Ch. 11: Leilani

As he passed the missionaries and stepped onto land for the first time in months, Ishmael 'tacked' towards a group of buildings that were a combination of Hawaiian and New England architecture. Far down the main street he saw the church that was clearly similar to the one he would later describe that he visited in New Bedford at the beginning of this last seafaring adventure and that was a tall-steepled, white boarded 'classic' of that period all along the Eastern seaboard of America. His eye was quickly diverted, however, to a young woman sitting at a table outside of what appeared to be her lodging/place of business.

She simply rested her elbow on the table and crooked a finger in Ishmael's direction to get his attention. She had no need to further flaunt her charms, as several of the other women were doing to attract the attention...successfully, I might add...of the other members of the crew of the Rachel bent on the distractions offered by the locals. Ishmael more or less swaggered up to her, smiled, tipped his hat, and said, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. What's your name, my dear?"

"Leilani is the name my parents gave me, but 'Rahab' is what Reverend More calls me when I walk into his church each Sabbath."

"Not surprising, Leilani; which if I remember correctly, means 'heavenly lei,' a most appropriate double meaning if you are familiar with English. What surprises me is your church attendance record."

"Yes, I am well versed in English, sailor...I was schooled from an early age at the Mission School down the street from the Church by Reverend More's wife, as were many of the children of my neighborhood. I have even read many parts of that book you're carrying, but the Mores will not give me a copy of my own until I change my life to suit their expectations."

"And what are their expectations concerning you?"

"That I stop being pleasant to men who visit me and that I only make 'an honest living' as they would call it." She smiled and added, "They apparently think that 'Rahabs' are to be dealt with more severely than God did with the one mentioned in both the Old and New Testament."

"Do you believe in the barter system, Leilani?" Ishmael said in a way to divert her line of thought.

"Yes, I do...first, tell me your name."

"Ishmael, you know, 'the wild one' from the Old Testament."

"Well, Ishmael, I believe I know why you stopped by to talk to me this morning, so I will be willing to give you bed and board of a slightly more pleasant type than you might have encountered in New England for that book!"

Ishmael held out the Bible with his right hand, Leilani took it with her left as she arose, turned slightly, hooked her right arm in Ishmael's left, and led him indoors. Their conversation concerning Biblical matters was temporarily suspended...