Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-04-06

| NAV be that these precautions oin
necessary. but when was here twenty
wears ago 1t was all the rage to XIII
white man and eat him. Maybe times
has changed. but the harbor ana tne
coast looks Just as wild and lonely as
they ever did, and l didn't see no sign
of missionary when we dropped NOOK
Inst night. So don't take no chances
All hands promised that they would
take extreme care, to the end that thelr
precious persons. might remain intact
so MIR. Gibney finished his cup OF COZ
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 haif IL
dozen canoes shot out from the beach.
Mr., Gibney 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 to the rail and motiOned them
back. Immediately the natives ceased
padding, and a wlld-lOoking fellow
stood up In the forward canoe. After
the manner of his kind he had all his
life soused his head In llme-water
when making his savage toilette, and
as a result his shock of black hair
stood on end and bulged out like
crowded hayrick. He was naked, OF
course, and In his hand he held huge
war club.
THAT felIer'd eat rattlesnake,"
gasped Captain Scraggs. "Shoot him,
Glib. II he bats an eye."
"Shut up" said the commodore. n
trife 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. 1 talk. Me very good friend
white master"
"Bless my sweet-scented soul !"
gasped the commodore. "What won't
them missionaries do next? Cut Oft
my ears II this Niger amt civilized" !"
He beckoned to the canoe and 1t shot
alongside, and Its brown crew came
climbing over the rail OF the Maggie
II.
Mr.. Gibney met the spokesman nj
the rail and they rubbed noses very
solemnly, after the manner of saluta-
tion in Kandavu. Captain Scraggs
hustled forward, full OF importance.
"Interduce me, Glib" he said nmiably
and then, while Mr.. Gibney favored
him with sour glance, Captain
Scraggs stuck out his hand and shook
brskly 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
ut home well. What'd you say your
name was?"
The Islander hadn't said his name
was anything. but he grinned now and
replied that 1t was Tabu-Tabu.
swell, my bucko," muttered McGuf-
fey. who always drew the color line.
"I'm 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 1t over
you black beggar. or I'll hit you a
swat in the ear thatil hurt all your
relations. And hereafter, Scraggsy
Just keep your niger friends to your
self. I amt waxln' efrusive over this
savage, and it's agin my principles
ever to shake hands with a cOlored
man. This chaps d-d ugly Gus
toner. and you take my word for 1t. :
Tabu-Tabu grinned again, walked t.
the rail. and tossed his war club dOwr
into the canoe.
"Me good missionary boy" he said
rather humbly.
"McGuffey. my dear boy" protested
Captain Scraggs. "don't be so dOggOn'
rude. You might hurt this poor lad!
feelin's. OF course he's only simpl,
native niger. but even dawg ha
feelin's. YOU"
| "A-r-r-rh!' = snarled McGuffey.
"You two beluy talkin' and snappir
mt each other" commanded Mr.. Glib
ney. "an' leave all bargainin' to me
This boy Is all right and we'll ge
along first rate II you two just hau
ship and do somethln' useful beside
buttin' In on your superior officer
Come along. Tabu-Tabu. Makee littl
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 tn
wind?"
"Money-fortune." said Mr.. Gibney
sOlemnly.
McGuffey edged up and eyed tn
commodore seriously. "Sure ther
amt little fightin' mixed up In It?
he asked.
mot bit Of It," replied Mr.. Gibney
you're us safe on Kandavu as II yo,
was In church. This Tabu kid is sor
of prime minister to the king. with
heap Of influence at court. The crey
OF n British pruIsar stnla bi,,, f,r