Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-03-10

bluntly. waiting till the old man ha'
recovered his sorely shaken compos
ure. "If you will permit me to sug
gest 1t, why not take one Of the stean
pinnaces, and let the ship hold of til
dawn"
This simple expedient was hotly re
sisted by the officers, to whom the per
sonal security Of the emperor was o
almost sacred Importance. but the lat
ter was more than pleased with tn,
idea and welcomed 1t enthusiastically
While the pinnace was being hoistet
out and steam raised in her boiler, th'
warship's searchlight began to hasl
its dazzling and spreading beam, an'
as though In answer spot Of ligh
glimmered on the horizon like red
hot coal. 1t was primitive beacon
reared and brightly burning on thu
beach OF the island, to help the shiI
keep her position and ride out thu
night without danger.
Such concern for strangers surprised
Matt and made him wonder. In hi:
whole previous experience but three
vessels had ever entered the lagoon
and John Mort had resented their In
trusion and shortened their stay witt
the utmost bitterness, refusing then
water and firewood. banning any In
tercouse and disputing. rifle In hand
their right to land. In contrast. this
friendly beacon struck Matt as odd, In
deed, and mt variance with every
thing he remembered. But he had lit
tie time to give 10 such reflections. fol
the pinnace was soon ready. and they
descended the gangway and took their
places in her cockpit-the emperor
Chris and Won Todloben. with himself
at the tiller.
The end OF the pier was clustered
with natives who stood waiting with
out sound for the boat to approach
1t made bumpy landing at the stone
steps, the boat hooks scraping the
Shiny sides Of the pier and bringing II
slowly to rest. Matt leaped ont 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 II rush and
jostle of Kanaka affection. But what
was Peau saying. Peau, grave ana
dIgnified In even that press. with his
chiefly carriage and earnest eyes? To
be prepared for evil tldings! What did
he mean? Where was the chief? What
was all this about the hand OF God!
"Where IS he" Quavered the en-
psSor. "Why Is he not here?
"He is dead" Matt said Mt last.
The old man tottcred and would have
fallen had not Matt sustained him. lie
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 II was almost wills
per, asked. when did II happen|
"He tells me ii was about four
months ago." returned Matt. ut was
a fever: he was hardly Ill two days
though for some time before he had
suffered attacks OF pain: he passed
away suddenly and was conscious and
without any thought he was In danger
till IN hour before the end
"And did he leave no word. no let
ter|
Matt translated the question to Peau
"No, excellency," replied the latter
in Samoan. Though | asked him for
one in our protection lest we be accus
ed of his death. But he answered
mockingly he did not intend to die
and was not AIirovna there. besides. to
speak for u.s."
Matt repeated this with some omis'
sions. Then determining to conceal
nothing he went on: "IIe was not