The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-15

cord regularly solved. From further off,
heard at Equator Town. for instance,
the measure rose and fell and crepitated
like the barking of hounds in distant
kennel
The slaves are certainly not overworked
children of 10 do more without fatigue
and the Apemama laborers have holidays,
when the singing begins early IN the after
noon. The diet is hard; copra and a
sweetmeat of pounded pondemus are the
only dishes l observed outside of the
palace; but there seems no defect in guam
tity, and the king shares with them his
turtles. Three came IN boat from kuria
during our stay; one was kept for the
palace, one sent to US, one presented to the
village. 1t Is the habit of the islanders to
cook the turtle in its carapace; we had
been promised the shells, and We asked a
taboo on this foolish practice. The face of
Iemblnok' darkened and he answered moth
ing. Hesitation in the question of the
Well L could understand, for water is
scarce on a low island; that he should
refuse to interfere upon q point of
cookery was more than | had
dreamed of; and l gathered Brightly or
wrongly that he was scrupuIous of touch
ing In the least degree the private life and
habits OF his slaves. So that even here, in
full despotism, public opinion has weight;
even here, in the midst of slavery, freedom
has q corner
Orderly, sober and innocent. life flows in
the Isle from day TO day, as in q model
plantation under a model planter. 1t is
impossible to doubt the beneficence of that
stern rule. curious politeness, soft
and gracious manner. something effemin-
ate and courtly, distinguishes the island
ers OF Apemama; it is talked of by all the
traders; it was felt even by residents so
little beloved as ourselves, and noticeable
no nnt md bat
drel's tones of insolence. The king, with
his manly and plain bearing. stood out
alone; you might say he was the only Gill
bert Islander in Apemama. Violence, so
common in Butaritari, seems unknown.
So are theft and drunkenness. / am as
sured the experiment has been made of
leaving soveregns on the beach before the
village; they lay there untouched. In all
our time on the island | was but once
asked for drink. This was by a mighty
plausible fellow, wearing European clothes
and speaking excellent English, Ia
Waita his name-or, as the whites have
now corrupted it, Tom White''-one of
the kings supercargoes at f3 month and
percentage, a medical man besides, and
In his private hours a wizard. He found
me one day in the outskirts of the village,
IN secluded place, hot and private, where
the taro pits are deep and the plants high.
Here he buttonholed me, and looking
about him like a conspirator, inquired if
had gin. | told HIM had. He remarked
that gin was forbidden. lauded the pro-
hlbltion awhile, and then went on to ex-
plain that he was doctor, or "dogstar,"
as he pronounced the word, that gin was
necessary to him for his medical infusions,
that he was quite out of it, and that he
would be obliged TO me for some in bot
tie. told him | had passed the king my
word on landing, but, since his case was SO
exceptional, would &C down to the palace
at once, and had no doubt that Tembinok'
would set me free. Tom White was i'm
mediately overwhelmed with embarrass-
ment and terror, besought me in the most
moving terms not to betray him, and fled
my neighborhood. He had none of the
cooks valor; it was weeks before he dared
to meet my eye, and then only by the
order of the king and on particular bust
ness.
The more l viewed and admired this tri-
umph of firm rule, the more was haunted
and troubled by problem, the problem
(perhaps) of tomorrow for ourselves. Here
was people protected from all serious
misfortune, relieved of all serious ankle
ties, and deprived of what we call our lib
erty. Did they like it? and what was
their sentiment toward the ruler? The
first question l could not, of course, ask,
nor perhaps the natives answer. Even the
second was delicate; yet at last and under
charming and strange circumstances. 1
found my opportunity to put 1t and man
to reply. 1t was near the full of the moon,
with delicious breeze; the isle was bright
as day, to sleep would have been sacri-
lege, and L walked in the bush,
PLAYING my pipe. 1t must have been