ounds looking for trouble. He wanted trouble. In full health, the strained situation would have been serious enough; but as it was, himself growing helpless, something had to

et them first, if he did not once again sear on the

not waited the night before until the prowlers had entered. Then he might have shot one or two and given the rest a new lesson, writ in red, for them to con. It was one man against two hundred, and he was horribly afraid of his sickness overpowering him and leaving him at their mercy. He saw visions of the b

men, armed with spears, bows and arrows, and war-clubs, gathered outside the gate of the compound, but only one entered. They knew the law of Berande, as every native knew the law of every white man's compound in all the th

d craftiness. A gee-string and a cartridge-belt were all the clothes he wore. The carved pearl-shell ornament that hung from nose to chin and impeded speech was purely ornamental

white man, without followers, was lord and master of Berande-ay, and on occasion, single-handed, had made himself lord and master of Balesuna village as well. Seelee did not like to remember that episode. It had occurred in the course of learning the nature of white men and of learning to abominate them. He had once been

man's other fist had caught him under the ear and left him without further interest in what was happening. When he came to, he found himself in the white man's whale-boat on the way to Berande. At Berande he had been treated as one of no consequence, with handcuffs on hands and feet, to say nothing of chains. When his tribe had returned the three runaways, he was given his freedom. And finally, the terrible white man had fine

been caught and was even then at the gate. He was brought in, heavy-featured and defiant, his arm

belong me you catch short time little bit. This fella boy strong fella too much. I give you fella one case tobacco-my wo

k, when the labourers came in from the field, Sheldon had them assembled in the compound before the veranda. Every able man was there, including those who were helping about the hospital. Even the women and the several pickaninnies of the plantation were lined up with the rest, two deep-a horde of naked savages a trifle under two hundred strong. In addition to their ornaments of

ld have rushed him and delivered that blow, when his head and the plantation would have been theirs. Hatred and murder and lust for revenge they possessed to overflowing. But one thing they lacked, the t

y!" Sheldon c

nwillingly forw

uffs to a house-boy, who went unde

um this fella boy along tree and make fas

ssness on the part of the onlookers, one of the house-boys fetc

e he run away? Me too much cross along him. I knock what name outa him fella. I pay Seelee, big fella master along Balesuna, one case tobacco catch that fella Arunga. All right. Arunga pay that fella case tobacco. Six pounds that fella Arunga pay. Alle same one year more that fella Arunga work Berande. Al

uietly. The eyes of all the cannibals were fixed upon him in doubt and fear and eag

n said encouragingly, though there was

ed up and looked do

il

started physically. Grins overspread the grotesque featu

him fella Tulagi," Billy said. "One fella government agent

live this day and the next day and not to die waiting

u!" he cried angrily. "

the savage repe

st

tly way and glanced insolently up. Sheldon was

da, tie up that fella Billy alon

a tie," he c

hip. Plenty strong big fella too m

Astoa

le that had leaned agains

aid calmly. "You work alo

the black interrupted w

ou. You too much bad fella. Queensland you stop jail six months two fella time.

ee prayer," w

time little bit. You say one fella

spectacle, staring fascinated at the white man with death in his hands who stood alone on the great veranda. Sheldon has won, and he knew it.

al moment, "I count three fella time. Then I s

toa reached out his hand and took the whip. And right well Astoa laid on the whip, angered at his fellows for not supporting him and venting his anger with every stroke. From the v

ng culprits, had passed out through the compound g

man," he groane

ease to-night," he add