ee the crew getting her under way again to sail
her over to Utiroa. Now I must get home, for there will be much to do.
The first thing that I must get done is to alter my own boat's mainsail
and jib, and make them large enough for my new ship, whose sails are
quite rotten. Then I shall make an extra new suit as well. I'll set
Niabon to work to-night."

"Ah, let me help! _Do_. It would give me such real pleasure."

"Indeed, I shall be very glad of your assistance. I can cut out the new
suit, and you and Niabon sew them. It will only be very light material,
but, for all that, may make your fingers suffer."

"I don't mind if it does--neither of your sail-makers will grumble," she
said brightly. "When shall I come?"

"To-morrow. I'll send the whale-boat for you. You will find mine an
untidy house, and Tepi a great cook--as far as size goes. He stands six
feet."

And so with a laugh, and lighter hearts than had been ours for many a
long day, we said goodbye till the morrow.

CHAPTER VIII

As soon as I arrived at Utiroa village with my new boat, I had her
hauled up above high-water mark, close to the boat-shed, and then turned
her over so as to get a good look at the bottom in the morning. Then
without telling either Tematau or Niabon the reason for my purchase, I
bade them open my trade-room door, and in a few minutes we were engaged
in paying the late owners their tobacco, guns, ammunition, and bolts
of turkey twill. They were well satisfied with the price I paid them,
especially when I supplemented it with the gift of a case of biscuit and
a case of tinned Australian meats, of which I had an ample stock. They
were very much disposed to remain in the house and give my servants
their view of the cause of Krause's strange disappearance, which was--as
they had previously told me--that he had been seized and devoured by
an enormous reptile, half eel and half turtle, which had been known to
swallow not only human beings, but such trifles as double canoes, groves
of coco-nut trees, etcetera; but on my telling them that I was very
tired and wanted a quiet house, they retired to the native village to
spend the night.

Calling Niabon and Tematau to me, I told them why I had bought the boat.
They both seemed very pleased, but somewhat to my astonishment showed
no surprise at the change in my plans; and for a moment or two a swift
suspicion crossed my mind.

Did they--or Niabon at least--_know_ that it was Mrs. Krause