Even then she was on the wild coast of Malaita, and at Poonga-Poonga, of all villainous and dangerous portions the worst, peopled with a teeming population of head- hunters, robbers, and murderers.

For the instant he entertained the rash thought of calling his boat's-crew and starting immediately in a whale- boat for Poonga-Poonga.

But the next instant the idea was dismissed.
What could he do if he did go?
First, she would resent it.

Next, she would laugh at him and call him a silly; and after all he would count for only one rifle more, and she had many rifles with her.

Three things only could he do if he went.