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Updated: June 12, 2025
"The boat is well worth the two hundred; for she is but new, and cost me more than that. But one hundred is all I asked for." Hawk-eyed Kaibuka one of the most avaricious old fellows I had ever met with in the South Seas shook his head and said I was trying to wrong myself.
He then asked Kaibuka if there was any drinking water on the little island, and any food of any kind whatever to be obtained.
"Casks and casks of rum, and kegs of powder and bullets, hundreds of muskets, swords, knives, and axes and beads all that man can want for this ship is going to a far-off cold country to barter these things for furs." Kaibuka then inquired what share of the plunder he and his people should have if they captured the ship. Half, replied the white man.
Everything was ready at last, water, stores, arms, and ammunition, and the boat, with mainsail and jib hoisted, was lying just abreast of the station, in charge of Tematan and Tepi, surrounded by canoes. In the house with me were Mrs. Krause and Niâbon; and Kaibuka and his head men, who had come to take formal charge of the station, and to bid us farewell.
As soon as old Kaibuka and the other head man had left each after taking a stiff glass of grog and the house was again quiet, Niâbon, Tepi, and I set to work to take stock, they calling out the various articles of my trade goods whilst I made out the list.
He suggested that two or three of the white men should go with his messenger; but they were too wary, and made excuses, which Kaibuka took in seeming good part, saying it did not matter, but that he would send a man over at once to his father to tell him to bring as many turtle as could be obtained.
Shaking hands with old Kaibuka and the rest of the natives who swarmed around us to say farewell, I told Tepi to lift the anchor, and in another five minutes the little craft began to move through the water towards the reef, accompanied by thirty or forty canoes and native boats under sail, all packed with natives of both sexes, shouting their farewells, and wishing us good fortune.
Turtle, however, were scarce, but Kaibuka said that there were a good many captive ones in the turtle ponds at the main village, and he would send over for some. And then his brain began to work.
The captain and interpreter were satisfied with this, and returned on board, declining to let any of the curious natives come with them on the plea that they would be too busy repairing some water-casks which they hoped Kaibuka and his men would help fill in the morning. Then the young chief called to his messenger.
As soon as they were alone, he boldly avowed his intention of capturing the ship, and murdering all the other white men if Kaibuka and his people would assist him. The matter, he said, could be easily done.
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