Tera explained. It seemed that her uncle Niga had revolted against his brother Buli, and there was trouble in the island. Buli wished his followers to become converts to Christianity, whereas Niga, as the head of the heathen party, desired to drive the missionaries from the island. Viara, the wife of Buli and mother of Tera, had sent Tolai to England to see Johnson, and warn him of the difficulties Tera might expect to meet with on her return. Tolai had embarked on a fruit schooner trading to Sydney, and from that port he had worked his way to London before the mast. Buli had given him Shackel's address. Arrived there, the captain's sister, having provided him with money, sent him off to Grimleigh in quest of Johnson. He had been told that Tera, after the trial, had gone on to Carwell's, and thus he had presented himself at the door. "But there is something else," said Jack, when Tera had told all this to the company. "I can see it in the Kanaka's eye." Tera of course agreed with Jack, and began to question Tolai anew. It was soon evident that Finland was right. The man was keeping something back. But in spite of all Tera's commands he refused to tell it to any one but Mr. Johnson. On learning this, Tera said she would take him to the minister herself, and set out there and then. Chard took the opportunity of putting a few questions to Pharaoh Lee touching his relations with Zara; and Moss, at rest in his mind about the pearls, took his departure from Poldew. "Bring back the man to stay here," said Carwell to Tera; "as a native he may find difficulty in getting a bed in Poldew." "Thank you, Mr. Carwell, I will." When they arrived at Mr. Johnson's house, the minister was surprised to see Tera, but he was still more surprised at the sight of Tolai. He spoke the native tongue fluently, and Tolai asked to see him alone. So the preacher sent Tera into the kitchen with his mother for company. In half an hour's time he joined them and gave the Polynesian a good meal. The minister was pale and anxious. It was evident that Tolai's message had been an alarming one. "What is the matter?" Tera asked at once. "Nothing; nothing. I have nothing to tell you," rejoined Johnson, and he escaped back to the study, leaving Tolai eating. But Tera was not to be put off in this way. She knew that there was something serious the matter, and, determined to learn what it was, she followed her guardian into the study. As she closed the door, and came forward with a frown on her handsome face, Johnson looked at her apprehensively, and made a gesture of refusal. This Tera disregarded altogether. "You do not wish to tell me about Tolai," she said in sharper tones than were usual with her, "but I must know, Misi. It is only fair that I should." "I cannot tell you now, Bithiah. Later on I may do so." "Is it a message from my mother?" "Yes, to me. I am not to inform you until I think fit. The time has not yet come." "Is the Great Chief dead?"