Note {304} — MY FRIEND THE BEACH-COMBER.
Reading edition
“Beach-comber” is the local term for the European adventurers and long-shore loafers who infest the Pacific Archipelagoes. There is a well-known tale of an English castaway on one of the isles, who was worshipped as a deity by the ignorant people. At length he made his escape, by swimming, and was taken aboard a British vessel, whose captain accosted him roughly. The mariner turned aside and dashed away a tear: “I’ve been a god for months, and you call me a (something alliterative) beach-comber!” he exclaimed, and refused to be comforted.