s you see, in a bad way, with but a few months at most to live.
Captain Peese, at my request, put into this lagoon. He has told me that
the place is seldom visited by ships, and that the people do not care
about strangers. Yet, have you, Mr. Lupton, any objections to my coming
ashore here, and living out the rest of my life? I have trade goods
sufficient for all requirements, and will in no way interfere with or
become a charge upon you."

Lupton considered. His influence with the people of Mururea was such
that he could easily overcome their objections to another white man
landing; but he had lived so long apart from all white associations that
he did not care about having the even monotony of his life disturbed.
And then, he thought, it might be some queer game concocted between the
sick man and the chattering little sea-hawk that sat beside him stroking
and fondling his flowing beard. He was about to refuse when the sunken,
eager eyes of "Mr. Brown" met his in an almost appealing look that
disarmed him of all further suspicion.

"Very well, sir. The island is as free to you as to me. But, still, I
_could_ stop any one else from living here if I wished to do so. But you
do look very ill, no mistake about that. And, then, you ain't going
to trade against me! And I suppose you'll pass me your word that there
isn't any dodge between you and the captain here to bone my shell and
clear out?"

For answer the sick man opened a despatch-box that lay on the cabin
table, and took from it a bag of money.

*****

"This," he said, "is the sum I agreed to pay Captain Peese to land me
on any island of my choice in the Paumotu Archipelago, and this unsigned
order here is in his favour on the Maison Brander of Tahiti for a
similar sum."

Signing the paper he pushed it with the money over to Peese, and then
went on:--

"I assure you, Mr. Lupton, that this is the only transaction I have ever
had with Captain Peese. I came to him in Tahiti, hearing he was bound to
the Paumotu Group. I had never heard of him before, and after to-day I
will not, in all human probability, see him again."

"Perfectly correct, my dear sir," said Peese. "And now, as our business
is finished, perhaps our dear friend, Lupton, will save me the trouble
of lowering a boat by taking you ashore in his own, which is alongside."

Five minutes later and Lupton and the stranger were seated in the boat.

"Good-bye, my dear Lupton, and _adios_ my dear Mr. Brown