"
"But not after they become recruits? Surely, the boys you have here
wouldn't be guilty."
"They'd eat you if the chance afforded."
"Are you just saying so, on theory, or do you really know?" she asked.
"I know."
"Why? What makes you think so? Your own men here?"
"Yes, my own men here, the very house-boys, the cook that at the present
moment is making such delicious rolls, thanks to you. Not more than
three months ago eleven of them sneaked a whale-boat and ran for Malaita.
Nine of them belonged to Malaita. Two were bushmen from San Cristoval.
They were fools--the two from San Cristoval, I mean; so would any two
Malaita men be who trusted themselves in a boat with nine from San
Cristoval."
"Yes?" she asked eagerly. "Then what happened?"
"The nine Malaita men ate the two from San Cristoval, all except the
heads, which are too valuable for mere eating. They stowed them away in
the stern-locker till they landed. And those two heads are now in some
bush village back of Langa Langa."
She clapped her hands and her eyes sparkled. "They are really and truly
cannibals! And just think, this is the twentieth century! And I thought
romance and adventure were fossilized!"
He looked at her with mild amusement.
"What is the matter now?" she queried.
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