THE EBB-TIDE

A TRIO AND QUARTETTE

'There is a tide in the affairs of men.'

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 band had broken up and marched

musically home, a motley troop of men and women, merchant

clerks and navy officers, dancing in its wake, arms about waist

and crowned with garlands. Long ago darkness and silence had

gone from house to house about the tiny pagan city. Only the

street lamps shone on, making a glow-worm halo in the umbrageous

alleys or drawing a tremulous image on the waters of the

port. A sound of snoring ran among the piles of lumber by the

Government pier. It was wafted ashore from the graceful

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