He eyed Joe and me with calm interest, his look flashing over us from head to heel and noting every detail of our appearance. Then he turned to the captain of the guard and nodded permission for him to speak.
“Flying through the air on a thing with wings,” began the man, “these two intruders alighted upon the top of the house of Aza, where they were captured. They are brought before your Majesty for judgment.”
The king passed his hand across his eyes with a wearied gesture. Then he looked toward us again and said:
“They are young.” His voice was low and soft.
“You are also young, your Majesty,” I ventured to state.
“Then you understand our tongue?” he said quickly.
“Imperfectly. I was taught to speak it by a native of Tuamotu.”
“Tuamotu! So you have come here to get our pearls?”
“No, indeed. We were shipwrecked, having been driven out of our course by the storm. We are not robbers, your Majesty, but only unfortunate voyagers.”
He nodded.