for a few seconds ere he answered.

"But this woman Alisi loves thee, and she and thee are _mau tonu_,[3]
together. If thou dost not take her to wife she will be shamed in the
eyes of all men."

The white man laughed again. "Not in the eyes of all men, Velo; the
customs of us Englishmen are different from those of thy people. This
woman is nothing to me and I am nothing to her but a friend. The ship
is hers, and I am her servant, pledged to her service--that is all."

Velo shook his head. "Thou art more than a servant to her; thou art
her _toa_ (champion), and we all have said from the first that she and
thee would wed."

Again Barry laughed amusedly. "Thou wouldst marry me to her against my
own will, Velo."

"She is beautiful, and a widow, and a fitting mate for a strong man
like thee," replied Velo energetically. "I have seen many white women,
but none so good to look upon as her. And she is a widow."

"What has that to do with me? Did I make her a widow?"

"Do not mock at me, Parri," answered the Samoan with grave respect;
"but because she is a widow and thou art working for her to overcome
her enemies, it is but right and proper that thou shouldst make her thy
wife."

"And what of the woman in Sydney to whom I am pledged?"

"_Totogi lona aiga_," [4] said Velo. "If she be young and handsome she
will find another lover, and can have no cause of complaint against
thee if thou dost compensate her."

Barry had a strong sense of humour, so he said he would think the
matter over, whereat Velo seemed well pleased, and relapsed into
silence for a few minutes. Then he began again.

"Parri, I would like to tell thee of a little thing which is in my
mind."

"All right, Velo, go ahead," said Barry in English, as he sat up and
filled his pipe; "what is the 'little thing'?"

"Only that I desire the girl Pani for my wife."

"That will be all right, Velo," said Barry lazily; "but why marry a
woman of this wild place when there are better in Samoa?"

"Richer, but not better," said Velo, "and she is to my mind, and if I
am to stay here on this island I shall need a wife."

"True, Velo, very true. I did not think of that. If the girl is
willing you shall have her."

"She is willing. I am a fine man. How could she refuse me?"

"Very well, Velo. You shall marry her, and I will be the parson when I
become captain of the _Mahina_, which will be to-morrow."

Velo smiled contentedly, and then the two