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Tehani came close and put her arms around me, speaking in a low voice directly into my ear, lest she should be heard by those outside.

“Listen, Byam. I have no time for weeping. I must speak quickly. Atuanui is here with three hundred Tautira men, his best warriors. They have been coming around the coast from both sides, five or ten each time. For many days I have been trying to see you. There was no chance. At last it comes. They will attack the ship at night. In the darkness the great guns will do us little harm. What we fear is that you may be killed by the soldiers before we can reach you. That is why the attack has not yet been made. Are you all in the house they have built on the deck? Are you chained? Atuanui wishes to know how you are guarded there.”

I was so overcome with joy at seeing Tehani and our little daughter that I was unable to speak for a moment.

“Tell me, Byam, quickly! We shall not have long to speak.”

“How long have you been at Matavai, Tehani?”

“Three days after you left Tautira, I came. Did you think I would desert you? It is Atuanui and I who have made this plan. All of your friends are eager to attack.”