Kaiuolani

The guards stood lined up on either side the driveway leading through the palace grounds to the main entrance in front. A strong reserve rested upon loaded arms at the rear, and Aokahameha with his aids, mounted and happy, waited underneath the high veranda’s edge. At the sight of Bender the unsophisticated, warm-hearted general saluted respectfully, and possibly a sense of pride touched his bearing; these were true and virtuous men who heeded his command, and not a breath of suspicion tainted their lives.

No hope of reward augmented those ranks or mercenary motive compelled their allegiance; they came from the soil; were filled with patriotism; grew with traditional energy; embodied the spirit of higher purpose—their sole aim and province foretold the humane preservation and liberal encouragement of established, progressive institutions.

The skulking minister irreverently brushed them by, his starved, ruthlessly denied soul withering under the stress of manliness reflected in their open, self-poised countenances. In vain he may have hoped for scant disturbance, conjured a faltering intent, observed the slightest infraction; they were men to preserve order, nor would abuse law, and until reaching the docks where another kind of activity roused fresh desire a myriad faint conceptions baffled his troubled conscience.

He had gained his ground by promising the visiting commodore that there should appear at a given hour and proposed place some urgent occasion for the landing of the marines, and now the time had arrived it seemed utterly disastrous that his prediction should not prove verified: there appeared no disorder at the palace or elsewhere that he could see other than that occasioned, through his own instrumentality, by the landing of foreign troops, and the scheming minister with all his cunning knew not the secret of diplomacy; he relied implicitly upon patent causes for desired effects and held himself responsible for an apparent justification, even at the cost of forgery. Just how to sustain his position and, possibly, save his neck, under the circumstances, became an all absorbing problem. Looking only to individual gain the responsibilities waxed entirely personal and the means narrowed to his own contemptible efforts. Bender had prostituted the truth, and before the first launch arrived, carrying at her stern the as yet undaunted and in her hold a solid mass of blue and white, with bayonets fixed and belts strapped heavy, the instigator of it all would have gladly surrendered everything but his mask and departed from the Islands could he have recalled only the treasonable design.

Shout after shout went up from the small circle who huddled about and struggled for a first glimpse at close range. Somehow the landing had been noised about in private,—Norton’s tongue would wag,—and at the first blast on board the Bonton the annexationists to a man rushed to the water’s edge; and upon the minister of finance’s appearance renewed courage enabled them to raise their voices in behalf of what, they knew not but deemed delectable, if not safe.

Looking round, their once-upon-a-time leader’s spirit revived; these men had been his earliest and staunchest supporters—why should he abandon renewed encouragement, even if unmerited? He would once more fall back upon his kind, and trust to fate or falsehood for justification in the eyes of an abused commander. Opportunity after all awaited only the making, and the force assembling at his feet had neither the time nor the inclination to question the veracity of his or any other man’s doing. The men were glad for a chance to stretch their careless limbs, their leader was anxious for the privilege of burnishing his own rust-eaten valor; Bender forgot danger, eschewed duty, and saw only with eyes bleared by the belated promise of war’s attendant enthusiasm.

The troops came in squads and formed into companies—their faces and build and demeanor portraying fairly the many nationalities; Germans, Irishmen, Englishmen and whatnots, with a sprinkling of native sons filled well the American ranks; but they all marched to music and lived on never-failing rations—far up on the open, that hitherto had answered the purposes of a more friendly pursuit; the bickering and bartering of market tradesmen and flower-laden saleswomen.

Bender livened with anticipation. Here proffered a different kind of fighting man—from the one who had moved him to broader sympathy while yet within the confines of government’s lofty touch. A soldier drilled to obey, not a patriot born and bred to live and die for principle; more easily encouraged to shoot, and less observant of consequences; inspired with belly, and devoid of a mental comprehension—just the kind with which to build empire, and not over-particular about the moralities other than a full and hearty compliment. The prospect of gain outweighed in the scales of duty, primordal instinct drove its thirsty victim toward a fancied relief, and the ascending star of human energy hid its face behind the fleeting orbit of darkened consequence, with the tread and trumpet of mercenary arms.

Only one condition fairly stood between the untamed minister and success:—the marines soon divined the sources of their outing, and appeared friendly; their commander mistook his real intentions, and believed him sincere; the onlookers applauded an old champion, and rallied with enthusiasm:—jealousy crept into the American minister’s heart, and the very laudations of the bystanders, the rising confidence of Uhlrix and the suppressed admiration of the troops drove deep a burning hatred; which finally obliterated the slightest taint of political if not moral discretion.

Finally as the last launch discharged its cargo of men, “Three cheers for the boys in blue,” inadvertently resounded from the tall buildings that studded on three sides the old historic square, and when the commodore, himself, escorted by a sallow staff in gold and braid, set foot on shore the shouting redoubled and ceased only when Harvenoiq pressed forward to greet and advise. Nobody cared to applaud him, and few there were who did not understand in some measure his flaunted brusqueness. They had already had enough of him: but so soon as Bender, a child of the primeval, followed and grasped the outstretched hand of Uhlrix the noise multiplied unto breaking significantly upon the ears of some at the palace, who lingered and strove to fathom the quickening mystery.

“I am not at all satisfied about this seeming disturbance at the water-front square,” said Gutenborj, while occupying the central place in a group of interested men and women summoned hastily by the queen to discuss possible events.

“It is Bender’s work, you can be sure of that, if I am permitted to say as much,” ventured Norton, who had been recalled to explain the reason for her unexpected appearance.

“How could they do such a thing? and what has he to gain by soliciting the interference of foreign arms?” queried Liliuokolani, impregnable in the belief that honest government however insignificant could but command the respect of nations as well that of honorable men.

“If strange troops are landing, I have no doubt it is as a friendly escort to some foreign dignitary, who desires to pay your highness some unusual and formal respect. I can conceive of no other reason,” intercepted Aokahameha, utterly unable to fathom the purpose and possibilities of modern diplomacy.

“Don’t be too sure of that,” replied Gutenborj, promptly and unequivocally. “I had best communicate with Colonel Young, immediately. Is there a messenger at court whom I can trust?”

“Pardon me, Mr. Gutenborj,” said Kaiuolani, the color rising a little and her pretty teeth evincing a determination, positive though respectful; “I should rather Aokahameha endeavored to reach and direct his own command. He has at his service at least a respectable staff, and I too, if a woman may be pardoned for assuming a voice, should like personally an interview with the gentleman and officer, whom you mention—if it is possible for him to be located and brought in. We may have need for your counsel and advice at the palace. Please do the state that service; the general may dislike to enforce a governmental necessity.”

The up to this time undefied merchant prince started with surprise. Interpreting boldly and fairly the gentle command, of one whom he prized so tenderly, only a slight flush betrayed any pain at surrendering, and promptly the answer characteristically set at rest all doubt as to Gutenborj’s reasonable position:

“I am pleased to obey the mandates of any government that governs.”

“What is your pleasure, Aokahameha? Would you advise that Mr. Gutenborj remain here, or depart in quest of your very honorable absentee?” asked the queen, in a friendly, half-confident, and utterly submissive tone.

“I have no doubt Mr. Gutenborj would prefer me to assume the responsibility. With his immediate enlightenment, as to the particular whereabouts, I should be able to produce the wanted derelict very shortly. This is a convenient place for friendly meetings, especially—under the circumstances,” replied Aokahameha, in a conciliatory manner, though expectant of a ready and speedy acquiescence.

All eyes turned toward Gutenborj, who hesitated and engaged with meditating the course of events that had brought him face to face with so delicate a situation: one that appeared to be tucked in on every side and hemmed round irrevocably. Presently the thought flashed upon his slow but ponderous intellect.

“Too much feminimity.”

He could see no possible means of escape, however, and all he possessed or anticipated depended solely upon the principle (under which he had prospered) of letting well enough alone. Setting his own against the will of others, except he be in authority, was beneath his theory of success and, as of old, the conclusion finally dawned that he had best acquiesce and continue to support, where freedom permitted, trusting to good sense and careful reasoning to keep within the bounds of healthy, effective security.

“I am——” began the weighty reasoner, in a cool, convincing manner.

“I demand it!” intercepted Kaiuolani, emphasizing the order with a resolute toss of the head and gentle stamping upon the floor.

“I trust the good princess shall find others as easily subdued, if only during the day,” continued the big financier, changing his speech and smiling approval, while suppressing with effort a heartier response.

“Kaiuolani is our hope, and with the good Mr. Gutenborj as a guide—I wish it were possible for us all to be as philosophic,” said the queen, a rising sense of cheerfulness prompting her to speak feelingly and unreservedly.

Gutenborj loved a courageous woman. Possibly his own disinclination to face danger, if avoidable, led him to admire that particular trait in the opposite sex. Hitherto he had looked upon the lively young princess as a petted child, tender, true, and lovable, withal destined to be buffeted about in the harsh adjustment of cold, relentless affairs. The late assumption of forbidden authority at first shocked him; then upon measuring her disposition and temperament with those of the queen, and resolving the extent of courage and sincerity of purpose underlying her unexpected stand, he could but applaud the effort, and as well lay his utmost in her behalf.

“Floyd Young made no mistake: God bless him for the deed,” subtly fixed itself in his roused sensibility, while pressing forward to bestow upon Kaiuolani that assurance which had been withheld only too long.

For, immediately he felt the warmth of her two hands, the dull rumble of a steady “rub a dub dub” and the soul stirring melody of the fife’s shrill treble burst strangely upon the vibrant air that cruelly floated in to startle and stir those who heard and surmised.