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diff --git a/old/24953-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/24953-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16d6feb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/24953-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,1636 @@ +<?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 content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <title> + The Flemmings and 'Flash Harry' of Savait, 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"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Flemmings And "Flash Harry" Of Savait, 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 Flemmings And "Flash Harry" Of Savait + From "The Strange Adventure Of James Shervinton and Other + Stories" - 1902 + +Author: Louis Becke + +Release Date: March 29, 2008 [EBook #24953] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEMMINGS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE FLEMMINGS and “FLASH HARRY” OF SAVAIT + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + From “The Strange Adventure Of James Shervinton and Other Stories” - 1902 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Louis Becke + </h2> + <h5> + T. FISHER UNWIN, 1902 <br /> <br /> LONDON + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>THE FLEMMINGS</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <br /> <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> <big><b>"FLASH HARRY” OF SAVAIT</b></big> + </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <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> + THE FLEMMINGS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + On a certain island in the Paumotu Group, known on the charts as Chain + Island, but called Anaa by the people themselves, lived a white man named + Martin Flemming, one of those restless wanderers who range the Pacific in + search of the fortune they always mean to gain, but which never comes to + them, except in some few instances—so few that they might be counted + on one's fingers. + </p> + <p> + Two years had come and gone since Flemming had landed on the island with + his wife, family, and two native servants, and settled down as a resident + trader at the large and populous village of Tuuhora, where he soon gained + the respect and confidence—if not the friendship—of the Anaa + people, one of the proudest, most self-reliant, and brave of any of the + Polynesian race, or their offshoots. For though he was a keen business + man, he was just and honest in all his transactions, never erring, as so + many traders do, on the side of mistaken generosity, but yet evincing a + certain amount of liberality when the occasion justified it—and the + natives knew that when he told them that tobacco, or biscuit, or rice, or + gunpowder had risen in price in Tahiti or New Zealand, and that he would + also be compelled to raise his charges, they knew that his statement was + true—that he was a man above trickery, either in his business or his + social relations with them, and would not descend to a lie for the sake of + gain. + </p> + <p> + Flemming, at this time, was about forty years of age; his wife, who was an + intelligent Hawaiian Islander, was ten years his junior, and the mother of + his three half-caste children—a boy of thirteen, another of ten, and + a girl of six. Such education as he could give them during his continuous + wanderings over the North and South Pacific had been but scanty; for he + was often away on trading cruises, and his wife, though she could read and + write, like all Hawaiian women, was not competent to instruct her + children, though in all other respects she was everything that a mother + should be, except, as Flemming would often tell her, she was too indulgent + and too ready to gratify their whims and fancies. However, they were now + not so much under her control, for soon after coming to the island, he + found that one of the three Marist Brothers living at the mission was able + to, and willing to give them a few hours' instruction several times a + week. For this, Flemming, who was really anxious about his children's + welfare, made a liberal payment to the Mission, and the arrangement had + worked very satisfactorily—Father Billot, who was a good English + scholar, giving them their lessons in that language. + </p> + <p> + I must now make mention of the remaining persons constituting the trader's + household—the two servants—one a man about thirty years of + age, the other not more than eighteen or nineteen. They were both natives + of Arorai (Hurd Island), one of the Eingsmill Group, and situated + something less than three degrees south of the Equator. They had both + taken service with him on their own island six years previously, and had + followed his and his family's fortunes ever since, for they were both + devotedly attached to the children; and when, a year after he had settled + on their island, misfortune befell him through the destruction of his + trading station by fire, and he found himself a ruined man, they refused + to leave him, and declared they would work for him without payment until + he was again in a position to begin trading—no matter how long it + might be ere that took place. + </p> + <p> + For some months after the loss of all his property, Flemming worked hard + and lived meanly. Most fortunately for him, he had a very good whaleboat, + and night after night, and day after day, he and his two faithful helpers, + as long as the weather held fine, toiled at the dangerous pursuit of + shark-catching, cutting off the fins and tails, and drying them in the + sun, until finally he had secured over a ton's weight of the ill-smelling + commodity, for which he received £60 in cash from the master of a + Chinese-owned trading barque, which touched at the island, and this amount + enabled him to leave Arorai, and begin trading elsewhere—in the + great atoll of Butaritari, where owing to his possessing a good boat, + sturdy health, and great pluck and resolution, his circumstances so mended + that he came to look on the incident of the fire as the best thing that + could have happened. + </p> + <p> + In appearance these two men were like nearly all the people of the + Kingsmill Group—dark-skinned, strongly built, and with a certain + fierceness of visage, born of their warlike and quarrelsome nature, and + which never leaves them, even in their old age. The elder of the two, + whose native name was Binoké, but who had been given the nickname of + “Tommy Topsail-tie,” had this facial characteristic to a great degree, and + was, in addition, of a somewhat morbid and sullen disposition, disliking + all strangers. But he was yet the veriest slave to Flemming's children, + who tyrannised over him most mercilessly, for young as they were, they + knew that his savage heart had nothing in it but adoration and affection + for both them and their parents. Nobal, the younger man, who also had a + nickname—“Jack Waterwitch” (taken from a colonial whaler in which he + had once sailed) was of a more genial nature, and had constituted himself + the especial guardian and playmate of the little girl Medora, who spoke + his native tongue as well as himself; while Tommy Topsail-tie was more + attached, if it were possible, to Flemming's eldest boy Robert, than to + any other member of the family. + </p> + <p> + After two or three years' successful trading in the northern islands of + the Kingsmill Group, Flemming had sold out his trading interests very + satisfactorily, and, always eager to go further afield, had sailed for the + Paumotu Group, choosing Anaa as his home, for he thought he should like + the people, and do very well as a trader, for the island was but a few + days' sail from Tahiti in the Society Group, where there was always a good + market for his produce, and where he could replenish his stock of trade + goods from the great mercantile firm of Brander—in those days the + Whiteleys of the South and Eastern Pacific. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, about six o'clock, when work at the trading station had + ceased for the day, and the store door had been shut and locked by Mrs. + Flemming, the trader was seated on his shady verandah, smoking a cigar and + listening to the prattle of his little daughter, when his two boys raced + up to him from the beach, and noisily asked him permission to take the + smallest of the boats (a ship's dinghy) and go fishing outside the reef + until the morning. They had just heard some natives crying out that a vast + shoal of <i>tau tau</i>—a large salmonlike fish, greatly prized + throughout the South Seas—had made their appearance, and already + some canoes were being got ready. + </p> + <p> + “Who is going with you, boys?” asked Flemming, looking at their + deeply-bronzed, healthy faces—so like his own, though his hair had + now begun to grizzle about his sunburnt temples. + </p> + <p> + “Jack and Tom, and two Anaa men,” they replied, “they sent us to ask you + if they could come. They have finished the new roof for the oil-shed, and + want to go very badly. Say 'yes,' father.” + </p> + <p> + “All right boys. You may go. Tell your mother to give you plenty to eat to + take with you—for it's only six o'clock, and I suppose you won't be + home till daylight.” + </p> + <p> + The delighted boys tore into the house to get their fishing tackle, whilst + their mother, telling them to make less clamour, filled an empty box with + biscuit, bread, and tinned meats enough for the party of six, and in less + than ten minutes they were off again, shouting their goodbyes as they + raced through the gate, followed by a native woman carrying the heavy box + of food. + </p> + <p> + Martin Flemming turned to his wife with a smile lighting up his somewhat + sombre face. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have a quiet house to-night, Kaiulani,” he said, calling her by + her Hawaiian name. + </p> + <p> + “Which will be a treat for us, Martin. Those boys really make more noise + every day. And do you know what they have done now?” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “They have a live hawkbill turtle in their room—quite a large one, + for I could scarcely move it—and have painted its back in five or + six colours. And they feed it on live fish; the room smells horribly.” + </p> + <p> + Flemming laughed. “I thought I could smell fresh paint about the house + yesterday. Never mind, 'Lani. It won't hurt the turtle.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + At seven o'clock on the following morning the boys had not returned, and + Martin Flemming, just as his wife brought him his cup of coffee, was + saying that they probably were still fishing, when he heard a sound that + made him spring to his feet—the long, hoarse, bellowing note of a + conch shell, repeated three times. + </p> + <p> + “That's a call to arms!” he cried, “what does it mean, I wonder. Ah, there + is another sounding, too, from the far end of the village. I must go and + see what is the matter.” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely, however, had he put his foot outside his door when he heard his + boys' voices, and in another moment he saw them running or rather + staggering along the path together with a crowd of natives, who were all + wildly excited, and shouting at the top of their voices. + </p> + <p> + “Father, father,” and the eldest boy ran to him, and scarcely able to + stand, so exhausted was he, he flung himself down on the verandah steps, + “father, Jack and Tom, and the two Anaa men... been stolen by a strange + ship... we must... we must save them.” + </p> + <p> + Hastening inside, Flemming returned with a carafe of cold water, and + commanding the boys not to try to speak any more just then, he poured some + over their wrists, and then gave them a little in a glass to drink. When + they were sufficiently “winded,” they told him their story, which was, + briefly, this. + </p> + <p> + In company with two canoes, they had put out to sea and began fishing. + Then they parted company—the boat pulling round to the other side of + Anaa, where they fished with fair success till daylight. Suddenly a small + white-painted barque appeared, coming round the north end of the island. + She was under very easy canvas, and when she saw the boat, backed her + main-yard, and ran up her ensign. + </p> + <p> + “They want us to come aboard,” said Bob, hauling in his line. “Up lines + everybody.” + </p> + <p> + His companions at once pulled up their lines, and took to the oars, and in + a few minutes they were alongside the ship, and an officer leant over the + side of the poop, and asked them to come aboard. + </p> + <p> + The boys ascended first, the four natives following; the former were at + once conducted into the barque's cabin, where the captain, an old man with + a white moustache, asked them their names, and then began to question them + as to the number of natives on the island, &c., when they started to + their feet with alarmed faces as they heard a sudden rush of feet on deck, + followed by oaths and cries, and Walter the younger of the two, fancied, + he heard his brother's name called by Jack Waterwitch. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, boys, sit down,” said the captain, dropping his suave manner, + and speaking angrily, “you can go on deck and be off on shore presently.” + As he spoke a man came below, and made a sign to him. + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir.” + </p> + <p> + The captain nodded, and then told the boys to go on deck and get into + their boat. They at once obeyed, but the moment they reached the deck they + were surrounded by five or six of the crew, who hustled them to the + gangway, and forced them over the side, despite their struggles, and their + loud cries to their native friends, of whom they could see nothing + whatever. + </p> + <p> + The boat's line was cast off, and as she fell astern the boys saw that a + number of sailors were aloft, loosing her light sails, and in a few + minutes she was some distance away from them, heading to the eastward with + a light breeze. As quickly as possible the two boys set the boat's sail, + and sailing and pulling, they ran straight for the weather side of the + island, crossed over the reef into the lagoon, and gave the alarm to the + first people they met. + </p> + <p> + “Good lads,” said Flemming, “you have done all that you could do. We shall + see presently what can be done to save our men.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning to his wife, he bade her get ready enough provision for his + three boats, and have them launched and manned by their usual crews, + whilst he went to the mission to consult with Father Billot and the + chiefs, for he had already heard from one of the excited natives that the + barque was still very near the land, and almost becalmed; and he knew that + the Anaa natives would to a man assist him in recovering the four men from + captivity. + </p> + <p> + Half way to the mission house, he met the priest himself, hurrying along + the shaded path, to tell him the further news that the two canoes which + had accompanied the boat had just returned, after narrowly escaping + capture by the barque. It appeared that they, too, had seen the barque + crawling along under the lee of the land and close in to the reef, just as + daylight broke, and from the number of boats she carried—she had two + towing, as well as three others on deck—they imagined her to be a + whaler. They paddled up alongside without the slightest suspicion of + danger, and three or four of their number in the first canoe were + clambering up the side when they suddenly sprang overboard, just as three + or four grapnels with light chains were thrown from the bulwarks over the + canoes so as to catch their outriggers, and capsize them. Most + fortunately, however, only one of the grapnels caught—it fell upon + the wooden grating or platform between the outrigger and the hull of one + canoe, and was quickly torn away by the desperate hands of the natives—in + less than a minute both canoes were clear of the ship, and racing + shoreward without the loss of a single man. No attempt was made to follow + them in the barque's boats, her ruffianly captain and crew evidently + recognising that there was no chance of overtaking them when the land was + so near. + </p> + <p> + “The villains!” exclaimed Flemming, as he and the priest set off at a run + to the house of the head chief, who had just sent an urgent message for + them to come and meet him and his leading men in counsel, “she must be a + slaver from the coast of South America.” + </p> + <p> + The consultation with the chiefs was a hurried one, and a resolution to + board the barque and recapture the four men if possible, was quickly + arrived at. Over thirty canoes, and five or six boats, manned and armed by + nearly two hundred of the picked men of the island, and led by Martin + Flemming and three chiefs, were soon underway, and passing out through the + narrow passage in the reef, went northward till they rounded the point, + and saw the barque about five miles away. She had every stitch of canvas + set, but was making little more than steerage way, for only the faintest + air was filling her upper canvas. + </p> + <p> + The canoes and boats, at Flemming's suggestion, approached her in a + half-circle, his own boat leading. It was his intention to recover the men + if possible, without bloodshed, and he would first make an attempt to + board the slaver—for such she was—and alone try to achieve the + men's liberation by pointing out to the captain that his ship would be + captured and destroyed by the infuriated natives if he refused. If he did + refuse there would be a heavy loss of life—of that he (Flemming) was + certain. + </p> + <p> + Apparently no notice was taken by the barque of the approaching flotilla, + until it was within three quarters of a mile, then she hauled up her + mainsail, came slowly to the wind, and began firing with two of the four + guns she carried—nine-pounders. Flemming at once ordered all the + other boats and canoes to cease pulling and paddling, and he went on + alone. He was not again fired at till he came within a quarter of a mile + of the vessel, when a volley of musketry was fired, together with the two + heavy guns, both of which were loaded with grape. How any one of them in + the boat escaped was a marvel, for the bullets lashed the water into foam + only a few yards ahead, and some, ricochetting, struck and damaged two of + the oars. + </p> + <p> + To advance in face of such a fire would be madness. The barque evidently + carried a large and well-armed crew, so he slewed round and pulled towards + the little fleet, as those on the slaver yelled derisively, and again + began firing with the nine-pounders, and small arms as well. + </p> + <p> + And then, to his bitter rage and disappointment, a puff of wind came over + from the westward, and the barque's sails filled. In ten minutes she was + slipping through the water so quickly that she was leaving them astern + fast, and in another hour she had swept round the south end of the land, + and they saw her no more. + </p> + <p> + Sad and dejected, he and his native friends returned to Tuuhora, and + drawing up their boats and canoes, went to their homes in silence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + TEN years had passed, and fortune had proved kind to Martin Flemming and + his family, who were now, with the exception of the eldest son, settled on + the island of Barotonga, one of the Cook's Group. + </p> + <p> + For some years after the abduction of the four unfortunate natives, + Flemming had tried every possible means of ascertaining their fate, and at + first thought that he would succeed, for within a few weeks after the + visit of the barque to Anaa, there came news of similar outrages + perpetrated by three vessels, through the Ellice, Line Islands and Paumotu + Group. One of these vessels was a barque, the others were brigs, and all + sailed under Peruvian colours, though many of the officers were + Englishmen. + </p> + <p> + In one instance they had descended upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of + the island of Nukulaelae in the Ellice Group, and carried off almost the + entire population, and at Easter Island—far to the eastward, over + three hundred unfortunate natives were seized under circumstances of the + grossest treachery and violence, and manacled together, taken away to end + their days as slaves in working the guano deposits on the Chincha Islands, + off the coast of South America. + </p> + <p> + Though not then a rich man, Flemming at his own expense made a long and + tedious voyage to the Ghinchas. By the time he arrived there nearly a year + had elapsed since the four men had been stolen, and he found that both the + British and French Governments had compelled the Peruvian Government to + restore all of the wretched survivors—there were but few, alas!—to + their homes. Over one hundred of the wretched beings had perished of + disease in the hot and stifling holds of the slavers; scores of them, + attempting to regain their liberty, had been shot down, and the fearful + toil in the guano pits of the Ghincha Islands carried off many more. + </p> + <p> + At the Chincha Islands he was unable to gain any definite information + about the four men, but was told that the British Consul at Gallao might + be able to tell him what had become of them—whether they had died or + had been among those restored to their homes. So to Gallao be went, for he + was ever bearing in mind the grief of his children at the loss of their + dear “Tommy Topsail-tie” and “Jacky Waterwitch,” and his promise to them + that if they and their Anaa companions were alive he would bring them + back. + </p> + <p> + But a bitter disappointment awaited him at Gallao—for the Consul, + who had been largely instrumental in forcing the Peruvian Government to + liberate the captured people, gave him absolute proof that none of the + four men had reached the Ghinchas, for he had obtained a great deal of + information from the survivors, all of which he had carefully recorded. + </p> + <p> + “Here is what Vili, a native of Nukulaelae, told me, Mr. Flemming. He was + one of those who were captured by the barque, and was rather well treated + by the captain on account of his speaking English, being put into the + mate's watch as he had been to sea for many years in whale ships. He says:— + </p> + <p> + 'After we of Nukulaelae had been on board the barque for about twenty + days, we came to an island in the Paumotus, where the captain tried to + capture two canoes full of natives but failed, though quite soon after he + seized four from a boat, and they were carried down into the hold and + ironed, for they had fought very hard and all were much hurt and bleeding. + I spoke to them and they told me that they had been out fishing with the + two sons of a white man, who was a trader on the island. The captain did + not hurt the two boys, but let them go. Then a lot of canoes and boats + came off and the ship fired her cannons at them, and drove them away. + </p> + <p> + 'Next day we met another ship, a small schooner, flying the German flag, + and her captain came on board our ship and had a long talk with our + captain, and presently an officer and six men came down into the hold, and + took the irons off nine men and drove them on deck. Among these men were + the four who were taken from the boat. The captain of the schooner paid + our captain money for them, and took them on board his vessel, which then + sailed away.' + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Flemming,” resumed the Consul, “that is all I can tell you. I + have written to the British Consul at Apia in Samoa, and at Levuka in + Fiji, asking them to endeavour to find out the schooner's name and trace + the nine men. I have no doubt but that she was some Fijian or Samoan + 'blackbirder,' and that the poor devils are working on some of the + plantations in either Fiji, Samoa or Tonga. There is, therefore, good + reason for you to hope that you will succeed in your search. I shall + gladly give you all the assistance in my power to facilitate your + enquiries.” + </p> + <p> + Returning to Anaa, Flemming, through the aid of the French authorities in + Tahiti, placed himself in communication with the British Consuls in Fiji + and Samoa, telling them the details of the capture of the four men and of + their transference with five others to another vessel, and enclosing a sum + of money—all he could spare—to be given to Tommy Topsail-tie + so that he and his three companions might be enabled to find their way + back to Anaa. + </p> + <p> + At the end of another long weary year of hopeful expectation, he received + replies from the Consuls, returning the money he had sent, and saying that + after most careful inquiries, they could learn nothing of the nine men; + but that they (the Consuls) had strong reason to believe that the schooner + to which they had been transferred was a notorious German “blackbirder” + named the <i>Samoa</i>, though the captain and the crew swore they knew + nothing of the matter. + </p> + <p> + “It is quite possible,” they said in their joint report, “that some or all + of the men are on one of the German plantations in Samoa or Tonga, and + that you will yet discover them. But the German Consuls will give us no + assistance, and absolutely decline to permit us to send any one to visit + the plantations, unless the managers or owners are agreeable. And, as you + can imagine, the owners and managers are <i>not</i> agreeable, and have + declined in terms of great rudeness to even supply us with the names of + any of their labourers, or the names of the various islands from which + they come.” + </p> + <p> + But even in face of this Flemming did not despair, and told his wife and + children, who could not restrain their tears when they read the Consuls' + report, that he would not let the matter rest. He had several friends in + Samoa and Fiji—merchants, traders and ship captains, and to them he + wrote asking them to institute enquiries quietly, and let him know the + result. + </p> + <p> + After spending another five years on Anaa, during which time he had heard + nothing of the missing men, he determined to settle on Rarotonga, where + there was an excellent opportunity of making money. His eldest boy by this + time was almost a grown man, and was earning his living as a supercargo of + a trading vessel, running between Auckland in New Zealand and the various + groups of islands in the South Pacific. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + In the quiet little harbour of Mulifanua, situated at the western end of + the island of Upolu, a fine-looking brigantine was lying at anchor, and + the captain and supercargo were pacing the deck together enjoying their + after-breakfast pipes. + </p> + <p> + The brigantine was the <i>Maori Maid</i> of Auckland, Captain Heselton, + and the supercargo was young Robert Flemming. The vessel had run into + Mulifanua Harbour owing to her having struck on a reef a few days + previously whilst beating up against the south-east trades from Wallis + Island to Leone Bay, a port on the island of Tutuila, one of the Samoan + Group, and as she was leaking rather seriously her captain decided to run + into Mulifanua, put her on the beach, and get at the leak or leaks. + </p> + <p> + “There is no need for you to stay on board, Bob,” said Heselton presently + to his young supercargo. “Go ashore and stay ashore until we are ready for + sea again. All going well we'll find out where the damage is by this time + to-morrow, and be afloat again in a few days. But there is nothing to keep + you aboard, and you might as well put in your time shooting or otherwise + enjoying yourself; why not go and have a look at Goddeffroy's big + plantation? It's only about a couple of miles away.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, captain, I think I shall. As you know for years past I have + always been hoping that during one of our cruises, I might come across + some native or other on one of these plantations who might be able to tell + me something about those four poor fellows who were collared by that + Peruvian barque ten years ago. And this plantation of Goddeffroy's is one + of the biggest in the South Seas—there are over seven hundred + labourers, Line Islanders, Solomon Islanders, New Britain niggers and + heaven knows what else.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you'll have a good chance now. And look here, Bob—take your + time, a day or two more or less doesn't matter to us. I shall have plenty + to do even after I get at this confounded leak. The rigging wants setting + up badly, so we may be here any time under a week.” + </p> + <p> + “Right. I'll go and have a look at the plantation; and if the manager is a + decent sort of a Dutchman he might put me up. If he's a hog—which he + probably is—I'll go to the native village, sleep there to-night and + have a day's pigeon-shooting to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Just then a boat was seen putting off from the shore, manned by Samoans, + but steered by a white man, who as soon as he came on deck introduced + himself as the local trader. He was a quiet, good-natured old fellow—an + Englishman—and as soon as he learned of the mishap to the + brigantine, at once offered to get a gang of natives to assist in beaching + her; and then pressed Flemming to make his house his home during the stay + of the vessel. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” replied the young man, “I shall be very pleased. I want to + have a look at the big plantation here and try to have a yarn with some of + the Eingsmill Island labourers.” Then he told the trader, who was much + interested, the object he had in view. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure that the manager will let you talk to any of the labourers,” he + said, “for he's one of the 'White men' kind of Dutchmen. His name is + Knorr. He succeeded a regular brute of a man who used to flog the + plantation hands right and left. A lot of them have run away during the + past six or seven years and have taken to the mountains. They are all + armed, and sometimes, when they are in want of food, will lay the Samoan + villages under tribute, and if any resistance is shown, they set fire to + the houses. The Samoans are terribly afraid of them, for there are two or + three cannibal Solomon Islanders among them, and a Samoan has a holy + terror of a man-eater.” + </p> + <p> + “Why don't the Dutchmen capture the beggars?” asked the captain. “There + are enough of them in Samoa.” + </p> + <p> + The old trader laughed—“Ay, too many, sir; too many for us poor + English traders. But they have tried, time and time again, to capture + these fellows, but only got badly mauled in two or three fights. There is + a standing reward of two hundred dollars for every one of them, dead or + alive, and about a year ago ten flash young Samoan <i>manaias</i>{*} set + out, well armed and well primed with grog, to surprise the escapees, who + were known to be living in an almost inaccessible part of the mountains. + Only four of the ten came back; the other six were shot down one by one as + they were climbing the side of a mountain, and these four were made + prisoners by the outlaws, who gave them such a fright that they will never + get over it. It was as good as any novel to hear them talk about it, I can + assure you.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Warriors or rather would-be warriors—young men whom the + local white men usually speak of as “bucks,”—i.e., flashy, + saucy fellows. +</pre> + <p> + “Go on, tell us the whole yarn,” said the skipper of the <i>Maori Maid</i>, + as he pushed a decanter of brandy towards his visitor, and take a cigar. + “It's pleasant to meet an Englishman in these Dutchman-infested islands, + especially when he has a good yarn to spin.” + </p> + <p> + “The yarn isn't a pleasant one, captain,” said the trader. “It's a d———d + unpleasant one, but it's true, sir.” + </p> + <p> + He lit a cigar and then resumed: “Well, after six of these flash young + fellows were shot down, the other four dropped their rifles and cried out, + <i>Fia ola! Fia ola!</i> (Quarter! Quarter!) and in a few minutes about a + dozen of the escapees made their appearance, took away their rifles and + cartridges, and tying their arms behind their backs made them march in + front of them up the mountain-side till they came to a bit of a thicket in + which were four or five small huts. Telling their prisoners to sit down, + half of their number went away, returning in half an hour with the six + heads of the men who had been shot. + </p> + <p> + “Take these heads back with you,” said one of the outlaws, who could speak + Samoan, “and tell all Mulifanua that we are strong men. We fear no one, + for we have plenty of guns and cartridges, and five hundred men such as + you cannot take us. And say to the chief of the village, that on every + fourth day, food for us must be brought to the foot of the eastern spur of + the mountain. If this be not done, then shall we kill all whom we meet—men, + women or children. Now go and tell the man who flogged us that some day we + shall cook and eat his head, for we are very strong men.' + </p> + <p> + “Well, the four poor trembling beggars were liberated, and carrying the + six heads of their comrades, they went back, and their story so terrified + the people of Mulifanua that no further attempt was ever made to capture + the outlaws. And although the Germans don't know of it, the villagers are + to this very day, gentlemen, supplying these dangerous devils with food, + and I know for a fact that sometimes two or three of them come down from + the mountains and sleep in the village without fear. They have never + troubled me; but very often a native boy or girl will come to me and buy a + 28-lb. bag of shot, caps and powder, and I know perfectly well that it is + for the 'wild men,' as the people here call the escaped men. Every one of + them has not only a rifle, but a shot-gun as well, for they one night + broke into the plantation store and carried off all the rifles and guns + they could find.” + </p> + <p> + “Take care, Bob, that they don't take some pot shots at you,” said the + captain, with a laugh, as his supercargo rose to get ready to go ashore + with the trader. + </p> + <p> + “They would if they thought Mr. Hemming was a German from the plantation,” + said the trader, seriously, “so you had better not go too far away when + you are shooting, unless you take a native guide with you. For, as I have + said before, these men and the people of the village are now, I really + believe, in secret friendship, or rather alliance—an alliance born + out of terror on one side and savage desperation on the other.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later young Flemming and the trader were being pulled + ashore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + The German manager of the great plantation proved to be, as the old trader + had said, “one of the white-men kind of Dutchmen.” He received the young + supercargo most hospitably, and insisted upon his remaining to lunch, and + when Flemming told him frankly of the long quest for the four missing men, + he at once became deeply sympathetic. + </p> + <p> + “You shall see every one of the six or seven hundred natives I have + working for me, Mr. Flemming. They are all now scattered about in + different portions of the plantation, but at five o'clock, when they knock + off, I shall have them all mustered. But I am almost certain that you will + not find any one of the nine who were transferred from the Peruvian slaver + to the German 'black-birder,' for I have always taken an interest in these + people, and know pretty well from where they all come. My predecessor here + was very rough with them—the less I say about him the better—and + there is now quite a number of runaways living in the bush. They have + defied all efforts to capture them. Who they are, and where they come + from, I cannot well tell, for the former manager never kept an accurate + account of the numbers of new arrivals brought here by the various labour + vessels, nor did he specify in his books, as he should have done, from + what particular islands they came. 'Natives' he considered to be a + sufficient designation, and 'three years' or 'six years' indicated the + time for which they were engaged. He left the identification of themselves + and their islands to the captains of the various vessels which, at the end + of their time, take them back again.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if it is possible that the four men I am looking for are among + the outlaws,” said Flemming. + </p> + <p> + “Possible, quite possible,” replied the manager, “but you will never be + able to see them if they are. The gang is very desperate and determined, + and though they have no animus against me personally, they would shoot me, + or you, or any white man who attempted to get into communication with + them.” + </p> + <p> + After a little further conversation with the manager, Flemming said he + would have a few hours' pigeon-shooting, returning in time to see the + plantation hands mustered. Knorr wished him to take a Samoan guide, but + the young man laughingly reminded him that he was half a native himself, + and from his infancy almost had been used to wandering about the mountain + forests of the islands of Micronesia and Polynesia; so, bidding his host + good morning, he shouldered his gun and set off, and in another hour was + ascending the first spur of the mountain range, which traverses the island + of Upolu from one end to the other. + </p> + <p> + He had a reason for declining the services of a guide, for he had + determined to attempt to reach the outlaws' refuge, and, at the risk of + his life, finding out if Tommy Topsail-tie and Jack Waterwitch were among + them. The old trader had told him that one of their number was a very big + man, whose legs, back, and neck were tattooed as the Kingsmill Islanders + tattoo, and he (Flemming) had formed the idea, since his conversation with + the manager of the plantation, that this big man was Binoké—the dear + friend of his boyhood's days, the ever-wanted “Tommy Topsail-tie” of his + brother and his sister Medora, the man who, with Jack Waterwitch, had + stood to his father and mother in their poverty and distress, and had + toiled night and day for them without recompense. + </p> + <p> + As he walked over the soft carpet of fallen leaves which covered the + mountain-side so thickly that no sound came from his footsteps, he + listened carefully. He knew that he was proceeding in the right direction + for the outlaws' refuge—the direction the plantation manager had + impressed on him to avoid—and after a two hours' stiff climb he + found himself on the summit of the spur and overlooking the harbour. Far + below him he could see the <i>Maori Maid</i> being hauled on to the beach, + and eight miles away the beautiful little island of Manono lay basking in + the sun on a sea of deepest, glorious blue. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he heard a sound, a faint, soft creeping on the ground somewhere + near him, and he knew that it was the sound of a human footstep, and that + he was watched. + </p> + <p> + He laid down his gun, and stood up and pretended to closely scan the + thick, leafy canopy of the mighty trees overhead, as if he were searching + for pigeons. Then his voice rang out clearly, and echoed and re-echoed in + the grey and silent forest aisles. + </p> + <p> + “Binoké, Binoké! 'Tis I! Nobal, Nobal! 'Tis I who call! Tis I, Papu (Bob), + of Anaa! I, who have sought thee long. Binoké! Nohal!” + </p> + <p> + Then came a sudden rush of feet and brown, naked bodies from all around, + and in another moment the young man was almost lifted off hid feet by + Tommy Topsail-tie, who, clasping his mighty arms around him, pressed him + passionately to his bosom. + </p> + <p> + “My boy, my boy!... See, 'tis I, Binoké, thy friend, thy slave, thy + Binoké!” and then the savage creature wept as only wild people such as he + was weep from excess of joy. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Flemming was hurried along by the friendly hands of six + or eight of the “wild men” to their refuge further up on the + mountain-side, where he found not only “Jack Waterwitch,” but one of the + Anaa natives, who had been carried off ten years before; the other native + of Anaa, he was told by Tommy Topsail-tie, had died a year or two + previously. There were, he found, twelve natives in all—Topsail-tie, + who was their leader, Jack Waterwitch, the Anaa man, four Solomon + Islanders, and five others from various islands. + </p> + <p> + For an hour or more the young man conversed with his old friends, who + delightedly agreed to leave their mountain retreat and go on board the + brigantine as soon as she was ready to sail. The remaining eight men, + however, refused to leave, although Flemming told them that they could all + come down from the mountain at night-time, and be very easily stowed away + on board, and that even if they were discovered the captain would be able + to protect them, should the German manager make any demand for them to be + delivered over to him. But all his arguments were in vain—they shook + their heads and said that never, again would they go, willingly or + unwillingly, upon the deep sea. + </p> + <p> + Then the supercargo and Topsail-tie made their plans, and after spending + another hour or so with the escapees, Flemming shook hands with them all, + and guided by Nobal, returned to the base of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + Here he parted from his companion, who quickly plunged into the forest + again, and reached the plantation just as the manager was mustering the + plantation hands for his inspection. Not deeming it advisable to tell his + host of the discovery he had just made, he yet tried to display as much + interest as possible, and after walking up and down the triple rows of men + and looking at them rapidly one by one, he said that there was no one of + them whom he had ever seen before. Then the manager dismissed the men, and + Flemming, thanking him for his kindness, hurried on board and told his + story to Captain Heselton. + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards the <i>Maori Maid</i> was sailing slowly out through + Mulifanua passage. Flemming, with the skipper beside him, was standing on + the poop, looking for'ard. + </p> + <p> + “Tell them they can come up on deck now, boatswain,” he cried, “we are a + good mile off the land.” + </p> + <p> + And then the three of the four men from whom he and his brother had parted + ten years before rushed up from the hold, knelt at his feet, and laughing + and sobbing like children, threw their brown arms around his legs. + </p> + <p> + Binoké rose, and stretching out his huge right arm towards the rising sun, + turned his black eyes on “the boy” he so loved. + </p> + <p> + “Is it to the east we sail, Papu?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, to the east, Binoké, far, far to the east, to a fair, fair land with + green mountains and falling streams. And there awaits us my father and + mother, and my brother, and Medora. And they will be well content with me, + for never hast thou and Nobal been forgotten.” + </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> + “FLASH HARRY” OF SAVAIT + </h2> + <p> + Nearly thirty years ago, when the late King Malietoa of Samoa was quietly + arming his own adherents and conciliating his rebel chiefs in order to + combine against the persistent encroachments of the Germans, I was running + a small trading cutter between Upolu and Savaii, the two principal islands + of the group. + </p> + <p> + One day I arrived in Apia Harbour with a cargo of yams which I was selling + to an American man-of-war, the <i>Resacca</i>. I went alongside at once, + had the yams weighed and received my money from the paymaster, and then + went ashore for a bathe in the Vaisigago River, a lovely little stream + which, taking its rise in the mountains, debouches into Apia Harbour. Here + I was joined by an old friend, Captain Hamilton, the local pilot, who, + stripping off his clothes, plunged into the water beside me. + </p> + <p> + As we were laughing and chatting and thoroughly enjoying ourselves, a + party of natives—young men and boys—emerged from the trees on + the opposite bank, and casting off their scanty garments, boisterously + entered the water and began disporting themselves, and then to my surprise + I saw that their leader was a white man, tattoed in every respect, like a + Samoan. He appeared to be about thirty years of age, was clean-shaven, and + had bright red hair. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that fellow?” I inquired. + </p> + <p> + “One of the biggest scoundrels in the Pacific,” replied my companion, + “'Flash Harry' from Savaii. He deserted from either the <i>Brisk</i> (or + the <i>Zealous</i>) British man-of-war, about seven years ago, and + although the commanders of several other British warships have tried to + get him, they have failed. He is the pet <i>protégé</i> of one of the most + powerful chiefs in Savaii, and laughs at all attempts to catch him. To my + knowledge he has committed four atrocious murders, and, in addition to + that, he is a drunken, foul-mouthed blackguard. He only comes to Apia + occasionally—when there is no British man-of-war about—and + paints the town red, for although he is merely a loafing beachcomber, he + is liberally supplied with money by his chief, and possesses an extensive + harem as well. He simply terrorises the town when he breaks out, and + insults every timid European, male and female, whom he meets.” + </p> + <p> + “Why doesn't some one put a bullet through him?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, now you're asking! Why? Porter” (a respectable Samoan trader) “told + him that he would riddle him if he came inside his fence, and the + scoundrel knows <i>me</i> well enough not to come into my place with + anything but a civil word on his foul tongue; but then you see, Porter and + I are Americans. If either or both of us shot the man no commander of an + American man-of-war would do more than publicly reprimand us for taking + the law into our own hands; but if you or any other Englishman killed the + vermin, you would be taken to Fiji by the first man-of-war that called + here, put on your trial for murder, and, if you escaped hanging, get a + pretty turn of penal servitude in Fiji gaol.” + </p> + <p> + We finished our bathe, dressed, and set out for Hamilton's house on + Matautu Point, for he had asked me to have supper with him. On our way + thither we met the master of a German barque, then in port, and were + chatting with him in the middle of the road, when Mr. “Flash Harry” and + his retinue of <i>manaia</i> (young bucks) overtook us. + </p> + <p> + The path being rather narrow we drew aside a few paces to let them pass, + but at a sign from their leader they stopped. He nodded to Hamilton and + the German captain (neither of whom took any notice of him) then fixed his + eyes insolently on me and held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + “How do yer do, Mister. You're a nice sort of a cove not to come and see + me when you pass my place in your cutter”—then with sudden fury as I + put my hands in my pockets—“you, you young cock-a-hoopy swine, do + you mean to say you don't mean to shake hands with a white man?” + </p> + <p> + “Not with you, anyway,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then the next time I see you I'll pull your ——— arm out + of the socket,” he said, with an oath, and turning on his heel he went off + with his following of bucks. All of them were armed with rifles and the + long beheading knives called <i>Nifa oti</i> (death-knife), and as we + three had nothing but our fists we should have had a bad time had they + attacked us, for we were in an unfrequented part of the beach and would + have been half murdered before assistance came. But in Samoa in those days + street brawls were common. + </p> + <p> + “The next time you <i>do</i> meet him,” said Hamilton as we resumed our + walk, “don't give him a chance. Drill a hole through him as soon as he + gets within ten paces, and then clear out of Samoa as quick as you can.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Quite a month after this I had to visit the little port of Asaua on the + Island of Savaii; and as I was aware that “Flash Harry” was in the + vicinity of the place on a <i>malaga</i>, or pleasure trip, I kept a sharp + lookout for him, and always carried with me in my jumper pocket a small + but heavy Derringer, the bullet of which was as big as that of a Snider + rifle. I did not want to have my arm pulled out of the socket, and knew + that “Flash Harry,” being twice my weight almost, would give me a sad time + if he could once get within hitting distance of me, for like most + men-of-war's men he was very smart with his hands, and I was but a + stripling—not yet twenty. + </p> + <p> + I had come to Asaua with a load of timber to be used in the construction + of a church for the French Mission, and in the evening went to the + resident priest to obtain a receipt for delivery. As he could not speak + English and I could not speak French we had to struggle along in Samoan—to + our mutual amusement. However, we got along very well, and I was about to + accept his hospitable offer to remain and have sapper with him when a + young chief whom I knew, named Ulofanua (“Top of a High Tree”) came in + hurriedly and told us that “Flash Harry” and ten or fifteen young men, all + more or less drunk, were coming to the village that night with the avowed + intention of boarding the cutter under the pretence of trading, seizing + all the liquor and giving me a father of a beating—the latter to + avenge the insult of a month before. + </p> + <p> + Laughingly telling the priest that under the circumstances discretion was + the better part of valour, I bade him goodbye, walked down to my boat, + which was lying on the beach, and with two native sailors pulling, we + started for the cutter, a mile away. The night was beautifully calm, but + dark, and as I was not well acquainted with the inner part of Asaua + Harbour and could not see my way, I several times ran the boat on to + submerged coral boulders; and, finally, lost the narrow channel + altogether. + </p> + <p> + Then I told one of my men, a sturdy, splendid specimen of a native of the + Gilbert Islands named Te Manu Uraura (“Bed Bird”) to come aft and take the + steer oar, knowing that his eyesight, like that of all Polynesians, was + better than that of any white man. + </p> + <p> + “Come here, Te Manu, and steer, I'll take your oar. Your eyes are better + than mine.” + </p> + <p> + The poor fellow laughed good-naturedly, and I little thought that this + simple request of mine would be the cause of his being a cripple for life. + He came aft, took the steer oar from me, and I, seating myself on the + after thwart, began to pull. We were at this time about thirty yards from + the beach, and between it and the inner reef of the harbour. We sent the + boat along for two or three hundred yards without a hitch, and I was + thinking of what my cook would have for my supper, when we suddenly + plumped into a patch of dead coral and stuck hard and fast. + </p> + <p> + Knowing that the tide was falling, we all jumped out, and pushed the boat + off into deeper water as quickly as possible, just as half a dozen bright + torches of coco-nut leaves flared up on the shore and revealed the boat + dimly to those who were holding them. + </p> + <p> + At first I imagined that the chief of the village had sent some of his + people to help us through the channel, but I was quickly undeceived when I + heard “Flash Harry's” voice. + </p> + <p> + “I've got you now, my saucy young quarter-deck-style-of-pup. Slew round + and come ashore, or I'll blow your head off.” + </p> + <p> + One glance ashore showed me that we were in a desperate position. “Flash + Harry,” who was all but stark-naked—he had only a girdle of <i>ti</i> + tree leaves round his waist—was covering the boat with his + Winchester rifle, and his followers, armed with other guns, were ready to + fire a volley into us, although most of them were pretty well drunk. + </p> + <p> + “They can't hit us, Te Manu,” I cried to the Gilbert Islander, whose + inborn fighting proclivities were showing in his gleaming eyes and short, + panting breaths, “most of them have no cartridges in their guns, and they + are all too drunk to shoot straight. Let us go on!” + </p> + <p> + Te Manu gripped the haft of the steer oar and swung the boat's head round, + and then I and the other native at the bow oar—a mere boy of sixteen—pulled + for all we were worth just as “Flash Harry” dropped on one knee and fired. + </p> + <p> + Poor Te Manu swayed to and fro for a few moments and then cried out, “He + has broken my hand, sir! But go on, pull, pull hard!” + </p> + <p> + Under a spattering fire from the beachcomber's drunken companions we + pulled out into deeper water and safety, and then, shipping my oar, I + sprang to Te Manu's aid. The bullet had struck him in the back of the + right hand and literally cut off three of the poor fellow's knuckles. I + did what I could to stop the loss of blood, and told him to sit down, but + he refused, and although suffering intense pain, insisted on steering with + his left hand. As soon as we reached the cutter I at once hove up anchor + and stood along the coast before a strong breeze to Matautu Harbour, where + I was able to have the man's hand properly attended to. He never recovered + the use of it again except in a slight degree. + </p> + <p> + I never saw “Flash Harry” again, for a few months later I left Samoa for + the Caroline Group, and when I returned a year afterwards I was told that + he had at last found the country too hot for him and had left the island + in a German “blackbirder” bound to the Solomon Islands. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Quite six years had passed, and then I learnt, in a somewhat curious + manner, what became of him. One day in Sydney, New South Wales, three + captains and myself met for lunch at the Paragon Hotel, on Circular Quay. + We were all engaged in the South Sea trade, and one of the company, who + was a stranger to me, had just returned from the Solomon Islands, with + which group and its murderous, cannibal people he was very familiar. (He + was himself destined to be killed there with his ship's company in 1884.) + He was a young man who had had some very narrow escapes and some very + thrilling experiences, some of which he narrated. + </p> + <p> + We were talking of the massacre of Captain Ferguson and the crew of the + Sydney trading steamer <i>Ripple</i>, by the natives of Bougainville + Island in the Solomon Group, when our friend remarked— + </p> + <p> + “Ah, poor Ferguson ought to have been more careful. Why, the very chief of + that village at Numa Numa—the man who cut him down with a tomahawk—had + killed two other white men. Ferguson knew that, and yet would allow him to + come aboard time after time with hundreds of his people, and gave him and + them the run of his ship. I knew the fellow well. He told me to my face, + the first time I met him, that he had killed and eaten two white men.” + </p> + <p> + “Who were they?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “One was a man trading for Captain MacLeod of New Caledonia; the other + chap was some beachcombing fellow who had been kicked ashore at Numa Numa + by his skipper. I heard he came from Samoa originally. Anyway the chief + told me that as soon as the ship that had put the man ashore had sailed, + he was speared through the back as he was drinking a coco-nut. + </p> + <p> + “When they stripped off his clothes to make him ready for the oven, they + found he was tattoed, Samoan fashion, from the waist to the knees. Then, + as he had red hair, they cut off his head and smoke-dried it, instead of + eating it with the rest of the body; they kept it as an ornament for the + stem of a big canoe. A white man's head is a great thing at any time for a + canoe's figurehead in the Solomons, but a white man's head with red hair + is a great <i>mana</i>” (mascotte). + </p> + <p> + Then I told him that I had known the man, and gave him his antecedents. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he said, “I daresay if you had been there you would have felt as if + you could have eaten a bit of the beggar yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly do feel pleased that he's settled,” I replied, as I thought + of poor Red Bird's hand. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Flemmings And “Flash Harry” Of +Savait, by Louis Becke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLEMMINGS *** + +***** This file should be named 24953-h.htm or 24953-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/9/5/24953/ + +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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