Well, out came a rigmarole of all sorts of stories, many of which (like the dollar he took from Mr. Tarleton's head) were plain enough to me, but others I could make nothing of; and the thing that most surprised the Kanakas was what surprised me least--namely, that he would go in the desert among all the _aitus_. Some of the boldest, however, had accompanied him, and had heard him speak with the dead and give them orders, and, safe in his protection, had returned unscathed. Some said he had a church there, where he worshipped Tiapolo, and Tiapolo appeared to him; others swore that there was no sorcery at all, that he performed his miracles by the power of prayer, and the church was no church, but a prison, in which he had confined a dangerous _aitu_. Namu had been in the bush with him once, and returned glorifying God for these wonders. Altogether, I began to have a glimmer of the man's position, and the means by which he had acquired it, and, though I saw he was a tough nut to crack, I was noways cast down. "Very well," said I, "I'll have a look at Master Case's place of worship myself, and we'll see about the glorifying." At this Uma fell in a terrible taking; if I went in the high bush I should never return; none could go there but by the protection of Tiapolo. "I'll chance it on God's," said I. "I'm a good sort of fellow, Uma, as fellows go, and I guess God'll con me through." She was silent for a while. "I think," said she, mighty solemn--and then, presently--"Victoreea, he big chief?" "You bet!" said I. "He like you too much?" she asked again. I told her, with a grin, I believed the old lady was rather partial to me. "All right," said she. "Victoreea he big chief, like you too much. No can help you here in Falesa; no can do--too far off. Maea he small chief--stop here. Suppose he like you--make you all right. All-e-same God and Tiapolo. God he big chief--got too much work. Tiapolo he small chief--he like too much make-see, work very hard." "I'll have to hand you over to Mr. Tarleton," said I. "Your theology's out of its bearings, Uma." However, we stuck to this business all the evening, and, with the stories she told me of the desert and its dangers, she came near frightening herself into a fit. I don't remember half a quarter of them, of course, for I paid little heed; but two come back to me kind of clear.