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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/14917-8.txt b/14917-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..36096c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/14917-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11566 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wings of the Morning, by Louis Tracy + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Wings of the Morning + +Author: Louis Tracy + +Release Date: February 6, 2005 [eBook #14917] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING*** + + +E-text prepared by G. Edward Johnson and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 14917-h.htm or 14917-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917/14917-h/14917-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917/14917-h.zip) + + + + + +THE WINGS OF THE MORNING + +by + +LOUIS TRACY + +Author of _A Son of the Immortals_, _The Stowaways_, _The Message_, +_The Wheel o' Fortune_, etc. + +New York Grosset & Dunlap Publishers + +1903. + + + + + + + +_If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts +of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall +hold me. Psalm CXXXIX, 9, 10_ + + + + +[Illustration: INVOLUNTARILY SHE CAUGHT HIS ARM. HE STEPPED A HALF-PACE +IN FRONT OF HER TO WARD OFF ANY DANGER THAT MIGHT BE HERALDED BY THIS +UNCANNY PHENOMENON. _Frontispiece_] + + + + +CONTENTS + +I The Wreck of the _Sirdar_ +II The Survivors +III Discoveries +IV Rainbow Island +V Iris to the Rescue +VI Some Explanations +VII Surprises +VIII Preparations +IX The Secret of the Cave +X Reality v. Romance--The Case for the Plaintiff +XI The Fight +XII A Truce +XIII Reality v. Romance--The Case for the Defendant +XIV The Unexpected Happens +XV The Difficulty of Pleasing Everybody +XVI Bargains, Great and Small +XVII Rainbow Island Again--and Afterward + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WRECK OF THE _SIRDAR_ + + +Lady Tozer adjusted her gold-rimmed eye-glasses with an air of +dignified aggressiveness. She had lived too many years in the Far East. +In Hong Kong she was known as the "Mandarin." Her powers of merciless +inquisition suggested torments long drawn out. The commander of the +_Sirdar_, homeward bound from Shanghai, knew that he was about to +be stretched on the rack when he took his seat at the saloon table. + +"Is it true, captain, that we are running into a typhoon?" demanded her +ladyship. + +"From whom did you learn that, Lady Tozer?" Captain Ross was wary, +though somewhat surprised. + +"From Miss Deane. I understood her a moment ago to say that you had +told her." + +"I?" + +"Didn't you? Some one told me this morning. I couldn't have guessed it, +could I?" Miss Iris Deane's large blue eyes surveyed him with innocent +indifference to strict accuracy. Incidentally, she had obtained the +information from her maid, a nose-tilted coquette who extracted ship's +secrets from a youthful quartermaster. + +"Well--er--I had forgotten," explained the tactful sailor. + +"Is it true?" + +Lady Tozer _was_ unusually abrupt today. But she was annoyed by +the assumption that the captain took a mere girl into his confidence +and passed over the wife of the ex-Chief Justice of Hong Kong. + +"Yes, it is," said Captain Ross, equally curt, and silently thanking +the fates that her ladyship was going home for the last time. + +"How horrible!" she gasped, in unaffected alarm. This return to +femininity soothed the sailor's ruffled temper. + +Sir John, her husband, frowned judicially. That frown constituted his +legal stock-in-trade, yet it passed current for wisdom with the Hong +Kong bar. + +"What evidence have you?" he asked. + +"Do tell us," chimed in Iris, delightfully unconscious of interrupting +the court. "Did you find out when you squinted at the sun?" + +The captain smiled. "You are nearer the mark than possibly you imagine, +Miss Deane," he said. "When we took our observations yesterday there +was a very weird-looking halo around the sun. This morning you may have +noticed several light squalls and a smooth sea marked occasionally by +strong ripples. The barometer is falling rapidly, and I expect that, as +the day wears, we will encounter a heavy swell. If the sky looks wild +tonight, and especially if we observe a heavy bank of cloud approaching +from the north-west, you see the crockery dancing about the table at +dinner. I am afraid you are not a good sailor, Lady Tozer. Are you, +Miss Deane?" + +"Capital! I should just love to see a real storm. Now promise me +solemnly that you will take me up into the charthouse when this typhoon +is simply tearing things to pieces." + +"Oh dear! I do hope it will not be very bad. Is there no way in which +you can avoid it, captain? Will it last long?" + +The politic skipper for once preferred to answer Lady Tozer. "There is +no cause for uneasiness," he said. "Of course, typhoons in the China +Sea are nasty things while they last, but a ship like the _Sirdar_ +is not troubled by them. She will drive through the worst gale she is +likely to meet here in less than twelve hours. Besides, I alter the +course somewhat as soon as I discover our position with regard to its +center. You see, Miss Deane--" + +And Captain Ross forthwith illustrated on the back of a menu card the +spiral shape and progress of a cyclone. He so thoroughly mystified the +girl by his technical references to northern and southern hemispheres, +polar directions, revolving air-currents, external circumferences, and +diminished atmospheric pressures, that she was too bewildered to +reiterate a desire to visit the bridge. + +Then the commander hurriedly excused himself, and the passengers saw no +more of him that day. + +But his short scientific lecture achieved a double result. It rescued +him from a request which he could not possibly grant, and reassured +Lady Tozer. To the non-nautical mind it is the unknown that is fearful. +A storm classed as "periodic," whose velocity can be measured, whose +duration and direction can be determined beforehand by hours and +distances, ceases to be terrifying. It becomes an accepted fact, akin +to the steam-engine and the electric telegraph, marvelous yet +commonplace. + +So her ladyship dismissed the topic as of no present interest, and +focused Miss Deane through her eye-glasses. + +"Sir Arthur proposes to come home in June, I understand?" she inquired. + +Iris was a remarkably healthy young woman. A large banana momentarily +engaged her attention. She nodded affably. + +"You will stay with relatives until he arrives?" pursued Lady Tozer. + +The banana is a fruit of simple characteristics. The girl was able to +reply, with a touch of careless hauteur in her voice: + +"Relatives! We have none--none whom we specially cultivate, that is. I +will stop in town a day or two to interview my dressmaker, and then go +straight to Helmdale, our place in Yorkshire." + +"Surely you have a chaperon!" + +"A chaperon! My dear Lady Tozer, did my father impress you as one who +would permit a fussy and stout old person to make my life miserable?" + +The acidity of the retort lay in the word "stout." But Iris was not +accustomed to cross-examination. During a three months' residence on +the island she had learnt how to avoid Lady Tozer. Here it was +impossible, and the older woman fastened upon her asp-like. Miss Iris +Deane was a toothsome morsel for gossip. Not yet twenty-one, the only +daughter of a wealthy baronet who owned a fleet of stately ships--the +_Sirdar_ amongst them--a girl who had been mistress of her +father's house since her return from Dresden three years ago--young, +beautiful, rich--here was a combination for which men thanked a +judicious Heaven, whilst women sniffed enviously. + +Business detained Sir Arthur. A war-cloud over-shadowed the two great +divisions of the yellow race. He must wait to see how matters +developed, but he would not expose Iris to the insidious treachery of a +Chinese spring. So, with tears, they separated. She was confided to the +personal charge of Captain Ross. At each point of call the company's +agents would be solicitous for her welfare. The cable's telegraphic eye +would watch her progress as that of some princely maiden sailing in +royal caravel. This fair, slender, well-formed girl--delightfully +English in face and figure--with her fresh, clear complexion, limpid +blue eyes, and shining brown hair, was a personage of some importance. + +Lady Tozer knew these things and sighed complacently. + +"Ah, well," she resumed. "Parents had different views when I was a +girl. But I assume Sir Arthur thinks you should become used to being +your own mistress in view of your approaching marriage." + +"My--approaching--marriage!" cried Iris, now genuinely amazed. + +"Yes. Is it not true that you are going to marry Lord Ventnor?" + +A passing steward heard the point-blank question. + +It had a curious effect upon him. He gazed with fiercely eager eyes at +Miss Deane, and so far forgot himself as to permit a dish of water ice +to rest against Sir John Tozer's bald head. + +Iris could not help noting his strange behavior. A flash of humor +chased away her first angry resentment at Lady Tozer's interrogatory. + +"That may be my happy fate," she answered gaily, "but Lord Ventnor has +not asked me." + +"Every one says in Hong Kong--" began her ladyship. + +"Confound you, you stupid rascal! what are you doing?" shouted Sir +John. His feeble nerves at last conveyed the information that something +more pronounced than a sudden draught affected his scalp; the ice was +melting. + +The incident amused those passengers who sat near enough to observe it. +But the chief steward, hovering watchful near the captain's table, +darted forward. Pale with anger he hissed-- + +"Report yourself for duty in the second saloon tonight," and he hustled +his subordinate away from the judge's chair. + +Miss Deane, mirthfully radiant, rose. + +"Please don't punish the man, Mr. Jones," she said sweetly. "It was a +sheer accident. He was taken by surprise. In his place I would have +emptied the whole dish." + +The chief steward smirked. He did not know exactly what had happened; +nevertheless, great though Sir John Tozer might be, the owner's +daughter was greater. + +"Certainly, miss, certainly," he agreed, adding confidentially:--"It +_is_ rather hard on a steward to be sent aft, miss. It makes such +a difference in the--er--the little gratuities given by the +passengers." + +The girl was tactful. She smiled comprehension at the official and bent +over Sir John, now carefully polishing the back of his skull with a +table napkin. + +"I am sure you will forgive him," she whispered. "I can't say why, but +the poor fellow was looking so intently at me that he did not see what +he was doing." + +The ex-Chief Justice was instantly mollified. He did not mind the +application of ice in that way--rather liked it, in fact--probably ice +was susceptible to the fire in Miss Deane's eyes. + +Lady Tozer was not so easily appeased. When Iris left the saloon she +inquired tartly: "How is it, John, that Government makes a shipowner a +baronet and a Chief Justice only a knight?" + +"That question would provide an interesting subject for debate at the +Carlton, my dear," he replied with equal asperity. + +Suddenly the passengers still seated experienced a prolonged sinking +sensation, as if the vessel had been converted into a gigantic lift. +They were pressed hard into their chairs, which creaked and tried to +swing round on their pivots. As the ship yielded stiffly to the sea a +whiff of spray dashed through an open port. + +"There," snapped her ladyship, "I knew we should run into a storm, yet +Captain Ross led us to believe---- John, take me to my cabin at once." + +From the promenade deck the listless groups watched the rapid advance +of the gale. There was mournful speculation upon the _Sirdar's_ +chances of reaching Singapore before the next evening. + +"We had two hundred and ninety-eight miles to do at noon," said +Experience. "If the wind and sea catch us on the port bow the ship will +pitch awfully. Half the time the screw will be racing. I once made this +trip in the _Sumatra_, and we were struck by a south-east typhoon +in this locality. How long do you think it was before we dropped anchor +in Singapore harbor?" + +No one hazarded a guess. + +"Three days!" Experience was solemnly pompous. "Three whole days. They +were like three years. By Jove! I never want to see another gale like +that." + +A timid lady ventured to say-- + +"Perhaps this may not be a typhoon. It may only be a little bit of +a storm." + +Her sex saved her from a jeer. Experience gloomily shook his head. + +"The barometer resists your plea," he said. "I fear there will be a +good many empty saddles in the saloon at dinner." + +The lady smiled weakly. It was a feeble joke at the best. "You think we +are in for a sort of marine steeple-chase?" she asked. + +"Well, thank Heaven, I had a good lunch," sniggered a rosy-faced +subaltern, and a ripple of laughter greeted his enthusiasm. + +Iris stood somewhat apart from the speakers. The wind had freshened and +her hat was tied closely over her ears. She leaned against the +taffrail, enjoying the cool breeze after hours of sultry heat. The sky +was cloudless yet, but there was a queer tinge of burnished copper in +the all-pervading sunshine. The sea was coldly blue. The life had gone +out of it. It was no longer inviting and translucent. That morning, +were such a thing practicable, she would have gladly dived into its +crystal depths and disported herself like a frolicsome mermaid. Now +something akin to repulsion came with the fanciful remembrance. + +Long sullen undulations swept noiselessly past the ship. Once, after a +steady climb up a rolling hill of water, the _Sirdar_ quickly +pecked at the succeeding valley, and the propeller gave a couple of +angry flaps on the surface, whilst a tremor ran through the stout iron +rails on which the girl's arms rested. + +The crew were busy too. Squads of Lascars raced about, industriously +obedient to the short shrill whistling of jemadars and quartermasters. +Boat lashings were tested and tightened, canvas awnings stretched +across the deck forward, ventilator cowls twisted to new angles, and +hatches clamped down over the wooden gratings that covered the holds. +Officers, spotless in white linen, flitted quietly to and fro. When the +watch was changed. Iris noted that the "chief" appeared in an old blue +suit and carried oilskins over his arm as he climbed to the bridge. + +Nature looked disturbed and fitful, and the ship responded to her mood. +There was a sense of preparation in the air, of coming ordeal, of +restless foreboding. Chains clanked with a noise the girl never noticed +before; the tramp of hurrying men on the hurricane deck overhead +sounded heavy and hollow. There was a squeaking of chairs that was +abominable when people gathered up books and wraps and staggered +ungracefully towards the companion-way. Altogether Miss Deane was not +wholly pleased with the preliminaries of a typhoon, whatever the +realities might be. + +And then, why did gales always spring up at the close of day? Could +they not start after breakfast, rage with furious grandeur during +lunch, and die away peacefully at dinner-time, permitting one to sleep +in comfort without that straining and groaning of the ship which seemed +to imply a sharp attack of rheumatism in every joint? + +Why did that silly old woman allude to her contemplated marriage to +Lord Ventnor, retailing the gossip of Hong Kong with such malicious +emphasis? For an instant Iris tried to shake the railing in comic +anger. She hated Lord Ventnor. She did not want to marry him, or +anybody else, just yet. Of course her father had hinted approval of his +lordship's obvious intentions. Countess of Ventnor! Yes, it was a nice +title. Still, she wanted another couple of years of careless freedom; +in any event, why should Lady Tozer pry and probe? + +And finally, why did the steward--oh, poor old Sir John! What +_would_ have happened if the ice had slid down his neck? +Thoroughly comforted by this gleeful hypothesis, Miss Deane seized a +favorable opportunity to dart across to the starboard side and see if +Captain Ross's "heavy bank of cloud in the north-west" had put in an +appearance. + +Ha! there it was, black, ominous, gigantic, rolling up over the horizon +like some monstrous football. Around it the sky deepened into purple, +fringed with a wide belt of brick red. She had never seen such a +beginning of a gale. From what she had read in books she imagined that +only in great deserts were clouds of dust generated. There could not be +dust in the dense pall now rushing with giant strides across the +trembling sea. Then what was it? Why was it so dark and menacing? And +where was desert of stone and sand to compare with this awful expanse +of water? What a small dot was this great ship on the visible surface! +But the ocean itself extended away beyond there, reaching out to the +infinite. The dot became a mere speck, undistinguishable beneath a +celestial microscope such as the gods might condescend to use. + +Iris shivered and aroused herself with a startled laugh. + +A nice book in a sheltered corner, and perhaps forty winks until +tea-time--surely a much more sensible proceeding than to stand there, +idly conjuring up phantoms of affright. + +The lively fanfare of the dinner trumpet failed to fill the saloon. By +this time the _Sirdar_ was fighting resolutely against a stiff +gale. But the stress of actual combat was better than the eerie +sensation of impending danger during the earlier hours. The strong, +hearty pulsations of the engines, the regular thrashing of the screw, +the steadfast onward plunging of the good ship through racing seas and +flying scud, were cheery, confident, and inspiring. + +Miss Deane justified her boast that she was an excellent sailor. She +smiled delightedly at the ship's surgeon when he caught her eye through +the many gaps in the tables. She was alone, so he joined her. + +"You are a credit to the company--quite a sea-king's daughter," he +said. + +"Doctor, do you talk to all your lady passengers in that way?" + +"Alas, no! Too often I can only be truthful when I am dumb." + +Iris laughed. "If I remain long on this ship I will certainly have my +head turned," she cried. "I receive nothing but compliments from the +captain down to--to---- + +"The doctor!" + +"No. You come a good second on the list." + +In very truth she was thinking of the ice-carrying steward and his +queer start of surprise at the announcement of her rumored engagement. +The man interested her. He looked like a broken-down gentleman. Her +quick eyes traveled around the saloon to discover his whereabouts. She +could not see him. The chief steward stood near, balancing himself in +apparent defiance of the laws of gravitation, for the ship was now +pitching and rolling with a mad zeal. For an instant she meant to +inquire what had become of the transgressor, but she dismissed the +thought at its inception. The matter was too trivial. + +With a wild swoop all the plates, glasses, and cutlery on the saloon +tables crashed to starboard. Were it not for the restraint of the +fiddles everything must have been swept to the floor. There were one or +two minor accidents. A steward, taken unawares, was thrown headlong on +top of his laden tray. Others were compelled to clutch the backs of +chairs and cling to pillars. One man involuntarily seized the hair of a +lady who devoted an hour before each meal to her coiffure. The +_Sirdar_, with a frenzied bound, tried to turn a somersault. + +"A change of course," observed the doctor. "They generally try to avoid +it when people are in the saloon, but a typhoon admits of no labored +politeness. As its center is now right ahead we are going on the +starboard tack to get behind it." + +"I must hurry up and go on deck," said Miss Deane. + +"You will not be able to go on deck until the morning." + +She turned on him impetuously. "Indeed I will. Captain Ross promised +me--that is, I asked him----" + +The doctor smiled. She was so charmingly insistent. "It is simply +impossible," he said. "The companion doors are bolted. The promenade +deck is swept by heavy seas every minute. A boat has been carried away +and several stanchions snapped off like carrots. For the first time in +your life, Miss Deane, you are battened down." + +The girl's face must have paled somewhat. He added hastily, "There is +no danger, you know, but these precautions are necessary. You would not +like to see several tons of water rushing down the saloon stairs; now, +would you?" + +"Decidedly not." Then after a pause, "It is not pleasant to be fastened +up in a great iron box, doctor. It reminds one of a huge coffin." + +"Not a bit. The _Sirdar_ is the safest ship afloat. Your father +has always pursued a splendid policy in that respect. The London and +Hong Kong Company may not possess fast vessels, but they are seaworthy +and well found in every respect." + +"Are there many people ill on board?" + +"No; just the usual number of disturbed livers. We had a nasty accident +shortly before dinner." + +"Good gracious! What happened?" + +"Some Lascars were caught by a sea forward. One man had his leg +broken." + +"Anything else?" + +The doctor hesitated. He became interested in the color of some +Burgundy. "I hardly know the exact details yet," he replied. "Tomorrow +after breakfast I will tell you all about it." + +An English quartermaster and four Lascars had been licked from off the +forecastle by the greedy tongue of a huge wave. The succeeding surge +flung the five men back against the quarter. One of the black sailors +was pitched aboard, with a fractured leg and other injuries. The others +were smashed against the iron hull and disappeared. + +For one tremulous moment the engines slowed. The ship commenced to veer +off into the path of the cyclone. Captain Ross set his teeth, and the +telegraph bell jangled "Full speed ahead." + +"Poor Jackson!" he murmured. "One of my best men. I remember seeing his +wife, a pretty little woman, and two children coming to meet him last +homeward trip. They will be there again. Good God! That Lascar who was +saved has some one to await him in a Bombay village, I suppose." + +The gale sang a mad requiem to its victims. The very surface was torn +from the sea. The ship drove relentlessly through sheets of spray that +caused the officers high up on the bridge to gasp for breath. They held +on by main force, though protected by strong canvas sheets bound to the +rails. The main deck was quite impassable. The promenade deck, even the +lofty spar deck, was scourged with the broken crests of waves that +tried with demoniac energy to smash in the starboard bow, for the +_Sirdar_ was cutting into the heart of the cyclone. + +The captain fought his way to the charthouse. He wiped the salt water +from his eyes and looked anxiously at the barometer. + +"Still falling!" he muttered. "I will keep on until seven o'clock and +then bear three points to the southward. By midnight we should be +behind it." + +He struggled back into the outside fury. By comparison the sturdy +citadel he quitted was Paradise on the edge of an inferno. + +Down in the saloon the hardier passengers were striving to subdue the +ennui of an interval before they sought their cabins. Some talked. One +hardened reprobate strummed the piano. Others played cards, chess, +draughts, anything that would distract attention. + +The stately apartment offered strange contrast to the warring elements +without. Bright lights, costly upholstery, soft carpets, carved panels +and gilded cornices, with uniformed attendants passing to and fro +carrying coffee and glasses--these surroundings suggested a floating +palace in which the raging seas were defied. Yet forty miles away, +somewhere in the furious depths, four corpses swirled about with +horrible uncertainty, lurching through battling currents, and perchance +convoyed by fighting sharks. + +The surgeon had been called away. Iris was the only lady left in the +saloon. She watched a set of whist players for a time and then essayed +the perilous passage to her stateroom. She found her maid and a +stewardess there. Both women were weeping. + +"What is the matter?" she inquired. + +The stewardess tried to speak. She choked with grief and hastily went +out. The maid blubbered an explanation. + +"A friend of hers was married, miss, to the man who is drowned." + +"Drowned! What man?" + +"Haven't you heard, miss? I suppose they are keeping it quiet. An +English sailor and some natives were swept off the ship by a sea. One +native was saved, but he is all smashed up. The others were never seen +again." + +Iris by degrees learnt the sad chronicles of the Jackson family. She +was moved to tears. She remembered the doctor's hesitancy, and her own +idle phrase--"a huge coffin." + +Outside the roaring waves pounded upon the iron walls. + +Were they not satiated? This tragedy had taken all the grandeur out of +the storm. It was no longer a majestic phase of nature's power, but an +implacable demon, bellowing for a sacrifice. And that poor woman, with +her two children, hopefully scanning the shipping lists for news of the +great steamer, news which, to her, meant only the safety of her +husband. Oh, it was pitiful! + +Iris would not be undressed. The maid sniveled a request to be allowed +to remain with her mistress. She would lie on a couch until morning. + +Two staterooms had been converted into one to provide Miss Deane with +ample accommodation. There were no bunks, but a cozy bed was screwed to +the deck. She lay down, and strove to read. It was a difficult task. +Her eyes wandered from the printed page to mark the absurd antics of +her garments swinging on their hooks. At times the ship rolled so far +that she felt sure it must topple over. She was not afraid; but +subdued, rather astonished, placidly prepared for vague eventualities. +Through it all she wondered why she clung to the belief that in another +day or two the storm would be forgotten, and people playing quoits on +deck, dancing, singing coon songs in the music-room, or grumbling at +the heat. + +Things were ridiculous. What need was there for all this external fury? +Why should poor sailors be cast forth to instant death in such awful +manner? If she could only sleep and forget--if kind oblivion would blot +out the storm for a few blissful hours! But how could one sleep with +the consciousness of that watery giant thundering his summons upon the +iron plates a few inches away? + +Then came the blurred picture of Captain Ross high up on the bridge, +peering into the moving blackness. How strange that there should be +hidden in the convolutions of a man's brain an intelligence that laid +bare the pretences of that ravenous demon without. Each of the ship's +officers, the commander more than the others, understood the why and +the wherefore of this blustering combination of wind and sea. Iris knew +the language of poker. Nature was putting up a huge bluff. + +What was it the captain said in his little lecture? "When a ship meets +a cyclone north of the equator on a westerly course she nearly always +has the wind at first on the port side, but, owing to the revolution of +the gale, when she passes its center the wind is on the starboard +side." + +Yes, that was right, as far as the first part was concerned. Evidently +they had not yet passed the central path. Oh, dear! She was so tired. +It demanded a physical effort to constantly shove away an unseen force +that tried to push you over. How funny that a big cloud should travel +up against the wind! And so, amidst confused wonderment, she lapsed +into an uneasy slumber, her last sentient thought being a quiet +thankfulness that the screw went thud-thud, thud-thud with such firm +determination. + +After the course was changed and the _Sirdar_ bore away towards +the south-west, the commander consulted the barometer each half-hour. +The tell-tale mercury had sunk over two inches in twelve hours. The +abnormally low pressure quickly created dense clouds which enhanced the +melancholy darkness of the gale. + +For many minutes together the bows of the ship were not visible. +Masthead and sidelights were obscured by the pelting scud. The engines +thrust the vessel forward like a lance into the vitals of the storm. +Wind and wave gushed out of the vortex with impotent fury. + +At last, soon after midnight, the barometer showed a slight upward +movement. At 1.30 a.m. the change became pronounced; simultaneously the +wind swung round a point to the westward. + +Then Captain Ross smiled wearily. His face brightened. He opened his +oilskin coat, glanced at the compass, and nodded approval. + +"That's right," he shouted to the quartermaster at the steam-wheel. +"Keep her steady there, south 15 west." + +"South 15 west it is, sir," yelled the sailor, impassively watching the +moving disk, for the wind alteration necessitated a little less help +from the rudder to keep the ship's head true to her course. + +Captain Ross ate some sandwiches and washed them down with cold tea. He +was more hungry than he imagined, having spent eleven hours without +food. The tea was insipid. He called through a speaking-tube for a +further supply of sandwiches and some coffee. + +Then he turned to consult a chart. He was joined by the chief officer. +Both men examined the chart in silence. + +Captain Ross finally took a pencil. He stabbed its point on the paper +in the neighborhood of 14° N. and 112° E. + +"We are about there, I think." + +The chief agreed. "That was the locality I had in my mind." He bent +closer over the sheet. + +"Nothing in the way tonight, sir," he added. + +"Nothing whatever. It is a bit of good luck to meet such weather here. +We can keep as far south as we like until daybreak, and by that +time--How did it look when you came in?" + +"A trifle better, I think." + +"I have sent for some refreshments. Let us have another +_dekko_[Footnote: Hindustani for "look"--word much used by sailors +in the East.] before we tackle them." + +The two officers passed out into the hurricane. Instantly the wind +endeavored to tear the charthouse from off the deck. They looked aloft +and ahead. The officer on duty saw them and nodded silent +comprehension. It was useless to attempt to speak. The weather was +perceptibly clearer. + +Then all three peered ahead again. They stood, pressing against the +wind, seeking to penetrate the murkiness in front. Suddenly they were +galvanized into strenuous activity. + +A wild howl came from the lookout forward. The eyes of the three men +glared at a huge dismasted Chinese junk, wallowing helplessly in the +trough of the sea, dead under the bows. + +The captain sprang to the charthouse and signaled in fierce pantomime +that the wheel should be put hard over. + +The officer in charge of the bridge pressed the telegraph lever to +"stop" and "full speed astern," whilst with his disengaged hand he +pulled hard at the siren cord, and a raucous warning sent stewards +flying through the ship to close collision bulkhead doors. The "chief" +darted to the port rail, for the _Sirdar's_ instant response to +the helm seemed to clear her nose from the junk as if by magic. + +It all happened so quickly that whilst the hoarse signal was still +vibrating through the ship, the junk swept past her quarter. The chief +officer, joined now by the commander, looked down into the wretched +craft. They could see her crew lashed in a bunch around the capstan on +her elevated poop. She was laden with timber. Although water-logged, +she could not sink if she held together. + +A great wave sucked her away from the steamer and then hurled her back +with irresistible force. The _Sirdar_ was just completing her +turning movement, and she heeled over, yielding to the mighty power of +the gale. For an appreciable instant her engines stopped. The mass of +water that swayed the junk like a cork lifted the great ship high by +the stern. The propeller began to revolve in air--for the third officer +had corrected his signal to "full speed ahead" again--and the cumbrous +Chinese vessel struck the _Sirdar_ a terrible blow in the counter, +smashing off the screw close to the thrust-block and wrenching the +rudder from its bearings. + +There was an awful race by the engines before the engineers could shut +off steam. The junk vanished into the wilderness of noise and tumbling +seas beyond, and the fine steamer of a few seconds ago, replete with +magnificent energy, struggled like a wounded leviathan in the grasp of +a vengeful foe. + +She swung round, as if in wrath, to pursue the puny assailant which had +dealt her this mortal stroke. No longer breasting the storm with +stubborn persistency, she now drifted aimlessly before wind and wave. +She was merely a larger plaything, tossed about by Titantic gambols. +The junk was burst asunder by the collision. Her planks and cargo +littered the waves, were even tossed in derision on to the decks of the +_Sirdar_. Of what avail was strong timber or bolted iron against +the spleen of the unchained and formless monster who loudly proclaimed +his triumph? The great steamship drifted on through chaos. The typhoon +had broken the lance. + +But brave men, skilfully directed, wrought hard to avert further +disaster. After the first moment of stupor, gallant British sailors +risked life and limb to bring the vessel under control. + +By their calm courage they shamed the paralyzed Lascars into activity. +A sail was rigged on the foremast, and a sea anchor hastily constructed +as soon as it was discovered that the helm was useless. Rockets flared +up into the sky at regular intervals, in the faint hope that should +they attract the attention of another vessel she would follow the +disabled _Sirdar_ and render help when the weather moderated. + +When the captain ascertained that no water was being shipped, the +damage being wholly external, the collision doors were opened and the +passengers admitted to the saloon, a brilliant palace, superbly +indifferent to the wreck and ruin without. + +Captain Ross himself came down and addressed a few comforting words to +the quiet men and pallid women gathered there. He told them exactly +what had happened. + +Sir John Tozer, self-possessed and critical, asked a question. + +"The junk is destroyed, I assume?" he said. + +"It is." + +"Would it not have been better to have struck her end on?" + +"Much better, but that is not the view we should take if we encountered +a vessel relatively as big as the _Sirdar_ was to the unfortunate +junk." + +"But," persisted the lawyer, "what would have been the result?" + +"You would never have known that the incident had happened, Sir John." + +"In other words, the poor despairing Chinamen, clinging to their little +craft with some chance of escape, would be quietly murdered to suit our +convenience." + +It was Iris's clear voice that rang out this downright exposition of +the facts. Sir John shook his head; he carried the discussion no +further. + +The hours passed in tedious misery after Captain Ross's visit. Every +one was eager to get a glimpse of the unknown terrors without from the +deck. This was out of the question, so people sat around the tables to +listen eagerly to Experience and his wise saws on drifting ships and +their prospects. + +Some cautious persons visited their cabins to secure valuables in case +of further disaster. A few hardy spirits returned to bed. + +Meanwhile, in the charthouse, the captain and chief officer were +gravely pondering over an open chart, and discussing a fresh risk that +loomed ominously before them. The ship was a long way out of her usual +course when the accident happened. She was drifting now, they +estimated, eleven knots an hour, with wind, sea, and current all +forcing her in the same direction, drifting into one of the most +dangerous places in the known world, the south China Sea, with its +numberless reefs, shoals, and isolated rocks, and the great island of +Borneo stretching right across the path of the cyclone. + +Still, there was nothing to be done save to make a few unobtrusive +preparations and trust to idle chance. To attempt to anchor and ride +out the gale in their present position was out of the question. + +Two, three, four o'clock came, and went. Another half-hour would +witness the dawn and a further clearing of the weather. The barometer +was rapidly rising. The center of the cyclone had swept far ahead. +There was only left the aftermath of heavy seas and furious but +steadier wind. + +Captain Ross entered the charthouse for the twentieth time. + +He had aged many years in appearance. The smiling, confident, debonair +officer was changed into a stricken, mournful man. He had altered with +his ship. The _Sirdar_ and her master could hardly be recognized, +so cruel were the blows they had received. + +"It is impossible to see a yard ahead," he confided to his second in +command. "I have never been so anxious before in my life. Thank God the +night is drawing to a close. Perhaps, when day breaks----" + +His last words contained a prayer and a hope. Even as he spoke the ship +seemed to lift herself bodily with an unusual effort for a vessel +moving before the wind. + +The next instant there was a horrible grinding crash forward. Each +person who did not chance to be holding fast to an upright was thrown +violently down. The deck was tilted to a dangerous angle and remained +there, whilst the heavy buffeting of the sea, now raging afresh at this +unlooked-for resistance, drowned the despairing yells raised by the +Lascars on duty. + +The _Sirdar_ had completed her last voyage. She was now a battered +wreck on a barrier reef. She hung thus for one heart-breaking second. +Then another wave, riding triumphantly through its fellows, caught the +great steamer in its tremendous grasp, carried her onward for half her +length and smashed her down on the rocks. Her back was broken. She +parted in two halves. Both sections turned completely over in the utter +wantonness of destruction, and everything--masts, funnels, boats, hull, +with every living soul on board--was at once engulfed in a maelstrom of +rushing water and far-flung spray. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SURVIVORS + + +When the _Sirdar_ parted amidships, the floor of the saloon heaved +up in the center with a mighty crash of rending woodwork and iron. Men +and women, too stupefied to sob out a prayer, were pitched headlong +into chaos. Iris, torn from the terrified grasp of her maid, fell +through a corridor, and would have gone down with the ship had not a +sailor, clinging to a companion ladder, caught her as she whirled along +the steep slope of the deck. + +He did not know what had happened. With the instinct of +self-preservation he seized the nearest support when the vessel struck. +It was the mere impulse of ready helpfulness that caused him to stretch +out his left arm and clasp the girl's waist as she fluttered past. By +idle chance they were on the port side, and the ship, after pausing for +one awful second, fell over to starboard. + +The man was not prepared for this second gyration. Even as the stairway +canted he lost his balance; they were both thrown violently through the +open hatchway, and swept off into the boiling surf. Under such +conditions thought itself was impossible. A series of impressions, a +number of fantastic pictures, were received by the benumbed faculties, +and afterwards painfully sorted out by the memory. Fear, anguish, +amazement--none of these could exist. All he knew was that the lifeless +form of a woman--for Iris had happily fainted--must be held until death +itself wrenched her from him. Then there came the headlong plunge into +the swirling sea, followed by an indefinite period of gasping oblivion. +Something that felt like a moving rock rose up beneath his feet. He was +driven clear out of the water and seemed to recognize a familiar object +rising rigid and bright close at hand. It was the binnacle pillar, +screwed to a portion of the deck which came away from the charthouse +and was rent from the upper framework by contact with the reef. + +He seized this unlooked-for support with his disengaged hand. For one +fleet instant he had a confused vision of the destruction of the ship. +Both the fore and aft portions were burst asunder by the force of +compressed air. Wreckage and human forms were tossing about foolishly. +The sea pounded upon the opposing rocks with the noise of ten thousand +mighty steam-hammers. + +A uniformed figure--he thought it was the captain--stretched out an +unavailing arm to clasp the queer raft which supported the sailor and +the girl. But a jealous wave rose under the platform with devilish +energy and turned it completely over, hurling the man with his +inanimate burthen into the depths. He rose, fighting madly for his +life. Now surely he was doomed! But again, as if human existence +depended on naught more serious than the spinning of a coin, his knees +rested on the same few staunch timbers, now the ceiling of the +music-room, and he was given a brief respite. His greatest difficulty +was to get his breath, so dense was the spray through which he was +driven. Even in that terrible moment he kept his senses. The girl, +utterly unconscious, showed by the convulsive heaving of her breast +that she was choking. With a wild effort he swung her head round to +shield her from the flying scud with his own form. + +The tiny air-space thus provided gave her some relief, and in that +instant the sailor seemed to recognize her. He was not remotely capable +of a definite idea. Just as he vaguely realized the identity of the +woman in his arms the unsteady support on which he rested toppled over. +Again he renewed the unequal contest. A strong resolute man and a +typhoon sea wrestled for supremacy. + +This time his feet plunged against something gratefully solid. He was +dashed forward, still battling with the raging turmoil of water, and a +second time he felt the same firm yet smooth surface. His dormant +faculties awoke. It was sand. With frenzied desperation, buoyed now by +the inspiring hope of safety, he fought his way onwards like a maniac. + +Often he fell, three times did the backwash try to drag him to the +swirling death behind, but he staggered blindly on, on, until even the +tearing gale ceased to be laden with the suffocating foam, and his +faltering feet sank in deep soft white sand. + +[Illustration: WITH FRENZIED DESPERATION, BUOYED NOW BY THE INSPIRING +HOPE OF SAFETY, HE FOUGHT HIS WAY ONWARD LIKE A MANIAC.] + +Then he fell, not to rise again. With a last weak flicker of exhausted +strength he drew the girl closely to him, and the two lay, clasped +tightly together, heedless now of all things. + +How long the man remained prostrate he could only guess subsequently. +The _Sirdar_ struck soon after daybreak and the sailor awoke to a +hazy consciousness of his surroundings to find a shaft of sunshine +flickering through the clouds banked up in the east. The gale was +already passing away. Although the wind still whistled with shrill +violence it was more blustering than threatening. The sea, too, though +running very high, had retreated many yards from the spot where he had +finally dropped, and its surface was no longer scourged with venomous +spray. + +Slowly and painfully he raised himself to a sitting posture, for he was +bruised and stiff. With his first movement he became violently ill. He +had swallowed much salt water, and it was not until the spasm of +sickness had passed that he thought of the girl. + +She had slipped from his breast as he rose, and was lying, face +downwards, in the sand. The memory of much that had happened surged +into his brain with horrifying suddenness. + +"She cannot be dead," he hoarsely murmured, feebly trying to lift her. +"Surely Providence would not desert her after such an escape. What a +weak beggar I must be to give in at the last moment. I am sure she was +living when we got ashore. What on earth can I do to revive her?" + +Forgetful of his own aching limbs in this newborn anxiety, he sank on +one knee and gently pillowed Iris's head and shoulders on the other. +Her eyes were closed, her lips and teeth firmly set--a fact to which +she undoubtedly owed her life, else she would have been suffocated--and +the pallor of her skin seemed to be that terrible bloodless hue which +indicates death. The stern lines in the man's face relaxed, and +something blurred his vision. He was weak from exhaustion and want of +food. For the moment his emotions were easily aroused. + +"Oh, it is pitiful," he almost whimpered. "It cannot be!" + +With a gesture of despair he drew the sleeve of his thick jersey across +his eyes to clear them from the gathering mist. Then he tremblingly +endeavored to open the neck of her dress and unclasp her corsets. He +had a vague notion that ladies in a fainting condition required such +treatment, and he was desperately resolved to bring Iris Deane back to +conscious existence if it were possible. His task was rendered +difficult by the waistband of her dress. He slipped out a clasp-knife +and opened the blade. + +Not until then did he discover that the nail of the forefinger on his +right hand had been torn out by the quick, probably during his +endeavors to grasp the unsteady support which contributed so materially +to his escape. It still hung by a shred and hindered the free use of +his hand. Without any hesitation he seized the offending nail in his +teeth and completed the surgical operation by a rapid jerk. + +Bending to resume his task he was startled to find the girl's eyes wide +open and surveying him with shadowy alarm. She was quite conscious, +absurdly so in a sense, and had noticed his strange action. + +"Thank God!" he cried hoarsely. "You are alive." + +Her mind as yet could only work in a single groove. + +"Why did you do that?" she whispered. + +"Do what?" + +"Bite your nail off!" + +"It was in my way. I wished to cut open your dress at the waist. You +were collapsed, almost dead, I thought, and I wanted to unfasten your +corsets." + +Her color came back with remarkable rapidity. From all the rich variety +of the English tongue few words could have been selected of such +restorative effect. + +She tried to assume a sitting posture, and instinctively her hands +traveled to her disarranged costume. + +"How ridiculous!" she said, with a little note of annoyance in her +voice, which sounded curiously hollow. But her brave spirit could not +yet command her enfeebled frame. She was perforce compelled to sink +back to the support of his knee and arm. + +"Do you think you could lie quiet until I try to find some water?" he +gasped anxiously. + +She nodded a childlike acquiescence, and her eyelids fell. It was only +that her eyes smarted dreadfully from the salt water, but the sailor +was sure that this was a premonition of a lapse to unconsciousness. + +"Please try not to faint again," he said. "Don't you think I had better +loosen these things? You can breathe more easily." + +A ghost of a smile flickered on her lips. "No--no," she murmured. "My +eyes hurt me--that is all. Is there--any--water?" + +He laid her tenderly on the sand and rose to his feet. His first glance +was towards the sea. He saw something which made him blink with +astonishment. A heavy sea was still running over the barrier reef which +enclosed a small lagoon. The contrast between the fierce commotion +outside and the comparatively smooth surface of the protected pool was +very marked. At low tide the lagoon was almost completely isolated. +Indeed, he imagined that only a fierce gale blowing from the north-west +would enable the waves to leap the reef, save where a strip of broken +water, surging far into the small natural harbor, betrayed the position +of the tiny entrance. + +Yet at this very point a fine cocoanut palm reared its stately column +high in air, and its long tremulous fronds were now swinging wildly +before the gale. From where he stood it appeared to be growing in the +midst of the sea, for huge breakers completely hid the coral +embankment. This sentinel of the land had a weirdly impressive effect. +It was the only fixed object in the waste of foam-capped waves. Not a +vestige of the _Sirdar_ remained seaward, but the sand was +littered with wreckage, and--mournful spectacle!--a considerable number +of inanimate human forms lay huddled up amidst the relics of the +steamer. + +This discovery stirred him to action. He turned to survey the land on +which he was stranded with his helpless companion. To his great relief +he discovered that it was lofty and tree-clad. He knew that the ship +could not have drifted to Borneo, which still lay far to the south. +This must be one of the hundreds of islands which stud the China Sea +and provide resorts for Haïnan fishermen. Probably it was inhabited, +though he thought it strange that none of the islanders had put in an +appearance. In any event, water and food, of some sort, were assured. + +But before setting out upon his quest two things demanded attention. +The girl must be removed from her present position. It would be too +horrible to permit her first conscious gaze to rest upon those crumpled +objects on the beach. Common humanity demanded, too, that he should +hastily examine each of the bodies in case life was not wholly extinct. + +So he bent over the girl, noting with sudden wonder that, weak as she +was, she had managed to refasten part of her bodice. + +"You must permit me to carry you a little further inland," he explained +gently. + +Without another word he lifted her in his arms, marveling somewhat at +the strength which came of necessity, and bore her some little +distance, until a sturdy rock, jutting out of the sand, offered shelter +from the wind and protection from the sea and its revelations. + +"I am so cold, and tired," murmured Iris. "Is there any water? My +throat hurts me." + +He pressed back the tangled hair from her forehead as he might soothe a +child. + +"Try to lie still for a very few minutes," he said. + +"You have not long to suffer. I will return immediately." + +His own throat and palate were on fire owing to the brine, but he first +hurried back to the edge of the lagoon. There were fourteen bodies in +all, three women and eleven men, four of the latter being Lascars. The +women were saloon passengers whom he did not know. One of the men was +the surgeon, another the first officer, a third Sir John Tozer. The +rest were passengers and members of the crew. They were all dead; some +had been peacefully drowned, others were fearfully mangled by the +rocks. Two of the Lascars, bearing signs of dreadful injuries, were +lying on a cluster of low rocks overhanging the water. The remainder +rested on the sand. + +The sailor exhibited no visible emotion whilst he conducted his sad +scrutiny. When he was assured that this silent company was beyond +mortal help he at once strode away towards the nearest belt of trees. +He could not tell how long the search for water might be protracted, +and there was pressing need for it. + +When he reached the first clump of brushwood he uttered a delighted +exclamation. There, growing in prodigal luxuriance, was the beneficent +pitcher-plant, whose large curled-up leaf, shaped like a teacup, not +only holds a lasting quantity of rain-water, but mixes therewith its +own palatable and natural juices. + +With his knife he severed two of the leaves, swearing emphatically the +while on account of his damaged finger, and hastened to Iris with the +precious beverage. She heard him and managed to raise herself on an +elbow. + +The poor girl's eyes glistened at the prospect of relief. Without a +word of question or surprise she swallowed the contents of both leaves. + +Then she found utterance. "How odd it tastes! What is it?" she +inquired. + +But the eagerness with which she quenched her thirst renewed his own +momentarily forgotten torture. His tongue seemed to swell. He was +absolutely unable to reply. + +The water revived Iris like a magic draught. Her quick intuition told +her what had happened. + +"You have had none yourself," she cried. "Go at once and get some. And +please bring me some more." + +He required no second bidding. After hastily gulping down the contents +of several leaves he returned with a further supply. Iris was now +sitting up. The sun had burst royally through the clouds, and her +chilled limbs were gaining some degree of warmth and elasticity. + +"What is it?" she repeated after another delicious draught. + +"The leaf of the pitcher-plant. Nature is not always cruel. In an +unusually generous mood she devised this method of storing water." + +Miss Deane reached out her hand for more. Her troubled brain refused to +wonder at such a reply from an ordinary seaman. The sailor deliberately +spilled the contents of a remaining leaf on the sand. + +"No, madam," he said, with an odd mixture of deference and firmness. +"No more at present. I must first procure you some food." + +She looked up at him in momentary silence. + +"The ship is lost?" she said after a pause. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Are we the only people saved?" + +"I fear so." + +"Is this a desert island?" + +"I think not, madam. It may, by chance, be temporarily uninhabited, but +fishermen from China come to all these places to collect tortoise-shell +and _bêche-de-mer_. I have seen no other living beings except +ourselves; nevertheless, the islanders may live on the south side." + +Another pause. Amidst the thrilling sensations of the moment Iris found +herself idly speculating as to the meaning of _bêche-de-mer_, and +why this common sailor pronounced French so well. Her thoughts reverted +to the steamer. + +"It surely cannot be possible that the _Sirdar_ has gone to +pieces--a magnificent vessel of her size and strength?" + +He answered quietly--"It is too true, madam. I suppose you hardly knew +she struck, it happened so suddenly. Afterwards, fortunately for you, +you were unconscious." + +"How do you know?" she inquired quickly. A flood of vivid recollection +was pouring in upon her. + +"I--er--well, I happened to be near you, madam, when the ship broke up, +and we--er--drifted ashore together." + +She rose and faced him. "I remember now," she cried hysterically. "You +caught me as I was thrown into the corridor. We fell into the sea when +the vessel turned over. You have saved my life. Were it not for you I +could not possibly have escaped." + +She gazed at him more earnestly, seeing that he blushed beneath the +crust of salt and sand that covered his face. "Why," she went on with +growing excitement, "you are the steward I noticed in the saloon +yesterday. How is it that you are now dressed as a sailor?" + +He answered readily enough. "There was an accident on board during the +gale, madam. I am a fair sailor but a poor steward, so I applied for a +transfer. As the crew were short-handed my offer was accepted." + +Iris was now looking at him intently. + +"You saved my life," she repeated slowly. It seemed that this obvious +fact needed to be indelibly established in her mind. Indeed the girl +was overwrought by all that she had gone through. Only by degrees were +her thoughts marshaling themselves with lucid coherence. As yet, she +recalled so many dramatic incidents that they failed to assume due +proportion. + +But quickly there came memories of Captain Ross, of Sir John and Lady +Tozer, of the doctor, her maid, the hundred and one individualities of +her pleasant life aboard ship. Could it be that they were all dead? The +notion was monstrous. But its ghastly significance was instantly borne +in upon her by the plight in which she stood. Her lips quivered; the +tears trembled in her eyes. + +"Is it really true that all the ship's company except ourselves are +lost?" she brokenly demanded. + +The sailor's gravely earnest glance fell before hers. "Unhappily there +is no room for doubt," he said. + +"Are you quite, quite sure?" + +"I am sure--of some." Involuntarily he turned seawards. + +She understood him. She sank to her knees, covered her face with her +hands, and broke into a passion of weeping. With a look of infinite +pity he stooped and would have touched her shoulder, but he suddenly +restrained the impulse. Something had hardened this man. It cost him an +effort to be callous, but he succeeded. His mouth tightened and his +expression lost its tenderness. + +"Come, come, my dear lady," he exclaimed, and there was a tinge of +studied roughness in his voice, "you must calm yourself. It is the +fortune of shipwreck as well as of war, you know. We are alive and must +look after ourselves. Those who have gone are beyond our help." + +"But not beyond our sympathy," wailed Iris, uncovering her swimming +eyes for a fleeting look at him. Even in the utter desolation of the +moment she could not help marveling that this queer-mannered sailor, +who spoke like a gentleman and tried to pose as her inferior, who had +rescued her with the utmost gallantry, who carried his Quixotic zeal to +the point of first supplying her needs when he was in far worse case +himself, should be so utterly indifferent to the fate of others. + +He waited silently until her sobs ceased. + +"Now, madam," he said, "it is essential that we should obtain some +food. I don't wish to leave you alone until we are better acquainted +with our whereabouts. Can you walk a little way towards the trees, or +shall I assist you?" + +Iris immediately stood up. She pressed her hair back defiantly. + +"Certainly I can walk," she answered. "What do you propose to do?" + +"Well, madam--" + +"What is your name?" she interrupted imperiously. + +"Jenks, madam. Robert Jenks." + +"Thank you. Now, listen, Mr. Robert Jenks. My name is Miss Iris Deane. +On board ship I was a passenger and you were a steward--that is, until +you became a seaman. Here we are equals in misfortune, but in all else +you are the leader--I am quite useless. I can only help in matters by +your direction, so I do not wish to be addressed as 'madam' in every +breath. Do you understand me?" + +Conscious that her large blue eyes were fixed indignantly upon him Mr. +Robert Jenks repressed a smile. She was still hysterical and must be +humored in her vagaries. What an odd moment for a discussion on +etiquette! + +"As you wish, Miss Deane," he said. "The fact remains that I have many +things to attend to, and we really must eat something." + +"What can we eat?" + +"Let us find out," he replied, scanning the nearest trees with keen +scrutiny. + +They plodded together through the sand in silence. Physically, they +were a superb couple, but in raiment they resembled scarecrows. Both, +of course, were bare-headed. The sailor's jersey and trousers were old +and torn, and the sea-water still soughed loudly in his heavy boots +with each step. + +But Iris was in a deplorable plight. Her hair fell in a great wave of +golden brown strands over her neck and shoulders. Every hairpin had +vanished, but with a few dexterous twists she coiled the flying tresses +into a loose knot. Her beautiful muslin dress was rent and draggled. It +was drying rapidly under the ever-increasing power of the sun, and she +surreptitiously endeavored to complete the fastening of the open +portion about her neck. Other details must be left until a more +favorable opportunity. + +She recalled the strange sight that first met her eyes when she +recovered consciousness. + +"You hurt your finger," she said abruptly. "Let me see it." + +They had reached the shelter of the trees, pleasantly grateful now, so +powerful are tropical sunbeams at even an early hour. + +He held out his right hand without looking at her. Indeed, his eyes had +been studiously averted during the past few minutes. Her womanly +feelings were aroused by the condition of the ragged wound. + +"Oh, you poor fellow," she said. "How awful it must be! How did it +happen? Let me tie it up." + +"It is not so bad now," he said. "It has been well soaked in salt +water, you know. I think the nail was torn off when we--when a piece of +wreckage miraculously turned up beneath us." + +Iris shredded a strip from her dress. She bound the finger with deft +tenderness. + +"Thank you," he said simply. Then he gave a glad shout. "By Jove! Miss +Deane, we are in luck's way. There is a fine plantain tree." + +The pangs of hunger could not be resisted. Although the fruit was +hardly ripe they tore at the great bunches and ate ravenously. Iris +made no pretence in the matter, and the sailor was in worse plight, for +he had been on duty continuously since four o'clock the previous +afternoon. + +At last their appetite was somewhat appeased, though plantains might +not appeal to a gourmand as the solitary joint. + +"Now," decided Jenks, "you must rest here a little while, Miss Deane. I +am going back to the beach. You need not be afraid. There are no +animals to harm you, and I will not be far away." + +"What are you going to do on the beach?" she demanded. + +"To rescue stores, for the most part." + +"May I not come with you--I can be of some little service, surely?" + +He answered slowly: "Please oblige me by remaining here at present. In +less than an hour I will return, and then, perhaps, you will find +plenty to do." + +She read his meaning intuitively and shivered. "I could not do +_that_," she murmured. "I would faint. Whilst you are away I will +pray for them--my unfortunate friends." + +As he passed from her side he heard her sobbing quietly. + +When he reached the lagoon he halted suddenly. Something startled him. +He was quite certain that he had counted fourteen corpses. Now there +were only twelve. The two Lascars' bodies, which rested on the small +group of rocks on the verge of the lagoon, had vanished. + +Where had they gone to? + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DISCOVERIES + + +The sailor wasted no time in idle bewilderment. He searched carefully +for traces of the missing Lascars. He came to the conclusion that the +bodies had been dragged from off the sun-dried rocks into the lagoon by +some agency the nature of which he could not even conjecture. + +They were lying many feet above the sea-level when he last saw them, +little more than half an hour earlier. At that point the beach shelved +rapidly. He could look far into the depths of the rapidly clearing +water. Nothing was visible there save several varieties of small fish. + +The incident puzzled and annoyed him. Still thinking about it, he sat +down on the highest rock and pulled off his heavy boots to empty the +water out. He also divested himself of his stockings and spread them +out to dry. + +The action reminded him of Miss Deane's necessities. He hurried to a +point whence he could call out to her and recommend her to dry some of +her clothing during his absence. He retired even more quickly, fearing +lest he should be seen. Iris had already displayed to the sunlight a +large portion of her costume. + +Without further delay he set about a disagreeable but necessary task. +From the pockets of the first officer and doctor he secured two +revolvers and a supply of cartridges, evidently intended to settle any +dispute which might have arisen between the ship's officers and the +native members of the crew. He hoped the cartridges were uninjured; but +he could not test them at the moment for fear of alarming Miss Deane. + +Both officers carried pocket-books and pencils. In one of these, +containing dry leaves, the sailor made a careful inventory of the money +and other valuable effects he found upon the dead, besides noting names +and documents where possible. Curiously enough, the capitalist of this +island morgue was a Lascar jemadar, who in a belt around his waist +hoarded more than one hundred pounds in gold. The sailor tied in a +handkerchief all the money he collected, and ranged pocket-books, +letters, and jewelry in separate little heaps. Then he stripped the men +of their boots and outer clothing. He could not tell how long the girl +and he might be detained on the island before help came, and fresh +garments were essential. It would be foolish sentimentality to trust to +stores thrown ashore from the ship. + +Nevertheless, when it became necessary to search and disrobe the women +he almost broke down. For an instant he softened. Gulping back his +emotions with a savage imprecation he doggedly persevered. At last he +paused to consider what should be done with the bodies. His first +intent was to scoop a large hole in the sand with a piece of timber; +but when he took into consideration the magnitude of the labor +involved, requiring many hours of hard work and a waste of precious +time which might be of infinite value to his helpless companion and +himself, he was forced to abandon the project. It was not only +impracticable but dangerous. + +Again he had to set his teeth with grim resolution. One by one the +bodies were shot into the lagoon from the little quay of rock. He knew +they would not be seen again. + +He was quite unnerved now. He felt as if he had committed a colossal +crime. In the smooth water of the cove a number of black fins were +cutting arrow-shaped ripples. The sharks were soon busy. He shuddered. +God's Providence had ferried him and the girl across that very place a +few hours ago. How wonderful that he and she should be snatched from +the sea whilst hundreds perished! Why was it? And those others--why +were they denied rescue? For an instant he was nearer to prayer than he +had been for years. + +Some lurking fiend of recollection sprang from out the vista of bygone +years and choked back the impulse. He arose and shook himself like a +dog. There was much to be done. He gathered the clothes and other +articles into a heap and placed portions of shattered packing-cases +near--to mislead Iris. Whilst thus engaged he kicked up out of the sand +a rusty kriss, or Malay sword. The presence of this implement startled +him. He examined it slowly and thrust it out of sight. + +Then he went back to her, after donning his stockings and boots, now +thoroughly dry. + +"Are you ready now, Miss Deane?" he sang out cheerily. + +"Ready? I have been waiting for you." + +Jenks chuckled quietly. "I must guard my tongue: it betrays me," he +said to himself. + +Iris joined him. By some mysterious means she had effected great +improvement in her appearance. Yet there were manifest gaps. + +"If only I had a needle and thread--" she began. + +"If that is all," said the sailor, fumbling in his pockets. He produced +a shabby little hussif, containing a thimble, scissors, needles and +some skeins of unbleached thread. Case and contents were sodden or +rusted with salt water, but the girl fastened upon this treasure with a +sigh of deep content. + +"Now, please," she cried, "I want a telegraph office and a ship." + +It was impossible to resist the infection of her high spirits. This +time he laughed without concealment. + +"We will look for them, Miss Deane. Meanwhile, will you oblige me by +wearing this? The sun is climbing up rapidly." + +He handed her a sou'wester which he carried. He had secured another for +himself. The merriment died away from her face. She remembered his +errand. Being an eminently sensible young woman she made no protest, +even forcing herself to tie the strings beneath her chin. + +When they reached the sands she caught sight of the pile of clothes and +the broken woodwork, with the small heaps of valuables methodically +arranged. The harmless subterfuge did not deceive her. She darted a +quick look of gratitude at her companion. How thoughtful he was! After +a fearful glance around she was reassured, though she wondered what had +become of--them. + +"I see you have been busy," she said, nodding towards the clothes and +boots. + +It was his turn to steal a look of sharp inquiry. 'Twere an easier task +to read the records of time in the solid rock than to glean knowledge +from the girl's face. + +"Yes," he replied simply. "Lucky find, wasn't it?" + +"Most fortunate. When they are quite dry I will replenish my wardrobe. +What is the first thing to be done?" + +"Well, Miss Deane, I think our programme is, in the first place, to +examine the articles thrown ashore and see if any of the cases contain +food. Secondly, we should haul high and dry everything that may be of +use to us, lest the weather should break again and the next tide sweep +away the spoil. Thirdly, we should eat and rest, and finally, we must +explore the island before the light fails. I am convinced we are alone +here. It is a small place at the best, and if any Chinamen were ashore +they would have put in an appearance long since." + +"Do you think, then, that we may remain here long?" + +"It is impossible to form an opinion on that point. Help may come in a +day. On the other hand----" + +"Yes?" + +"It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to prepare for other contingencies." + +She stood still, and swept the horizon with comprehensive eyes. The +storm had vanished. Masses of cloud were passing away to the west, +leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky. Already the sea was calming. +Huge breakers roared over the reef, but beyond it the waves were +subsiding into a heavy unbroken swell. + +The sailor watched her closely. In the quaint oilskin hat and her +tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty. She reminded him +of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom he once saw figuring as +Grace Darling at a fashionable bazaar. + +But Miss Iris's thoughts were serious. + +"Do you mean," she said slowly, without moving her gaze from the +distant meeting-place of sky and water, "that we may be imprisoned here +for weeks, perhaps months?" + +"If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps admit that we +are very fortunate to be here at all." + +She whisked round upon him. "Do not fence with my question, Mr. Jenks. +Answer me!" + +He bowed. There was a perceptible return of his stubborn cynicism when +he spoke. + +"The facts are obvious, Miss Deane. The loss of the _Sirdar_ will +not be definitely known for many days. It will be assumed that she has +broken down. The agents in Singapore will await cabled tidings of her +whereabouts. She might have drifted anywhere in that typhoon. +Ultimately they will send out a vessel to search, impelled to that +course a little earlier by your father's anxiety. Pardon me. I did not +intend to pain you. I am speaking my mind." + +"Go on," said Iris bravely. + +"The relief ship must search the entire China Sea. The gale might have +driven a disabled steamer north, south, east or west. A typhoon travels +in a whirling spiral, you see, and the direction of a drifting ship +depends wholly upon the locality where she sustained damage. The coasts +of China, Java, Borneo, and the Philippines are not equipped with +lighthouses on every headland and cordoned with telegraph wires. There +are river pirates and savage races to be reckoned with. Casting aside +all other possibilities, and assuming that a prompt search is made to +the south of our course, this part of the ocean is full of reefs and +small islands, some inhabited permanently, others visited occasionally +by fishermen." He was about to add something, but checked himself. + +"To sum up," he continued hurriedly, "we may have to remain here for +many days, even months. There is always a chance of speedy help. We +must act, however, on the basis of detention for an indefinite period. +I am discussing appearances as they are. A survey of the island may +change all these views." + +"In what way?" + +He turned and pointed to the summit of the tree-covered hill behind +them. + +"From that point," he said, "we may see other and larger islands. If +so, they will certainly be inhabited. I am surprised this one is not." + +He ended abruptly. They were losing time. Before Iris could join him he +was already hauling a large undamaged case out of the water. + +He laughed unmirthfully. "Champagne!" he said, "A good brand, too!" + +This man was certainly an enigma. Iris wrinkled her pretty forehead in +the effort to place him in a fitting category. His words and accent +were those of an educated gentleman, yet his actions and manners were +studiously uncouth when he thought she was observing him. The veneer of +roughness puzzled her. That he was naturally of refined temperament she +knew quite well, not alone by perception but by the plain evidence of +his earlier dealings with her. Then why this affectation of coarseness, +this borrowed aroma of the steward's mess and the forecastle? + +To the best of her ability she silently helped in the work of salvage. +They made a queer collection. A case of champagne, and another of +brandy. A box of books. A pair of night glasses. A compass. Several +boxes of ship's biscuits, coated with salt, but saved by their +hardness, having been immersed but a few seconds. Two large cases of +hams in equally good condition. Some huge dish-covers. A bit of twisted +ironwork, and a great quantity of cordage and timber. + +There was one very heavy package which their united strength could not +lift. The sailor searched round until he found an iron bar that could +be wrenched from its socket. With this he pried open the strong outer +cover and revealed the contents--regulation boxes of Lee-Metford +ammunition, each containing 500 rounds. + +"Ah!" he cried, "now we want some rifles." + +"What good would they be?" inquired Iris. + +He softly denounced himself as a fool, but he answered at once: "To +shoot birds, of course, Miss Deane. There are plenty here, and many of +them are edible." + +"You have two revolvers and some cartridges." + +"Yes. They are useful in a way, but not for pot hunting." + +"How stupid of me! What you really need is a shot-gun." + +He smiled grimly. At times his sense of humor forced a way through the +outward shield of reserve, of defiance it might be. + +"The only persons I ever heard of," he said, "who landed under +compulsion on a desert island with a ship-load of requisites, were the +Swiss Family Robinson." + +"Good gracious!" cried Iris irrelevantly; "I had not even thought of +Robinson Crusoe until this moment. Isn't it odd? I--we--" + +She pulled herself up short, firmly resolved not to blush. Without +flinching she challenged him to complete her sentence. He dared not do +it. He could not be mean enough to take advantage of her slip. + +Instantly he helped her embarrassment. "I hope the parallel will not +hold good," he said. "In any event, you, Miss Deane, fill a part less +familiar in fiction." + +The phrase was neat. It meant much or little, as fancy dictated. Iris +at first felt profoundly grateful for his tact. Thinking the words over +at leisure she became hot and very angry. + +They worked in silence for another hour. The sun was nearing the +zenith. They were distressed with the increasing heat of the day. Jenks +secured a ham and some biscuits, some pieces of driftwood and the +binoculars, and invited Miss Deane to accompany him to the grove. She +obeyed without a word, though she wondered how he proposed to light a +fire. To contribute something towards the expected feast she picked up +a dish-cover and a bottle of champagne. + +The sailor eyed the concluding item with disfavor. "Not whilst the sun +is up." he said. "In the evening, yes." + +"It was for you," explained Iris, coldly. "I do not drink wine." + +"You must break the pledge whilst you are here, Miss Deane. It is often +very cold at night in this latitude. A chill would mean fever and +perhaps death." + +"What a strange man!" murmured the girl. + +She covertly watched his preparations. He tore a dry leaf from a +notebook and broke the bullet out of a cartridge, damping the powder +with water from a pitcher-plant. Smearing the composition on the paper, +he placed it in the sun, where it dried at once. He gathered a small +bundle of withered spines from the palms, and arranged the driftwood on +top, choosing a place for his bonfire just within the shade. Then, +inserting the touch-paper among the spines, he unscrewed one of the +lenses of the binoculars, converted it into a burning-glass, and had a +fine blaze roaring merrily in a few minutes. With the aid of pointed +sticks he grilled some slices of ham, cut with his clasp-knife, which +he first carefully cleaned in the earth. The biscuits were of the +variety that become soft when toasted, and so he balanced a few by +stones near the fire. + +Iris forgot her annoyance in her interest. A most appetizing smell +filled the air. They were having a picnic amidst delightful +surroundings. Yesterday at this time--she almost yielded to a rush of +sentiment, but forced it back with instant determination. Tears were a +poor resource, unmindful of God's goodness to herself and her +companion. Without the sailor what would have become of her, even were +she thrown ashore while still living? She knew none of the expedients +which seemed to be at his command. It was a most ungrateful proceeding +to be vexed with him for her own thoughtless suggestion that she +occupied a new rôle as Mrs. Crusoe. + +"Can I do nothing to help?" she exclaimed. So contrite was her tone +that Jenks was astonished. + +"Yes," he said, pointing to the dish-cover. "If you polish the top of +that with your sleeve it will serve as a plate. Luncheon is ready." + +He neatly dished up two slices of ham on a couple of biscuits and +handed them to her, with the clasp-knife. + +"I can depend on my fingers," he explained. "It will not be the first +time." + +"Have you led an adventurous life?" she asked, by way of polite +conversation. + +"No," he growled. + +"I only thought so because you appear to know all sorts of dodges for +prolonging existence--things I never heard of." + +"Broiled ham--and biscuits--for instance?" + +At another time Iris would have snapped at him for the retort. Still +humbly regretful for her previous attitude she answered meekly-- + +"Yes, in this manner of cooking them, I mean. But there are other +items--methods of lighting fires, finding water, knowing what fruits +and other articles may be found on a desert island, such as plantains +and cocoanuts, certain sorts of birds--and _bêche-de-mer_." + +For the life of her she could not tell why she tacked on that weird +item to her list. + +The sailor inquired, more civilly--"Then you are acquainted with +trepang?" + +"Who?" + +"Trepang--_bêche-de-mer_, you know." + +Iris made a desperate guess. "Yes," she said, demurely. "It makes +beautiful backs for hair brushes. And it looks so nice as a frame for +platinotype photographs. I have--" + +Jenks swallowed a large piece of ham and became very red. At last he +managed to say--"I beg your pardon. You are thinking of tortoise-shell. +_Bêche-de-mer_ is a sort of marine slug." + +"How odd!" said Iris. + +She had discovered at an early age the tactical value of this remark, +and the experience of maturer years confirmed the success of juvenile +efforts to upset the equanimity of governesses. Even the sailor was +silenced. + +Talk ceased until the meal was ended. Jenks sprang lightly to his feet. +Rest and food had restored his faculties. The girl thought dreamily, as +he stood there in his rough attire, that she had never seen a finer +man. He was tall, sinewy, and well formed. In repose his face was +pleasant, if masterful. Its somewhat sullen, self-contained expression +was occasional and acquired. She wondered how he could be so energetic. +Personally she was consumed with sleepiness. + +He produced a revolver. + +"Do you mind if I fire a shot to test these cartridges?" he inquired. +"The powder is all right, but the fulminate in the caps may be +damaged." + +She agreed promptly. He pointed the weapon at a cluster of cocoanuts, +and there was a loud report. Two nuts fell to the ground, and the air +was filled with shrill screams and the flapping of innumerable wings. +Iris was momentarily dismayed, but her senses confirmed the sailor's +explanation--"Sea-birds." + +He reloaded the empty chamber, and was about to say something, when a +queer sound, exactly resembling the gurgling of water poured from a +large bottle, fell upon their ears. It came from the interior of the +grove, and the two exchanged a quick look of amazed questioning. Jenks +took a hasty step in the direction of the noise, but he stopped and +laughed at his own expense. Iris liked the sound of his mirth. It was +genuine, not forced. + +"I remember now," he explained. "The wou-wou monkey cries in that +peculiar warble. The presence of the animal here shows that the island +has been inhabited at some time." + +"You remember?" repeated the girl. "Then you have been in this part of +the world before?" + +"No. I mean I have read about it." + +Twice in half an hour had he curtly declined to indulge in personal +reminiscences. + +"Can you use a revolver?" he went on. + +"My father taught me. He thinks every woman should know how to defend +herself if need be." + +"Excellent. Well, Miss Deane, you must try to sleep for a couple of +hours. I purpose examining the coast for some distance on each side. +Should you want me, a shot will be the best sort of signal." + +"I am very tired," she admitted. "But you?" + +"Oh, I am all right. I feel restless; that is, I mean I will not be +able to sleep until night comes, and before we climb the hill to survey +our domain I want to find better quarters than we now possess." + +Perhaps, were she less fatigued, she would have caught the vague +anxiety, the note of distrust, in his voice. But the carpet of sand and +leaves on which she lay was very seductive. Her eyes closed. She +nestled into a comfortable position, and slept. + +The man looked at her steadily for a little while. Then he moved the +revolver out of harm's way to a spot where she must see it instantly, +pulled his sou'wester well over his eyes and walked off quietly. + +They were flung ashore on the north-west side of the island. Except for +the cove formed by the coral reef, with its mysterious palm-tree +growing apparently in the midst of the waves, the shape of the coast +was roughly that of the concave side of a bow, the two visible +extremities being about three-quarters of a mile apart. + +He guessed, by the way in which the sea raced past these points, that +the land did not extend beyond them. Behind him, it rose steeply to a +considerable height, 150 or 200 feet. In the center was the tallest +hill, which seemed to end abruptly towards the south-west. On the +north-east side it was connected with a rocky promontory by a ridge of +easy grade. The sailor turned to the south-west, as offering the most +likely direction for rapid survey. + +He followed the line of vegetation; there the ground was firm and +level. There was no suggestion of the mariner's roll in his steady +gait. Alter his clothing, change the heavy boots into spurred +Wellingtons, and he would be the _beau idéal_ of a cavalry +soldier, the order of Melchisedec in the profession of arms. + +He was not surprised to find that the hill terminated in a sheer wall +of rock, which stood out, ominous and massive, from the wealth of +verdure clothing the remainder of the ridge. Facing the precipice, and +separated from it by a strip of ground not twenty feet above the +sea-level in the highest part, was another rock-built eminence, quite +bare of trees, blackened by the weather and scarred in a manner that +attested the attacks of lightning. + +He whistled softly. "By Jove!" he said. "Volcanic, and highly +mineralized." + +The intervening belt was sparsely dotted with trees, casuarinas, poon, +and other woods he did not know, resembling ebony and cedar. A number +of stumps showed that the axe had been at work, but not recently. He +passed into the cleft and climbed a tree that offered easy access. As +he expected, after rising a few feet from the ground, his eyes +encountered the solemn blue line of the sea, not half a mile distant. + +He descended and commenced a systematic search. Men had been here. Was +there a house? Would he suddenly encounter some hermit Malay or +Chinaman? + +At the foot of the main cliff was a cluster of fruit-bearing trees, +plantains, areca-nuts, and cocoa-palms. A couple of cinchonas caught +his eye. In one spot the undergrowth was rank and vividly green. The +cassava, or tapioca plant, reared its high, passion-flower leaves above +the grass, and some sago-palms thrust aloft their thick-stemmed trunks. + +"Here is a change of menu, at any rate," he communed. + +Breaking a thick branch off a poon tree he whittled away the minor +stems. A strong stick was needful to explore that leafy fastness +thoroughly. + +A few cautious strides and vigorous whacks with the stick laid bare the +cause of such prodigality in a soil covered with drifted sand and lumps +of black and white speckled coral. The trees and bushes enclosed a +well--safe-guarded it, in fact, from being choked with sand during the +first gale that blew. + +Delighted with this discovery, more precious than diamonds at the +moment, for he doubted the advisability of existing on the water supply +of the pitcher-plant, he knelt to peer into the excavation. The well +had been properly made. Ten feet down he could see the reflection of +his face. Expert hands had tapped the secret reservoir of the island. +By stretching to the full extent of his arm, he managed to plunge the +stick into the water. Tasting the drops, he found that they were quite +sweet. The sand and porous rock provided the best of filter-beds. + +He rose, wall pleased, and noted that on the opposite side the +appearance of the shrubs and tufts of long grass indicated the +existence of a grown-over path towards the cliff. He followed it, +walking carelessly, with eyes seeking the prospect beyond, when +something rattled and cracked beneath his feet. Looking down, he was +horrified to find he was trampling on a skeleton. + +Had a venomous snake coiled its glistening folds around his leg he +would not have been more startled. But this man of iron nerve soon +recovered. He frowned deeply after the first involuntary heart-throb. + +With the stick he cleared away the undergrowth, and revealed the +skeleton of a man. The bones were big and strong, but oxidized by the +action of the air. Jenks had injured the left tibia by his tread, but +three fractured ribs and a smashed shoulder-blade told some terrible +unwritten story. + +Beneath the mournful relics were fragments of decayed cloth. It was +blue serge. Lying about were a few blackened objects--brass buttons +marked with an anchor. The dead man's boots were in the best state of +preservation, but the leather had shrunk and the nails protruded like +fangs. + +A rusted pocket-knife lay there, and on the left breast of the skeleton +rested a round piece of tin, the top of a canister, which might have +reposed in a coat pocket. Jenks picked it up. Some curious marks and +figures were punched into its surface. After a hasty glance he put it +aside for more leisurely examination. + +No weapon was visible. He could form no estimate as to the cause of the +death of this poor unknown, nor the time since the tragedy had +occurred. + +Jenks must have stood many minutes before he perceived that the +skeleton was headless. At first he imagined that in rummaging about +with the stick he had disturbed the skull. But the most minute search +demonstrated that it had gone, had been taken away, in fact, for the +plants which so effectually screened the lighter bones would not permit +the skull to vanish. + +Then the frown on the sailor's face became threatening, thunderous. He +recollected the rusty kriss. Indistinct memories of strange tales of +the China Sea crowded unbidden to his brain. + +"Dyaks!" he growled fiercely. "A ship's officer, an Englishman +probably, murdered by head-hunting Dyak pirates!" + +If they came once they would come again. + +Five hundred yards away Iris Deane was sleeping. He ought not to have +left her alone. And then, with the devilish ingenuity of coincidence, a +revolver shot awoke the echoes, and sent all manner of wildfowl +hurtling through the trees with clamorous outcry. + +Panting and wild-eyed, Jenks was at the girl's side in an inconceivably +short space of time. She was not beneath the shelter of the grove, but +on the sands, gazing, pallid in cheek and lip, at the group of rocks on +the edge of the lagoon. + +"What is the matter?" he gasped. + +"Oh, I don't know," she wailed brokenly. "I had a dream, such a +horrible dream. You were struggling with some awful thing down there." +She pointed to the rocks. + +"I was not near the place," he said laboriously. It cost him an effort +to breathe. His broad chest expanded inches with each respiration. + +"Yes, yes, I understand. But I awoke and ran to save you. When I got +here I saw something, a thing with waving arms, and fired. It vanished, +and then you came." + +The sailor walked slowly to the rocks. A fresh chip out of the stone +showed where the bullet struck. One huge boulder was wet, as if water +had been splashed over it. He halted and looked intently into the +water. Not a fish was to be seen, but small spirals of sand were +eddying up from the bottom, where it shelved steeply from the shore. + +Iris followed him. "See," she cried excitedly. "I was not mistaken. +There _was_ something here." + +A creepy sensation ran up the man's spine and passed behind his ears. +At this spot the drowned Lascars were lying. Like an inspiration came +the knowledge that the cuttlefish, the dreaded octopus, abounds in the +China Sea. + +His face was livid when he turned to Iris. "You are over-wrought by +fatigue, Miss Deane," he said. "What you saw was probably a seal;" he +knew the ludicrous substitution would not be questioned. "Please go and +lie down again." + +"I cannot," she protested. "I am too frightened." + +"Frightened! By a dream! In broad daylight!" + +"But why are _you_ so pale? What has alarmed you?" + +"Can you ask? Did you not give the agreed signal?" + +"Yes, but--" + +Her inquiring glance fell. He was breathless from agitation rather than +running. He was perturbed on her account. For an instant she had looked +into his soul. + +"I will go back," she said quietly, "though I would rather accompany +you. What are you doing?" + +"Seeking a place to lay our heads," he answered, with gruff +carelessness. "You really must rest, Miss Deane. Otherwise you will be +broken up by fatigue and become ill." + +So Iris again sought her couch of sand, and the sailor returned to the +skeleton. They separated unwillingly, each thinking only of the other's +safety and comfort. The girl knew she was not wanted because the man +wished to spare her some unpleasant experience. She obeyed him with a +sigh, and sat down, not to sleep, but to muse, as girls will, +round-eyed, wistful, with the angelic fantasy of youth and innocence. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +RAINBOW ISLAND + + +Across the parched bones lay the stick discarded by Jenks in his alarm. +He picked it up and resumed his progress along the pathway. So closely +did he now examine the ground that he hardly noted his direction. The +track led straight towards the wall of rock. The distance was not +great--about forty yards. At first the brushwood impeded him, but soon +even this hindrance disappeared, and a well-defined passage meandered +through a belt of trees, some strong and lofty, others quite immature. + +More bushes gathered at the foot of the cliff. Behind them he could see +the mouth of a cave; the six months' old growth of vegetation about the +entrance gave clear indication as to the time which had elapsed since a +human foot last disturbed the solitude. + +A few vigorous blows with the stick cleared away obstructing plants and +leafy branches. The sailor stooped and looked into the cavern, for the +opening was barely five feet high. He perceived instantly that the +excavation was man's handiwork, applied to a fault in the hard rock. A +sort of natural shaft existed, and this had been extended by manual +labor. Beyond the entrance the cave became more lofty. Owing to its +position with reference to the sun at that hour Jenks imagined that +sufficient light would be obtainable when the tropical luxuriance of +foliage outside was dispensed with. + +At present the interior was dark. With the stick he tapped the walls +and roof. A startled cluck and the rush of wings heralded the flight of +two birds, alarmed by the noise. Soon his eyes, more accustomed to the +gloom, made out that the place was about thirty feet deep, ten feet +wide in the center, and seven or eight feet high. + +At the further end was a collection of objects inviting prompt +attention. Each moment he could see with greater distinctness. Kneeling +on one side of the little pile he discerned that on a large stone, +serving as a rude bench, were some tin utensils, some knives, a +sextant, and a quantity of empty cartridge cases. Between the stone and +what a miner terms the "face" of the rock was a four-foot space. Here, +half imbedded in the sand which covered the floor, were two pickaxes, a +shovel, a sledge-hammer, a fine timber-felling axe, and three crowbars. + +In the darkest corner of the cave's extremity the "wall" appeared to be +very smooth. He prodded with the stick, and there was a sharp clang of +tin. He discovered six square kerosene-oil cases carefully stacked up. +Three were empty, one seemed to be half full, and the contents of two +were untouched. With almost feverish haste he ascertained that the +half-filled tin did really contain oil. + +"What a find!" he ejaculated aloud. Another pair of birds dashed from a +ledge near the roof. + +"Confound you!" shouted the sailor. He sprang back and whacked the +walls viciously, but all the feathered intruders had gone. + +So far as he could judge the cave harbored no further surprises. +Returning towards the exit his boots dislodged more empty cartridges +from the sand. They were shells adapted to a revolver of heavy caliber. +At a short distance from the doorway they were present in dozens. + +"The remnants of a fight," he thought. "The man was attacked, and +defended himself here. Not expecting the arrival of enemies he provided +no store of food or water. He was killed whilst trying to reach the +well, probably at night." + +He vividly pictured the scene--a brave, hardy European keeping at bay a +boatload of Dyak savages, enduring manfully the agonies of hunger, +thirst, perhaps wounds. Then the siege, followed by a wild effort to +gain the life-giving well, the hiss of a Malay parang wielded by a +lurking foe, and the last despairing struggle before death came. + +He might be mistaken. Perchance there was a less dramatic explanation. +But he could not shake off his, first impressions. They were garnered +from dumb evidence and developed by some occult but overwhelming sense +of certainty. + +"What was the poor devil doing here?" he asked. "Why did he bury +himself in this rock, with mining utensils and a few rough stores? He +could not be a castaway. There is the indication of purpose, of +preparation, of method combined with ignorance, for none who knew the +ways of Dyaks and Chinese pirates would venture to live here alone, if +he could help it, and if he really were alone." The thing was a +mystery, would probably remain a mystery for ever. + + "Be it steel or be it lead, + Anyhow the man is dead." + +There was relief in hearing his own voice. He could hum, and think, and +act. Arming himself with the axe he attacked the bushes and branches of +trees in front of the cave. He cut a fresh approach to the well, and +threw the litter over the skeleton. At first he was inclined to bury it +where it lay, but he disliked the idea of Iris walking unconsciously +over the place. No time could be wasted that day. He would seize an +early opportunity to act as grave-digger. + +After an absence of little more than an hour he rejoined the girl. She +saw him from afar, and wondered whence he obtained the axe he +shouldered. + +"You are a successful explorer," she cried when he drew near. + +"Yes, Miss Deane. I have found water, implements, a shelter, even +light." + +"What sort of light--spiritual, or material?" + +"Oil." + +"Oh!" + +Iris could not remain serious for many consecutive minutes, but she +gathered that he was in no mood for frivolity. + +"And the shelter--is it a house?" she continued. + +"No, a cave. If you are sufficiently rested you might come and take +possession." + +Her eyes danced with excitement. He told her what he had seen, with +reservations, and she ran on before him to witness these marvels. + +"Why did you make a new path to the well?" she inquired after a rapid +survey. + +"A new path!" The pertinent question staggered him. + +"Yes, the people who lived here must have had some sort of free +passage." + +He lied easily. "I have only cleared away recent growth," he said. + +"And why did they dig a cave? It surely would be much more simple to +build a house from all these trees." + +"There you puzzle me," he said frankly. + +They had entered the cavern but a little way and now came out. + +"These empty cartridges are funny. They suggest a fort, a battle." +Woman-like, her words were carelessly chosen, but they were crammed +with inductive force. + +Embarked on the toboggan slope of untruth the sailor slid smoothly +downwards. + +"Events have colored your imagination, Miss Deane. Even in England men +often preserve such things for future use. They can be reloaded." + +"Yes, I have seen keepers do that. This is different. There is an air +of--" + +"There is a lot to be done," broke in Jenks emphatically. "We must +climb the hill and get back here in time to light another fire before +the sun goes down. I want to prop a canvas sheet in front of the cave, +and try to devise a lamp." + +"Must I sleep inside?" demanded Iris. + +"Yes. Where else?" + +There was a pause, a mere whiff of awkwardness. + +"I will mount guard outside," went on Jenks. He was trying to improve +the edge of the axe by grinding it on a soft stone. + +The girl went into the cave again. She was inquisitive, uneasy. + +"That arrangement--" she began, but ended in a sharp cry of terror. The +dispossessed birds had returned during the sailor's absence. + +"I will kill them," he shouted in anger. + +"Please don't. There has been enough of death in this place already." + +The words jarred on his ears. Then he felt that she could only allude +to the victims of the wreck. + +"I was going to say," she explained, "that we must devise a partition. +There is no help for it until you construct a sort of house. Candidly, +I do not like this hole in the rock. It is a vault, a tomb." + +"You told me that I was in command, yet you dispute my orders." He +strove hard to appear brusquely good-humored, indifferent, though for +one of his mould he was absurdly irritable. The cause was over-strain, +but that explanation escaped him. + +"Quite true. But if sleeping in the cold, in dew or rain, is bad for +me, it must be equally bad for you. And without you I am helpless, you +know." + +His arms twitched to give her a reassuring hug. In some respects she +was so childlike; her big blue eyes were so ingenuous. He laughed +sardonically, and the harsh note clashed with her frank candor. Here, +at least, she was utterly deceived. His changeful moods were +incomprehensible. + +"I will serve you to the best of my ability, Miss Deane," he exclaimed. +"We must hope for a speedy rescue, and I am inured to exposure. It is +otherwise with you. Are you ready for the climb?" + +Mechanically she picked up a stick at her feet. It was the sailor's +wand of investigation. He snatched it from her hands and threw it away +among the trees. + +"That is a dangerous alpenstock," he said. "The wood is unreliable. It +might break. I will cut you a better one," and he swung the axe against +a tall sapling. + +Iris mentally described him as "funny." She followed him in the upward +curve of the ascent, for the grade was not difficult and the ground +smooth enough, the storms of years having pulverized the rock and +driven sand into its clefts. The persistent inroads of the trees had +done the rest. Beyond the flight of birds and the scampering of some +tiny monkeys overhead, they did not disturb a living creature. + +The crest of the hill was tree-covered, and they could see nothing +beyond their immediate locality until the sailor found a point higher +than the rest, where a rugged collection of hard basalt and the +uprooting of some poon trees provided an open space elevated above the +ridge. + +For a short distance the foothold was precarious. Jenks helped the girl +in this part of the climb. His strong, gentle grasp gave her +confidence. She was flushed with exertion when they stood together on +the summit of this elevated perch. They could look to every point of +the compass except a small section on the south-west. Here the trees +rose behind them until the brow of the precipice was reached. + +The emergence into a sunlit panorama of land and sea, though expected, +was profoundly enthralling. They appeared to stand almost exactly in +the center of the island, which was crescent-shaped. It was no larger +than the sailor had estimated. The new slopes now revealed were covered +with verdure down to the very edge of the water, which, for nearly a +mile seawards, broke over jagged reefs. The sea looked strangely calm +from this height. Irregular blue patches on the horizon to south and +east caught the man's first glance. He unslung the binoculars he still +carried and focused them eagerly. + +"Islands!" he cried, "and big ones, too!" + +"How odd!" whispered Iris, more concerned in the scrutiny of her +immediate surroundings. Jenks glanced at her sharply. She was not +looking at the islands, but at a curious hollow, a quarry-like +depression beneath them to the right, distant about three hundred yards +and not far removed from the small plateau containing the well, though +isolated from it by the south angle of the main cliff. + +Here, in a great circle, there was not a vestige of grass, shrub, or +tree, nothing save brown rock and sand. At first the sailor deemed it +to be the dried-up bed of a small lake. This hypothesis would not +serve, else it would be choked with verdure. The pit stared up at them +like an ominous eye, though neither paid further attention to it, for +the glorious prospect mapped at their feet momentarily swept aside all +other considerations. + +"What a beautiful place!" murmured Iris. "I wonder what it is called." + +"Limbo." + +The word came instantly. The sailor's gaze was again fixed on those +distant blue outlines. Miss Deane was dissatisfied. + +"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "We are not dead yet. You must find a better +name than that." + +"Well, suppose we christen it Rainbow Island?" + +"Why 'Rainbow'?" + +"That is the English meaning of 'Iris,' in Latin, you know." + +"So it is. How clever of you to think of it! Tell me, what is the +meaning of 'Robert,' in Greek?" + +He turned to survey the north-west side of the island. "I do not know," +he answered. "It might not be far-fetched to translate it as 'a ship's +steward: a menial.'" + +Miss Iris had meant her playful retort as a mere light-hearted quibble. +It annoyed her, a young person of much consequence, to have her kindly +condescension repelled. + +"I suppose so," she agreed; "but I have gone through so much in a few +hours that I am bewildered, apt to forget these nice distinctions." + +Where these two quareling, or flirting? Who can tell? + +Jenks was closely examining the reef on which the _Sirdar_ struck. +Some square objects were visible near the palm tree. The sun, glinting +on the waves, rendered it difficult to discern their significance. + +"What do you make of those?" he inquired, handing the glasses, and +blandly ignoring Miss Deane's petulance. Her brain was busy with other +things while she twisted the binoculars to suit her vision. Rainbow +Island--Iris--it was a nice conceit. But "menial" struck a discordant +note. This man was no menial in appearance or speech. Why was he so +deliberately rude? + +"I think they are boxes or packing-cases," she announced. + +"Ah, that was my own idea. I must visit that locality." + +"How? Will you swim?" + +"No," he said, his stern lips relaxing in a smile, "I will not swim; +and by the way, Miss Deane, be careful when you are near the water. The +lagoon is swarming with sharks at present. I feel tolerably assured +that at low tide, when the remnants of the gale have vanished, I will +be able to walk there along the reef." + +"Sharks!" she cried. "In there! What horrible surprises this speck of +land contains! I should not have imagined that sharks and seals could +live together." + +"You are quite right," he explained, with becoming gravity. "As a rule +sharks infest only the leeward side of these islands. Just now they are +attracted in shoals by the wreck." + +"Oh." Iris shivered slightly. + +"We had better go back now. The wind is keen here, Miss Deane." + +[Illustration: HE WAS SO BUSY THAT HE PAID LITTLE HEED TO IRIS, BUT THE +ODOR OF FRIED HAM WAS WAFTED TO HIM] + +She knew that he purposely misunderstood her gesture. His attitude +conveyed a rebuke. There was no further room for sentiment in their +present existence; they had to deal with chill necessities. As for the +sailor, he was glad that the chance turn of their conversation enabled +him to warn her against the lurking dangers of the lagoon. There was no +need to mention the devil-fish now; he must spare her all avoidable +thrills. + +They gathered the stores from the first _al fresco_ dining-room +and reached the cave without incident. Another fire was lighted, and +whilst Iris attended to the kitchen the sailor felled several young +trees. He wanted poles, and these were the right size and shape. He +soon cleared a considerable space. The timber was soft and so small in +girth that three cuts with the axe usually sufficed. He dragged from +the beach the smallest tarpaulin he could find, and propped it against +the rock in such manner that it effectually screened the mouth of the +cave, though admitting light and air. + +He was so busy that he paid little heed to Iris. But the odor of fried +ham was wafted to him. He was lifting a couple of heavy stones to stay +the canvas and keep it from flapping in the wind, when the girl called +out-- + +"Wouldn't you like to have a wash before dinner?" + +He straightened himself and looked at her. Her face and hands were +shining, spotless. The change was so great that his brow wrinkled with +perplexity. + +"I am a good pupil," she cried. "You see I am already learning to help +myself. I made a bucket out of one of the dish-covers by slinging it in +two ropes. Another dish-cover, some sand and leaves supplied basin, +soap, and towel. I have cleaned the tin cups and the knives, and see, +here is my greatest treasure." + +She held up a small metal lamp. + +"Where in the world did you find that?" he exclaimed. + +"Buried in the sand inside the cave." + +"Anything else?" + +His tone was abrupt She was so disappointed by the seeming want of +appreciation of her industry that a gleam of amusement died from her +eyes and she shook her head, stooping at once to attend to the toasting +of some biscuits. + +This time he was genuinely sorry. + +"Forgive me, Miss Deane," he said penitently. "My words are dictated by +anxiety. I do not wish you to make discoveries on your own account. +This is a strange place, you know--an unpleasant one in some respects." + +"Surely I can rummage about my own cave?" + +"Most certainly. It was careless of me not to have examined its +interior more thoroughly." + +"Then why do you grumble because I found the lamp?" + +"I did not mean any such thing. I am sorry." + +"I think you are horrid. If you want to wash you will find the water +over there. Don't wait. The ham will be frizzled to a cinder." + +Unlucky Jenks! Was ever man fated to incur such unmerited odium? He +savagely laved his face and neck. The fresh cool water was delightful +at first, but it caused his injured nail to throb dreadfully. When he +drew near to the fire he experienced an unaccountable sensation of +weakness. Could it be possible that he was going to faint? It was too +absurd. He sank to the ground. Trees, rocks, and sand-strewn earth +indulged in a mad dance. Iris's voice sounded weak and indistinct. It +seemed to travel in waves from a great distance. He tried to brush away +from his brain these dim fancies, but his iron will for once failed, +and he pitched headlong downwards into darkness. + +When he recovered the girl's left arm was round his neck. For one +blissful instant he nestled there contentedly. He looked into her eyes +and saw that she was crying. A gust of anger rose within him that he +should be the cause of those tears. + +"Damn!" he said, and tried to rise. + +"Oh! are you better?" Her lips quivered pitifully. + +"Yes. What happened? Did I faint?" + +"Drink this." + +She held a cup to his mouth and he obediently strove to swallow the +contents. It was champagne. After the first spasm of terror, and when +the application of water to his face failed to restore consciousness, +Iris had knocked the head off the bottle of champagne. + +He quickly revived. Nature had only given him a warning that he was +overdrawing his resources. He was deeply humiliated. He did not +conceive the truth, that only a strong man could do all that he had +done and live. For thirty-six hours he had not slept. During part of +the time he fought with wilder beasts than they knew at Ephesus. The +long exposure to the sun, the mental strain of his foreboding that the +charming girl whose life depended upon him might be exposed to even +worse dangers than any yet encountered, the physical labor he had +undergone, the irksome restraint he strove to place upon his conduct +and utterances--all these things culminated in utter relaxation when +the water touched his heated skin. + +But he was really very much annoyed. A powerful man always is annoyed +when forced to yield. The revelation of a limit to human endurance +infuriates him. A woman invariably thinks that the man should be +scolded, by way of tonic. + +"How _could_ you frighten me so?" demanded Iris, hysterically. +"You must have felt that you were working too hard. You made me rest. +Why didn't you rest yourself?" + +He looked at her wistfully. This collapse must not happen again, for +her sake. These two said more with eyes than lips. She withdrew her +arm; her face and neck crimsoned. + +"There," she said with compelled cheerfulness. "You are all right now. +Finish the wine." + +He emptied the tin. It gave him new life. "I always thought," he +answered gravely, "that champagne was worth its weight in gold under +certain conditions. These are the conditions." + +Iris reflected, with elastic rebound from despair to relief, that men +in the lower ranks of life do not usually form theories on the +expensive virtues of the wine of France. But her mind was suddenly +occupied by a fresh disaster. + +"Good gracious!" she cried. "The ham is ruined." + +It was burnt black. She prepared a fresh supply. When it was ready, +Jenks was himself again. They ate in silence, and shared the remains of +the bottle. The man idly wondered what was the _plat du jour_ at +the Savoy that evening. He remembered that the last time he was there +he had called for _Jambon de York aux épinards_ and half a pint of +Heidseck. + +"_Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currant_," he thought. +By a queer trick of memory he could recall the very page in Horace +where this philosophical line occurs. It was in the eleventh epistle of +the first book. A smile illumined his tired face. + +Iris was watchful. She had never in her life cooked even a potato or +boiled an egg. The ham was her first attempt. + +"My cooking amuses you?" she demanded suspiciously. + +"It gratifies every sense," he murmured. "There is but one thing +needful to complete my happiness." + +"And that is?" + +"Permission to smoke." + +"Smoke what?" + +He produced a steel box, tightly closed, and a pipe, "I will answer you +in Byron's words," he said-- + + "'Sublime tobacco! which from east to west + Cheers the tar's labour or the Turkman's rest.'" + +"Your pockets are absolute shops," said the girl, delighted that his +temper had improved. "What other stores do you carry about with you?" + +He lit his pipe and solemnly gave an inventory of his worldly goods. +Beyond the items she had previously seen he could only enumerate a +silver dollar, a very soiled and crumpled handkerchief, and a bit of +tin. A box of Norwegian matches he threw away as useless, but Iris +recovered them. + +"You never know what purpose they may serve," she said. In after days a +weird significance was attached to this simple phrase. + +"Why do you carry about a bit of tin?" she went on. + +How the atmosphere of deception clung to him! Here was a man compelled +to lie outrageously who, in happier years, had prided himself on +scrupulous accuracy even in small things. + +"Plague upon it!" he silently protested. "Subterfuge and deceit are as +much at home in this deserted island as in Mayfair." + +"I found it here, Miss Deane," he answered. + +Luckily she interpreted "here" as applying to the cave. + +"Let me see it. May I?" + +He handed it to her. She could make nothing of it, so together they +puzzled over it. The sailor rubbed it with a mixture of kerosene and +sand. Then figures and letters and a sort of diagram were revealed. At +last they became decipherable. By exercising patient ingenuity some one +had indented the metal with a sharp punch until the marks assumed this +aspect (see cut, following page). + +Iris was quick-witted. "It is a plan of the island," she cried. + +"Also the latitude and the longitude." + +"What does 'J.S.' mean?" + +"Probably the initials of a man's name; let us say John Smith, for +instance." + +"And the figures on the island, with the 'X' and the dot?" + +"I cannot tell you at present," he said. "I take it that the line +across the island signifies this gap or canyon, and the small +intersecting line the cave. But 32 divided by 1, and an 'X' surmounted +by a dot are cabalistic. They would cause even Sherlock Holmes to smoke +at least two pipes. I have barely started one." + +[Illustration] + +She ran to fetch a glowing stick to enable him to relight his pipe. + +"Why do you give me such nasty little digs?" she asked. "You need not +have stopped smoking just because I stood close to you." + +"Really, Miss Deane--" + +"There, don't protest. I like the smell of that tobacco. I thought +sailors invariably smoked rank, black stuff which they call thick +twist." + +"I am a beginner, as a sailor. After a few more years before the mast I +may hope to reach perfection." + +Their eyes exchanged a quaintly pleasant challenge. Thus the man--"She +is determined to learn something of my past, but she will not succeed." + +And the woman--"The wretch! He is close as an oyster. But I will make +him open his mouth, see if I don't." + +She reverted to the piece of tin. "It looks quite mysterious, like the +things you read of in stories of pirates and buried treasure." + +"Yes," he admitted. "It is unquestionably a plan, a guidance, given to +a person not previously acquainted with the island but cognizant of +some fact connected with it. Unfortunately none of the buccaneers I can +bring to mind frequented these seas. The poor beggar who left it here +must have had some other motive than searching for a cache." + +"Did he dig the cave and the well, I wonder?" + +"Probably the former, but not the well. No man could do it unaided." + +"Why do you assume he was alone?" + +He strolled towards the fire to kick a stray log. "It is only idle +speculation at the best, Miss Deane," he replied. "Would you like to +help me to drag some timber up from the beach? If we get a few big +planks we can build a fire that will last for hours. We want some extra +clothes, too, and it will soon be dark." + +The request for co-operation gratified her. She complied eagerly, and +without much exertion they hauled a respectable load of firewood to +their new camping-ground. They also brought a number of coats to serve +as coverings. Then Jenks tackled the lamp. Between the rust and the +soreness of his index finger it was a most difficult operation to open +it. + +Before the sun went down he succeeded, and made a wick by unraveling a +few strands of wool from his jersey. When night fell, with the +suddenness of the tropics, Iris was able to illuminate her small +domain. + +They were both utterly tired and ready to drop with fatigue. The girl +said "Good night," but instantly reappeared from behind the tarpaulin. + +"Am I to keep the lamp alight?" she inquired. + +"Please yourself, Miss Deane. Better not, perhaps. It will only burn +four or five hours, any way." + +Soon the light vanished, and he lay down, his pipe between his teeth, +close to the cave's entrance. Weary though he was, he could not sleep +forthwith. His mind was occupied with the signs on the canister head. + +"32 divided by 1; an 'X' and a dot," he repeated several times. "What +do they signify?" + +Suddenly he sat up, with every sense alert, and grabbed his revolver. +Something impelled him to look towards the spot, a few feet away, where +the skeleton was hidden. It was the rustling of a bird among the trees +that had caught his ear. + +He thought of the white framework of a once powerful man, lying there +among the bushes, abandoned, forgotten, horrific. Then he smothered a +cry of surprise. + +"By Jove!" he muttered. "There is no 'X' and dot. That sign is meant +for a skull and cross-bones. It lies exactly on the part of the island +where we saw that queer-looking bald patch today. First thing tomorrow, +before the girl awakes, I must examine that place." + +He resolutely stretched himself on his share of the spread-out coats, +now thoroughly dried by sun and fire. In a minute he was sound asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IRIS TO THE RESCUE + + "Before mine eyes in opposition sits + Grim death." + --_Milton_. + + +He awoke to find the sun high in the heavens. Iris was preparing +breakfast; a fine fire was crackling cheerfully, and the presiding +goddess had so altered her appearance that the sailor surveyed her with +astonishment. + +He noiselessly assumed a sitting posture, tucked his feet beneath him, +and blinked. The girl's face was not visible from where he sat, and for +a few seconds he thought he must surely be dreaming. She was attired in +a neat navy-blue dress and smart blouse. Her white canvas shoes were +replaced by strong leather boots. She was quite spick and span, this +island Hebe. + +So soundly had he slept that his senses returned but slowly. At last he +guessed what had happened. She had risen with the dawn, and, conquering +her natural feeling of repulsion, selected from the store he +accumulated yesterday some more suitable garments than those in which +she escaped from the wreck. + +He quietly took stock of his own tattered condition, and passed a +reflective hand over the stubble on his chin. In a few days his face +would resemble a scrubbing-brush. In that mournful moment he would have +exchanged even his pipe and tobacco-box--worth untold gold--for shaving +tackle. Who can say why his thoughts took such trend? Twenty-four hours +can effect great changes in the human mind if controlling influences +are active. + +Then came a sharp revulsion of feeling. His name was Robert--a menial. +He reached for his boots, and Iris heard him. + +"Good morning," she cried, smiling sweetly. "I thought you would never +awake. I suppose you were very, very tired. You were lying so still +that I ventured to peep at you a long time ago." + +"Thus might Titania peep at an ogre," he said. + +"You didn't look a bit like an ogre. You never do. You only try to talk +like one--sometimes." + +"I claim a truce until after breakfast. If my rough compliment offends +you, let me depend upon a more gentle tongue than my own-- + + "'Her Angel's face + As the great eye of heaven, shyned bright, + And made a sunshine in the shady place.' + +"Those lines are surely appropriate. They come from the _Faerie +Queene_." + +"They are very nice, but please wash quickly. The eggs will be hard." + +"Eggs!" + +"Yes; I made a collection among the trees. I tasted one of a lot that +looked good. It was first-rate." + +He had not the moral courage to begin the day with a rebuke. She was +irrepressible, but she really must not do these things. He smothered a +sigh in the improvised basin which was placed ready for him. + +Miss Deane had prepared a capital meal. Of course the ham and biscuits +still bulked large in the bill of fare, but there were boiled eggs, +fried bananas and an elderly cocoanut. These things, supplemented by +clear cold water, were not so bad for a couple of castaways, hundreds +of miles from everywhere. + +For the life of him the man could not refrain from displaying the +conversational art in which he excelled. Their talk dealt with Italy, +Egypt, India. He spoke with the ease of culture and enthusiasm. Once he +slipped into anecdote _à propos_ of the helplessness of British +soldiers in any matter outside the scope of the King's Regulations. + +"I remember," he said, "seeing a cavalry subaltern and the members of +an escort sitting, half starved, on a number of bags piled up in the +Suakin desert. And what do you think were in the bags?" + +"I don't know," said Iris, keenly alert for deductions. + +"Biscuits! They thought the bags contained patent fodder until I +enlightened them." + +It was on the tip of her tongue to pounce on him with the comment: +"Then you have been an officer in the army." But she forbore. She had +guessed this earlier. Yet the mischievous light in her eyes defied +control. He was warned in time and pulled himself up short. + +"You read my face like a book," she cried, with a delightful little +_moue_. + +"No printed page was ever so--legible." + +He was going to say "fascinating," but checked the impulse. He went on +with brisk affectation-- + +"Now, Miss Deane, we have gossiped too long. I am a laggard this +morning; but before starting work, I have a few serious remarks to +make." + +"More digs?" she inquired saucily. + +"I repudiate 'digs.' In the first place, you must not make any more +experiments in the matter of food. The eggs were a wonderful effort, +but, flattered by success, you may poison yourself." + +"Secondly?" + +"You must never pass out of my sight without carrying a revolver, not +so much for defence, but as a signal. Did you take one when you went +bird's-nesting?" + +"No. Why?" + +There was a troubled look in his eyes when he answered-- + +"It is best to tell you at once that before help reaches us we may be +visited by cruel and blood-thirsty savages. I would not even mention +this if it were a remote contingency. As matters stand, you ought to +know that such a thing may happen. Let us trust in God's goodness that +assistance may come soon. The island has seemingly been deserted for +many months, and therein lies our best chance of escape. But I am +obliged to warn you lest you should be taken unawares." + +Iris was serious enough now. + +"How do you know that such danger threatens us?" she demanded. + +He countered readily. "Because I happen to have read a good deal about +the China Sea and its frequenters," he said. "I am the last man in the +world to alarm you needlessly. All I mean to convey is that certain +precautions should be taken against a risk that is possible, not +probable. No more." + +She could not repress a shudder. The aspect of nature was so beneficent +that evil deeds seemed to be out of place in that fair isle. Birds were +singing around them. The sun was mounting into a cloudless sky. The +gale had passed away into a pleasant breeze, and the sea was now +rippling against the distant reef with peaceful melody. + +The sailor wanted to tell her that he would defend her against a host +of savages if he were endowed with many lives, but he was perforce +tongue-tied. He even reviled himself for having spoken, but she saw the +anguish in his face, and her woman's heart acknowledged him as her +protector, her shield. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said simply, "we are in God's hands. I put my trust in +Him, and in you. I am hopeful, nay more, confident. I thank you for +what you have done, for all that you will do. If you cannot preserve me +from threatening perils no man could, for you are as brave and gallant +a gentleman as lives on the earth today." + +Now, the strange feature of this extraordinary and unexpected outburst +of pent-up emotion was that the girl pronounced his name with the +slightly emphasized accentuation of one who knew it to be a mere +disguise. The man was so taken aback by her declaration of faith that +the minor incident, though it did not escape him, was smothered in a +tumult of feeling. + +He could not trust himself to speak. He rose hastily and seized the axe +to deliver a murderous assault upon a sago palm that stood close at +hand. + +Iris was the first to recover a degree of self-possession. For a moment +she had bared her soul. With reaction came a sensitive shrinking. Her +British temperament, no less than her delicate nature, disapproved +these sentimental displays. She wanted to box her own ears. + +With innate tact she took a keen interest in the felling of the tree. + +"What do you want it for?" she inquired, when the sturdy trunk creaked +and fell. + +Jenks felt better now. + +"This is a change of diet," he explained. "No; we don't boil the leaves +or nibble the bark. When I split this palm open you will find that the +interior is full of pith. I will cut it out for you, and then it will +be your task to knead it with water after well washing it, pick out all +the fiber, and finally permit the water to evaporate. In a couple of +days the residuum will become a white powder, which, when boiled, is +sago." + +"Good gracious!" said Iris. + +"The story sounds unconvincing, but I believe I am correct. It is worth +a trial." + +"I should have imagined that sago grew on a stalk like rice or wheat." + +"Or Topsy!" + +She laughed. A difficult situation had passed without undue effort. +Unhappily the man reopened it. Whilst using a crowbar as a wedge he +endeavored to put matters on a straightforward footing. + +"A little while ago," he said, "you seemed to imply that I had assumed +the name of Jenks." + +But Miss Deane's confidential mood had gone. "Nothing of the kind," she +said, coldly. "I think Jenks is an excellent name." + +She regretted the words even as they fell from her lips. The sailor +gave a mighty wrench with the bar, splitting the log to its clustering +leaves. + +"You are right," he said. "It is distinctive, brief, dogmatic. I cling +to it passionately." + +Soon afterwards, leaving Iris to the manufacture of sago, he went to +the leeward side of the island, a search for turtles being his +ostensible object. When the trees hid him he quickened his pace and +turned to the left, in order to explore the cavity marked on the tin +with a skull and cross-bones. To his surprise he hit upon the remnants +of a roadway--that is, a line through the wood where there were no +well-grown trees, where the ground bore traces of humanity in the shape +of a wrinkled and mildewed pair of Chinese boots, a wooden sandal, even +the decayed remains of a palki, or litter. + +At last he reached the edge of the pit, and the sight that met his eyes +held him spellbound. + +The labor of many hands had torn a chasm, a quarry, out of the side of +the hill. Roughly circular in shape, it had a diameter of perhaps a +hundred feet, and at its deepest part, towards the cliff, it ran to a +depth of forty feet. On the lower side, where the sailor stood, it +descended rapidly for some fifteen feet. + +Grasses, shrubs, plants of every variety, grew in profusion down the +steep slopes, wherever seeds could find precarious nurture, until a +point was reached about ten or eleven feet from the bottom. There all +vegetation ceased as if forbidden to cross a magic circle. + +Below this belt the place was a charnel-house. The bones of men and +animals mingled in weird confusion. Most were mere skeletons. A few +bodies--nine the sailor counted--yet preserved some resemblance of +humanity. These latter were scattered among the older relics. They wore +the clothes of Dyaks. Characteristic hats and weapons denoted their +nationality. The others, the first harvest of this modern Golgotha, +might have been Chinese coolies. When the sailor's fascinated vision +could register details he distinguished yokes, baskets, odd-looking +spades and picks strewed amidst the bones. The animals were all of one +type, small, lanky, with long pointed skulls. At last he spied a +withered hoof. They were pigs. + +Over all lay a thick coating of fine sand, deposited from the eddying +winds that could never reach the silent depths. The place was gruesome, +horribly depressing. Jenks broke out into a clammy perspiration. He +seemed to be looking at the secrets of the grave. + +At last his superior intelligence asserted itself. His brain became +clearer, recovered its power of analysis. He began to criticize, +reflect, and this is the theory he evolved-- + +Some one, long ago, had discovered valuable minerals in the volcanic +rock. Mining operations were in full blast when the extinct volcano +took its revenge upon the human ants gnawing at its vitals and +smothered them by a deadly outpouring of carbonic acid gas, the +bottled-up poison of the ages. A horde of pigs, running wild over the +island--placed there, no doubt, by Chinese fishers--had met the same +fate whilst intent on dreadful orgy. + +Then there came a European, who knew how the anhydrate gas, being +heavier than the surrounding air, settled like water in that terrible +hollow. He, too, had striven to wrest the treasure from the stone by +driving a tunnel into the cliff. He had partly succeeded and had gone +away, perhaps to obtain help, after crudely registering his knowledge +on the lid of a tin canister. This, again, probably fell into the hands +of another man, who, curious but unconvinced, caused himself to be set +ashore on this desolate spot, with a few inadequate stores. Possibly he +had arranged to be taken off within a fixed time. + +But a sampan, laden with Dyak pirates, came first, and the intrepid +explorer's bones rested near the well, whilst his head had gone to +decorate the hut of some fierce village chief. The murderers, after +burying their own dead--for the white man fought hard, witness the +empty cartridges--searched the island. Some of them, ignorantly +inquisitive, descended into the hollow. They remained there. The +others, superstitious barbarians, fled for their lives, embarking so +hastily that they took from the cave neither tools nor oil, though they +would greatly prize these articles. + +Such was the tragic web he spun, a compound of fact and fancy. It +explained all perplexities save one. What did "32 divided by 1" mean? +Was there yet another fearsome riddle awaiting solution? + +And then his thoughts flew to Iris. Happen what might, her bright +picture was seldom absent from his brain. Suppose, egg-hunting, she had +stumbled across this Valley of Death! How could he hope to keep it +hidden from her? Was not the ghastly knowledge better than the horror +of a chance ramble through the wood and the shock of discovery, nay, +indeed, the risk of a catastrophe? + +He was a man who relieved his surcharged feelings with strong +language--a habit of recent acquisition. He indulged in it now and felt +better. He rushed back through the trees until he caught sight of Iris +industriously kneading the sago pith in one of those most useful +dish-covers. + +He called to her, led her wondering to the track, and pointed out the +fatal quarry, but in such wise that she could not look inside it. + +"You remember that round hole we saw from the summit rock?" he said. +"Well, it is full of carbonic acid gas, to breathe which means +unconsciousness and death. It gives no warning to the inexperienced. It +is rather pleasant than otherwise. Promise me you will never come near +this place again." + +Now, Iris, too, had been thinking deeply. Robert Jenks bulked large in +her day-dreams. Her nerves were not yet quite normal. There was a catch +in her throat as she answered-- + +"I don't want to die. Of course I will keep away. What a horrid island +this is! Yet it might be a paradise." + +She bit her lip to suppress her tears, but, being the Eve in this +garden, she continued-- + +"How did you find out? Is there anything--nasty--in there?" + +"Yes, the remains of animals, and other things. I would not have told +you were it not imperative." + +"Are you keeping other secrets from me?" + +"Oh, quite a number." + +He managed to conjure up a smile, and the ruse was effective. She +applied the words to his past history. + +"I hope they will not be revealed so dramatically," she said. + +"You never can tell," he answered. They were in prophetic vein that +morning. They returned in silence to the cave. + +"I wish to go inside, with a lamp. May I?" he asked. + +"Certainly. Why not?" + +He had an odd trick of blushing, this bronzed man with a gnarled soul. +He could not frame a satisfactory reply, but busied himself in +refilling the lamp. + +"May I come too?" she demanded. + +He flung aside the temptation to answer her in kind, merely assenting, +with an explanation of his design. When the lamp was in order he held +it close to the wall and conducted a systematic survey. The geological +fault which favored the construction of the tunnel seemed to diverge to +the left at the further end. The "face" of the rock exhibited the marks +of persistent labor. The stone had been hewn away by main force when +the dislocation of strata ceased to be helpful. + +His knowledge was limited on the subject, yet Jenks believed that the +material here was a hard limestone rather than the external basalt. +Searching each inch with the feeble light, he paused once, with an +exclamation. + +"What is it?" cried Iris. + +"I cannot be certain," he said, doubtfully. "Would you mind holding the +lamp whilst I use a crowbar?" + +In the stone was visible a thin vein, bluish white in color. He managed +to break off a fair-sized lump containing a well-defined specimen of +the foreign metal. + +They hurried into the open air and examined the fragment with curious +eyes. The sailor picked it with his knife, and the substance in the +vein came off in laminated layers, small, brittle scales. + +"Is it silver?" Iris was almost excited. + +"I do not think so. I am no expert, but I have a vague idea--I have +seen----" + +He wrinkled his brows and pressed away the furrows with his hand, that +physical habit of his when perplexed. + +"I have it," he cried. "It is antimony." + +Miss Deane pursed her lips in disdain. Antimony! What was antimony? + +"So much fuss for nothing," she said. + +"It is used in alloys and medicines," he explained. "To us it is +useless." + +He threw the piece of rock contemptuously among the bushes. But, being +thorough in all that he undertook, he returned to the cave and again +conducted an inquisition. The silver-hued vein became more strongly +marked at the point where it disappeared downwards into a collection of +rubble and sand. That was all. Did men give their toil, their lives, +for this? So it would appear. Be that as it might, he had a more +pressing work. If the cave still held a secret it must remain there. + +Iris had gone back to her sago-kneading. Necessity had made the lady a +bread-maid. + +"Fifteen hundred years of philology bridged by circumstance," mused +Jenks. "How Max Müller would have reveled in the incident!" + +Shouldering the axe he walked to the beach. The tide was low and the +circular sweep of the reef showed up irregularly, its black outlines +sticking out of the vividly green water like jagged teeth. + +Much débris from the steamer was lying high and dry. It was an easy +task for an athletic man to reach the palm tree, yet the sailor +hesitated, with almost imperceptible qualms. + +"A baited rat-trap," he muttered. Then he quickened his pace. With the +first active spring from rock to rock his unacknowledged doubts +vanished. He might find stores of priceless utility. The reflection +inspired him. Jumping and climbing like a cat, in two minutes he was +near the tree. + +He could now see the true explanation of its growth in a seemingly +impossible place. Here the bed of the sea bulged upwards in a small +sand cay, which silted round the base of a limestone rock, so different +in color and formation from the coral reef. Nature, whose engineering +contrivances can force springs to mountain tops, managed to deliver to +this isolated refuge a sufficient supply of water to nourish the palm, +and the roots, firmly lodged in deep crevices, were well protected from +the waves. + +Between the sailor and the tree intervened a small stretch of shallow +water. Landward this submerged saddle shelved steeply into the lagoon. +Although the water in the cove was twenty fathoms in depth, its crystal +clearness was remarkable. The bottom, composed of marvelously white +sand and broken coral, rendered other objects conspicuous. He could see +plenty of fish, but not a single shark, whilst on the inner slope of +the reef was plainly visible the destroyed fore part of the +_Sirdar_, which had struck beyond the tree, relatively to his +present standpoint. He had wondered why no boats were cast ashore. Now +he saw the reason. Three of them were still fastened to the davits and +carried down with the hull. + +Seaward the water was not so clear. The waves created patches of foam, +and long submarine plants swayed gently in the undercurrent. + +To reach Palm-tree Rock--anticipating its subsequent name--he must +cross a space of some thirty feet and wade up to his waist. + +He made the passage with ease. + +Pitched against the hole of the tree was a long narrow case, very +heavy, iron-clamped; and marked with letters in black triangles and the +broad arrow of the British Government. + +"Rifles, by all the gods!" shouted the sailor. They were really by the +Enfield Small Arms Manufactory, but his glee at this stroke of luck +might be held to excuse a verbal inaccuracy. + +The _Sirdar_ carried a consignment of arms and ammunition from +Hong Kong to Singapore. Providence had decreed that a practically +inexhaustible store of cartridges should be hurled across the lagoon to +the island. And here were Lee-Metfords enough to equip half a company. +He would not risk the precious axe in an attempt to open the case. He +must go back for a crowbar. + +What else was there in this storehouse, thrust by Neptune from the +ocean bed? A chest of tea, seemingly undamaged. Three barrels of flour, +utterly ruined. A saloon chair, smashed from its pivot. A battered +chronometer. For the rest, fragments of timber intermingled with +pulverized coral and broken crockery. + +A little further on, the deep-water entrance to the lagoon curved +between sunken rocks. On one of them rested the _Sirdar's_ huge +funnel. The north-west section of the reef was bare. Among the wreckage +he found a coil of stout rope and a pulley. He instantly conceived the +idea of constructing an aerial line to ferry the chest of tea across +the channel he had forded. + +He threaded the pulley with the rope and climbed the tree, adding a +touch of artistic completeness to the ruin of his trousers by the +operation. He had fastened the pulley high up the trunk before he +realized how much more simple it would be to break open the chest where +it lay and transport its contents in small parcels. + +He laughed lightly. "I am becoming addleheaded," he said to himself. +"Anyhow, now the job is done I may as well make use of it." + +Recoiling the rope-ends, he cast them across to the reef. In such small +ways do men throw invisible dice with death. With those two lines he +would, within a few fleeting seconds, drag himself back from eternity. + +Picking up the axe, he carelessly stepped into the water, not knowing +that Iris, having welded the incipient sago into a flat pancake, had +strolled to the beach and was watching him. + +The water was hardly above his knees when there came a swirling rush +from the seaweed. A long tentacle shot out like a lasso and gripped his +right leg. Another coiled round his waist. + +"My God!" he gurgled, as a horrid sucker closed over his mouth and +nose. He was in the grip of a devil-fish. + +A deadly sensation of nausea almost overpowered him, but the love of +life came to his aid, and he tore the suffocating feeler from his face. +Then the axe whirled, and one of the eight arms of the octopus lost +some of its length. Yet a fourth flung itself around his left ankle. A +few feet away, out of range of the axe, and lifting itself bodily out +of the water, was the dread form of the cuttle, apparently all head, +with distended gills and monstrous eyes. + +The sailor's feet were planted wide apart. With frenzied effort he +hacked at the murderous tentacles, but the water hindered him, and he +was forced to lean back, in superhuman strain, to avoid losing his +balance. If once this terrible assailant got him down he knew he was +lost. The very need to keep his feet prevented him from attempting to +deal a mortal blow. + +The cuttle was anchored by three of its tentacles. Its remaining arm +darted with sinuous activity to again clutch the man's face or neck. +With the axe he smote madly at the curling feeler, diverting its aim +time and again, but failing to deliver an effective stroke. + +With agonized prescience the sailor knew that he was yielding. Were the +devil-fish a giant of its tribe he could not have held out so long. As +it was, the creature could afford to wait, strengthening its grasp, +tightening its coils, pulling and pumping at its prey with remorseless +certainty. + +He was nearly spent. In a paroxysm of despair he resolved to give way, +and with one mad effort seek to bury the axe in the monster's brain. +But ere he could execute this fatal project--for the cuttle would have +instantly swept him into the trailing weeds--five revolver shots rang +out in quick succession. Iris had reached the nearest rock. + +The third bullet gave the octopus cause to reflect. It squirted forth a +torrent of dark-colored fluid. Instantly the water became black, +opaque. The tentacle flourishing in air thrashed the surface with +impotent fury; that around Jenks's waist grew taut and rigid. The axe +flashed with the inspiration of hope. Another arm was severed; the huge +dismembered coil slackened and fell away. + +Yet was he anchored immovably. He turned to look at Iris. She never +forgot the fleeting expression of his face. So might Lazarus have +looked from the tomb. + +"The rope!" she screamed, dropping the revolver and seizing the loose +ends lying at her feet. + +She drew them tight and leaned back, pulling with all her strength. The +sailor flung the axe to the rocks and grasped the two ropes. He raised +himself and plunged wildly. He was free. With two convulsive strides he +was at the girl's side. + +He stumbled to a boulder and dropped in complete collapse. After a time +he felt Iris's hand placed timidly on his shoulder. He raised his head +and saw her eyes shining. + +"Thank you," he said. "We are quits now." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +SOME EXPLANATIONS + + +Fierce emotions are necessarily transient, but for the hour they +exhaust the psychic capacity. The sailor had gone through such mental +stress before it was yet noon that he was benumbed, wholly incapable of +further sensation. Seneca tells how the island of Theresæa arose in a +moment from the sea, thereby astounding ancient mariners, as well it +might. Had this manifestation been repeated within a cable's length +from the reef, Jenks was in mood to accept it as befitting the new +order of things. + +Being in good condition, he soon recovered his physical powers. He was +outwardly little the worse for the encounter with the devil-fish. The +skin around his mouth was sore. His waist and legs were bruised. One +sweep of the axe had cut clean through the bulging leather of his left +boot without touching the flesh. In a word, he was practically +uninjured. + +He had the doglike habit of shaking himself at the close of a fray. He +did so now when he stood up. Iris showed clearer signs of the ordeal. +Her face was drawn and haggard, the pupils of her eyes dilated. She was +gazing into depths, illimitable, unexplored. Compassion awoke at sight +of her. + +"Come," said Jenks, gently. "Let us get back to the island." + +He quietly resumed predominance, helping her over the rough pathway of +the reef, almost lifting her when the difficulties were great. + +He did not ask her how it happened that she came so speedily to his +assistance. Enough that she had done it, daring all for his sake. She +was weak and trembling. With the acute vision of the soul she saw +again, and yet again, the deadly malice of the octopus, the divine +despair of the man. + +Reaching the firm sand, she could walk alone. She limped. Instantly her +companion's blunted emotions quickened into life. He caught her arm and +said hoarsely-- + +"Are you hurt in any way?" + +The question brought her back from dreamland. A waking nightmare was +happily shattered into dim fragments. She even strove to smile +unconcernedly. + +"It is nothing," she murmured. "I stumbled on the rocks. There is no +sprain. Merely a blow, a bit of skin rubbed off, above my ankle." + +"Let me carry you." + +"The idea! Carry me! I will race you to the cave." + +It was no idle jest. She wanted to run--to get away from that inky +blotch in the green water. + +"You are sure it is a trifle?" + +"Quite sure. My stocking chafes a little; that is all. See, I will show +you." + +She stooped, and with the quick skill of woman, rolled down the +stocking on her right leg. Modestly daring, she stretched out her foot +and slightly lifted her dress. On the outer side of the tapering limb +was an ugly bruise, scratched deeply by the coral. + +He exhibited due surgical interest. His manner, his words, became +professional. + +"We will soon put that right," he said. "A strip off your muslin dress, +soaked in brandy, will----" + +"Brandy!" she exclaimed. + +"Yes; we have some, you know. Brandy is a great tip for bruised wounds. +It can be applied both ways, inside and out." + +This was better. They were steadily drifting back to the commonplace. +Whilst she stitched together some muslin strips he knocked the head off +a bottle of brandy. They each drank a small quantity, and the generous +spirit brought color to their wan cheeks. The sailor showed Iris how to +fasten a bandage by twisting the muslin round the upper part of his +boot. For the first time she saw the cut made by the axe. + +"Did--the thing--grip you there?" she nervously inquired. + +"There, and elsewhere. All over at once, it felt like. The beast +attacked me with five arms." + +She shuddered. "I don't know how you could fight it," she said. "How +strong, how brave you must be." + +This amused him. "The veriest coward will try to save his own life," he +answered. "If you use such adjectives to me, what words can I find to +do justice to you, who dared to come close to such a vile-looking +creature and kill it. I must thank my stars that you carried the +revolver." + +"Ah!" she said, "that reminds me. You do not practice what you preach. +I found your pistol lying on the stone in the cave. That is one reason +why I followed you." + +It was quite true. He laid the weapon aside when delving at the rock, +and forgot to replace it in his belt. + +"It was stupid of me," he admitted; "but I am not sorry." + +"Why?" + +"Because, as it is, I owe you my life." + +"You owe me nothing," she snapped. "It is very thoughtless of you to +run such risks. What will become of me if anything happens to you? My +point of view is purely selfish, you see." + +"Quite so. Purely selfish." He smiled sadly. "Selfish people of your +type are somewhat rare, Miss Deane." + +Not a conversation worth noting, perhaps, save in so far as it is +typical of the trite utterances of people striving to recover from some +tremendous ordeal. Epigrams delivered at the foot of the scaffold have +always been carefully prepared beforehand. + +The bandage was ready; one end was well soaked in brandy. She moved +towards the cave, but he cried-- + +"Wait one minute. I want to get a couple of crowbars." + +"What for?" + +"I must go back there." He jerked his head in the direction of the +reef. She uttered a little sob of dismay. + +"I will incur no danger this time," he explained. "I found rifles +there. We must have them; they may mean salvation." + +When Iris was determined about anything, her chin dimpled. It puckered +delightfully now. + +"I will come with you," she announced. + +"Very well. I will wait for you. The tide will serve for another hour." + +He knew he had decided rightly. She could not bear to be alone--yet. +Soon the bandage was adjusted and they returned to the reef. Scrambling +now with difficulty over the rough and dangerous track, Iris was +secretly amazed by the remembrance of the daring activity she displayed +during her earlier passage along the same precarious roadway. + +Then she darted from rock to rock with the fearless certainty of a +chamois. Her only stumble was caused, she recollected, by an absurd +effort to avoid wetting her dress. She laughed nervously when they +reached the place. This time Jenks lifted her across the intervening +channel. + +"Is this the spot where you fell?" he asked, tenderly. + +"Yes; how did you guess it?" + +"I read it in your eyes." + +"Then please do not read my eyes, but look where you are going." + +"Perhaps I was doing that too," he said. + +They were standing on the landward side of the shallow water in which +he fought the octopus. + +Already the dark fluid emitted by his assailant in its final +discomfiture was passing away, owing to the slight movement of the +tide. + +Iris was vaguely conscious of a double meaning in his words. She did +not trouble to analyze them. All she knew was that the man's voice +conveyed a subtle acknowledgment of her feminine divinity. The +resultant thrill of happiness startled, even dismayed her. This +incipient flirtation must be put a stop to instantly. + +"Now that you have brought me here with so much difficulty, what are +you going to do?" she said. "It will be madness for you to attempt to +ford that passage again. Where there is one of those horrible things +there are others, I suppose." + +Jenks smiled. Somehow he knew that this strict adherence to business +was a cloak for her real thoughts. Already these two were able to +dispense with spoken word. + +But he sedulously adopted her pretext. + +"That is one reason why I brought the crowbars," he explained. "If you +will sit down for a little while I will have everything properly +fixed." + +He delved with one of the bars until it lodged in a crevice of the +coral. Then a few powerful blows with the back of the axe wedged it +firmly enough to bear any ordinary strain. The rope-ends reeved through +the pulley on the tree were lying where they fell from the girl's hand +at the close of the struggle. He deftly knotted them to the rigid bar, +and a few rapid turns of a piece of wreckage passed between the two +lines strung them into a tautness that could not be attained by any +amount of pulling. + +Iris watched the operation in silence. The sailor always looked at his +best when hard at work. The half-sullen, wholly self-contained +expression left his face, which lit up with enthusiasm and concentrated +intelligence. That which he essayed he did with all his might. Will +power and physical force worked harmoniously. She had never before seen +such a man. At such moments her admiration of him was unbounded. + +He, toiling with steady persistence, felt not the inward spur which +sought relief in speech, but Iris was compelled to say something. + +"I suppose," she commented with an air of much wisdom, "you are +contriving an overhead railway for the safe transit of yourself and the +goods?" + +"Y--yes." + +"Why are you so doubtful about it?" + +"Because I personally intended to walk across. The ropes will serve to +convey the packages." + +She rose imperiously. "I absolutely forbid you to enter the water +again. Such a suggestion on your part is quite shameful. You are taking +a grave risk for no very great gain that I can see, and if anything +happens to you I shall be left all alone in this awful place." + +She could think of no better argument. Her only resource was a woman's +expedient--a plea for protection against threatening ills. + +The sailor seemed to be puzzled how best to act. + +"Miss Deane," he said, "there is no such serious danger as you imagine. +Last time the cuttle caught me napping. He will not do so again. Those +rifles I must have. If it will serve to reassure you, I will go along +the line myself." + +He made this concession grudgingly. In very truth, if danger still +lurked in the neighboring sea, he would be far less able to avoid it +whilst clinging to a rope that sagged with his weight, and thus working +a slow progress across the channel, than if he were on his feet and +prepared to make a rush backwards or forwards. + +Not until Iris watched him swinging along with vigorous overhead +clutches did this phase of the undertaking occur to her. + +"Stop!" she screamed. + +He let go and dropped into the water, turning towards her. + +"What is the matter now?" he said. + +"Go on; do!" + +He stood meekly on the further side to listen to her rating. + +"You knew all the time that it would be better to walk, yet to please +me you adopted an absurdly difficult method. Why did you do it?" + +"You have answered your own question." + +"Well, I am very, very angry with you." + +"I'll tell you what," he said, "if you will forgive me I will try and +jump back. I once did nineteen feet three inches in--er--in a meadow, +but it makes such a difference when you look at a stretch of water the +same width." + +"I wish you would not stand there talking nonsense. The tide will be +over the reef in half an hour," she cried. + +Without another word he commenced operations. There was plenty of rope, +and the plan he adopted was simplicity itself. When each package was +securely fastened he attached it to a loop that passed over the line +stretched from the tree to the crowbar. To this loop he tied the +lightest rope he could find and threw the other end to Iris. By pulling +slightly she was able to land at her feet even the cumbrous +rifle-chest, for the traveling angle was so acute that the heavier the +article the more readily it sought the lower level. + +They toiled in silence until Jenks could lay hands on nothing more of +value. Then, observing due care, he quickly passed the channel. For an +instant the girl gazed affrightedly at the sea until the sailor stood +at her side again. + +"You see," he said, "you have scared every cuttle within miles." And he +thought that he would give many years of his life to be able to take +her in his arms and kiss away her anxiety. + +But the tide had turned; in a few minutes the reef would be partly +submerged. To carry the case of rifles to the mainland was a manifestly +impossible feat, so Jenks now did that which, done earlier, would have +saved him some labor--he broke open the chest, and found that the +weapons were apparently in excellent order. + +He snapped the locks and squinted down the barrels of half a dozen to +test them. These he laid on one side. Then he rapidly constructed a +small raft from loose timbers, binding them roughly with rope, and to +this argosy he fastened the box of tea, the barrels of flour, the +broken saloon-chair, and other small articles which might be of use. He +avoided any difficulty in launching the raft by building it close to +the water's edge. When all was ready the rising tide floated it for +him; he secured it to his longest rope, and gave it a vigorous push off +into the lagoon. Then he slung four rifles across his shoulders, asked +Iris to carry the remaining two in like manner, and began to manoeuvre +the raft landwards. + +"Whilst you land the goods I will prepare dinner," announced the girl. + +"Please be careful not to slip again on the rocks," he said. + +"Indeed I will. My ankle gives me a reminder at each step." + +"I was more concerned about the rifles. If you fell you might damage +them, and the incoming tide will so hopelessly rust those I leave +behind that they will be useless." + +She laughed. This assumption at brutality no longer deceived her. + +"I will preserve them at any cost, though with six in our possession +there is a margin for accidents. However, to reassure you, I will go +back quickly. If I fall a second time you will still be able to replace +any deficiencies in our armament." + +Before he could protest she started off at a run, jumping lightly from +rock to rock, though the effort cost her a good deal of pain. +Disregarding his shouts, she persevered until she stood safely on the +sands. Then saucily waving a farewell, she set off towards the cave. + +Had she seen the look of fierce despair that settled down upon Jenks's +face as he turned to his task of guiding the raft ashore she might have +wondered what it meant. In any case she would certainly have behaved +differently. + +By the time the sailor had safely landed his cargo Iris had cooked +their midday meal. She achieved a fresh culinary triumph. The eggs were +fried! + +"I am seriously thinking of trying to boil a ham," she stated gravely. +"Have you any idea how long it takes to cook one properly?" + +"A quarter of an hour for each pound." + +"Admirable! But we can measure neither hours nor pounds." + +"I think we can do both. I will construct a balance of some kind. Then, +with a ham slung to one end, and a rifle and some cartridges to the +other, I will tell you the weight of the ham to an ounce. To ascertain +the time, I have already determined to fashion a sun-dial. I remember +the requisite divisions with reasonable accuracy, and a little +observation will enable us to correct any mistakes." + +"You are really very clever, Mr. Jenks," said Iris, with childlike +candor. "Have you spent several years of your life in preparing for +residence on a desert island?" + +"Something of the sort. I have led a queer kind of existence, full of +useless purposes. Fate has driven me into a corner where my odds and +ends of knowledge are actually valuable. Such accidents make men +millionaires." + +"Useless purposes!" she repeated. "I can hardly credit that. One uses +such a phrase to describe fussy people, alive with foolish activity. +Your worst enemy would not place you in such a category." + +"My worst enemy made the phrase effective at any rate, Miss Deane." + +"You mean that he ruined your career?" + +"Well--er--yes. I suppose that describes the position with fair +accuracy." + +"Was he a very great scoundrel?" + +"He was, and is." + +Jenks spoke with quiet bitterness. The girl's words had evoked a sudden +flood of recollection. For the moment he did not notice how he had been +trapped into speaking of himself, nor did he see the quiet content on +Iris's face when she elicited the information that his chief foe was a +man. A certain tremulous hesitancy in her manner when she next spoke +might have warned him, but his hungry soul caught only the warm +sympathy of her words, which fell like rain on parched soil. + +"You are tired," she said. "Won't you smoke for a little while, and +talk to me?" + +He produced his pipe and tobacco, but he used his right hand awkwardly. +It was evident to her alert eyes that the torn quick on his injured +finger was hurting him a great deal. The exciting events of the morning +had caused him temporarily to forget his wound, and the rapid coursing +of the blood through the veins was now causing him agonized throbs. + +With a cry of distress she sprang to her feet and insisted upon washing +the wound. Then she tenderly dressed it with a strip of linen well +soaked in brandy, thinking the while, with a sudden rush of color to +her face, that although he could suggest this remedy for her slight +hurt, he gave no thought to his own serious injury. Finally she pounced +upon his pipe and tobacco-box. + +"Don't be alarmed," she laughed. "I have often filled my father's pipe +for him. First, you put the tobacco in loosely, taking care not to use +any that is too finely powdered. Then you pack the remainder quite +tightly. But I was nearly forgetting. I haven't blown, through the pipe +to see if it is clean." + +She suited the action to the word, using much needless breath in the +operation. + +"That is a first-rate pipe," she declared. "My father always said that +a straight stem, with the bowl at a right angle, was the correct shape. +You evidently agree with him." + +"Absolutely." + +"You will like my father when you meet him. He is the very best man +alive, I am sure." + +"You two are great friends, then?" + +"Great friends! He is the only friend I possess in the world." + +"What! Is that quite accurate?" + +"Oh, quite. Of course, Mr. Jenks, I can never forget how much I owe to +you. I like you immensely, too, although you are so--so gruff to me at +times. But--but--you see, my father and I have always been together. I +have neither brother nor sister, not even a cousin. My dear mother died +from some horrid fever when I was quite a little girl. My father is +everything to me." + +"Dear child!" he murmured, apparently uttering his thoughts aloud +rather than addressing her directly. "So you find me gruff, eh?" + +"A regular bear, when you lecture me. But that is only occasionally. +You can be very nice when you like, when you forget your past troubles. +And pray, why do you call me a child? + +"Have I done so?" + +"Not a moment ago. How old are you, Mr. Jenks? I am twenty--twenty last +December." + +"And I," he said, "will be twenty-eight in August." + +"Good gracious!" she gasped. "I am very sorry, but I really thought you +were forty at least." + +"I look it, no doubt. Let me be equally candid and admit that you, too, +show your age markedly." + +She smiled nervously. "What a lot of trouble you must have had +to--to--to give you those little wrinkles in the corners of your mouth +and eyes," she said. + +"Wrinkles! How terrible!" + +"I don't know. I think they rather suit you; besides, it was stupid of +me to imagine you were so old. I suppose exposure to the sun creates +wrinkles, and you must have lived much in the open air." + +"Early rising and late going to bed are bad for the complexion," he +declared, solemnly. + +"I often wonder how army officers manage to exist," she said. "They +never seem to get enough sleep, in the East, at any rate. I have seen +them dancing for hours after midnight, and heard of them pig-sticking +or schooling hunters at five o'clock next morning." + +"So you assume I have been in the army?" + +"I am quite sure of it." + +"May I ask why?" + +"Your manner, your voice, your quiet air of authority, the very way you +walk, all betray you." + +"Then," he said sadly, "I will not attempt to deny the fact. I held a +commission in the Indian Staff Corps for nine years. It was a hobby of +mine, Miss Deane, to make myself acquainted with the best means of +victualing my men and keeping them in good health under all sorts of +fanciful conditions and in every kind of climate, especially under +circumstances when ordinary stores were not available. With that object +in view I read up every possible country in which my regiment might be +engaged, learnt the local names of common articles of food, and +ascertained particularly what provision nature made to sustain life. +The study interested me. Once, during the Soudan campaign, it was +really useful, and procured me promotion." + +"Tell me about it." + +"During some operations in the desert it was necessary for my troop to +follow up a small party of rebels mounted on camels, which, as you +probably know, can go without water much longer than horses. We were +almost within striking distance, when our horses completely gave out, +but I luckily noticed indications which showed that there was water +beneath a portion of the plain much below the general level. Half an +hour's spade work proved that I was right. We took up the pursuit +again, and ran the quarry to earth, and I got my captaincy." + +"Was there no fight?" + +He paused an appreciable time before replying. Then he evidently made +up his mind to perform some disagreeable task. The watching girl could +see the change in his face, the sharp transition from eager interest to +angry resentment. + +"Yes," he went on at last, "there was a fight. It was a rather stiff +affair, because a troop of British cavalry which should have supported +me had turned back, owing to the want of water already mentioned. But +that did not save the officer in charge of the 24th Lancers from being +severely reprimanded." + +"The 24th Lancers!" cried Iris. "Lord Ventnor's regiment!" + +"Lord Ventnor was the officer in question." + +Her face crimonsed. "Then you know him?" she said. + +"I do." + +"Is he your enemy?" + +"Yes." + +"And that is why you were so agitated that last day on the +_Sirdar_, when poor Lady Tozer asked me if I were engaged to him?" + +"Yes." + +"How could it affect you? You did not even know my name then?" + +Poor Iris! She did not stop to ask herself why she framed her question +in such manner, but the sailor was now too profoundly moved to heed the +slip. She could not tell how he was fighting with himself, fiercely +beating down the inner barriers of self-love, sternly determined, once +and for all, to reveal himself in such light to this beautiful and +bewitching woman that in future she would learn to regard him only as +an outcast whose company she must perforce tolerate until relief came. + +"It affected me because the sudden mention of his name recalled my own +disgrace. I quitted the army six months ago, Miss Deane, under very +painful circumstances. A general court-martial found me guilty of +conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. I was not even given a +chance to resign. I was cashiered." + +He pretended to speak with cool truculence. He thought to compel her +into shrinking contempt. Yet his face blanched somewhat, and though he +steadily kept the pipe between his teeth, and smoked with studied +unconcern, his lips twitched a little. + +And he dared not look at her, for the girl's wondering eyes were fixed +upon him, and the blush had disappeared as quickly as it came. + +"I remember something of this," she said slowly, never once averting +her gaze. "There was some gossip concerning it when I first came to +Hong Kong. You are Captain Robert Anstruther?" + +"I am." + +"And you publicly thrashed Lord Ventnor as the result of a quarrel +about a woman?" + +"Your recollection is quite accurate." + +"Who was to blame?" + +"The lady said that I was." + +"Was it true?" + +Robert Anstruther, late captain of Bengal Cavalry, rose to his feet. He +preferred to take his punishment standing. + +"The court-martial agreed with her, Miss Deane, and I am a prejudiced +witness," he replied. + +"Who was the--lady?" + +"The wife of my colonel, Mrs. Costobell." + +"Oh!" + +Long afterwards he remembered the agony of that moment, and winced even +at the remembrance. But he had decided upon a fixed policy, and he was +not a man to flinch from consequences. Miss Deane must be taught to +despise him, else, God help them both, she might learn to love him as +he now loved her. So, blundering towards his goal as men always blunder +where a woman's heart is concerned, he blindly persisted in allowing +her to make such false deductions as she chose from his words. + +Iris was the first to regain some measure of self-control. + +"I am glad you have been so candid, Captain Anstruther," she commenced, +but he broke in abruptly-- + +"Jenks, if you please, Miss Deane. Robert Jenks." + +There was a curious light in her eyes, but he did not see it, and her +voice was marvelously subdued as she continued-- + +"Certainly, Mr. Jenks. Let me be equally explicit before we quit the +subject. I have met Mrs. Costobell. I do not like her. I consider her a +deceitful woman. Your court-martial might have found a different +verdict had its members been of her sex. As for Lord Ventnor, he is +nothing to me. It is true he asked my father to be permitted to pay his +addresses to me, but my dear old dad left the matter wholly to my +decision, and I certainly never gave Lord Ventnor any encouragement. I +believe now that Mrs. Costobell lied, and that Lord Ventnor lied, when +they attributed any dishonorable action to you, and I am glad that you +beat him in the Club. I am quite sure he deserved it." + +Not one word did this strange man vouchsafe in reply. He started +violently, seized the axe lying at his feet, and went straight among +the trees, keeping his face turned from Iris so that she might not see +the tears in his eyes. + +As for the girl, she began to scour her cooking utensils with much +energy, and soon commenced a song. Considering that she was compelled +to constantly endure the company of a degraded officer, who had been +expelled from the service with ignominy, she was absurdly contented. +Indeed, with the happy inconsequence of youth, she quickly threw all +care to the winds, and devoted her thoughts to planning a surprise for +the next day by preparing some tea, provided she could surreptitiously +open the chest. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +SURPRISES + + +Before night closed their third day on the island Jenks managed to +construct a roomy tent-house, with a framework of sturdy trees selected +on account of their location. To these he nailed or tied crossbeams of +felled saplings; and the tarpaulins dragged from the beach supplied +roof and walls. It required the united strength of Iris and himself to +haul into position the heavy sheet that topped the structure, whilst he +was compelled to desist from active building operations in order to +fashion a rough ladder. Without some such contrivance he could not get +the topmost supports adjusted at a sufficient height. + +Although the edifice required at least two more days of hard work +before it would be fit for habitation Iris wished to take up her +quarters there immediately. This the sailor would not hear of. + +"In the cave," he said, "you are absolutely sheltered from all the +winds that blow or rain that falls. Our villa, however, is painfully +leaky and draughty at present. When asleep, the whole body is relaxed, +and you are then most open to the attacks of cold or fever, in which +case, Miss Deane, I shall be reluctantly obliged to dose you with a +concoction of that tree there." + +He pointed to a neighboring cinchona, and Iris naturally asked why he +selected that particular brand. + +"Because it is quinine, not made up in nice little tabloids, but _au +naturel_. It will not be a bad plan if we prepare a strong infusion, +and take a small quantity every morning on the excellent principle that +prevention is better than cure." + +The girl laughed. + +"Good gracious!" she said; "that reminds me--" + +But the words died away on her lips in sudden fright. They were +standing on the level plateau in front of the cave, well removed from +the trees, and they could see distinctly on all sides, for the sun was +sinking in a cloudless sky and the air was preternaturally clear, being +free now from the tremulous haze of the hot hours. + +Across the smooth expanse of sandy ground came the agonized shrieks of +a startled bird--a large bird, it would seem--winging its way towards +them with incredible swiftness, and uttering a succession of loud +full-voiced notes of alarm. + +Yet the strange thing was that not a bird was to be seen. At that hour +the ordinary feathered inhabitants of the island were quietly nestling +among the branches preparatory to making a final selection of the +night's resting-place. None of them would stir unless actually +disturbed. + +Iris drew near to the sailor. Involuntarily she caught his arm. He +stepped a half-pace in front of her to ward off any danger that might +be heralded by this new and uncanny phenomenon. Together they strained +their eyes in the direction of the approaching sound, but apparently +their sight was bewitched; as nothing whatever was visible. + +"Oh, what is it?" wailed Iris, who now clung to Jenks in a state of +great apprehension. + +The clucking noise came nearer, passed them within a yard, and was +already some distance away towards the reef when the sailor burst into +a hearty laugh, none the less genuine because of the relief it gave to +his bewildered senses. + +Reassured, but still white with fear, Iris cried: "Do speak, please, +Mr. Jenks. What was it?" + +"A beetle!" he managed to gasp. + +"A beetle?" + +"Yes, a small, insignificant-looking fellow, too--so small that I did +not see him until he was almost out of range. He has the loudest voice +for his size in the whole of creation. A man able to shout on the same +scale could easily make himself heard for twenty miles." + +"Then I do not like such beetles; I always hated them, but this latest +variety is positively detestable. Such nasty things ought to be kept in +zoological gardens, and not turned loose. Moreover, my tea will be +boiled into spinach." + +Nevertheless, the tea, though minus sugar or milk, was grateful enough +and particularly acceptable to the sailor, who entertained Iris with a +disquisition on the many virtues of that marvelous beverage. Curiously +enough, the lifting of the veil upon the man's earlier history made +these two much better friends. With more complete acquaintance there +was far less tendency towards certain passages which, under ordinary +conditions, could be construed as nothing else than downright +flirtation. + +They made the pleasing discovery that they could both sing. There was +hardly an opera in vogue that one or other did not know sufficiently +well to be able to recall the chief musical numbers. Iris had a sweet +and sympathetic mezzo-soprano voice, Jenks an excellent baritone, and, +to the secret amazement of the girl, he rendered one or two well-known +Anglo-Indian barrack-room ditties with much humor. + +This, then, was the _mise-en-scéne_. + +Iris, seated in the broken saloon-chair, which the sailor had firmly +wedged into the sand for her accommodation, was attired in a +close-fitting costume selected from the small store of garments so +wisely preserved by Jenks. She wore a pair of clumsy men's boots +several sizes too large for her. Her hair was tied up in a gipsy knot +on the back of her head, and the light of a cheerful log fire danced in +her blue eyes. + +Jenks, unshaven and ragged, squatted tailor wise near her. Close at +hand, on two sides, the shaggy walls of rock rose in solemn grandeur. +The neighboring trees, decked now in the sable livery of night, were +dimly outlined against the deep misty blue of sea and sky or wholly +merged in the shadow of the cliffs. + +They lost themselves in the peaceful influences of the hour. +Shipwrecked, remote from human land, environed by dangers known or only +conjectured, two solitary beings on a tiny island, thrown haphazard +from the depths of the China Sea, this young couple, after passing +unscathed through perils unknown even to the writers of melodrama, +lifted up their voices in the sheer exuberance of good spirits and +abounding vitality. + +The girl was specially attracted by "The Buffalo Battery," a rollicking +lyric known to all Anglo-India from Peshawur to Tuticorin. The air is +the familiar one of the "Hen Convention," and the opening verse runs in +this wise: + + I love to hear the sepoy with his bold and martial tread, + And the thud of the galloping cavalry re-echoes through my head. + But sweeter far than any sound by mortal ever made + Is the tramp of the Buffalo Battery a-going to parade. + _Chorus_: For it's "Hainya! hainya! hainya! hainya!" + Twist their tails and go. + With a "Hâthi! hâthi! hâthi!" ele-_phant_ and buffa_lo_, + "Chow-chow, chow-chow, chow-chow, chow-chow," + "Tèri ma!" "Chel-lo!" + Oh, that's the way they shout all day, and drive the buffalo. + +Iris would not be satisfied until she understood the meaning of the +Hindustani phrases, mastered the nasal pronunciation of "hainya," +and placed the artificial accent on _phant_ and _lo_ in the +second line of the chorus. + +Jenks was concluding the last verse when there came, hurtling through +the air, the weird cries of the singing beetle, returning, perchance, +from successful foray on Palm-tree Rock. This second advent of the +insect put an end to the concert. Within a quarter of an hour they were +asleep. + +Thenceforth, for ten days, they labored unceasingly, starting work at +daybreak and stopping only when the light failed, finding the long +hours of sunshine all too short for the manifold tasks demanded of +them, yet thankful that the night brought rest. The sailor made out a +programme to which he rigidly adhered. In the first place, he completed +the house, which had two compartments, an inner room in which Iris +slept, and an outer, which served as a shelter for their meals and +provided a bedroom for the man. + +Then he constructed a gigantic sky-sign on Summit Rock, the small +cluster of boulders on top of the cliff. His chief difficulty was to +hoist into place the tall poles he needed, and for this purpose he had +to again visit Palm-tree Rock in order to secure the pulley. By +exercising much ingenuity in devising shear-legs, he at last succeeded +in lifting the masts into their allotted receptacles, where they were +firmly secured. Finally he was able to swing into air, high above the +tops of the neighboring trees, the loftiest of which he felled in order +to clear the view on all sides, the name of the ship _Sirdar_, +fashioned in six-foot letters nailed and spliced together in sections +and made from the timbers of that ill-fated vessel. + +Meanwhile he taught Iris how to weave a net out of the strands of +unraveled cordage. With this, weighted by bullets, he contrived a +casting-net and caught a lot of small fish in the lagoon. At first they +were unable to decide which varieties were edible, until a happy +expedient occurred to the girl. + +"The seabirds can tell us," she said. "Let us spread out our haul on +the sands and leave them. By observing those specimens seized by the +birds and those they reject we should not go far wrong." + +Though her reasoning was not infallible it certainly proved to be a +reliable guide in this instance. Among the fish selected by the +feathered connoisseurs they hit upon two species which most resembled +whiting and haddock, and these turned out to be very palatable and +wholesome. + +Jenks knew a good deal of botany, and enough about birds to +differentiate between carnivorous species and those fit for human food, +whilst the salt in their most fortunate supply of hams rendered their +meals almost epicurean. Think of it, ye dwellers in cities, content +with stale buns and leathery sandwiches when ye venture into the wilds +of a railway refreshment-room, these two castaways, marooned by queer +chance on a desert island, could sit down daily to a banquet of +vegetable soup, fish, a roast bird, ham boiled or fried, and a sago +pudding, the whole washed down by cool spring water, or, should the +need arise, a draught of the best champagne! + +From the rusty rifles on the reef Jenks brought away the bayonets and +secured all the screws, bolts, and other small odds and ends which +might be serviceable. From the barrels he built a handy grate to +facilitate Iris's cooking operations, and a careful search each morning +amidst the ashes of any burnt wreckage accumulated a store of most +useful nails. + +The pressing need for a safe yet accessible bathing place led him and +the girl to devote one afternoon to a complete survey of the +coast-line. By this time they had given names to all the chief +localities. The northerly promontory was naturally christened North +Cape; the western, Europa Point; the portion of the reef between their +habitation and Palm-tree Rock became Filey Brig; the other section +North-west Reef. The flat sandy passage across the island, containing +the cave, house, and well, was named Prospect Park; and the extensive +stretch of sand on the south-east, with its guard of broken reefs, was +at once dubbed Turtle Beach when Jenks discovered that an immense +number of green turtles were paying their spring visit to the island to +bury their eggs in the sand. + +The two began their tour of inspection by passing the scene of the +first desperate struggle to escape from the clutch of the typhoon. Iris +would not be content until the sailor showed her the rock behind which +he placed her for shelter whilst he searched for water. For a moment +the recollection of their unfortunate companions on board ship brought +a lump into her throat and dimmed her eyes. + +"I remember them in my prayers every night," she confided to him. "It +seems so unutterably sad that they should be lost, whilst we are alive +and happy." + +The man distracted her attention by pointing out the embers of their +first fire. It was the only way to choke back the tumultuous feelings +that suddenly stormed his heart. Happy! Yes, he had never before known +such happiness. How long would it last? High up on the cliff swung the +signal to anxious searchers of the sea that here would be found the +survivors of the _Sirdar_. And then, when rescue came, when Miss +Deane became once more the daughter of a wealthy baronet, and he a +disgraced and a nameless outcast--! He set his teeth and savagely +struck at a full cup of the pitcher-plant which had so providentially +relieved their killing thirst. + +"Oh, why did you do that?" pouted Iris. "Poor thing! it was a true +friend in need. I wish I could do something for it to make it the best +and leafiest plant of its kind on the island." + +"Very well!" he answered; "you can gratify your wish. A tinful of fresh +water from the well, applied daily to its roots, will quickly achieve +that end." + +The moroseness of his tone and manner surprised her. For once her quick +intuition failed to divine the source of his irritation. + +"You give your advice ungraciously," she said, "but I will adopt it +nevertheless." + +A harmless incident, a kindly and quite feminine resolve, yet big with +fate for both of them. + +Jenks's unwonted ill-humor--for the passage of days had driven from his +face all its harshness, and from his tongue all its assumed +bitterness--created a passing cloud until the physical exertion of +scrambling over the rocks to round the North Cape restored their normal +relations. + +A strong current raced by this point to the south-east, and tore away +the outlying spur of the headland to such an extent that the sailor was +almost inclined to choose the easier way through the trees. Yet he +persevered, and it may be confessed that the opportunities thus +afforded of grasping the girl's arm, of placing a steadying hand on her +shoulder, were dominant factors in determining his choice. + +At last they reached the south side, and here they at once found +themselves in a delightfully secluded and tiny bay, sandy, tree-lined, +sheltered on three sides by cliffs and rocks. + +"Oh," cried Iris, excitedly, "what a lovely spot! a perfect Smugglers' +Cove." + +"Charming enough to look at," was the answering comment, "but open to +the sea. If you look at the smooth riband of water out there, you will +perceive a passage through the reef. A great place for sharks, Miss +Deane, but no place for bathers." + +"Good gracious! I had forgotten the sharks. I suppose they must live, +horrid as they are, but I don't want them to dine on me." + +The mention of such disagreeable adjuncts to life on the island no +longer terrified her. Thus do English new-comers to India pass the first +three months' residence in the country in momentary terror of snakes, +and the remaining thirty years in complete forgetfulness of them. + +They passed on. Whilst traversing the coral-strewn south beach, with +its patches of white soft sand baking in the direct rays of the sun, +Jenks perceived traces of the turtle which swarmed in the neighboring +sea. + +"Delicious eggs and turtle soup!" he announced when Iris asked him why +he was so intently studying certain marks on the sand, caused by the +great sea-tortoise during their nocturnal visits to the +breeding-ground. + +"If they are green turtle," he continued, "we are in the lap of luxury. +They lard the alderman and inspire the poet. When a ship comes to our +assistance I will persuade the captain to freight the vessel with them +and make my fortune." + +"I suppose, under the circumstances, you were not a rich man, Mr. +Jenks," said Iris, timidly. + +"I possess a wealthy bachelor uncle, who made me his heir and allowed +me four hundred a year; so I was a sort of Croesus among Staff Corps +officers. When the smash came he disowned me by cable. By selling my +ponies and my other belongings I was able to walk out of my quarters +penniless but free from debt." + +"And all through a deceitful woman!" + +"Yes." + +Iris peeped at him from under the brim of her sou'wester. He seemed to +be absurdly contented, so different was his tone in discussing a +necessarily painful topic to the attitude he adopted during the attack +on the pitcher-plant. + +She was puzzled, but ventured a further step. + +"Was she very bad to you, Mr. Jenks?" + +He stopped and laughed--actually roared at the suggestion. + +"Bad to me!" he repeated. "I had nothing to do with her. She was +humbugging her husband, not me. Fool that I was, I could not mind my +own business." + +So Mrs. Costobell was not flirting with the man who suffered on her +account. It is a regrettable but true statement that Iris would +willingly have hugged Mrs. Costobell at that moment. She walked on air +during the next half-hour of golden silence, and Jenks did not remind +her that they were passing the gruesome Valley of Death. + +Rounding Europa Point, the sailor's eyes were fixed on their immediate +surroundings, but Iris gazed dreamily ahead. Hence it was that she was +the first to cry in amazement-- + +"A boat! See, there! On the rocks!" + +There was no mistake. A ship's boat was perched high and dry on the +north side of the cape. Even as they scrambled towards it Jenks +understood how it had come there. + +When the _Sirdar_ parted amidships the after section fell back +into the depths beyond the reef, and this boat must have broken loose +from its davits and been driven ashore here by the force of the western +current. + +Was it intact? Could they escape? Was this ark stranded on the island +for their benefit? If it were seaworthy, whither should they steer--to +those islands whose blue outlines were visible on the horizon? + +These and a hundred other questions coursed through his brain during +the race over the rocks, but all such wild speculations were promptly +settled when they reached the craft, for the keel and the whole of the +lower timbers were smashed into matchwood. + +But there were stores on board. Jenks remembered that Captain Ross's +foresight had secured the provisioning of all the ship's boats soon +after the first wild rush to steady the vessel after the propeller was +lost. Masts, sails, oars, seats--all save two water-casks--had gone; +but Jenks, with eager hands, unfastened the lockers, and here he found +a good supply of tinned meats and biscuits. They had barely recovered +from the excitement of this find when the sailor noticed that behind +the rocks on which the craft was firmly lodged lay a small natural +basin full of salt water, replenished and freshened by the spray of +every gale, and completely shut off from all seaward access. + +It was not more than four feet deep, beautifully carpeted with sand, +and secluded by rocks on all sides. Not the tiniest crab or fish was to +be seen. It provided an ideal bath. + +Iris was overjoyed. She pointed towards their habitation. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said, "I will be with you at tea-time." + +He gathered all the tins he was able to carry and strode off, enjoining +her to fire her revolver if for the slightest reason she wanted +assistance, and giving a parting warning that if she delayed too long +he would come and shout to her. + +"I wonder," said the girl to herself, watching his retreating figure, +"what he is afraid of. Surely by this time we have exhausted the +unpleasant surprises of the island. Anyhow, now for a splash!" + +She was hardly in the water before she began to be afraid on account of +Jenks. Suppose anything happened to him whilst she was thoughtlessly +enjoying herself here. So strongly did the thought possess her that she +hurriedly dressed again and ran off to find him. + +He was engaged in fastening a number of bayonets transversely to a long +piece of timber. + +"What are you doing that for?" she asked. + +"Why did you return so soon? Did anything alarm you?" + +"I thought you might get into mischief," she confessed. + +"No. On the other hand, I am trying to make trouble for any unwelcome +visitors," he replied. "This is a _cheval de frise_, which I +intend to set up in front of our cave in case we are compelled to +defend ourselves against an attack by savages. With this barring the +way they cannot rush the position." + +She sighed. Rainbow Island was a wild spot after all. Did not thorns +and briers grow very close to the gates of Eden? + +On the nineteenth day of their residence on the island the sailor +climbed, as was his invariable habit, to the Summit Rock whilst Iris +prepared breakfast. At this early hour the horizon was clearly cut as +the rim of a sapphire. He examined the whole arc of the sea with his +glasses, but not a sail was in sight. According to his calculations, +the growing anxiety as to the fate of the _Sirdar_ must long ere +this have culminated in the dispatch from Hong Kong or Singapore of a +special search vessel, whilst British warships in the China Sea would +be warned to keep a close lookout for any traces of the steamer, to +visit all islands on their route, and to question fishermen whom they +encountered. So help might come any day, or it might be long deferred. +He could not pierce the future, and it was useless to vex his soul with +questionings as to what might happen next week. The great certainty of +the hour was Iris--the blue-eyed, smiling divinity who had come into +his life--waiting for him down there beyond the trees, waiting to +welcome him with a sweet-voiced greeting; and he knew, with a fierce +devouring joy, that her cheek would not pale nor her lip tremble when +he announced that at least another sun must set before the expected +relief reached them. + +He replaced the glasses in their case and dived into the wood, giving a +passing thought to the fact that the wind, after blowing steadily from +the south for nearly a week, had veered round to the north-east during +the night. Did the change portend a storm? Well, they were now prepared +for all such eventualities, and he had not forgotten that they +possessed, among other treasures, a box of books for rainy days. And a +rainy day with Iris for company! What gale that ever blew could offer +such compensation for enforced idleness? + +The morning sped in uneventful work. Iris did not neglect her cherished +pitcher-plant. After luncheon it was her custom now to carry a dishful +of water to its apparently arid roots, and she rose to fulfil her +self-imposed task. + +"Let me help you," said Jenks. "I am not very busy this afternoon." + +"No, thank you. I simply won't allow you to touch that shrub. The dear +thing looks quite glad to see me. It drinks up the water as greedily as +a thirsty animal." + +"Even a cabbage has a heart, Miss Deane." + +She laughed merrily. "I do believe you are offering me a compliment," +she said. "I must indeed have found favor in your eyes." + +He had schooled himself to resist the opening given by this class of +retort, so he turned to make some corrections in the scale of the +sun-dial he had constructed, aided therein by daily observations with +the sextant left by the former inhabitant of the cave. + +Iris had been gone perhaps five minutes when he heard a distant shriek, +twice repeated, and then there came faintly to his ears his own name, +not "Jenks," but "Robert," in the girl's voice. Something terrible had +happened. It was a cry of supreme distress. Mortal agony or +overwhelming terror alone could wring that name from her lips. +Precisely in such moments this man acted with the decision, the +unerring judgment, the instantaneous acceptance of great risk to +accomplish great results, that marked him out as a born soldier. + +He rushed into the house and snatched from the rifle-rack one of the +six Lee-Metfords reposing there in apple-pie order, each with a filled +magazine attached and a cartridge already in position. + +Then he ran, with long swift strides, not through the trees, where he +could see nothing, but towards the beach, whence, in forty yards, the +place where Iris probably was would become visible. + +At once he saw her, struggling in the grasp of two ferocious-looking +Dyaks, one, by his garments, a person of consequence, the other a +half-naked savage, hideous and repulsive in appearance. Around them +seven men, armed with guns and parangs, were dancing with excitement. + +Iris's captors were endeavoring to tie her arms, but she was a strong +and active Englishwoman, with muscles well knit by the constant labor +of recent busy days and a frame developed by years of horse-riding and +tennis-playing. The pair evidently found her a tough handful, and the +inferior Dyak, either to stop her screams--for she was shrieking +"Robert, come to me!" with all her might--or to stifle her into +submission, roughly placed his huge hand over her mouth. + +These things the sailor noticed instantly. Some men, brave to rashness, +ready as he to give his life to save her, would have raced madly over +the intervening ground, scarce a furlong, and attempted a heroic combat +of one against nine. + +Not so Jenks. + +With the methodical exactness of the parade-ground he settled down on +one knee and leveled the rifle. At that range the Lee-Metford bullet +travels practically point-blank. Usually it is deficient in "stopping" +power, but he had provided against this little drawback by notching all +the cartridges in the six rifles after the effective manner devised by +an expert named Thomas Atkins during the Tirah campaign. + +None of the Dyaks saw him. All were intent on the sensational prize +they had secured, a young and beautiful white woman so contentedly +roaming about the shores of this Fetish island. With the slow speed +advised by the Roman philosopher, the backsight and foresight of the +Lee-Metford came into line with the breast of the coarse brute +clutching the girl's face. + +Then something bit him above the heart and simultaneously tore half of +his back into fragments. He fell, with a queer sob, and the others +turned to face this unexpected danger. + +Iris, knowing only that she was free from that hateful grasp, wrenched +herself free from the chief's hold, and ran with all her might along +the beach, to Jenks and safety. + +Again, and yet again, the rifle gave its short, sharp snarl, and two +more Dyaks collapsed on the sand. Six were left, their leader being +still unconsciously preserved from death by the figure of the flying +girl. + +A fourth Dyak dropped. + +The survivors, cruel savages but not cowards, unslung their guns. The +sailor, white-faced, grim, with an unpleasant gleam in his deep-set +eyes and a lower jaw protruding, noticed their preparations. + +"To the left!" he shouted. "Run towards the trees!" + +Iris heard him and strove to obey. But her strength was failing her, +and she staggered blindly. After a few despairing efforts she lurched +feebly to her knees, and tumbled face downwards on the broken coral +that had tripped her faltering footsteps. + +Jenks was watching her, watching the remaining Dyaks, from whom a +spluttering volley came, picking out his quarry with the murderous ease +of a terrier in a rat-pit. Something like a bee in a violent hurry +hummed past his ear, and a rock near his right foot was struck a +tremendous blow by an unseen agency. He liked this. It would be a +battle, not a battue. + +The fifth Dyak crumpled into the distortion of death, and then their +leader took deliberate aim at the kneeling marksman who threatened to +wipe him and his band out of existence. But his deliberation, though +skilful, was too profound. The sailor fired first, and was +professionally astonished to see the gaudily attired individual tossed +violently backward for many yards, finally pitching headlong to the +earth. Had he been charged by a bull in full career he could not have +been more utterly discomfited. The incident was sensational but +inexplicable. + +Yet another member of the band was prostrated ere the two as yet +unscathed thought fit to beat a retreat. This they now did with +celerity, but they dragged their chief with them. It was no part of +Jenks's programme to allow them to escape. He aimed again at the man +nearest the trees. There was a sharp click and nothing more. The +cartridge was a mis-fire. He hastily sought to eject it, and the rifle +jammed. These little accidents will happen, even in a good weapon like +the Lee-Metford. + +Springing to his feet with a yell he ran forward. The flying men caught +a glimpse of him and accelerated their movements. Just as he reached +Iris they vanished among the trees. + +Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he picked up the girl in his +arms. She was conscious, but breathless. + +"You are not hurt?" he gasped, his eyes blazing into her face with an +intensity that she afterwards remembered as appalling. + +"No," she whispered. + +"Listen," he continued in labored jerks. "Try and obey me--exactly. I +will carry you--to the cave. Stop there. Shoot any one you see--till I +come." + +She heard him wonderingly. Was he going to leave her, now that he had +her safely clasped to his breast? Impossible! Ah, she understood. Those +men must have landed in a boat. He intended to attack them again. He +was going to fight them single-handed, and she would not know what +happened to him until it was all over. Gradually her vitality returned. +She almost smiled at the fantastic conceit that _she_ would desert +_him_. + +Jenks placed her on her feet at the entrance to the cave. + +"You understand," he cried, and without waiting for an answer, ran to +the house for another rifle. This time, to her amazement, he darted +back through Prospect Park towards the south beach. The sailor knew +that the Dyaks had landed at the sandy bay Iris had christened +Smugglers' Cove. They were acquainted with the passage through the reef +and came from the distant islands. Now they would endeavor to escape by +the same channel. They must be prevented at all costs. + +He was right. As they came out into the open he saw three men, not two, +pushing off a large sampan. One of them, _mirabile dictu_, was the +chief. Then Jenks understood that his bullet had hit the lock of the +Dyak's uplifted weapon, with the result already described. By a miracle +he had escaped. + +He coolly prepared to slay the three of them with the same calm purpose +that distinguished the opening phase of this singularly one-sided +conflict. The distance was much greater, perhaps 800 yards from the +point where the boat came into view. He knelt and fired. He judged that +the missile struck the craft between the trio. + +"I didn't allow for the sun on the side of the foresight," he said. "Or +perhaps I am a bit shaky after the run. In any event they can't go +far." + +A hurrying step on the coral behind him caught his ear. Instantly he +sprang up and faced about--to see Iris. + +"They are escaping," she said. + +"No fear of that," he replied, turning away from her. + +"Where are the others?" + +"Dead!" + +"Do you mean that you killed nearly all those men?" + +"Six of them. There were nine in all." + +He knelt again, lifting the rifle. Iris threw herself on her knees by +his side. There was something awful to her in this chill and +business-like declaration of a fixed purpose. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said, clasping her hands in an agony of entreaty, "do +not kill more men for my sake!" + +"For my own sake, then," he growled, annoyed at the interruption, as +the sampan was afloat. + +"Then I ask you for God's sake not to take another life. What you have +already done was unavoidable, perhaps right. This is murder!" + +He lowered his weapon and looked at her. + +"If those men get away they will bring back a host to avenge their +comrades--and secure you," he added. + +"It may be the will of Providence for such a thing to happen. Yet I +implore you to spare them." + +He placed the rifle on the sand and raised her tenderly, for she had +yielded to a paroxysm of tears. Not another word did either of them +speak in that hour. The large triangular sail of the sampan was now +bellying out in the south wind. A figure stood up in the stern of the +boat and shook a menacing arm at the couple on the beach. + +It was the Malay chief, cursing them with the rude eloquence of his +barbarous tongue. And Jenks well knew what he was saying. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +PREPARATIONS + + +They looked long and steadfastly at the retreating boat. Soon it +diminished to a mere speck on the smooth sea. The even breeze kept its +canvas taut, and the sailor knew that no ruse was intended--the Dyaks +were flying from the island in fear and rage. They would return with a +force sufficient to insure the wreaking of their vengeance. + +That he would again encounter them at no distant date Jenks had no +doubt whatever. They would land in such numbers as to render any +resistance difficult and a prolonged defence impossible. Would help +come first?--a distracting question to which definite answer could not +be given. The sailor's brow frowned in deep lines; his brain throbbed +now with an anxiety singularly at variance with his cool demeanor +during the fight. He was utterly unconscious that his left arm +encircled the shoulder of the girl until she gently disengaged herself +and said appealingly-- + +"Please, Mr. Jenks, do not be angry with me. I could not help it. I +could not bear to see you shoot them." + +Then he abruptly awoke to the realities of the moment. + +"Come." he said, his drawn features relaxing into a wonderfully +pleasing smile. "We will return to our castle. We are safe for the +remainder of this day, at any rate." + +Something must be said or done to reassure her. She was still +grievously disturbed, and he naturally ascribed her agitation to the +horror of her capture. He dreaded a complete collapse if any further +alarms threatened at once. Yet he was almost positive--though search +alone would set at rest the last misgiving--that only one sampan had +visited the island. Evidently the Dyaks were unprepared as he for the +events of the preceding half-hour. They were either visiting the island +to procure turtle and _bêche-de-mer_ or had merely called there +_en route_ to some other destination, and the change in the wind +had unexpectedly compelled them to put ashore. Beyond all doubt they +must have been surprised by the warmth of the reception they +encountered. + +Probably, when he went to Summit Rock that morning, the savages had +lowered their sail and were steadily paddling north against wind and +current. The most careful scrutiny of the sea would fail to reveal them +beyond a distance of six or seven miles at the utmost. + +After landing in the hidden bay on the south side, they crossed the +island through the trees instead of taking the more natural open way +along the beach. Why? The fact that he and Iris were then passing the +grown-over tract leading to the Valley of Death instantly determined +this point. The Dyaks knew of this affrighting hollow, and would not +approach any nearer to it than was unavoidable. Could he twist this +circumstance to advantage if Iris and he were still stranded there when +the superstitious sea-rovers next put in an appearance? He would see. +All depended on the girl's strength. If she gave way now--if, instead +of taking instant measures for safety, he were called upon to nurse her +through a fever--the outlook became not only desperate but hopeless. + +And, whilst he bent his brows in worrying thought, the color was +returning to Iris's cheeks, and natural buoyancy to her step. It is the +fault of all men to underrate the marvelous courage and constancy of +woman in the face of difficulties and trials. Jenks was no exception to +the rule. + +"You do not ask me for any account of my adventures," she said quietly, +after watching his perplexed expression in silence for some time. + +Her tone almost startled him, its unassumed cheerfulness was so +unlooked for. + +"No," he answered. "I thought you were too overwrought to talk of them +at present." + +"Overwrought! Not a bit of it! I was dead beat with the struggle and +with screaming for you, but please don't imagine that I am going to +faint or treat you to a display of hysteria now that all the excitement +has ended. I admit that I cried a little when you pushed me aside on +the beach and raised your gun to fire at those poor wretches flying for +their lives. Yet perhaps I was wrong to hinder you." + +"You were wrong," he gravely interrupted. + +"Then you should not have heeded me. No, I don't mean that. You always +consider me first, don't you? No matter what I ask you to do you +endeavor to please me, even when you know all the time that I am acting +or speaking foolishly." + +The unthinking _naïveté_ of her words sent the blood coursing +wildly through his veins. + +"Never mind," she went on with earnest simplicity. "God has been very +good to us. I cannot believe that He has preserved us from so many +dangers to permit us to perish miserably a few hours, or days, before +help comes. And I _do_ want to tell you exactly what happened." + +"Then you shall," he answered. "But first drink this." They had reached +their camping-ground, and he hastened to procure a small quantity of +brandy. + +She swallowed the spirit with a protesting _moue_. She really +needed no such adventitious support, she said. + +"All right," commented Jenks. "If you don't want a drink, I do." + +"I can quite believe it," she retorted. "_Your_ case is very +different. _I_ knew the men would not hurt me--after the first +shock of their appearance had passed, I mean--I also knew that you +would save me. But you, Mr. Jenks, had to do the fighting. You were +called upon to rescue precious me. Good gracious! No wonder you were +excited." + +The sailor mentally expressed his inability to grasp the complexities +of feminine nature, but Iris rattled on---- + +"I carried my tin of water to the pitcher-plant, and was listening to +the greedy roots gurgling away for dear life, when suddenly four men +sprang out from among the trees and seized my arms before I could reach +my revolver." + +"Thank Heaven you failed." + +"You think that if I had fired at them they would have retaliated. Yes, +especially if I had hit the chief. But it was he who instantly gave +some order, and I suppose it meant that they were not to hurt me. As a +matter of fact, they seemed to be quite as much astonished as I was +alarmed. But if they could hold my hands they could not stop my voice +so readily. Oh! didn't I yell?" + +"You did." + +"I suppose you could not hear me distinctly?" + +"Quite distinctly." + +"Every word?" + +"Yes." + +She bent to pick some leaves and bits of dry grass from her dress. +"Well, you know," she continued rapidly, "in such moments one cannot +choose one's words. I just shouted the first thing that came into my +head." + +"And I," he said, "picked up the first rifle I could lay hands on. Now, +Miss Deane, as the affair has ended so happily, may I venture to ask +you to remain in the cave until I return?" + +"Oh, please--" she began. + +"Really, I must insist. I would not leave you if it were not quite +imperative. You _cannot_ come with me." + +Then she understood one at least of the tasks he must perform, and she +meekly obeyed. + +He thought it best to go along Turtle Beach to the cove, and thence +follow the Dyaks' trail through the wood, as this line of advance would +entail practically a complete circuit of the island. He omitted no +precautions in his advance. Often he stopped and listened intently. +Whenever he doubled a point or passed among the trees he crept back and +peered along the way he had come, to see if any lurking foes were +breaking shelter behind him. + +The marks on the sand proved that only one sampan had been beached. +Thence he found nothing of special interest until he came upon the +chief's gun, lying close to the trees on the north side. It was a very +ornamental weapon, a muzzle-loader. The stock was inlaid with gold and +ivory, and the piece had evidently been looted from some mandarin's +junk surprised and sacked in a former foray. + +The lock was smashed by the impact of the Lee-Metford bullet, but close +investigation of the trigger-guard, and the discovery of certain +unmistakable evidences on the beach, showed that the Dyak leader had +lost two if not three fingers of his right hand. + +"So he has something more than his passion to nurse," mused Jenks. +"That at any rate is fortunate. He will be in no mood for further +enterprise for some time to come." + +He dreaded lest any of the Dyaks should be only badly wounded and +likely to live. It was an actual relief to his nerves to find that the +improvised Dum-dums had done their work too well to permit anxiety on +that score. On the principle that a "dead Injun is a good Injun" these +Dyaks were good Dyaks. + +He gathered the guns, swords and krisses of the slain, with all their +uncouth belts and ornaments. In pursuance of a vaguely defined plan of +future action he also divested some of the men of their coarse +garments, and collected six queer-looking hats, shaped like inverted +basins. These things he placed in a heap near the pitcher-plants. +Thenceforth, for half an hour, the placid surface of the lagoon was +disturbed by the black dorsal fins of many sharks. + +To one of the sailor's temperament there was nothing revolting in the +concluding portion of his task. He had a God-given right to live. It +was his paramount duty, remitted only by death itself, to endeavor to +save Iris from the indescribable fate from which no power could rescue +her if ever she fell into the hands of these vindictive savages. +Therefore it was war between him and them, war to the bitter end, war +with no humane mitigation of its horrors and penalties, the last dread +arbitrament of man forced to adopt the methods of the tiger. + +His guess at the weather conditions heralded by the change of wind was +right. As the two partook of their evening meal the complaining surf +lashed the reef, and the tremulous branches of the taller trees voiced +the approach of a gale. A tropical storm, not a typhoon, but a belated +burst of the periodic rains, deluged the island before midnight. Hours +earlier Iris retired, utterly worn by the events of the day. Needless +to say, there was no singing that evening. The gale chanted a wild +melody in mournful chords, and the noise of the watery downpour on the +tarpaulin roof of Belle Vue Castle was such as to render conversation +impossible, save in wearying shouts. + +Luckily, Jenks's carpentry was effective, though rough. The building +was water-tight, and he had calked every crevice with unraveled rope +until Iris's apartment was free from the tiniest draught. + +The very fury of the external turmoil acted as a lullaby to the girl. +She was soon asleep, and the sailor was left to his thoughts. + +Sleep he could not. He smoked steadily, with a magnificent prodigality, +for his small stock of tobacco was fast diminishing. He ransacked his +brains to discover some method of escape from this enchanted island, +where fairies jostled with demons, and hours of utter happiness found +their bane in moments of frightful peril. + +Of course he ought to have killed those fellows who escaped. Their +sampan might have provided a last desperate expedient if other savages +effected a landing. Well, there was no use in being wise after the +event, and, scheme as he might, he could devise no way to avoid +disaster during the next attack. + +This, he felt certain, would take place at night. The Dyaks would land +in force, rush the cave and hut, and overpower him by sheer numbers. +The fight, if fight there was, would be sharp, but decisive. Perhaps, +if he received some warning, Iris and he might retreat in the darkness +to the cover of the trees. A last stand could be made among the +boulders on Summit Rock. But of what avail to purchase their freedom +until daylight? And then---- + +If ever man wrestled with desperate problem, Jenks wrought that night. +He smoked and pondered until the storm passed, and, with the +changefulness of a poet's muse, a full moon flooded the island in +glorious radiance. He rose, opened the door, and stood without, +listening for a little while to the roaring of the surf and the crash +of the broken coral swept from reef and shore by the backwash. + +The petty strife of the elements was soothing to him. "They are +snarling like whipped dogs," he said aloud. "One might almost fancy her +ladyship the Moon appearing on the scene as a Uranian Venus, cowing sea +and storm by the majesty of her presence." + +Pleased with the conceit, he looked steadily at the brilliant luminary +for some time. Then his eyes were attracted by the strong lights thrown +upon the rugged face of the precipice into which the cavern burrowed. +Unconsciously relieving his tired senses, he was idly wondering what +trick of color Turner would have adopted to convey those sharp yet +weirdly beautiful contrasts, when suddenly he uttered a startled +exclamation. + +"By Jove!" he murmured. "I never noticed that before." + +The feature which so earnestly claimed his attention was a deep ledge, +directly over the mouth of the cave, but some forty feet from the +ground. Behind it the wall of rock sloped darkly inwards, suggesting a +recess extending by haphazard computation at least a couple of yards. +It occurred to him that perhaps the fault in the interior of the tunnel +had its outcrop here, and the deodorizing influences of rain and sun +had extended the weak point thus exposed in the bold panoply of stone. + +He surveyed the ledge from different points of view. It was quite +inaccessible, and most difficult to estimate accurately from the ground +level. The sailor was a man of action. He chose the nearest tall tree +and began to climb. He was not eight feet from the ground before +several birds flew out from its leafy recesses, filling the air with +shrill clucking. + +"The devil take them!" he growled, for he feared that the commotion +would awaken Iris. He was still laboriously worming his way through the +inner maze of branches when a well-known voice reached him from the +ground. + +"Mr. Jenks, what on earth are you doing up there?" + +"Oh! so those wretched fowls aroused you?" he replied. + +"Yes; but why did you arouse them?" + +"I had a fancy to roost by way of a change" + +"Please be serious." + +"I am more than serious. This tree grows a variety of small sharp thorn +that induces a maximum of gravity--before one takes the next step." + +"But why do you keep on climbing?" + +"It is sheer lunacy, I admit. Yet on such a moonlit night there is some +reasonable ground for even a mad excuse." + +"Mr. Jenks, tell me at once what you are doing." + +Iris strove to be severe, but there was a touch of anxiety in her tone +that instantly made the sailor apologetic. He told her about the ledge, +and explained his half-formed notion that here they might secure a safe +retreat in case of further attack--a refuge from which they might defy +assault during many days. It was, he said, absolutely impossible to +wait until the morning. He must at once satisfy himself whether the +project was impracticable or worthy of further investigation. + +So the girl only enjoined him to be careful, and he vigorously renewed +the climb. At last, some twenty-five feet from the ground, an +accidental parting in the branches enabled him to get a good look at +the ledge. One glance set his heart beating joyously. It was at least +fifteen feet in length; it shelved back until its depth was lost in the +blackness of the shadows, and the floor must be either nearly level or +sloping slightly inwards to the line of the fault. + +The place was a perfect eagle's nest. A chamois could not reach it from +any direction; it became accessible to man only by means of a ladder or +a balloon. + +More excited by this discovery than he cared for Iris to know, he +endeavored to appear unconcerned when he regained the ground. + +"Well," she said, "tell me all about it." + +He described the nature of the cavity as well as he understood it at +the moment, and emphasized his previous explanation of its virtues. +Here they might reasonably hope to make a successful stand against the +Dyaks. + +"Then you feel sure that those awful creatures will come back?" she +said slowly. + +"Only too sure, unfortunately." + +"How remorseless poor humanity is when the veneer is stripped off! Why +cannot they leave us in peace? I suppose they now cherish a blood feud +against us. Perhaps, if I had not been here, they would not have +injured you. Somehow I seem to be bound up with your misfortunes." + +"I would not have it otherwise were it in my power," he answered. For +an instant he left unchallenged the girl's assumption that she was in +any way responsible for the disasters which had broken up his career. +He looked into her eyes and almost forgot himself. Then the sense of +fair dealing that dominates every true gentleman rose within him and +gripped his wavering emotions with ruthless force. Was this a time to +play upon the high-strung sensibilities of this youthful daughter of +the gods, to seek to win from her a confession of love that a few brief +days or weeks might prove to be only a spasmodic, but momentarily +all-powerful, gratitude for the protection he had given her? + +And he spoke aloud, striving to laugh, lest his words should falter-- + +"You can console yourself with the thought, Miss Deane, that your +presence on the island will in no way affect my fate at the hands of +the Dyaks. Had they caught me unprepared today my head would now be +covered with a solution of the special varnish they carry on every +foreign expedition." + +"Varnish?" she exclaimed. + +"Yes, as a preservative, you understand." + +"And yet these men are human beings!" + +"For purposes of classification, yes. Keeping to strict fact, it was +lucky for me that you raised the alarm, and gave me a chance to +discount the odds of mere numbers. So, you see, you really did me a +good turn." + +"What can be done now to save our lives? Anything will be better than +to await another attack." + +"The first thing to do is to try to get some sleep before daylight. How +did you know I was not in the Castle?" + +"I cannot tell you. I awoke and knew you were not near me. If I wake in +the night I can always tell whether or not you are in the next room. So +I dressed and came out." + +"Ah!" he said, quietly. "Evidently I snore." + +This explanation killed romance. + +Iris retreated and the sailor, tired out at last, managed to close his +weary eyes. + +Next morning he hastily constructed a pole of sufficient length and +strong enough to bear his weight, by tying two sturdy young trees +together with ropes. Iris helped him to raise it against the face of +the precipice, and he at once climbed to the ledge. + +Here he found his observations of the previous night abundantly +verified. The ledge was even wider than he dared to hope, nearly ten +feet deep in one part, and it sloped sharply downwards from the outer +lip of the rock. By lying flat and carefully testing all points of +view, he ascertained that the only possible positions from which even a +glimpse of the interior floor could be obtained were the branches of a +few tall trees and the extreme right of the opposing precipice, nearly +ninety yards distant. There was ample room to store water and +provisions, and he quickly saw that even some sort of shelter from the +fierce rays of the sun and the often piercing cold of the night might +be achieved by judiciously rigging up a tarpaulin. + +"This is a genuine bit of good luck," he mused. "Here, provided neither +of us is hit, we can hold out for a week or longer, at a pinch. How can +it be possible that I should have lived on this island so many days and +yet hit upon this nook of safety by mere chance, as it were?" + +Not until he reached the level again could he solve the puzzle. Then he +perceived that the way in which the cliff bulged out on both sides +prevented the ledge from becoming evident in profile, whilst, seen +_en plein face_ in the glare of the sunlight, it suggested nothing +more than a slight indentation. + +He rapidly sketched to Iris the defensive plan which the Eagle's Nest +suggested. Access must be provided by means of a rope-ladder, securely +fastened inside the ledge, and capable of being pulled up or let down +at the will of the occupants. Then the place must be kept constantly +stocked with a judicious supply of provisions, water, and ammunition. +They could be covered with a tarpaulin, and thus kept in fairly good +condition. + +"We ought to sleep there every night," he went on, and his mind was so +engrossed with the tactical side of the preparations that he did not +notice how Iris blanched at the suggestion. + +"Surely not until danger actually threatens?" she cried. + +"Danger threatens us each hour after sunset. It may come any night, +though I expect at least a fortnight's reprieve. Nevertheless, I intend +to act as if tonight may witness the first shot of the siege." + +"Do you mean that?" she sighed. "And my little room is becoming so very +cozy!" + +Belle Vue Castle, their two-roomed hut, was already a home to them. + +Jenks always accepted her words literally. + +"Well," he announced, after a pause, "it may not be necessary to take +up our quarters there until the eleventh hour. After I have hoisted up +our stores and made the ladder, I will endeavor to devise an efficient +cordon of sentinels around our position. We will see." + +Not another word could Iris get out of him on the topic. Indeed, he +provided her with plenty of work. By this time she could splice a rope +more neatly than her tutor, and her particular business was to prepare +no less than sixty rungs for the rope-ladder. This was an impossible +task for one day, but after dinner the sailor helped her. They toiled +late, until their fingers were sore and their backbones creaked as they +sat upright. + +Meanwhile Jenks swarmed up the pole again, and drew up after him a +crowbar, the sledge-hammer, and the pickaxe. With these implements he +set to work to improve the accommodation. Of course he did not attempt +seriously to remove any large quantity of rock, but there were +projecting lumps here and inequalities of floor there which could be +thumped or pounded out of existence. + +It was surprising to see what a clearance he made in an hour. The +existence of the fault helped him a good deal, as the percolation of +water at this point had oxidized the stone to rottenness. To his great +joy he discovered that a few prods with the pick laid bare a small +cavity which could be easily enlarged. Here he contrived a niche where +Iris could remain in absolute safety when barricaded by stores, whilst, +with a squeeze, she was entirely sheltered from the one dangerous point +on the opposite cliff, nor need she be seen from the trees. + +Having hauled into position two boxes of ammunition--for which he had +scooped out a special receptacle--the invaluable water-kegs from the +stranded boat, several tins of biscuits and all the tinned meats, +together with three bottles of wine and two of brandy, he hastily +abandoned the ledge and busied himself with fitting a number of +gun-locks to heavy faggots. + +Iris watched his proceedings in silence for some time. At last the +interval for luncheon enabled her to demand an explanation. + +"If you don't tell me at once what you intend to do with those strange +implements," she said, "I will form myself into an amalgamated engineer +and come out on strike." + +"If you do," he answered, "you will create a precedent. There is no +recorded case of a laborer claiming what he calls his rights when his +life is at stake. Even an American tramp has been known to work like a +fiend under that condition." + +"Simply because an American tramp tries, like every other mere male, to +be logical. A woman is more heroic. I once read of a French lady being +killed during an earthquake because she insisted on going into a +falling house to rescue that portion of her hair which usually rested +on the dressing-table whilst she was asleep." + +"I happen to know," he said, "that you are personally unqualified to +emulate her example." + +She laughed merrily, so lightly did yesterday's adventure sit upon her. +The allusion to her disheveled state when they were thrown ashore by +the typhoon simply impressed her as amusing. Thus quickly had she +become inured to the strange circumstances of a new life. + +"I withdraw the threat and substitute a more genuine plea--curiosity," +she cried. + +"Then you will be gratified promptly. These are our sentinels. Come +with me to allot his post to the most distant one." + +He picked up a faggot with its queer attachment, shouldered a +Lee-Metford, and smiled when he saw the business-like air with which +Iris slung a revolver around her waist. + +They walked rapidly to Smugglers' Cove, and the girl soon perceived the +ingenuity of his automatic signal. He securely bound the block of wood +to a tree where it was hidden by the undergrowth. Breaking the bullet +out of a cartridge, he placed the blank charge in position in front of +the striker, the case being firmly clasped by a bent nail. To the +trigger, the spring of which he had eased to a slight pressure, he +attached a piece of unraveled rope, and this he carefully trained among +the trees at a height of six inches from the ground, using as carriers +nails driven into the trunks. The ultimate result was that a mere swish +of Iris's dress against the taut cord exploded the cartridge. + +"There!" he exclaimed, exultantly. "When I have driven stakes into the +sand to the water's edge on both sides of the cove, I will defy them to +land by night without giving us warning." + +"Do you know," said Iris, in all seriousness, "I think you are the +cleverest man in the world." + +"My dear Miss Deane, that is not at all a Trades Unionist sentiment. +Equality is the key-note of their propaganda." + +Nevertheless he was manifestly pleased by the success of his ingenious +contrivance, and forthwith completed the cordon. To make doubly sure, +he set another snare further within the trees. He was certain the Dyaks +would not pass along Turtle Beach if they could help it. By this time +the light was failing. + +"That will suffice for the present," he told the girl. "Tomorrow we +will place other sentries in position at strategic points. Then we can +sleep in the Castle with tolerable safety." + +By the meager light of the tiny lamp they labored sedulously at the +rope-ladder until Iris's eyes were closing with sheer weariness. +Neither of them had slept much during the preceding night, and they +were both completely tired. + +It was with a very weak little smile that the girl bade him "good +night," and they were soon wrapped in that sound slumber which comes +only from health, hard work, and wholesome fare. + +The first streaks of dawn were tipping the opposite crags with roseate +tints when the sailor was suddenly aroused by what he believed to be a +gunshot. He could not be sure. He was still collecting his scattered +senses, straining eyes and ears intensely, when there came a second +report. + +Then he knew what had happened. The sentries on the Smugglers' Cove +post were faithful to their trust. The enemy was upon them. + +At such a moment Jenks was not a man who prayed. Indeed, he was prone +to invoke the nether powers, a habit long since acquired by the British +army, in Flanders, it is believed. + +There was not a moment to be lost. He rushed into Iris's room, and +gathered in his arms both her and the weird medley of garments that +covered her. He explained to the protesting girl, as he ran with her to +the foot of the rock, that she must cling to his shoulders with +unfaltering courage whilst he climbed to the ledge with the aid of the +pole and the rope placed there the previous day. It was a magnificent +feat of strength that he essayed. In calmer moments he would have +shrunk from its performance, if only on the score of danger to the +precious burden he carried. Now there was no time for thought. Up he +went, hand over hand, clinging to the rough pole with the tenacity of a +limpet, and taking a turn of the rope over his right wrist at each +upward clutch. At last, breathless but triumphant, he reached the +ledge, and was able to gasp his instructions to Iris to crawl over his +bent back and head until she was safely lodged on the broad platform of +rock. + +Then, before she could expostulate, he descended, this time for the +rifles. These he hastily slung to the rope, again swarmed up the pole, +and drew the guns after him with infinite care. + +Even in the whirl of the moment he noticed that Iris had managed to +partially complete her costume. + +"Now we are ready for them," he growled, lying prone on the ledge and +eagerly scanning both sides of Prospect Park for a first glimpse of +their assailants. + +For two shivering hours they waited there, until the sun was high over +the cliff and filled sea and land with his brightness. At last, despite +the girl's tears and prayers, Jenks insisted on making a reconnaissance +in person. + +Let this portion of their adventures be passed over with merciful +brevity. Both watch-guns had been fired by the troupe of tiny wou-wou +monkeys! Iris did not know whether to laugh or cry, when Jenks, with +much difficulty, lowered her to mother earth again, and marveled the +while how he had managed to carry forty feet into the air a young woman +who weighed so solidly. + +They sat down to a belated breakfast, and Jenks then became conscious +that the muscles of his arms, legs, and back were aching hugely. It was +by that means he could judge the true extent of his achievement. Iris, +too, realized it gradually, but, like the Frenchwoman in the +earthquake, she was too concerned with memories of her state of +deshabille to appreciate, all at once, the incidents of the dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE SECRET OF THE CAVE + + +The sailor went after those monkeys in a mood of relentless severity. +Thus far, the regular denizens of Rainbow Island had dwelt together in +peace and mutual goodwill, but each diminutive wou-wou must be taught +not to pull any strings he found tied promiscuously to trees or stakes. +As a preliminary essay, Jenks resolved to try force combined with +artifice. Failing complete success, he would endeavor to kill every +monkey in the place, though he had in full measure the inherent dislike +of Anglo-India to the slaying of the tree-people. + +This, then, is what he did. After filling a biscuit tin with good-sized +pebbles, he donned a Dyak hat, blouse, and belt, rubbed earth over his +face and hands, and proceeded to pelt the wou-wous mercilessly. For +more than an hour he made their lives miserable, until at the mere +sight of him they fled, shrieking and gurgling like a thousand +water-bottles. Finally he constructed several Dyak scarecrows and +erected one to guard each of his alarm-guns. The device was thoroughly +effective. Thenceforth, when some adventurous monkey--swinging with +hands or tail among the treetops in the morning search for appetizing +nut or luscious plantain--saw one of those fearsome bogies, he raised +such a hubbub that all his companions scampered hastily from the +confines of the wood to the inner fastnesses. + +In contriving these same scarecrows--which, by the way, he had vaguely +intended at first to erect on the beach in order to frighten the +invaders and induce them to fire a warning volley--the sailor paid +closer heed to the spoils gathered from the fallen. One, at least, of +the belts was made of human hair, and some among its long strands could +have come only from the flaxen-haired head of a European child. This +fact, though ghastly enough, confirmed him in his theory that it was +impossible to think of temporizing with these human fiends. Unhappily +such savage virtues as they possess do not include clemency to the weak +or hospitality to defenceless strangers. There was nothing for it but a +fight to a finish, with the law of the jungle to decide the terms of +conquest. + +That morning, of course, he had not been able to visit Summit Rock +until after his cautious survey of the island. Once there, however, he +noticed that the gale two nights earlier had loosened two of the +supports of his sky sign. It was not a difficult or a long job to +repair the damage. With the invaluable axe he cut several wedges and +soon made all secure. + +Now, during each of the two daily examinations of the horizon which he +never omitted, he minutely scrutinized the sea between Rainbow Island +and the distant group. It was, perhaps, a needless precaution. The +Dyaks would come at night. With a favorable wind they need not set sail +until dusk, and their fleet sampans would easily cover the intervening +forty miles in five hours. + +He could not be positive that they were actual inhabitants of the +islands to the south. The China Sea swarms with wandering pirates, and +the tribe whose animosity he had earned might be equally noxious to +some peaceable fishing community on the coast. Again and again he +debated the advisability of constructing a seaworthy raft and +endeavoring to make the passage. But this would be risking all on a +frightful uncertainty, and the accidental discovery of the Eagle's Nest +had given him new hope. Here he could make a determined and prolonged +stand, and in the end help _must_ come. So he dismissed the +navigation project, and devoted himself wholly to the perfecting of the +natural fortress in the rock. + +That night they finished the rope-ladder. Indeed, Jenks was determined +not to retire to rest until it was placed _in situ_; he did not +care to try a second time to carry Iris to that elevated perch, and it +may be remarked that thenceforth the girl, before going to sleep, +simply changed one ragged dress for another. + +One of the first things he contemplated was the destruction, if +possible, of the point on the opposite cliff which commanded the ledge. +This, however, was utterly impracticable with the appliances at his +command. The top of the rock sloped slightly towards the west, and +nothing short of dynamite or regular quarrying operations would render +it untenable by hostile marksmen. + +During the day his Lee-Metfords, at ninety yards' range, might be +trusted to keep the place clear of intruders. But at night--that was +the difficulty. He partially solved it by fixing two rests on the ledge +to support a rifle in exact line with the center of the enemy's +supposed position, and as a variant, on the outer rest he marked lines +which corresponded with other sections of the entire front available to +the foe. + +Even then he was not satisfied. When time permitted he made many +experiments with ropes reeved through the pulley and attached to a +rifle action. He might have succeeded in his main object had not his +thoughts taken a new line. His aim was to achieve some method of +opening and closing the breech-block by means of two ropes. The +difficulty was to secure the preliminary and final lateral movement of +the lever bolt, but it suddenly occurred to him that if he could manage +to convey the impression that Iris and he had left the island, the +Dyaks would go away after a fruitless search. The existence of ropes +along the face of the rock--an essential to his mechanical +scheme--would betray their whereabouts, or at any rate excite dangerous +curiosity. So he reluctantly abandoned his original design, though not +wholly, as will be seen in due course. + +In pursuance of his latest idea he sedulously removed from the foot of +the cliff all traces of the clearance effected on the ledge, and, +although he provided supports for the tarpaulin covering, he did not +adjust it. Iris and he might lie _perdu_ there for days without +their retreat being found out. This development suggested the necessity +of hiding their surplus stores and ammunition, and what spot could be +more suitable than the cave? + +So Jenks began to dig once more in the interior, laboring manfully with +pick and shovel in the locality of the fault with its vein of antimony. +It was thus that he blundered upon the second great event of his life. + +Rainbow Island had given him the one thing a man prizes above all +else--a pure yet passionate love for a woman beautiful alike in body +and mind. And now it was to endow him with riches that might stir the +pulse of even a South African magnate. For the sailor, unmindful of +purpose other than providing the requisite _cache_, shoveling and +delving with the energy peculiar to all his actions, suddenly struck a +deep vein of almost virgin gold. + +To facilitate the disposal at a distance of the disturbed debris, he +threw each shovelful on to a canvas sheet, which he subsequently +dragged among the trees in order to dislodge its contents. After doing +this four times he noticed certain metallic specks in the fifth load +which recalled the presence of the antimony. But the appearance of the +sixth cargo was so remarkable when brought out into the sunlight that +it invited closer inspection. Though his knowledge of geology was +slight--the half-forgotten gleanings of a brief course at Eton--he was +forced to believe that the specimens he handled so dubiously contained +neither copper nor iron pyrites but glittering yellow gold. Their +weight, the distribution of the metal through quartz in a transition +state between an oxide and a telluride, compelled recognition. + +Somewhat excited, yet half skeptical, he returned to the excavation and +scooped out yet another collection. This time there could be no +mistake. Nature's own alchemy had fashioned a veritable ingot. There +were small lumps in the ore which would need alloy at the mint before +they could be issued as sovereigns, so free from dross were they. + +Iris had gone to Venus's Bath, and would be absent for some time. Jenks +sat down on a tree-stump. He held in his hand a small bit of ore worth +perhaps twenty pounds sterling. Slowly the conjectures already pieced +together in his mind during early days on the island came back to him. + +The skeleton of an Englishman lying there among the bushes near the +well; the Golgotha of the poison-filled hollow; the mining tools, both +Chinese and European; the plan on the piece of tin--ah, the piece of +tin! Mechanically the sailor produced it from the breast-pocket of his +jersey. At last the mysterious sign "32/1" revealed its +significance. Measure thirty-two feet from the mouth of the tunnel, dig +one foot in depth, and you came upon the mother-lode of this +gold-bearing rock. This, then, was the secret of the cave. + +The Chinese knew the richness of the deposit, and exploited its +treasures by quarrying from the other side of the hill. But their crass +ignorance of modern science led to their undoing. The accumulation of +liberated carbonic acid gas in the workings killed them in scores. They +probably fought this unseen demon with the tenacity of their race, +until the place became accursed and banned of all living things. Yet +had they dug a little ditch, and permitted the invisible terror to flow +quietly downwards until its potency was dissipated by sea and air, they +might have mined the whole cliff with impunity. + +The unfortunate unknown, J.S.--he of the whitened bones--might have +done this thing too. But he only possessed the half-knowledge of the +working miner, and whilst shunning the plague-stricken quarry, adopted +the more laborious method of making an adit to strike the deposit. He +succeeded, to perish miserably in the hour when he saw himself a +millionaire. + +Was this a portent of the fate about to overtake the latest comers? +Jenks, of course, stood up. He always, stood square on his feet when +the volcano within him fired his blood. + +"No, by God!" he almost shouted. "I will break the spell. I am sent +here by Providence, not to search for gold but to save a woman's life, +and if all the devils of China and Malay are in league against me I +will beat them!" + +The sound of his own voice startled him. He had no notion that he was +so hysterical. Promptly his British phlegm throttled the demonstration. +He was rather ashamed of it. + +What was all the fuss about? With a barrow-load of gold he could not +buy an instant's safety for Iris, not to mention himself. The language +difficulty was insuperable. Were it otherwise, the Dyaks would simply +humbug him until he revealed the source of his wealth, and then murder +him as an effective safeguard against foreign interference. + +Iris! Not once since she was hurled ashore in his arms had Jenks so +long forgotten her existence. Should he tell her? They were partners in +everything appertaining to the island--why keep this marvelous +intelligence from her? + +Yet was he tempted, not ignobly, but by reason of his love for her. +Once, years ago, when his arduous professional studies were distracted +by a momentary infatuation for a fair face, a woman had proved fickle +when tempted by greater wealth than he possessed. For long he was a +confirmed misogynist, to his great and lasting gain as a leader of men. +But with more equable judgment came a fixed resolution not to marry +unless his prospective bride cared only for him and not for his +position. To a Staff Corps officer, even one with a small private +income, this was no unattainable ideal. Then he met with his +_débâcle_ in the shame and agony of the court-martial. Whilst his +soul still quivered under the lash of that terrible downfall, Iris came +into his life. He knew not what might happen if they were rescued. The +time would quickly pass until the old order was resumed, she to go back +to her position in society, he to become again a disgraced ex-officer, +apparently working out a mere existence before the mast or handing +plates in a saloon. + +Would it not be a sweet defiance of adversity were he able, even under +such conditions, to win her love, and then disclose to her the +potentialities of the island? Perchance he might fail. Though rich as +Croesus he would still be under the social ban meted out to a cashiered +officer. She was a girl who could command the gift of coronets. With +restoration to her father and home, gratitude to her preserver would +assuredly remain, but, alas! love might vanish like a mirage. Then he +would act honorably. Half of the stored wealth would be hers to do as +she chose with it. + +Yes, this was a possible alternative. In case of accident to himself, +and her ultimate escape, he must immediately write full details of his +discovery, and entrust the document to her, to be opened only after his +death or six months after their release. + +The idea possessed him so thoroughly that he could brook no delay. He +searched for one of the note-books taken from the dead officers of the +_Sirdar_, and scribbled the following letter: + + "DEAR MISS DEANE: + + "Whether I am living or dead when you read these words, you will + know that I love you. Could I repeat that avowal a million times, + in as many varied forms, I should find no better phrase to express + the dream I have cherished since a happy fate permitted me to + snatch you from death. So I simply say, 'I love you.' I will + continue to love you whilst life lasts, and it is my dearest hope + that in the life beyond the grave I may still be able to voice my + love for you. + + "But perhaps I am not destined to be loved by you. Therefore, in + the event of my death before you leave the island, I wish to give + you instructions how to find a gold mine of great value which is + hidden in the rock containing the cave. You remember the sign on + the piece of tin which we could not understand. The figure 32 + denotes the utmost depth of the excavation, and the 1 signifies + that one foot below the surface, on reaching the face of the rock, + there is a rich vein of gold. The hollow on the other side of the + cliff became filled with anhydrate gas, and this stopped the + operations of the Chinese, who evidently knew of the existence of + the mine. This is all the information the experts employed by Sir + Arthur Deane will need. The facts are unquestionable. + + "Assuming that I am alive, we will, of course, be co-partners in + the mine. If I am dead, I wish one-sixth share to be given to my + uncle, William Anstruther, Crossthwaite Manor, Northallerton, + Yorkshire, as a recompense for his kindness to me during my early + life. The remainder is to be yours absolutely. + + "ROBERT ANSTRUTHER." + + +He read this remarkable document twice through to make sure that it +exactly recorded his sentiments. He even smiled sarcastically at the +endowment of the uncle who disinherited him. Then, satisfied with the +perusal, he tore out the two leaves covered by the letter and began to +devise a means of protecting it securely whilst in Iris's possession. + +At that moment he looked up and saw her coming towards him across the +beach, brightly flushed after her bath, walking like a nymph clothed in +tattered garments. Perceiving that he was watching her, she waved her +hand and instinctively quickened her pace. Even now, when they were +thrown together by the exigencies of each hour, she disliked to be long +separated from him. + +Instantly the scales fell from his mental vision. What! Distrust Iris! +Imagine for one second that riches or poverty, good repute or ill, +would affect that loyal heart when its virginal font was filled with +the love that once in her life comes to every true woman! Perish the +thought! What evil spirit had power to so blind his perception of all +that was strong and beautiful in her character. Brave, uncomplaining +Iris! Iris of the crystal soul! Iris, whose innocence and candor were +mirrored in her blue eyes and breathed through her dear lips! Here was +Othello acting as his own tempter, with not an Iago within a thousand +miles. + +Laughing at his fantastic folly, Jenks tore the letter into little +pieces. It might have been wiser to throw the sheets into the embers of +the fire close at hand, but for the nonce he was overpowered by the +great awakening that had come to him, and he unconsciously murmured the +musical lines of Tennyson's "Maud": + + "She is coming, my own, my sweet; + Were it ever so airy a tread. + My heart would hear her and beat + Were it earth in an earthy bed; + My dust would hear her and beat, + Had I lain for a century dead, + Would start and tremble under her feet, + And blossom in purple and red." + +"Good gracious! Don't gaze at me in that fashion. I don't look like a +ghost, do I?" cried Iris, when near enough to note his rapt expression. + +"You would not object if I called you a vision?" he inquired quietly, +averting his eyes lest they should speak more plainly than his tongue. + +"Not if you meant it nicely. But I fear that 'specter' would be a more +appropriate word. _V'la ma meilleure robe de sortie_!" + +She spread out the front widths of her skirt, and certainly the +prospect was lamentable. The dress was so patched and mended, yet so +full of fresh rents, that a respectable housemaid would hesitate before +using it to clean fire-irons. + +"Is that really your best dress?" he said. + +"Yes. This is my blue serge. The brown cloth did not survive the +soaking it received in salt water. After a few days it simply crumbled. +The others are muslin or cotton, and have been--er--adapted." + +"There is plenty of men's clothing," he began. + +"Unfortunately there isn't another island," she said, severely. + +"No. I meant that it might be possible to--er--contrive some sort of +rig that will serve all purposes." + +"But all my thread is gone. I have barely a needleful left." + +"In that case we must fall back on our supply of hemp." + +"I suppose that might be made to serve," she said. "You are never at a +loss for an expedient." + +"It will be a poor one, I fear. But you can make up for it by buying +some nice gowns at Doucet's or Worth's." + +She laughed delightedly. "Perhaps in his joy at my reappearance my dear +old dad may let me run riot in Paris on our way home. But that will not +last. We are fairly well off, but I cannot afford ten thousand a year +for dress alone." + +"If any woman can afford such a sum for the purpose, you are at least +her equal." + +Iris looked puzzled. "Is that your way of telling me that fine feathers +would make me a fine bird?" she asked. + +"No. I intend my words to be understood in their ordinary sense. You +are very, very rich, Miss Deane--an extravagantly wealthy young +person." + +"Of course you know you are talking nonsense. Why, only the other day +my father said--" + +"Excuse me. What is the average price of a walking-dress from a leading +Paris house?" + +"Thirty pounds." + +"And an evening dress?" + +"Oh, anything, from fifty upwards." + +He picked up a few pieces of quartz from the canvas sheet. + +"Here is your walking-dress," he said, handing her a lump weighing +about a pound. "With the balance in the heap there you can stagger the +best-dressed woman you meet at your first dinner in England." + +"Do you mean by pelting her?" she inquired, mischievously. + +"Far worse. By wearing a more expensive costume." + +His manner was so earnest that he compelled seriousness. Iris took the +proffered specimen and looked at it. + +"From the cave, I suppose? I thought you said antimony was not very +valuable?" + +"That is not antimony. It is gold. By chance I have hit upon an +extremely rich lode of gold. At the most modest computation it is worth +hundreds of thousands of pounds. You and I are quite wealthy people, +Miss Deane." + +Iris opened her blue eyes very wide at this intelligence. It took her +breath away. But her first words betokened her innate sense of fair +dealing. + +"You and I! Wealthy!" she gasped. "I am so glad for your sake, but tell +me, pray, Mr. Jenks, what have _I_ got to do with it?" + +"You!" he repeated. "Are we not partners in this island? By squatter's +right, if by no better title, we own land, minerals, wood, game, and +even such weird belongings as ancient lights and fishing privileges." + +"I don't see that at all. You find a gold mine, and coolly tell me that +I am a half owner of it because you dragged me out of the sea, fed me, +housed me, saved my life from pirates, and generally acted like a +devoted nursemaid in charge of a baby. Really, Mr. Jenks--" + +"Really, Miss Deane, you will annoy me seriously if you say another +word. I absolutely refuse to listen to such an argument." + +Her outrageously unbusiness-like utterances, treading fast on the heels +of his own melodramatic and written views concerning their property, +nettled him greatly. Each downright syllable was a sting to his +conscience, but of this Iris was blissfully unaware, else she would not +have applied caustic to the rankling wound caused by his momentary +distrust of her. + +For some time they stood in silence, until the sailor commenced to +reproach himself for his rough protest. Perhaps he had hurt her +sensitive feelings. What a brute he was, to be sure! She was only a +child in ordinary affairs, and he ought to have explained things more +lucidly and with greater command over his temper. And all this time +Iris's face was dimpling with amusement, for she understood him so well +that had he threatened to kill her she would have laughed at him. + +"Would you mind getting the lamp?" he said softly, surprised to catch +her expression of saucy humor. + +"Oh, please may I speak?" she inquired. "I don't want to annoy you, but +I am simply dying to talk." + +He had forgotten his own injunction. + +"Let us first examine our mine," he said. "If you bring the lamp we can +have a good look at it." + +Close scrutiny of the work already done merely confirmed the accuracy +of his first impressions. Whilst Iris held the light he opened up the +seam with a few strokes of the pick. Each few inches it broadened into +a noteworthy volcanic dyke, now yellow in its absolute purity, at times +a bluish black when fused with other metals. The additional labor +involved caused him to follow up the line of the fault. Suddenly the +flame of the lamp began to flicker in a draught. There was an +air-passage between cave and ledge. + +"I am sorry," cried Jenks, desisting from further efforts, "that I have +not recently read one of Bret Harte's novels, or I would speak to you +in the language of the mining camp. But in plain Cockney, Miss Deane, +we are on to a good thing if only we can keep it." + +They came back into the external glare. Iris was now so serious that +she forgot to extinguish the little lamp. She stood with outstretched +hand. + +"There is a lot of money in there," she said. + +"Tons of it." + +"No need to quarrel about division. There is enough for both of us." + +"Quite enough. We can even spare some for our friends." + +He took so readily to this definition of their partnership that Iris +suddenly became frigid. Then she saw the ridiculous gleam of the tiny +wick and blew it out. + +"I mean," she said, stiffly, "that if you and I do agree to go shares +we will each be very rich." + +"Exactly. I applied your words to the mine alone, of course." + +A slight thing will shatter a daydream. This sufficed. The sailor +resumed his task of burying the stores. + +"Poor little lamp!" he thought. "When it came into the greater world +how soon it was snuffed out." + +But Iris said to herself, "What a silly slip that was of mine! Enough +for both of us, indeed! Does he expect me to propose to him? I wonder +what the letter was about which he destroyed as I came back after my +bath. It must have been meant for me. Why did he write it? Why did he +tear it up?" + +The hour drew near when Jenks climbed to the Summit Rock. He shouldered +axe and rifle and set forth. Iris heard him rustling upwards through +the trees. She set some water to boil for tea, and, whilst bringing a +fresh supply of fuel, passed the spot where the torn scraps of paper +littered the sand. + +She was the soul of honor, for a woman, but there was never a woman yet +who could take her eyes off a written document which confronted her. +She could not help seeing that one small morsel contained her own name. +Though mutilated it had clearly read--Miss Deane." + +"So it _was_ intended for me!" she cried, throwing down her bundle +and dropping to her knees. She secured that particular slip and +examined it earnestly. Not for worlds would she pick up all the scraps +and endeavor to sort them. Yet they had a fascination for her, and at +this closer range she saw another which bore the legend--"I love you!" + +Somehow the two seemed to fit together very nicely. + +Yet a third carried the same words--"I love you!" They were still quite +coherent. She did not want to look any further. She did not even turn +over such of the torn pieces as had fluttered to earth face downwards. + +Opening the front of her bodice she brought to light a small gold +locket containing miniatures of her father and mother. Inside this +receptacle she carefully placed the three really material portions of +the sailor's letter. When Jenks walked down the hill again he heard her +singing long before he caught sight of her, sedulously tending the +fire. + +As he came near he perceived the remains of his useless document. He +stooped and gathered them up, forthwith throwing them among the glowing +logs. + +"By the way, what were you writing whilst I had my bath?" inquired +Iris, demurely. + +"Some information about the mine. On second thoughts, however, I saw it +was unnecessary." + +"Oh, was that all?" + +"Practically all." + +"Then some part was impracticable?" + +He glanced sharply at her, but she was merely talking at random. + +"Well, you see," he explained, "one can do so little without the +requisite plant. This sort of ore requires a crushing-mill, a smelting +furnace, perhaps big tanks filled with cyanide of potassium." + +"And, of course, although you can do wonders, you cannot provide all +those things, can you?" + +Jenks deemed this query to be unanswerable. + +They were busy again until night fell. Sitting down for a little while +before retiring to rest, they discussed, for the hundredth time, the +probabilities of speedy succor. This led them to the topic of available +supplies, and the sailor told Iris the dispositions he had made. + +"Did you bury the box of books?" she asked. + +"Yes, but not in the cave. They are at the foot of the cinchona over +there. Why? Do you want any?" + +"I have a Bible in my room, but there was a Tennyson among the others +which I glanced at in spare moments." + +The sailor thanked the darkness that concealed the deep bronze of face +and neck caused by this chance remark. He vaguely recollected the +manner in which the lines from "Maud" came to his lips after the +episode of the letter. Was it possible that he had unknowingly uttered +them aloud and Iris was now slily poking fun at him? He glowed with +embarrassment. + +"It is odd that you should mention Tennyson," he managed to say calmly. +"Only today I was thinking of a favorite passage." + +Iris, of course, was quite innocent this time. + +"Oh, do tell me. Was it from 'Enoch Arden'?" + +He gave a sigh of relief. "No. Anything but that," he answered. + +"What then?" + +"'Maud.'" + +"Oh, 'Maud.' It is very beautiful, but I could never imagine why the +poet gave such a sad ending to an idyllic love story." + +"They too often end that way. Moreover, 'Enoch Arden' is not what you +might call exhilarating." + +"No. It is sad. I have often thought he had the 'Sonata Pathétique' in +his mind when he wrote it. But the note is mournful all through. There +is no promise of happiness as in 'Maud.'" + +"Then it is my turn to ask questions. Why did you hit upon that poem +among so many?" + +"Because it contains an exact description of our position here. Don't +you remember how the poor fellow + + + "'Sat often in the seaward-gazing gorge, + A shipwrecked sailor, waiting for a sail.' + + +"I am sure Tennyson saw our island with poetic eye, for he goes on-- + + + "'No sail from day to day, but every day + The sunrise broken into scarlet shafts + Among the palms and ferns and precipices; + The blaze upon the waters to the east; + The blaze upon his island overhead; + The blaze upon the waters to the west; + Then the great stars that globed themselves in Heaven, + The hollower-bellowing ocean, and again + The scarlet shafts of sunrise--but no sail." + + +She declaimed the melodious verse with a subtle skill that amazed her +hearer. Profoundly moved, Jenks dared not trust himself to speak. + +"I read the whole poem the other day," she said after a silence of some +minutes. "Sorrowful as it is, it comforted me by comparison. How +different will be our fate to his when 'another ship stays by this +isle'!" + +Yet neither of them knew that one line she had recited was more +singularly applicable to their case than that which they paid heed to. +"The great stars that globed themselves in Heaven," were shining clear +and bright in the vast arch above. Resplendent amidst the throng rose +the Pleiades, the mythological seven hailed by the Greeks as an augury +of safe navigation. And the Dyaks--one of the few remaining savage +races of the world--share the superstition of the people who fashioned +all the arts and most of the sciences. + +The Pleiades form the Dyak tutelary genius. Some among a bloodthirsty +and vengeful horde were even then pointing to the clustering stars that +promised quick voyage to the isle where their kinsmen had been struck +down by a white man who rescued a maid. Nevertheless, Grecian romance +and Dyak lore alike relegate the influence of the Pleiades to the sea. +Other stars are needed to foster enterprise ashore. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +REALITY _V_. ROMANCE--THE CASE FOR THE PLAINTIFF + + +Night after night the Pleiades swung higher in the firmament; day after +day the sailor perfected his defences and anxiously scanned the ocean +for sign of friendly smoke or hostile sail. This respite would not have +been given to him, were it not for the lucky bullet which removed two +fingers and part of a third from the right hand of the Dyak chief. Not +even a healthy savage can afford to treat such a wound lightly, and ten +days elapsed before the maimed robber was able to move the injured limb +without a curse. + +Meanwhile, each night Jenks slept less soundly; each day his face +became more careworn. He began to realize why the island had not been +visited already by the vessel which would certainly be deputed to +search for them--she was examining the great coast-line of China and +Siam. + +It was his habit to mark the progress of time on the rudely made +sun-dial which sufficiently served their requirements as a clock. Iris +happened to watch him chipping the forty-fourth notch on the edge of +the horizontal block of wood. + +"Have we really been forty-four days here?" she inquired, after +counting the marks with growing astonishment. + +"I believe the reckoning is accurate," he said. "The _Sirdar_ was +lost on the 18th of March, and I make this the 1st of May." + +"May Day!" + +"Yes. Shall we drive to Hurlingham this afternoon?" + +"Looked at in that way it seems to be a tremendous time, though indeed, +in some respects, it figures in my mind like many years. That is when I +am thinking. Otherwise, when busy, the days fly like hours." + +"It must be convenient to have such an elastic scale." + +"Most useful. I strive to apply the quick rate when you are grumpy." + +Iris placed her arms akimbo, planted her feet widely apart, and +surveyed Jenks with an expression that might almost be termed impudent. +They were great friends, these two, now. The incipient stage of +love-making had been dropped entirely, as ludicrously unsuited to their +environment. + +When the urgent necessity for continuous labor no longer spurred them +to exertion during every moment of daylight, they tackled the box of +books and read, not volumes which appealed to them in common, but +quaint tomes in the use of which Jenks was tutor and Iris the scholar. + +It became a fixed principle with the girl that she was very ignorant, +and she insisted that the sailor should teach her. For instance, among +the books he found a treatise on astronomy; it yielded a keen delight +to both to identify a constellation and learn all sorts of wonderful +things concerning it. But to work even the simplest problem required a +knowledge of algebra, and Iris had never gone beyond decimals. So the +stock of notebooks, instead of recording their experiences, became +covered with symbols showing how x plus y equaled x² minus 3,000,000. + +As a variant, Jenks introduced a study of Hindustani. His method was to +write a short sentence and explain in detail its component parts. With +a certain awe Iris surveyed the intricacies of the Urdu compound verb, +but, about her fourth lesson, she broke out into exclamations of +extravagant joy. + +"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded her surprised mentor. + +"Don't you see?" she exclaimed, delightedly. "Of course you don't! +People who know a lot about a thing often miss its obvious points. I +have discovered how to write Kiplingese. All you have to do is to tell +your story in Urdu, translate it literally into English, and there you +are!" + +"Quite so. Just do it as Kipling does, and the secret is laid bare. By +the same rule you can hit upon the Miltonic adjective." + +Iris tossed her head. + +"I don't know anything about the Miltonic adjective, but I am sure +about Kipling." + +This ended the argument. She knitted her brows in the effort to master +the ridiculous complexities of a language which, instead of simply +saying "Take" or "Bring," compels one to say "Take-go" and "Take-come." + +One problem defied solution--that of providing raiment for Iris. The +united skill of the sailor and herself would not induce unraveled +cordage to supply the need of thread. It was either too weak or too +knotty, and meanwhile the girl's clothes were falling to pieces. Jenks +tried the fibers of trees, the sinews of birds--every possible +expedient he could hit upon--and perhaps, after experiments covering +some weeks, he might have succeeded. But modern dress stuffs, weakened +by aniline dyes and stiffened with Chinese clay, permit of no such +exhaustive research. It must be remembered that the lady passengers on +board the _Sirdar_ were dressed to suit the tropics, and the hard +usage given by Iris to her scanty stock was never contemplated by the +Manchester or Bradford looms responsible for the durability of the +material. + +As the days passed the position became irksome. It even threatened +complete callapse during some critical moment, and the two often +silently surveyed the large number of merely male garments in their +possession. Of course, in the matter of coats and waistcoats there was +no difficulty whatever. Iris had long been wearing those portions of +the doctor's uniform. But when it came to the rest-- + +At last, one memorable morning, she crossed the Rubicon. Jenks had +climbed, as usual, to the Summit Rock. He came back with the exciting +news that he thought--he could not be certain, but there were +indications inspiring hopefulness--that towards the west of the far-off +island he could discern the smoke of a steamer. + +Though he had eyes for a faint cloud of vapor at least fifty miles +distant he saw nothing of a remarkable change effected nearer home. +Outwardly, Iris was attired in her wonted manner, but if her +companion's mind were not wholly monopolized by the bluish haze +detected on the horizon, he must have noticed the turned-up ends of a +pair of trousers beneath the hem of her tattered skirt. + +It did occur to him that Iris received his momentous announcement with +an odd air of hauteur, and it was passing strange she did not offer to +accompany him when, after bolting his breakfast, he returned to the +observatory. + +He came back in an hour, and the lines on his face were deeper than +before. + +"A false alarm," he said curtly in response to her questioning look. + +And that was all, though she nerved herself to walk steadily past him +on her way to the well. This was disconcerting, even annoying to a +positive young woman like Iris. Resolving to end the ordeal, she stood +rigidly before him. + +"Well," she said, "I've done it!" + +"Have you?" he exclaimed, blankly. + +"Yes. They're a little too long, and I feel very awkward, but they're +better than--than my poor old dress unsupported." + +She blushed furiously, to the sailor's complete bewilderment, but she +bravely persevered and stretched out an unwilling foot. + +"Oh. I see!" he growled, and he too reddened. + +"I can't help it, can I?" she demanded piteously. "It is not unlike a +riding-habit, is it?" + +Then his ready wit helped him. + +"An excellent compromise," he cried. "A process of evolution, in fact. +Now, do you know, Miss Deane, that would never have occurred to me." + +And during the remainder of the day he did not once look at her feet. +Indeed, he had far more serious matters to distract his thoughts, for +Iris, feverishly anxious to be busy, suddenly suggested that it would +be a good thing were she able to use a rifle if a fight at close +quarters became necessary. + +The recoil of the Lee-Metford is so slight that any woman can +manipulate the weapon with effect, provided she is not called upon to +fire from a standing position, in which case the weight is liable to +cause bad aiming. Though it came rather late in the day, Jenks caught +at the idea. He accustomed her in the first instance to the use of +blank cartridges. Then, when fairly proficient in holding and +sighting--a child can learn how to refill the clip and eject each empty +shell--she fired ten rounds of service ammunition. The target was a +white circle on a rock at eighty yards, and those of the ten shots that +missed the absolute mark would have made an enemy at the same distance +extremely uncomfortable. + +Iris was much pleased with her proficiency. "Now," she cried, "instead +of being a hindrance to you I may be some help. In any case, the Dyaks +will think there are two men to face, and they have good reason to fear +one of us." + +Then a new light dawned upon Jenks. + +"Why did you not think of it before?" he demanded. "Don't you see, Miss +Deane, the possibility suggested by your words? I am sorry to be +compelled to speak plainly, but I feel sure that if those scoundrels do +attack us in force it will be more to secure you than to avenge the +loss of their fellow tribesmen. First and foremost, the sea-going Dyaks +are pirates and marauders. They prowl about the coast looking not so +much for a fight as for loot and women. Now, if they return, and +apparently find two well-armed men awaiting them, with no prospect of +plunder, there is a chance they may abandon the enterprise." + +Iris did not flinch from the topic. She well knew its grave importance. + +"In other words," she said, "I must be seen by them dressed only in +male clothing?" + +"Yes, as a last resource, that is. I have some hope that they may not +discover our whereabouts owing to the precautions we have adopted. +Perched up there on the ledge we will be profoundly uncomfortable, but +that will be nothing if it secures our safety." + +She did not reply at once. Then she said musingly--"Forty-four days! +Surely there has been ample time to scour the China Sea from end to end +in search of us? My father would never abandon hope until he had the +most positive knowledge that the _Sirdar_ was lost with all on +board." + +The sailor, through long schooling, was prepared with an answer--"Each +day makes the prospect of escape brighter. Though I was naturally +disappointed this morning, I must state quite emphatically that our +rescue may come any hour." + +Iris looked at him steadily. + +"You wear a solemn face for one who speaks so cheerfully," she said. + +"You should not attach too great significance to appearances. The owl, +a very stupid bird, is noted for its philosophical expression." + +"Then we will strive to find wisdom in words. Do you remember, Mr. +Jenks, that soon after the wreck you told me we might have to remain +here many months?" + +"That was a pardonable exaggeration." + +"No, no. It was the truth. You are seeking now to buoy me up with false +hope. It is sixteen hundred miles from Hong Kong to Singapore, and half +as much from Siam to Borneo. The _Sirdar_ might have been driven +anywhere in the typhoon. Didn't you say so, Mr. Jenks?" + +He wavered under this merciless cross-examination. + +"I had no idea your memory was so good," he said, weakly. + +"Excellent, I assure you. Moreover, during our forty-four days +together, you have taught me to think. Why do you adopt subterfuge with +me? We are partners in all else. Why cannot I share your despair as +well as your toil?" + +She blazed out in sudden wrath, and he understood that she would not be +denied the full extent of his secret fear. He bowed reverently before +her, as a mortal paying homage to an angry goddess. + +"I can only admit that you are right," he murmured. "We must pray that +God will direct our friends to this island. Otherwise we may not be +found for a year, as unhappily the fishermen who once came here now +avoid the place. They have been frightened by the contents of the +hollow behind the cliff. I am glad you have solved the difficulty +unaided, Miss Deane. I have striven at times to be coarse, even brutal, +towards you, but my heart flinched from the task of telling you the +possible period of your imprisonment." + +Then Iris, for the first time in many days, wept bitterly, and Jenks, +blind to the true cause of her emotion, picked up a rifle to which, in +spare moments, he had affixed a curious device, and walked slowly +across Prospect Park towards the half-obliterated road leading to the +Valley of Death. + +The girl watched him disappear among the trees. Through her tears shone +a sorrowful little smile. + +"He thinks only of me, never of himself," she communed. "If it pleases +Providence to spare us from these savages, what does it matter to me +how long we remain here? I have never been so happy before in my life. +I fear I never will be again. If it were not for my father's terrible +anxiety I would not have a care in the world. I only wish to get away, +so that one brave soul at least may be rid of needless tortures. All +his worry is on my account, none on his own." + +That was what tearful Miss Iris thought, or tried to persuade herself +to think. Perhaps her cogitations would not bear strict analysis. +Perhaps she harbored a sweet hope that the future might yet contain +bright hours for herself and the man who was so devoted to her. She +refused to believe that Robert Anstruther, strong of arm and clear of +brain, a Knight of the Round Table in all that was noble and chivalric, +would permit his name to bear an unwarrantable stigma when--and she +blushed like a June rose--he came to tell her that which he had +written. + +The sailor returned hastily, with the manner of one hurrying to perform +a neglected task. Without any explanation to Iris he climbed several +times to the ledge, carrying arm-loads of grass roots which he planted +in full view. Then he entered the cave, and, although he was furnished +only with the dim light that penetrated through the distant exit, she +heard him hewing manfully at the rock for a couple of hours. At last he +emerged, grimy with dust and perspiration, just in time to pay a last +visit to Summit Rock before the sun sank to rest. He asked the girl to +delay somewhat the preparations for their evening meal, as he wished to +take a bath, so it was quite dark when they sat down to eat. + +Iris had long recovered her usual state of high spirits. + +"Why were you burrowing in the cavern again?" she inquired. "Are you in +a hurry to get rich?" + +"I was following an air-shaft, not a lode," he replied. "I am +occasionally troubled with after wit, and this is an instance. Do you +remember how the flame of the lamp flickered whilst we were opening up +our mine?" + +"Yes." + +"I was so absorbed in contemplating our prospective wealth that I +failed to pay heed to the true significance of that incident. It meant +the existence of an upward current of air. Now, where the current goes +there must be a passage, and whilst I was busy this afternoon among the +trees over there,"--he pointed towards the Valley of Death--"it came to +me like an inspiration that possibly a few hours' hewing and delving +might open a shaft to the ledge. I have been well rewarded for the +effort. The stuff in the vault is so eaten away by water that it is no +more solid than hard mud for the most part. Already I have scooped out +a chimney twelve feet high." + +"What good can that be?" + +"At present we have only a front door--up the face of the rock. When my +work is completed, before tomorrow night I hope, we shall have a back +door also. Of course I may encounter unforeseen obstacles as I advance. +A twist in the fault would be nearly fatal, but I am praying that it +may continue straight to the ledge." + +"I still don't see the great advantage to us." + +"The advantages are many, believe me. The more points of attack +presented by the enemy the more effective will be our resistance. I +doubt if they would ever be able to rush the cave were we to hold it, +whereas I can go up and down our back staircase whenever I choose. If +you don't mind being left in the dark I will resume work now, by the +light of your lamp." + +But Iris protested against this arrangement. She felt lonely. The long +hours of silence had been distasteful to her. She wanted to talk. + +"I agree," said Jenks, "provided you do not pin me down to something I +told you a month ago." + +"I promise. You can tell me as much or as little as you think fit. The +subject for discussion is your court-martial." + +He could not see the tender light in her eyes, but the quiet sympathy +of her voice restrained the protest prompt on his lips. Yet he blurted +out, after a slight pause-- + +"That is a very unsavory subject." + +"Is it? I do not think so. I am a friend, Mr. Jenks, not an old one, I +admit, but during the past six weeks we have bridged an ordinary +acquaintanceship of as many years. Can you not trust me?" + +Trust her? He laughed softly. Then, choosing his words with great +deliberation, he answered--"Yes, I can trust you. I intended to tell +you the story some day. Why not tonight?" + +Unseen in the darkness Iris's hand sought and clasped the gold locket +suspended from her neck. She already knew some portion of the story he +would tell. The remainder was of minor importance. + +"It is odd," he continued, "that you should have alluded to six years a +moment ago. It is exactly six years, almost to a day, since the trouble +began." + +"With Lord Ventnor?" The name slipped out involuntarily. + +"Yes. I was then a Staff Corps subaltern, and my proficiency in native +languages attracted the attention of a friend in Simla, who advised me +to apply for an appointment on the political side of the Government of +India. I did so. He supported the application, and I was assured of the +next vacancy in a native state, provided that I got married." + +He drawled out the concluding words with exasperating slowness. Iris, +astounded by the stipulation, dropped her locket and leaned forward +into the red light of the log fire. The sailor's quick eye caught the +glitter of the ornament. + +"By the way," he interrupted, "what is that thing shining on your +breast?" + +She instantly clasped the trinket again. "It is my sole remaining +adornment," she said; "a present from my father on my tenth birthday. +Pray go on!" + +"I was not a marrying man, Miss Deane, and the requisite qualification +nearly staggered me. But I looked around the station, and came to the +conclusion that the Commissioner's niece would make a suitable wife. I +regarded her 'points,' so to speak, and they filled the bill. She was +smart, good-looking, lively, understood the art of entertaining, was +first-rate in sports and had excellent teeth. Indeed, if a man selected +a wife as he does a horse, she--" + +"Don't be horrid. Was she really pretty?" + +"I believe so. People said she was." + +"But what did _you_ think?" + +"At the time my opinion was biased. I have seen her since, and she +wears badly. She is married now, and after thirty grew very fat." + +Artful Jenks! Iris settled herself comfortably to listen. + +"I have jumped that fence with a lot in hand," he thought. + +"We became engaged," he said aloud. + +"She threw herself at him," communed Iris. + +"Her name was Elizabeth--Elizabeth Morris." The young lieutenant of +those days called her "Bessie," but no matter. + +"Well, you didn't marry her, anyhow," commented Iris, a trifle sharply. + +And now the sailor was on level ground again. + +"Thank Heaven, no," he said, earnestly. "We had barely become engaged +when she went with her uncle to Simla for the hot weather. There she +met Lord Ventnor, who was on the Viceroy's staff, and--if you don't +mind, we will skip a portion of the narrative--I discovered then why +men in India usually go to England for their wives. Whilst in Simla on +ten days' leave I had a foolish row with Lord Ventnor in the United +Service Club--hammered him, in fact, in defence of a worthless woman, +and was only saved from a severe reprimand because I had been badly +treated. Nevertheless, my hopes of a political appointment vanished, +and I returned to my regiment to learn, after due reflection, what a +very lucky person I was." + +"Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?" + +"Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth. Not being cut out for matrimonial +enterprise I tried to become a good officer. A year ago, when +Government asked for volunteers to form Chinese regiments, I sent in my +name and was accepted. I had the good fortune to serve under an old +friend, Colonel Costobell; but some malign star sent Lord Ventnor to +the Far East, this time in an important civil capacity. I met him +occasionally, and we found we did not like each other any better. My +horse beat his for the Pagoda Hurdle Handicap--poor old Sultan! I +wonder where he is now." + +"Was your horse called 'Sultan'?" + +"Yes. I bought him in Meerut, trained him myself, and ferried him all +the way to China. I loved him next to the British Army." + +This was quite satisfactory. There was genuine feeling in his voice +now. Iris became even more interested. + +"Colonel Costobell fell ill, and the command of the regiment devolved +upon me, our only major being absent in the interior. The Colonel's +wife unhappily chose that moment to flirt, as people say, with Lord +Ventnor. Not having learnt the advisability of minding my own business, +I remonstrated with her, thus making her my deadly enemy. Lord Ventnor +contrived an official mission to a neighboring town and detailed me for +the military charge. I sent a junior officer. Then Mrs. Costobell and +he deliberately concocted a plot to ruin me--he, for the sake of his +old animosity--you remember that I had also crossed his path in +Egypt--she, because she feared I would speak to her husband. On +pretence of seeking my advice, she inveigled me at night into a +deserted corner of the Club grounds at Hong Kong. Lord Ventnor +appeared, and as the upshot of their vile statements, which created an +immediate uproar, I--well, Miss Deane, I nearly killed him." + +Iris vividly recalled the anguish he betrayed when this topic was +inadvertently broached one day early in their acquaintance. Now he was +reciting his painful history with the air of a man far more concerned +to be scrupulously accurate than aroused in his deepest passions by the +memory of past wrongs. What had happened in the interim to blunt these +bygone sufferings? Iris clasped her locket. She thought she knew. + +"The remainder may be told in a sentence," he said. "Of what avail were +my frenzied statements against the definite proofs adduced by Lord +Ventnor and his unfortunate ally? Even her husband believed her and +became my bitter foe. Poor woman! I have it in my heart to pity her. +Well, that is all. I am here!" + +"Can a man be ruined so easily?" murmured the girl, her exquisite tact +leading her to avoid any direct expression of sympathy. + +"It seems so. But I have had my reward. If ever I meet Mrs. Costobell +again I will thank her for a great service." + +Iris suddenly became confused. Her brow and neck tingled with a quick +access of color. + +"Why do you say that?" she asked; and Jenks, who was rising, either did +not hear, or pretended not to hear, the tremor in her tone. + +"Because you once told me you would never marry Lord Ventnor, and after +what I have told you now I am quite sure you will not." + +"Ah, then you _do_ trust me?" she almost whispered. + +He forced back the words trembling for utterance. He even strove weakly +to assume an air of good-humored badinage. + +"See how you have tempted me from work, Miss Deane," he cried. "We have +gossiped here until the fire grew tired of our company. To bed, please, +at once." + +Iris caught him by the arm. + +"I will pray tonight, and every night," she said solemnly, "that your +good name may be cleared in the eyes of all men as it is in mine. And I +am sure my prayer will be answered." + +She passed into her chamber, but her angelic influence remained. In his +very soul the man thanked God for the tribulation which brought this +woman into his life. He had traversed the wilderness to find an oasis +of rare beauty. What might lie beyond he neither knew nor cared. +Through the remainder of his existence, be it a day or many a year, he +would be glorified by the knowledge that in one incomparable heart he +reigned supreme, unchallenged, if only for the hour. Fatigue, anxiety, +bitter recollection and present danger, were overwhelmed and forgotten +in the nearness, the intangible presence of Iris. He looked up to the +starry vault, and, yielding to the spell, he, too, prayed. + +It was a beautiful night. After a baking hot day the rocks were +radiating their stored-up heat, but the pleasant south-westerly breeze +that generally set in at sunset tempered the atmosphere and made sleep +refreshing. Jenks could not settle down to rest for a little while +after Iris left him. She did not bring forth her lamp, and, unwilling +to disturb her, he picked up a resinous branch, lit it in the dying +fire, and went into the cave. + +He wanted to survey the work already done, and to determine whether it +would be better to resume operations in the morning from inside the +excavation or from the ledge. Owing to the difficulty of constructing a +vertical upward shaft, and the danger of a sudden fall of heavy +material, he decided in favor of the latter course, although it +entailed lifting all the refuse out of the hole. To save time, +therefore, he carried his mining tools into the open, placed in +position the _cheval de frise_ long since constructed for the +defence of the entrance, and poured water over the remains of the fire. + +This was his final care each night before stretching his weary limbs on +his couch of branches. It caused delay in the morning, but he neglected +no precaution, and there was a possible chance of the Dyaks failing to +discover the Eagle's Nest if they were persuaded by other indications +that the island was deserted. + +He entered the hut and was in the act of pulling off his boots, when a +distant shot rang sharply through the air. It was magnified tenfold by +the intense silence. For a few seconds that seemed to be minutes he +listened, cherishing the quick thought that perhaps a turtle, wandering +far beyond accustomed limits, had disturbed one of the spring-gun +communications on the sands. A sputtering volley, which his trained ear +recognized as the firing of muzzle-loaders, sounded the death-knell of +his last hope. + +The Dyaks had landed! Coming silently and mysteriously in the dead of +night, they were themselves the victims of a stratagem they designed to +employ. Instead of taking the occupants of Rainbow Island unawares they +were startled at being greeted by a shot the moment they landed. The +alarmed savages at once retaliated by firing their antiquated weapons +point-blank at the trees, thus giving warning enough to wake the Seven +Sleepers. + +Iris, fully dressed, was out in a moment. + +"They have come!" she whispered. + +"Yes," was the cheery answer, for Jenks face to face with danger was a +very different man to Jenks wrestling with the insidious attacks of +Cupid. "Up the ladder! Be lively! They will not be here for half an +hour if they kick up such a row at the first difficulty. Still, we will +take no risks. Cast down those spare lines when you reach the top and +haul away when I say 'Ready!' You will find everything to hand up +there." + +He held the bottom of the ladder to steady it for the girl's climb. +Soon her voice fell, like a message from a star-- + +"All right! Please join me soon!" + +The coiled-up ropes dropped along the face of the rock. Clothes, pick, +hatchet, hammer, crowbars, and other useful odds and ends were swung +away into the darkness, for the moon as yet did not illumine the crag. +The sailor darted into Belle Vue Castle and kicked their leafy beds +about the floor. Then he slung all the rifles, now five in number, over +his shoulders, and mounted the rope-ladder, which, with the spare +cords, he drew up and coiled with careful method. + +"By the way," he suddenly asked, "have you your sou'wester?" + +"Yes." + +"And your Bible?" + +"Yes. It rests beneath my head every night. I even brought our +Tennyson." + +"Ah," he growled fiercely, "this is where the reality differs from the +romance. Our troubles are only beginning now." + +"They will end the sooner. For my part, I have utter faith in you. If +it be God's will, we will escape; and no man is more worthy than you to +be His agent." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE FIGHT + + +The sailor knew so accurately the position of his reliable sentinels +that he could follow each phase of the imaginary conflict on the other +side of the island. The first outbreak of desultory firing died away +amidst a chorus of protest from every feathered inhabitant of the isle, +so Jenks assumed that the Dyaks had gathered again on the beach after +riddling the scarecrows with bullets or slashing them with their heavy +razor-edged parangs, Malay swords with which experts can fell a stout +sapling at a single blow. + +A hasty council was probably held, and, notwithstanding their fear of +the silent company in the hollow, an advance was ultimately made along +the beach. Within a few yards they encountered the invisible cord of +the third spring-gun. There was a report, and another fierce outbreak +of musketry. This was enough. Not a man would move a step nearer that +abode of the dead. The next commotion arose on the ridge near the North +Cape. + +"At this rate of progress," said Jenks to the girl, "they will not +reach our house until daylight." + +"I almost wish they were here," was the quiet reply. "I find this +waiting and listening to be trying to the nerves." + +They were lying on a number of ragged garments hastily spread on the +ledge, and peering intently into the moonlit area of Prospect Park. The +great rock itself was shrouded in somber shadows. Even if they stood up +none could see them from the ground, so dense was the darkness +enveloping them. + +He turned slightly and took her hand. It was cool and moist. It no more +trembled than his own. + +"The Dyaks are far more scared than you," he murmured with a laugh. +"Cruel and courageous as they are, they dare not face a spook." + +"Then what a pity it is we cannot conjure up a ghost for their benefit! +All the spirits I have ever read about were ridiculous. Why cannot one +be useful occasionally?" + +The question set him thinking. Unknown to the girl, the materials for a +dramatic apparition were hidden amidst the bushes near the well. He +cudgeled his brains to remember the stage effects of juvenile days; but +these needed limelight, blue flares, mirrors, phosphorus. + +The absurdity of hoping to devise any such accessories whilst perched +on a ledge in a remote island--a larger reef of the thousands in the +China Sea--tickled him. + +"What is it?" asked Iris. + +He repeated his list of missing stage properties. They had nothing to +do but to wait, and people in the very crux and maelstrom of existence +usually discuss trivial things. + +"I don't know anything about phosphorus," said the girl, "but you can +obtain queer results from sulphur, and there is an old box of Norwegian +matches resting at this moment on the shelf in my room. Don't you +remember? They were in your pocket, and you were going to throw them +away. Why, what are you doing?" + +For Jenks had cast the rope-ladder loose and was evidently about to +descend. + +"Have no fear," he said; "I will not be away five minutes." + +"If you are going down I must come with you. I will not be left here +alone." + +"Please do not stop me," he whispered earnestly. "You must not come. I +will take no risk whatever. If you remain here you can warn me +instantly. With both of us on the ground we will incur real danger. I +want you to keep a sharp lookout towards Turtle Beach in case the Dyaks +come that way. Those who are crossing the island will not reach us for +a long time." + +She yielded, though unwillingly. She was tremulous with anxiety on his +account. + +He vanished without another word. She next saw him in the moonlight +near the well. He was rustling among the shrubs, and he returned to the +rock with something white in his arms, which he seemingly deposited at +the mouth of the cave. He went back to the well and carried another +similar burthen. Then he ran towards the house. The doorway was not +visible from the ledge, and she passed a few horrible moments until a +low hiss beneath caught her ear. She could tell by the creak of the +rope-ladder that he was ascending. At last he reached her side, and she +murmured, with a gasping sob-- + +"Don't go away again. I cannot stand it." + +He thought it best to soothe her agitation by arousing interest. Still +hauling in the ladder with one hand, he held out the other, on which +luminous wisps were writhing like glow-worms' ghosts. + +"You are responsible," he said. "You gave me an excellent idea, and I +was obliged to carry it out." + +"What have you done?" + +"Arranged a fearsome bogey in the cave." + +"But how?" + +"It was not exactly a pleasant operation, but the only laws of +necessity are those which must be broken." + +She understood that he did not wish her to question him further. +Perhaps curiosity, now that he was safe, might have vanquished her +terror, and led to another demand for enlightenment, but at that +instant the sound of an angry voice and the crunching of coral away to +the left drove all else from her mind. + +"They are coming by way of the beach, after all," whispered Jenks. + +He was mistaken, in a sense. Another outburst of intermittent firing +among the trees on the north of the ridge showed that some, at least, +of the Dyaks were advancing by their former route. The appearance of +the Dyak chief on the flat belt of shingle, with his right arm slung +across his breast, accompanied by not more than half a dozen followers, +showed that a few hardy spirits had dared to pass the Valley of Death +with all its nameless terrors. + +They advanced cautiously enough, as though dreading a surprise. The +chief carried a bright parang in his left hand; the others were armed +with guns, their swords being thrust through belts. Creeping forward on +tip-toe, though their distant companions were making a tremendous row, +they looked a murderous gang as they peered across the open space, now +brilliantly illuminated by the moon. + +Jenks had a sudden intuition that the right thing to do now was to +shoot the whole party. He dismissed the thought at once. All his +preparations were governed by the hope that the pirates might abandon +their quest after hours of fruitless search. It would be most unwise, +he told himself, to precipitate hostilities. Far better avoid a +conflict altogether, if that were possible, than risk the immediate +discovery of his inaccessible retreat. + +In other words he made a grave mistake, which shows how a man may err +when over-agonized by the danger of the woman he loves. The bold course +was the right one. By killing the Dyak leader he would have deprived +the enemy of the dominating influence in this campaign of revenge. When +the main body, already much perturbed by the unseen and intangible +agencies which opened fire at them in the wood, arrived in Prospect +Park to find only the dead bodies of their chief and his small force, +their consternation could be turned into mad panic by a vigorous +bombardment from the rock. + +Probably, in less than an hour after their landing, the whole tribe +would have rushed pell-mell to the boats, cursing the folly which led +them to this devil-haunted island. But it serves no good purpose to say +what might have been. As it was the Dyaks, silent now and moving with +the utmost caution, passed the well, and were about to approach the +cave when one of them saw the house. + +Instantly they changed their tactics. Retreating hastily to the shade +of the opposite cliff they seemed to await the coming of +reinforcements. The sailor fancied that a messenger was dispatched by +way of the north sands to hurry up the laggards, because the distant +firing slackened, and, five minutes later, a fierce outbreak of yells +among the trees to the right heralded a combined rush on the Belle Vue +Castle. + +The noise made by the savages was so great--the screams of bewildered +birds circling overhead so incessant--that Jenks was compelled to speak +quite loudly when he said to Iris-- + +"They must think we sleep soundly not to be disturbed by the volleys +they have fired already." + +She would have answered, but he placed a restraining hand on her +shoulder, for the Dyaks quickly discovering that the hut was empty, ran +towards the cave and thus came in full view. + +As well as Jenks could judge, the foremost trio of the yelping horde +were impaled on the bayonets of the _cheval de frise_, learning +too late its formidable nature. The wounded men shrieked in agony, but +their cries were drowned in a torrent of amazed shouts from their +companions. Forthwith there was a stampede towards the well, the cliff, +the beaches, anywhere to get away from that awesome cavern where ghosts +dwelt and men fell maimed at the very threshold. The sailor, leaning as +far over the edge of the rock as the girl's expostulations would +permit, heard a couple of men groaning beneath, whilst a third limped +away with frantic and painful haste. + +"What is it?" whispered Iris, eager herself to witness the tumult. +"What has happened?" + +"They have been routed by a box of matches and a few dried bones," he +answered. + +There was no time for further speech. He was absorbed in estimating the +probable number of the Dyaks. Thus far, he had seen about fifty. +Moreover, he did not wish to acquaint Iris with the actual details of +the artifice that had been so potent. Her allusion to the box of +water-sodden Tändstickors gave him the notion of utilizing as an active +ally the bleached remains of the poor fellow who had long ago fallen a +victim to this identical mob of cut-throats or their associates. He +gathered the principal bones from their resting-place near the well, +rubbed them with the ends of the matches after damping the sulphur +again, and arranged them with ghastly effect on the pile of rubbish at +the further end of the cave, creeping under the _cheval de frise_ +for the purpose. + +Though not so vivid as he wished, the pale-glimmering headless skeleton +in the intense darkness of the interior was appalling enough in all +conscience. Fortunately the fumes of the sulphur fed on the bony +substance. They endured a sufficient time to scare every Dyak who +caught a glimpse of the monstrous object crouching in luminous horror +within the dismal cavern. + +Not even the stirring exhortations of the chief, whose voice was raised +in furious speech, could induce his adherents to again approach that +affrighting spot. At last the daring scoundrel himself, still wielding +his naked sword, strode right up to the very doorway. Stricken with +sudden stupor, he gazed at the fitful gleams within. He prodded the +_cheval de frise_ with the parang. Here was something definite and +solid. Then he dragged one of the wounded men out into the moonlight. + +Again Jenks experienced an itching desire to send a bullet through the +Dyak's head; again he resisted the impulse. And so passed that which is +vouchsafed by Fate to few men--a second opportunity. + +Another vehement harangue by the chief goaded some venturesome spirits +into carrying their wounded comrade out of sight, presumably to the +hut. Inspired by their leader's fearless example, they even removed the +third injured Dyak from the vicinity of the cave, but the celerity of +their retreat caused the wretch to bawl in agony. + +Their next undertaking was no sooner appreciated by the sailor than he +hurriedly caused Iris to shelter herself beneath the tarpaulin, whilst +he cowered close to the floor of the ledge, looking only through the +screen of tall grasses. They kindled a fire near the well. Soon its +ruddy glare lit up the dark rock with fantastic flickerings, and drew +scintillations from the weapons and ornaments of the hideously +picturesque horde gathered in its vicinity. + +They spoke a language of hard vowels and nasal resonance, and ate what +he judged to be dry fish, millets, and strips of tough preserved meat, +which they cooked on small iron skewers stuck among the glowing embers. +His heart sank as he counted sixty-one, all told, assembled within +forty yards of the ledge. Probably several others were guarding the +boats or prowling about the island. Indeed, events proved that more +than eighty men had come ashore in three large sampans, roomy and fleet +craft, well fitted for piratical excursions up river estuaries or along +a coast. + +They were mostly bare-legged rascals, wearing Malay hats, loose jackets +reaching to the knee, and sandals. One man differed essentially from +the others. He was habited in the conventional attire of an Indian +Mahommedan, and his skin was brown, whilst the swarthy Dyaks were +yellow beneath the dirt. Jenks thought, from the manner in which his +turban was tied, that he must be a Punjabi Mussulman--very likely an +escaped convict from the Andamans. + +The most careful scrutiny did not reveal any arms of precision. They +all carried muzzle-loaders, either antiquated flintlocks, or guns +sufficiently modern to be fitted with nipples for percussion caps. + +Each Dyak, of course, sported a parang and dagger-like kriss; a few +bore spears, and about a dozen shouldered a long straight piece of +bamboo. The nature of this implement the sailor could not determine at +the moment. When the knowledge did come, it came so rapidly that he was +saved from many earlier hours of abiding; dread, for one of those +innocuous-looking weapons was fraught with more quiet deadliness than a +Gatling gun. + +In the neighborhood of the fire an animated discussion took place. +Though it was easy to see that the chief was all-paramount, his +fellow-tribesmen exercised a democratic right of free speech and +outspoken opinion. + +Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned towards cave and hut. +Once, when the debate grew warm, the chief snatched up a burning branch +and held it over the blackened embers of the fire extinguished by +Jenks. He seemed to draw some definite conclusion from an examination +of the charcoal, and the argument thenceforth proceeded with less +emphasis. Whatever it was that he said evidently carried conviction. + +Iris, nestling close to the sailor, whispered-- + +"Do you know what he has found out?" + +"I can only guess that he can tell by the appearance of the burnt wood +how long it is since it was extinguished. Clearly they agree with him." + +"Then they know we are still here?" + +"Either here or gone within a few hours. In any case they will make a +thorough search of the island at daybreak." + +"Will it be dawn soon?" + +"Yes. Are you tired?" + +"A little cramped--that is all." + +"Don't think I am foolish--can you manage to sleep?" + +"Sleep! With those men so near!" + +"Yes. We do not know how long they will remain. We must keep up our +strength. Sleep, next to food and drink, is a prime necessity." + +"If it will please you, I will try," she said, with such sweet +readiness to obey his slightest wish that the wonder is he did not kiss +her then and there. By previous instruction she knew exactly what to +do. She crept quietly back until well ensconced in the niche widened +and hollowed for her accommodation. There, so secluded was she from the +outer world of horror and peril, that the coarse voices beneath only +reached her in a murmur. Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over her, she +stretched her weary limbs on a litter of twigs and leaves, commended +herself and the man she loved to God's keeping, and, wonderful though +it may seem, was soon slumbering peacefully. + +The statement may sound passing strange to civilized ears, accustomed +only to the routine of daily life and not inured to danger and wild +surroundings. But the soldier who has snatched a hasty doze in the +trenches, the sailor who has heard a fierce gale buffeting the walls of +his frail ark, can appreciate the reason why Iris, weary and surfeited +with excitement, would have slept were she certain that the next +sunrise would mark her last hour on earth. + +Jenks, too, composed himself for a brief rest. He felt assured that +there was not the remotest chance of their lofty perch being found out +before daybreak, and the first faint streaks of dawn would awaken him. + +These two, remote, abandoned, hopelessly environed by a savage enemy, +closed their eyes contentedly and awaited that which the coming day +should bring forth. + +When the morning breeze swept over the ocean and the stars were +beginning to pale before the pink glory flung broadcast through the sky +by the yet invisible sun, the sailor was aroused by the quiet +fluttering of a bird about to settle on the rock, but startled by the +sight of him. + +His faculties were at once on the alert, though he little realized the +danger betokened by the bird's rapid dart into the void. Turning first +to peer at Iris, he satisfied himself that she was still asleep. Her +lips were slightly parted in a smile; she might be dreaming of summer +and England. He noiselessly wormed his way to the verge of the rock and +looked down through the grass-roots. + +The Dyaks were already stirring. Some were replenishing the fire, +others were drawing water, cooking, eating, smoking long thin-stemmed +pipes with absurdly small bowls, or oiling their limbs and weapons with +impartial energy. The chief yet lay stretched on the sand, but, when +the first beams of the sun gilded the waters, a man stooped over the +prostrate form and said something that caused the sleeper to rise +stiffly, supporting himself on his uninjured arm. They at once went off +together towards Europa Point. + +"They have found the boat," thought Jenks. "Well, they are welcome to +all the information it affords." + +The pair soon returned. Another Dyak advanced to exhibit one of Jenks's +spring-gun attachments. The savages had a sense of humor. Several +laughed heartily when the cause of their overnight alarms was revealed. +The chief alone preserved a gloomy and saturnine expression. + +He gave some order at which they all hung back sheepishly. Cursing them +in choice Malay, the chief seized a thick faggot and strode in the +direction of the cave. Goaded into activity by his truculent demeanor, +some followed him, and Jenks--unable to see, but listening +anxiously--knew that they were tearing the _cheval de frise_ from +its supports. Nevertheless none of the working party entered the +excavation. They feared the parched bones that shone by night. + +"Poor J.S.!" murmured the sailor. "If his spirit still lingers near the +scene of his murder he will thank me for dragging him into the fray. He +fought them living and he can scare them dead." + +As he had not been able to complete the communicating shaft it was not +now of vital importance should the Dyaks penetrate to the interior. Yet +he thanked the good luck that had showered such a heap of rubbish over +the spot containing his chief stores and covering the vein of gold. +Wild as these fellows were, they well knew the value of the precious +metal, and if by chance they lighted upon such a well-defined lode they +might not quit the island for weeks. + +At last, on a command from the chief, the Dyaks scattered in various +directions. Some turned towards Europa Point, but the majority went to +the east along Turtle Beach or by way of the lagoon. Prospect Park was +deserted. They were scouring both sections of the island in full force. + +The quiet watcher on the ledge took no needless risks. Though it was +impossible to believe any stratagem had been planned for his special +benefit an accident might betray him. With the utmost circumspection he +rose on all fours and with comprehensive glance examined trees, +plateau, and both strips of beach for signs of a lurking foe. He need +have no fear. Of all places in the island the Dyaks least imagined that +their quarry had lain all night within earshot of their encampment. + +At this hour, when the day had finally conquered the night, and the +placid sea offered a turquoise path to the infinite, the scene was +restful, gently bewitching. He knew that, away there to the north, P. +and O. steamers, Messageries Maritimes, and North German Lloyd liners +were steadily churning the blue depths _en route_ to Japan or the +Straits Settlements. They carried hundreds of European passengers, men +and women, even little children, who were far removed from the +knowledge that tragedies such as this Dyak horror lay almost in their +path. People in London were just going to the theater. He recalled the +familiar jingle of the hansoms scampering along Piccadilly, the more +stately pace of the private carriages crossing the Park. Was it +possible that in the world of today--the world of telegraphs and +express trains, of the newspaper and the motor car--two inoffensive +human beings could be done to death so shamefully and openly as would +be the fate of Iris and himself if they fell into the hands of these +savages! It was inconceivable, intolerable! But it was true! + +And then, by an odd trick of memory, his mind reverted, not to the +Yorkshire manor he learnt to love as a boy, but to a little French +inland town where he once passed a summer holiday intent on improving +his knowledge of the language. Interior France is even more remote, +more secluded, more provincial, than agricultural England. There no +breath of the outer world intrudes. All is laborious, circumspect, a +trifle poverty-stricken, but beautified by an Arcadian simplicity. Yet +one memorable day, when walking by the banks of a river, he came upon +three men dragging from out a pool the water-soaked body of a young +girl into whose fair forehead the blunt knob often seen on the back of +an old-fashioned axe had been driven with cruel force. So, even in that +tiny old-world hamlet, murder and lust could stalk hand in hand. + +He shuddered. Why did such a hateful vision trouble him? Resolutely +banning the raven-winged specter, he slid back down the ledge and +gently wakened Iris. She sat up instantly and gazed at him with +wondering eyes. + +Fearful lest she should forget her surroundings, he placed a warning +finger on his lips. + +"Oh," she said in a whisper, "are they still here?" + +He told her what had happened, and suggested that they should have +something to eat whilst the coast was clear beneath. She needed no +second bidding, for the long vigil of the previous night had made her +very hungry, and the two breakfasted right royally on biscuit, cold +fowl, ham, and good water. + +In this, the inner section of their refuge, they could be seen only by +a bird or by a man standing on the distant rocky shelf that formed the +southern extremity of the opposite cliff, and the sailor kept a close +lookout in that direction. + +Iris was about to throw the remains of the feast into an empty oil-tin +provided for refuse when Jenks restrained her. + +"No," he said, smilingly. "Scraps should be the first course next time. +We must not waste an atom of food." + +"How thoughtless of me!" she exclaimed. "Please tell me you think they +will go away today." + +But the sailor flung himself flat on the ledge and grasped a +Lee-Metford. + +"Be still, on your life," he said. "Squeeze into your corner. There is +a Dyak on the opposite cliff." + +True enough, a man had climbed to that unhappily placed rocky table, +and was shouting something to a confrère high on the cliff over their +heads. As yet he had not seen them, nor even noticed the place where +they were concealed. The sailor imagined, from the Dyak's gestures, +that he was communicating the uselessness of further search on the +western part of the island. + +When the conversation ceased, he hoped the loud-voiced savage would +descend. But no! The scout looked into the valley, at the well, the +house, the cave. Still he did not see the ledge. At that unlucky moment +three birds, driven from the trees on the crest by the passage of the +Dyaks, flew down the face of the cliff and began a circling quest for +some safe perch on which to alight. + +Jenks swore with an emphasis not the less earnest because it was mute, +and took steady aim at the Dyak's left breast. The birds fluttered +about in ever smaller circles. Then one of them dropped easily on to +the lip of the rock. Instantly his bright eyes encountered those of the +man, and he darted off with a scream that brought his mates after him. + +The Dyak evidently noted the behavior of the birds--his only lore was +the reading of such signs--and gazed intently at the ledge. Jenks he +could not distinguish behind the screen of grass. He might perhaps see +some portion of the tarpaulin covering the stores, but at the distance +it must resemble a weather-beaten segment of the cliff. Yet something +puzzled him. After a steady scrutiny he turned and yelled to others on +the beach. + +The crucial moment had arrived. Jenks pressed the trigger, and the Dyak +hurtled through the air, falling headlong out of sight. + +The sound of this, the first shot of real warfare, awoke Rainbow Island +into tremendous activity. The winged life of the place filled the air +with raucous cries, whilst shouting Dyaks scurried in all directions. +Several came into the valley. Those nearest the fallen man picked him +up and carried him to the well. He was quite dead, and, although amidst +his other injuries they soon found the bullet wound, they evidently did +not know whence the shot came, for those to whom he shouted had no +inkling of his motive, and the slight haze from the rifle was instantly +swept away by the breeze. + +Iris could hear the turmoil beneath, and she tremulously asked-- + +"Are they going to attack us?" + +"Not yet," was the reassuring answer. "I killed the fellow who saw us +before he could tell the others." + +It was a bold risk, and he had taken it, though, now the Dyaks knew for +certain their prey had not escaped, there was no prospect of their +speedy departure. Nevertheless the position was not utterly hopeless. +None of the enemy could tell how or by whom their companion had been +shot. Many among the excited horde jabbering beneath actually looked at +the cliff over and over again, yet failed to note the potentialities of +the ledge, with its few tufts of grass growing where seeds had +apparently been blown by the wind or dropped by passing birds. + +Jenks understood, of course, that the real danger would arise when they +visited the scene of their comrade's disaster. Even then the wavering +balance of chance might cast the issue in his favor. He could only +wait, with ready rifle, with the light of battle lowering in his eyes. +Of one thing at least he was certain--before they conquered him he +would levy a terrible toll. + +He glanced back at Iris. Her face was pale beneath its mask of +sunbrown. She was bent over her Bible, and Jenks did not know that she +was reading the 91st Psalm. Her lips murmured-- + +"I will say unto the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in +Him will I trust." + +The chief was listening intently to the story of the Dyak who saw the +dead man totter and fall. He gave some quick order. Followed by a score +or more of his men he walked rapidly to the foot of the cliff where +they found the lifeless body. + +And Iris read-- + +"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow +that flieth by day." + +Jenks stole one more hasty glance at her. The chief and the greater +number of his followers were out of sight behind the rocks. Some of +them must now be climbing to that fatal ledge. Was this the end? + +Yet the girl, unconscious of the doom impending, kept her eyes +steadfastly fixed on the book. + +"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways. + +"They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot +against a stone.... + +"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in +trouble: I will deliver him and honour him." + +Iris did not apply the consoling words to herself. She closed the book +and bent forward sufficiently in her sheltering niche to permit her to +gaze with wistful tenderness upon the man whom she hoped to see +delivered and honored. She knew he would dare all for her sake. She +could only pray and hope. After reading those inspired verses she +placed implicit trust in the promise made. For He was good: His was the +mercy that "endureth forever." Enemies encompassed them with words of +hatred--fought against them without a cause--but there was One who +should "judge among the heathen" and "fill the places with dead +bodies." + +Suddenly a clamor of discordant yells fell upon her ears. Jenks rose to +his knees. The Dyaks had discovered their refuge and were about to open +fire. He offered them a target lest perchance Iris were not thoroughly +screened. + +"Keep close," he said. "They have found us. Lead will be flying around +soon." + +She flinched back into the crevice; the sailor fell prone. Four bullets +spat into the ledge, of which three pierced the tarpaulin and one +flattened itself against the rock. + +Then Jenks took up the tale. So curiously constituted was this man, +that although he ruthlessly shot the savage who first spied out their +retreat, he was swayed only by the dictates of stern necessity. There +was a feeble chance that further bloodshed might be averted. That +chance had passed. Very well. The enemy must start the dreadful game +about to be played. They had thrown the gage and he answered them. Four +times did the Lee-Metford carry death, unseen, almost unfelt, across +the valley. + +Ere the fourth Dyak collapsed limply where he stood, others were there, +firing at the little puff of smoke above the grass. They got in a few +shots, most of which sprayed at various angles off the face of the +cliff. But they waited for no more. When the lever of the Lee-Metford +was shoved home for the fifth time the opposing crest was bare of all +opponents save two, and they lay motionless. + +The fate of the flanking detachment was either unperceived or unheeded +by the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the house and well. Astounded by +the firing that burst forth in mid-air, Jenks had cleared the dangerous +rock before they realized that here, above their heads, were the white +man and the maid whom they sought. + +With stupid zeal they blazed away furiously, only succeeding in +showering fragments of splintered stone into the Eagle's Nest. And the +sailor smiled. He quietly picked up an old coat, rolled it into a ball +and pushed it into sight amidst the grass. Then he squirmed round on +his stomach and took up a position ten feet away. Of course those who +still carried loaded guns discharged them at the bundle of rags, +whereupon Jenks thrust his rifle beyond the edge of the rock and leaned +over. + +Three Dyaks fell before the remainder made up their minds to run. Once +convinced, however, that running was good for their health, they moved +with much celerity. The remaining cartridges in the magazine slackened +the pace of two of their number. Jenks dropped the empty weapon and +seized another. He stood up now and sent a quick reminder after the +rearmost pirate. The others had disappeared towards the locality where +their leader and his diminished troupe were gathered, not daring to +again come within range of the whistling Dum-dums. The sailor, holding +his rifle as though pheasant-shooting, bent forward and sought a +belated opponent, but in vain. In military phrase, the _terrain_ +was clear of the enemy. There was no sound save the wailing of birds, +the soft sough of the sea, and the yelling of the three wounded men in +the house, who knew not what terrors threatened, and vainly bawled for +succor. + +Again Jenks could look at Iris. Her face was bleeding. The sight +maddened him. + +"My God!" he groaned, "are you wounded?" + +She smiled bravely at him. + +"It is nothing," she said. "A mere splash from the rock which cut my +forehead." + +He dared not go to her. He could only hope that it was no worse, so he +turned to examine the valley once more for vestige of a living foe. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A TRUCE + + +Though his eyes, like live coals, glowered with sullen fire at the +strip of sand and the rocks in front, his troubled brain paid +perfunctory heed to his task. The stern sense of duty, the ingrained +force of long years of military discipline and soldierly thought, +compelled him to keep watch and ward over his fortress, but he could +not help asking himself what would happen if Iris were seriously +wounded. + +There was one enemy more potent than these skulking Dyaks, a foe more +irresistible in his might, more pitiless in his strength, whose +assaults would tax to the utmost their powers of resistance. In another +hour the sun would be high in the heavens, pouring his ardent rays upon +them and drying the blood in their veins. + +Hitherto, the active life of the island, the shade of trees, hut or +cave, the power of unrestricted movement and the possession of water in +any desired quantity, robbed the tropical heat of the day of its chief +terrors. Now all was changed. Instead of working amidst grateful +foliage, they were bound to the brown rock, which soon would glow with +radiated energy and give off scorching gusts like unto the opening of a +furnace-door. + +This he had foreseen all along. The tarpaulin would yield them some +degree of uneasy protection, and they both were in perfect physical +condition. But--if Iris were wounded! If the extra strain brought fever +in its wake! That way he saw nothing but blank despair, to be ended, +for her, by delirium and merciful death, for him by a Berserk rush +among the Dyaks, and one last mad fight against overwhelming numbers. + +Then the girl's voice reached him, self-reliant, almost cheerful-- + +"You will be glad to hear that the cut has stopped bleeding. It is only +a scratch." + +So a kindly Providence had spared them yet a little while. The cloud +passed from his mind, the gathering mist from his eyes. In that instant +he thought he detected a slight rustling among the trees where the +cliff shelved up from the house. Standing as he was on the edge of the +rock, this was a point he could not guard against. + +When her welcome assurance recalled his scattered senses, he stepped +back to speak to her, and in the same instant a couple of bullets +crashed against the rock overhead. Iris had unwittingly saved him from +a serious, perhaps fatal, wound. + +He sprang to the extreme right of the ledge and boldly looked into the +trees beneath. Two Dyaks were there, belated wanderers cut off from the +main body. They dived headlong into the undergrowth for safety, but one +of them was too late. The Lee-Metford reached him, and its +reverberating concussion, tossed back and forth by the echoing rocks, +drowned his parting scream. + +In the plenitude of restored vigor the sailor waited for no counter +demonstration. He turned and crouchingly approached the southern end of +his parapet. Through his screen of grass he could discern the long +black hair and yellow face of a man who lay on the sand and twisted his +head around the base of the further cliff. The distance, oft measured, +was ninety yards, the target practically a six-inch bull's-eye. Jenks +took careful aim, fired, and a whiff of sand flew up. + +Perhaps he had used too fine a sight and ploughed a furrow beneath the +Dyak's ear. He only heard a faint yell, but the enterprising head +vanished and there were no more volunteers for that particular service. + +He was still peering at the place when a cry of unmitigated anguish +came from Iris-- + +"Oh, come quick! Our water! The casks have burst!" + +It was not until Jenks had torn the tarpaulin from off their stores, +and he was wildly striving with both hands to scoop up some precious +drops collected in the small hollows of the ledge, that he realized the +full magnitude of the disaster which had befallen them. + +During the first rapid exchange of fire, before the enemy vacated the +cliff, several bullets had pierced the tarpaulin. By a stroke of +exceeding bad fortune two of them had struck each of the water-barrels +and started the staves. The contents quietly ebbed away beneath the +broad sheet, and flowing inwards by reason of the sharp slope of the +ledge, percolated through the fault. Iris and he, notwithstanding their +frenzied efforts, were not able to save more than a pint of gritty +discolored fluid. The rest, infinitely more valuable to them than all +the diamonds of De Beers, was now oozing through the natural channel +cut by centuries of storm, dripping upon the headless skeleton in the +cave, soaking down to the very heart of their buried treasure. + +Jenks was so paralyzed by this catastrophe that Iris became alarmed. As +yet she did not grasp its awful significance. That he, her hero, so +brave, so confident in the face of many dangers, should betray such +sense of irredeemable loss, frightened her much more than the incident +itself. + +Her lips whitened. Her words become incoherent. + +"Tell me," she whispered. "I can bear anything but silence. Tell me, I +implore you. Is it so bad?" + +The sight of her distress sobered him. He ground his teeth together as +a man does who submits to a painful operation and resolves not to +flinch beneath the knife. + +"It is very bad," he said; "not quite the end, but near it." + +"The end," she bravely answered, "is death! We are living and +uninjured. You must fight on. If the Lord wills it we shall not die." + +He looked in her blue eyes and saw there the light of Heaven. + +"God bless you, dear girl," he murmured brokenly. "You would cheer any +man through the Valley of the Shadow, were he Christian or +Faint-heart." + +Her glance did not droop before his. In such moments heart speaks to +heart without concealment. + +"We still have a little water," she cried. "Fortunately we are not +thirsty. You have not forgotten our supply of champagne and brandy?" + +There was a species of mad humor in the suggestion. Oh for another +miracle that should change the wine into water! + +He could only fall in with her unreflective mood and leave the dreadful +truth to its own evil time. In their little nook the power of the sun +had not yet made itself felt. By ordinary computation it was about nine +o'clock. Long before noon they would be grilling. Throughout the next +few hours they must suffer the torture of Dives with one meager pint of +water to share between them. Of course the wine and spirit must be +shunned like a pestilence. To touch either under such conditions would +be courting heat, apoplexy, and death. And next day! + +He tightened his jaws before he answered-- + +"We will console ourselves with a bottle of champagne for dinner. +Meanwhile, I hear our friends shouting to those left on this side of +the island. I must take an active interest in the conversation." + +He grasped a rifle and lay down on the ledge, already gratefully warm. +There was a good deal of sustained shouting going on. Jenks thought he +recognized the chief's voice, giving instructions to those who had come +from Smugglers' Cove and were now standing on the beach near the +quarry. + +"I wonder if he is hungry," he thought. "If so, I will interfere with +the commissariat." + +Iris peeped forth at him. + +"Mr. Jenks!" + +"Yes," without turning his head. He knew it was an ordinary question. + +"May I come too?" + +"What! expose yourself on the ledge!" + +"Yes, even that. I am so tired of sitting here alone." + +"Well, there is no danger at present. But they might chance to see you, +and you remember what I--" + +"Yes, I remember quite well. If that is all--" There was a rustle of +garments. "I am very mannish in appearance. If you promise not to look +at me I will join you." + +"I promise." + +Iris stepped forth. She was flushed a little, and, to cover her +confusion, may be, she picked up a Lee-Metford. + +"Now there are two guns," she said, as she stood near him. + +He could see through the tail of his eye that a slight but elegantly +proportioned young gentleman of the sea-faring profession had suddenly +appeared from nowhere. He was glad she had taken this course. It might +better the position were the Dyaks to see her thus. + +"The moment I tell you, you must fall flat," he warned her. "No +ceremony about it. Just flop!" + +"I don't know anything better calculated to make one flop than a +bullet," she laughed. Not yet did the tragedy of the broken kegs appeal +to her. + +"Yes, but it achieves its purpose in two ways. I want you to adopt the +precautionary method." + +"Trust me for that. Good gracious!" + +The sailor's rifle went off with an unexpected bang that froze the +exclamation on her lips. Three Dyaks were attempting to run the +gauntlet to their beleaguered comrades. They carried a jar and two +wicker baskets. He with the jar fell and broke it. The others doubled +back like hares, and the first man dragged himself after them. Jenks +did not fire again. + +Iris watched the wounded wretch crawling along the ground. Her eyes +grew moist, and she paled somewhat. When he vanished she looked into +the valley and at the opposing ledge; three men lay dead within twenty +yards of her. Two others dangled from the rocks. It took her some time +to control her quavering utterance sufficiently to say-- + +"I hope I may not have to use a gun. I know it cannot be helped, but if +I were to kill a human being I do not think I would ever rest again." + +"In that case I have indeed murdered sleep today," was the unfeeling +reply. + +"No! no! A man must be made of sterner stuff. We have a right to defend +ourselves. If need be I will exercise that right. Still it is horrid, +oh, so horrid!" + +She could not see the sailor's grim smile. It would materially affect +his rest, for the better, were he able to slay every Dyak on the island +with a single shot. Yet her gentle protest pleased him. She could not +at the same time be callous to human suffering and be Iris. But he +declined the discussion of such sentiments. + +"You were going to say something when a brief disturbance took place?" +he inquired. + +"Yes. I was surprised to find how hot the ledge has become." + +"You notice it more because you are obliged to remain here." + +After a pause-- + +"I think I understand now why you were so upset by the loss of our +water supply. Before the day ends we will be in great straits, enduring +agonies from thirst!" + +"Let us not meet the devil half-way," he rejoined. He preferred the +unfair retort to a confession which could only foster dismay. + +"But, please, I am thirsty now." + +He moved uneasily. He was only too conscious of the impish weakness, +common to all mankind, which creates a desire out of sheer inability to +satisfy it. Already his own throat was parched. The excitement of the +early struggle was in itself enough to engender an acute thirst. He +thought it best to meet their absolute needs as far as possible. + +"Bring the tin cup," he said. "Let us take half our store and use the +remainder when we eat. Try to avoid breathing through your mouth. The +hot air quickly affects the palate and causes an artificial dryness. We +cannot yet be in real need of water. It is largely imagination." + +Iris needed no second bidding. She carefully measured out half a pint +of the unsavory fluid--the dregs of the casks and the scourings of the +ledge. + +"I will drink first," she cried. + +"No, no," he interrupted impatiently. "Give it to me." + +She pretended to be surprised. + +"As a mere matter of politeness----" + +"I am sorry, but I must insist." + +She gave him the cup over his shoulder. He placed it to his lips and +gulped steadily. + +"There," he said, gruffly. "I was in a hurry. The Dyaks may make +another rush at any moment." + +Iris looked into the vessel. + +"You have taken none at all," she said. + +"Nonsense!" + +"Mr. Jenks, be reasonable! You need it more than I. I d-don't want +to--live w-without--you." + +His hands shook somewhat. It was well there was no call for accurate +shooting just then. + +"I assure you I took all I required," he declared with unnecessary +vehemence. + +"At least drink your share, to please me," she murmured. + +"You wished to humbug me," he grumbled. "If you will take the first +half I will take the second." + +And they settled it that way. The few mouthfuls of tepid water gave +them new life. One sense can deceive the others. A man developing all +the symptoms of hydrophobia has been cured by the assurance that the +dog which bit him was not mad. So these two, not yet aflame with +drought, banished the arid phantom for a little while. + +Nevertheless, by high noon they were suffering again. The time passed +very slowly. The sun rose to the zenith and filled earth and air with +his ardor. It seemed to be a miracle--now appreciated for the first +time in their lives--that the sea did not dry up, and the leaves wither +on the trees. The silence, the deathly inactivity of all things, became +intolerable. The girl bravely tried to confine her thoughts to the task +of the hour. She displayed alert watchfulness, an instant readiness to +warn her companion of the slightest movement among the trees or by the +rocks to the north-west, this being the arc of their periphery assigned +to her. + +Looking at a sunlit space from cover, and looking at the same place +when sweltering in the direct rays of a tropical sun, are kindred +operations strangely diverse in achievement. Iris could not reconcile +the physical sensitiveness of the hour with the careless hardihood of +the preceding days. Her eyes ached somewhat, for she had tilted her +sou'wester to the back of her head in the effort to cool her throbbing +temples. She put up her right hand to shade the too vivid reflection of +the glistening sea, and was astounded to find that in a few minutes the +back of her hand was scorched. A faint sound of distant shouting +disturbed her painful reverie. + +"How is it," she asked, "that we feel the heat so much today? I have +hardly noticed it before." + +"For two good reasons--forced idleness and radiation from this +confounded rock. Moreover, this is the hottest day we have experienced +on the island. There is not a breath of air, and the hot weather has +just commenced." + +"Don't you think," she said, huskily, "that our position here is quite +hopeless?" + +They were talking to each other sideways. The sailor never turned his +gaze from the southern end of the valley. + +"It is no more hopeless now than last night or this morning," he +replied. + +"But suppose we are kept here for several days?" + +"That was always an unpleasant probability." + +"We had water then. Even with an ample supply it would be difficult to +hold out. As things are, such a course becomes simply impossible." + +Her despondency pierced his soul. A slow agony was consuming her. + +"It is hard, I admit," he said. "Nevertheless you must bear up until +night falls. Then we will either obtain water or leave this place." + +"Surely we can do neither." + +"We may be compelled to do both." + +"But how?" + +In this, his hour of extremest need, the man was vouchsafed a shred of +luck. To answer her satisfactorily would have baffled a Talleyrand. But +before he could frame a feeble pretext for his too sanguine prediction, +a sampan appeared, eight hundred yards from Turtle Beach, and +strenuously paddled by three men. The vague hallooing they had heard +was explained. + +The Dyaks, though to the manner born, were weary of sun-scorched rocks +and salt water. The boat was coming in response to their signals, and +the sight inspired Jenks with fresh hope. Like a lightning flash came +the reflection that if he could keep them away from the well and +destroy the sampan now hastening to their assistance, perhaps conveying +the bulk of their stores, they would soon tire of slaking their thirst, +on the few pitcher-plants growing on the north shore. + +"Come quick," he shouted, adjusting the backsight of a rifle. "Lie down +and aim at the front of that boat, a little short if anything. It +doesn't matter if the bullets strike the sea first." + +He placed the weapon in readiness for her and commenced operations +himself before Iris could reach his side. Soon both rifles were +pitching twenty shots a minute at the sampan. The result of their +long-range practice was not long in doubt. The Dyaks danced from seat +to seat in a state of wild excitement. One man was hurled overboard. +Then the craft lurched seaward in the strong current, and Jenks told +Iris to leave the rest to him. + +Before he could empty a second magazine a fortunate bullet ripped a +plank out and the sampan filled and went down, amidst a shrill yell of +execration from the back of the cliff. The two Dyaks yet living +endeavored to swim ashore, half a mile through shark-invested reefs. +The sailor did not even trouble about them. After a few frantic +struggles each doomed wretch flung up his arms and vanished. In the +clear atmosphere the on-lookers could see black fins cutting the +pellucid sea. + +This exciting episode dispelled the gathering mists from the girl's +brain. Her eyes danced and she breathed hard. Yet something worried +her. + +"I hope I didn't hit the man who fell out of the boat," she said. + +"Oh," came the prompt assurance, "I took deliberate aim at that chap. +He was a most persistent scoundrel." + +Iris was satisfied. Jenks thought it better to lie than to tell the +truth, for the bald facts hardly bore out his assertion. Judging from +the manner of the Dyak's involuntary plunge he had been hit by a +ricochet bullet, whilst the sailor's efforts were wholly confined to +sinking the sampan. However, let it pass. Bullet or shark, the end was +the same. + +They were quieting down--the thirst fiend was again slowly salting +their veins--when something of a dirty white color fluttered into sight +from behind the base of the opposite cliff. It was rapidly withdrawn, +to reappear after an interval. Now it was held more steadily and a +brown arm became visible. As Jenks did not fire, a turbaned head popped +into sight. It was the Mahommedan. + +"No shoot it," he roared. "Me English speak it." + +"Don't you speak Hindustani?" shouted Jenks in Urdu of the Higher +Proficiency. + +"Hañ, sahib!"[Footnote: Yes, sir.] was the joyful response. "Will your +honor permit his servant to come and talk with him?" + +"Yes, if you come unarmed." + +"And the chief, too, sahib?" + +"Yes, but listen! On the first sign of treachery I shoot both of you!" + +"We will keep faith, sahib. May kites pick our bones if we fail!" + +Then there stepped into full view the renegade Mussulman and his +leader. They carried no guns; the chief wore his kriss. + +[Illustration: THE TWO HALTED SOME TEN PACES IN FRONT OF THE CAVERN. +AND THE BELLIGERENTS SURVEYED EACH OTHER.] + +"Tell him to leave that dagger behind!" cried the sailor imperiously. +As the enemy demanded a parley he resolved to adopt the conqueror's +tone from the outset. The chief obeyed with a scowl, and the two +advanced to the foot of the rock. + +"Stand close to me," said Jenks to Iris. "Let them see you plainly, but +pull your hat well down over your eyes." + +She silently followed his instructions. Now that the very crisis of +their fate had arrived she was nervous, shaken, conscious only of a +desire to sink on her knees, and pray. + +One or two curious heads were craned round the corner of the rock. + +"Stop!" cried Jenks. "If those men do not instantly go away I will fire +at them." + +The Indian translated this order and the chief vociferated some +clanging syllables which had the desired effect. The two halted some +ten paces in front of the cavern, and the belligerents surveyed each +other. It was a fascinating spectacle, this drama in real life. The +yellow-faced Dyak, gaudily attired in a crimson jacket and sky-blue +pantaloons of Chinese silk--a man with the _beauté du diable_, +young, and powerfully built--and the brown-skinned white-clothed +Mahommedan, bony, tall, and grey with hardship, looked up at the +occupants of the ledge. Iris, slim and boyish in her male garments, was +dwarfed by the six-foot sailor, but her face was blood-stained, and +Jenks wore a six weeks' stubble of beard. Holding their Lee-Metfords +with alert ease, with revolvers strapped to their sides, they presented +a warlike and imposing tableau in their inaccessible perch. In the path +of the emissaries lay the bodies of the slain. The Dyak leader scowled +again as he passed them. + +"Sahib," began the Indian, "my chief, Taung S'Ali, does not wish to +have any more of his men killed in a foolish quarrel about a woman. +Give her up, he says, and he will either leave you here in peace, or +carry you safely to some place where you can find a ship manned by +white men." + +"A woman!" said Jenks, scornfully. "That is idle talk! What woman is +here?" + +This question nonplussed the native. + +"The woman whom the chief saw half a month back, sahib." + +"Taung S'Ali was bewitched. I slew his men so quickly that he saw +spirits." + +The chief caught his name and broke in with a question. A volley of +talk between the two was enlivened with expressive gestures by Taung +S'Ali, who several times pointed to Iris, and Jenks now anathematized +his thoughtless folly in permitting the Dyak to approach so near. The +Mahommedan, of course, had never seen her, and might have persuaded the +other that in truth there were two men only on the rock. + +His fears were only too well founded. The Mussulman salaamed +respectfully and said-- + +"Protector of the poor, I cannot gainsay your word, but Taung S'Ali +says that the maid stands by your side, and is none the less the woman +he seeks in that she wears a man's clothing." + +"He has sharp eyes, but his brain is addled," retorted the sailor. "Why +does he come here to seek a woman who is not of his race? Not only has +he brought death to his people and narrowly escaped it himself, but he +must know that any violence offered to us will mean the extermination +of his whole tribe by an English warship. Tell him to take away his +boats and never visit this isle again. Perhaps I will then forget his +treacherous attempt to murder us whilst we slept last night." + +The chief glared back defiantly, whilst the Mahommedan said-- + +"Sahib, it is beet not to anger him too much. He says he means to have +the girl. He saw her beauty that day and she inflamed his heart. She +has cost him many lives, but she is worth a Sultan's ransom. He cares +not for warships. They cannot reach his village in the hills. By the +tomb of Nizam-ud-din, sahib, he will not harm you if you give her up, +but if you refuse he will kill you both. And what is one woman more or +less in the world that she should cause strife and blood-letting?" + +The sailor knew the Eastern character too well not to understand the +man's amazement that he should be so solicitous about the fate of one +of the weaker sex. It was seemingly useless to offer terms, yet the +native was clearly so anxious for an amicable settlement that he caught +at a straw. + +"You come from Delhi?" he asked. + +"Honored one, you have great wisdom." + +"None but a Delhi man swears by the tomb on the road to the Kutub. You +have escaped from the Andamans?" + +"Sahib, I did but slay a man in self-defence." + +"Whatever the cause, you can never again see India. Nevertheless, you +would give many years of your life to mix once more with the +bazaar-folk in the Chandni Chowk, and sit at night on a charpoy near +the Lahore Gate?" + +The brown skin assumed a sallow tinge. + +"That is good speaking," he gurgled. + +"Then help me and my friend to escape. Compel your chief to leave the +island. Kill him! Plot against him! I will promise you freedom and +plenty of rupees. Do this, and I swear to you I will come in a ship and +take you away. The miss-sahib's father is powerful. He has great +influence with the Sirkar."[Footnote: The Government of India.] + +Taung S'Ali was evidently bewildered and annoyed by this passionate +appeal which he did not understand. He demanded an explanation, and the +ready-witted native was obliged to invent some plausible excuse. Yet +when he raised his face to Jenks there was the look of a hunted animal +in his eyes. + +"Sahib," he said, endeavoring to conceal his agitation. "I am one among +many. A word from me and they would cut my throat. If I were with you +there on the rock I would die with you, for I was in the Kumaon +Rissala[Footnote: A native cavalry regiment.] when the trouble befell +me. It is of no avail to bargain with a tiger, sahib. I suppose you +will not give up the miss-sahib. Pretend to argue with me. I will help +in any way possible." + +Jenks's heart bounded when this unlooked-for offer reached his ears. +The unfortunate Mahommedan was evidently eager to get away from the +piratical gang into whose power he had fallen. But the chief was +impatient, if not suspicious of these long speeches. + +Angrily holding forth a Lee-Metford the sailor shouted-- + +"Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay him and all his men ere tomorrow's +sun rises. He knows something of my power, but not all. Tonight, at the +twelfth hour, you will find a rope hanging from the rock. Tie thereto a +vessel of water. Fail not in this. I will not forget your services. I +am Anstruther Sahib, of the Belgaum Rissala." + +The native translated his words into a fierce defiance of Taung S'Ali +and his Dyaks. The chief glanced at Jenks and Iris with an ominous +smile. He muttered something. + +"Then, sahib. There is nothing more to be said. Beware of the trees on +your right. They can send silent death even to the place where you +stand. And I will not fail you tonight, on my life," cried the +interpreter. + +"I believe you. Go! But inform your chief that once you have +disappeared round the rock whence you came I will talk to him only with +a rifle." + +Taung S'Ali seemed to comprehend the Englishman's emphatic motions. +Waving his hand defiantly, the Dyak turned, and, with one parting +glance of mute assurance, the Indian followed him. + +And now there came to Jenks a great temptation. Iris touched his arm +and whispered-- + +"What have you decided? I did not dare to speak lest he should hear my +voice." + +Poor girl! She was sure the Dyak could not penetrate her disguise, +though she feared from the manner in which the conference broke up that +it had not been satisfactory. + +Jenks did not answer her. He knew that if he killed Taung S'Ali his men +would be so dispirited that when the night came they would fly. There +was so much at stake--Iris, wealth, love, happiness, life itself--all +depended on his plighted word. Yet his savage enemy, a slayer of women, +a human vampire soiled with every conceivable crime, was stalking back +to safety with a certain dignified strut, calmly trusting to the white +man's bond. + +Oh, it was cruel! The ordeal of that ghastly moment was more trying +than all that he had hitherto experienced. He gave a choking sob of +relief when the silken-clad scoundrel passed out of sight without even +deigning to give another glance at the ledge or at those who silently +watched him. + +Iris could not guess the nature of the mortal struggle raging in the +sailor's soul. + +"Tell me," she repeated, "what have you done?" + +"Kept faith with that swaggering ruffian," he said, with an odd feeling +of thankfulness that he spoke truly. + +"Why? Have you made him any promise?" + +"Unhappily I permitted him to come here, so I had to let him go. He +recognized you instantly." + +This surprised her greatly. + +"Are you sure? I saw him pointing at me, but he seemed to be in such a +bad temper that I imagined that he was angry with you for exchanging a +prepossessing young lady for an ill-favored youth." + +Jenks with difficulty suppressed a sigh. Her words for an instant had +the old piquant flavor. + +Keeping a close watch on the sheltering promontory, he told her all +that had taken place. Iris became very downcast when she grasped the +exact state of affairs. She was almost certain when the Dyaks proposed +a parley that reasonable terms would result. It horrified her beyond +measure to find that she was the rock on which negotiations were +wrecked. Hope died within her. The bitterness of death was in her +breast. + +"What an unlucky influence I have had on your existence!" she +exclaimed. "If it were not for me this trouble at least would be spared +you. Because I am here you are condemned. Again, because I stopped you +from shooting that wretched chief and his companions they are now +demanding your life as a forfeit. It is all my fault. I cannot bear +it." + +She was on the verge of tears. The strain had become too great for her. +After indulging in a wild dream of freedom, to be told that they must +again endure the irksome confinement, the active suffering, the slow +horrors of a siege in that rocky prison, almost distracted her. + +Jenks was very stern and curt in his reply. + +"We must make the best of a bad business," he said. "If we are in a +tight place the Dyaks are not much better off, and eighteen of their +number are dead or wounded. You forget, too, that Providence has sent +us a most useful ally in the Mahommedan. When all is said and done, +things might be far worse than they are." + +Never before had his tone been so cold, his manner so abrupt, not even +in the old days when he purposely endeavored to make her dislike him. + +She walked along the ledge and timidly bent over him. + +"Forgive me!" she whispered; "I did forget for the moment, not only the +goodness of Providence, but also your self-sacrificing devotion. I am +only a woman, and I don't want to die yet, but I will not live unless +you too are saved." + +Once already that day she had expressed this thought in other words. +Was some shadowy design flitting through her brain? Suppose they were +faced with the alternatives of dying from thirst or yielding to the +Dyaks. Was there another way out? Jenks shivered, though the rock was +grilling him. He must divert her mind from this dreadful brooding. + +"The fact is," he said with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness, "we are +both hungry and consequently grumpy. Now, suppose you prepare lunch. We +will feel ever so much better after we have eaten." + +The girl choked back her emotion, and sadly essayed the task of +providing a meal which was hateful to her. In doing so she saw her +Bible, lying where she had placed it that morning, the leaves still +open at the 91st Psalm. She had indeed forgotten the promise it +contained-- + +"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways." + +A few tears fell now and made little furrows down her soiled cheeks. +But they were helpful tears, tears of resignation, not of despair. +Although the "destruction that wasteth at noonday" was trying her +sorely she again felt strong and sustained. + +She even smiled on detecting an involuntary effort to clear her stained +face. She was about to carry a biscuit and some tinned meat to the +sailor when a sharp exclamation from him caused her to hasten to his +side. + +The Dyaks had broken cover. Running in scattered sections across the +sands, they were risking such loss as the defenders might be able to +inflict upon them during a brief race to the shelter and food to be +obtained in the other part of the island. + +Jenks did not fire at the scurrying gang. He was waiting for one man, +Taung S'Ali. But that redoubtable person, having probably suggested +this dash for liberty, had fully realized the enviable share of +attention he would attract during the passage. He therefore discarded +his vivid attire, and, by borrowing odd garments, made himself +sufficiently like unto the remainder of his crew to deceive the sailor +until the rush of men was over. Among them ran the Mahommedan, who did +not look up the valley but waved his hand. + +When all had quieted down again Jenks understood how he had been +fooled. He laughed so heartily that Iris, not knowing either the cause +of his merriment or the reason of his unlooked-for clemency to the +flying foe, feared the sun had affected him. + +He at once quitted the post occupied during so protracted a vigil. + +"Now," he cried, "we can eat in peace. I have stripped the chief of his +finery. His men can twit him on being forced to shed his gorgeous +plumage in order to save his life. Anyhow, they will leave us in peace +until night falls, so we must make the best of a hot afternoon." + +But he was mistaken. A greater danger than any yet experienced now +threatened them, though Iris, after perusing that wonderful psalm, +might have warned him of it had she known the purpose of those long +bamboos carried by some of the savages. + +For Taung S'Ali, furious and unrelenting, resolved that if he could not +obtain the girl he would slay the pair of them; and he had terrible +weapons in his possession--weapons that could send "silent death even +to the place where they stood." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +REALITY _V_. ROMANCE--THE CASE FOR THE DEFENDANT + + +Residents in tropical countries know that the heat is greatest, or +certainly least bearable, between two and four o'clock in the +afternoon. + +At the conclusion of a not very luscious repast, Jenks suggested that +they should rig up the tarpaulin in such wise as to gain protection +from the sun and yet enable him to cast a watchful eye over the valley. +Iris helped to raise the great canvas sheet on the supports he had +prepared. Once shut off from the devouring sun rays, the hot breeze +then springing into fitful existence cooled their blistered but +perspiring skin and made life somewhat tolerable. + +Still adhering to his policy of combatting the first enervating attacks +of thirst, the sailor sanctioned the consumption of the remaining +water. As a last desperate expedient, to be resorted to only in case of +sheer necessity, he uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled the tin +cup. The sparkling wine, with its volume of creamy foam, looked so +tempting that Iris would then and there have risked its potency were +she not promptly withheld. + +Jenks explained to her that when the wine became quite flat and insipid +they might use it to moisten their parched lips. Even so, in their +present super-heated state, the liquor was unquestionably dangerous, +but he hoped it would not harm them if taken in minute quantities. + +Accustomed now to implicitly accept his advice, she fought and steadily +conquered the craving within her. Oddly enough, the "thawing" of their +scorched bodies beneath the tarpaulin brought a certain degree of +relief. They were supremely uncomfortable, but that was as naught +compared with the relaxation from the torments previously borne. + +For a long time--the best part of an hour, perhaps--they remained +silent. + +The sailor was reviewing the pros and cons of their precarious +condition. It would, of course, be a matter of supreme importance were +the Indian to be faithful to his promise. Here the prospect was +decidedly hopeful. The man was an old _sowar_, and the ex-officer +of native cavalry knew how enduring was the attachment of this poor +convict to home and military service. Probably at that moment the +Mahommedan was praying to the Prophet and his two nephews to aid him in +rescuing the sahib and the woman whom the sahib held so dear, for the +all-wise and all-powerful Sirkar is very merciful to offending natives +who thus condone their former crimes. + +But, howsoever willing he might be, what could one man do among so +many? The Dyaks were hostile to him in race and creed, and assuredly +infuriated against the foreign devil who had killed or wounded, in +round numbers, one-fifth of their total force. Very likely, the hapless +Mussulman would lose his life that night in attempting to bring water +to the foot of the rock. + +Well, he, Jenks, might have something to say in that regard. By +midnight the moon would illumine nearly the whole of Prospect Park. If +the Mahommedan were slain in front of the cavern his soul would travel +to the next world attended by a Nizam's cohort of slaughtered slaves. + +Even if the man succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his present +associates, where was the water to come from? There was none on the +island save that in the well. In all likelihood the Dyaks had a store +in the remaining sampans, but the native ally of the beleaguered pair +would have a task of exceeding difficulty in obtaining one of the jars +or skins containing it. + +Again, granting all things went well that night, what would be the +final outcome of the struggle? How long could Iris withstand the +exposure, the strain, the heart-breaking misery of the rock? The future +was blurred, crowded with ugly and affrighting fiends passing in +fantastic array before his vision, and mouthing dumb threats of madness +and death. + +He shook restlessly, not aware that the girl's sorrowful glance, +luminous with love and pain, was fixed upon him. Summarily dismissing +these grisly phantoms of the mind, he asked himself what the Mahommedan +exactly meant by warning him against the trees on the right and the +"silent death" that might come from them. He was about to crawl forth +to the lip of the rock and investigate matters in that locality when +Iris, who also was busy with her thoughts, restrained him. + +"Wait a little while," she said. "None of the Dyaks will venture into +the open until night falls. And I have something to say to you." + +There was a quiet solemnity in her voice that Jenks had never heard +before. It chilled him. His heart acknowledged a quick sense of evil +omen. He raised himself slightly and turned towards her. Her face, +beautiful and serene beneath its disfigurements, wore an expression of +settled purpose. For the life of him he dared not question her. + +"That man, the interpreter," she said, "told you that if I were given +up to the chief, he and his followers would go away and molest you no +more." + +His forehead seamed with sudden anger. + +"A mere bait," he protested. "In any event it is hardly worth +discussion." + +And the answer came, clear and resolute-- + +"I think I will agree to those terms." + +At first he regarded her with undisguised and wordless amazement. Then +the appalling thought darted through his brain that she contemplated +this supreme sacrifice in order to save him. A clammy sweat bedewed his +brow, but by sheer will power he contrived to say-- + +"You must be mad to even dream of such a thing. Don't you understand +what it means to you--and to me? It is a ruse to trap us. They are +ungoverned savages. Once they had you in their power they would laugh +at a promise made to me." + +"You may be mistaken. They must have some sense of fair dealing. Even +assuming that such was their intention, they may depart from it. They +have already lost a great many men. Their chief, having gained his main +object, might not be able to persuade them to take further risks. I +will make it a part of the bargain that they first supply you with +plenty of water. Then you, unaided, could keep them at bay for many +days. We lose nothing; we can gain a great deal by endeavoring to +pacify them." + +"Iris!" he gasped, "what are you saying?" + +The unexpected sound of her name on his lips almost unnerved her. But +no martyr ever went to the stake with more settled purpose than this +pure woman, resolved to immolate herself for the sake of the man she +loved. He had dared all for her, faced death in many shapes. Now it was +her turn. Her eyes were lit with a seraphic fire, her sweet face +resigned as that of an angel. + +"I have thought it out," she murmured, gazing at him steadily, yet +scarce seeing him. "It is worth trying as a last expedient. We are +abandoned by all, save the Lord; and it does not appear to be His holy +will to help us on earth. We can struggle on here until we die. Is that +right, when one of us may live?" + +Her very candor had betrayed her. She would go away with these +monstrous captors, endure them, even flatter them, until she and they +were far removed from the island. And then--she would kill herself. In +her innocence she imagined that self-destruction, under such +circumstances, was a pardonable offence. She only gave a life to save a +life, and greater love than this is not known to God or man. + +The sailor, in a tempest of wrath and wild emotion, had it in his mind +to compel her into reason, to shake her, as one shakes a wayward child. + +He rose to his knees with this half-formed notion in his fevered brain. +Then he looked at her, and a mist seemed to shut her out from his +sight. Was she lost to him already? Was all that had gone before an +idle dream of joy and grief, a wizard's glimpse of mirrored happiness +and vague perils? Was Iris, the crystal-souled--thrown to him by the +storm-lashed waves--to be snatched away by some irresistible and malign +influence? + +In the mere physical effort to assure himself that she was still near +to him he gathered her up in his strong hands. Yes, she was there, +breathing, wondering, palpitating. He folded her closely to his breast, +and, yielding to the passionate longings of his tired heart, whispered +to her-- + +"My darling, do you think I can survive your loss? You are life itself +to me. If we have to die, sweet one, let us die together." + +Then Iris flung her arms around his neck. + +"I am quite, quite happy now," she sobbed brokenly. "I +didn't--imagine--it would come--this way, but--I am thankful--it has +come." + +[Illustration: LOVE, TREMENDOUS IN ITS POWER, UNFATHOMABLE IN ITS +MYSTERY, HAD CAST ITS SPELL OVER THEM.] + +For a little while they yielded to the glamour of the divine knowledge +that amidst the chaos of eternity each soul had found its mate. There +was no need for words. Love, tremendous in its power, unfathomable in +its mystery, had cast its spell over them. They were garbed in light, +throned in a palace built by fairy hands. On all sides squatted the +ghouls of privation, misery, danger, even grim death; but they heeded +not the Inferno; they had created a Paradise in an earthly hell. + +Then Iris withdrew herself from the man's embrace. She was delightfully +shy and timid now. + +"So you really do love me?" she whispered, crimson-faced, with shining +eyes and parted lips. + +He drew her to him again and kissed her tenderly. For he had cast all +doubt to the winds. No matter what the future had in store she was his, +his only; it was not in man's power to part them. A glorious effulgence +dazzled his brain. Her love had given him the strength of Goliath, the +confidence of David. He would pluck her from the perils that environed +her. The Dyak was not yet born who should rend her from him. + +He fondled her hair and gently rubbed her cheek with his rough fingers. +The sudden sense of ownership of this fair woman was entrancing. It +almost bewildered him to find Iris nestling close, clinging to him in +utter confidence and trust. + +"But I knew, I knew," she murmured. "You betrayed yourself so many +times. You wrote your secret to me, and, though you did not tell me, I +found your dear words on the sands, and have treasured them next my +heart." + +What girlish romance was this? He held her away gingerly, just so far +that he could look into her eyes. + +"Oh, it is true, quite true," she cried, drawing the locket from her +neck. "Don't you recognize your own handwriting, or were you not +certain, just then, that you really did love me?" + +Dear, dear! How often would she repeat that wondrous phrase! Together +they bent over the tiny slips of paper. There it was again--"I love +you"--twice blazoned in magic symbols. With blushing eagerness she told +him how, by mere accident of course, she caught sight of her own name. +It was not very wrong, was it, to pick up that tiny scrap, or those +others, which she could not help seeing, and which unfolded their +simple tale so truthfully? Wrong! It was so delightfully right that he +must kiss her again to emphasize his convictions. + +All this fondling and love-making had, of course, an air of grotesque +absurdity because indulged in by two grimy and tattered individuals +crouching beneath a tarpaulin on a rocky ledge, and surrounded by +bloodthirsty savages intent on their destruction. Such incidents +require the setting of convention, the conservatory, with its wealth of +flowers and plants, a summer wood, a Chippendale drawing-room. And yet, +God wot, men and women have loved each other in this grey old world +without stopping to consider the appropriateness of place and season. + +After a delicious pause Iris began again---- + +"Robert--I must call you Robert now--there, there, please let me get a +word in even edgeways--well then, Robert dear, I do not care much what +happens now. I suppose it was very wicked and foolish of me to speak as +I did before--before you called me Iris. Now tell me at once. Why did +you call me Iris?" + +"You must propound that riddle to your godfather." + +"No wriggling, please. Why did you do it?" + +"Because I could not help myself. It slid out unawares." + +"How long have you thought of me only as Iris, your Iris?" + +"Ever since I first understood that somewhere in the wide world was a +dear woman to love me and be loved." + +"But at one time you thought her name was Elizabeth?" + +"A delusion, a mirage! That is why those who christened you had the +wisdom of the gods." + +Another interlude. They grew calmer, more sedate. It was so undeniably +true they loved one another that the fact was becoming venerable with +age. Iris was perhaps the first to recognize its quiet certainty. + +"As I cannot get you to talk reasonably," she protested, "I must appeal +to your sympathy. I am hungry, and oh, so thirsty." + +The girl had hardly eaten a morsel for her midday meal. Then she was +despondent, utterly broken-hearted. Now she was filled with new hope. +There was a fresh motive in existence. Whether destined to live an hour +or half a century, she would never, never leave him, nor, of course, +could he ever, ever leave her. Some things were quite impossible--for +example, that they should part. + +Jenks brought her a biscuit, a tin of meat, and that most doleful cup +of champagne. + +"It is not exactly _frappé_," he said, handing her the insipid +beverage, "but, under other conditions, it is a wine almost worthy to +toast you in." + +She fancied she had never before noticed what a charming smile he had. + +"'Toast' is a peculiarly suitable word," she cried. "I am simply +frizzling. In these warm clothes----" + +She stopped. For the first time since that prehistoric period when she +was "Miss Deane" and he "Mr. Jenks" she remembered the manner of her +garments. + +"It is not the warm clothing you feel so much as the want of air," +explained the sailor readily. "This tarpaulin has made the place very +stuffy, but we must put up with it until sundown. By the way, what is +that?" + +A light tap on the tarred canvas directly over his head had caught his +ear. Iris, glad of the diversion, told him she had heard the noise +three or four times, but fancied it was caused by the occasional +rustling of the sheet on the uprights. + +Jenks had not allowed his attention to wander altogether from external +events. Since the Dyaks' last escapade there was no sign of them in the +valley or on either beach. Not for trivial cause would they come again +within range of the Lee-Metfords. + +They waited and listened silently. Another tap sounded on the tarpaulin +in a different place, and they both concurred in the belief that +something had darted in curved flight over the ledge and fallen on top +of their protecting shield. + +"Let us see what the game is," exclaimed the sailor. He crept to the +back of the ledge and drew himself up until he could reach over the +sheet. He returned, carrying in his hand a couple of tiny arrows. + +"There are no less than seven of these things sticking in the canvas," +he said. "They don't look very terrible. I suppose that is what my +Indian friend meant by warning me against the trees on the right." + +He did not tell Iris all the Mahommedan said. There was no need to +alarm her causelessly. Even whilst they examined the curious little +missile another flew up from the valley and lodged on the roof of their +shelter. + +The shaft of the arrow, made of some extremely hard wood, was about ten +inches in length. Affixed to it was a pointed fish-bone, sharp, but not +barbed, and not fastened in a manner suggestive of much strength. The +arrow was neither feathered nor grooved for a bowstring. Altogether it +seemed to be a childish weapon to be used by men equipped with lead and +steel. + +Jenks could not understand the appearance of this toy. Evidently the +Dyaks believed in its efficacy, or they would not keep on +pertinaciously dropping an arrow on the ledge. + +"How do they fire it?" asked Iris. "Do they throw it?" + +"I will soon tell you," he replied, reaching for a rifle. + +"Do not go out yet," she entreated him. "They cannot harm us. Perhaps +we may learn more by keeping quiet. They will not continue shooting +these things all day." + +Again a tiny arrow traveled towards them in a graceful parabola. This +one fell short. Missing the tarpaulin, it almost dropped on the girl's +outstretched hand. She picked it up. The fish-bone point had snapped by +contact with the floor of the ledge. + +She sought for and found the small tip. + +"See," she said. "It seems to have been dipped in something. It is +quite discolored." + +Jenks frowned peculiarly. A startling explanation had suggested itself +to him. Fragments of forgotten lore were taking cohesion in his mind. + +"Put it down. Quick!" he cried. + +Iris obeyed him, with wonder in her eyes. He spilled a teasponful of +champagne into a small hollow of the rock and steeped one of the +fish-bones in the liquid. Within a few seconds the champagne assumed a +greenish tinge and the bone became white. Then he knew. + +"Good Heavens!" he exclaimed, "these are poisoned arrows shot through a +blowpipe. I have never before seen one, but I have often read about +them. The bamboos the Dyaks carried were sumpitans. These fish-bones +have been steeped in the juice of the upas tree. Iris, my dear girl, if +one of them had so much as scratched your finger nothing on earth could +save you." + +She paled and drew back in sudden horror. This tiny thing had taken the +semblance of a snake. A vicious cobra cast at her feet would be less +alarming, for the reptile could be killed, whilst his venomous fangs +would only be used in self-defence. + +Another tap sounded on their thrice-welcome covering. Evidently the +Dyaks would persist in their efforts to get one of those poisoned darts +home. + +Jenks debated silently whether it would be better to create a +commotion, thus inducing the savages to believe they had succeeded in +inflicting a mortal wound, or to wait until the next arrow fell, rush +out, and try conclusions with Dum-dum bullets against the sumpitan +blowers. + +He decided in favor of the latter course. He wished to dishearten his +assailants, to cram down their throats the belief that he was +invulnerable, and could visit their every effort with a deadly +reprisal. + +Iris, of course, protested when he explained his project. But the +fighting spirit prevailed. Their love idyll must yield to the needs of +the hour. + +He had not long to wait. The last arrow fell, and he sprang to the +extreme right of the ledge. First he looked through that invaluable +screen of grass. Three Dyaks were on the ground, and a fourth in the +fork of a tree. They were each armed with a blowpipe. He in the tree +was just fitting an arrow into the bamboo tube. The others were +watching him. + +Jenks raised his rifle, fired, and the warrior in the tree pitched +headlong to the ground. A second shot stretched a companion on top of +him. One man jumped into the bushes and got away, but the fourth +tripped over his unwieldy sumpitan and a bullet tore a large section +from his skull. The sailor then amused himself with breaking the +bamboos by firing at them. He came back to the white-faced girl. + +"I fancy that further practice with blowpipes will be at a discount on +Rainbow Island," he cried cheerfully. + +But Iris was anxious and distrait. + +"It is very sad," she said, "that we are obliged to secure our own +safety by the ceaseless slaughter of human beings. Is there no offer we +can make them, no promise of future gain, to tempt them to abandon +hostilities?" + +"None whatever. These Borneo Dyaks are bred from infancy to prey on +their fellow-creatures. To be strangers and defenceless is to court +pillage and massacre at their hands. I think no more of shooting them +than of smashing a clay pigeon. Killing a mad dog is perhaps a better +simile." + +"But, Robert dear, how long can we hold out?" + +"What! Are you growing tired of me already?" + +He hoped to divert her thoughts from this constantly recurring topic. +Twice within the hour had it been broached and dismissed, but Iris +would not permit him to shirk it again. She made no reply, simply +regarding him with a wistful smile. + +So Jenks sat down by her side, and rehearsed the hopes and fears which +perplexed him. He determined that there should be no further +concealment between them. If they failed to secure water that night, if +the Dyaks maintained a strict siege of the rock throughout the whole of +next day, well--they might survive--it was problematical. Best leave +matters in God's hands. + +With feminine persistency she clung to the subject, detecting his +unwillingness to discuss a possible final stage in their sufferings. + +"Robert!" she whispered fearfully, "you will never let me fall into the +power of the chief, will you?" + +"Not whilst I live." + +"You _must_ live. Don't you understand? I would go with them to +save you. But I would have died--by my own hand. Robert, my love, you +must do this thing before the end. I must be the first to die." + +He hung his head in a paroxysm of silent despair. Her words rung like a +tocsin of the bright romance conjured up by the avowal of their love. +It seemed to him, in that instant, they had no separate existence as +distinguished from the great stream of human life--the turbulent river +that flowed unceasingly from an eternity of the past to an eternity of +the future. For a day, a year, a decade, two frail bubbles danced on +the surface and raced joyously together in the sunshine; then they were +broken--did it matter how, by savage sword or lingering ailment? They +vanished--absorbed again by the rushing waters--and other bubbles rose +in precarious iridescence. It was a fatalist view of life, a dim and +obscurantist groping after truth induced by the overpowering nature of +present difficulties. The famous Tentmaker of Naishapur blindly sought +the unending purpose when he wrote:-- + + "Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate + I rose, and on the throne of Saturn sate, + And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; + But not the Master-Knot of Human Fate. + + "There was the Door to which I found no Key; + There was the Veil through which I could not see: + Some little talk awhile of Me and Thee + There was--and then no more of Thee and Me." + +The sailor, too, wrestled with the great problem. He may be pardoned if +his heart quailed and he groaned aloud. + +"Iris," he said solemnly, "whatever happens, unless I am struck dead at +your feet, I promise you that we shall pass the boundary hand in hand. +Be mine the punishment if we have decided wrongly. And now," he cried, +tossing his head in a defiant access of energy, "let us have done with +the morgue. For my part I refuse to acknowledge I am inside until the +gates clang behind me. As for you, you cannot help yourself. You must +do as I tell you. I never knew of a case where the question of Woman's +Rights was so promptly settled." + +His vitality was infectious. Iris smiled again. Her sensitive highly +strung nerves permitted these sharp alternations between despondency +and hope. + +"You must remember," he went on, "that the Dyak score is twenty-one to +the bad, whilst our loss stands at love. Dear me, that cannot be right. +Love is surely not a loss." + +"A cynic might describe it as a negative gain." + +"Oh, a cynic is no authority. He knows nothing whatever about the +subject." + +"My father used to say, when he was in Parliament, that people who knew +least oft-times spoke best. Some men get overweighted with facts." + +They chatted in lighter vein with such pendulum swing back to +nonchalance that none would have deemed it possible for these two to +have already determined the momentous issue of the pending struggle +should it go against them. There is, glory be, in the Anglo-Saxon race +the splendid faculty of meeting death with calm defiance, almost with +contempt. Moments of panic, agonizing memories of bygone days, visions +of dear faces never to be seen again, may temporarily dethrone this +proud fortitude. But the tremors pass, the gibbering specters of fear +and lamentation are thrust aside, and the sons and daughters of Great +Britain answer the last roll-call with undaunted heroism. They know how +to die. + +And so the sun sank to rest in the sea, and the star, pierced the +deepening blue of the celestial arch, whilst the man and the woman +awaited patiently the verdict of the fates. + +Before the light failed, Jenks gathered all the poisoned arrows and +ground their vemoned points to powder beneath his heel. Gladly would +Iris and he have dispensed with the friendly protection of the +tarpaulin when the cool evening breeze came from the south. But such a +thing might not be even considered. Several hours of darkness must +elapse before the moon rose, and during that period, were their foes so +minded, they would be absolutely at the mercy of the sumpitan shafts if +not covered by their impenetrable buckler. + +The sailor looked long and earnestly at the well. Their own bucket, +improvised out of a dish-cover and a rope, lay close to the brink. A +stealthy crawl across the sandy valley, half a minute of grave danger, +and he would be up the ladder again with enough water to serve their +imperative needs for days to come. + +There was little or no risk in descending the rock. Soon after sunset +it was wrapped in deepest gloom, for night succeeds day in the tropics +with wondrous speed. The hazard lay in twice crossing the white sand, +were any of the Dyaks hiding behind the house or among the trees. + +He held no foolhardy view of his own powers. The one-sided nature of +the conflict thus far was due solely to his possession of Lee-Metfords +as opposed to muzzle-loaders. Let him be surrounded on the level at +close quarters by a dozen determined men and he must surely succumb. + +Were it not for the presence of Iris he would have given no second +thought to the peril. It was just one of those undertakings which a +soldier jumps at. "Here goes for the V.C. or Kingdom Come!" is the +pithy philosophy of Thomas Atkins under such circumstances. + +Now, there was no V.C., but there was Iris. + +To act without consulting her was impossible, so they discussed the +project. Naturally she scouted it. + +"The Mahommedan may be able to help us," she pointed out. "In any event +let us wait until the moon wanes. That is the darkest hour. We do not +know what may happen meanwhile." + +The words had hardly left her mouth when an irregular volley was fired +at them from the right flank of the enemy's position. Every bullet +struck yards above their heads, the common failing of musketry at night +being to take too high an aim. But the impact of the missiles on a rock +so highly impregnated with minerals caused sparks to fly, and Jenks saw +that the Dyaks would obtain by this means a most dangerous index of +their faulty practice. Telling Iris to at once occupy her safe corner, +he rapidly adjusted a rifle on the wooden rests already prepared in +anticipation of an attack from that quarter, and fired three shots at +the opposing crest, whence came the majority of gun-flashes. + +One, at least, of the three found a human billet. There was a shout of +surprise and pain, and the next volley spurted from the ground level. +This could do no damage owing to the angle, but he endeavored to +disconcert the marksmen by keeping up a steady fire in their direction. +He did not dream of attaining other than a moral effect, as there is a +lot of room to miss when aiming in the dark. Soon he imagined that the +burst of flame from his rifle helped the Dyaks, because several bullets +whizzed close to his head, and about this time firing recommenced from +the crest. + +Notwithstanding all his skill and manipulation of the wooden supports, +he failed to dislodge the occupants. Every minute one or more ounces of +lead pitched right into the ledge, damaging the stores and tearing the +tarpaulin, whilst those which struck the wall of rock were dangerous to +Iris by reason of the molten spray. + +He could guess what had happened. By lying flat on the sloping plateau, +or squeezing close to the projecting shoulder of the cliff, the Dyaks +were so little exposed that idle chance alone would enable him to hit +one of them. But they must be shifted, or this night bombardment would +prove the most serious development yet encountered. + +"Are you all right, Iris?" he called out. + +"Yes, dear," she answered. + +"Well, I want you to keep yourself covered by the canvas for a little +while--especially your head and shoulders. I am going to stop these +chaps. They have found our weak point, but I can baffle them." + +She did not ask what he proposed to do. He heard the rustling of the +tarpaulin as she pulled it. Instantly he cast loose the rope-ladder, +and, armed only with a revolver, dropped down the rock. He was quite +invisible to the enemy. On reaching the ground he listened for a +moment. There was no sound save the occasional reports ninety yards +away. He hitched up the lower rungs of the ladder until they were six +feet from the level, and then crept noiselessly, close to the rock, for +some forty yards. + +He halted beside a small poon-tree, and stooped to find something +embedded near its roots. At this distance he could plainly hear the +muttered conversation of the Dyaks, and could see several of them prone +on the sand. The latter fact proved how fatal would be an attempt on +his part to reach the well. They must discover him instantly once he +quitted the somber shadows of the cliff. He waited, perhaps a few +seconds longer than was necessary, endeavoring to pierce the dim +atmosphere and learn something of their disposition. + +A vigorous outburst of firing sent him back with haste. Iris was up +there alone. He knew not what might happen. He was now feverishly +anxious to be with her again, to hear her voice, and be sure that all +was well. + +To his horror he found the ladder swaying gently against the rock. Some +one was using it. He sprang forward, careless of consequence, and +seized the swinging end which had fallen free again. He had his foot on +the bottom rung when Iris's voice, close at hand and shrill with +terror, shrieked-- + +"Robert, where are you?" + +"Here!" he shouted; the next instant she dropped into his arms. + +A startled exclamation from the vicinity of the house, and some loud +cries from the more distant Dyaks on the other side of Prospect Park, +showed that they had been overheard. + +"Up!" he whispered. "Hold tight, and go as quickly as you can." + +"Not without you!" + +"Up, for God's sake! I follow at your heels." + +She began to climb. He took some article from between his teeth, a +string apparently, and drew it towards him, mounting the ladder at the +same time. The end tightened. He was then about ten feet from the +ground. Two Dyaks, yelling fiercely, rushed from the cover of the +house. + +"Go on," he said to Iris. "Don't lose your nerve whatever happens. I am +close behind you." + +"I am quite safe," she gasped. + +Turning, and clinging on with one hand, he drew his revolver and fired +at the pair beneath, who could now faintly discern them, and were +almost within reach of the ladder. The shooting made them halt. He did +not know or care if they were hit. To frighten them was sufficient. +Several others were running across the sands to the cave, attracted by +the noise and the cries of the foremost pursuers. + +Then he gave a steady pull to the cord. The sharp crack of a rifle came +from the vicinity of the old quarry. He saw the flash among the trees. +Almost simultaneously a bright light leapt from the opposite ledge, +illumining the vicinity like a meteor. It lit up the rock, showed Iris +just vanishing into the safety of the ledge, and revealed Jenks and the +Dyaks to each other. There followed instantly a tremendous explosion +that shook earth and air, dislodging every loose stone in the +south-west pile of rocks, hurling from the plateau some of its +occupants, and wounding the remainder with a shower of lead and débris. + +The island birds, long since driven to the remote trees, clamored in +raucous peal, and from the Dyaks came yells of fright or anguish. + +The sailor, unmolested further, reached the ledge to find Iris +prostrate where she had fallen, dead or unconscious, he knew not which. +He felt his face become grey in the darkness. With a fierce tug he +hauled the ladder well away from the ground and sank to his knees +beside her. + +He took her into his arms. There was no light. He could not see her +eyes or lips. Her slight breathing seemed to indicate a fainting fit, +but there was no water, nor was it possible to adopt any of the +ordinary expedients suited to such a seizure. He could only wait in a +dreadful silence--wait, clasping her to his breast--and dumbly wonder +what other loss he could suffer ere the final release came. + +At last she sighed deeply. A strong tremor of returning life stirred +her frame. + +"Thank God!" he murmured, and bowed his head. Were the sun shining he +could not see her now, for his eyes were blurred. + +"Robert!" she whispered. + +"Yes, darling." + +"Are you safe?" + +"Safe! my loved one! Think of yourself! What has happened to you?" + +"I fainted--I think. I have no hurt. I missed you! Something told me +you had gone. I went to help you, or die with you. And then that noise! +And the light! What did you do?" + +He silenced her questioning with a passionate kiss. He carried her to a +little nook and fumbled among the stores until he found a bottle of +brandy. She drank some. Under its revivifying influence she was soon +able to listen to the explanation he offered--after securing the +ladder. + +In a tall tree near the Valley of Death he had tightly fixed a loaded +rifle which pointed at a loose stone in the rock overhanging the ledge +held by the Dyaks. This stone rested against a number of percussion +caps extracted from cartridges, and these were in direct communication +with a train of powder leading to a blasting charge placed at the end +of a twenty-four inch hole drilled with a crowbar. The impact of the +bullet against the stone could not fail to explode some of the caps. He +had used the contents of three hundred cartridges to secure a +sufficiency of powder, and the bullets were all crammed into the +orifice, being tamped with clay and wet sand. The rifle was fired by +means of the string, the loose coils of which were secreted at the foot +of the poon. By springing this novel mine he had effectually removed +every Dyak from the ledge, over which its contents would spread like a +fan. Further, it would probably deter the survivors from again +venturing near that fatal spot. + +Iris listened, only half comprehending. Her mind was filled with one +thought to the exclusion of all others. Robert had left her, had done +this thing without telling her. She forgave him, knowing he acted for +the best, but he must never, never deceive her again in such a manner. +She could not bear it. + +What better excuse could man desire for caressing her, yea, even +squeezing her, until the sobs ceased and she protested with a weak +little laugh---- + +"Robert, I haven't got much breath--after that excitement--but +please--leave me--the remains!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + + +"You are a dear unreasonable little girl," he said. "Have you breath +enough to tell me why you came down the ladder?" + +"When I discovered you were gone, I became wild with fright. Don't you +see, I imagined you were wounded and had fallen from the ledge. What +else could I do but follow, either to help you, or, if that were not +possible--" + +He found her hand and pressed it to his lips. + +"I humbly crave your pardon," he said. "That explanation is more than +ample. It was I who behaved unreasonably. Of course I should have +warned you. Yet, sweetheart, I ran no risk. The real danger passed a +week ago." + +"How can that be?" + +"I might have been blown to pieces whilst adjusting the heavy stone in +front of the caps. I assure you I was glad to leave the place that day +with a whole skin. If the stone had wobbled, or slipped, well--it was a +case of determined _felo-de-se_." + +"May I ask how many more wild adventures you undertook without my +knowledge?" + +"One other, of great magnitude. I fell in love with you." + +"Nonsense!" she retorted. "I knew that long before you admitted it to +yourself." + +"Date, please?" + +"Well, to begin at the very beginning, you thought I was nice on board +the _Sirdar_. Now, didn't you?" + +And they were safely embarked on a conversation of no interest to any +other person in the wide world, but which provided them with the most +delightful topic imaginable. + +Thus the time sped until the rising moon silhouetted the cliff on the +white carpet of coral-strewn sand. The black shadow-line traveled +slowly closer to the base of the cliff, and Jenks, guided also by the +stars, told Iris that midnight was at hand. + +They knelt on the parapet of the ledge, alert to catch any unusual +sound, and watching for any indication of human movement. But Rainbow +Island was now still as the grave. The wounded Dyaks had seemingly been +removed from hut and beach; the dead lay where they had fallen. The sea +sang a lullaby to the reef, and the fresh breeze whispered among the +palm fronds--that was all. + +"Perhaps they have gone!" murmured Iris. + +The sailor put his arm round her neck and gently pressed her lips +together. Anything would serve as an excuse for that sort of thing, but +he really did want absolute silence at that moment. If the Mussulman +kept his compact, the hour was at hand. + +An unlooked-for intruder disturbed the quietude of the scene. Their old +acquaintance, the singing beetle, chortled his loud way across the +park. Iris was dying--as women say--to remind Jenks of their first +meeting with that blatant insect, but further talk was impossible; +there was too much at stake--water they must have. + +Then the light hiss of a snake rose to them from the depths. That is a +sound never forgotten when once heard. It is like unto no other. +Indeed, the term "hiss" is a misnomer for the quick sibilant expulsion +of the breath by an alarmed or angered serpent. + +Iris paid no heed to it, but Jenks, who knew there was not a reptile of +the snake variety on the island, leaned over the ledge and emitted a +tolerably good imitation. The native was beneath. Probably the flight +of the beetle had helped his noiseless approach. + +"Sahib!" + +The girl started at the unexpected call from the depths. + +"Yes," said Jenks quietly. + +"A rope, sahib." + +The sailor lowered a rope. Something was tied to it beneath. The +Mahommedan apparently had little fear of being detected. + +"Pull, sahib." + +"Usually it is the sahib who says 'pull,' but circumstances alter +cases," communed Jenks. He hauled steadily at a heavy weight--a +goatskin filled with cold water. He emptied the hot and sour wine out +of the tin cup, and was about to hand the thrice-welcome draught to +Iris when a suspicious thought caused him to withhold it. + +"Let me taste first," he said. + +The Indian might have betrayed them to the Dyaks. More unlikely things +had happened. What if the water were poisoned or drugged? + +He placed the tin to his lips. The liquid was musty, having been in the +skin nearly two days. Otherwise it seemed to be all right. With a sigh +of profound relief he gave Iris the cup, and smiled at the most +unladylike haste with which she emptied it. + +"Drink yourself, and give me some more," she said. + +"No more for you at present, madam. In a few minutes, yes." + +"Oh, why not now?" + +"Do not fret, dear one. You can have all you want in a little while. +But to drink much now would make you very ill." + +Iris waited until he could speak again. + +"Why did you----" she began. + +But he bent over the parapet-- + +"_Koi hai_!"[Footnote: Equivalent to "Hello, there!"] + +"Sahib!" + +"You have not been followed?" + +"I think not, sahib. Do not talk too loud; they are foxes in cunning. +You have a ladder, they say, sahib. Will not your honor descend? I have +much to relate." + +Iris made no protest when Jenks explained the man's request. She only +stipulated that he should not leave the ladder, whilst she would remain +within easy earshot. The sailor, of course, carried his revolver. He +also picked up a crowbar, a most useful and silent weapon. Then he went +quietly downwards. Nearing the ground, he saw the native, who salaamed +deeply and was unarmed. The poor fellow seemed to be very anxious to +help them. + +"What is your name?" demanded the sailor. + +"Mir Jan, sahib, formerly _naik_[Footnote: Corporal.] in the +Kumaon Rissala." + +"When did you leave the regiment?" + +"Two years ago, sahib. I killed--" + +"What was the name of your Colonel?" + +"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, a brave man, but of no account on a horse." + +Jenks well remembered Colonel Spence--a fat, short-legged warrior, who +rolled off his charger if the animal so much as looked sideways. Mir +Jan was telling the truth. + +"You are right, Mir Jan. What is Taung S'Ali doing now?" + +"Cursing, sahib, for the most part. His men are frightened. He wanted +them to try once more with the tubes that shoot poison, but they +refused. He could not come alone, for he could not use his right hand, +and he was wounded by the blowing up of the rock. You nearly killed me, +too, sahib. I was there with the bazaar-born whelps. By the Prophet's +beard, it was a fine stroke." + +"Are they going away, then?" + +"No, sahib. The dogs have been whipped so sore that they snarl for +revenge. They say there is no use in firing at you, but they are +resolved to kill you and the miss-sahib, or carry her off if she +escapes the assault." + +"What assault?" + +"Protector of the poor, they are building scaling-ladders--four in all. +Soon after dawn they intend to rush your position. You may slay some, +they say, but you cannot slay three score. Taung S'Ali has promised a +gold _tauk_[Footnote: A native ornament.] to every man who +survives if they succeed. They have pulled down your signal on the high +rocks and are using the poles for the ladders. They think you have a +_jadu_[Footnote: A charm.] sahib, and they want to use your own +work against you." + +This was serious news. A combined attack might indeed be dangerous, +though it had the excellent feature that if it failed the Dyaks would +certainly leave the island. But his sky-sign destroyed! That was bad. +Had a vessel chanced to pass, the swinging letters would surely have +attracted attention. Now, even that faint hope was dispelled. + +"Sahib, there is a worse thing to tell," said Mir Jan. + +"Say on, then." + +"Before they place the ladders against the cliff they will build a fire +of green wood so that the smoke will be blown by the wind into your +eyes. This will help to blind your aim. Otherwise, you never miss." + +"That will assuredly be awkward, Mir Jan." + +"It will, sahib. Soul of my father, if we had but half a troop with +us----" + +But they had not, and they were both so intent on the conversation that +they were momentarily off their guard. Iris was more watchful. She +fancied there was a light rustling amidst the undergrowth beneath the +trees on the right. And she could hiss too, if that were the correct +thing to do. + +So she hissed. + +Jenks swarmed half way up the ladder. + +"Yes, Iris?" he said. + +"I am not sure, but I imagine something moved among the bushes behind +the house." + +"All right, dear. I will keep a sharp look-out. Can you hear us +talking?" + +"Hardly. Will you be long?" + +"Another minute." + +He descended and told Mir Jan what the miss-sahib said. The native was +about to make a search when Jenks stopped him. + +"Here,"--he handed the man his revolver--"I suppose you can use this?" + +Mir Jan took it without a word, and Jenks felt that the incident atoned +for previous unworthy doubts of his dark friend's honesty. The +Mahommedan cautiously examined the back of the house, the neighboring +shrubs, and the open beach. After a brief absence he reported all safe, +yet no man has ever been nearer death and escaped it than he during +that reconnaissance. He, too, forgot that the Dyaks were foxes, and +foxes can lie close when hounds are a trifle stale. + +Mir Jan returned the revolver. + +"Sahib," he said with another salaam, "I am a disgraced man, but if you +will take me up there with you, I will fight by your side until both my +arms are hacked off. I am weary of these thieves. Ill chance threw me +into their company: I will have no more of them. If you will not have +me on the rock, give me a gun. I will hide among the trees, and I +promise that some of them shall die to-night before they find me. For +the honor of the regiment, sahib, do not refuse this thing. All I ask +is, if your honor escapes, that you will write to Kurnal +I-shpence-sahib, and tell him the last act of Mir Jan, _naik_ in B +troop." + +There was an intense pathos in the man's words. He made this +self-sacrificing offer with an utter absence of any motive save the old +tradition of duty to the colors. Here was Anstruther-sahib, of the +Belgaum Rissala, in dire peril. Very well, then, Corporal Mir Jan, late +of the 19th Bengal Lancers, must dare all to save him. + +Jenks was profoundly moved. He reflected how best to utilize the +services of this willing volunteer without exposing him to certain +death in the manner suggested. The native misinterpreted his silence. + +"I am not a _budmash_,[Footnote: Rascal.] sahib," he exclaimed +proudly. "I only killed a man because--" + +"Listen, Mir Jan. You cannot well mend what you have said. The Dyaks, +you are sure, will not come before morning?" + +"They have carried the wounded to the boats and are making the ladders. +Such was their talk when I left them." + +"Will they not miss you?" + +"They will miss the _mussak_,[Footnote: Goatskin.] sahib. It was +the last full one." + +"Mir Jan, do as I bid, and you shall see Delhi again, Have you ever +used a Lee-Metford?" + +"I have seen them, sahib; but I better understand the Mahtini." + +"I will give you a rifle, with plenty of ammunition, Do you go inside +the cave, there, and----" + +Mir Jan was startled. + +"Where the ghost is, sahib?" he said. + +"Ghost! That is a tale for children. There is no ghost, only a few +bones of a man murdered by these scoundrels long ago. Have you any +food?" + +"Some rice, sahib; sufficient for a day, or two at a pinch." + +"Good! We will get water from the well. When the fighting begins at +dawn, fire at every man you see from the back of the cave. On no +account come out. Then they can never reach you if you keep a full +magazine. Wait here!" + +"I thought you were never coming," protested Iris when Jenks reached +the ledge. "I have been quite creepy. I am sure there is some one down +there. And, please, may I have another drink?" + +The sailor had left the crowbar beneath. He secured a rifle, a spare +clip, and a dozen packets of cartridges, meanwhile briefly explaining +to Iris the turn taken by events so far as Mir Jan was concerned. She +was naturally delighted, and forgot her fears in the excitement caused +by the appearance of so useful an ally. She drank his health in a +brimming beaker of water. + +She heard her lover rejoin Mir Jan, and saw the two step out into the +moonlight, whilst Jenks explained the action of the Lee-Metford. +Fortunately Iris was now much recovered from the fatigue and privation +of the earlier hours. Her senses were sharpened to a pitch little +dreamed of by stay-at-home young ladies of her age, and she deemed it +her province to act as sentry whilst the two men conferred. Hence, she +was the first to detect, or rather to become conscious of, the stealthy +crawl of several Dyaks along the bottom of the cliff from Turtle Beach. +They advanced in Indian file, moving with the utmost care, and +crouching in the murky shadows like so many wild beasts stalking their +prey. + +"Robert!" she screamed. "The Dyaks! On your left!" + +But Iris was rapidly gaining some knowledge of strategy. Before she +shrieked her warning she grasped a rifle. Holding it at the +"Ready"--about the level of her waist--and depressing the muzzle +sufficiently, she began firing down the side of the rock as fast as she +could handle lever and trigger. Two of the nickel bullets struck a +projection and splashed the leading savages with molten metal. + +Unfortunately the Lee-Metford beneath was unloaded, being in Mir Jan's +possession for purposes of instruction. Jenks whipped out his revolver. + +"To the cave!" he roared, and Mir Jan's unwillingness to face a goblin +could not withstand the combined impetus of the sahib's order and the +onward rush of the enemy. He darted headlong for the entrance. + +[Illustration: IRIS BEGAN FIRING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ROCK AS FAST AS +SHE COULD HANDLE LEVER AND TRIGGER.] + +Jenks, shooting blindly as he, too, ran for the ladder, emptied the +revolver just as his left hand clutched a rung. Three Dyaks were so +close that it would be folly to attempt to climb. He threw the weapon +into the face of the foremost man, effectually stopping his onward +progress, for the darkness made it impossible to dodge the missile. + +The sailor turned to dive into the cave and secure the rifle from Mir +Jan, when his shin caught the heavy crowbar resting against the rock. +The pain of the blow lent emphasis to the swing with which the +implement descended upon some portion of a Dyak anatomy. Jenks never +knew where he hit the second assailant, but the place cracked like an +eggshell. + +He had not time to recover the bar for another blow, so he gave the +point in the gullet of a gentleman who was about to make a vicious +sweep at him with a parang. The downfall of this worthy caused his +immediate successor to stumble, and Jenks saw his opportunity. With the +agility of a cat he jumped up the ladder. Once started, he had to go +on. He afterwards confessed to an unpleasant sensation of pins and +needles along his back during that brief acrobatic display; but he +reached the ledge without further injury, save an agonizing twinge when +the unprotected quick of his damaged finger was smartly rapped against +the rock. + +These things happened with the speed of thought. Within forty seconds +of Iris's shrill cry the sailor was breast high with the ledge and +calling to her-- + +"All right, old girl. Keep it up!" + +The cheerful confidence of his words had a wonderful effect on her. +Iris, like every good woman, had the maternal instinct strong within +her--the instinct that inspires alike the mild-eyed Sister of Charity +and the tigress fighting for her cubs. When Jenks was down below there, +in imminent danger of being cut to pieces, the gentle, lovable girl, +who would not willingly hurt the humblest of God's creatures, became +terrible, majestic in her frenzied purpose. Robert must be saved. If a +Maxim were planted on the rock she would unhesitatingly have turned the +lever and sprayed the Dyaks with bullets. + +But here he was close to her, unhurt and calmly jubilant, as was his +way when a stiff fight went well. He was by her side now, firing and +aiming too, for the Dyaks broke cover recklessly in running for +shelter, and one may do fair work by moonlight, as many a hunter of +wild duck can testify by the rheumatism in his bones. + +She had strength enough left to place the rifle out of harm's way +before she broke down and sobbed, not tearfully, but in a paroxysm of +reaction. Soon all was quiet beneath, save for the labored efforts of +some wounded men to get far away from that accursed rock. Jenks was +able to turn to Iris. He endeavored to allay her agitation, and +succeeded somewhat, for tears came, and she clung to him. It was +useless to reproach him. The whole incident was unforeseen: she was +herself a party to it. But what an escape! + +He lifted her in his arms and carried her to a seat where the tarpaulin +rested on a broken water-cask. + +"You have been a very good little girl and have earned your supper," he +said. + +"Oh, how can you talk so callously after such an awful experience?" she +expostulated brokenly. + +The Jesuits, say their opponents, teach that at times a "white lie" is +permissible. Surely this was an instance. + +"It is a small thing to trouble about, sweetheart," he explained. "You +spotted the enemy so promptly, and blazed away with such ferocity, that +they never got within yards of me." + +"Are you sure?" + +"I vow and declare that after we have eaten something, and sampled our +remaining bottle of wine, I will tell you exactly what happened." + +"Why not now?" + +"Because I must first see to Mir Jan. I bundled him neck and crop into +the cave. I hope I did not hurt him." + +"You are not going down there again?" + +"No need, I trust." + +He went to the side of the ledge, recovered the ladder which he had +hastily hauled out of the Dyaks' reach after his climb, and cried-- + +"Mir Jan." + +"Ah, sahib! Praised be the name of the Most High, you are alive. I was +searching among the slain with a sorrowful heart." + +The Mahommedan's voice came from some little distance on the left. + +"The slain, you say. How many?" + +"Five, sahib." + +"Impossible! I fired blindly with the revolver, and only hit one man +hard with the iron bar. One other dropped near the wood after I +obtained a rifle." + +"Then there be six, sahib, not reckoning the wounded. I have accounted +for one, so the miss-sahib must have--" + +"What is he saying about me?" inquired Iris, who had risen and joined +her lover. + +"He says you absolutely staggered the Dyaks by opening fire the moment +they appeared." + +"How did _you_ come to slay one, Mir Jan?" he continued. + +"A son of a black pig followed me into the cave. I waited for him in +the darkness. I have just thrown his body outside." + +"_Shabash!_[Footnote: "Well done!"] Is Taung S'Ali dead, by any +lucky chance?" + +"No, sahib, if he be not the sixth. I will go and see." + +"You may be attacked?" + +"I have found a sword, sahib. You left me no cartridges." + +Jenks told him that the clip and the twelve packets were lying at the +foot of the rock, where Mir Jan speedily discovered them. The +Mahommedan gave satisfactory assurance that he understood the mechanism +of the rifle by filling and adjusting the magazine. Then he went to +examine the corpse of the man who lay in the open near the quarry path. + +The sailor stood in instant readiness to make a counter demonstration +were the native assailed. But there was no sign of the Dyaks. Mir Jan +returned with the news that the sixth victim of the brief yet fierce +encounter was a renegade Malay. He was so confident that the enemy had +had enough of it for the night that, after recovering Jenks's revolver, +he boldly went to the well and drew himself a supply of water. + +During supper, a feast graced by a quart of champagne worthy of the +Carlton, Jenks told Iris so much of the story as was good for her: that +is to say, he cut down the casualty list. + +It was easy to see what had happened. The Dyaks, having missed the +Mahommedan and their water-bag, searched for him and heard the +conversation at the foot of the rock. Knowing that their presence was +suspected, they went back for reinforcements, and returned by the +shorter and more advantageous route along Turtle Beach. + +Iris would have talked all night, but Jenks made her go to sleep, by +pillowing her head against his shoulder and smoothing her tangled +tresses with his hand. The wine, too, was helpful. In a few minutes her +voice became dreamy: soon she was sleeping like a tired child. + +He managed to lay her on a comfortable pile of ragged clothing and then +resumed his vigil. Mir Jan offered to mount guard beneath, but Jenks +bade him go within the cave and remain there, for the dawn would soon +be upon them. + +Left alone with his thoughts, he wondered what the rising sun would +bring in its train. He reviewed the events of the last twenty-four +hours. Iris and he--Miss Deane, Mr. Jenks, to each other--were then +undiscovered in their refuge, the Dyaks were gathered around a roaring +fire in the valley, and Mir Jan was keen in the hunt as the keenest +among them. Now, Iris was his affianced bride, over twenty of the enemy +were killed and many wounded, and Mir Jan, a devoted adherent, was +seated beside the skeleton in the gloom of the cavern. + +What a topsy-turvy world it was, to be sure! What alternations between +despair and hope! What rebound from the gates of Death to the threshold +of Eden! How untrue, after all, was the nebulous philosophy of Omar, +the Tentmaker. Surely in the happenings of the bygone day there was +more than the purposeless + + + "Magic Shadow-show, + Play'd in a Box whose Candle is the Sun, + Round which we Phantom Figures come and go." + + +He had, indeed, cause to be humbly thankful. Was there not One who +marked the fall of a sparrow, who clothed the lilies, who knew the +needs of His creatures? There, in the solemn temple of the night, he +gave thanks for the protection vouchsafed to Iris and himself, and +prayed that it might be continued. He deplored the useless bloodshed, +the horror of mangled limbs and festering bodies, that converted this +fair island into a reeking slaughter-house. Were it possible, by any +personal sacrifice, to divert the untutored savages from their deadly +quest, he would gladly condone their misdeeds and endeavor to assuage +the torments of the wounded. + +But he was utterly helpless, a pawn on that tiny chessboard where the +game was being played between Civilization and Barbarism. The fight +must go on to the bitter end: he must either vanquish or be vanquished. +There were other threads being woven into the garment of his life at +that moment, but he knew not of them. Sufficient for the day was the +evil, and the good thereof. Of both he had received full measure. + +A period of such reflection could hardly pass without a speculative +dive into the future. If Iris and he were rescued, what would happen +when they went forth once more into the busy world? Not for one instant +did he doubt her faith. She was true as steel, knit to him now by bonds +of triple brass. But, what would Sir Arthur Deane think of his +daughter's marriage to a discredited and cashiered officer? What was it +that poor Mir Jan called himself?--"a disgraced man." Yes, that was it. +Could that stain be removed? Mir Jan was doing it. Why not he?--by +other means, for his good name rested on the word of a perjured woman. +Wealth was potent, but not all-powerful. He would ask Iris to wait +until he came to her unsoiled by slander, purged of this odium cast +upon him unmerited. + +And all this goes to show that he, a man wise beyond his fellows, had +not yet learned the unwisdom of striving to lift the veil of tomorrow, +behind whose mystic curtain what is to be ever jostles out of place +what is hoped for. + +Iris, smiling in her dreams, was assailed by no torturing doubts. +Robert loved her--that was enough. Love suffices for a woman; a man +asks for honor, reputation, an unblemished record. + +To awake her he kissed her; he knew not, perchance it might be their +last kiss on earth. Not yet dawn, there was morning in the air, for the +first faint shafts of light were not visible from their eyrie owing to +its position. But there was much to be done. If the Dyaks carried out +the plan described by Mir Jan, he had a good many preparations to make. + +The canvas awning was rolled back and the stores built into a barricade +intended to shelter Iris. + +"What is that for?" she asked, when she discovered its nature. He told +her. She definitely refused to avail herself of any such protection. + +"Robert dear," she said, "if the attack comes to our very door, so to +speak, surely I must help you. Even my slight aid may stem a rush in +one place whilst you are busy in another." + +He explained to her that if hand-to-hand fighting were necessary he +would depend more upon a crowbar than a rifle to sweep the ledge clear. +She might be in the way. + +"Very well. The moment you tell me to get behind that fence I will do +so. Even there I can use a revolver." + +That reminded him. His own pistol was unloaded. He possessed only five +more cartridges of small caliber. He placed them in the weapon and gave +it to her. + +"Now you have eleven men's lives in your hands," he said. "Try not to +miss if you must shoot." + +In the dim light he could not see the spasm of pain that clouded her +face. No Dyak would reach her whilst he lived. If he fell, there was +another use for one of those cartridges. + +The sailor had cleared the main floor of the rock and was placing his +four rifles and other implements within easy reach when a hiss came +from beneath. + +"Mir Jan!" exclaimed Iris. + +"What now?" demanded Jenks over the side. + +"Sahib, they come!" + +"I am prepared. Let that snake get back to his hole in the rock, lest a +mongoose seize him by the head." + +Mir Jan, engaged in a scouting expedition on his own account, +understood that the officer-sahib's orders must be obeyed. He vanished. +Soon they heard a great crackling among the bushes on the right, but +Jenks knew even before he looked that the Dyaks had correctly estimated +the extent of his fire zone and would keep out of it. + +The first physical intimation of the enemy's design they received was a +pungent but pleasant smell of burning pine, borne to them by the +northerly breeze and filling the air with its aroma. The Dyaks kindled +a huge fire. The heat was perceptible even on the ledge, but the +minutes passed, and the dawn broadened into day without any other +result being achieved. + +Iris, a little drawn and pale with suspense, said with a timid giggle-- + +"This does not seem to be so very serious. It reminds me of my efforts +to cook." + +"There is more to follow, I fear, dear one. But the Dyaks are fools. +They should have waited until night fell again, after wearing us out by +constant vigilance all day. If they intend to employ smoke it would be +far worse for us at night." + +Phew! A volume of murky vapor arose that nearly suffocated them by the +first whiff of its noisome fumes. It curled like a black pall over the +face of the rock and blotted out sea and sky. They coughed incessantly, +and nearly choked, for the Dyaks had thrown wet seaweed on top of the +burning pile of dry wood. Mir Jan, born in interior India, knew little +about the sea or its products, and when the savages talked of seaweed +he thought they meant green wood. Fortunately for him, the ascending +clouds of smoke missed the cave, or infallibly he must have been +stifled. + +"Lie flat on the rock!" gasped Jenks. Careless of waste, he poured +water over a coat and made Iris bury her mouth and nose in the wet +cloth. This gave her immediate relief, and she showed her woman's wit +by tying the sleeves of the garment behind her neck. Jenks nodded +comprehension and followed her example, for by this means their hands +were left free. + +The black cloud grew more dense each few seconds. Nevertheless, owing +to the slope of the ledge, and the tendency of the smoke to rise, the +south side was far more tenable than the north. Quick to note this +favorable circumstance, the sailor deduced a further fact from it. A +barrier erected on the extreme right of the ledge would be a material +gain. He sprang up, dragged the huge tarpaulin from its former +location, and propped it on the handle of the pickaxe, driven by one +mighty stroke deep into a crevice of the rock. + +It was no mean feat of strength that he performed. He swung the heavy +and cumbrous canvas into position as if it were a dust cloth. He +emerged from the gloom of the driven cloud red-eyed but triumphant. +Instantly the vapor on the ledge lessened, and they could breathe, even +talk. Overhead and in front the smoke swept in ever-increasing density, +but once again the sailor had outwitted the Dyaks' manoeuvres. + +"We have won the first rubber," he whispered to Iris. + +Above, beneath, beyond, they could see nothing. The air they breathed +was hot and foetid. It was like being immured in a foul tunnel and +almost as dark. Jenks looked over the parapet. He thought he could +distinguish some vague figures on the sands, so he fired at them. A +volley of answering bullets crashed into the rock on all sides. The +Dyaks had laid their plans well this time. A firing squad stationed +beyond the smoke area, and supplied with all the available guns, +commenced and kept up a smart fusillade in the direction of the ledge +in order to cover the operations of the scaling party. + +Jenks realized that to expose himself was to court a serious wound and +achieve no useful purpose. He fell back out of range, laid down his +rifle and grabbed the crowbar. At brief intervals a deep hollow boom +came up from the valley. At first it puzzled them until the sailor hit +upon an explanation. Mir Jan was busy. + +The end of a strong roughly made ladder swung through the smoke and +banged against the ledge. Before Jenks could reach it those hoisting it +into position hastily retreated. They were standing in front of the +cave and the Mahommedan made play on them with a Lee-Metford at thirty +feet. + +Jenks, using his crowbar as a lever, toppled the ladder clean over. It +fell outwards and disconcerted a section of the musketeers. + +"Well done," cried Iris. + +The sailor, astounded by her tone, gave her a fleeting glance. She was +very pale now, but not with fear. Her eyes were slightly contracted, +her nostrils quivering, her lips set tight and her chin dimpled. She +had gone back thirty generations in as many seconds. Thus might one of +the daughters of Boadicea have looked whilst guiding her mother's +chariot against the Roman phalanx. Resting on one knee, with a revolver +in each hand, she seemed no puling mate for the gallant man who fought +for her. + +She caught his look. + +"We will beat them yet!" she cried again, and she smiled, not as a +woman smiles, but with the joy of a warrior when the fray is toward. + +There was no time for further speech. Three ladders were reared against +the rock. They were so poised and held below that Jenks could not force +them backwards. A fourth appeared, its coarse shafts looming into sight +like the horns of some gigantic animal. The four covered practically +the whole front of the ledge save where Mir Jan cleared a little space +on the level. + +The sailor was standing now, with the crowbar clenched in both hands. +The firing in the valley slackened and died away. A Dyak face, grinning +like a Japanese demon, appeared at the top of the ladder nearest to +Iris. + +"Don't fire!" shouted Jenks, and the iron bar crushed downwards. Two +others pitched themselves half on to the ledge. Now both crowbar and +revolver were needed. Three ladders were thus cumbered somewhat for +those beneath, and Jenks sprang towards the fourth and most distant. +Men were crowding it like ants. Close to his feet lay an empty +water-cask. It was a crude weapon, but effective when well pitched, and +the sailor had never made a better shot for a goal in the midst of a +hard-fought scrimmage than he made with that tub for the head of the +uppermost pirate. + +Another volley came from the sands. A bullet ploughed through his hair, +and sent his sou'wester flying. Again the besiegers swarmed to the +attack. One way or the other, they must succeed. A man and a +woman--even such a man and such a woman--could not keep at bay an +infuriated horde of fifty savages fighting at close quarters and under +these grievous conditions. + +Jenks knew what would happen. He would be shot in the head or breast +whilst repelling the scaling party. And Iris! Dear heart! She was +thinking of him. + +"Keep back! They can never gain the ledge!" she shrieked. + +And then, above the din of the fusillade, the yells of the assailants +and the bawling of the wounded, there came through the air a screaming, +tearing, ripping sound which drowned all others. It traveled with +incredible speed, and before the sailor could believe his ears--for he +well knew what it meant--a shrapnel shell burst in front of the ledge +and drenched the valley with flying lead. + +Jenks was just able to drag Iris flat against the rock ere the time +fuse operated and the bullets flew. He could form no theory, hazard no +conjecture. All he knew was that a 12-pounder shell had flown towards +them through space, scattering red ruin among the amazed scoundrels +beneath. Instantly he rose again, lest perchance any of the Dyaks +should have gained a foothold on the ledge. + +The ladders were empty. He could hear a good deal of groaning, the +footsteps of running men, and some distant shouting. + +"Sahib!" yelled Mir Jan, drawn from his retreat by the commotion +without. + +"Yes," shouted Jenks. + +The native, in a voice cracked with excitement, told him something. The +sailor asked a few rapid questions to make quite sure that Mir Jan was +not mistaken. + +Then he threw his arms round Iris, drew her close and whispered-- + +"My darling, we are saved! A warship has anchored just beyond the south +reef, and two boats filled with armed sailors are now pulling ashore." + +And she answered proudly-- + +"The Dyaks could never have conquered us, Robert. We were manifestly +under God's protection. Oh, my love, my love, I am so happy and +thankful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE DIFFICULTY OF PLEASING EVERYBODY + + +The drifting smoke was still so dense that not even the floor of the +valley could be discerned. Jenks dared not leave Iris at such a moment. +He feared to bring her down the ladder lest another shell might be +fired. But something must be done to end their suspense. + +He called to Mir Jan-- + +"Take off your turban and hold it above your head, if you think they +can see you from the warship." + +"It is all right, sahib," came the cheering answer. "One boat is close +inshore. I think, from the uniforms, they are English sahibs, such as I +have seen at Garden Reach. The Dyaks have all gone." + +Nevertheless Jenks waited. There was nothing to gain by being too +precipitate. A false step now might undo the achievements of many +weeks. + +Mir Jan was dancing about beneath in a state of wild excitement. + +"They have seen the Dyaks running to their sampans, sahib," he yelled, +"and the second boat is being pulled in that direction. Yet another has +just left the ship." + +A translation made Iris excited, eager to go down and see these +wonders. + +"Better wait here, dearest," he said. "The enemy may be driven back in +this direction, and I cannot expose you to further risk. The sailors +will soon land, and you can then descend in perfect safety." + +The boom of a cannon came from the sea. Instinctively the girl ducked +for safety, though her companion smiled at her fears, for the shell +would have long preceded the report, had it traveled their way. + +"One of the remaining sampans has got under way," he explained, "and +the warship is firing at her." + +Two more guns were fired. The man-o'-war evidently meant business. + +"Poor wretches!" murmured Iris. "Cannot the survivors be allowed to +escape?" + +"Well, we are unable to interfere. Those caught on the island will +probably be taken to the mainland and hanged for their crimes, so the +manner of their end is not of much consequence." + +To the girl's manifest relief there was no more firing, and Mir Jan +announced that a number of sailors were actually on shore. Then her +thoughts turned to a matter of concern to the feminine mind even in the +gravest moments of existence. She laved her face with water and sought +her discarded skirt! + +Soon the steady tramp of boot-clad feet advancing at the double was +heard on the shingle, and an officer's voice, speaking the crude +Hindustani of the engine-room and forecastle, shouted to Mir Jan-- + +"Hi, you black fellow! Are there any white people here?" + +Jenks sang out-- + +"Yes, two of us! Perched on the rock over your heads. We are coming +down." + +He cast loose the rope-ladder. Iris was limp and trembling. + +"Steady, sweetheart," he whispered. "Don't forget the slip between the +cup and the lip. Hold tight! But have no fear! I will be just beneath." + +It was well he took this precaution. She was now so unnerved that an +unguarded movement might have led to an accident. But the knowledge +that her lover was near, the touch of his hand guiding her feet on to +the rungs of the ladder, sustained her. They had almost reached the +level when a loud exclamation and the crash of a heavy blow caused +Jenks to halt and look downwards. + +A Dyak, lying at the foot of one of the scaling ladders, and severely +wounded by a shell splinter, witnessed their descent. In his left hand +he grasped a parang; his right arm was bandaged. Though unable to rise, +the vengeful pirate mustered his remaining strength to crawl towards +the swaying ladder. It was Taung S'Ali, inspired with the hate and +venom of the dying snake. Even yet he hoped to deal a mortal stroke at +the man who had defied him and all his cut-throat band. He might have +succeeded, as Jenks was so taken up with Iris, were it not for the +watchful eyes of Mir Jan. The Mahommedan sprang at him with an oath, +and gave him such a murderous whack with the butt of a rifle that the +Dyak chief collapsed and breathed out his fierce spirit in a groan. + +At the first glance Jenks did not recognize Taung S'Ali, owing to his +change of costume. Through the thinner smoke he could see several +sailors running up. + +"Look out, there!" he cried. "There is a lady here. If any Dyak moves, +knock him on the head!" + +But, with the passing of the chief, their last peril had gone. The next +instant they were standing on the firm ground, and a British naval +lieutenant was saying eagerly-- + +"We seem to have turned up in the nick of time. Do you, by any chance, +belong to the _Sirdar_?" + +"We are the sole survivors," answered the sailor. + +"You two only?" + +"Yes. She struck on the north-west reef of this island during a +typhoon. This lady, Miss Iris Deane, and I were flung ashore--" + +"Miss Deane! Can it be possible? Let me congratulate you most heartily. +Sir Arthur Deane is on board the _Orient_ at this moment." + +"The _Orient_!" + +Iris was dazed. The uniforms, the pleasant faces of the English +sailors, the strange sensation of hearing familiar words in tones other +than those of the man she loved, bewildered her. + +"Yes," explained the officer, with a sympathetic smile. "That's our +ship, you know, in the offing there." + +It was all too wonderful to be quite understood yet. She turned to +Robert-- + +"Do you hear? They say my father is not far away. Take me to him." + +[Illustration: "WE ARE THE SOLE SURVIVORS," ANSWERED THE SAILOR.] + +"No need for that, miss," interrupted a warrant officer. "Here he is +coming ashore. He wanted to come with us, but the captain would not +permit it, as there seemed to be some trouble ahead." + +Sure enough, even the girl's swimming eyes could distinguish the +grey-bearded civilian seated beside an officer in the stern-sheets of a +small gig now threading a path through the broken reef beyond Turtle +Beach. In five minutes, father and daughter would meet. + +Meanwhile the officer, intent on duty, addressed Jenks again. + +"May I ask who you are?" + +"My name is Anstruther--Robert Anstruther." + +Iris, clinging to his arm, heard the reply. + +So he had abandoned all pretence. He was ready to face the world at her +side. She stole a loving glance at him as she cried-- + +"Yes, Captain Anstruther, of the Indian Staff Corps. If he will not +tell you all that he has done, how he has saved my life twenty times, +how he has fought single-handed against eighty men, ask me!" + +The naval officer did not need to look a second time at Iris's face to +lengthen the list of Captain Anstruther's achievements, by one more +item. He sighed. A good sailor always does sigh when a particularly +pretty girl is labeled "Engaged." + +But he could be very polite. + +"Captain Anstruther does not appear to have left much for us to do, +Miss Deane," he said. "Indeed," turning to Robert, "is there any way in +which my men will be useful?" + +"I would recommend that they drag the green stuff off that fire and +stop the smoke. Then, a detachment should go round the north side of +the island and drive the remaining Dyaks into the hands of the party +you have landed, as I understand, at the further end of the south +beach. Mir Jan, the Mahommedan here, who has been a most faithful ally +during part of our siege, will act as guide." + +The other man cast a comprehensive glance over the rock, with its +scaling ladders and dangling rope-ladder, the cave, the little groups +of dead or unconscious pirates--for every wounded man who could move a +limb had crawled away after the first shell burst--and drew a deep +breath. + +"How long were you up there?" he asked. + +"Over thirty hours." + +"It was a great fight!" + +"Somewhat worse than it looks," said Anstruther. "This is only the end +of it. Altogether, we have accounted for nearly two score of the poor +devils." + +"Do you think you can make them prisoners, without killing any more of +them?" asked Iris. + +"That depends entirely on themselves, Miss Deane. My men will not fire +a shot unless they encounter resistance." + +Robert looked towards the approaching boat. She would not land yet for +a couple of minutes. + +"By the way," he said, "will you tell me your name?" + +"Playdon--Lieutenant Philip H. Playdon." + +"Do you know to what nation this island belongs?" + +"It is no-man's land, I think. It is marked 'uninhabited' on the +chart." + +"Then," said Anstruther, "I call upon you, Lieutenant Playdon, and all +others here present, to witness that I, Robert Anstruther, late of the +Indian Army, acting on behalf of myself and Miss Iris Deane, declare +that we have taken possession of this island in the name of His +Britannic Majesty the King of England, that we are the joint occupiers +and owners thereof, and claim all property rights vested therein." + +These formal phrases, coming at such a moment, amazed his hearers. Iris +alone had an inkling of the underlying motive. + +"I don't suppose any one will dispute your title," said the naval +officer gravely. He unquestionably imagined that suffering and exposure +had slightly disturbed the other man's senses, yet he had seldom seen +any person who looked to be in more complete possession of his +faculties. + +"Thank you," replied Robert with equal composure, though he felt +inclined to laugh at Playdon's mystification. "I only wished to secure +a sufficient number of witnesses for a verbal declaration. When I have +a few minutes to spare I will affix a legal notice on the wall in front +of our cave." + +Playdon bowed silently. There was something in the speaker's manner +that puzzled him. He detailed a small guard to accompany Robert and +Iris, who now walked towards the beach, and asked Mir Jan to pilot him +as suggested by Anstruther. + +The boat was yet many yards from shore when Iris ran forward and +stretched out her arms to the man who was staring at her with wistful +despair. + +"Father! Father!" she cried. "Don't you know me?" + +Sir Arthur Deane was looking at the two strange figures on the sands, +and each moment his heart sank lower. This island held his final hope. +During many weary weeks, since the day when a kindly Admiral placed the +cruiser _Orient_ at his disposal, he had scoured the China Sea, +the coasts of Borneo and Java, for some tidings of the ill-fated +_Sirdar_. + +He met naught save blank nothingness, the silence of the great ocean +mausoleum. Not a boat, a spar, a lifebuoy, was cast up by the waves to +yield faintest trace of the lost steamer. Every naval man knew what had +happened. The vessel had met with some mishap to her machinery, struck +a derelict, or turned turtle, during that memorable typhoon of March 17 +and 18. She had gone down with all hands. Her fate was a foregone +conclusion. No ship's boat could live in that sea, even if the crew +were able to launch one. It was another of ocean's tragedies, with the +fifth act left to the imagination. + +To examine every sand patch and tree-covered shoal in the China Sea was +an impossible task. All the _Orient_ could do was to visit the +principal islands and institute inquiries among the fishermen and small +traders. At last, the previous night, a Malay, tempted by hope of +reward, boarded the vessel when lying at anchor off the large island +away to the south, and told the captain a wondrous tale of a +devil-haunted place inhabited by two white spirits, a male and a +female, whither a local pirate named Taung S'Ali had gone by chance +with his men and suffered great loss. But Taung S'Ali was bewitched by +the female spirit, and had returned there, with a great force, swearing +to capture her or perish. The spirits, the Malay said, had dwelt upon +the island for many years. His father and grandfather knew the place +and feared it. Taung S'Ali would never be seen again. + +This queer yarn was the first indication they received of the +whereabouts of any persons who might possibly be shipwrecked Europeans, +though not survivors from the _Sirdar_. Anyhow, the tiny dot lay +in the vessel's northward track, so a course was set to arrive off the +island soon after dawn. + +Events on shore, as seen by the officer on watch, told their own tale. +Wherever Dyaks are fighting there is mischief on foot, so the +_Orient_ took a hand in the proceedings. + +But Sir Arthur Deane, after an agonized scrutiny of the weird-looking +persons escorted by the sailors to the water's edge, sadly acknowledged +that neither of these could be the daughter whom he sought. He bowed +his head in humble resignation, and he thought he was the victim of a +cruel hallucination when Iris's tremulous accents reached his ears-- + +"Father, father! Don't you know me?" + +He stood up, amazed and trembling. + +"Yes, father dear. It is I, your own little girl given back to you. Oh +dear! Oh dear! I cannot see you for my tears." + +They had some difficulty to keep him in the boat, and the man pulling +stroke smashed a stout oar with the next wrench. + +And so they met at last, and the sailors left them alone, to crowd +round Anstruther and ply him with a hundred questions. Although he fell +in with their humor, and gradually pieced together the stirring story +which was supplemented each instant by the arrival of disconsolate +Dyaks and the comments of the men who returned from cave and beach, his +soul was filled with the sight of Iris and her father, and the happy, +inconsequent demands with which each sought to ascertain and relieve +the extent of the other's anxiety. + +Then Iris called to him-- + +"Robert, I want you." + +The use of his Christian name created something akin to a sensation. +Sir Arthur Deane was startled, even in his immeasurable delight at +finding his child uninjured--the picture of rude health and happiness. + +Anstruther advanced. + +"This is my father," she cried, shrill with joy. "And, father darling, +this is Captain Robert Anstruther, to whom alone, under God's will, I +owe my life, many, many times since the moment the _Sirdar_ was +lost." + +It was no time for questioning. Sir Arthur Deane took off his hat and +held out his hand-- + +"Captain Anstruther," he said, "as I owe you my daughter's life, I owe +you that which I can never repay. And I owe you my own life, too, for I +could not have survived the knowledge that she was dead." + +Robert took the proffered hand-- + +"I think, Sir Arthur, that, of the two, I am the more deeply indebted. +There are some privileges whose value cannot be measured, and among +them the privilege of restoring your daughter to your arms takes the +highest place." + +Then, being much more self-possessed than the older man, who was +naturally in a state of agitation that was almost painful, he turned to +Iris. + +"I think," he said, "that your father should take you on board the +_Orient_, Iris. There you may, perhaps, find some suitable +clothing, eat something, and recover from the exciting events of the +morning. Afterwards, you must bring Sir Arthur ashore again, and we +will guide him over the island. I am sure you will find much to tell +him meanwhile." + +The baronet could not fail to note the manner in which these two +addressed each other, the fearless love which leaped from eye to eye, +the calm acceptance of a relationship not be questioned or gainsaid. +Robert and Iris, without spoken word on the subject, had tactily agreed +to avoid the slightest semblance of subterfuge as unworthy alike of +their achievements and their love. Yet what could Sir Arthur Deane do? +To frame a suitable protest at such a moment was not to be dreamed of. +As yet he was too shaken to collect his thoughts. Anstruther's +proposal, however, helped him to blurt out what he intuitively felt to +be a disagreeable fact. Yet something must be said, for his brain +reeled. + +"Your suggestion is admirable," he cried, striving desperately to +affect a careless complaisance. "The ship's stores may provide Iris +with some sort of rig-out, and an old friend of hers is on board at +this moment, little expecting her presence. Lord Ventnor has +accompanied me in my search. He will, of course, be delighted--" + +Anstruther flushed a deep bronze, but Iris broke in-- + +"Father, why did _he_ come with you?" + +Sir Arthur, driven into this sudden squall of explanation, became +dignified. + +"Well, you see, my dear, under the circumstances, he felt an anxiety +almost commensurate with my own." + +"But why, why?" + +Iris was quite calm. With Robert near, she was courageous. Even the +perturbed baronet experienced a new sensation as his troubled glance +fell before her searching eyes. His daughter had left him a joyous, +heedless girl. He found her a woman, strong, self-reliant, purposeful. +Yet he kept on, choosing the most straightforward means as the only +honorable way of clearing a course so beset with unsuspected obstacles. + +"It is only reasonable, Iris, that your affianced husband should suffer +an agony of apprehension on your account, and do all that was possible +to effect your rescue." + +"My--affianced--husband?" + +"Well, my dear girl, perhaps that is hardly the correct phrase from +your point of view. Yet you cannot fail to remember that Lord +Ventnor--" + +"Father, dear," said Iris solemnly, but in a voice free from all +uncertainty, "my affianced husband stands here! We plighted our troth +at the very gate of death. It was ratified in the presence of God, and +has been blessed by Him. I have made no compact with Lord Ventnor. He +is a base and unworthy man. Did you but know the truth concerning him +you would not mention his name in the same breath with mine. Would he, +Robert?" + +Never was man so perplexed as the unfortunate shipowner. In the instant +that his beloved daughter was restored to him out of the very depths of +the sea, he was asked either to undertake the rôle of a disappointed +and unforgiving parent, or sanction her marriage to a truculent-looking +person of most forbidding if otherwise manly appearance, who had +certainly saved her from death in ways not presently clear to him, but +who could not be regarded as a suitable son-in-law solely on that +account. + +What could he do, what could he say, to make the position less +intolerable? + +Anstruther, quicker than Iris to appreciate Sir Arthur Deane's dilemma, +gallantly helped him. He placed a loving hand on the girl's shoulder. + +"Be advised by me, Sir Arthur, and you too, Iris," he said. "This is no +hour for such explanations. Leave me to deal with Lord Ventnor. I am +content to trust the ultimate verdict to you, Sir Arthur. You will +learn in due course all that has happened. Go on board, Iris. Meet Lord +Ventnor as you would meet any other friend. You will not marry him, I +know. I can trust you." He said this with a smile that robbed the words +of serious purport. "Believe me, you two can find plenty to occupy your +minds today without troubling yourselves about Lord Ventnor." + +"I am very much obliged to you," murmured the baronet, who, +notwithstanding his worry, was far too experienced a man of the world +not to acknowledge the good sense of this advice, no matter how +ruffianly might be the guise of the strange person who gave it. + +"That is settled, then," said Robert, laughing good-naturedly, for he +well knew what a weird spectacle he must present to the bewildered old +gentleman. + +Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinated by the ragged and hairy giant who +carried himself so masterfully and helped everybody over the stile at +the right moment He tried to develop the change in the conversation. + +"By the way," he said, "how came you to be on the _Sirdar_? I have +a list of all the passengers and crew, and your name does not appear +therein." + +"Oh, that is easily accounted for. I shipped as a steward, in the name +of Robert Jenks." + +"Robert Jenks! A steward!" + +This was worse than ever. The unhappy shipowner thought the sky must +have fallen. + +"Yes. That forms some part of the promised explanation." + +Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her lover's wishes. "Come, father," +she cried merrily. "I am aching to see what the ship's stores, which +you and Robert pin your faith to, can do for me in the shape of +garments. I have the utmost belief in the British navy, and even a +skeptic should be convinced of its infallibility if H.M.S. +_Orient_ is able to provide a lady's outfit." + +Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed himself of the proffered compromise. He +assisted Iris into the boat, though that active young person was far +better able to support him, and a word to the officer in command sent +the gig flying back to the ship. Anstruther, during a momentary delay, +made a small request on his own account. Lieutenant Playdon, nearly as +big a man as Robert, despatched a note to his servant, and the gig +speedily returned with a complete assortment of clothing and linen. The +man also brought a dressing case, with the result that a dip in the +bath, and ten minutes in the hands of an expert valet, made Anstruther +a new man. + +Acting under his advice, the bodies of the dead were thrown into the +lagoon, the wounded were collected in the hut to be attended to by the +ship's surgeon, and the prisoners were paraded in front of Mir Jan, who +identified every man, and found, by counting heads, that none was +missing. + +Robert did not forget to write out a formal notice and fasten it to the +rock. This proceeding further mystified the officers of the +_Orient_, who had gradually formed a connected idea of the great +fight made by the shipwrecked pair, though Anstruther squirmed inwardly +when he thought of the manner in which Iris would picture the scene. As +it was, he had the first innings, and he did not fail to use the +opportunity. In the few terse words which the militant Briton best +understands, he described the girl's fortitude, her unflagging +cheerfulness, her uncomplaining readiness to do and dare. + +Little was said by his auditors, save to interpolate an occasional +question as to why such and such a thing was necessary, or how some +particular drawback had been surmounted. Standing near the well, it was +not necessary to move to explain to them the chief features of the +island, and point out the measures he had adopted. + +When he ended, the first lieutenant, who commanded the boats sent in +pursuit of the flying Dyaks--the _Orient_ sank both sampans as +soon as they were launched--summed up the general verdict-- + +"You do not need our admiration, Captain Anstruther. Each man of us +envies you from the bottom of his soul." + +"I do, I know--from the very bilge," exclaimed a stout midshipman, one +of those who had seen Iris. + +Robert waited until the laugh died away. + +"There is an error about my rank," he said. "I did once hold a +commission in the Indian army, but I was court-marshaled and cashiered +in Hong Kong six months ago. I was unjustly convicted on a grave +charge, and I hope some day to clear myself. Meanwhile I am a mere +civilian. It was only Miss Deane's generous sympathy which led her to +mention my former rank, Mr. Playdon." + +Had another of the _Orient's_ 12-pounder shells suddenly burst in +the midst of the group of officers, it would have created less dismay +than this unexpected avowal. Court-martialed! Cashiered! None but a +service man can grasp the awful significance of those words to the +commissioned ranks of the army and navy. + +Anstruther well knew what he was doing. Somehow, he found nothing hard +in the performance of these penances now. Of course, the ugly truth +must be revealed the moment Lord Ventnor heard his name. It was not +fair to the good fellows crowding around him, and offering every +attention that the frank hospitality of the British sailor could +suggest, to permit them to adopt the tone of friendly equality which +rigid discipline, if nothing else, would not allow them to maintain. + +The first lieutenant, by reason of his rank, was compelled to say +something-- + +"That is a devilish bad job, Mr. Anstruther," he blurted out. + +"Well, you know, I had to tell you." + +He smiled unaffectedly at the wondering circle. He, too, was an +officer, and appreciated their sentiments. They were unfeignedly sorry +for him, a man so brave and modest, such a splendid type of the soldier +and gentleman, yet, by their common law, an outcast. Nor could they +wholly understand his demeanor. There was a noble dignity in his +candor, a conscious innocence that disdained to shield itself under a +partial truth. He spoke, not as a wrong-doer, but as one who addresses +those who have been and will be once more his peers. + +The first lieutenant again phrased the thoughts of his juniors-- + +"I, and every other man in the ship, cannot help but sympathize with +you. But whatever may be your record--if you were an escaped convict, +Mr. Anstruther--no one could withhold from you the praise deserved for +your magnificent stand against overwhelming odds. Our duty is plain. We +will bring you to Singapore, where the others will no doubt wish to go +immediately. I will tell the Captain what you have been good enough to +acquaint us with. Meanwhile we will give you every assistance, +and--er--attention in our power." + +A murmur of approbation ran through the little circle. Robert's face +paled somewhat. What first-rate chaps they were, to be sure! + +"I can only thank you," he said unsteadily. "Your kindness is more +trying than adversity." + +A rustle of silk, the intrusion into the intent knot of men of a young +lady in a Paris gown, a Paris hat, carrying a Trouville parasol, and +most exquisitely gloved and booted, made every one gasp. + +"Oh, Robert dear, how _could_ you? I actually didn't know you!" + +Thus Iris, bewitchingly attired, and gazing now with provoking +admiration at Robert, who certainly offered almost as great a contrast +to his former state as did the girl herself. He returned her look with +interest. + +"Would any man believe," he laughed, "that clothes would do so much for +a woman?" + +"What a left-handed compliment! But come, dearest, Captain Fitzroy and +Lord Ventnor have come ashore with father and me. They want us to show +them everything! You will excuse him, won't you?" she added, with a +seraphic smile to the others. + +They walked off together. + +"Jimmy!" gasped the fat midshipman to a lanky youth. "She's got on your +togs!" + +Meaning that Iris had ransacked the _Orient's_ theatrical +wardrobe, and pounced on the swell outfit of the principal female +impersonator in the ship's company. + +Lieutenant Playdon bit the chin strap of his pith helmet, for the +landing party wore the regulation uniform for service ashore in the +tropics. He muttered to his chief-- + +"Damme if I've got the hang of this business yet." + +"Neither have I. Anstruther looks a decent sort of fellow, and the girl +is a stunner. Yet, d'ye know, Playdon, right through the cruise I've +always understood that she was the fiancée of that cad, Ventnor." + +"Anstruther appears to have arranged matters differently. Wonder what +pa will say when that Johnnie owns up about the court-martial." + +"Give it up, which is more than the girl will do, or I'm much mistaken. +Funny thing, you know, but I've a sort of hazy recollection of +Anstruther's name being mixed up with that of a Colonel's wife at Hong +Kong. Fancy Ventnor was in it too, as a witness. Stand by, and we'll +see something before we unload at Singapore." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BARGAINS, GREAT AND SMALL + + +Lord Ventnor was no fool. Whilst Iris was transforming herself from a +semi-savage condition into a semblance of an ultra _chic_ +Parisienne--the _Orient's_ dramatic costumier went in for strong +stage effects in feminine attire--Sir Arthur Deane told the Earl +something of the state of affairs on the island. + +His lordship--a handsome, saturnine man, cool, insolently polite, and +plentifully endowed with the judgmatical daring that is the necessary +equipment of a society libertine--counseled patience, toleration, even +silent recognition of Anstruther's undoubted claims for services +rendered. + +"She is an enthusiastic, high-spirited girl," he urged upon his +surprised hearer, who expected a very different expression of opinion. +"This fellow Anstruther is a plausible sort of rascal, a good man in a +tight place too--just the sort of fire-eating blackguard who would fill +the heroic bill where a fight is concerned. Damn him, he licked me +twice." + +Further amazement for the shipowner. + +"Yes, it's quite true. I interfered with his little games, and he gave +me the usual reward of the devil's apothecary. Leave Iris alone. At +present she is strung up to an intense pitch of gratitude, having +barely escaped a terrible fate. Let her come back to the normal. +Anstruther's shady record must gradually leak out. That will disgust +her. In a week she will appeal to you to buy him off. He is hard +up--cut off by his people and that sort of thing. There you probably +have the measure of his scheming. He knows quite well that he can never +marry your daughter. It is all a matter of price." + +Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself to be persuaded. At the back of +his head there was an uneasy consciousness that it was not "all a +matter of price." If it were he would never trust a man's face again. +But Ventnor's well-balanced arguments swayed him. The course indicated +was the only decent one. It was humanly impossible for a man to chide +his daughter and flout her rescuer within an hour of finding them. + +Lord Ventnor played his cards with a deeper design. He bowed to the +inevitable. Iris said she loved his rival. Very well. To attempt to +dissuade her was to throw her more closely into that rival's arms. The +right course was to appear resigned, saddened, compelled against his +will to reveal the distressing truth. Further, he counted on +Anstruther's quick temper as an active agent. Such a man would be the +first to rebel against an assumption of pitying tolerance. He would +bring bitter charges of conspiracy, of unbelievable compact to secure +his ruin. All this must recoil on his own head when the facts were laid +bare. Not even the hero of the island could prevail against the +terrible indictment of the court-martial. Finally, at Singapore, three +days distant, Colonel Costobell and his wife were staying. Lord +Ventnor, alone of those on board, knew this. Indeed, he accompanied Sir +Arthur Deane largely in order to break off a somewhat trying +entanglement. He smiled complacently as he thought of the effect on +Iris of Mrs. Costobell's indignant remonstrances when the baronet asked +that injured lady to tell the girl all that had happened at Hong Kong. + +In a word, Lord Ventnor was most profoundly annoyed, and he cursed +Anstruther from the depths of his heart. But he could see a way out. +The more desperate the emergency the more need to display finesse. +Above all, he must avoid an immediate rupture. + +He came ashore with Iris and her father; the captain of the +_Orient_ also joined the party. The three men watched Robert and +the girl walking towards them from the group of officers. + +"Anstruther is a smart-looking fellow," commented Captain Fitzroy. "Who +is he?" + +Truth to tell, the gallant commander of the _Orient_ was secretly +amazed by the metamorphosis effected in Robert's appearance since he +scrutinized him through his glasses. Iris, too, unaccustomed to the +constraint of high-heeled shoes, clung to the nondescript's arm in a +manner that shook the sailor's faith in Lord Ventnor's pretensions as +her favored suitor. + +Poor Sir Arthur said not a word, but his lordship was quite at ease-- + +"From his name, and from what Deane tells me, I believe he is an +ex-officer of the Indian Army." + +"Ah. He has left the service?" + +"Yes. I met him last in Hong Kong." + +"Then you know him?" + +"Quite well, if he is the man I imagine." + +"That is really very nice of Ventnor," thought the shipowner. "The last +thing I should credit him with would be a forgiving disposition." + +Meanwhile Anstruther was reading Iris a little lecture. "Sweet one," he +explained to her, "do not allude to me by my former rank. I am not +entitled to it. Some day, please God, it will be restored to me. At +present I am a plain civilian." + +"I think you very handsome." + +"Don't tease, there's a good girl. It is not fair with all these people +looking." + +"But really, Robert, only since you scraped off the upper crust have I +been able to recognize you again. I remember now that I thought you +were a most distinguished looking steward." + +"Well, I am helpless. I cannot even squeeze you. By the way, Iris, +during the next few days say nothing about our mine." + +"Oh, why not?" + +"Just a personal whim. It will please me." + +"If it pleases you, Robert, I am satisfied." + +He pressed her arm by way of answer. They were too near to the waiting +trio for other comment. + +"Captain Fitzroy," cried Iris, "let me introduce Mr. Anstruther to you. +Lord Ventnor, you have met Mr. Anstruther before." + +The sailor shook hands. Lord Ventnor smiled affably. + +"Your enforced residence on the island seems to have agreed with you," +he said. + +"Admirably. Life here had its drawbacks, but we fought our enemies in +the open. Didn't we, Iris?" + +"Yes, dear. The poor Dyaks were not sufficiently modernized to attack +us with false testimony." + +His lordship's sallow face wrinkled somewhat. So Iris knew of the +court-martial, nor was she afraid to proclaim to all the world that +this man was her lover. As for Captain Fitzroy, his bushy eyebrows +disappeared into his peaked cap when he heard the manner of their +speech. + +Nevertheless Ventnor smiled again. + +"Even the Dyaks respected Miss Deane," he said. + +But Anstruther, sorry for the manifest uneasiness of the shipowner, +repressed the retort on his lips, and forthwith suggested that they +should walk to the north beach in the first instance, that being the +scene of the wreck. + +During the next hour he became auditor rather than narrator. It was +Iris who told of his wild fight against wind and waves, Iris who showed +them where he fought with the devil-fish, Iris who expatiated on the +long days of ceaseless toil, his dauntless courage in the face of every +difficulty, the way in which he rescued her from the clutch of the +savages, the skill of his preparations against the anticipated attack, +and the last great achievement of all, when, time after time, he foiled +the Dyaks' best-laid plans, and flung them off, crippled and +disheartened, during the many phases of the thirty hours' battle. + +She had an attentive audience. Most of the _Orient's_ officers +quietly came up and followed the girl's glowing recital with breathless +interest. Robert vainly endeavored more than once to laugh away her +thrilling eulogy. But she would have none of it. Her heart was in her +words. He deserved this tribute of praise, unstinted, unmeasured, +abundant in its simple truth, yet sounding like a legend spun by some +romantic poet, were not the grim evidences of its accuracy visible on +every hand. + +She was so volubly clear, so precise in fact, so subtle in her clever +delineations of humorous or tragic events, that her father was +astounded, and even Anstruther silently admitted that a man might live +until he equaled the years of a Biblical patriarch without discovering +all the resources of a woman. + +There were tears in her eyes when she ended; but they were tears of +thankful happiness, and Lord Ventnor, a silent listener who missed +neither word nor look, felt a deeper chill in his cold heart as he +realized that this woman's love could never be his. The knowledge +excited his passion the more. His hatred of Anstruther now became a +mania, an insensate resolve to mortally stab this meddler who always +stood in his path. + +Robert hoped that his present ordeal was over. It had only begun. He +was called on to answer questions without number. Why had the tunnel +been made? What was the mystery of the Valley of Death? How did he +manage to guess the dimensions of the sun-dial? How came he to acquire +such an amazing stock of out-of-the-way knowledge of the edible +properties of roots and trees? How? Why? Where? When? They never would +be satisfied, for not even the British navypoking its nose into the +recesses of the world--often comes across such an amazing story as the +adventures of this couple on Rainbow Island. + +He readily explained the creation of quarry and cave by telling them of +the vein of antimony embedded in the rock near the fault. Antimony is +one of the substances that covers a multitude of doubts. No one, not +excepting the doctors who use it, knows much about it, and in Chinese +medicine it might be a chief factor of exceeding nastiness. + +Inside the cavern, the existence of the partially completed shaft to +the ledge accounted for recent disturbances on the face of the rock, +and new-comers could not, of course, distinguish the bones of poor +"J.S." as being the remains of a European. + +Anstruther was satisfied that none of them hazarded the remotest guess +as to the value of the gaunt rock they were staring at, and chance +helped him to baffle further inquiry. + +A trumpeter on board the _Orient_ was blowing his lungs out to +summon them to luncheon, when Captain Fitzroy put a final query. + +"I can quite understand," he said to Robert, "that you have an +affection for this weird place." + +"I should think so indeed," muttered the stout midshipman, glancing at +Iris. + +"But I am curious to know," continued the commander, "why you lay claim +to the island? You can hardly intend to return here." + +He pointed to Robert's placard stuck on the rock. + +Anstruther paused before he answered. He felt that Lord Ventnor's dark +eyes were fixed on him. Everybody was more or less desirous to have +this point cleared up. He looked the questioner squarely in the face. + +"In some parts of the world," he said, "there are sunken reefs, +unknown, uncharted, on which many a vessel has been lost without any +contributory fault on the part of her officers?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +"Well, Captain Fitzroy, when I was stationed with my regiment in Hong +Kong I encountered such a reef, and wrecked my life on it. At least, +that is how it seemed to me then. Fortune threw me ashore here, after a +long and bitter submergence. You can hardly blame me if I cling to the +tiny speck of land that gave me salvation." + +"No," admitted the sailor. He knew there was something more in the +allegory than the text revealed, but it was no business of his. + +"Moreover," continued Robert smilingly, "you see I have a partner." + +"There cannot be the slightest doubt about the partner," was the prompt +reply. + +Then every one laughed, Iris more than any, though Sir Arthur Deane's +gaiety was forced, and Lord Ventnor could taste the acidity of his own +smile. + +Later in the day the first lieutenant told his chief of Anstruther's +voluntary statement concerning the court-martial. Captain Fitzroy was +naturally pained by this unpleasant revelation, but he took exactly the +same view as that expressed by the first lieutenant in Robert's +presence. + +Nevertheless he pondered the matter, and seized an early opportunity of +mentioning it to Lord Ventnor. That distinguished nobleman was vastly +surprised to learn how Anstruther had cut the ground from beneath his +feet. + +"Yes," he said, in reply to the sailor's request for information, "I +know all about it. It could not well be otherwise, seeing that next to +Mrs. Costobell I was the principal witness against him." + +"That must have been d----d awkward for you," was the unexpected +comment. + +"Indeed! Why?" + +"Because rumor linked your name with that of the lady in a somewhat +outspoken way." + +"You astonish me. Anstruther certainly made some stupid allegations +during the trial; but I had no idea he was able to spread this +malicious report subsequently." + +"I am not talking of Hong Kong, my lord, but of Singapore, months +later." + +Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceedingly dry. Indeed, some people might +deem it offensive. + +His lordship permitted himself the rare luxury of an angry scowl. + +"Rumor is a lying jade at the best," he said curtly. "You must +remember, Captain Fitzroy, that I have uttered no word of scandal about +Mr. Anstruther, and any doubts concerning his conduct can be set at +rest by perusing the records of his case in the Adjutant-General's +office at Hong Kong." + +"Hum!" said the sailor, turning on his heel to enter the chart-room. +This was no way to treat a real live lord, a personage of some +political importance, too, such as the Special Envoy to Wang Hai. +Evidently, Iris was no mean advocate. She had already won for the +"outcast" the suffrages of the entire ship's company. + +The girl and her father went back to the island with Robert. After +taking thought, the latter decided to ask Mir Jan to remain in +possession until he returned. There was not much risk of another Dyak +invasion. The fate of Taung S'Ali's expedition would not encourage a +fresh set of marauders, and the Mahommedan would be well armed to meet +unforeseen contingencies, whilst on his, Anstruther's, representations +the _Orient_ would land an abundance of stores. In any event, it +was better for the native to live in freedom on Rainbow Island than to +be handed over to the authorities as an escaped convict, which must be +his immediate fate no matter what magnanimous view the Government of +India might afterwards take of his services. + +Mir Jan's answer was emphatic. He took off his turban and placed it on +Anstruther's feet. + +"Sahib," he said, "I am your dog. If, some day, I am found worthy to be +your faithful servant, then shall I know that Allah has pardoned my +transgressions. I only killed a man because--" + +"Peace, Mir Jan. Let him rest." + +"Why is he worshiping you, Robert?" demanded Iris. + +He told her. + +"Really," she cried, "I must keep up my studies in Hindustani. It is +quite too sweet." + +And then, for the benefit of her father, she rattled off into a +spirited account of her struggles with the algebraic x and the Urdu +compound verb. + +Sir Arthur Deane managed to repress a sigh. In spite of himself he +could not help liking Anstruther. The man was magnetic, a hero, an +ideal gentleman. No wonder his daughter was infatuated with him. Yet +the future was dark and storm-tossed, full of sinister threats and +complications. Iris did not know the wretched circumstances which had +come to pass since they parted, and which had changed the whole aspect +of his life. How could he tell her? Why should it be his miserable lot +to snatch the cup of happiness from her lips? In that moment of silent +agony he wished he were dead, for death alone could remove the burthen +laid on him. Well, surely he might bask in the sunshine of her laughter +for another day. No need to embitter her joyous heart until he was +driven to it by dire necessity. + +So he resolutely brushed aside the woe-begone phantom of care, and +entered into the _abandon_ of the hour with a zest that delighted +her. The dear girl imagined that Robert, her Robert, had made another +speedy conquest, and Anstruther himself was much elated by the sudden +change in Sir Arthur Deane's demeanor. + +They behaved like school children on a picnic. They roared over Iris's +troubles in the matter of divided skirts, too much divided to be at all +pleasant. The shipowner tasted some of her sago bread, and vowed it was +excellent. They unearthed two bottles of champagne, the last of the +case, and promised each other a hearty toast at dinner. Nothing would +content Iris but that they should draw a farewell bucketful of water +from the well and drench the pitcher-plant with a torrential shower. + +Robert carefully secured the pocket-books, money and other effects +found on their dead companions. The baronet, of course, knew all the +principal officers of the _Sirdar_. He surveyed these mournful +relics with sorrowful interest. + +"The _Sirdar_ was the crack ship of my fleet, and Captain Ross my +most trusted commander," he said. "You may well imagine, Mr. +Anstruther, what a cruel blow it was to lose such a vessel, with all +these people on board, and my only daughter amongst them. I wonder now +that it did not kill me." + +"She was a splendid sea-boat, sir. Although disabled, she fought +gallantly against the typhoon. Nothing short of a reef would break her +up." + +"Ah, well," sighed the shipowner, "the few timbers you have shown me +here are the remaining assets out of £300,000." + +"Was she not insured?" inquired Robert. + +"No; that is, I have recently adopted a scheme of mutual +self-insurance, and the loss falls _pro rata_ on my other +vessels." + +The baronet glanced covertly at Iris. The words conveyed little meaning +to her. Indeed, she broke in with a laugh-- + +"I am afraid I have heard you say, father dear, that some ships in the +fleet paid you best when they ran ashore." + +"Yes, Iris. That often happened in the old days. It is different now. +Moreover, I have not told you the extent of my calamities. The +_Sirdar_ was lost on March 18, though I did not know it for +certain until this morning. But on March 25 the _Bahadur_ was sunk +in the Mersey during a fog, and three days later the _Jemadar_ +turned turtle on the James and Mary shoal in the Hooghly. Happily there +were no lives lost in either of these cases." + +Even Iris was appalled by this list of casualties. + +"My poor, dear dad!" she cried. "To think that all these troubles +should occur the very moment I left you!" + +Yet she gave no thought to the serious financial effect of such a +string of catastrophes. Robert, of course, appreciated this side of the +business, especially in view of the shipowner's remark about the +insurance. But Sir Arthur Deane's stiff upper lip deceived him. He +failed to realize that the father was acting a part for his daughter's +sake. + +Oddly enough, the baronet did not seek to discuss with them the +legal-looking document affixed near the cave. It claimed all rights in +the island in their joint names, and this was a topic he wished to +avoid. For the time, therefore, the younger man had no opportunity of +taking him into his confidence, and Iris held faithfully to her promise +of silence. + +The girl's ragged raiment, sou'wester, and strong boots were already +packed away on board. She now rescued the Bible, the copy of Tennyson's +poems, the battered tin cup, her revolver, and the Lee-Metford which +"scared" the Dyaks when they nearly caught Anstruther and Mir Jan +napping. Robert also gathered for her an assortment of Dyak hats, +belts, and arms, including Taung S'Ali's parang and a sumpitan. These +were her trophies, the _spolia opima_ of the campaign. + +His concluding act was to pack two of the empty oil tins with all the +valuable lumps of auriferous quartz he could find where he shot the +rubbish from the cave beneath the trees. On top of these he placed some +antimony ore, and Mir Jan, wondering why the sahib wanted the stuff, +carried the consignment to the waiting boat. Lieutenant Playdon, in +command of the last party of sailors to quit the island, evidently +expected Mir Jan to accompany them, but Anstruther explained that the +man would await his return, some time in June or July. + +Sir Arthur Deane found himself speculating on the cause of this +extraordinary resolve, but, steadfast to his policy of avoiding +controversial matters, said nothing. A few words to the captain +procured enough stores to keep the Mahommedan for six months at least, +and whilst these were being landed, the question was raised how best to +dispose of the Dyaks. + +The commander wished to consult the convenience of his guests. + +"If we go a little out of our way and land them in Borneo," he said, +"they will be hanged without troubling you further. If I take them to +Singapore they will be tried on your evidence and sent to penal +servitude. Which is it to be?" + +It was Iris who decided. + +"I cannot bear to think of more lives being sacrificed," she protested. +"Perhaps if these men are treated mercifully and sent to their homes +after some punishment their example may serve as a deterrent to +others." + +So it was settled that way. The anchor rattled up to its berth and the +_Orient_ turned her head towards Singapore. As she steadily passed +away into the deepening azure, the girl and her lover watched the +familiar outlines of Rainbow Island growing dim in the evening light. +For a long while they could see Mir Jan's tall, thin figure motionless +on a rock at the extremity of Europa Point. Their hut, the reef, the +ledge, came into view as the cruiser swung round to a more northerly +course. + +Iris had thrown an arm across her father's shoulders. The three were +left alone just then, and they were silent for many minutes. At last, +the flying miles merged the solitary palm beyond the lagoon with the +foliage on the cliff. The wide cleft of Prospect Park grew less +distinct. Mir Jan's white-clothed figure was lost in the dark +background. The island was becoming vague, dream-like, a blurred +memory. + +"Robert," said the girl devoutly, "God has been very good to us." + +"Yes," he replied. "I was thinking, even this instant, of the verse +that is carved on the gate of the Memorial Well at Cawnpore: 'These are +they which came out of great tribulation.' We, too, have come out of +great tribulation, happily with our lives--and more. The decrees of +fate are indeed inscrutable." + +Iris turned to him a face roseate with loving comprehension. + +"Do you remember this hour yesterday?" she murmured--"how we suffered +from thirst--how the Dyaks began their second attack from the +ridge--how you climbed down the ladder and I followed you? Oh father, +darling," she went on impulsively, tightening her grasp, "you will +never know how brave he was, how enduring, how he risked all for me and +cheered me to the end, even though the end seemed to be the grave." + +"I think I am beginning to understand now," answered the shipowner, +averting his eyes lest Iris should see the tears in them. Their Calvary +was ended, they thought--was it for him to lead them again through the +sorrowful way? It was a heartrending task that lay before him, a task +from which his soul revolted. He refused even to attempt it. He sought +forgetfulness in a species of mental intoxication, and countenanced his +daughter's love idyll with such apparent approval that Lord Ventnor +wondered whether Sir Arthur were not suffering from senile decay. + +The explanation of the shipowner's position was painfully simple. Being +a daring yet shrewd financier, he perceived in the troubled condition +of the Far East a magnificent opportunity to consolidate the trading +influence of his company. He negotiated two big loans, one, of a +semi-private nature, to equip docks and railways in the chief maritime +province of China, the other of a more public character, with the +Government of Japan. All his own resources, together with those of his +principal directors and shareholders, were devoted to these objects. +Contemporaneously, he determined to stop paying heavy insurance +premiums on his fleet and make it self-supporting, on the well-known +mutual principle. + +His vessels were well equipped, well manned, replete with every modern +improvement, and managed with great commercial skill. In three or four +years, given ordinary trading luck, he must have doubled his own +fortune and earned a world-wide reputation for far-seeing sagacity. + +No sooner were all his arrangements completed than three of his best +ships went down, saddling his company with an absolute loss of nearly +£600,000, and seriously undermining his financial credit. A +fellow-director, wealthy and influential, resigned his seat on the +board, and headed a clique of disappointed stockholders. At once the +fair sky became overcast. A sound and magnificent speculation +threatened to dissolve in the Bankruptcy Court. + +Sir Arthur Deane's energy and financial skill might have enabled him to +weather this unexpected gale were it not for the apparent loss of his +beloved daughter with the crack ship of his line. Half-frenzied with +grief, he bade his enemies do their worst, and allowed his affairs to +get into hopeless confusion whilst he devoted himself wholly to the +search for Iris and her companions. At this critical juncture Lord +Ventnor again reached his side. His lordship possessed a large private +fortune and extensive estates. He was prudent withal, and knew how +admirably the shipowner's plans would develop if given the necessary +time. He offered the use of his name and money. He more than filled the +gap created by the hostile ex-director. People argued that such a +clever man, just returning from the Far East after accomplishing a +public mission of some importance, must be a reliable guide. The mere +cabled intelligence of his intention to join the board restored +confidence and credit. + +But--there was a bargain. If Iris lived, she must become the Countess +of Ventnor. His lordship was weary of peripatetic love-making. It was +high time he settled down in life, took an interest in the legislature, +and achieved a position in the world of affairs. He had a chance now. +The certain success of his friend's project, the fortunate completion +of his own diplomatic undertaking, marriage with a beautiful and +charming woman--these items would consolidate his career. If Iris were +not available, plenty of women, high-placed in society, would accept +such an eligible bachelor. But his heart was set on Iris. She was +honest, high-principled, pure in body and mind, and none prizes these +essentials in a wife more than a worn-out _roué_. + +He seized the first opportunity that presented itself to make Sir +Arthur Deane acquainted with a decision already dreaded by the +unfortunate shipowner. Iris must either abandon her infatuation for +Anstruther or bring about the ruin of her father. There was no mean. + +"If she declines to become Countess of Ventnor, she can marry whom she +likes, as you will be all paupers together," was the Earl's caustic +summing up. + +This brutal argument rather overshot the mark. The shipowner's face +flushed with anger, and Lord Ventnor hastened to retrieve a false step. + +"I didn't exactly mean to put it that way, Deane, but my temper is a +little short these days. My position on board this ship is intolerable. +As a matter of fair dealing to me, you should put a stop to your +daughter's attitude towards Anstruther, on the ground that her +engagement is neither approved of by you nor desirable under any +consideration." + +It may be assumed from this remark that even the Earl's sardonic temper +was ruffled by the girl's outrageous behavior. Nor was it exactly +pleasant to him to note how steadily Anstruther advanced in the favor +of every officer on the ship. By tacit consent the court-martial was +tabooed, at any rate until the _Orient_ reached Singapore. Every +one knew that the quarrel lay between Robert and Ventnor, and it is not +to be wondered at if Iris's influence alone were sufficient to turn the +scale in favor of her lover. + +The shipowner refused point-blank to interfere in any way during the +voyage. + +"You promised your co-operation in business even if we found that the +_Sirdar_ had gone down with all hands," he retorted bitterly. "Do +you wish me to make my daughter believe she has come back into my life +only to bring me irretrievable ruin?" + +"That appears to be the result, no matter how you may endeavor to +disguise it." + +"I thought the days were gone when a man would wish to marry a woman +against her will." + +"Nonsense! What does she know about it? The glamour of this island +romance will soon wear off. It would be different if Anstruther were +able to maintain her even decently. He is an absolute beggar, I tell +you. Didn't he ship on your own vessel as a steward? Take my tip, +Deane. Tell him how matters stand with you, and he will cool off." + +He believed nothing of the sort, but he was desperately anxious that +Iris should learn the truth as to her father's dilemma from other lips +than his own. This would be the first point gained. Others would +follow. + +The two men were conversing in the Earl's cabin. On the deck overhead a +very different chat was taking place. + +The _Orient_ was due in Singapore that afternoon. Iris was invited +into the chart-room on some pretext, and Lieutenant Playdon, delegated +by the commander and the first lieutenant, buttonholed Robert. + +With sailor-like directness he came straight to the point-- + +"A few of us have been talking about you, Anstruther, and we cannot be +far wrong in assuming that you are hard up. The fact that you took a +steward's job on the _Sirdar_ shows your disinclination to appeal +to your own people for funds. Now, once you are ashore, you will be +landed in difficulties. To cut any further explanations, I am +commissioned to offer you a loan of fifty pounds, which you can repay +when you like." + +Robert's mouth tightened somewhat. For the moment he could not find +words. Playdon feared he was offended. + +"I am sorry, old chap, if we are mistaken," he said hesitatingly; "but +we really thought--" + +"Please do not endeavor to explain away your generous act," exclaimed +Anstruther. "I accept it thankfully, on one condition." + +"Blow the condition. But what is it?" + +"That you tell me the names of those to whom I am indebted besides +yourself." + +"Oh, that is easy enough. Fitzroy and the first luff are the others. We +kept it to a small circle, don't you know. Thought you would prefer +that." + +Anstruther smiled and wrung his hand. There were some good fellows left +in the world after all. The three officers acted in pure good nature. +They were assisting a man apparently down in his luck, who would soon +be called on to face other difficulties by reason of his engagement to +a girl apparently so far removed from him in station. And the last +thing they dreamed of was that their kindly loan was destined to yield +them a better return than all the years of their naval service, for +their fifty pounds had gone into the pocket of a potential millionaire, +who was endowed with the faculty, rare in millionaires, of not +forgetting the friends of his poverty-stricken days. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +RAINBOW ISLAND AGAIN--AND AFTERWARD + + +Sir Arthur Deane was sitting alone in his cabin in a state of deep +dejection, when he was aroused by a knock, and Robert entered. + +"Can you give me half an hour?" he asked. "I have something to say to +you before we land." + +The shipowner silently motioned him to a seat. + +"It concerns Iris and myself," continued Anstruther. "I gathered from +your words when we met on the island that both you and Lord Ventnor +regarded Iris as his lordship's promised bride. From your point of view +the arrangement was perhaps natural and equitable, but since your +daughter left Hong Kong it happens that she and I have fallen in love +with each other. No; please listen to me. I am not here to urge my +claims on you. I won her fairly and intend to keep her, were the whole +House of Peers opposed to me. At this moment I want to tell you, her +father, why she could never, even under other circumstances, marry Lord +Ventnor." + +Then he proceeded to place before the astounded baronet a detailed +history of his recent career. It was a sordid story of woman's perfidy, +twice told. It carried conviction in every sentence. It was possible, +of course, to explain matters more fully to the baronet than to Iris, +and Anstruther's fierce resentment of the cruel wrong inflicted upon +him blazed forth with overwhelming force. The intensity of his wrath in +no way impaired the cogency of his arguments. Rather did it lend point +and logical brevity. Each word burned itself into his hearer's +consciousness, for Robert did not know that the unfortunate father was +being coerced to a distasteful compact by the scoundrel who figured in +the narrative as his evil genius. + +At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed his head between his hands. + +"I cannot choose but believe you," he admitted huskily. "Yet how came +you to be so unjustly convicted by a tribunal composed of your brother +officers?" + +"They could not help themselves. To acquit me meant that they +discredited the sworn testimony not only of my Colonel's wife, but of +the civil head of an important Government Mission, not to mention some +bought Chinese evidence. Am I the first man to be offered up as a +sacrifice on the altar of official expediency?" + +"But you are powerless now. You can hardly hope to have your case +revised. What chance is there that your name will ever be cleared?" + +"Mrs. Costobell can do it if she will. The vagaries of such a woman are +not to be depended on. If Lord Ventnor has cast her off, her hatred may +'prove stronger than her passion. Anyhow, I should be the last man to +despair of God's Providence. Compare the condition of Iris and myself +today with our plight during the second night on the ledge! I refuse to +believe that a bad and fickle woman can resist the workings of destiny, +and it was a happy fate which led me to ship on board the +_Sirdar_, though at the time I saw it in another light." + +How different the words, the aspirations, of the two suitors. Quite +unconsciously, Robert could not have pleaded better. The shipowner +sighed heavily. + +"I hope your faith will be justified. If it be not--the more likely +thing to happen--do I understand that my daughter and you intend to get +married whether I give or withhold my sanction?" + +Anstruther rose and opened the door. + +"I have ventured to tell you," he said, "why she should not marry Lord +Ventnor. When I come to you and ask you for her, which I pray may be +soon, it will be time enough to answer that question, should you then +decide to put it." + +It must be remembered that Robert knew nothing whatever of the older +man's predicament, whilst the baronet, full of his own troubles, was in +no mood to take a reasonable view of Anstruther's position. Neither +Iris nor Robert could make him understand the long-drawn-out duel of +their early life on the island, nor was it easy to depict the +tumultuous agony of that terrible hour on the ledge when the girl +forced the man to confess his love by suggesting acceptance of the +Dyaks' terms. + +Thus, for a little while, these two were driven apart, and Anstruther +disdained to urge the plea that not many weeks would elapse before he +would be a richer man than his rival. The chief sufferer was Sir Arthur +Deane. Had Iris guessed how her father was tormented, she would not +have remained on the bridge, radiant and mirthful, whilst the +grey-haired baronet gazed with stony-eyed despair at some memoranda +which he extracted from his papers. + +"Ten thousand pounds!" he muttered. "Not a great sum for the +millionaire financier, Sir Arthur Deane, to raise on his note of hand. +A few months ago men offered me one hundred times the amount on no +better security. And now, to think that a set of jabbering fools in +London should so destroy my credit and their own, that not a bank will +discount our paper unless they are assured Lord Ventnor has joined the +board! Fancy me, of all men, being willing to barter my child for a few +pieces of gold!" + +The thought was maddening. For a little while he yielded to utter +despondency. It was quite true that a comparatively small amount of +money would restore the stability of his firm. Even without it, were +his credit unimpaired, he could easily tide over the period of +depression until the first fruits of his enterprise were garnered. +Then, all men would hail him as a genius. + +Wearily turning over his papers, he suddenly came across the last +letter written to him by Iris's mother. How she doted on their only +child! He recalled one night, shortly before his wife died, when the +little Iris was brought into her room to kiss her and lisp her +infantile prayers. She had devised a formula of her own--"God bless +father! God bless mother! God bless me, their little girl!" + +And what was it she cried to him from the beach? + +"Your own little girl given back to you!" + +Given back to him! For what--to marry that black-hearted scoundrel +whose pastime was the degradation of women and the defaming of honest +men? That settled it. Instantly the cloud was lifted from his soul. A +great peace came upon him. The ruin of his business he might not be +able to avert, but he would save from, the wreck that which he prized +more than all else--his daughter's love. + +The engines dropped to half speed--they were entering the harbor of +Singapore. In a few hours the worst would be over. If Ventnor +telegraphed to London his withdrawal from the board, nothing short of a +cabled draft for ten thousand pounds would prevent certain creditors +from filing a bankruptcy petition. In the local banks the baronet had +about a thousand to his credit. Surely among the rich merchants of the +port, men who knew the potentialities of his scheme, he would be able +to raise the money needed. He would try hard. Already he felt braver. +The old fire had returned to his blood. The very belief that he was +acting in the way best calculated to secure his daughter's happiness +stimulated and encouraged him. + +He went on deck, to meet Iris skipping down the hatchway. + +"Oh, there you are!" she cried. "I was just coming to find out why you +were moping in your cabin. You are missing the most beautiful view--all +greens, and blues, and browns! Run, quick! I want you to see every inch +of it." + +She held out her hand and pulled him gleefully up the steps. Leaning +against the taffrail, some distance apart from each other, were +Anstruther and Lord Ventnor. Need it be said to whom Iris drew her +father? + +"Here he is, Robert," she laughed. "I do believe he was sulking because +Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive to me. Yet you didn't mind it a +bit!" + +The two men looked into each other eyes. They smiled. How could they +resist the contagion of her sunny nature? + +"I have been thinking over what you said to me just now, Anstruther," +said the shipowner slowly. + +"Oh!" cried Iris. "Have you two been talking secrets behind my back?" + +"It is no secret to you--my little girl--" Her father's voice lingered +on the phrase. "When we are on shore, Robert, I will explain matters to +you more fully. Just now I wish only to tell you that where Iris has +given her heart I will not refuse her hand." + +"You darling old dad! And is that what all the mystery was about?" + +She took his face between her hands and kissed him. Lord Ventnor, +wondering at this effusiveness, strolled forward. + +"What has happened, Miss Deane?" he inquired. "Have you just discovered +what an excellent parent you possess?" + +The baronet laughed, almost hysterically. "'Pon my honor," he cried, +"you could not have hit upon a happier explanation." + +His lordship was not quite satisfied. + +"I suppose you will take Iris to Smith's Hotel?" he said with cool +impudence. + +Iris answered him. + +"Yes. My father has just asked Robert to come with us--by inference, +that is. Where are you going?" + +The adroit use of her lover's Christian name goaded his lordship to +sudden heat. + +"Indeed!" he snarled. "Sir Arthur Deane has evidently decided a good +many things during the last hour." + +"Yes," was the shipowner's quiet retort. "I have decided that my +daughter's happiness should be the chief consideration of my remaining +years. All else must give way to it." + +The Earl's swarthy face grew sallow with fury. His eyes blazed, and +there was a tense vibrato in his voice as he said-- + +"Then I must congratulate you, Miss Deane. You are fated to endure +adventures. Having escaped from the melodramatic perils of Rainbow +Island you are destined to experience another variety of shipwreck +here." + +He left them. Not a word had Robert spoken throughout the unexpected +scene. His heart was throbbing with a tremulous joy, and his lordship's +sneers were lost on him. But he could not fail to note the malignant +purpose of the parting sentence. + +In his quietly masterful way he placed his hand on the baronet's +shoulder. + +"What did Lord Ventnor mean?" he asked. + +Sir Arthur Deane answered, with a calm smile--"It is difficult to talk +openly at this moment. Wait until we reach the hotel." + +The news flew fast through the settlement that H.M.S. _Orient_ had +returned from her long search for the _Sirdar_. The warship +occupied her usual anchorage, and a boat was lowered to take off the +passengers. Lieutenant Playdon went ashore with them. A feeling of +consideration for Anstruther prevented any arrangements being made for +subsequent meetings. Once their courteous duty was ended, the officers +of the _Orient_ could not give him any further social recognition. + +Lord Ventnor was aware of this fact and endeavored to turn it to +advantage. + +"By the way, Fitzroy," he called out to the commander as he prepared to +descend the gangway, "I want you, and any others not detained by duty, +to come and dine with me tonight." + +Captain Fitzroy answered blandly--"It is very good of you to ask us, +but I fear I cannot make any definite arrangements until I learn what +orders are awaiting me here." + +"Oh, certainly. Come if you can, eh?" + +"Yes; suppose we leave it at that." + +It was a polite but decided rebuff. It in no way tended to sweeten Lord +Ventnor's temper, which was further exasperated when he hurt his shin +against one of Robert's disreputable-looking tins, with its +accumulation of debris. + +The boat swung off into the tideway. Her progress shorewards was +watched by a small knot of people, mostly loungers and coolies. Among +them, however, were two persons who had driven rapidly to the +landing-place when the arrival of the _Orient_ was reported. One +bore all the distinguishing marks of the army officer of high rank, but +the other was unmistakably a globetrotter. Only in Piccadilly could he +have purchased his wondrous _sola topi_, or pith helmet--with its +imitation _puggri_ neatly frilled and puckered--and no tailor who +ever carried his goose through the Exile's Gate would have fashioned +his expensive garments. But the old gentleman made no pretence that he +could "hear the East a-callin'." He swore impartially at the climate, +the place, and its inhabitants. At this instant he was in a state of +wild excitement. He was very tall, very stout, exceedingly red-faced. +Any budding medico who understood the pre-eminence enjoyed by _aq. +ad_ in a prescription, would have diagnosed him as a first-rate +subject for apoplexy. + +Producing a tremendous telescope, he vainly endeavored to balance it on +the shoulder of a native servant. + +"Can't you stand still, you blithering idiot!" he shouted, after futile +attempts to focus the advancing boat, "or shall I steady you by a clout +over the ear?" + +His companion, the army man, was looking through a pair of +field-glasses. + +"By Jove!" he cried, "I can see Sir Arthur Deane, and a girl who looks +like his daughter. There's that infernal scamp, Ventnor, too." + +The big man brushed the servant out of his way, and brandished the +telescope as though it were a bludgeon. + +"The dirty beggar! He drove my lad to misery and death, yet he has come +back safe and sound. Wait till I meet him. I'll--" + +"Now, Anstruther! Remember your promise. I will deal with Lord Ventnor. +My vengeance has first claim. What! By the jumping Moses, I do +believe--Yes. It is. Anstruther! Your nephew is sitting next to the +girl!" + +The telescope fell on the stones with a crash. The giant's rubicund +face suddenly blanched. He leaned on his friend for support. + +"You are not mistaken," he almost whimpered. "Look again, for God's +sake, man. Make sure before you speak. Tell me! Tell me!" + +"Calm yourself, Anstruther. It is Robert, as sure as I'm alive. Don't +you think I know him, my poor disgraced friend, whom I, like all the +rest, cast off in his hour of trouble? But I had some excuse. There! +There! I didn't mean that, old fellow. Robert himself will be the last +man to blame either of us. Who could have suspected that two +people--one of them, God help me! my wife--would concoct such a hellish +plot!" + +The boat glided gracefully alongside the steps of the quay, and Playdon +sprang ashore to help Iris to alight. What happened immediately +afterwards can best be told in his own words, as he retailed the story +to an appreciative audience in the ward-room. + +"We had just landed," he said, "and some of the crew were pushing the +coolies out of the way, when two men jumped down the steps, and a most +fiendish row sprang up. That is, there was no dispute or wrangling, but +one chap, who, it turned out, was Colonel Costobell, grabbed Ventnor by +the shirt front, and threatened to smash his face in if he didn't +listen then and there to what he had to say. I really thought about +interfering, until I heard Colonel Costobell's opening words. After +that I would gladly have seen the beggar chucked into the harbor. We +never liked him, did we?" + +"Ask no questions, Pompey, but go ahead with the yarn," growled the +first lieutenant. + +"Well, it seems that Mrs. Costobell is dead. She got enteric a week +after the _Orient_ sailed, and was a goner in four days. Before +she died she owned up." + +He paused, with a base eye to effect. Not a man moved a muscle. + +"All right," he cried. "I will make no more false starts. Mrs. +Costobell begged her husband's forgiveness for her treatment of him, +and confessed that she and Lord Ventnor planned the affair for which +Anstruther was tried by court-martial. It must have been a beastly +business, for Costobell was sweating with rage, though his words were +icy enough. And you ought to have seen Ventnor's face when he heard of +the depositions, sworn to and signed by Mrs. Costobell and by several +Chinese servants whom he bribed to give false evidence. He promised to +marry Mrs. Costobell if her husband died, or, in any event, to bring +about a divorce when the Hong Kong affair had blown over. Then she +learnt that he was after Miss Iris, and there is no doubt her fury +helped on the fever. Costobell said that, for his wife's sake, he would +have kept the wretched thing secret, but he was compelled to clear +Anstruther's name, especially as he came across the other old +Johnnie--" + +"Pompey, you are incoherent with excitement. Who is 'the other old +Johnnie'?" asked the first luff severely. + +"Didn't I tell you? Why, Anstruther's uncle, of course, a heavy old +swell with just a touch of Yorkshire in his tongue. I gathered that he +disinherited his nephew when the news of the court-martial reached him. +Then he relented, and cabled to him. Getting no news, he came East to +look for him. He met Costobell the day after the lady died, and the two +swore--the stout uncle can swear a treat--anyhow, they vowed to be +revenged on Ventnor, and to clear Anstruther's character, living or +dead. Poor old chap! He cried like a baby when he asked the youngster +to forgive him. It was quite touching. I can tell you----" + +Playdon affected to search for his pocket-handkerchief. + +"Do tell us, or it will be worse for you," cried his mentor. + +"Give me time, air, a drink! What you fellows want is a phonograph. Let +me see. Well, Costobell shook Ventnor off at last, with the final +observation that Anstruther's court-martial has been quashed. The next +batch of general orders will re-instate him in the regiment, and it +rests with him to decide whether or not a criminal warrant shall be +issued against his lordship for conspiracy. Do you fellows know what +conspir----?" + +"You cuckoo! What did Miss Deane do?" + +"Clung to Anstruther like a weeping angel, and kissed everybody all +round when Ventnor got away. Well--hands off. I mean her father, +Anstruther and the stout uncle. Unfortunately I was not on in that +scene. But, for some reason, they all nearly wrung my arm off, and the +men were so excited that they gave the party a rousing cheer as their +rickshaws went off in a bunch. Will no Christian gentleman get me a +drink?" + +The next commotion arose in the hotel when Sir Arthur Deane seized the +first opportunity to explain the predicament in which his company was +placed, and the blow which Lord Ventnor yet had it in his power to +deal. + +Mr. William Anstruther was an interested auditor. Robert would have +spoken, but his uncle restrained him. + +"Leave this to me, lad," he exclaimed. "When I was coming here in the +_Sirdar_ there was a lot of talk about Sir Arthur's scheme, and +there should not be much difficulty in raising all the brass required, +if half what I heard be true. Sit you down, Sir Arthur, and tell us all +about it." + +The shipowner required no second bidding. With the skill for which he +was noted, he described his operations in detail, telling how every +farthing of the first instalments of the two great loans was paid up, +how the earnings of his fleet would quickly overtake the deficit in +capital value caused by the loss of the three ships, and how, in six +months' time, the leading financial houses of London, Paris, and Berlin +would be offering him more money than he would need. + +To a shrewd man of business the project could not fail to commend +itself, and the Yorkshire squire, though a trifle obstinate in temper, +was singularly clear-headed in other respects. He brought his great +fist down on the table with a whack. + +"Send a cable to your company, Sir Arthur," he cried, "and tell them +that your prospective son-in-law will provide the ten thousand pounds +you require. I will see that his draft is honored. You can add, if you +like, that another ten will be ready if wanted when this lot is spent. +I did my lad one d--er--deuced bad turn in my life. This time, I think, +I am doing him a good one." + +"You are, indeed," said Iris's father enthusiastically. "The unallotted +capital he is taking up will be worth four times its face value in two +years." + +"All the more reason to make his holding twenty instead of ten," roared +the Yorkshireman. "But look here. You talk about dropping proceedings +against that precious earl whom I saw to-day. Why not tell him not to +try any funny tricks until Robert's money is safely lodged to your +account? We have him in our power. Dash it all, let us use him a bit." + +Even Iris laughed at this naive suggestion. It was delightful to think +that their arch enemy was actually helping the baronet's affairs at +that very moment, and would continue to do so until he was flung aside +as being of no further value. Although Ventnor himself had carefully +avoided any formal commitment, the cablegrams awaiting the shipowner at +Singapore showed that confidence had already been restored by the +uncontradicted use of his lordship's name. + +Robert at last obtained a hearing. + +"You two are quietly assuming the attitude of the financial magnates of +this gathering," he said. "I must admit that you have managed things +very well between you, and I do not propose for one moment to interfere +with your arrangements. Nevertheless, Iris and I are really the chief +moneyed persons present. You spoke of financial houses in England and +on the Continent backing up your loans six months hence, Sir Arthur. +You need not go to them. We will be your bankers." + +The baronet laughed with a whole-hearted gaiety that revealed whence +Iris got some part, at least, of her bright disposition. + +"Will you sell your island, Robert?" he cried. "I am afraid that not +even Iris could wheedle any one into buying it." + +"But father, dear," interrupted the girl earnestly, "what Robert says +is true. We have a gold mine there. It is worth so much that you will +hardly believe it until then? can no longer be any doubt in your mind. +I suppose that is why Robert asked me not to mention his discovery to +you earlier." + +"No, Iris, that was not the reason," said her lover, and the older men +felt that more than idle fancy inspired the astounding intelligence +that they had just heard. "Your love was more to me than all the gold +in the world. I had won you. I meant to keep you, but I refused to buy +you." + +He turned to her father. His pent-up emotion mastered him, and he spoke +as one who could no longer restrain his feelings. + +"I have had no chance to thank you for the words you uttered at the +moment we quitted the ship. Yet I will treasure them while life lasts. +You gave Iris to me when I was poor, disgraced, an outcast from my +family and my profession. And I know why you did this thing. It was +because you valued her happiness more than riches or reputation. I am +sorry now I did not explain matters earlier. It would have saved you +much needless suffering. But the sorrow has sped like an evil dream, +and you will perhaps not regret it, for your action today binds me to +you with hoops of steel. And you, too, uncle. You traveled thousands of +miles to help and comfort me in my anguish. Were I as bad as I was +painted, your kind old heart still pitied me; you were prepared to +pluck me from the depths of despair and degradation. Why should I hate +Lord Ventnor? What man could have served me as he did? He has given me +Iris. He gained for me at her father's hands a concession such as +mortal has seldom wrested from black-browed fate. He brought my uncle +to my side in the hour of my adversity. Hate him! I would have his +statue carved in marble, and set on high to tell all who passed how +good may spring out of evil--how God's wisdom can manifest itself by +putting even the creeping and crawling things of the earth to some +useful purpose." + +"Dash it all, lad," vociferated the elder Anstruther, "what ails thee? +I never heard you talk like this before!" + +The old gentleman's amazement was so comical that further tension was +out of the question. + +Robert, in calmer mood, informed them of the manner in which he hit +upon the mine. The story sounded like wildest romance--this finding of +a volcanic dyke guarded by the bones of "J.S." and the poison-filled +quarry--but the production of the ore samples changed wonder into +certainty. + +Next day a government metallurgist estimated the value of the contents +of the two oil-tins at about £500, yet the specimens brought from the +island were not by any means the richest available. + +And now there is not much more to tell of Rainbow Island and its +castaways. On the day that Captain Robert Anstruther's name appeared in +the _Gazette_, reinstating him to his rank and regiment, Iris and +he were married in the English Church at Hong Kong, for it was his +wife's wish that the place which witnessed his ignominy should also +witness his triumph. + +A good-natured admiral decided that the urgent requirements of the +British Navy should bring H.M.S. _Orient_ to the island before the +date fixed for the ceremony. Lieutenant Playdon officiated as best man, +whilst the _Orient_ was left so scandalously short-handed for many +hours that a hostile vessel, at least twice her size, might have +ventured to attack her. + +Soon afterwards, Robert resigned his commission. He regretted the +necessity, but the demands of his new sphere in life rendered this step +imperative. Mining engineers, laborers, stores, portable houses, +engines, and equipment were obtained with all haste, and the whole +party sailed on one of Sir Arthur Deane's ships to convoy a small +steamer specially hired to attend to the wants of the miners. + +At last, one evening, early in July, the two vessels anchored outside +Palm-tree Rock, and Mir Jan could be seen running frantically about the +shore, for no valid reason save that he could not stand still. The +sahib brought him good news. The Governor of Hong Kong felt that any +reasonable request made by Anstruther should be granted if possible. He +had written such a strong representation of the Mahommedan's case to +the Government of India that there was little doubt the returning mail +would convey an official notification that Mir Jan, formerly +_naik_ in the Kumaon Rissala--he who once killed a man--had been +granted a free pardon. + +The mining experts verified Robert's most sanguine views after a very +brief examination of the deposit. Hardly any preliminary work was +needed. In twenty-four hours a small concentrating plant was erected, +and a ditch made to drain off the carbonic anhydride in the valley. +After dusk a party of coolies cleared the quarry of its former +occupants. Towards the close of the following day, when the great +steamer once more slowly turned her head to the north-west, Iris could +hear the steady thud of an engine at work on the first consignment of +ore. + +Robert had been busy up to the last moment. There was so much to be +done in a short space of time. The vessel carried a large number of +passengers, and he did not wish to detain them too long, though they +one and all expressed their willingness to suit his convenience in this +respect. + +Now his share of the necessary preparations was concluded. His wife, +Sir Arthur and his uncle were gathered in a corner of the promenade +deck when he approached and told them that his last instruction ashore +was for a light to be fixed on Summit Rock as soon as the dynamo was in +working order. + +"When we all come back in the cold weather," he explained gleefully, +"we will not imitate the _Sirdar_ by running on to the reef, +should we arrive by night." + +Iris answered not. Her blue eyes were fixed on the fast-receding +cliffs. + +"Sweetheart," said her husband, "why are you so silent?" + +She turned to him. The light of the setting sun! illumined her face +with its golden radiance. + +"Because I am so happy," she said. "Oh, Robert, dear, so happy and +thankful." + + * * * * * + +POSTSCRIPT + +The latest news of Col. and Mrs. Anstruther is contained in a letter +written by an elderly maiden lady, resident in the North Riding of +Yorkshire, to a friend in London. It is dated some four years after the +events already recorded. + +Although its information is garbled and, to a certain extent, +inaccurate, those who have followed the adventures of the young couple +under discussion will be able to appreciate its opinions at their true +value. When the writer states facts, of course, her veracity is +unquestionable, but occasionally she flounders badly when she depends +upon her own judgment. + +Here is the letter: + + "MY DEAR HELEN: + + "I have not seen or heard of you during so long a time that I am + _simply dying_ to tell you all that is happening here. You + will remember that some people named Anstruther bought the Fairlawn + estate near our village some three years ago. They are, as you + know, _enormously_ rich. The doctor tells me that when they + are not squeezing money out of the wretched Chinese, they dig it in + _barrow-loads_ out of some magic island in the Atlantic or the + Pacific--I really forget which. + + "Anyhow, they could afford to _entertain_ much more than they + do. Mrs. Anstruther is very nice looking, and could be a leader of + society if she chose, but she _seems_ to care for no one but + her husband and her babies. She has a boy and a girl, very charming + children, I admit, and you seldom see her without them. They have a + French _bonne_ apiece, and a most _murderous_-looking + person--a Mahommedan native, I believe--stalks alongside and + behaves as if he would _instantly decapitate_ any person who + as much as looked at them. Such a procession you never saw! Mrs. + Anstruther's devotion to her husband is _too_ absurd. He is a + tall, handsome man, of distinguished appearance, but on the few + occasions I have spoken to him he impressed me as somewhat + _taciturn_. Yet to see the way in which his wife even + _looks_ at him you would imagine that he had not his equal in + the world! + + "I believe there is some _secret_ in their lives. Colonel + Anstruther used to be in the army--he is now in command of our + local yeomanry--and although his name is 'Robert,' _tout + court_, I have often heard Mrs. Anstruther call him 'Jenks.' + Their boy, too, is christened Robert _Jenks_ Anstruther.' Now, + my dear Helen, _do_ make inquiries about them in town circles. + I _particularly_ wish you to find out who is this person + 'Jenks'--a most vulgar name. I am sure you will unearth something + curious, because Mrs. Anstruther was a Miss Deane, daughter of the + baronet, and Anstruther's people are well known in Yorkshire. There + are absolutely no Jenkses connected with them on either side. + + "I think I can help you by another _clue_, as a very + _odd_ incident occurred at our hunt ball last week. The + Anstruthers, I must tell you, usually go away for the winter, to + China, or to their fabulous island. This year they remained at + home, and Colonel Anstruther became M.F.H., as he is certainly a + most liberal man so far as _sport_ and _charity_ are + concerned. + + "Well, dear, the Dodgsons--you remember the Leeds clothier + people--having _contrived_ to enter county society, invited + the Earl of Ventnor down for the ball. He, it seems, knew nothing + about Anstruther being M.F.H., and of course Mrs. Anstruther + _received_. The moment Lord Ventnor heard her name he was very + angry. He said he did not care to meet her, and left for London by + the next train. The Dodgsons were _awfully_ annoyed with him, + and Mrs. Dodgson had the bad taste to tell Mrs, Anstruther all + about it. And what do you think _she_ said--'Lord Ventnor need + not have been so frightened. My husband has not brought his + hunting-crop with him!' + + "I was not there, but young Barker told me that Mrs. Anstruther + looked very _impressive_ as she said this. 'Stunning!' was the + word he used, but young Barker is a _fool_, and thinks Mrs. A. + is the most beautiful woman in Yorkshire. Her dress, they say, was + _magnificent_, which I can hardly credit, as she usually goes + about in the _plainest_ tailor-made clothes. By the way. I + forgot to mention that the Anstruthers have restored our parish + church. The vicar, of course, is enraptured with them. I dislike + people who are so free with their money and yet reserved in their + friendship. It is a sure sign, when they _court_ popularity, + that they dread something leaking out about the _past_. + + "_Do_ write soon. Don't forget 'Jenks' and 'Lord Ventnor'; + those are the lines of _inquiry_. + + "Yours, + + "MATILDA. + + "PS.--Perhaps I am misjudging them. Mrs. Anstruther has just sent + me an invitation to an 'At Home' next Thursday.--M. + + "PPS.--Dear me, this letter will never get away, I have just + destroyed another envelope to tell you that the vicar came in to + tea. From what he told me about Lord Ventnor, I imagine that Mrs. + Anstruther said no more than he deserved.--M." + +NOTE.--Colonel Anstruther's agents discovered, after long and costly +inquiry, that a Shields man named James Spence, a marine engineer, +having worked for a time as a miner in California, shipped as third +engineer on a vessel bound for Shanghai. There be quitted her. He +passed some time ashore in dissipation, took another job on a Chinese +river steamer, and was last heard of some eighteen months before the +_Sirdar_ was wrecked. He then informed a Chinese boarding-house +keeper that he was going to make his fortune by accompanying some +deep-sea fishermen, and he bought some stores and tools from a +marine-store dealer. No one knew when or where he went, but from that +date all trace of him disappeared. The only persons who mourned his +loss were his mother and sister. The last letter they received from him +was posted in Shanghai. Though the evidence connecting him with the +recluse of Rainbow Island was slight, and purely circumstantial, +Colonel Anstruther provided for the future of his relatives in a manner +that secured their lasting gratitude. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING*** + + +******* This file should be named 14917-8.txt or 14917-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Wings of the Morning</p> +<p>Author: Louis Tracy</p> +<p>Release Date: February 6, 2005 [eBook #14917]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING***</p> +<br><br><h3>E-text prepared by G. Edward Johnson<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_cover.jpg"><img alt="Image of the Cover of the book" + src="images/wm_cover_th.jpg"></a></p> + <hr> + + <h1>THE WINGS OF THE MORNING</h1> + + <h2>BY LOUIS TRACY</h2> + + <blockquote> + <p class="center">Author of <i>A Son of the Immortals</i>, <i>The + Stowaways</i>, <i>The Message</i>, <i>The Wheel o' Fortune</i>, etc.</p> + <hr> + + <p class="note"><i>If I take the wings of the morning, and + dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall + Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm + CXXXIX, 9, 10</i></p> + </blockquote> + <hr> + + <h6>New York<br> + Grosset & Dunlap<br> + Publishers</h6> + +<br> + <h4>1903</h4> + <hr> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_frontispiece.png"><img alt= + "Involuntarily she caught his arm." + src="images/wm_frontispiece_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">Involuntarily she + caught his arm. He stepped a half-pace in front of her to ward + off any danger that might be heralded by this uncanny + phenomenon. <i>Frontispiece</i></span></p> + <hr> + + <h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + <ol> + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_I">The Wreck of the Sirdar</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_II">The Survivors</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Discoveries</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Rainbow Island</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Iris to the Rescue</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Some Explanations</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Surprises</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Preparations</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">The Secret of the Cave</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Reality v. + Romance—The Case for the Plaintiff</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">The Fight</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">A Truce</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Reality v. + Romance—The Case for the Defendant</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">The Unexpected Happens</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">The Difficulty of Pleasing + Everybody</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Bargains, Great and + Small</a></li> + + <li><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Rainbow Island Again—and + Afterward</a></li> + </ol> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_I"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + + <h2>THE WRECK OF THE <i>SIRDAR</i></h2> + + <p>Lady Tozer adjusted her gold-rimmed eye-glasses with an air + of dignified aggressiveness. She had lived too many years in + the Far East. In Hong Kong she was known as the "Mandarin." Her + powers of merciless inquisition suggested torments long drawn + out. The commander of the <i>Sirdar</i>, homeward bound from + Shanghai, knew that he was about to be stretched on the rack + when he took his seat at the saloon table.</p> + + <p>"Is it true, captain, that we are running into a typhoon?" + demanded her ladyship.</p> + + <p>"From whom did you learn that, Lady Tozer?" Captain Ross was + wary, though somewhat surprised.</p> + + <p>"From Miss Deane. I understood her a moment ago to say that + you had told her."</p> + + <p>"I?"</p> + + <p>"Didn't you? Some one told me this morning. I couldn't have + guessed it, could I?" Miss Iris Deane's large blue eyes + surveyed him with innocent indifference to strict accuracy. + Incidentally, she had obtained the information from her maid, a + nose-tilted coquette who extracted ship's secrets from a + youthful quartermaster.</p> + + <p>"Well—er—I had forgotten," explained the tactful + sailor.</p> + + <p>"Is it true?"</p> + + <p>Lady Tozer <i>was</i> unusually abrupt today. But she was + annoyed by the assumption that the captain took a mere girl + into his confidence and passed over the wife of the ex-Chief + Justice of Hong Kong.</p> + + <p>"Yes, it is," said Captain Ross, equally curt, and silently + thanking the fates that her ladyship was going home for the + last time.</p> + + <p>"How horrible!" she gasped, in unaffected alarm. This return + to femininity soothed the sailor's ruffled temper.</p> + + <p>Sir John, her husband, frowned judicially. That frown + constituted his legal stock-in-trade, yet it passed current for + wisdom with the Hong Kong bar.</p> + + <p>"What evidence have you?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"Do tell us," chimed in Iris, delightfully unconscious of + interrupting the court. "Did you find out when you squinted at + the sun?"</p> + + <p>The captain smiled. "You are nearer the mark than possibly + you imagine, Miss Deane," he said. "When we took our + observations yesterday there was a very weird-looking halo + around the sun. This morning you may have noticed several light + squalls and a smooth sea marked occasionally by strong ripples. + The barometer is falling rapidly, and I expect that, as the day + wears, we will encounter a heavy swell. If the sky looks wild + tonight, and especially if we observe a heavy bank of cloud + approaching from the north-west, you see the crockery dancing + about the table at dinner. I am afraid you are not a good + sailor, Lady Tozer. Are you, Miss Deane?"</p> + + <p>"Capital! I should just love to see a real storm. Now + promise me solemnly that you will take me up into the + charthouse when this typhoon is simply tearing things to + pieces."</p> + + <p>"Oh dear! I do hope it will not be very bad. Is there no way + in which you can avoid it, captain? Will it last long?"</p> + + <p>The politic skipper for once preferred to answer Lady Tozer. + "There is no cause for uneasiness," he said. "Of course, + typhoons in the China Sea are nasty things while they last, but + a ship like the <i>Sirdar</i> is not troubled by them. She will + drive through the worst gale she is likely to meet here in less + than twelve hours. Besides, I alter the course somewhat as soon + as I discover our position with regard to its center. You see, + Miss Deane—"</p> + + <p>And Captain Ross forthwith illustrated on the back of a menu + card the spiral shape and progress of a cyclone. He so + thoroughly mystified the girl by his technical references to + northern and southern hemispheres, polar directions, revolving + air-currents, external circumferences, and diminished + atmospheric pressures, that she was too bewildered to reiterate + a desire to visit the bridge.</p> + + <p>Then the commander hurriedly excused himself, and the + passengers saw no more of him that day.</p> + + <p>But his short scientific lecture achieved a double result. + It rescued him from a request which he could not possibly + grant, and reassured Lady Tozer. To the non-nautical mind it is + the unknown that is fearful. A storm classed as "periodic," + whose velocity can be measured, whose duration and direction + can be determined beforehand by hours and distances, ceases to + be terrifying. It becomes an accepted fact, akin to the + steam-engine and the electric telegraph, marvelous yet + commonplace.</p> + + <p>So her ladyship dismissed the topic as of no present + interest, and focused Miss Deane through her eye-glasses.</p> + + <p>"Sir Arthur proposes to come home in June, I understand?" + she inquired.</p> + + <p>Iris was a remarkably healthy young woman. A large banana + momentarily engaged her attention. She nodded affably.</p> + + <p>"You will stay with relatives until he arrives?" pursued + Lady Tozer.</p> + + <p>The banana is a fruit of simple characteristics. The girl + was able to reply, with a touch of careless hauteur in her + voice:</p> + + <p>"Relatives! We have none—none whom we specially + cultivate, that is. I will stop in town a day or two to + interview my dressmaker, and then go straight to Helmdale, our + place in Yorkshire."</p> + + <p>"Surely you have a chaperon!"</p> + + <p>"A chaperon! My dear Lady Tozer, did my father impress you + as one who would permit a fussy and stout old person to make my + life miserable?"</p> + + <p>The acidity of the retort lay in the word "stout." But Iris + was not accustomed to cross-examination. During a three months' + residence on the island she had learnt how to avoid Lady Tozer. + Here it was impossible, and the older woman fastened upon her + asp-like. Miss Iris Deane was a toothsome morsel for gossip. + Not yet twenty-one, the only daughter of a wealthy baronet who + owned a fleet of stately ships—the <i>Sirdar</i> amongst + them—a girl who had been mistress of her father's house + since her return from Dresden three years ago—young, + beautiful, rich—here was a combination for which men + thanked a judicious Heaven, whilst women sniffed enviously.</p> + + <p>Business detained Sir Arthur. A war-cloud over-shadowed the + two great divisions of the yellow race. He must wait to see how + matters developed, but he would not expose Iris to the + insidious treachery of a Chinese spring. So, with tears, they + separated. She was confided to the personal charge of Captain + Ross. At each point of call the company's agents would be + solicitous for her welfare. The cable's telegraphic eye would + watch her progress as that of some princely maiden sailing in + royal caravel. This fair, slender, well-formed + girl—delightfully English in face and figure—with + her fresh, clear complexion, limpid blue eyes, and shining + brown hair, was a personage of some importance.</p> + + <p>Lady Tozer knew these things and sighed complacently.</p> + + <p>"Ah, well," she resumed. "Parents had different views when I + was a girl. But I assume Sir Arthur thinks you should become + used to being your own mistress in view of your approaching + marriage."</p> + + <p>"My—approaching—marriage!" cried Iris, now + genuinely amazed.</p> + + <p>"Yes. Is it not true that you are going to marry Lord + Ventnor?"</p> + + <p>A passing steward heard the point-blank question.</p> + + <p>It had a curious effect upon him. He gazed with fiercely + eager eyes at Miss Deane, and so far forgot himself as to + permit a dish of water ice to rest against Sir John Tozer's + bald head.</p> + + <p>Iris could not help noting his strange behavior. A flash of + humor chased away her first angry resentment at Lady Tozer's + interrogatory.</p> + + <p>"That may be my happy fate," she answered gaily, "but Lord + Ventnor has not asked me."</p> + + <p>"Every one says in Hong Kong—" began her ladyship.</p> + + <p>"Confound you, you stupid rascal! what are you doing?" + shouted Sir John. His feeble nerves at last conveyed the + information that something more pronounced than a sudden + draught affected his scalp; the ice was melting.</p> + + <p>The incident amused those passengers who sat near enough to + observe it. But the chief steward, hovering watchful near the + captain's table, darted forward. Pale with anger he + hissed—</p> + + <p>"Report yourself for duty in the second saloon tonight," and + he hustled his subordinate away from the judge's chair.</p> + + <p>Miss Deane, mirthfully radiant, rose.</p> + + <p>"Please don't punish the man, Mr. Jones," she said sweetly. + "It was a sheer accident. He was taken by surprise. In his + place I would have emptied the whole dish."</p> + + <p>The chief steward smirked. He did not know exactly what had + happened; nevertheless, great though Sir John Tozer might be, + the owner's daughter was greater.</p> + + <p>"Certainly, miss, certainly," he agreed, adding + confidentially:—"It <i>is</i> rather hard on a steward to + be sent aft, miss. It makes such a difference in + the—er—the little gratuities given by the + passengers."</p> + + <p>The girl was tactful. She smiled comprehension at the + official and bent over Sir John, now carefully polishing the + back of his skull with a table napkin.</p> + + <p>"I am sure you will forgive him," she whispered. "I can't + say why, but the poor fellow was looking so intently at me that + he did not see what he was doing."</p> + + <p>The ex-Chief Justice was instantly mollified. He did not + mind the application of ice in that way—rather liked it, + in fact—probably ice was susceptible to the fire in Miss + Deane's eyes.</p> + + <p>Lady Tozer was not so easily appeased. When Iris left the + saloon she inquired tartly: "How is it, John, that Government + makes a ship-owner a baronet and a Chief Justice only a + knight?"</p> + + <p>"That question would provide an interesting subject for + debate at the Carlton, my dear," he replied with equal + asperity.</p> + + <p>Suddenly the passengers still seated experienced a prolonged + sinking sensation, as if the vessel had been converted into a + gigantic lift. They were pressed hard into their chairs, which + creaked and tried to swing round on their pivots. As the ship + yielded stiffly to the sea a whiff of spray dashed through an + open port.</p> + + <p>"There," snapped her ladyship, "I knew we should run into a + storm, yet Captain Ross led us to believe—— John, + take me to my cabin at once."</p> + + <p>From the promenade deck the listless groups watched the + rapid advance of the gale. There was mournful speculation upon + the <i>Sirdar's</i> chances of reaching Singapore before the + next evening.</p> + + <p>"We had two hundred and ninety-eight miles to do at noon," + said Experience. "If the wind and sea catch us on the port bow + the ship will pitch awfully. Half the time the screw will be + racing. I once made this trip in the <i>Sumatra</i>, and we + were struck by a south-east typhoon in this locality. How long + do you think it was before we dropped anchor in Singapore + harbor?"</p> + + <p>No one hazarded a guess.</p> + + <p>"Three days!" Experience was solemnly pompous. "Three whole + days. They were like three years. By Jove! I never want to see + another gale like that."</p> + + <p>A timid lady ventured to say—</p> + + <p>"Perhaps this may not be a typhoon. It may only be a little + bit of a storm."</p> + + <p>Her sex saved her from a jeer. Experience gloomily shook his + head.</p> + + <p>"The barometer resists your plea," he said. "I fear there + will be a good many empty saddles in the saloon at dinner."</p> + + <p>The lady smiled weakly. It was a feeble joke at the best. + "You think we are in for a sort of marine steeple-chase?" she + asked.</p> + + <p>"Well, thank Heaven, I had a good lunch," sniggered a + rosy-faced subaltern, and a ripple of laughter greeted his + enthusiasm.</p> + + <p>Iris stood somewhat apart from the speakers. The wind had + freshened and her hat was tied closely over her ears. She + leaned against the taffrail, enjoying the cool breeze after + hours of sultry heat. The sky was cloudless yet, but there was + a queer tinge of burnished copper in the all-pervading + sunshine. The sea was coldly blue. The life had gone out of it. + It was no longer inviting and translucent. That morning, were + such a thing practicable, she would have gladly dived into its + crystal depths and disported herself like a frolicsome mermaid. + Now something akin to repulsion came with the fanciful + remembrance.</p> + + <p>Long sullen undulations swept noiselessly past the ship. + Once, after a steady climb up a rolling hill of water, the + <i>Sirdar</i> quickly pecked at the succeeding valley, and the + propeller gave a couple of angry flaps on the surface, whilst a + tremor ran through the stout iron rails on which the girl's + arms rested.</p> + + <p>The crew were busy too. Squads of Lascars raced about, + industriously obedient to the short shrill whistling of + jemadars and quartermasters. Boat lashings were tested and + tightened, canvas awnings stretched across the deck forward, + ventilator cowls twisted to new angles, and hatches clamped + down over the wooden gratings that covered the holds. Officers, + spotless in white linen, flitted quietly to and fro. When the + watch was changed. Iris noted that the "chief" appeared in an + old blue suit and carried oilskins over his arm as he climbed + to the bridge.</p> + + <p>Nature looked disturbed and fitful, and the ship responded + to her mood. There was a sense of preparation in the air, of + coming ordeal, of restless foreboding. Chains clanked with a + noise the girl never noticed before; the tramp of hurrying men + on the hurricane deck overhead sounded heavy and hollow. There + was a squeaking of chairs that was abominable when people + gathered up books and wraps and staggered ungracefully towards + the companion-way. Altogether Miss Deane was not wholly pleased + with the preliminaries of a typhoon, whatever the realities + might be.</p> + + <p>And then, why did gales always spring up at the close of + day? Could they not start after breakfast, rage with furious + grandeur during lunch, and die away peacefully at dinner-time, + permitting one to sleep in comfort without that straining and + groaning of the ship which seemed to imply a sharp attack of + rheumatism in every joint?</p> + + <p>Why did that silly old woman allude to her contemplated + marriage to Lord Ventnor, retailing the gossip of Hong Kong + with such malicious emphasis? For an instant Iris tried to + shake the railing in comic anger. She hated Lord Ventnor. She + did not want to marry him, or anybody else, just yet. Of course + her father had hinted approval of his lordship's obvious + intentions. Countess of Ventnor! Yes, it was a nice title. + Still, she wanted another couple of years of careless freedom; + in any event, why should Lady Tozer pry and probe?</p> + + <p>And finally, why did the steward—oh, poor old Sir + John! What <i>would</i> have happened if the ice had slid down + his neck? Thoroughly comforted by this gleeful hypothesis, Miss + Deane seized a favorable opportunity to dart across to the + starboard side and see if Captain Ross's "heavy bank of cloud + in the north-west" had put in an appearance.</p> + + <p>Ha! there it was, black, ominous, gigantic, rolling up over + the horizon like some monstrous football. Around it the sky + deepened into purple, fringed with a wide belt of brick red. + She had never seen such a beginning of a gale. From what she + had read in books she imagined that only in great deserts were + clouds of dust generated. There could not be dust in the dense + pall now rushing with giant strides across the trembling sea. + Then what was it? Why was it so dark and menacing? And where + was desert of stone and sand to compare with this awful expanse + of water? What a small dot was this great ship on the visible + surface! But the ocean itself extended away beyond there, + reaching out to the infinite. The dot became a mere speck, + undistinguishable beneath a celestial microscope such as the + gods might condescend to use.</p> + + <p>Iris shivered and aroused herself with a startled laugh.</p> + + <p>A nice book in a sheltered corner, and perhaps forty winks + until tea-time—surely a much more sensible proceeding + than to stand there, idly conjuring up phantoms of + affright.</p> + + <p>The lively fanfare of the dinner trumpet failed to fill the + saloon. By this time the <i>Sirdar</i> was fighting resolutely + against a stiff gale. But the stress of actual combat was + better than the eerie sensation of impending danger during the + earlier hours. The strong, hearty pulsations of the engines, + the regular thrashing of the screw, the steadfast onward + plunging of the good ship through racing seas and flying scud, + were cheery, confident, and inspiring.</p> + + <p>Miss Deane justified her boast that she was an excellent + sailor. She smiled delightedly at the ship's surgeon when he + caught her eye through the many gaps in the tables. She was + alone, so he joined her.</p> + + <p>"You are a credit to the company—quite a sea-king's + daughter," he said.</p> + + <p>"Doctor, do you talk to all your lady passengers in that + way?"</p> + + <p>"Alas, no! Too often I can only be truthful when I am + dumb."</p> + + <p>Iris laughed. "If I remain long on this ship I will + certainly have my head turned," she cried. "I receive nothing + but compliments from the captain down to—to—</p> + + <p>"The doctor!"</p> + + <p>"No. You come a good second on the list."</p> + + <p>In very truth she was thinking of the ice-carrying steward + and his queer start of surprise at the announcement of her + rumored engagement. The man interested her. He looked like a + broken-down gentleman. Her quick eyes traveled around the + saloon to discover his whereabouts. She could not see him. The + chief steward stood near, balancing himself in apparent + defiance of the laws of gravitation, for the ship was now + pitching and rolling with a mad zeal. For an instant she meant + to inquire what had become of the transgressor, but she + dismissed the thought at its inception. The matter was too + trivial.</p> + + <p>With a wild swoop all the plates, glasses, and cutlery on + the saloon tables crashed to starboard. Were it not for the + restraint of the fiddles everything must have been swept to the + floor. There were one or two minor accidents. A steward, taken + unawares, was thrown headlong on top of his laden tray. Others + were compelled to clutch the backs of chairs and cling to + pillars. One man involuntarily seized the hair of a lady who + devoted an hour before each meal to her coiffure. The + <i>Sirdar</i>, with a frenzied bound, tried to turn a + somersault.</p> + + <p>"A change of course," observed the doctor. "They generally + try to avoid it when people are in the saloon, but a typhoon + admits of no labored politeness. As its center is now right + ahead we are going on the starboard tack to get behind it."</p> + + <p>"I must hurry up and go on deck," said Miss Deane.</p> + + <p>"You will not be able to go on deck until the morning."</p> + + <p>She turned on him impetuously. "Indeed I will. Captain Ross + promised me—that is, I asked him—"</p> + + <p>The doctor smiled. She was so charmingly insistent. "It is + simply impossible," he said. "The companion doors are bolted. + The promenade deck is swept by heavy seas every minute. A boat + has been carried away and several stanchions snapped off like + carrots. For the first time in your life, Miss Deane, you are + battened down."</p> + + <p>The girl's face must have paled somewhat. He added hastily, + "There is no danger, you know, but these precautions are + necessary. You would not like to see several tons of water + rushing down the saloon stairs; now, would you?"</p> + + <p>"Decidedly not." Then after a pause, "It is not pleasant to + be fastened up in a great iron box, doctor. It reminds one of a + huge coffin."</p> + + <p>"Not a bit. The <i>Sirdar</i> is the safest ship afloat. + Your father has always pursued a splendid policy in that + respect. The London and Hong Kong Company may not possess fast + vessels, but they are seaworthy and well found in every + respect."</p> + + <p>"Are there many people ill on board?"</p> + + <p>"No; just the usual number of disturbed livers. We had a + nasty accident shortly before dinner."</p> + + <p>"Good gracious! What happened?"</p> + + <p>"Some Lascars were caught by a sea forward. One man had his + leg broken."</p> + + <p>"Anything else?"</p> + + <p>The doctor hesitated. He became interested in the color of + some Burgundy. "I hardly know the exact details yet," he + replied. "Tomorrow after breakfast I will tell you all about + it."</p> + + <p>An English quartermaster and four Lascars had been licked + from off the forecastle by the greedy tongue of a huge wave. + The succeeding surge flung the five men back against the + quarter. One of the black sailors was pitched aboard, with a + fractured leg and other injuries. The others were smashed + against the iron hull and disappeared.</p> + + <p>For one tremulous moment the engines slowed. The ship + commenced to veer off into the path of the cyclone. Captain + Ross set his teeth, and the telegraph bell jangled "Full speed + ahead."</p> + + <p>"Poor Jackson!" he murmured. "One of my best men. I remember + seeing his wife, a pretty little woman, and two children coming + to meet him last homeward trip. They will be there again. Good + God! That Lascar who was saved has some one to await him in a + Bombay village, I suppose."</p> + + <p>The gale sang a mad requiem to its victims. The very surface + was torn from the sea. The ship drove relentlessly through + sheets of spray that caused the officers high up on the bridge + to gasp for breath. They held on by main force, though + protected by strong canvas sheets bound to the rails. The main + deck was quite impassable. The promenade deck, even the lofty + spar deck, was scourged with the broken crests of waves that + tried with demoniac energy to smash in the starboard bow, for + the <i>Sirdar</i> was cutting into the heart of the + cyclone.</p> + + <p>The captain fought his way to the charthouse. He wiped the + salt water from his eyes and looked anxiously at the + barometer.</p> + + <p>"Still falling!" he muttered. "I will keep on until seven + o'clock and then bear three points to the southward. By + midnight we should be behind it."</p> + + <p>He struggled back into the outside fury. By comparison the + sturdy citadel he quitted was Paradise on the edge of an + inferno.</p> + + <p>Down in the saloon the hardier passengers were striving to + subdue the ennui of an interval before they sought their + cabins. Some talked. One hardened reprobate strummed the piano. + Others played cards, chess, draughts, anything that would + distract attention.</p> + + <p>The stately apartment offered strange contrast to the + warring elements without. Bright lights, costly upholstery, + soft carpets, carved panels and gilded cornices, with uniformed + attendants passing to and fro carrying coffee and + glasses—these surroundings suggested a floating palace in + which the raging seas were defied. Yet forty miles away, + somewhere in the furious depths, four corpses swirled about + with horrible uncertainty, lurching through battling currents, + and perchance convoyed by fighting sharks.</p> + + <p>The surgeon had been called away. Iris was the only lady + left in the saloon. She watched a set of whist players for a + time and then essayed the perilous passage to her stateroom. + She found her maid and a stewardess there. Both women were + weeping.</p> + + <p>"What is the matter?" she inquired.</p> + + <p>The stewardess tried to speak. She choked with grief and + hastily went out. The maid blubbered an explanation.</p> + + <p>"A friend of hers was married, miss, to the man who is + drowned."</p> + + <p>"Drowned! What man?"</p> + + <p>"Haven't you heard, miss? I suppose they are keeping it + quiet. An English sailor and some natives were swept off the + ship by a sea. One native was saved, but he is all smashed up. + The others were never seen again."</p> + + <p>Iris by degrees learnt the sad chronicles of the Jackson + family. She was moved to tears. She remembered the doctor's + hesitancy, and her own idle phrase—"a huge coffin."</p> + + <p>Outside the roaring waves pounded upon the iron walls.</p> + + <p>Were they not satiated? This tragedy had taken all the + grandeur out of the storm. It was no longer a majestic phase of + nature's power, but an implacable demon, bellowing for a + sacrifice. And that poor woman, with her two children, + hopefully scanning the shipping lists for news of the great + steamer, news which, to her, meant only the safety of her + husband. Oh, it was pitiful!</p> + + <p>Iris would not be undressed. The maid sniveled a request to + be allowed to remain with her mistress. She would lie on a + couch until morning.</p> + + <p>Two staterooms had been converted into one to provide Miss + Deane with ample accommodation. There were no bunks, but a cozy + bed was screwed to the deck. She lay down, and strove to read. + It was a difficult task. Her eyes wandered from the printed + page to mark the absurd antics of her garments swinging on + their hooks. At times the ship rolled so far that she felt sure + it must topple over. She was not afraid; but subdued, rather + astonished, placidly prepared for vague eventualities. Through + it all she wondered why she clung to the belief that in another + day or two the storm would be forgotten, and people playing + quoits on deck, dancing, singing coon songs in the music-room, + or grumbling at the heat.</p> + + <p>Things were ridiculous. What need was there for all this + external fury? Why should poor sailors be cast forth to instant + death in such awful manner? If she could only sleep and + forget—if kind oblivion would blot out the storm for a + few blissful hours! But how could one sleep with the + consciousness of that watery giant thundering his summons upon + the iron plates a few inches away?</p> + + <p>Then came the blurred picture of Captain Ross high up on the + bridge, peering into the moving blackness. How strange that + there should be hidden in the convolutions of a man's brain an + intelligence that laid bare the pretences of that ravenous + demon without. Each of the ship's officers, the commander more + than the others, understood the why and the wherefore of this + blustering combination of wind and sea. Iris knew the language + of poker. Nature was putting up a huge bluff.</p> + + <p>What was it the captain said in his little lecture? "When a + ship meets a cyclone north of the equator on a westerly course + she nearly always has the wind at first on the port side, but, + owing to the revolution of the gale, when she passes its center + the wind is on the starboard side."</p> + + <p>Yes, that was right, as far as the first part was concerned. + Evidently they had not yet passed the central path. Oh, dear! + She was so tired. It demanded a physical effort to constantly + shove away an unseen force that tried to push you over. How + funny that a big cloud should travel up against the wind! And + so, amidst confused wonderment, she lapsed into an uneasy + slumber, her last sentient thought being a quiet thankfulness + that the screw went thud-thud, thud-thud with such firm + determination.</p> + + <p>After the course was changed and the <i>Sirdar</i> bore away + towards the south-west, the commander consulted the barometer + each half-hour. The tell-tale mercury had sunk over two inches + in twelve hours. The abnormally low pressure quickly created + dense clouds which enhanced the melancholy darkness of the + gale.</p> + + <p>For many minutes together the bows of the ship were not + visible. Masthead and sidelights were obscured by the pelting + scud. The engines thrust the vessel forward like a lance into + the vitals of the storm. Wind and wave gushed out of the vortex + with impotent fury.</p> + + <p>At last, soon after midnight, the barometer showed a slight + upward movement. At 1.30 a.m. the change became pronounced; + simultaneously the wind swung round a point to the + westward.</p> + + <p>Then Captain Ross smiled wearily. His face brightened. He + opened his oilskin coat, glanced at the compass, and nodded + approval.</p> + + <p>"That's right," he shouted to the quartermaster at the + steam-wheel. "Keep her steady there, south 15 west."</p> + + <p>"South 15 west it is, sir," yelled the sailor, impassively + watching the moving disk, for the wind alteration necessitated + a little less help from the rudder to keep the ship's head true + to her course.</p> + + <p>Captain Ross ate some sandwiches and washed them down with + cold tea. He was more hungry than he imagined, having spent + eleven hours without food. The tea was insipid. He called + through a speaking-tube for a further supply of sandwiches and + some coffee.</p> + + <p>Then he turned to consult a chart. He was joined by the + chief officer. Both men examined the chart in silence.</p> + + <p>Captain Ross finally took a pencil. He stabbed its point on + the paper in the neighborhood of 14° N. and 112° E.</p> + + <p>"We are about there, I think."</p> + + <p>The chief agreed. "That was the locality I had in my mind." + He bent closer over the sheet.</p> + + <p>"Nothing in the way tonight, sir," he added.</p> + + <p>"Nothing whatever. It is a bit of good luck to meet such + weather here. We can keep as far south as we like until + daybreak, and by that time—How did it look when you came + in?"</p> + + <p>"A trifle better, I think."</p> + + <p>"I have sent for some refreshments. Let us have another + <i>dekko</i><a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href= + "#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> before we tackle them."</p> + + <p>The two officers passed out into the hurricane. Instantly + the wind endeavored to tear the charthouse from off the deck. + They looked aloft and ahead. The officer on duty saw them and + nodded silent comprehension. It was useless to attempt to + speak. The weather was perceptibly clearer.</p> + + <p>Then all three peered ahead again. They stood, pressing + against the wind, seeking to penetrate the murkiness in front. + Suddenly they were galvanized into strenuous activity.</p> + + <p>A wild howl came from the lookout forward. The eyes of the + three men glared at a huge dismasted Chinese junk, wallowing + helplessly in the trough of the sea, dead under the bows.</p> + + <p>The captain sprang to the charthouse and signaled in fierce + pantomime that the wheel should be put hard over.</p> + + <p>The officer in charge of the bridge pressed the telegraph + lever to "stop" and "full speed astern," whilst with his + disengaged hand he pulled hard at the siren cord, and a raucous + warning sent stewards flying through the ship to close + collision bulkhead doors. The "chief" darted to the port rail, + for the <i>Sirdar's</i> instant response to the helm seemed to + clear her nose from the junk as if by magic.</p> + + <p>It all happened so quickly that whilst the hoarse signal was + still vibrating through the ship, the junk swept past her + quarter. The chief officer, joined now by the commander, looked + down into the wretched craft. They could see her crew lashed in + a bunch around the capstan on her elevated poop. She was laden + with timber. Although water-logged, she could not sink if she + held together.</p> + + <p>A great wave sucked her away from the steamer and then + hurled her back with irresistible force. The <i>Sirdar</i> was + just completing her turning movement, and she heeled over, + yielding to the mighty power of the gale. For an appreciable + instant her engines stopped. The mass of water that swayed the + junk like a cork lifted the great ship high by the stern. The + propeller began to revolve in air—for the third officer + had corrected his signal to "full speed ahead" again—and + the cumbrous Chinese vessel struck the <i>Sirdar</i> a terrible + blow in the counter, smashing off the screw close to the + thrust-block and wrenching the rudder from its bearings.</p> + + <p>There was an awful race by the engines before the engineers + could shut off steam. The junk vanished into the wilderness of + noise and tumbling seas beyond, and the fine steamer of a few + seconds ago, replete with magnificent energy, struggled like a + wounded leviathan in the grasp of a vengeful foe.</p> + + <p>She swung round, as if in wrath, to pursue the puny + assailant which had dealt her this mortal stroke. No longer + breasting the storm with stubborn persistency, she now drifted + aimlessly before wind and wave. She was merely a larger + plaything, tossed about by Titantic gambols. The junk was burst + asunder by the collision. Her planks and cargo littered the + waves, were even tossed in derision on to the decks of the + <i>Sirdar</i>. Of what avail was strong timber or bolted iron + against the spleen of the unchained and formless monster who + loudly proclaimed his triumph? The great steamship drifted on + through chaos. The typhoon had broken the lance.</p> + + <p>But brave men, skilfully directed, wrought hard to avert + further disaster. After the first moment of stupor, gallant + British sailors risked life and limb to bring the vessel under + control.</p> + + <p>By their calm courage they shamed the paralyzed Lascars into + activity. A sail was rigged on the foremast, and a sea anchor + hastily constructed as soon as it was discovered that the helm + was useless. Rockets flared up into the sky at regular + intervals, in the faint hope that should they attract the + attention of another vessel she would follow the disabled + <i>Sirdar</i> and render help when the weather moderated.</p> + + <p>When the captain ascertained that no water was being + shipped, the damage being wholly external, the collision doors + were opened and the passengers admitted to the saloon, a + brilliant palace, superbly indifferent to the wreck and ruin + without.</p> + + <p>Captain Ross himself came down and addressed a few + comforting words to the quiet men and pallid women gathered + there. He told them exactly what had happened.</p> + + <p>Sir John Tozer, self-possessed and critical, asked a + question.</p> + + <p>"The junk is destroyed, I assume?" he said.</p> + + <p>"It is."</p> + + <p>"Would it not have been better to have struck her end + on?"</p> + + <p>"Much better, but that is not the view we should take if we + encountered a vessel relatively as big as the <i>Sirdar</i> was + to the unfortunate junk."</p> + + <p>"But," persisted the lawyer, "what would have been the + result?"</p> + + <p>"You would never have known that the incident had happened, + Sir John."</p> + + <p>"In other words, the poor despairing Chinamen, clinging to + their little craft with some chance of escape, would be quietly + murdered to suit our convenience."</p> + + <p>It was Iris's clear voice that rang out this downright + exposition of the facts. Sir John shook his head; he carried + the discussion no further.</p> + + <p>The hours passed in tedious misery after Captain Ross's + visit. Every one was eager to get a glimpse of the unknown + terrors without from the deck. This was out of the question, so + people sat around the tables to listen eagerly to Experience + and his wise saws on drifting ships and their prospects.</p> + + <p>Some cautious persons visited their cabins to secure + valuables in case of further disaster. A few hardy spirits + returned to bed.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile, in the charthouse, the captain and chief officer + were gravely pondering over an open chart, and discussing a + fresh risk that loomed ominously before them. The ship was a + long way out of her usual course when the accident happened. + She was drifting now, they estimated, eleven knots an hour, + with wind, sea, and current all forcing her in the same + direction, drifting into one of the most dangerous places in + the known world, the south China Sea, with its numberless + reefs, shoals, and isolated rocks, and the great island of + Borneo stretching right across the path of the cyclone.</p> + + <p>Still, there was nothing to be done save to make a few + unobtrusive preparations and trust to idle chance. To attempt + to anchor and ride out the gale in their present position was + out of the question.</p> + + <p>Two, three, four o'clock came, and went. Another half-hour + would witness the dawn and a further clearing of the weather. + The barometer was rapidly rising. The center of the cyclone had + swept far ahead. There was only left the aftermath of heavy + seas and furious but steadier wind.</p> + + <p>Captain Ross entered the charthouse for the twentieth + time.</p> + + <p>He had aged many years in appearance. The smiling, + confident, debonair officer was changed into a stricken, + mournful man. He had altered with his ship. The <i>Sirdar</i> + and her master could hardly be recognized, so cruel were the + blows they had received.</p> + + <p>"It is impossible to see a yard ahead," he confided to his + second in command. "I have never been so anxious before in my + life. Thank God the night is drawing to a close. Perhaps, when + day breaks—"</p> + + <p>His last words contained a prayer and a hope. Even as he + spoke the ship seemed to lift herself bodily with an unusual + effort for a vessel moving before the wind.</p> + + <p>The next instant there was a horrible grinding crash + forward. Each person who did not chance to be holding fast to + an upright was thrown violently down. The deck was tilted to a + dangerous angle and remained there, whilst the heavy buffeting + of the sea, now raging afresh at this unlooked-for resistance, + drowned the despairing yells raised by the Lascars on duty.</p> + + <p>The <i>Sirdar</i> had completed her last voyage. She was now + a battered wreck on a barrier reef. She hung thus for one + heart-breaking second. Then another wave, riding triumphantly + through its fellows, caught the great steamer in its tremendous + grasp, carried her onward for half her length and smashed her + down on the rocks. Her back was broken. She parted in two + halves. Both sections turned completely over in the utter + wantonness of destruction, and everything—masts, funnels, + boats, hull, with every living soul on board—was at once + engulfed in a maelstrom of rushing water and far-flung + spray.</p> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" + name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>Hindustani for "look"—word much used by sailors in + the East.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_II"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + + <h2>THE SURVIVORS</h2> + + <p>When the <i>Sirdar</i> parted amidships, the floor of the + saloon heaved up in the center with a mighty crash of rending + woodwork and iron. Men and women, too stupefied to sob out a + prayer, were pitched headlong into chaos. Iris, torn from the + terrified grasp of her maid, fell through a corridor, and would + have gone down with the ship had not a sailor, clinging to a + companion ladder, caught her as she whirled along the steep + slope of the deck.</p> + + <p>He did not know what had happened. With the instinct of + self-preservation he seized the nearest support when the vessel + struck. It was the mere impulse of ready helpfulness that + caused him to stretch out his left arm and clasp the girl's + waist as she fluttered past. By idle chance they were on the + port side, and the ship, after pausing for one awful second, + fell over to starboard.</p> + + <p>The man was not prepared for this second gyration. Even as + the stairway canted he lost his balance; they were both thrown + violently through the open hatchway, and swept off into the + boiling surf. Under such conditions thought itself was + impossible. A series of impressions, a number of fantastic + pictures, were received by the benumbed faculties, and + afterwards painfully sorted out by the memory. Fear, anguish, + amazement—none of these could exist. All he knew was that + the lifeless form of a woman—for Iris had happily + fainted—must be held until death itself wrenched her from + him. Then there came the headlong plunge into the swirling sea, + followed by an indefinite period of gasping oblivion. Something + that felt like a moving rock rose up beneath his feet. He was + driven clear out of the water and seemed to recognize a + familiar object rising rigid and bright close at hand. It was + the binnacle pillar, screwed to a portion of the deck which + came away from the charthouse and was rent from the upper + framework by contact with the reef.</p> + + <p>He seized this unlooked-for support with his disengaged + hand. For one fleet instant he had a confused vision of the + destruction of the ship. Both the fore and aft portions were + burst asunder by the force of compressed air. Wreckage and + human forms were tossing about foolishly. The sea pounded upon + the opposing rocks with the noise of ten thousand mighty + steam-hammers.</p> + + <p>A uniformed figure—he thought it was the + captain—stretched out an unavailing arm to clasp the + queer raft which supported the sailor and the girl. But a + jealous wave rose under the platform with devilish energy and + turned it completely over, hurling the man with his inanimate + burthen into the depths. He rose, fighting madly for his life. + Now surely he was doomed! But again, as if human existence + depended on naught more serious than the spinning of a coin, + his knees rested on the same few staunch timbers, now the + ceiling of the music-room, and he was given a brief respite. + His greatest difficulty was to get his breath, so dense was the + spray through which he was driven. Even in that terrible moment + he kept his senses. The girl, utterly unconscious, showed by + the convulsive heaving of her breast that she was choking. With + a wild effort he swung her head round to shield her from the + flying scud with his own form.</p> + + <p>The tiny air-space thus provided gave her some relief, and + in that instant the sailor seemed to recognize her. He was not + remotely capable of a definite idea. Just as he vaguely + realized the identity of the woman in his arms the unsteady + support on which he rested toppled over. Again he renewed the + unequal contest. A strong resolute man and a typhoon sea + wrestled for supremacy.</p> + + <p>This time his feet plunged against something gratefully + solid. He was dashed forward, still battling with the raging + turmoil of water, and a second time he felt the same firm yet + smooth surface. His dormant faculties awoke. It was sand. With + frenzied desperation, buoyed now by the inspiring hope of + safety, he fought his way onwards like a maniac.</p> + + <p>Often he fell, three times did the backwash try to drag him + to the swirling death behind, but he staggered blindly on, on, + until even the tearing gale ceased to be laden with the + suffocating foam, and his faltering feet sank in deep soft + white sand.</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href="images/wm_2_1.png"><img alt= + "Illustration: " + src="images/wm_2_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">With frenzied + desperation, buoyed now by the inspiring hope of safety, he + fought his way onward like a maniac.</span></p> + + <p>Then he fell, not to rise again. With a last weak flicker of + exhausted strength he drew the girl closely to him, and the two + lay, clasped tightly together, heedless now of all things.</p> + + <p>How long the man remained prostrate he could only guess + subsequently. The <i>Sirdar</i> struck soon after daybreak and + the sailor awoke to a hazy consciousness of his surroundings to + find a shaft of sunshine flickering through the clouds banked + up in the east. The gale was already passing away. Although the + wind still whistled with shrill violence it was more blustering + than threatening. The sea, too, though running very high, had + retreated many yards from the spot where he had finally + dropped, and its surface was no longer scourged with venomous + spray.</p> + + <p>Slowly and painfully he raised himself to a sitting posture, + for he was bruised and stiff. With his first movement he became + violently ill. He had swallowed much salt water, and it was not + until the spasm of sickness had passed that he thought of the + girl.</p> + + <p>She had slipped from his breast as he rose, and was lying, + face downwards, in the sand. The memory of much that had + happened surged into his brain with horrifying suddenness.</p> + + <p>"She cannot be dead," he hoarsely murmured, feebly trying to + lift her. "Surely Providence would not desert her after such an + escape. What a weak beggar I must be to give in at the last + moment. I am sure she was living when we got ashore. What on + earth can I do to revive her?"</p> + + <p>Forgetful of his own aching limbs in this newborn anxiety, + he sank on one knee and gently pillowed Iris's head and + shoulders on the other. Her eyes were closed, her lips and + teeth firmly set—a fact to which she undoubtedly owed her + life, else she would have been suffocated—and the pallor + of her skin seemed to be that terrible bloodless hue which + indicates death. The stern lines in the man's face relaxed, and + something blurred his vision. He was weak from exhaustion and + want of food. For the moment his emotions were easily + aroused.</p> + + <p>"Oh, it is pitiful," he almost whimpered. "It cannot + be!"</p> + + <p>With a gesture of despair he drew the sleeve of his thick + jersey across his eyes to clear them from the gathering mist. + Then he tremblingly endeavored to open the neck of her dress + and unclasp her corsets. He had a vague notion that ladies in a + fainting condition required such treatment, and he was + desperately resolved to bring Iris Deane back to conscious + existence if it were possible. His task was rendered difficult + by the waistband of her dress. He slipped out a clasp-knife and + opened the blade.</p> + + <p>Not until then did he discover that the nail of the + forefinger on his right hand had been torn out by the quick, + probably during his endeavors to grasp the unsteady support + which contributed so materially to his escape. It still hung by + a shred and hindered the free use of his hand. Without any + hesitation he seized the offending nail in his teeth and + completed the surgical operation by a rapid jerk.</p> + + <p>Bending to resume his task he was startled to find the + girl's eyes wide open and surveying him with shadowy alarm. She + was quite conscious, absurdly so in a sense, and had noticed + his strange action.</p> + + <p>"Thank God!" he cried hoarsely. "You are alive."</p> + + <p>Her mind as yet could only work in a single groove.</p> + + <p>"Why did you do that?" she whispered.</p> + + <p>"Do what?"</p> + + <p>"Bite your nail off!"</p> + + <p>"It was in my way. I wished to cut open your dress at the + waist. You were collapsed, almost dead, I thought, and I wanted + to unfasten your corsets."</p> + + <p>Her color came back with remarkable rapidity. From all the + rich variety of the English tongue few words could have been + selected of such restorative effect.</p> + + <p>She tried to assume a sitting posture, and instinctively her + hands traveled to her disarranged costume.</p> + + <p>"How ridiculous!" she said, with a little note of annoyance + in her voice, which sounded curiously hollow. But her brave + spirit could not yet command her enfeebled frame. She was + perforce compelled to sink back to the support of his knee and + arm.</p> + + <p>"Do you think you could lie quiet until I try to find some + water?" he gasped anxiously.</p> + + <p>She nodded a childlike acquiescence, and her eyelids fell. + It was only that her eyes smarted dreadfully from the salt + water, but the sailor was sure that this was a premonition of a + lapse to unconsciousness.</p> + + <p>"Please try not to faint again," he said. "Don't you think I + had better loosen these things? You can breathe more + easily."</p> + + <p>A ghost of a smile flickered on her lips. "No—no," she + murmured. "My eyes hurt me—that is all. Is + there—any—water?"</p> + + <p>He laid her tenderly on the sand and rose to his feet. His + first glance was towards the sea. He saw something which made + him blink with astonishment. A heavy sea was still running over + the barrier reef which enclosed a small lagoon. The contrast + between the fierce commotion outside and the comparatively + smooth surface of the protected pool was very marked. At low + tide the lagoon was almost completely isolated. Indeed, he + imagined that only a fierce gale blowing from the northwest + would enable the waves to leap the reef, save where a strip of + broken water, surging far into the small natural harbor, + betrayed the position of the tiny entrance.</p> + + <p>Yet at this very point a fine cocoanut palm reared its + stately column high in air, and its long tremulous fronds were + now swinging wildly before the gale. From where he stood it + appeared to be growing in the midst of the sea, for huge + breakers completely hid the coral embankment. This sentinel of + the land had a weirdly impressive effect. It was the only fixed + object in the waste of foam-capped waves. Not a vestige of the + <i>Sirdar</i> remained seaward, but the sand was littered with + wreckage, and—mournful spectacle!—a considerable + number of inanimate human forms lay huddled up amidst the + relics of the steamer.</p> + + <p>This discovery stirred him to action. He turned to survey + the land on which he was stranded with his helpless companion. + To his great relief he discovered that it was lofty and + tree-clad. He knew that the ship could not have drifted to + Borneo, which still lay far to the south. This must be one of + the hundreds of islands which stud the China Sea and provide + resorts for Haïnan fishermen. Probably it was inhabited, + though he thought it strange that none of the islanders had put + in an appearance. In any event, water and food, of some sort, + were assured.</p> + + <p>But before setting out upon his quest two things demanded + attention. The girl must be removed from her present position. + It would be too horrible to permit her first conscious gaze to + rest upon those crumpled objects on the beach. Common humanity + demanded, too, that he should hastily examine each of the + bodies in case life was not wholly extinct.</p> + + <p>So he bent over the girl, noting with sudden wonder that, + weak as she was, she had managed to refasten part of her + bodice.</p> + + <p>"You must permit me to carry you a little further inland," + he explained gently.</p> + + <p>Without another word he lifted her in his arms, marveling + somewhat at the strength which came of necessity, and bore her + some little distance, until a sturdy rock, jutting out of the + sand, offered shelter from the wind and protection from the sea + and its revelations.</p> + + <p>"I am so cold, and tired," murmured Iris. "Is there any + water? My throat hurts me."</p> + + <p>He pressed back the tangled hair from her forehead as he + might soothe a child.</p> + + <p>"Try to lie still for a very few minutes," he said.</p> + + <p>"You have not long to suffer. I will return + immediately."</p> + + <p>His own throat and palate were on fire owing to the brine, + but he first hurried back to the edge of the lagoon. There were + fourteen bodies in all, three women and eleven men, four of the + latter being Lascars. The women were saloon passengers whom he + did not know. One of the men was the surgeon, another the first + officer, a third Sir John Tozer. The rest were passengers and + members of the crew. They were all dead; some had been + peacefully drowned, others were fearfully mangled by the rocks. + Two of the Lascars, bearing signs of dreadful injuries, were + lying on a cluster of low rocks overhanging the water. The + remainder rested on the sand.</p> + + <p>The sailor exhibited no visible emotion whilst he conducted + his sad scrutiny. When he was assured that this silent company + was beyond mortal help he at once strode away towards the + nearest belt of trees. He could not tell how long the search + for water might be protracted, and there was pressing need for + it.</p> + + <p>When he reached the first clump of brushwood he uttered a + delighted exclamation. There, growing in prodigal luxuriance, + was the beneficent pitcher-plant, whose large curled-up leaf, + shaped like a teacup, not only holds a lasting quantity of + rain-water, but mixes therewith its own palatable and natural + juices.</p> + + <p>With his knife he severed two of the leaves, swearing + emphatically the while on account of his damaged finger, and + hastened to Iris with the precious beverage. She heard him and + managed to raise herself on an elbow.</p> + + <p>The poor girl's eyes glistened at the prospect of relief. + Without a word of question or surprise she swallowed the + contents of both leaves.</p> + + <p>Then she found utterance. "How odd it tastes! What is it?" + she inquired.</p> + + <p>But the eagerness with which she quenched her thirst renewed + his own momentarily forgotten torture. His tongue seemed to + swell. He was absolutely unable to reply.</p> + + <p>The water revived Iris like a magic draught. Her quick + intuition told her what had happened.</p> + + <p>"You have had none yourself," she cried. "Go at once and get + some. And please bring me some more."</p> + + <p>He required no second bidding. After hastily gulping down + the contents of several leaves he returned with a further + supply. Iris was now sitting up. The sun had burst royally + through the clouds, and her chilled limbs were gaining some + degree of warmth and elasticity.</p> + + <p>"What is it?" she repeated after another delicious + draught.</p> + + <p>"The leaf of the pitcher-plant. Nature is not always cruel. + In an unusually generous mood she devised this method of + storing water."</p> + + <p>Miss Deane reached out her hand for more. Her troubled brain + refused to wonder at such a reply from an ordinary seaman. The + sailor deliberately spilled the contents of a remaining leaf on + the sand.</p> + + <p>"No, madam," he said, with an odd mixture of deference and + firmness. "No more at present. I must first procure you some + food."</p> + + <p>She looked up at him in momentary silence.</p> + + <p>"The ship is lost?" she said after a pause.</p> + + <p>"Yes, madam."</p> + + <p>"Are we the only people saved?"</p> + + <p>"I fear so."</p> + + <p>"Is this a desert island?"</p> + + <p>"I think not, madam. It may, by chance, be temporarily + uninhabited, but fishermen from China come to all these places + to collect tortoise-shell and <i>bêche-de-mer</i>. I have + seen no other living beings except ourselves; nevertheless, the + islanders may live on the south side."</p> + + <p>Another pause. Amidst the thrilling sensations of the moment + Iris found herself idly speculating as to the meaning of + <i>bêche-de-mer</i>, and why this common sailor + pronounced French so well. Her thoughts reverted to the + steamer.</p> + + <p>"It surely cannot be possible that the <i>Sirdar</i> has + gone to pieces—a magnificent vessel of her size and + strength?"</p> + + <p>He answered quietly—"It is too true, madam. I suppose + you hardly knew she struck, it happened so suddenly. + Afterwards, fortunately for you, you were unconscious."</p> + + <p>"How do you know?" she inquired quickly. A flood of vivid + recollection was pouring in upon her.</p> + + <p>"I—er—well, I happened to be near you, madam, + when the ship broke up, and we—er—drifted ashore + together."</p> + + <p>She rose and faced him. "I remember now," she cried + hysterically. "You caught me as I was thrown into the corridor. + We fell into the sea when the vessel turned over. You have + saved my life. Were it not for you I could not possibly have + escaped."</p> + + <p>She gazed at him more earnestly, seeing that he blushed + beneath the crust of salt and sand that covered his face. + "Why," she went on with growing excitement, "you are the + steward I noticed in the saloon yesterday. How is it that you + are now dressed as a sailor?"</p> + + <p>He answered readily enough. "There was an accident on board + during the gale, madam. I am a fair sailor but a poor steward, + so I applied for a transfer. As the crew were short-handed my + offer was accepted."</p> + + <p>Iris was now looking at him intently.</p> + + <p>"You saved my life," she repeated slowly. It seemed that + this obvious fact needed to be indelibly established in her + mind. Indeed the girl was overwrought by all that she had gone + through. Only by degrees were her thoughts marshaling + themselves with lucid coherence. As yet, she recalled so many + dramatic incidents that they failed to assume due + proportion.</p> + + <p>But quickly there came memories of Captain Ross, of Sir John + and Lady Tozer, of the doctor, her maid, the hundred and one + individualities of her pleasant life aboard ship. Could it be + that they were all dead? The notion was monstrous. But its + ghastly significance was instantly borne in upon her by the + plight in which she stood. Her lips quivered; the tears + trembled in her eyes.</p> + + <p>"Is it really true that all the ship's company except + ourselves are lost?" she brokenly demanded.</p> + + <p>The sailor's gravely earnest glance fell before hers. + "Unhappily there is no room for doubt," he said.</p> + + <p>"Are you quite, quite sure?"</p> + + <p>"I am sure—of some." Involuntarily he turned + seawards.</p> + + <p>She understood him. She sank to her knees, covered her face + with her hands, and broke into a passion of weeping. With a + look of infinite pity he stooped and would have touched her + shoulder, but he suddenly restrained the impulse. Something had + hardened this man. It cost him an effort to be callous, but he + succeeded. His mouth tightened and his expression lost its + tenderness.</p> + + <p>"Come, come, my dear lady," he exclaimed, and there was a + tinge of studied roughness in his voice, "you must calm + yourself. It is the fortune of shipwreck as well as of war, you + know. We are alive and must look after ourselves. Those who + have gone are beyond our help."</p> + + <p>"But not beyond our sympathy," wailed Iris, uncovering her + swimming eyes for a fleeting look at him. Even in the utter + desolation of the moment she could not help marveling that this + queer-mannered sailor, who spoke like a gentleman and tried to + pose as her inferior, who had rescued her with the utmost + gallantry, who carried his Quixotic zeal to the point of first + supplying her needs when he was in far worse case himself, + should be so utterly indifferent to the fate of others.</p> + + <p>He waited silently until her sobs ceased.</p> + + <p>"Now, madam," he said, "it is essential that we should + obtain some food. I don't wish to leave you alone until we are + better acquainted with our whereabouts. Can you walk a little + way towards the trees, or shall I assist you?"</p> + + <p>Iris immediately stood up. She pressed her hair back + defiantly.</p> + + <p>"Certainly I can walk," she answered. "What do you propose + to do?"</p> + + <p>"Well, madam—"</p> + + <p>"What is your name?" she interrupted imperiously.</p> + + <p>"Jenks, madam. Robert Jenks."</p> + + <p>"Thank you. Now, listen, Mr. Robert Jenks. My name is Miss + Iris Deane. On board ship I was a passenger and you were a + steward—that is, until you became a seaman. Here we are + equals in misfortune, but in all else you are the + leader—I am quite useless. I can only help in matters by + your direction, so I do not wish to be addressed as 'madam' in + every breath. Do you understand me?"</p> + + <p>Conscious that her large blue eyes were fixed indignantly + upon him Mr. Robert Jenks repressed a smile. She was still + hysterical and must be humored in her vagaries. What an odd + moment for a discussion on etiquette!</p> + + <p>"As you wish, Miss Deane," he said. "The fact remains that I + have many things to attend to, and we really must eat + something."</p> + + <p>"What can we eat?"</p> + + <p>"Let us find out," he replied, scanning the nearest trees + with keen scrutiny.</p> + + <p>They plodded together through the sand in silence. + Physically, they were a superb couple, but in raiment they + resembled scarecrows. Both, of course, were bare-headed. The + sailor's jersey and trousers were old and torn, and the + sea-water still soughed loudly in his heavy boots with each + step.</p> + + <p>But Iris was in a deplorable plight. Her hair fell in a + great wave of golden brown strands over her neck and shoulders. + Every hairpin had vanished, but with a few dexterous twists she + coiled the flying tresses into a loose knot. Her beautiful + muslin dress was rent and draggled. It was drying rapidly under + the ever-increasing power of the sun, and she surreptitiously + endeavored to complete the fastening of the open portion about + her neck. Other details must be left until a more favorable + opportunity.</p> + + <p>She recalled the strange sight that first met her eyes when + she recovered consciousness.</p> + + <p>"You hurt your finger," she said abruptly. "Let me see + it."</p> + + <p>They had reached the shelter of the trees, pleasantly + grateful now, so powerful are tropical sunbeams at even an + early hour.</p> + + <p>He held out his right hand without looking at her. Indeed, + his eyes had been studiously averted during the past few + minutes. Her womanly feelings were aroused by the condition of + the ragged wound.</p> + + <p>"Oh, you poor fellow," she said. "How awful it must be! How + did it happen? Let me tie it up."</p> + + <p>"It is not so bad now," he said. "It has been well soaked in + salt water, you know. I think the nail was torn off when + we—when a piece of wreckage miraculously turned up + beneath us."</p> + + <p>Iris shredded a strip from her dress. She bound the finger + with deft tenderness.</p> + + <p>"Thank you," he said simply. Then he gave a glad shout. "By + Jove! Miss Deane, we are in luck's way. There is a fine + plantain tree."</p> + + <p>The pangs of hunger could not be resisted. Although the + fruit was hardly ripe they tore at the great bunches and ate + ravenously. Iris made no pretence in the matter, and the sailor + was in worse plight, for he had been on duty continuously since + four o'clock the previous afternoon.</p> + + <p>At last their appetite was somewhat appeased, though + plantains might not appeal to a gourmand as the solitary + joint.</p> + + <p>"Now," decided Jenks, "you must rest here a little while, + Miss Deane. I am going back to the beach. You need not be + afraid. There are no animals to harm you, and I will not be far + away."</p> + + <p>"What are you going to do on the beach?" she demanded.</p> + + <p>"To rescue stores, for the most part."</p> + + <p>"May I not come with you—I can be of some little + service, surely?"</p> + + <p>He answered slowly: "Please oblige me by remaining here at + present. In less than an hour I will return, and then, perhaps, + you will find plenty to do."</p> + + <p>She read his meaning intuitively and shivered. "I could not + do <i>that</i>," she murmured. "I would faint. Whilst you are + away I will pray for them—my unfortunate friends."</p> + + <p>As he passed from her side he heard her sobbing quietly.</p> + + <p>When he reached the lagoon he halted suddenly. Something + startled him. He was quite certain that he had counted fourteen + corpses. Now there were only twelve. The two Lascars' bodies, + which rested on the small group of rocks on the verge of the + lagoon, had vanished.</p> + + <p>Where had they gone to?</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_III"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + + <h2>DISCOVERIES</h2> + + <p>The sailor wasted no time in idle bewilderment. He searched + carefully for traces of the missing Lascars. He came to the + conclusion that the bodies had been dragged from off the + sun-dried rocks into the lagoon by some agency the nature of + which he could not even conjecture.</p> + + <p>They were lying many feet above the sea-level when he last + saw them, little more than half an hour earlier. At that point + the beach shelved rapidly. He could look far into the depths of + the rapidly clearing water. Nothing was visible there save + several varieties of small fish.</p> + + <p>The incident puzzled and annoyed him. Still thinking about + it, he sat down on the highest rock and pulled off his heavy + boots to empty the water out. He also divested himself of his + stockings and spread them out to dry.</p> + + <p>The action reminded him of Miss Deane's necessities. He + hurried to a point whence he could call out to her and + recommend her to dry some of her clothing during his absence. + He retired even more quickly, fearing lest he should be seen. + Iris had already displayed to the sunlight a large portion of + her costume.</p> + + <p>Without further delay he set about a disagreeable but + necessary task. From the pockets of the first officer and + doctor he secured two revolvers and a supply of cartridges, + evidently intended to settle any dispute which might have + arisen between the ship's officers and the native members of + the crew. He hoped the cartridges were uninjured; but he could + not test them at the moment for fear of alarming Miss + Deane.</p> + + <p>Both officers carried pocket-books and pencils. In one of + these, containing dry leaves, the sailor made a careful + inventory of the money and other valuable effects he found upon + the dead, besides noting names and documents where possible. + Curiously enough, the capitalist of this island morgue was a + Lascar jemadar, who in a belt around his waist hoarded more + than one hundred pounds in gold. The sailor tied in a + handkerchief all the money he collected, and ranged + pocket-books, letters, and jewelry in separate little heaps. + Then he stripped the men of their boots and outer clothing. He + could not tell how long the girl and he might be detained on + the island before help came, and fresh garments were essential. + It would be foolish sentimentality to trust to stores thrown + ashore from the ship.</p> + + <p>Nevertheless, when it became necessary to search and disrobe + the women he almost broke down. For an instant he softened. + Gulping back his emotions with a savage imprecation he doggedly + persevered. At last he paused to consider what should be done + with the bodies. His first intent was to scoop a large hole in + the sand with a piece of timber; but when he took into + consideration the magnitude of the labor involved, requiring + many hours of hard work and a waste of precious time which + might be of infinite value to his helpless companion and + himself, he was forced to abandon the project. It was not only + impracticable but dangerous.</p> + + <p>Again he had to set his teeth with grim resolution. One by + one the bodies were shot into the lagoon from the little quay + of rock. He knew they would not be seen again.</p> + + <p>He was quite unnerved now. He felt as if he had committed a + colossal crime. In the smooth water of the cove a number of + black fins were cutting arrow-shaped ripples. The sharks were + soon busy. He shuddered. God's Providence had ferried him and + the girl across that very place a few hours ago. How wonderful + that he and she should be snatched from the sea whilst hundreds + perished! Why was it? And those others—why were they + denied rescue? For an instant he was nearer to prayer than he + had been for years.</p> + + <p>Some lurking fiend of recollection sprang from out the vista + of bygone years and choked back the impulse. He arose and shook + himself like a dog. There was much to be done. He gathered the + clothes and other articles into a heap and placed portions of + shattered packing-cases near—to mislead Iris. Whilst thus + engaged he kicked up out of the sand a rusty kriss, or Malay + sword. The presence of this implement startled him. He examined + it slowly and thrust it out of sight.</p> + + <p>Then he went back to her, after donning his stockings and + boots, now thoroughly dry.</p> + + <p>"Are you ready now, Miss Deane?" he sang out cheerily.</p> + + <p>"Ready? I have been waiting for you."</p> + + <p>Jenks chuckled quietly. "I must guard my tongue: it betrays + me," he said to himself.</p> + + <p>Iris joined him. By some mysterious means she had effected + great improvement in her appearance. Yet there were manifest + gaps.</p> + + <p>"If only I had a needle and thread—" she began.</p> + + <p>"If that is all," said the sailor, fumbling in his pockets. + He produced a shabby little hussif, containing a thimble, + scissors, needles and some skeins of unbleached thread. Case + and contents were sodden or rusted with salt water, but the + girl fastened upon this treasure with a sigh of deep + content.</p> + + <p>"Now, please," she cried, "I want a telegraph office and a + ship."</p> + + <p>It was impossible to resist the infection of her high + spirits. This time he laughed without concealment.</p> + + <p>"We will look for them, Miss Deane. Meanwhile, will you + oblige me by wearing this? The sun is climbing up rapidly."</p> + + <p>He handed her a sou'wester which he carried. He had secured + another for himself. The merriment died away from her face. She + remembered his errand. Being an eminently sensible young woman + she made no protest, even forcing herself to tie the strings + beneath her chin.</p> + + <p>When they reached the sands she caught sight of the pile of + clothes and the broken woodwork, with the small heaps of + valuables methodically arranged. The harmless subterfuge did + not deceive her. She darted a quick look of gratitude at her + companion. How thoughtful he was! After a fearful glance around + she was reassured, though she wondered what had become + of—them.</p> + + <p>"I see you have been busy," she said, nodding towards the + clothes and boots.</p> + + <p>It was his turn to steal a look of sharp inquiry. 'Twere an + easier task to read the records of time in the solid rock than + to glean knowledge from the girl's face.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he replied simply. "Lucky find, wasn't it?"</p> + + <p>"Most fortunate. When they are quite dry I will replenish my + wardrobe. What is the first thing to be done?"</p> + + <p>"Well, Miss Deane, I think our programme is, in the first + place, to examine the articles thrown ashore and see if any of + the cases contain food. Secondly, we should haul high and dry + everything that may be of use to us, lest the weather should + break again and the next tide sweep away the spoil. Thirdly, we + should eat and rest, and finally, we must explore the island + before the light fails. I am convinced we are alone here. It is + a small place at the best, and if any Chinamen were ashore they + would have put in an appearance long since."</p> + + <p>"Do you think, then, that we may remain here long?"</p> + + <p>"It is impossible to form an opinion on that point. Help may + come in a day. On the other hand—"</p> + + <p>"Yes?"</p> + + <p>"It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to prepare for other + contingencies."</p> + + <p>She stood still, and swept the horizon with comprehensive + eyes. The storm had vanished. Masses of cloud were passing away + to the west, leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky. Already + the sea was calming. Huge breakers roared over the reef, but + beyond it the waves were subsiding into a heavy unbroken + swell.</p> + + <p>The sailor watched her closely. In the quaint oilskin hat + and her tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty. + She reminded him of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom + he once saw figuring as Grace Darling at a fashionable + bazaar.</p> + + <p>But Miss Iris's thoughts were serious.</p> + + <p>"Do you mean," she said slowly, without moving her gaze from + the distant meeting-place of sky and water, "that we may be + imprisoned here for weeks, perhaps months?"</p> + + <p>"If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps + admit that we are very fortunate to be here at all."</p> + + <p>She whisked round upon him. "Do not fence with my question, + Mr. Jenks. Answer me!"</p> + + <p>He bowed. There was a perceptible return of his stubborn + cynicism when he spoke.</p> + + <p>"The facts are obvious, Miss Deane. The loss of the + <i>Sirdar</i> will not be definitely known for many days. It + will be assumed that she has broken down. The agents in + Singapore will await cabled tidings of her whereabouts. She + might have drifted anywhere in that typhoon. Ultimately they + will send out a vessel to search, impelled to that course a + little earlier by your father's anxiety. Pardon me. I did not + intend to pain you. I am speaking my mind."</p> + + <p>"Go on," said Iris bravely.</p> + + <p>"The relief ship must search the entire China Sea. The gale + might have driven a disabled steamer north, south, east or + west. A typhoon travels in a whirling spiral, you see, and the + direction of a drifting ship depends wholly upon the locality + where she sustained damage. The coasts of China, Java, Borneo, + and the Philippines are not equipped with lighthouses on every + headland and cordoned with telegraph wires. There are river + pirates and savage races to be reckoned with. Casting aside all + other possibilities, and assuming that a prompt search is made + to the south of our course, this part of the ocean is full of + reefs and small islands, some inhabited permanently, others + visited occasionally by fishermen." He was about to add + something, but checked himself.</p> + + <p>"To sum up," he continued hurriedly, "we may have to remain + here for many days, even months. There is always a chance of + speedy help. We must act, however, on the basis of detention + for an indefinite period. I am discussing appearances as they + are. A survey of the island may change all these views."</p> + + <p>"In what way?"</p> + + <p>He turned and pointed to the summit of the tree-covered hill + behind them.</p> + + <p>"From that point," he said, "we may see other and larger + islands. If so, they will certainly be inhabited. I am + surprised this one is not."</p> + + <p>He ended abruptly. They were losing time. Before Iris could + join him he was already hauling a large undamaged case out of + the water.</p> + + <p>He laughed unmirthfully. "Champagne!" he said, "A good + brand, too!"</p> + + <p>This man was certainly an enigma. Iris wrinkled her pretty + forehead in the effort to place him in a fitting category. His + words and accent were those of an educated gentleman, yet his + actions and manners were studiously uncouth when he thought she + was observing him. The veneer of roughness puzzled her. That he + was naturally of refined temperament she knew quite well, not + alone by perception but by the plain evidence of his earlier + dealings with her. Then why this affectation of coarseness, + this borrowed aroma of the steward's mess and the + forecastle?</p> + + <p>To the best of her ability she silently helped in the work + of salvage. They made a queer collection. A case of champagne, + and another of brandy. A box of books. A pair of night glasses. + A compass. Several boxes of ship's biscuits, coated with salt, + but saved by their hardness, having been immersed but a few + seconds. Two large cases of hams in equally good condition. + Some huge dish-covers. A bit of twisted ironwork, and a great + quantity of cordage and timber.</p> + + <p>There was one very heavy package which their united strength + could not lift. The sailor searched round until he found an + iron bar that could be wrenched from its socket. With this he + pried open the strong outer cover and revealed the + contents—regulation boxes of Lee-Metford ammunition, each + containing 500 rounds.</p> + + <p>"Ah!" he cried, "now we want some rifles."</p> + + <p>"What good would they be?" inquired Iris.</p> + + <p>He softly denounced himself as a fool, but he answered at + once: "To shoot birds, of course, Miss Deane. There are plenty + here, and many of them are edible."</p> + + <p>"You have two revolvers and some cartridges."</p> + + <p>"Yes. They are useful in a way, but not for pot + hunting."</p> + + <p>"How stupid of me! What you really need is a shot-gun."</p> + + <p>He smiled grimly. At times his sense of humor forced a way + through the outward shield of reserve, of defiance it might + be.</p> + + <p>"The only persons I ever heard of," he said, "who landed + under compulsion on a desert island with a ship-load of + requisites, were the Swiss Family Robinson."</p> + + <p>"Good gracious!" cried Iris irrelevantly; "I had not even + thought of Robinson Crusoe until this moment. Isn't it odd? + I—we—"</p> + + <p>She pulled herself up short, firmly resolved not to blush. + Without flinching she challenged him to complete her sentence. + He dared not do it. He could not be mean enough to take + advantage of her slip.</p> + + <p>Instantly he helped her embarrassment. "I hope the parallel + will not hold good," he said. "In any event, you, Miss Deane, + fill a part less familiar in fiction."</p> + + <p>The phrase was neat. It meant much or little, as fancy + dictated. Iris at first felt profoundly grateful for his tact. + Thinking the words over at leisure she became hot and very + angry.</p> + + <p>They worked in silence for another hour. The sun was nearing + the zenith. They were distressed with the increasing heat of + the day. Jenks secured a ham and some biscuits, some pieces of + driftwood and the binoculars, and invited Miss Deane to + accompany him to the grove. She obeyed without a word, though + she wondered how he proposed to light a fire. To contribute + something towards the expected feast she picked up a dish-cover + and a bottle of champagne.</p> + + <p>The sailor eyed the concluding item with disfavor. "Not + whilst the sun is up." he said. "In the evening, yes."</p> + + <p>"It was for you," explained Iris, coldly. "I do not drink + wine."</p> + + <p>"You must break the pledge whilst you are here, Miss Deane. + It is often very cold at night in this latitude. A chill would + mean fever and perhaps death."</p> + + <p>"What a strange man!" murmured the girl.</p> + + <p>She covertly watched his preparations. He tore a dry leaf + from a notebook and broke the bullet out of a cartridge, + damping the powder with water from a pitcher-plant. Smearing + the composition on the paper, he placed it in the sun, where it + dried at once. He gathered a small bundle of withered spines + from the palms, and arranged the driftwood on top, choosing a + place for his bonfire just within the shade. Then, inserting + the touch-paper among the spines, he unscrewed one of the + lenses of the binoculars, converted it into a burning-glass, + and had a fine blaze roaring merrily in a few minutes. With the + aid of pointed sticks he grilled some slices of ham, cut with + his clasp-knife, which he first carefully cleaned in the earth. + The biscuits were of the variety that become soft when toasted, + and so he balanced a few by stones near the fire.</p> + + <p>Iris forgot her annoyance in her interest. A most appetizing + smell filled the air. They were having a picnic amidst + delightful surroundings. Yesterday at this time—she + almost yielded to a rush of sentiment, but forced it back with + instant determination. Tears were a poor resource, unmindful of + God's goodness to herself and her companion. Without the sailor + what would have become of her, even were she thrown ashore + while still living? She knew none of the expedients which + seemed to be at his command. It was a most ungrateful + proceeding to be vexed with him for her own thoughtless + suggestion that she occupied a new rôle as Mrs. + Crusoe.</p> + + <p>"Can I do nothing to help?" she exclaimed. So contrite was + her tone that Jenks was astonished.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he said, pointing to the dish-cover. "If you polish + the top of that with your sleeve it will serve as a plate. + Luncheon is ready."</p> + + <p>He neatly dished up two slices of ham on a couple of + biscuits and handed them to her, with the clasp-knife.</p> + + <p>"I can depend on my fingers," he explained. "It will not be + the first time."</p> + + <p>"Have you led an adventurous life?" she asked, by way of + polite conversation.</p> + + <p>"No," he growled.</p> + + <p>"I only thought so because you appear to know all sorts of + dodges for prolonging existence—things I never heard + of."</p> + + <p>"Broiled ham—and biscuits—for instance?"</p> + + <p>At another time Iris would have snapped at him for the + retort. Still humbly regretful for her previous attitude she + answered meekly—</p> + + <p>"Yes, in this manner of cooking them, I mean. But there are + other items—methods of lighting fires, finding water, + knowing what fruits and other articles may be found on a desert + island, such as plantains and cocoanuts, certain sorts of + birds—and <i>bêche-de-mer</i>."</p> + + <p>For the life of her she could not tell why she tacked on + that weird item to her list.</p> + + <p>The sailor inquired, more civilly—"Then you are + acquainted with trepang?"</p> + + <p>"Who?"</p> + + <p>"Trepang—<i>bêche-de-mer</i>, you know."</p> + + <p>Iris made a desperate guess. "Yes," she said, demurely. "It + makes beautiful backs for hair brushes. And it looks so nice as + a frame for platinotype photographs. I have—"</p> + + <p>Jenks swallowed a large piece of ham and became very red. At + last he managed to say—"I beg your pardon. You are + thinking of tortoise-shell. <i>Bêche-de-mer</i> is a sort + of marine slug."</p> + + <p>"How odd!" said Iris.</p> + + <p>She had discovered at an early age the tactical value of + this remark, and the experience of maturer years confirmed the + success of juvenile efforts to upset the equanimity of + governesses. Even the sailor was silenced.</p> + + <p>Talk ceased until the meal was ended. Jenks sprang lightly + to his feet. Rest and food had restored his faculties. The girl + thought dreamily, as he stood there in his rough attire, that + she had never seen a finer man. He was tall, sinewy, and well + formed. In repose his face was pleasant, if masterful. Its + somewhat sullen, self-contained expression was occasional and + acquired. She wondered how he could be so energetic. Personally + she was consumed with sleepiness.</p> + + <p>He produced a revolver.</p> + + <p>"Do you mind if I fire a shot to test these cartridges?" he + inquired. "The powder is all right, but the fulminate in the + caps may be damaged."</p> + + <p>She agreed promptly. He pointed the weapon at a cluster of + cocoanuts, and there was a loud report. Two nuts fell to the + ground, and the air was filled with shrill screams and the + flapping of innumerable wings. Iris was momentarily dismayed, + but her senses confirmed the sailor's + explanation—"Sea-birds."</p> + + <p>He reloaded the empty chamber, and was about to say + something, when a queer sound, exactly resembling the gurgling + of water poured from a large bottle, fell upon their ears. It + came from the interior of the grove, and the two exchanged a + quick look of amazed questioning. Jenks took a hasty step in + the direction of the noise, but he stopped and laughed at his + own expense. Iris liked the sound of his mirth. It was genuine, + not forced.</p> + + <p>"I remember now," he explained. "The wou-wou monkey cries in + that peculiar warble. The presence of the animal here shows + that the island has been inhabited at some time."</p> + + <p>"You remember?" repeated the girl. "Then you have been in + this part of the world before?"</p> + + <p>"No. I mean I have read about it."</p> + + <p>Twice in half an hour had he curtly declined to indulge in + personal reminiscences.</p> + + <p>"Can you use a revolver?" he went on.</p> + + <p>"My father taught me. He thinks every woman should know how + to defend herself if need be."</p> + + <p>"Excellent. Well, Miss Deane, you must try to sleep for a + couple of hours. I purpose examining the coast for some + distance on each side. Should you want me, a shot will be the + best sort of signal."</p> + + <p>"I am very tired," she admitted. "But you?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, I am all right. I feel restless; that is, I mean I will + not be able to sleep until night comes, and before we climb the + hill to survey our domain I want to find better quarters than + we now possess."</p> + + <p>Perhaps, were she less fatigued, she would have caught the + vague anxiety, the note of distrust, in his voice. But the + carpet of sand and leaves on which she lay was very seductive. + Her eyes closed. She nestled into a comfortable position, and + slept.</p> + + <p>The man looked at her steadily for a little while. Then he + moved the revolver out of harm's way to a spot where she must + see it instantly, pulled his sou'wester well over his eyes and + walked off quietly.</p> + + <p>They were flung ashore on the north-west side of the island. + Except for the cove formed by the coral reef, with its + mysterious palm-tree growing apparently in the midst of the + waves, the shape of the coast was roughly that of the concave + side of a bow, the two visible extremities being about + three-quarters of a mile apart.</p> + + <p>He guessed, by the way in which the sea raced past these + points, that the land did not extend beyond them. Behind him, + it rose steeply to a considerable height, 150 or 200 feet. In + the center was the tallest hill, which seemed to end abruptly + towards the south-west. On the north-east side it was connected + with a rocky promontory by a ridge of easy grade. The sailor + turned to the south-west, as offering the most likely direction + for rapid survey.</p> + + <p>He followed the line of vegetation; there the ground was + firm and level. There was no suggestion of the mariner's roll + in his steady gait. Alter his clothing, change the heavy boots + into spurred Wellingtons, and he would be the <i>beau + idéal</i> of a cavalry soldier, the order of Melchisedec + in the profession of arms.</p> + + <p>He was not surprised to find that the hill terminated in a + sheer wall of rock, which stood out, ominous and massive, from + the wealth of verdure clothing the remainder of the ridge. + Facing the precipice, and separated from it by a strip of + ground not twenty feet above the sea-level in the highest part, + was another rock-built eminence, quite bare of trees, blackened + by the weather and scarred in a manner that attested the + attacks of lightning.</p> + + <p>He whistled softly. "By Jove!" he said. "Volcanic, and + highly mineralized."</p> + + <p>The intervening belt was sparsely dotted with trees, + casuarinas, poon, and other woods he did not know, resembling + ebony and cedar. A number of stumps showed that the axe had + been at work, but not recently. He passed into the cleft and + climbed a tree that offered easy access. As he expected, after + rising a few feet from the ground, his eyes encountered the + solemn blue line of the sea, not half a mile distant.</p> + + <p>He descended and commenced a systematic search. Men had been + here. Was there a house? Would he suddenly encounter some + hermit Malay or Chinaman?</p> + + <p>At the foot of the main cliff was a cluster of fruit-bearing + trees, plantains, areca-nuts, and cocoa-palms. A couple of + cinchonas caught his eye. In one spot the undergrowth was rank + and vividly green. The cassava, or tapioca plant, reared its + high, passion-flower leaves above the grass, and some + sago-palms thrust aloft their thick-stemmed trunks.</p> + + <p>"Here is a change of menu, at any rate," he communed.</p> + + <p>Breaking a thick branch off a poon tree he whittled away the + minor stems. A strong stick was needful to explore that leafy + fastness thoroughly.</p> + + <p>A few cautious strides and vigorous whacks with the stick + laid bare the cause of such prodigality in a soil covered with + drifted sand and lumps of black and white speckled coral. The + trees and bushes enclosed a well—safe-guarded it, in + fact, from being choked with sand during the first gale that + blew.</p> + + <p>Delighted with this discovery, more precious than diamonds + at the moment, for he doubted the advisability of existing on + the water supply of the pitcher-plant, he knelt to peer into + the excavation. The well had been properly made. Ten feet down + he could see the reflection of his face. Expert hands had + tapped the secret reservoir of the island. By stretching to the + full extent of his arm, he managed to plunge the stick into the + water. Tasting the drops, he found that they were quite sweet. + The sand and porous rock provided the best of filter-beds.</p> + + <p>He rose, wall pleased, and noted that on the opposite side + the appearance of the shrubs and tufts of long grass indicated + the existence of a grown-over path towards the cliff. He + followed it, walking carelessly, with eyes seeking the prospect + beyond, when something rattled and cracked beneath his feet. + Looking down, he was horrified to find he was trampling on a + skeleton.</p> + + <p>Had a venomous snake coiled its glistening folds around his + leg he would not have been more startled. But this man of iron + nerve soon recovered. He frowned deeply after the first + involuntary heart-throb.</p> + + <p>With the stick he cleared away the undergrowth, and revealed + the skeleton of a man. The bones were big and strong, but + oxidized by the action of the air. Jenks had injured the left + tibia by his tread, but three fractured ribs and a smashed + shoulder-blade told some terrible unwritten story.</p> + + <p>Beneath the mournful relics were fragments of decayed cloth. + It was blue serge. Lying about were a few blackened + objects—brass buttons marked with an anchor. The dead + man's boots were in the best state of preservation, but the + leather had shrunk and the nails protruded like fangs.</p> + + <p>A rusted pocket-knife lay there, and on the left breast of + the skeleton rested a round piece of tin, the top of a + canister, which might have reposed in a coat pocket. Jenks + picked it up. Some curious marks and figures were punched into + its surface. After a hasty glance he put it aside for more + leisurely examination.</p> + + <p>No weapon was visible. He could form no estimate as to the + cause of the death of this poor unknown, nor the time since the + tragedy had occurred.</p> + + <p>Jenks must have stood many minutes before he perceived that + the skeleton was headless. At first he imagined that in + rummaging about with the stick he had disturbed the skull. But + the most minute search demonstrated that it had gone, had been + taken away, in fact, for the plants which so effectually + screened the lighter bones would not permit the skull to + vanish.</p> + + <p>Then the frown on the sailor's face became threatening, + thunderous. He recollected the rusty kriss. Indistinct memories + of strange tales of the China Sea crowded unbidden to his + brain.</p> + + <p>"Dyaks!" he growled fiercely. "A ship's officer, an + Englishman probably, murdered by head-hunting Dyak + pirates!"</p> + + <p>If they came once they would come again.</p> + + <p>Five hundred yards away Iris Deane was sleeping. He ought + not to have left her alone. And then, with the devilish + ingenuity of coincidence, a revolver shot awoke the echoes, and + sent all manner of wildfowl hurtling through the trees with + clamorous outcry.</p> + + <p>Panting and wild-eyed, Jenks was at the girl's side in an + inconceivably short space of time. She was not beneath the + shelter of the grove, but on the sands, gazing, pallid in cheek + and lip, at the group of rocks on the edge of the lagoon.</p> + + <p>"What is the matter?" he gasped.</p> + + <p>"Oh, I don't know," she wailed brokenly. "I had a dream, + such a horrible dream. You were struggling with some awful + thing down there." She pointed to the rocks.</p> + + <p>"I was not near the place," he said laboriously. It cost him + an effort to breathe. His broad chest expanded inches with each + respiration.</p> + + <p>"Yes, yes, I understand. But I awoke and ran to save you. + When I got here I saw something, a thing with waving arms, and + fired. It vanished, and then you came."</p> + + <p>The sailor walked slowly to the rocks. A fresh chip out of + the stone showed where the bullet struck. One huge boulder was + wet, as if water had been splashed over it. He halted and + looked intently into the water. Not a fish was to be seen, but + small spirals of sand were eddying up from the bottom, where it + shelved steeply from the shore.</p> + + <p>Iris followed him. "See," she cried excitedly. "I was not + mistaken. There <i>was</i> something here."</p> + + <p>A creepy sensation ran up the man's spine and passed behind + his ears. At this spot the drowned Lascars were lying. Like an + inspiration came the knowledge that the cuttlefish, the dreaded + octopus, abounds in the China Sea.</p> + + <p>His face was livid when he turned to Iris. "You are + over-wrought by fatigue, Miss Deane," he said. "What you saw + was probably a seal;" he knew the ludicrous substitution would + not be questioned. "Please go and lie down again."</p> + + <p>"I cannot," she protested. "I am too frightened."</p> + + <p>"Frightened! By a dream! In broad daylight!"</p> + + <p>"But why are <i>you</i> so pale? What has alarmed you?"</p> + + <p>"Can you ask? Did you not give the agreed signal?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, but—"</p> + + <p>Her inquiring glance fell. He was breathless from agitation + rather than running. He was perturbed on her account. For an + instant she had looked into his soul.</p> + + <p>"I will go back," she said quietly, "though I would rather + accompany you. What are you doing?"</p> + + <p>"Seeking a place to lay our heads," he answered, with gruff + carelessness. "You really must rest, Miss Deane. Otherwise you + will be broken up by fatigue and become ill."</p> + + <p>So Iris again sought her couch of sand, and the sailor + returned to the skeleton. They separated unwillingly, each + thinking only of the other's safety and comfort. The girl knew + she was not wanted because the man wished to spare her some + unpleasant experience. She obeyed him with a sigh, and sat + down, not to sleep, but to muse, as girls will, round-eyed, + wistful, with the angelic fantasy of youth and innocence.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + + <h2>RAINBOW ISLAND</h2> + + <p>Across the parched bones lay the stick discarded by Jenks in + his alarm. He picked it up and resumed his progress along the + pathway. So closely did he now examine the ground that he + hardly noted his direction. The track led straight towards the + wall of rock. The distance was not great—about forty + yards. At first the brushwood impeded him, but soon even this + hindrance disappeared, and a well-defined passage meandered + through a belt of trees, some strong and lofty, others quite + immature.</p> + + <p>More bushes gathered at the foot of the cliff. Behind them + he could see the mouth of a cave; the six months' old growth of + vegetation about the entrance gave clear indication as to the + time which had elapsed since a human foot last disturbed the + solitude.</p> + + <p>A few vigorous blows with the stick cleared away obstructing + plants and leafy branches. The sailor stooped and looked into + the cavern, for the opening was barely five feet high. He + perceived instantly that the excavation was man's handiwork, + applied to a fault in the hard rock. A sort of natural shaft + existed, and this had been extended by manual labor. Beyond the + entrance the cave became more lofty. Owing to its position with + reference to the sun at that hour Jenks imagined that + sufficient light would be obtainable when the tropical + luxuriance of foliage outside was dispensed with.</p> + + <p>At present the interior was dark. With the stick he tapped + the walls and roof. A startled cluck and the rush of wings + heralded the flight of two birds, alarmed by the noise. Soon + his eyes, more accustomed to the gloom, made out that the place + was about thirty feet deep, ten feet wide in the center, and + seven or eight feet high.</p> + + <p>At the further end was a collection of objects inviting + prompt attention. Each moment he could see with greater + distinctness. Kneeling on one side of the little pile he + discerned that on a large stone, serving as a rude bench, were + some tin utensils, some knives, a sextant, and a quantity of + empty cartridge cases. Between the stone and what a miner terms + the "face" of the rock was a four-foot space. Here, half + imbedded in the sand which covered the floor, were two + pickaxes, a shovel, a sledge-hammer, a fine timber-felling axe, + and three crowbars.</p> + + <p>In the darkest corner of the cave's extremity the "wall" + appeared to be very smooth. He prodded with the stick, and + there was a sharp clang of tin. He discovered six square + kerosene-oil cases carefully stacked up. Three were empty, one + seemed to be half full, and the contents of two were untouched. + With almost feverish haste he ascertained that the half-filled + tin did really contain oil.</p> + + <p>"What a find!" he ejaculated aloud. Another pair of birds + dashed from a ledge near the roof.</p> + + <p>"Confound you!" shouted the sailor. He sprang back and + whacked the walls viciously, but all the feathered intruders + had gone.</p> + + <p>So far as he could judge the cave harbored no further + surprises. Returning towards the exit his boots dislodged more + empty cartridges from the sand. They were shells adapted to a + revolver of heavy caliber. At a short distance from the doorway + they were present in dozens.</p> + + <p>"The remnants of a fight," he thought. "The man was + attacked, and defended himself here. Not expecting the arrival + of enemies he provided no store of food or water. He was killed + whilst trying to reach the well, probably at night."</p> + + <p>He vividly pictured the scene—a brave, hardy European + keeping at bay a boatload of Dyak savages, enduring manfully + the agonies of hunger, thirst, perhaps wounds. Then the siege, + followed by a wild effort to gain the life-giving well, the + hiss of a Malay parang wielded by a lurking foe, and the last + despairing struggle before death came.</p> + + <p>He might be mistaken. Perchance there was a less dramatic + explanation. But he could not shake off his, first impressions. + They were garnered from dumb evidence and developed by some + occult but overwhelming sense of certainty.</p> + + <p>"What was the poor devil doing here?" he asked. "Why did he + bury himself in this rock, with mining utensils and a few rough + stores? He could not be a castaway. There is the indication of + purpose, of preparation, of method combined with ignorance, for + none who knew the ways of Dyaks and Chinese pirates would + venture to live here alone, if he could help it, and if he + really were alone." The thing was a mystery, would probably + remain a mystery for ever.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Be it steel or be it lead,</p> + + <p>Anyhow the man is dead."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>There was relief in hearing his own voice. He could hum, and + think, and act. Arming himself with the axe he attacked the + bushes and branches of trees in front of the cave. He cut a + fresh approach to the well, and threw the litter over the + skeleton. At first he was inclined to bury it where it lay, but + he disliked the idea of Iris walking unconsciously over the + place. No time could be wasted that day. He would seize an + early opportunity to act as grave-digger.</p> + + <p>After an absence of little more than an hour he rejoined the + girl. She saw him from afar, and wondered whence he obtained + the axe he shouldered.</p> + + <p>"You are a successful explorer," she cried when he drew + near.</p> + + <p>"Yes, Miss Deane. I have found water, implements, a shelter, + even light."</p> + + <p>"What sort of light—spiritual, or material?"</p> + + <p>"Oil."</p> + + <p>"Oh!"</p> + + <p>Iris could not remain serious for many consecutive minutes, + but she gathered that he was in no mood for frivolity.</p> + + <p>"And the shelter—is it a house?" she continued.</p> + + <p>"No, a cave. If you are sufficiently rested you might come + and take possession."</p> + + <p>Her eyes danced with excitement. He told her what he had + seen, with reservations, and she ran on before him to witness + these marvels.</p> + + <p>"Why did you make a new path to the well?" she inquired + after a rapid survey.</p> + + <p>"A new path!" The pertinent question staggered him.</p> + + <p>"Yes, the people who lived here must have had some sort of + free passage."</p> + + <p>He lied easily. "I have only cleared away recent growth," he + said.</p> + + <p>"And why did they dig a cave? It surely would be much more + simple to build a house from all these trees."</p> + + <p>"There you puzzle me," he said frankly.</p> + + <p>They had entered the cavern but a little way and now came + out.</p> + + <p>"These empty cartridges are funny. They suggest a fort, a + battle." Woman-like, her words were carelessly chosen, but they + were crammed with inductive force.</p> + + <p>Embarked on the toboggan slope of untruth the sailor slid + smoothly downwards.</p> + + <p>"Events have colored your imagination, Miss Deane. Even in + England men often preserve such things for future use. They can + be reloaded."</p> + + <p>"Yes, I have seen keepers do that. This is different. There + is an air of—"</p> + + <p>"There is a lot to be done," broke in Jenks emphatically. + "We must climb the hill and get back here in time to light + another fire before the sun goes down. I want to prop a canvas + sheet in front of the cave, and try to devise a lamp."</p> + + <p>"Must I sleep inside?" demanded Iris.</p> + + <p>"Yes. Where else?"</p> + + <p>There was a pause, a mere whiff of awkwardness.</p> + + <p>"I will mount guard outside," went on Jenks. He was trying + to improve the edge of the axe by grinding it on a soft + stone.</p> + + <p>The girl went into the cave again. She was inquisitive, + uneasy.</p> + + <p>"That arrangement—" she began, but ended in a sharp + cry of terror. The dispossessed birds had returned during the + sailor's absence.</p> + + <p>"I will kill them," he shouted in anger.</p> + + <p>"Please don't. There has been enough of death in this place + already."</p> + + <p>The words jarred on his ears. Then he felt that she could + only allude to the victims of the wreck.</p> + + <p>"I was going to say," she explained, "that we must devise a + partition. There is no help for it until you construct a sort + of house. Candidly, I do not like this hole in the rock. It is + a vault, a tomb."</p> + + <p>"You told me that I was in command, yet you dispute my + orders." He strove hard to appear brusquely good-humored, + indifferent, though for one of his mould he was absurdly + irritable. The cause was over-strain, but that explanation + escaped him.</p> + + <p>"Quite true. But if sleeping in the cold, in dew or rain, is + bad for me, it must be equally bad for you. And without you I + am helpless, you know."</p> + + <p>His arms twitched to give her a reassuring hug. In some + respects she was so childlike; her big blue eyes were so + ingenuous. He laughed sardonically, and the harsh note clashed + with her frank candor. Here, at least, she was utterly + deceived. His changeful moods were incomprehensible.</p> + + <p>"I will serve you to the best of my ability, Miss Deane," he + exclaimed. "We must hope for a speedy rescue, and I am inured + to exposure. It is otherwise with you. Are you ready for the + climb?"</p> + + <p>Mechanically she picked up a stick at her feet. It was the + sailor's wand of investigation. He snatched it from her hands + and threw it away among the trees.</p> + + <p>"That is a dangerous alpenstock," he said. "The wood is + unreliable. It might break. I will cut you a better one," and + he swung the axe against a tall sapling.</p> + + <p>Iris mentally described him as "funny." She followed him in + the upward curve of the ascent, for the grade was not difficult + and the ground smooth enough, the storms of years having + pulverized the rock and driven sand into its clefts. The + persistent inroads of the trees had done the rest. Beyond the + flight of birds and the scampering of some tiny monkeys + overhead, they did not disturb a living creature.</p> + + <p>The crest of the hill was tree-covered, and they could see + nothing beyond their immediate locality until the sailor found + a point higher than the rest, where a rugged collection of hard + basalt and the uprooting of some poon trees provided an open + space elevated above the ridge.</p> + + <p>For a short distance the foothold was precarious. Jenks + helped the girl in this part of the climb. His strong, gentle + grasp gave her confidence. She was flushed with exertion when + they stood together on the summit of this elevated perch. They + could look to every point of the compass except a small section + on the south-west. Here the trees rose behind them until the + brow of the precipice was reached.</p> + + <p>The emergence into a sunlit panorama of land and sea, though + expected, was profoundly enthralling. They appeared to stand + almost exactly in the center of the island, which was + crescent-shaped. It was no larger than the sailor had + estimated. The new slopes now revealed were covered with + verdure down to the very edge of the water, which, for nearly a + mile seawards, broke over jagged reefs. The sea looked + strangely calm from this height. Irregular blue patches on the + horizon to south and east caught the man's first glance. He + unslung the binoculars he still carried and focused them + eagerly.</p> + + <p>"Islands!" he cried, "and big ones, too!"</p> + + <p>"How odd!" whispered Iris, more concerned in the scrutiny of + her immediate surroundings. Jenks glanced at her sharply. She + was not looking at the islands, but at a curious hollow, a + quarry-like depression beneath them to the right, distant about + three hundred yards and not far removed from the small plateau + containing the well, though isolated from it by the south angle + of the main cliff.</p> + + <p>Here, in a great circle, there was not a vestige of grass, + shrub, or tree, nothing save brown rock and sand. At first the + sailor deemed it to be the dried-up bed of a small lake. This + hypothesis would not serve, else it would be choked with + verdure. The pit stared up at them like an ominous eye, though + neither paid further attention to it, for the glorious prospect + mapped at their feet momentarily swept aside all other + considerations.</p> + + <p>"What a beautiful place!" murmured Iris. "I wonder what it + is called."</p> + + <p>"Limbo."</p> + + <p>The word came instantly. The sailor's gaze was again fixed + on those distant blue outlines. Miss Deane was + dissatisfied.</p> + + <p>"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "We are not dead yet. You must + find a better name than that."</p> + + <p>"Well, suppose we christen it Rainbow Island?"</p> + + <p>"Why 'Rainbow'?"</p> + + <p>"That is the English meaning of 'Iris,' in Latin, you + know."</p> + + <p>"So it is. How clever of you to think of it! Tell me, what + is the meaning of 'Robert,' in Greek?"</p> + + <p>He turned to survey the north-west side of the island. "I do + not know," he answered. "It might not be far-fetched to + translate it as 'a ship's steward: a menial.'"</p> + + <p>Miss Iris had meant her playful retort as a mere + light-hearted quibble. It annoyed her, a young person of much + consequence, to have her kindly condescension repelled.</p> + + <p>"I suppose so," she agreed; "but I have gone through so much + in a few hours that I am bewildered, apt to forget these nice + distinctions."</p> + + <p>Where these two quareling, or flirting? Who can tell?</p> + + <p>Jenks was closely examining the reef on which the + <i>Sirdar</i> struck. Some square objects were visible near the + palm tree. The sun, glinting on the waves, rendered it + difficult to discern their significance.</p> + + <p>"What do you make of those?" he inquired, handing the + glasses, and blandly ignoring Miss Deane's petulance. Her brain + was busy with other things while she twisted the binoculars to + suit her vision. Rainbow Island—Iris—it was a nice + conceit. But "menial" struck a discordant note. This man was no + menial in appearance or speech. Why was he so deliberately + rude?</p> + + <p>"I think they are boxes or packing-cases," she + announced.</p> + + <p>"Ah, that was my own idea. I must visit that locality."</p> + + <p>"How? Will you swim?"</p> + + <p>"No," he said, his stern lips relaxing in a smile, "I will + not swim; and by the way, Miss Deane, be careful when you are + near the water. The lagoon is swarming with sharks at present. + I feel tolerably assured that at low tide, when the remnants of + the gale have vanished, I will be able to walk there along the + reef."</p> + + <p>"Sharks!" she cried. "In there! What horrible surprises this + speck of land contains! I should not have imagined that sharks + and seals could live together."</p> + + <p>"You are quite right," he explained, with becoming gravity. + "As a rule sharks infest only the leeward side of these + islands. Just now they are attracted in shoals by the + wreck."</p> + + <p>"Oh." Iris shivered slightly.</p> + + <p>"We had better go back now. The wind is keen here, Miss + Deane."</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href="images/wm_4_1.png"><img alt= + "Illustration: " + src="images/wm_4_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">He was so busy that he + paid little heed to iris, but the odor of fried ham was wafted + to him.</span></p> + + <p>She knew that he purposely misunderstood her gesture. His + attitude conveyed a rebuke. There was no further room for + sentiment in their present existence; they had to deal with + chill necessities. As for the sailor, he was glad that the + chance turn of their conversation enabled him to warn her + against the lurking dangers of the lagoon. There was no need to + mention the devil-fish now; he must spare her all avoidable + thrills.</p> + + <p>They gathered the stores from the first <i>al fresco</i> + dining-room and reached the cave without incident. Another fire + was lighted, and whilst Iris attended to the kitchen the sailor + felled several young trees. He wanted poles, and these were the + right size and shape. He soon cleared a considerable space. The + timber was soft and so small in girth that three cuts with the + axe usually sufficed. He dragged from the beach the smallest + tarpaulin he could find, and propped it against the rock in + such manner that it effectually screened the mouth of the cave, + though admitting light and air.</p> + + <p>He was so busy that he paid little heed to Iris. But the + odor of fried ham was wafted to him. He was lifting a couple of + heavy stones to stay the canvas and keep it from flapping in + the wind, when the girl called out—</p> + + <p>"Wouldn't you like to have a wash before dinner?"</p> + + <p>He straightened himself and looked at her. Her face and + hands were shining, spotless. The change was so great that his + brow wrinkled with perplexity.</p> + + <p>"I am a good pupil," she cried. "You see I am already + learning to help myself. I made a bucket out of one of the + dish-covers by slinging it in two ropes. Another dish-cover, + some sand and leaves supplied basin, soap, and towel. I have + cleaned the tin cups and the knives, and see, here is my + greatest treasure."</p> + + <p>She held up a small metal lamp.</p> + + <p>"Where in the world did you find that?" he exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Buried in the sand inside the cave."</p> + + <p>"Anything else?"</p> + + <p>His tone was abrupt She was so disappointed by the seeming + want of appreciation of her industry that a gleam of amusement + died from her eyes and she shook her head, stooping at once to + attend to the toasting of some biscuits.</p> + + <p>This time he was genuinely sorry.</p> + + <p>"Forgive me, Miss Deane," he said penitently. "My words are + dictated by anxiety. I do not wish you to make discoveries on + your own account. This is a strange place, you know—an + unpleasant one in some respects."</p> + + <p>"Surely I can rummage about my own cave?"</p> + + <p>"Most certainly. It was careless of me not to have examined + its interior more thoroughly."</p> + + <p>"Then why do you grumble because I found the lamp?"</p> + + <p>"I did not mean any such thing. I am sorry."</p> + + <p>"I think you are horrid. If you want to wash you will find + the water over there. Don't wait. The ham will be frizzled to a + cinder."</p> + + <p>Unlucky Jenks! Was ever man fated to incur such unmerited + odium? He savagely laved his face and neck. The fresh cool + water was delightful at first, but it caused his injured nail + to throb dreadfully. When he drew near to the fire he + experienced an unaccountable sensation of weakness. Could it be + possible that he was going to faint? It was too absurd. He sank + to the ground. Trees, rocks, and sand-strewn earth indulged in + a mad dance. Iris's voice sounded weak and indistinct. It + seemed to travel in waves from a great distance. He tried to + brush away from his brain these dim fancies, but his iron will + for once failed, and he pitched headlong downwards into + darkness.</p> + + <p>When he recovered the girl's left arm was round his neck. + For one blissful instant he nestled there contentedly. He + looked into her eyes and saw that she was crying. A gust of + anger rose within him that he should be the cause of those + tears.</p> + + <p>"Damn!" he said, and tried to rise.</p> + + <p>"Oh! are you better?" Her lips quivered pitifully.</p> + + <p>"Yes. What happened? Did I faint?"</p> + + <p>"Drink this."</p> + + <p>She held a cup to his mouth and he obediently strove to + swallow the contents. It was champagne. After the first spasm + of terror, and when the application of water to his face failed + to restore consciousness, Iris had knocked the head off the + bottle of champagne.</p> + + <p>He quickly revived. Nature had only given him a warning that + he was overdrawing his resources. He was deeply humiliated. He + did not conceive the truth, that only a strong man could do all + that he had done and live. For thirty-six hours he had not + slept. During part of the time he fought with wilder beasts + than they knew at Ephesus. The long exposure to the sun, the + mental strain of his foreboding that the charming girl whose + life depended upon him might be exposed to even worse dangers + than any yet encountered, the physical labor he had undergone, + the irksome restraint he strove to place upon his conduct and + utterances—all these things culminated in utter + relaxation when the water touched his heated skin.</p> + + <p>But he was really very much annoyed. A powerful man always + is annoyed when forced to yield. The revelation of a limit to + human endurance infuriates him. A woman invariably thinks that + the man should be scolded, by way of tonic.</p> + + <p>"How <i>could</i> you frighten me so?" demanded Iris, + hysterically. "You must have felt that you were working too + hard. You made me rest. Why didn't you rest yourself?"</p> + + <p>He looked at her wistfully. This collapse must not happen + again, for her sake. These two said more with eyes than lips. + She withdrew her arm; her face and neck crimsoned.</p> + + <p>"There," she said with compelled cheerfulness. "You are all + right now. Finish the wine."</p> + + <p>He emptied the tin. It gave him new life. "I always + thought," he answered gravely, "that champagne was worth its + weight in gold under certain conditions. These are the + conditions."</p> + + <p>Iris reflected, with elastic rebound from despair to relief, + that men in the lower ranks of life do not usually form + theories on the expensive virtues of the wine of France. But + her mind was suddenly occupied by a fresh disaster.</p> + + <p>"Good gracious!" she cried. "The ham is ruined."</p> + + <p>It was burnt black. She prepared a fresh supply. When it was + ready, Jenks was himself again. They ate in silence, and shared + the remains of the bottle. The man idly wondered what was the + <i>plat du jour</i> at the Savoy that evening. He remembered + that the last time he was there he had called for <i>Jambon de + York aux épinards</i> and half a pint of Heidseck.</p> + + <p>"<i>Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currant</i>," + he thought. By a queer trick of memory he could recall the very + page in Horace where this philosophical line occurs. It was in + the eleventh epistle of the first book. A smile illumined his + tired face.</p> + + <p>Iris was watchful. She had never in her life cooked even a + potato or boiled an egg. The ham was her first attempt.</p> + + <p>"My cooking amuses you?" she demanded suspiciously.</p> + + <p>"It gratifies every sense," he murmured. "There is but one + thing needful to complete my happiness."</p> + + <p>"And that is?"</p> + + <p>"Permission to smoke."</p> + + <p>"Smoke what?"</p> + + <p>He produced a steel box, tightly closed, and a pipe, "I will + answer you in Byron's words," he said—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"'Sublime tobacco! which from east to west</p> + + <p>Cheers the tar's labour or the Turkman's rest.'"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"Your pockets are absolute shops," said the girl, delighted + that his temper had improved. "What other stores do you carry + about with you?"</p> + + <p>He lit his pipe and solemnly gave an inventory of his + worldly goods. Beyond the items she had previously seen he + could only enumerate a silver dollar, a very soiled and + crumpled handkerchief, and a bit of tin. A box of Norwegian + matches he threw away as useless, but Iris recovered them.</p> + + <p>"You never know what purpose they may serve," she said. In + after days a weird significance was attached to this simple + phrase.</p> + + <p>"Why do you carry about a bit of tin?" she went on.</p> + + <p>How the atmosphere of deception clung to him! Here was a man + compelled to lie outrageously who, in happier years, had prided + himself on scrupulous accuracy even in small things.</p> + + <p>"Plague upon it!" he silently protested. "Subterfuge and + deceit are as much at home in this deserted island as in + Mayfair."</p> + + <p>"I found it here, Miss Deane," he answered.</p> + + <p>Luckily she interpreted "here" as applying to the cave.</p> + + <p>"Let me see it. May I?"</p> + + <p>He handed it to her. She could make nothing of it, so + together they puzzled over it. The sailor rubbed it with a + mixture of kerosene and sand. Then figures and letters and a + sort of diagram were revealed. At last they became + decipherable. By exercising patient ingenuity some one had + indented the metal with a sharp punch until the marks assumed + this aspect (see cut, following page).</p> + + <p>Iris was quick-witted. "It is a plan of the island," she + cried.</p> + + <p>"Also the latitude and the longitude."</p> + + <p>"What does 'J.S.' mean?"</p> + + <p>"Probably the initials of a man's name; let us say John + Smith, for instance."</p> + + <p>"And the figures on the island, with the 'X' and the + dot?"</p> + + <p>"I cannot tell you at present," he said. "I take it that the + line across the island signifies this gap or canyon, and the + small intersecting line the cave. But 32 divided by 1, and an + 'X' surmounted by a dot are cabalistic. They would cause even + Sherlock Holmes to smoke at least two pipes. I have barely + started one."</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><img alt="tin map" + src="images/wm_4_2_th.png" width="300"></p> + + <br /> + + <p>She ran to fetch a glowing stick to enable him to relight + his pipe.</p> + + <p>"Why do you give me such nasty little digs?" she asked. "You + need not have stopped smoking just because I stood close to + you."</p> + + <p>"Really, Miss Deane—"</p> + + <p>"There, don't protest. I like the smell of that tobacco. I + thought sailors invariably smoked rank, black stuff which they + call thick twist."</p> + + <p>"I am a beginner, as a sailor. After a few more years before + the mast I may hope to reach perfection."</p> + + <p>Their eyes exchanged a quaintly pleasant challenge. Thus the + man—"She is determined to learn something of my past, but + she will not succeed."</p> + + <p>And the woman—"The wretch! He is close as an oyster. + But I will make him open his mouth, see if I don't."</p> + + <p>She reverted to the piece of tin. "It looks quite + mysterious, like the things you read of in stories of pirates + and buried treasure."</p> + + <p>"Yes," he admitted. "It is unquestionably a plan, a + guidance, given to a person not previously acquainted with the + island but cognizant of some fact connected with it. + Unfortunately none of the buccaneers I can bring to mind + frequented these seas. The poor beggar who left it here must + have had some other motive than searching for a cache."</p> + + <p>"Did he dig the cave and the well, I wonder?"</p> + + <p>"Probably the former, but not the well. No man could do it + unaided."</p> + + <p>"Why do you assume he was alone?"</p> + + <p>He strolled towards the fire to kick a stray log. "It is + only idle speculation at the best, Miss Deane," he replied. + "Would you like to help me to drag some timber up from the + beach? If we get a few big planks we can build a fire that will + last for hours. We want some extra clothes, too, and it will + soon be dark."</p> + + <p>The request for co-operation gratified her. She complied + eagerly, and without much exertion they hauled a respectable + load of firewood to their new camping-ground. They also brought + a number of coats to serve as coverings. Then Jenks tackled the + lamp. Between the rust and the soreness of his index finger it + was a most difficult operation to open it.</p> + + <p>Before the sun went down he succeeded, and made a wick by + unraveling a few strands of wool from his jersey. When night + fell, with the suddenness of the tropics, Iris was able to + illuminate her small domain.</p> + + <p>They were both utterly tired and ready to drop with fatigue. + The girl said "Good night," but instantly reappeared from + behind the tarpaulin.</p> + + <p>"Am I to keep the lamp alight?" she inquired.</p> + + <p>"Please yourself, Miss Deane. Better not, perhaps. It will + only burn four or five hours, any way."</p> + + <p>Soon the light vanished, and he lay down, his pipe between + his teeth, close to the cave's entrance. Weary though he was, + he could not sleep forthwith. His mind was occupied with the + signs on the canister head.</p> + + <p>"32 divided by 1; an 'X' and a dot," he repeated several + times. "What do they signify?"</p> + + <p>Suddenly he sat up, with every sense alert, and grabbed his + revolver. Something impelled him to look towards the spot, a + few feet away, where the skeleton was hidden. It was the + rustling of a bird among the trees that had caught his ear.</p> + + <p>He thought of the white framework of a once powerful man, + lying there among the bushes, abandoned, forgotten, horrific. + Then he smothered a cry of surprise.</p> + + <p>"By Jove!" he muttered. "There is no 'X' and dot. That sign + is meant for a skull and cross-bones. It lies exactly on the + part of the island where we saw that queer-looking bald patch + today. First thing tomorrow, before the girl awakes, I must + examine that place."</p> + + <p>He resolutely stretched himself on his share of the + spread-out coats, now thoroughly dried by sun and fire. In a + minute he was sound asleep.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_V"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + + <h2>IRIS TO THE RESCUE</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Before mine eyes in opposition sits</p> + + <p>Grim death."</p> + + <p class="i20">—<i>Milton</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>He awoke to find the sun high in the heavens. Iris was + preparing breakfast; a fine fire was crackling cheerfully, and + the presiding goddess had so altered her appearance that the + sailor surveyed her with astonishment.</p> + + <p>He noiselessly assumed a sitting posture, tucked his feet + beneath him, and blinked. The girl's face was not visible from + where he sat, and for a few seconds he thought he must surely + be dreaming. She was attired in a neat navy-blue dress and + smart blouse. Her white canvas shoes were replaced by strong + leather boots. She was quite spick and span, this island + Hebe.</p> + + <p>So soundly had he slept that his senses returned but slowly. + At last he guessed what had happened. She had risen with the + dawn, and, conquering her natural feeling of repulsion, + selected from the store he accumulated yesterday some more + suitable garments than those in which she escaped from the + wreck.</p> + + <p>He quietly took stock of his own tattered condition, and + passed a reflective hand over the stubble on his chin. In a few + days his face would resemble a scrubbing-brush. In that + mournful moment he would have exchanged even his pipe and + tobacco-box—worth untold gold—for shaving tackle. + Who can say why his thoughts took such trend? Twenty-four hours + can effect great changes in the human mind if controlling + influences are active.</p> + + <p>Then came a sharp revulsion of feeling. His name was + Robert—a menial. He reached for his boots, and Iris heard + him.</p> + + <p>"Good morning," she cried, smiling sweetly. "I thought you + would never awake. I suppose you were very, very tired. You + were lying so still that I ventured to peep at you a long time + ago."</p> + + <p>"Thus might Titania peep at an ogre," he said.</p> + + <p>"You didn't look a bit like an ogre. You never do. You only + try to talk like one—sometimes."</p> + + <p>"I claim a truce until after breakfast. If my rough + compliment offends you, let me depend upon a more gentle tongue + than my own—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i10">"'Her Angel's face</p> + + <p>As the great eye of heaven, shyned bright,</p> + + <p>And made a sunshine in the shady place.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"Those lines are surely appropriate. They come from the + <i>Faerie Queene</i>."</p> + + <p>"They are very nice, but please wash quickly. The eggs will + be hard."</p> + + <p>"Eggs!"</p> + + <p>"Yes; I made a collection among the trees. I tasted one of a + lot that looked good. It was first-rate."</p> + + <p>He had not the moral courage to begin the day with a rebuke. + She was irrepressible, but she really must not do these things. + He smothered a sigh in the improvised basin which was placed + ready for him.</p> + + <p>Miss Deane had prepared a capital meal. Of course the ham + and biscuits still bulked large in the bill of fare, but there + were boiled eggs, fried bananas and an elderly cocoanut. These + things, supplemented by clear cold water, were not so bad for a + couple of castaways, hundreds of miles from everywhere.</p> + + <p>For the life of him the man could not refrain from + displaying the conversational art in which he excelled. Their + talk dealt with Italy, Egypt, India. He spoke with the ease of + culture and enthusiasm. Once he slipped into anecdote + <i>à propos</i> of the helplessness of British soldiers + in any matter outside the scope of the King's Regulations.</p> + + <p>"I remember," he said, "seeing a cavalry subaltern and the + members of an escort sitting, half starved, on a number of bags + piled up in the Suakin desert. And what do you think were in + the bags?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know," said Iris, keenly alert for deductions.</p> + + <p>"Biscuits! They thought the bags contained patent fodder + until I enlightened them."</p> + + <p>It was on the tip of her tongue to pounce on him with the + comment: "Then you have been an officer in the army." But she + forbore. She had guessed this earlier. Yet the mischievous + light in her eyes defied control. He was warned in time and + pulled himself up short.</p> + + <p>"You read my face like a book," she cried, with a delightful + little <i>moue</i>.</p> + + <p>"No printed page was ever so—legible."</p> + + <p>He was going to say "fascinating," but checked the impulse. + He went on with brisk affectation—</p> + + <p>"Now, Miss Deane, we have gossiped too long. I am a laggard + this morning; but before starting work, I have a few serious + remarks to make."</p> + + <p>"More digs?" she inquired saucily.</p> + + <p>"I repudiate 'digs.' In the first place, you must not make + any more experiments in the matter of food. The eggs were a + wonderful effort, but, flattered by success, you may poison + yourself."</p> + + <p>"Secondly?"</p> + + <p>"You must never pass out of my sight without carrying a + revolver, not so much for defence, but as a signal. Did you + take one when you went bird's-nesting?"</p> + + <p>"No. Why?"</p> + + <p>There was a troubled look in his eyes when he + answered—</p> + + <p>"It is best to tell you at once that before help reaches us + we may be visited by cruel and blood-thirsty savages. I would + not even mention this if it were a remote contingency. As + matters stand, you ought to know that such a thing may happen. + Let us trust in God's goodness that assistance may come soon. + The island has seemingly been deserted for many months, and + therein lies our best chance of escape. But I am obliged to + warn you lest you should be taken unawares."</p> + + <p>Iris was serious enough now.</p> + + <p>"How do you know that such danger threatens us?" she + demanded.</p> + + <p>He countered readily. "Because I happen to have read a good + deal about the China Sea and its frequenters," he said. "I am + the last man in the world to alarm you needlessly. All I mean + to convey is that certain precautions should be taken against a + risk that is possible, not probable. No more."</p> + + <p>She could not repress a shudder. The aspect of nature was so + beneficent that evil deeds seemed to be out of place in that + fair isle. Birds were singing around them. The sun was mounting + into a cloudless sky. The gale had passed away into a pleasant + breeze, and the sea was now rippling against the distant reef + with peaceful melody.</p> + + <p>The sailor wanted to tell her that he would defend her + against a host of savages if he were endowed with many lives, + but he was perforce tongue-tied. He even reviled himself for + having spoken, but she saw the anguish in his face, and her + woman's heart acknowledged him as her protector, her + shield.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks," she said simply, "we are in God's hands. I put + my trust in Him, and in you. I am hopeful, nay more, confident. + I thank you for what you have done, for all that you will do. + If you cannot preserve me from threatening perils no man could, + for you are as brave and gallant a gentleman as lives on the + earth today."</p> + + <p>Now, the strange feature of this extraordinary and + unexpected outburst of pent-up emotion was that the girl + pronounced his name with the slightly emphasized accentuation + of one who knew it to be a mere disguise. The man was so taken + aback by her declaration of faith that the minor incident, + though it did not escape him, was smothered in a tumult of + feeling.</p> + + <p>He could not trust himself to speak. He rose hastily and + seized the axe to deliver a murderous assault upon a sago palm + that stood close at hand.</p> + + <p>Iris was the first to recover a degree of self-possession. + For a moment she had bared her soul. With reaction came a + sensitive shrinking. Her British temperament, no less than her + delicate nature, disapproved these sentimental displays. She + wanted to box her own ears.</p> + + <p>With innate tact she took a keen interest in the felling of + the tree.</p> + + <p>"What do you want it for?" she inquired, when the sturdy + trunk creaked and fell.</p> + + <p>Jenks felt better now.</p> + + <p>"This is a change of diet," he explained. "No; we don't boil + the leaves or nibble the bark. When I split this palm open you + will find that the interior is full of pith. I will cut it out + for you, and then it will be your task to knead it with water + after well washing it, pick out all the fiber, and finally + permit the water to evaporate. In a couple of days the residuum + will become a white powder, which, when boiled, is sago."</p> + + <p>"Good gracious!" said Iris.</p> + + <p>"The story sounds unconvincing, but I believe I am correct. + It is worth a trial."</p> + + <p>"I should have imagined that sago grew on a stalk like rice + or wheat."</p> + + <p>"Or Topsy!"</p> + + <p>She laughed. A difficult situation had passed without undue + effort. Unhappily the man reopened it. Whilst using a crowbar + as a wedge he endeavored to put matters on a straightforward + footing.</p> + + <p>"A little while ago," he said, "you seemed to imply that I + had assumed the name of Jenks."</p> + + <p>But Miss Deane's confidential mood had gone. "Nothing of the + kind," she said, coldly. "I think Jenks is an excellent + name."</p> + + <p>She regretted the words even as they fell from her lips. The + sailor gave a mighty wrench with the bar, splitting the log to + its clustering leaves.</p> + + <p>"You are right," he said. "It is distinctive, brief, + dogmatic. I cling to it passionately."</p> + + <p>Soon afterwards, leaving Iris to the manufacture of sago, he + went to the leeward side of the island, a search for turtles + being his ostensible object. When the trees hid him he + quickened his pace and turned to the left, in order to explore + the cavity marked on the tin with a skull and cross-bones. To + his surprise he hit upon the remnants of a roadway—that + is, a line through the wood where there were no well-grown + trees, where the ground bore traces of humanity in the shape of + a wrinkled and mildewed pair of Chinese boots, a wooden sandal, + even the decayed remains of a palki, or litter.</p> + + <p>At last he reached the edge of the pit, and the sight that + met his eyes held him spellbound.</p> + + <p>The labor of many hands had torn a chasm, a quarry, out of + the side of the hill. Roughly circular in shape, it had a + diameter of perhaps a hundred feet, and at its deepest part, + towards the cliff, it ran to a depth of forty feet. On the + lower side, where the sailor stood, it descended rapidly for + some fifteen feet.</p> + + <p>Grasses, shrubs, plants of every variety, grew in profusion + down the steep slopes, wherever seeds could find precarious + nurture, until a point was reached about ten or eleven feet + from the bottom. There all vegetation ceased as if forbidden to + cross a magic circle.</p> + + <p>Below this belt the place was a charnel-house. The bones of + men and animals mingled in weird confusion. Most were mere + skeletons. A few bodies—nine the sailor counted—yet + preserved some resemblance of humanity. These latter were + scattered among the older relics. They wore the clothes of + Dyaks. Characteristic hats and weapons denoted their + nationality. The others, the first harvest of this modern + Golgotha, might have been Chinese coolies. When the sailor's + fascinated vision could register details he distinguished + yokes, baskets, odd-looking spades and picks strewed amidst the + bones. The animals were all of one type, small, lanky, with + long pointed skulls. At last he spied a withered hoof. They + were pigs.</p> + + <p>Over all lay a thick coating of fine sand, deposited from + the eddying winds that could never reach the silent depths. The + place was gruesome, horribly depressing. Jenks broke out into a + clammy perspiration. He seemed to be looking at the secrets of + the grave.</p> + + <p>At last his superior intelligence asserted itself. His brain + became clearer, recovered its power of analysis. He began to + criticize, reflect, and this is the theory he + evolved—</p> + + <p>Some one, long ago, had discovered valuable minerals in the + volcanic rock. Mining operations were in full blast when the + extinct volcano took its revenge upon the human ants gnawing at + its vitals and smothered them by a deadly outpouring of + carbonic acid gas, the bottled-up poison of the ages. A horde + of pigs, running wild over the island—placed there, no + doubt, by Chinese fishers—had met the same fate whilst + intent on dreadful orgy.</p> + + <p>Then there came a European, who knew how the anhydrate gas, + being heavier than the surrounding air, settled like water in + that terrible hollow. He, too, had striven to wrest the + treasure from the stone by driving a tunnel into the cliff. He + had partly succeeded and had gone away, perhaps to obtain help, + after crudely registering his knowledge on the lid of a tin + canister. This, again, probably fell into the hands of another + man, who, curious but unconvinced, caused himself to be set + ashore on this desolate spot, with a few inadequate stores. + Possibly he had arranged to be taken off within a fixed + time.</p> + + <p>But a sampan, laden with Dyak pirates, came first, and the + intrepid explorer's bones rested near the well, whilst his head + had gone to decorate the hut of some fierce village chief. The + murderers, after burying their own dead—for the white man + fought hard, witness the empty cartridges—searched the + island. Some of them, ignorantly inquisitive, descended into + the hollow. They remained there. The others, superstitious + barbarians, fled for their lives, embarking so hastily that + they took from the cave neither tools nor oil, though they + would greatly prize these articles.</p> + + <p>Such was the tragic web he spun, a compound of fact and + fancy. It explained all perplexities save one. What did "32 + divided by 1" mean? Was there yet another fearsome riddle + awaiting solution?</p> + + <p>And then his thoughts flew to Iris. Happen what might, her + bright picture was seldom absent from his brain. Suppose, + egg-hunting, she had stumbled across this Valley of Death! How + could he hope to keep it hidden from her? Was not the ghastly + knowledge better than the horror of a chance ramble through the + wood and the shock of discovery, nay, indeed, the risk of a + catastrophe?</p> + + <p>He was a man who relieved his surcharged feelings with + strong language—a habit of recent acquisition. He + indulged in it now and felt better. He rushed back through the + trees until he caught sight of Iris industriously kneading the + sago pith in one of those most useful dish-covers.</p> + + <p>He called to her, led her wondering to the track, and + pointed out the fatal quarry, but in such wise that she could + not look inside it.</p> + + <p>"You remember that round hole we saw from the summit rock?" + he said. "Well, it is full of carbonic acid gas, to breathe + which means unconsciousness and death. It gives no warning to + the inexperienced. It is rather pleasant than otherwise. + Promise me you will never come near this place again."</p> + + <p>Now, Iris, too, had been thinking deeply. Robert Jenks + bulked large in her day-dreams. Her nerves were not yet quite + normal. There was a catch in her throat as she + answered—</p> + + <p>"I don't want to die. Of course I will keep away. What a + horrid island this is! Yet it might be a paradise."</p> + + <p>She bit her lip to suppress her tears, but, being the Eve in + this garden, she continued—</p> + + <p>"How did you find out? Is there + anything—nasty—in there?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, the remains of animals, and other things. I would not + have told you were it not imperative."</p> + + <p>"Are you keeping other secrets from me?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, quite a number."</p> + + <p>He managed to conjure up a smile, and the ruse was + effective. She applied the words to his past history.</p> + + <p>"I hope they will not be revealed so dramatically," she + said.</p> + + <p>"You never can tell," he answered. They were in prophetic + vein that morning. They returned in silence to the cave.</p> + + <p>"I wish to go inside, with a lamp. May I?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"Certainly. Why not?"</p> + + <p>He had an odd trick of blushing, this bronzed man with a + gnarled soul. He could not frame a satisfactory reply, but + busied himself in refilling the lamp.</p> + + <p>"May I come too?" she demanded.</p> + + <p>He flung aside the temptation to answer her in kind, merely + assenting, with an explanation of his design. When the lamp was + in order he held it close to the wall and conducted a + systematic survey. The geological fault which favored the + construction of the tunnel seemed to diverge to the left at the + further end. The "face" of the rock exhibited the marks of + persistent labor. The stone had been hewn away by main force + when the dislocation of strata ceased to be helpful.</p> + + <p>His knowledge was limited on the subject, yet Jenks believed + that the material here was a hard limestone rather than the + external basalt. Searching each inch with the feeble light, he + paused once, with an exclamation.</p> + + <p>"What is it?" cried Iris.</p> + + <p>"I cannot be certain," he said, doubtfully. "Would you mind + holding the lamp whilst I use a crowbar?"</p> + + <p>In the stone was visible a thin vein, bluish white in color. + He managed to break off a fair-sized lump containing a + well-defined specimen of the foreign metal.</p> + + <p>They hurried into the open air and examined the fragment + with curious eyes. The sailor picked it with his knife, and the + substance in the vein came off in laminated layers, small, + brittle scales.</p> + + <p>"Is it silver?" Iris was almost excited.</p> + + <p>"I do not think so. I am no expert, but I have a vague + idea—I have seen—"</p> + + <p>He wrinkled his brows and pressed away the furrows with his + hand, that physical habit of his when perplexed.</p> + + <p>"I have it," he cried. "It is antimony."</p> + + <p>Miss Deane pursed her lips in disdain. Antimony! What was + antimony?</p> + + <p>"So much fuss for nothing," she said.</p> + + <p>"It is used in alloys and medicines," he explained. "To us + it is useless."</p> + + <p>He threw the piece of rock contemptuously among the bushes. + But, being thorough in all that he undertook, he returned to + the cave and again conducted an inquisition. The silver-hued + vein became more strongly marked at the point where it + disappeared downwards into a collection of rubble and sand. + That was all. Did men give their toil, their lives, for this? + So it would appear. Be that as it might, he had a more pressing + work. If the cave still held a secret it must remain there.</p> + + <p>Iris had gone back to her sago-kneading. Necessity had made + the lady a bread-maid.</p> + + <p>"Fifteen hundred years of philology bridged by + circumstance," mused Jenks. "How Max Müller would have + reveled in the incident!"</p> + + <p>Shouldering the axe he walked to the beach. The tide was low + and the circular sweep of the reef showed up irregularly, its + black outlines sticking out of the vividly green water like + jagged teeth.</p> + + <p>Much débris from the steamer was lying high and dry. + It was an easy task for an athletic man to reach the palm tree, + yet the sailor hesitated, with almost imperceptible qualms.</p> + + <p>"A baited rat-trap," he muttered. Then he quickened his + pace. With the first active spring from rock to rock his + unacknowledged doubts vanished. He might find stores of + priceless utility. The reflection inspired him. Jumping and + climbing like a cat, in two minutes he was near the tree.</p> + + <p>He could now see the true explanation of its growth in a + seemingly impossible place. Here the bed of the sea bulged + upwards in a small sand cay, which silted round the base of a + limestone rock, so different in color and formation from the + coral reef. Nature, whose engineering contrivances can force + springs to mountain tops, managed to deliver to this isolated + refuge a sufficient supply of water to nourish the palm, and + the roots, firmly lodged in deep crevices, were well protected + from the waves.</p> + + <p>Between the sailor and the tree intervened a small stretch + of shallow water. Landward this submerged saddle shelved + steeply into the lagoon. Although the water in the cove was + twenty fathoms in depth, its crystal clearness was remarkable. + The bottom, composed of marvelously white sand and broken + coral, rendered other objects conspicuous. He could see plenty + of fish, but not a single shark, whilst on the inner slope of + the reef was plainly visible the destroyed fore part of the + <i>Sirdar</i>, which had struck beyond the tree, relatively to + his present standpoint. He had wondered why no boats were cast + ashore. Now he saw the reason. Three of them were still + fastened to the davits and carried down with the hull.</p> + + <p>Seaward the water was not so clear. The waves created + patches of foam, and long submarine plants swayed gently in the + undercurrent.</p> + + <p>To reach Palm-tree Rock—anticipating its subsequent + name—he must cross a space of some thirty feet and wade + up to his waist.</p> + + <p>He made the passage with ease.</p> + + <p>Pitched against the hole of the tree was a long narrow case, + very heavy, iron-clamped; and marked with letters in black + triangles and the broad arrow of the British Government.</p> + + <p>"Rifles, by all the gods!" shouted the sailor. They were + really by the Enfield Small Arms Manufactory, but his glee at + this stroke of luck might be held to excuse a verbal + inaccuracy.</p> + + <p>The <i>Sirdar</i> carried a consignment of arms and + ammunition from Hong Kong to Singapore. Providence had decreed + that a practically inexhaustible store of cartridges should be + hurled across the lagoon to the island. And here were + Lee-Metfords enough to equip half a company. He would not risk + the precious axe in an attempt to open the case. He must go + back for a crowbar.</p> + + <p>What else was there in this storehouse, thrust by Neptune + from the ocean bed? A chest of tea, seemingly undamaged. Three + barrels of flour, utterly ruined. A saloon chair, smashed from + its pivot. A battered chronometer. For the rest, fragments of + timber intermingled with pulverized coral and broken + crockery.</p> + + <p>A little further on, the deep-water entrance to the lagoon + curved between sunken rocks. On one of them rested the + <i>Sirdar's</i> huge funnel. The north-west section of the reef + was bare. Among the wreckage he found a coil of stout rope and + a pulley. He instantly conceived the idea of constructing an + aerial line to ferry the chest of tea across the channel he had + forded.</p> + + <p>He threaded the pulley with the rope and climbed the tree, + adding a touch of artistic completeness to the ruin of his + trousers by the operation. He had fastened the pulley high up + the trunk before he realized how much more simple it would be + to break open the chest where it lay and transport its contents + in small parcels.</p> + + <p>He laughed lightly. "I am becoming addleheaded," he said to + himself. "Anyhow, now the job is done I may as well make use of + it."</p> + + <p>Recoiling the rope-ends, he cast them across to the reef. In + such small ways do men throw invisible dice with death. With + those two lines he would, within a few fleeting seconds, drag + himself back from eternity.</p> + + <p>Picking up the axe, he carelessly stepped into the water, + not knowing that Iris, having welded the incipient sago into a + flat pancake, had strolled to the beach and was watching + him.</p> + + <p>The water was hardly above his knees when there came a + swirling rush from the seaweed. A long tentacle shot out like a + lasso and gripped his right leg. Another coiled round his + waist.</p> + + <p>"My God!" he gurgled, as a horrid sucker closed over his + mouth and nose. He was in the grip of a devil-fish.</p> + + <p>A deadly sensation of nausea almost overpowered him, but the + love of life came to his aid, and he tore the suffocating + feeler from his face. Then the axe whirled, and one of the + eight arms of the octopus lost some of its length. Yet a fourth + flung itself around his left ankle. A few feet away, out of + range of the axe, and lifting itself bodily out of the water, + was the dread form of the cuttle, apparently all head, with + distended gills and monstrous eyes.</p> + + <p>The sailor's feet were planted wide apart. With frenzied + effort he hacked at the murderous tentacles, but the water + hindered him, and he was forced to lean back, in superhuman + strain, to avoid losing his balance. If once this terrible + assailant got him down he knew he was lost. The very need to + keep his feet prevented him from attempting to deal a mortal + blow.</p> + + <p>The cuttle was anchored by three of its tentacles. Its + remaining arm darted with sinuous activity to again clutch the + man's face or neck. With the axe he smote madly at the curling + feeler, diverting its aim time and again, but failing to + deliver an effective stroke.</p> + + <p>With agonized prescience the sailor knew that he was + yielding. Were the devil-fish a giant of its tribe he could not + have held out so long. As it was, the creature could afford to + wait, strengthening its grasp, tightening its coils, pulling + and pumping at its prey with remorseless certainty.</p> + + <p>He was nearly spent. In a paroxysm of despair he resolved to + give way, and with one mad effort seek to bury the axe in the + monster's brain. But ere he could execute this fatal + project—for the cuttle would have instantly swept him + into the trailing weeds—five revolver shots rang out in + quick succession. Iris had reached the nearest rock.</p> + + <p>The third bullet gave the octopus cause to reflect. It + squirted forth a torrent of dark-colored fluid. Instantly the + water became black, opaque. The tentacle flourishing in air + thrashed the surface with impotent fury; that around Jenks's + waist grew taut and rigid. The axe flashed with the inspiration + of hope. Another arm was severed; the huge dismembered coil + slackened and fell away.</p> + + <p>Yet was he anchored immovably. He turned to look at Iris. + She never forgot the fleeting expression of his face. So might + Lazarus have looked from the tomb.</p> + + <p>"The rope!" she screamed, dropping the revolver and seizing + the loose ends lying at her feet.</p> + + <p>She drew them tight and leaned back, pulling with all her + strength. The sailor flung the axe to the rocks and grasped the + two ropes. He raised himself and plunged wildly. He was free. + With two convulsive strides he was at the girl's side.</p> + + <p>He stumbled to a boulder and dropped in complete collapse. + After a time he felt Iris's hand placed timidly on his + shoulder. He raised his head and saw her eyes shining.</p> + + <p>"Thank you," he said. "We are quits now."</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + + <h2>SOME EXPLANATIONS</h2> + + <p>Fierce emotions are necessarily transient, but for the hour + they exhaust the psychic capacity. The sailor had gone through + such mental stress before it was yet noon that he was benumbed, + wholly incapable of further sensation. Seneca tells how the + island of Theresæa arose in a moment from the sea, + thereby astounding ancient mariners, as well it might. Had this + manifestation been repeated within a cable's length from the + reef, Jenks was in mood to accept it as befitting the new order + of things.</p> + + <p>Being in good condition, he soon recovered his physical + powers. He was outwardly little the worse for the encounter + with the devil-fish. The skin around his mouth was sore. His + waist and legs were bruised. One sweep of the axe had cut clean + through the bulging leather of his left boot without touching + the flesh. In a word, he was practically uninjured.</p> + + <p>He had the doglike habit of shaking himself at the close of + a fray. He did so now when he stood up. Iris showed clearer + signs of the ordeal. Her face was drawn and haggard, the pupils + of her eyes dilated. She was gazing into depths, illimitable, + unexplored. Compassion awoke at sight of her.</p> + + <p>"Come," said Jenks, gently. "Let us get back to the + island."</p> + + <p>He quietly resumed predominance, helping her over the rough + pathway of the reef, almost lifting her when the difficulties + were great.</p> + + <p>He did not ask her how it happened that she came so speedily + to his assistance. Enough that she had done it, daring all for + his sake. She was weak and trembling. With the acute vision of + the soul she saw again, and yet again, the deadly malice of the + octopus, the divine despair of the man.</p> + + <p>Reaching the firm sand, she could walk alone. She limped. + Instantly her companion's blunted emotions quickened into life. + He caught her arm and said hoarsely—</p> + + <p>"Are you hurt in any way?"</p> + + <p>The question brought her back from dreamland. A waking + nightmare was happily shattered into dim fragments. She even + strove to smile unconcernedly.</p> + + <p>"It is nothing," she murmured. "I stumbled on the rocks. + There is no sprain. Merely a blow, a bit of skin rubbed off, + above my ankle."</p> + + <p>"Let me carry you."</p> + + <p>"The idea! Carry me! I will race you to the cave."</p> + + <p>It was no idle jest. She wanted to run—to get away + from that inky blotch in the green water.</p> + + <p>"You are sure it is a trifle?"</p> + + <p>"Quite sure. My stocking chafes a little; that is all. See, + I will show you."</p> + + <p>She stooped, and with the quick skill of woman, rolled down + the stocking on her right leg. Modestly daring, she stretched + out her foot and slightly lifted her dress. On the outer side + of the tapering limb was an ugly bruise, scratched deeply by + the coral.</p> + + <p>He exhibited due surgical interest. His manner, his words, + became professional.</p> + + <p>"We will soon put that right," he said. "A strip off your + muslin dress, soaked in brandy, will—"</p> + + <p>"Brandy!" she exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Yes; we have some, you know. Brandy is a great tip for + bruised wounds. It can be applied both ways, inside and + out."</p> + + <p>This was better. They were steadily drifting back to the + commonplace. Whilst she stitched together some muslin strips he + knocked the head off a bottle of brandy. They each drank a + small quantity, and the generous spirit brought color to their + wan cheeks. The sailor showed Iris how to fasten a bandage by + twisting the muslin round the upper part of his boot. For the + first time she saw the cut made by the axe.</p> + + <p>"Did—the thing—grip you there?" she nervously + inquired.</p> + + <p>"There, and elsewhere. All over at once, it felt like. The + beast attacked me with five arms."</p> + + <p>She shuddered. "I don't know how you could fight it," she + said. "How strong, how brave you must be."</p> + + <p>This amused him. "The veriest coward will try to save his + own life," he answered. "If you use such adjectives to me, what + words can I find to do justice to you, who dared to come close + to such a vile-looking creature and kill it. I must thank my + stars that you carried the revolver."</p> + + <p>"Ah!" she said, "that reminds me. You do not practice what + you preach. I found your pistol lying on the stone in the cave. + That is one reason why I followed you."</p> + + <p>It was quite true. He laid the weapon aside when delving at + the rock, and forgot to replace it in his belt.</p> + + <p>"It was stupid of me," he admitted; "but I am not + sorry."</p> + + <p>"Why?"</p> + + <p>"Because, as it is, I owe you my life."</p> + + <p>"You owe me nothing," she snapped. "It is very thoughtless + of you to run such risks. What will become of me if anything + happens to you? My point of view is purely selfish, you + see."</p> + + <p>"Quite so. Purely selfish." He smiled sadly. "Selfish people + of your type are somewhat rare, Miss Deane."</p> + + <p>Not a conversation worth noting, perhaps, save in so far as + it is typical of the trite utterances of people striving to + recover from some tremendous ordeal. Epigrams delivered at the + foot of the scaffold have always been carefully prepared + beforehand.</p> + + <p>The bandage was ready; one end was well soaked in brandy. + She moved towards the cave, but he cried—</p> + + <p>"Wait one minute. I want to get a couple of crowbars."</p> + + <p>"What for?"</p> + + <p>"I must go back there." He jerked his head in the direction + of the reef. She uttered a little sob of dismay.</p> + + <p>"I will incur no danger this time," he explained. "I found + rifles there. We must have them; they may mean salvation."</p> + + <p>When Iris was determined about anything, her chin dimpled. + It puckered delightfully now.</p> + + <p>"I will come with you," she announced.</p> + + <p>"Very well. I will wait for you. The tide will serve for + another hour."</p> + + <p>He knew he had decided rightly. She could not bear to be + alone—yet. Soon the bandage was adjusted and they + returned to the reef. Scrambling now with difficulty over the + rough and dangerous track, Iris was secretly amazed by the + remembrance of the daring activity she displayed during her + earlier passage along the same precarious roadway.</p> + + <p>Then she darted from rock to rock with the fearless + certainty of a chamois. Her only stumble was caused, she + recollected, by an absurd effort to avoid wetting her dress. + She laughed nervously when they reached the place. This time + Jenks lifted her across the intervening channel.</p> + + <p>"Is this the spot where you fell?" he asked, tenderly.</p> + + <p>"Yes; how did you guess it?"</p> + + <p>"I read it in your eyes."</p> + + <p>"Then please do not read my eyes, but look where you are + going."</p> + + <p>"Perhaps I was doing that too," he said.</p> + + <p>They were standing on the landward side of the shallow water + in which he fought the octopus.</p> + + <p>Already the dark fluid emitted by his assailant in its final + discomfiture was passing away, owing to the slight movement of + the tide.</p> + + <p>Iris was vaguely conscious of a double meaning in his words. + She did not trouble to analyze them. All she knew was that the + man's voice conveyed a subtle acknowledgment of her feminine + divinity. The resultant thrill of happiness startled, even + dismayed her. This incipient flirtation must be put a stop to + instantly.</p> + + <p>"Now that you have brought me here with so much difficulty, + what are you going to do?" she said. "It will be madness for + you to attempt to ford that passage again. Where there is one + of those horrible things there are others, I suppose."</p> + + <p>Jenks smiled. Somehow he knew that this strict adherence to + business was a cloak for her real thoughts. Already these two + were able to dispense with spoken word.</p> + + <p>But he sedulously adopted her pretext.</p> + + <p>"That is one reason why I brought the crowbars," he + explained. "If you will sit down for a little while I will have + everything properly fixed."</p> + + <p>He delved with one of the bars until it lodged in a crevice + of the coral. Then a few powerful blows with the back of the + axe wedged it firmly enough to bear any ordinary strain. The + rope-ends reeved through the pulley on the tree were lying + where they fell from the girl's hand at the close of the + struggle. He deftly knotted them to the rigid bar, and a few + rapid turns of a piece of wreckage passed between the two lines + strung them into a tautness that could not be attained by any + amount of pulling.</p> + + <p>Iris watched the operation in silence. The sailor always + looked at his best when hard at work. The half-sullen, wholly + self-contained expression left his face, which lit up with + enthusiasm and concentrated intelligence. That which he essayed + he did with all his might. Will power and physical force worked + harmoniously. She had never before seen such a man. At such + moments her admiration of him was unbounded.</p> + + <p>He, toiling with steady persistence, felt not the inward + spur which sought relief in speech, but Iris was compelled to + say something.</p> + + <p>"I suppose," she commented with an air of much wisdom, "you + are contriving an overhead railway for the safe transit of + yourself and the goods?"</p> + + <p>"Y—yes."</p> + + <p>"Why are you so doubtful about it?"</p> + + <p>"Because I personally intended to walk across. The ropes + will serve to convey the packages."</p> + + <p>She rose imperiously. "I absolutely forbid you to enter the + water again. Such a suggestion on your part is quite shameful. + You are taking a grave risk for no very great gain that I can + see, and if anything happens to you I shall be left all alone + in this awful place."</p> + + <p>She could think of no better argument. Her only resource was + a woman's expedient—a plea for protection against + threatening ills.</p> + + <p>The sailor seemed to be puzzled how best to act.</p> + + <p>"Miss Deane," he said, "there is no such serious danger as + you imagine. Last time the cuttle caught me napping. He will + not do so again. Those rifles I must have. If it will serve to + reassure you, I will go along the line myself."</p> + + <p>He made this concession grudgingly. In very truth, if danger + still lurked in the neighboring sea, he would be far less able + to avoid it whilst clinging to a rope that sagged with his + weight, and thus working a slow progress across the channel, + than if he were on his feet and prepared to make a rush + backwards or forwards.</p> + + <p>Not until Iris watched him swinging along with vigorous + overhead clutches did this phase of the undertaking occur to + her.</p> + + <p>"Stop!" she screamed.</p> + + <p>He let go and dropped into the water, turning towards + her.</p> + + <p>"What is the matter now?" he said.</p> + + <p>"Go on; do!"</p> + + <p>He stood meekly on the further side to listen to her + rating.</p> + + <p>"You knew all the time that it would be better to walk, yet + to please me you adopted an absurdly difficult method. Why did + you do it?"</p> + + <p>"You have answered your own question."</p> + + <p>"Well, I am very, very angry with you."</p> + + <p>"I'll tell you what," he said, "if you will forgive me I + will try and jump back. I once did nineteen feet three inches + in—er—in a meadow, but it makes such a difference + when you look at a stretch of water the same width."</p> + + <p>"I wish you would not stand there talking nonsense. The tide + will be over the reef in half an hour," she cried.</p> + + <p>Without another word he commenced operations. There was + plenty of rope, and the plan he adopted was simplicity itself. + When each package was securely fastened he attached it to a + loop that passed over the line stretched from the tree to the + crowbar. To this loop he tied the lightest rope he could find + and threw the other end to Iris. By pulling slightly she was + able to land at her feet even the cumbrous rifle-chest, for the + traveling angle was so acute that the heavier the article the + more readily it sought the lower level.</p> + + <p>They toiled in silence until Jenks could lay hands on + nothing more of value. Then, observing due care, he quickly + passed the channel. For an instant the girl gazed affrightedly + at the sea until the sailor stood at her side again.</p> + + <p>"You see," he said, "you have scared every cuttle within + miles." And he thought that he would give many years of his + life to be able to take her in his arms and kiss away her + anxiety.</p> + + <p>But the tide had turned; in a few minutes the reef would be + partly submerged. To carry the case of rifles to the mainland + was a manifestly impossible feat, so Jenks now did that which, + done earlier, would have saved him some labor—he broke + open the chest, and found that the weapons were apparently in + excellent order.</p> + + <p>He snapped the locks and squinted down the barrels of half a + dozen to test them. These he laid on one side. Then he rapidly + constructed a small raft from loose timbers, binding them + roughly with rope, and to this argosy he fastened the box of + tea, the barrels of flour, the broken saloon-chair, and other + small articles which might be of use. He avoided any difficulty + in launching the raft by building it close to the water's edge. + When all was ready the rising tide floated it for him; he + secured it to his longest rope, and gave it a vigorous push off + into the lagoon. Then he slung four rifles across his + shoulders, asked Iris to carry the remaining two in like + manner, and began to manoeuvre the raft landwards.</p> + + <p>"Whilst you land the goods I will prepare dinner," announced + the girl.</p> + + <p>"Please be careful not to slip again on the rocks," he + said.</p> + + <p>"Indeed I will. My ankle gives me a reminder at each + step."</p> + + <p>"I was more concerned about the rifles. If you fell you + might damage them, and the incoming tide will so hopelessly + rust those I leave behind that they will be useless."</p> + + <p>She laughed. This assumption at brutality no longer deceived + her.</p> + + <p>"I will preserve them at any cost, though with six in our + possession there is a margin for accidents. However, to + reassure you, I will go back quickly. If I fall a second time + you will still be able to replace any deficiencies in our + armament."</p> + + <p>Before he could protest she started off at a run, jumping + lightly from rock to rock, though the effort cost her a good + deal of pain. Disregarding his shouts, she persevered until she + stood safely on the sands. Then saucily waving a farewell, she + set off towards the cave.</p> + + <p>Had she seen the look of fierce despair that settled down + upon Jenks's face as he turned to his task of guiding the raft + ashore she might have wondered what it meant. In any case she + would certainly have behaved differently.</p> + + <p>By the time the sailor had safely landed his cargo Iris had + cooked their midday meal. She achieved a fresh culinary + triumph. The eggs were fried!</p> + + <p>"I am seriously thinking of trying to boil a ham," she + stated gravely. "Have you any idea how long it takes to cook + one properly?"</p> + + <p>"A quarter of an hour for each pound."</p> + + <p>"Admirable! But we can measure neither hours nor + pounds."</p> + + <p>"I think we can do both. I will construct a balance of some + kind. Then, with a ham slung to one end, and a rifle and some + cartridges to the other, I will tell you the weight of the ham + to an ounce. To ascertain the time, I have already determined + to fashion a sun-dial. I remember the requisite divisions with + reasonable accuracy, and a little observation will enable us to + correct any mistakes."</p> + + <p>"You are really very clever, Mr. Jenks," said Iris, with + childlike candor. "Have you spent several years of your life in + preparing for residence on a desert island?"</p> + + <p>"Something of the sort. I have led a queer kind of + existence, full of useless purposes. Fate has driven me into a + corner where my odds and ends of knowledge are actually + valuable. Such accidents make men millionaires."</p> + + <p>"Useless purposes!" she repeated. "I can hardly credit that. + One uses such a phrase to describe fussy people, alive with + foolish activity. Your worst enemy would not place you in such + a category."</p> + + <p>"My worst enemy made the phrase effective at any rate, Miss + Deane."</p> + + <p>"You mean that he ruined your career?"</p> + + <p>"Well—er—yes. I suppose that describes the + position with fair accuracy."</p> + + <p>"Was he a very great scoundrel?"</p> + + <p>"He was, and is."</p> + + <p>Jenks spoke with quiet bitterness. The girl's words had + evoked a sudden flood of recollection. For the moment he did + not notice how he had been trapped into speaking of himself, + nor did he see the quiet content on Iris's face when she + elicited the information that his chief foe was a man. A + certain tremulous hesitancy in her manner when she next spoke + might have warned him, but his hungry soul caught only the warm + sympathy of her words, which fell like rain on parched + soil.</p> + + <p>"You are tired," she said. "Won't you smoke for a little + while, and talk to me?"</p> + + <p>He produced his pipe and tobacco, but he used his right hand + awkwardly. It was evident to her alert eyes that the torn quick + on his injured finger was hurting him a great deal. The + exciting events of the morning had caused him temporarily to + forget his wound, and the rapid coursing of the blood through + the veins was now causing him agonized throbs.</p> + + <p>With a cry of distress she sprang to her feet and insisted + upon washing the wound. Then she tenderly dressed it with a + strip of linen well soaked in brandy, thinking the while, with + a sudden rush of color to her face, that although he could + suggest this remedy for her slight hurt, he gave no thought to + his own serious injury. Finally she pounced upon his pipe and + tobacco-box.</p> + + <p>"Don't be alarmed," she laughed. "I have often filled my + father's pipe for him. First, you put the tobacco in loosely, + taking care not to use any that is too finely powdered. Then + you pack the remainder quite tightly. But I was nearly + forgetting. I haven't blown, through the pipe to see if it is + clean."</p> + + <p>She suited the action to the word, using much needless + breath in the operation.</p> + + <p>"That is a first-rate pipe," she declared. "My father always + said that a straight stem, with the bowl at a right angle, was + the correct shape. You evidently agree with him."</p> + + <p>"Absolutely."</p> + + <p>"You will like my father when you meet him. He is the very + best man alive, I am sure."</p> + + <p>"You two are great friends, then?"</p> + + <p>"Great friends! He is the only friend I possess in the + world."</p> + + <p>"What! Is that quite accurate?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, quite. Of course, Mr. Jenks, I can never forget how + much I owe to you. I like you immensely, too, although you are + so—so gruff to me at times. But—but—you see, + my father and I have always been together. I have neither + brother nor sister, not even a cousin. My dear mother died from + some horrid fever when I was quite a little girl. My father is + everything to me."</p> + + <p>"Dear child!" he murmured, apparently uttering his thoughts + aloud rather than addressing her directly. "So you find me + gruff, eh?"</p> + + <p>"A regular bear, when you lecture me. But that is only + occasionally. You can be very nice when you like, when you + forget your past troubles. And pray, why do you call me a + child?</p> + + <p>"Have I done so?"</p> + + <p>"Not a moment ago. How old are you, Mr. Jenks? I am + twenty—twenty last December."</p> + + <p>"And I," he said, "will be twenty-eight in August."</p> + + <p>"Good gracious!" she gasped. "I am very sorry, but I really + thought you were forty at least."</p> + + <p>"I look it, no doubt. Let me be equally candid and admit + that you, too, show your age markedly."</p> + + <p>She smiled nervously. "What a lot of trouble you must have + had to—to—to give you those little wrinkles in the + corners of your mouth and eyes," she said.</p> + + <p>"Wrinkles! How terrible!"</p> + + <p>"I don't know. I think they rather suit you; besides, it was + stupid of me to imagine you were so old. I suppose exposure to + the sun creates wrinkles, and you must have lived much in the + open air."</p> + + <p>"Early rising and late going to bed are bad for the + complexion," he declared, solemnly.</p> + + <p>"I often wonder how army officers manage to exist," she + said. "They never seem to get enough sleep, in the East, at any + rate. I have seen them dancing for hours after midnight, and + heard of them pig-sticking or schooling hunters at five o'clock + next morning."</p> + + <p>"So you assume I have been in the army?"</p> + + <p>"I am quite sure of it."</p> + + <p>"May I ask why?"</p> + + <p>"Your manner, your voice, your quiet air of authority, the + very way you walk, all betray you."</p> + + <p>"Then," he said sadly, "I will not attempt to deny the fact. + I held a commission in the Indian Staff Corps for nine years. + It was a hobby of mine, Miss Deane, to make myself acquainted + with the best means of victualing my men and keeping them in + good health under all sorts of fanciful conditions and in every + kind of climate, especially under circumstances when ordinary + stores were not available. With that object in view I read up + every possible country in which my regiment might be engaged, + learnt the local names of common articles of food, and + ascertained particularly what provision nature made to sustain + life. The study interested me. Once, during the Soudan + campaign, it was really useful, and procured me promotion."</p> + + <p>"Tell me about it."</p> + + <p>"During some operations in the desert it was necessary for + my troop to follow up a small party of rebels mounted on + camels, which, as you probably know, can go without water much + longer than horses. We were almost within striking distance, + when our horses completely gave out, but I luckily noticed + indications which showed that there was water beneath a portion + of the plain much below the general level. Half an hour's spade + work proved that I was right. We took up the pursuit again, and + ran the quarry to earth, and I got my captaincy."</p> + + <p>"Was there no fight?"</p> + + <p>He paused an appreciable time before replying. Then he + evidently made up his mind to perform some disagreeable task. + The watching girl could see the change in his face, the sharp + transition from eager interest to angry resentment.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he went on at last, "there was a fight. It was a + rather stiff affair, because a troop of British cavalry which + should have supported me had turned back, owing to the want of + water already mentioned. But that did not save the officer in + charge of the 24th Lancers from being severely + reprimanded."</p> + + <p>"The 24th Lancers!" cried Iris. "Lord Ventnor's + regiment!"</p> + + <p>"Lord Ventnor was the officer in question."</p> + + <p>Her face crimonsed. "Then you know him?" she said.</p> + + <p>"I do."</p> + + <p>"Is he your enemy?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>"And that is why you were so agitated that last day on the + <i>Sirdar</i>, when poor Lady Tozer asked me if I were engaged + to him?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>"How could it affect you? You did not even know my name + then?"</p> + + <p>Poor Iris! She did not stop to ask herself why she framed + her question in such manner, but the sailor was now too + profoundly moved to heed the slip. She could not tell how he + was fighting with himself, fiercely beating down the inner + barriers of self-love, sternly determined, once and for all, to + reveal himself in such light to this beautiful and bewitching + woman that in future she would learn to regard him only as an + outcast whose company she must perforce tolerate until relief + came.</p> + + <p>"It affected me because the sudden mention of his name + recalled my own disgrace. I quitted the army six months ago, + Miss Deane, under very painful circumstances. A general + court-martial found me guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer + and a gentleman. I was not even given a chance to resign. I was + cashiered."</p> + + <p>He pretended to speak with cool truculence. He thought to + compel her into shrinking contempt. Yet his face blanched + somewhat, and though he steadily kept the pipe between his + teeth, and smoked with studied unconcern, his lips twitched a + little.</p> + + <p>And he dared not look at her, for the girl's wondering eyes + were fixed upon him, and the blush had disappeared as quickly + as it came.</p> + + <p>"I remember something of this," she said slowly, never once + averting her gaze. "There was some gossip concerning it when I + first came to Hong Kong. You are Captain Robert + Anstruther?"</p> + + <p>"I am."</p> + + <p>"And you publicly thrashed Lord Ventnor as the result of a + quarrel about a woman?"</p> + + <p>"Your recollection is quite accurate."</p> + + <p>"Who was to blame?"</p> + + <p>"The lady said that I was."</p> + + <p>"Was it true?"</p> + + <p>Robert Anstruther, late captain of Bengal Cavalry, rose to + his feet. He preferred to take his punishment standing.</p> + + <p>"The court-martial agreed with her, Miss Deane, and I am a + prejudiced witness," he replied.</p> + + <p>"Who was the—lady?"</p> + + <p>"The wife of my colonel, Mrs. Costobell."</p> + + <p>"Oh!"</p> + + <p>Long afterwards he remembered the agony of that moment, and + winced even at the remembrance. But he had decided upon a fixed + policy, and he was not a man to flinch from consequences. Miss + Deane must be taught to despise him, else, God help them both, + she might learn to love him as he now loved her. So, blundering + towards his goal as men always blunder where a woman's heart is + concerned, he blindly persisted in allowing her to make such + false deductions as she chose from his words.</p> + + <p>Iris was the first to regain some measure of + self-control.</p> + + <p>"I am glad you have been so candid, Captain Anstruther," she + commenced, but he broke in abruptly—</p> + + <p>"Jenks, if you please, Miss Deane. Robert Jenks."</p> + + <p>There was a curious light in her eyes, but he did not see + it, and her voice was marvelously subdued as she + continued—</p> + + <p>"Certainly, Mr. Jenks. Let me be equally explicit before we + quit the subject. I have met Mrs. Costobell. I do not like her. + I consider her a deceitful woman. Your court-martial might have + found a different verdict had its members been of her sex. As + for Lord Ventnor, he is nothing to me. It is true he asked my + father to be permitted to pay his addresses to me, but my dear + old dad left the matter wholly to my decision, and I certainly + never gave Lord Ventnor any encouragement. I believe now that + Mrs. Costobell lied, and that Lord Ventnor lied, when they + attributed any dishonorable action to you, and I am glad that + you beat him in the Club. I am quite sure he deserved it."</p> + + <p>Not one word did this strange man vouchsafe in reply. He + started violently, seized the axe lying at his feet, and went + straight among the trees, keeping his face turned from Iris so + that she might not see the tears in his eyes.</p> + + <p>As for the girl, she began to scour her cooking utensils + with much energy, and soon commenced a song. Considering that + she was compelled to constantly endure the company of a + degraded officer, who had been expelled from the service with + ignominy, she was absurdly contented. Indeed, with the happy + inconsequence of youth, she quickly threw all care to the + winds, and devoted her thoughts to planning a surprise for the + next day by preparing some tea, provided she could + surreptitiously open the chest.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + + <h2>SURPRISES</h2> + + <p>Before night closed their third day on the island Jenks + managed to construct a roomy tent-house, with a framework of + sturdy trees selected on account of their location. To these he + nailed or tied crossbeams of felled saplings; and the + tarpaulins dragged from the beach supplied roof and walls. It + required the united strength of Iris and himself to haul into + position the heavy sheet that topped the structure, whilst he + was compelled to desist from active building operations in + order to fashion a rough ladder. Without some such contrivance + he could not get the topmost supports adjusted at a sufficient + height.</p> + + <p>Although the edifice required at least two more days of hard + work before it would be fit for habitation Iris wished to take + up her quarters there immediately. This the sailor would not + hear of.</p> + + <p>"In the cave," he said, "you are absolutely sheltered from + all the winds that blow or rain that falls. Our villa, however, + is painfully leaky and draughty at present. When asleep, the + whole body is relaxed, and you are then most open to the + attacks of cold or fever, in which case, Miss Deane, I shall be + reluctantly obliged to dose you with a concoction of that tree + there."</p> + + <p>He pointed to a neighboring cinchona, and Iris naturally + asked why he selected that particular brand.</p> + + <p>"Because it is quinine, not made up in nice little tabloids, + but <i>au naturel</i>. It will not be a bad plan if we prepare + a strong infusion, and take a small quantity every morning on + the excellent principle that prevention is better than + cure."</p> + + <p>The girl laughed.</p> + + <p>"Good gracious!" she said; "that reminds me—"</p> + + <p>But the words died away on her lips in sudden fright. They + were standing on the level plateau in front of the cave, well + removed from the trees, and they could see distinctly on all + sides, for the sun was sinking in a cloudless sky and the air + was preternaturally clear, being free now from the tremulous + haze of the hot hours.</p> + + <p>Across the smooth expanse of sandy ground came the agonized + shrieks of a startled bird—a large bird, it would + seem—winging its way towards them with incredible + swiftness, and uttering a succession of loud full-voiced notes + of alarm.</p> + + <p>Yet the strange thing was that not a bird was to be seen. At + that hour the ordinary feathered inhabitants of the island were + quietly nestling among the branches preparatory to making a + final selection of the night's resting-place. None of them + would stir unless actually disturbed.</p> + + <p>Iris drew near to the sailor. Involuntarily she caught his + arm. He stepped a half-pace in front of her to ward off any + danger that might be heralded by this new and uncanny + phenomenon. Together they strained their eyes in the direction + of the approaching sound, but apparently their sight was + bewitched; as nothing whatever was visible.</p> + + <p>"Oh, what is it?" wailed Iris, who now clung to Jenks in a + state of great apprehension.</p> + + <p>The clucking noise came nearer, passed them within a yard, + and was already some distance away towards the reef when the + sailor burst into a hearty laugh, none the less genuine because + of the relief it gave to his bewildered senses.</p> + + <p>Reassured, but still white with fear, Iris cried: "Do speak, + please, Mr. Jenks. What was it?"</p> + + <p>"A beetle!" he managed to gasp.</p> + + <p>"A beetle?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, a small, insignificant-looking fellow, too—so + small that I did not see him until he was almost out of range. + He has the loudest voice for his size in the whole of creation. + A man able to shout on the same scale could easily make himself + heard for twenty miles."</p> + + <p>"Then I do not like such beetles; I always hated them, but + this latest variety is positively detestable. Such nasty things + ought to be kept in zoological gardens, and not turned loose. + Moreover, my tea will be boiled into spinach."</p> + + <p>Nevertheless, the tea, though minus sugar or milk, was + grateful enough and particularly acceptable to the sailor, who + entertained Iris with a disquisition on the many virtues of + that marvelous beverage. Curiously enough, the lifting of the + veil upon the man's earlier history made these two much better + friends. With more complete acquaintance there was far less + tendency towards certain passages which, under ordinary + conditions, could be construed as nothing else than downright + flirtation.</p> + + <p>They made the pleasing discovery that they could both sing. + There was hardly an opera in vogue that one or other did not + know sufficiently well to be able to recall the chief musical + numbers. Iris had a sweet and sympathetic mezzo-soprano voice, + Jenks an excellent baritone, and, to the secret amazement of + the girl, he rendered one or two well-known Anglo-Indian + barrack-room ditties with much humor.</p> + + <p>This, then, was the <i>mise-en-scéne</i>.</p> + + <p>Iris, seated in the broken saloon-chair, which the sailor + had firmly wedged into the sand for her accommodation, was + attired in a close-fitting costume selected from the small + store of garments so wisely preserved by Jenks. She wore a pair + of clumsy men's boots several sizes too large for her. Her hair + was tied up in a gipsy knot on the back of her head, and the + light of a cheerful log fire danced in her blue eyes.</p> + + <p>Jenks, unshaven and ragged, squatted tailor wise near her. + Close at hand, on two sides, the shaggy walls of rock rose in + solemn grandeur. The neighboring trees, decked now in the sable + livery of night, were dimly outlined against the deep misty + blue of sea and sky or wholly merged in the shadow of the + cliffs.</p> + + <p>They lost themselves in the peaceful influences of the hour. + Shipwrecked, remote from human land, environed by dangers known + or only conjectured, two solitary beings on a tiny island, + thrown haphazard from the depths of the China Sea, this young + couple, after passing unscathed through perils unknown even to + the writers of melodrama, lifted up their voices in the sheer + exuberance of good spirits and abounding vitality.</p> + + <p>The girl was specially attracted by "The Buffalo Battery," a + rollicking lyric known to all Anglo-India from Peshawur to + Tuticorin. The air is the familiar one of the "Hen Convention," + and the opening verse runs in this wise:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I love to hear the sepoy with his bold and martial + tread,</p> + + <p>And the thud of the galloping cavalry re-echoes + through my head.</p> + + <p>But sweeter far than any sound by mortal ever + made</p> + + <p>Is the tramp of the Buffalo Battery a-going to + parade.</p> + + <p class="i2"><i>Chorus</i>: For it's + "Hainya! hainya! hainya! hainya!"</p> + + <p class="i12">Twist their tails and go.</p> + + <p class="i10">With a "Hâthi! hâthi! + hâthi!" ele-<i>phant</i> and buffa<i>lo</i>,</p> + + <p class="i10">"Chow-chow, chow-chow, chow-chow, + chow-chow,"</p> + + <p class="i12">"Tèri ma!" "Chel-lo!"</p> + + <p class="i10">Oh, that's the way they shout all day, + and drive the buffalo.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Iris would not be satisfied until she understood the meaning + of the Hindustani phrases, mastered the nasal pronunciation of + "hainya," and placed the artificial accent on <i>phant</i> and + <i>lo</i> in the second line of the chorus.</p> + + <p>Jenks was concluding the last verse when there came, + hurtling through the air, the weird cries of the singing + beetle, returning, perchance, from successful foray on + Palm-tree Rock. This second advent of the insect put an end to + the concert. Within a quarter of an hour they were asleep.</p> + + <p>Thenceforth, for ten days, they labored unceasingly, + starting work at daybreak and stopping only when the light + failed, finding the long hours of sunshine all too short for + the manifold tasks demanded of them, yet thankful that the + night brought rest. The sailor made out a programme to which he + rigidly adhered. In the first place, he completed the house, + which had two compartments, an inner room in which Iris slept, + and an outer, which served as a shelter for their meals and + provided a bedroom for the man.</p> + + <p>Then he constructed a gigantic sky-sign on Summit Rock, the + small cluster of boulders on top of the cliff. His chief + difficulty was to hoist into place the tall poles he needed, + and for this purpose he had to again visit Palm-tree Rock in + order to secure the pulley. By exercising much ingenuity in + devising shear-legs, he at last succeeded in lifting the masts + into their allotted receptacles, where they were firmly + secured. Finally he was able to swing into air, high above the + tops of the neighboring trees, the loftiest of which he felled + in order to clear the view on all sides, the name of the ship + <i>Sirdar</i>, fashioned in six-foot letters nailed and spliced + together in sections and made from the timbers of that + ill-fated vessel.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile he taught Iris how to weave a net out of the + strands of unraveled cordage. With this, weighted by bullets, + he contrived a casting-net and caught a lot of small fish in + the lagoon. At first they were unable to decide which varieties + were edible, until a happy expedient occurred to the girl.</p> + + <p>"The seabirds can tell us," she said. "Let us spread out our + haul on the sands and leave them. By observing those specimens + seized by the birds and those they reject we should not go far + wrong."</p> + + <p>Though her reasoning was not infallible it certainly proved + to be a reliable guide in this instance. Among the fish + selected by the feathered connoisseurs they hit upon two + species which most resembled whiting and haddock, and these + turned out to be very palatable and wholesome.</p> + + <p>Jenks knew a good deal of botany, and enough about birds to + differentiate between carnivorous species and those fit for + human food, whilst the salt in their most fortunate supply of + hams rendered their meals almost epicurean. Think of it, ye + dwellers in cities, content with stale buns and leathery + sandwiches when ye venture into the wilds of a railway + refreshment-room, these two castaways, marooned by queer chance + on a desert island, could sit down daily to a banquet of + vegetable soup, fish, a roast bird, ham boiled or fried, and a + sago pudding, the whole washed down by cool spring water, or, + should the need arise, a draught of the best champagne!</p> + + <p>From the rusty rifles on the reef Jenks brought away the + bayonets and secured all the screws, bolts, and other small + odds and ends which might be serviceable. From the barrels he + built a handy grate to facilitate Iris's cooking operations, + and a careful search each morning amidst the ashes of any burnt + wreckage accumulated a store of most useful nails.</p> + + <p>The pressing need for a safe yet accessible bathing place + led him and the girl to devote one afternoon to a complete + survey of the coast-line. By this time they had given names to + all the chief localities. The northerly promontory was + naturally christened North Cape; the western, Europa Point; the + portion of the reef between their habitation and Palm-tree Rock + became Filey Brig; the other section North-west Reef. The flat + sandy passage across the island, containing the cave, house, + and well, was named Prospect Park; and the extensive stretch of + sand on the south-east, with its guard of broken reefs, was at + once dubbed Turtle Beach when Jenks discovered that an immense + number of green turtles were paying their spring visit to the + island to bury their eggs in the sand.</p> + + <p>The two began their tour of inspection by passing the scene + of the first desperate struggle to escape from the clutch of + the typhoon. Iris would not be content until the sailor showed + her the rock behind which he placed her for shelter whilst he + searched for water. For a moment the recollection of their + unfortunate companions on board ship brought a lump into her + throat and dimmed her eyes.</p> + + <p>"I remember them in my prayers every night," she confided to + him. "It seems so unutterably sad that they should be lost, + whilst we are alive and happy."</p> + + <p>The man distracted her attention by pointing out the embers + of their first fire. It was the only way to choke back the + tumultuous feelings that suddenly stormed his heart. Happy! + Yes, he had never before known such happiness. How long would + it last? High up on the cliff swung the signal to anxious + searchers of the sea that here would be found the survivors of + the <i>Sirdar</i>. And then, when rescue came, when Miss Deane + became once more the daughter of a wealthy baronet, and he a + disgraced and a nameless outcast—! He set his teeth and + savagely struck at a full cup of the pitcher-plant which had so + providentially relieved their killing thirst.</p> + + <p>"Oh, why did you do that?" pouted Iris. "Poor thing! it was + a true friend in need. I wish I could do something for it to + make it the best and leafiest plant of its kind on the + island."</p> + + <p>"Very well!" he answered; "you can gratify your wish. A + tinful of fresh water from the well, applied daily to its + roots, will quickly achieve that end."</p> + + <p>The moroseness of his tone and manner surprised her. For + once her quick intuition failed to divine the source of his + irritation.</p> + + <p>"You give your advice ungraciously," she said, "but I will + adopt it nevertheless."</p> + + <p>A harmless incident, a kindly and quite feminine resolve, + yet big with fate for both of them.</p> + + <p>Jenks's unwonted ill-humor—for the passage of days had + driven from his face all its harshness, and from his tongue all + its assumed bitterness—created a passing cloud until the + physical exertion of scrambling over the rocks to round the + North Cape restored their normal relations.</p> + + <p>A strong current raced by this point to the south-east, and + tore away the outlying spur of the headland to such an extent + that the sailor was almost inclined to choose the easier way + through the trees. Yet he persevered, and it may be confessed + that the opportunities thus afforded of grasping the girl's + arm, of placing a steadying hand on her shoulder, were dominant + factors in determining his choice.</p> + + <p>At last they reached the south side, and here they at once + found themselves in a delightfully secluded and tiny bay, + sandy, tree-lined, sheltered on three sides by cliffs and + rocks.</p> + + <p>"Oh," cried Iris, excitedly, "what a lovely spot! a perfect + Smugglers' Cove."</p> + + <p>"Charming enough to look at," was the answering comment, + "but open to the sea. If you look at the smooth riband of water + out there, you will perceive a passage through the reef. A + great place for sharks, Miss Deane, but no place for + bathers."</p> + + <p>"Good gracious! I had forgotten the sharks. I suppose they + must live, horrid as they are, but I don't want them to dine on + me."</p> + + <p>The mention of such disagreeable adjuncts to life on the + island no longer terrified her. Thus do English newcomers to + India pass the first three months' residence in the country in + momentary terror of snakes, and the remaining thirty years in + complete forgetfulness of them.</p> + + <p>They passed on. Whilst traversing the coral-strewn south + beach, with its patches of white soft sand baking in the direct + rays of the sun, Jenks perceived traces of the turtle which + swarmed in the neighboring sea.</p> + + <p>"Delicious eggs and turtle soup!" he announced when Iris + asked him why he was so intently studying certain marks on the + sand, caused by the great sea-tortoise during their nocturnal + visits to the breeding-ground.</p> + + <p>"If they are green turtle," he continued, "we are in the lap + of luxury. They lard the alderman and inspire the poet. When a + ship comes to our assistance I will persuade the captain to + freight the vessel with them and make my fortune."</p> + + <p>"I suppose, under the circumstances, you were not a rich + man, Mr. Jenks," said Iris, timidly.</p> + + <p>"I possess a wealthy bachelor uncle, who made me his heir + and allowed me four hundred a year; so I was a sort of Croesus + among Staff Corps officers. When the smash came he disowned me + by cable. By selling my ponies and my other belongings I was + able to walk out of my quarters penniless but free from + debt."</p> + + <p>"And all through a deceitful woman!"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>Iris peeped at him from under the brim of her sou'wester. He + seemed to be absurdly contented, so different was his tone in + discussing a necessarily painful topic to the attitude he + adopted during the attack on the pitcher-plant.</p> + + <p>She was puzzled, but ventured a further step.</p> + + <p>"Was she very bad to you, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + + <p>He stopped and laughed—actually roared at the + suggestion.</p> + + <p>"Bad to me!" he repeated. "I had nothing to do with her. She + was humbugging her husband, not me. Fool that I was, I could + not mind my own business."</p> + + <p>So Mrs. Costobell was not flirting with the man who suffered + on her account. It is a regrettable but true statement that + Iris would willingly have hugged Mrs. Costobell at that moment. + She walked on air during the next half-hour of golden silence, + and Jenks did not remind her that they were passing the + gruesome Valley of Death.</p> + + <p>Rounding Europa Point, the sailor's eyes were fixed on their + immediate surroundings, but Iris gazed dreamily ahead. Hence it + was that she was the first to cry in amazement—</p> + + <p>"A boat! See, there! On the rocks!"</p> + + <p>There was no mistake. A ship's boat was perched high and dry + on the north side of the cape. Even as they scrambled towards + it Jenks understood how it had come there.</p> + + <p>When the <i>Sirdar</i> parted amidships the after section + fell back into the depths beyond the reef, and this boat must + have broken loose from its davits and been driven ashore here + by the force of the western current.</p> + + <p>Was it intact? Could they escape? Was this ark stranded on + the island for their benefit? If it were seaworthy, whither + should they steer—to those islands whose blue outlines + were visible on the horizon?</p> + + <p>These and a hundred other questions coursed through his + brain during the race over the rocks, but all such wild + speculations were promptly settled when they reached the craft, + for the keel and the whole of the lower timbers were smashed + into matchwood.</p> + + <p>But there were stores on board. Jenks remembered that + Captain Ross's foresight had secured the provisioning of all + the ship's boats soon after the first wild rush to steady the + vessel after the propeller was lost. Masts, sails, oars, + seats—all save two water-casks—had gone; but Jenks, + with eager hands, unfastened the lockers, and here he found a + good supply of tinned meats and biscuits. They had barely + recovered from the excitement of this find when the sailor + noticed that behind the rocks on which the craft was firmly + lodged lay a small natural basin full of salt water, + replenished and freshened by the spray of every gale, and + completely shut off from all seaward access.</p> + + <p>It was not more than four feet deep, beautifully carpeted + with sand, and secluded by rocks on all sides. Not the tiniest + crab or fish was to be seen. It provided an ideal bath.</p> + + <p>Iris was overjoyed. She pointed towards their + habitation.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks," she said, "I will be with you at tea-time."</p> + + <p>He gathered all the tins he was able to carry and strode + off, enjoining her to fire her revolver if for the slightest + reason she wanted assistance, and giving a parting warning that + if she delayed too long he would come and shout to her.</p> + + <p>"I wonder," said the girl to herself, watching his + retreating figure, "what he is afraid of. Surely by this time + we have exhausted the unpleasant surprises of the island. + Anyhow, now for a splash!"</p> + + <p>She was hardly in the water before she began to be afraid on + account of Jenks. Suppose anything happened to him whilst she + was thoughtlessly enjoying herself here. So strongly did the + thought possess her that she hurriedly dressed again and ran + off to find him.</p> + + <p>He was engaged in fastening a number of bayonets + transversely to a long piece of timber.</p> + + <p>"What are you doing that for?" she asked.</p> + + <p>"Why did you return so soon? Did anything alarm you?"</p> + + <p>"I thought you might get into mischief," she confessed.</p> + + <p>"No. On the other hand, I am trying to make trouble for any + unwelcome visitors," he replied. "This is a <i>cheval de + frise</i>, which I intend to set up in front of our cave in + case we are compelled to defend ourselves against an attack by + savages. With this barring the way they cannot rush the + position."</p> + + <p>She sighed. Rainbow Island was a wild spot after all. Did + not thorns and briers grow very close to the gates of Eden?</p> + + <p>On the nineteenth day of their residence on the island the + sailor climbed, as was his invariable habit, to the Summit Rock + whilst Iris prepared breakfast. At this early hour the horizon + was clearly cut as the rim of a sapphire. He examined the whole + arc of the sea with his glasses, but not a sail was in sight. + According to his calculations, the growing anxiety as to the + fate of the <i>Sirdar</i> must long ere this have culminated in + the dispatch from Hong Kong or Singapore of a special search + vessel, whilst British warships in the China Sea would be + warned to keep a close lookout for any traces of the steamer, + to visit all islands on their route, and to question fishermen + whom they encountered. So help might come any day, or it might + be long deferred. He could not pierce the future, and it was + useless to vex his soul with questionings as to what might + happen next week. The great certainty of the hour was + Iris—the blue-eyed, smiling divinity who had come into + his life—waiting for him down there beyond the trees, + waiting to welcome him with a sweet-voiced greeting; and he + knew, with a fierce devouring joy, that her cheek would not + pale nor her lip tremble when he announced that at least + another sun must set before the expected relief reached + them.</p> + + <p>He replaced the glasses in their case and dived into the + wood, giving a passing thought to the fact that the wind, after + blowing steadily from the south for nearly a week, had veered + round to the north-east during the night. Did the change + portend a storm? Well, they were now prepared for all such + eventualities, and he had not forgotten that they possessed, + among other treasures, a box of books for rainy days. And a + rainy day with Iris for company! What gale that ever blew could + offer such compensation for enforced idleness?</p> + + <p>The morning sped in uneventful work. Iris did not neglect + her cherished pitcher-plant. After luncheon it was her custom + now to carry a dishful of water to its apparently arid roots, + and she rose to fulfil her self-imposed task.</p> + + <p>"Let me help you," said Jenks. "I am not very busy this + afternoon."</p> + + <p>"No, thank you. I simply won't allow you to touch that + shrub. The dear thing looks quite glad to see me. It drinks up + the water as greedily as a thirsty animal."</p> + + <p>"Even a cabbage has a heart, Miss Deane."</p> + + <p>She laughed merrily. "I do believe you are offering me a + compliment," she said. "I must indeed have found favor in your + eyes."</p> + + <p>He had schooled himself to resist the opening given by this + class of retort, so he turned to make some corrections in the + scale of the sun-dial he had constructed, aided therein by + daily observations with the sextant left by the former + inhabitant of the cave.</p> + + <p>Iris had been gone perhaps five minutes when he heard a + distant shriek, twice repeated, and then there came faintly to + his ears his own name, not "Jenks," but "Robert," in the girl's + voice. Something terrible had happened. It was a cry of supreme + distress. Mortal agony or overwhelming terror alone could wring + that name from her lips. Precisely in such moments this man + acted with the decision, the unerring judgment, the + instantaneous acceptance of great risk to accomplish great + results, that marked him out as a born soldier.</p> + + <p>He rushed into the house and snatched from the rifle-rack + one of the six Lee-Metfords reposing there in apple-pie order, + each with a filled magazine attached and a cartridge already in + position.</p> + + <p>Then he ran, with long swift strides, not through the trees, + where he could see nothing, but towards the beach, whence, in + forty yards, the place where Iris probably was would become + visible.</p> + + <p>At once he saw her, struggling in the grasp of two + ferocious-looking Dyaks, one, by his garments, a person of + consequence, the other a half-naked savage, hideous and + repulsive in appearance. Around them seven men, armed with guns + and parangs, were dancing with excitement.</p> + + <p>Iris's captors were endeavoring to tie her arms, but she was + a strong and active Englishwoman, with muscles well knit by the + constant labor of recent busy days and a frame developed by + years of horse-riding and tennis-playing. The pair evidently + found her a tough handful, and the inferior Dyak, either to + stop her screams—for she was shrieking "Robert, come to + me!" with all her might—or to stifle her into submission, + roughly placed his huge hand over her mouth.</p> + + <p>These things the sailor noticed instantly. Some men, brave + to rashness, ready as he to give his life to save her, would + have raced madly over the intervening ground, scarce a furlong, + and attempted a heroic combat of one against nine.</p> + + <p>Not so Jenks.</p> + + <p>With the methodical exactness of the parade-ground he + settled down on one knee and leveled the rifle. At that range + the Lee-Metford bullet travels practically point-blank. Usually + it is deficient in "stopping" power, but he had provided + against this little drawback by notching all the cartridges in + the six rifles after the effective manner devised by an expert + named Thomas Atkins during the Tirah campaign.</p> + + <p>None of the Dyaks saw him. All were intent on the + sensational prize they had secured, a young and beautiful white + woman so contentedly roaming about the shores of this Fetish + island. With the slow speed advised by the Roman philosopher, + the backsight and foresight of the Lee-Metford came into line + with the breast of the coarse brute clutching the girl's + face.</p> + + <p>Then something bit him above the heart and simultaneously + tore half of his back into fragments. He fell, with a queer + sob, and the others turned to face this unexpected danger.</p> + + <p>Iris, knowing only that she was free from that hateful + grasp, wrenched herself free from the chief's hold, and ran + with all her might along the beach, to Jenks and safety.</p> + + <p>Again, and yet again, the rifle gave its short, sharp snarl, + and two more Dyaks collapsed on the sand. Six were left, their + leader being still unconsciously preserved from death by the + figure of the flying girl.</p> + + <p>A fourth Dyak dropped.</p> + + <p>The survivors, cruel savages but not cowards, unslung their + guns. The sailor, white-faced, grim, with an unpleasant gleam + in his deep-set eyes and a lower jaw protruding, noticed their + preparations.</p> + + <p>"To the left!" he shouted. "Run towards the trees!"</p> + + <p>Iris heard him and strove to obey. But her strength was + failing her, and she staggered blindly. After a few despairing + efforts she lurched feebly to her knees, and tumbled face + downwards on the broken coral that had tripped her faltering + footsteps.</p> + + <p>Jenks was watching her, watching the remaining Dyaks, from + whom a spluttering volley came, picking out his quarry with the + murderous ease of a terrier in a rat-pit. Something like a bee + in a violent hurry hummed past his ear, and a rock near his + right foot was struck a tremendous blow by an unseen agency. He + liked this. It would be a battle, not a battue.</p> + + <p>The fifth Dyak crumpled into the distortion of death, and + then their leader took deliberate aim at the kneeling marksman + who threatened to wipe him and his band out of existence. But + his deliberation, though skilful, was too profound. The sailor + fired first, and was professionally astonished to see the + gaudily attired individual tossed violently backward for many + yards, finally pitching headlong to the earth. Had he been + charged by a bull in full career he could not have been more + utterly discomfited. The incident was sensational but + inexplicable.</p> + + <p>Yet another member of the band was prostrated ere the two as + yet unscathed thought fit to beat a retreat. This they now did + with celerity, but they dragged their chief with them. It was + no part of Jenks's programme to allow them to escape. He aimed + again at the man nearest the trees. There was a sharp click and + nothing more. The cartridge was a mis-fire. He hastily sought + to eject it, and the rifle jammed. These little accidents will + happen, even in a good weapon like the Lee-Metford.</p> + + <p>Springing to his feet with a yell he ran forward. The flying + men caught a glimpse of him and accelerated their movements. + Just as he reached Iris they vanished among the trees.</p> + + <p>Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he picked up the girl + in his arms. She was conscious, but breathless.</p> + + <p>"You are not hurt?" he gasped, his eyes blazing into her + face with an intensity that she afterwards remembered as + appalling.</p> + + <p>"No," she whispered.</p> + + <p>"Listen," he continued in labored jerks. "Try and obey + me—exactly. I will carry you—to the cave. Stop + there. Shoot any one you see—till I come."</p> + + <p>She heard him wonderingly. Was he going to leave her, now + that he had her safely clasped to his breast? Impossible! Ah, + she understood. Those men must have landed in a boat. He + intended to attack them again. He was going to fight them + single-handed, and she would not know what happened to him + until it was all over. Gradually her vitality returned. She + almost smiled at the fantastic conceit that <i>she</i> would + desert <i>him</i>.</p> + + <p>Jenks placed her on her feet at the entrance to the + cave.</p> + + <p>"You understand," he cried, and without waiting for an + answer, ran to the house for another rifle. This time, to her + amazement, he darted back through Prospect Park towards the + south beach. The sailor knew that the Dyaks had landed at the + sandy bay Iris had christened Smugglers' Cove. They were + acquainted with the passage through the reef and came from the + distant islands. Now they would endeavor to escape by the same + channel. They must be prevented at all costs.</p> + + <p>He was right. As they came out into the open he saw three + men, not two, pushing off a large sampan. One of them, + <i>mirabile dictu</i>, was the chief. Then Jenks understood + that his bullet had hit the lock of the Dyak's uplifted weapon, + with the result already described. By a miracle he had + escaped.</p> + + <p>He coolly prepared to slay the three of them with the same + calm purpose that distinguished the opening phase of this + singularly one-sided conflict. The distance was much greater, + perhaps 800 yards from the point where the boat came into view. + He knelt and fired. He judged that the missile struck the craft + between the trio.</p> + + <p>"I didn't allow for the sun on the side of the foresight," + he said. "Or perhaps I am a bit shaky after the run. In any + event they can't go far."</p> + + <p>A hurrying step on the coral behind him caught his ear. + Instantly he sprang up and faced about—to see Iris.</p> + + <p>"They are escaping," she said.</p> + + <p>"No fear of that," he replied, turning away from her.</p> + + <p>"Where are the others?"</p> + + <p>"Dead!"</p> + + <p>"Do you mean that you killed nearly all those men?"</p> + + <p>"Six of them. There were nine in all."</p> + + <p>He knelt again, lifting the rifle. Iris threw herself on her + knees by his side. There was something awful to her in this + chill and business-like declaration of a fixed purpose.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks," she said, clasping her hands in an agony of + entreaty, "do not kill more men for my sake!"</p> + + <p>"For my own sake, then," he growled, annoyed at the + interruption, as the sampan was afloat.</p> + + <p>"Then I ask you for God's sake not to take another life. + What you have already done was unavoidable, perhaps right. This + is murder!"</p> + + <p>He lowered his weapon and looked at her.</p> + + <p>"If those men get away they will bring back a host to avenge + their comrades—and secure you," he added.</p> + + <p>"It may be the will of Providence for such a thing to + happen. Yet I implore you to spare them."</p> + + <p>He placed the rifle on the sand and raised her tenderly, for + she had yielded to a paroxysm of tears. Not another word did + either of them speak in that hour. The large triangular sail of + the sampan was now bellying out in the south wind. A figure + stood up in the stern of the boat and shook a menacing arm at + the couple on the beach.</p> + + <p>It was the Malay chief, cursing them with the rude eloquence + of his barbarous tongue. And Jenks well knew what he was + saying.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + + <h2>PREPARATIONS</h2> + + <p>They looked long and steadfastly at the retreating boat. + Soon it diminished to a mere speck on the smooth sea. The even + breeze kept its canvas taut, and the sailor knew that no ruse + was intended—the Dyaks were flying from the island in + fear and rage. They would return with a force sufficient to + insure the wreaking of their vengeance.</p> + + <p>That he would again encounter them at no distant date Jenks + had no doubt whatever. They would land in such numbers as to + render any resistance difficult and a prolonged defence + impossible. Would help come first?—a distracting question + to which definite answer could not be given. The sailor's brow + frowned in deep lines; his brain throbbed now with an anxiety + singularly at variance with his cool demeanor during the fight. + He was utterly unconscious that his left arm encircled the + shoulder of the girl until she gently disengaged herself and + said appealingly—</p> + + <p>"Please, Mr. Jenks, do not be angry with me. I could not + help it. I could not bear to see you shoot them."</p> + + <p>Then he abruptly awoke to the realities of the moment.</p> + + <p>"Come." he said, his drawn features relaxing into a + wonderfully pleasing smile. "We will return to our castle. We + are safe for the remainder of this day, at any rate."</p> + + <p>Something must be said or done to reassure her. She was + still grievously disturbed, and he naturally ascribed her + agitation to the horror of her capture. He dreaded a complete + collapse if any further alarms threatened at once. Yet he was + almost positive—though search alone would set at rest the + last misgiving—that only one sampan had visited the + island. Evidently the Dyaks were unprepared as he for the + events of the preceding half-hour. They were either visiting + the island to procure turtle and <i>bêche-de-mer</i> or + had merely called there <i>en route</i> to some other + destination, and the change in the wind had unexpectedly + compelled them to put ashore. Beyond all doubt they must have + been surprised by the warmth of the reception they + encountered.</p> + + <p>Probably, when he went to Summit Rock that morning, the + savages had lowered their sail and were steadily paddling north + against wind and current. The most careful scrutiny of the sea + would fail to reveal them beyond a distance of six or seven + miles at the utmost.</p> + + <p>After landing in the hidden bay on the south side, they + crossed the island through the trees instead of taking the more + natural open way along the beach. Why? The fact that he and + Iris were then passing the grown-over tract leading to the + Valley of Death instantly determined this point. The Dyaks knew + of this affrighting hollow, and would not approach any nearer + to it than was unavoidable. Could he twist this circumstance to + advantage if Iris and he were still stranded there when the + superstitious sea-rovers next put in an appearance? He would + see. All depended on the girl's strength. If she gave way + now—if, instead of taking instant measures for safety, he + were called upon to nurse her through a fever—the outlook + became not only desperate but hopeless.</p> + + <p>And, whilst he bent his brows in worrying thought, the color + was returning to Iris's cheeks, and natural buoyancy to her + step. It is the fault of all men to underrate the marvelous + courage and constancy of woman in the face of difficulties and + trials. Jenks was no exception to the rule.</p> + + <p>"You do not ask me for any account of my adventures," she + said quietly, after watching his perplexed expression in + silence for some time.</p> + + <p>Her tone almost startled him, its unassumed cheerfulness was + so unlooked for.</p> + + <p>"No," he answered. "I thought you were too overwrought to + talk of them at present."</p> + + <p>"Overwrought! Not a bit of it! I was dead beat with the + struggle and with screaming for you, but please don't imagine + that I am going to faint or treat you to a display of hysteria + now that all the excitement has ended. I admit that I cried a + little when you pushed me aside on the beach and raised your + gun to fire at those poor wretches flying for their lives. Yet + perhaps I was wrong to hinder you."</p> + + <p>"You were wrong," he gravely interrupted.</p> + + <p>"Then you should not have heeded me. No, I don't mean that. + You always consider me first, don't you? No matter what I ask + you to do you endeavor to please me, even when you know all the + time that I am acting or speaking foolishly."</p> + + <p>The unthinking <i>naïveté</i> of her words sent + the blood coursing wildly through his veins.</p> + + <p>"Never mind," she went on with earnest simplicity. "God has + been very good to us. I cannot believe that He has preserved us + from so many dangers to permit us to perish miserably a few + hours, or days, before help comes. And I <i>do</i> want to tell + you exactly what happened."</p> + + <p>"Then you shall," he answered. "But first drink this." They + had reached their camping-ground, and he hastened to procure a + small quantity of brandy.</p> + + <p>She swallowed the spirit with a protesting <i>moue</i>. She + really needed no such adventitious support, she said.</p> + + <p>"All right," commented Jenks. "If you don't want a drink, I + do."</p> + + <p>"I can quite believe it," she retorted. "<i>Your</i> case is + very different. <i>I</i> knew the men would not hurt + me—after the first shock of their appearance had passed, + I mean—I also knew that you would save me. But you, Mr. + Jenks, had to do the fighting. You were called upon to rescue + precious me. Good gracious! No wonder you were excited."</p> + + <p>The sailor mentally expressed his inability to grasp the + complexities of feminine nature, but Iris rattled on—</p> + + <p>"I carried my tin of water to the pitcher-plant, and was + listening to the greedy roots gurgling away for dear life, when + suddenly four men sprang out from among the trees and seized my + arms before I could reach my revolver."</p> + + <p>"Thank Heaven you failed."</p> + + <p>"You think that if I had fired at them they would have + retaliated. Yes, especially if I had hit the chief. But it was + he who instantly gave some order, and I suppose it meant that + they were not to hurt me. As a matter of fact, they seemed to + be quite as much astonished as I was alarmed. But if they could + hold my hands they could not stop my voice so readily. Oh! + didn't I yell?"</p> + + <p>"You did."</p> + + <p>"I suppose you could not hear me distinctly?"</p> + + <p>"Quite distinctly."</p> + + <p>"Every word?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>She bent to pick some leaves and bits of dry grass from her + dress. "Well, you know," she continued rapidly, "in such + moments one cannot choose one's words. I just shouted the first + thing that came into my head."</p> + + <p>"And I," he said, "picked up the first rifle I could lay + hands on. Now, Miss Deane, as the affair has ended so happily, + may I venture to ask you to remain in the cave until I + return?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, please—" she began.</p> + + <p>"Really, I must insist. I would not leave you if it were not + quite imperative. You <i>cannot</i> come with me."</p> + + <p>Then she understood one at least of the tasks he must + perform, and she meekly obeyed.</p> + + <p>He thought it best to go along Turtle Beach to the cove, and + thence follow the Dyaks' trail through the wood, as this line + of advance would entail practically a complete circuit of the + island. He omitted no precautions in his advance. Often he + stopped and listened intently. Whenever he doubled a point or + passed among the trees he crept back and peered along the way + he had come, to see if any lurking foes were breaking shelter + behind him.</p> + + <p>The marks on the sand proved that only one sampan had been + beached. Thence he found nothing of special interest until he + came upon the chief's gun, lying close to the trees on the + north side. It was a very ornamental weapon, a muzzle-loader. + The stock was inlaid with gold and ivory, and the piece had + evidently been looted from some mandarin's junk surprised and + sacked in a former foray.</p> + + <p>The lock was smashed by the impact of the Lee-Metford + bullet, but close investigation of the trigger-guard, and the + discovery of certain unmistakable evidences on the beach, + showed that the Dyak leader had lost two if not three fingers + of his right hand.</p> + + <p>"So he has something more than his passion to nurse," mused + Jenks. "That at any rate is fortunate. He will be in no mood + for further enterprise for some time to come."</p> + + <p>He dreaded lest any of the Dyaks should be only badly + wounded and likely to live. It was an actual relief to his + nerves to find that the improvised Dum-dums had done their work + too well to permit anxiety on that score. On the principle that + a "dead Injun is a good Injun" these Dyaks were good Dyaks.</p> + + <p>He gathered the guns, swords and krisses of the slain, with + all their uncouth belts and ornaments. In pursuance of a + vaguely defined plan of future action he also divested some of + the men of their coarse garments, and collected six + queer-looking hats, shaped like inverted basins. These things + he placed in a heap near the pitcher-plants. Thenceforth, for + half an hour, the placid surface of the lagoon was disturbed by + the black dorsal fins of many sharks.</p> + + <p>To one of the sailor's temperament there was nothing + revolting in the concluding portion of his task. He had a + God-given right to live. It was his paramount duty, remitted + only by death itself, to endeavor to save Iris from the + indescribable fate from which no power could rescue her if ever + she fell into the hands of these vindictive savages. Therefore + it was war between him and them, war to the bitter end, war + with no humane mitigation of its horrors and penalties, the + last dread arbitrament of man forced to adopt the methods of + the tiger.</p> + + <p>His guess at the weather conditions heralded by the change + of wind was right. As the two partook of their evening meal the + complaining surf lashed the reef, and the tremulous branches of + the taller trees voiced the approach of a gale. A tropical + storm, not a typhoon, but a belated burst of the periodic + rains, deluged the island before midnight. Hours earlier Iris + retired, utterly worn by the events of the day. Needless to + say, there was no singing that evening. The gale chanted a wild + melody in mournful chords, and the noise of the watery downpour + on the tarpaulin roof of Belle Vue Castle was such as to render + conversation impossible, save in wearying shouts.</p> + + <p>Luckily, Jenks's carpentry was effective, though rough. The + building was water-tight, and he had calked every crevice with + unraveled rope until Iris's apartment was free from the tiniest + draught.</p> + + <p>The very fury of the external turmoil acted as a lullaby to + the girl. She was soon asleep, and the sailor was left to his + thoughts.</p> + + <p>Sleep he could not. He smoked steadily, with a magnificent + prodigality, for his small stock of tobacco was fast + diminishing. He ransacked his brains to discover some method of + escape from this enchanted island, where fairies jostled with + demons, and hours of utter happiness found their bane in + moments of frightful peril.</p> + + <p>Of course he ought to have killed those fellows who escaped. + Their sampan might have provided a last desperate expedient if + other savages effected a landing. Well, there was no use in + being wise after the event, and, scheme as he might, he could + devise no way to avoid disaster during the next attack.</p> + + <p>This, he felt certain, would take place at night. The Dyaks + would land in force, rush the cave and hut, and overpower him + by sheer numbers. The fight, if fight there was, would be + sharp, but decisive. Perhaps, if he received some warning, Iris + and he might retreat in the darkness to the cover of the trees. + A last stand could be made among the boulders on Summit Rock. + But of what avail to purchase their freedom until daylight? And + then—</p> + + <p>If ever man wrestled with desperate problem, Jenks wrought + that night. He smoked and pondered until the storm passed, and, + with the changefulness of a poet's muse, a full moon flooded + the island in glorious radiance. He rose, opened the door, and + stood without, listening for a little while to the roaring of + the surf and the crash of the broken coral swept from reef and + shore by the backwash.</p> + + <p>The petty strife of the elements was soothing to him. "They + are snarling like whipped dogs," he said aloud. "One might + almost fancy her ladyship the Moon appearing on the scene as a + Uranian Venus, cowing sea and storm by the majesty of her + presence."</p> + + <p>Pleased with the conceit, he looked steadily at the + brilliant luminary for some time. Then his eyes were attracted + by the strong lights thrown upon the rugged face of the + precipice into which the cavern burrowed. Unconsciously + relieving his tired senses, he was idly wondering what trick of + color Turner would have adopted to convey those sharp yet + weirdly beautiful contrasts, when suddenly he uttered a + startled exclamation.</p> + + <p>"By Jove!" he murmured. "I never noticed that before."</p> + + <p>The feature which so earnestly claimed his attention was a + deep ledge, directly over the mouth of the cave, but some forty + feet from the ground. Behind it the wall of rock sloped darkly + inwards, suggesting a recess extending by haphazard computation + at least a couple of yards. It occurred to him that perhaps the + fault in the interior of the tunnel had its outcrop here, and + the deodorizing influences of rain and sun had extended the + weak point thus exposed in the bold panoply of stone.</p> + + <p>He surveyed the ledge from different points of view. It was + quite inaccessible, and most difficult to estimate accurately + from the ground level. The sailor was a man of action. He chose + the nearest tall tree and began to climb. He was not eight feet + from the ground before several birds flew out from its leafy + recesses, filling the air with shrill clucking.</p> + + <p>"The devil take them!" he growled, for he feared that the + commotion would awaken Iris. He was still laboriously worming + his way through the inner maze of branches when a well-known + voice reached him from the ground.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks, what on earth are you doing up there?"</p> + + <p>"Oh! so those wretched fowls aroused you?" he replied.</p> + + <p>"Yes; but why did you arouse them?"</p> + + <p>"I had a fancy to roost by way of a change"</p> + + <p>"Please be serious."</p> + + <p>"I am more than serious. This tree grows a variety of small + sharp thorn that induces a maximum of gravity—before one + takes the next step."</p> + + <p>"But why do you keep on climbing?"</p> + + <p>"It is sheer lunacy, I admit. Yet on such a moonlit night + there is some reasonable ground for even a mad excuse."</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks, tell me at once what you are doing."</p> + + <p>Iris strove to be severe, but there was a touch of anxiety + in her tone that instantly made the sailor apologetic. He told + her about the ledge, and explained his half-formed notion that + here they might secure a safe retreat in case of further + attack—a refuge from which they might defy assault during + many days. It was, he said, absolutely impossible to wait until + the morning. He must at once satisfy himself whether the + project was impracticable or worthy of further + investigation.</p> + + <p>So the girl only enjoined him to be careful, and he + vigorously renewed the climb. At last, some twenty-five feet + from the ground, an accidental parting in the branches enabled + him to get a good look at the ledge. One glance set his heart + beating joyously. It was at least fifteen feet in length; it + shelved back until its depth was lost in the blackness of the + shadows, and the floor must be either nearly level or sloping + slightly inwards to the line of the fault.</p> + + <p>The place was a perfect eagle's nest. A chamois could not + reach it from any direction; it became accessible to man only + by means of a ladder or a balloon.</p> + + <p>More excited by this discovery than he cared for Iris to + know, he endeavored to appear unconcerned when he regained the + ground.</p> + + <p>"Well," she said, "tell me all about it."</p> + + <p>He described the nature of the cavity as well as he + understood it at the moment, and emphasized his previous + explanation of its virtues. Here they might reasonably hope to + make a successful stand against the Dyaks.</p> + + <p>"Then you feel sure that those awful creatures will come + back?" she said slowly.</p> + + <p>"Only too sure, unfortunately."</p> + + <p>"How remorseless poor humanity is when the veneer is + stripped off! Why cannot they leave us in peace? I suppose they + now cherish a blood feud against us. Perhaps, if I had not been + here, they would not have injured you. Somehow I seem to be + bound up with your misfortunes."</p> + + <p>"I would not have it otherwise were it in my power," he + answered. For an instant he left unchallenged the girl's + assumption that she was in any way responsible for the + disasters which had broken up his career. He looked into her + eyes and almost forgot himself. Then the sense of fair dealing + that dominates every true gentleman rose within him and gripped + his wavering emotions with ruthless force. Was this a time to + play upon the high-strung sensibilities of this youthful + daughter of the gods, to seek to win from her a confession of + love that a few brief days or weeks might prove to be only a + spasmodic, but momentarily all-powerful, gratitude for the + protection he had given her?</p> + + <p>And he spoke aloud, striving to laugh, lest his words should + falter—</p> + + <p>"You can console yourself with the thought, Miss Deane, that + your presence on the island will in no way affect my fate at + the hands of the Dyaks. Had they caught me unprepared today my + head would now be covered with a solution of the special + varnish they carry on every foreign expedition."</p> + + <p>"Varnish?" she exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Yes, as a preservative, you understand."</p> + + <p>"And yet these men are human beings!"</p> + + <p>"For purposes of classification, yes. Keeping to strict + fact, it was lucky for me that you raised the alarm, and gave + me a chance to discount the odds of mere numbers. So, you see, + you really did me a good turn."</p> + + <p>"What can be done now to save our lives? Anything will be + better than to await another attack."</p> + + <p>"The first thing to do is to try to get some sleep before + daylight. How did you know I was not in the Castle?"</p> + + <p>"I cannot tell you. I awoke and knew you were not near me. + If I wake in the night I can always tell whether or not you are + in the next room. So I dressed and came out."</p> + + <p>"Ah!" he said, quietly. "Evidently I snore."</p> + + <p>This explanation killed romance.</p> + + <p>Iris retreated and the sailor, tired out at last, managed to + close his weary eyes.</p> + + <p>Next morning he hastily constructed a pole of sufficient + length and strong enough to bear his weight, by tying two + sturdy young trees together with ropes. Iris helped him to + raise it against the face of the precipice, and he at once + climbed to the ledge.</p> + + <p>Here he found his observations of the previous night + abundantly verified. The ledge was even wider than he dared to + hope, nearly ten feet deep in one part, and it sloped sharply + downwards from the outer lip of the rock. By lying flat and + carefully testing all points of view, he ascertained that the + only possible positions from which even a glimpse of the + interior floor could be obtained were the branches of a few + tall trees and the extreme right of the opposing precipice, + nearly ninety yards distant. There was ample room to store + water and provisions, and he quickly saw that even some sort of + shelter from the fierce rays of the sun and the often piercing + cold of the night might be achieved by judiciously rigging up a + tarpaulin.</p> + + <p>"This is a genuine bit of good luck," he mused. "Here, + provided neither of us is hit, we can hold out for a week or + longer, at a pinch. How can it be possible that I should have + lived on this island so many days and yet hit upon this nook of + safety by mere chance, as it were?"</p> + + <p>Not until he reached the level again could he solve the + puzzle. Then he perceived that the way in which the cliff + bulged out on both sides prevented the ledge from becoming + evident in profile, whilst, seen <i>en plein face</i> in the + glare of the sunlight, it suggested nothing more than a slight + indentation.</p> + + <p>He rapidly sketched to Iris the defensive plan which the + Eagle's Nest suggested. Access must be provided by means of a + rope-ladder, securely fastened inside the ledge, and capable of + being pulled up or let down at the will of the occupants. Then + the place must be kept constantly stocked with a judicious + supply of provisions, water, and ammunition. They could be + covered with a tarpaulin, and thus kept in fairly good + condition.</p> + + <p>"We ought to sleep there every night," he went on, and his + mind was so engrossed with the tactical side of the + preparations that he did not notice how Iris blanched at the + suggestion.</p> + + <p>"Surely not until danger actually threatens?" she cried.</p> + + <p>"Danger threatens us each hour after sunset. It may come any + night, though I expect at least a fortnight's reprieve. + Nevertheless, I intend to act as if tonight may witness the + first shot of the siege."</p> + + <p>"Do you mean that?" she sighed. "And my little room is + becoming so very cozy!"</p> + + <p>Belle Vue Castle, their two-roomed hut, was already a home + to them.</p> + + <p>Jenks always accepted her words literally.</p> + + <p>"Well," he announced, after a pause, "it may not be + necessary to take up our quarters there until the eleventh + hour. After I have hoisted up our stores and made the ladder, I + will endeavor to devise an efficient cordon of sentinels around + our position. We will see."</p> + + <p>Not another word could Iris get out of him on the topic. + Indeed, he provided her with plenty of work. By this time she + could splice a rope more neatly than her tutor, and her + particular business was to prepare no less than sixty rungs for + the rope-ladder. This was an impossible task for one day, but + after dinner the sailor helped her. They toiled late, until + their fingers were sore and their backbones creaked as they sat + upright.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile Jenks swarmed up the pole again, and drew up after + him a crowbar, the sledge-hammer, and the pickaxe. With these + implements he set to work to improve the accommodation. Of + course he did not attempt seriously to remove any large + quantity of rock, but there were projecting lumps here and + inequalities of floor there which could be thumped or pounded + out of existence.</p> + + <p>It was surprising to see what a clearance he made in an + hour. The existence of the fault helped him a good deal, as the + percolation of water at this point had oxidized the stone to + rottenness. To his great joy he discovered that a few prods + with the pick laid bare a small cavity which could be easily + enlarged. Here he contrived a niche where Iris could remain in + absolute safety when barricaded by stores, whilst, with a + squeeze, she was entirely sheltered from the one dangerous + point on the opposite cliff, nor need she be seen from the + trees.</p> + + <p>Having hauled into position two boxes of + ammunition—for which he had scooped out a special + receptacle—the invaluable water-kegs from the stranded + boat, several tins of biscuits and all the tinned meats, + together with three bottles of wine and two of brandy, he + hastily abandoned the ledge and busied himself with fitting a + number of gun-locks to heavy faggots.</p> + + <p>Iris watched his proceedings in silence for some time. At + last the interval for luncheon enabled her to demand an + explanation.</p> + + <p>"If you don't tell me at once what you intend to do with + those strange implements," she said, "I will form myself into + an amalgamated engineer and come out on strike."</p> + + <p>"If you do," he answered, "you will create a precedent. + There is no recorded case of a laborer claiming what he calls + his rights when his life is at stake. Even an American tramp + has been known to work like a fiend under that condition."</p> + + <p>"Simply because an American tramp tries, like every other + mere male, to be logical. A woman is more heroic. I once read + of a French lady being killed during an earthquake because she + insisted on going into a falling house to rescue that portion + of her hair which usually rested on the dressing-table whilst + she was asleep."</p> + + <p>"I happen to know," he said, "that you are personally + unqualified to emulate her example."</p> + + <p>She laughed merrily, so lightly did yesterday's adventure + sit upon her. The allusion to her disheveled state when they + were thrown ashore by the typhoon simply impressed her as + amusing. Thus quickly had she become inured to the strange + circumstances of a new life.</p> + + <p>"I withdraw the threat and substitute a more genuine + plea—curiosity," she cried.</p> + + <p>"Then you will be gratified promptly. These are our + sentinels. Come with me to allot his post to the most distant + one."</p> + + <p>He picked up a faggot with its queer attachment, shouldered + a Lee-Metford, and smiled when he saw the business-like air + with which Iris slung a revolver around her waist.</p> + + <p>They walked rapidly to Smugglers' Cove, and the girl soon + perceived the ingenuity of his automatic signal. He securely + bound the block of wood to a tree where it was hidden by the + undergrowth. Breaking the bullet out of a cartridge, he placed + the blank charge in position in front of the striker, the case + being firmly clasped by a bent nail. To the trigger, the spring + of which he had eased to a slight pressure, he attached a piece + of unraveled rope, and this he carefully trained among the + trees at a height of six inches from the ground, using as + carriers nails driven into the trunks. The ultimate result was + that a mere swish of Iris's dress against the taut cord + exploded the cartridge.</p> + + <p>"There!" he exclaimed, exultantly. "When I have driven + stakes into the sand to the water's edge on both sides of the + cove, I will defy them to land by night without giving us + warning."</p> + + <p>"Do you know," said Iris, in all seriousness, "I think you + are the cleverest man in the world."</p> + + <p>"My dear Miss Deane, that is not at all a Trades Unionist + sentiment. Equality is the key-note of their propaganda."</p> + + <p>Nevertheless he was manifestly pleased by the success of his + ingenious contrivance, and forthwith completed the cordon. To + make doubly sure, he set another snare further within the + trees. He was certain the Dyaks would not pass along Turtle + Beach if they could help it. By this time the light was + failing.</p> + + <p>"That will suffice for the present," he told the girl. + "Tomorrow we will place other sentries in position at strategic + points. Then we can sleep in the Castle with tolerable + safety."</p> + + <p>By the meager light of the tiny lamp they labored sedulously + at the rope-ladder until Iris's eyes were closing with sheer + weariness. Neither of them had slept much during the preceding + night, and they were both completely tired.</p> + + <p>It was with a very weak little smile that the girl bade him + "good night," and they were soon wrapped in that sound slumber + which comes only from health, hard work, and wholesome + fare.</p> + + <p>The first streaks of dawn were tipping the opposite crags + with roseate tints when the sailor was suddenly aroused by what + he believed to be a gunshot. He could not be sure. He was still + collecting his scattered senses, straining eyes and ears + intensely, when there came a second report.</p> + + <p>Then he knew what had happened. The sentries on the + Smugglers' Cove post were faithful to their trust. The enemy + was upon them.</p> + + <p>At such a moment Jenks was not a man who prayed. Indeed, he + was prone to invoke the nether powers, a habit long since + acquired by the British army, in Flanders, it is believed.</p> + + <p>There was not a moment to be lost. He rushed into Iris's + room, and gathered in his arms both her and the weird medley of + garments that covered her. He explained to the protesting girl, + as he ran with her to the foot of the rock, that she must cling + to his shoulders with unfaltering courage whilst he climbed to + the ledge with the aid of the pole and the rope placed there + the previous day. It was a magnificent feat of strength that he + essayed. In calmer moments he would have shrunk from its + performance, if only on the score of danger to the precious + burden he carried. Now there was no time for thought. Up he + went, hand over hand, clinging to the rough pole with the + tenacity of a limpet, and taking a turn of the rope over his + right wrist at each upward clutch. At last, breathless but + triumphant, he reached the ledge, and was able to gasp his + instructions to Iris to crawl over his bent back and head until + she was safely lodged on the broad platform of rock.</p> + + <p>Then, before she could expostulate, he descended, this time + for the rifles. These he hastily slung to the rope, again + swarmed up the pole, and drew the guns after him with infinite + care.</p> + + <p>Even in the whirl of the moment he noticed that Iris had + managed to partially complete her costume.</p> + + <p>"Now we are ready for them," he growled, lying prone on the + ledge and eagerly scanning both sides of Prospect Park for a + first glimpse of their assailants.</p> + + <p>For two shivering hours they waited there, until the sun was + high over the cliff and filled sea and land with his + brightness. At last, despite the girl's tears and prayers, + Jenks insisted on making a reconnaissance in person.</p> + + <p>Let this portion of their adventures be passed over with + merciful brevity. Both watch-guns had been fired by the troupe + of tiny wou-wou monkeys! Iris did not know whether to laugh or + cry, when Jenks, with much difficulty, lowered her to mother + earth again, and marveled the while how he had managed to carry + forty feet into the air a young woman who weighed so + solidly.</p> + + <p>They sat down to a belated breakfast, and Jenks then became + conscious that the muscles of his arms, legs, and back were + aching hugely. It was by that means he could judge the true + extent of his achievement. Iris, too, realized it gradually, + but, like the Frenchwoman in the earthquake, she was too + concerned with memories of her state of deshabille to + appreciate, all at once, the incidents of the dawn.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + + <h2>THE SECRET OF THE CAVE</h2> + + <p>The sailor went after those monkeys in a mood of relentless + severity. Thus far, the regular denizens of Rainbow Island had + dwelt together in peace and mutual goodwill, but each + diminutive wou-wou must be taught not to pull any strings he + found tied promiscuously to trees or stakes. As a preliminary + essay, Jenks resolved to try force combined with artifice. + Failing complete success, he would endeavor to kill every + monkey in the place, though he had in full measure the inherent + dislike of Anglo-India to the slaying of the tree-people.</p> + + <p>This, then, is what he did. After filling a biscuit tin with + good-sized pebbles, he donned a Dyak hat, blouse, and belt, + rubbed earth over his face and hands, and proceeded to pelt the + wou-wous mercilessly. For more than an hour he made their lives + miserable, until at the mere sight of him they fled, shrieking + and gurgling like a thousand water-bottles. Finally he + constructed several Dyak scarecrows and erected one to guard + each of his alarm-guns. The device was thoroughly effective. + Thenceforth, when some adventurous monkey—swinging with + hands or tail among the treetops in the morning search for + appetizing nut or luscious plantain—saw one of those + fearsome bogies, he raised such a hubbub that all his + companions scampered hastily from the confines of the wood to + the inner fastnesses.</p> + + <p>In contriving these same scarecrows—which, by the way, + he had vaguely intended at first to erect on the beach in order + to frighten the invaders and induce them to fire a warning + volley—the sailor paid closer heed to the spoils gathered + from the fallen. One, at least, of the belts was made of human + hair, and some among its long strands could have come only from + the flaxen-haired head of a European child. This fact, though + ghastly enough, confirmed him in his theory that it was + impossible to think of temporizing with these human fiends. + Unhappily such savage virtues as they possess do not include + clemency to the weak or hospitality to defenceless strangers. + There was nothing for it but a fight to a finish, with the law + of the jungle to decide the terms of conquest.</p> + + <p>That morning, of course, he had not been able to visit + Summit Rock until after his cautious survey of the island. Once + there, however, he noticed that the gale two nights earlier had + loosened two of the supports of his sky sign. It was not a + difficult or a long job to repair the damage. With the + invaluable axe he cut several wedges and soon made all + secure.</p> + + <p>Now, during each of the two daily examinations of the + horizon which he never omitted, he minutely scrutinized the sea + between Rainbow Island and the distant group. It was, perhaps, + a needless precaution. The Dyaks would come at night. With a + favorable wind they need not set sail until dusk, and their + fleet sampans would easily cover the intervening forty miles in + five hours.</p> + + <p>He could not be positive that they were actual inhabitants + of the islands to the south. The China Sea swarms with + wandering pirates, and the tribe whose animosity he had earned + might be equally noxious to some peaceable fishing community on + the coast. Again and again he debated the advisability of + constructing a seaworthy raft and endeavoring to make the + passage. But this would be risking all on a frightful + uncertainty, and the accidental discovery of the Eagle's Nest + had given him new hope. Here he could make a determined and + prolonged stand, and in the end help <i>must</i> come. So he + dismissed the navigation project, and devoted himself wholly to + the perfecting of the natural fortress in the rock.</p> + + <p>That night they finished the rope-ladder. Indeed, Jenks was + determined not to retire to rest until it was placed <i>in + situ</i>; he did not care to try a second time to carry Iris to + that elevated perch, and it may be remarked that thenceforth + the girl, before going to sleep, simply changed one ragged + dress for another.</p> + + <p>One of the first things he contemplated was the destruction, + if possible, of the point on the opposite cliff which commanded + the ledge. This, however, was utterly impracticable with the + appliances at his command. The top of the rock sloped slightly + towards the west, and nothing short of dynamite or regular + quarrying operations would render it untenable by hostile + marksmen.</p> + + <p>During the day his Lee-Metfords, at ninety yards' range, + might be trusted to keep the place clear of intruders. But at + night—that was the difficulty. He partially solved it by + fixing two rests on the ledge to support a rifle in exact line + with the center of the enemy's supposed position, and as a + variant, on the outer rest he marked lines which corresponded + with other sections of the entire front available to the + foe.</p> + + <p>Even then he was not satisfied. When time permitted he made + many experiments with ropes reeved through the pulley and + attached to a rifle action. He might have succeeded in his main + object had not his thoughts taken a new line. His aim was to + achieve some method of opening and closing the breech-block by + means of two ropes. The difficulty was to secure the + preliminary and final lateral movement of the lever bolt, but + it suddenly occurred to him that if he could manage to convey + the impression that Iris and he had left the island, the Dyaks + would go away after a fruitless search. The existence of ropes + along the face of the rock—an essential to his mechanical + scheme—would betray their whereabouts, or at any rate + excite dangerous curiosity. So he reluctantly abandoned his + original design, though not wholly, as will be seen in due + course.</p> + + <p>In pursuance of his latest idea he sedulously removed from + the foot of the cliff all traces of the clearance effected on + the ledge, and, although he provided supports for the tarpaulin + covering, he did not adjust it. Iris and he might lie + <i>perdu</i> there for days without their retreat being found + out. This development suggested the necessity of hiding their + surplus stores and ammunition, and what spot could be more + suitable than the cave?</p> + + <p>So Jenks began to dig once more in the interior, laboring + manfully with pick and shovel in the locality of the fault with + its vein of antimony. It was thus that he blundered upon the + second great event of his life.</p> + + <p>Rainbow Island had given him the one thing a man prizes + above all else—a pure yet passionate love for a woman + beautiful alike in body and mind. And now it was to endow him + with riches that might stir the pulse of even a South African + magnate. For the sailor, unmindful of purpose other than + providing the requisite <i>cache</i>, shoveling and delving + with the energy peculiar to all his actions, suddenly struck a + deep vein of almost virgin gold.</p> + + <p>To facilitate the disposal at a distance of the disturbed + debris, he threw each shovelful on to a canvas sheet, which he + subsequently dragged among the trees in order to dislodge its + contents. After doing this four times he noticed certain + metallic specks in the fifth load which recalled the presence + of the antimony. But the appearance of the sixth cargo was so + remarkable when brought out into the sunlight that it invited + closer inspection. Though his knowledge of geology was + slight—the half-forgotten gleanings of a brief course at + Eton—he was forced to believe that the specimens he + handled so dubiously contained neither copper nor iron pyrites + but glittering yellow gold. Their weight, the distribution of + the metal through quartz in a transition state between an oxide + and a telluride, compelled recognition.</p> + + <p>Somewhat excited, yet half skeptical, he returned to the + excavation and scooped out yet another collection. This time + there could be no mistake. Nature's own alchemy had fashioned a + veritable ingot. There were small lumps in the ore which would + need alloy at the mint before they could be issued as + sovereigns, so free from dross were they.</p> + + <p>Iris had gone to Venus's Bath, and would be absent for some + time. Jenks sat down on a tree-stump. He held in his hand a + small bit of ore worth perhaps twenty pounds sterling. Slowly + the conjectures already pieced together in his mind during + early days on the island came back to him.</p> + + <p>The skeleton of an Englishman lying there among the bushes + near the well; the Golgotha of the poison-filled hollow; the + mining tools, both Chinese and European; the plan on the piece + of tin—ah, the piece of tin! Mechanically the sailor + produced it from the breast-pocket of his jersey. At last the + mysterious sign "32/1" revealed its significance. + Measure thirty-two feet from the mouth of the tunnel, dig one + foot in depth, and you came upon the mother-lode of this + gold-bearing rock. This, then, was the secret of the cave.</p> + + <p>The Chinese knew the richness of the deposit, and exploited + its treasures by quarrying from the other side of the hill. But + their crass ignorance of modern science led to their undoing. + The accumulation of liberated carbonic acid gas in the workings + killed them in scores. They probably fought this unseen demon + with the tenacity of their race, until the place became + accursed and banned of all living things. Yet had they dug a + little ditch, and permitted the invisible terror to flow + quietly downwards until its potency was dissipated by sea and + air, they might have mined the whole cliff with impunity.</p> + + <p>The unfortunate unknown, J.S.—he of the whitened + bones—might have done this thing too. But he only + possessed the half-knowledge of the working miner, and whilst + shunning the plague-stricken quarry, adopted the more laborious + method of making an adit to strike the deposit. He succeeded, + to perish miserably in the hour when he saw himself a + millionaire.</p> + + <p>Was this a portent of the fate about to overtake the latest + comers? Jenks, of course, stood up. He always, stood square on + his feet when the volcano within him fired his blood.</p> + + <p>"No, by God!" he almost shouted. "I will break the spell. I + am sent here by Providence, not to search for gold but to save + a woman's life, and if all the devils of China and Malay are in + league against me I will beat them!"</p> + + <p>The sound of his own voice startled him. He had no notion + that he was so hysterical. Promptly his British phlegm + throttled the demonstration. He was rather ashamed of it.</p> + + <p>What was all the fuss about? With a barrow-load of gold he + could not buy an instant's safety for Iris, not to mention + himself. The language difficulty was insuperable. Were it + otherwise, the Dyaks would simply humbug him until he revealed + the source of his wealth, and then murder him as an effective + safeguard against foreign interference.</p> + + <p>Iris! Not once since she was hurled ashore in his arms had + Jenks so long forgotten her existence. Should he tell her? They + were partners in everything appertaining to the + island—why keep this marvelous intelligence from her?</p> + + <p>Yet was he tempted, not ignobly, but by reason of his love + for her. Once, years ago, when his arduous professional studies + were distracted by a momentary infatuation for a fair face, a + woman had proved fickle when tempted by greater wealth than he + possessed. For long he was a confirmed misogynist, to his great + and lasting gain as a leader of men. But with more equable + judgment came a fixed resolution not to marry unless his + prospective bride cared only for him and not for his position. + To a Staff Corps officer, even one with a small private income, + this was no unattainable ideal. Then he met with his + <i>débâcle</i> in the shame and agony of the + court-martial. Whilst his soul still quivered under the lash of + that terrible downfall, Iris came into his life. He knew not + what might happen if they were rescued. The time would quickly + pass until the old order was resumed, she to go back to her + position in society, he to become again a disgraced ex-officer, + apparently working out a mere existence before the mast or + handing plates in a saloon.</p> + + <p>Would it not be a sweet defiance of adversity were he able, + even under such conditions, to win her love, and then disclose + to her the potentialities of the island? Perchance he might + fail. Though rich as Croesus he would still be under the social + ban meted out to a cashiered officer. She was a girl who could + command the gift of coronets. With restoration to her father + and home, gratitude to her preserver would assuredly remain, + but, alas! love might vanish like a mirage. Then he would act + honorably. Half of the stored wealth would be hers to do as she + chose with it.</p> + + <p>Yes, this was a possible alternative. In case of accident to + himself, and her ultimate escape, he must immediately write + full details of his discovery, and entrust the document to her, + to be opened only after his death or six months after their + release.</p> + + <p>The idea possessed him so thoroughly that he could brook no + delay. He searched for one of the note-books taken from the + dead officers of the <i>Sirdar</i>, and scribbled the following + letter:</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"DEAR MISS DEANE:</p> + + <p>"Whether I am living or dead when you read these words, + you will know that I love you. Could I repeat that avowal a + million times, in as many varied forms, I should find no + better phrase to express the dream I have cherished since a + happy fate permitted me to snatch you from death. So I + simply say, 'I love you.' I will continue to love you + whilst life lasts, and it is my dearest hope that in the + life beyond the grave I may still be able to voice my love + for you.</p> + + <p>"But perhaps I am not destined to be loved by you. + Therefore, in the event of my death before you leave the + island, I wish to give you instructions how to find a gold + mine of great value which is hidden in the rock containing + the cave. You remember the sign on the piece of tin which + we could not understand. The figure 32 denotes the utmost + depth of the excavation, and the 1 signifies that one foot + below the surface, on reaching the face of the rock, there + is a rich vein of gold. The hollow on the other side of the + cliff became filled with anhydrate gas, and this stopped + the operations of the Chinese, who evidently knew of the + existence of the mine. This is all the information the + experts employed by Sir Arthur Deane will need. The facts + are unquestionable.</p> + + <p>"Assuming that I am alive, we will, of course, be + co-partners in the mine. If I am dead, I wish one-sixth + share to be given to my uncle, William Anstruther, + Crossthwaite Manor, Northallerton, Yorkshire, as a + recompense for his kindness to me during my early life. The + remainder is to be yours absolutely.</p> + + <p class="author">"ROBERT ANSTRUTHER."</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>He read this remarkable document twice through to make sure + that it exactly recorded his sentiments. He even smiled + sarcastically at the endowment of the uncle who disinherited + him. Then, satisfied with the perusal, he tore out the two + leaves covered by the letter and began to devise a means of + protecting it securely whilst in Iris's possession.</p> + + <p>At that moment he looked up and saw her coming towards him + across the beach, brightly flushed after her bath, walking like + a nymph clothed in tattered garments. Perceiving that he was + watching her, she waved her hand and instinctively quickened + her pace. Even now, when they were thrown together by the + exigencies of each hour, she disliked to be long separated from + him.</p> + + <p>Instantly the scales fell from his mental vision. What! + Distrust Iris! Imagine for one second that riches or poverty, + good repute or ill, would affect that loyal heart when its + virginal font was filled with the love that once in her life + comes to every true woman! Perish the thought! What evil spirit + had power to so blind his perception of all that was strong and + beautiful in her character. Brave, uncomplaining Iris! Iris of + the crystal soul! Iris, whose innocence and candor were + mirrored in her blue eyes and breathed through her dear lips! + Here was Othello acting as his own tempter, with not an Iago + within a thousand miles.</p> + + <p>Laughing at his fantastic folly, Jenks tore the letter into + little pieces. It might have been wiser to throw the sheets + into the embers of the fire close at hand, but for the nonce he + was overpowered by the great awakening that had come to him, + and he unconsciously murmured the musical lines of Tennyson's + "Maud":</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"She is coming, my own, my sweet;</p> + + <p class="i4">Were it ever so airy a tread.</p> + + <p>My heart would hear her and beat</p> + + <p class="i4">Were it earth in an earthy bed;</p> + + <p>My dust would hear her and beat,</p> + + <p class="i4">Had I lain for a century dead,</p> + + <p>Would start and tremble under her feet,</p> + + <p class="i4">And blossom in purple and red."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"Good gracious! Don't gaze at me in that fashion. I don't + look like a ghost, do I?" cried Iris, when near enough to note + his rapt expression.</p> + + <p>"You would not object if I called you a vision?" he inquired + quietly, averting his eyes lest they should speak more plainly + than his tongue.</p> + + <p>"Not if you meant it nicely. But I fear that 'specter' would + be a more appropriate word. <i>V'la ma meilleure robe de + sortie</i>!"</p> + + <p>She spread out the front widths of her skirt, and certainly + the prospect was lamentable. The dress was so patched and + mended, yet so full of fresh rents, that a respectable + housemaid would hesitate before using it to clean + fire-irons.</p> + + <p>"Is that really your best dress?" he said.</p> + + <p>"Yes. This is my blue serge. The brown cloth did not survive + the soaking it received in salt water. After a few days it + simply crumbled. The others are muslin or cotton, and have + been—er—adapted."</p> + + <p>"There is plenty of men's clothing," he began.</p> + + <p>"Unfortunately there isn't another island," she said, + severely.</p> + + <p>"No. I meant that it might be possible + to—er—contrive some sort of rig that will serve all + purposes."</p> + + <p>"But all my thread is gone. I have barely a needleful + left."</p> + + <p>"In that case we must fall back on our supply of hemp."</p> + + <p>"I suppose that might be made to serve," she said. "You are + never at a loss for an expedient."</p> + + <p>"It will be a poor one, I fear. But you can make up for it + by buying some nice gowns at Doucet's or Worth's."</p> + + <p>She laughed delightedly. "Perhaps in his joy at my + reappearance my dear old dad may let me run riot in Paris on + our way home. But that will not last. We are fairly well off, + but I cannot afford ten thousand a year for dress alone."</p> + + <p>"If any woman can afford such a sum for the purpose, you are + at least her equal."</p> + + <p>Iris looked puzzled. "Is that your way of telling me that + fine feathers would make me a fine bird?" she asked.</p> + + <p>"No. I intend my words to be understood in their ordinary + sense. You are very, very rich, Miss Deane—an + extravagantly wealthy young person."</p> + + <p>"Of course you know you are talking nonsense. Why, only the + other day my father said—"</p> + + <p>"Excuse me. What is the average price of a walking-dress + from a leading Paris house?"</p> + + <p>"Thirty pounds."</p> + + <p>"And an evening dress?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, anything, from fifty upwards."</p> + + <p>He picked up a few pieces of quartz from the canvas + sheet.</p> + + <p>"Here is your walking-dress," he said, handing her a lump + weighing about a pound. "With the balance in the heap there you + can stagger the best-dressed woman you meet at your first + dinner in England."</p> + + <p>"Do you mean by pelting her?" she inquired, + mischievously.</p> + + <p>"Far worse. By wearing a more expensive costume."</p> + + <p>His manner was so earnest that he compelled seriousness. + Iris took the proffered specimen and looked at it.</p> + + <p>"From the cave, I suppose? I thought you said antimony was + not very valuable?"</p> + + <p>"That is not antimony. It is gold. By chance I have hit upon + an extremely rich lode of gold. At the most modest computation + it is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. You and I are + quite wealthy people, Miss Deane."</p> + + <p>Iris opened her blue eyes very wide at this intelligence. It + took her breath away. But her first words betokened her innate + sense of fair dealing.</p> + + <p>"You and I! Wealthy!" she gasped. "I am so glad for your + sake, but tell me, pray, Mr. Jenks, what have <i>I</i> got to + do with it?"</p> + + <p>"You!" he repeated. "Are we not partners in this island? By + squatter's right, if by no better title, we own land, minerals, + wood, game, and even such weird belongings as ancient lights + and fishing privileges."</p> + + <p>"I don't see that at all. You find a gold mine, and coolly + tell me that I am a half owner of it because you dragged me out + of the sea, fed me, housed me, saved my life from pirates, and + generally acted like a devoted nursemaid in charge of a baby. + Really, Mr. Jenks—"</p> + + <p>"Really, Miss Deane, you will annoy me seriously if you say + another word. I absolutely refuse to listen to such an + argument."</p> + + <p>Her outrageously unbusiness-like utterances, treading fast + on the heels of his own melodramatic and written views + concerning their property, nettled him greatly. Each downright + syllable was a sting to his conscience, but of this Iris was + blissfully unaware, else she would not have applied caustic to + the rankling wound caused by his momentary distrust of her.</p> + + <p>For some time they stood in silence, until the sailor + commenced to reproach himself for his rough protest. Perhaps he + had hurt her sensitive feelings. What a brute he was, to be + sure! She was only a child in ordinary affairs, and he ought to + have explained things more lucidly and with greater command + over his temper. And all this time Iris's face was dimpling + with amusement, for she understood him so well that had he + threatened to kill her she would have laughed at him.</p> + + <p>"Would you mind getting the lamp?" he said softly, surprised + to catch her expression of saucy humor.</p> + + <p>"Oh, please may I speak?" she inquired. "I don't want to + annoy you, but I am simply dying to talk."</p> + + <p>He had forgotten his own injunction.</p> + + <p>"Let us first examine our mine," he said. "If you bring the + lamp we can have a good look at it."</p> + + <p>Close scrutiny of the work already done merely confirmed the + accuracy of his first impressions. Whilst Iris held the light + he opened up the seam with a few strokes of the pick. Each few + inches it broadened into a noteworthy volcanic dyke, now yellow + in its absolute purity, at times a bluish black when fused with + other metals. The additional labor involved caused him to + follow up the line of the fault. Suddenly the flame of the lamp + began to flicker in a draught. There was an air-passage between + cave and ledge.</p> + + <p>"I am sorry," cried Jenks, desisting from further efforts, + "that I have not recently read one of Bret Harte's novels, or I + would speak to you in the language of the mining camp. But in + plain Cockney, Miss Deane, we are on to a good thing if only we + can keep it."</p> + + <p>They came back into the external glare. Iris was now so + serious that she forgot to extinguish the little lamp. She + stood with outstretched hand.</p> + + <p>"There is a lot of money in there," she said.</p> + + <p>"Tons of it."</p> + + <p>"No need to quarrel about division. There is enough for both + of us."</p> + + <p>"Quite enough. We can even spare some for our friends."</p> + + <p>He took so readily to this definition of their partnership + that Iris suddenly became frigid. Then she saw the ridiculous + gleam of the tiny wick and blew it out.</p> + + <p>"I mean," she said, stiffly, "that if you and I do agree to + go shares we will each be very rich."</p> + + <p>"Exactly. I applied your words to the mine alone, of + course."</p> + + <p>A slight thing will shatter a daydream. This sufficed. The + sailor resumed his task of burying the stores.</p> + + <p>"Poor little lamp!" he thought. "When it came into the + greater world how soon it was snuffed out."</p> + + <p>But Iris said to herself, "What a silly slip that was of + mine! Enough for both of us, indeed! Does he expect me to + propose to him? I wonder what the letter was about which he + destroyed as I came back after my bath. It must have been meant + for me. Why did he write it? Why did he tear it up?"</p> + + <p>The hour drew near when Jenks climbed to the Summit Rock. He + shouldered axe and rifle and set forth. Iris heard him rustling + upwards through the trees. She set some water to boil for tea, + and, whilst bringing a fresh supply of fuel, passed the spot + where the torn scraps of paper littered the sand.</p> + + <p>She was the soul of honor, for a woman, but there was never + a woman yet who could take her eyes off a written document + which confronted her. She could not help seeing that one small + morsel contained her own name. Though mutilated it had clearly + read—Miss Deane."</p> + + <p>"So it <i>was</i> intended for me!" she cried, throwing down + her bundle and dropping to her knees. She secured that + particular slip and examined it earnestly. Not for worlds would + she pick up all the scraps and endeavor to sort them. Yet they + had a fascination for her, and at this closer range she saw + another which bore the legend—"I love you!"</p> + + <p>Somehow the two seemed to fit together very nicely.</p> + + <p>Yet a third carried the same words—"I love you!" They + were still quite coherent. She did not want to look any + further. She did not even turn over such of the torn pieces as + had fluttered to earth face downwards.</p> + + <p>Opening the front of her bodice she brought to light a small + gold locket containing miniatures of her father and mother. + Inside this receptacle she carefully placed the three really + material portions of the sailor's letter. When Jenks walked + down the hill again he heard her singing long before he caught + sight of her, sedulously tending the fire.</p> + + <p>As he came near he perceived the remains of his useless + document. He stooped and gathered them up, forthwith throwing + them among the glowing logs.</p> + + <p>"By the way, what were you writing whilst I had my bath?" + inquired Iris, demurely.</p> + + <p>"Some information about the mine. On second thoughts, + however, I saw it was unnecessary."</p> + + <p>"Oh, was that all?"</p> + + <p>"Practically all."</p> + + <p>"Then some part was impracticable?"</p> + + <p>He glanced sharply at her, but she was merely talking at + random.</p> + + <p>"Well, you see," he explained, "one can do so little without + the requisite plant. This sort of ore requires a crushing-mill, + a smelting furnace, perhaps big tanks filled with cyanide of + potassium."</p> + + <p>"And, of course, although you can do wonders, you cannot + provide all those things, can you?"</p> + + <p>Jenks deemed this query to be unanswerable.</p> + + <p>They were busy again until night fell. Sitting down for a + little while before retiring to rest, they discussed, for the + hundredth time, the probabilities of speedy succor. This led + them to the topic of available supplies, and the sailor told + Iris the dispositions he had made.</p> + + <p>"Did you bury the box of books?" she asked.</p> + + <p>"Yes, but not in the cave. They are at the foot of the + cinchona over there. Why? Do you want any?"</p> + + <p>"I have a Bible in my room, but there was a Tennyson among + the others which I glanced at in spare moments."</p> + + <p>The sailor thanked the darkness that concealed the deep + bronze of face and neck caused by this chance remark. He + vaguely recollected the manner in which the lines from "Maud" + came to his lips after the episode of the letter. Was it + possible that he had unknowingly uttered them aloud and Iris + was now slily poking fun at him? He glowed with + embarrassment.</p> + + <p>"It is odd that you should mention Tennyson," he managed to + say calmly. "Only today I was thinking of a favorite + passage."</p> + + <p>Iris, of course, was quite innocent this time.</p> + + <p>"Oh, do tell me. Was it from 'Enoch Arden'?"</p> + + <p>He gave a sigh of relief. "No. Anything but that," he + answered.</p> + + <p>"What then?"</p> + + <p>"'Maud.'"</p> + + <p>"Oh, 'Maud.' It is very beautiful, but I could never imagine + why the poet gave such a sad ending to an idyllic love + story."</p> + + <p>"They too often end that way. Moreover, 'Enoch Arden' is not + what you might call exhilarating."</p> + + <p>"No. It is sad. I have often thought he had the 'Sonata + Pathétique' in his mind when he wrote it. But the note + is mournful all through. There is no promise of happiness as in + 'Maud.'"</p> + + <p>"Then it is my turn to ask questions. Why did you hit upon + that poem among so many?"</p> + + <p>"Because it contains an exact description of our position + here. Don't you remember how the poor fellow</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"'Sat often in the seaward-gazing gorge,</p> + + <p>A shipwrecked sailor, waiting for a sail.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"I am sure Tennyson saw our island with poetic eye, for he + goes on—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"'No sail from day to day, but every day</p> + + <p>The sunrise broken into scarlet shafts</p> + + <p>Among the palms and ferns and precipices;</p> + + <p>The blaze upon the waters to the east;</p> + + <p>The blaze upon his island overhead;</p> + + <p>The blaze upon the waters to the west;</p> + + <p>Then the great stars that globed themselves in + Heaven,</p> + + <p>The hollower-bellowing ocean, and again</p> + + <p>The scarlet shafts of sunrise—but no + sail."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>She declaimed the melodious verse with a subtle skill that + amazed her hearer. Profoundly moved, Jenks dared not trust + himself to speak.</p> + + <p>"I read the whole poem the other day," she said after a + silence of some minutes. "Sorrowful as it is, it comforted me + by comparison. How different will be our fate to his when + 'another ship stays by this isle'!"</p> + + <p>Yet neither of them knew that one line she had recited was + more singularly applicable to their case than that which they + paid heed to. "The great stars that globed themselves in + Heaven," were shining clear and bright in the vast arch above. + Resplendent amidst the throng rose the Pleiades, the + mythological seven hailed by the Greeks as an augury of safe + navigation. And the Dyaks—one of the few remaining savage + races of the world—share the superstition of the people + who fashioned all the arts and most of the sciences.</p> + + <p>The Pleiades form the Dyak tutelary genius. Some among a + bloodthirsty and vengeful horde were even then pointing to the + clustering stars that promised quick voyage to the isle where + their kinsmen had been struck down by a white man who rescued a + maid. Nevertheless, Grecian romance and Dyak lore alike + relegate the influence of the Pleiades to the sea. Other stars + are needed to foster enterprise ashore.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_X"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + + <h2>REALITY <i>V</i>. ROMANCE—THE CASE FOR THE + PLAINTIFF</h2> + + <p>Night after night the Pleiades swung higher in the + firmament; day after day the sailor perfected his defences and + anxiously scanned the ocean for sign of friendly smoke or + hostile sail. This respite would not have been given to him, + were it not for the lucky bullet which removed two fingers and + part of a third from the right hand of the Dyak chief. Not even + a healthy savage can afford to treat such a wound lightly, and + ten days elapsed before the maimed robber was able to move the + injured limb without a curse.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile, each night Jenks slept less soundly; each day his + face became more careworn. He began to realize why the island + had not been visited already by the vessel which would + certainly be deputed to search for them—she was examining + the great coast-line of China and Siam.</p> + + <p>It was his habit to mark the progress of time on the rudely + made sun-dial which sufficiently served their requirements as a + clock. Iris happened to watch him chipping the forty-fourth + notch on the edge of the horizontal block of wood.</p> + + <p>"Have we really been forty-four days here?" she inquired, + after counting the marks with growing astonishment.</p> + + <p>"I believe the reckoning is accurate," he said. "The + <i>Sirdar</i> was lost on the 18th of March, and I make this + the 1st of May."</p> + + <p>"May Day!"</p> + + <p>"Yes. Shall we drive to Hurlingham this afternoon?"</p> + + <p>"Looked at in that way it seems to be a tremendous time, + though indeed, in some respects, it figures in my mind like + many years. That is when I am thinking. Otherwise, when busy, + the days fly like hours."</p> + + <p>"It must be convenient to have such an elastic scale."</p> + + <p>"Most useful. I strive to apply the quick rate when you are + grumpy."</p> + + <p>Iris placed her arms akimbo, planted her feet widely apart, + and surveyed Jenks with an expression that might almost be + termed impudent. They were great friends, these two, now. The + incipient stage of love-making had been dropped entirely, as + ludicrously unsuited to their environment.</p> + + <p>When the urgent necessity for continuous labor no longer + spurred them to exertion during every moment of daylight, they + tackled the box of books and read, not volumes which appealed + to them in common, but quaint tomes in the use of which Jenks + was tutor and Iris the scholar.</p> + + <p>It became a fixed principle with the girl that she was very + ignorant, and she insisted that the sailor should teach her. + For instance, among the books he found a treatise on astronomy; + it yielded a keen delight to both to identify a constellation + and learn all sorts of wonderful things concerning it. But to + work even the simplest problem required a knowledge of algebra, + and Iris had never gone beyond decimals. So the stock of + notebooks, instead of recording their experiences, became + covered with symbols showing how x plus y equaled x² minus + 3,000,000.</p> + + <p>As a variant, Jenks introduced a study of Hindustani. His + method was to write a short sentence and explain in detail its + component parts. With a certain awe Iris surveyed the + intricacies of the Urdu compound verb, but, about her fourth + lesson, she broke out into exclamations of extravagant joy.</p> + + <p>"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded her surprised + mentor.</p> + + <p>"Don't you see?" she exclaimed, delightedly. "Of course you + don't! People who know a lot about a thing often miss its + obvious points. I have discovered how to write Kiplingese. All + you have to do is to tell your story in Urdu, translate it + literally into English, and there you are!"</p> + + <p>"Quite so. Just do it as Kipling does, and the secret is + laid bare. By the same rule you can hit upon the Miltonic + adjective."</p> + + <p>Iris tossed her head.</p> + + <p>"I don't know anything about the Miltonic adjective, but I + am sure about Kipling."</p> + + <p>This ended the argument. She knitted her brows in the effort + to master the ridiculous complexities of a language which, + instead of simply saying "Take" or "Bring," compels one to say + "Take-go" and "Take-come."</p> + + <p>One problem defied solution—that of providing raiment + for Iris. The united skill of the sailor and herself would not + induce unraveled cordage to supply the need of thread. It was + either too weak or too knotty, and meanwhile the girl's clothes + were falling to pieces. Jenks tried the fibers of trees, the + sinews of birds—every possible expedient he could hit + upon—and perhaps, after experiments covering some weeks, + he might have succeeded. But modern dress stuffs, weakened by + aniline dyes and stiffened with Chinese clay, permit of no such + exhaustive research. It must be remembered that the lady + passengers on board the <i>Sirdar</i> were dressed to suit the + tropics, and the hard usage given by Iris to her scanty stock + was never contemplated by the Manchester or Bradford looms + responsible for the durability of the material.</p> + + <p>As the days passed the position became irksome. It even + threatened complete callapse during some critical moment, and + the two often silently surveyed the large number of merely male + garments in their possession. Of course, in the matter of coats + and waistcoats there was no difficulty whatever. Iris had long + been wearing those portions of the doctor's uniform. But when + it came to the rest—</p> + + <p>At last, one memorable morning, she crossed the Rubicon. + Jenks had climbed, as usual, to the Summit Rock. He came back + with the exciting news that he thought—he could not be + certain, but there were indications inspiring + hopefulness—that towards the west of the far-off island + he could discern the smoke of a steamer.</p> + + <p>Though he had eyes for a faint cloud of vapor at least fifty + miles distant he saw nothing of a remarkable change effected + nearer home. Outwardly, Iris was attired in her wonted manner, + but if her companion's mind were not wholly monopolized by the + bluish haze detected on the horizon, he must have noticed the + turned-up ends of a pair of trousers beneath the hem of her + tattered skirt.</p> + + <p>It did occur to him that Iris received his momentous + announcement with an odd air of hauteur, and it was passing + strange she did not offer to accompany him when, after bolting + his breakfast, he returned to the observatory.</p> + + <p>He came back in an hour, and the lines on his face were + deeper than before.</p> + + <p>"A false alarm," he said curtly in response to her + questioning look.</p> + + <p>And that was all, though she nerved herself to walk steadily + past him on her way to the well. This was disconcerting, even + annoying to a positive young woman like Iris. Resolving to end + the ordeal, she stood rigidly before him.</p> + + <p>"Well," she said, "I've done it!"</p> + + <p>"Have you?" he exclaimed, blankly.</p> + + <p>"Yes. They're a little too long, and I feel very awkward, + but they're better than—than my poor old dress + unsupported."</p> + + <p>She blushed furiously, to the sailor's complete + bewilderment, but she bravely persevered and stretched out an + unwilling foot.</p> + + <p>"Oh. I see!" he growled, and he too reddened.</p> + + <p>"I can't help it, can I?" she demanded piteously. "It is not + unlike a riding-habit, is it?"</p> + + <p>Then his ready wit helped him.</p> + + <p>"An excellent compromise," he cried. "A process of + evolution, in fact. Now, do you know, Miss Deane, that would + never have occurred to me."</p> + + <p>And during the remainder of the day he did not once look at + her feet. Indeed, he had far more serious matters to distract + his thoughts, for Iris, feverishly anxious to be busy, suddenly + suggested that it would be a good thing were she able to use a + rifle if a fight at close quarters became necessary.</p> + + <p>The recoil of the Lee-Metford is so slight that any woman + can manipulate the weapon with effect, provided she is not + called upon to fire from a standing position, in which case the + weight is liable to cause bad aiming. Though it came rather + late in the day, Jenks caught at the idea. He accustomed her in + the first instance to the use of blank cartridges. Then, when + fairly proficient in holding and sighting—a child can + learn how to refill the clip and eject each empty + shell—she fired ten rounds of service ammunition. The + target was a white circle on a rock at eighty yards, and those + of the ten shots that missed the absolute mark would have made + an enemy at the same distance extremely uncomfortable.</p> + + <p>Iris was much pleased with her proficiency. "Now," she + cried, "instead of being a hindrance to you I may be some help. + In any case, the Dyaks will think there are two men to face, + and they have good reason to fear one of us."</p> + + <p>Then a new light dawned upon Jenks.</p> + + <p>"Why did you not think of it before?" he demanded. "Don't + you see, Miss Deane, the possibility suggested by your words? I + am sorry to be compelled to speak plainly, but I feel sure that + if those scoundrels do attack us in force it will be more to + secure you than to avenge the loss of their fellow tribesmen. + First and foremost, the sea-going Dyaks are pirates and + marauders. They prowl about the coast looking not so much for a + fight as for loot and women. Now, if they return, and + apparently find two well-armed men awaiting them, with no + prospect of plunder, there is a chance they may abandon the + enterprise."</p> + + <p>Iris did not flinch from the topic. She well knew its grave + importance.</p> + + <p>"In other words," she said, "I must be seen by them dressed + only in male clothing?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, as a last resource, that is. I have some hope that + they may not discover our whereabouts owing to the precautions + we have adopted. Perched up there on the ledge we will be + profoundly uncomfortable, but that will be nothing if it + secures our safety."</p> + + <p>She did not reply at once. Then she said + musingly—"Forty-four days! Surely there has been ample + time to scour the China Sea from end to end in search of us? My + father would never abandon hope until he had the most positive + knowledge that the <i>Sirdar</i> was lost with all on + board."</p> + + <p>The sailor, through long schooling, was prepared with an + answer—"Each day makes the prospect of escape brighter. + Though I was naturally disappointed this morning, I must state + quite emphatically that our rescue may come any hour."</p> + + <p>Iris looked at him steadily.</p> + + <p>"You wear a solemn face for one who speaks so cheerfully," + she said.</p> + + <p>"You should not attach too great significance to + appearances. The owl, a very stupid bird, is noted for its + philosophical expression."</p> + + <p>"Then we will strive to find wisdom in words. Do you + remember, Mr. Jenks, that soon after the wreck you told me we + might have to remain here many months?"</p> + + <p>"That was a pardonable exaggeration."</p> + + <p>"No, no. It was the truth. You are seeking now to buoy me up + with false hope. It is sixteen hundred miles from Hong Kong to + Singapore, and half as much from Siam to Borneo. The + <i>Sirdar</i> might have been driven anywhere in the typhoon. + Didn't you say so, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + + <p>He wavered under this merciless cross-examination.</p> + + <p>"I had no idea your memory was so good," he said, + weakly.</p> + + <p>"Excellent, I assure you. Moreover, during our forty-four + days together, you have taught me to think. Why do you adopt + subterfuge with me? We are partners in all else. Why cannot I + share your despair as well as your toil?"</p> + + <p>She blazed out in sudden wrath, and he understood that she + would not be denied the full extent of his secret fear. He + bowed reverently before her, as a mortal paying homage to an + angry goddess.</p> + + <p>"I can only admit that you are right," he murmured. "We must + pray that God will direct our friends to this island. Otherwise + we may not be found for a year, as unhappily the fishermen who + once came here now avoid the place. They have been frightened + by the contents of the hollow behind the cliff. I am glad you + have solved the difficulty unaided, Miss Deane. I have striven + at times to be coarse, even brutal, towards you, but my heart + flinched from the task of telling you the possible period of + your imprisonment."</p> + + <p>Then Iris, for the first time in many days, wept bitterly, + and Jenks, blind to the true cause of her emotion, picked up a + rifle to which, in spare moments, he had affixed a curious + device, and walked slowly across Prospect Park towards the + half-obliterated road leading to the Valley of Death.</p> + + <p>The girl watched him disappear among the trees. Through her + tears shone a sorrowful little smile.</p> + + <p>"He thinks only of me, never of himself," she communed. "If + it pleases Providence to spare us from these savages, what does + it matter to me how long we remain here? I have never been so + happy before in my life. I fear I never will be again. If it + were not for my father's terrible anxiety I would not have a + care in the world. I only wish to get away, so that one brave + soul at least may be rid of needless tortures. All his worry is + on my account, none on his own."</p> + + <p>That was what tearful Miss Iris thought, or tried to + persuade herself to think. Perhaps her cogitations would not + bear strict analysis. Perhaps she harbored a sweet hope that + the future might yet contain bright hours for herself and the + man who was so devoted to her. She refused to believe that + Robert Anstruther, strong of arm and clear of brain, a Knight + of the Round Table in all that was noble and chivalric, would + permit his name to bear an unwarrantable stigma when—and + she blushed like a June rose—he came to tell her that + which he had written.</p> + + <p>The sailor returned hastily, with the manner of one hurrying + to perform a neglected task. Without any explanation to Iris he + climbed several times to the ledge, carrying arm-loads of grass + roots which he planted in full view. Then he entered the cave, + and, although he was furnished only with the dim light that + penetrated through the distant exit, she heard him hewing + manfully at the rock for a couple of hours. At last he emerged, + grimy with dust and perspiration, just in time to pay a last + visit to Summit Rock before the sun sank to rest. He asked the + girl to delay somewhat the preparations for their evening meal, + as he wished to take a bath, so it was quite dark when they sat + down to eat.</p> + + <p>Iris had long recovered her usual state of high spirits.</p> + + <p>"Why were you burrowing in the cavern again?" she inquired. + "Are you in a hurry to get rich?"</p> + + <p>"I was following an air-shaft, not a lode," he replied. "I + am occasionally troubled with after wit, and this is an + instance. Do you remember how the flame of the lamp flickered + whilst we were opening up our mine?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>"I was so absorbed in contemplating our prospective wealth + that I failed to pay heed to the true significance of that + incident. It meant the existence of an upward current of air. + Now, where the current goes there must be a passage, and whilst + I was busy this afternoon among the trees over there,"—he + pointed towards the Valley of Death—"it came to me like + an inspiration that possibly a few hours' hewing and delving + might open a shaft to the ledge. I have been well rewarded for + the effort. The stuff in the vault is so eaten away by water + that it is no more solid than hard mud for the most part. + Already I have scooped out a chimney twelve feet high."</p> + + <p>"What good can that be?"</p> + + <p>"At present we have only a front door—up the face of + the rock. When my work is completed, before tomorrow night I + hope, we shall have a back door also. Of course I may encounter + unforeseen obstacles as I advance. A twist in the fault would + be nearly fatal, but I am praying that it may continue straight + to the ledge."</p> + + <p>"I still don't see the great advantage to us."</p> + + <p>"The advantages are many, believe me. The more points of + attack presented by the enemy the more effective will be our + resistance. I doubt if they would ever be able to rush the cave + were we to hold it, whereas I can go up and down our back + staircase whenever I choose. If you don't mind being left in + the dark I will resume work now, by the light of your + lamp."</p> + + <p>But Iris protested against this arrangement. She felt + lonely. The long hours of silence had been distasteful to her. + She wanted to talk.</p> + + <p>"I agree," said Jenks, "provided you do not pin me down to + something I told you a month ago."</p> + + <p>"I promise. You can tell me as much or as little as you + think fit. The subject for discussion is your + court-martial."</p> + + <p>He could not see the tender light in her eyes, but the quiet + sympathy of her voice restrained the protest prompt on his + lips. Yet he blurted out, after a slight pause—</p> + + <p>"That is a very unsavory subject."</p> + + <p>"Is it? I do not think so. I am a friend, Mr. Jenks, not an + old one, I admit, but during the past six weeks we have bridged + an ordinary acquaintanceship of as many years. Can you not + trust me?"</p> + + <p>Trust her? He laughed softly. Then, choosing his words with + great deliberation, he answered—"Yes, I can trust you. I + intended to tell you the story some day. Why not tonight?"</p> + + <p>Unseen in the darkness Iris's hand sought and clasped the + gold locket suspended from her neck. She already knew some + portion of the story he would tell. The remainder was of minor + importance.</p> + + <p>"It is odd," he continued, "that you should have alluded to + six years a moment ago. It is exactly six years, almost to a + day, since the trouble began."</p> + + <p>"With Lord Ventnor?" The name slipped out involuntarily.</p> + + <p>"Yes. I was then a Staff Corps subaltern, and my proficiency + in native languages attracted the attention of a friend in + Simla, who advised me to apply for an appointment on the + political side of the Government of India. I did so. He + supported the application, and I was assured of the next + vacancy in a native state, provided that I got married."</p> + + <p>He drawled out the concluding words with exasperating + slowness. Iris, astounded by the stipulation, dropped her + locket and leaned forward into the red light of the log fire. + The sailor's quick eye caught the glitter of the ornament.</p> + + <p>"By the way," he interrupted, "what is that thing shining on + your breast?"</p> + + <p>She instantly clasped the trinket again. "It is my sole + remaining adornment," she said; "a present from my father on my + tenth birthday. Pray go on!"</p> + + <p>"I was not a marrying man, Miss Deane, and the requisite + qualification nearly staggered me. But I looked around the + station, and came to the conclusion that the Commissioner's + niece would make a suitable wife. I regarded her 'points,' so + to speak, and they filled the bill. She was smart, + good-looking, lively, understood the art of entertaining, was + first-rate in sports and had excellent teeth. Indeed, if a man + selected a wife as he does a horse, she—"</p> + + <p>"Don't be horrid. Was she really pretty?"</p> + + <p>"I believe so. People said she was."</p> + + <p>"But what did <i>you</i> think?"</p> + + <p>"At the time my opinion was biased. I have seen her since, + and she wears badly. She is married now, and after thirty grew + very fat."</p> + + <p>Artful Jenks! Iris settled herself comfortably to + listen.</p> + + <p>"I have jumped that fence with a lot in hand," he + thought.</p> + + <p>"We became engaged," he said aloud.</p> + + <p>"She threw herself at him," communed Iris.</p> + + <p>"Her name was Elizabeth—Elizabeth Morris." The young + lieutenant of those days called her "Bessie," but no + matter.</p> + + <p>"Well, you didn't marry her, anyhow," commented Iris, a + trifle sharply.</p> + + <p>And now the sailor was on level ground again.</p> + + <p>"Thank Heaven, no," he said, earnestly. "We had barely + become engaged when she went with her uncle to Simla for the + hot weather. There she met Lord Ventnor, who was on the + Viceroy's staff, and—if you don't mind, we will skip a + portion of the narrative—I discovered then why men in + India usually go to England for their wives. Whilst in Simla on + ten days' leave I had a foolish row with Lord Ventnor in the + United Service Club—hammered him, in fact, in defence of + a worthless woman, and was only saved from a severe reprimand + because I had been badly treated. Nevertheless, my hopes of a + political appointment vanished, and I returned to my regiment + to learn, after due reflection, what a very lucky person I + was."</p> + + <p>"Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?"</p> + + <p>"Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth. Not being cut out for + matrimonial enterprise I tried to become a good officer. A year + ago, when Government asked for volunteers to form Chinese + regiments, I sent in my name and was accepted. I had the good + fortune to serve under an old friend, Colonel Costobell; but + some malign star sent Lord Ventnor to the Far East, this time + in an important civil capacity. I met him occasionally, and we + found we did not like each other any better. My horse beat his + for the Pagoda Hurdle Handicap—poor old Sultan! I wonder + where he is now."</p> + + <p>"Was your horse called 'Sultan'?"</p> + + <p>"Yes. I bought him in Meerut, trained him myself, and + ferried him all the way to China. I loved him next to the + British Army."</p> + + <p>This was quite satisfactory. There was genuine feeling in + his voice now. Iris became even more interested.</p> + + <p>"Colonel Costobell fell ill, and the command of the regiment + devolved upon me, our only major being absent in the interior. + The Colonel's wife unhappily chose that moment to flirt, as + people say, with Lord Ventnor. Not having learnt the + advisability of minding my own business, I remonstrated with + her, thus making her my deadly enemy. Lord Ventnor contrived an + official mission to a neighboring town and detailed me for the + military charge. I sent a junior officer. Then Mrs. Costobell + and he deliberately concocted a plot to ruin me—he, for + the sake of his old animosity—you remember that I had + also crossed his path in Egypt—she, because she feared I + would speak to her husband. On pretence of seeking my advice, + she inveigled me at night into a deserted corner of the Club + grounds at Hong Kong. Lord Ventnor appeared, and as the upshot + of their vile statements, which created an immediate uproar, + I—well, Miss Deane, I nearly killed him."</p> + + <p>Iris vividly recalled the anguish he betrayed when this + topic was inadvertently broached one day early in their + acquaintance. Now he was reciting his painful history with the + air of a man far more concerned to be scrupulously accurate + than aroused in his deepest passions by the memory of past + wrongs. What had happened in the interim to blunt these bygone + sufferings? Iris clasped her locket. She thought she knew.</p> + + <p>"The remainder may be told in a sentence," he said. "Of what + avail were my frenzied statements against the definite proofs + adduced by Lord Ventnor and his unfortunate ally? Even her + husband believed her and became my bitter foe. Poor woman! I + have it in my heart to pity her. Well, that is all. I am + here!"</p> + + <p>"Can a man be ruined so easily?" murmured the girl, her + exquisite tact leading her to avoid any direct expression of + sympathy.</p> + + <p>"It seems so. But I have had my reward. If ever I meet Mrs. + Costobell again I will thank her for a great service."</p> + + <p>Iris suddenly became confused. Her brow and neck tingled + with a quick access of color.</p> + + <p>"Why do you say that?" she asked; and Jenks, who was rising, + either did not hear, or pretended not to hear, the tremor in + her tone.</p> + + <p>"Because you once told me you would never marry Lord + Ventnor, and after what I have told you now I am quite sure you + will not."</p> + + <p>"Ah, then you <i>do</i> trust me?" she almost whispered.</p> + + <p>He forced back the words trembling for utterance. He even + strove weakly to assume an air of good-humored badinage.</p> + + <p>"See how you have tempted me from work, Miss Deane," he + cried. "We have gossiped here until the fire grew tired of our + company. To bed, please, at once."</p> + + <p>Iris caught him by the arm.</p> + + <p>"I will pray tonight, and every night," she said solemnly, + "that your good name may be cleared in the eyes of all men as + it is in mine. And I am sure my prayer will be answered."</p> + + <p>She passed into her chamber, but her angelic influence + remained. In his very soul the man thanked God for the + tribulation which brought this woman into his life. He had + traversed the wilderness to find an oasis of rare beauty. What + might lie beyond he neither knew nor cared. Through the + remainder of his existence, be it a day or many a year, he + would be glorified by the knowledge that in one incomparable + heart he reigned supreme, unchallenged, if only for the hour. + Fatigue, anxiety, bitter recollection and present danger, were + overwhelmed and forgotten in the nearness, the intangible + presence of Iris. He looked up to the starry vault, and, + yielding to the spell, he, too, prayed.</p> + + <p>It was a beautiful night. After a baking hot day the rocks + were radiating their stored-up heat, but the pleasant + south-westerly breeze that generally set in at sunset tempered + the atmosphere and made sleep refreshing. Jenks could not + settle down to rest for a little while after Iris left him. She + did not bring forth her lamp, and, unwilling to disturb her, he + picked up a resinous branch, lit it in the dying fire, and went + into the cave.</p> + + <p>He wanted to survey the work already done, and to determine + whether it would be better to resume operations in the morning + from inside the excavation or from the ledge. Owing to the + difficulty of constructing a vertical upward shaft, and the + danger of a sudden fall of heavy material, he decided in favor + of the latter course, although it entailed lifting all the + refuse out of the hole. To save time, therefore, he carried his + mining tools into the open, placed in position the <i>cheval de + frise</i> long since constructed for the defence of the + entrance, and poured water over the remains of the fire.</p> + + <p>This was his final care each night before stretching his + weary limbs on his couch of branches. It caused delay in the + morning, but he neglected no precaution, and there was a + possible chance of the Dyaks failing to discover the Eagle's + Nest if they were persuaded by other indications that the + island was deserted.</p> + + <p>He entered the hut and was in the act of pulling off his + boots, when a distant shot rang sharply through the air. It was + magnified tenfold by the intense silence. For a few seconds + that seemed to be minutes he listened, cherishing the quick + thought that perhaps a turtle, wandering far beyond accustomed + limits, had disturbed one of the spring-gun communications on + the sands. A sputtering volley, which his trained ear + recognized as the firing of muzzle-loaders, sounded the + death-knell of his last hope.</p> + + <p>The Dyaks had landed! Coming silently and mysteriously in + the dead of night, they were themselves the victims of a + stratagem they designed to employ. Instead of taking the + occupants of Rainbow Island unawares they were startled at + being greeted by a shot the moment they landed. The alarmed + savages at once retaliated by firing their antiquated weapons + point-blank at the trees, thus giving warning enough to wake + the Seven Sleepers.</p> + + <p>Iris, fully dressed, was out in a moment.</p> + + <p>"They have come!" she whispered.</p> + + <p>"Yes," was the cheery answer, for Jenks face to face with + danger was a very different man to Jenks wrestling with the + insidious attacks of Cupid. "Up the ladder! Be lively! They + will not be here for half an hour if they kick up such a row at + the first difficulty. Still, we will take no risks. Cast down + those spare lines when you reach the top and haul away when I + say 'Ready!' You will find everything to hand up there."</p> + + <p>He held the bottom of the ladder to steady it for the girl's + climb. Soon her voice fell, like a message from a + star—</p> + + <p>"All right! Please join me soon!"</p> + + <p>The coiled-up ropes dropped along the face of the rock. + Clothes, pick, hatchet, hammer, crowbars, and other useful odds + and ends were swung away into the darkness, for the moon as yet + did not illumine the crag. The sailor darted into Belle Vue + Castle and kicked their leafy beds about the floor. Then he + slung all the rifles, now five in number, over his shoulders, + and mounted the rope-ladder, which, with the spare cords, he + drew up and coiled with careful method.</p> + + <p>"By the way," he suddenly asked, "have you your + sou'wester?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>"And your Bible?"</p> + + <p>"Yes. It rests beneath my head every night. I even brought + our Tennyson."</p> + + <p>"Ah," he growled fiercely, "this is where the reality + differs from the romance. Our troubles are only beginning + now."</p> + + <p>"They will end the sooner. For my part, I have utter faith + in you. If it be God's will, we will escape; and no man is more + worthy than you to be His agent."</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + + <h2>THE FIGHT</h2> + + <p>The sailor knew so accurately the position of his reliable + sentinels that he could follow each phase of the imaginary + conflict on the other side of the island. The first outbreak of + desultory firing died away amidst a chorus of protest from + every feathered inhabitant of the isle, so Jenks assumed that + the Dyaks had gathered again on the beach after riddling the + scarecrows with bullets or slashing them with their heavy + razor-edged parangs, Malay swords with which experts can fell a + stout sapling at a single blow.</p> + + <p>A hasty council was probably held, and, notwithstanding + their fear of the silent company in the hollow, an advance was + ultimately made along the beach. Within a few yards they + encountered the invisible cord of the third spring-gun. There + was a report, and another fierce outbreak of musketry. This was + enough. Not a man would move a step nearer that abode of the + dead. The next commotion arose on the ridge near the North + Cape.</p> + + <p>"At this rate of progress," said Jenks to the girl, "they + will not reach our house until daylight."</p> + + <p>"I almost wish they were here," was the quiet reply. "I find + this waiting and listening to be trying to the nerves."</p> + + <p>They were lying on a number of ragged garments hastily + spread on the ledge, and peering intently into the moonlit area + of Prospect Park. The great rock itself was shrouded in somber + shadows. Even if they stood up none could see them from the + ground, so dense was the darkness enveloping them.</p> + + <p>He turned slightly and took her hand. It was cool and moist. + It no more trembled than his own.</p> + + <p>"The Dyaks are far more scared than you," he murmured with a + laugh. "Cruel and courageous as they are, they dare not face a + spook."</p> + + <p>"Then what a pity it is we cannot conjure up a ghost for + their benefit! All the spirits I have ever read about were + ridiculous. Why cannot one be useful occasionally?"</p> + + <p>The question set him thinking. Unknown to the girl, the + materials for a dramatic apparition were hidden amidst the + bushes near the well. He cudgeled his brains to remember the + stage effects of juvenile days; but these needed limelight, + blue flares, mirrors, phosphorus.</p> + + <p>The absurdity of hoping to devise any such accessories + whilst perched on a ledge in a remote island—a larger + reef of the thousands in the China Sea—tickled him.</p> + + <p>"What is it?" asked Iris.</p> + + <p>He repeated his list of missing stage properties. They had + nothing to do but to wait, and people in the very crux and + maelstrom of existence usually discuss trivial things.</p> + + <p>"I don't know anything about phosphorus," said the girl, + "but you can obtain queer results from sulphur, and there is an + old box of Norwegian matches resting at this moment on the + shelf in my room. Don't you remember? They were in your pocket, + and you were going to throw them away. Why, what are you + doing?"</p> + + <p>For Jenks had cast the rope-ladder loose and was evidently + about to descend.</p> + + <p>"Have no fear," he said; "I will not be away five + minutes."</p> + + <p>"If you are going down I must come with you. I will not be + left here alone."</p> + + <p>"Please do not stop me," he whispered earnestly. "You must + not come. I will take no risk whatever. If you remain here you + can warn me instantly. With both of us on the ground we will + incur real danger. I want you to keep a sharp lookout towards + Turtle Beach in case the Dyaks come that way. Those who are + crossing the island will not reach us for a long time."</p> + + <p>She yielded, though unwillingly. She was tremulous with + anxiety on his account.</p> + + <p>He vanished without another word. She next saw him in the + moonlight near the well. He was rustling among the shrubs, and + he returned to the rock with something white in his arms, which + he seemingly deposited at the mouth of the cave. He went back + to the well and carried another similar burthen. Then he ran + towards the house. The doorway was not visible from the ledge, + and she passed a few horrible moments until a low hiss beneath + caught her ear. She could tell by the creak of the rope-ladder + that he was ascending. At last he reached her side, and she + murmured, with a gasping sob—</p> + + <p>"Don't go away again. I cannot stand it."</p> + + <p>He thought it best to soothe her agitation by arousing + interest. Still hauling in the ladder with one hand, he held + out the other, on which luminous wisps were writhing like + glow-worms' ghosts.</p> + + <p>"You are responsible," he said. "You gave me an excellent + idea, and I was obliged to carry it out."</p> + + <p>"What have you done?"</p> + + <p>"Arranged a fearsome bogey in the cave."</p> + + <p>"But how?"</p> + + <p>"It was not exactly a pleasant operation, but the only laws + of necessity are those which must be broken."</p> + + <p>She understood that he did not wish her to question him + further. Perhaps curiosity, now that he was safe, might have + vanquished her terror, and led to another demand for + enlightenment, but at that instant the sound of an angry voice + and the crunching of coral away to the left drove all else from + her mind.</p> + + <p>"They are coming by way of the beach, after all," whispered + Jenks.</p> + + <p>He was mistaken, in a sense. Another outburst of + intermittent firing among the trees on the north of the ridge + showed that some, at least, of the Dyaks were advancing by + their former route. The appearance of the Dyak chief on the + flat belt of shingle, with his right arm slung across his + breast, accompanied by not more than half a dozen followers, + showed that a few hardy spirits had dared to pass the Valley of + Death with all its nameless terrors.</p> + + <p>They advanced cautiously enough, as though dreading a + surprise. The chief carried a bright parang in his left hand; + the others were armed with guns, their swords being thrust + through belts. Creeping forward on tip-toe, though their + distant companions were making a tremendous row, they looked a + murderous gang as they peered across the open space, now + brilliantly illuminated by the moon.</p> + + <p>Jenks had a sudden intuition that the right thing to do now + was to shoot the whole party. He dismissed the thought at once. + All his preparations were governed by the hope that the pirates + might abandon their quest after hours of fruitless search. It + would be most unwise, he told himself, to precipitate + hostilities. Far better avoid a conflict altogether, if that + were possible, than risk the immediate discovery of his + inaccessible retreat.</p> + + <p>In other words he made a grave mistake, which shows how a + man may err when over-agonized by the danger of the woman he + loves. The bold course was the right one. By killing the Dyak + leader he would have deprived the enemy of the dominating + influence in this campaign of revenge. When the main body, + already much perturbed by the unseen and intangible agencies + which opened fire at them in the wood, arrived in Prospect Park + to find only the dead bodies of their chief and his small + force, their consternation could be turned into mad panic by a + vigorous bombardment from the rock.</p> + + <p>Probably, in less than an hour after their landing, the + whole tribe would have rushed pell-mell to the boats, cursing + the folly which led them to this devil-haunted island. But it + serves no good purpose to say what might have been. As it was + the Dyaks, silent now and moving with the utmost caution, + passed the well, and were about to approach the cave when one + of them saw the house.</p> + + <p>Instantly they changed their tactics. Retreating hastily to + the shade of the opposite cliff they seemed to await the coming + of reinforcements. The sailor fancied that a messenger was + dispatched by way of the north sands to hurry up the laggards, + because the distant firing slackened, and, five minutes later, + a fierce outbreak of yells among the trees to the right + heralded a combined rush on the Belle Vue Castle.</p> + + <p>The noise made by the savages was so great—the screams + of bewildered birds circling overhead so incessant—that + Jenks was compelled to speak quite loudly when he said to + Iris—</p> + + <p>"They must think we sleep soundly not to be disturbed by the + volleys they have fired already."</p> + + <p>She would have answered, but he placed a restraining hand on + her shoulder, for the Dyaks quickly discovering that the hut + was empty, ran towards the cave and thus came in full view.</p> + + <p>As well as Jenks could judge, the foremost trio of the + yelping horde were impaled on the bayonets of the <i>cheval de + frise</i>, learning too late its formidable nature. The wounded + men shrieked in agony, but their cries were drowned in a + torrent of amazed shouts from their companions. Forthwith there + was a stampede towards the well, the cliff, the beaches, + anywhere to get away from that awesome cavern where ghosts + dwelt and men fell maimed at the very threshold. The sailor, + leaning as far over the edge of the rock as the girl's + expostulations would permit, heard a couple of men groaning + beneath, whilst a third limped away with frantic and painful + haste.</p> + + <p>"What is it?" whispered Iris, eager herself to witness the + tumult. "What has happened?"</p> + + <p>"They have been routed by a box of matches and a few dried + bones," he answered.</p> + + <p>There was no time for further speech. He was absorbed in + estimating the probable number of the Dyaks. Thus far, he had + seen about fifty. Moreover, he did not wish to acquaint Iris + with the actual details of the artifice that had been so + potent. Her allusion to the box of water-sodden + Tändstickors gave him the notion of utilizing as an active + ally the bleached remains of the poor fellow who had long ago + fallen a victim to this identical mob of cut-throats or their + associates. He gathered the principal bones from their + resting-place near the well, rubbed them with the ends of the + matches after damping the sulphur again, and arranged them with + ghastly effect on the pile of rubbish at the further end of the + cave, creeping under the <i>cheval de frise</i> for the + purpose.</p> + + <p>Though not so vivid as he wished, the pale-glimmering + headless skeleton in the intense darkness of the interior was + appalling enough in all conscience. Fortunately the fumes of + the sulphur fed on the bony substance. They endured a + sufficient time to scare every Dyak who caught a glimpse of the + monstrous object crouching in luminous horror within the dismal + cavern.</p> + + <p>Not even the stirring exhortations of the chief, whose voice + was raised in furious speech, could induce his adherents to + again approach that affrighting spot. At last the daring + scoundrel himself, still wielding his naked sword, strode right + up to the very doorway. Stricken with sudden stupor, he gazed + at the fitful gleams within. He prodded the <i>cheval de + frise</i> with the parang. Here was something definite and + solid. Then he dragged one of the wounded men out into the + moonlight.</p> + + <p>Again Jenks experienced an itching desire to send a bullet + through the Dyak's head; again he resisted the impulse. And so + passed that which is vouchsafed by Fate to few men—a + second opportunity.</p> + + <p>Another vehement harangue by the chief goaded some + venturesome spirits into carrying their wounded comrade out of + sight, presumably to the hut. Inspired by their leader's + fearless example, they even removed the third injured Dyak from + the vicinity of the cave, but the celerity of their retreat + caused the wretch to bawl in agony.</p> + + <p>Their next undertaking was no sooner appreciated by the + sailor than he hurriedly caused Iris to shelter herself beneath + the tarpaulin, whilst he cowered close to the floor of the + ledge, looking only through the screen of tall grasses. They + kindled a fire near the well. Soon its ruddy glare lit up the + dark rock with fantastic flickerings, and drew scintillations + from the weapons and ornaments of the hideously picturesque + horde gathered in its vicinity.</p> + + <p>They spoke a language of hard vowels and nasal resonance, + and ate what he judged to be dry fish, millets, and strips of + tough preserved meat, which they cooked on small iron skewers + stuck among the glowing embers. His heart sank as he counted + sixty-one, all told, assembled within forty yards of the ledge. + Probably several others were guarding the boats or prowling + about the island. Indeed, events proved that more than eighty + men had come ashore in three large sampans, roomy and fleet + craft, well fitted for piratical excursions up river estuaries + or along a coast.</p> + + <p>They were mostly bare-legged rascals, wearing Malay hats, + loose jackets reaching to the knee, and sandals. One man + differed essentially from the others. He was habited in the + conventional attire of an Indian Mahommedan, and his skin was + brown, whilst the swarthy Dyaks were yellow beneath the dirt. + Jenks thought, from the manner in which his turban was tied, + that he must be a Punjabi Mussulman—very likely an + escaped convict from the Andamans.</p> + + <p>The most careful scrutiny did not reveal any arms of + precision. They all carried muzzle-loaders, either antiquated + flintlocks, or guns sufficiently modern to be fitted with + nipples for percussion caps.</p> + + <p>Each Dyak, of course, sported a parang and dagger-like + kriss; a few bore spears, and about a dozen shouldered a long + straight piece of bamboo. The nature of this implement the + sailor could not determine at the moment. When the knowledge + did come, it came so rapidly that he was saved from many + earlier hours of abiding; dread, for one of those + innocuous-looking weapons was fraught with more quiet + deadliness than a Gatling gun.</p> + + <p>In the neighborhood of the fire an animated discussion took + place. Though it was easy to see that the chief was + all-paramount, his fellow-tribesmen exercised a democratic + right of free speech and outspoken opinion.</p> + + <p>Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned towards cave + and hut. Once, when the debate grew warm, the chief snatched up + a burning branch and held it over the blackened embers of the + fire extinguished by Jenks. He seemed to draw some definite + conclusion from an examination of the charcoal, and the + argument thenceforth proceeded with less emphasis. Whatever it + was that he said evidently carried conviction.</p> + + <p>Iris, nestling close to the sailor, whispered—</p> + + <p>"Do you know what he has found out?"</p> + + <p>"I can only guess that he can tell by the appearance of the + burnt wood how long it is since it was extinguished. Clearly + they agree with him."</p> + + <p>"Then they know we are still here?"</p> + + <p>"Either here or gone within a few hours. In any case they + will make a thorough search of the island at daybreak."</p> + + <p>"Will it be dawn soon?"</p> + + <p>"Yes. Are you tired?"</p> + + <p>"A little cramped—that is all."</p> + + <p>"Don't think I am foolish—can you manage to + sleep?"</p> + + <p>"Sleep! With those men so near!"</p> + + <p>"Yes. We do not know how long they will remain. We must keep + up our strength. Sleep, next to food and drink, is a prime + necessity."</p> + + <p>"If it will please you, I will try," she said, with such + sweet readiness to obey his slightest wish that the wonder is + he did not kiss her then and there. By previous instruction she + knew exactly what to do. She crept quietly back until well + ensconced in the niche widened and hollowed for her + accommodation. There, so secluded was she from the outer world + of horror and peril, that the coarse voices beneath only + reached her in a murmur. Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over + her, she stretched her weary limbs on a litter of twigs and + leaves, commended herself and the man she loved to God's + keeping, and, wonderful though it may seem, was soon slumbering + peacefully.</p> + + <p>The statement may sound passing strange to civilized ears, + accustomed only to the routine of daily life and not inured to + danger and wild surroundings. But the soldier who has snatched + a hasty doze in the trenches, the sailor who has heard a fierce + gale buffeting the walls of his frail ark, can appreciate the + reason why Iris, weary and surfeited with excitement, would + have slept were she certain that the next sunrise would mark + her last hour on earth.</p> + + <p>Jenks, too, composed himself for a brief rest. He felt + assured that there was not the remotest chance of their lofty + perch being found out before daybreak, and the first faint + streaks of dawn would awaken him.</p> + + <p>These two, remote, abandoned, hopelessly environed by a + savage enemy, closed their eyes contentedly and awaited that + which the coming day should bring forth.</p> + + <p>When the morning breeze swept over the ocean and the stars + were beginning to pale before the pink glory flung broadcast + through the sky by the yet invisible sun, the sailor was + aroused by the quiet fluttering of a bird about to settle on + the rock, but startled by the sight of him.</p> + + <p>His faculties were at once on the alert, though he little + realized the danger betokened by the bird's rapid dart into the + void. Turning first to peer at Iris, he satisfied himself that + she was still asleep. Her lips were slightly parted in a smile; + she might be dreaming of summer and England. He noiselessly + wormed his way to the verge of the rock and looked down through + the grass-roots.</p> + + <p>The Dyaks were already stirring. Some were replenishing the + fire, others were drawing water, cooking, eating, smoking long + thin-stemmed pipes with absurdly small bowls, or oiling their + limbs and weapons with impartial energy. The chief yet lay + stretched on the sand, but, when the first beams of the sun + gilded the waters, a man stooped over the prostrate form and + said something that caused the sleeper to rise stiffly, + supporting himself on his uninjured arm. They at once went off + together towards Europa Point.</p> + + <p>"They have found the boat," thought Jenks. "Well, they are + welcome to all the information it affords."</p> + + <p>The pair soon returned. Another Dyak advanced to exhibit one + of Jenks's spring-gun attachments. The savages had a sense of + humor. Several laughed heartily when the cause of their + overnight alarms was revealed. The chief alone preserved a + gloomy and saturnine expression.</p> + + <p>He gave some order at which they all hung back sheepishly. + Cursing them in choice Malay, the chief seized a thick faggot + and strode in the direction of the cave. Goaded into activity + by his truculent demeanor, some followed him, and + Jenks—unable to see, but listening anxiously—knew + that they were tearing the <i>cheval de frise</i> from its + supports. Nevertheless none of the working party entered the + excavation. They feared the parched bones that shone by + night.</p> + + <p>"Poor J.S.!" murmured the sailor. "If his spirit still + lingers near the scene of his murder he will thank me for + dragging him into the fray. He fought them living and he can + scare them dead."</p> + + <p>As he had not been able to complete the communicating shaft + it was not now of vital importance should the Dyaks penetrate + to the interior. Yet he thanked the good luck that had showered + such a heap of rubbish over the spot containing his chief + stores and covering the vein of gold. Wild as these fellows + were, they well knew the value of the precious metal, and if by + chance they lighted upon such a well-defined lode they might + not quit the island for weeks.</p> + + <p>At last, on a command from the chief, the Dyaks scattered in + various directions. Some turned towards Europa Point, but the + majority went to the east along Turtle Beach or by way of the + lagoon. Prospect Park was deserted. They were scouring both + sections of the island in full force.</p> + + <p>The quiet watcher on the ledge took no needless risks. + Though it was impossible to believe any stratagem had been + planned for his special benefit an accident might betray him. + With the utmost circumspection he rose on all fours and with + comprehensive glance examined trees, plateau, and both strips + of beach for signs of a lurking foe. He need have no fear. Of + all places in the island the Dyaks least imagined that their + quarry had lain all night within earshot of their + encampment.</p> + + <p>At this hour, when the day had finally conquered the night, + and the placid sea offered a turquoise path to the infinite, + the scene was restful, gently bewitching. He knew that, away + there to the north, P. and O. steamers, Messageries Maritimes, + and North German Lloyd liners were steadily churning the blue + depths <i>en route</i> to Japan or the Straits Settlements. + They carried hundreds of European passengers, men and women, + even little children, who were far removed from the knowledge + that tragedies such as this Dyak horror lay almost in their + path. People in London were just going to the theater. He + recalled the familiar jingle of the hansoms scampering along + Piccadilly, the more stately pace of the private carriages + crossing the Park. Was it possible that in the world of + today—the world of telegraphs and express trains, of the + newspaper and the motor car—two inoffensive human beings + could be done to death so shamefully and openly as would be the + fate of Iris and himself if they fell into the hands of these + savages! It was inconceivable, intolerable! But it was + true!</p> + + <p>And then, by an odd trick of memory, his mind reverted, not + to the Yorkshire manor he learnt to love as a boy, but to a + little French inland town where he once passed a summer holiday + intent on improving his knowledge of the language. Interior + France is even more remote, more secluded, more provincial, + than agricultural England. There no breath of the outer world + intrudes. All is laborious, circumspect, a trifle + poverty-stricken, but beautified by an Arcadian simplicity. Yet + one memorable day, when walking by the banks of a river, he + came upon three men dragging from out a pool the water-soaked + body of a young girl into whose fair forehead the blunt knob + often seen on the back of an old-fashioned axe had been driven + with cruel force. So, even in that tiny old-world hamlet, + murder and lust could stalk hand in hand.</p> + + <p>He shuddered. Why did such a hateful vision trouble him? + Resolutely banning the raven-winged specter, he slid back down + the ledge and gently wakened Iris. She sat up instantly and + gazed at him with wondering eyes.</p> + + <p>Fearful lest she should forget her surroundings, he placed a + warning finger on his lips.</p> + + <p>"Oh," she said in a whisper, "are they still here?"</p> + + <p>He told her what had happened, and suggested that they + should have something to eat whilst the coast was clear + beneath. She needed no second bidding, for the long vigil of + the previous night had made her very hungry, and the two + breakfasted right royally on biscuit, cold fowl, ham, and good + water.</p> + + <p>In this, the inner section of their refuge, they could be + seen only by a bird or by a man standing on the distant rocky + shelf that formed the southern extremity of the opposite cliff, + and the sailor kept a close lookout in that direction.</p> + + <p>Iris was about to throw the remains of the feast into an + empty oil-tin provided for refuse when Jenks restrained + her.</p> + + <p>"No," he said, smilingly. "Scraps should be the first course + next time. We must not waste an atom of food."</p> + + <p>"How thoughtless of me!" she exclaimed. "Please tell me you + think they will go away today."</p> + + <p>But the sailor flung himself flat on the ledge and grasped a + Lee-Metford.</p> + + <p>"Be still, on your life," he said. "Squeeze into your + corner. There is a Dyak on the opposite cliff."</p> + + <p>True enough, a man had climbed to that unhappily placed + rocky table, and was shouting something to a confrère + high on the cliff over their heads. As yet he had not seen + them, nor even noticed the place where they were concealed. The + sailor imagined, from the Dyak's gestures, that he was + communicating the uselessness of further search on the western + part of the island.</p> + + <p>When the conversation ceased, he hoped the loud-voiced + savage would descend. But no! The scout looked into the valley, + at the well, the house, the cave. Still he did not see the + ledge. At that unlucky moment three birds, driven from the + trees on the crest by the passage of the Dyaks, flew down the + face of the cliff and began a circling quest for some safe + perch on which to alight.</p> + + <p>Jenks swore with an emphasis not the less earnest because it + was mute, and took steady aim at the Dyak's left breast. The + birds fluttered about in ever smaller circles. Then one of them + dropped easily on to the lip of the rock. Instantly his bright + eyes encountered those of the man, and he darted off with a + scream that brought his mates after him.</p> + + <p>The Dyak evidently noted the behavior of the birds—his + only lore was the reading of such signs—and gazed + intently at the ledge. Jenks he could not distinguish behind + the screen of grass. He might perhaps see some portion of the + tarpaulin covering the stores, but at the distance it must + resemble a weather-beaten segment of the cliff. Yet something + puzzled him. After a steady scrutiny he turned and yelled to + others on the beach.</p> + + <p>The crucial moment had arrived. Jenks pressed the trigger, + and the Dyak hurtled through the air, falling headlong out of + sight.</p> + + <p>The sound of this, the first shot of real warfare, awoke + Rainbow Island into tremendous activity. The winged life of the + place filled the air with raucous cries, whilst shouting Dyaks + scurried in all directions. Several came into the valley. Those + nearest the fallen man picked him up and carried him to the + well. He was quite dead, and, although amidst his other + injuries they soon found the bullet wound, they evidently did + not know whence the shot came, for those to whom he shouted had + no inkling of his motive, and the slight haze from the rifle + was instantly swept away by the breeze.</p> + + <p>Iris could hear the turmoil beneath, and she tremulously + asked—</p> + + <p>"Are they going to attack us?"</p> + + <p>"Not yet," was the reassuring answer. "I killed the fellow + who saw us before he could tell the others."</p> + + <p>It was a bold risk, and he had taken it, though, now the + Dyaks knew for certain their prey had not escaped, there was no + prospect of their speedy departure. Nevertheless the position + was not utterly hopeless. None of the enemy could tell how or + by whom their companion had been shot. Many among the excited + horde jabbering beneath actually looked at the cliff over and + over again, yet failed to note the potentialities of the ledge, + with its few tufts of grass growing where seeds had apparently + been blown by the wind or dropped by passing birds.</p> + + <p>Jenks understood, of course, that the real danger would + arise when they visited the scene of their comrade's disaster. + Even then the wavering balance of chance might cast the issue + in his favor. He could only wait, with ready rifle, with the + light of battle lowering in his eyes. Of one thing at least he + was certain—before they conquered him he would levy a + terrible toll.</p> + + <p>He glanced back at Iris. Her face was pale beneath its mask + of sunbrown. She was bent over her Bible, and Jenks did not + know that she was reading the 91st Psalm. Her lips + murmured—</p> + + <p>"I will say unto the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; + my God, in Him will I trust."</p> + + <p>The chief was listening intently to the story of the Dyak + who saw the dead man totter and fall. He gave some quick order. + Followed by a score or more of his men he walked rapidly to the + foot of the cliff where they found the lifeless body.</p> + + <p>And Iris read—</p> + + <p>"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for + the arrow that flieth by day."</p> + + <p>Jenks stole one more hasty glance at her. The chief and the + greater number of his followers were out of sight behind the + rocks. Some of them must now be climbing to that fatal ledge. + Was this the end?</p> + + <p>Yet the girl, unconscious of the doom impending, kept her + eyes steadfastly fixed on the book.</p> + + <p>"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee + in all thy ways.</p> + + <p>"They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy + foot against a stone....</p> + + <p>"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be + with him in trouble: I will deliver him and honour him."</p> + + <p>Iris did not apply the consoling words to herself. She + closed the book and bent forward sufficiently in her sheltering + niche to permit her to gaze with wistful tenderness upon the + man whom she hoped to see delivered and honored. She knew he + would dare all for her sake. She could only pray and hope. + After reading those inspired verses she placed implicit trust + in the promise made. For He was good: His was the mercy that + "endureth forever." Enemies encompassed them with words of + hatred—fought against them without a cause—but + there was One who should "judge among the heathen" and "fill + the places with dead bodies."</p> + + <p>Suddenly a clamor of discordant yells fell upon her ears. + Jenks rose to his knees. The Dyaks had discovered their refuge + and were about to open fire. He offered them a target lest + perchance Iris were not thoroughly screened.</p> + + <p>"Keep close," he said. "They have found us. Lead will be + flying around soon."</p> + + <p>She flinched back into the crevice; the sailor fell prone. + Four bullets spat into the ledge, of which three pierced the + tarpaulin and one flattened itself against the rock.</p> + + <p>Then Jenks took up the tale. So curiously constituted was + this man, that although he ruthlessly shot the savage who first + spied out their retreat, he was swayed only by the dictates of + stern necessity. There was a feeble chance that further + bloodshed might be averted. That chance had passed. Very well. + The enemy must start the dreadful game about to be played. They + had thrown the gage and he answered them. Four times did the + Lee-Metford carry death, unseen, almost unfelt, across the + valley.</p> + + <p>Ere the fourth Dyak collapsed limply where he stood, others + were there, firing at the little puff of smoke above the grass. + They got in a few shots, most of which sprayed at various + angles off the face of the cliff. But they waited for no more. + When the lever of the Lee-Metford was shoved home for the fifth + time the opposing crest was bare of all opponents save two, and + they lay motionless.</p> + + <p>The fate of the flanking detachment was either unperceived + or unheeded by the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the house and + well. Astounded by the firing that burst forth in mid-air, + Jenks had cleared the dangerous rock before they realized that + here, above their heads, were the white man and the maid whom + they sought.</p> + + <p>With stupid zeal they blazed away furiously, only succeeding + in showering fragments of splintered stone into the Eagle's + Nest. And the sailor smiled. He quietly picked up an old coat, + rolled it into a ball and pushed it into sight amidst the + grass. Then he squirmed round on his stomach and took up a + position ten feet away. Of course those who still carried + loaded guns discharged them at the bundle of rags, whereupon + Jenks thrust his rifle beyond the edge of the rock and leaned + over.</p> + + <p>Three Dyaks fell before the remainder made up their minds to + run. Once convinced, however, that running was good for their + health, they moved with much celerity. The remaining cartridges + in the magazine slackened the pace of two of their number. + Jenks dropped the empty weapon and seized another. He stood up + now and sent a quick reminder after the rearmost pirate. The + others had disappeared towards the locality where their leader + and his diminished troupe were gathered, not daring to again + come within range of the whistling Dum-dums. The sailor, + holding his rifle as though pheasant-shooting, bent forward and + sought a belated opponent, but in vain. In military phrase, the + <i>terrain</i> was clear of the enemy. There was no sound save + the wailing of birds, the soft sough of the sea, and the + yelling of the three wounded men in the house, who knew not + what terrors threatened, and vainly bawled for succor.</p> + + <p>Again Jenks could look at Iris. Her face was bleeding. The + sight maddened him.</p> + + <p>"My God!" he groaned, "are you wounded?"</p> + + <p>She smiled bravely at him.</p> + + <p>"It is nothing," she said. "A mere splash from the rock + which cut my forehead."</p> + + <p>He dared not go to her. He could only hope that it was no + worse, so he turned to examine the valley once more for vestige + of a living foe.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + + <h2>A TRUCE</h2> + + <p>Though his eyes, like live coals, glowered with sullen fire + at the strip of sand and the rocks in front, his troubled brain + paid perfunctory heed to his task. The stern sense of duty, the + ingrained force of long years of military discipline and + soldierly thought, compelled him to keep watch and ward over + his fortress, but he could not help asking himself what would + happen if Iris were seriously wounded.</p> + + <p>There was one enemy more potent than these skulking Dyaks, a + foe more irresistible in his might, more pitiless in his + strength, whose assaults would tax to the utmost their powers + of resistance. In another hour the sun would be high in the + heavens, pouring his ardent rays upon them and drying the blood + in their veins.</p> + + <p>Hitherto, the active life of the island, the shade of trees, + hut or cave, the power of unrestricted movement and the + possession of water in any desired quantity, robbed the + tropical heat of the day of its chief terrors. Now all was + changed. Instead of working amidst grateful foliage, they were + bound to the brown rock, which soon would glow with radiated + energy and give off scorching gusts like unto the opening of a + furnace-door.</p> + + <p>This he had foreseen all along. The tarpaulin would yield + them some degree of uneasy protection, and they both were in + perfect physical condition. But—if Iris were wounded! If + the extra strain brought fever in its wake! That way he saw + nothing but blank despair, to be ended, for her, by delirium + and merciful death, for him by a Berserk rush among the Dyaks, + and one last mad fight against overwhelming numbers.</p> + + <p>Then the girl's voice reached him, self-reliant, almost + cheerful—</p> + + <p>"You will be glad to hear that the cut has stopped bleeding. + It is only a scratch."</p> + + <p>So a kindly Providence had spared them yet a little while. + The cloud passed from his mind, the gathering mist from his + eyes. In that instant he thought he detected a slight rustling + among the trees where the cliff shelved up from the house. + Standing as he was on the edge of the rock, this was a point he + could not guard against.</p> + + <p>When her welcome assurance recalled his scattered senses, he + stepped back to speak to her, and in the same instant a couple + of bullets crashed against the rock overhead. Iris had + unwittingly saved him from a serious, perhaps fatal, wound.</p> + + <p>He sprang to the extreme right of the ledge and boldly + looked into the trees beneath. Two Dyaks were there, belated + wanderers cut off from the main body. They dived headlong into + the undergrowth for safety, but one of them was too late. The + Lee-Metford reached him, and its reverberating concussion, + tossed back and forth by the echoing rocks, drowned his parting + scream.</p> + + <p>In the plenitude of restored vigor the sailor waited for no + counter demonstration. He turned and crouchingly approached the + southern end of his parapet. Through his screen of grass he + could discern the long black hair and yellow face of a man who + lay on the sand and twisted his head around the base of the + further cliff. The distance, oft measured, was ninety yards, + the target practically a six-inch bull's-eye. Jenks took + careful aim, fired, and a whiff of sand flew up.</p> + + <p>Perhaps he had used too fine a sight and ploughed a furrow + beneath the Dyak's ear. He only heard a faint yell, but the + enterprising head vanished and there were no more volunteers + for that particular service.</p> + + <p>He was still peering at the place when a cry of unmitigated + anguish came from Iris—</p> + + <p>"Oh, come quick! Our water! The casks have burst!"</p> + + <p>It was not until Jenks had torn the tarpaulin from off their + stores, and he was wildly striving with both hands to scoop up + some precious drops collected in the small hollows of the + ledge, that he realized the full magnitude of the disaster + which had befallen them.</p> + + <p>During the first rapid exchange of fire, before the enemy + vacated the cliff, several bullets had pierced the tarpaulin. + By a stroke of exceeding bad fortune two of them had struck + each of the water-barrels and started the staves. The contents + quietly ebbed away beneath the broad sheet, and flowing inwards + by reason of the sharp slope of the ledge, percolated through + the fault. Iris and he, notwithstanding their frenzied efforts, + were not able to save more than a pint of gritty discolored + fluid. The rest, infinitely more valuable to them than all the + diamonds of De Beers, was now oozing through the natural + channel cut by centuries of storm, dripping upon the headless + skeleton in the cave, soaking down to the very heart of their + buried treasure.</p> + + <p>Jenks was so paralyzed by this catastrophe that Iris became + alarmed. As yet she did not grasp its awful significance. That + he, her hero, so brave, so confident in the face of many + dangers, should betray such sense of irredeemable loss, + frightened her much more than the incident itself.</p> + + <p>Her lips whitened. Her words become incoherent.</p> + + <p>"Tell me," she whispered. "I can bear anything but silence. + Tell me, I implore you. Is it so bad?"</p> + + <p>The sight of her distress sobered him. He ground his teeth + together as a man does who submits to a painful operation and + resolves not to flinch beneath the knife.</p> + + <p>"It is very bad," he said; "not quite the end, but near + it."</p> + + <p>"The end," she bravely answered, "is death! We are living + and uninjured. You must fight on. If the Lord wills it we shall + not die."</p> + + <p>He looked in her blue eyes and saw there the light of + Heaven.</p> + + <p>"God bless you, dear girl," he murmured brokenly. "You would + cheer any man through the Valley of the Shadow, were he + Christian or Faint-heart."</p> + + <p>Her glance did not droop before his. In such moments heart + speaks to heart without concealment.</p> + + <p>"We still have a little water," she cried. "Fortunately we + are not thirsty. You have not forgotten our supply of champagne + and brandy?"</p> + + <p>There was a species of mad humor in the suggestion. Oh for + another miracle that should change the wine into water!</p> + + <p>He could only fall in with her unreflective mood and leave + the dreadful truth to its own evil time. In their little nook + the power of the sun had not yet made itself felt. By ordinary + computation it was about nine o'clock. Long before noon they + would be grilling. Throughout the next few hours they must + suffer the torture of Dives with one meager pint of water to + share between them. Of course the wine and spirit must be + shunned like a pestilence. To touch either under such + conditions would be courting heat, apoplexy, and death. And + next day!</p> + + <p>He tightened his jaws before he answered—</p> + + <p>"We will console ourselves with a bottle of champagne for + dinner. Meanwhile, I hear our friends shouting to those left on + this side of the island. I must take an active interest in the + conversation."</p> + + <p>He grasped a rifle and lay down on the ledge, already + gratefully warm. There was a good deal of sustained shouting + going on. Jenks thought he recognized the chief's voice, giving + instructions to those who had come from Smugglers' Cove and + were now standing on the beach near the quarry.</p> + + <p>"I wonder if he is hungry," he thought. "If so, I will + interfere with the commissariat."</p> + + <p>Iris peeped forth at him.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks!"</p> + + <p>"Yes," without turning his head. He knew it was an ordinary + question.</p> + + <p>"May I come too?"</p> + + <p>"What! expose yourself on the ledge!"</p> + + <p>"Yes, even that. I am so tired of sitting here alone."</p> + + <p>"Well, there is no danger at present. But they might chance + to see you, and you remember what I—"</p> + + <p>"Yes, I remember quite well. If that is all—" There + was a rustle of garments. "I am very mannish in appearance. If + you promise not to look at me I will join you."</p> + + <p>"I promise."</p> + + <p>Iris stepped forth. She was flushed a little, and, to cover + her confusion, may be, she picked up a Lee-Metford.</p> + + <p>"Now there are two guns," she said, as she stood near + him.</p> + + <p>He could see through the tail of his eye that a slight but + elegantly proportioned young gentleman of the sea-faring + profession had suddenly appeared from nowhere. He was glad she + had taken this course. It might better the position were the + Dyaks to see her thus.</p> + + <p>"The moment I tell you, you must fall flat," he warned her. + "No ceremony about it. Just flop!"</p> + + <p>"I don't know anything better calculated to make one flop + than a bullet," she laughed. Not yet did the tragedy of the + broken kegs appeal to her.</p> + + <p>"Yes, but it achieves its purpose in two ways. I want you to + adopt the precautionary method."</p> + + <p>"Trust me for that. Good gracious!"</p> + + <p>The sailor's rifle went off with an unexpected bang that + froze the exclamation on her lips. Three Dyaks were attempting + to run the gauntlet to their beleaguered comrades. They carried + a jar and two wicker baskets. He with the jar fell and broke + it. The others doubled back like hares, and the first man + dragged himself after them. Jenks did not fire again.</p> + + <p>Iris watched the wounded wretch crawling along the ground. + Her eyes grew moist, and she paled somewhat. When he vanished + she looked into the valley and at the opposing ledge; three men + lay dead within twenty yards of her. Two others dangled from + the rocks. It took her some time to control her quavering + utterance sufficiently to say—</p> + + <p>"I hope I may not have to use a gun. I know it cannot be + helped, but if I were to kill a human being I do not think I + would ever rest again."</p> + + <p>"In that case I have indeed murdered sleep today," was the + unfeeling reply.</p> + + <p>"No! no! A man must be made of sterner stuff. We have a + right to defend ourselves. If need be I will exercise that + right. Still it is horrid, oh, so horrid!"</p> + + <p>She could not see the sailor's grim smile. It would + materially affect his rest, for the better, were he able to + slay every Dyak on the island with a single shot. Yet her + gentle protest pleased him. She could not at the same time be + callous to human suffering and be Iris. But he declined the + discussion of such sentiments.</p> + + <p>"You were going to say something when a brief disturbance + took place?" he inquired.</p> + + <p>"Yes. I was surprised to find how hot the ledge has + become."</p> + + <p>"You notice it more because you are obliged to remain + here."</p> + + <p>After a pause—</p> + + <p>"I think I understand now why you were so upset by the loss + of our water supply. Before the day ends we will be in great + straits, enduring agonies from thirst!"</p> + + <p>"Let us not meet the devil half-way," he rejoined. He + preferred the unfair retort to a confession which could only + foster dismay.</p> + + <p>"But, please, I am thirsty now."</p> + + <p>He moved uneasily. He was only too conscious of the impish + weakness, common to all mankind, which creates a desire out of + sheer inability to satisfy it. Already his own throat was + parched. The excitement of the early struggle was in itself + enough to engender an acute thirst. He thought it best to meet + their absolute needs as far as possible.</p> + + <p>"Bring the tin cup," he said. "Let us take half our store + and use the remainder when we eat. Try to avoid breathing + through your mouth. The hot air quickly affects the palate and + causes an artificial dryness. We cannot yet be in real need of + water. It is largely imagination."</p> + + <p>Iris needed no second bidding. She carefully measured out + half a pint of the unsavory fluid—the dregs of the casks + and the scourings of the ledge.</p> + + <p>"I will drink first," she cried.</p> + + <p>"No, no," he interrupted impatiently. "Give it to me."</p> + + <p>She pretended to be surprised.</p> + + <p>"As a mere matter of politeness—"</p> + + <p>"I am sorry, but I must insist."</p> + + <p>She gave him the cup over his shoulder. He placed it to his + lips and gulped steadily.</p> + + <p>"There," he said, gruffly. "I was in a hurry. The Dyaks may + make another rush at any moment."</p> + + <p>Iris looked into the vessel.</p> + + <p>"You have taken none at all," she said.</p> + + <p>"Nonsense!"</p> + + <p>"Mr. Jenks, be reasonable! You need it more than I. I + d-don't want to—live w-without—you."</p> + + <p>His hands shook somewhat. It was well there was no call for + accurate shooting just then.</p> + + <p>"I assure you I took all I required," he declared with + unnecessary vehemence.</p> + + <p>"At least drink your share, to please me," she murmured.</p> + + <p>"You wished to humbug me," he grumbled. "If you will take + the first half I will take the second."</p> + + <p>And they settled it that way. The few mouthfuls of tepid + water gave them new life. One sense can deceive the others. A + man developing all the symptoms of hydrophobia has been cured + by the assurance that the dog which bit him was not mad. So + these two, not yet aflame with drought, banished the arid + phantom for a little while.</p> + + <p>Nevertheless, by high noon they were suffering again. The + time passed very slowly. The sun rose to the zenith and filled + earth and air with his ardor. It seemed to be a + miracle—now appreciated for the first time in their + lives—that the sea did not dry up, and the leaves wither + on the trees. The silence, the deathly inactivity of all + things, became intolerable. The girl bravely tried to confine + her thoughts to the task of the hour. She displayed alert + watchfulness, an instant readiness to warn her companion of the + slightest movement among the trees or by the rocks to the + north-west, this being the arc of their periphery assigned to + her.</p> + + <p>Looking at a sunlit space from cover, and looking at the + same place when sweltering in the direct rays of a tropical + sun, are kindred operations strangely diverse in achievement. + Iris could not reconcile the physical sensitiveness of the hour + with the careless hardihood of the preceding days. Her eyes + ached somewhat, for she had tilted her sou'wester to the back + of her head in the effort to cool her throbbing temples. She + put up her right hand to shade the too vivid reflection of the + glistening sea, and was astounded to find that in a few minutes + the back of her hand was scorched. A faint sound of distant + shouting disturbed her painful reverie.</p> + + <p>"How is it," she asked, "that we feel the heat so much + today? I have hardly noticed it before."</p> + + <p>"For two good reasons—forced idleness and radiation + from this confounded rock. Moreover, this is the hottest day we + have experienced on the island. There is not a breath of air, + and the hot weather has just commenced."</p> + + <p>"Don't you think," she said, huskily, "that our position + here is quite hopeless?"</p> + + <p>They were talking to each other sideways. The sailor never + turned his gaze from the southern end of the valley.</p> + + <p>"It is no more hopeless now than last night or this + morning," he replied.</p> + + <p>"But suppose we are kept here for several days?"</p> + + <p>"That was always an unpleasant probability."</p> + + <p>"We had water then. Even with an ample supply it would be + difficult to hold out. As things are, such a course becomes + simply impossible."</p> + + <p>Her despondency pierced his soul. A slow agony was consuming + her.</p> + + <p>"It is hard, I admit," he said. "Nevertheless you must bear + up until night falls. Then we will either obtain water or leave + this place."</p> + + <p>"Surely we can do neither."</p> + + <p>"We may be compelled to do both."</p> + + <p>"But how?"</p> + + <p>In this, his hour of extremest need, the man was vouchsafed + a shred of luck. To answer her satisfactorily would have + baffled a Talleyrand. But before he could frame a feeble + pretext for his too sanguine prediction, a sampan appeared, + eight hundred yards from Turtle Beach, and strenuously paddled + by three men. The vague hallooing they had heard was + explained.</p> + + <p>The Dyaks, though to the manner born, were weary of + sun-scorched rocks and salt water. The boat was coming in + response to their signals, and the sight inspired Jenks with + fresh hope. Like a lightning flash came the reflection that if + he could keep them away from the well and destroy the sampan + now hastening to their assistance, perhaps conveying the bulk + of their stores, they would soon tire of slaking their thirst, + on the few pitcher-plants growing on the north shore.</p> + + <p>"Come quick," he shouted, adjusting the backsight of a + rifle. "Lie down and aim at the front of that boat, a little + short if anything. It doesn't matter if the bullets strike the + sea first."</p> + + <p>He placed the weapon in readiness for her and commenced + operations himself before Iris could reach his side. Soon both + rifles were pitching twenty shots a minute at the sampan. The + result of their long-range practice was not long in doubt. The + Dyaks danced from seat to seat in a state of wild excitement. + One man was hurled overboard. Then the craft lurched seaward in + the strong current, and Jenks told Iris to leave the rest to + him.</p> + + <p>Before he could empty a second magazine a fortunate bullet + ripped a plank out and the sampan filled and went down, amidst + a shrill yell of execration from the back of the cliff. The two + Dyaks yet living endeavored to swim ashore, half a mile through + shark-invested reefs. The sailor did not even trouble about + them. After a few frantic struggles each doomed wretch flung up + his arms and vanished. In the clear atmosphere the on-lookers + could see black fins cutting the pellucid sea.</p> + + <p>This exciting episode dispelled the gathering mists from the + girl's brain. Her eyes danced and she breathed hard. Yet + something worried her.</p> + + <p>"I hope I didn't hit the man who fell out of the boat," she + said.</p> + + <p>"Oh," came the prompt assurance, "I took deliberate aim at + that chap. He was a most persistent scoundrel."</p> + + <p>Iris was satisfied. Jenks thought it better to lie than to + tell the truth, for the bald facts hardly bore out his + assertion. Judging from the manner of the Dyak's involuntary + plunge he had been hit by a ricochet bullet, whilst the + sailor's efforts were wholly confined to sinking the sampan. + However, let it pass. Bullet or shark, the end was the + same.</p> + + <p>They were quieting down—the thirst fiend was again + slowly salting their veins—when something of a dirty + white color fluttered into sight from behind the base of the + opposite cliff. It was rapidly withdrawn, to reappear after an + interval. Now it was held more steadily and a brown arm became + visible. As Jenks did not fire, a turbaned head popped into + sight. It was the Mahommedan.</p> + + <p>"No shoot it," he roared. "Me English speak it."</p> + + <p>"Don't you speak Hindustani?" shouted Jenks in Urdu of the + Higher Proficiency.</p> + + <p>"Hañ, sahib!"<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href= + "#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> was the joyful response. "Will + your honor permit his servant to come and talk with + him?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, if you come unarmed."</p> + + <p>"And the chief, too, sahib?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, but listen! On the first sign of treachery I shoot + both of you!"</p> + + <p>"We will keep faith, sahib. May kites pick our bones if we + fail!"</p> + + <p>Then there stepped into full view the renegade Mussulman and + his leader. They carried no guns; the chief wore his kriss.</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_12_1.png"><img alt="The two halted some ten paces in front of the cavern." + src="images/wm_12_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">The two halted some + ten paces in front of the cavern. and the belligerents surveyed + each other.</span></p> + + <p>"Tell him to leave that dagger behind!" cried the sailor + imperiously. As the enemy demanded a parley he resolved to + adopt the conqueror's tone from the outset. The chief obeyed + with a scowl, and the two advanced to the foot of the rock.</p> + + <p>"Stand close to me," said Jenks to Iris. "Let them see you + plainly, but pull your hat well down over your eyes."</p> + + <p>She silently followed his instructions. Now that the very + crisis of their fate had arrived she was nervous, shaken, + conscious only of a desire to sink on her knees, and pray.</p> + + <p>One or two curious heads were craned round the corner of the + rock.</p> + + <p>"Stop!" cried Jenks. "If those men do not instantly go away + I will fire at them."</p> + + <p>The Indian translated this order and the chief vociferated + some clanging syllables which had the desired effect. The two + halted some ten paces in front of the cavern, and the + belligerents surveyed each other. It was a fascinating + spectacle, this drama in real life. The yellow-faced Dyak, + gaudily attired in a crimson jacket and sky-blue pantaloons of + Chinese silk—a man with the <i>beauté du + diable</i>, young, and powerfully built—and the + brown-skinned white-clothed Mahommedan, bony, tall, and grey + with hardship, looked up at the occupants of the ledge. Iris, + slim and boyish in her male garments, was dwarfed by the + six-foot sailor, but her face was blood-stained, and Jenks wore + a six weeks' stubble of beard. Holding their Lee-Metfords with + alert ease, with revolvers strapped to their sides, they + presented a warlike and imposing tableau in their inaccessible + perch. In the path of the emissaries lay the bodies of the + slain. The Dyak leader scowled again as he passed them.</p> + + <p>"Sahib," began the Indian, "my chief, Taung S'Ali, does not + wish to have any more of his men killed in a foolish quarrel + about a woman. Give her up, he says, and he will either leave + you here in peace, or carry you safely to some place where you + can find a ship manned by white men."</p> + + <p>"A woman!" said Jenks, scornfully. "That is idle talk! What + woman is here?"</p> + + <p>This question nonplussed the native.</p> + + <p>"The woman whom the chief saw half a month back, sahib."</p> + + <p>"Taung S'Ali was bewitched. I slew his men so quickly that + he saw spirits."</p> + + <p>The chief caught his name and broke in with a question. A + volley of talk between the two was enlivened with expressive + gestures by Taung S'Ali, who several times pointed to Iris, and + Jenks now anathematized his thoughtless folly in permitting the + Dyak to approach so near. The Mahommedan, of course, had never + seen her, and might have persuaded the other that in truth + there were two men only on the rock.</p> + + <p>His fears were only too well founded. The Mussulman salaamed + respectfully and said—</p> + + <p>"Protector of the poor, I cannot gainsay your word, but + Taung S'Ali says that the maid stands by your side, and is none + the less the woman he seeks in that she wears a man's + clothing."</p> + + <p>"He has sharp eyes, but his brain is addled," retorted the + sailor. "Why does he come here to seek a woman who is not of + his race? Not only has he brought death to his people and + narrowly escaped it himself, but he must know that any violence + offered to us will mean the extermination of his whole tribe by + an English warship. Tell him to take away his boats and never + visit this isle again. Perhaps I will then forget his + treacherous attempt to murder us whilst we slept last + night."</p> + + <p>The chief glared back defiantly, whilst the Mahommedan + said—</p> + + <p>"Sahib, it is beet not to anger him too much. He says he + means to have the girl. He saw her beauty that day and she + inflamed his heart. She has cost him many lives, but she is + worth a Sultan's ransom. He cares not for warships. They cannot + reach his village in the hills. By the tomb of Nizam-ud-din, + sahib, he will not harm you if you give her up, but if you + refuse he will kill you both. And what is one woman more or + less in the world that she should cause strife and + blood-letting?"</p> + + <p>The sailor knew the Eastern character too well not to + understand the man's amazement that he should be so solicitous + about the fate of one of the weaker sex. It was seemingly + useless to offer terms, yet the native was clearly so anxious + for an amicable settlement that he caught at a straw.</p> + + <p>"You come from Delhi?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"Honored one, you have great wisdom."</p> + + <p>"None but a Delhi man swears by the tomb on the road to the + Kutub. You have escaped from the Andamans?"</p> + + <p>"Sahib, I did but slay a man in self-defence."</p> + + <p>"Whatever the cause, you can never again see India. + Nevertheless, you would give many years of your life to mix + once more with the bazaar-folk in the Chandni Chowk, and sit at + night on a charpoy near the Lahore Gate?"</p> + + <p>The brown skin assumed a sallow tinge.</p> + + <p>"That is good speaking," he gurgled.</p> + + <p>"Then help me and my friend to escape. Compel your chief to + leave the island. Kill him! Plot against him! I will promise + you freedom and plenty of rupees. Do this, and I swear to you I + will come in a ship and take you away. The miss-sahib's father + is powerful. He has great influence with the Sirkar."<a id= + "footnotetag3" + name="footnotetag3"></a><a href= + "#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a></p> + + <p>Taung S'Ali was evidently bewildered and annoyed by this + passionate appeal which he did not understand. He demanded an + explanation, and the ready-witted native was obliged to invent + some plausible excuse. Yet when he raised his face to Jenks + there was the look of a hunted animal in his eyes.</p> + + <p>"Sahib," he said, endeavoring to conceal his agitation. "I + am one among many. A word from me and they would cut my throat. + If I were with you there on the rock I would die with you, for + I was in the Kumaon Rissala<a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href= + "#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> when the trouble befell me. It + is of no avail to bargain with a tiger, sahib. I suppose you + will not give up the miss-sahib. Pretend to argue with me. I + will help in any way possible."</p> + + <p>Jenks's heart bounded when this unlooked-for offer reached + his ears. The unfortunate Mahommedan was evidently eager to get + away from the piratical gang into whose power he had fallen. + But the chief was impatient, if not suspicious of these long + speeches.</p> + + <p>Angrily holding forth a Lee-Metford the sailor + shouted—</p> + + <p>"Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay him and all his men ere + tomorrow's sun rises. He knows something of my power, but not + all. Tonight, at the twelfth hour, you will find a rope hanging + from the rock. Tie thereto a vessel of water. Fail not in this. + I will not forget your services. I am Anstruther Sahib, of the + Belgaum Rissala."</p> + + <p>The native translated his words into a fierce defiance of + Taung S'Ali and his Dyaks. The chief glanced at Jenks and Iris + with an ominous smile. He muttered something.</p> + + <p>"Then, sahib. There is nothing more to be said. Beware of + the trees on your right. They can send silent death even to the + place where you stand. And I will not fail you tonight, on my + life," cried the interpreter.</p> + + <p>"I believe you. Go! But inform your chief that once you have + disappeared round the rock whence you came I will talk to him + only with a rifle."</p> + + <p>Taung S'Ali seemed to comprehend the Englishman's emphatic + motions. Waving his hand defiantly, the Dyak turned, and, with + one parting glance of mute assurance, the Indian followed + him.</p> + + <p>And now there came to Jenks a great temptation. Iris touched + his arm and whispered—</p> + + <p>"What have you decided? I did not dare to speak lest he + should hear my voice."</p> + + <p>Poor girl! She was sure the Dyak could not penetrate her + disguise, though she feared from the manner in which the + conference broke up that it had not been satisfactory.</p> + + <p>Jenks did not answer her. He knew that if he killed Taung + S'Ali his men would be so dispirited that when the night came + they would fly. There was so much at stake—Iris, wealth, + love, happiness, life itself—all depended on his plighted + word. Yet his savage enemy, a slayer of women, a human vampire + soiled with every conceivable crime, was stalking back to + safety with a certain dignified strut, calmly trusting to the + white man's bond.</p> + + <p>Oh, it was cruel! The ordeal of that ghastly moment was more + trying than all that he had hitherto experienced. He gave a + choking sob of relief when the silken-clad scoundrel passed out + of sight without even deigning to give another glance at the + ledge or at those who silently watched him.</p> + + <p>Iris could not guess the nature of the mortal struggle + raging in the sailor's soul.</p> + + <p>"Tell me," she repeated, "what have you done?"</p> + + <p>"Kept faith with that swaggering ruffian," he said, with an + odd feeling of thankfulness that he spoke truly.</p> + + <p>"Why? Have you made him any promise?"</p> + + <p>"Unhappily I permitted him to come here, so I had to let him + go. He recognized you instantly."</p> + + <p>This surprised her greatly.</p> + + <p>"Are you sure? I saw him pointing at me, but he seemed to be + in such a bad temper that I imagined that he was angry with you + for exchanging a prepossessing young lady for an ill-favored + youth."</p> + + <p>Jenks with difficulty suppressed a sigh. Her words for an + instant had the old piquant flavor.</p> + + <p>Keeping a close watch on the sheltering promontory, he told + her all that had taken place. Iris became very downcast when + she grasped the exact state of affairs. She was almost certain + when the Dyaks proposed a parley that reasonable terms would + result. It horrified her beyond measure to find that she was + the rock on which negotiations were wrecked. Hope died within + her. The bitterness of death was in her breast.</p> + + <p>"What an unlucky influence I have had on your existence!" + she exclaimed. "If it were not for me this trouble at least + would be spared you. Because I am here you are condemned. + Again, because I stopped you from shooting that wretched chief + and his companions they are now demanding your life as a + forfeit. It is all my fault. I cannot bear it."</p> + + <p>She was on the verge of tears. The strain had become too + great for her. After indulging in a wild dream of freedom, to + be told that they must again endure the irksome confinement, + the active suffering, the slow horrors of a siege in that rocky + prison, almost distracted her.</p> + + <p>Jenks was very stern and curt in his reply.</p> + + <p>"We must make the best of a bad business," he said. "If we + are in a tight place the Dyaks are not much better off, and + eighteen of their number are dead or wounded. You forget, too, + that Providence has sent us a most useful ally in the + Mahommedan. When all is said and done, things might be far + worse than they are."</p> + + <p>Never before had his tone been so cold, his manner so + abrupt, not even in the old days when he purposely endeavored + to make her dislike him.</p> + + <p>She walked along the ledge and timidly bent over him.</p> + + <p>"Forgive me!" she whispered; "I did forget for the moment, + not only the goodness of Providence, but also your + self-sacrificing devotion. I am only a woman, and I don't want + to die yet, but I will not live unless you too are saved."</p> + + <p>Once already that day she had expressed this thought in + other words. Was some shadowy design flitting through her + brain? Suppose they were faced with the alternatives of dying + from thirst or yielding to the Dyaks. Was there another way + out? Jenks shivered, though the rock was grilling him. He must + divert her mind from this dreadful brooding.</p> + + <p>"The fact is," he said with a feeble attempt at + cheerfulness, "we are both hungry and consequently grumpy. Now, + suppose you prepare lunch. We will feel ever so much better + after we have eaten."</p> + + <p>The girl choked back her emotion, and sadly essayed the task + of providing a meal which was hateful to her. In doing so she + saw her Bible, lying where she had placed it that morning, the + leaves still open at the 91st Psalm. She had indeed forgotten + the promise it contained—</p> + + <p>"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee + in all thy ways."</p> + + <p>A few tears fell now and made little furrows down her soiled + cheeks. But they were helpful tears, tears of resignation, not + of despair. Although the "destruction that wasteth at noonday" + was trying her sorely she again felt strong and sustained.</p> + + <p>She even smiled on detecting an involuntary effort to clear + her stained face. She was about to carry a biscuit and some + tinned meat to the sailor when a sharp exclamation from him + caused her to hasten to his side.</p> + + <p>The Dyaks had broken cover. Running in scattered sections + across the sands, they were risking such loss as the defenders + might be able to inflict upon them during a brief race to the + shelter and food to be obtained in the other part of the + island.</p> + + <p>Jenks did not fire at the scurrying gang. He was waiting for + one man, Taung S'Ali. But that redoubtable person, having + probably suggested this dash for liberty, had fully realized + the enviable share of attention he would attract during the + passage. He therefore discarded his vivid attire, and, by + borrowing odd garments, made himself sufficiently like unto the + remainder of his crew to deceive the sailor until the rush of + men was over. Among them ran the Mahommedan, who did not look + up the valley but waved his hand.</p> + + <p>When all had quieted down again Jenks understood how he had + been fooled. He laughed so heartily that Iris, not knowing + either the cause of his merriment or the reason of his + unlooked-for clemency to the flying foe, feared the sun had + affected him.</p> + + <p>He at once quitted the post occupied during so protracted a + vigil.</p> + + <p>"Now," he cried, "we can eat in peace. I have stripped the + chief of his finery. His men can twit him on being forced to + shed his gorgeous plumage in order to save his life. Anyhow, + they will leave us in peace until night falls, so we must make + the best of a hot afternoon."</p> + + <p>But he was mistaken. A greater danger than any yet + experienced now threatened them, though Iris, after perusing + that wonderful psalm, might have warned him of it had she known + the purpose of those long bamboos carried by some of the + savages.</p> + + <p>For Taung S'Ali, furious and unrelenting, resolved that if + he could not obtain the girl he would slay the pair of them; + and he had terrible weapons in his possession—weapons + that could send "silent death even to the place where they + stood."</p> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" + name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>Yes, sir.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" + name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + + <p>The Government of India.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" + name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + + <p>A native cavalry regiment.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + + <h2>REALITY <i>V</i>. ROMANCE—THE CASE FOR THE + DEFENDANT</h2> + + <p>Residents in tropical countries know that the heat is + greatest, or certainly least bearable, between two and four + o'clock in the afternoon.</p> + + <p>At the conclusion of a not very luscious repast, Jenks + suggested that they should rig up the tarpaulin in such wise as + to gain protection from the sun and yet enable him to cast a + watchful eye over the valley. Iris helped to raise the great + canvas sheet on the supports he had prepared. Once shut off + from the devouring sun rays, the hot breeze then springing into + fitful existence cooled their blistered but perspiring skin and + made life somewhat tolerable.</p> + + <p>Still adhering to his policy of combatting the first + enervating attacks of thirst, the sailor sanctioned the + consumption of the remaining water. As a last desperate + expedient, to be resorted to only in case of sheer necessity, + he uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled the tin cup. The + sparkling wine, with its volume of creamy foam, looked so + tempting that Iris would then and there have risked its potency + were she not promptly withheld.</p> + + <p>Jenks explained to her that when the wine became quite flat + and insipid they might use it to moisten their parched lips. + Even so, in their present super-heated state, the liquor was + unquestionably dangerous, but he hoped it would not harm them + if taken in minute quantities.</p> + + <p>Accustomed now to implicitly accept his advice, she fought + and steadily conquered the craving within her. Oddly enough, + the "thawing" of their scorched bodies beneath the tarpaulin + brought a certain degree of relief. They were supremely + uncomfortable, but that was as naught compared with the + relaxation from the torments previously borne.</p> + + <p>For a long time—the best part of an hour, + perhaps—they remained silent.</p> + + <p>The sailor was reviewing the pros and cons of their + precarious condition. It would, of course, be a matter of + supreme importance were the Indian to be faithful to his + promise. Here the prospect was decidedly hopeful. The man was + an old <i>sowar</i>, and the ex-officer of native cavalry knew + how enduring was the attachment of this poor convict to home + and military service. Probably at that moment the Mahommedan + was praying to the Prophet and his two nephews to aid him in + rescuing the sahib and the woman whom the sahib held so dear, + for the all-wise and all-powerful Sirkar is very merciful to + offending natives who thus condone their former crimes.</p> + + <p>But, howsoever willing he might be, what could one man do + among so many? The Dyaks were hostile to him in race and creed, + and assuredly infuriated against the foreign devil who had + killed or wounded, in round numbers, one-fifth of their total + force. Very likely, the hapless Mussulman would lose his life + that night in attempting to bring water to the foot of the + rock.</p> + + <p>Well, he, Jenks, might have something to say in that regard. + By midnight the moon would illumine nearly the whole of + Prospect Park. If the Mahommedan were slain in front of the + cavern his soul would travel to the next world attended by a + Nizam's cohort of slaughtered slaves.</p> + + <p>Even if the man succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his + present associates, where was the water to come from? There was + none on the island save that in the well. In all likelihood the + Dyaks had a store in the remaining sampans, but the native ally + of the beleaguered pair would have a task of exceeding + difficulty in obtaining one of the jars or skins containing + it.</p> + + <p>Again, granting all things went well that night, what would + be the final outcome of the struggle? How long could Iris + withstand the exposure, the strain, the heart-breaking misery + of the rock? The future was blurred, crowded with ugly and + affrighting fiends passing in fantastic array before his + vision, and mouthing dumb threats of madness and death.</p> + + <p>He shook restlessly, not aware that the girl's sorrowful + glance, luminous with love and pain, was fixed upon him. + Summarily dismissing these grisly phantoms of the mind, he + asked himself what the Mahommedan exactly meant by warning him + against the trees on the right and the "silent death" that + might come from them. He was about to crawl forth to the lip of + the rock and investigate matters in that locality when Iris, + who also was busy with her thoughts, restrained him.</p> + + <p>"Wait a little while," she said. "None of the Dyaks will + venture into the open until night falls. And I have something + to say to you."</p> + + <p>There was a quiet solemnity in her voice that Jenks had + never heard before. It chilled him. His heart acknowledged a + quick sense of evil omen. He raised himself slightly and turned + towards her. Her face, beautiful and serene beneath its + disfigurements, wore an expression of settled purpose. For the + life of him he dared not question her.</p> + + <p>"That man, the interpreter," she said, "told you that if I + were given up to the chief, he and his followers would go away + and molest you no more."</p> + + <p>His forehead seamed with sudden anger.</p> + + <p>"A mere bait," he protested. "In any event it is hardly + worth discussion."</p> + + <p>And the answer came, clear and resolute—</p> + + <p>"I think I will agree to those terms."</p> + + <p>At first he regarded her with undisguised and wordless + amazement. Then the appalling thought darted through his brain + that she contemplated this supreme sacrifice in order to save + him. A clammy sweat bedewed his brow, but by sheer will power + he contrived to say—</p> + + <p>"You must be mad to even dream of such a thing. Don't you + understand what it means to you—and to me? It is a ruse + to trap us. They are ungoverned savages. Once they had you in + their power they would laugh at a promise made to me."</p> + + <p>"You may be mistaken. They must have some sense of fair + dealing. Even assuming that such was their intention, they may + depart from it. They have already lost a great many men. Their + chief, having gained his main object, might not be able to + persuade them to take further risks. I will make it a part of + the bargain that they first supply you with plenty of water. + Then you, unaided, could keep them at bay for many days. We + lose nothing; we can gain a great deal by endeavoring to pacify + them."</p> + + <p>"Iris!" he gasped, "what are you saying?"</p> + + <p>The unexpected sound of her name on his lips almost unnerved + her. But no martyr ever went to the stake with more settled + purpose than this pure woman, resolved to immolate herself for + the sake of the man she loved. He had dared all for her, faced + death in many shapes. Now it was her turn. Her eyes were lit + with a seraphic fire, her sweet face resigned as that of an + angel.</p> + + <p>"I have thought it out," she murmured, gazing at him + steadily, yet scarce seeing him. "It is worth trying as a last + expedient. We are abandoned by all, save the Lord; and it does + not appear to be His holy will to help us on earth. We can + struggle on here until we die. Is that right, when one of us + may live?"</p> + + <p>Her very candor had betrayed her. She would go away with + these monstrous captors, endure them, even flatter them, until + she and they were far removed from the island. And + then—she would kill herself. In her innocence she + imagined that self-destruction, under such circumstances, was a + pardonable offence. She only gave a life to save a life, and + greater love than this is not known to God or man.</p> + + <p>The sailor, in a tempest of wrath and wild emotion, had it + in his mind to compel her into reason, to shake her, as one + shakes a wayward child.</p> + + <p>He rose to his knees with this half-formed notion in his + fevered brain. Then he looked at her, and a mist seemed to shut + her out from his sight. Was she lost to him already? Was all + that had gone before an idle dream of joy and grief, a wizard's + glimpse of mirrored happiness and vague perils? Was Iris, the + crystal-souled—thrown to him by the storm-lashed + waves—to be snatched away by some irresistible and malign + influence?</p> + + <p>In the mere physical effort to assure himself that she was + still near to him he gathered her up in his strong hands. Yes, + she was there, breathing, wondering, palpitating. He folded her + closely to his breast, and, yielding to the passionate longings + of his tired heart, whispered to her—</p> + + <p>"My darling, do you think I can survive your loss? You are + life itself to me. If we have to die, sweet one, let us die + together."</p> + + <p>Then Iris flung her arms around his neck.</p> + + <p>"I am quite, quite happy now," she sobbed brokenly. "I + didn't—imagine—it would come—this way, + but—I am thankful—it has come."</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_13_1.png"><img alt="Love, tremendous in its power, unfathomable in its mystery, had cast its spell over them." + src="images/wm_13_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">Love, tremendous in + its power, unfathomable in its mystery, had cast its spell over + them.</span></p> + + <p>For a little while they yielded to the glamour of the divine + knowledge that amidst the chaos of eternity each soul had found + its mate. There was no need for words. Love, tremendous in its + power, unfathomable in its mystery, had cast its spell over + them. They were garbed in light, throned in a palace built by + fairy hands. On all sides squatted the ghouls of privation, + misery, danger, even grim death; but they heeded not the + Inferno; they had created a Paradise in an earthly hell.</p> + + <p>Then Iris withdrew herself from the man's embrace. She was + delightfully shy and timid now.</p> + + <p>"So you really do love me?" she whispered, crimson-faced, + with shining eyes and parted lips.</p> + + <p>He drew her to him again and kissed her tenderly. For he had + cast all doubt to the winds. No matter what the future had in + store she was his, his only; it was not in man's power to part + them. A glorious effulgence dazzled his brain. Her love had + given him the strength of Goliath, the confidence of David. He + would pluck her from the perils that environed her. The Dyak + was not yet born who should rend her from him.</p> + + <p>He fondled her hair and gently rubbed her cheek with his + rough fingers. The sudden sense of ownership of this fair woman + was entrancing. It almost bewildered him to find Iris nestling + close, clinging to him in utter confidence and trust.</p> + + <p>"But I knew, I knew," she murmured. "You betrayed yourself + so many times. You wrote your secret to me, and, though you did + not tell me, I found your dear words on the sands, and have + treasured them next my heart."</p> + + <p>What girlish romance was this? He held her away gingerly, + just so far that he could look into her eyes.</p> + + <p>"Oh, it is true, quite true," she cried, drawing the locket + from her neck. "Don't you recognize your own handwriting, or + were you not certain, just then, that you really did love + me?"</p> + + <p>Dear, dear! How often would she repeat that wondrous phrase! + Together they bent over the tiny slips of paper. There it was + again—"I love you"—twice blazoned in magic symbols. + With blushing eagerness she told him how, by mere accident of + course, she caught sight of her own name. It was not very + wrong, was it, to pick up that tiny scrap, or those others, + which she could not help seeing, and which unfolded their + simple tale so truthfully? Wrong! It was so delightfully right + that he must kiss her again to emphasize his convictions.</p> + + <p>All this fondling and love-making had, of course, an air of + grotesque absurdity because indulged in by two grimy and + tattered individuals crouching beneath a tarpaulin on a rocky + ledge, and surrounded by bloodthirsty savages intent on their + destruction. Such incidents require the setting of convention, + the conservatory, with its wealth of flowers and plants, a + summer wood, a Chippendale drawing-room. And yet, God wot, men + and women have loved each other in this grey old world without + stopping to consider the appropriateness of place and + season.</p> + + <p>After a delicious pause Iris began again—</p> + + <p>"Robert—I must call you Robert now—there, there, + please let me get a word in even edgeways—well then, + Robert dear, I do not care much what happens now. I suppose it + was very wicked and foolish of me to speak as I did + before—before you called me Iris. Now tell me at once. + Why did you call me Iris?"</p> + + <p>"You must propound that riddle to your godfather."</p> + + <p>"No wriggling, please. Why did you do it?"</p> + + <p>"Because I could not help myself. It slid out unawares."</p> + + <p>"How long have you thought of me only as Iris, your + Iris?"</p> + + <p>"Ever since I first understood that somewhere in the wide + world was a dear woman to love me and be loved."</p> + + <p>"But at one time you thought her name was Elizabeth?"</p> + + <p>"A delusion, a mirage! That is why those who christened you + had the wisdom of the gods."</p> + + <p>Another interlude. They grew calmer, more sedate. It was so + undeniably true they loved one another that the fact was + becoming venerable with age. Iris was perhaps the first to + recognize its quiet certainty.</p> + + <p>"As I cannot get you to talk reasonably," she protested, "I + must appeal to your sympathy. I am hungry, and oh, so + thirsty."</p> + + <p>The girl had hardly eaten a morsel for her midday meal. Then + she was despondent, utterly broken-hearted. Now she was filled + with new hope. There was a fresh motive in existence. Whether + destined to live an hour or half a century, she would never, + never leave him, nor, of course, could he ever, ever leave her. + Some things were quite impossible—for example, that they + should part.</p> + + <p>Jenks brought her a biscuit, a tin of meat, and that most + doleful cup of champagne.</p> + + <p>"It is not exactly <i>frappé</i>," he said, handing + her the insipid beverage, "but, under other conditions, it is a + wine almost worthy to toast you in."</p> + + <p>She fancied she had never before noticed what a charming + smile he had.</p> + + <p>"'Toast' is a peculiarly suitable word," she cried. "I am + simply frizzling. In these warm clothes—"</p> + + <p>She stopped. For the first time since that prehistoric + period when she was "Miss Deane" and he "Mr. Jenks" she + remembered the manner of her garments.</p> + + <p>"It is not the warm clothing you feel so much as the want of + air," explained the sailor readily. "This tarpaulin has made + the place very stuffy, but we must put up with it until + sundown. By the way, what is that?"</p> + + <p>A light tap on the tarred canvas directly over his head had + caught his ear. Iris, glad of the diversion, told him she had + heard the noise three or four times, but fancied it was caused + by the occasional rustling of the sheet on the uprights.</p> + + <p>Jenks had not allowed his attention to wander altogether + from external events. Since the Dyaks' last escapade there was + no sign of them in the valley or on either beach. Not for + trivial cause would they come again within range of the + Lee-Metfords.</p> + + <p>They waited and listened silently. Another tap sounded on + the tarpaulin in a different place, and they both concurred in + the belief that something had darted in curved flight over the + ledge and fallen on top of their protecting shield.</p> + + <p>"Let us see what the game is," exclaimed the sailor. He + crept to the back of the ledge and drew himself up until he + could reach over the sheet. He returned, carrying in his hand a + couple of tiny arrows.</p> + + <p>"There are no less than seven of these things sticking in + the canvas," he said. "They don't look very terrible. I suppose + that is what my Indian friend meant by warning me against the + trees on the right."</p> + + <p>He did not tell Iris all the Mahommedan said. There was no + need to alarm her causelessly. Even whilst they examined the + curious little missile another flew up from the valley and + lodged on the roof of their shelter.</p> + + <p>The shaft of the arrow, made of some extremely hard wood, + was about ten inches in length. Affixed to it was a pointed + fish-bone, sharp, but not barbed, and not fastened in a manner + suggestive of much strength. The arrow was neither feathered + nor grooved for a bowstring. Altogether it seemed to be a + childish weapon to be used by men equipped with lead and + steel.</p> + + <p>Jenks could not understand the appearance of this toy. + Evidently the Dyaks believed in its efficacy, or they would not + keep on pertinaciously dropping an arrow on the ledge.</p> + + <p>"How do they fire it?" asked Iris. "Do they throw it?"</p> + + <p>"I will soon tell you," he replied, reaching for a + rifle.</p> + + <p>"Do not go out yet," she entreated him. "They cannot harm + us. Perhaps we may learn more by keeping quiet. They will not + continue shooting these things all day."</p> + + <p>Again a tiny arrow traveled towards them in a graceful + parabola. This one fell short. Missing the tarpaulin, it almost + dropped on the girl's outstretched hand. She picked it up. The + fish-bone point had snapped by contact with the floor of the + ledge.</p> + + <p>She sought for and found the small tip.</p> + + <p>"See," she said. "It seems to have been dipped in something. + It is quite discolored."</p> + + <p>Jenks frowned peculiarly. A startling explanation had + suggested itself to him. Fragments of forgotten lore were + taking cohesion in his mind.</p> + + <p>"Put it down. Quick!" he cried.</p> + + <p>Iris obeyed him, with wonder in her eyes. He spilled a + teasponful of champagne into a small hollow of the rock and + steeped one of the fish-bones in the liquid. Within a few + seconds the champagne assumed a greenish tinge and the bone + became white. Then he knew.</p> + + <p>"Good Heavens!" he exclaimed, "these are poisoned arrows + shot through a blowpipe. I have never before seen one, but I + have often read about them. The bamboos the Dyaks carried were + sumpitans. These fish-bones have been steeped in the juice of + the upas tree. Iris, my dear girl, if one of them had so much + as scratched your finger nothing on earth could save you."</p> + + <p>She paled and drew back in sudden horror. This tiny thing + had taken the semblance of a snake. A vicious cobra cast at her + feet would be less alarming, for the reptile could be killed, + whilst his venomous fangs would only be used in + self-defence.</p> + + <p>Another tap sounded on their thrice-welcome covering. + Evidently the Dyaks would persist in their efforts to get one + of those poisoned darts home.</p> + + <p>Jenks debated silently whether it would be better to create + a commotion, thus inducing the savages to believe they had + succeeded in inflicting a mortal wound, or to wait until the + next arrow fell, rush out, and try conclusions with Dum-dum + bullets against the sumpitan blowers.</p> + + <p>He decided in favor of the latter course. He wished to + dishearten his assailants, to cram down their throats the + belief that he was invulnerable, and could visit their every + effort with a deadly reprisal.</p> + + <p>Iris, of course, protested when he explained his project. + But the fighting spirit prevailed. Their love idyll must yield + to the needs of the hour.</p> + + <p>He had not long to wait. The last arrow fell, and he sprang + to the extreme right of the ledge. First he looked through that + invaluable screen of grass. Three Dyaks were on the ground, and + a fourth in the fork of a tree. They were each armed with a + blowpipe. He in the tree was just fitting an arrow into the + bamboo tube. The others were watching him.</p> + + <p>Jenks raised his rifle, fired, and the warrior in the tree + pitched headlong to the ground. A second shot stretched a + companion on top of him. One man jumped into the bushes and got + away, but the fourth tripped over his unwieldy sumpitan and a + bullet tore a large section from his skull. The sailor then + amused himself with breaking the bamboos by firing at them. He + came back to the white-faced girl.</p> + + <p>"I fancy that further practice with blowpipes will be at a + discount on Rainbow Island," he cried cheerfully.</p> + + <p>But Iris was anxious and distrait.</p> + + <p>"It is very sad," she said, "that we are obliged to secure + our own safety by the ceaseless slaughter of human beings. Is + there no offer we can make them, no promise of future gain, to + tempt them to abandon hostilities?"</p> + + <p>"None whatever. These Borneo Dyaks are bred from infancy to + prey on their fellow-creatures. To be strangers and defenceless + is to court pillage and massacre at their hands. I think no + more of shooting them than of smashing a clay pigeon. Killing a + mad dog is perhaps a better simile."</p> + + <p>"But, Robert dear, how long can we hold out?"</p> + + <p>"What! Are you growing tired of me already?"</p> + + <p>He hoped to divert her thoughts from this constantly + recurring topic. Twice within the hour had it been broached and + dismissed, but Iris would not permit him to shirk it again. She + made no reply, simply regarding him with a wistful smile.</p> + + <p>So Jenks sat down by her side, and rehearsed the hopes and + fears which perplexed him. He determined that there should be + no further concealment between them. If they failed to secure + water that night, if the Dyaks maintained a strict siege of the + rock throughout the whole of next day, well—they might + survive—it was problematical. Best leave matters in God's + hands.</p> + + <p>With feminine persistency she clung to the subject, + detecting his unwillingness to discuss a possible final stage + in their sufferings.</p> + + <p>"Robert!" she whispered fearfully, "you will never let me + fall into the power of the chief, will you?"</p> + + <p>"Not whilst I live."</p> + + <p>"You <i>must</i> live. Don't you understand? I would go with + them to save you. But I would have died—by my own hand. + Robert, my love, you must do this thing before the end. I must + be the first to die."</p> + + <p>He hung his head in a paroxysm of silent despair. Her words + rung like a tocsin of the bright romance conjured up by the + avowal of their love. It seemed to him, in that instant, they + had no separate existence as distinguished from the great + stream of human life—the turbulent river that flowed + unceasingly from an eternity of the past to an eternity of the + future. For a day, a year, a decade, two frail bubbles danced + on the surface and raced joyously together in the sunshine; + then they were broken—did it matter how, by savage sword + or lingering ailment? They vanished—absorbed again by the + rushing waters—and other bubbles rose in precarious + iridescence. It was a fatalist view of life, a dim and + obscurantist groping after truth induced by the overpowering + nature of present difficulties. The famous Tentmaker of + Naishapur blindly sought the unending purpose when he + wrote:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate</p> + + <p>I rose, and on the throne of Saturn sate,</p> + + <p class="i4">And many a Knot unravel'd by the + Road;</p> + + <p>But not the Master-Knot of Human Fate.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"There was the Door to which I found no Key;</p> + + <p>There was the Veil through which I could not + see:</p> + + <p class="i4">Some little talk awhile of Me and + Thee</p> + + <p>There was—and then no more of Thee and + Me."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The sailor, too, wrestled with the great problem. He may be + pardoned if his heart quailed and he groaned aloud.</p> + + <p>"Iris," he said solemnly, "whatever happens, unless I am + struck dead at your feet, I promise you that we shall pass the + boundary hand in hand. Be mine the punishment if we have + decided wrongly. And now," he cried, tossing his head in a + defiant access of energy, "let us have done with the morgue. + For my part I refuse to acknowledge I am inside until the gates + clang behind me. As for you, you cannot help yourself. You must + do as I tell you. I never knew of a case where the question of + Woman's Rights was so promptly settled."</p> + + <p>His vitality was infectious. Iris smiled again. Her + sensitive highly strung nerves permitted these sharp + alternations between despondency and hope.</p> + + <p>"You must remember," he went on, "that the Dyak score is + twenty-one to the bad, whilst our loss stands at love. Dear me, + that cannot be right. Love is surely not a loss."</p> + + <p>"A cynic might describe it as a negative gain."</p> + + <p>"Oh, a cynic is no authority. He knows nothing whatever + about the subject."</p> + + <p>"My father used to say, when he was in Parliament, that + people who knew least oft-times spoke best. Some men get + overweighted with facts."</p> + + <p>They chatted in lighter vein with such pendulum swing back + to nonchalance that none would have deemed it possible for + these two to have already determined the momentous issue of the + pending struggle should it go against them. There is, glory be, + in the Anglo-Saxon race the splendid faculty of meeting death + with calm defiance, almost with contempt. Moments of panic, + agonizing memories of bygone days, visions of dear faces never + to be seen again, may temporarily dethrone this proud + fortitude. But the tremors pass, the gibbering specters of fear + and lamentation are thrust aside, and the sons and daughters of + Great Britain answer the last roll-call with undaunted heroism. + They know how to die.</p> + + <p>And so the sun sank to rest in the sea, and the star, + pierced the deepening blue of the celestial arch, whilst the + man and the woman awaited patiently the verdict of the + fates.</p> + + <p>Before the light failed, Jenks gathered all the poisoned + arrows and ground their vemoned points to powder beneath his + heel. Gladly would Iris and he have dispensed with the friendly + protection of the tarpaulin when the cool evening breeze came + from the south. But such a thing might not be even considered. + Several hours of darkness must elapse before the moon rose, and + during that period, were their foes so minded, they would be + absolutely at the mercy of the sumpitan shafts if not covered + by their impenetrable buckler.</p> + + <p>The sailor looked long and earnestly at the well. Their own + bucket, improvised out of a dish-cover and a rope, lay close to + the brink. A stealthy crawl across the sandy valley, half a + minute of grave danger, and he would be up the ladder again + with enough water to serve their imperative needs for days to + come.</p> + + <p>There was little or no risk in descending the rock. Soon + after sunset it was wrapped in deepest gloom, for night + succeeds day in the tropics with wondrous speed. The hazard lay + in twice crossing the white sand, were any of the Dyaks hiding + behind the house or among the trees.</p> + + <p>He held no foolhardy view of his own powers. The one-sided + nature of the conflict thus far was due solely to his + possession of Lee-Metfords as opposed to muzzle-loaders. Let + him be surrounded on the level at close quarters by a dozen + determined men and he must surely succumb.</p> + + <p>Were it not for the presence of Iris he would have given no + second thought to the peril. It was just one of those + undertakings which a soldier jumps at. "Here goes for the V.C. + or Kingdom Come!" is the pithy philosophy of Thomas Atkins + under such circumstances.</p> + + <p>Now, there was no V.C., but there was Iris.</p> + + <p>To act without consulting her was impossible, so they + discussed the project. Naturally she scouted it.</p> + + <p>"The Mahommedan may be able to help us," she pointed out. + "In any event let us wait until the moon wanes. That is the + darkest hour. We do not know what may happen meanwhile."</p> + + <p>The words had hardly left her mouth when an irregular volley + was fired at them from the right flank of the enemy's position. + Every bullet struck yards above their heads, the common failing + of musketry at night being to take too high an aim. But the + impact of the missiles on a rock so highly impregnated with + minerals caused sparks to fly, and Jenks saw that the Dyaks + would obtain by this means a most dangerous index of their + faulty practice. Telling Iris to at once occupy her safe + corner, he rapidly adjusted a rifle on the wooden rests already + prepared in anticipation of an attack from that quarter, and + fired three shots at the opposing crest, whence came the + majority of gun-flashes.</p> + + <p>One, at least, of the three found a human billet. There was + a shout of surprise and pain, and the next volley spurted from + the ground level. This could do no damage owing to the angle, + but he endeavored to disconcert the marksmen by keeping up a + steady fire in their direction. He did not dream of attaining + other than a moral effect, as there is a lot of room to miss + when aiming in the dark. Soon he imagined that the burst of + flame from his rifle helped the Dyaks, because several bullets + whizzed close to his head, and about this time firing + recommenced from the crest.</p> + + <p>Notwithstanding all his skill and manipulation of the wooden + supports, he failed to dislodge the occupants. Every minute one + or more ounces of lead pitched right into the ledge, damaging + the stores and tearing the tarpaulin, whilst those which struck + the wall of rock were dangerous to Iris by reason of the molten + spray.</p> + + <p>He could guess what had happened. By lying flat on the + sloping plateau, or squeezing close to the projecting shoulder + of the cliff, the Dyaks were so little exposed that idle chance + alone would enable him to hit one of them. But they must be + shifted, or this night bombardment would prove the most serious + development yet encountered.</p> + + <p>"Are you all right, Iris?" he called out.</p> + + <p>"Yes, dear," she answered.</p> + + <p>"Well, I want you to keep yourself covered by the canvas for + a little while—especially your head and shoulders. I am + going to stop these chaps. They have found our weak point, but + I can baffle them."</p> + + <p>She did not ask what he proposed to do. He heard the + rustling of the tarpaulin as she pulled it. Instantly he cast + loose the rope-ladder, and, armed only with a revolver, dropped + down the rock. He was quite invisible to the enemy. On reaching + the ground he listened for a moment. There was no sound save + the occasional reports ninety yards away. He hitched up the + lower rungs of the ladder until they were six feet from the + level, and then crept noiselessly, close to the rock, for some + forty yards.</p> + + <p>He halted beside a small poon-tree, and stooped to find + something embedded near its roots. At this distance he could + plainly hear the muttered conversation of the Dyaks, and could + see several of them prone on the sand. The latter fact proved + how fatal would be an attempt on his part to reach the well. + They must discover him instantly once he quitted the somber + shadows of the cliff. He waited, perhaps a few seconds longer + than was necessary, endeavoring to pierce the dim atmosphere + and learn something of their disposition.</p> + + <p>A vigorous outburst of firing sent him back with haste. Iris + was up there alone. He knew not what might happen. He was now + feverishly anxious to be with her again, to hear her voice, and + be sure that all was well.</p> + + <p>To his horror he found the ladder swaying gently against the + rock. Some one was using it. He sprang forward, careless of + consequence, and seized the swinging end which had fallen free + again. He had his foot on the bottom rung when Iris's voice, + close at hand and shrill with terror, shrieked—</p> + + <p>"Robert, where are you?"</p> + + <p>"Here!" he shouted; the next instant she dropped into his + arms.</p> + + <p>A startled exclamation from the vicinity of the house, and + some loud cries from the more distant Dyaks on the other side + of Prospect Park, showed that they had been overheard.</p> + + <p>"Up!" he whispered. "Hold tight, and go as quickly as you + can."</p> + + <p>"Not without you!"</p> + + <p>"Up, for God's sake! I follow at your heels."</p> + + <p>She began to climb. He took some article from between his + teeth, a string apparently, and drew it towards him, mounting + the ladder at the same time. The end tightened. He was then + about ten feet from the ground. Two Dyaks, yelling fiercely, + rushed from the cover of the house.</p> + + <p>"Go on," he said to Iris. "Don't lose your nerve whatever + happens. I am close behind you."</p> + + <p>"I am quite safe," she gasped.</p> + + <p>Turning, and clinging on with one hand, he drew his revolver + and fired at the pair beneath, who could now faintly discern + them, and were almost within reach of the ladder. The shooting + made them halt. He did not know or care if they were hit. To + frighten them was sufficient. Several others were running + across the sands to the cave, attracted by the noise and the + cries of the foremost pursuers.</p> + + <p>Then he gave a steady pull to the cord. The sharp crack of a + rifle came from the vicinity of the old quarry. He saw the + flash among the trees. Almost simultaneously a bright light + leapt from the opposite ledge, illumining the vicinity like a + meteor. It lit up the rock, showed Iris just vanishing into the + safety of the ledge, and revealed Jenks and the Dyaks to each + other. There followed instantly a tremendous explosion that + shook earth and air, dislodging every loose stone in the + south-west pile of rocks, hurling from the plateau some of its + occupants, and wounding the remainder with a shower of lead and + débris.</p> + + <p>The island birds, long since driven to the remote trees, + clamored in raucous peal, and from the Dyaks came yells of + fright or anguish.</p> + + <p>The sailor, unmolested further, reached the ledge to find + Iris prostrate where she had fallen, dead or unconscious, he + knew not which. He felt his face become grey in the darkness. + With a fierce tug he hauled the ladder well away from the + ground and sank to his knees beside her.</p> + + <p>He took her into his arms. There was no light. He could not + see her eyes or lips. Her slight breathing seemed to indicate a + fainting fit, but there was no water, nor was it possible to + adopt any of the ordinary expedients suited to such a seizure. + He could only wait in a dreadful silence—wait, clasping + her to his breast—and dumbly wonder what other loss he + could suffer ere the final release came.</p> + + <p>At last she sighed deeply. A strong tremor of returning life + stirred her frame.</p> + + <p>"Thank God!" he murmured, and bowed his head. Were the sun + shining he could not see her now, for his eyes were + blurred.</p> + + <p>"Robert!" she whispered.</p> + + <p>"Yes, darling."</p> + + <p>"Are you safe?"</p> + + <p>"Safe! my loved one! Think of yourself! What has happened to + you?"</p> + + <p>"I fainted—I think. I have no hurt. I missed you! + Something told me you had gone. I went to help you, or die with + you. And then that noise! And the light! What did you do?"</p> + + <p>He silenced her questioning with a passionate kiss. He + carried her to a little nook and fumbled among the stores until + he found a bottle of brandy. She drank some. Under its + revivifying influence she was soon able to listen to the + explanation he offered—after securing the ladder.</p> + + <p>In a tall tree near the Valley of Death he had tightly fixed + a loaded rifle which pointed at a loose stone in the rock + overhanging the ledge held by the Dyaks. This stone rested + against a number of percussion caps extracted from cartridges, + and these were in direct communication with a train of powder + leading to a blasting charge placed at the end of a twenty-four + inch hole drilled with a crowbar. The impact of the bullet + against the stone could not fail to explode some of the caps. + He had used the contents of three hundred cartridges to secure + a sufficiency of powder, and the bullets were all crammed into + the orifice, being tamped with clay and wet sand. The rifle was + fired by means of the string, the loose coils of which were + secreted at the foot of the poon. By springing this novel mine + he had effectually removed every Dyak from the ledge, over + which its contents would spread like a fan. Further, it would + probably deter the survivors from again venturing near that + fatal spot.</p> + + <p>Iris listened, only half comprehending. Her mind was filled + with one thought to the exclusion of all others. Robert had + left her, had done this thing without telling her. She forgave + him, knowing he acted for the best, but he must never, never + deceive her again in such a manner. She could not bear it.</p> + + <p>What better excuse could man desire for caressing her, yea, + even squeezing her, until the sobs ceased and she protested + with a weak little laugh—</p> + + <p>"Robert, I haven't got much breath—after that + excitement—but please—leave me—the + remains!"</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + + <h2>THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS</h2> + + <p>"You are a dear unreasonable little girl," he said. "Have + you breath enough to tell me why you came down the ladder?"</p> + + <p>"When I discovered you were gone, I became wild with fright. + Don't you see, I imagined you were wounded and had fallen from + the ledge. What else could I do but follow, either to help you, + or, if that were not possible—"</p> + + <p>He found her hand and pressed it to his lips.</p> + + <p>"I humbly crave your pardon," he said. "That explanation is + more than ample. It was I who behaved unreasonably. Of course I + should have warned you. Yet, sweetheart, I ran no risk. The + real danger passed a week ago."</p> + + <p>"How can that be?"</p> + + <p>"I might have been blown to pieces whilst adjusting the + heavy stone in front of the caps. I assure you I was glad to + leave the place that day with a whole skin. If the stone had + wobbled, or slipped, well—it was a case of determined + <i>felo-de-se</i>."</p> + + <p>"May I ask how many more wild adventures you undertook + without my knowledge?"</p> + + <p>"One other, of great magnitude. I fell in love with + you."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense!" she retorted. "I knew that long before you + admitted it to yourself."</p> + + <p>"Date, please?"</p> + + <p>"Well, to begin at the very beginning, you thought I was + nice on board the <i>Sirdar</i>. Now, didn't you?"</p> + + <p>And they were safely embarked on a conversation of no + interest to any other person in the wide world, but which + provided them with the most delightful topic imaginable.</p> + + <p>Thus the time sped until the rising moon silhouetted the + cliff on the white carpet of coral-strewn sand. The black + shadow-line traveled slowly closer to the base of the cliff, + and Jenks, guided also by the stars, told Iris that midnight + was at hand.</p> + + <p>They knelt on the parapet of the ledge, alert to catch any + unusual sound, and watching for any indication of human + movement. But Rainbow Island was now still as the grave. The + wounded Dyaks had seemingly been removed from hut and beach; + the dead lay where they had fallen. The sea sang a lullaby to + the reef, and the fresh breeze whispered among the palm + fronds—that was all.</p> + + <p>"Perhaps they have gone!" murmured Iris.</p> + + <p>The sailor put his arm round her neck and gently pressed her + lips together. Anything would serve as an excuse for that sort + of thing, but he really did want absolute silence at that + moment. If the Mussulman kept his compact, the hour was at + hand.</p> + + <p>An unlooked-for intruder disturbed the quietude of the + scene. Their old acquaintance, the singing beetle, chortled his + loud way across the park. Iris was dying—as women + say—to remind Jenks of their first meeting with that + blatant insect, but further talk was impossible; there was too + much at stake—water they must have.</p> + + <p>Then the light hiss of a snake rose to them from the depths. + That is a sound never forgotten when once heard. It is like + unto no other. Indeed, the term "hiss" is a misnomer for the + quick sibilant expulsion of the breath by an alarmed or angered + serpent.</p> + + <p>Iris paid no heed to it, but Jenks, who knew there was not a + reptile of the snake variety on the island, leaned over the + ledge and emitted a tolerably good imitation. The native was + beneath. Probably the flight of the beetle had helped his + noiseless approach.</p> + + <p>"Sahib!"</p> + + <p>The girl started at the unexpected call from the depths.</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Jenks quietly.</p> + + <p>"A rope, sahib."</p> + + <p>The sailor lowered a rope. Something was tied to it beneath. + The Mahommedan apparently had little fear of being + detected.</p> + + <p>"Pull, sahib."</p> + + <p>"Usually it is the sahib who says 'pull,' but circumstances + alter cases," communed Jenks. He hauled steadily at a heavy + weight—a goatskin filled with cold water. He emptied the + hot and sour wine out of the tin cup, and was about to hand the + thrice-welcome draught to Iris when a suspicious thought caused + him to withhold it.</p> + + <p>"Let me taste first," he said.</p> + + <p>The Indian might have betrayed them to the Dyaks. More + unlikely things had happened. What if the water were poisoned + or drugged?</p> + + <p>He placed the tin to his lips. The liquid was musty, having + been in the skin nearly two days. Otherwise it seemed to be all + right. With a sigh of profound relief he gave Iris the cup, and + smiled at the most unladylike haste with which she emptied + it.</p> + + <p>"Drink yourself, and give me some more," she said.</p> + + <p>"No more for you at present, madam. In a few minutes, + yes."</p> + + <p>"Oh, why not now?"</p> + + <p>"Do not fret, dear one. You can have all you want in a + little while. But to drink much now would make you very + ill."</p> + + <p>Iris waited until he could speak again.</p> + + <p>"Why did you—" she began.</p> + + <p>But he bent over the parapet—</p> + + <p>"<i>Koi hai</i>!"<a id="footnotetag5" + name="footnotetag5"></a><a href= + "#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> + + <p>"Sahib!"</p> + + <p>"You have not been followed?"</p> + + <p>"I think not, sahib. Do not talk too loud; they are foxes in + cunning. You have a ladder, they say, sahib. Will not your + honor descend? I have much to relate."</p> + + <p>Iris made no protest when Jenks explained the man's request. + She only stipulated that he should not leave the ladder, whilst + she would remain within easy earshot. The sailor, of course, + carried his revolver. He also picked up a crowbar, a most + useful and silent weapon. Then he went quietly downwards. + Nearing the ground, he saw the native, who salaamed deeply and + was unarmed. The poor fellow seemed to be very anxious to help + them.</p> + + <p>"What is your name?" demanded the sailor.</p> + + <p>"Mir Jan, sahib, formerly <i>naik</i><a id="footnotetag6" + name="footnotetag6"></a><a href= + "#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a> in the Kumaon Rissala."</p> + + <p>"When did you leave the regiment?"</p> + + <p>"Two years ago, sahib. I killed—"</p> + + <p>"What was the name of your Colonel?"</p> + + <p>"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, a brave man, but of no account on a + horse."</p> + + <p>Jenks well remembered Colonel Spence—a fat, + short-legged warrior, who rolled off his charger if the animal + so much as looked sideways. Mir Jan was telling the truth.</p> + + <p>"You are right, Mir Jan. What is Taung S'Ali doing now?"</p> + + <p>"Cursing, sahib, for the most part. His men are frightened. + He wanted them to try once more with the tubes that shoot + poison, but they refused. He could not come alone, for he could + not use his right hand, and he was wounded by the blowing up of + the rock. You nearly killed me, too, sahib. I was there with + the bazaar-born whelps. By the Prophet's beard, it was a fine + stroke."</p> + + <p>"Are they going away, then?"</p> + + <p>"No, sahib. The dogs have been whipped so sore that they + snarl for revenge. They say there is no use in firing at you, + but they are resolved to kill you and the miss-sahib, or carry + her off if she escapes the assault."</p> + + <p>"What assault?"</p> + + <p>"Protector of the poor, they are building + scaling-ladders—four in all. Soon after dawn they intend + to rush your position. You may slay some, they say, but you + cannot slay three score. Taung S'Ali has promised a gold + <i>tauk</i><a id="footnotetag7" + name="footnotetag7"></a><a href= + "#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> to every man who survives if + they succeed. They have pulled down your signal on the high + rocks and are using the poles for the ladders. They think + you have a <i>jadu</i><a id="footnotetag8" + name="footnotetag8"></a><a href= + "#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> sahib, and they want to use + your own work against you."</p> + + <p>This was serious news. A combined attack might indeed be + dangerous, though it had the excellent feature that if it + failed the Dyaks would certainly leave the island. But his + sky-sign destroyed! That was bad. Had a vessel chanced to pass, + the swinging letters would surely have attracted attention. + Now, even that faint hope was dispelled.</p> + + <p>"Sahib, there is a worse thing to tell," said Mir Jan.</p> + + <p>"Say on, then."</p> + + <p>"Before they place the ladders against the cliff they will + build a fire of green wood so that the smoke will be blown by + the wind into your eyes. This will help to blind your aim. + Otherwise, you never miss."</p> + + <p>"That will assuredly be awkward, Mir Jan."</p> + + <p>"It will, sahib. Soul of my father, if we had but half a + troop with us—"</p> + + <p>But they had not, and they were both so intent on the + conversation that they were momentarily off their guard. Iris + was more watchful. She fancied there was a light rustling + amidst the undergrowth beneath the trees on the right. And she + could hiss too, if that were the correct thing to do.</p> + + <p>So she hissed.</p> + + <p>Jenks swarmed half way up the ladder.</p> + + <p>"Yes, Iris?" he said.</p> + + <p>"I am not sure, but I imagine something moved among the + bushes behind the house."</p> + + <p>"All right, dear. I will keep a sharp look-out. Can you hear + us talking?"</p> + + <p>"Hardly. Will you be long?"</p> + + <p>"Another minute."</p> + + <p>He descended and told Mir Jan what the miss-sahib said. The + native was about to make a search when Jenks stopped him.</p> + + <p>"Here,"—he handed the man his revolver—"I + suppose you can use this?"</p> + + <p>Mir Jan took it without a word, and Jenks felt that the + incident atoned for previous unworthy doubts of his dark + friend's honesty. The Mahommedan cautiously examined the back + of the house, the neighboring shrubs, and the open beach. After + a brief absence he reported all safe, yet no man has ever been + nearer death and escaped it than he during that reconnaissance. + He, too, forgot that the Dyaks were foxes, and foxes can lie + close when hounds are a trifle stale.</p> + + <p>Mir Jan returned the revolver.</p> + + <p>"Sahib," he said with another salaam, "I am a disgraced man, + but if you will take me up there with you, I will fight by your + side until both my arms are hacked off. I am weary of these + thieves. Ill chance threw me into their company: I will have no + more of them. If you will not have me on the rock, give me a + gun. I will hide among the trees, and I promise that some of + them shall die to-night before they find me. For the honor of + the regiment, sahib, do not refuse this thing. All I ask is, if + your honor escapes, that you will write to Kurnal + I-shpence-sahib, and tell him the last act of Mir Jan, + <i>naik</i> in B troop."</p> + + <p>There was an intense pathos in the man's words. He made this + self-sacrificing offer with an utter absence of any motive save + the old tradition of duty to the colors. Here was + Anstruther-sahib, of the Belgaum Rissala, in dire peril. Very + well, then, Corporal Mir Jan, late of the 19th Bengal Lancers, + must dare all to save him.</p> + + <p>Jenks was profoundly moved. He reflected how best to utilize + the services of this willing volunteer without exposing him to + certain death in the manner suggested. The native + misinterpreted his silence.</p> + + <p>"I am not a <i>budmash</i>,<a id="footnotetag9" + name="footnotetag9"></a><a href= + "#footnote9"><sup>9</sup></a> sahib," he exclaimed proudly. + "I only killed a man because—"</p> + + <p>"Listen, Mir Jan. You cannot well mend what you have said. + The Dyaks, you are sure, will not come before morning?"</p> + + <p>"They have carried the wounded to the boats and are making + the ladders. Such was their talk when I left them."</p> + + <p>"Will they not miss you?"</p> + + <p>"They will miss the <i>mussak</i>,<a id="footnotetag10" + name="footnotetag10"></a><a href= + "#footnote10"><sup>10</sup></a> sahib. It was the last full + one."</p> + + <p>"Mir Jan, do as I bid, and you shall see Delhi again, Have + you ever used a Lee-Metford?"</p> + + <p>"I have seen them, sahib; but I better understand the + Mahtini."</p> + + <p>"I will give you a rifle, with plenty of ammunition, Do you + go inside the cave, there, and—"</p> + + <p>Mir Jan was startled.</p> + + <p>"Where the ghost is, sahib?" he said.</p> + + <p>"Ghost! That is a tale for children. There is no ghost, only + a few bones of a man murdered by these scoundrels long ago. + Have you any food?"</p> + + <p>"Some rice, sahib; sufficient for a day, or two at a + pinch."</p> + + <p>"Good! We will get water from the well. When the fighting + begins at dawn, fire at every man you see from the back of the + cave. On no account come out. Then they can never reach you if + you keep a full magazine. Wait here!"</p> + + <p>"I thought you were never coming," protested Iris when Jenks + reached the ledge. "I have been quite creepy. I am sure there + is some one down there. And, please, may I have another + drink?"</p> + + <p>The sailor had left the crowbar beneath. He secured a rifle, + a spare clip, and a dozen packets of cartridges, meanwhile + briefly explaining to Iris the turn taken by events so far as + Mir Jan was concerned. She was naturally delighted, and forgot + her fears in the excitement caused by the appearance of so + useful an ally. She drank his health in a brimming beaker of + water.</p> + + <p>She heard her lover rejoin Mir Jan, and saw the two step out + into the moonlight, whilst Jenks explained the action of the + Lee-Metford. Fortunately Iris was now much recovered from the + fatigue and privation of the earlier hours. Her senses were + sharpened to a pitch little dreamed of by stay-at-home young + ladies of her age, and she deemed it her province to act as + sentry whilst the two men conferred. Hence, she was the first + to detect, or rather to become conscious of, the stealthy crawl + of several Dyaks along the bottom of the cliff from Turtle + Beach. They advanced in Indian file, moving with the utmost + care, and crouching in the murky shadows like so many wild + beasts stalking their prey.</p> + + <p>"Robert!" she screamed. "The Dyaks! On your left!"</p> + + <p>But Iris was rapidly gaining some knowledge of strategy. + Before she shrieked her warning she grasped a rifle. Holding it + at the "Ready"—about the level of her waist—and + depressing the muzzle sufficiently, she began firing down the + side of the rock as fast as she could handle lever and trigger. + Two of the nickel bullets struck a projection and splashed the + leading savages with molten metal.</p> + + <p>Unfortunately the Lee-Metford beneath was unloaded, being in + Mir Jan's possession for purposes of instruction. Jenks whipped + out his revolver.</p> + + <p>"To the cave!" he roared, and Mir Jan's unwillingness to + face a goblin could not withstand the combined impetus of the + sahib's order and the onward rush of the enemy. He darted + headlong for the entrance.</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_14_1.png"><img alt="Iris began firing down the side of the rock as fast as she could handle lever and trigger." + src="images/wm_14_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">Iris began firing down + the side of the rock as fast as she could handle lever and + trigger.</span></p> + + <p>Jenks, shooting blindly as he, too, ran for the ladder, + emptied the revolver just as his left hand clutched a rung. + Three Dyaks were so close that it would be folly to attempt to + climb. He threw the weapon into the face of the foremost man, + effectually stopping his onward progress, for the darkness made + it impossible to dodge the missile.</p> + + <p>The sailor turned to dive into the cave and secure the rifle + from Mir Jan, when his shin caught the heavy crowbar resting + against the rock. The pain of the blow lent emphasis to the + swing with which the implement descended upon some portion of a + Dyak anatomy. Jenks never knew where he hit the second + assailant, but the place cracked like an eggshell.</p> + + <p>He had not time to recover the bar for another blow, so he + gave the point in the gullet of a gentleman who was about to + make a vicious sweep at him with a parang. The downfall of this + worthy caused his immediate successor to stumble, and Jenks saw + his opportunity. With the agility of a cat he jumped up the + ladder. Once started, he had to go on. He afterwards confessed + to an unpleasant sensation of pins and needles along his back + during that brief acrobatic display; but he reached the ledge + without further injury, save an agonizing twinge when the + unprotected quick of his damaged finger was smartly rapped + against the rock.</p> + + <p>These things happened with the speed of thought. Within + forty seconds of Iris's shrill cry the sailor was breast high + with the ledge and calling to her—</p> + + <p>"All right, old girl. Keep it up!"</p> + + <p>The cheerful confidence of his words had a wonderful effect + on her. Iris, like every good woman, had the maternal instinct + strong within her—the instinct that inspires alike the + mild-eyed Sister of Charity and the tigress fighting for her + cubs. When Jenks was down below there, in imminent danger of + being cut to pieces, the gentle, lovable girl, who would not + willingly hurt the humblest of God's creatures, became + terrible, majestic in her frenzied purpose. Robert must be + saved. If a Maxim were planted on the rock she would + unhesitatingly have turned the lever and sprayed the Dyaks with + bullets.</p> + + <p>But here he was close to her, unhurt and calmly jubilant, as + was his way when a stiff fight went well. He was by her side + now, firing and aiming too, for the Dyaks broke cover + recklessly in running for shelter, and one may do fair work by + moonlight, as many a hunter of wild duck can testify by the + rheumatism in his bones.</p> + + <p>She had strength enough left to place the rifle out of + harm's way before she broke down and sobbed, not tearfully, but + in a paroxysm of reaction. Soon all was quiet beneath, save for + the labored efforts of some wounded men to get far away from + that accursed rock. Jenks was able to turn to Iris. He + endeavored to allay her agitation, and succeeded somewhat, for + tears came, and she clung to him. It was useless to reproach + him. The whole incident was unforeseen: she was herself a party + to it. But what an escape!</p> + + <p>He lifted her in his arms and carried her to a seat where + the tarpaulin rested on a broken water-cask.</p> + + <p>"You have been a very good little girl and have earned your + supper," he said.</p> + + <p>"Oh, how can you talk so callously after such an awful + experience?" she expostulated brokenly.</p> + + <p>The Jesuits, say their opponents, teach that at times a + "white lie" is permissible. Surely this was an instance.</p> + + <p>"It is a small thing to trouble about, sweetheart," he + explained. "You spotted the enemy so promptly, and blazed away + with such ferocity, that they never got within yards of + me."</p> + + <p>"Are you sure?"</p> + + <p>"I vow and declare that after we have eaten something, and + sampled our remaining bottle of wine, I will tell you exactly + what happened."</p> + + <p>"Why not now?"</p> + + <p>"Because I must first see to Mir Jan. I bundled him neck and + crop into the cave. I hope I did not hurt him."</p> + + <p>"You are not going down there again?"</p> + + <p>"No need, I trust."</p> + + <p>He went to the side of the ledge, recovered the ladder which + he had hastily hauled out of the Dyaks' reach after his climb, + and cried—</p> + + <p>"Mir Jan."</p> + + <p>"Ah, sahib! Praised be the name of the Most High, you are + alive. I was searching among the slain with a sorrowful + heart."</p> + + <p>The Mahommedan's voice came from some little distance on the + left.</p> + + <p>"The slain, you say. How many?"</p> + + <p>"Five, sahib."</p> + + <p>"Impossible! I fired blindly with the revolver, and only hit + one man hard with the iron bar. One other dropped near the wood + after I obtained a rifle."</p> + + <p>"Then there be six, sahib, not reckoning the wounded. I have + accounted for one, so the miss-sahib must have—"</p> + + <p>"What is he saying about me?" inquired Iris, who had risen + and joined her lover.</p> + + <p>"He says you absolutely staggered the Dyaks by opening fire + the moment they appeared."</p> + + <p>"How did <i>you</i> come to slay one, Mir Jan?" he + continued.</p> + + <p>"A son of a black pig followed me into the cave. I waited + for him in the darkness. I have just thrown his body + outside."</p> + + <p>"<i>Shabash!</i><a id="footnotetag11" + name="footnotetag11"></a><a href= + "#footnote11"><sup>11</sup></a> Is Taung S'Ali dead, by any + lucky chance?"</p> + + <p>"No, sahib, if he be not the sixth. I will go and see."</p> + + <p>"You may be attacked?"</p> + + <p>"I have found a sword, sahib. You left me no + cartridges."</p> + + <p>Jenks told him that the clip and the twelve packets were + lying at the foot of the rock, where Mir Jan speedily + discovered them. The Mahommedan gave satisfactory assurance + that he understood the mechanism of the rifle by filling and + adjusting the magazine. Then he went to examine the corpse of + the man who lay in the open near the quarry path.</p> + + <p>The sailor stood in instant readiness to make a counter + demonstration were the native assailed. But there was no sign + of the Dyaks. Mir Jan returned with the news that the sixth + victim of the brief yet fierce encounter was a renegade Malay. + He was so confident that the enemy had had enough of it for the + night that, after recovering Jenks's revolver, he boldly went + to the well and drew himself a supply of water.</p> + + <p>During supper, a feast graced by a quart of champagne worthy + of the Carlton, Jenks told Iris so much of the story as was + good for her: that is to say, he cut down the casualty + list.</p> + + <p>It was easy to see what had happened. The Dyaks, having + missed the Mahommedan and their water-bag, searched for him and + heard the conversation at the foot of the rock. Knowing that + their presence was suspected, they went back for + reinforcements, and returned by the shorter and more + advantageous route along Turtle Beach.</p> + + <p>Iris would have talked all night, but Jenks made her go to + sleep, by pillowing her head against his shoulder and smoothing + her tangled tresses with his hand. The wine, too, was helpful. + In a few minutes her voice became dreamy: soon she was sleeping + like a tired child.</p> + + <p>He managed to lay her on a comfortable pile of ragged + clothing and then resumed his vigil. Mir Jan offered to mount + guard beneath, but Jenks bade him go within the cave and remain + there, for the dawn would soon be upon them.</p> + + <p>Left alone with his thoughts, he wondered what the rising + sun would bring in its train. He reviewed the events of the + last twenty-four hours. Iris and he—Miss Deane, Mr. + Jenks, to each other—were then undiscovered in their + refuge, the Dyaks were gathered around a roaring fire in the + valley, and Mir Jan was keen in the hunt as the keenest among + them. Now, Iris was his affianced bride, over twenty of the + enemy were killed and many wounded, and Mir Jan, a devoted + adherent, was seated beside the skeleton in the gloom of the + cavern.</p> + + <p>What a topsy-turvy world it was, to be sure! What + alternations between despair and hope! What rebound from the + gates of Death to the threshold of Eden! How untrue, after all, + was the nebulous philosophy of Omar, the Tentmaker. Surely in + the happenings of the bygone day there was more than the + purposeless</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i14">"Magic Shadow-show,</p> + + <p class="i2">Play'd in a Box whose Candle is the + Sun,</p> + + <p>Round which we Phantom Figures come and go."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>He had, indeed, cause to be humbly thankful. Was there not + One who marked the fall of a sparrow, who clothed the lilies, + who knew the needs of His creatures? There, in the solemn + temple of the night, he gave thanks for the protection + vouchsafed to Iris and himself, and prayed that it might be + continued. He deplored the useless bloodshed, the horror of + mangled limbs and festering bodies, that converted this fair + island into a reeking slaughter-house. Were it possible, by any + personal sacrifice, to divert the untutored savages from their + deadly quest, he would gladly condone their misdeeds and + endeavor to assuage the torments of the wounded.</p> + + <p>But he was utterly helpless, a pawn on that tiny chessboard + where the game was being played between Civilization and + Barbarism. The fight must go on to the bitter end: he must + either vanquish or be vanquished. There were other threads + being woven into the garment of his life at that moment, but he + knew not of them. Sufficient for the day was the evil, and the + good thereof. Of both he had received full measure.</p> + + <p>A period of such reflection could hardly pass without a + speculative dive into the future. If Iris and he were rescued, + what would happen when they went forth once more into the busy + world? Not for one instant did he doubt her faith. She was true + as steel, knit to him now by bonds of triple brass. But, what + would Sir Arthur Deane think of his daughter's marriage to a + discredited and cashiered officer? What was it that poor Mir + Jan called himself?—"a disgraced man." Yes, that was it. + Could that stain be removed? Mir Jan was doing it. Why not + he?—by other means, for his good name rested on the word + of a perjured woman. Wealth was potent, but not all-powerful. + He would ask Iris to wait until he came to her unsoiled by + slander, purged of this odium cast upon him unmerited.</p> + + <p>And all this goes to show that he, a man wise beyond his + fellows, had not yet learned the unwisdom of striving to lift + the veil of tomorrow, behind whose mystic curtain what is to be + ever jostles out of place what is hoped for.</p> + + <p>Iris, smiling in her dreams, was assailed by no torturing + doubts. Robert loved her—that was enough. Love suffices + for a woman; a man asks for honor, reputation, an unblemished + record.</p> + + <p>To awake her he kissed her; he knew not, perchance it might + be their last kiss on earth. Not yet dawn, there was morning in + the air, for the first faint shafts of light were not visible + from their eyrie owing to its position. But there was much to + be done. If the Dyaks carried out the plan described by Mir + Jan, he had a good many preparations to make.</p> + + <p>The canvas awning was rolled back and the stores built into + a barricade intended to shelter Iris.</p> + + <p>"What is that for?" she asked, when she discovered its + nature. He told her. She definitely refused to avail herself of + any such protection.</p> + + <p>"Robert dear," she said, "if the attack comes to our very + door, so to speak, surely I must help you. Even my slight aid + may stem a rush in one place whilst you are busy in + another."</p> + + <p>He explained to her that if hand-to-hand fighting were + necessary he would depend more upon a crowbar than a rifle to + sweep the ledge clear. She might be in the way.</p> + + <p>"Very well. The moment you tell me to get behind that fence + I will do so. Even there I can use a revolver."</p> + + <p>That reminded him. His own pistol was unloaded. He possessed + only five more cartridges of small caliber. He placed them in + the weapon and gave it to her.</p> + + <p>"Now you have eleven men's lives in your hands," he said. + "Try not to miss if you must shoot."</p> + + <p>In the dim light he could not see the spasm of pain that + clouded her face. No Dyak would reach her whilst he lived. If + he fell, there was another use for one of those cartridges.</p> + + <p>The sailor had cleared the main floor of the rock and was + placing his four rifles and other implements within easy reach + when a hiss came from beneath.</p> + + <p>"Mir Jan!" exclaimed Iris.</p> + + <p>"What now?" demanded Jenks over the side.</p> + + <p>"Sahib, they come!"</p> + + <p>"I am prepared. Let that snake get back to his hole in the + rock, lest a mongoose seize him by the head."</p> + + <p>Mir Jan, engaged in a scouting expedition on his own + account, understood that the officer-sahib's orders must be + obeyed. He vanished. Soon they heard a great crackling among + the bushes on the right, but Jenks knew even before he looked + that the Dyaks had correctly estimated the extent of his fire + zone and would keep out of it.</p> + + <p>The first physical intimation of the enemy's design they + received was a pungent but pleasant smell of burning pine, + borne to them by the northerly breeze and filling the air with + its aroma. The Dyaks kindled a huge fire. The heat was + perceptible even on the ledge, but the minutes passed, and the + dawn broadened into day without any other result being + achieved.</p> + + <p>Iris, a little drawn and pale with suspense, said with a + timid giggle—</p> + + <p>"This does not seem to be so very serious. It reminds me of + my efforts to cook."</p> + + <p>"There is more to follow, I fear, dear one. But the Dyaks + are fools. They should have waited until night fell again, + after wearing us out by constant vigilance all day. If they + intend to employ smoke it would be far worse for us at + night."</p> + + <p>Phew! A volume of murky vapor arose that nearly suffocated + them by the first whiff of its noisome fumes. It curled like a + black pall over the face of the rock and blotted out sea and + sky. They coughed incessantly, and nearly choked, for the Dyaks + had thrown wet seaweed on top of the burning pile of dry wood. + Mir Jan, born in interior India, knew little about the sea or + its products, and when the savages talked of seaweed he thought + they meant green wood. Fortunately for him, the ascending + clouds of smoke missed the cave, or infallibly he must have + been stifled.</p> + + <p>"Lie flat on the rock!" gasped Jenks. Careless of waste, he + poured water over a coat and made Iris bury her mouth and nose + in the wet cloth. This gave her immediate relief, and she + showed her woman's wit by tying the sleeves of the garment + behind her neck. Jenks nodded comprehension and followed her + example, for by this means their hands were left free.</p> + + <p>The black cloud grew more dense each few seconds. + Nevertheless, owing to the slope of the ledge, and the tendency + of the smoke to rise, the south side was far more tenable than + the north. Quick to note this favorable circumstance, the + sailor deduced a further fact from it. A barrier erected on the + extreme right of the ledge would be a material gain. He sprang + up, dragged the huge tarpaulin from its former location, and + propped it on the handle of the pickaxe, driven by one mighty + stroke deep into a crevice of the rock.</p> + + <p>It was no mean feat of strength that he performed. He swung + the heavy and cumbrous canvas into position as if it were a + dust cloth. He emerged from the gloom of the driven cloud + red-eyed but triumphant. Instantly the vapor on the ledge + lessened, and they could breathe, even talk. Overhead and in + front the smoke swept in ever-increasing density, but once + again the sailor had outwitted the Dyaks' manoeuvres.</p> + + <p>"We have won the first rubber," he whispered to Iris.</p> + + <p>Above, beneath, beyond, they could see nothing. The air they + breathed was hot and foetid. It was like being immured in a + foul tunnel and almost as dark. Jenks looked over the parapet. + He thought he could distinguish some vague figures on the + sands, so he fired at them. A volley of answering bullets + crashed into the rock on all sides. The Dyaks had laid their + plans well this time. A firing squad stationed beyond the smoke + area, and supplied with all the available guns, commenced and + kept up a smart fusillade in the direction of the ledge in + order to cover the operations of the scaling party.</p> + + <p>Jenks realized that to expose himself was to court a serious + wound and achieve no useful purpose. He fell back out of range, + laid down his rifle and grabbed the crowbar. At brief intervals + a deep hollow boom came up from the valley. At first it puzzled + them until the sailor hit upon an explanation. Mir Jan was + busy.</p> + + <p>The end of a strong roughly made ladder swung through the + smoke and banged against the ledge. Before Jenks could reach it + those hoisting it into position hastily retreated. They were + standing in front of the cave and the Mahommedan made play on + them with a Lee-Metford at thirty feet.</p> + + <p>Jenks, using his crowbar as a lever, toppled the ladder + clean over. It fell outwards and disconcerted a section of the + musketeers.</p> + + <p>"Well done," cried Iris.</p> + + <p>The sailor, astounded by her tone, gave her a fleeting + glance. She was very pale now, but not with fear. Her eyes were + slightly contracted, her nostrils quivering, her lips set tight + and her chin dimpled. She had gone back thirty generations in + as many seconds. Thus might one of the daughters of Boadicea + have looked whilst guiding her mother's chariot against the + Roman phalanx. Resting on one knee, with a revolver in each + hand, she seemed no puling mate for the gallant man who fought + for her.</p> + + <p>She caught his look.</p> + + <p>"We will beat them yet!" she cried again, and she smiled, + not as a woman smiles, but with the joy of a warrior when the + fray is toward.</p> + + <p>There was no time for further speech. Three ladders were + reared against the rock. They were so poised and held below + that Jenks could not force them backwards. A fourth appeared, + its coarse shafts looming into sight like the horns of some + gigantic animal. The four covered practically the whole front + of the ledge save where Mir Jan cleared a little space on the + level.</p> + + <p>The sailor was standing now, with the crowbar clenched in + both hands. The firing in the valley slackened and died away. A + Dyak face, grinning like a Japanese demon, appeared at the top + of the ladder nearest to Iris.</p> + + <p>"Don't fire!" shouted Jenks, and the iron bar crushed + downwards. Two others pitched themselves half on to the ledge. + Now both crowbar and revolver were needed. Three ladders were + thus cumbered somewhat for those beneath, and Jenks sprang + towards the fourth and most distant. Men were crowding it like + ants. Close to his feet lay an empty water-cask. It was a crude + weapon, but effective when well pitched, and the sailor had + never made a better shot for a goal in the midst of a + hard-fought scrimmage than he made with that tub for the head + of the uppermost pirate.</p> + + <p>Another volley came from the sands. A bullet ploughed + through his hair, and sent his sou'wester flying. Again the + besiegers swarmed to the attack. One way or the other, they + must succeed. A man and a woman—even such a man and such + a woman—could not keep at bay an infuriated horde of + fifty savages fighting at close quarters and under these + grievous conditions.</p> + + <p>Jenks knew what would happen. He would be shot in the head + or breast whilst repelling the scaling party. And Iris! Dear + heart! She was thinking of him.</p> + + <p>"Keep back! They can never gain the ledge!" she + shrieked.</p> + + <p>And then, above the din of the fusillade, the yells of the + assailants and the bawling of the wounded, there came through + the air a screaming, tearing, ripping sound which drowned all + others. It traveled with incredible speed, and before the + sailor could believe his ears—for he well knew what it + meant—a shrapnel shell burst in front of the ledge and + drenched the valley with flying lead.</p> + + <p>Jenks was just able to drag Iris flat against the rock ere + the time fuse operated and the bullets flew. He could form no + theory, hazard no conjecture. All he knew was that a 12-pounder + shell had flown towards them through space, scattering red ruin + among the amazed scoundrels beneath. Instantly he rose again, + lest perchance any of the Dyaks should have gained a foothold + on the ledge.</p> + + <p>The ladders were empty. He could hear a good deal of + groaning, the footsteps of running men, and some distant + shouting.</p> + + <p>"Sahib!" yelled Mir Jan, drawn from his retreat by the + commotion without.</p> + + <p>"Yes," shouted Jenks.</p> + + <p>The native, in a voice cracked with excitement, told him + something. The sailor asked a few rapid questions to make quite + sure that Mir Jan was not mistaken.</p> + + <p>Then he threw his arms round Iris, drew her close and + whispered—</p> + + <p>"My darling, we are saved! A warship has anchored just + beyond the south reef, and two boats filled with armed sailors + are now pulling ashore."</p> + + <p>And she answered proudly—</p> + + <p>"The Dyaks could never have conquered us, Robert. We were + manifestly under God's protection. Oh, my love, my love, I am + so happy and thankful!"</p> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" + name="footnote5"></a><b>Footnote 5:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + + <p>Equivalent to "Hello, there!"</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote6" + name="footnote6"></a><b>Footnote 6:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag6">(return)</a> + + <p>Corporal.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote7" + name="footnote7"></a><b>Footnote 7:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag7">(return)</a> + + <p>A native ornament.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote8" + name="footnote8"></a><b>Footnote 8:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag8">(return)</a> + + <p>A charm.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote9" + name="footnote9"></a><b>Footnote 9:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag9">(return)</a> + + <p>Rascal.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote10" + name="footnote10"></a><b>Footnote 10:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag10">(return)</a> + + <p>Goatskin.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote11" + name="footnote11"></a><b>Footnote 11:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag11">(return)</a> + + <p>"Well done!"</p> + </blockquote> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + + <h2>THE DIFFICULTY OF PLEASING EVERYBODY</h2> + + <p>The drifting smoke was still so dense that not even the + floor of the valley could be discerned. Jenks dared not leave + Iris at such a moment. He feared to bring her down the ladder + lest another shell might be fired. But something must be done + to end their suspense.</p> + + <p>He called to Mir Jan—</p> + + <p>"Take off your turban and hold it above your head, if you + think they can see you from the warship."</p> + + <p>"It is all right, sahib," came the cheering answer. "One + boat is close inshore. I think, from the uniforms, they are + English sahibs, such as I have seen at Garden Reach. The Dyaks + have all gone."</p> + + <p>Nevertheless Jenks waited. There was nothing to gain by + being too precipitate. A false step now might undo the + achievements of many weeks.</p> + + <p>Mir Jan was dancing about beneath in a state of wild + excitement.</p> + + <p>"They have seen the Dyaks running to their sampans, sahib," + he yelled, "and the second boat is being pulled in that + direction. Yet another has just left the ship."</p> + + <p>A translation made Iris excited, eager to go down and see + these wonders.</p> + + <p>"Better wait here, dearest," he said. "The enemy may be + driven back in this direction, and I cannot expose you to + further risk. The sailors will soon land, and you can then + descend in perfect safety."</p> + + <p>The boom of a cannon came from the sea. Instinctively the + girl ducked for safety, though her companion smiled at her + fears, for the shell would have long preceded the report, had + it traveled their way.</p> + + <p>"One of the remaining sampans has got under way," he + explained, "and the warship is firing at her."</p> + + <p>Two more guns were fired. The man-o'-war evidently meant + business.</p> + + <p>"Poor wretches!" murmured Iris. "Cannot the survivors be + allowed to escape?"</p> + + <p>"Well, we are unable to interfere. Those caught on the + island will probably be taken to the mainland and hanged for + their crimes, so the manner of their end is not of much + consequence."</p> + + <p>To the girl's manifest relief there was no more firing, and + Mir Jan announced that a number of sailors were actually on + shore. Then her thoughts turned to a matter of concern to the + feminine mind even in the gravest moments of existence. She + laved her face with water and sought her discarded skirt!</p> + + <p>Soon the steady tramp of boot-clad feet advancing at the + double was heard on the shingle, and an officer's voice, + speaking the crude Hindustani of the engine-room and + forecastle, shouted to Mir Jan—</p> + + <p>"Hi, you black fellow! Are there any white people here?"</p> + + <p>Jenks sang out—</p> + + <p>"Yes, two of us! Perched on the rock over your heads. We are + coming down."</p> + + <p>He cast loose the rope-ladder. Iris was limp and + trembling.</p> + + <p>"Steady, sweetheart," he whispered. "Don't forget the slip + between the cup and the lip. Hold tight! But have no fear! I + will be just beneath."</p> + + <p>It was well he took this precaution. She was now so unnerved + that an unguarded movement might have led to an accident. But + the knowledge that her lover was near, the touch of his hand + guiding her feet on to the rungs of the ladder, sustained her. + They had almost reached the level when a loud exclamation and + the crash of a heavy blow caused Jenks to halt and look + downwards.</p> + + <p>A Dyak, lying at the foot of one of the scaling ladders, and + severely wounded by a shell splinter, witnessed their descent. + In his left hand he grasped a parang; his right arm was + bandaged. Though unable to rise, the vengeful pirate mustered + his remaining strength to crawl towards the swaying ladder. It + was Taung S'Ali, inspired with the hate and venom of the dying + snake. Even yet he hoped to deal a mortal stroke at the man who + had defied him and all his cut-throat band. He might have + succeeded, as Jenks was so taken up with Iris, were it not for + the watchful eyes of Mir Jan. The Mahommedan sprang at him with + an oath, and gave him such a murderous whack with the butt of a + rifle that the Dyak chief collapsed and breathed out his fierce + spirit in a groan.</p> + + <p>At the first glance Jenks did not recognize Taung S'Ali, + owing to his change of costume. Through the thinner smoke he + could see several sailors running up.</p> + + <p>"Look out, there!" he cried. "There is a lady here. If any + Dyak moves, knock him on the head!"</p> + + <p>But, with the passing of the chief, their last peril had + gone. The next instant they were standing on the firm ground, + and a British naval lieutenant was saying eagerly—</p> + + <p>"We seem to have turned up in the nick of time. Do you, by + any chance, belong to the <i>Sirdar</i>?"</p> + + <p>"We are the sole survivors," answered the sailor.</p> + + <p>"You two only?"</p> + + <p>"Yes. She struck on the north-west reef of this island + during a typhoon. This lady, Miss Iris Deane, and I were flung + ashore—"</p> + + <p>"Miss Deane! Can it be possible? Let me congratulate you + most heartily. Sir Arthur Deane is on board the <i>Orient</i> + at this moment."</p> + + <p>"The <i>Orient</i>!"</p> + + <p>Iris was dazed. The uniforms, the pleasant faces of the + English sailors, the strange sensation of hearing familiar + words in tones other than those of the man she loved, + bewildered her.</p> + + <p>"Yes," explained the officer, with a sympathetic smile. + "That's our ship, you know, in the offing there."</p> + + <p>It was all too wonderful to be quite understood yet. She + turned to Robert—</p> + + <p>"Do you hear? They say my father is not far away. Take me to + him."</p> + + <p class="figcenter"><a href= + "images/wm_15_1.png"><img alt="'We are the sole survivors,' answered the sailor." + src="images/wm_15_1_th.png"></a></p> + + <p class="figcenter"><span class="smcap">"We are the sole + survivors," answered the sailor.</span></p> + + <p>"No need for that, miss," interrupted a warrant officer. + "Here he is coming ashore. He wanted to come with us, but the + captain would not permit it, as there seemed to be some trouble + ahead."</p> + + <p>Sure enough, even the girl's swimming eyes could distinguish + the grey-bearded civilian seated beside an officer in the + stern-sheets of a small gig now threading a path through the + broken reef beyond Turtle Beach. In five minutes, father and + daughter would meet.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile the officer, intent on duty, addressed Jenks + again.</p> + + <p>"May I ask who you are?"</p> + + <p>"My name is Anstruther—Robert Anstruther."</p> + + <p>Iris, clinging to his arm, heard the reply.</p> + + <p>So he had abandoned all pretence. He was ready to face the + world at her side. She stole a loving glance at him as she + cried—</p> + + <p>"Yes, Captain Anstruther, of the Indian Staff Corps. If he + will not tell you all that he has done, how he has saved my + life twenty times, how he has fought single-handed against + eighty men, ask me!"</p> + + <p>The naval officer did not need to look a second time at + Iris's face to lengthen the list of Captain Anstruther's + achievements, by one more item. He sighed. A good sailor always + does sigh when a particularly pretty girl is labeled + "Engaged."</p> + + <p>But he could be very polite.</p> + + <p>"Captain Anstruther does not appear to have left much for us + to do, Miss Deane," he said. "Indeed," turning to Robert, "is + there any way in which my men will be useful?"</p> + + <p>"I would recommend that they drag the green stuff off that + fire and stop the smoke. Then, a detachment should go round the + north side of the island and drive the remaining Dyaks into the + hands of the party you have landed, as I understand, at the + further end of the south beach. Mir Jan, the Mahommedan here, + who has been a most faithful ally during part of our siege, + will act as guide."</p> + + <p>The other man cast a comprehensive glance over the rock, + with its scaling ladders and dangling rope-ladder, the cave, + the little groups of dead or unconscious pirates—for + every wounded man who could move a limb had crawled away after + the first shell burst—and drew a deep breath.</p> + + <p>"How long were you up there?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"Over thirty hours."</p> + + <p>"It was a great fight!"</p> + + <p>"Somewhat worse than it looks," said Anstruther. "This is + only the end of it. Altogether, we have accounted for nearly + two score of the poor devils."</p> + + <p>"Do you think you can make them prisoners, without killing + any more of them?" asked Iris.</p> + + <p>"That depends entirely on themselves, Miss Deane. My men + will not fire a shot unless they encounter resistance."</p> + + <p>Robert looked towards the approaching boat. She would not + land yet for a couple of minutes.</p> + + <p>"By the way," he said, "will you tell me your name?"</p> + + <p>"Playdon—Lieutenant Philip H. Playdon."</p> + + <p>"Do you know to what nation this island belongs?"</p> + + <p>"It is no-man's land, I think. It is marked 'uninhabited' on + the chart."</p> + + <p>"Then," said Anstruther, "I call upon you, Lieutenant + Playdon, and all others here present, to witness that I, Robert + Anstruther, late of the Indian Army, acting on behalf of myself + and Miss Iris Deane, declare that we have taken possession of + this island in the name of His Britannic Majesty the King of + England, that we are the joint occupiers and owners thereof, + and claim all property rights vested therein."</p> + + <p>These formal phrases, coming at such a moment, amazed his + hearers. Iris alone had an inkling of the underlying + motive.</p> + + <p>"I don't suppose any one will dispute your title," said the + naval officer gravely. He unquestionably imagined that + suffering and exposure had slightly disturbed the other man's + senses, yet he had seldom seen any person who looked to be in + more complete possession of his faculties.</p> + + <p>"Thank you," replied Robert with equal composure, though he + felt inclined to laugh at Playdon's mystification. "I only + wished to secure a sufficient number of witnesses for a verbal + declaration. When I have a few minutes to spare I will affix a + legal notice on the wall in front of our cave."</p> + + <p>Playdon bowed silently. There was something in the speaker's + manner that puzzled him. He detailed a small guard to accompany + Robert and Iris, who now walked towards the beach, and asked + Mir Jan to pilot him as suggested by Anstruther.</p> + + <p>The boat was yet many yards from shore when Iris ran forward + and stretched out her arms to the man who was staring at her + with wistful despair.</p> + + <p>"Father! Father!" she cried. "Don't you know me?"</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane was looking at the two strange figures on + the sands, and each moment his heart sank lower. This island + held his final hope. During many weary weeks, since the day + when a kindly Admiral placed the cruiser <i>Orient</i> at his + disposal, he had scoured the China Sea, the coasts of Borneo + and Java, for some tidings of the ill-fated <i>Sirdar</i>.</p> + + <p>He met naught save blank nothingness, the silence of the + great ocean mausoleum. Not a boat, a spar, a lifebuoy, was cast + up by the waves to yield faintest trace of the lost steamer. + Every naval man knew what had happened. The vessel had met with + some mishap to her machinery, struck a derelict, or turned + turtle, during that memorable typhoon of March 17 and 18. She + had gone down with all hands. Her fate was a foregone + conclusion. No ship's boat could live in that sea, even if the + crew were able to launch one. It was another of ocean's + tragedies, with the fifth act left to the imagination.</p> + + <p>To examine every sand patch and tree-covered shoal in the + China Sea was an impossible task. All the <i>Orient</i> could + do was to visit the principal islands and institute inquiries + among the fishermen and small traders. At last, the previous + night, a Malay, tempted by hope of reward, boarded the vessel + when lying at anchor off the large island away to the south, + and told the captain a wondrous tale of a devil-haunted place + inhabited by two white spirits, a male and a female, whither a + local pirate named Taung S'Ali had gone by chance with his men + and suffered great loss. But Taung S'Ali was bewitched by the + female spirit, and had returned there, with a great force, + swearing to capture her or perish. The spirits, the Malay said, + had dwelt upon the island for many years. His father and + grandfather knew the place and feared it. Taung S'Ali would + never be seen again.</p> + + <p>This queer yarn was the first indication they received of + the whereabouts of any persons who might possibly be + shipwrecked Europeans, though not survivors from the + <i>Sirdar</i>. Anyhow, the tiny dot lay in the vessel's + northward track, so a course was set to arrive off the island + soon after dawn.</p> + + <p>Events on shore, as seen by the officer on watch, told their + own tale. Wherever Dyaks are fighting there is mischief on + foot, so the <i>Orient</i> took a hand in the proceedings.</p> + + <p>But Sir Arthur Deane, after an agonized scrutiny of the + weird-looking persons escorted by the sailors to the water's + edge, sadly acknowledged that neither of these could be the + daughter whom he sought. He bowed his head in humble + resignation, and he thought he was the victim of a cruel + hallucination when Iris's tremulous accents reached his + ears—</p> + + <p>"Father, father! Don't you know me?"</p> + + <p>He stood up, amazed and trembling.</p> + + <p>"Yes, father dear. It is I, your own little girl given back + to you. Oh dear! Oh dear! I cannot see you for my tears."</p> + + <p>They had some difficulty to keep him in the boat, and the + man pulling stroke smashed a stout oar with the next + wrench.</p> + + <p>And so they met at last, and the sailors left them alone, to + crowd round Anstruther and ply him with a hundred questions. + Although he fell in with their humor, and gradually pieced + together the stirring story which was supplemented each instant + by the arrival of disconsolate Dyaks and the comments of the + men who returned from cave and beach, his soul was filled with + the sight of Iris and her father, and the happy, inconsequent + demands with which each sought to ascertain and relieve the + extent of the other's anxiety.</p> + + <p>Then Iris called to him—</p> + + <p>"Robert, I want you."</p> + + <p>The use of his Christian name created something akin to a + sensation. Sir Arthur Deane was startled, even in his + immeasurable delight at finding his child uninjured—the + picture of rude health and happiness.</p> + + <p>Anstruther advanced.</p> + + <p>"This is my father," she cried, shrill with joy. "And, + father darling, this is Captain Robert Anstruther, to whom + alone, under God's will, I owe my life, many, many times since + the moment the <i>Sirdar</i> was lost."</p> + + <p>It was no time for questioning. Sir Arthur Deane took off + his hat and held out his hand—</p> + + <p>"Captain Anstruther," he said, "as I owe you my daughter's + life, I owe you that which I can never repay. And I owe you my + own life, too, for I could not have survived the knowledge that + she was dead."</p> + + <p>Robert took the proffered hand—</p> + + <p>"I think, Sir Arthur, that, of the two, I am the more deeply + indebted. There are some privileges whose value cannot be + measured, and among them the privilege of restoring your + daughter to your arms takes the highest place."</p> + + <p>Then, being much more self-possessed than the older man, who + was naturally in a state of agitation that was almost painful, + he turned to Iris.</p> + + <p>"I think," he said, "that your father should take you on + board the <i>Orient</i>, Iris. There you may, perhaps, find + some suitable clothing, eat something, and recover from the + exciting events of the morning. Afterwards, you must bring Sir + Arthur ashore again, and we will guide him over the island. I + am sure you will find much to tell him meanwhile."</p> + + <p>The baronet could not fail to note the manner in which these + two addressed each other, the fearless love which leaped from + eye to eye, the calm acceptance of a relationship not be + questioned or gainsaid. Robert and Iris, without spoken word on + the subject, had tactily agreed to avoid the slightest + semblance of subterfuge as unworthy alike of their achievements + and their love. Yet what could Sir Arthur Deane do? To frame a + suitable protest at such a moment was not to be dreamed of. As + yet he was too shaken to collect his thoughts. Anstruther's + proposal, however, helped him to blurt out what he intuitively + felt to be a disagreeable fact. Yet something must be said, for + his brain reeled.</p> + + <p>"Your suggestion is admirable," he cried, striving + desperately to affect a careless complaisance. "The ship's + stores may provide Iris with some sort of rig-out, and an old + friend of hers is on board at this moment, little expecting her + presence. Lord Ventnor has accompanied me in my search. He + will, of course, be delighted—"</p> + + <p>Anstruther flushed a deep bronze, but Iris broke + in—</p> + + <p>"Father, why did <i>he</i> come with you?"</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur, driven into this sudden squall of explanation, + became dignified.</p> + + <p>"Well, you see, my dear, under the circumstances, he felt an + anxiety almost commensurate with my own."</p> + + <p>"But why, why?"</p> + + <p>Iris was quite calm. With Robert near, she was courageous. + Even the perturbed baronet experienced a new sensation as his + troubled glance fell before her searching eyes. His daughter + had left him a joyous, heedless girl. He found her a woman, + strong, self-reliant, purposeful. Yet he kept on, choosing the + most straightforward means as the only honorable way of + clearing a course so beset with unsuspected obstacles.</p> + + <p>"It is only reasonable, Iris, that your affianced husband + should suffer an agony of apprehension on your account, and do + all that was possible to effect your rescue."</p> + + <p>"My—affianced—husband?"</p> + + <p>"Well, my dear girl, perhaps that is hardly the correct + phrase from your point of view. Yet you cannot fail to remember + that Lord Ventnor—"</p> + + <p>"Father, dear," said Iris solemnly, but in a voice free from + all uncertainty, "my affianced husband stands here! We plighted + our troth at the very gate of death. It was ratified in the + presence of God, and has been blessed by Him. I have made no + compact with Lord Ventnor. He is a base and unworthy man. Did + you but know the truth concerning him you would not mention his + name in the same breath with mine. Would he, Robert?"</p> + + <p>Never was man so perplexed as the unfortunate shipowner. In + the instant that his beloved daughter was restored to him out + of the very depths of the sea, he was asked either to undertake + the rôle of a disappointed and unforgiving parent, or + sanction her marriage to a truculent-looking person of most + forbidding if otherwise manly appearance, who had certainly + saved her from death in ways not presently clear to him, but + who could not be regarded as a suitable son-in-law solely on + that account.</p> + + <p>What could he do, what could he say, to make the position + less intolerable?</p> + + <p>Anstruther, quicker than Iris to appreciate Sir Arthur + Deane's dilemma, gallantly helped him. He placed a loving hand + on the girl's shoulder.</p> + + <p>"Be advised by me, Sir Arthur, and you too, Iris," he said. + "This is no hour for such explanations. Leave me to deal with + Lord Ventnor. I am content to trust the ultimate verdict to + you, Sir Arthur. You will learn in due course all that has + happened. Go on board, Iris. Meet Lord Ventnor as you would + meet any other friend. You will not marry him, I know. I can + trust you." He said this with a smile that robbed the words of + serious purport. "Believe me, you two can find plenty to occupy + your minds today without troubling yourselves about Lord + Ventnor."</p> + + <p>"I am very much obliged to you," murmured the baronet, who, + notwithstanding his worry, was far too experienced a man of the + world not to acknowledge the good sense of this advice, no + matter how ruffianly might be the guise of the strange person + who gave it.</p> + + <p>"That is settled, then," said Robert, laughing + good-naturedly, for he well knew what a weird spectacle he must + present to the bewildered old gentleman.</p> + + <p>Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinated by the ragged and hairy + giant who carried himself so masterfully and helped everybody + over the stile at the right moment He tried to develop the + change in the conversation.</p> + + <p>"By the way," he said, "how came you to be on the + <i>Sirdar</i>? I have a list of all the passengers and crew, + and your name does not appear therein."</p> + + <p>"Oh, that is easily accounted for. I shipped as a steward, + in the name of Robert Jenks."</p> + + <p>"Robert Jenks! A steward!"</p> + + <p>This was worse than ever. The unhappy shipowner thought the + sky must have fallen.</p> + + <p>"Yes. That forms some part of the promised explanation."</p> + + <p>Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her lover's wishes. + "Come, father," she cried merrily. "I am aching to see what the + ship's stores, which you and Robert pin your faith to, can do + for me in the shape of garments. I have the utmost belief in + the British navy, and even a skeptic should be convinced of its + infallibility if H.M.S. <i>Orient</i> is able to provide a + lady's outfit."</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed himself of the proffered + compromise. He assisted Iris into the boat, though that active + young person was far better able to support him, and a word to + the officer in command sent the gig flying back to the ship. + Anstruther, during a momentary delay, made a small request on + his own account. Lieutenant Playdon, nearly as big a man as + Robert, despatched a note to his servant, and the gig speedily + returned with a complete assortment of clothing and linen. The + man also brought a dressing case, with the result that a dip in + the bath, and ten minutes in the hands of an expert valet, made + Anstruther a new man.</p> + + <p>Acting under his advice, the bodies of the dead were thrown + into the lagoon, the wounded were collected in the hut to be + attended to by the ship's surgeon, and the prisoners were + paraded in front of Mir Jan, who identified every man, and + found, by counting heads, that none was missing.</p> + + <p>Robert did not forget to write out a formal notice and + fasten it to the rock. This proceeding further mystified the + officers of the <i>Orient</i>, who had gradually formed a + connected idea of the great fight made by the shipwrecked pair, + though Anstruther squirmed inwardly when he thought of the + manner in which Iris would picture the scene. As it was, he had + the first innings, and he did not fail to use the opportunity. + In the few terse words which the militant Briton best + understands, he described the girl's fortitude, her unflagging + cheerfulness, her uncomplaining readiness to do and dare.</p> + + <p>Little was said by his auditors, save to interpolate an + occasional question as to why such and such a thing was + necessary, or how some particular drawback had been surmounted. + Standing near the well, it was not necessary to move to explain + to them the chief features of the island, and point out the + measures he had adopted.</p> + + <p>When he ended, the first lieutenant, who commanded the boats + sent in pursuit of the flying Dyaks—the <i>Orient</i> + sank both sampans as soon as they were launched—summed up + the general verdict—</p> + + <p>"You do not need our admiration, Captain Anstruther. Each + man of us envies you from the bottom of his soul."</p> + + <p>"I do, I know—from the very bilge," exclaimed a stout + midshipman, one of those who had seen Iris.</p> + + <p>Robert waited until the laugh died away.</p> + + <p>"There is an error about my rank," he said. "I did once hold + a commission in the Indian army, but I was court-marshaled and + cashiered in Hong Kong six months ago. I was unjustly convicted + on a grave charge, and I hope some day to clear myself. + Meanwhile I am a mere civilian. It was only Miss Deane's + generous sympathy which led her to mention my former rank, Mr. + Playdon."</p> + + <p>Had another of the <i>Orient's</i> 12-pounder shells + suddenly burst in the midst of the group of officers, it would + have created less dismay than this unexpected avowal. + Court-martialed! Cashiered! None but a service man can grasp + the awful significance of those words to the commissioned ranks + of the army and navy.</p> + + <p>Anstruther well knew what he was doing. Somehow, he found + nothing hard in the performance of these penances now. Of + course, the ugly truth must be revealed the moment Lord Ventnor + heard his name. It was not fair to the good fellows crowding + around him, and offering every attention that the frank + hospitality of the British sailor could suggest, to permit them + to adopt the tone of friendly equality which rigid discipline, + if nothing else, would not allow them to maintain.</p> + + <p>The first lieutenant, by reason of his rank, was compelled + to say something—</p> + + <p>"That is a devilish bad job, Mr. Anstruther," he blurted + out.</p> + + <p>"Well, you know, I had to tell you."</p> + + <p>He smiled unaffectedly at the wondering circle. He, too, was + an officer, and appreciated their sentiments. They were + unfeignedly sorry for him, a man so brave and modest, such a + splendid type of the soldier and gentleman, yet, by their + common law, an outcast. Nor could they wholly understand his + demeanor. There was a noble dignity in his candor, a conscious + innocence that disdained to shield itself under a partial + truth. He spoke, not as a wrong-doer, but as one who addresses + those who have been and will be once more his peers.</p> + + <p>The first lieutenant again phrased the thoughts of his + juniors—</p> + + <p>"I, and every other man in the ship, cannot help but + sympathize with you. But whatever may be your record—if + you were an escaped convict, Mr. Anstruther—no one could + withhold from you the praise deserved for your magnificent + stand against overwhelming odds. Our duty is plain. We will + bring you to Singapore, where the others will no doubt wish to + go immediately. I will tell the Captain what you have been good + enough to acquaint us with. Meanwhile we will give you every + assistance, and—er—attention in our power."</p> + + <p>A murmur of approbation ran through the little circle. + Robert's face paled somewhat. What first-rate chaps they were, + to be sure!</p> + + <p>"I can only thank you," he said unsteadily. "Your kindness + is more trying than adversity."</p> + + <p>A rustle of silk, the intrusion into the intent knot of men + of a young lady in a Paris gown, a Paris hat, carrying a + Trouville parasol, and most exquisitely gloved and booted, made + every one gasp.</p> + + <p>"Oh, Robert dear, how <i>could</i> you? I actually didn't + know you!"</p> + + <p>Thus Iris, bewitchingly attired, and gazing now with + provoking admiration at Robert, who certainly offered almost as + great a contrast to his former state as did the girl herself. + He returned her look with interest.</p> + + <p>"Would any man believe," he laughed, "that clothes would do + so much for a woman?"</p> + + <p>"What a left-handed compliment! But come, dearest, Captain + Fitzroy and Lord Ventnor have come ashore with father and me. + They want us to show them everything! You will excuse him, + won't you?" she added, with a seraphic smile to the others.</p> + + <p>They walked off together.</p> + + <p>"Jimmy!" gasped the fat midshipman to a lanky youth. "She's + got on your togs!"</p> + + <p>Meaning that Iris had ransacked the <i>Orient's</i> + theatrical wardrobe, and pounced on the swell outfit of the + principal female impersonator in the ship's company.</p> + + <p>Lieutenant Playdon bit the chin strap of his pith helmet, + for the landing party wore the regulation uniform for service + ashore in the tropics. He muttered to his chief—</p> + + <p>"Damme if I've got the hang of this business yet."</p> + + <p>"Neither have I. Anstruther looks a decent sort of fellow, + and the girl is a stunner. Yet, d'ye know, Playdon, right + through the cruise I've always understood that she was the + fiancée of that cad, Ventnor."</p> + + <p>"Anstruther appears to have arranged matters differently. + Wonder what pa will say when that Johnnie owns up about the + court-martial."</p> + + <p>"Give it up, which is more than the girl will do, or I'm + much mistaken. Funny thing, you know, but I've a sort of hazy + recollection of Anstruther's name being mixed up with that of a + Colonel's wife at Hong Kong. Fancy Ventnor was in it too, as a + witness. Stand by, and we'll see something before we unload at + Singapore."</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + + <h2>BARGAINS, GREAT AND SMALL</h2> + + <p>Lord Ventnor was no fool. Whilst Iris was transforming + herself from a semi-savage condition into a semblance of an + ultra <i>chic</i> Parisienne—the <i>Orient's</i> dramatic + costumier went in for strong stage effects in feminine + attire—Sir Arthur Deane told the Earl something of the + state of affairs on the island.</p> + + <p>His lordship—a handsome, saturnine man, cool, + insolently polite, and plentifully endowed with the judgmatical + daring that is the necessary equipment of a society + libertine—counseled patience, toleration, even silent + recognition of Anstruther's undoubted claims for services + rendered.</p> + + <p>"She is an enthusiastic, high-spirited girl," he urged upon + his surprised hearer, who expected a very different expression + of opinion. "This fellow Anstruther is a plausible sort of + rascal, a good man in a tight place too—just the sort of + fire-eating blackguard who would fill the heroic bill where a + fight is concerned. Damn him, he licked me twice."</p> + + <p>Further amazement for the shipowner.</p> + + <p>"Yes, it's quite true. I interfered with his little games, + and he gave me the usual reward of the devil's apothecary. + Leave Iris alone. At present she is strung up to an intense + pitch of gratitude, having barely escaped a terrible fate. Let + her come back to the normal. Anstruther's shady record must + gradually leak out. That will disgust her. In a week she will + appeal to you to buy him off. He is hard up—cut off by + his people and that sort of thing. There you probably have the + measure of his scheming. He knows quite well that he can never + marry your daughter. It is all a matter of price."</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself to be persuaded. At the + back of his head there was an uneasy consciousness that it was + not "all a matter of price." If it were he would never trust a + man's face again. But Ventnor's well-balanced arguments swayed + him. The course indicated was the only decent one. It was + humanly impossible for a man to chide his daughter and flout + her rescuer within an hour of finding them.</p> + + <p>Lord Ventnor played his cards with a deeper design. He bowed + to the inevitable. Iris said she loved his rival. Very well. To + attempt to dissuade her was to throw her more closely into that + rival's arms. The right course was to appear resigned, + saddened, compelled against his will to reveal the distressing + truth. Further, he counted on Anstruther's quick temper as an + active agent. Such a man would be the first to rebel against an + assumption of pitying tolerance. He would bring bitter charges + of conspiracy, of unbelievable compact to secure his ruin. All + this must recoil on his own head when the facts were laid bare. + Not even the hero of the island could prevail against the + terrible indictment of the court-martial. Finally, at + Singapore, three days distant, Colonel Costobell and his wife + were staying. Lord Ventnor, alone of those on board, knew this. + Indeed, he accompanied Sir Arthur Deane largely in order to + break off a somewhat trying entanglement. He smiled + complacently as he thought of the effect on Iris of Mrs. + Costobell's indignant remonstrances when the baronet asked that + injured lady to tell the girl all that had happened at Hong + Kong.</p> + + <p>In a word, Lord Ventnor was most profoundly annoyed, and he + cursed Anstruther from the depths of his heart. But he could + see a way out. The more desperate the emergency the more need + to display finesse. Above all, he must avoid an immediate + rupture.</p> + + <p>He came ashore with Iris and her father; the captain of the + <i>Orient</i> also joined the party. The three men watched + Robert and the girl walking towards them from the group of + officers.</p> + + <p>"Anstruther is a smart-looking fellow," commented Captain + Fitzroy. "Who is he?"</p> + + <p>Truth to tell, the gallant commander of the <i>Orient</i> + was secretly amazed by the metamorphosis effected in Robert's + appearance since he scrutinized him through his glasses. Iris, + too, unaccustomed to the constraint of high-heeled shoes, clung + to the nondescript's arm in a manner that shook the sailor's + faith in Lord Ventnor's pretensions as her favored suitor.</p> + + <p>Poor Sir Arthur said not a word, but his lordship was quite + at ease—</p> + + <p>"From his name, and from what Deane tells me, I believe he + is an ex-officer of the Indian Army."</p> + + <p>"Ah. He has left the service?"</p> + + <p>"Yes. I met him last in Hong Kong."</p> + + <p>"Then you know him?"</p> + + <p>"Quite well, if he is the man I imagine."</p> + + <p>"That is really very nice of Ventnor," thought the + shipowner. "The last thing I should credit him with would be a + forgiving disposition."</p> + + <p>Meanwhile Anstruther was reading Iris a little lecture. + "Sweet one," he explained to her, "do not allude to me by my + former rank. I am not entitled to it. Some day, please God, it + will be restored to me. At present I am a plain civilian."</p> + + <p>"I think you very handsome."</p> + + <p>"Don't tease, there's a good girl. It is not fair with all + these people looking."</p> + + <p>"But really, Robert, only since you scraped off the upper + crust have I been able to recognize you again. I remember now + that I thought you were a most distinguished looking + steward."</p> + + <p>"Well, I am helpless. I cannot even squeeze you. By the way, + Iris, during the next few days say nothing about our mine."</p> + + <p>"Oh, why not?"</p> + + <p>"Just a personal whim. It will please me."</p> + + <p>"If it pleases you, Robert, I am satisfied."</p> + + <p>He pressed her arm by way of answer. They were too near to + the waiting trio for other comment.</p> + + <p>"Captain Fitzroy," cried Iris, "let me introduce Mr. + Anstruther to you. Lord Ventnor, you have met Mr. Anstruther + before."</p> + + <p>The sailor shook hands. Lord Ventnor smiled affably.</p> + + <p>"Your enforced residence on the island seems to have agreed + with you," he said.</p> + + <p>"Admirably. Life here had its drawbacks, but we fought our + enemies in the open. Didn't we, Iris?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, dear. The poor Dyaks were not sufficiently modernized + to attack us with false testimony."</p> + + <p>His lordship's sallow face wrinkled somewhat. So Iris knew + of the court-martial, nor was she afraid to proclaim to all the + world that this man was her lover. As for Captain Fitzroy, his + bushy eyebrows disappeared into his peaked cap when he heard + the manner of their speech.</p> + + <p>Nevertheless Ventnor smiled again.</p> + + <p>"Even the Dyaks respected Miss Deane," he said.</p> + + <p>But Anstruther, sorry for the manifest uneasiness of the + shipowner, repressed the retort on his lips, and forthwith + suggested that they should walk to the north beach in the first + instance, that being the scene of the wreck.</p> + + <p>During the next hour he became auditor rather than narrator. + It was Iris who told of his wild fight against wind and waves, + Iris who showed them where he fought with the devil-fish, Iris + who expatiated on the long days of ceaseless toil, his + dauntless courage in the face of every difficulty, the way in + which he rescued her from the clutch of the savages, the skill + of his preparations against the anticipated attack, and the + last great achievement of all, when, time after time, he foiled + the Dyaks' best-laid plans, and flung them off, crippled and + disheartened, during the many phases of the thirty hours' + battle.</p> + + <p>She had an attentive audience. Most of the <i>Orient's</i> + officers quietly came up and followed the girl's glowing + recital with breathless interest. Robert vainly endeavored more + than once to laugh away her thrilling eulogy. But she would + have none of it. Her heart was in her words. He deserved this + tribute of praise, unstinted, unmeasured, abundant in its + simple truth, yet sounding like a legend spun by some romantic + poet, were not the grim evidences of its accuracy visible on + every hand.</p> + + <p>She was so volubly clear, so precise in fact, so subtle in + her clever delineations of humorous or tragic events, that her + father was astounded, and even Anstruther silently admitted + that a man might live until he equaled the years of a Biblical + patriarch without discovering all the resources of a woman.</p> + + <p>There were tears in her eyes when she ended; but they were + tears of thankful happiness, and Lord Ventnor, a silent + listener who missed neither word nor look, felt a deeper chill + in his cold heart as he realized that this woman's love could + never be his. The knowledge excited his passion the more. His + hatred of Anstruther now became a mania, an insensate resolve + to mortally stab this meddler who always stood in his path.</p> + + <p>Robert hoped that his present ordeal was over. It had only + begun. He was called on to answer questions without number. Why + had the tunnel been made? What was the mystery of the Valley of + Death? How did he manage to guess the dimensions of the + sun-dial? How came he to acquire such an amazing stock of + out-of-the-way knowledge of the edible properties of roots and + trees? How? Why? Where? When? They never would be satisfied, + for not even the British navypoking its nose into the recesses + of the world—often comes across such an amazing story as + the adventures of this couple on Rainbow Island.</p> + + <p>He readily explained the creation of quarry and cave by + telling them of the vein of antimony embedded in the rock near + the fault. Antimony is one of the substances that covers a + multitude of doubts. No one, not excepting the doctors who use + it, knows much about it, and in Chinese medicine it might be a + chief factor of exceeding nastiness.</p> + + <p>Inside the cavern, the existence of the partially completed + shaft to the ledge accounted for recent disturbances on the + face of the rock, and new-comers could not, of course, + distinguish the bones of poor "J.S." as being the remains of a + European.</p> + + <p>Anstruther was satisfied that none of them hazarded the + remotest guess as to the value of the gaunt rock they were + staring at, and chance helped him to baffle further + inquiry.</p> + + <p>A trumpeter on board the <i>Orient</i> was blowing his lungs + out to summon them to luncheon, when Captain Fitzroy put a + final query.</p> + + <p>"I can quite understand," he said to Robert, "that you have + an affection for this weird place."</p> + + <p>"I should think so indeed," muttered the stout midshipman, + glancing at Iris.</p> + + <p>"But I am curious to know," continued the commander, "why + you lay claim to the island? You can hardly intend to return + here."</p> + + <p>He pointed to Robert's placard stuck on the rock.</p> + + <p>Anstruther paused before he answered. He felt that Lord + Ventnor's dark eyes were fixed on him. Everybody was more or + less desirous to have this point cleared up. He looked the + questioner squarely in the face.</p> + + <p>"In some parts of the world," he said, "there are sunken + reefs, unknown, uncharted, on which many a vessel has been lost + without any contributory fault on the part of her + officers?"</p> + + <p>"Undoubtedly."</p> + + <p>"Well, Captain Fitzroy, when I was stationed with my + regiment in Hong Kong I encountered such a reef, and wrecked my + life on it. At least, that is how it seemed to me then. Fortune + threw me ashore here, after a long and bitter submergence. You + can hardly blame me if I cling to the tiny speck of land that + gave me salvation."</p> + + <p>"No," admitted the sailor. He knew there was something more + in the allegory than the text revealed, but it was no business + of his.</p> + + <p>"Moreover," continued Robert smilingly, "you see I have a + partner."</p> + + <p>"There cannot be the slightest doubt about the partner," was + the prompt reply.</p> + + <p>Then every one laughed, Iris more than any, though Sir + Arthur Deane's gaiety was forced, and Lord Ventnor could taste + the acidity of his own smile.</p> + + <p>Later in the day the first lieutenant told his chief of + Anstruther's voluntary statement concerning the court-martial. + Captain Fitzroy was naturally pained by this unpleasant + revelation, but he took exactly the same view as that expressed + by the first lieutenant in Robert's presence.</p> + + <p>Nevertheless he pondered the matter, and seized an early + opportunity of mentioning it to Lord Ventnor. That + distinguished nobleman was vastly surprised to learn how + Anstruther had cut the ground from beneath his feet.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he said, in reply to the sailor's request for + information, "I know all about it. It could not well be + otherwise, seeing that next to Mrs. Costobell I was the + principal witness against him."</p> + + <p>"That must have been d——d awkward for you," was + the unexpected comment.</p> + + <p>"Indeed! Why?"</p> + + <p>"Because rumor linked your name with that of the lady in a + somewhat outspoken way."</p> + + <p>"You astonish me. Anstruther certainly made some stupid + allegations during the trial; but I had no idea he was able to + spread this malicious report subsequently."</p> + + <p>"I am not talking of Hong Kong, my lord, but of Singapore, + months later."</p> + + <p>Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceedingly dry. Indeed, some + people might deem it offensive.</p> + + <p>His lordship permitted himself the rare luxury of an angry + scowl.</p> + + <p>"Rumor is a lying jade at the best," he said curtly. "You + must remember, Captain Fitzroy, that I have uttered no word of + scandal about Mr. Anstruther, and any doubts concerning his + conduct can be set at rest by perusing the records of his case + in the Adjutant-General's office at Hong Kong."</p> + + <p>"Hum!" said the sailor, turning on his heel to enter the + chart-room. This was no way to treat a real live lord, a + personage of some political importance, too, such as the + Special Envoy to Wang Hai. Evidently, Iris was no mean + advocate. She had already won for the "outcast" the suffrages + of the entire ship's company.</p> + + <p>The girl and her father went back to the island with Robert. + After taking thought, the latter decided to ask Mir Jan to + remain in possession until he returned. There was not much risk + of another Dyak invasion. The fate of Taung S'Ali's expedition + would not encourage a fresh set of marauders, and the + Mahommedan would be well armed to meet unforeseen + contingencies, whilst on his, Anstruther's, representations the + <i>Orient</i> would land an abundance of stores. In any event, + it was better for the native to live in freedom on Rainbow + Island than to be handed over to the authorities as an escaped + convict, which must be his immediate fate no matter what + magnanimous view the Government of India might afterwards take + of his services.</p> + + <p>Mir Jan's answer was emphatic. He took off his turban and + placed it on Anstruther's feet.</p> + + <p>"Sahib," he said, "I am your dog. If, some day, I am found + worthy to be your faithful servant, then shall I know that + Allah has pardoned my transgressions. I only killed a man + because—"</p> + + <p>"Peace, Mir Jan. Let him rest."</p> + + <p>"Why is he worshiping you, Robert?" demanded Iris.</p> + + <p>He told her.</p> + + <p>"Really," she cried, "I must keep up my studies in + Hindustani. It is quite too sweet."</p> + + <p>And then, for the benefit of her father, she rattled off + into a spirited account of her struggles with the algebraic x + and the Urdu compound verb.</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane managed to repress a sigh. In spite of + himself he could not help liking Anstruther. The man was + magnetic, a hero, an ideal gentleman. No wonder his daughter + was infatuated with him. Yet the future was dark and + storm-tossed, full of sinister threats and complications. Iris + did not know the wretched circumstances which had come to pass + since they parted, and which had changed the whole aspect of + his life. How could he tell her? Why should it be his miserable + lot to snatch the cup of happiness from her lips? In that + moment of silent agony he wished he were dead, for death alone + could remove the burthen laid on him. Well, surely he might + bask in the sunshine of her laughter for another day. No need + to embitter her joyous heart until he was driven to it by dire + necessity.</p> + + <p>So he resolutely brushed aside the woe-begone phantom of + care, and entered into the <i>abandon</i> of the hour with a + zest that delighted her. The dear girl imagined that Robert, + her Robert, had made another speedy conquest, and Anstruther + himself was much elated by the sudden change in Sir Arthur + Deane's demeanor.</p> + + <p>They behaved like school children on a picnic. They roared + over Iris's troubles in the matter of divided skirts, too much + divided to be at all pleasant. The shipowner tasted some of her + sago bread, and vowed it was excellent. They unearthed two + bottles of champagne, the last of the case, and promised each + other a hearty toast at dinner. Nothing would content Iris but + that they should draw a farewell bucketful of water from the + well and drench the pitcher-plant with a torrential shower.</p> + + <p>Robert carefully secured the pocket-books, money and other + effects found on their dead companions. The baronet, of course, + knew all the principal officers of the <i>Sirdar</i>. He + surveyed these mournful relics with sorrowful interest.</p> + + <p>"The <i>Sirdar</i> was the crack ship of my fleet, and + Captain Ross my most trusted commander," he said. "You may well + imagine, Mr. Anstruther, what a cruel blow it was to lose such + a vessel, with all these people on board, and my only daughter + amongst them. I wonder now that it did not kill me."</p> + + <p>"She was a splendid sea-boat, sir. Although disabled, she + fought gallantly against the typhoon. Nothing short of a reef + would break her up."</p> + + <p>"Ah, well," sighed the shipowner, "the few timbers you have + shown me here are the remaining assets out of + £300,000."</p> + + <p>"Was she not insured?" inquired Robert.</p> + + <p>"No; that is, I have recently adopted a scheme of mutual + self-insurance, and the loss falls <i>pro rata</i> on my other + vessels."</p> + + <p>The baronet glanced covertly at Iris. The words conveyed + little meaning to her. Indeed, she broke in with a + laugh—</p> + + <p>"I am afraid I have heard you say, father dear, that some + ships in the fleet paid you best when they ran ashore."</p> + + <p>"Yes, Iris. That often happened in the old days. It is + different now. Moreover, I have not told you the extent of my + calamities. The <i>Sirdar</i> was lost on March 18, though I + did not know it for certain until this morning. But on March 25 + the <i>Bahadur</i> was sunk in the Mersey during a fog, and + three days later the <i>Jemadar</i> turned turtle on the James + and Mary shoal in the Hooghly. Happily there were no lives lost + in either of these cases."</p> + + <p>Even Iris was appalled by this list of casualties.</p> + + <p>"My poor, dear dad!" she cried. "To think that all these + troubles should occur the very moment I left you!"</p> + + <p>Yet she gave no thought to the serious financial effect of + such a string of catastrophes. Robert, of course, appreciated + this side of the business, especially in view of the + shipowner's remark about the insurance. But Sir Arthur Deane's + stiff upper lip deceived him. He failed to realize that the + father was acting a part for his daughter's sake.</p> + + <p>Oddly enough, the baronet did not seek to discuss with them + the legal-looking document affixed near the cave. It claimed + all rights in the island in their joint names, and this was a + topic he wished to avoid. For the time, therefore, the younger + man had no opportunity of taking him into his confidence, and + Iris held faithfully to her promise of silence.</p> + + <p>The girl's ragged raiment, sou'wester, and strong boots were + already packed away on board. She now rescued the Bible, the + copy of Tennyson's poems, the battered tin cup, her revolver, + and the Lee-Metford which "scared" the Dyaks when they nearly + caught Anstruther and Mir Jan napping. Robert also gathered for + her an assortment of Dyak hats, belts, and arms, including + Taung S'Ali's parang and a sumpitan. These were her trophies, + the <i>spolia opima</i> of the campaign.</p> + + <p>His concluding act was to pack two of the empty oil tins + with all the valuable lumps of auriferous quartz he could find + where he shot the rubbish from the cave beneath the trees. On + top of these he placed some antimony ore, and Mir Jan, + wondering why the sahib wanted the stuff, carried the + consignment to the waiting boat. Lieutenant Playdon, in command + of the last party of sailors to quit the island, evidently + expected Mir Jan to accompany them, but Anstruther explained + that the man would await his return, some time in June or + July.</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane found himself speculating on the cause of + this extraordinary resolve, but, steadfast to his policy of + avoiding controversial matters, said nothing. A few words to + the captain procured enough stores to keep the Mahommedan for + six months at least, and whilst these were being landed, the + question was raised how best to dispose of the Dyaks.</p> + + <p>The commander wished to consult the convenience of his + guests.</p> + + <p>"If we go a little out of our way and land them in Borneo," + he said, "they will be hanged without troubling you further. If + I take them to Singapore they will be tried on your evidence + and sent to penal servitude. Which is it to be?"</p> + + <p>It was Iris who decided.</p> + + <p>"I cannot bear to think of more lives being sacrificed," she + protested. "Perhaps if these men are treated mercifully and + sent to their homes after some punishment their example may + serve as a deterrent to others."</p> + + <p>So it was settled that way. The anchor rattled up to its + berth and the <i>Orient</i> turned her head towards Singapore. + As she steadily passed away into the deepening azure, the girl + and her lover watched the familiar outlines of Rainbow Island + growing dim in the evening light. For a long while they could + see Mir Jan's tall, thin figure motionless on a rock at the + extremity of Europa Point. Their hut, the reef, the ledge, came + into view as the cruiser swung round to a more northerly + course.</p> + + <p>Iris had thrown an arm across her father's shoulders. The + three were left alone just then, and they were silent for many + minutes. At last, the flying miles merged the solitary palm + beyond the lagoon with the foliage on the cliff. The wide cleft + of Prospect Park grew less distinct. Mir Jan's white-clothed + figure was lost in the dark background. The island was becoming + vague, dream-like, a blurred memory.</p> + + <p>"Robert," said the girl devoutly, "God has been very good to + us."</p> + + <p>"Yes," he replied. "I was thinking, even this instant, of + the verse that is carved on the gate of the Memorial Well at + Cawnpore: 'These are they which came out of great tribulation.' + We, too, have come out of great tribulation, happily with our + lives—and more. The decrees of fate are indeed + inscrutable."</p> + + <p>Iris turned to him a face roseate with loving + comprehension.</p> + + <p>"Do you remember this hour yesterday?" she + murmured—"how we suffered from thirst—how the Dyaks + began their second attack from the ridge—how you climbed + down the ladder and I followed you? Oh father, darling," she + went on impulsively, tightening her grasp, "you will never know + how brave he was, how enduring, how he risked all for me and + cheered me to the end, even though the end seemed to be the + grave."</p> + + <p>"I think I am beginning to understand now," answered the + shipowner, averting his eyes lest Iris should see the tears in + them. Their Calvary was ended, they thought—was it for + him to lead them again through the sorrowful way? It was a + heartrending task that lay before him, a task from which his + soul revolted. He refused even to attempt it. He sought + forgetfulness in a species of mental intoxication, and + countenanced his daughter's love idyll with such apparent + approval that Lord Ventnor wondered whether Sir Arthur were not + suffering from senile decay.</p> + + <p>The explanation of the shipowner's position was painfully + simple. Being a daring yet shrewd financier, he perceived in + the troubled condition of the Far East a magnificent + opportunity to consolidate the trading influence of his + company. He negotiated two big loans, one, of a semi-private + nature, to equip docks and railways in the chief maritime + province of China, the other of a more public character, with + the Government of Japan. All his own resources, together with + those of his principal directors and shareholders, were devoted + to these objects. Contemporaneously, he determined to stop + paying heavy insurance premiums on his fleet and make it + self-supporting, on the well-known mutual principle.</p> + + <p>His vessels were well equipped, well manned, replete with + every modern improvement, and managed with great commercial + skill. In three or four years, given ordinary trading luck, he + must have doubled his own fortune and earned a world-wide + reputation for far-seeing sagacity.</p> + + <p>No sooner were all his arrangements completed than three of + his best ships went down, saddling his company with an absolute + loss of nearly £600,000, and seriously undermining his + financial credit. A fellow-director, wealthy and influential, + resigned his seat on the board, and headed a clique of + disappointed stockholders. At once the fair sky became + overcast. A sound and magnificent speculation threatened to + dissolve in the Bankruptcy Court.</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane's energy and financial skill might have + enabled him to weather this unexpected gale were it not for the + apparent loss of his beloved daughter with the crack ship of + his line. Half-frenzied with grief, he bade his enemies do + their worst, and allowed his affairs to get into hopeless + confusion whilst he devoted himself wholly to the search for + Iris and her companions. At this critical juncture Lord Ventnor + again reached his side. His lordship possessed a large private + fortune and extensive estates. He was prudent withal, and knew + how admirably the shipowner's plans would develop if given the + necessary time. He offered the use of his name and money. He + more than filled the gap created by the hostile ex-director. + People argued that such a clever man, just returning from the + Far East after accomplishing a public mission of some + importance, must be a reliable guide. The mere cabled + intelligence of his intention to join the board restored + confidence and credit.</p> + + <p>But—there was a bargain. If Iris lived, she must + become the Countess of Ventnor. His lordship was weary of + peripatetic love-making. It was high time he settled down in + life, took an interest in the legislature, and achieved a + position in the world of affairs. He had a chance now. The + certain success of his friend's project, the fortunate + completion of his own diplomatic undertaking, marriage with a + beautiful and charming woman—these items would + consolidate his career. If Iris were not available, plenty of + women, high-placed in society, would accept such an eligible + bachelor. But his heart was set on Iris. She was honest, + high-principled, pure in body and mind, and none prizes these + essentials in a wife more than a worn-out + <i>roué</i>.</p> + + <p>He seized the first opportunity that presented itself to + make Sir Arthur Deane acquainted with a decision already + dreaded by the unfortunate shipowner. Iris must either abandon + her infatuation for Anstruther or bring about the ruin of her + father. There was no mean.</p> + + <p>"If she declines to become Countess of Ventnor, she can + marry whom she likes, as you will be all paupers together," was + the Earl's caustic summing up.</p> + + <p>This brutal argument rather overshot the mark. The + shipowner's face flushed with anger, and Lord Ventnor hastened + to retrieve a false step.</p> + + <p>"I didn't exactly mean to put it that way, Deane, but my + temper is a little short these days. My position on board this + ship is intolerable. As a matter of fair dealing to me, you + should put a stop to your daughter's attitude towards + Anstruther, on the ground that her engagement is neither + approved of by you nor desirable under any consideration."</p> + + <p>It may be assumed from this remark that even the Earl's + sardonic temper was ruffled by the girl's outrageous behavior. + Nor was it exactly pleasant to him to note how steadily + Anstruther advanced in the favor of every officer on the ship. + By tacit consent the court-martial was tabooed, at any rate + until the <i>Orient</i> reached Singapore. Every one knew that + the quarrel lay between Robert and Ventnor, and it is not to be + wondered at if Iris's influence alone were sufficient to turn + the scale in favor of her lover.</p> + + <p>The shipowner refused point-blank to interfere in any way + during the voyage.</p> + + <p>"You promised your co-operation in business even if we found + that the <i>Sirdar</i> had gone down with all hands," he + retorted bitterly. "Do you wish me to make my daughter believe + she has come back into my life only to bring me irretrievable + ruin?"</p> + + <p>"That appears to be the result, no matter how you may + endeavor to disguise it."</p> + + <p>"I thought the days were gone when a man would wish to marry + a woman against her will."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense! What does she know about it? The glamour of this + island romance will soon wear off. It would be different if + Anstruther were able to maintain her even decently. He is an + absolute beggar, I tell you. Didn't he ship on your own vessel + as a steward? Take my tip, Deane. Tell him how matters stand + with you, and he will cool off."</p> + + <p>He believed nothing of the sort, but he was desperately + anxious that Iris should learn the truth as to her father's + dilemma from other lips than his own. This would be the first + point gained. Others would follow.</p> + + <p>The two men were conversing in the Earl's cabin. On the deck + overhead a very different chat was taking place.</p> + + <p>The <i>Orient</i> was due in Singapore that afternoon. Iris + was invited into the chart-room on some pretext, and Lieutenant + Playdon, delegated by the commander and the first lieutenant, + buttonholed Robert.</p> + + <p>With sailor-like directness he came straight to the + point—</p> + + <p>"A few of us have been talking about you, Anstruther, and we + cannot be far wrong in assuming that you are hard up. The fact + that you took a steward's job on the <i>Sirdar</i> shows your + disinclination to appeal to your own people for funds. Now, + once you are ashore, you will be landed in difficulties. To cut + any further explanations, I am commissioned to offer you a loan + of fifty pounds, which you can repay when you like."</p> + + <p>Robert's mouth tightened somewhat. For the moment he could + not find words. Playdon feared he was offended.</p> + + <p>"I am sorry, old chap, if we are mistaken," he said + hesitatingly; "but we really thought—"</p> + + <p>"Please do not endeavor to explain away your generous act," + exclaimed Anstruther. "I accept it thankfully, on one + condition."</p> + + <p>"Blow the condition. But what is it?"</p> + + <p>"That you tell me the names of those to whom I am indebted + besides yourself."</p> + + <p>"Oh, that is easy enough. Fitzroy and the first luff are the + others. We kept it to a small circle, don't you know. Thought + you would prefer that."</p> + + <p>Anstruther smiled and wrung his hand. There were some good + fellows left in the world after all. The three officers acted + in pure good nature. They were assisting a man apparently down + in his luck, who would soon be called on to face other + difficulties by reason of his engagement to a girl apparently + so far removed from him in station. And the last thing they + dreamed of was that their kindly loan was destined to yield + them a better return than all the years of their naval service, + for their fifty pounds had gone into the pocket of a potential + millionaire, who was endowed with the faculty, rare in + millionaires, of not forgetting the friends of his + poverty-stricken days.</p> + <hr> + <a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + + <h2>RAINBOW ISLAND AGAIN—AND AFTERWARD</h2> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane was sitting alone in his cabin in a state + of deep dejection, when he was aroused by a knock, and Robert + entered.</p> + + <p>"Can you give me half an hour?" he asked. "I have something + to say to you before we land."</p> + + <p>The shipowner silently motioned him to a seat.</p> + + <p>"It concerns Iris and myself," continued Anstruther. "I + gathered from your words when we met on the island that both + you and Lord Ventnor regarded Iris as his lordship's promised + bride. From your point of view the arrangement was perhaps + natural and equitable, but since your daughter left Hong Kong + it happens that she and I have fallen in love with each other. + No; please listen to me. I am not here to urge my claims on + you. I won her fairly and intend to keep her, were the whole + House of Peers opposed to me. At this moment I want to tell + you, her father, why she could never, even under other + circumstances, marry Lord Ventnor."</p> + + <p>Then he proceeded to place before the astounded baronet a + detailed history of his recent career. It was a sordid story of + woman's perfidy, twice told. It carried conviction in every + sentence. It was possible, of course, to explain matters more + fully to the baronet than to Iris, and Anstruther's fierce + resentment of the cruel wrong inflicted upon him blazed forth + with overwhelming force. The intensity of his wrath in no way + impaired the cogency of his arguments. Rather did it lend point + and logical brevity. Each word burned itself into his hearer's + consciousness, for Robert did not know that the unfortunate + father was being coerced to a distasteful compact by the + scoundrel who figured in the narrative as his evil genius.</p> + + <p>At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed his head between his + hands.</p> + + <p>"I cannot choose but believe you," he admitted huskily. "Yet + how came you to be so unjustly convicted by a tribunal composed + of your brother officers?"</p> + + <p>"They could not help themselves. To acquit me meant that + they discredited the sworn testimony not only of my Colonel's + wife, but of the civil head of an important Government Mission, + not to mention some bought Chinese evidence. Am I the first man + to be offered up as a sacrifice on the altar of official + expediency?"</p> + + <p>"But you are powerless now. You can hardly hope to have your + case revised. What chance is there that your name will ever be + cleared?"</p> + + <p>"Mrs. Costobell can do it if she will. The vagaries of such + a woman are not to be depended on. If Lord Ventnor has cast her + off, her hatred may 'prove stronger than her passion. Anyhow, I + should be the last man to despair of God's Providence. Compare + the condition of Iris and myself today with our plight during + the second night on the ledge! I refuse to believe that a bad + and fickle woman can resist the workings of destiny, and it was + a happy fate which led me to ship on board the <i>Sirdar</i>, + though at the time I saw it in another light."</p> + + <p>How different the words, the aspirations, of the two + suitors. Quite unconsciously, Robert could not have pleaded + better. The shipowner sighed heavily.</p> + + <p>"I hope your faith will be justified. If it be not—the + more likely thing to happen—do I understand that my + daughter and you intend to get married whether I give or + withhold my sanction?"</p> + + <p>Anstruther rose and opened the door.</p> + + <p>"I have ventured to tell you," he said, "why she should not + marry Lord Ventnor. When I come to you and ask you for her, + which I pray may be soon, it will be time enough to answer that + question, should you then decide to put it."</p> + + <p>It must be remembered that Robert knew nothing whatever of + the older man's predicament, whilst the baronet, full of his + own troubles, was in no mood to take a reasonable view of + Anstruther's position. Neither Iris nor Robert could make him + understand the long-drawn-out duel of their early life on the + island, nor was it easy to depict the tumultuous agony of that + terrible hour on the ledge when the girl forced the man to + confess his love by suggesting acceptance of the Dyaks' + terms.</p> + + <p>Thus, for a little while, these two were driven apart, and + Anstruther disdained to urge the plea that not many weeks would + elapse before he would be a richer man than his rival. The + chief sufferer was Sir Arthur Deane. Had Iris guessed how her + father was tormented, she would not have remained on the + bridge, radiant and mirthful, whilst the grey-haired baronet + gazed with stony-eyed despair at some memoranda which he + extracted from his papers.</p> + + <p>"Ten thousand pounds!" he muttered. "Not a great sum for the + millionaire financier, Sir Arthur Deane, to raise on his note + of hand. A few months ago men offered me one hundred times the + amount on no better security. And now, to think that a set of + jabbering fools in London should so destroy my credit and their + own, that not a bank will discount our paper unless they are + assured Lord Ventnor has joined the board! Fancy me, of all + men, being willing to barter my child for a few pieces of + gold!"</p> + + <p>The thought was maddening. For a little while he yielded to + utter despondency. It was quite true that a comparatively small + amount of money would restore the stability of his firm. Even + without it, were his credit unimpaired, he could easily tide + over the period of depression until the first fruits of his + enterprise were garnered. Then, all men would hail him as a + genius.</p> + + <p>Wearily turning over his papers, he suddenly came across the + last letter written to him by Iris's mother. How she doted on + their only child! He recalled one night, shortly before his + wife died, when the little Iris was brought into her room to + kiss her and lisp her infantile prayers. She had devised a + formula of her own—"God bless father! God bless mother! + God bless me, their little girl!"</p> + + <p>And what was it she cried to him from the beach?</p> + + <p>"Your own little girl given back to you!"</p> + + <p>Given back to him! For what—to marry that + black-hearted scoundrel whose pastime was the degradation of + women and the defaming of honest men? That settled it. + Instantly the cloud was lifted from his soul. A great peace + came upon him. The ruin of his business he might not be able to + avert, but he would save from, the wreck that which he prized + more than all else—his daughter's love.</p> + + <p>The engines dropped to half speed—they were entering + the harbor of Singapore. In a few hours the worst would be + over. If Ventnor telegraphed to London his withdrawal from the + board, nothing short of a cabled draft for ten thousand pounds + would prevent certain creditors from filing a bankruptcy + petition. In the local banks the baronet had about a thousand + to his credit. Surely among the rich merchants of the port, men + who knew the potentialities of his scheme, he would be able to + raise the money needed. He would try hard. Already he felt + braver. The old fire had returned to his blood. The very belief + that he was acting in the way best calculated to secure his + daughter's happiness stimulated and encouraged him.</p> + + <p>He went on deck, to meet Iris skipping down the + hatchway.</p> + + <p>"Oh, there you are!" she cried. "I was just coming to find + out why you were moping in your cabin. You are missing the most + beautiful view—all greens, and blues, and browns! Run, + quick! I want you to see every inch of it."</p> + + <p>She held out her hand and pulled him gleefully up the steps. + Leaning against the taffrail, some distance apart from each + other, were Anstruther and Lord Ventnor. Need it be said to + whom Iris drew her father?</p> + + <p>"Here he is, Robert," she laughed. "I do believe he was + sulking because Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive to me. + Yet you didn't mind it a bit!"</p> + + <p>The two men looked into each other eyes. They smiled. How + could they resist the contagion of her sunny nature?</p> + + <p>"I have been thinking over what you said to me just now, + Anstruther," said the shipowner slowly.</p> + + <p>"Oh!" cried Iris. "Have you two been talking secrets behind + my back?"</p> + + <p>"It is no secret to you—my little girl—" Her + father's voice lingered on the phrase. "When we are on shore, + Robert, I will explain matters to you more fully. Just now I + wish only to tell you that where Iris has given her heart I + will not refuse her hand."</p> + + <p>"You darling old dad! And is that what all the mystery was + about?"</p> + + <p>She took his face between her hands and kissed him. Lord + Ventnor, wondering at this effusiveness, strolled forward.</p> + + <p>"What has happened, Miss Deane?" he inquired. "Have you just + discovered what an excellent parent you possess?"</p> + + <p>The baronet laughed, almost hysterically. "'Pon my honor," + he cried, "you could not have hit upon a happier + explanation."</p> + + <p>His lordship was not quite satisfied.</p> + + <p>"I suppose you will take Iris to Smith's Hotel?" he said + with cool impudence.</p> + + <p>Iris answered him.</p> + + <p>"Yes. My father has just asked Robert to come with + us—by inference, that is. Where are you going?"</p> + + <p>The adroit use of her lover's Christian name goaded his + lordship to sudden heat.</p> + + <p>"Indeed!" he snarled. "Sir Arthur Deane has evidently + decided a good many things during the last hour."</p> + + <p>"Yes," was the shipowner's quiet retort. "I have decided + that my daughter's happiness should be the chief consideration + of my remaining years. All else must give way to it."</p> + + <p>The Earl's swarthy face grew sallow with fury. His eyes + blazed, and there was a tense vibrato in his voice as he + said—</p> + + <p>"Then I must congratulate you, Miss Deane. You are fated to + endure adventures. Having escaped from the melodramatic perils + of Rainbow Island you are destined to experience another + variety of shipwreck here."</p> + + <p>He left them. Not a word had Robert spoken throughout the + unexpected scene. His heart was throbbing with a tremulous joy, + and his lordship's sneers were lost on him. But he could not + fail to note the malignant purpose of the parting sentence.</p> + + <p>In his quietly masterful way he placed his hand on the + baronet's shoulder.</p> + + <p>"What did Lord Ventnor mean?" he asked.</p> + + <p>Sir Arthur Deane answered, with a calm smile—"It is + difficult to talk openly at this moment. Wait until we reach + the hotel."</p> + + <p>The news flew fast through the settlement that H.M.S. + <i>Orient</i> had returned from her long search for the + <i>Sirdar</i>. The warship occupied her usual anchorage, and a + boat was lowered to take off the passengers. Lieutenant Playdon + went ashore with them. A feeling of consideration for + Anstruther prevented any arrangements being made for subsequent + meetings. Once their courteous duty was ended, the officers of + the <i>Orient</i> could not give him any further social + recognition.</p> + + <p>Lord Ventnor was aware of this fact and endeavored to turn + it to advantage.</p> + + <p>"By the way, Fitzroy," he called out to the commander as he + prepared to descend the gangway, "I want you, and any others + not detained by duty, to come and dine with me tonight."</p> + + <p>Captain Fitzroy answered blandly—"It is very good of + you to ask us, but I fear I cannot make any definite + arrangements until I learn what orders are awaiting me + here."</p> + + <p>"Oh, certainly. Come if you can, eh?"</p> + + <p>"Yes; suppose we leave it at that."</p> + + <p>It was a polite but decided rebuff. It in no way tended to + sweeten Lord Ventnor's temper, which was further exasperated + when he hurt his shin against one of Robert's + disreputable-looking tins, with its accumulation of debris.</p> + + <p>The boat swung off into the tideway. Her progress shorewards + was watched by a small knot of people, mostly loungers and + coolies. Among them, however, were two persons who had driven + rapidly to the landing-place when the arrival of the + <i>Orient</i> was reported. One bore all the distinguishing + marks of the army officer of high rank, but the other was + unmistakably a globetrotter. Only in Piccadilly could he have + purchased his wondrous <i>sola topi</i>, or pith + helmet—with its imitation <i>puggri</i> neatly frilled + and puckered—and no tailor who ever carried his goose + through the Exile's Gate would have fashioned his expensive + garments. But the old gentleman made no pretence that he could + "hear the East a-callin'." He swore impartially at the climate, + the place, and its inhabitants. At this instant he was in a + state of wild excitement. He was very tall, very stout, + exceedingly red-faced. Any budding medico who understood the + pre-eminence enjoyed by <i>aq. ad</i> in a prescription, would + have diagnosed him as a first-rate subject for apoplexy.</p> + + <p>Producing a tremendous telescope, he vainly endeavored to + balance it on the shoulder of a native servant.</p> + + <p>"Can't you stand still, you blithering idiot!" he shouted, + after futile attempts to focus the advancing boat, "or shall I + steady you by a clout over the ear?"</p> + + <p>His companion, the army man, was looking through a pair of + field-glasses.</p> + + <p>"By Jove!" he cried, "I can see Sir Arthur Deane, and a girl + who looks like his daughter. There's that infernal scamp, + Ventnor, too."</p> + + <p>The big man brushed the servant out of his way, and + brandished the telescope as though it were a bludgeon.</p> + + <p>"The dirty beggar! He drove my lad to misery and death, yet + he has come back safe and sound. Wait till I meet him. + I'll—"</p> + + <p>"Now, Anstruther! Remember your promise. I will deal with + Lord Ventnor. My vengeance has first claim. What! By the + jumping Moses, I do believe—Yes. It is. Anstruther! Your + nephew is sitting next to the girl!"</p> + + <p>The telescope fell on the stones with a crash. The giant's + rubicund face suddenly blanched. He leaned on his friend for + support.</p> + + <p>"You are not mistaken," he almost whimpered. "Look again, + for God's sake, man. Make sure before you speak. Tell me! Tell + me!"</p> + + <p>"Calm yourself, Anstruther. It is Robert, as sure as I'm + alive. Don't you think I know him, my poor disgraced friend, + whom I, like all the rest, cast off in his hour of trouble? But + I had some excuse. There! There! I didn't mean that, old + fellow. Robert himself will be the last man to blame either of + us. Who could have suspected that two people—one of them, + God help me! my wife—would concoct such a hellish + plot!"</p> + + <p>The boat glided gracefully alongside the steps of the quay, + and Playdon sprang ashore to help Iris to alight. What happened + immediately afterwards can best be told in his own words, as he + retailed the story to an appreciative audience in the + ward-room.</p> + + <p>"We had just landed," he said, "and some of the crew were + pushing the coolies out of the way, when two men jumped down + the steps, and a most fiendish row sprang up. That is, there + was no dispute or wrangling, but one chap, who, it turned out, + was Colonel Costobell, grabbed Ventnor by the shirt front, and + threatened to smash his face in if he didn't listen then and + there to what he had to say. I really thought about + interfering, until I heard Colonel Costobell's opening words. + After that I would gladly have seen the beggar chucked into the + harbor. We never liked him, did we?"</p> + + <p>"Ask no questions, Pompey, but go ahead with the yarn," + growled the first lieutenant.</p> + + <p>"Well, it seems that Mrs. Costobell is dead. She got enteric + a week after the <i>Orient</i> sailed, and was a goner in four + days. Before she died she owned up."</p> + + <p>He paused, with a base eye to effect. Not a man moved a + muscle.</p> + + <p>"All right," he cried. "I will make no more false starts. + Mrs. Costobell begged her husband's forgiveness for her + treatment of him, and confessed that she and Lord Ventnor + planned the affair for which Anstruther was tried by + court-martial. It must have been a beastly business, for + Costobell was sweating with rage, though his words were icy + enough. And you ought to have seen Ventnor's face when he heard + of the depositions, sworn to and signed by Mrs. Costobell and + by several Chinese servants whom he bribed to give false + evidence. He promised to marry Mrs. Costobell if her husband + died, or, in any event, to bring about a divorce when the Hong + Kong affair had blown over. Then she learnt that he was after + Miss Iris, and there is no doubt her fury helped on the fever. + Costobell said that, for his wife's sake, he would have kept + the wretched thing secret, but he was compelled to clear + Anstruther's name, especially as he came across the other old + Johnnie—"</p> + + <p>"Pompey, you are incoherent with excitement. Who is 'the + other old Johnnie'?" asked the first luff severely.</p> + + <p>"Didn't I tell you? Why, Anstruther's uncle, of course, a + heavy old swell with just a touch of Yorkshire in his tongue. I + gathered that he disinherited his nephew when the news of the + court-martial reached him. Then he relented, and cabled to him. + Getting no news, he came East to look for him. He met Costobell + the day after the lady died, and the two swore—the stout + uncle can swear a treat—anyhow, they vowed to be revenged + on Ventnor, and to clear Anstruther's character, living or + dead. Poor old chap! He cried like a baby when he asked the + youngster to forgive him. It was quite touching. I can tell + you—"</p> + + <p>Playdon affected to search for his pocket-handkerchief.</p> + + <p>"Do tell us, or it will be worse for you," cried his + mentor.</p> + + <p>"Give me time, air, a drink! What you fellows want is a + phonograph. Let me see. Well, Costobell shook Ventnor off at + last, with the final observation that Anstruther's + court-martial has been quashed. The next batch of general + orders will re-instate him in the regiment, and it rests with + him to decide whether or not a criminal warrant shall be issued + against his lordship for conspiracy. Do you fellows know what + conspir—?"</p> + + <p>"You cuckoo! What did Miss Deane do?"</p> + + <p>"Clung to Anstruther like a weeping angel, and kissed + everybody all round when Ventnor got away. Well—hands + off. I mean her father, Anstruther and the stout uncle. + Unfortunately I was not on in that scene. But, for some reason, + they all nearly wrung my arm off, and the men were so excited + that they gave the party a rousing cheer as their rickshaws + went off in a bunch. Will no Christian gentleman get me a + drink?"</p> + + <p>The next commotion arose in the hotel when Sir Arthur Deane + seized the first opportunity to explain the predicament in + which his company was placed, and the blow which Lord Ventnor + yet had it in his power to deal.</p> + + <p>Mr. William Anstruther was an interested auditor. Robert + would have spoken, but his uncle restrained him.</p> + + <p>"Leave this to me, lad," he exclaimed. "When I was coming + here in the <i>Sirdar</i> there was a lot of talk about Sir + Arthur's scheme, and there should not be much difficulty in + raising all the brass required, if half what I heard be true. + Sit you down, Sir Arthur, and tell us all about it."</p> + + <p>The shipowner required no second bidding. With the skill for + which he was noted, he described his operations in detail, + telling how every farthing of the first instalments of the two + great loans was paid up, how the earnings of his fleet would + quickly overtake the deficit in capital value caused by the + loss of the three ships, and how, in six months' time, the + leading financial houses of London, Paris, and Berlin would be + offering him more money than he would need.</p> + + <p>To a shrewd man of business the project could not fail to + commend itself, and the Yorkshire squire, though a trifle + obstinate in temper, was singularly clear-headed in other + respects. He brought his great fist down on the table with a + whack.</p> + + <p>"Send a cable to your company, Sir Arthur," he cried, "and + tell them that your prospective son-in-law will provide the ten + thousand pounds you require. I will see that his draft is + honored. You can add, if you like, that another ten will be + ready if wanted when this lot is spent. I did my lad one + d—er—deuced bad turn in my life. This time, I + think, I am doing him a good one."</p> + + <p>"You are, indeed," said Iris's father enthusiastically. "The + unallotted capital he is taking up will be worth four times its + face value in two years."</p> + + <p>"All the more reason to make his holding twenty instead of + ten," roared the Yorkshireman. "But look here. You talk about + dropping proceedings against that precious earl whom I saw + to-day. Why not tell him not to try any funny tricks until + Robert's money is safely lodged to your account? We have him in + our power. Dash it all, let us use him a bit."</p> + + <p>Even Iris laughed at this naive suggestion. It was + delightful to think that their arch enemy was actually helping + the baronet's affairs at that very moment, and would continue + to do so until he was flung aside as being of no further value. + Although Ventnor himself had carefully avoided any formal + commitment, the cablegrams awaiting the shipowner at Singapore + showed that confidence had already been restored by the + uncontradicted use of his lordship's name.</p> + + <p>Robert at last obtained a hearing.</p> + + <p>"You two are quietly assuming the attitude of the financial + magnates of this gathering," he said. "I must admit that you + have managed things very well between you, and I do not propose + for one moment to interfere with your arrangements. + Nevertheless, Iris and I are really the chief moneyed persons + present. You spoke of financial houses in England and on the + Continent backing up your loans six months hence, Sir Arthur. + You need not go to them. We will be your bankers."</p> + + <p>The baronet laughed with a whole-hearted gaiety that + revealed whence Iris got some part, at least, of her bright + disposition.</p> + + <p>"Will you sell your island, Robert?" he cried. "I am afraid + that not even Iris could wheedle any one into buying it."</p> + + <p>"But father, dear," interrupted the girl earnestly, "what + Robert says is true. We have a gold mine there. It is worth so + much that you will hardly believe it until then? can no longer + be any doubt in your mind. I suppose that is why Robert asked + me not to mention his discovery to you earlier."</p> + + <p>"No, Iris, that was not the reason," said her lover, and the + older men felt that more than idle fancy inspired the + astounding intelligence that they had just heard. "Your love + was more to me than all the gold in the world. I had won you. I + meant to keep you, but I refused to buy you."</p> + + <p>He turned to her father. His pent-up emotion mastered him, + and he spoke as one who could no longer restrain his + feelings.</p> + + <p>"I have had no chance to thank you for the words you uttered + at the moment we quitted the ship. Yet I will treasure them + while life lasts. You gave Iris to me when I was poor, + disgraced, an outcast from my family and my profession. And I + know why you did this thing. It was because you valued her + happiness more than riches or reputation. I am sorry now I did + not explain matters earlier. It would have saved you much + needless suffering. But the sorrow has sped like an evil dream, + and you will perhaps not regret it, for your action today binds + me to you with hoops of steel. And you, too, uncle. You + traveled thousands of miles to help and comfort me in my + anguish. Were I as bad as I was painted, your kind old heart + still pitied me; you were prepared to pluck me from the depths + of despair and degradation. Why should I hate Lord Ventnor? + What man could have served me as he did? He has given me Iris. + He gained for me at her father's hands a concession such as + mortal has seldom wrested from black-browed fate. He brought my + uncle to my side in the hour of my adversity. Hate him! I would + have his statue carved in marble, and set on high to tell all + who passed how good may spring out of evil—how God's + wisdom can manifest itself by putting even the creeping and + crawling things of the earth to some useful purpose."</p> + + <p>"Dash it all, lad," vociferated the elder Anstruther, "what + ails thee? I never heard you talk like this before!"</p> + + <p>The old gentleman's amazement was so comical that further + tension was out of the question.</p> + + <p>Robert, in calmer mood, informed them of the manner in which + he hit upon the mine. The story sounded like wildest + romance—this finding of a volcanic dyke guarded by the + bones of "J.S." and the poison-filled quarry—but the + production of the ore samples changed wonder into + certainty.</p> + + <p>Next day a government metallurgist estimated the value of + the contents of the two oil-tins at about £500, yet the + specimens brought from the island were not by any means the + richest available.</p> + + <p>And now there is not much more to tell of Rainbow Island and + its castaways. On the day that Captain Robert Anstruther's name + appeared in the <i>Gazette</i>, reinstating him to his rank and + regiment, Iris and he were married in the English Church at + Hong Kong, for it was his wife's wish that the place which + witnessed his ignominy should also witness his triumph.</p> + + <p>A good-natured admiral decided that the urgent requirements + of the British Navy should bring H.M.S. <i>Orient</i> to the + island before the date fixed for the ceremony. Lieutenant + Playdon officiated as best man, whilst the <i>Orient</i> was + left so scandalously short-handed for many hours that a hostile + vessel, at least twice her size, might have ventured to attack + her.</p> + + <p>Soon afterwards, Robert resigned his commission. He + regretted the necessity, but the demands of his new sphere in + life rendered this step imperative. Mining engineers, laborers, + stores, portable houses, engines, and equipment were obtained + with all haste, and the whole party sailed on one of Sir Arthur + Deane's ships to convoy a small steamer specially hired to + attend to the wants of the miners.</p> + + <p>At last, one evening, early in July, the two vessels + anchored outside Palm-tree Rock, and Mir Jan could be seen + running frantically about the shore, for no valid reason save + that he could not stand still. The sahib brought him good news. + The Governor of Hong Kong felt that any reasonable request made + by Anstruther should be granted if possible. He had written + such a strong representation of the Mahommedan's case to the + Government of India that there was little doubt the returning + mail would convey an official notification that Mir Jan, + formerly <i>naik</i> in the Kumaon Rissala—he who once + killed a man—had been granted a free pardon.</p> + + <p>The mining experts verified Robert's most sanguine views + after a very brief examination of the deposit. Hardly any + preliminary work was needed. In twenty-four hours a small + concentrating plant was erected, and a ditch made to drain off + the carbonic anhydride in the valley. After dusk a party of + coolies cleared the quarry of its former occupants. Towards the + close of the following day, when the great steamer once more + slowly turned her head to the north-west, Iris could hear the + steady thud of an engine at work on the first consignment of + ore.</p> + + <p>Robert had been busy up to the last moment. There was so + much to be done in a short space of time. The vessel carried a + large number of passengers, and he did not wish to detain them + too long, though they one and all expressed their willingness + to suit his convenience in this respect.</p> + + <p>Now his share of the necessary preparations was concluded. + His wife, Sir Arthur and his uncle were gathered in a corner of + the promenade deck when he approached and told them that his + last instruction ashore was for a light to be fixed on Summit + Rock as soon as the dynamo was in working order.</p> + + <p>"When we all come back in the cold weather," he explained + gleefully, "we will not imitate the <i>Sirdar</i> by running on + to the reef, should we arrive by night."</p> + + <p>Iris answered not. Her blue eyes were fixed on the + fast-receding cliffs.</p> + + <p>"Sweetheart," said her husband, "why are you so silent?"</p> + + <p>She turned to him. The light of the setting sun! illumined + her face with its golden radiance.</p> + + <p>"Because I am so happy," she said. "Oh, Robert, dear, so + happy and thankful."</p> + <hr style="width: 45%;"> + + <h4>POSTSCRIPT</h4> + + <p>The latest news of Col. and Mrs. Anstruther is contained in + a letter written by an elderly maiden lady, resident in the + North Riding of Yorkshire, to a friend in London. It is dated + some four years after the events already recorded.</p> + + <p>Although its information is garbled and, to a certain + extent, inaccurate, those who have followed the adventures of + the young couple under discussion will be able to appreciate + its opinions at their true value. When the writer states facts, + of course, her veracity is unquestionable, but occasionally she + flounders badly when she depends upon her own judgment.</p> + + <p>Here is the letter:</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"MY DEAR HELEN:</p> + + <p>"I have not seen or heard of you during so long a time + that I am <i>simply dying</i> to tell you all that is + happening here. You will remember that some people named + Anstruther bought the Fairlawn estate near our village some + three years ago. They are, as you know, <i>enormously</i> + rich. The doctor tells me that when they are not squeezing + money out of the wretched Chinese, they dig it in + <i>barrow-loads</i> out of some magic island in the + Atlantic or the Pacific—I really forget which.</p> + + <p>"Anyhow, they could afford to <i>entertain</i> much more + than they do. Mrs. Anstruther is very nice looking, and + could be a leader of society if she chose, but she + <i>seems</i> to care for no one but her husband and her + babies. She has a boy and a girl, very charming children, I + admit, and you seldom see her without them. They have a + French <i>bonne</i> apiece, and a most + <i>murderous</i>-looking person—a Mahommedan native, + I believe—stalks alongside and behaves as if he would + <i>instantly decapitate</i> any person who as much as + looked at them. Such a procession you never saw! Mrs. + Anstruther's devotion to her husband is <i>too</i> absurd. + He is a tall, handsome man, of distinguished appearance, + but on the few occasions I have spoken to him he impressed + me as somewhat <i>taciturn</i>. Yet to see the way in which + his wife even <i>looks</i> at him you would imagine that he + had not his equal in the world!</p> + + <p>"I believe there is some <i>secret</i> in their lives. + Colonel Anstruther used to be in the army—he is now + in command of our local yeomanry—and although his + name is 'Robert,' <i>tout</i> <i>court</i>, I have often + heard Mrs. Anstruther call him 'Jenks.' Their boy, too, is + christened Robert <i>Jenks</i> Anstruther.' Now, my dear + Helen, <i>do</i> make inquiries about them in town circles. + I <i>particularly</i> wish you to find out who is this + person 'Jenks'—a most vulgar name. I am sure you will + unearth something curious, because Mrs. Anstruther was a + Miss Deane, daughter of the baronet, and Anstruther's + people are well known in Yorkshire. There are absolutely no + Jenkses connected with them on either side.</p> + + <p>"I think I can help you by another <i>clue</i>, as a + very <i>odd</i> incident occurred at our hunt ball last + week. The Anstruthers, I must tell you, usually go away for + the winter, to China, or to their fabulous island. This + year they remained at home, and Colonel Anstruther became + M.F.H., as he is certainly a most liberal man so far as + <i>sport</i> and <i>charity</i> are concerned.</p> + + <p>"Well, dear, the Dodgsons—you remember the Leeds + clothier people—having <i>contrived</i> to enter + county society, invited the Earl of Ventnor down for the + ball. He, it seems, knew nothing about Anstruther being + M.F.H., and of course Mrs. Anstruther <i>received</i>. The + moment Lord Ventnor heard her name he was very angry. He + said he did not care to meet her, and left for London by + the next train. The Dodgsons were <i>awfully</i> annoyed + with him, and Mrs. Dodgson had the bad taste to tell Mrs, + Anstruther all about it. And what do you think <i>she</i> + said—'Lord Ventnor need not have been so frightened. + My husband has not brought his hunting-crop with him!'</p> + + <p>"I was not there, but young Barker told me that Mrs. + Anstruther looked very <i>impressive</i> as she said this. + 'Stunning!' was the word he used, but young Barker is a + <i>fool</i>, and thinks Mrs. A. is the most beautiful woman + in Yorkshire. Her dress, they say, was <i>magnificent</i>, + which I can hardly credit, as she usually goes about in the + <i>plainest</i> tailor-made clothes. By the way. I forgot + to mention that the Anstruthers have restored our parish + church. The vicar, of course, is enraptured with them. I + dislike people who are so free with their money and yet + reserved in their friendship. It is a sure sign, when they + <i>court</i> popularity, that they dread something leaking + out about the <i>past</i>.</p> + + <p>"<i>Do</i> write soon. Don't forget 'Jenks' and 'Lord + Ventnor'; those are the lines of <i>inquiry</i>.</p> + + <p style="margin-left:50%;,margin-bottom:-1em;">"Yours,</p> + + <p class="author">"MATILDA.</p> + + <p>"PS.—Perhaps I am misjudging them. Mrs. Anstruther + has just sent me an invitation to an 'At Home' next + Thursday.—M.</p> + + <p>"PPS.—Dear me, this letter will never get away, I + have just destroyed another envelope to tell you that the + vicar came in to tea. From what he told me about Lord + Ventnor, I imagine that Mrs. Anstruther said no more than + he deserved.—M."</p> + <br /> + <p class="note">NOTE.—Colonel Anstruther's agents + discovered, after long and costly inquiry, that a Shields + man named James Spence, a marine engineer, having worked + for a time as a miner in California, shipped as third + engineer on a vessel bound for Shanghai. There be quitted + her. He passed some time ashore in dissipation, took + another job on a Chinese river steamer, and was last heard + of some eighteen months before the <i>Sirdar</i> was + wrecked. He then informed a Chinese boarding-house keeper + that he was going to make his fortune by accompanying some + deep-sea fishermen, and he bought some stores and tools + from a marine-store dealer. No one knew when or where he + went, but from that date all trace of him disappeared. The + only persons who mourned his loss were his mother and + sister. The last letter they received from him was posted + in Shanghai. Though the evidence connecting him with the + recluse of Rainbow Island was slight, and purely + circumstantial, Colonel Anstruther provided for the future + of his relatives in a manner that secured their lasting + gratitude.</p> + </blockquote> + +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 14917-h.txt or 14917-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/9/1/14917</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Wings of the Morning + +Author: Louis Tracy + +Release Date: February 6, 2005 [eBook #14917] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING*** + + +E-text prepared by G. Edward Johnson and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 14917-h.htm or 14917-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917/14917-h/14917-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917/14917-h.zip) + + + + + +THE WINGS OF THE MORNING + +by + +LOUIS TRACY + +Author of _A Son of the Immortals_, _The Stowaways_, _The Message_, +_The Wheel o' Fortune_, etc. + +New York Grosset & Dunlap Publishers + +1903. + + + + + + + +_If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts +of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall +hold me. Psalm CXXXIX, 9, 10_ + + + + +[Illustration: INVOLUNTARILY SHE CAUGHT HIS ARM. HE STEPPED A HALF-PACE +IN FRONT OF HER TO WARD OFF ANY DANGER THAT MIGHT BE HERALDED BY THIS +UNCANNY PHENOMENON. _Frontispiece_] + + + + +CONTENTS + +I The Wreck of the _Sirdar_ +II The Survivors +III Discoveries +IV Rainbow Island +V Iris to the Rescue +VI Some Explanations +VII Surprises +VIII Preparations +IX The Secret of the Cave +X Reality v. Romance--The Case for the Plaintiff +XI The Fight +XII A Truce +XIII Reality v. Romance--The Case for the Defendant +XIV The Unexpected Happens +XV The Difficulty of Pleasing Everybody +XVI Bargains, Great and Small +XVII Rainbow Island Again--and Afterward + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WRECK OF THE _SIRDAR_ + + +Lady Tozer adjusted her gold-rimmed eye-glasses with an air of +dignified aggressiveness. She had lived too many years in the Far East. +In Hong Kong she was known as the "Mandarin." Her powers of merciless +inquisition suggested torments long drawn out. The commander of the +_Sirdar_, homeward bound from Shanghai, knew that he was about to +be stretched on the rack when he took his seat at the saloon table. + +"Is it true, captain, that we are running into a typhoon?" demanded her +ladyship. + +"From whom did you learn that, Lady Tozer?" Captain Ross was wary, +though somewhat surprised. + +"From Miss Deane. I understood her a moment ago to say that you had +told her." + +"I?" + +"Didn't you? Some one told me this morning. I couldn't have guessed it, +could I?" Miss Iris Deane's large blue eyes surveyed him with innocent +indifference to strict accuracy. Incidentally, she had obtained the +information from her maid, a nose-tilted coquette who extracted ship's +secrets from a youthful quartermaster. + +"Well--er--I had forgotten," explained the tactful sailor. + +"Is it true?" + +Lady Tozer _was_ unusually abrupt today. But she was annoyed by +the assumption that the captain took a mere girl into his confidence +and passed over the wife of the ex-Chief Justice of Hong Kong. + +"Yes, it is," said Captain Ross, equally curt, and silently thanking +the fates that her ladyship was going home for the last time. + +"How horrible!" she gasped, in unaffected alarm. This return to +femininity soothed the sailor's ruffled temper. + +Sir John, her husband, frowned judicially. That frown constituted his +legal stock-in-trade, yet it passed current for wisdom with the Hong +Kong bar. + +"What evidence have you?" he asked. + +"Do tell us," chimed in Iris, delightfully unconscious of interrupting +the court. "Did you find out when you squinted at the sun?" + +The captain smiled. "You are nearer the mark than possibly you imagine, +Miss Deane," he said. "When we took our observations yesterday there +was a very weird-looking halo around the sun. This morning you may have +noticed several light squalls and a smooth sea marked occasionally by +strong ripples. The barometer is falling rapidly, and I expect that, as +the day wears, we will encounter a heavy swell. If the sky looks wild +tonight, and especially if we observe a heavy bank of cloud approaching +from the north-west, you see the crockery dancing about the table at +dinner. I am afraid you are not a good sailor, Lady Tozer. Are you, +Miss Deane?" + +"Capital! I should just love to see a real storm. Now promise me +solemnly that you will take me up into the charthouse when this typhoon +is simply tearing things to pieces." + +"Oh dear! I do hope it will not be very bad. Is there no way in which +you can avoid it, captain? Will it last long?" + +The politic skipper for once preferred to answer Lady Tozer. "There is +no cause for uneasiness," he said. "Of course, typhoons in the China +Sea are nasty things while they last, but a ship like the _Sirdar_ +is not troubled by them. She will drive through the worst gale she is +likely to meet here in less than twelve hours. Besides, I alter the +course somewhat as soon as I discover our position with regard to its +center. You see, Miss Deane--" + +And Captain Ross forthwith illustrated on the back of a menu card the +spiral shape and progress of a cyclone. He so thoroughly mystified the +girl by his technical references to northern and southern hemispheres, +polar directions, revolving air-currents, external circumferences, and +diminished atmospheric pressures, that she was too bewildered to +reiterate a desire to visit the bridge. + +Then the commander hurriedly excused himself, and the passengers saw no +more of him that day. + +But his short scientific lecture achieved a double result. It rescued +him from a request which he could not possibly grant, and reassured +Lady Tozer. To the non-nautical mind it is the unknown that is fearful. +A storm classed as "periodic," whose velocity can be measured, whose +duration and direction can be determined beforehand by hours and +distances, ceases to be terrifying. It becomes an accepted fact, akin +to the steam-engine and the electric telegraph, marvelous yet +commonplace. + +So her ladyship dismissed the topic as of no present interest, and +focused Miss Deane through her eye-glasses. + +"Sir Arthur proposes to come home in June, I understand?" she inquired. + +Iris was a remarkably healthy young woman. A large banana momentarily +engaged her attention. She nodded affably. + +"You will stay with relatives until he arrives?" pursued Lady Tozer. + +The banana is a fruit of simple characteristics. The girl was able to +reply, with a touch of careless hauteur in her voice: + +"Relatives! We have none--none whom we specially cultivate, that is. I +will stop in town a day or two to interview my dressmaker, and then go +straight to Helmdale, our place in Yorkshire." + +"Surely you have a chaperon!" + +"A chaperon! My dear Lady Tozer, did my father impress you as one who +would permit a fussy and stout old person to make my life miserable?" + +The acidity of the retort lay in the word "stout." But Iris was not +accustomed to cross-examination. During a three months' residence on +the island she had learnt how to avoid Lady Tozer. Here it was +impossible, and the older woman fastened upon her asp-like. Miss Iris +Deane was a toothsome morsel for gossip. Not yet twenty-one, the only +daughter of a wealthy baronet who owned a fleet of stately ships--the +_Sirdar_ amongst them--a girl who had been mistress of her +father's house since her return from Dresden three years ago--young, +beautiful, rich--here was a combination for which men thanked a +judicious Heaven, whilst women sniffed enviously. + +Business detained Sir Arthur. A war-cloud over-shadowed the two great +divisions of the yellow race. He must wait to see how matters +developed, but he would not expose Iris to the insidious treachery of a +Chinese spring. So, with tears, they separated. She was confided to the +personal charge of Captain Ross. At each point of call the company's +agents would be solicitous for her welfare. The cable's telegraphic eye +would watch her progress as that of some princely maiden sailing in +royal caravel. This fair, slender, well-formed girl--delightfully +English in face and figure--with her fresh, clear complexion, limpid +blue eyes, and shining brown hair, was a personage of some importance. + +Lady Tozer knew these things and sighed complacently. + +"Ah, well," she resumed. "Parents had different views when I was a +girl. But I assume Sir Arthur thinks you should become used to being +your own mistress in view of your approaching marriage." + +"My--approaching--marriage!" cried Iris, now genuinely amazed. + +"Yes. Is it not true that you are going to marry Lord Ventnor?" + +A passing steward heard the point-blank question. + +It had a curious effect upon him. He gazed with fiercely eager eyes at +Miss Deane, and so far forgot himself as to permit a dish of water ice +to rest against Sir John Tozer's bald head. + +Iris could not help noting his strange behavior. A flash of humor +chased away her first angry resentment at Lady Tozer's interrogatory. + +"That may be my happy fate," she answered gaily, "but Lord Ventnor has +not asked me." + +"Every one says in Hong Kong--" began her ladyship. + +"Confound you, you stupid rascal! what are you doing?" shouted Sir +John. His feeble nerves at last conveyed the information that something +more pronounced than a sudden draught affected his scalp; the ice was +melting. + +The incident amused those passengers who sat near enough to observe it. +But the chief steward, hovering watchful near the captain's table, +darted forward. Pale with anger he hissed-- + +"Report yourself for duty in the second saloon tonight," and he hustled +his subordinate away from the judge's chair. + +Miss Deane, mirthfully radiant, rose. + +"Please don't punish the man, Mr. Jones," she said sweetly. "It was a +sheer accident. He was taken by surprise. In his place I would have +emptied the whole dish." + +The chief steward smirked. He did not know exactly what had happened; +nevertheless, great though Sir John Tozer might be, the owner's +daughter was greater. + +"Certainly, miss, certainly," he agreed, adding confidentially:--"It +_is_ rather hard on a steward to be sent aft, miss. It makes such +a difference in the--er--the little gratuities given by the +passengers." + +The girl was tactful. She smiled comprehension at the official and bent +over Sir John, now carefully polishing the back of his skull with a +table napkin. + +"I am sure you will forgive him," she whispered. "I can't say why, but +the poor fellow was looking so intently at me that he did not see what +he was doing." + +The ex-Chief Justice was instantly mollified. He did not mind the +application of ice in that way--rather liked it, in fact--probably ice +was susceptible to the fire in Miss Deane's eyes. + +Lady Tozer was not so easily appeased. When Iris left the saloon she +inquired tartly: "How is it, John, that Government makes a shipowner a +baronet and a Chief Justice only a knight?" + +"That question would provide an interesting subject for debate at the +Carlton, my dear," he replied with equal asperity. + +Suddenly the passengers still seated experienced a prolonged sinking +sensation, as if the vessel had been converted into a gigantic lift. +They were pressed hard into their chairs, which creaked and tried to +swing round on their pivots. As the ship yielded stiffly to the sea a +whiff of spray dashed through an open port. + +"There," snapped her ladyship, "I knew we should run into a storm, yet +Captain Ross led us to believe---- John, take me to my cabin at once." + +From the promenade deck the listless groups watched the rapid advance +of the gale. There was mournful speculation upon the _Sirdar's_ +chances of reaching Singapore before the next evening. + +"We had two hundred and ninety-eight miles to do at noon," said +Experience. "If the wind and sea catch us on the port bow the ship will +pitch awfully. Half the time the screw will be racing. I once made this +trip in the _Sumatra_, and we were struck by a south-east typhoon +in this locality. How long do you think it was before we dropped anchor +in Singapore harbor?" + +No one hazarded a guess. + +"Three days!" Experience was solemnly pompous. "Three whole days. They +were like three years. By Jove! I never want to see another gale like +that." + +A timid lady ventured to say-- + +"Perhaps this may not be a typhoon. It may only be a little bit of +a storm." + +Her sex saved her from a jeer. Experience gloomily shook his head. + +"The barometer resists your plea," he said. "I fear there will be a +good many empty saddles in the saloon at dinner." + +The lady smiled weakly. It was a feeble joke at the best. "You think we +are in for a sort of marine steeple-chase?" she asked. + +"Well, thank Heaven, I had a good lunch," sniggered a rosy-faced +subaltern, and a ripple of laughter greeted his enthusiasm. + +Iris stood somewhat apart from the speakers. The wind had freshened and +her hat was tied closely over her ears. She leaned against the +taffrail, enjoying the cool breeze after hours of sultry heat. The sky +was cloudless yet, but there was a queer tinge of burnished copper in +the all-pervading sunshine. The sea was coldly blue. The life had gone +out of it. It was no longer inviting and translucent. That morning, +were such a thing practicable, she would have gladly dived into its +crystal depths and disported herself like a frolicsome mermaid. Now +something akin to repulsion came with the fanciful remembrance. + +Long sullen undulations swept noiselessly past the ship. Once, after a +steady climb up a rolling hill of water, the _Sirdar_ quickly +pecked at the succeeding valley, and the propeller gave a couple of +angry flaps on the surface, whilst a tremor ran through the stout iron +rails on which the girl's arms rested. + +The crew were busy too. Squads of Lascars raced about, industriously +obedient to the short shrill whistling of jemadars and quartermasters. +Boat lashings were tested and tightened, canvas awnings stretched +across the deck forward, ventilator cowls twisted to new angles, and +hatches clamped down over the wooden gratings that covered the holds. +Officers, spotless in white linen, flitted quietly to and fro. When the +watch was changed. Iris noted that the "chief" appeared in an old blue +suit and carried oilskins over his arm as he climbed to the bridge. + +Nature looked disturbed and fitful, and the ship responded to her mood. +There was a sense of preparation in the air, of coming ordeal, of +restless foreboding. Chains clanked with a noise the girl never noticed +before; the tramp of hurrying men on the hurricane deck overhead +sounded heavy and hollow. There was a squeaking of chairs that was +abominable when people gathered up books and wraps and staggered +ungracefully towards the companion-way. Altogether Miss Deane was not +wholly pleased with the preliminaries of a typhoon, whatever the +realities might be. + +And then, why did gales always spring up at the close of day? Could +they not start after breakfast, rage with furious grandeur during +lunch, and die away peacefully at dinner-time, permitting one to sleep +in comfort without that straining and groaning of the ship which seemed +to imply a sharp attack of rheumatism in every joint? + +Why did that silly old woman allude to her contemplated marriage to +Lord Ventnor, retailing the gossip of Hong Kong with such malicious +emphasis? For an instant Iris tried to shake the railing in comic +anger. She hated Lord Ventnor. She did not want to marry him, or +anybody else, just yet. Of course her father had hinted approval of his +lordship's obvious intentions. Countess of Ventnor! Yes, it was a nice +title. Still, she wanted another couple of years of careless freedom; +in any event, why should Lady Tozer pry and probe? + +And finally, why did the steward--oh, poor old Sir John! What +_would_ have happened if the ice had slid down his neck? +Thoroughly comforted by this gleeful hypothesis, Miss Deane seized a +favorable opportunity to dart across to the starboard side and see if +Captain Ross's "heavy bank of cloud in the north-west" had put in an +appearance. + +Ha! there it was, black, ominous, gigantic, rolling up over the horizon +like some monstrous football. Around it the sky deepened into purple, +fringed with a wide belt of brick red. She had never seen such a +beginning of a gale. From what she had read in books she imagined that +only in great deserts were clouds of dust generated. There could not be +dust in the dense pall now rushing with giant strides across the +trembling sea. Then what was it? Why was it so dark and menacing? And +where was desert of stone and sand to compare with this awful expanse +of water? What a small dot was this great ship on the visible surface! +But the ocean itself extended away beyond there, reaching out to the +infinite. The dot became a mere speck, undistinguishable beneath a +celestial microscope such as the gods might condescend to use. + +Iris shivered and aroused herself with a startled laugh. + +A nice book in a sheltered corner, and perhaps forty winks until +tea-time--surely a much more sensible proceeding than to stand there, +idly conjuring up phantoms of affright. + +The lively fanfare of the dinner trumpet failed to fill the saloon. By +this time the _Sirdar_ was fighting resolutely against a stiff +gale. But the stress of actual combat was better than the eerie +sensation of impending danger during the earlier hours. The strong, +hearty pulsations of the engines, the regular thrashing of the screw, +the steadfast onward plunging of the good ship through racing seas and +flying scud, were cheery, confident, and inspiring. + +Miss Deane justified her boast that she was an excellent sailor. She +smiled delightedly at the ship's surgeon when he caught her eye through +the many gaps in the tables. She was alone, so he joined her. + +"You are a credit to the company--quite a sea-king's daughter," he +said. + +"Doctor, do you talk to all your lady passengers in that way?" + +"Alas, no! Too often I can only be truthful when I am dumb." + +Iris laughed. "If I remain long on this ship I will certainly have my +head turned," she cried. "I receive nothing but compliments from the +captain down to--to---- + +"The doctor!" + +"No. You come a good second on the list." + +In very truth she was thinking of the ice-carrying steward and his +queer start of surprise at the announcement of her rumored engagement. +The man interested her. He looked like a broken-down gentleman. Her +quick eyes traveled around the saloon to discover his whereabouts. She +could not see him. The chief steward stood near, balancing himself in +apparent defiance of the laws of gravitation, for the ship was now +pitching and rolling with a mad zeal. For an instant she meant to +inquire what had become of the transgressor, but she dismissed the +thought at its inception. The matter was too trivial. + +With a wild swoop all the plates, glasses, and cutlery on the saloon +tables crashed to starboard. Were it not for the restraint of the +fiddles everything must have been swept to the floor. There were one or +two minor accidents. A steward, taken unawares, was thrown headlong on +top of his laden tray. Others were compelled to clutch the backs of +chairs and cling to pillars. One man involuntarily seized the hair of a +lady who devoted an hour before each meal to her coiffure. The +_Sirdar_, with a frenzied bound, tried to turn a somersault. + +"A change of course," observed the doctor. "They generally try to avoid +it when people are in the saloon, but a typhoon admits of no labored +politeness. As its center is now right ahead we are going on the +starboard tack to get behind it." + +"I must hurry up and go on deck," said Miss Deane. + +"You will not be able to go on deck until the morning." + +She turned on him impetuously. "Indeed I will. Captain Ross promised +me--that is, I asked him----" + +The doctor smiled. She was so charmingly insistent. "It is simply +impossible," he said. "The companion doors are bolted. The promenade +deck is swept by heavy seas every minute. A boat has been carried away +and several stanchions snapped off like carrots. For the first time in +your life, Miss Deane, you are battened down." + +The girl's face must have paled somewhat. He added hastily, "There is +no danger, you know, but these precautions are necessary. You would not +like to see several tons of water rushing down the saloon stairs; now, +would you?" + +"Decidedly not." Then after a pause, "It is not pleasant to be fastened +up in a great iron box, doctor. It reminds one of a huge coffin." + +"Not a bit. The _Sirdar_ is the safest ship afloat. Your father +has always pursued a splendid policy in that respect. The London and +Hong Kong Company may not possess fast vessels, but they are seaworthy +and well found in every respect." + +"Are there many people ill on board?" + +"No; just the usual number of disturbed livers. We had a nasty accident +shortly before dinner." + +"Good gracious! What happened?" + +"Some Lascars were caught by a sea forward. One man had his leg +broken." + +"Anything else?" + +The doctor hesitated. He became interested in the color of some +Burgundy. "I hardly know the exact details yet," he replied. "Tomorrow +after breakfast I will tell you all about it." + +An English quartermaster and four Lascars had been licked from off the +forecastle by the greedy tongue of a huge wave. The succeeding surge +flung the five men back against the quarter. One of the black sailors +was pitched aboard, with a fractured leg and other injuries. The others +were smashed against the iron hull and disappeared. + +For one tremulous moment the engines slowed. The ship commenced to veer +off into the path of the cyclone. Captain Ross set his teeth, and the +telegraph bell jangled "Full speed ahead." + +"Poor Jackson!" he murmured. "One of my best men. I remember seeing his +wife, a pretty little woman, and two children coming to meet him last +homeward trip. They will be there again. Good God! That Lascar who was +saved has some one to await him in a Bombay village, I suppose." + +The gale sang a mad requiem to its victims. The very surface was torn +from the sea. The ship drove relentlessly through sheets of spray that +caused the officers high up on the bridge to gasp for breath. They held +on by main force, though protected by strong canvas sheets bound to the +rails. The main deck was quite impassable. The promenade deck, even the +lofty spar deck, was scourged with the broken crests of waves that +tried with demoniac energy to smash in the starboard bow, for the +_Sirdar_ was cutting into the heart of the cyclone. + +The captain fought his way to the charthouse. He wiped the salt water +from his eyes and looked anxiously at the barometer. + +"Still falling!" he muttered. "I will keep on until seven o'clock and +then bear three points to the southward. By midnight we should be +behind it." + +He struggled back into the outside fury. By comparison the sturdy +citadel he quitted was Paradise on the edge of an inferno. + +Down in the saloon the hardier passengers were striving to subdue the +ennui of an interval before they sought their cabins. Some talked. One +hardened reprobate strummed the piano. Others played cards, chess, +draughts, anything that would distract attention. + +The stately apartment offered strange contrast to the warring elements +without. Bright lights, costly upholstery, soft carpets, carved panels +and gilded cornices, with uniformed attendants passing to and fro +carrying coffee and glasses--these surroundings suggested a floating +palace in which the raging seas were defied. Yet forty miles away, +somewhere in the furious depths, four corpses swirled about with +horrible uncertainty, lurching through battling currents, and perchance +convoyed by fighting sharks. + +The surgeon had been called away. Iris was the only lady left in the +saloon. She watched a set of whist players for a time and then essayed +the perilous passage to her stateroom. She found her maid and a +stewardess there. Both women were weeping. + +"What is the matter?" she inquired. + +The stewardess tried to speak. She choked with grief and hastily went +out. The maid blubbered an explanation. + +"A friend of hers was married, miss, to the man who is drowned." + +"Drowned! What man?" + +"Haven't you heard, miss? I suppose they are keeping it quiet. An +English sailor and some natives were swept off the ship by a sea. One +native was saved, but he is all smashed up. The others were never seen +again." + +Iris by degrees learnt the sad chronicles of the Jackson family. She +was moved to tears. She remembered the doctor's hesitancy, and her own +idle phrase--"a huge coffin." + +Outside the roaring waves pounded upon the iron walls. + +Were they not satiated? This tragedy had taken all the grandeur out of +the storm. It was no longer a majestic phase of nature's power, but an +implacable demon, bellowing for a sacrifice. And that poor woman, with +her two children, hopefully scanning the shipping lists for news of the +great steamer, news which, to her, meant only the safety of her +husband. Oh, it was pitiful! + +Iris would not be undressed. The maid sniveled a request to be allowed +to remain with her mistress. She would lie on a couch until morning. + +Two staterooms had been converted into one to provide Miss Deane with +ample accommodation. There were no bunks, but a cozy bed was screwed to +the deck. She lay down, and strove to read. It was a difficult task. +Her eyes wandered from the printed page to mark the absurd antics of +her garments swinging on their hooks. At times the ship rolled so far +that she felt sure it must topple over. She was not afraid; but +subdued, rather astonished, placidly prepared for vague eventualities. +Through it all she wondered why she clung to the belief that in another +day or two the storm would be forgotten, and people playing quoits on +deck, dancing, singing coon songs in the music-room, or grumbling at +the heat. + +Things were ridiculous. What need was there for all this external fury? +Why should poor sailors be cast forth to instant death in such awful +manner? If she could only sleep and forget--if kind oblivion would blot +out the storm for a few blissful hours! But how could one sleep with +the consciousness of that watery giant thundering his summons upon the +iron plates a few inches away? + +Then came the blurred picture of Captain Ross high up on the bridge, +peering into the moving blackness. How strange that there should be +hidden in the convolutions of a man's brain an intelligence that laid +bare the pretences of that ravenous demon without. Each of the ship's +officers, the commander more than the others, understood the why and +the wherefore of this blustering combination of wind and sea. Iris knew +the language of poker. Nature was putting up a huge bluff. + +What was it the captain said in his little lecture? "When a ship meets +a cyclone north of the equator on a westerly course she nearly always +has the wind at first on the port side, but, owing to the revolution of +the gale, when she passes its center the wind is on the starboard +side." + +Yes, that was right, as far as the first part was concerned. Evidently +they had not yet passed the central path. Oh, dear! She was so tired. +It demanded a physical effort to constantly shove away an unseen force +that tried to push you over. How funny that a big cloud should travel +up against the wind! And so, amidst confused wonderment, she lapsed +into an uneasy slumber, her last sentient thought being a quiet +thankfulness that the screw went thud-thud, thud-thud with such firm +determination. + +After the course was changed and the _Sirdar_ bore away towards +the south-west, the commander consulted the barometer each half-hour. +The tell-tale mercury had sunk over two inches in twelve hours. The +abnormally low pressure quickly created dense clouds which enhanced the +melancholy darkness of the gale. + +For many minutes together the bows of the ship were not visible. +Masthead and sidelights were obscured by the pelting scud. The engines +thrust the vessel forward like a lance into the vitals of the storm. +Wind and wave gushed out of the vortex with impotent fury. + +At last, soon after midnight, the barometer showed a slight upward +movement. At 1.30 a.m. the change became pronounced; simultaneously the +wind swung round a point to the westward. + +Then Captain Ross smiled wearily. His face brightened. He opened his +oilskin coat, glanced at the compass, and nodded approval. + +"That's right," he shouted to the quartermaster at the steam-wheel. +"Keep her steady there, south 15 west." + +"South 15 west it is, sir," yelled the sailor, impassively watching the +moving disk, for the wind alteration necessitated a little less help +from the rudder to keep the ship's head true to her course. + +Captain Ross ate some sandwiches and washed them down with cold tea. He +was more hungry than he imagined, having spent eleven hours without +food. The tea was insipid. He called through a speaking-tube for a +further supply of sandwiches and some coffee. + +Then he turned to consult a chart. He was joined by the chief officer. +Both men examined the chart in silence. + +Captain Ross finally took a pencil. He stabbed its point on the paper +in the neighborhood of 14 deg. N. and 112 deg. E. + +"We are about there, I think." + +The chief agreed. "That was the locality I had in my mind." He bent +closer over the sheet. + +"Nothing in the way tonight, sir," he added. + +"Nothing whatever. It is a bit of good luck to meet such weather here. +We can keep as far south as we like until daybreak, and by that +time--How did it look when you came in?" + +"A trifle better, I think." + +"I have sent for some refreshments. Let us have another +_dekko_[Footnote: Hindustani for "look"--word much used by sailors +in the East.] before we tackle them." + +The two officers passed out into the hurricane. Instantly the wind +endeavored to tear the charthouse from off the deck. They looked aloft +and ahead. The officer on duty saw them and nodded silent +comprehension. It was useless to attempt to speak. The weather was +perceptibly clearer. + +Then all three peered ahead again. They stood, pressing against the +wind, seeking to penetrate the murkiness in front. Suddenly they were +galvanized into strenuous activity. + +A wild howl came from the lookout forward. The eyes of the three men +glared at a huge dismasted Chinese junk, wallowing helplessly in the +trough of the sea, dead under the bows. + +The captain sprang to the charthouse and signaled in fierce pantomime +that the wheel should be put hard over. + +The officer in charge of the bridge pressed the telegraph lever to +"stop" and "full speed astern," whilst with his disengaged hand he +pulled hard at the siren cord, and a raucous warning sent stewards +flying through the ship to close collision bulkhead doors. The "chief" +darted to the port rail, for the _Sirdar's_ instant response to +the helm seemed to clear her nose from the junk as if by magic. + +It all happened so quickly that whilst the hoarse signal was still +vibrating through the ship, the junk swept past her quarter. The chief +officer, joined now by the commander, looked down into the wretched +craft. They could see her crew lashed in a bunch around the capstan on +her elevated poop. She was laden with timber. Although water-logged, +she could not sink if she held together. + +A great wave sucked her away from the steamer and then hurled her back +with irresistible force. The _Sirdar_ was just completing her +turning movement, and she heeled over, yielding to the mighty power of +the gale. For an appreciable instant her engines stopped. The mass of +water that swayed the junk like a cork lifted the great ship high by +the stern. The propeller began to revolve in air--for the third officer +had corrected his signal to "full speed ahead" again--and the cumbrous +Chinese vessel struck the _Sirdar_ a terrible blow in the counter, +smashing off the screw close to the thrust-block and wrenching the +rudder from its bearings. + +There was an awful race by the engines before the engineers could shut +off steam. The junk vanished into the wilderness of noise and tumbling +seas beyond, and the fine steamer of a few seconds ago, replete with +magnificent energy, struggled like a wounded leviathan in the grasp of +a vengeful foe. + +She swung round, as if in wrath, to pursue the puny assailant which had +dealt her this mortal stroke. No longer breasting the storm with +stubborn persistency, she now drifted aimlessly before wind and wave. +She was merely a larger plaything, tossed about by Titantic gambols. +The junk was burst asunder by the collision. Her planks and cargo +littered the waves, were even tossed in derision on to the decks of the +_Sirdar_. Of what avail was strong timber or bolted iron against +the spleen of the unchained and formless monster who loudly proclaimed +his triumph? The great steamship drifted on through chaos. The typhoon +had broken the lance. + +But brave men, skilfully directed, wrought hard to avert further +disaster. After the first moment of stupor, gallant British sailors +risked life and limb to bring the vessel under control. + +By their calm courage they shamed the paralyzed Lascars into activity. +A sail was rigged on the foremast, and a sea anchor hastily constructed +as soon as it was discovered that the helm was useless. Rockets flared +up into the sky at regular intervals, in the faint hope that should +they attract the attention of another vessel she would follow the +disabled _Sirdar_ and render help when the weather moderated. + +When the captain ascertained that no water was being shipped, the +damage being wholly external, the collision doors were opened and the +passengers admitted to the saloon, a brilliant palace, superbly +indifferent to the wreck and ruin without. + +Captain Ross himself came down and addressed a few comforting words to +the quiet men and pallid women gathered there. He told them exactly +what had happened. + +Sir John Tozer, self-possessed and critical, asked a question. + +"The junk is destroyed, I assume?" he said. + +"It is." + +"Would it not have been better to have struck her end on?" + +"Much better, but that is not the view we should take if we encountered +a vessel relatively as big as the _Sirdar_ was to the unfortunate +junk." + +"But," persisted the lawyer, "what would have been the result?" + +"You would never have known that the incident had happened, Sir John." + +"In other words, the poor despairing Chinamen, clinging to their little +craft with some chance of escape, would be quietly murdered to suit our +convenience." + +It was Iris's clear voice that rang out this downright exposition of +the facts. Sir John shook his head; he carried the discussion no +further. + +The hours passed in tedious misery after Captain Ross's visit. Every +one was eager to get a glimpse of the unknown terrors without from the +deck. This was out of the question, so people sat around the tables to +listen eagerly to Experience and his wise saws on drifting ships and +their prospects. + +Some cautious persons visited their cabins to secure valuables in case +of further disaster. A few hardy spirits returned to bed. + +Meanwhile, in the charthouse, the captain and chief officer were +gravely pondering over an open chart, and discussing a fresh risk that +loomed ominously before them. The ship was a long way out of her usual +course when the accident happened. She was drifting now, they +estimated, eleven knots an hour, with wind, sea, and current all +forcing her in the same direction, drifting into one of the most +dangerous places in the known world, the south China Sea, with its +numberless reefs, shoals, and isolated rocks, and the great island of +Borneo stretching right across the path of the cyclone. + +Still, there was nothing to be done save to make a few unobtrusive +preparations and trust to idle chance. To attempt to anchor and ride +out the gale in their present position was out of the question. + +Two, three, four o'clock came, and went. Another half-hour would +witness the dawn and a further clearing of the weather. The barometer +was rapidly rising. The center of the cyclone had swept far ahead. +There was only left the aftermath of heavy seas and furious but +steadier wind. + +Captain Ross entered the charthouse for the twentieth time. + +He had aged many years in appearance. The smiling, confident, debonair +officer was changed into a stricken, mournful man. He had altered with +his ship. The _Sirdar_ and her master could hardly be recognized, +so cruel were the blows they had received. + +"It is impossible to see a yard ahead," he confided to his second in +command. "I have never been so anxious before in my life. Thank God the +night is drawing to a close. Perhaps, when day breaks----" + +His last words contained a prayer and a hope. Even as he spoke the ship +seemed to lift herself bodily with an unusual effort for a vessel +moving before the wind. + +The next instant there was a horrible grinding crash forward. Each +person who did not chance to be holding fast to an upright was thrown +violently down. The deck was tilted to a dangerous angle and remained +there, whilst the heavy buffeting of the sea, now raging afresh at this +unlooked-for resistance, drowned the despairing yells raised by the +Lascars on duty. + +The _Sirdar_ had completed her last voyage. She was now a battered +wreck on a barrier reef. She hung thus for one heart-breaking second. +Then another wave, riding triumphantly through its fellows, caught the +great steamer in its tremendous grasp, carried her onward for half her +length and smashed her down on the rocks. Her back was broken. She +parted in two halves. Both sections turned completely over in the utter +wantonness of destruction, and everything--masts, funnels, boats, hull, +with every living soul on board--was at once engulfed in a maelstrom of +rushing water and far-flung spray. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SURVIVORS + + +When the _Sirdar_ parted amidships, the floor of the saloon heaved +up in the center with a mighty crash of rending woodwork and iron. Men +and women, too stupefied to sob out a prayer, were pitched headlong +into chaos. Iris, torn from the terrified grasp of her maid, fell +through a corridor, and would have gone down with the ship had not a +sailor, clinging to a companion ladder, caught her as she whirled along +the steep slope of the deck. + +He did not know what had happened. With the instinct of +self-preservation he seized the nearest support when the vessel struck. +It was the mere impulse of ready helpfulness that caused him to stretch +out his left arm and clasp the girl's waist as she fluttered past. By +idle chance they were on the port side, and the ship, after pausing for +one awful second, fell over to starboard. + +The man was not prepared for this second gyration. Even as the stairway +canted he lost his balance; they were both thrown violently through the +open hatchway, and swept off into the boiling surf. Under such +conditions thought itself was impossible. A series of impressions, a +number of fantastic pictures, were received by the benumbed faculties, +and afterwards painfully sorted out by the memory. Fear, anguish, +amazement--none of these could exist. All he knew was that the lifeless +form of a woman--for Iris had happily fainted--must be held until death +itself wrenched her from him. Then there came the headlong plunge into +the swirling sea, followed by an indefinite period of gasping oblivion. +Something that felt like a moving rock rose up beneath his feet. He was +driven clear out of the water and seemed to recognize a familiar object +rising rigid and bright close at hand. It was the binnacle pillar, +screwed to a portion of the deck which came away from the charthouse +and was rent from the upper framework by contact with the reef. + +He seized this unlooked-for support with his disengaged hand. For one +fleet instant he had a confused vision of the destruction of the ship. +Both the fore and aft portions were burst asunder by the force of +compressed air. Wreckage and human forms were tossing about foolishly. +The sea pounded upon the opposing rocks with the noise of ten thousand +mighty steam-hammers. + +A uniformed figure--he thought it was the captain--stretched out an +unavailing arm to clasp the queer raft which supported the sailor and +the girl. But a jealous wave rose under the platform with devilish +energy and turned it completely over, hurling the man with his +inanimate burthen into the depths. He rose, fighting madly for his +life. Now surely he was doomed! But again, as if human existence +depended on naught more serious than the spinning of a coin, his knees +rested on the same few staunch timbers, now the ceiling of the +music-room, and he was given a brief respite. His greatest difficulty +was to get his breath, so dense was the spray through which he was +driven. Even in that terrible moment he kept his senses. The girl, +utterly unconscious, showed by the convulsive heaving of her breast +that she was choking. With a wild effort he swung her head round to +shield her from the flying scud with his own form. + +The tiny air-space thus provided gave her some relief, and in that +instant the sailor seemed to recognize her. He was not remotely capable +of a definite idea. Just as he vaguely realized the identity of the +woman in his arms the unsteady support on which he rested toppled over. +Again he renewed the unequal contest. A strong resolute man and a +typhoon sea wrestled for supremacy. + +This time his feet plunged against something gratefully solid. He was +dashed forward, still battling with the raging turmoil of water, and a +second time he felt the same firm yet smooth surface. His dormant +faculties awoke. It was sand. With frenzied desperation, buoyed now by +the inspiring hope of safety, he fought his way onwards like a maniac. + +Often he fell, three times did the backwash try to drag him to the +swirling death behind, but he staggered blindly on, on, until even the +tearing gale ceased to be laden with the suffocating foam, and his +faltering feet sank in deep soft white sand. + +[Illustration: WITH FRENZIED DESPERATION, BUOYED NOW BY THE INSPIRING +HOPE OF SAFETY, HE FOUGHT HIS WAY ONWARD LIKE A MANIAC.] + +Then he fell, not to rise again. With a last weak flicker of exhausted +strength he drew the girl closely to him, and the two lay, clasped +tightly together, heedless now of all things. + +How long the man remained prostrate he could only guess subsequently. +The _Sirdar_ struck soon after daybreak and the sailor awoke to a +hazy consciousness of his surroundings to find a shaft of sunshine +flickering through the clouds banked up in the east. The gale was +already passing away. Although the wind still whistled with shrill +violence it was more blustering than threatening. The sea, too, though +running very high, had retreated many yards from the spot where he had +finally dropped, and its surface was no longer scourged with venomous +spray. + +Slowly and painfully he raised himself to a sitting posture, for he was +bruised and stiff. With his first movement he became violently ill. He +had swallowed much salt water, and it was not until the spasm of +sickness had passed that he thought of the girl. + +She had slipped from his breast as he rose, and was lying, face +downwards, in the sand. The memory of much that had happened surged +into his brain with horrifying suddenness. + +"She cannot be dead," he hoarsely murmured, feebly trying to lift her. +"Surely Providence would not desert her after such an escape. What a +weak beggar I must be to give in at the last moment. I am sure she was +living when we got ashore. What on earth can I do to revive her?" + +Forgetful of his own aching limbs in this newborn anxiety, he sank on +one knee and gently pillowed Iris's head and shoulders on the other. +Her eyes were closed, her lips and teeth firmly set--a fact to which +she undoubtedly owed her life, else she would have been suffocated--and +the pallor of her skin seemed to be that terrible bloodless hue which +indicates death. The stern lines in the man's face relaxed, and +something blurred his vision. He was weak from exhaustion and want of +food. For the moment his emotions were easily aroused. + +"Oh, it is pitiful," he almost whimpered. "It cannot be!" + +With a gesture of despair he drew the sleeve of his thick jersey across +his eyes to clear them from the gathering mist. Then he tremblingly +endeavored to open the neck of her dress and unclasp her corsets. He +had a vague notion that ladies in a fainting condition required such +treatment, and he was desperately resolved to bring Iris Deane back to +conscious existence if it were possible. His task was rendered +difficult by the waistband of her dress. He slipped out a clasp-knife +and opened the blade. + +Not until then did he discover that the nail of the forefinger on his +right hand had been torn out by the quick, probably during his +endeavors to grasp the unsteady support which contributed so materially +to his escape. It still hung by a shred and hindered the free use of +his hand. Without any hesitation he seized the offending nail in his +teeth and completed the surgical operation by a rapid jerk. + +Bending to resume his task he was startled to find the girl's eyes wide +open and surveying him with shadowy alarm. She was quite conscious, +absurdly so in a sense, and had noticed his strange action. + +"Thank God!" he cried hoarsely. "You are alive." + +Her mind as yet could only work in a single groove. + +"Why did you do that?" she whispered. + +"Do what?" + +"Bite your nail off!" + +"It was in my way. I wished to cut open your dress at the waist. You +were collapsed, almost dead, I thought, and I wanted to unfasten your +corsets." + +Her color came back with remarkable rapidity. From all the rich variety +of the English tongue few words could have been selected of such +restorative effect. + +She tried to assume a sitting posture, and instinctively her hands +traveled to her disarranged costume. + +"How ridiculous!" she said, with a little note of annoyance in her +voice, which sounded curiously hollow. But her brave spirit could not +yet command her enfeebled frame. She was perforce compelled to sink +back to the support of his knee and arm. + +"Do you think you could lie quiet until I try to find some water?" he +gasped anxiously. + +She nodded a childlike acquiescence, and her eyelids fell. It was only +that her eyes smarted dreadfully from the salt water, but the sailor +was sure that this was a premonition of a lapse to unconsciousness. + +"Please try not to faint again," he said. "Don't you think I had better +loosen these things? You can breathe more easily." + +A ghost of a smile flickered on her lips. "No--no," she murmured. "My +eyes hurt me--that is all. Is there--any--water?" + +He laid her tenderly on the sand and rose to his feet. His first glance +was towards the sea. He saw something which made him blink with +astonishment. A heavy sea was still running over the barrier reef which +enclosed a small lagoon. The contrast between the fierce commotion +outside and the comparatively smooth surface of the protected pool was +very marked. At low tide the lagoon was almost completely isolated. +Indeed, he imagined that only a fierce gale blowing from the north-west +would enable the waves to leap the reef, save where a strip of broken +water, surging far into the small natural harbor, betrayed the position +of the tiny entrance. + +Yet at this very point a fine cocoanut palm reared its stately column +high in air, and its long tremulous fronds were now swinging wildly +before the gale. From where he stood it appeared to be growing in the +midst of the sea, for huge breakers completely hid the coral +embankment. This sentinel of the land had a weirdly impressive effect. +It was the only fixed object in the waste of foam-capped waves. Not a +vestige of the _Sirdar_ remained seaward, but the sand was +littered with wreckage, and--mournful spectacle!--a considerable number +of inanimate human forms lay huddled up amidst the relics of the +steamer. + +This discovery stirred him to action. He turned to survey the land on +which he was stranded with his helpless companion. To his great relief +he discovered that it was lofty and tree-clad. He knew that the ship +could not have drifted to Borneo, which still lay far to the south. +This must be one of the hundreds of islands which stud the China Sea +and provide resorts for Hainan fishermen. Probably it was inhabited, +though he thought it strange that none of the islanders had put in an +appearance. In any event, water and food, of some sort, were assured. + +But before setting out upon his quest two things demanded attention. +The girl must be removed from her present position. It would be too +horrible to permit her first conscious gaze to rest upon those crumpled +objects on the beach. Common humanity demanded, too, that he should +hastily examine each of the bodies in case life was not wholly extinct. + +So he bent over the girl, noting with sudden wonder that, weak as she +was, she had managed to refasten part of her bodice. + +"You must permit me to carry you a little further inland," he explained +gently. + +Without another word he lifted her in his arms, marveling somewhat at +the strength which came of necessity, and bore her some little +distance, until a sturdy rock, jutting out of the sand, offered shelter +from the wind and protection from the sea and its revelations. + +"I am so cold, and tired," murmured Iris. "Is there any water? My +throat hurts me." + +He pressed back the tangled hair from her forehead as he might soothe a +child. + +"Try to lie still for a very few minutes," he said. + +"You have not long to suffer. I will return immediately." + +His own throat and palate were on fire owing to the brine, but he first +hurried back to the edge of the lagoon. There were fourteen bodies in +all, three women and eleven men, four of the latter being Lascars. The +women were saloon passengers whom he did not know. One of the men was +the surgeon, another the first officer, a third Sir John Tozer. The +rest were passengers and members of the crew. They were all dead; some +had been peacefully drowned, others were fearfully mangled by the +rocks. Two of the Lascars, bearing signs of dreadful injuries, were +lying on a cluster of low rocks overhanging the water. The remainder +rested on the sand. + +The sailor exhibited no visible emotion whilst he conducted his sad +scrutiny. When he was assured that this silent company was beyond +mortal help he at once strode away towards the nearest belt of trees. +He could not tell how long the search for water might be protracted, +and there was pressing need for it. + +When he reached the first clump of brushwood he uttered a delighted +exclamation. There, growing in prodigal luxuriance, was the beneficent +pitcher-plant, whose large curled-up leaf, shaped like a teacup, not +only holds a lasting quantity of rain-water, but mixes therewith its +own palatable and natural juices. + +With his knife he severed two of the leaves, swearing emphatically the +while on account of his damaged finger, and hastened to Iris with the +precious beverage. She heard him and managed to raise herself on an +elbow. + +The poor girl's eyes glistened at the prospect of relief. Without a +word of question or surprise she swallowed the contents of both leaves. + +Then she found utterance. "How odd it tastes! What is it?" she +inquired. + +But the eagerness with which she quenched her thirst renewed his own +momentarily forgotten torture. His tongue seemed to swell. He was +absolutely unable to reply. + +The water revived Iris like a magic draught. Her quick intuition told +her what had happened. + +"You have had none yourself," she cried. "Go at once and get some. And +please bring me some more." + +He required no second bidding. After hastily gulping down the contents +of several leaves he returned with a further supply. Iris was now +sitting up. The sun had burst royally through the clouds, and her +chilled limbs were gaining some degree of warmth and elasticity. + +"What is it?" she repeated after another delicious draught. + +"The leaf of the pitcher-plant. Nature is not always cruel. In an +unusually generous mood she devised this method of storing water." + +Miss Deane reached out her hand for more. Her troubled brain refused to +wonder at such a reply from an ordinary seaman. The sailor deliberately +spilled the contents of a remaining leaf on the sand. + +"No, madam," he said, with an odd mixture of deference and firmness. +"No more at present. I must first procure you some food." + +She looked up at him in momentary silence. + +"The ship is lost?" she said after a pause. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Are we the only people saved?" + +"I fear so." + +"Is this a desert island?" + +"I think not, madam. It may, by chance, be temporarily uninhabited, but +fishermen from China come to all these places to collect tortoise-shell +and _beche-de-mer_. I have seen no other living beings except +ourselves; nevertheless, the islanders may live on the south side." + +Another pause. Amidst the thrilling sensations of the moment Iris found +herself idly speculating as to the meaning of _beche-de-mer_, and +why this common sailor pronounced French so well. Her thoughts reverted +to the steamer. + +"It surely cannot be possible that the _Sirdar_ has gone to +pieces--a magnificent vessel of her size and strength?" + +He answered quietly--"It is too true, madam. I suppose you hardly knew +she struck, it happened so suddenly. Afterwards, fortunately for you, +you were unconscious." + +"How do you know?" she inquired quickly. A flood of vivid recollection +was pouring in upon her. + +"I--er--well, I happened to be near you, madam, when the ship broke up, +and we--er--drifted ashore together." + +She rose and faced him. "I remember now," she cried hysterically. "You +caught me as I was thrown into the corridor. We fell into the sea when +the vessel turned over. You have saved my life. Were it not for you I +could not possibly have escaped." + +She gazed at him more earnestly, seeing that he blushed beneath the +crust of salt and sand that covered his face. "Why," she went on with +growing excitement, "you are the steward I noticed in the saloon +yesterday. How is it that you are now dressed as a sailor?" + +He answered readily enough. "There was an accident on board during the +gale, madam. I am a fair sailor but a poor steward, so I applied for a +transfer. As the crew were short-handed my offer was accepted." + +Iris was now looking at him intently. + +"You saved my life," she repeated slowly. It seemed that this obvious +fact needed to be indelibly established in her mind. Indeed the girl +was overwrought by all that she had gone through. Only by degrees were +her thoughts marshaling themselves with lucid coherence. As yet, she +recalled so many dramatic incidents that they failed to assume due +proportion. + +But quickly there came memories of Captain Ross, of Sir John and Lady +Tozer, of the doctor, her maid, the hundred and one individualities of +her pleasant life aboard ship. Could it be that they were all dead? The +notion was monstrous. But its ghastly significance was instantly borne +in upon her by the plight in which she stood. Her lips quivered; the +tears trembled in her eyes. + +"Is it really true that all the ship's company except ourselves are +lost?" she brokenly demanded. + +The sailor's gravely earnest glance fell before hers. "Unhappily there +is no room for doubt," he said. + +"Are you quite, quite sure?" + +"I am sure--of some." Involuntarily he turned seawards. + +She understood him. She sank to her knees, covered her face with her +hands, and broke into a passion of weeping. With a look of infinite +pity he stooped and would have touched her shoulder, but he suddenly +restrained the impulse. Something had hardened this man. It cost him an +effort to be callous, but he succeeded. His mouth tightened and his +expression lost its tenderness. + +"Come, come, my dear lady," he exclaimed, and there was a tinge of +studied roughness in his voice, "you must calm yourself. It is the +fortune of shipwreck as well as of war, you know. We are alive and must +look after ourselves. Those who have gone are beyond our help." + +"But not beyond our sympathy," wailed Iris, uncovering her swimming +eyes for a fleeting look at him. Even in the utter desolation of the +moment she could not help marveling that this queer-mannered sailor, +who spoke like a gentleman and tried to pose as her inferior, who had +rescued her with the utmost gallantry, who carried his Quixotic zeal to +the point of first supplying her needs when he was in far worse case +himself, should be so utterly indifferent to the fate of others. + +He waited silently until her sobs ceased. + +"Now, madam," he said, "it is essential that we should obtain some +food. I don't wish to leave you alone until we are better acquainted +with our whereabouts. Can you walk a little way towards the trees, or +shall I assist you?" + +Iris immediately stood up. She pressed her hair back defiantly. + +"Certainly I can walk," she answered. "What do you propose to do?" + +"Well, madam--" + +"What is your name?" she interrupted imperiously. + +"Jenks, madam. Robert Jenks." + +"Thank you. Now, listen, Mr. Robert Jenks. My name is Miss Iris Deane. +On board ship I was a passenger and you were a steward--that is, until +you became a seaman. Here we are equals in misfortune, but in all else +you are the leader--I am quite useless. I can only help in matters by +your direction, so I do not wish to be addressed as 'madam' in every +breath. Do you understand me?" + +Conscious that her large blue eyes were fixed indignantly upon him Mr. +Robert Jenks repressed a smile. She was still hysterical and must be +humored in her vagaries. What an odd moment for a discussion on +etiquette! + +"As you wish, Miss Deane," he said. "The fact remains that I have many +things to attend to, and we really must eat something." + +"What can we eat?" + +"Let us find out," he replied, scanning the nearest trees with keen +scrutiny. + +They plodded together through the sand in silence. Physically, they +were a superb couple, but in raiment they resembled scarecrows. Both, +of course, were bare-headed. The sailor's jersey and trousers were old +and torn, and the sea-water still soughed loudly in his heavy boots +with each step. + +But Iris was in a deplorable plight. Her hair fell in a great wave of +golden brown strands over her neck and shoulders. Every hairpin had +vanished, but with a few dexterous twists she coiled the flying tresses +into a loose knot. Her beautiful muslin dress was rent and draggled. It +was drying rapidly under the ever-increasing power of the sun, and she +surreptitiously endeavored to complete the fastening of the open +portion about her neck. Other details must be left until a more +favorable opportunity. + +She recalled the strange sight that first met her eyes when she +recovered consciousness. + +"You hurt your finger," she said abruptly. "Let me see it." + +They had reached the shelter of the trees, pleasantly grateful now, so +powerful are tropical sunbeams at even an early hour. + +He held out his right hand without looking at her. Indeed, his eyes had +been studiously averted during the past few minutes. Her womanly +feelings were aroused by the condition of the ragged wound. + +"Oh, you poor fellow," she said. "How awful it must be! How did it +happen? Let me tie it up." + +"It is not so bad now," he said. "It has been well soaked in salt +water, you know. I think the nail was torn off when we--when a piece of +wreckage miraculously turned up beneath us." + +Iris shredded a strip from her dress. She bound the finger with deft +tenderness. + +"Thank you," he said simply. Then he gave a glad shout. "By Jove! Miss +Deane, we are in luck's way. There is a fine plantain tree." + +The pangs of hunger could not be resisted. Although the fruit was +hardly ripe they tore at the great bunches and ate ravenously. Iris +made no pretence in the matter, and the sailor was in worse plight, for +he had been on duty continuously since four o'clock the previous +afternoon. + +At last their appetite was somewhat appeased, though plantains might +not appeal to a gourmand as the solitary joint. + +"Now," decided Jenks, "you must rest here a little while, Miss Deane. I +am going back to the beach. You need not be afraid. There are no +animals to harm you, and I will not be far away." + +"What are you going to do on the beach?" she demanded. + +"To rescue stores, for the most part." + +"May I not come with you--I can be of some little service, surely?" + +He answered slowly: "Please oblige me by remaining here at present. In +less than an hour I will return, and then, perhaps, you will find +plenty to do." + +She read his meaning intuitively and shivered. "I could not do +_that_," she murmured. "I would faint. Whilst you are away I will +pray for them--my unfortunate friends." + +As he passed from her side he heard her sobbing quietly. + +When he reached the lagoon he halted suddenly. Something startled him. +He was quite certain that he had counted fourteen corpses. Now there +were only twelve. The two Lascars' bodies, which rested on the small +group of rocks on the verge of the lagoon, had vanished. + +Where had they gone to? + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DISCOVERIES + + +The sailor wasted no time in idle bewilderment. He searched carefully +for traces of the missing Lascars. He came to the conclusion that the +bodies had been dragged from off the sun-dried rocks into the lagoon by +some agency the nature of which he could not even conjecture. + +They were lying many feet above the sea-level when he last saw them, +little more than half an hour earlier. At that point the beach shelved +rapidly. He could look far into the depths of the rapidly clearing +water. Nothing was visible there save several varieties of small fish. + +The incident puzzled and annoyed him. Still thinking about it, he sat +down on the highest rock and pulled off his heavy boots to empty the +water out. He also divested himself of his stockings and spread them +out to dry. + +The action reminded him of Miss Deane's necessities. He hurried to a +point whence he could call out to her and recommend her to dry some of +her clothing during his absence. He retired even more quickly, fearing +lest he should be seen. Iris had already displayed to the sunlight a +large portion of her costume. + +Without further delay he set about a disagreeable but necessary task. +From the pockets of the first officer and doctor he secured two +revolvers and a supply of cartridges, evidently intended to settle any +dispute which might have arisen between the ship's officers and the +native members of the crew. He hoped the cartridges were uninjured; but +he could not test them at the moment for fear of alarming Miss Deane. + +Both officers carried pocket-books and pencils. In one of these, +containing dry leaves, the sailor made a careful inventory of the money +and other valuable effects he found upon the dead, besides noting names +and documents where possible. Curiously enough, the capitalist of this +island morgue was a Lascar jemadar, who in a belt around his waist +hoarded more than one hundred pounds in gold. The sailor tied in a +handkerchief all the money he collected, and ranged pocket-books, +letters, and jewelry in separate little heaps. Then he stripped the men +of their boots and outer clothing. He could not tell how long the girl +and he might be detained on the island before help came, and fresh +garments were essential. It would be foolish sentimentality to trust to +stores thrown ashore from the ship. + +Nevertheless, when it became necessary to search and disrobe the women +he almost broke down. For an instant he softened. Gulping back his +emotions with a savage imprecation he doggedly persevered. At last he +paused to consider what should be done with the bodies. His first +intent was to scoop a large hole in the sand with a piece of timber; +but when he took into consideration the magnitude of the labor +involved, requiring many hours of hard work and a waste of precious +time which might be of infinite value to his helpless companion and +himself, he was forced to abandon the project. It was not only +impracticable but dangerous. + +Again he had to set his teeth with grim resolution. One by one the +bodies were shot into the lagoon from the little quay of rock. He knew +they would not be seen again. + +He was quite unnerved now. He felt as if he had committed a colossal +crime. In the smooth water of the cove a number of black fins were +cutting arrow-shaped ripples. The sharks were soon busy. He shuddered. +God's Providence had ferried him and the girl across that very place a +few hours ago. How wonderful that he and she should be snatched from +the sea whilst hundreds perished! Why was it? And those others--why +were they denied rescue? For an instant he was nearer to prayer than he +had been for years. + +Some lurking fiend of recollection sprang from out the vista of bygone +years and choked back the impulse. He arose and shook himself like a +dog. There was much to be done. He gathered the clothes and other +articles into a heap and placed portions of shattered packing-cases +near--to mislead Iris. Whilst thus engaged he kicked up out of the sand +a rusty kriss, or Malay sword. The presence of this implement startled +him. He examined it slowly and thrust it out of sight. + +Then he went back to her, after donning his stockings and boots, now +thoroughly dry. + +"Are you ready now, Miss Deane?" he sang out cheerily. + +"Ready? I have been waiting for you." + +Jenks chuckled quietly. "I must guard my tongue: it betrays me," he +said to himself. + +Iris joined him. By some mysterious means she had effected great +improvement in her appearance. Yet there were manifest gaps. + +"If only I had a needle and thread--" she began. + +"If that is all," said the sailor, fumbling in his pockets. He produced +a shabby little hussif, containing a thimble, scissors, needles and +some skeins of unbleached thread. Case and contents were sodden or +rusted with salt water, but the girl fastened upon this treasure with a +sigh of deep content. + +"Now, please," she cried, "I want a telegraph office and a ship." + +It was impossible to resist the infection of her high spirits. This +time he laughed without concealment. + +"We will look for them, Miss Deane. Meanwhile, will you oblige me by +wearing this? The sun is climbing up rapidly." + +He handed her a sou'wester which he carried. He had secured another for +himself. The merriment died away from her face. She remembered his +errand. Being an eminently sensible young woman she made no protest, +even forcing herself to tie the strings beneath her chin. + +When they reached the sands she caught sight of the pile of clothes and +the broken woodwork, with the small heaps of valuables methodically +arranged. The harmless subterfuge did not deceive her. She darted a +quick look of gratitude at her companion. How thoughtful he was! After +a fearful glance around she was reassured, though she wondered what had +become of--them. + +"I see you have been busy," she said, nodding towards the clothes and +boots. + +It was his turn to steal a look of sharp inquiry. 'Twere an easier task +to read the records of time in the solid rock than to glean knowledge +from the girl's face. + +"Yes," he replied simply. "Lucky find, wasn't it?" + +"Most fortunate. When they are quite dry I will replenish my wardrobe. +What is the first thing to be done?" + +"Well, Miss Deane, I think our programme is, in the first place, to +examine the articles thrown ashore and see if any of the cases contain +food. Secondly, we should haul high and dry everything that may be of +use to us, lest the weather should break again and the next tide sweep +away the spoil. Thirdly, we should eat and rest, and finally, we must +explore the island before the light fails. I am convinced we are alone +here. It is a small place at the best, and if any Chinamen were ashore +they would have put in an appearance long since." + +"Do you think, then, that we may remain here long?" + +"It is impossible to form an opinion on that point. Help may come in a +day. On the other hand----" + +"Yes?" + +"It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to prepare for other contingencies." + +She stood still, and swept the horizon with comprehensive eyes. The +storm had vanished. Masses of cloud were passing away to the west, +leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky. Already the sea was calming. +Huge breakers roared over the reef, but beyond it the waves were +subsiding into a heavy unbroken swell. + +The sailor watched her closely. In the quaint oilskin hat and her +tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty. She reminded him +of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom he once saw figuring as +Grace Darling at a fashionable bazaar. + +But Miss Iris's thoughts were serious. + +"Do you mean," she said slowly, without moving her gaze from the +distant meeting-place of sky and water, "that we may be imprisoned here +for weeks, perhaps months?" + +"If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps admit that we +are very fortunate to be here at all." + +She whisked round upon him. "Do not fence with my question, Mr. Jenks. +Answer me!" + +He bowed. There was a perceptible return of his stubborn cynicism when +he spoke. + +"The facts are obvious, Miss Deane. The loss of the _Sirdar_ will +not be definitely known for many days. It will be assumed that she has +broken down. The agents in Singapore will await cabled tidings of her +whereabouts. She might have drifted anywhere in that typhoon. +Ultimately they will send out a vessel to search, impelled to that +course a little earlier by your father's anxiety. Pardon me. I did not +intend to pain you. I am speaking my mind." + +"Go on," said Iris bravely. + +"The relief ship must search the entire China Sea. The gale might have +driven a disabled steamer north, south, east or west. A typhoon travels +in a whirling spiral, you see, and the direction of a drifting ship +depends wholly upon the locality where she sustained damage. The coasts +of China, Java, Borneo, and the Philippines are not equipped with +lighthouses on every headland and cordoned with telegraph wires. There +are river pirates and savage races to be reckoned with. Casting aside +all other possibilities, and assuming that a prompt search is made to +the south of our course, this part of the ocean is full of reefs and +small islands, some inhabited permanently, others visited occasionally +by fishermen." He was about to add something, but checked himself. + +"To sum up," he continued hurriedly, "we may have to remain here for +many days, even months. There is always a chance of speedy help. We +must act, however, on the basis of detention for an indefinite period. +I am discussing appearances as they are. A survey of the island may +change all these views." + +"In what way?" + +He turned and pointed to the summit of the tree-covered hill behind +them. + +"From that point," he said, "we may see other and larger islands. If +so, they will certainly be inhabited. I am surprised this one is not." + +He ended abruptly. They were losing time. Before Iris could join him he +was already hauling a large undamaged case out of the water. + +He laughed unmirthfully. "Champagne!" he said, "A good brand, too!" + +This man was certainly an enigma. Iris wrinkled her pretty forehead in +the effort to place him in a fitting category. His words and accent +were those of an educated gentleman, yet his actions and manners were +studiously uncouth when he thought she was observing him. The veneer of +roughness puzzled her. That he was naturally of refined temperament she +knew quite well, not alone by perception but by the plain evidence of +his earlier dealings with her. Then why this affectation of coarseness, +this borrowed aroma of the steward's mess and the forecastle? + +To the best of her ability she silently helped in the work of salvage. +They made a queer collection. A case of champagne, and another of +brandy. A box of books. A pair of night glasses. A compass. Several +boxes of ship's biscuits, coated with salt, but saved by their +hardness, having been immersed but a few seconds. Two large cases of +hams in equally good condition. Some huge dish-covers. A bit of twisted +ironwork, and a great quantity of cordage and timber. + +There was one very heavy package which their united strength could not +lift. The sailor searched round until he found an iron bar that could +be wrenched from its socket. With this he pried open the strong outer +cover and revealed the contents--regulation boxes of Lee-Metford +ammunition, each containing 500 rounds. + +"Ah!" he cried, "now we want some rifles." + +"What good would they be?" inquired Iris. + +He softly denounced himself as a fool, but he answered at once: "To +shoot birds, of course, Miss Deane. There are plenty here, and many of +them are edible." + +"You have two revolvers and some cartridges." + +"Yes. They are useful in a way, but not for pot hunting." + +"How stupid of me! What you really need is a shot-gun." + +He smiled grimly. At times his sense of humor forced a way through the +outward shield of reserve, of defiance it might be. + +"The only persons I ever heard of," he said, "who landed under +compulsion on a desert island with a ship-load of requisites, were the +Swiss Family Robinson." + +"Good gracious!" cried Iris irrelevantly; "I had not even thought of +Robinson Crusoe until this moment. Isn't it odd? I--we--" + +She pulled herself up short, firmly resolved not to blush. Without +flinching she challenged him to complete her sentence. He dared not do +it. He could not be mean enough to take advantage of her slip. + +Instantly he helped her embarrassment. "I hope the parallel will not +hold good," he said. "In any event, you, Miss Deane, fill a part less +familiar in fiction." + +The phrase was neat. It meant much or little, as fancy dictated. Iris +at first felt profoundly grateful for his tact. Thinking the words over +at leisure she became hot and very angry. + +They worked in silence for another hour. The sun was nearing the +zenith. They were distressed with the increasing heat of the day. Jenks +secured a ham and some biscuits, some pieces of driftwood and the +binoculars, and invited Miss Deane to accompany him to the grove. She +obeyed without a word, though she wondered how he proposed to light a +fire. To contribute something towards the expected feast she picked up +a dish-cover and a bottle of champagne. + +The sailor eyed the concluding item with disfavor. "Not whilst the sun +is up." he said. "In the evening, yes." + +"It was for you," explained Iris, coldly. "I do not drink wine." + +"You must break the pledge whilst you are here, Miss Deane. It is often +very cold at night in this latitude. A chill would mean fever and +perhaps death." + +"What a strange man!" murmured the girl. + +She covertly watched his preparations. He tore a dry leaf from a +notebook and broke the bullet out of a cartridge, damping the powder +with water from a pitcher-plant. Smearing the composition on the paper, +he placed it in the sun, where it dried at once. He gathered a small +bundle of withered spines from the palms, and arranged the driftwood on +top, choosing a place for his bonfire just within the shade. Then, +inserting the touch-paper among the spines, he unscrewed one of the +lenses of the binoculars, converted it into a burning-glass, and had a +fine blaze roaring merrily in a few minutes. With the aid of pointed +sticks he grilled some slices of ham, cut with his clasp-knife, which +he first carefully cleaned in the earth. The biscuits were of the +variety that become soft when toasted, and so he balanced a few by +stones near the fire. + +Iris forgot her annoyance in her interest. A most appetizing smell +filled the air. They were having a picnic amidst delightful +surroundings. Yesterday at this time--she almost yielded to a rush of +sentiment, but forced it back with instant determination. Tears were a +poor resource, unmindful of God's goodness to herself and her +companion. Without the sailor what would have become of her, even were +she thrown ashore while still living? She knew none of the expedients +which seemed to be at his command. It was a most ungrateful proceeding +to be vexed with him for her own thoughtless suggestion that she +occupied a new role as Mrs. Crusoe. + +"Can I do nothing to help?" she exclaimed. So contrite was her tone +that Jenks was astonished. + +"Yes," he said, pointing to the dish-cover. "If you polish the top of +that with your sleeve it will serve as a plate. Luncheon is ready." + +He neatly dished up two slices of ham on a couple of biscuits and +handed them to her, with the clasp-knife. + +"I can depend on my fingers," he explained. "It will not be the first +time." + +"Have you led an adventurous life?" she asked, by way of polite +conversation. + +"No," he growled. + +"I only thought so because you appear to know all sorts of dodges for +prolonging existence--things I never heard of." + +"Broiled ham--and biscuits--for instance?" + +At another time Iris would have snapped at him for the retort. Still +humbly regretful for her previous attitude she answered meekly-- + +"Yes, in this manner of cooking them, I mean. But there are other +items--methods of lighting fires, finding water, knowing what fruits +and other articles may be found on a desert island, such as plantains +and cocoanuts, certain sorts of birds--and _beche-de-mer_." + +For the life of her she could not tell why she tacked on that weird +item to her list. + +The sailor inquired, more civilly--"Then you are acquainted with +trepang?" + +"Who?" + +"Trepang--_beche-de-mer_, you know." + +Iris made a desperate guess. "Yes," she said, demurely. "It makes +beautiful backs for hair brushes. And it looks so nice as a frame for +platinotype photographs. I have--" + +Jenks swallowed a large piece of ham and became very red. At last he +managed to say--"I beg your pardon. You are thinking of tortoise-shell. +_Beche-de-mer_ is a sort of marine slug." + +"How odd!" said Iris. + +She had discovered at an early age the tactical value of this remark, +and the experience of maturer years confirmed the success of juvenile +efforts to upset the equanimity of governesses. Even the sailor was +silenced. + +Talk ceased until the meal was ended. Jenks sprang lightly to his feet. +Rest and food had restored his faculties. The girl thought dreamily, as +he stood there in his rough attire, that she had never seen a finer +man. He was tall, sinewy, and well formed. In repose his face was +pleasant, if masterful. Its somewhat sullen, self-contained expression +was occasional and acquired. She wondered how he could be so energetic. +Personally she was consumed with sleepiness. + +He produced a revolver. + +"Do you mind if I fire a shot to test these cartridges?" he inquired. +"The powder is all right, but the fulminate in the caps may be +damaged." + +She agreed promptly. He pointed the weapon at a cluster of cocoanuts, +and there was a loud report. Two nuts fell to the ground, and the air +was filled with shrill screams and the flapping of innumerable wings. +Iris was momentarily dismayed, but her senses confirmed the sailor's +explanation--"Sea-birds." + +He reloaded the empty chamber, and was about to say something, when a +queer sound, exactly resembling the gurgling of water poured from a +large bottle, fell upon their ears. It came from the interior of the +grove, and the two exchanged a quick look of amazed questioning. Jenks +took a hasty step in the direction of the noise, but he stopped and +laughed at his own expense. Iris liked the sound of his mirth. It was +genuine, not forced. + +"I remember now," he explained. "The wou-wou monkey cries in that +peculiar warble. The presence of the animal here shows that the island +has been inhabited at some time." + +"You remember?" repeated the girl. "Then you have been in this part of +the world before?" + +"No. I mean I have read about it." + +Twice in half an hour had he curtly declined to indulge in personal +reminiscences. + +"Can you use a revolver?" he went on. + +"My father taught me. He thinks every woman should know how to defend +herself if need be." + +"Excellent. Well, Miss Deane, you must try to sleep for a couple of +hours. I purpose examining the coast for some distance on each side. +Should you want me, a shot will be the best sort of signal." + +"I am very tired," she admitted. "But you?" + +"Oh, I am all right. I feel restless; that is, I mean I will not be +able to sleep until night comes, and before we climb the hill to survey +our domain I want to find better quarters than we now possess." + +Perhaps, were she less fatigued, she would have caught the vague +anxiety, the note of distrust, in his voice. But the carpet of sand and +leaves on which she lay was very seductive. Her eyes closed. She +nestled into a comfortable position, and slept. + +The man looked at her steadily for a little while. Then he moved the +revolver out of harm's way to a spot where she must see it instantly, +pulled his sou'wester well over his eyes and walked off quietly. + +They were flung ashore on the north-west side of the island. Except for +the cove formed by the coral reef, with its mysterious palm-tree +growing apparently in the midst of the waves, the shape of the coast +was roughly that of the concave side of a bow, the two visible +extremities being about three-quarters of a mile apart. + +He guessed, by the way in which the sea raced past these points, that +the land did not extend beyond them. Behind him, it rose steeply to a +considerable height, 150 or 200 feet. In the center was the tallest +hill, which seemed to end abruptly towards the south-west. On the +north-east side it was connected with a rocky promontory by a ridge of +easy grade. The sailor turned to the south-west, as offering the most +likely direction for rapid survey. + +He followed the line of vegetation; there the ground was firm and +level. There was no suggestion of the mariner's roll in his steady +gait. Alter his clothing, change the heavy boots into spurred +Wellingtons, and he would be the _beau ideal_ of a cavalry +soldier, the order of Melchisedec in the profession of arms. + +He was not surprised to find that the hill terminated in a sheer wall +of rock, which stood out, ominous and massive, from the wealth of +verdure clothing the remainder of the ridge. Facing the precipice, and +separated from it by a strip of ground not twenty feet above the +sea-level in the highest part, was another rock-built eminence, quite +bare of trees, blackened by the weather and scarred in a manner that +attested the attacks of lightning. + +He whistled softly. "By Jove!" he said. "Volcanic, and highly +mineralized." + +The intervening belt was sparsely dotted with trees, casuarinas, poon, +and other woods he did not know, resembling ebony and cedar. A number +of stumps showed that the axe had been at work, but not recently. He +passed into the cleft and climbed a tree that offered easy access. As +he expected, after rising a few feet from the ground, his eyes +encountered the solemn blue line of the sea, not half a mile distant. + +He descended and commenced a systematic search. Men had been here. Was +there a house? Would he suddenly encounter some hermit Malay or +Chinaman? + +At the foot of the main cliff was a cluster of fruit-bearing trees, +plantains, areca-nuts, and cocoa-palms. A couple of cinchonas caught +his eye. In one spot the undergrowth was rank and vividly green. The +cassava, or tapioca plant, reared its high, passion-flower leaves above +the grass, and some sago-palms thrust aloft their thick-stemmed trunks. + +"Here is a change of menu, at any rate," he communed. + +Breaking a thick branch off a poon tree he whittled away the minor +stems. A strong stick was needful to explore that leafy fastness +thoroughly. + +A few cautious strides and vigorous whacks with the stick laid bare the +cause of such prodigality in a soil covered with drifted sand and lumps +of black and white speckled coral. The trees and bushes enclosed a +well--safe-guarded it, in fact, from being choked with sand during the +first gale that blew. + +Delighted with this discovery, more precious than diamonds at the +moment, for he doubted the advisability of existing on the water supply +of the pitcher-plant, he knelt to peer into the excavation. The well +had been properly made. Ten feet down he could see the reflection of +his face. Expert hands had tapped the secret reservoir of the island. +By stretching to the full extent of his arm, he managed to plunge the +stick into the water. Tasting the drops, he found that they were quite +sweet. The sand and porous rock provided the best of filter-beds. + +He rose, wall pleased, and noted that on the opposite side the +appearance of the shrubs and tufts of long grass indicated the +existence of a grown-over path towards the cliff. He followed it, +walking carelessly, with eyes seeking the prospect beyond, when +something rattled and cracked beneath his feet. Looking down, he was +horrified to find he was trampling on a skeleton. + +Had a venomous snake coiled its glistening folds around his leg he +would not have been more startled. But this man of iron nerve soon +recovered. He frowned deeply after the first involuntary heart-throb. + +With the stick he cleared away the undergrowth, and revealed the +skeleton of a man. The bones were big and strong, but oxidized by the +action of the air. Jenks had injured the left tibia by his tread, but +three fractured ribs and a smashed shoulder-blade told some terrible +unwritten story. + +Beneath the mournful relics were fragments of decayed cloth. It was +blue serge. Lying about were a few blackened objects--brass buttons +marked with an anchor. The dead man's boots were in the best state of +preservation, but the leather had shrunk and the nails protruded like +fangs. + +A rusted pocket-knife lay there, and on the left breast of the skeleton +rested a round piece of tin, the top of a canister, which might have +reposed in a coat pocket. Jenks picked it up. Some curious marks and +figures were punched into its surface. After a hasty glance he put it +aside for more leisurely examination. + +No weapon was visible. He could form no estimate as to the cause of the +death of this poor unknown, nor the time since the tragedy had +occurred. + +Jenks must have stood many minutes before he perceived that the +skeleton was headless. At first he imagined that in rummaging about +with the stick he had disturbed the skull. But the most minute search +demonstrated that it had gone, had been taken away, in fact, for the +plants which so effectually screened the lighter bones would not permit +the skull to vanish. + +Then the frown on the sailor's face became threatening, thunderous. He +recollected the rusty kriss. Indistinct memories of strange tales of +the China Sea crowded unbidden to his brain. + +"Dyaks!" he growled fiercely. "A ship's officer, an Englishman +probably, murdered by head-hunting Dyak pirates!" + +If they came once they would come again. + +Five hundred yards away Iris Deane was sleeping. He ought not to have +left her alone. And then, with the devilish ingenuity of coincidence, a +revolver shot awoke the echoes, and sent all manner of wildfowl +hurtling through the trees with clamorous outcry. + +Panting and wild-eyed, Jenks was at the girl's side in an inconceivably +short space of time. She was not beneath the shelter of the grove, but +on the sands, gazing, pallid in cheek and lip, at the group of rocks on +the edge of the lagoon. + +"What is the matter?" he gasped. + +"Oh, I don't know," she wailed brokenly. "I had a dream, such a +horrible dream. You were struggling with some awful thing down there." +She pointed to the rocks. + +"I was not near the place," he said laboriously. It cost him an effort +to breathe. His broad chest expanded inches with each respiration. + +"Yes, yes, I understand. But I awoke and ran to save you. When I got +here I saw something, a thing with waving arms, and fired. It vanished, +and then you came." + +The sailor walked slowly to the rocks. A fresh chip out of the stone +showed where the bullet struck. One huge boulder was wet, as if water +had been splashed over it. He halted and looked intently into the +water. Not a fish was to be seen, but small spirals of sand were +eddying up from the bottom, where it shelved steeply from the shore. + +Iris followed him. "See," she cried excitedly. "I was not mistaken. +There _was_ something here." + +A creepy sensation ran up the man's spine and passed behind his ears. +At this spot the drowned Lascars were lying. Like an inspiration came +the knowledge that the cuttlefish, the dreaded octopus, abounds in the +China Sea. + +His face was livid when he turned to Iris. "You are over-wrought by +fatigue, Miss Deane," he said. "What you saw was probably a seal;" he +knew the ludicrous substitution would not be questioned. "Please go and +lie down again." + +"I cannot," she protested. "I am too frightened." + +"Frightened! By a dream! In broad daylight!" + +"But why are _you_ so pale? What has alarmed you?" + +"Can you ask? Did you not give the agreed signal?" + +"Yes, but--" + +Her inquiring glance fell. He was breathless from agitation rather than +running. He was perturbed on her account. For an instant she had looked +into his soul. + +"I will go back," she said quietly, "though I would rather accompany +you. What are you doing?" + +"Seeking a place to lay our heads," he answered, with gruff +carelessness. "You really must rest, Miss Deane. Otherwise you will be +broken up by fatigue and become ill." + +So Iris again sought her couch of sand, and the sailor returned to the +skeleton. They separated unwillingly, each thinking only of the other's +safety and comfort. The girl knew she was not wanted because the man +wished to spare her some unpleasant experience. She obeyed him with a +sigh, and sat down, not to sleep, but to muse, as girls will, +round-eyed, wistful, with the angelic fantasy of youth and innocence. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +RAINBOW ISLAND + + +Across the parched bones lay the stick discarded by Jenks in his alarm. +He picked it up and resumed his progress along the pathway. So closely +did he now examine the ground that he hardly noted his direction. The +track led straight towards the wall of rock. The distance was not +great--about forty yards. At first the brushwood impeded him, but soon +even this hindrance disappeared, and a well-defined passage meandered +through a belt of trees, some strong and lofty, others quite immature. + +More bushes gathered at the foot of the cliff. Behind them he could see +the mouth of a cave; the six months' old growth of vegetation about the +entrance gave clear indication as to the time which had elapsed since a +human foot last disturbed the solitude. + +A few vigorous blows with the stick cleared away obstructing plants and +leafy branches. The sailor stooped and looked into the cavern, for the +opening was barely five feet high. He perceived instantly that the +excavation was man's handiwork, applied to a fault in the hard rock. A +sort of natural shaft existed, and this had been extended by manual +labor. Beyond the entrance the cave became more lofty. Owing to its +position with reference to the sun at that hour Jenks imagined that +sufficient light would be obtainable when the tropical luxuriance of +foliage outside was dispensed with. + +At present the interior was dark. With the stick he tapped the walls +and roof. A startled cluck and the rush of wings heralded the flight of +two birds, alarmed by the noise. Soon his eyes, more accustomed to the +gloom, made out that the place was about thirty feet deep, ten feet +wide in the center, and seven or eight feet high. + +At the further end was a collection of objects inviting prompt +attention. Each moment he could see with greater distinctness. Kneeling +on one side of the little pile he discerned that on a large stone, +serving as a rude bench, were some tin utensils, some knives, a +sextant, and a quantity of empty cartridge cases. Between the stone and +what a miner terms the "face" of the rock was a four-foot space. Here, +half imbedded in the sand which covered the floor, were two pickaxes, a +shovel, a sledge-hammer, a fine timber-felling axe, and three crowbars. + +In the darkest corner of the cave's extremity the "wall" appeared to be +very smooth. He prodded with the stick, and there was a sharp clang of +tin. He discovered six square kerosene-oil cases carefully stacked up. +Three were empty, one seemed to be half full, and the contents of two +were untouched. With almost feverish haste he ascertained that the +half-filled tin did really contain oil. + +"What a find!" he ejaculated aloud. Another pair of birds dashed from a +ledge near the roof. + +"Confound you!" shouted the sailor. He sprang back and whacked the +walls viciously, but all the feathered intruders had gone. + +So far as he could judge the cave harbored no further surprises. +Returning towards the exit his boots dislodged more empty cartridges +from the sand. They were shells adapted to a revolver of heavy caliber. +At a short distance from the doorway they were present in dozens. + +"The remnants of a fight," he thought. "The man was attacked, and +defended himself here. Not expecting the arrival of enemies he provided +no store of food or water. He was killed whilst trying to reach the +well, probably at night." + +He vividly pictured the scene--a brave, hardy European keeping at bay a +boatload of Dyak savages, enduring manfully the agonies of hunger, +thirst, perhaps wounds. Then the siege, followed by a wild effort to +gain the life-giving well, the hiss of a Malay parang wielded by a +lurking foe, and the last despairing struggle before death came. + +He might be mistaken. Perchance there was a less dramatic explanation. +But he could not shake off his, first impressions. They were garnered +from dumb evidence and developed by some occult but overwhelming sense +of certainty. + +"What was the poor devil doing here?" he asked. "Why did he bury +himself in this rock, with mining utensils and a few rough stores? He +could not be a castaway. There is the indication of purpose, of +preparation, of method combined with ignorance, for none who knew the +ways of Dyaks and Chinese pirates would venture to live here alone, if +he could help it, and if he really were alone." The thing was a +mystery, would probably remain a mystery for ever. + + "Be it steel or be it lead, + Anyhow the man is dead." + +There was relief in hearing his own voice. He could hum, and think, and +act. Arming himself with the axe he attacked the bushes and branches of +trees in front of the cave. He cut a fresh approach to the well, and +threw the litter over the skeleton. At first he was inclined to bury it +where it lay, but he disliked the idea of Iris walking unconsciously +over the place. No time could be wasted that day. He would seize an +early opportunity to act as grave-digger. + +After an absence of little more than an hour he rejoined the girl. She +saw him from afar, and wondered whence he obtained the axe he +shouldered. + +"You are a successful explorer," she cried when he drew near. + +"Yes, Miss Deane. I have found water, implements, a shelter, even +light." + +"What sort of light--spiritual, or material?" + +"Oil." + +"Oh!" + +Iris could not remain serious for many consecutive minutes, but she +gathered that he was in no mood for frivolity. + +"And the shelter--is it a house?" she continued. + +"No, a cave. If you are sufficiently rested you might come and take +possession." + +Her eyes danced with excitement. He told her what he had seen, with +reservations, and she ran on before him to witness these marvels. + +"Why did you make a new path to the well?" she inquired after a rapid +survey. + +"A new path!" The pertinent question staggered him. + +"Yes, the people who lived here must have had some sort of free +passage." + +He lied easily. "I have only cleared away recent growth," he said. + +"And why did they dig a cave? It surely would be much more simple to +build a house from all these trees." + +"There you puzzle me," he said frankly. + +They had entered the cavern but a little way and now came out. + +"These empty cartridges are funny. They suggest a fort, a battle." +Woman-like, her words were carelessly chosen, but they were crammed +with inductive force. + +Embarked on the toboggan slope of untruth the sailor slid smoothly +downwards. + +"Events have colored your imagination, Miss Deane. Even in England men +often preserve such things for future use. They can be reloaded." + +"Yes, I have seen keepers do that. This is different. There is an air +of--" + +"There is a lot to be done," broke in Jenks emphatically. "We must +climb the hill and get back here in time to light another fire before +the sun goes down. I want to prop a canvas sheet in front of the cave, +and try to devise a lamp." + +"Must I sleep inside?" demanded Iris. + +"Yes. Where else?" + +There was a pause, a mere whiff of awkwardness. + +"I will mount guard outside," went on Jenks. He was trying to improve +the edge of the axe by grinding it on a soft stone. + +The girl went into the cave again. She was inquisitive, uneasy. + +"That arrangement--" she began, but ended in a sharp cry of terror. The +dispossessed birds had returned during the sailor's absence. + +"I will kill them," he shouted in anger. + +"Please don't. There has been enough of death in this place already." + +The words jarred on his ears. Then he felt that she could only allude +to the victims of the wreck. + +"I was going to say," she explained, "that we must devise a partition. +There is no help for it until you construct a sort of house. Candidly, +I do not like this hole in the rock. It is a vault, a tomb." + +"You told me that I was in command, yet you dispute my orders." He +strove hard to appear brusquely good-humored, indifferent, though for +one of his mould he was absurdly irritable. The cause was over-strain, +but that explanation escaped him. + +"Quite true. But if sleeping in the cold, in dew or rain, is bad for +me, it must be equally bad for you. And without you I am helpless, you +know." + +His arms twitched to give her a reassuring hug. In some respects she +was so childlike; her big blue eyes were so ingenuous. He laughed +sardonically, and the harsh note clashed with her frank candor. Here, +at least, she was utterly deceived. His changeful moods were +incomprehensible. + +"I will serve you to the best of my ability, Miss Deane," he exclaimed. +"We must hope for a speedy rescue, and I am inured to exposure. It is +otherwise with you. Are you ready for the climb?" + +Mechanically she picked up a stick at her feet. It was the sailor's +wand of investigation. He snatched it from her hands and threw it away +among the trees. + +"That is a dangerous alpenstock," he said. "The wood is unreliable. It +might break. I will cut you a better one," and he swung the axe against +a tall sapling. + +Iris mentally described him as "funny." She followed him in the upward +curve of the ascent, for the grade was not difficult and the ground +smooth enough, the storms of years having pulverized the rock and +driven sand into its clefts. The persistent inroads of the trees had +done the rest. Beyond the flight of birds and the scampering of some +tiny monkeys overhead, they did not disturb a living creature. + +The crest of the hill was tree-covered, and they could see nothing +beyond their immediate locality until the sailor found a point higher +than the rest, where a rugged collection of hard basalt and the +uprooting of some poon trees provided an open space elevated above the +ridge. + +For a short distance the foothold was precarious. Jenks helped the girl +in this part of the climb. His strong, gentle grasp gave her +confidence. She was flushed with exertion when they stood together on +the summit of this elevated perch. They could look to every point of +the compass except a small section on the south-west. Here the trees +rose behind them until the brow of the precipice was reached. + +The emergence into a sunlit panorama of land and sea, though expected, +was profoundly enthralling. They appeared to stand almost exactly in +the center of the island, which was crescent-shaped. It was no larger +than the sailor had estimated. The new slopes now revealed were covered +with verdure down to the very edge of the water, which, for nearly a +mile seawards, broke over jagged reefs. The sea looked strangely calm +from this height. Irregular blue patches on the horizon to south and +east caught the man's first glance. He unslung the binoculars he still +carried and focused them eagerly. + +"Islands!" he cried, "and big ones, too!" + +"How odd!" whispered Iris, more concerned in the scrutiny of her +immediate surroundings. Jenks glanced at her sharply. She was not +looking at the islands, but at a curious hollow, a quarry-like +depression beneath them to the right, distant about three hundred yards +and not far removed from the small plateau containing the well, though +isolated from it by the south angle of the main cliff. + +Here, in a great circle, there was not a vestige of grass, shrub, or +tree, nothing save brown rock and sand. At first the sailor deemed it +to be the dried-up bed of a small lake. This hypothesis would not +serve, else it would be choked with verdure. The pit stared up at them +like an ominous eye, though neither paid further attention to it, for +the glorious prospect mapped at their feet momentarily swept aside all +other considerations. + +"What a beautiful place!" murmured Iris. "I wonder what it is called." + +"Limbo." + +The word came instantly. The sailor's gaze was again fixed on those +distant blue outlines. Miss Deane was dissatisfied. + +"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "We are not dead yet. You must find a better +name than that." + +"Well, suppose we christen it Rainbow Island?" + +"Why 'Rainbow'?" + +"That is the English meaning of 'Iris,' in Latin, you know." + +"So it is. How clever of you to think of it! Tell me, what is the +meaning of 'Robert,' in Greek?" + +He turned to survey the north-west side of the island. "I do not know," +he answered. "It might not be far-fetched to translate it as 'a ship's +steward: a menial.'" + +Miss Iris had meant her playful retort as a mere light-hearted quibble. +It annoyed her, a young person of much consequence, to have her kindly +condescension repelled. + +"I suppose so," she agreed; "but I have gone through so much in a few +hours that I am bewildered, apt to forget these nice distinctions." + +Where these two quareling, or flirting? Who can tell? + +Jenks was closely examining the reef on which the _Sirdar_ struck. +Some square objects were visible near the palm tree. The sun, glinting +on the waves, rendered it difficult to discern their significance. + +"What do you make of those?" he inquired, handing the glasses, and +blandly ignoring Miss Deane's petulance. Her brain was busy with other +things while she twisted the binoculars to suit her vision. Rainbow +Island--Iris--it was a nice conceit. But "menial" struck a discordant +note. This man was no menial in appearance or speech. Why was he so +deliberately rude? + +"I think they are boxes or packing-cases," she announced. + +"Ah, that was my own idea. I must visit that locality." + +"How? Will you swim?" + +"No," he said, his stern lips relaxing in a smile, "I will not swim; +and by the way, Miss Deane, be careful when you are near the water. The +lagoon is swarming with sharks at present. I feel tolerably assured +that at low tide, when the remnants of the gale have vanished, I will +be able to walk there along the reef." + +"Sharks!" she cried. "In there! What horrible surprises this speck of +land contains! I should not have imagined that sharks and seals could +live together." + +"You are quite right," he explained, with becoming gravity. "As a rule +sharks infest only the leeward side of these islands. Just now they are +attracted in shoals by the wreck." + +"Oh." Iris shivered slightly. + +"We had better go back now. The wind is keen here, Miss Deane." + +[Illustration: HE WAS SO BUSY THAT HE PAID LITTLE HEED TO IRIS, BUT THE +ODOR OF FRIED HAM WAS WAFTED TO HIM] + +She knew that he purposely misunderstood her gesture. His attitude +conveyed a rebuke. There was no further room for sentiment in their +present existence; they had to deal with chill necessities. As for the +sailor, he was glad that the chance turn of their conversation enabled +him to warn her against the lurking dangers of the lagoon. There was no +need to mention the devil-fish now; he must spare her all avoidable +thrills. + +They gathered the stores from the first _al fresco_ dining-room +and reached the cave without incident. Another fire was lighted, and +whilst Iris attended to the kitchen the sailor felled several young +trees. He wanted poles, and these were the right size and shape. He +soon cleared a considerable space. The timber was soft and so small in +girth that three cuts with the axe usually sufficed. He dragged from +the beach the smallest tarpaulin he could find, and propped it against +the rock in such manner that it effectually screened the mouth of the +cave, though admitting light and air. + +He was so busy that he paid little heed to Iris. But the odor of fried +ham was wafted to him. He was lifting a couple of heavy stones to stay +the canvas and keep it from flapping in the wind, when the girl called +out-- + +"Wouldn't you like to have a wash before dinner?" + +He straightened himself and looked at her. Her face and hands were +shining, spotless. The change was so great that his brow wrinkled with +perplexity. + +"I am a good pupil," she cried. "You see I am already learning to help +myself. I made a bucket out of one of the dish-covers by slinging it in +two ropes. Another dish-cover, some sand and leaves supplied basin, +soap, and towel. I have cleaned the tin cups and the knives, and see, +here is my greatest treasure." + +She held up a small metal lamp. + +"Where in the world did you find that?" he exclaimed. + +"Buried in the sand inside the cave." + +"Anything else?" + +His tone was abrupt She was so disappointed by the seeming want of +appreciation of her industry that a gleam of amusement died from her +eyes and she shook her head, stooping at once to attend to the toasting +of some biscuits. + +This time he was genuinely sorry. + +"Forgive me, Miss Deane," he said penitently. "My words are dictated by +anxiety. I do not wish you to make discoveries on your own account. +This is a strange place, you know--an unpleasant one in some respects." + +"Surely I can rummage about my own cave?" + +"Most certainly. It was careless of me not to have examined its +interior more thoroughly." + +"Then why do you grumble because I found the lamp?" + +"I did not mean any such thing. I am sorry." + +"I think you are horrid. If you want to wash you will find the water +over there. Don't wait. The ham will be frizzled to a cinder." + +Unlucky Jenks! Was ever man fated to incur such unmerited odium? He +savagely laved his face and neck. The fresh cool water was delightful +at first, but it caused his injured nail to throb dreadfully. When he +drew near to the fire he experienced an unaccountable sensation of +weakness. Could it be possible that he was going to faint? It was too +absurd. He sank to the ground. Trees, rocks, and sand-strewn earth +indulged in a mad dance. Iris's voice sounded weak and indistinct. It +seemed to travel in waves from a great distance. He tried to brush away +from his brain these dim fancies, but his iron will for once failed, +and he pitched headlong downwards into darkness. + +When he recovered the girl's left arm was round his neck. For one +blissful instant he nestled there contentedly. He looked into her eyes +and saw that she was crying. A gust of anger rose within him that he +should be the cause of those tears. + +"Damn!" he said, and tried to rise. + +"Oh! are you better?" Her lips quivered pitifully. + +"Yes. What happened? Did I faint?" + +"Drink this." + +She held a cup to his mouth and he obediently strove to swallow the +contents. It was champagne. After the first spasm of terror, and when +the application of water to his face failed to restore consciousness, +Iris had knocked the head off the bottle of champagne. + +He quickly revived. Nature had only given him a warning that he was +overdrawing his resources. He was deeply humiliated. He did not +conceive the truth, that only a strong man could do all that he had +done and live. For thirty-six hours he had not slept. During part of +the time he fought with wilder beasts than they knew at Ephesus. The +long exposure to the sun, the mental strain of his foreboding that the +charming girl whose life depended upon him might be exposed to even +worse dangers than any yet encountered, the physical labor he had +undergone, the irksome restraint he strove to place upon his conduct +and utterances--all these things culminated in utter relaxation when +the water touched his heated skin. + +But he was really very much annoyed. A powerful man always is annoyed +when forced to yield. The revelation of a limit to human endurance +infuriates him. A woman invariably thinks that the man should be +scolded, by way of tonic. + +"How _could_ you frighten me so?" demanded Iris, hysterically. +"You must have felt that you were working too hard. You made me rest. +Why didn't you rest yourself?" + +He looked at her wistfully. This collapse must not happen again, for +her sake. These two said more with eyes than lips. She withdrew her +arm; her face and neck crimsoned. + +"There," she said with compelled cheerfulness. "You are all right now. +Finish the wine." + +He emptied the tin. It gave him new life. "I always thought," he +answered gravely, "that champagne was worth its weight in gold under +certain conditions. These are the conditions." + +Iris reflected, with elastic rebound from despair to relief, that men +in the lower ranks of life do not usually form theories on the +expensive virtues of the wine of France. But her mind was suddenly +occupied by a fresh disaster. + +"Good gracious!" she cried. "The ham is ruined." + +It was burnt black. She prepared a fresh supply. When it was ready, +Jenks was himself again. They ate in silence, and shared the remains of +the bottle. The man idly wondered what was the _plat du jour_ at +the Savoy that evening. He remembered that the last time he was there +he had called for _Jambon de York aux epinards_ and half a pint of +Heidseck. + +"_Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currant_," he thought. +By a queer trick of memory he could recall the very page in Horace +where this philosophical line occurs. It was in the eleventh epistle of +the first book. A smile illumined his tired face. + +Iris was watchful. She had never in her life cooked even a potato or +boiled an egg. The ham was her first attempt. + +"My cooking amuses you?" she demanded suspiciously. + +"It gratifies every sense," he murmured. "There is but one thing +needful to complete my happiness." + +"And that is?" + +"Permission to smoke." + +"Smoke what?" + +He produced a steel box, tightly closed, and a pipe, "I will answer you +in Byron's words," he said-- + + "'Sublime tobacco! which from east to west + Cheers the tar's labour or the Turkman's rest.'" + +"Your pockets are absolute shops," said the girl, delighted that his +temper had improved. "What other stores do you carry about with you?" + +He lit his pipe and solemnly gave an inventory of his worldly goods. +Beyond the items she had previously seen he could only enumerate a +silver dollar, a very soiled and crumpled handkerchief, and a bit of +tin. A box of Norwegian matches he threw away as useless, but Iris +recovered them. + +"You never know what purpose they may serve," she said. In after days a +weird significance was attached to this simple phrase. + +"Why do you carry about a bit of tin?" she went on. + +How the atmosphere of deception clung to him! Here was a man compelled +to lie outrageously who, in happier years, had prided himself on +scrupulous accuracy even in small things. + +"Plague upon it!" he silently protested. "Subterfuge and deceit are as +much at home in this deserted island as in Mayfair." + +"I found it here, Miss Deane," he answered. + +Luckily she interpreted "here" as applying to the cave. + +"Let me see it. May I?" + +He handed it to her. She could make nothing of it, so together they +puzzled over it. The sailor rubbed it with a mixture of kerosene and +sand. Then figures and letters and a sort of diagram were revealed. At +last they became decipherable. By exercising patient ingenuity some one +had indented the metal with a sharp punch until the marks assumed this +aspect (see cut, following page). + +Iris was quick-witted. "It is a plan of the island," she cried. + +"Also the latitude and the longitude." + +"What does 'J.S.' mean?" + +"Probably the initials of a man's name; let us say John Smith, for +instance." + +"And the figures on the island, with the 'X' and the dot?" + +"I cannot tell you at present," he said. "I take it that the line +across the island signifies this gap or canyon, and the small +intersecting line the cave. But 32 divided by 1, and an 'X' surmounted +by a dot are cabalistic. They would cause even Sherlock Holmes to smoke +at least two pipes. I have barely started one." + +[Illustration] + +She ran to fetch a glowing stick to enable him to relight his pipe. + +"Why do you give me such nasty little digs?" she asked. "You need not +have stopped smoking just because I stood close to you." + +"Really, Miss Deane--" + +"There, don't protest. I like the smell of that tobacco. I thought +sailors invariably smoked rank, black stuff which they call thick +twist." + +"I am a beginner, as a sailor. After a few more years before the mast I +may hope to reach perfection." + +Their eyes exchanged a quaintly pleasant challenge. Thus the man--"She +is determined to learn something of my past, but she will not succeed." + +And the woman--"The wretch! He is close as an oyster. But I will make +him open his mouth, see if I don't." + +She reverted to the piece of tin. "It looks quite mysterious, like the +things you read of in stories of pirates and buried treasure." + +"Yes," he admitted. "It is unquestionably a plan, a guidance, given to +a person not previously acquainted with the island but cognizant of +some fact connected with it. Unfortunately none of the buccaneers I can +bring to mind frequented these seas. The poor beggar who left it here +must have had some other motive than searching for a cache." + +"Did he dig the cave and the well, I wonder?" + +"Probably the former, but not the well. No man could do it unaided." + +"Why do you assume he was alone?" + +He strolled towards the fire to kick a stray log. "It is only idle +speculation at the best, Miss Deane," he replied. "Would you like to +help me to drag some timber up from the beach? If we get a few big +planks we can build a fire that will last for hours. We want some extra +clothes, too, and it will soon be dark." + +The request for co-operation gratified her. She complied eagerly, and +without much exertion they hauled a respectable load of firewood to +their new camping-ground. They also brought a number of coats to serve +as coverings. Then Jenks tackled the lamp. Between the rust and the +soreness of his index finger it was a most difficult operation to open +it. + +Before the sun went down he succeeded, and made a wick by unraveling a +few strands of wool from his jersey. When night fell, with the +suddenness of the tropics, Iris was able to illuminate her small +domain. + +They were both utterly tired and ready to drop with fatigue. The girl +said "Good night," but instantly reappeared from behind the tarpaulin. + +"Am I to keep the lamp alight?" she inquired. + +"Please yourself, Miss Deane. Better not, perhaps. It will only burn +four or five hours, any way." + +Soon the light vanished, and he lay down, his pipe between his teeth, +close to the cave's entrance. Weary though he was, he could not sleep +forthwith. His mind was occupied with the signs on the canister head. + +"32 divided by 1; an 'X' and a dot," he repeated several times. "What +do they signify?" + +Suddenly he sat up, with every sense alert, and grabbed his revolver. +Something impelled him to look towards the spot, a few feet away, where +the skeleton was hidden. It was the rustling of a bird among the trees +that had caught his ear. + +He thought of the white framework of a once powerful man, lying there +among the bushes, abandoned, forgotten, horrific. Then he smothered a +cry of surprise. + +"By Jove!" he muttered. "There is no 'X' and dot. That sign is meant +for a skull and cross-bones. It lies exactly on the part of the island +where we saw that queer-looking bald patch today. First thing tomorrow, +before the girl awakes, I must examine that place." + +He resolutely stretched himself on his share of the spread-out coats, +now thoroughly dried by sun and fire. In a minute he was sound asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IRIS TO THE RESCUE + + "Before mine eyes in opposition sits + Grim death." + --_Milton_. + + +He awoke to find the sun high in the heavens. Iris was preparing +breakfast; a fine fire was crackling cheerfully, and the presiding +goddess had so altered her appearance that the sailor surveyed her with +astonishment. + +He noiselessly assumed a sitting posture, tucked his feet beneath him, +and blinked. The girl's face was not visible from where he sat, and for +a few seconds he thought he must surely be dreaming. She was attired in +a neat navy-blue dress and smart blouse. Her white canvas shoes were +replaced by strong leather boots. She was quite spick and span, this +island Hebe. + +So soundly had he slept that his senses returned but slowly. At last he +guessed what had happened. She had risen with the dawn, and, conquering +her natural feeling of repulsion, selected from the store he +accumulated yesterday some more suitable garments than those in which +she escaped from the wreck. + +He quietly took stock of his own tattered condition, and passed a +reflective hand over the stubble on his chin. In a few days his face +would resemble a scrubbing-brush. In that mournful moment he would have +exchanged even his pipe and tobacco-box--worth untold gold--for shaving +tackle. Who can say why his thoughts took such trend? Twenty-four hours +can effect great changes in the human mind if controlling influences +are active. + +Then came a sharp revulsion of feeling. His name was Robert--a menial. +He reached for his boots, and Iris heard him. + +"Good morning," she cried, smiling sweetly. "I thought you would never +awake. I suppose you were very, very tired. You were lying so still +that I ventured to peep at you a long time ago." + +"Thus might Titania peep at an ogre," he said. + +"You didn't look a bit like an ogre. You never do. You only try to talk +like one--sometimes." + +"I claim a truce until after breakfast. If my rough compliment offends +you, let me depend upon a more gentle tongue than my own-- + + "'Her Angel's face + As the great eye of heaven, shyned bright, + And made a sunshine in the shady place.' + +"Those lines are surely appropriate. They come from the _Faerie +Queene_." + +"They are very nice, but please wash quickly. The eggs will be hard." + +"Eggs!" + +"Yes; I made a collection among the trees. I tasted one of a lot that +looked good. It was first-rate." + +He had not the moral courage to begin the day with a rebuke. She was +irrepressible, but she really must not do these things. He smothered a +sigh in the improvised basin which was placed ready for him. + +Miss Deane had prepared a capital meal. Of course the ham and biscuits +still bulked large in the bill of fare, but there were boiled eggs, +fried bananas and an elderly cocoanut. These things, supplemented by +clear cold water, were not so bad for a couple of castaways, hundreds +of miles from everywhere. + +For the life of him the man could not refrain from displaying the +conversational art in which he excelled. Their talk dealt with Italy, +Egypt, India. He spoke with the ease of culture and enthusiasm. Once he +slipped into anecdote _a propos_ of the helplessness of British +soldiers in any matter outside the scope of the King's Regulations. + +"I remember," he said, "seeing a cavalry subaltern and the members of +an escort sitting, half starved, on a number of bags piled up in the +Suakin desert. And what do you think were in the bags?" + +"I don't know," said Iris, keenly alert for deductions. + +"Biscuits! They thought the bags contained patent fodder until I +enlightened them." + +It was on the tip of her tongue to pounce on him with the comment: +"Then you have been an officer in the army." But she forbore. She had +guessed this earlier. Yet the mischievous light in her eyes defied +control. He was warned in time and pulled himself up short. + +"You read my face like a book," she cried, with a delightful little +_moue_. + +"No printed page was ever so--legible." + +He was going to say "fascinating," but checked the impulse. He went on +with brisk affectation-- + +"Now, Miss Deane, we have gossiped too long. I am a laggard this +morning; but before starting work, I have a few serious remarks to +make." + +"More digs?" she inquired saucily. + +"I repudiate 'digs.' In the first place, you must not make any more +experiments in the matter of food. The eggs were a wonderful effort, +but, flattered by success, you may poison yourself." + +"Secondly?" + +"You must never pass out of my sight without carrying a revolver, not +so much for defence, but as a signal. Did you take one when you went +bird's-nesting?" + +"No. Why?" + +There was a troubled look in his eyes when he answered-- + +"It is best to tell you at once that before help reaches us we may be +visited by cruel and blood-thirsty savages. I would not even mention +this if it were a remote contingency. As matters stand, you ought to +know that such a thing may happen. Let us trust in God's goodness that +assistance may come soon. The island has seemingly been deserted for +many months, and therein lies our best chance of escape. But I am +obliged to warn you lest you should be taken unawares." + +Iris was serious enough now. + +"How do you know that such danger threatens us?" she demanded. + +He countered readily. "Because I happen to have read a good deal about +the China Sea and its frequenters," he said. "I am the last man in the +world to alarm you needlessly. All I mean to convey is that certain +precautions should be taken against a risk that is possible, not +probable. No more." + +She could not repress a shudder. The aspect of nature was so beneficent +that evil deeds seemed to be out of place in that fair isle. Birds were +singing around them. The sun was mounting into a cloudless sky. The +gale had passed away into a pleasant breeze, and the sea was now +rippling against the distant reef with peaceful melody. + +The sailor wanted to tell her that he would defend her against a host +of savages if he were endowed with many lives, but he was perforce +tongue-tied. He even reviled himself for having spoken, but she saw the +anguish in his face, and her woman's heart acknowledged him as her +protector, her shield. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said simply, "we are in God's hands. I put my trust in +Him, and in you. I am hopeful, nay more, confident. I thank you for +what you have done, for all that you will do. If you cannot preserve me +from threatening perils no man could, for you are as brave and gallant +a gentleman as lives on the earth today." + +Now, the strange feature of this extraordinary and unexpected outburst +of pent-up emotion was that the girl pronounced his name with the +slightly emphasized accentuation of one who knew it to be a mere +disguise. The man was so taken aback by her declaration of faith that +the minor incident, though it did not escape him, was smothered in a +tumult of feeling. + +He could not trust himself to speak. He rose hastily and seized the axe +to deliver a murderous assault upon a sago palm that stood close at +hand. + +Iris was the first to recover a degree of self-possession. For a moment +she had bared her soul. With reaction came a sensitive shrinking. Her +British temperament, no less than her delicate nature, disapproved +these sentimental displays. She wanted to box her own ears. + +With innate tact she took a keen interest in the felling of the tree. + +"What do you want it for?" she inquired, when the sturdy trunk creaked +and fell. + +Jenks felt better now. + +"This is a change of diet," he explained. "No; we don't boil the leaves +or nibble the bark. When I split this palm open you will find that the +interior is full of pith. I will cut it out for you, and then it will +be your task to knead it with water after well washing it, pick out all +the fiber, and finally permit the water to evaporate. In a couple of +days the residuum will become a white powder, which, when boiled, is +sago." + +"Good gracious!" said Iris. + +"The story sounds unconvincing, but I believe I am correct. It is worth +a trial." + +"I should have imagined that sago grew on a stalk like rice or wheat." + +"Or Topsy!" + +She laughed. A difficult situation had passed without undue effort. +Unhappily the man reopened it. Whilst using a crowbar as a wedge he +endeavored to put matters on a straightforward footing. + +"A little while ago," he said, "you seemed to imply that I had assumed +the name of Jenks." + +But Miss Deane's confidential mood had gone. "Nothing of the kind," she +said, coldly. "I think Jenks is an excellent name." + +She regretted the words even as they fell from her lips. The sailor +gave a mighty wrench with the bar, splitting the log to its clustering +leaves. + +"You are right," he said. "It is distinctive, brief, dogmatic. I cling +to it passionately." + +Soon afterwards, leaving Iris to the manufacture of sago, he went to +the leeward side of the island, a search for turtles being his +ostensible object. When the trees hid him he quickened his pace and +turned to the left, in order to explore the cavity marked on the tin +with a skull and cross-bones. To his surprise he hit upon the remnants +of a roadway--that is, a line through the wood where there were no +well-grown trees, where the ground bore traces of humanity in the shape +of a wrinkled and mildewed pair of Chinese boots, a wooden sandal, even +the decayed remains of a palki, or litter. + +At last he reached the edge of the pit, and the sight that met his eyes +held him spellbound. + +The labor of many hands had torn a chasm, a quarry, out of the side of +the hill. Roughly circular in shape, it had a diameter of perhaps a +hundred feet, and at its deepest part, towards the cliff, it ran to a +depth of forty feet. On the lower side, where the sailor stood, it +descended rapidly for some fifteen feet. + +Grasses, shrubs, plants of every variety, grew in profusion down the +steep slopes, wherever seeds could find precarious nurture, until a +point was reached about ten or eleven feet from the bottom. There all +vegetation ceased as if forbidden to cross a magic circle. + +Below this belt the place was a charnel-house. The bones of men and +animals mingled in weird confusion. Most were mere skeletons. A few +bodies--nine the sailor counted--yet preserved some resemblance of +humanity. These latter were scattered among the older relics. They wore +the clothes of Dyaks. Characteristic hats and weapons denoted their +nationality. The others, the first harvest of this modern Golgotha, +might have been Chinese coolies. When the sailor's fascinated vision +could register details he distinguished yokes, baskets, odd-looking +spades and picks strewed amidst the bones. The animals were all of one +type, small, lanky, with long pointed skulls. At last he spied a +withered hoof. They were pigs. + +Over all lay a thick coating of fine sand, deposited from the eddying +winds that could never reach the silent depths. The place was gruesome, +horribly depressing. Jenks broke out into a clammy perspiration. He +seemed to be looking at the secrets of the grave. + +At last his superior intelligence asserted itself. His brain became +clearer, recovered its power of analysis. He began to criticize, +reflect, and this is the theory he evolved-- + +Some one, long ago, had discovered valuable minerals in the volcanic +rock. Mining operations were in full blast when the extinct volcano +took its revenge upon the human ants gnawing at its vitals and +smothered them by a deadly outpouring of carbonic acid gas, the +bottled-up poison of the ages. A horde of pigs, running wild over the +island--placed there, no doubt, by Chinese fishers--had met the same +fate whilst intent on dreadful orgy. + +Then there came a European, who knew how the anhydrate gas, being +heavier than the surrounding air, settled like water in that terrible +hollow. He, too, had striven to wrest the treasure from the stone by +driving a tunnel into the cliff. He had partly succeeded and had gone +away, perhaps to obtain help, after crudely registering his knowledge +on the lid of a tin canister. This, again, probably fell into the hands +of another man, who, curious but unconvinced, caused himself to be set +ashore on this desolate spot, with a few inadequate stores. Possibly he +had arranged to be taken off within a fixed time. + +But a sampan, laden with Dyak pirates, came first, and the intrepid +explorer's bones rested near the well, whilst his head had gone to +decorate the hut of some fierce village chief. The murderers, after +burying their own dead--for the white man fought hard, witness the +empty cartridges--searched the island. Some of them, ignorantly +inquisitive, descended into the hollow. They remained there. The +others, superstitious barbarians, fled for their lives, embarking so +hastily that they took from the cave neither tools nor oil, though they +would greatly prize these articles. + +Such was the tragic web he spun, a compound of fact and fancy. It +explained all perplexities save one. What did "32 divided by 1" mean? +Was there yet another fearsome riddle awaiting solution? + +And then his thoughts flew to Iris. Happen what might, her bright +picture was seldom absent from his brain. Suppose, egg-hunting, she had +stumbled across this Valley of Death! How could he hope to keep it +hidden from her? Was not the ghastly knowledge better than the horror +of a chance ramble through the wood and the shock of discovery, nay, +indeed, the risk of a catastrophe? + +He was a man who relieved his surcharged feelings with strong +language--a habit of recent acquisition. He indulged in it now and felt +better. He rushed back through the trees until he caught sight of Iris +industriously kneading the sago pith in one of those most useful +dish-covers. + +He called to her, led her wondering to the track, and pointed out the +fatal quarry, but in such wise that she could not look inside it. + +"You remember that round hole we saw from the summit rock?" he said. +"Well, it is full of carbonic acid gas, to breathe which means +unconsciousness and death. It gives no warning to the inexperienced. It +is rather pleasant than otherwise. Promise me you will never come near +this place again." + +Now, Iris, too, had been thinking deeply. Robert Jenks bulked large in +her day-dreams. Her nerves were not yet quite normal. There was a catch +in her throat as she answered-- + +"I don't want to die. Of course I will keep away. What a horrid island +this is! Yet it might be a paradise." + +She bit her lip to suppress her tears, but, being the Eve in this +garden, she continued-- + +"How did you find out? Is there anything--nasty--in there?" + +"Yes, the remains of animals, and other things. I would not have told +you were it not imperative." + +"Are you keeping other secrets from me?" + +"Oh, quite a number." + +He managed to conjure up a smile, and the ruse was effective. She +applied the words to his past history. + +"I hope they will not be revealed so dramatically," she said. + +"You never can tell," he answered. They were in prophetic vein that +morning. They returned in silence to the cave. + +"I wish to go inside, with a lamp. May I?" he asked. + +"Certainly. Why not?" + +He had an odd trick of blushing, this bronzed man with a gnarled soul. +He could not frame a satisfactory reply, but busied himself in +refilling the lamp. + +"May I come too?" she demanded. + +He flung aside the temptation to answer her in kind, merely assenting, +with an explanation of his design. When the lamp was in order he held +it close to the wall and conducted a systematic survey. The geological +fault which favored the construction of the tunnel seemed to diverge to +the left at the further end. The "face" of the rock exhibited the marks +of persistent labor. The stone had been hewn away by main force when +the dislocation of strata ceased to be helpful. + +His knowledge was limited on the subject, yet Jenks believed that the +material here was a hard limestone rather than the external basalt. +Searching each inch with the feeble light, he paused once, with an +exclamation. + +"What is it?" cried Iris. + +"I cannot be certain," he said, doubtfully. "Would you mind holding the +lamp whilst I use a crowbar?" + +In the stone was visible a thin vein, bluish white in color. He managed +to break off a fair-sized lump containing a well-defined specimen of +the foreign metal. + +They hurried into the open air and examined the fragment with curious +eyes. The sailor picked it with his knife, and the substance in the +vein came off in laminated layers, small, brittle scales. + +"Is it silver?" Iris was almost excited. + +"I do not think so. I am no expert, but I have a vague idea--I have +seen----" + +He wrinkled his brows and pressed away the furrows with his hand, that +physical habit of his when perplexed. + +"I have it," he cried. "It is antimony." + +Miss Deane pursed her lips in disdain. Antimony! What was antimony? + +"So much fuss for nothing," she said. + +"It is used in alloys and medicines," he explained. "To us it is +useless." + +He threw the piece of rock contemptuously among the bushes. But, being +thorough in all that he undertook, he returned to the cave and again +conducted an inquisition. The silver-hued vein became more strongly +marked at the point where it disappeared downwards into a collection of +rubble and sand. That was all. Did men give their toil, their lives, +for this? So it would appear. Be that as it might, he had a more +pressing work. If the cave still held a secret it must remain there. + +Iris had gone back to her sago-kneading. Necessity had made the lady a +bread-maid. + +"Fifteen hundred years of philology bridged by circumstance," mused +Jenks. "How Max Mueller would have reveled in the incident!" + +Shouldering the axe he walked to the beach. The tide was low and the +circular sweep of the reef showed up irregularly, its black outlines +sticking out of the vividly green water like jagged teeth. + +Much debris from the steamer was lying high and dry. It was an easy +task for an athletic man to reach the palm tree, yet the sailor +hesitated, with almost imperceptible qualms. + +"A baited rat-trap," he muttered. Then he quickened his pace. With the +first active spring from rock to rock his unacknowledged doubts +vanished. He might find stores of priceless utility. The reflection +inspired him. Jumping and climbing like a cat, in two minutes he was +near the tree. + +He could now see the true explanation of its growth in a seemingly +impossible place. Here the bed of the sea bulged upwards in a small +sand cay, which silted round the base of a limestone rock, so different +in color and formation from the coral reef. Nature, whose engineering +contrivances can force springs to mountain tops, managed to deliver to +this isolated refuge a sufficient supply of water to nourish the palm, +and the roots, firmly lodged in deep crevices, were well protected from +the waves. + +Between the sailor and the tree intervened a small stretch of shallow +water. Landward this submerged saddle shelved steeply into the lagoon. +Although the water in the cove was twenty fathoms in depth, its crystal +clearness was remarkable. The bottom, composed of marvelously white +sand and broken coral, rendered other objects conspicuous. He could see +plenty of fish, but not a single shark, whilst on the inner slope of +the reef was plainly visible the destroyed fore part of the +_Sirdar_, which had struck beyond the tree, relatively to his +present standpoint. He had wondered why no boats were cast ashore. Now +he saw the reason. Three of them were still fastened to the davits and +carried down with the hull. + +Seaward the water was not so clear. The waves created patches of foam, +and long submarine plants swayed gently in the undercurrent. + +To reach Palm-tree Rock--anticipating its subsequent name--he must +cross a space of some thirty feet and wade up to his waist. + +He made the passage with ease. + +Pitched against the hole of the tree was a long narrow case, very +heavy, iron-clamped; and marked with letters in black triangles and the +broad arrow of the British Government. + +"Rifles, by all the gods!" shouted the sailor. They were really by the +Enfield Small Arms Manufactory, but his glee at this stroke of luck +might be held to excuse a verbal inaccuracy. + +The _Sirdar_ carried a consignment of arms and ammunition from +Hong Kong to Singapore. Providence had decreed that a practically +inexhaustible store of cartridges should be hurled across the lagoon to +the island. And here were Lee-Metfords enough to equip half a company. +He would not risk the precious axe in an attempt to open the case. He +must go back for a crowbar. + +What else was there in this storehouse, thrust by Neptune from the +ocean bed? A chest of tea, seemingly undamaged. Three barrels of flour, +utterly ruined. A saloon chair, smashed from its pivot. A battered +chronometer. For the rest, fragments of timber intermingled with +pulverized coral and broken crockery. + +A little further on, the deep-water entrance to the lagoon curved +between sunken rocks. On one of them rested the _Sirdar's_ huge +funnel. The north-west section of the reef was bare. Among the wreckage +he found a coil of stout rope and a pulley. He instantly conceived the +idea of constructing an aerial line to ferry the chest of tea across +the channel he had forded. + +He threaded the pulley with the rope and climbed the tree, adding a +touch of artistic completeness to the ruin of his trousers by the +operation. He had fastened the pulley high up the trunk before he +realized how much more simple it would be to break open the chest where +it lay and transport its contents in small parcels. + +He laughed lightly. "I am becoming addleheaded," he said to himself. +"Anyhow, now the job is done I may as well make use of it." + +Recoiling the rope-ends, he cast them across to the reef. In such small +ways do men throw invisible dice with death. With those two lines he +would, within a few fleeting seconds, drag himself back from eternity. + +Picking up the axe, he carelessly stepped into the water, not knowing +that Iris, having welded the incipient sago into a flat pancake, had +strolled to the beach and was watching him. + +The water was hardly above his knees when there came a swirling rush +from the seaweed. A long tentacle shot out like a lasso and gripped his +right leg. Another coiled round his waist. + +"My God!" he gurgled, as a horrid sucker closed over his mouth and +nose. He was in the grip of a devil-fish. + +A deadly sensation of nausea almost overpowered him, but the love of +life came to his aid, and he tore the suffocating feeler from his face. +Then the axe whirled, and one of the eight arms of the octopus lost +some of its length. Yet a fourth flung itself around his left ankle. A +few feet away, out of range of the axe, and lifting itself bodily out +of the water, was the dread form of the cuttle, apparently all head, +with distended gills and monstrous eyes. + +The sailor's feet were planted wide apart. With frenzied effort he +hacked at the murderous tentacles, but the water hindered him, and he +was forced to lean back, in superhuman strain, to avoid losing his +balance. If once this terrible assailant got him down he knew he was +lost. The very need to keep his feet prevented him from attempting to +deal a mortal blow. + +The cuttle was anchored by three of its tentacles. Its remaining arm +darted with sinuous activity to again clutch the man's face or neck. +With the axe he smote madly at the curling feeler, diverting its aim +time and again, but failing to deliver an effective stroke. + +With agonized prescience the sailor knew that he was yielding. Were the +devil-fish a giant of its tribe he could not have held out so long. As +it was, the creature could afford to wait, strengthening its grasp, +tightening its coils, pulling and pumping at its prey with remorseless +certainty. + +He was nearly spent. In a paroxysm of despair he resolved to give way, +and with one mad effort seek to bury the axe in the monster's brain. +But ere he could execute this fatal project--for the cuttle would have +instantly swept him into the trailing weeds--five revolver shots rang +out in quick succession. Iris had reached the nearest rock. + +The third bullet gave the octopus cause to reflect. It squirted forth a +torrent of dark-colored fluid. Instantly the water became black, +opaque. The tentacle flourishing in air thrashed the surface with +impotent fury; that around Jenks's waist grew taut and rigid. The axe +flashed with the inspiration of hope. Another arm was severed; the huge +dismembered coil slackened and fell away. + +Yet was he anchored immovably. He turned to look at Iris. She never +forgot the fleeting expression of his face. So might Lazarus have +looked from the tomb. + +"The rope!" she screamed, dropping the revolver and seizing the loose +ends lying at her feet. + +She drew them tight and leaned back, pulling with all her strength. The +sailor flung the axe to the rocks and grasped the two ropes. He raised +himself and plunged wildly. He was free. With two convulsive strides he +was at the girl's side. + +He stumbled to a boulder and dropped in complete collapse. After a time +he felt Iris's hand placed timidly on his shoulder. He raised his head +and saw her eyes shining. + +"Thank you," he said. "We are quits now." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +SOME EXPLANATIONS + + +Fierce emotions are necessarily transient, but for the hour they +exhaust the psychic capacity. The sailor had gone through such mental +stress before it was yet noon that he was benumbed, wholly incapable of +further sensation. Seneca tells how the island of Theresaea arose in a +moment from the sea, thereby astounding ancient mariners, as well it +might. Had this manifestation been repeated within a cable's length +from the reef, Jenks was in mood to accept it as befitting the new +order of things. + +Being in good condition, he soon recovered his physical powers. He was +outwardly little the worse for the encounter with the devil-fish. The +skin around his mouth was sore. His waist and legs were bruised. One +sweep of the axe had cut clean through the bulging leather of his left +boot without touching the flesh. In a word, he was practically +uninjured. + +He had the doglike habit of shaking himself at the close of a fray. He +did so now when he stood up. Iris showed clearer signs of the ordeal. +Her face was drawn and haggard, the pupils of her eyes dilated. She was +gazing into depths, illimitable, unexplored. Compassion awoke at sight +of her. + +"Come," said Jenks, gently. "Let us get back to the island." + +He quietly resumed predominance, helping her over the rough pathway of +the reef, almost lifting her when the difficulties were great. + +He did not ask her how it happened that she came so speedily to his +assistance. Enough that she had done it, daring all for his sake. She +was weak and trembling. With the acute vision of the soul she saw +again, and yet again, the deadly malice of the octopus, the divine +despair of the man. + +Reaching the firm sand, she could walk alone. She limped. Instantly her +companion's blunted emotions quickened into life. He caught her arm and +said hoarsely-- + +"Are you hurt in any way?" + +The question brought her back from dreamland. A waking nightmare was +happily shattered into dim fragments. She even strove to smile +unconcernedly. + +"It is nothing," she murmured. "I stumbled on the rocks. There is no +sprain. Merely a blow, a bit of skin rubbed off, above my ankle." + +"Let me carry you." + +"The idea! Carry me! I will race you to the cave." + +It was no idle jest. She wanted to run--to get away from that inky +blotch in the green water. + +"You are sure it is a trifle?" + +"Quite sure. My stocking chafes a little; that is all. See, I will show +you." + +She stooped, and with the quick skill of woman, rolled down the +stocking on her right leg. Modestly daring, she stretched out her foot +and slightly lifted her dress. On the outer side of the tapering limb +was an ugly bruise, scratched deeply by the coral. + +He exhibited due surgical interest. His manner, his words, became +professional. + +"We will soon put that right," he said. "A strip off your muslin dress, +soaked in brandy, will----" + +"Brandy!" she exclaimed. + +"Yes; we have some, you know. Brandy is a great tip for bruised wounds. +It can be applied both ways, inside and out." + +This was better. They were steadily drifting back to the commonplace. +Whilst she stitched together some muslin strips he knocked the head off +a bottle of brandy. They each drank a small quantity, and the generous +spirit brought color to their wan cheeks. The sailor showed Iris how to +fasten a bandage by twisting the muslin round the upper part of his +boot. For the first time she saw the cut made by the axe. + +"Did--the thing--grip you there?" she nervously inquired. + +"There, and elsewhere. All over at once, it felt like. The beast +attacked me with five arms." + +She shuddered. "I don't know how you could fight it," she said. "How +strong, how brave you must be." + +This amused him. "The veriest coward will try to save his own life," he +answered. "If you use such adjectives to me, what words can I find to +do justice to you, who dared to come close to such a vile-looking +creature and kill it. I must thank my stars that you carried the +revolver." + +"Ah!" she said, "that reminds me. You do not practice what you preach. +I found your pistol lying on the stone in the cave. That is one reason +why I followed you." + +It was quite true. He laid the weapon aside when delving at the rock, +and forgot to replace it in his belt. + +"It was stupid of me," he admitted; "but I am not sorry." + +"Why?" + +"Because, as it is, I owe you my life." + +"You owe me nothing," she snapped. "It is very thoughtless of you to +run such risks. What will become of me if anything happens to you? My +point of view is purely selfish, you see." + +"Quite so. Purely selfish." He smiled sadly. "Selfish people of your +type are somewhat rare, Miss Deane." + +Not a conversation worth noting, perhaps, save in so far as it is +typical of the trite utterances of people striving to recover from some +tremendous ordeal. Epigrams delivered at the foot of the scaffold have +always been carefully prepared beforehand. + +The bandage was ready; one end was well soaked in brandy. She moved +towards the cave, but he cried-- + +"Wait one minute. I want to get a couple of crowbars." + +"What for?" + +"I must go back there." He jerked his head in the direction of the +reef. She uttered a little sob of dismay. + +"I will incur no danger this time," he explained. "I found rifles +there. We must have them; they may mean salvation." + +When Iris was determined about anything, her chin dimpled. It puckered +delightfully now. + +"I will come with you," she announced. + +"Very well. I will wait for you. The tide will serve for another hour." + +He knew he had decided rightly. She could not bear to be alone--yet. +Soon the bandage was adjusted and they returned to the reef. Scrambling +now with difficulty over the rough and dangerous track, Iris was +secretly amazed by the remembrance of the daring activity she displayed +during her earlier passage along the same precarious roadway. + +Then she darted from rock to rock with the fearless certainty of a +chamois. Her only stumble was caused, she recollected, by an absurd +effort to avoid wetting her dress. She laughed nervously when they +reached the place. This time Jenks lifted her across the intervening +channel. + +"Is this the spot where you fell?" he asked, tenderly. + +"Yes; how did you guess it?" + +"I read it in your eyes." + +"Then please do not read my eyes, but look where you are going." + +"Perhaps I was doing that too," he said. + +They were standing on the landward side of the shallow water in which +he fought the octopus. + +Already the dark fluid emitted by his assailant in its final +discomfiture was passing away, owing to the slight movement of the +tide. + +Iris was vaguely conscious of a double meaning in his words. She did +not trouble to analyze them. All she knew was that the man's voice +conveyed a subtle acknowledgment of her feminine divinity. The +resultant thrill of happiness startled, even dismayed her. This +incipient flirtation must be put a stop to instantly. + +"Now that you have brought me here with so much difficulty, what are +you going to do?" she said. "It will be madness for you to attempt to +ford that passage again. Where there is one of those horrible things +there are others, I suppose." + +Jenks smiled. Somehow he knew that this strict adherence to business +was a cloak for her real thoughts. Already these two were able to +dispense with spoken word. + +But he sedulously adopted her pretext. + +"That is one reason why I brought the crowbars," he explained. "If you +will sit down for a little while I will have everything properly +fixed." + +He delved with one of the bars until it lodged in a crevice of the +coral. Then a few powerful blows with the back of the axe wedged it +firmly enough to bear any ordinary strain. The rope-ends reeved through +the pulley on the tree were lying where they fell from the girl's hand +at the close of the struggle. He deftly knotted them to the rigid bar, +and a few rapid turns of a piece of wreckage passed between the two +lines strung them into a tautness that could not be attained by any +amount of pulling. + +Iris watched the operation in silence. The sailor always looked at his +best when hard at work. The half-sullen, wholly self-contained +expression left his face, which lit up with enthusiasm and concentrated +intelligence. That which he essayed he did with all his might. Will +power and physical force worked harmoniously. She had never before seen +such a man. At such moments her admiration of him was unbounded. + +He, toiling with steady persistence, felt not the inward spur which +sought relief in speech, but Iris was compelled to say something. + +"I suppose," she commented with an air of much wisdom, "you are +contriving an overhead railway for the safe transit of yourself and the +goods?" + +"Y--yes." + +"Why are you so doubtful about it?" + +"Because I personally intended to walk across. The ropes will serve to +convey the packages." + +She rose imperiously. "I absolutely forbid you to enter the water +again. Such a suggestion on your part is quite shameful. You are taking +a grave risk for no very great gain that I can see, and if anything +happens to you I shall be left all alone in this awful place." + +She could think of no better argument. Her only resource was a woman's +expedient--a plea for protection against threatening ills. + +The sailor seemed to be puzzled how best to act. + +"Miss Deane," he said, "there is no such serious danger as you imagine. +Last time the cuttle caught me napping. He will not do so again. Those +rifles I must have. If it will serve to reassure you, I will go along +the line myself." + +He made this concession grudgingly. In very truth, if danger still +lurked in the neighboring sea, he would be far less able to avoid it +whilst clinging to a rope that sagged with his weight, and thus working +a slow progress across the channel, than if he were on his feet and +prepared to make a rush backwards or forwards. + +Not until Iris watched him swinging along with vigorous overhead +clutches did this phase of the undertaking occur to her. + +"Stop!" she screamed. + +He let go and dropped into the water, turning towards her. + +"What is the matter now?" he said. + +"Go on; do!" + +He stood meekly on the further side to listen to her rating. + +"You knew all the time that it would be better to walk, yet to please +me you adopted an absurdly difficult method. Why did you do it?" + +"You have answered your own question." + +"Well, I am very, very angry with you." + +"I'll tell you what," he said, "if you will forgive me I will try and +jump back. I once did nineteen feet three inches in--er--in a meadow, +but it makes such a difference when you look at a stretch of water the +same width." + +"I wish you would not stand there talking nonsense. The tide will be +over the reef in half an hour," she cried. + +Without another word he commenced operations. There was plenty of rope, +and the plan he adopted was simplicity itself. When each package was +securely fastened he attached it to a loop that passed over the line +stretched from the tree to the crowbar. To this loop he tied the +lightest rope he could find and threw the other end to Iris. By pulling +slightly she was able to land at her feet even the cumbrous +rifle-chest, for the traveling angle was so acute that the heavier the +article the more readily it sought the lower level. + +They toiled in silence until Jenks could lay hands on nothing more of +value. Then, observing due care, he quickly passed the channel. For an +instant the girl gazed affrightedly at the sea until the sailor stood +at her side again. + +"You see," he said, "you have scared every cuttle within miles." And he +thought that he would give many years of his life to be able to take +her in his arms and kiss away her anxiety. + +But the tide had turned; in a few minutes the reef would be partly +submerged. To carry the case of rifles to the mainland was a manifestly +impossible feat, so Jenks now did that which, done earlier, would have +saved him some labor--he broke open the chest, and found that the +weapons were apparently in excellent order. + +He snapped the locks and squinted down the barrels of half a dozen to +test them. These he laid on one side. Then he rapidly constructed a +small raft from loose timbers, binding them roughly with rope, and to +this argosy he fastened the box of tea, the barrels of flour, the +broken saloon-chair, and other small articles which might be of use. He +avoided any difficulty in launching the raft by building it close to +the water's edge. When all was ready the rising tide floated it for +him; he secured it to his longest rope, and gave it a vigorous push off +into the lagoon. Then he slung four rifles across his shoulders, asked +Iris to carry the remaining two in like manner, and began to manoeuvre +the raft landwards. + +"Whilst you land the goods I will prepare dinner," announced the girl. + +"Please be careful not to slip again on the rocks," he said. + +"Indeed I will. My ankle gives me a reminder at each step." + +"I was more concerned about the rifles. If you fell you might damage +them, and the incoming tide will so hopelessly rust those I leave +behind that they will be useless." + +She laughed. This assumption at brutality no longer deceived her. + +"I will preserve them at any cost, though with six in our possession +there is a margin for accidents. However, to reassure you, I will go +back quickly. If I fall a second time you will still be able to replace +any deficiencies in our armament." + +Before he could protest she started off at a run, jumping lightly from +rock to rock, though the effort cost her a good deal of pain. +Disregarding his shouts, she persevered until she stood safely on the +sands. Then saucily waving a farewell, she set off towards the cave. + +Had she seen the look of fierce despair that settled down upon Jenks's +face as he turned to his task of guiding the raft ashore she might have +wondered what it meant. In any case she would certainly have behaved +differently. + +By the time the sailor had safely landed his cargo Iris had cooked +their midday meal. She achieved a fresh culinary triumph. The eggs were +fried! + +"I am seriously thinking of trying to boil a ham," she stated gravely. +"Have you any idea how long it takes to cook one properly?" + +"A quarter of an hour for each pound." + +"Admirable! But we can measure neither hours nor pounds." + +"I think we can do both. I will construct a balance of some kind. Then, +with a ham slung to one end, and a rifle and some cartridges to the +other, I will tell you the weight of the ham to an ounce. To ascertain +the time, I have already determined to fashion a sun-dial. I remember +the requisite divisions with reasonable accuracy, and a little +observation will enable us to correct any mistakes." + +"You are really very clever, Mr. Jenks," said Iris, with childlike +candor. "Have you spent several years of your life in preparing for +residence on a desert island?" + +"Something of the sort. I have led a queer kind of existence, full of +useless purposes. Fate has driven me into a corner where my odds and +ends of knowledge are actually valuable. Such accidents make men +millionaires." + +"Useless purposes!" she repeated. "I can hardly credit that. One uses +such a phrase to describe fussy people, alive with foolish activity. +Your worst enemy would not place you in such a category." + +"My worst enemy made the phrase effective at any rate, Miss Deane." + +"You mean that he ruined your career?" + +"Well--er--yes. I suppose that describes the position with fair +accuracy." + +"Was he a very great scoundrel?" + +"He was, and is." + +Jenks spoke with quiet bitterness. The girl's words had evoked a sudden +flood of recollection. For the moment he did not notice how he had been +trapped into speaking of himself, nor did he see the quiet content on +Iris's face when she elicited the information that his chief foe was a +man. A certain tremulous hesitancy in her manner when she next spoke +might have warned him, but his hungry soul caught only the warm +sympathy of her words, which fell like rain on parched soil. + +"You are tired," she said. "Won't you smoke for a little while, and +talk to me?" + +He produced his pipe and tobacco, but he used his right hand awkwardly. +It was evident to her alert eyes that the torn quick on his injured +finger was hurting him a great deal. The exciting events of the morning +had caused him temporarily to forget his wound, and the rapid coursing +of the blood through the veins was now causing him agonized throbs. + +With a cry of distress she sprang to her feet and insisted upon washing +the wound. Then she tenderly dressed it with a strip of linen well +soaked in brandy, thinking the while, with a sudden rush of color to +her face, that although he could suggest this remedy for her slight +hurt, he gave no thought to his own serious injury. Finally she pounced +upon his pipe and tobacco-box. + +"Don't be alarmed," she laughed. "I have often filled my father's pipe +for him. First, you put the tobacco in loosely, taking care not to use +any that is too finely powdered. Then you pack the remainder quite +tightly. But I was nearly forgetting. I haven't blown, through the pipe +to see if it is clean." + +She suited the action to the word, using much needless breath in the +operation. + +"That is a first-rate pipe," she declared. "My father always said that +a straight stem, with the bowl at a right angle, was the correct shape. +You evidently agree with him." + +"Absolutely." + +"You will like my father when you meet him. He is the very best man +alive, I am sure." + +"You two are great friends, then?" + +"Great friends! He is the only friend I possess in the world." + +"What! Is that quite accurate?" + +"Oh, quite. Of course, Mr. Jenks, I can never forget how much I owe to +you. I like you immensely, too, although you are so--so gruff to me at +times. But--but--you see, my father and I have always been together. I +have neither brother nor sister, not even a cousin. My dear mother died +from some horrid fever when I was quite a little girl. My father is +everything to me." + +"Dear child!" he murmured, apparently uttering his thoughts aloud +rather than addressing her directly. "So you find me gruff, eh?" + +"A regular bear, when you lecture me. But that is only occasionally. +You can be very nice when you like, when you forget your past troubles. +And pray, why do you call me a child? + +"Have I done so?" + +"Not a moment ago. How old are you, Mr. Jenks? I am twenty--twenty last +December." + +"And I," he said, "will be twenty-eight in August." + +"Good gracious!" she gasped. "I am very sorry, but I really thought you +were forty at least." + +"I look it, no doubt. Let me be equally candid and admit that you, too, +show your age markedly." + +She smiled nervously. "What a lot of trouble you must have had +to--to--to give you those little wrinkles in the corners of your mouth +and eyes," she said. + +"Wrinkles! How terrible!" + +"I don't know. I think they rather suit you; besides, it was stupid of +me to imagine you were so old. I suppose exposure to the sun creates +wrinkles, and you must have lived much in the open air." + +"Early rising and late going to bed are bad for the complexion," he +declared, solemnly. + +"I often wonder how army officers manage to exist," she said. "They +never seem to get enough sleep, in the East, at any rate. I have seen +them dancing for hours after midnight, and heard of them pig-sticking +or schooling hunters at five o'clock next morning." + +"So you assume I have been in the army?" + +"I am quite sure of it." + +"May I ask why?" + +"Your manner, your voice, your quiet air of authority, the very way you +walk, all betray you." + +"Then," he said sadly, "I will not attempt to deny the fact. I held a +commission in the Indian Staff Corps for nine years. It was a hobby of +mine, Miss Deane, to make myself acquainted with the best means of +victualing my men and keeping them in good health under all sorts of +fanciful conditions and in every kind of climate, especially under +circumstances when ordinary stores were not available. With that object +in view I read up every possible country in which my regiment might be +engaged, learnt the local names of common articles of food, and +ascertained particularly what provision nature made to sustain life. +The study interested me. Once, during the Soudan campaign, it was +really useful, and procured me promotion." + +"Tell me about it." + +"During some operations in the desert it was necessary for my troop to +follow up a small party of rebels mounted on camels, which, as you +probably know, can go without water much longer than horses. We were +almost within striking distance, when our horses completely gave out, +but I luckily noticed indications which showed that there was water +beneath a portion of the plain much below the general level. Half an +hour's spade work proved that I was right. We took up the pursuit +again, and ran the quarry to earth, and I got my captaincy." + +"Was there no fight?" + +He paused an appreciable time before replying. Then he evidently made +up his mind to perform some disagreeable task. The watching girl could +see the change in his face, the sharp transition from eager interest to +angry resentment. + +"Yes," he went on at last, "there was a fight. It was a rather stiff +affair, because a troop of British cavalry which should have supported +me had turned back, owing to the want of water already mentioned. But +that did not save the officer in charge of the 24th Lancers from being +severely reprimanded." + +"The 24th Lancers!" cried Iris. "Lord Ventnor's regiment!" + +"Lord Ventnor was the officer in question." + +Her face crimonsed. "Then you know him?" she said. + +"I do." + +"Is he your enemy?" + +"Yes." + +"And that is why you were so agitated that last day on the +_Sirdar_, when poor Lady Tozer asked me if I were engaged to him?" + +"Yes." + +"How could it affect you? You did not even know my name then?" + +Poor Iris! She did not stop to ask herself why she framed her question +in such manner, but the sailor was now too profoundly moved to heed the +slip. She could not tell how he was fighting with himself, fiercely +beating down the inner barriers of self-love, sternly determined, once +and for all, to reveal himself in such light to this beautiful and +bewitching woman that in future she would learn to regard him only as +an outcast whose company she must perforce tolerate until relief came. + +"It affected me because the sudden mention of his name recalled my own +disgrace. I quitted the army six months ago, Miss Deane, under very +painful circumstances. A general court-martial found me guilty of +conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. I was not even given a +chance to resign. I was cashiered." + +He pretended to speak with cool truculence. He thought to compel her +into shrinking contempt. Yet his face blanched somewhat, and though he +steadily kept the pipe between his teeth, and smoked with studied +unconcern, his lips twitched a little. + +And he dared not look at her, for the girl's wondering eyes were fixed +upon him, and the blush had disappeared as quickly as it came. + +"I remember something of this," she said slowly, never once averting +her gaze. "There was some gossip concerning it when I first came to +Hong Kong. You are Captain Robert Anstruther?" + +"I am." + +"And you publicly thrashed Lord Ventnor as the result of a quarrel +about a woman?" + +"Your recollection is quite accurate." + +"Who was to blame?" + +"The lady said that I was." + +"Was it true?" + +Robert Anstruther, late captain of Bengal Cavalry, rose to his feet. He +preferred to take his punishment standing. + +"The court-martial agreed with her, Miss Deane, and I am a prejudiced +witness," he replied. + +"Who was the--lady?" + +"The wife of my colonel, Mrs. Costobell." + +"Oh!" + +Long afterwards he remembered the agony of that moment, and winced even +at the remembrance. But he had decided upon a fixed policy, and he was +not a man to flinch from consequences. Miss Deane must be taught to +despise him, else, God help them both, she might learn to love him as +he now loved her. So, blundering towards his goal as men always blunder +where a woman's heart is concerned, he blindly persisted in allowing +her to make such false deductions as she chose from his words. + +Iris was the first to regain some measure of self-control. + +"I am glad you have been so candid, Captain Anstruther," she commenced, +but he broke in abruptly-- + +"Jenks, if you please, Miss Deane. Robert Jenks." + +There was a curious light in her eyes, but he did not see it, and her +voice was marvelously subdued as she continued-- + +"Certainly, Mr. Jenks. Let me be equally explicit before we quit the +subject. I have met Mrs. Costobell. I do not like her. I consider her a +deceitful woman. Your court-martial might have found a different +verdict had its members been of her sex. As for Lord Ventnor, he is +nothing to me. It is true he asked my father to be permitted to pay his +addresses to me, but my dear old dad left the matter wholly to my +decision, and I certainly never gave Lord Ventnor any encouragement. I +believe now that Mrs. Costobell lied, and that Lord Ventnor lied, when +they attributed any dishonorable action to you, and I am glad that you +beat him in the Club. I am quite sure he deserved it." + +Not one word did this strange man vouchsafe in reply. He started +violently, seized the axe lying at his feet, and went straight among +the trees, keeping his face turned from Iris so that she might not see +the tears in his eyes. + +As for the girl, she began to scour her cooking utensils with much +energy, and soon commenced a song. Considering that she was compelled +to constantly endure the company of a degraded officer, who had been +expelled from the service with ignominy, she was absurdly contented. +Indeed, with the happy inconsequence of youth, she quickly threw all +care to the winds, and devoted her thoughts to planning a surprise for +the next day by preparing some tea, provided she could surreptitiously +open the chest. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +SURPRISES + + +Before night closed their third day on the island Jenks managed to +construct a roomy tent-house, with a framework of sturdy trees selected +on account of their location. To these he nailed or tied crossbeams of +felled saplings; and the tarpaulins dragged from the beach supplied +roof and walls. It required the united strength of Iris and himself to +haul into position the heavy sheet that topped the structure, whilst he +was compelled to desist from active building operations in order to +fashion a rough ladder. Without some such contrivance he could not get +the topmost supports adjusted at a sufficient height. + +Although the edifice required at least two more days of hard work +before it would be fit for habitation Iris wished to take up her +quarters there immediately. This the sailor would not hear of. + +"In the cave," he said, "you are absolutely sheltered from all the +winds that blow or rain that falls. Our villa, however, is painfully +leaky and draughty at present. When asleep, the whole body is relaxed, +and you are then most open to the attacks of cold or fever, in which +case, Miss Deane, I shall be reluctantly obliged to dose you with a +concoction of that tree there." + +He pointed to a neighboring cinchona, and Iris naturally asked why he +selected that particular brand. + +"Because it is quinine, not made up in nice little tabloids, but _au +naturel_. It will not be a bad plan if we prepare a strong infusion, +and take a small quantity every morning on the excellent principle that +prevention is better than cure." + +The girl laughed. + +"Good gracious!" she said; "that reminds me--" + +But the words died away on her lips in sudden fright. They were +standing on the level plateau in front of the cave, well removed from +the trees, and they could see distinctly on all sides, for the sun was +sinking in a cloudless sky and the air was preternaturally clear, being +free now from the tremulous haze of the hot hours. + +Across the smooth expanse of sandy ground came the agonized shrieks of +a startled bird--a large bird, it would seem--winging its way towards +them with incredible swiftness, and uttering a succession of loud +full-voiced notes of alarm. + +Yet the strange thing was that not a bird was to be seen. At that hour +the ordinary feathered inhabitants of the island were quietly nestling +among the branches preparatory to making a final selection of the +night's resting-place. None of them would stir unless actually +disturbed. + +Iris drew near to the sailor. Involuntarily she caught his arm. He +stepped a half-pace in front of her to ward off any danger that might +be heralded by this new and uncanny phenomenon. Together they strained +their eyes in the direction of the approaching sound, but apparently +their sight was bewitched; as nothing whatever was visible. + +"Oh, what is it?" wailed Iris, who now clung to Jenks in a state of +great apprehension. + +The clucking noise came nearer, passed them within a yard, and was +already some distance away towards the reef when the sailor burst into +a hearty laugh, none the less genuine because of the relief it gave to +his bewildered senses. + +Reassured, but still white with fear, Iris cried: "Do speak, please, +Mr. Jenks. What was it?" + +"A beetle!" he managed to gasp. + +"A beetle?" + +"Yes, a small, insignificant-looking fellow, too--so small that I did +not see him until he was almost out of range. He has the loudest voice +for his size in the whole of creation. A man able to shout on the same +scale could easily make himself heard for twenty miles." + +"Then I do not like such beetles; I always hated them, but this latest +variety is positively detestable. Such nasty things ought to be kept in +zoological gardens, and not turned loose. Moreover, my tea will be +boiled into spinach." + +Nevertheless, the tea, though minus sugar or milk, was grateful enough +and particularly acceptable to the sailor, who entertained Iris with a +disquisition on the many virtues of that marvelous beverage. Curiously +enough, the lifting of the veil upon the man's earlier history made +these two much better friends. With more complete acquaintance there +was far less tendency towards certain passages which, under ordinary +conditions, could be construed as nothing else than downright +flirtation. + +They made the pleasing discovery that they could both sing. There was +hardly an opera in vogue that one or other did not know sufficiently +well to be able to recall the chief musical numbers. Iris had a sweet +and sympathetic mezzo-soprano voice, Jenks an excellent baritone, and, +to the secret amazement of the girl, he rendered one or two well-known +Anglo-Indian barrack-room ditties with much humor. + +This, then, was the _mise-en-scene_. + +Iris, seated in the broken saloon-chair, which the sailor had firmly +wedged into the sand for her accommodation, was attired in a +close-fitting costume selected from the small store of garments so +wisely preserved by Jenks. She wore a pair of clumsy men's boots +several sizes too large for her. Her hair was tied up in a gipsy knot +on the back of her head, and the light of a cheerful log fire danced in +her blue eyes. + +Jenks, unshaven and ragged, squatted tailor wise near her. Close at +hand, on two sides, the shaggy walls of rock rose in solemn grandeur. +The neighboring trees, decked now in the sable livery of night, were +dimly outlined against the deep misty blue of sea and sky or wholly +merged in the shadow of the cliffs. + +They lost themselves in the peaceful influences of the hour. +Shipwrecked, remote from human land, environed by dangers known or only +conjectured, two solitary beings on a tiny island, thrown haphazard +from the depths of the China Sea, this young couple, after passing +unscathed through perils unknown even to the writers of melodrama, +lifted up their voices in the sheer exuberance of good spirits and +abounding vitality. + +The girl was specially attracted by "The Buffalo Battery," a rollicking +lyric known to all Anglo-India from Peshawur to Tuticorin. The air is +the familiar one of the "Hen Convention," and the opening verse runs in +this wise: + + I love to hear the sepoy with his bold and martial tread, + And the thud of the galloping cavalry re-echoes through my head. + But sweeter far than any sound by mortal ever made + Is the tramp of the Buffalo Battery a-going to parade. + _Chorus_: For it's "Hainya! hainya! hainya! hainya!" + Twist their tails and go. + With a "Hathi! hathi! hathi!" ele-_phant_ and buffa_lo_, + "Chow-chow, chow-chow, chow-chow, chow-chow," + "Teri ma!" "Chel-lo!" + Oh, that's the way they shout all day, and drive the buffalo. + +Iris would not be satisfied until she understood the meaning of the +Hindustani phrases, mastered the nasal pronunciation of "hainya," +and placed the artificial accent on _phant_ and _lo_ in the +second line of the chorus. + +Jenks was concluding the last verse when there came, hurtling through +the air, the weird cries of the singing beetle, returning, perchance, +from successful foray on Palm-tree Rock. This second advent of the +insect put an end to the concert. Within a quarter of an hour they were +asleep. + +Thenceforth, for ten days, they labored unceasingly, starting work at +daybreak and stopping only when the light failed, finding the long +hours of sunshine all too short for the manifold tasks demanded of +them, yet thankful that the night brought rest. The sailor made out a +programme to which he rigidly adhered. In the first place, he completed +the house, which had two compartments, an inner room in which Iris +slept, and an outer, which served as a shelter for their meals and +provided a bedroom for the man. + +Then he constructed a gigantic sky-sign on Summit Rock, the small +cluster of boulders on top of the cliff. His chief difficulty was to +hoist into place the tall poles he needed, and for this purpose he had +to again visit Palm-tree Rock in order to secure the pulley. By +exercising much ingenuity in devising shear-legs, he at last succeeded +in lifting the masts into their allotted receptacles, where they were +firmly secured. Finally he was able to swing into air, high above the +tops of the neighboring trees, the loftiest of which he felled in order +to clear the view on all sides, the name of the ship _Sirdar_, +fashioned in six-foot letters nailed and spliced together in sections +and made from the timbers of that ill-fated vessel. + +Meanwhile he taught Iris how to weave a net out of the strands of +unraveled cordage. With this, weighted by bullets, he contrived a +casting-net and caught a lot of small fish in the lagoon. At first they +were unable to decide which varieties were edible, until a happy +expedient occurred to the girl. + +"The seabirds can tell us," she said. "Let us spread out our haul on +the sands and leave them. By observing those specimens seized by the +birds and those they reject we should not go far wrong." + +Though her reasoning was not infallible it certainly proved to be a +reliable guide in this instance. Among the fish selected by the +feathered connoisseurs they hit upon two species which most resembled +whiting and haddock, and these turned out to be very palatable and +wholesome. + +Jenks knew a good deal of botany, and enough about birds to +differentiate between carnivorous species and those fit for human food, +whilst the salt in their most fortunate supply of hams rendered their +meals almost epicurean. Think of it, ye dwellers in cities, content +with stale buns and leathery sandwiches when ye venture into the wilds +of a railway refreshment-room, these two castaways, marooned by queer +chance on a desert island, could sit down daily to a banquet of +vegetable soup, fish, a roast bird, ham boiled or fried, and a sago +pudding, the whole washed down by cool spring water, or, should the +need arise, a draught of the best champagne! + +From the rusty rifles on the reef Jenks brought away the bayonets and +secured all the screws, bolts, and other small odds and ends which +might be serviceable. From the barrels he built a handy grate to +facilitate Iris's cooking operations, and a careful search each morning +amidst the ashes of any burnt wreckage accumulated a store of most +useful nails. + +The pressing need for a safe yet accessible bathing place led him and +the girl to devote one afternoon to a complete survey of the +coast-line. By this time they had given names to all the chief +localities. The northerly promontory was naturally christened North +Cape; the western, Europa Point; the portion of the reef between their +habitation and Palm-tree Rock became Filey Brig; the other section +North-west Reef. The flat sandy passage across the island, containing +the cave, house, and well, was named Prospect Park; and the extensive +stretch of sand on the south-east, with its guard of broken reefs, was +at once dubbed Turtle Beach when Jenks discovered that an immense +number of green turtles were paying their spring visit to the island to +bury their eggs in the sand. + +The two began their tour of inspection by passing the scene of the +first desperate struggle to escape from the clutch of the typhoon. Iris +would not be content until the sailor showed her the rock behind which +he placed her for shelter whilst he searched for water. For a moment +the recollection of their unfortunate companions on board ship brought +a lump into her throat and dimmed her eyes. + +"I remember them in my prayers every night," she confided to him. "It +seems so unutterably sad that they should be lost, whilst we are alive +and happy." + +The man distracted her attention by pointing out the embers of their +first fire. It was the only way to choke back the tumultuous feelings +that suddenly stormed his heart. Happy! Yes, he had never before known +such happiness. How long would it last? High up on the cliff swung the +signal to anxious searchers of the sea that here would be found the +survivors of the _Sirdar_. And then, when rescue came, when Miss +Deane became once more the daughter of a wealthy baronet, and he a +disgraced and a nameless outcast--! He set his teeth and savagely +struck at a full cup of the pitcher-plant which had so providentially +relieved their killing thirst. + +"Oh, why did you do that?" pouted Iris. "Poor thing! it was a true +friend in need. I wish I could do something for it to make it the best +and leafiest plant of its kind on the island." + +"Very well!" he answered; "you can gratify your wish. A tinful of fresh +water from the well, applied daily to its roots, will quickly achieve +that end." + +The moroseness of his tone and manner surprised her. For once her quick +intuition failed to divine the source of his irritation. + +"You give your advice ungraciously," she said, "but I will adopt it +nevertheless." + +A harmless incident, a kindly and quite feminine resolve, yet big with +fate for both of them. + +Jenks's unwonted ill-humor--for the passage of days had driven from his +face all its harshness, and from his tongue all its assumed +bitterness--created a passing cloud until the physical exertion of +scrambling over the rocks to round the North Cape restored their normal +relations. + +A strong current raced by this point to the south-east, and tore away +the outlying spur of the headland to such an extent that the sailor was +almost inclined to choose the easier way through the trees. Yet he +persevered, and it may be confessed that the opportunities thus +afforded of grasping the girl's arm, of placing a steadying hand on her +shoulder, were dominant factors in determining his choice. + +At last they reached the south side, and here they at once found +themselves in a delightfully secluded and tiny bay, sandy, tree-lined, +sheltered on three sides by cliffs and rocks. + +"Oh," cried Iris, excitedly, "what a lovely spot! a perfect Smugglers' +Cove." + +"Charming enough to look at," was the answering comment, "but open to +the sea. If you look at the smooth riband of water out there, you will +perceive a passage through the reef. A great place for sharks, Miss +Deane, but no place for bathers." + +"Good gracious! I had forgotten the sharks. I suppose they must live, +horrid as they are, but I don't want them to dine on me." + +The mention of such disagreeable adjuncts to life on the island no +longer terrified her. Thus do English new-comers to India pass the first +three months' residence in the country in momentary terror of snakes, +and the remaining thirty years in complete forgetfulness of them. + +They passed on. Whilst traversing the coral-strewn south beach, with +its patches of white soft sand baking in the direct rays of the sun, +Jenks perceived traces of the turtle which swarmed in the neighboring +sea. + +"Delicious eggs and turtle soup!" he announced when Iris asked him why +he was so intently studying certain marks on the sand, caused by the +great sea-tortoise during their nocturnal visits to the +breeding-ground. + +"If they are green turtle," he continued, "we are in the lap of luxury. +They lard the alderman and inspire the poet. When a ship comes to our +assistance I will persuade the captain to freight the vessel with them +and make my fortune." + +"I suppose, under the circumstances, you were not a rich man, Mr. +Jenks," said Iris, timidly. + +"I possess a wealthy bachelor uncle, who made me his heir and allowed +me four hundred a year; so I was a sort of Croesus among Staff Corps +officers. When the smash came he disowned me by cable. By selling my +ponies and my other belongings I was able to walk out of my quarters +penniless but free from debt." + +"And all through a deceitful woman!" + +"Yes." + +Iris peeped at him from under the brim of her sou'wester. He seemed to +be absurdly contented, so different was his tone in discussing a +necessarily painful topic to the attitude he adopted during the attack +on the pitcher-plant. + +She was puzzled, but ventured a further step. + +"Was she very bad to you, Mr. Jenks?" + +He stopped and laughed--actually roared at the suggestion. + +"Bad to me!" he repeated. "I had nothing to do with her. She was +humbugging her husband, not me. Fool that I was, I could not mind my +own business." + +So Mrs. Costobell was not flirting with the man who suffered on her +account. It is a regrettable but true statement that Iris would +willingly have hugged Mrs. Costobell at that moment. She walked on air +during the next half-hour of golden silence, and Jenks did not remind +her that they were passing the gruesome Valley of Death. + +Rounding Europa Point, the sailor's eyes were fixed on their immediate +surroundings, but Iris gazed dreamily ahead. Hence it was that she was +the first to cry in amazement-- + +"A boat! See, there! On the rocks!" + +There was no mistake. A ship's boat was perched high and dry on the +north side of the cape. Even as they scrambled towards it Jenks +understood how it had come there. + +When the _Sirdar_ parted amidships the after section fell back +into the depths beyond the reef, and this boat must have broken loose +from its davits and been driven ashore here by the force of the western +current. + +Was it intact? Could they escape? Was this ark stranded on the island +for their benefit? If it were seaworthy, whither should they steer--to +those islands whose blue outlines were visible on the horizon? + +These and a hundred other questions coursed through his brain during +the race over the rocks, but all such wild speculations were promptly +settled when they reached the craft, for the keel and the whole of the +lower timbers were smashed into matchwood. + +But there were stores on board. Jenks remembered that Captain Ross's +foresight had secured the provisioning of all the ship's boats soon +after the first wild rush to steady the vessel after the propeller was +lost. Masts, sails, oars, seats--all save two water-casks--had gone; +but Jenks, with eager hands, unfastened the lockers, and here he found +a good supply of tinned meats and biscuits. They had barely recovered +from the excitement of this find when the sailor noticed that behind +the rocks on which the craft was firmly lodged lay a small natural +basin full of salt water, replenished and freshened by the spray of +every gale, and completely shut off from all seaward access. + +It was not more than four feet deep, beautifully carpeted with sand, +and secluded by rocks on all sides. Not the tiniest crab or fish was to +be seen. It provided an ideal bath. + +Iris was overjoyed. She pointed towards their habitation. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said, "I will be with you at tea-time." + +He gathered all the tins he was able to carry and strode off, enjoining +her to fire her revolver if for the slightest reason she wanted +assistance, and giving a parting warning that if she delayed too long +he would come and shout to her. + +"I wonder," said the girl to herself, watching his retreating figure, +"what he is afraid of. Surely by this time we have exhausted the +unpleasant surprises of the island. Anyhow, now for a splash!" + +She was hardly in the water before she began to be afraid on account of +Jenks. Suppose anything happened to him whilst she was thoughtlessly +enjoying herself here. So strongly did the thought possess her that she +hurriedly dressed again and ran off to find him. + +He was engaged in fastening a number of bayonets transversely to a long +piece of timber. + +"What are you doing that for?" she asked. + +"Why did you return so soon? Did anything alarm you?" + +"I thought you might get into mischief," she confessed. + +"No. On the other hand, I am trying to make trouble for any unwelcome +visitors," he replied. "This is a _cheval de frise_, which I +intend to set up in front of our cave in case we are compelled to +defend ourselves against an attack by savages. With this barring the +way they cannot rush the position." + +She sighed. Rainbow Island was a wild spot after all. Did not thorns +and briers grow very close to the gates of Eden? + +On the nineteenth day of their residence on the island the sailor +climbed, as was his invariable habit, to the Summit Rock whilst Iris +prepared breakfast. At this early hour the horizon was clearly cut as +the rim of a sapphire. He examined the whole arc of the sea with his +glasses, but not a sail was in sight. According to his calculations, +the growing anxiety as to the fate of the _Sirdar_ must long ere +this have culminated in the dispatch from Hong Kong or Singapore of a +special search vessel, whilst British warships in the China Sea would +be warned to keep a close lookout for any traces of the steamer, to +visit all islands on their route, and to question fishermen whom they +encountered. So help might come any day, or it might be long deferred. +He could not pierce the future, and it was useless to vex his soul with +questionings as to what might happen next week. The great certainty of +the hour was Iris--the blue-eyed, smiling divinity who had come into +his life--waiting for him down there beyond the trees, waiting to +welcome him with a sweet-voiced greeting; and he knew, with a fierce +devouring joy, that her cheek would not pale nor her lip tremble when +he announced that at least another sun must set before the expected +relief reached them. + +He replaced the glasses in their case and dived into the wood, giving a +passing thought to the fact that the wind, after blowing steadily from +the south for nearly a week, had veered round to the north-east during +the night. Did the change portend a storm? Well, they were now prepared +for all such eventualities, and he had not forgotten that they +possessed, among other treasures, a box of books for rainy days. And a +rainy day with Iris for company! What gale that ever blew could offer +such compensation for enforced idleness? + +The morning sped in uneventful work. Iris did not neglect her cherished +pitcher-plant. After luncheon it was her custom now to carry a dishful +of water to its apparently arid roots, and she rose to fulfil her +self-imposed task. + +"Let me help you," said Jenks. "I am not very busy this afternoon." + +"No, thank you. I simply won't allow you to touch that shrub. The dear +thing looks quite glad to see me. It drinks up the water as greedily as +a thirsty animal." + +"Even a cabbage has a heart, Miss Deane." + +She laughed merrily. "I do believe you are offering me a compliment," +she said. "I must indeed have found favor in your eyes." + +He had schooled himself to resist the opening given by this class of +retort, so he turned to make some corrections in the scale of the +sun-dial he had constructed, aided therein by daily observations with +the sextant left by the former inhabitant of the cave. + +Iris had been gone perhaps five minutes when he heard a distant shriek, +twice repeated, and then there came faintly to his ears his own name, +not "Jenks," but "Robert," in the girl's voice. Something terrible had +happened. It was a cry of supreme distress. Mortal agony or +overwhelming terror alone could wring that name from her lips. +Precisely in such moments this man acted with the decision, the +unerring judgment, the instantaneous acceptance of great risk to +accomplish great results, that marked him out as a born soldier. + +He rushed into the house and snatched from the rifle-rack one of the +six Lee-Metfords reposing there in apple-pie order, each with a filled +magazine attached and a cartridge already in position. + +Then he ran, with long swift strides, not through the trees, where he +could see nothing, but towards the beach, whence, in forty yards, the +place where Iris probably was would become visible. + +At once he saw her, struggling in the grasp of two ferocious-looking +Dyaks, one, by his garments, a person of consequence, the other a +half-naked savage, hideous and repulsive in appearance. Around them +seven men, armed with guns and parangs, were dancing with excitement. + +Iris's captors were endeavoring to tie her arms, but she was a strong +and active Englishwoman, with muscles well knit by the constant labor +of recent busy days and a frame developed by years of horse-riding and +tennis-playing. The pair evidently found her a tough handful, and the +inferior Dyak, either to stop her screams--for she was shrieking +"Robert, come to me!" with all her might--or to stifle her into +submission, roughly placed his huge hand over her mouth. + +These things the sailor noticed instantly. Some men, brave to rashness, +ready as he to give his life to save her, would have raced madly over +the intervening ground, scarce a furlong, and attempted a heroic combat +of one against nine. + +Not so Jenks. + +With the methodical exactness of the parade-ground he settled down on +one knee and leveled the rifle. At that range the Lee-Metford bullet +travels practically point-blank. Usually it is deficient in "stopping" +power, but he had provided against this little drawback by notching all +the cartridges in the six rifles after the effective manner devised by +an expert named Thomas Atkins during the Tirah campaign. + +None of the Dyaks saw him. All were intent on the sensational prize +they had secured, a young and beautiful white woman so contentedly +roaming about the shores of this Fetish island. With the slow speed +advised by the Roman philosopher, the backsight and foresight of the +Lee-Metford came into line with the breast of the coarse brute +clutching the girl's face. + +Then something bit him above the heart and simultaneously tore half of +his back into fragments. He fell, with a queer sob, and the others +turned to face this unexpected danger. + +Iris, knowing only that she was free from that hateful grasp, wrenched +herself free from the chief's hold, and ran with all her might along +the beach, to Jenks and safety. + +Again, and yet again, the rifle gave its short, sharp snarl, and two +more Dyaks collapsed on the sand. Six were left, their leader being +still unconsciously preserved from death by the figure of the flying +girl. + +A fourth Dyak dropped. + +The survivors, cruel savages but not cowards, unslung their guns. The +sailor, white-faced, grim, with an unpleasant gleam in his deep-set +eyes and a lower jaw protruding, noticed their preparations. + +"To the left!" he shouted. "Run towards the trees!" + +Iris heard him and strove to obey. But her strength was failing her, +and she staggered blindly. After a few despairing efforts she lurched +feebly to her knees, and tumbled face downwards on the broken coral +that had tripped her faltering footsteps. + +Jenks was watching her, watching the remaining Dyaks, from whom a +spluttering volley came, picking out his quarry with the murderous ease +of a terrier in a rat-pit. Something like a bee in a violent hurry +hummed past his ear, and a rock near his right foot was struck a +tremendous blow by an unseen agency. He liked this. It would be a +battle, not a battue. + +The fifth Dyak crumpled into the distortion of death, and then their +leader took deliberate aim at the kneeling marksman who threatened to +wipe him and his band out of existence. But his deliberation, though +skilful, was too profound. The sailor fired first, and was +professionally astonished to see the gaudily attired individual tossed +violently backward for many yards, finally pitching headlong to the +earth. Had he been charged by a bull in full career he could not have +been more utterly discomfited. The incident was sensational but +inexplicable. + +Yet another member of the band was prostrated ere the two as yet +unscathed thought fit to beat a retreat. This they now did with +celerity, but they dragged their chief with them. It was no part of +Jenks's programme to allow them to escape. He aimed again at the man +nearest the trees. There was a sharp click and nothing more. The +cartridge was a mis-fire. He hastily sought to eject it, and the rifle +jammed. These little accidents will happen, even in a good weapon like +the Lee-Metford. + +Springing to his feet with a yell he ran forward. The flying men caught +a glimpse of him and accelerated their movements. Just as he reached +Iris they vanished among the trees. + +Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he picked up the girl in his +arms. She was conscious, but breathless. + +"You are not hurt?" he gasped, his eyes blazing into her face with an +intensity that she afterwards remembered as appalling. + +"No," she whispered. + +"Listen," he continued in labored jerks. "Try and obey me--exactly. I +will carry you--to the cave. Stop there. Shoot any one you see--till I +come." + +She heard him wonderingly. Was he going to leave her, now that he had +her safely clasped to his breast? Impossible! Ah, she understood. Those +men must have landed in a boat. He intended to attack them again. He +was going to fight them single-handed, and she would not know what +happened to him until it was all over. Gradually her vitality returned. +She almost smiled at the fantastic conceit that _she_ would desert +_him_. + +Jenks placed her on her feet at the entrance to the cave. + +"You understand," he cried, and without waiting for an answer, ran to +the house for another rifle. This time, to her amazement, he darted +back through Prospect Park towards the south beach. The sailor knew +that the Dyaks had landed at the sandy bay Iris had christened +Smugglers' Cove. They were acquainted with the passage through the reef +and came from the distant islands. Now they would endeavor to escape by +the same channel. They must be prevented at all costs. + +He was right. As they came out into the open he saw three men, not two, +pushing off a large sampan. One of them, _mirabile dictu_, was the +chief. Then Jenks understood that his bullet had hit the lock of the +Dyak's uplifted weapon, with the result already described. By a miracle +he had escaped. + +He coolly prepared to slay the three of them with the same calm purpose +that distinguished the opening phase of this singularly one-sided +conflict. The distance was much greater, perhaps 800 yards from the +point where the boat came into view. He knelt and fired. He judged that +the missile struck the craft between the trio. + +"I didn't allow for the sun on the side of the foresight," he said. "Or +perhaps I am a bit shaky after the run. In any event they can't go +far." + +A hurrying step on the coral behind him caught his ear. Instantly he +sprang up and faced about--to see Iris. + +"They are escaping," she said. + +"No fear of that," he replied, turning away from her. + +"Where are the others?" + +"Dead!" + +"Do you mean that you killed nearly all those men?" + +"Six of them. There were nine in all." + +He knelt again, lifting the rifle. Iris threw herself on her knees by +his side. There was something awful to her in this chill and +business-like declaration of a fixed purpose. + +"Mr. Jenks," she said, clasping her hands in an agony of entreaty, "do +not kill more men for my sake!" + +"For my own sake, then," he growled, annoyed at the interruption, as +the sampan was afloat. + +"Then I ask you for God's sake not to take another life. What you have +already done was unavoidable, perhaps right. This is murder!" + +He lowered his weapon and looked at her. + +"If those men get away they will bring back a host to avenge their +comrades--and secure you," he added. + +"It may be the will of Providence for such a thing to happen. Yet I +implore you to spare them." + +He placed the rifle on the sand and raised her tenderly, for she had +yielded to a paroxysm of tears. Not another word did either of them +speak in that hour. The large triangular sail of the sampan was now +bellying out in the south wind. A figure stood up in the stern of the +boat and shook a menacing arm at the couple on the beach. + +It was the Malay chief, cursing them with the rude eloquence of his +barbarous tongue. And Jenks well knew what he was saying. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +PREPARATIONS + + +They looked long and steadfastly at the retreating boat. Soon it +diminished to a mere speck on the smooth sea. The even breeze kept its +canvas taut, and the sailor knew that no ruse was intended--the Dyaks +were flying from the island in fear and rage. They would return with a +force sufficient to insure the wreaking of their vengeance. + +That he would again encounter them at no distant date Jenks had no +doubt whatever. They would land in such numbers as to render any +resistance difficult and a prolonged defence impossible. Would help +come first?--a distracting question to which definite answer could not +be given. The sailor's brow frowned in deep lines; his brain throbbed +now with an anxiety singularly at variance with his cool demeanor +during the fight. He was utterly unconscious that his left arm +encircled the shoulder of the girl until she gently disengaged herself +and said appealingly-- + +"Please, Mr. Jenks, do not be angry with me. I could not help it. I +could not bear to see you shoot them." + +Then he abruptly awoke to the realities of the moment. + +"Come." he said, his drawn features relaxing into a wonderfully +pleasing smile. "We will return to our castle. We are safe for the +remainder of this day, at any rate." + +Something must be said or done to reassure her. She was still +grievously disturbed, and he naturally ascribed her agitation to the +horror of her capture. He dreaded a complete collapse if any further +alarms threatened at once. Yet he was almost positive--though search +alone would set at rest the last misgiving--that only one sampan had +visited the island. Evidently the Dyaks were unprepared as he for the +events of the preceding half-hour. They were either visiting the island +to procure turtle and _beche-de-mer_ or had merely called there +_en route_ to some other destination, and the change in the wind +had unexpectedly compelled them to put ashore. Beyond all doubt they +must have been surprised by the warmth of the reception they +encountered. + +Probably, when he went to Summit Rock that morning, the savages had +lowered their sail and were steadily paddling north against wind and +current. The most careful scrutiny of the sea would fail to reveal them +beyond a distance of six or seven miles at the utmost. + +After landing in the hidden bay on the south side, they crossed the +island through the trees instead of taking the more natural open way +along the beach. Why? The fact that he and Iris were then passing the +grown-over tract leading to the Valley of Death instantly determined +this point. The Dyaks knew of this affrighting hollow, and would not +approach any nearer to it than was unavoidable. Could he twist this +circumstance to advantage if Iris and he were still stranded there when +the superstitious sea-rovers next put in an appearance? He would see. +All depended on the girl's strength. If she gave way now--if, instead +of taking instant measures for safety, he were called upon to nurse her +through a fever--the outlook became not only desperate but hopeless. + +And, whilst he bent his brows in worrying thought, the color was +returning to Iris's cheeks, and natural buoyancy to her step. It is the +fault of all men to underrate the marvelous courage and constancy of +woman in the face of difficulties and trials. Jenks was no exception to +the rule. + +"You do not ask me for any account of my adventures," she said quietly, +after watching his perplexed expression in silence for some time. + +Her tone almost startled him, its unassumed cheerfulness was so +unlooked for. + +"No," he answered. "I thought you were too overwrought to talk of them +at present." + +"Overwrought! Not a bit of it! I was dead beat with the struggle and +with screaming for you, but please don't imagine that I am going to +faint or treat you to a display of hysteria now that all the excitement +has ended. I admit that I cried a little when you pushed me aside on +the beach and raised your gun to fire at those poor wretches flying for +their lives. Yet perhaps I was wrong to hinder you." + +"You were wrong," he gravely interrupted. + +"Then you should not have heeded me. No, I don't mean that. You always +consider me first, don't you? No matter what I ask you to do you +endeavor to please me, even when you know all the time that I am acting +or speaking foolishly." + +The unthinking _naivete_ of her words sent the blood coursing +wildly through his veins. + +"Never mind," she went on with earnest simplicity. "God has been very +good to us. I cannot believe that He has preserved us from so many +dangers to permit us to perish miserably a few hours, or days, before +help comes. And I _do_ want to tell you exactly what happened." + +"Then you shall," he answered. "But first drink this." They had reached +their camping-ground, and he hastened to procure a small quantity of +brandy. + +She swallowed the spirit with a protesting _moue_. She really +needed no such adventitious support, she said. + +"All right," commented Jenks. "If you don't want a drink, I do." + +"I can quite believe it," she retorted. "_Your_ case is very +different. _I_ knew the men would not hurt me--after the first +shock of their appearance had passed, I mean--I also knew that you +would save me. But you, Mr. Jenks, had to do the fighting. You were +called upon to rescue precious me. Good gracious! No wonder you were +excited." + +The sailor mentally expressed his inability to grasp the complexities +of feminine nature, but Iris rattled on---- + +"I carried my tin of water to the pitcher-plant, and was listening to +the greedy roots gurgling away for dear life, when suddenly four men +sprang out from among the trees and seized my arms before I could reach +my revolver." + +"Thank Heaven you failed." + +"You think that if I had fired at them they would have retaliated. Yes, +especially if I had hit the chief. But it was he who instantly gave +some order, and I suppose it meant that they were not to hurt me. As a +matter of fact, they seemed to be quite as much astonished as I was +alarmed. But if they could hold my hands they could not stop my voice +so readily. Oh! didn't I yell?" + +"You did." + +"I suppose you could not hear me distinctly?" + +"Quite distinctly." + +"Every word?" + +"Yes." + +She bent to pick some leaves and bits of dry grass from her dress. +"Well, you know," she continued rapidly, "in such moments one cannot +choose one's words. I just shouted the first thing that came into my +head." + +"And I," he said, "picked up the first rifle I could lay hands on. Now, +Miss Deane, as the affair has ended so happily, may I venture to ask +you to remain in the cave until I return?" + +"Oh, please--" she began. + +"Really, I must insist. I would not leave you if it were not quite +imperative. You _cannot_ come with me." + +Then she understood one at least of the tasks he must perform, and she +meekly obeyed. + +He thought it best to go along Turtle Beach to the cove, and thence +follow the Dyaks' trail through the wood, as this line of advance would +entail practically a complete circuit of the island. He omitted no +precautions in his advance. Often he stopped and listened intently. +Whenever he doubled a point or passed among the trees he crept back and +peered along the way he had come, to see if any lurking foes were +breaking shelter behind him. + +The marks on the sand proved that only one sampan had been beached. +Thence he found nothing of special interest until he came upon the +chief's gun, lying close to the trees on the north side. It was a very +ornamental weapon, a muzzle-loader. The stock was inlaid with gold and +ivory, and the piece had evidently been looted from some mandarin's +junk surprised and sacked in a former foray. + +The lock was smashed by the impact of the Lee-Metford bullet, but close +investigation of the trigger-guard, and the discovery of certain +unmistakable evidences on the beach, showed that the Dyak leader had +lost two if not three fingers of his right hand. + +"So he has something more than his passion to nurse," mused Jenks. +"That at any rate is fortunate. He will be in no mood for further +enterprise for some time to come." + +He dreaded lest any of the Dyaks should be only badly wounded and +likely to live. It was an actual relief to his nerves to find that the +improvised Dum-dums had done their work too well to permit anxiety on +that score. On the principle that a "dead Injun is a good Injun" these +Dyaks were good Dyaks. + +He gathered the guns, swords and krisses of the slain, with all their +uncouth belts and ornaments. In pursuance of a vaguely defined plan of +future action he also divested some of the men of their coarse +garments, and collected six queer-looking hats, shaped like inverted +basins. These things he placed in a heap near the pitcher-plants. +Thenceforth, for half an hour, the placid surface of the lagoon was +disturbed by the black dorsal fins of many sharks. + +To one of the sailor's temperament there was nothing revolting in the +concluding portion of his task. He had a God-given right to live. It +was his paramount duty, remitted only by death itself, to endeavor to +save Iris from the indescribable fate from which no power could rescue +her if ever she fell into the hands of these vindictive savages. +Therefore it was war between him and them, war to the bitter end, war +with no humane mitigation of its horrors and penalties, the last dread +arbitrament of man forced to adopt the methods of the tiger. + +His guess at the weather conditions heralded by the change of wind was +right. As the two partook of their evening meal the complaining surf +lashed the reef, and the tremulous branches of the taller trees voiced +the approach of a gale. A tropical storm, not a typhoon, but a belated +burst of the periodic rains, deluged the island before midnight. Hours +earlier Iris retired, utterly worn by the events of the day. Needless +to say, there was no singing that evening. The gale chanted a wild +melody in mournful chords, and the noise of the watery downpour on the +tarpaulin roof of Belle Vue Castle was such as to render conversation +impossible, save in wearying shouts. + +Luckily, Jenks's carpentry was effective, though rough. The building +was water-tight, and he had calked every crevice with unraveled rope +until Iris's apartment was free from the tiniest draught. + +The very fury of the external turmoil acted as a lullaby to the girl. +She was soon asleep, and the sailor was left to his thoughts. + +Sleep he could not. He smoked steadily, with a magnificent prodigality, +for his small stock of tobacco was fast diminishing. He ransacked his +brains to discover some method of escape from this enchanted island, +where fairies jostled with demons, and hours of utter happiness found +their bane in moments of frightful peril. + +Of course he ought to have killed those fellows who escaped. Their +sampan might have provided a last desperate expedient if other savages +effected a landing. Well, there was no use in being wise after the +event, and, scheme as he might, he could devise no way to avoid +disaster during the next attack. + +This, he felt certain, would take place at night. The Dyaks would land +in force, rush the cave and hut, and overpower him by sheer numbers. +The fight, if fight there was, would be sharp, but decisive. Perhaps, +if he received some warning, Iris and he might retreat in the darkness +to the cover of the trees. A last stand could be made among the +boulders on Summit Rock. But of what avail to purchase their freedom +until daylight? And then---- + +If ever man wrestled with desperate problem, Jenks wrought that night. +He smoked and pondered until the storm passed, and, with the +changefulness of a poet's muse, a full moon flooded the island in +glorious radiance. He rose, opened the door, and stood without, +listening for a little while to the roaring of the surf and the crash +of the broken coral swept from reef and shore by the backwash. + +The petty strife of the elements was soothing to him. "They are +snarling like whipped dogs," he said aloud. "One might almost fancy her +ladyship the Moon appearing on the scene as a Uranian Venus, cowing sea +and storm by the majesty of her presence." + +Pleased with the conceit, he looked steadily at the brilliant luminary +for some time. Then his eyes were attracted by the strong lights thrown +upon the rugged face of the precipice into which the cavern burrowed. +Unconsciously relieving his tired senses, he was idly wondering what +trick of color Turner would have adopted to convey those sharp yet +weirdly beautiful contrasts, when suddenly he uttered a startled +exclamation. + +"By Jove!" he murmured. "I never noticed that before." + +The feature which so earnestly claimed his attention was a deep ledge, +directly over the mouth of the cave, but some forty feet from the +ground. Behind it the wall of rock sloped darkly inwards, suggesting a +recess extending by haphazard computation at least a couple of yards. +It occurred to him that perhaps the fault in the interior of the tunnel +had its outcrop here, and the deodorizing influences of rain and sun +had extended the weak point thus exposed in the bold panoply of stone. + +He surveyed the ledge from different points of view. It was quite +inaccessible, and most difficult to estimate accurately from the ground +level. The sailor was a man of action. He chose the nearest tall tree +and began to climb. He was not eight feet from the ground before +several birds flew out from its leafy recesses, filling the air with +shrill clucking. + +"The devil take them!" he growled, for he feared that the commotion +would awaken Iris. He was still laboriously worming his way through the +inner maze of branches when a well-known voice reached him from the +ground. + +"Mr. Jenks, what on earth are you doing up there?" + +"Oh! so those wretched fowls aroused you?" he replied. + +"Yes; but why did you arouse them?" + +"I had a fancy to roost by way of a change" + +"Please be serious." + +"I am more than serious. This tree grows a variety of small sharp thorn +that induces a maximum of gravity--before one takes the next step." + +"But why do you keep on climbing?" + +"It is sheer lunacy, I admit. Yet on such a moonlit night there is some +reasonable ground for even a mad excuse." + +"Mr. Jenks, tell me at once what you are doing." + +Iris strove to be severe, but there was a touch of anxiety in her tone +that instantly made the sailor apologetic. He told her about the ledge, +and explained his half-formed notion that here they might secure a safe +retreat in case of further attack--a refuge from which they might defy +assault during many days. It was, he said, absolutely impossible to +wait until the morning. He must at once satisfy himself whether the +project was impracticable or worthy of further investigation. + +So the girl only enjoined him to be careful, and he vigorously renewed +the climb. At last, some twenty-five feet from the ground, an +accidental parting in the branches enabled him to get a good look at +the ledge. One glance set his heart beating joyously. It was at least +fifteen feet in length; it shelved back until its depth was lost in the +blackness of the shadows, and the floor must be either nearly level or +sloping slightly inwards to the line of the fault. + +The place was a perfect eagle's nest. A chamois could not reach it from +any direction; it became accessible to man only by means of a ladder or +a balloon. + +More excited by this discovery than he cared for Iris to know, he +endeavored to appear unconcerned when he regained the ground. + +"Well," she said, "tell me all about it." + +He described the nature of the cavity as well as he understood it at +the moment, and emphasized his previous explanation of its virtues. +Here they might reasonably hope to make a successful stand against the +Dyaks. + +"Then you feel sure that those awful creatures will come back?" she +said slowly. + +"Only too sure, unfortunately." + +"How remorseless poor humanity is when the veneer is stripped off! Why +cannot they leave us in peace? I suppose they now cherish a blood feud +against us. Perhaps, if I had not been here, they would not have +injured you. Somehow I seem to be bound up with your misfortunes." + +"I would not have it otherwise were it in my power," he answered. For +an instant he left unchallenged the girl's assumption that she was in +any way responsible for the disasters which had broken up his career. +He looked into her eyes and almost forgot himself. Then the sense of +fair dealing that dominates every true gentleman rose within him and +gripped his wavering emotions with ruthless force. Was this a time to +play upon the high-strung sensibilities of this youthful daughter of +the gods, to seek to win from her a confession of love that a few brief +days or weeks might prove to be only a spasmodic, but momentarily +all-powerful, gratitude for the protection he had given her? + +And he spoke aloud, striving to laugh, lest his words should falter-- + +"You can console yourself with the thought, Miss Deane, that your +presence on the island will in no way affect my fate at the hands of +the Dyaks. Had they caught me unprepared today my head would now be +covered with a solution of the special varnish they carry on every +foreign expedition." + +"Varnish?" she exclaimed. + +"Yes, as a preservative, you understand." + +"And yet these men are human beings!" + +"For purposes of classification, yes. Keeping to strict fact, it was +lucky for me that you raised the alarm, and gave me a chance to +discount the odds of mere numbers. So, you see, you really did me a +good turn." + +"What can be done now to save our lives? Anything will be better than +to await another attack." + +"The first thing to do is to try to get some sleep before daylight. How +did you know I was not in the Castle?" + +"I cannot tell you. I awoke and knew you were not near me. If I wake in +the night I can always tell whether or not you are in the next room. So +I dressed and came out." + +"Ah!" he said, quietly. "Evidently I snore." + +This explanation killed romance. + +Iris retreated and the sailor, tired out at last, managed to close his +weary eyes. + +Next morning he hastily constructed a pole of sufficient length and +strong enough to bear his weight, by tying two sturdy young trees +together with ropes. Iris helped him to raise it against the face of +the precipice, and he at once climbed to the ledge. + +Here he found his observations of the previous night abundantly +verified. The ledge was even wider than he dared to hope, nearly ten +feet deep in one part, and it sloped sharply downwards from the outer +lip of the rock. By lying flat and carefully testing all points of +view, he ascertained that the only possible positions from which even a +glimpse of the interior floor could be obtained were the branches of a +few tall trees and the extreme right of the opposing precipice, nearly +ninety yards distant. There was ample room to store water and +provisions, and he quickly saw that even some sort of shelter from the +fierce rays of the sun and the often piercing cold of the night might +be achieved by judiciously rigging up a tarpaulin. + +"This is a genuine bit of good luck," he mused. "Here, provided neither +of us is hit, we can hold out for a week or longer, at a pinch. How can +it be possible that I should have lived on this island so many days and +yet hit upon this nook of safety by mere chance, as it were?" + +Not until he reached the level again could he solve the puzzle. Then he +perceived that the way in which the cliff bulged out on both sides +prevented the ledge from becoming evident in profile, whilst, seen +_en plein face_ in the glare of the sunlight, it suggested nothing +more than a slight indentation. + +He rapidly sketched to Iris the defensive plan which the Eagle's Nest +suggested. Access must be provided by means of a rope-ladder, securely +fastened inside the ledge, and capable of being pulled up or let down +at the will of the occupants. Then the place must be kept constantly +stocked with a judicious supply of provisions, water, and ammunition. +They could be covered with a tarpaulin, and thus kept in fairly good +condition. + +"We ought to sleep there every night," he went on, and his mind was so +engrossed with the tactical side of the preparations that he did not +notice how Iris blanched at the suggestion. + +"Surely not until danger actually threatens?" she cried. + +"Danger threatens us each hour after sunset. It may come any night, +though I expect at least a fortnight's reprieve. Nevertheless, I intend +to act as if tonight may witness the first shot of the siege." + +"Do you mean that?" she sighed. "And my little room is becoming so very +cozy!" + +Belle Vue Castle, their two-roomed hut, was already a home to them. + +Jenks always accepted her words literally. + +"Well," he announced, after a pause, "it may not be necessary to take +up our quarters there until the eleventh hour. After I have hoisted up +our stores and made the ladder, I will endeavor to devise an efficient +cordon of sentinels around our position. We will see." + +Not another word could Iris get out of him on the topic. Indeed, he +provided her with plenty of work. By this time she could splice a rope +more neatly than her tutor, and her particular business was to prepare +no less than sixty rungs for the rope-ladder. This was an impossible +task for one day, but after dinner the sailor helped her. They toiled +late, until their fingers were sore and their backbones creaked as they +sat upright. + +Meanwhile Jenks swarmed up the pole again, and drew up after him a +crowbar, the sledge-hammer, and the pickaxe. With these implements he +set to work to improve the accommodation. Of course he did not attempt +seriously to remove any large quantity of rock, but there were +projecting lumps here and inequalities of floor there which could be +thumped or pounded out of existence. + +It was surprising to see what a clearance he made in an hour. The +existence of the fault helped him a good deal, as the percolation of +water at this point had oxidized the stone to rottenness. To his great +joy he discovered that a few prods with the pick laid bare a small +cavity which could be easily enlarged. Here he contrived a niche where +Iris could remain in absolute safety when barricaded by stores, whilst, +with a squeeze, she was entirely sheltered from the one dangerous point +on the opposite cliff, nor need she be seen from the trees. + +Having hauled into position two boxes of ammunition--for which he had +scooped out a special receptacle--the invaluable water-kegs from the +stranded boat, several tins of biscuits and all the tinned meats, +together with three bottles of wine and two of brandy, he hastily +abandoned the ledge and busied himself with fitting a number of +gun-locks to heavy faggots. + +Iris watched his proceedings in silence for some time. At last the +interval for luncheon enabled her to demand an explanation. + +"If you don't tell me at once what you intend to do with those strange +implements," she said, "I will form myself into an amalgamated engineer +and come out on strike." + +"If you do," he answered, "you will create a precedent. There is no +recorded case of a laborer claiming what he calls his rights when his +life is at stake. Even an American tramp has been known to work like a +fiend under that condition." + +"Simply because an American tramp tries, like every other mere male, to +be logical. A woman is more heroic. I once read of a French lady being +killed during an earthquake because she insisted on going into a +falling house to rescue that portion of her hair which usually rested +on the dressing-table whilst she was asleep." + +"I happen to know," he said, "that you are personally unqualified to +emulate her example." + +She laughed merrily, so lightly did yesterday's adventure sit upon her. +The allusion to her disheveled state when they were thrown ashore by +the typhoon simply impressed her as amusing. Thus quickly had she +become inured to the strange circumstances of a new life. + +"I withdraw the threat and substitute a more genuine plea--curiosity," +she cried. + +"Then you will be gratified promptly. These are our sentinels. Come +with me to allot his post to the most distant one." + +He picked up a faggot with its queer attachment, shouldered a +Lee-Metford, and smiled when he saw the business-like air with which +Iris slung a revolver around her waist. + +They walked rapidly to Smugglers' Cove, and the girl soon perceived the +ingenuity of his automatic signal. He securely bound the block of wood +to a tree where it was hidden by the undergrowth. Breaking the bullet +out of a cartridge, he placed the blank charge in position in front of +the striker, the case being firmly clasped by a bent nail. To the +trigger, the spring of which he had eased to a slight pressure, he +attached a piece of unraveled rope, and this he carefully trained among +the trees at a height of six inches from the ground, using as carriers +nails driven into the trunks. The ultimate result was that a mere swish +of Iris's dress against the taut cord exploded the cartridge. + +"There!" he exclaimed, exultantly. "When I have driven stakes into the +sand to the water's edge on both sides of the cove, I will defy them to +land by night without giving us warning." + +"Do you know," said Iris, in all seriousness, "I think you are the +cleverest man in the world." + +"My dear Miss Deane, that is not at all a Trades Unionist sentiment. +Equality is the key-note of their propaganda." + +Nevertheless he was manifestly pleased by the success of his ingenious +contrivance, and forthwith completed the cordon. To make doubly sure, +he set another snare further within the trees. He was certain the Dyaks +would not pass along Turtle Beach if they could help it. By this time +the light was failing. + +"That will suffice for the present," he told the girl. "Tomorrow we +will place other sentries in position at strategic points. Then we can +sleep in the Castle with tolerable safety." + +By the meager light of the tiny lamp they labored sedulously at the +rope-ladder until Iris's eyes were closing with sheer weariness. +Neither of them had slept much during the preceding night, and they +were both completely tired. + +It was with a very weak little smile that the girl bade him "good +night," and they were soon wrapped in that sound slumber which comes +only from health, hard work, and wholesome fare. + +The first streaks of dawn were tipping the opposite crags with roseate +tints when the sailor was suddenly aroused by what he believed to be a +gunshot. He could not be sure. He was still collecting his scattered +senses, straining eyes and ears intensely, when there came a second +report. + +Then he knew what had happened. The sentries on the Smugglers' Cove +post were faithful to their trust. The enemy was upon them. + +At such a moment Jenks was not a man who prayed. Indeed, he was prone +to invoke the nether powers, a habit long since acquired by the British +army, in Flanders, it is believed. + +There was not a moment to be lost. He rushed into Iris's room, and +gathered in his arms both her and the weird medley of garments that +covered her. He explained to the protesting girl, as he ran with her to +the foot of the rock, that she must cling to his shoulders with +unfaltering courage whilst he climbed to the ledge with the aid of the +pole and the rope placed there the previous day. It was a magnificent +feat of strength that he essayed. In calmer moments he would have +shrunk from its performance, if only on the score of danger to the +precious burden he carried. Now there was no time for thought. Up he +went, hand over hand, clinging to the rough pole with the tenacity of a +limpet, and taking a turn of the rope over his right wrist at each +upward clutch. At last, breathless but triumphant, he reached the +ledge, and was able to gasp his instructions to Iris to crawl over his +bent back and head until she was safely lodged on the broad platform of +rock. + +Then, before she could expostulate, he descended, this time for the +rifles. These he hastily slung to the rope, again swarmed up the pole, +and drew the guns after him with infinite care. + +Even in the whirl of the moment he noticed that Iris had managed to +partially complete her costume. + +"Now we are ready for them," he growled, lying prone on the ledge and +eagerly scanning both sides of Prospect Park for a first glimpse of +their assailants. + +For two shivering hours they waited there, until the sun was high over +the cliff and filled sea and land with his brightness. At last, despite +the girl's tears and prayers, Jenks insisted on making a reconnaissance +in person. + +Let this portion of their adventures be passed over with merciful +brevity. Both watch-guns had been fired by the troupe of tiny wou-wou +monkeys! Iris did not know whether to laugh or cry, when Jenks, with +much difficulty, lowered her to mother earth again, and marveled the +while how he had managed to carry forty feet into the air a young woman +who weighed so solidly. + +They sat down to a belated breakfast, and Jenks then became conscious +that the muscles of his arms, legs, and back were aching hugely. It was +by that means he could judge the true extent of his achievement. Iris, +too, realized it gradually, but, like the Frenchwoman in the +earthquake, she was too concerned with memories of her state of +deshabille to appreciate, all at once, the incidents of the dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE SECRET OF THE CAVE + + +The sailor went after those monkeys in a mood of relentless severity. +Thus far, the regular denizens of Rainbow Island had dwelt together in +peace and mutual goodwill, but each diminutive wou-wou must be taught +not to pull any strings he found tied promiscuously to trees or stakes. +As a preliminary essay, Jenks resolved to try force combined with +artifice. Failing complete success, he would endeavor to kill every +monkey in the place, though he had in full measure the inherent dislike +of Anglo-India to the slaying of the tree-people. + +This, then, is what he did. After filling a biscuit tin with good-sized +pebbles, he donned a Dyak hat, blouse, and belt, rubbed earth over his +face and hands, and proceeded to pelt the wou-wous mercilessly. For +more than an hour he made their lives miserable, until at the mere +sight of him they fled, shrieking and gurgling like a thousand +water-bottles. Finally he constructed several Dyak scarecrows and +erected one to guard each of his alarm-guns. The device was thoroughly +effective. Thenceforth, when some adventurous monkey--swinging with +hands or tail among the treetops in the morning search for appetizing +nut or luscious plantain--saw one of those fearsome bogies, he raised +such a hubbub that all his companions scampered hastily from the +confines of the wood to the inner fastnesses. + +In contriving these same scarecrows--which, by the way, he had vaguely +intended at first to erect on the beach in order to frighten the +invaders and induce them to fire a warning volley--the sailor paid +closer heed to the spoils gathered from the fallen. One, at least, of +the belts was made of human hair, and some among its long strands could +have come only from the flaxen-haired head of a European child. This +fact, though ghastly enough, confirmed him in his theory that it was +impossible to think of temporizing with these human fiends. Unhappily +such savage virtues as they possess do not include clemency to the weak +or hospitality to defenceless strangers. There was nothing for it but a +fight to a finish, with the law of the jungle to decide the terms of +conquest. + +That morning, of course, he had not been able to visit Summit Rock +until after his cautious survey of the island. Once there, however, he +noticed that the gale two nights earlier had loosened two of the +supports of his sky sign. It was not a difficult or a long job to +repair the damage. With the invaluable axe he cut several wedges and +soon made all secure. + +Now, during each of the two daily examinations of the horizon which he +never omitted, he minutely scrutinized the sea between Rainbow Island +and the distant group. It was, perhaps, a needless precaution. The +Dyaks would come at night. With a favorable wind they need not set sail +until dusk, and their fleet sampans would easily cover the intervening +forty miles in five hours. + +He could not be positive that they were actual inhabitants of the +islands to the south. The China Sea swarms with wandering pirates, and +the tribe whose animosity he had earned might be equally noxious to +some peaceable fishing community on the coast. Again and again he +debated the advisability of constructing a seaworthy raft and +endeavoring to make the passage. But this would be risking all on a +frightful uncertainty, and the accidental discovery of the Eagle's Nest +had given him new hope. Here he could make a determined and prolonged +stand, and in the end help _must_ come. So he dismissed the +navigation project, and devoted himself wholly to the perfecting of the +natural fortress in the rock. + +That night they finished the rope-ladder. Indeed, Jenks was determined +not to retire to rest until it was placed _in situ_; he did not +care to try a second time to carry Iris to that elevated perch, and it +may be remarked that thenceforth the girl, before going to sleep, +simply changed one ragged dress for another. + +One of the first things he contemplated was the destruction, if +possible, of the point on the opposite cliff which commanded the ledge. +This, however, was utterly impracticable with the appliances at his +command. The top of the rock sloped slightly towards the west, and +nothing short of dynamite or regular quarrying operations would render +it untenable by hostile marksmen. + +During the day his Lee-Metfords, at ninety yards' range, might be +trusted to keep the place clear of intruders. But at night--that was +the difficulty. He partially solved it by fixing two rests on the ledge +to support a rifle in exact line with the center of the enemy's +supposed position, and as a variant, on the outer rest he marked lines +which corresponded with other sections of the entire front available to +the foe. + +Even then he was not satisfied. When time permitted he made many +experiments with ropes reeved through the pulley and attached to a +rifle action. He might have succeeded in his main object had not his +thoughts taken a new line. His aim was to achieve some method of +opening and closing the breech-block by means of two ropes. The +difficulty was to secure the preliminary and final lateral movement of +the lever bolt, but it suddenly occurred to him that if he could manage +to convey the impression that Iris and he had left the island, the +Dyaks would go away after a fruitless search. The existence of ropes +along the face of the rock--an essential to his mechanical +scheme--would betray their whereabouts, or at any rate excite dangerous +curiosity. So he reluctantly abandoned his original design, though not +wholly, as will be seen in due course. + +In pursuance of his latest idea he sedulously removed from the foot of +the cliff all traces of the clearance effected on the ledge, and, +although he provided supports for the tarpaulin covering, he did not +adjust it. Iris and he might lie _perdu_ there for days without +their retreat being found out. This development suggested the necessity +of hiding their surplus stores and ammunition, and what spot could be +more suitable than the cave? + +So Jenks began to dig once more in the interior, laboring manfully with +pick and shovel in the locality of the fault with its vein of antimony. +It was thus that he blundered upon the second great event of his life. + +Rainbow Island had given him the one thing a man prizes above all +else--a pure yet passionate love for a woman beautiful alike in body +and mind. And now it was to endow him with riches that might stir the +pulse of even a South African magnate. For the sailor, unmindful of +purpose other than providing the requisite _cache_, shoveling and +delving with the energy peculiar to all his actions, suddenly struck a +deep vein of almost virgin gold. + +To facilitate the disposal at a distance of the disturbed debris, he +threw each shovelful on to a canvas sheet, which he subsequently +dragged among the trees in order to dislodge its contents. After doing +this four times he noticed certain metallic specks in the fifth load +which recalled the presence of the antimony. But the appearance of the +sixth cargo was so remarkable when brought out into the sunlight that +it invited closer inspection. Though his knowledge of geology was +slight--the half-forgotten gleanings of a brief course at Eton--he was +forced to believe that the specimens he handled so dubiously contained +neither copper nor iron pyrites but glittering yellow gold. Their +weight, the distribution of the metal through quartz in a transition +state between an oxide and a telluride, compelled recognition. + +Somewhat excited, yet half skeptical, he returned to the excavation and +scooped out yet another collection. This time there could be no +mistake. Nature's own alchemy had fashioned a veritable ingot. There +were small lumps in the ore which would need alloy at the mint before +they could be issued as sovereigns, so free from dross were they. + +Iris had gone to Venus's Bath, and would be absent for some time. Jenks +sat down on a tree-stump. He held in his hand a small bit of ore worth +perhaps twenty pounds sterling. Slowly the conjectures already pieced +together in his mind during early days on the island came back to him. + +The skeleton of an Englishman lying there among the bushes near the +well; the Golgotha of the poison-filled hollow; the mining tools, both +Chinese and European; the plan on the piece of tin--ah, the piece of +tin! Mechanically the sailor produced it from the breast-pocket of his +jersey. At last the mysterious sign "32/1" revealed its +significance. Measure thirty-two feet from the mouth of the tunnel, dig +one foot in depth, and you came upon the mother-lode of this +gold-bearing rock. This, then, was the secret of the cave. + +The Chinese knew the richness of the deposit, and exploited its +treasures by quarrying from the other side of the hill. But their crass +ignorance of modern science led to their undoing. The accumulation of +liberated carbonic acid gas in the workings killed them in scores. They +probably fought this unseen demon with the tenacity of their race, +until the place became accursed and banned of all living things. Yet +had they dug a little ditch, and permitted the invisible terror to flow +quietly downwards until its potency was dissipated by sea and air, they +might have mined the whole cliff with impunity. + +The unfortunate unknown, J.S.--he of the whitened bones--might have +done this thing too. But he only possessed the half-knowledge of the +working miner, and whilst shunning the plague-stricken quarry, adopted +the more laborious method of making an adit to strike the deposit. He +succeeded, to perish miserably in the hour when he saw himself a +millionaire. + +Was this a portent of the fate about to overtake the latest comers? +Jenks, of course, stood up. He always, stood square on his feet when +the volcano within him fired his blood. + +"No, by God!" he almost shouted. "I will break the spell. I am sent +here by Providence, not to search for gold but to save a woman's life, +and if all the devils of China and Malay are in league against me I +will beat them!" + +The sound of his own voice startled him. He had no notion that he was +so hysterical. Promptly his British phlegm throttled the demonstration. +He was rather ashamed of it. + +What was all the fuss about? With a barrow-load of gold he could not +buy an instant's safety for Iris, not to mention himself. The language +difficulty was insuperable. Were it otherwise, the Dyaks would simply +humbug him until he revealed the source of his wealth, and then murder +him as an effective safeguard against foreign interference. + +Iris! Not once since she was hurled ashore in his arms had Jenks so +long forgotten her existence. Should he tell her? They were partners in +everything appertaining to the island--why keep this marvelous +intelligence from her? + +Yet was he tempted, not ignobly, but by reason of his love for her. +Once, years ago, when his arduous professional studies were distracted +by a momentary infatuation for a fair face, a woman had proved fickle +when tempted by greater wealth than he possessed. For long he was a +confirmed misogynist, to his great and lasting gain as a leader of men. +But with more equable judgment came a fixed resolution not to marry +unless his prospective bride cared only for him and not for his +position. To a Staff Corps officer, even one with a small private +income, this was no unattainable ideal. Then he met with his +_debacle_ in the shame and agony of the court-martial. Whilst his +soul still quivered under the lash of that terrible downfall, Iris came +into his life. He knew not what might happen if they were rescued. The +time would quickly pass until the old order was resumed, she to go back +to her position in society, he to become again a disgraced ex-officer, +apparently working out a mere existence before the mast or handing +plates in a saloon. + +Would it not be a sweet defiance of adversity were he able, even under +such conditions, to win her love, and then disclose to her the +potentialities of the island? Perchance he might fail. Though rich as +Croesus he would still be under the social ban meted out to a cashiered +officer. She was a girl who could command the gift of coronets. With +restoration to her father and home, gratitude to her preserver would +assuredly remain, but, alas! love might vanish like a mirage. Then he +would act honorably. Half of the stored wealth would be hers to do as +she chose with it. + +Yes, this was a possible alternative. In case of accident to himself, +and her ultimate escape, he must immediately write full details of his +discovery, and entrust the document to her, to be opened only after his +death or six months after their release. + +The idea possessed him so thoroughly that he could brook no delay. He +searched for one of the note-books taken from the dead officers of the +_Sirdar_, and scribbled the following letter: + + "DEAR MISS DEANE: + + "Whether I am living or dead when you read these words, you will + know that I love you. Could I repeat that avowal a million times, + in as many varied forms, I should find no better phrase to express + the dream I have cherished since a happy fate permitted me to + snatch you from death. So I simply say, 'I love you.' I will + continue to love you whilst life lasts, and it is my dearest hope + that in the life beyond the grave I may still be able to voice my + love for you. + + "But perhaps I am not destined to be loved by you. Therefore, in + the event of my death before you leave the island, I wish to give + you instructions how to find a gold mine of great value which is + hidden in the rock containing the cave. You remember the sign on + the piece of tin which we could not understand. The figure 32 + denotes the utmost depth of the excavation, and the 1 signifies + that one foot below the surface, on reaching the face of the rock, + there is a rich vein of gold. The hollow on the other side of the + cliff became filled with anhydrate gas, and this stopped the + operations of the Chinese, who evidently knew of the existence of + the mine. This is all the information the experts employed by Sir + Arthur Deane will need. The facts are unquestionable. + + "Assuming that I am alive, we will, of course, be co-partners in + the mine. If I am dead, I wish one-sixth share to be given to my + uncle, William Anstruther, Crossthwaite Manor, Northallerton, + Yorkshire, as a recompense for his kindness to me during my early + life. The remainder is to be yours absolutely. + + "ROBERT ANSTRUTHER." + + +He read this remarkable document twice through to make sure that it +exactly recorded his sentiments. He even smiled sarcastically at the +endowment of the uncle who disinherited him. Then, satisfied with the +perusal, he tore out the two leaves covered by the letter and began to +devise a means of protecting it securely whilst in Iris's possession. + +At that moment he looked up and saw her coming towards him across the +beach, brightly flushed after her bath, walking like a nymph clothed in +tattered garments. Perceiving that he was watching her, she waved her +hand and instinctively quickened her pace. Even now, when they were +thrown together by the exigencies of each hour, she disliked to be long +separated from him. + +Instantly the scales fell from his mental vision. What! Distrust Iris! +Imagine for one second that riches or poverty, good repute or ill, +would affect that loyal heart when its virginal font was filled with +the love that once in her life comes to every true woman! Perish the +thought! What evil spirit had power to so blind his perception of all +that was strong and beautiful in her character. Brave, uncomplaining +Iris! Iris of the crystal soul! Iris, whose innocence and candor were +mirrored in her blue eyes and breathed through her dear lips! Here was +Othello acting as his own tempter, with not an Iago within a thousand +miles. + +Laughing at his fantastic folly, Jenks tore the letter into little +pieces. It might have been wiser to throw the sheets into the embers of +the fire close at hand, but for the nonce he was overpowered by the +great awakening that had come to him, and he unconsciously murmured the +musical lines of Tennyson's "Maud": + + "She is coming, my own, my sweet; + Were it ever so airy a tread. + My heart would hear her and beat + Were it earth in an earthy bed; + My dust would hear her and beat, + Had I lain for a century dead, + Would start and tremble under her feet, + And blossom in purple and red." + +"Good gracious! Don't gaze at me in that fashion. I don't look like a +ghost, do I?" cried Iris, when near enough to note his rapt expression. + +"You would not object if I called you a vision?" he inquired quietly, +averting his eyes lest they should speak more plainly than his tongue. + +"Not if you meant it nicely. But I fear that 'specter' would be a more +appropriate word. _V'la ma meilleure robe de sortie_!" + +She spread out the front widths of her skirt, and certainly the +prospect was lamentable. The dress was so patched and mended, yet so +full of fresh rents, that a respectable housemaid would hesitate before +using it to clean fire-irons. + +"Is that really your best dress?" he said. + +"Yes. This is my blue serge. The brown cloth did not survive the +soaking it received in salt water. After a few days it simply crumbled. +The others are muslin or cotton, and have been--er--adapted." + +"There is plenty of men's clothing," he began. + +"Unfortunately there isn't another island," she said, severely. + +"No. I meant that it might be possible to--er--contrive some sort of +rig that will serve all purposes." + +"But all my thread is gone. I have barely a needleful left." + +"In that case we must fall back on our supply of hemp." + +"I suppose that might be made to serve," she said. "You are never at a +loss for an expedient." + +"It will be a poor one, I fear. But you can make up for it by buying +some nice gowns at Doucet's or Worth's." + +She laughed delightedly. "Perhaps in his joy at my reappearance my dear +old dad may let me run riot in Paris on our way home. But that will not +last. We are fairly well off, but I cannot afford ten thousand a year +for dress alone." + +"If any woman can afford such a sum for the purpose, you are at least +her equal." + +Iris looked puzzled. "Is that your way of telling me that fine feathers +would make me a fine bird?" she asked. + +"No. I intend my words to be understood in their ordinary sense. You +are very, very rich, Miss Deane--an extravagantly wealthy young +person." + +"Of course you know you are talking nonsense. Why, only the other day +my father said--" + +"Excuse me. What is the average price of a walking-dress from a leading +Paris house?" + +"Thirty pounds." + +"And an evening dress?" + +"Oh, anything, from fifty upwards." + +He picked up a few pieces of quartz from the canvas sheet. + +"Here is your walking-dress," he said, handing her a lump weighing +about a pound. "With the balance in the heap there you can stagger the +best-dressed woman you meet at your first dinner in England." + +"Do you mean by pelting her?" she inquired, mischievously. + +"Far worse. By wearing a more expensive costume." + +His manner was so earnest that he compelled seriousness. Iris took the +proffered specimen and looked at it. + +"From the cave, I suppose? I thought you said antimony was not very +valuable?" + +"That is not antimony. It is gold. By chance I have hit upon an +extremely rich lode of gold. At the most modest computation it is worth +hundreds of thousands of pounds. You and I are quite wealthy people, +Miss Deane." + +Iris opened her blue eyes very wide at this intelligence. It took her +breath away. But her first words betokened her innate sense of fair +dealing. + +"You and I! Wealthy!" she gasped. "I am so glad for your sake, but tell +me, pray, Mr. Jenks, what have _I_ got to do with it?" + +"You!" he repeated. "Are we not partners in this island? By squatter's +right, if by no better title, we own land, minerals, wood, game, and +even such weird belongings as ancient lights and fishing privileges." + +"I don't see that at all. You find a gold mine, and coolly tell me that +I am a half owner of it because you dragged me out of the sea, fed me, +housed me, saved my life from pirates, and generally acted like a +devoted nursemaid in charge of a baby. Really, Mr. Jenks--" + +"Really, Miss Deane, you will annoy me seriously if you say another +word. I absolutely refuse to listen to such an argument." + +Her outrageously unbusiness-like utterances, treading fast on the heels +of his own melodramatic and written views concerning their property, +nettled him greatly. Each downright syllable was a sting to his +conscience, but of this Iris was blissfully unaware, else she would not +have applied caustic to the rankling wound caused by his momentary +distrust of her. + +For some time they stood in silence, until the sailor commenced to +reproach himself for his rough protest. Perhaps he had hurt her +sensitive feelings. What a brute he was, to be sure! She was only a +child in ordinary affairs, and he ought to have explained things more +lucidly and with greater command over his temper. And all this time +Iris's face was dimpling with amusement, for she understood him so well +that had he threatened to kill her she would have laughed at him. + +"Would you mind getting the lamp?" he said softly, surprised to catch +her expression of saucy humor. + +"Oh, please may I speak?" she inquired. "I don't want to annoy you, but +I am simply dying to talk." + +He had forgotten his own injunction. + +"Let us first examine our mine," he said. "If you bring the lamp we can +have a good look at it." + +Close scrutiny of the work already done merely confirmed the accuracy +of his first impressions. Whilst Iris held the light he opened up the +seam with a few strokes of the pick. Each few inches it broadened into +a noteworthy volcanic dyke, now yellow in its absolute purity, at times +a bluish black when fused with other metals. The additional labor +involved caused him to follow up the line of the fault. Suddenly the +flame of the lamp began to flicker in a draught. There was an +air-passage between cave and ledge. + +"I am sorry," cried Jenks, desisting from further efforts, "that I have +not recently read one of Bret Harte's novels, or I would speak to you +in the language of the mining camp. But in plain Cockney, Miss Deane, +we are on to a good thing if only we can keep it." + +They came back into the external glare. Iris was now so serious that +she forgot to extinguish the little lamp. She stood with outstretched +hand. + +"There is a lot of money in there," she said. + +"Tons of it." + +"No need to quarrel about division. There is enough for both of us." + +"Quite enough. We can even spare some for our friends." + +He took so readily to this definition of their partnership that Iris +suddenly became frigid. Then she saw the ridiculous gleam of the tiny +wick and blew it out. + +"I mean," she said, stiffly, "that if you and I do agree to go shares +we will each be very rich." + +"Exactly. I applied your words to the mine alone, of course." + +A slight thing will shatter a daydream. This sufficed. The sailor +resumed his task of burying the stores. + +"Poor little lamp!" he thought. "When it came into the greater world +how soon it was snuffed out." + +But Iris said to herself, "What a silly slip that was of mine! Enough +for both of us, indeed! Does he expect me to propose to him? I wonder +what the letter was about which he destroyed as I came back after my +bath. It must have been meant for me. Why did he write it? Why did he +tear it up?" + +The hour drew near when Jenks climbed to the Summit Rock. He shouldered +axe and rifle and set forth. Iris heard him rustling upwards through +the trees. She set some water to boil for tea, and, whilst bringing a +fresh supply of fuel, passed the spot where the torn scraps of paper +littered the sand. + +She was the soul of honor, for a woman, but there was never a woman yet +who could take her eyes off a written document which confronted her. +She could not help seeing that one small morsel contained her own name. +Though mutilated it had clearly read--Miss Deane." + +"So it _was_ intended for me!" she cried, throwing down her bundle +and dropping to her knees. She secured that particular slip and +examined it earnestly. Not for worlds would she pick up all the scraps +and endeavor to sort them. Yet they had a fascination for her, and at +this closer range she saw another which bore the legend--"I love you!" + +Somehow the two seemed to fit together very nicely. + +Yet a third carried the same words--"I love you!" They were still quite +coherent. She did not want to look any further. She did not even turn +over such of the torn pieces as had fluttered to earth face downwards. + +Opening the front of her bodice she brought to light a small gold +locket containing miniatures of her father and mother. Inside this +receptacle she carefully placed the three really material portions of +the sailor's letter. When Jenks walked down the hill again he heard her +singing long before he caught sight of her, sedulously tending the +fire. + +As he came near he perceived the remains of his useless document. He +stooped and gathered them up, forthwith throwing them among the glowing +logs. + +"By the way, what were you writing whilst I had my bath?" inquired +Iris, demurely. + +"Some information about the mine. On second thoughts, however, I saw it +was unnecessary." + +"Oh, was that all?" + +"Practically all." + +"Then some part was impracticable?" + +He glanced sharply at her, but she was merely talking at random. + +"Well, you see," he explained, "one can do so little without the +requisite plant. This sort of ore requires a crushing-mill, a smelting +furnace, perhaps big tanks filled with cyanide of potassium." + +"And, of course, although you can do wonders, you cannot provide all +those things, can you?" + +Jenks deemed this query to be unanswerable. + +They were busy again until night fell. Sitting down for a little while +before retiring to rest, they discussed, for the hundredth time, the +probabilities of speedy succor. This led them to the topic of available +supplies, and the sailor told Iris the dispositions he had made. + +"Did you bury the box of books?" she asked. + +"Yes, but not in the cave. They are at the foot of the cinchona over +there. Why? Do you want any?" + +"I have a Bible in my room, but there was a Tennyson among the others +which I glanced at in spare moments." + +The sailor thanked the darkness that concealed the deep bronze of face +and neck caused by this chance remark. He vaguely recollected the +manner in which the lines from "Maud" came to his lips after the +episode of the letter. Was it possible that he had unknowingly uttered +them aloud and Iris was now slily poking fun at him? He glowed with +embarrassment. + +"It is odd that you should mention Tennyson," he managed to say calmly. +"Only today I was thinking of a favorite passage." + +Iris, of course, was quite innocent this time. + +"Oh, do tell me. Was it from 'Enoch Arden'?" + +He gave a sigh of relief. "No. Anything but that," he answered. + +"What then?" + +"'Maud.'" + +"Oh, 'Maud.' It is very beautiful, but I could never imagine why the +poet gave such a sad ending to an idyllic love story." + +"They too often end that way. Moreover, 'Enoch Arden' is not what you +might call exhilarating." + +"No. It is sad. I have often thought he had the 'Sonata Pathetique' in +his mind when he wrote it. But the note is mournful all through. There +is no promise of happiness as in 'Maud.'" + +"Then it is my turn to ask questions. Why did you hit upon that poem +among so many?" + +"Because it contains an exact description of our position here. Don't +you remember how the poor fellow + + + "'Sat often in the seaward-gazing gorge, + A shipwrecked sailor, waiting for a sail.' + + +"I am sure Tennyson saw our island with poetic eye, for he goes on-- + + + "'No sail from day to day, but every day + The sunrise broken into scarlet shafts + Among the palms and ferns and precipices; + The blaze upon the waters to the east; + The blaze upon his island overhead; + The blaze upon the waters to the west; + Then the great stars that globed themselves in Heaven, + The hollower-bellowing ocean, and again + The scarlet shafts of sunrise--but no sail." + + +She declaimed the melodious verse with a subtle skill that amazed her +hearer. Profoundly moved, Jenks dared not trust himself to speak. + +"I read the whole poem the other day," she said after a silence of some +minutes. "Sorrowful as it is, it comforted me by comparison. How +different will be our fate to his when 'another ship stays by this +isle'!" + +Yet neither of them knew that one line she had recited was more +singularly applicable to their case than that which they paid heed to. +"The great stars that globed themselves in Heaven," were shining clear +and bright in the vast arch above. Resplendent amidst the throng rose +the Pleiades, the mythological seven hailed by the Greeks as an augury +of safe navigation. And the Dyaks--one of the few remaining savage +races of the world--share the superstition of the people who fashioned +all the arts and most of the sciences. + +The Pleiades form the Dyak tutelary genius. Some among a bloodthirsty +and vengeful horde were even then pointing to the clustering stars that +promised quick voyage to the isle where their kinsmen had been struck +down by a white man who rescued a maid. Nevertheless, Grecian romance +and Dyak lore alike relegate the influence of the Pleiades to the sea. +Other stars are needed to foster enterprise ashore. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +REALITY _V_. ROMANCE--THE CASE FOR THE PLAINTIFF + + +Night after night the Pleiades swung higher in the firmament; day after +day the sailor perfected his defences and anxiously scanned the ocean +for sign of friendly smoke or hostile sail. This respite would not have +been given to him, were it not for the lucky bullet which removed two +fingers and part of a third from the right hand of the Dyak chief. Not +even a healthy savage can afford to treat such a wound lightly, and ten +days elapsed before the maimed robber was able to move the injured limb +without a curse. + +Meanwhile, each night Jenks slept less soundly; each day his face +became more careworn. He began to realize why the island had not been +visited already by the vessel which would certainly be deputed to +search for them--she was examining the great coast-line of China and +Siam. + +It was his habit to mark the progress of time on the rudely made +sun-dial which sufficiently served their requirements as a clock. Iris +happened to watch him chipping the forty-fourth notch on the edge of +the horizontal block of wood. + +"Have we really been forty-four days here?" she inquired, after +counting the marks with growing astonishment. + +"I believe the reckoning is accurate," he said. "The _Sirdar_ was +lost on the 18th of March, and I make this the 1st of May." + +"May Day!" + +"Yes. Shall we drive to Hurlingham this afternoon?" + +"Looked at in that way it seems to be a tremendous time, though indeed, +in some respects, it figures in my mind like many years. That is when I +am thinking. Otherwise, when busy, the days fly like hours." + +"It must be convenient to have such an elastic scale." + +"Most useful. I strive to apply the quick rate when you are grumpy." + +Iris placed her arms akimbo, planted her feet widely apart, and +surveyed Jenks with an expression that might almost be termed impudent. +They were great friends, these two, now. The incipient stage of +love-making had been dropped entirely, as ludicrously unsuited to their +environment. + +When the urgent necessity for continuous labor no longer spurred them +to exertion during every moment of daylight, they tackled the box of +books and read, not volumes which appealed to them in common, but +quaint tomes in the use of which Jenks was tutor and Iris the scholar. + +It became a fixed principle with the girl that she was very ignorant, +and she insisted that the sailor should teach her. For instance, among +the books he found a treatise on astronomy; it yielded a keen delight +to both to identify a constellation and learn all sorts of wonderful +things concerning it. But to work even the simplest problem required a +knowledge of algebra, and Iris had never gone beyond decimals. So the +stock of notebooks, instead of recording their experiences, became +covered with symbols showing how x plus y equaled x squared minus 3,000,000. + +As a variant, Jenks introduced a study of Hindustani. His method was to +write a short sentence and explain in detail its component parts. With +a certain awe Iris surveyed the intricacies of the Urdu compound verb, +but, about her fourth lesson, she broke out into exclamations of +extravagant joy. + +"What on earth is the matter now?" demanded her surprised mentor. + +"Don't you see?" she exclaimed, delightedly. "Of course you don't! +People who know a lot about a thing often miss its obvious points. I +have discovered how to write Kiplingese. All you have to do is to tell +your story in Urdu, translate it literally into English, and there you +are!" + +"Quite so. Just do it as Kipling does, and the secret is laid bare. By +the same rule you can hit upon the Miltonic adjective." + +Iris tossed her head. + +"I don't know anything about the Miltonic adjective, but I am sure +about Kipling." + +This ended the argument. She knitted her brows in the effort to master +the ridiculous complexities of a language which, instead of simply +saying "Take" or "Bring," compels one to say "Take-go" and "Take-come." + +One problem defied solution--that of providing raiment for Iris. The +united skill of the sailor and herself would not induce unraveled +cordage to supply the need of thread. It was either too weak or too +knotty, and meanwhile the girl's clothes were falling to pieces. Jenks +tried the fibers of trees, the sinews of birds--every possible +expedient he could hit upon--and perhaps, after experiments covering +some weeks, he might have succeeded. But modern dress stuffs, weakened +by aniline dyes and stiffened with Chinese clay, permit of no such +exhaustive research. It must be remembered that the lady passengers on +board the _Sirdar_ were dressed to suit the tropics, and the hard +usage given by Iris to her scanty stock was never contemplated by the +Manchester or Bradford looms responsible for the durability of the +material. + +As the days passed the position became irksome. It even threatened +complete callapse during some critical moment, and the two often +silently surveyed the large number of merely male garments in their +possession. Of course, in the matter of coats and waistcoats there was +no difficulty whatever. Iris had long been wearing those portions of +the doctor's uniform. But when it came to the rest-- + +At last, one memorable morning, she crossed the Rubicon. Jenks had +climbed, as usual, to the Summit Rock. He came back with the exciting +news that he thought--he could not be certain, but there were +indications inspiring hopefulness--that towards the west of the far-off +island he could discern the smoke of a steamer. + +Though he had eyes for a faint cloud of vapor at least fifty miles +distant he saw nothing of a remarkable change effected nearer home. +Outwardly, Iris was attired in her wonted manner, but if her +companion's mind were not wholly monopolized by the bluish haze +detected on the horizon, he must have noticed the turned-up ends of a +pair of trousers beneath the hem of her tattered skirt. + +It did occur to him that Iris received his momentous announcement with +an odd air of hauteur, and it was passing strange she did not offer to +accompany him when, after bolting his breakfast, he returned to the +observatory. + +He came back in an hour, and the lines on his face were deeper than +before. + +"A false alarm," he said curtly in response to her questioning look. + +And that was all, though she nerved herself to walk steadily past him +on her way to the well. This was disconcerting, even annoying to a +positive young woman like Iris. Resolving to end the ordeal, she stood +rigidly before him. + +"Well," she said, "I've done it!" + +"Have you?" he exclaimed, blankly. + +"Yes. They're a little too long, and I feel very awkward, but they're +better than--than my poor old dress unsupported." + +She blushed furiously, to the sailor's complete bewilderment, but she +bravely persevered and stretched out an unwilling foot. + +"Oh. I see!" he growled, and he too reddened. + +"I can't help it, can I?" she demanded piteously. "It is not unlike a +riding-habit, is it?" + +Then his ready wit helped him. + +"An excellent compromise," he cried. "A process of evolution, in fact. +Now, do you know, Miss Deane, that would never have occurred to me." + +And during the remainder of the day he did not once look at her feet. +Indeed, he had far more serious matters to distract his thoughts, for +Iris, feverishly anxious to be busy, suddenly suggested that it would +be a good thing were she able to use a rifle if a fight at close +quarters became necessary. + +The recoil of the Lee-Metford is so slight that any woman can +manipulate the weapon with effect, provided she is not called upon to +fire from a standing position, in which case the weight is liable to +cause bad aiming. Though it came rather late in the day, Jenks caught +at the idea. He accustomed her in the first instance to the use of +blank cartridges. Then, when fairly proficient in holding and +sighting--a child can learn how to refill the clip and eject each empty +shell--she fired ten rounds of service ammunition. The target was a +white circle on a rock at eighty yards, and those of the ten shots that +missed the absolute mark would have made an enemy at the same distance +extremely uncomfortable. + +Iris was much pleased with her proficiency. "Now," she cried, "instead +of being a hindrance to you I may be some help. In any case, the Dyaks +will think there are two men to face, and they have good reason to fear +one of us." + +Then a new light dawned upon Jenks. + +"Why did you not think of it before?" he demanded. "Don't you see, Miss +Deane, the possibility suggested by your words? I am sorry to be +compelled to speak plainly, but I feel sure that if those scoundrels do +attack us in force it will be more to secure you than to avenge the +loss of their fellow tribesmen. First and foremost, the sea-going Dyaks +are pirates and marauders. They prowl about the coast looking not so +much for a fight as for loot and women. Now, if they return, and +apparently find two well-armed men awaiting them, with no prospect of +plunder, there is a chance they may abandon the enterprise." + +Iris did not flinch from the topic. She well knew its grave importance. + +"In other words," she said, "I must be seen by them dressed only in +male clothing?" + +"Yes, as a last resource, that is. I have some hope that they may not +discover our whereabouts owing to the precautions we have adopted. +Perched up there on the ledge we will be profoundly uncomfortable, but +that will be nothing if it secures our safety." + +She did not reply at once. Then she said musingly--"Forty-four days! +Surely there has been ample time to scour the China Sea from end to end +in search of us? My father would never abandon hope until he had the +most positive knowledge that the _Sirdar_ was lost with all on +board." + +The sailor, through long schooling, was prepared with an answer--"Each +day makes the prospect of escape brighter. Though I was naturally +disappointed this morning, I must state quite emphatically that our +rescue may come any hour." + +Iris looked at him steadily. + +"You wear a solemn face for one who speaks so cheerfully," she said. + +"You should not attach too great significance to appearances. The owl, +a very stupid bird, is noted for its philosophical expression." + +"Then we will strive to find wisdom in words. Do you remember, Mr. +Jenks, that soon after the wreck you told me we might have to remain +here many months?" + +"That was a pardonable exaggeration." + +"No, no. It was the truth. You are seeking now to buoy me up with false +hope. It is sixteen hundred miles from Hong Kong to Singapore, and half +as much from Siam to Borneo. The _Sirdar_ might have been driven +anywhere in the typhoon. Didn't you say so, Mr. Jenks?" + +He wavered under this merciless cross-examination. + +"I had no idea your memory was so good," he said, weakly. + +"Excellent, I assure you. Moreover, during our forty-four days +together, you have taught me to think. Why do you adopt subterfuge with +me? We are partners in all else. Why cannot I share your despair as +well as your toil?" + +She blazed out in sudden wrath, and he understood that she would not be +denied the full extent of his secret fear. He bowed reverently before +her, as a mortal paying homage to an angry goddess. + +"I can only admit that you are right," he murmured. "We must pray that +God will direct our friends to this island. Otherwise we may not be +found for a year, as unhappily the fishermen who once came here now +avoid the place. They have been frightened by the contents of the +hollow behind the cliff. I am glad you have solved the difficulty +unaided, Miss Deane. I have striven at times to be coarse, even brutal, +towards you, but my heart flinched from the task of telling you the +possible period of your imprisonment." + +Then Iris, for the first time in many days, wept bitterly, and Jenks, +blind to the true cause of her emotion, picked up a rifle to which, in +spare moments, he had affixed a curious device, and walked slowly +across Prospect Park towards the half-obliterated road leading to the +Valley of Death. + +The girl watched him disappear among the trees. Through her tears shone +a sorrowful little smile. + +"He thinks only of me, never of himself," she communed. "If it pleases +Providence to spare us from these savages, what does it matter to me +how long we remain here? I have never been so happy before in my life. +I fear I never will be again. If it were not for my father's terrible +anxiety I would not have a care in the world. I only wish to get away, +so that one brave soul at least may be rid of needless tortures. All +his worry is on my account, none on his own." + +That was what tearful Miss Iris thought, or tried to persuade herself +to think. Perhaps her cogitations would not bear strict analysis. +Perhaps she harbored a sweet hope that the future might yet contain +bright hours for herself and the man who was so devoted to her. She +refused to believe that Robert Anstruther, strong of arm and clear of +brain, a Knight of the Round Table in all that was noble and chivalric, +would permit his name to bear an unwarrantable stigma when--and she +blushed like a June rose--he came to tell her that which he had +written. + +The sailor returned hastily, with the manner of one hurrying to perform +a neglected task. Without any explanation to Iris he climbed several +times to the ledge, carrying arm-loads of grass roots which he planted +in full view. Then he entered the cave, and, although he was furnished +only with the dim light that penetrated through the distant exit, she +heard him hewing manfully at the rock for a couple of hours. At last he +emerged, grimy with dust and perspiration, just in time to pay a last +visit to Summit Rock before the sun sank to rest. He asked the girl to +delay somewhat the preparations for their evening meal, as he wished to +take a bath, so it was quite dark when they sat down to eat. + +Iris had long recovered her usual state of high spirits. + +"Why were you burrowing in the cavern again?" she inquired. "Are you in +a hurry to get rich?" + +"I was following an air-shaft, not a lode," he replied. "I am +occasionally troubled with after wit, and this is an instance. Do you +remember how the flame of the lamp flickered whilst we were opening up +our mine?" + +"Yes." + +"I was so absorbed in contemplating our prospective wealth that I +failed to pay heed to the true significance of that incident. It meant +the existence of an upward current of air. Now, where the current goes +there must be a passage, and whilst I was busy this afternoon among the +trees over there,"--he pointed towards the Valley of Death--"it came to +me like an inspiration that possibly a few hours' hewing and delving +might open a shaft to the ledge. I have been well rewarded for the +effort. The stuff in the vault is so eaten away by water that it is no +more solid than hard mud for the most part. Already I have scooped out +a chimney twelve feet high." + +"What good can that be?" + +"At present we have only a front door--up the face of the rock. When my +work is completed, before tomorrow night I hope, we shall have a back +door also. Of course I may encounter unforeseen obstacles as I advance. +A twist in the fault would be nearly fatal, but I am praying that it +may continue straight to the ledge." + +"I still don't see the great advantage to us." + +"The advantages are many, believe me. The more points of attack +presented by the enemy the more effective will be our resistance. I +doubt if they would ever be able to rush the cave were we to hold it, +whereas I can go up and down our back staircase whenever I choose. If +you don't mind being left in the dark I will resume work now, by the +light of your lamp." + +But Iris protested against this arrangement. She felt lonely. The long +hours of silence had been distasteful to her. She wanted to talk. + +"I agree," said Jenks, "provided you do not pin me down to something I +told you a month ago." + +"I promise. You can tell me as much or as little as you think fit. The +subject for discussion is your court-martial." + +He could not see the tender light in her eyes, but the quiet sympathy +of her voice restrained the protest prompt on his lips. Yet he blurted +out, after a slight pause-- + +"That is a very unsavory subject." + +"Is it? I do not think so. I am a friend, Mr. Jenks, not an old one, I +admit, but during the past six weeks we have bridged an ordinary +acquaintanceship of as many years. Can you not trust me?" + +Trust her? He laughed softly. Then, choosing his words with great +deliberation, he answered--"Yes, I can trust you. I intended to tell +you the story some day. Why not tonight?" + +Unseen in the darkness Iris's hand sought and clasped the gold locket +suspended from her neck. She already knew some portion of the story he +would tell. The remainder was of minor importance. + +"It is odd," he continued, "that you should have alluded to six years a +moment ago. It is exactly six years, almost to a day, since the trouble +began." + +"With Lord Ventnor?" The name slipped out involuntarily. + +"Yes. I was then a Staff Corps subaltern, and my proficiency in native +languages attracted the attention of a friend in Simla, who advised me +to apply for an appointment on the political side of the Government of +India. I did so. He supported the application, and I was assured of the +next vacancy in a native state, provided that I got married." + +He drawled out the concluding words with exasperating slowness. Iris, +astounded by the stipulation, dropped her locket and leaned forward +into the red light of the log fire. The sailor's quick eye caught the +glitter of the ornament. + +"By the way," he interrupted, "what is that thing shining on your +breast?" + +She instantly clasped the trinket again. "It is my sole remaining +adornment," she said; "a present from my father on my tenth birthday. +Pray go on!" + +"I was not a marrying man, Miss Deane, and the requisite qualification +nearly staggered me. But I looked around the station, and came to the +conclusion that the Commissioner's niece would make a suitable wife. I +regarded her 'points,' so to speak, and they filled the bill. She was +smart, good-looking, lively, understood the art of entertaining, was +first-rate in sports and had excellent teeth. Indeed, if a man selected +a wife as he does a horse, she--" + +"Don't be horrid. Was she really pretty?" + +"I believe so. People said she was." + +"But what did _you_ think?" + +"At the time my opinion was biased. I have seen her since, and she +wears badly. She is married now, and after thirty grew very fat." + +Artful Jenks! Iris settled herself comfortably to listen. + +"I have jumped that fence with a lot in hand," he thought. + +"We became engaged," he said aloud. + +"She threw herself at him," communed Iris. + +"Her name was Elizabeth--Elizabeth Morris." The young lieutenant of +those days called her "Bessie," but no matter. + +"Well, you didn't marry her, anyhow," commented Iris, a trifle sharply. + +And now the sailor was on level ground again. + +"Thank Heaven, no," he said, earnestly. "We had barely become engaged +when she went with her uncle to Simla for the hot weather. There she +met Lord Ventnor, who was on the Viceroy's staff, and--if you don't +mind, we will skip a portion of the narrative--I discovered then why +men in India usually go to England for their wives. Whilst in Simla on +ten days' leave I had a foolish row with Lord Ventnor in the United +Service Club--hammered him, in fact, in defence of a worthless woman, +and was only saved from a severe reprimand because I had been badly +treated. Nevertheless, my hopes of a political appointment vanished, +and I returned to my regiment to learn, after due reflection, what a +very lucky person I was." + +"Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?" + +"Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth. Not being cut out for matrimonial +enterprise I tried to become a good officer. A year ago, when +Government asked for volunteers to form Chinese regiments, I sent in my +name and was accepted. I had the good fortune to serve under an old +friend, Colonel Costobell; but some malign star sent Lord Ventnor to +the Far East, this time in an important civil capacity. I met him +occasionally, and we found we did not like each other any better. My +horse beat his for the Pagoda Hurdle Handicap--poor old Sultan! I +wonder where he is now." + +"Was your horse called 'Sultan'?" + +"Yes. I bought him in Meerut, trained him myself, and ferried him all +the way to China. I loved him next to the British Army." + +This was quite satisfactory. There was genuine feeling in his voice +now. Iris became even more interested. + +"Colonel Costobell fell ill, and the command of the regiment devolved +upon me, our only major being absent in the interior. The Colonel's +wife unhappily chose that moment to flirt, as people say, with Lord +Ventnor. Not having learnt the advisability of minding my own business, +I remonstrated with her, thus making her my deadly enemy. Lord Ventnor +contrived an official mission to a neighboring town and detailed me for +the military charge. I sent a junior officer. Then Mrs. Costobell and +he deliberately concocted a plot to ruin me--he, for the sake of his +old animosity--you remember that I had also crossed his path in +Egypt--she, because she feared I would speak to her husband. On +pretence of seeking my advice, she inveigled me at night into a +deserted corner of the Club grounds at Hong Kong. Lord Ventnor +appeared, and as the upshot of their vile statements, which created an +immediate uproar, I--well, Miss Deane, I nearly killed him." + +Iris vividly recalled the anguish he betrayed when this topic was +inadvertently broached one day early in their acquaintance. Now he was +reciting his painful history with the air of a man far more concerned +to be scrupulously accurate than aroused in his deepest passions by the +memory of past wrongs. What had happened in the interim to blunt these +bygone sufferings? Iris clasped her locket. She thought she knew. + +"The remainder may be told in a sentence," he said. "Of what avail were +my frenzied statements against the definite proofs adduced by Lord +Ventnor and his unfortunate ally? Even her husband believed her and +became my bitter foe. Poor woman! I have it in my heart to pity her. +Well, that is all. I am here!" + +"Can a man be ruined so easily?" murmured the girl, her exquisite tact +leading her to avoid any direct expression of sympathy. + +"It seems so. But I have had my reward. If ever I meet Mrs. Costobell +again I will thank her for a great service." + +Iris suddenly became confused. Her brow and neck tingled with a quick +access of color. + +"Why do you say that?" she asked; and Jenks, who was rising, either did +not hear, or pretended not to hear, the tremor in her tone. + +"Because you once told me you would never marry Lord Ventnor, and after +what I have told you now I am quite sure you will not." + +"Ah, then you _do_ trust me?" she almost whispered. + +He forced back the words trembling for utterance. He even strove weakly +to assume an air of good-humored badinage. + +"See how you have tempted me from work, Miss Deane," he cried. "We have +gossiped here until the fire grew tired of our company. To bed, please, +at once." + +Iris caught him by the arm. + +"I will pray tonight, and every night," she said solemnly, "that your +good name may be cleared in the eyes of all men as it is in mine. And I +am sure my prayer will be answered." + +She passed into her chamber, but her angelic influence remained. In his +very soul the man thanked God for the tribulation which brought this +woman into his life. He had traversed the wilderness to find an oasis +of rare beauty. What might lie beyond he neither knew nor cared. +Through the remainder of his existence, be it a day or many a year, he +would be glorified by the knowledge that in one incomparable heart he +reigned supreme, unchallenged, if only for the hour. Fatigue, anxiety, +bitter recollection and present danger, were overwhelmed and forgotten +in the nearness, the intangible presence of Iris. He looked up to the +starry vault, and, yielding to the spell, he, too, prayed. + +It was a beautiful night. After a baking hot day the rocks were +radiating their stored-up heat, but the pleasant south-westerly breeze +that generally set in at sunset tempered the atmosphere and made sleep +refreshing. Jenks could not settle down to rest for a little while +after Iris left him. She did not bring forth her lamp, and, unwilling +to disturb her, he picked up a resinous branch, lit it in the dying +fire, and went into the cave. + +He wanted to survey the work already done, and to determine whether it +would be better to resume operations in the morning from inside the +excavation or from the ledge. Owing to the difficulty of constructing a +vertical upward shaft, and the danger of a sudden fall of heavy +material, he decided in favor of the latter course, although it +entailed lifting all the refuse out of the hole. To save time, +therefore, he carried his mining tools into the open, placed in +position the _cheval de frise_ long since constructed for the +defence of the entrance, and poured water over the remains of the fire. + +This was his final care each night before stretching his weary limbs on +his couch of branches. It caused delay in the morning, but he neglected +no precaution, and there was a possible chance of the Dyaks failing to +discover the Eagle's Nest if they were persuaded by other indications +that the island was deserted. + +He entered the hut and was in the act of pulling off his boots, when a +distant shot rang sharply through the air. It was magnified tenfold by +the intense silence. For a few seconds that seemed to be minutes he +listened, cherishing the quick thought that perhaps a turtle, wandering +far beyond accustomed limits, had disturbed one of the spring-gun +communications on the sands. A sputtering volley, which his trained ear +recognized as the firing of muzzle-loaders, sounded the death-knell of +his last hope. + +The Dyaks had landed! Coming silently and mysteriously in the dead of +night, they were themselves the victims of a stratagem they designed to +employ. Instead of taking the occupants of Rainbow Island unawares they +were startled at being greeted by a shot the moment they landed. The +alarmed savages at once retaliated by firing their antiquated weapons +point-blank at the trees, thus giving warning enough to wake the Seven +Sleepers. + +Iris, fully dressed, was out in a moment. + +"They have come!" she whispered. + +"Yes," was the cheery answer, for Jenks face to face with danger was a +very different man to Jenks wrestling with the insidious attacks of +Cupid. "Up the ladder! Be lively! They will not be here for half an +hour if they kick up such a row at the first difficulty. Still, we will +take no risks. Cast down those spare lines when you reach the top and +haul away when I say 'Ready!' You will find everything to hand up +there." + +He held the bottom of the ladder to steady it for the girl's climb. +Soon her voice fell, like a message from a star-- + +"All right! Please join me soon!" + +The coiled-up ropes dropped along the face of the rock. Clothes, pick, +hatchet, hammer, crowbars, and other useful odds and ends were swung +away into the darkness, for the moon as yet did not illumine the crag. +The sailor darted into Belle Vue Castle and kicked their leafy beds +about the floor. Then he slung all the rifles, now five in number, over +his shoulders, and mounted the rope-ladder, which, with the spare +cords, he drew up and coiled with careful method. + +"By the way," he suddenly asked, "have you your sou'wester?" + +"Yes." + +"And your Bible?" + +"Yes. It rests beneath my head every night. I even brought our +Tennyson." + +"Ah," he growled fiercely, "this is where the reality differs from the +romance. Our troubles are only beginning now." + +"They will end the sooner. For my part, I have utter faith in you. If +it be God's will, we will escape; and no man is more worthy than you to +be His agent." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE FIGHT + + +The sailor knew so accurately the position of his reliable sentinels +that he could follow each phase of the imaginary conflict on the other +side of the island. The first outbreak of desultory firing died away +amidst a chorus of protest from every feathered inhabitant of the isle, +so Jenks assumed that the Dyaks had gathered again on the beach after +riddling the scarecrows with bullets or slashing them with their heavy +razor-edged parangs, Malay swords with which experts can fell a stout +sapling at a single blow. + +A hasty council was probably held, and, notwithstanding their fear of +the silent company in the hollow, an advance was ultimately made along +the beach. Within a few yards they encountered the invisible cord of +the third spring-gun. There was a report, and another fierce outbreak +of musketry. This was enough. Not a man would move a step nearer that +abode of the dead. The next commotion arose on the ridge near the North +Cape. + +"At this rate of progress," said Jenks to the girl, "they will not +reach our house until daylight." + +"I almost wish they were here," was the quiet reply. "I find this +waiting and listening to be trying to the nerves." + +They were lying on a number of ragged garments hastily spread on the +ledge, and peering intently into the moonlit area of Prospect Park. The +great rock itself was shrouded in somber shadows. Even if they stood up +none could see them from the ground, so dense was the darkness +enveloping them. + +He turned slightly and took her hand. It was cool and moist. It no more +trembled than his own. + +"The Dyaks are far more scared than you," he murmured with a laugh. +"Cruel and courageous as they are, they dare not face a spook." + +"Then what a pity it is we cannot conjure up a ghost for their benefit! +All the spirits I have ever read about were ridiculous. Why cannot one +be useful occasionally?" + +The question set him thinking. Unknown to the girl, the materials for a +dramatic apparition were hidden amidst the bushes near the well. He +cudgeled his brains to remember the stage effects of juvenile days; but +these needed limelight, blue flares, mirrors, phosphorus. + +The absurdity of hoping to devise any such accessories whilst perched +on a ledge in a remote island--a larger reef of the thousands in the +China Sea--tickled him. + +"What is it?" asked Iris. + +He repeated his list of missing stage properties. They had nothing to +do but to wait, and people in the very crux and maelstrom of existence +usually discuss trivial things. + +"I don't know anything about phosphorus," said the girl, "but you can +obtain queer results from sulphur, and there is an old box of Norwegian +matches resting at this moment on the shelf in my room. Don't you +remember? They were in your pocket, and you were going to throw them +away. Why, what are you doing?" + +For Jenks had cast the rope-ladder loose and was evidently about to +descend. + +"Have no fear," he said; "I will not be away five minutes." + +"If you are going down I must come with you. I will not be left here +alone." + +"Please do not stop me," he whispered earnestly. "You must not come. I +will take no risk whatever. If you remain here you can warn me +instantly. With both of us on the ground we will incur real danger. I +want you to keep a sharp lookout towards Turtle Beach in case the Dyaks +come that way. Those who are crossing the island will not reach us for +a long time." + +She yielded, though unwillingly. She was tremulous with anxiety on his +account. + +He vanished without another word. She next saw him in the moonlight +near the well. He was rustling among the shrubs, and he returned to the +rock with something white in his arms, which he seemingly deposited at +the mouth of the cave. He went back to the well and carried another +similar burthen. Then he ran towards the house. The doorway was not +visible from the ledge, and she passed a few horrible moments until a +low hiss beneath caught her ear. She could tell by the creak of the +rope-ladder that he was ascending. At last he reached her side, and she +murmured, with a gasping sob-- + +"Don't go away again. I cannot stand it." + +He thought it best to soothe her agitation by arousing interest. Still +hauling in the ladder with one hand, he held out the other, on which +luminous wisps were writhing like glow-worms' ghosts. + +"You are responsible," he said. "You gave me an excellent idea, and I +was obliged to carry it out." + +"What have you done?" + +"Arranged a fearsome bogey in the cave." + +"But how?" + +"It was not exactly a pleasant operation, but the only laws of +necessity are those which must be broken." + +She understood that he did not wish her to question him further. +Perhaps curiosity, now that he was safe, might have vanquished her +terror, and led to another demand for enlightenment, but at that +instant the sound of an angry voice and the crunching of coral away to +the left drove all else from her mind. + +"They are coming by way of the beach, after all," whispered Jenks. + +He was mistaken, in a sense. Another outburst of intermittent firing +among the trees on the north of the ridge showed that some, at least, +of the Dyaks were advancing by their former route. The appearance of +the Dyak chief on the flat belt of shingle, with his right arm slung +across his breast, accompanied by not more than half a dozen followers, +showed that a few hardy spirits had dared to pass the Valley of Death +with all its nameless terrors. + +They advanced cautiously enough, as though dreading a surprise. The +chief carried a bright parang in his left hand; the others were armed +with guns, their swords being thrust through belts. Creeping forward on +tip-toe, though their distant companions were making a tremendous row, +they looked a murderous gang as they peered across the open space, now +brilliantly illuminated by the moon. + +Jenks had a sudden intuition that the right thing to do now was to +shoot the whole party. He dismissed the thought at once. All his +preparations were governed by the hope that the pirates might abandon +their quest after hours of fruitless search. It would be most unwise, +he told himself, to precipitate hostilities. Far better avoid a +conflict altogether, if that were possible, than risk the immediate +discovery of his inaccessible retreat. + +In other words he made a grave mistake, which shows how a man may err +when over-agonized by the danger of the woman he loves. The bold course +was the right one. By killing the Dyak leader he would have deprived +the enemy of the dominating influence in this campaign of revenge. When +the main body, already much perturbed by the unseen and intangible +agencies which opened fire at them in the wood, arrived in Prospect +Park to find only the dead bodies of their chief and his small force, +their consternation could be turned into mad panic by a vigorous +bombardment from the rock. + +Probably, in less than an hour after their landing, the whole tribe +would have rushed pell-mell to the boats, cursing the folly which led +them to this devil-haunted island. But it serves no good purpose to say +what might have been. As it was the Dyaks, silent now and moving with +the utmost caution, passed the well, and were about to approach the +cave when one of them saw the house. + +Instantly they changed their tactics. Retreating hastily to the shade +of the opposite cliff they seemed to await the coming of +reinforcements. The sailor fancied that a messenger was dispatched by +way of the north sands to hurry up the laggards, because the distant +firing slackened, and, five minutes later, a fierce outbreak of yells +among the trees to the right heralded a combined rush on the Belle Vue +Castle. + +The noise made by the savages was so great--the screams of bewildered +birds circling overhead so incessant--that Jenks was compelled to speak +quite loudly when he said to Iris-- + +"They must think we sleep soundly not to be disturbed by the volleys +they have fired already." + +She would have answered, but he placed a restraining hand on her +shoulder, for the Dyaks quickly discovering that the hut was empty, ran +towards the cave and thus came in full view. + +As well as Jenks could judge, the foremost trio of the yelping horde +were impaled on the bayonets of the _cheval de frise_, learning +too late its formidable nature. The wounded men shrieked in agony, but +their cries were drowned in a torrent of amazed shouts from their +companions. Forthwith there was a stampede towards the well, the cliff, +the beaches, anywhere to get away from that awesome cavern where ghosts +dwelt and men fell maimed at the very threshold. The sailor, leaning as +far over the edge of the rock as the girl's expostulations would +permit, heard a couple of men groaning beneath, whilst a third limped +away with frantic and painful haste. + +"What is it?" whispered Iris, eager herself to witness the tumult. +"What has happened?" + +"They have been routed by a box of matches and a few dried bones," he +answered. + +There was no time for further speech. He was absorbed in estimating the +probable number of the Dyaks. Thus far, he had seen about fifty. +Moreover, he did not wish to acquaint Iris with the actual details of +the artifice that had been so potent. Her allusion to the box of +water-sodden Taendstickors gave him the notion of utilizing as an active +ally the bleached remains of the poor fellow who had long ago fallen a +victim to this identical mob of cut-throats or their associates. He +gathered the principal bones from their resting-place near the well, +rubbed them with the ends of the matches after damping the sulphur +again, and arranged them with ghastly effect on the pile of rubbish at +the further end of the cave, creeping under the _cheval de frise_ +for the purpose. + +Though not so vivid as he wished, the pale-glimmering headless skeleton +in the intense darkness of the interior was appalling enough in all +conscience. Fortunately the fumes of the sulphur fed on the bony +substance. They endured a sufficient time to scare every Dyak who +caught a glimpse of the monstrous object crouching in luminous horror +within the dismal cavern. + +Not even the stirring exhortations of the chief, whose voice was raised +in furious speech, could induce his adherents to again approach that +affrighting spot. At last the daring scoundrel himself, still wielding +his naked sword, strode right up to the very doorway. Stricken with +sudden stupor, he gazed at the fitful gleams within. He prodded the +_cheval de frise_ with the parang. Here was something definite and +solid. Then he dragged one of the wounded men out into the moonlight. + +Again Jenks experienced an itching desire to send a bullet through the +Dyak's head; again he resisted the impulse. And so passed that which is +vouchsafed by Fate to few men--a second opportunity. + +Another vehement harangue by the chief goaded some venturesome spirits +into carrying their wounded comrade out of sight, presumably to the +hut. Inspired by their leader's fearless example, they even removed the +third injured Dyak from the vicinity of the cave, but the celerity of +their retreat caused the wretch to bawl in agony. + +Their next undertaking was no sooner appreciated by the sailor than he +hurriedly caused Iris to shelter herself beneath the tarpaulin, whilst +he cowered close to the floor of the ledge, looking only through the +screen of tall grasses. They kindled a fire near the well. Soon its +ruddy glare lit up the dark rock with fantastic flickerings, and drew +scintillations from the weapons and ornaments of the hideously +picturesque horde gathered in its vicinity. + +They spoke a language of hard vowels and nasal resonance, and ate what +he judged to be dry fish, millets, and strips of tough preserved meat, +which they cooked on small iron skewers stuck among the glowing embers. +His heart sank as he counted sixty-one, all told, assembled within +forty yards of the ledge. Probably several others were guarding the +boats or prowling about the island. Indeed, events proved that more +than eighty men had come ashore in three large sampans, roomy and fleet +craft, well fitted for piratical excursions up river estuaries or along +a coast. + +They were mostly bare-legged rascals, wearing Malay hats, loose jackets +reaching to the knee, and sandals. One man differed essentially from +the others. He was habited in the conventional attire of an Indian +Mahommedan, and his skin was brown, whilst the swarthy Dyaks were +yellow beneath the dirt. Jenks thought, from the manner in which his +turban was tied, that he must be a Punjabi Mussulman--very likely an +escaped convict from the Andamans. + +The most careful scrutiny did not reveal any arms of precision. They +all carried muzzle-loaders, either antiquated flintlocks, or guns +sufficiently modern to be fitted with nipples for percussion caps. + +Each Dyak, of course, sported a parang and dagger-like kriss; a few +bore spears, and about a dozen shouldered a long straight piece of +bamboo. The nature of this implement the sailor could not determine at +the moment. When the knowledge did come, it came so rapidly that he was +saved from many earlier hours of abiding; dread, for one of those +innocuous-looking weapons was fraught with more quiet deadliness than a +Gatling gun. + +In the neighborhood of the fire an animated discussion took place. +Though it was easy to see that the chief was all-paramount, his +fellow-tribesmen exercised a democratic right of free speech and +outspoken opinion. + +Flashing eyes and expressive hands were turned towards cave and hut. +Once, when the debate grew warm, the chief snatched up a burning branch +and held it over the blackened embers of the fire extinguished by +Jenks. He seemed to draw some definite conclusion from an examination +of the charcoal, and the argument thenceforth proceeded with less +emphasis. Whatever it was that he said evidently carried conviction. + +Iris, nestling close to the sailor, whispered-- + +"Do you know what he has found out?" + +"I can only guess that he can tell by the appearance of the burnt wood +how long it is since it was extinguished. Clearly they agree with him." + +"Then they know we are still here?" + +"Either here or gone within a few hours. In any case they will make a +thorough search of the island at daybreak." + +"Will it be dawn soon?" + +"Yes. Are you tired?" + +"A little cramped--that is all." + +"Don't think I am foolish--can you manage to sleep?" + +"Sleep! With those men so near!" + +"Yes. We do not know how long they will remain. We must keep up our +strength. Sleep, next to food and drink, is a prime necessity." + +"If it will please you, I will try," she said, with such sweet +readiness to obey his slightest wish that the wonder is he did not kiss +her then and there. By previous instruction she knew exactly what to +do. She crept quietly back until well ensconced in the niche widened +and hollowed for her accommodation. There, so secluded was she from the +outer world of horror and peril, that the coarse voices beneath only +reached her in a murmur. Pulling one end of the tarpaulin over her, she +stretched her weary limbs on a litter of twigs and leaves, commended +herself and the man she loved to God's keeping, and, wonderful though +it may seem, was soon slumbering peacefully. + +The statement may sound passing strange to civilized ears, accustomed +only to the routine of daily life and not inured to danger and wild +surroundings. But the soldier who has snatched a hasty doze in the +trenches, the sailor who has heard a fierce gale buffeting the walls of +his frail ark, can appreciate the reason why Iris, weary and surfeited +with excitement, would have slept were she certain that the next +sunrise would mark her last hour on earth. + +Jenks, too, composed himself for a brief rest. He felt assured that +there was not the remotest chance of their lofty perch being found out +before daybreak, and the first faint streaks of dawn would awaken him. + +These two, remote, abandoned, hopelessly environed by a savage enemy, +closed their eyes contentedly and awaited that which the coming day +should bring forth. + +When the morning breeze swept over the ocean and the stars were +beginning to pale before the pink glory flung broadcast through the sky +by the yet invisible sun, the sailor was aroused by the quiet +fluttering of a bird about to settle on the rock, but startled by the +sight of him. + +His faculties were at once on the alert, though he little realized the +danger betokened by the bird's rapid dart into the void. Turning first +to peer at Iris, he satisfied himself that she was still asleep. Her +lips were slightly parted in a smile; she might be dreaming of summer +and England. He noiselessly wormed his way to the verge of the rock and +looked down through the grass-roots. + +The Dyaks were already stirring. Some were replenishing the fire, +others were drawing water, cooking, eating, smoking long thin-stemmed +pipes with absurdly small bowls, or oiling their limbs and weapons with +impartial energy. The chief yet lay stretched on the sand, but, when +the first beams of the sun gilded the waters, a man stooped over the +prostrate form and said something that caused the sleeper to rise +stiffly, supporting himself on his uninjured arm. They at once went off +together towards Europa Point. + +"They have found the boat," thought Jenks. "Well, they are welcome to +all the information it affords." + +The pair soon returned. Another Dyak advanced to exhibit one of Jenks's +spring-gun attachments. The savages had a sense of humor. Several +laughed heartily when the cause of their overnight alarms was revealed. +The chief alone preserved a gloomy and saturnine expression. + +He gave some order at which they all hung back sheepishly. Cursing them +in choice Malay, the chief seized a thick faggot and strode in the +direction of the cave. Goaded into activity by his truculent demeanor, +some followed him, and Jenks--unable to see, but listening +anxiously--knew that they were tearing the _cheval de frise_ from +its supports. Nevertheless none of the working party entered the +excavation. They feared the parched bones that shone by night. + +"Poor J.S.!" murmured the sailor. "If his spirit still lingers near the +scene of his murder he will thank me for dragging him into the fray. He +fought them living and he can scare them dead." + +As he had not been able to complete the communicating shaft it was not +now of vital importance should the Dyaks penetrate to the interior. Yet +he thanked the good luck that had showered such a heap of rubbish over +the spot containing his chief stores and covering the vein of gold. +Wild as these fellows were, they well knew the value of the precious +metal, and if by chance they lighted upon such a well-defined lode they +might not quit the island for weeks. + +At last, on a command from the chief, the Dyaks scattered in various +directions. Some turned towards Europa Point, but the majority went to +the east along Turtle Beach or by way of the lagoon. Prospect Park was +deserted. They were scouring both sections of the island in full force. + +The quiet watcher on the ledge took no needless risks. Though it was +impossible to believe any stratagem had been planned for his special +benefit an accident might betray him. With the utmost circumspection he +rose on all fours and with comprehensive glance examined trees, +plateau, and both strips of beach for signs of a lurking foe. He need +have no fear. Of all places in the island the Dyaks least imagined that +their quarry had lain all night within earshot of their encampment. + +At this hour, when the day had finally conquered the night, and the +placid sea offered a turquoise path to the infinite, the scene was +restful, gently bewitching. He knew that, away there to the north, P. +and O. steamers, Messageries Maritimes, and North German Lloyd liners +were steadily churning the blue depths _en route_ to Japan or the +Straits Settlements. They carried hundreds of European passengers, men +and women, even little children, who were far removed from the +knowledge that tragedies such as this Dyak horror lay almost in their +path. People in London were just going to the theater. He recalled the +familiar jingle of the hansoms scampering along Piccadilly, the more +stately pace of the private carriages crossing the Park. Was it +possible that in the world of today--the world of telegraphs and +express trains, of the newspaper and the motor car--two inoffensive +human beings could be done to death so shamefully and openly as would +be the fate of Iris and himself if they fell into the hands of these +savages! It was inconceivable, intolerable! But it was true! + +And then, by an odd trick of memory, his mind reverted, not to the +Yorkshire manor he learnt to love as a boy, but to a little French +inland town where he once passed a summer holiday intent on improving +his knowledge of the language. Interior France is even more remote, +more secluded, more provincial, than agricultural England. There no +breath of the outer world intrudes. All is laborious, circumspect, a +trifle poverty-stricken, but beautified by an Arcadian simplicity. Yet +one memorable day, when walking by the banks of a river, he came upon +three men dragging from out a pool the water-soaked body of a young +girl into whose fair forehead the blunt knob often seen on the back of +an old-fashioned axe had been driven with cruel force. So, even in that +tiny old-world hamlet, murder and lust could stalk hand in hand. + +He shuddered. Why did such a hateful vision trouble him? Resolutely +banning the raven-winged specter, he slid back down the ledge and +gently wakened Iris. She sat up instantly and gazed at him with +wondering eyes. + +Fearful lest she should forget her surroundings, he placed a warning +finger on his lips. + +"Oh," she said in a whisper, "are they still here?" + +He told her what had happened, and suggested that they should have +something to eat whilst the coast was clear beneath. She needed no +second bidding, for the long vigil of the previous night had made her +very hungry, and the two breakfasted right royally on biscuit, cold +fowl, ham, and good water. + +In this, the inner section of their refuge, they could be seen only by +a bird or by a man standing on the distant rocky shelf that formed the +southern extremity of the opposite cliff, and the sailor kept a close +lookout in that direction. + +Iris was about to throw the remains of the feast into an empty oil-tin +provided for refuse when Jenks restrained her. + +"No," he said, smilingly. "Scraps should be the first course next time. +We must not waste an atom of food." + +"How thoughtless of me!" she exclaimed. "Please tell me you think they +will go away today." + +But the sailor flung himself flat on the ledge and grasped a +Lee-Metford. + +"Be still, on your life," he said. "Squeeze into your corner. There is +a Dyak on the opposite cliff." + +True enough, a man had climbed to that unhappily placed rocky table, +and was shouting something to a confrere high on the cliff over their +heads. As yet he had not seen them, nor even noticed the place where +they were concealed. The sailor imagined, from the Dyak's gestures, +that he was communicating the uselessness of further search on the +western part of the island. + +When the conversation ceased, he hoped the loud-voiced savage would +descend. But no! The scout looked into the valley, at the well, the +house, the cave. Still he did not see the ledge. At that unlucky moment +three birds, driven from the trees on the crest by the passage of the +Dyaks, flew down the face of the cliff and began a circling quest for +some safe perch on which to alight. + +Jenks swore with an emphasis not the less earnest because it was mute, +and took steady aim at the Dyak's left breast. The birds fluttered +about in ever smaller circles. Then one of them dropped easily on to +the lip of the rock. Instantly his bright eyes encountered those of the +man, and he darted off with a scream that brought his mates after him. + +The Dyak evidently noted the behavior of the birds--his only lore was +the reading of such signs--and gazed intently at the ledge. Jenks he +could not distinguish behind the screen of grass. He might perhaps see +some portion of the tarpaulin covering the stores, but at the distance +it must resemble a weather-beaten segment of the cliff. Yet something +puzzled him. After a steady scrutiny he turned and yelled to others on +the beach. + +The crucial moment had arrived. Jenks pressed the trigger, and the Dyak +hurtled through the air, falling headlong out of sight. + +The sound of this, the first shot of real warfare, awoke Rainbow Island +into tremendous activity. The winged life of the place filled the air +with raucous cries, whilst shouting Dyaks scurried in all directions. +Several came into the valley. Those nearest the fallen man picked him +up and carried him to the well. He was quite dead, and, although amidst +his other injuries they soon found the bullet wound, they evidently did +not know whence the shot came, for those to whom he shouted had no +inkling of his motive, and the slight haze from the rifle was instantly +swept away by the breeze. + +Iris could hear the turmoil beneath, and she tremulously asked-- + +"Are they going to attack us?" + +"Not yet," was the reassuring answer. "I killed the fellow who saw us +before he could tell the others." + +It was a bold risk, and he had taken it, though, now the Dyaks knew for +certain their prey had not escaped, there was no prospect of their +speedy departure. Nevertheless the position was not utterly hopeless. +None of the enemy could tell how or by whom their companion had been +shot. Many among the excited horde jabbering beneath actually looked at +the cliff over and over again, yet failed to note the potentialities of +the ledge, with its few tufts of grass growing where seeds had +apparently been blown by the wind or dropped by passing birds. + +Jenks understood, of course, that the real danger would arise when they +visited the scene of their comrade's disaster. Even then the wavering +balance of chance might cast the issue in his favor. He could only +wait, with ready rifle, with the light of battle lowering in his eyes. +Of one thing at least he was certain--before they conquered him he +would levy a terrible toll. + +He glanced back at Iris. Her face was pale beneath its mask of +sunbrown. She was bent over her Bible, and Jenks did not know that she +was reading the 91st Psalm. Her lips murmured-- + +"I will say unto the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in +Him will I trust." + +The chief was listening intently to the story of the Dyak who saw the +dead man totter and fall. He gave some quick order. Followed by a score +or more of his men he walked rapidly to the foot of the cliff where +they found the lifeless body. + +And Iris read-- + +"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow +that flieth by day." + +Jenks stole one more hasty glance at her. The chief and the greater +number of his followers were out of sight behind the rocks. Some of +them must now be climbing to that fatal ledge. Was this the end? + +Yet the girl, unconscious of the doom impending, kept her eyes +steadfastly fixed on the book. + +"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways. + +"They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot +against a stone.... + +"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in +trouble: I will deliver him and honour him." + +Iris did not apply the consoling words to herself. She closed the book +and bent forward sufficiently in her sheltering niche to permit her to +gaze with wistful tenderness upon the man whom she hoped to see +delivered and honored. She knew he would dare all for her sake. She +could only pray and hope. After reading those inspired verses she +placed implicit trust in the promise made. For He was good: His was the +mercy that "endureth forever." Enemies encompassed them with words of +hatred--fought against them without a cause--but there was One who +should "judge among the heathen" and "fill the places with dead +bodies." + +Suddenly a clamor of discordant yells fell upon her ears. Jenks rose to +his knees. The Dyaks had discovered their refuge and were about to open +fire. He offered them a target lest perchance Iris were not thoroughly +screened. + +"Keep close," he said. "They have found us. Lead will be flying around +soon." + +She flinched back into the crevice; the sailor fell prone. Four bullets +spat into the ledge, of which three pierced the tarpaulin and one +flattened itself against the rock. + +Then Jenks took up the tale. So curiously constituted was this man, +that although he ruthlessly shot the savage who first spied out their +retreat, he was swayed only by the dictates of stern necessity. There +was a feeble chance that further bloodshed might be averted. That +chance had passed. Very well. The enemy must start the dreadful game +about to be played. They had thrown the gage and he answered them. Four +times did the Lee-Metford carry death, unseen, almost unfelt, across +the valley. + +Ere the fourth Dyak collapsed limply where he stood, others were there, +firing at the little puff of smoke above the grass. They got in a few +shots, most of which sprayed at various angles off the face of the +cliff. But they waited for no more. When the lever of the Lee-Metford +was shoved home for the fifth time the opposing crest was bare of all +opponents save two, and they lay motionless. + +The fate of the flanking detachment was either unperceived or unheeded +by the Dyaks left in the vicinity of the house and well. Astounded by +the firing that burst forth in mid-air, Jenks had cleared the dangerous +rock before they realized that here, above their heads, were the white +man and the maid whom they sought. + +With stupid zeal they blazed away furiously, only succeeding in +showering fragments of splintered stone into the Eagle's Nest. And the +sailor smiled. He quietly picked up an old coat, rolled it into a ball +and pushed it into sight amidst the grass. Then he squirmed round on +his stomach and took up a position ten feet away. Of course those who +still carried loaded guns discharged them at the bundle of rags, +whereupon Jenks thrust his rifle beyond the edge of the rock and leaned +over. + +Three Dyaks fell before the remainder made up their minds to run. Once +convinced, however, that running was good for their health, they moved +with much celerity. The remaining cartridges in the magazine slackened +the pace of two of their number. Jenks dropped the empty weapon and +seized another. He stood up now and sent a quick reminder after the +rearmost pirate. The others had disappeared towards the locality where +their leader and his diminished troupe were gathered, not daring to +again come within range of the whistling Dum-dums. The sailor, holding +his rifle as though pheasant-shooting, bent forward and sought a +belated opponent, but in vain. In military phrase, the _terrain_ +was clear of the enemy. There was no sound save the wailing of birds, +the soft sough of the sea, and the yelling of the three wounded men in +the house, who knew not what terrors threatened, and vainly bawled for +succor. + +Again Jenks could look at Iris. Her face was bleeding. The sight +maddened him. + +"My God!" he groaned, "are you wounded?" + +She smiled bravely at him. + +"It is nothing," she said. "A mere splash from the rock which cut my +forehead." + +He dared not go to her. He could only hope that it was no worse, so he +turned to examine the valley once more for vestige of a living foe. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A TRUCE + + +Though his eyes, like live coals, glowered with sullen fire at the +strip of sand and the rocks in front, his troubled brain paid +perfunctory heed to his task. The stern sense of duty, the ingrained +force of long years of military discipline and soldierly thought, +compelled him to keep watch and ward over his fortress, but he could +not help asking himself what would happen if Iris were seriously +wounded. + +There was one enemy more potent than these skulking Dyaks, a foe more +irresistible in his might, more pitiless in his strength, whose +assaults would tax to the utmost their powers of resistance. In another +hour the sun would be high in the heavens, pouring his ardent rays upon +them and drying the blood in their veins. + +Hitherto, the active life of the island, the shade of trees, hut or +cave, the power of unrestricted movement and the possession of water in +any desired quantity, robbed the tropical heat of the day of its chief +terrors. Now all was changed. Instead of working amidst grateful +foliage, they were bound to the brown rock, which soon would glow with +radiated energy and give off scorching gusts like unto the opening of a +furnace-door. + +This he had foreseen all along. The tarpaulin would yield them some +degree of uneasy protection, and they both were in perfect physical +condition. But--if Iris were wounded! If the extra strain brought fever +in its wake! That way he saw nothing but blank despair, to be ended, +for her, by delirium and merciful death, for him by a Berserk rush +among the Dyaks, and one last mad fight against overwhelming numbers. + +Then the girl's voice reached him, self-reliant, almost cheerful-- + +"You will be glad to hear that the cut has stopped bleeding. It is only +a scratch." + +So a kindly Providence had spared them yet a little while. The cloud +passed from his mind, the gathering mist from his eyes. In that instant +he thought he detected a slight rustling among the trees where the +cliff shelved up from the house. Standing as he was on the edge of the +rock, this was a point he could not guard against. + +When her welcome assurance recalled his scattered senses, he stepped +back to speak to her, and in the same instant a couple of bullets +crashed against the rock overhead. Iris had unwittingly saved him from +a serious, perhaps fatal, wound. + +He sprang to the extreme right of the ledge and boldly looked into the +trees beneath. Two Dyaks were there, belated wanderers cut off from the +main body. They dived headlong into the undergrowth for safety, but one +of them was too late. The Lee-Metford reached him, and its +reverberating concussion, tossed back and forth by the echoing rocks, +drowned his parting scream. + +In the plenitude of restored vigor the sailor waited for no counter +demonstration. He turned and crouchingly approached the southern end of +his parapet. Through his screen of grass he could discern the long +black hair and yellow face of a man who lay on the sand and twisted his +head around the base of the further cliff. The distance, oft measured, +was ninety yards, the target practically a six-inch bull's-eye. Jenks +took careful aim, fired, and a whiff of sand flew up. + +Perhaps he had used too fine a sight and ploughed a furrow beneath the +Dyak's ear. He only heard a faint yell, but the enterprising head +vanished and there were no more volunteers for that particular service. + +He was still peering at the place when a cry of unmitigated anguish +came from Iris-- + +"Oh, come quick! Our water! The casks have burst!" + +It was not until Jenks had torn the tarpaulin from off their stores, +and he was wildly striving with both hands to scoop up some precious +drops collected in the small hollows of the ledge, that he realized the +full magnitude of the disaster which had befallen them. + +During the first rapid exchange of fire, before the enemy vacated the +cliff, several bullets had pierced the tarpaulin. By a stroke of +exceeding bad fortune two of them had struck each of the water-barrels +and started the staves. The contents quietly ebbed away beneath the +broad sheet, and flowing inwards by reason of the sharp slope of the +ledge, percolated through the fault. Iris and he, notwithstanding their +frenzied efforts, were not able to save more than a pint of gritty +discolored fluid. The rest, infinitely more valuable to them than all +the diamonds of De Beers, was now oozing through the natural channel +cut by centuries of storm, dripping upon the headless skeleton in the +cave, soaking down to the very heart of their buried treasure. + +Jenks was so paralyzed by this catastrophe that Iris became alarmed. As +yet she did not grasp its awful significance. That he, her hero, so +brave, so confident in the face of many dangers, should betray such +sense of irredeemable loss, frightened her much more than the incident +itself. + +Her lips whitened. Her words become incoherent. + +"Tell me," she whispered. "I can bear anything but silence. Tell me, I +implore you. Is it so bad?" + +The sight of her distress sobered him. He ground his teeth together as +a man does who submits to a painful operation and resolves not to +flinch beneath the knife. + +"It is very bad," he said; "not quite the end, but near it." + +"The end," she bravely answered, "is death! We are living and +uninjured. You must fight on. If the Lord wills it we shall not die." + +He looked in her blue eyes and saw there the light of Heaven. + +"God bless you, dear girl," he murmured brokenly. "You would cheer any +man through the Valley of the Shadow, were he Christian or +Faint-heart." + +Her glance did not droop before his. In such moments heart speaks to +heart without concealment. + +"We still have a little water," she cried. "Fortunately we are not +thirsty. You have not forgotten our supply of champagne and brandy?" + +There was a species of mad humor in the suggestion. Oh for another +miracle that should change the wine into water! + +He could only fall in with her unreflective mood and leave the dreadful +truth to its own evil time. In their little nook the power of the sun +had not yet made itself felt. By ordinary computation it was about nine +o'clock. Long before noon they would be grilling. Throughout the next +few hours they must suffer the torture of Dives with one meager pint of +water to share between them. Of course the wine and spirit must be +shunned like a pestilence. To touch either under such conditions would +be courting heat, apoplexy, and death. And next day! + +He tightened his jaws before he answered-- + +"We will console ourselves with a bottle of champagne for dinner. +Meanwhile, I hear our friends shouting to those left on this side of +the island. I must take an active interest in the conversation." + +He grasped a rifle and lay down on the ledge, already gratefully warm. +There was a good deal of sustained shouting going on. Jenks thought he +recognized the chief's voice, giving instructions to those who had come +from Smugglers' Cove and were now standing on the beach near the +quarry. + +"I wonder if he is hungry," he thought. "If so, I will interfere with +the commissariat." + +Iris peeped forth at him. + +"Mr. Jenks!" + +"Yes," without turning his head. He knew it was an ordinary question. + +"May I come too?" + +"What! expose yourself on the ledge!" + +"Yes, even that. I am so tired of sitting here alone." + +"Well, there is no danger at present. But they might chance to see you, +and you remember what I--" + +"Yes, I remember quite well. If that is all--" There was a rustle of +garments. "I am very mannish in appearance. If you promise not to look +at me I will join you." + +"I promise." + +Iris stepped forth. She was flushed a little, and, to cover her +confusion, may be, she picked up a Lee-Metford. + +"Now there are two guns," she said, as she stood near him. + +He could see through the tail of his eye that a slight but elegantly +proportioned young gentleman of the sea-faring profession had suddenly +appeared from nowhere. He was glad she had taken this course. It might +better the position were the Dyaks to see her thus. + +"The moment I tell you, you must fall flat," he warned her. "No +ceremony about it. Just flop!" + +"I don't know anything better calculated to make one flop than a +bullet," she laughed. Not yet did the tragedy of the broken kegs appeal +to her. + +"Yes, but it achieves its purpose in two ways. I want you to adopt the +precautionary method." + +"Trust me for that. Good gracious!" + +The sailor's rifle went off with an unexpected bang that froze the +exclamation on her lips. Three Dyaks were attempting to run the +gauntlet to their beleaguered comrades. They carried a jar and two +wicker baskets. He with the jar fell and broke it. The others doubled +back like hares, and the first man dragged himself after them. Jenks +did not fire again. + +Iris watched the wounded wretch crawling along the ground. Her eyes +grew moist, and she paled somewhat. When he vanished she looked into +the valley and at the opposing ledge; three men lay dead within twenty +yards of her. Two others dangled from the rocks. It took her some time +to control her quavering utterance sufficiently to say-- + +"I hope I may not have to use a gun. I know it cannot be helped, but if +I were to kill a human being I do not think I would ever rest again." + +"In that case I have indeed murdered sleep today," was the unfeeling +reply. + +"No! no! A man must be made of sterner stuff. We have a right to defend +ourselves. If need be I will exercise that right. Still it is horrid, +oh, so horrid!" + +She could not see the sailor's grim smile. It would materially affect +his rest, for the better, were he able to slay every Dyak on the island +with a single shot. Yet her gentle protest pleased him. She could not +at the same time be callous to human suffering and be Iris. But he +declined the discussion of such sentiments. + +"You were going to say something when a brief disturbance took place?" +he inquired. + +"Yes. I was surprised to find how hot the ledge has become." + +"You notice it more because you are obliged to remain here." + +After a pause-- + +"I think I understand now why you were so upset by the loss of our +water supply. Before the day ends we will be in great straits, enduring +agonies from thirst!" + +"Let us not meet the devil half-way," he rejoined. He preferred the +unfair retort to a confession which could only foster dismay. + +"But, please, I am thirsty now." + +He moved uneasily. He was only too conscious of the impish weakness, +common to all mankind, which creates a desire out of sheer inability to +satisfy it. Already his own throat was parched. The excitement of the +early struggle was in itself enough to engender an acute thirst. He +thought it best to meet their absolute needs as far as possible. + +"Bring the tin cup," he said. "Let us take half our store and use the +remainder when we eat. Try to avoid breathing through your mouth. The +hot air quickly affects the palate and causes an artificial dryness. We +cannot yet be in real need of water. It is largely imagination." + +Iris needed no second bidding. She carefully measured out half a pint +of the unsavory fluid--the dregs of the casks and the scourings of the +ledge. + +"I will drink first," she cried. + +"No, no," he interrupted impatiently. "Give it to me." + +She pretended to be surprised. + +"As a mere matter of politeness----" + +"I am sorry, but I must insist." + +She gave him the cup over his shoulder. He placed it to his lips and +gulped steadily. + +"There," he said, gruffly. "I was in a hurry. The Dyaks may make +another rush at any moment." + +Iris looked into the vessel. + +"You have taken none at all," she said. + +"Nonsense!" + +"Mr. Jenks, be reasonable! You need it more than I. I d-don't want +to--live w-without--you." + +His hands shook somewhat. It was well there was no call for accurate +shooting just then. + +"I assure you I took all I required," he declared with unnecessary +vehemence. + +"At least drink your share, to please me," she murmured. + +"You wished to humbug me," he grumbled. "If you will take the first +half I will take the second." + +And they settled it that way. The few mouthfuls of tepid water gave +them new life. One sense can deceive the others. A man developing all +the symptoms of hydrophobia has been cured by the assurance that the +dog which bit him was not mad. So these two, not yet aflame with +drought, banished the arid phantom for a little while. + +Nevertheless, by high noon they were suffering again. The time passed +very slowly. The sun rose to the zenith and filled earth and air with +his ardor. It seemed to be a miracle--now appreciated for the first +time in their lives--that the sea did not dry up, and the leaves wither +on the trees. The silence, the deathly inactivity of all things, became +intolerable. The girl bravely tried to confine her thoughts to the task +of the hour. She displayed alert watchfulness, an instant readiness to +warn her companion of the slightest movement among the trees or by the +rocks to the north-west, this being the arc of their periphery assigned +to her. + +Looking at a sunlit space from cover, and looking at the same place +when sweltering in the direct rays of a tropical sun, are kindred +operations strangely diverse in achievement. Iris could not reconcile +the physical sensitiveness of the hour with the careless hardihood of +the preceding days. Her eyes ached somewhat, for she had tilted her +sou'wester to the back of her head in the effort to cool her throbbing +temples. She put up her right hand to shade the too vivid reflection of +the glistening sea, and was astounded to find that in a few minutes the +back of her hand was scorched. A faint sound of distant shouting +disturbed her painful reverie. + +"How is it," she asked, "that we feel the heat so much today? I have +hardly noticed it before." + +"For two good reasons--forced idleness and radiation from this +confounded rock. Moreover, this is the hottest day we have experienced +on the island. There is not a breath of air, and the hot weather has +just commenced." + +"Don't you think," she said, huskily, "that our position here is quite +hopeless?" + +They were talking to each other sideways. The sailor never turned his +gaze from the southern end of the valley. + +"It is no more hopeless now than last night or this morning," he +replied. + +"But suppose we are kept here for several days?" + +"That was always an unpleasant probability." + +"We had water then. Even with an ample supply it would be difficult to +hold out. As things are, such a course becomes simply impossible." + +Her despondency pierced his soul. A slow agony was consuming her. + +"It is hard, I admit," he said. "Nevertheless you must bear up until +night falls. Then we will either obtain water or leave this place." + +"Surely we can do neither." + +"We may be compelled to do both." + +"But how?" + +In this, his hour of extremest need, the man was vouchsafed a shred of +luck. To answer her satisfactorily would have baffled a Talleyrand. But +before he could frame a feeble pretext for his too sanguine prediction, +a sampan appeared, eight hundred yards from Turtle Beach, and +strenuously paddled by three men. The vague hallooing they had heard +was explained. + +The Dyaks, though to the manner born, were weary of sun-scorched rocks +and salt water. The boat was coming in response to their signals, and +the sight inspired Jenks with fresh hope. Like a lightning flash came +the reflection that if he could keep them away from the well and +destroy the sampan now hastening to their assistance, perhaps conveying +the bulk of their stores, they would soon tire of slaking their thirst, +on the few pitcher-plants growing on the north shore. + +"Come quick," he shouted, adjusting the backsight of a rifle. "Lie down +and aim at the front of that boat, a little short if anything. It +doesn't matter if the bullets strike the sea first." + +He placed the weapon in readiness for her and commenced operations +himself before Iris could reach his side. Soon both rifles were +pitching twenty shots a minute at the sampan. The result of their +long-range practice was not long in doubt. The Dyaks danced from seat +to seat in a state of wild excitement. One man was hurled overboard. +Then the craft lurched seaward in the strong current, and Jenks told +Iris to leave the rest to him. + +Before he could empty a second magazine a fortunate bullet ripped a +plank out and the sampan filled and went down, amidst a shrill yell of +execration from the back of the cliff. The two Dyaks yet living +endeavored to swim ashore, half a mile through shark-invested reefs. +The sailor did not even trouble about them. After a few frantic +struggles each doomed wretch flung up his arms and vanished. In the +clear atmosphere the on-lookers could see black fins cutting the +pellucid sea. + +This exciting episode dispelled the gathering mists from the girl's +brain. Her eyes danced and she breathed hard. Yet something worried +her. + +"I hope I didn't hit the man who fell out of the boat," she said. + +"Oh," came the prompt assurance, "I took deliberate aim at that chap. +He was a most persistent scoundrel." + +Iris was satisfied. Jenks thought it better to lie than to tell the +truth, for the bald facts hardly bore out his assertion. Judging from +the manner of the Dyak's involuntary plunge he had been hit by a +ricochet bullet, whilst the sailor's efforts were wholly confined to +sinking the sampan. However, let it pass. Bullet or shark, the end was +the same. + +They were quieting down--the thirst fiend was again slowly salting +their veins--when something of a dirty white color fluttered into sight +from behind the base of the opposite cliff. It was rapidly withdrawn, +to reappear after an interval. Now it was held more steadily and a +brown arm became visible. As Jenks did not fire, a turbaned head popped +into sight. It was the Mahommedan. + +"No shoot it," he roared. "Me English speak it." + +"Don't you speak Hindustani?" shouted Jenks in Urdu of the Higher +Proficiency. + +"Han, sahib!"[Footnote: Yes, sir.] was the joyful response. "Will your +honor permit his servant to come and talk with him?" + +"Yes, if you come unarmed." + +"And the chief, too, sahib?" + +"Yes, but listen! On the first sign of treachery I shoot both of you!" + +"We will keep faith, sahib. May kites pick our bones if we fail!" + +Then there stepped into full view the renegade Mussulman and his +leader. They carried no guns; the chief wore his kriss. + +[Illustration: THE TWO HALTED SOME TEN PACES IN FRONT OF THE CAVERN. +AND THE BELLIGERENTS SURVEYED EACH OTHER.] + +"Tell him to leave that dagger behind!" cried the sailor imperiously. +As the enemy demanded a parley he resolved to adopt the conqueror's +tone from the outset. The chief obeyed with a scowl, and the two +advanced to the foot of the rock. + +"Stand close to me," said Jenks to Iris. "Let them see you plainly, but +pull your hat well down over your eyes." + +She silently followed his instructions. Now that the very crisis of +their fate had arrived she was nervous, shaken, conscious only of a +desire to sink on her knees, and pray. + +One or two curious heads were craned round the corner of the rock. + +"Stop!" cried Jenks. "If those men do not instantly go away I will fire +at them." + +The Indian translated this order and the chief vociferated some +clanging syllables which had the desired effect. The two halted some +ten paces in front of the cavern, and the belligerents surveyed each +other. It was a fascinating spectacle, this drama in real life. The +yellow-faced Dyak, gaudily attired in a crimson jacket and sky-blue +pantaloons of Chinese silk--a man with the _beaute du diable_, +young, and powerfully built--and the brown-skinned white-clothed +Mahommedan, bony, tall, and grey with hardship, looked up at the +occupants of the ledge. Iris, slim and boyish in her male garments, was +dwarfed by the six-foot sailor, but her face was blood-stained, and +Jenks wore a six weeks' stubble of beard. Holding their Lee-Metfords +with alert ease, with revolvers strapped to their sides, they presented +a warlike and imposing tableau in their inaccessible perch. In the path +of the emissaries lay the bodies of the slain. The Dyak leader scowled +again as he passed them. + +"Sahib," began the Indian, "my chief, Taung S'Ali, does not wish to +have any more of his men killed in a foolish quarrel about a woman. +Give her up, he says, and he will either leave you here in peace, or +carry you safely to some place where you can find a ship manned by +white men." + +"A woman!" said Jenks, scornfully. "That is idle talk! What woman is +here?" + +This question nonplussed the native. + +"The woman whom the chief saw half a month back, sahib." + +"Taung S'Ali was bewitched. I slew his men so quickly that he saw +spirits." + +The chief caught his name and broke in with a question. A volley of +talk between the two was enlivened with expressive gestures by Taung +S'Ali, who several times pointed to Iris, and Jenks now anathematized +his thoughtless folly in permitting the Dyak to approach so near. The +Mahommedan, of course, had never seen her, and might have persuaded the +other that in truth there were two men only on the rock. + +His fears were only too well founded. The Mussulman salaamed +respectfully and said-- + +"Protector of the poor, I cannot gainsay your word, but Taung S'Ali +says that the maid stands by your side, and is none the less the woman +he seeks in that she wears a man's clothing." + +"He has sharp eyes, but his brain is addled," retorted the sailor. "Why +does he come here to seek a woman who is not of his race? Not only has +he brought death to his people and narrowly escaped it himself, but he +must know that any violence offered to us will mean the extermination +of his whole tribe by an English warship. Tell him to take away his +boats and never visit this isle again. Perhaps I will then forget his +treacherous attempt to murder us whilst we slept last night." + +The chief glared back defiantly, whilst the Mahommedan said-- + +"Sahib, it is beet not to anger him too much. He says he means to have +the girl. He saw her beauty that day and she inflamed his heart. She +has cost him many lives, but she is worth a Sultan's ransom. He cares +not for warships. They cannot reach his village in the hills. By the +tomb of Nizam-ud-din, sahib, he will not harm you if you give her up, +but if you refuse he will kill you both. And what is one woman more or +less in the world that she should cause strife and blood-letting?" + +The sailor knew the Eastern character too well not to understand the +man's amazement that he should be so solicitous about the fate of one +of the weaker sex. It was seemingly useless to offer terms, yet the +native was clearly so anxious for an amicable settlement that he caught +at a straw. + +"You come from Delhi?" he asked. + +"Honored one, you have great wisdom." + +"None but a Delhi man swears by the tomb on the road to the Kutub. You +have escaped from the Andamans?" + +"Sahib, I did but slay a man in self-defence." + +"Whatever the cause, you can never again see India. Nevertheless, you +would give many years of your life to mix once more with the +bazaar-folk in the Chandni Chowk, and sit at night on a charpoy near +the Lahore Gate?" + +The brown skin assumed a sallow tinge. + +"That is good speaking," he gurgled. + +"Then help me and my friend to escape. Compel your chief to leave the +island. Kill him! Plot against him! I will promise you freedom and +plenty of rupees. Do this, and I swear to you I will come in a ship and +take you away. The miss-sahib's father is powerful. He has great +influence with the Sirkar."[Footnote: The Government of India.] + +Taung S'Ali was evidently bewildered and annoyed by this passionate +appeal which he did not understand. He demanded an explanation, and the +ready-witted native was obliged to invent some plausible excuse. Yet +when he raised his face to Jenks there was the look of a hunted animal +in his eyes. + +"Sahib," he said, endeavoring to conceal his agitation. "I am one among +many. A word from me and they would cut my throat. If I were with you +there on the rock I would die with you, for I was in the Kumaon +Rissala[Footnote: A native cavalry regiment.] when the trouble befell +me. It is of no avail to bargain with a tiger, sahib. I suppose you +will not give up the miss-sahib. Pretend to argue with me. I will help +in any way possible." + +Jenks's heart bounded when this unlooked-for offer reached his ears. +The unfortunate Mahommedan was evidently eager to get away from the +piratical gang into whose power he had fallen. But the chief was +impatient, if not suspicious of these long speeches. + +Angrily holding forth a Lee-Metford the sailor shouted-- + +"Tell Taung S'Ali that I will slay him and all his men ere tomorrow's +sun rises. He knows something of my power, but not all. Tonight, at the +twelfth hour, you will find a rope hanging from the rock. Tie thereto a +vessel of water. Fail not in this. I will not forget your services. I +am Anstruther Sahib, of the Belgaum Rissala." + +The native translated his words into a fierce defiance of Taung S'Ali +and his Dyaks. The chief glanced at Jenks and Iris with an ominous +smile. He muttered something. + +"Then, sahib. There is nothing more to be said. Beware of the trees on +your right. They can send silent death even to the place where you +stand. And I will not fail you tonight, on my life," cried the +interpreter. + +"I believe you. Go! But inform your chief that once you have +disappeared round the rock whence you came I will talk to him only with +a rifle." + +Taung S'Ali seemed to comprehend the Englishman's emphatic motions. +Waving his hand defiantly, the Dyak turned, and, with one parting +glance of mute assurance, the Indian followed him. + +And now there came to Jenks a great temptation. Iris touched his arm +and whispered-- + +"What have you decided? I did not dare to speak lest he should hear my +voice." + +Poor girl! She was sure the Dyak could not penetrate her disguise, +though she feared from the manner in which the conference broke up that +it had not been satisfactory. + +Jenks did not answer her. He knew that if he killed Taung S'Ali his men +would be so dispirited that when the night came they would fly. There +was so much at stake--Iris, wealth, love, happiness, life itself--all +depended on his plighted word. Yet his savage enemy, a slayer of women, +a human vampire soiled with every conceivable crime, was stalking back +to safety with a certain dignified strut, calmly trusting to the white +man's bond. + +Oh, it was cruel! The ordeal of that ghastly moment was more trying +than all that he had hitherto experienced. He gave a choking sob of +relief when the silken-clad scoundrel passed out of sight without even +deigning to give another glance at the ledge or at those who silently +watched him. + +Iris could not guess the nature of the mortal struggle raging in the +sailor's soul. + +"Tell me," she repeated, "what have you done?" + +"Kept faith with that swaggering ruffian," he said, with an odd feeling +of thankfulness that he spoke truly. + +"Why? Have you made him any promise?" + +"Unhappily I permitted him to come here, so I had to let him go. He +recognized you instantly." + +This surprised her greatly. + +"Are you sure? I saw him pointing at me, but he seemed to be in such a +bad temper that I imagined that he was angry with you for exchanging a +prepossessing young lady for an ill-favored youth." + +Jenks with difficulty suppressed a sigh. Her words for an instant had +the old piquant flavor. + +Keeping a close watch on the sheltering promontory, he told her all +that had taken place. Iris became very downcast when she grasped the +exact state of affairs. She was almost certain when the Dyaks proposed +a parley that reasonable terms would result. It horrified her beyond +measure to find that she was the rock on which negotiations were +wrecked. Hope died within her. The bitterness of death was in her +breast. + +"What an unlucky influence I have had on your existence!" she +exclaimed. "If it were not for me this trouble at least would be spared +you. Because I am here you are condemned. Again, because I stopped you +from shooting that wretched chief and his companions they are now +demanding your life as a forfeit. It is all my fault. I cannot bear +it." + +She was on the verge of tears. The strain had become too great for her. +After indulging in a wild dream of freedom, to be told that they must +again endure the irksome confinement, the active suffering, the slow +horrors of a siege in that rocky prison, almost distracted her. + +Jenks was very stern and curt in his reply. + +"We must make the best of a bad business," he said. "If we are in a +tight place the Dyaks are not much better off, and eighteen of their +number are dead or wounded. You forget, too, that Providence has sent +us a most useful ally in the Mahommedan. When all is said and done, +things might be far worse than they are." + +Never before had his tone been so cold, his manner so abrupt, not even +in the old days when he purposely endeavored to make her dislike him. + +She walked along the ledge and timidly bent over him. + +"Forgive me!" she whispered; "I did forget for the moment, not only the +goodness of Providence, but also your self-sacrificing devotion. I am +only a woman, and I don't want to die yet, but I will not live unless +you too are saved." + +Once already that day she had expressed this thought in other words. +Was some shadowy design flitting through her brain? Suppose they were +faced with the alternatives of dying from thirst or yielding to the +Dyaks. Was there another way out? Jenks shivered, though the rock was +grilling him. He must divert her mind from this dreadful brooding. + +"The fact is," he said with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness, "we are +both hungry and consequently grumpy. Now, suppose you prepare lunch. We +will feel ever so much better after we have eaten." + +The girl choked back her emotion, and sadly essayed the task of +providing a meal which was hateful to her. In doing so she saw her +Bible, lying where she had placed it that morning, the leaves still +open at the 91st Psalm. She had indeed forgotten the promise it +contained-- + +"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy +ways." + +A few tears fell now and made little furrows down her soiled cheeks. +But they were helpful tears, tears of resignation, not of despair. +Although the "destruction that wasteth at noonday" was trying her +sorely she again felt strong and sustained. + +She even smiled on detecting an involuntary effort to clear her stained +face. She was about to carry a biscuit and some tinned meat to the +sailor when a sharp exclamation from him caused her to hasten to his +side. + +The Dyaks had broken cover. Running in scattered sections across the +sands, they were risking such loss as the defenders might be able to +inflict upon them during a brief race to the shelter and food to be +obtained in the other part of the island. + +Jenks did not fire at the scurrying gang. He was waiting for one man, +Taung S'Ali. But that redoubtable person, having probably suggested +this dash for liberty, had fully realized the enviable share of +attention he would attract during the passage. He therefore discarded +his vivid attire, and, by borrowing odd garments, made himself +sufficiently like unto the remainder of his crew to deceive the sailor +until the rush of men was over. Among them ran the Mahommedan, who did +not look up the valley but waved his hand. + +When all had quieted down again Jenks understood how he had been +fooled. He laughed so heartily that Iris, not knowing either the cause +of his merriment or the reason of his unlooked-for clemency to the +flying foe, feared the sun had affected him. + +He at once quitted the post occupied during so protracted a vigil. + +"Now," he cried, "we can eat in peace. I have stripped the chief of his +finery. His men can twit him on being forced to shed his gorgeous +plumage in order to save his life. Anyhow, they will leave us in peace +until night falls, so we must make the best of a hot afternoon." + +But he was mistaken. A greater danger than any yet experienced now +threatened them, though Iris, after perusing that wonderful psalm, +might have warned him of it had she known the purpose of those long +bamboos carried by some of the savages. + +For Taung S'Ali, furious and unrelenting, resolved that if he could not +obtain the girl he would slay the pair of them; and he had terrible +weapons in his possession--weapons that could send "silent death even +to the place where they stood." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +REALITY _V_. ROMANCE--THE CASE FOR THE DEFENDANT + + +Residents in tropical countries know that the heat is greatest, or +certainly least bearable, between two and four o'clock in the +afternoon. + +At the conclusion of a not very luscious repast, Jenks suggested that +they should rig up the tarpaulin in such wise as to gain protection +from the sun and yet enable him to cast a watchful eye over the valley. +Iris helped to raise the great canvas sheet on the supports he had +prepared. Once shut off from the devouring sun rays, the hot breeze +then springing into fitful existence cooled their blistered but +perspiring skin and made life somewhat tolerable. + +Still adhering to his policy of combatting the first enervating attacks +of thirst, the sailor sanctioned the consumption of the remaining +water. As a last desperate expedient, to be resorted to only in case of +sheer necessity, he uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled the tin +cup. The sparkling wine, with its volume of creamy foam, looked so +tempting that Iris would then and there have risked its potency were +she not promptly withheld. + +Jenks explained to her that when the wine became quite flat and insipid +they might use it to moisten their parched lips. Even so, in their +present super-heated state, the liquor was unquestionably dangerous, +but he hoped it would not harm them if taken in minute quantities. + +Accustomed now to implicitly accept his advice, she fought and steadily +conquered the craving within her. Oddly enough, the "thawing" of their +scorched bodies beneath the tarpaulin brought a certain degree of +relief. They were supremely uncomfortable, but that was as naught +compared with the relaxation from the torments previously borne. + +For a long time--the best part of an hour, perhaps--they remained +silent. + +The sailor was reviewing the pros and cons of their precarious +condition. It would, of course, be a matter of supreme importance were +the Indian to be faithful to his promise. Here the prospect was +decidedly hopeful. The man was an old _sowar_, and the ex-officer +of native cavalry knew how enduring was the attachment of this poor +convict to home and military service. Probably at that moment the +Mahommedan was praying to the Prophet and his two nephews to aid him in +rescuing the sahib and the woman whom the sahib held so dear, for the +all-wise and all-powerful Sirkar is very merciful to offending natives +who thus condone their former crimes. + +But, howsoever willing he might be, what could one man do among so +many? The Dyaks were hostile to him in race and creed, and assuredly +infuriated against the foreign devil who had killed or wounded, in +round numbers, one-fifth of their total force. Very likely, the hapless +Mussulman would lose his life that night in attempting to bring water +to the foot of the rock. + +Well, he, Jenks, might have something to say in that regard. By +midnight the moon would illumine nearly the whole of Prospect Park. If +the Mahommedan were slain in front of the cavern his soul would travel +to the next world attended by a Nizam's cohort of slaughtered slaves. + +Even if the man succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his present +associates, where was the water to come from? There was none on the +island save that in the well. In all likelihood the Dyaks had a store +in the remaining sampans, but the native ally of the beleaguered pair +would have a task of exceeding difficulty in obtaining one of the jars +or skins containing it. + +Again, granting all things went well that night, what would be the +final outcome of the struggle? How long could Iris withstand the +exposure, the strain, the heart-breaking misery of the rock? The future +was blurred, crowded with ugly and affrighting fiends passing in +fantastic array before his vision, and mouthing dumb threats of madness +and death. + +He shook restlessly, not aware that the girl's sorrowful glance, +luminous with love and pain, was fixed upon him. Summarily dismissing +these grisly phantoms of the mind, he asked himself what the Mahommedan +exactly meant by warning him against the trees on the right and the +"silent death" that might come from them. He was about to crawl forth +to the lip of the rock and investigate matters in that locality when +Iris, who also was busy with her thoughts, restrained him. + +"Wait a little while," she said. "None of the Dyaks will venture into +the open until night falls. And I have something to say to you." + +There was a quiet solemnity in her voice that Jenks had never heard +before. It chilled him. His heart acknowledged a quick sense of evil +omen. He raised himself slightly and turned towards her. Her face, +beautiful and serene beneath its disfigurements, wore an expression of +settled purpose. For the life of him he dared not question her. + +"That man, the interpreter," she said, "told you that if I were given +up to the chief, he and his followers would go away and molest you no +more." + +His forehead seamed with sudden anger. + +"A mere bait," he protested. "In any event it is hardly worth +discussion." + +And the answer came, clear and resolute-- + +"I think I will agree to those terms." + +At first he regarded her with undisguised and wordless amazement. Then +the appalling thought darted through his brain that she contemplated +this supreme sacrifice in order to save him. A clammy sweat bedewed his +brow, but by sheer will power he contrived to say-- + +"You must be mad to even dream of such a thing. Don't you understand +what it means to you--and to me? It is a ruse to trap us. They are +ungoverned savages. Once they had you in their power they would laugh +at a promise made to me." + +"You may be mistaken. They must have some sense of fair dealing. Even +assuming that such was their intention, they may depart from it. They +have already lost a great many men. Their chief, having gained his main +object, might not be able to persuade them to take further risks. I +will make it a part of the bargain that they first supply you with +plenty of water. Then you, unaided, could keep them at bay for many +days. We lose nothing; we can gain a great deal by endeavoring to +pacify them." + +"Iris!" he gasped, "what are you saying?" + +The unexpected sound of her name on his lips almost unnerved her. But +no martyr ever went to the stake with more settled purpose than this +pure woman, resolved to immolate herself for the sake of the man she +loved. He had dared all for her, faced death in many shapes. Now it was +her turn. Her eyes were lit with a seraphic fire, her sweet face +resigned as that of an angel. + +"I have thought it out," she murmured, gazing at him steadily, yet +scarce seeing him. "It is worth trying as a last expedient. We are +abandoned by all, save the Lord; and it does not appear to be His holy +will to help us on earth. We can struggle on here until we die. Is that +right, when one of us may live?" + +Her very candor had betrayed her. She would go away with these +monstrous captors, endure them, even flatter them, until she and they +were far removed from the island. And then--she would kill herself. In +her innocence she imagined that self-destruction, under such +circumstances, was a pardonable offence. She only gave a life to save a +life, and greater love than this is not known to God or man. + +The sailor, in a tempest of wrath and wild emotion, had it in his mind +to compel her into reason, to shake her, as one shakes a wayward child. + +He rose to his knees with this half-formed notion in his fevered brain. +Then he looked at her, and a mist seemed to shut her out from his +sight. Was she lost to him already? Was all that had gone before an +idle dream of joy and grief, a wizard's glimpse of mirrored happiness +and vague perils? Was Iris, the crystal-souled--thrown to him by the +storm-lashed waves--to be snatched away by some irresistible and malign +influence? + +In the mere physical effort to assure himself that she was still near +to him he gathered her up in his strong hands. Yes, she was there, +breathing, wondering, palpitating. He folded her closely to his breast, +and, yielding to the passionate longings of his tired heart, whispered +to her-- + +"My darling, do you think I can survive your loss? You are life itself +to me. If we have to die, sweet one, let us die together." + +Then Iris flung her arms around his neck. + +"I am quite, quite happy now," she sobbed brokenly. "I +didn't--imagine--it would come--this way, but--I am thankful--it has +come." + +[Illustration: LOVE, TREMENDOUS IN ITS POWER, UNFATHOMABLE IN ITS +MYSTERY, HAD CAST ITS SPELL OVER THEM.] + +For a little while they yielded to the glamour of the divine knowledge +that amidst the chaos of eternity each soul had found its mate. There +was no need for words. Love, tremendous in its power, unfathomable in +its mystery, had cast its spell over them. They were garbed in light, +throned in a palace built by fairy hands. On all sides squatted the +ghouls of privation, misery, danger, even grim death; but they heeded +not the Inferno; they had created a Paradise in an earthly hell. + +Then Iris withdrew herself from the man's embrace. She was delightfully +shy and timid now. + +"So you really do love me?" she whispered, crimson-faced, with shining +eyes and parted lips. + +He drew her to him again and kissed her tenderly. For he had cast all +doubt to the winds. No matter what the future had in store she was his, +his only; it was not in man's power to part them. A glorious effulgence +dazzled his brain. Her love had given him the strength of Goliath, the +confidence of David. He would pluck her from the perils that environed +her. The Dyak was not yet born who should rend her from him. + +He fondled her hair and gently rubbed her cheek with his rough fingers. +The sudden sense of ownership of this fair woman was entrancing. It +almost bewildered him to find Iris nestling close, clinging to him in +utter confidence and trust. + +"But I knew, I knew," she murmured. "You betrayed yourself so many +times. You wrote your secret to me, and, though you did not tell me, I +found your dear words on the sands, and have treasured them next my +heart." + +What girlish romance was this? He held her away gingerly, just so far +that he could look into her eyes. + +"Oh, it is true, quite true," she cried, drawing the locket from her +neck. "Don't you recognize your own handwriting, or were you not +certain, just then, that you really did love me?" + +Dear, dear! How often would she repeat that wondrous phrase! Together +they bent over the tiny slips of paper. There it was again--"I love +you"--twice blazoned in magic symbols. With blushing eagerness she told +him how, by mere accident of course, she caught sight of her own name. +It was not very wrong, was it, to pick up that tiny scrap, or those +others, which she could not help seeing, and which unfolded their +simple tale so truthfully? Wrong! It was so delightfully right that he +must kiss her again to emphasize his convictions. + +All this fondling and love-making had, of course, an air of grotesque +absurdity because indulged in by two grimy and tattered individuals +crouching beneath a tarpaulin on a rocky ledge, and surrounded by +bloodthirsty savages intent on their destruction. Such incidents +require the setting of convention, the conservatory, with its wealth of +flowers and plants, a summer wood, a Chippendale drawing-room. And yet, +God wot, men and women have loved each other in this grey old world +without stopping to consider the appropriateness of place and season. + +After a delicious pause Iris began again---- + +"Robert--I must call you Robert now--there, there, please let me get a +word in even edgeways--well then, Robert dear, I do not care much what +happens now. I suppose it was very wicked and foolish of me to speak as +I did before--before you called me Iris. Now tell me at once. Why did +you call me Iris?" + +"You must propound that riddle to your godfather." + +"No wriggling, please. Why did you do it?" + +"Because I could not help myself. It slid out unawares." + +"How long have you thought of me only as Iris, your Iris?" + +"Ever since I first understood that somewhere in the wide world was a +dear woman to love me and be loved." + +"But at one time you thought her name was Elizabeth?" + +"A delusion, a mirage! That is why those who christened you had the +wisdom of the gods." + +Another interlude. They grew calmer, more sedate. It was so undeniably +true they loved one another that the fact was becoming venerable with +age. Iris was perhaps the first to recognize its quiet certainty. + +"As I cannot get you to talk reasonably," she protested, "I must appeal +to your sympathy. I am hungry, and oh, so thirsty." + +The girl had hardly eaten a morsel for her midday meal. Then she was +despondent, utterly broken-hearted. Now she was filled with new hope. +There was a fresh motive in existence. Whether destined to live an hour +or half a century, she would never, never leave him, nor, of course, +could he ever, ever leave her. Some things were quite impossible--for +example, that they should part. + +Jenks brought her a biscuit, a tin of meat, and that most doleful cup +of champagne. + +"It is not exactly _frappe_," he said, handing her the insipid +beverage, "but, under other conditions, it is a wine almost worthy to +toast you in." + +She fancied she had never before noticed what a charming smile he had. + +"'Toast' is a peculiarly suitable word," she cried. "I am simply +frizzling. In these warm clothes----" + +She stopped. For the first time since that prehistoric period when she +was "Miss Deane" and he "Mr. Jenks" she remembered the manner of her +garments. + +"It is not the warm clothing you feel so much as the want of air," +explained the sailor readily. "This tarpaulin has made the place very +stuffy, but we must put up with it until sundown. By the way, what is +that?" + +A light tap on the tarred canvas directly over his head had caught his +ear. Iris, glad of the diversion, told him she had heard the noise +three or four times, but fancied it was caused by the occasional +rustling of the sheet on the uprights. + +Jenks had not allowed his attention to wander altogether from external +events. Since the Dyaks' last escapade there was no sign of them in the +valley or on either beach. Not for trivial cause would they come again +within range of the Lee-Metfords. + +They waited and listened silently. Another tap sounded on the tarpaulin +in a different place, and they both concurred in the belief that +something had darted in curved flight over the ledge and fallen on top +of their protecting shield. + +"Let us see what the game is," exclaimed the sailor. He crept to the +back of the ledge and drew himself up until he could reach over the +sheet. He returned, carrying in his hand a couple of tiny arrows. + +"There are no less than seven of these things sticking in the canvas," +he said. "They don't look very terrible. I suppose that is what my +Indian friend meant by warning me against the trees on the right." + +He did not tell Iris all the Mahommedan said. There was no need to +alarm her causelessly. Even whilst they examined the curious little +missile another flew up from the valley and lodged on the roof of their +shelter. + +The shaft of the arrow, made of some extremely hard wood, was about ten +inches in length. Affixed to it was a pointed fish-bone, sharp, but not +barbed, and not fastened in a manner suggestive of much strength. The +arrow was neither feathered nor grooved for a bowstring. Altogether it +seemed to be a childish weapon to be used by men equipped with lead and +steel. + +Jenks could not understand the appearance of this toy. Evidently the +Dyaks believed in its efficacy, or they would not keep on +pertinaciously dropping an arrow on the ledge. + +"How do they fire it?" asked Iris. "Do they throw it?" + +"I will soon tell you," he replied, reaching for a rifle. + +"Do not go out yet," she entreated him. "They cannot harm us. Perhaps +we may learn more by keeping quiet. They will not continue shooting +these things all day." + +Again a tiny arrow traveled towards them in a graceful parabola. This +one fell short. Missing the tarpaulin, it almost dropped on the girl's +outstretched hand. She picked it up. The fish-bone point had snapped by +contact with the floor of the ledge. + +She sought for and found the small tip. + +"See," she said. "It seems to have been dipped in something. It is +quite discolored." + +Jenks frowned peculiarly. A startling explanation had suggested itself +to him. Fragments of forgotten lore were taking cohesion in his mind. + +"Put it down. Quick!" he cried. + +Iris obeyed him, with wonder in her eyes. He spilled a teasponful of +champagne into a small hollow of the rock and steeped one of the +fish-bones in the liquid. Within a few seconds the champagne assumed a +greenish tinge and the bone became white. Then he knew. + +"Good Heavens!" he exclaimed, "these are poisoned arrows shot through a +blowpipe. I have never before seen one, but I have often read about +them. The bamboos the Dyaks carried were sumpitans. These fish-bones +have been steeped in the juice of the upas tree. Iris, my dear girl, if +one of them had so much as scratched your finger nothing on earth could +save you." + +She paled and drew back in sudden horror. This tiny thing had taken the +semblance of a snake. A vicious cobra cast at her feet would be less +alarming, for the reptile could be killed, whilst his venomous fangs +would only be used in self-defence. + +Another tap sounded on their thrice-welcome covering. Evidently the +Dyaks would persist in their efforts to get one of those poisoned darts +home. + +Jenks debated silently whether it would be better to create a +commotion, thus inducing the savages to believe they had succeeded in +inflicting a mortal wound, or to wait until the next arrow fell, rush +out, and try conclusions with Dum-dum bullets against the sumpitan +blowers. + +He decided in favor of the latter course. He wished to dishearten his +assailants, to cram down their throats the belief that he was +invulnerable, and could visit their every effort with a deadly +reprisal. + +Iris, of course, protested when he explained his project. But the +fighting spirit prevailed. Their love idyll must yield to the needs of +the hour. + +He had not long to wait. The last arrow fell, and he sprang to the +extreme right of the ledge. First he looked through that invaluable +screen of grass. Three Dyaks were on the ground, and a fourth in the +fork of a tree. They were each armed with a blowpipe. He in the tree +was just fitting an arrow into the bamboo tube. The others were +watching him. + +Jenks raised his rifle, fired, and the warrior in the tree pitched +headlong to the ground. A second shot stretched a companion on top of +him. One man jumped into the bushes and got away, but the fourth +tripped over his unwieldy sumpitan and a bullet tore a large section +from his skull. The sailor then amused himself with breaking the +bamboos by firing at them. He came back to the white-faced girl. + +"I fancy that further practice with blowpipes will be at a discount on +Rainbow Island," he cried cheerfully. + +But Iris was anxious and distrait. + +"It is very sad," she said, "that we are obliged to secure our own +safety by the ceaseless slaughter of human beings. Is there no offer we +can make them, no promise of future gain, to tempt them to abandon +hostilities?" + +"None whatever. These Borneo Dyaks are bred from infancy to prey on +their fellow-creatures. To be strangers and defenceless is to court +pillage and massacre at their hands. I think no more of shooting them +than of smashing a clay pigeon. Killing a mad dog is perhaps a better +simile." + +"But, Robert dear, how long can we hold out?" + +"What! Are you growing tired of me already?" + +He hoped to divert her thoughts from this constantly recurring topic. +Twice within the hour had it been broached and dismissed, but Iris +would not permit him to shirk it again. She made no reply, simply +regarding him with a wistful smile. + +So Jenks sat down by her side, and rehearsed the hopes and fears which +perplexed him. He determined that there should be no further +concealment between them. If they failed to secure water that night, if +the Dyaks maintained a strict siege of the rock throughout the whole of +next day, well--they might survive--it was problematical. Best leave +matters in God's hands. + +With feminine persistency she clung to the subject, detecting his +unwillingness to discuss a possible final stage in their sufferings. + +"Robert!" she whispered fearfully, "you will never let me fall into the +power of the chief, will you?" + +"Not whilst I live." + +"You _must_ live. Don't you understand? I would go with them to +save you. But I would have died--by my own hand. Robert, my love, you +must do this thing before the end. I must be the first to die." + +He hung his head in a paroxysm of silent despair. Her words rung like a +tocsin of the bright romance conjured up by the avowal of their love. +It seemed to him, in that instant, they had no separate existence as +distinguished from the great stream of human life--the turbulent river +that flowed unceasingly from an eternity of the past to an eternity of +the future. For a day, a year, a decade, two frail bubbles danced on +the surface and raced joyously together in the sunshine; then they were +broken--did it matter how, by savage sword or lingering ailment? They +vanished--absorbed again by the rushing waters--and other bubbles rose +in precarious iridescence. It was a fatalist view of life, a dim and +obscurantist groping after truth induced by the overpowering nature of +present difficulties. The famous Tentmaker of Naishapur blindly sought +the unending purpose when he wrote:-- + + "Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate + I rose, and on the throne of Saturn sate, + And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road; + But not the Master-Knot of Human Fate. + + "There was the Door to which I found no Key; + There was the Veil through which I could not see: + Some little talk awhile of Me and Thee + There was--and then no more of Thee and Me." + +The sailor, too, wrestled with the great problem. He may be pardoned if +his heart quailed and he groaned aloud. + +"Iris," he said solemnly, "whatever happens, unless I am struck dead at +your feet, I promise you that we shall pass the boundary hand in hand. +Be mine the punishment if we have decided wrongly. And now," he cried, +tossing his head in a defiant access of energy, "let us have done with +the morgue. For my part I refuse to acknowledge I am inside until the +gates clang behind me. As for you, you cannot help yourself. You must +do as I tell you. I never knew of a case where the question of Woman's +Rights was so promptly settled." + +His vitality was infectious. Iris smiled again. Her sensitive highly +strung nerves permitted these sharp alternations between despondency +and hope. + +"You must remember," he went on, "that the Dyak score is twenty-one to +the bad, whilst our loss stands at love. Dear me, that cannot be right. +Love is surely not a loss." + +"A cynic might describe it as a negative gain." + +"Oh, a cynic is no authority. He knows nothing whatever about the +subject." + +"My father used to say, when he was in Parliament, that people who knew +least oft-times spoke best. Some men get overweighted with facts." + +They chatted in lighter vein with such pendulum swing back to +nonchalance that none would have deemed it possible for these two to +have already determined the momentous issue of the pending struggle +should it go against them. There is, glory be, in the Anglo-Saxon race +the splendid faculty of meeting death with calm defiance, almost with +contempt. Moments of panic, agonizing memories of bygone days, visions +of dear faces never to be seen again, may temporarily dethrone this +proud fortitude. But the tremors pass, the gibbering specters of fear +and lamentation are thrust aside, and the sons and daughters of Great +Britain answer the last roll-call with undaunted heroism. They know how +to die. + +And so the sun sank to rest in the sea, and the star, pierced the +deepening blue of the celestial arch, whilst the man and the woman +awaited patiently the verdict of the fates. + +Before the light failed, Jenks gathered all the poisoned arrows and +ground their vemoned points to powder beneath his heel. Gladly would +Iris and he have dispensed with the friendly protection of the +tarpaulin when the cool evening breeze came from the south. But such a +thing might not be even considered. Several hours of darkness must +elapse before the moon rose, and during that period, were their foes so +minded, they would be absolutely at the mercy of the sumpitan shafts if +not covered by their impenetrable buckler. + +The sailor looked long and earnestly at the well. Their own bucket, +improvised out of a dish-cover and a rope, lay close to the brink. A +stealthy crawl across the sandy valley, half a minute of grave danger, +and he would be up the ladder again with enough water to serve their +imperative needs for days to come. + +There was little or no risk in descending the rock. Soon after sunset +it was wrapped in deepest gloom, for night succeeds day in the tropics +with wondrous speed. The hazard lay in twice crossing the white sand, +were any of the Dyaks hiding behind the house or among the trees. + +He held no foolhardy view of his own powers. The one-sided nature of +the conflict thus far was due solely to his possession of Lee-Metfords +as opposed to muzzle-loaders. Let him be surrounded on the level at +close quarters by a dozen determined men and he must surely succumb. + +Were it not for the presence of Iris he would have given no second +thought to the peril. It was just one of those undertakings which a +soldier jumps at. "Here goes for the V.C. or Kingdom Come!" is the +pithy philosophy of Thomas Atkins under such circumstances. + +Now, there was no V.C., but there was Iris. + +To act without consulting her was impossible, so they discussed the +project. Naturally she scouted it. + +"The Mahommedan may be able to help us," she pointed out. "In any event +let us wait until the moon wanes. That is the darkest hour. We do not +know what may happen meanwhile." + +The words had hardly left her mouth when an irregular volley was fired +at them from the right flank of the enemy's position. Every bullet +struck yards above their heads, the common failing of musketry at night +being to take too high an aim. But the impact of the missiles on a rock +so highly impregnated with minerals caused sparks to fly, and Jenks saw +that the Dyaks would obtain by this means a most dangerous index of +their faulty practice. Telling Iris to at once occupy her safe corner, +he rapidly adjusted a rifle on the wooden rests already prepared in +anticipation of an attack from that quarter, and fired three shots at +the opposing crest, whence came the majority of gun-flashes. + +One, at least, of the three found a human billet. There was a shout of +surprise and pain, and the next volley spurted from the ground level. +This could do no damage owing to the angle, but he endeavored to +disconcert the marksmen by keeping up a steady fire in their direction. +He did not dream of attaining other than a moral effect, as there is a +lot of room to miss when aiming in the dark. Soon he imagined that the +burst of flame from his rifle helped the Dyaks, because several bullets +whizzed close to his head, and about this time firing recommenced from +the crest. + +Notwithstanding all his skill and manipulation of the wooden supports, +he failed to dislodge the occupants. Every minute one or more ounces of +lead pitched right into the ledge, damaging the stores and tearing the +tarpaulin, whilst those which struck the wall of rock were dangerous to +Iris by reason of the molten spray. + +He could guess what had happened. By lying flat on the sloping plateau, +or squeezing close to the projecting shoulder of the cliff, the Dyaks +were so little exposed that idle chance alone would enable him to hit +one of them. But they must be shifted, or this night bombardment would +prove the most serious development yet encountered. + +"Are you all right, Iris?" he called out. + +"Yes, dear," she answered. + +"Well, I want you to keep yourself covered by the canvas for a little +while--especially your head and shoulders. I am going to stop these +chaps. They have found our weak point, but I can baffle them." + +She did not ask what he proposed to do. He heard the rustling of the +tarpaulin as she pulled it. Instantly he cast loose the rope-ladder, +and, armed only with a revolver, dropped down the rock. He was quite +invisible to the enemy. On reaching the ground he listened for a +moment. There was no sound save the occasional reports ninety yards +away. He hitched up the lower rungs of the ladder until they were six +feet from the level, and then crept noiselessly, close to the rock, for +some forty yards. + +He halted beside a small poon-tree, and stooped to find something +embedded near its roots. At this distance he could plainly hear the +muttered conversation of the Dyaks, and could see several of them prone +on the sand. The latter fact proved how fatal would be an attempt on +his part to reach the well. They must discover him instantly once he +quitted the somber shadows of the cliff. He waited, perhaps a few +seconds longer than was necessary, endeavoring to pierce the dim +atmosphere and learn something of their disposition. + +A vigorous outburst of firing sent him back with haste. Iris was up +there alone. He knew not what might happen. He was now feverishly +anxious to be with her again, to hear her voice, and be sure that all +was well. + +To his horror he found the ladder swaying gently against the rock. Some +one was using it. He sprang forward, careless of consequence, and +seized the swinging end which had fallen free again. He had his foot on +the bottom rung when Iris's voice, close at hand and shrill with +terror, shrieked-- + +"Robert, where are you?" + +"Here!" he shouted; the next instant she dropped into his arms. + +A startled exclamation from the vicinity of the house, and some loud +cries from the more distant Dyaks on the other side of Prospect Park, +showed that they had been overheard. + +"Up!" he whispered. "Hold tight, and go as quickly as you can." + +"Not without you!" + +"Up, for God's sake! I follow at your heels." + +She began to climb. He took some article from between his teeth, a +string apparently, and drew it towards him, mounting the ladder at the +same time. The end tightened. He was then about ten feet from the +ground. Two Dyaks, yelling fiercely, rushed from the cover of the +house. + +"Go on," he said to Iris. "Don't lose your nerve whatever happens. I am +close behind you." + +"I am quite safe," she gasped. + +Turning, and clinging on with one hand, he drew his revolver and fired +at the pair beneath, who could now faintly discern them, and were +almost within reach of the ladder. The shooting made them halt. He did +not know or care if they were hit. To frighten them was sufficient. +Several others were running across the sands to the cave, attracted by +the noise and the cries of the foremost pursuers. + +Then he gave a steady pull to the cord. The sharp crack of a rifle came +from the vicinity of the old quarry. He saw the flash among the trees. +Almost simultaneously a bright light leapt from the opposite ledge, +illumining the vicinity like a meteor. It lit up the rock, showed Iris +just vanishing into the safety of the ledge, and revealed Jenks and the +Dyaks to each other. There followed instantly a tremendous explosion +that shook earth and air, dislodging every loose stone in the +south-west pile of rocks, hurling from the plateau some of its +occupants, and wounding the remainder with a shower of lead and debris. + +The island birds, long since driven to the remote trees, clamored in +raucous peal, and from the Dyaks came yells of fright or anguish. + +The sailor, unmolested further, reached the ledge to find Iris +prostrate where she had fallen, dead or unconscious, he knew not which. +He felt his face become grey in the darkness. With a fierce tug he +hauled the ladder well away from the ground and sank to his knees +beside her. + +He took her into his arms. There was no light. He could not see her +eyes or lips. Her slight breathing seemed to indicate a fainting fit, +but there was no water, nor was it possible to adopt any of the +ordinary expedients suited to such a seizure. He could only wait in a +dreadful silence--wait, clasping her to his breast--and dumbly wonder +what other loss he could suffer ere the final release came. + +At last she sighed deeply. A strong tremor of returning life stirred +her frame. + +"Thank God!" he murmured, and bowed his head. Were the sun shining he +could not see her now, for his eyes were blurred. + +"Robert!" she whispered. + +"Yes, darling." + +"Are you safe?" + +"Safe! my loved one! Think of yourself! What has happened to you?" + +"I fainted--I think. I have no hurt. I missed you! Something told me +you had gone. I went to help you, or die with you. And then that noise! +And the light! What did you do?" + +He silenced her questioning with a passionate kiss. He carried her to a +little nook and fumbled among the stores until he found a bottle of +brandy. She drank some. Under its revivifying influence she was soon +able to listen to the explanation he offered--after securing the +ladder. + +In a tall tree near the Valley of Death he had tightly fixed a loaded +rifle which pointed at a loose stone in the rock overhanging the ledge +held by the Dyaks. This stone rested against a number of percussion +caps extracted from cartridges, and these were in direct communication +with a train of powder leading to a blasting charge placed at the end +of a twenty-four inch hole drilled with a crowbar. The impact of the +bullet against the stone could not fail to explode some of the caps. He +had used the contents of three hundred cartridges to secure a +sufficiency of powder, and the bullets were all crammed into the +orifice, being tamped with clay and wet sand. The rifle was fired by +means of the string, the loose coils of which were secreted at the foot +of the poon. By springing this novel mine he had effectually removed +every Dyak from the ledge, over which its contents would spread like a +fan. Further, it would probably deter the survivors from again +venturing near that fatal spot. + +Iris listened, only half comprehending. Her mind was filled with one +thought to the exclusion of all others. Robert had left her, had done +this thing without telling her. She forgave him, knowing he acted for +the best, but he must never, never deceive her again in such a manner. +She could not bear it. + +What better excuse could man desire for caressing her, yea, even +squeezing her, until the sobs ceased and she protested with a weak +little laugh---- + +"Robert, I haven't got much breath--after that excitement--but +please--leave me--the remains!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS + + +"You are a dear unreasonable little girl," he said. "Have you breath +enough to tell me why you came down the ladder?" + +"When I discovered you were gone, I became wild with fright. Don't you +see, I imagined you were wounded and had fallen from the ledge. What +else could I do but follow, either to help you, or, if that were not +possible--" + +He found her hand and pressed it to his lips. + +"I humbly crave your pardon," he said. "That explanation is more than +ample. It was I who behaved unreasonably. Of course I should have +warned you. Yet, sweetheart, I ran no risk. The real danger passed a +week ago." + +"How can that be?" + +"I might have been blown to pieces whilst adjusting the heavy stone in +front of the caps. I assure you I was glad to leave the place that day +with a whole skin. If the stone had wobbled, or slipped, well--it was a +case of determined _felo-de-se_." + +"May I ask how many more wild adventures you undertook without my +knowledge?" + +"One other, of great magnitude. I fell in love with you." + +"Nonsense!" she retorted. "I knew that long before you admitted it to +yourself." + +"Date, please?" + +"Well, to begin at the very beginning, you thought I was nice on board +the _Sirdar_. Now, didn't you?" + +And they were safely embarked on a conversation of no interest to any +other person in the wide world, but which provided them with the most +delightful topic imaginable. + +Thus the time sped until the rising moon silhouetted the cliff on the +white carpet of coral-strewn sand. The black shadow-line traveled +slowly closer to the base of the cliff, and Jenks, guided also by the +stars, told Iris that midnight was at hand. + +They knelt on the parapet of the ledge, alert to catch any unusual +sound, and watching for any indication of human movement. But Rainbow +Island was now still as the grave. The wounded Dyaks had seemingly been +removed from hut and beach; the dead lay where they had fallen. The sea +sang a lullaby to the reef, and the fresh breeze whispered among the +palm fronds--that was all. + +"Perhaps they have gone!" murmured Iris. + +The sailor put his arm round her neck and gently pressed her lips +together. Anything would serve as an excuse for that sort of thing, but +he really did want absolute silence at that moment. If the Mussulman +kept his compact, the hour was at hand. + +An unlooked-for intruder disturbed the quietude of the scene. Their old +acquaintance, the singing beetle, chortled his loud way across the +park. Iris was dying--as women say--to remind Jenks of their first +meeting with that blatant insect, but further talk was impossible; +there was too much at stake--water they must have. + +Then the light hiss of a snake rose to them from the depths. That is a +sound never forgotten when once heard. It is like unto no other. +Indeed, the term "hiss" is a misnomer for the quick sibilant expulsion +of the breath by an alarmed or angered serpent. + +Iris paid no heed to it, but Jenks, who knew there was not a reptile of +the snake variety on the island, leaned over the ledge and emitted a +tolerably good imitation. The native was beneath. Probably the flight +of the beetle had helped his noiseless approach. + +"Sahib!" + +The girl started at the unexpected call from the depths. + +"Yes," said Jenks quietly. + +"A rope, sahib." + +The sailor lowered a rope. Something was tied to it beneath. The +Mahommedan apparently had little fear of being detected. + +"Pull, sahib." + +"Usually it is the sahib who says 'pull,' but circumstances alter +cases," communed Jenks. He hauled steadily at a heavy weight--a +goatskin filled with cold water. He emptied the hot and sour wine out +of the tin cup, and was about to hand the thrice-welcome draught to +Iris when a suspicious thought caused him to withhold it. + +"Let me taste first," he said. + +The Indian might have betrayed them to the Dyaks. More unlikely things +had happened. What if the water were poisoned or drugged? + +He placed the tin to his lips. The liquid was musty, having been in the +skin nearly two days. Otherwise it seemed to be all right. With a sigh +of profound relief he gave Iris the cup, and smiled at the most +unladylike haste with which she emptied it. + +"Drink yourself, and give me some more," she said. + +"No more for you at present, madam. In a few minutes, yes." + +"Oh, why not now?" + +"Do not fret, dear one. You can have all you want in a little while. +But to drink much now would make you very ill." + +Iris waited until he could speak again. + +"Why did you----" she began. + +But he bent over the parapet-- + +"_Koi hai_!"[Footnote: Equivalent to "Hello, there!"] + +"Sahib!" + +"You have not been followed?" + +"I think not, sahib. Do not talk too loud; they are foxes in cunning. +You have a ladder, they say, sahib. Will not your honor descend? I have +much to relate." + +Iris made no protest when Jenks explained the man's request. She only +stipulated that he should not leave the ladder, whilst she would remain +within easy earshot. The sailor, of course, carried his revolver. He +also picked up a crowbar, a most useful and silent weapon. Then he went +quietly downwards. Nearing the ground, he saw the native, who salaamed +deeply and was unarmed. The poor fellow seemed to be very anxious to +help them. + +"What is your name?" demanded the sailor. + +"Mir Jan, sahib, formerly _naik_[Footnote: Corporal.] in the +Kumaon Rissala." + +"When did you leave the regiment?" + +"Two years ago, sahib. I killed--" + +"What was the name of your Colonel?" + +"Kurnal I-shpence-sahib, a brave man, but of no account on a horse." + +Jenks well remembered Colonel Spence--a fat, short-legged warrior, who +rolled off his charger if the animal so much as looked sideways. Mir +Jan was telling the truth. + +"You are right, Mir Jan. What is Taung S'Ali doing now?" + +"Cursing, sahib, for the most part. His men are frightened. He wanted +them to try once more with the tubes that shoot poison, but they +refused. He could not come alone, for he could not use his right hand, +and he was wounded by the blowing up of the rock. You nearly killed me, +too, sahib. I was there with the bazaar-born whelps. By the Prophet's +beard, it was a fine stroke." + +"Are they going away, then?" + +"No, sahib. The dogs have been whipped so sore that they snarl for +revenge. They say there is no use in firing at you, but they are +resolved to kill you and the miss-sahib, or carry her off if she +escapes the assault." + +"What assault?" + +"Protector of the poor, they are building scaling-ladders--four in all. +Soon after dawn they intend to rush your position. You may slay some, +they say, but you cannot slay three score. Taung S'Ali has promised a +gold _tauk_[Footnote: A native ornament.] to every man who +survives if they succeed. They have pulled down your signal on the high +rocks and are using the poles for the ladders. They think you have a +_jadu_[Footnote: A charm.] sahib, and they want to use your own +work against you." + +This was serious news. A combined attack might indeed be dangerous, +though it had the excellent feature that if it failed the Dyaks would +certainly leave the island. But his sky-sign destroyed! That was bad. +Had a vessel chanced to pass, the swinging letters would surely have +attracted attention. Now, even that faint hope was dispelled. + +"Sahib, there is a worse thing to tell," said Mir Jan. + +"Say on, then." + +"Before they place the ladders against the cliff they will build a fire +of green wood so that the smoke will be blown by the wind into your +eyes. This will help to blind your aim. Otherwise, you never miss." + +"That will assuredly be awkward, Mir Jan." + +"It will, sahib. Soul of my father, if we had but half a troop with +us----" + +But they had not, and they were both so intent on the conversation that +they were momentarily off their guard. Iris was more watchful. She +fancied there was a light rustling amidst the undergrowth beneath the +trees on the right. And she could hiss too, if that were the correct +thing to do. + +So she hissed. + +Jenks swarmed half way up the ladder. + +"Yes, Iris?" he said. + +"I am not sure, but I imagine something moved among the bushes behind +the house." + +"All right, dear. I will keep a sharp look-out. Can you hear us +talking?" + +"Hardly. Will you be long?" + +"Another minute." + +He descended and told Mir Jan what the miss-sahib said. The native was +about to make a search when Jenks stopped him. + +"Here,"--he handed the man his revolver--"I suppose you can use this?" + +Mir Jan took it without a word, and Jenks felt that the incident atoned +for previous unworthy doubts of his dark friend's honesty. The +Mahommedan cautiously examined the back of the house, the neighboring +shrubs, and the open beach. After a brief absence he reported all safe, +yet no man has ever been nearer death and escaped it than he during +that reconnaissance. He, too, forgot that the Dyaks were foxes, and +foxes can lie close when hounds are a trifle stale. + +Mir Jan returned the revolver. + +"Sahib," he said with another salaam, "I am a disgraced man, but if you +will take me up there with you, I will fight by your side until both my +arms are hacked off. I am weary of these thieves. Ill chance threw me +into their company: I will have no more of them. If you will not have +me on the rock, give me a gun. I will hide among the trees, and I +promise that some of them shall die to-night before they find me. For +the honor of the regiment, sahib, do not refuse this thing. All I ask +is, if your honor escapes, that you will write to Kurnal +I-shpence-sahib, and tell him the last act of Mir Jan, _naik_ in B +troop." + +There was an intense pathos in the man's words. He made this +self-sacrificing offer with an utter absence of any motive save the old +tradition of duty to the colors. Here was Anstruther-sahib, of the +Belgaum Rissala, in dire peril. Very well, then, Corporal Mir Jan, late +of the 19th Bengal Lancers, must dare all to save him. + +Jenks was profoundly moved. He reflected how best to utilize the +services of this willing volunteer without exposing him to certain +death in the manner suggested. The native misinterpreted his silence. + +"I am not a _budmash_,[Footnote: Rascal.] sahib," he exclaimed +proudly. "I only killed a man because--" + +"Listen, Mir Jan. You cannot well mend what you have said. The Dyaks, +you are sure, will not come before morning?" + +"They have carried the wounded to the boats and are making the ladders. +Such was their talk when I left them." + +"Will they not miss you?" + +"They will miss the _mussak_,[Footnote: Goatskin.] sahib. It was +the last full one." + +"Mir Jan, do as I bid, and you shall see Delhi again, Have you ever +used a Lee-Metford?" + +"I have seen them, sahib; but I better understand the Mahtini." + +"I will give you a rifle, with plenty of ammunition, Do you go inside +the cave, there, and----" + +Mir Jan was startled. + +"Where the ghost is, sahib?" he said. + +"Ghost! That is a tale for children. There is no ghost, only a few +bones of a man murdered by these scoundrels long ago. Have you any +food?" + +"Some rice, sahib; sufficient for a day, or two at a pinch." + +"Good! We will get water from the well. When the fighting begins at +dawn, fire at every man you see from the back of the cave. On no +account come out. Then they can never reach you if you keep a full +magazine. Wait here!" + +"I thought you were never coming," protested Iris when Jenks reached +the ledge. "I have been quite creepy. I am sure there is some one down +there. And, please, may I have another drink?" + +The sailor had left the crowbar beneath. He secured a rifle, a spare +clip, and a dozen packets of cartridges, meanwhile briefly explaining +to Iris the turn taken by events so far as Mir Jan was concerned. She +was naturally delighted, and forgot her fears in the excitement caused +by the appearance of so useful an ally. She drank his health in a +brimming beaker of water. + +She heard her lover rejoin Mir Jan, and saw the two step out into the +moonlight, whilst Jenks explained the action of the Lee-Metford. +Fortunately Iris was now much recovered from the fatigue and privation +of the earlier hours. Her senses were sharpened to a pitch little +dreamed of by stay-at-home young ladies of her age, and she deemed it +her province to act as sentry whilst the two men conferred. Hence, she +was the first to detect, or rather to become conscious of, the stealthy +crawl of several Dyaks along the bottom of the cliff from Turtle Beach. +They advanced in Indian file, moving with the utmost care, and +crouching in the murky shadows like so many wild beasts stalking their +prey. + +"Robert!" she screamed. "The Dyaks! On your left!" + +But Iris was rapidly gaining some knowledge of strategy. Before she +shrieked her warning she grasped a rifle. Holding it at the +"Ready"--about the level of her waist--and depressing the muzzle +sufficiently, she began firing down the side of the rock as fast as she +could handle lever and trigger. Two of the nickel bullets struck a +projection and splashed the leading savages with molten metal. + +Unfortunately the Lee-Metford beneath was unloaded, being in Mir Jan's +possession for purposes of instruction. Jenks whipped out his revolver. + +"To the cave!" he roared, and Mir Jan's unwillingness to face a goblin +could not withstand the combined impetus of the sahib's order and the +onward rush of the enemy. He darted headlong for the entrance. + +[Illustration: IRIS BEGAN FIRING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ROCK AS FAST AS +SHE COULD HANDLE LEVER AND TRIGGER.] + +Jenks, shooting blindly as he, too, ran for the ladder, emptied the +revolver just as his left hand clutched a rung. Three Dyaks were so +close that it would be folly to attempt to climb. He threw the weapon +into the face of the foremost man, effectually stopping his onward +progress, for the darkness made it impossible to dodge the missile. + +The sailor turned to dive into the cave and secure the rifle from Mir +Jan, when his shin caught the heavy crowbar resting against the rock. +The pain of the blow lent emphasis to the swing with which the +implement descended upon some portion of a Dyak anatomy. Jenks never +knew where he hit the second assailant, but the place cracked like an +eggshell. + +He had not time to recover the bar for another blow, so he gave the +point in the gullet of a gentleman who was about to make a vicious +sweep at him with a parang. The downfall of this worthy caused his +immediate successor to stumble, and Jenks saw his opportunity. With the +agility of a cat he jumped up the ladder. Once started, he had to go +on. He afterwards confessed to an unpleasant sensation of pins and +needles along his back during that brief acrobatic display; but he +reached the ledge without further injury, save an agonizing twinge when +the unprotected quick of his damaged finger was smartly rapped against +the rock. + +These things happened with the speed of thought. Within forty seconds +of Iris's shrill cry the sailor was breast high with the ledge and +calling to her-- + +"All right, old girl. Keep it up!" + +The cheerful confidence of his words had a wonderful effect on her. +Iris, like every good woman, had the maternal instinct strong within +her--the instinct that inspires alike the mild-eyed Sister of Charity +and the tigress fighting for her cubs. When Jenks was down below there, +in imminent danger of being cut to pieces, the gentle, lovable girl, +who would not willingly hurt the humblest of God's creatures, became +terrible, majestic in her frenzied purpose. Robert must be saved. If a +Maxim were planted on the rock she would unhesitatingly have turned the +lever and sprayed the Dyaks with bullets. + +But here he was close to her, unhurt and calmly jubilant, as was his +way when a stiff fight went well. He was by her side now, firing and +aiming too, for the Dyaks broke cover recklessly in running for +shelter, and one may do fair work by moonlight, as many a hunter of +wild duck can testify by the rheumatism in his bones. + +She had strength enough left to place the rifle out of harm's way +before she broke down and sobbed, not tearfully, but in a paroxysm of +reaction. Soon all was quiet beneath, save for the labored efforts of +some wounded men to get far away from that accursed rock. Jenks was +able to turn to Iris. He endeavored to allay her agitation, and +succeeded somewhat, for tears came, and she clung to him. It was +useless to reproach him. The whole incident was unforeseen: she was +herself a party to it. But what an escape! + +He lifted her in his arms and carried her to a seat where the tarpaulin +rested on a broken water-cask. + +"You have been a very good little girl and have earned your supper," he +said. + +"Oh, how can you talk so callously after such an awful experience?" she +expostulated brokenly. + +The Jesuits, say their opponents, teach that at times a "white lie" is +permissible. Surely this was an instance. + +"It is a small thing to trouble about, sweetheart," he explained. "You +spotted the enemy so promptly, and blazed away with such ferocity, that +they never got within yards of me." + +"Are you sure?" + +"I vow and declare that after we have eaten something, and sampled our +remaining bottle of wine, I will tell you exactly what happened." + +"Why not now?" + +"Because I must first see to Mir Jan. I bundled him neck and crop into +the cave. I hope I did not hurt him." + +"You are not going down there again?" + +"No need, I trust." + +He went to the side of the ledge, recovered the ladder which he had +hastily hauled out of the Dyaks' reach after his climb, and cried-- + +"Mir Jan." + +"Ah, sahib! Praised be the name of the Most High, you are alive. I was +searching among the slain with a sorrowful heart." + +The Mahommedan's voice came from some little distance on the left. + +"The slain, you say. How many?" + +"Five, sahib." + +"Impossible! I fired blindly with the revolver, and only hit one man +hard with the iron bar. One other dropped near the wood after I +obtained a rifle." + +"Then there be six, sahib, not reckoning the wounded. I have accounted +for one, so the miss-sahib must have--" + +"What is he saying about me?" inquired Iris, who had risen and joined +her lover. + +"He says you absolutely staggered the Dyaks by opening fire the moment +they appeared." + +"How did _you_ come to slay one, Mir Jan?" he continued. + +"A son of a black pig followed me into the cave. I waited for him in +the darkness. I have just thrown his body outside." + +"_Shabash!_[Footnote: "Well done!"] Is Taung S'Ali dead, by any +lucky chance?" + +"No, sahib, if he be not the sixth. I will go and see." + +"You may be attacked?" + +"I have found a sword, sahib. You left me no cartridges." + +Jenks told him that the clip and the twelve packets were lying at the +foot of the rock, where Mir Jan speedily discovered them. The +Mahommedan gave satisfactory assurance that he understood the mechanism +of the rifle by filling and adjusting the magazine. Then he went to +examine the corpse of the man who lay in the open near the quarry path. + +The sailor stood in instant readiness to make a counter demonstration +were the native assailed. But there was no sign of the Dyaks. Mir Jan +returned with the news that the sixth victim of the brief yet fierce +encounter was a renegade Malay. He was so confident that the enemy had +had enough of it for the night that, after recovering Jenks's revolver, +he boldly went to the well and drew himself a supply of water. + +During supper, a feast graced by a quart of champagne worthy of the +Carlton, Jenks told Iris so much of the story as was good for her: that +is to say, he cut down the casualty list. + +It was easy to see what had happened. The Dyaks, having missed the +Mahommedan and their water-bag, searched for him and heard the +conversation at the foot of the rock. Knowing that their presence was +suspected, they went back for reinforcements, and returned by the +shorter and more advantageous route along Turtle Beach. + +Iris would have talked all night, but Jenks made her go to sleep, by +pillowing her head against his shoulder and smoothing her tangled +tresses with his hand. The wine, too, was helpful. In a few minutes her +voice became dreamy: soon she was sleeping like a tired child. + +He managed to lay her on a comfortable pile of ragged clothing and then +resumed his vigil. Mir Jan offered to mount guard beneath, but Jenks +bade him go within the cave and remain there, for the dawn would soon +be upon them. + +Left alone with his thoughts, he wondered what the rising sun would +bring in its train. He reviewed the events of the last twenty-four +hours. Iris and he--Miss Deane, Mr. Jenks, to each other--were then +undiscovered in their refuge, the Dyaks were gathered around a roaring +fire in the valley, and Mir Jan was keen in the hunt as the keenest +among them. Now, Iris was his affianced bride, over twenty of the enemy +were killed and many wounded, and Mir Jan, a devoted adherent, was +seated beside the skeleton in the gloom of the cavern. + +What a topsy-turvy world it was, to be sure! What alternations between +despair and hope! What rebound from the gates of Death to the threshold +of Eden! How untrue, after all, was the nebulous philosophy of Omar, +the Tentmaker. Surely in the happenings of the bygone day there was +more than the purposeless + + + "Magic Shadow-show, + Play'd in a Box whose Candle is the Sun, + Round which we Phantom Figures come and go." + + +He had, indeed, cause to be humbly thankful. Was there not One who +marked the fall of a sparrow, who clothed the lilies, who knew the +needs of His creatures? There, in the solemn temple of the night, he +gave thanks for the protection vouchsafed to Iris and himself, and +prayed that it might be continued. He deplored the useless bloodshed, +the horror of mangled limbs and festering bodies, that converted this +fair island into a reeking slaughter-house. Were it possible, by any +personal sacrifice, to divert the untutored savages from their deadly +quest, he would gladly condone their misdeeds and endeavor to assuage +the torments of the wounded. + +But he was utterly helpless, a pawn on that tiny chessboard where the +game was being played between Civilization and Barbarism. The fight +must go on to the bitter end: he must either vanquish or be vanquished. +There were other threads being woven into the garment of his life at +that moment, but he knew not of them. Sufficient for the day was the +evil, and the good thereof. Of both he had received full measure. + +A period of such reflection could hardly pass without a speculative +dive into the future. If Iris and he were rescued, what would happen +when they went forth once more into the busy world? Not for one instant +did he doubt her faith. She was true as steel, knit to him now by bonds +of triple brass. But, what would Sir Arthur Deane think of his +daughter's marriage to a discredited and cashiered officer? What was it +that poor Mir Jan called himself?--"a disgraced man." Yes, that was it. +Could that stain be removed? Mir Jan was doing it. Why not he?--by +other means, for his good name rested on the word of a perjured woman. +Wealth was potent, but not all-powerful. He would ask Iris to wait +until he came to her unsoiled by slander, purged of this odium cast +upon him unmerited. + +And all this goes to show that he, a man wise beyond his fellows, had +not yet learned the unwisdom of striving to lift the veil of tomorrow, +behind whose mystic curtain what is to be ever jostles out of place +what is hoped for. + +Iris, smiling in her dreams, was assailed by no torturing doubts. +Robert loved her--that was enough. Love suffices for a woman; a man +asks for honor, reputation, an unblemished record. + +To awake her he kissed her; he knew not, perchance it might be their +last kiss on earth. Not yet dawn, there was morning in the air, for the +first faint shafts of light were not visible from their eyrie owing to +its position. But there was much to be done. If the Dyaks carried out +the plan described by Mir Jan, he had a good many preparations to make. + +The canvas awning was rolled back and the stores built into a barricade +intended to shelter Iris. + +"What is that for?" she asked, when she discovered its nature. He told +her. She definitely refused to avail herself of any such protection. + +"Robert dear," she said, "if the attack comes to our very door, so to +speak, surely I must help you. Even my slight aid may stem a rush in +one place whilst you are busy in another." + +He explained to her that if hand-to-hand fighting were necessary he +would depend more upon a crowbar than a rifle to sweep the ledge clear. +She might be in the way. + +"Very well. The moment you tell me to get behind that fence I will do +so. Even there I can use a revolver." + +That reminded him. His own pistol was unloaded. He possessed only five +more cartridges of small caliber. He placed them in the weapon and gave +it to her. + +"Now you have eleven men's lives in your hands," he said. "Try not to +miss if you must shoot." + +In the dim light he could not see the spasm of pain that clouded her +face. No Dyak would reach her whilst he lived. If he fell, there was +another use for one of those cartridges. + +The sailor had cleared the main floor of the rock and was placing his +four rifles and other implements within easy reach when a hiss came +from beneath. + +"Mir Jan!" exclaimed Iris. + +"What now?" demanded Jenks over the side. + +"Sahib, they come!" + +"I am prepared. Let that snake get back to his hole in the rock, lest a +mongoose seize him by the head." + +Mir Jan, engaged in a scouting expedition on his own account, +understood that the officer-sahib's orders must be obeyed. He vanished. +Soon they heard a great crackling among the bushes on the right, but +Jenks knew even before he looked that the Dyaks had correctly estimated +the extent of his fire zone and would keep out of it. + +The first physical intimation of the enemy's design they received was a +pungent but pleasant smell of burning pine, borne to them by the +northerly breeze and filling the air with its aroma. The Dyaks kindled +a huge fire. The heat was perceptible even on the ledge, but the +minutes passed, and the dawn broadened into day without any other +result being achieved. + +Iris, a little drawn and pale with suspense, said with a timid giggle-- + +"This does not seem to be so very serious. It reminds me of my efforts +to cook." + +"There is more to follow, I fear, dear one. But the Dyaks are fools. +They should have waited until night fell again, after wearing us out by +constant vigilance all day. If they intend to employ smoke it would be +far worse for us at night." + +Phew! A volume of murky vapor arose that nearly suffocated them by the +first whiff of its noisome fumes. It curled like a black pall over the +face of the rock and blotted out sea and sky. They coughed incessantly, +and nearly choked, for the Dyaks had thrown wet seaweed on top of the +burning pile of dry wood. Mir Jan, born in interior India, knew little +about the sea or its products, and when the savages talked of seaweed +he thought they meant green wood. Fortunately for him, the ascending +clouds of smoke missed the cave, or infallibly he must have been +stifled. + +"Lie flat on the rock!" gasped Jenks. Careless of waste, he poured +water over a coat and made Iris bury her mouth and nose in the wet +cloth. This gave her immediate relief, and she showed her woman's wit +by tying the sleeves of the garment behind her neck. Jenks nodded +comprehension and followed her example, for by this means their hands +were left free. + +The black cloud grew more dense each few seconds. Nevertheless, owing +to the slope of the ledge, and the tendency of the smoke to rise, the +south side was far more tenable than the north. Quick to note this +favorable circumstance, the sailor deduced a further fact from it. A +barrier erected on the extreme right of the ledge would be a material +gain. He sprang up, dragged the huge tarpaulin from its former +location, and propped it on the handle of the pickaxe, driven by one +mighty stroke deep into a crevice of the rock. + +It was no mean feat of strength that he performed. He swung the heavy +and cumbrous canvas into position as if it were a dust cloth. He +emerged from the gloom of the driven cloud red-eyed but triumphant. +Instantly the vapor on the ledge lessened, and they could breathe, even +talk. Overhead and in front the smoke swept in ever-increasing density, +but once again the sailor had outwitted the Dyaks' manoeuvres. + +"We have won the first rubber," he whispered to Iris. + +Above, beneath, beyond, they could see nothing. The air they breathed +was hot and foetid. It was like being immured in a foul tunnel and +almost as dark. Jenks looked over the parapet. He thought he could +distinguish some vague figures on the sands, so he fired at them. A +volley of answering bullets crashed into the rock on all sides. The +Dyaks had laid their plans well this time. A firing squad stationed +beyond the smoke area, and supplied with all the available guns, +commenced and kept up a smart fusillade in the direction of the ledge +in order to cover the operations of the scaling party. + +Jenks realized that to expose himself was to court a serious wound and +achieve no useful purpose. He fell back out of range, laid down his +rifle and grabbed the crowbar. At brief intervals a deep hollow boom +came up from the valley. At first it puzzled them until the sailor hit +upon an explanation. Mir Jan was busy. + +The end of a strong roughly made ladder swung through the smoke and +banged against the ledge. Before Jenks could reach it those hoisting it +into position hastily retreated. They were standing in front of the +cave and the Mahommedan made play on them with a Lee-Metford at thirty +feet. + +Jenks, using his crowbar as a lever, toppled the ladder clean over. It +fell outwards and disconcerted a section of the musketeers. + +"Well done," cried Iris. + +The sailor, astounded by her tone, gave her a fleeting glance. She was +very pale now, but not with fear. Her eyes were slightly contracted, +her nostrils quivering, her lips set tight and her chin dimpled. She +had gone back thirty generations in as many seconds. Thus might one of +the daughters of Boadicea have looked whilst guiding her mother's +chariot against the Roman phalanx. Resting on one knee, with a revolver +in each hand, she seemed no puling mate for the gallant man who fought +for her. + +She caught his look. + +"We will beat them yet!" she cried again, and she smiled, not as a +woman smiles, but with the joy of a warrior when the fray is toward. + +There was no time for further speech. Three ladders were reared against +the rock. They were so poised and held below that Jenks could not force +them backwards. A fourth appeared, its coarse shafts looming into sight +like the horns of some gigantic animal. The four covered practically +the whole front of the ledge save where Mir Jan cleared a little space +on the level. + +The sailor was standing now, with the crowbar clenched in both hands. +The firing in the valley slackened and died away. A Dyak face, grinning +like a Japanese demon, appeared at the top of the ladder nearest to +Iris. + +"Don't fire!" shouted Jenks, and the iron bar crushed downwards. Two +others pitched themselves half on to the ledge. Now both crowbar and +revolver were needed. Three ladders were thus cumbered somewhat for +those beneath, and Jenks sprang towards the fourth and most distant. +Men were crowding it like ants. Close to his feet lay an empty +water-cask. It was a crude weapon, but effective when well pitched, and +the sailor had never made a better shot for a goal in the midst of a +hard-fought scrimmage than he made with that tub for the head of the +uppermost pirate. + +Another volley came from the sands. A bullet ploughed through his hair, +and sent his sou'wester flying. Again the besiegers swarmed to the +attack. One way or the other, they must succeed. A man and a +woman--even such a man and such a woman--could not keep at bay an +infuriated horde of fifty savages fighting at close quarters and under +these grievous conditions. + +Jenks knew what would happen. He would be shot in the head or breast +whilst repelling the scaling party. And Iris! Dear heart! She was +thinking of him. + +"Keep back! They can never gain the ledge!" she shrieked. + +And then, above the din of the fusillade, the yells of the assailants +and the bawling of the wounded, there came through the air a screaming, +tearing, ripping sound which drowned all others. It traveled with +incredible speed, and before the sailor could believe his ears--for he +well knew what it meant--a shrapnel shell burst in front of the ledge +and drenched the valley with flying lead. + +Jenks was just able to drag Iris flat against the rock ere the time +fuse operated and the bullets flew. He could form no theory, hazard no +conjecture. All he knew was that a 12-pounder shell had flown towards +them through space, scattering red ruin among the amazed scoundrels +beneath. Instantly he rose again, lest perchance any of the Dyaks +should have gained a foothold on the ledge. + +The ladders were empty. He could hear a good deal of groaning, the +footsteps of running men, and some distant shouting. + +"Sahib!" yelled Mir Jan, drawn from his retreat by the commotion +without. + +"Yes," shouted Jenks. + +The native, in a voice cracked with excitement, told him something. The +sailor asked a few rapid questions to make quite sure that Mir Jan was +not mistaken. + +Then he threw his arms round Iris, drew her close and whispered-- + +"My darling, we are saved! A warship has anchored just beyond the south +reef, and two boats filled with armed sailors are now pulling ashore." + +And she answered proudly-- + +"The Dyaks could never have conquered us, Robert. We were manifestly +under God's protection. Oh, my love, my love, I am so happy and +thankful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE DIFFICULTY OF PLEASING EVERYBODY + + +The drifting smoke was still so dense that not even the floor of the +valley could be discerned. Jenks dared not leave Iris at such a moment. +He feared to bring her down the ladder lest another shell might be +fired. But something must be done to end their suspense. + +He called to Mir Jan-- + +"Take off your turban and hold it above your head, if you think they +can see you from the warship." + +"It is all right, sahib," came the cheering answer. "One boat is close +inshore. I think, from the uniforms, they are English sahibs, such as I +have seen at Garden Reach. The Dyaks have all gone." + +Nevertheless Jenks waited. There was nothing to gain by being too +precipitate. A false step now might undo the achievements of many +weeks. + +Mir Jan was dancing about beneath in a state of wild excitement. + +"They have seen the Dyaks running to their sampans, sahib," he yelled, +"and the second boat is being pulled in that direction. Yet another has +just left the ship." + +A translation made Iris excited, eager to go down and see these +wonders. + +"Better wait here, dearest," he said. "The enemy may be driven back in +this direction, and I cannot expose you to further risk. The sailors +will soon land, and you can then descend in perfect safety." + +The boom of a cannon came from the sea. Instinctively the girl ducked +for safety, though her companion smiled at her fears, for the shell +would have long preceded the report, had it traveled their way. + +"One of the remaining sampans has got under way," he explained, "and +the warship is firing at her." + +Two more guns were fired. The man-o'-war evidently meant business. + +"Poor wretches!" murmured Iris. "Cannot the survivors be allowed to +escape?" + +"Well, we are unable to interfere. Those caught on the island will +probably be taken to the mainland and hanged for their crimes, so the +manner of their end is not of much consequence." + +To the girl's manifest relief there was no more firing, and Mir Jan +announced that a number of sailors were actually on shore. Then her +thoughts turned to a matter of concern to the feminine mind even in the +gravest moments of existence. She laved her face with water and sought +her discarded skirt! + +Soon the steady tramp of boot-clad feet advancing at the double was +heard on the shingle, and an officer's voice, speaking the crude +Hindustani of the engine-room and forecastle, shouted to Mir Jan-- + +"Hi, you black fellow! Are there any white people here?" + +Jenks sang out-- + +"Yes, two of us! Perched on the rock over your heads. We are coming +down." + +He cast loose the rope-ladder. Iris was limp and trembling. + +"Steady, sweetheart," he whispered. "Don't forget the slip between the +cup and the lip. Hold tight! But have no fear! I will be just beneath." + +It was well he took this precaution. She was now so unnerved that an +unguarded movement might have led to an accident. But the knowledge +that her lover was near, the touch of his hand guiding her feet on to +the rungs of the ladder, sustained her. They had almost reached the +level when a loud exclamation and the crash of a heavy blow caused +Jenks to halt and look downwards. + +A Dyak, lying at the foot of one of the scaling ladders, and severely +wounded by a shell splinter, witnessed their descent. In his left hand +he grasped a parang; his right arm was bandaged. Though unable to rise, +the vengeful pirate mustered his remaining strength to crawl towards +the swaying ladder. It was Taung S'Ali, inspired with the hate and +venom of the dying snake. Even yet he hoped to deal a mortal stroke at +the man who had defied him and all his cut-throat band. He might have +succeeded, as Jenks was so taken up with Iris, were it not for the +watchful eyes of Mir Jan. The Mahommedan sprang at him with an oath, +and gave him such a murderous whack with the butt of a rifle that the +Dyak chief collapsed and breathed out his fierce spirit in a groan. + +At the first glance Jenks did not recognize Taung S'Ali, owing to his +change of costume. Through the thinner smoke he could see several +sailors running up. + +"Look out, there!" he cried. "There is a lady here. If any Dyak moves, +knock him on the head!" + +But, with the passing of the chief, their last peril had gone. The next +instant they were standing on the firm ground, and a British naval +lieutenant was saying eagerly-- + +"We seem to have turned up in the nick of time. Do you, by any chance, +belong to the _Sirdar_?" + +"We are the sole survivors," answered the sailor. + +"You two only?" + +"Yes. She struck on the north-west reef of this island during a +typhoon. This lady, Miss Iris Deane, and I were flung ashore--" + +"Miss Deane! Can it be possible? Let me congratulate you most heartily. +Sir Arthur Deane is on board the _Orient_ at this moment." + +"The _Orient_!" + +Iris was dazed. The uniforms, the pleasant faces of the English +sailors, the strange sensation of hearing familiar words in tones other +than those of the man she loved, bewildered her. + +"Yes," explained the officer, with a sympathetic smile. "That's our +ship, you know, in the offing there." + +It was all too wonderful to be quite understood yet. She turned to +Robert-- + +"Do you hear? They say my father is not far away. Take me to him." + +[Illustration: "WE ARE THE SOLE SURVIVORS," ANSWERED THE SAILOR.] + +"No need for that, miss," interrupted a warrant officer. "Here he is +coming ashore. He wanted to come with us, but the captain would not +permit it, as there seemed to be some trouble ahead." + +Sure enough, even the girl's swimming eyes could distinguish the +grey-bearded civilian seated beside an officer in the stern-sheets of a +small gig now threading a path through the broken reef beyond Turtle +Beach. In five minutes, father and daughter would meet. + +Meanwhile the officer, intent on duty, addressed Jenks again. + +"May I ask who you are?" + +"My name is Anstruther--Robert Anstruther." + +Iris, clinging to his arm, heard the reply. + +So he had abandoned all pretence. He was ready to face the world at her +side. She stole a loving glance at him as she cried-- + +"Yes, Captain Anstruther, of the Indian Staff Corps. If he will not +tell you all that he has done, how he has saved my life twenty times, +how he has fought single-handed against eighty men, ask me!" + +The naval officer did not need to look a second time at Iris's face to +lengthen the list of Captain Anstruther's achievements, by one more +item. He sighed. A good sailor always does sigh when a particularly +pretty girl is labeled "Engaged." + +But he could be very polite. + +"Captain Anstruther does not appear to have left much for us to do, +Miss Deane," he said. "Indeed," turning to Robert, "is there any way in +which my men will be useful?" + +"I would recommend that they drag the green stuff off that fire and +stop the smoke. Then, a detachment should go round the north side of +the island and drive the remaining Dyaks into the hands of the party +you have landed, as I understand, at the further end of the south +beach. Mir Jan, the Mahommedan here, who has been a most faithful ally +during part of our siege, will act as guide." + +The other man cast a comprehensive glance over the rock, with its +scaling ladders and dangling rope-ladder, the cave, the little groups +of dead or unconscious pirates--for every wounded man who could move a +limb had crawled away after the first shell burst--and drew a deep +breath. + +"How long were you up there?" he asked. + +"Over thirty hours." + +"It was a great fight!" + +"Somewhat worse than it looks," said Anstruther. "This is only the end +of it. Altogether, we have accounted for nearly two score of the poor +devils." + +"Do you think you can make them prisoners, without killing any more of +them?" asked Iris. + +"That depends entirely on themselves, Miss Deane. My men will not fire +a shot unless they encounter resistance." + +Robert looked towards the approaching boat. She would not land yet for +a couple of minutes. + +"By the way," he said, "will you tell me your name?" + +"Playdon--Lieutenant Philip H. Playdon." + +"Do you know to what nation this island belongs?" + +"It is no-man's land, I think. It is marked 'uninhabited' on the +chart." + +"Then," said Anstruther, "I call upon you, Lieutenant Playdon, and all +others here present, to witness that I, Robert Anstruther, late of the +Indian Army, acting on behalf of myself and Miss Iris Deane, declare +that we have taken possession of this island in the name of His +Britannic Majesty the King of England, that we are the joint occupiers +and owners thereof, and claim all property rights vested therein." + +These formal phrases, coming at such a moment, amazed his hearers. Iris +alone had an inkling of the underlying motive. + +"I don't suppose any one will dispute your title," said the naval +officer gravely. He unquestionably imagined that suffering and exposure +had slightly disturbed the other man's senses, yet he had seldom seen +any person who looked to be in more complete possession of his +faculties. + +"Thank you," replied Robert with equal composure, though he felt +inclined to laugh at Playdon's mystification. "I only wished to secure +a sufficient number of witnesses for a verbal declaration. When I have +a few minutes to spare I will affix a legal notice on the wall in front +of our cave." + +Playdon bowed silently. There was something in the speaker's manner +that puzzled him. He detailed a small guard to accompany Robert and +Iris, who now walked towards the beach, and asked Mir Jan to pilot him +as suggested by Anstruther. + +The boat was yet many yards from shore when Iris ran forward and +stretched out her arms to the man who was staring at her with wistful +despair. + +"Father! Father!" she cried. "Don't you know me?" + +Sir Arthur Deane was looking at the two strange figures on the sands, +and each moment his heart sank lower. This island held his final hope. +During many weary weeks, since the day when a kindly Admiral placed the +cruiser _Orient_ at his disposal, he had scoured the China Sea, +the coasts of Borneo and Java, for some tidings of the ill-fated +_Sirdar_. + +He met naught save blank nothingness, the silence of the great ocean +mausoleum. Not a boat, a spar, a lifebuoy, was cast up by the waves to +yield faintest trace of the lost steamer. Every naval man knew what had +happened. The vessel had met with some mishap to her machinery, struck +a derelict, or turned turtle, during that memorable typhoon of March 17 +and 18. She had gone down with all hands. Her fate was a foregone +conclusion. No ship's boat could live in that sea, even if the crew +were able to launch one. It was another of ocean's tragedies, with the +fifth act left to the imagination. + +To examine every sand patch and tree-covered shoal in the China Sea was +an impossible task. All the _Orient_ could do was to visit the +principal islands and institute inquiries among the fishermen and small +traders. At last, the previous night, a Malay, tempted by hope of +reward, boarded the vessel when lying at anchor off the large island +away to the south, and told the captain a wondrous tale of a +devil-haunted place inhabited by two white spirits, a male and a +female, whither a local pirate named Taung S'Ali had gone by chance +with his men and suffered great loss. But Taung S'Ali was bewitched by +the female spirit, and had returned there, with a great force, swearing +to capture her or perish. The spirits, the Malay said, had dwelt upon +the island for many years. His father and grandfather knew the place +and feared it. Taung S'Ali would never be seen again. + +This queer yarn was the first indication they received of the +whereabouts of any persons who might possibly be shipwrecked Europeans, +though not survivors from the _Sirdar_. Anyhow, the tiny dot lay +in the vessel's northward track, so a course was set to arrive off the +island soon after dawn. + +Events on shore, as seen by the officer on watch, told their own tale. +Wherever Dyaks are fighting there is mischief on foot, so the +_Orient_ took a hand in the proceedings. + +But Sir Arthur Deane, after an agonized scrutiny of the weird-looking +persons escorted by the sailors to the water's edge, sadly acknowledged +that neither of these could be the daughter whom he sought. He bowed +his head in humble resignation, and he thought he was the victim of a +cruel hallucination when Iris's tremulous accents reached his ears-- + +"Father, father! Don't you know me?" + +He stood up, amazed and trembling. + +"Yes, father dear. It is I, your own little girl given back to you. Oh +dear! Oh dear! I cannot see you for my tears." + +They had some difficulty to keep him in the boat, and the man pulling +stroke smashed a stout oar with the next wrench. + +And so they met at last, and the sailors left them alone, to crowd +round Anstruther and ply him with a hundred questions. Although he fell +in with their humor, and gradually pieced together the stirring story +which was supplemented each instant by the arrival of disconsolate +Dyaks and the comments of the men who returned from cave and beach, his +soul was filled with the sight of Iris and her father, and the happy, +inconsequent demands with which each sought to ascertain and relieve +the extent of the other's anxiety. + +Then Iris called to him-- + +"Robert, I want you." + +The use of his Christian name created something akin to a sensation. +Sir Arthur Deane was startled, even in his immeasurable delight at +finding his child uninjured--the picture of rude health and happiness. + +Anstruther advanced. + +"This is my father," she cried, shrill with joy. "And, father darling, +this is Captain Robert Anstruther, to whom alone, under God's will, I +owe my life, many, many times since the moment the _Sirdar_ was +lost." + +It was no time for questioning. Sir Arthur Deane took off his hat and +held out his hand-- + +"Captain Anstruther," he said, "as I owe you my daughter's life, I owe +you that which I can never repay. And I owe you my own life, too, for I +could not have survived the knowledge that she was dead." + +Robert took the proffered hand-- + +"I think, Sir Arthur, that, of the two, I am the more deeply indebted. +There are some privileges whose value cannot be measured, and among +them the privilege of restoring your daughter to your arms takes the +highest place." + +Then, being much more self-possessed than the older man, who was +naturally in a state of agitation that was almost painful, he turned to +Iris. + +"I think," he said, "that your father should take you on board the +_Orient_, Iris. There you may, perhaps, find some suitable +clothing, eat something, and recover from the exciting events of the +morning. Afterwards, you must bring Sir Arthur ashore again, and we +will guide him over the island. I am sure you will find much to tell +him meanwhile." + +The baronet could not fail to note the manner in which these two +addressed each other, the fearless love which leaped from eye to eye, +the calm acceptance of a relationship not be questioned or gainsaid. +Robert and Iris, without spoken word on the subject, had tactily agreed +to avoid the slightest semblance of subterfuge as unworthy alike of +their achievements and their love. Yet what could Sir Arthur Deane do? +To frame a suitable protest at such a moment was not to be dreamed of. +As yet he was too shaken to collect his thoughts. Anstruther's +proposal, however, helped him to blurt out what he intuitively felt to +be a disagreeable fact. Yet something must be said, for his brain +reeled. + +"Your suggestion is admirable," he cried, striving desperately to +affect a careless complaisance. "The ship's stores may provide Iris +with some sort of rig-out, and an old friend of hers is on board at +this moment, little expecting her presence. Lord Ventnor has +accompanied me in my search. He will, of course, be delighted--" + +Anstruther flushed a deep bronze, but Iris broke in-- + +"Father, why did _he_ come with you?" + +Sir Arthur, driven into this sudden squall of explanation, became +dignified. + +"Well, you see, my dear, under the circumstances, he felt an anxiety +almost commensurate with my own." + +"But why, why?" + +Iris was quite calm. With Robert near, she was courageous. Even the +perturbed baronet experienced a new sensation as his troubled glance +fell before her searching eyes. His daughter had left him a joyous, +heedless girl. He found her a woman, strong, self-reliant, purposeful. +Yet he kept on, choosing the most straightforward means as the only +honorable way of clearing a course so beset with unsuspected obstacles. + +"It is only reasonable, Iris, that your affianced husband should suffer +an agony of apprehension on your account, and do all that was possible +to effect your rescue." + +"My--affianced--husband?" + +"Well, my dear girl, perhaps that is hardly the correct phrase from +your point of view. Yet you cannot fail to remember that Lord +Ventnor--" + +"Father, dear," said Iris solemnly, but in a voice free from all +uncertainty, "my affianced husband stands here! We plighted our troth +at the very gate of death. It was ratified in the presence of God, and +has been blessed by Him. I have made no compact with Lord Ventnor. He +is a base and unworthy man. Did you but know the truth concerning him +you would not mention his name in the same breath with mine. Would he, +Robert?" + +Never was man so perplexed as the unfortunate shipowner. In the instant +that his beloved daughter was restored to him out of the very depths of +the sea, he was asked either to undertake the role of a disappointed +and unforgiving parent, or sanction her marriage to a truculent-looking +person of most forbidding if otherwise manly appearance, who had +certainly saved her from death in ways not presently clear to him, but +who could not be regarded as a suitable son-in-law solely on that +account. + +What could he do, what could he say, to make the position less +intolerable? + +Anstruther, quicker than Iris to appreciate Sir Arthur Deane's dilemma, +gallantly helped him. He placed a loving hand on the girl's shoulder. + +"Be advised by me, Sir Arthur, and you too, Iris," he said. "This is no +hour for such explanations. Leave me to deal with Lord Ventnor. I am +content to trust the ultimate verdict to you, Sir Arthur. You will +learn in due course all that has happened. Go on board, Iris. Meet Lord +Ventnor as you would meet any other friend. You will not marry him, I +know. I can trust you." He said this with a smile that robbed the words +of serious purport. "Believe me, you two can find plenty to occupy your +minds today without troubling yourselves about Lord Ventnor." + +"I am very much obliged to you," murmured the baronet, who, +notwithstanding his worry, was far too experienced a man of the world +not to acknowledge the good sense of this advice, no matter how +ruffianly might be the guise of the strange person who gave it. + +"That is settled, then," said Robert, laughing good-naturedly, for he +well knew what a weird spectacle he must present to the bewildered old +gentleman. + +Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinated by the ragged and hairy giant who +carried himself so masterfully and helped everybody over the stile at +the right moment He tried to develop the change in the conversation. + +"By the way," he said, "how came you to be on the _Sirdar_? I have +a list of all the passengers and crew, and your name does not appear +therein." + +"Oh, that is easily accounted for. I shipped as a steward, in the name +of Robert Jenks." + +"Robert Jenks! A steward!" + +This was worse than ever. The unhappy shipowner thought the sky must +have fallen. + +"Yes. That forms some part of the promised explanation." + +Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her lover's wishes. "Come, father," +she cried merrily. "I am aching to see what the ship's stores, which +you and Robert pin your faith to, can do for me in the shape of +garments. I have the utmost belief in the British navy, and even a +skeptic should be convinced of its infallibility if H.M.S. +_Orient_ is able to provide a lady's outfit." + +Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed himself of the proffered compromise. He +assisted Iris into the boat, though that active young person was far +better able to support him, and a word to the officer in command sent +the gig flying back to the ship. Anstruther, during a momentary delay, +made a small request on his own account. Lieutenant Playdon, nearly as +big a man as Robert, despatched a note to his servant, and the gig +speedily returned with a complete assortment of clothing and linen. The +man also brought a dressing case, with the result that a dip in the +bath, and ten minutes in the hands of an expert valet, made Anstruther +a new man. + +Acting under his advice, the bodies of the dead were thrown into the +lagoon, the wounded were collected in the hut to be attended to by the +ship's surgeon, and the prisoners were paraded in front of Mir Jan, who +identified every man, and found, by counting heads, that none was +missing. + +Robert did not forget to write out a formal notice and fasten it to the +rock. This proceeding further mystified the officers of the +_Orient_, who had gradually formed a connected idea of the great +fight made by the shipwrecked pair, though Anstruther squirmed inwardly +when he thought of the manner in which Iris would picture the scene. As +it was, he had the first innings, and he did not fail to use the +opportunity. In the few terse words which the militant Briton best +understands, he described the girl's fortitude, her unflagging +cheerfulness, her uncomplaining readiness to do and dare. + +Little was said by his auditors, save to interpolate an occasional +question as to why such and such a thing was necessary, or how some +particular drawback had been surmounted. Standing near the well, it was +not necessary to move to explain to them the chief features of the +island, and point out the measures he had adopted. + +When he ended, the first lieutenant, who commanded the boats sent in +pursuit of the flying Dyaks--the _Orient_ sank both sampans as +soon as they were launched--summed up the general verdict-- + +"You do not need our admiration, Captain Anstruther. Each man of us +envies you from the bottom of his soul." + +"I do, I know--from the very bilge," exclaimed a stout midshipman, one +of those who had seen Iris. + +Robert waited until the laugh died away. + +"There is an error about my rank," he said. "I did once hold a +commission in the Indian army, but I was court-marshaled and cashiered +in Hong Kong six months ago. I was unjustly convicted on a grave +charge, and I hope some day to clear myself. Meanwhile I am a mere +civilian. It was only Miss Deane's generous sympathy which led her to +mention my former rank, Mr. Playdon." + +Had another of the _Orient's_ 12-pounder shells suddenly burst in +the midst of the group of officers, it would have created less dismay +than this unexpected avowal. Court-martialed! Cashiered! None but a +service man can grasp the awful significance of those words to the +commissioned ranks of the army and navy. + +Anstruther well knew what he was doing. Somehow, he found nothing hard +in the performance of these penances now. Of course, the ugly truth +must be revealed the moment Lord Ventnor heard his name. It was not +fair to the good fellows crowding around him, and offering every +attention that the frank hospitality of the British sailor could +suggest, to permit them to adopt the tone of friendly equality which +rigid discipline, if nothing else, would not allow them to maintain. + +The first lieutenant, by reason of his rank, was compelled to say +something-- + +"That is a devilish bad job, Mr. Anstruther," he blurted out. + +"Well, you know, I had to tell you." + +He smiled unaffectedly at the wondering circle. He, too, was an +officer, and appreciated their sentiments. They were unfeignedly sorry +for him, a man so brave and modest, such a splendid type of the soldier +and gentleman, yet, by their common law, an outcast. Nor could they +wholly understand his demeanor. There was a noble dignity in his +candor, a conscious innocence that disdained to shield itself under a +partial truth. He spoke, not as a wrong-doer, but as one who addresses +those who have been and will be once more his peers. + +The first lieutenant again phrased the thoughts of his juniors-- + +"I, and every other man in the ship, cannot help but sympathize with +you. But whatever may be your record--if you were an escaped convict, +Mr. Anstruther--no one could withhold from you the praise deserved for +your magnificent stand against overwhelming odds. Our duty is plain. We +will bring you to Singapore, where the others will no doubt wish to go +immediately. I will tell the Captain what you have been good enough to +acquaint us with. Meanwhile we will give you every assistance, +and--er--attention in our power." + +A murmur of approbation ran through the little circle. Robert's face +paled somewhat. What first-rate chaps they were, to be sure! + +"I can only thank you," he said unsteadily. "Your kindness is more +trying than adversity." + +A rustle of silk, the intrusion into the intent knot of men of a young +lady in a Paris gown, a Paris hat, carrying a Trouville parasol, and +most exquisitely gloved and booted, made every one gasp. + +"Oh, Robert dear, how _could_ you? I actually didn't know you!" + +Thus Iris, bewitchingly attired, and gazing now with provoking +admiration at Robert, who certainly offered almost as great a contrast +to his former state as did the girl herself. He returned her look with +interest. + +"Would any man believe," he laughed, "that clothes would do so much for +a woman?" + +"What a left-handed compliment! But come, dearest, Captain Fitzroy and +Lord Ventnor have come ashore with father and me. They want us to show +them everything! You will excuse him, won't you?" she added, with a +seraphic smile to the others. + +They walked off together. + +"Jimmy!" gasped the fat midshipman to a lanky youth. "She's got on your +togs!" + +Meaning that Iris had ransacked the _Orient's_ theatrical +wardrobe, and pounced on the swell outfit of the principal female +impersonator in the ship's company. + +Lieutenant Playdon bit the chin strap of his pith helmet, for the +landing party wore the regulation uniform for service ashore in the +tropics. He muttered to his chief-- + +"Damme if I've got the hang of this business yet." + +"Neither have I. Anstruther looks a decent sort of fellow, and the girl +is a stunner. Yet, d'ye know, Playdon, right through the cruise I've +always understood that she was the fiancee of that cad, Ventnor." + +"Anstruther appears to have arranged matters differently. Wonder what +pa will say when that Johnnie owns up about the court-martial." + +"Give it up, which is more than the girl will do, or I'm much mistaken. +Funny thing, you know, but I've a sort of hazy recollection of +Anstruther's name being mixed up with that of a Colonel's wife at Hong +Kong. Fancy Ventnor was in it too, as a witness. Stand by, and we'll +see something before we unload at Singapore." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BARGAINS, GREAT AND SMALL + + +Lord Ventnor was no fool. Whilst Iris was transforming herself from a +semi-savage condition into a semblance of an ultra _chic_ +Parisienne--the _Orient's_ dramatic costumier went in for strong +stage effects in feminine attire--Sir Arthur Deane told the Earl +something of the state of affairs on the island. + +His lordship--a handsome, saturnine man, cool, insolently polite, and +plentifully endowed with the judgmatical daring that is the necessary +equipment of a society libertine--counseled patience, toleration, even +silent recognition of Anstruther's undoubted claims for services +rendered. + +"She is an enthusiastic, high-spirited girl," he urged upon his +surprised hearer, who expected a very different expression of opinion. +"This fellow Anstruther is a plausible sort of rascal, a good man in a +tight place too--just the sort of fire-eating blackguard who would fill +the heroic bill where a fight is concerned. Damn him, he licked me +twice." + +Further amazement for the shipowner. + +"Yes, it's quite true. I interfered with his little games, and he gave +me the usual reward of the devil's apothecary. Leave Iris alone. At +present she is strung up to an intense pitch of gratitude, having +barely escaped a terrible fate. Let her come back to the normal. +Anstruther's shady record must gradually leak out. That will disgust +her. In a week she will appeal to you to buy him off. He is hard +up--cut off by his people and that sort of thing. There you probably +have the measure of his scheming. He knows quite well that he can never +marry your daughter. It is all a matter of price." + +Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself to be persuaded. At the back of +his head there was an uneasy consciousness that it was not "all a +matter of price." If it were he would never trust a man's face again. +But Ventnor's well-balanced arguments swayed him. The course indicated +was the only decent one. It was humanly impossible for a man to chide +his daughter and flout her rescuer within an hour of finding them. + +Lord Ventnor played his cards with a deeper design. He bowed to the +inevitable. Iris said she loved his rival. Very well. To attempt to +dissuade her was to throw her more closely into that rival's arms. The +right course was to appear resigned, saddened, compelled against his +will to reveal the distressing truth. Further, he counted on +Anstruther's quick temper as an active agent. Such a man would be the +first to rebel against an assumption of pitying tolerance. He would +bring bitter charges of conspiracy, of unbelievable compact to secure +his ruin. All this must recoil on his own head when the facts were laid +bare. Not even the hero of the island could prevail against the +terrible indictment of the court-martial. Finally, at Singapore, three +days distant, Colonel Costobell and his wife were staying. Lord +Ventnor, alone of those on board, knew this. Indeed, he accompanied Sir +Arthur Deane largely in order to break off a somewhat trying +entanglement. He smiled complacently as he thought of the effect on +Iris of Mrs. Costobell's indignant remonstrances when the baronet asked +that injured lady to tell the girl all that had happened at Hong Kong. + +In a word, Lord Ventnor was most profoundly annoyed, and he cursed +Anstruther from the depths of his heart. But he could see a way out. +The more desperate the emergency the more need to display finesse. +Above all, he must avoid an immediate rupture. + +He came ashore with Iris and her father; the captain of the +_Orient_ also joined the party. The three men watched Robert and +the girl walking towards them from the group of officers. + +"Anstruther is a smart-looking fellow," commented Captain Fitzroy. "Who +is he?" + +Truth to tell, the gallant commander of the _Orient_ was secretly +amazed by the metamorphosis effected in Robert's appearance since he +scrutinized him through his glasses. Iris, too, unaccustomed to the +constraint of high-heeled shoes, clung to the nondescript's arm in a +manner that shook the sailor's faith in Lord Ventnor's pretensions as +her favored suitor. + +Poor Sir Arthur said not a word, but his lordship was quite at ease-- + +"From his name, and from what Deane tells me, I believe he is an +ex-officer of the Indian Army." + +"Ah. He has left the service?" + +"Yes. I met him last in Hong Kong." + +"Then you know him?" + +"Quite well, if he is the man I imagine." + +"That is really very nice of Ventnor," thought the shipowner. "The last +thing I should credit him with would be a forgiving disposition." + +Meanwhile Anstruther was reading Iris a little lecture. "Sweet one," he +explained to her, "do not allude to me by my former rank. I am not +entitled to it. Some day, please God, it will be restored to me. At +present I am a plain civilian." + +"I think you very handsome." + +"Don't tease, there's a good girl. It is not fair with all these people +looking." + +"But really, Robert, only since you scraped off the upper crust have I +been able to recognize you again. I remember now that I thought you +were a most distinguished looking steward." + +"Well, I am helpless. I cannot even squeeze you. By the way, Iris, +during the next few days say nothing about our mine." + +"Oh, why not?" + +"Just a personal whim. It will please me." + +"If it pleases you, Robert, I am satisfied." + +He pressed her arm by way of answer. They were too near to the waiting +trio for other comment. + +"Captain Fitzroy," cried Iris, "let me introduce Mr. Anstruther to you. +Lord Ventnor, you have met Mr. Anstruther before." + +The sailor shook hands. Lord Ventnor smiled affably. + +"Your enforced residence on the island seems to have agreed with you," +he said. + +"Admirably. Life here had its drawbacks, but we fought our enemies in +the open. Didn't we, Iris?" + +"Yes, dear. The poor Dyaks were not sufficiently modernized to attack +us with false testimony." + +His lordship's sallow face wrinkled somewhat. So Iris knew of the +court-martial, nor was she afraid to proclaim to all the world that +this man was her lover. As for Captain Fitzroy, his bushy eyebrows +disappeared into his peaked cap when he heard the manner of their +speech. + +Nevertheless Ventnor smiled again. + +"Even the Dyaks respected Miss Deane," he said. + +But Anstruther, sorry for the manifest uneasiness of the shipowner, +repressed the retort on his lips, and forthwith suggested that they +should walk to the north beach in the first instance, that being the +scene of the wreck. + +During the next hour he became auditor rather than narrator. It was +Iris who told of his wild fight against wind and waves, Iris who showed +them where he fought with the devil-fish, Iris who expatiated on the +long days of ceaseless toil, his dauntless courage in the face of every +difficulty, the way in which he rescued her from the clutch of the +savages, the skill of his preparations against the anticipated attack, +and the last great achievement of all, when, time after time, he foiled +the Dyaks' best-laid plans, and flung them off, crippled and +disheartened, during the many phases of the thirty hours' battle. + +She had an attentive audience. Most of the _Orient's_ officers +quietly came up and followed the girl's glowing recital with breathless +interest. Robert vainly endeavored more than once to laugh away her +thrilling eulogy. But she would have none of it. Her heart was in her +words. He deserved this tribute of praise, unstinted, unmeasured, +abundant in its simple truth, yet sounding like a legend spun by some +romantic poet, were not the grim evidences of its accuracy visible on +every hand. + +She was so volubly clear, so precise in fact, so subtle in her clever +delineations of humorous or tragic events, that her father was +astounded, and even Anstruther silently admitted that a man might live +until he equaled the years of a Biblical patriarch without discovering +all the resources of a woman. + +There were tears in her eyes when she ended; but they were tears of +thankful happiness, and Lord Ventnor, a silent listener who missed +neither word nor look, felt a deeper chill in his cold heart as he +realized that this woman's love could never be his. The knowledge +excited his passion the more. His hatred of Anstruther now became a +mania, an insensate resolve to mortally stab this meddler who always +stood in his path. + +Robert hoped that his present ordeal was over. It had only begun. He +was called on to answer questions without number. Why had the tunnel +been made? What was the mystery of the Valley of Death? How did he +manage to guess the dimensions of the sun-dial? How came he to acquire +such an amazing stock of out-of-the-way knowledge of the edible +properties of roots and trees? How? Why? Where? When? They never would +be satisfied, for not even the British navypoking its nose into the +recesses of the world--often comes across such an amazing story as the +adventures of this couple on Rainbow Island. + +He readily explained the creation of quarry and cave by telling them of +the vein of antimony embedded in the rock near the fault. Antimony is +one of the substances that covers a multitude of doubts. No one, not +excepting the doctors who use it, knows much about it, and in Chinese +medicine it might be a chief factor of exceeding nastiness. + +Inside the cavern, the existence of the partially completed shaft to +the ledge accounted for recent disturbances on the face of the rock, +and new-comers could not, of course, distinguish the bones of poor +"J.S." as being the remains of a European. + +Anstruther was satisfied that none of them hazarded the remotest guess +as to the value of the gaunt rock they were staring at, and chance +helped him to baffle further inquiry. + +A trumpeter on board the _Orient_ was blowing his lungs out to +summon them to luncheon, when Captain Fitzroy put a final query. + +"I can quite understand," he said to Robert, "that you have an +affection for this weird place." + +"I should think so indeed," muttered the stout midshipman, glancing at +Iris. + +"But I am curious to know," continued the commander, "why you lay claim +to the island? You can hardly intend to return here." + +He pointed to Robert's placard stuck on the rock. + +Anstruther paused before he answered. He felt that Lord Ventnor's dark +eyes were fixed on him. Everybody was more or less desirous to have +this point cleared up. He looked the questioner squarely in the face. + +"In some parts of the world," he said, "there are sunken reefs, +unknown, uncharted, on which many a vessel has been lost without any +contributory fault on the part of her officers?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +"Well, Captain Fitzroy, when I was stationed with my regiment in Hong +Kong I encountered such a reef, and wrecked my life on it. At least, +that is how it seemed to me then. Fortune threw me ashore here, after a +long and bitter submergence. You can hardly blame me if I cling to the +tiny speck of land that gave me salvation." + +"No," admitted the sailor. He knew there was something more in the +allegory than the text revealed, but it was no business of his. + +"Moreover," continued Robert smilingly, "you see I have a partner." + +"There cannot be the slightest doubt about the partner," was the prompt +reply. + +Then every one laughed, Iris more than any, though Sir Arthur Deane's +gaiety was forced, and Lord Ventnor could taste the acidity of his own +smile. + +Later in the day the first lieutenant told his chief of Anstruther's +voluntary statement concerning the court-martial. Captain Fitzroy was +naturally pained by this unpleasant revelation, but he took exactly the +same view as that expressed by the first lieutenant in Robert's +presence. + +Nevertheless he pondered the matter, and seized an early opportunity of +mentioning it to Lord Ventnor. That distinguished nobleman was vastly +surprised to learn how Anstruther had cut the ground from beneath his +feet. + +"Yes," he said, in reply to the sailor's request for information, "I +know all about it. It could not well be otherwise, seeing that next to +Mrs. Costobell I was the principal witness against him." + +"That must have been d----d awkward for you," was the unexpected +comment. + +"Indeed! Why?" + +"Because rumor linked your name with that of the lady in a somewhat +outspoken way." + +"You astonish me. Anstruther certainly made some stupid allegations +during the trial; but I had no idea he was able to spread this +malicious report subsequently." + +"I am not talking of Hong Kong, my lord, but of Singapore, months +later." + +Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceedingly dry. Indeed, some people might +deem it offensive. + +His lordship permitted himself the rare luxury of an angry scowl. + +"Rumor is a lying jade at the best," he said curtly. "You must +remember, Captain Fitzroy, that I have uttered no word of scandal about +Mr. Anstruther, and any doubts concerning his conduct can be set at +rest by perusing the records of his case in the Adjutant-General's +office at Hong Kong." + +"Hum!" said the sailor, turning on his heel to enter the chart-room. +This was no way to treat a real live lord, a personage of some +political importance, too, such as the Special Envoy to Wang Hai. +Evidently, Iris was no mean advocate. She had already won for the +"outcast" the suffrages of the entire ship's company. + +The girl and her father went back to the island with Robert. After +taking thought, the latter decided to ask Mir Jan to remain in +possession until he returned. There was not much risk of another Dyak +invasion. The fate of Taung S'Ali's expedition would not encourage a +fresh set of marauders, and the Mahommedan would be well armed to meet +unforeseen contingencies, whilst on his, Anstruther's, representations +the _Orient_ would land an abundance of stores. In any event, it +was better for the native to live in freedom on Rainbow Island than to +be handed over to the authorities as an escaped convict, which must be +his immediate fate no matter what magnanimous view the Government of +India might afterwards take of his services. + +Mir Jan's answer was emphatic. He took off his turban and placed it on +Anstruther's feet. + +"Sahib," he said, "I am your dog. If, some day, I am found worthy to be +your faithful servant, then shall I know that Allah has pardoned my +transgressions. I only killed a man because--" + +"Peace, Mir Jan. Let him rest." + +"Why is he worshiping you, Robert?" demanded Iris. + +He told her. + +"Really," she cried, "I must keep up my studies in Hindustani. It is +quite too sweet." + +And then, for the benefit of her father, she rattled off into a +spirited account of her struggles with the algebraic x and the Urdu +compound verb. + +Sir Arthur Deane managed to repress a sigh. In spite of himself he +could not help liking Anstruther. The man was magnetic, a hero, an +ideal gentleman. No wonder his daughter was infatuated with him. Yet +the future was dark and storm-tossed, full of sinister threats and +complications. Iris did not know the wretched circumstances which had +come to pass since they parted, and which had changed the whole aspect +of his life. How could he tell her? Why should it be his miserable lot +to snatch the cup of happiness from her lips? In that moment of silent +agony he wished he were dead, for death alone could remove the burthen +laid on him. Well, surely he might bask in the sunshine of her laughter +for another day. No need to embitter her joyous heart until he was +driven to it by dire necessity. + +So he resolutely brushed aside the woe-begone phantom of care, and +entered into the _abandon_ of the hour with a zest that delighted +her. The dear girl imagined that Robert, her Robert, had made another +speedy conquest, and Anstruther himself was much elated by the sudden +change in Sir Arthur Deane's demeanor. + +They behaved like school children on a picnic. They roared over Iris's +troubles in the matter of divided skirts, too much divided to be at all +pleasant. The shipowner tasted some of her sago bread, and vowed it was +excellent. They unearthed two bottles of champagne, the last of the +case, and promised each other a hearty toast at dinner. Nothing would +content Iris but that they should draw a farewell bucketful of water +from the well and drench the pitcher-plant with a torrential shower. + +Robert carefully secured the pocket-books, money and other effects +found on their dead companions. The baronet, of course, knew all the +principal officers of the _Sirdar_. He surveyed these mournful +relics with sorrowful interest. + +"The _Sirdar_ was the crack ship of my fleet, and Captain Ross my +most trusted commander," he said. "You may well imagine, Mr. +Anstruther, what a cruel blow it was to lose such a vessel, with all +these people on board, and my only daughter amongst them. I wonder now +that it did not kill me." + +"She was a splendid sea-boat, sir. Although disabled, she fought +gallantly against the typhoon. Nothing short of a reef would break her +up." + +"Ah, well," sighed the shipowner, "the few timbers you have shown me +here are the remaining assets out of L300,000." + +"Was she not insured?" inquired Robert. + +"No; that is, I have recently adopted a scheme of mutual +self-insurance, and the loss falls _pro rata_ on my other +vessels." + +The baronet glanced covertly at Iris. The words conveyed little meaning +to her. Indeed, she broke in with a laugh-- + +"I am afraid I have heard you say, father dear, that some ships in the +fleet paid you best when they ran ashore." + +"Yes, Iris. That often happened in the old days. It is different now. +Moreover, I have not told you the extent of my calamities. The +_Sirdar_ was lost on March 18, though I did not know it for +certain until this morning. But on March 25 the _Bahadur_ was sunk +in the Mersey during a fog, and three days later the _Jemadar_ +turned turtle on the James and Mary shoal in the Hooghly. Happily there +were no lives lost in either of these cases." + +Even Iris was appalled by this list of casualties. + +"My poor, dear dad!" she cried. "To think that all these troubles +should occur the very moment I left you!" + +Yet she gave no thought to the serious financial effect of such a +string of catastrophes. Robert, of course, appreciated this side of the +business, especially in view of the shipowner's remark about the +insurance. But Sir Arthur Deane's stiff upper lip deceived him. He +failed to realize that the father was acting a part for his daughter's +sake. + +Oddly enough, the baronet did not seek to discuss with them the +legal-looking document affixed near the cave. It claimed all rights in +the island in their joint names, and this was a topic he wished to +avoid. For the time, therefore, the younger man had no opportunity of +taking him into his confidence, and Iris held faithfully to her promise +of silence. + +The girl's ragged raiment, sou'wester, and strong boots were already +packed away on board. She now rescued the Bible, the copy of Tennyson's +poems, the battered tin cup, her revolver, and the Lee-Metford which +"scared" the Dyaks when they nearly caught Anstruther and Mir Jan +napping. Robert also gathered for her an assortment of Dyak hats, +belts, and arms, including Taung S'Ali's parang and a sumpitan. These +were her trophies, the _spolia opima_ of the campaign. + +His concluding act was to pack two of the empty oil tins with all the +valuable lumps of auriferous quartz he could find where he shot the +rubbish from the cave beneath the trees. On top of these he placed some +antimony ore, and Mir Jan, wondering why the sahib wanted the stuff, +carried the consignment to the waiting boat. Lieutenant Playdon, in +command of the last party of sailors to quit the island, evidently +expected Mir Jan to accompany them, but Anstruther explained that the +man would await his return, some time in June or July. + +Sir Arthur Deane found himself speculating on the cause of this +extraordinary resolve, but, steadfast to his policy of avoiding +controversial matters, said nothing. A few words to the captain +procured enough stores to keep the Mahommedan for six months at least, +and whilst these were being landed, the question was raised how best to +dispose of the Dyaks. + +The commander wished to consult the convenience of his guests. + +"If we go a little out of our way and land them in Borneo," he said, +"they will be hanged without troubling you further. If I take them to +Singapore they will be tried on your evidence and sent to penal +servitude. Which is it to be?" + +It was Iris who decided. + +"I cannot bear to think of more lives being sacrificed," she protested. +"Perhaps if these men are treated mercifully and sent to their homes +after some punishment their example may serve as a deterrent to +others." + +So it was settled that way. The anchor rattled up to its berth and the +_Orient_ turned her head towards Singapore. As she steadily passed +away into the deepening azure, the girl and her lover watched the +familiar outlines of Rainbow Island growing dim in the evening light. +For a long while they could see Mir Jan's tall, thin figure motionless +on a rock at the extremity of Europa Point. Their hut, the reef, the +ledge, came into view as the cruiser swung round to a more northerly +course. + +Iris had thrown an arm across her father's shoulders. The three were +left alone just then, and they were silent for many minutes. At last, +the flying miles merged the solitary palm beyond the lagoon with the +foliage on the cliff. The wide cleft of Prospect Park grew less +distinct. Mir Jan's white-clothed figure was lost in the dark +background. The island was becoming vague, dream-like, a blurred +memory. + +"Robert," said the girl devoutly, "God has been very good to us." + +"Yes," he replied. "I was thinking, even this instant, of the verse +that is carved on the gate of the Memorial Well at Cawnpore: 'These are +they which came out of great tribulation.' We, too, have come out of +great tribulation, happily with our lives--and more. The decrees of +fate are indeed inscrutable." + +Iris turned to him a face roseate with loving comprehension. + +"Do you remember this hour yesterday?" she murmured--"how we suffered +from thirst--how the Dyaks began their second attack from the +ridge--how you climbed down the ladder and I followed you? Oh father, +darling," she went on impulsively, tightening her grasp, "you will +never know how brave he was, how enduring, how he risked all for me and +cheered me to the end, even though the end seemed to be the grave." + +"I think I am beginning to understand now," answered the shipowner, +averting his eyes lest Iris should see the tears in them. Their Calvary +was ended, they thought--was it for him to lead them again through the +sorrowful way? It was a heartrending task that lay before him, a task +from which his soul revolted. He refused even to attempt it. He sought +forgetfulness in a species of mental intoxication, and countenanced his +daughter's love idyll with such apparent approval that Lord Ventnor +wondered whether Sir Arthur were not suffering from senile decay. + +The explanation of the shipowner's position was painfully simple. Being +a daring yet shrewd financier, he perceived in the troubled condition +of the Far East a magnificent opportunity to consolidate the trading +influence of his company. He negotiated two big loans, one, of a +semi-private nature, to equip docks and railways in the chief maritime +province of China, the other of a more public character, with the +Government of Japan. All his own resources, together with those of his +principal directors and shareholders, were devoted to these objects. +Contemporaneously, he determined to stop paying heavy insurance +premiums on his fleet and make it self-supporting, on the well-known +mutual principle. + +His vessels were well equipped, well manned, replete with every modern +improvement, and managed with great commercial skill. In three or four +years, given ordinary trading luck, he must have doubled his own +fortune and earned a world-wide reputation for far-seeing sagacity. + +No sooner were all his arrangements completed than three of his best +ships went down, saddling his company with an absolute loss of nearly +L600,000, and seriously undermining his financial credit. A +fellow-director, wealthy and influential, resigned his seat on the +board, and headed a clique of disappointed stockholders. At once the +fair sky became overcast. A sound and magnificent speculation +threatened to dissolve in the Bankruptcy Court. + +Sir Arthur Deane's energy and financial skill might have enabled him to +weather this unexpected gale were it not for the apparent loss of his +beloved daughter with the crack ship of his line. Half-frenzied with +grief, he bade his enemies do their worst, and allowed his affairs to +get into hopeless confusion whilst he devoted himself wholly to the +search for Iris and her companions. At this critical juncture Lord +Ventnor again reached his side. His lordship possessed a large private +fortune and extensive estates. He was prudent withal, and knew how +admirably the shipowner's plans would develop if given the necessary +time. He offered the use of his name and money. He more than filled the +gap created by the hostile ex-director. People argued that such a +clever man, just returning from the Far East after accomplishing a +public mission of some importance, must be a reliable guide. The mere +cabled intelligence of his intention to join the board restored +confidence and credit. + +But--there was a bargain. If Iris lived, she must become the Countess +of Ventnor. His lordship was weary of peripatetic love-making. It was +high time he settled down in life, took an interest in the legislature, +and achieved a position in the world of affairs. He had a chance now. +The certain success of his friend's project, the fortunate completion +of his own diplomatic undertaking, marriage with a beautiful and +charming woman--these items would consolidate his career. If Iris were +not available, plenty of women, high-placed in society, would accept +such an eligible bachelor. But his heart was set on Iris. She was +honest, high-principled, pure in body and mind, and none prizes these +essentials in a wife more than a worn-out _roue_. + +He seized the first opportunity that presented itself to make Sir +Arthur Deane acquainted with a decision already dreaded by the +unfortunate shipowner. Iris must either abandon her infatuation for +Anstruther or bring about the ruin of her father. There was no mean. + +"If she declines to become Countess of Ventnor, she can marry whom she +likes, as you will be all paupers together," was the Earl's caustic +summing up. + +This brutal argument rather overshot the mark. The shipowner's face +flushed with anger, and Lord Ventnor hastened to retrieve a false step. + +"I didn't exactly mean to put it that way, Deane, but my temper is a +little short these days. My position on board this ship is intolerable. +As a matter of fair dealing to me, you should put a stop to your +daughter's attitude towards Anstruther, on the ground that her +engagement is neither approved of by you nor desirable under any +consideration." + +It may be assumed from this remark that even the Earl's sardonic temper +was ruffled by the girl's outrageous behavior. Nor was it exactly +pleasant to him to note how steadily Anstruther advanced in the favor +of every officer on the ship. By tacit consent the court-martial was +tabooed, at any rate until the _Orient_ reached Singapore. Every +one knew that the quarrel lay between Robert and Ventnor, and it is not +to be wondered at if Iris's influence alone were sufficient to turn the +scale in favor of her lover. + +The shipowner refused point-blank to interfere in any way during the +voyage. + +"You promised your co-operation in business even if we found that the +_Sirdar_ had gone down with all hands," he retorted bitterly. "Do +you wish me to make my daughter believe she has come back into my life +only to bring me irretrievable ruin?" + +"That appears to be the result, no matter how you may endeavor to +disguise it." + +"I thought the days were gone when a man would wish to marry a woman +against her will." + +"Nonsense! What does she know about it? The glamour of this island +romance will soon wear off. It would be different if Anstruther were +able to maintain her even decently. He is an absolute beggar, I tell +you. Didn't he ship on your own vessel as a steward? Take my tip, +Deane. Tell him how matters stand with you, and he will cool off." + +He believed nothing of the sort, but he was desperately anxious that +Iris should learn the truth as to her father's dilemma from other lips +than his own. This would be the first point gained. Others would +follow. + +The two men were conversing in the Earl's cabin. On the deck overhead a +very different chat was taking place. + +The _Orient_ was due in Singapore that afternoon. Iris was invited +into the chart-room on some pretext, and Lieutenant Playdon, delegated +by the commander and the first lieutenant, buttonholed Robert. + +With sailor-like directness he came straight to the point-- + +"A few of us have been talking about you, Anstruther, and we cannot be +far wrong in assuming that you are hard up. The fact that you took a +steward's job on the _Sirdar_ shows your disinclination to appeal +to your own people for funds. Now, once you are ashore, you will be +landed in difficulties. To cut any further explanations, I am +commissioned to offer you a loan of fifty pounds, which you can repay +when you like." + +Robert's mouth tightened somewhat. For the moment he could not find +words. Playdon feared he was offended. + +"I am sorry, old chap, if we are mistaken," he said hesitatingly; "but +we really thought--" + +"Please do not endeavor to explain away your generous act," exclaimed +Anstruther. "I accept it thankfully, on one condition." + +"Blow the condition. But what is it?" + +"That you tell me the names of those to whom I am indebted besides +yourself." + +"Oh, that is easy enough. Fitzroy and the first luff are the others. We +kept it to a small circle, don't you know. Thought you would prefer +that." + +Anstruther smiled and wrung his hand. There were some good fellows left +in the world after all. The three officers acted in pure good nature. +They were assisting a man apparently down in his luck, who would soon +be called on to face other difficulties by reason of his engagement to +a girl apparently so far removed from him in station. And the last +thing they dreamed of was that their kindly loan was destined to yield +them a better return than all the years of their naval service, for +their fifty pounds had gone into the pocket of a potential millionaire, +who was endowed with the faculty, rare in millionaires, of not +forgetting the friends of his poverty-stricken days. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +RAINBOW ISLAND AGAIN--AND AFTERWARD + + +Sir Arthur Deane was sitting alone in his cabin in a state of deep +dejection, when he was aroused by a knock, and Robert entered. + +"Can you give me half an hour?" he asked. "I have something to say to +you before we land." + +The shipowner silently motioned him to a seat. + +"It concerns Iris and myself," continued Anstruther. "I gathered from +your words when we met on the island that both you and Lord Ventnor +regarded Iris as his lordship's promised bride. From your point of view +the arrangement was perhaps natural and equitable, but since your +daughter left Hong Kong it happens that she and I have fallen in love +with each other. No; please listen to me. I am not here to urge my +claims on you. I won her fairly and intend to keep her, were the whole +House of Peers opposed to me. At this moment I want to tell you, her +father, why she could never, even under other circumstances, marry Lord +Ventnor." + +Then he proceeded to place before the astounded baronet a detailed +history of his recent career. It was a sordid story of woman's perfidy, +twice told. It carried conviction in every sentence. It was possible, +of course, to explain matters more fully to the baronet than to Iris, +and Anstruther's fierce resentment of the cruel wrong inflicted upon +him blazed forth with overwhelming force. The intensity of his wrath in +no way impaired the cogency of his arguments. Rather did it lend point +and logical brevity. Each word burned itself into his hearer's +consciousness, for Robert did not know that the unfortunate father was +being coerced to a distasteful compact by the scoundrel who figured in +the narrative as his evil genius. + +At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed his head between his hands. + +"I cannot choose but believe you," he admitted huskily. "Yet how came +you to be so unjustly convicted by a tribunal composed of your brother +officers?" + +"They could not help themselves. To acquit me meant that they +discredited the sworn testimony not only of my Colonel's wife, but of +the civil head of an important Government Mission, not to mention some +bought Chinese evidence. Am I the first man to be offered up as a +sacrifice on the altar of official expediency?" + +"But you are powerless now. You can hardly hope to have your case +revised. What chance is there that your name will ever be cleared?" + +"Mrs. Costobell can do it if she will. The vagaries of such a woman are +not to be depended on. If Lord Ventnor has cast her off, her hatred may +'prove stronger than her passion. Anyhow, I should be the last man to +despair of God's Providence. Compare the condition of Iris and myself +today with our plight during the second night on the ledge! I refuse to +believe that a bad and fickle woman can resist the workings of destiny, +and it was a happy fate which led me to ship on board the +_Sirdar_, though at the time I saw it in another light." + +How different the words, the aspirations, of the two suitors. Quite +unconsciously, Robert could not have pleaded better. The shipowner +sighed heavily. + +"I hope your faith will be justified. If it be not--the more likely +thing to happen--do I understand that my daughter and you intend to get +married whether I give or withhold my sanction?" + +Anstruther rose and opened the door. + +"I have ventured to tell you," he said, "why she should not marry Lord +Ventnor. When I come to you and ask you for her, which I pray may be +soon, it will be time enough to answer that question, should you then +decide to put it." + +It must be remembered that Robert knew nothing whatever of the older +man's predicament, whilst the baronet, full of his own troubles, was in +no mood to take a reasonable view of Anstruther's position. Neither +Iris nor Robert could make him understand the long-drawn-out duel of +their early life on the island, nor was it easy to depict the +tumultuous agony of that terrible hour on the ledge when the girl +forced the man to confess his love by suggesting acceptance of the +Dyaks' terms. + +Thus, for a little while, these two were driven apart, and Anstruther +disdained to urge the plea that not many weeks would elapse before he +would be a richer man than his rival. The chief sufferer was Sir Arthur +Deane. Had Iris guessed how her father was tormented, she would not +have remained on the bridge, radiant and mirthful, whilst the +grey-haired baronet gazed with stony-eyed despair at some memoranda +which he extracted from his papers. + +"Ten thousand pounds!" he muttered. "Not a great sum for the +millionaire financier, Sir Arthur Deane, to raise on his note of hand. +A few months ago men offered me one hundred times the amount on no +better security. And now, to think that a set of jabbering fools in +London should so destroy my credit and their own, that not a bank will +discount our paper unless they are assured Lord Ventnor has joined the +board! Fancy me, of all men, being willing to barter my child for a few +pieces of gold!" + +The thought was maddening. For a little while he yielded to utter +despondency. It was quite true that a comparatively small amount of +money would restore the stability of his firm. Even without it, were +his credit unimpaired, he could easily tide over the period of +depression until the first fruits of his enterprise were garnered. +Then, all men would hail him as a genius. + +Wearily turning over his papers, he suddenly came across the last +letter written to him by Iris's mother. How she doted on their only +child! He recalled one night, shortly before his wife died, when the +little Iris was brought into her room to kiss her and lisp her +infantile prayers. She had devised a formula of her own--"God bless +father! God bless mother! God bless me, their little girl!" + +And what was it she cried to him from the beach? + +"Your own little girl given back to you!" + +Given back to him! For what--to marry that black-hearted scoundrel +whose pastime was the degradation of women and the defaming of honest +men? That settled it. Instantly the cloud was lifted from his soul. A +great peace came upon him. The ruin of his business he might not be +able to avert, but he would save from, the wreck that which he prized +more than all else--his daughter's love. + +The engines dropped to half speed--they were entering the harbor of +Singapore. In a few hours the worst would be over. If Ventnor +telegraphed to London his withdrawal from the board, nothing short of a +cabled draft for ten thousand pounds would prevent certain creditors +from filing a bankruptcy petition. In the local banks the baronet had +about a thousand to his credit. Surely among the rich merchants of the +port, men who knew the potentialities of his scheme, he would be able +to raise the money needed. He would try hard. Already he felt braver. +The old fire had returned to his blood. The very belief that he was +acting in the way best calculated to secure his daughter's happiness +stimulated and encouraged him. + +He went on deck, to meet Iris skipping down the hatchway. + +"Oh, there you are!" she cried. "I was just coming to find out why you +were moping in your cabin. You are missing the most beautiful view--all +greens, and blues, and browns! Run, quick! I want you to see every inch +of it." + +She held out her hand and pulled him gleefully up the steps. Leaning +against the taffrail, some distance apart from each other, were +Anstruther and Lord Ventnor. Need it be said to whom Iris drew her +father? + +"Here he is, Robert," she laughed. "I do believe he was sulking because +Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive to me. Yet you didn't mind it a +bit!" + +The two men looked into each other eyes. They smiled. How could they +resist the contagion of her sunny nature? + +"I have been thinking over what you said to me just now, Anstruther," +said the shipowner slowly. + +"Oh!" cried Iris. "Have you two been talking secrets behind my back?" + +"It is no secret to you--my little girl--" Her father's voice lingered +on the phrase. "When we are on shore, Robert, I will explain matters to +you more fully. Just now I wish only to tell you that where Iris has +given her heart I will not refuse her hand." + +"You darling old dad! And is that what all the mystery was about?" + +She took his face between her hands and kissed him. Lord Ventnor, +wondering at this effusiveness, strolled forward. + +"What has happened, Miss Deane?" he inquired. "Have you just discovered +what an excellent parent you possess?" + +The baronet laughed, almost hysterically. "'Pon my honor," he cried, +"you could not have hit upon a happier explanation." + +His lordship was not quite satisfied. + +"I suppose you will take Iris to Smith's Hotel?" he said with cool +impudence. + +Iris answered him. + +"Yes. My father has just asked Robert to come with us--by inference, +that is. Where are you going?" + +The adroit use of her lover's Christian name goaded his lordship to +sudden heat. + +"Indeed!" he snarled. "Sir Arthur Deane has evidently decided a good +many things during the last hour." + +"Yes," was the shipowner's quiet retort. "I have decided that my +daughter's happiness should be the chief consideration of my remaining +years. All else must give way to it." + +The Earl's swarthy face grew sallow with fury. His eyes blazed, and +there was a tense vibrato in his voice as he said-- + +"Then I must congratulate you, Miss Deane. You are fated to endure +adventures. Having escaped from the melodramatic perils of Rainbow +Island you are destined to experience another variety of shipwreck +here." + +He left them. Not a word had Robert spoken throughout the unexpected +scene. His heart was throbbing with a tremulous joy, and his lordship's +sneers were lost on him. But he could not fail to note the malignant +purpose of the parting sentence. + +In his quietly masterful way he placed his hand on the baronet's +shoulder. + +"What did Lord Ventnor mean?" he asked. + +Sir Arthur Deane answered, with a calm smile--"It is difficult to talk +openly at this moment. Wait until we reach the hotel." + +The news flew fast through the settlement that H.M.S. _Orient_ had +returned from her long search for the _Sirdar_. The warship +occupied her usual anchorage, and a boat was lowered to take off the +passengers. Lieutenant Playdon went ashore with them. A feeling of +consideration for Anstruther prevented any arrangements being made for +subsequent meetings. Once their courteous duty was ended, the officers +of the _Orient_ could not give him any further social recognition. + +Lord Ventnor was aware of this fact and endeavored to turn it to +advantage. + +"By the way, Fitzroy," he called out to the commander as he prepared to +descend the gangway, "I want you, and any others not detained by duty, +to come and dine with me tonight." + +Captain Fitzroy answered blandly--"It is very good of you to ask us, +but I fear I cannot make any definite arrangements until I learn what +orders are awaiting me here." + +"Oh, certainly. Come if you can, eh?" + +"Yes; suppose we leave it at that." + +It was a polite but decided rebuff. It in no way tended to sweeten Lord +Ventnor's temper, which was further exasperated when he hurt his shin +against one of Robert's disreputable-looking tins, with its +accumulation of debris. + +The boat swung off into the tideway. Her progress shorewards was +watched by a small knot of people, mostly loungers and coolies. Among +them, however, were two persons who had driven rapidly to the +landing-place when the arrival of the _Orient_ was reported. One +bore all the distinguishing marks of the army officer of high rank, but +the other was unmistakably a globetrotter. Only in Piccadilly could he +have purchased his wondrous _sola topi_, or pith helmet--with its +imitation _puggri_ neatly frilled and puckered--and no tailor who +ever carried his goose through the Exile's Gate would have fashioned +his expensive garments. But the old gentleman made no pretence that he +could "hear the East a-callin'." He swore impartially at the climate, +the place, and its inhabitants. At this instant he was in a state of +wild excitement. He was very tall, very stout, exceedingly red-faced. +Any budding medico who understood the pre-eminence enjoyed by _aq. +ad_ in a prescription, would have diagnosed him as a first-rate +subject for apoplexy. + +Producing a tremendous telescope, he vainly endeavored to balance it on +the shoulder of a native servant. + +"Can't you stand still, you blithering idiot!" he shouted, after futile +attempts to focus the advancing boat, "or shall I steady you by a clout +over the ear?" + +His companion, the army man, was looking through a pair of +field-glasses. + +"By Jove!" he cried, "I can see Sir Arthur Deane, and a girl who looks +like his daughter. There's that infernal scamp, Ventnor, too." + +The big man brushed the servant out of his way, and brandished the +telescope as though it were a bludgeon. + +"The dirty beggar! He drove my lad to misery and death, yet he has come +back safe and sound. Wait till I meet him. I'll--" + +"Now, Anstruther! Remember your promise. I will deal with Lord Ventnor. +My vengeance has first claim. What! By the jumping Moses, I do +believe--Yes. It is. Anstruther! Your nephew is sitting next to the +girl!" + +The telescope fell on the stones with a crash. The giant's rubicund +face suddenly blanched. He leaned on his friend for support. + +"You are not mistaken," he almost whimpered. "Look again, for God's +sake, man. Make sure before you speak. Tell me! Tell me!" + +"Calm yourself, Anstruther. It is Robert, as sure as I'm alive. Don't +you think I know him, my poor disgraced friend, whom I, like all the +rest, cast off in his hour of trouble? But I had some excuse. There! +There! I didn't mean that, old fellow. Robert himself will be the last +man to blame either of us. Who could have suspected that two +people--one of them, God help me! my wife--would concoct such a hellish +plot!" + +The boat glided gracefully alongside the steps of the quay, and Playdon +sprang ashore to help Iris to alight. What happened immediately +afterwards can best be told in his own words, as he retailed the story +to an appreciative audience in the ward-room. + +"We had just landed," he said, "and some of the crew were pushing the +coolies out of the way, when two men jumped down the steps, and a most +fiendish row sprang up. That is, there was no dispute or wrangling, but +one chap, who, it turned out, was Colonel Costobell, grabbed Ventnor by +the shirt front, and threatened to smash his face in if he didn't +listen then and there to what he had to say. I really thought about +interfering, until I heard Colonel Costobell's opening words. After +that I would gladly have seen the beggar chucked into the harbor. We +never liked him, did we?" + +"Ask no questions, Pompey, but go ahead with the yarn," growled the +first lieutenant. + +"Well, it seems that Mrs. Costobell is dead. She got enteric a week +after the _Orient_ sailed, and was a goner in four days. Before +she died she owned up." + +He paused, with a base eye to effect. Not a man moved a muscle. + +"All right," he cried. "I will make no more false starts. Mrs. +Costobell begged her husband's forgiveness for her treatment of him, +and confessed that she and Lord Ventnor planned the affair for which +Anstruther was tried by court-martial. It must have been a beastly +business, for Costobell was sweating with rage, though his words were +icy enough. And you ought to have seen Ventnor's face when he heard of +the depositions, sworn to and signed by Mrs. Costobell and by several +Chinese servants whom he bribed to give false evidence. He promised to +marry Mrs. Costobell if her husband died, or, in any event, to bring +about a divorce when the Hong Kong affair had blown over. Then she +learnt that he was after Miss Iris, and there is no doubt her fury +helped on the fever. Costobell said that, for his wife's sake, he would +have kept the wretched thing secret, but he was compelled to clear +Anstruther's name, especially as he came across the other old +Johnnie--" + +"Pompey, you are incoherent with excitement. Who is 'the other old +Johnnie'?" asked the first luff severely. + +"Didn't I tell you? Why, Anstruther's uncle, of course, a heavy old +swell with just a touch of Yorkshire in his tongue. I gathered that he +disinherited his nephew when the news of the court-martial reached him. +Then he relented, and cabled to him. Getting no news, he came East to +look for him. He met Costobell the day after the lady died, and the two +swore--the stout uncle can swear a treat--anyhow, they vowed to be +revenged on Ventnor, and to clear Anstruther's character, living or +dead. Poor old chap! He cried like a baby when he asked the youngster +to forgive him. It was quite touching. I can tell you----" + +Playdon affected to search for his pocket-handkerchief. + +"Do tell us, or it will be worse for you," cried his mentor. + +"Give me time, air, a drink! What you fellows want is a phonograph. Let +me see. Well, Costobell shook Ventnor off at last, with the final +observation that Anstruther's court-martial has been quashed. The next +batch of general orders will re-instate him in the regiment, and it +rests with him to decide whether or not a criminal warrant shall be +issued against his lordship for conspiracy. Do you fellows know what +conspir----?" + +"You cuckoo! What did Miss Deane do?" + +"Clung to Anstruther like a weeping angel, and kissed everybody all +round when Ventnor got away. Well--hands off. I mean her father, +Anstruther and the stout uncle. Unfortunately I was not on in that +scene. But, for some reason, they all nearly wrung my arm off, and the +men were so excited that they gave the party a rousing cheer as their +rickshaws went off in a bunch. Will no Christian gentleman get me a +drink?" + +The next commotion arose in the hotel when Sir Arthur Deane seized the +first opportunity to explain the predicament in which his company was +placed, and the blow which Lord Ventnor yet had it in his power to +deal. + +Mr. William Anstruther was an interested auditor. Robert would have +spoken, but his uncle restrained him. + +"Leave this to me, lad," he exclaimed. "When I was coming here in the +_Sirdar_ there was a lot of talk about Sir Arthur's scheme, and +there should not be much difficulty in raising all the brass required, +if half what I heard be true. Sit you down, Sir Arthur, and tell us all +about it." + +The shipowner required no second bidding. With the skill for which he +was noted, he described his operations in detail, telling how every +farthing of the first instalments of the two great loans was paid up, +how the earnings of his fleet would quickly overtake the deficit in +capital value caused by the loss of the three ships, and how, in six +months' time, the leading financial houses of London, Paris, and Berlin +would be offering him more money than he would need. + +To a shrewd man of business the project could not fail to commend +itself, and the Yorkshire squire, though a trifle obstinate in temper, +was singularly clear-headed in other respects. He brought his great +fist down on the table with a whack. + +"Send a cable to your company, Sir Arthur," he cried, "and tell them +that your prospective son-in-law will provide the ten thousand pounds +you require. I will see that his draft is honored. You can add, if you +like, that another ten will be ready if wanted when this lot is spent. +I did my lad one d--er--deuced bad turn in my life. This time, I think, +I am doing him a good one." + +"You are, indeed," said Iris's father enthusiastically. "The unallotted +capital he is taking up will be worth four times its face value in two +years." + +"All the more reason to make his holding twenty instead of ten," roared +the Yorkshireman. "But look here. You talk about dropping proceedings +against that precious earl whom I saw to-day. Why not tell him not to +try any funny tricks until Robert's money is safely lodged to your +account? We have him in our power. Dash it all, let us use him a bit." + +Even Iris laughed at this naive suggestion. It was delightful to think +that their arch enemy was actually helping the baronet's affairs at +that very moment, and would continue to do so until he was flung aside +as being of no further value. Although Ventnor himself had carefully +avoided any formal commitment, the cablegrams awaiting the shipowner at +Singapore showed that confidence had already been restored by the +uncontradicted use of his lordship's name. + +Robert at last obtained a hearing. + +"You two are quietly assuming the attitude of the financial magnates of +this gathering," he said. "I must admit that you have managed things +very well between you, and I do not propose for one moment to interfere +with your arrangements. Nevertheless, Iris and I are really the chief +moneyed persons present. You spoke of financial houses in England and +on the Continent backing up your loans six months hence, Sir Arthur. +You need not go to them. We will be your bankers." + +The baronet laughed with a whole-hearted gaiety that revealed whence +Iris got some part, at least, of her bright disposition. + +"Will you sell your island, Robert?" he cried. "I am afraid that not +even Iris could wheedle any one into buying it." + +"But father, dear," interrupted the girl earnestly, "what Robert says +is true. We have a gold mine there. It is worth so much that you will +hardly believe it until then? can no longer be any doubt in your mind. +I suppose that is why Robert asked me not to mention his discovery to +you earlier." + +"No, Iris, that was not the reason," said her lover, and the older men +felt that more than idle fancy inspired the astounding intelligence +that they had just heard. "Your love was more to me than all the gold +in the world. I had won you. I meant to keep you, but I refused to buy +you." + +He turned to her father. His pent-up emotion mastered him, and he spoke +as one who could no longer restrain his feelings. + +"I have had no chance to thank you for the words you uttered at the +moment we quitted the ship. Yet I will treasure them while life lasts. +You gave Iris to me when I was poor, disgraced, an outcast from my +family and my profession. And I know why you did this thing. It was +because you valued her happiness more than riches or reputation. I am +sorry now I did not explain matters earlier. It would have saved you +much needless suffering. But the sorrow has sped like an evil dream, +and you will perhaps not regret it, for your action today binds me to +you with hoops of steel. And you, too, uncle. You traveled thousands of +miles to help and comfort me in my anguish. Were I as bad as I was +painted, your kind old heart still pitied me; you were prepared to +pluck me from the depths of despair and degradation. Why should I hate +Lord Ventnor? What man could have served me as he did? He has given me +Iris. He gained for me at her father's hands a concession such as +mortal has seldom wrested from black-browed fate. He brought my uncle +to my side in the hour of my adversity. Hate him! I would have his +statue carved in marble, and set on high to tell all who passed how +good may spring out of evil--how God's wisdom can manifest itself by +putting even the creeping and crawling things of the earth to some +useful purpose." + +"Dash it all, lad," vociferated the elder Anstruther, "what ails thee? +I never heard you talk like this before!" + +The old gentleman's amazement was so comical that further tension was +out of the question. + +Robert, in calmer mood, informed them of the manner in which he hit +upon the mine. The story sounded like wildest romance--this finding of +a volcanic dyke guarded by the bones of "J.S." and the poison-filled +quarry--but the production of the ore samples changed wonder into +certainty. + +Next day a government metallurgist estimated the value of the contents +of the two oil-tins at about L500, yet the specimens brought from the +island were not by any means the richest available. + +And now there is not much more to tell of Rainbow Island and its +castaways. On the day that Captain Robert Anstruther's name appeared in +the _Gazette_, reinstating him to his rank and regiment, Iris and +he were married in the English Church at Hong Kong, for it was his +wife's wish that the place which witnessed his ignominy should also +witness his triumph. + +A good-natured admiral decided that the urgent requirements of the +British Navy should bring H.M.S. _Orient_ to the island before the +date fixed for the ceremony. Lieutenant Playdon officiated as best man, +whilst the _Orient_ was left so scandalously short-handed for many +hours that a hostile vessel, at least twice her size, might have +ventured to attack her. + +Soon afterwards, Robert resigned his commission. He regretted the +necessity, but the demands of his new sphere in life rendered this step +imperative. Mining engineers, laborers, stores, portable houses, +engines, and equipment were obtained with all haste, and the whole +party sailed on one of Sir Arthur Deane's ships to convoy a small +steamer specially hired to attend to the wants of the miners. + +At last, one evening, early in July, the two vessels anchored outside +Palm-tree Rock, and Mir Jan could be seen running frantically about the +shore, for no valid reason save that he could not stand still. The +sahib brought him good news. The Governor of Hong Kong felt that any +reasonable request made by Anstruther should be granted if possible. He +had written such a strong representation of the Mahommedan's case to +the Government of India that there was little doubt the returning mail +would convey an official notification that Mir Jan, formerly +_naik_ in the Kumaon Rissala--he who once killed a man--had been +granted a free pardon. + +The mining experts verified Robert's most sanguine views after a very +brief examination of the deposit. Hardly any preliminary work was +needed. In twenty-four hours a small concentrating plant was erected, +and a ditch made to drain off the carbonic anhydride in the valley. +After dusk a party of coolies cleared the quarry of its former +occupants. Towards the close of the following day, when the great +steamer once more slowly turned her head to the north-west, Iris could +hear the steady thud of an engine at work on the first consignment of +ore. + +Robert had been busy up to the last moment. There was so much to be +done in a short space of time. The vessel carried a large number of +passengers, and he did not wish to detain them too long, though they +one and all expressed their willingness to suit his convenience in this +respect. + +Now his share of the necessary preparations was concluded. His wife, +Sir Arthur and his uncle were gathered in a corner of the promenade +deck when he approached and told them that his last instruction ashore +was for a light to be fixed on Summit Rock as soon as the dynamo was in +working order. + +"When we all come back in the cold weather," he explained gleefully, +"we will not imitate the _Sirdar_ by running on to the reef, +should we arrive by night." + +Iris answered not. Her blue eyes were fixed on the fast-receding +cliffs. + +"Sweetheart," said her husband, "why are you so silent?" + +She turned to him. The light of the setting sun! illumined her face +with its golden radiance. + +"Because I am so happy," she said. "Oh, Robert, dear, so happy and +thankful." + + * * * * * + +POSTSCRIPT + +The latest news of Col. and Mrs. Anstruther is contained in a letter +written by an elderly maiden lady, resident in the North Riding of +Yorkshire, to a friend in London. It is dated some four years after the +events already recorded. + +Although its information is garbled and, to a certain extent, +inaccurate, those who have followed the adventures of the young couple +under discussion will be able to appreciate its opinions at their true +value. When the writer states facts, of course, her veracity is +unquestionable, but occasionally she flounders badly when she depends +upon her own judgment. + +Here is the letter: + + "MY DEAR HELEN: + + "I have not seen or heard of you during so long a time that I am + _simply dying_ to tell you all that is happening here. You + will remember that some people named Anstruther bought the Fairlawn + estate near our village some three years ago. They are, as you + know, _enormously_ rich. The doctor tells me that when they + are not squeezing money out of the wretched Chinese, they dig it in + _barrow-loads_ out of some magic island in the Atlantic or the + Pacific--I really forget which. + + "Anyhow, they could afford to _entertain_ much more than they + do. Mrs. Anstruther is very nice looking, and could be a leader of + society if she chose, but she _seems_ to care for no one but + her husband and her babies. She has a boy and a girl, very charming + children, I admit, and you seldom see her without them. They have a + French _bonne_ apiece, and a most _murderous_-looking + person--a Mahommedan native, I believe--stalks alongside and + behaves as if he would _instantly decapitate_ any person who + as much as looked at them. Such a procession you never saw! Mrs. + Anstruther's devotion to her husband is _too_ absurd. He is a + tall, handsome man, of distinguished appearance, but on the few + occasions I have spoken to him he impressed me as somewhat + _taciturn_. Yet to see the way in which his wife even + _looks_ at him you would imagine that he had not his equal in + the world! + + "I believe there is some _secret_ in their lives. Colonel + Anstruther used to be in the army--he is now in command of our + local yeomanry--and although his name is 'Robert,' _tout + court_, I have often heard Mrs. Anstruther call him 'Jenks.' + Their boy, too, is christened Robert _Jenks_ Anstruther.' Now, + my dear Helen, _do_ make inquiries about them in town circles. + I _particularly_ wish you to find out who is this person + 'Jenks'--a most vulgar name. I am sure you will unearth something + curious, because Mrs. Anstruther was a Miss Deane, daughter of the + baronet, and Anstruther's people are well known in Yorkshire. There + are absolutely no Jenkses connected with them on either side. + + "I think I can help you by another _clue_, as a very + _odd_ incident occurred at our hunt ball last week. The + Anstruthers, I must tell you, usually go away for the winter, to + China, or to their fabulous island. This year they remained at + home, and Colonel Anstruther became M.F.H., as he is certainly a + most liberal man so far as _sport_ and _charity_ are + concerned. + + "Well, dear, the Dodgsons--you remember the Leeds clothier + people--having _contrived_ to enter county society, invited + the Earl of Ventnor down for the ball. He, it seems, knew nothing + about Anstruther being M.F.H., and of course Mrs. Anstruther + _received_. The moment Lord Ventnor heard her name he was very + angry. He said he did not care to meet her, and left for London by + the next train. The Dodgsons were _awfully_ annoyed with him, + and Mrs. Dodgson had the bad taste to tell Mrs, Anstruther all + about it. And what do you think _she_ said--'Lord Ventnor need + not have been so frightened. My husband has not brought his + hunting-crop with him!' + + "I was not there, but young Barker told me that Mrs. Anstruther + looked very _impressive_ as she said this. 'Stunning!' was the + word he used, but young Barker is a _fool_, and thinks Mrs. A. + is the most beautiful woman in Yorkshire. Her dress, they say, was + _magnificent_, which I can hardly credit, as she usually goes + about in the _plainest_ tailor-made clothes. By the way. I + forgot to mention that the Anstruthers have restored our parish + church. The vicar, of course, is enraptured with them. I dislike + people who are so free with their money and yet reserved in their + friendship. It is a sure sign, when they _court_ popularity, + that they dread something leaking out about the _past_. + + "_Do_ write soon. Don't forget 'Jenks' and 'Lord Ventnor'; + those are the lines of _inquiry_. + + "Yours, + + "MATILDA. + + "PS.--Perhaps I am misjudging them. Mrs. Anstruther has just sent + me an invitation to an 'At Home' next Thursday.--M. + + "PPS.--Dear me, this letter will never get away, I have just + destroyed another envelope to tell you that the vicar came in to + tea. From what he told me about Lord Ventnor, I imagine that Mrs. + Anstruther said no more than he deserved.--M." + +NOTE.--Colonel Anstruther's agents discovered, after long and costly +inquiry, that a Shields man named James Spence, a marine engineer, +having worked for a time as a miner in California, shipped as third +engineer on a vessel bound for Shanghai. There be quitted her. He +passed some time ashore in dissipation, took another job on a Chinese +river steamer, and was last heard of some eighteen months before the +_Sirdar_ was wrecked. He then informed a Chinese boarding-house +keeper that he was going to make his fortune by accompanying some +deep-sea fishermen, and he bought some stores and tools from a +marine-store dealer. No one knew when or where he went, but from that +date all trace of him disappeared. The only persons who mourned his +loss were his mother and sister. The last letter they received from him +was posted in Shanghai. Though the evidence connecting him with the +recluse of Rainbow Island was slight, and purely circumstantial, +Colonel Anstruther provided for the future of his relatives in a manner +that secured their lasting gratitude. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINGS OF THE MORNING*** + + +******* This file should be named 14917.txt or 14917.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/1/14917 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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