id the day he came to Kabaira. I must go down to the beach with a
dynamite cartridge in my hand and seek for a place where there was
plenty of fish. And I must have another cartridge ready in my pocket.
As soon as the first shot went off hundreds of natives would jump in the
water and try to steal all the best fish. Then I was to light the fuse
of the second cartridge and throw it in. And it would be sure to hurt
_some_ of the people, and they would not follow me next time I went
fishing. But, of course, if I _should_ happen to kill anyone, I would
pay for it?

'Of course I would,' I said. 'How much?'

'Big feller man, one good musket; boy, one axix' (axe); 'old woman, old
feller, musket; young girl, one good musket.'

Then he approached me on a delicate subject, i.e., the taking over of
my predecessor's harem of three native women. I explained that I was
expecting my wife down soon from Samoa and couldn't do it. He said it
was a great pity, as one of 'Parka's' wives could make tea and
cook meat. Also, that I need be under no fear of her making any
unpleasantness when my wife turned up. Would I like to see the girl?
'Parka' had taught her a lot of things. She did not oil her hair with
pigeon fat, and cleaned her teeth every day just like a Samoan girl.
Also, she had ten coils of _dewarra_ (cowrie shells threaded on the
midribs of the coco-nut leaf, and used as the native currency). I said
I was very much tempted, but thought I had better not. He looked at me
steadily for a few seconds, as he thrust a fresh 'chaw' of betel-nut
and lime into his hideous mouth, and said that I was missing a great
chance--there were plenty of white men along the coast who would be glad
to get anyone of 'Parka's' wives, especially she who could make tea and
cook meat.

He seemed pleased that I was disposed to be as liberal-handed as Parker,
for whom he seemed to have a high regard; and then proceeded to tell me
of some of his own exploits among the inhabitants of Mutavat, a village
across the bay, which was at enmity with Kabaira. The infinite gusto
with which he related a series of atrocious murders gave me a chill, and
he looked like an evil spirit when his great red lips parted in a grin
and revealed his black teeth. Presently he asked me if I had shot
any people; and when I said I had not, he became regretful, but soon
brightened up again and said I would have plenty of chances yet.

There were some bush villages, to which he would