“She’s going to the island of Kulila,” Commander Tazewell told his hearers guardedly, for there were many natives on the lawn in front of the house and within ear-shot. “The island, you know, is about sixty miles to windward[41] and the inhabitants are almost entirely loyal to the Malea-Toa family, of which Panu is the acknowledged head. Commander Sturdy has agreed to bring a shipload of natives and arm them from his own stock of guns. That will give us at least five hundred reënforcements.” The allies at once began to prepare their forces for serious work. Companies of the loyal natives were being mustered in with English and American sailormen to lead them, while white officers were designated to command the combinations made by joining several companies. In all, a force of eight native companies of a hundred men each, armed with American and English rifles, was encamped in the Malae under the command of Lieutenant Tupper of the British cruiser; while encamped along the main street of Ukula five hundred English and American sailors were ready in addition to aid in repelling an attack by the old fox Kataafa, who had been himself now declared a rebel by Admiral Spotts. The count and Klinger did not long remain in Ukula. That afternoon they departed quietly to Vaileli plantation. During the afternoon Phil and Sydney rode with Commander Tazewell along the Siumu road. All three were armed with revolvers, but no sailors or natives were taken along. “Kataafa has written the admiral the most remarkable letter,” the captain said after they had left behind the last vestige of civilization. “He says that he does not question the right of Panu-Mafili to be king, but that by the Kapuan custom he also is king, and that according to their traditional custom, as old as their race, he will fight Panu for the office. He says that he has no war with the white men, and that no harm will come to them if they do not attack him.” “What answer did the admiral send back?” Phil and Sydney asked in a breath. “That Panu-Mafili was now under the protection of the two allied powers, and that if Kataafa attacked him the admiral would consider it an attack upon his own men, and that by so doing Kataafa would have brought on a war with the white men.” “Hello,” Sydney exclaimed suddenly reining in his horse. A party of natives, their faces blackened, had silently come from the bush and barred their way. A chief stepped forward and courteously told Commander Tazewell that no one should pass. While they consulted with the native, many warriors appeared from each side of the road and gazed in friendly curiosity at their visitors. “He says,” Commander Tazewell told the midshipmen, “that Kataafa’s troops have surrounded the village of Ukula, and will starve out the inhabitants instead of attacking. That Kataafa has given orders that white men shall not be molested, but must remain within the besieging lines.”