astonishment. He wondered who was the liar, the
Jew or the Maori girl, but all he said was, "Well, I'm hanged!"

Amiria laughed. "You see, these things can't be kept dark."

"But it's all a yarn. I'm not engaged to anybody. Can't a man talk to a
girl, without all Timber Town saying he is going to marry her?"

"I don't know. Don't you like her?"

"I think she's very pretty, but that doesn't necessarily mean I want to
marry her."

"Then you _don't_ like her?"

"I like her only as a friend."

"Shall I tell her that?"

Jack thought for a moment. He had suddenly become rather suspicious of
women-folk.

"It might hurt her feelings," he said.

"If you don't speak the truth, she will think you mean to marry her."

"Then, tell her I don't mean to do anything of the sort."

Amiria laughed softly to herself. "That leaves two," she said.

"Leaves two? What do you mean?"

"There are three girls in love with you. Rahera was one--she is out of
it. That leaves two."

"This is the very dickens! Who are the other two, pray?"

"Rose Summerhayes is one."

Jack laughed. "She is too discreet, too English, to give her love,
except where she is certain it will be returned."

"You can't tell: you don't know." Amiria had reined in her horse beside
Jack's. "She is always talking about you. She talks about you in her
sleep--I know: I have heard her."

"No, no; you make a mistake. She's a great friend of mine, but that is
all. Who's the other daring girl?"

"You know," replied Amiria, with a pout.

"How am I to presume to think of such a thing?"

"You know quite well."

"Upon my honour, I don't."

"Does a girl ride with you, if she doesn't like you?"

"Depends upon the girl."

"Would I trouble to meet you, if I didn't?"

"Then it's you? Upon my word! This is overwhelming."

"But _I_ have a right to tell you--I saved your life. I know you as
other girls don't."

"Oh, I say, this is a bit rough on a fellow. I couldn't help getting
shipwrecked, you know."

"But I saved you. I have the right to you first. If you don't like me,
then you can marry some other girl."

"I don't think you understand, Amiria. Of course I'm awfully indebted to
you. As you say, I owe you my life. But if I marry you, I can't marry
anybody else afterwards."

The Maori girl had jumped from her horse, and Scarlett was standing
beside her. The horses grazed on the grassy bank of the stream.

"I know all the ways of your people," said Amir