reflectively at Gordon through his spectacles, and made no reply.

"If I understand this," said the younger man, trying to be
very impressive and polite, "you are laying claim to this
land, in behalf of the German Government."

The captain continued to observe him thoughtfully, and then
said, "That iss so," and then asked, "Who are you?"

"I represent the King of this island, Ollypybus, whose people
you see around you. I also represent the United States
Government, that does not tolerate a foreign power near her
coast, since the days of President Monroe and before. The
treaty you have made with Messenwah is an absurdity. There is
only one king with whom to treat, and he----"

The captain turned to one of his officers and said something,
and then, after giving another curious glance at Gordon,
raised his book and continued reading, in a deep, unruffled
monotone. The officer whispered an order, and two of the
marines stepped out of line, and dropping the muzzles of their
muskets, pushed Gordon back out of the enclosure, and left him
there with his lips white, and trembling all over with
indignation. He would have liked to have rushed back into the
lines and broken the captain's spectacles over his sun-tanned
nose and cheeks, but he was quite sure this would only result
in his getting shot, or in his being made ridiculous before
the natives, which was almost as bad; so he stood still for a
moment, with his blood choking him, and then turned and walked
back to where the King and Stedman were whispering together.