utious about advancing up the beach to Kaibuka and his men, but
seeing that the latter possessed no firearms, they came on, and Kaibuka,
throwing down his club and spear, walked down and shook hands with them
in a very friendly manner, and was at once addressed by one of them in
the Gilbert Island tongue, though he could not speak it very well.
He told Kaibuka that the ship was going to China, and that he was a
passenger; that he had been living on Temana (an island far to the
south-east) but had tired of it, and so, when the ship called there to
get some food, of which she was badly in want, he came away with her,
the captain, in return for his services as interpreter, promising to
give him a passage to the island of Makin, where were living four or
five white men. He then asked Kaibuka if there was any drinking water on
the little island, and any food--of any kind whatever--to be obtained.

The white men were at once taken and shown the well, at which they were
very pleased, and two of them went back to the ship for water-casks, the
others remaining on shore bartering with Kaibuka's people for some fish,
a turtle, and coco-nuts, paying for them in tobacco and knives,
and promising them a keg of rum if twenty turtle and a boat-load of
full-grown coco-nuts were brought them within a few days. Turtle,
however, were scarce, but Kaibuka said that there were a good many
captive ones in the turtle ponds at the main village, and he would send
over for some. And then his brain began to work. He suggested that two
or three of the white men should go with his messenger; but they were
too wary, and made excuses, which Kaibuka took in seeming good part,
saying it did not matter, but that he would send a man over at once to
his father to tell him to bring as many turtle as could be obtained. The
captain and interpreter were satisfied with this, and returned on board,
declining to let any of the curious natives come with them--on the plea
that they would be too busy repairing some water-casks which they hoped
Kaibuka and his men would help fill in the morning.

Then the young chief called to his messenger.

"Tell my father and my uncle that I can see but seven men altogether on
the ship, but each one carries a gun, pistol, and cutlass, and two are
always on guard. Tell him, too, to bring some turtle and fish, and let
some young women who can dance well come with him as well. But my uncle
and some of our best men must follow in thei