with ague, and half an hour later he was burning with fever. It was no
ordinary attack. It quickly became pernicious, and developed into
black-water fever. The days passed, and he grew weaker and weaker,
never leaving his bed. Mauki waited and watched, the while his skin
grew intact once more. He ordered the boys to beach the cutter, scrub
her bottom, and give her a general overhauling. They thought the order
emanated from Bunster, and they obeyed. But Bunster at the time was
lying unconscious and giving no orders. This was Mauki's chance, but
still he waited.

When the worst was past, and Bunster lay convalescent and conscious,
but weak as a baby, Mauki packed his few trinkets, including the china
cup handle, into his trade box. Then he went over to the village and
interviewed the king and his two prime ministers.

"This fella Bunster, him good fella you like too much?" he asked.

They explained in one voice that they liked the trader not at all. The
ministers poured forth a recital of all the indignities and wrongs
that had been heaped upon them. The king broke down and wept. Mauki
interrupted rudely.

"You savve me--me big fella marster my country. You no like 'm this
fella white marster. Me no like 'm. Plenty good you put hundred
cocoanut, two hundred cocoanut, three hundred cocoanut along cutter.
Him finish, you go sleep 'm good fella. Altogether kanaka sleep m good
fella. Bime by big fella noise along house, you no savve hear 'm that
fella noise. You altogether sleep strong fella too much."

In like manner Mauki interviewed the boat boys. Then he ordered