THE PARTY CAME IN, WAVING GREEN PALM-LEAVES.
He was as humble and friendly as possible, as well he might be, considering the fact that we had been the means of saving him from being served up as a Typee roast or stew.
"If ever it comes my way, I'll do you boys a good turn," he said in a tone of thankfulness, and I was disposed to let the promise pass without comment; but Phil did not hold the same opinion.
"That is to say, you count on being friendly to us until another chance comes your way of selling us to the whalers, or of seeing us roasted and eaten," he said angrily; whereupon Benson replied with what I believed was sincere regret for having attempted to do us bodily harm:—
"If you'd been in my position since yesterday, you'd know full well that I couldn't be other than thankful for what you have done."
"I allow we were in much the same situation when you had us in your keeping, and was determined we should be roasted!" the lad said hotly. "But for the fact that the Typees got the worst of the battle, we'd be ready for cooking this very minute."
Benson could make no reply to what was neither more nor less than the truth, and he hung his head, as seemed to me most proper.