"Maru! Kahili! We have come for you," shouted Blair. "Here are Ha'o of Kapaa'a, and Ruel of Anape----" and he recited all the names of the head-men. "We will give you till the shadows are smallest to come in. Then be it on your own heads!" and the great company sat down on the beach to pass the time. "Will they come?" asked Blair of Ha'o. "They will come," said Ha'o. "They would have no chance against us, and they are not fools." Blair seized the opportunity for more talk with the leading men from the other islands. He showed them that none were safe if raiding were permitted, not even the strongest, for against the strongest combination might prevail. The only security was in union against illdoers; and he rubbed that lesson into them till they were not likely to forget it. Before the wheeling shadows had shortened the slim black lines of the palms into their spreading crowns, a tumult broke out inland, and as they all stood expectant, a mob, in which were many women, came hurrying along, with old Maru and Kahili on its front like corks on a swelling tide. "It is well," said Blair, as he went to meet them. "You have given us much trouble, but you have saved yourselves more. Do you understand, Maru, and you, Kahili, and all you men and women of Kanele, what this great company means? It means that the old times are gone for ever, and that the better times are come. If there is to be any fighting in future, we of Kapaa'a and the islands round about will have our say in the matter. Take those two to the boats," and at a sign from him a file of Torches led the prisoners away. "There are others among you who prefer war to peace," he said. "I want them also." This caused a hubbub amongst them, and much hot discussion, but at last certain ones were evolved from the crowd, and pushed to the front protesting, and to the number of ten he had them marched down to the boats, amid the wailing of their women. "Now, listen!" cried Blair, waving down their cries with a peremptory hand. "Is it to be peace or war henceforth?" "Peace," wailed the women, and the men stood silent. "Then let the women bring here all the spears and clubs, for you will not need them." This was touching them on the raw, for the brown man's weapons are his dearest possessions. But this was to be a lesson once and for all, and not for the men of Kanele only. "I must have them," said Blair. "If you will not bring them, we must get them ourselves. Which shall it be?" The men stood, stubborn and sulky. Some of the women on the outskirts of the crowd began to trickle away. Then old Maru's wife crept up downcastly from the side of the throng, carrying two long spears and a club, and cast them on the sand at Blair's feet. "It is good, Maruaine," he said gently. "You will not kill our men, Missi?" she asked piteously.