Part 15

She was not allowed to remain long inactive. Word came to her that the governor and chiefs were getting very restless and impatient at the unsettled state of the island politics and had decided not to negotiate further with the Pomares; and, moreover, that a document to this effect had been already drawn up and practically agreed upon. This roused her again to see the governor; and this time Fate put a powerful weapon in her hands. Just as she was leaving her home an old native preacher came along and secretly gave her a letter from her beloved Aimata. She wrote that she was sorry that she had not come back when she promised, that she was much distressed at the news from Tahiti, that she was an unhappy woman and, if not too late, she would surely come back if her faithful friend would come for her. Happy Ariitaimai fairly flew to the governor. What after all if it should be too late! She had never gone to the governor with so much fear and trepidation, and her fears were in no way lessened by his reception of her request that she be allowed to go once more to Raiatea and make a last effort to bring back the Queen. This request for the first time irritated the governor toward her. He said: "Have you not done enough for the Pomares that you should continue to go down to fetch them?" and he showed her the document which she had heard of but which was much worse than she supposed, as it proposed to break up the act of protectorate that had been already made and distinctly stated that as Ariitalmai had refused to be made queen he would make the island a French colony at once. But with that precious letter in her bosom she would not be thwarted in her purpose, and did not leave the governor until she had received his very grudging permission to see Pomare and, if she consented to return, to take her to Moorea and let him know. With this she was obliged to be contented. More she could not accomplish without divulging the secret of her letter, and this, she argued, would be disloyal to her friend; for was it not a secret letter sent to her at great risk? No, she would accomplish her purpose without humiliating her Queen. Pomare should return at the request of the governor without losing aught of her queenly dignity.

And now this little drama draws rapidly to a close. Ariitaimai made her third trip to Raiatea and accompanied Pomare to Moorea, and sent word to the governor that he would find them there. Obedient to this gently expressed command of his ambassadress, the governor very courteously went to Moorea in person to receive the Queen and bring her back to her home and throne. In the same dispassionate style Ariitaimai tells of the homeward journey: "As we all went on board a salute was fired. We sailed around the island, flying the protectorate flag at the fore, to inform the people of these islands that their Queen had returned. We then continued our route for Papeete and on arriving there the forts from the shore saluted the flag." But O! the irony of Fate! As they entered the harbor what a sight met the eyes of the poor Queen! Both British and American ships were anchored there, having come at last in answer to her appeals, but only in time to see her placed on her throne by the grace of the hated French, But peace had been bought too dearly to be broken now even by this vacillating queen, and the British and American officers, seeing the situation, had the good sense to assist in the general festivities celebrating the long-looked-for peace. The memoirs conclude with this simple statement: "The Queen remained several hours on board the steamer as the governor wished the natives to see that the Queen had really come back. There were soldiers in line on shore to receive us and we were conducted to the governor's house. The peace of the island was then decided upon. On arriving at the governor's house we found all the commanders of the troops and vessels there and before them I was thanked by Governor Bruat for what I had done for my country."

When a world of men

Could not prevail with all their oratory

Yet hath a woman's kindness overruled.

SHAKESPEARE.

[1] This chapter is the product of the fertile pen of Dr. Lucy Waite. Surgeon-in-Chief of the Mary Thompson Hospital, Chicago.