A United States Midshipman in the South SeasStirling, Yates
General
A United States Midshipman in the South Seas
Stirling, Yates
Oceania -- Juvenile fiction; United States. Navy -- Juvenile fiction
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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