The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-20
A Eunboat lay ae anoaW CLOSE 70 the
beach OF Taonata Of the Marquesas. and

A Eunboat lay ae anoAer close TO the
beach OF Taonata Of the Marquesas. and
her crew loungsd upon her spar deck In
the moonlight Eight bells had struck,
4 but the weather Yves warm and the watch
below was allowed on deck for air.
The sea was stu and the full tropic
moon shone peacefully. making q sflvery
4 path between the ship and shore. where
the sombre outline OF foliage showed in
sharp contrast to the white strip of coral
sand. No sound Came from the land save
the deep thunder Of the surf, caused by
8 the heavy swell! that rolled in long lines
Over the barrier.
a sailor sometimes has moments for
thought and some OF the gunboat's crew
S WeRo wondering. es they cast an eye
6toft whether they were any better than
the man who hung suspended by the
Fsck from the main yard arm. For there.
{ ehastly and grim, In that peaceful pic
lrra, hung the greatest chief OF the Archie
pslaeo, stark and dead. It was an ugly
sight With an us1iee story behind and
soms Of the less callons OF the men sat
e.seat and sullea about the four small
AroAdsids eua8. The trade breeze was
light bat ths ever restless ocean thun-
ds0od ia the deep monotone that has q
soothing effect upon q sailors nerves.
Everything spoke Of peace and reSt. ana
EVEN the dun roar OF The southern ocean
soundsd deep and sad. like calm but all
DeWerful protest Aglinat mans sinhunaan-
~ TO nan.
4ns capitals u tie naa-top. who had
swrune the chief up. vas IN an ugly
nsood. He smoked Ia silence for nearly
AAaf IN hour. locking over the moon-llt
oasan, and when Johnson. the quarter
master, spoke lisAtly to him and joked
At the ghast1y figure swaying slowly
With Che easy roN OF the ship. he rose
and put hts pipe away. Then he dashed
out and knocked tho quafsesEnaster ehd-
ways into cot Of rope.
There was some send1iaG before Dipeu
Nas subdusd aAd brought TO the mast.
Eesng ofnoer Of tbs wa6ch, wished to
lvow the trouble and asked why he had
etruck his sh4pxnate. Because I wished
20 knock some sense into his bullet
hsad,.s said Dfses, with emphasis.
-po1t talk losd to me, sir, I'm not
0sak,- snapped.
81 .Ias not because you're. deaf. but be-
cause you're dumb" answered Diggs In
solsn<1y. Il was forced to kill that poor
oeIlow. and a man with half a head might
know won't be 1oIsed about IT,
The smell OF shore grog hung heavily
Npon the breath OF the captain OF the
enaintop and the officer of the deck was
Denient Therefore had him put in irons
and CiappeQ INTO the OIlG Q1ltil ilS IeSoV-
cred his temper enough to be respectful.
In the morning he was brought aft to be
tried for characterization and assault
upon his shipmate. Digs was cool ana
penitent enough now and the shame Of
the thing bore heavily upon him. AS he
had never served time before his previous
good conduct was much in his favor and
ne was allowed to speak in his own be-
half.
e. IT know the fellow, SIR said he, land
It was bad job to have to swing hun.
He was good chief when was in here
before, and when he killed the old mis-
sionary he was turned against Christians.
1t may have been right to hang him for
killing the old man, but he was good
chief. and you can't blame poor niger
for going wrong when he deals with the
Christians out here. They've pretty well
ruined the islands. mean no disrespect,
sir, but there are two kinds Of Chris
tians Those that hoct and those that
net These out hero mostly boot don't
say anything against the old man, for
he was as good an old soul as ever ran a.
mission and Ealate was the best friend
he had. He was converted-ths only real
converted chief on the island
IS ..Do you know that?" asked
Il Yes sir, and because OF that he had
only one wife Loa was what they called
her, and she was good girl. He was
married by the old missionary himself
in real law style and there's lots Of white
folks WORSE mated than they were I
nevse saw a man care more for a woman
ana she was treated like any chiefs
wife should be by every decent white