Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-10-07
CHAPTER III.


twenty or so, frank and honest-look-
Ing sailor, though his business was that
Of cunning kidnaper. He was armed
with a revolver, ready to hand, and Il
cutlass hanging at his side Behind him
were four sailors. also armed, In readi-
ness for an attack. for Polynesians are
treacherous. But there we're 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 haggard.
A little way off the land lay the schoon-
er, 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
10 bring them to North Queensland,
where they would be hired out to plant
ers
ut is an unlucky voyage" said the
mate, gazing earnestly at the two men
before him, whose appearance and the
contrast between them puzzled him.
Two months out and five weeks becalm-
ed; no business DONE Say, how did you
come here?"
"For my part" said the German, 81
am a naturalist. | make butterflies my
special study. have, believe, enriched
science with SO many rare and previ,
ously unknown specimens, If | 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. Gan any man ask
morep
How did you get such a rig, manT
II am q linguist," the Baron Sergius
Won Holstein went on to explain, las
well as naturalist. | therefore learned
the language before landing here, hav
Ing found 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. ! am
also surgeon and a physician, so that
can heal their wounds and their diseases
when they get any. You see, further,
that | am bigger than most men. | am
also thorough, | adopted their dress, at
least some Of it, and therefore being
able to talk to them, | landed among
them without fear. When they came
round me with their spears | shouted to
them down from the sun. And as
know a little prestdigitation and conjur-
Ing, and am a bit Of ventriloquist, l
:. am from time to time able to work few
OF the simpler miracles; SO that they
readily believe me-"
How long are you going to stay
hereW
Il know not New Ireland is rich In
new species; but | shall have to stop as
soon as my means of collection and de-
scription come to an end. When that
10 | al, 10, 81, I, H.,
But it will not be yet"
They may kill you"
at is possible" the baron shrugged
mis- tall shoulders.
Have you no armsW
Il have a revolver, and my reputa-
ton for magic and sorcery."
And how do you liver
''The people bring me food every day.
If they did not, | should afIict them
with horrible misfortunes. MS they very
we'll know. l should tell them that In
three days such a one would be dead,
and then 1t would be that mans duty
10 go away and die in fufllment of
prophecy. | 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 ksnga-
roo and cassowary on the hills, which
they snare and trap for me; there are
birds which they shoot for me; there are
mangoes. broad-fruit, bananas, yams,
sweet potatoes. assure you we feed
very well. Don't we, DavldF He laid
his hand on the other mans shoulder.
I'VE have also tobacco. There Is. how
sver-which you regret, David, don't
youI-no rum on the island"
lis your-your-chum also worship.
ed asked the mate, regarding David with
an obvious decrease OF interest.
mo; David Is recognized as Of infe-
rior clay. This poor fellow was wrecked
upon the Island; he came ashore on a
plank, the rest Of the ships crew and
passengers having given indigestion to
the sharks. lie Is not happy here and
he would like you TO take him of tho
island"
YES" said David, eagerly. but still
In his slow way, anywhere, 50 that |
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, and Hospitality
after their fashion; that Is to say, into
their pots-they have beautiful method
Of cooking, In a kind Of sunken Dot
which would greatly interest you II Won
were captive and expecting your turn
when | fortunately arrived, and sue.
ceeded, by promising an eclipse if | wa.
obeyed. In saving him. The eclipse came
In good time; but | had forgiven tbe
people for their momentary mutiny. and
ayerted Its power for evil. So long n.
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 should very much prefer that h.
was gone. VIII you take himY'
THE ship doesn't carry passengers
said the mate; "besides--"
He is harmless, and you can trust
him not 10 make mischief. will pay
for him if you like"
What does he want to 20 home for p
asked the mate, doubtfully. Indeed, III,
appearance Of the man did not warran
the belief that he would be WELCOMED
by his friends.
he has to pay a pilgrimage; he hal
20 deliver message before a magistrate
and to be subsequently elevated 10 a DOS
OF great distinction" said the baron.
n h