The Vanishing of Tera

by Fergus Hume

"Did Viara give you a message for me?"

"No. She told me nothing but that you come back to Koiau."

Brand looked at once relieved and disappointed. "What of Niga?" he said, with a glance at Tera.

"Niga fights against the big chief, Misi. Niga is a bad man."

"We must convert him," murmured Brand, rather to himself than to Tolai. "How can we expect a worshipper of blood-stained idols to be godly?" He looked at the dark-skinned native again, and rather uneasily. "I will speak with you again, Tolai," he said, with a gesture of dismissal. Then turning to Tera, "How glad I am to see you are still alive, my child!"

"I am well, Misi," replied Tera, with a toss of her dainty head, "and I am happy. I go soon to Koiau, and Jack with me."

Brand shook his head. "You must not marry that godless sailor."

"I marry Jack!" said Tera, her nostrils dilating; "he is a good man and beautiful. You have no right to speak to me so."

"Let me remind you, child, that I am your guardian."

"Mr. Johnson is my guardian!"