Cash On Delivery

By "Tui Navosa"

SOME years ago the Native Medical Practitioner in charge of the Gov ernment Hospital at Tarawa was a Fijian named Sowani, and amongst his many accomplishments was that of play ing a very good hand of poker. At the time Tarawa was used extensively by trading schooners, and the anchorage in the lagoon was a good one except when a northerly wind was blowing. Then, land ing by boat at the coral-slab wharf which ran out due north from the village, was difficult.

Clear of the village and close to the beach lay Sowani’s house —large, cool, native-built—and here the mates and supercargoes of traders lying in the lagoon would foregather in the evenings.

So much so that the large verandah on one side of the house became a club to them. Here was played many a game of poker in which Sowani joined.

One evening there were two schooners lying off the village, but a strong north erly was blowing, so that the officers could not get ashore—at least not without a thorough wetting. There was, however, no reason why they should not visit each other; and so it happened that four of the regular poker school found themselves together.

A game was suggested and one said, “I wish we had a fifth; a pity Sowani isn’t here.”

All agreed, but how to get him to come off?

“I know,” said the mate, “I’ll send him a note to say there’s been an accident on board. One of my boys will take it. They don’t mind a soaking.”

The plan was acted upon and half an hour later Sowani received a dripping native seaman and the following note;

A. S. “Matea.”

Dear Sowani, — There has been a rotten accident on board and one of our seamen has bro ken his leg by falling down the main

hatch. Please come off, if you can, and look after him.

Yours sincerely

Bill Robinson, Mate.

SOWANI called out his boatmen, pre pared a splint and other items in a waterproof case and, with some di fficulty (and wet through) finally arrived on board. He received a noisy and cheerful welcome!

“Hurray, we’ve got you.” “Come on, now we’ll have a game.” “Have a drink to warm you up?”

Sowani was a good poker player, and his face showed no sign of the annoyance he felt. He quietly took his drink and his seat at the table and the game began. rE NEXT morning Sowani handed me the following document: To Messrs. Cook, Bright, Ltd.

From: Dr. Sowani, To professional services on board the Auxiliary Schooner “Matea” £3/3/-.

“Did you have to go out last night?”

I asked.

“Yes, and I had to turn out my spe cial boats’ crew to get there. With the north wind blowing it was a bad night to launch a boat from the beach. A very dark night, also.”

A very fair charge, I thought, and I said I would forward the account to the Company’s manager.

Sowani smiled and said “Thank you, sir, I felt you would agree. But I have not told you the whole story. There was no accident on board, and these young fellows tricked me into going off in order to complete the number for a game of poker.”

“Well,” said I, “they can pay for their little joke now, in any case.”

“Excuse me, Sir, they have partly done that already.” He put five pounds in cash on the table. “This is what I won off them. Will you please put it to my Savings Bank Account?”