the Yap
people began to build a strong fort, and at night kept a good watch.

"Then Lirou again sent messengers asking that Lea would let him cut down
a score of great trees, and Lea sent answer to him: 'Thou art welcome.
Cut down one score--or ten score. I give them freely.' This did she for
the sake of peace and good-will, though she and her people knew that
Lirou meant harm. But whilst a hundred of Lirou's men were cutting
the trees the Yap people worked at their fort from dawn till dark, and
Lirou's heart was black with rage, for these men of Yap were cunning
fort builders, and he saw that, when it was finished, it could never be
taken by assault. But he and his chiefs continued to speak fair words,
and send presents to Lea and her people, and she sent back presents in
return. Then again Lirou besought her to become his wife, saying that
such an alliance would strengthen the friendship between his people and
hers; but Lea again refused him, though with pleasant words, and Lirou
said with a smooth face: 'Forgive me. I shall pester thee no more, for I
see that thou dost not care for me.'

"When two months had passed two score of great trees had been felled and
cut into lengths of five fathoms each, and then squared. These were to
be the main timbers of the outer wall of Lirou's fort--so he said. But
he did not mean to have them carried away, for now he and his chiefs had
completed their plans to destroy the people of Yap, and this cutting of
the trees was but a subterfuge, designed to throw Lea and her advisers
off their guard.

"One day Lirou and his chiefs, dressed in very gay attire, came into
Tokolme, each carrying in his hand a tame ring-dove which is a token of
peace and amity, and desired speech of Lea. She came forth, and ordered
fine mats, trimmed with scarlet parrots' feathers, to be spread for them
upon the ground and received them as honoured guests.

"'We come,' said Lirou, lifting her hand to his forehead, 'to beg
thee and all thy people to come to a great feast that will be ready
to-morrow, to celebrate the carrying away of the wood thou hast so
generously given unto me.'

"'It is well,' said Lea; 'I thank thee. We shall come.'

"Little did Lea and her people know that during the night, as it rained
heavily, some of Lirou's warriors had hidden clubs and spears and axes
of stone near where the logs lay and where the feast was to be given.
They were hidden under a great heap of chips and shavings t