noon
They talked over their plans for the future , and decided to take the schooner to San Francisco , sell her , and buy a larger vessel and a cargo of trade goods . Meredith was to command , and Tahiti in the Society Group was to be their headquarters . Here Marsh -LRB- with the faithful Âli and Leota , and , of course , Pautôe -RRB- was to buy land and form a trading station , whilst the vessel was to cruise throughout the South Seas , trading for oil , pearl-shell and other island produce . Soon after daylight the anchor of the _ Juliette _ was lifted and she sailed out of Apia harbour , and by noon , Leota and Pautôe were astonished to see the little craft bring-to abreast of Laulii village , and Marsh and Meredith come on shore . Later on in the day , when the house was free of the kindly , but somewhat intrusive native visitors , the partners told the strange story of the _ Juliette _ to Leota and Pautôe , and of their plans for the future . `` Pautôe , '' said Meredith , `` in three years ' time will you marry me , and sail with me in the new ship ? '' `` Aye , that will I , Lesta .