Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-02-08

years ago IL was all the rage 10 XIII z
white man and eat him. Maybe times
has changed, but the harbor and the
coast looks just as wild and lonely as
they ever did, and didn't see no sign
OF missionary when we dropped hook
last night. So don't take no chances"
All hands promised that they would
take extreme care. to the end that their
precious persons might remain Intact.
SO Mr.. Gibney finished his cup Of cot
fee at a gulp and went on deck.
The Kandavu aborigines were not
long In putting In an appearance. Even
as Mr.. Gibney came on deck half
dozen canoes shot out from the beach.
Mr.. Glbney Immediately piped all
hands on deck. armed them, and non
chalantly awaited the approach of what
might or might not turn out to be an
enemy.
When the flotilla was within pistol
shot Of the schooner Mr.. Gibney
stepped 10 the rail and motioned them
back. Immediately the natives ceased
padding, and a Withholding fellow
stood up in the forward canoe. After
the manner Of his kind he had all his
life sOused his head i'm lime-water
when making his savage toilette, and
as a result his shock OF black hair
stood on end and bulged out like a
crowded hayrick. He was naked. OF
course. and In his hand he.held huge
war club.
THAT feller'd eat a rattlesnake,"
gasped Captain Scraggs. "Shoot him,
Glib. II he bats an eye"
"Shut up" said the commodore.
trifle testify; "that's the number-one
niger, who does the talkin'. Hello,
boy"
"Hello, cap'n,' replied the savage.
and salaamed gravely. "You likee buy
chicken, buy pig? Maybe you say come
board, talk. Me very good friend
white MASTER"
BLESS my sweet-scented soul ~
gasped the commodore. "What won't
them missionaries do next? Cut of
my ears If this niger amt civilized !"
He beckoned TO the canoe and IL shot
alongside, and its brown crew came
climbing over the rail of the Maggie
III.
Mr.. Gibney met the spokesman az
the rail and they rubbed noses very
solemnly, after the manner of saluta-
tlon in Kandavu. Captain Scraggs
hustled forward, full of importance.
"Interduce me, Glib" he said amiably,
and then. while Mr.. Gibney favored
him with a sour glance, Captain
Scraggs stuck out his hand and shook
brlskly with the native.
Happy to make your acquaintance"
he. said. "Scraggs is my name. sir.
Shake hands with McGuffey. our chief
engineer. Hope you left all the folks
ar home well. what'd you say your
name WASP"
The islander hadn't said his name
was anything, but lie grinned now and
replied that II was Tabu-Tabu.
swell. my bucko." muttered McGuf-
fey, who always drew the color line,
"rm glad TO hear that. But you amt
the only thing that's taboo around this
packet. You can Jest check that war
club with the first mate, pendin' our
better acquaintance. Hand II over,
you black beggar, or I'll hit you
swat in the ear that1l hurt all your
relations. And hereafter, ScraggSy,
Just keep your Niger friends TO your
self. amt waxin' ELUSIVE over this
savage, and it's agin my principles
ever 10 shake hands with a colored
man. This chaps a Id ugly Gus
toner, and you take my word for IT,"
Tabu-Tabu grlnned again, walked to
the rail, and tossed his war club down
into the canoe.
"Me good missionary boy" he said
rather humbly.
"McGuffey, my dear boy" protested
Captain Scraggs, "don't be so dOggOne
rude. You might hurt this poor lads
feelin's. OF course he's only a simple
native niger, but even a dawg has
feelin's. You"
"A-r-r-rhr snarled McGuffey.
7"You two Delay talkin' and snappin'
nj each other" commanded Mr.. Glib
ney. IAN leave all bargainln' 10 me.
This boy is all right and Wen get
along first rate IL you two just haul
ship and do somethin' useful besides
buttin' In on your superior officer.
Come along. Tabu-Tabu. Makee little
eat down In cabin. You talkee cap
tain"
"Gib. my dear boy" sputtered Cap
tain Scraggs. bursting with curiosity,
following the commodOre's reappear-
ance on deck. "whatever's in the
wlndT"
'Money-fortune," said Mr.. Gibney,
solemnly.
MeGuffey edged up and eyed the
commodore seriously. "Sure there
amt a little fightin' mixed up in it,"
ne asked.
'Not a bit Of IT," replied Mr.. Gibney.
you're rs safe on Kandavu as IL you
was In church. This Tabu kid Is sort
OF prime minister to the king. with
heap OF influence at court. The crew
OF a British cruiser stole him for a
galley police when he was a kid, and