[Illustration: “ISN’T IT WORTH COMING FOR?”]
A
UNITED STATES
MIDSHIPMAN
IN THE
SOUTH SEAS
_by_
Lt. Com. Yates Stirling Jr. U.S.N.
Author of
“A U.S. Midshipman Afloat”
“A U.S. Midshipman in China”
“A U.S. Midshipman in the Philippines”
“A U.S. Midshipman in Japan”
[Illustration]
Illustrated _by_ Ralph L. Boyer
THE PENN PUBLISHING
COMPANY PHILADELPHIA
MCMXIII
COPYRIGHT
1913 BY
THE PENN
PUBLISHING
COMPANY
[Illustration]
_During the process of empire building, even to-day carried on by the
great powers, the far distant South Sea Islands received their share of
attention from designing cabinets._
_In their patriotic desire to further the cause of their country many
sailors laid down their lives in battles with the natives._
_These small wars are scarcely remembered at home, but in the islands
where the rivalry between the nations was bitterest, there stand
impressive monuments to these sailor heroes, and in their songs the
chivalrous islanders praise the virtues of their fallen foes._
_To the sailors of all nations who thus met death, fighting in their
country’s cause, these pages are dedicated._
Introduction
In this story Midshipmen Phil Perry and Sydney Monroe, together with
Boatswain’s Mate “Jack” O’Neil, act through an historic drama of a
South Sea war.
The same characters have seen active service in many parts of the world.
In “A United States Midshipman Afloat,” life in a battle-ship of the
Atlantic fleet, together with a typical South American revolution,
furnished the setting. In “A United States Midshipman in China,” the
midshipmen and O’Neil help to rescue an American Mission and put an
end to a “Boxer” uprising. In “A United States Midshipman in the
Philippines,” the same officers see very active service on board a
gun-boat in coöperation with the army against the Filipino insurgents.
In “A United States Midshipman in Japan,” they discover a plot to bring
the United States and Japan into open hostilities over the purchase of
some foreign war-ships. War is narrowly averted through the detective
work of the midshipmen and their Japanese classmate at Annapolis, but
now a lieutenant in the Imperial Navy.
The present volume carries the midshipmen through further thrilling
scenes that occurred in an island of the far-away South Seas. The
portrayal of native life is faithful and many of the incidents are
historic.
Contents
I. THE RIVAL CHIEFS 11
II. DISCORD AMONG THE WHITES 23
III. PLOTTING FOR POWER 44
IV. CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE 58
V. THE “TALOFA” IN UKULA 81
VI. THE “TALOFA’S” CARGO 103
VII. THE KAPUAN FIRM 112
VIII. AVAO, TAPAU OF UKULA 131
IX. O’NEIL’S OPINION 145
X. RUMORS OF WAR 165
XI. HIGH CHIEF KATAAFA 183
XII. SMUGGLED ARMS 202
XIII. UKULA ATTACKED 221
XIV. COUNT ROSEN TAKES CHARGE 240
XV. THE “DE FACTO” GOVERNMENT 259
XVI. CARL KLINGER 277
XVII. BEN STUMP LISTENS 293
XVIII. A “CUTTING OUT” EXPEDITION 310
XIX. A REËNFORCEMENT 327
XX. THE TABLES TURNED 345
XXI. A RECONNAISSANCE 362
XXII. WAR IN EARNEST 377
XXIII. CONCLUSION 395
Illustrations
PAGE
“ISN’T IT WORTH COMING FOR?” _Frontispiece_
THREE AMERICAN OFFICERS WERE STANDING IN THE ROAD 51
“I WANT ABOUT A DOZEN SAILORS” 128
HE BEGAN AT ONCE TO WAVE IT 204
“YOU ARE SIMPLY A BULLY!” 281
“IS IT QUITE CLEAR?” THE ADMIRAL ASKED 329
HE DID NOT FIRE 385
A United States Midshipman in the South Seas
CHAPTER I
THE RIVAL CHIEFS
A man-of-war boat propelled by six sailormen and with the flag of the
United States flying from its staff navigated the tortuous channel
through the fringing coral reef and landed upon the sandy beach of the
harbor of Ukula.
Three American naval officers from the cruiser “Sitka” stepped from the
boat upon the shore.
In the great public square on Kulinuu Point at one end of the town many
thousands of the natives of the Kapuan Islands had gathered. They had
come from all the villages of the islands by special invitation from
the Herzovinian consul for the purpose of giving welcome to their great
war chief Kataafa, who had but just returned from five long years of
exile in a foreign land.
Toward this assemblage the three officers bent their steps. They were
shown to their chairs by obsequious Herzovinian sailors and found
themselves placed with the English officers from their war-ship in
port. The Herzovinian officers sat close to their consul, who, in all
the splendor of a court uniform, his chest covered with medals, was
enthroned under a bower of freshly cut shrubs and flowers.
The American captain, Commander Tazewell, regarded the Herzovinian
officials, a twinkle of merriment in his eyes.
“All their paint and powder is on thick,” he said, smiling
good-humoredly, to his two companions, Midshipmen Philip Perry and
Sydney Monroe, who had accompanied him ashore to be present at this
novel ceremony.
Phil was gazing with open-eyed admiration at the handsome islanders.
“I mean the Herzovinian officers,” Commander Tazewell added. “It’s
a hot day for special full dress uniform, but ‘noblesse oblige,’ I
suppose.”
The American consul, Mr. Lee, accompanied by the chief justice of
Kapua, Judge Lindsay, walked solemnly behind their sailor escort and
seated themselves in chairs reserved for them between the English and
American officers. Their ladies were escorted to seats in another stand.
Mr. Lee remained standing until the two young women who had accompanied
him had been shown seats, then he sat down with an audible exclamation
of annoyance.
“Judge,” he exclaimed, “be prepared to be outraged. I know these
pig-headed Herzovinians well enough to appreciate that they never do
things half-way.”
“We were fools to come and be insulted,” the judge snapped, removing
his soft “Panama” and wiping his moist forehead. “Look at that stand of
theirs; looks like a Christmas tree--the very thing to catch the savage
eye. Here are we in our democratic simplicity.”
The two midshipmen gazed about; the wonderful spectacle delighted them.
Several thousands of Kapuan men and women collected in mathematical
accuracy had formed a great square about the Herzovinian officials. In
front were the women, garbed in colors of flaming hue, their dark hair
loose over their shoulders. The scarlet hibiscus blossom woven into
necklaces and entwined in their blue-black locks was both effective and
startling. The men were naked to the lava-lava covering about their
waists, their copper brown skins glistening with cocoanut oil.
“There’s Kataafa,” Commander Tazewell said to his companions at his
side. “He and Panu-Mafili are rivals to the Kapuan throne, and the
final decision is now in the hands of Judge Lindsay.” The midshipmen
had arrived in Kapua only that morning on the mail steamer from San
Francisco.
“Kataafa is the high chief who has always rebelled against the king,”
the commander added. “The Herzovinians deported him to one of their
penal islands after his warriors had killed many of their sailors, and
now they are giving him a royal welcome.”
“Where’s Panu-Mafili?” Phil asked excitedly, after he had feasted his
eyes upon the high chief sitting next the Herzovinian consul.
Commander Tazewell indicated a small native squatting on the ground in
front of the assemblage. He seemed dwarfed in comparison to the giant
next him.
“The big one alongside of him is Tuamana,” the commander explained. “He
has always been loyal to the legal king, and is a fine character and a
great fighter. We’ll call upon him by and by.”
With a flourish of trumpets the ceremony began. The band then struck up
the impressive Herzovinian national air, and all rose to their feet.
The Herzovinian consul, Mr. Carlson, moved forward after the music had
ceased. He held in his hand a paper which he raised above his head,
praying silence.
The midshipmen listened eagerly.
“What language is it?” Phil whispered. He could not recognize a word.
From different quarters of the great crowd could be heard the native
“talking men” repeating the words until they were heard by every native.
Phil riveted his attention upon the sea of native faces opposite him,
endeavoring to surprise their thoughts, and thus obtain knowledge of
what was being said.
“I can’t follow him,” Commander Tazewell whispered to Phil, “but I
see it’s making a great impression.” He turned slowly in his chair to
observe the effect upon Judge Lindsay and Mr. Lee, both of whom spoke
Kapuan fluently.
Judge Lindsay’s under lip was noticeably quivering, while Mr. Lee
ground his teeth in silent rage.
An exclamation from Phil caused the commander to turn again. The tall
warrior and Panu-Mafili, the other candidate for kingship, had turned
their backs upon the speaker and were talking to their followers behind
them. Almost as one man they obeyed the call, and nearly five hundred
natives slowly and with great dignity marched away, leaving a gaping
hole in the symmetry of the square.
Mr. Carlson’s flow of native eloquence came to a sudden stop. He
gazed in apparent bewilderment about him. Then from the departing
natives came in melodious rhythm the words, sung over and over
again--“Malea-Toa-Panu-Tupu-e-Kapua”--Malea-Toa Panu is King of Kapua.
“I’m afraid I can’t stand to hear the rest myself,” Judge Lindsay
declared, unable to Control himself longer. He rose to his feet and
walked away with great dignity. Mr. Lee and the British consul followed.
“I am going to stick it through,” Commander Sturdy, of the British
war-ship “Hyacinth,” exclaimed as he changed his seat to one next to
Commander Tazewell. “I can’t understand a jolly word, you know, but
it’s as good as a musical opera at home.”
Chief Kataafa now stood beside Mr. Carlson, while Klinger, the manager
of the Herzovinian firm’s plantations in Kapua, called the “Kapuan
Firm,” called loudly to the natives for silence.
“The worst is yet to come,” Commander Tazewell laughed. The Herzovinian
sailor company of a hundred strong, their rifles shining brightly in
the sunlight, had smartly taken the position of “present arms.” “But
quiet must be restored before the remainder of this impressive ceremony
will be retailed out to us,” he added impressively.
Mr. Carlson solemnly placed a wreath of royal yellow about the chief’s
neck. The assemblage suddenly burst forth in uncontrolled savage joy.
Then as if by magic this demonstration was stilled by the music of
a gun. The Herzovinian war-ship was firing a salute in honor of the
returned exiles.
“Nineteen guns, I suppose,” Commander Sturdy said. Every one was
counting, the natives most of all. The nineteenth gun had fired. All
held their breath. This was the salute usually given a high chief.
There seemed a perceptible pause and then another crash reverberated
across the water, and yet another.
“A royal salute,” all gasped. Again pandemonium broke loose among the
Kataafa adherents. Herzovinia had acknowledged Kataafa as king of Kapua.
Commander Tazewell’s face suddenly dropped its joviality. The British
captain said things under his breath, while the American and English
officers gazed at each other, utterly speechless with surprise.
“Kataafa Tupu-e-Kapua[1]--ah,” the song burst forth, drowning out all
other sounds.
The stands were quickly emptied. The American and English officers
joined the resident ladies of their nationality and escorted them in
angry silence away from the scene.
Judge Lindsay and Mr. Lee were encountered only a few hundred yards
away. Mr. Lee called Commander Tazewell to his side.
“We are waiting to hear from Mr. Carlson what is the meaning of this
treachery,” he exclaimed. “Judge Lindsay goes so far as to believe that
now a war over the title of king of Kapua cannot be averted. It is
outrageous.”
Phil and Sydney gazed with interest at the daughters of the American
consul, Mr. Lee, whom they had not met, and were greatly disappointed
when they heard him direct them to return home immediately. The
midshipmen remained behind with their captain.
The Herzovinian consul, accompanied by Klinger and a stranger and
followed by several naval officers, soon appeared. Their faces were
wreathed in smiles and their shoulders were decorated with circlets of
flowers placed there by the jubilant Kataafa adherents.
Judge Lindsay placed himself squarely in their path. His face was pale,
and he held his cane clutched firmly in his hand.
“Mr. Carlson,” he exclaimed in a clear vibrant voice, “I desire you
to state to me, as chief justice of Kapua, publicly and at once, your
authority in making such a speech, acknowledging for Herzovinia the
claim of Kataafa to be king of Kapua. Further, I desire to hear the
authority for the salute of twenty-one guns, a salute given only to a
king. As chief justice of these islands I represent the Herzovinian law
as well as the law of England and America. Do I understand, sir, that
you have set aside law, the law of the treaty between the three great
nations, and have rendered a decision in favor of Kataafa, even while I
am still deliberating upon the justice of these two claimant chiefs for
the title of king?”
Mr. Cartoon’s face was a study. He looked appealingly to the stranger
beside him as if for support. Phil was astonished to note the evident
gleam of triumph in the stranger’s eyes. The lad regarded him closely.
He was tall and finely built; his face was pale and highly intellectual
in appearance. He appeared to be a man of great force of character.
“My dear judge,” Mr. Carlson floundered hopelessly. “Come with us to
the consulate. This is really not the place for dispute.”
They had been surrounded by inquisitive natives of all sizes, who are
quick to scent an altercation, and even though not understanding the
words, like all nature’s children, can read the language of the eye,
the face and the hand.
“Don’t dear me,” the judge exclaimed, even more angrily. “Your
treachery was public; my condemnation of it shall be public also.”
Mr. Carlson’s face streamed with perspiration. He was a big man and
inclined to be fat. His gorgeous uniform fitted like a glove. Under a
torrid sun he was a picture of woe.
The stranger whispered in the consul’s ear. Phil noted that the red
face suddenly cleared.
“You have misunderstood, judge,” Mr. Carlson began, not at all certain
of his ground, but his voice gained strength as he continued. “I did
not say he was Tupu[2] of Kapua. That you must decide. I only hailed
Kataafa as Tupu. Being the choice of so many villages makes him Tupu.
That was my meaning. Kataafa and Panu-Mafili are both Tupu, but
neither is yet Tupu-e-Kapua.” Mr. Carlson was now smiling benignly upon
the judge.
Judge Lindsay made a sign of disgust.
“Do you take me for a babe in arms?” he exploded. “How dare you insult
my intelligence by such an absolute and unnecessary falsehood! Whether
you know what you read or not, I do know. I heard and understood. You
did not mince matters there.” He drew himself up haughtily and glared
defiantly and for the first time at the stranger and Klinger.
“The Kapuan language, to one who knows it, is not difficult. I advise
you, Mr. Carlson, hereafter to stick to a language you know, otherwise
your able co-conspirators will be putting embarrassing words into your
innocent mouth.”
A ripple of suppressed merriment rose unrebuked at the judge’s sally.
Mr. Carlson seemed too dazed and worried to make any reply.
The judge bowed ceremoniously, linking his arm in that of Mr. Lee, and
walked away.