Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 25, 1924 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

KAKAUA THE UNCONQUERED. “The captain did not like to disturb you,” explained Duperron when he was seated and had reached for the bottle. “ It is that he has received a wireless recalling him to Nukahiva if he is not needed here. As a fact, if I were you, my governor, I would let him go. The honor to you would be all the greater were you to overcome this murderous Kakaua unaided. And, between you and me, your native troops are su- perb!”’ ‘‘ Ah, if I could be sure of that!” “Have you not my word?” asked Du- perron. “ Listen, excellency, we don’t want that captain hanging around here. Reports to Paris of feasts and dances every week? Every other day? They don’t understand such things, those office worms in Paris. If this captain remains but long enough to take back your first report—your report of your first battle with this Kakaua—your first victory, hey? If he sails this evening, ves?” “But a battle? A victory? By this evening? My dear old fellow, I am still asleep. -I am still, shall I say, half stewed!” _Duperron shrugged his shoulders. ‘Battles? Victories? You will have my assistance, you see.” Paradou, staring at Duperron, was sure he saw a wink. ‘La Besse, perhaps, exaggerated a mere suspicion, hey?” he asked. “You are a man after my own heart, yes?” queried Duperron, moving closer. “T am a second La Besse, old lad,” de- clared Paradou. ‘We understand each other?” urged Du- perron. ‘““T am a red camel if we do not!” swore Paradou. “T am a factor,” said Duperron. “TI have a market, with schooners that stop here for trifles like rifles, oilskin coats, am- munition, powder for guns, sun umbrellas. You understand me, Paradou? Fifty-fifty. And the pay roll of that native army is no mean thing.” “The pay roll?” Duperron leaned back and laughed loud and long. “But, my dear old boy, you don’t sup- pose there is any native army, do you? 79 What would you do with an army on this sketch of an island?” Paradou leaned forward and drained his glass. He looked at Duperron with wide eyes in which understanding now showed. “But this unconquered Kakaua?” he hesitated. Paradou turned toward the kitchen. “ Kakaua!” he shouted. ‘ Without de- lay! Clean glasses for two!” The fat cook waddled into the room bearing two clean glasses. “* Cigarette!” he pleaded. “ Be still! You don’t get a cigarette.” Paradou leaned back and grinned. “There’s your Kakaua the Uncon- quered,” said Duperron. Paradou stretched and moved to the small desk in the corner by the open win- dow. He found a fountain pen there and shook it, finding that it still contained ink. He drew from a pigeonhole a sheet of paper headed ‘“‘ Mansion of the Governor General, Moturoa, French Oceania.” ‘““Do you remember the date, old fel- low?” he asked. ‘“‘ September fourteenth,” said Duperron. “September 14,” wrote Paradou. ‘“* Upon taking possession of the island your new governor general found the native troops engaged with the forces of King Ka- kaua in the mountains, and immediately assumed command, replacing the factor Duperron who had maintained a valiant re- sistance since the decease of the lamented La Besse. But a few hours were needed in which to study the situation, and with the governor general at their head, the troops charged the enemy with the utmost valor. The brave but treacherous Kakaua met the charge with all his savages, but by a flank movement your governor general was able to enfilade the position and the savages were obliged to retreat into the mountain fastnesses. While they left but thirty-two dead on the field, it is believed they carried many more with them. Our loss was but one dead and six wounded. It is believed this signal defeat will quiet Kakaua for some weeks.” “ Excellent!’”? declared Duperron. ‘“‘ It is better than any battle La Besse ever fought.” GomiGcbooks (C@