In Search of an Unknown Race — page 250: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

236 VAN. Before bringing up the subject nearest his heart, Van opened one of the boxes, and displayed these treasures to the Kroo’s astonished and envious eyes. Then, as clearly as possible Van explained how he had deceived them, and why, and without giving the black time to express himself on the subject, Van went on to show him that in the country they were approach- ing, slavery or bondage such as had threatened them was unknown. Further Van assured his hearer, who began to listen with something like attention, that the entire party should besent back to New Hebrides, taking with them the two boxes of wares, part of which the Kroo had seen, if they submitted to the inevitable with a good grace. And the upshot was, that after another long ‘‘ palaver,” aided by a display of the promised gifts, everything was made satisfactory, greatly to Van’s relief. Thanks to his training on board St. Mary’s school ship, Van made his ‘‘landfall” with singular accuracy. And on a bright, breezy morning he took a pilot, who, ac- customed as he was to seeing all sorts and conditions of men on shipboard, opened his eyes very wide at the sight of the youthful commander and his curiously appareled crew of six Polynesians. The Bellingham fed arrived full ten days previous. Yes—he—(the pilot) could give him a berth alongside her, as she had not begun loading. Wasn’t this white schooner the one suspected of being an opium smuggler -~in fact, unsuccessfully searched for that contraband drug last voyage, when a Captain Bates had her? This was news to Van, who returned a rather evasive Eomichbooks. co