l at Honolulu would
give us what is, I think, called a 'letter of protection,' whereby a
British subject hoisting the English flag upon one of the Pacific
Islands can, with the approval of a naval officer, and the concurrence
of the native inhabitants, purchase it, and get protection from the
English Government.

"He wished Gurden to remain until we returned, but the old man said it
would be too lonely for him, but that if we took him back to Strong's
Island he would be content to await our return there. The long voyage
to Honolulu, he thought, would be too much for him, and beside that he
wished to return to Strong's Island, if only to say farewell to its
people with whom he had lived for so many years. After that he would
be content to end his days with us on Arrecifos.

"Returning to Strong's Island, we landed Gurden, and after a long and
wearisome voyage reached Honolulu; my husband sold the pearl shell for
a thousand pounds--about half its value--and the cutter and the rest of
the cargo for 600 pounds, bought the _Mahina_, and at once began to fit
her out and ship an entirely new crew, for the nine men we had with us
on the cutter wanted to remain in Honolulu and spend their wages.
Undoubtedly some of these men talked about the lagoon and discovery of
the pearl shell, and were the primary cause of the misfortunes which
were to befall us.

"One morning Manuel Barradas came on board, and asked my husband if he
was in want of a chief mate. He was, and being satisfied with the
man's appearance and qualifications, at once engaged him, and then
Barradas said he knew of a very good man as second mate. This was
Paul, the Greek.

"A few days before we sailed, Barradas told my husband that he had met
a former acquaintance of his, who would like to take passage in the
brig for the entire cruise, merely for the pleasure of visiting these
little-known islands, and that he was prepared to pay liberally. In
the evening Barradas brought his friend on board, and introduced him as
Mr. Rawlings. My husband and he had quite a long talk. Rawlings was
himself a sailor, and had made, he said, a good deal of money as
recruiter in the kanaka labour trade between Fiji and the Solomon
Islands; but was tired of idling away his time in Honolulu, and thought
that among the Caroline or Marshall Group he might find an island
whereon he could settle as a trader.

"My poor husband fell into the trap devised for him by these three men;