The boats glided alongside the wharf at the foot of the Siumu road and the sailors, their accouterments rattling musically, scrambled upon the dock and quickly formed their companies. But few commands were given. Each officer knew his station already. The English commander, fairly beaming with joy, joined Commander Tazewell on the dock. “I say, that admiral of yours is a jolly good sport, and we’re behind him with every man and gun,” he exclaimed effusively, “and we’re not much beforehand, either,” he added. “The natives all say that the Vaileli ‘Talola’ was arranged by Count Rosen in order to inform Kataafa and his warriors that the islands will be annexed as soon as their war-ship, hourly expected, arrives. It’s a sort of informal annexation, don’t you know. And they’ll come back and then, as you Americans say, they’ll ‘wake up.’” Commander Tazewell joined in the laugh. The dock was clear. All the men landed had gone to their stations, and their boats had been towed back to their ships to be filled with tentage and provisions. “By now,” he said grimly, “there probably are many eager messengers hurrying to acquaint those at Vaileli of what is happening on the beach of Ukula.” Phil was suddenly aware of Avao’s presence at his elbow. “Kataafa’s men all take guns,” she whispered guardedly. “Mary Hamilton, she go too to Vaileli. What are sailors going to do?” she asked excitedly. “You’ll see to-morrow, Avao,” Phil replied evasively. “Too few men,” Avao persisted anxiously. “Kataafa many thousand.” “What does she say?” Commander Tazewell asked, suddenly noting the eagerness in the girl’s manner. Avao repeated what she had told Phil. “We’ll have about three hundred more inside a half hour, Avao,” Commander Tazewell assured her. “Don’t you think we can stand off an attack with those?” “Fa’a moli-moli,”[39] she said humbly; “but, Alii, I know my people, and I afraid bad men may tell them fight. Suppose I go to the count and say do not permit armed natives to come to-night back to Ukula. If they come maybe have big fight.” “There seems to be something in what the girl says, Tazewell,” Commander Sturdy exclaimed. “Of course our plan is to refuse them entrance, and open fire if they persist. Yet we’d like to prevent a fight if we can win without it.” Commander Tazewell remained silently thoughtful for several minutes. To him the plan savored too much of asking the count a favor. However, it was in the cause of humanity. If word was to be sent the girl could not take it alone. An officer from his command must go. He turned his eyes toward the midshipmen, standing silently awaiting the decision. “Perry, will you go to the count at Vaileli plantation?” he said quietly. “Explain the situation and see if he will agree to prevent bloodshed. To-morrow we can treat with him. Monroe,” he added hurriedly, “please take my gig and tell the executive officer of the ‘Sitka’ about using the search-lights beginning at fifteen minutes of ten.”