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I knew it was risky to light up, for my lantern would be visible all the way to the point of the cape, and as no one went there after dark, it would be talked about, and come to Case's ears. But what was I to do? I had either to give the business over and lose caste with Maea, or light up, take my chance, and get through the thing the smartest I was able.
“He like you too much?” she asked again. I told her, with a grin, I believed the old lady was rather partial to me. “All right,” said she. “Victoreea he big chief, like you too much. No can help you here in Falesá; no can do—too far off. Maea he small chief—stop here. Suppose he like you—make you all right. All-e-same God and Tiapolo. God he big chief—got too much work.
I saw the way things were from the word go. There was no call for Uma to say to me: “He no ’fraid Ese now, come bring copra.” I tell you I shook hands with that Kanaka like as if he was the best white man in Europe. The fact was, Case and he had got after the same girl; or Maea suspected it, and concluded to make hay of the trader on the chance.
"He like you too much?" she asked again. I told her, with a grin, I believed the old lady was rather partial to me. "All right," said she. "Victoreea he big chief, like you too much. No can help you here in Falesá; no can do too far off. Maea he small chief stop here. Suppose he like you make you all right. All-e-same God and Tiapolo. God he big chief got too much work.
The night birds stopped after a while; and then the light began to change, the east came orange, the whole wood began to whirr with singing like a musical box, and there was the broad day. I didn't expect Maea for a long while yet; and indeed I thought there was an off-chance he might go back on the whole idea and not come at all.
Nearer still I made out it was the big young chief, Maea, and that he was smiling away and smoking. And what was he smoking? None of your European cigarettes fit for a cat, not even the genuine big, knock-me-down native article that a fellow can really put in the time with if his pipe is broke but a cigar, and one of my Mexicans at that, that I could swear to.
“No sir,” says I, “no such foolishness. I’ve come here to trade, tell him, and not to make friends. But, as to Case, I’ll send that man to glory!” So off Maea went, pretty well pleased, as I could see. Well, I was committed now; Tiapolo had to be smashed up before next day, and my hands were pretty full, not only with preparations, but with argument.
The night birds stopped after a while; and then the light began to change, the east came orange, the whole wood began to whirr with singing like a musical box, and there was the broad day. I didn’t expect Maea for a long while yet; and, indeed, I thought there was an off-chance he might go back on the whole idea and not come at all.
Ah! if it had been some years ago you would have needed no one else; but his influence is much reduced; it has gone into Maea's hands, and Maea, I fear, is one of Case's jackals. In fine, if the worst comes to the worst, you must send up or come yourself to Fale-alii, and, though I am not due at this end of the island for a month, I will just see what can be done." So Mr.
At sight of this my heart started beating, and I took a wild hope in my head that the trouble was over, and Maea had come round. Uma pointed me out to him as I came up, and he met me at the head of my own stairs like a thorough gentleman. “Vilivili,” said he, which was the best they could make of my name, “I pleased.” There is no doubt when an island chief wants to be civil he can do it.
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