One of them,- a finely built,
active, strong and intelligent fellow,- who was a sort of king
among them, acted as spokesman. He was called Mannini,- or rather, out
of compliment to his known importance and influence, Mr.
Mannini- and was known all over California. Through him, the captain
offered them fifteen dollars a month, and one month's pay in
advance; but it was like throwing pearls before swine, or rather,
carrying coals to Newcastle. So long as they had money, they would not
work for fifty dollars a month, and when their money was gone, they
would work for ten.
"What do you do here, Mr. Mannini?"* said the captain.
*The letter i in the Sandwich Island language is sounded like e in the
English.
"Oh, we play cards, get drunk, smoke- do anything we're a mind to."
"Don't you want to come aboard and work?"
"Aole! aole make make makou i ka hana. Now, got plenty money; no
good, work. Mamule, money pau- all gone. Ah! very good, work!- maikai,
hana hana nui!"
"But you'll spend all your money in this way," said the captain.
"Aye! me know that. By-'em-by money pau- all gone; then Kanaka
work plenty.
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