ral politeness, however, as well as
the never-to-be-infringed-upon Samoan etiquette, utterly forbade them to
make even the slightest allusion to the matter; they would, they knew,
learn in good time.

Seating themselves on chairs in European fashion at one side of the
table, whilst Raymond and his two companions occupied those opposite,
they first made inquiry as to the wounded men and Mrs. Marston, and the
planter answered their polite queries. Then after a pause Raymond began
by saying--

"This _alii_ {*} is named Mr. Frewen. He is an officer of a _vaa
soia_,{**} and is a friend of my wife's brother, and therefore is a
friend of mine--and thine also, Malie toa o Samatau,{***} and Talitaua."

* Chief--gentleman.

** A whale-ship.

*** His full title, "Malie, warrior of Samatau." The present
King Malietoa of Samoa is a descendant.

The chief and his orator bent their heads, but said nothing beyond a
simple _Lelei, lelei lava_ ("Good, very good").

Then Raymond went to the point as quickly as possible, and asked the
chief if he would assist him, Frewen, and Cheyne in recapturing the ship
from the mutineers. Speaking, of course, in Samoan, he said--

"As thou seest, Malie, the wind hath died away, and the ship is
becalmed, so that the murderers on board cannot escape us if we do but
act soon and come upon them suddenly."

The chief thought for a few moments, then answered--

"I will not refuse thee anything in reason that thou asketh me, Lemonti.
But yet my people must be told of what is in thy mind."

"True. They shall know. But before I unfold to thee my plan to take
this ship by surprise so that but little or no blood may be shed, I will
pledge myself to the people of Samatan and to thee to act generously
to them for the help they will give. The captain is hurt to death
and cannot speak, and the lady his wife is too smitten with grief to
consider aught but her husband, so on her behalf do I speak; for she is
my countrywoman, and it would be a shameful thing for me did I not help
her."

Then he went on, and dearly and lucidly detailed his scheme to the
chief, afterwards translating his remarks into English for the benefit
of Frewen, who listened with the keenest interest. Cheyne, of course,
understood Samoan perfectly.

Raymond's plan was simple enough.

He proposed to take the _Casilda's_ boat, and with Frewen, Cheyne, and
a few natives go boldly off and board the ship, and represe