And caught the boat and drew it with a swing

High on the beach,—its movement seemed alive.

16

His sinewy fingers loosed the flapping sail,

Gay shells clinked musical against the mast,

And all the maidens, timorous as birds,

Laughed at the sound with shy averted face.

Then straight and slender as the cocoa palm,

Straight as its shaft and crowned with shining hair,

The stranger lifted up his head. The wreath,

Faded yet still alive thro' ocean's breath,

Drooped o'er his brows. His flashing sun-bright eyes

Struck thro' the group of girls as shoots a dart,

And caught and quivered in sweet Taka's breast.

More noble than the rest, she scorned to fear,

And graceful in her modesty she faltered,

17

Then came to meet and greet the stranger guest.

Erect she faced him, o'er her brow the frail

Curves of the crest she wore, antennæ-wise,

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