“‘Because of her,’ I said, pointing to the girl Sipi, who was sitting at the gate with her face covered with the corner of her mat.  ’But I am no tafao vale.[10] I am a true man.  Give me work on thy ship.’

“He thought a little while, then he and Solepa talked together, and Solepa bade Sipi come near so that she might talk to her.  Presently he said to me that I had done a foolish thing to run away for the sake of the girl when I had money coming to me and when the captain’s heart was filled with friendship towards me for turning aside Franka’s pistol.

“I bent my head, for I was ashamed.  Then I said, ’I care not for the money I have lost, but I am eaten up with shame for running away, for my captain was a good captain to me.’

“This pleased him, for he smiled and said, ’I will try thee.  I will make thee boatswain of the schooner, and this girl here shall be servant to my wife.’

“So Sipi became servant to Solepa, and I was sent on board the schooner to help prepare her for sea.  My new captain gave us a house to live in, and every night I came on shore.  Ah, those were brave times, and Preston made much of me when he found that I was a true man and did my work well, and would stand no saucy words nor black looks from those of the schooner’s crew who thought that the boatswain should be a white man.

“Ten days after the whaleships had sailed, the schooner was ready for sea.  We were to sail to the westward isles to trade for oil and tortoiseshell, and then go to China, where Preston thought to sell his cargo.  On the eve of the day on which we were to leave, the mate, who was an old and stupid Siamani,[11] went ashore to my master’s house, and I was left in charge of the schooner.  Sipi, my wife, was with me, and we sat together in the stern of the ship, smoking our sului (cigarettes) and talking of the time when I should return and buy a piece of land from her father’s people, on which I should build a new house.  There were six native sailors on board, and these, as the night drew on, spread their mats on the fore deck and went to sleep.  Then Sipi and I went into the cabin, which was on deck, and we too slept.

“How long we had slumbered I cannot tell, but suddenly we were aroused by the sound of a great clamour on deck and the groans and cries of dying men, and then ere we were well awakened the cabin door was opened and Solepa was thrust inside.  Then the door was quickly closed and fastened on the outside, and I heard Franka’s voice calling out orders to hoist sails and slip the cable.

“There was a lamp burning dimly in the cabin, and Sipi and I ran to the aid of Solepa, who lay prone upon the floor as if dead.  Her dress was torn, and her hands and arms were scratched and bleeding, so that Sipi wept as she leant over her and put water to her lips.  In a little while she opened her eyes, and when she saw us a great sob broke from her bosom and she caught my hand in hers and tried to speak.