The new comer turned out to be a Portuguese deserter, who had abandoned his ship twenty years before, and had married the daughter of a chief of the island on which he now was.  At the present moment, he filled the part of prime minister to the king, an office be could not have held in his own ungrateful country, since he could neither read nor write.  These accomplishments, it appeared, were not, however, absolutely indispensable in Polynesia.  It has been found that when a savage is transferred to Europe, he readily acquires the habits of civilized life.  By a similar adaptation of things to circumstances, this European had identified himself with the savages.  He had adopted their manners, their customs, and their costume.  When he thought of his own country, it was only to wonder why he ever submitted to the constraint of a coat, or put himself to the trouble of handling a fork and spoon.  He had not, however, entirely forgotten his mother tongue, and, moreover, still retained in his memory a few English words.  He was likewise very communicative, and told Jack that they were in the Island of Hawai; that the name of the king was Toubowrai Tamaidi, who, he added, intended visiting the pinnace with the queen next day, to pay his respects in person to the great Rono.  “His Majesty,” said the Portuguese, “would have been amongst the first to throw himself at his feet, but unfortunately the royal residence is a good way off; and though both the king and the queen are on the way, running as fast as they can, it may take them some time yet to reach the shore.”

“But who is the great Rono?” inquired Jack.

“Well,” replied the prime minister, “you ought to know best, since you arrived with him.”

Jack felt that he was touching on delicate ground, and saw that it was necessary to diplomatise a little.

“True,” said he; “but I am not acquainted with the position that illustrious person holds in relation to Hawai.”  The Portuguese then made a very long, rambling, and not very lucid statement, from which Jack gleaned the following details.  About a hundred years before, during the reign of one of the first kings, there lived a great warrior, whose name was Rono.  This chief was very popular, but he was very jealous.  In a moment of anger he killed his wife, of whom he was passionately fond.  The regret and grief that resulted from this act drove him out of his senses; he wandered disconsolately about the island, fought and quarrelled with every one that came near him.  At last, in a fit of despair, he embarked in a large canoe, and, after promising to return at the expiration of twelve hundred moons, with a white face and on a floating island, he put out to sea, and was never heard of more.