The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson for Boys and Girls

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friend," they said.

With his customary energy he threw himself heart and soul for a time
into the political troubles of the island, making himself the champion
of the natives' cause. He wrote a series of letters to the papers at
home stating his idea of the injustice shown the Samoans under their
present government. It was a most delicate situation, and at times led
to very strained relations between himself and the officials in Apia.

Those at home wondered why Stevenson tampered with island politics at
all. Why did he not simply leave them to the powers in charge?

His answer was, he had made Samoa his home, the Samoans were his people,
and he could not fail to resent any injustice shown them.

Lloyd Osbourne says: "He was consulted on every imaginable subject....
Government chiefs and rebels consulted him with regard to policy;