more metaphysical nature was ministered by the _Eber_ to Tamasese, in the
shape of uncountable German flags. The full history of this epidemic of
bunting falls to be told in the next chapter. But the fact has to be
chronicled here, for I believe it was to these flags that we owe the
visit of the _Adams_, and my next and best authentic glance into a native
camp. The _Adams_ arrived in Saluafata on the 26th. On the morrow Leary
and Moors landed at the village. It was still occupied by Mataafas,
mostly from Manono and Savaii, few in number, high in spirit. The
Tamasese pickets were meanwhile within musket range; there was maintained
a steady sputtering of shots; and yet a party of Tamasese women were here
on a visit to the women of Manono, with whom they sat talking and
smoking, under the fire of their own relatives. It was reported that
Leary took part in a council of war, and promised to join with his
broadside in the next attack. It is certain he did nothing of the sort:
equally certain that, in Tamasese circles, he was firmly credited with
having done so. And this heightens the extraordinary character of what I
have now to tell. Prudence and delicacy alike ought to have forbid the
camp of Tamasese to the feet of either Leary or Moors. Moors was the
original--there was a time when he had been the only--opponent of the
puppet king. Leary had driven him from the seat of government; it was
but a week or two since he had threatened to bombard him in his present
refuge. Both were in close and daily council with his adversary, and it
was no secret that Moors was supplying the latter with food. They were
partisans; it lacked but a hair that they should be called belligerents;
it were idle to try to deny they were the most dangerous of spies. And
yet these two now sailed across the bay and landed inside the Tamasese
lines at Salelesi. On the very beach they had another glimpse of the
artlessness of Samoan war. Hitherto the Tamasese fleet, being hardy and
unencumbered, had made a fool of the huge floating forts upon the other
side; and here they were toiling, not to produce another boat on their