The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-08-26
His Hearts Desire.
By SIR WALTER BESANr
ssssssssssssssssssssssseeh
CHAPTER III.
Bv SIR WALTER BESANT

CHAPTER III.
Then you think" said the mate.
looking about him with doubt, that we
shall do no business hereT
He was young fellow. OF two-and-
twenty or so, frank and honest-look-
ing sailor, though his business was that
of cunning kidnaper. He was armed
with q revolver. ready to hand, and a
cutlass hanging at his side Behind him
were four sailors. also armed, In readi-
ness for an attack. for Polynesians are
trescherous. But there were no island
ers in sight, only two Europeans-one. a
tall man. dressed in fantastic imitation
of the natives; and the other, apparent
~, 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, k1dnap,
procure or secure by any means IN the
power of the captain and the crew, as
many natives as the ship would hold. ana
to bring them to North Queensland,
where they would be hired out to plant
ers.
1T 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, Il
am a naturalist. l make butterflies my
special study I have, believe, enriched
science with so many rare and previ,
ously unknown specimens, il l succeed
In getting them to Europe, that my name
will be certainly remembered in scien-
tifc history as one of those who have
advanced knowledge Gan any man ask
moreT'
How did you get such rig, MANI
Il am a linguist," the Baron Sergius
Won Holstein went on to explain, las
we'll as a naturalist. 1 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 |
can heal their wounds and their diseases
when they get any. You see, further,
that | am bigger than most men. I am
also thorough. l adopted their dress, at
least some Of it, and therefore being
them without fear. When they came
round me with their spears l shouted to
them down from the sun. And as
know little prestidigitation and conjur-
Ing, and am a bit Of a 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
here?"
Il 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 l shall be glad to see a ship.
But it will not be yet"
They may kill you"
''It is possible" the baron shrugged
his tall shoulders.
Have you no armsT'
Il have a revolver, and my reputa-
ton for magic and soreery."
And how do you liveT'
1.-THE people bring me food every day.
II they did not, | should aflict them
with horrible misfortunes. as they very
well know / should tell them that in
three days such one would be dead,
and then it would be that mans duty
10 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. DavidY' He laid
his hand ON the other mans shoulder
I'VE 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-
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. 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 ]
can only get on my way to England"
He was just getting of his plank
and the people were preparing to receive
him joyfully. warmly. and Hospitality
after their fashion; that IL to say. into
their pots-they have q beautiful method
Of cooking, in q kind of sunken not
which would greatly interest you II you
were q captive and expecting your turn
when fortunately arrived, and suc.
ceeded. by promising an eclipse II I va,
obeyed. In saving him. The eclipse 6. N,
In good time: but l had forgiven ~.
people for their momentary mutiny. and
/ averted It's power for evil. So long =,
David sticks close to me now he il "A fe
IT he leaves me. his end il certain. Ru,
he Is no use to me, and for certain rea
sons l should very much prefer that b,
was gone. VIII you take him?"
"rhe ship doesn't carry passengers. =
said the mate; 'besides-"
he is harmless. and you can trus,
him not to make mischief. l will pa,
for him If you like"
w hat does he want to 70 home for p