Take with you one of the men who can speak the language." I looked at the gift in some surprise, for it consisted of six white whales' teeth, and two of the same dyed bright red, which seemed to me very paltry things.

However, I did not dare to hesitate or ask any questions; so, gathering them up, I left the cabin and was soon on my way to the chief's house, accompanied by Bill.

On expressing my surprise at the gift, he said,-- "They're paltry enough to you or me, Ralph, but they're considered of great value by them chaps.

They're a sort o' cash among them.

The red ones are the most prized, one of them bein' equal to twenty o' the white ones.