“Those natives we saw to-day,” Phil replied, “didn’t look as if they could be so easily intimidated. I believe the decision made is the best. We have a big cruiser coming with an admiral on board. When she arrives we may have strength enough to uphold the decision of Judge Lindsay. One nation has broken the treaty. Consul Carlson, in refusing to help the other two consuls to uphold the decision, has shown that he is partial to Kataafa.” At dinner that evening nothing but Kapuan affairs could be discussed. No one thought of anything else. The district of Matautu appeared like an armed camp. Hundreds of natives had arrived for refuge, bringing in all their valuables. The balmy air reeked with cocoanut oil, and the musical songs of men and women as they squatted under their hastily constructed shelters were heard on every side. The terrors of war rested lightly upon their childlike minds. To them war was only a festival, an occasion for song, dancing, kava drinking and visiting. Before eight o’clock that evening many wild rumors were brought into the camp by the women. Some of the refugee women had husbands on one side and some on the other. Among the Kapuans, women are neutral, and are free to go freely between the hostile camps. Alice and the midshipmen mingled with the natives in order to gather all the news brought in. All indications showed that Kataafa would be as good as his word, and would attack that night. The first part of the evening, however, dragged on and everything seemed quiet in the direction of the native town and Kulinuu where a few hundred loyal natives had undertaken unaided to uphold the rights of their chosen king against the attack of the rebel hordes. Suddenly the startling rattle of musketry drifted down on the light breeze from the other side of the bay. Shouts and cries of defiance and anger could be distinctly heard through the still night air. Kataafa had broken his sworn pledge made solemnly and in writing never again to resist the constituted authority of Kapua. Three hundred odd sailors of three great nations listened to the raging of the unequal struggle. Among savages, might is always right. There was no doubt who would be king of Kapua when the day dawned, Judge Lindsay and the treaty notwithstanding. CHAPTER XIII UKULA ATTACKED The midshipmen hastened to tell Commander Tazewell the thrilling news of the attack. They found him, however, on the porch fully dressed together with the consul and his daughters. “I feel terribly concerned over Judge Lindsay,” Mr. Lee exclaimed while all listened tensely to the fearful sounds of combat coming so distinctly through the otherwise quiet night. The refugees huddling in the bush and among the palm groves were all hushed to silence, harking to the unequal battle raging nearly a mile away. “He refused to leave his house to come to us. He thought his belongings were more precious than his life, and feared if he left his house it would be looted and destroyed.”