A BLACK TRADER 181 



One evening, just as we had finished supper, and 

 were sitting in front of our tent, a South-Sea Islander 

 appeared in his little canoe, and after pulling it up on 

 the beach, he came up to see us. His skin was very 

 dark, his hair very " kinky," and the muscles stood 

 out on his well-shaped naked body like twisted ropes. 

 Taking a frying-pan and some provisions from his 

 canoe, he soon began cooking his supper. 



We found that this dark-skinned visitor could talk 

 English pretty well ; and, moreover, in his way, was 

 quite a philosopher. He informed us that he went 

 from island to island, trading with the natives for tor- 

 toise shells and paradise-bird skins ; then selling them 

 to the English at Thursday Island. I asked him if he 

 ever worked for the white men, to earn money; his 

 answer was a pretty good one : " No ! Black man, him 

 work for he self. Belly good ! Him sabby [under- 

 stand] him no work for white man ; him no sabby 

 him work; all same, bloody fool!" By the time 

 supper was ready, our friend was joined by his partner 

 in the business, and a lively conversation ensued. The 

 new-comer had an impediment in his speech, and stut- 

 tered in a very ludicrous manner. 



Shelley inquired of the first one what was the mat- 

 ter with his friend, and if he could talk no better than 

 that ; whereupon he answered, " Him belly good boy. 

 Sabby plenty English. Talk belly bad : froat belong- 

 ing to him no good ; all same played out." 



