By this time the boat had been hoisted in, and presently Maori Bill, lifting his cap to Mrs. Casalle, went down to the main deck, and picking up a bunch of young coco-nuts, brought them up on the poop, and placed them at Solepa's feet.
'These are for thee, O maid with the star-like eyes!' he said gravely to her in Samoan, 'but first let me offer one to the white lady.'
Mrs. Casalle started, and smiled as she heard him speak in Samoan, and then took from him and drank part of a nut which he opened and presented to her. Then she asked Tom to come below. 'You can stay here, Solepa,' she said in English to the girl, 'until I call you.'
Maori Bill, although usually slow of speech, was no laggard in love-making. Leaning against the fife-rail, he set to work without delay.
'From what part of Samoa do ye come?' he asked.
'From Leone in Tutuila, where my mistress lives. Why do ye ask?'
'Because thou must be my wife. I love thee. When we get to Samoa I shall ask for thee.'
'I shall say "No,"' said the girl, looking at him from the corner of her eye as she raised a coconut to her lips.
'Why? Am I ill-favoured? I will make thee a good husband. Many will envy thee.'
'Aue! Hear the man talk!' and Solepa rolled her eyes up at the sky. 'Tell me, how came ye to speak my tongue so well?'