got as much as two or three pounds for a rare
skin that I exchanged for a twopenny looking-glass and half a dozen brass
buttons, but of course that was an exceptional case; for, as a rule, they
will average two or three shillings apiece. You had better buy a big pot
of arsenical soap, which acts as a preservative to keep away insects, also
two or three air-tight tin boxes; they will hold the things you buy here,
and you can fill them with trade goods."

Steve took the advice, and expended four out of the five pounds his father
had given him on sailing. The mate laid out twenty pounds in similar
purchases, and then they returned to the ship, which was anchored a mile
down the river, followed by three coolies carrying their purchases. The
other apprentices similarly laid out their spare cash.

"You have done well, lads," the captain said, as they were at dinner on
the evening before sailing. "You must not expect to make a very great deal
by your trading, although, no doubt, you will get a handsome return for
your money. To do really well you must have some knowledge of what birds
are rare and what are common, and I should advise you when we get home to
spend any time that you have to spare in visiting the Museum and examining
the birds there. No doubt you will be able to find out from one of the
attendants which are rare ones, and might be able to consult some books on
the subject. You may have the luck to come across skins that are
altogether new; and, at any rate, a little knowledge would enable you to
exchange your goods to a very much greater advantage than you could
otherwise do. A knowledge of that kind is always useful to a sailor, who
in his wanderings may well get from the natives rare and valuable
specimens in natural history, and there are always plenty of collectors
ready to pay good prices for them. I have often regretted that I did not
pay attention to such matters when I was young; for besides paying well,
it gives a great interest to visits to little-known places, and I have
heard of two or three captains who have made a good deal of money by it."

For two months after getting among the islands no serious adventures were
met with. Trading went on steadily. Several times large native craft were
seen, but these sheered off when they saw that the _Tiger_ was well armed
and prepared for defence. As most of the places touched at had been
visited by the captain on previous voyages, the natives hailed his return