To him Kane delivered his errand: that the _Lizard_ was to remain for the protection of British subjects; that a signalman was to be stationed at the consulate; that, on any further firing from boats, the signalman was to notify the _Lizard_ and she to fire one gun, on which all boats must lower sail and come alongside for examination and the detection of the guilty; and that, "in the event of the boats not obeying the gun, the admiral would not be responsible for the consequences." It was listened to by Brandeis and Tamasese "with the greatest attention." Brandeis, when it was done, desired his thanks to the admiral for the moderate terms of his message, and, as Kane went to his boat, repeated the expression of his gratitude as though he meant it, declaring his own hands would be thus strengthened for the maintenance of discipline.

But I have yet to learn of any gratitude on the part of Tamasese.

Consider the case of the poor owlish man hearing for the first time our diplomatic commonplaces.

The admiral would not be answerable for the consequences.

Think of it! A devil of a position for a _de facto_ king.