The guards stood lined up on either side the driveway leading through
the palace grounds to the main entrance in front. A strong reserve
rested upon loaded arms at the rear, and Aokahameha with his aids,
mounted and happy, waited underneath the high veranda’s edge. At the
sight of Bender the unsophisticated, warm-hearted general saluted
respectfully, and possibly a sense of pride touched his bearing; these
were true and virtuous men who heeded his command, and not a breath of
suspicion tainted their lives.
No hope of reward augmented those ranks or mercenary motive compelled
their allegiance; they came from the soil; were filled with patriotism;
grew with traditional energy; embodied the spirit of higher
purpose--their sole aim and province foretold the humane preservation
and liberal encouragement of established, progressive institutions.
The skulking minister irreverently brushed them by, his starved,
ruthlessly denied soul withering under the stress of manliness
reflected in their open, self-poised countenances. In vain he may have
hoped for scant disturbance, conjured a faltering intent, observed the
slightest infraction; they were men to preserve order, nor would abuse
law, and until reaching the docks where another kind of activity roused
fresh desire a myriad faint conceptions baffled his troubled conscience.
He had gained his ground by promising the visiting commodore that there
should appear at a given hour and proposed place some urgent occasion
for the landing of the marines, and now the time had arrived it seemed
utterly disastrous that his prediction should not prove verified: there
appeared no disorder at the palace or elsewhere that he could see other
than that occasioned, through his own instrumentality, by the landing
of foreign troops, and the scheming minister with all his cunning knew
not the secret of diplomacy; he relied implicitly upon patent causes
for desired effects and held himself responsible for an apparent
justification, even at the cost of forgery. Just how to sustain his
position and, possibly, save his neck, under the circumstances,
became an all absorbing problem. Looking only to individual gain the
responsibilities waxed entirely personal and the means narrowed to his
own contemptible efforts. Bender had prostituted the truth, and before
the first launch arrived, carrying at her stern the as yet undaunted
and in her hold a solid mass of blue and white, with bayonets fixed
and belts strapped heavy, the instigator of it all would have gladly
surrendered everything but his mask and departed from the Islands could
he have recalled only the treasonable design.
Shout after shout went up from the small circle who huddled about and
struggled for a first glimpse at close range. Somehow the landing had
been noised about in private,--Norton’s tongue would wag,--and at the
first blast on board the _Bonton_ the annexationists to a man rushed to
the water’s edge; and upon the minister of finance’s appearance renewed
courage enabled them to raise their voices in behalf of what, they
knew not but deemed delectable, if not safe.
Looking round, their once-upon-a-time leader’s spirit revived; these
men had been his earliest and staunchest supporters--why should he
abandon renewed encouragement, even if unmerited? He would once
more fall back upon his kind, and trust to fate or falsehood for
justification in the eyes of an abused commander. Opportunity after
all awaited only the making, and the force assembling at his feet had
neither the time nor the inclination to question the veracity of his
or any other man’s doing. The men were glad for a chance to stretch
their careless limbs, their leader was anxious for the privilege of
burnishing his own rust-eaten valor; Bender forgot danger, eschewed
duty, and saw only with eyes bleared by the belated promise of war’s
attendant enthusiasm.
The troops came in squads and formed into companies--their faces and
build and demeanor portraying fairly the many nationalities; Germans,
Irishmen, Englishmen and whatnots, with a sprinkling of native sons
filled well the American ranks; but they all marched to music and
lived on never-failing rations--far up on the open, that hitherto had
answered the purposes of a more friendly pursuit; the bickering and
bartering of market tradesmen and flower-laden saleswomen.
Bender livened with anticipation. Here proffered a different kind of
fighting man--from the one who had moved him to broader sympathy while
yet within the confines of government’s lofty touch. A soldier drilled
to obey, not a patriot born and bred to live and die for principle;
more easily encouraged to shoot, and less observant of consequences;
inspired with belly, and devoid of a mental comprehension--just the
kind with which to build empire, and not over-particular about the
moralities other than a full and hearty compliment. The prospect of
gain outweighed in the scales of duty, primordal instinct drove its
thirsty victim toward a fancied relief, and the ascending star of human
energy hid its face behind the fleeting orbit of darkened consequence,
with the tread and trumpet of mercenary arms.
Only one condition fairly stood between the untamed minister and
success:--the marines soon divined the sources of their outing, and
appeared friendly; their commander mistook his real intentions, and
believed him sincere; the onlookers applauded an old champion, and
rallied with enthusiasm:--jealousy crept into the American minister’s
heart, and the very laudations of the bystanders, the rising confidence
of Uhlrix and the suppressed admiration of the troops drove deep a
burning hatred; which finally obliterated the slightest taint of
political if not moral discretion.
Finally as the last launch discharged its cargo of men, “Three cheers
for the boys in blue,” inadvertently resounded from the tall buildings
that studded on three sides the old historic square, and when the
commodore, himself, escorted by a sallow staff in gold and braid, set
foot on shore the shouting redoubled and ceased only when Harvenoiq
pressed forward to greet and advise. Nobody cared to applaud him, and
few there were who did not understand in some measure his flaunted
brusqueness. They had already had enough of him: but so soon as Bender,
a child of the primeval, followed and grasped the outstretched hand of
Uhlrix the noise multiplied unto breaking significantly upon the ears
of some at the palace, who lingered and strove to fathom the quickening
mystery.
“I am not at all satisfied about this seeming disturbance at the
water-front square,” said Gutenborj, while occupying the central place
in a group of interested men and women summoned hastily by the queen to
discuss possible events.
“It is Bender’s work, you can be sure of that, if I am permitted to say
as much,” ventured Norton, who had been recalled to explain the reason
for her unexpected appearance.
“How could they do such a thing? and what has he to gain by soliciting
the interference of foreign arms?” queried Liliuokolani, impregnable
in the belief that honest government however insignificant could but
command the respect of nations as well that of honorable men.
“If strange troops are landing, I have no doubt it is as a friendly
escort to some foreign dignitary, who desires to pay your highness
some unusual and formal respect. I can conceive of no other reason,”
intercepted Aokahameha, utterly unable to fathom the purpose and
possibilities of modern diplomacy.
“Don’t be too sure of that,” replied Gutenborj, promptly and
unequivocally. “I had best communicate with Colonel Young, immediately.
Is there a messenger at court whom I can trust?”
“Pardon me, Mr. Gutenborj,” said Kaiuolani, the color rising a little
and her pretty teeth evincing a determination, positive though
respectful; “I should rather Aokahameha endeavored to reach and direct
his own command. He has at his service at least a respectable staff,
and I too, if a woman may be pardoned for assuming a voice, should
like personally an interview with the gentleman and officer, whom you
mention--if it is possible for him to be located and brought in. We
may have need for your counsel and advice at the palace. Please do the
state that service; the general may dislike to enforce a governmental
necessity.”
The up to this time undefied merchant prince started with surprise.
Interpreting boldly and fairly the gentle command, of one whom
he prized so tenderly, only a slight flush betrayed any pain at
surrendering, and promptly the answer characteristically set at rest
all doubt as to Gutenborj’s reasonable position:
“I am pleased to obey the mandates of any government that governs.”
“What is your pleasure, Aokahameha? Would you advise that Mr. Gutenborj
remain here, or depart in quest of your very honorable absentee?” asked
the queen, in a friendly, half-confident, and utterly submissive tone.
“I have no doubt Mr. Gutenborj would prefer me to assume the
responsibility. With his immediate enlightenment, as to the
particular whereabouts, I should be able to produce the wanted
derelict very shortly. This is a convenient place for friendly
meetings, especially--under the circumstances,” replied Aokahameha,
in a conciliatory manner, though expectant of a ready and speedy
acquiescence.
All eyes turned toward Gutenborj, who hesitated and engaged with
meditating the course of events that had brought him face to face with
so delicate a situation: one that appeared to be tucked in on every
side and hemmed round irrevocably. Presently the thought flashed upon
his slow but ponderous intellect.
“Too much feminimity.”
He could see no possible means of escape, however, and all he possessed
or anticipated depended solely upon the principle (under which he had
prospered) of letting well enough alone. Setting his own against the
will of others, except he be in authority, was beneath his theory of
success and, as of old, the conclusion finally dawned that he had best
acquiesce and continue to support, where freedom permitted, trusting to
good sense and careful reasoning to keep within the bounds of healthy,
effective security.
“I am----” began the weighty reasoner, in a cool, convincing manner.
“I demand it!” intercepted Kaiuolani, emphasizing the order with a
resolute toss of the head and gentle stamping upon the floor.
“I trust the good princess shall find others as easily subdued, if only
during the day,” continued the big financier, changing his speech and
smiling approval, while suppressing with effort a heartier response.
“Kaiuolani is our hope, and with the good Mr. Gutenborj as a guide--I
wish it were possible for us all to be as philosophic,” said the queen,
a rising sense of cheerfulness prompting her to speak feelingly and
unreservedly.
Gutenborj loved a courageous woman. Possibly his own disinclination to
face danger, if avoidable, led him to admire that particular trait in
the opposite sex. Hitherto he had looked upon the lively young princess
as a petted child, tender, true, and lovable, withal destined to be
buffeted about in the harsh adjustment of cold, relentless affairs. The
late assumption of forbidden authority at first shocked him; then upon
measuring her disposition and temperament with those of the queen, and
resolving the extent of courage and sincerity of purpose underlying her
unexpected stand, he could but applaud the effort, and as well lay his
utmost in her behalf.
“Floyd Young made no mistake: God bless him for the deed,” subtly fixed
itself in his roused sensibility, while pressing forward to bestow upon
Kaiuolani that assurance which had been withheld only too long.
For, immediately he felt the warmth of her two hands, the dull rumble
of a steady “rub a dub dub” and the soul stirring melody of the fife’s
shrill treble burst strangely upon the vibrant air that cruelly floated
in to startle and stir those who heard and surmised.