Bradley, Jr., went ahead to announce the approach of the American embassy, which he did with so much manner that the King deferred the audience a half-hour, in order that he might better prepare to receive his visitors.  When the audience did take place, it attracted the entire population to the green spot in front of the King’s palace, and their delight and excitement over the appearance of the visitors was sincere and hearty.  The King was too polite to appear much surprised, but he showed his delight over his presents as simply and openly as a child.  Thrice he insisted on embracing Albert, and kissing him three times on the fore-head, which, Stedman assured him in a side-whisper, was a great honor; an honor which was not extended to the secretary, although he was given a necklace of animals’ claws instead, with which he was better satisfied.

After this reception, the embassy marched back to the consul’s office, surrounded by an immense number of natives, some of whom ran ahead and looked back at them, and crowded so close that the two Bradleys had to poke at those nearest with their guns.  The crowd remained outside the office even after the procession of four had disappeared, and cheered.  This suggested to Gordon that this would be a good time to make a speech, which he accordingly did, Stedman translating it, sentence by sentence.  At the conclusion of this effort, Albert distributed a number of brass rings among the married men present, which they placed on whichever finger fitted best, and departed delighted.

Albert had wished to give the rings to the married women, but Stedman pointed out to him that it would be much cheaper to give them to the married men; for while one woman could only have one husband, one man could have at least six wives.

“And now, Stedman,” said Albert, after the mob had gone, “tell me what you are doing on this island.”

“It’s a very simple story,” Stedman said.  “I am the representative, or agent, or operator, for the Yokohama Cable Company.  The Yokohama Cable Company is a company organized in San Francisco, for the purpose of laying a cable to Yokohama.  It is a stock company; and though it started out very well, the stock has fallen very low.  Between ourselves, it is not worth over three or four cents.  When the officers of the company found out that no one would buy their stock, and that no one believed in them or their scheme, they laid a cable to Octavia, and extended it on to this island.  Then they said they had run out of ready money, and would wait until they got more before laying their cable any farther.  I do not think they ever will lay it any farther, but that is none of my business.  My business is to answer cable messages from San Francisco, so that the people who visit the home office can see that at least a part of the cable is working.  That sometimes impresses them, and they buy stock.  There is another chap over in Octavia, who relays all my messages and all my replies to those messages