + <p> + “Then Nanakin, whose mouth was ready with words put therein by Luliban, + said, 'Nay, Harry, thou dost but boast. Thou canst not walk under the + water in the Deep Pool with a heavy stone on thy shoulder—as + Red-Hair has done.' + </p> + <p> + “'Bah!' said Harry. 'What he can do, that I can do.' + </p> + <p> + “Now, for a man to go in at one end of this pool here”—and Niya + nodded her head to the waters at her feet—“and walk along the bottom + and come out at the farther end is no great task, and as for carrying a + heavy stone, that doth but make the task easier; but in those days there + were devils who lived in a cave that is beneath where we now sit, and none + of our people ever bathed here, for fear they would be seized and dragged + down. But yet had Red-Hair one day put a stone upon his shoulder, and + carried it under the water from one end of the pool to another—this + to show the people that he feared no devils. But of the cave that can be + gained by diving under the wall of rock he knew nothing—only to a + few was it known. + </p> + <p> + “'Show this boaster his folly,' said Nanakin to Red-Hair, who was chewing + his beard with wrath. And so it was agreed upon the morrow that the two + white men should walk each with a stone upon his shoulder, in at one end + of the deep pool and come out of the other, and Harry should prove his + boast, that in all things he was equal to Red-Hair.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “When Red-Hair went back to his house Luliban was gone, and some said she + had fled to the mountains, and he reproached Nanakin, saying: 'Thy + daughter hath fled to Ngatik to the house of Harry. I will have her life + and his for this.' But Nanakin smoothed his face and said: 'Nay, not so; + but first put this boaster to shame before the people, and he shall die, + and Luliban be found.' + </p> + <p> + “Now, Luliban was hid in another village, and when the time drew near for + the trial at the pool she went there before the people. In her hand she + carried a sharp <i>toki</i> (tomahawk) and a long piece of strong cinnet + with a looped end. She dived in and clambered out again underneath and + waited. The cave is not dark, for there are many fissures in the top + through which light comes when the sun is high. + </p> + <p> + “The people gathered round, and laughed and talked as the two white men + stripped naked, save for narrow girdles of leaves round their loins. The + skin of Red-Hair was as white as sand that lies always in the sun that of + Harry was brown, and covered from his neck to his feet with strange + tattooing, more beautiful than that of the men of Ponape. + </p> + <p> + “They looked at each other with blood in their eyes, and the long, yellow + teeth of Red-Hair ground together, but no words passed between them till + Red-Hair, poising a great stone on his shoulder, called out to Harry: + 'Follow me, O boastful stealer of my wife, and drown thy blue carcass.' + </p> + <p> + “Then he walked in, and Harry, also with a heavy stone, followed him. Ere + one could count a score those that watched could not see Harry, because of + the depth of the water and the darkness of his skin. But the white skin of + Red-Hair gleamed like the belly of a shark when it turneth—then it + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “When they were half-way through a stone fell through a fissure of the + cave, and Luliban, who watched for the signal, dived outwards with the + line of cinnet, and came behind Red-Hair and put the noose over his left + foot, and Harry, who followed close, cast the stone he carried away and + raised his hand and stabbed him in the belly as he turned, and then, with + Luliban and he dragging tight the line of cinnet, they shot up from + beneath the water into the cave and pulled Red-Hair after them.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “The people had gathered at the farther end of the pool to see the two men + come up; and when they came not they wondered, and some one said: 'The + devils have seized them!' + </p> + <p> + “Then Nanakin, who alone remained on the top of the rocks, called out, + 'Alas for the white men! I can see bubbles, and the water is bloody,' and + he beat his head on the rocks and made great grief and called out to the + devils in the cave, 'Spare me my white men, O devils of the cave, spare me + my good white men. But if one must die let it be him that hath offended.' + </p> + <p> + “Ah! he was a cunning man, was Nanakin, the father of Nanakin my father. + </p> + <p> + “The men and the women and children ran up again from the end of the pool; + for, although they were greatly afraid, they durst not leave their chief + by himself to beat out his head upon the stones. So they clustered round + him and wailed also with him. And Nanakin raised his voice again and again + and called out to the devils of the pool to spare him one white man; and + the people called out with him. Yet none of them dared look upon the water + of the pool; only Nanakin turned his eyes that way. + </p> + <p> + “At last the chief said, 'Ho, what is that?' and he pointed to the water, + and they saw bubbles again rise up and break the surface of the water. + 'Now shall I know if my white men are dead.' + </p> + <p> + “And, as they looked, behold there shot up from the water a yellow gourd, + and the men shouted, some in wonder and more in fear. And Nanakin leaned + over the edge of the rock and stretched out his hand and drew the gourd to + him. Then he took it in his hand, and lo! there was tied to the neck a + piece of plaited cinnet, which ran deep down into the water under the + rock. + </p> + <p> + “Again Nanakin called out to his men who stood crouched up behind him. + 'What shall I do with this? shall I pull it up?' + </p> + <p> + “And then—so the people said—there came a voice from the + bowels of the earth, which said, 'Pull!' + </p> + <p> + “So they drew in the line, and as they drew it became heavy, and then + something came up with a splash, and those that held the line looked over, + and lo! there was the head of Red-Hair, wet and bloody, tied to the end of + it by the ear. + </p> + <p> + “The head was laid upon the rock, and then the people would have turned + and fled, but that Nanakin and two of his priests said there was now no + fear as the cave devils were angry alone with Red-Hair, who had twice + braved them. + </p> + <p> + “Then the two priests and Nanakin leant over the wall of rocks and called + out again for the life of Harry to be spared, and as they called, he shot + out from underneath and held out his hands; and they pulled him in. + </p> + <p> + “'Let us away from here quickly,' was all he said. 'I thank thee, O chief, + for thy prayers; else had the devils of the pool taken off my head as they + have taken off that of Red-Hair, and devoured my body as they have + devoured his.' + </p> + <p> + “Then the people picked him up, for he was weak, and every one that was + there left the pool in fear and trembling, except Nanakin and the two + priests, who laughed inwardly. + </p> + <p> + “When all was quiet, Luliban, too, came up from under the water and dried + her body, and oiled and scented her hair from a flask that she had hidden + in the bushes, and went back to Red-Hair's house, and, with downcast face + but a merry heart, asked her women to plead with her husband not to beat + her for running away. Then they told her of the doings at the pool. + </p> + <p> + “When ten days were gone by for mourning, Luliban became wife to 'Harry + from Yap,' and he took her with him to Ngatik, and the favour of Nanakin + that was once Red-Hair's became his, and he prospered. And for long, long + years no one knew how it was that Red-Hair lost his head till Luliban told + it.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “<i>Huh!</i>” said Sru, the boy, admiringly. “He was a Fine Man, that + Red-Hair; but the white man with the tattooed skin was a Better.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NINIA + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + Away out upon the wide Northern Pacific there is a group of three little + islands. They are so very, very small that you need not seek to discover + them on the map of the Pacific Ocean; but if any of you have a chart of + the North or West Pacific, then you would easily be able to find them. Run + your eye up north, away past the Equator, in the direction of China, and + you will see, to the north of New Guinea, a large cluster of islands named + the “Caroline Islands,” some of which are named, but most are not—only + tiny dots no bigger than a pin's head serve to mark their position. + Perhaps, however—if you get a German chart—you may see one of + the largest of the small dots marked “Pingelap,” and Pingelap is the name + of the largest of the three little islands of my story; the others are + called Tugulu and Takai. + </p> + <p> + Now, although Pingelap and Tugulu and Takai are so close together that at + low tide one may walk across the coral reef that encircles the whole group + from one island to another, yet are they lonely spots, for there is no + other island nearer than Mokil, which is ninety miles away. + </p> + <p> + But yet, although the three islands are so small, a great number of + natives live upon them—between four and five hundred. There is only + one village, which is on Pingelap, and here all the people lived. The + island itself is not more than two miles in length, and in no place is it + more than a quarter of a mile in width; and Tugulu and Takai are still + smaller. And from one end to the other the islands are covered with a + dense verdure of cocoanut palms, with scarcely any other tree amongst + them, so that when seen from the ship two or three miles away, they look + exactly like a belt of emerald surrounding a lake of silver, for in their + centre is a beautiful lagoon surrounded on three sides by the land, and on + the west protected from the sweeping ocean rollers by a double line of + coral reef stretching from little Takai to the south end of Pingelap. + </p> + <p> + There are hundreds of beautiful islands in the Pacific, but not any one of + them can excel in beauty lonely little Pingelap. There are two reefs—an + outer and an inner. Against the outer or ocean reef huge seas for ever + dash unceasingly on the windward side of the island, and sometimes, in bad + weather, will sweep right over the coral and pour through the shallow + channel between Tugulu and Pingelap; and then the calm, placid waters of + the lagoon will be fretted and disturbed until fine weather comes again. + But bad weather is a rare event in those seas, and usually the lagoon of + Pingelap is as smooth as a sheet of glass. And all day long you may see + children paddling about in canoes, crossing from one shining beach to + another, and singing as they paddle, for they are a merry-hearted race, + the people of these three islands, and love to sing and dance, and sit out + in front of their houses on moonlight nights and listen to tales told by + the old men of the days when their islands were reddened with blood. For + until fifteen years before, the people of Pingelap and Tugulu were at + bitter enmity, and fought with and slaughtered each other to their heart's + delight. And perhaps there would have soon been none left to tell the + tale, but that one day an American whaleship, called the <i>Cohasset</i> + touched there to buy turtle from Sralik, the chief of Pingelap, and Sralik + besought the captain to give him muskets and powder and ball to fight the + Tugulans with. + </p> + <p> + So the captain gave him five muskets and plenty of powder and bullets, and + then said— + </p> + <p> + “See, Sralik; I will give you a white man too, to show you how to shoot + your enemies.” + </p> + <p> + And then he laughed, and calling out to a man named Harry, he told him to + clear out of the ship and go and live ashore and be a king, as he was not + worth his salt as a boatsteerer. + </p> + <p> + And so this Harry Devine, who was a drunken, good-for-nothing, quarrelsome + young American, came ashore with Sralik, and next day he loaded the five + muskets and, with Sralik, led the Pingelap people over to Tugulu. There + was a great fight, and as fast as Sralik loaded a musket, Harry fired it + and killed a man. At last, when nearly thirty had been shot, the Tugulu + people called for quarter. + </p> + <p> + “Get thee together on Takai,” called out Sralik, “and then will we talk of + peace.” + </p> + <p> + Now Takai is such a tiny little spot, that Sralik knew he would have them + at his mercy, for not one of them had a musket. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the last of the Tugulu people had crossed the shallow channel + that divides Tugulu from Takai, the cunning Sralik with his warriors lined + the beach and then called to the Tugulans— + </p> + <p> + “This land is too small for so many.” + </p> + <p> + And then Harry, once the boatsteerer and now the beachcomber, fired his + muskets into the thick, surging mass of humanity on the little 'islet, and + every shot told. Many of them, throwing aside their spears and clubs, + sprang into the water and tried to swim over to Pingelap across the + lagoon. But Sralik's men pursued them in canoes and clubbed and speared + them as they swam; and some that escaped death by club or spear, were rent + in pieces by the sharks which, as soon as they smelt the blood of the dead + and dying men that sank in the quiet waters of the lagoon, swarmed in + through a passage in the western reef. By and by the last of those who + took to the water were killed, and only some eighty or ninety men and many + more women and children were left on Takai, and the five muskets became so + hot and foul that Harry could murder no longer, and his arm was tired out + with slaughter. + </p> + <p> + All that night Sralik's warriors watched to see that none escaped, and at + dawn the hideous massacre began again, and club, spear, and musket did + their fell work till only the women and children were left. These were + spared. Among them was Ninia, the wife of Sikra, the chief of Tugulu. And + because she was young and fairer than any of the others, the white man + asked her of Sralik for his wife. Sralik laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Take her, O clever white marn—her and as many more as thou carest + for slaves. Only thou and I shall rule here now in this my island.” + </p> + <p> + So Harry took her and married her according to native custom, and Ninia + was his one wife for nearly fifteen years, when one day he was quietly + murdered as he lay asleep in his house with his wife and two children; and + although Sralik wept loudly and cut his great chest with a shark's teeth + dagger, and offered sacrifices of turtle flesh to the white man's <i>jelin</i>, + Ninia his wife and many other people knew that it was by Sralik's orders + that Harry had been killed, for they had quarrelled over the possession of + a whaleboat which Harry had bought from a passing ship, and which he + refused to either sell or give to Sralik. + </p> + <p> + However, Sralik was not unkind to Ninia, and gave her much of her dead + husband's property, and told her that he would give her for an inheritance + for her two daughters the little islet—Takai. + </p> + <p> + And there in the year 1870 Ninia the widow, and Ninia her eldest daughter + (for on Pingelap names of the first-born are hereditary) and Tarita, the + youngest, went to live. With them went another girl, a granddaughter of + the savage old Sralik. Her name was Ruvani. She was about eleven years of + age, and as pretty as a gazelle, and because of her great friendship for + Ninia—who was two years older than she—she had wept when she + saw the mother and daughters set out for Takai. + </p> + <p> + Fierce-hearted Sralik coming to the doorway of his thatched hut heard the + sound of weeping, and looking out he saw Ruvani sitting under the shade of + some banana trees with her face hidden in her pretty brown hands. + </p> + <p> + When he learned the cause of her grief his heart softened, and drawing his + little grand-daughter to him, patted her head, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Nay, weep not, little bird. Thou too shalt go to Takai; and see, because + of thee my heart shall open wide to Ninia and her daughters, and I will + give her four slaves—two men and two women—who shall toil for + you all. And when thou art tired of living at Takai, then thou and thy two + playmates shall come over here to me and fill my house with the light of + thy eyes.” + </p> + <p> + So that is how Ninia, the widow of the wandering white man, and her two + daughters and their friend came to live at the little islet called Takai. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + The months went by and Ruvani, the chief's granddaughter, still lived with + her friends, for she was too happy to leave them. Sometimes, though, on + bright moonlight nights, the three girls would paddle across to the big + village and gather with the rest of the village girls in front of the + chiefs house, and dance and sing and play the game called <i>n'jiajia</i>; + and then, perhaps, instead of going home across the lagoon in the canoe, + they would walk around on the inner beaches of Pingelap and Tugulu. And + long ere they came to the house they could see the faint glimmer of the + fire within, beside which Ninia the widow slept awaiting their return. + </p> + <p> + Stealing softly in, the girls would lie down together on a soft white mat + embroidered with parrots' feathers that formed their bed, and pulling + another and larger one over them for a coverlet, they would fall asleep, + undisturbed by the loud, hoarse notes of a flock of <i>katafa</i> (frigate + birds) that every night settled on the boughs of a great <i>koa</i> tree + whose branches overhung the house. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes when the trade-winds had dropped, and the great ocean rollers + would beat heavily upon the far-off shelves of the outer reef, the little + island would seem to shake and quiver to its very foundations, and now and + then as a huge wave would curl slowly over and break with a noise like a + thunder-peal, the frigate-birds would awake from their sleep and utter a + solemn answering squawk, and the three girls nestling closer together + would whisper— + </p> + <p> + “'Tis Nanawit, the Cave-god, making another cave.” + </p> + <p> + Ere the red sun shot out from the ocean the eight dwellers on Takai would + rise from their mats; and whilst Ninia the widow would kindle a fire of + broken cocoanut shells, the two men slaves would go out and bring back + young cocoanuts and taro from the plantation on Tugulu, and their wives + would take off their gaily-coloured grass-girdles and tie coarse nairiris + of cocoanut fibre around them instead, and with the three girls go out to + the deep pools on the reef and catch fish. Sometimes they would surprise a + turtle in one of the pools, and, diving in after the frightened creature, + would capture and bring it home in triumph to Ninia the widow. + </p> + <p> + Such was the daily life of those who dwelt on Takai. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + One day, ere the dews of the night had vanished from the lofty plumes of + the cocoanut palms, there came to them a loud cry, borne across the waters + of the silent lagoon, over from the village— + </p> + <p> + “A ship! A ship!” + </p> + <p> + Now not many ships came to Pingelap—perhaps now and then some + wandering sperm-whaler, cruising lazily along toward the distant Pelew + Islands, would heave-to and send a boat ashore to trade for turtle and + young drinking cocoanuts. But it was long since any whaleship had called, + and Ninia the widow, as she looked out seawards for the ship, said to the + girls— + </p> + <p> + “'Tis not yet the season for the whaleships; four moons more and we may + see one. I know not what other ships would come here.” + </p> + <p> + By and by they saw the ship. She sailed slowly round the south point of + Pingelap and backed her foreyard, and presently a boat was lowered and + pulled ashore. + </p> + <p> + Little Tarita, clapping her hands with joy, darted into the house, + followed by Ruvani and Ninia, and casting off their wet girdles of banana + fibre—for they had just come in from fishing—they dressed + themselves in their pretty <i>nairiris</i> of coloured grasses, and put on + head-dresses of green and gold parrots' feathers, with necklaces of + sweet-smelling berries around their necks, and were soon paddling across + the lagoon to see the white strangers from the ship, who had already + landed and gone up the beach and into the village. + </p> + <p> + It is nearly a mile from Takai to the village, and before the girls + reached there they heard a great clamour of angry voices, and presently + two white men dressed in white and carrying books in their hands came + hurriedly down the beach, followed by a crowd of Sralik's warriors, who + urged them along and forced them into the boat. + </p> + <p> + Then seizing the boat they shot her out into the water, and, shaking their + spears and clubs, called out— + </p> + <p> + “Go, white men, go!” + </p> + <p> + But although the native sailors who pulled the boat were trembling with + fear, the two white men did not seem frightened, and one of them, standing + up in the stern of the boat, held up his hand and called out to the angry + and excited people— + </p> + <p> + “Let me speak, I pray you!” + </p> + <p> + The natives understood him, for he spoke to them in the language spoken by + the natives of Strong's Island, which is only a few hundred miles from + Pingelap. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The people parted to the right and left as Sralik, the chief, with a + loaded musket grasped in his brawny right hand, strode down to the water's + edge. Suppressed wrath shone in his eyes as he grounded his musket on the + sand and looked at the white man. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” he said, “and then be gone.” + </p> + <p> + The white man spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, spare us thy anger, O chief. I come, not here to fill thy heart with + anger, but with peace; and, to tell thee of the great God, and of His Son + Christ who hath sent me to thee.” + </p> + <p> + Sralik laughed scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “Thou liest. Long ago, did I know that some day a white-painted ship would + come to Pingelap, and that white, men would come and speak to us of this + new God and His Son who is called Christ, and would say that this Christ + had sent them, and: then would the hearts of my people be stolen from + Nanawit the Cave-god, and Tuarangi the god of the Skies, and I, Sralik the + king, would become but as a slave, for this new God of theirs would steal + the hearts of my people from me as well.” + </p> + <p> + The white man said sorrowfully— + </p> + <p> + “Nay, that is not so. Who hath told thee this?” + </p> + <p> + “A better white man than thee—he who slew my enemies and was named + Haré (Harry). Long ago did he warn me of thy coming and bid me beware of + thee with thy lies about thy new God and His Son Christ.” + </p> + <p> + Again the missionary said— + </p> + <p> + “Let me speak.” + </p> + <p> + But Sralik answered him fiercely— + </p> + <p> + “Away, I tell thee, to thy white-painted ship, and trouble me no more,” + and he slapped the stock of his musket, and his white teeth gleamed + savagely through his bearded face. + </p> + <p> + So the two missionaries went back, and the <i>Morning Star</i> filled away + again and sailed slowly away to the westward. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + That night as the three girls lay on the mats beside the dying embers of + the fire, they talked of the strange white men whom Sralik had driven + away. + </p> + <p> + Ninia the widow listened to them from her corner of the house, and then + she said musingly— + </p> + <p> + “I, too, have heard of this God Christ; for when Haré, thy father, lay in + my arms with the blood pouring from his wound and death looked out from + his eyes, he called upon His name.” + </p> + <p> + Young Ninia and her sister drew closer and listened. Never until now had + they heard their mother speak of their white father's death. They only + knew that some unknown enemy had thrust a knife into his side as he lay + asleep, and Ninia the widow had, with terror in her eyes, forbidden them + to talk of it even amongst themselves. Only she herself knew that Sralik + had caused his death. But to-night she talked. + </p> + <p> + “Tell us more, my mother,” said girl Ninia, going over to her, and putting + her cheek against her mother's troubled face and caressing her in the + darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, I can tell thee now, my children, for Sralik's anger is dead now.... + It was at the dawn, just when the first note of the blue pigeon is heard, + that I heard a step in the house—'twas the death-men of Sralik—and + then a loud cry, and Haré, thy father, awoke to die. The knife had bitten + deep and he took my hands in his and groaned. + </p> + <p> + “'Farewell,' he said, 'O mother of my children, I die!' Then he cried, + 'And Thou, O Christ, look down on and forgive me; Christ the Son of God.' + </p> + <p> + “With my hand pressed to his side, I said: 'Who is it that thou callest + upon, my husband? Is it the white man's God?' + </p> + <p> + “'Aye,' he said, 'this Christ is He whom I have so long denied. He is the + Son of the God whose anger I fear to meet now that my soul goes out into + darkness.' + </p> + <p> + “'Fear not,' I said, weeping, 'I, Ninia, will make offerings to this white + God and His Son Christ, so that their anger may be softened against thy + spirit when it wanders in ghost-land.' + </p> + <p> + “So he groaned and was dead. And for six or more moons did I put offerings + to the white God upon thy father's grave as I had promised. No offerings + made I to our own gods, for he despised them even as he despised his own. + But yet do I think his <i>jelin</i> (spirit) is at rest in ghost-land; + else had it come to me in the night and touched me on the forehead as I + slept.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. + </h2> + <p> + A month had gone by since the day that Sralik had driven away the “Christ + ship,” as the people called the <i>Morning Star</i>, and then word came + over from Sralik to Ruvani, his granddaughter, to come over and take her + part in a night-dance and feast to the rain-god, for the year had been a + good one and the cocoanut trees were loaded with nuts. For this was the + dancing and feasting. + </p> + <p> + All that day the eight people of Takai were busied in making ready their + gifts of food for the feast which was to take place in two days' time. In + the afternoon, when the sun had lost its strength, the three girls + launched their canoe and set out for a place on the northern point of + Pingelap, where grew in great profusion the sweet-smelling <i>nudu</i> + flower. These would they get to make garlands and necklets to wear at the + great dance, in which they were all to take part. + </p> + <p> + In an hour or two they had gathered all the <i>nudu</i> flowers they + desired, and then little Tarita looking up saw that the sky was overcast + and blackening, and presently some heavy drops of rain fell. + </p> + <p> + “Haste, haste,” she cried to the others, “let us away ere the strong wind + which is behind the black clouds overtakes us on the lagoon.” + </p> + <p> + Night comes on quickly in the South Seas, and by the time they had seated + themselves in the canoe it was dark. In a little while a sharp rain-squall + swept down from the northward, and they heard the wind rattling and + crashing through the branches, of the palms on Tugulu. + </p> + <p> + Ninia, who was steering, boldly headed the canoe across the lagoon for + Takai, and laughed when Ruvani and Tarita, who were wet and shivering with + the cold rain, urged that they should put in at the beach on Tugulu and + walk home. + </p> + <p> + “Paddle, paddle strongly,” she cried, “what mattereth a little rain and + wind! And sing, so that our mother will hear us and make ready something + to eat. Look, I can already see the blaze of her fire.” + </p> + <p> + Striking their paddles into the water in unison, they commenced to sing, + but suddenly their voices died away in terror as a strange, droning hum + was borne down to them from the black line of Tugulu shore; and then the + droning deepened into a hoarse roaring noise as the wild storm of wind and + fierce, stinging rain tore through the groves of cocoanuts and stripped + them of leaves and branches. + </p> + <p> + Brave Ninia, leaning her lithe figure well over the side of the canoe, + plunged her paddle deep down and tried to bring the canoe head to wind to + meet the danger, and Ruvani, in the bow, with long hair flying straight + out behind her, answered her effort with a cry of encouragement, and put + forth all her strength to aid. + </p> + <p> + But almost ere the cry had left her lips, the full fury of the squall had + struck them; the canoe was caught in its savage breath, twirled round and + round, and then filled. + </p> + <p> + “Keep thou in the canoe, little one, and bale,” cried Ninia to Tarita, as + she and Ruvani leaped into the water. + </p> + <p> + For some minutes the two girls clung with one hand each to the gunwale, + and Tarita, holding the large wooden <i>ahu</i> or baler, in both hands, + dashed the water out. Then she gave a trembling cry—the baler struck + against the side of the canoe and dropped overboard. + </p> + <p> + Ninia dared not leave the canoe to seek for it in the intense darkness, + and so clinging to the little craft, which soon filled again, they drifted + about. The waters of the lagoon were now white with the breaking seas, and + the wind blew with fierce, cruel, steadiness, and although they knew it + not, they were being swept quickly away from the land towards the passage + in the reef. + </p> + <p> + The rain had ceased now, and the water being warm none of them felt cold, + but the noise of the wind and sea was so great that they had to shout + loudly to each other to make their voices heard. + </p> + <p> + Presently Ruvani called out to Ninia— + </p> + <p> + “Let us take Tarita between us and swim to the shore, ere the sharks come + to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, we are safer here, Ruvani, And how could we tell my mother that the + canoe is lost? Let us wait a little and then the wind will die away.” + </p> + <p> + Canoes are valuable property on Pingelap, where suitable wood for building + them is scarce, and this was in Ninia's mind. + </p> + <p> + They still kept hold of their paddles, and although afraid of the sharks, + waited patiently for the storm to cease, little thinking that at that + moment the ebbing tide and wind together had swept them into the passage, + and that they were quickly drifting away from their island home. + </p> + <p> + All that night Ninia the widow and her four slaves sought along the beach + of Tugulu for the three girls, who they felt sure had landed there. And + when the day broke at last, and they saw that the gale had not ceased and + that the canoe had vanished, they ran all the way over to the village, and + Ninia threw herself at Sralik's feet. + </p> + <p> + “Thy granddaughter and my children have perished, O chief.” + </p> + <p> + The chief came to the door of his house and looked out upon the wild + turmoil of waters. + </p> + <p> + “It is the will of the gods,” he said, “else had not my whaleboat been + crushed in the night,” and he pointed to the ruins of the boat-shed upon + which a huge cocoanut tree had fallen and smashed the boat. + </p> + <p> + Then he went back into his house and covered his face, for Ruvani was dear + to his savage old heart. + </p> + <p> + And Ninia went back to her lonely house and wept and mourned for her lost + ones as only mothers weep and mourn, be they of white skins or brown. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Away out into the ocean the canoe was swept along, and Ruvani and Ninia + still clung to her, one at the head and one at the stern. Once there came + a brief lull, and then they succeeded in partly freeing her from water, + and Tarita using her two hands like a scoop meanwhile, the canoe at last + became light enough for them to get in. + </p> + <p> + They were only just in time, for even then the wind freshened, and Ninia + and Ruvani let the canoe run before it, for they were too exhausted to + keep her head to the wind. + </p> + <p> + When daylight broke Ninia, with fear in her heart, stood up in the canoe + and looked all round her. + </p> + <p> + There was no land in sight! Poor children! Even then they could not have + been more than twenty miles away from the island, for Pingelap is very low + and not visible even from a ship's deck at more than twelve or fifteen + miles. + </p> + <p> + But she was a brave girl, although only fourteen, and when Tarita and + Ruvani wept she encouraged them. + </p> + <p> + “Sralik will come to seek us in the boat,” she said, although she could + have wept with them. + </p> + <p> + The wind still carried them along to the westward, and Ninia knew that + every hour was taking them further and further away from Pingelap, but, + although it was not now blowing hard, she knew that it was useless for + them to attempt to paddle against it. So, keeping dead before the wind and + sea, they drifted slowly along. + </p> + <p> + At noon the wind died away, and then, tired and worn out, she and Ruvani + lay down in the bottom of the canoe and slept, while little Tarita sat up + on the cane framework of the outrigger and watched the horizon for + Sralik's boat. + </p> + <p> + Hour after hour passed, and the two girls still slept. Tarita, too, had + lain her weary head down and slumbered with them. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the sun sank beneath a sea of glassy smoothness, unrippled even by + the faintest air, and then Ninia awoke, and, sitting up, tossed her cloud + of dark hair away from her face, and looked around her upon the darkening + ocean. Her lips were dry and parched, and she felt a terrible thirst. + </p> + <p> + “Tarita,” she called, “art sleeping, dear one?” + </p> + <p> + A sob answered her. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, for my head is burning, and I want a drink.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The whole story of those days of unutterable agony cannot be told here. + There, under a torrid sun, without a drop of water or a morsel of food, + the poor creatures drifted about till death mercifully came to two of + them. + </p> + <p> + It was on the evening of the second day that Ninia, taking her little + sister in her own fast weakening arms, pressed her to her bosom, and, + looking into her eyes, felt her thirst-racken body quiver and then grow + still in the strange peacefulness of death. Then a long wailing cry broke + upon the silence of the night. + </p> + <p> + How long she had sat thus with the child's head upon her bosom and her + dead sightless eyes turned upward to the glory of the star-lit heavens she + knew not; after that one moaning cry of sorrow that escaped from her + anguished heart she had sat there like a figure of stone, dull, dazed, and + unconscious almost of the agonies of thirst. And then Ruvani, with wild, + dreadful eyes and bleeding, sun-baked lips, crept towards her, and, laying + her face on Ninia's hand, muttered— + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, O friend of my heart; I die.” + </p> + <p> + And then, as she lay there with closed eyes and loosened hair falling like + a shroud over the form of her dead playmate, she muttered and talked, and + then laughed a strange weird laugh that chilled the blood in Ninia's + veins. So that night passed, and then, as the fiery sun uprose again upon + the wide sweep or lonely sea and the solitary drifting canoe with its load + of misery, Ruvani, who still muttered and laughed to herself, suddenly + rose up, and with the strength of madness, placing her arms around the + stiffened form of little Tarita, she sprang over the side and sank with + her. + </p> + <p> + Ninia, stretching her arms out piteously, bowed her head, and lay down to + die. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + She was aroused from her stupor by the cries of a vast flock of sea birds, + and, opening her eyes, she saw that the canoe was surrounded by thousands + upon thousands of bonita that leaped and sported and splashed about almost + within arm's length of her. They were pursuing a shoal of small fish + called <i>atuli</i>, and these every now and then darted under the canoe + for protection. Sometimes, as the hungry bonita pressed them hard, they + would leap out of the water, hundreds together, and then the sea birds + would swoop down and seize them ere they fell back into the sea. + </p> + <p> + Ninia, trembling with excitement and the hope of life, watched eagerly. + Presently she heard a curious, rippling noise, and then a rapidly-repeated + tapping on the outrigger side of the canoe. + </p> + <p> + Oh! the joy of it; the water was black with a mass of <i>atuli</i> crowded + together on the surface, and frightened and exhausted. + </p> + <p> + She thrust her hands in among them and threw handsful after handsful into + the canoe, and then her dreadful thirst and hunger made her cease, and, + taking fish after fish, she bit into them with her sharp teeth, and + assuaged both hunger and thirst. + </p> + <p> + As she tore ravenously at the <i>atuli</i> the sky became overcast, and + while the bonitas splashed and jumped around her, and the birds cried + shrilly overhead, the blessed rain began to fall, at first in heavy drops, + and then in a steady downpour. + </p> + <p> + Taking off her thick grass girdle, she rolled it up into a tight coil and + placed it across the bottom of the canoe, about two feet from the bows, so + as to form a dam; and then, lying face downwards, she drank and drank till + satisfied. Then she counted the <i>atuli</i>. There were over forty. + </p> + <p> + All that day the rain squalls continued, and then the wind settled and + blew steadily from the east, and Ninia kept the canoe right before it. + </p> + <p> + That night she slept but little. A wild hope had sprung up in her heart + that she might reach the island of Ponape, which she knew was not many + days' sail from Pingelap. Indeed, she had once heard her father and Sralik + talking about going there in the whaleboat to sell turtle-shell to the + white traders there. + </p> + <p> + But she did not know that the current and trade wind were setting the + canoe quickly away from Ponape towards a group of low-lying atolls called + Ngatik. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The rain had ceased, and in the warm, starlight night she drifted on to + the west, and as she drifted she dreamed of her father, and saw Ninia the + widow, her mother, sitting in the desolate house on Takai, before the + dying embers of the fire, and heard her voice crying: + </p> + <p> + “<i>O thou white Christ God, to whom my husband called as he died, tell me + are my children perished? I pray thee because of the white blood that is + in them to protect them and let me behold my beloved again</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The girl awoke. Her mother's voice seemed to still murmur in her ears, and + a calm feeling of rest entered her soul. She took her paddle, and then + stopped and thought. + </p> + <p> + This new God—the Christ-God of her father—perhaps He would + help her to reach the land. She, too, would call upon Him, even as her + mother had done. + </p> + <p> + “See, O Christ-God. I am but one left of three. I pray Thee guide my canoe + to land, so that I may yet see Ninia my mother once more.” + </p> + <p> + As the dawn approached she dozed again, and then she heard a sound that + made her heart leap—it was the low, monotonous beat of the surf. + </p> + <p> + When the sun rose she saw before her a long line of low-lying islands, + clothed in cocoanuts, and shining like jewels upon the deep ocean blue. + </p> + <p> + She ate some more of the fish, and, paddling as strongly as her strength + would permit, she passed between the passage, entered the smooth waters of + the lagoon, and ran the canoe up on to a white beach. + </p> + <p> + “The Christ-God has heard me,” she said as she threw her wearied form + under the shade of the cocoa-nut palms and fell into a heavy, dreamless + slumber. + </p> + <p> + And here next morning the people of Ngatik found her. They took the poor + wanderer back with them to their houses that were clustered under the + palm-groves a mile or two away, and there for two years she dwelt with + them, hoping and waiting to return to Pingelap. + </p> + <p> + One day a ship came—a whaler cruising back to Strong's Island and + the Marshall Group. The captain was told her story by the people of + Ngatik, and offered to touch at Pingelap and land her. + </p> + <p> + Ninia the widow was still living on Takai, and her once beautiful face had + grown old and haggard-looking. Since the night of the storm four ships had + called at Pingelap, but she had never once gone over to the village, for + grief was eating her heart away; and so, when one evening she heard that a + ship was in sight, she took no heed. + </p> + <p> + Her house was very sad and lonely now, and as night came on she lay down + in her end of the house and slept, while the other four people sat round + the fire and talked and smoked. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the night the four slaves got up and went away to the + village, for they wanted to be there when the boat from the ship came + ashore. + </p> + <p> + At daylight the ship was close in, and the people in the village saw a + boat lowered. Then a cry of astonishment burst from them when they saw the + boat pull straight in over the reef and land at Takai, about a hundred + yards from the house of Ninia, the white man's widow. + </p> + <p> + Only one person got out, and then the boat pushed off again and pulled + back to the ship. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Ninia the widow had risen, and was rolling up the mat she had slept upon, + when a figure darkened the doorway. She turned wonderingly to see who it + was that had come over so early from the village, when the stranger, who + was a tall, graceful young girl, sprang forward, and, folding her arms + around her, said, sobbing with joy— + </p> + <p> + “My mother... The Christ-God hath brought me back to thee again.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BALDWIN'S LOISÈ—Miss Lambert. + </h2> + <p> + Her mother was a full-blooded native—a woman of Anaa, in the Chain + Islands—her father a dissolute and broken white wanderer. At the age + of ten she was adopted by a wealthy South Sea trading captain, living on + the East Coast of New Zealand. He, with his childless wife, educated, + cared for, and finally loved her, as they once loved a child of their own, + dead twenty years before. + </p> + <p> + At sixteen Loisé was a woman; and in the time that had passed since the + morning she had seen her reckless, beach-combing father carried ashore at + Nukutavake with a skinful of whisky and his pockets full of the dollars + for which he had sold her, the tongue and memories of her mother's race + had become, seemingly, utterly forgotten. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But only seemingly; for sometimes in the cold winter months, when savage + southerly gales swept over the cloud-blackened ocean from the white fields + of Antarctic ice and smote the New Zealand coast with chilling blast, the + girl would crouch beside the fire in Mrs. Lambert's drawing-room, and + covering herself with warm rugs, stare into the glowing coals until she + fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + She had not forgotten. + </p> + <p> + One day a visitor came to see her adopted father. He was captain of a + small trading schooner running to the Paumotus—her mother's land—and + although old Lambert had long since given up his trading business and + voyagings, he liked to meet people from the Islands, and, indeed, kept + open house to them; so both he and Mrs. Lambert made him welcome. + </p> + <p> + The captain of the schooner was a man of a type common enough in the South + Seas, rough, good-humoured, and coarsely handsome. + </p> + <p> + After dinner the two men sat over their whisky and talked and smoked. Mrs. + Lambert, always an invalid, had gone to her room, but Loisé, book in hand, + lay on a sofa and seemed to read. But she did not read, she listened. She + had caught a word or two uttered by the dark-faced, black-bearded skipper—words + that filled her with vague memories of long ago. And soon she heard names—names + of men, white and brown, whom she had known in that distant, almost + forgotten and savage childhood. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When the seaman rose to leave and extended his tanned, sinewy hand to the + beautiful “Miss Lambert,” and gazed with undisguised admiration into her + face, he little thought that she longed to say, “Stay and let me hear + more.” But she was conventional enough to know better than that, and that + her adopted parents would be genuinely shocked to see her anything more + than distantly friendly with such a man as a common trading captain—even + though that man had once been one of Lambert's most trusted men. Still, as + she raised her eyes to his, she murmured softly, “We will be glad to see + you again, Captain Lemaire.” And the dark-faced seaman gave her a subtle, + answering glance. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + All that night she lay awake—awake to the child memories of the life + that until now had slumbered within her. From her opened bedroom window + she could see the dulled blaze of the city's lights, and hear ever and + anon the hoarse and warning roar of a steamer's whistle. She raised + herself and looked out upon the waters of the harbour. A huge, black mass + was moving slowly seaward, showing only her masthead and side-lights—some + ocean tramp bound northward. Again the boom of the whistle sounded, and + then, by the quickened thumping of the propeller, the girl, knew that the + tramp had rounded the point and was heading for the open sea. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + She lay back again on the pillow and tried to sleep. Why couldn't she + sleep, she wondered. She closed her eyes. The branches of the pine that + grew close to her window rustled and shook to a passing breath of wind, + and her eyes opened again. How strangely, though, it sounded to-night, and + how her heart was thumping! Again the white lids drooped and half closed + again, and the pine branches waved and soughed gently to the breeze. + </p> + <p> + And then the dead grey of the wall of the room changed to a bright, + shimmering white—the white of an island beach as it changes, under + the red flush of the morn, from the shadows of the night to a broad belt + of gleaming silver—and the sough of the pine-tree by the window + deepened into the humming music of the trade-wind when it passes through + the sleeping palms, and a million branches awake trembling to its first + breaths and shake off in pearly showers the dews of the night. Again she + raced along the clinking sand with her childish, half-naked companions, + and heard the ceaseless throb of the beating surf upon the windward reef, + and saw the flash of gold and scarlet of a flock of parrakeets that with + shrill, whistling note, vanished through the groves of cocoa-nuts as they + sped mountain wards. Then her latent native soul awoke and made her + desperate. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Ere two days had passed she was missing, and six weeks later a little + white-painted schooner hove-to off one of the Paumotu Group, lowered a + boat, and landed her amongst the wondering natives. + </p> + <p> + The dark-faced, black-bearded man who steered the boat held her hand a + moment ere he said good-bye. + </p> + <p> + “It is not too late, Loisé.” + </p> + <p> + She raised her face and laughed scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “To go back? To go back to hear the old man who was a father and the good + woman who was a mother to me, tell me that they hated and despised me!” + And then quick, scalding tears. + </p> + <p> + The man's face flushed. “No, not that, but,” with an oath, “look here, if + you'll come with me I'll head the schooner for Tahiti, and as soon as she + swings to her anchor we will be ashore and married.” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. “Let me go, Captain Lemaire. Whatever comes to me, + 'tis I alone who must answer for it. And so—good-bye.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + She stood and watched the boat hoisted to the davits, and saw the schooner + slowly gather way, and then glide past and disappear round the + palm-crowned point. Then she turned with streaming eyes and choking voice + to the brown-skinned people that stood around her, and spoke to them in + her mother's tongue. + </p> + <p> + So ended the sixteen years' life of the beautiful Miss Lambert and began + that of Loisé, the half-blood. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + LOISÉ, THE HALF-BLOOD +</pre> + <p> + There was a wild rush of naked, scurrying feet, and a quick panting of + brown bosoms along the winding path that led to Baldwin's house at + Rikitea. A trading schooner had just dropped anchor inside the reef, and + the runners, young lads and girls—half-naked, lithe-limbed and + handsome—like all the people of the “thousand isles,” wanted to + welcome Baldwin the Trader at his own house door. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Two of them—a boy and girl—gained the trader's gate ahead of + their excited companions, and, leaning their backs against the white + palings, mocked the rest for their tardiness in the race. With one arm + around the girl's lissom waist, the boy, Maturei, short, thickset, + muscular, and the bully of the village, beat off with his left hand those + who sought to displace them from the gate; and the girl, thin, + créole-faced, with soft, red-lipped mouth, laughed softly at their + vexation. Her gaily-coloured grass waist girdle had broken, and presently + moving the boy's protecting arm, she tried to tie the band, and as she + tied it she rattled out oaths in English and French at the score of brown + hands that sought to prevent her. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Hui! Hui!!</i> Away, ye fools, and let me tie my girdle,” she said in + the native tongue. “'Tis no time now for such folly as this; for, see, the + boat is lowered from the ship and in a little time the master will be + here.” + </p> + <p> + The merry chatter ceased in an instant and every face turned towards the + schooner, and a hundred pair of curious eyes watched. Then, one by one, + they sat down and waited; all but the two at the gate, who remained + standing, the boy's arm still wound round the girl's waist. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The boat was pulling in swiftly now, and the “click-clack” of the rowlocks + reached the listening ears of those on shore. + </p> + <p> + There were two figures in the stern, and presently one stood up, and + taking off his hat, waved it towards the shore. + </p> + <p> + A roar of welcome from the thronging mass of natives that lined the beach + drowned the shrill, piping treble of the children round the gate, and told + sturdy old Tom Baldwin that he was recognised, and scarce had the bow of + the boat ploughed into the soft sand of the beach when he was seized upon + and smothered with caresses, the men with good-natured violence thrusting + aside the women and forming a body-guard to conduct him and the young man + with him from the boat to the house. And about the strange white man the + people thronged with inquiring and admiring glances, for he was big and + strong-looking—and that to a native mind is better than all else in + the world. + </p> + <p> + With joyous, laughing clamour, the natives pressed around the white men + till the gate was reached, and then fell back. + </p> + <p> + The girl stepped forward, and taking the trader's hand, bent her forehead + to it in token of submission. + </p> + <p> + “The key of this thy house, Tâmu,” she murmured in the native tongue, as + she placed it in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Enter thou first, Loisé,” and he waved it away. + </p> + <p> + A faint smile of pleasure illumined her face; Baldwin, rough and careless + as he was, was yet studious to observe native custom. + </p> + <p> + The white men followed her, and then in the open doorway Baldwin stopped, + turned, and raised his hand, palm outwards, to the throng of natives + without. + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee, friends, for thy welcome. Dear to mine ears is the sound of + the tongue of the men of Rikitea. See ye this young man here. He is the + son of my friend who is now dead—he whom some of ye have seen, + Kapeni Paraisi” (Captain Brice). + </p> + <p> + A tall, broad-shouldered native, with his hair streaming down over his + shoulders, strode up the steps, and taking the young man's hand in his, + placed it to his forehead. + </p> + <p> + “The son of Paraisi is welcome to Rikitea, and to me, the chief of + Rikitea.” + </p> + <p> + There was a murmur of approval; Baldwin waved his hand again, and then, + with Brice, entered the house. + </p> + <p> + Outside, the boy and girl, seated on the verandah steps, talked and waited + for orders. + </p> + <p> + Said Maturei, “Loisé, think you that now Tâmu hath found thee to be + faithful to his house and his name that he will marry thee according to + the promise made to the priests at Tenararo when he first brought thee + here?” + </p> + <p> + She took a thick coil of her shining black hair and wound it round and + round her hand meditatively, looking out absently over the calm waters of + the harbour. + </p> + <p> + “Who knows, Maturei? And I, I care not. Yet do I think it will be so; for + what other girl is there here that knoweth his ways, and the ways of the + white men as I know them? And this old man is a glutton; and, so that my + skill in baking pigeons and making <i>karri</i> and rice fail me not, then + am I mistress here.... Maturei, is not the stranger an evil-looking man?” + </p> + <p> + “Evil-looking!” said the boy, wonderingly; “nay, how canst thou say that + of him?” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “What a jolly old fellow he is, and how these people adore him!” thought + Brice, as they sat down to dinner. Two or three of the village girls + waited upon them, and in the open doorway sat a vision of loveliness, + arrayed in yellow muslin, and directing the movements of the girls by + almost imperceptible motions of her palm-leaf fan. + </p> + <p> + Brice was strangely excited. The novelty of the surroundings, the + wondrous, bright beauty of sea, and shore, and palm-grove that lay within + his range of vision were already beginning to weave their fetal spell upon + his susceptible nature. And then, again and again, his glance would fall + upon the sweet, oval face and scarlet lips of the girl that sat in the + doorway. Who was she? Not old Baldwin's wife, surely! for had not the old + fellow often told him that he was not married?... And what a lovely spot + to live in, this Rikitea! By Jove, he would like to stay a year here + instead of a few months only.... Again his eyes rested on the figure in + the doorway—and then his veins thrilled—Loisé, lazily lifting + her long, sweeping lashes had caught his admiring glance. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Brice was no fool with women—that is, he thought so, never taking + into consideration that his numerous love affairs had always ended + disastrously—to the woman. And his mother, good simple soul, had + thought that the best means of taking her darling son away from + unapproved-of female society would be a voyage to the islands with old Tom + Baldwin! + </p> + <p> + Dinner was finished, and the two men were sitting out on the verandah + smoking and drinking whisky, when Brice said, carelessly— + </p> + <p> + “I wonder you never married, Baldwin.” + </p> + <p> + The old trader puffed at his pipe for a minute or two ere he answered— + </p> + <p> + “Did you notice that girl at all?” and he inclined his head towards the + door of the sitting-room. + </p> + <p> + The young man nodded. + </p> + <p> + Then the candid Baldwin told him her history. “I can't defend my own + position. I am no better than most traders—you see it is the custom + here, neither is she worse than any of these half-blooded Paumotuans. If I + married a native of this particular island I would only bring trouble on + my head. I could not show any preference for any particular girl for a + wife without raising the bitterest quarrels among some of the leading + chiefs here. You see, as a matter of fact, I should have married as soon + as I came here, twenty years ago; then the trouble would have been over. + But I didn't. I can see my mistake now, for I am getting old pretty + fast;... and now that the missionaries are here, and I do a lot of + business with them, I think us white men ought to show them some kind of + respect by getting married—properly married—to our wives.” + </p> + <p> + Brice laughed. “You mean, Baldwin, they should get married according to + the rites of the Roman Catholic Church?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” the old trader assented. “Now, there's Loisé, there—a clever, + intelligent, well-educated girl, and as far as money or trade goes, as + honest as the day. Can I, an old white-headed fool of sixty, go to + Australia and ask any <i>good</i> woman to marry me, and come and live + down here? No.” + </p> + <p> + He smoked in silence awhile, and then resumed. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; honest and trustworthy she is, I believe; although the white blood + in her veins is no recommendation. If ever you should live in the islands, + my lad—which isn't likely—take an old fool's advice and never + marry a half-caste, either in native fashion or in a church with a brass + band and a bishop as leading features of the show.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Loisé came to them. “Will you take coffee, Tâmu?” she asked, standing + before them with folded hands. + </p> + <p> + The trader bent his head, and as the girl with noiseless step glided + gracefully away again he watched her. + </p> + <p> + “I think I will marry her, Brice. Sometimes when the old Marist priest + comes here he makes me feel d——d uncomfortable. Of course he + is too much of a gentleman—although he is a sky-pilot—to say + all he would like to say, but every time he bids me good-bye he says—cunning + old chap—'And think, M. Baldwin, her father, bad as he was, was a <i>white + man!</i>” + </p> + <p> + The young man listened in silence. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I will ever go back to civilisation again, my lad—I + am no use there. Here I am somebody—there I am nobody; so I think + I'll give the old Father a bit of a surprise soon.” Then with his merry, + chuckling laugh—“and you'll be my best man. You see, it won't make + any difference to you. Nearly all that I have, when I peg out, will go to + you—the son of my old friend and shipmate.” + </p> + <p> + A curious feeling shot through Brice's heart as he murmured his thanks. + The recital of the girl's history made him burn with hot anger against + her. He had thought her so innocent. And yet the old trader's words, “I've + almost made up my mind to marry her,” seemed to dash to the ground some + vague hope, he knew not what. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + That night he lay on a soft mat on Baldwin's verandah and tried to sleep. + But from between the grey-reds of the serried line of palms that + encompassed the house on all but the seaward side, a pale face with + star-like eyes and ruby lips looked out and smiled upon him; in the + distant and ever varying cadences of the breaking surf he heard the sweet + melody of her voice; in the dazzling brilliancy of the starry heavens her + haunting face, with eyes alight with love, looked into his. + </p> + <p> + “D———n!” He rose from his couch, opened the gate, and + went out along the white dazzle of the starlit beach. “What the devil is + the matter with me? I must be drunk—on two or three nips of + whisky.... What a glorious, heavenly night!... And what a grand old fellow + Baldwin is!... And I'm an infernal scoundrel to think of her—or a d———d + idiot, or a miserable combination of both.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In a few days two things had happened. Baldwin had married Loisé, and + Brice was madly in love with her and she with him. Yet scarcely a word had + passed between them—he silent because of genuine shame at the + treachery of his thoughts to the old man; she because she but bided her + time. + </p> + <p> + One day he accepted an invitation from the old French priest to pay a + visit to the Mission. He went away quietly one morning, and then wrote to + Baldwin. + </p> + <p> + “Ten miles is a good long way off,” he thought. “I'll be all right in a + week or so—then I'll come back and be a fool no longer.” + </p> + <p> + The priest liked the young man, and in his simple, hospitable way, made + much of him. On the evening of the third day, as they paced to and fro on + the path in the Mission garden, they saw Baldwin's boat sail up to the + beach. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said the priest, with a smile, “M. Baldwin will not let me keep + you; and Loisé comes with him. So, so, you must go, but you will come + again?” and he pressed the young Englishman's hand. + </p> + <p> + The sturdy figure of the old trader came up through the garden; Loisé, + native fashion, walking behind him. + </p> + <p> + Knitting his heavy white eyebrows in mock anger he ordered Brice to the + boat, and then extending his hand to the priest—“I must take him + back, Father; the <i>Malolo</i> sails to-morrow, and the skipper is coming + ashore to-night to dinner, to say good-bye; and, as you know, Father, I'm + a silly old man with the whisky bottle, and I'll get Mr. Brice to keep me + steady.” + </p> + <p> + The tall, thin old priest raised his finger warningly and shook his head + at old Baldwin and then smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, M. Baldwin, I am very much afraid that I will never make you to + understand that too much of the whisky is very bad for the head.” + </p> + <p> + With a parting glass of wine they bade the good Father good-bye, and then + hoisting the sail, they stood across for Rikitea. The sun had dipped, and + the land-breeze stole softly down from the mountains and sped the boat + along. Baldwin was noisy and jocular; Brice silent and ill at ease. + </p> + <p> + Another hour's run and Baldwin sailed the boat close under the trading + schooner's stern. Leaning over the rail was the pyjama-clad captain, + smoking a cigar. + </p> + <p> + “Now then, Harding,” bawled the old trader, “don't forget to be up to + time, eight o'clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Come aboard, and make out your order for your trade, you noisy old <i>Areoi</i> + devil,” said Harding. “You'll 'make it out ashore,' eh? No fear, I won't + trust you, you careless, forgetful old dog. So just lay up alongside, and + I'll take you ashore in half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jupiter, I mustn't forget the order,” and Baldwin, finding he could + not inveigle the captain ashore just then, ran the boat alongside the + schooner and stepped over her rail—“Go on, Brice, my lad. I'll soon + be with you. Give him some whisky or beer, or something, Loisé, as soon as + you get to the house. He looks as melancholy as a ghost.” + </p> + <p> + As the boat's crew pushed off from the schooner, Brice came aft to steer, + and placing his hand on the tiller it touched Loisé's. She moved aside to + make room for him, and he heard his name whispered, and in the darkness he + saw her lips part in a happy smile. + </p> + <p> + Then, still silent, they were pulled ashore. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + From his end of the house he heard a soft footfall enter the big room, and + then stop. She was standing by the table when, soon after, he came out of + his room. At the sound of his footstep she turned the flame of the shaded + lamp to its full height, and then raised her face and looked at him. There + was a strange, radiant expectancy in her eyes that set his heart to beat + wildly. Then he remembered her husband—his friend. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose Tom won't be long,” he began, nervously, when she came over to + him and placed her hand on his sleeve. The slumbrous eyes were all aglow + now, and her bosom rose and fell in short, quick strokes beneath her white + muslin gown. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you go away?” she said, her voice scarce raised above a whisper, + yet quivering and tremulous with emotion. + </p> + <p> + He tried to look away from her, trembling himself, and not knowing what to + say. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” she said, “speak to me, answer me; why don't you say something to + me? I thought that once your eyes sought mine in the boat”—then as + she saw him still standing awkward and silent, all her wild passion burst + out—“Brice, Brice, I love you, I love you. And you, you hate me.” He + tried to stop her. + </p> + <p> + Her voice sank again. “Oh, yes, yes; you hate me, else why would you go + away without one word to me? Baldwin has told you of—of—of + something. It is all true, quite true, and I am wicked, wicked; no woman + could have been worse—and you hate me.” + </p> + <p> + She released her hold upon his arm, and walking over to the window leant + against it and wept passionately. + </p> + <p> + He went over to her and placed his hand upon her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Loisé, I'm very, very sorry I ever came here in the <i>Malolo</i>”—her + shaking figure seemed to shrink at the words—“for I love you too, + but, Loisé—your husband was my father's oldest friend—and + mine.” + </p> + <p> + The oval, tear-swept face was dangerously close to his now, and set his + blood racing again in all the quick, hot madness of youth. + </p> + <p> + “What is that to me?” she whispered; “I love you.” + </p> + <p> + Brice shut his fists tightly and then—fatal mistake—tried to + be angry and tender at the same moment. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, but Loisé, you, as well as I, know that among English people, for a + man to love his friend's wife——” + </p> + <p> + Again the low whisper—“What is that to me—and you? You love + me, you say. And, we are not among English people. I have my mother's + heart—not a cold English heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Loisé, Baldwin is my friend. He looks upon me as his son, and he trusts + me—and trusts you.... I could never look him in the face again.... + If he were any other man I wouldn't care, or if, if——” + </p> + <p> + She lifted her face from his shoulder. “Then you only lied to me. You + don't love me!” + </p> + <p> + That made him reckless. “Love you! By God. I love you so that if you were + any other man's wife but his———-” He looked steadily at + her and then, with gentle force, tried to take her arm from his neck. + </p> + <p> + She knew now that he was the stronger of the two, and yet wished to hear + more. + </p> + <p> + “Brice, dear Brice,” she bent his head down to her lips, “if Baldwin died + would you marry me?” + </p> + <p> + The faintly murmured words struck him like a shot; she still holding her + arms around him, watched his face. + </p> + <p> + He kissed her on the lips. “I would marry you and never go back to the + world again,” he answered, in the blind passion of the moment. + </p> + <p> + A hot, passionate kiss on his lips and she was gone, and Brice, with + throbbing pulses and shame in his heart, took up his hat and went out upon + the beach. He couldn't meet Baldwin just then. Other men's wives had never + made him feel such a miserable scoundrel as did this reckless half-blood + with the scarlet lips and starry eyes. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + That night old Baldwin and the captain of the <i>Malolo</i> got thoroughly + drunk in the orthodox and time-honoured Island business fashion. Brice, + afraid of “making an ass of himself,” was glad to get away, and took the + captain on board at midnight in Baldwin's boat, and at the mate's + invitation remained for breakfast. + </p> + <p> + At daylight the mate got the <i>Malolo</i> under weigh, the skipper, with + aching head, sitting up in his bunk and cursing the old trader's + hospitality. + </p> + <p> + When the vessel was well outside the reef, Brice bade him good-bye, and + getting his boat alongside started for the shore. + </p> + <p> + “I will—I must—clear out of this,” he was telling himself as + the boat swept round the point of the passage on the last sweep of the + ocean swell. “I can't stay under the same roof with him day after day, + month after month, and not feel my folly and her weakness. But where the + deuce I can get to for five months till the schooner comes back, I don't + know. There's the Mission, but that is too close; the old fellow would + only bring me back again in a week.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Suddenly a strange, weird cry pealed over the water from the native + village, a cry that to him was mysterious, as well as mournful and + blood-chilling. + </p> + <p> + The four natives who pulled the boat had rested on their oars the instant + they heard the cry, and with alarm and deep concern depicted on their + countenances were looking toward the shore. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, boys?” said Brice in English. + </p> + <p> + Before the native to whom he spoke could answer, the long, loud wailing + cry again burst forth. + </p> + <p> + “Some man die,” said the native who pulled stroke-oar to Brice—he + was the only one who knew English. + </p> + <p> + Then Brice, following the looks of his crew, saw that around the white + paling fence that enclosed Baldwin's house was gathered a great concourse + of natives, most of whom were sitting on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Give way, boys,” he said, with an instinctive feeling of fear that + something dreadful had happened. In another five minutes the boat touched + the sand and Brice sprang out. + </p> + <p> + Maturei alone, of all the motionless, silent crowd that gathered around + the house, rose and walked down to him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, white man, Tâmu is dead!” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + He felt the shock terribly, and for a moment or two was motionless and + nerveless. Then the prolonged wailing note of grief from a thousand + throats again broke out and brought him to his senses, and with hasty step + he opened the gate and went in. + </p> + <p> + With white face and shaking limbs Loisé met him at the door and + endeavoured to speak, but only hollow, inarticulate sounds came from her + lips, and sitting down on a cane sofa she covered her face with her robe, + after the manner of the people of the island when in the presence of + death. + </p> + <p> + Presently the door of Baldwin's room opened, and the white-haired old + priest came out and laid his hand sympathetically on the young man's arm, + and drew him aside. + </p> + <p> + He told him all in a few words. An hour before daylight Loisé and the boy + Maturei had heard the old trader breathing stertorously, and ere they + could raise him to a sitting position he had breathed his last. + </p> + <p> + Heart disease, the good Father said. And he was so careless a man, was M. + Baldwin. And then with tears in his eyes the priest told Brice how, from + the olden times when Baldwin, pretending to scoff at the efforts of the + missionaries, had yet ever been their best and truest friend. + </p> + <p> + “And now he is dead, M. Brice, and had I been but a little sooner I could + have closed his eyes. I was passing in my boat, hastening to take the + mission letters to the <i>Malolo</i> when I heard the<i> tagi</i> (the + death wail) of the people here, and hastening ashore found he had just + passed away.” + </p> + <p> + Sick at heart as he was, the young man was glad of the priest's presence, + and presently together they went in and looked at the still figure in the + bedroom. + </p> + <p> + When they returned to the front room they found Loisé had gone. + </p> + <p> + “She was afraid to stay in the house of death,” said Maturei, “and has + gone to Vehaga” (a village eight miles away), “and these are her words to + the Father and to the friend of Târau—'Naught have I taken from the + house of Tâmu, and naught do I want'—and then she was gone.” + </p> + <p> + The old priest nodded to Brice—“Native blood, native blood, M. + Brice. Do not, I pray you, misjudge her. She only does this because she + knows the village feeling against her. She does not belong to this island, + and the people here resented, in a quiet way, her marriage with my old + friend. She is not cruel and ungrateful as you think. It is but her way of + showing these natives that she cares not to benefit by Baldwin's death. By + and by we will send for her.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + After Baldwin had been buried and matters arranged, Brice and the priest, + and a colleague from the Mission, read the will, and Brice found himself + in possession of some two or three thousand dollars in cash and as much in + trade. The house at Rikitea and a thousand dollars were for Loisé. + </p> + <p> + He told the Fathers to send word over to Vehaga and tell Loisé that he + only awaited her to come and take the house over from him. As for himself + he would gladly accept their kind invitation to remain at the Mission as + their guest till the schooner returned. + </p> + <p> + The shock of his friend's death had all but cured him of his passion, and + he felt sure now of his own strength. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But day after day, and then week after week passed, and no word came from + Vehaga, till one evening as he leant over the railing of the garden, + looking out upon the gorgeous setting of the sun into the ocean, Maturei + came paddling across the smooth waters of the harbour, and, drawing his + canoe up on the beach, the boy approached the white man. + </p> + <p> + “See,” he said, “Loisé hath sent thee this.” + </p> + <p> + He unrolled a packet of broad, dried palm leaves, and taking from it a + thick necklet of sweet-smelling <i>kurahini</i> buds, placed it in Brice's + hand. + </p> + <p> + He knew its meaning—it was the gift of a woman to an accepted lover. + </p> + <p> + The perfume of the flowers brought back her face to him in a moment. There + was a brief struggle in his mind; and then home, friends, his future + prospects in the great outside world, went to the wall, and the half-blood + had won. + </p> + <p> + Slowly he raised the token and placed it over his head and round his neck. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In the morning she came. He held out his hand and drew her to him, and + looking down into her eyes, he kissed her. Her lips quivered a little, and + then the long lashes fell, and he felt her tremble. + </p> + <p> + “Loisé,” he said simply, “will you be my wife?” + </p> + <p> + She glanced up at him, fearfully. + </p> + <p> + “Would you marry me?” + </p> + <p> + His face crimsoned—“Yes, of course. You were his wife. I can't + forget that. And, besides, you said once that you loved me.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + They were very happy for five or six years down there in Rikitea. They had + one child born to them—a girl with a face as beautiful as her + mother's. + </p> + <p> + Then a strange and deadly epidemic, unknown to the people of Rikitea, + swept through the Paumotu Group, from Pitcairn Island to Marutea, and in + every village, on every palm-clad atoll, death stalked, and the brown + people sickened and shivered under their mat coverings, and died. And from + island to island, borne on the very breath of the trade-wind, the terror + passed, and left behind it empty, silent clusters of houses, nestling + under the cocoanuts; and many a whale-ship beating back to the coast of + South America, sailed close in to the shore and waited for the canoes to + come off with fruit and vegetables; but none came, for the canoes had long + months before blistered and cracked and rotted under the fierce rays of + the Paumotu sun, and the owners lay dead in their thatched houses; for how + could the dead bury the dead? + </p> + <p> + It came to Rikitea, and Harry Brice and the priests of the Mission went + from village to village trying by such means as lay in their power to + allay the deadly scourge. Brice had seen his little girl die, and then + Loisé was smitten, and in a few days Brice saw the imprint of death + stamped upon her features. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + As he sat and watched by her at night, and listened to the wild, delirious + words of the fierce fever that held her in its cruel grasp, he heard her + say that which chilled his very heart's blood. At first he thought it to + be but the strange imaginings of her weak and fevered brain. But as the + night wore on he was undeceived. + </p> + <p> + Just as daylight began to shoot its streaks of red and gold through the + plumed palm-tops, she awoke from a fitful and tortured slumber, and opened + her eyes to gaze upon the haggard features of her husband. + </p> + <p> + “Loisé,” he said, with a choking voice, “tell me, for God's sake, the + truth about Baldwin. <i>Did you kill him?</i>” + </p> + <p> + She put her thin, wasted hands over her dark, burning eyes, and Brice saw + the tears run down and wet the pillow. + </p> + <p> + Then she answered— + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I killed him; for I loved you, and that night I went mad!” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Don't go away from me, Harry,” she said, with hard, panting breaths; + “don't let me die by myself.... I will soon be dead now; come closer to + me, I will tell you all.” + </p> + <p> + He knelt beside her and listened. She told him all in a few words. As + Baldwin lay in his drunken sleep, she and Maturei had pierced him to the + heart with one of the long, slender, steel needles used by the natives in + mat-making. There was no blood to be seen in the morning, Maturei was too + cunning for that. + </p> + <p> + Brice staggered to his feet and tried to curse her. The last grey pallor + had deepened on her lips, and they moved and murmured, “It was because I + loved you, Harry.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The sun was over the tops of the cocoanuts when the gate opened, and the + white-haired old priest came in and laid his hand gently on Brice who sat + with bowed figure and hidden face. + </p> + <p> + “How is your wife now, my good friend?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the trader raised his face, and his voice sounded like a sob. + </p> + <p> + “Dead; thank God!” + </p> + <p> + With softened tread the old man passed through to the inner room, and + taking the cold hands of Brice's wife tenderly within his own, he clasped + them together and placed the emblem of Christ upon the quiet bosom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AT A KAFA-DRINKING + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + The first cool breaths of the land breeze, chilled by its passage through + the dew-laden forest, touched our cheeks softly that night as we sat on + the traders' verandah, facing the white, shimmering beach, smoking and + watching the native children at play, and listening for the first deep + boom of the wooden <i>logo</i> or bell that would send them racing + homewards to their parents and evening prayer. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “There it is,” said our host, who sat in the farthest corner, with his + long legs resting by the heels on the white railing; “and now you'll see + them scatter.” + </p> + <p> + The loud cries and shrill laughter came to a sudden stop as the boom of + the <i>logo</i> reached the players, and then a clear boyish voice reached + us—“<i>Ua ta le logo</i>” (the bell has sounded). Like smoke before + the gale the lithe, half-naked figures fled silently in twos and threes + between the cocoanuts, and the beach lay deserted. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + One by one the lights gleamed brightly through the trees as the women + piled the fires in each house with broken cocoanut shells. There was but + the faintest breath of wind, and through the open sides of most of the + houses not enough to flicker the steady light, as the head of the family + seated himself (or herself) close to the fire, and, hymn-book in hand, led + off the singing. Quite near us was a more pretentious-looking structure + than the others, and looking down upon it we saw that the gravelled floor + was covered with fine, clean mats, and arranged all round the sides of the + house were a number of camphorwood boxes, always—in a Samoan house—the + outward and visible sign of a well-to-do man. There was no fire lighted + here; placed in the centre of the one room there stood a lamp with a + gorgeous-looking shade, of many colours. This was the chief's house, and + the chief of Aleipata was one of the strong men of Samoa—both + politically and physically. Two of our party on the verandah were + strangers to Samoa, and they drew their chairs nearer, and gazed with + interest at the chief and his immediate following as they proceeded with + their simple service. There were quite a number of the <i>aua-luma</i> + (unmarried women) of the village present in the chief's house that + evening, and as their tuneful voices blend in an evening hymn— + </p> + <p> + “<i>Matou te nau e faafetai</i>”—we wished that instead of four + verses there had been ten. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell us, Lester,” said one of the strangers to our host, “the + meaning of the last words?—they came out so clearly that I believe + I've caught them,” and to our surprise he sang the last line— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ia matou moe tau ia te oe. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + “Well, now, I don't know if I can. Samoan hymns puzzle me; you see the + language used in addressing the Deity is vastly different to that used + ordinarily, but I take it that the words you so correctly repeated mean, + 'Let us sleep in peace with Thee.' Curious people these Samoans,” he + muttered, more to himself than for us: “soon be as hypocritical as the + average white man. 'Let us sleep in peace with Thee,' and that fellow (the + chief), his two brothers, and about a paddockful of young Samoan bucks + haven't slept at all for this two weeks. All the night is spent in + counting cartridges, melting lead for bullets, and cleaning their arms, + only knocking off for a drink of kava. Well, I suppose,” he continued, + turning to us, “they're all itching to fight, and as soon as the U.S.S. <i>Resacca</i> + leaves Apia they'll commence in earnest, and us poor devils of traders + will be left here doing nothing and cursing this infernal love of + fighting, which is inborn with Samoans and a part of their natural + cussedness which, if the Creator hadn't given it to them, would have put + many a dollar into my pocket.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Father,” said a voice that came up to us from the gloom of the young + cocoanuts' foliage at the side of the house, “Felipe is here, and wants to + know if he may come up and speak to the <i>alii papalagi</i> (white + gentlemen).” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, Felipe, my lad,” said the trader in a more than usual + kindly voice, “bring him up, Atalina, and then run away to the chief's and + get some of the <i>aua-luma</i> to come over, with you and make a bowl of + kava.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Doctor L———,” Lester continued, addressing himself + to one of his guests, the surgeon of an American war vessel then stationed + in Samoa, and a fellow-countryman of his, “I'll show you as fine a + specimen of manhood and intelligence as God ever made, although he has got + a tanned hide.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The native that ascended the steps and stood before us with his hat in his + hand respectfully saluting, was indeed, as Lester called him, “a fine + specimen.” Clothed only in a blue and white <i>lava lava</i> or + waist-cloth, his clean-cut limbs, muscular figure, and skin like polished + bronze, stood revealed in the full light that now flooded room and + verandah from the lamp lit in the sitting-room. The finely-plaited Manhiki + hat held in his right hand seemed somewhat out of place with the rest of + his attire, and was evidently not much worn. Probably Felipe had merely + brought it for the occasion, as a symbol to us of his superior tastes and + ideas. + </p> + <p> + He shook hands with us all round, and then, at Lester's invitation, + followed us inside, and sat down cross-legged on the mats and courteously + awaited us to talk to him. The American surgeon offered him a cigar, which + he politely declined, and produced from the folds of his <i>lava lava</i> + a bundle of banana-leaf cigarettes, filled with strong tobacco. One of + these, at a nod from the trader, he lit, and commenced to smoke. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In a few minutes we heard the crunching of the gravelled path under bare + feet, and then some three or four of the <i>aua-luma</i>—the + kava-chewing girls—ascended the steps and took up their position by + the huge wooden kava bowl. As the girls, under the careful supervision of + the trader's wife, prepared the drink, we fell into a general + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder now,” said the doctor to the trader, “that you, Lester, who, by + your own showing, are by no means infatuated with the dreamy monotony of + island life, can yet stay here, year after year, seeing nothing and + hearing nothing of the world that lies outside these lonely islands. Have + you no desire at all to go back again into the world?” + </p> + <p> + A faint movement—the index of some rapidly passing emotion—for + a moment disturbed the calm, placid features of Lester, as he answered + quietly: “No, doctor, I don't think it's likely I'll ever see the outside + world, as you call it, again. I've had my hopes and ambitions, like every + one else; but they didn't pan out as I expected,... and then I became + Lester the Trader, and as Lester the Trader I'll die, have a whitey-brown + crowd at my funeral; and, if you came here ten years afterwards, the + people couldn't even tell you where I was planted.” + </p> + <p> + The doctor nodded. “Just so. Like all native races, their affections and + emotions are deep but transient—no better in that way than the + average American nigger.” + </p> + <p> + The kava was finished now, and was handed round to us by the slender + graceful hands of the trader's little daughter. As Felipe, the last to + drink, handed back the <i>ipu</i> to the girl, his eyes lit up, and he + spoke to our host, addressing him, native fashion, by his Christian name, + and speaking in his own tongue. + </p> + <p> + “How is it, Tiaki (Jack), that I hear thee tell these thy friends that we + of the brown skins have but shallow hearts and forget quickly? Dost think + that if, when thy time comes, and thou goest, that thy wife and child will + not grieve? Hast thou not heard of our white man who, when he died, yet + left his name upon our hearts?—and yet we were in those days + heathens and followers of our own gods.” + </p> + <p> + The trader nodded kindly, and turned to us. “Do you want to hear a yarn + about one of the old style of white men that used to live like + fighting-cocks in Samoa? Felipe here has rounded on me for saying that his + countrymen soon forget, and has brought up this wandering <i>papalagi + tafea</i> (beachcomber) as an instance of how the natives will stick to a + man once he proves himself a man.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + “It was the tenth year after the Cruel Captain with the three ships had + anchored in Apia,{*} and when we of Aleipata were at war with the people + of Fagaloa. In those days we had no white man in this town and longed + greatly to get one. But they were few in Samoa then; one was there at + Tiavea, who had fled from a man-of-war of England, one at Saluafàta, and + perhaps one or two more at Tutuila or Savaii—that was all. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Commodore Wilkes, in command of the famous United States + Exploring Expedition, 1836-40. He was a noted martinet, and + was called <i>Le alii Saua</i> (the Cruel Captain). +</pre> + <p> + “My father's name was Lauati. He, with his mother, lived on the far side + of the village, away from the rest of the houses. There were no others + living in the house with them, for my father's mother was very poor, and + all day long she laboured—some-times at making mats, and sometimes + at beating out <i>siapo</i> (tappa) cloth. As the mats were made, and the + tappa was bleached, and figures and patterns drawn upon it, she rolled + them up and put them away overhead on the beams of the house, for she was + eaten up with poverty, and these mats and tappa cloth was she gathering + together so that she might be able to pay for my father's, tattooing. And + as she worked on the shore, so did my father toil on the sea, for although + he was not yet tattooed he was skilled more than any other youth in <i>sisu + atu</i> (bonita catching). Sometimes the chief, who was a greedy man, + would take all his fish and leave him none for himself to take home to his + house. Sometimes he would give him one, and then my father would cut off a + piece for his mother, and take the rest and sell it for taro and + bread-fruit. And all this time he worked, worked with his mother, so that + he would have enough to pay for his tattooing, for to reach his age and + not be tattooed is thought a disgrace. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Now, in the chief's house was a young girl named Uluvao. She used to meet + my father by stealth, for the chief—who was her uncle—designed + to give her in marriage to a man of Siumu, who was a little chief, and had + asked him for her. So Uluvao, who dreaded her uncle's wrath, would creep + out at night from his house, and going down to the beach swim along the + shore till she came to the lonely place where my father lived. His mother + would await her coming on the beach, and then these three would sit + together in the house and talk. If a footstep sounded, then the girl would + flee, for she knew her uncle's club would soon bite into my father's brain + did he know of these stolen meetings. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “One day it came about that a great <i>fono</i> (meeting) was to be held + at Falealili, and Tuialo, the chief, and many other chiefs, and their <i>tulafale</i> + or talking men, set out to cross the mountains to Falealili. Six days + would they be away, and Uluvao and my father rejoiced, for they could now + meet and speak openly, for the fear of the chiefs face was not before + them, and the people of the village knew my father loved the girl, so when + they saw them together they only smiled, or else turned their faces + another way. That night, in the big council house, there was a great + number of the young men and women gathered together, and they danced and + sang, and much kava was drunk. Presently the sister of the chief, who was + a woman with a bitter tongue, came to the house, and saw and mocked at my + father, and called him a c naked wretch.' (Thou knowest, Tiaki, if a man + be not tattooed we called him naked.) + </p> + <p> + “'Alas!' said my father, 'I am poor; oh, lady, how can I help it?' + </p> + <p> + “The old woman's heart softened. 'Get thee out upon the sea and catch a + fat turtle for a gift to my brother, and thou shalt be tattooed when he + returns,' she said. + </p> + <p> + “The people laughed, for they knew that turtle were not to be caught at a + silly woman's bidding. But my father rose up and went out into the + darkness towards his house. As he walked on the sand his name was called, + and Uluvao ran by his side. + </p> + <p> + “'Lauati,' she said, 'let me come with thee. Let us hasten and get thy + canoe, and seek a turtle on Nu'ulua and Nu'utele, for the night is dark, + and we may find one.' + </p> + <p> + “My father took her hand, and they ran and launched the canoe. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “My father paddled, Uluvao sat in the bow of the canoe. The night was very + dark, and she was frightened, for in the waters hereabout are many <i>tanifa</i> + the thick, short shark, that will leap out of the water and fall on a + canoe and crush it, so that those who paddle may be thrown out and + devoured. And as she trembled she looked out at the shore of the two + islands, which were now close to, and said to my father, 'Lo! what is + this? I see a light as of a little fire.' + </p> + <p> + “Lauati ceased to paddle and looked. And there, between the trunks of the + cocoanuts, he saw the faint gleam of a little fire, and something, as of a + figure, that moved. + </p> + <p> + “The girl Uluvao had a quick wisdom. 'Ah,' said she, 'perhaps it is the + war canoes (taumualua) from Falifa. Those dogs hath learnt that all our + men are gone away to Falealili to the <i>fono</i> and they have come here + to the islands to eat and rest, so that they may fall upon our town when + it is dawn, and slay us all. Let us back, ere it is too late.' + </p> + <p> + “But as she spoke she looked into the water, and my father looked too; and + they both trembled. Deep down in the blackness of the sea was it that they + saw—yet it quickly came nearer and nearer, like unto a great flame + of white fire. It was a <i>tanlfa</i>. Like flashes of lightning did my + father dash his paddle into the water and urge the canoe to the land, for + he knew that when the <i>tanifa</i> had come to the surface it would look + and then dive, and when it came up again would spring upon and devour them + both. + </p> + <p> + “'It is better to give our heads to the men of Falifa than for us to go + into the belly of the shark,' he said, 'and it may be we can land, and + they see us not.' And so with fear gnawing at their vitals the canoe flew + along, and the streak of fire underneath was close upon them when they + struck the edge of the coral and knew they were safe. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “They dragged the canoe over the reef and then got in again, and paddled + softly along till they passed the light of the fire, and then they landed + on a little beach about a hundred <i>gafa</i> (fathoms) away. Then again + Uluvao, who was a girl of wisdom, spoke. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “'Listen,' she said, 'O man of my heart. Let us creep through the bushes + and look. It may be that these men of Falifâ are tired and weary, and + sleep like hogs. Take thou, then, O Lauati, thy shark club and knife from + the canoe, and perchance we may fall upon one that sleepest away from the + rest, then shalt thou strike, and thou and I drag him away into the bushes + and take his head. Then, ere it is well dawn, we will be back in the town, + and Tuialo will no longer keep me from thee, for the head of a Falifa man + will win his heart better than a fat turtle, and I will be wife to thee.' + </p> + <p> + “My father was pleased at her words. So they crept like snakes along the + dewy ground. When they came to a jagged boulder covered with vines, that + was near unto the fire, they looked and saw but one man, and, lo! he was a + <i>papalagi</i>—a white man. And then, until it was dawn, my father + and the girl hid behind the jagged rock and watched. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “The white man was sitting on the sand, with his face clasped in his + hands. At his feet lay another man, with his white face turned up to the + sky, and those that watched saw that he was dead. He who sat over the dead + man was tall and thin, and his hands were like the talons of the great + fish eagle, so thin and bony were they. His garments were ragged and old, + and his feet were bare; and as my father looked at him his heart became + pitiful, and he whispered to Uluvao, 'Let us call out. He is but weak, and + I can master him if he springs upon me. Let us speak.'? + </p> + <p> + “But Uluvao held him back. 'Nay,' she said, 'he may have a gun and shoot.' + </p> + <p> + “So they waited till the sun rose. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “The white man stood and looked about. Then he walked down to the beach, + and my father and the girl saw lying on the rocks a little boat. The man + went to the side, and put in his hand and brought out something in his + hand, and came back and sat down again by the face of the dead. He had + gone to the boat for food, and my father saw him place a biscuit to his + mouth and commence to eat. But ere he swallowed any it fell from his hand + upon the sand and he threw himself upon the body of the dead man and wept, + and his tears ran down over the face that was cold and were drank up by + the sand. + </p> + <p> + “Then Uluvao began to weep, and my father stood up and called out to the + white man <i>Talofa!</i> + </p> + <p> + “He gazed at them and spoke not, but let them come close to him, and + pointing to him who lay on the sand, he covered his face with his hands + and bowed his head. Then Lauati ran and climbed a cocoanut tree and + brought him two young nuts and made him drink, and Uluvao got broad leaves + and covered over the face of the dead from the hot sun. Not one word of + our tongue could he speak, but yet from signs that he made Lauati and the + girl knew that he wished to bury the dead man. So they two dug a deep + grave in the sand, far up on the bank, where it lay soft and deep and + covered with vines. When it was finished they lifted the dead white man + and laid him beside it. And as they looked upon him the other came and + knelt beside it and spoke many words into the ear that heard not, and + Uluvao wept again to see his grief. At last they laid him in the grave and + all three threw in the sand and filled it up. + </p> + <p> + “Then these two took the strange white man by the hand and led him away + into a little hut that was sometimes used by those who came to the island + to fish. They made him eat and then sleep, and while he slept they carried + up the things out of the boat and put them in the house beside him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “When the sun was high in the heavens, the white man awoke, and my father + took his hand and pointed to the boat, and then to the houses across the + sea. He bent his head and followed, and they all got into the boat, and + hoisted the sail. When the boat came close to the passage of Aleipata, the + people ran from out their houses, and stood upon the beach and wondered. + And Lauati and Uluvao laughed and sang, and called out: 'Ho, ho, people! + we have brought a great gift—a white man from over the sea. Send + word quickly to Tuialo that he may return and see this our white man,' + and, as the boat touched the sand, the old woman, the sister of Tuialo, + came up, and said to Lauati, 'Well hast thou done, O lucky one! Better is + this gift of a white man than many turtle.' + </p> + <p> + “Then she took the stranger to her house, and pigs and fowls were killed, + and yams and taro cooked, and a messenger sent to Tuialo to hasten back + quickly, and see this gift from the gods. For they were quick to see that + in the boat were muskets and powder and bullets, and all the people + rejoiced, for they thought that this white man could mend for them many + guns that were broken and useless, and help them to fight against the men + or Falifa. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “In two days Tuialo came back, and he made much of the white man, and + Uluvao he gave to my father for wife. And for the white man were the + softest mats and the best pieces of <i>siapo</i> and he lived for nearly + the space of two years in the chief's house. And all this time he worked + at making boats and mending the broken guns and muskets, and little by + little the words of our tongue came to him, and he learned to tell us many + things. Yet at night-time he would always come to my father's house and + sit with him and talk, and sometimes Uluvao would make kava for him and my + father. + </p> + <p> + “At about the end of the second year, there came a whaleship, and Tuialo, + and the white man, whom we called <i>Tui-fana,</i> 'the gun-mender,' went + out to her, and took with them many pigs and yams to exchange for guns and + powder. When the buying and selling was over, the captain of the ship gave + Tui-fana a gun with two barrels—bright was it and new, and Tuialo, + the chief, was eaten up with envy, and begged his white man for the gun, + but he said: 'Nay, not now; when we are in the house we will talk.' + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Like as a swarm of flies, the people gathered round the council-house to + see the guns and the powder and the swords that had been brought from the + ship. And in the middle of the house sat Tui-fana with the gun with two + barrels in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “When all the chiefs had come in and sat down Tuialo came. His face was + smiles, but his heart was full of bitterness towards Tui-fana, and as he + spoke to the people and told them of the words that had been spoken by the + captain of the ship, he said, 'And see this white man, this Tui-fana, who + hath grown rich among us, is as greedy as a Tongan, and keepeth for + himself a new gun with two barrels.' + </p> + <p> + “The white stood up and spoke: 'Nay, not greedy am I. Take, O chief, all I + have; my house, my mats, my land, and the wife thou gavest me, but yet + would I say, “Let me keep this gun with the two barrels.”' + </p> + <p> + “Tuialo was eaten up with greed, yet was his mind set on the gun, so he + answered, 'Nay, that were to make thee as poor as when thou comest to us. + Give me the gun, 'tis all I ask.' + </p> + <p> + “'It is not mine to give,' he answered. Then he rose and spoke to the + people. 'See,' said he, 'Tuialo, the chief, desires this gun, and I say it + is not mine to give, for to Lauati did I promise such a gun a year gone + by. This, then, will I do. Unto Tuialo will I give my land, my house, and + all that is mine, but to Lauati I give the gun, for so I promised.' + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Then fierce looks passed between the chief and the white man, and the + people surged together to and fro, for they were divided, some for the + fear of the chief, and some for the love of the white man. But most were + for that Lauati should keep the gun. And so Tuialo, seeing that the + people's hearts were against him, put on a smooth face, and came to the + white man and said— + </p> + <p> + “'Thou art as a son to me. Lauati shall keep the gun, and thou shalt keep + thy house and lands. I will take nothing from thee. Let us be for ever + friends.' + </p> + <p> + “Then the white said to the chief, 'O chief, gladly will I give thee all I + have, but this man, Lauati, is as my brother, and I promised———' + </p> + <p> + “But Tuialo put his hand on the white man's mouth, and said, 'Say no more, + my son; I was but angered.' + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Yet see now his wickedness. For that night, when my father and Uluvao, my + mother, were sitting with the white man and his wife, and drinking kava, + there suddenly sprang in upon them ten men, who stood over them with clubs + poised. They were the body-men of Tuialo. + </p> + <p> + “'Drink thy kava,' said one to the white man, 'and then come out to die.' + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Ah, he was a man! He took the cup of kava from the hands of his wife's + sister, and said— + </p> + <p> + “'It is well. All men must die. But yet would I see Tuialo before the club + fells.' + </p> + <p> + “The chief but waited outside, and he came. + </p> + <p> + “'Must I die?' said the white man. + </p> + <p> + “'Ay,' said Tuialo. 'Two such as thee and I cannot live at the same time. + Thou art almost as great a man as I.' + </p> + <p> + “The white man bent his head. Then he put out his hand to my father and + said, 'Farewell, O my friend.' + </p> + <p> + “Lauati, my father, fell at the chief's feet. 'Take thou the gun, O chief, + but spare his life.' + </p> + <p> + “Tuialo laughed. 'The gun will I take, Lauati, but his life I must have + also.' + </p> + <p> + “'My life for his,' said my father. + </p> + <p> + “'And mine,' said Uluvao, my mother. + </p> + <p> + “'And mine also,' said Manini, the white man's wife; and both she and + Taulaga, her sister, bent their knees to the chief. + </p> + <p> + “The white man tried to spring up, but four strong men held him. + </p> + <p> + “Then Tuialo looked at the pair who knelt before him. He stroked his club, + and spoke to his body-men. + </p> + <p> + “'Bring them all outside.' They went together to the beach. 'Brave talkers + ye be,' said he; 'who now will say “I die for the white man”?' + </p> + <p> + “'Nay, heed them not, Tuialo,' said the white man. 'On me alone let the + club fell.' + </p> + <p> + “But the chief gave him no answer, looking only at my father and the three + women.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “'My life,' said Taulaga, the girl; and she knelt on the sand. + </p> + <p> + “The club swung round and struck her on the side of her head, and it beat + it in. She fell, and died quickly. + </p> + <p> + “'Oho,' mocked Tuialo, 'is there but one life offered for so great a man + as Tiufana?' + </p> + <p> + “Lauati fell before him. 'Spare me not, O chief, if my life but saves + his.' + </p> + <p> + “And again the club swung, and Lauati, my Either, died too, and as he fell + his blood mixed with that of Taulaga. + </p> + <p> + “And then Uluvao and Manini, placing some little faith in his mocking + words, knelt, and their blood too poured out on the ground, and the three + women and my father lay in a heap together. + </p> + <p> + “Now I, Felipe, was but a child, and when my mother had gone to kneel + under the club she had placed me under a <i>fetan</i> tree near by. The + chiefs eye fell on me, and a man took me up and carried me to him. + </p> + <p> + “Then the white man said, 'Hurt not the child, O chief, or I curse thee + before I die, and thou wastest away.' + </p> + <p> + “So Tuialo spared me. + </p> + <p> + “Then the chief came to the white man, and the two who held his hands + pulled them well apart, and Tuialo once more swung his blood-dyed club. It + fell, and the white man's head fell upon his breast.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MRS. LIARDET: A SOUTH SEA TRADING EPISODE + </h2> + <p> + Captain Dave Liardet, of the trading schooner <i>Motutakea</i>, of Sydney, + was sitting propped up in his bunk smoking his last pipe. His very last. + He knew that, for the Belgian doctor-naturalist, his passenger, had just + said so; and besides, one look at the gaping hole in his right side, that + he had got two days before at La Vandola, in the Admiralties, from the + broad-bladed obsidian native knife, had told him he had made his last + voyage. The knife-blade lay on the cabin table before him, and his eye + rested on it for a moment with a transient gleam of satisfaction as he + remembered how well Tommy, the Tonga boy, who pulled the bow oar, had sent + a Snider bullet through the body of the yellow-skinned buck from whom the + knife-thrust had come. From the blade of obsidian on the table his eye + turned to the portrait of a woman in porcelain that hung just over the + clock. It was a face fair enough to look at, and Liardet, with a muttered + curse of physical agony, leant his body forward to get a closer view of + it, and said, “Poor little woman; it'll be darned rough on her.” Then + Russell, the mate, came down. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Joe,” said Liardet, in his practical way, which even the words of the + doctor and the face of the clock before him could not change, “cock your + ears and listen, for I haven't got much time, and you have the ship to + look to. I want you to tell the owners that this affair at La Vandola + wasn't my fault. We was doing fair and square trading when a buck drives + his knife into me for no apparent reason beyond the simple damned fun of + the thing. Well, he's done for me, and Tommy Tonga for him, and that's all + you've got to say about that. Next thing is to ask 'em to sling Tommy a + fiver over and above his wages—for saving of the boat and trade, + mind, Joe. Don't say for potting the nigger, Joe; boat and trade, boat and + trade, that's the tack to go on with owners, Joe. Well, let's see now.... + My old woman. See she gets fair play, wages up to date of death, eh, Joe? + By God, old man, she won't get much of a cheque—only four months out + now from Sydney. Look here, Joe, the Belgian's all right. He won't go + telling tales. So don't you log me dead for another month, and make as bad + a passage as you can. There's only us three white men aboard, and the + native boys will take their Bible oath I didn't die until the ship was off + Lord Howe Island if you give 'em a box of tobacco. You see, Joe? That's + the dodge. More days, more dollars, and the longer you keep the ship at + sea the more money comes to all hands. And I know I can trust you, Joe, to + lend a hand in making the old woman's cheque a little bigger. Right.... + We've been two years together now, Joe, and this is the only thing I've + ever asked you to do or done myself that wasn't square and aboveboard. But + look here”—here, for some half-minute, Captain Dave Liardet launched + into profanity—“I tell you that the owners of this ship wouldn't + care a single curse if you and I and every living soul aboard had had our + livers cut out at La Vandola as long as <i>they</i> didn't lose money over + it, and haven't to pay our wages to our wives and children.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Liardet gasped and choked, and the little Belgian naturalist tripped down + and wiped away the dark stream that began to trickle down the grizzled + beard, and then he and Russell, the mate, laid him down again. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go,” whispered the Belgian to the other, “he sink ver' fast now.” + The closed eyelids opened a little and looked up through the skylight at + the brown face of Tommy the Tongan, and then Russell gave the dying + skipper brandy and water. Then, with fast-fading eyes on the picture in + porcelain, he asked Russell what course he was keeping. + </p> + <p> + “As near south as can be,” said the mate, “but with this breeze we could + soon make the Great Barrier, and there's always hope, cap'n. Let me keep + her away to the westward a bit, and who knows but you may——” + </p> + <p> + For answer the grizzled Liardet held out his hand, shook his head faintly, + and muttering, “I hope to God it'll come on a Hell of a Calm for a Month + of Sundays,” he turned his face to the port and went over <i>his</i> Great + Barrier. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + was so young to be a widow, “and having no children, my dear, the poor + creature must have felt the shock the more keenly.” Thus the local gabble + of the acquaintances and friends of the pretty widow. And she laughed + softly to herself that she couldn't feel overwhelmed with grief at her + widowhood. “He hadn't a thought above making money,” she said to herself—oh, + Nell Liardet, for whom did he desire to make it!—“and yet never + could make it.” And then she thought of Russell, and smiled again. His + hand had trembled when it held hers. Surely he did not come so often to + see her merely to talk of rough, old Dave Liardet. A man whom she had only + tolerated—never loved. And then, Russell was a big, handsome man; + and she liked big, handsome men. Also, he was captain now. And, of course, + when he had told her of that rich patch of pearl-shell, that he alone knew + of at Caille Harbour, in which was a small fortune, and had looked so + intently into her blue eyes, he had meant that it was for her. “Yes,” and + she smiled again, “I'm sure he loves me. But he's terribly slow; and + although I do believe that blonde young widows look 'fetching' in black, + I'm getting sick of it, and wish he'd marry me to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Russell had stood to his compact with the dead skipper. The owners had + given her £150, and Russell, making up a plausible story to his dead + captain's wife of Liardet having in bygone days lent him “fifty pounds,” + had added that sum to the other. And he meant, for the sake of old Dave, + never to let his pretty little widow run short as long as he had a shot in + the locker. The patch of shell at Caille he meant to work, and if Dave had + lived they would have “gone whacks.” But as he was dead, he wouldn't do + any mean thing. She should have half of whatever he got—“go whacks” + just the same. But as for love, it never entered his honest brain, and had + any one told him that Nell Liardet was fond of him, he would have called + him a liar and “plugged” him for insulting a lady. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Going away! Mr. Russell—Joe! Surely you won't go and leave me + without a friend in the world? I thought you cared for me more than that?” + </p> + <p> + The big man reddened up to his temples. + </p> + <p> + “Don't say that, Mrs. Liardet. If you'll allow me, I'll always be a + friend. And, as I thought it would be hard for you to have to spend the + little that Liardet left you, I have made arrangements for you to draw a + few pounds whenever you need it from the agents. And as long as ever I + have a pound in the world, Dave Liardet's wife——” + </p> + <p> + “Wife!” and the blue eyes flashed angrily. “He is dead and I am free. Why + do you always talk of him? I hate the name. I hated him—a coarse, + money-loving——” + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” + </p> + <p> + Russell stepped forward. “Good-bye, Mrs. Liardet. I hold to what I have + said. But the man that you call coarse and money-loving died in trying to + make it for you. And he was a good, honest man, and I can't stay here and + hear his memory abused by the woman he loved better than life.” And then + he turned to go, but stopped, and, with a scarlet face, said, “Of course + you're a lady and wouldn't do anything not right and straight, so I know + that if you intend to marry again you'll send me word; but if you don't, + why, of course, I'll be proud and glad to stand by you in money matters. + I'm sure poor Dave would have done the same for my wife if I had got that + knife into me instead of him.” + </p> + <p> + Nell Liardet, sitting with clenched hands and set teeth, said, in a hoarse + voice, “Your wife! Are you married?” + </p> + <p> + “Well—er—yes, oh, yes. I have a—er—native wife at + the Anchorites. Poor old Dave stood godfather to one of my little girls. + God knows how anxious I am to get back to her.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Good</i> bye, Mr. Russell!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + KENNEDY THE BOATSTEERER + </h2> + <p> + Steering north-west from Samoa for six or seven hundred miles you will + sight the Ellice Group—low-lying, palm-clad coral atolls fringed on + the lee with shimmering sandy beaches. On the weather-side, exposed to the + long sweep of the ocean-rollers, there are but short, black-looking reefs + backed by irregular piles of loose, flat, sea-worn coral, thrown up and + accumulating till its surface is brushed by the pendant leaves of the + cocoanuts, only to be washed and swirled back seawards when the wind comes + from the westward and sends a fierce sweeping current along the white + beaches and black coral rocks alike. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Twenty-three years ago these islands were almost unknown to any one save a + few wandering traders and the ubiquitous New Bedford whaler. But now, long + ere you can see from the ship's deck the snowy tumble of the surf on the + reef, a huge white mass, grim, square, and ugly, will meet your eye—whitewashed + walls of a distressful ghastliness accentuated by doors and windows of the + deadliest black. This cheerful excrescence on the face of suffering nature + is a native church. + </p> + <p> + The people have mostly assimilated themselves, in their manners and mode + of life generally, to the new order of things represented by the + fearful-looking structure aforementioned. That is to say, even as the + Tongan and Fijian, they have degenerated from a fierce, hardy, warlike + race into white-shirted, black-coated saints, whose ideal of a lovely + existence is to have public prayer twice a day on week-days and all day on + Sundays. To them it is a good thing to get half a dollar from the white + trader for a sick fowl—which, when bought, will be claimed by + another native, who will have the white man fined two dollars for buying + stolen property. Had the white man paid a dollar he had done wisely—that + coin sometimes goes far in the Tokelaus. For instance, the truly unctuous + native Christian may ask a dollar for two fowls, but he will also lease + out his wife for a similar amount. Time was, in the Ellices, when the + undue complaisance of a married woman meant a sudden and inartistic + compression of the jugular, or a swift blow from the heavy, ebony-wood + club of the wronged man. Nowadays, since the smug-faced native teacher + hath shown them the Right Way, such domestic troubles are condoned by—a + dollar. That is, if it be a genuine American dollar or two British + florins; for outraged honour would not accept the cast-iron Bolivian money + or the poor silver of Chili and Peru. And for a dollar the native + “Christian” can all but pay for a nicely-bound Bible, printed in the + Samoan tongue, and thus, no doubt, out of evil would come good; for he + could, by means of his newly-acquired purchase, picture to his dusky mate + the terrors that await those who look upon strange men and <i>tupe + fa'apupula</i> (bright and shining money). + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But I want to tell about Kennedy. Kennedy the Boatsteerer he was called; + although twenty years had passed and gone since that day at Wallis Island + when he, a bright-eyed, bronze-faced lad—with the fighting-blood of + the old Puritan Endicotts running like fire through his veins despite his + New England bringing-up—ran his knife into a shipmate's heart and + fled for ever from all white associations. Over a woman it was, and only a + copper-coloured one at that; but then she was young and beautiful, with + dreamy, glistening eyes, and black, wavy hair, ornamented with a wreath of + orange-flowers and coil upon coil of bright-hued <i>seã seã</i> berries + strung together, hanging from her neck and resting upon her dainty bosom. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Standing at the doorway of his house, looking over the placid waters at + the rising sun, Kennedy folds his brawny arms across his bare, sun-tanned + chest and mutters to himself, in his almost forgotten mother-tongue: + “Twenty years, twenty years ago! Who would know me there now? Even if I + placarded my name on my back and what I did, 'taint likely I'd have to + face a grand jury for running a knife into a mongrel Portuguee, way out in + the South Seas a score of years ago.... Poor little Talamãlu! I paid a big + price for her—twenty years of wandering from Wallis Island to the + Bonins; and wherever I go that infernal story follows me up. Well, I'll + risk it anyhow, and the first chance that comes along I'll cut Kanaka life + and drinking ship's rum and go see old dad and mum to home. Here, Tikena, + you Tokelau devil, bring me my toddy.” + </p> + <p> + A native, clad in his grass <i>titi</i>, takes from a wooden peg in the + house wall two shells of toddy, and the white wanderer takes one and + drinks. He is about to return the other to the man when two girls come up + from the beach with their arms around each other's waists, Tahiti fashion, + and one calls out with a laugh to “leave some in the shell.” This is + Laumanu, and if there is one thing in the world that Jake Kennedy cares + for above himself it is this tall girl with the soft eyes and lithe + figure. And he dreams of her pretty often, and curses fluently to think + that she is beyond his reach and is never likely to fill the place of + Talamãlu and her many successors. For Laumanu is <i>tabu</i> to a Nuitao + chief—that is, she has been betrothed, but the Nuitao man is sixty + miles away at his own island, and no one knows when he will claim his <i>avaga</i>. + Then the girl gives him back the empty toddy-shell, and, slyly pinching + his hand, sails away with her mate, whereupon the susceptible Kennedy, + furious with long disappointment, flings himself down on his bed of mats, + curses his luck and his unsuspecting rival at Nuitao, and finally decides + not to spring a surprise on “dad and mum” by going “hum” for a + considerable number of years to come. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Mr. Jake Kennedy at this time was again a widower—in the widest + sense of the word. The last native girl who had occupied the proud + position of <i>Te avaga te papalagi</i> (the white man's wife) was a + native of the island of Maraki—a dark-skinned, passionately jealous + creature, who had followed his fortunes for three years to his present + location, and then developed <i>mal-du-pays</i> to such an extent that the + local priest and devil-catcher, one Pare-vaka, was sent for by her female + attendants. Pare-vaka was not long in making his diagnosis. A little devil + in the shape of an octopus was in Tene-napa's brain. And he gave + instructions how to get the fiend out, and also further instructions to + one of the girl attendants to fix, point-upwards, in the sick woman's mat + the <i>foto</i>, or barb of the sting-ray. So when Kennedy, who, in his + rough, careless way, had some feint fondness for the woman who three years + ago he went mad over, heard a loud cry in the night and was told that + Tenenapa was dead, he did not know that as the sick woman lay on her side + the watchers had quietly turned her with her face to the roof, and with + the needle pointed <i>foto</i> pierced her to the heart. And old Pare-vaka + rejoiced, for he had a daughter who, in his opinion, should be <i>avaga</i> + to the wealthy and clever white man, who could <i>tori nui</i> and <i>sisi + atu</i> (pull cocoanuts and catch bonito) like any native; and this + Tenenapa—who was she but a dog-eating stranger from Maraki only fit + for shark's meat? So the people came and brought Kennedy the “gifts of + affliction” to show their sympathy, and asked him to take a wife from + their own people. And he asked for Laumanu. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + There was a dead silence awhile, and then a wild-looking creature with + long white hair falling around his shoulders like a cloak, dreading to + shame the <i>papalagi</i> before so many, rose to his feet and motioned + them away. Then he spoke: “Forget the words you have said, and take for a + wife the girl from the house of Pare-vaka. Laumanu is <i>tabu</i> and + death walks behind her.” But Kennedy sulked and wanted Laumanu or none. + </p> + <p> + And this is why he feels so bad to-day, and the rum-keg gives him no + consolation. For the sweet-voiced Laumanu always runs away from him when + he steps out from his dark little trade-room into the light, with unsteady + steps and a peculiar gleam in his black eye, that means mischief—rude + love to a woman and challenge to fight to a man. + </p> + <p> + Lying there on his mat, plotting how to get possession of the girl, there + comes to him a faint cry, gradually swelling in volume until every voice + in the village, from the full, sonorous tones of the men to the shrill + treble of the children, blend together: “<i>Te vaka motul! Te vaka motu!</i>” + (a ship! a ship!). Springing up, he strides out, and there, slowly + lumbering round the south-west end of the little island, under cruising + canvas only, he sees her. One quick glance shows her to be a whaler. + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes Kennedy is in a canoe, flying over the reef, and in as many + more alongside and on deck. The captain is an old acquaintance, and while + the boats are sent ashore to buy pigs and poultry, Kennedy and he have a + long talk in the cabin. Then the skipper says, as he rises, “Well, it's + risky, but it's a smart way of earning five hundred dollars, and I'll land + you and the creature somewhere in the Carolines.” + </p> + <p> + The whaler was to lie off and on all night, or until such time as Kennedy + and the girl came aboard in a canoe. To avert suspicion, the captain was + to remain ashore with his boat's crew to witness a dance, and, if all went + well, the white man was to be aboard before him with Laumanu and stow her + away, in case any canoes came off with the boat. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The dance was in full swing when Kennedy, stripped to the waist, with a + heavy bag of money in his left hand and a knife in his right, took a long + farewell of his house and stepped out into the silent groves of + coco-palms. A short walk brought him to a salt lagoon. On the brink he + stood and waited, until a trembling, voiceless figure joined him from out + the depths of the thick mangroves. Hand-in-hand they fled along the + narrow, sandy path till they reached the beach, just where a few + untenanted thatched huts stood on the shingle. Between these, covered over + with cocoanut branches, lay a canoe. Deftly the two raised the light craft + and carried it down to the water that broke in tender, rippling murmurs on + the white sand. And with Laumanu seated for'ard, gazing out beyond into + the blackness before them, he urged the canoe seawards with quick, nervous + strokes. Far away to the westward he could see the dull glimmer of the + whaleship's lights. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The mate of the <i>Essex</i> was leaning over the rail, drowsily watching + the phosphorescence in the water as the ship rolled gently to the ocean + swell, when a cry came from for'ard: “A heavy squall coming down, sir, + from the land!” And it did come, with a swift, fierce rush, and so strong + that it nearly threw the old whaler over on her beam-ends. In the midst of + the hum and roar of the squall some one in the waist of the ship called + out something about a canoe being alongside. The mate's comment was brief + but vigorous, and the matter was speedily forgotten. Then the rain fell in + torrents, and as the ship was made snug the watch got under shelter and + the mate went below to get a drink of rum, and curse his captain for + loafing ashore, watching naked women dancing. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + with outrigger carried away. Now and then, as a big sea lifted her, the + stern would rise high out of the water and the sharp-nosed whaleback + for'ard go down as if weighted heavily. And it was—with a bag of + dollars lashed underneath. When in the early morning the whaleship sighted + the drifting speck, floating on the bosom of a now placid sea, the + thoughtful Down-East skipper—observant of the canoe's bows being + under water—lowered a boat and pulled over to it. He took the bag of + dollars and muttering something about “rather thinking he was kinder + acquainted with the poor man's people,” went back to the ship and stood + away on his course in pursuit of his greasy vocation. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + And Kennedy and the girl! Go some night and watch the dark-skinned people + catching flying-fish by the light of <i>au lama</i> torches. Look over the + side of the canoe and see those swarms of grim, grey devils of the tropic + seas that ever and anon dart to the surface as the paddlers' hands come + perilously near the water, and wonder no longer as to the fete of Kennedy + the Boatsteerer and his Laumanu. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A DEAD LOSS + </h2> + <p> + Denison, the supercargo of the <i>Indiana</i>, was sent by his “owners” to + an island in the S.W. Pacific where they had a trading business, the man + in charge or which had, it was believed, got into trouble by shooting a + native. His instructions were to investigate the rumour, and, if the + business was suffering in any way, to take away the trader and put another + man in his place. The incident here related is well within the memory of + some very worthy men who still dwell under the roofs of thatch in the + Western Pacific. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The name of the island was—well, say Nukupapau. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Indiana</i> sailed from Auckland in December, and made a smart run + till the blue peaks of Tutuila were sighted, when the trades foiled and + heavy weather came on from the westward. Up to this time Denison's duties + as supercargo had kept him busy in the trade-room, and he had had no time + to study his new captain, for, although they met at table three times a + day, beyond a few civilities they had done no talking. Captain Chaplin was + young—about thirty—and one of the most taciturn persons + Denison had ever met. The mate, who, having served the owners for about + twenty years, felt himself privileged, one night at supper asked him + point-blank, in his Irish fashion <i>apropos</i> of nothing: “An' phwat + part av the wurruld may yez come from, captain?” + </p> + <p> + There were but the five of them present—the skipper, two mates, + boatswain, and Denison. Laying down his knife and fork and stirring his + tea, he fixed his eyes coldly on the inquisitive sub's face. + </p> + <p> + “From the same God-forsaken hole as you do, sir—Ireland. My name + isn't Chaplin, but as I'm the captain of this rotten old hooker I want you + to understand that if you ask me another such d———d + impertinent question you'll find it a risky business for you—or any + one else!” + </p> + <p> + The quick blood mounted up to the old mate's forehead, and it looked like + as if a fight was coming, but the captain had resumed his supper and the + matter ended. But it showed us that he meant to keep to himself. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The <i>Indiana</i> made the low-lying atoll at last and lay-to outside. + Those on board could see the trader's house close to, but instead of being + surrounded by a swarm of eager and excited natives there was not one to be + seen. Nor could they even see a canoe coming off. Denison pointed this out + to the captain. Although of an evidently savage and morose temperament he + was always pleasant enough to Denison in his capacity of supercargo, and + inquired of him if he thought the trader had been killed. + </p> + <p> + “No,” Denison said, “I don't think the people here would ever kill Martin; + but something is wrong. He has not hoisted his flag, and that is very + queer. I can see no natives about his place—which also is curious; + and the village just there seems to be deserted. If you will lower the + boat I'll soon see what's wrong.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The skipper called out to lower the whaleboat, put four Rotumah boys in + her, and then offered to accompany the supercargo. As he was a new man, + Denison naturally was surprised at his wanting to leave his ship at a + strange place. + </p> + <p> + “Glad enough,” he said, “the landing here is beastly—lucky if we + escape getting stove-in going over the reef. Martin knows the passage well + and tackles it in any surf—wish he were here now!” + </p> + <p> + Captain Chaplin soon took that off his mind. Unconsciously Denison gave + him the steer-oar, and in a few minutes they were flying over the reef at + a half-tide, and never touched anywhere. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said Denison, “you seem to know the place.” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” he answered, quietly, “know it well, and know Martin, too. You'll + find him drunk.” + </p> + <p> + They walked up the white path of broken coral and stood in the doorway of + the big front room. At the far end, on a native sofa, lay Martin; by his + side sat a young native girl fanning him. No one else. + </p> + <p> + The gaunt black-whiskered trader tried to rise, but with a varied string + of oaths lashed together he fell back, waving his hand to Denison in + recognition. The girl was not a native of the island—that could be + seen at a glance. She was as handsome as a picture, and after giving the + two white men a dignified greeting, in the Yap (Caroline Islands) dialect, + she resumed her fanning and smoking her cigarette. + </p> + <p> + “Martin,” said the supercargo, “shake yourself together. What is the + matter? Are you sick, or is it only the usual drunk?” + </p> + <p> + “Both,” came in tones that sounded as if his inside were lined with cotton + wool; “got a knife in my ribs six months back; never got well; and I've + been drinking all the time “—and then, with a silly smile of + childish vanity, “all over <i>her</i>. She's my new girl—wot d'ye + think of her? Ain't she a star?” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + All this time Chaplin stood back until Denison called him up and said to + the trader, “Our new captain, Martin!” + </p> + <p> + “By God,” said the trader, slowly, “if he ain't the image of that ——— + nigger-catching skipper that was here from Honolulu four years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “That's me!” said Chaplin, coolly puffing away at his cigar, and taking a + seat near the sofa, with one swift glance of admiration at the face of the + girl. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Martin told his troubles. Some seven months previously a + ship had called at the island. He boarded her. She was a whaler making + south to the Kermadecs “sperming.” The captain told Martin he had come + through the Pelews and picked up a big canoe with a chiefs retinue on + board, nearly dead from starvation. Many of them did die on board. Among + those left were two women, the wife and daughter of the chief—who + was the first to die. Making a long story short, Martin gave the captain + trade and cash to the tune of five hundred dollars for the two women, and + came ashore. Pensioning off his other wife, he took the young girl himself + and sold the mother to the local chief for a ton of copra. + </p> + <p> + A week afterwards a young native came outside his house, cutlass in hand. + He was a brother of the dismissed wife and meant fighting. Martin darted + out, his new love standing calmly in the doorway, smoking. There was a + shot, and the native fell with a bullet through his chest, but raising his + voice he called to others and flung them his cutlass; and then Martin + found himself struggling with two or three more and got a fearful stab. + That night the head men of the village came to him and said that as he had + always been a good man to them they would not kill him, but they then and + there tabooed him till he either killed his new wife or sent her away. And + when he looked out in the morning he saw the whole village going away in + canoes to the other side of the lagoon. For six months neither he nor the + girl—Lunumala was her name—had spoken to a native. And Martin + gave himself up to love and drink, and, since the <i>fracas</i> had not + done a cent's worth of trading. + </p> + <p> + Denison told Martin his instructions. He only nodded, and said something + to the girl, who rose and brought the supercargo his books. A few minutes' + looking through them, and then at his well-filled trade-room, showed + Denison that everything was right, except that all the liquor was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Martin,” the supercargo said, “this won't do. I've got another man + aboard, and I'll put him here and take you to Rotumah.” + </p> + <p> + But he swore violently. He couldn't go anywhere else. This island was his + home. The natives would give in some day. He'd rather cut his throat than + leave. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Denison, calmly, “it's one of two things. You know as well as + I do that a <i>tabu</i> like this is a serious business. I know you are + the best man for the place; but, if you won't leave, why not send the girl + away?” + </p> + <p> + No, he wouldn't send her away. She should stay too. + </p> + <p> + “All serene,” said the man of business. “Then I'll take stock at once, and + we'll square up and I'll land the other man.” + </p> + <p> + This was a crusher for poor Martin. Denison felt sorry for him, and had a + hard duty to carry through. + </p> + <p> + Presently the sick man with a ten-ton oath groaned, “——— + you, Mister Skipper, wot are you a-doin' of there, squeezin' my wife's + hand?” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Well, now,” said the captain, quietly, “look here, Martin. Just put this + in your thick head and think it out in five minutes. You've either got to + give up this girl or get away from the island. Now, I don't want to make + any man feel mean, but she don't particularly care about you, and——” + </p> + <p> + The graceful creature nodded her approval or Chaplin's remarks, and Martin + glared at her. Then he took a drink of gin and meditated. + </p> + <p> + Two minutes passed. Then Martin turned. + </p> + <p> + “How much?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Fifty pounds, sonny. Two hundred and fifty dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “Easy to see you've been in the business,” mumbled Martin; “why, her + mother's worth that. 'Tain't no deal.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, how much <i>do</i> you want?” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred.” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't got it on board, sonny. Take eighty sovereigns and the rest in + trade or liquor?” + </p> + <p> + “It's a deal,” said Martin; “are you game to part ten sovereigns for the + girl's mother, and I'll get her back from the natives!” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Chaplin, rising \ “the girl's enough for me.” + </p> + <p> + She had risen and was looking at Martin with a pallid face and set teeth, + and then without a word of farewell on either side she picked up a Panama + hat and, fan in hand, walked down to the boat and got in, waiting for + Chaplin. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Presently he came down, and said, “Well, Mr. Denison, I suppose, as + matters are arranged, you'll want to land Martin some trade?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” said Denison, “he's got plenty. This <i>tabu</i> on his own + business will teach him a lesson. But I want to send him some provisions + on shore. By the way, captain, that girl's likely to prove expensive to + you. I hope you'll put her ashore at Rotumah till the voyage is nearly + over.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said he, “I won't. Of course, I know our godly owners would raise a + deuce of a row about my buying the girl if I couldn't pay for her keep + while she's on board, but I've got a couple of hundred pounds in Auckland, + as they know, besides some cash on board. After I've paid that thundering + blackguard I've still some left, and I mean to put her ashore at Levuka to + live until I can take her to her destination.” + </p> + <p> + “Why,” Denison queried, “what are you going to do with her?” + </p> + <p> + “Just this: there's a friend of mine in Honolulu always willing to give a + few thousand dollars for a really handsome girl. And I believe that girl + will bring me nearly about three thousand dollars.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + For three months the girl remained on board, grave, dignified, and always + self-possessed. Chaplin treated her kindly, and it was evident to all on + board that the girl had given him such affection as she was capable of, + and little knew his intentions regarding her future. With both Chaplin and + Denison she would now converse freely in the Pelew Island dialect. And + often pointing to the sinking sun she would sigh—“There is my land + over there behind the sun. When will we get there?” Laying her hand on + Chaplin's she would seek for an answer. And he would answer—nothing. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + After the <i>Indiana</i> had cruised through the Line Islands she headed + back for Rotumah and Fiji. The girl came up on deck after supper. It was + blowing freshly and the barque was slipping through the water fast. + Lunumala walked to the binnacle and looked at the compass, pointing to + S.S.W. She gazed steadily at it awhile and then said to the Rotumah boy in + his own tongue—“Why is the ship going to the South?” + </p> + <p> + Tom, the Rotuman, grinned—“To Fiji, my white tropic bird.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Chaplin came on deck, cigar in mouth. The girl and he looked at + each other. He knew by her white, set face that mischief was brewing. + </p> + <p> + Pointing, with her left hand, to the compass, she said, in a low voice— + </p> + <p> + “To Fiji?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Chaplin, coolly, “to Fiji, where you must remain awhile, + Lunumala.” + </p> + <p> + “And you?” + </p> + <p> + “That is my business. Question me no more now. Go below and turn in.” + </p> + <p> + Standing there before him, she looked again in his hard, unrelenting face. + Then she slowly walked forward. + </p> + <p> + “Sulky,” said Chaplin to Denison. + </p> + <p> + Steadily she walked along the deck, and then mounted to the to'gallant + fo'c's'le and stood a second or two by the cathead. Her white dress + flapped and clung to her slender figure as she turned and looked aft at + us, and her long, black hair streamed out like a pall of death. Suddenly + she sprang over. + </p> + <p> + With a curse Chaplin rushed to the wheel, and in double-quick time the + whaleboat was lowered and search was made. In half an hour Chaplin + returned, and gaining the deck said, in his usual cool way, to the mate: + “Hoist in the boat and fill away again as quick as possible.” Then he went + below. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes afterwards he was at his accustomed amusement, making + tortoise-shell ornaments with a fret-saw. + </p> + <p> + “A sad end to the poor girl's life,” said the supercargo. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the methodical ex-Honolulu black-birder, “and a sad end to my + lovely five hundred dollars.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HICKSON: A HALF-CASTE + </h2> + <p> + “Mauki” Hickson and I were coming across from the big native town at + Mulinu'u Point to Apia one afternoon when we met a dainty little white + woman, garmented in spotless white. Hickson, touching his hat, walked on + across the narrow bridge that crosses the creek by the French Mission, and + waited for me on the other side. + </p> + <p> + This tiny lady in white was a lovable little creature. There was not a man + in Samoa but felt proud and pleased if she stopped and spoke to him. And + she could go anywhere on the beach, from respectable Matautu right down to + riotous, dissolute Matafele, and make her purchases at the big store of + Der Deutsche Handels Plantagen und Sud See Inseln Gesellschaft without + even a drunken native daring to look at her. That was because every one, + dissolute native and licentious white, knew she was a good woman. Perhaps, + had she been married, and had she had a yellow, tallowy skin and the + generally acidulated appearance peculiar to white women long resident in + the South Seas, we wouldn't have thought so much of her, and felt mean and + contemptible when she taxed us in her open, innocent fashion with doing + those things that we ought not have done. But she had a sweet, merry + little face, set about with dimples, and soft cheeks hued like the first + flush of a ripening peach; and when she spoke to us she brought back + memories of other faces like hers—far-away faces that most of us + would have liked to have seen again. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Just by the low stone wall, that in those days came close down to the + creek, the little lady stood under the shade of some cocoanuts, and spoke + to me. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that horrible, sulky-looking half-caste?” she said, jerking her + sunshade towards my late companion. + </p> + <p> + “That is Hickson, Miss Milly,” I said—a very decent, steady fellow, + with a white man's heart. + </p> + <p> + “Decent! steady! and with a white man's heart!” and Miss Milly's + pink-and-white cheeks reddened angrily. “How I hate that expression! No + wonder all sorts of horrible things happen in these dreadful islands when + white men will walk down the road with a cruel, remorseless wretch like + Hickson—the man that murdered his sister.” + </p> + <p> + “You should not say that, Miss Milly,” I said. “Of course that is the + common report, spread about by the captain of the German brig——. + But that is because Hickson nearly killed him for calling him a nigger. + And you must remember, Miss Milly, that I was there at the time. Hickson + was our second mate. His sister was killed, but it is a cruel thing to + accuse him of murdering her; he was very fond of her.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh dear! I am so glad to hear some one say it isn't true,” and the bright + eyes filled. “They say, too, she was such a pretty little thing. How ever + did she get to such a terrible place as Ponape? Come up and see uncle and + me before you go away again. Good-bye now, I'm going to buy a water-bag at + Goddeffroy's.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I think that Hickson must have guessed that he had formed the subject of + the conversation between the little lady and myself, for after we had + walked on a bit he said, suddenly— + </p> + <p> + “I think I'll go aboard the <i>Menchikoff</i> and ship; she wants some + hands, and I would like to clear out of this. Except two or three that + have known me for a long time, like yourself, every one looks crooked at + me.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are right, Hickson, in going away. Samoa is a bad place for + an idle man. But won't you come another trip with us The old man{*} thinks + a lot of you, and there's always a second mate's berth for you with him.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The “old man,” i.e., the captain. +</pre> + <p> + Hickson's eyes flashed fire. “No! I'd as lief go to hell as ship again + with a man that once put me in irons, and disgraced me before a lot of + Kanakas. I've got White Blood enough in me to make me remember that. + Good-bye,” and he shook hands with me; “I'll wait here till the <i>Menchikoff's</i> + boat comes ashore and go off and see Bannister.” + </p> + <p> + Poor Hickson. He was proud of his White Blood, and the incident he alluded + to was a bitter memory to him. Could he ever forget it? I never could, and + thought of it as I was being pulled off on board. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It was at Jakoits Harbour—in Ponape—that it happened. Hickson + and I were going ashore in the long boat to buy a load of yams for our + native crew, when he began to tell me something of his former life. + </p> + <p> + His had been a strange and chequered career, and in his wanderings as a + trader and as a boatsteerer in a Hobart Town whaler, he had traversed + every league of the wide Pacific. With his father and two sisters he had, + till a few years or so before he joined us, been trading at Yap, in the + Western Carolines. Here the wandering old white man had died. Of his two + sisters, one, the eldest, had perished with her sailor husband by the + capsizing of a schooner which he commanded. The youngest, then about nine + years old, was taken care of by the captain of a whaler that touched at + Yap, until he placed her in charge of the then newly-founded American + Mission at Ponape, and in the same ship, Hickson went on his wanderings + again, joining us at Tahiti. And I could see as he talked to me that he + had a deep affection for her. + </p> + <p> + “What part of Ponape is she living on?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, I'm sure. Here, I suppose; and if you don't mind, while + you're weighing the yams, I'll go up to the mission-house and inquire.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, Hickson,” I said, “but don't forget to get back early, + it's a beastly risky pull out to the ship in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + We went into a little bay, and found the natives waiting for us with the + yams, and Hickson, after inquiring the way to the Mission, left me. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Ponape in those days was a rough place. It was the rendezvous of the + American whaling fleet, that came there for wood and water and “other + supplies,” before they sailed northward along the grim coasts of Japan and + Tchantar Bay to the whale grounds of the Arctic Seas. + </p> + <p> + And sometimes there would be trouble over the “other supplies” among the + savagely licentious crews of mixed men of all nations, and knives would + flash, and the white sand of the beaches be stuck together in places with + patches and clots of dull red. It was the whalers' paradise—a + paradise of the loveliest tropical beauty, of palm-shaded beach and + verdure-clad mountain imaginable; a paradise of wonderfully beautiful and + utterly, hopelessly immoral native women; and, lastly, a paradise of cheap + native grog, as potent and fiery as if Hell had been boiled down and + concentrated into a small half-pint. + </p> + <p> + It was dark, and the yams had all been brought and stored in the boat + before Hickson returned. By the flickering light of a native fire in a + house close by I could see that something was the matter with him. His + face was drawn, and his black eyes gleamed out like dully burning coals + from the thick wavy hair that fell about his temples. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry I'm late,” he said, and the moment he had spoken I knew by the + dangerous huskiness of his voice that he had been drinking the native + grog. + </p> + <p> + Staggering into the boat, he sat down beside me and took the tiller. + </p> + <p> + “Give way, <i>fanau seoli</i> (children o hell),” he growled to our crew + of Samoans and Rotumah boys, “let us get these yams aboard, and then I'm + coming back to burn the ——— mission-house down.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly the heavily-laden boat got way on her, and we slid away from the + light of the native fire out into the inky blackness of night. Beyond a + muttered curse at the crew, and keeping up that horrible grinding of the + teeth common enough to men of violent passions when under great + excitement, Hickson said nothing further till I asked— + </p> + <p> + “Hickson, what's the matter? Couldn't you find your sister?” + </p> + <p> + He sat up straight, and gripping my knee in his left hand till I winced, + said, with an awful preliminary burst of blasphemy— + </p> + <p> + “By God, sir, she's gone to hell; I'll never see poor little Kâtia again. + I'm not drunk, don't you think it. I did have a stiff pull of grog up in + the village there, but I'm not drunk; but there's something running round + and round in my head that's drivin' me mad.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “God knows. I went to the mission-house and asked for the white + missionary. The ——— dog wasn't there. He and his wife + are away in Honolulu, on a dollar-cadging trip. There was about three or + four of them cursed native teachers in the house, and all I could get out + of them was that Kâtia wasn't there now; went away a year ago. 'Where to?' + I said to one fat pig, with a white shirt and no pants on him. 'Don't + know,' says he, in the Ponape lingo; 'she's a bad girl now, and has left + us holy ones of God and gone to the whaleships.'” + </p> + <p> + Coming from any other man but Hickson I could have laughed at this, so + truly characteristic of the repellent, canting native missionary of + Micronesia, but the quick, gasping breath of Hickson and his trembling + hand showed me how he suffered. + </p> + <p> + “I grabbed him and choked him till he was near dead, and chucked him in a + heap outside. Then I went all round to the other houses, but every one ran + away from me. I got a swig of grog from a native house and came right + back.” Then he was silent, and fixed his eyes on the ship's lights + seaward. + </p> + <p> + I could not offer him any sympathy, so said nothing. Lighting our pipes we + gazed out ahead. Far away, nearest the reef, lay our brig, her riding + light just discernible. A mile or two further away were three or four + American whalers, whose black hulls we could just make out through the + darkness. Within five hundred yards of us lay a dismantled and condemned + brig, the <i>Kamehameha IV.</i> from whose stern ports came a flood of + light and the sounds of women's voices. + </p> + <p> + We were just about abeam of her when Hickson suddenly exclaimed— + </p> + <p> + “Why, sir, the boat is sinking. Pull hard, boys, pull for the brig. The + water's coming in wholesale over the gunwale. Hadn't you fellows enough + sense to leave a place to bale from?” and he slewed the boat's head for + the brig. + </p> + <p> + She had two boats astern. We were just in time to get alongside one and + pitch about two tons of yams into her, or we would have sunk. + </p> + <p> + The noise we made was heard on the brig, and a head was put out of one of + the ports, and a voice hailed us. This was the brig's owner and captain, W———. + </p> + <p> + “Come on board and have a cigar!” he called out. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the crew to bale out and re-ship the yams, we clambered on deck. + </p> + <p> + Now, this brig and her captain had a curious history. She was, two years + before, as well-found a whaleship as ever sailed the Pacific, but by some + extraordinary ill-luck she had never taken a fish during a cruise of seven + months, although in the company of others that were doing well. The + master, one of those fanatically religious New Englanders that by some + strange irony of fate may be often met with commanding vilely licentious + crews of whaleships, was a skilled and hitherto lucky man. On reaching + Ponape the whole of his officers and crew deserted <i>en masse</i> and + went off in other ships. Utterly helpless, W——— was left + by himself. There were, of course, plenty of men to be had in Ponape, but + the ship's reputation for bad luck damned his hopes of getting a fresh + crew. + </p> + <p> + Whether the man's brain was affected by his troubles I know not, but after + living like a hermit for a year, alone on the brig, a sudden change took + place in his character and conduct. Sculling ashore in one of his boats—she + was a four-boat ship—he had an interview with Nanakin, the chief of + the Jakoit's district, and returned on board with five or six young girls, + to whom he gave permanent quarters on board, selling from time to time his + sails, whaling gear, and trade to keep his harem in luxury. At the end of + a year the brig was pretty well stripped of all of any value; and W——— + went utterly, hopelessly mad. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The brig's cabin was large and roomy. The table that had once nearly + filled it had been taken away, and the floor covered with those peculiarly + made Ponape mats which, by rolling up one-half of either end, forms a + combined couch and pillow. As Hickson and I, following the crazy little + captain, made our appearance, some four young girls, who were lolling + about on the mats, started up, and looked at us with big, wondering eyes, + ablaze with curiosity. + </p> + <p> + Both Hickson and myself—and he had roved throughout Polynesia from + his boyhood—were struck by the extraordinary beauty of these four + young creatures; so young and innocent in looks; in sin, as old as Ninon + d'Enclos. + </p> + <p> + Placing one hand on the shoulder of the girl nearest to him, and fixing + his big, blue, deep-set eyes on us, W———waved the other + towards the girls, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Welcome, gentlemen, welcome. Behold these little devils, who in the guise + of sunburnt angels are the solace of a man forgotten by his God, and the + father of a family residing in Martha's Vineyard, United States of + America.” + </p> + <p> + Then he gave us each a cigar and told us to be seated while he got us a + glass of New England rum. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Hickson, with a contemptuous smile, sat with folded arms on a short, heavy + stool. One of the girls, unshipping one of the two lights from the hook on + which it hung, followed W———into a state-room to get the + rum. Presently we heard them coming out, W——— carrying a + wickerwork-covered five-gallon jar; but two girls came out instead of one. + The stranger kept close to W———, one hand holding the + sleeve of his shirt. + </p> + <p> + Stooping as he set the jar on the floor, I had a good view of the + new-comer, and a deadly fear seized me. I knew at once that she was + Hickson's sister! He was coarse and rough-looking, but yet a handsome man, + and this girl's likeness to him was very striking. Just then Hickson, not + even noticing her, rose and said he was going on deck to see if the boat + was ready, when the strange quavering tones of W——— + arrested him. + </p> + <p> + “Be seated, sir, for another minute. Nijilon, get some glasses. You see + here, gentlemen, the fairest and choicest or all my devil-vestals, one + that———” + </p> + <p> + Hickson looked at her, and with a terrified wail the girl clutched W———'s + arm, and placed her face against his breast. With lips drawn back from his + white teeth the half-caste sprang up, and his two clenched hands pawed the + air. Then from his throat there came a sound like a laugh strangled into a + groan. + </p> + <p> + Scarce knowing what I did I got in front of him, He dashed me aside as if + I were a child, and seized the stool. And as he swung it round above his + head the girl raised a face like the hue of death to his; then the blow + fell, and she and W——— went down together. + </p> + <p> + ****** + </p> + <p> + Hickson rushed on deck and tried to spring overboard. I think he must have + struck the main boom, for one of our crew who was on deck heard him fall. + We got a light, and found him lying senseless. Two of the “vestals” held + him up while I went below for some rum and water. W——— + was lying where he had fallen, breathing heavily, but not seriously + injured as far as I could see. But one look at the closed eyes of the girl + told me she was past all help. The heavy stool had struck her on the + temple. + </p> + <p> + Placing Hickson in the boat with two men to mind mm, I took the other two + with me into the cabin of the brig. W——— was seated on + the floor, held up by two of his harem, and muttering unintelligibly to + himself. The other two were bending over the figure on the floor, and + placing their hands on her bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Come away from here, L———,” said Harry, one of our + Rotumah boys, to me; “if the Ponape men come off, they will kill us all.” + </p> + <p> + We could do nothing, so we got back into the boat, and with the still + senseless body of Hickson lying at our feet, pulled out to the ship. + </p> + <p> + ****** + </p> + <p> + When he came to he was a madman, and for his own safety our captain put + him in irons. We put to sea next day, our skipper, like a wise man, saying + it would go hard with us if W——— died, and four Yankee + whalers in port. + </p> + <p> + The day after we got away Hickson was set at liberty, and went about his + duties as usual. At nightfall I went into his deck cabin. He was lying in + his bunk, in the dark, smoking. He put out his hand, and drew me close up + to him. + </p> + <p> + “Harry says she is dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” I whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Poor little Kãtia; I never meant to hurt her But I am glad she is dead.” + </p> + <p> + And he smoked his pipe in silence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A BOATING PARTY OF TWO + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + The prison gate opened, and Number 73 for a minute or so leaned against + the wall to steady himself. The strange clamour of the streets smote upon + his ear like dagger strokes into his heart, and his breath came in quick, + short gasps. + </p> + <p> + Some one was speaking to him—a little, pale-faced, red-whiskered man + with watery eyes—and Challoner, once “Number 73,” staring stupidly + at him, tried to understand, but foiled. Then, sidling up to him, the + little man took one of Challoner's gaunt and long hands between his own, + and a stout, masculine female in a blue dress and poke bonnet and + spectacles clasped the other and called him “brother.” + </p> + <p> + A dull gleam shone in his sullen eyes at last, and drawing his hands away + from them, he asked— + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + The stout woman's sharp tongue clattered, and Challoner listened stolidly. + Sometimes a word or two in the volley she fired would cause him to shake + his head wearily—“happiness in the life heternal,” “washed in the + blood of the Lamb,” and “cast yer sins away an' come an' be saved without + money an' without price.” + </p> + <p> + Then he remembered who he was and who they were—the warders had told + him of the Prison Gate Brigade. He turned to the man and muttered— + </p> + <p> + “I want to get away from here,” and stepped past them, but the woman laid + her fat, coarse hand on his sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “Come 'ome with us, brother. P'r'aps yer 'ave a mother or a wife waitin' + to 'ear from yer, an' we——” + </p> + <p> + He dashed her hand aside savagely—“Blast you, no; let me go!” + </p> + <p> + Then with awkward, shambling gait he pushed through the curious crowd at + the prison gate, crossed the street, and entered the nearest public-house. + </p> + <p> + “Another soul escaped us, Sister Hannah,” squeaked the little man; “but + we'll try and rescue him when he comes out from the house of wickedness + and abomination.” + </p> + <p> + “Better leave him alone,” said a warder in plain clothes, who just then + came through the gate, “he won't be saved at no price, I can tell yer.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is the poor man?” asked Sister Hannah, in a plaintive, injured voice. + </p> + <p> + “Sh! Mustn't ask them questions,” said the little man. + </p> + <p> + But he knew, all the same, that the tall, gaunt man with the sallow face + and close-cropped white hair was Harvey Challoner, once chief officer of + the ship <i>Victory</i>, sentenced in Melbourne to imprisonment for life + for manslaughter, but released at the end of ten years. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The <i>Victory</i> murder trial had not attracted much public attention, + and the prisoner had been defended at the public expense. On the voyage + from London to Australia the crew had become discontented. They had reason + for their discontent. Captain Cressingham, for all his suave, gentlemanly + shore manners, was an adept at “hazing,” and was proud of the distinction + of making every ship he commanded a hell to the fo'c's'le hands. + Sometimes, with sneering, mocking tongue, he would compliment Challoner + upon the courteous manner in which he “addressed the gentlemen for'ard.” + As for the other two mates, they were equally as brutal as their captain, + but lacked his savage, methodical vindictiveness. + </p> + <p> + When only a few weeks out, Harman, the second mate, one day accused one of + the men of “soldiering,” and striking him in the face, broke his nose, and + as the man lay on the deck he kicked him brutally. Challoner, who was on + deck at the time, jumped down off the poop, and seizing Harman by the arm, + called him a cowardly hound. + </p> + <p> + “And you're a d———d old woman,” was the retort. + </p> + <p> + Challoner's passion overpowered him, and at the end of five minutes Harman + was carried below badly knocked about, and à stormy scene ensued between + Challoner and the captain. + </p> + <p> + “You have all but killed Mr. Harman. I could, and should, put you in irons + for the rest of the voyage,” the captain had said. + </p> + <p> + There was a steely glitter in the mate's dark eyes as he answered— + </p> + <p> + “In dealing with ruffians such as Harman and yourself one doesn't stop at + an extra blow or two.” + </p> + <p> + From that time Cressingham was his bitter enemy; but Challoner did his + duty as chief officer too faithfully to give the captain a chance against + him. + </p> + <p> + Day after day had passed. The sullen discontent of the crew had changed + into outspoken hatred and a thirst for revenge upon the captain and Harman + and Barton—the latter the third mate—and Challoner, who knew + what was brewing, dared not open his mouth to any one of the three upon + the subject. Between himself and Cressingham and the other two there had + now sprung up a silent yet fierce antagonism, which the crew were quick to + perceive, and from which they augured favourably for themselves. + </p> + <p> + One night, just as Challoner had relieved the second mate, some of the + hands from both watches marched boldly aft and asked him if he would take + command of the ship. He had only to say the word, they said. They were + tired of being “bashed” and starved to death by the skipper and two mates, + and if he would navigate the ship to Melbourne they would keep him free + from interference, and take the consequences, &c. + </p> + <p> + “Go for'ard, you fools,” said Challoner, with assumed harshness, “don't + talk mutiny to me.” + </p> + <p> + A step sounded on the deck behind him, and Cressingham's sneering tones + were heard. + </p> + <p> + “Discussing mutiny, are you, Mr. Challoner? By God, sir, I've suspected + you long enough. Go below, sir; or go for'ard with these fellows. You'll + do no more mate's duty aboard of this ship. Ah, Colliss, you're one of the + ringleaders, are you?” And in an instant he seized a seaman by the throat, + and called loudly for Barton and Harman to help him. + </p> + <p> + Before they could respond to his call the poop was black with struggling + men. Cressingham, mad with passion, had Colliss down trying to strangle + him, and Challoner, fearing murder would be done, had thrown himself upon + the captain and tried to make him release his grip of the man's throat. At + that moment a sailor called out— + </p> + <p> + “Stand by, chaps, for Barton and Harman, and drop 'em the moment they + shows up. Mr. Challoner's got the old man safe.” + </p> + <p> + But Messrs. Harman and Barton were tough customers. The loud cries on deck + and heavy tramping of feet told them that a crisis had occurred, and they + dashed up, each with a revolver in hand—only to be felled from + behind ere they could fire a shot. Challoner, letting the captain free, + sprang to their aid. But he came too late, for before, with blows, kicks, + and curses, he could force his way through the swaying, surging mass of + men that hid the fallen officers from his view, he heard a sound—the + sound of a man's skull as it was smashed in by a heavy blow. + </p> + <p> + “He's done for,” said a voice, with a savage laugh, “scoot, chaps, scoot. + This shindy will keep the old man quiet a bit, now one of his fightin' + cocks is gone,” and the men tumbled down off the poop as quick as their + legs could carry them, leaving Challoner and the two prone figures behind + them. Cressingham had gone below for his revolver. + </p> + <p> + “Steward,” called Challoner, “bring a light here, quick, and see where the + captain is,” and, stooping down, he tried to raise Harman, then laid him + down with a shudder—his brains were scattered on the deck. Barton + was alive, but unconscious. + </p> + <p> + As Challoner was about to rise, Captain Cressingham stood over him and + raised his arm, and dealt him a crashing blow with a belaying pin. When he + regained consciousness he was in irons. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A month later and he stood in the dock charged with murder. The principal + witnesses against him were his captain and Barton, the third mate. The + crew, who, of course, were also witnesses in the case, didn't worry much + about him. It wasn't likely they would run their necks into a noose if it + could be placed round any one else's. And in this instance—superinduced + by a vision of the gallows—fo'c's'le hands stuck to one another and + lied manfully together. None of them “had hurt Mr. Harman.” + </p> + <p> + But it was upon Cressingham's evidence that his fate hung; and + Cressingham, suave, handsome, and well-dressed, told the court how + Challoner had once attempted to murder Harman in the earlier part of the + voyage. Barton, with his arm in a sling, corroborated the lie with blunt + cheerfulness. + </p> + <p> + His Honour summed up dead against the prisoner, and the jury, impressed by + the calm, gentlemanly appearance of Captain Cressingham, and the haggard, + unshaven, and guilty look of the man whose life they held in their hands, + were not long in considering their verdict. + </p> + <p> + The prisoner was found guilty, but with a recommendation to mercy. + </p> + <p> + And then the judge, who was cross and tired, made a brief but affecting + speech, and sentenced him to imprisonment for life. + </p> + <p> + He went into his prison cell with hair as black as night, and came out + again as white as a man of seventy. + </p> + <p> + ****** + </p> + <p> + In a back room of the public-house he sat and waited till he had courage + and strength enough to face the streets again. And as he waited, he gave + himself up to visions of the future—to the day when, with his hand + on Cressingham's lying throat, he would see his face blacken and hear the + rattling agonies of his gasps for breath. He leaned back in his chair and + laughed hoarsely. The unearthly, hideous sound startled him, and he + glanced round nervously as if he feared to betray his secret. Then he + drank another glass of brandy, and with twenty-six shillings of prison + money in his pocket and ten years of the blackest hatred in his heart, he + went out again into the world to begin his search—for Cressingham + and revenge. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + The people of Port ———, on the east coast of New + Zealand, were charmed with the handsome commander of the biggest ocean + steamer that had yet visited the port, and on the eve of his departure + gave Captain Cressingham the usual banquet. Banquets to captains of new + lines of steamers are good things to boom the interests of a budding + seaport town, and so a few score of the “warmest” men in the place + cheerfully planked down their guinea each for the occasion. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Belted Will</i> had hauled out from the wharf and lay a mile or so + from the shore ready for sea, and the captain had told his chief officer + to send a boat ashore for him at twelve o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Among the crowd that lounged about the entrance to the town hall and + watched for the arrival of the guest of the evening was a tall, dark, + rough-looking man with white curly hair. One or two of those present + seemed to know him, and presently some one addressed him. + </p> + <p> + “Hallo, Harry! come to have a look at the swells? 'Taint often you come + out o' nights.” + </p> + <p> + The white-haired man nodded without speaking, and then moved away again. + Presently the man he was looking for was driven up, and the loungers drew + aside to let him pass up the steps into the blaze of light under the + vestibule of the hall, where he was welcomed by half a dozen effusive + citizens. For a moment he stood and chatted, and the man who watched + clenched his brawny hands and ground his teeth. Then Captain Cressingham + disappeared, and the tall man walked slowly away again in the direction of + the wharves. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + At eleven o'clock Cressingham's boat came ashore, and the crew as they + made her fast grumbled and cursed in true sailor fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Are you the chaps from the <i>Belted Will?</i>” said a man, who was + leaning against one of the wharf sheds. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; who are you, mister?” said one of them. + </p> + <p> + “I'm Harry—one of the hands that was stowing wool aboard. I heard + you was coming ashore for the captain, and as you won't see him for the + next couple of hours, I thought I'd come down and ask you to come up and + have a couple of nips. It's cold loafing about here. I live pretty close.” + </p> + <p> + “You're one o' the right sort. What say, Peter?” Peter was only too glad. + The prospect of getting into a warm house was enough inducement, even + without the further bliss of a couple of nips. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour the two men were helplessly drunk in Harry's room, and + their generous host carefully placing another bottle (not doctored this + time) of rum on the table for them when they awoke, quietly went out and + locked the door behind him. Then he walked quickly back to where the <i>Belted + Will</i> boat lay, and descending the steps, got into her and seemed to + busy himself for a while. He soon found what he was looking for, and then + came the sound of inrushing water. Then he drew the boat up again to the + steps, got out, and casting off the painter, slung it aboard, and shoved + her into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + For another hour he waited patiently, and then came the rattle of wheels, + and loud voices and laughter, as a vehicle drew up at the deserted wharf. + </p> + <p> + “Why not stay ashore to-night, captain,” said one of the guest's + champagne-laden companions, “and tell your man to go back?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” laughed Cressingham. “I don't like the look of the weather, and + must get aboard right away. Boat ahoy! Where are you, men?” + </p> + <p> + “Your boat isn't here, sir,” said a gruff voice, and a tall man advanced + from the darkness of the sheds. “I saw the men up town, both pretty full, + and heard them laughing and say they meant to have a night ashore. It's my + belief they turned her adrift purposely.” + </p> + <p> + Cressingham cursed them savagely, and then turned to the tall man. + </p> + <p> + “Can you get me a boat?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, there's a big heavy boat belonging to my boss that I can get, + and I don't mind putting you aboard. We can sail out with this breeze in + no time. She's lying under the coal-wharf.” + </p> + <p> + “That'll do. Good-bye, gentlemen. I trust we shall all meet again in + another eight months or so.” + </p> + <p> + The big man led the way, and in a few minutes they reached the coal wharf, + under which the boat was moored. She was a heavy, clumsily-built craft, + and Cressingham, on getting aboard and striking a match, cursed her filthy + state. The tall man stepped to the mast and hoisted the lug-sail, and + Cressingham, taking the tiller, kept her out towards the <i>Belted Will</i> + whose riding light was discernible right ahead. + </p> + <p> + “We must look out for the buoys, sir,” said the gruff-voiced man, as the + breeze freshened up and the heavy boat quickened her speed. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Cressingham, and pulling out a cigar from his overcoat + he bent his head and struck a light. + </p> + <p> + Ere he raised it the white-haired man had sprung upon him like a tiger, + and seized his throat in his brawny hands. For a minute or so Cressingham + struggled in that deadly grip, and then lay limp and insensible in the + bottom of the boat. + </p> + <p> + Challoner, with malignant joy, leaned over him with a world of hate in his + black eyes, and then proceeded to business. + </p> + <p> + Lifting the unconscious man he carried him for'ard, and, placing him upon + a thwart, gagged and bound him securely. Then he went aft and, taking the + tiller, hauled the sheet in and kept the boat away again upon her course + for the <i>Belted Will</i>. + </p> + <p> + He passed within a quarter of a mile of the huge, black mass with the + bright riding light shining upon the fore-stay, and the look-out from the + steamer took no notice of the boat as she swept past toward the open sea. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Daylight at last. For six hours the boat had swept before the strong + northerly wind, and the land lay nearly thirty miles astern, lost in a + sombre bank of heavy clouds and mist. Challoner had taken off his rough + overcoat and thrown it over the figure of his enemy. He did not want him + to perish of cold. And as he steered he fixed his eyes, lighted up with an + unholy joy, upon the bent and crushed figure before him. + </p> + <p> + Cressingham was conscious now, and stared with horror-filled eyes at the + grim creature in the craft before him—a gaunt, dark-faced man, clad + in a striped guernsey and thin cotton pants, with a worn and ragged + woollen cap stuck upon his thick masses of white curly hair. Who was he? A + madman. + </p> + <p> + Challoner seemed to take no notice of him, and looked out upon the + threatening aspect of sea and sky with an unconcerned face. Presently he + hauled aft the sheet a bit, and kept the boat on a more westerly course, + and the bound and wondering man on the for'ard thwart watched his + movements intently. + </p> + <p> + The boat had made a little water, and the white-headed man stooped and + baled it out carefully; then he looked up and caught his prisoner's eye. + </p> + <p> + “Ha, ha, Cressingham, how are you? Isn't it delightful that we should meet + again?” + </p> + <p> + A strange inarticulate cry broke from Cressingham. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “What! is it possible that you don't remember me? I am afraid that that + banquet champagne has affected you a little. Try back, my dear fellow. + Don't you remember the <i>Victory?</i>” + </p> + <p> + Ah! he remembered now, and a terrible fear chilled his life-blood and + froze his once sneering tongue into silence. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I see you do,” and Challoner laughed with Satanic passion. “And so we + meet again—with our positions reversed. Once, unless my memory fails + me, you put me in irons. Now, Captain Cressingham, I have you seized up, + and we can have a quiet little chat—all to ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + No answer came from Cressingham. With dilated, horror-stricken eyes and + panting breath he was turned into stone. The wretched man's silence at + last broke up the depths of his maddened tormentor's hatred, and with a + bound he sprang to his feet and raised his hand on high. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! God is good to me at last, Cressingham. For ten years I hungered and + thirsted for the day that would set me free, free to search the world over + for the lying, murderous dog that consigned me, an innocent man, to a + lifelong death. And when the day came, sooner than I thought or you + thought—for I suffered for ten years instead of for life—I + waited, a free man till I got you into my power.” + </p> + <p> + His hand fell to his side again, and then he leaned forward and laughed. + </p> + <p> + Cressingham, with death creeping into his heart, at last found his voice. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to murder me?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Challoner, slowly, “I am going to murder you. But not quickly. + There would be no joy in that. I want you to taste some of my hideous past—some + little space, if only for a day or two, of that ten long years of agony I + spent in Pentridge.” + </p> + <p> + Then he sat down again, and opening the locker in the stern sheets, took + out food and water, and placing it beside him, ate and drank. But he gave + none to Cressingham. + </p> + <p> + He finished his meal, and then looked again at his prisoner, and spoke + calmly again. + </p> + <p> + “You are comfortable, I trust, Captain Cressingham? Not cold, I am + certain, for you have my overcoat in addition to your own. Do you know why + I gave it to you? Just to keep you nice and warm during the night, and—alive. + But, as I feel chilly myself now, I'll take it from you. Thanks,” and he + laughed mockingly as he leaned over and snatched it away. + </p> + <p> + “You see, sir, we are going on a long cruise—down to the Snares, + perhaps—and I must keep warm myself, or else how can I talk to you + to break the monotony of the voyage?... It is no use looking astern, my + friend. There's only one tug in port, and she is not in sea-going trim, so + we've got a good start of any search party. And as I don't want to die + myself, we won't run away from the land altogether.” + </p> + <p> + And so the day passed, agony and deadly fear blanching the face of one, + and cruel, murderous joy filling the heart of the other. Once, as the last + dying gleams of the wintry sun for a few brief moments shone over the + blackened waters, Challoner saw a long stream of steamer's smoke between + the boat and the misty line of coast, and he lowered the sail and let the + boat drift till darkness enwrapped them again. + </p> + <p> + Once more he took out food and water, and ate and drank, and then lit his + pipe and smoked, and watched with eyes that glared with the lust of murder + and revenge the motionless being before him. + </p> + <p> + Only once in all that night of horror to Cressingham did he speak, and his + voice shook and quivered, and came in choking gasps. + </p> + <p> + “Challoner, for the love of Christ, kill me and end my misery.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! still alive, Captain Cressingham! That is very satisfactory—to + me only, of course. Kill you, did you say?” and again his wild demoniac + laugh pealed out through the black loneliness of the night. “No, I don't + intend to kill you. I want to see you suffer and die by inches. I want you + to call upon God to help you, so that I can mock at you, and defy Him to + rob me of my vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + A shuddering moan, and then silence again. + </p> + <p> + Again the day broke, and as the ocean mists cleared and rolled away, and + the grey morning light fell upon the chilled and stiffening form of his + enemy, Challoner came up and looked into his face, and spoke to him. + </p> + <p> + No answer came from his pallid lips, and Challoner thrust his hand under + Cressingham's coat and felt his heart. He was still alive, and presently + the closed and swollen eyelids opened, and as he met the glance of the man + who leaned over him an anguished groan burst from his heart. + </p> + <p> + Challoner looked at him intently for awhile; then he hoisted the sail + again, and, taking the tiller, headed the boat in for the land. The wind + had hauled round during the night, and although the boat made a lot of + leeway there was no danger now of being blown away from the land + altogether. + </p> + <p> + As the sun mounted higher, and the grey outlines of the shores darkened, + he glanced carefully over the sea to the north-west. Nothing in sight + there. But as the boat lifted to a sea he saw about five miles to leeward + that a big steamer was coming up. In half an hour, unless she changed her + course, she would be up to the boat and could not fail to see her. + </p> + <p> + In five minutes more Cressingham lay in the bottom of the boat unbound, + but dying fast, and Challoner was speaking to him. + </p> + <p> + “Cressingham, you are dying. You know that, don't you? And you know that I + am not lying when I tell you that there is a steamer within five miles of + us. In less than half an hour she will be up to us.” + </p> + <p> + One black, swollen hand was raised feebly, and then fell back, and a + hoarse sound came from his throat. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now listen. I said I wanted to see you die—die as you are + dying now—with my face over yours, watching you die. And you die and + I live. I can live now, Cressingham, and perhaps the memory of those ten + years of death in life that I suffered through you will be easier to bear. + And yet there is one thing more that you must know—something that + will make it harder for you to meet your Maker, but easier for me.... + Listen.” He knelt beside him and almost shrieked it: “I had no one in the + whole world to care for me when I was tried for my life but my wife—and + you, you fiend, you murderer—you killed her. She died six years ago—starved + and died.” + </p> + <p> + Cressingham, with closed eyes, lay with his head supported on Challoner's + left arm. Presently a tremor shook his frame, a fleck of foam bubbled from + between his lips, and then the end. + </p> + <p> + With cold, merciless eyes the other regarded him, with clenched hands and + set teeth. Then he went for'ard and unbent the boat's kedge, and with the + same lashings that had bound the living man to the thwart he lashed the + kedge across the dead man's chest. + </p> + <p> + He stood up and looked at the approaching steamer, and then he raised the + body in his arms and dropped it over the side. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A few days later the papers said that the steamer <i>Maungatapu</i> had + picked up a man named Harry, who with Captain Cressingham, of the <i>Belted + Will</i> had been blown out to sea from Port ———. It + appeared from the survivor's statement that during a heavy squall the same + night Captain Cressingham had fallen overboard, and his companion was + unable to rescue him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + “THE BEST ASSET IN A FOOL'S ESTATE” + </h2> + <p> + A slight smile lit up the clear-cut, sombre face of Lawson from Safune, as + looking up from his boat at Etheridge's house he saw the glint of many + lights shining through the walls of the roughly-built store. It was well + on towards midnight when he had left Safune and sailed round to + Etheridge's, a distance of twelve or fifteen miles, and as his boat + touched the sand the first streaks of dawn were changing the dead + whiteness of the beach into a dull grey—soon to brighten into a + creamy yellow as the sun pierced the heavy land-mist. + </p> + <p> + A native or two, wrapped from head to foot in the long <i>lava lava</i> of + white calico, passed him as he followed the windings of the track to + Etheridge's, but gave him no sign of greeting. Had he been any one of the + few other white men living on Savaii the dark men would have stopped him + and, native-like, inquired the reason of his early visit to their town. + But they knew Lawson too well. <i>Matâaitu</i> they called him—devil-faced. + And in this they were not far wrong, for Lawson, with his dark olive skin, + jet black beard, and eyes that belied the ever-smiling lips, was not a man + whom people would be unanimous in trusting. + </p> + <p> + The natives knew him better than did his few white acquaintances in Samoa, + for here, among them, the mask that hid his inner nature from his compeers + was sometimes put aside, though never thrown away. But Etheridge, the + hot-blooded young Englishman and friend of six months' standing, thought + and spoke of him as “the best fellow in the world.” + </p> + <p> + Etheridge had been taking stock, and the wearisome work had paled his + usually florid features. His face flushed with pleasure at Lawson's quiet + voice:— + </p> + <p> + “Hard at it, Etheridge? I don't know which looks the paler—you or + Lâlia. Why on earth didn't you send for me sooner? Any one would think you + were some poor devil of a fellow trading for the Dutchmen instead of being + an independent man. Now, I'm hungry and want breakfast—that is, if + Lâlia isn't too tired to get it,” and he looked compassionately at + Etheridge's young half-caste wife, sister to his own. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not tired,” said the girl, quietly. “I've had easy tasks—counting + packets of fish-hooks, grosses of cotton, and things like that. Billy + wouldn't let me help him with the prints and heavy things,” and with the + faintest shadow of a smile on her lips she passed through into the + sitting-room and thence outside to the little thatched cook-house a few + yards away. With ardent infatuation Etheridge rested his blue eyes on the + white-robed, slender figure as she stood at the door and watched the Niuë + cook light his fire for an early cup of coffee—the first overture to + breakfast at Etheridge's. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, Lawson, I'm the luckiest man in Samoa to get such a wife as + Lâlia—and I only a new-chum to the Islands. I believe she'd work + night and day if I'd allow it. And if it hadn't been for you I'd never + have met her at all, but would have married some fast creature who'd have + gone through me in a month and left me a dead-broken beachcomber.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Lawson, “she <i>is</i> a good girl, and, except her sister, + about the only half-caste I ever knew whom I would trust implicitly. Their + mother was a Hervey Island woman, as I told you, and Lâlia has been with + Terere and me all over Polynesia, and I think I know her nature. She's + fond of you, Etheridge, in her quiet, undemonstrative way, but she's a bit + shy yet. You see, you don't speak either Rarotongan or Samoan, and + half-caste wives hate talking English. Now, tell me, what is it worrying + you? You haven't had another attack?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the younger man, “I have—and a bad one, too, and that's + why I sent for you. The stocktaking is nothing; but I was afraid I might + get another that would stiffen me properly. Look here, Lawson, you've been + a true friend to me. You picked me up six months ago a drunken, + half-maddened beast in Apia and saved my life, reason, and money, and——” + </p> + <p> + “Bosh!” said Lawson, taking his coffee from the hand of Etheridge's wife; + “don't think of it, my boy. Every man goes a bit crooked sometimes; so + don't thank me too much.” + </p> + <p> + Etheridge waited till his wife was gone and then resumed: “I've been + horribly scared, Lawson, over this,” and he placed his hand over his + heart, “I was lifting a case of biscuits when I dropped like a pithed + bullock. When I came to, Lâlia was bathing my face.... I feel pretty shaky + still. The doctor at Goddeffroy's warned me, too—said I'd go off + suddenly if I wasn't careful. My father and one brother died like that. + And I want to talk things over with you in case, you know.” Lawson nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Everything I have is for her, Lawson—land, house, trade, and money. + You're pretty sure there's no irregularity in that will of mine, aren't + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure. It's very simply written. It's properly witnessed, and would hold + in any court of law if contested. And perhaps your people in Australia + might do that.” + </p> + <p> + Etheridge reddened. “No; I cut adrift from 'em long ago. Grog, you know. + Beyond yourself and Lâlia, I haven't a soul who'll bother about me. I + think, Lawson, I'll take a run up to Apia and see the Dutch doctor again. + Fearful cur, am I not?” + </p> + <p> + “Come, Etheridge,” and Lawson laid his smooth, shapely hand—how + dishonest are shapely hands!—on the other's arm. “You're a little + down. Anything wrong with one's heart always gives a man a bad shaking. + There's Lâlia calling us to breakfast, so I won't say any more but this: + Even if Lâlia wasn't my wife's sister, and anything happened to you, + there's always a home for her in my house. I'd do that for your sake + alone, old man, putting aside the principle I go on of showing respect to + any white man's wife, even if she were a Oahu girl and had rickety ideas + of morality.” + </p> + <p> + When Lawson had first met him and had carried him down to his station on + Savaii, nursed him through his illness, and treated him like a brother, + Etheridge, with the impulsive confidence of his simple nature, poured out + his thanks and told his history, and eagerly accepted Lawson's suggestion + to try his hand at trading, instead of continuing his erratic wanderings—wanderings + which could only end in his “going broke” at Tahiti or Honolulu, Fifteen + miles or so away, Lawson said, there was a village with a good opening for + a trader. How much could he put into it? Well, he had £500 with him, and + there was another thousand in Sydney—the last of five. Ample, said + his host. So one day the land was bought, a house and store put up, and + Etheridge commenced life as a trader. + </p> + <p> + The strange tropic beauty of the place and the ways of the people soon + cast their spell over Etheridge's imaginative nature, and he was as happy + as a man possibly could be—with a knowledge that his life hung by a + thread. How slender that thread was Lawson knew, perhaps, better than he. + The German doctor had said, “You must dell him to be gareful, Mr. Lawson. + Any excidemend, any zooden drouble mit anydings; or too much visky midout + any excidemends, and he drop dead. I dell you.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A month or so after he had settled, Etheridge paid his weekly visit to + Lawson, and met Lâlia. + </p> + <p> + “This is my wife's sister,” said Lawson; “she has been on a visit to some + friends in Tutuila, and came back in the <i>Iserbrook?</i>” + </p> + <p> + The clear-cut, refined, and beautiful features of the girl did their work + all too quickly on Etheridge. He was not a sensualist, only a man keenly + susceptible to female beauty, and this girl was. beautiful—perhaps + not so beautiful as her sister, Terere, Lawson's wife, but with a softer + and more tender light in her full, dark eyes. And Lawson smiled to himself + when Etheridge asked him to come outside and smoke when his wife and her + sister had said good-night. A student of human nature, he had long ago + read the simple mind of Etheridge as he would an open book, and knew what + was coming. They went outside and talked—that is, Etheridge did. + Lawson listened and smoked. Then he put a question to the other man. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Of course I will, Lawson; do you think I'm scoundrel enough to dream of + anything else? We'll go up to Apia and get married by the white + missionary.” + </p> + <p> + Lawson laughed in his quiet way. “I wouldn't think you a scoundrel at all, + Etheridge. I may as well tell you that I'm not married to her sister. We + neglected doing that when I lived in the eastward groups, and no one in + Samoa is any the wiser, and wouldn't think anything of it if they were. + But although I'm only a poor devil of a trader, I'm a man of principle in + some things. Lâlia is but a child, so to speak, and I'm her natural + protector. Now, you're a fellow of some means, and if anything did happen + to you she wouldn't get a dollar if she wasn't legally your wife. The + consul would claim everything until he heard from your relatives. And + she's very young, Etheridge, and you've told me often enough that your + heart's pretty dicky. Don't think me a brute.” + </p> + <p> + Etheridge grasped his hand and wrung it. “No, no—a thousand times + no. You're the best-hearted fellow in the world, and I honour you all the + more, Lawson. Will you ask her to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps if he had heard the manner of Lawson's asking it would have + puzzled his simple brain. And the subdued merriment of the two sisters + might have caused him to wonder still more. + </p> + <p> + A week or so after, Etheridge and the two sisters went up to Apia. Lawson + was unable to go. Copra was coming in freely, he had said with a smile, + and he was too poor to run away from business—even to the wedding of + his own wife's sister. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + As Etheridge and his young wife came out of the mission church some + natives and white loafers stood around and watched them. + </p> + <p> + “Ho, Mâgalo,” said one, “is not that <i>teine</i>, the sister of the wife + of <i>Matâaitu</i> the black-visaged <i>papalagi?</i>” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” answered a skinny old hag, carrying a basket of water-bottles, + “'tis she, and the other is Terere. I lived with them once at Tutuila. She + who is now made a wife and looketh so good and holy went away but a year + ago with the captain of a ship—a pig of a German—and now, look + you, she marrieth an Englishman.” + </p> + <p> + The other natives laughed, and then an ugly fat-faced girl with + lime-covered head and painted cheeks called out “<i>Pâpatetele!</i>” and + Terere turned round and cursed them in good English. + </p> + <p> + “What does that mean?” said a white man to Flash Harry from Saleimoa—a + man full of island lore. + </p> + <p> + “Why, it means as the bride isn't all as she purfesses to be. Them pretty + soft-lookin' ones like her seldom is, in Samoa or anywhere else.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The day following the stock-taking Etheridge went to Apia—and never + came back. + </p> + <p> + One night a native tapped gently at Lawson's window and handed him a note. + As he read Terere with a sleepy yawn awoke, and, stretching one rounded + arm out at full length, let it fall lazily on the mat-bed. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Harry?” + </p> + <p> + “Get up, d——— you! Etheridge is dead, and I'm going to + take Lâlia up to Apia as quick as I can. Why the h—— couldn't + he die here?” + </p> + <p> + A rapid vision of unlimited presents from the rich young widow passed + through the mind of Terere—to whom the relations that had formerly + existed between her and Lawson were well known—as she and he sped + along in his boat to Etheridge's. Lâlia received the news with much + equanimity and a few tears, and then leaving Terere in charge, she got + into the boat and rolled a cigarette. Lawson was in feverish haste. He was + afraid the consul would be down and baulk his rapid but carefully arranged + scheme. At Safune he sent his crew of two men ashore to his house for a + breaker of water, and then once they were out of sight he pushed off and + left them. They were in the way and might spoil everything. The breeze was + strong, and that night Lawson and Lâlia, instead of being out in the open + sea beating up to Apia, were ashore in the sitting-room of the white + missionary house on the other side of Savaii. + </p> + <p> + “I am indeed glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lawson. Your honourable + impulse deserves commendation. I have always regretted the fact that a man + like you whose reputation as an educated and intelligent person far above + that of most traders here is not unknown to me”—Lawson smiled + sweetly—“should not alone set at defiance the teaching of Holy Writ, + but tacitly mock at <i>our</i> efforts to inculcate a higher code of + morality in these beautiful islands. Ere long I trust I may make the + acquaintance of your brother-in-law, Mr. Etheridge, and his wife.” + </p> + <p> + Lawson smiled affably, and a slight tinge suffused the creamy cheek of + Lâlia. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Mr. Lawson, as you are so very anxious to get back home I will + not delay. Here are my wife and my native assistant as witnesses. Stand + up, please.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Get in, you little beast,” said Lawson, as he bundled Lâlia into the boat + and started back home, “and don't fall overboard. I don't want to lose the + Best Asset in that Fool's Estate.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When the consul, a week later, came down to take possession of Etheridge's + “estate,” he called in at Safune to ask Lawson to come and help him to + take an inventory. Terere met him with a languid smile, and, too lazy + perhaps to speak English, answered his questions in Samoan. + </p> + <p> + “He's married and gone,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Married? Aren't <i>you</i> Mrs. Lawson?” said the bewildered consul, in + English. + </p> + <p> + “Not now, sir; my sister is. Will you take me to Apia in your boat, + please?” + </p> + <p> + And that is how Lawson, the <i>papalagi mativa</i> (poor white) and “the + best-hearted fellow in the world,” became a <i>mau aha</i>—a man of + riches, and went, with the Best Asset in Etheridge's estate, the calm-eyed + Lâlia, to start a hotel in—well, no matter where. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DESCHARD OF ONEAKA + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + Among the Gilbert Group—that chain of low-lying sandy atolls annexed + by the British Government two years ago—there is one island that may + be said to be both fertile and beautiful; yet for all this Kuria—for + so it is called by the natives of the group generally—has remained + almost uninhabited for the past forty years. Together with the lagoon + island of Aranuka, from which it is distant about six miles, it belongs to + the present King of Apamama, a large and densely populated atoll situated + half a degree to the eastward. Thirty years ago, however, the grandfather + of the lad who is now the nominal ruler of Apamama had cause to quarrel + with the Kurians, and settled the dispute by invading their island and + utterly destroying them, root and branch. To-day it is tenanted only by + the young king's slaves. + </p> + <p> + Of all the many groups and archipelagoes that stud the North and South + Pacific from the rocky, jungle-covered Bonins to Juan Fernandez, the + islands of the Gilbert Group are—save for this Kuria—the most + uninviting and monotonous in appearance. They are for the most part but + narrow strips of sandy soil, densely clothed, it is true, with countless + thousands of stately cocoanut palms varied with groves of pan-danus and + occasional patches of stunted scrub, but flat and unpleasing to the eye. + Seldom exceeding two miles in width—although, as is the case at + Drummond's Island, or Taputeouea, they sometimes reach forty in the length + of their sweeping curve—but few present a continuous and unbroken + stretch of land, for the greater number consist of perhaps two or three + score of small islands, divided only by narrow and shallow channels, + through which at high water the tide sweeps in from the ocean to the calm + waters of the lagoons with amazing velocity. These strips of land, whether + broken or continuous, form the eastern or windward boundaries of the + lagoons; on the western or lee side lie barrier reefs, between whose + jagged coral walls there are, at intervals widely apart, passages + sufficiently deep for a thousand-ton ship to pass through in safety, and + anchor in the transparent depths of the lagoon within its protecting arms. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Years ago, in the days when the whaleships from Nantucket, and Salem, and + Martha's Vineyard, and New Bedford cruised northward towards the cold seas + of Japan and Tchantar Bay, and the smoky glare of their tryworks lit up + the ocean at night, the Gilberts were a wild place, and many a murderous + scene was enacted on white beach and shady palm grove. Time after time + some whaler, lying to in fancied security outside the passage of a lagoon, + with half her crew ashore intoxicated with sour toddy, and the other half + on board unsuspicious of danger, would be attacked by the ferocious brown + people. Swimming off at night-time, with knives held between their teeth, + a desperate attempt would be made to cut off the ship. Sometimes the + attempt succeeded; and then canoe after canoe would put out from the + shore, and the wild people, swarming up the ship's side, would tramp about + her ensanguined decks and into the cabins seeking for plunder and fiery + New England rum. Then, after she had been gutted of everything of value to + her captors, as the last canoe pushed off, smoke and then flames would + arise, and the burning ship would drift away with the westerly current, + and the tragedy of her fate, save to the natives of the island, and + perhaps some renegade white man who had stirred them to the deed, would + never be known. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In those days—long ere the advent of the first missionary to the + isolated equatorial atolls of Polynesia and Melanesia—there were + many white men scattered throughout the various islands of the Ellice, + Gilbert, and Marshall groups. Men, these, with a past that they cared not + to speak of to the few strangers they might chance to meet in their savage + retreats. Many were escaped convicts from Van Diemen's Land and New South + Wales, living, not in dread of their wild native associates, but in secret + terror of recapture by a man-of-war and a return to the horrors of that + dreadful past. Casting away the garb of civilisation and tying around + their loins the <i>airiri</i> or grass girdle of the Gilbert Islanders, + they soon became in appearance, manners, language, and thoughts pure + natives. For them the outside world meant a life of degradation, possibly + a shameful death. And as the years went by and the bitter memories of the + black days of old, resonant with the clank of fetters and the warder's + harsh cry, became dulled and faint, so died away that once + for-ever-haunting fear of discovery and recapture. In Teaké, the bronzed, + half-naked savage chief of Maiana, or Mési, the desperate leader of the + natives that cut off the barque <i>Addie Passmore</i> at Marakei, the + identity of such men as “Nuggety” Jack West and Macy O'Shea, once of Van + Diemen's Land or Norfolk Island, was lost for ever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + On Kuria, the one beautiful island of the Gilberts, there lived four such + white men as those I speak of. Whence they came they alone knew. Two of + them—a Portuguese deserter from a whaler and a man named Corton—had + been some years on the island when they were joined by two others who came + over from Apamama in a boat. One was called Tamu (Tom) by the natives, and + from the ease with which he spoke the Gilbert Island dialect and his + familiarity with native customs, he had plainly lived many years among the + natives; the other was a tall, dark-skinned, and morose-looking man of + nearly fifty. He was known as Hari to the natives—once, in that + outer world from which some crime had dissevered him for ever, he was + Henry Deschard. + </p> + <p> + Although not familiar with either the language or the customs of the + ferocious inhabitants of the Gilbert Group, it was soon seen by the ease + with which he acquired both that Hari had spent long years roaming about + the islands of the Pacific. In colour he was darker than the Kurians + themselves; in his love of the bloodshed and slaughter that so often ran + riot in native quarrels he surpassed even the fiercest native; and as he + eagerly espoused the cause of any Kurian chief who sought his aid he + rapidly became a man of note on the island, and dreaded by the natives + elsewhere in the group. + </p> + <p> + There were then over a thousand people living on Kuria—or rather, on + Kuria and Oneaka, for the island is divided by one of those narrow + channels before mentioned; and at Oneaka Tamu and Deschard lived, while + the Portuguese and the man Corton had long held joint sway with the native + chief of Kuria. + </p> + <p> + During the time the four renegades had lived on the island two vessels + that had touched there had had narrow escapes from seizure by the natives. + The first of these, a small Hawaiian whaling brig, was attacked when she + was lying becalmed between Kuria and Aranuka. A breeze springing up, she + escaped after the loss of a boat's, crew, who were entrapped on the latter + island. In this affair Deschard and Tamu had taken part; in the next—an + attempt to capture a sandalwooding barque bound to China—he was + leader, with Corton as his associate. The sandalwooder, however, carried a + large and well-armed crew, and the treacherous surprise so elaborately + planned came to ignominious failure. Deschard accused his + fellow-beachcomber of cowardice at a critical moment. The two men became + bitter enemies, and for years never spoke to each other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. + </h2> + <p> + But one afternoon a sail was sighted standing in for the island, and in + their hateful bond of villainy the two men became reconciled, and agreed + with Pedro and Tamu and some hundreds of natives to try to decoy the + vessel to an anchor and cut her off. The beachcombers, who were tired of + living on Kuria, were anxious to get away; the natives desired the plunder + to be obtained from the prize. A compact was then made that the ship, + after the natives had done with her, was not to be burnt, but was to be + handed over to the white men, who were to lead the enterprise. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Sailing slowly along till she came within a mile of the reef, the vessel + hove to and lowered a boat. She was a large brigantine, and the murderous + beings who watched her from the shore saw with cruel pleasure that she did + not appear to carry a large crew. + </p> + <p> + It had been agreed upon that Corton, who had special aptitude for such + work, should meet the boat and endeavour to lure the crew into the + interior, under the promise of giving them a quantity of fresh-water fish + from the artificial ponds belonging to the chief, while Deschard and the + other two, with their body of native allies, should remain at the village + on Oneaka, and at the proper moment attack the ship. + </p> + <p> + As the boat drew near, the officer who was in charge saw that although + there were numbers of natives clustered together on the beach, the greater + portion were women and children. He had with him five men, all armed with + muskets and cutlasses, and although extremely anxious to avoid a + collision, he was not at all alarmed. The natives meanwhile preserved a + passive attitude, and when the men in the boat, at a word from the + officer, stopped rowing, backed her in stern first, and then lay on their + oars, they nearly all sat down on the sand and waited for him to speak. + </p> + <p> + Standing up in the boat, the officer hailed— + </p> + <p> + “Hallo there, ashore! Any white men living here?” + </p> + <p> + For a minute or so there was no answer, and the eyes of the natives turned + in the direction of one of their number who kept well in the background. + </p> + <p> + Again the seaman hailed, and then a man, seemingly a native, stout and + muscular, with hair felling down in thick masses upon his reddish-brown + shoulders, walked slowly out from the others, and folding his brawny arms + across his naked chest, he answered— + </p> + <p> + “Yes; there's some white men here.” + </p> + <p> + The officer, who was the mate of the brigantine, then spoke for a few + minutes to a young man who pulled bow oar, and who from his dress was not + one of the crew, and said finally, “Well, let us make sure that there is + no danger first, Maurice.” + </p> + <p> + The young man nodded, and then the mate addressed the seeming native + again: + </p> + <p> + “There's a young fellow here wants to come ashore; he wants to see one of + the white men here. Can he come ashore?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course he can. D'ye think we're a lot o' cannibals here? I'm a white + man myself,” and he laughed coarsely; then added quickly, “Who does he + want to see?” + </p> + <p> + The man who pulled the bow oar sprang to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “I want to see Henry Deschard!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you?” was the sneering response. “Well, I don't know as you can. This + isn't his day at-home like; besides that, he's a good long way from here + just now.” + </p> + <p> + “I've got good news for him,” urged the man called Maurice. + </p> + <p> + The beachcomber meditated a few seconds; then he walked down to the boat. + </p> + <p> + “Look here,” he said, “I'm telling the exac' truth. Deschard's place is a + long way from here, in the bush too, so you can't go there in the boat; + but look here, why can't you chaps come along with me? I'll show you the + way, and you'll have a good look at the island. There's nothin' to be + afraid of, I can tell you. Why, these natives is that scared of all them + guns there that you won't see 'em for dust when you come with me; an' the + chief says as you chaps can drag one of his fish-ponds.” + </p> + <p> + The mate was tempted; but his orders were to allow only the man Maurice to + land, and to make haste back as soon as his mission was accomplished. + Shaking his head to the renegade's wily suggestion, he, however, told + Maurice that he could go and endeavour to communicate with Deschard. In + the meantime he would return to the ship, and tell the captain—“and + the other” (these last words with a look full of meaning at the young man) + that everything was going on all right. + </p> + <p> + Foiled in his plan of inducing all the men to come ashore, Corton assumed + a careless manner, and told Maurice that he was still willing to conduct + him to Deschard, but that he would not be able to return to the ship that + night, as the distance was too great. + </p> + <p> + The mate was agreeable to this, and bidding the beachcomber and his victim + good-day he returned to the ship. + </p> + <p> + Holding the young man's hand in his, the burly renegade passed through the + crowd of silent natives, and spoke to them in their own tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Hide well thy spears and clubs, my children; 'tis not yet time to act.” + </p> + <p> + Still clasping the hand of his companion, he led the way through the + native town, and then into the narrow bush track that led to Oneaka, and + in another five minutes they were alone, or apparently so, for nought + could be heard in the fast gathering darkness but their own footsteps as + they trod the leafy path, and the sound of the breaching surf long miles + away. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the beachcomber stopped, and in a harsh voice said— + </p> + <p> + “What is the good news for Deschard?” + </p> + <p> + “That I cannot tell you,” answered the stripling, firmly, though the grim + visage, tattooed body, and now threatening aspect of his questioner might + well have intimidated even a bolder man, and instinctively he thrust his + hand into the bosom of his shirt and grasped a letter he carried there. + </p> + <p> + “Then neither shall Deschard know it,” said the man savagely, and throwing + himself upon the young man he bore him to the ground, while shadowy, naked + figures glided out from the blackness of the forest and bound and gagged + him without a sound. Then carrying him away from the path the natives + placed him, without roughness, under the shelter of an empty house, and + then left him. + </p> + <p> + The agony of mind endured by the helpless prisoner may be imagined when, + unable to speak or move, he saw the beachcomber and his savage followers + vanish into the darkness; for the letter which he carried had been written + only a few hours before by the wife of the man Deschard, telling him of + her loving quest, and of her and her children's presence on board the + brigantine. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. + </h2> + <p> + At daylight next morning some native women, passing by the deserted house + on their way to work in the <i>puraka</i> plantations of Oneaka, saw the + figure of the messenger lying dead. One of the women, named Niapô, in + placing her hand upon his bosom to feel if he yet breathed, found the + letter which had cost him his life. For nearly twenty years she kept + possession of it, doubtless from some superstitious motive, and then it + was bought from her by a white trader from Apamama, named Randall, by whom + it was sent to the Rev. Mr. Damon, the “Sailors' Friend,” a well-known + missionary in Honolulu. This was the letter:— + </p> + <p> + My Dear Husband,—It is nearly three years since I got your letter, + but I dared not risk writing to you, even if I had known of a ship leaving + for the South Seas or the whale fishery. None of the sandalwooding people + in Sydney seemed even to know the name of this island (Courier?). My dear + husband, I have enough money now, thank God, to end all our troubles. Your + letter was brought to me at Parramatta by a sailor—an American, I + think. He gave it first to Maurice. I would have rewarded him, but before + I could speak to him he had gone. For ten years I have waited and prayed + to God to bring us together again. We came to Sydney in the same ship as + Major D———, of the 77th. He has always been so good to + us, and so has his wife. Nell is sixteen now, Laura eighteen. God grant + that I will see you in a few hours. The captain says that he will land us + all at one of the places in the Dutch East Indies. I have paid him £100, + and am to pay him £100 when you are safely on board. I have been so + miserable for the past year, as Major D——— had heard + that a man-of-war was searching the islands, and I was in such terrible + fear that we would never meet again. Come quickly, and God bless you, my + dear husband. Maurice insisted and begged to be allowed to take this to + you. He is nineteen years old now, but will not live long—has been a + faithful and good lad. Laura is eighteen, and Nell nearly sixteen now. We + are now close to Courier,{*} and should see you ere long.—Your + loving and now joyful wife,—Anna Deschard. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The native pronunciation of Kuria is like “Courier.”— + L.B. +</pre> + <hr /> + <p> + In the big <i>maniapa</i> or council house, on Oneaka, two hundred armed + and naked savages were sitting awaiting the arrival of Corton and his + warriors from Kuria. A little apart from the muttering, excited natives, + and seated together, were the man Deschard and the two other beachcombers, + Pedro and Tamu. + </p> + <p> + As Corton and his men filed across the gravelled pathway that led to the + <i>maniapa</i> Deschard, followed by the two other white men, at once came + out, and the former, with a fierce curse, demanded of Corton what had kept + him. + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't manage to get them ashore,” answered the other, sulkily. Then he + proceeded to impart the information he had gained as to the ship, her + crew, and armament. + </p> + <p> + “Nine men and one native boy!” said Deschard, contemptuously. He was a + tall, lean-looking, black-bearded man, with even a more terrifying and + savage appearance than any of his ruffianly partners in crime, tattooed as + he was from the back of his neck to his heels in broad, perpendicular + lines. As he fixed his keen eyes upon the countenance of Corton his white + teeth showed in a cruel smile through his tangled, unkempt moustache. + </p> + <p> + Calling out the leading chiefs of the cutting-out party, the four + desperadoes consulted with them upon their plan of action for the attack + upon the brigantine, and then arranged for each man's work and share o the + plunder. The white men were to have the ship, but everything that was of + value to the natives and not necessary to the working of the ship was to + be given to the natives. The muskets, powder, and ball were to be evenly + divided between the whites and their allies. + </p> + <p> + Six of the native chiefs then swore by the names of their deified + ancestors to faithfully observe the murderous compact. After the ship was + taken they were to help the white men if the ship had anchored to get her + under way again. + </p> + <p> + It was the intention of Deschard and his mates to make for the East + Indies, where they would have no trouble in selling the ship to one of the + native potentates of that archipelago. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + At daylight the brigantine, which had been kept under easy sail during the + night, was seen to be about four miles from the land, and standing in. + Shortly after, two or three canoes, with only a few men in each, put off + from the beach at Oneaka and paddled out leisurely towards the ship. When + about a mile or so from the shore they ceased paddling, and the captain of + the brigantine saw by his glass that they were engaged in fishing. + </p> + <p> + This was merely a device to inspire confidence in those on board the ship. + </p> + <p> + In another hour the brigantine passed close to one of the canoes, and a + native, well tutored by past masters in the art of treachery in the part + he had to play, stood up in the canoe and held out a large fish, and in + broken English said it was a present for the captain. + </p> + <p> + Pleased at such a friendly overture, the captain put the helm down for the + canoe to come alongside. Handing the fish up over the side, the giver + clambered up himself. The three other natives in the canoe then paddled + quietly away as if under no alarm for the safety of their comrade, and + resumed their fishing. + </p> + <p> + As the ship drew into the land the mate called the captain's attention to + some eight or ten more natives who were swimming off to the ship. + </p> + <p> + “No danger from these people, sir,” he remarked; “they are more frightened + of us than we of them, I believe; and then look at the women and girls + fishing on the reef. When the women come out like that, fearless and + open-like, there isn't much to be afraid of.” + </p> + <p> + One by one the natives who were swimming reached the ship, and apparently + encouraged by the presence of the man who had boarded the ship from the + fishing canoe, they eagerly clambered up on deck, and were soon on the + most friendly terms with the crew, especially with one of their own + colour, a half-caste native boy from the island of Ambrym, in the New + Hebrides, named Maru. + </p> + <p> + This Maru was the sole survivor of the awful tragedy that followed, and + appeared to be well acquainted with the captain's object in calling at + Kuria—to pick up the man named Deschard. More than twenty years + afterwards, when speaking of the events here narrated, his eyes filled + with tears when he told of the “white lady and her two daughters” who were + passengers, and who had sat on the poop the previous day awaiting the + return of the mate's boat, and for tidings of him whom they had come so + far to find. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. + </h2> + <p> + The timid and respectful manner of the islanders had now so impressed the + master of the brigantine that in a fatal moment he decided to anchor. + Telling the mate to range the cable and clear away all ready, he descended + to the cabin and tapped at the door of a state-room. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to anchor, Mrs. Deschard, but as there are a lot of rather + curious-looking natives on board, you and the young ladies had better keep + to your cabin.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and a girl of seventeen or eighteen appeared, and, taking + the captain's hand, she whispered— + </p> + <p> + “She is asleep, captain. She kept awake till daylight, hoping that my + father would come in the night. Do you think that anything has happened + either to him or Maurice?” + </p> + <p> + Maru, the Ambrym cabin-boy, said that the captain “patted the girl's hand” + and told her to have no fear—that her father was on the island “sure + enough,” and that Maurice would return with him by breakfast time. + </p> + <p> + The brigantine anchored close in to the shore, between Kuria and Oneaka, + and in a few minutes the long boat was lowered to proceed on shore and + bring off Maurice and Deschard. Four hands got into her and then the mate. + Just as he was about to cast off, the English-speaking native begged the + captain to allow him and the rest of his countrymen to go ashore in the + boat. Unsuspicious of treachery from unarmed natives, the captain + consented, and they immediately slipped over the side into the boat. + </p> + <p> + There were thus but four white men left on board—the captain, second + mate, two A.B.'s—and the half-caste boy Maru. Arms and ammunition, + sufficient for treble the crew the brigantine carried, were on board. In + those days the humblest merchant brig voyaging to the East Indies and + China coast carried, in addition to small arms, either two or four guns + (generally 6-pounders) in case of an attack by pirates. The brigantine was + armed with two 6-pounders, and these, so the Ambry half-caste said, were + still loaded with “bags of bullets” when she came to an anchor. Both of + the guns were on the main deck amidships. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Contrary to the wishes of the mate, who appeared to have the most + unbounded confidence in the peace-ableness of the natives, the captain had + insisted upon his boat's crew taking their arms with them. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the boat left the vessel than the English-speaking native + desired the mate to pull round to the east side of Oneaka, where, he said, + the principal village was situated, and whither Maurice had gone to seek + Deschard. It must be remembered that this native and those with him were + all members of Corton's <i>clientèle</i> at Kuria, and were therefore well + aware of his treachery in seizing the messenger to Deschard, and that + Maurice had been seized and bound the previous night. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour, when the boat was hidden from the view of those on board + the brigantine, the natives, who outnumbered the whites two to one, at a + signal from their leader suddenly threw themselves upon the unsuspecting + seamen who were rowing and threw every one of them overboard. The mate, a + small, active man, managed to draw a heavy horse pistol from his belt, but + ere he could pull the trigger he was dealt a crushing blow with a musket + stock. As he fell a native thrust him through and through with one of the + seamen's cutlasses. As for the unfortunate seamen, they were killed one by + one as they struggled in the water. That part of the fell work + accomplished, the natives pulled the boat in towards Oneaka, where some + ten or fifteen large native double-ended boats and canoes, all filled with + savages lusting for blood and rapine, awaited them. + </p> + <p> + Deschard, a man of the most savage courage, was in command of some twenty + or thirty of the most noted of the Oneaka warriors; and on learning from + Tebarian (the native who spoke English and who was Corton's brown + familiar) that the two guns were in the waist of the ship, he instructed + his white comrades to follow in the wake of his boat, and, once they got + alongside, board the ship wherever their fancy dictated. + </p> + <p> + There was a muttered <i>E rairai!</i> (Good!) of approval from the + listening natives, and then in perfect silence and intuitive discipline + the paddles struck the water, and the boat and canoes, with their naked, + savage crews, sped away on their mission of death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. + </h2> + <p> + But, long before they imagined, they had been discovered, and their + purpose divined from the ship. Maru, the keen-eyed half-caste, who was the + first to notice their approach, knew from the manner in which the canoes + kept together that something unusual was about to occur, and instantly + called the captain. Glass in hand, the latter ascended the main rigging + for a dozen ratlins or so and looked at the advancing flotilla. A very + brief glance told him that the boy had good cause for alarm—the + natives intended to cut off the ship, and the captain, whom Maru described + as “an old man with a white head,” at once set about to make such a + defence as the critical state of affairs rendered possible. + </p> + <p> + Calling his men to him and giving them muskets, he posted two of them on + top of the deckhouse, and with the remainder of his poor force stationed + himself upon the poop. With a faint hope that they might yet be + intimidated from attacking, he fired a musket shot in the direction of the + leading boat. No notice was taken; so, descending to the main deck with + his men, he ran out one of the 6-pounders and fired it. The roar of the + heavily-charged gun was answered by a shrill yell of defiance from two + hundred throats. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Maru, “the captain go below and say good-bye to women and + girls, and shut and lock cabin door.” + </p> + <p> + Returning to the deck, the brave old man and his second mate and two men + picked up their muskets and began to fire at the black mass of boats and + men that were now well within range. As they fired, the boy Maru loaded + spare muskets for them as fast as his trembling hands would permit. + </p> + <p> + Once only, as the brigantine swung to the current, the captain brought the + gun on the port side to bear on them again, and fired; and again there + came back the same appalling yell of defiance, for the shower of bullets + only made a wide slat of foam a hundred yards short of the leading boat. + </p> + <p> + By the time the gun was reloaded the brigantine had swung round head to + shore again; and then, as the despairing but courageous seamen were trying + to drag it forward again, Deschard and his savages in the leading boat had + gained the ship, and the wild figure of the all but naked beachcomber + sprang on deck, followed by his own crew and nearly two hundred other + fiends well-nigh as bloodthirsty and cruel as himself. Some two or three + of them had been killed by the musketry fire from the ship, and their + fellows needed no incentive from their white leaders to slay and spare + not. + </p> + <p> + Abandoning the gun, the captain and his three men and the boy Maru + succeeded in fighting their way through Deschard's savages and reaching + one of the cabin doors, which, situated under the break of the high poop, + opened to the main deck. Ere they could all gain the shelter of the cabin + and secure the door the second mate and one of the seamen were cut down + and ruthlessly slaughtered, and of the three that did, one—the + remaining seaman—was mortally wounded and dying fast. + </p> + <p> + Even at such a moment as this, hardened and merciless as were their + natures and blood-stained their past, it cannot be thought that had + Deschard and his co-pirates known that white women were on board the + brigantine they would have perpetrated their last dreadful deed. In his + recital of the final scene in the cabin Maru spoke of the white woman and + the two girls coming out of their state-room and kneeling down and praying + with their arms clasped around each other's waists. Surely the sound of + their dying prayers could never have been heard by Deschard when, in the + native tongue, he called out for one of the guns to be run aft. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “By and by,” said Maru, “woman and girl come to captain and sailor-man + Charlie and me and cry and say good-bye, and then captain he pray too. + Then he get up and take cutlass, and sailor-man Charlie he take cutlass + too, but he too weak and fall down; so captain say, 'Never mind, Charlie, + you and me die now like men.'” + </p> + <p> + Then, cutlass in hand, the white-haired old skipper stood over the + kneeling figures of the three women and waited for the end. And now the + silence was broken by a rumbling sound, and then came a rush of naked feet + along the deck. + </p> + <p> + “It is the gun,” said Maru to the captain, and in an agony of terror he + lifted up the hatch of the lazarette under the cabin table and jumped + below. And then Deschard's voice was heard. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Ta mai te ae</i>” (Give me the fire). + </p> + <p> + A blinding flash, a deafening roar, and splintering and crashing of timber + followed, and as the heavy pall of smoke lifted, Deschard and the others + looked in at their bloody work, shuddered, and turned away. + </p> + <p> + Pedro, the Portuguese, his dark features turned to a ghastly pallor, was + the only one of the four men who had courage enough to assist some of the + natives in removing from the cabin the bodies of the three poor creatures + who, but such a short time before, were full of happiness and hope. + Deschard and the three others, after that one shuddering glance, had kept + away from the vicinity of the shot-torn cabin. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. + </h2> + <p> + The conditions of the cutting off of the brigantine were faithfully + observed by the contracting parties, and long ere night fell the last + boatload of plunder had been taken ashore. Tebarau, chief of Oneaka, had + with his warriors helped to heave up anchor, and the vessel, under short + canvas, was already a mile or two away from the land, and in his + hiding-place in the gloomy lazarette the half-caste boy heard Corton and + Deschard laying plans for the future. + </p> + <p> + Only these two were present in the cabin. Pedro was at the wheel, and Tamu + somewhere on deck. Presently Corton brought out the dead captain's + despatch box, which they had claimed from the natives, and the two began + to examine the contents. There was a considerable amount of money in gold + and silver, as well as the usual ship's papers, &c. Corton, who could + scarcely read, passed these over to his companion, and then ran his + fingers gloatingly through the heap of money before him. + </p> + <p> + With a hoarse, choking cry and horror-stricken eyes Deschard sprang to his + feet, and with shaking hand held out a paper to Corton. + </p> + <p> + “My God! my God!” exclaimed the unhappy wretch, and sinking down again he + buried his face in his hands. + </p> + <p> + Slowly and laboriously his fellow ex-convict read the document through to + the end. It was an agreement to pay the captain of the brigantine the sum + of one hundred pounds sterling provided that Henry Deschard was taken on + board the brigantine at Woodle's Island (me name Kuria was known by to + whaleships and others), the said sum to be increased to two hundred pounds + “provided that Henry Deschard, myself, and my two daughters are landed at + Batavia or any other East India port within sixty days from leaving the + said island,” and was signed Anna Deschard. + </p> + <p> + Staggering to his feet, the man sought in the ruined and plundered + state-room for further evidence. Almost the first objects that he saw were + two hanging pockets made of duck—evidently the work of some seaman—bearing + upon them the names of “Helen” and “Laura.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Peering up from his hiding-place in the lazarette, where he had lain + hidden under a heap of old jute bagging and other débris, Maru saw + Deschard return to the cabin and take up a loaded musket. Sitting in the + captain's chair, and leaning back, he placed the muzzle to his throat and + touched the trigger with his naked foot. As the loud report rang out, and + the cabin filled with smoke, the boy crawled from his dark retreat, and, + stepping over the prostrate figure of Deschard, he reached the deck and + sprang overboard. + </p> + <p> + For hours the boy swam through the darkness towards the land, guided by + the lights of the fires that in the Gilbert and other equatorial islands + are kindled at night-time on every beach. He was picked up by a fishing + party, and probably on account of his youth and exhausted condition his + life was spared. + </p> + <p> + That night as he lay sleeping under a mat in the big <i>maniapa</i> on + Kuria he was awakened by loud cries, and looking seaward he saw a bright + glare away to the westward. + </p> + <p> + It was the brigantine on fire. + </p> + <p> + Launching their canoes, the natives went out to her, and were soon close + enough to see that she was burning fiercely from for'ard to amidships, and + that her three boats were all on board—two hanging to the davits and + one on the deckhouse. But of the four beachcombers there was no sign. + </p> + <p> + Knowing well that no other ship had been near the island, and that + therefore the white men could not have escaped by that means without being + seen from the shore, the natives, surmising that they were in a drunken + sleep, called loudly to them to awake; but only the roaring of the flames + broke the silence of the ocean. Not daring to go nearer, the natives + remained in the vicinity till the brigantine was nothing but a mastless, + glowing mass of fire. + </p> + <p> + Towards midnight she sank; and the last of the beachcombers of Kuria sank + with her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NELL OF MULLINER'S CAMP + </h2> + <p> + Mulliner's Camp, on the Hodgkinson, was the most hopeless-looking spot in + the most God-forsaken piece of country in North Queensland, and Haughton, + the amalgamator at the “Big Surprise” crushing-mill, as he turned wearily + away from the battery-tables to look at his “retorting” fire, cursed + silently but vigorously at his folly in staying there. + </p> + <p> + It was Saturday night, and the deadly melancholy of Mulliner's was, if + possible, somewhat accentuated by the crash and rattle of the played-out + old five-head battery, accompanied by the wheezings and groanings of its + notoriously unreliable pumping-gear. Half a mile away from the decrepid + old battery, and situated on the summit of an adder-infested ironstone + ridge, the dozen or so of bark humpies that constituted Mulliner's Camp + proper stood out clearly in the bright starlight in all their squat + ugliness. From the extra display of light that shone from the doorway of + the largest and most dilapidated-looking of the huts, Haughton knew that + the Cooktown mailman had come in, and was shouting a drink for the + landlord of the “Booming Nugget” before eating his supper of corned beef + and damper and riding onward. For Mulliner's had gone to the bad + altogether; even the beef that the mailman was eating came from a beast + belonging to old Channing, of Calypso Downs, which had fallen down a shaft + the previous night. Perhaps this matter of a fairly steady beef supply was + the silver lining to the black cloud of misfortune that had so long + enshrouded the spirits of the few remaining diggers that still clung + tenaciously to the duffered-out mining camp, for whenever Mulliner's ran + out of meat a beast of Channing's would always—by some mysterious + dispensation of a kindly goldfield's Providence—fall down a shaft + and suffer mortal injuries. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Just at the present moment Haughton, as he threw a log or two into the + retort furnace and watched the shower of sparks fly high up over the + battery roof, was thinking of old Channing's daughter Kate, and the + curious state of affairs existing between her and his partner Ballantyne. + Briefly stated, this is what had occurred—that is, as far as + Haughton knew. + </p> + <p> + Twelve months before, Mrs. Channing, a meek-faced, religious-minded lady, + had succumbed to the worries of life under the combined and prostrating + influences of a galvanised iron roof, an independent Chinaman cook, and a + small powerful theological library. Immediately after her death, old + Channing at once wrote to his daughter, then at school in Sydney, to come + back “and cheer up his lonely life.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor dad,” said Kate, “I suppose he means for me to continue poor + mother's feeble remonstrances to Chow Kum about giving away so much + rations to the station gins, and to lend a hand when we muster for + branding.” + </p> + <p> + However, being a dutiful girl, she packed up and went. + </p> + <p> + On board the steamer she had met Ballantyne, who was returning to + Queensland to resume his mining pursuits in the Palmer District. He knew + old Channing well by reputation as a wealthy but eccentric old squatter, + and in a few days he managed to make the girl fall violently in love with + him. The day that the steamer reached Brisbane a telegram was brought on + board for Miss Channing. It was from her father, telling her that Mrs. + Lankey, of Mount Brindlebul, was coming up from Sydney in another week, + and she was to wait in Brisbane for her. Then they were to travel + northward together. + </p> + <p> + If there was one woman in the world she hated it was Mrs. Lankey, of Mount + Brindlebul station, in the Gulf country, and Ballantyne, from whom she + could hide nothing, saw his opportunity, and took it. He took her ashore, + placed her in lodgings, went to an hotel himself, and the day before her + future escort arrived, married her. + </p> + <p> + Perfectly satisfied with the cogent reasons he gave for secrecy in not + apprising her father of their marriage, and shedding tears at the + nonchalant manner in which he alluded to a honeymoon “some time in a year + or so when the old man comes to know of it,” pretty Kate Channing went + back alone to her lodgings to await Mrs. Lankey and cogitate upon the + peculiarly masterful way in which Ballantyne had wooed and won her. + </p> + <p> + Six months afterwards she got a letter from Ballantyne, telling her that + he had bought Petermann's crushing mill at Mulliner's Camp, “so as to be + near you, my pet,” he said. At the same time he warned her of the folly of + their attempting to meet, at least openly; but added that Haughton, his + partner, who knew of his marriage, would visit Calypso Downs occasionally + and give her news of him; also that they could correspond by the same + medium. + </p> + <p> + Thus matters stood between them for some months, till Kate, wearying to + meet the cold, calculating Ballantyne, adopted the device of riding over + late every Sunday afternoon to Mulliner's for the mail, instead of her + father sending over one of his black boys. + </p> + <p> + But instead of meeting her with kisses, Ballantyne terrified her with + savage reproaches. It was madness, he said, for her to run such a risk. By + and by he would be in a better position; at present he was as poor as a + rat, and it was best for them to be apart. And Kate, thoroughly believing + in him, bent to his will. She knew that her father was, as Ballantyne + thoughtfully observed, such a violent-tempered old man that he would cast + her off utterly unless he was “managed” properly when he learnt of her + marriage. + </p> + <p> + “And don't come down this way from Mulliner's,” added the careful + Ballantyne. “There's an old mail tin, about a mile or so away from here, + near the worked-out alluvial patch. You can always drop a letter in there + for me. Haughton's such a good-natured ass that he'll play Mercury for + you. Anyway, I'll send him to look in the tin every Sunday night.” + </p> + <p> + That, so far, was the history of Mr. and Mrs. Ballantyne. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Another duffing crushing,” muttered Haughton, as he stooped and placed + his hand into the bucket of quicksilver under the nozzle of the retort + pipe. “What between a reef that doesn't pan out five pennyweights to the + ton, and a woman that pans out too rich, I'm sick of the cursed place.” + </p> + <p> + As he stood up again, and, hands on his hips, looked moodily into the + fire, a woman came down the rough path leading from Ballantyne's house to + the battery. Walking quickly across the lighted space that intervened + between the blacksmith's forge and the fire, she placed a billy of tea on + the brick furnace-wall, and then turned her handsome black-browed, + gipsy-like face up to his. This was Nell Lawson, the woman who had “panned + out too rich.” + </p> + <p> + “Here's your tea, Dick,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” he said, taking it from her, and then with a quick look over + towards the battery, “I wish you wouldn't call me 'Dick' when any of the + hands are about; Lawson might hear of it, and I don't want you to get into + any trouble over me.” + </p> + <p> + The black eyes sparkled, and the smooth olive-hued features flushed darkly + in the firelight as she grasped his arm. + </p> + <p> + “You lie!” and she set her teeth. “A lot you care! Do you think I'm a + silly? Do you think as I don't know that you want to sling me and don't + know how to go about it?” and she grasped his arm savagely. + </p> + <p> + Haughton looked at her in gloomy silence for a few seconds. Standing + there, face to face, they looked so alike in features—he wiry, + muscular, black-bearded, and bronzed to the hue of an Arab, and she tall, + dark-haired, with oval, passionate face—they might have been taken + for brother and sister. + </p> + <p> + She let his arm free, and then, being only a working miner's wife, and + possessing no handkerchief, whipped her apron to her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You're a damned cur!” she said, chokingly. “If it hadn't ha' been for you + I'd ha' gone along all right wi' Bob, and put up wi' livin' in this place; + an' now———” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Nell,” said Haughton, drawing her away into the shadow of the + forge, “I'm a cur, as you say; but I'd be a worse cur to keep on this way. + You can't marry me, can you?” + </p> + <p> + “You used to talk about our boltin'—<i>once</i>” and she snapped out + the last word. + </p> + <p> + Haughton tried to explain why the “bolting” so trenchantly referred to did + not eventuate. He was stone-broke. Ballantyne was going to do his own + amalgamating at the battery, and it would be cruel of him to ask her to + share his fortunes. (Here he began to appreciate his leaning to morality.) + If she was a single girl he would stay at Mulliner's and fight it out with + bad luck for her sake; but they couldn't go on like this any more. And the + people at Mulliner's were beginning to talk about them, &c, &c. + </p> + <p> + She heard him in silence, and then gave a short, jarring laugh—the + laugh that ought to tell a man that he is no longer believed in—by a + woman who has loved him. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” she said, quietly, “you want to get clear o' me. You're took up + with Kate Channing, the <i>proper</i> Miss Channing that rides over here + o' Sundays to meet you on the sly.” + </p> + <p> + At first he meant to undeceive her, then he thought, “What does it matter? + I'll be away from here in a day or so, and after I've gone she'll find I'm + not so base as she thought me, poor girl;” so, looking away from her so as + to avoid the dangerous light that gleamed in her passionate eyes, he made + the plunge. + </p> + <p> + “That's it, Nell. I'm hard up and desperate. If you were a free woman——” + </p> + <p> + She struck him in the mouth with her clenched hand—“I'll kill her + first, Dick Haughton,” and then left him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A mile or so out from the battery, on a seldom used track that led to an + abandoned alluvial workings, a stained and weather-worn biscuit-tin had + been nailed to an iron-bark tree. In the prosperous days of Mulliner's it + had been placed there by the diggers as a receptacle for letters, and its + location there saved the mailman a long <i>détour</i> to their camp. At + present poor loving Kate Channing and Dick Haughton were the only persons + who ever looked into it. After getting the station letters from the + landlord of the “Booming Nugget,” Kate would ride through the bush and + come out on the track just opposite; then, bending down from her horse, + she would peer eagerly into the tin to see if a letter had been left there + for her. Generally there was not. So, with a sad, wistful look in her blue + eyes, she would drop her own tenderly-worded letter in and ride away home. + </p> + <p> + Twice Nell Lawson had seen her passing over the ridge towards the old + workings, and had wondered what had taken her so far off the road; and on + each of these occasions she had seen Dick Haughton follow in the same + direction shortly after. He was never away more than half an hour. The + first time she simply wondered, the next she grew suspicious, and as she + saw him returning went and stopped him. As she threw her arms around his + neck she felt the rustling of a letter that lay loosely in the front of + the dungaree jumper he always wore when at work. She said nothing, but + determined to watch, and one day, with the bitterest hatred gathering at + her heart, she saw Kate Channing ride up to the tin on the iron-bark, look + carefully inside, and then drop in a letter. And as Nell Lawson could not + read she let it lay there untouched. But from that hour murder lay in her + passionate heart. + </p> + <p> + That evening, as she entered Bob Lawson's humpy, her husband, a big, + heavy-featured man, looked up and saw the ghastly pallor of her face. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what's the matter wi' 'ee, Nell? You be lookin' quite sick-loike + lately. Tell 'ee what, Nell, thee wants a cheange.” + </p> + <p> + “Mulliner's be a dull pleace,” she answered, mechanically. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, lass, dull as hell in a fog. Mebbe I'll take thee somewheres for a + spell.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + For nearly another week she nursed her hatred and planned her revenge; and + Haughton, as he saw the dark rings forming under her eyes, and the cold, + listless manner as she went about her work, began to experience a higher + phase of feeling for her than that of the mere passion which her beauty + had first awakened in him long months before. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It was five o'clock on Sunday afternoon. The fierce, blinding sun had just + disappeared behind the hideous basalt range twenty miles away from the + “Big Surprise,” when Nell Lawson put on her white sun-hood and walked + slowly towards the old alluvial workings. When well out of sight from any + one, near the battery, she turned off towards the creek and made for a big + Leichhardt tree that stood on the bank. Underneath it, and evidently + waiting for her, was a black fellow, a truculent-looking runaway trooper + named Barney. + </p> + <p> + “You got him that fellow Barney?” she asked, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Yo ai</i>,” he replied, keeping one hand behind his back. “Where that + plenty fellow money you yabber me vesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “Here,” and she showed him some silver; “ten fellow shilling.” + </p> + <p> + Barney grinned, took the money, and then handed her an old broken-handled + crockery teapot, which, in place of a lid, was covered over with a strip + of ti-tree bark, firmly secured to the bottom by a strip of dirty calico. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the black fellow had gone she picked up that which he had given + her and walked quickly along the track till she reached the old mail tin. + She stood awhile and listened. Not a sound disturbed the heated, + oppressive silence. Placing the teapot on the ground, she lifted the + stiff, creaking lid of the tin and pushed it well back. Then, taking up + the teapot again, she placed one hand firmly upon the ti-tree bark + covering the top, while with the other she unfastened the strip of rag + that kept it in position. In another moment, grasping the broken spout in + her left hand, she held it over the open tin, and, with a rapid motion, + turned it upside down, and whipped away her right hand from the piece of + bark. + </p> + <p> + Something fell heavily against the bottom of the tin, and in an instant + she slammed down the lid, and threw the empty teapot in among the + boulders, where it smashed to pieces. Then, an evil smile on her dark + face, she placed her ear to the side of the tin and listened. A faint, + creeping, crawling sound was all she heard. In another minute, with hand + pressed tightly against her wildly beating heart, she fled homewards. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “This will be my last ride over, dear Ted,” was the beginning of the + letter to Ballantyne that lay in Channing's bosom. “Father is very ill, + and I cannot leave him. Do let me tell him, and ask his forgiveness; it is + so miserable for me to keep up this deceit.” + </p> + <p> + Darkness had set in by the time she had got the mail from the landlord of + the “Booming Nugget,” and turned her horse's head into the track that led + over the ridge to the old workings. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Two hours before daylight, Kate Channing's horse walked riderless up to + the sliprails of Calypso Downs, and the stockman who had kept awake + awaiting her return, went out to let his young mistress in. + </p> + <p> + “Got throwed somewhere, I suppose,” he grumbled, after examining the + horse. “This is a nice go. It's no use telling the old man about it, he's + too sick to be worried just now, anyway.” + </p> + <p> + Taking a black boy with him, and leading Kate's horse, he set out to look + for her, expecting, unless she was hurt, to meet her somewhere between the + station and Mulliner's Camp. Just as daylight broke, the black boy, who + was leading, stopped. + </p> + <p> + “Young missus been tumble off horse here,” and he pointed to where the + scrubby undergrowth on one side of the track was crushed down and broken. + </p> + <p> + The stockman nodded. “Horse been shy I think it, Billy, at that old fellow + post-office there?” and he pointed to the old mail tin, which was not ten + feet from where Billy said she had fallen off. + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, Billy,” said the stockman, “I believe young missus no catch him + horse again, and she walk along to Mulliner's.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Yo ai</i>,” answered the black boy, and he started ahead. In a few + minutes he stopped again with a puzzled look and pointed to Kate + Channing's tracks. + </p> + <p> + “Young missus been walk about all same drunk.” + </p> + <p> + “By jingo, she's got hurted, I fear,” said the stockman. “Push ahead, + Billy.” + </p> + <p> + A hundred yards further on they found her dead, lying face downwards on + the track. + </p> + <p> + Lifting her cold, stiffened body in his arms, the stockman carried his + burden along to Ballantyne's house. Haughton met him at the door. Together + they laid the still figure upon the sofa in the front room, and then while + the stockman went for Nell Lawson, Haughton went to Ballantyne's bunk and + awoke and told him. His mouth twitched nervously for a second or two, and + then his hard, impassive nature asserted itself again. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “'Tis a terrible thing this, Ballantyne,” said Haughton, sympathetically, + as they walked out together to see the place where she had been thrown. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” assented the other, “dreadful. Did you hear what Channing's black + boy told me?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + “He says that she has died from snake-bite. I believe him, too. I saw a + boy die on the Etheridge from snake-bite, and he looked as she does now; + besides that, there is not a scratch or bruise on her body, so she + couldn't have received any hurt unless it was an internal one when she was + thrown. Here's the place,” and then he started back, for lying at the foot + of the tree was the panting, trembling figure of Nell Lawson. + </p> + <p> + She had tried to get there before them to efface all traces of her deadly + work. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here, Mrs. Lawson?” said Ballantyne, sharply; “we sent + over for you; don't you know what has happened?” + </p> + <p> + The strange hysterical “yes” that issued from her pallid lips caused + Ballantyne to turn his keen grey eyes upon her intently. Then something of + the truth must have flashed across his mind, for he walked up to the tree + and looked into the tin. + </p> + <p> + “Good God!” he said, “poor little woman!” and then he called to Haughton. + “Come here, and see what killed her!” + </p> + <p> + Haughton looked, and a deadly horror chilled his blood: lying in the + bottom of the tin was a thick, brownish-red death adder. It raised its + hideous, flatted head for a moment, then lowered it, and lay there + regarding them with its deadly eye. + </p> + <p> + “How did it get there?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Ballantyne pointed to Nell Lawson, who now stood and leant against a tree + for support. + </p> + <p> + Haughton sprang to her side and seized her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Are you a murderess, Nell? What had she done to you that you should take + her innocent life? She was nothing to me—she was Ballantyne's wife.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him steadily, and her lips moved, then a shrill, horrible + laugh burst forth, and she fell unconscious at his feet. + </p> + <p> + That day Haughton left Mulliner's Camp for ever. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Perhaps this story should have another ending, and Nell Lawson have met + with a just retribution. But, as is the case of many other women—and + men—with natures such as hers, she did not. For when old Channing + lay dying she nursed him tenderly to the last, and perhaps because of + this, or for that he could never understand why blue-eyed Kate had never + come back, he left her all he had, much to the wondering admiration of + honest, dull-witted Bob, her husband, who almost immediately after the old + man's death, when returning home one night from the “Booming Nugget,” + filled with a great peace of mind and a considerable quantity of bad rum, + fell down a shaft and broke his neck, after the manner of one of old + Channing's bullocks—and then she married Ballantyne. + </p> + <p> + Everything seems to come to him who waits—especially if he is + systematic in his villainy, and has a confiding wife—as had + Ballantyne in his first matrimonial venture. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AURIKI REEF + </h2> + <p> + One evening, not long ago, an old island comrade and I sat on the verandah + looking out upon the waters of Sydney Harbour, smoking and talking of the + old wild days down there in the Marshall group, among the brown people who + dwell on the white beaches under the shade of the swaying palms. And as we + talked, the faces of those we had known came back one by one to our + memories, and passed away. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In front of us, with her tall, black spars cutting out clearly against the + flood of moonlight, that lit up the waters of the quiet little bay, lay + the old <i>Wolverene</i>—to both of us a silent reminder of one + night not long ago, under far-off skies, when the old corvette sailed past + our little, schooner, towering up above us, a cloud of spotless white + canvas, as she gracefully rose and sank to the long sweep of the ocean + swell. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Poor old Tierney,” said my friend, alluding to the captain of that little + schooner. “He's dead now; blew his hand off with dynamite down in the + Gilbert Group—did you know?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. What a good fellow he was! There are few like him left now. Aye, few + indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “By the way, did he ever tell you about Jack Lester and his little + daughter, Tessa?” + </p> + <p> + “Something of it. You were with him in the <i>Mana</i> that trip, weren't + you?” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Yes,” said my friend, “Brayley and I both. He had been up to Honolulu, + sick; and he came on board of the <i>Mana</i> and seemed so anxious to get + back to his station on Maduro that Tierney—good old fellow as he was—told + him to bring his traps aboard, and he would land him there on the way to + Samoa. His wife had died five years before, and he had to leave his + station in the care of his daughter, a child of twelve or so. Not that he + fretted much about the station—it was only the little girl he + thought of.” + </p> + <p> + We smoked on in silence awhile. Then my friend resumed— + </p> + <p> + “I shall never forget that voyage. It was a night such as this that it + happened—I mean that affair of the boat on Auriki Reef.” + </p> + <p> + Fifteen years ago is a long time to try back, and although I had been told + something of a strange incident that had occurred during one voyage of the + Hawaiian schooner <i>Mana</i> (she is now a Sydney collier), I could not + recall the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + So then my friend told me the story of the boat on Auriki Reef. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “I have told you that Brayley was a man of few words. But sometimes as we + paced the deck together at night, as the schooner skimmed over the seas + before the lusty trade-wind, he would talk to me of his child; and it was + easy for me to see that his love for her was the one hope of his life. + </p> + <p> + “'I am going back to England soon,' he said to me one night; 'there is but + one of us left—my sister—and I would like to see her face + again in this world. She is older than I—she is past fifty now.... + And it is thirty years since I said good-bye to her... thirty years... + thirty long years,' and then he turned his face away and looked out upon + the sea. 'Just to see her, and then say good-bye again, for here I have + cast my lot, and here I will die. If I were alone in the world perhaps I + would take to civilisation again, but Tessa'—he shook his head—'she + would wither and die in cold England.'” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Ten days out we ran in amongst the Radack Chain of the Marshall Islands, + and the wind falling light, and being surrounded by reefs and low + uninhabited coral atolls, Tierney brought to, and anchored for the night. + You know the spot, about nine miles due west of Ailuk, and between two + sandy atolls covered with a scant growth of cocoanuts and pan-danus palms. + </p> + <p> + “The ship being all right the hands turned in, leaving only one man on + watch, while we three white men laid down aft to smoke and yarn. It was a + bright moonlight night, as light as day—just such a night as this. + Away on our port quarter, distant about a quarter of a mile, was a shallow + patch on which the surf was breaking. It was merely one of those flat + patches of coral that, rising up steep from the bottom, have deep water + all round them, but are always covered on the surface by a depth of one or + two fathoms—c mushrooms,' we call them, you know. Well, it was such + a wonderfully clear night that that shallow patch, with the surf hissing + and swirling over and around it, was as clearly visible to us on the + schooner as if it had been under our counter, not ten feet away.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Covering up my face from the vivid moonlight with a soft native mat, I + laid down, and after awhile dropped off to sleep. + </p> + <p> + “How long I had been asleep I did not know then—I learnt afterwards + that it was nearly four hours—when I was awakened by a loud hail of + 'Boat ahoy!' called out by some one on board. + </p> + <p> + “I was awake in an instant, and sprang to my feet. + </p> + <p> + “'What is it?' I said to Tierney and Brayley, who were standing close to + me, looking out towards the breaking reef. 'Where is the boat that you are + hailing?' + </p> + <p> + “Neither of them answered; Tierney, turning towards me for a second, made + a curious half-commanding, half-imploring gesture as if to ask my silence, + and then gripping Brayley by his shoulder, stared wildly at the white + seeth of the breakers astern of us. + </p> + <p> + “A quick look along the decks for'ard showed me that all the native + sailors were on deck and clustered together in the waist, as far aft as + they dared come. Each man had hold of his fellow, and with open mouths and + wildly staring eyes they stood like statues of bronze, in an attitude of + horror and amazement. + </p> + <p> + “'What is it?' I commenced again, when Tierney slowly raised his clenched + and shaking hand and touched me. + </p> + <p> + “'Look,' he said, in a strange, quivering whisper, 'in the name of God, + man, what is that?'” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “I followed the direction of his shaking hand. It pointed along the broad, + golden stream of moonlight that ran from close under our stern right + across to the low, black line that we knew was Ailuk Island. For a moment + I saw nothing, then, suddenly, amid the wild boil of the surf in Auriki, I + saw a boat, a white-painted boat with a black gunwale streak. One person + seemed to be sitting aft with his face drooping upon his breast. The boat + seemed to me to be in the very centre of the wild turmoil of waters, and + yet to ride with perfect ease and safety. Presently, however, I saw that + it was on the other side of the reef, yet so close that the back spray + from the curling rollers must have fallen upon it.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Pushing Captain Tierney away from him, Brayley suddenly seemed to + straighten himself, and taking a step in advance of us he again hailed— + </p> + <p> + “'Boat, ahoy!' + </p> + <p> + “The loud, hoarse cry pealed over the waters, but no answer came from the + silent figure, and then Brayley turned towards us. His bronzed features + had paled to the hue of death, and for a moment or two his mouth twitched. + </p> + <p> + “'For God's sake, Tierney, call the hands and lower the boat. It is + nothing from the other world that we see—<i>it is my daughter, Tessa</i>.' + </p> + <p> + “In a second the old man sprang into life and action, and in a shrill + voice that sounded like a scream he called, 'Man the boat, lads!' + </p> + <p> + “Before one could have counted twenty the boat was in the water, clear of + the falls, and Tierney and Brayley, with a crew of four natives, were + pulling swiftly for the other boat.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “In a few minutes they reached her, just as a big roller had all but got + her and carried her right on top of Auriki. I saw Brayley get out of our + boat and into the other, and lift the sitting figure up in his arms, and + then Tierney made fast a line, took the strange boat in tow, and headed + back for the ship. + </p> + <p> + “When the boat was within speaking distance, Tierney hailed me—'Get + some brandy ready—she is alive.'” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “We carried her into the cabin, and as Brayley bent his face over the + poor, wasted figure of his child, the hot tears ran down his cheeks, and + Tierney whispered to me, 'She is dying fast.' + </p> + <p> + “We all knew that as soon as we looked at her. Already the grey shadows + were deepening on the face of the wanderer as we gathered around her, + speaking in whispers. Suddenly the loud clamour of the ship's bell, struck + by an unthinking sailor, made the girl's frame quiver. + </p> + <p> + “With a look of intense pity the captain motioned to Brayley to raise her + head to try and get her to swallow a teaspoonful of water. Tenderly the + trader raised her, and then for a moment or two the closed, weary eyelids + slowly drew back and she gazed into his face. + </p> + <p> + “'Thank God,' the captain said, 'she knows you, Brayley.' + </p> + <p> + “A faint, flickering smile played about her lips and then ceased. Then a + long, low sigh, and her head fell upon his breast.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “At daylight we hove-up anchor and stood on our course for Brayley's + Station on Arhnu. Just as we rounded the south end of Ailuk Island we saw + the <i>Lahaina</i>, schooner, lying-to and signalling that she wanted to + speak. Her skipper came aboard, and hurriedly shaking hands with us, asked + if we knew that Jack Brayley's little Tessa had gone adrift in his boat + ten days ago. + </p> + <p> + “Silently Tierney led him to the open skylight and pointed down to where + she lay with her father kneeling beside her. + </p> + <p> + “'Poor man!' said the skipper of the <i>Lahaina</i>. 'I'm real sorry. I + heerd from the natives that Tessa and two native girls and a boy took the + whaleboat, for a joke like, and she said she was going to meet her father, + as she had seen him in her sleep, an' she reckoned he was close to on the + sea somewhere. I guess the poor thing's got swept to leeward by the + current. They had a sail in the boat.' + </p> + <p> + “'Aye,' said Tierney, 'a squall must have struck the boat and carried away + the mast; it was snapped off short about a foot above the thwart.'” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “When we ran into Maduro Lagoon three days afterwards our flag was + half-mast high for Tessa Brayley, and for her father as well—for we + had found him the next morning on his knees beside her, cold and stiff in + death, with his dead hand clasped around hers.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AT THE EBBING OF THE TIDE + </h2> + <p> + Black Tom's “hell” was one of the institutions of Samoa. And not an + unpleasant hell to look at—a long, rambling, one-storeyed, + white-painted wooden building, hidden on the beach side from ships + entering Apia Harbour by a number of stately cocoanuts; and as you came + upon it from the palm-shaded track that led from the brawling little + Vaisigago towards the sweeping curve of Matautu Point, the blaze of + scarlet hibiscus growing within the white-paled garden fence gave to this + sailors' low drinking-den an inviting appearance of sweetest Arcadian + simplicity. + </p> + <p> + That was nineteen years ago. If you walk along the Matautu path now and + ask a native to show you where Tom's house stood, he will point to a + smooth, grass-covered bank extending from the right-hand side of the path + to the coarse, black sand of Matautu beach. And, although many of the + present white residents of the Land of the Treaty Powers have heard or + Black Tom, only a few grizzled old traders and storekeepers, relics of the + bygone lively days, can talk to you about that grim deed of one quiet + night in September. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Tamasi Uliuli (Black Thomas), as he was called by the natives, had come to + Samoa in the fifties, and, after an eventful and varied experience in + other portions of the group, had settled down to business in Matautu as a + publican, baker and confectioner, butcher, seamen's crimp, and + interpreter. You might go all over the Southern States, from St. Augustine + to Galveston, and not meet ten such splendid specimens of negro physique + and giant strength as this particular coloured gentleman. Tom had married + a Samoan woman—Inusia—who had borne him three children, two + daughters and one son. Of this latter I have naught to say here, save that + the story of <i>his</i> short life and tragic end is one common enough to + those who have had any experience of a trader's life among the + betel-chewing savages of fever-haunted New Britain. And the eldest + daughter may also “stand out” of this brief tale. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Luisa was black. There was no doubt about that. But she was also comely; + and her youthful, lissom figure as she walked with springy step to the + bathing-place at the Vaisigago gave her a striking individuality among the + lighter-coloured Samoan girls who accompanied her. Yet to all of us who + lived in Matautu the greatest charms of this curly-haired half-caste were + the rich, sweet voice and gay laugh that brightened up her dark-hued + countenance as we passed her on the path and returned her cheerful + “Talofa, <i>alii!</i>” with some merry jest. And, although none of us had + any inclination to go into her father's pub. and let <i>him</i> serve us + with a bottle of Pilsener, Luisa's laughing face and curly head generally + had attraction enough to secure, in the course of the day, a good many + half-dollars for the 50lb. beef-keg which was Black Tom's treasury. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It gave us a shock one day to see Luisa emerging from the mission chapel + with a white-haired old man by her side—married. The matter had been + arranged very quietly. For about two months previously this ancient had + been one of Black Tom's boarders. He was from New Zealand, and had come to + Samoa to invest his money in trade, and being, perhaps, of a retiring and + quiet disposition the sight of Mr. Thomas Tilton's innocent-looking + dwelling attracted him thither. Anyhow, old Dermott remained there, and it + was noticeable that, from the day of his arrival, Tamasi Uliuli exacted + the most rigid performance of morning and evening devotions by his family, + and that the nightly scenes of riot and howling drunkenness, that had + theretofore characterised the “hotel,” had unaccountably toned down. In + fact, burly old Alvord, the consular interpreter, who had been accustomed + to expostulate with Tom for the number of prostrate figures, redolent of + bad rum, lying outside on the path in the early morning, showing by the + scarcity of their attire that they had been “gone through” by thieving + natives, expressed the opinion that Tom was either going mad, or “was + getting consairned” about his sinful soul. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The knowledge of the fact that old Dermott had so much worldly wealth + stowed away in his camphor-wood trunk, may have had (doubtless it did) the + effect of causing this remarkable change in Tom's daily conduct. Dermott, + in his way, was sourly religious; and, although not understanding a word + of Samoan, was fond of attending the native church at Apia—always in + the wake of Luisa, Toe-o-le-Sasa, and other young girls. His solemn, + wrinkled visage, with deep-set eyes, ever steadily fixed upon the object + of his affection, proved a source of much diversion to the native + congregation, and poor Luisa was subjected to the usual Samoan jests about + the <i>toe'ina</i> and <i>ulu tula</i> (old man and bald head), and would + arrive from the church at her father's hell in a state of suppressed + exasperation. + </p> + <p> + The happy marriage had been celebrated by Tom and his <i>clientèle</i> in + a manner befitting the occasion and the supposed wealth of the bridegroom, + Then none of us saw Luisa for a week at the bathing-place, and her + non-appearance was discussed with interest at the nightly kava-drinking at + half-caste Johnny Hall's public-house. Old Toi'foi, duenna of the + kava-chewing girls, used to say solemnly that the old man had Luisa locked + up in her room as she was <i>vale</i> (obstinate), and sat on a chair + outside and looked at her through a hole in the wall. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + An hour after midnight on one of those silent tropic nights when naught is + heard but the muffled boom of the ocean swell on the outer reef, a shot + rang out through the sleeping village, and then a long wail as of some one + in mortal agony or terror. Léger, the Canadian carpenter at Macfarlane's + store, was, in company with Alvord the Swearer, and Pedro the Publican, + and marry of us general sinners, up late at the kava-bowl when Leva, the + prettiest girl on the Point, and the most notorious <i>nymphe du beach</i> + in Apia (there are no pavements in Samoa), dashed in amongst its with the + announcement that “Luisa was dead.” In another ten seconds we + kava-drinkers, with unsteady legs but clear heads, were outside on our way + to Black Tom's house, which was within pistol-shot. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + An old man with a throat cut from ear to ear is not a cheerful sight at + any time, and we turned quickly away from where he lay on the once + spotless white bed, now an ensanguined horror, to look at poor Luisa, who + lay on a mat on the floor, gasping out her brief young life. Her head was + pillowed on her mother's bosom, and down her side the blood ran from the + jagged bullet-hole. On a chair sat the herculean figure of Black Tom with + his face in his hands, through which splashed heavy tears. Slowly he + rocked himself to and fro in the manner of his race when strongly moved; + and when he tried to speak there only struck upon our ears a horrible + gasping noise that somehow made us turn again to the awful thing on the + bed to see if it had aught to say upon the matter. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Luisa spoke but little. The kind-faced, quiet-voiced missionary doctor + told her that which she already knew too well; and then we drew away while + he spoke of other things, and we saw the look of dread and horror on the + comely young face pass away and a faint smile part the lips that were + already touched by the grim shadow of coming dissolution. Some of her + village playmates and companions, with wet cheeks, bent their faces and + touched her lips with theirs, and to each she sighed a low <i>To Fa</i> of + farewell, and then she looked toward the shaking bent figure in the chair + and beckoned him over. With noiseless tread he came, and then, with her + very soul looking at him from her great, death-stricken eyes, she + murmured, “Fear not, my father, my mouth is covered by the hand of Death; + farewell!” ***** + </p> + <p> + The sound of the soft lapping of the falling tide came through the open + window as Luisa spoke again to Toë-o-le-Sasa, the Maid of Apia—“E + Toe, <i>e pae afea te tai</i>?” (“When is the tide out?”) And the girl + answered with a sob in her throat, “In quite a little while, O friend of + my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Ua lelei</i>. (It is well.) And as the waters run out so does my soul + float away!” and she turned her face to her mother's bosom. And as we went + softly out from the room and stood upon the path with the lofty + palm-plumes rustling above us, we saw the first swirling wave of the + incoming tide ripple round Matautu Point and plash on Hamilton's beach. + And from within the silent house answered the wail of Death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FALLACIES OF HILLIARD + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. + </h2> + <p> + With clenched hand grasping the two letters—the one that sank his + last hope of saving his plantation, and the other that blasted his trust + in human nature—Hilliard, the planter of Nairai Viwa, walked with + quick, firm step to his house, and sat down to think awhile. The great + cotton “burst-up” had ruined most men in Fiji, and although long delayed + in his case the blow had crushed him utterly. + </p> + <p> + An angry flush tinged his set features for a few seconds as he re-read the + curt, almost savage denial, by his father of the “couple of thousand” + asked for. “A fool to resign his commission in the Service and go into a + thing he knew nothing about, merely to humour the fantastic whim of a + woman of fashion who will, no doubt, now sheer very clear of your wrecked + fortunes.” + </p> + <p> + Ten minutes previously when Hilliard, who had thought his father would + never see him go under for the sake of a couple of thou., had read these + lines he had smiled, even with the despair of broken fortune at his heart, + as he looked at the other letter yet unopened. + </p> + <p> + Kitty, at least, would stick to him. He was not a maudlin sentimentalist, + but the memory of her farewell kisses was yet strong with him; and his + past experiences of woman's weaknesses and his own strength justified him + in thinking that in this one woman he had found his pearl of great price. + </p> + <p> + Then he read her letter; and as he read the tappa mallets at work in the + Fijian houses hard by seemed to thump in unison with the dull beats of his + heart as he stared at the correctly-worded and conventionally-expressed + lines that mocked at his fond imaginings of but a few breaths back. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Jimmy, the curly-headed half-caste who had brought him his letters from + Levuka, had followed in his steps and was sitting, hat in hand, on the + sofa before him when Hilliard raised his face. The fixed pallor had left + his bronzed cheeks. For an instant the face of another man had passed + before him—Lamington, his one-time fellow-officer, whom every one + but Hilliard himself looked upon as being “first in the running” with the + woman who had pledged herself to him. But, then, Lamington himself had + told him that she had refused him, heir to a big fortune as he was, and + they had shaken hands, and Lamington had wished him luck in his honest, + good-natured fashion. “Perhaps,” and here the dark flush mantled his + forehead, “he's tried again and she's slung me. And I... what a damnably + unpleasant and quick intuition of women's ways my old dad has! I always + wondered why such a fiery devil as he was married such a milk-and-water + creature as my good mother. By ———, I begin to think he + went on safe lines, and I on a fallacy!” + </p> + <p> + The stolid face of Jimmy recalled him to the present. He must give up the + plantation and take a berth of some sort. From the sideboard he took a + flask of liquor and poured out two big drinks. + </p> + <p> + “Here, Jimmy, my boy. This is the last drink you'll get on Nairai Viwa. + I'm burst up, cleaned out, dead broke, and going to hell generally.” + </p> + <p> + Jimmy grunted and held out his brown hand for the grog. “Yes? I s'pose + you'll go to Levuka first? I'll give you a passage in the cutter.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard laughed with mingled bitterness and sarcasm. “Right, Jimmy. + Levuka is much like the other place, and I'll get experience there, if I + don't get a billet.” + </p> + <p> + “Here's luck to you, sir, wherever you go,” and Jimmy's thick lips glued + themselves lovingly to the glass. + </p> + <p> + Hilliard drank his oft quietly, only muttering to himself, “Here's + good-bye to the fallacies of hope,” and then, being at bottom a man of + sense and quick resolution, he packed his traps and at sunset went aboard + the cutter. As they rippled along with the first puffs of the land-breeze, + he glanced back but once at the lights of Nairai Viwa village that + illumined the cutter's wake, and then, like a wise man, the hopes and + dreams of the past drifted astern too. + </p> + <p> + And then for the next two years he drifted about from one group to another + till he found an island that suited him well—no other white man + lived there. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. + </h2> + <p> + The laughing, merry-voiced native children who, with speedy feet, ran to + the house of Iliâti, the trader, to tell him that a visitor was coming + from the man-of-war, had gathered with panting breath and hushed + expectancy at the door as the figure of the naval officer turned a bend in + the path, his right hand clasped with a proud air of proprietorship by + that or the ten-year-old son of Alberti the Chief. + </p> + <p> + Iliati with a half-angry, half-pleased look, held out his hand. + “Lamington!” + </p> + <p> + “Hilliard! old fellow. Why didn't you come on board i Are all your old + friends forgotten?” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Pretty nearly, Lamington. Since I came a cropper over that accursed + cotton swindle I've not had any inclination to meet any one I knew—especially + any one in the Service, but”—and his voice rang honestly, “I always + wondered whether you and I would ever meet again.” + </p> + <p> + “Hilliard,” and Lamington placed his hand on the trader's shoulder, “I + know all about it. And look here, old man. I saw her only two months ago—at + her especial request. She sent for me to talk about you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” and the trader's voice sounded coldly, “I thought, long ago, that + she had reconsidered her foolish decision of other days and had long since + become Mrs. Lamington. But it doesn't interest me, old fellow. Can you + drink Fiji rum, Lamington? Haven't anything better to offer you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll drink anything you've got, old fellow, even liquid Tophet boiled + down to a small half-pint; but I want you to listen to me first. I've been + a bit of a scoundrel to you, but, by God, old man, I exchanged into the + beastly old <i>Petrel</i> for this cruise expressly to find you and make a + clean breast of it. I promised her I would.” + </p> + <p> + “Confound it all, Lamington, don't harrow your feelings needlessly, and + let us have the rum and talk about anything else.” + </p> + <p> + “No, we won't. Look here, Hilliard, it sounds beastly low, but I must get + it out. We met again—at a ball in Sydney more than two years ago. + Some infernal chattering women were talking a lot of rot about the + planters in Fiji having very pretty and privileged native servants—and + all that, you know. She fired up and denied it, but came and asked me if + it was true, and I was mean enough not to give it a straight denial. How + the devil it happened I can't tell you, but we danced a deuce of a lot and + I lost my senses and asked her again, and she said 'Yes.' Had she been any + other woman but Miss ———, I would have concluded that + the soft music and all that had dazed her. It does sometimes—lots of + 'em; makes the most virtuous wife wish she could be a sinner and resume + her normal goodness next day. But Kitty is different. And it was only that + infernal twaddle caused it and made her write you that letter. A week + hadn't passed before she wrote to me and told me how miserable she was. + But I knew all through she didn't care a d———about me. + And that's the way it occurred, old man.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard's hand met his. “Say no more about it, Lamington; it's a <i>mea + matê</i> as we say here—a thing that is past.” + </p> + <p> + “But, good God, old fellow, you don't understand. She's written ever so + many times to you. No one in Levuka knew where you had gone to; there's + thousands of islands in the South Seas. And this letter here,” he held it + toward him, “she gave to me, and I promised her on my honour as a man to + effect an exchange into the <i>Petrel</i> and find you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, Lamington. You always were a good fellow.” He laid the letter on + the table quietly and rose and got the rum. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A young native girl, with deep lustrous eyes shining from a face of almost + childish innocence, had entered the door and stood with one bare and + softly-rounded arm clasped round the neck of Alberti's little son. Her + lips parted in a smile as Lamington, with a gasping cough, set down his + glass after drinking the potent spirit, and she set her brows in mock + ferocity at Hilliard who drank his down like an old-time beachcomber. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, Hilliard, what an astonishingly pretty face! She could give any + New Orleans créole points. Time you got out of this before some of the + Rotumah beauties make you forget things; and oh, by the way, I'm + forgetting things. Remember you are to come aboard and dine with us + to-night, and that you're in indifferent health, and that Captain ———, + of Her Majesty's ship <i>Petrel</i> is going to give you a passage to + Sydney.” + </p> + <p> + At an angry sign from Hilliard the girl disappeared. Then he shook his + head. “No, Lamington. I appreciate your kindness, but cannot accept it. + I've been here two years now, and Alberti, the principal local chief, + thinks no end of me; and he's a deuced fine fellow, and has been as good + as ten fathers to me. And I've business matters to attend to as well.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Lamington pressed him no further. “Lucky devil,” he thought. “I suppose + he'll clear out in the trading schooner to Sydney, next week; be there + long before us any way, and I'll find them well over the first stage of + married infatuation when I see him next.” + </p> + <p> + Another hour's chat of old times and old shipmates in the <i>Challenger</i> + and Lamington, with his honest, clean-shaven face looking into the quiet, + impassive features of the ex-officer, had gripped his hand and gone, and + Hilliard went over to the house of Alberti, the chief, to drink <i>kava</i>—and + see the old French priest. From there, an hour afterward, he saw the + cruiser with wet, shining sides dip into the long roll of the ocean swell, + as with the smoke pouring from her yellow funnel she was lost to sight + rounding the point. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Said the son of Alberti to Léla, the innocent-faced girl with the dancing, + starlike eyes and red lips, as they stood watching the last curling rings + of the steamer's smoke—“And so that is why I knew much of what the + <i>papalagi</i> from the man-of-war said to your Iliâti; Alberti, my + father, has taught me much of your man's tongue. # And, look thou, Léla + the Cunning, Iliâti hath a wife in his own country!” + </p> + <p> + “Pah!”—and she shook her long, wavy locks composedly, and then + plucked a scarlet hibiscus flower to stick in front of one of her pretty + little ears—“what does that matter to me, fathead? I am she here; + and when Iliâti goeth away to her she will be me there. But he loveth me + more than any other on Rotumah, and hath told me that where he goeth I + shall go also. And who knoweth but that if I have a son he may marry me? + Then shalt thou see such a wedding-feast as only rich people give. And + listen—for why should I not tell thee: 'Tis well to starve thyself + now, for it may be to-morrow, for look! fathead, there goeth the priest + into thy father's house, and Iliâti is already there.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A TALE OF A MASK + </h2> + <p> + Lannigan, who lived on Motukoe, was in debt to his firm. This was partly + due to his fondness for trade gin and partly because Bully Hayes had + called at the island a month or so back and the genial Bully and he had + played a game or two of poker. + </p> + <p> + “I'll give you your revenge when I come back from the Carolines, + Lannigan,” said the redoubtable captain as he scooped in every dollar of + the trader's takings for the past six months. And Lannigan, grasping his + hand warmly and declaring it was a pleasure to be “claned out by a + gintleman,” bade him good-bye and went to sleep away from home for a day + with some native friends. Tariro, his Manhiki wife, had a somewhat violent + temper, and during the poker incident had indulged in much vituperative + language outside, directed at white men in general and Lannigan in + particular. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “See, thou swiller of gin, see what thy folly has brought us to,” said the + justly-incensed Tariro, when he came back, and with her took stock of his + trade goods; “a thousand and five hundred dollars' worth of trade came we + here with, and thou hast naught to show for it but five casks of oil and a + few stinking shark-fins; and surely the ship of the <i>malo</i> (his firm) + will be here this month.” + </p> + <p> + Lannigan was in a bit of a fix. The firm he was trading for on Motukoe + didn't do business in the same free-and-easy way as did Bobby Towns' + captains and the unconventional Bully Hayes. They made him sign papers, + and every time the ship came the rufous-headed Scotch supercargo took + stock, and a violent altercation would result over the price of the trade; + but as the trader generally had a big lot of produce for the ship, matters + always ended amicably. He—or rather his wife, Tariro—was too + good a trader to have an open rupture with, and the wordy warfare always + resulted in the trader saying, in his matter-of-fact way, “Well, I suppose + it's right enough. You only rob me wanst in twelve months, and I rob the + natives here every day of my life. Give me in a case of gin, an' I'll send + ye a pig.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But he had never been so much in debt as he was now. Tariro and he talked + it over, and hit upon a plan. He was to say, when the ship came, that he + had but five casks of oil; all his trade had been sold for cash, and the + cash—a thousand dollars—represented by a bag of copper bolts + picked up on the reef from an old wreck, was to be taken off to the ship + and accidentally dropped overboard as it was being passed up on deck. This + was Lannigan's idea, and Tariro straightway tied up the bolts in readiness + in many thicknesses of sail-cloth. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Here's Lannigan coming,” called out the captain of the trading vessel to + the supercargo, a week or so afterwards, “and that saucy Manhiki woman as + usual with him, to see that he doesn't get drunk. The devil take such as + her! There's no show of getting him tight.” + </p> + <p> + “How are you, Lannigan?” said the supercargo, wiping his perspiring brow. + He had just come out of the hold where he had been opening tinned meats, + and putting all the “blown” tins he could find into one especial case—for + Lannigan. This was what he called “makin' a mairgin for loss on the meats, + which didna pay well.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine,” said the genial Lannigan, “an' I haven't got but five casks of oil + for yez. Devil a drop av oil would the people make when they looked at the + bewtiful lot av trade ye gave me last time. They just rushed me wid cash, + an' I tuk a matter av a thousand dollars or so in a month.” + </p> + <p> + “Verra guid business,” said the supercargo, “but ye made a gran' meestake + in selling the guids for Cheelian dollars instead of oil. An' sae I must + debit ye wi' a loss of twenty-five par cent, on the money——” + </p> + <p> + “Chile dollars be damned!” said Lannigan; “all good American dollars—we've + had about twenty whaleships here, buyin' pigs an' poultry an' pearl + shell.” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-one ship!” said Tariro, blowing the smoke of her cigarette through + her pretty little nose. + </p> + <p> + “Whaur's the money, onyway?” said the supercargo; “let's get to business, + Lannigan. Eh, mon, I've some verra fine beef for ye.” + </p> + <p> + “Get the bag up out of the boat, Tariro,” said the trader; “it's mighty + frightened I was havin' so much money in the house at wanst, wid all them + rowdy Yankee sailors from the whaleships ashore here.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + There was a great crowd of natives on deck—over a hundred—and + the mate was swearing violently at them for getting in his way. The + schooner was a very small vessel, and Motukoe being her first place of + call for cargo, she was in light trim, having only her trade and a little + ballast on board. + </p> + <p> + “Send those natives away from the galley,” he called out to the cook, who + was giving some of the young women ship-biscuits in exchange for young + cocoanuts; “can't you see the ship keeps flying up in the wind with all + those people for'ard!” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Hekemanu, Lannigan's native “Man Jack,” sat in the boat towing alongside, + with the bag of “dollars” at his feet. He and all the boat's crew were in + the secret. Lannigan owned their souls; besides, they all liked him on + Motukoe. + </p> + <p> + Tariro stood for a moment beside the captain, indulging in the usual broad + “chaff,” and then leaning over the rail she called out to Hekemanu: <i>Ta + mai te taga tupe</i> (“give me the bag of money”). + </p> + <p> + The man for'ard hauled on the line to bring the boat alongside the + schooner, and Hekemanu stood up with the heavy bag in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on there, you fool! If you drop that bag I'll knock your head off,” + said the skipper. “Here, Mr. Bates, just you jump down and take that money + from that native, or he'll drop it, sure.” + </p> + <p> + Before Hekemanu had time to let it fall over the side the mate had jumped + into the boat and taken it. + </p> + <p> + Lannigan, putting his head up out of the little cabin, groaned inwardly as + he saw the mate step over the rail with the fateful bag and hand it to the + supercargo. + </p> + <p> + “Be the powers, ye're in a mighty hurry for the money,” said Lannigan, + roughly, taking it from him, “ye might ax me if I had a mouth on me + first.” + </p> + <p> + The supercargo laughed and put a bottle of gin on the table, and + Lannigan's fertile brain commenced to work. If he could only get the + supercargo out of the cabin for a minute he meant to pick up the bag, and + declaring he was insulted get it back into his boat and tell him to come + and count it ashore. Then he could get capsized on the reef and lose it. + They were always having “barneys,” and it would only be looked upon as one + of his usual freaks. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “What the deuce is that?” he said, pointing to a hideous, highly-coloured + paper mask that hung up in the cabin. + </p> + <p> + The supercargo handed it to him. “It's for a man in Samoa—a silly, + joking body, always playing pranks wi' the natives, and I thoct he would + like the thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Bedad, 'tis enough to scare the sowl out av the divil,” said Lannigan. + </p> + <p> + Just then a mob of natives came aft, and the two men in the cabin heard + the captain tell them to clear out again. They were saucy and wouldn't go. + Hekemanu had told them of the failure of Lannigan's dodge, and they had an + idea that the ship would take him away, and stood by to rescue him at the + word of command. + </p> + <p> + “I'll verra soon hunt them,” said the supercargo, with a proud smile, and + he put the mask on his face. Tariro made a bolt on deck and called out to + the natives that the supercargo was going to frighten them with a mask. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Instead of wild yells of fear and jumping overboard, as he imagined would + happen, the natives merely laughed, but edged away for'ard. + </p> + <p> + The schooner was in quite close to the reef; the water was very deep, and + there was no danger of striking. She was under jib and mainsail only, but + the breeze was fresh and she was travelling at a great rate. The wind + being right off the land the skipper was hugging the reef as closely as + possible, so as to bring up and anchor on a five-fathom patch about a mile + away. + </p> + <p> + “Here, quit that fooling,” he called out to the supercargo, “and come aft, + you fellows! The ship is that much down by the head she won't pay off, + with the helm hard up.” + </p> + <p> + One look at the crowd of natives and another at the shore, and a wild idea + came into Lannigan's head. He whispered to Tariro, who went up for'ard and + said something to the natives. In another ten seconds some of them began + to clamber out on the jib-boom, the rest after them. + </p> + <p> + “Come back!” yelled the skipper, jamming the helm hard up, as the schooner + flew up into the wind. “Leggo peak halyards. By G—d! we are running + ashore. Leggo throat halyards, too!” + </p> + <p> + The mate flew to the halyards, and let go first the peak and then the + throat halyards, but it was too late, and, with a swarm of natives packed + together for'ard from the galley to the end of the jib-boom, she stuck her + nose down, and, with stern high out of the water, like a duck chasing + flies, she crashed into the reef—ran ashore dead to windward. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + No one was drowned. The natives took good care of the captain, mate, and + supercargo, and helped them to save all they could. But Lannigan had a + heavy loss—the bag of copper bolts had gone to the bottom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE COOK OF THE “SPREETOO SANTOO”—A STUDY IN BEACHCOMBERS + </h2> + <p> + We were in Kitti Harbour, at Ponape, in the Carolines, when, at breakfast, + a bleary-eyed, undersized, more-or-less-white man in a dirty pink shirt + and dungaree pants, came below, and, slinging his filthy old hat over to + the transoms, shoved himself into a seat between the mate and Jim + Garstang, the trader. + </p> + <p> + “Mornin', captin,” said he, without looking at the skipper, and helping + himself to about two pounds of curry. + </p> + <p> + “Morning to you. Who the deuce are you, anyway? Are you the old bummer + they call 'Espiritu Santo'?” said Garstang. + </p> + <p> + “That's me. I'm the man. But I ain't no bummer, don't you b'lieve it. I + wos tradin' round here in these (lurid) islands afore you coves knowed + where Ponape was.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you the skunk that Wardell kicked off the Shenandoah for stealing a + bottle of wine?” said the mate. + </p> + <p> + “That's me. There was goin' ter be trouble over that on'y that the + Shennydor got properly well sunk by the <i>Allybarmer</i> (history wasn't + his forte), and that ——— Wardell got d———d + well drownded. Hingland haint a-goin' to let no Yankee insult nobody for + nuthin'—an' I'm a blessed Englishman. I didn't steal the wine. Yer + see, Wardell arst me off to dinner, and then we gets talkin' about + polertics, an' I tells 'im 'e wos a lyin' pirut. Then he started foolin' + around my woman, an' I up with a bottle of wine an'——” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you thundering liar,” said Garstang, “you stole it out of the + ward-room.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't call no man a liar if I was you, Mister—by G——, + that Chinaman cook knows how to make curry.” + </p> + <p> + He ate like a starving shark, and between mouthfuls kept up a running fire + of lies and blasphemy. When he had eaten three platefuls of curry and + drunk enough coffee to scald a pig, the skipper, who was gettin' tired of + him, asked him if he had had enough. + </p> + <p> + Yes, he had had enough breakfast to last him a whole (Australian + adjective) week. + </p> + <p> + “Then clear out on deck and swab the curry off your face, you beast!” + </p> + <p> + “That's always the way with you tradin' skippers. A stranger don't get no + civility unless he comes aboard in a (red-painted) gig with a (crimson) + umbrella and a (gory) 'elmet 'at, like a (vermilion) Consul.” + </p> + <p> + The mate seized him, and, running him up the companion way, slung him out + on deck. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “What do you think of him?” asked the skipper, a man fond of a joke—it + was Bully Hayes. “I thought I'd let you all make his acquaintance. He's + been bumming around the Ladrones and Pelews since '50; used to be cook on + a Manilla trading brig, the <i>Espiritu Santo</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Then he told us how this wandering mass of blasphemy got his name of + “Spreetoo Santoo.” While in the brig he had been caught smuggling at Guam + by the guarda costas, and had spent a year or two in the old prison fort + at San Juan de 'Apra. (I don't know how he got out: perhaps his inherently + alcoholic breath and lurid blasphemy made the old brick wall tumble down.) + </p> + <p> + After that he was always welcome in sailors' fo'c's'les by reason of his + smuggling story, which would commence with—“When I was cook on the + <i>Espiritu Santo</i>” (only he used the English instead of the Spanish + name) “I got jugged by the gory gardy costers,” &c, &c. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When we came on deck he was sitting on the main-hatch with the Chinese + carpenter—whose pipe he was smoking—and telling him that he + ought to get rid of his native wife, who was a Gilbert Island girl, and + buy a Ponape girl. + </p> + <p> + “I can git yer the pick o' the (crimson) island, an' it won't cost yer + more'n a few (unprintable) dollars. I'm a (bad word) big man 'ere among + the (adjective) natives.” + </p> + <p> + Hung looked up at him stolidly with half-closed eyes. Then he took the + pipe out of his mouth and said in a deadly cold voice— + </p> + <p> + “You palally liar, Spleetoo.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + He slouched aft again presently, and asked the mate, in an amiable tone of + voice, if he had “any (ruddy) noospapers from Sydney.” + </p> + <p> + “What the devil do <i>you</i> want newspapers for?” inquired Hayes, + turning round suddenly in his deck-chair, “you can't read, Spreetoo.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't read, eh?” and his red-rimmed, lashless eyes simulated intense + indignation. “Wot about that 'ere (red) bishop at Manilla, as wanted me to + chuck up me (scarlet) billet on the <i>Spreetoo S antoo</i> and travel + through the (carnaged) Carryline Grewp as 's (sanguinary) sekketerry? 'Cos + why? 'Cos there ain't any (blank) man atween 'ere an' 'ell as can talk the + warious lingoes like me.” + </p> + <p> + “Here,” said the mate, giving him two or three old Maoriland newspapers—“here's + some Auckland papers. Know anybody there?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered, promptly, “not a soul, but he knowed Sydney well. Larst + time I wos there I sold old Bobby Towns £6,000 worth of oil—a + bloomin' shipful. I got drunk, an' a (blank) policeman went through me in + the cell and took the whole blessed lot outer me (scarlet) pocket.” (Nine + bad words omitted.) + </p> + <p> + “Bank notes?” queried Bully. + </p> + <p> + “No, sov'reigns—(gory) sov'reigns.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + He asked us if we had seen any men-o'-war about lately, and said that the + captain of H.M.S. ———— had wanted to marry his + daughter, but he wouldn't let her marry no man-o'-war cove after the way + that ——— Wardell had treated him. He thought he would go + back to Sydney again for a spell. His brother had a flaming fine billet + there. + </p> + <p> + The Cook of the “Spreetoo Santoo” 243 + </p> + <p> + “What is he?” asked Hayes. + </p> + <p> + “'E's a (blessed) Soopreme Court Judge, wears a (gory) wig big enough to + make chafin' gear for a (crimson) fleet o' ships; 'e lives at Guvment + 'Ouse, and Vs rollin' in money an' drinks like a (carmine) fish. I thought + I might see somethin' about the ——— in a (blank) Sydney + noospaper. I'll come in for all his (ensanguined) money when 'e dies.” + </p> + <p> + Bully gave him a bottle of gin after a while. Then he hurriedly bade us + farewell and went ashore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LUPTON'S GUEST: A MEMORY OF THE EASTERN PACIFIC + </h2> + <p> + A long sweeping curve of coast, fringed with tall plumed palms casting + wavering shadows on the yellow sand as they sway and swish softly to the + breath of the brave trade-wind that whistles through the thickly-verdured + hummocks on the weather side of the island, to die away into a soft breath + as, after passing through the belt of cocoanuts, it faintly ripples the + transparent depths of the lagoon—a broad sheet of blue and silver + stretching away from the far distant western line of reef to the smooth, + yellow beach at the foot of the palms on the easternmost islet. And here, + beneath their lofty crowns, are the brown thatched huts of the people and + the home of Lupton the trader. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + This is Mururea. And, if it be possible, Mururea surpasses in beauty any + other of the “cloud of islands” which, lying on the blue bosom of the + Eastern Pacific like the islands of a dream, are called by their people + the Paumotu. And these people—it is not of very long ago I speak—are + a people unto themselves. Shy and suspicious of strangers, white or brown, + and endued with that quick instinct of fear which impels untutored minds + to slay, and which we, in our civilised ignorance, call savage treachery, + they are yet kind-hearted and hospitable to those who learn their ways and + regard their customs. A tall, light-skinned, muscular people, the men with + long, straight, black hair, coiled up in a knot at the back, and the women—the + descendants of those who sailed with broken Fletcher Christian and his + comrades of the <i>Bounty</i> in quest of a place where to die—soft-voiced, + and with big, timorous eyes. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + 'Twas here that Ben Peese, the handsome, savagely humorous, and voluble + colleague of Captain “Bully” Hayes, the modern rover of the South Seas, + one day appeared. Lupton, with his son and two natives, were out searching + the beach of a little islet for turtles' eggs, when the boy, who had been + sent to obtain a few young drinking cocoanuts from a tree some little + distance away, called out, “<i>Te Pahi!</i>” (a ship). A few minutes + passed, and then, outlined against the narrow strip of cocoanuts that grew + on the north end of the main islet of the lagoon, Lupton saw the sails of + a schooner making for the only opening—a narrow passage on the + eastern side. + </p> + <p> + Now vessels came but rarely to Mururea, for Du Petit Thouars, the French + Admiral of the Pacific fleet, had long since closed the group to the + Sydney trading ships that once came there for pearl-shell, and Lupton felt + uneasy. The vessel belonging to the Tahitian firm for whom he traded was + not due for many months. Could the stranger be that wandering Ishmael of + the sea—Peese? Only he—or his equally daring and dreaded + colleague, Bully Hayes—would dare to sail a vessel of any size in + among the coral “mushrooms” that studded the current-swept waters of the + dangerous passage. + </p> + <p> + What did he want? And honest Frank Lupton, a quiet and industrious trader, + thought of his store of pearl-shell and felt still more doubtful. And he + knew Peese so well, the dapper, handsome little Englishman with the + pleasant voice that had in it always a ripple of laughter—the voice + and laugh that concealed his tigerish heart and savage vindictiveness. + Lupton had children too—sons and daughters—and Peese, who + looked upon women as mere articles of merchandise, would have thought no + more of carrying off the trader's two pretty daughters than he would of + “taking” a cask of oil or a basket of pearl-shell. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + His anxious face, paling beneath the tropic bronze of twenty years' ocean + wanderings, betrayed his feelings to the two natives who were now pulling + the boat with all their strength to gain the village, and one—Maora, + his wife's brother, a big, light-skinned man, with that keen, hawk-like + visage peculiar to the people of the eastern islands of Polynesia, said— + </p> + <p> + “'Tis an evil day, Farani! No ship but that of the Little Man with the + Beard hath ever passed into the lagoon since the great English fighting + ship came inside” (he spoke of 1863), “for the reef hath grown and spread + out and nearly closed it. Only the Little Bearded Devil would dare it, for + he hath been here twice with the Man of the Strong Hand” (Hayes). “And, + Farani, listen! 'The hand to the club!'” + </p> + <p> + They ceased pulling. From the village came the sound of an almost + forgotten cry—a signal of danger to the dwellers under the palms—“The + hand to the club!”—meaning for the men to arm. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Lupton hesitated. The natives would, he knew, stand to him to a man if + violence to or robbery of him were attempted. But to gain the village he + must needs pass close the vessel, and to pass on and not board her would + savour of cowardice—and Lupton was an Englishman, and his twenty + years' wanderings among the dangerous people of some of the islands of the + Paumotu Group had steeled his nerves to meet any danger or emergency. So, + without altering the course of the boat, he ran alongside of the vessel—which + was a brigantine—just as she was bringing to, and looking up, he saw + the face he expected. + </p> + <p> + “How are you, Lupton, my dear fellow?” said Peese, as the trader gained + the deck, wringing his hand effusively, as if he were a long-lost brother. + “By Heavens! I'm glad to meet a countryman again, and that countryman + Frank Lupton. Don't like letting your hand go.” And still grasping the + trader's rough hand in his, delicate and smooth as a woman's, he beamed + upon him with an air of infantile pleasure. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + This was one of Peese's peculiarities—an affectation of absolute + affection for any Englishman he met, from the captain of a man-of-war + (these, however, he avoided as much as possible), to a poor beachcomber + with but a grass girdle round his loins. + </p> + <p> + “What brings you here, Captain Peese?” said Lupton, bluntly, as his eye + sought the village, and saw the half-naked figures of his native following + leaving his house in pairs, each carrying between them a square box, and + disappearing into the <i>puka</i> scrub. It was his pearl-shell. Màmeri, + his wife, had scented danger, and the shell at least was safe, however it + befell. Peese's glance followed his, and the handsome little captain + laughed, and slapped the gloomy-faced and suspicious trader on the back + with an air of <i>camaraderie</i>. + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, what an excessively suspicious woman your good Màmeri is! + But do not be alarmed. I have not come here to do any business this time, + but to land a passenger, and as soon as his traps are on the beach I'm off + again to Maga Reva. Such are the exigencies, my dear Lupton, of a trading + captain's life in the South Seas, I cannot even spare the time to go on + shore with you and enjoy the hospitality of the good Màmeri and your two + fair daughters. But come below with me and see my passenger.” And he led + the way to his cabin. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The passenger's appearance, so Lupton told me, “was enough to make a man's + blood curdle,” so ghastly pale and emaciated was he. He rose as Lupton + entered and extended his hand. + </p> + <p> + “My friend here,” said the worthy little Ishmael, bowing and caressing his + long silky beard, “is, ah, hum, Mr. Brown. He is, as you will observe, my + dear Lupton, in a somewhat weak state of health, and is in search of some + retired spot where he may recuperate sufficiently——” + </p> + <p> + “Don't lie unnecessarily, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Peese bowed affably and smiled, and the stranger addressed Lupton. + </p> + <p> + “My name is not Brown—'tis of no consequence what it is; but I am, + indeed, as you see, in a bad way, with but a few months at most to live. + Captain Peese, at my request, put into this lagoon. He has told me that + the place is seldom visited by ships, and that the people do not care + about strangers. Yet, have you, Mr. Lupton, any objections to my coming + ashore here, and living out the rest of my life? I have trade goods + sufficient for all requirements, and will in no way interfere with or + become a charge upon you.” + </p> + <p> + Lupton considered. His influence with the people of Mururea was such that + he could easily overcome their objections to another white man landing; + but he had lived so long apart from all white associations that he did not + care about having the even monotony of his life disturbed. And then, he + thought, it might be some queer game concocted between the sick man and + the chattering little sea-hawk that sat beside him stroking and fondling + his flowing beard. He was about to refuse when the sunken, eager eyes of + “Mr. Brown” met his in an almost appealing look that disarmed him of all + further suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir. The island is as free to you as to me. But, still, I <i>could</i> + stop any one else from living here if I wished to do so. But you do look + very ill, no mistake about that. And, then, you ain't going to trade + against me! And I suppose you'll pass me your word that there isn't any + dodge between you and the captain here to bone my shell and clear out?” + </p> + <p> + For answer the sick man opened a despatch-box that lay on the cabin table, + and took from it a bag of money. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “This,” he said, “is the sum I agreed to pay Captain Peese to land me on + any island of my choice in the Paumotu Archipelago, and this unsigned + order here is in his favour on the Maison Brander of Tahiti for a similar + sum.” + </p> + <p> + Signing the paper he pushed it with the money over to Peese, and then went + on:— + </p> + <p> + “I assure you, Mr. Lupton, that this is the only transaction I have ever + had with Captain Peese. I came to him in Tahiti, hearing he was bound to + the Paumotu Group. I had never heard of him before, and after to-day I + will not, in all human probability, see him again.” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly correct, my dear sir,” said Peese. “And now, as our business is + finished, perhaps our dear friend, Lupton, will save me the trouble of + lowering a boat by taking you ashore in his own, which is alongside.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later and Lupton and the stranger were seated in the boat. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye, my dear Lupton, and <i>adios</i> my dear Mr. Brown. I shall + ever remember our pleasant relations on board my humble little trading + vessel,” cried the renowned Peese, who, from former associations, had a + way of drifting into the Spanish tongue—and prisons and fetters—which + latter he once wore for many a weary day on the cruiser <i>Hernandez + Pizarro</i> on his way to the gloomy prison of Manilla. + </p> + <p> + The boat had barely traversed half the distance to the shore ere the + brigantine's anchor was hove-up and at her bows, and then Peese, with his + usual cool assurance, beat her through the intricate passage and stood out + into the long roll of the Pacific. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When Lupton, with his “walking bone bag,” as he mentally called the + stranger, entered his house, Màmeri, his bulky native wife, uttered an + exclamation of pity, and placing a chair before him uttered the simple + word of welcome <i>Iorana!</i> and the daughters, with wonder-lit + star-like eyes, knelt beside their father's chair and whispered, “Who is + he, Farani?” + </p> + <p> + And Lupton could only answer, “I don't know, and won't ask. Look to him + well.” + </p> + <p> + He never did ask. One afternoon nearly a year afterwards, as Lupton and + Trenton, the supercargo of the <i>Marama</i> sat on an old native <i>marae</i> + at Arupahi, the Village of Four Houses, he told the strange story of his + sick guest. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The stranger had at first wished to have a house built for himself, but + Lupton's quiet place and the shy and reserved natures of his children made + him change his intention and ask Lupton for a part of his house. It was + given freely—where are there more generous-hearted men than these + world-forgotten, isolated traders?—and here the Silent Man, as the + people of Mururea called him, lived out the few months of his life. That + last deceptive stage of his insidious disease had given him a fictitious + strength. On many occasions, accompanied by the trader's children, he + would walk to the north point of the low-lying island, where the cloudy + spume of the surge was thickest and where the hollow and resonant crust of + the black reef was perforated with countless air-holes, through which the + water hissed and roared, and shot high in air, to fall again in misty + spray. + </p> + <p> + And here, with dreamy eyes, he would sit under the shade of a clump of + young cocoanuts, and watch the boil and tumble of the surf, whilst the + children played with and chased each other about the clinking sand. + Sometimes he would call them to him—Farani the boy, and Teremai and + Lorani, the sweet-voiced and tender-eyed girls—and ask them to sing + to him; and in their soft semi-Tahitian dialect they would sing the old + songs that echoed in the ears of the desperate men of the <i>Bounty</i> + that fatal dawn when, with bare-headed, defiant Bligh drifting astern in + his boat, they headed back for Tahiti and death. ***** + </p> + <p> + Four months had passed when one day the strange white man, with Lupton's + children, returned to the village. As they passed in through the doorway + with some merry chant upon their lips, they saw a native seated on the + matted floor. He was a young man, with straight, handsome features, such + as one may see any day in Eastern Polynesia, but the children, with + terrified faces, shrank aside as they passed him and went to their father. + </p> + <p> + The pale face of the Silent Man turned inquiringly to Lupton, who smiled. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis Màmeri's teaching, you know. She is a Catholic from Magareva, and + prays and tells her beads enough to work a whaleship's crew into heaven. + But this man is a 'Soul Catcher,' and if any one of us here got sick, + Màmeri would let the faith she was reared in go to the wall and send for + the 'Soul Catcher.' He's a kind of an all-round prophet, wizard, and + general wisdom merchant. Took over the soul-catching business from his + father—runs in the family, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the Silent Man in his low, languid tones, looking at the + native, who, the moment he had entered, had bent his eyes to the ground, + “and in which of his manifold capacities has he come to see you, Lupton?” + </p> + <p> + Lupton hesitated a moment, then laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, he says he wants to speak to you. Wants to <i>pahihi</i> (talk + rot), I suppose. It's his trade, you know. I'd sling him out only that he + isn't a bad sort of a fellow—and a bit mad—and Màmeri says + he'll quit as soon as he has had his say.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him talk,” said the calm, quiet voice; “I like these people, and like + to hear them talk—better than I would most white men.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Then, with his dark, dilated eyes moving from the pale face of the white + man to that of Lupton, the native wizard and Seer of Unseen Things spoke. + Then again his eyes sought the ground. + </p> + <p> + “What does he say?” queried Lupton's guest. + </p> + <p> + “D———rot,” replied the trader, angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me exactly, if you please. I feel interested.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he says that he was asleep in his house when his 'spirit voice' + awoke him and said”—here Lupton paused and looked at his guest, and + then, seeing the faint smile of amused interest on his melancholy + features, resumed, in his rough, jocular way—“and said—the + 'spirit voice,' you know—that your soul was struggling to get loose, + and is going away from you to-night. And the long and short of it is that + this young fellow here wants to know if you'll let him save it—keep + you from dying, you know. Says he'll do the job for nothing, because + you're a good man, and a friend to all the people of Mururea.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Brown” put his thin hand across his mouth, and his eyes smiled at + Lupton. Then some sudden, violent emotion stirred him, and he spoke with + such quick and bitter energy that Lupton half rose from his seat in vague + alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Tell him,” he said—“that is, if the language expresses it—that + my soul has been in hell these ten years, and its place filled with ruined + hopes and black despair,” and then he sank back on his couch of mats, and + turned his face to the wall. + </p> + <p> + The Seer of Unseen Things, at a sign from the now angry Lupton, rose to + his feet. As he passed the trader he whispered— + </p> + <p> + “Be not angry with me, Farani; art not thou and all thy house dear to me, + the Snarer of Souls and Keeper Away of Evil Things? And I can truly make a + snare to save the soul of the Silent Man, if he so wishes it.” The low, + impassioned tones of the wizard's voice showed him to be under strong + emotion, and Lupton, with smoothened brow, placed his hand on the native's + chest in token of amity. + </p> + <p> + “Farani,” said the wizard, “see'st thou these?” and he pointed to where, + in the open doorway, two large white butterflies hovered and fluttered. + They were a species but rarely seen in Mururea, and the natives had many + curious superstitions regarding them. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the trader, “what of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Lo, they are the spirits that await the soul of him who sitteth in thy + house. One is the soul of a woman, the other of a man; and their bodies + are long ago dust in a far-off land. See, Farani, they hover and wait, + wait, wait. To-morrow they will be gone, but then another may be with + them.” + </p> + <p> + Stopping at the doorway the tall native turned, and again his strange, + full black eyes fixed upon the figure of Lupton's guest. Then slowly he + untied from a circlet of polished pieces of pearl-shell strung together + round his sinewy neck a little round leaf-wrapped bundle. And with quiet + assured step he came and stood before the strange white man and extended + his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Take it, O man, with the swift hand and the strong heart, for it is + thine.” + </p> + <p> + And then he passed slowly out. + </p> + <p> + Lupton could only see that as the outside wrappings of <i>fala</i> leaves + fell off they revealed a black substance, when Mr. Brown quickly placed it + in the bosom of his shirt. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “And sure enough,” continued Lupton, knocking the ashes from his pipe out + upon the crumbling stones of the old marae, and speaking in, for him, + strangely softened tones, “the poor chap did die that night, leastways at + <i>kalaga moa</i> (cockcrow), and then he refilled his pipe in silence, + gazing the while away out to the North-West Point.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “What a curious story!” began the supercargo, after an interval of some + minutes, when he saw that Lupton, usually one of the merriest-hearted + wanderers that rove to and fro in Polynesia, seemed strangely silent and + affected, and had turned his face from him. + </p> + <p> + He waited in silence till the trader chose to speak again. Away to the + westward, made purple by the sunset haze of the tropics, lay the + ever-hovering spume-cloud of the reef of North-West Point—the loved + haunt of Lupton's guest—and the muffled boom of the ceaseless surf + deepened now and then as some mighty roller tumbled and crashed upon the + flat ledges of blackened reef. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + At last the trader turned again to the supercargo, almost restored to his + usual equanimity. “I'm a pretty rough case, Mr.———, and + not much given to any kind of sentiment or squirming, but I would give + half I'm worth to have him back again. He sort of got a pull on my + feelin's the first time he ever spoke to me, and as the days went on, I + took to him that much that if he'd a wanted to marry my little Teremai I'd + have given her to him cheerful. Not that we ever done much talkin', but + he'd sit night after night and make me talk, and when I'd spun a good + hour's yarn he'd only say, 'Thank you, Lupton, good-night,' and give a + smile all round to us, from old Màmeri to the youngest <i>tama</i>, and go + to bed. And yet he did a thing that'll go hard agin' him, I fear.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Trenton, “and so he told you at the last—I mean his + reason for coming to die at Mururea.” + </p> + <p> + “No, he didn't. He only told me something; Peese told me the rest. And he + laughed when he told me,” and the dark-faced trader struck his hand on his + knee. “Peese would laugh if he saw his mother crucified.” + </p> + <p> + “Was Peese back here again, then?” inquired Trenton. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, two months ago. He hove-to outside, and came ashore in a canoe. Said + he wanted to hear how his dear friend Brown was. He only stayed an hour, + and then cleared out again.9' + </p> + <p> + “Did he die suddenly?” the supercargo asked, his mind still bent on + Lupton's strange visitor. + </p> + <p> + “No. Just before daylight he called me to him—with my boy. He took + the boy's hand and said he'd have been glad to have lived after all. He + had been happy in a way with me and the children here in Mururea. Then he + asked to see Teremai and Lorani. They both cried when they saw he was a + goin'—all native-blooded people do that if they cares anything at + all about a white man, and sees him dyin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any message, or anything to say in writin', sir?” I says to him. + </p> + <p> + He didn't answer at once, only took the girls' hands in his, and kisses + each of 'em on the face, then he says, “No, Lupton, neither. But send the + children away now. I want you to stay with me to the last—which will + be soon.” + </p> + <p> + Then he put his hand under his pillow, and took out a tiny little parcel, + and held it in his closed hand. ***** + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Lupton, I ask you before God to speak honestly. Have you, or have you + not, ever heard of me, and why I came here to die, away from the eyes of + men?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” I said. “Before God I know no more of you now than the day I + first saw you.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you, then, tell me if the native soul-doctor who came here last night + is a friend of Captain Peese? Did he see Peese when I landed here? Has he + talked with him?” + </p> + <p> + “No. When you came here with Peese, the soul-seer was away at another + island. And as for talking with him, how could he? Peese can't speak two + words of Paumotu.” + </p> + <p> + He closed his eyes a minute. Then he reached out his hand to me and said, + “Look at that; what is it?” + </p> + <p> + It was the little black thing that the Man Who Sees Beyond gave him, and + was a curious affair altogether. “You know what an <i>aitu taliga</i> is?” + asked Lupton. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; a 'devil's ear'—that's what the natives call fungus.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Well,” continued Lupton, “this was a piece of dried fungus, and yet it + wasn't a piece of fungus. It was the exact shape of a human heart—just + as I've seen a model of it made of wax. That hadn't been its natural + shape, but the sides had been brought together and stitched with human + hair—by the soul-doctor, of course. I looked at it curiously enough, + and gave it back to him. His fingers closed round it again.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he says again. + </p> + <p> + “It's a model of a human heart,” says I, “made of fungus.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” he says, “how could he know?” Then he didn't say any more, and + in another half-hour or so he dies, quiet and gentlemanly like. I looked + for the heart with Màmeri in the morning—it was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we buried him. And now look here, Mr. ———, as + sure as I believe there's a God over us, I believe that that native + soul-catcher <i>has</i> dealings with the Devil. I had just stowed the + poor chap in his coffin and was going to nail it down when the kanaka + wizard came in, walks up to me, and says he wants to see the dead man's + hand. Just to humour him I lifted off the sheet. The soul-catcher lifted + the dead man's hands carefully, and then I'm d———d if he + didn't lay that dried heart on his chest and press the hands down over + it.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that for?” says I. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis the heart of the woman he slew in her sleep. Let it lie with him, so + that there may be peace between them at last,” and then he glides away + without another word. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “I let it stay, not thinking much of it at the time. Well, as I was + tellin' you, Peese came again. Seeing that I had all my people armed, I + treated him well and we had a chat, and then I told him all about 'Mr. + Brown's' death and the soul-saver and the dried heart. And then Peese + laughs and gives me this newspaper cutting. I brought it with me to show + you.” + </p> + <p> + Trenton took the piece of paper and read. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “'Lester Mornington made his escape from the State prison at San Quentin + (Cal.) last week, and is stated to be now on his way either to Honolulu or + Tahiti. It has been ascertained that a vast sum of money has been + disbursed in a very systematic manner during the last few weeks to effect + his release. Although nearly eight years have elapsed since he committed + his terrible crime, the atrocious nature of it will long be remembered. + Young, wealthy, respected, and talented, he had been married but half a + year when the whole of the Pacific Slope was startled with the + intelligence that he had murdered his beautiful young wife, who had, he + found, been disloyal to him. + </p> + <p> + “'Entering the bedroom he shot his sleeping wife through the temples, and + then with a keen-edged knife had cut out her still-beating heart. This, + enclosed in a small box, he took to the house of the man who had wronged + him, and desired him to open it and look at the contents. He did so, and + Mornington, barely giving him time to realise the tragedy, and that his + perfidy was known, shot him twice, the wounds proving fatal next day. The + murderer made good his escape to Mexico, only returning to California a + month ago, when he was recognised (although disguised) and captured, and + at the time of his escape was within two days of the time of his trial + before Judge Crittenden.'” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “There's always a woman in these things,” said Lupton, as the supercargo + gave him back the slip. “Come on.” And he got down from his seat on the + wall. “There's Màmeri calling us to <i>kaikai</i>—stewed pigeons. + She's a bully old cook; worth her weight in Chile dollars.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IN NOUMÉA + </h2> + <p> + Chester was listening to those charming musicians, the convict band, + playing in Nouméa, and saw in the crowd a man he knew—more, an old + friend, S———. The recognition was mutual and pleasing to + both. They had not met for six years. He was then chief officer of a China + steamer; now he was captain of a big tramp steamer that had called in to + load nickel ore. “Who,” exclaimed Chester, “would ever have thought of + meeting <i>you</i> here?” + </p> + <p> + He laughed and replied: “I came with a purpose. You remember Miss ———, + to whom I was engaged in Sydney?” + </p> + <p> + Chester nodded, expecting from the sparkle in S———'s + dark brown eye that he was going to hear a little gush about her many + wifely qualities. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I was in Sydney three times after I saw you. We were to be married + as soon as I got a command. Two years ago I was there last. She had got + married. Wrote me a letter saying she knew my calmer judgment would + finally triumph over my anger—she had accepted a good offer, and + although I might be nettled, perhaps, at first, yet she was sure my good + sense would applaud her decision in marrying a man who, although she could + never love him as she loved me, was very rich. But she would always look + forward to meeting me again. That was all.” + </p> + <p> + “Hard lines,” said Chester. + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy, I thought that at first, when her letter knocked me flat + aback. But I got over it, and I swore I would pay her out. And I came to + this den of convicts to do it, and I did it—yesterday. She is here.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Here?</i>” said Chester. + </p> + <p> + And then he learnt the rest of Captain S———'s story. A + year after his lady-love had jilted him he received a letter from her in + England. She was in sad trouble, she said. Her husband, a Victorian + official, was serving five years for embezzlement. Her letter was + suggestive of a desire to hasten to the “protection” of her sailor lover. + She wished, she said, that her husband were dead. But dead or alive she + would always hate <i>him</i>. + </p> + <p> + S——— merely acknowledged her letter and sent her £25. In + another six months he got a letter from Fiji. She was a governess there, + she said, at £75 a year. Much contrition and love, also, in this letter. + </p> + <p> + S——— sent another £25, and remarked that he would see + her soon. Fate one day sent him to take command of a steamer in Calcutta + bound to Fiji with coolies, thence to Nouméa to load nickel ore. And all + the way out across the tropics S———'s heart was leaping + at the thought of seeing his lost love—and telling her that he hated + her for her black frozen treachery. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he had landed his coolies he cautiously set about discovering + the family with whom she lived. No one could help him, but a planter + explained matters: “I know the lady for whom you inquire, but she doesn't + go by that name. Ask any one about Miss ———, the + barmaid. She has gone to New Caledonia.” + </p> + <p> + He asked, and learned that she was well known; and S——— + wondered why she had brought her beauty to such a climate as that of Fiji + when it would have paid her so much better to parade it in Melbourne. + </p> + <p> + The evening of the day on which his steamer arrived at Nouméa a man + brought him a letter. He showed it to Chester. + </p> + <p> + My darling Will,—Thank God you have come, for surely you have come + for me—my heart tells me so. For God's sake wait on board for me. I + will come at eight. To live in this place is breaking my heart. Ever + yours, ——— + </p> + <p> + She came. He stood her kisses passively, but gave none in return, until + she asked him to kiss her. “When you are my wife,” he said, evasively. And + then—she must have loved him—she burst out into passionate + sobs and fell at his feet in the quiet cabin and told him of her debased + life in Fiji. “But, as God hears me, Will, that is all past since your + last letter. I was mad. I loved money and did not care how I got it. I + left Fiji to come here, intending to return to Australia. But, Will, dear + Will, if it is only to throw me overboard, take me away from this hell + upon earth. For your sake, Will, I have resisted them here, although I + suffer daily, hourly, torture and insult. I have no money, and I am afraid + to die and end my sufferings.” + </p> + <p> + Captain S———, speaking calmly and slowly, placed money + in her hand and said, “You must not see me again till the day I am ready + for sea. Then bring your luggage and come on board.” + </p> + <p> + With a smothered sob bursting from her, despite the joy in her heart, the + woman turned and left him. + </p> + <p> + Then S——— went up to the Café Palais and played + billiards with a steady hand. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + There was a great number of people on board to see Captain S——— + away. Presently a boat came alongside, and a young lady with sweet red + lips and shiny hair ascended to the deck. + </p> + <p> + “Hèlas!” said a French officer to S———, “and so you are + taking away the fair one who won't look at us poor exiles of Nouvelle.” + </p> + <p> + With a timid smile and fast-beating heart the woman gained the + quarter-deck. In front of her stood the broad-shouldered, well-groomed + Captain S———, cold, impassive, and deadly pale, with a + cruel joy in his breast. + </p> + <p> + The woman stood still. There was something so appalling in that set white + face before her, that her slight frame quivered with an unknown dread. And + then the captain spoke, in slow, measured words that cut her to her inmost + soul. + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I do not take passengers!” + </p> + <p> + No answer. Only short, gasping breaths as she steadied her hand on the + rail. + </p> + <p> + And then, turning to one of the Frenchmen: “M. ———, will + you request this—this lady to go on shore? She is known to me as a + woman of infamous reputation in Fiji. I cannot for a moment entertain the + idea of having such a person on board my ship.” + </p> + <p> + Before the shuddering creature fell a man caught her, and then she was + placed in the boat and taken ashore. Of course some of the Frenchmen + thought it right to demand an explanation from S———, who + said— + </p> + <p> + “I've none to give, gentlemen. If any of you want to fight me, well and + good, although I don't like quarrelling over a pavement-woman. Besides, I + rather think you'll find that the lady will <i>now</i> be quite an + acquisition to you.” + </p> + <p> + But S———'s revenge was not complete. He had previously + arranged matters with his engineer, who presently came along and announced + an accident to the machinery—the steamer would be delayed a couple + of days. He wanted to see her again—so he told Chester. + </p> + <p> + “It was a cruel thing,” said his friend. + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said S———, “come with me.” + </p> + <p> + In the crowded bar of the café a woman was laughing and talking gaily. + Something made her look up. She put her hand to her eyes and walked slowly + from the room. + </p> + <p> + As the two Englishmen walked slowly down to the wharf the handsome Captain + S——— whistled cheerily, and asked Chester on board to + hear him and his steward play violin and piccolo. “By God, S———,” + said Chester, “you have no heart!” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, my lad. She made it into stone. But it won't hurt her as + it did me. You see, these Frenchmen here pay well for new beauty; and + women love money—which is a lucky thing for many men.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FEAST AT PENTECOST + </h2> + <p> + There was a row in the fo'c's'le of the <i>Queen Caroline</i>, barque, of + Sydney, and the hands were discussing ways and means upon two subjects—making + the skipper give them their usual allowance of rum, or killing him, + burning the ship, and clearing out and living among the natives. + </p> + <p> + Half of the crew were white, the others were Maories, Line Islanders, and + Hawaiians. The white men wanted the coloured ones to knock the skipper and + two mates on the head, while they slept. The natives declined—but + they were quite agreeable to run away on shore with their messmates. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The barque was at anchor at one of the New Hebrides. She was a + “sandalwooder,” and the captain, Fordham, was, if possible, a greater + rascal than any one else on board. He had bargained with the chief of the + island for leave to send his crew ashore and cut sandalwood, and on the + first day four boatloads were brought off, whereupon Fordham cursed their + laziness. One, an ex-Hobart Town convict, having “talked back,” Fordham + and the mate tied him up to the pumps and gave him three dozen. + </p> + <p> + Next day he started the boats away during fierce rain-squalls, and told + the men that if they didn't bring plenty of wood he would “haze” them + properly. + </p> + <p> + At dusk they returned and brought word that they had a lot of wood cut, + but had left it ashore as the natives would lend them no assistance to + load the boats. + </p> + <p> + The spokesman on this occasion was a big Maori from the Bay of Islands. + Fordham gave him three dozen and put him in irons. Then he told the men + they would get no supper till the wood was in the barque's hold—and + he also stopped their grog. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the captain, eyeing them savagely, “what is it going to be? + Are you going to get that wood off or not?” + </p> + <p> + “It's too dark,” said one; “and, anyway, we want our supper and grog + first.” + </p> + <p> + Fordham made a step towards him, when the whole lot bolted below. + </p> + <p> + “They'll turn-to early enough to-morrow,” said he, grimly, “when they find + there's no breakfast for 'em until that wood's on deck.” Then he went + below to drink rum with his two mates, remarking to his first officer: + “You mark my words, Colliss, we're going to have a roasting hot time of it + with them fellows here at Pentecost!” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + At daylight next morning the mate, who was less of a brute than the + skipper, managed to get some rum and biscuit down into the fo'c's'le; then + they turned-to and manned the boats. At noon the second mate, who was in + charge of the cutting party, signalled from the shore that something was + wrong. + </p> + <p> + On Fordham reaching the shore the second mate told him that all the native + crew had run off into the bush. + </p> + <p> + The chief of the island was sent for, and Fordham told him to catch the + runaways—fourteen in number—promising seven muskets in return. + The white crew were working close by in sullen silence. They grinned when + they heard the chief say it would be difficult to capture the men; they + were natives, he remarked—if they were white men it would be easy + enough. But he would try if the captain helped him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + An hour afterwards the chief was in the bush, talking to the deserters, + and taking in an account of the vast amount of trade lying on board the + barque. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said he, to the only man among them who spoke his dialect—a + Fijian half-caste from Loma-loma—“this is my scheme. The captain of + the ship and those that come with him will I entice into the bush and kill + them one by one, for the path is narrow——” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Sam the half-caste, “and then ten of us, with our hands + loosely tied, will be taken off to the ship by two score of your men, who + will tell the mate that the captain has caught ten of us, and has gone to + seek the other four. Then will the ship be ours.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Halloa!” said the mate of the barque to the carpenter, “here's a + thundering big crowd of niggers coming off in our two boats, and none of + our white chaps with 'em. Stand by, you chaps, with your muskets. I ain't + going to let all that crowd aboard with only six men in the ship.” + </p> + <p> + The men left on board watched the progress of the two boats as they were + pulled quickly towards the ship. They hardly apprehended any attempt at + cutting-off, as from the ship they could discern the figures of some of + their shipmates on shore stacking the sandalwood on a ledge of rock, handy + for shipping in the boats. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right,” called out the mate presently, “the niggers have + collared some of our native chaps. I can see that yaller-hided Fiji Sam + sitting aft with his hands lashed behind him. Let 'em come alongside.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Cap'en been catch him ten men,” said the native in charge to the mate, + “he go look now find him other fellow four men. He tell me you give me two + bottle rum, some tobacco, some biscuit.” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are, you man-catching old' cannibal,” said the mate, jocosely, + “come below.” As the mate went below with the native at his heels, the + latter made a quick sign by a backward move of his arm. In an instant the + ten apparently-bound men had sprung to their feet, and with their + pseudo-captors, flung themselves upon the five men. The wild cry of alarm + reached the mate in the cabin. He darted up, and as he reached the deck a + tomahawk crashed into his brain. + </p> + <p> + No need to tell the tale of the savage butchery on deck in all its + details. Not one of the men had time to even fire a shot—they went + down so quickly under the knives and tomahawks of the fifty men who + struggled and strove with one another to strike the first blow. One man, + indeed, succeeeded in reaching the main rigging, but ere he had gained ten + feet he was stabbed and chopped in half-a-dozen places. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + And then, as the remaining members of the crew sat “spelling” in the + jungle, and waiting for the skipper's return, there came a sudden, swift + rush of dark, naked forms upon them. Then gasping groans and silence. + </p> + <p> + There were many oven-fires lit that night and the following day; and + although the former shipmates of the “long, baked pigs” were present by + the invitation of the chief, their uncultivated tastes were satisfied with + such simple things as breadfruit and yams. + </p> + <p> + That was the “wiping-out” of the <i>Queen Caroline</i> at Pentecost, and + the fulfilment of the unconscious prophecy of Captain Fordham to his mate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AN HONOUR TO THE SERVICE + </h2> + <p> + The Honourable Captain Stanley W——— believed in + flogging, and during the three years' cruise of the frigate in the South + Pacific he had taken several opportunities of expressing this belief upon + the bluejackets of his ship by practical illustrations of his hobby. He + was, however—in his own opinion—a most humane man, and was + always ready to give a dozen less if Dr. Cartwright suggested, for + instance, that Jenkins or Jones hadn't quite got over his last tricing up, + and could hardly stand another dozen so soon. And the chaplain of the + frigate, when dining with the Honourable Stanley, would often sigh and + shake his head and agree with the captain that the proposed abolition of + flogging in the British Navy would do much to destroy its discipline and + loosen the feelings of personal attachment between officers and men, and + then murmur something complimentary about his Majesty's ship <i>Pleiades</i> + being one of the very few ships in the Service whose captain still + maintained so ancient and honoured a custom, the discontinuance of which + could only be advocated by common, illiterate persons—such as the + blue-jackets themselves. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The frigate was on her way from Valparaiso to Sydney—it was in the + days of Governor Bligh—and for nearly three weeks had been passing + amongst the low-lying coral islands of the Paumotu or Low Archipelago, + when one afternoon in May, 182- she lay becalmed off the little island of + Vairaatea. The sea was as smooth as glass, and only the gentlest ocean + swell rose and fell over the flat surface of the coral reef. In those days + almost nothing was known of the people of the Paumotu Group except that + they were a fierce and warlike race and excessively shy of white + strangers. Standing on his quarter-deck Captain W——— + could with his glass see that there were but a few houses on the island—perhaps + ten—and as the frigate had been nearly six weeks out from + Valparaiso, and officers in the navy did not live as luxuriously then as + now, he decided to send a boat ashore and buy some turtle from the + natives. + </p> + <p> + “If you can buy a few thousand cocoanuts as well, do so, Mr. T.,” said the + captain, “and I'll send another boat later on.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The boat's crew was well armed, and in command of the second lieutenant. + Among them was a man named Hallam, a boatswain's mate, a dark-faced, surly + brute of about fifty. He was hated by nearly every one on board, but as he + was a splendid seaman and rigidly exact in the performance of his duties, + he was an especial favourite of the captain's, who was never tired of + extolling his abilities and sobriety, and holding him up as an example of + a British seaman: and Hallam, like his captain, was a firm believer in the + cat. + </p> + <p> + On pulling in to the beach about a dozen light-skinned natives met them. + They were all armed with clubs and spears, but at a sign from one who + seemed to be their chief they laid them down All—the chief as well—were + naked, save for a girdle of long grass round their loins. + </p> + <p> + Their leader advanced to Lieutenant T——— as he stepped + out of the boat, and holding out his hand said, “Good mornin' What you + want?” + </p> + <p> + Pleased at finding a man who spoke English, the lieutenant told him he had + come to buy some turtle and get a boatload of young cocoanuts, and showed + him the tobacco and knives intended for payment. + </p> + <p> + The chiefs eyes glistened at the tobacco; the others, who did not know its + use, turned away in indifference, but eagerly handled the knives. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + All this time the chiefs eyes kept wandering to the face of Hallam, the + boatswain's mate, whose every movement he followed with a curious, wistful + expression. Suddenly he turned to the lieutenant and said, in curious + broken English, that cocoanuts were easily to be obtained, but turtle were + more difficult; yet if the ship would wait he would promise to get them as + many as were wanted by daylight next morning. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Lieutenant T———, “bear a hand with the + cocoanuts now, and I'll tell the captain what you say;” and then to + Hallam, “If this calm keeps up, Hallam, I'm afraid the ship will either + have to anchor or tow off the land—she's drifting in fast.” + </p> + <p> + In an hour the boat was filled with cocoanuts, and Lieutenant T——— + sent her off to the ship with a note to the captain, remaining himself + with Hallam, another leading seaman named Lacy, and five bluejackets. + Presently the chief, in his strange, halting English, asked the officer to + come to his house and sit down and rest while his wife prepared food for + him. And as they walked the native's eyes still sought the face of Hallam + the boatswain. + </p> + <p> + His wife was a slender, graceful girl, and her modest, gentle demeanour as + she waited upon her husband himself impressed the lieutenant considerably. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you learn to speak English?” the officer asked his host after + they had finished. + </p> + <p> + He answered slowly, “I been sailor man American whaleship two year;” and + then, pointing to a roll of soft mats, said, “You like sleep, you sleep. + Me like go talk your sailor man.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Hallam, morose and gloomy, had left the others, and was sitting under the + shade of a <i>toa</i>-tree, when he heard the sound of a footstep, and + looking up saw the dark-brown, muscular figure of the native chief beside + him. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he said, surlily, “what the h—— do you want?” + </p> + <p> + The man made him no answer—only looked at him with a strange, eager + light of expectancy in his eyes, and his lips twitched nervously, but no + sound issued from them. For a moment the rude, scowling face of the old + seaman seemed to daunt him. Then, with a curious choking sound in his + throat, he sprang forward and touched the other man on the arm. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Father!</i> Don't you know me?” + </p> + <p> + With trembling hands and blanched face the old man rose to his feet, and + in a hoarse whisper there escaped from his lips a name that he had long + years ago cursed and forgotten. His hands opened and shut again + convulsively, and then his savage, vindictive nature asserted itself again + as he found his voice, and with the rasping accents of passion poured out + curses upon the brown, half-naked man that stood before him. Then he + turned to go. But the other man put out a detaining hand. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “It is as you say. I am a disgraced man. But you haven't heard why I + deserted from the <i>Tagus</i>. Listen while I tell you. I was flogged. I + was only a boy, and it broke my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Curse you, you chicken-hearted sweep! I've laid the cat on the back of + many a better man than myself, and none of 'em ever disgraced themselves + by runnin' away and turnin' into a nigger, like you!” + </p> + <p> + The man heard the sneer with unmoved face, then resumed— + </p> + <p> + “It broke my heart. And when I was hiding in Dover, and my mother used to + come and dress my wounds, do you remember what happened?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, you naked swab, I do: your father kicked you out!” + </p> + <p> + “And I got caught again, and put in irons, and got more cat. Two years + afterwards I cleared again in Sydney, from the <i>Sirius</i>.... And I + came here to live and die among savages. That's nigh on eight years ago.” + </p> + <p> + There was a brief silence. The old man, with fierce, scornful eyes, looked + sneeringly at the wild figure of the broken wanderer, and then said— + </p> + <p> + “What's to stop me from telling our lieutenant you're a deserter? I would, + too, by God, only I don't want my shipmates to know I've got a nigger for + a son.” + </p> + <p> + The gibe passed unheeded, save for a sudden light that leapt into the eyes + of the younger man, then quickly died away. + </p> + <p> + “Let us part in peace,” he said. “We will never meet again. Only tell me + one thing—is my mother dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God for that,” he murmured. Then without another word the outcast + turned away and disappeared among the cocoa-palms. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The second boat from the <i>Pleiades</i> brought the captain, and as he + and the lieutenant stood and talked they watched the natives carrying down + the cocoa-nuts. + </p> + <p> + “Hurry them up, Hallam,” said Lieutenant T———; “the tide + is falling fast. By the by, where is that fellow Lacy; I don't see him + about?” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke a woman's shriek came from the chiefs house, which stood some + distance apart from the other houses, and a tall brown man sprang out from + among the other natives about the boats and dashed up the pathway to the + village. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, Hallam, and some of you fellows,” said Captain W———, + “run and see what's the matter. That scoundrel, Lacy, I suppose, among the + women,” he added, with a laugh, to the lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + The two officers followed the men. In a few minutes they came upon a + curious scene. Held in the strong arms of two stout seamen was the native + chief, whose heaving chest and working features showed him to be under + some violent emotion. On the ground, with his head supported by a + shipmate, lay Lacy, with blackened and distorted face, and breathing + stertorously. Shaking with fear and weeping passionately as she pressed + her child to her bosom, the young native wife looked beseechingly into the + faces of the men who held her husband. + </p> + <p> + “What is the meaning of this?” said Captain W———'s + clear, sharp voice, addressing the men who held the chief. + </p> + <p> + “That hound there”—the men who held their prisoner nearly let him go + in their astonishment—“came in here. She was alone. Do you want to + know more? I tried to kill him.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him loose, men,” and Captain W——— stepped up to the + prisoner and looked closely into his dark face. “Ah! I thought so—a + white man. What is your name?” + </p> + <p> + The wanderer bent his head, then raised it, and looked for an instant at + the sullen face of Hallam. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “I have no name,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Humph,” muttered Captain W——— to his lieutenant, “a + runaway convict, most likely. He can't be blamed, though, for this affair. + He's a perfect brute, that fellow Lacy.” Then to the strange white man he + turned contemptuously: + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry this man assaulted your wife. He shall suffer for it to-morrow. + At the same time I'm sorry I can't tie <i>you</i> up and flog you, as a + disgrace to your colour and country, you naked savage.” + </p> + <p> + The outcast took two strides, a red gleam shone in his eyes, and his voice + shook with mad passion. + </p> + <p> + “'A naked savage'; and you would like to flog me. It was a brute such as + you made me what I am,” and he struck the captain of the <i>Pleiades</i> + in the face with his clenched hand. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “We'll have to punish the fellow, T———,” said Captain W———, + as with his handkerchief to his lips he staunched the flow of blood. “If I + let a thing like this pass his native friends would imagine all sorts of + things and probably murder any unfortunate merchant captain that may touch + here in the future. But, as Heaven is my witness, I do so on that ground + only—deserter as he admits himself to be. Hurry up that fellow, T———.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “That fellow” was Hallam, who had been sent to the boat for a bit of line + suitable for the purpose in view. His florid face paled somewhat when the + coxswain jeeringly asked him if he didn't miss his green bag, and flung + him an old pair of yoke-lines. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The business of flogging was not, on the whole, unduly hurried. Although + “All Hands to Witness Punishment” was not piped, every native on the + island, some seventy or so all told, gathered round the cocoanut-tree to + which the man was lashed, and at every stroke of the heavy yoke-lines they + shuddered. One, a woman with a child sitting beside her, lay face to the + ground, and as each cruel swish and thud fell on her ear the savage + creature wept. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “That's enough, Hallam,” said Captain W———, somewhat + moved by the tears and bursting sobs of the pitying natives, who, when + they saw the great blue weals on the brown back swell and black drops + burst out, sought to break in through the cordon of blue jackets. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + their arms and carry him to his house; but his strength was not all gone, + and he thrust them aside. Then he spoke, and even the cold, passionless + Captain W——— felt his face flush at the burning words: + </p> + <p> + “For seven years, lads, I've lived here, a naked savage, as your captain + called me. I had a heavy disgrace once, an' it just broke my heart like—I + was flogged—and I wanted to hide myself out of the world. Seven + years it is since I saw a white man, an' I've almost forgotten I <i>was</i> + a white man once; an' now because I tried to choke a hound that wanted to + injure the only being in the world I have to love, I'm tied up and lashed + like a dog—<i>by my own father!</i>” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The island was just sinking below the horizon when the burly figure of + boatswain's mate Hallam was seen to disappear suddenly over the bows, + where he had been standing. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “A very regrettable occurrence,” said Captain W———, + pompously, to the chaplain when the boats returned from the search. “No + doubt the horror of seeing his only son a disgraced fugitive and severed + from all decent associations preyed upon his mind and led him to commit + suicide. Such men as Hallam, humble as was his position, are an Honour to + the Service. I shall always remember him as a very zealous seaman.” + </p> + <p> + “Particularly with the cat,” murmured Lieutenant T———. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ebbing Of The Tide, by Louis Becke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EBBING OF THE TIDE *** + +***** This file should be named 24896-h.htm or 24896-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/8/9/24896/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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