All night long he watched and
waited for the fishermen who came to him from all parts of the island.
Complaining as he took what Lihoa had brought, he weighed the fish and
poured the oysters out in a heap to estimate their value, then handed
the old Chinaman a tael ($1.50) and several sapecks.
"What? Is that all you are going to give me, when you know that the
sum must be divided among twenty families?" complained Lihoa.
"To-morrow morning in the market you will get three times that amount
for the beautiful fish."
"Well--and why not? When I take inferior things to the market, I have
to content myself with a small price.--Not a sapeck more for you,"
answered the dealer.
"Now then, Nona, don't be surprised if you get no more fish from us.
We are going into a more profitable business. We are going to the
distant Goldland, and shall come back rich men."
"What? What do you mean, you fools?" cried Nona. "Do you want to be
drowned? Well, if you get back with whole skins you'll be doing well,
and no matter how much gold you get, the rich Natse will have it all
before you are through with him.
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