Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-06-14

Felix took the measure OF his man at
once. He opened his knife, and held
it up overwhelmingly. "See here, fell
low" he said, in low, slow tone, but
with great decision, eff you dare to
speak or look like that at that lady
god or no god-I'll drive this knife
straight UP to the handle in your heart,
though your peoolc kill me for it after
ward ten thousand times over. | am
not afraid of you. These savaocS may
be afraid. and may think you arc Il
god out il you are, then | am a god
ten thousand times stronger than you.
One more word one more look like
that, | say-and | plunge this knife re-
morsclcssly into YOU"
Tu-kila-k1la drew pack, and smiled
benignly Stalwart rut1ian as he was,
and absolute master of his own peo-
pies lives, he was yet afraid in a way
of the strange newcomer Vague
stories OF the men with white faces
the Sailing gods'-had reached him
from time to time; and though only
twice within his memory had European
boats landed on his island, he yet knew
enough of the race to know that they
were at least very powerful deities -
more powerful with their weapons
than even he was. Besides, a man
who could draw down fire from heaven
with piece Of wax and q little metal
box might surely wither him to ashes,
If he would, as he stood before him.
The very fact that Felix bearded him
thus openly to his face astonished and
somewhat terrified the supcrstitious
savage. Everybody else on the island
was afraid of him: then certainly a man
l.
Sor of some most efficaciOuS and mag
zeal medicine. His one fear now was
lest his followers should hear and dis
cover his discontinue. He pecrcd
about him cautiously, with that care
then he said with lcer, in a very low
voice: 1--WE twoneed not quarrel. We
are both of us gods. Neither of us is
the stronger. We are equal, that's all.
Let us live like brothers, not like en-
emieS, on the island"
81 don't want to be your brother. -
Felix answered, unable to conceal his
loathing any more. 81 hate and de-
test YOU"
What does he say" Murlel asked,
in an agony of fear at the savage's
black looks. SIS he going to kill us?
No" Felix answered boldly. 81
think he's afraid of us. He's going to
do nothing You need't fear him.
''Can she not spcak?' the savage
asked, pointing his finger somewhat
rudcly toward Muriel. 'iias she no
voice but this, the chatter Of birds?
Does she not know the human Ian
guage?"
she can speak" Folk answered,
placing himself like u shield between
Muriol and the astonished savage.
"She can speak the language of the
people Of our distant country-a beau
tiful language, which is us far superior
to the speech of the brown men Of
Polynesia us the sun in the heavens is
superior to the light of candlcnut.
Bus she can't speak the wrctched
tongue OF you Boupari cannibalS. /
thank Heaven she can't, for it saves
her from understanding the hateful
things your people would say of her.
Now so. | have seen already enough
of Won. | am not afraid. Remember.
| am as powerful a god as you. | need
not fear. You cannot hurt me-
, A baleful light cleaned in the can
nihal's eye. But he thought it best to
,tcmDorize Powerful Us he was on MS
island, there was one thing yet more
powerful by far than he; and that was
Taboo the custom and superstition
handed down from his ancestors.
These strangers were korong: he dare
not touch them, except in the way and
manner appointed by custom. II he
did, god as he was, his people them
selves woulo turn and rend him.
He was u god, but he was bound on
every side by the strictest taboos. He
dare not himself offer violence to Fee
lix.
So he turned with smile and bided
his time. He knew it would come. He
could afford to laugh. Then, going to
the door. he said, with his grand
aTablc manner to his chiefs around,
Il have spoken with the gods, nv
ministers, within. They have kissed
my hands. My rain has fallen. All is
well in the land. Arise, let us go
away hence to my temple"
The savages put themselves in
marching order at once. ut Is the
voice OF god, they said, reverently.
81 .ot us take back ru-kila-kila to his
temple home. Let us escort the lord
of the divine umbrella. Wherever he
Us. these trees and plants put forth
green leaves and flourish. At his bid
ding flowers bloom and springs of
water rise up in fountains. His pres
ence diffuses heavenly blessings.
49, 49, II think" Felix said, turning to
poor, terrified Muriel, 'i've sent the
wretch away with a bee in his bonnet. J"
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CUSTOMS or BOUPARI.