Pacific Tales

Book Excerpt: ...ried, 'Stop!' and standing up and speaking very quickly, said: 'O Papu, there must be no fight! But tell all these white men that the man they have brought to fight thee shall have the money that is in my hands. And tell them also--so that they shall not be vexed--that the women and girls shall dance for them here in the square till sunrise.'"My father laughed and shook his head, but told the white men Labayan's words, and they too laughed."'Nay, Labayan, ' said my father, 'fight I must, or else be shamed. But have no fear; this will be a long fight, but I am the better of the two. I know this man; he is an Englishman like myself, and a great fighter. But he does not know me now; for it is many years since he saw me last.' And then he and the sailor shook each other by the hand; and then began the fight."Ah! it was terrible to look at, and soon I began to tremble, and I hid my face on my mother's bosom. Once I heard a loud cry from the assembled people, and looking up saw my father stag...