His successor, Captain Fritze, was an officer of a different stamp.

I have nothing to say of him but good; he seems to have obeyed the consul's requisitions with secret distaste; his despatches were of admirable candour; but his habits were retired, he spoke little English, and was far indeed from inheriting von Widersheim's close relations with Commander Leary.

It is believed by Germans that the American officer resented what he took to be neglect.

I mention this, not because I believe it to depict Commander Leary, but because it is typical of a prevailing infirmity among Germans in Samoa.
Touchy themselves, they read all history in the light of personal affronts and tiffs; and I find this weakness indicated by the big thumb of Bismarck, when he places "sensitiveness to small disrespects--_Empfindlichkeit ueber Mangel an Respect_," among the causes of the wild career of Knappe.

Whatever the cause, at least, the natives had no sooner taken arms than Leary appeared with violence upon that side.