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Walter E. Traprock - The Cruise of the Kawa
where no figures had existed. "What do I care?" he said to my objection. "I was there, wasn't I? And you
were there? There may have been others."
A mighty roar followed the unveiling, a shout of such force that tons of breadfruit and thousands of
cocoanuts fell from the adjacent trees. But it was plain to see whom the shouting was for. Then
Baahaabaa made the awards and - the prizes were identical - two royal rigolos of
mother-of-pearl, elaborately trimmed with corals and pendants of limpid aquamarine. What tact, what
grace and charm in these identical rewards!
I am fortunate in being able to reproduce both masterpieces, so that my readers may form their own
decision. Personally, Whinney's photograph seems to me to reproduce more completely my memories of
"The Lagoon at Dawn." But I may be wrong. Modern artists will probably back up the popular judgment
and on that memorable day in the Filberts I would certainly have been in the minority.
CHAPTER IX
More premonitions. Triplett's curious behavior. A call from Baahaabaa. We visit William Henry Thomas.
His bride. The christening. A hideous discovery. Pros and cons. Our heart-breaking decision. A
stirrup-cup of lava-lava.
It was two weeks after the great Competition before the celebrations which followed it terminated, the
tumult and the shouting died, and the last of our amiable visitors paddled homeward, some being towed
by new-found wives, while not a few remained in our own community, infusing our society with the
novelty and fresh gossip of their islands. Little by little we settled back into domestic quiet.
A blithe incident enlivened that peaceful period, preceding tragic events which must be told in their
proper place.
On the fairest of tropical mornings Kippy and I heard a gentle tapping at the trunk of our tree and,
peering over the floor, saw below Baahaabaa, his face shining with happiness.
"Katia?" we questioned, but he was mysterious and led us quietly to the trees occupied by the Swanks,
the Whinneys and finally Triplett, all of whom he roused as he had us.
"Katia?" we repeated.
"Hoko," he answered, and to our surprise, again motioned us forward. For twenty minutes we threaded a
forest trail in which still lurked the shadows of night. At a giant palm tree our leader again tapped gently.
Who should look over the edge of the densely screened dwelling but William Henry Thomas!
At first glimpse of us he hastily drew back and I heard the muttered sound of old-fashioned, New
England cursing. Reassured by Baahaabaa, however, he slid down to join us, followed by his wife.
It was the first time I had ever really seen her and I must say that I was completely bowled over by the
sight. Plainly not of the same social class as the beautiful women whom Baahaabaa had selected for us,
she yet possessed an eerie charm of her own which instantly stirred strange emotions in my breast. I
heard Swank gasp and Whinney's face was white and drawn, his favorite expression when deeply moved.
She stood close to her husband, half-twined about him with the grace and strength of an eva-eva
vine while her kindling eyes burned questioningly, her lithe body tense and protective. "He is to be
christened," said Baahaabaa, with a magnificent gesture toward William Henry Thomas.
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