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learn that。〃
I gave this letter to Bastin and Bickley to read and asked them
what they thought of it。
〃Coincidence；〃 said Bickley。 〃The man is a weak…minded idiot
and heard in Samoa that they expected a hurricane。〃
〃I think；〃 chimed in Bastin； 〃that the devil knows how to look
after his own at any rate for a little while。 I dare say it would
have been much better for him to be drowned。〃
〃At least he is a deserter and failed in his duty。 I never wish
to hear of him again；〃 I said。
As a matter of fact I never have。 But the incident remains
quite unexplained either by Bickley or Bastin。
Chapter VII
The Orofenans
To our shame we had a very pleasant supper that night off the
grilled fish； which was excellent； and some tinned meat。 I say to
our shame； in a sense； for on our companions the sharks were
supping and by rights we should have been sunk in woe。 I suppose
that the sense of our own escape intoxicated us。 Also；
notwithstanding his joviality； none of us had cared much for the
captain； and his policy had been to keep us somewhat apart from
the crew； of whom therefore we knew but little。 It is true that
Bastin held services on Sundays； for such as would attend； and
Bickley had doctored a few of them for minor ailments； but there；
except for a little casual conversation； our intercourse began
and ended。
Now the sad fact is that it is hard to be overwhelmed with
grief for those with whom we are not intimate。 We were very sorry
and that is all that can be said； except that Bastin； being High
Church； announced in a matter…of…fact way that he meant to put up
some petitions for the welfare of their souls。 To this Bickley
retorted that from what he had seen of their bodies he was sure
they needed them。
Yes； it was a pleasant supper； not made less so by a bottle of
champagne which Bickley and I shared。 Bastin stuck to his tea；
not because he did not like champagne； but because； as he
explained； having now come in contact with the heathen it would
never do for him to set them an example in the use of spirituous
liquors。
〃However much we may differ； Bastin； I respect you for that
sentiment；〃 commented Bickley。
〃I don't know why you should；〃 answered Bastin； 〃but if so； you
might follow my example。〃
That night we slept like logs； trusting to our teak door which
we barricaded； and to Tommy； who was a most excellent watch…dog；
to guard us against surprise。 At any rate we took the risk。 As a
matter of fact； nothing happened； though before dawn Tommy did
growl a good deal； for I heard him； but as he sank into slumber
again on my bed； I did not get up。 In the morning I found from
fresh footprints that two or three men had been prowling about
the ship； though at a little distance。
We rose early； and taking the necessary precautions； bathed in
the pool。 Then we breakfasted； and having filled every available
receptacle with water； which took us a long time as these
included a large tank that supplied the bath； so that we might
have at least a week's supply in case of siege； we went on deck
and debated what we should do。 In the end we determined to stop
where we were and await events； because； as I pointed out； it was
necessary that we should discover whether these natives were
hostile or friendly。 In the former event we could hold our own on
the ship； whereas away from it we must be overwhelmed； in the
latter there was always time to move inland。
About ten o'clock when we were seated on stools smoking； with
our guns by our sidefor here； owing to the overhanging cliff in
which it will be remembered the prow of the ship was buried； we
could not be reached by missiles thrown from abovewe saw
numbers of the islanders advancing upon us along the beach on
either side。 They were preceded as before by women who bore food
on platters and in baskets。 These people； all talking excitedly
and laughing after their fashion； stopped at a distance； so we
took no notice of them。 Presently Marama； clad in his feather
cloak； and again accompanied by priests or medicine…men； appeared
walking down the path on the cliff face； and； standing below；
made salutations and entered into a conversation with us of which
I give the substancethat is； so far as we could understand it。
He reproached us for not having come to him as he expected we
would do。 We replied that we preferred to remain where we were
until we were sure of our greeting and asked him what was the
position。 He explained that only once before； in the time of his
grandfather； had any people reached their shores； also during a
great storm as we had done。 They were dark…skinned men like
themselves； three of them； but whence they came was never known；
since they were at once seized and sacrificed to the god Oro；
which was the right thing to do in such a case。
We asked whether he would consider it right to sacrifice us。 He
replied：
Certainly； unless we were too strong； being gods ourselves； or
unless an arrangement could be concluded。 We askedwhat
arrangement？ He replied that we must make them gifts； also that
we must do what we had promised and cure himthe chiefof the
disease which had tormented him for years。 In that event
everything would be at our disposal and we； with all our
belongings； should become taboo； holy； not to be touched。 None
would attempt to harm us； nothing should be stolen under penalty
of death。
We asked him to come up on the deck with only one companion
that his sickness might be ascertained； and after much hesitation
he consented to do so。 Bickley made an examination of the growth
and announced that he believed it could be removed with perfect
safety as the attachment to the neck was very slight； but of
course there was always a risk。 This was explained to him with
difficulty； and much talk followed between him and his followers
who gathered on the beach beneath the ship。 They seemed adverse
to the experiment； till Mamma grew furious with them and at last
burst into tears saying that he could no longer drag this
terrible burden about with him； and he touched the growth。 He
would rather die。 Then they gave way。
I will tell the rest as shortly as I can。
A hideous wooden idol was brought on board； wrapped in leaves
and feathers； and upon it the chief and his head people swore
safety to us whether he lived or died； making us the guests of
their land。 There were； however； two provisos made； or as such we
understood them。 These seemed to be that we should offer no
insult or injury to their god； and secondly； that we should not
set foot on the island in the lake。 It was not till afterwards
that it occurred to me that this must refer to the mountain top
which appeared in the inland sheet of water。 To those
stipulations we made no answer。 Indeed； the Orofenans did all the
talking。 Finally； they ratified their oaths by a man who； I
suppose； was a head priest