a footnote to history-第17章
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peculiar honour; it had been given to; it had never been taken
from; the exiled Laupepa; those in whose grant it lay; stood
punctilious upon their rights; and Tamasese; as the representative
of their natural opponents; the Tupua line; was the last who should
have had it。 And there was yet more; though I almost despair to
make it thinkable by Europeans。 Certain old mats are handed down;
and set huge store by; they may be compared to coats of arms or
heirlooms among ourselves; and to the horror of more than one…half
of Samoa; Tamasese; the head of the Tupua; began collecting
Malietoa mats。 It was felt that the cup was full; and men began to
prepare secretly for rebellion。 The history of the month of August
is unknown to whites; it passed altogether in the covert of the
woods or in the stealthy councils of Samoans。 One ominous sign was
to be noted; arms and ammunition began to be purchased or inquired
about; and the more wary traders ordered fresh consignments of
material of war。 But the rest was silence; the government slept in
security; and Brandeis was summoned at last from a public dinner;
to find rebellion organised; the woods behind Apia full of
insurgents; and a plan prepared; and in the very article of
execution; to surprise and seize Mulinuu。 The timely discovery
averted all; and the leaders hastily withdrew towards the south
side of the island; leaving in the bush a rear…guard under a young
man of the name of Saifaleupolu。 According to some accounts; it
scarce numbered forty; the leader was no great chief; but a
handsome; industrious lad who seems to have been much beloved。 And
upon this obstacle Brandeis fell。 It is the man's fault to be too
impatient of results; his public intention to free Samoa of all
debt within the year; depicts him; and instead of continuing to
temporise and let his enemies weary and disperse; he judged it
politic to strike a blow。 He struck it; with what seemed to be
success; and the sound of it roused Samoa to rebellion。
About two in the morning of August 31st; Apia was wakened by men
marching。 Day came; and Brandeis and his war…party were already
long disappeared in the woods。 All morning belated Tamaseseites
were still to be seen running with their guns。 All morning shots
were listened for in vain; but over the top of the forest; far up
the mountain; smoke was for some time observed to hang。 About ten
a dead man was carried in; lashed under a pole like a dead pig; his
rosary (for he was a Catholic) hanging nearly to the ground。 Next
came a young fellow wounded; sitting in a rope swung from a pole;
two fellows bearing him; two running behind for a relief。 At last
about eleven; three or four heavy volleys and a great shouting were
heard from the bush town Tanungamanono; the affair was over; the
victorious force; on the march back; was there celebrating its
victory by the way。 Presently after; it marched through Apia; five
or six hundred strong; in tolerable order and strutting with the
ludicrous assumption of the triumphant islander。 Women who had
been buying bread ran and gave them loaves。 At the tail end came
Brandeis himself; smoking a cigar; deadly pale; and with perhaps an
increase of his usual nervous manner。 One spoke to him by the way。
He expressed his sorrow the action had been forced on him。 〃Poor
people; it's all the worse for them!〃 he said。 〃It'll have to be
done another way now。〃 And it was supposed by his hearer that he
referred to intervention from the German war…ships。 He meant; he
said; to put a stop to head…hunting; his men had taken two that
day; he added; but he had not suffered them to bring them in; and
they had been left in Tanungamanono。 Thither my informant rode;
was attracted by the sound of walling; and saw in a house the two
heads washed and combed; and the sister of one of the dead
lamenting in the island fashion and kissing the cold face。 Soon
after; a small grave was dug; the heads were buried in a beef box;
and the pastor read the service。 The body of Saifaleupolu himself
was recovered unmutilated; brought down from the forest; and buried
behind Apia。
The same afternoon; the men of Vaimaunga were ordered to report in
Mulinuu; where Tamasese's flag was half…masted for the death of a
chief in the skirmish。 Vaimaunga is that district of Taumasanga
which includes the bay and the foothills behind Apia; and both
province and district are strong Malietoa。 Not one man; it is
said; obeyed the summons。 Night came; and the town lay in unusual
silence; no one abroad; the blinds down around the native houses;
the men within sleeping on their arms; the old women keeping watch
in pairs。 And in the course of the two following days all
Vaimaunga was gone into the bush; the very gaoler setting free his
prisoners and joining them in their escape。 Hear the words of the
chiefs in the 23rd article of their complaint: 〃Some of the chiefs
fled to the bush from fear of being reported; fear of German men…
of…war; constantly being accused; etc。; and Brandeis commanded that
they were to be shot on sight。 This act was carried out by
Brandeis on the 31st day of August; 1888。 After this we evaded
these laws; we could not stand them; our patience was worn out with
the constant wickedness of Tamasese and Brandeis。 We were tired
out and could stand no longer the acts of these two men。〃
So through an ill…timed skirmish; two severed heads; and a dead
body; the rule of Brandeis came to a sudden end。 We shall see him
a while longer fighting for existence in a losing battle; but his
government … take it for all in all; the most promising that has
ever been in these unlucky islands … was from that hour a piece of
history。
CHAPTER V … THE BATTLE OF MATAUTU
SEPTEMBER 1888
THE revolution had all the character of a popular movement。 Many
of the high chiefs were detained in Mulinuu; the commons trooped to
the bush under inferior leaders。 A camp was chosen near Faleula;
threatening Mulinuu; well placed for the arrival of recruits and
close to a German plantation from which the force could be
subsisted。 Manono came; all Tuamasanga; much of Savaii; and part
of Aana; Tamasese's own government and titular seat。 Both sides
were arming。 It was a brave day for the trader; though not so
brave as some that followed; when a single cartridge is said to
have been sold for twelve cents currency … between nine and ten
cents gold。 Yet even among the traders a strong party feeling
reigned; and it was the common practice to ask a purchaser upon
which side he meant to fight。
On September 5th; Brandeis published a letter: 〃To the chiefs of
Tuamasanga; Manono; and Faasaleleanga in the Bush: Chiefs; by
authority of his majesty Tamasese; the king of Samoa; I make known
to you all that the German man…of…war is about to go together with
a Samoan fleet for the purpose of burning Manono。 After this
island is all burnt; 'tis good if the people return to Manono and
live quiet。 To the people of Faasaleleanga I say; return to your
houses and stop there。 The same to those belonging to Tuamasanga。
If you obey this instruction; then you will all be forgiven; if you
do not obey; then all your villages will be burnt like Manono。
These instructions are made in truth in the sight of God in the
Heaven。〃 The same morning; accordingly; the ADLER steamed out of
the bay with a force of Tamasese warriors and some native boats in
tow; the Samoan fleet in question。 Manono was shelled; the
Tamasese warriors; under the conduct of a Manono traitor; who paid
before many days the forfeit of his blood; landed and did some
damage; but were driven away by the sight of a force returning from
the mainland; no one was hurt; for the women and children; who
alone remained on the island; found a refuge in the