Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-07-12


it bound themselves, and he was
afraid to transgress it.
''Now listen," Felix said, at last,
after palaver, looking in the savage's
face with resOlute air: "Tu-kila-
Kila, we are not afraid of you. We
are not afraid of all your people. I
went out alone just now to rescue that
child, and, as you see, [ succeeded in
rescuing it. Your people have wounded
me-look at the blood on my arms and
CHESTNUT don't mind for wounds. I
mean you to do as 1 say, and to make
your people do so, too. Understand,
the nation to which belong is very
powerful. You have heard of the sail
ing gods who go oven the sea in canoes
of fire. as swift as the wind. and whose
WEAPONS are hollow tubes, that belch
forth great bolts of lightning and
thunder? Very well, [ am one of
them. If ever you harm hair OF our
heads, those sailing gods will before
long send one OF their mighty fire.
canoes, and bring to bear upon your
island their thunder and nghtn ng,
and destroy your huts, and punish you
for the wrong you nave ventured to do
US. So now you know. Remember
that you act exactly as [ tell you.
Tu-Kila-Kila was evidently overawed
by the white man S resolute voice and
manner. He had heard before of the
sailing gods las the Polynesians OF the
old school still call the Europeans !;
and though but one or two stray indi-
viduals among them had even reached
his remote island mostly castaways),
he was quite we'll enough acquainted
with their might and power to be
deeply impressed by Felix's exhorta-
ton. So he tried to temporize. Every
WE'LL" he made answer, with his jaun-
tiest air, assuming tone Of friendly
goodfellowship toward his brother
god. II will bear it in mind. I will
try to humor you. While your time
lasts, no man shall hurt you. But if. I
promise you that, you must do good
turn for me instead. You must come
out before the people and give me a
new fire from the sun, that you carry
about in shining box with you. The
King of Fire has allowed his sacred
flame to go out in Difference to your
hood for last night, you know, you
came down heavier. The King of / ire
acknowledges himself beaten. So give
us light now before the people, that
they may know we are gods, and may
fear to disobey U.S."
''Only on one condition. Felix an
swered, sternlv; for he felt he had Tu-
Kila-Kila more or less in his power
now, and that he could drive bargain
with him. Why. he wasn't sure; but
he saw Tu-Kila-kila attached a pro-
found Importance to having the sacred
fire relighted, as he thought direct
from Heaven.
What condition is that?" Tu-Kila-
kila asked, CHANGING about him sus-
piciously.
why, that you give up in future
human sacrifices.
Tu-Kila-Kila gave start. Then he
reflected for a moment. Evidently
the condition seemed to him a very
hard one. do you want all the vic
TINS tor yourself and her, them" he
asked. with casual nod aside toward
Mu1iel.
Felix drew back, with horror de-
picted on every line of his face.
Heaven forbid!' he answered, fer
vently. eve want no bloodshed, no
human victims. We ask you to give
up these horrid practices, because
they shock and revolt us. If you
would have your fire lighted you must
promise us to put down cannibalism al
together henceforth in your island.
Tu-Kila-Kila hesitated. After all,
it was only for very short time that
these strangers could thus beard him.
Their day would come soon. They
were but korongs. Meanwhile, it was
best, no doubt, to effect a compromise.
Agreed" he answered, slowly. II
will put down human sacrifces-so long
as you live among us. And will tell
the people your taboo is not broken.
All shall be done as you will in this
matter Now, come out before the
crowd and light the fire from Heaven"
TO BE CONTINUED.