Footsteps from the hall heralded the approach of others. Phil’s heart sank. Had the news of the landing of the sailors already come? Klinger and Scott had entered the room. Phil gazed at them, but saw only displeasure in their faces. The greeting he had been about to give was withheld. Finally the count spoke. His voice was husky. The blow had been severe. “I’ll do what I can. Now go!” He half shoved Phil out of the room. “No earthly power can save you if you are not away before that savage horde out there has learned this insult to their king.” Phil half stumbled down the steps and flung himself into the saddle. “Ride fast, Avao,” he ordered sharply, “straight for the gate, and, Alice, you follow her. Go on, faster, faster.” He herded them before him. The natives in their path quickly got out of their way and called after them “Faimalosi,”[40] thinking that they were only enjoying a pony race. Before they had reached the gate of the plantation the news of the landing of the sailors had arrived. “They have heard from Ukula,” Alice called from over her shoulder, indicating a group of armed natives squatting by the side of the road feasting upon fruit stripped from trees in their near vicinity, “and are wondering what it means.” Even as she spoke to Phil, one of the group called out questioningly to Avao. The native girl tossed back an answer and her words apparently were satisfactory and caused a laugh. Phil heaved a sigh of relief as they swung through the gate. By mutual consent their horses were slowed to a trot, and the three drew close together to converse. “What did the count say?” Alice questioned eagerly. “He promised he’d do what he could,” Phil replied, his voice unsteady from the recent excitement. “I’m afraid the ‘Frankenstein’ he has created has grown beyond his control. We’re bound to have war.” When Phil and his companions arrived in Ukula the town resembled an armed camp. The roads leading to the village were all strongly held. Machine guns and field pieces had been mounted behind hastily constructed barricades. The main strength of the forces was encamped in the town proper between the two streams. The British sailors were in garrison at Kulinuu. The cruiser “Sacramento” had anchored in a commanding position with her heavy broadside bearing upon the town. Phil found Commander Tazewell and the admiral at the Tivoli Hotel, where the latter had taken up his headquarters, and gave them an account of his mission. “We must not relax vigilance,” Admiral Spotts said, while Phil saluted, ready to withdraw. “I believe that no hostilities will be thought of until to-morrow. Then we shall see what can be done through diplomacy to avoid bloodshed.” Phil and Sydney occupied that night their old room in the consulate.