to inspire confidence in those on board the
ship.

In another hour the brigantine passed close to one of the canoes, and a
native, well tutored by past masters in the art of treachery in the part
he had to play, stood up in the canoe and held out a large fish, and in
broken English said it was a present for the captain.

Pleased at such a friendly overture, the captain put the helm down for
the canoe to come alongside. Handing the fish up over the side, the
giver clambered up himself. The three other natives in the canoe then
paddled quietly away as if under no alarm for the safety of their
comrade, and resumed their fishing.

As the ship drew into the land the mate called the captain's attention
to some eight or ten more natives who were swimming off to the ship.

"No danger from these people, sir," he remarked; "they are more
frightened of us than we of them, I believe; and then look at the
women and girls fishing on the reef. When the women come out like that,
fearless and open-like, there isn't much to be afraid of."

One by one the natives who were swimming reached the ship, and
apparently encouraged by the presence of the man who had boarded the
ship from the fishing canoe, they eagerly clambered up on deck, and were
soon on the most friendly terms with the crew, especially with one of
their own colour, a half-caste native boy from the island of Ambrym, in
the New Hebrides, named Maru.

This Maru was the sole survivor of the awful tragedy that followed, and
appeared to be well acquainted with the captain's object in calling
at Kuria--to pick up the man named Deschard. More than twenty years
afterwards, when speaking of the events here narrated, his eyes filled
with tears when he told of the "white lady and her two daughters" who
were passengers, and who had sat on the poop the previous day awaiting
the return of the mate's boat, and for tidings of him whom they had come
so far to find.

*****

V.

The timid and respectful manner of the islanders had now so impressed
the master of the brigantine that in a fatal moment he decided to
anchor. Telling the mate to range the cable and clear away all ready, he
descended to the cabin and tapped at the door of a state-room.

"I am going to anchor, Mrs. Deschard, but as there are a lot of rather
curious-looking natives on board, you and the young ladies had better
keep to your cabin."

The door opened, and a girl of seventeen or eighteen appeared, and,
t