and dozed. He was aroused by the excited voice of Worth,
crying out:

"Ring the big fella bell! Ring plenty too much! Ring like hell!"

Wallenstein gained the veranda in time to see the manager jump his horse
over the low fence of the compound and dash down the beach after Grief,
who was riding madly ahead. A loud crackling and smoke rising through
the cocoanut trees told the story. The boat-houses and the barracks
were on fire. The big plantation bell was ringing wildly as the German
Resident ran down the beach, and he could see whaleboats hastily putting
off from the schooner.

Barracks and boat-houses, grass-thatched and like tinder, were wrapped
in flames. Grief emerged from the kitchen, carrying a naked black child
by the leg. Its head was missing.

"The cook's in there," he told Worth. "Her head's gone, too. She was too
heavy, and I had to clear out."

"It was my fault," Wallenstein said. "Old Koho did it. But I let him
take a drink of Worth's horse liniment."

"I guess he's headed for the bush," Worth said, springing astride his
horse and starting. "Oliver is down there by the river. Hope he didn't
get _him_."

The manager galloped away through the trees. A few minutes later, as
the charred wreck of the barracks crashed in, they heard him calling and
followed. On the edge of the river bank they came upon him. He still sat
on his horse, very white-faced, and gazed at something on the ground. It
was the body of Oliver, the young assistant manager, though it was hard
to realize it, for the head was gone. The black labourers, breathless
from their run in from the fields, were now crowding around, and under
conches to-night, and the war-drums, "all merry hell will break loose.
They won't rush us, but keep all the boys close up to the house, Mr.
Worth. Come on!"

As they returned along the path they came upon a black who whimpered and
cried vociferously.

"Shut up mouth belong you!" Worth shouted. "What name you make 'm
noise?"

"Him fella Koho finish along two fella bulla-macow," the black answered,
drawing a forefinger significantly across his throat.

"He's knifed the cows," Grief said. "That means no more milk for some
time for you, Worth. I'll see about sending a couple up from Ugi."

Wallenstein proved inconsolable, until Denby, coming ashore, confessed
to the dose of essence of mustard. Thereat the German Resident became
even cheerful, though he twisted his yellow mustache up more fiercely
and c