United States or Guadeloupe ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
As darkness came on they saw the lights of Samatau village, and came on without fear, for they knew that the natives of Samoa, though very warlike, were hospitable and friendly to Europeans.
"Malië, the chief of Samatau, will help us," he said to Frewen; "he has two hundred of the best fighting men in Samoa, and I shall ask him to pick out fifty. But we want a nautical leader some one to take charge of the ship after we get possession of her." "Now here is the story of the mutiny, told to me by poor Mrs. Marston."
I shall be very pleased if you and he come to an arrangement, especially as I have made up my mind to remain here at Samatau indefinitely with Mrs. I feel that I have a home here, and in fact I may remain in Samoa altogether. Anyway, Mr. Raymond is now in treaty with Malië for a piece of land adjoining his own estate. If he secures it for me, I am having a house built upon it."
You are seamen, and " Both men sprang to their feet. "Yes, we will!" "Ah! I thought you would not refuse. Now wait a moment," and calling to a young native who was near, he bade him go to the chief of Samatau and ask him to come to the house as quickly as possible.
Marston told him all that she knew, and added that if the ship had arrived in Sydney from Valparaiso about eight weeks before, as Frewen had indicated was likely in the last letter received from him, it was quite possible that he would be at Samatau within another ten or fourteen days, and then, as there was no necessity for concealment, she said it was very probable that the ship's next voyage would be to the Western Pacific to procure labourers for the new plantation.
That evening Frewen and Cheyne bade Mana'lio and the seamen goodbye, and accompanied by four stalwart and well-armed natives, stepped into the boat, hoisted her blue jean main-sail and jib, and amidst a chorus of farewells from the friendly people set off on a forty miles trip along the coast, their destination being the town of Samatau, at the extreme north-west of the island.
It is night at Samatau, and the two ladies are sitting on the verandah. The house is very quiet. "Amy?" "Yes, Marie, dear." "Tom was asking me this morning if you have yet made up your mind to go on building that house." "Oh, dear, Marie. I have hardly given it a thought since I came back and I've only been back a week!" "Amy?" "Marie?"
Where is your ship?" "Three hundred miles away. But we will tell you our story another time. How is Marie?" "Well. She already hears the people shouting your name. Come to the house." Then he turned to Frewen and held out his hand. "My name is Raymond, and you are welcome to Samatau." "And mine is Frewen. I hope you will accept any assistance I can give." "Gladly.
They had then made an agreement with Maliê and another chief to lease all the unoccupied country for many miles on each side of Samatau Bay. "Now," the letter went on, "here is what we purpose to do. We are going to found the biggest cotton and coffee plantation in all the South Seas, and will make a pile of money.
Word Of The Day