ack," he said, speaking in the familiar manner borne out of their past
comradeship, "you know that I would do anything for you, don't you? But
while I shall take good care of Tessa, I would rather she was going back
home to Ponape by any other ship than the _Motutapu_."

"What is wrong with the ship, Harvey?"

"Nothing. But the captain and supercargo are a pair of unmitigated
scoundrels. I have seen a good deal of them since I came on board at
New Britain, and I hate the idea of Tessa even having to sit at the same
table with them. If I were free of this cursed fever, I wouldn't mind a
bit, for I could protect her. But I'm no better than a helpless cripple
most of the time, and one or the other, or both, of these fellows are
bound to insult her, especially if they begin drinking."

Old Remington put his hand on Carr's shoulder. "You're a good boy,
Harvey, and I know what you say of Chard at least, is true But have no
fear for Tessa. She can take good care of herself at any time, and I
have no fear for her. Just let me call her for a moment."

"Tessa," he called, "come here." Then speaking in Portuguese, he added,
"Show Harvey what you have in the bosom of your dress."

The girl smiled a little wonderingly, and then putting her hand in
the bosom of her yellow silk blouse, drew out a small Smith and Wesson
revolver.

"Don't worry about Tessa, Harvey," added her father; "she has not
travelled around the Pacific with me for nothing, and if either that
rat-faced Danish skipper or the fat supercargo meddles with her, she
will do what I would do. So have no fear. And she is as anxious as I am
myself to get home to her mother."

Harvey was satisfied. "Perhaps I am doing these two fellows an
injustice, Jack. When a man has fever he always takes a black view of
everything. And then I should remember that Malua here, and the mate,
and nearly all the crew, will see that Tessa is not interfered with.
I am sorry, however, that I shall not be with Tessa all the way to
Ponape--I am going ashore at the Mortlocks. There is a good opening
there----"

"Don't be in too much of a hurry, Harvey. Now, listen to me. Go on to
Ponape. Leave this employ, and come in with me again."

Harvey promised to think it over during the next few days; but the
old man could see, to his regret, that the Mortlocks group of islands
possessed a strong fascination for his young friend.

Remington remained on board for the night; and then at daylight he