Hawaii - James Michener [377]
"But what about the American troops in the harbor?" one of the Hewlett boys asked. "Will the ship captains send their troops ashore to fight against us?"
A broad smile came over the scarred face of Wild Whip as he lounged at the head of the table. The committee looked at him, satisfied that he had uncovered some trick for neutralizing the American forces, but he did not divulge the plan. "Tell them what we arranged, John," he said.
Burly John Janders explained: "We have entered into a solemn agreement with the American Minister and with the ship captains that as soon as we start the revolution, they will send ashore the maximum number of troops. Their orders will be simple: 'Protect American lives.' "
"But we're Hawaiian citizens," David Hale protested.
"We're also Americans," Janders replied blandly, "and we're the Americans who are going to be protected."
Fighting back a sardonic smile, Whip leaned forward across the table and said, "It's a plan that can't fail. We launch our drive against the ten key targets. Immediately fighting begins, American troops storm ashore. What can the Hawaiians think? They'll reason, 'The American troops have come to fight against the queen!' So they'll throw down their arms and we'll capture the ten key spots. And as soon as we control them the American Minister will announce: 'The United States formally recognizes the de facto government.' At that moment what in hell can the queen do?"
John Janders cried, "How can we lose?"
Soberly David Hale pointed out, "We can lose easily ... if Uncle Micah appeals to the world powers against our revolution."
"He will not do so," Whip promised.
"He's a man of great honor," Hale insisted. "And he's sworn allegiance to Hawaii."
"It's my job to get Uncle Micah on our side," Whip said flatly. "He'll be there."
The Hewlett boys consulted, and one said, "We'll leave the revolution unless we can depend on Micah Hale to represent us before the world."
"He will be with us," Whip promised. "Not in the fighting. He's too old a man for that. But when it's over, he'll step forth as our leader."
"Can we depend on this?" the Hewlett boys asked.
Whip leaped up and crashed his chair aside. "Goddamn it!" he yelled. "If our whole success depends on Micah Hale, do you suppose I'm going to let him escape? Of course you can depend upon it. He'll be with us."
Then Janders spoke: "Whip's got to take care of that. We've got to stir up public enthusiasm for the revolution. What we need is a big mass meeting on Monday. Lots of speeches about human decency and men's inalienable rights."
"But I don't want to see any of this committee making speeches," Whip warned. "Get some of the lawyers and men like Cousin Ed Hewlett. He's part-Hawaiian and rants well."
Things seemed to be going so well that the Committee of Nine-- that is, eight of them--began to relax: the revolution was at hand; the ten key spots were invested; the American Minister had recognized the new government; President Harrison had accepted it as part of the Union; and sugar was more profitable than ever. But Wild Whip brought the conspirators back to reality, pointing out in icy tones: "At the mass meeting on Monday I want everyone to be within quick reach of his guns."
"Will there be trouble?" one of the Hewletts asked.
"Not if we're ready for it," Whip replied.
As the others quietly left the cellar and circulated through the agitated city, dropping ideas here and there, Wild Whip walked eastward on King Street toward the Hale mansion across from the palace, and when he reached the white picket fence and the wide green lawns in which Malama Hale took such pride, he nodded graciously to that stately half-Hawaiian lady and asked, "Is Uncle Micah in?"
"He's in his study," Malama said gently.
Whip entered without knocking, and before he spoke he closed the door. His uncle was surrounded by his father's missionary books, brought