A Story Of

Niue

And Bully Hayes

THIS happened in Auckland, a few weeks ago.

Charlie Sullivan, well-known Islands merchant, of Sydney, on his way back from America, met a decidedly attractive young woman, Mrs. Savory, (That is she, in the photograph, clinging to Charlie’s right arm—on your left. Just to keep the record square and balanced, it may be noted that the other charming lady, on your right, •is Mrs. Charlie Sullivan.)

Charlie is a famous teller of tales. Some how, he got going on stories of the late lamented Bully Hayes, most famous of the Pacific buccaneers.

Charlie recounted an exploit of Bully

when he sailed into Niue, nearly 100 years ago, and persuaded old Captain Head to sell him his copra. When the copra was all loaded and the anchor hove short, Bully and his merry men seized Head, and threw him overboard. As his boat’s crew picked up the blaspheming trader, the barquentine Leonora sailed away, while the jovial and bearded Hayes blew kisses coyly to his victim, from the rail.

A year or so later, Hayes brought his ship back to Niue, and assured Captain Head that the theft had lain heavy upon his conscience. He had decided to come back and pay for the copra. “I don’t suppose you’ll ever trade with me again,” said the penitent Bully.

Head said it was a dirty trick—but he’d forget it—Hayes’s money was as good as that of anyone else, he supposed.

They drank amiably together, it transpired that Head had another lot of copra awaiting shipment. Yes, he’d sell it to Hayes, bo they made a deal.

History repeated itself. When the ship was ready to depart, they again threw Head overboard, and sailed away. Head never forgave Hayes.

“Yes, that was typical of Hayes,” said Mrs. Savory. “But that wasn’t how the story ended. He didn’t throw Captain Head overboard a second time.”

“Why, how do you know?” asked Charlie.

“Oh, Captain Head was my great grandfather,” replied the lady.

Charlie, back in Sydney, is still wonder ing why he selected that particular person to tell that particular story to.