"Wait for the morning," repeated the captain, as he lit his pipe. "There is a bigger world of wisdom in that bit of advice than you think for. It is what we have all got to do at times, as we sailors soon find out."
A light tread beneath the window caught Edwin's ear. Surely he knew that step. It was—it must be Whero's.
He was out on the veranda in a moment. There was his Maori friend wandering round the house in the brilliant starshine, stroking his kaka.
"I cannot live upon my hill alone," said Whero. "I have followed you, but I should cry hoké to you in vain. I will take my bird and go back to Tuaranga—it will be safe among my Maori school-fellows—until hunger shall have passed away from the hills."
Edwin's arm went round him as he cried out gleefully, "Ottley, Ottley, here are two more passengers for the pack-horse train!"
THE END.
* * * * * * * *
ENTIRELY NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION OF
R. M. Ballantyne's Books for Boys.
The Coral Island. A Tale of the Pacific.