KING JAKOB (Part 9)


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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By 1914 there were nearly 3000 Chinese on the Islands of German Samoa. Most of them came from Shantou and Quangdong as labourers indentured for three years. Many chose to settle down after they'd served their time, and despite morality laws, at least 200 of them married Samoan women. It has to be said, though, that generally they didn't have an easy time of it.


The Chinese consul in Apia made at least two complaints to the Governors about short wages, breached contracts and 'excessive' flogging. A lot depended on the character of the employer, naturally, as to their treatment. It was not untypical of the time period, however, and the lot of Chinese everywhere, and indeed workers, was not ideal.


The Germans established a kind of 'caste' system which graded Whites as top of the heap. Next came 'half castes,' usually the progeny of Europeans and Samoans, Samoans and lastly Chinese and 'others'. The Church-inspired 'Morality Laws' attempted to keep the races apart, particularly the Chinese and Samoans. Under German rule they weren't all that successful and many Samoans today have Chinese-derived surnames. In truth, none of the German Governors were all that fussed about enforcing those rules anyway. Of course the rules never applied to Whites, again as evidenced by the many German-derived surnames today.


When Jakob Herzberg returned to Apia with his servant Yu he was faced with a determined group of 'Sa Malietoa' Chiefs with a thousand ill-armed warriors and a dozen settlers with rifles. They were set to engage any invasion force of Allied soldiers backed by the overwhelming might of the Royal Navy. It was a foolhardy gesture and would probably lead to the destruction of Apia itself.


The Colonial Administrator Schapinski had done his best to dissuade both the settlers and the chiefs but lacked the personal authority to stop them. In desperation he called on Herzberg to use his influence. Jakob's schooner the 'Borodino' was sent off to Pago Pago in neutral American Samoa with his three mistresses, Julia, Asmira and Qing Li, the children and the Samoan crew. There they were to wait under the shelter of the American flag for Jakob to conclude his business or the war finished.


The Sa Malietoa were the most loyal of the Samoan tribal groups. They had been the first to adopt Christianity, had been the most pliable in granting land concessions to settlers, and they had supported German interests in the civil wars. The Germans had ensured Sa Malietoa backing on the advisory council, the 'fono a Faipule,' by shipping the opposition 'Mau a le Pule' of northern Savai'i 'en masse' to Saipan and Tarawa in the German Marianas. Again, this high-handedness was not untypical during the colonial period. In 1914 this indulgence towards the Sa Malietoa had come back to bite them. The chiefs wanted to join in the fighting on behalf of Germany.


The German Southseas Squadron had been expected on a courtesy visit in July the 27th. The fleet had been delayed unexpectedly by the outbreak of war. There were still many on Samoa that believed the Navy would turn up soon to protect them. People clutch at straws, and the obvious disparity in firepower between local German forces and the French, Japanese and British could be waived away easily in people's fantasies. Although the Japanese had yet to show their hand, it was widely expected to be a matter of time. Germany's Chinese teritories, Wei Hei Wei and Tsing Tao were just too ripe for the plucking.


Jakob and Yu were met by an anxious Schapinski at Tivoli wharf where they landed. A couple of Samoan policemen stood behind him wearing Mannlichers.


"Herzberg! Welcome back, I knew you'd..."


"Spare it, Schapinski. Where's Hoffmann and the tribes?"


"The Samoans are still in the villages down the coast. Hoffmann has taken over the town hall as his headquarters. Bloody cheek!"


"Right Yu!" Jakob said, "town hall! Schapinski, I want to borrow those men, but tell them to keep those guns in their holsters. I don't want a fire fight."


"Sure... um, what are you going to do?" asked the Administrator.


"I'm a man of 'special status'," he told him, "remember?"


"Oh that's bullshit and you know it," Schapinski replied.


"But does Hoffmann?" Jakob told him as he and Yu made their way into the town.


"I don't know," said Schapinski, hurrying after them, "he's crazy and..."


"A crazy patriot and, I figure, a soldier inured into taking orders."


"From you? How?"


"From a superior Officer in the Kaiser's service!" Jakob grinned.


Outside the town hall, a couple of Hoffmann's troopers stood guard armed with rifles and fixed bayonets. They barred the door, eyeing Jakob menacingly.


"What do you want Russian?" one said, "you should be in irons. You're an enemy now."


"Fuck you Lindemann!" Jakob spat, "and when are you going to settle your debt?"


"You're a money-grubbing cheat, Herzberg. All of Samoa know's it."


"A money-grubbing cheat, Herzberg, *sir*!" corrected Jakob, "or don't you acknowledge a superior Officer?"


"What the f..." Lindemann stared at Jakob.


"It's official," announced Jakob, "a commission from the Kaiser in Reichenau's command. I'm now a Colonel."


"What the hell are you... What crap are you spouting you little Jewish turd?"


"*Attention Soldier*!" yelled Jakob, "put this man on a charge for insubordination, Captain!" he turned to Yu.


"What? Me?" Lindemann went bug-eyed, "and that yellow monkey is a..."


"*Two charges*" yelled Jakob, "you're relieved of duty, Lindemann, pending court-marshal. Now fuck off!"


"Eh?" Lindemann furrowed his brow.


"And you still owe me 300 marks, by Saturday!"


The man stood his ground, not knowing whether to believe what he'd just heard or not. He looked at the other guard for support. It wasn't imediately forthcoming.


"What if it's true?" the other guard said, "he may have met the army somewhere. Or von Spee? He could have given him orders, made him a Colonel?"


"Spaete, that's the longest sentence you've ever uttered," Lindemann told him, "since when did you start thinking?"


"Don't dump shit on me, Lindemann. You're the one on a charge for insub... for bad-mouthing Colonel Herzberg and Captain Yu..."


"Colonel? Captain?" Lindemann said, "it's all bullshit. He..."


"If you can stop arguing among yourselves, soldiers, may we be allowed to pass," Jakob demanded.


"Yes sir, Colonel sir!" Spaete snapped while Lindemann looked on in astonishment. Uncertain, he too moved aside as Jakob and Yu entered the town hall.


The town hall's banquet table had been requisitioned as a map table. On the wall behind it was the national flag and portraits of the Kaiser. Hoffmann stood at the table moving wooden markers around. He looked up in irritation at the intrusion.


"What are you doing here?" he demanded, "I thought you'd done a bunk. Why aren't you in jail?"


"Spare yourself Sergeant Hoffmann. We need a word in private."


"It's *Captain*, Jew. And what the hell is that Chinaman doing in here? It's forbidden."


"It's *Captain* Yu, he's my aide and he'll go where he damn well pleases, is that clear, *Sergeant*?" Jakob shouted.


"Who the hell are you..." Hoffmann blustered.


"*Colonel* Herzberg. Captain, my velisse please?"


"Yes sir Colonel Master Jakob sir!" Yu responded, handing him a brown leather satchel. He was grinning like a cheetah.


"I have here," Jakob said extravagantly, "a commission from the Imperial General Staff in Berlin. I have been promoted Colonel and assigned as military Governor of German Samoa. I take my orders from General Reichenau who has overall command in the South Seas, *not* from a jumped-up twat of a sergeant who..."


"Hey!" Hoffmann complained.


"You may read it of course," Jakob told him, "and here are your orders. You are to disperse your command to their homes forthwith," Jakob pointed to the relevant sentence, "and wait for the order to stand to. The telephones are still working?"


"Of course, well I suppose they are..." Hoffmann muttered, dumbstruck.


"Then see that they are, Sergeant. *Now*, if you please!"


Hoffmann took some seconds to make up his mind. He squinted again at the papers that Jakob had handed him, then eventually, he sprung to attention and saluted.


"At once Colonel!" he bellowed.


Jakob and Yu watched the 'troops' scuttle out the door, spurred on by Hoffmann.


"Now for the chiefs," Jakob told Yu, "they won't be so easy I think. Oh," he added as they left the town hall, "nice caligraphy! Very authentic-looking."


"Thank you Colonel Master Jakob sir," he replied.


"Oh cut that crap out Yu!" Jakob grinned.


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In 1914 the island of Upolu had one half-decent road, the coast road. There were roads into the interior built by the planters for getting their produce out, but generally they were of poor quality. The most practical means of getting inland was by mule or horse. Samoans respected men on horseback in those days, it was a sign of wealth and stature. Jakob decided to visit the Sa Malietoa chiefs on a horse borrowed from Schapinski.


The chiefs were at their 'meeting malae' near the centre of Upolu under the great Mt Fito that dominates the island. It was neutral ground where issues could be discussed without fear of violence, for in those days even the Sa Malietoa weren't without fractious elements.


Jakob and Yu found the journey tortuous. Not natural horse riders, they bounced around in their saddles amid the clatter of gear and saddlebags. Jakob wished he'd gone to Pago Pago with the 'Borodino.' Yu grimaced in pain behind him, but took his discomfort well like a good German Captain. Also accompanying them was one of Schapinski's policemen as interpreter. He carried the German tricolour aloft on a short staff, 'for appearances' Jakob insisted.


Two warriors met them about 2 kilometres from the 'malae.' Bafefoot, they beckoned the party to accompany them then set off at a brisk run. Jakob swore never to sit on a horse again as long as he lived.


The 12 chiefs sat at the top of the malae on cane chairs. Each man held an orator's staff in his right hand and a young warrior stood behind each with a fan made from palm leaves. The high chief sat in the middle chair. An 'old' man of about 55, his name was Luakasione Vaiga Pulepule a Malietoa.


The party dismounted and walked slowly into the centre of the malae. Jakob turned slowly and looked straight into the eyes of the assembled chiefs. It wasn't the time to show diffidence. To drop one's eyes was a sign of subservience and Jakob came as a chief at least as high as Luakasione. For a while they studied each other, almost daring the other to back down. In Samoa body language counted as much as what a person said. A chief carried himself as a chief or he might as well go home.


"Sa Malietoa!" Jakob announced, "I come here as a high chief of the Germans." From the corner of his eye he could see grins on the faces of some of the chiefs. Luakasione himself just watched him coldly. Jakob wasn't doing very well.


"You're Jakob Herzberg," one of the chiefs said, in pitch-perfect German, "you're a shopkeeper. You're no-more a chief than a lizard that crawls in the trees."


"I bear a letter from the Kaiser, 'der Tupu Sili von Samoa'" Jakob told him. 'Der Tupu Sili von Samoa' was a title Kaiser Wilhelm the Second assumed for himself in 1907. It meant, roughly, 'High King of Samoa.'


"Lets see your letter," demanded the chief. All this time Luakasione remained inscrutably silent.


"Yu!" called Jakob, who advanced towards the chiefs with the forged documents. Protocol demanded that Jakob not surrender his ground in the orator's position in the centre of the malae.


The speaker quickly scanned the document, then passed it down among the other chiefs. Luakasione himself never learnt to read, so one of the others briefly explained what it contained.


"I could have written this," one of the other chiefs spoke, "how can we believe this bullshit coming from you, Herzberg?"


This was a test, thought Jakob, he had to stick with it.


"What right have you to insult me!" he yelled, "me, a personal friend of von Spee. I will command him to come with his big ships and blow your village into the ocean." His words ellicited more smiles. Clearly, he wasn't making the impact he expected.


Presently Luakasione himself got to his feet and everyone fell silent. He spoke in Samoan to Jakob's translator.


"He says the rumours about you are true and that you are a big liar," the policeman told Jakob, "he says he hasn't heard such a pile of... um... shit in many moons. He wants to know what you really want and... he tells you he's had enough entertainment."


Jakob thought for a moment while his companions waited nervously behind him.


"Sir, I understand you want to make war on the English? I have come to ask  you, nay plead with you not to do this. The English have many guns, many, many big guns and they will destroy Apia if you provoke them. I... I have returned because I don't wish to see my friends... killed. Killed, chief, in some useless gesture for which their will be no heros, only dead fools.  After this war is over we will need the Sa Malietoa to build the future." Jakob subsided.


The old chief nodded slowly, listening carefully to the translation.


"He wants to know if the English will bring back the 'Mau'?" the policeman translated, "they are the people from Savai'i who the Germans took away into exile," he added, "if they return he thinks the English will put them into power over the Sa Malietoa."


It all became clear to Jakob. Luakasione and the chiefs were protecting their power. They were afraid the exiles will oust them from the 'fono' and take over. 'These Samoans could teach Machiavelli a few things,' he thought.


"As far as I'm aware," Jakob explained, "the 'Mau' are still on Tarawa and Saipan."


"He wants to know for how long?" the translator said.


"Who knows?" conceded Jakob, "there are some things we just can't control. But if we die, we lose all power to control anything." The old chief sat back down, a signal the session had ended. "Yu," Jakob called, "the gift?"


Yu ran forward with a gift Jakob brought for the Sa Malietoa, as was the custom. It was a rifle, a Chassepot, a relic from the French war of 1870 that he'd collected as payment on a debt. The beautiful, highly polished thing lacked ammunition nor was there any chance of acquiring any. Nevertheless, Luakasione picked it up and grinned.


"I shall treasure this," said the chief, "it reminds me of you. Very pretty on the outside but I think the inside is empty of fire." He grinned broadly as the other chiefs broke out in laughter.


Jakob got no more from the chiefs that day, except to say that they wished to discuss things among themselves. Leaving the village, he trotted the horse back down the track for about 5 kilometres before dismounting.


"What are you doing now master Jakob?" Yu asked.


"I am walking the rest of the way."


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Jakob returned to Apia exhausted and dispirited. He would have liked to have told Schapinski good news but the Samoan decision-making apparatus was slow. It depended very much on persuasion and concensus, a concept foreign to much of Europe. They had to wait for the chiefs to make up their minds.


He limped back to his town hall 'headquarters' to be met by Schapinski. He told him of his meeting with the Sa Malietoa chiefs and the Administrator nodded grimly.


"We can do no more at present," he said sadly. "Do you have any instructions, Governor?" he added, a smug look on his face.


"Ha ha!" Jakob replied, "yes," he thought, "requisition all the vodka in Apia for military purposes. Have it brought to my headquarters for storage. Then, Schapinski, return to Vailima and go and lay a housemaid. Those are my orders."


"Really, Herzberg," Schapinski told him seriously, "you have made yourself military Governor now. You must assume command of Samoa or Hoffmann will smell a rat. 'Appearances,' 'Colonel'!"


"Shit!" Jakob spat, "you're right. I never thought of that. What the hell do I do now?"


Just then there was a knock on the door and one of his 'soldiers,' Spaete entered briskly and snapped a salute.


"Colonel sir," he said, "Sergeant Hoffmann reports that all telephones are working and under military authority, sir!"


"Good on him," Jakob replied unenthusiastically.


"And wants to know whether he should maintain the coast watch, sir."


"Coast watch?" Jakob asked.


"Telegraph hill, sir! We maintain a roster up there. Hoffmann thinks we should disable the railway up there also."


"Why? What railway?"


"AEG built a railway up through the bush to the Cable station last month, haven't you heard, sir? It's run by electricity, a pulley system sir. Hoffmann thinks we should make the enemy walk up the hill, sir."


"I believe Berlin required us to disable the Railway," Schapinski intervened, "and to fence the perimeter. There are two policemen up there as well as Hoffmann's coast watcher."


"Yeah, fine," Jakob said, "give him something to do. Pull the plugs and... twist the tracks or something."


"Yes sir!" Spaete spun on his heels and left with a clatter.


"See!" grinned Schapinski, "they are looking to you for orders. You can't escape now!"


"I blame you, Schapinski!" Jakob snarled, "now go and get laid, that is an order!" The Administrator left laughing evilly to himself. "Can I have him shot?" he asked Yu.


"You give some orders. I'll see to it," Yu replied.


"No, Yu! Just get some booze."


"Yes sir, Master Jakob Colonel sir."


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Very soon Jakob was inundated with settlers looking for decisions, orders, something to do. There had been no shipments of rice for weeks and stocks were low. Some settlers were worried about a revolt among the Chinese if they didn't get supplies soon. He could give them no comfort, however, but to just hold on. He did, though, put all rice on Samoa under military control, for all the good it did with few means of enforcement. He sent a request to American Samoa for special shipments, but received no reply. The Americans were maintaining a strict neutrality, however that neutrality leaned rather more towards the Allied cause than the Central Powers.


By nightfall he had alleviated the situation a little by securing a bargeload of rice on his own account from Paga Pago through his company agent. He found the American Naval authorities obstructive, but his money still had influence among commercial interests. It was late when he turned for home down the coast road on foot. Faithfully, Yu padded beside him. Jakob realised that he hadn't had a drink all day.


"You'll explain to the Chinese?" he told Yu, idly. "Tell them, 'sorry'."


"I tell Sun Hee. He big voice among damn Chinamen. They not angry at you, Master Jakob. You always listen to them. They not be mad as long as you give orders."


"Yes," Jakob sighed, "I'm as caught as any convict, aren't I? If I run away the whole island falls apart, doesn't it?"


"You big man, here," Yu replied, "you on no-one's side yet on everybody's."


"You don't make sense, Yu."


"No, Master Jakob Colonel, sir."


They returned home tired and exhausted to Herzberg Manor. They entered through the servant's entrance and raided the larder on their way to the parlour. Taking a bottle of vodka from the cabinet, Jakob placed it on the table and took a lemon from the fruit bowl. Pouring each of them a shot, he squirted in some lemon and lifted the glass towards Yu.


"You did well, Captain," he told Yu.


His servant smiled then tossed back the contents of his glass.


Gretchen found them snoring peacefully on the couch an hour later. She made them comfortable with pillows and blankets then tripped up the stairs to bed, well-pleased with the situation.


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The telephone rang around seven. Gretchen answered to be told of the sighting of a steamer from Telegraph Hill. She thanked the caller and undertook to tell the 'Colonel' when he had woken. After the ninth call she left the receiver off the hook. Apparently everyone had some minor report to make. Around mid-morning she found Jakob on the front lawn having a breakfast of black bread and fresh olives washed down with a litre of black coffee.


"Jakob?" she said tentatively. He looked up and smiled and effasive, even an embarrassed smile, "You came back?"


"Apparently," Jakob mumbled, "man of the hour, eh?"


"Yes... *my* man of the hour," she replied, "what's the news?"


Jakob explained about his meeting with the chiefs.


"Also," he told her, "Stadler reports increased radio traffic from the direction of the English colonies. He says he believes the 'Australia's' at sea somewhere to the Northwest. He is relaying everything on von Spee's channel. Spee won't, of course, answer."


"So we are doing our 'bit' aren't we?" she smiled.


"I guess," Jakob conceded, "so long as our 'bit' is not too much. I like von Spee, I hope he gets away. Oh, the English have issued 'in clear' warnings to shipping in the Indian Ocean. Apparently one of Spee's cruisers is causing a bit of inconvenience there."


"Which one?"


"The 'Emden,'" Jakob answered.


"Von Mueller!" Gretchen clapped her hands, "he was a student of my Father's!"


"6 prizes in 5 days. I believe your Father taught him very well!"


"Jakob!" she said in a 'coquettish' voice, "wouldn't the view be better upstairs?"


"Undoubtedly," he replied, smiling, "perhaps you'd care to share this view with me?"


"If you are a gentleman," she told him, "for I would be most vulnerable."


"I shall be impeccably behaved," Jakob lied as he followed her back to the house.


Gretchen strolled to the big windows of the master bedroom and stood staring out to sea. Jakob came up behind her and held her lightly by the waist. He drew in her scent, a hint of rose and talcuum. The familiar aroma reminded him of long magical nights. Nights filled with laughter, pleasure and sex. He held on to her a little tighter, his hands creeping around to rest on her tummy.


She was wearing baggy shorts that ended below her knees and a khaki shirt buttoned to the neck. As Jakob pressed himself to her she gave a slight wriggle of her large bottom. Jakob's hands strayed over the front of her body, cupping the swell of her big breasts and drifting lower between her legs.


"A gentleman doesn't molest a lady so," she breathed, "nor does he take down a lady's pants."


Jakob eased her buckle open and undid the trail of buttons down the front of her pants. She exhaled as he slid them down over her legs to the floor. Her button-up panties soon followed until all she was wearing was a shirt and a smile. His hands ran over the lower part of her body, stroking, exploring. Gretchen sucked in her breath and shivered, although the temperature was in the low thirties.


"A gentleman doesen't remove his trousers in the presence of a lady," she continued.


Jakob soon dropped his own garment. He pressed his erection into the crevice of her arse.


"Oh!" she gasped, "you are, uh, presumptuous, oh!"


Jakob's fingers combed through her thatch of black hair and probed her moist slit. Her warm folds signalled urgency. He pushed a finger into her, sawing over her clitoris. Gretchen shivered again and pressed back into him. She leant right over, pushing out her arse at him.


"I'm, uh, so vulnerable..." she panted, "you are, oh, no gentleman."


"No madam," Jakob told her, bending his knees and aiming himself at her entrance, "I am most definitely no gentleman."


Holding her by the hips, he thrust himself hard into her from behind. Gretchen braced herself with the window frame, uttered a gutteral cry as Jakob slammed himself against her.


Risking back or thigh strain, Jakob pounded rapidly at her, making a slap-slapping sound as their bodies beat at each other. Gretchen jerked back at him in rhythm, well-practiced from hours of carnal delights with him. She grunted and yelped with every thrust, threatening to bring the servants rushing to see what murder was being done. Perhaps in any other household that might be the case, but not in Herzberg Manor. No, they were well-used to it.


"My lady," Jakob gasped, "shall I, uh, pull out? I fear, I'm, uh, going to..."


"No!" she cried urgently, "don't stop!"


With a series of deep thrusts, Jakob blasted his seed within her, holding himself hard against her. She cried out, gripping the window frame till her knuckles were white. She blew out a lungful of air with a whoosh, moaned mouth-opened, then sank to the floor on her hands and knees. Jakob sank down behind her, the muscles in his legs threatening to cramp. He flopped onto her back and put his arms around her.


"I've missed you," she whispered, stroking his hand.


"And I you," he said.


"I knew you'd come back, Colonel," she added, smiling.


"Then you clearly know me better than I know myself," he answered.


"Maybe I do," she laughed, "I heard how you handled Hoffmann and faced the the chiefs, took charge. The colony called out to you and you answered. You followed your heart."


"Rubbish! Schapinski wined that he didn't have the balls to take control, that's all. Snivelling non-entity!"


"Oh, you have the balls, my dear. *That* I can vouch for," she laughed.


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On the 23rd of August Japan officially declared war on the Central Powers. It surprised no-one. In a remarkably short time an invasion force was assembled to capture the Gerrman China territories. Experienced in both land/sea warfare and siege, her army and navy would need both against Tsingtao. In a hopeless situation, Tsintao proved a hard nut to crack.


On the 27th of August the allied fleet finally departed Suva, Fiji for German Samoa. At it's head was 'HMAS Australia,' the cruiser 'Melbourne,' the French Cruiser 'Montcalm' and three diminuative New Zealand 3rd class 'protected' Cruisers 'Philomel,' 'Psyche' and 'Pyramus.' They escorted two troopships carrying 'the Advanced Contingent of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force,' some 2800 NZ regular soldiers. The escort was heavy, such was the fear of running into von Spee's South Seas Flotilla. The heavy ships had orders to engage the German warships, should they be encountered, while the rest of the convoy scattered.


They also carried on board 14 Samoan members of the 'Mau' opposition to German rule, all that could be had. It was hoped they could be used as interpreters and liasons with the local native population. They were, of course, from the island of Savai'i while most of the pro-German Samoans were from Upolu. They believed they were on their way to gain independence and self-rule for Western Samoa.


KATZMAREK (C)