I called George, who was in the deck-house playing cards, and asked him what he would take for Terau.
The lad thought for a moment, and asked me if the Captain had told me to come to him about her?
I said, "Yes! he had." But that I wanted him either to give or sell me the girl, adding that he had better be quick about it, as Terau seemed sinking fast.
"Oh! if that is so, you give me what you like for her. Don't want no dead girls 'bout me."
I called up three of the crew as witnesses, whereupon George sold me the victim of his brutality for ten dollars and a German concertina.
"Now, George," I said, "I am going to put Terau ashore, and if you touch her again, or even speak to her, I'll knock your infernal soul out of your black body."
He grinned, and replied that he was only too glad to get rid of her; and returning into the deck-house, began at once to play on the concertina.
A few days after this transaction we touched at Ngatik or Los Valientes Island, and I was pleased to find here a trader whose wife was a native of Pleasant Island.
I asked them if they would like to have Terau to live with them, and the wife at once expressed her willingness as well as joy at seeing one of her own countrywomen.
Returning on board, I inquired of Terau if she would not like to go ashore and live with these people, who would treat her kindly. During my ownership she had regained her strength in great degree, Nellie having agreed to attend on her, and the Chinese steward saw that she had nourishing food.