HighuptheRewa，atthevillageofachief，Mongondrobyname，JohnStarhurstrestedattheendoftheseconddayofthejourney。Inthemorning，attendedbyNarau，heexpectedtostartonfootforthesmokymountainsthatwerenowgreenandvelvetywithnearness。Mongondrowasasweet—tempered，mild—manneredlittleoldchief，short—sightedandafflictedwithelephantiasis，andnolongerinclinedtowardtheturbulenceofwar。Hereceivedthemissionarywithwarmhospitality，gavehimfoodfromhisowntable，andevendiscussedreligiousmatterswithhim。Mongondrowasofaninquiringbentofmind，andpleasedJohnStarhurstgreatlybyaskinghimtoaccountfortheexistenceandbeginningofthings。WhenthemissionaryhadfinishedhissummaryoftheCreationaccordingtoGenesis，hesawthatMongondrowasdeeplyaffected。Thelittleoldchiefsmokedsilentlyforsometime。Thenhetookthepipefromhismouthandshookhisheadsadly。
\"Itcannotbe，\"hesaid。\"I，Mongondro，inmyyouth，wasagoodworkmanwiththeadze。Yetthreemonthsdidittakemetomakeacanoe——asmallcanoe，averysmallcanoe。Andyousaythatallthislandandwaterwasmadebyoneman——\"
\"Nay，wasmadebyoneGod，theonlytrueGod，\"themissinaryinterrupted。
\"Itisthesamething，\"Mongondrowenton，\"thatallthelandandallthewater，thetrees，thefish，andbushandmountains，thesun，themoon，andthestars，weremadeinsixdays！No，no。ItellyouthatinmyyouthIwasanableman，yetdiditrequiremethreemonthsforonesmallcanoe。Itisastorytofrightenchildrenwith;butnomancanbelieveit。\"
\"Iamaman，\"themissionarysaid。
\"True，youareaman。Butitisnotgiventomydarkunderstandingtoknowwhatyoubelieve。\"
\"Itellyou，Idobelievethateverythingwasmadeinsixdays。\"
\"Soyousay，soyousay，\"theoldcannibalmurmuredsoothingly。
ItwasnotuntilafterJohnStarhurstandNarauhadgoneofftobedthatErirolacreptintothechief’shouse，and，afterdiplomaticspeech，handedthewhaletoothtoMongondro。
Theoldchiefheldthetoothinhishandsforalongtime。Itwasabeautifultooth，andheyearnedforit。Also，hedivinedtherequestthatmustaccompanyit。\"No，no;whaleteethwerebeautiful，\"andhismouthwateredforit，buthepasseditbacktoErirolawithmanyapologies……
IntheearlydawnJohnStarhurstwasafoot，stridingalongthebushtrailinhisbigleatherboots，athisheelsthefaithfulNarau，himselfattheheelsofanakedguidelenthimbyMongondrotoshowthewaytothenextvillage，whichwasreachedbymidday。Hereanewguideshowedtheway。AmileintherearploddedErirola，thewhaletoothinthebasketslungonhisshoulder。Fortwodaysmorehebroughtupthemissionary’srear，offeringthetoothtothevillagechiefs。Butvillageaftervillagerefusedthetooth。Itfollowedsoquicklythemissionary’sadventthattheydivinedtherequestthatwouldbemade，andwouldhavenoneofit。
Theyweregettingdeepintothemountains，andErirolatookasecrettrail，cutinaheadofthemissionary，andreachedthestrongholdoftheBuliofGatoka。NowtheBuliwasunawareofJohnStarhurst’simminentarrival。Also，thetoothwasbeautiful——anextraordinaryspecimen，whilethecoloringofitwasoftherarestorder。Thetoothwaspresentedpublicly。TheBuliofGatoka，seatedonhisbestmat，surroundedbyhischiefmen，threebusyfly—brushersathisback，deignedtoreceivefromthehandofhisheraldthewhaletoothpresentedbyRaVatuandcarriedintothemountainsbyhiscousin，Erirola。A
clappingofhandswentupattheacceptanceofthepresent，theassembledheadman，heralds，andfly—brusherscryingaloudinchorus：
\"A！woi！woi！woi！A！woi！woi！woi！Atabualevu！woi！woi！Amudua，mudua，mudua！’
\"Soonwillcomeaman，awhiteman，\"Erirolabegan，aftertheproperpause。
\"Heisamissionaryman，andhewillcometoday。RaVatuispleasedtodesirehisboots。Hewishestopresentthemtohisgoodfriend，Mongondro，anditisinhismindtosendthemwiththefeetalonginthem，forMongondroisanoldmanandhisteetharenotgood。Besure，OBuli，thatthefeetgoalongintheboots。Asfortherestofhim，itmaystophere。\"
ThedelightinthewhaletoothfadedoutoftheBuli’seyes，andheglancedabouthimdubiously。Yethadhealreadyacceptedthetooth。
\"Alittlethinglikeamissionarydoesnotmatter，\"Erirolaprompted。
\"No，alittlethinglikeamissionarydoesnotmatter，\"theBulianswered，himselfagain。\"Mongondroshallhavetheboots。Go，youyoungmen，somethreeorfourofyou，andmeetthemissionaryonthetrail。Besureyoubringbackthebootsaswell。\"
\"Itistoolate，\"saidErirola。\"Listen！Hecomesnow。\"
Breakingthroughthethicketofbrush，JohnStarhurst，withNaraucloseonhisheels，strodeuponthescene。Thefamousboots，havingfilledinwadingthestream，squirtedfinejetsofwaterateverystep。Starhurstlookedabouthimwithflashingeyes。Upbornebyanunwaveringtrust，untouchedbydoubtorfear，heexultedinallhesaw。HeknewthatsincethebeginningoftimehewasthefirstwhitemanevertotreadthemountainstrongholdofGatoka。
ThegrasshousesclungtothesteepmountainsideoroverhungtherushingRewa。Oneithersidetoweredamightyprecipice。Atthebest，threehoursofsunlightpenetratedthatnarrowgorge。Nococoanutsnorbananasweretobeseen，thoughdense，tropicvegetationoverraneverything，drippinginairyfestoonsfromthesheerlipsoftheprecipicesandrunningriotinallthecranniedledges。AtthefarendofthegorgetheRewaleapedeighthundredfeetinasinglespan，whiletheatmosphereoftherockfortresspulsedtotherhythmicthunderofthefall。
FromtheBuli’shouse，JohnStarhurstsawemergingtheBuliandhisfollowers。
\"Ibringyougoodtidings，\"wasthemissionary’sgreeting。
\"Whohassentyou？\"theBulirejoinedquietly。
\"God。\"
\"ItisanewnameinVitiLevu，\"theBuligrinned。\"Ofwhatislands，villages，orpassesmayhebechief？\"
\"Heisthechiefoverallislands，allvillages，allpasses，\"JohnStarhurstansweredsolemnly。\"HeistheLordoverheavenandearth，andIamcometobringHiswordtoyou。\"
\"Hashesentwhaleteeth？\"wastheinsolentquery。
\"No，butmorepreciousthanwhaleteethisthe——\"
\"Itisthecustom，betweenchiefs，tosendwhaleteeth，\"theBuliinterrupted。
\"Yourchiefiseitheraniggard，oryouareafool，tocomeempty—handedintothemountains。Behold，amoregenerousthanyouisbeforeyou。\"
Sosaying，heshowedthewhaletoothhehadreceivedfromErirola。
Naraugroaned。
\"ItisthewhaletoothofRaVatu，\"hewhisperedtoStarhurst。\"Iknowitwell。Nowareweundone。\"
\"Agraciousthing，\"themissionaryanswered，passinghishandthroughhislongbeardandadjustinghisglasses。\"RaVatuhasarrangedthatweshouldbewellreceived。\"
ButNaraugroanedagain，andbackedawayfromtheheelshehaddoggedsofaithfully。
\"RaVatuissoontobecomeLotu，\"Starhurstexplained，\"andIhavecomebringingtheLotutoyou。\"
\"IwantnoneofyourLotu，\"saidtheBuli，proudly。\"Anditisinmymindthatyouwillbeclubbedthisday。\"
TheBulinoddedtooneofhisbigmountaineers，whosteppedforward，swingingaclub。Narauboltedintothenearesthouse，seekingtohideamongthewomanandmats;butJohnStarhurstspranginundertheclubandthrewhisarmsaroundhisexecutioner’sneck。Fromthispointofvantageheproceededtoargue。Hewasarguingforhislife，andheknewit;buthewasneitherexcitednorafraid。
\"Itwouldbeanevilthingforyoutokillme，\"hetoldtheman。\"Ihavedoneyounowrong，norhaveIdonetheBuliwrong。\"
Sowelldidheclingtotheneckoftheonemanthattheydarednotstrikewiththeirclubs。Andhecontinuedtoclingandtodisputeforhislifewiththosewhoclamoredforhisdeath。
\"IamJohnStarhurst，\"hewentoncalmly。\"IhavelaboredinFijiforthreeyears，andIhavedoneitfornoprofit。Iamhereamongyouforgood。Whyshouldanymankillme？Tokillmewillnotprofitanyman。\"
TheBulistolealookatthewhaletooth。Hewaswellpaidforthedeed。
Themissionarywassurroundedbyamassofnakedsavages，allstrugglingtogetathim。Thedeathsong，whichisthesongoftheoven，wasraised，andhisexpostulationscouldnolongerbeheard。Butsocunninglydidhetwineandwreathehisbodyabouthiscaptor’sthatthedeathblowcouldnotbestruck。
Erirolasmiled，andtheBuligrewangry。
\"Awaywithyou！\"hecried。\"Anicestorytogobacktothecoast——adozenofyouandonemissionary，withoutweapons，weakasawoman，overcomingallofyou。\"
\"Wait，OBuli，\"JohnStarhurstcalledoutfromthethickofthescuffle，\"andIwillovercomeevenyou。FormyweaponsareTruthandRight，andnomancanwithstandthem。\"
\"Cometome，then，\"theBulianswered，\"formyweaponisonlyapoormiserableclub，and，asyousay，itcannotwithstandyou。\"
Thegroupseparatedfromhim，andJohnStarhurststoodalone，facingtheBuli，whowasleaningonanenormous，knottedwarclub。
\"Cometome，missionaryman，andovercomeme，\"theBulichallenged。
\"EvensowillIcometoyouandovercomeyou，\"JohnStarhurstmadeanswer，firstwipinghisspectaclesandsettlingthemproperly，thenbeginninghisadvance。
TheBuliraisedtheclubandwaited。
\"Inthefirstplace，mydeathwillprofityounothing，\"begantheargument。
\"Ileavetheanswertomyclub，\"wastheBuli’sreply。
Andtoeverypointhemadethesamereply，atthesametimewatchingthemissionarycloselyinordertoforestallthatcunningrun—inundertheliftedclub。Then，andforthefirsttime，JohnStarhurstknewthathisdeathwasathand。Hemadenoattempttorunin。Bareheaded，hestoodinthesunandprayedaloud——themysteriousfigureoftheinevitablewhiteman，who，withBible，bullet，orrumbottle，hasconfrontedtheamazedsavageinhiseverystronghold。EvensostoodJohnStarhurstintherockfortressoftheBuliofGatoka。
\"Forgivethem，fortheyknownotwhattheydo，\"heprayed。\"OLord！HavemercyuponFiji。HavecompasssionforFiji。OJehovah，hearusforHissake，ThySon，whomThoudidstgivethatthroughHimallmenmightalsobecomeThychildren。FromTheewecame，andourmindisthattoTheewemayreturn。Thelandisdark，OLord，thelandisdark。ButThouartmightytosave。ReachoutThyhand，OLord，andsaveFiji，poorcannibalFiji。\"
TheBuligrewimpatient。
\"NowwillIanswerthee，\"hemuttered，atthesametimeswinginghisclubwithbothhands。
Narau，hidingamongthewomenandthemats，heardtheimpactoftheblowandshuddered。Thenthedeathsongarose，andheknewhisbelovedmissionary’sbodywasbeingdraggedtotheovenasheheardthewords：
\"Dragmegently。Dragmegently。\"
\"ForIamthechampionofmyland。\"
\"Givethanks！Givethanks！Givethanks！\"
Next，asinglevoicearoseoutofthedin，asking：
\"Whereisthebraveman？\"
Ahundredvoicesbellowedtheanswer：
\"Gonetobedraggedintotheovenandcooked。\"
\"Whereisthecoward？\"thesinglevoicedemanded。
\"Gonetoreport！\"thehundredvoicesbellowedback。\"Gonetoreport！Gonetoreport！\"
Naraugroanedinanguishofspirit。Thewordsoftheoldsongweretrue。Hewasthecoward，andnothingremainedtohimbuttogoandreport。
MAUKI
Heweighedonehundredandtenpounds。Hishairwaskinkyandnegroid，andhewasblack。Hewaspeculiarlyblack。Hewasneitherblue—blacknorpurple—black，butplum—black。HisnamewasMauki，andhewasthesonofachief。Hehadthreetambos。TamboisMelanesianfortaboo，andisfirstcousintothatPolynesianword。Mauki’sthreetamboswereasfollows：First，hemustnevershakehandswithawoman，norhaveawoman’shandtouchhimoranyofhispersonalbelongings;secondly，hemustnevereatclamsnoranyfoodfromafireinwhichclamshadbeencooked;thirdly，hemustnevertouchacrocodile，nortravelinacanoethatcarriedanypartofacrocodileevenifaslargeasatooth。
Ofadifferentblackwerehisteeeth，whichweredeepblack，or，perhapsbetter，LAMP—black。Theyhadbeenmadesoinasinglenight，byhismother，whohadcompressedaboutthemapowderedmineralwhichwasdugfromthelandslidebackofPortAdams。PortAdamsisasalt—watervillageonMalaita，andMalaitaisthemostsavageislandintheSolomons——sosavagethatnotradersorplantershaveyetgainedafootholdonit;while，fromthetimeoftheearliestb坈he—de—merfishersandsandalwoodtradersdowntothelatestlaborrecruitersequippedwithautomaticriflesandgasoleneengines，scoresofwhiteadventurershavebeenpassedoutbytomahawksandsoft—nosedSniderbullets。SoMalaitaremainstoday，inthetwentiethcentury，thestampinggroundofthelaborrecruiters，whofarmitscoastsforlaborerswhoengageandcontractthemselvestotoilontheplantationsoftheneighboringandmorecivilizedislandsforawageofthirtydollarsayear。Thenativesofthoseneighboringandmorecivilizedislandshavethemselvesbecometoocivilizedtoworkonplantations。
Mauki’searswerepierced，notinoneplace，nortwoplaces，butinacoupleofdozenplaces。Inoneofthesmallerholeshecarriedaclaypipe。Thelargerholesweretoolargeforsuchuse。Thebowlofthepipewouldhavefallenthrough。Infact，inthelargestholeineachearhehabituallyworeroundwoodenplugsthatwereanevenfourinchesindiameter。Roughlyspeaking，thecircumferenceofsaidholeswastwelveandone—halfinches。
Maukiwascatholicinhistastes。Inthevarioussmallerholeshecarriedsuchthingsasemptyriflecartridges，horseshoenails，copperscrews，piecesofstring，braidsofsennit，stripsofgreenleaf，and，inthecooloftheday，scarlethibiscusflowers。Fromwhichitwillbeseenthatpocketswerenotnecessarytohiswell—being。Besides，pocketswereimpossible，forhisonlywearingapparelconsistedofapieceofcalicoseveralincheswide。Apocketknifeheworeinhishair，thebladesnappeddownonakinkylock。Hismostprizedpossessionwasthehandleofachinacup，whichhesuspendedfromaringofturtle—shell，which，inturn，waspassedthroughthepartition—cartilageofhisnose。
Butinspiteofembellishments，Maukihadaniceface。Itwasreallyaprettyface，viewedbyanystandard，andforaMelanesianitwasaremarkablygood—lookingface。Itsonefaultwasitslackofstrength。Itwassoftlyeffeminate，almostgirlish。Thefeaturesweresmall，regular，anddelicate。
Thechinwasweak，andthemouthwasweak。Therewasnostrengthnorcharacterinthejaws，forehead，andnose。Intheeyesonlycouldbecaughtanyhintoftheunknownquantitiesthatweresolargeapartofhismake—upandthatotherpersonscouldnotunderstand。Theseunknownquantitieswerepluck，pertinacity，fearlessness，imagination，andcunning;andwhentheyfoundexpressioninsomeconsistentandstrikingaction，thoseabouthimwereastounded。
Mauki’sfatherwaschiefoverthevillageatPortAdams，andthus，bybirthasalt—waterman，Maukiwashalfamphibian。Heknewthewayofthefishesandoysters，andthereefwasanopenbooktohim。Canoes，also，heknew。Helearnedtoswimwhenhewasayearold。Atsevenyearshecouldholdhisbreathafullminuteandswimstraightdowntobottomthroughthirtyfeetofwater。Andatsevenyearshewasstolenbythebushmen，whocannotevenswimandwhoareafraidofsaltwater。ThereafterMaukisawtheseaonlyfromadistance，throughriftsinthejungleandfromopenspacesonthehighmountainsides。HebecametheslaveofoldFanfoa，headchiefoverascoreofscatteredbush—villagesontherange—lipsofMalaita，thesmokeofwhich，oncalmmornings，isabouttheonlyevidencetheseafaringwhitemenhaveoftheteeminginteriorpopulation。ForthewhitesdonotpenetrateMalaita。Theytrieditonce，inthedayswhenthesearchwasonforgold，buttheyalwayslefttheirheadsbehindtogrinfromthesmokyraftersofthebushmen’shuts。
WhenMaukiwasayoungmanofseventeen，Fanfoagotoutoftobacco。Hegotdreadfullyoutoftobacco。Itwashardtimesinallhisvillages。Hehadbeenguiltyofamistake。Suowasaharborsosmallthatalargeschoonercouldnotswingatanchorinit。Itwassurroundedbymangrovesthatoverhungthedeepwater。Itwasatrap，andintothetrapsailedtwowhitemeninasmallketch。
Theywereafterrecruits，andtheypossessedmuchtobaccoandtradegoods，tosaynothingofthreeriflesandplentyofammunition。Nowtherewerenosalt—watermenlivingatSuo，anditwastherethatthebushmencouldcomedowntothesea。Theketchdidasplendidtraffic。Itsignedontwentyrecruitsthefirstday。EvenoldFanfoasignedon。Andthatsamedaythescoreofnewrecruitschoppedoffthetwowhitemen’shead，killedtheboat’screw，andburnedtheketch。Thereafter，andforthreemonths，therewastobaccoandtradegoodsinplentyandtospareinallthebushvillages。Thencametheman—of—warthatthrewshellsformilesintothehills，frighteningthepeopleoutoftheirvillagesandintothedeeperbush。Nexttheman—of—warsentlandingpartiesashore。Thevillageswereallburned，alongwiththetobaccoandtradestuff。
Thecocoanutsandbananaswerechoppeddown，thetarogardensuprooted，andthepigsandchickenskilled。
IttaughtFanfoaalesson，butinthemeantimehewasoutoftobacco。Also，hisyoungmenweretoofrightenedtosignonwiththerecruitingvessels。ThatwaswhyFanfoaorderedhisslave，Mauki，tobecarrieddownandsignedonforhalfacaseoftobaccoadvance，alongwithknives，axes，calico，andbeads，whichhewouldpayforwithhistoilontheplantations。Maukiwassorelyfrightenedwhentheybroughthimonboardtheschooner。Hewasalambledtotheslaughter。Whitemenwereferociouscreatures。Theyhadtobe，orelsetheywouldnotmakeapracticeofventuringalongtheMalaitacoastandintoallharbors，twoonaschooner，wheneachschoonercarriedfromfifteentotwentyblacksasboat’screw，andoftenashighassixtyorseventyblackrecruits。Inadditiontothis，therewasalwaysthedangeroftheshorepopulation，thesuddenattackandthecuttingoffoftheschoonerandallhands。Truly，whitemenmustbeterrible。Besides，theywerepossessedofsuchdevil—devils——riflesthatshotveryrapidlymanytimes，thingsofironandbrassthatmadetheschoonersgowhentherewasnowind，andboxesthattalkedandlaughedjustasmentalkedandlaughed。
Ay，andhehadheardofonewhitemanwhoseparticulardevil—devilwassopowerfulthathecouldtakeoutallhisteethandputthembackatwill。
DownintothecabintheytookMauki。Ondeck，theonewhitemankeptguardwithtworevolversinhisbelt。Inthecabintheotherwhitemansatwithabookbeforehim，inwhichheinscribedstrangemarksandlines。HelookedatMaukiasthoughhehadbeenapigorafowl，glancedunderthehollowsofhisarms，andwroteinthebook。ThenheheldoutthewritingstickandMaukijustbarelytoucheditwithhishand，insodoingpledginghimselftotoilforthreeyearsontheplantationsoftheMoongleamSoapCompany。Itwasnotexplainedtohimthatthewilloftheferociouswhitemenwouldbeusedtoenforcethepledge，andthat，behindall，forthesameuse，wasallthepowerandallthewarshipsofGreatBritain。
Otherblackstherewereonboard，fromunheard—offarplaces，andwhenthewhitemanspoketothem，theytorethelongfeatherfromMauki’shair，cutthatsamehairshort，andwrappedabouthiswaistalava—lavaofbrightyellowcalico。
Aftermanydaysontheschooner，andafterbeholdingmorelandandislandsthanhehadeverdreamedof，hewaslandedonNewGeorgia，andputtoworkinthefieldclearingjungleandcuttingcanegrass。Forthefirsttimeheknewwhatworkwas。EvenasaslavetoFanfoahehadnotworkedlikethis。Andhedidnotlikework。Itwasupatdawnandinatdark，ontwomealsaday。Andthefoodwastiresome。Forweeksatatimetheyweregivennothingbutsweetpotatoestoeat，andforweeksatatimeitwouldbenothingbutrice。Hecutoutthecocoanutfromtheshellsdayafterday;andforlongdaysandweekshefedthefiresthatsmokedthecopra，tillhiseyesgotsoreandhewassettofellingtrees。Hewasagoodaxe—man，andlaterhewasputinthebridge—buildinggang。Once，hewaspunishedbybeingputintheroad—buildinggang。Attimesheservedasboat’screwinthewhaleboats，whentheybroughtincoprafromdistantbeachesorwhenthewhitemenwentouttodynamitefish。
Amongotherthingshelearnedbeche—de—merEnglish，withwhichhecouldtalkwithallwhitemen，andwithallrecruitswhootherwisewouldhavetalkedinathousanddifferentdialects。Also，helearnedcertainthingsaboutthewhitemen，principallythattheykepttheirword。Iftheytoldaboyhewasgoingtoreceiveastickoftobacco，hegotit。Iftheytoldaboytheywouldknocksevenbellsoutofhimifhedidacertainthing，whenhedidthatthing，sevenbellsinvariablywereknockedoutofhim。Maukididnotknowwhatsevenbellswere，buttheyoccurredinbeche—de—mer，andheimaginedthemtobethebloodandteeththatsometimesaccompaniedtheprocessofknockingoutsevenbells。Oneotherthinghelearned：noboywasstruckorpunishedunlesshedidwrong。Evenwhenthewhitemenweredrunk，astheywerefrequently，theyneverstruckunlessarulehadbeenbroken。
Maukididnotliketheplantation。Hehatedwork，andhewasthesonofachief。Furthermore，itwastenyearssincehehadbeenstolenfromPortAdamsbyFanfoa，andhewashomesick。HewasevenhomesickfortheslaveryunderFanfoa。Soheranaway。Hestruckbackintothebush，withtheideaofworkingsouthwardtothebeachandstealingacanoeinwhichtogohometoPortAdams。
Butthefevergothim，andhewascapturedandbroughtbackmoredeadthanalive。
Asecondtimeheranaway，inthecompanyoftwoMalaitaboys。Theygotdownthecoasttwentymiles，andwerehiddeninthehutofaMalaitafreeman，whodweltinthatvillage。Butinthedeadofnighttwowhitemencame，whowerenotafraidofallthevillagepeopleandwhoknockedsevenbellsoutofthethreerunaways，tiedthemlikepigs，andtossedthemintothewhaleboat。Butthemaninwhosehousetheyhadhidden——seventimessevenbellsmusthavebeenknockedoutofhimfromthewaythehair，skin，andteethflew，andhewasdiscouragedfortherestofhisnaturallifefromharboringrunawaylaborers。
ForayearMaukitoiledon。Thenhewasmadeahouse—boy，andhadgoodfoodandeasytimes，withlightworkinkeepingthehousecleanandservingthewhitemenwithwhiskeyandbeeratallhoursofthedayandmosthoursofthenight。Helikedit，buthelikedPortAdamsmore。Hehadtwoyearslongertoserve，buttwoyearsweretoolongforhiminthethroesofhomesickness。Hehadgrownwiserwithhisyearofservice，and，beingnowahouse—boy，hehadopportunity。Hehadthecleaningoftherifles，andheknewwherethekeytothestoreroomwashung。Heplannedtoescape，andonenighttenMalaitaboysandoneboyfromSanCristovalsneakedfromthebarracksanddraggedoneofthewhaleboatsdowntothebeach。ItwasMaukiwhosuppliedthekeythatopenedthepadlockontheboat，anditwasMaukiwhoequippedtheboatwithadozenWinchesters，animmenseamountofammunition，acaseofdynamitewithdetonatorsandfuse，andtencasesoftobacco。
Thenorthwestmonsoonwasblowing，andtheyfledsouthinthenighttime，hidingbydayondetachedanduninhabitedislets，ordraggingtheirwhaleboatintothebushonthelargeislands。ThustheygainedGuadalcanar，skirtedhalfwayalongit，andcrossedtheIndispensableStraitstoFloridaIsland。ItwasherethattheykilledtheSanCristovalboy，savinghisheadandcookingandeatingtherestofhim。TheMalaitacoastwasonlytwentymilesaway，butthelastnightastrongcurrentandbafflingwindspreventedthemfromgainingacross。Daylightfoundthemstillseveralmilesfromtheirgoal。Butdaylightbroughtacutter，inwhichweretwowhitemen，whowerenotafraidofelevenMalaitamenarmedwithtwelverifles。MaukiandhiscompanionswerecarriedbacktoTulagi，wherelivedthegreatwhitemasterofallthewhitemen。Andthegreatwhitemasterheldacourt，afterwhich，onebyone，therunawaysweretiedupandgiventwentylasheseach，andsentencedtoafineoffifteendollars。TheyweresentbacktoNewGeorgia，wherethewhitemenknockedsevenbellsoutofthemallaroundandputthemtowork。ButMaukiwasnolongerhouse—boy。Hewasputintheroad—makinggang。Thefineoffifteendollarshadbeenpaidbythewhitemenfromwhomhehadrunaway，andhewastoldthathewouldhavetoworkitout，whichmeantsixmonths’additionaltoil。Further，hisshareofthestolentobaccoearnedhimanotheryearoftoil。
PortAdamswasnowthreeyearsandahalfaway，sohestoleacanoeonenight，hidontheisletsinManningStraits，passedthroughtheStraits，andbeganworkingalongtheeasterncoastofYsabel，onlytobecaptured，two—thirdsofthewayalong，bythewhitemenonMeringeLagoon。Afteraweek，heescapedfromthemandtooktothebush。TherewerenobushnativesonYsabel，onlysalt—watermen，whowereallChristians。Thewhitemenputuparewardoffive—hundredsticksoftobacco，andeverytimeMaukiventureddowntotheseatostealacanoehewaschasedbythesalt—watermen。Fourmonthsofthispassed，when，therewardhavingbeenraisedtoathousandsticks，hewascaughtandsentbacktoNewGeorgiaandtheroad—buildinggang。Nowathousandsticksareworthfiftydollars，andMaukihadtopaytherewardhimself，whichrequiredayearandeightmonths’labor。SoPortAdamswasnowfiveyearsaway。
Hishomesicknesswasgreaterthanever，anditdidnotappealtohimtosettledownandbegood，workouthisfouryears，andgohome。Thenexttime，hewascaughtintheveryactofrunningaway。HiscasewasbroughtbeforeMr。
Haveby，theislandmanageroftheMoongleamSoapCompany，whoadjudgedhimanincorrigible。TheCompanyhadplantationsontheSantaCruzIslands，hundredsofmilesacrossthesea，andthereitsentitsSolomonIslands’incorrigibles。
AndthereMaukiwassent，thoughheneverarrived。TheschoonerstoppedatSantaAnna，andinthenightMaukiswamashore，wherehestoletworiflesandacaseoftobaccofromthetraderandgotawayinacanoetoCristoval。
Malaitawasnowtothenorth，fiftyorsixtymilesaway。Butwhenheattemptedthepassage，hewascaughtbyalightgaleanddrivenbacktoSantaAnna，wherethetraderclappedhiminironsandheldhimagainstthereturnoftheschoonerfromSantaCruz。Thetworiflesthetraderrecovered，butthecaseoftobaccowaschargeduptoMaukiattherateofanotheryear。ThesumofyearshenowowedtheCompanywassix。
OnthewaybacktoNewGeorgia，theschoonerdroppedanchorinMarauSound，whichliesatthesoutheasternextremityofGuadalcanar。Maukiswamashorewithhandcuffsonhiswristsandgotawaytothebush。Theschoonerwenton，buttheMoongleamtraderashoreofferedathousandsticks，andtohimMaukiwasbroughtbythebushmenwithayearandeightmonthstackedontohisaccount。Again，andbeforetheschoonercalledin，hegotaway，thistimeinawhaleboataccompaniedbyacaseofthetrader’stobacco。ButanorthwestgalewreckedhimuponUgi，wheretheChristiannativesstolehistobaccoandturnedhimovertotheMoongleamtraderwhoresidedthere。Thetobaccothenativesstolemeantanotheryearforhim，andthetalewasnoweightyearsandahalf。
\"We’llsendhimtoLordHowe，\"saidMr。Haveby。\"Bunsteristhere，andwe’llletthemsettleitbetweenthem。Itwillbeacase，Iimagine，ofMaukigettingBunster，orBunstergettingMauki，andgoodriddanceineitherevent。\"
IfoneleavesMeringeLagoon，onYsabel，andsteersacourseduenorth，magnetic，attheendofonehundredandfiftymileshewillliftthepoundedcoralbeachesofLordHoweabovethesea。LordHoweisaringoflandsomeonehundredandfiftymilesincircumference，severalhundredyardswideatitswidest，andtoweringinplacestoaheightoftenfeetabovesealevel。
Insidethisringofsandisamightylagoonstuddedwithcoralpatches。LordHowebelongstotheSolomonsneithergeographicallynorethnologically。Itisanatoll，whiletheSolomonsarehighislands;anditspeopleandlanguagearePolynesian，whiletheinhabitantsoftheSolomonsareMelanesian。
LordHowehasbeenpopulatedbythewestwardPolynesiandriftwhichcontinuestothisday，bigoutriggercanoesbeingwasheduponitsbeachesbythesoutheasttrade。ThattherehasbeenaslightMelanesiandriftintheperiodofthenorthwestmonsoon，isalsoevident。
NobodyevercomestoLordHowe，orOntong—Javaasitissometimescalled。
ThomasCook&Sondonotsellticketstoit，andtouristsdonotdreamofitsexistence。Notevenawhitemissionaryhaslandedonitsshore。Itsfivethousandnativesareaspeaceableastheyareprimitive。Yettheywerenotalwayspeaceable。TheSailingDirectionsspeakofthemashostileandtreacherous。ButthemenwhocompiletheSailingDirectionshaveneverheardofthechangethatwasworkedintheheartsoftheinhabitants，who，notmanyyearsago，cutoffabigbarkandkilledallhandswiththeexceptionofthesecondmate。Thesurvivorcarriedthenewstohisbrothers。ThecaptainsofthreetradingschoonersreturnedwithhimtoLordHowe。Theysailedtheirvesselsrightintothelagoonandproceededtopreachthewhiteman’sgospelthatonlywhitemenshallkillwhitemenandthatthelesserbreedsmustkeephandsoff。Theschoonerssailedupanddownthelagoon，harryinganddestroying。Therewasnoescapefromthenarrowsand—circle，nobushtowhichtoflee。Themenwereshotdownatsight，andtherewasnoavoidingbeingsighted。Thevillageswereburned，thecanoessmashed，thechickensandpigskilled，andthepreciouscocoanuttreeschoppeddown。Foramonththiscontinued，whentheschoonersailedaway;butthefearofthewhitemanhadbeensearedintothesoulsoftheislandersandneveragainweretheyrashenoughtoharmone。
MaxBunsterwastheonewhitemanonLordHowe，tradinginthepayoftheubiquitousMoongleamSoapCompany。AndtheCompanybilletedhimonLordHowe，because，nexttogettingridofhim，itwasthemostout—of—the—wayplacetobefound。ThattheCompanydidnotgetridofhimwasduetothedifficultyoffindinganothermantotakehisplace。HewasastrappingbigGerman，withsomethingwronginhisbrain。Semi—madnesswouldbeacharitablestatementofhiscondition。Hewasabullyandacoward，andathrice—biggersavagethananysavageontheisland。
Beingacoward，hisbrutalitywasofthecowardlyorder。WhenhefirstwentintotheCompany’semploy，hewasstationedonSavo。Whenaconsumptivecolonialwassenttotakehisplace，hebeathimupwithhisfistsandsenthimoffawreckintheschoonerthatbroughthim。
Mr。HavebynextselectedayoungYorkshiregianttorelieveBunster。TheYorkshiremanhadareputationasabruiserandpreferredfightingtoeating。
ButBunsterwouldn’tfight。Hewasaregularlittlelamb——fortendays，attheendofwhichtimetheYorkshiremanwasprostratedbyacombinedattackofdysenteryandfever。ThenBunsterwentforhim，amongotherthingsgettinghimdownandjumpingonhimascoreorsooftimes。Afraidofwhatwouldhappenwhenhisvictimrecovered。BunsterfledawayinacuttertoGuvutu，wherehesignalizedhimselfbybeatingupayoungEnglishmanalreadycrippledbyaBoerbulletthroughbothhips。
ThenitwasthatMr。HavebysentBunstertoLordHowe，thefalling—offplace。
Hecelebratedhislandingbymoppinguphalfacaseofginandbythrashingtheelderlyandwheezymateoftheschoonerwhichhadbroughthim。Whentheschoonerdeparted，hecalledthekanakasdowntothebeachandchallengedthemtothrowhiminawrestlingbout，promisingacaseoftobaccototheonewhosucceeded。Threekanakashethrew，butwaspromptlythrownbyafourth，who，insteadofreceivingthetobacco，gotabulletthroughhislungs。
AndsobeganBunster’sreignonLordHowe。Threethousandpeoplelivedintheprincipalvillage;butitwasdeserted，eveninbroadday，whenhepassedthrough。Men，women，andchildrenfledbeforehim。Eventhedogsandpigsgotoutoftheway，whilethekingwasnotabovehidingunderamat。ThetwoprimeministerslivedinterrorofBunster，whoneverdiscussedanymootsubject，butstruckoutwithhisfistsinstead。
AndtoLordHowecameMauki，totoilforBunsterforeightlongyearsandahalf。TherewasnoescapingfromLordHowe。Forbetterorworse，Bunsterandheweretiedtogether。Bunsterweighedtwohundredpounds。Maukiweighedonehundredandten。Bunsterwasadegeneratebrute。ButMaukiwasaprimitivesavage。Whilebothhadwillsandwaysoftheirown。
Maukihadnoideaofthesortofmasterhewastoworkfor。Hehadhadnowarnings，andhehadconcludedasamatterofcoursethatBunsterwouldbelikeotherwhitemen，adrinkerofmuchwhiskey，arulerandalawgiverwhoalwayskepthiswordandwhoneverstruckaboyundeserved。Bunsterhadtheadvantage。HeknewallaboutMauki，andgloatedoverthecomingintopossessionofhim。Thelastcookwassufferingfromabrokenarmandadislocatedshoulder，soBunstermadeMaukicookandgeneralhouse—boy。
AndMaukisoonlearnedthattherewerewhitemenandwhitemen。OntheverydaytheschoonerdepartedhewasorderedtobuyachickenfromSamisee，thenativeTonganmissionary。ButSamiseehadsailedacrossthelagoonandwouldnotbebackforthreedays。Maukireturnedwiththeinformation。Heclimbedthesteepstairway（thehousestoodonpilestwelvefeetabovethesand），andenteredthelivingroomtoreport。Thetraderdemandedthechicken。Maukiopenedhismouthtoexplainthemissionary’sabsence。ButBunsterdidnotcareforexplanations。Hestruckoutwithhisfist。TheblowcaughtMaukionthemouthandliftedhimintotheair。Clearthroughthedoorwayheflew，acrossthenarrowveranda，breakingthetoprailing，anddowntotheground。
Hislipswereacontused，shapelessmass，andhismouthwasfullofbloodandbrokenteeth。
\"That’llteachyouthatbacktalkdon’tgowithme，\"thetradershouted，purplewithrage，peeringdownathimoverthebrokenrailing。
Maukihadnevermetawhitemanlikethis，andheresolvedtowalksmallandneveroffend。Hesawtheboatboysknockedabout，andoneofthemputinironsforthreedayswithnothingtoeatforthecrimeofbreakingarowlockwhilepulling。Then，too，heheardthegossipofthevillageandlearnedwhyBunsterhadtakenathirdwife——byforce，aswaswellknown。Thefirstandsecondwiveslayinthegraveyard，underthewhitecoralsand，withslabsofcoralrockatheadandfeet。Theyhaddied，itwassaid，frombeatingshehadgiventhem。Thethirdwifewascertainlyill—used，asMaukicouldseeforhimself。
Buttherewasnowaybywhichtoavoidoffendingthewhitemanwhoseemedoffendedwithlife。WhenMaukikeptsilent，hewasstruckandcalledasullenbrute。Whenhespoke，hewasstruckforgivingbacktalk。Whenhewasgrave，Bunsteraccusedhimofplottingandgavehimathrashinginadvance;andwhenhestrovetobecheerfulandtosmile，hewaschargedwithsneeringathislordandmasterandgivenatasteofstick。Bunsterwasadevil。
Thevillagewouldhavedoneforhim，haditnotrememberedthelessonofthethreeschooners。Itmighthavedoneforhimanyway，iftherehadbeenabushtowhichtoflee。Asitwas，themurderofthewhitemen，ofanywhiteman，wouldbringaman—of—warthatwouldkilltheoffendersandchopdownthepreciouscocoanuttrees。Thenthereweretheboatboys，withmindsfullymadeuptodrownhimbyaccidentatthefirstopportunitytocapsizethecutter。
OnlyBunstersawtoitthattheboatdidnotcapsize。
Maukiwasofadifferentbreed，andescapebeingimpossiblewhileBunsterlived，hewasresolvedtogetthewhiteman。Thetroublewasthathecouldneverfindachance。Bunsterwasalwaysonguard。Dayandnighthisrevolverswerereadytohand。Hepermittednobodytopassbehindhisback，asMaukilearnedafterhavingbeenknockeddownseveraltimes。Bunsterknewthathehadmoretofearfromthegood—natured，evensweet—faced，MalaitaboythanfromtheentirepopulationofLordHowe;anditgaveaddedzesttotheprogrammeoftormenthewascarryingout。AndMaukiwalkedsmall，acceptedhispunishments，andwaited。
Allotherwhitemenhadrespectedhistambos，butnotsoBunster。
Mauki’sweeklyallowanceoftobaccowastwosticks。BunsterpassedthemtohiswomanandorderedMaukitoreceivethemfromherhand。Butthiscouldnotbe，andMaukiwentwithouthistobacco。Inthesamewayhewasmadetomissmanyameal，andtogohungrymanyaday。Hewasorderedtomakechowderoutofthebigclamsthatgrewinthelagoon。Thishecouldnotdo，forclamsweretambo。
Sixtimesinsuccessionherefusedtotouchtheclams，andsixtimeshewasknockedsenseless。Bunsterknewthattheboywoulddiefirst，butcalledhisrefusalmutiny，andwouldhavekilledhimhadtherebeenanothercooktotakehisplace。
Oneofthetrader’sfavoritetrickswastocatchMauki’skinkylocksandbathisheadagainstthewall。AnothertrickwastocatchMaukiunawaresandthrusttheliveendofacigaragainsthisflesh。ThisBunstercalledvaccination，andMaukiwasvaccinatedanumberoftimesaweek。Once，inarage，BunsterrippedthecuphandlefromMauki’snose，tearingtheholeclearoutofthecartilage。
\"Oh，whatamug！\"washiscomment，whenhesurveyedthedamagehehadwrought。
Theskinofasharkislikesandpaper，buttheskinofarayfishislikearasp。IntheSouthSeasthenativesuseitasawoodfileinsmoothingdowncanoesandpaddles。Bunsterhadamittenmadeofrayfishskin。ThefirsttimehetrieditonMauki，withonesweepofthehanditfetchedtheskinoffhisbackfromnecktoarmpit。Bunsterwasdelighted。Hegavehiswifeatasteofthemitten，andtrieditoutthoroughlyontheboatboys。Theprimeministerscameinforastrokeeach，andtheyhadtogrinandtakeitforajoke。
\"Laugh，damnyou，laugh！\"wasthecuehegave。
Maukicameinforthelargestshareofthemitten。Neveradaypassedwithoutacaressfromit。Thereweretimeswhenthelossofsomuchcuticlekepthimawakeatnight，andoftenthehalf—healedsurfacewasrakedrawafreshbythefacetiousMr。Bunster。Maukicontinuedhispatientwait，secureintheknowledgethatsoonerorlaterhistimewouldcome。Andheknewjustwhathewasgoingtodo，downtothesmallestdetail，whenthetimedidcome。
OnemorningBunstergotupinamoodforknockingsevenbellsoutoftheuniverse。HebeganonMauki，andwounduponMauki，intheintervalknockingdownhiswifeandhammeringalltheboatboys。AtbreakfasthecalledthecoffeeslopsandthrewthescaldingcontentsofthecupintoMauki’sface。Byteno’clockBunsterwasshiveringwithague，andhalfanhourlaterhewasburningwithfever。Itwasnoordinaryattack。Itquicklybecamepernicious，anddevelopedintoblack—waterfever。Thedayspassed，andhegrewweakerandweaker，neverleavinghisbed。Maukiwaitedandwatched，thewhilehisskingrewintactoncemore。Heorderedtheboystobeachthecutter，scrubherbottom，andgiveherageneraloverhauling。TheythoughttheorderemanatedfromBunster，andtheyobeyed。ButBunsteratthetimewaslyingunconsciousandgivingnoorders。ThiswasMauki’schance，butstillhewaited。
Whentheworstwaspast，andBunsterlayconvalescentandconscious，butweakasababy，Maukipackedhisfewtrinkets，includingthechinacuphandle，intohistradebox。Thenhewentovertothevillageandinterviewedthekingandhistwoprimeministers。
\"ThisfellaBunster，himgoodfellayouliketoomuch？\"heasked。
Theyexplainedinonevoicethattheylikedthetradernotatall。Theministerspouredfortharecitalofalltheindignitiesandwrongsthathadbeenheapeduponthem。Thekingbrokedownandwept。Maukiinterruptedrudely。
\"Yousavveme——mebigfellamarstermycountry。Younolikemthisfellawhitemarster。Menolikem。Plentygoodyouputhundredcocoanut，twohundredcocoanut，threehundredcocoanutalongcutter。Himfinish，yougosleepmgoodfella。Altogetherkanakasleepmgoodfella。Bimebybigfellanoisealonghouse，younosavvehearmthatfellanoise。Youaltogethersleepstrongfellatoomuch。\"
InlikemannerMaukiinterviewedtheboatboys。ThenheorderedBunster’swifetoreturntoherfamilyhouse。Hadsherefused，hewouldhavebeeninaquandary，forhistambowouldnothavepermittedhimtolayhandsonher。
Thehousedeserted，heenteredthesleepingroom，wherethetraderlayinadoze。Maukifirstremovedtherevolvers，thenplacedtherayfishmittenonhishand。Bunster’sfirstwarningwasastrokeofthemittenthatremovedtheskinthefulllengthofhisnose。
\"Goodfella，eh？\"Maukigrinned，betweentwostrokes，oneofwhichswepttheforeheadbareandtheotherofwhichcleanedoffonesideofhisface。\"Laugh，damnyou，laugh。\"
Maukididhisworkthroughly，andthekanakas，hidingintheirhouses，heardthe\"bigfellanoise\"thatBunstermadeandcontinuedtomakeforanhourormore。
WhenMaukiwasdone，hecarriedtheboatcompassandalltheriflesandammunitiondowntothecutter，whichheproceededtoballastwithcasesoftobacco。Itwaswhileengagedinthisthatahideous，skinlessthingcameoutofthehouseandranscreamingdownthebeachtillitfellinthesandandmowedandgibberedunderthescorchingsun。Maukilookedtowarditandhesitated。Thenhewentoverandremovedthehead，whichhewrappedinamatandstowedinthesternlockerofthecutter。
Sosoundlydidthekanakassleepthroughthatlonghotdaythattheydidnotseethecutterrunoutthroughthepassageandheadsouth，close—hauledonthesoutheasttrade。NorwasthecuttereversightedonthatlongtacktotheshoresofYsabel，andduringthetedioushead—beatfromtheretoMalaita。HelandedatPortAdamswithawealthofriflesandtobaccosuchasnoonemanhadeverpossessedbefore。Buthedidnotstopthere。Hehadtakenawhiteman’shead，andonlythebushcouldshelterhim。Sobackhewenttothebushvillages，whereheshotoldFanfoaandhalfadozenofthechiefmen，andmadehimselfthechiefoverallthevillages。Whenhisfatherdied，Mauki’sbrotherruledinPortAdams，andjoinedtogether，salt—watermenandbushmen，theresultingcombinationwasthestrongestofthetenscorefightingtribesofMalaita。
MorethanhisfearoftheBritishgovernmentwasMauki’sfearoftheall—powerfulMoongleamSoapCompany;andonedayamessagecameuptohiminthebush，remindinghimthatheowedtheCompanyeightandone—halfyearsoflabor。Hesentbackafavorableanswer，andthenappearedtheinevitablewhiteman，thecaptainoftheschooner，theonlywhitemanduringMauki’sreign，whoventuredthebushandcameoutalive。Thismannotonlycameout，buthebroughtwithhimsevenhundredandfiftydollarsingoldsovereigns——themoneypriceofeightyearsandahalfoflaborplusthecostpriceofcertainriflesandcasesoftobacco。
Maukinolongerweighsonehundredandtenpounds。Hisstomachisthreetimesitsformergirth，andhehasfourwives。Hehasmanyotherthings——riflesandrevolvers，thehandleofachinacup，andanexcellentcollectionofbushmen’sheads。Butmorepreciousthantheentirecollectionisanotherhead，perfectlydriedandcured，withsandyhairandayellowishbeard，whichiskeptwrappedinthefinestoffibrelava—lavas。WhenMaukigoestowarwithvillagesbeyondhisrealm，heinvariablygetsoutthishead，andaloneinhisgrasspalace，contemplatesitlongandsolemnly。Atsuchtimesthehushofdeathfallsonthevillage，andnotevenapickaninnydaresmakeanoise。Theheadisesteemedthemostpowerfuldevil—devilonMalaita，andtothepossessionofitisascribedallofMauki’sgreatness。
\"YAH！YAH！YAH！\"
Hewasawhiskey—guzzlingScotchman，andhedownedhiswhiskeyneat，beginningwithhisfirsttotpunctuallyatsixinthemorning，andthereafterrepeatingitatregularintervalsthroughoutthedaytillbedtime，whichwasusuallymidnight。Hesleptbutfivehoursoutofthetwenty—four，andfortheremainingnineteenhourshewasquietlyanddecentlydrunk。DuringtheeightweeksIspentwithhimonOolongAtoll，Ineversawhimdrawasoberbreath。
Infact，hissleepwassoshortthatheneverhadtimetosoberup。ItwasthemostbeautifulandorderlyperennialdrunkIhaveeverobserved。
McAllisterwashisname。Hewasanoldman，andveryshakyonhispins。Hishandtrembledaswithapalsy，especiallynoticeablewhenhepouredhiswhiskey，thoughIneverknewhimtospilladrop。Hehadbeentwenty—eightyearsinMelanesia，rangingfromGermanNewGuineatotheGermanSolomons，andsothoroughlyhadhebecomeidentifiedwiththatportionoftheworld，thathehabituallyspokeinthatbastardlingocalled\"bech—de—mer。\"Thus，inconversationwithme，SUNHECOMEUPmeantsunrise;KAI—KAIHESTOPmeantthatdinnerwasserved;andBELLYBELONGMEWALKABOUTmeantthathewassickathisstomach。Hewasasmallman，andawitheredone，burnedinsideandoutsidebyardentspiritsandardentsun。Hewasacinder，abitofaclinkerofaman，alittleanimatedclinker，notyetquitecold，thatmovedstifflyandbystartsandjerkslikeanautomaton。Agustofwindwouldhaveblownhimaway。
Heweighedninetypounds。
Buttheimmensethingabouthimwasthepowerwithwhichheruled。OolongAtollwasonehundredandfortymilesincircumference。Onesteeredbycompasscourseinitslagoon。ItwaspopulatedbyfivethousandPolynesians，allstrappingmenandwomen，manyofthemstandingsixfeetinheightandweighingacoupleofhundredpounds。Oolongwastwohundredandfiftymilesfromthenearestland。Twiceayearalittleschoonercalledtocollectcopra。TheonewhitemanonOolongwasMcAllister，pettytraderandunintermittentguzzler;
andheruledOolonganditssixthousandsavageswithanironhand。Hesaidcome，andtheycame，go，andtheywent。Theyneverquestionedhiswillnorjudgment。HewascantankerousasonlyanagedScotchmancanbe，andinterferedcontinuallyintheirpersonalaffairs。WhenNugu，theking’sdaughter，wantedtomarryHaunaufromtheotherendoftheatoll，herfathersaidyes;butMcAllistersaidno，andthemarriagenevercameoff。Whenthekingwantedtobuyacertainisletinthelagoonfromthechiefpriest，McAllistersaidno。
ThekingwasindebttotheCompanytothetuneof180，000cocoanuts，anduntilthatwaspaidhewasnottospendasinglecocoanutonanythingelse。
AndyetthekingandhispeopledidnotloveMcAllister。Intruth，theyhatedhimhorribly，and，tomyknowledge，thewholepopulation，withthepriestsatthehead，triedvainlyforthreemonthstoprayhimtodeath。Thedevil—devilstheysentafterhimwereawe—inspiring，butsinceMcAllisterdidnotbelieveindevil—devils，theywerewithoutpoweroverhim。WithdrunkenScotchmenallsignsfail。Theygatheredupscrapsoffoodwhichhadtouchedhislips，anemptywhiskeybottle，acocoanutfromwhichhehaddrunk，andevenhisspittle，andperformedallkindsofdeviltriesoverthem。ButMcAllisterlivedon。Hishealthwassuperb。Henevercaughtfever;norcoughsnorcolds;
dysenterypassedhimby;andthemalignantulcersandvileskindiseasesthatattackblacksandwhitesalikeinthatclimateneverfasteneduponhim。Hemusthavebeensosaturatedwithalcoholastodefythelodgmentofgerms。I
usedtoimaginethemfallingtothegroundinshowersofmicroscopiccindersasfastastheyenteredhiswhiskey—soddenaura。Noonelovedhim，notevengerms，whilehelovedonlywhiskey，andstillhelived。
Iwaspuzzled。Icouldnotunderstandsixthousandnativesputtingupwiththatwitheredshrimpofatyrant。Itwasamiraclethathehadnotdiedsuddenlylongsince。UnlikethecowardlyMelanesians，thepeoplewerehigh—stomachedandwarlike。Inthebiggraveyard，atheadandfeetofthegraves，wererelicsofpastsanguinaryhistory——blubber—spades，rustyoldbayonetsandcutlasses，copperbolts，rudder—irons，harpoons，bombguns，bricksthatcouldhavecomefromnowherebutawhaler’strying—outfurnace，andoldbrasspiecesofthesixteenthcenturythatverifiedthetraditionsoftheearlySpanishnavigators。ShipaftershiphadcometogriefonOolong。Notthirtyyearsbefore，thewhalerBLENNERDALE，runningintothelagoonforrepair，hadbeencutoffwithallhands。InsimilarfashionhadthecrewoftheGASKET，asandalwoodtrader，perished。TherewasabigFrenchbark，theTOULON，becalmedofftheatoll，whichtheislandersboardedafterasharptussleandwreckedintheLipauPassage，thecaptainandahandfulofsailorsescapinginthelongboat。ThenthereweretheSpanishpieces，whichtoldofthelossofoneoftheearlyexplorers。Allthis，ofthevesselsnamed，isamatterofhistory，andistobefoundintheSOUTHPACIFICSAILINGDIRECTORY。
Butthattherewasotherhistory，unwritten，Iwasyettolearn。InthemeantimeIpuzzledwhysixthousandprimitivesavagesletonedegenerateScotchdespotlive。
OnehotafternoonMcAllisterandIsatontheverandalookingoutoverthelagoon，withallitswonderofjeweledcolors。Atourbacks，acrossthehundredyardsofpalm—studdedsand，theoutersurfroaredonthereef。Itwasdreadfullywarm。Wewereinfourdegreesouthlatitudeandthesunwasdirectlyoverhead，havingcrossedtheLineafewdaysbeforeonitsjourneysouth。Therewasnowind——notevenacatspaw。Theseasonofthesoutheasttradewasdrawingtoanearlyclose，andthenorthwestmonsoonhadnotyetbeguntoblow。
\"Theycan’tdanceworthadamn，\"saidMcAllister。
IhadhappenedtomentionthatthePolynesiandancesweresuperiortothePapuan，andthisMcAllisterhaddenied，fornootherreasonthanhiscantankerousness。Butitwastoonottoargue，andIsaidnothing。Besides，I
hadneverseentheOolongpeopledance。
\"I’llproveittoyou，\"heannounced，beckoningtotheblackNewHanoverboy，alaborrecruit，whoservedascookandgeneralhouseservant。\"Hey，you，boy，youtell’monefellakingcomealongme。\"
Theboydeparted，andbackcametheprimeminister，perturbed，illatease，andgarrulouswithapologeticexplanation。Inshort，thekingslept，andwasnottobedisturbed。
\"Kingheplentystrongfellasleep，\"washisfinalsentence。
McAllisterwasinsucharagethattheprimeministerincontinentlyfled，toreturnwiththekinghimself。Theywereamagnificentpair，thekingespecially，whomusthavebeenallofsixfeetthreeinchesinheight。Hisfeatureshadtheeagle—likequalitythatissofrequentlyfoundinthoseoftheNorthAmericanIndian。Hehadbeenmoldedandborntorule。Hiseyesflashedashelistened，butrightmeeklyheobeyedMcAllister’scommandtofetchacoupleofhundredofthebestdancers，maleandfemale，inthevillage。Anddancetheydid，fortwomortalhours，underthatbroilingsun。
Theydidnotlovehimforit，andlittlehecared，intheenddismissingthemwithabuseandsneers。
Theabjectservilityofthosemagnificentsavageswasterrifying。Howcoulditbe？Whatwasthesecretofhisrule？MoreandmoreIpuzzledasthedayswentby，andthoughIobservedperpetualexamplesofhisundisputedsovereignty，neveraclewwasthereastohowitwas。
OnedayIhappenedtospeakofmydisappointmentinfailingtotradeforabeautifulpairoforangecowries。ThepairwasworthfivepoundsinSydneyifitwasworthacent。Ihadofferedtwohundredsticksoftobaccototheowner，whohadheldoutforthreehundred。WhenIcasuallymentionedthesituation，McAllisterimmediatelysentfortheman，tooktheshellsfromhim，andturnedthemovertome。Fiftystickswereallhepermittedmetopayforthem。Themanacceptedthetobaccoandseemedoverjoyedatgettingoffsoeasily。Asforme，Iresolvedtokeepabridleonmytongueinthefuture。AndstillImulledoverthesecretofMcAllister’spower。Ievenwenttotheextentofaskinghimdirectly，butallhedidwastocockoneeye，lookwise，andtakeanotherdrink。
OnenightIwasoutfishinginthelagoonwithOti，themanwhohadbeenmulctedofthecowries。Privily，Ihadmadeuptohimanadditionalhundredandfiftysticks，andhehadcometoregardmewitharespectthatwasalmostveneration，whichwascurious，seeingthathewasanoldman，twicemyageatleast。
\"Whatnameyoufellakanakaallthesamepickaninny？\"Ibeganonhim。\"Thisfellatraderheonefella。Youfellakanakaplentyfellatoomuch。Youfellakanakajustlike’mdog——plentyfrightalongthatfellatrader。Henoeatyou，fella。Henoget’mteethalonghim。Whatnameyoutoomuchfright？\"
\"S’poseplentyfellakanakakillm？\"heasked。
\"Hedie，\"Iretorted。\"Youfellakanakakill’mplentyfellawhitemanlongtimebefore。Whatnameyoufrightthisfellawhiteman？\"
\"Yes，wekill’mplenty，\"washisanswer。\"Myword！Anyamount！Longtimebefore。Onetime，meyoungfellatoomuch，onebigfellashiphestopoutside。
Windhenoblow。Plentyfellakanakaweget’mcanoe，plentyfellacanoe，wegocatch’mthatfellaship。Myword——wecatch’mbigfellafight。Two，threewhitemenshootlikehell。Wenofright。Wecomealongside，wegoupside，plentyfella，maybeIthinkfifty—ten（fivehundred）。OnefellawhiteMary（woman）belongthatfellaship。NeverbeforeIsee’mwhiteMary。Bimebyplentywhitemanfinish。Onefellaskipperhenodie。Fivefella，sixfellawhitemannodie。Skipperhesingout。Somefellawhitemanhefight。Somefellawhitemanhelowerawayboat。Afterthat，alltogetheroverthesidetheygo。SkipperheslingwhiteMarydown。Afterthattheywashee（row）strongfellaplentytoomuch。Fatherbelongme，thattimehestrongfella。Hethrow’monefellaspear。ThatfellaspearhegoinonesidethatwhiteMary。Henostop。Myword，hegooutothersidethatfellaMary。Shefinish。Menofright。Plentykanakatoomuchnofright。\"
OldOti’spridehadbeentouched，forhesuddenlystrippeddownhislava—lavaandshowedmetheunmistakablescarofabullet。BeforeIcouldspeak，hislineranoutsuddenly。Hecheckeditandattemptedtohaulin，butfoundthatthefishhadrunaroundacoralbranch。Castingalookofreproachatmeforhavingbeguiledhimfromhiswatchfulness，hewentovertheside，feetfirst，turningoverafterhegotunderandfollowinghislinedowntobottom。Thewaterwastenfathoms。Ileanedoverandwatchedtheplayofhisfeet，growingdimanddimmer，astheystirredthewanphosphorescenceintoghostlyfires。
Tenfathoms——sixtyfeet——itwasnothingtohim，anoldman，comparedwiththevalueofahookandline。Afterwhatseemedfiveminutes，thoughitcouldnothavebeenmorethanaminute，Isawhimflamingwhitelyupward。Hebrokesurfaceanddroppedatenpoundrockcodintothecanoe，thelineandhookintact，thelatterstillfastinthefish’smouth。
\"Itmaybe，\"Isaidremorselessly。\"Younofrightlongago。Youplentyfrightnowalongthatfellatrader。\"
\"Yes，plentyfright，\"heconfessed，withanairofdismissingthesubject。Forhalfanhourwepulledupourlinesandflungthemoutinsilence。Thensmallfish—sharksbegantobite，andafterlosingahookapiece，wehauledinandwaitedforthesharkstogotheirway。
\"Ispeakyoutrue，\"Otibrokeintospeech，\"thenyousavvewefrightnow。\"
Ilightedupmypipeandwaited，andthestorythatOtitoldmeinatrociousbech—de—merIhereturnintoproperEnglish。Otherwise，inspiritandorderofnarrative，thetaleisasitfellfromOti’slips。
\"Itwasafterthatthatwewereveryproud。Wehadfoughtmanytimeswiththestrangewhitemenwholiveuponthesea，andalwayswehadbeatenthem。Afewofuswerekilled，butwhatwasthatcomparedwiththestoresofwealthofathousandthousandkindsthatwefoundontheships？Andthenoneday，maybetwentyyearsago，ortwenty—five，therecameaschoonerrightthroughthepassageandintothelagoon。Itwasalargeschoonerwiththreemasts。Shehadfivewhitemenandmaybefortyboat’screw，blackfellowsfromNewGuineaandNewBritain;andshehadcometofishbeche—de—mer。Shelayatanchoracrossthelagoonfromhere，atPauloo，andherboatsscatteredouteverywhere，makingcampsonthebeacheswheretheycuredthebeche—de—mer。Thismadethemweakbydividingthem，forthosewhofishedhereandthoseontheschooneratPauloowerefiftymilesapart，andtherewereothersfartherawaystill。
\"Ourkingandheadmenheldcouncil，andIwasoneinthecanoethatpaddledallafternoonandallnightacrossthelagoon，bringingwordtothepeopleofPauloothatinthemorningwewouldattackthefishingcampsattheonetimeandthatitwasforthemtotaketheschooner。Wewhobroughtthewordweretiredwiththepaddling，butwetookpartintheattack。Ontheschoonerweretwowhitemen，theskipperandthesecondmate，withhalfadozenblackboys。
Theskipperwiththreeboyswecaughtonshoreandkilled，butfirsteightofustheskipperkilledwithhistworevolvers。Wefoughtclosetogether，yousee，athandgrapples。
\"Thenoiseofourfightingtoldthematewhatwashappening，andheputfoodandwaterandasailinthesmalldingy，whichwassosmallthatitwasnomorethantwelvefeetlong。Wecamedownupontheschooner，athousandmen，coveringthelagoonwithourcanoes。Also，wewereblowingconchshells，singingwarsongs，andstrikingthesidesofthecanoeswithourpaddles。Whatchancehadonewhitemanandthreeblackboysagainstus？Nochanceatall，andthemateknewit。
\"Whitemenarehell。Ihavewatchedthemmuch，andIamanoldmannow，andI
understandatlastwhythewhitemenhavetakentothemselvesalltheislandsinthesea。Itisbecausetheyarehell。Hereareyouinthecanoewithme。
Youarehardlymorethanaboy。Youarenotwise，foreachdayItellyoumanythingsyoudonotknow。WhenIwasalittlepickaninny，Iknewmoreaboutfishandthewaysoffishthanyouknownow。Iamanoldman，butIswimdowntothebottomofthelagoon，andyoucannotfollowme。Whatareyougoodfor，anyway？Idonotknow，excepttofight。Ihaveneverseenyoufight，yetI
knowthatyouarelikeyourbrothersandthatyouwillfightlikehell。Also，youareafool，likeyourbrothers。Youdonotknowwhenyouarebeaten。Youwillfightuntilyoudie，andthenitwillbetoolatetoknowthatyouarebeaten。
\"Nowbeholdwhatthismatedid。Aswecamedownuponhim，coveringtheseaandblowingourconches，heputofffromtheschoonerinthesmallboat，alongwiththethreeblackboys，androwedforthepassage。Thereagainhewasafool，fornowisemanwouldputouttoseainsosmallaboat。Thesidesofitwerenotfourinchesabovethewater。Twentycanoeswentafterhim，filledwithtwohundredyoungmen。Wepaddledfivefathomswhilehisblackboyswererowingonefathom。Hehadnochance，buthewasafool。Hestoodupintheboatwitharifle，andheshotmanytimes。Hewasnotagoodshot，butaswedrewclosemanyofuswerewoundedandkilled。Butstillhehadnochance。