“And what is it that my friends wish to say to me?” he inquired.
The teacher explained that we came to beg that Avatea might be spared.
“Tell him,” said Jack, “that I consider that I have a right to ask this of him, having not only saved the girl’s life, but the lives of his own people also; and say that I wish her to be allowed to follow her own wishes, and join the Christians.”
While this was being translated, the chiefs brow lowered, and we could see plainly that our request met with no favourable reception. He replied with considerable energy, and at some length.
“What says he?” inquired Jack.
“I regret to say that he will not listen to the proposal. He says he has pledged his word to his friend that the girl shall be sent to him, and a deputy is even now on this island awaiting the fulfilment of the pledge.”
Jack bit his lip in suppressed anger. “Tell Tararo,” he exclaimed with flashing eye, “that if he does not grant my demand, it will be worse for him. Say I have a big gun on board my schooner that will blow his village into the sea, if he does not give up the girl.”
“Nay, my friend,” said the teacher, gently, “I will not tell him that; we must overcome evil with good.’”
“What does my friend say?” inquired the chief, who seemed nettled by Jack’s looks of defiance.
“He is displeased,” replied the teacher.