"I shall land them to-night over there, but first of all I am going to show them exactly how things stand, and what they may expect if they make trouble.
"Now come back, and we will have a talk with Mr. Mountain Joe."
They came back to the tent, where the dusky bos'n was wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Isbel, who had been giving him refreshments, was standing by. When she saw Floyd and Schumer approaching, she went off toward the tent, and the three men found themselves alone.
Out in the lagoon lay the schooner, the crowd on her deck leaning on the bulwark rails, and evidently speculating on what might be going on ashore.
Joe, who had been seated, rose up, and Schumer, taking his seat on the sand beside Floyd, ordered the Kanaka to stand before him.
Schumer, taking a tobacco pouch from his pocket and a book of cigarette papers, proceeded to roll a cigarette. As he ran the tip of his tongue along the gummed edge of the paper he looked up at Joe.
"What made you tell that lie," said he, "about the fish poisoning?"
Joe started as though some one had made an attempt to strike him.
"What fish p'isonin', sah?"