The Land of the Hibiscus Blossom

James Hume Nisbet (1888)
Country of origin: Australia

Available texts by the same author here

XXXIX. Bon Soir, Queen Ine.

   NEXT morning the Thunder and Nora turned their prows towards the sea, a regular flotilla of fishing and state canoes accompanying them for some miles upon their way.
   The young braves came decked up in their gala-day ornaments, and the plantations seemed to be stripped of their glory for the occasion, as not only were the heads adorned, but the carved beaks and gunnels were glowing with scarlet and green until they looked like floating gardens.
   Hector and the polygamous-inclined John were to go into regular matrimonial training-harness when the canoes returned, their month of probation to reckon from the hour they began their courtship, as the results were considered settled already and the dowry regarded as satisfactory.
   John had invested his past wages as cook in bags of rice, packages of salt, and much trading tobacco, which the Malays had helped him to divide and convey to the different mansions of his brides. It was arranged that he would divide his hours equally amongst the three, while meantime they assisted him to put up his future house and palisade his different estates; for as each bride brought her own portion of land, the astute Celestial was twice wealthier than the unambitious Hector, and as he was, like all his race, by instinct a born gardener, if he could only keep his team in order, he boded fair to be the wealthiest man of the district with this superior start in life.
   So far his blandness and impartial partiality seemed to keep the yellow fiend from the ground; they were all merry over their prize, and regarded the pigtail with as great affection and respect as he felt for it himself.
   So the warm sun gilds all nature, and there is no sign of rain about.

   Niggeree went with Collins in the Nora to Port Moresby, to look after their different vessels, with a promise that they would join the Thunder soon at Thursday Island and start on fresh adventures.
   Over the laughing ocean went the Thunder towards home, past the sleeping sea-snakes and flying-fish, while the dolphins gambolled in front, and all creation seemed to play.
   A merry passage, in which young Danby did not torment Captain MacAndrews more than he could help.
   A brief halt at Darnley and Murray Islands to take orders, and a parting glass with bluff old Joe and his tawny queen, who has forgotten her grief and grins grimly upon them as they sail away.
   "Ta-ta, Prince Consort. Bon soir, Queen Ine. It is not good-bye, but only au revoir."