"What are they?"
"That you will do my wife and Murkard justice."
"Oh, yes! I'll promise that and more with pleasure. And the other?"
"That you'll let me down as lightly as possible."
"I'll promise that also."
"Very good then; go ahead."
I set to work, and in due time the book was written. The next time I met him was in Levuka, Fiji. The schooner was leaving for the Carolines the following morning, and I went on board to wish them God speed. Just as I was pushing off from the gangway on my return to the shore, Ellison, who with his wife alongside him was leaning on the taff-rail, called out:
"Oh, I say! what about your book, my friend?"
"It is finished."
"Hearty congratulations. I wish you all good luck with it. And pray what do you intend its name to be?"