Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-10-06
CHAPTER III.

looking about him with doubt, that we
shall do no business hereY
He was a young fellow of two-and-
twenty or so, a frank and honest-look-
Ing sailor, though his business was that
of a cunning kidnaper. He was armed
with a revolver, ready to hand, and a
cutlass hanging at his side. Behind him
were four sailors, also armed, In readi-
Dess for an attack, for Polynesians are
treacherous. But there were no island
ers in sight, only two Europeans-one
tall man, dressed in fantastic imitation
of the natives; and the other, apparent
ly, an ordinary beachcomber, quite out
of luck, ragged, detected and haggarl.
A little way off the land lay the schoOn-
err. His business was to enlist, kidnap,
procure or secure, by any means In the
power of the captain and the crew, as
many natives as the ship would hold, and
to bring them to North Queensland,
where they would be hired out to plant
ers
at Is an unlucky voyage" said the
mate, gazing earnestly at the two men
before him, whose appearance and the
contrast between them puzzled him.
1.-TWO months out and five weeks becalm-
ed; no business done. Say, how did you
come hereT'
For my part" said the German, 81
am a naturalist. make butterflies my
special study. have, believe enriched
science with 80 many rare and previ,
ously unknown specimens, If l succeed
In getting them to Europe, that my name
will be certainly remembered In scien-
tihc history as one Of those who have
advanced knowledge. can any man ask
more?"
How did you get such a rig, MANI"
Il am a linguist," the Baron Sergius
Won Holstein went on to explain, "as
well as a naturalist. l therefore learned
the language before landing here, hav-
ing found a native or two of New Ireland
in the mission Of the Duke of York ISL
and. 1t is a great thing to know how
to talk with these black children. l am
also a surgeon and physician, so that l
can heal their wounds and their diseases
when they get any. You see, further,
that l am bigger than most men. l am
also thorough. l adopted their dress, at
least some of 1t, and therefore being
able to talk to them, l landed among
them without fear. When they came
round me with their spears / shouted to
them down from the sun. And as !
know little prestidigitation and conjur-
ing, and am a bit of a ventriloqust,
am from time to time able to work a few
of the simpler miracles; so that they
readily believe me-"
"How long are you going to stay
hereY'
II know not; New Ireland is rich in
new species; but l shall have to stop as
soon as my means Of collection and de-
scription come to an end. When that
day comes shall be glad to see a ship.
But it will not be yet"
They may kill YOU"
at Is possible;" the baron shrugged
his tall shoulders.
"Have you no arms9"
81 have revolver, and my reputa-
ton for magic and sorcery."
"And how do you liveY
1.-THE people bring me food every day.
If they did not l should afflict them
with horrible misfortunes as they very
we'll know. / should tell them that in
three days such a one would be dead,
and then 1t would be that mans duty
to go away and die In fulfllment of
prophecy. l suppose his friends would
never speak to him again if he refused
to fulfill the words of the prophet. so
great Is their faith. They bring me the
unripe cocoanut for its milk there are
fish Of every kind In the sea, which they
net and spear for me; there are kanga-
roo and cassowary on the hills, which
they snare and trap for me; there are
birds which they shoot for me; there are
mangoes, bread-fruit, bananas, yams,
sweet potatoes. l assure you we feed
very well Don't we, DavidT He laid
his hand on the other mans shoulder.
1--WE have also tobacco. There is, how
ever-which you regret David, don't
you?-no rum on the island"
is your-your-chum also worship
ed asked the mate, regarding David with
an obvious decrease Of interest.
mo; David Is recognized as Of infe-
rlor clay. This poor fellow was wrecked
upon the island; he came ashore on
plank, the rest of the ships crew and
passengers having given indigestion to
the sharks. He is not happy here. and
he would like you to take him OFF the
island"
YES" said David. eagerly. but still
In his slow way. anywhere. so that i
can only get on my way to England"
He was just getting off his plank.
and the people were preparing to receive
him joyfully, warmly, aud Hospitality.
after their fashion; that is to say, into
their pots-they have a beautiful method
Of cooking, in kind of sunken pot.
which would greatly interest you II you
were captive and expecting your turn
when l fortunately arrived, and sue
ceeded, by promising an eclipse IL l was
obeyed in saving him. The eclipse came
In good time; but l had forgiven the
people for their momentary mutiny, and
l averted its power for evil SO long as
David sticks close to me now he is safe.
If he leaves me, his end is certain. But
he Is no use to me, and for certain rea-
sons l should very much prefer that he
was gone. WIN you take himf'
tsrh. ahir, Anonr.lA