brig and her captain had a curious history. She was, two years
before, as well-found a whaleship as ever sailed the Pacific, but by
some extraordinary ill-luck she had never taken a fish during a cruise
of seven months, although in the company of others that were doing well.
The master, one of those fanatically religious New Englanders that
by some strange irony of fate may be often met with commanding vilely
licentious crews of whaleships, was a skilled and hitherto lucky man. On
reaching Ponape the whole of his officers and crew deserted _en masse_
and went off in other ships. Utterly helpless, W------ was left by
himself. There were, of course, plenty of men to be had in Ponape, but
the ship's reputation for bad luck damned his hopes of getting a fresh
crew.

Whether the man's brain was affected by his troubles I know not, but
after living like a hermit for a year, alone on the brig, a sudden
change took place in his character and conduct. Sculling ashore in
one of his boats--she was a four-boat ship--he had an interview with
Nanakin, the chief of the Jakoit's district, and returned on board with
five or six young girls, to whom he gave permanent quarters on board,
selling from time to time his sails, whaling gear, and trade to keep his
harem in luxury. At the end of a year the brig was pretty well stripped
of all of any value; and W------ went utterly, hopelessly mad.

*****

The brig's cabin was large and roomy. The table that had once nearly
filled it had been taken away, and the floor covered with those
peculiarly made Ponape mats which, by rolling up one-half of either end,
forms a combined couch and pillow. As Hickson and I, following the crazy
little captain, made our appearance, some four young girls, who were
lolling about on the mats, started up, and looked at us with big,
wondering eyes, ablaze with curiosity.

Both Hickson and myself--and he had roved throughout Polynesia from his
boyhood--were struck by the extraordinary beauty of these four young
creatures; so young and innocent in looks; in sin, as old as Ninon
d'Enclos.

Placing one hand on the shoulder of the girl nearest to him, and fixing
his big, blue, deep-set eyes on us, W------waved the other towards the
girls, and said--

"Welcome, gentlemen, welcome. Behold these little devils, who in the
guise of sunburnt angels are the solace of a man forgotten by his God,
and the father of a family residing in Martha's Vineyard, United States
of Am