her Franka and those with him got into the boats in which they had
boarded the vessel, and then we saw smoke arise from the bow and
stern.... They had set fire to the ship. They were cowards. Fire is a
great help to cowards, because in the glare and dazzling light of
burning houses or ships, when the thunder of cannons and the rattle of
rifles is heard, they can run about and kill people.... I have seen
these things done in Chili.... I have seen men who would not stand and
fight on board ship run away on shore and slay women and children in
their fury and cowardice. No, they were not Englishmen; they were
Spaniolas. But the officers were Englishmen and Germans. _They_ did not
run away, they were killed. Brave men get killed and cowards live. I am
no coward though I am still alive. It is quite proper that I should
live, for I never ran away when there was fighting to be done. I have
only been a fool because of my love for women. No one could say I was a
coward, and no one can say I am a fool, because I am too old now to be a
fool.

"As Franka and those with him left the burning schooner and rowed
towards the islands, the three boats from the shore changed their course
and followed him. Franka and his men were the first to reach the land,
and they quickly ran up the beach and crouched behind the bushes which
grew at high-water mark. They all had guns, and Sipi and Solepa and I
saw them waiting to shoot. We were hiding amid the roots of a great
banyan tree, and could see well. As the boats drew near Solepa watched
them eagerly, and then began to weep and laugh at the same time when she
saw her husband Preston was steering the one which led. She was a good
woman. She loved her husband. I was pleased with her, and told her to be
of good cheer, for I was sure that Preston and his people would kill
Franka and those with him, for as they rowed they made no noise. No one
shouted nor challenged; they came on and on, and the white man Preston