for
provisions."

"You are sharp young gentlemen, I've an opinion," said the skipper. "If
you don't like my terms you will stay here until you wish you had
accepted them. I shall not be away for a fortnight or more, for I only
came in yesterday, and have to get rid of my cargo and take a fresh one
on board."

Accompanied by Captain Stubbins they returned to the hut of the chief,
who was, they found, the principal trader in the place. He and the
skipper appeared to be well acquainted, and arrangements for trading
were soon concluded. The _Fox_ had brought a cargo of very
miscellaneous articles, consisting of gorgeously coloured calicoes of
patterns such as to attract the savage taste--firearms, powder and shot,
axes, knives, other articles of ironware, and no small amount of
execrable rum and other spirits. The skipper invited the natives on
board, and took good care to ply them with liquor before he commenced
trading. The chief and his people had stores collected for the purpose,
consisting of birds of paradise, and monkey skins, pearls, various kinds
of wood and bark and gums, drugs and spices, besides cocoa-nuts, and
other fruit and vegetables.

They showed themselves keen traders; and it was evident that, should
they meet with a certain sale and obtain fair prices, they would be
ready to collect a large amount of valuable produce, such as there can
be no doubt their country furnishes.

Captain Stubbins, having obtained all the produce which had been
collected by the natives, urged them to obtain a supply from other
villages in the interior; and parties set off in various directions with
the goods they had brought to make purchases. Thus the midshipmen were
detained a month instead of a fortnight; and, as Captain Stubbins would
not abate his demands, they were finally compelled to accept them.
Immediately they had agreed to his terms, the skipper's manner changed.
He appeared to be anxious to accommodate them in every way in his power.
He persuaded them to come and live on board, as they would be more
comfortable than in the hut of the chief, and he would be ready, should
the wind come fair, to put to sea at any moment, without having to wait
for them. The midshipmen agreed to his proposal, carrying with them
several monkeys, and cages full of birds, which the hospitable chief had
given them. In return for all his kindness they presented him with
their own rifles, while they gave to Nick and Pipes two se