“It’s outrageous,” he declared as he handed the letter to Commander Tazewell. “Kataafa has made Count Rosen his prime minister, and asks the consuls to recognize the new government. The letter’s in English, but signed by the rebel chief.”
Commander Tazewell studied the letter thoughtfully. “Well, sir,” he said grimly, “it looks as if it was Hobson’s choice with us.”
A footfall on the porch heralded a visitor, and the British consul was soon seated at the lunch table.
“Commander Sturdy has gone off to his ship to interview the natives who took refuge with him last night,” he began hurriedly, his face unnaturally flushed with excitement. “Did you also get one of these impertinencies?” he exclaimed showing a crumpled letter in his hand, a duplicate of the one Commander Tazewell was still holding.
Mr. Lee nodded. “Yes,” he replied, “and Commander Tazewell has cleverly showed me that we are confronted by a fact, not a fancy. Kataafa holds the power. He is the ‘de facto’ government of Kapua, and if we don’t recognize it, anarchy and license will continue until we do.”
“I hear Judge Lindsay has been burnt out and a fight between the rebels and your sailors was narrowly averted,” the British consul exclaimed. “What are we coming to in Kapua? And it has all been brought about by these scheming mercenary merchants.”
Mr. Carlson’s portly figure approaching by the path from the road dissolved the party at the lunch table. Miss Lee retired to look after Judge Lindsay and his wife. The latter’s nerves had been greatly shaken during the trying ordeal through which they had both passed. Fanatical natives had surrounded their house during the night, threatening the judge hourly with death and torture. Only the iron will of the man in face of imminent danger, and a resolution that awed the savages, prevented them from beginning an attack which once started must have ended in the death of the chief justice.
The midshipmen and Alice adjourned to the garden out of ear-shot from the council of the representatives of the great Powers.
“There won’t be any doubt of getting Mr. Carlson to agree upon recognizing the new government,” Alice exclaimed heatedly. “I suppose that’s what he came for.”
“He must approve his own work,” Sydney replied. “There’ll be no chance for an American or an Englishman, though, under this government.”