"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.
"I have come to make your lives happier, Maruaine. I will not hurt a hair of their heads. But they must learn, and this is the first lesson."
Kahili's wife followed, and one by one the other women came, with more spears and clubs, till the pile was a goodly one.