Part 9 (1/2)
”I have it straight froi Mativa himself”
”Have what?” I asked
”Excellency,” said Papalangi Mativa, ”perhaps it is not high-chief-known to thee that I and mine come from a noble Savai'i stock, and that the son ofna the enemy and was to-day killed and his head taken on the field of Vaitele”
[Illustration: ”'This is a black business, Silver Tongue,' I said”]
”_Aue!_” I said, which in Kanaka is being syue ”Listen, gabtain!”
”I',” I said
”The warrior that killed O was To'oto'o, the _i Mativa with the air of one announcing the end of the world
”To'oto'o!” I said in all innocence
”To'oto'o,” cried Silver Tongue; ”why, Rosalie's uncle, the _faipule_, in whose house this very minute the head of my murdered relation lies!”
”'Pon my soul,” I exclaimed, ”this is really unfortunate!”
”Unfordunate!” cried Silver Tongue; ”is it with such a word you describe two hearts broken, two lives plasted, the fairest prospect with suddenly crash the curdain led down!”
”I don't knohat you're talking about,” I said ”It's disagreeable, I admit, but I can't see what difference it can make to you and Rosalie”
”An Oppenstedt,” said Silver Tongue, ”could never indermarry with the family of a murderer, and least of all with a family that had the head of apers and cries of joy down the main street of Apia and past my place of peeziness!”
”Do you mean to say it's all off with you and Rosalie?” I deriirl's heart,” I cried hat I think, under the circunation, ”because the son of the aunt of your father-in-law has had his head cut off by poor Rosalie's adopted uncle?”
”That's right,” said Silver Tongue
”Old friend,” I said, ”let ot up without waiting for any answer and strode into the street, too consu the beach, stopping here and there to discuss the news of the battle with those of my friends I happened to meet, until at last I passed Savalalo and drew near To'oto'o's house at Songi Rosalie was standing at the gate, and when she saw me she ran up, threw her arms round my neck and kissed ay, and even in the dark I could see that her beautiful eyes were shi+ning
”Captain,” she said, giving ain, or try to belittle him as they used to, just because he's poor and lives on Seu's land, for to-day he fought like a lion and covered hi?” I said
”A hero!” she exclaii is ringing with his name; and he was complimented for his valor by the President and Chief Justice! You must come in and see it at once”