Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-12-07
4 south Sea ISLANDER.

On second thought, dld | care 10 eud my
days in Fatahua SuddenlY the doorway
was darkened by sialwart brave, who's
noiseless step had gwen no warning of hi'
approach.
90 his shoulder be balanced bambOC
laden with clusters OF feu, the wild plain
tain, that grows abundautly on the heights,
and which, when cooked, is indispensable
to the Tahltian palate.
He paused at the threshold until hi:
/ friendly greeting had been returned thsn
/ he entered with some dIffidence, deposited
/ his fruits in a corner, squaIted upon the
mat near ne, and breathed audibly, foT
his burden was heavy. and the trail nC
primrose path. Except for the pareH thai
girded his lOins, my visitor was quite
naked.
Long we gaZed at each other with an
earnest, honest gaze that ended in a smile
of recng gnition; we had never met before,
but the uncivllized and the overcivilized
are brothers. He placed his hand on my
shoulder and stroked me fondly. From the
back OF his ear he drew his tobacco pouch,
and rolled cigarette. of which We took
alternate puffs in token of perpetual peace.
| Presently he made a fruit Offering.
guavas, maugoes, lines; then a drink
offering. water il cup formed Of a folded
leaf; and then-we had been silent until
now-he said, in hesItating English with
a childish accent, II know you you like
ne; you cume my house.
| nodded assent. The savage shoul-
dered his burden, and stepped lightly
down the trail, turning now and again TO
give me a look or word of encouragement !;
at every stream he put down his load and
bore me dry-shOd to the other shore; when
it shOwered, as it row did at intervals, we
halted Under some brosd- -leaved tree.
Once we sat IN the moss and renewed
our VOW in tobacco; and thus TRANQUILITY
we cane at last to a log smouldering by a
stream, and our tramp was ended.
II was large log, partially decayed /;
it had tsen fred long before, and was
slowly and impoieept;biy burning, like q
piece of punk. Al meal time it could Dc
blown INTO flame; few dry twIgs aud
leaves heaped ag5iGst il served TO warm
the frugal meal. This is the national Ia
hitian bearth-a cloud 10y day, pillar OF
ire by night; 1t puts the blue spurt Of the
luClfer match 10 the blush showers can
not qlench it {; the gale gives it new life
ii WIS the one luxury in the household of
my host
Was attracted by s rude shelter, close
at hand. and went thither TO inspect il.
Imagine a screen of leaves, about six feet
wide and eight feet high, slahting against
the trade wind, and supported by couple
of Embarked saplings; the gale rushed over
it, the rain slid down it. TIE sides and
front were as open as the day. Three logs
hedged in bed of fine grass-mats, which,
like a carpet, filled the space from the low
caves in the trusSes to the sapling supports
il frcnt plump clean pillows were slowed
IN corners; an uncovered calabash con-
tanned articles of fenInine apparel; 81
vcr thimblt and bit Of unfinished en-
brOiGcry with needle thrust through il
lay on the mat; hand-mirror was lodged
among the beams of the reef. Evidently
the bower WAS hot unvisited of women.
From the peak Of the roof hung cluster
Of ripe bananas; filed my hands. and re-
turned to the blazing log.
For the most part, my companion and
comnuned in silence. You may SIT fOr
hours by savage without uttering a syl-
liable, yet be will turn to you at intervals
with an intelligent glance and an apprecla-
tive smile, as II cnmprehending everything
You lett Unsald.