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One was Schneider, mate of the Kincaid, and the other was a seaman named
Schmidt.
"I think we can do it, Schmidt," Schneider was saying. "A good canoe wouldn't
be hard to build, and three of us could paddle it to the mainland in a day if the
wind was right and the sea reasonably calm. There ain't no use waiting for the
men to build a big enough boat to take the whole party, for they're sore now and
sick of working like slaves all day long. It ain't none of our business anyway to
save the Englishman. Let him look out for himself, says I." He paused for a
moment, and then eyeing the other to note the effect of his next words, he
continued, "But we might take the woman. It would be a shame to leave a nice-
lookin' piece like she is in such a Gott-forsaken hole as this here island."
Schmidt looked up and grinned.
"So that's how she's blowin', is it?" he asked. "Why didn't you say so in the first
place? Wot's in it for me if I help you?"
"
"
She ought to pay us well to get her back to civilization," explained Schneider,
an' I tell you what I'll do. I'll just whack up with the two men that helps me. I'll
take half an' they can divide the other half--you an' whoever the other bloke is.
I'm sick of this place, an' the sooner I get out of it the better I'll like it. What do
you say?"
"Suits me," replied Schmidt. "I wouldn't know how to reach the mainland myself,
an' know that none o' the other fellows would, so's you're the only one that knows
anything of navigation you're the fellow I'll tie to."
Momulla the Maori pricked up his ears. He had a smattering of every tongue that
is spoken upon the seas, and more than a few times had he sailed on English
ships, so that he understood fairly well all that had passed between Schneider
and Schmidt since he had stumbled upon them.
He rose to his feet and stepped into the clearing. Schneider and his companion
started as nervously as though a ghost had risen before them. Schneider reached
for his revolver. Momulla raised his right hand, palm forward, as a sign of his
pacific intentions.
"
I am a friend," he said. "I heard you; but do not fear that I will reveal what you
have said. I can help you, and you can help me." He was addressing Schneider.
You can navigate a ship, but you have no ship. We have a ship, but no one to
"
navigate it. If you will come with us and ask no questions we will let you take the
ship where you will after you have landed us at a certain port, the name of which
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