But for now close upon a year, and against every
stress of persuasion and temptation, Mataafa has been the bulwark of our
peace. Apia lay open to be seized, he had the power in his hand, his
followers cried to be led on, his enemies marshalled him the same way by
impotent examples; and he has never faltered. Early in the day, a white
man was sent from the government of Mulinuu to examine and report upon
his actions: I saw the spy on his return; "It was only our rebel that
saved us," he said, with a laugh. There is now no honest man in the
islands but is well aware of it; none but knows that, if we have enjoyed
during the past eleven months the conveniences of peace, it is due to the
forbearance of "our rebel." Nor does this part of his conduct stand
alone. He calls his party at Malie the government,--"our
government,"--but he pays his taxes to the government at Mulinuu. He
takes ground like a king; he has steadily and blandly refused to obey all
orders as to his own movements or behaviour; but upon requisition he
sends offenders to be tried under the chief justice.
We have here a problem of conduct, and what seems an image of
inconsistency, very hard at the first sight to be solved by any European.
Pages:
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252