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Updated: May 14, 2025
"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.
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.
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.
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.
They cast it up to me to-day. Didn’t you hear Maea—that’s the young chief, the big one—ripping out about ‘Vika’? That was him they were after. They don’t seem to forget it, somehow.” “This is all very well,” said I, “but it don’t tell me what’s wrong; it don’t tell me what they’re afraid of—what their idea is.” “Well, I wish I knew,” said Case. “I can’t say fairer than that.”
I was the better pleased when, about an hour after daylight, I heard sticks smashing and a lot of Kanakas laughing and singing out to keep their courage up. Uma sat up quite brisk at the first word of it; and presently we saw a party come stringing out of the path, Maea in front, and behind him a white man in a pith helmet. It was Mr.
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.
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.
Didn't you hear Maea that's the young chief, the big one ripping out about 'Vika'? That was him they were after. They don't seem to forget it, somehow." "This is all very well," said I, "but it don't tell me what's wrong; it don't tell me what they're afraid of what their idea is." "Well, I wish I knew," said Case. "I can't say fairer than that." "You might have asked, I think," says I.
I was the better pleased when, about an hour after daylight, I heard sticks smashing and a lot of Kanakas laughing, and singing out to keep their courage up. Uma sat up quite brisk at the first word of it; and presently we saw a party come stringing out of the path, Maea in front, and behind him a white man in a pith helmet. It was Mr.
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