There was a valley of fifteen thousand acres on Nuka-hiva, half inclosing a perfect anchorage, which he fell in love with and bought for twelve hundred Chili dollars.

But the French taxation was outrageous (that was why the land was so cheap), and, worst of all, we could obtain no labour.

What kanakas there were wouldn't work, and the officials seemed to sit up nights thinking out new obstacles to put in our way.
"Six months was enough for Dad.

The situation was hopeless.

'We'll go to the Solomons,' he said, 'and get a whiff of English rule.