"
Sam, however, was about to solve his part of the difficulty to every
one's satisfaction. A master as particular over the men's table as his
own was not a master after Sam's heart, so he came to the Maluka, and
announced, in the peculiar manner of Chinese cooks, that he was about to
write for a new cook for the station, who would probably arrive within
six weeks, when Sam, having installed him to our satisfaction, would,
with our permission, leave our service.
The permission was graciously given, and as Sam retired we longed to tell
him to engage some one renowned for his disobedience. We fancied later
that our willingness piqued Sam, for after giving notice he bestirred
himself to such an extent that one of our visitors tried to secure his
services for himself, convinced we were throwing away a treasure.
In that fortnight we had several visitors, travellers passing through the
station, and as each stayed a day or two, a few of the visits overlapped,
and some merry hours were spent in the little homestead.
Some of the guests knew beforehand of the arrival of a missus at the
station, and came ready groomed from their last camp; but others only
heard of her arrival when inside the homestead enclosure, and there was a
great application of soap, and razors, and towels before they considered
themselves fit for presentation.
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