Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

KAKAUA THE UNCONQUERED. your commission arrives in no time at all, and you can depart on the first vessel.” “Done!” said Paradou in his grandest manner, and he kissed Dumont and Tallien on both cheeks—four cheeks in all—and went away. As soon as Paradou was outside Dumont and Tallien arose and, wrapped each in the other’s arms, did one wildly joyous jazz dance. Il. “ But this La Besse of yours,’ declared Paradou, as he seated himself at Tallien’s desk when his commission as Governor Gen- eral of the Island of Moturoa had been ap- proved by the government and _ signed by the President, ‘“‘must have been a pink-eyed rabbit! Thirty years, and this nuisance of a Kakaua still lives!” ‘On the contrary,” said Tailien. ‘‘ Our La Besse was a brave man.”’ “He was a specimen of the glorious,” in- sisted Dumont. “In fact,” said Tallien, “‘ you are speak- ing without having your eyes open. You have not read the documents in the case.’ ‘‘T will read them,” said Paradou, and Tallien placed in his hands the reports of La Besse, the notations of the bureau, the orders of the Department thereon. As Paradou read he became grave. He frowned. ‘‘ Thousand devils!” he ex- claimed now and then, and turned a page. ‘Thousand thunders!” he exclaimed, and turned another page. ‘“‘ Name of a boiled turnip!” he exclaimed and turned another page. The story told by the documents was an amazing tale of savage wickedness and can- nibal bravery. It was the tale of a stanch white man trying to protect a little settle- ment against the wicked wiles of the most frightful monster of all times. Although, as he read on, Paradou’s blood turned cold in his veins he could not but admire- this La Besse. His life on Moturoa had been one long battle against the most heartless and wily native king ever met with in even those far distant parts. At midnight La Besse would leap from his bed and grasp his sword and pistols, the cries of the demons deafening his ears. 73 He was no milksop, this La Besse! Here he hunted the unconquerable Kakaua for three months during the rainy season—‘ Requisi- tion: 104 oilskin coats; too potnds of quinine; seventeen cases brandy; 200 rifles; 4,000 rounds of ammunition.” And a month later it was the same, only not so wet: “* Requisition: 104 tropical hats with veils; 104 sun umbrellas, natural silk lined with green; 24 rifles; 10 kegs gunpowder; 2,000 rounds of ammunition.” ‘““T have the honor to report that Lieut. Mokomola, in charge of the Sixth Division, Native Troops, reports that he believes one of his sharpshooters, Tatakomo, wounded Kakaua in the engagement of the 17th, when the savages were driven back beyond the Umbara foothills. Our loss was slight in the engagement, merely three killed and seventeen wounded. On the 18th the raid of the savages on the capital was met in force and they were driven out with loss. Our loss was one killed, nine wounded. On the roth our expeditionary force, proceed- ing to the east in canoes, landed near the Kaoao River and proceeded west and north, myself leading. We met the savages and fought a battle, the savages being able to retreat toward the mountain in good order. Had my last requisition for six small brass cannon arrived their loss would have been serious. Our loss was two killed and ten wounded. On the 20th—” ‘Ten thousand thunders!” Paradou, looking up at Tallien. Kakaua is then no infants’ food!” ‘‘ We attempted to explain,” said Tallien. “ He is, my little baby boy, a ring-tailed snorter!”’ ‘“ He is a hot dog!” said Dumont. is a red hot canine!” ‘When I said I wanted war—” began Paradou, placing the dossier on the edge of Tallien’s desk. “In these days, when government ap- pointments are so few and far between,” interrupted Tallien hastily, ‘and one is lucky enough to fall into one—” “Yes, but when I said I wanted war,” continued Paradou, “I was, in a way of speaking, thinking of—” “And that is the reason,” Dumont in- terrupted hastily, “ that we have persuaded exclaimed “ This “ He COMmicloooks (C@