“What does she say?” Commander Tazewell asked, suddenly noting the eagerness in the girl’s manner.
Avao repeated what she had told Phil.
“We’ll have about three hundred more inside a half hour, Avao,” Commander Tazewell assured her. “Don’t you think we can stand off an attack with those?”
“Fa’a moli-moli,”[39] she said humbly; “but, Alii, I know my people, and I afraid bad men may tell them fight. Suppose I go to the count and say do not permit armed natives to come to-night back to Ukula. If they come maybe have big fight.”
“There seems to be something in what the girl says, Tazewell,” Commander Sturdy exclaimed. “Of course our plan is to refuse them entrance, and open fire if they persist. Yet we’d like to prevent a fight if we can win without it.”
Commander Tazewell remained silently thoughtful for several minutes. To him the plan savored too much of asking the count a favor. However, it was in the cause of humanity. If word was to be sent the girl could not take it alone. An officer from his command must go. He turned his eyes toward the midshipmen, standing silently awaiting the decision.
“Perry, will you go to the count at Vaileli plantation?” he said quietly. “Explain the situation and see if he will agree to prevent bloodshed. To-morrow we can treat with him. Monroe,” he added hurriedly, “please take my gig and tell the executive officer of the ‘Sitka’ about using the search-lights beginning at fifteen minutes of ten.”
Sydney saluted, gulped down his disappointment and turned toward the waiting boat. He had been on the point of asking to go with Phil.
“You and Avao can get mounts at the consulate,” Commander Tazewell continued, turning to Phil, who stood like a sprinter ready to run or a hunting dog about to be unleashed.