PART I
PART I - CHAPTER 1. NIGHT ON THE BEACH
_ Throughout the island world of the Pacific, scattered men of many
European races and from almost every grade of society carry activity and
disseminate disease. Some prosper, some vegetate. Some have mounted the
steps of thrones and owned islands and navies. Others again must marry
for a livelihood； a strapping, merry, chocolate-coloured dame supports
them in sheer idleness； and, dressed like natives, but still retaining
some foreign element of gait or attitude, still perhaps with some relic
(such as a single eye-glass) of the officer and gentleman, they sprawl
in palm-leaf verandahs and entertain an island audience with memoirs of
the music-hall. And there are still others, less pliable, less capable,
less fortunate, perhaps less base, who continue, even in these isles of
plenty, to lack bread.
At the far end of the town of Papeete, three such men were seated on the
beach under a purao tree.
It was late. Long ago the

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