The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24


not They had carved and painted faces ugly
to view. their eyes and teeth were Of shcll.
their hair and their bright clothes blew in the
wind. and some Of them worked with the tug
Rihg. There are islands up west where they
make these kind Of figures till to-day: but II
ever they were made in this islan' the prac-
tice and the very recollection OF t are now
long forgotten. And the singular thing was
that all these bogies were as fresh Us toys out
Of a shop.
Then it came in my mind that Case had let
out to me the first day that he was good
forger Of island curiosities-a thing by which
SO many traders turn an honest penny. And
with that l saw the whole business. and how
this display served the man double purpose:
first Of ALL to season his curiosities and then to
brighten those that came to visit him.
But should tell you what made the thing
more curiousI that all tho time the Tyrolean
harps were harping round me in the trees and
even while looked green-and-yellow bird
THAT. suppose was hnildine) began to tear
the hair of the head Of one OF the figures
A little further on found the best curiosity
OF the museum. The first saw Of It was O
longish mound of earth. with twist to It.
Digging of the earth with my hand. found
underneath tarpaulin stretched on boards. 80
that this was plainly the roof OF q cellar. 1t
stood right on the top Of the hill and the en-
trance was on the far side. between two rocks.
like the entrance to a cave. Invent as far In as
the bend. and. looking round the corner. saw
q shining face. 1t was big and ugly. like a
pantomime mask. and the brightness Of 1t
waxed and dwindled. and at times it smoked
"Ohor' says L luminous paintl"
And must say rather admired tho mans
ingenuity. With box OF tools and a few
mighty simple contrivances he had made out
Aok nv, a., teR oo1o 10
brought up here in the dark. with the harps
whining all around him. and shown that
smoking face In the bottom OF hole. would
make no kind Of doubt but he had seen and
heard enough devils for q lifetime. It's easy
to find out what Kanakas think. Just 60 back
to yourself any way round from ten to fifteen
years old. and there's an average Kanaks.
There are some pious. Just as there are pious
boys and the most Of them. like the boys again..
are middling honest and yet think it rather
larks to steal. and are easy scared and rather
like to be SO. I remember boy l, was at
school with at home who played the Case bust
. ness. He didn't know anything. that boy: he
couldn't do anything: he had no luminous
paint. and no Tyrolean harps: he Just boldly
said he was a sorcerer. and frightened US out
Of our boots. and we loved it And then it
came in my mind how the master had once
logged that boy. and the surprise we were all
in to see the sorcerer catch 1t and hum like
anybody else Thinks I to myself. Il must
find some way OF fixing it SO for Master Case"
And tho next moment had my idea
Iwent back by the path. which. when once
you had found 1t. was quite plain and easy
walking: and when stepped out on the black
sands. who should see but Master Case him
self cooked my gun and held it handy. and
we marched up and passed without q word.
each keeping the tail OF his eye on the other:
and no sooner had we passed. that We each
wheeled round like fellows drilling and stood
face to face. We had each taken the same no
ton In his head. you see. that the other follow
might give him the load Of his gun In the stern.
You've shot nothing" says Case
I'm not on the shoot to day." said L
We'll. the devil 60 with you for mo-" says he.
THE same to you." says L
But we stuck just the way We were: no fear
Of either OF us moving.
Case laughed. I'VE can't stop hero all day.
though" said he.
Don't let me detain you." saysL
He laughed again. Look here. Wiltshire.
do you think me- fooi2" he asked.
More OF knave. IL you want to know
says II.
We'll. do you think 1t would better me to
shoot you here on this open beach2" said he.
Because don't Folks come fishing every
day. There may be score Of them up tho
valley now. making copra: there might be
half a dozen on the hill behind you. after
pigeons: they might be Watching US this min
ute. and I shouldn't wonder give you my
word don't want to shoot you. Why should
I2 You don't hinder me any. You haven't got
one pound Of copra but what you made with
your own hands like q negro slave. You're
vegetating-thats what call it-and don't
vha.n NNnko - -
Give me your word you don't mean to shoot
me. and I'll give you lead and walk away"
We'll" said I. you're frank and pleasant.
amt your And I'll be the same. don't mean
to shoot you to-day. Why should II This
business Is beginning: it amt done yet. Mr..
Case. Two given you one turn already; can
see the marks Of my knuakles on your head to
this blooming hour. and I've more cooking for
you. I'm not a parable. like Underhlll. My
name amt Adams. and it amt Vigours: and
mean to show you that you We met your match"
This is silly way to talk" said he. This
is not the talk TO mako mo move on with"
"All right" said !. stay where you are
amt in any hurry. and you knowit. can put
In tho day on this beach and never mind.
amt got any coprn to bother with, amt got
any luminous paint to sec to-
was sorry i said that last. but it whipped
wind out OF his sails. and no stood and stared
at me with his brow drawn ny. Then sup
pose he made up his mind he must get to the
bottom Of this.
II tako you at your word" says he. and
turned his back. and walked right into tho
devils bush.
let him go. o! course. for had passed my
word But watched him as long as he was In
sight. and after no was gone lit out for cover
as lively as you would want to soc. and went
the rest Of tho way home under the bush. for /
didn't trust him siXpence worth. One thing
saw. had been ass enough to give him warn
ing. and that which meant to do must do at
once.
You would think had had about enough ex-
| element for one morning. but there was an
other turn waiting me. As soon as got far
enough round the cape to see my house.
made out there were strangers there: little
| further. and no doubt about it There We're e
couple OF armed sentinels squatting at my
door. Icould only suppose the trouble about
| snn ~ hny w m IA hpad nd ha ar AT