Commander Tazewell shook his head doubtfully. “He might land his men too, but that could not defeat our purpose. With the English and American sailors in military control of Ukula, it would take a stronger man than Count Rosen to annex the islands.”
The boats glided alongside the wharf at the foot of the Siumu road and the sailors, their accouterments rattling musically, scrambled upon the dock and quickly formed their companies. But few commands were given. Each officer knew his station already.
The English commander, fairly beaming with joy, joined Commander Tazewell on the dock.
“I say, that admiral of yours is a jolly good sport, and we’re behind him with every man and gun,” he exclaimed effusively, “and we’re not much beforehand, either,” he added. “The natives all say that the Vaileli ‘Talola’ was arranged by Count Rosen in order to inform Kataafa and his warriors that the islands will be annexed as soon as their war-ship, hourly expected, arrives. It’s a sort of informal annexation, don’t you know. And they’ll come back and then, as you Americans say, they’ll ‘wake up.’”
Commander Tazewell joined in the laugh. The dock was clear. All the men landed had gone to their stations, and their boats had been towed back to their ships to be filled with tentage and provisions.
“By now,” he said grimly, “there probably are many eager messengers hurrying to acquaint those at Vaileli of what is happening on the beach of Ukula.”
Phil was suddenly aware of Avao’s presence at his elbow.
“Kataafa’s men all take guns,” she whispered guardedly. “Mary Hamilton, she go too to Vaileli. What are sailors going to do?” she asked excitedly.
“You’ll see to-morrow, Avao,” Phil replied evasively.
“Too few men,” Avao persisted anxiously. “Kataafa many thousand.”