Hope you
left all the folks at home well. What'd you say your name was?"
The islander hadn't said his name was anything, but he grinned
now and replied that it was Tabu-Tabu.
"Well, my bucko," muttered McGuffey, who always drew the colour
line, "I'm glad to hear that. But you ain't the only thing that's
taboo around this packet. You can jest check that war club with
the first mate, pendin' our better acquaintance. Hand it over,
you black beggar, or I'll hit you a swat in the ear that'll hurt
all your relations. And hereafter, Scraggsy, just keep your
nigger friends to yourself. I ain't waxin' effusive over this
savage, and it's agin my principles ever to shake hands with a
coloured man. This chap's a damned ugly customer, and you take my
word for it."
Tabu-Tabu grinned again, walked to the rail, and tossed his war
club down into the canoe.
"Me good missionary boy," he said rather humbly.
"McGuffey, my _dear_ boy," protested Captain Scraggs, "don't be
so doggone rude. You might hurt this poor lad's feelin's. Of
course he's only a simple native nigger, but even a dawg has
feelin's. You----"
"A-r-r-rh!" snarled McGuffey.
"You two belay talkin' and snappin' at each other," commanded Mr.
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