“As Franka and those with him left the burning schooner and rowed towards the islands, the three boats from the shore changed their course and followed him.  Franka and his men were the first to reach the land, and they quickly ran up the beach and crouched behind the bushes which grew at high-water mark.  They all had guns, and Sipi and Solepa and I saw them waiting to shoot.  We were hiding amid the roots of a great banyan tree, and could see well.  As the boats drew near Solepa watched them eagerly, and then began to weep and laugh at the same time when she saw her husband Preston was steering the one which led.  She was a good woman.  She loved her husband.  I was pleased with her, and told her to be of good cheer, for I was sure that Preston and his people would kill Franka and those with him, for as they rowed they made no noise.  No one shouted nor challenged; they came on and on, and the white man Preston stood up with the steer oar in his hand, and his face was as a stone in which was set eyes of fire.  When his boat was within twenty fathoms of the beach the rowers ceased, and he held up his hand to those who awaited his coming.

“’Listen to me, men of Ro|an Kiti.  We are as three to one of ye, and ye are caught in a trap.  Death is in my mouth if I speak the word.  Tell me, is my wife Solepa alive?’

“No one answered, but suddenly Franka stepped out from behind the bushes and pointed his rifle at him, and was about to pull the trigger when a young man of his party who was of good heart seized him by the arm, and cried out ’twas a coward’s act; then two or three followed him, and together they bore Franka down upon the sand; and one of them cried out to Preston—­

“’This is a wrong business.  We were led astray by this man.  We are no cowards, and have no ill-will to thee.  Thy wife is alive.  She swam ashore with two others when the ship struck.  Are we dead men?’

“Then, ere Preston could answer, Solepa leapt out from beneath the banyan tree and ran through the men of Ro|an Kiti towards the beach, and cried—­

“’Oh, my husband, for the love of God let no blood be shed!  I am well and unharmed.  Spare these people and spare even this man Franka, for he is mad!’

“Then Preston leapt out of the boat and put his arms around her waist and kissed her, and then put her aside, and called to every one around him—­

“‘These are my words,’ he said.  ’I am a man of peace, but this man Franka is a robber and a dog, and hath stolen upon me in the night and slain my people, and his hands are reddened with blood.  And he hath put foul dishonour on me by stealing Solepa my wife, and carrying her away from my house as if she were a slave or a harlot.  And there is no room here for such a man to live unless he be a better man than I. But I am no murderer.  So stand aside all!  Let him rise and rest awhile, and then shall we two fight, man to man.  Either he or I must die.’