And so far there had been no further disturbance from the outside; but they were always on the look-out for it, and it came, and in the expected shape.
The Dark Islands lie far out of the ordinary track of commerce. For that very reason, when once discovered, they offered unusual inducements to such as found the usual fields too small, and too hot, for their peculiar forms of immorality. The outposts of civilisation, such as it is, have not infrequently been pushed forward by individuals whom civilisation could no longer tolerate in its midst. It was such a one who came out of his way—and incidentally out of the way of some who ardently desired to lay hands on him—to bring the amenities of commerce and civilisation to the Dark Islands.
Old Maru, and his son Kahili, and the other hostages to law and order, had returned to their homes full to the brim of new ideas and great intentions, and Blair reposed great hopes in them.
He and Cathie, on one of their usual rounds of the islands in the Torch, came sailing round Kanele Head one day and were surprised to find a ship at anchor in the bay.
"Ah!" broke from them both at the sight.
"So that's come," said Cathie. "Bound to sooner or later. Nip it tight, sir, is my advice."
He gave some orders to the mate, and they went ashore.
A burly individual in sailorly garb came down the beach from Maru's house to meet them. He was stout and evil-faced, with small blue eyes and tangled hay-coloured beard and moustache, and the roll in his walk seemed too pronounced to come entirely from much walking of slippery decks.
