“A reprieve,” Phil exclaimed. “I’m glad of it, and I’ll never go to another hanging.” Both suddenly laughed nervously. They were glad in their young hearts that the murderer was not to expiate his crime on the gallows.
A talking man rose to tell the people. The midshipmen could not understand a word, but the effect upon the crowd showed the news was to their liking. Suddenly several voices were raised in song; slowly the volume increased until every native had joined in. It was a song of praise for Herzovinia.
“A play for popularity,” Sydney said disgustedly as they moved away toward the road and back to the landing. “And another step toward annexation.”
CHAPTER XVI
CARL KLINGER
Avao appeared at the consulate one morning a few days after the count’s Siva-Siva dance, her black eyes bright with indignation.
“See,” she exclaimed as she handed to Alice a sheet of paper on which was printed a dozen or more lines.
Alice read slowly, the color mounting to her cheeks and her breath coming faster.
“They have confiscated all of Tuamana’s land,” she exclaimed, “and branded him a rebel to the king. This is the official notice posted about the town.”
Phil, in spite of the evident seriousness of this act to the native girl, could not suppress a smile.
“Kind of mixed up affair, isn’t it?” he said quietly. “Rebel Kataafa brands the loyal Tuamana a rebel.”