ilker are having a
very happy time together."

"Father," said the girl in the native tongue, as he put down his cup,
"Banderah is here. He came but now, and will not come inside, but waits
for thee in the copra-house, lest he be seen talking to thee."

"What the devil is wrong?" muttered Blount, as without waiting to touch
the coffee prepared for him he went outside to the copra-house.

In half an hour he and the native chief came out together, and as they
stood for a minute in the broad streak of light that streamed out from
the lamp on the table in the big room, Taya, who sat in the doorway, saw
her father's face was set and stern-looking.

"Shed thou no blood, Banderah," he said in the native tongue, "not even
that of these two dogs who have eaten and drunk in my house for four
years."

"Challi,{*} that is hard. Already are my people thirsty for the blood
of this dog of a captain--he who stole thirty and one of my people. And
because of my brother, who was stolen with them, have I promised them
vengeance. But the other two who are with him on the ship I will spare."

* Charlie.

"As you will. And as for these two dogs who have planned to kill me,
with them I shall deal myself. If, when the schooner saileth away from
here, these men go not with her, then shall I shoot them dead."

"Good," and then grasping the white man's hand, the chief pressed his
nose to his, and vanished in the darkness.

IV ~ "DEATH TO THEM BOTH!"

Early on the following morning Messrs. de Vere and Morcombe-Lycett--the
latter being now quite recovered--informed Mr. and Mrs. Deighton that,
having heard from the two traders there was good shooting at the big
swamp, they were going there under the guidance of Banderah and a party
of natives; and shortly after breakfast the chief, accompanied by a
number of his people, appeared.

"I will send with you two of my best men," said Mr. Deighton, indicating
a couple of his pet converts, who stood by dressed for the occasion
in white starched shirts and black coats, but minus trousers, of which
garments the pet converts had divested themselves, knowing that they
should have to wade through the swamp.

But suddenly, to the missionary's astonishment, Banderah, with a savage
look, bade them stay where they were. He had, he said, plenty of men,
and did not need Mr. Deighton's servants.

Presently the two yachting gentlemen, arrayed in a very stylish sporting
get-up, appeared with thei