Book Description

" ... 'At the end of [A Pattern of Islands] the author wrote 'I borrowed £150 at the end of my leave to pay my way back to the Pacific and leave the family in funds until I arrived there. I did not see them again for seven years. But that is another story.' This is the other story: and it is a remarkable one. Sir Arthur returns, alone this time, not only to the friendship of the Gilbert and Ellice Islanders and to continue his instruction in etiquette at the hands of 'Movement of Clouds', who becomes his adopted daughter, but also to increased anxieties and responsibilities on Bannaba (Ocean Island). Acting as resident Commissioner, Magistrate, and in charge of police and prisons, he has to intervene in the riots between the Gilbertese and Chinese labour force and to make arrests single-handed on the island of Arorae. But the Gilbertese know him as a friend and support him faithfully and with affection, though sometimes not without merriment when he shows himself ignorant of the finer points of their code of behaviour. On the 'guest mat' they tell of the forces that direct their lives, of the curse of Nakaa, of the boat that came home, of the tragedies following the outlawing of polygamy, and the way to 'the world's edge'. What stands out again very clearly in this inspiring book is the charm, the humour and the childlike sincerity of the Gilbertese; the courage, modesty and humanity of the author; and their mutual trust and love."--Publisher's description.