ly mellowed by the sweet spirit of the giant who addressed
him. "What d'ye want me to do?"

"I meant to ask a passage in your vessel for my son and myself to the
island of Otava. It is not far off, and you said yesterday that you
intend to pass close to it. You see, I am something of a trader, as
well as a missionary-schoolmaster; but if you sail to-night I have not
time to get ready."

"If that's all your difficulty," returned the captain, "I'll delay till
to-morrow night. A day won't make much difference--will it, Mr Rosco?"
he said, turning to the mate.

"You know best" replied the mate somewhat sharply, "I don't command the
schooner."

The captain looked at the officer with an angry frown, and then, turning
quickly to Zeppa, said--

"Well, if that time will do, it is settled. You and your son may go
with me. And, see here, I've brought a box of figs for your wife, since
you won't take anything for the help you gave me this morning."

"You shall present it yourself," said Zeppa, with a pleased smile.

"Hi! Ebony," hailing the negro, "tell Marie to come here. She is in
the palm-grove."

Ebony found his mistress and delivered his message.

Madame Zeppa was a pretty little fair woman, of French extraction. She
had been a lady's-maid, and, having been born and brought up chiefly in
England, spoke English fluently, though with a slightly foreign accent
derived from her mother.

"Missis," said the negro, in a low voice, and with a mysterious look, as
he followed her out of the palm-grove, "massa him wants to go wid
schooner. Don' let him go."

"Why not, Ebony?"

"Kase I no likes him."

"You don't like the schooner?"

"No, de cappin ob de skooner. Hims bad man for certin. Please don' let
massa go."

"You know I never give master his orders," returned madame, with a light
laugh.

"Better if you did, now an' den," muttered the negro, in a tone,
however, which rendered the advice not very distinct.

The fair little woman received the box of figs graciously; the captain
and mate were invited to the abode of Zeppa, where they met the native
missionary, and soon after returned to their vessel to make preparations
for departure.

"Marie," said Zeppa that night as they, with their boy, sat down to rest
after the labours of the day, "I expect to be away about three weeks.
With anything of a wind the schooner will land us on Otava in two or
three days. Business won't detain me long, and a large c