After landing they walked along the main road toward the Kapuan firm’s store. As they passed, the portly figure of Klinger could be seen within the doorway, while on the porch a score or more of large boxes were displayed to view. A glance at the barges lying at the wooden dock showed them to be empty. The cargo had been discharged during the night.
“The ‘Talofa’s’ getting up anchor,” Sydney suddenly exclaimed.
The schooner’s mainsail had been set and the crew were plainly seen heaving around the capstan, weighing the anchor.
“The count is off on his cruise about the islands,” Phil said. “I wonder,” he added thoughtfully, “if those boxes really do contain arms?”
“Very likely,” his companion answered, “but come on. You can’t look through their wooden sides.”
At the house of Chief Tuamana, Avao met them with a demure smile of welcome on her comely face.
“Missi Alice is here,” she cried out to them joyously as she took each by the hand and led them into the cool shelter under her father’s roof tree.
The midshipmen glanced about for Alice. The big room was deserted, but from behind the tapa curtain came much merry laughter, and finally Alice appeared dragging with her two very shy young native girls.
“We’re going to make Kava Fa’a Kapua,”[15] she said as she seated herself native fashion, “and then we’re going out to ‘Jumping Rock’ for a swim. If you care to go we shall be delighted to have you join us,” she told the midshipmen.
Avao brought out a small piece of kava root, holding it out for Alice to inspect.