KING JAKOB (Part 7)


By KATZMAREK(C)


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This work is fiction. It remains the property of the author and
may not be used for profit without the author's express
permission in writing. It contains sex, so if this offends etc...


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(Part 7)


'Captain' Hoffmann drilled his militia on the spacious and well-irrigated lawn behind Government House, Apia. His 'soldiers' were all local German settlers, a good few of them clearly not in prime physical fitness for such an important task. They were the shock troops of the Samoan Defence League, their self-appointed duty the protection of the colony. 'Captain' Hoffmann had been a sergeant in a Bavarian Regiment of Railway troops. That, however, had been a good many years ago.


Jakob Herzberg, the 'Count Politovsky' alias was steadily falling into disuse, watched them from the cable station. He regularly visited the station on Sunday afternoons when everything was quiet. One of the operators, Jozef Stadler often had the Sunday shift that had proved a veritable goldmine for him in bribes.


"Idiots!" he said in disgust, "look at them will you Stadler."


"What's wrong with them?" Stadler asked, "makes them feel important."


"There must be, what? Six modern rifles in the whole of Samoa?"


"Seven, I've got one. Von Goeltz gave it to the station. Fat lot of use though. As soon as the English come, I'm heading into the bush."


"Ho! At last, a sensible man. What's the latest from Europe?"


"Oh right! Yeah, big news! Apparently some idiot Serbian shot Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife. Some place called Sarajevo, heard of it?"


"Sarajevo? No where the hell is it?" Jakob shook his head, his brow furrowed.


"Tch, your geography... It's... here," Stadler showed him on the wall map. "Croatia. The Austrians are accusing the Serbian Government of complicity."


"Another squabble? Another conference? More sabre-rattling, what do the English call it, Jingoism?"


"Exactly! The Serbs will say sorry, Austria will demand a slice of territory and reparations, end of story. Message from Westermann for you, by the way. He says Katalin's getting married to some guy called... Ritter Konrad von Eisenstaufen bei Nordlingen. Heard of him?"


"Good God, that telegram must have cost a fortune just for the guy's name. Do you always read my mail?" Jakob asked.


"I read everybody's. Von Goeltz is not returning either. Apparently Schapinski's in line for the top job."


"What's happened to the old bastard?"


"I don't know," said Stadler shaking his head, "a puzzle that one. He's only served half the normal term. Something's kept him home. Maybe his wife's having an affair with the Kaiser?"


"Yech! I would have thought even Willy had more taste than that!"


"Ah, discrimination? Coming from you?" Stadler said raising his eyebrows.


"What are you meaning?" Jakob grinned as he set off down the hill track.


He walked down past the 'parade ground,' the 'Captain' was still barking orders at the 23 men under his 'command'.


"Herzberg!" Jakob looked around startled, he still hadn't got used to his own name. It was the Interim Colonial Administrator Schapinski. "Not joined up?" he asked, hurrying after Jakob, "and you a military man?" he sneered. Jakob turned around. The Administrator came puffing up the walkway from Government House.


"What, you're going to fight the 'Australia' with 3 bayonets and half a dozen hunting rifles?" Jakob asked, amused.


"Not my idea," he dropped his voice, "Hoffmann's. If war comes we're fucked, I know that. Have you heard they've done for the old Archduke? You spend all your time, 'up there'." He told Jakob indicating the cable station, a hint of accusation in his voice. "It's against regulations, y'know. I could throw you in jail."


"Spare me, Schapinski! What did you want?"


He pulled Jakob aside, his voice dropped as if the sparrows could hear above the noise of the part-time soldiers.


"Things could get very serious," he explained, "I've had warnings from Berlin. Nobody's going to back down, the Austrians, Russians... There could be a war!"


"So? Let them fight!"


"What are we to do?"


"Nothing! What do you suggest, join up? With who against what?"


"I'm not a military man," he faltered, "I'm an accountant. What we need are clear-headed leaders. The people need someone to take charge, tell them what to do. If war comes, they won't follow me, I'm only an interim colonial..."


"Yes, yes, What's your point?"


"Hoffmann's a fool, he'll get everyone killed. The people need someone like you..."


"Hell, no way! I'm getting on my boat and... Not a chance Schapinski!" Jakob told him, aghast.


"You think about it," Schapinski said to to Jakob's fleeing back. 


'A storm in a teacup,' Jakob thought to himself, 'how could all that nonsense possibly affect them way out here.' Besides, this Sunday afternoon he had more interesting fish to fry. 


Leaving the waterfront he stopped by a Europeanised native 'fale' and knocked on the door.


Mrs Julia Bentine hailed from Middlesex in England. Her husband was some kind of anthropologist who was presently doing scientific study on one of the outer islands. She was in her early twenties, her husband rather older. She was fresh as a daisy, bored and missing home.


Jakob met met her one day on the beach as he was preparing to go out to the 'Borodino.' She was interested in the yacht but demured when he suggested she go on board. Apparently Jakob's reputation had preceded him.


The dark-eyed beauty open the door, her long reddish hair tied up at the back. She wore a simple white blouse and a skirt that brushed her feet.


"Mr Herzberg?" she said, puzzled.


"Madam," replied Jakob in his most 'gentlemanly' voice. "Pardon my intrusion, I've just called to say I have dealt with your small problem with the Trading Company."


"You have?" she looked confused, "I mean, my problem?"


"Yes madam. Your difficulty with credit. I understand you have, shall we say, exceeded your husband's worth by a factor of four."


"Oh, my goodness, um, surely and oversight... Um a factor of four, you say? And you have, ah, 'dealt with it' you say?" The woman blushed furiously. Clearly embarrassed, she reminded Jakob of a startled deer.


"Actually, I've paid it madam. May I suggest you take more care in future. You must endeavour to live within your means."


Her body jolted at Jakob's remark. She adopted a haughty tone.


"Sir, you take too much upon yourself. How dare you instruct me on how to manage the cheque book!"


"I'm sorry, madam. Perhaps I should speak with your husband upon his return?"


Her demeanour suddenly changed. Something approaching panic replaced her previous outrage.


"No, don't!" she said quickly, "I'm, sorry. Of course, sir, I shall be more careful in future."


Jakob tipped his hat and left, well-pleased with the interview. He'd met Mrs. Bentine's kind before, bored rigid, sheltered, ill-equipped to handle the most basic of budgeting, trying to fill the void with expensive luxuries fom Europe. He was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to keep her word. He had her hooked, was allowing the line to run, and soon he will start to reel her in, slowly.


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As the weeks dragged on, very few, except the nervous Schapinski, believed the international situation unfolding in Europe would affect them. News was slow to arrive. It told of the Kaiser's proposal to mediate between Serbia, Russia and Austria-Hungary. It was firmly rejected by Russia. Another proposal by the British was rejected by Austria-Hungary. The French weighed in with support for her ally Russia, Germany similarly for her's, Austria-Hungary.


In Samoa, far from events, there was a feeling of blissful unreality. As the big powers hurled threats, the sun shone a new day, the palm trees waved, Hoffmann barked orders at the militia, life went on.


And Jakob started to reel in his fish. Mrs. Julia Bentine was singularly incapable of forgoing her fine linen, China tea and French perfume.


The office of Pacific Trading Company AG was on the waterfront of Apia. Jakob called in often during the week. It was a long-standing habit and, despite no-longer being an active participant in the company, he couldn't break it. The 'old man' sat in the office and checked over the book-keeping taking careful note of tardy debtors. If he sniffed an opportunity to apply a bit of 'leverage' to his advantage, the debtor's list had provided rich pickings over the years.


"Sun Hee!" he called to his Chinese manager, "set this one aside will you. I'll deal with it."


"Ah, Mrs. Julia, the lingerie lady!" he answered.


"Pardon?"


"She always buy lingerie, always French... very expensive!"


"The hell you say?"


"20 item in past month. Want to see catelogues?"


"Yes. Show me what her tastes are," he smiled maliciously.


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Jakob returned that evening to Herzberg Manor, as it was now dubbed. Gretchen was playing the piano in the parlour, Asmira, Qing Li and the children were playing on the front lawn. His oldest, Laila was now 5 going on 6. She had her mother's dark complexion and pretty eyes. She was destined, thought Jakob, to break hearts.


Gretchen merely looked up when he entered and continued playing. Jakob stole a kiss from her and she smiled briefly.


"What is the latest news?" she asked.


"Nothing much," he told her, "they're still bickering. Austria is demanding that she send police into Serbia to hunt for the conspirators. Apparently Serbia agreed to 12 of the 14 Austrian demands. They will go to mediation I think some time soon, I hope. It's making everyone nervous. Schapinski's certain there'll be a war and Germany will come in because Austria can't fight the Russians on her own. Especially now that the French are backing them up."


"What of Britain?" Gretchen asked.


"Splendid isolation, thank God! They say she's not obliged to join with France, but Schapinski claims she cannot stay out of it. The Royal Navy must guarantee the English channel because the French fleet is mostly based in the Mediterranean. She will not tolerate a German blockade of the French coast. This is something the German Admiralty will have to consider. I hope they don't provoke the English, it will be the worse for us here I think."


"And what of you, Jakob?" Gretchen asked turning to watch him, "are you Russian or German?"


"Neither," he grinned, "I'm a Herzberg. The Tsar and the Kaiser are well suited. Wilhelm is a blustering idiot and the Tsar... well he's just an idiot."


"What of Westermann, your friend, and your children in Germany? Don't you owe something, some allegiance?"


"Gretchen," he told her, "if it was within my power I'd gather all my friends and children together on the 'Borodino' and sail off to... Java, or China, somewhere to get lost in. That is my 'allegiance' to my friends and family. But Westermann and my ex-wife have minds of their own. I can only ask, no more."


"And have you asked?"


"Yes. Westermann has found 'duty' in the Foreign Ministry trying, he said, to bring some sanity. I wish him luck. Katalin does not speak to me, but her Father said she wears a flag for underwear. He says her new husband wants to kill some 'frog munchers.' Westermann said he's never seen so many damned patriotic parades. It's like the whole country is going mad."


"I heard the French and English representatives are advising their nationals to leave Samoa on the next boat?"


"The devil you say? Damn! Some of them are our best customers! When is the next ship due? I think an English copra ship next week, the 'SS Clan MacKay' from memory. I'd better get Sun Hee to call in their accounts!"


Of particular concern, however, was the 'lingerie lady'. It seemed his fish was about to slip the hook.


Jakob went out onto the front lawn to play with his children. He saw smoke from Apia harbour and looked over. The Gunboat 'Luchs', the 'watchship' in Apia, was slowly steaming out towards the heads. An antique built in 1899, nevertheless the sight filled him with foreboding. He braved a smile for Asmira, Qing Li and picked up a ball.


The two women looked at him, smiling, pensive as if they had something to tell him. Qing Li could no-longer contain herself and started rubbing her tummy. Jakob held out his arms and she came and embraced him. She cried tears of happiness into his chest, Asmira looking on like a proud Aunt.


By the big windows of the front parlour, Gretchen watched the little scene and frowned. She would, she thought, have some big decisions to make soon. Would she have the strength?


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'Mrs. Julia Bentine,' Jakob wrote, 'Despite our discussion regarding exceding your available credit, it appears the issue has not been resolved. Therefore I feel obliged to close your account forthwith and to seek immediate payment of 840 Marks, being the sum outstanding. I feel compelled to discuss the situation with your husband upon his return. I hope an early resolution of this problem might be forthcoming' Signed...


"Yu!" he shouted, "take this to little Miss Knickers, pronto. Wait for a reply."


"Miss Knick..." Yu struggled.


"On the envelope, there, see?"


"Ah, Mr Herzberg master! You fry fish?"


"Something like that," Jakob grinned. "Do you know where Dr. Bentine has his camp?" he asked Yu.


"Tolofa'a'sofua Island," his servant told him, "120 kilometre off North coast of Savai'i. Very far," he grinned, "no steamer for 2 week."


"Excellent! No canoes?"


"Too far, Samoans not go there, not from Upolu. Say natives there not Christian, very bad fellers."


"Even better!" Jakob clapped his hands. "Hop to it, Yu. Get my driver to take you."


His servant bowed low and left, grinning from ear to ear.


"Hey!" Jakob called after him, "where's the 'Luchs' going? Have you heard?"


"Tsingtao, so they say. To join squadron. Navy bringing all ships to one place. Say afraid of Japanese."


"What? What the blazes has anything to do with the Japs?"


"They say English have treaty. If England fight Germans, Japs attack Tsingtao, so they say."


"Oh rubbish!" Jakob told his servant. "Really, there's too much speculation going on. People have far too little to do and far too much to say for themselves."


Jakob made a mental note to hurry with the provisioning and crewing of the 'Borodino.' Qing Li's condition was a complication and he wrestled with the issue. He would have liked to have taken both Qing Li and Asmira. However with Qing Li pregnant and Asmira unlikely to want to leave her friend...


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The reply from Mrs. Julia Bentine wasn't long in coming. 'Mr. Herzberg. Thank you for your patience regarding this problem. There's no need to discuss this with Dr. Bentine, I'm sure this matter can be worked out to everyone's satisfaction. Might I suggest perhaps an afternoon tea at some place at your convenience. Signed...'


"Reeled! Now we bring her to shore," Jakob told Yu, clapping his hands in satisfaction. 'Tonight at eight on the 'Borodino'. My servant will row you out. He will meet you by the clock tower beside the town hall.' "Take that back with no negotiation," he explained. "She cannot refuse, Yu my old mercenary."


"No master. You use gaffe and swing catch aboard?" he grinned a wide row of teeth.


Jakob announced to Gretchen he would be staying the night on the boat. He told her he had some affairs to settle. She gave him one of her 'old-fashioned' looks.


He went on board at seven and raised some steam for the generator. He showered off the coal dust and dressed casually in canvas pants and open shirt.


It had nearly gone nine by the time he heard the dinghy bump into the stern ladder. It didn't surprise him, he knew there'd be an internal debate in the head of Julia before she made up her mind. Perhaps even a little cognac courage? He adopted a stern demeanour when he heard voices above the cabin steps.


She came down to the cabin slightly wet from the voyage in the dinghy and breathless with fear, masked by outrage.


"How dare you..." she blustered, "you are no gentleman."


"No." Jakob told her, "you may go, Yu."


"No, stay!" she insisted. Yu ignored her and disappeared, grinning. "Where is that man going?" she yelled at Jakob, "this is outrageous!" Wide-eyed she paced the deck, studying her hands, clearly panicking.


"Settle down," Jakob told her, "sit down, have a sherry." She snatched the glass from the table and gulped the contents down. "My husband..."


"...Need not know a thing, if you're sensible," Jakob said, "now take a seat, let's discuss how you are to settle your account."


"Yes, if I'm sensible," she repeated, breathing hard. She threw herself onto the sofa, folding her body into one end. She was trembling, her hands shook as she retrieved a lace handkerchief from her purse to dab her eyes.


Jakob sat across the cabin on the other sofa. He studyed her for a few moments, watched the sherry take a little of the tension from her.


"Better?" he asked her. She nodded quickly. "I presume, madam, that you have no money to offer me in settlement?" She shook her head, slowly. "No purchases that you could return?" Again, she shook her head. "Then, madam, I see little choice but that you should engage yourself in my employ. Until, of course, the debt is paid."


"And what," she swallowed, "would be my duties?"


"You might start, Julia, by not being quite so haughty in manner. You carry yourself as a well-bred women, yet you cannot keep your agreements. You appreciate the finer things of life yet you cannot pay for them. You're a fraud, madam and a liar. You look down your nose on those who can pay their bills and believe yourself to be superior. Clearly you need a sharp lesson, which may enhance your maturity."


Julia's jaw dropped in astonishment. Doubtless no-one had ever spoken to her that way before. Her mouth worked but nothing came out.


"Next, you may remove that un-paid-for dress... and stop blubbering like a child or I'll treat you as one."


"I'll... I..." she gasped.


"Then you will display for me that over-priced set of French lingerie that I apparently have paid for. I wish to inspect the stock that I've purchased," he grinned.


Julia spent a long time making her mind up. Jakob could almost see the gears turning with the conflict. Her head was bowed, her hands covered her face. Jakob gave her just enough time to make up her mind before pressing the advantage.


"Madam, it is that or I shall lay a complaint with the Constable 'and' inform your husband," he said quietly.


"You're a beast," she said miserably.


"I know what I am," he replied, "and I know what you are. Shall we proceed?" Trembling, she asked if there was somewhere to undress. "Here!" he told her.


Slowly she began to undo the buttons of her dress.


"This won't be the end..." she started to say.


"I sincerely hope not!" Jakob replied.


Eventually Julia allowed her dress to fall to the floor. She stood shivering, one arm covering her breasts the other concealing the front of her silk and blue lace panties. Jakob looked her up and down with an expert's eye for a woman's beauty. She was very fine indeed, peaches and cream complexion contrasting with her dark eyes and reddish hair. Tiny freckles covering her shoulders added character, in his opinion. Quite a common phenomenon for pale Europeans under the antipodean sun.


"Are you satisfied... sir?" she said, her tone resentful and haughty. The anger rose in Jakob. Clearly the lesson had not been learnt.


"No I am not satisfied yet," he told her. "You will go through there into my cabin and lay on my bed."


"I will not be treated as a common whore. I'm a married..." she exploded. Jakob stood up and took the distance to her in one stride. Grabbing her before she could react, he spun around and sat on the sofa pulling her down across his knee. Trapping her legs in his, he administered a sharp slap across her pretty buttocks.


"What? OW!" she hollered. Jakob was on the third blow before she started to struggle. She wriggled and twisted, punched such of his leg that she could reach, but still Jakob rained blows on the woman's bottom. "NO! OW! Oh, stop it, OW! You can't, OUCH!" she howled in protest until on the tenth blow Jakob stopped. Julia sobbed uncontrollably. She squirmed in his lap and reached behind to rub the sore spots.


"Now will you do as you are told?" Jakob said in a quiet, menacing tone. Silently, Julia nodded, defeated.


He allowed her a few minutes in the cabin to collect herself before entering. She was lying on the big bed, feet together, hands by her side as rigid as a log of wood. She had a distracted, faraway look on her face, which was tear-stained. Clearly, thought Jakob, she was thinking of England.


He shed his clothes quickly.


"Madam," he said, "open wide."


"What?" she replied, confused. Her voice a little girl's.


"Your mouth, madam, open it!"


Wide-eyed, she protested that she didn't do those things.


"Ah, but you will learn. And Madam? No teeth!"


Jakob coaxed her mouth open and pushed his cock between her lips. She grimaced at the taste, but he held the back of her head and pushed it slowly in and out of her. With his other hand, he explored her body.


"You wish to make a whore of me?" she squeaked between blubbering. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand while looking at Jakob's weapon, inches from her face.


"No-one is bought who doesn't wish to be bought. Unless, of course, they are a child and have no control over their affairs. Are you a child, Madam?" Julia shook her head. "Then my cock needs attention. With your hand, if you please."


"I do not 'please.' I am compelled," she told him as Jakob placed her hand on his erection. He pulled her little lace number down to expose one of her creamy white, apple-sized tits. She sighed heavily as he tweaked the nipple and smoothed his hand over the soft texture. Bending down, he kissed her on the mouth before she could react. He remained locked to her lips until he felt her beginning to soften. Her hand came up, not to push his head away but to hold it in place. He withdrew to observe his handiwork.


She looked up at him, startled, her chest rising and falling quickly. Jakob felt he could drown in those brown eyes, moist, he thought, and darkly mysterious.


"Please," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "please don't be cruel to me."


"Julia," he replied, "I'm never cruel. I see you only for what you are."


"And what am I?" she asked.


"A heart, Madam," he grinned, "a heart."


"A heart?" she smiled, "do you always speak nonsense?"


Jakob smiled and kissed her again. His hand eased its way inside the front of her panties. Her body jerked at the intrusion, however she quickly relaxed as Jakob started to stroke her pussy. She shut her eyes, her lips parted. She made small humming noises as Jakob manipulated her. She didn't resist as Jakob pulled her panties down to her feet. All the while she held his cock in her hand, like a drowning person to a rope.


He seized her bottom and pulled her onto her side. Her leg he pulled over his body then slickly aimed himself at her waiting entrance. She took him with scarcely a murmur, merely opening her mouth a little wider. Her breath came in gusts as he thrust into her until she emitted a sharp note of urgency. He stopped then, allowing himself to rest inside her, teasing her. She buried her face in his chest, waiting patiently for him to continue.


Her husband had not treated her like this. To him she was a precious piece of bone china. He was gentle, always gentle, but almost in fear that she'd break. Jakob, however, teased and tantalised, bit and suckled, drove her to new heights of sensation. So much so, she thought she would die of it.


Julia came as Jakob rubbed her clitoris. He was behind her at that point, slowly working himself in and out. She was scarcely aware of the passage of time. It seemed dawn would break before he was going to release her, that he would keep her in limbo, hovering on the verge of a crisis but not quite getting there. When he 'allowed' her her orgasm, it was spectacular, starting from her pussy and coursing through her whole body. She threw herself backwards onto his cock, tried to take as much of him inside as she could. She felt him pulsing deep within her, it drove her to even greater heights of pleasure.


She lay exhausted afterwards, sobbing quietly with the emotion of it all. She didn't think it was possible to desire someone that much. He stretched out beside her and put his arm around her protectively. He pulled her into an embrace that lasted an eternity. But still dawn hadn't arrived.


She listened to him breathing unable to sleep. She never felt so alive. 'Could he be my true soulmate?' she thought, 'this most untrustworthy, lying, cheating, inconstant Russian? A man who has spread his progeny and his infidelities all over Samoa? A man who knows no loyalty to any country? A man who hides behind his 'special status' like a shield? But a most practiced lover who plays at a woman like a finely tuned instrument. How could she possibly abandon her marriage vows for such a man, and such a wretched existance as one of the 'Politovsky women?' 


She listened to his measured breathing, felt his gentle embrace till the porthole curtains lightened with the morning. She hadn't slept a wink, but Jakob couldn't be roused. She eased herself out of bed slowly lest she disturb him and dressed. Making her way on deck, she greeted the sunrise peeping over Telegraph Hill, sat in a chair on the 'Borodino's' half-deck and waited for the little Chinaman to row out to fetch her.


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On July the 28th GMT, and cabled to Samoa on the 29th, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, despite threats by the Russians. The news came as a shock on the islands who were in the middle of the evacuation of 'possible belligerent Nationals. The 'SS Clan MacKay' had called and took off British and French citizens. Julia Bentine, however had remained behind. Her husband had still not returned from the outer islands. In fact she was unsure whether he was aware of the international situation.


Jakob had hurried the preparations for the flight of the 'Borodino' and she was almost ready. He promised to take Julia with him and pick up her husband on the way. Despite Qing Li's condition, he decided to bring her along, as well as Asmira and the children. Gretchen, however, had still to make up her mind. She was torn, she said, between her heart and her duty.


The events flashed around the globe with surprising speed after that. The next day they heard that Germany had mobilised against Russia after Russia refused to withdraw her troops from the German frontier. Suddenly flags draped from the town hall on Apia's waterfront, bunting appeared and a band played very badly.


The mood in Samoa was suddenly upbeat and patriotic. Particularly so, because at this stage there was a great deal of confidence that the English would not get involved. Patriotism was easy when there was little prospect of one bleeding from it. Nevertheless, the French and British had fled, which made the German settlers less self-conscious about loyalty.
The time ticked. Would Russia withdraw and allow cooler heads to steer Germany away from war?


The express trains were running out of control. Events were steadily overtaking those that had any power to bring things to a halt. It seemed the great European powers' patience had collectively snapped. The general mood was for war after years of mutual provocation and 'national interests.'


On the morning of the 1st of August, 1914, while those in Europe slept or burnt the midnight lamps, the last of the 'Borodino's' passengers came on board and the crew assembled. All that was needed was a little more tide and the freshening breeze. Jakob decided to wait for the wind to save coal. Who knows where she might find fresh supplies?


Gretchen had not appeared, nor did she send any word. Clearly her duty had won out in the end. Jakob was disappointed, saddened even, but found comfort in his new infatuation.


The morning was clear and bright, as usual for this time of year. On Apia's waterfront the German flag flapped fitfully in the weak breeze, the beach was doing a brisk trade in early morning bathers. Some small boats were on the water, some ferrying last-minute provisions to the schooner. The Dutch 'SS Straat Molucca' was raising steam having loaded up with copra. Several families of German settlers had taken passage on her and were lining the deck taking a last look at their island paradise. Hoffmann's militia had been whittled down to 15 as a result.


And a patriotic bunch they were. They assembled outside of the town hall to sing patriotic songs and salute the flag. Hoffmann made a speech describing Germany's noble destiny. He referred to the Russians as 'peasantry with weak wills' and said they would 'melt before our brave soldiers and hard steel.' The only Russian within spitting distance had no intention of melting before anyone's steel.


Just when everything appeared ready for sailing, the weather played its hand. 'Strong North-Easterlies were blowing up,' reported the Dutch merchantman. Although the 'Borodino' could handle such weather, Jakob fretted over her coal supplies. His Samoan crew warned him about the possibility of storms and he was forced to defer to their local knowledge. What harm, he thought, to wait just a couple of more days?


By the time the weather cleared, however, Germany was at war with not only Russia, but France and England. The news came via Schapinski who rowed out to the 'Borodino' bare-headed and desperate. He stumbled up the stern ladder, slipped and had to be hauled on board by a couple of crewmen. The man looked as if he hadn't slept for a week. Probably he hadn't.


"Herzberg!" he cried, "the English have declared war!"


"On who?" Jakob asked, shocked.


"On us, who do you think? We're fucked! The 'Australia' will come and blow us all to hell!"


"Firstly," replied Jakob, "there are ladies present, I thank you to moderate your language. Secondly, the English won't bombard a defenceless town, unless you give them cause." Jakob pondered for a second, scratched his jaw, "you have Hoffmann under control, haven't you?" he asked. Schapinski slowly shook his head. "What is the idiot up to?"


"About a dozen of them," Schapinski began, "are planning to take a few rifles with them and..."


"And what, seriously? What can they do?"


"Dig positions up on Telegraph Hill and cover the beach from there. They'd have a good view of any landing sites. They could cause a few casualties among an occupation force."


Jakob shook his head,


"So. The English will blast them off, is that what you're saying? Hoffmann will provoke them to fire on Apia?" Schapinski nodded. "Does this Hoffmann know what a 12 inch artillery shell can do, exploding so close to a populated town?" The administrator shrugged. "Does he realise the Samoan fales will be shredded with fragments? The blast will shatter every window for miles showering everyone with glass, including, God forbid, my house? Does the fool know what he's doing? There will be deaths and casualties, for Christ's sake!"


"See?"  Scapinski looked triumphant, "you need to talk them out of it. They're having a meeting tonight in the town hall and..."


"Oh fuck them!" Jakob spat, "take a few policemen with those fancy Mannlichers and throw them in jail."


"Your ladies?" Schapinski grinned, "but I tried that anyway. They threatened to shoot the first Policeman who..."


Jakob sighed.


"Schapinski, you're the administrator, it's your problem, I'm leaving!" He spun on his heels and left the man to find his own way back to the dinghy. Jakob went down to the main cabin, stopped on the steps and yelled, "weigh anchor! Waisake, start the bloody engine and let's get going!" with that he slammed the door.


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The 'Borodino' butted into a sea still restless from the recent storm. It was some miles out sea before she raised sail. All the passengers, except the seasick, stood on the deck to watch the huge mainsail unfurl on the mast. The wind, now fine on the starboard beam, allowed them to hoist the topsails. They watched two crew skim up the ratlines like monkeys. By noon she had a full spread, mizzen, mizzen-top, main and topsail, foresail and fore-top, and two jibs. Under full sail she plowed out into the Pacific at a brisk 14 knots. By evening they had made the outer islands and anchored offshore of Talofa'a'sofua Island.


Literary translated, the name of the island means, 'goodbye with peace,' or more properly, 'go in peace.' It's the last thing you see of Samoa before a voyager disappears into the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. It is nothing more than an extinct volcano densely covered in bush. At the foot of this forbidding mountain are a few scattered villages.


Considerable skill is needed to land there. There are few beaches and these are liberally studded with volcanic rock that will tear the bottom out of a boat. The Samoan crew thought it better to wait for the experienced islanders to come out in their canoes rather than try to make landfall. Jakob suspected they didn't want to land for other reasons. Night fell and there was no sign of a canoe. Gradually the passengers retreated into the main cabin for a meal, or to their own cabins for whatever?


Jakob ate sparingly among the diners in the main cabin before retreating into his cabin. He'd had a vast bed especially built that encompassed half  the available deck space. He threw himself in the middle of the bed and read until Julia entered.


She had been tense since leaving Apia, Whether it was the unknown, the presence of the 'Politovsky women' on board, or anxiety about her husband, Jakob couldn't tell. Maybe all three? She came and laid on the bed beside Jakob.


"The Samoans say they will not go ashore. They say they are bad people. What do you suppose they mean? They're not cannibals are they?" she asked.


"No," Jakob laughed, "not at all. It's because they are not 'missionary.' They probably have mass orgies on the beaches, deflowering ceremonies, multiple wives and husbands..."


"Stop kidding..." she dug his ribs. 


"... No wonder the good Doctor doesn't want to leave. He's probably holed up in a fale fucking himself senseless."


"You're awful!" she chided, "if he was," she added, "it would make my life simpler. I fear you have quite ruined me for him." She looked into his face with her dark eyes, soft and moist. Jakob felt a twitching in his canvas trousers. He leaned over and kissed her passionately. "I wish to make love," she told him, her voice like a little girl's.


They helped each other with their clothes and laid back down to resume kissing and caressing. Julia had just taken him in her mouth when she heard the door open. Looking up, she saw Qing Li and Asmira, naked. The two women strolled into the room smiling and laid down on the other side of Jakob. She was suddenly self-conscious and looked up at Jakob. 


"Keep going!" he smiled and brushed her face with the back of his hand. "I guess it seems appropriate to have a little orgy of our own."


"Jakob," she said, "I can't... not with..."


"Oh nonsense," he told her, "just close those pretty eyes and don't worry about whose tongue it is!"


"You're despicable!" she replied.


"True! Now if you don't mind..." he said, waving his cock in her face.


Julia closed her eyes and resumed sucking.


KATZMAREK(C)