The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-25
A Romance of The South Seas

river work" Sheldon tofQ one OF the carpenters.
 we use 'em in Alaska. They're modelled after the Yukon polling boats. and you can bet your life they're crackerjacks. This ereek'n be snap alongside some of them northern. streams. Five hundred pounds in one of them boats an two men can snake it along in way that'd surprise you"
 At sunset the Martha broke out her anchor and got under way. dipping her flag and saluting with a bomb gun. The union jack ran up and down the staff. and Sheldon replied with his. brass signal cannon. The miners pitched their tents in the com pound and cooked on the beach. while Tudor dinsd with Joan and Sheldon.
 Theic guest seemed to have been everywhere and seen everything and met everybody. and, encouraged by Joan. his talk was largely upon his own adventures. Descended from old New England stock, his father con- sul general. he had been born in Ger many, in which country he had re- ceived his eariy education and his ac- cent. Then. stiIi boy. he had re- joined his father in Turkey and ac- companied him later to Persia, his fa- ther having been appointed minister to that country.
 Tudor had gone through South American revoutions. been a rough rider in Cuba. a scout in South Africa and war correspondent in the Russo Japanese war He had mushed dogs in the Klondike. washed gold from the sands of Nome and edited a news paper in San Francisco. The presf- dent of the United States was his friend. He was equally at home in the clubs of London and the continent. the Grand botef at Yokohama and the selectors' shauties in the Never Never country. He had shot big game in Siam, pearIed tn the PaumotHs, visited Tolstoy, seen the Passion play and crossed the Andes on Tnuieback. while he was living directory of the fever holes of west Africa.
 Sheldon leaned back in his chair on the veranda. slipping his coffee and listening. In spite of himself he felt touched by the charm of a man who had led so varied q life. It seemed to him that the man addressed himself particularly to Joan. Sheldon watched her rapt attention. listened to her spentaneous laughter. quick questions and passing judgments and felt grow within I'm the dawuing consciousness
 that he loved her. Then as if the scene had been prepased by a clever playwright Utami came upon the ve- randa to report to Joan the capture of a crocodile sn the trap they had made for her.
 Yuaors face. illuminated by the match with which he was lighting his cfgarette. caught Utami's eye. and Utamf forgot Co report to his mistress
 "Heflc, Tudor" be said with a fa- miliarity that startled Sheldon
 The PolyBesian's hand went out. and Tudor, shaking 1t, was staring into his face.
 .Whc is itY' he asked. q can't see
 you"
 ''Utami" Ns
 "And who the dickens is Utami ?
 Where did ever meet you. my man"' "You no forget the HHahiney Utamf chfded ,~I-ast time HHakine saiiT
 Tudor grfpped the Tahftfan's hand a second time and took it with genuine AeartineSs.
 There was only one Kanaka who tame out of the HuahiHe that last
 toyage. and that Ranaka was Joe
 The deuce take if. man. I'm glad te
 see you. though never heard your new name before."
 'Yes. everybody speak me Joe along time. just the same"
 But what are you doing here?' Tudor asked. releasing the sailors hand and leaning eagerly forward "Me sail along biissie Lackaianna Der schooner Mieie. We go Tahiti, Raiatea. Tahaa. Bora Bora. Manua, Tutuila. 7pia. SavaM and Fiji islands --pienty Fiji islands. Me stop along Missie Lackaianna i'll Soiomons. Very soon she catch another schooner" He and were the tvo survivors of the wreck of the Huahine." Tudor ex- plafned to the others. Fifty seven all told on board when we sailed from Huapa. and Joe and were the only two that ever set foot on land again. Hurricane, you know. in the Paumo- tus That was when | was after pearls"
 And you never told me, Utami, that you'd been wrecked in a hurricane. Joan said reproachfuIly. The big Tahitian shifted his weight and flashed his teeth in consolidating smile.
 .'Me no link nothing t all," he said. "AIl right. Utami," Tudor said. "I'll see you in the morning and have 8 yarn"
 He saved my life. the beggar." Tu. dor explained. as the Tahitian strode away and with heavy softness of foot went down the steps. Swim! l nev- er met a better swimmer" And thereat. solicited by Joan. Tudor narrated the wreck of the Huahine