at he did not like to risk their lives by trying to
return to Callie Harbour, he asked if they were willing to sail with him
to the southwestern coast of New Guinea, where, he had heard, there was
a great deal of pearl-shell to be bought from the natives. At the same
time he pointed out to them that it would be a risky undertaking; he
had no chart of that part of the Western Pacific, and, if they lost the
ship, they would stand but little chance of escaping from the cannibal
natives.

"Then," he went on, "this fellow Rul said that although he and the other
natives on board were quite willing to go anywhere with me, _he_ knew
of a place only two days' sail away to the eastward where there was
not only plenty of black-edge pearl-shell, but hawkbill turtle-shell as
well. He had, he said, been cast away there in a whaleship, and remained
on the island three months, could speak a little of the language, and
gave me the names of several villages and harbours, but did not know the
name of the island as a whole.

"I brought up my chart, and in a few seconds I discovered the names
he had mentioned. The island was New Hanover, and, with the northerly
breeze then blowing, I knew we should be there in twenty-four hours. So
I made up my mind to try the place; for Rul was a thoroughly trustworthy
fellow, and I knew I could depend on him.

"My mate was a young American named Ted Merriman, a native of New
London, Connecticut, a fine sailorman, and a good navigator. My
boatswain, too, was one of the right sort; and, as for the rest,
although they were all natives, they were good seamen, and I had never
had a sulky look from any one of them since they first shipped with me.

"We anchored just off a village which Rul knew, and in a few minutes
the people came off to us in crowds and filled the deck. Many of them
recognised Rul, and they all showed great friendliness and eagerness to
trade; and I, like a cocksure fool, was thrown off my guard."

He ceased speaking, sighed, then lit his pipe and smoked in silence
for awhile, and it was evident to us all that, although he was not an
emotional man, he was strongly affected by the memory of the tragedy,
and reproached himself keenly.

"Everything went well for the two following days," he resumed; "the
natives had over ten tons of good black-edge shell, all of which I
bought from them, paying for it principally in tobacco. It was worth to
me in Singapore about L65 a ton, and only cost me