King.—"Well, Captain! you d—d clever man. I want you give me advice. You see—all these men come to Kusaie. Well—me afraid, take my island altogether. What you think?"
Captain.—"Oh no, king! I'll see they do you no harm. I think some of them go away in the Leonora."
King.—(Much doubting) "Oh! thank you. I no want too many white men here—no Christians like Kusaie men. No believe God, no Jesus Christ." (Then with sudden change of tone) "I say, Capt'n Hayston, one of you men no pay my people when you here last—no pay anybody."
Captain.—"Very bad man, king, how much he cheat people out of?"
King.—(With inquiring look at queen) "Oh! about three dollars."
Captain.—"I'll attend to it, king—I'll see it paid."
King.—"Thank you, Capt'n. What you say this young gentleman's name?"
Captain.—"His name is Hilary Telfer."
King.—"You like Strong's Island, young gentleman? Pretty girl, eh? Same as Captain?" Here he gave a wheezing laugh, and clapped his hands on the Captain's knees.
I told him I thought the Strong Island girls very pretty. The queen communicated this to the attendants. After which I was the recipient of various nods and winks and wreathed smiles.