Beautiful are the dreams of love.
Sweet are the sounds of deep-moving waters
And the sight of the stars over the mountains:
But, oh, how glorious is the light of a maiden’s eyes!
Eyes that we cannot see—only remember.”
So did the handsome Samoan sing as I played the violin in that little hut by Salufata village. As the night grew old, the Matafas laid their heads on the table and wailed: “O noble white mans, bring back to us the beautiful white girl, the stranger that came to us from out of the seas.”
I slept little that night as I lay beside Tamafanga in the little room next to the Matafas, who, thanks to the unsweetened gin, slept soundly.
I was anxious to get back to Tai-o-hae. I thought of Grimes, I longed to hear his cheery voice again and to see the old faces. “What had happened when Benbow came back and heard all about Waylao? Was the old cottage still on the slope with its little chimney smoking as of old? Did old Lydia still watch for Waylao’s return, or was the girl back there?” Such were my reflections as I lay on that mat, sleepless, in Matafa’s hut.
Next day, when I went aboard the s.s. Rockhampton, the crew stared with astonishment to see my obsequious retinue, for Mr and Mrs Matafa had made up their minds to come and see us off. I did my best to dissuade them, but it was no use—come they would!
As I strode up the gangway from the outrigger canoe that took us out, Tamafanga followed close behind me, carrying my violin. Behind him came the Matafas. Mrs Matafa’s arms were crammed with bunches of bananas and other delicious fruits. Old Matafa had attired himself in his full costume of sacred chiefdom. He was bare to the waist, but about his loins was the gorgeous swathing that represented the Samoan’s royal insignia of knighthood. I must say he looked a handsome old fellow as he jumped down on the sailing-ship’s deck and stalked majestically behind me, carrying his huge war-club which, decorated with many jewels, showed his high degree. The sailors, mostly Yankees, grinned from ear to ear as I wished the chief and his wife good-bye.