“Sosee must be recovered first,” said Koree, “when I will help you to catch all the rest.” Some, however, could not be made to understand what the war was for. “I can see no cocoanuts in it,” said one. “I don’t want my eyes scratched out,” added another, who had lately become interested in a girl who was sitting beside him; “nor do I want her injured.” “Who knows,” asked a third, “if we shall ever meet again? I fear we shall lose this place and lose one another.” “Why did Koree lose his girl?” asked another. “He should not have taken her into danger.” “Men and warriors!” interposed Koree at this point, fearing an insubordination that might be disastrous, “is this your resolution? A little while ago you were impatient for battle. Now you are seeking excuses for peace. None of you are worthy of such honor as awaits us. The defeat of the Lali will give glory to the Ammi, and many women and stores. We will divide their country among us, or, at least, have no more trouble from them. You fight not for me only but for yourselves, and fight that you may have to fight no more. For, this war will destroy all our enemies. Now swear to me not only that you will go to the war (for that you have already done), but that you will never abandon it till Sosee is restored.” This they all swore by scratching their ribs, and again there was harmony in the counsels of war. CHAPTER XVIII. [Illustration] The war being resolved upon, preparations now went on, and consumed so much time that many again lost interest. They grew impatient, first at the preparations, and then at the expected war itself, and so had to be repeatedly stirred up by new infusions of resolution. Koree superintended the preparations, whose chief work was to keep the minds of the people prepared; for our early ancestors could not hold a resolution as long as we. Their anger was soon cool, like their love, and their attention went rapidly from one subject to another. “Hollow out some water-melons,” said Koree, “in which to carry our weapons.” The Ammi had used melon rinds for vessels, when they wanted something larger than a cocoanut shell. These lasted, indeed, but a short time, but they were easily replaced. “Water-melons are too heavy,” said one, “and will spoil before we reach the enemy. Let us use bark which can be tied at the ends and hung over our shoulders.” Some, accordingly, took bark, but many preferred melons or gourds, which, however, they exchanged for bark before proceeding far. It takes experience to learn what is best for war or peace. “Sharpen your clubs,” said Koree, “but only at one end. Let the other end be blunt, so as to serve for a staff in marching and a weapon in battle.” They accordingly sharpened their clubs, which served as spears, and also aided them in digging for roots, clams and other provisions. They also provided split bones and broken cocoanut shells, which were sharp, and so served both as weapons to cut and implements to dig.