Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-22


nostrils They dned on raw fish and
roast pig, bread fruit, cooked ba-
nanas and palm salad and they drank wine that
though they did not know it, the last the cellar
of their host
Having tasted of the island hospitality Barstowe's
friend took them to the club of which, because OF his
ber and Damon and Henderson were presented to
cosmopolitan circle. The circle soon divided into
groups and Henderson and Damon did not fail to see
that Barstowe circulated from group to group After
time he went out. At perhaps eleven o'clock mes
sage brought to the two that Captain Barstowe was
waiting for them at the whaleboat With reluctant
goodbys from their impromptu hosts they followed the
Kanaka that brought the message.
Barstowe sitting in the sternsheets his cap
drawn over his eyes; but Swallowed as his face was,
they could that it and swollen and that he
bore himself st1y. He held up his hand to them as
sign to forbear questions until they should have reached
the Simeon Bailey Once there and the whaeboat dis
missed the Captain gave orders for immediate depar-
ture .
Fortunately have not spared the COAL" he said.
II had the impression we'd not be here long, and the
steam's all right. It's hard the crew. perhaps, to
have no time ashore; but we're off for Tuamotu and
the Society Islands, Mr.. Henderson
dts hard on Corrgan' Damon said. 81 promised
him he should 60 ashore tomorrow"
"he day after tomorrow, if luck is with we IL have
all the shore going we want, said Barstowe
Il hope you've not met with any-any accident, Cap
tain" Henderson said lowering his voice, as deck
hand passed with lightning glance at the Captain
bruised face.
Barstowe led the way to the cabin. II have been
fighting, Sir, in your interests he said
al am sorry it should have been necessary to do
that" Henderson said with an inquring lift IN his
voice.
Human nature is very strange thing, Sir said the
Captain, in Eliminating voice. "lf you will excuse
me, III see a bit to these bruises.
HE left the two exchanging wondering glances Pres
IL emily he came back with bandage OF raw beet
steak his eye and glass of brandy which he put
down gingerly the table, and then got himself stiy
into seat.
to Henderson, "when l across tidngs of Bates.
These tdngs in the possession of big Jack Hast
ings Big Jack and born in adjoining houses in
Sidney; played together and fought together, and
would never give each other best. When grew up
there were why fell into settled hostility
toward each other
He took swallow of brandy and continued
Hastings has pretty well gone down hill Men who
come to these islands can vegetate but mostly they
either prosper else go markedly down hill You will
find here who have practically owned islands. You
will find others, like big Jack Hastings who have to
marry to get living. When | came across Jack,
dressed like native. singing musicha dirty to some
of his black wifes relatives was sorry for him that
could have shaken hands with him. At the time,
if you understand Sir, despised 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 he
understood my attitude and he would have given five
years of his life to stand up to man for
used to when we were younger.
ITO cut my story, | ran across Jack Hastings this
evening. He heard me asking about Bates. Briefly, he
was the only in the Marquesas who knew what
wanted to know The only exchange he would make for
his information to stand up with me again We
queerly made Mr.. Henderson. To fight with or
beat me, to be beaten by me, would comfort
the spark of manhood left in Jack Hastings"
"Who beat?" 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 to go against him gave
Copyright by MaudeR alfo Warren.