ows,
and arming themselves with spears and swords, and the native bows and
arrows.

"They might have waited until we had that army trained," said Gordon, in
a tone of the keenest displeasure. "Tell me, quick, what do they
generally do when they come?"

"Steal all the cattle and goats, and a woman or two, and set fire to the
huts in the outskirts," replied Stedman.

"Well, we must stop them," said Gordon, jumping up. "We must take out a
flag of truce and treat with them. They must be kept off until I have my
army in working order. It is most inconvenient. If they had only waited
two months, now, or six weeks even, we could have done something; but
now we must make peace. Tell the King we are going out to fix things
with them, and tell him to keep off his warriors until he learns whether
we succeed or fail."

"But, Gordon!" gasped Stedman. "Albert! You don't understand. Why, man,
this isn't a street fight or a cane rush. They'll stick you full of
spears, dance on your body, and eat you, maybe. A flag of truce!--you're
talking nonsense. What do they know of a flag of truce?"

"You're talking nonsense, too," said Albert, "and you're talking to your
superior officer. If you are not with me in this, go back to your cable,
and tell the man in Octavia that it's a warm day, and that the sun is
shining; but if you've any spirit in you,--and I think you have,--run to
the office and get my Winchester rifles, and the two shot guns, and my
revolvers, and my uniform, and a lot of brass things for presents, and
run all the way there and back. And make time. Play you're riding a
bicycle at the Agricultural Fair."

Stedman did not hear this last; for he was already off and away, pushing
through the crowd, and calling on Bradley, Sr., to follow him. Bradley,
Jr., looked at Gordon with eyes that snapped, like a dog that is waiting
for his master to throw a stone.

"I can fire a Winchester, sir," he said. "Old Tom can't. He's no good at
long range 'cept with a big gun, sir. Don't give him the Winchester.
Give it to me, please, sir."

Albert met Stedman in the plaza, and pulled off his blazer, and put on
Captain Travis's--now his--uniform coat, and his white pith helmet.

"Now, Jack," he said, "get up there and tell these people that we are
going out to make peace with these Hillmen, or bring them back prisoners
of war. Tell them we are the preservers of their homes and wives and
children; and you, Bradley, take these presents, an