roughout the various islands of the wild New Hebrides and
Solomon Groups.

During the voyage to Samoa he one day asked Pautoe if she would not like
to go to school in Samoa with white and half-caste girls, some of her
own age, and others older.

Such an extraordinary change came over the poor child's face that Marsh
was astounded. For some seconds she did not speak, but breathed quickly
and spasmodically as if she were physically exhausted, then her whole
frame trembled violently. Then a sob broke from her.

"Be not angry with me, Tikki,... but I would rather die than stay in
Samoa,... away from thee and Ali and Leota. Oh, master----" she ceased
speaking and sobbed so unrestrainedly that Marsh was moved. He waited
till she had somewhat calmed herself, and then said gravely:--

"'Twill be a great thing for thee, Pautoe, this school. Thou wilt be
taught much that is good, and the English lady who has the school will
be kind----"

"Nay, nay, Tikki," she cried brokenly, "send me not away, I beseech
thee. Let me go with thee, and Ali and Leota, to those new, wild lands.
Oh, cast me not away from thee. Where thou goest, let me go."

Marsh smiled. "Thou art another Ruth, little one. In such words did Ruth
speak to Naomi when she went to another country. Dost know the story?"

"Aye, I know the story, and I have no fear of wild lands. Only have I
fear of seeing no more all those I love if thou dost leave me to die in
Samoa."

Again the trader smiled as he bade her dry her tears.

"Thou shalt come with us, little one Now, go tell Leota."

For many months Marsh remained in Apia, unable to find a suitable
vessel. Then, not caring to remain in such a noisy and expensive
port--he rented a native house at a charmingly situated village called
Laulii, about ten miles from Apia, and standing at the head of a tiny
bay, almost landlocked by verdant hills. So much was he pleased with the
place, that he half formed a resolution to settle there permanently, or
at least for a year or two.

Ali and Leota were delighted to learn this, for although they were
willing to go anywhere in the world with their beloved "Tikki," they,
like all Samoans, were passionately fond of their own beautiful land,
with its lofty mountains and forests, and clear running streams.

And Pautoe, too, was intensely happy, for to her Samoa was a dream-land
of light and beauty. Never before had she seen mountains, except in
pictures shown her by Mr. Copley or