Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/224

214 it was entirely worth while to teach these islanders that ample reward would be given for shipwrecked men, inducing them thus to place a high value upon human life.

The burly captain was at last made willing to hold the ship for an hour or longer, while the ship's boat went out with Holden to the canoes of the islanders, who but that very morning held him as a slave, but now, seeing him coming from the ship with a boat load of sailors, and himself dressed in clothes that were to them of fabulous worth, were now ready to bow down and almost worship him.

While thus rowing out to meet them the thought came into Holden's mind to teach them a lesson. Calling to his old master, Parabaway, he selected and placed into his hands the finest and largest pieces of iron that he saw in the basket. Parabaway immediately began singing or chanting his praises, declaring what a good child Temit was; or rather continued his laudation which he began as Temit appeared in the boat, and adding thanks for what this good child would give him. After this Holden called to Knute's master, and gave him a present nearly as good. Then he distributed to the others, dealing to each accordingly as their treatment of himself and his mates had been. Those to whom he gave but a small amount of the treasure of iron soon began to make loud complaints and beg for more. But he made them all be quiet until the distribution was over, then he spoke so that all could hear, and said, "I have now treated you as you treated me and my mates. Those that complain because I placed a small present in their hand must remember that they placed but a small bite of poi in my mouth when I was hungry."

These became very much concerned and said to him, "But we did not know that. Let Temit return with us and stay until another ship comes this way, and we will