s_ the worst of it, certainly. Are you prepared, then, to
take your chance of that?"

"I've been prepared and had my mind made up long ago," cried Peterkin,
swaggering about the deck with his hands thrust into his breeches
pockets. "The fact is, Jack, I don't believe that Tararo will be so
ungrateful as to eat us, and I'm quite sure that he'll be too happy to
grant us whatever we ask; so the sooner we go in and win the better."

Peterkin was wrong, however, in his estimate of savage gratitude, as the
sequel will show.

The schooner was now put before the wind, and after making a long run to
the southward, we put about and beat up for the south side of Mango,
where we arrived before sunset, and hove-to off the coral reef. Here we
awaited the arrival of a canoe, which immediately put off on our
rounding-to. When it arrived, a mild-looking native, of apparently
forty years of age, came on board, and taking off his straw hat, made us
a low bow. He was clad in a respectable suit of European clothes; and
the first words he uttered, as he stepped up to Jack and shook hands
with him, were:

"Good-day, gentlemen. We are happy to see you at Mango. You are
heartily welcome."

After returning his salutation, Jack exclaimed, "You must be the native
missionary teacher of whom I have heard--are you not?"

"I am. I have the joy to be a servant of the Lord Jesus at this
station."

"You're the very man I want to see, then," replied Jack; "that's lucky.
Come down to the cabin, friend, and have a glass of wine. I wish
particularly to speak with you. My men there"--pointing to Peterkin and
me--"will look after your people."

"Thank you," said the teacher as he followed Jack to the cabin; "I do
not drink wine or any strong drink."

"Oh! then there's lots of water, and you can have biscuit."

"Now, 'pon my word, that's cool!" said Peterkin; "his _men_, forsooth!
Well, since we are to be men, we may as well come it as strong over
these black chaps as we can.--Hallo, there!" he cried to the half-dozen
of natives who stood upon the deck, gazing in wonder at all they saw,
"here's for you;" and he handed them a tray of broken biscuit and a can
of water. Then thrusting his hands into his pockets, he walked up and
down the deck with an enormous swagger, whistling vociferously.

In about half-an-hour Jack and the teacher came on deck, and the latter,
bidding us a cheerful good-evening, entered his canoe and paddled to the
sho