Characters
Wiltshire
Wiltshire, a rough, uneducated, but courageous trader who has just come to Falesá. His predecessors having been killed or driven away by Case, a rival trader, Wiltshire immediately finds himself the object of Case’s villainy. Pretending friendship, Case persuades him to marry a native girl who is under a taboo. As a result, not a single native will trade with Wiltshire.
Case
Case, a rival who plays on the superstitions of the natives. In order to control the island, he pretends to be in league with a powerful devil. When discovered, he shoots and wounds both Wiltshire and Uma; Wiltshire then kills him with a knife.
Uma
Uma, a modest islander married in a false ceremony to Wiltshire. Because she is under a taboo, the natives will not trade with Wiltshire. Her mother is a producer of copra.
Tarleton
Tarleton, the missionary who marries Wiltshire and Uma.
Captain Randall
Captain Randall, the supposed owner of a trading post and a friend of Case.
Black Jack
Black Jack, Case’s confederate.
Maea
Maea, the most powerful chief of Falesá, who eventually gives his trade to Wiltshire in order to break Case’s hold on the natives.
Vigours
Vigours, an earlier trader frightened away by Case.
John Adams
John Adams, another trader, who dies insane.