By Rock and Pool on an Austral Shore, and Other Stories

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Becke Louis. By Rock and Pool on an Austral Shore, and Other Stories

By Rock and Pool on an Austral Shore

Solepa

The Fisher Folk of Nukufetau

Mrs. MacLaggan's "Billy"

An Island Memory

A Hundred Fathoms Deep

On a Tidal River

Denison Gets Another Ship

Jack Shark's Pilot

The "Palu" of the Equatorial Pacific

The Wily "Goanner"

The Tănifa of Samoa

On Board the "Tucopia."

The Man in the Buffalo Hide

A CRUISE IN THE SOUTH SEAS

A Cruise in the South Seas

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The last strokes of the bell for evening service had scarce died away when I heard a footstep on the pebbly path, and old Pâkía, staff in hand and pipe dangling from his pendulous ear-lobe, walked quietly up the steps and sat down cross-legged on the verandah. All my own people had gone to church and the house was very quiet.

"Good evening, Pâkía," I said in English, "how are you, old man?"

.....

"So we pair sat talking and smoking, and the girl Sipi made us more kava, and then again sat by my side and leant her face against my shoulder, and presently we heard the sounds of music and singing from the big house. We went outside to see and listen, and saw that Preston was playing on a pese laakau 9 and Solepa and the captain of my ship were dancing together—like as white people dance—and two of the other captains were also dancing in the same fashion. All round the room were seated many of the high chiefs of Ponapé with their wives, dressed very finely, and at one end of the room stood a long table covered with a white cloth, on which was laid food of all kinds and wine and grog to drink—just as you would see in your own country when a rich man gives a feast. Presently as we looked, we saw Franka walk into the room from a side door and look about. His face was flushed, and he staggered slightly in his steps. He went over to the table and poured out some grog, and then beckoned to Preston to come and drink with him, but Preston smiled and shook his head. How could he go when he was making the music? Then Franka struck his clenched fist on the table in anger, and went over to Preston, just as the dancers had stopped.

"'Why will ye not drink with me?' he said in a loud voice so that all heard him. 'Art thou too great a man to drink with me again?'

.....