noble, commanding
presence, excited alike both her own people and the clustering throng
of armed men that stood watching on the beach, for these latter, by some
common impulse moved nearer, and at the same time every man in the five
canoes sprang out, and, dashing through the water, ranged themselves
beside their mistress.

'Back!' cried Taneo, warningly; 'back, ye men of Pare, back, ere it be
too late, and thou, Laea, harm not the girl, for see, O foolish woman!
we here are as ten to one, and 'twill be a bloody day for thee and thy
people if but a spear be raised.'

And then, facing round, he cried, 'And back, O men of Tetuaroa. Why draw
ye so near? Must blood run because of the vain and bitter words of a
silly woman?'

Then, with an angry gesture, Laea released her hold of the slave girl's
slender wrist, and she, too, held up a warning hand to her warriors.

'True, Taneo,' she said mockingly; 'thy people are as ten to one of
mine, as thou sayest, and for this alone dost thou dare insult me. Oh,
thou coward, Taneo!'

A swift gleam of anger shone in Taneo's eyes, and his hand grasped
his spear tightly. Then he looked steadily at the king's daughter, and
answered.

'Nay, no coward am I, Laea. And see, if but a little blood will appease
thee, take this spear and slay me. It is better for one to die than
many.' Stretching out his hand, he gave her his spear.

She waved it back sneeringly.

'Thy words are brave, Taneo; but only because that behind them lieth no
danger. Only a coward could talk as--'

He sprang back.

'Ho, men of Pare! Listen! So that but one or two men may die, and many
live, let this quarrel lie between me and any one of ye that will battle
with me here, spear to spear, on this beach. Is it not better so than
that Tetoro the King should weep for so many of his people?'

A tall, grey-headed old warrior leapt out from the ranks of those that
stood behind Laea.

'Thou and I, Taneo, shall fight till one of us be slain.'

Suddenly Milli the Slave sprang between them with outstretched arms.

'Peace, peace! Drop thou thy spear, Taneo, and thou thine, old man.
There is no need for blood but mine--for Narue is dead.'

Then, kneeling on the sand she said, 'Draw near to me and listen.'

Quickly the opposing parties formed a circle around her; before her
stood the haughty and angry Laea; behind her, and standing side by side,
Taneo and the grey-haired Tahitian warrior.

'I am Milli, the bond-wom