Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-28

he ordered the pinnace to be made
ready. After that there were no more
protests; one may argue with SICK
man on his couch, but on his feet the
Emperor was enhaloed by an author
ity none dared question. The bosuns
whistle piped; men and officers came
running to their stations; the winches
rent the air with their irritating clack
While the pinnace was being hoisled
out and steam raised in her boiler, The
warships searchlight began to flash
its dazzling and spreading beam; and
as though in answer spot or llght
glimmered on the horizon like red
hot coal. 1t was primitive beacon,
reared and brightly burning on the
beach of the island, to help the ship
keep her position and ride out the
night without danger.
Such concern for strangers sur
prised Matt and made him wonder.
In his whole previous experience but
three vessels had ever entered the
lagoon, and John Mort had resented
their intrusion and shortened their
stay with the utmost bitterness re-
fusing them water and firewood, ban
ming any intercourse, and disputing,
rifle in hand, their right to land. In
contrast. this friendly beacon struck
Matt as odd indeed, and at variance
with everything he remembered. But
he had little time to give to such
reflections, for the pinnace was soon
ready, and they descended the gang
way and took their places in her
cock-pit-the Emperor, Chris and Won
Todloben, with himself at the tiller.
Although the island seemed near, 1t
was an hour before they reached the
edge of the breakers, and skirted
them, cropping for the entrance. The
night was pitch-black; the hiss and
rumble of the surf was MATHS only
guide; in his fear of overshootfng the
pass he kept the pinnace In so close
that she was caught in the backwash,
occasionally rolling her gunwales
under. The launch was heavy little
tub, and, for all her noise, made very
poor speed When the moon finally
rose and showed them the low, whit
ened shores Of the island, densely
fringed with palms, Matt, as he picked
up his landmarks, was annoyed to
find his pains had gone for nothing,
for he was still good six miles from
the break in the reef.
It was another hour before they
turned into it, and opened the lagoon
beyond. The beauty Of that vast lake
in the moonlight hushed every mouth.
Not breath stirred on it; its silvery
expanse stretched away unbroken. I'M
ruffled to the rim that held it virgin
from the sea There it lay within its
cup of coral ineffably peaceful. mir
roring the moon. Far over the water
were the lights Of settlement, spark
ling like fireflies among the trees.
The old Emperor drew his cloak more
closely about him, though none but he
was conscious Of any chill, and stirred
restlessly, as if in the throes Of an I'M
comfortable Impotence His silence
had the weight Of command: no one
spoke the bustling launch, throwing
UP on either side ripple of phos'
phorescence, alone disturbed the still
ness.
The settlement, embowered in
palms, grew more distinct: roofs
showed, coral walls, drawn-up canoes
the long stone pier-all touched with
the magic of the tropic night. How
familiar it was-how beautiful. To
Matt 1t was homecoming; he Inhaled
with delight the scent of frangipani
and pedanus blossom waited over the
lagoon: his hand clasped his wife's
in boyish delight.
The end Of the pier was clustered
with natives, who stood waiting with.
out sound for the boat to approach
It made bumpy landing at the stone
ko
Shiny sides of the pier and bringing
1t slowly to rest. Matt leaped out first
crying "Talofa" right and left. and
was mobbed in the throng Of half
naked humanity that surged about
him, calling and repeating his name
with unrestrained Joy. What nose-rub
bling! What excitement! What rush
and jostle of kanaka affection! But
what was Peau saying? Peau, grave
and dignified in even that press, with
his chiefly carriage and earnest eyes!
To be prepared for evil tidings! What
did he mean? Where was the chief:
What was all this about the hand OF
God?
"Oifea lie allii?" he asked again ir
an agony Of apprehension. "Sei faama
tala mai lie uinga o lau puapuanga. Pc
ua ngasengase lie ona, po-?"
"Ua maliu, Matthew"
"Maliu?"
The words went through his heart
like knife; for moment he could
not speak; 1t was the Emperor
lclutching his sleeve, who reused mis-
stricken faculties.
Where is he?" quavered the ole
man. "Why is he not here?"
| Matt did not know how to answer.
"Ma lie tamaitai soo?' he inquired Of
Peau, beset with fresh dread.
"Aue, ua maliu fol, Matthew. Ma la
fasiotia Iona lime ma lie fana faataa
milo"
where is he?" reiterated that quay
ering voice.
Ills Majesty addresses you,' added
Won TOdloben, scandalized at the
| American's backwardness.
Matt could hardly say it. He looked
hopelessly from the one to the other
"He is Dead he said at last.
The old man tottered and would
have fallen, had not Matt sustained
him. He was assisted to an upturned