The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-11-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
lotoalofa.

II
~ palms and shining shadowy la
COON to the watchers in the foretop.
Gathered on the bridge. and surround
ing the venerable monarch who re-
cIined in a deck chair. was the little
party privileged to be with him-Matt.
with binoculars - his eyes. standing
beside stout old Won Todloben. and
overtopplng him by head Chris. in
an officers cloak. seated on the elon-
gated end of the emperor's chair. po-
Sition of honor to which she had been
specially called. Brandeis. now Won
TripwitZ. in borrowed. ill fitting uni
form. punctiliously remaining aloof
from the frequent consultations.
AS night closed in an animated dis
center Of the group. and for the mo-
ment the most important individual
there. for it turned on him whether
or not the vessel was to hold her Pc
sitiOn till morning. or venture the en-
trance of the lagoon by moonlight
MATHS own counsel was for caution
for the man-of-war drew twenty-siX
feet of water and while he felt rea-
sonably sure of plotting her safely
through the northern channel there
was another. the western channel
deeper but more tortuous). be shrank
from assuming so great responsible
ity in the dark Admiral Won TodlO-
ben sided with Matt. as did the cap
tain and the navigating lieutenant
But the old emperor. lying in the deck
chair. could not be made to appreciate
the risk. He reiterated his request to
have the ship taken in at once From
suare he became impatient.
Your majesty is unwise." he said
bluntly. waiting till the old man had
recovered his sorely shaken compos
ure- IF you will permit me to sug-
gest it, why not take one of the steam
pinnaces. and let the ship hold off till
dawn"
This simple eXpedient was hOtly re
sisted by the officers. to whom the per
sonal security Of the emperor was of
almost sacred Importance. but the lat
ter was more than pleased with the
idea and welcomed it enthusiastically.
While the pinnace was being hOisted
out and steam raised in her boiler. the
warships Searchlight began to fash
its dazzling and spreading beam, and
as though in answer IL spot OF light
glimmered on the horizon like red
hot coal.s 1t was a 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 surprised
Matt and made him wonder In his
whole previous experience but three
vessels had ever entered the lagoon
and John Mort had resented their in
truSion and shortened their stay with
the utmost bitterness. refusing them
water and tirewood, banning any in
tercouse and dis1uting. rifle in hand,
their right TO land. In contrast. this
friendly beacon struck Matt as odd. in
deed. and III variance with every
thing he remembered RUt be had lit
tie time to give to such reflections. for
the pinnace WAS sOoE ready. and they
descended the gangWay and took their
places i'll her cocknit-the emperor
Chris and Won Todloben. with himself
ut the tiier
The end Of the pier was clustered
with natives who stood waiting with
out Il sound for the. boat to approach
1t made Il humpy landing at the stone
steps. the boat hooks scraping the
Shiny sides of the pier and bringing il
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. call
ing and repeating his name with unre
strained JOY. What nose rubbing.
What excitement. What a 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
ne mean? Where was the chief? What
was all this about the hand of God?
Where is he:" quavered the EN-.
peroF. why is he not here?"
He IS dead" Matt said at last.
The cid man tottered and would have
fallen had not Matt sustained him. He
was assisted to an upturned canoe
where he sat. half fainting. supported
by Won Todloben He beckoned Matt
to him and in tone strangely color
less and SO low il was almost IL whiS-
per. asked. When did it happeH:'
He tells me it was about folr
months ago" returned Matt. 1T WAS
Il fever: he was hardly i'll two days.
though for some time before he had
suffered attacks of pain; he passed
away suddenly and was conscious and
without any thought be was in danger
till an hour before the end
And did lie leave no word. no let
te-: