This 1894 collection of short stories offers a vivid and authentic tapestry of late 19th-century South Pacific life. Drawing from his own years as a trader and adventurer, Louis Becke crafts a lyrical and often poignant portrait of the exotic landscapes, intricate cultures, and colonial encounters of the era. The stories explore the clash of civilizations, colonialism, romance, and the harsh realities of island life, grounded in the complexities of human nature rather than romanticized idylls.

Becke's deep, firsthand understanding of the dynamics between native islanders and European traders, beachcombers, and outcasts lends remarkable authenticity. His own life was as adventurous as his fiction, including serving as a supercargo for the notorious pirate "Bully" Hayes. Stories like "Challis the Doubter" and "The Revenge of Macy O'Shea" weave rich Polynesian oral traditions with narratives of European interlopers. Becke's masterful storytelling invites reflection on perennial themes of love, loss, and belonging, set against the enchanting yet unforgiving backdrop of the Pacific Islands, making this collection a vital part of maritime literature and an insightful exploration of a world in profound change.

Table of Contents:

• By Reef and Palm. Part 1

• By Reef and Palm. Part 2

• By Reef and Palm. Part 3

• By Reef and Palm. Part 4