358 MYSTIC ISLES 



warriors were allowed to return home without more 

 ado after their confession of failure, but when the rage 

 was gi'eat, the victors, with furious cries, gave the signal 

 of carnage, and slew all they met. If the prince beaten 

 escaped the first consequences of the rout, he was safe 

 and lost only a portion of his territory, and in some 

 wars only his prestige. He remained respected, and 

 his privileges were about the same as before. The 

 Arii were all of the same tribe, all related, and though 

 they ruled different districts and valleys, and fought 

 one another, they would not degrade one of their own 

 family and rank. Thus power remained in the same 

 families, princes, chiefs, and priests, and only the Raa- 

 tira and the Manahune, the bourgeoisie and the com- 

 moners, really suffered. 



"We copied you in Europe," I interposed. "There 

 the kings, kaisers, and czars took care not to lower the 

 dignity of monarchy, and are virtually all related. 

 None of them ever deposed another of long enthroning, 

 and none of them has been killed in a battle in cen- 

 turies." 



"AueT exclaimed the chief. "loba said, 'Wisdom is 

 no longer with the old.' " 



"Job talked like a revolutionist," I said. "That 

 would be treason among the diplomats and lawyers of 

 Europe and America. How did women get along in 

 your father's day?" 



Tetuanui got up to stretch his huge body. He had 

 been squatting on his haunches for an hour. 



"Let Haamoura, my wife, say as to them," he re- 

 turned laughingly. "She knows all the old ways. I 

 must see if the nets are to be stretched to-day." 



