Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/94

80 Oliver. "He won't forget us, and he'll try to get square if it takes a lifetime to do it."

The steamer for Maui left at nine o'clock in the morning, and half an hour before that time found us on board, watching the preparations for departure. The passengers were a motley collection, mostly planters and Chinese helpers, for the island of Maui contains some of the finest sugar and rice plantations to be found anywhere.

"What a grand sea!" burst out Oliver, as the little vessel left the harbor and started on her trip to the southeastward. And it was indeed a grand sea, with its long, swelling waves dancing in the sunshine. Outside, the mighty Pacific was as smooth as a mill-pond, as if hurricanes and fierce gales were things of which it had never heard.

It was cool, too, with a steady trade wind blowing, and all day long we remained on deck, drinking in our fill of salt air and talking over the prospects.

"I trust we have left all of our trials and troubles behind," sighed Dan. "I've had enough of perilous adventure." Alas! little did any of us dream of what fate still held in store for us. Had we done so, I am afraid one or another of the party would have been strongly tempted to turn back.

On the vessel we made several inquiries about