'My name all same Kalli Lal,' the guide explained.
He and the skipper exchanged cigars, while in Indian file the little party soon entered a narrow and tortuous path cut through the adjacent bush, till quite unexpectedly they came to a large clearance and immediately opposite a dwelling of considerable size, erected on upright posts six feet above the ground.
A flight of somewhat rickety-looking steps led to the front door. At their head a swarthy-hued, fierce-eyed, yet intelligent man of about thirty years, was seated in an arm-chair of undoubted European manufacture, and he smoked a long native cheroot. Of medium height and active figure, the stranger watched the approach of the visitors, but, unlike Kalli Lal, he was attired in ordinary English style and wore a small black moustache.
'Him all same big chief,' the guide whispered.
Captain Thorne stepped forward and raised his hat. The compliment was immediately returned, while removing his cigar, and in very fair English the head of the island welcomed the visitors. Never for one moment, however, did his penetrating, hawk-like glance wander from those who had so boldly entered the ever-dangerous presence of the piratical chief. Yet, in spite of all his apparent desire to strike terror into the hearts of the white men, the haughty glance was as fiercely returned, since well they knew that the slightest sign of nervousness might cost all their lives.
On reaching the foot of the stairs two objects of interest immediately attracted attention, and went far to prove, if, indeed, proof were needed, the manner of life followed by these people. On the right hand stood the full length figure of a woman carved in wood, the loosely flowing garments seeming to be stirred by the wind, while one arm was outstretched, the whole still showing faint traces of white paint; and beneath the bared right foot was plainly discernible the words 'Olive Branch,' also in carved letters.
The figure on the left hand represented a male-clad warrior of olden times; a sunken cross, two inches wide, being cut on the breast, and below the word 'Crusader' appeared. Where were the vessels from which those mute figure-heads had been removed, or what fate had overtaken their crews?
Perhaps in the dead of night, and while helplessly becalmed near this very island, the unsuspecting and ill-fated men had been surprised and slaughtered, and the ships and their cargoes might be hidden away in some creek adjacent to the chief's 'palace.'
Captain Thorne failed to recall any missing vessels of recent times named as those here represented had been, while from the weather-beaten, and in some places rotting, appearance of the figures he concluded that they must have been placed in position many years previously, and that this fierce-eyed and somewhat treacherous-looking chief had had no hand in the murders.
Accompanied by Kalli Lal the visitors ascended the stairs, and on entering the 'palace' suddenly faced a double line of immovable figures, apparently acting as a 'guard of honour,' the smooth velvet-like brown bodies being nude to the waist. Each wore in a bright-coloured sash several dangerous-looking long knives, and also gripped between his teeth a similar weapon with twisted blade.