It had occurred in the course of learning the nature of white men and of learning to abominate them.

He had once been guilty of sheltering three runaways from Berande.

They had given him all they possessed in return for the shelter and for promised aid in getting away to Malaita.

This had given him a glimpse of a profitable future, in which his village would serve as the one depot on the underground railway between Berande and Malaita.
Unfortunately, he was ignorant of the ways of white men.

This particular white man educated him by arriving at his grass house in the gray of dawn.