hem to catch turtle for him. But with them he sent a trusty man, whom
he took into his confidence, and said, 'Tell Rairik, Chief of Pakin, to
make some pretext, and prevent Kol from returning to Ponape for a full
moon. And say also that if he yields not to my wish I shall destroy him
and his people.'"

"Ah," I said, "Lirou was a Napoleon."

"Who was he?"

"Oh, a great Franki chief, who was as lying and as treacherous and cruel
and merciless as Lirou. Some day I will tell thee of him. Now, about the
feast."

"Ah, the feast After a little while, Lirou, whilst the people ate, said
softly to Lea, 'Wilt thou not honour me and be my wife? I promise thee
that I shall send away my other wives, and thou alone shalt rule my
house and me.'

"Lea was displeased, and her eyes flashed with anger as she drew away
from him, and then Lirou seized her by her wrist, and threw up his left
hand.

"A long, loud blast sounded from the conch, and then Lirou's men, who
were feasting, sprang to the great heap of chips, and seized their
weapons. And then began a cruel slaughter--for what could three hundred
unarmed people do against so many! But yet some of the men of Yap fought
most bravely, and tearing clubs or short stabbing spears from their
treacherous enemies, they killed over two score of Lirou's people.

"As Lea beheld the murdering of her kith and kin, she cried piteously to
Lirou to at least spare the women and children, but he laughed and bade
her be silent Some of the women and children tried to escape to the
fort, but they were met by the men who had been in ambush, and slain
ruthlessly.

"When all was over, the bodies were taken to a high cliff, and cast down
into the valley below. Then Lirou and his men entered the fort, and made
great rejoicing over their victory.

"Lea sat on a mat with her face in her hands, dumb with grief, and Lirou
bade her go to her sleeping-place, telling her to rest, and that he
would have speech with her later on when he was in the mood. She obeyed,
and when she was unobserved she picked up a short, broad-bladed dagger
of _talit_ (obsidian) and hid it in her girdle, and then lay down
and pretended to sleep. But through the cane lattice-work of her
sleeping-place she watched Lirou.

"After Lirou had viewed the fort outside and inside, he sent a man to
Lea, bidding her come to him.

"She rose and came slowly to him, with her head bent, and stood before
him. Then suddenly she sprang at him, an