“Furniture for our consulate,” came the answer after some delay.
“You are not unloading guns for Kataafa, then?” Phil retorted angrily.
There was no reply. The sailor continued to block the rail above where Phil was standing.
“Shove off, O’Neil,” he exclaimed. “If we stay here longer, I couldn’t resist the temptation of pitching the whole lot of them overboard.”
“Excuse me for saying so, Mr. Perry,” O’Neil apologized as the sailors rowed back to their ship. “You’ve got to learn caution when you’re playing against those fellows. They are up in diplomacy. They live on it, and to beat ’em you’ve got to forget you’ve got a temper. It ain’t at all necessary; in fact, it’s a superfluity.” O’Neil was fond of using big words, which he always accented on every syllable, as if by so doing their vague meaning would be more readily grasped.
When Phil returned Commander Tazewell was on the point of embarking to visit the Herzovinian war-ship, but after listening to the startling intelligence brought by Phil he at once decided that a visit at this time of night would be barren of results. Kataafa would probably obtain arms for his warriors through the Kapuan firm. A higher power than the Herzovinian commander had so ordained. The fact was, however, worth knowing. Plans must be made to meet this new development. He might send trusty men ashore to spy on those who were unloading the “Talofa.”
Just then a native canoe ranged alongside, while the paddler held up a letter. The quartermaster went down to receive it; it was for Commander Tazewell.
The captain opened it eagerly. The handwriting was unfamiliar.
“My dear Commander Tazewell,” he read in perfectly written English. He had already glanced at the bottom for the name and had seen “Your obedient servant, Felix Rosen.” He continued to read: “I crave a thousand pardons, but an opportunity has arisen for me to take a cruise about the Kapuan Islands in a schooner. She is now unloading. The captain of our war-ship was kind enough to come to my aid and direct the work. I believe there is some government freight among the cargo. I hope to get away in the morning, so our trip to ‘Papasea’ must only be postponed. I have also excused myself to the ladies.”
Commander Tazewell as he finished uttered an exclamation of bewilderment. He handed the letter to Lieutenant Morrison and then to Phil.