Some are sharp practitioners, some are famous (justly or not) for foul play in business.

Tales fly.

One merchant warns you against his neighbour; the neighbour on the first occasion is found to return the compliment: each with a good circumstantial story to the proof.

There is so much copra in the islands, and no more; a man's share of it is his share of bread; and commerce, like politics, is here narrowed to a focus, shows its ugly side, and becomes as personal as fisticuffs.

Close at their elbows, in all this contention, stands the native looking on.