Although Edgar could not make out what they were talking about, he knew Wal Jessop was questioning him as to the white men who visited the island.
‘Psan Aremama,’ said Meri.
‘There is a white man on the island,’ said Wal to Edgar. ‘We must go ashore and try and meet him. Meri knows where he is to be found, but he avoids the coast.’
‘Strange a white man should be here,’ said Edgar. ‘It may be the very man we are in search of.’
‘If it turns out to be Manton, it will be stranger still,’ said Wal.
Meri agreed to take them ashore in his canoe, and to make room for them ordered two of the men to jump out and swim back to land.
Wal Jessop asked if there were sharks about, for he saw the natives were frightened, but dared not disobey the chief.
Meri laughed, showing his even teeth, and hinted that it would be good sport to see a shark or two hunt the natives.
‘Pleasant sort of man to work for,’ said Edgar, when Wal had explained.
The canoe shot away from the side of the schooner. Wal and Edgar had their rifles with them and also a number of beads, trinkets, and pieces of bright-coloured cloths, with which to propitiate the natives.