The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-16
CHAPTER III.

.rhan YOU think" said the mate,
,ooLIne about him with doubt, shat we
Sball do no business hereW
He was young fellow Of two-and-
evenly or so, a frank and honsst-look-
Inc sailor. though his business was that
~ a cunning kidnaper. He was armed
9th revolver, ready to hand, and
outloss hanging at his side. Behind him
ware four sailors, also armed, In readi-
rsss for an attack, for Polynesians are
treacherous. But there were no island
era in sight, only two Europeans--one a
toll man, dressed in fantastic imitation
NJ the natives; and the other, apparent
", an ordinary beachcomber, quite out
~ luck, ragged, detected and haggaFd.
A little way off the land lay the schOon-
ar His business was to enlist, kidnap,
procure or secure by any means In the
mower Of the captain and the crew, as
many natives as the ship would hold, and
IN bring them to North Queensland,
where they would be hired out to plant
era. .,..z..
"It is an unlueky voyage" said the
mate, gazing earnestly at the two men
before him, whose appearance and the
contrast between them puRzled him.
"Two months out and FIVE weeks becalm-
I'D: no business done. Say, how did you
come hereT .a. #
"For my part" said the German, II
ana naturalist. / make butterflies my
special study. have, believe, enriched
science with 80 many rare aud previ.
ously unknown specimens, II l succeed
In getting them to Hurope, that my name
will be certainly remembered In scien-
tito history as one Of those who have
advanced knowledge. Gan any man ask
more7"
How did you get such a rig, man?'
II am a linguist," the Baron Sergius
Won Holstein went on to explain, "as
we'll as a 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. l am
also 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. 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 I
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 miracless 30 that they
readily believe me-"
How long are you going to stay
here2"
Il know mott New ireland ls Rich In
new species; but I shall have to stop az
soon as my means of collection and de-
scrption come to an end. When that
day comes l shall be glad to see a ship.
But 1t will not be yet"
"They may kill you"
ut Is possible;" the baron shrugged
bis tall shoulders.
Have you no arms2"
Il have a revolver, and my reputa-
tion for magic and sorcery."
And how do you liveT
"The people bring me food every day.
II they did not, l should aff1ict them
with horrible misfortunes, as they very
well 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. I suppose his friends would
never speak to him again il he refused
to fulfill the words Of the prophet, 80
great Is their faith. They bring me the
unripo cocoanut for its milk; there are
hsh 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. assure you we feed
very well, Don't we, David| He laid
ms hand on the other mans shoulder,
we have also tobacco. There is, how,
eVer-which you regret, David, don't
VouF-no rum ON the island"
Is your-your-chum also worship
% asked the mate, regarding David with
an obvious decrease of interest.
No; David Is recognized as Of infe.
rlof clay. This poor fellow was wrecked
upon the island; he came ashore on O
plank, the rest Of the ships crew and
passengers having given indigestion to
.ne sharks He is not happy here, and
ne would like you to take him off the
Island"
CoAN OdFAuS eagerly Out
IN his slow way, anywhere, 50 that ]
can only get on my way to England"
he was just getting off his plank
ana the people were preparing to receive
MN joyfully, warmly, and Hospitality
after their fashion; that is to say, into
tneir pots-they have beautiful method
o. cooking, in a kind of aunken pot
which would greatly interest you IL you
were captive and expecting your TURF
when l fortunately arrived, and sue
seeded, BY promising an eclipse IL I wa,
eOeyed, Ia saving him. The eclipse came
IN good time; but had forgiven thu
people for their momentary mutiny, anG
aVerted Its power for evil. So long a,
naWd sticks close to me now he is safe
ne leaves me, his end Is certain. Bu
- N no use to me, and for certain rea
souS should very much prefer that h,
was gone. Will you take him p
..,i me ship doesn't carry passengers,
SAT-, a. the mate; besides"
h,n DE is harmless, and you can trus
1ou n not to make mischief. will pay
'0s "a. him If you like"
''s ss,sa : NAT does he want to go home for?'
snas the mate, doubtfully. Indeed, tn,
n ~