New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22

nanas and palm tree sl1i and they drank wine that,
though they did know II, the last in the cellar
Of their host.
Having tasted Of the island hospitality, Barstowe's
friend took them 20 the club Of which, because Of his
quality Of personality Bars,wc was honorary mem-
Der, and Damon and Henderson were presented To =
Cosuofolitan circle. The circle soon divided INTO
groups and Henderson and Damon did not fnl To see
that Barstowc circulated from group % group. After
q time he went out. At perhaps eleven o'clock mes
sage brought % the two that Captain }asto"e was
waiting for them at the whalcboat. With reluctant
goodbys from their mpromptu hosts they followed the
Kanaka that brought the message.
Barstowc was sitting in the stcrnshcct5, his cap
drawn over his eyes: but. Swallowed his face was
they could see that il was cut and swollen and that he
bore himself sly. He held up his hand TO them as
sign to forbcar questions until they should nave reached
the Simeon Bailey Once there, and the whacoo1t DIS
missed the Captain gave orders for Immediate dcpar-
turc
Fortunately, have not spared the coal, he said.
81" had the impression we'd not be here long, and the
stcams all right. It's hard on the crew. perhaps to
have no time ashore; but we're of for Tuamotu and
the Society Islands, Mr.. Henderson.
"It's hard Corrigan,' Damon said. 81 promised
him he should go ashore tomorrow.
"hc day after tomorrow if luck Is with us we Il have
all the shorc-gong want said Barstowe.
Il hope you've not met with any-an accident, Cap
tain" Henderson said, lowering his voice, as a deck
hand passed with lightning glance at the Captain
Barstowc led the way to the cabin. 81 have been
fighting, Sir, in your interests, he said.
81 am sorry it should have been necessary 10 do
that Henderson said, with an inquiring lift in his
voice
"IIuman nature is a very strange thing, Sir" said the
Captain, in a Eliminating voice. IF you will excuse
me, I'll see a bit to these bruises
lie left the two exchanging wondering glanccs. Pres
IL emily he came back with a bandagc Of raw beef
steak over his eye and glass Of brandy which he put
down gngcry the table, and then got himself stihly
into seat
AT was not ten minutes after left Won Sir ne said
TO Henderson, "whcn | tidings Of Bates
These tidngs in the possession Of big Jack Hast
ings. Big Jack and were born in adjoining houses in
Sidney; played together and fought together. and
would never give each other best When we grew up
there were reasons why we fell into settled hostility
toward each other.
He took a swallow Of brandy and continued:
"Hastings has pretty well gone down hill Men who
10 these islands can vcgctdtc; but mostly they
either prosper else 90 markedly down hill. You will
find men here who have practically owned islands. You
will find Others ike big Jack Hastings who have to
marry 10 get a living. When ! came across Jack,
dressed like a native, singing muSichaI dity 10
of his black wfcs relatives was sorry for him that
YOU understand me, Sir, dcspiscd him too much TO
want TO fight with him, and would rather have had
nothing to do with him at all. The worst Of it was he
understood my attitude and he would have given five
years Of his life to stand up to me, man for man.
used 10 when younger.
"l'o cut my story, | across Jack Hastings this
evening He heard me asking about Bates. Briefly he
was the only man in the NarquesaS who knew what |
wanted to know. The only exchange he would make for
his information TO stand up with me again. We
are qucerly made Mr. Henderson. To fight with me- or
TO beat me- to be beaten by me, would comfort
the spark Of manhood left in Jack Hastings
"Who bcat?' asked Damon boyishly
"You'd think Sir, that a man living the lazy kind of
life he does would have muscles OF tissue paper; but
perhaps the fact Of having me TO go against him gave
Copyright. 1917. boy M,ne Ia ford Warren.