Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-03-15

one ana arrived IN safety at the trees.
1t looked SO very black in the grove
that hesitated about entering. Had
there been any wild animals in Hawaii
l would not have gone in at all, but
knew there could be no danger except
from men, and stepped softly into the
shadow, which swallowed me up at
once. uttered the signal whistle, and
to my infinite gladness the ready re-
spouse came. stepped forward, feel
ing my way cautiously, and big bulb
of light struck me between the eyes. l
uttered a little exclamation and be-
lieyed | was betrayed, but the familiar
voice of Mortimer announced that it
was all right.
ITS merely a little lantern that
brought along for convenience" said
he. This place is so confoundedly
dark. All the others are here, and we
may as well begin our plans at once"
We found fallen cocoanut palm,
and all sat down upon it. Mortimer
put out the lantern, and we sat for
nearly minute in silence.
I'VE ought to begin our plans" said
Mortimer presently. "If man under
takes plot, he ought to carry it out"
So thought also; but, being an
amateur at the business, did not like
to say anything.
Il think we ought to arrange for
division of the kingdom" said Hughes.
Il don't see that there's to be any di-
vision, Hughes" said Conway, rather
" 70 ho 1T
the end of it,
"Oh. don't mean that" said Hughes
hastily. Don't think I'm trying to get
up a revolution against you, Conway.
| meant the distribution of authority
under you. or course you will live at
the palace here, but should think you
would want lieutenants or deputies on
the other islands. 1t would be best for
the people to be confronted always by
some personal representative Of the
royal authority
That's very sensible of you,
Hughes said Conway. "How would
you like to go down to Hawaii as gov
ernor?'
He asked the latter question of me,
but did not see the proposition favor
ably. 1t is very rough voyage from
Honolulu to Hawaii. and l am subject
to seasickness. I said 1 would prefer
to remain in the capital and hold some
high office there.
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter" said
Conway good naturally. Perhaps I'd
best keep you with me, and it might be
the Wlsest thing to make a kanaka,
some chief of the old Kamehameha
family, governor of Hawaii 1t would
please the people and attach them to
my dynasty"
1.-The idea is good" said Mortimer,
land we ought to have native govern
ors for Maui and Kauai too. We must
Identify ourselves thoroughly with the
island. We must not be foreign in any
particular All people like to think
theirrulers are the same as themselves,
only little better, and they are quick
to resent importations."
Then I'm glad they don't stick to the
old native DRESS" said Hughes. 81
don't think I'd look well as commander
IN chief of the army with a feather
headdress and warclub."
"4ou shall have the most magnificent
uniform that can buy you in Europe,
Hughes" said Conway "By the way.
| think shall change the present uni
form Of the army. 1t isn't bright
enough. Mortimer can't you light that
lantern OF yours and give us just ray
or two? It's so deucedly dark in here
it gives my flesh the creeps."
Mortimer obeyed and threw the light
IN a complete circle around us. but dis
tlosed nothing save the stems Of the
palms Their spreading tops formed
perfect canopy. A sea breeze had be-
gun to blow. and the leaves rustled
sadly. We heard n whistle on the Wal
XXI road. Quick as flash Mortimer
turned out the light. and we sat on the
log. our pulses humping We heard
another whistle farther up the Walk
XII road. and Mortimer calculated:
The spies again! We have been
watched and foilowed.'
A third time We ncard the whistle.
but farther up than ever
The grove is surrOundedw said
Hughes. Our enemies are numerousn
Hedfu somebody's Ceetn Cnatterlng.
did not feel at all comfortable.
DO you think that we're really fol-
lowed?" asked Conway as we heard
the whistle again.
"pve no doubt of it," said Mortimer.
Then said Conway, ''if it comes to
the worst, you must die like men and /
like king"
"In the old times" l said when a
Roman found life no longer worth liv-
ing he fell upon his sword and died"
I'VE have no swords" said Hughes.
I've a revolver at the hotel, but there
was no pocket for it in this confound-
ed evening dress"
AT least we ought to make some eff
fort" said Mortimer Lets creep to
the edge of the grove and play the spy
ourselves. Perhaps we can escape even
yet. We'd better hold to each others
hands, so we won't lose anybody in the
darkness"
There was comfort in the suggestion,
and we adopted it. We thought it bet