Me stop along Missie Lackalanna in
Solomons. Very soon she catch other schooner."
"He and I were the two survivors of the wreck of the _Huahine_," Tudor
explained to the others. "Fifty-seven all told on board when we sailed
from Huapa, and Joe and I were the only two that ever set foot on land
again. Hurricane, you know, in the Paumotus. That was when I was after
pearls."
"And you never told me, Utami, that you'd been wrecked in a hurricane,"
Joan said reproachfully.
The big Tahitian shifted his weight and flashed his teeth in a
conciliating smile.
"Me no t'ink nothing 't all," he said.
He half-turned, as if to depart, by his manner indicating that he
considered it time to go while yet he desired to remain.
"All right, Utami," Tudor said. "I'll see you in the morning and have a
yarn."
"He saved my life, the beggar," Tudor explained, as the Tahitian strode
away and with heavy softness of foot went down the steps. "Swim! I
never met a better swimmer."
And thereat, solicited by Joan, Tudor narrated the wreck of the
_Huahine_; while Sheldon smoked and pondered, and decided that whatever
the man's shortcomings were, he was at least not a liar.
CHAPTER XV--A DISCOURSE ON MANNERS
The days passed, and Tudor seemed loath to leave the hospitality of
Berande.
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