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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
+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: Adventures in Many Lands
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: F. Gillett
+
+Release Date: November 17, 2007 [EBook #23530]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BRAVE DEEDS SERIES
+
+
+_UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_
+
+
+THE BLACK TROOPERS, AND OTHER STORIES
+
+A RACE FOR LIFE, AND OTHER TALES
+
+NOBLE DEEDS OF THE WORLD'S HEROINES. By Henry Charles Moore.
+
+THROUGH FLOOD AND FLAME. Adventures and Perils of Protestant Heroes. By
+Henry Charles Moore.
+
+HEROES OF THE GOODWIN SANDS. By the Rev. T. S. Treanor, M.A.
+
+ON THE INDIAN TRAIL, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE CREE AND SALTEAUX INDIANS.
+By Egerton R. Young.
+
+REMARKABLE ADVENTURES FROM REAL LIFE.
+
+THROUGH FIRE AND THROUGH WATER. By T. S. Millington.
+
+FRANK LAYTON. An Australian Story. By George E. Sargent.
+
+THE REALM OF THE ICE-KING. A Narrative of Arctic Exploration. By T.
+Frost.
+
+THE FOSTER-BROTHERS OF DOON. A Tale of the Irish Rebellion. By E. H.
+Walshe.
+
+THE CAPTAIN'S STORY. By Captain E. F. Brooke-Knight.
+
+STEADFAST AND TRUE. By L. C. Silke.
+
+ADVENTURE STORIES: DARING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
+
+HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUNG PROTESTANTS.
+
+BRAVE SONS OF THE EMPIRE. By Henry Charles Moore.
+
+THE LOG OF A SKY-PILOT; or, Work and Adventure around the Goodwin Sands.
+By T. S. Treanor, M.A.
+
+SAXBY. A Tale of the Commonwealth Time. By Emma Leslie.
+
+WITHIN SEA WALLS. By E. H. Walshe and G. E. Sargent.
+
+THE HEROES OF MOSS HALL SCHOOL. A Public School Story. By E. C. Kenyon.
+
+A GREAT MISTAKE. A Story of Adventure in the Franco-German War. By T. S.
+Millington.
+
+THE TREASURE OF CHIN-LOO.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: THE WOUNDED ANIMAL SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT AT ME.
+  _See page 59._]
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+Told by
+
+ALGERNON BLACKWOOD, WILLIAM WEBSTER, ALFRED COLBECK, A. LEE KNIGHT,
+And Other Writers.
+
+_WITH THREE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS BY F. GILLETT_
+
+LONDON
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
+4 Bouverie Street & 65 St. Paul's Churchyard
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+                                            PAGE
+I
+
+A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE WITH HYENAS               5
+   _By C. Randolph Lichfield_
+
+II
+
+THE VEGA VERDE MINE                           10
+   _By Charles Edwardes_
+
+III
+
+A VERY NARROW SHAVE                           20
+   _By John Lang_
+
+IV
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY                         31
+   _By J. Kinchin Smith_
+
+V
+
+THE TAPU-TREE                                 38
+   _By A. Ferguson_
+
+VI
+
+SOME PANTHER STORIES                          49
+   _By Various Writers_
+
+VII
+
+A MIDNIGHT RIDE ON A CALIFORNIAN RANCH        69
+   _By A. F. Walker_
+
+VIII
+
+O'DONNELL'S REVENGE                           84
+   _By Frank Maclean_
+
+IX
+
+MY ADVENTURE WITH A LION                     105
+   _By Algernon Blackwood_
+
+X
+
+THE SECRET CAVE OF HYDAS                     116
+   _By F. Barford_
+
+XI
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF MALAY-LAND      155
+   _By Alexander Macdonald, F.R.G.S._
+
+XII
+
+A WEEK-END ADVENTURE                         171
+   _By William Webster_
+
+XIII
+
+THE DEFLECTED COMPASS                        193
+   _By Alfred Colbeck_
+
+XIV
+
+IN PERIL IN AFRICA                           214
+   _By Maurice Kerr_
+
+XV
+
+KEEPING THE TRYST                            227
+   _By E. Cockburn Reynolds_
+
+XVI
+
+WHO GOES THERE?                              245
+   _By Rowland W. Cater_
+
+XVII
+
+A DROWNING MESSMATE                          257
+   _By A. Lee Knight_
+
+XVIII
+
+THE PILOT OF PORT CREEK                      266
+   _By Burnett Fallow_
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE WITH HYENAS
+
+
+There are many mighty hunters, and most of them can tell of many very
+thrilling adventures personally undergone with wild beasts; but probably
+none of them ever went through an experience equalling that which Arthur
+Spencer, the famous trapper, suffered in the wilds of Africa.
+
+As the right-hand man of Carl Hagenbach, the great Hamburg dealer in
+wild animals, for whom Spencer trapped some of the finest and rarest
+beasts ever seen in captivity, thrilling adventures were everyday
+occurrences to him. The trapper's life is infinitely more exciting and
+dangerous than the hunter's, inasmuch as the latter hunts to kill, while
+the trapper hunts to capture, and the relative risks are not, therefore,
+comparable; but Spencer's adventure with the "scavenger of the wilds,"
+as the spotted hyena is sometimes aptly called, was something so
+terrible that even he could not recollect it without shuddering.
+
+He was out with his party on an extended trapping expedition, and one
+day he chanced to get separated from his followers; and, partly overcome
+by the intense heat and his fatigue, he lay down and fell asleep--about
+the most dangerous thing a solitary traveller in the interior of Africa
+can do. Some hours later, when the scorching sun was beginning to settle
+down in the west, he was aroused by the sound of laughter not far away.
+
+For the moment he thought his followers had found him, and were amused
+to find him taking his difficulties so comfortably; but hearing the
+laugh repeated he realised at once that no human being ever gave
+utterance to quite such a sound; in fact, his trained ear told him it
+was the cry of the spotted hyena. Now thoroughly awake, he sat up and
+saw a couple of the ugly brutes about fifty yards away on his left. They
+were sniffing at the air, and calling. He knew that they had scented
+him, but had not yet perceived him.
+
+In such a position, as sure a shot and one so well armed as Spencer was,
+a man who knew less about wild animals and their habits would doubtless
+have sent the two brutes to earth in double quick time, and thus
+destroyed himself. But Spencer very well knew from their manner that
+they were but the advance-guard of a pack. The appearance of the pack,
+numbering about one hundred, coincided with his thought. To tackle the
+whole party was, of course, utterly out of the question; to escape by
+flight was equally out of the question, for hyenas are remarkably fast
+travellers.
+
+His only possible chance of escape, therefore, was to hoodwink them, if
+he could, by feigning to be dead; for it is a characteristic of the
+hyena to reject flesh that is not putrid. He threw himself down again,
+and remained motionless, hoping the beasts would think him, though dead,
+yet unfit for food. It was an off-chance, and he well knew it; but there
+was nothing else to be done.
+
+In a couple of seconds the advance-guard saw him, and, calling to their
+fellows, rushed to him. The pack answered the cry and instantly
+followed. Spencer felt the brutes running over him, felt their foul
+breath on his neck, as they sniffed at him, snapping, snarling,
+laughing; but he did not move. One of them took a critical bite at his
+arm; but he did not stir. They seemed nonplussed. Another tried the
+condition of his leg, while many of them pulled at his clothes, as if in
+impotent rage at finding him so fresh. But he did not move; in an agony
+of suspense he waited motionless.
+
+Presently, to his amazement, he was lifted up by two hyenas, which fixed
+their teeth in his ankle and his wrist, and, accompanied by the rest,
+his bearers set off with him swinging between them, sometimes fairly
+carrying him, sometimes simply dragging him, now and again dropping him
+for a moment to refix their teeth more firmly in his flesh. Believing
+him to be dead, they were conveying him to their retreat, there to
+devour him when he was in a fit condition. He fully realised this, but
+he was powerless to defend himself from such a fate.
+
+How far they carried him Spencer could not tell, for from the pain he
+was suffering from his wounds, and the dreadful strain of being carried
+in such a manner, he fell into semi-consciousness from time to time; but
+the distance must have been considerable, for night was over the land
+and the sky sparkling with stars before the beasts finally halted; and
+then they dropped him in what he knew, by the horrible and overpowering
+smell peculiar to hyenas, was the cavern home of the pack. Here he lay
+throughout the awful night, surrounded by his captors, suffering acutely
+from his injuries, thirst, and the vile smell of the place.
+
+When morning broke he found that the pack had already gone out in search
+of more ready food, leaving him in charge of two immense brutes, which
+watched him narrowly all through the day; for, unarmed as he was, and
+exhausted, he knew it would be suicide to attempt to tackle his
+janitors. He could only wait on chance. Once or twice during the day the
+beasts tried him with their teeth, giving unmistakable signs of disgust
+at the poor progress he was making. At nightfall they tried him again,
+and, being apparently hungry, one of them deserted its post and went
+off, like the others, in search of food.
+
+This gave the wretched man a glimmering of hope, for he knew that the
+hyena dislikes its own company, and that the remaining beast would
+certainly desert if the pack remained away long enough. But for hour
+after hour the animal stayed on duty, never going farther than the mouth
+of the cave. When the second morning broke, however, the hyena grew very
+restless, going out and remaining away for brief periods. But it always
+returned, and every time it did so Spencer naturally imagined it had
+seen the pack returning, and that the worst was in store for him. But at
+length, about noon, the brute went out and did not come back.
+
+Spencer waited and waited, fearing to move lest the creature should only
+be outside, fearing to tarry lest he should miss his only chance of
+escaping. After about an hour of this suspense he crept to the mouth of
+the cave. No living creature was within sight. He got upon his faltering
+feet, and hurried away as fast as his weakness would permit; but his
+condition was so deplorable that he had not covered a mile when he
+collapsed in a faint.
+
+Fortune, however, favours the brave; and although he fell where he might
+easily have remained for years without being discovered, he was found
+the same day by a party of Boers, who dressed his wounds, gave him food
+and drink (which he had not touched for two days), and helped him by
+easy stages to the coast.
+
+Being a man of iron constitution, he made a rapid and complete recovery,
+but his wrist, ankle, arms, and thigh still bear the marks of the
+hideous teeth which, but for his marvellous strength of will, would have
+torn him, living, to shreds.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE VEGA VERDE MINE
+
+
+Jim Cayley clambered over the refuse-heaps of the mine, rejoicing in a
+tremendous appetite which he was soon to have the pleasure of
+satisfying.
+
+There was also something else.
+
+Little Toro, the kiddy from Cuba--"Somebody's orphan," the Spaniards of
+the mine called him, with a likely hit at the truth--little Toro had
+been to the Lago Frio with Jim, to see that he didn't drown of cramp or
+get eaten by one of the mammoth trout, and had hinted at dark doings to
+be wrought that very day, at closing time or thereabouts.
+
+Hitherto, Jim had not quite justified his presence at the Vega Verde
+mine, some four thousand feet above sea-level in these wilds of
+Asturias. To be sure, he was there for his health. But Mr. Summerfield,
+the other engineer in partnership with Alfred Cayley, Jim's brother,
+had, in a thoughtless moment, termed Jim "an idle young dog," and the
+phrase had stuck. Jim hadn't liked it, and tried to say so.
+Unfortunately, he stammered, and Don Ferdinando (Mr. Summerfield) had
+laughed and gone off, saying he couldn't wait.
+
+_Now_ it was Jim's chance. He felt that this was so, and he rejoiced in
+the sensation as well as in his appetite and the thought of the
+excellent soup, omelette, cutlets, and other things which it was Mrs.
+Jumbo's privilege to be serving to the three Englishmen (reckoning Jim
+in the three) at half-past one o'clock precisely.
+
+Toro had made a great fuss about his news. He was drying Jim at the
+time, and Jim was saying that he didn't suppose any other English fellow
+of fifteen had had such a splendid bathe. There were snow-peaks in the
+distance, slowly melting into that lake, which well deserved its name of
+"Cold."
+
+"Don Jimmy," said young Toro, pausing with the towel, "what do you
+think?"
+
+"Think?" said Jimmy. "That I--I--I--I'll punch your black head for you
+if you don't finish this j--j--j--job, and b--b--b--be quick about it."
+
+He wasn't really fierce with the Cuban kiddy. The Cuban kiddy himself
+knew that, and grinned as he made for Jim's shoulder.
+
+"Yes, Don Jimmy," he said; "don't you worry about that. But I'm telling
+you a straight secret this time--no figs about it."
+
+Toro had picked up some peculiar English by association with the
+Americans who had swamped his native land after the great war. Still, it
+was quite understandable English.
+
+"A s--s--s--straight secret! Then j--j--just out with it, or I'll
+p--p--p--punch your head for that as well," said Jimmy, rushing his
+words.
+
+He often achieved remarkable victories over his affliction by rushing
+his words. He could do this best with his inferiors, when he hadn't to
+trouble to think what words he ought to use. At school he made howling
+mistakes just because of his respectful regard for the masters and that
+sort of thing. They didn't seem to see how he suffered in his kindly
+consideration of them.
+
+It was same with Don Ferdinando. Mr. Summerfield was a very great
+engineering swell when he was at home in London. Jimmy couldn't help
+feeling rather awed by him. And so his stammering to Don Ferdinando was
+something "so utterly utter" (as his brother said) that no fellow could
+listen to it without manifest pain, mirth, or impatience. In Don
+Ferdinando's case, it was generally impatience. His time was worth
+pounds a minute or so.
+
+"All right," said Toro. "And my throat ain't drier than your back now,
+Don Jimmy; so you can put your clothes on and listen. They're going to
+bust the mine this afternoon--that's what they're going to do; and
+they'd knife me if they knew I was letting on."
+
+"What?" cried Jimmy.
+
+"It's a fact," said Toro, dropping the towel and feeling for a
+cigarette. "They're all so mighty well sure they won't be let go down to
+Bavaro for the Saint Gavino kick-up to-morrow that they've settled to do
+that. If there ain't no portering to do, they'll be _let_ go. That's how
+they look at it. They don't care, not a peseta between 'em, how much it
+costs the company to get the machine put right again; not them skunks
+don't. What they want is to have a twelve-hour go at the wine in the
+valley. You won't tell of me, Don Jimmy?"
+
+"S--s--snakes!" said Jimmy.
+
+Then he had started to run from the Lago Frio, with his coat on his arm.
+Dressing was a quick job in those wilds, where at midday in summer one
+didn't want much clothing.
+
+"No, I won't let on!" he had cried back over his shoulder.
+
+Toro, the Cuban kiddy, sat down on the margin of the cold blue lake and
+finished his cigarette reflectively. White folks, especially white
+English-speaking ones, were rather unsatisfactory. He liked them,
+because as a rule he could trust them. But Don Jimmy needn't have
+hurried away like that. He, Toro, hoped to have had licence to draw his
+pay for fully another hour's enjoyable idleness. As things were,
+however, Don Alonso, the foreman, would be sure to be down on him if he
+were two minutes after Don Jimmy among the red-earth heaps and the
+galvanised shanties of the calamine mine on its perch eight hundred feet
+sheer above the Vega Verde.
+
+Jim Cayley was a few moments late for the soup after all.
+
+"I s--s--say!" he began, as he bounced into the room.
+
+"Say nothing, my lad!" exclaimed Don Alfredo, looking up from his
+newspaper.
+
+[Words missing in original] mail had just arrived--an eight-mile climb,
+made daily, both ways, by one of the gang.
+
+Mrs. Jumbo, the moustached old Spanish lady who looked after the house,
+put his soup before Jimmy.
+
+"Eat, my dear," she said in Spanish, caressing his damp hair--one of her
+many amiable yet detested little tricks, to signify her admiration of
+Jim's fresh complexion and general style of beauty.
+
+"But it's--it's--it's most imp--p--p----"
+
+Don Ferdinando set down his spoon. He also let the highly grave letter
+from London which he was reading slip into his soup.
+
+"I tell you what, Cayley," he said, "if you don't crush this young
+brother of yours, I will. This is a matter of life or death, and I
+_must_ have a clear head to think it out."
+
+"I was only saying," cried Jim desperately. But his brother stopped him.
+
+"Hold your tongue, Jim," he said. "We've worry enough to go on with just
+at present. I mean it, my lad. If you've anything important to proclaim,
+leave it to me to give you the tip when to splutter at it. I'm solemn."
+
+When Don Alfredo said he was "solemn," it often meant that he was on the
+edge of a most unbrotherly rage. And so Jim concentrated upon his
+dinner. He made wry faces at Mrs. Jumbo and her strokings, and even
+found fault with the soup when she asked him sweetly if it were not
+excellent. All this to relieve his feelings.
+
+The two engineers left Jim to finish his dinner by himself. Jim's
+renewed effort of "I say, Alf!" was quenched by the upraised hands of
+both engineers.
+
+Outside they were met by Don Alonso, the foreman, a very smart and
+go-ahead fellow indeed, considering that he was a Spaniard.
+
+"They'll strike, señores!" said Don Alonso, with a shrug. "It can't be
+helped, I'm afraid. It's all Domecq's doing, the scoundrel! Why didn't
+you dismiss him, Don Alfredo, after that affair of Moreno's death?
+There's not a doubt he killed Moreno, and he hasn't a spark of gratitude
+or goodness in his nature."
+
+"He's a capable hand," said Alfred Cayley.
+
+"Too much so, by half," said Don Ferdinando. "If he were off the mine,
+Elgos, we should run smoothly, eh?"
+
+"I'll answer for that, señor," replied the foreman. "As it is, he plays
+his cards against mine. His influence is extraordinary. There'll not be
+a man here to-morrow; Saint Gavino will have all their time and money."
+
+"You don't expect any active mischief, I hope?" suggested Don
+Ferdinando.
+
+The foreman thought not. He had heard no word of any.
+
+"Very well, then. I'll settle Domecq straight off," said Don Ferdinando.
+
+He returned to the house and pocketed his revolver. They had to be
+prepared for all manner of emergencies in these wilds of Asturias,
+especially on the eves and morrows of Saints' days. But it didn't at all
+follow that because Don Ferdinando pocketed his shooter he was likely to
+be called upon to use it.
+
+The three were separating after this when a lad in a blue cotton jacket
+rose lazily from behind a heap of calamine just to the rear of them, and
+swung off towards the machinery on the edge of the precipice.
+
+"Pedro!" called the foreman, and, returning, the lad was asked if he had
+been listening.
+
+He vowed that such a thought had not entered his head. He had been
+asleep; that was all.
+
+"Very good!" said the foreman. "You may go, and it's fifty cents off
+your wage list that your sleep out of season has cost you."
+
+Discipline at the mine had to be of the strictest. Any laxity, and the
+laziest man was bound to start an epidemic of laziness.
+
+Don Ferdinando set off for the Vega, eight hundred feet sheer below the
+mine. It was a ticklish zigzag, just to the left of the transporting
+machinery, with twenty places in which a slip would mean death.
+
+Domecq was working down below, lading the stuff into bullock-carts.
+
+Alfred Cayley disappeared into one of the upper galleries, to see how
+they were panning out.
+
+The snow mountains and the afternoon sun looked down upon a very
+pleasing scene of industry--blue-jacketed workers and heaps of ore; and
+upon Jim Cayley also, who had enjoyed his dinner so thoroughly that he
+didn't think so much as before about his rejected information.
+
+But now again the Cuban kiddy drifted towards him, making for the
+zigzag.
+
+Jim hailed him.
+
+"Can't stop, Don Jimmy!" said Toro. But when he was some yards down, he
+beckoned to Jim, who quickly joined him.
+
+They conferred on the edge of a ghastly precipice.
+
+"I'm off down to tell Domecq that it's going to be done at two-thirty
+prompt," said Toro.
+
+"What's going to be d--done?" asked Jimmy.
+
+"What I told you about. They've cut the 'phone down to the 'llano' as a
+start. But that's nothing. You just go and squat by the engine and see
+what happens. Guess they'll not mind you."
+
+To tell the truth, Jim was a trifle dazed. He didn't grapple the ins and
+outs of a conspiracy of Spanish miners just for the sake of a holiday.
+And as Toro couldn't wait (it was close on half-past two), Jim thought
+he might as well act on his advice. He liked to see the big buckets of
+ore swinging off into space from the mine level and making their fearful
+journey at a thrilling angle, down, down until, as mere specks, they
+reached the transport and washing department of the mine in the Vega.
+Two empty buckets came up as two full ones went down, travelling with a
+certain sublimity along the double rope of woven wire.
+
+Jim sat down at a distance. He saw one cargo get right off--no more.
+
+Then he noticed that the men engaged at the engine were confabulating.
+He saw a gleam of instruments. Also he saw another full bucket hitched
+on and sent down at the run. And then he saw the men furtively at work
+at something.
+
+Suddenly the cable snapped, flew out, yards high!
+
+Jim saw this--and something more. Looking instantly towards the Vega he
+saw the return bucket, hundreds of feet above the level, toss a
+somersault as it was freed of its tension and--this was horrible!--pitch
+a man head-foremost into the air.
+
+He cried out at the sight, and so did the rascals who had done their
+rattening for a comparatively innocent purpose.
+
+But when he and a dozen others had made the desperate descent of the
+zigzag, they found that the dead man was Domecq. Even the miners had no
+love for this arch-troubler, and, in trying to avoid Don Ferdinando, the
+sight of whom, coming down the track, had warned him of danger, Domecq
+had done the mine the best turn possible.
+
+Toro's own warning was of course much too late.
+
+The tragedy had a great effect. Saint Gavino was neglected after all,
+and it was in very humble spirits that the ringleaders of the plot
+confessed their sins and agreed to suffer the consequences.
+
+Jim by-and-by tried to tell his brother and Don Ferdinando that if only
+they had listened to him at dinner the "accident" might not have
+happened. But he stammered so much again (Don Ferdinando was as stern as
+a headmaster) that he shut up.
+
+"It's--it's--nothing particu--ticu--_ticular_, Mr. Summerfield!" he
+explained.
+
+Don Ferdinando was anything but depressed about Domecq's death; and Jim
+didn't want to damp his spirits. Of course, if Domecq had really killed
+another fellow only a few weeks ago, as was rumoured, he deserved the
+fate that had overtaken him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+A VERY NARROW SHAVE
+
+
+One winter's day in San Francisco my friend Halley, an enthusiastic shot
+who had killed bears in India, came to me and said, "Let's go south. I'm
+tired of towns. Let's go south and have some real tip-top shooting."
+
+In the matter of sport, California in those days--thirty years
+ago--differed widely from the California of to-day. Then, the sage brush
+of the foot-hills teemed with quail, and swans, geese, duck
+(canvas-back, mallard, teal, widgeon, and many other varieties)
+literally filled the lagoons and reed-beds, giving magnificent shooting
+as they flew in countless strings to and fro between the sea and the
+fresh water; whilst, farther inland, snipe were to be had in the swamps
+almost "for the asking." On the plains were antelope, and in the hills
+and in the Sierra Nevadas, deer and bears, both cinnamon and grizzly.
+Verily a sportsman's paradise!
+
+The next day saw us on board the little _Arizona_, bound for San Pedro,
+a forty-hours' trip down the coast. We took with us only shot-guns,
+meaning to try for nothing but small game. At San Pedro, the port for
+Los Angeles (Puebla de los Angeles, the "Town of the Angels"), we
+landed, and after a few days' camping by some lagoons near the sea,
+where we shot more duck than could easily be disposed of, we made our
+way to that little old Spanish settlement, where we hired a horse and
+buggy to take us inland.
+
+Our first stopping-place was at a sheep-ranche, about fifty miles from
+Los Angeles, a very beautiful property, well grassed and watered, and
+consisting chiefly of great plains through which flowed a crystal-clear
+river, and surrounded on very side by the most picturesque of hills,
+1,000 to 1,500 feet in height.
+
+The ranche was owned by a Scotsman, and his "weather-board" house was
+new and comfortable, but we found ourselves at the mercy of the most
+conservative of Chinese cooks, whom no blandishments could induce to
+give us at our meals any of the duck or snipe we shot, but who stuck
+with unwearying persistency to boiled pork and beans. And on boiled pork
+and beans he rang the changes, morning, noon, and night; that is to say,
+sometimes it was hot, and sometimes it was cold, but it was ever boiled
+pork and beans. At its best it is not a diet to dream about (though I
+found that a good deal of dreaming could be done _upon_ it), and as we
+fancied, after a few days, that any attraction which it might originally
+have possessed had quite faded and died, we resolved to push on
+elsewhere.
+
+The following night we reached a little place at the foot of the higher
+mountains called Temescal, a very diminutive place, consisting, indeed,
+of but one small house. The surroundings, however, were very beautiful,
+and the presence of a hot sulphur-spring, bubbling up in the scrub not
+one hundred yards from the house, and making a most inviting natural
+bath, coupled with the favourable reports of game of all kinds to be
+got, induced us to stop. And life was very pleasant there in the crisp
+dry air, for the quail shooting was good, the scenery and weather
+perfect, everything fresh and green and newly washed by a two days'
+rain, the food well cooked, and, nightly, after our day's shooting, we
+rolled into the sulphur-spring and luxuriated in the hot water.
+
+But Halley's soul began to pine for higher things, for bigger game than
+quail and duck. "Look here," he said to me one day, "this is all very
+well, you know, but why shouldn't we go after the deer amongst the
+hills? We've got some cartridges loaded with buckshot. And, my word! we
+_might_ get a grizzly."
+
+"All right," I said, "I'm on, as far as deer are concerned, but hang
+your grizzlies. I'm not going to tackle _them_ with a shot-gun."
+
+So it was arranged that next morning, before daylight, we should go,
+with a boy to guide us, up one of the numerous cañons in the mountains,
+to a place where we were assured deer came down to drink.
+
+It was a cold, clear, frosty morning when we started, the stars
+throbbing and winking as they seem to do only during frost, and we
+toiled, not particularly gaily, up the bed of a creek, stumbling in the
+darkness and barking our shins over more boulders and big stones than
+one would have believed existed in all creation. Just before dawn, when
+the grey light was beginning to show us more clearly where we were
+going, we saw in the sand of the creek fresh tracks of a large bear, the
+water only then beginning to ooze into the prints left by his great
+feet, and I can hardly say that I gazed on them with the amount of
+enthusiasm that Halley professed to feel.
+
+But bear was not in our contract, and we hurried on another half-mile or
+so, for already we were late if we meant to get the deer as they came to
+drink; and presently, on coming to a likely spot, where the cañon
+forked, Halley said, "This looks good enough. I'll stop here and send
+the boy back; you can go up the fork about half a mile and try there."
+
+And on I went, at last squatting down to wait behind a clump of
+manzanita scrub, close to a small pool where the creek widened.
+
+It was as gloomy and impressive a spot as one could find anywhere out of
+a picture by Doré. The sombre pines crowded in on the little stream,
+elbowing and whispering, leaving overhead but a gap of clear sky; on
+either hand the rugged sides of the cañon sloped steeply up amongst the
+timber and thick undergrowth, and never the note of a bird broke a
+silence which seemed only to be emphasised by the faint sough of the
+wind in the tree tops. Minute dragged into minute, yet no deer came
+stealing down to drink, and rapidly the stillness and heart-chilling
+gloom were getting on my nerves; when, far up the steep side of the
+cañon opposite to me there came a faint sound, and a small stone
+trickled hurriedly down into the water.
+
+"At last!" I thought. "At last!" And with a thumping heart and eager eye
+I crouched forward, ready to fire, yet feeling somewhat of a sneak and a
+coward at the thought that the poor beast had no chance of escape. Lower
+and nearer came the sound of the something still to me invisible, but
+the sound, slight though it was, gave, somehow, the impression of bulk,
+and the strange, subdued, half-grunting snuffle was puzzling to senses
+on the alert for deer. Lower and nearer, and then--out into the open by
+the shallow water he strolled--no deer, but a great grizzly.
+
+My first instinct was to fire and "chance it," but then in stepped
+discretion (funk, if you will), and I remembered that at fifteen or
+twenty yards buckshot would serve no end but to wound and rouse to fury
+such an animal as a grizzly, who, perhaps of all wild beasts, is the
+most tenacious of life; and I remembered, too, tales told by
+Californians of death, or ghastly wounds, inflicted by grizzlies.
+
+My finger left the trigger, and I sat down--discreetly, and with no
+unnecessary noise. He was not in a hurry, but rooted about sedately
+amongst the undergrowth, now and again throwing up his muzzle and
+sniffing the air in a way that made me not unthankful that the faint
+breeze blew from him to me, and not in the contrary direction.
+
+In due time--an age it seemed--after a false start or two, he went off
+up stream, and I, wisely concluding that this particular spot was, for
+the present, an unlikely one for deer, followed his example, and
+rejoined Halley, who was patiently waiting where we had parted.
+
+"I've just seen a grizzly, Halley," I said.
+
+"_Have_ you?" he almost yelled in his excitement. "Come on! We'll get
+him."
+
+"I don't think I want any more of him," said I, with becoming modesty.
+"_I'm_ going to see if I can't stalk a deer amongst the hills. They're
+more in my line, I think."
+
+Halley looked at me--pity, a rather galling pity, in his eye--and,
+turning, went off alone after the bear, muttering to himself, whilst I
+kept on my course downstream, over the boulders, certain in my own mind
+that no more would be seen of that bear, and keeping a sharp look-out on
+the surrounding country in case any deer should show themselves.
+
+I had gone barely half a mile when, on the spur of a hill, a long way
+off, I spotted a couple of deer browsing on the short grass, and I was
+on the point of starting what would have been a long and difficult, but
+very pretty, stalk when I heard a noise behind me.
+
+Looking back, I saw Halley flying from boulder to boulder, travelling
+as if to "make time" were the one and only object of his life--running
+after a fashion that a man does but seldom.
+
+I waited till he was close to me, till his wild eyes and gasping mouth
+bred in me some of his panic, and then, after a hurried glance up the
+creek, I, too, turned and fled for my life.
+
+For there, lumbering and rolling heavily along, came the bear, gaining
+at every stride, though evidently sorely hurt in one shoulder. But my
+flight ended almost as it began, for a boulder, more rugged than its
+fellows, caught my toe and sent me sprawling, gun and cartridge-bag and
+self in an evil downfall.
+
+I picked myself up and grabbed for my gun, and, even as I got to my
+feet, the racing Halley tripped and rolled over like a shot rabbit. It
+was too late for flight now, and I jumped for the nearest big boulder,
+scrambling up and facing round just in time to see the bear, fury in his
+eyes, raise his huge bulk and close with Halley, who was struggling to
+his feet. Before I could fire down came the great paw, and poor Halley
+collapsed, his head, mercifully, untouched, but the bone of the upper
+arm showing through the torn cloth and streaming blood.
+
+I fired ere the brute could damage him further, fired my second barrel
+almost with the first, but with no apparent result except to rouse the
+animal to yet greater fury, and he turned, wild with rage, and came at
+me. A miserably insignificant pebble my boulder seemed then, and I
+remember vaguely and hopelessly wondering why I hadn't climbed a
+tree. But there was small time for speculation, as I hurriedly, and with
+hands that seemed to be "all thumbs," tried to slip in a couple of fresh
+cartridges.
+
+As is generally the case when one is in a tight place, one of the old
+cases jammed and would not come out--they had been refilled, and had,
+besides, been wet a few days before, and my hands were clumsy in my
+haste--and so, finally, I had to snap up the breech on but one fresh
+cartridge, throw up the gun, and fire, as the bear was within ten feet
+of me.
+
+I fired, more by good luck, I think, than anything else, down his great,
+red, gaping mouth, and jumped for life as he crashed on to the rock
+where I had stood, crashed and lay, furiously struggling, the blood
+pouring from his mouth and throat, for the buckshot, at quarters so
+close, had inflicted a wound ten times more severe than would have been
+caused by a bullet.
+
+[Illustration: I FIRED DOWN HIS GREAT, RED, GAPING MOUTH AND JUMPED FOR
+LIFE.]
+
+It was quite evident that the bear was done, but, for the sake of
+safety--it does not do to leave anything to chance with such an
+animal--I put two more shots into his head, and he ceased to struggle, a
+great shudder passed over his enormous bulk, the muscles relaxed, and he
+lay dead.
+
+Then I hurried to where Halley lay. Poor chap! He was far spent, and
+quite unconscious, nor was I doctor enough to know whether his wounds
+were likely to be fatal, and my very ignorance made them seem the more
+terrible. I tore my shirt into bandages, and did what I could for him,
+succeeding after a time in stopping the worst of the bleeding; but I
+could see very plainly that the left shoulder was terribly shattered,
+and I thought, with a groan, of the fifty weary miles that one must send
+for a doctor.
+
+Presently he began to come to, and I got him to swallow a little brandy
+from his flask, which revived him, and before long, after putting my
+coat beneath his head, I left him and started for help.
+
+It was a nightmare, that run. Remorse tore me for having let him start
+after the bear alone, and never could I get from my mind the horrible
+dread that the slipping of one of my amateur bandages might re-start the
+bleeding, and that I should return to find only the lifeless body of my
+friend; ever the fear was present that in the terribly rough bed of the
+creek I might sprain my ankle, and so fail to bring help ere it was too
+late. At times, too, my overstrung nerves were jarred by some sudden
+sound in the undergrowth, or the stump of a tree on a hillside would
+startle me by so exact a likeness to a bear, sitting up watching me, as
+to suggest to my mind the probability of another bear finding and
+mauling Halley whilst he lay helpless and alone.
+
+But if my nerves were shaken, my muscles and wind were in good order,
+and not even the most morbid self-consciousness could find fault with
+the time spent on the journey. Luck favoured me, too, to this extent,
+that almost as I got on to the road, or, rather, track, about a mile
+from the inn, I met, driving a buggy, and bound for Los Angeles, a man
+whose acquaintance we had made a few days before, and who, with much
+lurid language, had warned us against going after bear.
+
+His remarks now were more forcible than soothing or complimentary when I
+explained the matter to him during the drive to the inn, where he
+dropped me, himself going on for the doctor as fast as two horses could
+travel.
+
+It did not take us long to improvise a stretcher, and, with the willing
+help of two men and of the landlady, in about three hours we had Halley
+in his room. But a hideous walk it was down the cañon, every step we
+made wringing a groan from the poor fellow except when he fainted from
+pain.
+
+The doctor did not arrive till the following morning, by which time the
+wounds were in a dreadful condition, and it was touch and go for life,
+while the doctor at first had no hope of saving the arm. But youth, and
+time, and a strong constitution pulled him through, and in a couple of
+weeks he was strong enough to describe to me how he had fallen in with
+the bear.
+
+He had gone, it seemed, not to where I had seen the animal, but up a
+branch cañon. At no great distance up he met the beast, making its way
+leisurely across the creek, and, in his excitement, he fired both
+barrels into the bear's shoulder; and then the same thing happened that
+had happened to me--those refilled cartridges had jammed, and there was
+nothing for it but to run for his life. Luckily he had badly lamed the
+animal, or his chance of escape would have been _nil_, and, as it was,
+in another two hundred yards the bear would have been into him.
+
+Some days after the accident, the first day that I could leave Halley's
+bedside, I went out to see if it was possible to get the skin of the
+bear, but I found it badly torn, maybe by coyotes, and all that could be
+got as trophies were his claws.
+
+There they are now, hanging over the pipe-rack by the fireplace in my
+snuggery in dear old England.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY
+
+_A Fourth-form Boy's Holiday Yarn_
+
+
+Last winter I had a stroke of real good luck. As a rule I'm not one of
+the lucky ones; but this time, for once, Fortune smiled on me--as old
+Crabtree says, when he twigs some slip in my exercise, but can't be
+quite sure that I had borrowed another fellow's, just to see how much
+better mine was than his!
+
+It was this way. It was a beastly wet afternoon, and the Head wouldn't
+give me leave to go to the village. But I was bound to go, for I wanted
+some wire to finish a cage I was making for my dormouse, who was running
+loose in my play-box and making everything in an awful mess. So I
+slipped out, and, of course, got soaked.
+
+I couldn't go and change when I came back with the wire, as Crabtree
+would then have twigged that I'd been out in the rain. So the end of it
+was that I caught a chill and had to go into the infirmary. I was
+awfully bad for a bit, and went off my head, I suppose--for the mater
+came and I didn't know her till I got better, and then she told me that
+the doctor had said I must go to Italy for the winter, as my lungs were
+very weak, and she was going with me, and we should be there till April
+or May.
+
+The Head told me he hoped I would take some books with me, and do a
+little reading when I was better. You bet I did! The mater packed them,
+but they weren't much, the worse for wear when I brought them back to
+St. Margaret's again.
+
+The Head also hoped I would use the opportunity to study Italian
+antiquities. I did take a look at some, but didn't think much of them.
+They took me at Rome to the Tarpeian Rock, but it wouldn't hurt a kid to
+be chucked down there, let alone a traitor; and the Coliseum wanted
+livening up with Buffalo Bill. The only antiquities I really cared for
+were the old corpses and bones of the Capucini, which everybody knows
+about, but has not had the luck to see as I did.
+
+But I had a walk round so as to be able to say I'd seen the other
+things, and brag about them when they turned up in Virgil or Livy, and
+set old Crabtree right when he came a cropper over them, presuming on
+our knowing less than he did. There was too much for a fellow to do for
+him to waste time over such rot as antiquities. You can always find as
+many antiquities as you want in Smith's Dictionary.
+
+Before I went I swapped my dormouse with Jones ma. for his revolver. I
+couldn't take the dormouse with me, and I knew you were bound to have a
+revolver when you risked your life among foreigners and brigands, which
+Italy is full of, as everybody knows. Where should I be if I fell in
+with a crew of them and hadn't a revolver? Besides, I was responsible
+for the mater.
+
+Jones ma.'s revolver wouldn't shoot, but it looked all right, and no
+brigand will wait to see if your revolver will go off when you present
+it at his head. All you have to do is to shout "Hands up!" and he either
+lets you take all the diamonds and things he has stolen from fools who
+hadn't revolvers, or runs away. I cut a slit in my trousers behind, and
+sewed in a pocket, and practised lugging the revolver out in a jiffy,
+and getting a bead on an imaginary brigand. I was pretty spry at it, and
+knew I should be all right. And it was just that revolver which saved
+me, as you will see.
+
+We travelled through Paris and a lot of other places, stopping at most
+of them, for I was still rather weak, and the mater was fussy about my
+overdoing it till we settled down at Sorrento. That's a place on the Bay
+of Naples, and just the loveliest bit of it--oranges everywhere. It's
+ten miles from Castellamare, the nearest railway-station, but the drive
+along the edge of the bay, on a road cut into the cliffs hundreds of
+feet up, makes you feel like heaven.
+
+Vesuvius is quite near too, only that was no good, for the mater
+wouldn't let me go there, which was a most aggravating shame, and a
+terrible waste of opportunity, which I told her she would regret ever
+after. The crater was as jolly as could be, making no end of a smoke,
+and pouring out lava like a regular old smelting-furnace; but she said
+she wasn't going to bring me out to Italy to cure a cold, only to have
+me burnt up like one of those Johnnies they show you at Pompeii who were
+caught years and years ago. As if I should have been such an ass as to
+get caught myself.
+
+What I was going to tell you about, however, was this. We had been at
+Sorrento six or seven weeks, and I'd got to know the places round that
+were worth seeing, and a lot of the people too, who jabbered at you
+thirteen to the dozen, and only laughed when you couldn't make out what
+they were saying. I'd picked up some of their words--enough to get what
+I wanted with, and that's the best way to learn a language; a jolly
+sight better than fagging along with a grammar and stupid exercises,
+which are only full of things no fellow wants.
+
+So the mater had got used to letting me go about alone, and one morning
+she found she wanted some things from Naples, and wasn't feeling up to
+the journey. She wondered at breakfast if she could dare to let me go
+for her. I didn't seem eager, for if they think you particularly want to
+do a thing, they are sure to try to stop you. So I sat quiet, though I
+could hardly swallow my coffee--I was so keen to go.
+
+However, she wanted the things badly, and at last she had to ask me if I
+would go for her. It's always so: it doesn't matter how badly _you_ want
+a thing, but when the mater or sister or aunt think they want some
+idiotic trash that everybody in his senses would rather be without,
+you've simply got to fetch it for them, or they'll die.
+
+She rather spoilt it by giving me half an hour's jawing as to what I was
+to do, to take care of this or that, and not to get lost or miss the
+train--you know how they go on and spoil a fellow's pleasure--as if I
+couldn't go to Naples and back without a woman having to tell me how to
+do it. I stood it all patiently though, for the sake of what was coming,
+and a high old time I had in Naples that day, I can tell you.
+
+I nearly missed my train back, catching it only by the skin of my teeth,
+and when I reached Castellamare I bargained with a driver-fellow to take
+me to Sorrento for seven francs. He could speak English a bit. The mater
+had told me the fare for a carriage and two mules would be eight or ten
+francs; but I soon let him see that I wasn't going to be put on like
+that, and as I was firm he had to come down to seven, and a _pourboire_,
+which is what we call a tip. So, ordering him to wake his mules up and
+drive quick, for the January afternoon was getting on, I settled down
+thoroughly to enjoy the ride home.
+
+I have already told you how the road follows the coast-line, high up the
+cliffs, so that you look down hundreds of feet, almost sheer on to the
+waves dashing against the rocks below. There's nothing but a low wall to
+prevent you pitching bang over and dashing yourself to bits, if you had
+an accident. There are two or three villages between Castellamare and
+Sorrento, and generally a lot of traffic; but, as it happened, we
+didn't pass or meet much that afternoon; I suppose because it was
+getting late.
+
+The driver was chattering like a magpie about the swell villas and
+places we could see here and there white against the dark trees, but I
+wasn't paying much attention, and at last he shut up.
+
+There's one bit of the road which always gave me the creeps, for it's
+where a man cut his son's throat and threw him over the cliff, two or
+three years ago, for the sake of his insurance money. I was thinking
+about this, and almost wishing some one was with me after all--for there
+wasn't a soul in sight--when my heart gave a jump as the driver
+suddenly, at this very bit, pulled up, and, turning round, said with a
+fiendish grin--
+
+"You pay me 'leven francs for ze drive, signor."
+
+"Eleven? No, seven. You said seven."
+
+"Signor meestakes. 'Leven francs, signor," and he opened the dirty
+fingers of his left hand twice, and held up a thumb that looked as if it
+hadn't been washed since he was born.
+
+"Seven," I firmly replied. "Not a centime more. Drive on!"
+
+"Ze signor will pay 'leven francs," he fiercely persisted, "seven for ze
+driver and four for ze cicerone, ze guide."
+
+"What guide? I've had no guide."
+
+"Me, signor. I am ze guide. 'Ave I not been telling of ze beautiful
+villas and ze countrie?"
+
+"You weren't asked to," I retorted. "Nobody wanted it."
+
+"Zat does not mattaire. Ze signor will pay for ze cicerone."
+
+"I'll see you hanged first."
+
+"Zen we shall see."
+
+He turned his mules to the side of the road next the precipice. I caught
+a glimpse of an ugly knife in the handkerchief round his waist. In a
+moment I had whipped out my revolver, and levelled it straight for his
+head. My word, how startled he was!
+
+"Now drive on," I said.
+
+He did, without a word, but turning as white as a sheet,--and made his
+old mules fly as if they'd got Vesuvius a foot behind them all the way.
+I kept my revolver ready till we came to Meta, after which there are
+plenty of houses.
+
+When we drew up at the hotel I gave him his seven francs, and told him
+to think himself lucky that I didn't hand him over to the police. He had
+partly recovered by then, and had the cheek to grin and say--
+
+"Ah, ze signor ees a genteelman,--he will give a poor Italiano a
+_pourboire_."
+
+But I didn't.
+
+I've often wondered since if he really meant to do for me. Anyhow, my
+revolver saved me, and was worth a dormouse.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE TAPU-TREE
+
+
+"The fish is just about cooked," announced Fred Elliot, peering into the
+big "billy" slung over their camp fire. "Now, if Dick would only hurry
+up with the water for the tea, I'd have supper ready in no time."
+
+"I wish supper were over and we well on our way to the surveyor's camp
+at the other side of the lake," was the impatient rejoinder of Hugh
+Jervois, Dick's big brother. "This place isn't healthy for us after what
+happened to-day." And he applied himself still more vigorously to his
+task of putting into marching order the tent and various other
+accessories of their holiday "camping out" beside a remote and rarely
+visited New Zealand lake.
+
+"But surely that Maori Johnny wouldn't dare to do any of us a mischief
+in cold blood?" cried Fred.
+
+"The police aren't exactly within coo-ee in these wilds, and you must
+remember that your Maori Johnny happens to be Horoeka the _tohunga_
+(tohunga = wizard priest), who has got the Aohanga Maoris at his beck
+and call. The surveyors say he is stirring up his tribe to make trouble
+over the survey of the Ngotu block, and they had some hair-raising
+stories to tell me of his superstitious cruelty. He is really
+half-crazed with fanaticism, they say, and if you bump up against any of
+his rotten notions, he'll stick at nothing in the way of vengeance. As
+you saw yourself, he'd have killed Dick this afternoon hadn't we two
+been there to chip in."
+
+"There's no doubt about that," allowed Fred. "It was no end unlucky that
+he should have caught Dick in the very act."
+
+"Oh, if I had only come in time to prevent the youngster hacking out his
+name on that tree of all trees in the bush," groaned Hugh. "The most
+tremendously _tapu_ (tapu = sacred) thing in all New Zealand, in the
+Aohanga Maoris' eyes!"
+
+"But how was Dick to know?" urged Fred. "It just looked like any other
+tree; and who was to guess the meaning of the rubbishy bits of sticks
+and stones lying at the bottom of it? Oh, it's just too beastly that for
+such a trifle we've got to skip out of this jolly place! And there are
+those monster trout in the bay below almost fighting to be first on
+one's hook! And there's----"
+
+"I say, what on earth _can_ be keeping Dick?" broke in Hugh with
+startling abruptness. "Suppose that Maori ruffian----" and a sudden fear
+sent him racing down the bush-covered slope with Fred Elliot at his
+heels.
+
+"Dick! Coo-ee! Dick!" Their voices woke echoes in the silent bush, but
+no answer came to them. And there was no Dick at the little spring
+trickling into the lake.
+
+But the boy's hat lay on the ground beside his upturned "billy," and
+the fern about the spring looked as if it had been much trampled upon.
+
+"There has been a struggle here," said Hugh Jervois, his face showing
+white beneath its tan. Stooping, he picked up a scrap of dyed flax and
+held it out to Fred Elliot.
+
+"It's a bit of the fringe of the mat Horoeka was wearing this
+afternoon," he said quietly. "The Maori must have stolen on Dick while
+he was filling his 'billy,' and carried him off. A thirteen-year-old boy
+would be a mere baby in the hands of that big, strong savage, and he
+could easily stifle his cries."
+
+"He would not dare to harm Dick!" cried Fred passionately.
+
+Dick's brother said nothing, but his eyes eagerly searched the trampled
+ground and the undergrowth about the spring.
+
+"Look! There is where the scoundrel has gone back into the bush with
+Dick," he cried. "The trail is distinct." And he dashed forward into the
+dense undergrowth, followed by Fred.
+
+The trail was of the shortest and landed them on a well-beaten Maori
+track leading up through the bush.
+
+The two young men, following this track at a run, found that it brought
+them, at the end of a mile or so, to the chief _kainga_, or village, of
+the Aohanga Maoris.
+
+"It looks as if we had run our fox to earth," cried Fred exultingly, as
+they made for the gateway of the high wooden stockade--relic of the old
+fighting days--which surrounded the _kainga_.
+
+The Maoris within the _kainga_ met them with sullen looks, for their
+soreness of feeling over the Government surveys now going on in their
+district had made them unfriendly to white faces. But it was impossible
+to doubt that they were speaking truth when, in answer to Hugh's anxious
+questioning, they declared that no _pakeha_ (white man) had been near
+the _kainga_, and that they had seen nothing of Horoeka, their
+_tohunga_, since noon that day. They suggested indifferently that the
+white boy must have lost himself in the bush, and, at the same time,
+gave a sullen refusal to assist in searching for him.
+
+Before the two young men wrathfully turned their backs on the _kainga_,
+Hugh, who had a very fair knowledge of the Maori tongue, warned the
+natives that the _pakeha_ law would punish them severely if they
+knowingly allowed his young brother to be harmed. But they only replied
+with insolent laughter.
+
+For the next two hours Hugh and Fred desperately scoured the bush,
+shouting aloud at intervals on the off-chance that Dick might hear and
+be able to send them some guiding cry in answer. But the only result of
+their labours was that they nearly got "bushed" themselves, and at last
+the fall of night made the absurdity of further search clear to them.
+
+Groping their way back to their broken-up camp, they lighted the lantern
+and got together a meal of sorts. But Hugh Jervois could not eat while
+racked by the horrible uncertainty of his brother's fate, and he waited
+impatiently for the moon to rise to let him renew his apparently
+hopeless quest.
+
+Then, while Fred Elliot was speeding on a seven miles' tramp round the
+shore of the lake to the surveyors' camp to invoke the aid of the only
+other white men in that remote part of the country, Hugh Jervois had
+made his way to the Maori _kainga_. "It's my best chance of finding
+Dick," he had said to Fred. "Horoeka is sure to have returned to the
+_kainga_ by this time, and, by cunning or by force, I'll get out of that
+crazy ruffian what he has done with my brother."
+
+Reconnoitring the _kainga_ in the light of the risen moon Hugh
+stealthily approached the palisade surrounding it. This was very old and
+broken in many places, and, peering through a hole in it, the young man
+saw a group of women and children lounging about the cooking-place in
+the centre of the _marae_ or open space around which the _wharés_ (huts)
+were ranged. From the biggest of those _wharés_ came the sound of men's
+voices, one at a time, in loud and eager talk. At once Hugh realised
+that a council was being held in the _wharé-runanga_, the assembly-hall
+of the village, and he instinctively divined that the subjects under
+discussion were poor little Dick's "crime" and his punishment, past or
+to come.
+
+Noiselessly skirting the palisade, Hugh came to a gap big enough to let
+him squeeze through. Then he crept along between the palisade and the
+backs of the scattered _wharés_--very cautiously, for he dreaded being
+seen by the group about the fire--until at last he stood behind the big
+_wharé-runanga_. With his ear glued to its wall he listened to the
+excited speeches being delivered within, and to sounds indicating that
+drinking was also going on--whisky supplied from some illicit still,
+doubtless.
+
+To his unspeakable thankfulness the young man gathered from the chance
+remarks of one of the speakers that Dick, alive and uninjured, had been
+brought by Horoeka into the _kainga_ at nightfall, and was now shut up
+in one of the _wharés_. But a fierce speech of Horoeka's presently told
+the painfully interested eavesdropper that nothing less than death,
+attended by heathenish and gruesome ceremonies, would expiate the boy's
+outrage on the _tapu_-tree, in the _tohunga's_ opinion.
+
+The other Maori speakers would evidently have been satisfied to seek
+satisfaction in the shape of a money-compensation from the offender's
+family, or the paternally minded New Zealand Government. But, half-mad
+though he was, Horoeka's influence with his fellow-tribesmen was very
+great. The rude eloquence with which he painted the terrible evils that
+would certainly fall on them and theirs if the violation of so mighty a
+_tapu_ was not avenged in blood, very soon had its effect on his
+superstitious hearers.
+
+When he went on to assure them that the _pakehas_ would be unable to
+prove that the boy had not lost himself and perished in the bush, they
+withdrew all opposition to Horoeka's bloodthirsty demands, though these
+were rather dictated by his own crack-brained fancy than by Maori custom
+and tradition. Presently, indeed, it became evident to Hugh that, what
+with drink and their _tohunga's_ wild oratory, the men were working
+themselves up into a fanatical frenzy that must speedily find vent in
+horrible action.
+
+If Dick's life were to be saved he must be rescued at once! No time now
+to await Fred Elliot's return with the surveyors and their men! Hugh
+must save his brother single-handed. But how was he to do it? For him,
+unarmed and unbacked by an authoritative show of numbers, to attempt an
+open rescue would merely mean, in the natives' present state of mind,
+the death of both brothers.
+
+"If the worst comes, I won't let Dick die alone," Hugh Jervois avowed.
+"But the worst shan't come. I must save Dick somehow."
+
+He cast desperate glances around. They showed him that the _marae_ was
+completely deserted now, the group about the cooking-place having
+retired into the _wharés_ for the night. If he only knew which of those
+silent _wharés_ held Dick, a rescue was possible. To blunder on the
+wrong _wharé_ would only serve to arouse the _kainga_.
+
+"Oh, if I only knew which! If I only knew which!" Hugh groaned in agony
+of mind. "And any moment those fiends may come and drag him out to his
+death."
+
+Just then, as if in answer to his unspoken prayer, an unexpected sound
+arose. Poor little Dick, in sore straits, was striving to keep up his
+courage by whistling "Soldiers of Our Queen!"
+
+Hugh's heart leaped within him. The quavering boyish whistle came from
+the third _wharé_ on his left, and, in an instant, he had reached the
+hut and was gently tapping on the door. Dick might not be alone, but
+that chance had to be risked, for time was very precious.
+
+"It's Hugh, Dick," he whispered.
+
+"Hugh! Oh, Hugh!" and in that choking cry Hugh could read the measure of
+his young brother's mental sufferings since he had last seen him.
+
+In a moment he had severed the flax fastening of the door, and burst in
+to find Dick, securely tied hand and foot to a post in the centre of the
+_wharé_. Again Hugh's pocket-knife came into play, and Dick, freed of
+his bonds, fell, sobbing and crying, into his brother's arms.
+
+"Hush, Dick! No crying now!" whispered Hugh imperatively. "You've got to
+play the man a little longer yet. Follow me."
+
+And the youngster, making a brave effort, pulled himself together and
+noiselessly stole out of the _wharé_ after his brother.
+
+But evil chance chose that moment for the breaking up of the excited
+council in the _wharé-runanga_. Horoeka, stepping out into the _marae_
+to fetch his victim to the sacrifice, was just in time to see that
+victim disappearing round the corner of his prison-house. With a yell of
+rage and surprise he gave chase, his colleagues running and shouting at
+his heels.
+
+Hugh Jervois, hearing them coming, abandoned hope for one instant. The
+next, he took heart again, for there beside him was the hole in the
+palisade through which he had crept into the _kainga_ an hour before. In
+a twinkling he had pushed Dick through and followed himself. And as they
+crouched unseen outside, they heard the pursuit go wildly rushing past
+inside, heedless of the low gap in the stockade which had been the
+brothers' salvation.
+
+"They'll be out upon us in a moment," cried Hugh. "Run, Dick! Run!"
+
+Hand in hand they raced down the slope and plunged into the cover of the
+bush. Only just in time, however, for the next instant the moonlit slope
+beneath the _kainga_ was alive with Maoris--men, women, and
+children--shouting and rushing about in a state of tremendous
+excitement. It was for Dick alone they hunted, not knowing he had a
+companion, and they were evidently mystified by the boy's swift
+disappearance.
+
+Presently the brothers, lying low in a dense tangle of ferns and
+creepers, saw a number of the younger men, headed by Horoeka, streaming
+down the track leading to the lake. But after a little time they
+returned, somewhat sobered and crestfallen, and rejoined the others,
+who had meanwhile gone inside the _kainga_.
+
+Then, feeling sure that the coast was clear, the brothers ventured to
+steal cautiously out of earshot of the enemy and make their way down
+through the bush to the shores of the lake. There they were greeted with
+the welcome sound of oars, and, shooting swiftly towards them through
+the moonlit waters, they saw the surveyors' boat, with Fred Elliot and
+half a dozen others in her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"You see they are trying to carry off the thing just in the way I told
+you they'd do," said the head surveyor to Hugh Jervois after their
+denunciatory visit to the _kainga_ in the early morning. "Horoeka, the
+arch-offender, has disappeared into remoter wilds, and the others lay
+the blame of it all on Horoeka."
+
+"Yes," responded Hugh, "and even then the beggars have the impudence to
+swear, in the teeth of their talk last night in their _wharé-runanga_,
+that Horoeka only meant to give the _pakeha_ boy a good fright because
+he had done a mischief to the very _tapu_-tree in which lives the spirit
+of the tribe's great ancestor."
+
+"Well," said the surveyor, "we've managed to give the tribe's young men
+and elders a good fright to-day, anyhow. My word! but their faces were a
+picture as we lovingly dwelt on the pains and penalties awaiting them
+for their share in their _tohunga's_ outrage on your brother. I'll tell
+you what it is, Jervois. Horoeka has to keep in hiding for his own
+sake, and these beggars will have their hands so full, with a nice
+little charge like this to meet, that they won't care to make trouble
+for us when we come to the survey of the Ngotu block."
+
+"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," laughed Hugh. "But, all the
+same, Dick may be excused for thinking that your unobstructed survey has
+been dearly bought with the most horrid experience he is likely ever to
+have in his life."
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SOME PANTHER STORIES
+
+
+The pages of literature devoted to sport and the hunting of wild game
+teem with stories and instances of occasions when the hunted, driven to
+desperation and enraged to ferocity by wounds, turns, and itself becomes
+the hunter and the avenger of its own hurts.
+
+Of all wild animals perhaps the most vindictive, the most cunning, and
+the most dangerous to hunt is the panther; indeed, nine out of ten who
+have had experience of shooting in all parts of the world will concede
+that the pursuit of these animals is really more fraught with danger and
+hazard than that of even the tiger, lion, and elephant; and the
+following is one of many instances, of yearly occurrence, of the man
+behind the rifle not having it all his own way when drawn in actual
+combat against the denizens of the jungles.
+
+It was drawing on towards the hot weather when my friend Blake, who had
+been very seedy, thought that I might try to get a few days' leave and
+join him in a small shooting expedition into the jungles of southern
+India, where he was sure he would recover his lost strength and
+vitality, and so face the coming hot weather with a fair amount of
+equanimity.
+
+The necessary leave being forthcoming, we consulted maps, arranged ways
+and means for a fortnight's camp--always a considerable thing in
+India--and, accompanied by two Sikhs and a Rajput orderly, with horses,
+guns, rifles, and dogs galore, after a day's journey in the train
+reached the place from whence the remainder of our journey was to be
+done by road.
+
+Our destination was a place called Bokeir, and constituted what is known
+in India as a _jargir_, that is a tract of land which, together with the
+rent roll and tribute of the villages therein comprised, is given to men
+whose services have deserved well of their State. Such are known as
+jargirdars, and enjoy almost sovereign state in their little domains,
+receiving absolutely feudal devotion from their tenantry and dependants.
+
+We pitched our camp in the midst of a magnificent grove of mango-trees,
+which at the time of the year were covered with the green fruit. I was
+told that before the famine of 1898-99 the grove comprised over two
+thousand trees; but at present there are about half that number.
+
+We then received and returned visits with the jargirdar, a Mahratta, and
+an exceedingly courteous and dignified man. We asked for and received
+permission to shoot in his country, and in addition everything possible
+was done for our comfort, supplies of every description being at once
+forthcoming. So tenacious were the people of the villages in their
+devotion to their chief that not a hand would have been raised to help
+us nor a blade of grass given without an order from the head of this
+tiny State.
+
+Then we commenced our jungle campaign. The footmarks of a tiger and
+tigress, of a very large panther, of bear, sambar, and blue bull
+abounded in a wooded valley some six miles from the camp. We tied up
+young buffalo-calves, to attract the large Felidæ, and ultimately met
+with success, for one morning we were having breakfast early when in
+trotted one of our Sikhs who had gone before the peep of dawn to look at
+the "kills." He reported that one of the calves had been killed at five
+that morning; so, putting a hasty conclusion to our breakfast, we called
+for horses, saw to our rifles and cartridges, and rode away to the scene
+of the early morning tragedy.
+
+Arrived at a village called Sirpali, we left our horses and proceeded on
+foot up a lovely wooded valley filled with the bastard teak, the
+strong-smelling moha-tree (from which the bears of these parts receive
+their chief sustenance), the giant mango, pipal and banyan.
+
+The awesome silence of the dense forest reigned supreme in the noonday
+heat. The whispered consultations and the occasional footfall of some
+one of the party on a dry teak-leaf seemed to echo for miles and to
+break rudely the well-nigh appalling quiet of the jungle. Here and
+there, sometimes crossing our path, were the fresh footprints of deer
+and of antelope, of pig and the lordly sambar stag that had passed this
+way last night to drink at a time when the presence of man does not
+disturb the domain of the beasts of the forest. Here was a tree with
+deep, clean marks all the way up its trunk, from which the sap was still
+oozing, showing us that for some purpose a bear had climbed up it in the
+early morning, though why we could not tell, as there was neither fruit
+nor leaf on its bare branches.
+
+And then a turn in the path brought us to the kill, to the tragedy of a
+few hours ago. Surely this is the work of a tiger--the broken neck, the
+tail bitten off and flung aside, the hind-quarters partly consumed? No,
+for there are only the marks of a panther's pads and none of any tiger.
+They lead away into some dense jungle in front, and from here we decide
+to work.
+
+Leaving the beaters here, we went by a circuitous way until we arrived
+two or three hundred yards ahead of the direction the beat would take.
+Here we were nonplussed, for the jungle was so dense and the
+configuration of the ground such that there were many chances in favour
+of any animal that might be before the beat being able to make a very
+good bid for eluding the enemy.
+
+However, we came to a place which appeared as good as any, and, as both
+of us seemed to think that it would suit himself exceedingly well, we
+drew lots, and, contrary to my usual luck, I drew the longer of the two
+pieces of grass and decided to remain, while Blake took up his position
+about fifty yards to my left.
+
+When shooting in the jungle, it is the practice of most to shoot from a
+tree, not so much from a sense of added security--as both bears and
+panthers think little of running up a tree and mauling you there--but
+from the better field of view you get. Accordingly, as there was a small
+tree near, I ascended, and, because the footing was precarious and the
+position unfavourable for a good shot, I buckled myself to a bough by
+means of one of my stirrup-leathers. This is a device, by the way, which
+I can most thoroughly recommend to all, for it as often as not gives you
+free use of your arms, and even enables you to swing right round to
+score a shot at a running object.
+
+I had not long disposed myself thus, when the beat sprang into life with
+a suddenness and intensity which made me pretty sure that they had
+disturbed some animal. The shouting, cat-calling, and tom-tomming
+increased in violence, when all at once I heard a quick and rather
+hurried tread, tread, tread over the dry teak-leaves, and, looking that
+way, out of the dense jungle into the sunlit glade before me came a
+large panther.
+
+I put up my rifle. It saw me, and crouched head on in some long, dry
+grass. It was a difficult shot, but I hazarded it.
+
+The beast turned and went up the bank to my right. "Missed," thought I,
+and let it have my left barrel as it was moving past. "Missed again," I
+thought, and growled inwardly.
+
+I caught another glimpse of the brute as it went behind me, and to my
+relief a crimson patch had appeared on its right side. I howled to the
+beaters, who had now approached, to be careful, as a wounded panther was
+in front of them, and, Blake joining me, we made them all sit down to
+keep them out of harm's way.
+
+Accompanied by the two Sikhs, Blake and I began to stalk the wounded
+animal. Where had it gone? Into that dense bit of jungle in front,
+apparently. So we began to cast around among the leaves. They at first
+yielded no betraying footmarks, but at last a leaf was found with a
+large spot of frothy blood, showing the animal's injury to have been
+through the lungs.
+
+"Put a man up that tree," I said; "the animal is badly hit and cannot
+have gone far." But my advice was ignored.
+
+Then from a spot over which I had walked not a minute before there came
+a rush and a roar. Swinging round, I saw ten paces off Blake raise his
+rifle and fire two barrels, but, alas! apparently without result. Down
+he went before the savage rush of the beast, which began to worry him.
+
+Blake had fallen back on his elbows, and in the curve of his neck and
+right shoulder I could just see, though so near, the dark-spotted body
+of the panther. There was no time to lose. "Can I hit it without killing
+Blake?" I thought in an agony of uncertainty, but the hazard followed
+quick upon the thought, and bang, bang, went my two barrels. At the same
+time the Sikh dafadar, Gopal Singh, with all the characteristic bravery
+of this magnificent race, ran in and beat the animal about the head with
+the butt-end of Blake's shot-gun, which he was carrying at the time.
+
+All this was too much for the panther, who then left Blake and shambled
+away. I threw down my own rifle and ran to Blake's assistance, when the
+panther stopped and half turned towards us.
+
+"He's coming at me again," Blake cried, and covered his face with his
+hands. We were all unarmed; like a fool I had left my rifle ten paces
+behind me, the Sikh's shot-gun was smashed to splinters, and Blake's
+rifle had fallen nobody knew where during the _mêlée_. But, fortunately
+for us, and more especially for me, who was then nearest her, the
+panther seemed to think better of it, and tumbled off into the jungle,
+as far as I could see very badly knocked about.
+
+Then we attended to Blake's injuries, which consisted of a large piece
+torn from his left forearm, three great teeth-marks in his left thigh,
+and claw-marks all over his left calf. He was very brave, though
+bleeding a lot, and walked with our assistance towards the village until
+one of the orderlies galloped up with the "charpai," or native bed, I
+had sent for immediately the accident had occurred. Then on to camp,
+where I re-dressed his wounds, sprinkling them with boracic acid, which
+was, foolishly, all we had provided in the way of antiseptics.
+
+Then a "palki" or palankin arrived, lent by the jargirdar, who had also
+sent his ten private carriers, and, accompanied by the dafadar, we
+started for the railway, the nearest point of which was forty miles
+away, and reached it at five the next morning, having experienced
+thirteen hours of anxiety, dead weariness, exhausted palankin men, bad
+and in some places non-existent roads, and, to crown all, one river to
+ford.
+
+Blake has happily survived his injuries--always severe when inflicted by
+panthers, as these animals' teeth and claws, from their habit of killing
+their prey and leaving it exposed for a day to the Indian sun, seldom
+fails to induce blood-poisoning, which few, if any, have been known to
+survive.
+
+The panther was found next day, quite dead, with three bullet-wounds in
+her--one in the chest, one through the ribs, and one through the body
+from the front left ribs to the left haunch; and that she was able to do
+all the damage she did testifies to the proverbial tenacity of life and
+ferocity of these animals. The native of India will tell you, "The tiger
+is a janwár (animal), but the panther he is a shaitán (devil)."
+
+
+Mr. Dickson Price, who had a narrow escape from a panther in 1905, thus
+described the occurrence--
+
+Owing to the stricter preservation of the jungles round Marpha, beasts
+of prey appear to have greatly increased in number the last year or so.
+
+Last November a travelling pedlar was killed on a path close by; while
+this year more than twenty head of cattle have been killed by tigers
+and panthers at Marpha and near by. This is a very serious loss to the
+people, who depend entirely upon their cattle for ploughing, etc.
+
+On February 22, just after the mela, some villagers from Kareli--a
+village close to us--came to me asking me to shoot a tiger that had
+killed a fine plough-ox, and was causing great havoc.
+
+On arriving at the spot where the kill was, an examination of the marks
+on the bullock showed that it was a panther and not a tiger that had
+been at work. The place was in sight of the village and on the skirt of
+a forest. We had a "machan" (platform) in a tree made, and at three
+o'clock in the afternoon I climbed up with my native shikari or hunter
+and watched and waited until dark.
+
+About 8 p.m. it was pitch dark, and the animal could be heard munching
+beneath. I fired at a black object twice with no result, for we still
+heard the beast going on with his dinner. I found later I had fired at a
+bush, mistaking it for a panther in the darkness. The animal was either
+too hungry to notice the shot, or had mistaken the sound for thunder.
+Later on the moon rose, and at half-past three in the morning a third
+shot took effect, for the animal went off badly wounded. Some time
+before that a heavy thunderstorm had come on, but, sheltered beneath our
+rugs, we did not get really wet. We now slept, feeling our work was
+done. At sunrise the native hunter and I got down and examined the spot.
+
+While we were looking at the blood-marks a tremendous roar was heard
+close by, and my native shikari calling out, "Tiger! tiger! tiger!"
+bolted and ran off to the village as fast as his heels could carry him.
+I climbed back into the machan, to watch the development of events.
+After some time about sixteen villagers came out to help, and we slowly
+followed up the blood-trail.
+
+After piercing the thick jungle for about two hundred yards, at times
+having to creep under the brushwood, we came to a narrow nala, or
+shallow watercourse with sandy bed, and we found out the cause of the
+constant growling we had heard. A tiger also was tracking the panther,
+who every now and then stood at bay and attacked it. After some time the
+tiger, no doubt hearing us, turned aside. Suddenly I saw the wounded
+animal scaling a tall and almost branchless tree, which appeared as
+though it must have been at some time struck by lightning. The panther,
+no doubt, hoped to escape all its enemies in that way. It went to the
+tip-top, about forty feet or fifty feet from the ground.
+
+I fired, but the range was too long for my shot and ball gun. The firing
+frightened the panther, which fell in descending when some fifteen feet
+from the ground. We all tracked on, hoping to get a chance of a further
+shot.
+
+At last we came to a deep and thickly wooded nala, or watercourse, which
+curved like a horseshoe. The panther entered the watercourse at the
+centre and turned along the bed to the left. We turned to the right and
+skirted along the outside of the course, as it was not safe to go
+nearer. We all advanced until we nearly reached the right limit of the
+horseshoe bend, and then, leaving the trackers, I approached the
+watercourse, hearing the beast at the other end about two hundred yards
+away.
+
+After waiting about twenty minutes looking for a spot to cross the deep
+nala it appears that the wounded animal slowly and silently doubled back
+along the densely wooded watercourse and suddenly sprang out at me. I
+fired and stepped back, falling, as I did so, into the watercourse. The
+next thing I remember was the panther seizing me by the arm and pulling
+me down as I arose, and beginning to claw my head.
+
+Then I saw on top of the panther my little fox-terrier Toby, tearing
+hard at the neck of the beast. The panther then left mauling me to
+attack the dog. I somehow jumped up, leaped out of the watercourse, ran
+towards the villagers, and fell down. They placed me on a charpoi, or
+native bed, and carried me to my bungalow three miles away. Express
+messengers were at once despatched through the jungle and across the
+hills to Mandla, sixty miles away, for a doctor, who arrived on the
+fourth day after the accident.
+
+Meanwhile, all that could be done was done, and my wounds, of which
+there were fourteen, were dressed. Our good Dr. Hogan had me carried
+into Mandla, the journey taking two and a half days, and since then, I
+am glad to say, I have been making a wonderful recovery. It is a great
+mercy that my arm had not to be amputated, as I feared at first I should
+certainly lose it. But though it is still much swollen, and so stiff
+that I can only bend it a few inches, all is progressing well.
+
+My little dog escaped with a few scratches, having saved my life. The
+panther has either been eaten by the tiger, or has died of its wounds.
+The villagers were far too scared to follow it up after my fall. Its
+bones, if not devoured by tigers or porcupines, will most likely be
+found higher up the nala than where we last saw it.
+
+
+A Panther-hunt, which had a somewhat unexpected conclusion, is narrated
+by the Rev. T. Fuller Bryant:--
+
+At the outset I may explain that strictly it was not a panther that
+figures in this story, but that is the name--or more commonly
+"painter"--given to the puma, or cougar, of North America. At one time
+this animal was as common all the country over as the fox is in England
+at present, and even more so, but as the result of the increase and
+spread of population it is now found only in remote parts, and is
+becoming increasingly rare.
+
+Thirty years ago, however, when I resided in America, and when the
+incident happened which I am about to relate, there were considerable
+numbers to be found in parts of the Alleghany Mountains, and not
+infrequently an odd one would travel farther afield on a marauding
+expedition.
+
+At the time of which I write I was residing at Brookfield, about thirty
+miles north of Utica. It was near the end of October, when, according to
+custom, all were busy banking up the sides of their houses, and in other
+ways preparing for winter, when complaints began to be made by the
+farmers of depredations among their sheep, by, as was supposed, some dog
+or dogs unknown. Hardly a morning came but some farmer or other found
+his flock reduced in this way, until the whole neighbourhood was roused
+to excited indignation against the whole dog tribe. Suspicion fell in
+turn upon almost every poor cur of the neighbourhood, and many a poor
+canine innocent was done to death, some by drowning, others by poison,
+and more by shooting; until it seemed as if all the sheep and dogs of
+the countryside would be wiped out.
+
+What served only to deepen the mystery was the fact that here and there
+a calf was killed and partly eaten, indicating that if it were the work
+of a dog it must be one of unusual size, strength, and ferocity. So
+exasperated did the farmers become at length, that a meeting was held at
+Brookfield, at which it was resolved to offer a reward of two hundred
+dollars, "to any one killing the dog, _or other animal_, or giving such
+information as would lead to its discovery." The words "or other animal"
+had been inserted at the suggestion of a man who had heard unusual
+noises at night proceeding from the Oneida Swamp, a desolate, densely
+wooded tract of country, extending to within a mile or so of his
+dwelling. This circumstance had created in his mind the suspicion that
+the cause of all the trouble might not, after all, be a dog, but this he
+kept to himself.
+
+One morning my brother and I, with three others, started early for a
+day's shooting and hunting in some woods three or four miles north of
+the village; but having an engagement at home in the afternoon, I left
+the party soon after one o'clock. When within about two miles of the
+village I left the main road to take a short cut across the land of a
+man named John Vidler, an Englishman.
+
+During the early morning there had been a slight fall of snow, barely
+sufficient to cover the ground, but as it was so early in the season
+Vidler had not taken his few sheep into winter quarters. These I found
+apparently in a state of alarm, huddled together in a corner of a "lot"
+through which I had to pass.
+
+As I was about to climb the fence and leave the "lot," I observed blood
+on the ground, which probably would not have attracted my further
+attention but for recent events. On looking more closely, I could
+distinctly trace in the snow the footmarks of an animal resembling those
+of a dog, and which enabled me to follow the direction in which he had
+gone. It occurred to me at once that this was probably the work of the
+mysterious marauder. I knew of the reward of two hundred dollars, and
+my finances were not such as to render me indifferent to the chance of
+winning it, so, with the spirit of the hunter strong within me, I
+started off upon the trail, which quickly led me to the edge of the
+wood, where it disappeared.
+
+It was clear that the animal had entered the wood. I suddenly reflected
+upon the extraordinary size of the animal's foot, and when I coupled
+that fact with the words in the offer of reward--"or other animal"--it
+occurred to me that I might be hunting bigger and more formidable game
+than a dog.
+
+I confess to a strange feeling which made me pause. True, I had my
+trusty gun with me, and a good supply of ammunition, but after a moment
+or two of reflection I decided to suspend the pursuit and go and tell
+John Vidler, and seek to associate him with me in further proceedings.
+
+In this I had no difficulty, for though Vidler, whose farm and abode
+were remote and lonely, had heard only rumours of the events which had
+so stirred the surrounding neighbourhood, it was enough for him that he
+was now among the victims, so he quickly went to the stables, or "barn,"
+and brought out his old mare, and, throwing a buffalo skin, or "robe,"
+as such are called, across her back, he mounted, and away we went.
+
+I travelled afoot by his side. We picked up the trail where I had left
+it--at the edge of the wood; but here our difficulty began, it being
+broken and indistinct, owing to the leaves which the snow was not thick
+enough to cover.
+
+We proceeded with great caution, and the trees being fairly wide apart,
+and the brush not very thick, Vidler remained mounted, whilst I
+continued at his side. It was evident from the tremulous excitement and
+frequent sniffing of the mare that she was aware that something unusual
+was up, and from this we inferred the need of a keen look-out.
+
+We had thus proceeded some three hundred yards, when we suddenly came
+upon a dip in the ground. We each lifted our eyes from the land, which
+we had continued to closely scan for traces of the trail, when we were
+startled by a snarl, and just ahead, lying under the trunk of a big tree
+which had fallen across the dip, was a huge panther, apparently just
+awakened from its sleep by our approach. The brute was lashing its tail
+and quivering with rage, and was evidently preparing to spring upon us.
+
+Here, then, undoubtedly was the cause of all the recent trouble. For a
+moment the mare stood trembling with alarm, and the next she swung
+round, almost hurling Vidler from her back, and flew like the wind along
+the way by which we had come. Though it all took place in much less time
+than it takes to record, every detail is indelibly registered on my mind
+till this day.
+
+There was no time, even had I had the necessary self-possession, for me
+to take aim and fire, and had I done so it would almost certainly have
+increased the danger, for my gun was loaded only with a charge for a
+partridge or woodchuck.
+
+As the mare swung round away from me, I seized Vidler's foot, which was
+most fortunate both for him and myself, for it was my weight that
+prevented him from being thrown, and, holding on for dear life, I was
+dragged clear of danger. The suddenness of the movement jerked my gun
+from my grasp, and as Vidler possessed no weapon we were defenceless,
+and it would have been madness to think of returning for mine.
+
+It seemed but a moment before we reached the open "lot," where with
+difficulty we reined the mare in. After a brief deliberation we decided
+to make our way to the village and organise a hunting-party. We made our
+way to the store of Wack Stillman, a favourite rendezvous for the
+loafers and off-works. Here we found Orson Clark, one of the best
+hunters in all the countryside, with two others with a large strain of
+the swashbuckler in their characters, who were always ready for
+excitement and adventure.
+
+As we agreed to divide the reward should we win, and believing that we
+five were equal to it, we decided to keep the information and to confine
+operations to ourselves.
+
+It was not long before we were off, each of us now armed either with his
+own or a borrowed weapon. Reaching the wood, we agreed that, after we
+had indicated the direction of the trail, Orson Clark, as the most
+experienced, should lead the way, the rest of us following at his
+heels.
+
+As we approached the tree under which we had left the panther lying, the
+tension became so oppressive that each felt that he could hardly
+breathe, nor were we much relieved to find our quarry gone, as we could
+not tell at what step we might come across him. "Keep close, men,"
+whispered Orson, as we continued to creep on, each with his finger on
+the trigger of his gun.
+
+He had scarcely spoken the words when a most terrific roar, which seemed
+to come from the tree-tops near by, rent the air, and at the same time a
+shot rang out. As neither of our band had fired, we were puzzled to know
+what it all meant, when a shrill, boyish voice shouted, from a little
+distance ahead, "I've got him, father. He's dead!"
+
+Rushing to the spot whence the shout proceeded, we were astonished to
+find the thirteen-year-old son of Orson Clark standing, with an old
+blunderbuss in his hands, in a triumphant attitude by the panther, which
+lay as dead as a door-nail on the ground before him!
+
+"What on earth does this mean?" exclaimed his father, as he took in the
+scene.
+
+It transpired that when Orson went home to get his rifle he told his
+wife of the projected adventure, and the boy, who was in an adjoining
+room, overheard. The spirit of adventure inherited from his father was
+immediately aroused, and he determined to seek a share in the
+enterprise. Unobserved he took the old blunderbuss from its
+resting-place and slipped out of the house, but, fearing that his father
+might forbid should his intentions be known, he made his way to the
+wood, keeping the hunting-party within his view whilst concealing
+himself from theirs.
+
+Entering the wood, the daring youngster hunted on his own account.
+Keeping a little ahead and wide of the party, he came across the panther
+up in a tree. He had no difficulty in attracting its attention, and,
+after contemplating each other for some moments, the savage brute was
+about to spring upon the boy as it gave the tremendous roar referred to.
+At the same moment the boy fired, the charge landing full in the heart,
+and bringing the great beast tumbling dead at his feet.
+
+When the father realised the situation, his feelings may be imagined.
+His first look at the boy indicated vexation at his recklessness,
+followed by admiration at his pluck and thankfulness for his escape from
+almost certain death had the shot failed to reach a vital part. However,
+matters were soon arranged. A rail from a snake-fence was procured, the
+panther's legs were tied to it, and in this way he was borne to the
+village.
+
+The news quickly spread, and all the population, apparently, of the
+village assembled to see the sight and to hear the story. When the
+question came to be considered as to who was entitled to the reward of
+two hundred dollars, the verdict was unanimous that no one deserved it
+so much as Orson Clark's boy, and to him it was awarded.
+
+The skin of the panther was presented to the landlord of the hotel in
+the village. He had it stuffed and placed in a large room in his house.
+For all I know, it remains there till this day.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+A MIDNIGHT RIDE ON A CALIFORNIAN RANCHE
+
+
+It was in San Benito County, California, or, to be more explicit, in the
+Hernandez Valley, the nearest station to which is King City, "up
+country" from Los Angeles. My friend, Tom Bain, owned a cattle-ranche up
+there, right in the valley which lies between the hills forming the
+coastal range of California.
+
+It is high up, this beautiful valley. I arrived at King City over-night,
+and my old school pal, who had asked me to pay him a visit, met me at
+the Central Saloon early next morning--so early, that we had breakfasted
+and were off in a pair-horse buckboard by seven o'clock. And then we had
+a fourteen hours' drive, climbing, ever climbing, with a dip here and
+there as we negotiated the irregularities of the high country, the air
+becoming cooler and crisper every hour, and so clear that you could see
+for miles over the plains beneath.
+
+It is rather wonderful, this clearness of the atmosphere in Western
+America. In Arizona, I believe, the phenomenon is even more noticeable,
+at times. The trees stand out distinctly and almost individually on
+hills miles and miles away, and a camera speedily proves how really free
+is the atmosphere of all visionary obstruction. A photograph of a horse,
+a bullock, or of any such object out on the hills, will secure a
+reproduction of a background quite extraordinary in the extent and
+clearness of the picture.
+
+And it is a sweet, pure air to breathe--life-giving, and capable of
+making the heart glad for the very joy of things. Driving over these
+hills, although it took us from seven in the morning until nine o'clock
+at night to complete the journey, was anything but tiring to the human
+physique. Around and beyond, Nature spread herself in a delightful
+panorama of scenic beauty--
+
+
+     "And every living thing did joy in life,
+     And every thing of beauty did seem living."
+
+
+There were two or three other fellows on the ranche with my friend Bain.
+Fine, big fellows they were, too; loose-limbed and strong featured.
+Scarcely one of them was over five-and-twenty, yet you would have vowed
+that such development in face, feature, and limb could not have been
+attained before the age of thirty-five years. Silent, unassuming
+fellows, too, not welcoming me with a smile even, nor with the slightest
+demonstration of friendliness beyond a grip of the hand that made me
+begin to feel glad that I had brought my "Elliman's" with me.
+
+It is a peculiarity--at least, we think it a peculiarity--of the Western
+man, that he rarely smiles. Perhaps it would be fairer to say that he
+never smiles unless there is something very positive to smile at. He
+seems to have such large ideas concerning all things, and to suggest by
+his manner, especially when you are out on the plains with him, that he
+cares more for his cattle, and for his horse particularly, than he does
+for you. Yet no man is more ready with a helping hand--and a hand that
+is capable of doing most things a man's hand can do--than he; none more
+full of sympathy and sincere kindliness.
+
+But he is an undemonstrative being, this man of the West, and you take a
+long time to find out whether he likes you or not. If you are a
+"tenderfoot" you can't do better than hold your tongue about the wonders
+of Europe and its cities, about your own various exploits here and
+there. You will learn a lot by not talking, and if you don't mind
+soiling your hands a little, and keeping an eye lifted to discover the
+way in which things are done, you will get on very well on a Western
+cattle-ranche.
+
+There was another ranche not far away, owned by an old settler, who had
+his wife and daughter with him. These were the only women within our
+immediate ken. She was a real child of the West, this old settler's
+daughter, and as sweet and dainty as she was capable; about twenty years
+of age, I should think, and looked after as much by every man on my
+friend's ranche as she was by her own father. In fact, my friend Bain
+seemed to take more than a fatherly interest in her. She called him
+Tom, and he called her Edna, though in this particular respect Tom was
+not privileged more than any of the other fellows. But her eyes were
+always bright when Tom was near, and--but there, it was none of my
+business. Only, as I said before, I kept one eye lifted for most things.
+
+Very soon I began really to enjoy the life very much, for its own sake.
+There were many things lacking in the matter of house accommodation and
+comfort, compared with my English home; but it was jolly, real jolly. I
+never felt so well and strong in all my life as when I was galloping
+over those hills, on occasion of a general inspection of the ranche. And
+it was a lark, I tell you, rounding up the cattle.
+
+Of course, all the fellows on the ranche could ride like--well, they
+could ride anything. I got out of the road when there was any of the
+expert business on, such as "cutting out," and "corralling." But I began
+gradually to feel my way in accomplishing their many tricks of
+horsemanship, and I was able, in course of time, to take a small part in
+the work of the corral.
+
+I essayed to throw the lasso, or lariat, of course, as one of the very
+first experiences in ranche life. It is one of the many interesting
+things you must learn on a cattle-ranche--to use the lasso. Every man
+carries his rope on his saddle, as a necessary--in fact, there, _the_
+most necessary--part of his equipment. A ranchero would as soon think of
+riding off without his lasso as an English sportsman would think of
+going partridge-shooting without his gun.
+
+It looks so easy, throwing the lasso. You begin first on foot, and try
+to throw the rope over a post or something, not very far away. After
+many hours, at the end of which time you know what it is to have an
+arm-ache--it may be many days, even many weeks, before you are able to
+do it--you succeed in lassoing your object two or three times in
+succession. Ha! ha! You have conquered. You have discovered the knack at
+last. And you hastily mount your horse to see if you can manage the real
+thing.
+
+You throw aside your practice rope, unwind the lasso from the horn of
+the saddle, and essay a "mounted" throw. Your patient animal remains
+perfectly still and quiet. He seems to know you are a tenderfoot, and to
+feel quite sure what is going to happen. You whirl your lasso round your
+head, and aim it at the horns of a harmless steer in the corral some
+yards away. But you look in vain to see the rope curl round your
+particular objective. Instead, it flops over your horse's ears, or
+smacks you on the side of your own head. Oh, it was so easy on the
+ground, too, when you left off!
+
+And your horse is patient still. He even seems to be smiling quietly to
+himself. After many more attempts, and with an arm that acheth much, you
+succeed in affixing your rope round something, throwing from the saddle.
+At last you have managed it.
+
+Later on an opportunity occurs for the display of your prowess. You are
+in the corral with a bunch of moving beasts. You single out one as your
+particular victim. This time the beast is not standing still, and you
+throw your lasso, carefully watching the fall as it whirls through the
+air. Poor animal! Instead of roping it by the horns, you nearly jerk its
+tail off! There are very many accomplishments that seem easy in the
+hands of an expert and which prove most difficult to the uninitiated,
+but I think the throwing of the lasso can claim more mysteries than most
+others.
+
+When out on an inspection of the ranche, reckoning up the stock, and
+seeing that all are able to secure sufficient food, it frequently
+happens that some of the cattle will be missing. They get away into all
+sorts of places, some almost inaccessible among the hills, and if they
+are not found and brought back to the pastures within easy reach of the
+corral, they become wild, and then there is mischief to pay. They sneak
+down late at night or in the small hours of the morning to the corn and
+wheat fields, break the fences, and trample the crops in a way that
+spells disaster to many a settler.
+
+Some of the cattle belonging to my friend's ranche had gone astray in
+this way, and we were unable to locate them.
+
+I remember we were sitting in our adobe house one evening, three or four
+of us together. It was about seven o'clock, and we had been talking over
+matters in connection with the decision of the "boss" to drive a bunch
+of cattle down to King City, where they would be entrained for 'Frisco.
+The "boss" was up at the other ranche. He had gone to ask the old
+settler to give us a hand with the cattle next day at the rodeo, or
+"round-up."
+
+He hadn't offered to take me with him. I suppose that was Edna's fault.
+Anyhow, we had been sitting there discussing things, when we heard Bain
+coming in, after unsaddling his horse, in quite a noisy mood. He was
+muttering hard, and I wondered what Edna had been saying to him. But it
+wasn't Edna at all. He had come down from the other ranche, higher up
+the valley, and had passed the cornfields, in which he had noticed
+unusual movement. He had investigated, and had found that a bunch of
+wild cattle had broken down the fences, and were eating and trampling
+down the corn.
+
+A hasty consultation decided that we should make a midnight raid on the
+beasts, and take as many of them as we could capture down to King City
+with our own bunch. We had been feeling rather sleepy, but this news
+made us at once very much alive. However, we decided not to undertake
+the raid until the next night. The wild cattle would be gone with the
+morning light, but they would return at dark.
+
+We went to bed, which meant simply rolling ourselves up in our blankets
+on the floor. I lay awake for some time anticipating the excitement of
+the next evening. It is not all play, this raiding of wild cattle. It is
+a risky business, and you must have expert lassoers to lead the way, or
+there will be trouble.
+
+Next day we went up to the old settler's ranche, "Edna's house," as we
+called it, up the valley, and there we secured the help of some of our
+neighbour's men. We were there all the evening, waiting for the hour of
+midnight at which to sally forth. Edna had expressed a desire to come
+too! She was a fine horsewoman, and fearless, and she loved excitement
+of this sort. Tom promised to take care of her, so she was permitted to
+join our party. Lucky Tom!
+
+As the little clock on the settler's mantelpiece struck twelve, we
+saddled our horses and set off for the corn-brake. I was keen on seeing
+how these fellows were going to capture the wild cattle, but I was too
+inexperienced to take a very active part at the time.
+
+The corn-patch was right in the hollow of the valley, on a flat on the
+eastern bank of the dry bed of the river. We rode down together--never a
+word being spoken on the way--to where a group of oak-trees raised their
+stately heads, and there we held our final council of war. Bain, anxious
+to give a tenderfoot a chance of seeing as much of the proceedings as
+possible, directed me to get off my horse and climb the bank, from which
+I should obtain a view of the field and of the cattle as they were
+feeding. I was very quiet, for the beasts have ears rather sharper than
+anything. Tom had given me his directions in a whisper.
+
+So I climbed the bank and looked over the cornfield, and there in the
+centre I could see a small black mass of moving things, about three
+hundred yards away. I went quietly back to the river-bed, and found that
+most of the fellows had dismounted and were "cinching" up their saddles.
+
+A moment later I was told off with a vaquero (cowboy) to ride up the bed
+of a creek that ran at right-angles to the river and parallel with the
+cornfield. We were to try to "head" the cattle, and so prevent them from
+breaking out of the field, up the hillside, and getting away into the
+mountains again, where we should have had to leave them.
+
+The creek-bed was low, and afforded us good cover for three parts of the
+way. Then it shallowed, and we soon were able to see, from our horses,
+the cattle in the corn. We thought we had been very quiet indeed, but we
+noticed a hurried movement among the beasts, and with a cry "They're
+off!" my companion dug his spurs into his horse and was off like the
+wind himself. And I after him.
+
+We dashed into the corn, and raced like mad to head the stampeding
+beasts. It was the strangest sensation in the world, galloping in the
+moonlight through the waving corn, which was up to our horses'
+shoulders. It made me quite giddy for a second or two, but I galloped
+madly on after my companion, who, with his shrill cowboy yells, helped
+the roaring cattle to wake the midnight silences of the valley. I
+joined in the yelling, too, and, so soon as our voices were heard, there
+was a chorus in reply from where we had left the rest of our party.
+
+"We shall never head them," I cried.
+
+"Perhaps not, but we'll try," answered the vaquero, as we tore onward. I
+thought we had not the slightest hope of heading them. Up the hillside
+we tore to keep them on the flat ground, and at every leap over a rough
+incline I thought my horse would break his neck and mine too. But as
+surefooted as goats are those horses of the hills. At length, for some
+reason or other, the cattle wheeled and went back down towards the
+river, and we, of course, followed.
+
+Suddenly, two of them broke away to the right, and I after them. I
+thought I might be of some little use, even if I were not an expert
+lassoer. But those two wild cattle knew too much for me. They tore
+across a gully, dashed up the other side and away at full gallop into
+the hills. I let them go. If I had pursued them farther most probably I
+should not be writing this now. As it was, it was a marvel I had not
+broken my neck. Only my splendid horse had saved me.
+
+So I rode back to the oak-trees, and there--there was not a sign of
+life. All was as silent and still as if nothing had ever disturbed
+Nature's quiet. I remember how beautiful was the night. A half-moon
+shone out in a clear sky, like a semicircle of pure, bright silver, the
+tops of the mountains were silhouetted against the sky as if they were
+cut out of cardboard, and all was so calm just then. You don't get such
+lovely nights elsewhere. The moon has not the sterling brightness; the
+air not the clearness nor the stillness that it has there.
+
+Where were my companions? I did not know. My panting horse was glad to
+get breathing-space, so I sat there in the saddle, waiting. I pulled my
+coat around my shoulders, for the air was chilly. It was then about 2
+A.M.
+
+A sharp sound disturbed my reverie--the sound of a horse's hoofs
+galloping over the rocky river-bed. The rattle was so clear, so
+distinct, in that atmosphere and at that hour, that I could hear it long
+before my eyes could detect anything, even in that bright moonlight.
+Then, in a few moments, there approached a horse at full gallop, with
+his head low down and neck extended--at first apparently riderless, but
+as he came nearer I was startled to discover a black shape, hanging over
+the off-side, and, as the frightened steed tore past me, I saw it was a
+woman.
+
+It was Edna. Who else could it be? Her left foot, still in the stirrup,
+had come right over the saddle with her as she fell, and she was
+clinging desperately with her hands to the horse's long mane, but so low
+down that, at the pace, it seemed to be impossible for her to recover.
+
+Without a moment's thought of how I should save her, I galloped after
+her maddened steed as hard as I could go. I was on an English saddle and
+without a lasso--since to me such a thing would have been of little use
+on such a risky expedition as we had undertaken; but I urged my horse
+onwards and galloped him at his utmost in an endeavour to head the
+other, when perhaps I might be able to clutch a rein and stop the
+runaway. But Edna's horse was the fleetest of any on the ranche;
+moreover, her light weight was a comparative advantage, and so I gained
+not a whit on the horse with his imperilled burden. It was terrible. How
+long could the poor girl hang on like that? Not much longer, I was sure,
+yet prayed that she might have strength.
+
+Then, ahead of us, in the distant moonlight, I discerned other galloping
+figures. A horseman was pursuing at full speed along the bank a huge
+steer that bellowed as it endeavoured to secure a free run up into the
+hills, there to be safe from its mortal enemy. I yelled at the top of my
+voice, with all the breath I had left.
+
+Immediately the horseman pulled his horse back on its haunches and from
+the bank stared down at pursued and pursuer. In a twinkling he seemed to
+realise the situation, wheeled, and galloped down the bank at an angle
+calculated to make it easier for him to get within reach of Edna's
+horse. Then I saw it was Tom, and he must have guessed that it was Edna
+ahead of him, in a position of direst peril. How we had all become
+separated I could not guess, and there was no time to wonder now.
+
+I saw Tom gather his loop in his right hand, holding the coil in his
+left, and begin to swing the loop round his head. What! was he going to
+take such a risk? To lasso the horse and check it suddenly when at a mad
+gallop like that? Surely the animal would come to earth with a fearful
+crash, most probably on the side on which it was weighed down with its
+burden.
+
+Then I saw the rope whirl through the air, and though it could have been
+but a moment, it seemed to hang there for minutes without falling. This
+was the time for skill. If ever Tom should throw his lariat well, it
+must be now. With unerring aim the rope was cast, and the loop settled
+over the head of the runaway, though the maddened animal was galloping
+with neck stretched full length and head low down.
+
+Gradually the rope tightened round its shoulders, Tom galloping his own
+horse hard behind. By the most skilful manipulation of the lariat,
+Edna's horse was compelled to slacken its pace, Tom getting nearer and
+nearer by degrees and taking in the slack until he was right alongside.
+He soon brought the runaway to a stand-still, and directed me to release
+Edna's foot from the stirrup, which I did. She sank to the ground,
+completely exhausted. And little wonder. Her hands were cut and bleeding
+with the tenacious grip she had kept on the horse's mane, and it was
+some time before she recovered sufficient strength to move.
+
+As soon as she was able, she told us that she had become separated from
+the other riders when galloping through the cornbrake, and a wild steer
+had gored her horse in the side. This had so startled the animal that he
+reared, and then dashed off madly up the valley in the way I had seen
+her coming. She had fallen over, and as her foot had caught in the
+stirrup, she clutched her horse's long mane, and so saved herself from
+being dragged along the ground, and, probably, from a horrible death.
+
+We now were able to see that her horse had been badly ripped on the near
+side, and from loss of blood and as the result of his long, mad gallop,
+the poor animal was in a bad way. He was led back to the ranche and
+there cared for.
+
+It appeared that the others had galloped along on the other side of the
+field until they had found that the cattle had turned. Then they waited
+until they could get behind them, and, when this was managed, they
+secured half a dozen of them with their lariats.
+
+One man had let go his lasso. This sometimes happens. In cases of
+emergency a man has to let go his rope, and that is why the cowboys
+practise picking up things from the ground at full gallop. It is not
+done there for show; there is no gallery to play to. It is a necessary
+accomplishment. A man has lost his rope, the other end of it, perhaps,
+being round the horns of a steer. He gallops after it, as soon as he is
+clear of the bunch, and picks up the end at full speed. At the proper
+time he gives the lasso a turn round the horn of the saddle, pulls up
+his well-trained horse, and the steer is jerked to his feet. It is
+neatly done--and it takes doing.
+
+Next day the cattle were all in the corrals, and the wild ones were
+placed in the bunch to be travelled down to King City. But the newcomers
+were too unruly. They continually broke away _en route_, and gave so
+much trouble that before our destination was reached we shot every one
+of them.
+
+I left my friend's ranche shortly after this. I had had some experience
+that was worth winning, and I had gained a little knowledge of ranche
+life of the West.
+
+Lately I received a delicate little wedding-card, neatly inscribed, and
+figured with a design representing a coiled lariat. And from out of the
+coil there peeped the daintily written words--"Tom and Edna."
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+O'DONNELL'S REVENGE
+
+
+Engineer Trevannion was annoyed; for the Works Committee at Berthwer,
+who managed the affairs of the new wharf in course of construction
+there, had written to announce that they had appointed an assistant
+engineer, and had added an expression of opinion that "Mr. Garstin would
+prove of exceptional aid in the theoretical department, leaving Mr.
+Trevannion more time for the practical work in the execution of which he
+had given such satisfactory proof of his ability."
+
+Notwithstanding the sop to his feelings, Trevannion had grasped the
+significance of this communication, and resented it. He had been here,
+in sole charge, since the beginning; the chief engineer, who lived at
+the other end of the town, only came round once a fortnight, so
+trustworthy did he consider his subordinate. He had laboured at the
+detailed plans, wrestled with measurements to scale, until his eyes
+ached. He had stood about the works in all weathers, had exercised a
+personal supervision over the men, and had never made a slip in his
+weekly reports.
+
+To write the latter correctly, to keep the Committee informed of the
+amount of cement used, of fresh piles driven, of water pumped out, of
+concrete put in, to notify casualties, as they occurred, in a manner
+that might suggest the Committee's obligations under employers'
+liability, but did not harrow their feelings; to be at the works by nine
+o'clock every morning and not to leave till five; to be either in the
+iron shanty called the engineer's office, or supervising the making of
+concrete, or clambering about the massive beams and piles, or shouting
+through the telephone, or interviewing the ganger, or doing one of the
+hundred other things that were in the day's work; surely this was all
+that was required to be done, and he flattered himself that he had done
+it very well.
+
+And now the Works Committee were going to foist an assistant on him.
+Assistant! The very name was a slight upon his capabilities, a slur on
+his independence. Why had they treated him thus?
+
+He thought he knew the reason, ridiculous as it appeared to him. The new
+wharf, which was to increase the already considerable importance of
+Berthwer as a river port, had not proceeded very rapidly during the past
+few weeks. There had been difficulties--difficulties which Trevannion
+had attributed to unforeseen circumstances. It was possible that the
+Committee had attributed the difficulties to circumstances which ought
+to have been foreseen.
+
+Herein lay the gist of his resentment at the new appointment. The
+Committee, while recognising his diligence, energy, and pluck,
+considered that he lacked some of the finer qualities of insight that
+enable a man to forestall such difficulties and, when they occur, to
+meet them with as small an expenditure of capital and labour as
+possible. So they had appointed Garstin to help him; in other words, to
+supply the brain qualities which they imagined he lacked. It was unfair
+and humiliating.
+
+"Some puling theoretician!" he muttered to himself, as he walked to the
+works one winter morning. "Some dandy who can draw cubes and triangles
+and cannot do anything else except come here--late probably--in an
+overcoat and comforter. One of those sickly office-desk beggars who are
+ill half the time and useless the rest. Absolutely sickening!"
+
+He strode along in a temper with which the weather harmonised. It was
+gusty, bleak, and wet. Great pools of water lay on the rough roads in
+the poor quarter of the town through which lay his route. In order to
+reach the works, he had to cross the river by means of a ferry-boat.
+When he reached the landing-stage on this particular morning, he could
+see the boat moored against the opposite bank, but there was no ferryman
+in sight, and there was no response when he shouted.
+
+He shouted again and again. Then he turned up the collar of his
+jacket--he disdained a greatcoat--and pulled his cap over his eyes, and
+used strong language to relieve his feelings. He was still blaming the
+river, the ferryman, and anything else he could think of, when he
+became conscious of a light footfall, and, turning, saw a young man
+standing by his side.
+
+"I can't make the ferryman hear," he remarked in an aggrieved tone to
+the newcomer, as if the latter was in some way responsible for the fact.
+"It's an awful nuisance--I am already late. I've never known him play
+this trick before."
+
+"And I've been here ten minutes," was the answer. "The man has either
+gone away or gone to sleep. Hadn't we better get across some other way?
+There is a boat a few yards down. We might borrow it and scull ourselves
+across, that is, if you think----"
+
+"Good idea!" exclaimed Trevannion. Then he hesitated. "You--you are not
+going to the wharf, are you?" he asked.
+
+"Yes--for the first time in my life."
+
+"Is your name Garstin?"
+
+"That's it. Perhaps you can tell me----"
+
+"I'm Trevannion," briefly. "I didn't expect you quite so soon. Er--I'm
+glad to meet you."
+
+His eyes went to the heavy coat in which the lad--he was little
+more--was encased, to the fashionable bowler that contrasted with his
+own tweed cap, to the umbrella that protected the bowler from the
+dripping rain--ay, even to the comforter. It was as he had feared.
+Garstin was an office-desk weakling, and a mere boy into the bargain.
+The Works Committee had added insult to the injury they did him.
+
+"Oh, you're Mr. Trevannion," said the "insult," shyly holding out a
+gloved right hand. Trevannion took it limply and quickly let it drop.
+"Come on," he said. "We will get across first and talk afterwards."
+
+The gruffness of his tone did not tend to encourage expansiveness on the
+other's part, and little more was said whilst they unmoored the boat and
+rowed across, so the engineer had good opportunity for taking stock of
+his companion. The water was rough, and he judged from the clumsy way in
+which Garstin handled his oar and his apparent powerlessness to impart
+vigour to the stroke that muscular development had not formed part of
+his education. Trevannion stood six-foot-one in his stockings, and his
+frame was well knit with muscles that were supple as well as strong;
+naturally, he believed that physical fitness was essential to a good
+engineer, especially to an engineer in charge of a rather rough crew of
+workmen. He resolved by-and-by to recommend a course of Sandow to the
+new hand.
+
+"Mind how you get out," he said, when the boat bumped against the slimy
+ladder that did duty for a stairway. "The steps are greasy, and those
+togs of yours are hardly suited to this job."
+
+Garstin flushed but made no remark, and Trevannion flattered himself
+that the hint would not be wasted. He had already decided that the new
+engineer would have to be taught many things. This was Lesson No. 1.
+
+Hardly had they scrambled on to the wharf when Trevannion's ganger came
+up.
+
+"'Morning, sir. Can I speak to you a moment? There has been trouble
+between O'Donnell and Peters. O'Donnell was drunk--leastways so Peters
+says. Any'ow they got fighting and mauled each other pretty severe; in
+fact Peters is in hospital. Thought you'd better hear of it, sir."
+
+"Quite right," said Trevannion judicially. It was a common enough story
+on the wharf, and he had heard it before without paying much attention,
+but now--he glanced at the slight figure beside him, who evidently
+required as many object-lessons as could be given--and decided that here
+lay the opportunity for giving Lesson No. 2. "Pay O'Donnell and sack
+him," he commanded.
+
+"Very good, sir," said the ganger, moving away.
+
+"That's the way we have to treat our fellows here," said Trevannion.
+"Summary justice, you know. They're a rough lot. Now come and see the
+office and the plans."
+
+Whatever Garstin may have thought of these proceedings, he said nothing,
+but followed submissively along the wharf. Perhaps, without knowing the
+peculiar authority which had at the contractor's desire been vested in
+Trevannion, he wondered that any engineer should wield such powers.
+However, he had not much time for wondering, or indeed for anything
+except the task of keeping pace with his nimble, long-legged comrade. He
+kept stumbling over little heaps of granite and sand, over rails, along
+which the travelling cranes moved ponderously, over bits of tarpaulin
+and old iron instruments, over every object, in fact, that Trevannion
+avoided with such apparent ease.
+
+Garstin was rather a distressful youth by the time the shanty was
+reached, for the pace had been hot, and he had been impeded by the fatal
+greatcoat and muffler. After divesting himself of these he stood still
+and breathed hard in front of a cheerful coke fire, while Trevannion
+unrolled the plans and pinned them to the long, sloping desk occupying
+one side of the room.
+
+When all was ready the engineer began to explain the plans in detail,
+elaborating the explanation with simpler explanation, getting through
+the sections one by one with slow precision, repeating his elucidation
+of black lines, red lines, and green lines, of the length, breadth, and
+numbers of the piles, of the soil, subsoil, and sub-subsoil, that
+received them; all this in the manner of one who is instructing a child
+in the rudiments of engineering science, for he had made up his mind
+that Garstin would want a lot of instructing.
+
+Garstin seemed a patient listener, and Trevannion had almost begun to
+enjoy himself, when the former suddenly laid his finger on a certain
+spot and asked a question connected with water-pressure and the strength
+of resisting force. Trevannion was surprised into returning what he
+thought was the correct answer. He was still more surprised when the
+other proceeded to prove by figures that that answer was incontestably
+incorrect.
+
+This was the beginning. Garstin quickly found more questions to put on
+other points, more criticisms of Trevannion's replies. The latter at
+first made desperate efforts to crush him by assuming the calm
+superiority of the older hand. But with Garstin's logic it was useless
+to be calm. It was worse than useless to try to be superior. The
+intruder stuck to his guns with respectful pertinacity. Perhaps the fire
+had warmed his brain into unwonted activity; Trevannion found himself
+wondering whether this was so, or whether it was a normal state--the
+last thought was horrible!
+
+At any rate, there was no doubt that within these four stuffy walls
+Garstin was in his element. Trevannion clearly was not. In half an hour
+his treasured theories had been picked to pieces and his stock of
+argument was exhausted, whilst his rival appeared as fresh as the
+woodwork.
+
+But the climax was reached when Section D came up for discussion. Things
+had not gone well with Section D in practice. Trevannion incautiously
+admitted as much when he said that Section D represented a point on the
+wharf where the river persistently--more persistently than at other
+points--forced its way into the cavity intended for good concrete.
+Garstin promptly demonstrated the probable reason why. This was too
+much. Trevannion shut up the demonstration by opening the door.
+
+"Phew!" he said. "Let's go out and get a little fresh air. We'll have a
+look at the section itself."
+
+He stepped out, followed by the other--meekly.
+
+It was still raining. Under the leaden sky the works looked more dismal
+than ever. Lakes of water lay where there had been pools; rails and
+machinery glistened as if they had been carefully oiled. A thick
+light-brown river raced past. The echoing wind and the hoarse murmur of
+the gang at work on Section D mingled with the groaning and clattering
+of the cranes. Garstin missed the warmth of the fire and shivered; he
+had forgotten his overcoat; and he experienced only the mildest
+curiosity in the surroundings. Trevannion walked rapidly and in silence.
+He was thinking mainly of how he could get his own back from this
+usurper.
+
+They came to the edge of Section D. Below them yawned a huge pit with
+uneven walls sheer from top to bottom. Fronting them, on the river side,
+solid piles went down into an abyss that ended in black water; these
+were a barrier--a support to the wedge of earth that the mighty river
+pressed against their backs. From the land side to the tops of the piles
+stretched transverse beams, two and three yards apart; more beams lower
+down, constituting stays against the piles buckling; the whole a giant
+scaffolding embedded in the bowels of the earth. A few rough blocks of
+concrete peeped from the water below. Fountains spurted from between the
+piles and splashed into the basin.
+
+Trevannion looked at the fountains and frowned. There would be work for
+the pumps very shortly; there was always too much work for the pumps in
+Section D, and so too little time and opportunity for more progressive
+labour. Then, disregarding the obviously slippery state of the
+transverse beams, he stepped on to one of them, and stood poised for a
+moment over sixty feet of hungry voidness.
+
+"Come over to the other side," he said to Garstin. "You cannot see what
+is going on below from where you are. Why, what----?"
+
+Garstin, after placing one foot on the beam, had drawn back, a leaden
+pallor showing unmistakably under his skin.
+
+Trevannion stared at him. The laugh, the jeer, that had risen in his
+heart at this sudden failure of nerve never found expression. There was
+something in the young fellow's face that spoke of more than a qualm of
+nervousness. It was a pitiful terror that met Trevannion's eyes--the
+pleading terror of a dumb, helpless animal before a human tormentor.
+
+For a moment the engineer stood irresolute. Two men, engaged in mixing
+cement a few yards distant, had laid down their spades, and, having
+heard Trevannion's invitation to cross the beam, were looking at "the
+new bloke" in mild wonder as to why he hesitated. A third was slowly
+trundling a wheelbarrow full of sand towards them. Trevannion took in
+these details in a flash--and realised their significance. Here was an
+easy chance of shaming Garstin before the gang, of convicting him of
+rank and unprofessional cowardice, of getting his own back again from
+the office-desk theoretician, yet--an uncontrollable impulse of
+generosity prevented his seizing it. He stepped on to the bank and stood
+beside the fear-struck figure.
+
+"You _must_ come on," he said in a whisper that was little more than a
+breath. "Pull yourself together. I'll hold you."
+
+An instant later, and for an instant only, the two stood together on the
+narrow beam, Garstin a shrinking form, his every limb shaken by
+something more potent than the gusty wind, his face turned anywhere but
+downwards. Trevannion did not hold him, but his hand rested reassuringly
+on the other's quivering arm. For an instant only, and then Garstin was
+pushed on to the firm bank again and hurried towards the office.
+
+Trevannion talked jerkily as soon as they were out of earshot of the
+gang. "Sudden attack of funk--rather a bogie place on a slippery
+day--might happen to anybody--get used to it--dance a jig on top of the
+king pile one day, and wonder how you could ever have been such a----"
+
+"Coward," finished Garstin quietly.
+
+"No-o, that's not exactly the word," said Trevannion lamely, and waited
+for explanation or extenuation.
+
+But none came. It was as if the boy was quite aware of the cowardice,
+and did not wish his companion to consider it anything else.
+Trevannion's mind marvelled at the seeming abasement.
+
+A few days later Trevannion reported progress to his wife anent the new
+assistant, whom for some strange reason he had grown positively to like.
+
+"Wonderfully brainy chap, Garstin. He has helped me no end with Section
+D--you know, where we have had all the trouble. With luck we shall have
+it finished in a week or two. At the same time"--with conviction--"he
+will never make a practical engineer. Wouldn't be any good in an
+emergency. No nerve--no nerve at all. Seems to go to bits directly he
+gets outside the office. Can't even look down into the section without
+holding on to something. If a crane starts anywhere near, it makes him
+jump, and as to being any good with the gang, why, he daren't speak to
+one of them. Only this afternoon, when O'Donnell came and blustered----"
+
+"O'Donnell?" said his wife.
+
+"Yes--a man I sacked for being drunk and fighting. He came to the office
+this afternoon and asked to be taken on again. He said he could get no
+other job, and his wife and children were starving. I told him that the
+regulations would not admit of his re-employment; besides, I had
+reported him as dismissed and filled up the vacancy. Then he started
+cursing and threatening that he would do for the wharf and for me too,
+unless I relented. Of course I didn't relent. I turned him out--he was
+half-drunk. And there--what do you think?--there was Garstin with his
+hands covering his face, shivering and shaking as if he had seen a
+ghost.
+
+"'I am sure that fellow means mischief, Mr. Trevannion,' he muttered.
+'I'm sure he does--I read it in his eyes. Hadn't you better take him
+back--just for the sake of his wife?'
+
+"Of course I couldn't--wouldn't. But Garstin's a brainy beggar--oh,
+wonderfully brainy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+There came a certain Friday evening when the two men sat late in their
+office, compiling the weekly report. Trevannion was in high good-humour;
+for had not their joint efforts, as he liked to call Garstin's useful
+suggestions, proved successful in ousting the river finally from Section
+D? and was not that troublesome part of the wharf ready for good
+concrete as soon as it could be made? He had to record this gratifying
+intelligence for the Committee's benefit, and he did it with a relish.
+
+"Nothing to fear now for the old section," he remarked cheerfully.
+
+"Nothing but the unexpected collapse of a pile," said Garstin.
+
+"Oh, that's impossible."
+
+"It's improbable."
+
+The report was finished and placed in its long envelope, and they
+prepared to go home. Trevannion began to busy himself with a heavy oil
+lantern. "I am going to have a look at the section on the way," he said;
+"just to see that the river has not come over the top," he added
+jestingly. "It's a whim of mine. But don't come if you'd rather not. I
+can join you at the steps."
+
+"Oh, I'll come," said Garstin--without enthusiasm.
+
+The pair stepped out into the night, Trevannion locking the door behind
+him. It was pitch-dark on the wharf. They could feel the presence of,
+rather than see, the river that flowed silently in front of them, and
+they could roughly locate the far bank by the myriads of starry lights
+that showed Berthwer town beyond. A single red lamp glowed dully far to
+the west; it belonged to a steamer that they had seen come to her
+moorings in the afternoon. There were no other vessels showing lights.
+The rest was black with a blackness sentient of vague forms--an
+impenetrable wall of darkness that seemed to stand between them and the
+outer world.
+
+Picking their way carefully between débris and other impedimenta, they
+made their way towards the section, and had covered half the distance
+when Garstin stopped. "Don't you hear something?" he asked. "I am almost
+sure I was not mistaken. It was like the sound of blows. There cannot be
+anybody there now, can there?"
+
+Trevannion halted and listened.
+
+"I don't hear anything," he said presently. "Besides, who could be on
+the wharf now? You know the regulations, and the watchman is there to
+enforce them."
+
+"I think--the noise has stopped."
+
+Trevannion flashed the lantern on him suspiciously. "Nerves again" had
+come into his mind. However, he said nothing, but resumed his march,
+swinging his lantern this way and that, so as to gain a larger
+circumference of light. But suddenly he again stopped, as an unexpected
+sound fell on his ears.
+
+"By jove--water!" he exclaimed, and broke into a run.
+
+Garstin followed as fast as he could, but, deprived of the light, he
+quickly came to grief over some old metal. When he picked himself up,
+the other was yards ahead, and after that he had to content himself with
+keeping the lantern in view.
+
+The engineer reached Section D and stopped breathless on the brink. He
+had forgotten Garstin--had forgotten everything save that water was
+again forcing its way into the unhappy section. But how and where?
+Anxiously examining the opposite side with his lantern, he soon
+discovered what the matter was, and the discovery caused him a thrill of
+amazed horror. The "improbable thing" had happened. One of the piles was
+buckling--bending inwards--and the earth dam was surely, if slowly,
+giving way at this point. He turned to shout to Garstin.
+
+Then something hit him on the shoulder and he fell backwards into
+Section D, wildly and vainly clutching at a beam to save himself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Trevannion! Trevannion!"
+
+The voice of Garstin, office-desk theoretician,
+assistant-engineer--Trevannion was clear about that. What he did not
+realise so clearly was what had happened to himself. He was lying face
+downwards on something, with his arm under his breast--his left arm,
+that is--his right seemed to have disappeared. Likewise, though he was
+conscious of a weight hanging downwards from his middle, he wondered
+vaguely what had become of his legs. He felt a curious disinclination to
+stir.
+
+Yet the voice went on calling, and presently he was impelled to answer
+"Hello, Garstin." Then, while he was still listening to the unfamiliar
+echo of his own voice, he heard just behind him a _splash, splash,
+splash_, and his left arm jerked itself spasmodically from beneath his
+breast, the hand simultaneously touching a substance that was hard,
+cold, and slimy.
+
+Then he realised.
+
+He was somewhere near the bottom of Section D. His body lay across one
+of the lowest beams; his legs dangled in the water. Garstin was
+somewhere above him, and the river was pouring steadily into the
+section, splashing now with monotonous regularity. And the water was
+rising--creeping up towards the level of the beam where he lay.
+
+Trevannion tried to raise himself by his right arm, but the limb gave
+way with an agonising shoot of pain; it was broken. He remained still
+and considered. Was the broken arm the extent of his injuries? The cold
+water had numbed his legs beyond all feeling. They were so much dead
+weight attached to his body. Both might be fractured for all he knew.
+
+The main fact was that he was incapable of moving, of helping himself,
+at any rate until assistance came. And the water was rising, of course.
+Would rescue or the water arrive first?
+
+He looked up painfully through the clammy gloom. Nothing save patches of
+sky, seen between the black beams, greeted his eyes. There was no sound
+save that of the water--_splash, splash, drip, drip_. For an instant the
+fear of death conquered him, and he almost shrieked.
+
+However, as physical exhaustion renewed its hold upon him, he grew
+calmer. He began to recall what had happened. He had fallen into the
+section--no--he had been pushed in. There flashed upon him the vision of
+a sullen, black-haired labourer, whom he had refused to reinstate; this
+act was O'Donnell's revenge.
+
+What had happened after that? The man would scarcely have had time to
+make his escape before Garstin came up. Well, it did not matter--he had
+heard Garstin's voice since in proof that he had survived any possible
+encounter. And the absence of Garstin, the oppressive silence now?
+Garstin had gone for help, of course. A boy like that could do nothing
+by himself even if he had the nerve; and Garstin had none. However, he
+would not be long in finding the watchman, and bringing him to the
+rescue. They ought to be here now. They certainly ought to be here now.
+
+Nervously anxious, he listened for any sound of footfall or voice. Did
+Garstin realise the danger of the black water that was rising, ever
+rising? Had he by any evil chance failed to find the watchman at his
+post?
+
+A smooth wave flowed slowly over the beam, and he shuddered.
+
+Suddenly--after hours, as it seemed--something flickered on the surface
+of the water in front of him. A shadowy white gleam it was. It danced
+before his eyes like a mocking spirit--and was gone. But shortly it
+reappeared, and with it a lantern and a rope, with somebody clinging to
+the end of the rope. Trevannion had just time to recognise the figure of
+Garstin, swaying slowly above him, before he lost consciousness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Garstin got him out, of course. But it was many days before Trevannion
+learned the details of the rescue.
+
+It appeared that Garstin had arrived just in time to witness O'Donnell's
+treacherous attack, and to confront the infuriated man as he turned to
+retreat. In a blind frenzy the boy sprang at his enemy, and the latter,
+taken by surprise, went down with a crash, striking his head on a heap
+of stones, and lay senseless.
+
+Thereupon Garstin, with the one idea of rescuing Trevannion in his mind,
+hurried off to the watchman's hut--only to find that the fellow had left
+his post. However, he discovered there a lantern and a coil of rope,
+and, taking these, he returned to Section D, resolved to attempt the
+rescue by himself. Having shouted and received a reply, he hitched one
+end of the rope to a beam, and was about to lower himself down, when he
+discovered that the rope was so badly frayed in its centre that it could
+not be trusted to bear even his slight weight.
+
+There was nothing to be done save to postpone the attempt till he had
+found a more substantial cable. He remembered that there was a length or
+two in the office, and thither he set out at once. The door being locked
+and Trevannion having the key is his pocket, he had to force the lock as
+best he could with the first implement he could lay hands on.
+
+This occupied several minutes, and when he returned to the section, he
+was tormented by the fear that he might find Trevannion drowned. He
+hastily affixed the new rope, and let himself down into the abyss, where
+he discovered Trevannion insensible, with his forehead almost touching
+the water.
+
+It did not take long to make a noose and slip it over the latter's
+shoulders, but he had hardly done so when a gush of water swept over the
+beam, carrying away the lantern and plunging them into total darkness.
+For some subsequent seconds the boy clutched the rope and Trevannion's
+lifeless body in an agony of terror and doubt.
+
+Then he started to climb up. The process proved exceedingly laborious,
+for the hemp was thin and damp, and it was difficult to obtain a grip.
+However, he managed to reach the summit and clambered over the brink,
+then paused awhile for some little breath and strength before essaying
+the hardest task of all--the hauling of Trevannion into safety.
+
+How his puny strength enabled him to do this, he never could say. His
+foothold was none too secure, and the only available leverage was a
+narrow piece of masonry that jutted from the side. Yet, working inch by
+inch, he accomplished it, and when Trevannion had been brought
+sufficiently near the top, he made the rope fast to a convenient block
+of granite, and, kneeling down, regardless of his own peril, lifted him
+over the side. It was quite ten minutes before he could stagger with his
+burden to the office.
+
+Safely inside, he made up the fire and telephoned for the doctor. Then
+he remembered O'Donnell, and spoke a message to the police-station,
+whence were presently despatched a couple of constables who found the
+man, stunned and considerably bruised. Neither did he forget Section
+D--with the result that there was a breakdown gang on the spot before
+midnight.
+
+The buckled pile was found to have been nearly chopped through a few
+feet from the top, and there was no doubt that if O'Donnell had been
+undisturbed, he would have done the most serious mischief to the work.
+As it was, the completion of the section was delayed for two months.
+
+Trevannion heard this story during his convalescence--a lengthy period,
+since two ribs were broken as well as the arm, and he had suffered
+severely from shock and exposure. In answer to a question Garstin said
+that at the time he had scarcely noticed the physical strain. The thing
+that was uppermost in his mind was the fear that Trevannion might drown
+before he could get to him. No, he had experienced no personal sensation
+of nervousness, when preparing to descend into the section. Whereupon
+Trevannion thought deeply.
+
+"I owe my life to your pluck, and I was a fool to faint at the critical
+moment," was all he said.
+
+But, as has been remarked, his thoughts were many and profound. Nor was
+he ever again heard to reflect on Garstin's "want of nerve."
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+MY ADVENTURE WITH A LION
+
+
+I once served an apprenticeship on a New York newspaper, and some of my
+experiences as a reporter on the _Evening Smile_ I shall never forget.
+
+A reporter on an American newspaper is like a soldier--he is expected to
+obey orders implicitly, even at the risk of his life. For this reason he
+is paid well, but a nervous reporter often goes out of the office with
+his heart in his mouth and an "assignment" that makes him think
+seriously of taking out another insurance policy on his life.
+
+One gloomy winter's morning I got down to the office at eight o'clock as
+usual, and had hardly reached my desk when the news editor--a kind man,
+who was always giving me opportunities of distinguishing myself--came up
+and began to speak at once in a very mysterious voice.
+
+"Got a dandy assignment for you this morning," he said.
+
+I looked up gratefully.
+
+"I guess you carry a six-shooter, don't you?" he asked. "You may need it
+this trip."
+
+"Oh!" I managed to gasp.
+
+"A lion's escaped," he went on, in the quick, nervous American way of
+an American news editor.
+
+"Has it really?" I said, wondering what was coming next.
+
+"Jaffray's Circus came to town last night, the lion somehow got out, and
+they've been chasing it all night. Got it cornered in a stable at last,
+somewhere in East 19th Street; but it attacked and mauled a valuable
+horse there, and I understand is still at bay. That's all I know. Get up
+there as quick as you like, and get us a regular blazing story of it.
+You can run to a column," he added over his shoulder, as he returned to
+his desk to distribute the other morning assignments, "and let's have
+your copy down by messenger in time for the first edition."
+
+No one ever disputed with the news editor, or asked unnecessary
+questions, but many a reporter did a lot of steady thinking when he got
+outside the office and safely on to the doorstep.
+
+I crammed my pocket full of paper from the big heap at the middle table,
+and swaggered out of the room with my nose in the air, as though hunting
+escaped lions was a little matter I attended to every day of my life,
+and that did not disturb me an atom.
+
+An overhead train soon rattled me up to East 19th Street, but it was
+some time before I found the stable where the lion awaited me, for 19th
+Street runs from Broadway down to the East River, and is a mile or two
+in length, and full of stables. Not far from the corner of Irving
+Place, however, I got on to the scent of my quarry, and I had hardly
+joined the group that had collected at the corner before a noise like
+distant thunder rose on the air, and every single person in the group
+turned tail and began to run for safety.
+
+"What's the trouble?" I asked of a man as he dashed past me.
+
+"Lion in that stable!" he shouted, pointing to the big wooden doors
+across the road. "Escaped from the circus. Savage as they make 'em.
+Killed a trotting-horse in there, and no one can get near it. They say
+it's a man-eater, too!"
+
+Another roar burst out as he spoke, and the crowd that had begun to
+collect again scattered in an instant in all directions. There was no
+doubt about that sound: it was a genuine lion's roar, and it sounded
+deeper, I thought, than any roar I had ever heard before.
+
+But news was news, and in this case news was bread-and-butter. I must
+get the facts, and be quick about it, too, for my copy had to be written
+out and in the office of the _Evening Smile_ in time for the first
+edition. There was barely an hour in which to do the whole business.
+
+I forced my way through the crowd now gathering again on the corner, and
+made my way across the road to where a group of men was standing not far
+from the stable doors. They moved about a bit when the roars came, but
+none of them ran, and I noticed some of them had pistols in their hands,
+and some heavy crowbars, and other weapons. Evidently, I judged, they
+were men connected with the circus, and I joined the group and
+explained my mission.
+
+"Well, that's right enough," said one of them. "You've got a grand
+newspaper story this time. Old Yellow Hair's in there, sure pop! And,
+what's more, I don't see how we're ever going to get him out again."
+
+"The horse must be stiff by now," said another. "He was mauled half to
+death an hour ago."
+
+"It'd be a shame to have to shoot him," added a third, meaning the lion.
+"He's the best animal in the whole circus; but he is awful savage."
+
+"That's a fact," chimed in a fourth. "There's no flies on old Yellow
+Hair."
+
+Some one touched me on the arm and introduced himself as a reporter from
+the _Evening Grin_--a fellow-worker in distress. He said he didn't like
+the job at all. He wanted us to go off and concoct a "fake story." But I
+wouldn't agree to this, and it fell through; for unless all the evening
+papers conspire to write the same story there's always trouble at the
+office when the reporters get back.
+
+Other reporters kept joining the group, and in twenty minutes from the
+time of my arrival on the scene there must have been a good dozen of us.
+Every paper in town was represented. It was a first-class news story,
+and the men who were paid by space were already working hard to improve
+its value by getting new details, such as the animal's history and
+pedigree, names of previous victims, human or otherwise, the
+description and family history of its favourite keeper, and every other
+imaginable detail under the sun.
+
+"There's an empty loft above the stable," said one of the circus men,
+pointing to a smaller door on the storey above; and before ten minutes
+had passed some one arrived with a ladder, and the string of unwilling
+reporters was soon seen climbing up the rungs and disappearing like rats
+into a hole through the door of the loft. We drew lots for places, and I
+came fifth.
+
+Before going up, however, I had got a messenger-boy stationed in the
+street below to catch my "copy" and hurry off with it to the _Evening
+Smile_ as soon as I could compose the wonderful story and throw it down
+to him. The reporter on an evening paper in New York has to write his
+"stuff," as we called it, in wonderful and terrible places, and under
+all sorts of conditions. The only rules he must bear in mind are: Get
+the news, and get it _quick_. Accuracy is a mere detail for later
+editions--or not at all.
+
+The loft was dark and small, and we only just managed to squeeze in. It
+smelt pleasantly of hay. But there was another odour besides, that no
+one understood at first, and that was decidedly unpleasant. Overhead
+were thick rafters. I think every one of us noticed these before he
+noticed anything else, for the instant the roar of that lion sounded up
+through the boards under our feet the reporters scattered like chaff
+before the wind, and scuttled up into those rafters with a speed, and
+dust, and clatter I have never seen equalled. It was like sparrows
+flying from the sudden onslaught of a cat.
+
+Fat men, lean men, long men, short men--I never saw such a collection of
+news-gatherers; smart men from the big papers, shabby fellows from the
+gutter press, hats flying, papers fluttering; and in less than a second
+after the roar was heard there was not a solitary figure to be seen on
+the floor. Every single man had gone aloft.
+
+We all came down again when the roar ceased, and with subsequent roars
+we got a little more accustomed to the shaking of the boards under our
+feet. But the first time at such close quarters, with only a shaky
+wooden roof between us and "old Yellow Hair," was no joke, and we all
+behaved naturally and without pose or affectation, and ran for safety,
+or rather climbed for it.
+
+There was a trap-door in the floor through which, I suppose, the hay was
+passed down to the horses under normal circumstances. One by one we
+crawled on all-fours to this trap-door and peered through. The scene
+below I can see to this day. As soon as one's eyes got a little
+accustomed to the gloom the outline of the stalls became first visible.
+Then a human figure seated on the top of an old refrigerator, with a
+pistol in one hand, pointed at a corner opposite, came into view. Then
+another man, seated astride the division between the stalls, could be
+seen. And last, but not least, I saw the dark mass on the floor in the
+far corner, where the dead horse lay mangled and the monster of a lion
+sprawled across his carcass, with great paws outstretched, and shining
+eyes.
+
+From time to time the man on the ice-box fired his pistol, and every
+time he did this the lion roared, and the reporters flew and climbed
+aloft. The trap-door was never occupied a single second after the roar
+began, and as the number of persons in the loft increased and the thin
+wooden floor began to bend and shake, a number of these adventurous
+news-gatherers remained aloft and never put foot to ground. Braver
+reporters threw their copy out of the door to the messenger-boys below,
+and every time this feat was accomplished the crowd, safely watching on
+the corners opposite, cheered and clapped their hands. A steady stream
+of writing dropped from that loft-door and poured all the morning into
+the offices of the evening newspapers; while the morning-newspaper men
+sat quietly and looked on, knowing that they could write up their own
+account later from the reports in the evening sheets.
+
+The men in the stable below, occupying positions of great peril, were,
+of course, connected with the travelling circus. We shouted down
+questions to them, but more often got a pistol-shot instead of a voice
+by way of reply. Where all those bullets went to was a matter for
+anxious speculation amongst us, and the roaring of the lion combined
+with the reports of the six-shooter to keep us fairly dancing on that
+wooden floor as if we were practising a cake-walk.
+
+A sound of cheering from the crowd outside, swelling momentarily as the
+neighbourhood awoke to the situation, brought us with a rush to the top
+of the ladder.
+
+"It's the strong man!" cried several voices. "The strong man of the
+circus. He'll fix up the lion quick enough. Give him a chance!"
+
+A huge man, who, rightly enough, proved to be the performing strong man
+of the circus, was seen making his way through the crowd, asking
+questions as he went. A pathway opened up for him as if by magic, and,
+carrying a mighty iron crowbar, he reached the foot of the ladder and
+began to climb up.
+
+Thrilled by the sight of this monster with the determined-looking jaw, a
+dozen men rushed forward to hold the bottom of the ladder while he
+ascended; but when he was about half-way up, the lion was inconsiderate
+enough to give forth a most terrifying roar, with the immediate result
+that the men holding the ladder turned tail with one accord and fled.
+The ladder slipped a few inches, and the ascending Samson, crowbar and
+all, very neatly came to the ground with a crash. Fortunately, however,
+he just managed to grab the ledge of the door, and a dozen reporters
+seized him by the shoulders and dragged him, safe, but a trifle
+undignified, into the loft.
+
+Talking very loud, and referring to the lion with a richness of epithets
+I have never heard equalled before or since, he crossed the floor and
+began to squeeze through the hole into the dangerous region below. In a
+moment he was hanging with legs dangling, and a second later had
+dropped heavily into a pile of hay underneath him. We lowered the
+crowbar to him, breathless with admiration; and then a strange thing
+happened. For, while the lion roared and the pistols banged, and we
+reporters tumbled over each other to get a glimpse of the attack of the
+lion on the strong man, or _vice versa_, lo! a voice below shouted to
+close the trap, and the same instant a board from below shot across the
+opening and completely obliterated our view.
+
+"We'll have to fake that part of the fight," said a reporter. "Must all
+agree on the same yarn."
+
+The sounds from below prevented the details being agreed upon just at
+that moment, for such a hoolabaloo as we then heard is simply
+indescribable--shooting, lion roaring, strong man shouting, crowbar
+clanging, and the sound of breaking wood and heavy bodies falling.
+
+Outside the crowd heard it too, and remained absolutely silent. Most of
+them, indeed, had vanished! Every minute they expected to see the doors
+burst open and the enraged animal rush out with the strong man between
+his jaws, and their silence was accordingly explained by their absence.
+
+At least half of the reporters were still among the rafters when the
+trap-door shot back in the floor, and a voice cried breathlessly that
+the strong man had caged the lion.
+
+It was, indeed, a thrilling moment. We clambered down the ladder and out
+into the street just in time to see the great doors open and a
+procession emerge that was worth all the travelling circuses in the
+world put together to see.
+
+First came the trainer, with a pistol in either hand. Following him was
+the man with the small crowbar who had sat on the division between the
+stalls. Then came a great iron cage, which had been in the stable all
+the time, but a little out of our line of vision in a dark corner, so
+that no one had observed it.
+
+In this cage lay the huge exhausted lion, panting, on its side, with
+lather dripping from its great jaws.
+
+And on the top of the cage, seated tailor-wise, dressed in a very loud
+check ulster, and wearing a bell-shaped opera-hat on the side of his
+head, was the proud figure of the victorious strong man. The expression
+on his face was worth painting, but it is wholly beyond me to describe
+it. Such exultation and glorious pride was worthy of the mightiest
+gladiator that ever fought in an arena.
+
+His long curly hair, shining with oil, escaped in disorder from his
+marvellously shaped top hat, and the massive crowbar that had brought
+him his hard-won victory stood upright on one end, grasped in his
+gigantic hand. He smiled round on the gathering crowd, and the
+procession moved proudly up the streets till within half an hour the
+people following and cheering must have numbered many thousands.
+
+We reporters rushed off to our various offices, and the streets were
+soon afterwards lively with newspaper-boys shouting the news and waving
+sheets of terrible and alarming headlines about the "escaped lion and
+its fearful ravages," and the "strong man who had captured it after a
+ghastly battle for his life."
+
+Next day the morning papers did not publish a solitary line about the
+great event; but in the advertising columns of every newspaper appeared
+the prospectus of the travelling circus just come to town, and in
+particularly bold type the public were told to be sure and see Yellow
+Hair, the savage man-eating lion, that had escaped the day before and
+killed a valuable horse in a private stable where it had been chased by
+the terrified keepers; and, in the paragraph below, the details followed
+of the wonderful strong man, Samson, who had caught and caged the lion
+single-handed, armed only with a crowbar.
+
+It was the best advertisement a circus ever had; and most of it was not
+paid for!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Guess you knew it was all a fake?" queried the news editor next
+morning, as he gave me the usual assignment.
+
+It was my first week on an American paper, and I stared at him, waiting
+for the rest.
+
+"That lion hasn't a tooth in its head. They dragged in a dead horse in
+the night. You wrote a good story, though. Cleaned your pistol yet?"
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE SECRET CAVE OF HYDAS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.--THE FIGHT AND THEFT IN THE MUSEUM
+
+
+A tall, muscular, black-bearded, dark-eyed, beak-nosed native strolled
+into the Lahore Museum, in the Punjab; he carried a massive
+five-foot-long stick with a crook handle, and studded with short
+brass-headed nails from handle to ferrule. He sauntered about until he
+came to a case containing ancient daggers and swords, which arrested his
+attention for some time.
+
+About a dozen other visitors were in the room, and of these a couple
+strolled together from one object of interest to another; they were fine
+stalwart natives, and each possessed a stick of ordinary size.
+
+These two men quietly walked about exchanging opinions on the various
+curios until they came face to face with the solitary man gazing at the
+antique weapons.
+
+"What! art thou here, thou badmash (scoundrel)?" exclaimed one of the
+two.
+
+"Ah, thou son of a swine, take that!" replied the tall man, and, with a
+quickness which proved him to be an expert in the handling of a stick,
+struck the native who had addressed him a vicious blow on the head, but,
+the said head being protected by many folds of his puggari, the stroke
+merely knocked him down without doing any serious injury.
+
+In an instant the fallen man's friend struck at the assailant, and, the
+other man springing up, a fierce fight was quickly in full swing, two
+against one, and the noise of the sticks rattling together in powerful
+strokes, and the insulting taunts thrown at each other by the
+combatants, soon attracted the other sight-seers and the Museum
+attendants.
+
+In a few minutes the fighters had been turned out of the building; they
+had done no damage except to themselves, and neither party would bring a
+charge against the other, so they scowlingly went in opposite directions
+as soon as they were outside.
+
+"A family feud," said a bystander.
+
+"Yes, I expect it is a vendetta," responded another.
+
+These remarks, however, were very far from the truth, for the apparent
+enemies were the greatest friends and bound together by the most solemn
+vows, and in fact the realistic fight had been pre-arranged with a
+definite object, which was successfully attained, as indeed the Museum
+officials discovered later.
+
+The day after the fracas Doctor Mullen, Government geologist, called at
+the Museum; he was accompanied by his son Mark, a sturdily built lad of
+about eighteen, who was preparing to follow his father's profession, and
+with them was Tom Ellison, the Doctor's assistant, a young man of
+twenty-four, tall and extremely active.
+
+"Well, Ramji Daji, what's this I hear about a robbery at the Museum
+yesterday?" asked the doctor of the assistant curator.
+
+"Ah, Sahib, I am very sorry, but the badmashes stole those pieces of
+strangely carved stones you found on the Salt Range mountains, and also
+another piece, which was lying near them on the table here," answered
+Ramji Daji.
+
+"But what in the world did they carry them off for? They can be of no
+value to anybody," remarked the Doctor.
+
+"I don't know, Sahib. There was a fight here yesterday, and some hours
+after we missed the five fragments of inscribed stone and one piece
+belonging to another set. Had they taken any of the gold or silver
+things we could have understood, but----" and Ramji Daji made a gesture
+expressive of the puzzled state of his own mind.
+
+"There can be only two reasons for the strange theft--it is either a
+practical joke, or some one saw the stones who was able to decipher
+them--which we could not--but the joke theory seems the more probable,"
+said the Doctor.
+
+The pieces of stone referred to consisted of five irregular fragments of
+a slab, an inch or so thick, the largest being about seven inches long
+by four or five wide, and the smallest some four inches by two. These
+five parts would not fit evenly together, and in the Doctor's opinion
+they formed about half of the original slab.
+
+The Doctor had taken a careful rubbing on paper of the letters on the
+stones, and sent it to a friend for the purpose of deciphering it if
+possible.
+
+"I wonder, Doctor, whether any one from the Salt Range stole the stones?
+Do you remember that your tent was surreptitiously searched a few nights
+after you had found the pieces?" remarked Tom Ellison.
+
+"I remember my things having been ransacked, and we concluded some thief
+had been disturbed, but we never for a moment thought they were after
+the bits of inscribed slab, which, by the way, I had sent off the day
+before when sending for stores for the camp," he replied.
+
+"Well, if he was after the stones he may have followed us to Lahore and
+you to the Museum, when you came to take a rubbing of the lettering,"
+said Tom.
+
+"There must be a clue to something written on them, if any one took all
+the trouble to come so far for them," suggested Mark Mullen.
+
+"To-morrow I hope to hear from Professor Muirson, and he will probably
+throw some light on the meaning of the inscription," said the Doctor.
+"But come, we must get back to work, for I have to finish my report
+before we start into camp again in a couple of days' time," he added,
+and they hurried away to their own office, but at least Mark's mind was
+full of thoughts concerning the stolen stones, and conjuring up all
+sorts of strange mysteries connected with them.
+
+Doctor Mullen duly received from the Professor the expected letter, a
+part of which read as follows--
+
+"There can be no doubt that the ruins in which you found the fragments
+of inscribed slab are those of a Greek settlement which was most
+probably founded on the Salt Range by camp followers, and possibly
+soldiers, of Alexander the Great's army who were left behind on his
+return from India.
+
+"I can only conclude from the rubbing you have sent me that it is not
+from the original inspection, but that the slab of which you have found
+parts was inscribed from memory at a much later period, it being made up
+of three languages. The original sense may or may not have been
+retained, and as far as I am able to understand it the incomplete
+wording would in English read--' ... into thy charge ... guarded ...
+descendants with life ... of Hydas ... sacrifice ... the gods.'
+
+"I have made no attempt to guess at the missing words, for, as you will
+see at a glance, the incomplete sentences allow of a variety of
+renderings, thereby causing great uncertainty with regard to the
+original meaning."
+
+"I wish we had the other parts of the slab," exclaimed Mark, as soon as
+his father had read out the letter.
+
+"Yes, it is rather interesting. Well, we start to-morrow for the Salt
+Range to continue our work, and I will show you the exact spot where I
+found the pieces, and a diligent search there may be rewarded by the
+discovery of at least some of the other portion," said the Doctor; and
+both Mark and Tom Ellison hoped such might prove to be the case, little
+thinking what dangers they would be led into on account of those
+fragments of an old, broken slab.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.--MARK MULLEN DISAPPEARS
+
+
+"Now then, Mark, down you come," said Tom Ellison, as he shook the lad,
+who had lowered the upper sleeping-berth in the train and gone to sleep.
+
+"What time is it? Where are we?" Mark asked drowsily.
+
+"Near midnight, and we are at Gunjyal," answered Tom.
+
+"What a beastly hour to turn out!" grumbled Mark as he scrambled down.
+
+In half an hour the servants and a camel--which had been waiting--had
+started for the Doctor's destination, a place on the Salt Range some
+twelve miles away.
+
+At daybreak three horses arrived, and the Doctor and his two companions
+started for their camp.
+
+After breakfast the Doctor took his son and Tom Ellison, accompanied by
+a servant, to a small valley about a quarter of a mile from the camp.
+
+"Here you are," said the Doctor; "this is the exact spot where I found
+the pieces of slab."
+
+"Then I should say the rest can't be far away," remarked Tom, and they
+commenced poking around with the ends of iron-shod sticks. They had been
+twenty minutes at their task when a boy in charge of some goats planted
+himself on a rock not far away and keenly watched the Sahibs at work.
+
+"Don't you think it would be a good plan, Doctor, if we got a few
+coolies to loosen the subsoil and turn over some of these loose stones
+about here?--it would be easier for us to search," suggested Tom.
+
+"Yes, we may as well make a thorough search now we are at it," replied
+the Doctor, who at once sent the servant to the village near the camp
+for some coolies and tools.
+
+The boy had disappeared before the coolies arrived, for he had received
+a signal from a man who was secretly watching the search-party from the
+top of a cliff some seventy yards away.
+
+The natives had not been long at work when one of them slipped, and his
+puggari pitched off exactly on to the spot where the next coolie had
+turned over a stone. The man picked up his puggari and moved a few yards
+off to wind it round his head again, and almost immediately the goat-boy
+appeared and asked him if he had seen a stray goat.
+
+Tom Ellison happened to be standing up examining a strange fossil he had
+found, and as he casually glanced at the boy he saw the coolie hand him
+something, which he promptly hid in the folds of a kind of scarf hanging
+over his shoulder.
+
+In a moment a suspicion flashed into Tom's mind, and he rushed forward
+and seized the boy before he could make off, and no sooner had he felt
+the lad's kupra (cloth) than he discovered that the youngster had hidden
+a newly found piece of the slab which had been picked up by the coolie.
+
+The Doctor and Mark were at once by Tom's side examining the fragment
+and listening to Tom's explanation. In their excitement they forgot
+about the boy, and when they looked round became aware that both he and
+the coolie had disappeared.
+
+The sides of the hills all about were covered with low shrubs, large
+stones, and nullahs, or ravines, and, although a quick search was made,
+neither man nor boy could be seen.
+
+When the day was over they had met with no further success as regards
+finding parts of the slab, but they took away several other stones which
+they thought might possibly prove to be of some interest, and most of
+the evening after dinner was spent in discussing the reason which
+prompted the theft from the Museum, and the attempt to steal the stone
+found during the day.
+
+"There can be no doubt I was seen examining the fragments I found," said
+the Doctor. "I remember now that three or four natives were watching me
+trying to place the several pieces together in my attempts to get an
+idea of the whole. Strange that these natives should take so keen an
+interest in an old, broken slab, for the pieces must have been lying
+there for years."
+
+"I expect we shall have to keep a sharp eye on this piece, for they are
+sure to have a try for it, judging by what they have already done," said
+Tom.
+
+"They seem to have a sharp eye on us. I shouldn't be surprised if they
+thought we came here purposely to hunt for the stones," said Mark.
+
+"Well, I will take a copy of the letters on it at once, in case anything
+happens to the stone," said the Doctor.
+
+Next day an official letter arrived which necessitated either the Doctor
+or Tom returning to Lahore for a few hours, and it was decided the
+letter should go.
+
+"Now listen," said the Doctor as Tom was about to start on his journey.
+"Take the stone to the Museum and tell them to place it where they can
+watch any one who takes any peculiar interest in it. Further, get a
+description of those men who were fighting there on the day the stones
+were stolen; and don't forget to post my letter to the Professor, for it
+contains a rubbing from the last piece."
+
+With these parting instructions Tom started on his ride to Gunjyal
+station so as to arrive there before dark, there being practically no
+road from the foot of the Salt Range across the miles of dismal tract of
+sandy plain to the station, although his train did not leave until
+midnight; but it was the only train in the twenty-four hours.
+
+Tom was half-asleep when he got into the train; he had the compartment
+to himself, and he thought it likely he would remain alone until he
+arrived at Lala Musa, about eight o'clock, where he would have to change
+to get on to the main line, so he quickly spread his bedding, and,
+drawing the green-baize shade over the lamp, he was soon asleep.
+
+He could not say where it happened, but when he roused up the train was
+in motion and he was just conscious he was not alone; but the instant he
+attempted to move, a rug was thrown over his face, and he knew he was
+being held down by at least two powerful assailants. In a very short
+time, notwithstanding his fierce struggles, he was bound hand and foot,
+a gag in his mouth, and blindfolded, without having the slightest idea
+of the appearance of those who had attacked him.
+
+Whilst Tom was in this condition the train stopped several times, but no
+one entered the compartment, and, as the Venetian shutters were down, it
+was impossible for any one to peer through the window and so become
+aware of his position.
+
+He tried to knock his feet against the side of the carriage at the first
+station, but he was bound too securely to the seat which formed his bed
+to allow of the slightest movement, so wearily and painfully the hours
+dragged on until the guard discovered him and set him free at Lala Musa
+station.
+
+The moment he was released he found that the only thing missing was the
+fragment of slab he was to have taken to the Museum.
+
+"They followed me to Gunjyal and then slipped into my carriage at some
+station whilst I was asleep, and quietly slipped out at the next station
+when they had got what they wanted," mused Tom.
+
+By the time he had given an account of what had happened to him he had
+only a few minutes in which to rush over to the refreshment-room and get
+some breakfast before his train was due.
+
+When Tom arrived in Lahore he went straight to his office, and in a
+couple of hours he had completed the special work which had necessitated
+his journey; then he went over to the Museum.
+
+"The thief has been caught, Sahib," said one of the attendants as Tom
+entered the building.
+
+"When? Who is he?" asked Tom, in considerable surprise, for he had
+concluded that his late assailants were the men who had robbed the
+Museum.
+
+"They caught him during last night, but I don't know much about it yet,"
+replied the man.
+
+Tom at once hurried off to the police-station to learn full particulars.
+
+"Yes, we found a piece of stone with some strange device on it," said
+the Superintendent of Police. "This is it. Do you recognise it?" he
+added, as he handed Tom the stone.
+
+"No, this is not the one the Doctor found," said Tom, after a moment's
+examination.
+
+"Well, it is the only bit we got, and we are told it was stolen from
+the Museum with some others, during a fight," said the officer.
+
+"How did you get this?" asked Tom.
+
+"Well, in rather a strange way. The night after the stones had
+disappeared three clever burglaries took place in Lahore, and the
+thieves made valuable hauls in each case, but we could get no clue. Last
+night an anonymous letter came to us, and we decided to act upon it, so
+we searched a house in the bazaar and recovered this stone together with
+some gold and silver ornaments which had been stolen; we found them in
+the exact spot where we were told to look for them. The man says he is
+innocent, and that they were placed where we found them unknown to him.
+Now you know the whole case," said the police-officer.
+
+"And the man you have arrested, do you think he is connected with the
+men who were fighting in the Museum?" asked Tom.
+
+"He says not. He certainly is not one of the fighters. He does not bear
+the best of characters, however," was the reply.
+
+Tom related what had happened to him in the train; several theories were
+advanced to account for the keen interest taken in the stones, and the
+police began exerting themselves to fathom the mystery.
+
+The morning after Tom Ellison had left the camp a shikari went to Mark
+with the information that some oorial (wild sheep) were feeding about
+half a mile away, and Mark, who was a keen sportsman, promptly got his
+rifle and went with the shikari.
+
+Mark was able to get a long shot, but missed, so sat down while the
+shikari climbed the peaks around to try and find the oorial again. In
+about ten minutes Mark heard a slight rustling in the bushes some twenty
+yards away, and he got a glimpse of a porcupine. He did not wish to fire
+at it lest he should startle the oorial if they had halted anywhere
+near, so he picked up a stone and threw it at the animal when next he
+saw it.
+
+"I have hit it," he muttered, as he heard a peculiar cry, and he hurried
+forward, but he could find no sign of the porcupine, and he concluded it
+had entered a small cave he discovered.
+
+Mark struck a match and went in a few feet, but it appeared to be very
+low, and when his match went out he decided to go no farther, for he had
+no desire to stumble on the top of a porcupine.
+
+In a short time the shikari returned, and Mark thought no more about the
+animal until he had been back at the camp some time.
+
+While Mark had been away on his shooting expedition, Harry Burton, the
+Superintendent of Police, had called, and during the afternoon Mark
+casually mentioned the incident of the porcupine.
+
+"I think you are mistaken about it being a porcupine, my boy," said
+Burton.
+
+"I don't think so. I saw it twice and hit it with the stone, for I
+distinctly heard it make a peculiar noise as though hurt," persisted
+Mark.
+
+"That is exactly what makes me certain it was not a porcupine, for it
+is one of the animals without vocal cords, therefore cannot make a vocal
+sound. It was more likely a wild pig, for there are a number about
+here," said Burton, who was a great sportsman.
+
+Mark, however, felt certain he had distinctly seen the animal's quills,
+so a little later he quietly left the camp without saying a word to any
+one as to where he was going.
+
+At nine o'clock that night Mark had not returned to camp, and Burton,
+who had remained to dinner, suggested that he might have got lost, or
+met with an accident; so a search was at once commenced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.--THE MYSTERIOUS FAKIR
+
+
+"Well, Burton, what is your opinion now?" asked Doctor Mullen on their
+return to camp about three o'clock in the morning, after an unsuccessful
+search for Mark.
+
+"I am sorry to say I think he has met with a serious accident and is
+unable to help himself. Listen to those natives shouting 'Sahib! Sahib!'
+and far beyond them others are calling, and the boy would have replied
+if he could have done so. You are sure he went alone?" asked Burton.
+
+"Yes. He took his gun, which seems to suggest that he started for that
+lake about a mile from here after duck. Had he gone after oorial he
+would have taken his rifle and would have been accompanied by the
+shikari," said the Doctor, who was greatly distressed about his son's
+disappearance.
+
+"As soon as it is light I will have every nullah and bush searched for
+miles round," said Burton, and then he mused without giving expression
+to his thoughts. "He may have fallen over a kud (precipice), or his gun
+may have burst, or he may have been bitten by a snake, or he may have
+run against those--well, fragments of slab"; and he left the tent and
+sent off messages to the headmen of the villages around.
+
+Harry Burton was one of the cleverest officers in the Indian police; he
+was a few years over thirty, a dark-complexioned man of medium height,
+very agile and powerful, and was known to the Salt Range natives as Koj
+(tracker) Burton Sahib, owing to his smartness in following up the
+slightest clue.
+
+Burton, at the Doctor's request, went to occupy Mark's empty tent for an
+hour or two, and as he stretched himself on the camp bed his busy brain
+was engaged in trying to form a connection between the broken slab and
+Mark's absence, and these thoughts kept him awake, so he was the first
+to hear the footsteps of an approaching horse.
+
+"Hello! Is that you, Ellison?" greeted Burton, as the new arrival
+dismounted.
+
+"Yes. I heard at Gunjyal about Mark, so, instead of waiting for
+daylight, I hunted up a horse, and, by all this shouting, I conclude
+Mark is still missing," said Tom, and in a very few minutes he had
+related to Burton and the Doctor his experience in the train and what he
+had learnt in Lahore.
+
+"Ah, things are getting a bit more complicated," said Burton aloud, and
+then muttered to himself, "But I begin to get a better hold of the
+idea."
+
+"Now you clearly understand me," said Burton when instructing the
+headmen. "You are to send out every available man and boy from your
+villages, and they are to search every nullah until they meet the men
+from the next village. We think the young Sahib has met with an
+accident, and if you find him you are to send word here immediately; and
+you, Appoyas, instruct your men to be most careful in searching those
+cliffs near your village."
+
+"What's that man's name?" asked the Doctor as soon as the men had gone.
+
+"Appoyas. It is an unusual name--certainly not a Punjabi one," replied
+Burton.
+
+"I never heard the name before. He is a fine-looking man," remarked the
+Doctor.
+
+"And a very wealthy man, according to report. That is his village on the
+very edge of those cliffs about a mile away. It is the most prosperous
+village on the Salt Range, and celebrated for its stamped-cloth work.
+Appoyas and his brother Atlasul--another uncommon name--buy up all the
+cloth made and stamped in the place, and give a good price too, and
+their camels frequently go off laden with bales. But come over here a
+minute," and Burton led the Doctor some short distance from the camp.
+
+"I can scarcely credit it; surely it is too improbable, how----" began
+the Doctor when he had heard what Burton had to say.
+
+"Never mind; kindly act in the manner I suggest," interrupted Burton,
+"and I think you will find I am right. Now I must be off, and--well,
+expect me when you see me, as they say"; and in a couple of minutes he
+was riding from the camp on a secret and dangerous expedition.
+
+The search was continued all day, but not the slightest sign of Mark
+could be discovered.
+
+
+If any one, about sunset, had been near the place where Mark was resting
+at the time he thought he saw the porcupine, a Fakir might have been
+seen sitting on the identical spot. He appeared to be in deep
+meditation, but, as soon as it was dark, he crept cautiously to the
+entrance of the cave into which Mark thought the porcupine had
+disappeared.
+
+The Fakir paused, and after listening intently for a few moments he
+scrambled in; and after again listening he produced a bull's-eye lamp--a
+most unusual thing for a native to possess--and carefully lit it.
+
+He next examined a revolver and a knife he carried in a girdle under a
+loose garment he had wrapped round him, and in addition to these weapons
+he had an iron rod about three feet and a-half long, similar to what
+many Fakirs carry.
+
+He now advanced along a narrow passage which widened into a large cave,
+from which opened another narrow passage, and this he proceeded
+cautiously to explore, but when he had gone about a hundred yards it
+came to an abrupt end, the roof here being exceedingly high, and as he
+flashed his light around he could not see the top.
+
+For the space of an hour he probed about with his iron rod, and felt in
+the cracks and crevices in the walls; then suddenly he sat down, and,
+had any one been near enough, they would have heard him chuckling to
+himself, for he had made a great discovery.
+
+In a short time he made his way out of the cave and disappeared into the
+darkness of the night.
+
+
+"What do you make of this, Ellison?" said the Doctor early next morning.
+"I have just found this note in my tent; it is written in Punjabi, and
+in English it reads: 'If the Sahib wishes to learn where his son is he
+will be told if you promise to give up the other pieces of stone you
+found. Let the Sahib write his promise on the blank part of this paper
+and place it on the small olive-tree near the salt spring. The Sahib's
+men need not watch, for they will not see who fetches it.'
+
+"Do you think it is a hoax?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"I don't know. I scarcely think so. I wish Burton was back," said Tom,
+who thought that Burton's experience might enable him to get something
+of a clue from the strange message. "They have got all the stones," he
+added.
+
+"We took others that did not belong to the slab," said the Doctor.
+
+"Of course, I had forgotten; and the writer of this is under the
+impression they are parts of the slab," remarked Tom.
+
+"If this is genuine, then Mark is a prisoner, which is Burton's opinion;
+and I believe he is acting in some secret manner on his opinion," said
+the Doctor.
+
+After a long consultation the Doctor tore off the blank piece of paper
+and wrote on it in the native language: "You must first give me some
+proof that you know where my son is before I promise to comply with your
+request. Let him write to me."
+
+"We both know where the salt spring is, Tom, so I will take the paper
+there, and you go to some place where you can watch the spring through
+your field-glasses," said the Doctor.
+
+"Very good. By the time we get a reply Burton may be back," said Tom,
+and they left the camp.
+
+Tom watched patiently all day, but, with the exception of a boy in
+charge of some goats, no one went near the spring, and the boy did not
+go within a hundred yards of it, though his goats were feeding all round
+and close to it.
+
+"Glad to see you back, Burton," exclaimed Tom when he returned to camp
+and found the officer there.
+
+"What luck, Tom?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"Bad. I waited until it was too dark to see, and the message had not
+been taken when I came away," he replied.
+
+"You are wrong, Tom, my boy, for I saw it taken," said Burton.
+
+"How? Where were you?" asked Tom, in surprise.
+
+"Not far from you, and I saw a goat sniff it and quickly walk off with
+the paper in its mouth, and five minutes later the boy had it in his
+hand. Here, smell this," and Burton held out the paper containing the
+message to the Doctor.
+
+"A peculiar smell," said Tom.
+
+"Yes, and the goat is trained to carry anything impregnated with that
+subtle odour," explained Burton.
+
+"Do you believe the writer of this knows where Mark is, Burton? Have you
+discovered anything?" asked Tom.
+
+"Yes, the man knows well enough, and I know to half a mile," said
+Burton.
+
+"They why not try to release him at once?" exclaimed Tom.
+
+"Easier said than done, and I am fully convinced it would be dangerous
+to force matters without careful arrangements. I practically know with
+whom we have to deal, and, if I am any judge of native character, I
+believe we are in conflict with some of the most cunning and fearless
+men in India--men who had been carrying on their work for many years,
+and that, too, without raising suspicion, and who will not hesitate to
+risk life and cause death to accomplish their purpose, and----" Burton
+suddenly stopped speaking; then, almost in a whisper, he hurriedly said,
+"Go on talking about Mark," and noiselessly he left the tent.
+
+In a few moments there was a sound of a scuffle at the back of the tent,
+followed by a thud and an exclamation from Burton; so they rushed out to
+see what had happened, the Doctor taking the lamp from the tent-pole as
+he passed.
+
+"What's the matter, Burton?" asked Tom.
+
+"Bring the lamp here," he answered, rubbing his knees. "They were too
+smart for me, and I got the worst of it this time," he added.
+
+"What is that rope doing there?" asked the Doctor, as the light revealed
+a long rope extending from a tent-peg to a considerable distance into
+the darkness.
+
+"Oh, it is there for a purpose, and it answers too well to suit me, for
+it has given me one of the heaviest falls I have had for a long time. A
+man was there listening to us, and it would have made no difference
+which way I had come round the tent, for the eavesdropper would have
+gone in the opposite direction. When I heard him making off I dashed
+after him, and his comrade, who was at the far end of the rope, jerked
+it taut when it was between me and the man I was after, with the result
+that I came a most terrific cropper; then they promptly fled, and are
+safely away by this time," explained Burton.
+
+"But how did you know there was any one outside?" asked Tom. "I never
+heard a sound."
+
+"I saw the side of the tent shake, and there is not a breath of air
+stirring. The man who was listening must know English, I feel sure; and
+I am afraid we have made a terrible mistake in not taking precautionary
+measures against being overheard. If they understood what I said about
+suspecting who they are, I may make up my mind to having a rather lively
+time." Burton said in a whisper, for he did not know but some one might
+still be listening screened in the darkness.
+
+"They may have only come to watch us, and probably did not grasp the
+meaning of our conversation," said the Doctor, in a low voice.
+
+"Let us hope so, for it may mean life or death," was Burton's serious
+reply, and that night guards were set over the camp.
+
+Early next morning Burton left, but before going he slipped a letter
+into the Doctor's hand, saying as he did so, "Don't open it unless I am
+not back by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Inside you will find full
+instructions what to do if I have not returned."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.--A CAPTURE
+
+
+Soon after Burton had left the camp the Doctor received a letter from
+Professor Muirson in which he said, "The only word on the rubbing you
+sent me from the last fragment of slab you found means 'Cave,' and I
+think it should be placed before the words 'of Hydas'; thus you have a
+reference to the 'Cave of Hydas,' in which there is, or was, something
+to be carefully guarded."
+
+"Then, putting two and two together, the men who hold Mark a prisoner
+are either anxious to learn where this Cave of Hydas is, or they know
+where it is and do not wish any one else to obtain the knowledge," said
+the Doctor.
+
+"I am inclined to think that Mark is in that very cave at the present
+moment," said Tom.
+
+"Quite possible. By the way, Tom, tell the natives who are crowding
+about the camp to continue the search for Mark. Burton wishes it to be
+kept up for some reason or other," said the Doctor as he went into his
+tent.
+
+"Hi! Tom; come here a moment," almost immediately shouted the Doctor;
+and as soon as Tom had joined him he said, "I have just found
+this--listen: 'I have been asked to say that I am all right, and to
+advise you to do what my captors have requested you. Your reply is to be
+written on the blank part of this paper and placed where you put the
+last. Mark.' There can be no doubt about the writing--it is Mark's, and
+my mind is greatly relieved," said the Doctor.
+
+"Mark knows one of his captors understands English or he would have
+written more; he was only allowed to write what he was told," said Tom.
+
+The Doctor at once wrote the following reply: "Mark, you are to tell
+them that if one of their number will come with you here he may take
+away any of the stones we have found."
+
+This answer was written with the object of delay until Burton's return;
+and, as before, the Doctor took the paper to the salt spring, while Tom
+went to a position where he could watch the goat carry away the message
+to the boy; and he had not long to wait, for within a couple of hours
+the boy and his goats appeared and slowly passed the place, and, as they
+quietly went along from bush to bush cropping the leaves, one took the
+letter, and in a few minutes the boy had taken it from the goat.
+
+That night, as soon as it was dark, the mysterious Fakir again entered
+the cave he had examined a couple of nights previously. He lit his lamp
+as soon as he was inside, and went straight to the far end.
+
+Here he stood for a time and listened; then he flashed his light up the
+chimney-shaped opening high above him, the top of which extended far
+beyond the reach of his light; then, having satisfied himself that all
+was quiet, he put his arm into a narrow crack in the side of the cave
+and his fingers grasped two thin ropes; he gave them a sharp jerk, and
+instantly there was a rustling, swishing noise as a rope-ladder came
+tumbling down.
+
+The Fakir tugged at the ladder, and, finding that it was securely
+fastened above, he at once climbed up. When he had gone about forty feet
+he found the entrance to another passage; but before venturing to
+explore it he carefully drew up the ladder as it had been before.
+
+The Fakir cautiously made his way, frequently stopping to put his ear to
+the floor to listen, and keeping a sharp look-out for any side
+galleries, of which he passed three, but they were much narrower than
+the one he was following.
+
+He had proceeded about three hundred yards when he suddenly closed the
+shutter of his lamp; then, after listening a while, he went on in the
+dark, and it was well he had turned off his light, for the passage took
+an abrupt turn, and he saw the glimmer of a light in the distance and
+faintly heard the sound of voices.
+
+Slowly and noiselessly he approached the light, for he concluded it came
+from some side cave, and this proved to be the case when he had gone a
+little farther.
+
+"I tell you again that you have got all the stones if, as you say, you
+have stolen the one Ellison Sahib was taking to Lahore."
+
+The words were spoken in a loud voice, and so suddenly had they broken
+the stillness of the dismal place that the Fakir started with surprise,
+and then crouched closer to listen.
+
+"What the Sahib says is not true, for we have only got one of the last
+you found the other day," said another speaker.
+
+"Then get the rest if you can, for I know nothing about any more. How
+long is this farce going to last? My father says he will let you have
+any stones he has found if one of you will go with me for them, but I
+told you when you first captured me that you would get nothing of value
+by keeping me a prisoner," replied Mark, for he it was.
+
+"Then you shall not leave this cave until the other parts of the broken
+slab are discovered and in our hands, and I may tell you that it is more
+than a hundred years since the slab was broken and some of the parts
+stolen and lost. Take him back to his cave"; and the Fakir could hear
+footsteps ascending steps and then die away in the distance.
+
+"Now, brothers, hearken," began the speaker who had addressed Mark. "We
+have learnt that Koj Burton has almost guessed who we are, and if he
+follows up his idea he will surely track us down. Our forefathers
+through many generations protected the secret of their work and amassed
+wealth in the way we are doing, and, with the exception of the man who
+accidentally found his way into this cave and stole the inscribed slab,
+no outsider has ever known the secret of the Cave of Hydas--and that man
+met his death without having an opportunity of revealing what he had
+learnt, although he caused us to lose part of that on which was written
+the command to guard the secret of the cave with our lives.
+
+"Are we now going to allow this Koj Burton to bring destruction upon us
+and thereby destroy our method of obtaining wealth?" asked the speaker
+fiercely.
+
+"Never! never! never!" shouted fully half a dozen voices.
+
+"Then he must die, and I will see that he does so, and in such a manner
+that his death cannot in any way be traced to us"; and as the Fakir
+heard these words he gripped his revolver more tightly, and a grim
+smile played about his mouth.
+
+"If this Koj Burton suspects who we are, do you not think, Appoyas, that
+he may also have gained some idea of the Cave of Hydas?" a voice asked.
+
+"It may be so, and we will have the cave well guarded. Do not forget
+that to-morrow night at ten o'clock it will be, according to the
+records, exactly fifty years since the offerings in the Temple of Atlas
+were removed to the Temple of Hydas. This has been done every fifty
+years, and only on those occasions is the inner temple opened, and----"
+the speaker stopped abruptly, and then, after a moment's pause,
+continued--"and, brothers, you may now go."
+
+On hearing the last words so suddenly spoken the Fakir began quickly and
+noiselessly to retreat along the passage, but, as no one appeared to be
+following, he stopped.
+
+For some minutes he heard men talking, and dimly saw some figures come
+into the passage and go in the opposite direction, and in a short time
+the sound of footsteps died away and the Fakir was left alone in the
+silent darkness.
+
+More than a quarter of an hour he remained motionless; then he felt his
+way to the entrance of the side cave in which he had heard the men, and,
+finding all still, he turned on his light.
+
+It was a cave-chamber, about twelve feet square; the walls were fairly
+smooth, but the roof was uneven--it was evidently an enlarged cave.
+From this cave-chamber there was a flight of steps to a passage above,
+and the Fakir was on the point of ascending them when he heard quick
+footsteps coming along the passage towards him, which caused him to
+hurry back into the passage he had left; then, turning off his light, he
+waited and listened.
+
+"One of the brothers must have come back for something," the Fakir heard
+some one mutter. "It is all right, though; I will return to my
+prisoner," and then he went away.
+
+Without venturing to turn on his light the Fakir started for the
+rope-ladder; every few paces he paused to listen; he appeared extremely
+suspicious, for at times he would halt for three or four minutes and was
+constantly feeling his revolver.
+
+At last he had nearly reached the ladder, when suddenly he saw a faint
+glimmer as though from a light in the passage below, so, inch by inch,
+he approached the edge until he was able to peer down, and almost at the
+instant he did so the light below went out; but he had learnt much in
+that one glance, and, as the sound of a severe struggle from below
+reached him, he quickly lowered the ladder and quietly slipped down.
+
+No sooner had he reached the bottom than he turned on his light for an
+instant, which revealed Tom Ellison and a powerful native trying to get
+the better of each other, the latter having a knife in his hand, but Tom
+was holding him by the wrist and preventing him using it.
+
+In a moment the Fakir had twisted the knife from the man's grasp, and
+in a few seconds the man was bound and gagged.
+
+"Well I'm----" began Tom, but the Fakir put his hand over Tom's mouth
+and, taking him by the arm, led him to the cave-entrance.
+
+"Speak low, Tom," said the Fakir in a low voice.
+
+"Marvellous! Is it you, Burton? I should never have known you in that
+get-up," whispered the surprised Tom.
+
+"Seems like it. But quick's the word, my boy. We must have that man out
+before any of his comrades come along, and this must be done without his
+discovering who I am. We must blindfold him, for there is a rope-ladder
+hanging near him, and on no account must he learn that it is down, and
+that we are aware of its existence; as soon as we have him here I will
+return and place the ladder as I found it," said Burton.
+
+"Ah, now I understand why you so promptly put out your light when you
+had secured the knife," said Tom. "But where shall you take the man? His
+comrades will hear about his capture if you take him to the camp," he
+added.
+
+"That is the very last thing I wish them to learn. About an hour's walk
+from here--but two hours for us to-night, I am afraid--there is a
+salt-mine, and to-day I arranged--in case I needed it--to use part of it
+as a temporary prison until we make a grand coup on the rest of the
+gang. I have a couple of my men waiting near the mine now," explained
+Burton.
+
+It was a difficult tramp they had with their prisoner. They kept him
+blindfolded, and his hands bound; and each held him by an arm as they
+stumbled over the rough ground in the dark, for Burton would not risk
+using his lamp lest the light, at that unusual hour, should attract the
+attention of the man's friends and cause them to try and discover what
+it meant.
+
+When they had safely lodged their prisoner they started for the camp.
+
+"What caused you to go to that cave, Tom?" asked Burton, as they walked
+along.
+
+"Oh, the word on that last piece of stone turns out to be 'cave,' and
+when thinking the matter over I thought of the place Mark had entered
+after the porcupine, so I spotted the place before dark, and then
+quietly left the camp after dinner on a private exploring expedition.
+That man suddenly sprang upon me just before you so opportunely appeared
+on the scene," explained Tom.
+
+"Then that's all right--you were followed from the camp; I was afraid
+they had placed a guard over that entrance," said Burton. "I branch off
+here, for I cannot enter the camp in this disguise; I want to use it
+again, and as a Fakir I do not wish to be seen near the camp; but I hope
+to turn up early in the--or rather this morning. I advise you to get all
+the rest you can, for I think I can promise you a very lively time
+before many hours are over."
+
+As Burton went on alone, he muttered, "Yes, I must have all arrangements
+carefully made. I expect we shall have a dangerous tussle, for they are
+not the class of men to give in quietly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.--A VALUABLE FIND IN THE TEMPLE OF ATLAS
+
+
+"It's what I call a tall order, Burton," exclaimed Tom Ellison, who,
+with the Doctor, had been listening to the police officer's plan to raid
+the Cave of Hydas.
+
+"I am glad you turned up before eight o'clock, Burton, for it would be
+difficult to enter the cave and find our way about without your
+guidance. It seems a likely place to get one's head cracked in the
+dark," remarked the Doctor.
+
+"It would not be easy for you to get in, but had I been caught last
+night you would have found a clue to my whereabouts in the letter I gave
+you. However, we are all here yet, and I expect we shall get the better
+of Appoyas and his gang if our plans work out properly, and if they
+don't, then, well--look out for yourselves," said Burton, and he
+shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"What led you to suspect Appoyas, who you say is supposed to be one the
+wealthiest and most respected men on the Salt Range, Burton?" asked the
+Doctor.
+
+"Well, I saw him with that long brass-studded stick, and his general
+description answers to the tall man who fought the other two in the
+museum. Then I followed the goat-boy who got the message from the goat,
+and the boy handed the message to a man, and this man took it to
+Appoyas, and finally my suspicions were confirmed when I heard Appoyas
+addressed by name in the cave last night," explained Burton.
+
+"It must have been pleasant listening to your own death-sentence!"
+remarked the Doctor.
+
+"I am glad I heard it," said Burton, "for never was it more true than in
+my case that to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. Two traps have been
+already laid this morning to get me away from the Salt Range, and--I
+believe here is another," he said, as a coolie came at the trot with a
+telegram in his hand.
+
+"Come at once. Most serious. Mirkwort," read out Burton, as soon as the
+coolie had retired. "This pretends to be a message ordering my speedy
+return to headquarters, and I shall make a pretence of going, but I
+shall soon be back in this neighbourhood in disguise," he added.
+
+"How do you know it is an attempt to get you away?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"Because I requested Mirkwort to use a cypher in all his communications
+for some days, and this is not in cypher," replied Burton. "But to
+persist in staying here would only cause Appoyas to suspect that I am
+about to take some decisive steps. I have twenty men around here now,
+and as soon as it is dark to-night some of them will watch the house of
+Appoyas in the village on the top of the cliffs, for I feel convinced
+there is an entrance to the cave from his house.
+
+"At the foot of the cliffs and immediately under the village there is
+another entrance through a house built against the rocks, and other men
+will watch there. I shall be near the camp at nightfall, together with
+some specially picked men who will have arrived by that time, and we
+shall enter the cave by what I will call the porcupine entrance, and,
+once inside--well, we have to rescue Mark and capture as many of the
+gang as we can. We must take all precautionary measures, for I do not
+know how many rascals we shall have to contend with, and that cave is
+like a rabbit-warren. Expect me as a Fakir at dusk. I will send for you
+when the time comes," and as Burton clattered away on his horse the camp
+understood that he had been called to headquarters on important
+business.
+
+It was about nine o'clock and very dark when Burton, with a number of
+his men, though not in uniform, were sitting under the bushes a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the cave entrance.
+
+"Ali Khan, go and meet the party from the camp and see that they make as
+little noise as possible," said Burton to one of his men; and then to
+another he said, "Sergeant, come with me; we must find out whether there
+is a guard placed at the entrance; if there is, we must secure him."
+
+The two crept stealthily along, and, when some twenty yards from the
+cave, a man sprang up within a few feet of them and dashed off towards
+the cave, but he had not taken many steps when he tripped, and before he
+could recover himself Burton pounced upon him, and in a few moments the
+man was gagged and bound.
+
+By the time the Doctor and Tom with the rest of the men had arrived,
+Burton had explored the cave as far as the rope-ladder without any
+further encounter.
+
+Two men were left at the entrance of the cave with the prisoner, another
+was stationed at the foot of the ladder and two more at the top, and a
+man was left at each of the side passages opening from the main gallery.
+
+"Now, Doctor," said Burton, when he had led the party some distance into
+the cave beyond the ladder, "will you remain here with the men whilst
+Tom goes with me to try and discover where Appoyas and his gang are, and
+how many we have to deal with? They have some special work on at ten
+o'clock in what they call the Temple of Atlas, and I don't know where it
+is. If you hear me whistle, then light your lamps and come on as quickly
+as possible. Now quietly, Tom," and they went ahead.
+
+"She--e--e! See, there's a light. Some of them are in the cave-chamber
+where I heard them last night," whispered Burton to Tom.
+
+Hearing voices, they silently crept nearer until they could hear what
+was said.
+
+"I sent no message to the Doctor Sahib to-day, lest Koj Burton should
+remain to inquire into it. Brothers, Koj Burton is far away, and at the
+bottom of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum), I hope, if our men did their
+duty. Now, brothers, follow me to the Temple of Atlas and we will take
+the fifty years' offerings to the inner Temple of Hydas. By giving
+liberal offerings to the gods they bless us and we get much wealth.
+Come, it is the time."
+
+The speaker was Appoyas, and under cover of the noise made in the
+chamber as his men lighted torches and prepared to follow him, Burton
+and Tom slipped some distance back along the passage, for they knew not
+which direction the men would take.
+
+"Seven," whispered Burton as Appoyas and his men came into the passage
+and fortunately went the opposite way to where the Englishmen were
+watching.
+
+Cautiously they followed; suddenly the men disappeared down a flight of
+steps, and when Burton and Tom peered below they were amazed at what
+they saw.
+
+They were gazing into a large cave-temple, and at the far end was an
+enormous statute of a figure evidently representing Atlas with a large
+globe on his shoulders.
+
+Burton and Tom were intently watching the men in the temple, when they
+were startled by hearing some on rapidly approaching along the passage.
+The man carried no light, and as the two Englishmen crouched close to
+the side of the cave to allow him to pass he knocked against Tom's arm.
+
+"Strangers in the cave!" shouted the man, and he turned and fled.
+
+For a moment the men in the temple were too amazed to move; then,
+simultaneously, they stamped out their torches.
+
+"We have them trapped below if they have no other exit but the steps.
+That man's gone for help," said Burton, and blew his whistle. "We will
+have a look at them," he added, and turned on his lamp.
+
+In an instant something flashed in the light and the lamp was knocked
+out of his hand and fell with a clatter down the steps, for Appoyas had
+crept up with his long brass-studded stick.
+
+Next moment Tom felt himself hooked by the ankle, and before he could
+free himself his legs were jerked from under him and he fell on his
+back; then he felt a bare foot placed on his chest as some one trod on
+him and dashed down the passage.
+
+No one else was able to pass, for Burton stood on the top of the steps,
+swinging his iron rod to and fro, and at the same time holding his
+whistle in his mouth and blowing until some of his men arrived with
+lights.
+
+"Tom, you stop here with some of the men, and don't let any of these
+rascals escape. Listen! The Doctor is having a tussle; there is a fight
+going on all over the place, and I must discover where Mark is lest they
+should try to injure him." Taking a couple of men, he hurried away in
+the direction of the shouts which were ringing through the galleries.
+
+"Hi! This way, Bur--r--r----" some one tried to shout in English.
+
+"That's Mark's voice, and they are strangling him," said Burton. "Quick
+with your lamp, Sergeant, this way," he added.
+
+Burton found Mark in the grasp of two men, who dashed the lad to the
+ground and then fled in the darkness, after showing fight for a few
+seconds, Burton pursuing them hotly, received a terrific blow on the
+head after being tripped by Appoyas, who was waiting in a side passage,
+and Burton lay partly stunned for some time.
+
+Appoyas fought like a fiend, doing great damage with his stick, but at
+last he fled along a side passage.
+
+In half an hour the fight was over, and Burton found they had eight
+prisoners; among whom was Atlasul, but Appoyas and some of the others
+had escaped.
+
+Burton and Tom were exploring one of the narrow galleries when they
+suddenly came face to face with Appoyas, who, after throwing a knife at
+Burton, dashed down the passage followed by the two Englishmen.
+
+They had gone about a hundred yards when Appoyas stopped, and his
+pursuers could see that he was standing on the very edge of a black
+chasm. For a moment he stood and faced them, his eyes flashing fiercely
+in the light of the lamp.
+
+"You cannot escape us now, Appoyas," said Burton, covering him with a
+revolver.
+
+"I will have a bitter revenge on you, Koj Burton. Here is the end of the
+passage, below is the Cave of Doom, but you have not got me yet," and,
+to the astonishment of Burton and Tom, Appoyas shouted a fierce cry of
+"Revenge!" and sprang into the fearsome black abyss.
+
+"He must be dashed to pieces. I can't see the bottom," said Tom, holding
+his lamp over the gulf.
+
+"I am doubtful. We will get a rope and make a search," said Burton.
+
+Some time later a lamp was lowered, and far below, about six feet from
+the bottom, could be seen a strong net stretched the full width of the
+chasm.
+
+"He dropped into that, and escaped by a secret exit," said Burton.
+
+They proceeded to thoroughly explore the cave, and were astonished at
+the extent and number of side passages.
+
+"I say, Burton, this globe on the shoulders of old Atlas is hollow and
+has a big slit in it like a letter-box, and has a lock on it," exclaimed
+Mark as they were examining the Temple of Atlas.
+
+When the globe was opened it proved to be nearly full of gold and silver
+ornaments, precious stones, and coins.
+
+"Ah, these are the offerings to the gods, a portion of the things stolen
+by these thieves during the last fifty years. A system of theft and
+sacrifice which has been handed down from father to son for many
+generations," exclaimed Burton.
+
+The prisoners proved to be connected with burglaries which had taken
+place all over the Punjab and far beyond. The villains had been in the
+habit of placing a few of the things stolen in some innocent person's
+house, and had employed a variety of tricks to avoid suspicion resting
+on themselves.
+
+The valuables recovered in the Temple of Atlas were restored to their
+rightful owners where they could be traced, and the balance was
+ultimately considered as treasure-trove, the Government claiming four
+annas in the rupee, thus leaving three-fourths of the value to be
+divided amongst those who had discovered it.
+
+Many hours did the Englishmen spend in trying to discover the inner
+Temple of Hydas, but its secret baffled all their efforts, neither were
+they able to find any parts of the broken slab which might have aided
+them in their search. They were equally unsuccessful in getting any
+trace of Appoyas, who had so suddenly disappeared while his cry of
+revenge was ringing through the Cave of Hydas.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF MALAY-LAND
+
+
+To the world-wanderer the confines of our little planet seem very
+limited indeed, and to him there are few regions within its boundaries
+which remain long unknown. Yet to the vast majority of people Old Mother
+Earth abounds in many a _terra incognita_.
+
+Away in the East, where the Indian Ocean merges into the China Sea,
+where the sunny waters of the Malacca Straits are being ceaselessly
+furrowed by giant steamers and merchantmen, lies a land, which though
+spoken of glibly by every schoolboy, is to-day one of the least explored
+countries of the globe. The Malay Peninsula is a familiar enough name,
+and so it ought to be, for it skirts the ocean highway to the Flowery
+Kingdom and to some of our most valuable island possessions; still, it
+is a strange fact that this narrow neck of land is, geographically
+speaking, one of the world's darkest areas.
+
+Its seaboard is generally flat and overgrown with mangroves to a depth
+of several miles, but the interior is an extremely mountainous region,
+containing elevations of over eight thousand feet. An irregular
+backbone connects all these great heights, and it itself is of no mean
+dimensions, being throughout well over three thousand feet above
+sea-level. Between the mountain-peaks, as may be imagined, there is
+little room for fertile plateaus, and the most settled districts in
+consequence are those farthest away from the towering ranges; of these
+Selangor is, perhaps, the most noteworthy. Here vast forests and jungle
+scrub extend everywhere, though the trees are being rapidly cut down by
+the numerous Chinese tin-miners in the settlement; and here also is the
+capital of the Federated Malay States, whose petty rulers within recent
+years have united their forces under a British Protectorate.
+
+Perak, towards the north-west, and Pahang, stretching over to the sea on
+the eastern side, are the two most mountainous divisions in the
+Confederacy, and to the traveller they are also the most interesting
+because of the immunity of their interior fastnesses from the visits of
+white men. Numerous rivers reach the coast on both sides of the central
+watershed, many of those rising in the highlands of Pahang and Kelantan
+being absolutely untraced and unnamed. The entire country near the
+coast, on the east as on the west, may be said to be given over to rank
+jungles, in which the lordly tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the wild
+pig, and tapir have their homes, and monkeys of almost every species are
+abundant in the wooded slopes.
+
+One-half of the world's tin is produced in the Malay States; it is
+mined chiefly in Selangor and Malacca, and forms the mainstay of the
+country's prosperity, though, curiously enough, little or no
+stanniferous deposits have been found on the eastern side of the
+dividing range. But though very few people know it, the most valuable of
+all metals has been discovered on the upper waters of the Pahang River
+and tributaries. The Chinese swarm in their thousands on the western
+slopes, and outnumber the Malays by more than three to one. They are
+surely the bane of the wanderer's existence.
+
+The Malays are not the aboriginal race of the Peninsula, though they
+have lived on the coast for centuries, and are descended from the
+bloodthirsty pirates who terrorised the Straits of Malacca. The real
+owners of the country are the Sakis, a wild race who in appearance vie
+with their brethren in Central Australia, and are very little different
+from the chimpanzees which infest the forests. They hold no intercourse
+with the coast-dwellers, and are rarely seen unless by the adventurous
+traveller, for their retreat is among the mountains, and as far away
+from John Chinaman's presence as it is possible to get.
+
+The Sakis are a rude and miserably backward people. Like the Papuans of
+New Guinea, they build their huts in the branches of trees; but for this
+they have good reason--the prowling animals of the forest would
+otherwise soon obliterate the slowly dying tribe. Their only weapons are
+the _sumpitan_, or blow-pipe, and a club, which is not unlike the
+"waddie" of the Australian aboriginal; but with these they can do quite
+enough damage to deter all but the reckless from visiting their chosen
+haunts.
+
+The charm of far-off countries has ever had a great power over all
+Britons; the true traveller's instinct is in their blood, and the noble
+array of red markings on our maps amply testify to the brilliance of
+their achievements. Knowing this, I speak with care of a country that I
+have traversed in my wanderings, so that if others who read these words
+may feel impelled to take up the pilgrim staff, they may at least rely
+upon my humble observations.
+
+A few years back, after journeying through Achin in Sumatra--another
+little-known "corner" jealously guarded by the Dutch--I, with my five
+companions, found it necessary to betake ourselves to British Dominions,
+having given offence to the Holland Government by our peregrinations
+through the hostile Achinese territory. So we embarked on a Malay trader
+bound for Klang, the port of Selangor, and commenced an expedition which
+I can recall now as being one of the most interesting of all my travels.
+The details of our progress across the Peninsula could not be given
+here, but I will relate one of our first experiences with the
+tree-dwellers of Kelantan, when we were camped on the head-waters of the
+Lebah River in that province, where, I believe, no white man had ever
+been before.
+
+We had systematically prospected the various mountain-streams in the
+west for gold without result; but here we had discovered unmistakable
+traces of the precious metal; and our hearts being gladdened
+accordingly, we prepared to explore still farther into the mountains in
+search of the mother-lode.
+
+"It's rather a curious thing," said Phil at this time, "that we have met
+none of the Sakis so far. I should like to see a specimen of the tribe
+before we leave their confounded country."
+
+"They're like oorsel's," grunted Mac, "they canna abide the smell o'
+Cheeniemen; but A'm thinkin' we're near their special habitation noo."
+
+There was considerable truth in Mac's observation. All along the Perak
+River, which we had followed for nearly a hundred miles before branching
+off across an inviting pass in the dividing ranges, we had met the
+almond-eyed Celestials in great bands clearing the forest growths and
+prospecting for tin in the most unlikely places. Perak, I should
+mention, is the Malay word for silver, it having been supposed that vast
+lodes of that metal abounded in the river valley; but, as a matter of
+fact, there has been very little silver located anywhere near its
+vicinity.
+
+We had managed to shake off the yellow-skinned Mongols immediately we
+diverged into the mountains, and since that time we had been crossing
+luxurious upland forests, and struggling through long stretches of
+jungle country in turn. It was quite possible that the Sakis had seen
+us, though we had not seen them, for our time had been more occupied in
+evading reptiles and wild animals than in scanning the tree-tops for
+their imp-like denizens.
+
+"I vote," said the Captain, who was the dead-shot of our party, "that we
+leave the Sakis alone. We're in their country now, you know, and there's
+such a thing as tempting Providence."
+
+Phil smiled; he was young and enthusiastic, and he was also an ardent
+ethnographist. "We'll take things as we find them, Captain," said he,
+"but we usually manage to run across some odd specimens of humanity in
+our travels. Now, what did you think of the Achinese?"
+
+"A thocht them wonderfu' bloodthirsty folk," grumbled Stewart, tenderly
+patting a slowly healing scar on his cheek. "They vera near feenished
+me, an' if Mac hadna come along in time A wad hae been cut into
+sausages----"
+
+I interrupted his ruminations, and saved the company a harrowing
+description of what had happened in Sumatra. "We've heard that so often
+now, Stewart," I said, "that we think you might give us a rest."
+
+Mac cackled harshly in agreement, but Skelton, the stalwart Devonian,
+who was doctor of our outfit, said rather grimly, "If you get a similar
+smash in this country, Stewart, my boy, I'm afraid you won't live to
+tell of it, for we don't seem to be getting into a healthier atmosphere,
+though we are a good few thousand feet above sea-level."
+
+Stewart subsided gloomily, feeling his pulse the while.
+
+"A believe ye're richt," he replied lugubriously, "what wi' malaria an'
+muskitties, an' Cheeniemen----"
+
+He broke down, and sought sympathy from his compatriot, who was
+leisurely chewing quinine tabloids with an air of relish.
+
+"Dinna be nervish, ma man," cheerfully spoke that worthy, "an' aye keep
+in mind that A'll mak' ye a bonnie moniment when A gang hame; a rale
+bonnie moniment, wi' a maist splendiferous inscreeption. Hoo would this
+look, for instance?" Here he struck an attitude, and recited solemnly:
+"Errected tae the memory o' puir auld Stewart----"
+
+At this stage Stewart smote his Job's comforter with a force and fervour
+that showed him to be possessed of considerable muscular powers; then
+there was peace.
+
+Our hammocks were swung near the river, on the edge of a dense forest in
+which areca and apia palms raised their stately heads among ebony and
+camphor trees, and a plentiful sprinkling of wiry bamboo growths. The
+foliage was so thick in places as to be almost impenetrable, and amid
+the clinging underscrub the guttapercha plant and numerous others with
+names unknown to us struggled for existence.
+
+The river was here a fairly broad and oily stream, with rather a
+dangerous current; below us it surged and roared over a series of jagged
+limestone rocks, but higher up its course led across a plateau which
+extended farther than we could guess, for the mountains faded back into
+the far distance and reared their gaunt peaks above a bewildering sea of
+luxurious tropical vegetation. It was these mountains we were anxious to
+reach now, but how to do it promised to be a question not easily
+answered.
+
+After some consideration we decided to follow the river-channel as far
+as possible, and cut off the curves by blazing a way through the thicket
+with our axes. And so, on the morning following our discovery of gold,
+we packed a fortnight's stores in our kits and trudged off, first taking
+the precaution to sling our remaining provisions in an odd hammock from
+the limb of a tall palm, where we hoped to find them on our return.
+Travelling is not an easy matter in these latitudes, and we had
+succeeded so far only with great difficulty and much perseverance. Where
+the rivers were navigable we had usually progressed by means of hastily
+constructed rafts, but the stream now flowed too swiftly to allow of
+that form of transport, and we had therefore to work our passage in the
+strictest sense of the word.
+
+For three days we forged ahead, now clambering along the banks of the
+swirling torrent, and again crashing through the darkened forest, using
+our axes energetically. More than once, in the stiller waters between
+the curves, huge crocodiles were seen disporting themselves cumbrously,
+and when we approached they fixed their baleful eyes on us, and came
+steadily on until the Captain stopped their leader by a well-directed
+bullet. The crocodiles of this region seemed extremely ferocious, and
+no sooner had one of their number been rendered _hors de combat_ than
+the horrible carcass was carried off in triumph by a school of the late
+saurian's neighbours.
+
+"They appear tae have vera healthy appetites," murmured Stewart
+thoughtfully, as he gazed at the ravenous monsters, after an exhibition
+of this sort. "A wunner," he continued, addressing Skelton, "if they
+bastes are affected by the climate?"
+
+"You've got me there, Stewart," replied Skelton, with a laugh; "but they
+don't seem to need quinine to aid their digestion, anyhow."
+
+Birds of the most beautiful plumage fluttered among the branches, and I
+had the good fortune to bring down a gorgeous bird of paradise with my
+rifle. Mac, like the ancient mariner, insisted on carrying this bird
+round his neck rather than leave it for the tigers and bisons, though he
+repented of his resolution before he had gone far. Of the wild animals
+encountered on this march I could write much. Fortunately the lordly
+tiger seldom met us in an aggressive mood, but we had several
+experiences with "Old Stripes," nevertheless--at long range; and we were
+constantly stumbling over squeaking pigs and venomous reptiles of many
+kinds. Little brown animals of the bear family were especially
+ubiquitous, so that our time was kept rather fully employed on our long
+trail towards the supposed land of El Dorado.
+
+As we neared the shadowy mountains, the river-channel narrowed
+gradually until it formed a deep gorge, in which the swirling waters
+dashed like the flood of some gigantic mill-race; and we were forced to
+keep the shelter of the forest rather than risk stumbling into the
+apparently bottomless abysses.
+
+"I'm afraid we cannot go much farther, boys," I said, when we were
+struggling through the thicket, steering by compass, and with the river
+thundering noisily away to our left.
+
+"The gold in the mountains won't help us much if we have to transport
+our goods over this sort of country," spoke Phil; and there was much
+truth in his words.
+
+"I have been noticing," remarked Skelton, "that instead of reaching a
+finer climate we seem to be coming into a very poisonous atmosphere,
+judging by the odour of the vegetation."
+
+It was certainly strange that the air should continue so dank and
+depressing at our high altitude, and several times a most extraordinary
+stench, as of decaying carcasses, would assail our nostrils and cause us
+to grow faint and sickly. Soon we began to notice that these poisonous
+vapours were most pungent in the vicinity of certain enormous
+cactus-like growths which we encountered here and there; but these huge
+plants looked so picturesque and beautiful that we found it hard to
+believe that they could taint the air so frightfully.
+
+"It's rather odd," said Skelton doubtfully, "that where these giant
+spiky lilies grow there is always an open space clear around, as if
+nothing could live in their presence."
+
+"Ah, mon!" howled Mac at that moment, sniffing the ether in disgust.
+"Could onybody believe---- A'll gang an' investeegate this meenit. Come
+on, Stewart."
+
+They rushed off at once, and we followed hastily, for the evil
+exhalations were overpowering, and we meant to trace the cause. Sure
+enough one of the cacti, with wide-spreading leaves which trailed on the
+ground for several yards, proved to be the seat of the virulent fumes.
+None of us had ever met such a plant before. A vast bulb was suspended
+on a thick stem, which rose from the heart of the leathery leaves, and
+this we prepared to examine intently, though we were all but overcome by
+the foul gases given off.
+
+"It's a big an' a bonnie flooer," muttered Stewart, extending his hand,
+and thrusting it into the massive blossom. Then he emitted a yell that
+would have done credit to a full-grown grizzly bear. "It's living!" he
+bellowed, "an' it's biting me. Cut its heid aff! Quick! Ough!"
+
+"A carnivorous plant!" cried Skelton, decapitating the stem with one
+stroke of his axe; and Stewart hurriedly drew back his hand with the
+clinging flower attached. It was indeed a carnivorous plant, and when we
+had rescued our companion from its clutches, we held our nostrils and
+examined the depths of the odoriferous flower.
+
+"No wonder it smells," said Phil, as the carcasses of birds and insects
+innumerable were tumbled out.
+
+"What a grand thing it would be for Cheeniemen!" commented Mac.
+
+"Let's go on, boys, for mercy's sake," implored the Captain. "I'd rather
+meet a tiger any day than one of these vile vegetable traps."
+
+Stewart's wrist had been squeezed so tightly that it was some time
+before he could move it freely. "It would hae nippit ma hand clean off
+if you hadna beheided it sae quick," said the sufferer gratefully to
+Skelton as we resumed our march; and I think he was not far wrong.
+
+Our progress now became slower and slower, and our first intention of
+reaching the mountain-range beyond the forest was in a similar degree
+growing less definite. I could not see how we were to gain our
+objective, judging by the myriad obstructions in our track, and on the
+fourth day after leaving camp we had almost decided to retrace our
+steps.
+
+"I have given up hope of seeing the natives of this peculiar country,"
+said Phil, as we tied up our hammocks after breakfast, "and if we go
+much farther we will cross down the Malacca slope, where there is
+nothing but Chinamen."
+
+"If we do not reach a break in the forest before the day is finished," I
+said, when we had again got on the move, "we'll turn and get down the
+river to our old camp."
+
+"What on earth is that?" suddenly cried the Captain, seizing his rifle
+and gazing into the gently swaying branches overhead. We looked, and
+saw an ungainly creature huddled among the spreading fronds, glaring at
+us with eyes that were half-human, half-catlike in expression.
+
+"A chimpanzee, most likely," I said. "Don't shoot, Captain; it is but a
+sample of what man looked like once."
+
+"I think it is an orang-outang," remarked Phil, "and he would make short
+work of us if he came down."
+
+Mac gazed dubiously at the animal. "A'll slauchter him," said he,
+raising his deadly blunderbuss; but the huge ape seemed to understand
+the action, and with half a dozen bounds he had vanished, swinging from
+tree to tree like a living pendulum.
+
+Again we went on, but we had not proceeded fifty yards when a harsh
+howling all around caused us to halt and examine our firearms nervously.
+Then a shower of needle-like darts whizzed close to our ears, and a
+renewed commotion among the branches arrested our attention. Looking up,
+we saw fully a score of wild shaggy heads thrust out from the clustering
+foliage; but before we had time to collect ourselves, another fusilade
+of feather-like missiles descended upon us, penetrating our thin
+clothing, and pricking us most painfully.
+
+"Monkeys!" roared Mac.
+
+"No. Sakis!" corrected Phil, as we hurriedly sought safety in retreat.
+
+"If these arrows are poisoned, we're dead 'uns, sure," groaned the
+Captain, squirming on the ground, and endeavouring to sight his rifle on
+the impish creatures.
+
+"They're not poisoned; they are merely pointed reeds blown through
+bamboo tubes," said Skelton, after a hasty examination. "They won't hurt
+much; but if they get near us with their clubs----"
+
+Another hail of the pigmy arrows rustled through the branches to rear of
+us. "Give them the small shot of your gun, Mac, just to scare them," I
+cried.
+
+"Sma' shot indeed!" retorted that fiery individual, and the boom of his
+artillery filled my ears as he spoke.
+
+An unearthly yell of terror and surprise broke from the aborigines at
+the sound of the heavy discharge, followed by a series of piercing
+shrieks as a few stray pellets touched them.
+
+"Make for the river, boys!" I shouted. "Get clear of the trees!"
+
+The air was now filled with the tiny darts, and my thick pith helmet
+intercepted so many of them that, as Mac said afterwards, it looked like
+a miniature reed-plantation. Far on our left the deep rumble of the
+river was heard, and towards it we rushed blindly, closely followed by a
+yelling horde who sprang like squirrels from tree to tree.
+
+"Where is the Captain?" roared Stewart suddenly, as we ran; and then I
+noticed that there were but four of us together. Without a word we
+turned and dashed back into the midst of the Sakis' camp; and there we
+saw the Captain lying on his face, with his gun resting loosely at his
+shoulder. A perfect inferno raged around as we reached his side, and my
+companions, roused to a pitch of frenzy, fired volley after volley among
+the yelping band.
+
+"Get back, ye wretches," roared Mac; "A'll carry him masel'."
+
+Skelton calmly picked several darts from the Captain's neck, then felt
+his pulse. "He has only fainted," he said. "These darts have gone pretty
+deep."
+
+The Captain was a heavy man, but Mac gathered him in his strong arms
+like a child. "Tak' ma gun, Stewart," he directed, "and see that ye dae
+guid work wi' it if driven to it." Then we made a second break for the
+open by the river. The whole forest seemed to be alive with Sakis now;
+they yelled at us from every other tree, and shot their irritating
+arrows from every sheltered clump of brushwood. Luckily the range of
+their odd weapons was not extensive, and by skilful manoeuvring we
+managed to save ourselves greatly, otherwise we should have been
+perforated from head to foot.
+
+When we neared the river and could see the welcome light of day shining
+through the trees, our pursuers, probably deterred by our guns, grew
+less enthusiastic in the chase; and when the edge of the forest was
+reached they had apparently drawn off altogether.
+
+"To think that we should hae to run like that, frae--frae monkeys!"
+snorted Stewart indignantly as we halted. "It's fair disgracefu'."
+
+The Captain slowly opened his eyes, and looked at me reproachfully.
+
+"That chimpanzee that we didn't shoot," said he feebly, "is one of the
+same family, for the brute must have given the alarm----"
+
+"There he is noo!" cried Mac. "Gie me ma gun, Stewart, an' A'll
+obleeterate him, nae matter wha's grandfaither he is."
+
+I caught a glimpse of the huge ape swinging backwards into the thicket,
+then Mac's vengeful weapon spoke, and the Sakis' strange scout came
+tumbling to the ground. A yell of rage issued from the forest, and
+instantly a number of our late pursuers appeared and dragged the
+orang-outang back whence they came.
+
+"I haven't had much opportunity of studying the beggars," said Phil,
+"but I'm not growling. They are the most apish people I could ever have
+imagined."
+
+"Instead of gold," commented Skelton grimly, "we've all got a fair-sized
+dose of malaria----"
+
+"And various other trifles," added Mac, as he extracted the darts from
+the more fleshy portions of his anatomy.
+
+"We'll leave the gold alone this time, boys," I climaxed; "but we'll
+have another try when we can get a stronger party together. Meanwhile,
+we had better make tracks for the coast, and recuperate our energies."
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+A WEEK-END ADVENTURE
+
+
+For several years it has been my habit to spend my week-ends during the
+summer and autumn months in a small yacht called the _Thelma_, of about
+five tons, as a welcome change from the confined life of the City.
+
+Many and many a happy, lazy time have I spent in her, sometimes by
+myself, at others with a companion, at various delightful spots round
+our eastern and southern coasts, occasionally taking short cruises along
+the seaboard, but more often lounging about harbours and estuaries, or
+even exploring inland waters.
+
+On these occasions many little incidents and adventures have occurred,
+which, though full of interest to any one fond of yachting, yet are
+hardly worthy of print, and it was not until about a year and a half ago
+that the following events took place, and seemed to me of sufficient
+interest to record.
+
+The _Thelma_ was at the time at an anchorage in one of my favourite
+spots, a somewhat lonely East-coast estuary, within easy reach of the
+open sea, and, more important still in a way, fairly close to a
+main-line railway-station, so that I could get to her from town without
+wasting much of my precious time on the way. I had run down late on a
+Friday night early in September, rejoicing, as only a hard-worked City
+man can rejoice, in the thought of a good forty-eight hours of freedom
+and fresh air. I was alone, as my exit from town was rather unexpected,
+and I had no time to find a friend to keep me company; but that did not
+worry me, as I felt fully able to enjoy myself in solitary peace.
+
+I found everything prepared for my arrival, having wired to the
+longshoreman and his wife, in whose charge I had left the yacht, and I
+should much like to describe in full detail all my enjoyment, but must
+pass over the little events of my first day--the Saturday--as they have
+nothing to do with my "adventure," though to me the day was brimful of
+thorough happiness.
+
+It was one of those splendid bright days which are happily so frequent
+on the East coast in September--so calm, indeed, that sailing was out of
+the question, and I spent my time in the small boat or dinghy out in the
+open sea a mile or more, fishing in an indolent way for whiting, etc.,
+and basking in the sun.
+
+I saw no one all day, and there was little shipping about. A private
+wherry anchored opposite the village above the _Thelma_ was the only
+craft in the river, and a few trawlers and coasting steamers far out
+were the only vessels to be seen at sea.
+
+Nothing could have less suggested the likelihood of anything in the
+shape of "adventure," and I caught my whiting and dabs in blissful peace
+of mind.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon, however, I was roused from my
+fishing by feeling the air suddenly begin to get chill, and on looking
+out to sea saw that a breeze was springing up from the eastward, and
+bringing with it a bank of thick white sea-fog, which had already
+blotted out the horizon, and was coming in rapidly.
+
+This meant rowing home as quickly as possible, as I did not want to be
+caught in the "thick" before reaching my temporary home, as it might
+mean an hour or two's search for such a small yacht in a half-mile wide
+estuary.
+
+So, hastily laying aside my fishing-tackle and hauling up the little
+anchor, I put my back into the task of "racing the fog," feeling
+intensely thankful that the tide was on the flood, and, therefore, an
+immense help to me.
+
+Even as it was, I was in a glowing heat by the time I reached the
+_Thelma_, and only just in time at that, as the first chilly wreaths of
+mist were closing round me by the time I got on board. When all was
+"snug," and I was ready to go below into my little cabin for tea, a last
+glance round showed me that already the low hills on each side of the
+river were blotted out, and I could hardly distinguish the wherry
+anchored away up above me, or the houses of the village off which she
+lay.
+
+Oh, how cosy and bright the little cabin looked when I settled down for
+a nondescript meal, half-tea, half-dinner, about an hour later!
+
+The lamp, hung from the deck above, gave a mellow light, the kettle sang
+on the stove, and the fresh-caught whiting were simply delicious (I
+pride myself on my cooking on these occasions), whilst London, work, and
+my fellow-beings seemed far away in some other sphere.
+
+This feeling of isolation was considerably increased later on, when,
+after a hearty meal and a dip into a story, I put my head out of the
+hatch to take a customary "last look round" before turning in.
+
+I suppose it was about 10 p.m.; there was no moon, and I never remember
+a denser fog. At first, after the lighted cabin, I could distinguish
+absolutely nothing, except where the beam of light from the cabin lamp
+struggled past me through the open hatch into a white thickness which I
+can only liken to vaporous cotton-wool.
+
+Even when my eyes got a little accustomed to the change from light to
+darkness, I could only just make out the mizzen-mast astern and the
+lower part of the main-mast forward; beyond these was nothing but
+impenetrable thickness.
+
+Not a sound reached me, except the mournful muffled hooting of a
+steamer's syren at intervals; no doubt some wretched collier, nosing her
+way at half-speed through the fog, in momentary terror of collision.
+
+I don't think I ever felt so cut off from humanity in my life as in that
+tiny yacht, surrounded as I was by impenetrable density above and
+around, and the deep rushing tide below in a lonely water-way.
+
+No doubt this eerie feeling of loneliness had a great deal to do with my
+sensations later on, which, on looking back in after-days, have often
+struck me as being more acute and nervous than they had any right to be.
+
+Be that as it may, I was not nervous when I closed the hatch and "turned
+in," for I recollect congratulating myself that I was in a safe
+anchorage, out of the way of traffic, and not on board the steamer which
+I had heard so mournfully making known her whereabouts in the open sea.
+
+I think my "nerves" had their first real unsettling about half an hour
+afterwards, just as I was sinking off into a peaceful, profound slumber,
+for it seemed to me that I had been roused by a sound like a scream of
+pain or fear, coming muffled and distant through the fog; but from what
+direction, whether up or down the river, or from the shore, I could not
+tell.
+
+I raised myself on my elbow and listened intently, but heard nothing
+more, and reflecting that, even if what I had heard was more than fancy,
+I was helpless, shut in on every hand by impenetrable fog, to render
+aid; I could do no more than utter a fervent hope, amounting to a
+prayer, that no poor soul had strayed into the water on such a night. It
+is easy, too, when roused out of a doze, to imagine one has only
+_fancied_ a thing, and I had soon persuaded myself that what I had
+heard was no more than the shriek of a syren or cry of a disturbed
+sea-gull, and sank once more into a doze, which this time merged into
+that solid sleep which comes to those who have had a long day in
+sea-air.
+
+Somewhere in that vague period we are apt to call "the middle of the
+night," and which may mean any time between our falling asleep and
+daybreak, I dreamt that I was in bed in my London lodgings, that a chum
+of mine had come in to arouse me, and to do so had gently kicked the
+bedpost, sending a jarring sensation up my spine.
+
+At first I was merely angry, and only stirred in my sleep; but he did it
+again, and I awoke, intending to administer a scathing rebuke to the
+disturber of my peace.
+
+But I awoke on board the _Thelma_, and realised, with a feeling akin to
+alarm, that the sensation of "jarring" had been real, and the knocking
+which caused it came from something or _some one outside the boat_.
+
+At first I could hardly believe my senses, and raised myself on my
+elbow, my whole being strained as it were into the one faculty for
+listening.
+
+Again, this time close to my head, against the starboard bulkhead, came
+the sound, like two gentle "thuds" on the planking, causing a distinct
+tremor to thrill through the yacht.
+
+I cannot imagine any more "eerie" sensation than to go to sleep as I had
+done, with a profound sense of isolation and loneliness, cut off from
+humanity by a waste of fog and darkness and far-stretching water, and to
+be awakened in the dead of night by the startling knowledge that outside
+there, in that very loneliness, only divided from my little cabin by a
+thin planking--was _something_--and that something not shouting as any
+human being would shout at such a time--but _knocking_--as if wishing to
+be let in to warmth and comfort, out of the chill and darkness.
+
+Can I be blamed if my suddenly aroused and somewhat bemused senses
+played tricks with me, and my startled imagination began to conjure up
+the gruesome stories I had heard of weird visitants, and ghostly beings,
+heard but seldom seen, on the East Anglian meres and broads? Then again
+came the remembrance of the shriek or cry I had fancied I heard earlier
+in the night, and with a shudder I thought: "How ghastly if it should be
+the drowned body of him whose cry I had heard, knocking thus in grisly
+fashion to be taken in before the tide carried it away to sea!"
+
+So far had my excited imagination carried me, when again the yacht shook
+with the thud of something striking her, and a great revulsion of relief
+came over me as I recognised the dull sound of wood striking wood, this
+time farther aft, and I laughed aloud at my cowardice.
+
+No doubt a log of driftwood, bumping its way along the side of the
+yacht, as logs will, as the ebbing tide carried it seawards.
+
+However, by this time I had lighted the lamp; so, to satisfy my still
+perturbed though much ashamed mind, I thrust my feet into sea-boots and
+my body into a pea-jacket over my clothes, and went on deck, lamp in
+hand, to see what my unwelcome visitor really was.
+
+Through the mist, dimly illumined by the lamp, I made out the shadowy
+outline of a boat, drifting slowly towards the stern of the yacht, and
+occasionally bumping gently against her side.
+
+Another moment or two and the derelict would have vanished into the
+night. But the long boathook lay at my feet along the bulwark, and,
+almost instinctively, I caught it up with one hand, whilst setting the
+lamp down with the other, ran to the stern and made a wild grab in the
+dark towards where I thought she would be.
+
+The hook caught, and I hauled my prize alongside; stooping down, I felt
+for the painter, which I naturally expected to find trailing in the
+water, thinking the boat had broken loose from somewhere through
+carelessness in making her fast.
+
+To my surprise it was coiled up _inside_ the bows. Puzzling over this, I
+made the end fast to a cleat on the yacht, then took the lamp and turned
+the light over the side, so that it shone fairly into the boat.
+
+Then, for the second time that night, my pulses beat fast, and my scalp
+tingled with something approaching fear, and I wished I had a friend on
+board with me.
+
+It seemed as if my foolish idea of a dead body asking for compassion
+was coming true. For there was a huddled-up form lying on the bottom of
+the boat, its head inclined half on and half off the stern thwart, its
+whole attitude suggestive of the helplessness of death.
+
+I stood as if paralysed for a few seconds, filled with a craven longing
+to get back to the cosy cabin, shut the hatch, and wait till daylight
+before approaching any nearer that still form, dreading what horrors an
+examination might reveal. But more humane and reasonable thoughts soon
+came; perhaps this poor drifting bit of humanity was not dead, but had
+been sent my way in the dead of night to revive and shelter.
+
+Feeling that I must act at once, or I might not act at all--or at least
+till daybreak--I put a great restraint upon my feelings of repugnance,
+caught up the lamp, stepped into the boat, and raised the drooping head
+on to my arm.
+
+As I did so, the hood-like covering which had concealed the face fell
+back, and in a moment all my shrinking and horror vanished once for
+all--swallowed up in pity, compassion, and amazement--for on my arm
+rested the sweet face of a young and very pretty girl, marred only by
+its pallor and a bad bruise on the right temple.
+
+Even in the lamplight I could see she was a lady born and bred; her face
+alone told me that, and the rich material of fur-lined cloak and hood
+merely confirmed it.
+
+Here was no horrible midnight visitor, then; but certainly what seemed
+to me a great mystery--far more so than the dead body of labourer or
+wherry-man floating down with the tide would have furnished.
+
+A lady, insensible apparently from a blow on the forehead, floating
+alone in an open boat at midnight, on a lonely tidal water, far from any
+resort of the class to which she seemed to belong, and saved from long
+hours of exposure--perhaps death--by the marvellous chance (if it could
+be called so) of colliding with my yacht on the way to the open sea.
+
+It was too great a puzzle to attempt to solve on the spur of the moment,
+and I had first to apply myself to the evident duty of getting my fair
+and mysterious visitor into my cabin, there to try to undo the effects
+of whatever untoward accidents had befallen her.
+
+It was no easy matter, single-handed and in darkness, except for the
+hazy beam of light from the lamp on deck, to get her from the swinging,
+lurching boat to the yacht. But, luckily for me, my burden was light and
+slender, and I did it without mishap, I hardly know how, and then soon
+had her in the little cabin, laid carefully upon my blankets and rugs,
+with a pillow under her head.
+
+I soon knew she was alive, for there was a distinct, though slight, rise
+and fall of her bosom as she breathed, but my difficulty was to know
+what remedies to apply. I have a little experience in resuscitating the
+half-drowned, but in this case insensibility seemed to have been caused
+by the blow on her forehead, if it was not from shock or fear.
+
+So all I could do was to force a few drops of brandy between the white
+teeth, and bathe the forehead patiently, and hope that nature would soon
+reassert itself with these aids.
+
+After what seemed a long while to me, but which I suppose was not more
+than a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, one of the little white
+hands moved, a deep sigh came from the lips, and I thought she was
+"coming to."
+
+But it was merely a change from one state of insensibility to another;
+for, though a colour came back into the cheeks and the breathing grew
+stronger and more regular, the warmth of the cabin had its effect, and
+she sank into a natural and peaceful sleep.
+
+My greatest anxiety being now relieved, and my fair young visitor
+restored to animation and resting peacefully enough, my mind naturally
+turned to the consideration of the strange position I was so
+unexpectedly placed in; but in my state of absolute ignorance as to the
+identity of my charge, where she came from, what had happened, and of
+the whole chain of circumstances which led up to her strange visit, I
+came to the conclusion that I could only wait for her to awake and
+enlighten me before taking any steps whatever. It might mean losing
+valuable time to try to find out anything by going off in the fog and
+darkness; whilst, meanwhile, the poor girl might awake and find herself
+deserted, instead of finding me ready and waiting to take her
+instructions for her safe restoration to her friends.
+
+So there was nothing for me to do but wait, and having made up the fire
+in the stove and put the kettle on in readiness for a cup of tea, I made
+myself as comfortable as I could in a corner and longed for daylight.
+
+As I watched the face of the sleeping girl, now rather flushed from the
+warmth of the cabin and the unaccustomed drops of spirit I had given
+her, I thought I had never before seen a fairer and sweeter countenance,
+and even then began to bless the chance which had allowed me to become
+her protector.
+
+Once she stirred, and a look of dread, almost terror, came into her
+face, and I heard her utter in an agonised voice the single word
+"Harold."
+
+It may sound ridiculous, but, coming so soon after my feelings of tender
+"protectiveness," I felt quite a pang of jealousy against the unknown
+owner of the name, and wondered in what relation she stood to him and
+why her thought of him should bring such evident pain. However, she did
+not awake as yet, and I had to possess my soul in patience for this and
+all the other enlightenment I longed for.
+
+I must have slept at last, for the next thing I remember was seeing a
+faint daylight struggling through the skylight and realising that the
+fire was nearly out, in spite of my resolve to keep a watch over it. In
+making it up I clumsily dropped a lump of coal, and the girl stirred,
+opened her eyes, and sat up at once, evidently refreshed by her sleep
+and in full possession of all her faculties, and, of course, utterly
+bewildered at her surroundings and at finding a perfect stranger in
+charge of her.
+
+It made my heart ache to see, as memory came back and she recalled the
+(to me unknown) events of the night, a cloud of dread and anxiety come
+over her, and her eyes fill with tears at the recollection; and if I had
+felt drawn to her before, I was doubly so now, when I saw her bravely
+brace herself to talk of them, and even smile up at me as she said--
+
+"Will you tell me where I am, and how I got here? It seems to me I have
+a lot to thank you for!"
+
+I told her as briefly as I could the happenings of the night as far as I
+knew them, and then said--
+
+"Now I am burning to hear your adventures, and longing to help you to
+get back to your friends; but I beg of you not to tell me more than you
+feel inclined, nor to put any strain on yourself at present, but just
+tell me sufficient for me to know how to act for you."
+
+She assured me she felt quite well, except for a headache (which
+certainly was only to be expected with such a bruise on her poor white
+forehead), and would like to tell me everything, as it would be a relief
+to her mind to do so, and with the most charming little blush she
+added--
+
+"I feel so sure you will know just what is best to be done, and I
+should like to confide my fears to you."
+
+So, whilst I busied myself in getting a sort of hasty breakfast ready,
+partly because we both needed it, but more for the sake of making it
+easier for her to speak of things which might be painful for her to
+mention with my eyes upon her, she told me all, and it was quite amazing
+how simply everything was explained.
+
+Her name--which she mentioned no doubt because I had carefully told her
+mine--was Lilian Burfield, and she and her brother Harold (I felt
+foolishly relieved to hear it was her _brother's_ name she had called on
+in her sleep) lived with their father at a large house some three miles
+from the village up the river. A day or two before these events, some
+friends of theirs, a Mr. and Mrs. Small, had brought their wherry up the
+river to visit them, whilst on a cruise. On the Friday they had spent
+the afternoon on board, and she and her brother had been induced to stay
+to dinner, and play a game or two afterwards; but her father had been
+obliged to leave earlier on account of some engagement.
+
+About 10.30 they left (although the Smalls pressed them to stop on board
+all night when they saw how thick the fog had become), feeling confident
+that they could not well miss the landing-stage, as it was not more than
+a hundred yards from the yacht.
+
+However, it seemed that they _had_ done so, as the boat took the ground
+on a mud-bank, and stuck fast.
+
+Her brother was unable to push off, and asked her to help, so she stood
+up and, with the other oar, moved to assist him. The shifting of her
+weight must have loosened the boat, as at that very moment her brother
+gave a shove and they shot off the mud with a lurch, sending her with
+great violence into the bottom of the boat and stunning her.
+
+As she fell (and here I heard a break in the low, sweet voice which was
+telling me the tale) she remembered seeing her brother disappear
+overboard, upset by the sudden movement of the boat beneath him, and
+believed she gave a cry at the sight; but knew no more till she awakened
+in the cabin of the _Thelma_.
+
+The simple narrative ceased, and I wondered that when trying to puzzle
+out where she could have come from, I had never thought to connect the
+wherry I had seen in the morning with my visitor's sudden appearance.
+
+How marvellous it seemed, though, that the boat with its helpless
+freight should have been carried by the ebbing tide straight into my
+care, and how deeply thankful I was that it had been so ordered, saving
+the poor girl from a terrible, lonely drift out to sea, from many hours'
+exposure, perhaps from being run down by a passing vessel, certainly
+from grave danger in many ways!
+
+Now I could see my way at last as to my next move, and hastened to
+assure my anxious visitor that I had little fear for her brother's
+safety, as I knew there were no mudbanks in that part of the river
+except those along the edge of the shore, and therefore he would almost
+certainly have been able to scramble out.
+
+There were still one or two things I did not quite understand, however,
+so, whilst we ate a fairly hearty meal off the remainder of my whiting,
+I plied her with a question or two, and by-and-by we got very friendly
+and cheerful, and I quite disliked the idea of going out into the misty
+morning to make arrangements for giving up my fair and charming visitor.
+
+As for Miss Burfield (as I now must call her), her spirits rose with my
+hopeful words, and as the food had its effect on her physically.
+
+But in my mind was a sinister fear, which I carefully kept from her.
+
+I had heard no shouts, no sound of any search, either in the night nor
+since daybreak, which seemed strange; and it had occurred to me that
+_if_ the young fellow had been drowned this would be explained, for
+those on the wherry might know nothing, thinking their visitors had
+reached the shore, while those ashore might think they had stopped
+overnight on board on account of the fog, and so no search would be
+made, no alarm taken.
+
+I asked whose was the boat they were in and which I had secured,
+wondering if it would be missed.
+
+"It belonged to a man in the village," she said. "We borrowed it because
+the man who works the wherry for the Smalls was away for the night, and
+we thought we would save Mr. Small the trouble of rowing us ashore so
+late at night in his own boat."
+
+"Was the owner waiting up for you to bring the boat back?" I asked.
+
+"No, we promised to tie it up safely, so that he need not worry about
+it," she answered.
+
+So, there again, they would not be missed till the man failed to find
+his boat, which might not be for hours yet. It seemed to me that I might
+have the terrible duty of breaking the bad news of the loss of the young
+man, instead of, as I had thought, the good tidings of the finding of
+the lost girl.
+
+But that remained to be proved, and I could only hope for the best.
+
+In any case my duty was now plain, and with a few cheering words to my
+companion, telling her that I was going to the village to report her
+safety, and to send a messenger to her home that they might come and
+fetch her, and would be back as soon as possible with (I hoped) the good
+news of her brother's safety, I set off, early as it was, and rowed
+myself ashore in the dinghy. I was glad to see that the fog was thinning
+even then, and by the time I had landed and run along the towing-path to
+the village, the sun was just visible through the haze, giving every
+hope of a lovely day.
+
+With mingled feelings of dread and hope I approached the scattered
+houses of the little hamlet, half fearing to see groups of men by the
+river-side searching for some gruesome object, and, again, when all
+seemed still and peaceful, fearing that the absence of movement might
+mean the very thing I dreaded--namely, that the catastrophe had
+happened, and no one any the wiser.
+
+There lay the wherry, without sight or sound of any living person on
+board; no one was moving in the little straggling street; not a dog
+barked.
+
+I went straight to the old inn, which stood about a hundred yards from
+the landing-stage, opposite the wherry's anchorage, and knocked loudly
+at the door. No one answered, so I tried the latch, the door opened to
+my hand, and I walked into the brick-floored bar, and at first thought
+it was empty.
+
+Then I heard a slight movement and the sound of a yawn, and, looking
+towards the large settle by the side of the hearth, saw my old
+acquaintance, the innkeeper, evidently aroused by my knocking from a
+sound sleep, rubbing his eyes and stiffly getting to his feet.
+
+Much astonished he looked when he saw who his visitor was, as he did not
+know I had come down to the yacht, and certainly was not accustomed to
+such early rising on my part.
+
+His first words gave me a cold feeling of apprehension, for on
+recognising me he said--
+
+"Oh, sir, I am glad you are here; perhaps you will be able to help us in
+this dreadful business."
+
+"What dreadful business?" I said, sharply enough, for I feared his
+answer, and dared not ask a more direct question, for the thought of
+the sweet girl I had left behind in the _Thelma_, and the news it
+seemed I was to take back to her, was almost too much for me.
+
+"Dear, dear, haven't you heard, sir?" went on the old man, thoroughly
+awake now in his eagerness to impart the news. "There's that poor, dear
+Miss Burfield, the sweetest young lady as ever I knew, gone floating
+down the river last night in the fog all alone, and goodness knows what
+has become of her, poor dear, by now--and her young brother, too, wet
+through as he was, gone off with the gentleman from yonder wherry in a
+boat to look for her, hours ago--and a poor chance of finding her, _I_
+say, till the fog blows off, even if they don't lose themselves as well
+as her. And the poor old squire, too, he be in a dreadful way, and
+sendin' messengers to all the coastguards for miles, he is, to look out
+for the lady----"
+
+Here the old man paused for want of breath, and I--completely relieved
+by his rambling statement from my fear about the girl's brother,
+hastened to relieve him with my astonishing news that Miss Burfield was
+safe and sound in my yacht, and had been so for some hours.
+
+Eager as I was to get back to the _Thelma_ with my good news, I could
+not get away till I had told the good old fellow how it had happened
+that I had rescued her, and he in return told me how young Burfield had
+rushed, muddy and dripping, into the inn as they were all going to bed,
+and demanded help in the search for his sister. No boat was to be had at
+the moment, and so they had shouted till Mr. Small came ashore in his
+own boat, and had at once rowed away with young Burfield down the river,
+in the thick darkness, with the faint hope of finding the missing girl
+before she drifted into the open sea.
+
+"I told 'em it warn't much good," ended the old man, "and that they'd
+best wait till daylight, but they would go. As for me, I reckon I've
+done the best thing, for I druv' over at once to the coastguards down
+yonder, and told 'em to keep a look out at the mouth o' the river. I
+ain't been back long, and was just takin' a nap when you found me, as I
+hadn't the 'art to go to bed."
+
+Having arranged with him to send the good news to all concerned,
+especially to the Hall, where old Mr. Burfield must doubtless be in a
+terrible state of anxiety, I hurried back along the towing-path,
+rejoicing in the thought that I should now be able to relieve my fair
+visitor's mind of her anxiety.
+
+I found her on deck, looking anxious, indeed, but so pretty and fresh in
+spite of her trying night's experiences, that my impressions of the
+night were greatly intensified, and I began to bless the unusual
+circumstances that had brought us together and made us friends, as it
+were, from the first moment of our acquaintance; and I registered a
+mental vow that the bond thus created between us should never be broken,
+if it lay in my power to prevent it.
+
+And when I had told her the good news, and we had at last an opportunity
+of friendly converse unclouded by forebodings and anxious thoughts, I
+for one thoroughly enjoyed the companionship, and allowed myself to hope
+that it was not altogether disagreeable to my charming visitor.
+
+It did not seem long, therefore, to me before the arrival of Mr.
+Burfield, who overwhelmed me with far more thanks and gratitude than I
+deserved, and insisted on my spending the rest of that week-end at the
+Hall--an invitation backed up in irresistible fashion by his daughter.
+To complete the general satisfaction, whilst we were talking we heard
+the sound of oars, and saw a boat approaching, containing two of the
+most weary and dispirited-looking men I ever saw.
+
+They proved to be Mr. Small and Mr. Harold Burfield, returning dead-beat
+and miserable after a fruitless and wretched search for the missing
+boat, to get food and to make arrangements for a further expedition. How
+can I describe their intense relief and astonishment when--summoned by a
+mighty shout--they pulled to shore, and saw the girl they imagined
+drifting helplessly miles out at sea standing on shore, safe and sound,
+and in infinitely better case than themselves, and heard that she had
+never been farther than where she now was from the scene of the accident
+the night before?
+
+Later on I asked Harold Burfield why he had not shouted as he rowed down
+the river after his sister in the darkness, when I might have heard and
+answered.
+
+He said that at first he thought it no use, as he knew his sister's
+boat must have had a long start of them; and later, when they had rowed
+some way, and considered they must have caught up with it, they had done
+so at intervals all night long, on the chance of her hearing.
+
+So I suppose that, either they were past the _Thelma_ before they began
+to call, or else in the fog had got so far over on the other side of the
+channel that their voices had not reached me, as I was shut up in my
+cabin.
+
+So all the little mysteries were cleared up, and everything had "come
+right in the end," as such things should.
+
+I have spent many a happy week-end since then at the Hall and on board
+the _Thelma_, and to my dying day I shall bless the fog of that
+September night, for Lilian has promised shortly to fix the day of our
+wedding, and we have both decided that part of the honeymoon at least is
+to be spent on board the _Thelma_; and I really believe that we shall
+both be rather disappointed if we do not get a bit of foggy weather to
+remind us how we first made each other's acquaintance, and made friends
+over "whiting and tea" in the little cabin at six o'clock in the
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE DEFLECTED COMPASS
+
+
+The paddle-steamer _Queen of the Isles_ was alongside the quay at St.
+Mary's, and had already given one shrill intimation that she was
+prepared to leave the harbour. Sydney and I were ready, with our
+portmanteaux strapped and our caps on, but the Honourable John had not
+yet appeared. We were impatient. Very important was it that we should
+catch the mail out of Penzance that same evening, for the following
+morning we were all due in London. Any delay in our return would be
+taken from the holidays of the next batch, and we should never hear the
+last of it if we were late, to say nothing of the unfairness of reducing
+the well-earned rest of the next batch by our dilatoriness and lack of
+consideration. We had taken the precaution to settle the hotel accounts,
+because we knew the habits of the Honourable John, and we stood in the
+hall with the thunder gathering upon our brows, and threatening to peal
+forth in tones more loud than complimentary.
+
+"If he isn't down in two minutes, Syd, I'm off," said I, pulling out my
+watch, and nervously noting the jerky springs of the spidery second-hand
+that seemed to be in a much greater hurry than usual.
+
+"John!" bawled Syd up the stairway. "Do you hear? You'll miss the
+steamer."
+
+"What's the fellow doing?" I asked, with irritation, as I observed that
+half a minute had passed.
+
+"Waxing the ends of his ridiculous moustache," answered Syd; then,
+turning again to the foot of the stairs, "John! We're going. Hurry up!"
+
+A door opened on the landing, and a voice drawled, "I say, you chaps,
+have you paid the bill?"
+
+"Certainly," said I. "Come along. We've barely time to catch the
+steamer. Didn't you hear the whistle?"
+
+"I heard something a little while ago, a sort of an ear-piercing shriek
+that startled me, and caused me to nick my chin with the razor. I shall
+have to put a bit of flesh-coloured plaster over it. Was that the
+whistle?" asked the Honourable John in the most tantalising, nonchalant
+way, as if he had all the day before him.
+
+We looked up the stairway, and there he was on the landing, in his
+shirt-sleeves, slowly adjusting the ends of a salmon-coloured tie.
+
+"The two minutes are up," said I, replacing my watch, and stooping for
+my portmanteau. At that moment the whistle sounded again, and I hurried
+away, followed by Syd, both of us muttering that the dawdler deserved to
+be left, but none the less hoping in our hearts that he would be in
+time.
+
+The hotel was near the harbour, and we were soon aboard. On the bridge,
+between the paddle-boxes, the captain stood with the string attached to
+the syren in his hand; beside him, glancing at the compass-card,
+grasping the spokes of the wheel, and silently awaiting instructions,
+was one of the men; the mate was for'ard with his whistle; and two
+little knots of islanders were gathered about the moorings on the quay,
+ready to cast off the hawsers as soon as the paddles moved and the
+captain gave the word.
+
+Loungers and holiday-makers were stirred into mild excitement by our
+expected departure. Exchanges of farewells, amid occasional shouts and a
+continuous ripple of laughter, were passing between those on board and
+those ashore. The usually quiet life of St. Mary's was bubbling up in
+its periodical agitation. By the outgoing and incoming of the steamer
+the islanders touched the great world without, and thrilled at the touch
+and felt its importance.
+
+It was a pleasant scene, or it would have been but for the inexcusable
+delay of the Honourable John. We began to fear that he would be left.
+The captain pulled the string again, and the syren sounded, with a
+peculiar urgency, as it seemed to me, ending in a despairing wail; then,
+stepping to the indicator, he signalled to the engineer, and the paddles
+began to revolve. The forward hawser was thrown off and fell with a
+splash into the sea; astern we were yet alongside the quay.
+
+The Honourable John appeared, resplendent in all the glory of a silk
+hat and frock coat, with a flower in his buttonhole, his hands gloved in
+lemon-coloured kids, and his feet shiny with patent leather; the people
+parted to let him pass, and stared at him as if he were a marquis at the
+very least, but the porter flung his portmanteau over the bulwarks like
+that of any other common tourist; John himself, with more agility than I
+gave him credit for, sprang aboard only just in time, as the men shouted
+"All clear aft, sir."
+
+Once more we heard the click of the bells in the engine-room, and away
+we went through the clear waters, with the white foam mingling in our
+wake and the other islands gliding rapidly into view.
+
+"You donkey!" said I, surveying the delinquent from head to foot, and
+noticing particularly the round spot of plaster on his chin. "Why didn't
+you come earlier?"
+
+"Call him a parrakeet," said Syd. "That will better describe him."
+
+"He's both," I replied--"slow as the one and gay as the other. But we've
+got him, and we'll see that he does not defraud young Clifton of a
+single minute of the holiday he's waiting for--ay, and well deserves."
+
+"You're always in such a desperate hurry," observed the Honourable John,
+ignoring the epithets with which we assailed him. He was never offended,
+and never perturbed. When the vials of our wrath were poured upon him,
+as they had been pretty freely during the holiday, they ran off him
+like the proverbial water from the duck's back. We simply could not have
+endured his foppishness and dandyism, combined with a temper always
+serene, if we had not known that at heart he was a very good fellow. "I
+was in time," said he.
+
+"You were," returned Syd significantly--"nearly in time to be late."
+
+"But I wasn't late," drawled John, "so what's the good of making a fuss
+about it. One of the pleasures of life is to take things easily; as my
+friend the Irishman once remarked, 'If ye cannot be happy, be aisy; and
+if ye cannot be aisy, be as aisy as ye can.' But, I say, I don't call
+this a specially bright morning; do you? Look there! We're running into
+a bank of fog."
+
+So we were. A dense white barrier, clean and straight as a wall, rose
+from the sea to the sky, and in another minute we had plunged into it.
+We did not anticipate so sudden a change. Fog was far from our thoughts,
+for the morning had been bright and sunny all around the islands, and
+the air was very still. For two or three days scarcely a breath of wind
+had wandered across the brilliant summer atmosphere. Now, with the fog,
+came a softly moving breeze out of the north-east. The fog drifted
+before it in one immense mass; there was no ripple upon the sea.
+
+Upon the passengers the effect was very curious; where, a few moments
+before, there had been ready repartee, interspersed with laughter, now
+there was low-toned commonplace conversation, or a dead silence. We were
+wrapped in a cloud; moisture began to form in tiny drops upon the
+stanchions and the deck, upon the beards and moustaches of the male part
+of the voyagers, upon the woolly texture of the garments of all, even
+upon the smoothly brushed silk of the Honourable John's top hat; save
+for the swish of the paddles and the running of the engines, with a
+whispered exclamation here and there, we could hear nothing; and we
+could scarcely see the length of the ship.
+
+It was the first bit of objectionable weather we had experienced during
+the holiday. We had spent a fortnight in the "Delectable Duchy." From
+Looe to Sennen we had not missed a single place worth seeing, and we had
+finished up with a week in the Scilly Isles. Making St. Mary's our
+centre, we had rowed and waded to St. Martin's and St. Agnes', to Tresco
+and Bryer and Samson and Annet, to Great Ganilly and Great Arthur, to
+Gweal and Illiswilgis, and a host of other places in that shattered and
+scattered heap of granite which forms the outstanding sentinel of our
+far western coast. The weather had been perfect. But now, having cleared
+the road and rounded St. Mary's, we were met by this thick mist, swaying
+down upon us like a vast curtain, and quickly enveloping us in its
+vapoury folds.
+
+"You'll want a new topper, John, when we reach Penzance," said Syd, as
+he noted how the moisture was ruffling the silk and dimming its gloss.
+He laughed as he said it, but, in the silence, his laugh seemed to be an
+intrusion.
+
+"You're mistaken, Syd," he replied; and, as he took off his hat and
+surveyed it, he continued, "In all weathers, there's no head gear so
+durable, and therefore so economical, as a good silk chimney-pot; and
+certainly there's nothing in the way of a _chapeau_ so comfortable and
+becoming."
+
+"Tastes differ," said I.
+
+"They do," answered John, "and I speak about my own. I've tried others.
+Oh, yes, I have," said he, as we looked at him incredulously, "and I
+speak from experience. I tell you, they're cheap, if you will only give
+enough for them. Why, I know an old fellow who has worn the very same
+tile, in all weathers, for fifteen years; it has been in the height of
+fashion twice in that time, and it will soon come in again; and it is a
+very decent thing yet when it has been newly pressed and ironed."
+
+"I prefer my deerstalker," said Syd.
+
+"And I my golfer," said I.
+
+"Which shows very plainly that your sartorial education has been
+neglected," returned John, "and I pity you. You are not living up to
+your privileges, and, worse still, you are unaware of the privileges you
+might live up to. But, I say, this is a sneezer!" and he looked about
+him into the fog, which was becoming denser every minute. "They're
+lessening the pace. I suppose it wouldn't do to drive along through this
+thick stuff. We might reach an unexpected terminus. What say you? Shall
+we go on the bridge?"
+
+"The captain may not allow us," said I.
+
+"Pooh! I know the cap. He's a forty-second cousin of mine. Come along.
+I'll introduce you now that we are out of the narrows and in the open
+sea."
+
+"It seems to me as if the sea were shut," whispered Syd, as we followed
+the Honourable John to the bridge.
+
+"Closed, at any rate," said I, "and with very moist curtains, through
+which we must push our way unpleasantly enough into the harbour."
+
+We reached the upper deck, which was dotted with bulgy figures in cloaks
+and capes, damp, and silent, and melancholy. The bridge formed the
+forward part of the upper deck, where it terminated amidships; the
+helmsman, with his hands upon the spokes, shifted his eyes alternately
+between the binnacle and the bows, and gave the wheel a turn now this
+way and now that, while the captain paced cross-wise between the
+paddle-boxes, and searched the mirk above and ahead to see whether there
+was any likelihood that the weather would clear.
+
+Abaft the funnel the deck was free to those of the passengers who held
+saloon tickets, but afore the funnel--that is, on the bridge itself--no
+one was allowed without the captain's special permission. This space was
+railed off, with a hinged lift in the mahogany on either side, both of
+which were now down and barred. We were not quite sure whether the
+captain were really the Honourable John's relative, or whether our
+comrade's proposal to join the captain was only one of those erratic
+notions which visited his aristocratic brain, and were often carried
+through with a confidence so complete as to be rarely unsuccessful. He
+was unmercifully snubbed sometimes, and he richly deserved it; but the
+curious thing about him was that the snubs were wasted. Where others
+would have retired crestfallen, the Honourable John held his head high
+and heeded not.
+
+We were prepared to find that the forty-second cousinship was a fiction,
+and that the captain would quietly ignore him; but we were in the
+background, and it mattered very little to us; the deck would be as
+welcome as the bridge.
+
+"Well, cousin cap.," said John familiarly, placing his hand upon the wet
+mahogany rail, "and how are you?"
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed the captain, facing round. "Where have you tumbled
+from?"
+
+"Hughtown, St. Mary's, was the last bit of mother earth I touched before
+I sprang aboard the _Queen of Paddlers_. May we venture within your
+private domain?"
+
+"Why, certainly, John," and he lifted the rail and beckoned us forward.
+
+"Two chums of mine," said John, naming us, and then he named the captain
+as his respected cousin forty-two times removed. The captain smiled at
+him, shook his head, and observed that the relationship was a little
+closer than that, but a puzzle, nevertheless, to work out exactly.
+
+"I must have missed you when you came aboard," said he, "and yet in your
+usual get-up I don't see how I could very well. You look as if you had
+just stepped out of a band-box, except for the dampness, of course."
+
+"Oh, you were busy when I joined you," said John, evidently pleased with
+the captain's remarks about his appearance. "I had to jump for it. But
+you haven't answered my question. How are you?"
+
+"Tol'able, thank'e. And your folks--how are they? I need not ask how
+_you_ are," and, while John answered him, he placed camp-stools for us,
+and said to Syd and me, "Sit down, gentlemen; and excuse me if I address
+myself mainly to this eccentric cousin of mine, and, I am sure, your
+very good friend. I do not see him often, and he never will let me know
+when he is coming my way"--a statement which Syd and I could easily
+believe. For, with all John's faults, and he had many of them, he was
+one of the least obtrusive of men where hospitality came in, and one of
+the most reticent about himself and his own affairs; and we, who worked
+with him, knew him almost exclusively as a good fellow in the
+department, and a capital companion for a holiday.
+
+The captain placed John's camp-stool on the starboard side of the
+binnacle. Their conversation was broken into snatches by the captain's
+movements. As he paced the bridge, backwards and forwards, he halted
+each time just for a moment when he came to where John had propped his
+back against the binnacle and tilted his stool at an angle that
+threatened collapse. Syd and I sat quite apart, and left them alone to
+their semi-private conversation. We noticed, however, that the captain
+appeared to be uneasy about the vessel's course and progress; he glanced
+more than once at the compass-card, and several times, in his
+perambulations, he lingered over the paddle-boxes, and intently watched
+the water as it slipped by. So that his conversation with the Honourable
+John became more fragmentary, and was more frequently interrupted the
+nearer we approached the land.
+
+After some time the captain came to a sudden stand over the port
+paddle-box, and curved his left hand round his ear. For a minute or more
+he stood like a statue, perfectly motionless, and with his whole being
+absorbed in an effort to catch a faint and expected sound across the
+water. Satisfied with the effort, he stepped briskly to the indicator,
+and signalled to the engineer to increase the speed of the steamer.
+
+"What is it, cap.?" asked John.
+
+"The bell on the Runnel Stone," he replied. "Cannot you hear it?"
+
+The captain's statuesque figure, intently listening, had been observed
+by the passengers, and there was a dead silence aboard, broken only by
+the thumping of the engines and the splash of the paddle-blades as they
+pounded the still waters. Presently the dreary clang of the bell,
+struck by the clapper as the sea rocked it, came to us in uncertain and
+fitful tones. It was a melancholy sound, but its effect was cheering,
+because it gave the people some idea of our whereabouts, and was an
+indication that we had crossed the intervening space between the islands
+and the mainland. We were making fair progress despite the fog, and
+should soon be ashore again.
+
+A babble of talk began and ran the round of the passengers, breaking out
+among a group of younger people into a ripple of laughter. For a quarter
+of an hour this went on, then, to the amazement of all on board, the
+captain, after glancing anxiously at the compass-card, sternly called
+out "Silence!" Meanwhile the sound of the bell had become clearer, but
+was now growing less distinct; and, as the captain's order was instantly
+obeyed, we became aware of another sound--the breaking of the waves upon
+the shore.
+
+For a moment the captain listened, straining his eyes at the same time
+to pierce the dense mist ahead; the man on the look-out, perched in the
+bows, who had been leaning forward with his hand shading his eyes,
+turned about with a startled gesture, throwing his arms aloft, and
+shouted to the captain that we were close in shore, and heading for it
+directly; the captain sprang to the indicator, and signalled for the
+reversal of the engines; but it was too late. With a thud that threw us
+all forward the steamer grounded.
+
+Instantly all was confusion. Some lost their heads, and began to rush
+about wildly. A few screamed. Nearly every one became visibly paler. Syd
+and I started from our seats, and gazed bewilderedly at an expanse of
+yellow sand softly revealed beneath the mist, and stretching ahead and
+on either hand into the white moisture by which we were encompassed.
+John walked over to us apparently unmoved.
+
+"Well, this is a go," said he.
+
+Before we could reply, the captain bawled out his orders that all the
+passengers must retire to the after-part of the ship, and help, so far
+as their collected weight might do so, to raise the bows now sunk in the
+soft sand. He assured them that there was not the slightest danger; the
+vessel was uninjured; we were ashore on a yielding and shelving beach;
+and that, if they would remain perfectly quiet, and obey orders, he had
+some hope that he might get the vessel afloat again.
+
+There was a general move aft, and although signs of distress, and even
+of terror, were not wanting on some faces, the people gathered quietly
+enough into one solid mass. We three stood on the outer edge of the
+company. Syd and I were considerably excited, but John was as calm as a
+man could be. With tremendous uproar the reversed paddles began to churn
+the shallow water, but not an inch did we move.
+
+The captain stepped to the binnacle, and read the compass-card. A swift
+change passed over his face; in mingled surprise and anger he pointed
+within the binnacle, and began to question the man at the wheel; but he
+was more surprised than the captain--so utterly amazed, in fact, that he
+could not be angry, and only protested that he had kept the vessel true
+to the course which had been given him, and could not explain why the
+card had veered three to four points farther westward since the vessel
+had touched the ground. It was no use contending about the matter then.
+The paddles began to throw up the sand as well as the water, and the
+captain saw that the vessel would have to remain where she was until the
+next tide.
+
+"We are fast, sure 'nough," sang out the captain. "You had better gather
+your traps together, and prepare to leave the vessel. There will be
+conveyances in the villages to take you to Penzance."
+
+The company dispersed and scattered about the boat, merrily collecting
+their belongings now that they knew the worst, and that the worst was
+not very bad after all. We rejoined the captain.
+
+"What's the name of this new port of discharge?" asked John.
+
+"Not port, but Porth," answered the captain grimly, for it was no
+laughing matter to him. "Porth Curnow. And you may thank your stars that
+we have run clear in upon the sand, and not a few furlongs south or
+north, for then we should have been laid up either under Tol-Pedn or
+beneath the Logan Rock."
+
+"I can follow your location admirably, cap.," said John. "We are eight
+or nine miles from Penzance--is not that so? Yes!" as the captain
+nodded gloomily; "and Porth Curnow is the place where the submarine
+telegraph chaps live. But, I say, why did you bring us here? We booked
+for Penzance."
+
+"Goodness knows--I don't. Something's gone wrong with the compass. We
+were on the right course, and the compass was true until we grounded;
+then it swerved most unaccountably nearly four points to the westward,
+and there it remains."
+
+"That's a curious freak, cap. You'll be interviewed by all the
+scientific folk in the kingdom, and I shouldn't wonder if you are not
+summoned to appear, and give evidence, before a select committee of the
+Royal Society. Four points out! Why, man, you're immortalised. I call it
+a most lucky deflection."
+
+"Do you? I don't," growled the captain. "Others are welcome to the
+immortality. I prefer to do without, and steer by a compass that's true.
+And it _has_ been true up to now."
+
+"That's where it comes in," exclaimed John. "That's what makes it
+remarkable. If the compass _hadn't_ been true, you would have gained
+nothing by this little adventure; but, as you say, it _has_ been true,
+therefore---- Oh! dear, it takes a lot to satisfy some people. And you
+cannot account for it? Do you think the telegraph station has had
+anything to do with it--electricity, you know? Electricity is a queer
+thing, and plays pranks sometimes. No! Well, perhaps the hills are
+magnetic."
+
+"Come, John, you're losing your head; and I have these people to see
+to," remarked the captain somewhat tartly.
+
+"I believe I am," said John. "It's a habit I have, but I generally find
+it again. Well, cap., if you require any assistance in the unloading of
+the cargo, say the word, and here I am, your cousin to command"; and the
+captain was obliged to smile, notwithstanding the disaster--an effect
+which John had been trying for all the while.
+
+"Your suggestion about the telegraph station has put a practical idea
+into my brain, and I am thankful for that, John. I'll sound the syren,
+and bring the fellows down. They'll be willing to help in a mess like
+this, anyhow; and, if there are not enough conveyances to run the people
+down to Penzance, they can wire for a few to fetch them"; and, pulling
+the cord, he sent the shriek of the syren through the mist in resounding
+and ear-splitting tones.
+
+By this time, the passengers had all pressed forward into the bows, with
+the easily transferable part of their luggage about them. The water had
+receded, and left the bows clear; but it was too long a drop into the
+wet sand for any one to venture down without assistance. The ladies
+especially were looking wistfully over the bulwarks. We three went
+forward also, but we left our portmanteaux to take care of themselves.
+
+Soon two young fellows dashed down the sands, halloing in answer to the
+syren, and stood with wondering eyes beneath the bows.
+
+"Who are you?" shouted one of them.
+
+"Scilly people," piped a shrill female voice from our midst.
+
+"That we are--very," said John drily; at which, notwithstanding our
+plight, there was a general laugh.
+
+The two were speedily increased to half a dozen, and these were joined
+by quite a group of farm-servants and villagers, attracted by the
+unwonted sound of a syren floating across their fields. Some of the
+latter, scenting substantial gain, ran off to harness their horses to
+such conveyances as they could command in readiness for the drive to
+Penzance, while the rest remained, having also a view to the needful, to
+act as porters and guides.
+
+One of the men, by the captain's orders, came forward with a
+rope-ladder, fastened one end securely within the bulwarks, and threw
+the other over the side. It hung about four feet from the ground.
+Immediately the passengers swarmed about the head of the ladder, and,
+although there was no real danger, pushed and jostled each other in the
+attempt to secure an early descent. A few thoughtless young fellows were
+claiming the first chance when the Honourable John interfered.
+
+"Here," said he, "ladies first, and one at a time," and he shouldered
+the too eager males aside. He took off his hat, turned to the crowd
+below, and, picking out a telegraph clerk, said, "Catch my tile, will
+you? And, mind, don't sit on it! It may collapse. Thank you!" as the man
+caught it cleverly, and smiled at the instructions. Then he slipped out
+of his frock-coat, and flung it aside; undid his cuff-links, and rolled
+up his sleeves; bowed to the nearest woman of the party, who happened to
+be a stout Scillonian in a peasant's dress, and said, "Ready! Allow me,
+madam." As he helped her to the top of the bulwarks, and down the rungs,
+he sang out, "Below there! Steady this lady down, and help her to the
+ground."
+
+Syd and I handed up the other ladies, and the Honourable John, balanced
+upon the bulwarks, gallantly helped them down the ladder as far as his
+arms would reach, where they were taken in charge by the telegraph
+clerks, and landed upon the wet sand. The captain watched the
+proceedings from the bridge with an amused expression. Before long all
+the ladies were disposed of, and we left the men to scramble down as
+best they could. John picked up his coat, and I held it by the collar
+while he slipped his arms through the arm-holes and drew it on.
+
+When he flung the coat aside I noticed a peculiarity of the collar as it
+fell and lay upon the ground. While the waist and all the lower part was
+limp, the collar preserved an unnatural stiffness--a stiffness that
+extended to the breast; this part stood up as if within it there were
+some invisible form. Several times as I turned to assist the lady whose
+turn came next I noticed this peculiarity; and when I held the collar to
+help the Honourable John into this fashionable frock-coat, there was a
+hardness about it which made me wonder whether his tailor had stitched
+into it several strips of buckram, or cleverly inserted beneath the
+collar, and down the breast, a piece of flexible whalebone. Whatever it
+was that gave this part of his coat its rigidity, I dismissed it from my
+mind with the thought that the Honourable John was a greater fop than
+either Syd or I supposed.
+
+Bareheaded he went to bid his cousin good-bye. We also shook the
+captain's hand, and expressed our regret, with John, at the misfortune
+which had befallen him because of the deflection of the compass. We were
+the last to leave by the rope-ladder, handing down our portmanteaux
+before we descended ourselves; and the captain waved his hand to us from
+the bows before we vanished into the mist. The heavy luggage would have
+to wait until the steamer floated off with the next tide, and made her
+way round to Penzance; but negotiations had begun before we left for the
+conveyance of the mails in time to catch the up train, by which we also
+intended travelling to London.
+
+John recovered his hat, and we pushed through the yielding shell beach,
+preceded by our improvised porters, to the broken ramparts of Treryn
+Dinas; these we climbed, and made our way across the fields to the
+village of Treryn; and here we hired a trap, which ran us into Penzance
+in time to discuss a good dinner before we started on our journey by
+rail.
+
+We were well on the way to Plymouth, and I was reading a newspaper of
+the day before, when a curious paragraph caught my eye.
+
+"Listen to this!" said I to the other two, and I read: "'It has
+frequently happened that ships have got out of their course at sea by
+some unaccountable means, and a warning just issued by the Admiralty may
+perhaps have some bearing on the matter. Their Lordships say that their
+attention has been called to the practice of seamen wearing steel
+stretchers in their caps, and to the danger which may result from these
+stretchers becoming strongly magnetised, and being worn by men close to
+the ship's compasses. Instances have been reported of compasses being
+considerably deflected in this manner, and their Lordships have now
+directed that the use of steel stretchers in caps is to be immediately
+discontinued.' I wonder if the deflection of the compass of the _Queen
+of the Isles_ can be explained in a similar way. Possibly the helmsman
+may have been wearing one of these stretchers."
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the Honourable John, giving his knee a tremendous
+slap. "I have it. I must write to my cousin. It is my fault--my fault,
+entirely. But I never thought of it."
+
+"Thought of what?" asked Syd.
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired I.
+
+"This----" and the Honourable John for once exhibited a rueful face.
+"You saw where the cap. placed me; and how I tilted my stool and leaned
+against the binnacle. Well, look here!" and he folded back the lappets
+of his coat, and showed us a narrow band of flat spring steel that
+passed under his collar and down either side to keep it from creasing
+and to help it to fit closely to his body. "That patent thing has done
+the mischief, without a doubt. Oh, what a fool I am! I might have sent
+the whole ship-load of us to Davy Jones. I'll forswear this fashionable
+toggery henceforth when I'm away on holiday, and follow the innocent
+example of sensible chaps like you."
+
+We made no comment, but we both observed that our companion was
+singularly quiet all the way from Plymouth to London.
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+IN PERIL IN AFRICA
+
+
+The attempt to open up new countries, the natives of which object to the
+process, naturally leads to adventures, often of a very dangerous kind.
+Nevertheless, explorers and traders take their lives in their hands,
+considering the possible results well worth the risk.
+
+So does the missionary. In place of worldly fame and wealth, his efforts
+are likely to bring him suffering and death; but, while facing these, he
+may spread the faith which is dearer to him than life; he may bring the
+news of the love of God, with its uplifting power, to those who, sunk in
+ignorance and degradation, tremble before idols; and he, too, feels that
+personal dangers are not worth weighing in comparison with the glorious
+cause in which they are dared. As Bishop Hannington said just before
+going out as a missionary--
+
+"If I lose my life in Africa, no one must think it has been wasted. The
+lives that have been already given for the cause are not lost. They are
+_filling up the trench so that others may the more easily pass over to
+take the fort in the name of the Lord_!"
+
+That is the spirit in which he went out and in turn laid down his
+life--helping to fill the trench to such good purpose that his own son,
+in after years, baptised the son of his murderer! Hannington's life in
+Africa was a constant succession of dangers faced, difficulties
+overcome, and hardships endured, all of which his intense faith, and his
+gift of humour, enabled him to go through cheerfully.
+
+He was a keen sportsman, ever eager to add to his collection of rare
+creatures, and his letters home give vivid account of some of his
+adventures. On one or two occasions he had narrow escapes from death--
+
+"This part of the country abounds with game. On one occasion a herd of
+antelopes crossed the path as tamely as if they had been sheep, and
+tracks of giraffe and larger game were frequently seen. Guinea-fowl were
+so plentiful that one of the white men at Mpwapwa told us that he did
+not trouble to fire at them unless he could ensure killing two or three
+at a shot.
+
+"I had two narrow escapes in one of my walks with a gun in search of
+game. I came to a belt of jungle so dense that the only way to get
+through it was to creep on all fours along the tracks made by hyenas and
+smaller game; and as I was crawling along I saw close in front of me a
+deadly puff-adder; in another second I should have been on it.
+
+"The same day, on my return, I espied in one of these same tracks a
+peculiar arrangement of grass, which I at once recognised to be over a
+pitfall; but though I had seen it I had already gone too far, and fell
+with a tremendous crash, my double-barrel gun full-cocked in my hand. I
+had the presence of mind to let myself go and look out only for my gun,
+which fortunately did not explode. On arriving at the bottom I called
+out to my terrified boy, 'Mikuke Hapana,' 'There are no spears,' a most
+merciful providence; for they often stake these pitfalls in order to
+ensure the death of animals that fall into them. The pitfall could not
+have been less than ten feet deep, for when I proceeded to extricate
+myself I found that I could not reach the top with my uplifted hands.
+
+"Undaunted by my adventures, and urged on by the monotony of nothing but
+tough goat on the sideboard, I started before the break of next morning
+in pursuit of game, and was soon to be seen crawling on hands and knees
+after antelope, I am afraid unmindful of puff-adders and pitfalls.
+
+"By and by the path followed the bed of a narrow stream, which was
+completely ploughed with the tracks of buffalo and giraffe, as fresh as
+fresh could be. Our impression was, and probably it was right, that the
+former were lurking in the dense thicket close by. The breathless
+excitement that such a position keeps you in does much to help along the
+weary miles of the march, and to ward off attacks of fever. All
+experienced hands out here recommend that men should, while not losing
+sight of their one grand object, keep themselves amused.
+
+"Your cousin Gordon and I, with our boys, had led the van all the
+morning. He, having lately had fever, complained of being tired, and
+begged me to continue in pursuit of game alone, merely taking my one
+faithful boy with me to carry my gun; but I refused to leave him, for
+never had I complained of an ache or pain but what he was at my side to
+help and comfort me. We sat down and rested, and the other brethren,
+with a party of a dozen or fourteen, marched on ahead. They had not gone
+many hundred yards before I heard the whiz of a bullet. 'They have found
+game,' said I. Bang went a second shot. 'It's a herd.' Then another.
+'Yes, it must be a herd.' Then a fourth, and it dawned on me that they
+were attacked by robbers--the far-famed Ruga-Ruga.
+
+"'Stay where' you are,' I cried, and dashed off, closely followed by my
+boys. The bangs had now reached seven, and we had not the slightest
+doubt it was an attack of robbers, and so it proved to be. My anxiety
+was relieved by seeing our men all intact, standing together at bay with
+a foe that was nowhere to be beheld. I soon learnt that as they were
+quietly proceeding a party of the savage Wahumba tribe had swooped down
+upon them; but seeing white men with rifles had fled with the utmost
+precipitation, without even discharging a poisoned arrow. To make their
+flight more rapid the white men had fired their rifles in the air; and
+one in grabbing his gun from his boy had managed to discharge it in
+such a manner as to blow off the sight of his neighbour's rifle. Finding
+that danger was at an end for the time being, I begged them to remain as
+they were, ready to receive an attack, while I returned with my boys to
+Gordon, and got the stragglers together, after which we all proceeded in
+a body. I have always thought that it was I who had the greatest escape
+of all; for had I gone on, as Gordon proposed, with only one, or at the
+outside two boys, I should most probably have been attacked."
+
+A little later the Bishop had an even narrower escape from a
+justly-enraged lion and lioness--
+
+"Presently, while hunting for insects in short mimosa tangle up to the
+knee, I disturbed a strange-looking animal, about the size of a sheep,
+brownish colour, long tail, short legs, feline in aspect and movement,
+but quite strange to me. I took my gun and shot it dead--yes, quite
+dead. Away tore my boy as fast as his legs would carry him, terrified
+beyond measure at what I had done! What, indeed? you may well ask. I had
+killed the cub of a lioness! Terror was written on every line and
+feature of the lad, and dank beads of perspiration stood on his face. I
+saw it as he passed me in his flight, and his fear for the moment
+communicated itself to me. I turned to flee, and had gone a few paces,
+when I heard a savage growl, and a tremendous lioness--I say advisedly a
+tremendous one--bounded straight at me.
+
+"In spite of the loaded gun in my hand, it seemed to me that I was
+lost. The boy knew more about lions than I did, and his fear knew no
+bounds. I began to realise that I was in a dangerous situation, for a
+lioness robbed of her whelp is not the most gentle creature to deal
+with. I retreated hastily. No; I will out with it, children, in plain
+language--I ran five or six steps; every step she gained upon me, and
+the growls grew fiercer and louder. Do I say _she_ gained?--_they_
+gained, for the lion was close behind her, and both were making straight
+for me. They will pause at the dead cub? No; they take no notice of it;
+they come at me. What is to be done?
+
+"It now struck me that retreat was altogether wrong. Like a cat with a
+mouse, it induced them to follow. Escape in this manner was impossible.
+I halted, and just at that moment came a parting yell from my boy,
+'Hakuna! Kimbia!'
+
+"I thought he had seen and heard the lion and lioness, and that,
+speaking as he does bad Kiswahili, he had said, 'Kakuna Kimbia!' which
+might be roughly, though wrongly, translated, 'Don't run away!' instead
+of which he meant to say--in fact, did say--'No! Run away!'
+
+"I have no hesitation in saying that a stop wrongly read but rightly
+made saved my life. I had in the second or two that had elapsed
+determined to face it out; and now, strengthened as I thought by his
+advice, I made a full stop and turned sharply on them. This new policy
+on my part caused them to check instantly. They now stood lashing their
+tails and growling, and displaying unfeigned wrath, but a few paces from
+me.
+
+"I then had time to inspect them. They were a right royal pair of the
+pale sandy variety, a species which is noted for its fierceness, the
+knowledge of which by no means made my situation more pleasant. There we
+stood; both parties evidently feeling that there was no direct solution
+to the matter in hand. I cannot tell you exactly what passed through
+their minds, but they evidently thought that it was unsafe to advance
+upon this strange and new being, the like of which they had never seen
+before. I cannot tell you either how long a time we stood face to face.
+Minutes seemed hours, and perhaps the minutes were only seconds; but
+this I know, my boy was out of hearing when the drama was concluded.
+
+"And this is how it ended: After an interval I decided not to fire at
+them, but to try instead what a little noise would do. So I suddenly
+threw up my arms in the air, and set up a yell, and danced and shouted
+like a madman. Do you know, the lions were so astonished to see your
+sober old uncle acting in such a strange way that they both bounded into
+the bushes as if they had been shot, and I saw them no more!
+
+"As the coast was now clear I thought I might as well secure my prize, a
+real little beauty. So I seized it by its hind legs and dragged it as
+quickly as I could along the ground, the bushes quite keeping it out of
+sight. When I had gone what I had deemed a sufficient distance I took it
+up and swung it over my back, and beat a hasty retreat, keeping a sharp
+eye open in case the parents should lay claim to the body, for I should
+not have been dishonest enough not to let them have it had they really
+come to ask for it!
+
+"I soon found the cub was heavier than I bargained for, being about the
+size of a South Down sheep, so I shouted for my boy. It was a long time,
+however, before I could make him hear. I began to be afraid I must
+abandon my spoil. At length I saw him in the far distance. Fortunately
+for me he did not know his way back to the camp, otherwise his intention
+was to return to the camp, and ask the men to come and look for my
+remains.
+
+"The arrival of the cub caused a tremendous sensation among the natives;
+dozens of men came to see it, nor would they believe until they had seen
+the skin that I had dared to kill a 'child of the lioness,' it being
+more dangerous than killing a lion itself. I do not think that I was
+wise in shooting; but the fact was it was done, and I was in the scrape
+before I knew where I was, and having got into trouble, of course the
+question then was how best to get out of it."
+
+"In some of the places I passed through they had never seen a white man
+before. They would gather round me in dozens, and gaze upon me in the
+utmost astonishment. One would suggest that I was not beautiful--in
+plainer language, that I was amazingly ugly. Fancy a set of hideous
+savages regarding a white man, regarding your uncle, as a strange
+outlandish creature frightful to behold. You little boys that run after
+a black man in the park and laugh at him, think what you may come to
+when you grow old! The tables may be turned on you if you take to
+travelling, just as they were with me.
+
+"As with other travellers, my boots hardly ever failed to attract
+attention.
+
+"'Are those your feet, white man?'
+
+"'No, gentlemen, they are not. They are my sandals.'
+
+"'But do they grow to your feet?'
+
+"'No, gentlemen, they do not, I will show you.'
+
+"So forthwith I would proceed to unlace a boot. A roar of astonishment
+followed when they beheld my blue sock, as they generally surmised that
+my feet were blue and toeless. Greater astonishment still followed the
+withdrawal of the sock, and the revelation of a white five-toed foot. I
+frequently found that they considered that only the visible parts of me
+were white, namely, my face and hands, and that the rest of me was as
+black as they were. An almost endless source of amusement was the
+immense amount of clothing, according to their calculation, that I
+possessed. That I should have waistcoat and shirt and jersey underneath
+a coat, seemed almost incredible, and the more so when I told them that
+it was chiefly on account of the sun I wore so much.
+
+"My watch, too, was an unfailing attraction: 'There's a man in it,' 'It
+is Lubari; it is witch-craft,' they would cry.' He talks; he says, Teek,
+teek, teek,' My nose they would compare to a spear; it struck them as so
+sharp and thin compared to the African production, and ofttimes one
+bolder than the rest would give my hair and my beard a sharp pull,
+imagining them to be wigs worn for ornament. Many of them had a potent
+horror for this white ghost, and a snap of the fingers or a stamp of the
+foot was enough to send them flying helter-skelter from my tent, which
+they generally crowded round in ranks five deep. For once in a way this
+was amusing enough; but when it came to be repeated every day and all
+day, one had really a little too much of a good thing."
+
+Of the discomforts of an African march the Bishop made light, his sense
+of humour often enabling him to enjoy a good laugh at occurrences which
+would have irritated some men almost beyond endurance. Of some of the
+hardships, however, his letters and diary give glimpses--
+
+"Our first experience in this region was not a pleasant one. We had sent
+our men on before while we dallied with our friends at Mpwapwa. When we
+reached the summit of the pass we could see various villages with their
+fires in the plains below, but nowhere was the camp to be discerned. It
+was a weary time before we could alight on it, and when we did, what a
+scene presented itself to our gaze!
+
+"The wind was so high that the camp fires were extinguished, and the men
+had betaken themselves to a deep trench cut through the sandy plain by
+a mountain torrent, but now perfectly dry; hence our difficulty in
+making out where the camp was. Two of the tents were in a prostrate
+condition, while the others were fast getting adrift. Volumes of dust
+were swamping beds, blankets, boxes, buckets, and in fact everything;
+and a more miserable scene could scarcely be beheld by a party of
+benighted pilgrims. It was no use staring at it. I seized a hammer and
+tent pegs, forgot I was tired, and before very long had things fairly to
+rights; but I slept that night in a dust-heap.
+
+"Nor did the morning mend matters, and to encourage us the Mpwapwa
+brethren prophesied this state of things all through Ugogo. It is bad
+enough in a hot climate to have dust in your hair and down your neck,
+and filling your boxes; but when it comes to food, and every mouthful
+you take grates your teeth, I leave you to imagine the pleasure of
+tent-life in a sandy plain.
+
+"A day or two after this we arrived at a camp where the water was
+excessively bad. We had to draw it for everybody from one deep hole, and
+probably rats, mice, lizards, and other small animals had fallen in and
+been drowned, and allowed to remain and putrefy. The water smelt most
+dreadfully, no filtering or boiling seemed to have any effect upon it,
+and soup, coffee, and all food were flavoured by it.
+
+"That afternoon I went for a stroll with my boy and two guns to
+endeavour to supply the table with a little better meat than tough goat.
+I soon struck on the dry bed of a masika (wet season) torrent.
+Following this up a little way I saw a fine troop of monkeys, and
+wanting the skin of one of them for my collection I sent a bullet flying
+amongst them, without, however, producing any effect beyond a tremendous
+scamper. My boy then said to me, 'If you want to kill monkey, master,
+you should try buck-shot'; so returning him my rifle I took my
+fowling-piece.
+
+"Perhaps it was fortunate I did so, for about a hundred yards farther on
+the river bed took a sharp turn, and coming round the corner I lighted
+on three fine tawny lions. They were quite close to me, and had I had my
+rifle my first impulse might have been too strong for me to resist
+speeding the parting guest with a bullet. As it was, I came to a sudden
+halt, and they ran away. In vain my boy begged me to retreat. I seized
+the rifle and ran after them as fast as my legs would carry me; but they
+were soon hid in the dense jungle that lines the river banks; and
+although I could hear one growling and breathing hard about ten yards
+from me, I could not get a shot."
+
+Like Moses of old, Bishop Hannington did not enter the land he had come
+so far to reach. The people of Uganda were alarmed and angry at his
+approaching their country from the north-east, which they called the
+back door to their land. Worn out with fever he was seized, dragged
+backwards over stony ground, and kept a prisoner for some days. On
+October 29, 1885, he was conducted to an open space outside the village
+and placed among his followers, having been falsely told on the previous
+day that King Mwanga had sent word that the party was to be allowed to
+proceed.
+
+But he was soon undeceived. With a wild shout the savage warriors fell
+upon the Bishop's enfeebled followers, and their flashing spears
+speedily covered the ground with dead and dying. As the natives told off
+to murder him closed round, Hannington drew himself up and bade them
+tell the king that he was about to die for the people of Uganda, and
+that he had purchased the road to their country with his life. Then as
+they still hesitated he pointed to his own gun, which one of them fired
+and Hannington fell dead.
+
+His last words to his friends--scribbled by the light of some
+camp-fire--were--
+
+"If this is the last chapter of my earthly history, then the next will
+be the first page of the heavenly--no blots and smudges, no incoherence,
+but sweet converse in the presence of the Lamb!"
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+KEEPING THE TRYST
+
+
+Maharaj was a very big elephant and Alec was a half-grown boy--an
+insignificant human pigmy--in spite of which disparity they were great
+pals, for Alec admired that mountain of strength as only an imaginative
+boy can, and elephants can appreciate admiration.
+
+When Alec came across Maharaj he had taken up his quarters temporarily
+in the mango tope opposite the bungalow. He was pouring dust upon his
+head and blowing it over his back, both because he enjoyed a dust bath
+and because it helped to keep off the flies. With the quick perception
+of a boy, Alec noticed he had used up all the dust within reach, so he
+got him a few hatfuls from the roadside, for which he was very grateful,
+and immediately sent a sand blast over his back that annihilated quite a
+colony of mosquitoes. Then he admitted Alec to his friendship, and they
+became pals.
+
+Hard by the mahout was cooking his dinner under a tamarind-tree.
+
+"Did the Sahib ask if he was clever? Wait, and the Sahib shall see. Here
+are his six chapaties of flour that I am baking. Out of one only I
+shall keep back a handful of meal. How should he detect so small a
+quantity missing? But we shall see."
+
+The elephant driver put on the cakes to bake--pancake-shaped things,
+eighteen inches across and an inch thick. They took their time to cook,
+for the fireplace was small, being only three bricks standing on the
+ground. When they were ready he placed the cakes before Maharaj, who
+eyed them suspiciously.
+
+"He has been listening," explained the driver. "Those big ears of his
+can hear talk a mile away. Go on, my son, eat. What is there wrong with
+the food?"
+
+Maharaj slowly took up a chapatie in his trunk, carefully weighed it and
+put it on one side, took up another and did the same. The fourth
+chapatie was the light one; this he found out at once and indignantly
+threw it at the feet of the mahout, grumbling and gurgling and swinging
+his head from side to side and stamping his forefoot in anger.
+
+"What! son of a pig! is not the flour I eat good enough for thee also?
+Well, starve then, for there is no better in the bazaar."
+
+They walked away; the small restless eyes followed anxiously; yet the
+elephant made no attempt to eat, but swung angrily from side to side in
+his pickets. Presently they returned, but he had not touched a chapatie.
+
+"It is no use, Sahib," said the mahout, "to try and cheat one so wise as
+he, and yet folks say that we mahouts keep our families on the
+elephants' food, which words are base lies, for is he not more precious
+to me than many children?"
+
+Then the mahout drew out an extra chapatie he had hidden in his clothes.
+
+"Oh! Maharajah, King of Kings, who can deceive thee, my pearl of wisdom,
+my mountain of might?" and the mahout caressed the huge trunk as it
+wound itself lovingly around him and gently extracted the chapatie from
+his hands. Having swallowed this, the elephant picked up the scattered
+cakes and, piling them up before him, gave himself up to enjoying his
+midday meal.
+
+After that Maharaj and Alec grew great friends. Alec used to bring him
+bazaar sweets, of which he was very fond, and sugar-cane. He was a great
+wonder to the elephant, who could never understand why his pockets were
+full of all sorts of uneatable things. He loved to go through them,
+slowly considering each in his elephantine way. The bright metal handle
+of Alec's pocket-knife pleased Maharaj, and it was always the first
+thing he abstracted from the pocket and the last he returned, but the
+bits of string and the ball of wax he worried over. The key of the
+pigeon-house, a peg-top, marbles, etc., I believe made him long to have
+pockets of his own, for he used to hide them away in the recesses of his
+mouth for a time, then, finding they were not very comfortable, he used
+to put them all back into Alec's pockets. The day the boy came with
+sweets Maharaj was delighted, for he smelt them a long way off, and
+never made a mistake as to which pocket they were in.
+
+It was wonderful to see how gently he could play with the little brown
+baby of the mahout. He loved to have it lying between his great
+fore-feet, and would tickle it with the tip of his trunk for the
+pleasure of hearing it laugh, then pour dust upon it till it was buried,
+always being careful not to cover the face. But like a great big selfish
+child he always kept his sweets to himself, and would pretend not to see
+the little outstretched hand, and little voice crying for them, till he
+had finished the last tit-bit.
+
+Tippoo--the cook's son, Alec's fag and constant companion, who was
+mostly a pair of huge pyjamas, was also admitted to the friendship of
+Maharaj. But there was one man that the elephant disliked, and that was
+the mahout's nephew, one Piroo, who was a young elephant-driver seeking
+a situation--a man not likely to be successful, for he was morose and
+lazy, and drank heavily whenever the opportunity came his way, and was
+very cruel to the beast he rode.
+
+Sometimes the mahout would take Alec down to the river-side, he driving,
+while Alec lay luxuriously on the pad. There Maharaj had his bath, and
+the boy used to help the mahout to rub him over with a lump of jhama,
+which is something like pumice-stone, only much harder and rougher, and
+the old skin rolled off under the friction in astonishing quantities,
+till the look of dried tree-bark was gone, and the dusty grey had become
+a shining black. After the bath there was usually a struggle with
+Maharaj, who, directly he was clean, wanted to plaster himself all over
+with wet mud to keep cool and defy mosquitoes. This he was not allowed
+to do, so he tore a branch from a neem-tree instead, and fanned himself
+all the way home.
+
+Now there was to be a marriage among some of the mahout's friends who
+lived in a village a day's journey from the station, across the river,
+and he promised that Alec, Tippoo, and his nephew were to accompany him.
+When the day came the mahout had a slight touch of fever and couldn't
+go, but he told his nephew to drive the boys there instead. Maharaj
+didn't like Piroo at all, and made a fuss at having to go without the
+mahout, for which he got a hot scolding. Then there were tears and pet
+names and much coaxing before Maharaj consented to go.
+
+"Thou art indeed nothing but a great child that will go nowhere unless I
+lead thee by the hand, with no more heart in thy big carcase than my
+babe, who without doubt shall grow big and thrash thee soundly. Now
+hearken, my son, thou art going with Piroo to the village of Charhunse,
+one day's journey; thou art to stay there one day, when there will be
+great feasting, and they will give thee surap wine in thy food; and on
+the day following thou must return (for we start the next morning for
+the Cawnpore elephant lines); bring the boys back safely--very
+safely--or there will be very many angry words from me, and no food.
+Now, adieu, my son, salaam Sahib, Khoda bunah rhukha" (God preserve
+you). And the mahout passed into his hut with a shiver that told of the
+coming ague.
+
+It was a grand day and the road was full of people of all sorts and
+conditions; and the boys, proud to be so high above the heads of the
+passing groups, greeted them with all the badinage of the bazaar they
+could remember, which the natives answered with good-natured chaff. The
+road was one long avenue, and in the branches overhead the monkeys
+sported and chased each other from tree to tree; birds sang, for it was
+nesting-time; and the day was as happy as it was long.
+
+At nightfall they reached the village, and the head man made them very
+comfortable. The next day the wedding feast was spread, and quite two
+hundred people sat down to it. After the feast there was racing,
+wrestling, and dancing to amuse the guests.
+
+They enjoyed themselves very much. The wedding feast was to last several
+days, and instead of returning the following day as they had promised
+the mahout, Piroo determined to stay a day longer, in spite of all that
+Alec had to say against it.
+
+Piroo was in his element, and sang and danced with great success, for
+the arrack was in his veins, and at such times he could be the antipodes
+of his morose self. His dancing was much applauded. But there was
+Bhuggoo, the sweeper, from the city, who had a reputation for dancing,
+and was in great request at weddings in consequence, and he danced
+against Piroo, and so elegant and ingenious were his contortions that he
+was voted the better. Then he changed his dance to one in which he
+caricatured Piroo so cleverly in every turn and gesture that the people
+yelled and laughed.
+
+This so incensed Piroo that he struck the man; but the sweeper, who was
+generally accustomed to winding up his performance by a grand broom
+fight with some brother of the same craft, was quite ready for an affair
+that could only increase his popularity. Catching up his jharroo, or
+broom, he began to shower blows upon the unfortunate Piroo, yet never
+ceasing to dance round him so grotesquely that the fight was too much of
+a farce for any one to think of interfering. Yet the blows went home
+pretty hard, and as the broom was a sort of besom made of the springy
+ribs of the palm-leaf it stung sharply where it found the naked flesh.
+
+It is a great indignity to be beaten by the broom of a sweeper, and
+Piroo, maddened with rage, flew at the throat of his rival. But Bhuggoo,
+the sweeper, was very nimble, and as the end of a jharroo in the face
+feels like the back of a porcupine, you may guess it is the most
+effective way of stopping a rush. So Piroo, baffled and humiliated, left
+the sweeper victor of the field and fled amid great shouts of laughter.
+But his rage had not died in him, and more arrack made him mad; else
+why should he have done the foolish thing that followed?
+
+Finding Maharaj had pulled up one of his picket pins, he took a heavy
+piece of firewood and dashed it upon his tender toe-nails, while he
+shouted all the abuse that elephants know only accompanies severe
+punishment. Now Maharaj, who would take punishment quietly from Buldeo,
+the old mahout, would not stand it from any other; besides, he was
+already excited with all the shouting and tamasha going on, and he had
+had a good bit of arrack in his cakes that evening; so when the log
+crashed down on his feet he trumpeted with pain, and, seizing Piroo in
+his trunk, lifted him on high, preparatory to dashing him to earth and
+stamping his life out.
+
+[Illustration: SEIZING PIROO IN HIS TRUNK, HE LIFTED HIM ON HIGH.]
+
+But fortune was in favour of Piroo for a time, and the big cummerbund he
+wore had got loose with dancing, so it came undone, and Piroo slipped
+down its length to the ground, while Maharaj was left holding the loose
+cloth in his trunk.
+
+Then Piroo fled for his life, and ran into a grass-thatched hut that
+stood close by; but the elephant, pulling out his picket pins like a
+couple of toothpicks, reached the hut in a stride, and, putting his
+trunk through the thatch as if it had been a sheet of paper, felt round
+for the man inside and, seizing him, dragged him forth. The people
+yelled, and some came running with fire-brands to scare him, but before
+any could reach him Maharaj had knocked one of his great fore-feet
+against the head of the unfortunate Piroo, and he fell to the ground
+lifeless.
+
+The villagers were terror-stricken and ran to hide in their huts.
+Tippoo, who was nearest the elephant, ran also, and Alec was about to
+run when he saw Maharaj single out Tippoo and chase him. The boy fled,
+and his flying feet hardly seemed to touch the earth, but Maharaj with
+long swinging strides covered the ground much faster, and in a few
+moments there followed a shriek of despair and Tippoo was struggling
+helplessly fifteen feet in the air in the grasp of that terrible trunk.
+
+"Save me! Sahib, save me!" he shrieked, while Alec looked on powerless
+to help.
+
+Maharaj seemed undecided whether to dash him to pieces or not. Alec
+seized the opportunity to imitate the driver's voice and cry, "Bring the
+boys home safely--very safely--my son." The elephant's great fan-shaped
+ears bent forward to listen, and he lowered Tippoo till he hung swinging
+at the end of the huge proboscis. Alec felt he dared not repeat the
+words, as the elephant would find out the cheat.
+
+The great beast stood a few minutes thinking, and then, swinging Tippoo
+up, placed him on his neck, and came straight for the tree behind which
+Alec was hiding.
+
+For a moment a wild desire to escape came to the boy, and the next he
+saw how hopeless it would be. The sal-tree he had sheltered behind was
+too thick to climb, and the lowest branch was twenty feet from the
+ground. To run would be just madness, for Maharaj would have caught him
+before he could get to the nearest hut. So, taking confidence from the
+fact that he had not hurt Tippoo, Alec came out from behind the tree and
+ordered Maharaj to take him up.
+
+He was surprised at the exceeding gentleness with which he did so, but
+when Alec was once seated astride of his neck with Tippoo behind him, he
+did not know what to do. He thought he would walk the elephant round the
+village and then tie him up in his pickets again. So he cried, "Chalo!
+Bata!" (Go on, my son), and tried to guide him with his knees; but
+Maharaj would not budge an inch, and stood stock still, considering.
+Then he seemed to have made up his mind, and started forward suddenly
+with a lurch that nearly threw the boys off.
+
+He walked straight to the dead mahout and, carefully gathering him up in
+his trunk, wheeled round and set off stationwards. He had remembered his
+master's commands, and the journey to Cawnpore he must commence on the
+morrow.
+
+It was about eight o'clock in the evening, and Alec had no desire to
+start travelling homeward at that hour. Besides, he had no food with
+him, and the pad was not on the back of Maharaj. It is almost impossible
+to ride an elephant bare back, and though these were only slips of boys
+there wasn't room enough for two to sit comfortably on the neck. Alec
+drove his knees into the elephant's head behind the ears and tried to
+turn him round, shouting, "Dhutt, dhutt, arrea!" (Go back!), but it was
+no use; the elephant had made up his mind to go home, and took not the
+least notice of the boy's commands.
+
+The head man of the village ran after them, crying--
+
+"Where are you taking him, Sahib?"
+
+"We take him nowhere," Alec answered. "He is master to-night, and
+carries us home, I believe."
+
+"But you cannot ride without the pad, Sahib, or the driving-hook, and
+there are other things you leave behind."
+
+"We will stick on his neck till we drop," he answered (for an elephant
+is worth many thousand rupees to the Government, and must not get lost).
+
+"At least command him to drop the dead body before he mangles it, so
+that we may burn it with decent ceremony," was the last request of the
+head man.
+
+But Maharaj would not listen to the command, and made certain noises in
+his throat by which he meant Alec to understand that he was going to
+carry the dead man home whether he liked it or no.
+
+The lights of the village were soon lost in the distance, and Maharaj
+strode into the empty darkness, trailing a picket pin behind him and
+carrying that horror in his trunk.
+
+Till that day Alec had loved Maharaj for his great strength and
+docility, his wisdom, and his endearing ways with children, but when he
+saw him in anger extinguish the life of a man as easily as one could
+pulp a gooseberry in the fingers, the elephant changed at once in his
+eyes, and Alec saw in him nothing but the grim executioner of the
+Moguls, and stamping out lives his daily task. The boy felt the touch of
+the beast almost loathsome, and longed to escape from his situation on
+its neck.
+
+Soon the cramped position began to tell, for they were jammed together,
+and Tippoo felt like a mustard-plaster upon Alec's back. Alec tried to
+vary the discomfort by lying forward on the head of the elephant, and
+Tippoo tried leaning back as far as he could without being in danger of
+falling off, but they both felt they could not hold on the eight hours
+that the journey would take.
+
+By-and-by they noticed that something was making Maharaj restive; twice
+he swung his trunk as if trying to drive away that something, after
+which he quickened his pace, then he turned round once in his tracks and
+faced his unseen tormentor. Alec wondered greatly what was worrying him,
+but he heard and saw nothing in the blackness that reigned. The
+elephant's restiveness increased, and again he swung round suddenly and
+charged that invisible thing in the dark; again Alec strained both eyes
+and ears to no avail. The only sound on the air came from the trailing
+picket pin.
+
+"Whatever is worrying Maharaj?" he said anxiously.
+
+"He sees that which our eyes can't see--an evil thing," answered
+Tippoo.
+
+"What! do you mean the ghost of Piroo?" Alec asked.
+
+"No, Sahib," said Tippoo. "It is a churail, an evil spirit that eats
+dead men, and it wants the body of Piroo."
+
+"Nonsense," Alec replied.
+
+"It is true, Sahib. Many have seen it at work in the graveyards of the
+Mussulman, but to-night no one may see it but the elephant."
+
+Alec laughed. Yet, ghoul or not, there was something the huge beast
+seemed afraid of and hurried to get away from, or attempted to frighten
+back, without success.
+
+It was a most weird and uncanny situation, and the boys longed for it to
+end.
+
+But a pleasant change was at hand. The heavens were rapidly lighting,
+and soon the moon commenced to rise on the scene. A feeling of relief
+grew with the strengthening light, for they were sure the ghostly terror
+would disappear with the dark. The moon had partly risen when Tippoo
+said, "Look, Sahib, there is the thing."
+
+Alec looked, and in the uncertain light saw a shadowy something keeping
+pace with the elephant, but what it was he could not say.
+
+Then on the other side of the road they saw there was another moving
+shadow as mysterious as the first. But they were not kept in suspense
+much longer, for the light suddenly brightened, and they saw each weird
+shadow transform itself into a number of jackals. The smell of blood
+had attracted the pack, and they had made an attempt to get the dead
+body away from Maharaj. The reaction on their strained nerves was so
+great that the boys laughed aloud in pure joy at the sense of relief,
+and wondered they had not guessed the cause of the elephant's
+restlessness before.
+
+For nearly four hours they had been on that apology for a neck, and
+their limbs were painful and stiff from the discomfort of sitting so
+close, when, without any warning, Maharaj came to a stop under a big
+neem-tree, and they recognised it as the place at which they had taken
+their midday meal going down to the village. Maharaj carefully placed
+the body of Piroo on the ground and knelt down beside it, and the boys,
+only too pleased at the chance, scrambled off as fast as their cramped
+legs would permit. It needed some walking up and down to get rid of
+their stiffness, so they chased the jackals and pelted them with stones,
+which restored their circulation quickly, whilst Maharaj stood sentry
+over the dead man.
+
+Tired out and exhausted, the boys were anxious for a little sleep, but
+they could not lie under the same tree as that gruesome thing, so they
+lay down under a neighbouring sal. Alec was on the way to dreamland when
+he felt he was being carried gently in some one's arms. He woke up and
+found that Maharaj had lifted him in his trunk and that he was taking
+him back to the tree where the dead lay. Here he placed Alec on the
+ground alongside the mahout, on the other side of which was Tippoo
+snoring peacefully. How he had managed to move the boy without waking
+him was a marvel. As soon as Alec was released he tried to get away, but
+Maharaj would not allow it, and forced him to lie down again while he
+stood guard over all three.
+
+They say boys have no nerves, but even at this distance of time Alec
+shudders to recollect his sensations on that night of horror caused by
+the poor crushed thing he lay shoulder to shoulder with. He feigned
+sleep and tried to roll a foot or two away, but Maharaj had grown
+suspicious, and rolled him back, so that he lay flat on his
+shoulder-blades between the forelegs of the elephant, watching the
+restless swing of the trunk above him. This was better than looking at
+what lay beside him, and he wanted no inducement to keep his gaze
+averted. A hyena laughed like an exultant fiend. Great flying foxes
+slowly flapped across the face of the moon, like Eblis and his
+satellites scanning the earth for prey, and the pack of jackals sat
+silently waiting for the body of the dead.
+
+Maharaj was very quiet and vigilant, and seemed to understand the
+seriousness of his crime. The usual gurgling, grunting, and rocking with
+which he amused himself at night were wanting, and though there was a
+large field of sugar-cane near by, and he must have been hungry, he
+never tried to help himself as he would have done on any other occasion.
+In spite of the feeling of repulsion Alec began to feel a little pity
+for the remorseful giant, for it was most probable he would be shot for
+killing Piroo, whose drunken madness had brought about his own death.
+
+But all things have an end, and even that night passed away like the
+passing of a strange delirium. About four o'clock Maharaj became very
+restless, thinking it was time to start, and pulled and pushed Tippoo
+till he sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking about in a dazed way. The
+elephant went down on his knees, and the boys took advantage of the
+invitation and were soon in their places. Then Maharaj slowly picked up
+his burden and they recommenced their journey home. The jackals were
+much disappointed, and followed listlessly for a short distance, then
+slunk off down a nullah to avoid the light of day.
+
+A sleepy policeman was the first to notice the dead man in the trunk of
+the elephant. With a yell of alarm he sprang from the footpath where he
+stood, panting and staring till Maharaj had passed; then some confused
+notion that he should make an arrest seemed to occur to him, and he made
+a few steps forward, but the magnitude of the task made him halt again,
+dazed and bewildered, and thus they left him. The consternation they
+caused in the bazaar is beyond words to describe. It is sufficient to
+say that the better part of the population followed Maharaj at a safe
+distance, looking like some huge procession, wending its way to the hut
+of the mahout. Maharaj walked slowly to the door of the hut and laid
+the corpse down.
+
+"Hast thou brought them back safely, my son?" cried a fever-stricken
+voice from the depths of the hut.
+
+"Goor-r-r," said Maharaj in his throat.
+
+"That is well; but why didst thou not arrive last evening? Didst travel
+all night? Piroo, thou wilt find his sugar-cane in the shed; give him a
+double measure and drive his pickets in under the mango-tree."
+
+But there was no answer from Piroo, only the frightened whisperings of a
+great number of people assembled outside. The old mahout, in alarm,
+staggered to the door, and saw the body at the feet of Maharaj and the
+crimson stains upon the trunk and feet of the elephant.
+
+"Ahhi! ahhi! ahhi!" cried the old man aloud, "what madness is this? What
+hast thou done, my son? Now they will shoot thee without doubt--thy life
+for his, and he was not worth his salt. Ahhi! ahhi!"
+
+Then the old man wept, embracing the trunk of the elephant, which was
+coiled round his master, while the people looked on, and the boys, worn
+and tired by the strain of that awful night, could barely cling to their
+seats on the neck of Maharaj.
+
+Then the mahout, weak as he was, helped them off, and set about washing
+the dark red stains away.
+
+"Ahhi! ahhi!" he sobbed. "I have lost a nephew. I have lost also my
+son, who will surely be shot by the sirkar for this deed. My Maharaj, my
+greatest of kings! What shall I do without thee! I will return to my
+country and drive no more. Ahhi! ahhi!"
+
+But this happily was not to be, for a strange thing happened. The nephew
+recovered. Piroo had only been stunned by the blow, and the blood that
+covered his face had come from his nose. He was, after a time, himself
+again, but a wiser man, and Maharaj was not shot after all. Yet the boys
+do not like to think of that adventure even to-day.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+WHO GOES THERE?
+
+
+The world is but a huge playground, after all; and just as the sympathy
+of those who witness a fight between two boys--one of whom is a big
+fellow and a reputed bully, while the other is a plucky youngster but
+one-half his opponent's size--invariably goes with the smaller and
+weaker combatant, so it is even amongst nations. Thus, early in the past
+century, when the tiny States of Spanish America were keenly struggling
+with the mother-country in their endeavour to cast off the Spanish yoke,
+practically the whole world wished them the success which eventually
+crowned their efforts.
+
+It seems ridiculous to call them "tiny" States when the smallest of
+those of which we are treating--the Republics of _Central_
+America--could find room for all the counties of Wales; while, if we
+were able to set down the whole of England upon the largest, we should
+find not only that it fitted in comfortably, but that the foreign State
+would yet have a goodly slice of land to spare--sufficient, at any rate,
+to accommodate three or four cities of the size of London. I call them
+tiny, therefore, solely because they are such when compared with other
+countries on the American Continent, such as Canada, the United States,
+and Brazil.
+
+During the years 1820 and 1821 a very keen spirit of independence was
+manifested in those regions, and by 1823 the last link of the rusty
+chain which had bound those colonies to Spain was snapped altogether
+beyond repair; and then, for a time, Central America became part of the
+State of Mexico. One by one, however, the colonies withdrew, and in 1824
+the independent Republic of Central America was formed, which, in its
+turn, was dissolved; and ever since the States have been continually at
+war--either with their neighbours or amongst themselves.
+
+It is these incessant wars and revolutions which have given the country
+its present rather bad name, and have convinced those who happened to
+sympathise with the inhabitants when they were fighting for their
+independence that, after all, they had fared better even under the lame
+government of Spain than they have done under their own.
+
+The present-day native of Central America can scarcely be said to be an
+improvement on the inhabitant of 1824. He still retains the fire and ire
+of the Spaniard in his blood--in fact, he is nothing short of an
+unfortunate mixture of the fiery Spaniard and the extremely restless
+Indian. Small wonder, then, that "peace" is quite a luxury in those
+parts, and that revolutions break out periodically.
+
+In Nicaragua--the country with which my tale is concerned--this is
+especially the case. One year passed without a revolution is a rarity;
+and I have gone through certainly not less than four such outbreaks.
+While the trouble exists it is decidedly inconvenient and uncomfortable
+for the foreigner, but the real danger is often sadly exaggerated.
+During one of these disturbances, nevertheless, I narrowly escaped
+coming into serious conflict with the authorities--and all through a
+boyish freak, which at any time would have been boyish, but amounted
+almost to madness when played in the very heart of a town under martial
+law. When I first set foot on Central American soil, however, my
+majority was still many months ahead of me, and I had not yet done with
+that period of puerile frivolity through which most youths have to pass.
+Thus I will offer no other excuse, but will merely relate what took
+place.
+
+A pig--a common or garden pig--was at the bottom of it all. The natives
+are very fond of pork indeed, and nearly every household boasts of at
+least one porker, which is allowed the entire run of the house and
+looked upon almost as "one of the family." The air in the town where I
+was staying at the time had suddenly thickened with rumours of war; and
+it was a well-known fact that some thousands of men were ready to
+shoulder their rifles at a given signal and, with a few well-tried
+veterans at their head, to make a mad and murderous rush upon anything
+and everything belonging to the Government.
+
+In such cases nothing is too bad for either party, excepting perhaps
+interference with foreigners, whom, owing to one or two severe lessons
+received of late years, the natives have now learned to respect.
+Fusillades in the centre of a town, a sudden charge with the bayonet in
+a thronged market-place, the unexpected firing of a mine, and similar
+proofs of the "patriotism" of one party or the other, may be expected at
+any moment; and although pretending to inclusion in the list of
+civilised nations, either party will spurn the idea of notice or warning
+previous to the bombardment of a town. Every one is on the alert, and
+the tension is trying indeed if it happens to be one's first
+"revolution."
+
+Bloodthirsty natives, speaking scarcely above a whisper, may be seen in
+small groups at almost every street corner, and in such quarters of the
+town where reside known sympathisers with the attacking party much
+military movement is noticeable. Every few hundred yards are stationed
+pickets of gendarmes or barefooted _soldados_; and after dusk, no matter
+who you be or what your errand, you stand every chance of a bullet
+should you fail to give prompt satisfaction on being challenged with the
+usual _quien vive?_
+
+And so it was on the occasion to which I have alluded. Everybody's
+nerves were strung up to a painful pitch, and any unusual noise--any
+sound, almost, above a half-smothered cough--would bring fifty or sixty
+reckless gendarmes, with fixed bayonets, to the spot in a very brief
+interval. It was generally looked upon as certain that an assault upon
+the town--in which one half the inhabitants were willing, nay, even
+anxious to join--would commence before morning; and an ominous silence
+prevailed.
+
+Then it was that my "little joke" or scheme was hatched. I was indulging
+in a quiet game of "cannons" on a small French billiard-table in my
+hotel, and during the game had been several times annoyed by the
+proprietor's favourite pig, which insisted every now and then on
+strolling beneath the table, to emerge on the other side quite
+unexpectedly and bump heavily against my legs just as I was squaring for
+some difficult shot. The brute had done this at least four times, with
+the result that my opponent was many points to the good. I had often
+licked him at the same game before, so the reader must not imagine that
+I am merely excusing my own play--it was the pig's fault, without a
+doubt, and I was beginning to lose my temper.
+
+"I'll teach that pig a lesson when the game is over," I remarked to my
+opponent; and, in effect, I had soon put away my cue, and, cornering the
+porker, fastened a piece of cord to his hind trotter. A large empty
+biscuit-tin and a bunch of Chinese crackers did the rest--the tin being
+secured to the other end of the line and the crackers nestling snugly
+inside the tin.
+
+The natives who stood around watching these preparations evidently
+foresaw certain results which my boyish vision failed to reach, for
+they whispered and laughed to one another, and at intervals, rubbing
+their hands together with glee, would exclaim, "A good joke." "Eh! a
+good joke, you see!"
+
+The whole town was startled a few minutes later by the uproar, and the
+shouts and laughter of those who witnessed the porker's departure from
+the hotel.
+
+Lighting the tiny fuse attached to the crackers, I put them back again
+into the tin, and a kick at the latter was sufficient to startle the hog
+off at a gallop down the street.
+
+The slight pull on his hind leg caused by the weight of the tin
+evidently annoyed him, and, wishing to get away from it, he ran the
+faster.
+
+Boom! boom! The biscuit-tin swung from side to side at every pace, and
+each time it struck the ground with a noisy report which in itself was
+sufficient to arouse the already alarmed town.
+
+Then, the fuse having burned down, the crackers commenced business.
+Bang! bang! Burr-rr--bang! Burr-rr--bang-bang-BANG! they went, the
+vibrations of the tin adding volume to each detonation; and it would be
+difficult indeed to imagine a better imitation of a distant fusillade.
+The frightened hog only went the faster.
+
+I was running behind, endeavouring to keep up with the pig, for I did
+not wish to lose any of the fun; but he soon out-distanced me, although
+I was fortunate enough to be within ear-shot when the crackers gave
+their final kick.
+
+Bang! bang! Burr--rr--bang! Bang! BANG!
+
+Then began the fun. The inhabitants crowded to their doors to inquire
+in which direction the attack on the town had commenced, and the
+military were tearing hither and thither, like so many madmen. Big
+generals in their shirt-sleeves galloped through the streets on little
+horses, collecting their men; pieces of artillery were rushed out of the
+barracks and held in readiness; scouts went out to reconnoitre in every
+conceivable direction, and the military band, playing all the national
+airs within their ken, paraded the public square, halting every now and
+then so that an officer might read to the public the Commandante's
+orders to the effect that all the inhabitants must remain indoors under
+pain of all sorts of outrageous and impossible penalties.
+
+In view of the latter, however, I deemed it wise to give up my chase and
+return to my hotel, there to await developments; and as I retraced my
+steps cries of _El enemigo! El enemigo!_ hailed me at almost every pace.
+Hundreds of questions as to the whereabouts of the attacking forces were
+hurled at me as I went, but I dared not stop to respond, or without a
+doubt I should have betrayed myself. At the onset, boylike, I had
+considered this a "splendid joke," but now the alarm was so widespread
+that I did not know whether to feel startled by the result or flattered
+to think I had succeeded in putting an entire town in an uproar.
+
+I thought of the pleasure that would be experienced by the ordinary
+"romp" at home were he able to make so vast an impression with his
+everyday practical jokes; and it was to me a matter of tremendous wonder
+that a harmless biscuit-tin, a common or garden firework, and a
+"domestic" pig could possibly combine to cause such intense excitement.
+
+With very great difficulty I managed to pass the various pickets
+stationed along the streets, being detained by each one for
+cross-examination; and ere I reached my hotel I was overtaken by half a
+company of _soldados_ returning to barracks with a prisoner. Then my
+conscience began to prick me.
+
+"This has gone rather too far," I thought. "I did not intend to do any
+one an injury, but only desired to teach that wretched porker a lesson."
+In fact, I felt distinctly uncomfortable as I trudged along, and
+somewhat alarmed at this new turn of events; and I resolved that in the
+future I would look ahead before attempting even the commonest practical
+joke.
+
+When I reached the spot where the next picket was stationed, I was
+surprised to find that the men failed to challenge me. I was getting
+quite used to the "Who goes there?" which had met me at every street
+corner, and the absence of it in this case made me somewhat suspicious.
+The explanation was not long in coming. I found them all in fits of
+laughter; and, availing myself of the opportunity which their mirth
+afforded me, I made inquiries as to the name of the prisoner who had
+been marched past me a few minutes ago. My question provoked more
+mirth, but I eventually secured the information, which had the effect of
+adding my mirth to theirs, for I learned that the prisoner was--_a pig
+with a tin tied to his leg_.
+
+This pig, I was informed, was the cause of the whole alarm. There was no
+attack--in fact, there was no enemy near enough to the town, as yet, to
+indulge in an assault. All was a practical joke--some one had let this
+pig loose with a biscuit-tin tied to his leg, and this had started the
+alarm. The porker had been run down and lassoed by the military on the
+outskirts of the town, so that it was all over now--_excepting that the
+authorities were looking for the perpetrator_, or the originator of the
+scare.
+
+Realising now the extent of my folly, I, who hitherto had been laughing
+up my sleeve at the discomfiture and alarm of others, was in my turn
+genuinely alarmed, and all the way back to my hotel I was wondering as
+to what would be my best course of action--foreseeing, whichever way I
+turned for a solution, visions of heavy fines, probable imprisonment,
+and possible banishment from the country altogether.
+
+On reaching the hotel I was hailed by many of those who had witnessed
+"the start," and consequently knew my connection with the affair. They
+soon posted me as to what had happened during my absence.
+
+Ere the pig and myself had been gone five minutes, a picket of soldiers
+made a rush upon the hotel, went inside, and, closing every exit,
+informed the occupants that every one must consider himself under arrest
+until the real originator of the "scare" was discovered. The officer
+remarked that he knew for a fact that the matter began there, and
+although the pig had not yet been caught it had been recognised as
+"_belonging to the proprietor's family_."
+
+Then, to the surprise of every one concerned, a certain Colonel Moyal, a
+native keenly opposed to the Government and a suspected revolutionist,
+stepped forward and declared that he had carried the whole thing through
+from beginning to end, so was prepared to take the consequences.
+
+Needless to say, my champion was arrested and marched off to the
+Cabildo; and I was informed that the plucky fellow had done this to
+shield me, merely to keep me out of trouble because he had taken a fancy
+to me.
+
+Not for this, however, would I let him remain in his unenviable
+position. It did not take me long to resolve that, to be honourable, I
+must myself bear the consequences of my own folly; and in a very short
+time afterward I was interviewing the Commandante. That official, in
+whose favour I had long since made it my business to firmly establish
+myself, informed me that it was then too late at night to take any
+evidence, or, in fact, to move at all in the matter; but that he would
+attend to me at eight o'clock next morning.
+
+The following day at the appointed hour I waited on him, told him I was
+the real culprit, secured the colonel's release, paid a fine of a few
+dollars, and by nine o'clock was back again in my hotel; and when I sat
+down with the Colonel that night to a special _cena_ to which I had
+invited him--intending in some measure to prove to him my gratitude for
+his generosity and esteem--I made a rather boyish speech in which I
+regretted tremendously the Colonel's having passed an exceedingly
+uncomfortable night in prison on my account, and my inability to release
+him the night before.
+
+Moyal, to my intense surprise, replied that he had to _thank me_ for the
+opportunity I had given him. "Of course," said he, "I should not like to
+see you in trouble, and would have done anything in my power to keep you
+out of it, but I must admit that my motive was not the generous one that
+has been attributed to me. It was a rather selfish motive, you see,
+between you and me. I am a moving spirit in this revolution which is
+brewing, and I have important business with the Government soldiers
+inside the Cabildo. In the ordinary course, since I am known as a
+revolutionist, I cannot possibly get into open or secret communication
+with them--so of course I had to get arrested, and you gave me that
+chance!"
+
+I was about to ask him, boylike, whether he was successful in his
+mission, when he added, "The only pity is that you didn't let me stay
+there a bit longer--but you were not to know, so I appreciate your
+promptness."
+
+However, I had reason to believe afterwards that he had not succeeded
+in his object, which, I have no doubt, was to "buy" all the _soldados_
+over to his side, for up to this day the political party to which the
+Colonel belonged is out of power, though it has repeatedly made efforts
+to get in.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+A DROWNING MESSMATE
+
+
+It is as one of the most popular sea-novelists of all times that Captain
+Marryat is best known to his countrymen--oldsters and youngsters alike.
+The whole life of this gallant seaman, however, was made up of one long
+series of exciting adventures, both on land and sea, many of these
+experiences being made use of in after years to supply material for his
+sea-romances.
+
+One of Marryat's most characteristic acts of self-devotion was his
+springing overboard into the waters of Malta Harbour in order to save
+the life of a middy messmate, Cobbett by name, who had accidentally
+fallen overboard. What made this action an especially noble one was the
+fact that Cobbett was one of the greatest bullies in the midshipmen's
+berth, and had specially singled out Marryat for cowardly and brutal
+treatment. Again, we must remember that sharks are often seen in Malta
+Harbour, and any one rash enough to enter its waters takes his life in
+his hands.
+
+Thank God the gunroom of a British man-of-war of the present day is
+managed in an entirely different manner from what it was in Marryat's
+day. Says that gallant officer: "There was no species of tyranny,
+injustice, and persecution to which youngsters were not compelled to
+submit from those who were their superiors in bodily strength."
+
+The entire management and organisation of the Royal Navy at that period
+was rotten to the core, and it speaks volumes for the devotion, skill,
+and bravery of the gallant officers of the fleet that they so
+magnificently upheld the glory and honour of the flag in every quarter
+of the globe in spite of the shortcomings of the Admiralty Board.
+
+As an instance of this general mismanagement of naval affairs, Marryat,
+who had been sent to join the _Impérieuse_ frigate as a young middy,
+thus writes in his private log--
+
+"The _Impérieuse_ sailed; the admiral of the port was one who _would_ be
+obeyed, but _would not_ listen always to reason or common-sense. The
+signal for sailing was enforced by gun after gun; the anchor was hove
+up, and, with all her stores on deck, her guns not even mounted, in a
+state of confusion unparalleled from her being obliged to hoist in
+faster than it was possible she could stow away, she was driven out of
+harbour to encounter a heavy gale. A few hours more would have enabled
+her to proceed to sea with security, but they were denied; the
+consequences were appalling, and might have been fatal.
+
+"In the general confusion, some iron too near the binnacles had
+attracted the needle of the compasses; the ship was steered out of her
+course. At midnight, in a heavy gale at the close of the month of
+November, so dark that you could not distinguish any object, however
+close, the _Impérieuse_ dashed upon the rocks between Ushant and the
+Main. The cry of terror which ran through the lower deck; the grating of
+the keel as she was forced in; the violence of the shocks which
+convulsed the frame of the vessel; the hurrying up of the ship's company
+without their clothes; and then the enormous waves which again bore her
+up and carried her clean over the reef, will never be effaced from my
+memory.
+
+"Our escape was miraculous. With the exception of her false keel having
+been torn off, the ship had suffered little injury; but she had beat
+over a reef, and was riding by her anchors, surrounded by rocks, some of
+them as high out of water as her lower-yards, and close to her. How
+nearly were the lives of a fine ship's company, and of Lord Cochrane and
+his officers, sacrificed in this instance to the despotism of an admiral
+who _would_ be obeyed!
+
+"The cruises of the _Impérieuse_ were periods of continual excitement,
+from the hour in which she hove up her anchor till she dropped it again
+in port; the day that passed without a shot being fired in anger was
+with us a blank day; the boats were hardly secured on the booms than
+they were cast loose and out again; the yard and stay tackles were for
+ever hoisting up and lowering down.
+
+"The expedition with which parties were formed for service; the rapidity
+of the frigate's movements, night and day; the hasty sleep, snatched at
+all hours; the waking up at the report of the guns, which seemed the
+only key-note to the hearts of those on board; the beautiful precision
+of our fire, obtained by constant practice; the coolness and courage of
+our captain inoculating the whole of the ship's company; the suddenness
+of our attacks, the gathering after the combat, the killed lamented, the
+wounded almost envied; the powder so burnt into our faces that years
+could not remove it; the proved character of every man and officer on
+board; the implicit trust and the adoration we felt for our commander;
+the ludicrous situations which would occur even in the extremest danger
+and create mirth when death was staring you in the face; the hairbreadth
+escapes, and the indifference to life shown by all--when memory sweeps
+along those years of excitement even now, my pulse beats more quickly
+with the reminiscence."
+
+A middy's life was no child's play in those days, was it?
+
+But it is time that I told you the story of how Marryat saved the life
+of his messmate Cobbett, in the Mediterranean.
+
+The _Impérieuse_ was lying at anchor in Malta Harbour at the time the
+incident happened. It was about the hour of sunset, and the officer on
+duty had turned the men of the second dog watch up to hoist the boats to
+the davits. The men ran away smartly with the falls, and soon had the
+cutters clear of the water and swung high in the air.
+
+At this moment, Cobbett, who was off duty, went into the main-chains
+with some lines and bait in order to fish. In endeavouring to get on one
+of the ratlines of the lower-rigging his foot unfortunately slipped, and
+he fell headlong overboard into the waters of the Grand Harbour. Several
+persons witnessed the accident, and the prodigious splash the middy's
+body made in striking the water immediately made known to every one else
+that a struggle for life had commenced.
+
+Cobbett could not swim a stroke, and was much hampered by his heavy
+clothes and boots. At the first plunge he was carried far beneath the
+surface, but quickly rose again, puffing and blowing like a grampus, and
+making desperate efforts to keep himself afloat.
+
+The officer of the watch promptly called away the lifeboat's crew, and
+these men quickly scrambled into one of the quarter-boats, which by this
+time had been run up to the davits. Life-buoys too had been thrown
+overboard, but not one of them had fallen near enough to the struggling
+boy to enable him to grasp it. Young Marryat happened at the time of the
+accident to be standing in the waist of the ship conversing with the
+captain of the main-top of the watch below. Hearing the splash and the
+excited cries of "Man overboard!" which rang out fore-and-aft, he rushed
+to the gangway to see if he could be of any assistance in the emergency.
+
+One can imagine his feelings on beholding his arch-enemy, the bully of
+the midshipmen's berth, struggling desperately for life under the
+frigate's counter. Being an admirable swimmer himself, Marryat saw at a
+glance that his messmate was helpless in the water, and indeed was on
+the point of sinking. Without a moment's hesitation, and without waiting
+to throw off coat or boots, the plucky youngster boldly plunged
+overboard, and quickly rising to the surface, struck out for his now
+almost unconscious enemy, and fortunately managed to seize him and keep
+him afloat, whilst he shouted to those on board to lower the cutter as
+quickly as possible. The men were only too eager to go to his
+assistance, and the instant the lifeboat was safely in the water, her
+crew got their oars out, and, pulling vigorously to the spot, soon
+hauled both midshipmen, wet and dripping, inboard.
+
+Cobbett was unconscious, his face being as pale as death, but it was
+only a matter now of a few seconds to get him aboard the frigate, where
+he soon revived under the care of the surgeons, and was able to return
+to duty in the course of a day or two, much humbled in spirit, and very
+grateful to the courageous young messmate who had so gallantly saved his
+life at the risk of his own.
+
+Writing home to his mother on the subject of this adventure, Marryat
+concluded his account by saying: "From that moment I have loved the
+fellow as I never loved friend before. All my hate is forgotten. I have
+saved his life."
+
+A ludicrous adventure in the water once befell Captain Marryat. In the
+gallant officer's private log occurs this entry: "July 10th.--Anchored
+in Carrick Roads, Falmouth. Gig upset with captain."
+
+Florence Marryat in her father's memoirs thus relates the incident:
+"When this gig was capsized, it contained, besides Captain Marryat, a
+middy and an old bumboat woman. The woman could swim like a fish, but
+the boy could not, and as Captain Marryat, upon rising to the surface of
+the water and preparing to strike out for the ship, found himself most
+needlessly clutched and borne up by this lady, he shook her off
+impatiently, saying: 'Go to the boy! Go to the boy! He can't swim!'
+
+"'_Go to the boy!_' she echoed above the winds and waves. 'What! hold up
+a midshipman when I can save the life of a captain! Not I indeed!' And
+no entreaties could prevail on her to relinquish her impending honours.
+Who eventually did the 'dirty work' on this occasion is not recorded,
+but it is certain that no one was drowned."
+
+As is well known, sailors are devoted to animals, and Marryat was no
+exception to the rule. He has left on record a story of a pet baboon,
+which was on board the _Tees_ with him--
+
+"I had on board a ship which I commanded a very large Cape baboon, who
+was a pet of mine, and also a little boy, who was a son of mine. When
+the baboon sat down on his hams he was about as tall as the boy when he
+walked. The boy, having a tolerable appetite, received about noon a
+considerable slice of bread-and-butter to keep him quiet till
+dinner-time. I was on one of the carronades, busy with the sun's lower
+limb, bringing it into contact with the horizon, when the boy's lower
+limbs brought him into contact with the baboon, who, having, as well as
+the boy, a strong predilection for bread-and-butter, and a stronger arm
+to take it withal, thought proper to help himself to that to which the
+boy had already been helped. In short, he snatched the bread-and-butter,
+and made short work of it, for it was in his pouch in a moment.
+
+"Upon this the boy set up a yell, which attracted my notice to this
+violation of the articles of war, to which the baboon was equally
+amenable as any other person in the ship, for it is expressly stated in
+the preamble of every article, 'all who are _in_, or _belonging_ to.'
+Whereupon I jumped off the carronade and, by way of assisting his
+digestion, I served out to the baboon _monkey's allowance_, which is
+more kicks than halfpence! The master reported that the heavens
+intimated that it was twelve o'clock, and, with all the humility of a
+captain of a man-of-war, I ordered him to 'make it so'; whereupon it was
+made, and so passed that day.
+
+"I do not remember how many days it was afterwards that I was on the
+carronade as usual, about the same time, and all parties were precisely
+in the same situations--the master by my side, the baboon under the
+booms, and the boy walking out of the cabin with his bread-and-butter.
+As before, he again passed the baboon, who again snatched the
+bread-and-butter from the boy, who again set up a squall, which again
+attracted my attention. I looked round, and the baboon caught my eye,
+which told him plainly that he'd soon catch what was not at all _my
+eye_; and he proved that he actually thought so, for he at once put the
+bread-and-butter back into the boy's hands!
+
+"It was the only instance of which I ever knew or heard of a monkey
+being capable of self-denial where his stomach was concerned, and I
+record it accordingly. This poor fellow, when the ship's company were
+dying of the cholera, took that disease, went through all its
+gradations, and died apparently in great agony."
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+THE PILOT OF PORT CREEK
+
+
+The sun, low in the west, was sinking behind a heavy cloudbank, which,
+to nautical eyes, portended fog at sea.
+
+A mariner, far out in the Channel, in a small boat, was shading his eyes
+with his hand and gazing towards the south-western horizon.
+
+The lad--he was not more than eighteen--was calculated to attract
+attention. He was of fine physique. His hair shone like burnished gold.
+His eyes were deep blue, clear, and bright. A marked firmness was about
+his mouth and chin; and when he seized the oars and rowed to counteract
+the boat's leeway caused by the tide, the grip of his hands was as that
+of a vice.
+
+He was the pilot of Port Creek--no official title, but one given him by
+a lawless set of men amongst whom, for many years, his lot had been
+cast.
+
+Astern, faint and indistinct, loomed the low-lying coast-line. One could
+only judge it to be a wild, inhospitable shore.
+
+The sun disappeared, and the shades of night began to fall. Suddenly the
+clouds parted, and a ray of sunshine shot obliquely down towards the
+south-west.
+
+The pilot immediately muttered: "That's well!"
+
+The bright ray had struck the dark sails of a lugger, and in her he had
+recognised the craft he had come out to pilot to a fateful destination.
+
+Smartly he ran up a small lugsail, and set his boat's head towards the
+stranger. She was black hulled, and with a rakish rig that gave her the
+appearance of being a fast sailer.
+
+At the critical moment, when it appeared the lugger was about to cut him
+down, the pilot suddenly ported helm, and ran his boat under the
+lugger's side. Smartly he lowered his sail and fastened on the vessel
+with his boathook.
+
+"Heave a rope!" called he. "I'm coming on board."
+
+"And who are you?" asked a swarthy man, who had been watching from the
+lugger's bows.
+
+"I bring a message to your captain."
+
+"Catch, then!" and a coil of rope went curling through the air.
+
+The pilot deftly caught it, and hitched the end to the bow of his boat.
+
+"Carry it astern, and make fast!" ordered he, like one accustomed to
+command. "She'll tow till I want her."
+
+The boat dropped astern, but the pilot nimbly boarded the lugger.
+
+A powerful man in reefer jacket, sou'-wester, and sea-boots greeted him
+with--
+
+"You seem pretty free with strangers, my lad."
+
+The pilot held out a piece of paper. The captain took it and read--
+
+"_It is by our order and for the good of the cause that the bearer is
+authorised to act._"
+
+The signature was a rude hieroglyphic. The captain's manner immediately
+showed that he recognised it, and respected it.
+
+"Am I to understand that you take command?"
+
+The pilot bowed, and tendered a second paper. The captain read--
+
+"_Should the bearer fail to accomplish that which he has undertaken, it
+will be for the captain of the_ 'Swift' _to see that he gives no further
+trouble._"
+
+A wicked gleam came into the captain's eyes.
+
+"If you fail in that which you are instructed to do--and which I know
+nothing of at present--this is your death-warrant?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Then see you fail not."
+
+"Rely on it, I shall not fail!"
+
+The words were spoken in such cold, deliberate tones that the captain--a
+man who boasted he knew not fear--shivered as though from the touch of
+an icy hand.
+
+"What are your orders?" presently asked the captain, eyeing him keenly.
+
+"To pilot the lugger to the head of Port Creek, where friends await her
+cargo. The old landings are played out; but who would suspect a lugger
+to effect a run in the creek _after dark_?"
+
+"No human hand could steer that course!"
+
+"Yet I am here."
+
+"The thing is impossible!"
+
+"The tide flows at midnight. My orders are to go in with the rising tide
+and bring you out on the ebb, that you may make a good offing before
+dawn."
+
+"It cannot be done! I'll not have the risk----"
+
+"You have your commands, I my orders," coldly interrupted the pilot.
+
+"Then I'll execute mine to the letter!"
+
+"And I--we shall see."
+
+He bent low over the binnacle, afterwards glancing swiftly shoreward.
+
+"Keep her away a couple of points. We'll come about presently and fetch
+the creek on the other tack, just after dark, and with the tide half
+made."
+
+Long and intently the captain studied the boy's fearless face. Then he
+began to recall an almost forgotten memory.
+
+"Boy," said he suddenly, "you remind me of some one I have known."
+
+The pilot's gaze remained as steady as his own, but there was a slight
+expression of cynicism playing about his mouth.
+
+"Ay!" continued the captain, seeming to speak his thoughts aloud. "The
+eyes are the same, just as they looked that night when I---- Bah!"
+recovering himself. "What a fool I am! This new venture unmans me."
+
+The pilot did not seem to hear, but his eyes seemed to glow with a
+green sheen, as the gathering gloom obscured his face. A violent emotion
+was possessing him.
+
+"Boy!" again cried the captain, "you interest me. How comes it that one
+so young holds so responsible a position in the cause?"
+
+"By past services have I been judged."
+
+"Come, tell me the story."
+
+"As you will."
+
+"You will find me a ready listener."
+
+"Be it so; but not yet. Now set the course north-west. A single light
+here at the binnacle, and no other to show from anywhere on board. As
+soon as we are in the creek, see that the sails are smartly trimmed to
+my order. There'll be little time to spare."
+
+The captain passed the word, and began to moodily pace the deck. He had
+never thought to question the genuineness of the two papers. There stood
+the pilot, his life forfeited by any failure tending to bring disaster
+upon the lugger; and it was a good guarantee.
+
+Anon the captain glanced at the pale, set face of the pilot, on which
+the diffused light from the binnacle lantern feebly shone. For the
+second time that evening the captain shivered, and without being able to
+define the cause. He felt strangely ill at ease. Accustomed to daring
+ventures, the present seemed sheer recklessness. Who was this determined
+boy? Why did his presence bring back a fateful memory of the past?
+
+The darkness deepened, and was further intensified by the cold, grey
+fog. The wind was light, but a steady up-Channel draught. The lugger was
+creeping in under mainsail and jib, her other sails being furled.
+
+The pilot took over the helm, and ordered the man he relieved to go
+forward. At the same time the captain came and stood by the binnacle.
+
+"What is our position?" shortly asked he.
+
+"We are within the creek," replied the pilot. "Hark! Don't you hear the
+grinding of the shingle away over the port bow? As soon as the sound
+comes from windward we'll have her on the port tack, and thus we'll
+clear Boulder Ledge."
+
+"It sounds fair sailing; but I liken it to going blindly into a trap,"
+retorted the captain.
+
+"Haul on the main-sheet! Steady, forward, with the jib!" And the pilot
+starboarded his helm.
+
+Again the captain shivered. Who was this, who held death so lightly? His
+own gloomy forebodings came upon him with redoubled force. What manner
+of pilot was this, to whom night was as day?
+
+"Boy!" he cried shortly, "why are you here?"
+
+"You read my orders."
+
+"Yes; but----"
+
+Again the pilot caused an interruption by shifting helm.
+
+"Who are you?" hoarsely cried the captain.
+
+"Well, sixteen years ago to-night--steady, cap'n!" for the man had
+staggered as though from the effect of a mortal blow.
+
+"Avast! Who and what are you?" The captain's voice was deep and
+menacing.
+
+"The pilot of Port Creek. I have no other name--at least, it suits me to
+forget it."
+
+"What was your father?"
+
+"A mariner."
+
+"His name?"
+
+"Wait!" and the pilot luffed till the sails shook. A peculiar vibration
+passed throughout the lugger's timbers, and her way was gently arrested.
+
+"We're aground! You have failed!" cried the captain, and drew a pistol
+from his belt.
+
+"Wait!" And again the pilot spoke in cold, disdainful tones. One might
+have counted a hundred. It was terrible suspense. The captain's finger
+was toying with the trigger of his pistol. The pilot stood immovable,
+the disdainful smile deepening upon his lips. "Ease off the main-sheet!"
+cried he, as he turned his ear to windward. There came a stronger puff
+of wind, a bigger wave rolled up under the lugger's stern, she lifted,
+and immediately glided forward--free!
+
+"You lost your reckoning, my lad!" cried the captain.
+
+"A slight error of judgment. The tide has made somewhat less than I
+anticipated."
+
+"What is our position?"
+
+"We scraped on the Sandstone Ledge," grimly. "'Twas a close shave--for
+me!"
+
+"And did you doubt----"
+
+"No. But put up your pistol and I'll get on with my story--unless you'd
+rather not listen."
+
+"No, no! Go on!"
+
+The pilot stood steady at the helm, his eyes fixed on the binnacle, each
+movement of the compass-needle a sign for his ready hands to obey. Anon
+a concise order to shift a sail fell from his lips, for in spite of his
+interrupted conversation with the captain his every action showed a
+trained alertness.
+
+Again he took up the thread of his story--
+
+"'Twas my father's death made me--what I am." The pause was ominous. "He
+was one of us--a smuggler."
+
+"Ah!"
+
+"A run had been planned----"
+
+"I----"
+
+"My father was young and daring. To him was entrusted the most
+venturesome part of the night's work. But I am anticipating. He had a
+rival--a man who sought my mother. But she was true to my father."
+
+"I remember----"
+
+"Steady, cap'n! You may have known him--perchance he was once your
+friend?"
+
+"No, no!" hoarsely. "He--I----"
+
+A bright light suddenly flashed through the fog, and from right ahead.
+
+"A signal?" cried the captain.
+
+"From a friend," and the pilot ported helm. "'Tis a dangerous spot
+hereabouts, so nothing has been left to chance. We're now abreast of
+Green Point. Steady, lads, for the next tack!"
+
+Shortly another light flashed right upon the lugger's bows. The pilot
+jammed over the helm to starboard. There was a slight shock, and
+something grated along the lugger's side.
+
+"All clear now, cap'n; but 'twas a narrow go. We grazed Rudder Rock! The
+fool stationed there with the light flashed it a full minute too late!"
+
+"Boy, you must have dealings with----"
+
+"Steady, cap'n! Your nerves are unstrung. Perhaps the conclusion of my
+story 'll steady them. Well, the venture that was planned was no less
+than to take the goods in under Black Rock, and have them hauled up the
+face of the cliff. In the end 'twas safely done--to all but my father.
+He had been lowered down to fasten on the bales. Those who were out that
+night came back saying he had fallen from the cliff. They recovered his
+body the next day, and they found the piece of rope around the mangled
+corpse had been cut."
+
+"Ay, by the rocks."
+
+"No, no! A poor fellow who witnessed the act was shot by the hand that
+cut the rope; but he lived long enough to tell my mother the truth."
+
+"Or a parcel of lies."
+
+"Dying men don't lie, cap'n! I was born that same night. Years
+afterwards, when I was old enough to understand--when my mother was on
+her deathbed--she told me the story; and my last word to her was a
+promise to hunt down my father's murderer."
+
+"And you have failed!" cried the captain.
+
+"Let go the anchor!" cried the pilot. "See, cap'n, I'll bring her head
+up into the wind, and she'll ride with her sails set. Off with the
+hatches, my lads!"
+
+A bright light flashed three times from left to right. The pilot took
+the lantern and waved responsive signals.
+
+"All's well!" cried he. "Cap'n, you will see to the getting up of the
+goods."
+
+Taken off his guard, the captain stepped to the hatchway, gave a few
+orders, and seemed to recollect something. But the binnacle light was
+out, and the pilot had disappeared! The captain caught at the rope by
+which his boat had been towing astern. It came in without resistance; it
+had been cut!
+
+"We are betrayed!" cried the captain. "Hark! Friends or foes!" as a
+number of boats came quickly alongside.
+
+"Surrender in the King's name!" was the response.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The desperate encounter that ensued is written in the history of those
+lawless times. Suffice it that the captain and his crew paid the full
+penalty of their many crimes.
+
+The pilot, having fulfilled his vow, was no more seen upon that part of
+the coast. To have remained would have been to forfeit his life, for
+the betrayed smugglers had many friends.
+
+But the old chronicles from which I have compiled this story go on to
+say that he secured a berth in the navy, and years afterwards trod the
+quarter-deck of a man-of-war.
+
+
+_Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay._
+
+
+
+
+ADVERTISEMENTS
+
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
+_An attractive series of books for boys, well printed and illustrated,
+and handsomely bound._
+
+_Large crown 8vo, cloth, full gilt, 3s. 6d. per volume._
+
+
++THE GOLDSMITH OF CHEPE. A Tale of the Plague Year.+ By TOM BEVAN, Author
+of 'A Hero in Wolf-Skin.' With eight illustrations by J. JELLICOE. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     An exciting and interesting story of the time of the Great Plague
+     of 1665; it recites the many adventures through which the hero
+     passed in London, and later in Dorsetshire, where a number of
+     sensational encounters with smugglers and pirates are described.
+     Mr. Bevan knows how to win the attention of boys, and this story
+     will be found to be written in his happiest vein.
+
+
++FOR QUEEN AND EMPEROR. A Story of Valour and Adventure.+ By ERNEST
+PROTHEROE, Author of 'Myddleton's Treasure,' 'From Scapegrace to Hero,'
+&c. With coloured frontispiece and title-page, and eight other
+illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The days of the early Britons always have a fascination for
+     youthful readers, and this story is well calculated to sustain
+     their interest. The struggles against the Roman invader supply the
+     hero with the earlier adventures in the story; but after a time the
+     scene changes to Rome, and then to Palestine in the days of the
+     fall of Jerusalem. Whilst passing from one moving scene to another,
+     the reader learns a good deal as to conditions of life under
+     review; but the information so conveyed is never obtrusive, and
+     never diverts attention from the outstanding scenes and figures in
+     this splendid romance.
+
+
++THE CRUISE OF THE 'GOLDEN FLEECE.' A Story of Adventure in the Days of
+Philip and Mary.+ By SARDIUS HANCOCK. With coloured frontispiece and
+eight other illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth
+gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is a stirring story of the days of Queen Mary, and is full of
+     exciting adventure. It opens with the ill-fated expedition led by
+     Sir Thomas Wyatt. Philip St. Ledger, one of Wyatt's followers,
+     falls in love with Barbara Lillingworth, and is shipped on board
+     the 'Golden Fleece' by his rival, to get him out of the way. Then
+     follow many adventures in the West Indies, where the rivals meet.
+     There are battles at sea and on the land, both in the West Indies
+     and in the Netherlands, where Philip's rival tries to effect his
+     death and ruin, finally invoking the aid of the Inquisition.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
++THAT BOY OF FRASER'S.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'For Queen and
+Emperor,' 'St. Merville's Scholarship Boys,' &c. With coloured
+frontispiece and eight other illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A vigorous and vivid story of boy life in a London slum. The young
+     hero will win the sympathy and regard of every reader. His courage,
+     his love for his mother and sister, his faithfulness to his trust,
+     make the story of his family fortunes irresistibly attractive to
+     boy readers.
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says: 'An excellent prize-book for boys, and
+     one which they would thoroughly enjoy.'
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says: 'A clever story of pluck and manliness
+     on the part of a little boy.'
+
+
++A COLLEGIAN IN KHAKI.+ By WILLIAM JOHNSTON, with four coloured
+illustrations by ERNEST PRATER, and coloured title-page. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The doings of Charlie Winter, expelled from college for misconduct,
+     form a story abounding in adventure. Ashamed to return home, he
+     enlists and is sent to South Africa, and is taken prisoner at an
+     early stage. Escaping from Pretoria, he takes part in many battles
+     and forms a member of the Ladysmith relief force. Warned by his
+     early fall, he redeems his character and wins the Victoria Cross.
+
+     _The Yorkshire Post_ says: 'It is a rattling good story, which will
+     appeal strongly to boys.'
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says: 'The story is full of interest for
+     boys.'
+
+
++WITH RIFLE AND KUKRI.+ By FREDERICK P. GIBBON, Author of 'Comrades Under
+Canvas,' 'The Disputed V.C.,' &c. With four coloured illustrations by J.
+FINNEMORE, R.I., and coloured title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+3s. 6d.
+
+
+     Boys who love stories of plucky deeds will find 'With Rifle and
+     Kukri' altogether to their taste. The heroic deeds called forth by
+     England's 'little wars' along the Indian frontier--the dashing
+     exploits of the Gurkhas and others of our native allies--the
+     coolness with which the handful of Englishmen in India met the
+     outbreak of the Great Mutiny--all these are narrated in stirring
+     language by an author whose local knowledge is extensive and exact.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
++MELTONIANS ALL!+ By F. COWLEY WHITEHOUSE. With three coloured
+illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A capital boy's book, giving a stirring account of life in a great
+     public school. All three heroes of the tale are very attractive to
+     the reader, while the touch of tragedy describing the noble
+     self-sacrifice of one of them further deepens the interest of this
+     lively story.
+
+     _The Daily Mail_ says: 'A thoroughly healthy school story, which
+     touches neither too lightly nor too heavily upon the
+     responsibilities of boyhood.'
+
+     _The Globe_ says: 'A splendid schoolboy's story, in which pluck,
+     honesty and steadfastness are winners every time.'
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says: 'A very well written story-book for
+     boys, dealing with school life in a lively style.'
+
+
++MYDDLETON'S TREASURE.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'That Boy of
+Fraser's,' 'Bob Marchant's Scholarship,' &c. With three coloured
+illustrations by J. MACFARLANE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     Entering the railway service, Jasper Myddleton worked his way up to
+     the footplate only for the past to rise up against him and cause
+     his dismissal. But his grit and dogged pertinacity carried him
+     safely through various adventures at sea and in Central Africa. He
+     discovered the 'Real King Solomon's Mines,' but in 'Kiddy,' a
+     little girl-friend, he found the greatest treasure of all. The plot
+     is particularly attractive, and the reader will follow Myddleton's
+     vigorous, moving career with sustained interest.
+
+
++THE BAYMOUTH SCOUTS.+ By TOM BEVAN, Author of 'The Goldsmith of Chepe,'
+'A Trooper of the Finns,' &c. With four coloured illustrations by GORDON
+BROWNE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is a story of the days of Napoleon, and his threatened
+     invasion of England. Two boys are kidnapped and carried to France,
+     from where, after many adventures, they escape and return to
+     England, bringing with them a lady and her daughter, who had been
+     ruined by the Revolution. It is especially suited for Boy Scouts.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+
+
+_The name of Talbot Baines Reed will always be associated with
+fascinating, healthy stories for boys, dealing with public school life,
+and early business careers. No writer has been able more skilfully to
+give his characters a real personality, or to portray more faithfully
+their failures, sharp struggles and final successes._
+
+
++THE ADVENTURES OF A THREE-GUINEA WATCH.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and Sixteen other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A straightforward story of school-life, and of the duties and
+     temptations of young men entering upon the work of life. The kind
+     of book to rejoice the heart of the boy who gets it as a Christmas
+     or Birthday present.
+
+
++THE COCK HOUSE AT FELLSGARTH. A Public School Story.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by Alfred Pearse. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A splendid story of school life. The rollicking fun of the juniors,
+     the rivalry among the seniors, the school elections, the football
+     match, are told in such a forcible manner that the tale will prove
+     a source of delight to all boys--young and old.
+
+
++THE FIFTH FORM AT ST. DOMINIC'S. A Public School Story.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and Eight other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A lively story, abounding in stirring incident and in humorous
+     descriptions. A thoroughly healthy tale to place in the hands of a
+     boy. It ought to become popular both as a gift and prize book.
+
+
++A DOG WITH A BAD NAME.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The story of a big ungainly youth who seemed fated to be
+     misunderstood and to be made the butt of his comrades. His trials
+     at school, and as a tutor, and the unsympathetic treatment by his
+     guardian are delightfully told.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+
+
++ROGER INGLETON, MINOR.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"Mr. Talbot Baines Reed knows how to tell a
+     story, and he does himself justice in 'Roger Ingleton, Minor,' in
+     which he makes an excellent book out of the return of a long-lost
+     half-brother who had gone out alone into the world, many years
+     previously, after a bitter quarrel with his father. The discovery
+     of the missing brother is not accomplished without many exciting
+     incidents, out of which Mr. Reed weaves his plot."
+
+     _The Aberdeen Free Press_ says:--"This story has a modern
+     atmosphere. The plot is very skilfully constructed and the interest
+     is maintained up to the last page."
+
+
++SIR LUDAR: A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess.+
+
+With Eleven Full-page Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s.
+6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"This stirring tale, which is played in the
+     days of Queen Elizabeth, and tells of the wonderful adventures of a
+     sturdy prentice-lad who contrived to crowd into a few years as much
+     danger and fighting and hairbreadth escapes as would have lasted an
+     army of ordinary folk for their whole lives. It is a capital book
+     for boys which those who begin reading will have to finish. Mr.
+     Pearse's illustrations, too, are very good."
+
+     _The Aberdeen Free Press_ says:--"This is a stirring tale of
+     adventure with plenty of fighting."
+
+
++PARKHURST BOYS, and other Stories of School Life.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and many other Illustrations. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     In this volume are brought together a large number of the
+     miscellaneous stories written from time to time for the _Boy's Own
+     Paper_ by Talbot Baines Reed. The collection is prefaced by an
+     appreciation of Mr. Reed as boy and man, and it contains some of
+     his best work and his brightest wit. There are seven sketches of
+     life at Parkhurst School; eleven character delineations of "Boys we
+     have known"--such as "The Bully," "The Sneak"; twelve
+     representations of "Boys of English History"; and seven other short
+     stories of boy life and interest.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Own Series.
+
+
+_A Series of Books for Boys by well-known Writers, containing Stories of
+School Life, Adventures on Sea and Land, Stories of Old England, &c.
+Well illustrated, handsomely bound, cloth gilt, large crown 8vo, 2s.
+6d._
+
+
++BOB MARCHANT'S SCHOLARSHIP.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE. With seven
+illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says: 'A very readable tale with plenty of
+     "go" in it.'
+
+     _The Manchester Courier_ says: 'An attractive story of schoolboy
+     life.'
+
+     _The Spectator_ says: 'Here we have a story of adventure, the scene
+     of action being what is called the educational ladder. Bob Marchant
+     wins a scholarship ... which takes him to Orville College, a
+     first-grade school.... The subject is worth treating, and should
+     not be less interesting than the perils by flood and field which
+     commonly form the themes of these stories.'
+
+
++THE HEROISM OF LANCELOT.+ By JEANIE FERRY. With three coloured
+illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     This book will be read with eager interest and profit by all boys
+     and girls. The author has produced quite a number of beautiful
+     characters, and some the reverse of beautiful. Lancelot is
+     undoubtedly the hero, and a splendid one, too, but there are
+     several heroines who run him close in the race of unselfishness and
+     purity of character. Boys will vote the book 'jolly' and
+     'stunning,' and unconsciously they will have themselves imbibed a
+     wholesome draught from a carefully written and good story.
+
+
++JACK SAFFORD: A Tale of the East Coast.+ By WILLIAM WEBSTER. With three
+coloured illustrations by ERNEST PRATER. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.
+
+
+     A breezy boy's book of adventures in the North Sea. It will be sure
+     to interest lads who are leaving school, and are wondering what the
+     future holds in store for them. Honesty, bravery, and a readiness
+     to seize opportunities for advancement are upheld in this
+     well-written story.
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says: 'The book is full of adventure, and is
+     most readable.'
+
+     _The Liverpool Daily Post_ says: 'A story of adventure on sea and
+     land, which boys will read with avidity, for Jack, among other
+     things, had to find the way out of a very awkward predicament.'
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Own Series.
+
+
++FROM SLUM TO QUARTER-DECK.+ By GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N., Author of
+'Wild Life in Sunny Lands,' 'The Voyage of the "Blue Vega,"' &c. With
+six illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     The hero of Dr. Gordon Stables' new work is a London boy about
+     whose origin there is a mystery, which is skilfully dealt with and
+     satisfactorily solved. A story of the sea, which the author's many
+     admirers will be eager to read.
+
+     _The Record_ says: 'It is a bright and breezy volume, and will
+     please boys immensely.'
+
+     _The Schoolmaster_ says: 'This is a good rattling story of a street
+     arab who has a series of interesting and exciting adventures.'
+
+     _The United Methodist_ says: 'Real stirring adventures are sprung
+     upon us in such unique fashion that we hesitate to give prospective
+     readers an inkling as to their sequence.'
+
+
++ALLAN ADAIR; or, Here and There in Many Lands.+ By GORDON STABLES, M.D.,
+R.N., Author of 'In the Land of the Lion and the Ostrich.' With coloured
+frontispiece and title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Examiner_ says: 'Allan Adair, the only son of his widowed
+     mother, distinguishes himself as a lad in helping to save a vessel
+     in distress, and in return is offered a berth by the owners in one
+     of their ships. Of course he accepts, and a life of world-wide
+     travel and incident is the result. Among many exciting episodes may
+     be mentioned shooting "rattlers" in the Sierras, encounters with
+     narwhals and bears in the Arctic regions, a hairbreadth escape on
+     the terrible ice-river of Spitzbergen, and adventures among the
+     savages of Patagonia.'
+
+
++GALLANT SIR JOHN.+ By SARDIUS HANCOCK, Author of 'The Cruise of the
+Golden Fleece,' &c. With three coloured illustrations by J. FINNEMORE,
+R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     'Gallant Sir John' is a stirring, exciting tale of the days when
+     Henry V. was gaining successive victories in France. At the same
+     time Wyckliffe's Bible was being circulated by the Lollards, who
+     were being hounded to exile, outlawry and death by the priests of
+     Rome. Once begun this story will hold the reader to the end, for he
+     will be taken into the very heart of those troublous times, and
+     will witness many a thrilling scene.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++THE SHELL-HUNTERS: Their Wild Adventures by Land and Sea.+
+
+By GORDON STABLES, author of "Allan Adair," etc. Illustrated. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is one of Dr. Gordon Stables' stories of adventure. A
+     middle-aged man and a couple of boys make a voyage of discovery in
+     the South Seas. The tale is full of exciting incidents and
+     hairbreadth escapes so dear to the heart of all boys; and it has
+     the advantage of being cleverly illustrated by ALFRED PEARSE.
+
+
++HAROLD, THE BOY EARL. A Story of Old England.+
+
+By J. F. HODGETTS, author of "Kormak the Viking," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
++ILDERIM, THE AFGHAN. A Tale of the Indian Border.+
+
+By DAVID KER. Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     David Ker, the author of "The Lonely Island," has here written a
+     stirring and highly imaginative tale of India and the North-West
+     Frontier. The heroes are men of high character, and a bright,
+     healthy moral tone is maintained throughout.
+
+
++ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.+
+
+By ONE WHO WAS BORN THERE, author of "Annie Carr," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"The pictures of the South Sea Islanders are
+     evidently drawn from life, and the accounts of the kidnappers, both
+     cannibal and slave-hunting, are well told and full of grim
+     interest."
+
+     _The Methodist Times_ says:--"The book is a true record of the
+     adventures of the son of a South Sea Island Missionary. The writer
+     begins at the beginning--at his earliest whippings--and goes on
+     through escapades by land and sea. He narrowly escapes poisoning by
+     _carea_ and is in an awful tornado. Perils by famine, by murder, by
+     heathen superstition, by sharks, by pestilence, by white
+     slave-traders, bring before the reader vividly, life as it is in
+     the savage islands of the South."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++UNTRUE TO HIS TRUST; or, Plotters and Patriots.+
+
+By HENRY JOHNSON, author of "Turf and Table," "A Book of Heroes," etc.
+With Five Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Times_ says:--"A tale that is well-conceived and interesting."
+
+     _The Sheffield Independent_ says:--"A piece of masterly historical
+     painting."
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says:--"A well written and readable book that
+     conveys a great deal of instruction. The period of Charles II. has
+     been very carefully studied."
+
+
++THE VOYAGE OF THE STORMY PETREL.+
+
+By W. C. METCALF. With Three Illustrations by LANCELOT SPEED. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Glasgow Herald_ says:--"Possesses all the qualities which
+     young readers for whom it is intended can best appreciate. These
+     are narrow escapes and strange experiences, and adventures full of
+     excitement both on land and sea. The volume has some exciting
+     illustrations."
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says:--"A good story of adventure."
+
+     _The Liverpool Courier_ says:--"This is a stirring tale of an
+     adventurous voyage in which exciting incidents follow one another
+     in rapid succession."
+
+
++DUCK-LAKE. Stories of the Canadian Backwoods.+
+
+By E. RYERSON YOUNG, With Seven Illustrations by J. MACFARLANE. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Sheffield Daily Independent_ says:--"It is a spirited story of
+     the Canadian backwoods, in three sections. The characters include
+     Canadian settlers and North American Indians. A number of
+     well-drawn illustrations assist the young reader to realise the
+     physical type of the people who move in the story."
+
+     _The Dundee Courier_ says:--"A sectional story of the Canadian
+     backwoods and admirably told. The bush life of the settlers is
+     pictured with a graphic pen, and there are a number of sensational
+     episodes, a bear hunt among the number."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++THE SETTLERS OF KAROSSA CREEK, and Other Stories of Australian Bush
+Life.+
+
+
+     By LOUIS BECKE, author of "Tom Wallis," "Wild Life in the Southern
+     Seas," etc., etc. With Three Illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I.
+     Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+     "The Settlers of Karossa Creek" is a rattling yarn which proves
+     conclusively that the right hand of Louis Becke has not lost its
+     cunning. It is a book that all healthy-minded boys will revel in,
+     full of stirring adventures relating to the bush life of Australia
+     and the islands of the Pacific. "The Settlers of Karossa Creek"
+     will stir the blood of every lad and stimulate the impulses to
+     patience, endurance, brave daring, and true knightliness. The
+     health-giving fragrance of the sea and the free, glad, open life of
+     new lands are in it from first page to last.
+
+
++THE SPECIMEN HUNTERS.+
+
+By J. MACDONALD OXLEY, B.A., author of "North Overland with Franklin,"
+"Archie Mackenzie." Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     Mr. Macdonald Oxley, who knows so well how to tell a story of
+     adventure and peril--here takes his young heroes out to India and
+     the Far East, with a learned Professor whose duty it is to obtain
+     specimens of beasts and birds. Their ramblings and the Professor's
+     tasks bring them into a succession of highly critical situations,
+     in which their lives are often in extreme peril. The qualities of
+     self-control, manliness and courage are in constant demand. Boys
+     and girls--more especially those with a taste for travel and
+     natural history--should find the book "irresistible."
+
+
++THE ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY.+
+
+By E. C. KENYON. With Four Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.
+
+
+     A story of adventure during the great Civil War, when King Charles
+     I. and his Parliament resorted to the arbitrament of the sword to
+     decide who should have the mastery. The hero is a Roundhead, and
+     the heroine is a charming young person, whose hand a hard-hearted
+     guardian seeks to dispose of in a manner to which her heart
+     consents not. The author is not carried into any excess of
+     partisanship, though his sympathies are obvious, and we can
+     confidently recommend the story as a very good specimen of grand
+     historical romance. The air resounds to the clashing of swords--so
+     to say--but the love element occupies the place of supreme interest
+     throughout, and will hold the interest of the reader without fail.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+
++THROUGH FIRE and THROUGH WATER. A Story of Adventure and Peril.+
+
+By T. S. MILLINGTON, author of "Straight to the Mark," etc. With Sixteen
+Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, 2s.
+
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says:--"To boys who like plenty in their
+     books and that of a decidedly stirring order, 'Through Fire and
+     Through Water' may be highly commended. Jack Smith's ambition to be
+     a sailor and how it was finally gratified notwithstanding the
+     obstacles that intervene, his capture by Algerian pirates, and his
+     subsequent rescue.... The story never flags for a moment; it goes
+     with a swing from start to finish."
+
+
+_The Story of Chalmers' Adventurous Life told for Boys._
+
++TAMATE: The Life and Adventures of a Christian Hero.+
+
+By RICHARD LOVETT, M.A., author of "James Chalmers: his Autobiography
+and Letters," etc. With Two Maps and Fifteen Illustrations by J.
+FINNEMORE, R.I., printed in double tone ink. "Christian Heroes" Series,
+No. 1. Large crown 8vo, Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Christian Leader_ says:--"The story of the great New Guinea
+     missionary and explorer cannot be told too often. Here it is told
+     to boys, and it will be strange indeed if it does not at once prove
+     a real success. James Chalmers was as brave a man as ever lived.
+     His exploits and hairbreadth escapes were legion, and it is
+     practically a series of these that are narrated in the present
+     volume, with all the rapidity and spirit that the boyish temper
+     loves. The writer has to some extent made use of the materials
+     already drawn up for his biography, but he has had access also to
+     letters and diaries hitherto unpublished, and from these vivid
+     pages we gain a clearer idea than ever of his hero. A lion-hearted
+     soul! The boy reader will find him irresistible."
+
+
++CONDEMNED TO THE GALLEYS. The Adventures of a French Protestant.+
+
+By JEAN MARTEILHE. With Seven Illustrations by E. Barnard Lintott.
+"Christian Heroes" Series, No. 2. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Expository Times_ says:--"Let the boy who wants authentic
+     history and excitement combined read 'Condemned to the Galleys,' by
+     Jean Marteilhe."
+
+     _The Northern Whig_ says:--"It is a most interesting and reliable
+     work, giving a story which reads like the most fascinating fiction,
+     but is really the genuine history of the sufferings and adventures
+     of a young Protestant."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Every Boy's Bookshelf.
+
+
+_A New Series of Eighteenpenny Stories for Boys, full of stirring
+adventure. Each with two illustrations in colours and coloured medallion
+on cover. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d._
+
+
++SKYLARK: His Deeds and Adventures.+ By M. GENESTE. With two coloured
+illustrations by W. E. WIGFULL. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     Skylark, so named from his propensity for 'larking' and practical
+     joking, is not only a favourite at school on account of his sunny
+     disposition, but a real influence for good because of the uniform
+     'straightness' of his conduct. His adventures include a fire at the
+     school, in which he nearly perishes, and being kidnapped and
+     carried off to France, having stumbled on evidence tending to
+     identify the authors of a burglary. Altogether the book is full of
+     incident.
+
+
++CAVE PERILOUS: A Tale of the Bread Riots.+ By L. T. MEADE. With two
+coloured illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A very brightly written tale, full of incident and adventure, of
+     English life nearly a century ago.
+
+     _The Scotsman_ says: 'A spirited and interesting tale of adventure
+     in which a boy and girl, shut up in a wild cave, but sustained by a
+     sturdy piety, contrive not only to extricate themselves, but to
+     discover and recover a lost parent who had been kidnapped. It is
+     written with a catching vivacity, and is sure to be a favourite
+     with young readers.'
+
+
++THE TURQUOISE RING.+ By IDA LEMON. With two coloured illustrations. Crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A brightly written story that will hold the boy reader's attention
+     all through. It is full of incident, and is told with the author's
+     well-known skill.
+
+
++OLD SCHOOLFELLOWS AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM.+ With two coloured
+illustrations by J. H. VALDA. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A book that will delight both old and new schoolfellows. A number
+     of old schoolfellows find themselves established not far from each
+     other, and form a society for relating their own adventures and the
+     adventures of schoolmates known to them. The stories are capitally
+     told, and in the Captain's Story, the Lawyer's Story, the Doctor's
+     Story, &c., &c., we are given striking examples of what the boy may
+     become if he starts with the right motives. Also several disastrous
+     failures give necessary warnings against laxity of conduct and
+     morals.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Adventures In Many Lands, by Various.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
+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: Adventures in Many Lands
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: F. Gillett
+
+Release Date: November 17, 2007 [EBook #23530]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h1>ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS</h1>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>THE BRAVE DEEDS SERIES</h2>
+
+<h4><i>UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME</i></h4>
+
+<p>THE BLACK TROOPERS, AND OTHER STORIES</p>
+
+<p>A RACE FOR LIFE, AND OTHER TALES</p>
+
+<p>NOBLE DEEDS OF THE WORLD'S HEROINES. By Henry Charles Moore.</p>
+
+<p>THROUGH FLOOD AND FLAME. Adventures and Perils of Protestant Heroes. By
+Henry Charles Moore.</p>
+
+<p>HEROES OF THE GOODWIN SANDS. By the Rev. T. S. Treanor, <span class="smaller">M.A.</span></p>
+
+<p>ON THE INDIAN TRAIL, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE CREE AND SALTEAUX INDIANS. By Egerton R. Young.</p>
+
+<p>REMARKABLE ADVENTURES FROM REAL LIFE.</p>
+
+<p>THROUGH FIRE AND THROUGH WATER. By T. S. Millington.</p>
+
+<p>FRANK LAYTON. An Australian Story. By George E. Sargent.</p>
+
+<p>THE REALM OF THE ICE-KING. A Narrative of Arctic Exploration. By T. Frost.</p>
+
+<p>THE FOSTER-BROTHERS OF DOON. A Tale of the Irish Rebellion. By E. H. Walshe.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAPTAIN'S STORY. By Captain E. F. Brooke-Knight.</p>
+
+<p>STEADFAST AND TRUE. By L. C. Silke.</p>
+
+<p>ADVENTURE STORIES: DARING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.</p>
+
+<p>HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUNG PROTESTANTS.</p>
+
+<p>BRAVE SONS OF THE EMPIRE. By Henry Charles Moore.</p>
+
+<p>THE LOG OF A SKY-PILOT; or, Work and Adventure around the Goodwin Sands.
+By T. S. Treanor, <span class="smaller">M.A.</span></p>
+
+<p>SAXBY. A Tale of the Commonwealth Time. By Emma Leslie.</p>
+
+<p>WITHIN SEA WALLS. By E. H. Walshe and G. E. Sargent.</p>
+
+<p>THE HEROES OF MOSS HALL SCHOOL. A Public School Story. By E. C. Kenyon.</p>
+
+<p>A GREAT MISTAKE. A Story of Adventure in the Franco-German War. By T. S. Millington.</p>
+
+<p>THE TREASURE OF CHIN-LOO.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">London: The Religious Tract Society.</span></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="center"><a name="WOUNDED" id="WOUNDED"></a><img src="images/frontis.jpg" width='447' height='700' alt="THE WOUNDED ANIMAL SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT AT ME" /></div>
+
+<h4>THE WOUNDED ANIMAL SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT AT ME. <i>See <a href="#Page_59">page 59.</a></i></h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="center"><img src="images/title.jpg" width='473' height='700' alt="ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+Told by ALGERNON BLACKWOOD, WILLIAM WEBSTER, ALFRED COLBECK, A. LEE KNIGHT, And Other Writers.
+WITH THREE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS BY F. GILLETT LONDON THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
+4 Bouverie Street &amp; 65 St. Paul's Churchyard" /></div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="index">
+<ul>
+<li><h3><a href="#I">I</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Terrible Adventure with Hyenas</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By C. Randolph Lichfield</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#II">II</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Vega Verde Mine</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Charles Edwardes</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#III">III</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Very Narrow Shave</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By John Lang</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#IV">IV</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">An Adventure in Italy</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By J. Kinchin Smith</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#V">V</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Tapu-tree</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By A. Ferguson</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#VI">VI</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Some Panther Stories</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Various Writers</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#VII">VII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Midnight Ride on a Californian Ranch</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By A. F. Walker</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#VIII">VIII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">O'Donnell's Revenge</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Frank Maclean</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#IX">IX</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">My Adventure with a Lion</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Algernon Blackwood</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#X">X</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Secret Cave of Hydas</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By F. Barford</i></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#Chapter_I_The_Fight_and_Theft_in_the_Museum">Chapter I.</a>&mdash;The Fight and Theft in the Museum</li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#Chapter_II_Mark_Mullen_Disappears">Chapter II.</a>&mdash;Mark Mullen Disappears</li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#Chapter_III_The_Mysterious_Fakir">Chapter III.</a>&mdash;The Mysterious Fakir</li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#Chapter_IV_A_Capture">Chapter IV.</a>&mdash;A Capture</li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#Chapter_V_A_Valuable_Find_in_the_Temple_of_Atlas">Chapter V.</a>&mdash;A Valuable Find in the Temple of Atlas</li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span><h3><a href="#XI">XI</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">An Adventure in the Heart of Malay-land</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Alexander Macdonald, F.R.G.S.</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XII">XII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Week-end Adventure</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By William Webster</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XIII">XIII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Deflected Compass</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Alfred Colbeck</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XIV">XIV</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">In Peril in Africa</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Maurice Kerr</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XV">XV</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Keeping the Tryst</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By E. Cockburn Reynolds</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XVI">XVI</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">Who Goes There?</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Rowland W. Cater</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XVII">XVII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">A Drowning Messmate</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By A. Lee Knight</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#XVIII">XVIII</a></h3></li>
+<li><span class="smcap">The Pilot of Port Creek</span>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><i>By Burnett Fallow</i></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><h3><a href="#ADVERTISEMENTS">ADVERTISEMENTS</a></h3></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
+<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+<div class="index">
+<ul>
+<li><a href="#WOUNDED">THE WOUNDED ANIMAL SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT AT ME.</a>&mdash;<i>Frontispiece</i></li>
+<li><a href="#FIRED">I FIRED DOWN HIS GREAT, RED, GAPING MOUTH AND JUMPED FOR LIFE.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#PIROO">SEIZING PIROO IN HIS TRUNK, HE LIFTED HIM ON HIGH.</a></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+
+<h1>ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS</h1>
+
+<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I</h2>
+
+<h3>A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE WITH HYENAS</h3>
+
+<p>There are many mighty hunters, and most of them can tell of many very
+thrilling adventures personally undergone with wild beasts; but probably
+none of them ever went through an experience equalling that which Arthur
+Spencer, the famous trapper, suffered in the wilds of Africa.</p>
+
+<p>As the right-hand man of Carl Hagenbach, the great Hamburg dealer in
+wild animals, for whom Spencer trapped some of the finest and rarest
+beasts ever seen in captivity, thrilling adventures were everyday
+occurrences to him. The trapper's life is infinitely more exciting and
+dangerous than the hunter's, inasmuch as the latter hunts to kill, while
+the trapper hunts to capture, and the relative risks are not, therefore,
+comparable; but Spencer's adventure with the "scavenger of the wilds,"
+as the spotted hyena is sometimes aptly called, was something so
+terrible that even he could not recollect it without shuddering.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p><p>He was out with his party on an extended trapping expedition, and one
+day he chanced to get separated from his followers; and, partly overcome
+by the intense heat and his fatigue, he lay down and fell asleep&mdash;about
+the most dangerous thing a solitary traveller in the interior of Africa
+can do. Some hours later, when the scorching sun was beginning to settle
+down in the west, he was aroused by the sound of laughter not far away.</p>
+
+<p>For the moment he thought his followers had found him, and were amused
+to find him taking his difficulties so comfortably; but hearing the
+laugh repeated he realised at once that no human being ever gave
+utterance to quite such a sound; in fact, his trained ear told him it
+was the cry of the spotted hyena. Now thoroughly awake, he sat up and
+saw a couple of the ugly brutes about fifty yards away on his left. They
+were sniffing at the air, and calling. He knew that they had scented
+him, but had not yet perceived him.</p>
+
+<p>In such a position, as sure a shot and one so well armed as Spencer was,
+a man who knew less about wild animals and their habits would doubtless
+have sent the two brutes to earth in double quick time, and thus
+destroyed himself. But Spencer very well knew from their manner that
+they were but the advance-guard of a pack. The appearance of the pack,
+numbering about one hundred, coincided with his thought. To tackle the
+whole party was, of course, utterly out of the question; to escape by
+flight was equally out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> the question, for hyenas are remarkably fast
+travellers.</p>
+
+<p>His only possible chance of escape, therefore, was to hoodwink them, if
+he could, by feigning to be dead; for it is a characteristic of the
+hyena to reject flesh that is not putrid. He threw himself down again,
+and remained motionless, hoping the beasts would think him, though dead,
+yet unfit for food. It was an off-chance, and he well knew it; but there
+was nothing else to be done.</p>
+
+<p>In a couple of seconds the advance-guard saw him, and, calling to their
+fellows, rushed to him. The pack answered the cry and instantly
+followed. Spencer felt the brutes running over him, felt their foul
+breath on his neck, as they sniffed at him, snapping, snarling,
+laughing; but he did not move. One of them took a critical bite at his
+arm; but he did not stir. They seemed nonplussed. Another tried the
+condition of his leg, while many of them pulled at his clothes, as if in
+impotent rage at finding him so fresh. But he did not move; in an agony
+of suspense he waited motionless.</p>
+
+<p>Presently, to his amazement, he was lifted up by two hyenas, which fixed
+their teeth in his ankle and his wrist, and, accompanied by the rest,
+his bearers set off with him swinging between them, sometimes fairly
+carrying him, sometimes simply dragging him, now and again dropping him
+for a moment to refix their teeth more firmly in his flesh. Believing
+him to be dead, they were conveying him to their retreat, there to
+devour him when he was in a fit condition. He fully realised this, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
+he was powerless to defend himself from such a fate.</p>
+
+<p>How far they carried him Spencer could not tell, for from the pain he
+was suffering from his wounds, and the dreadful strain of being carried
+in such a manner, he fell into semi-consciousness from time to time; but
+the distance must have been considerable, for night was over the land
+and the sky sparkling with stars before the beasts finally halted; and
+then they dropped him in what he knew, by the horrible and overpowering
+smell peculiar to hyenas, was the cavern home of the pack. Here he lay
+throughout the awful night, surrounded by his captors, suffering acutely
+from his injuries, thirst, and the vile smell of the place.</p>
+
+<p>When morning broke he found that the pack had already gone out in search
+of more ready food, leaving him in charge of two immense brutes, which
+watched him narrowly all through the day; for, unarmed as he was, and
+exhausted, he knew it would be suicide to attempt to tackle his
+janitors. He could only wait on chance. Once or twice during the day the
+beasts tried him with their teeth, giving unmistakable signs of disgust
+at the poor progress he was making. At nightfall they tried him again,
+and, being apparently hungry, one of them deserted its post and went
+off, like the others, in search of food.</p>
+
+<p>This gave the wretched man a glimmering of hope, for he knew that the
+hyena dislikes its own company, and that the remaining beast would
+certainly desert if the pack remained away long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> enough. But for hour
+after hour the animal stayed on duty, never going farther than the mouth
+of the cave. When the second morning broke, however, the hyena grew very
+restless, going out and remaining away for brief periods. But it always
+returned, and every time it did so Spencer naturally imagined it had
+seen the pack returning, and that the worst was in store for him. But at
+length, about noon, the brute went out and did not come back.</p>
+
+<p>Spencer waited and waited, fearing to move lest the creature should only
+be outside, fearing to tarry lest he should miss his only chance of
+escaping. After about an hour of this suspense he crept to the mouth of
+the cave. No living creature was within sight. He got upon his faltering
+feet, and hurried away as fast as his weakness would permit; but his
+condition was so deplorable that he had not covered a mile when he
+collapsed in a faint.</p>
+
+<p>Fortune, however, favours the brave; and although he fell where he might
+easily have remained for years without being discovered, he was found
+the same day by a party of Boers, who dressed his wounds, gave him food
+and drink (which he had not touched for two days), and helped him by
+easy stages to the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Being a man of iron constitution, he made a rapid and complete recovery,
+but his wrist, ankle, arms, and thigh still bear the marks of the
+hideous teeth which, but for his marvellous strength of will, would have
+torn him, living, to shreds.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE VEGA VERDE MINE</h3>
+
+<p>Jim Cayley clambered over the refuse-heaps of the mine, rejoicing in a
+tremendous appetite which he was soon to have the pleasure of
+satisfying.</p>
+
+<p>There was also something else.</p>
+
+<p>Little Toro, the kiddy from Cuba&mdash;"Somebody's orphan," the Spaniards of
+the mine called him, with a likely hit at the truth&mdash;little Toro had
+been to the Lago Frio with Jim, to see that he didn't drown of cramp or
+get eaten by one of the mammoth trout, and had hinted at dark doings to
+be wrought that very day, at closing time or thereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>Hitherto, Jim had not quite justified his presence at the Vega Verde
+mine, some four thousand feet above sea-level in these wilds of
+Asturias. To be sure, he was there for his health. But Mr. Summerfield,
+the other engineer in partnership with Alfred Cayley, Jim's brother,
+had, in a thoughtless moment, termed Jim "an idle young dog," and the
+phrase had stuck. Jim hadn't liked it, and tried to say so.
+Unfortunately, he stammered, and Don Ferdinando (Mr. Summerfield) had
+laughed and gone off, saying he couldn't wait.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p><p><i>Now</i> it was Jim's chance. He felt that this was so, and he rejoiced in
+the sensation as well as in his appetite and the thought of the
+excellent soup, omelette, cutlets, and other things which it was Mrs.
+Jumbo's privilege to be serving to the three Englishmen (reckoning Jim
+in the three) at half-past one o'clock precisely.</p>
+
+<p>Toro had made a great fuss about his news. He was drying Jim at the
+time, and Jim was saying that he didn't suppose any other English fellow
+of fifteen had had such a splendid bathe. There were snow-peaks in the
+distance, slowly melting into that lake, which well deserved its name of
+"Cold."</p>
+
+<p>"Don Jimmy," said young Toro, pausing with the towel, "what do you
+think?"</p>
+
+<p>"Think?" said Jimmy. "That I&mdash;I&mdash;I&mdash;I'll punch your black head for you
+if you don't finish this j&mdash;j&mdash;j&mdash;job, and b&mdash;b&mdash;b&mdash;be quick about it."</p>
+
+<p>He wasn't really fierce with the Cuban kiddy. The Cuban kiddy himself
+knew that, and grinned as he made for Jim's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Don Jimmy," he said; "don't you worry about that. But I'm telling
+you a straight secret this time&mdash;no figs about it."</p>
+
+<p>Toro had picked up some peculiar English by association with the
+Americans who had swamped his native land after the great war. Still, it
+was quite understandable English.</p>
+
+<p>"A s&mdash;s&mdash;s&mdash;straight secret! Then j&mdash;j&mdash;just out with it, or I'll
+p&mdash;p&mdash;p&mdash;punch your head for that as well," said Jimmy, rushing his
+words.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p><p>He often achieved remarkable victories over his affliction by rushing
+his words. He could do this best with his inferiors, when he hadn't to
+trouble to think what words he ought to use. At school he made howling
+mistakes just because of his respectful regard for the masters and that
+sort of thing. They didn't seem to see how he suffered in his kindly
+consideration of them.</p>
+
+<p>It was same with Don Ferdinando. Mr. Summerfield was a very great
+engineering swell when he was at home in London. Jimmy couldn't help
+feeling rather awed by him. And so his stammering to Don Ferdinando was
+something "so utterly utter" (as his brother said) that no fellow could
+listen to it without manifest pain, mirth, or impatience. In Don
+Ferdinando's case, it was generally impatience. His time was worth
+pounds a minute or so.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Toro. "And my throat ain't drier than your back now,
+Don Jimmy; so you can put your clothes on and listen. They're going to
+bust the mine this afternoon&mdash;that's what they're going to do; and
+they'd knife me if they knew I was letting on."</p>
+
+<p>"What?" cried Jimmy.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a fact," said Toro, dropping the towel and feeling for a
+cigarette. "They're all so mighty well sure they won't be let go down to
+Bavaro for the Saint Gavino kick-up to-morrow that they've settled to do
+that. If there ain't no portering to do, they'll be <i>let</i> go. That's how
+they look at it. They don't care, not a peseta between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> 'em, how much it
+costs the company to get the machine put right again; not them skunks
+don't. What they want is to have a twelve-hour go at the wine in the
+valley. You won't tell of me, Don Jimmy?"</p>
+
+<p>"S&mdash;s&mdash;snakes!" said Jimmy.</p>
+
+<p>Then he had started to run from the Lago Frio, with his coat on his arm.
+Dressing was a quick job in those wilds, where at midday in summer one
+didn't want much clothing.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I won't let on!" he had cried back over his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Toro, the Cuban kiddy, sat down on the margin of the cold blue lake and
+finished his cigarette reflectively. White folks, especially white
+English-speaking ones, were rather unsatisfactory. He liked them,
+because as a rule he could trust them. But Don Jimmy needn't have
+hurried away like that. He, Toro, hoped to have had licence to draw his
+pay for fully another hour's enjoyable idleness. As things were,
+however, Don Alonso, the foreman, would be sure to be down on him if he
+were two minutes after Don Jimmy among the red-earth heaps and the
+galvanised shanties of the calamine mine on its perch eight hundred feet
+sheer above the Vega Verde.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Cayley was a few moments late for the soup after all.</p>
+
+<p>"I s&mdash;s&mdash;say!" he began, as he bounced into the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Say nothing, my lad!" exclaimed Don Alfredo, looking up from his
+newspaper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>[Words missing in original] mail had just arrived&mdash;an eight-mile climb,
+made daily, both ways, by one of the gang.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Jumbo, the moustached old Spanish lady who looked after the house,
+put his soup before Jimmy.</p>
+
+<p>"Eat, my dear," she said in Spanish, caressing his damp hair&mdash;one of her
+many amiable yet detested little tricks, to signify her admiration of
+Jim's fresh complexion and general style of beauty.</p>
+
+<p>"But it's&mdash;it's&mdash;it's most imp&mdash;p&mdash;p&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Don Ferdinando set down his spoon. He also let the highly grave letter
+from London which he was reading slip into his soup.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you what, Cayley," he said, "if you don't crush this young
+brother of yours, I will. This is a matter of life or death, and I
+<i>must</i> have a clear head to think it out."</p>
+
+<p>"I was only saying," cried Jim desperately. But his brother stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your tongue, Jim," he said. "We've worry enough to go on with just
+at present. I mean it, my lad. If you've anything important to proclaim,
+leave it to me to give you the tip when to splutter at it. I'm solemn."</p>
+
+<p>When Don Alfredo said he was "solemn," it often meant that he was on the
+edge of a most unbrotherly rage. And so Jim concentrated upon his
+dinner. He made wry faces at Mrs. Jumbo and her strokings, and even
+found fault with the soup when she asked him sweetly if it were not
+excellent. All this to relieve his feelings.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p><p>The two engineers left Jim to finish his dinner by himself. Jim's
+renewed effort of "I say, Alf!" was quenched by the upraised hands of
+both engineers.</p>
+
+<p>Outside they were met by Don Alonso, the foreman, a very smart and
+go-ahead fellow indeed, considering that he was a Spaniard.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll strike, se&ntilde;ores!" said Don Alonso, with a shrug. "It can't be
+helped, I'm afraid. It's all Domecq's doing, the scoundrel! Why didn't
+you dismiss him, Don Alfredo, after that affair of Moreno's death?
+There's not a doubt he killed Moreno, and he hasn't a spark of gratitude
+or goodness in his nature."</p>
+
+<p>"He's a capable hand," said Alfred Cayley.</p>
+
+<p>"Too much so, by half," said Don Ferdinando. "If he were off the mine,
+Elgos, we should run smoothly, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll answer for that, se&ntilde;or," replied the foreman. "As it is, he plays
+his cards against mine. His influence is extraordinary. There'll not be
+a man here to-morrow; Saint Gavino will have all their time and money."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't expect any active mischief, I hope?" suggested Don
+Ferdinando.</p>
+
+<p>The foreman thought not. He had heard no word of any.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, then. I'll settle Domecq straight off," said Don Ferdinando.</p>
+
+<p>He returned to the house and pocketed his revolver. They had to be
+prepared for all manner of emergencies in these wilds of Asturias,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>
+especially on the eves and morrows of Saints' days. But it didn't at all
+follow that because Don Ferdinando pocketed his shooter he was likely to
+be called upon to use it.</p>
+
+<p>The three were separating after this when a lad in a blue cotton jacket
+rose lazily from behind a heap of calamine just to the rear of them, and
+swung off towards the machinery on the edge of the precipice.</p>
+
+<p>"Pedro!" called the foreman, and, returning, the lad was asked if he had
+been listening.</p>
+
+<p>He vowed that such a thought had not entered his head. He had been
+asleep; that was all.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good!" said the foreman. "You may go, and it's fifty cents off
+your wage list that your sleep out of season has cost you."</p>
+
+<p>Discipline at the mine had to be of the strictest. Any laxity, and the
+laziest man was bound to start an epidemic of laziness.</p>
+
+<p>Don Ferdinando set off for the Vega, eight hundred feet sheer below the
+mine. It was a ticklish zigzag, just to the left of the transporting
+machinery, with twenty places in which a slip would mean death.</p>
+
+<p>Domecq was working down below, lading the stuff into bullock-carts.</p>
+
+<p>Alfred Cayley disappeared into one of the upper galleries, to see how
+they were panning out.</p>
+
+<p>The snow mountains and the afternoon sun looked down upon a very
+pleasing scene of industry&mdash;blue-jacketed workers and heaps of ore; and
+upon Jim Cayley also, who had enjoyed his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> dinner so thoroughly that he
+didn't think so much as before about his rejected information.</p>
+
+<p>But now again the Cuban kiddy drifted towards him, making for the
+zigzag.</p>
+
+<p>Jim hailed him.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't stop, Don Jimmy!" said Toro. But when he was some yards down, he
+beckoned to Jim, who quickly joined him.</p>
+
+<p>They conferred on the edge of a ghastly precipice.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm off down to tell Domecq that it's going to be done at two-thirty
+prompt," said Toro.</p>
+
+<p>"What's going to be d&mdash;done?" asked Jimmy.</p>
+
+<p>"What I told you about. They've cut the 'phone down to the 'llano' as a
+start. But that's nothing. You just go and squat by the engine and see
+what happens. Guess they'll not mind you."</p>
+
+<p>To tell the truth, Jim was a trifle dazed. He didn't grapple the ins and
+outs of a conspiracy of Spanish miners just for the sake of a holiday.
+And as Toro couldn't wait (it was close on half-past two), Jim thought
+he might as well act on his advice. He liked to see the big buckets of
+ore swinging off into space from the mine level and making their fearful
+journey at a thrilling angle, down, down until, as mere specks, they
+reached the transport and washing department of the mine in the Vega.
+Two empty buckets came up as two full ones went down, travelling with a
+certain sublimity along the double rope of woven wire.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p><p>Jim sat down at a distance. He saw one cargo get right off&mdash;no more.</p>
+
+<p>Then he noticed that the men engaged at the engine were confabulating.
+He saw a gleam of instruments. Also he saw another full bucket hitched
+on and sent down at the run. And then he saw the men furtively at work
+at something.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the cable snapped, flew out, yards high!</p>
+
+<p>Jim saw this&mdash;and something more. Looking instantly towards the Vega he
+saw the return bucket, hundreds of feet above the level, toss a
+somersault as it was freed of its tension and&mdash;this was horrible!&mdash;pitch
+a man head-foremost into the air.</p>
+
+<p>He cried out at the sight, and so did the rascals who had done their
+rattening for a comparatively innocent purpose.</p>
+
+<p>But when he and a dozen others had made the desperate descent of the
+zigzag, they found that the dead man was Domecq. Even the miners had no
+love for this arch-troubler, and, in trying to avoid Don Ferdinando, the
+sight of whom, coming down the track, had warned him of danger, Domecq
+had done the mine the best turn possible.</p>
+
+<p>Toro's own warning was of course much too late.</p>
+
+<p>The tragedy had a great effect. Saint Gavino was neglected after all,
+and it was in very humble spirits that the ringleaders of the plot
+confessed their sins and agreed to suffer the consequences.</p>
+
+<p>Jim by-and-by tried to tell his brother and Don<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> Ferdinando that if only
+they had listened to him at dinner the "accident" might not have
+happened. But he stammered so much again (Don Ferdinando was as stern as
+a headmaster) that he shut up.</p>
+
+<p>"It's&mdash;it's&mdash;nothing particu&mdash;ticu&mdash;<i>ticular</i>, Mr. Summerfield!" he
+explained.</p>
+
+<p>Don Ferdinando was anything but depressed about Domecq's death; and Jim
+didn't want to damp his spirits. Of course, if Domecq had really killed
+another fellow only a few weeks ago, as was rumoured, he deserved the
+fate that had overtaken him.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III</h2>
+
+<h3>A VERY NARROW SHAVE</h3>
+
+<p>One winter's day in San Francisco my friend Halley, an enthusiastic shot
+who had killed bears in India, came to me and said, "Let's go south. I'm
+tired of towns. Let's go south and have some real tip-top shooting."</p>
+
+<p>In the matter of sport, California in those days&mdash;thirty years
+ago&mdash;differed widely from the California of to-day. Then, the sage brush
+of the foot-hills teemed with quail, and swans, geese, duck
+(canvas-back, mallard, teal, widgeon, and many other varieties)
+literally filled the lagoons and reed-beds, giving magnificent shooting
+as they flew in countless strings to and fro between the sea and the
+fresh water; whilst, farther inland, snipe were to be had in the swamps
+almost "for the asking." On the plains were antelope, and in the hills
+and in the Sierra Nevadas, deer and bears, both cinnamon and grizzly.
+Verily a sportsman's paradise!</p>
+
+<p>The next day saw us on board the little <i>Arizona</i>, bound for San Pedro,
+a forty-hours' trip down the coast. We took with us only shot-guns,
+meaning to try for nothing but small game. At San Pedro, the port for
+Los Angeles (Puebla<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> de los Angeles, the "Town of the Angels"), we
+landed, and after a few days' camping by some lagoons near the sea,
+where we shot more duck than could easily be disposed of, we made our
+way to that little old Spanish settlement, where we hired a horse and
+buggy to take us inland.</p>
+
+<p>Our first stopping-place was at a sheep-ranche, about fifty miles from
+Los Angeles, a very beautiful property, well grassed and watered, and
+consisting chiefly of great plains through which flowed a crystal-clear
+river, and surrounded on very side by the most picturesque of hills,
+1,000 to 1,500 feet in height.</p>
+
+<p>The ranche was owned by a Scotsman, and his "weather-board" house was
+new and comfortable, but we found ourselves at the mercy of the most
+conservative of Chinese cooks, whom no blandishments could induce to
+give us at our meals any of the duck or snipe we shot, but who stuck
+with unwearying persistency to boiled pork and beans. And on boiled pork
+and beans he rang the changes, morning, noon, and night; that is to say,
+sometimes it was hot, and sometimes it was cold, but it was ever boiled
+pork and beans. At its best it is not a diet to dream about (though I
+found that a good deal of dreaming could be done <i>upon</i> it), and as we
+fancied, after a few days, that any attraction which it might originally
+have possessed had quite faded and died, we resolved to push on
+elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p>The following night we reached a little place at the foot of the higher
+mountains called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Temescal, a very diminutive place, consisting, indeed,
+of but one small house. The surroundings, however, were very beautiful,
+and the presence of a hot sulphur-spring, bubbling up in the scrub not
+one hundred yards from the house, and making a most inviting natural
+bath, coupled with the favourable reports of game of all kinds to be
+got, induced us to stop. And life was very pleasant there in the crisp
+dry air, for the quail shooting was good, the scenery and weather
+perfect, everything fresh and green and newly washed by a two days'
+rain, the food well cooked, and, nightly, after our day's shooting, we
+rolled into the sulphur-spring and luxuriated in the hot water.</p>
+
+<p>But Halley's soul began to pine for higher things, for bigger game than
+quail and duck. "Look here," he said to me one day, "this is all very
+well, you know, but why shouldn't we go after the deer amongst the
+hills? We've got some cartridges loaded with buckshot. And, my word! we
+<i>might</i> get a grizzly."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," I said, "I'm on, as far as deer are concerned, but hang
+your grizzlies. I'm not going to tackle <i>them</i> with a shot-gun."</p>
+
+<p>So it was arranged that next morning, before daylight, we should go,
+with a boy to guide us, up one of the numerous ca&ntilde;ons in the mountains,
+to a place where we were assured deer came down to drink.</p>
+
+<p>It was a cold, clear, frosty morning when we started, the stars
+throbbing and winking as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> seem to do only during frost, and we
+toiled, not particularly gaily, up the bed of a creek, stumbling in the
+darkness and barking our shins over more boulders and big stones than
+one would have believed existed in all creation. Just before dawn, when
+the grey light was beginning to show us more clearly where we were
+going, we saw in the sand of the creek fresh tracks of a large bear, the
+water only then beginning to ooze into the prints left by his great
+feet, and I can hardly say that I gazed on them with the amount of
+enthusiasm that Halley professed to feel.</p>
+
+<p>But bear was not in our contract, and we hurried on another half-mile or
+so, for already we were late if we meant to get the deer as they came to
+drink; and presently, on coming to a likely spot, where the ca&ntilde;on
+forked, Halley said, "This looks good enough. I'll stop here and send
+the boy back; you can go up the fork about half a mile and try there."</p>
+
+<p>And on I went, at last squatting down to wait behind a clump of
+manzanita scrub, close to a small pool where the creek widened.</p>
+
+<p>It was as gloomy and impressive a spot as one could find anywhere out of
+a picture by Dor&eacute;. The sombre pines crowded in on the little stream,
+elbowing and whispering, leaving overhead but a gap of clear sky; on
+either hand the rugged sides of the ca&ntilde;on sloped steeply up amongst the
+timber and thick undergrowth, and never the note of a bird broke a
+silence which seemed only to be emphasised by the faint sough of the
+wind in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> tree tops. Minute dragged into minute, yet no deer came
+stealing down to drink, and rapidly the stillness and heart-chilling
+gloom were getting on my nerves; when, far up the steep side of the
+ca&ntilde;on opposite to me there came a faint sound, and a small stone
+trickled hurriedly down into the water.</p>
+
+<p>"At last!" I thought. "At last!" And with a thumping heart and eager eye
+I crouched forward, ready to fire, yet feeling somewhat of a sneak and a
+coward at the thought that the poor beast had no chance of escape. Lower
+and nearer came the sound of the something still to me invisible, but
+the sound, slight though it was, gave, somehow, the impression of bulk,
+and the strange, subdued, half-grunting snuffle was puzzling to senses
+on the alert for deer. Lower and nearer, and then&mdash;out into the open by
+the shallow water he strolled&mdash;no deer, but a great grizzly.</p>
+
+<p>My first instinct was to fire and "chance it," but then in stepped
+discretion (funk, if you will), and I remembered that at fifteen or
+twenty yards buckshot would serve no end but to wound and rouse to fury
+such an animal as a grizzly, who, perhaps of all wild beasts, is the
+most tenacious of life; and I remembered, too, tales told by
+Californians of death, or ghastly wounds, inflicted by grizzlies.</p>
+
+<p>My finger left the trigger, and I sat down&mdash;discreetly, and with no
+unnecessary noise. He was not in a hurry, but rooted about sedately
+amongst the undergrowth, now and again <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>throwing up his muzzle and
+sniffing the air in a way that made me not unthankful that the faint
+breeze blew from him to me, and not in the contrary direction.</p>
+
+<p>In due time&mdash;an age it seemed&mdash;after a false start or two, he went off
+up stream, and I, wisely concluding that this particular spot was, for
+the present, an unlikely one for deer, followed his example, and
+rejoined Halley, who was patiently waiting where we had parted.</p>
+
+<p>"I've just seen a grizzly, Halley," I said.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Have</i> you?" he almost yelled in his excitement. "Come on! We'll get
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I want any more of him," said I, with becoming modesty.
+"<i>I'm</i> going to see if I can't stalk a deer amongst the hills. They're
+more in my line, I think."</p>
+
+<p>Halley looked at me&mdash;pity, a rather galling pity, in his eye&mdash;and,
+turning, went off alone after the bear, muttering to himself, whilst I
+kept on my course downstream, over the boulders, certain in my own mind
+that no more would be seen of that bear, and keeping a sharp look-out on
+the surrounding country in case any deer should show themselves.</p>
+
+<p>I had gone barely half a mile when, on the spur of a hill, a long way
+off, I spotted a couple of deer browsing on the short grass, and I was
+on the point of starting what would have been a long and difficult, but
+very pretty, stalk when I heard a noise behind me.</p>
+
+<p>Looking back, I saw Halley flying from boulder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> to boulder, travelling
+as if to "make time" were the one and only object of his life&mdash;running
+after a fashion that a man does but seldom.</p>
+
+<p>I waited till he was close to me, till his wild eyes and gasping mouth
+bred in me some of his panic, and then, after a hurried glance up the
+creek, I, too, turned and fled for my life.</p>
+
+<p>For there, lumbering and rolling heavily along, came the bear, gaining
+at every stride, though evidently sorely hurt in one shoulder. But my
+flight ended almost as it began, for a boulder, more rugged than its
+fellows, caught my toe and sent me sprawling, gun and cartridge-bag and
+self in an evil downfall.</p>
+
+<p>I picked myself up and grabbed for my gun, and, even as I got to my
+feet, the racing Halley tripped and rolled over like a shot rabbit. It
+was too late for flight now, and I jumped for the nearest big boulder,
+scrambling up and facing round just in time to see the bear, fury in his
+eyes, raise his huge bulk and close with Halley, who was struggling to
+his feet. Before I could fire down came the great paw, and poor Halley
+collapsed, his head, mercifully, untouched, but the bone of the upper
+arm showing through the torn cloth and streaming blood.</p>
+
+<p>I fired ere the brute could damage him further, fired my second barrel
+almost with the first, but with no apparent result except to rouse the
+animal to yet greater fury, and he turned, wild with rage, and came at
+me. A miserably insignificant pebble my boulder seemed then, and I
+remember vaguely <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>and hopelessly wondering why I hadn't climbed a
+tree. But there was small time for speculation, as I hurriedly, and with
+hands that seemed to be "all thumbs," tried to slip in a couple of fresh
+cartridges.</p>
+
+<p>As is generally the case when one is in a tight place, one of the old
+cases jammed and would not come out&mdash;they had been refilled, and had,
+besides, been wet a few days before, and my hands were clumsy in my
+haste&mdash;and so, finally, I had to snap up the breech on but one fresh
+cartridge, throw up the gun, and fire, as the bear was within ten feet
+of me.</p>
+
+<p>I fired, more by good luck, I think, than anything else, down his great,
+red, gaping mouth, and jumped for life as he crashed on to the rock
+where I had stood, crashed and lay, furiously struggling, the blood
+pouring from his mouth and throat, for the buckshot, at quarters so
+close, had inflicted a wound ten times more severe than would have been
+caused by a bullet.</p>
+
+<div class="center"><a name="FIRED" id="FIRED"></a><img src="images/illus01.jpg" width='448' height='700' alt="I FIRED DOWN HIS GREAT, RED, GAPING MOUTH
+AND JUMPED FOR LIFE" /></div>
+
+<h4>I FIRED DOWN HIS GREAT, RED, GAPING MOUTH AND JUMPED FOR LIFE.</h4>
+
+<p>It was quite evident that the bear was done, but, for the sake of
+safety&mdash;it does not do to leave anything to chance with such an
+animal&mdash;I put two more shots into his head, and he ceased to struggle, a
+great shudder passed over his enormous bulk, the muscles relaxed, and he
+lay dead.</p>
+
+<p>Then I hurried to where Halley lay. Poor chap! He was far spent, and
+quite unconscious, nor was I doctor enough to know whether his wounds
+were likely to be fatal, and my very ignorance made them seem the more
+terrible. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> tore my shirt into bandages, and did what I could for him,
+succeeding after a time in stopping the worst of the bleeding; but I
+could see very plainly that the left shoulder was terribly shattered,
+and I thought, with a groan, of the fifty weary miles that one must send
+for a doctor.</p>
+
+<p>Presently he began to come to, and I got him to swallow a little brandy
+from his flask, which revived him, and before long, after putting my
+coat beneath his head, I left him and started for help.</p>
+
+<p>It was a nightmare, that run. Remorse tore me for having let him start
+after the bear alone, and never could I get from my mind the horrible
+dread that the slipping of one of my amateur bandages might re-start the
+bleeding, and that I should return to find only the lifeless body of my
+friend; ever the fear was present that in the terribly rough bed of the
+creek I might sprain my ankle, and so fail to bring help ere it was too
+late. At times, too, my overstrung nerves were jarred by some sudden
+sound in the undergrowth, or the stump of a tree on a hillside would
+startle me by so exact a likeness to a bear, sitting up watching me, as
+to suggest to my mind the probability of another bear finding and
+mauling Halley whilst he lay helpless and alone.</p>
+
+<p>But if my nerves were shaken, my muscles and wind were in good order,
+and not even the most morbid self-consciousness could find fault with
+the time spent on the journey. Luck favoured me, too, to this extent,
+that almost as I got on to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> the road, or, rather, track, about a mile
+from the inn, I met, driving a buggy, and bound for Los Angeles, a man
+whose acquaintance we had made a few days before, and who, with much
+lurid language, had warned us against going after bear.</p>
+
+<p>His remarks now were more forcible than soothing or complimentary when I
+explained the matter to him during the drive to the inn, where he
+dropped me, himself going on for the doctor as fast as two horses could
+travel.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take us long to improvise a stretcher, and, with the willing
+help of two men and of the landlady, in about three hours we had Halley
+in his room. But a hideous walk it was down the ca&ntilde;on, every step we
+made wringing a groan from the poor fellow except when he fainted from
+pain.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor did not arrive till the following morning, by which time the
+wounds were in a dreadful condition, and it was touch and go for life,
+while the doctor at first had no hope of saving the arm. But youth, and
+time, and a strong constitution pulled him through, and in a couple of
+weeks he was strong enough to describe to me how he had fallen in with
+the bear.</p>
+
+<p>He had gone, it seemed, not to where I had seen the animal, but up a
+branch ca&ntilde;on. At no great distance up he met the beast, making its way
+leisurely across the creek, and, in his excitement, he fired both
+barrels into the bear's shoulder; and then the same thing happened that
+had happened to me&mdash;those refilled cartridges had jammed, and there was
+nothing for it but to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> run for his life. Luckily he had badly lamed the
+animal, or his chance of escape would have been <i>nil</i>, and, as it was,
+in another two hundred yards the bear would have been into him.</p>
+
+<p>Some days after the accident, the first day that I could leave Halley's
+bedside, I went out to see if it was possible to get the skin of the
+bear, but I found it badly torn, maybe by coyotes, and all that could be
+got as trophies were his claws.</p>
+
+<p>There they are now, hanging over the pipe-rack by the fireplace in my
+snuggery in dear old England.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY</h3>
+
+<p class="center"><i>A Fourth-form Boy's Holiday Yarn</i></p>
+
+<p>Last winter I had a stroke of real good luck. As a rule I'm not one of
+the lucky ones; but this time, for once, Fortune smiled on me&mdash;as old
+Crabtree says, when he twigs some slip in my exercise, but can't be
+quite sure that I had borrowed another fellow's, just to see how much
+better mine was than his!</p>
+
+<p>It was this way. It was a beastly wet afternoon, and the Head wouldn't
+give me leave to go to the village. But I was bound to go, for I wanted
+some wire to finish a cage I was making for my dormouse, who was running
+loose in my play-box and making everything in an awful mess. So I
+slipped out, and, of course, got soaked.</p>
+
+<p>I couldn't go and change when I came back with the wire, as Crabtree
+would then have twigged that I'd been out in the rain. So the end of it
+was that I caught a chill and had to go into the infirmary. I was
+awfully bad for a bit, and went off my head, I suppose&mdash;for the mater
+came and I didn't know her till I got better, and then she told me that
+the doctor had said I must go to Italy for the winter, as my lungs were
+very weak,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> and she was going with me, and we should be there till April
+or May.</p>
+
+<p>The Head told me he hoped I would take some books with me, and do a
+little reading when I was better. You bet I did! The mater packed them,
+but they weren't much, the worse for wear when I brought them back to
+St. Margaret's again.</p>
+
+<p>The Head also hoped I would use the opportunity to study Italian
+antiquities. I did take a look at some, but didn't think much of them.
+They took me at Rome to the Tarpeian Rock, but it wouldn't hurt a kid to
+be chucked down there, let alone a traitor; and the Coliseum wanted
+livening up with Buffalo Bill. The only antiquities I really cared for
+were the old corpses and bones of the Capucini, which everybody knows
+about, but has not had the luck to see as I did.</p>
+
+<p>But I had a walk round so as to be able to say I'd seen the other
+things, and brag about them when they turned up in Virgil or Livy, and
+set old Crabtree right when he came a cropper over them, presuming on
+our knowing less than he did. There was too much for a fellow to do for
+him to waste time over such rot as antiquities. You can always find as
+many antiquities as you want in Smith's Dictionary.</p>
+
+<p>Before I went I swapped my dormouse with Jones ma. for his revolver. I
+couldn't take the dormouse with me, and I knew you were bound to have a
+revolver when you risked your life among foreigners and brigands, which
+Italy is full of, as everybody knows. Where should I be if I fell in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>
+with a crew of them and hadn't a revolver? Besides, I was responsible
+for the mater.</p>
+
+<p>Jones ma.'s revolver wouldn't shoot, but it looked all right, and no
+brigand will wait to see if your revolver will go off when you present
+it at his head. All you have to do is to shout "Hands up!" and he either
+lets you take all the diamonds and things he has stolen from fools who
+hadn't revolvers, or runs away. I cut a slit in my trousers behind, and
+sewed in a pocket, and practised lugging the revolver out in a jiffy,
+and getting a bead on an imaginary brigand. I was pretty spry at it, and
+knew I should be all right. And it was just that revolver which saved
+me, as you will see.</p>
+
+<p>We travelled through Paris and a lot of other places, stopping at most
+of them, for I was still rather weak, and the mater was fussy about my
+overdoing it till we settled down at Sorrento. That's a place on the Bay
+of Naples, and just the loveliest bit of it&mdash;oranges everywhere. It's
+ten miles from Castellamare, the nearest railway-station, but the drive
+along the edge of the bay, on a road cut into the cliffs hundreds of
+feet up, makes you feel like heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Vesuvius is quite near too, only that was no good, for the mater
+wouldn't let me go there, which was a most aggravating shame, and a
+terrible waste of opportunity, which I told her she would regret ever
+after. The crater was as jolly as could be, making no end of a smoke,
+and pouring out lava like a regular old smelting-furnace;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> but she said
+she wasn't going to bring me out to Italy to cure a cold, only to have
+me burnt up like one of those Johnnies they show you at Pompeii who were
+caught years and years ago. As if I should have been such an ass as to
+get caught myself.</p>
+
+<p>What I was going to tell you about, however, was this. We had been at
+Sorrento six or seven weeks, and I'd got to know the places round that
+were worth seeing, and a lot of the people too, who jabbered at you
+thirteen to the dozen, and only laughed when you couldn't make out what
+they were saying. I'd picked up some of their words&mdash;enough to get what
+I wanted with, and that's the best way to learn a language; a jolly
+sight better than fagging along with a grammar and stupid exercises,
+which are only full of things no fellow wants.</p>
+
+<p>So the mater had got used to letting me go about alone, and one morning
+she found she wanted some things from Naples, and wasn't feeling up to
+the journey. She wondered at breakfast if she could dare to let me go
+for her. I didn't seem eager, for if they think you particularly want to
+do a thing, they are sure to try to stop you. So I sat quiet, though I
+could hardly swallow my coffee&mdash;I was so keen to go.</p>
+
+<p>However, she wanted the things badly, and at last she had to ask me if I
+would go for her. It's always so: it doesn't matter how badly <i>you</i> want
+a thing, but when the mater or sister or aunt think they want some
+idiotic trash that everybody in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> senses would rather be without,
+you've simply got to fetch it for them, or they'll die.</p>
+
+<p>She rather spoilt it by giving me half an hour's jawing as to what I was
+to do, to take care of this or that, and not to get lost or miss the
+train&mdash;you know how they go on and spoil a fellow's pleasure&mdash;as if I
+couldn't go to Naples and back without a woman having to tell me how to
+do it. I stood it all patiently though, for the sake of what was coming,
+and a high old time I had in Naples that day, I can tell you.</p>
+
+<p>I nearly missed my train back, catching it only by the skin of my teeth,
+and when I reached Castellamare I bargained with a driver-fellow to take
+me to Sorrento for seven francs. He could speak English a bit. The mater
+had told me the fare for a carriage and two mules would be eight or ten
+francs; but I soon let him see that I wasn't going to be put on like
+that, and as I was firm he had to come down to seven, and a <i>pourboire</i>,
+which is what we call a tip. So, ordering him to wake his mules up and
+drive quick, for the January afternoon was getting on, I settled down
+thoroughly to enjoy the ride home.</p>
+
+<p>I have already told you how the road follows the coast-line, high up the
+cliffs, so that you look down hundreds of feet, almost sheer on to the
+waves dashing against the rocks below. There's nothing but a low wall to
+prevent you pitching bang over and dashing yourself to bits, if you had
+an accident. There are two or three villages between Castellamare and
+Sorrento, and generally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> a lot of traffic; but, as it happened, we
+didn't pass or meet much that afternoon; I suppose because it was
+getting late.</p>
+
+<p>The driver was chattering like a magpie about the swell villas and
+places we could see here and there white against the dark trees, but I
+wasn't paying much attention, and at last he shut up.</p>
+
+<p>There's one bit of the road which always gave me the creeps, for it's
+where a man cut his son's throat and threw him over the cliff, two or
+three years ago, for the sake of his insurance money. I was thinking
+about this, and almost wishing some one was with me after all&mdash;for there
+wasn't a soul in sight&mdash;when my heart gave a jump as the driver
+suddenly, at this very bit, pulled up, and, turning round, said with a
+fiendish grin&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You pay me 'leven francs for ze drive, signor."</p>
+
+<p>"Eleven? No, seven. You said seven."</p>
+
+<p>"Signor meestakes. 'Leven francs, signor," and he opened the dirty
+fingers of his left hand twice, and held up a thumb that looked as if it
+hadn't been washed since he was born.</p>
+
+<p>"Seven," I firmly replied. "Not a centime more. Drive on!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ze signor will pay 'leven francs," he fiercely persisted, "seven for ze
+driver and four for ze cicerone, ze guide."</p>
+
+<p>"What guide? I've had no guide."</p>
+
+<p>"Me, signor. I am ze guide. 'Ave I not been telling of ze beautiful
+villas and ze countrie?"</p>
+
+<p>"You weren't asked to," I retorted. "Nobody wanted it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p><p>"Zat does not mattaire. Ze signor will pay for ze cicerone."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see you hanged first."</p>
+
+<p>"Zen we shall see."</p>
+
+<p>He turned his mules to the side of the road next the precipice. I caught
+a glimpse of an ugly knife in the handkerchief round his waist. In a
+moment I had whipped out my revolver, and levelled it straight for his
+head. My word, how startled he was!</p>
+
+<p>"Now drive on," I said.</p>
+
+<p>He did, without a word, but turning as white as a sheet,&mdash;and made his
+old mules fly as if they'd got Vesuvius a foot behind them all the way.
+I kept my revolver ready till we came to Meta, after which there are
+plenty of houses.</p>
+
+<p>When we drew up at the hotel I gave him his seven francs, and told him
+to think himself lucky that I didn't hand him over to the police. He had
+partly recovered by then, and had the cheek to grin and say&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, ze signor ees a genteelman,&mdash;he will give a poor Italiano a
+<i>pourboire</i>."</p>
+
+<p>But I didn't.</p>
+
+<p>I've often wondered since if he really meant to do for me. Anyhow, my
+revolver saved me, and was worth a dormouse.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TAPU-TREE</h3>
+
+<p>"The fish is just about cooked," announced Fred Elliot, peering into the
+big "billy" slung over their camp fire. "Now, if Dick would only hurry
+up with the water for the tea, I'd have supper ready in no time."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish supper were over and we well on our way to the surveyor's camp
+at the other side of the lake," was the impatient rejoinder of Hugh
+Jervois, Dick's big brother. "This place isn't healthy for us after what
+happened to-day." And he applied himself still more vigorously to his
+task of putting into marching order the tent and various other
+accessories of their holiday "camping out" beside a remote and rarely
+visited New Zealand lake.</p>
+
+<p>"But surely that Maori Johnny wouldn't dare to do any of us a mischief
+in cold blood?" cried Fred.</p>
+
+<p>"The police aren't exactly within coo-ee in these wilds, and you must
+remember that your Maori Johnny happens to be Horoeka the <i>tohunga</i>
+(tohunga = wizard priest), who has got the Aohanga Maoris at his beck
+and call. The surveyors say he is stirring up his tribe to make trouble
+over the survey of the Ngotu block, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> they had some hair-raising
+stories to tell me of his superstitious cruelty. He is really
+half-crazed with fanaticism, they say, and if you bump up against any of
+his rotten notions, he'll stick at nothing in the way of vengeance. As
+you saw yourself, he'd have killed Dick this afternoon hadn't we two
+been there to chip in."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no doubt about that," allowed Fred. "It was no end unlucky that
+he should have caught Dick in the very act."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if I had only come in time to prevent the youngster hacking out his
+name on that tree of all trees in the bush," groaned Hugh. "The most
+tremendously <i>tapu</i> (tapu = sacred) thing in all New Zealand, in the
+Aohanga Maoris' eyes!"</p>
+
+<p>"But how was Dick to know?" urged Fred. "It just looked like any other
+tree; and who was to guess the meaning of the rubbishy bits of sticks
+and stones lying at the bottom of it? Oh, it's just too beastly that for
+such a trifle we've got to skip out of this jolly place! And there are
+those monster trout in the bay below almost fighting to be first on
+one's hook! And there's&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I say, what on earth <i>can</i> be keeping Dick?" broke in Hugh with
+startling abruptness. "Suppose that Maori ruffian&mdash;&mdash;" and a sudden fear
+sent him racing down the bush-covered slope with Fred Elliot at his
+heels.</p>
+
+<p>"Dick! Coo-ee! Dick!" Their voices woke echoes in the silent bush, but
+no answer came to them. And there was no Dick at the little spring
+trickling into the lake.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p><p>But the boy's hat lay on the ground beside his upturned "billy," and
+the fern about the spring looked as if it had been much trampled upon.</p>
+
+<p>"There has been a struggle here," said Hugh Jervois, his face showing
+white beneath its tan. Stooping, he picked up a scrap of dyed flax and
+held it out to Fred Elliot.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a bit of the fringe of the mat Horoeka was wearing this
+afternoon," he said quietly. "The Maori must have stolen on Dick while
+he was filling his 'billy,' and carried him off. A thirteen-year-old boy
+would be a mere baby in the hands of that big, strong savage, and he
+could easily stifle his cries."</p>
+
+<p>"He would not dare to harm Dick!" cried Fred passionately.</p>
+
+<p>Dick's brother said nothing, but his eyes eagerly searched the trampled
+ground and the undergrowth about the spring.</p>
+
+<p>"Look! There is where the scoundrel has gone back into the bush with
+Dick," he cried. "The trail is distinct." And he dashed forward into the
+dense undergrowth, followed by Fred.</p>
+
+<p>The trail was of the shortest and landed them on a well-beaten Maori
+track leading up through the bush.</p>
+
+<p>The two young men, following this track at a run, found that it brought
+them, at the end of a mile or so, to the chief <i>kainga</i>, or village, of
+the Aohanga Maoris.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks as if we had run our fox to earth," cried Fred exultingly, as
+they made for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> gateway of the high wooden stockade&mdash;relic of the old
+fighting days&mdash;which surrounded the <i>kainga</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The Maoris within the <i>kainga</i> met them with sullen looks, for their
+soreness of feeling over the Government surveys now going on in their
+district had made them unfriendly to white faces. But it was impossible
+to doubt that they were speaking truth when, in answer to Hugh's anxious
+questioning, they declared that no <i>pakeha</i> (white man) had been near
+the <i>kainga</i>, and that they had seen nothing of Horoeka, their
+<i>tohunga</i>, since noon that day. They suggested indifferently that the
+white boy must have lost himself in the bush, and, at the same time,
+gave a sullen refusal to assist in searching for him.</p>
+
+<p>Before the two young men wrathfully turned their backs on the <i>kainga</i>,
+Hugh, who had a very fair knowledge of the Maori tongue, warned the
+natives that the <i>pakeha</i> law would punish them severely if they
+knowingly allowed his young brother to be harmed. But they only replied
+with insolent laughter.</p>
+
+<p>For the next two hours Hugh and Fred desperately scoured the bush,
+shouting aloud at intervals on the off-chance that Dick might hear and
+be able to send them some guiding cry in answer. But the only result of
+their labours was that they nearly got "bushed" themselves, and at last
+the fall of night made the absurdity of further search clear to them.</p>
+
+<p>Groping their way back to their broken-up camp, they lighted the lantern
+and got together a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> meal of sorts. But Hugh Jervois could not eat while
+racked by the horrible uncertainty of his brother's fate, and he waited
+impatiently for the moon to rise to let him renew his apparently
+hopeless quest.</p>
+
+<p>Then, while Fred Elliot was speeding on a seven miles' tramp round the
+shore of the lake to the surveyors' camp to invoke the aid of the only
+other white men in that remote part of the country, Hugh Jervois had
+made his way to the Maori <i>kainga</i>. "It's my best chance of finding
+Dick," he had said to Fred. "Horoeka is sure to have returned to the
+<i>kainga</i> by this time, and, by cunning or by force, I'll get out of that
+crazy ruffian what he has done with my brother."</p>
+
+<p>Reconnoitring the <i>kainga</i> in the light of the risen moon Hugh
+stealthily approached the palisade surrounding it. This was very old and
+broken in many places, and, peering through a hole in it, the young man
+saw a group of women and children lounging about the cooking-place in
+the centre of the <i>marae</i> or open space around which the <i>whar&eacute;s</i> (huts)
+were ranged. From the biggest of those <i>whar&eacute;s</i> came the sound of men's
+voices, one at a time, in loud and eager talk. At once Hugh realised
+that a council was being held in the <i>whar&eacute;-runanga</i>, the assembly-hall
+of the village, and he instinctively divined that the subjects under
+discussion were poor little Dick's "crime" and his punishment, past or
+to come.</p>
+
+<p>Noiselessly skirting the palisade, Hugh came to a gap big enough to let
+him squeeze through.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> Then he crept along between the palisade and the
+backs of the scattered <i>whar&eacute;s</i>&mdash;very cautiously, for he dreaded being
+seen by the group about the fire&mdash;until at last he stood behind the big
+<i>whar&eacute;-runanga</i>. With his ear glued to its wall he listened to the
+excited speeches being delivered within, and to sounds indicating that
+drinking was also going on&mdash;whisky supplied from some illicit still,
+doubtless.</p>
+
+<p>To his unspeakable thankfulness the young man gathered from the chance
+remarks of one of the speakers that Dick, alive and uninjured, had been
+brought by Horoeka into the <i>kainga</i> at nightfall, and was now shut up
+in one of the <i>whar&eacute;s</i>. But a fierce speech of Horoeka's presently told
+the painfully interested eavesdropper that nothing less than death,
+attended by heathenish and gruesome ceremonies, would expiate the boy's
+outrage on the <i>tapu</i>-tree, in the <i>tohunga's</i> opinion.</p>
+
+<p>The other Maori speakers would evidently have been satisfied to seek
+satisfaction in the shape of a money-compensation from the offender's
+family, or the paternally minded New Zealand Government. But, half-mad
+though he was, Horoeka's influence with his fellow-tribesmen was very
+great. The rude eloquence with which he painted the terrible evils that
+would certainly fall on them and theirs if the violation of so mighty a
+<i>tapu</i> was not avenged in blood, very soon had its effect on his
+superstitious hearers.</p>
+
+<p>When he went on to assure them that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> <i>pakehas</i> would be unable to
+prove that the boy had not lost himself and perished in the bush, they
+withdrew all opposition to Horoeka's bloodthirsty demands, though these
+were rather dictated by his own crack-brained fancy than by Maori custom
+and tradition. Presently, indeed, it became evident to Hugh that, what
+with drink and their <i>tohunga's</i> wild oratory, the men were working
+themselves up into a fanatical frenzy that must speedily find vent in
+horrible action.</p>
+
+<p>If Dick's life were to be saved he must be rescued at once! No time now
+to await Fred Elliot's return with the surveyors and their men! Hugh
+must save his brother single-handed. But how was he to do it? For him,
+unarmed and unbacked by an authoritative show of numbers, to attempt an
+open rescue would merely mean, in the natives' present state of mind,
+the death of both brothers.</p>
+
+<p>"If the worst comes, I won't let Dick die alone," Hugh Jervois avowed.
+"But the worst shan't come. I must save Dick somehow."</p>
+
+<p>He cast desperate glances around. They showed him that the <i>marae</i> was
+completely deserted now, the group about the cooking-place having
+retired into the <i>whar&eacute;s</i> for the night. If he only knew which of those
+silent <i>whar&eacute;s</i> held Dick, a rescue was possible. To blunder on the
+wrong <i>whar&eacute;</i> would only serve to arouse the <i>kainga</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if I only knew which! If I only knew which!" Hugh groaned in agony
+of mind. "And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> any moment those fiends may come and drag him out to his
+death."</p>
+
+<p>Just then, as if in answer to his unspoken prayer, an unexpected sound
+arose. Poor little Dick, in sore straits, was striving to keep up his
+courage by whistling "Soldiers of Our Queen!"</p>
+
+<p>Hugh's heart leaped within him. The quavering boyish whistle came from
+the third <i>whar&eacute;</i> on his left, and, in an instant, he had reached the
+hut and was gently tapping on the door. Dick might not be alone, but
+that chance had to be risked, for time was very precious.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Hugh, Dick," he whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"Hugh! Oh, Hugh!" and in that choking cry Hugh could read the measure of
+his young brother's mental sufferings since he had last seen him.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment he had severed the flax fastening of the door, and burst in
+to find Dick, securely tied hand and foot to a post in the centre of the
+<i>whar&eacute;</i>. Again Hugh's pocket-knife came into play, and Dick, freed of
+his bonds, fell, sobbing and crying, into his brother's arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, Dick! No crying now!" whispered Hugh imperatively. "You've got to
+play the man a little longer yet. Follow me."</p>
+
+<p>And the youngster, making a brave effort, pulled himself together and
+noiselessly stole out of the <i>whar&eacute;</i> after his brother.</p>
+
+<p>But evil chance chose that moment for the breaking up of the excited
+council in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span><i>whar&eacute;-runanga</i>. Horoeka, stepping out into the <i>marae</i>
+to fetch his victim to the sacrifice, was just in time to see that
+victim disappearing round the corner of his prison-house. With a yell of
+rage and surprise he gave chase, his colleagues running and shouting at
+his heels.</p>
+
+<p>Hugh Jervois, hearing them coming, abandoned hope for one instant. The
+next, he took heart again, for there beside him was the hole in the
+palisade through which he had crept into the <i>kainga</i> an hour before. In
+a twinkling he had pushed Dick through and followed himself. And as they
+crouched unseen outside, they heard the pursuit go wildly rushing past
+inside, heedless of the low gap in the stockade which had been the
+brothers' salvation.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll be out upon us in a moment," cried Hugh. "Run, Dick! Run!"</p>
+
+<p>Hand in hand they raced down the slope and plunged into the cover of the
+bush. Only just in time, however, for the next instant the moonlit slope
+beneath the <i>kainga</i> was alive with Maoris&mdash;men, women, and
+children&mdash;shouting and rushing about in a state of tremendous
+excitement. It was for Dick alone they hunted, not knowing he had a
+companion, and they were evidently mystified by the boy's swift
+disappearance.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the brothers, lying low in a dense tangle of ferns and
+creepers, saw a number of the younger men, headed by Horoeka, streaming
+down the track leading to the lake. But after a little time they
+returned, somewhat sobered and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> crestfallen, and rejoined the others,
+who had meanwhile gone inside the <i>kainga</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Then, feeling sure that the coast was clear, the brothers ventured to
+steal cautiously out of earshot of the enemy and make their way down
+through the bush to the shores of the lake. There they were greeted with
+the welcome sound of oars, and, shooting swiftly towards them through
+the moonlit waters, they saw the surveyors' boat, with Fred Elliot and
+half a dozen others in her.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>"You see they are trying to carry off the thing just in the way I told
+you they'd do," said the head surveyor to Hugh Jervois after their
+denunciatory visit to the <i>kainga</i> in the early morning. "Horoeka, the
+arch-offender, has disappeared into remoter wilds, and the others lay
+the blame of it all on Horoeka."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Hugh, "and even then the beggars have the impudence to
+swear, in the teeth of their talk last night in their <i>whar&eacute;-runanga</i>,
+that Horoeka only meant to give the <i>pakeha</i> boy a good fright because
+he had done a mischief to the very <i>tapu</i>-tree in which lives the spirit
+of the tribe's great ancestor."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the surveyor, "we've managed to give the tribe's young men
+and elders a good fright to-day, anyhow. My word! but their faces were a
+picture as we lovingly dwelt on the pains and penalties awaiting them
+for their share in their <i>tohunga's</i> outrage on your brother. I'll tell
+you what it is, Jervois. Horoeka has to keep in hiding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> for his own
+sake, and these beggars will have their hands so full, with a nice
+little charge like this to meet, that they won't care to make trouble
+for us when we come to the survey of the Ngotu block."</p>
+
+<p>"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," laughed Hugh. "But, all the
+same, Dick may be excused for thinking that your unobstructed survey has
+been dearly bought with the most horrid experience he is likely ever to
+have in his life."</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI</h2>
+
+<h3>SOME PANTHER STORIES</h3>
+
+<p>The pages of literature devoted to sport and the hunting of wild game
+teem with stories and instances of occasions when the hunted, driven to
+desperation and enraged to ferocity by wounds, turns, and itself becomes
+the hunter and the avenger of its own hurts.</p>
+
+<p>Of all wild animals perhaps the most vindictive, the most cunning, and
+the most dangerous to hunt is the panther; indeed, nine out of ten who
+have had experience of shooting in all parts of the world will concede
+that the pursuit of these animals is really more fraught with danger and
+hazard than that of even the tiger, lion, and elephant; and the
+following is one of many instances, of yearly occurrence, of the man
+behind the rifle not having it all his own way when drawn in actual
+combat against the denizens of the jungles.</p>
+
+<p>It was drawing on towards the hot weather when my friend Blake, who had
+been very seedy, thought that I might try to get a few days' leave and
+join him in a small shooting expedition into the jungles of southern
+India, where he was sure he would recover his lost strength and
+vitality, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> so face the coming hot weather with a fair amount of
+equanimity.</p>
+
+<p>The necessary leave being forthcoming, we consulted maps, arranged ways
+and means for a fortnight's camp&mdash;always a considerable thing in
+India&mdash;and, accompanied by two Sikhs and a Rajput orderly, with horses,
+guns, rifles, and dogs galore, after a day's journey in the train
+reached the place from whence the remainder of our journey was to be
+done by road.</p>
+
+<p>Our destination was a place called Bokeir, and constituted what is known
+in India as a <i>jargir</i>, that is a tract of land which, together with the
+rent roll and tribute of the villages therein comprised, is given to men
+whose services have deserved well of their State. Such are known as
+jargirdars, and enjoy almost sovereign state in their little domains,
+receiving absolutely feudal devotion from their tenantry and dependants.</p>
+
+<p>We pitched our camp in the midst of a magnificent grove of mango-trees,
+which at the time of the year were covered with the green fruit. I was
+told that before the famine of 1898-99 the grove comprised over two
+thousand trees; but at present there are about half that number.</p>
+
+<p>We then received and returned visits with the jargirdar, a Mahratta, and
+an exceedingly courteous and dignified man. We asked for and received
+permission to shoot in his country, and in addition everything possible
+was done for our comfort, supplies of every description being at once
+forthcoming. So tenacious were the people<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> of the villages in their
+devotion to their chief that not a hand would have been raised to help
+us nor a blade of grass given without an order from the head of this
+tiny State.</p>
+
+<p>Then we commenced our jungle campaign. The footmarks of a tiger and
+tigress, of a very large panther, of bear, sambar, and blue bull
+abounded in a wooded valley some six miles from the camp. We tied up
+young buffalo-calves, to attract the large Felid&aelig;, and ultimately met
+with success, for one morning we were having breakfast early when in
+trotted one of our Sikhs who had gone before the peep of dawn to look at
+the "kills." He reported that one of the calves had been killed at five
+that morning; so, putting a hasty conclusion to our breakfast, we called
+for horses, saw to our rifles and cartridges, and rode away to the scene
+of the early morning tragedy.</p>
+
+<p>Arrived at a village called Sirpali, we left our horses and proceeded on
+foot up a lovely wooded valley filled with the bastard teak, the
+strong-smelling moha-tree (from which the bears of these parts receive
+their chief sustenance), the giant mango, pipal and banyan.</p>
+
+<p>The awesome silence of the dense forest reigned supreme in the noonday
+heat. The whispered consultations and the occasional footfall of some
+one of the party on a dry teak-leaf seemed to echo for miles and to
+break rudely the well-nigh appalling quiet of the jungle. Here and
+there, sometimes crossing our path, were the fresh footprints of deer
+and of antelope, of pig<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> and the lordly sambar stag that had passed this
+way last night to drink at a time when the presence of man does not
+disturb the domain of the beasts of the forest. Here was a tree with
+deep, clean marks all the way up its trunk, from which the sap was still
+oozing, showing us that for some purpose a bear had climbed up it in the
+early morning, though why we could not tell, as there was neither fruit
+nor leaf on its bare branches.</p>
+
+<p>And then a turn in the path brought us to the kill, to the tragedy of a
+few hours ago. Surely this is the work of a tiger&mdash;the broken neck, the
+tail bitten off and flung aside, the hind-quarters partly consumed? No,
+for there are only the marks of a panther's pads and none of any tiger.
+They lead away into some dense jungle in front, and from here we decide
+to work.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the beaters here, we went by a circuitous way until we arrived
+two or three hundred yards ahead of the direction the beat would take.
+Here we were nonplussed, for the jungle was so dense and the
+configuration of the ground such that there were many chances in favour
+of any animal that might be before the beat being able to make a very
+good bid for eluding the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>However, we came to a place which appeared as good as any, and, as both
+of us seemed to think that it would suit himself exceedingly well, we
+drew lots, and, contrary to my usual luck, I drew the longer of the two
+pieces of grass and decided to remain, while Blake took up his position
+about fifty yards to my left.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p><p>When shooting in the jungle, it is the practice of most to shoot from a
+tree, not so much from a sense of added security&mdash;as both bears and
+panthers think little of running up a tree and mauling you there&mdash;but
+from the better field of view you get. Accordingly, as there was a small
+tree near, I ascended, and, because the footing was precarious and the
+position unfavourable for a good shot, I buckled myself to a bough by
+means of one of my stirrup-leathers. This is a device, by the way, which
+I can most thoroughly recommend to all, for it as often as not gives you
+free use of your arms, and even enables you to swing right round to
+score a shot at a running object.</p>
+
+<p>I had not long disposed myself thus, when the beat sprang into life with
+a suddenness and intensity which made me pretty sure that they had
+disturbed some animal. The shouting, cat-calling, and tom-tomming
+increased in violence, when all at once I heard a quick and rather
+hurried tread, tread, tread over the dry teak-leaves, and, looking that
+way, out of the dense jungle into the sunlit glade before me came a
+large panther.</p>
+
+<p>I put up my rifle. It saw me, and crouched head on in some long, dry
+grass. It was a difficult shot, but I hazarded it.</p>
+
+<p>The beast turned and went up the bank to my right. "Missed," thought I,
+and let it have my left barrel as it was moving past. "Missed again," I
+thought, and growled inwardly.</p>
+
+<p>I caught another glimpse of the brute as it went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> behind me, and to my
+relief a crimson patch had appeared on its right side. I howled to the
+beaters, who had now approached, to be careful, as a wounded panther was
+in front of them, and, Blake joining me, we made them all sit down to
+keep them out of harm's way.</p>
+
+<p>Accompanied by the two Sikhs, Blake and I began to stalk the wounded
+animal. Where had it gone? Into that dense bit of jungle in front,
+apparently. So we began to cast around among the leaves. They at first
+yielded no betraying footmarks, but at last a leaf was found with a
+large spot of frothy blood, showing the animal's injury to have been
+through the lungs.</p>
+
+<p>"Put a man up that tree," I said; "the animal is badly hit and cannot
+have gone far." But my advice was ignored.</p>
+
+<p>Then from a spot over which I had walked not a minute before there came
+a rush and a roar. Swinging round, I saw ten paces off Blake raise his
+rifle and fire two barrels, but, alas! apparently without result. Down
+he went before the savage rush of the beast, which began to worry him.</p>
+
+<p>Blake had fallen back on his elbows, and in the curve of his neck and
+right shoulder I could just see, though so near, the dark-spotted body
+of the panther. There was no time to lose. "Can I hit it without killing
+Blake?" I thought in an agony of uncertainty, but the hazard followed
+quick upon the thought, and bang, bang, went my two barrels. At the same
+time the Sikh dafadar, Gopal Singh, with all the characteristic bravery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>
+of this magnificent race, ran in and beat the animal about the head with
+the butt-end of Blake's shot-gun, which he was carrying at the time.</p>
+
+<p>All this was too much for the panther, who then left Blake and shambled
+away. I threw down my own rifle and ran to Blake's assistance, when the
+panther stopped and half turned towards us.</p>
+
+<p>"He's coming at me again," Blake cried, and covered his face with his
+hands. We were all unarmed; like a fool I had left my rifle ten paces
+behind me, the Sikh's shot-gun was smashed to splinters, and Blake's
+rifle had fallen nobody knew where during the <i>m&ecirc;l&eacute;e</i>. But, fortunately
+for us, and more especially for me, who was then nearest her, the
+panther seemed to think better of it, and tumbled off into the jungle,
+as far as I could see very badly knocked about.</p>
+
+<p>Then we attended to Blake's injuries, which consisted of a large piece
+torn from his left forearm, three great teeth-marks in his left thigh,
+and claw-marks all over his left calf. He was very brave, though
+bleeding a lot, and walked with our assistance towards the village until
+one of the orderlies galloped up with the "charpai," or native bed, I
+had sent for immediately the accident had occurred. Then on to camp,
+where I re-dressed his wounds, sprinkling them with boracic acid, which
+was, foolishly, all we had provided in the way of antiseptics.</p>
+
+<p>Then a "palki" or palankin arrived, lent by the jargirdar, who had also
+sent his ten private carriers, and, accompanied by the dafadar, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>
+started for the railway, the nearest point of which was forty miles
+away, and reached it at five the next morning, having experienced
+thirteen hours of anxiety, dead weariness, exhausted palankin men, bad
+and in some places non-existent roads, and, to crown all, one river to
+ford.</p>
+
+<p>Blake has happily survived his injuries&mdash;always severe when inflicted by
+panthers, as these animals' teeth and claws, from their habit of killing
+their prey and leaving it exposed for a day to the Indian sun, seldom
+fails to induce blood-poisoning, which few, if any, have been known to
+survive.</p>
+
+<p>The panther was found next day, quite dead, with three bullet-wounds in
+her&mdash;one in the chest, one through the ribs, and one through the body
+from the front left ribs to the left haunch; and that she was able to do
+all the damage she did testifies to the proverbial tenacity of life and
+ferocity of these animals. The native of India will tell you, "The tiger
+is a janw&aacute;r (animal), but the panther he is a shait&aacute;n (devil)."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Dickson Price, who had a narrow escape from a panther in 1905, thus
+described the occurrence&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Owing to the stricter preservation of the jungles round Marpha, beasts
+of prey appear to have greatly increased in number the last year or so.</p>
+
+<p>Last November a travelling pedlar was killed on a path close by; while
+this year more than twenty head of cattle have been killed by tigers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>
+and panthers at Marpha and near by. This is a very serious loss to the
+people, who depend entirely upon their cattle for ploughing, etc.</p>
+
+<p>On February 22, just after the mela, some villagers from Kareli&mdash;a
+village close to us&mdash;came to me asking me to shoot a tiger that had
+killed a fine plough-ox, and was causing great havoc.</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at the spot where the kill was, an examination of the marks
+on the bullock showed that it was a panther and not a tiger that had
+been at work. The place was in sight of the village and on the skirt of
+a forest. We had a "machan" (platform) in a tree made, and at three
+o'clock in the afternoon I climbed up with my native shikari or hunter
+and watched and waited until dark.</p>
+
+<p>About 8 p.m. it was pitch dark, and the animal could be heard munching
+beneath. I fired at a black object twice with no result, for we still
+heard the beast going on with his dinner. I found later I had fired at a
+bush, mistaking it for a panther in the darkness. The animal was either
+too hungry to notice the shot, or had mistaken the sound for thunder.
+Later on the moon rose, and at half-past three in the morning a third
+shot took effect, for the animal went off badly wounded. Some time
+before that a heavy thunderstorm had come on, but, sheltered beneath our
+rugs, we did not get really wet. We now slept, feeling our work was
+done. At sunrise the native hunter and I got down and examined the spot.</p>
+
+<p>While we were looking at the blood-marks a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> tremendous roar was heard
+close by, and my native shikari calling out, "Tiger! tiger! tiger!"
+bolted and ran off to the village as fast as his heels could carry him.
+I climbed back into the machan, to watch the development of events.
+After some time about sixteen villagers came out to help, and we slowly
+followed up the blood-trail.</p>
+
+<p>After piercing the thick jungle for about two hundred yards, at times
+having to creep under the brushwood, we came to a narrow nala, or
+shallow watercourse with sandy bed, and we found out the cause of the
+constant growling we had heard. A tiger also was tracking the panther,
+who every now and then stood at bay and attacked it. After some time the
+tiger, no doubt hearing us, turned aside. Suddenly I saw the wounded
+animal scaling a tall and almost branchless tree, which appeared as
+though it must have been at some time struck by lightning. The panther,
+no doubt, hoped to escape all its enemies in that way. It went to the
+tip-top, about forty feet or fifty feet from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>I fired, but the range was too long for my shot and ball gun. The firing
+frightened the panther, which fell in descending when some fifteen feet
+from the ground. We all tracked on, hoping to get a chance of a further
+shot.</p>
+
+<p>At last we came to a deep and thickly wooded nala, or watercourse, which
+curved like a horseshoe. The panther entered the watercourse at the
+centre and turned along the bed to the left.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> We turned to the right and
+skirted along the outside of the course, as it was not safe to go
+nearer. We all advanced until we nearly reached the right limit of the
+horseshoe bend, and then, leaving the trackers, I approached the
+watercourse, hearing the beast at the other end about two hundred yards
+away.</p>
+
+<p>After waiting about twenty minutes looking for a spot to cross the deep
+nala it appears that the wounded animal slowly and silently doubled back
+along the densely wooded watercourse and suddenly sprang out at me. I
+fired and stepped back, falling, as I did so, into the watercourse. The
+next thing I remember was the panther seizing me by the arm and pulling
+me down as I arose, and beginning to claw my head.</p>
+
+<p>Then I saw on top of the panther my little fox-terrier Toby, tearing
+hard at the neck of the beast. The panther then left mauling me to
+attack the dog. I somehow jumped up, leaped out of the watercourse, ran
+towards the villagers, and fell down. They placed me on a charpoi, or
+native bed, and carried me to my bungalow three miles away. Express
+messengers were at once despatched through the jungle and across the
+hills to Mandla, sixty miles away, for a doctor, who arrived on the
+fourth day after the accident.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, all that could be done was done, and my wounds, of which
+there were fourteen, were dressed. Our good Dr. Hogan had me carried
+into Mandla, the journey taking two and a half days, and since then, I
+am glad to say, I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> been making a wonderful recovery. It is a great
+mercy that my arm had not to be amputated, as I feared at first I should
+certainly lose it. But though it is still much swollen, and so stiff
+that I can only bend it a few inches, all is progressing well.</p>
+
+<p>My little dog escaped with a few scratches, having saved my life. The
+panther has either been eaten by the tiger, or has died of its wounds.
+The villagers were far too scared to follow it up after my fall. Its
+bones, if not devoured by tigers or porcupines, will most likely be
+found higher up the nala than where we last saw it.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>A Panther-hunt, which had a somewhat unexpected conclusion, is narrated
+by the Rev. T. Fuller Bryant:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>At the outset I may explain that strictly it was not a panther that
+figures in this story, but that is the name&mdash;or more commonly
+"painter"&mdash;given to the puma, or cougar, of North America. At one time
+this animal was as common all the country over as the fox is in England
+at present, and even more so, but as the result of the increase and
+spread of population it is now found only in remote parts, and is
+becoming increasingly rare.</p>
+
+<p>Thirty years ago, however, when I resided in America, and when the
+incident happened which I am about to relate, there were considerable
+numbers to be found in parts of the Alleghany Mountains, and not
+infrequently an odd one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> would travel farther afield on a marauding
+expedition.</p>
+
+<p>At the time of which I write I was residing at Brookfield, about thirty
+miles north of Utica. It was near the end of October, when, according to
+custom, all were busy banking up the sides of their houses, and in other
+ways preparing for winter, when complaints began to be made by the
+farmers of depredations among their sheep, by, as was supposed, some dog
+or dogs unknown. Hardly a morning came but some farmer or other found
+his flock reduced in this way, until the whole neighbourhood was roused
+to excited indignation against the whole dog tribe. Suspicion fell in
+turn upon almost every poor cur of the neighbourhood, and many a poor
+canine innocent was done to death, some by drowning, others by poison,
+and more by shooting; until it seemed as if all the sheep and dogs of
+the countryside would be wiped out.</p>
+
+<p>What served only to deepen the mystery was the fact that here and there
+a calf was killed and partly eaten, indicating that if it were the work
+of a dog it must be one of unusual size, strength, and ferocity. So
+exasperated did the farmers become at length, that a meeting was held at
+Brookfield, at which it was resolved to offer a reward of two hundred
+dollars, "to any one killing the dog, <i>or other animal</i>, or giving such
+information as would lead to its discovery." The words "or other animal"
+had been inserted at the suggestion of a man who had heard unusual
+noises<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> at night proceeding from the Oneida Swamp, a desolate, densely
+wooded tract of country, extending to within a mile or so of his
+dwelling. This circumstance had created in his mind the suspicion that
+the cause of all the trouble might not, after all, be a dog, but this he
+kept to himself.</p>
+
+<p>One morning my brother and I, with three others, started early for a
+day's shooting and hunting in some woods three or four miles north of
+the village; but having an engagement at home in the afternoon, I left
+the party soon after one o'clock. When within about two miles of the
+village I left the main road to take a short cut across the land of a
+man named John Vidler, an Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>During the early morning there had been a slight fall of snow, barely
+sufficient to cover the ground, but as it was so early in the season
+Vidler had not taken his few sheep into winter quarters. These I found
+apparently in a state of alarm, huddled together in a corner of a "lot"
+through which I had to pass.</p>
+
+<p>As I was about to climb the fence and leave the "lot," I observed blood
+on the ground, which probably would not have attracted my further
+attention but for recent events. On looking more closely, I could
+distinctly trace in the snow the footmarks of an animal resembling those
+of a dog, and which enabled me to follow the direction in which he had
+gone. It occurred to me at once that this was probably the work of the
+mysterious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> marauder. I knew of the reward of two hundred dollars, and
+my finances were not such as to render me indifferent to the chance of
+winning it, so, with the spirit of the hunter strong within me, I
+started off upon the trail, which quickly led me to the edge of the
+wood, where it disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>It was clear that the animal had entered the wood. I suddenly reflected
+upon the extraordinary size of the animal's foot, and when I coupled
+that fact with the words in the offer of reward&mdash;"or other animal"&mdash;it
+occurred to me that I might be hunting bigger and more formidable game
+than a dog.</p>
+
+<p>I confess to a strange feeling which made me pause. True, I had my
+trusty gun with me, and a good supply of ammunition, but after a moment
+or two of reflection I decided to suspend the pursuit and go and tell
+John Vidler, and seek to associate him with me in further proceedings.</p>
+
+<p>In this I had no difficulty, for though Vidler, whose farm and abode
+were remote and lonely, had heard only rumours of the events which had
+so stirred the surrounding neighbourhood, it was enough for him that he
+was now among the victims, so he quickly went to the stables, or "barn,"
+and brought out his old mare, and, throwing a buffalo skin, or "robe,"
+as such are called, across her back, he mounted, and away we went.</p>
+
+<p>I travelled afoot by his side. We picked up the trail where I had left
+it&mdash;at the edge of the wood; but here our difficulty began, it being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
+broken and indistinct, owing to the leaves which the snow was not thick
+enough to cover.</p>
+
+<p>We proceeded with great caution, and the trees being fairly wide apart,
+and the brush not very thick, Vidler remained mounted, whilst I
+continued at his side. It was evident from the tremulous excitement and
+frequent sniffing of the mare that she was aware that something unusual
+was up, and from this we inferred the need of a keen look-out.</p>
+
+<p>We had thus proceeded some three hundred yards, when we suddenly came
+upon a dip in the ground. We each lifted our eyes from the land, which
+we had continued to closely scan for traces of the trail, when we were
+startled by a snarl, and just ahead, lying under the trunk of a big tree
+which had fallen across the dip, was a huge panther, apparently just
+awakened from its sleep by our approach. The brute was lashing its tail
+and quivering with rage, and was evidently preparing to spring upon us.</p>
+
+<p>Here, then, undoubtedly was the cause of all the recent trouble. For a
+moment the mare stood trembling with alarm, and the next she swung
+round, almost hurling Vidler from her back, and flew like the wind along
+the way by which we had come. Though it all took place in much less time
+than it takes to record, every detail is indelibly registered on my mind
+till this day.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time, even had I had the necessary self-possession, for me
+to take aim and fire, and had I done so it would almost certainly have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>
+increased the danger, for my gun was loaded only with a charge for a
+partridge or woodchuck.</p>
+
+<p>As the mare swung round away from me, I seized Vidler's foot, which was
+most fortunate both for him and myself, for it was my weight that
+prevented him from being thrown, and, holding on for dear life, I was
+dragged clear of danger. The suddenness of the movement jerked my gun
+from my grasp, and as Vidler possessed no weapon we were defenceless,
+and it would have been madness to think of returning for mine.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed but a moment before we reached the open "lot," where with
+difficulty we reined the mare in. After a brief deliberation we decided
+to make our way to the village and organise a hunting-party. We made our
+way to the store of Wack Stillman, a favourite rendezvous for the
+loafers and off-works. Here we found Orson Clark, one of the best
+hunters in all the countryside, with two others with a large strain of
+the swashbuckler in their characters, who were always ready for
+excitement and adventure.</p>
+
+<p>As we agreed to divide the reward should we win, and believing that we
+five were equal to it, we decided to keep the information and to confine
+operations to ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before we were off, each of us now armed either with his
+own or a borrowed weapon. Reaching the wood, we agreed that, after we
+had indicated the direction of the trail, Orson Clark, as the most
+experienced, should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> lead the way, the rest of us following at his
+heels.</p>
+
+<p>As we approached the tree under which we had left the panther lying, the
+tension became so oppressive that each felt that he could hardly
+breathe, nor were we much relieved to find our quarry gone, as we could
+not tell at what step we might come across him. "Keep close, men,"
+whispered Orson, as we continued to creep on, each with his finger on
+the trigger of his gun.</p>
+
+<p>He had scarcely spoken the words when a most terrific roar, which seemed
+to come from the tree-tops near by, rent the air, and at the same time a
+shot rang out. As neither of our band had fired, we were puzzled to know
+what it all meant, when a shrill, boyish voice shouted, from a little
+distance ahead, "I've got him, father. He's dead!"</p>
+
+<p>Rushing to the spot whence the shout proceeded, we were astonished to
+find the thirteen-year-old son of Orson Clark standing, with an old
+blunderbuss in his hands, in a triumphant attitude by the panther, which
+lay as dead as a door-nail on the ground before him!</p>
+
+<p>"What on earth does this mean?" exclaimed his father, as he took in the
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>It transpired that when Orson went home to get his rifle he told his
+wife of the projected adventure, and the boy, who was in an adjoining
+room, overheard. The spirit of adventure inherited from his father was
+immediately aroused, and he determined to seek a share in the
+enterprise. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>Unobserved he took the old blunderbuss from its
+resting-place and slipped out of the house, but, fearing that his father
+might forbid should his intentions be known, he made his way to the
+wood, keeping the hunting-party within his view whilst concealing
+himself from theirs.</p>
+
+<p>Entering the wood, the daring youngster hunted on his own account.
+Keeping a little ahead and wide of the party, he came across the panther
+up in a tree. He had no difficulty in attracting its attention, and,
+after contemplating each other for some moments, the savage brute was
+about to spring upon the boy as it gave the tremendous roar referred to.
+At the same moment the boy fired, the charge landing full in the heart,
+and bringing the great beast tumbling dead at his feet.</p>
+
+<p>When the father realised the situation, his feelings may be imagined.
+His first look at the boy indicated vexation at his recklessness,
+followed by admiration at his pluck and thankfulness for his escape from
+almost certain death had the shot failed to reach a vital part. However,
+matters were soon arranged. A rail from a snake-fence was procured, the
+panther's legs were tied to it, and in this way he was borne to the
+village.</p>
+
+<p>The news quickly spread, and all the population, apparently, of the
+village assembled to see the sight and to hear the story. When the
+question came to be considered as to who was entitled to the reward of
+two hundred dollars, the verdict was unanimous that no one deserved it
+so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> much as Orson Clark's boy, and to him it was awarded.</p>
+
+<p>The skin of the panther was presented to the landlord of the hotel in
+the village. He had it stuffed and placed in a large room in his house.
+For all I know, it remains there till this day.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII</h2>
+
+<h3>A MIDNIGHT RIDE ON A CALIFORNIAN RANCHE</h3>
+
+<p>It was in San Benito County, California, or, to be more explicit, in the
+Hernandez Valley, the nearest station to which is King City, "up
+country" from Los Angeles. My friend, Tom Bain, owned a cattle-ranche up
+there, right in the valley which lies between the hills forming the
+coastal range of California.</p>
+
+<p>It is high up, this beautiful valley. I arrived at King City over-night,
+and my old school pal, who had asked me to pay him a visit, met me at
+the Central Saloon early next morning&mdash;so early, that we had breakfasted
+and were off in a pair-horse buckboard by seven o'clock. And then we had
+a fourteen hours' drive, climbing, ever climbing, with a dip here and
+there as we negotiated the irregularities of the high country, the air
+becoming cooler and crisper every hour, and so clear that you could see
+for miles over the plains beneath.</p>
+
+<p>It is rather wonderful, this clearness of the atmosphere in Western
+America. In Arizona, I believe, the phenomenon is even more noticeable,
+at times. The trees stand out distinctly and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> almost individually on
+hills miles and miles away, and a camera speedily proves how really free
+is the atmosphere of all visionary obstruction. A photograph of a horse,
+a bullock, or of any such object out on the hills, will secure a
+reproduction of a background quite extraordinary in the extent and
+clearness of the picture.</p>
+
+<p>And it is a sweet, pure air to breathe&mdash;life-giving, and capable of
+making the heart glad for the very joy of things. Driving over these
+hills, although it took us from seven in the morning until nine o'clock
+at night to complete the journey, was anything but tiring to the human
+physique. Around and beyond, Nature spread herself in a delightful
+panorama of scenic beauty&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<div>"And every living thing did joy in life,</div>
+<div>And every thing of beauty did seem living."</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>There were two or three other fellows on the ranche with my friend Bain.
+Fine, big fellows they were, too; loose-limbed and strong featured.
+Scarcely one of them was over five-and-twenty, yet you would have vowed
+that such development in face, feature, and limb could not have been
+attained before the age of thirty-five years. Silent, unassuming
+fellows, too, not welcoming me with a smile even, nor with the slightest
+demonstration of friendliness beyond a grip of the hand that made me
+begin to feel glad that I had brought my "Elliman's" with me.</p>
+
+<p>It is a peculiarity&mdash;at least, we think it a peculiarity&mdash;of the Western
+man, that he rarely smiles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> Perhaps it would be fairer to say that he
+never smiles unless there is something very positive to smile at. He
+seems to have such large ideas concerning all things, and to suggest by
+his manner, especially when you are out on the plains with him, that he
+cares more for his cattle, and for his horse particularly, than he does
+for you. Yet no man is more ready with a helping hand&mdash;and a hand that
+is capable of doing most things a man's hand can do&mdash;than he; none more
+full of sympathy and sincere kindliness.</p>
+
+<p>But he is an undemonstrative being, this man of the West, and you take a
+long time to find out whether he likes you or not. If you are a
+"tenderfoot" you can't do better than hold your tongue about the wonders
+of Europe and its cities, about your own various exploits here and
+there. You will learn a lot by not talking, and if you don't mind
+soiling your hands a little, and keeping an eye lifted to discover the
+way in which things are done, you will get on very well on a Western
+cattle-ranche.</p>
+
+<p>There was another ranche not far away, owned by an old settler, who had
+his wife and daughter with him. These were the only women within our
+immediate ken. She was a real child of the West, this old settler's
+daughter, and as sweet and dainty as she was capable; about twenty years
+of age, I should think, and looked after as much by every man on my
+friend's ranche as she was by her own father. In fact, my friend Bain
+seemed to take more than a fatherly interest in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> her. She called him
+Tom, and he called her Edna, though in this particular respect Tom was
+not privileged more than any of the other fellows. But her eyes were
+always bright when Tom was near, and&mdash;but there, it was none of my
+business. Only, as I said before, I kept one eye lifted for most things.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon I began really to enjoy the life very much, for its own sake.
+There were many things lacking in the matter of house accommodation and
+comfort, compared with my English home; but it was jolly, real jolly. I
+never felt so well and strong in all my life as when I was galloping
+over those hills, on occasion of a general inspection of the ranche. And
+it was a lark, I tell you, rounding up the cattle.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, all the fellows on the ranche could ride like&mdash;well, they
+could ride anything. I got out of the road when there was any of the
+expert business on, such as "cutting out," and "corralling." But I began
+gradually to feel my way in accomplishing their many tricks of
+horsemanship, and I was able, in course of time, to take a small part in
+the work of the corral.</p>
+
+<p>I essayed to throw the lasso, or lariat, of course, as one of the very
+first experiences in ranche life. It is one of the many interesting
+things you must learn on a cattle-ranche&mdash;to use the lasso. Every man
+carries his rope on his saddle, as a necessary&mdash;in fact, there, <i>the</i>
+most necessary&mdash;part of his equipment. A ranchero would as soon think of
+riding off without his lasso as an English <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>sportsman would think of
+going partridge-shooting without his gun.</p>
+
+<p>It looks so easy, throwing the lasso. You begin first on foot, and try
+to throw the rope over a post or something, not very far away. After
+many hours, at the end of which time you know what it is to have an
+arm-ache&mdash;it may be many days, even many weeks, before you are able to
+do it&mdash;you succeed in lassoing your object two or three times in
+succession. Ha! ha! You have conquered. You have discovered the knack at
+last. And you hastily mount your horse to see if you can manage the real
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>You throw aside your practice rope, unwind the lasso from the horn of
+the saddle, and essay a "mounted" throw. Your patient animal remains
+perfectly still and quiet. He seems to know you are a tenderfoot, and to
+feel quite sure what is going to happen. You whirl your lasso round your
+head, and aim it at the horns of a harmless steer in the corral some
+yards away. But you look in vain to see the rope curl round your
+particular objective. Instead, it flops over your horse's ears, or
+smacks you on the side of your own head. Oh, it was so easy on the
+ground, too, when you left off!</p>
+
+<p>And your horse is patient still. He even seems to be smiling quietly to
+himself. After many more attempts, and with an arm that acheth much, you
+succeed in affixing your rope round something, throwing from the saddle.
+At last you have managed it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p><p>Later on an opportunity occurs for the display of your prowess. You are
+in the corral with a bunch of moving beasts. You single out one as your
+particular victim. This time the beast is not standing still, and you
+throw your lasso, carefully watching the fall as it whirls through the
+air. Poor animal! Instead of roping it by the horns, you nearly jerk its
+tail off! There are very many accomplishments that seem easy in the
+hands of an expert and which prove most difficult to the uninitiated,
+but I think the throwing of the lasso can claim more mysteries than most
+others.</p>
+
+<p>When out on an inspection of the ranche, reckoning up the stock, and
+seeing that all are able to secure sufficient food, it frequently
+happens that some of the cattle will be missing. They get away into all
+sorts of places, some almost inaccessible among the hills, and if they
+are not found and brought back to the pastures within easy reach of the
+corral, they become wild, and then there is mischief to pay. They sneak
+down late at night or in the small hours of the morning to the corn and
+wheat fields, break the fences, and trample the crops in a way that
+spells disaster to many a settler.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the cattle belonging to my friend's ranche had gone astray in
+this way, and we were unable to locate them.</p>
+
+<p>I remember we were sitting in our adobe house one evening, three or four
+of us together. It was about seven o'clock, and we had been talking over
+matters in connection with the decision of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> "boss" to drive a bunch
+of cattle down to King City, where they would be entrained for 'Frisco.
+The "boss" was up at the other ranche. He had gone to ask the old
+settler to give us a hand with the cattle next day at the rodeo, or
+"round-up."</p>
+
+<p>He hadn't offered to take me with him. I suppose that was Edna's fault.
+Anyhow, we had been sitting there discussing things, when we heard Bain
+coming in, after unsaddling his horse, in quite a noisy mood. He was
+muttering hard, and I wondered what Edna had been saying to him. But it
+wasn't Edna at all. He had come down from the other ranche, higher up
+the valley, and had passed the cornfields, in which he had noticed
+unusual movement. He had investigated, and had found that a bunch of
+wild cattle had broken down the fences, and were eating and trampling
+down the corn.</p>
+
+<p>A hasty consultation decided that we should make a midnight raid on the
+beasts, and take as many of them as we could capture down to King City
+with our own bunch. We had been feeling rather sleepy, but this news
+made us at once very much alive. However, we decided not to undertake
+the raid until the next night. The wild cattle would be gone with the
+morning light, but they would return at dark.</p>
+
+<p>We went to bed, which meant simply rolling ourselves up in our blankets
+on the floor. I lay awake for some time anticipating the excitement of
+the next evening. It is not all play, this raiding of wild cattle. It is
+a risky business, and you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> must have expert lassoers to lead the way, or
+there will be trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Next day we went up to the old settler's ranche, "Edna's house," as we
+called it, up the valley, and there we secured the help of some of our
+neighbour's men. We were there all the evening, waiting for the hour of
+midnight at which to sally forth. Edna had expressed a desire to come
+too! She was a fine horsewoman, and fearless, and she loved excitement
+of this sort. Tom promised to take care of her, so she was permitted to
+join our party. Lucky Tom!</p>
+
+<p>As the little clock on the settler's mantelpiece struck twelve, we
+saddled our horses and set off for the corn-brake. I was keen on seeing
+how these fellows were going to capture the wild cattle, but I was too
+inexperienced to take a very active part at the time.</p>
+
+<p>The corn-patch was right in the hollow of the valley, on a flat on the
+eastern bank of the dry bed of the river. We rode down together&mdash;never a
+word being spoken on the way&mdash;to where a group of oak-trees raised their
+stately heads, and there we held our final council of war. Bain, anxious
+to give a tenderfoot a chance of seeing as much of the proceedings as
+possible, directed me to get off my horse and climb the bank, from which
+I should obtain a view of the field and of the cattle as they were
+feeding. I was very quiet, for the beasts have ears rather sharper than
+anything. Tom had given me his directions in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p><p>So I climbed the bank and looked over the cornfield, and there in the
+centre I could see a small black mass of moving things, about three
+hundred yards away. I went quietly back to the river-bed, and found that
+most of the fellows had dismounted and were "cinching" up their saddles.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later I was told off with a vaquero (cowboy) to ride up the bed
+of a creek that ran at right-angles to the river and parallel with the
+cornfield. We were to try to "head" the cattle, and so prevent them from
+breaking out of the field, up the hillside, and getting away into the
+mountains again, where we should have had to leave them.</p>
+
+<p>The creek-bed was low, and afforded us good cover for three parts of the
+way. Then it shallowed, and we soon were able to see, from our horses,
+the cattle in the corn. We thought we had been very quiet indeed, but we
+noticed a hurried movement among the beasts, and with a cry "They're
+off!" my companion dug his spurs into his horse and was off like the
+wind himself. And I after him.</p>
+
+<p>We dashed into the corn, and raced like mad to head the stampeding
+beasts. It was the strangest sensation in the world, galloping in the
+moonlight through the waving corn, which was up to our horses'
+shoulders. It made me quite giddy for a second or two, but I galloped
+madly on after my companion, who, with his shrill cowboy yells, helped
+the roaring cattle to wake the midnight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> silences of the valley. I
+joined in the yelling, too, and, so soon as our voices were heard, there
+was a chorus in reply from where we had left the rest of our party.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall never head them," I cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not, but we'll try," answered the vaquero, as we tore onward. I
+thought we had not the slightest hope of heading them. Up the hillside
+we tore to keep them on the flat ground, and at every leap over a rough
+incline I thought my horse would break his neck and mine too. But as
+surefooted as goats are those horses of the hills. At length, for some
+reason or other, the cattle wheeled and went back down towards the
+river, and we, of course, followed.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, two of them broke away to the right, and I after them. I
+thought I might be of some little use, even if I were not an expert
+lassoer. But those two wild cattle knew too much for me. They tore
+across a gully, dashed up the other side and away at full gallop into
+the hills. I let them go. If I had pursued them farther most probably I
+should not be writing this now. As it was, it was a marvel I had not
+broken my neck. Only my splendid horse had saved me.</p>
+
+<p>So I rode back to the oak-trees, and there&mdash;there was not a sign of
+life. All was as silent and still as if nothing had ever disturbed
+Nature's quiet. I remember how beautiful was the night. A half-moon
+shone out in a clear sky, like a semicircle of pure, bright silver, the
+tops of the mountains were silhouetted against the sky as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> they were
+cut out of cardboard, and all was so calm just then. You don't get such
+lovely nights elsewhere. The moon has not the sterling brightness; the
+air not the clearness nor the stillness that it has there.</p>
+
+<p>Where were my companions? I did not know. My panting horse was glad to
+get breathing-space, so I sat there in the saddle, waiting. I pulled my
+coat around my shoulders, for the air was chilly. It was then about 2
+<span class="smaller">A.M.</span></p>
+
+<p>A sharp sound disturbed my reverie&mdash;the sound of a horse's hoofs
+galloping over the rocky river-bed. The rattle was so clear, so
+distinct, in that atmosphere and at that hour, that I could hear it long
+before my eyes could detect anything, even in that bright moonlight.
+Then, in a few moments, there approached a horse at full gallop, with
+his head low down and neck extended&mdash;at first apparently riderless, but
+as he came nearer I was startled to discover a black shape, hanging over
+the off-side, and, as the frightened steed tore past me, I saw it was a
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>It was Edna. Who else could it be? Her left foot, still in the stirrup,
+had come right over the saddle with her as she fell, and she was
+clinging desperately with her hands to the horse's long mane, but so low
+down that, at the pace, it seemed to be impossible for her to recover.</p>
+
+<p>Without a moment's thought of how I should save her, I galloped after
+her maddened steed as hard as I could go. I was on an English saddle and
+without a lasso&mdash;since to me such a thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> would have been of little use
+on such a risky expedition as we had undertaken; but I urged my horse
+onwards and galloped him at his utmost in an endeavour to head the
+other, when perhaps I might be able to clutch a rein and stop the
+runaway. But Edna's horse was the fleetest of any on the ranche;
+moreover, her light weight was a comparative advantage, and so I gained
+not a whit on the horse with his imperilled burden. It was terrible. How
+long could the poor girl hang on like that? Not much longer, I was sure,
+yet prayed that she might have strength.</p>
+
+<p>Then, ahead of us, in the distant moonlight, I discerned other galloping
+figures. A horseman was pursuing at full speed along the bank a huge
+steer that bellowed as it endeavoured to secure a free run up into the
+hills, there to be safe from its mortal enemy. I yelled at the top of my
+voice, with all the breath I had left.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the horseman pulled his horse back on its haunches and from
+the bank stared down at pursued and pursuer. In a twinkling he seemed to
+realise the situation, wheeled, and galloped down the bank at an angle
+calculated to make it easier for him to get within reach of Edna's
+horse. Then I saw it was Tom, and he must have guessed that it was Edna
+ahead of him, in a position of direst peril. How we had all become
+separated I could not guess, and there was no time to wonder now.</p>
+
+<p>I saw Tom gather his loop in his right hand, holding the coil in his
+left, and begin to swing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> the loop round his head. What! was he going to
+take such a risk? To lasso the horse and check it suddenly when at a mad
+gallop like that? Surely the animal would come to earth with a fearful
+crash, most probably on the side on which it was weighed down with its
+burden.</p>
+
+<p>Then I saw the rope whirl through the air, and though it could have been
+but a moment, it seemed to hang there for minutes without falling. This
+was the time for skill. If ever Tom should throw his lariat well, it
+must be now. With unerring aim the rope was cast, and the loop settled
+over the head of the runaway, though the maddened animal was galloping
+with neck stretched full length and head low down.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually the rope tightened round its shoulders, Tom galloping his own
+horse hard behind. By the most skilful manipulation of the lariat,
+Edna's horse was compelled to slacken its pace, Tom getting nearer and
+nearer by degrees and taking in the slack until he was right alongside.
+He soon brought the runaway to a stand-still, and directed me to release
+Edna's foot from the stirrup, which I did. She sank to the ground,
+completely exhausted. And little wonder. Her hands were cut and bleeding
+with the tenacious grip she had kept on the horse's mane, and it was
+some time before she recovered sufficient strength to move.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she was able, she told us that she had become separated from
+the other riders when galloping through the cornbrake, and a wild steer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>
+had gored her horse in the side. This had so startled the animal that he
+reared, and then dashed off madly up the valley in the way I had seen
+her coming. She had fallen over, and as her foot had caught in the
+stirrup, she clutched her horse's long mane, and so saved herself from
+being dragged along the ground, and, probably, from a horrible death.</p>
+
+<p>We now were able to see that her horse had been badly ripped on the near
+side, and from loss of blood and as the result of his long, mad gallop,
+the poor animal was in a bad way. He was led back to the ranche and
+there cared for.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that the others had galloped along on the other side of the
+field until they had found that the cattle had turned. Then they waited
+until they could get behind them, and, when this was managed, they
+secured half a dozen of them with their lariats.</p>
+
+<p>One man had let go his lasso. This sometimes happens. In cases of
+emergency a man has to let go his rope, and that is why the cowboys
+practise picking up things from the ground at full gallop. It is not
+done there for show; there is no gallery to play to. It is a necessary
+accomplishment. A man has lost his rope, the other end of it, perhaps,
+being round the horns of a steer. He gallops after it, as soon as he is
+clear of the bunch, and picks up the end at full speed. At the proper
+time he gives the lasso a turn round the horn of the saddle, pulls up
+his well-trained horse, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> the steer is jerked to his feet. It is
+neatly done&mdash;and it takes doing.</p>
+
+<p>Next day the cattle were all in the corrals, and the wild ones were
+placed in the bunch to be travelled down to King City. But the newcomers
+were too unruly. They continually broke away <i>en route</i>, and gave so
+much trouble that before our destination was reached we shot every one
+of them.</p>
+
+<p>I left my friend's ranche shortly after this. I had had some experience
+that was worth winning, and I had gained a little knowledge of ranche
+life of the West.</p>
+
+<p>Lately I received a delicate little wedding-card, neatly inscribed, and
+figured with a design representing a coiled lariat. And from out of the
+coil there peeped the daintily written words&mdash;"Tom and Edna."</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>O'DONNELL'S REVENGE</h3>
+
+<p>Engineer Trevannion was annoyed; for the Works Committee at Berthwer,
+who managed the affairs of the new wharf in course of construction
+there, had written to announce that they had appointed an assistant
+engineer, and had added an expression of opinion that "Mr. Garstin would
+prove of exceptional aid in the theoretical department, leaving Mr.
+Trevannion more time for the practical work in the execution of which he
+had given such satisfactory proof of his ability."</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the sop to his feelings, Trevannion had grasped the
+significance of this communication, and resented it. He had been here,
+in sole charge, since the beginning; the chief engineer, who lived at
+the other end of the town, only came round once a fortnight, so
+trustworthy did he consider his subordinate. He had laboured at the
+detailed plans, wrestled with measurements to scale, until his eyes
+ached. He had stood about the works in all weathers, had exercised a
+personal supervision over the men, and had never made a slip in his
+weekly reports.</p>
+
+<p>To write the latter correctly, to keep the Committee informed of the
+amount of cement<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> used, of fresh piles driven, of water pumped out, of
+concrete put in, to notify casualties, as they occurred, in a manner
+that might suggest the Committee's obligations under employers'
+liability, but did not harrow their feelings; to be at the works by nine
+o'clock every morning and not to leave till five; to be either in the
+iron shanty called the engineer's office, or supervising the making of
+concrete, or clambering about the massive beams and piles, or shouting
+through the telephone, or interviewing the ganger, or doing one of the
+hundred other things that were in the day's work; surely this was all
+that was required to be done, and he flattered himself that he had done
+it very well.</p>
+
+<p>And now the Works Committee were going to foist an assistant on him.
+Assistant! The very name was a slight upon his capabilities, a slur on
+his independence. Why had they treated him thus?</p>
+
+<p>He thought he knew the reason, ridiculous as it appeared to him. The new
+wharf, which was to increase the already considerable importance of
+Berthwer as a river port, had not proceeded very rapidly during the past
+few weeks. There had been difficulties&mdash;difficulties which Trevannion
+had attributed to unforeseen circumstances. It was possible that the
+Committee had attributed the difficulties to circumstances which ought
+to have been foreseen.</p>
+
+<p>Herein lay the gist of his resentment at the new appointment. The
+Committee, while recognising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> his diligence, energy, and pluck,
+considered that he lacked some of the finer qualities of insight that
+enable a man to forestall such difficulties and, when they occur, to
+meet them with as small an expenditure of capital and labour as
+possible. So they had appointed Garstin to help him; in other words, to
+supply the brain qualities which they imagined he lacked. It was unfair
+and humiliating.</p>
+
+<p>"Some puling theoretician!" he muttered to himself, as he walked to the
+works one winter morning. "Some dandy who can draw cubes and triangles
+and cannot do anything else except come here&mdash;late probably&mdash;in an
+overcoat and comforter. One of those sickly office-desk beggars who are
+ill half the time and useless the rest. Absolutely sickening!"</p>
+
+<p>He strode along in a temper with which the weather harmonised. It was
+gusty, bleak, and wet. Great pools of water lay on the rough roads in
+the poor quarter of the town through which lay his route. In order to
+reach the works, he had to cross the river by means of a ferry-boat.
+When he reached the landing-stage on this particular morning, he could
+see the boat moored against the opposite bank, but there was no ferryman
+in sight, and there was no response when he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>He shouted again and again. Then he turned up the collar of his
+jacket&mdash;he disdained a greatcoat&mdash;and pulled his cap over his eyes, and
+used strong language to relieve his feelings. He was still blaming the
+river, the ferryman, and anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> else he could think of, when he
+became conscious of a light footfall, and, turning, saw a young man
+standing by his side.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't make the ferryman hear," he remarked in an aggrieved tone to
+the newcomer, as if the latter was in some way responsible for the fact.
+"It's an awful nuisance&mdash;I am already late. I've never known him play
+this trick before."</p>
+
+<p>"And I've been here ten minutes," was the answer. "The man has either
+gone away or gone to sleep. Hadn't we better get across some other way?
+There is a boat a few yards down. We might borrow it and scull ourselves
+across, that is, if you think&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Good idea!" exclaimed Trevannion. Then he hesitated. "You&mdash;you are not
+going to the wharf, are you?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;for the first time in my life."</p>
+
+<p>"Is your name Garstin?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it. Perhaps you can tell me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Trevannion," briefly. "I didn't expect you quite so soon. Er&mdash;I'm
+glad to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>His eyes went to the heavy coat in which the lad&mdash;he was little
+more&mdash;was encased, to the fashionable bowler that contrasted with his
+own tweed cap, to the umbrella that protected the bowler from the
+dripping rain&mdash;ay, even to the comforter. It was as he had feared.
+Garstin was an office-desk weakling, and a mere boy into the bargain.
+The Works Committee had added insult to the injury they did him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you're Mr. Trevannion," said the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> "insult," shyly holding out a
+gloved right hand. Trevannion took it limply and quickly let it drop.
+"Come on," he said. "We will get across first and talk afterwards."</p>
+
+<p>The gruffness of his tone did not tend to encourage expansiveness on the
+other's part, and little more was said whilst they unmoored the boat and
+rowed across, so the engineer had good opportunity for taking stock of
+his companion. The water was rough, and he judged from the clumsy way in
+which Garstin handled his oar and his apparent powerlessness to impart
+vigour to the stroke that muscular development had not formed part of
+his education. Trevannion stood six-foot-one in his stockings, and his
+frame was well knit with muscles that were supple as well as strong;
+naturally, he believed that physical fitness was essential to a good
+engineer, especially to an engineer in charge of a rather rough crew of
+workmen. He resolved by-and-by to recommend a course of Sandow to the
+new hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mind how you get out," he said, when the boat bumped against the slimy
+ladder that did duty for a stairway. "The steps are greasy, and those
+togs of yours are hardly suited to this job."</p>
+
+<p>Garstin flushed but made no remark, and Trevannion flattered himself
+that the hint would not be wasted. He had already decided that the new
+engineer would have to be taught many things. This was Lesson No. 1.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had they scrambled on to the wharf when Trevannion's ganger came
+up.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>"'Morning, sir. Can I speak to you a moment? There has been trouble
+between O'Donnell and Peters. O'Donnell was drunk&mdash;leastways so Peters
+says. Any'ow they got fighting and mauled each other pretty severe; in
+fact Peters is in hospital. Thought you'd better hear of it, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right," said Trevannion judicially. It was a common enough story
+on the wharf, and he had heard it before without paying much attention,
+but now&mdash;he glanced at the slight figure beside him, who evidently
+required as many object-lessons as could be given&mdash;and decided that here
+lay the opportunity for giving Lesson No. 2. "Pay O'Donnell and sack
+him," he commanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," said the ganger, moving away.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way we have to treat our fellows here," said Trevannion.
+"Summary justice, you know. They're a rough lot. Now come and see the
+office and the plans."</p>
+
+<p>Whatever Garstin may have thought of these proceedings, he said nothing,
+but followed submissively along the wharf. Perhaps, without knowing the
+peculiar authority which had at the contractor's desire been vested in
+Trevannion, he wondered that any engineer should wield such powers.
+However, he had not much time for wondering, or indeed for anything
+except the task of keeping pace with his nimble, long-legged comrade. He
+kept stumbling over little heaps of granite and sand, over rails, along
+which the travelling cranes moved ponderously, over bits of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> tarpaulin
+and old iron instruments, over every object, in fact, that Trevannion
+avoided with such apparent ease.</p>
+
+<p>Garstin was rather a distressful youth by the time the shanty was
+reached, for the pace had been hot, and he had been impeded by the fatal
+greatcoat and muffler. After divesting himself of these he stood still
+and breathed hard in front of a cheerful coke fire, while Trevannion
+unrolled the plans and pinned them to the long, sloping desk occupying
+one side of the room.</p>
+
+<p>When all was ready the engineer began to explain the plans in detail,
+elaborating the explanation with simpler explanation, getting through
+the sections one by one with slow precision, repeating his elucidation
+of black lines, red lines, and green lines, of the length, breadth, and
+numbers of the piles, of the soil, subsoil, and sub-subsoil, that
+received them; all this in the manner of one who is instructing a child
+in the rudiments of engineering science, for he had made up his mind
+that Garstin would want a lot of instructing.</p>
+
+<p>Garstin seemed a patient listener, and Trevannion had almost begun to
+enjoy himself, when the former suddenly laid his finger on a certain
+spot and asked a question connected with water-pressure and the strength
+of resisting force. Trevannion was surprised into returning what he
+thought was the correct answer. He was still more surprised when the
+other proceeded to prove by figures that that answer was incontestably
+incorrect.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p><p>This was the beginning. Garstin quickly found more questions to put on
+other points, more criticisms of Trevannion's replies. The latter at
+first made desperate efforts to crush him by assuming the calm
+superiority of the older hand. But with Garstin's logic it was useless
+to be calm. It was worse than useless to try to be superior. The
+intruder stuck to his guns with respectful pertinacity. Perhaps the fire
+had warmed his brain into unwonted activity; Trevannion found himself
+wondering whether this was so, or whether it was a normal state&mdash;the
+last thought was horrible!</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, there was no doubt that within these four stuffy walls
+Garstin was in his element. Trevannion clearly was not. In half an hour
+his treasured theories had been picked to pieces and his stock of
+argument was exhausted, whilst his rival appeared as fresh as the
+woodwork.</p>
+
+<p>But the climax was reached when Section D came up for discussion. Things
+had not gone well with Section D in practice. Trevannion incautiously
+admitted as much when he said that Section D represented a point on the
+wharf where the river persistently&mdash;more persistently than at other
+points&mdash;forced its way into the cavity intended for good concrete.
+Garstin promptly demonstrated the probable reason why. This was too
+much. Trevannion shut up the demonstration by opening the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Phew!" he said. "Let's go out and get a little fresh air. We'll have a
+look at the section itself."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><p>He stepped out, followed by the other&mdash;meekly.</p>
+
+<p>It was still raining. Under the leaden sky the works looked more dismal
+than ever. Lakes of water lay where there had been pools; rails and
+machinery glistened as if they had been carefully oiled. A thick
+light-brown river raced past. The echoing wind and the hoarse murmur of
+the gang at work on Section D mingled with the groaning and clattering
+of the cranes. Garstin missed the warmth of the fire and shivered; he
+had forgotten his overcoat; and he experienced only the mildest
+curiosity in the surroundings. Trevannion walked rapidly and in silence.
+He was thinking mainly of how he could get his own back from this
+usurper.</p>
+
+<p>They came to the edge of Section D. Below them yawned a huge pit with
+uneven walls sheer from top to bottom. Fronting them, on the river side,
+solid piles went down into an abyss that ended in black water; these
+were a barrier&mdash;a support to the wedge of earth that the mighty river
+pressed against their backs. From the land side to the tops of the piles
+stretched transverse beams, two and three yards apart; more beams lower
+down, constituting stays against the piles buckling; the whole a giant
+scaffolding embedded in the bowels of the earth. A few rough blocks of
+concrete peeped from the water below. Fountains spurted from between the
+piles and splashed into the basin.</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion looked at the fountains and frowned. There would be work for
+the pumps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> very shortly; there was always too much work for the pumps in
+Section D, and so too little time and opportunity for more progressive
+labour. Then, disregarding the obviously slippery state of the
+transverse beams, he stepped on to one of them, and stood poised for a
+moment over sixty feet of hungry voidness.</p>
+
+<p>"Come over to the other side," he said to Garstin. "You cannot see what
+is going on below from where you are. Why, what&mdash;&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>Garstin, after placing one foot on the beam, had drawn back, a leaden
+pallor showing unmistakably under his skin.</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion stared at him. The laugh, the jeer, that had risen in his
+heart at this sudden failure of nerve never found expression. There was
+something in the young fellow's face that spoke of more than a qualm of
+nervousness. It was a pitiful terror that met Trevannion's eyes&mdash;the
+pleading terror of a dumb, helpless animal before a human tormentor.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the engineer stood irresolute. Two men, engaged in mixing
+cement a few yards distant, had laid down their spades, and, having
+heard Trevannion's invitation to cross the beam, were looking at "the
+new bloke" in mild wonder as to why he hesitated. A third was slowly
+trundling a wheelbarrow full of sand towards them. Trevannion took in
+these details in a flash&mdash;and realised their significance. Here was an
+easy chance of shaming Garstin before the gang, of convicting him of
+rank and unprofessional <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>cowardice, of getting his own back again from
+the office-desk theoretician, yet&mdash;an uncontrollable impulse of
+generosity prevented his seizing it. He stepped on to the bank and stood
+beside the fear-struck figure.</p>
+
+<p>"You <i>must</i> come on," he said in a whisper that was little more than a
+breath. "Pull yourself together. I'll hold you."</p>
+
+<p>An instant later, and for an instant only, the two stood together on the
+narrow beam, Garstin a shrinking form, his every limb shaken by
+something more potent than the gusty wind, his face turned anywhere but
+downwards. Trevannion did not hold him, but his hand rested reassuringly
+on the other's quivering arm. For an instant only, and then Garstin was
+pushed on to the firm bank again and hurried towards the office.</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion talked jerkily as soon as they were out of earshot of the
+gang. "Sudden attack of funk&mdash;rather a bogie place on a slippery
+day&mdash;might happen to anybody&mdash;get used to it&mdash;dance a jig on top of the
+king pile one day, and wonder how you could ever have been such a&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Coward," finished Garstin quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"No-o, that's not exactly the word," said Trevannion lamely, and waited
+for explanation or extenuation.</p>
+
+<p>But none came. It was as if the boy was quite aware of the cowardice,
+and did not wish his companion to consider it anything else.
+Trevannion's mind marvelled at the seeming abasement.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p><p>A few days later Trevannion reported progress to his wife anent the new
+assistant, whom for some strange reason he had grown positively to like.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonderfully brainy chap, Garstin. He has helped me no end with Section
+D&mdash;you know, where we have had all the trouble. With luck we shall have
+it finished in a week or two. At the same time"&mdash;with conviction&mdash;"he
+will never make a practical engineer. Wouldn't be any good in an
+emergency. No nerve&mdash;no nerve at all. Seems to go to bits directly he
+gets outside the office. Can't even look down into the section without
+holding on to something. If a crane starts anywhere near, it makes him
+jump, and as to being any good with the gang, why, he daren't speak to
+one of them. Only this afternoon, when O'Donnell came and blustered&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"O'Donnell?" said his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;a man I sacked for being drunk and fighting. He came to the office
+this afternoon and asked to be taken on again. He said he could get no
+other job, and his wife and children were starving. I told him that the
+regulations would not admit of his re-employment; besides, I had
+reported him as dismissed and filled up the vacancy. Then he started
+cursing and threatening that he would do for the wharf and for me too,
+unless I relented. Of course I didn't relent. I turned him out&mdash;he was
+half-drunk. And there&mdash;what do you think?&mdash;there was Garstin with his
+hands covering his face, shivering and shaking as if he had seen a
+ghost.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p><p>"'I am sure that fellow means mischief, Mr. Trevannion,' he muttered.
+'I'm sure he does&mdash;I read it in his eyes. Hadn't you better take him
+back&mdash;just for the sake of his wife?'</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I couldn't&mdash;wouldn't. But Garstin's a brainy beggar&mdash;oh,
+wonderfully brainy."</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>There came a certain Friday evening when the two men sat late in their
+office, compiling the weekly report. Trevannion was in high good-humour;
+for had not their joint efforts, as he liked to call Garstin's useful
+suggestions, proved successful in ousting the river finally from Section
+D? and was not that troublesome part of the wharf ready for good
+concrete as soon as it could be made? He had to record this gratifying
+intelligence for the Committee's benefit, and he did it with a relish.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing to fear now for the old section," he remarked cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing but the unexpected collapse of a pile," said Garstin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"It's improbable."</p>
+
+<p>The report was finished and placed in its long envelope, and they
+prepared to go home. Trevannion began to busy himself with a heavy oil
+lantern. "I am going to have a look at the section on the way," he said;
+"just to see that the river has not come over the top," he added
+jestingly. "It's a whim of mine. But don't come if you'd rather not. I
+can join you at the steps."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, I'll come," said Garstin&mdash;without enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>The pair stepped out into the night, Trevannion locking the door behind
+him. It was pitch-dark on the wharf. They could feel the presence of,
+rather than see, the river that flowed silently in front of them, and
+they could roughly locate the far bank by the myriads of starry lights
+that showed Berthwer town beyond. A single red lamp glowed dully far to
+the west; it belonged to a steamer that they had seen come to her
+moorings in the afternoon. There were no other vessels showing lights.
+The rest was black with a blackness sentient of vague forms&mdash;an
+impenetrable wall of darkness that seemed to stand between them and the
+outer world.</p>
+
+<p>Picking their way carefully between d&eacute;bris and other impedimenta, they
+made their way towards the section, and had covered half the distance
+when Garstin stopped. "Don't you hear something?" he asked. "I am almost
+sure I was not mistaken. It was like the sound of blows. There cannot be
+anybody there now, can there?"</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion halted and listened.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't hear anything," he said presently. "Besides, who could be on
+the wharf now? You know the regulations, and the watchman is there to
+enforce them."</p>
+
+<p>"I think&mdash;the noise has stopped."</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion flashed the lantern on him suspiciously. "Nerves again" had
+come into his mind. However, he said nothing, but resumed his march,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>
+swinging his lantern this way and that, so as to gain a larger
+circumference of light. But suddenly he again stopped, as an unexpected
+sound fell on his ears.</p>
+
+<p>"By jove&mdash;water!" he exclaimed, and broke into a run.</p>
+
+<p>Garstin followed as fast as he could, but, deprived of the light, he
+quickly came to grief over some old metal. When he picked himself up,
+the other was yards ahead, and after that he had to content himself with
+keeping the lantern in view.</p>
+
+<p>The engineer reached Section D and stopped breathless on the brink. He
+had forgotten Garstin&mdash;had forgotten everything save that water was
+again forcing its way into the unhappy section. But how and where?
+Anxiously examining the opposite side with his lantern, he soon
+discovered what the matter was, and the discovery caused him a thrill of
+amazed horror. The "improbable thing" had happened. One of the piles was
+buckling&mdash;bending inwards&mdash;and the earth dam was surely, if slowly,
+giving way at this point. He turned to shout to Garstin.</p>
+
+<p>Then something hit him on the shoulder and he fell backwards into
+Section D, wildly and vainly clutching at a beam to save himself.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>"Trevannion! Trevannion!"</p>
+
+<p>The voice of Garstin, office-desk theoretician,
+assistant-engineer&mdash;Trevannion was clear about that. What he did not
+realise so clearly was what had happened to himself. He was lying face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+downwards on something, with his arm under his breast&mdash;his left arm,
+that is&mdash;his right seemed to have disappeared. Likewise, though he was
+conscious of a weight hanging downwards from his middle, he wondered
+vaguely what had become of his legs. He felt a curious disinclination to
+stir.</p>
+
+<p>Yet the voice went on calling, and presently he was impelled to answer
+"Hello, Garstin." Then, while he was still listening to the unfamiliar
+echo of his own voice, he heard just behind him a <i>splash, splash,
+splash</i>, and his left arm jerked itself spasmodically from beneath his
+breast, the hand simultaneously touching a substance that was hard,
+cold, and slimy.</p>
+
+<p>Then he realised.</p>
+
+<p>He was somewhere near the bottom of Section D. His body lay across one
+of the lowest beams; his legs dangled in the water. Garstin was
+somewhere above him, and the river was pouring steadily into the
+section, splashing now with monotonous regularity. And the water was
+rising&mdash;creeping up towards the level of the beam where he lay.</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion tried to raise himself by his right arm, but the limb gave
+way with an agonising shoot of pain; it was broken. He remained still
+and considered. Was the broken arm the extent of his injuries? The cold
+water had numbed his legs beyond all feeling. They were so much dead
+weight attached to his body. Both might be fractured for all he knew.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p><p>The main fact was that he was incapable of moving, of helping himself,
+at any rate until assistance came. And the water was rising, of course.
+Would rescue or the water arrive first?</p>
+
+<p>He looked up painfully through the clammy gloom. Nothing save patches of
+sky, seen between the black beams, greeted his eyes. There was no sound
+save that of the water&mdash;<i>splash, splash, drip, drip</i>. For an instant the
+fear of death conquered him, and he almost shrieked.</p>
+
+<p>However, as physical exhaustion renewed its hold upon him, he grew
+calmer. He began to recall what had happened. He had fallen into the
+section&mdash;no&mdash;he had been pushed in. There flashed upon him the vision of
+a sullen, black-haired labourer, whom he had refused to reinstate; this
+act was O'Donnell's revenge.</p>
+
+<p>What had happened after that? The man would scarcely have had time to
+make his escape before Garstin came up. Well, it did not matter&mdash;he had
+heard Garstin's voice since in proof that he had survived any possible
+encounter. And the absence of Garstin, the oppressive silence now?
+Garstin had gone for help, of course. A boy like that could do nothing
+by himself even if he had the nerve; and Garstin had none. However, he
+would not be long in finding the watchman, and bringing him to the
+rescue. They ought to be here now. They certainly ought to be here now.</p>
+
+<p>Nervously anxious, he listened for any sound of footfall or voice. Did
+Garstin realise the danger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> of the black water that was rising, ever
+rising? Had he by any evil chance failed to find the watchman at his
+post?</p>
+
+<p>A smooth wave flowed slowly over the beam, and he shuddered.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly&mdash;after hours, as it seemed&mdash;something flickered on the surface
+of the water in front of him. A shadowy white gleam it was. It danced
+before his eyes like a mocking spirit&mdash;and was gone. But shortly it
+reappeared, and with it a lantern and a rope, with somebody clinging to
+the end of the rope. Trevannion had just time to recognise the figure of
+Garstin, swaying slowly above him, before he lost consciousness.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>Garstin got him out, of course. But it was many days before Trevannion
+learned the details of the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that Garstin had arrived just in time to witness O'Donnell's
+treacherous attack, and to confront the infuriated man as he turned to
+retreat. In a blind frenzy the boy sprang at his enemy, and the latter,
+taken by surprise, went down with a crash, striking his head on a heap
+of stones, and lay senseless.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon Garstin, with the one idea of rescuing Trevannion in his mind,
+hurried off to the watchman's hut&mdash;only to find that the fellow had left
+his post. However, he discovered there a lantern and a coil of rope,
+and, taking these, he returned to Section D, resolved to attempt the
+rescue by himself. Having shouted and received<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> a reply, he hitched one
+end of the rope to a beam, and was about to lower himself down, when he
+discovered that the rope was so badly frayed in its centre that it could
+not be trusted to bear even his slight weight.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing to be done save to postpone the attempt till he had
+found a more substantial cable. He remembered that there was a length or
+two in the office, and thither he set out at once. The door being locked
+and Trevannion having the key is his pocket, he had to force the lock as
+best he could with the first implement he could lay hands on.</p>
+
+<p>This occupied several minutes, and when he returned to the section, he
+was tormented by the fear that he might find Trevannion drowned. He
+hastily affixed the new rope, and let himself down into the abyss, where
+he discovered Trevannion insensible, with his forehead almost touching
+the water.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take long to make a noose and slip it over the latter's
+shoulders, but he had hardly done so when a gush of water swept over the
+beam, carrying away the lantern and plunging them into total darkness.
+For some subsequent seconds the boy clutched the rope and Trevannion's
+lifeless body in an agony of terror and doubt.</p>
+
+<p>Then he started to climb up. The process proved exceedingly laborious,
+for the hemp was thin and damp, and it was difficult to obtain a grip.
+However, he managed to reach the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>summit and clambered over the brink,
+then paused awhile for some little breath and strength before essaying
+the hardest task of all&mdash;the hauling of Trevannion into safety.</p>
+
+<p>How his puny strength enabled him to do this, he never could say. His
+foothold was none too secure, and the only available leverage was a
+narrow piece of masonry that jutted from the side. Yet, working inch by
+inch, he accomplished it, and when Trevannion had been brought
+sufficiently near the top, he made the rope fast to a convenient block
+of granite, and, kneeling down, regardless of his own peril, lifted him
+over the side. It was quite ten minutes before he could stagger with his
+burden to the office.</p>
+
+<p>Safely inside, he made up the fire and telephoned for the doctor. Then
+he remembered O'Donnell, and spoke a message to the police-station,
+whence were presently despatched a couple of constables who found the
+man, stunned and considerably bruised. Neither did he forget Section
+D&mdash;with the result that there was a breakdown gang on the spot before
+midnight.</p>
+
+<p>The buckled pile was found to have been nearly chopped through a few
+feet from the top, and there was no doubt that if O'Donnell had been
+undisturbed, he would have done the most serious mischief to the work.
+As it was, the completion of the section was delayed for two months.</p>
+
+<p>Trevannion heard this story during his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> convalescence&mdash;a lengthy period,
+since two ribs were broken as well as the arm, and he had suffered
+severely from shock and exposure. In answer to a question Garstin said
+that at the time he had scarcely noticed the physical strain. The thing
+that was uppermost in his mind was the fear that Trevannion might drown
+before he could get to him. No, he had experienced no personal sensation
+of nervousness, when preparing to descend into the section. Whereupon
+Trevannion thought deeply.</p>
+
+<p>"I owe my life to your pluck, and I was a fool to faint at the critical
+moment," was all he said.</p>
+
+<p>But, as has been remarked, his thoughts were many and profound. Nor was
+he ever again heard to reflect on Garstin's "want of nerve."</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX</h2>
+
+<h3>MY ADVENTURE WITH A LION</h3>
+
+<p>I once served an apprenticeship on a New York newspaper, and some of my
+experiences as a reporter on the <i>Evening Smile</i> I shall never forget.</p>
+
+<p>A reporter on an American newspaper is like a soldier&mdash;he is expected to
+obey orders implicitly, even at the risk of his life. For this reason he
+is paid well, but a nervous reporter often goes out of the office with
+his heart in his mouth and an "assignment" that makes him think
+seriously of taking out another insurance policy on his life.</p>
+
+<p>One gloomy winter's morning I got down to the office at eight o'clock as
+usual, and had hardly reached my desk when the news editor&mdash;a kind man,
+who was always giving me opportunities of distinguishing myself&mdash;came up
+and began to speak at once in a very mysterious voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Got a dandy assignment for you this morning," he said.</p>
+
+<p>I looked up gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you carry a six-shooter, don't you?" he asked. "You may need it
+this trip."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" I managed to gasp.</p>
+
+<p>"A lion's escaped," he went on, in the quick,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> nervous American way of
+an American news editor.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it really?" I said, wondering what was coming next.</p>
+
+<p>"Jaffray's Circus came to town last night, the lion somehow got out, and
+they've been chasing it all night. Got it cornered in a stable at last,
+somewhere in East 19th Street; but it attacked and mauled a valuable
+horse there, and I understand is still at bay. That's all I know. Get up
+there as quick as you like, and get us a regular blazing story of it.
+You can run to a column," he added over his shoulder, as he returned to
+his desk to distribute the other morning assignments, "and let's have
+your copy down by messenger in time for the first edition."</p>
+
+<p>No one ever disputed with the news editor, or asked unnecessary
+questions, but many a reporter did a lot of steady thinking when he got
+outside the office and safely on to the doorstep.</p>
+
+<p>I crammed my pocket full of paper from the big heap at the middle table,
+and swaggered out of the room with my nose in the air, as though hunting
+escaped lions was a little matter I attended to every day of my life,
+and that did not disturb me an atom.</p>
+
+<p>An overhead train soon rattled me up to East 19th Street, but it was
+some time before I found the stable where the lion awaited me, for 19th
+Street runs from Broadway down to the East River, and is a mile or two
+in length, and full of stables. Not far from the corner of Irving
+Place,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> however, I got on to the scent of my quarry, and I had hardly
+joined the group that had collected at the corner before a noise like
+distant thunder rose on the air, and every single person in the group
+turned tail and began to run for safety.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the trouble?" I asked of a man as he dashed past me.</p>
+
+<p>"Lion in that stable!" he shouted, pointing to the big wooden doors
+across the road. "Escaped from the circus. Savage as they make 'em.
+Killed a trotting-horse in there, and no one can get near it. They say
+it's a man-eater, too!"</p>
+
+<p>Another roar burst out as he spoke, and the crowd that had begun to
+collect again scattered in an instant in all directions. There was no
+doubt about that sound: it was a genuine lion's roar, and it sounded
+deeper, I thought, than any roar I had ever heard before.</p>
+
+<p>But news was news, and in this case news was bread-and-butter. I must
+get the facts, and be quick about it, too, for my copy had to be written
+out and in the office of the <i>Evening Smile</i> in time for the first
+edition. There was barely an hour in which to do the whole business.</p>
+
+<p>I forced my way through the crowd now gathering again on the corner, and
+made my way across the road to where a group of men was standing not far
+from the stable doors. They moved about a bit when the roars came, but
+none of them ran, and I noticed some of them had pistols in their hands,
+and some heavy crowbars, and other weapons. Evidently, I judged, they
+were men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> connected with the circus, and I joined the group and
+explained my mission.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's right enough," said one of them. "You've got a grand
+newspaper story this time. Old Yellow Hair's in there, sure pop! And,
+what's more, I don't see how we're ever going to get him out again."</p>
+
+<p>"The horse must be stiff by now," said another. "He was mauled half to
+death an hour ago."</p>
+
+<p>"It'd be a shame to have to shoot him," added a third, meaning the lion.
+"He's the best animal in the whole circus; but he is awful savage."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a fact," chimed in a fourth. "There's no flies on old Yellow
+Hair."</p>
+
+<p>Some one touched me on the arm and introduced himself as a reporter from
+the <i>Evening Grin</i>&mdash;a fellow-worker in distress. He said he didn't like
+the job at all. He wanted us to go off and concoct a "fake story." But I
+wouldn't agree to this, and it fell through; for unless all the evening
+papers conspire to write the same story there's always trouble at the
+office when the reporters get back.</p>
+
+<p>Other reporters kept joining the group, and in twenty minutes from the
+time of my arrival on the scene there must have been a good dozen of us.
+Every paper in town was represented. It was a first-class news story,
+and the men who were paid by space were already working hard to improve
+its value by getting new details, such as the animal's history and
+pedigree, names of previous victims, human or otherwise, the
+description<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> and family history of its favourite keeper, and every other
+imaginable detail under the sun.</p>
+
+<p>"There's an empty loft above the stable," said one of the circus men,
+pointing to a smaller door on the storey above; and before ten minutes
+had passed some one arrived with a ladder, and the string of unwilling
+reporters was soon seen climbing up the rungs and disappearing like rats
+into a hole through the door of the loft. We drew lots for places, and I
+came fifth.</p>
+
+<p>Before going up, however, I had got a messenger-boy stationed in the
+street below to catch my "copy" and hurry off with it to the <i>Evening
+Smile</i> as soon as I could compose the wonderful story and throw it down
+to him. The reporter on an evening paper in New York has to write his
+"stuff," as we called it, in wonderful and terrible places, and under
+all sorts of conditions. The only rules he must bear in mind are: Get
+the news, and get it <i>quick</i>. Accuracy is a mere detail for later
+editions&mdash;or not at all.</p>
+
+<p>The loft was dark and small, and we only just managed to squeeze in. It
+smelt pleasantly of hay. But there was another odour besides, that no
+one understood at first, and that was decidedly unpleasant. Overhead
+were thick rafters. I think every one of us noticed these before he
+noticed anything else, for the instant the roar of that lion sounded up
+through the boards under our feet the reporters scattered like chaff
+before the wind, and scuttled up into those rafters with a speed, and
+dust, and clatter I have never seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> equalled. It was like sparrows
+flying from the sudden onslaught of a cat.</p>
+
+<p>Fat men, lean men, long men, short men&mdash;I never saw such a collection of
+news-gatherers; smart men from the big papers, shabby fellows from the
+gutter press, hats flying, papers fluttering; and in less than a second
+after the roar was heard there was not a solitary figure to be seen on
+the floor. Every single man had gone aloft.</p>
+
+<p>We all came down again when the roar ceased, and with subsequent roars
+we got a little more accustomed to the shaking of the boards under our
+feet. But the first time at such close quarters, with only a shaky
+wooden roof between us and "old Yellow Hair," was no joke, and we all
+behaved naturally and without pose or affectation, and ran for safety,
+or rather climbed for it.</p>
+
+<p>There was a trap-door in the floor through which, I suppose, the hay was
+passed down to the horses under normal circumstances. One by one we
+crawled on all-fours to this trap-door and peered through. The scene
+below I can see to this day. As soon as one's eyes got a little
+accustomed to the gloom the outline of the stalls became first visible.
+Then a human figure seated on the top of an old refrigerator, with a
+pistol in one hand, pointed at a corner opposite, came into view. Then
+another man, seated astride the division between the stalls, could be
+seen. And last, but not least, I saw the dark mass on the floor in the
+far corner, where the dead horse lay mangled and the monster of a lion
+sprawled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> across his carcass, with great paws outstretched, and shining
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>From time to time the man on the ice-box fired his pistol, and every
+time he did this the lion roared, and the reporters flew and climbed
+aloft. The trap-door was never occupied a single second after the roar
+began, and as the number of persons in the loft increased and the thin
+wooden floor began to bend and shake, a number of these adventurous
+news-gatherers remained aloft and never put foot to ground. Braver
+reporters threw their copy out of the door to the messenger-boys below,
+and every time this feat was accomplished the crowd, safely watching on
+the corners opposite, cheered and clapped their hands. A steady stream
+of writing dropped from that loft-door and poured all the morning into
+the offices of the evening newspapers; while the morning-newspaper men
+sat quietly and looked on, knowing that they could write up their own
+account later from the reports in the evening sheets.</p>
+
+<p>The men in the stable below, occupying positions of great peril, were,
+of course, connected with the travelling circus. We shouted down
+questions to them, but more often got a pistol-shot instead of a voice
+by way of reply. Where all those bullets went to was a matter for
+anxious speculation amongst us, and the roaring of the lion combined
+with the reports of the six-shooter to keep us fairly dancing on that
+wooden floor as if we were practising a cake-walk.</p>
+
+<p>A sound of cheering from the crowd outside,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> swelling momentarily as the
+neighbourhood awoke to the situation, brought us with a rush to the top
+of the ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the strong man!" cried several voices. "The strong man of the
+circus. He'll fix up the lion quick enough. Give him a chance!"</p>
+
+<p>A huge man, who, rightly enough, proved to be the performing strong man
+of the circus, was seen making his way through the crowd, asking
+questions as he went. A pathway opened up for him as if by magic, and,
+carrying a mighty iron crowbar, he reached the foot of the ladder and
+began to climb up.</p>
+
+<p>Thrilled by the sight of this monster with the determined-looking jaw, a
+dozen men rushed forward to hold the bottom of the ladder while he
+ascended; but when he was about half-way up, the lion was inconsiderate
+enough to give forth a most terrifying roar, with the immediate result
+that the men holding the ladder turned tail with one accord and fled.
+The ladder slipped a few inches, and the ascending Samson, crowbar and
+all, very neatly came to the ground with a crash. Fortunately, however,
+he just managed to grab the ledge of the door, and a dozen reporters
+seized him by the shoulders and dragged him, safe, but a trifle
+undignified, into the loft.</p>
+
+<p>Talking very loud, and referring to the lion with a richness of epithets
+I have never heard equalled before or since, he crossed the floor and
+began to squeeze through the hole into the dangerous region below. In a
+moment he was hanging<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> with legs dangling, and a second later had
+dropped heavily into a pile of hay underneath him. We lowered the
+crowbar to him, breathless with admiration; and then a strange thing
+happened. For, while the lion roared and the pistols banged, and we
+reporters tumbled over each other to get a glimpse of the attack of the
+lion on the strong man, or <i>vice versa</i>, lo! a voice below shouted to
+close the trap, and the same instant a board from below shot across the
+opening and completely obliterated our view.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to fake that part of the fight," said a reporter. "Must all
+agree on the same yarn."</p>
+
+<p>The sounds from below prevented the details being agreed upon just at
+that moment, for such a hoolabaloo as we then heard is simply
+indescribable&mdash;shooting, lion roaring, strong man shouting, crowbar
+clanging, and the sound of breaking wood and heavy bodies falling.</p>
+
+<p>Outside the crowd heard it too, and remained absolutely silent. Most of
+them, indeed, had vanished! Every minute they expected to see the doors
+burst open and the enraged animal rush out with the strong man between
+his jaws, and their silence was accordingly explained by their absence.</p>
+
+<p>At least half of the reporters were still among the rafters when the
+trap-door shot back in the floor, and a voice cried breathlessly that
+the strong man had caged the lion.</p>
+
+<p>It was, indeed, a thrilling moment. We clambered down the ladder and out
+into the street<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> just in time to see the great doors open and a
+procession emerge that was worth all the travelling circuses in the
+world put together to see.</p>
+
+<p>First came the trainer, with a pistol in either hand. Following him was
+the man with the small crowbar who had sat on the division between the
+stalls. Then came a great iron cage, which had been in the stable all
+the time, but a little out of our line of vision in a dark corner, so
+that no one had observed it.</p>
+
+<p>In this cage lay the huge exhausted lion, panting, on its side, with
+lather dripping from its great jaws.</p>
+
+<p>And on the top of the cage, seated tailor-wise, dressed in a very loud
+check ulster, and wearing a bell-shaped opera-hat on the side of his
+head, was the proud figure of the victorious strong man. The expression
+on his face was worth painting, but it is wholly beyond me to describe
+it. Such exultation and glorious pride was worthy of the mightiest
+gladiator that ever fought in an arena.</p>
+
+<p>His long curly hair, shining with oil, escaped in disorder from his
+marvellously shaped top hat, and the massive crowbar that had brought
+him his hard-won victory stood upright on one end, grasped in his
+gigantic hand. He smiled round on the gathering crowd, and the
+procession moved proudly up the streets till within half an hour the
+people following and cheering must have numbered many thousands.</p>
+
+<p>We reporters rushed off to our various offices, and the streets were
+soon afterwards lively with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> newspaper-boys shouting the news and waving
+sheets of terrible and alarming headlines about the "escaped lion and
+its fearful ravages," and the "strong man who had captured it after a
+ghastly battle for his life."</p>
+
+<p>Next day the morning papers did not publish a solitary line about the
+great event; but in the advertising columns of every newspaper appeared
+the prospectus of the travelling circus just come to town, and in
+particularly bold type the public were told to be sure and see Yellow
+Hair, the savage man-eating lion, that had escaped the day before and
+killed a valuable horse in a private stable where it had been chased by
+the terrified keepers; and, in the paragraph below, the details followed
+of the wonderful strong man, Samson, who had caught and caged the lion
+single-handed, armed only with a crowbar.</p>
+
+<p>It was the best advertisement a circus ever had; and most of it was not
+paid for!</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>"Guess you knew it was all a fake?" queried the news editor next
+morning, as he gave me the usual assignment.</p>
+
+<p>It was my first week on an American paper, and I stared at him, waiting
+for the rest.</p>
+
+<p>"That lion hasn't a tooth in its head. They dragged in a dead horse in
+the night. You wrote a good story, though. Cleaned your pistol yet?"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X</h2>
+
+<h3>THE SECRET CAVE OF HYDAS</h3>
+
+<h4><a name="Chapter_I_The_Fight_and_Theft_in_the_Museum" id="Chapter_I_The_Fight_and_Theft_in_the_Museum"></a><span class="smcap">Chapter I.&mdash;The Fight and Theft in the Museum</span></h4>
+
+<p>A tall, muscular, black-bearded, dark-eyed, beak-nosed native strolled
+into the Lahore Museum, in the Punjab; he carried a massive
+five-foot-long stick with a crook handle, and studded with short
+brass-headed nails from handle to ferrule. He sauntered about until he
+came to a case containing ancient daggers and swords, which arrested his
+attention for some time.</p>
+
+<p>About a dozen other visitors were in the room, and of these a couple
+strolled together from one object of interest to another; they were fine
+stalwart natives, and each possessed a stick of ordinary size.</p>
+
+<p>These two men quietly walked about exchanging opinions on the various
+curios until they came face to face with the solitary man gazing at the
+antique weapons.</p>
+
+<p>"What! art thou here, thou badmash (scoundrel)?" exclaimed one of the
+two.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, thou son of a swine, take that!" replied the tall man, and, with a
+quickness which proved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> him to be an expert in the handling of a stick,
+struck the native who had addressed him a vicious blow on the head, but,
+the said head being protected by many folds of his puggari, the stroke
+merely knocked him down without doing any serious injury.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant the fallen man's friend struck at the assailant, and, the
+other man springing up, a fierce fight was quickly in full swing, two
+against one, and the noise of the sticks rattling together in powerful
+strokes, and the insulting taunts thrown at each other by the
+combatants, soon attracted the other sight-seers and the Museum
+attendants.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the fighters had been turned out of the building; they
+had done no damage except to themselves, and neither party would bring a
+charge against the other, so they scowlingly went in opposite directions
+as soon as they were outside.</p>
+
+<p>"A family feud," said a bystander.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I expect it is a vendetta," responded another.</p>
+
+<p>These remarks, however, were very far from the truth, for the apparent
+enemies were the greatest friends and bound together by the most solemn
+vows, and in fact the realistic fight had been pre-arranged with a
+definite object, which was successfully attained, as indeed the Museum
+officials discovered later.</p>
+
+<p>The day after the fracas Doctor Mullen, Government geologist, called at
+the Museum; he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> was accompanied by his son Mark, a sturdily built lad of
+about eighteen, who was preparing to follow his father's profession, and
+with them was Tom Ellison, the Doctor's assistant, a young man of
+twenty-four, tall and extremely active.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ramji Daji, what's this I hear about a robbery at the Museum
+yesterday?" asked the doctor of the assistant curator.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Sahib, I am very sorry, but the badmashes stole those pieces of
+strangely carved stones you found on the Salt Range mountains, and also
+another piece, which was lying near them on the table here," answered
+Ramji Daji.</p>
+
+<p>"But what in the world did they carry them off for? They can be of no
+value to anybody," remarked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, Sahib. There was a fight here yesterday, and some hours
+after we missed the five fragments of inscribed stone and one piece
+belonging to another set. Had they taken any of the gold or silver
+things we could have understood, but&mdash;&mdash;" and Ramji Daji made a gesture
+expressive of the puzzled state of his own mind.</p>
+
+<p>"There can be only two reasons for the strange theft&mdash;it is either a
+practical joke, or some one saw the stones who was able to decipher
+them&mdash;which we could not&mdash;but the joke theory seems the more probable,"
+said the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>The pieces of stone referred to consisted of five irregular fragments of
+a slab, an inch or so thick, the largest being about seven inches long
+by four or five wide, and the smallest some four<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> inches by two. These
+five parts would not fit evenly together, and in the Doctor's opinion
+they formed about half of the original slab.</p>
+
+<p>The Doctor had taken a careful rubbing on paper of the letters on the
+stones, and sent it to a friend for the purpose of deciphering it if
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder, Doctor, whether any one from the Salt Range stole the stones?
+Do you remember that your tent was surreptitiously searched a few nights
+after you had found the pieces?" remarked Tom Ellison.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember my things having been ransacked, and we concluded some thief
+had been disturbed, but we never for a moment thought they were after
+the bits of inscribed slab, which, by the way, I had sent off the day
+before when sending for stores for the camp," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if he was after the stones he may have followed us to Lahore and
+you to the Museum, when you came to take a rubbing of the lettering,"
+said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"There must be a clue to something written on them, if any one took all
+the trouble to come so far for them," suggested Mark Mullen.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow I hope to hear from Professor Muirson, and he will probably
+throw some light on the meaning of the inscription," said the Doctor.
+"But come, we must get back to work, for I have to finish my report
+before we start into camp again in a couple of days' time," he added,
+and they hurried away to their own office, but at least Mark's mind was
+full of thoughts concerning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> the stolen stones, and conjuring up all
+sorts of strange mysteries connected with them.</p>
+
+<p>Doctor Mullen duly received from the Professor the expected letter, a
+part of which read as follows&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"There can be no doubt that the ruins in which you found the fragments
+of inscribed slab are those of a Greek settlement which was most
+probably founded on the Salt Range by camp followers, and possibly
+soldiers, of Alexander the Great's army who were left behind on his
+return from India.</p>
+
+<p>"I can only conclude from the rubbing you have sent me that it is not
+from the original inspection, but that the slab of which you have found
+parts was inscribed from memory at a much later period, it being made up
+of three languages. The original sense may or may not have been
+retained, and as far as I am able to understand it the incomplete
+wording would in English read&mdash;' ... into thy charge ... guarded ...
+descendants with life ... of Hydas ... sacrifice ... the gods.'</p>
+
+<p>"I have made no attempt to guess at the missing words, for, as you will
+see at a glance, the incomplete sentences allow of a variety of
+renderings, thereby causing great uncertainty with regard to the
+original meaning."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we had the other parts of the slab," exclaimed Mark, as soon as
+his father had read out the letter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is rather interesting. Well, we start to-morrow for the Salt
+Range to continue our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> work, and I will show you the exact spot where I
+found the pieces, and a diligent search there may be rewarded by the
+discovery of at least some of the other portion," said the Doctor; and
+both Mark and Tom Ellison hoped such might prove to be the case, little
+thinking what dangers they would be led into on account of those
+fragments of an old, broken slab.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4><a name="Chapter_II_Mark_Mullen_Disappears" id="Chapter_II_Mark_Mullen_Disappears"></a><span class="smcap">Chapter II.&mdash;Mark Mullen Disappears</span></h4>
+
+<p>"Now then, Mark, down you come," said Tom Ellison, as he shook the lad,
+who had lowered the upper sleeping-berth in the train and gone to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"What time is it? Where are we?" Mark asked drowsily.</p>
+
+<p>"Near midnight, and we are at Gunjyal," answered Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"What a beastly hour to turn out!" grumbled Mark as he scrambled down.</p>
+
+<p>In half an hour the servants and a camel&mdash;which had been waiting&mdash;had
+started for the Doctor's destination, a place on the Salt Range some
+twelve miles away.</p>
+
+<p>At daybreak three horses arrived, and the Doctor and his two companions
+started for their camp.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast the Doctor took his son and Tom Ellison, accompanied by
+a servant, to a small valley about a quarter of a mile from the camp.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>"Here you are," said the Doctor; "this is the exact spot where I found
+the pieces of slab."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I should say the rest can't be far away," remarked Tom, and they
+commenced poking around with the ends of iron-shod sticks. They had been
+twenty minutes at their task when a boy in charge of some goats planted
+himself on a rock not far away and keenly watched the Sahibs at work.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think it would be a good plan, Doctor, if we got a few
+coolies to loosen the subsoil and turn over some of these loose stones
+about here?&mdash;it would be easier for us to search," suggested Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we may as well make a thorough search now we are at it," replied
+the Doctor, who at once sent the servant to the village near the camp
+for some coolies and tools.</p>
+
+<p>The boy had disappeared before the coolies arrived, for he had received
+a signal from a man who was secretly watching the search-party from the
+top of a cliff some seventy yards away.</p>
+
+<p>The natives had not been long at work when one of them slipped, and his
+puggari pitched off exactly on to the spot where the next coolie had
+turned over a stone. The man picked up his puggari and moved a few yards
+off to wind it round his head again, and almost immediately the goat-boy
+appeared and asked him if he had seen a stray goat.</p>
+
+<p>Tom Ellison happened to be standing up examining a strange fossil he had
+found, and as he casually glanced at the boy he saw the coolie hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> him
+something, which he promptly hid in the folds of a kind of scarf hanging
+over his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment a suspicion flashed into Tom's mind, and he rushed forward
+and seized the boy before he could make off, and no sooner had he felt
+the lad's kupra (cloth) than he discovered that the youngster had hidden
+a newly found piece of the slab which had been picked up by the coolie.</p>
+
+<p>The Doctor and Mark were at once by Tom's side examining the fragment
+and listening to Tom's explanation. In their excitement they forgot
+about the boy, and when they looked round became aware that both he and
+the coolie had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The sides of the hills all about were covered with low shrubs, large
+stones, and nullahs, or ravines, and, although a quick search was made,
+neither man nor boy could be seen.</p>
+
+<p>When the day was over they had met with no further success as regards
+finding parts of the slab, but they took away several other stones which
+they thought might possibly prove to be of some interest, and most of
+the evening after dinner was spent in discussing the reason which
+prompted the theft from the Museum, and the attempt to steal the stone
+found during the day.</p>
+
+<p>"There can be no doubt I was seen examining the fragments I found," said
+the Doctor. "I remember now that three or four natives were watching me
+trying to place the several pieces together in my attempts to get an
+idea of the whole. Strange that these natives should take so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> keen an
+interest in an old, broken slab, for the pieces must have been lying
+there for years."</p>
+
+<p>"I expect we shall have to keep a sharp eye on this piece, for they are
+sure to have a try for it, judging by what they have already done," said
+Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"They seem to have a sharp eye on us. I shouldn't be surprised if they
+thought we came here purposely to hunt for the stones," said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will take a copy of the letters on it at once, in case anything
+happens to the stone," said the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>Next day an official letter arrived which necessitated either the Doctor
+or Tom returning to Lahore for a few hours, and it was decided the
+letter should go.</p>
+
+<p>"Now listen," said the Doctor as Tom was about to start on his journey.
+"Take the stone to the Museum and tell them to place it where they can
+watch any one who takes any peculiar interest in it. Further, get a
+description of those men who were fighting there on the day the stones
+were stolen; and don't forget to post my letter to the Professor, for it
+contains a rubbing from the last piece."</p>
+
+<p>With these parting instructions Tom started on his ride to Gunjyal
+station so as to arrive there before dark, there being practically no
+road from the foot of the Salt Range across the miles of dismal tract of
+sandy plain to the station, although his train did not leave until
+midnight; but it was the only train in the twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p><p>Tom was half-asleep when he got into the train; he had the compartment
+to himself, and he thought it likely he would remain alone until he
+arrived at Lala Musa, about eight o'clock, where he would have to change
+to get on to the main line, so he quickly spread his bedding, and,
+drawing the green-baize shade over the lamp, he was soon asleep.</p>
+
+<p>He could not say where it happened, but when he roused up the train was
+in motion and he was just conscious he was not alone; but the instant he
+attempted to move, a rug was thrown over his face, and he knew he was
+being held down by at least two powerful assailants. In a very short
+time, notwithstanding his fierce struggles, he was bound hand and foot,
+a gag in his mouth, and blindfolded, without having the slightest idea
+of the appearance of those who had attacked him.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst Tom was in this condition the train stopped several times, but no
+one entered the compartment, and, as the Venetian shutters were down, it
+was impossible for any one to peer through the window and so become
+aware of his position.</p>
+
+<p>He tried to knock his feet against the side of the carriage at the first
+station, but he was bound too securely to the seat which formed his bed
+to allow of the slightest movement, so wearily and painfully the hours
+dragged on until the guard discovered him and set him free at Lala Musa
+station.</p>
+
+<p>The moment he was released he found that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> only thing missing was the
+fragment of slab he was to have taken to the Museum.</p>
+
+<p>"They followed me to Gunjyal and then slipped into my carriage at some
+station whilst I was asleep, and quietly slipped out at the next station
+when they had got what they wanted," mused Tom.</p>
+
+<p>By the time he had given an account of what had happened to him he had
+only a few minutes in which to rush over to the refreshment-room and get
+some breakfast before his train was due.</p>
+
+<p>When Tom arrived in Lahore he went straight to his office, and in a
+couple of hours he had completed the special work which had necessitated
+his journey; then he went over to the Museum.</p>
+
+<p>"The thief has been caught, Sahib," said one of the attendants as Tom
+entered the building.</p>
+
+<p>"When? Who is he?" asked Tom, in considerable surprise, for he had
+concluded that his late assailants were the men who had robbed the
+Museum.</p>
+
+<p>"They caught him during last night, but I don't know much about it yet,"
+replied the man.</p>
+
+<p>Tom at once hurried off to the police-station to learn full particulars.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we found a piece of stone with some strange device on it," said
+the Superintendent of Police. "This is it. Do you recognise it?" he
+added, as he handed Tom the stone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, this is not the one the Doctor found," said Tom, after a moment's
+examination.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is the only bit we got, and we are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> told it was stolen from
+the Museum with some others, during a fight," said the officer.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you get this?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, in rather a strange way. The night after the stones had
+disappeared three clever burglaries took place in Lahore, and the
+thieves made valuable hauls in each case, but we could get no clue. Last
+night an anonymous letter came to us, and we decided to act upon it, so
+we searched a house in the bazaar and recovered this stone together with
+some gold and silver ornaments which had been stolen; we found them in
+the exact spot where we were told to look for them. The man says he is
+innocent, and that they were placed where we found them unknown to him.
+Now you know the whole case," said the police-officer.</p>
+
+<p>"And the man you have arrested, do you think he is connected with the
+men who were fighting in the Museum?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"He says not. He certainly is not one of the fighters. He does not bear
+the best of characters, however," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>Tom related what had happened to him in the train; several theories were
+advanced to account for the keen interest taken in the stones, and the
+police began exerting themselves to fathom the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>The morning after Tom Ellison had left the camp a shikari went to Mark
+with the information that some oorial (wild sheep) were feeding about
+half a mile away, and Mark, who was a keen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> sportsman, promptly got his
+rifle and went with the shikari.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was able to get a long shot, but missed, so sat down while the
+shikari climbed the peaks around to try and find the oorial again. In
+about ten minutes Mark heard a slight rustling in the bushes some twenty
+yards away, and he got a glimpse of a porcupine. He did not wish to fire
+at it lest he should startle the oorial if they had halted anywhere
+near, so he picked up a stone and threw it at the animal when next he
+saw it.</p>
+
+<p>"I have hit it," he muttered, as he heard a peculiar cry, and he hurried
+forward, but he could find no sign of the porcupine, and he concluded it
+had entered a small cave he discovered.</p>
+
+<p>Mark struck a match and went in a few feet, but it appeared to be very
+low, and when his match went out he decided to go no farther, for he had
+no desire to stumble on the top of a porcupine.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time the shikari returned, and Mark thought no more about the
+animal until he had been back at the camp some time.</p>
+
+<p>While Mark had been away on his shooting expedition, Harry Burton, the
+Superintendent of Police, had called, and during the afternoon Mark
+casually mentioned the incident of the porcupine.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are mistaken about it being a porcupine, my boy," said
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so. I saw it twice and hit it with the stone, for I
+distinctly heard it make a peculiar noise as though hurt," persisted
+Mark.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p><p>"That is exactly what makes me certain it was not a porcupine, for it
+is one of the animals without vocal cords, therefore cannot make a vocal
+sound. It was more likely a wild pig, for there are a number about
+here," said Burton, who was a great sportsman.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, however, felt certain he had distinctly seen the animal's quills,
+so a little later he quietly left the camp without saying a word to any
+one as to where he was going.</p>
+
+<p>At nine o'clock that night Mark had not returned to camp, and Burton,
+who had remained to dinner, suggested that he might have got lost, or
+met with an accident; so a search was at once commenced.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4><a name="Chapter_III_The_Mysterious_Fakir" id="Chapter_III_The_Mysterious_Fakir"></a><span class="smcap">Chapter III.&mdash;The Mysterious Fakir</span></h4>
+
+<p>"Well, Burton, what is your opinion now?" asked Doctor Mullen on their
+return to camp about three o'clock in the morning, after an unsuccessful
+search for Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to say I think he has met with a serious accident and is
+unable to help himself. Listen to those natives shouting 'Sahib! Sahib!'
+and far beyond them others are calling, and the boy would have replied
+if he could have done so. You are sure he went alone?" asked Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He took his gun, which seems to suggest that he started for that
+lake about a mile from here after duck. Had he gone after oorial<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> he
+would have taken his rifle and would have been accompanied by the
+shikari," said the Doctor, who was greatly distressed about his son's
+disappearance.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as it is light I will have every nullah and bush searched for
+miles round," said Burton, and then he mused without giving expression
+to his thoughts. "He may have fallen over a kud (precipice), or his gun
+may have burst, or he may have been bitten by a snake, or he may have
+run against those&mdash;well, fragments of slab"; and he left the tent and
+sent off messages to the headmen of the villages around.</p>
+
+<p>Harry Burton was one of the cleverest officers in the Indian police; he
+was a few years over thirty, a dark-complexioned man of medium height,
+very agile and powerful, and was known to the Salt Range natives as Koj
+(tracker) Burton Sahib, owing to his smartness in following up the
+slightest clue.</p>
+
+<p>Burton, at the Doctor's request, went to occupy Mark's empty tent for an
+hour or two, and as he stretched himself on the camp bed his busy brain
+was engaged in trying to form a connection between the broken slab and
+Mark's absence, and these thoughts kept him awake, so he was the first
+to hear the footsteps of an approaching horse.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello! Is that you, Ellison?" greeted Burton, as the new arrival
+dismounted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I heard at Gunjyal about Mark, so, instead of waiting for
+daylight, I hunted up a horse, and, by all this shouting, I conclude
+Mark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> is still missing," said Tom, and in a very few minutes he had
+related to Burton and the Doctor his experience in the train and what he
+had learnt in Lahore.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, things are getting a bit more complicated," said Burton aloud, and
+then muttered to himself, "But I begin to get a better hold of the
+idea."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you clearly understand me," said Burton when instructing the
+headmen. "You are to send out every available man and boy from your
+villages, and they are to search every nullah until they meet the men
+from the next village. We think the young Sahib has met with an
+accident, and if you find him you are to send word here immediately; and
+you, Appoyas, instruct your men to be most careful in searching those
+cliffs near your village."</p>
+
+<p>"What's that man's name?" asked the Doctor as soon as the men had gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Appoyas. It is an unusual name&mdash;certainly not a Punjabi one," replied
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"I never heard the name before. He is a fine-looking man," remarked the
+Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"And a very wealthy man, according to report. That is his village on the
+very edge of those cliffs about a mile away. It is the most prosperous
+village on the Salt Range, and celebrated for its stamped-cloth work.
+Appoyas and his brother Atlasul&mdash;another uncommon name&mdash;buy up all the
+cloth made and stamped in the place, and give a good price too, and
+their camels frequently go off laden with bales. But come over here a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>
+minute," and Burton led the Doctor some short distance from the camp.</p>
+
+<p>"I can scarcely credit it; surely it is too improbable, how&mdash;&mdash;" began
+the Doctor when he had heard what Burton had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; kindly act in the manner I suggest," interrupted Burton,
+"and I think you will find I am right. Now I must be off, and&mdash;well,
+expect me when you see me, as they say"; and in a couple of minutes he
+was riding from the camp on a secret and dangerous expedition.</p>
+
+<p>The search was continued all day, but not the slightest sign of Mark
+could be discovered.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>If any one, about sunset, had been near the place where Mark was resting
+at the time he thought he saw the porcupine, a Fakir might have been
+seen sitting on the identical spot. He appeared to be in deep
+meditation, but, as soon as it was dark, he crept cautiously to the
+entrance of the cave into which Mark thought the porcupine had
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The Fakir paused, and after listening intently for a few moments he
+scrambled in; and after again listening he produced a bull's-eye lamp&mdash;a
+most unusual thing for a native to possess&mdash;and carefully lit it.</p>
+
+<p>He next examined a revolver and a knife he carried in a girdle under a
+loose garment he had wrapped round him, and in addition to these weapons
+he had an iron rod about three feet and a-half long, similar to what
+many Fakirs carry.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p><p>He now advanced along a narrow passage which widened into a large cave,
+from which opened another narrow passage, and this he proceeded
+cautiously to explore, but when he had gone about a hundred yards it
+came to an abrupt end, the roof here being exceedingly high, and as he
+flashed his light around he could not see the top.</p>
+
+<p>For the space of an hour he probed about with his iron rod, and felt in
+the cracks and crevices in the walls; then suddenly he sat down, and,
+had any one been near enough, they would have heard him chuckling to
+himself, for he had made a great discovery.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time he made his way out of the cave and disappeared into the
+darkness of the night.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>"What do you make of this, Ellison?" said the Doctor early next morning.
+"I have just found this note in my tent; it is written in Punjabi, and
+in English it reads: 'If the Sahib wishes to learn where his son is he
+will be told if you promise to give up the other pieces of stone you
+found. Let the Sahib write his promise on the blank part of this paper
+and place it on the small olive-tree near the salt spring. The Sahib's
+men need not watch, for they will not see who fetches it.'</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think it is a hoax?" asked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I scarcely think so. I wish Burton was back," said Tom,
+who thought that Burton's experience might enable him to get something
+of a clue from the strange message. "They have got all the stones," he
+added.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p><p>"We took others that did not belong to the slab," said the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, I had forgotten; and the writer of this is under the
+impression they are parts of the slab," remarked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"If this is genuine, then Mark is a prisoner, which is Burton's opinion;
+and I believe he is acting in some secret manner on his opinion," said
+the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>After a long consultation the Doctor tore off the blank piece of paper
+and wrote on it in the native language: "You must first give me some
+proof that you know where my son is before I promise to comply with your
+request. Let him write to me."</p>
+
+<p>"We both know where the salt spring is, Tom, so I will take the paper
+there, and you go to some place where you can watch the spring through
+your field-glasses," said the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. By the time we get a reply Burton may be back," said Tom,
+and they left the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Tom watched patiently all day, but, with the exception of a boy in
+charge of some goats, no one went near the spring, and the boy did not
+go within a hundred yards of it, though his goats were feeding all round
+and close to it.</p>
+
+<p>"Glad to see you back, Burton," exclaimed Tom when he returned to camp
+and found the officer there.</p>
+
+<p>"What luck, Tom?" asked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Bad. I waited until it was too dark to see,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> and the message had not
+been taken when I came away," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"You are wrong, Tom, my boy, for I saw it taken," said Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"How? Where were you?" asked Tom, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Not far from you, and I saw a goat sniff it and quickly walk off with
+the paper in its mouth, and five minutes later the boy had it in his
+hand. Here, smell this," and Burton held out the paper containing the
+message to the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"A peculiar smell," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and the goat is trained to carry anything impregnated with that
+subtle odour," explained Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you believe the writer of this knows where Mark is, Burton? Have you
+discovered anything?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the man knows well enough, and I know to half a mile," said
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"They why not try to release him at once?" exclaimed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Easier said than done, and I am fully convinced it would be dangerous
+to force matters without careful arrangements. I practically know with
+whom we have to deal, and, if I am any judge of native character, I
+believe we are in conflict with some of the most cunning and fearless
+men in India&mdash;men who had been carrying on their work for many years,
+and that, too, without raising suspicion, and who will not hesitate to
+risk life and cause death to accomplish their purpose,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> and&mdash;&mdash;" Burton
+suddenly stopped speaking; then, almost in a whisper, he hurriedly said,
+"Go on talking about Mark," and noiselessly he left the tent.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments there was a sound of a scuffle at the back of the tent,
+followed by a thud and an exclamation from Burton; so they rushed out to
+see what had happened, the Doctor taking the lamp from the tent-pole as
+he passed.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Burton?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring the lamp here," he answered, rubbing his knees. "They were too
+smart for me, and I got the worst of it this time," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"What is that rope doing there?" asked the Doctor, as the light revealed
+a long rope extending from a tent-peg to a considerable distance into
+the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it is there for a purpose, and it answers too well to suit me, for
+it has given me one of the heaviest falls I have had for a long time. A
+man was there listening to us, and it would have made no difference
+which way I had come round the tent, for the eavesdropper would have
+gone in the opposite direction. When I heard him making off I dashed
+after him, and his comrade, who was at the far end of the rope, jerked
+it taut when it was between me and the man I was after, with the result
+that I came a most terrific cropper; then they promptly fled, and are
+safely away by this time," explained Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"But how did you know there was any one outside?" asked Tom. "I never
+heard a sound."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p><p>"I saw the side of the tent shake, and there is not a breath of air
+stirring. The man who was listening must know English, I feel sure; and
+I am afraid we have made a terrible mistake in not taking precautionary
+measures against being overheard. If they understood what I said about
+suspecting who they are, I may make up my mind to having a rather lively
+time." Burton said in a whisper, for he did not know but some one might
+still be listening screened in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"They may have only come to watch us, and probably did not grasp the
+meaning of our conversation," said the Doctor, in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us hope so, for it may mean life or death," was Burton's serious
+reply, and that night guards were set over the camp.</p>
+
+<p>Early next morning Burton left, but before going he slipped a letter
+into the Doctor's hand, saying as he did so, "Don't open it unless I am
+not back by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Inside you will find full
+instructions what to do if I have not returned."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4><a name="Chapter_IV_A_Capture" id="Chapter_IV_A_Capture"></a><span class="smcap">Chapter IV.&mdash;A Capture</span></h4>
+
+<p>Soon after Burton had left the camp the Doctor received a letter from
+Professor Muirson in which he said, "The only word on the rubbing you
+sent me from the last fragment of slab you found means 'Cave,' and I
+think it should be placed before the words 'of Hydas'; thus you have a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>
+reference to the 'Cave of Hydas,' in which there is, or was, something
+to be carefully guarded."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, putting two and two together, the men who hold Mark a prisoner
+are either anxious to learn where this Cave of Hydas is, or they know
+where it is and do not wish any one else to obtain the knowledge," said
+the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"I am inclined to think that Mark is in that very cave at the present
+moment," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite possible. By the way, Tom, tell the natives who are crowding
+about the camp to continue the search for Mark. Burton wishes it to be
+kept up for some reason or other," said the Doctor as he went into his
+tent.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! Tom; come here a moment," almost immediately shouted the Doctor;
+and as soon as Tom had joined him he said, "I have just found
+this&mdash;listen: 'I have been asked to say that I am all right, and to
+advise you to do what my captors have requested you. Your reply is to be
+written on the blank part of this paper and placed where you put the
+last. Mark.' There can be no doubt about the writing&mdash;it is Mark's, and
+my mind is greatly relieved," said the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark knows one of his captors understands English or he would have
+written more; he was only allowed to write what he was told," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>The Doctor at once wrote the following reply: "Mark, you are to tell
+them that if one of their number will come with you here he may take
+away any of the stones we have found."</p>
+
+<p>This answer was written with the object of delay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> until Burton's return;
+and, as before, the Doctor took the paper to the salt spring, while Tom
+went to a position where he could watch the goat carry away the message
+to the boy; and he had not long to wait, for within a couple of hours
+the boy and his goats appeared and slowly passed the place, and, as they
+quietly went along from bush to bush cropping the leaves, one took the
+letter, and in a few minutes the boy had taken it from the goat.</p>
+
+<p>That night, as soon as it was dark, the mysterious Fakir again entered
+the cave he had examined a couple of nights previously. He lit his lamp
+as soon as he was inside, and went straight to the far end.</p>
+
+<p>Here he stood for a time and listened; then he flashed his light up the
+chimney-shaped opening high above him, the top of which extended far
+beyond the reach of his light; then, having satisfied himself that all
+was quiet, he put his arm into a narrow crack in the side of the cave
+and his fingers grasped two thin ropes; he gave them a sharp jerk, and
+instantly there was a rustling, swishing noise as a rope-ladder came
+tumbling down.</p>
+
+<p>The Fakir tugged at the ladder, and, finding that it was securely
+fastened above, he at once climbed up. When he had gone about forty feet
+he found the entrance to another passage; but before venturing to
+explore it he carefully drew up the ladder as it had been before.</p>
+
+<p>The Fakir cautiously made his way, frequently stopping to put his ear to
+the floor to listen, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> keeping a sharp look-out for any side
+galleries, of which he passed three, but they were much narrower than
+the one he was following.</p>
+
+<p>He had proceeded about three hundred yards when he suddenly closed the
+shutter of his lamp; then, after listening a while, he went on in the
+dark, and it was well he had turned off his light, for the passage took
+an abrupt turn, and he saw the glimmer of a light in the distance and
+faintly heard the sound of voices.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly and noiselessly he approached the light, for he concluded it came
+from some side cave, and this proved to be the case when he had gone a
+little farther.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you again that you have got all the stones if, as you say, you
+have stolen the one Ellison Sahib was taking to Lahore."</p>
+
+<p>The words were spoken in a loud voice, and so suddenly had they broken
+the stillness of the dismal place that the Fakir started with surprise,
+and then crouched closer to listen.</p>
+
+<p>"What the Sahib says is not true, for we have only got one of the last
+you found the other day," said another speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"Then get the rest if you can, for I know nothing about any more. How
+long is this farce going to last? My father says he will let you have
+any stones he has found if one of you will go with me for them, but I
+told you when you first captured me that you would get nothing of value
+by keeping me a prisoner," replied Mark, for he it was.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p><p>"Then you shall not leave this cave until the other parts of the broken
+slab are discovered and in our hands, and I may tell you that it is more
+than a hundred years since the slab was broken and some of the parts
+stolen and lost. Take him back to his cave"; and the Fakir could hear
+footsteps ascending steps and then die away in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, brothers, hearken," began the speaker who had addressed Mark. "We
+have learnt that Koj Burton has almost guessed who we are, and if he
+follows up his idea he will surely track us down. Our forefathers
+through many generations protected the secret of their work and amassed
+wealth in the way we are doing, and, with the exception of the man who
+accidentally found his way into this cave and stole the inscribed slab,
+no outsider has ever known the secret of the Cave of Hydas&mdash;and that man
+met his death without having an opportunity of revealing what he had
+learnt, although he caused us to lose part of that on which was written
+the command to guard the secret of the cave with our lives.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we now going to allow this Koj Burton to bring destruction upon us
+and thereby destroy our method of obtaining wealth?" asked the speaker
+fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Never! never! never!" shouted fully half a dozen voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he must die, and I will see that he does so, and in such a manner
+that his death cannot in any way be traced to us"; and as the Fakir
+heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> these words he gripped his revolver more tightly, and a grim
+smile played about his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"If this Koj Burton suspects who we are, do you not think, Appoyas, that
+he may also have gained some idea of the Cave of Hydas?" a voice asked.</p>
+
+<p>"It may be so, and we will have the cave well guarded. Do not forget
+that to-morrow night at ten o'clock it will be, according to the
+records, exactly fifty years since the offerings in the Temple of Atlas
+were removed to the Temple of Hydas. This has been done every fifty
+years, and only on those occasions is the inner temple opened, and&mdash;&mdash;"
+the speaker stopped abruptly, and then, after a moment's pause,
+continued&mdash;"and, brothers, you may now go."</p>
+
+<p>On hearing the last words so suddenly spoken the Fakir began quickly and
+noiselessly to retreat along the passage, but, as no one appeared to be
+following, he stopped.</p>
+
+<p>For some minutes he heard men talking, and dimly saw some figures come
+into the passage and go in the opposite direction, and in a short time
+the sound of footsteps died away and the Fakir was left alone in the
+silent darkness.</p>
+
+<p>More than a quarter of an hour he remained motionless; then he felt his
+way to the entrance of the side cave in which he had heard the men, and,
+finding all still, he turned on his light.</p>
+
+<p>It was a cave-chamber, about twelve feet square; the walls were fairly
+smooth, but the roof was uneven&mdash;it was evidently an enlarged cave.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>
+From this cave-chamber there was a flight of steps to a passage above,
+and the Fakir was on the point of ascending them when he heard quick
+footsteps coming along the passage towards him, which caused him to
+hurry back into the passage he had left; then, turning off his light, he
+waited and listened.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the brothers must have come back for something," the Fakir heard
+some one mutter. "It is all right, though; I will return to my
+prisoner," and then he went away.</p>
+
+<p>Without venturing to turn on his light the Fakir started for the
+rope-ladder; every few paces he paused to listen; he appeared extremely
+suspicious, for at times he would halt for three or four minutes and was
+constantly feeling his revolver.</p>
+
+<p>At last he had nearly reached the ladder, when suddenly he saw a faint
+glimmer as though from a light in the passage below, so, inch by inch,
+he approached the edge until he was able to peer down, and almost at the
+instant he did so the light below went out; but he had learnt much in
+that one glance, and, as the sound of a severe struggle from below
+reached him, he quickly lowered the ladder and quietly slipped down.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had he reached the bottom than he turned on his light for an
+instant, which revealed Tom Ellison and a powerful native trying to get
+the better of each other, the latter having a knife in his hand, but Tom
+was holding him by the wrist and preventing him using it.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p><p>In a moment the Fakir had twisted the knife from the man's grasp, and
+in a few seconds the man was bound and gagged.</p>
+
+<p>"Well I'm&mdash;&mdash;" began Tom, but the Fakir put his hand over Tom's mouth
+and, taking him by the arm, led him to the cave-entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak low, Tom," said the Fakir in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Marvellous! Is it you, Burton? I should never have known you in that
+get-up," whispered the surprised Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Seems like it. But quick's the word, my boy. We must have that man out
+before any of his comrades come along, and this must be done without his
+discovering who I am. We must blindfold him, for there is a rope-ladder
+hanging near him, and on no account must he learn that it is down, and
+that we are aware of its existence; as soon as we have him here I will
+return and place the ladder as I found it," said Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, now I understand why you so promptly put out your light when you
+had secured the knife," said Tom. "But where shall you take the man? His
+comrades will hear about his capture if you take him to the camp," he
+added.</p>
+
+<p>"That is the very last thing I wish them to learn. About an hour's walk
+from here&mdash;but two hours for us to-night, I am afraid&mdash;there is a
+salt-mine, and to-day I arranged&mdash;in case I needed it&mdash;to use part of it
+as a temporary prison until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> we make a grand coup on the rest of the
+gang. I have a couple of my men waiting near the mine now," explained
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p>It was a difficult tramp they had with their prisoner. They kept him
+blindfolded, and his hands bound; and each held him by an arm as they
+stumbled over the rough ground in the dark, for Burton would not risk
+using his lamp lest the light, at that unusual hour, should attract the
+attention of the man's friends and cause them to try and discover what
+it meant.</p>
+
+<p>When they had safely lodged their prisoner they started for the camp.</p>
+
+<p>"What caused you to go to that cave, Tom?" asked Burton, as they walked
+along.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the word on that last piece of stone turns out to be 'cave,' and
+when thinking the matter over I thought of the place Mark had entered
+after the porcupine, so I spotted the place before dark, and then
+quietly left the camp after dinner on a private exploring expedition.
+That man suddenly sprang upon me just before you so opportunely appeared
+on the scene," explained Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Then that's all right&mdash;you were followed from the camp; I was afraid
+they had placed a guard over that entrance," said Burton. "I branch off
+here, for I cannot enter the camp in this disguise; I want to use it
+again, and as a Fakir I do not wish to be seen near the camp; but I hope
+to turn up early in the&mdash;or rather this morning. I advise you to get all
+the rest you can, for I think I can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> promise you a very lively time
+before many hours are over."</p>
+
+<p>As Burton went on alone, he muttered, "Yes, I must have all arrangements
+carefully made. I expect we shall have a dangerous tussle, for they are
+not the class of men to give in quietly."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4><a name="Chapter_V_A_Valuable_Find_in_the_Temple_of_Atlas" id="Chapter_V_A_Valuable_Find_in_the_Temple_of_Atlas"></a><span class="smcap">Chapter V.&mdash;A Valuable Find in the Temple of Atlas</span></h4>
+
+<p>"It's what I call a tall order, Burton," exclaimed Tom Ellison, who,
+with the Doctor, had been listening to the police officer's plan to raid
+the Cave of Hydas.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you turned up before eight o'clock, Burton, for it would be
+difficult to enter the cave and find our way about without your
+guidance. It seems a likely place to get one's head cracked in the
+dark," remarked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"It would not be easy for you to get in, but had I been caught last
+night you would have found a clue to my whereabouts in the letter I gave
+you. However, we are all here yet, and I expect we shall get the better
+of Appoyas and his gang if our plans work out properly, and if they
+don't, then, well&mdash;look out for yourselves," said Burton, and he
+shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"What led you to suspect Appoyas, who you say is supposed to be one the
+wealthiest and most respected men on the Salt Range, Burton?" asked the
+Doctor.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><p>"Well, I saw him with that long brass-studded stick, and his general
+description answers to the tall man who fought the other two in the
+museum. Then I followed the goat-boy who got the message from the goat,
+and the boy handed the message to a man, and this man took it to
+Appoyas, and finally my suspicions were confirmed when I heard Appoyas
+addressed by name in the cave last night," explained Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been pleasant listening to your own death-sentence!"
+remarked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad I heard it," said Burton, "for never was it more true than in
+my case that to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. Two traps have been
+already laid this morning to get me away from the Salt Range, and&mdash;I
+believe here is another," he said, as a coolie came at the trot with a
+telegram in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Come at once. Most serious. Mirkwort," read out Burton, as soon as the
+coolie had retired. "This pretends to be a message ordering my speedy
+return to headquarters, and I shall make a pretence of going, but I
+shall soon be back in this neighbourhood in disguise," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know it is an attempt to get you away?" asked the Doctor.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I requested Mirkwort to use a cypher in all his communications
+for some days, and this is not in cypher," replied Burton. "But to
+persist in staying here would only cause Appoyas to suspect that I am
+about to take some decisive steps. I have twenty men around here now,
+and as soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> as it is dark to-night some of them will watch the house of
+Appoyas in the village on the top of the cliffs, for I feel convinced
+there is an entrance to the cave from his house.</p>
+
+<p>"At the foot of the cliffs and immediately under the village there is
+another entrance through a house built against the rocks, and other men
+will watch there. I shall be near the camp at nightfall, together with
+some specially picked men who will have arrived by that time, and we
+shall enter the cave by what I will call the porcupine entrance, and,
+once inside&mdash;well, we have to rescue Mark and capture as many of the
+gang as we can. We must take all precautionary measures, for I do not
+know how many rascals we shall have to contend with, and that cave is
+like a rabbit-warren. Expect me as a Fakir at dusk. I will send for you
+when the time comes," and as Burton clattered away on his horse the camp
+understood that he had been called to headquarters on important
+business.</p>
+
+<p>It was about nine o'clock and very dark when Burton, with a number of
+his men, though not in uniform, were sitting under the bushes a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the cave entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"Ali Khan, go and meet the party from the camp and see that they make as
+little noise as possible," said Burton to one of his men; and then to
+another he said, "Sergeant, come with me; we must find out whether there
+is a guard placed at the entrance; if there is, we must secure him."</p>
+
+<p>The two crept stealthily along, and, when some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> twenty yards from the
+cave, a man sprang up within a few feet of them and dashed off towards
+the cave, but he had not taken many steps when he tripped, and before he
+could recover himself Burton pounced upon him, and in a few moments the
+man was gagged and bound.</p>
+
+<p>By the time the Doctor and Tom with the rest of the men had arrived,
+Burton had explored the cave as far as the rope-ladder without any
+further encounter.</p>
+
+<p>Two men were left at the entrance of the cave with the prisoner, another
+was stationed at the foot of the ladder and two more at the top, and a
+man was left at each of the side passages opening from the main gallery.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Doctor," said Burton, when he had led the party some distance into
+the cave beyond the ladder, "will you remain here with the men whilst
+Tom goes with me to try and discover where Appoyas and his gang are, and
+how many we have to deal with? They have some special work on at ten
+o'clock in what they call the Temple of Atlas, and I don't know where it
+is. If you hear me whistle, then light your lamps and come on as quickly
+as possible. Now quietly, Tom," and they went ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"She&mdash;e&mdash;e! See, there's a light. Some of them are in the cave-chamber
+where I heard them last night," whispered Burton to Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Hearing voices, they silently crept nearer until they could hear what
+was said.</p>
+
+<p>"I sent no message to the Doctor Sahib to-day,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> lest Koj Burton should
+remain to inquire into it. Brothers, Koj Burton is far away, and at the
+bottom of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum), I hope, if our men did their
+duty. Now, brothers, follow me to the Temple of Atlas and we will take
+the fifty years' offerings to the inner Temple of Hydas. By giving
+liberal offerings to the gods they bless us and we get much wealth.
+Come, it is the time."</p>
+
+<p>The speaker was Appoyas, and under cover of the noise made in the
+chamber as his men lighted torches and prepared to follow him, Burton
+and Tom slipped some distance back along the passage, for they knew not
+which direction the men would take.</p>
+
+<p>"Seven," whispered Burton as Appoyas and his men came into the passage
+and fortunately went the opposite way to where the Englishmen were
+watching.</p>
+
+<p>Cautiously they followed; suddenly the men disappeared down a flight of
+steps, and when Burton and Tom peered below they were amazed at what
+they saw.</p>
+
+<p>They were gazing into a large cave-temple, and at the far end was an
+enormous statute of a figure evidently representing Atlas with a large
+globe on his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>Burton and Tom were intently watching the men in the temple, when they
+were startled by hearing some on rapidly approaching along the passage.
+The man carried no light, and as the two Englishmen crouched close to
+the side of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> cave to allow him to pass he knocked against Tom's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Strangers in the cave!" shouted the man, and he turned and fled.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the men in the temple were too amazed to move; then,
+simultaneously, they stamped out their torches.</p>
+
+<p>"We have them trapped below if they have no other exit but the steps.
+That man's gone for help," said Burton, and blew his whistle. "We will
+have a look at them," he added, and turned on his lamp.</p>
+
+<p>In an instant something flashed in the light and the lamp was knocked
+out of his hand and fell with a clatter down the steps, for Appoyas had
+crept up with his long brass-studded stick.</p>
+
+<p>Next moment Tom felt himself hooked by the ankle, and before he could
+free himself his legs were jerked from under him and he fell on his
+back; then he felt a bare foot placed on his chest as some one trod on
+him and dashed down the passage.</p>
+
+<p>No one else was able to pass, for Burton stood on the top of the steps,
+swinging his iron rod to and fro, and at the same time holding his
+whistle in his mouth and blowing until some of his men arrived with
+lights.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom, you stop here with some of the men, and don't let any of these
+rascals escape. Listen! The Doctor is having a tussle; there is a fight
+going on all over the place, and I must discover where Mark is lest they
+should try to injure him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> Taking a couple of men, he hurried away in
+the direction of the shouts which were ringing through the galleries.</p>
+
+<p>"Hi! This way, Bur&mdash;r&mdash;r&mdash;&mdash;" some one tried to shout in English.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Mark's voice, and they are strangling him," said Burton. "Quick
+with your lamp, Sergeant, this way," he added.</p>
+
+<p>Burton found Mark in the grasp of two men, who dashed the lad to the
+ground and then fled in the darkness, after showing fight for a few
+seconds, Burton pursuing them hotly, received a terrific blow on the
+head after being tripped by Appoyas, who was waiting in a side passage,
+and Burton lay partly stunned for some time.</p>
+
+<p>Appoyas fought like a fiend, doing great damage with his stick, but at
+last he fled along a side passage.</p>
+
+<p>In half an hour the fight was over, and Burton found they had eight
+prisoners; among whom was Atlasul, but Appoyas and some of the others
+had escaped.</p>
+
+<p>Burton and Tom were exploring one of the narrow galleries when they
+suddenly came face to face with Appoyas, who, after throwing a knife at
+Burton, dashed down the passage followed by the two Englishmen.</p>
+
+<p>They had gone about a hundred yards when Appoyas stopped, and his
+pursuers could see that he was standing on the very edge of a black
+chasm. For a moment he stood and faced them, his eyes flashing fiercely
+in the light of the lamp.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>"You cannot escape us now, Appoyas," said Burton, covering him with a
+revolver.</p>
+
+<p>"I will have a bitter revenge on you, Koj Burton. Here is the end of the
+passage, below is the Cave of Doom, but you have not got me yet," and,
+to the astonishment of Burton and Tom, Appoyas shouted a fierce cry of
+"Revenge!" and sprang into the fearsome black abyss.</p>
+
+<p>"He must be dashed to pieces. I can't see the bottom," said Tom, holding
+his lamp over the gulf.</p>
+
+<p>"I am doubtful. We will get a rope and make a search," said Burton.</p>
+
+<p>Some time later a lamp was lowered, and far below, about six feet from
+the bottom, could be seen a strong net stretched the full width of the
+chasm.</p>
+
+<p>"He dropped into that, and escaped by a secret exit," said Burton.</p>
+
+<p>They proceeded to thoroughly explore the cave, and were astonished at
+the extent and number of side passages.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Burton, this globe on the shoulders of old Atlas is hollow and
+has a big slit in it like a letter-box, and has a lock on it," exclaimed
+Mark as they were examining the Temple of Atlas.</p>
+
+<p>When the globe was opened it proved to be nearly full of gold and silver
+ornaments, precious stones, and coins.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, these are the offerings to the gods, a portion of the things stolen
+by these thieves during the last fifty years. A system of theft and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>sacrifice which has been handed down from father to son for many
+generations," exclaimed Burton.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners proved to be connected with burglaries which had taken
+place all over the Punjab and far beyond. The villains had been in the
+habit of placing a few of the things stolen in some innocent person's
+house, and had employed a variety of tricks to avoid suspicion resting
+on themselves.</p>
+
+<p>The valuables recovered in the Temple of Atlas were restored to their
+rightful owners where they could be traced, and the balance was
+ultimately considered as treasure-trove, the Government claiming four
+annas in the rupee, thus leaving three-fourths of the value to be
+divided amongst those who had discovered it.</p>
+
+<p>Many hours did the Englishmen spend in trying to discover the inner
+Temple of Hydas, but its secret baffled all their efforts, neither were
+they able to find any parts of the broken slab which might have aided
+them in their search. They were equally unsuccessful in getting any
+trace of Appoyas, who had so suddenly disappeared while his cry of
+revenge was ringing through the Cave of Hydas.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF MALAY-LAND</h3>
+
+<p>To the world-wanderer the confines of our little planet seem very
+limited indeed, and to him there are few regions within its boundaries
+which remain long unknown. Yet to the vast majority of people Old Mother
+Earth abounds in many a <i>terra incognita</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Away in the East, where the Indian Ocean merges into the China Sea,
+where the sunny waters of the Malacca Straits are being ceaselessly
+furrowed by giant steamers and merchantmen, lies a land, which though
+spoken of glibly by every schoolboy, is to-day one of the least explored
+countries of the globe. The Malay Peninsula is a familiar enough name,
+and so it ought to be, for it skirts the ocean highway to the Flowery
+Kingdom and to some of our most valuable island possessions; still, it
+is a strange fact that this narrow neck of land is, geographically
+speaking, one of the world's darkest areas.</p>
+
+<p>Its seaboard is generally flat and overgrown with mangroves to a depth
+of several miles, but the interior is an extremely mountainous region,
+containing elevations of over eight thousand feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> An irregular
+backbone connects all these great heights, and it itself is of no mean
+dimensions, being throughout well over three thousand feet above
+sea-level. Between the mountain-peaks, as may be imagined, there is
+little room for fertile plateaus, and the most settled districts in
+consequence are those farthest away from the towering ranges; of these
+Selangor is, perhaps, the most noteworthy. Here vast forests and jungle
+scrub extend everywhere, though the trees are being rapidly cut down by
+the numerous Chinese tin-miners in the settlement; and here also is the
+capital of the Federated Malay States, whose petty rulers within recent
+years have united their forces under a British Protectorate.</p>
+
+<p>Perak, towards the north-west, and Pahang, stretching over to the sea on
+the eastern side, are the two most mountainous divisions in the
+Confederacy, and to the traveller they are also the most interesting
+because of the immunity of their interior fastnesses from the visits of
+white men. Numerous rivers reach the coast on both sides of the central
+watershed, many of those rising in the highlands of Pahang and Kelantan
+being absolutely untraced and unnamed. The entire country near the
+coast, on the east as on the west, may be said to be given over to rank
+jungles, in which the lordly tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the wild
+pig, and tapir have their homes, and monkeys of almost every species are
+abundant in the wooded slopes.</p>
+
+<p>One-half of the world's tin is produced in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> Malay States; it is
+mined chiefly in Selangor and Malacca, and forms the mainstay of the
+country's prosperity, though, curiously enough, little or no
+stanniferous deposits have been found on the eastern side of the
+dividing range. But though very few people know it, the most valuable of
+all metals has been discovered on the upper waters of the Pahang River
+and tributaries. The Chinese swarm in their thousands on the western
+slopes, and outnumber the Malays by more than three to one. They are
+surely the bane of the wanderer's existence.</p>
+
+<p>The Malays are not the aboriginal race of the Peninsula, though they
+have lived on the coast for centuries, and are descended from the
+bloodthirsty pirates who terrorised the Straits of Malacca. The real
+owners of the country are the Sakis, a wild race who in appearance vie
+with their brethren in Central Australia, and are very little different
+from the chimpanzees which infest the forests. They hold no intercourse
+with the coast-dwellers, and are rarely seen unless by the adventurous
+traveller, for their retreat is among the mountains, and as far away
+from John Chinaman's presence as it is possible to get.</p>
+
+<p>The Sakis are a rude and miserably backward people. Like the Papuans of
+New Guinea, they build their huts in the branches of trees; but for this
+they have good reason&mdash;the prowling animals of the forest would
+otherwise soon obliterate the slowly dying tribe. Their only weapons are
+the <i>sumpitan</i>, or blow-pipe, and a club, which is not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> unlike the
+"waddie" of the Australian aboriginal; but with these they can do quite
+enough damage to deter all but the reckless from visiting their chosen
+haunts.</p>
+
+<p>The charm of far-off countries has ever had a great power over all
+Britons; the true traveller's instinct is in their blood, and the noble
+array of red markings on our maps amply testify to the brilliance of
+their achievements. Knowing this, I speak with care of a country that I
+have traversed in my wanderings, so that if others who read these words
+may feel impelled to take up the pilgrim staff, they may at least rely
+upon my humble observations.</p>
+
+<p>A few years back, after journeying through Achin in Sumatra&mdash;another
+little-known "corner" jealously guarded by the Dutch&mdash;I, with my five
+companions, found it necessary to betake ourselves to British Dominions,
+having given offence to the Holland Government by our peregrinations
+through the hostile Achinese territory. So we embarked on a Malay trader
+bound for Klang, the port of Selangor, and commenced an expedition which
+I can recall now as being one of the most interesting of all my travels.
+The details of our progress across the Peninsula could not be given
+here, but I will relate one of our first experiences with the
+tree-dwellers of Kelantan, when we were camped on the head-waters of the
+Lebah River in that province, where, I believe, no white man had ever
+been before.</p>
+
+<p>We had systematically prospected the various<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> mountain-streams in the
+west for gold without result; but here we had discovered unmistakable
+traces of the precious metal; and our hearts being gladdened
+accordingly, we prepared to explore still farther into the mountains in
+search of the mother-lode.</p>
+
+<p>"It's rather a curious thing," said Phil at this time, "that we have met
+none of the Sakis so far. I should like to see a specimen of the tribe
+before we leave their confounded country."</p>
+
+<p>"They're like oorsel's," grunted Mac, "they canna abide the smell o'
+Cheeniemen; but A'm thinkin' we're near their special habitation noo."</p>
+
+<p>There was considerable truth in Mac's observation. All along the Perak
+River, which we had followed for nearly a hundred miles before branching
+off across an inviting pass in the dividing ranges, we had met the
+almond-eyed Celestials in great bands clearing the forest growths and
+prospecting for tin in the most unlikely places. Perak, I should
+mention, is the Malay word for silver, it having been supposed that vast
+lodes of that metal abounded in the river valley; but, as a matter of
+fact, there has been very little silver located anywhere near its
+vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>We had managed to shake off the yellow-skinned Mongols immediately we
+diverged into the mountains, and since that time we had been crossing
+luxurious upland forests, and struggling through long stretches of
+jungle country in turn. It was quite possible that the Sakis had seen
+us, though we had not seen them, for our time had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> been more occupied in
+evading reptiles and wild animals than in scanning the tree-tops for
+their imp-like denizens.</p>
+
+<p>"I vote," said the Captain, who was the dead-shot of our party, "that we
+leave the Sakis alone. We're in their country now, you know, and there's
+such a thing as tempting Providence."</p>
+
+<p>Phil smiled; he was young and enthusiastic, and he was also an ardent
+ethnographist. "We'll take things as we find them, Captain," said he,
+"but we usually manage to run across some odd specimens of humanity in
+our travels. Now, what did you think of the Achinese?"</p>
+
+<p>"A thocht them wonderfu' bloodthirsty folk," grumbled Stewart, tenderly
+patting a slowly healing scar on his cheek. "They vera near feenished
+me, an' if Mac hadna come along in time A wad hae been cut into
+sausages&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>I interrupted his ruminations, and saved the company a harrowing
+description of what had happened in Sumatra. "We've heard that so often
+now, Stewart," I said, "that we think you might give us a rest."</p>
+
+<p>Mac cackled harshly in agreement, but Skelton, the stalwart Devonian,
+who was doctor of our outfit, said rather grimly, "If you get a similar
+smash in this country, Stewart, my boy, I'm afraid you won't live to
+tell of it, for we don't seem to be getting into a healthier atmosphere,
+though we are a good few thousand feet above sea-level."</p>
+
+<p>Stewart subsided gloomily, feeling his pulse the while.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p><p>"A believe ye're richt," he replied lugubriously, "what wi' malaria an'
+muskitties, an' Cheeniemen&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He broke down, and sought sympathy from his compatriot, who was
+leisurely chewing quinine tabloids with an air of relish.</p>
+
+<p>"Dinna be nervish, ma man," cheerfully spoke that worthy, "an' aye keep
+in mind that A'll mak' ye a bonnie moniment when A gang hame; a rale
+bonnie moniment, wi' a maist splendiferous inscreeption. Hoo would this
+look, for instance?" Here he struck an attitude, and recited solemnly:
+"Errected tae the memory o' puir auld Stewart&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>At this stage Stewart smote his Job's comforter with a force and fervour
+that showed him to be possessed of considerable muscular powers; then
+there was peace.</p>
+
+<p>Our hammocks were swung near the river, on the edge of a dense forest in
+which areca and apia palms raised their stately heads among ebony and
+camphor trees, and a plentiful sprinkling of wiry bamboo growths. The
+foliage was so thick in places as to be almost impenetrable, and amid
+the clinging underscrub the guttapercha plant and numerous others with
+names unknown to us struggled for existence.</p>
+
+<p>The river was here a fairly broad and oily stream, with rather a
+dangerous current; below us it surged and roared over a series of jagged
+limestone rocks, but higher up its course led across a plateau which
+extended farther than we could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> guess, for the mountains faded back into
+the far distance and reared their gaunt peaks above a bewildering sea of
+luxurious tropical vegetation. It was these mountains we were anxious to
+reach now, but how to do it promised to be a question not easily
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>After some consideration we decided to follow the river-channel as far
+as possible, and cut off the curves by blazing a way through the thicket
+with our axes. And so, on the morning following our discovery of gold,
+we packed a fortnight's stores in our kits and trudged off, first taking
+the precaution to sling our remaining provisions in an odd hammock from
+the limb of a tall palm, where we hoped to find them on our return.
+Travelling is not an easy matter in these latitudes, and we had
+succeeded so far only with great difficulty and much perseverance. Where
+the rivers were navigable we had usually progressed by means of hastily
+constructed rafts, but the stream now flowed too swiftly to allow of
+that form of transport, and we had therefore to work our passage in the
+strictest sense of the word.</p>
+
+<p>For three days we forged ahead, now clambering along the banks of the
+swirling torrent, and again crashing through the darkened forest, using
+our axes energetically. More than once, in the stiller waters between
+the curves, huge crocodiles were seen disporting themselves cumbrously,
+and when we approached they fixed their baleful eyes on us, and came
+steadily on until the Captain stopped their leader by a well-directed
+bullet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> The crocodiles of this region seemed extremely ferocious, and
+no sooner had one of their number been rendered <i>hors de combat</i> than
+the horrible carcass was carried off in triumph by a school of the late
+saurian's neighbours.</p>
+
+<p>"They appear tae have vera healthy appetites," murmured Stewart
+thoughtfully, as he gazed at the ravenous monsters, after an exhibition
+of this sort. "A wunner," he continued, addressing Skelton, "if they
+bastes are affected by the climate?"</p>
+
+<p>"You've got me there, Stewart," replied Skelton, with a laugh; "but they
+don't seem to need quinine to aid their digestion, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>Birds of the most beautiful plumage fluttered among the branches, and I
+had the good fortune to bring down a gorgeous bird of paradise with my
+rifle. Mac, like the ancient mariner, insisted on carrying this bird
+round his neck rather than leave it for the tigers and bisons, though he
+repented of his resolution before he had gone far. Of the wild animals
+encountered on this march I could write much. Fortunately the lordly
+tiger seldom met us in an aggressive mood, but we had several
+experiences with "Old Stripes," nevertheless&mdash;at long range; and we were
+constantly stumbling over squeaking pigs and venomous reptiles of many
+kinds. Little brown animals of the bear family were especially
+ubiquitous, so that our time was kept rather fully employed on our long
+trail towards the supposed land of El Dorado.</p>
+
+<p>As we neared the shadowy mountains, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>river-channel narrowed
+gradually until it formed a deep gorge, in which the swirling waters
+dashed like the flood of some gigantic mill-race; and we were forced to
+keep the shelter of the forest rather than risk stumbling into the
+apparently bottomless abysses.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid we cannot go much farther, boys," I said, when we were
+struggling through the thicket, steering by compass, and with the river
+thundering noisily away to our left.</p>
+
+<p>"The gold in the mountains won't help us much if we have to transport
+our goods over this sort of country," spoke Phil; and there was much
+truth in his words.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been noticing," remarked Skelton, "that instead of reaching a
+finer climate we seem to be coming into a very poisonous atmosphere,
+judging by the odour of the vegetation."</p>
+
+<p>It was certainly strange that the air should continue so dank and
+depressing at our high altitude, and several times a most extraordinary
+stench, as of decaying carcasses, would assail our nostrils and cause us
+to grow faint and sickly. Soon we began to notice that these poisonous
+vapours were most pungent in the vicinity of certain enormous
+cactus-like growths which we encountered here and there; but these huge
+plants looked so picturesque and beautiful that we found it hard to
+believe that they could taint the air so frightfully.</p>
+
+<p>"It's rather odd," said Skelton doubtfully, "that where these giant
+spiky lilies grow there is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> always an open space clear around, as if
+nothing could live in their presence."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mon!" howled Mac at that moment, sniffing the ether in disgust.
+"Could onybody believe&mdash;&mdash; A'll gang an' investeegate this meenit. Come
+on, Stewart."</p>
+
+<p>They rushed off at once, and we followed hastily, for the evil
+exhalations were overpowering, and we meant to trace the cause. Sure
+enough one of the cacti, with wide-spreading leaves which trailed on the
+ground for several yards, proved to be the seat of the virulent fumes.
+None of us had ever met such a plant before. A vast bulb was suspended
+on a thick stem, which rose from the heart of the leathery leaves, and
+this we prepared to examine intently, though we were all but overcome by
+the foul gases given off.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a big an' a bonnie flooer," muttered Stewart, extending his hand,
+and thrusting it into the massive blossom. Then he emitted a yell that
+would have done credit to a full-grown grizzly bear. "It's living!" he
+bellowed, "an' it's biting me. Cut its heid aff! Quick! Ough!"</p>
+
+<p>"A carnivorous plant!" cried Skelton, decapitating the stem with one
+stroke of his axe; and Stewart hurriedly drew back his hand with the
+clinging flower attached. It was indeed a carnivorous plant, and when we
+had rescued our companion from its clutches, we held our nostrils and
+examined the depths of the odoriferous flower.</p>
+
+<p>"No wonder it smells," said Phil, as the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>carcasses of birds and insects
+innumerable were tumbled out.</p>
+
+<p>"What a grand thing it would be for Cheeniemen!" commented Mac.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go on, boys, for mercy's sake," implored the Captain. "I'd rather
+meet a tiger any day than one of these vile vegetable traps."</p>
+
+<p>Stewart's wrist had been squeezed so tightly that it was some time
+before he could move it freely. "It would hae nippit ma hand clean off
+if you hadna beheided it sae quick," said the sufferer gratefully to
+Skelton as we resumed our march; and I think he was not far wrong.</p>
+
+<p>Our progress now became slower and slower, and our first intention of
+reaching the mountain-range beyond the forest was in a similar degree
+growing less definite. I could not see how we were to gain our
+objective, judging by the myriad obstructions in our track, and on the
+fourth day after leaving camp we had almost decided to retrace our
+steps.</p>
+
+<p>"I have given up hope of seeing the natives of this peculiar country,"
+said Phil, as we tied up our hammocks after breakfast, "and if we go
+much farther we will cross down the Malacca slope, where there is
+nothing but Chinamen."</p>
+
+<p>"If we do not reach a break in the forest before the day is finished," I
+said, when we had again got on the move, "we'll turn and get down the
+river to our old camp."</p>
+
+<p>"What on earth is that?" suddenly cried the Captain, seizing his rifle
+and gazing into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> gently swaying branches overhead. We looked, and
+saw an ungainly creature huddled among the spreading fronds, glaring at
+us with eyes that were half-human, half-catlike in expression.</p>
+
+<p>"A chimpanzee, most likely," I said. "Don't shoot, Captain; it is but a
+sample of what man looked like once."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it is an orang-outang," remarked Phil, "and he would make short
+work of us if he came down."</p>
+
+<p>Mac gazed dubiously at the animal. "A'll slauchter him," said he,
+raising his deadly blunderbuss; but the huge ape seemed to understand
+the action, and with half a dozen bounds he had vanished, swinging from
+tree to tree like a living pendulum.</p>
+
+<p>Again we went on, but we had not proceeded fifty yards when a harsh
+howling all around caused us to halt and examine our firearms nervously.
+Then a shower of needle-like darts whizzed close to our ears, and a
+renewed commotion among the branches arrested our attention. Looking up,
+we saw fully a score of wild shaggy heads thrust out from the clustering
+foliage; but before we had time to collect ourselves, another fusilade
+of feather-like missiles descended upon us, penetrating our thin
+clothing, and pricking us most painfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Monkeys!" roared Mac.</p>
+
+<p>"No. Sakis!" corrected Phil, as we hurriedly sought safety in retreat.</p>
+
+<p>"If these arrows are poisoned, we're dead 'uns,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> sure," groaned the
+Captain, squirming on the ground, and endeavouring to sight his rifle on
+the impish creatures.</p>
+
+<p>"They're not poisoned; they are merely pointed reeds blown through
+bamboo tubes," said Skelton, after a hasty examination. "They won't hurt
+much; but if they get near us with their clubs&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Another hail of the pigmy arrows rustled through the branches to rear of
+us. "Give them the small shot of your gun, Mac, just to scare them," I
+cried.</p>
+
+<p>"Sma' shot indeed!" retorted that fiery individual, and the boom of his
+artillery filled my ears as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>An unearthly yell of terror and surprise broke from the aborigines at
+the sound of the heavy discharge, followed by a series of piercing
+shrieks as a few stray pellets touched them.</p>
+
+<p>"Make for the river, boys!" I shouted. "Get clear of the trees!"</p>
+
+<p>The air was now filled with the tiny darts, and my thick pith helmet
+intercepted so many of them that, as Mac said afterwards, it looked like
+a miniature reed-plantation. Far on our left the deep rumble of the
+river was heard, and towards it we rushed blindly, closely followed by a
+yelling horde who sprang like squirrels from tree to tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the Captain?" roared Stewart suddenly, as we ran; and then I
+noticed that there were but four of us together. Without a word we
+turned and dashed back into the midst of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> Sakis' camp; and there we
+saw the Captain lying on his face, with his gun resting loosely at his
+shoulder. A perfect inferno raged around as we reached his side, and my
+companions, roused to a pitch of frenzy, fired volley after volley among
+the yelping band.</p>
+
+<p>"Get back, ye wretches," roared Mac; "A'll carry him masel'."</p>
+
+<p>Skelton calmly picked several darts from the Captain's neck, then felt
+his pulse. "He has only fainted," he said. "These darts have gone pretty
+deep."</p>
+
+<p>The Captain was a heavy man, but Mac gathered him in his strong arms
+like a child. "Tak' ma gun, Stewart," he directed, "and see that ye dae
+guid work wi' it if driven to it." Then we made a second break for the
+open by the river. The whole forest seemed to be alive with Sakis now;
+they yelled at us from every other tree, and shot their irritating
+arrows from every sheltered clump of brushwood. Luckily the range of
+their odd weapons was not extensive, and by skilful man&oelig;uvring we
+managed to save ourselves greatly, otherwise we should have been
+perforated from head to foot.</p>
+
+<p>When we neared the river and could see the welcome light of day shining
+through the trees, our pursuers, probably deterred by our guns, grew
+less enthusiastic in the chase; and when the edge of the forest was
+reached they had apparently drawn off altogether.</p>
+
+<p>"To think that we should hae to run like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> that, frae&mdash;frae monkeys!"
+snorted Stewart indignantly as we halted. "It's fair disgracefu'."</p>
+
+<p>The Captain slowly opened his eyes, and looked at me reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>"That chimpanzee that we didn't shoot," said he feebly, "is one of the
+same family, for the brute must have given the alarm&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"There he is noo!" cried Mac. "Gie me ma gun, Stewart, an' A'll
+obleeterate him, nae matter wha's grandfaither he is."</p>
+
+<p>I caught a glimpse of the huge ape swinging backwards into the thicket,
+then Mac's vengeful weapon spoke, and the Sakis' strange scout came
+tumbling to the ground. A yell of rage issued from the forest, and
+instantly a number of our late pursuers appeared and dragged the
+orang-outang back whence they came.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't had much opportunity of studying the beggars," said Phil,
+"but I'm not growling. They are the most apish people I could ever have
+imagined."</p>
+
+<p>"Instead of gold," commented Skelton grimly, "we've all got a fair-sized
+dose of malaria&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And various other trifles," added Mac, as he extracted the darts from
+the more fleshy portions of his anatomy.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll leave the gold alone this time, boys," I climaxed; "but we'll
+have another try when we can get a stronger party together. Meanwhile,
+we had better make tracks for the coast, and recuperate our energies."</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII</h2>
+
+<h3>A WEEK-END ADVENTURE</h3>
+
+<p>For several years it has been my habit to spend my week-ends during the
+summer and autumn months in a small yacht called the <i>Thelma</i>, of about
+five tons, as a welcome change from the confined life of the City.</p>
+
+<p>Many and many a happy, lazy time have I spent in her, sometimes by
+myself, at others with a companion, at various delightful spots round
+our eastern and southern coasts, occasionally taking short cruises along
+the seaboard, but more often lounging about harbours and estuaries, or
+even exploring inland waters.</p>
+
+<p>On these occasions many little incidents and adventures have occurred,
+which, though full of interest to any one fond of yachting, yet are
+hardly worthy of print, and it was not until about a year and a half ago
+that the following events took place, and seemed to me of sufficient
+interest to record.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Thelma</i> was at the time at an anchorage in one of my favourite
+spots, a somewhat lonely East-coast estuary, within easy reach of the
+open sea, and, more important still in a way, fairly close to a
+main-line railway-station, so that I could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> get to her from town without
+wasting much of my precious time on the way. I had run down late on a
+Friday night early in September, rejoicing, as only a hard-worked City
+man can rejoice, in the thought of a good forty-eight hours of freedom
+and fresh air. I was alone, as my exit from town was rather unexpected,
+and I had no time to find a friend to keep me company; but that did not
+worry me, as I felt fully able to enjoy myself in solitary peace.</p>
+
+<p>I found everything prepared for my arrival, having wired to the
+longshoreman and his wife, in whose charge I had left the yacht, and I
+should much like to describe in full detail all my enjoyment, but must
+pass over the little events of my first day&mdash;the Saturday&mdash;as they have
+nothing to do with my "adventure," though to me the day was brimful of
+thorough happiness.</p>
+
+<p>It was one of those splendid bright days which are happily so frequent
+on the East coast in September&mdash;so calm, indeed, that sailing was out of
+the question, and I spent my time in the small boat or dinghy out in the
+open sea a mile or more, fishing in an indolent way for whiting, etc.,
+and basking in the sun.</p>
+
+<p>I saw no one all day, and there was little shipping about. A private
+wherry anchored opposite the village above the <i>Thelma</i> was the only
+craft in the river, and a few trawlers and coasting steamers far out
+were the only vessels to be seen at sea.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could have less suggested the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>likelihood of anything in the
+shape of "adventure," and I caught my whiting and dabs in blissful peace
+of mind.</p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock in the afternoon, however, I was roused from my
+fishing by feeling the air suddenly begin to get chill, and on looking
+out to sea saw that a breeze was springing up from the eastward, and
+bringing with it a bank of thick white sea-fog, which had already
+blotted out the horizon, and was coming in rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>This meant rowing home as quickly as possible, as I did not want to be
+caught in the "thick" before reaching my temporary home, as it might
+mean an hour or two's search for such a small yacht in a half-mile wide
+estuary.</p>
+
+<p>So, hastily laying aside my fishing-tackle and hauling up the little
+anchor, I put my back into the task of "racing the fog," feeling
+intensely thankful that the tide was on the flood, and, therefore, an
+immense help to me.</p>
+
+<p>Even as it was, I was in a glowing heat by the time I reached the
+<i>Thelma</i>, and only just in time at that, as the first chilly wreaths of
+mist were closing round me by the time I got on board. When all was
+"snug," and I was ready to go below into my little cabin for tea, a last
+glance round showed me that already the low hills on each side of the
+river were blotted out, and I could hardly distinguish the wherry
+anchored away up above me, or the houses of the village off which she
+lay.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, how cosy and bright the little cabin looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> when I settled down for
+a nondescript meal, half-tea, half-dinner, about an hour later!</p>
+
+<p>The lamp, hung from the deck above, gave a mellow light, the kettle sang
+on the stove, and the fresh-caught whiting were simply delicious (I
+pride myself on my cooking on these occasions), whilst London, work, and
+my fellow-beings seemed far away in some other sphere.</p>
+
+<p>This feeling of isolation was considerably increased later on, when,
+after a hearty meal and a dip into a story, I put my head out of the
+hatch to take a customary "last look round" before turning in.</p>
+
+<p>I suppose it was about 10 p.m.; there was no moon, and I never remember
+a denser fog. At first, after the lighted cabin, I could distinguish
+absolutely nothing, except where the beam of light from the cabin lamp
+struggled past me through the open hatch into a white thickness which I
+can only liken to vaporous cotton-wool.</p>
+
+<p>Even when my eyes got a little accustomed to the change from light to
+darkness, I could only just make out the mizzen-mast astern and the
+lower part of the main-mast forward; beyond these was nothing but
+impenetrable thickness.</p>
+
+<p>Not a sound reached me, except the mournful muffled hooting of a
+steamer's syren at intervals; no doubt some wretched collier, nosing her
+way at half-speed through the fog, in momentary terror of collision.</p>
+
+<p>I don't think I ever felt so cut off from humanity in my life as in that
+tiny yacht, surrounded as I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> was by impenetrable density above and
+around, and the deep rushing tide below in a lonely water-way.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt this eerie feeling of loneliness had a great deal to do with my
+sensations later on, which, on looking back in after-days, have often
+struck me as being more acute and nervous than they had any right to be.</p>
+
+<p>Be that as it may, I was not nervous when I closed the hatch and "turned
+in," for I recollect congratulating myself that I was in a safe
+anchorage, out of the way of traffic, and not on board the steamer which
+I had heard so mournfully making known her whereabouts in the open sea.</p>
+
+<p>I think my "nerves" had their first real unsettling about half an hour
+afterwards, just as I was sinking off into a peaceful, profound slumber,
+for it seemed to me that I had been roused by a sound like a scream of
+pain or fear, coming muffled and distant through the fog; but from what
+direction, whether up or down the river, or from the shore, I could not
+tell.</p>
+
+<p>I raised myself on my elbow and listened intently, but heard nothing
+more, and reflecting that, even if what I had heard was more than fancy,
+I was helpless, shut in on every hand by impenetrable fog, to render
+aid; I could do no more than utter a fervent hope, amounting to a
+prayer, that no poor soul had strayed into the water on such a night. It
+is easy, too, when roused out of a doze, to imagine one has only
+<i>fancied</i> a thing, and I had soon persuaded myself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> that what I had
+heard was no more than the shriek of a syren or cry of a disturbed
+sea-gull, and sank once more into a doze, which this time merged into
+that solid sleep which comes to those who have had a long day in
+sea-air.</p>
+
+<p>Somewhere in that vague period we are apt to call "the middle of the
+night," and which may mean any time between our falling asleep and
+daybreak, I dreamt that I was in bed in my London lodgings, that a chum
+of mine had come in to arouse me, and to do so had gently kicked the
+bedpost, sending a jarring sensation up my spine.</p>
+
+<p>At first I was merely angry, and only stirred in my sleep; but he did it
+again, and I awoke, intending to administer a scathing rebuke to the
+disturber of my peace.</p>
+
+<p>But I awoke on board the <i>Thelma</i>, and realised, with a feeling akin to
+alarm, that the sensation of "jarring" had been real, and the knocking
+which caused it came from something or <i>some one outside the boat</i>.</p>
+
+<p>At first I could hardly believe my senses, and raised myself on my
+elbow, my whole being strained as it were into the one faculty for
+listening.</p>
+
+<p>Again, this time close to my head, against the starboard bulkhead, came
+the sound, like two gentle "thuds" on the planking, causing a distinct
+tremor to thrill through the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot imagine any more "eerie" sensation than to go to sleep as I had
+done, with a profound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> sense of isolation and loneliness, cut off from
+humanity by a waste of fog and darkness and far-stretching water, and to
+be awakened in the dead of night by the startling knowledge that outside
+there, in that very loneliness, only divided from my little cabin by a
+thin planking&mdash;was <i>something</i>&mdash;and that something not shouting as any
+human being would shout at such a time&mdash;but <i>knocking</i>&mdash;as if wishing to
+be let in to warmth and comfort, out of the chill and darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Can I be blamed if my suddenly aroused and somewhat bemused senses
+played tricks with me, and my startled imagination began to conjure up
+the gruesome stories I had heard of weird visitants, and ghostly beings,
+heard but seldom seen, on the East Anglian meres and broads? Then again
+came the remembrance of the shriek or cry I had fancied I heard earlier
+in the night, and with a shudder I thought: "How ghastly if it should be
+the drowned body of him whose cry I had heard, knocking thus in grisly
+fashion to be taken in before the tide carried it away to sea!"</p>
+
+<p>So far had my excited imagination carried me, when again the yacht shook
+with the thud of something striking her, and a great revulsion of relief
+came over me as I recognised the dull sound of wood striking wood, this
+time farther aft, and I laughed aloud at my cowardice.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt a log of driftwood, bumping its way along the side of the
+yacht, as logs will, as the ebbing tide carried it seawards.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p><p>However, by this time I had lighted the lamp; so, to satisfy my still
+perturbed though much ashamed mind, I thrust my feet into sea-boots and
+my body into a pea-jacket over my clothes, and went on deck, lamp in
+hand, to see what my unwelcome visitor really was.</p>
+
+<p>Through the mist, dimly illumined by the lamp, I made out the shadowy
+outline of a boat, drifting slowly towards the stern of the yacht, and
+occasionally bumping gently against her side.</p>
+
+<p>Another moment or two and the derelict would have vanished into the
+night. But the long boathook lay at my feet along the bulwark, and,
+almost instinctively, I caught it up with one hand, whilst setting the
+lamp down with the other, ran to the stern and made a wild grab in the
+dark towards where I thought she would be.</p>
+
+<p>The hook caught, and I hauled my prize alongside; stooping down, I felt
+for the painter, which I naturally expected to find trailing in the
+water, thinking the boat had broken loose from somewhere through
+carelessness in making her fast.</p>
+
+<p>To my surprise it was coiled up <i>inside</i> the bows. Puzzling over this, I
+made the end fast to a cleat on the yacht, then took the lamp and turned
+the light over the side, so that it shone fairly into the boat.</p>
+
+<p>Then, for the second time that night, my pulses beat fast, and my scalp
+tingled with something approaching fear, and I wished I had a friend on
+board with me.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if my foolish idea of a dead body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> asking for compassion
+was coming true. For there was a huddled-up form lying on the bottom of
+the boat, its head inclined half on and half off the stern thwart, its
+whole attitude suggestive of the helplessness of death.</p>
+
+<p>I stood as if paralysed for a few seconds, filled with a craven longing
+to get back to the cosy cabin, shut the hatch, and wait till daylight
+before approaching any nearer that still form, dreading what horrors an
+examination might reveal. But more humane and reasonable thoughts soon
+came; perhaps this poor drifting bit of humanity was not dead, but had
+been sent my way in the dead of night to revive and shelter.</p>
+
+<p>Feeling that I must act at once, or I might not act at all&mdash;or at least
+till daybreak&mdash;I put a great restraint upon my feelings of repugnance,
+caught up the lamp, stepped into the boat, and raised the drooping head
+on to my arm.</p>
+
+<p>As I did so, the hood-like covering which had concealed the face fell
+back, and in a moment all my shrinking and horror vanished once for
+all&mdash;swallowed up in pity, compassion, and amazement&mdash;for on my arm
+rested the sweet face of a young and very pretty girl, marred only by
+its pallor and a bad bruise on the right temple.</p>
+
+<p>Even in the lamplight I could see she was a lady born and bred; her face
+alone told me that, and the rich material of fur-lined cloak and hood
+merely confirmed it.</p>
+
+<p>Here was no horrible midnight visitor, then; but certainly what seemed
+to me a great mystery<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>&mdash;far more so than the dead body of labourer or
+wherry-man floating down with the tide would have furnished.</p>
+
+<p>A lady, insensible apparently from a blow on the forehead, floating
+alone in an open boat at midnight, on a lonely tidal water, far from any
+resort of the class to which she seemed to belong, and saved from long
+hours of exposure&mdash;perhaps death&mdash;by the marvellous chance (if it could
+be called so) of colliding with my yacht on the way to the open sea.</p>
+
+<p>It was too great a puzzle to attempt to solve on the spur of the moment,
+and I had first to apply myself to the evident duty of getting my fair
+and mysterious visitor into my cabin, there to try to undo the effects
+of whatever untoward accidents had befallen her.</p>
+
+<p>It was no easy matter, single-handed and in darkness, except for the
+hazy beam of light from the lamp on deck, to get her from the swinging,
+lurching boat to the yacht. But, luckily for me, my burden was light and
+slender, and I did it without mishap, I hardly know how, and then soon
+had her in the little cabin, laid carefully upon my blankets and rugs,
+with a pillow under her head.</p>
+
+<p>I soon knew she was alive, for there was a distinct, though slight, rise
+and fall of her bosom as she breathed, but my difficulty was to know
+what remedies to apply. I have a little experience in resuscitating the
+half-drowned, but in this case insensibility seemed to have been caused
+by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> blow on her forehead, if it was not from shock or fear.</p>
+
+<p>So all I could do was to force a few drops of brandy between the white
+teeth, and bathe the forehead patiently, and hope that nature would soon
+reassert itself with these aids.</p>
+
+<p>After what seemed a long while to me, but which I suppose was not more
+than a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, one of the little white
+hands moved, a deep sigh came from the lips, and I thought she was
+"coming to."</p>
+
+<p>But it was merely a change from one state of insensibility to another;
+for, though a colour came back into the cheeks and the breathing grew
+stronger and more regular, the warmth of the cabin had its effect, and
+she sank into a natural and peaceful sleep.</p>
+
+<p>My greatest anxiety being now relieved, and my fair young visitor
+restored to animation and resting peacefully enough, my mind naturally
+turned to the consideration of the strange position I was so
+unexpectedly placed in; but in my state of absolute ignorance as to the
+identity of my charge, where she came from, what had happened, and of
+the whole chain of circumstances which led up to her strange visit, I
+came to the conclusion that I could only wait for her to awake and
+enlighten me before taking any steps whatever. It might mean losing
+valuable time to try to find out anything by going off in the fog and
+darkness; whilst, meanwhile, the poor girl might awake and find herself
+deserted, instead of finding me ready<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> and waiting to take her
+instructions for her safe restoration to her friends.</p>
+
+<p>So there was nothing for me to do but wait, and having made up the fire
+in the stove and put the kettle on in readiness for a cup of tea, I made
+myself as comfortable as I could in a corner and longed for daylight.</p>
+
+<p>As I watched the face of the sleeping girl, now rather flushed from the
+warmth of the cabin and the unaccustomed drops of spirit I had given
+her, I thought I had never before seen a fairer and sweeter countenance,
+and even then began to bless the chance which had allowed me to become
+her protector.</p>
+
+<p>Once she stirred, and a look of dread, almost terror, came into her
+face, and I heard her utter in an agonised voice the single word
+"Harold."</p>
+
+<p>It may sound ridiculous, but, coming so soon after my feelings of tender
+"protectiveness," I felt quite a pang of jealousy against the unknown
+owner of the name, and wondered in what relation she stood to him and
+why her thought of him should bring such evident pain. However, she did
+not awake as yet, and I had to possess my soul in patience for this and
+all the other enlightenment I longed for.</p>
+
+<p>I must have slept at last, for the next thing I remember was seeing a
+faint daylight struggling through the skylight and realising that the
+fire was nearly out, in spite of my resolve to keep a watch over it. In
+making it up I clumsily dropped a lump of coal, and the girl stirred,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>
+opened her eyes, and sat up at once, evidently refreshed by her sleep
+and in full possession of all her faculties, and, of course, utterly
+bewildered at her surroundings and at finding a perfect stranger in
+charge of her.</p>
+
+<p>It made my heart ache to see, as memory came back and she recalled the
+(to me unknown) events of the night, a cloud of dread and anxiety come
+over her, and her eyes fill with tears at the recollection; and if I had
+felt drawn to her before, I was doubly so now, when I saw her bravely
+brace herself to talk of them, and even smile up at me as she said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Will you tell me where I am, and how I got here? It seems to me I have
+a lot to thank you for!"</p>
+
+<p>I told her as briefly as I could the happenings of the night as far as I
+knew them, and then said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Now I am burning to hear your adventures, and longing to help you to
+get back to your friends; but I beg of you not to tell me more than you
+feel inclined, nor to put any strain on yourself at present, but just
+tell me sufficient for me to know how to act for you."</p>
+
+<p>She assured me she felt quite well, except for a headache (which
+certainly was only to be expected with such a bruise on her poor white
+forehead), and would like to tell me everything, as it would be a relief
+to her mind to do so, and with the most charming little blush she
+added&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>"I feel so sure you will know just what is best to be done, and I
+should like to confide my fears to you."</p>
+
+<p>So, whilst I busied myself in getting a sort of hasty breakfast ready,
+partly because we both needed it, but more for the sake of making it
+easier for her to speak of things which might be painful for her to
+mention with my eyes upon her, she told me all, and it was quite amazing
+how simply everything was explained.</p>
+
+<p>Her name&mdash;which she mentioned no doubt because I had carefully told her
+mine&mdash;was Lilian Burfield, and she and her brother Harold (I felt
+foolishly relieved to hear it was her <i>brother's</i> name she had called on
+in her sleep) lived with their father at a large house some three miles
+from the village up the river. A day or two before these events, some
+friends of theirs, a Mr. and Mrs. Small, had brought their wherry up the
+river to visit them, whilst on a cruise. On the Friday they had spent
+the afternoon on board, and she and her brother had been induced to stay
+to dinner, and play a game or two afterwards; but her father had been
+obliged to leave earlier on account of some engagement.</p>
+
+<p>About 10.30 they left (although the Smalls pressed them to stop on board
+all night when they saw how thick the fog had become), feeling confident
+that they could not well miss the landing-stage, as it was not more than
+a hundred yards from the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>However, it seemed that they <i>had</i> done so, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> the boat took the ground
+on a mud-bank, and stuck fast.</p>
+
+<p>Her brother was unable to push off, and asked her to help, so she stood
+up and, with the other oar, moved to assist him. The shifting of her
+weight must have loosened the boat, as at that very moment her brother
+gave a shove and they shot off the mud with a lurch, sending her with
+great violence into the bottom of the boat and stunning her.</p>
+
+<p>As she fell (and here I heard a break in the low, sweet voice which was
+telling me the tale) she remembered seeing her brother disappear
+overboard, upset by the sudden movement of the boat beneath him, and
+believed she gave a cry at the sight; but knew no more till she awakened
+in the cabin of the <i>Thelma</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The simple narrative ceased, and I wondered that when trying to puzzle
+out where she could have come from, I had never thought to connect the
+wherry I had seen in the morning with my visitor's sudden appearance.</p>
+
+<p>How marvellous it seemed, though, that the boat with its helpless
+freight should have been carried by the ebbing tide straight into my
+care, and how deeply thankful I was that it had been so ordered, saving
+the poor girl from a terrible, lonely drift out to sea, from many hours'
+exposure, perhaps from being run down by a passing vessel, certainly
+from grave danger in many ways!</p>
+
+<p>Now I could see my way at last as to my next move, and hastened to
+assure my anxious visitor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> that I had little fear for her brother's
+safety, as I knew there were no mudbanks in that part of the river
+except those along the edge of the shore, and therefore he would almost
+certainly have been able to scramble out.</p>
+
+<p>There were still one or two things I did not quite understand, however,
+so, whilst we ate a fairly hearty meal off the remainder of my whiting,
+I plied her with a question or two, and by-and-by we got very friendly
+and cheerful, and I quite disliked the idea of going out into the misty
+morning to make arrangements for giving up my fair and charming visitor.</p>
+
+<p>As for Miss Burfield (as I now must call her), her spirits rose with my
+hopeful words, and as the food had its effect on her physically.</p>
+
+<p>But in my mind was a sinister fear, which I carefully kept from her.</p>
+
+<p>I had heard no shouts, no sound of any search, either in the night nor
+since daybreak, which seemed strange; and it had occurred to me that
+<i>if</i> the young fellow had been drowned this would be explained, for
+those on the wherry might know nothing, thinking their visitors had
+reached the shore, while those ashore might think they had stopped
+overnight on board on account of the fog, and so no search would be
+made, no alarm taken.</p>
+
+<p>I asked whose was the boat they were in and which I had secured,
+wondering if it would be missed.</p>
+
+<p>"It belonged to a man in the village," she said. "We borrowed it because
+the man who works the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> wherry for the Smalls was away for the night, and
+we thought we would save Mr. Small the trouble of rowing us ashore so
+late at night in his own boat."</p>
+
+<p>"Was the owner waiting up for you to bring the boat back?" I asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we promised to tie it up safely, so that he need not worry about
+it," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>So, there again, they would not be missed till the man failed to find
+his boat, which might not be for hours yet. It seemed to me that I might
+have the terrible duty of breaking the bad news of the loss of the young
+man, instead of, as I had thought, the good tidings of the finding of
+the lost girl.</p>
+
+<p>But that remained to be proved, and I could only hope for the best.</p>
+
+<p>In any case my duty was now plain, and with a few cheering words to my
+companion, telling her that I was going to the village to report her
+safety, and to send a messenger to her home that they might come and
+fetch her, and would be back as soon as possible with (I hoped) the good
+news of her brother's safety, I set off, early as it was, and rowed
+myself ashore in the dinghy. I was glad to see that the fog was thinning
+even then, and by the time I had landed and run along the towing-path to
+the village, the sun was just visible through the haze, giving every
+hope of a lovely day.</p>
+
+<p>With mingled feelings of dread and hope I approached the scattered
+houses of the little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> hamlet, half fearing to see groups of men by the
+river-side searching for some gruesome object, and, again, when all
+seemed still and peaceful, fearing that the absence of movement might
+mean the very thing I dreaded&mdash;namely, that the catastrophe had
+happened, and no one any the wiser.</p>
+
+<p>There lay the wherry, without sight or sound of any living person on
+board; no one was moving in the little straggling street; not a dog
+barked.</p>
+
+<p>I went straight to the old inn, which stood about a hundred yards from
+the landing-stage, opposite the wherry's anchorage, and knocked loudly
+at the door. No one answered, so I tried the latch, the door opened to
+my hand, and I walked into the brick-floored bar, and at first thought
+it was empty.</p>
+
+<p>Then I heard a slight movement and the sound of a yawn, and, looking
+towards the large settle by the side of the hearth, saw my old
+acquaintance, the innkeeper, evidently aroused by my knocking from a
+sound sleep, rubbing his eyes and stiffly getting to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Much astonished he looked when he saw who his visitor was, as he did not
+know I had come down to the yacht, and certainly was not accustomed to
+such early rising on my part.</p>
+
+<p>His first words gave me a cold feeling of apprehension, for on
+recognising me he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, sir, I am glad you are here; perhaps you will be able to help us in
+this dreadful business."</p>
+
+<p>"What dreadful business?" I said, sharply enough, for I feared his
+answer, and dared not ask a more direct question, for the thought of
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> sweet girl I had left behind in the <i>Thelma</i>, and the news it
+seemed I was to take back to her, was almost too much for me.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear, dear, haven't you heard, sir?" went on the old man, thoroughly
+awake now in his eagerness to impart the news. "There's that poor, dear
+Miss Burfield, the sweetest young lady as ever I knew, gone floating
+down the river last night in the fog all alone, and goodness knows what
+has become of her, poor dear, by now&mdash;and her young brother, too, wet
+through as he was, gone off with the gentleman from yonder wherry in a
+boat to look for her, hours ago&mdash;and a poor chance of finding her, <i>I</i>
+say, till the fog blows off, even if they don't lose themselves as well
+as her. And the poor old squire, too, he be in a dreadful way, and
+sendin' messengers to all the coastguards for miles, he is, to look out
+for the lady&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Here the old man paused for want of breath, and I&mdash;completely relieved
+by his rambling statement from my fear about the girl's brother,
+hastened to relieve him with my astonishing news that Miss Burfield was
+safe and sound in my yacht, and had been so for some hours.</p>
+
+<p>Eager as I was to get back to the <i>Thelma</i> with my good news, I could
+not get away till I had told the good old fellow how it had happened
+that I had rescued her, and he in return told me how young Burfield had
+rushed, muddy and dripping, into the inn as they were all going to bed,
+and demanded help in the search for his sister. No boat was to be had at
+the moment, and so they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> shouted till Mr. Small came ashore in his
+own boat, and had at once rowed away with young Burfield down the river,
+in the thick darkness, with the faint hope of finding the missing girl
+before she drifted into the open sea.</p>
+
+<p>"I told 'em it warn't much good," ended the old man, "and that they'd
+best wait till daylight, but they would go. As for me, I reckon I've
+done the best thing, for I druv' over at once to the coastguards down
+yonder, and told 'em to keep a look out at the mouth o' the river. I
+ain't been back long, and was just takin' a nap when you found me, as I
+hadn't the 'art to go to bed."</p>
+
+<p>Having arranged with him to send the good news to all concerned,
+especially to the Hall, where old Mr. Burfield must doubtless be in a
+terrible state of anxiety, I hurried back along the towing-path,
+rejoicing in the thought that I should now be able to relieve my fair
+visitor's mind of her anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>I found her on deck, looking anxious, indeed, but so pretty and fresh in
+spite of her trying night's experiences, that my impressions of the
+night were greatly intensified, and I began to bless the unusual
+circumstances that had brought us together and made us friends, as it
+were, from the first moment of our acquaintance; and I registered a
+mental vow that the bond thus created between us should never be broken,
+if it lay in my power to prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>And when I had told her the good news, and we had at last an opportunity
+of friendly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>converse unclouded by forebodings and anxious thoughts, I
+for one thoroughly enjoyed the companionship, and allowed myself to hope
+that it was not altogether disagreeable to my charming visitor.</p>
+
+<p>It did not seem long, therefore, to me before the arrival of Mr.
+Burfield, who overwhelmed me with far more thanks and gratitude than I
+deserved, and insisted on my spending the rest of that week-end at the
+Hall&mdash;an invitation backed up in irresistible fashion by his daughter.
+To complete the general satisfaction, whilst we were talking we heard
+the sound of oars, and saw a boat approaching, containing two of the
+most weary and dispirited-looking men I ever saw.</p>
+
+<p>They proved to be Mr. Small and Mr. Harold Burfield, returning dead-beat
+and miserable after a fruitless and wretched search for the missing
+boat, to get food and to make arrangements for a further expedition. How
+can I describe their intense relief and astonishment when&mdash;summoned by a
+mighty shout&mdash;they pulled to shore, and saw the girl they imagined
+drifting helplessly miles out at sea standing on shore, safe and sound,
+and in infinitely better case than themselves, and heard that she had
+never been farther than where she now was from the scene of the accident
+the night before?</p>
+
+<p>Later on I asked Harold Burfield why he had not shouted as he rowed down
+the river after his sister in the darkness, when I might have heard and
+answered.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p><p>He said that at first he thought it no use, as he knew his sister's
+boat must have had a long start of them; and later, when they had rowed
+some way, and considered they must have caught up with it, they had done
+so at intervals all night long, on the chance of her hearing.</p>
+
+<p>So I suppose that, either they were past the <i>Thelma</i> before they began
+to call, or else in the fog had got so far over on the other side of the
+channel that their voices had not reached me, as I was shut up in my
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>So all the little mysteries were cleared up, and everything had "come
+right in the end," as such things should.</p>
+
+<p>I have spent many a happy week-end since then at the Hall and on board
+the <i>Thelma</i>, and to my dying day I shall bless the fog of that
+September night, for Lilian has promised shortly to fix the day of our
+wedding, and we have both decided that part of the honeymoon at least is
+to be spent on board the <i>Thelma</i>; and I really believe that we shall
+both be rather disappointed if we do not get a bit of foggy weather to
+remind us how we first made each other's acquaintance, and made friends
+over "whiting and tea" in the little cabin at six o'clock in the
+morning.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE DEFLECTED COMPASS</h3>
+
+<p>The paddle-steamer <i>Queen of the Isles</i> was alongside the quay at St.
+Mary's, and had already given one shrill intimation that she was
+prepared to leave the harbour. Sydney and I were ready, with our
+portmanteaux strapped and our caps on, but the Honourable John had not
+yet appeared. We were impatient. Very important was it that we should
+catch the mail out of Penzance that same evening, for the following
+morning we were all due in London. Any delay in our return would be
+taken from the holidays of the next batch, and we should never hear the
+last of it if we were late, to say nothing of the unfairness of reducing
+the well-earned rest of the next batch by our dilatoriness and lack of
+consideration. We had taken the precaution to settle the hotel accounts,
+because we knew the habits of the Honourable John, and we stood in the
+hall with the thunder gathering upon our brows, and threatening to peal
+forth in tones more loud than complimentary.</p>
+
+<p>"If he isn't down in two minutes, Syd, I'm off," said I, pulling out my
+watch, and nervously noting the jerky springs of the spidery second-hand
+that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> seemed to be in a much greater hurry than usual.</p>
+
+<p>"John!" bawled Syd up the stairway. "Do you hear? You'll miss the
+steamer."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the fellow doing?" I asked, with irritation, as I observed that
+half a minute had passed.</p>
+
+<p>"Waxing the ends of his ridiculous moustache," answered Syd; then,
+turning again to the foot of the stairs, "John! We're going. Hurry up!"</p>
+
+<p>A door opened on the landing, and a voice drawled, "I say, you chaps,
+have you paid the bill?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said I. "Come along. We've barely time to catch the
+steamer. Didn't you hear the whistle?"</p>
+
+<p>"I heard something a little while ago, a sort of an ear-piercing shriek
+that startled me, and caused me to nick my chin with the razor. I shall
+have to put a bit of flesh-coloured plaster over it. Was that the
+whistle?" asked the Honourable John in the most tantalising, nonchalant
+way, as if he had all the day before him.</p>
+
+<p>We looked up the stairway, and there he was on the landing, in his
+shirt-sleeves, slowly adjusting the ends of a salmon-coloured tie.</p>
+
+<p>"The two minutes are up," said I, replacing my watch, and stooping for
+my portmanteau. At that moment the whistle sounded again, and I hurried
+away, followed by Syd, both of us muttering that the dawdler deserved to
+be left, but none the less hoping in our hearts that he would be in
+time.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>The hotel was near the harbour, and we were soon aboard. On the bridge,
+between the paddle-boxes, the captain stood with the string attached to
+the syren in his hand; beside him, glancing at the compass-card,
+grasping the spokes of the wheel, and silently awaiting instructions,
+was one of the men; the mate was for'ard with his whistle; and two
+little knots of islanders were gathered about the moorings on the quay,
+ready to cast off the hawsers as soon as the paddles moved and the
+captain gave the word.</p>
+
+<p>Loungers and holiday-makers were stirred into mild excitement by our
+expected departure. Exchanges of farewells, amid occasional shouts and a
+continuous ripple of laughter, were passing between those on board and
+those ashore. The usually quiet life of St. Mary's was bubbling up in
+its periodical agitation. By the outgoing and incoming of the steamer
+the islanders touched the great world without, and thrilled at the touch
+and felt its importance.</p>
+
+<p>It was a pleasant scene, or it would have been but for the inexcusable
+delay of the Honourable John. We began to fear that he would be left.
+The captain pulled the string again, and the syren sounded, with a
+peculiar urgency, as it seemed to me, ending in a despairing wail; then,
+stepping to the indicator, he signalled to the engineer, and the paddles
+began to revolve. The forward hawser was thrown off and fell with a
+splash into the sea; astern we were yet alongside the quay.</p>
+
+<p>The Honourable John appeared, resplendent in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> all the glory of a silk
+hat and frock coat, with a flower in his buttonhole, his hands gloved in
+lemon-coloured kids, and his feet shiny with patent leather; the people
+parted to let him pass, and stared at him as if he were a marquis at the
+very least, but the porter flung his portmanteau over the bulwarks like
+that of any other common tourist; John himself, with more agility than I
+gave him credit for, sprang aboard only just in time, as the men shouted
+"All clear aft, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Once more we heard the click of the bells in the engine-room, and away
+we went through the clear waters, with the white foam mingling in our
+wake and the other islands gliding rapidly into view.</p>
+
+<p>"You donkey!" said I, surveying the delinquent from head to foot, and
+noticing particularly the round spot of plaster on his chin. "Why didn't
+you come earlier?"</p>
+
+<p>"Call him a parrakeet," said Syd. "That will better describe him."</p>
+
+<p>"He's both," I replied&mdash;"slow as the one and gay as the other. But we've
+got him, and we'll see that he does not defraud young Clifton of a
+single minute of the holiday he's waiting for&mdash;ay, and well deserves."</p>
+
+<p>"You're always in such a desperate hurry," observed the Honourable John,
+ignoring the epithets with which we assailed him. He was never offended,
+and never perturbed. When the vials of our wrath were poured upon him,
+as they had been pretty freely during the holiday, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> ran off him
+like the proverbial water from the duck's back. We simply could not have
+endured his foppishness and dandyism, combined with a temper always
+serene, if we had not known that at heart he was a very good fellow. "I
+was in time," said he.</p>
+
+<p>"You were," returned Syd significantly&mdash;"nearly in time to be late."</p>
+
+<p>"But I wasn't late," drawled John, "so what's the good of making a fuss
+about it. One of the pleasures of life is to take things easily; as my
+friend the Irishman once remarked, 'If ye cannot be happy, be aisy; and
+if ye cannot be aisy, be as aisy as ye can.' But, I say, I don't call
+this a specially bright morning; do you? Look there! We're running into
+a bank of fog."</p>
+
+<p>So we were. A dense white barrier, clean and straight as a wall, rose
+from the sea to the sky, and in another minute we had plunged into it.
+We did not anticipate so sudden a change. Fog was far from our thoughts,
+for the morning had been bright and sunny all around the islands, and
+the air was very still. For two or three days scarcely a breath of wind
+had wandered across the brilliant summer atmosphere. Now, with the fog,
+came a softly moving breeze out of the north-east. The fog drifted
+before it in one immense mass; there was no ripple upon the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the passengers the effect was very curious; where, a few moments
+before, there had been ready repartee, interspersed with laughter,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> now
+there was low-toned commonplace conversation, or a dead silence. We were
+wrapped in a cloud; moisture began to form in tiny drops upon the
+stanchions and the deck, upon the beards and moustaches of the male part
+of the voyagers, upon the woolly texture of the garments of all, even
+upon the smoothly brushed silk of the Honourable John's top hat; save
+for the swish of the paddles and the running of the engines, with a
+whispered exclamation here and there, we could hear nothing; and we
+could scarcely see the length of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>It was the first bit of objectionable weather we had experienced during
+the holiday. We had spent a fortnight in the "Delectable Duchy." From
+Looe to Sennen we had not missed a single place worth seeing, and we had
+finished up with a week in the Scilly Isles. Making St. Mary's our
+centre, we had rowed and waded to St. Martin's and St. Agnes', to Tresco
+and Bryer and Samson and Annet, to Great Ganilly and Great Arthur, to
+Gweal and Illiswilgis, and a host of other places in that shattered and
+scattered heap of granite which forms the outstanding sentinel of our
+far western coast. The weather had been perfect. But now, having cleared
+the road and rounded St. Mary's, we were met by this thick mist, swaying
+down upon us like a vast curtain, and quickly enveloping us in its
+vapoury folds.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll want a new topper, John, when we reach Penzance," said Syd, as
+he noted how the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> moisture was ruffling the silk and dimming its gloss.
+He laughed as he said it, but, in the silence, his laugh seemed to be an
+intrusion.</p>
+
+<p>"You're mistaken, Syd," he replied; and, as he took off his hat and
+surveyed it, he continued, "In all weathers, there's no head gear so
+durable, and therefore so economical, as a good silk chimney-pot; and
+certainly there's nothing in the way of a <i>chapeau</i> so comfortable and
+becoming."</p>
+
+<p>"Tastes differ," said I.</p>
+
+<p>"They do," answered John, "and I speak about my own. I've tried others.
+Oh, yes, I have," said he, as we looked at him incredulously, "and I
+speak from experience. I tell you, they're cheap, if you will only give
+enough for them. Why, I know an old fellow who has worn the very same
+tile, in all weathers, for fifteen years; it has been in the height of
+fashion twice in that time, and it will soon come in again; and it is a
+very decent thing yet when it has been newly pressed and ironed."</p>
+
+<p>"I prefer my deerstalker," said Syd.</p>
+
+<p>"And I my golfer," said I.</p>
+
+<p>"Which shows very plainly that your sartorial education has been
+neglected," returned John, "and I pity you. You are not living up to
+your privileges, and, worse still, you are unaware of the privileges you
+might live up to. But, I say, this is a sneezer!" and he looked about
+him into the fog, which was becoming denser every minute. "They're
+lessening the pace. I suppose it wouldn't do to drive along through this
+thick stuff.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> We might reach an unexpected terminus. What say you? Shall
+we go on the bridge?"</p>
+
+<p>"The captain may not allow us," said I.</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! I know the cap. He's a forty-second cousin of mine. Come along.
+I'll introduce you now that we are out of the narrows and in the open
+sea."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me as if the sea were shut," whispered Syd, as we followed
+the Honourable John to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Closed, at any rate," said I, "and with very moist curtains, through
+which we must push our way unpleasantly enough into the harbour."</p>
+
+<p>We reached the upper deck, which was dotted with bulgy figures in cloaks
+and capes, damp, and silent, and melancholy. The bridge formed the
+forward part of the upper deck, where it terminated amidships; the
+helmsman, with his hands upon the spokes, shifted his eyes alternately
+between the binnacle and the bows, and gave the wheel a turn now this
+way and now that, while the captain paced cross-wise between the
+paddle-boxes, and searched the mirk above and ahead to see whether there
+was any likelihood that the weather would clear.</p>
+
+<p>Abaft the funnel the deck was free to those of the passengers who held
+saloon tickets, but afore the funnel&mdash;that is, on the bridge itself&mdash;no
+one was allowed without the captain's special permission. This space was
+railed off, with a hinged lift in the mahogany on either side, both of
+which were now down and barred. We were not quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> sure whether the
+captain were really the Honourable John's relative, or whether our
+comrade's proposal to join the captain was only one of those erratic
+notions which visited his aristocratic brain, and were often carried
+through with a confidence so complete as to be rarely unsuccessful. He
+was unmercifully snubbed sometimes, and he richly deserved it; but the
+curious thing about him was that the snubs were wasted. Where others
+would have retired crestfallen, the Honourable John held his head high
+and heeded not.</p>
+
+<p>We were prepared to find that the forty-second cousinship was a fiction,
+and that the captain would quietly ignore him; but we were in the
+background, and it mattered very little to us; the deck would be as
+welcome as the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, cousin cap.," said John familiarly, placing his hand upon the wet
+mahogany rail, "and how are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed the captain, facing round. "Where have you tumbled
+from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hughtown, St. Mary's, was the last bit of mother earth I touched before
+I sprang aboard the <i>Queen of Paddlers</i>. May we venture within your
+private domain?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly, John," and he lifted the rail and beckoned us forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Two chums of mine," said John, naming us, and then he named the captain
+as his respected cousin forty-two times removed. The captain smiled at
+him, shook his head, and observed that the relationship was a little
+closer than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> that, but a puzzle, nevertheless, to work out exactly.</p>
+
+<p>"I must have missed you when you came aboard," said he, "and yet in your
+usual get-up I don't see how I could very well. You look as if you had
+just stepped out of a band-box, except for the dampness, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you were busy when I joined you," said John, evidently pleased with
+the captain's remarks about his appearance. "I had to jump for it. But
+you haven't answered my question. How are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tol'able, thank'e. And your folks&mdash;how are they? I need not ask how
+<i>you</i> are," and, while John answered him, he placed camp-stools for us,
+and said to Syd and me, "Sit down, gentlemen; and excuse me if I address
+myself mainly to this eccentric cousin of mine, and, I am sure, your
+very good friend. I do not see him often, and he never will let me know
+when he is coming my way"&mdash;a statement which Syd and I could easily
+believe. For, with all John's faults, and he had many of them, he was
+one of the least obtrusive of men where hospitality came in, and one of
+the most reticent about himself and his own affairs; and we, who worked
+with him, knew him almost exclusively as a good fellow in the
+department, and a capital companion for a holiday.</p>
+
+<p>The captain placed John's camp-stool on the starboard side of the
+binnacle. Their conversation was broken into snatches by the captain's
+movements. As he paced the bridge, backwards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> and forwards, he halted
+each time just for a moment when he came to where John had propped his
+back against the binnacle and tilted his stool at an angle that
+threatened collapse. Syd and I sat quite apart, and left them alone to
+their semi-private conversation. We noticed, however, that the captain
+appeared to be uneasy about the vessel's course and progress; he glanced
+more than once at the compass-card, and several times, in his
+perambulations, he lingered over the paddle-boxes, and intently watched
+the water as it slipped by. So that his conversation with the Honourable
+John became more fragmentary, and was more frequently interrupted the
+nearer we approached the land.</p>
+
+<p>After some time the captain came to a sudden stand over the port
+paddle-box, and curved his left hand round his ear. For a minute or more
+he stood like a statue, perfectly motionless, and with his whole being
+absorbed in an effort to catch a faint and expected sound across the
+water. Satisfied with the effort, he stepped briskly to the indicator,
+and signalled to the engineer to increase the speed of the steamer.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, cap.?" asked John.</p>
+
+<p>"The bell on the Runnel Stone," he replied. "Cannot you hear it?"</p>
+
+<p>The captain's statuesque figure, intently listening, had been observed
+by the passengers, and there was a dead silence aboard, broken only by
+the thumping of the engines and the splash of the paddle-blades as they
+pounded the still waters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> Presently the dreary clang of the bell,
+struck by the clapper as the sea rocked it, came to us in uncertain and
+fitful tones. It was a melancholy sound, but its effect was cheering,
+because it gave the people some idea of our whereabouts, and was an
+indication that we had crossed the intervening space between the islands
+and the mainland. We were making fair progress despite the fog, and
+should soon be ashore again.</p>
+
+<p>A babble of talk began and ran the round of the passengers, breaking out
+among a group of younger people into a ripple of laughter. For a quarter
+of an hour this went on, then, to the amazement of all on board, the
+captain, after glancing anxiously at the compass-card, sternly called
+out "Silence!" Meanwhile the sound of the bell had become clearer, but
+was now growing less distinct; and, as the captain's order was instantly
+obeyed, we became aware of another sound&mdash;the breaking of the waves upon
+the shore.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the captain listened, straining his eyes at the same time
+to pierce the dense mist ahead; the man on the look-out, perched in the
+bows, who had been leaning forward with his hand shading his eyes,
+turned about with a startled gesture, throwing his arms aloft, and
+shouted to the captain that we were close in shore, and heading for it
+directly; the captain sprang to the indicator, and signalled for the
+reversal of the engines; but it was too late. With a thud that threw us
+all forward the steamer grounded.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly all was confusion. Some lost their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> heads, and began to rush
+about wildly. A few screamed. Nearly every one became visibly paler. Syd
+and I started from our seats, and gazed bewilderedly at an expanse of
+yellow sand softly revealed beneath the mist, and stretching ahead and
+on either hand into the white moisture by which we were encompassed.
+John walked over to us apparently unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this is a go," said he.</p>
+
+<p>Before we could reply, the captain bawled out his orders that all the
+passengers must retire to the after-part of the ship, and help, so far
+as their collected weight might do so, to raise the bows now sunk in the
+soft sand. He assured them that there was not the slightest danger; the
+vessel was uninjured; we were ashore on a yielding and shelving beach;
+and that, if they would remain perfectly quiet, and obey orders, he had
+some hope that he might get the vessel afloat again.</p>
+
+<p>There was a general move aft, and although signs of distress, and even
+of terror, were not wanting on some faces, the people gathered quietly
+enough into one solid mass. We three stood on the outer edge of the
+company. Syd and I were considerably excited, but John was as calm as a
+man could be. With tremendous uproar the reversed paddles began to churn
+the shallow water, but not an inch did we move.</p>
+
+<p>The captain stepped to the binnacle, and read the compass-card. A swift
+change passed over his face; in mingled surprise and anger he pointed
+within the binnacle, and began to question the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> man at the wheel; but he
+was more surprised than the captain&mdash;so utterly amazed, in fact, that he
+could not be angry, and only protested that he had kept the vessel true
+to the course which had been given him, and could not explain why the
+card had veered three to four points farther westward since the vessel
+had touched the ground. It was no use contending about the matter then.
+The paddles began to throw up the sand as well as the water, and the
+captain saw that the vessel would have to remain where she was until the
+next tide.</p>
+
+<p>"We are fast, sure 'nough," sang out the captain. "You had better gather
+your traps together, and prepare to leave the vessel. There will be
+conveyances in the villages to take you to Penzance."</p>
+
+<p>The company dispersed and scattered about the boat, merrily collecting
+their belongings now that they knew the worst, and that the worst was
+not very bad after all. We rejoined the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the name of this new port of discharge?" asked John.</p>
+
+<p>"Not port, but Porth," answered the captain grimly, for it was no
+laughing matter to him. "Porth Curnow. And you may thank your stars that
+we have run clear in upon the sand, and not a few furlongs south or
+north, for then we should have been laid up either under Tol-Pedn or
+beneath the Logan Rock."</p>
+
+<p>"I can follow your location admirably, cap.," said John. "We are eight
+or nine miles from Penzance&mdash;is not that so? Yes!" as the captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>
+nodded gloomily; "and Porth Curnow is the place where the submarine
+telegraph chaps live. But, I say, why did you bring us here? We booked
+for Penzance."</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness knows&mdash;I don't. Something's gone wrong with the compass. We
+were on the right course, and the compass was true until we grounded;
+then it swerved most unaccountably nearly four points to the westward,
+and there it remains."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a curious freak, cap. You'll be interviewed by all the
+scientific folk in the kingdom, and I shouldn't wonder if you are not
+summoned to appear, and give evidence, before a select committee of the
+Royal Society. Four points out! Why, man, you're immortalised. I call it
+a most lucky deflection."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you? I don't," growled the captain. "Others are welcome to the
+immortality. I prefer to do without, and steer by a compass that's true.
+And it <i>has</i> been true up to now."</p>
+
+<p>"That's where it comes in," exclaimed John. "That's what makes it
+remarkable. If the compass <i>hadn't</i> been true, you would have gained
+nothing by this little adventure; but, as you say, it <i>has</i> been true,
+therefore&mdash;&mdash; Oh! dear, it takes a lot to satisfy some people. And you
+cannot account for it? Do you think the telegraph station has had
+anything to do with it&mdash;electricity, you know? Electricity is a queer
+thing, and plays pranks sometimes. No! Well, perhaps the hills are
+magnetic."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p><p>"Come, John, you're losing your head; and I have these people to see
+to," remarked the captain somewhat tartly.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I am," said John. "It's a habit I have, but I generally find
+it again. Well, cap., if you require any assistance in the unloading of
+the cargo, say the word, and here I am, your cousin to command"; and the
+captain was obliged to smile, notwithstanding the disaster&mdash;an effect
+which John had been trying for all the while.</p>
+
+<p>"Your suggestion about the telegraph station has put a practical idea
+into my brain, and I am thankful for that, John. I'll sound the syren,
+and bring the fellows down. They'll be willing to help in a mess like
+this, anyhow; and, if there are not enough conveyances to run the people
+down to Penzance, they can wire for a few to fetch them"; and, pulling
+the cord, he sent the shriek of the syren through the mist in resounding
+and ear-splitting tones.</p>
+
+<p>By this time, the passengers had all pressed forward into the bows, with
+the easily transferable part of their luggage about them. The water had
+receded, and left the bows clear; but it was too long a drop into the
+wet sand for any one to venture down without assistance. The ladies
+especially were looking wistfully over the bulwarks. We three went
+forward also, but we left our portmanteaux to take care of themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Soon two young fellows dashed down the sands, halloing in answer to the
+syren, and stood with wondering eyes beneath the bows.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p><p>"Who are you?" shouted one of them.</p>
+
+<p>"Scilly people," piped a shrill female voice from our midst.</p>
+
+<p>"That we are&mdash;very," said John drily; at which, notwithstanding our
+plight, there was a general laugh.</p>
+
+<p>The two were speedily increased to half a dozen, and these were joined
+by quite a group of farm-servants and villagers, attracted by the
+unwonted sound of a syren floating across their fields. Some of the
+latter, scenting substantial gain, ran off to harness their horses to
+such conveyances as they could command in readiness for the drive to
+Penzance, while the rest remained, having also a view to the needful, to
+act as porters and guides.</p>
+
+<p>One of the men, by the captain's orders, came forward with a
+rope-ladder, fastened one end securely within the bulwarks, and threw
+the other over the side. It hung about four feet from the ground.
+Immediately the passengers swarmed about the head of the ladder, and,
+although there was no real danger, pushed and jostled each other in the
+attempt to secure an early descent. A few thoughtless young fellows were
+claiming the first chance when the Honourable John interfered.</p>
+
+<p>"Here," said he, "ladies first, and one at a time," and he shouldered
+the too eager males aside. He took off his hat, turned to the crowd
+below, and, picking out a telegraph clerk, said, "Catch my tile, will
+you? And, mind, don't sit on it! It may collapse. Thank you!" as the man
+caught it cleverly, and smiled at the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>instructions. Then he slipped out
+of his frock-coat, and flung it aside; undid his cuff-links, and rolled
+up his sleeves; bowed to the nearest woman of the party, who happened to
+be a stout Scillonian in a peasant's dress, and said, "Ready! Allow me,
+madam." As he helped her to the top of the bulwarks, and down the rungs,
+he sang out, "Below there! Steady this lady down, and help her to the
+ground."</p>
+
+<p>Syd and I handed up the other ladies, and the Honourable John, balanced
+upon the bulwarks, gallantly helped them down the ladder as far as his
+arms would reach, where they were taken in charge by the telegraph
+clerks, and landed upon the wet sand. The captain watched the
+proceedings from the bridge with an amused expression. Before long all
+the ladies were disposed of, and we left the men to scramble down as
+best they could. John picked up his coat, and I held it by the collar
+while he slipped his arms through the arm-holes and drew it on.</p>
+
+<p>When he flung the coat aside I noticed a peculiarity of the collar as it
+fell and lay upon the ground. While the waist and all the lower part was
+limp, the collar preserved an unnatural stiffness&mdash;a stiffness that
+extended to the breast; this part stood up as if within it there were
+some invisible form. Several times as I turned to assist the lady whose
+turn came next I noticed this peculiarity; and when I held the collar to
+help the Honourable John into this fashionable frock-coat, there was a
+hardness about it which made me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> wonder whether his tailor had stitched
+into it several strips of buckram, or cleverly inserted beneath the
+collar, and down the breast, a piece of flexible whalebone. Whatever it
+was that gave this part of his coat its rigidity, I dismissed it from my
+mind with the thought that the Honourable John was a greater fop than
+either Syd or I supposed.</p>
+
+<p>Bareheaded he went to bid his cousin good-bye. We also shook the
+captain's hand, and expressed our regret, with John, at the misfortune
+which had befallen him because of the deflection of the compass. We were
+the last to leave by the rope-ladder, handing down our portmanteaux
+before we descended ourselves; and the captain waved his hand to us from
+the bows before we vanished into the mist. The heavy luggage would have
+to wait until the steamer floated off with the next tide, and made her
+way round to Penzance; but negotiations had begun before we left for the
+conveyance of the mails in time to catch the up train, by which we also
+intended travelling to London.</p>
+
+<p>John recovered his hat, and we pushed through the yielding shell beach,
+preceded by our improvised porters, to the broken ramparts of Treryn
+Dinas; these we climbed, and made our way across the fields to the
+village of Treryn; and here we hired a trap, which ran us into Penzance
+in time to discuss a good dinner before we started on our journey by
+rail.</p>
+
+<p>We were well on the way to Plymouth, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> was reading a newspaper of
+the day before, when a curious paragraph caught my eye.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to this!" said I to the other two, and I read: "'It has
+frequently happened that ships have got out of their course at sea by
+some unaccountable means, and a warning just issued by the Admiralty may
+perhaps have some bearing on the matter. Their Lordships say that their
+attention has been called to the practice of seamen wearing steel
+stretchers in their caps, and to the danger which may result from these
+stretchers becoming strongly magnetised, and being worn by men close to
+the ship's compasses. Instances have been reported of compasses being
+considerably deflected in this manner, and their Lordships have now
+directed that the use of steel stretchers in caps is to be immediately
+discontinued.' I wonder if the deflection of the compass of the <i>Queen
+of the Isles</i> can be explained in a similar way. Possibly the helmsman
+may have been wearing one of these stretchers."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" exclaimed the Honourable John, giving his knee a tremendous
+slap. "I have it. I must write to my cousin. It is my fault&mdash;my fault,
+entirely. But I never thought of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thought of what?" asked Syd.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" inquired I.</p>
+
+<p>"This&mdash;&mdash;" and the Honourable John for once exhibited a rueful face.
+"You saw where the cap. placed me; and how I tilted my stool and leaned
+against the binnacle. Well, look here!" and he folded back the lappets
+of his coat, and showed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> us a narrow band of flat spring steel that
+passed under his collar and down either side to keep it from creasing
+and to help it to fit closely to his body. "That patent thing has done
+the mischief, without a doubt. Oh, what a fool I am! I might have sent
+the whole ship-load of us to Davy Jones. I'll forswear this fashionable
+toggery henceforth when I'm away on holiday, and follow the innocent
+example of sensible chaps like you."</p>
+
+<p>We made no comment, but we both observed that our companion was
+singularly quiet all the way from Plymouth to London.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>IN PERIL IN AFRICA</h3>
+
+<p>The attempt to open up new countries, the natives of which object to the
+process, naturally leads to adventures, often of a very dangerous kind.
+Nevertheless, explorers and traders take their lives in their hands,
+considering the possible results well worth the risk.</p>
+
+<p>So does the missionary. In place of worldly fame and wealth, his efforts
+are likely to bring him suffering and death; but, while facing these, he
+may spread the faith which is dearer to him than life; he may bring the
+news of the love of God, with its uplifting power, to those who, sunk in
+ignorance and degradation, tremble before idols; and he, too, feels that
+personal dangers are not worth weighing in comparison with the glorious
+cause in which they are dared. As Bishop Hannington said just before
+going out as a missionary&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If I lose my life in Africa, no one must think it has been wasted. The
+lives that have been already given for the cause are not lost. They are
+<i>filling up the trench so that others may the more easily pass over to
+take the fort in the name of the Lord</i>!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p><p>That is the spirit in which he went out and in turn laid down his
+life&mdash;helping to fill the trench to such good purpose that his own son,
+in after years, baptised the son of his murderer! Hannington's life in
+Africa was a constant succession of dangers faced, difficulties
+overcome, and hardships endured, all of which his intense faith, and his
+gift of humour, enabled him to go through cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>He was a keen sportsman, ever eager to add to his collection of rare
+creatures, and his letters home give vivid account of some of his
+adventures. On one or two occasions he had narrow escapes from death&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This part of the country abounds with game. On one occasion a herd of
+antelopes crossed the path as tamely as if they had been sheep, and
+tracks of giraffe and larger game were frequently seen. Guinea-fowl were
+so plentiful that one of the white men at Mpwapwa told us that he did
+not trouble to fire at them unless he could ensure killing two or three
+at a shot.</p>
+
+<p>"I had two narrow escapes in one of my walks with a gun in search of
+game. I came to a belt of jungle so dense that the only way to get
+through it was to creep on all fours along the tracks made by hyenas and
+smaller game; and as I was crawling along I saw close in front of me a
+deadly puff-adder; in another second I should have been on it.</p>
+
+<p>"The same day, on my return, I espied in one of these same tracks a
+peculiar arrangement of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> grass, which I at once recognised to be over a
+pitfall; but though I had seen it I had already gone too far, and fell
+with a tremendous crash, my double-barrel gun full-cocked in my hand. I
+had the presence of mind to let myself go and look out only for my gun,
+which fortunately did not explode. On arriving at the bottom I called
+out to my terrified boy, 'Mikuke Hapana,' 'There are no spears,' a most
+merciful providence; for they often stake these pitfalls in order to
+ensure the death of animals that fall into them. The pitfall could not
+have been less than ten feet deep, for when I proceeded to extricate
+myself I found that I could not reach the top with my uplifted hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Undaunted by my adventures, and urged on by the monotony of nothing but
+tough goat on the sideboard, I started before the break of next morning
+in pursuit of game, and was soon to be seen crawling on hands and knees
+after antelope, I am afraid unmindful of puff-adders and pitfalls.</p>
+
+<p>"By and by the path followed the bed of a narrow stream, which was
+completely ploughed with the tracks of buffalo and giraffe, as fresh as
+fresh could be. Our impression was, and probably it was right, that the
+former were lurking in the dense thicket close by. The breathless
+excitement that such a position keeps you in does much to help along the
+weary miles of the march, and to ward off attacks of fever. All
+experienced hands out here recommend that men should, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> not losing
+sight of their one grand object, keep themselves amused.</p>
+
+<p>"Your cousin Gordon and I, with our boys, had led the van all the
+morning. He, having lately had fever, complained of being tired, and
+begged me to continue in pursuit of game alone, merely taking my one
+faithful boy with me to carry my gun; but I refused to leave him, for
+never had I complained of an ache or pain but what he was at my side to
+help and comfort me. We sat down and rested, and the other brethren,
+with a party of a dozen or fourteen, marched on ahead. They had not gone
+many hundred yards before I heard the whiz of a bullet. 'They have found
+game,' said I. Bang went a second shot. 'It's a herd.' Then another.
+'Yes, it must be a herd.' Then a fourth, and it dawned on me that they
+were attacked by robbers&mdash;the far-famed Ruga-Ruga.</p>
+
+<p>"'Stay where' you are,' I cried, and dashed off, closely followed by my
+boys. The bangs had now reached seven, and we had not the slightest
+doubt it was an attack of robbers, and so it proved to be. My anxiety
+was relieved by seeing our men all intact, standing together at bay with
+a foe that was nowhere to be beheld. I soon learnt that as they were
+quietly proceeding a party of the savage Wahumba tribe had swooped down
+upon them; but seeing white men with rifles had fled with the utmost
+precipitation, without even discharging a poisoned arrow. To make their
+flight more rapid the white men had fired their rifles in the air; and
+one in grabbing his gun from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> his boy had managed to discharge it in
+such a manner as to blow off the sight of his neighbour's rifle. Finding
+that danger was at an end for the time being, I begged them to remain as
+they were, ready to receive an attack, while I returned with my boys to
+Gordon, and got the stragglers together, after which we all proceeded in
+a body. I have always thought that it was I who had the greatest escape
+of all; for had I gone on, as Gordon proposed, with only one, or at the
+outside two boys, I should most probably have been attacked."</p>
+
+<p>A little later the Bishop had an even narrower escape from a
+justly-enraged lion and lioness&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Presently, while hunting for insects in short mimosa tangle up to the
+knee, I disturbed a strange-looking animal, about the size of a sheep,
+brownish colour, long tail, short legs, feline in aspect and movement,
+but quite strange to me. I took my gun and shot it dead&mdash;yes, quite
+dead. Away tore my boy as fast as his legs would carry him, terrified
+beyond measure at what I had done! What, indeed? you may well ask. I had
+killed the cub of a lioness! Terror was written on every line and
+feature of the lad, and dank beads of perspiration stood on his face. I
+saw it as he passed me in his flight, and his fear for the moment
+communicated itself to me. I turned to flee, and had gone a few paces,
+when I heard a savage growl, and a tremendous lioness&mdash;I say advisedly a
+tremendous one&mdash;bounded straight at me.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>"In spite of the loaded gun in my hand, it seemed to me that I was
+lost. The boy knew more about lions than I did, and his fear knew no
+bounds. I began to realise that I was in a dangerous situation, for a
+lioness robbed of her whelp is not the most gentle creature to deal
+with. I retreated hastily. No; I will out with it, children, in plain
+language&mdash;I ran five or six steps; every step she gained upon me, and
+the growls grew fiercer and louder. Do I say <i>she</i> gained?&mdash;<i>they</i>
+gained, for the lion was close behind her, and both were making straight
+for me. They will pause at the dead cub? No; they take no notice of it;
+they come at me. What is to be done?</p>
+
+<p>"It now struck me that retreat was altogether wrong. Like a cat with a
+mouse, it induced them to follow. Escape in this manner was impossible.
+I halted, and just at that moment came a parting yell from my boy,
+'Hakuna! Kimbia!'</p>
+
+<p>"I thought he had seen and heard the lion and lioness, and that,
+speaking as he does bad Kiswahili, he had said, 'Kakuna Kimbia!' which
+might be roughly, though wrongly, translated, 'Don't run away!' instead
+of which he meant to say&mdash;in fact, did say&mdash;'No! Run away!'</p>
+
+<p>"I have no hesitation in saying that a stop wrongly read but rightly
+made saved my life. I had in the second or two that had elapsed
+determined to face it out; and now, strengthened as I thought by his
+advice, I made a full stop and turned sharply on them. This new policy
+on my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> part caused them to check instantly. They now stood lashing their
+tails and growling, and displaying unfeigned wrath, but a few paces from
+me.</p>
+
+<p>"I then had time to inspect them. They were a right royal pair of the
+pale sandy variety, a species which is noted for its fierceness, the
+knowledge of which by no means made my situation more pleasant. There we
+stood; both parties evidently feeling that there was no direct solution
+to the matter in hand. I cannot tell you exactly what passed through
+their minds, but they evidently thought that it was unsafe to advance
+upon this strange and new being, the like of which they had never seen
+before. I cannot tell you either how long a time we stood face to face.
+Minutes seemed hours, and perhaps the minutes were only seconds; but
+this I know, my boy was out of hearing when the drama was concluded.</p>
+
+<p>"And this is how it ended: After an interval I decided not to fire at
+them, but to try instead what a little noise would do. So I suddenly
+threw up my arms in the air, and set up a yell, and danced and shouted
+like a madman. Do you know, the lions were so astonished to see your
+sober old uncle acting in such a strange way that they both bounded into
+the bushes as if they had been shot, and I saw them no more!</p>
+
+<p>"As the coast was now clear I thought I might as well secure my prize, a
+real little beauty. So I seized it by its hind legs and dragged it as
+quickly as I could along the ground, the bushes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> quite keeping it out of
+sight. When I had gone what I had deemed a sufficient distance I took it
+up and swung it over my back, and beat a hasty retreat, keeping a sharp
+eye open in case the parents should lay claim to the body, for I should
+not have been dishonest enough not to let them have it had they really
+come to ask for it!</p>
+
+<p>"I soon found the cub was heavier than I bargained for, being about the
+size of a South Down sheep, so I shouted for my boy. It was a long time,
+however, before I could make him hear. I began to be afraid I must
+abandon my spoil. At length I saw him in the far distance. Fortunately
+for me he did not know his way back to the camp, otherwise his intention
+was to return to the camp, and ask the men to come and look for my
+remains.</p>
+
+<p>"The arrival of the cub caused a tremendous sensation among the natives;
+dozens of men came to see it, nor would they believe until they had seen
+the skin that I had dared to kill a 'child of the lioness,' it being
+more dangerous than killing a lion itself. I do not think that I was
+wise in shooting; but the fact was it was done, and I was in the scrape
+before I knew where I was, and having got into trouble, of course the
+question then was how best to get out of it."</p>
+
+<p>"In some of the places I passed through they had never seen a white man
+before. They would gather round me in dozens, and gaze upon me in the
+utmost astonishment. One would suggest that I was not beautiful&mdash;in
+plainer language, that I was amazingly ugly. Fancy a set of hideous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>
+savages regarding a white man, regarding your uncle, as a strange
+outlandish creature frightful to behold. You little boys that run after
+a black man in the park and laugh at him, think what you may come to
+when you grow old! The tables may be turned on you if you take to
+travelling, just as they were with me.</p>
+
+<p>"As with other travellers, my boots hardly ever failed to attract
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"'Are those your feet, white man?'</p>
+
+<p>"'No, gentlemen, they are not. They are my sandals.'</p>
+
+<p>"'But do they grow to your feet?'</p>
+
+<p>"'No, gentlemen, they do not, I will show you.'</p>
+
+<p>"So forthwith I would proceed to unlace a boot. A roar of astonishment
+followed when they beheld my blue sock, as they generally surmised that
+my feet were blue and toeless. Greater astonishment still followed the
+withdrawal of the sock, and the revelation of a white five-toed foot. I
+frequently found that they considered that only the visible parts of me
+were white, namely, my face and hands, and that the rest of me was as
+black as they were. An almost endless source of amusement was the
+immense amount of clothing, according to their calculation, that I
+possessed. That I should have waistcoat and shirt and jersey underneath
+a coat, seemed almost incredible, and the more so when I told them that
+it was chiefly on account of the sun I wore so much.</p>
+
+<p>"My watch, too, was an unfailing attraction:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> 'There's a man in it,' 'It
+is Lubari; it is witch-craft,' they would cry.' He talks; he says, Teek,
+teek, teek,' My nose they would compare to a spear; it struck them as so
+sharp and thin compared to the African production, and ofttimes one
+bolder than the rest would give my hair and my beard a sharp pull,
+imagining them to be wigs worn for ornament. Many of them had a potent
+horror for this white ghost, and a snap of the fingers or a stamp of the
+foot was enough to send them flying helter-skelter from my tent, which
+they generally crowded round in ranks five deep. For once in a way this
+was amusing enough; but when it came to be repeated every day and all
+day, one had really a little too much of a good thing."</p>
+
+<p>Of the discomforts of an African march the Bishop made light, his sense
+of humour often enabling him to enjoy a good laugh at occurrences which
+would have irritated some men almost beyond endurance. Of some of the
+hardships, however, his letters and diary give glimpses&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Our first experience in this region was not a pleasant one. We had sent
+our men on before while we dallied with our friends at Mpwapwa. When we
+reached the summit of the pass we could see various villages with their
+fires in the plains below, but nowhere was the camp to be discerned. It
+was a weary time before we could alight on it, and when we did, what a
+scene presented itself to our gaze!</p>
+
+<p>"The wind was so high that the camp fires were extinguished, and the men
+had betaken themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> to a deep trench cut through the sandy plain by
+a mountain torrent, but now perfectly dry; hence our difficulty in
+making out where the camp was. Two of the tents were in a prostrate
+condition, while the others were fast getting adrift. Volumes of dust
+were swamping beds, blankets, boxes, buckets, and in fact everything;
+and a more miserable scene could scarcely be beheld by a party of
+benighted pilgrims. It was no use staring at it. I seized a hammer and
+tent pegs, forgot I was tired, and before very long had things fairly to
+rights; but I slept that night in a dust-heap.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor did the morning mend matters, and to encourage us the Mpwapwa
+brethren prophesied this state of things all through Ugogo. It is bad
+enough in a hot climate to have dust in your hair and down your neck,
+and filling your boxes; but when it comes to food, and every mouthful
+you take grates your teeth, I leave you to imagine the pleasure of
+tent-life in a sandy plain.</p>
+
+<p>"A day or two after this we arrived at a camp where the water was
+excessively bad. We had to draw it for everybody from one deep hole, and
+probably rats, mice, lizards, and other small animals had fallen in and
+been drowned, and allowed to remain and putrefy. The water smelt most
+dreadfully, no filtering or boiling seemed to have any effect upon it,
+and soup, coffee, and all food were flavoured by it.</p>
+
+<p>"That afternoon I went for a stroll with my boy and two guns to
+endeavour to supply the table with a little better meat than tough goat.
+I soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> struck on the dry bed of a masika (wet season) torrent.
+Following this up a little way I saw a fine troop of monkeys, and
+wanting the skin of one of them for my collection I sent a bullet flying
+amongst them, without, however, producing any effect beyond a tremendous
+scamper. My boy then said to me, 'If you want to kill monkey, master,
+you should try buck-shot'; so returning him my rifle I took my
+fowling-piece.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it was fortunate I did so, for about a hundred yards farther on
+the river bed took a sharp turn, and coming round the corner I lighted
+on three fine tawny lions. They were quite close to me, and had I had my
+rifle my first impulse might have been too strong for me to resist
+speeding the parting guest with a bullet. As it was, I came to a sudden
+halt, and they ran away. In vain my boy begged me to retreat. I seized
+the rifle and ran after them as fast as my legs would carry me; but they
+were soon hid in the dense jungle that lines the river banks; and
+although I could hear one growling and breathing hard about ten yards
+from me, I could not get a shot."</p>
+
+<p>Like Moses of old, Bishop Hannington did not enter the land he had come
+so far to reach. The people of Uganda were alarmed and angry at his
+approaching their country from the north-east, which they called the
+back door to their land. Worn out with fever he was seized, dragged
+backwards over stony ground, and kept a prisoner for some days. On
+October 29, 1885, he was conducted to an open space outside the village<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>
+and placed among his followers, having been falsely told on the previous
+day that King Mwanga had sent word that the party was to be allowed to
+proceed.</p>
+
+<p>But he was soon undeceived. With a wild shout the savage warriors fell
+upon the Bishop's enfeebled followers, and their flashing spears
+speedily covered the ground with dead and dying. As the natives told off
+to murder him closed round, Hannington drew himself up and bade them
+tell the king that he was about to die for the people of Uganda, and
+that he had purchased the road to their country with his life. Then as
+they still hesitated he pointed to his own gun, which one of them fired
+and Hannington fell dead.</p>
+
+<p>His last words to his friends&mdash;scribbled by the light of some
+camp-fire&mdash;were&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"If this is the last chapter of my earthly history, then the next will
+be the first page of the heavenly&mdash;no blots and smudges, no incoherence,
+but sweet converse in the presence of the Lamb!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>XV</h2>
+
+<h3>KEEPING THE TRYST</h3>
+
+<p>Maharaj was a very big elephant and Alec was a half-grown boy&mdash;an
+insignificant human pigmy&mdash;in spite of which disparity they were great
+pals, for Alec admired that mountain of strength as only an imaginative
+boy can, and elephants can appreciate admiration.</p>
+
+<p>When Alec came across Maharaj he had taken up his quarters temporarily
+in the mango tope opposite the bungalow. He was pouring dust upon his
+head and blowing it over his back, both because he enjoyed a dust bath
+and because it helped to keep off the flies. With the quick perception
+of a boy, Alec noticed he had used up all the dust within reach, so he
+got him a few hatfuls from the roadside, for which he was very grateful,
+and immediately sent a sand blast over his back that annihilated quite a
+colony of mosquitoes. Then he admitted Alec to his friendship, and they
+became pals.</p>
+
+<p>Hard by the mahout was cooking his dinner under a tamarind-tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Did the Sahib ask if he was clever? Wait, and the Sahib shall see. Here
+are his six chapaties of flour that I am baking. Out of one only I
+shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> keep back a handful of meal. How should he detect so small a
+quantity missing? But we shall see."</p>
+
+<p>The elephant driver put on the cakes to bake&mdash;pancake-shaped things,
+eighteen inches across and an inch thick. They took their time to cook,
+for the fireplace was small, being only three bricks standing on the
+ground. When they were ready he placed the cakes before Maharaj, who
+eyed them suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"He has been listening," explained the driver. "Those big ears of his
+can hear talk a mile away. Go on, my son, eat. What is there wrong with
+the food?"</p>
+
+<p>Maharaj slowly took up a chapatie in his trunk, carefully weighed it and
+put it on one side, took up another and did the same. The fourth
+chapatie was the light one; this he found out at once and indignantly
+threw it at the feet of the mahout, grumbling and gurgling and swinging
+his head from side to side and stamping his forefoot in anger.</p>
+
+<p>"What! son of a pig! is not the flour I eat good enough for thee also?
+Well, starve then, for there is no better in the bazaar."</p>
+
+<p>They walked away; the small restless eyes followed anxiously; yet the
+elephant made no attempt to eat, but swung angrily from side to side in
+his pickets. Presently they returned, but he had not touched a chapatie.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no use, Sahib," said the mahout, "to try and cheat one so wise as
+he, and yet folks say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> that we mahouts keep our families on the
+elephants' food, which words are base lies, for is he not more precious
+to me than many children?"</p>
+
+<p>Then the mahout drew out an extra chapatie he had hidden in his clothes.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Maharajah, King of Kings, who can deceive thee, my pearl of wisdom,
+my mountain of might?" and the mahout caressed the huge trunk as it
+wound itself lovingly around him and gently extracted the chapatie from
+his hands. Having swallowed this, the elephant picked up the scattered
+cakes and, piling them up before him, gave himself up to enjoying his
+midday meal.</p>
+
+<p>After that Maharaj and Alec grew great friends. Alec used to bring him
+bazaar sweets, of which he was very fond, and sugar-cane. He was a great
+wonder to the elephant, who could never understand why his pockets were
+full of all sorts of uneatable things. He loved to go through them,
+slowly considering each in his elephantine way. The bright metal handle
+of Alec's pocket-knife pleased Maharaj, and it was always the first
+thing he abstracted from the pocket and the last he returned, but the
+bits of string and the ball of wax he worried over. The key of the
+pigeon-house, a peg-top, marbles, etc., I believe made him long to have
+pockets of his own, for he used to hide them away in the recesses of his
+mouth for a time, then, finding they were not very comfortable, he used
+to put them all back into Alec's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> pockets. The day the boy came with
+sweets Maharaj was delighted, for he smelt them a long way off, and
+never made a mistake as to which pocket they were in.</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful to see how gently he could play with the little brown
+baby of the mahout. He loved to have it lying between his great
+fore-feet, and would tickle it with the tip of his trunk for the
+pleasure of hearing it laugh, then pour dust upon it till it was buried,
+always being careful not to cover the face. But like a great big selfish
+child he always kept his sweets to himself, and would pretend not to see
+the little outstretched hand, and little voice crying for them, till he
+had finished the last tit-bit.</p>
+
+<p>Tippoo&mdash;the cook's son, Alec's fag and constant companion, who was
+mostly a pair of huge pyjamas, was also admitted to the friendship of
+Maharaj. But there was one man that the elephant disliked, and that was
+the mahout's nephew, one Piroo, who was a young elephant-driver seeking
+a situation&mdash;a man not likely to be successful, for he was morose and
+lazy, and drank heavily whenever the opportunity came his way, and was
+very cruel to the beast he rode.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes the mahout would take Alec down to the river-side, he driving,
+while Alec lay luxuriously on the pad. There Maharaj had his bath, and
+the boy used to help the mahout to rub him over with a lump of jhama,
+which is something like pumice-stone, only much harder and rougher, and
+the old skin rolled off under the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> friction in astonishing quantities,
+till the look of dried tree-bark was gone, and the dusty grey had become
+a shining black. After the bath there was usually a struggle with
+Maharaj, who, directly he was clean, wanted to plaster himself all over
+with wet mud to keep cool and defy mosquitoes. This he was not allowed
+to do, so he tore a branch from a neem-tree instead, and fanned himself
+all the way home.</p>
+
+<p>Now there was to be a marriage among some of the mahout's friends who
+lived in a village a day's journey from the station, across the river,
+and he promised that Alec, Tippoo, and his nephew were to accompany him.
+When the day came the mahout had a slight touch of fever and couldn't
+go, but he told his nephew to drive the boys there instead. Maharaj
+didn't like Piroo at all, and made a fuss at having to go without the
+mahout, for which he got a hot scolding. Then there were tears and pet
+names and much coaxing before Maharaj consented to go.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art indeed nothing but a great child that will go nowhere unless I
+lead thee by the hand, with no more heart in thy big carcase than my
+babe, who without doubt shall grow big and thrash thee soundly. Now
+hearken, my son, thou art going with Piroo to the village of Charhunse,
+one day's journey; thou art to stay there one day, when there will be
+great feasting, and they will give thee surap wine in thy food; and on
+the day following thou must return (for we start the next morning for
+the Cawnpore elephant lines); bring<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> the boys back safely&mdash;very
+safely&mdash;or there will be very many angry words from me, and no food.
+Now, adieu, my son, salaam Sahib, Khoda bunah rhukha" (God preserve
+you). And the mahout passed into his hut with a shiver that told of the
+coming ague.</p>
+
+<p>It was a grand day and the road was full of people of all sorts and
+conditions; and the boys, proud to be so high above the heads of the
+passing groups, greeted them with all the badinage of the bazaar they
+could remember, which the natives answered with good-natured chaff. The
+road was one long avenue, and in the branches overhead the monkeys
+sported and chased each other from tree to tree; birds sang, for it was
+nesting-time; and the day was as happy as it was long.</p>
+
+<p>At nightfall they reached the village, and the head man made them very
+comfortable. The next day the wedding feast was spread, and quite two
+hundred people sat down to it. After the feast there was racing,
+wrestling, and dancing to amuse the guests.</p>
+
+<p>They enjoyed themselves very much. The wedding feast was to last several
+days, and instead of returning the following day as they had promised
+the mahout, Piroo determined to stay a day longer, in spite of all that
+Alec had to say against it.</p>
+
+<p>Piroo was in his element, and sang and danced with great success, for
+the arrack was in his veins, and at such times he could be the antipodes
+of his morose self. His dancing was much applauded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> But there was
+Bhuggoo, the sweeper, from the city, who had a reputation for dancing,
+and was in great request at weddings in consequence, and he danced
+against Piroo, and so elegant and ingenious were his contortions that he
+was voted the better. Then he changed his dance to one in which he
+caricatured Piroo so cleverly in every turn and gesture that the people
+yelled and laughed.</p>
+
+<p>This so incensed Piroo that he struck the man; but the sweeper, who was
+generally accustomed to winding up his performance by a grand broom
+fight with some brother of the same craft, was quite ready for an affair
+that could only increase his popularity. Catching up his jharroo, or
+broom, he began to shower blows upon the unfortunate Piroo, yet never
+ceasing to dance round him so grotesquely that the fight was too much of
+a farce for any one to think of interfering. Yet the blows went home
+pretty hard, and as the broom was a sort of besom made of the springy
+ribs of the palm-leaf it stung sharply where it found the naked flesh.</p>
+
+<p>It is a great indignity to be beaten by the broom of a sweeper, and
+Piroo, maddened with rage, flew at the throat of his rival. But Bhuggoo,
+the sweeper, was very nimble, and as the end of a jharroo in the face
+feels like the back of a porcupine, you may guess it is the most
+effective way of stopping a rush. So Piroo, baffled and humiliated, left
+the sweeper victor of the field and fled amid great shouts of laughter.
+But his rage had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> not died in him, and more arrack made him mad; else
+why should he have done the foolish thing that followed?</p>
+
+<p>Finding Maharaj had pulled up one of his picket pins, he took a heavy
+piece of firewood and dashed it upon his tender toe-nails, while he
+shouted all the abuse that elephants know only accompanies severe
+punishment. Now Maharaj, who would take punishment quietly from Buldeo,
+the old mahout, would not stand it from any other; besides, he was
+already excited with all the shouting and tamasha going on, and he had
+had a good bit of arrack in his cakes that evening; so when the log
+crashed down on his feet he trumpeted with pain, and, seizing Piroo in
+his trunk, lifted him on high, preparatory to dashing him to earth and
+stamping his life out.</p>
+
+<div class="center"><a name="PIROO" id="PIROO"></a><img src="images/illus02.jpg" width='448' height='700' alt="SEIZING PIROO IN HIS TRUNK, HE LIFTED HIM ON HIGH" /></div>
+
+<h4>SEIZING PIROO IN HIS TRUNK, HE LIFTED HIM ON HIGH.</h4>
+
+<p>But fortune was in favour of Piroo for a time, and the big cummerbund he
+wore had got loose with dancing, so it came undone, and Piroo slipped
+down its length to the ground, while Maharaj was left holding the loose
+cloth in his trunk.</p>
+
+<p>Then Piroo fled for his life, and ran into a grass-thatched hut that
+stood close by; but the elephant, pulling out his picket pins like a
+couple of toothpicks, reached the hut in a stride, and, putting his
+trunk through the thatch as if it had been a sheet of paper, felt round
+for the man inside and, seizing him, dragged him forth. The people
+yelled, and some came running with fire-brands to scare him, but before
+any could reach <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>him Maharaj had knocked one of his great fore-feet
+against the head of the unfortunate Piroo, and he fell to the ground
+lifeless.</p>
+
+<p>The villagers were terror-stricken and ran to hide in their huts.
+Tippoo, who was nearest the elephant, ran also, and Alec was about to
+run when he saw Maharaj single out Tippoo and chase him. The boy fled,
+and his flying feet hardly seemed to touch the earth, but Maharaj with
+long swinging strides covered the ground much faster, and in a few
+moments there followed a shriek of despair and Tippoo was struggling
+helplessly fifteen feet in the air in the grasp of that terrible trunk.</p>
+
+<p>"Save me! Sahib, save me!" he shrieked, while Alec looked on powerless
+to help.</p>
+
+<p>Maharaj seemed undecided whether to dash him to pieces or not. Alec
+seized the opportunity to imitate the driver's voice and cry, "Bring the
+boys home safely&mdash;very safely&mdash;my son." The elephant's great fan-shaped
+ears bent forward to listen, and he lowered Tippoo till he hung swinging
+at the end of the huge proboscis. Alec felt he dared not repeat the
+words, as the elephant would find out the cheat.</p>
+
+<p>The great beast stood a few minutes thinking, and then, swinging Tippoo
+up, placed him on his neck, and came straight for the tree behind which
+Alec was hiding.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment a wild desire to escape came to the boy, and the next he
+saw how hopeless it would be. The sal-tree he had sheltered behind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> was
+too thick to climb, and the lowest branch was twenty feet from the
+ground. To run would be just madness, for Maharaj would have caught him
+before he could get to the nearest hut. So, taking confidence from the
+fact that he had not hurt Tippoo, Alec came out from behind the tree and
+ordered Maharaj to take him up.</p>
+
+<p>He was surprised at the exceeding gentleness with which he did so, but
+when Alec was once seated astride of his neck with Tippoo behind him, he
+did not know what to do. He thought he would walk the elephant round the
+village and then tie him up in his pickets again. So he cried, "Chalo!
+Bata!" (Go on, my son), and tried to guide him with his knees; but
+Maharaj would not budge an inch, and stood stock still, considering.
+Then he seemed to have made up his mind, and started forward suddenly
+with a lurch that nearly threw the boys off.</p>
+
+<p>He walked straight to the dead mahout and, carefully gathering him up in
+his trunk, wheeled round and set off stationwards. He had remembered his
+master's commands, and the journey to Cawnpore he must commence on the
+morrow.</p>
+
+<p>It was about eight o'clock in the evening, and Alec had no desire to
+start travelling homeward at that hour. Besides, he had no food with
+him, and the pad was not on the back of Maharaj. It is almost impossible
+to ride an elephant bare back, and though these were only slips of boys
+there wasn't room enough for two to sit comfortably on the neck. Alec
+drove his knees into the elephant's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> head behind the ears and tried to
+turn him round, shouting, "Dhutt, dhutt, arrea!" (Go back!), but it was
+no use; the elephant had made up his mind to go home, and took not the
+least notice of the boy's commands.</p>
+
+<p>The head man of the village ran after them, crying&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you taking him, Sahib?"</p>
+
+<p>"We take him nowhere," Alec answered. "He is master to-night, and
+carries us home, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"But you cannot ride without the pad, Sahib, or the driving-hook, and
+there are other things you leave behind."</p>
+
+<p>"We will stick on his neck till we drop," he answered (for an elephant
+is worth many thousand rupees to the Government, and must not get lost).</p>
+
+<p>"At least command him to drop the dead body before he mangles it, so
+that we may burn it with decent ceremony," was the last request of the
+head man.</p>
+
+<p>But Maharaj would not listen to the command, and made certain noises in
+his throat by which he meant Alec to understand that he was going to
+carry the dead man home whether he liked it or no.</p>
+
+<p>The lights of the village were soon lost in the distance, and Maharaj
+strode into the empty darkness, trailing a picket pin behind him and
+carrying that horror in his trunk.</p>
+
+<p>Till that day Alec had loved Maharaj for his great strength and
+docility, his wisdom, and his endearing ways with children, but when he
+saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> him in anger extinguish the life of a man as easily as one could
+pulp a gooseberry in the fingers, the elephant changed at once in his
+eyes, and Alec saw in him nothing but the grim executioner of the
+Moguls, and stamping out lives his daily task. The boy felt the touch of
+the beast almost loathsome, and longed to escape from his situation on
+its neck.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the cramped position began to tell, for they were jammed together,
+and Tippoo felt like a mustard-plaster upon Alec's back. Alec tried to
+vary the discomfort by lying forward on the head of the elephant, and
+Tippoo tried leaning back as far as he could without being in danger of
+falling off, but they both felt they could not hold on the eight hours
+that the journey would take.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by they noticed that something was making Maharaj restive; twice
+he swung his trunk as if trying to drive away that something, after
+which he quickened his pace, then he turned round once in his tracks and
+faced his unseen tormentor. Alec wondered greatly what was worrying him,
+but he heard and saw nothing in the blackness that reigned. The
+elephant's restiveness increased, and again he swung round suddenly and
+charged that invisible thing in the dark; again Alec strained both eyes
+and ears to no avail. The only sound on the air came from the trailing
+picket pin.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever is worrying Maharaj?" he said anxiously.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>"He sees that which our eyes can't see&mdash;an evil thing," answered
+Tippoo.</p>
+
+<p>"What! do you mean the ghost of Piroo?" Alec asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Sahib," said Tippoo. "It is a churail, an evil spirit that eats
+dead men, and it wants the body of Piroo."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," Alec replied.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true, Sahib. Many have seen it at work in the graveyards of the
+Mussulman, but to-night no one may see it but the elephant."</p>
+
+<p>Alec laughed. Yet, ghoul or not, there was something the huge beast
+seemed afraid of and hurried to get away from, or attempted to frighten
+back, without success.</p>
+
+<p>It was a most weird and uncanny situation, and the boys longed for it to
+end.</p>
+
+<p>But a pleasant change was at hand. The heavens were rapidly lighting,
+and soon the moon commenced to rise on the scene. A feeling of relief
+grew with the strengthening light, for they were sure the ghostly terror
+would disappear with the dark. The moon had partly risen when Tippoo
+said, "Look, Sahib, there is the thing."</p>
+
+<p>Alec looked, and in the uncertain light saw a shadowy something keeping
+pace with the elephant, but what it was he could not say.</p>
+
+<p>Then on the other side of the road they saw there was another moving
+shadow as mysterious as the first. But they were not kept in suspense
+much longer, for the light suddenly brightened, and they saw each weird
+shadow transform itself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> into a number of jackals. The smell of blood
+had attracted the pack, and they had made an attempt to get the dead
+body away from Maharaj. The reaction on their strained nerves was so
+great that the boys laughed aloud in pure joy at the sense of relief,
+and wondered they had not guessed the cause of the elephant's
+restlessness before.</p>
+
+<p>For nearly four hours they had been on that apology for a neck, and
+their limbs were painful and stiff from the discomfort of sitting so
+close, when, without any warning, Maharaj came to a stop under a big
+neem-tree, and they recognised it as the place at which they had taken
+their midday meal going down to the village. Maharaj carefully placed
+the body of Piroo on the ground and knelt down beside it, and the boys,
+only too pleased at the chance, scrambled off as fast as their cramped
+legs would permit. It needed some walking up and down to get rid of
+their stiffness, so they chased the jackals and pelted them with stones,
+which restored their circulation quickly, whilst Maharaj stood sentry
+over the dead man.</p>
+
+<p>Tired out and exhausted, the boys were anxious for a little sleep, but
+they could not lie under the same tree as that gruesome thing, so they
+lay down under a neighbouring sal. Alec was on the way to dreamland when
+he felt he was being carried gently in some one's arms. He woke up and
+found that Maharaj had lifted him in his trunk and that he was taking
+him back to the tree where the dead lay. Here he placed Alec on the
+ground<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> alongside the mahout, on the other side of which was Tippoo
+snoring peacefully. How he had managed to move the boy without waking
+him was a marvel. As soon as Alec was released he tried to get away, but
+Maharaj would not allow it, and forced him to lie down again while he
+stood guard over all three.</p>
+
+<p>They say boys have no nerves, but even at this distance of time Alec
+shudders to recollect his sensations on that night of horror caused by
+the poor crushed thing he lay shoulder to shoulder with. He feigned
+sleep and tried to roll a foot or two away, but Maharaj had grown
+suspicious, and rolled him back, so that he lay flat on his
+shoulder-blades between the forelegs of the elephant, watching the
+restless swing of the trunk above him. This was better than looking at
+what lay beside him, and he wanted no inducement to keep his gaze
+averted. A hyena laughed like an exultant fiend. Great flying foxes
+slowly flapped across the face of the moon, like Eblis and his
+satellites scanning the earth for prey, and the pack of jackals sat
+silently waiting for the body of the dead.</p>
+
+<p>Maharaj was very quiet and vigilant, and seemed to understand the
+seriousness of his crime. The usual gurgling, grunting, and rocking with
+which he amused himself at night were wanting, and though there was a
+large field of sugar-cane near by, and he must have been hungry, he
+never tried to help himself as he would have done on any other occasion.
+In spite of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> feeling of repulsion Alec began to feel a little pity
+for the remorseful giant, for it was most probable he would be shot for
+killing Piroo, whose drunken madness had brought about his own death.</p>
+
+<p>But all things have an end, and even that night passed away like the
+passing of a strange delirium. About four o'clock Maharaj became very
+restless, thinking it was time to start, and pulled and pushed Tippoo
+till he sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking about in a dazed way. The
+elephant went down on his knees, and the boys took advantage of the
+invitation and were soon in their places. Then Maharaj slowly picked up
+his burden and they recommenced their journey home. The jackals were
+much disappointed, and followed listlessly for a short distance, then
+slunk off down a nullah to avoid the light of day.</p>
+
+<p>A sleepy policeman was the first to notice the dead man in the trunk of
+the elephant. With a yell of alarm he sprang from the footpath where he
+stood, panting and staring till Maharaj had passed; then some confused
+notion that he should make an arrest seemed to occur to him, and he made
+a few steps forward, but the magnitude of the task made him halt again,
+dazed and bewildered, and thus they left him. The consternation they
+caused in the bazaar is beyond words to describe. It is sufficient to
+say that the better part of the population followed Maharaj at a safe
+distance, looking like some huge procession, wending its way to the hut
+of the mahout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> Maharaj walked slowly to the door of the hut and laid
+the corpse down.</p>
+
+<p>"Hast thou brought them back safely, my son?" cried a fever-stricken
+voice from the depths of the hut.</p>
+
+<p>"Goor-r-r," said Maharaj in his throat.</p>
+
+<p>"That is well; but why didst thou not arrive last evening? Didst travel
+all night? Piroo, thou wilt find his sugar-cane in the shed; give him a
+double measure and drive his pickets in under the mango-tree."</p>
+
+<p>But there was no answer from Piroo, only the frightened whisperings of a
+great number of people assembled outside. The old mahout, in alarm,
+staggered to the door, and saw the body at the feet of Maharaj and the
+crimson stains upon the trunk and feet of the elephant.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahhi! ahhi! ahhi!" cried the old man aloud, "what madness is this? What
+hast thou done, my son? Now they will shoot thee without doubt&mdash;thy life
+for his, and he was not worth his salt. Ahhi! ahhi!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man wept, embracing the trunk of the elephant, which was
+coiled round his master, while the people looked on, and the boys, worn
+and tired by the strain of that awful night, could barely cling to their
+seats on the neck of Maharaj.</p>
+
+<p>Then the mahout, weak as he was, helped them off, and set about washing
+the dark red stains away.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahhi! ahhi!" he sobbed. "I have lost a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> nephew. I have lost also my
+son, who will surely be shot by the sirkar for this deed. My Maharaj, my
+greatest of kings! What shall I do without thee! I will return to my
+country and drive no more. Ahhi! ahhi!"</p>
+
+<p>But this happily was not to be, for a strange thing happened. The nephew
+recovered. Piroo had only been stunned by the blow, and the blood that
+covered his face had come from his nose. He was, after a time, himself
+again, but a wiser man, and Maharaj was not shot after all. Yet the boys
+do not like to think of that adventure even to-day.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>WHO GOES THERE?</h3>
+
+<p>The world is but a huge playground, after all; and just as the sympathy
+of those who witness a fight between two boys&mdash;one of whom is a big
+fellow and a reputed bully, while the other is a plucky youngster but
+one-half his opponent's size&mdash;invariably goes with the smaller and
+weaker combatant, so it is even amongst nations. Thus, early in the past
+century, when the tiny States of Spanish America were keenly struggling
+with the mother-country in their endeavour to cast off the Spanish yoke,
+practically the whole world wished them the success which eventually
+crowned their efforts.</p>
+
+<p>It seems ridiculous to call them "tiny" States when the smallest of
+those of which we are treating&mdash;the Republics of <i>Central</i>
+America&mdash;could find room for all the counties of Wales; while, if we
+were able to set down the whole of England upon the largest, we should
+find not only that it fitted in comfortably, but that the foreign State
+would yet have a goodly slice of land to spare&mdash;sufficient, at any rate,
+to accommodate three or four cities of the size of London. I call them
+tiny, therefore, solely because they are such when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> compared with other
+countries on the American Continent, such as Canada, the United States,
+and Brazil.</p>
+
+<p>During the years 1820 and 1821 a very keen spirit of independence was
+manifested in those regions, and by 1823 the last link of the rusty
+chain which had bound those colonies to Spain was snapped altogether
+beyond repair; and then, for a time, Central America became part of the
+State of Mexico. One by one, however, the colonies withdrew, and in 1824
+the independent Republic of Central America was formed, which, in its
+turn, was dissolved; and ever since the States have been continually at
+war&mdash;either with their neighbours or amongst themselves.</p>
+
+<p>It is these incessant wars and revolutions which have given the country
+its present rather bad name, and have convinced those who happened to
+sympathise with the inhabitants when they were fighting for their
+independence that, after all, they had fared better even under the lame
+government of Spain than they have done under their own.</p>
+
+<p>The present-day native of Central America can scarcely be said to be an
+improvement on the inhabitant of 1824. He still retains the fire and ire
+of the Spaniard in his blood&mdash;in fact, he is nothing short of an
+unfortunate mixture of the fiery Spaniard and the extremely restless
+Indian. Small wonder, then, that "peace" is quite a luxury in those
+parts, and that revolutions break out periodically.</p>
+
+<p>In Nicaragua&mdash;the country with which my tale<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> is concerned&mdash;this is
+especially the case. One year passed without a revolution is a rarity;
+and I have gone through certainly not less than four such outbreaks.
+While the trouble exists it is decidedly inconvenient and uncomfortable
+for the foreigner, but the real danger is often sadly exaggerated.
+During one of these disturbances, nevertheless, I narrowly escaped
+coming into serious conflict with the authorities&mdash;and all through a
+boyish freak, which at any time would have been boyish, but amounted
+almost to madness when played in the very heart of a town under martial
+law. When I first set foot on Central American soil, however, my
+majority was still many months ahead of me, and I had not yet done with
+that period of puerile frivolity through which most youths have to pass.
+Thus I will offer no other excuse, but will merely relate what took
+place.</p>
+
+<p>A pig&mdash;a common or garden pig&mdash;was at the bottom of it all. The natives
+are very fond of pork indeed, and nearly every household boasts of at
+least one porker, which is allowed the entire run of the house and
+looked upon almost as "one of the family." The air in the town where I
+was staying at the time had suddenly thickened with rumours of war; and
+it was a well-known fact that some thousands of men were ready to
+shoulder their rifles at a given signal and, with a few well-tried
+veterans at their head, to make a mad and murderous rush upon anything
+and everything belonging to the Government.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p><p>In such cases nothing is too bad for either party, excepting perhaps
+interference with foreigners, whom, owing to one or two severe lessons
+received of late years, the natives have now learned to respect.
+Fusillades in the centre of a town, a sudden charge with the bayonet in
+a thronged market-place, the unexpected firing of a mine, and similar
+proofs of the "patriotism" of one party or the other, may be expected at
+any moment; and although pretending to inclusion in the list of
+civilised nations, either party will spurn the idea of notice or warning
+previous to the bombardment of a town. Every one is on the alert, and
+the tension is trying indeed if it happens to be one's first
+"revolution."</p>
+
+<p>Bloodthirsty natives, speaking scarcely above a whisper, may be seen in
+small groups at almost every street corner, and in such quarters of the
+town where reside known sympathisers with the attacking party much
+military movement is noticeable. Every few hundred yards are stationed
+pickets of gendarmes or barefooted <i>soldados</i>; and after dusk, no matter
+who you be or what your errand, you stand every chance of a bullet
+should you fail to give prompt satisfaction on being challenged with the
+usual <i>quien vive?</i></p>
+
+<p>And so it was on the occasion to which I have alluded. Everybody's
+nerves were strung up to a painful pitch, and any unusual noise&mdash;any
+sound, almost, above a half-smothered cough&mdash;would bring fifty or sixty
+reckless gendarmes, with fixed bayonets, to the spot in a very brief
+interval.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> It was generally looked upon as certain that an assault upon
+the town&mdash;in which one half the inhabitants were willing, nay, even
+anxious to join&mdash;would commence before morning; and an ominous silence
+prevailed.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that my "little joke" or scheme was hatched. I was indulging
+in a quiet game of "cannons" on a small French billiard-table in my
+hotel, and during the game had been several times annoyed by the
+proprietor's favourite pig, which insisted every now and then on
+strolling beneath the table, to emerge on the other side quite
+unexpectedly and bump heavily against my legs just as I was squaring for
+some difficult shot. The brute had done this at least four times, with
+the result that my opponent was many points to the good. I had often
+licked him at the same game before, so the reader must not imagine that
+I am merely excusing my own play&mdash;it was the pig's fault, without a
+doubt, and I was beginning to lose my temper.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll teach that pig a lesson when the game is over," I remarked to my
+opponent; and, in effect, I had soon put away my cue, and, cornering the
+porker, fastened a piece of cord to his hind trotter. A large empty
+biscuit-tin and a bunch of Chinese crackers did the rest&mdash;the tin being
+secured to the other end of the line and the crackers nestling snugly
+inside the tin.</p>
+
+<p>The natives who stood around watching these preparations evidently
+foresaw certain results which my boyish vision failed to reach, for
+they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> whispered and laughed to one another, and at intervals, rubbing
+their hands together with glee, would exclaim, "A good joke." "Eh! a
+good joke, you see!"</p>
+
+<p>The whole town was startled a few minutes later by the uproar, and the
+shouts and laughter of those who witnessed the porker's departure from
+the hotel.</p>
+
+<p>Lighting the tiny fuse attached to the crackers, I put them back again
+into the tin, and a kick at the latter was sufficient to startle the hog
+off at a gallop down the street.</p>
+
+<p>The slight pull on his hind leg caused by the weight of the tin
+evidently annoyed him, and, wishing to get away from it, he ran the
+faster.</p>
+
+<p>Boom! boom! The biscuit-tin swung from side to side at every pace, and
+each time it struck the ground with a noisy report which in itself was
+sufficient to arouse the already alarmed town.</p>
+
+<p>Then, the fuse having burned down, the crackers commenced business.
+Bang! bang! Burr-rr&mdash;bang! Burr-rr&mdash;bang-bang-BANG! they went, the
+vibrations of the tin adding volume to each detonation; and it would be
+difficult indeed to imagine a better imitation of a distant fusillade.
+The frightened hog only went the faster.</p>
+
+<p>I was running behind, endeavouring to keep up with the pig, for I did
+not wish to lose any of the fun; but he soon out-distanced me, although
+I was fortunate enough to be within ear-shot when the crackers gave
+their final kick.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! bang! Burr&mdash;rr&mdash;bang! Bang! BANG!</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p><p>Then began the fun. The inhabitants crowded to their doors to inquire
+in which direction the attack on the town had commenced, and the
+military were tearing hither and thither, like so many madmen. Big
+generals in their shirt-sleeves galloped through the streets on little
+horses, collecting their men; pieces of artillery were rushed out of the
+barracks and held in readiness; scouts went out to reconnoitre in every
+conceivable direction, and the military band, playing all the national
+airs within their ken, paraded the public square, halting every now and
+then so that an officer might read to the public the Commandante's
+orders to the effect that all the inhabitants must remain indoors under
+pain of all sorts of outrageous and impossible penalties.</p>
+
+<p>In view of the latter, however, I deemed it wise to give up my chase and
+return to my hotel, there to await developments; and as I retraced my
+steps cries of <i>El enemigo! El enemigo!</i> hailed me at almost every pace.
+Hundreds of questions as to the whereabouts of the attacking forces were
+hurled at me as I went, but I dared not stop to respond, or without a
+doubt I should have betrayed myself. At the onset, boylike, I had
+considered this a "splendid joke," but now the alarm was so widespread
+that I did not know whether to feel startled by the result or flattered
+to think I had succeeded in putting an entire town in an uproar.</p>
+
+<p>I thought of the pleasure that would be experienced by the ordinary
+"romp" at home were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> he able to make so vast an impression with his
+everyday practical jokes; and it was to me a matter of tremendous wonder
+that a harmless biscuit-tin, a common or garden firework, and a
+"domestic" pig could possibly combine to cause such intense excitement.</p>
+
+<p>With very great difficulty I managed to pass the various pickets
+stationed along the streets, being detained by each one for
+cross-examination; and ere I reached my hotel I was overtaken by half a
+company of <i>soldados</i> returning to barracks with a prisoner. Then my
+conscience began to prick me.</p>
+
+<p>"This has gone rather too far," I thought. "I did not intend to do any
+one an injury, but only desired to teach that wretched porker a lesson."
+In fact, I felt distinctly uncomfortable as I trudged along, and
+somewhat alarmed at this new turn of events; and I resolved that in the
+future I would look ahead before attempting even the commonest practical
+joke.</p>
+
+<p>When I reached the spot where the next picket was stationed, I was
+surprised to find that the men failed to challenge me. I was getting
+quite used to the "Who goes there?" which had met me at every street
+corner, and the absence of it in this case made me somewhat suspicious.
+The explanation was not long in coming. I found them all in fits of
+laughter; and, availing myself of the opportunity which their mirth
+afforded me, I made inquiries as to the name of the prisoner who had
+been marched past me a few minutes ago. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> question provoked more
+mirth, but I eventually secured the information, which had the effect of
+adding my mirth to theirs, for I learned that the prisoner was&mdash;<i>a pig
+with a tin tied to his leg</i>.</p>
+
+<p>This pig, I was informed, was the cause of the whole alarm. There was no
+attack&mdash;in fact, there was no enemy near enough to the town, as yet, to
+indulge in an assault. All was a practical joke&mdash;some one had let this
+pig loose with a biscuit-tin tied to his leg, and this had started the
+alarm. The porker had been run down and lassoed by the military on the
+outskirts of the town, so that it was all over now&mdash;<i>excepting that the
+authorities were looking for the perpetrator</i>, or the originator of the
+scare.</p>
+
+<p>Realising now the extent of my folly, I, who hitherto had been laughing
+up my sleeve at the discomfiture and alarm of others, was in my turn
+genuinely alarmed, and all the way back to my hotel I was wondering as
+to what would be my best course of action&mdash;foreseeing, whichever way I
+turned for a solution, visions of heavy fines, probable imprisonment,
+and possible banishment from the country altogether.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the hotel I was hailed by many of those who had witnessed
+"the start," and consequently knew my connection with the affair. They
+soon posted me as to what had happened during my absence.</p>
+
+<p>Ere the pig and myself had been gone five minutes, a picket of soldiers
+made a rush upon the hotel, went inside, and, closing every exit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>
+informed the occupants that every one must consider himself under arrest
+until the real originator of the "scare" was discovered. The officer
+remarked that he knew for a fact that the matter began there, and
+although the pig had not yet been caught it had been recognised as
+"<i>belonging to the proprietor's family</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Then, to the surprise of every one concerned, a certain Colonel Moyal, a
+native keenly opposed to the Government and a suspected revolutionist,
+stepped forward and declared that he had carried the whole thing through
+from beginning to end, so was prepared to take the consequences.</p>
+
+<p>Needless to say, my champion was arrested and marched off to the
+Cabildo; and I was informed that the plucky fellow had done this to
+shield me, merely to keep me out of trouble because he had taken a fancy
+to me.</p>
+
+<p>Not for this, however, would I let him remain in his unenviable
+position. It did not take me long to resolve that, to be honourable, I
+must myself bear the consequences of my own folly; and in a very short
+time afterward I was interviewing the Commandante. That official, in
+whose favour I had long since made it my business to firmly establish
+myself, informed me that it was then too late at night to take any
+evidence, or, in fact, to move at all in the matter; but that he would
+attend to me at eight o'clock next morning.</p>
+
+<p>The following day at the appointed hour I waited on him, told him I was
+the real culprit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> secured the colonel's release, paid a fine of a few
+dollars, and by nine o'clock was back again in my hotel; and when I sat
+down with the Colonel that night to a special <i>cena</i> to which I had
+invited him&mdash;intending in some measure to prove to him my gratitude for
+his generosity and esteem&mdash;I made a rather boyish speech in which I
+regretted tremendously the Colonel's having passed an exceedingly
+uncomfortable night in prison on my account, and my inability to release
+him the night before.</p>
+
+<p>Moyal, to my intense surprise, replied that he had to <i>thank me</i> for the
+opportunity I had given him. "Of course," said he, "I should not like to
+see you in trouble, and would have done anything in my power to keep you
+out of it, but I must admit that my motive was not the generous one that
+has been attributed to me. It was a rather selfish motive, you see,
+between you and me. I am a moving spirit in this revolution which is
+brewing, and I have important business with the Government soldiers
+inside the Cabildo. In the ordinary course, since I am known as a
+revolutionist, I cannot possibly get into open or secret communication
+with them&mdash;so of course I had to get arrested, and you gave me that
+chance!"</p>
+
+<p>I was about to ask him, boylike, whether he was successful in his
+mission, when he added, "The only pity is that you didn't let me stay
+there a bit longer&mdash;but you were not to know, so I appreciate your
+promptness."</p>
+
+<p>However, I had reason to believe afterwards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> that he had not succeeded
+in his object, which, I have no doubt, was to "buy" all the <i>soldados</i>
+over to his side, for up to this day the political party to which the
+Colonel belonged is out of power, though it has repeatedly made efforts
+to get in.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>A DROWNING MESSMATE</h3>
+
+<p>It is as one of the most popular sea-novelists of all times that Captain
+Marryat is best known to his countrymen&mdash;oldsters and youngsters alike.
+The whole life of this gallant seaman, however, was made up of one long
+series of exciting adventures, both on land and sea, many of these
+experiences being made use of in after years to supply material for his
+sea-romances.</p>
+
+<p>One of Marryat's most characteristic acts of self-devotion was his
+springing overboard into the waters of Malta Harbour in order to save
+the life of a middy messmate, Cobbett by name, who had accidentally
+fallen overboard. What made this action an especially noble one was the
+fact that Cobbett was one of the greatest bullies in the midshipmen's
+berth, and had specially singled out Marryat for cowardly and brutal
+treatment. Again, we must remember that sharks are often seen in Malta
+Harbour, and any one rash enough to enter its waters takes his life in
+his hands.</p>
+
+<p>Thank God the gunroom of a British man-of-war of the present day is
+managed in an entirely different manner from what it was in Marryat's
+day. Says that gallant officer: "There was no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> species of tyranny,
+injustice, and persecution to which youngsters were not compelled to
+submit from those who were their superiors in bodily strength."</p>
+
+<p>The entire management and organisation of the Royal Navy at that period
+was rotten to the core, and it speaks volumes for the devotion, skill,
+and bravery of the gallant officers of the fleet that they so
+magnificently upheld the glory and honour of the flag in every quarter
+of the globe in spite of the shortcomings of the Admiralty Board.</p>
+
+<p>As an instance of this general mismanagement of naval affairs, Marryat,
+who had been sent to join the <i>Imp&eacute;rieuse</i> frigate as a young middy,
+thus writes in his private log&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Imp&eacute;rieuse</i> sailed; the admiral of the port was one who <i>would</i> be
+obeyed, but <i>would not</i> listen always to reason or common-sense. The
+signal for sailing was enforced by gun after gun; the anchor was hove
+up, and, with all her stores on deck, her guns not even mounted, in a
+state of confusion unparalleled from her being obliged to hoist in
+faster than it was possible she could stow away, she was driven out of
+harbour to encounter a heavy gale. A few hours more would have enabled
+her to proceed to sea with security, but they were denied; the
+consequences were appalling, and might have been fatal.</p>
+
+<p>"In the general confusion, some iron too near the binnacles had
+attracted the needle of the compasses; the ship was steered out of her
+course. At midnight, in a heavy gale at the close of the month<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> of
+November, so dark that you could not distinguish any object, however
+close, the <i>Imp&eacute;rieuse</i> dashed upon the rocks between Ushant and the
+Main. The cry of terror which ran through the lower deck; the grating of
+the keel as she was forced in; the violence of the shocks which
+convulsed the frame of the vessel; the hurrying up of the ship's company
+without their clothes; and then the enormous waves which again bore her
+up and carried her clean over the reef, will never be effaced from my
+memory.</p>
+
+<p>"Our escape was miraculous. With the exception of her false keel having
+been torn off, the ship had suffered little injury; but she had beat
+over a reef, and was riding by her anchors, surrounded by rocks, some of
+them as high out of water as her lower-yards, and close to her. How
+nearly were the lives of a fine ship's company, and of Lord Cochrane and
+his officers, sacrificed in this instance to the despotism of an admiral
+who <i>would</i> be obeyed!</p>
+
+<p>"The cruises of the <i>Imp&eacute;rieuse</i> were periods of continual excitement,
+from the hour in which she hove up her anchor till she dropped it again
+in port; the day that passed without a shot being fired in anger was
+with us a blank day; the boats were hardly secured on the booms than
+they were cast loose and out again; the yard and stay tackles were for
+ever hoisting up and lowering down.</p>
+
+<p>"The expedition with which parties were formed for service; the rapidity
+of the frigate's movements, night and day; the hasty sleep,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> snatched at
+all hours; the waking up at the report of the guns, which seemed the
+only key-note to the hearts of those on board; the beautiful precision
+of our fire, obtained by constant practice; the coolness and courage of
+our captain inoculating the whole of the ship's company; the suddenness
+of our attacks, the gathering after the combat, the killed lamented, the
+wounded almost envied; the powder so burnt into our faces that years
+could not remove it; the proved character of every man and officer on
+board; the implicit trust and the adoration we felt for our commander;
+the ludicrous situations which would occur even in the extremest danger
+and create mirth when death was staring you in the face; the hairbreadth
+escapes, and the indifference to life shown by all&mdash;when memory sweeps
+along those years of excitement even now, my pulse beats more quickly
+with the reminiscence."</p>
+
+<p>A middy's life was no child's play in those days, was it?</p>
+
+<p>But it is time that I told you the story of how Marryat saved the life
+of his messmate Cobbett, in the Mediterranean.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Imp&eacute;rieuse</i> was lying at anchor in Malta Harbour at the time the
+incident happened. It was about the hour of sunset, and the officer on
+duty had turned the men of the second dog watch up to hoist the boats to
+the davits. The men ran away smartly with the falls, and soon had the
+cutters clear of the water and swung high in the air.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p><p>At this moment, Cobbett, who was off duty, went into the main-chains
+with some lines and bait in order to fish. In endeavouring to get on one
+of the ratlines of the lower-rigging his foot unfortunately slipped, and
+he fell headlong overboard into the waters of the Grand Harbour. Several
+persons witnessed the accident, and the prodigious splash the middy's
+body made in striking the water immediately made known to every one else
+that a struggle for life had commenced.</p>
+
+<p>Cobbett could not swim a stroke, and was much hampered by his heavy
+clothes and boots. At the first plunge he was carried far beneath the
+surface, but quickly rose again, puffing and blowing like a grampus, and
+making desperate efforts to keep himself afloat.</p>
+
+<p>The officer of the watch promptly called away the lifeboat's crew, and
+these men quickly scrambled into one of the quarter-boats, which by this
+time had been run up to the davits. Life-buoys too had been thrown
+overboard, but not one of them had fallen near enough to the struggling
+boy to enable him to grasp it. Young Marryat happened at the time of the
+accident to be standing in the waist of the ship conversing with the
+captain of the main-top of the watch below. Hearing the splash and the
+excited cries of "Man overboard!" which rang out fore-and-aft, he rushed
+to the gangway to see if he could be of any assistance in the emergency.</p>
+
+<p>One can imagine his feelings on beholding his arch-enemy, the bully of
+the midshipmen's berth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> struggling desperately for life under the
+frigate's counter. Being an admirable swimmer himself, Marryat saw at a
+glance that his messmate was helpless in the water, and indeed was on
+the point of sinking. Without a moment's hesitation, and without waiting
+to throw off coat or boots, the plucky youngster boldly plunged
+overboard, and quickly rising to the surface, struck out for his now
+almost unconscious enemy, and fortunately managed to seize him and keep
+him afloat, whilst he shouted to those on board to lower the cutter as
+quickly as possible. The men were only too eager to go to his
+assistance, and the instant the lifeboat was safely in the water, her
+crew got their oars out, and, pulling vigorously to the spot, soon
+hauled both midshipmen, wet and dripping, inboard.</p>
+
+<p>Cobbett was unconscious, his face being as pale as death, but it was
+only a matter now of a few seconds to get him aboard the frigate, where
+he soon revived under the care of the surgeons, and was able to return
+to duty in the course of a day or two, much humbled in spirit, and very
+grateful to the courageous young messmate who had so gallantly saved his
+life at the risk of his own.</p>
+
+<p>Writing home to his mother on the subject of this adventure, Marryat
+concluded his account by saying: "From that moment I have loved the
+fellow as I never loved friend before. All my hate is forgotten. I have
+saved his life."</p>
+
+<p>A ludicrous adventure in the water once befell Captain Marryat. In the
+gallant officer's private<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> log occurs this entry: "July 10th.&mdash;Anchored
+in Carrick Roads, Falmouth. Gig upset with captain."</p>
+
+<p>Florence Marryat in her father's memoirs thus relates the incident:
+"When this gig was capsized, it contained, besides Captain Marryat, a
+middy and an old bumboat woman. The woman could swim like a fish, but
+the boy could not, and as Captain Marryat, upon rising to the surface of
+the water and preparing to strike out for the ship, found himself most
+needlessly clutched and borne up by this lady, he shook her off
+impatiently, saying: 'Go to the boy! Go to the boy! He can't swim!'</p>
+
+<p>"'<i>Go to the boy!</i>' she echoed above the winds and waves. 'What! hold up
+a midshipman when I can save the life of a captain! Not I indeed!' And
+no entreaties could prevail on her to relinquish her impending honours.
+Who eventually did the 'dirty work' on this occasion is not recorded,
+but it is certain that no one was drowned."</p>
+
+<p>As is well known, sailors are devoted to animals, and Marryat was no
+exception to the rule. He has left on record a story of a pet baboon,
+which was on board the <i>Tees</i> with him&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I had on board a ship which I commanded a very large Cape baboon, who
+was a pet of mine, and also a little boy, who was a son of mine. When
+the baboon sat down on his hams he was about as tall as the boy when he
+walked. The boy, having a tolerable appetite, received about noon a
+considerable slice of bread-and-butter to keep him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> quiet till
+dinner-time. I was on one of the carronades, busy with the sun's lower
+limb, bringing it into contact with the horizon, when the boy's lower
+limbs brought him into contact with the baboon, who, having, as well as
+the boy, a strong predilection for bread-and-butter, and a stronger arm
+to take it withal, thought proper to help himself to that to which the
+boy had already been helped. In short, he snatched the bread-and-butter,
+and made short work of it, for it was in his pouch in a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Upon this the boy set up a yell, which attracted my notice to this
+violation of the articles of war, to which the baboon was equally
+amenable as any other person in the ship, for it is expressly stated in
+the preamble of every article, 'all who are <i>in</i>, or <i>belonging</i> to.'
+Whereupon I jumped off the carronade and, by way of assisting his
+digestion, I served out to the baboon <i>monkey's allowance</i>, which is
+more kicks than halfpence! The master reported that the heavens
+intimated that it was twelve o'clock, and, with all the humility of a
+captain of a man-of-war, I ordered him to 'make it so'; whereupon it was
+made, and so passed that day.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not remember how many days it was afterwards that I was on the
+carronade as usual, about the same time, and all parties were precisely
+in the same situations&mdash;the master by my side, the baboon under the
+booms, and the boy walking out of the cabin with his bread-and-butter.
+As before, he again passed the baboon, who again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> snatched the
+bread-and-butter from the boy, who again set up a squall, which again
+attracted my attention. I looked round, and the baboon caught my eye,
+which told him plainly that he'd soon catch what was not at all <i>my
+eye</i>; and he proved that he actually thought so, for he at once put the
+bread-and-butter back into the boy's hands!</p>
+
+<p>"It was the only instance of which I ever knew or heard of a monkey
+being capable of self-denial where his stomach was concerned, and I
+record it accordingly. This poor fellow, when the ship's company were
+dying of the cholera, took that disease, went through all its
+gradations, and died apparently in great agony."</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE PILOT OF PORT CREEK</h3>
+
+<p>The sun, low in the west, was sinking behind a heavy cloudbank, which,
+to nautical eyes, portended fog at sea.</p>
+
+<p>A mariner, far out in the Channel, in a small boat, was shading his eyes
+with his hand and gazing towards the south-western horizon.</p>
+
+<p>The lad&mdash;he was not more than eighteen&mdash;was calculated to attract
+attention. He was of fine physique. His hair shone like burnished gold.
+His eyes were deep blue, clear, and bright. A marked firmness was about
+his mouth and chin; and when he seized the oars and rowed to counteract
+the boat's leeway caused by the tide, the grip of his hands was as that
+of a vice.</p>
+
+<p>He was the pilot of Port Creek&mdash;no official title, but one given him by
+a lawless set of men amongst whom, for many years, his lot had been
+cast.</p>
+
+<p>Astern, faint and indistinct, loomed the low-lying coast-line. One could
+only judge it to be a wild, inhospitable shore.</p>
+
+<p>The sun disappeared, and the shades of night began to fall. Suddenly the
+clouds parted, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> a ray of sunshine shot obliquely down towards the
+south-west.</p>
+
+<p>The pilot immediately muttered: "That's well!"</p>
+
+<p>The bright ray had struck the dark sails of a lugger, and in her he had
+recognised the craft he had come out to pilot to a fateful destination.</p>
+
+<p>Smartly he ran up a small lugsail, and set his boat's head towards the
+stranger. She was black hulled, and with a rakish rig that gave her the
+appearance of being a fast sailer.</p>
+
+<p>At the critical moment, when it appeared the lugger was about to cut him
+down, the pilot suddenly ported helm, and ran his boat under the
+lugger's side. Smartly he lowered his sail and fastened on the vessel
+with his boathook.</p>
+
+<p>"Heave a rope!" called he. "I'm coming on board."</p>
+
+<p>"And who are you?" asked a swarthy man, who had been watching from the
+lugger's bows.</p>
+
+<p>"I bring a message to your captain."</p>
+
+<p>"Catch, then!" and a coil of rope went curling through the air.</p>
+
+<p>The pilot deftly caught it, and hitched the end to the bow of his boat.</p>
+
+<p>"Carry it astern, and make fast!" ordered he, like one accustomed to
+command. "She'll tow till I want her."</p>
+
+<p>The boat dropped astern, but the pilot nimbly boarded the lugger.</p>
+
+<p>A powerful man in reefer jacket, sou'-wester, and sea-boots greeted him
+with&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p><p>"You seem pretty free with strangers, my lad."</p>
+
+<p>The pilot held out a piece of paper. The captain took it and read&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"<i>It is by our order and for the good of the cause that the bearer is
+authorised to act.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>The signature was a rude hieroglyphic. The captain's manner immediately
+showed that he recognised it, and respected it.</p>
+
+<p>"Am I to understand that you take command?"</p>
+
+<p>The pilot bowed, and tendered a second paper. The captain read&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Should the bearer fail to accomplish that which he has undertaken, it
+will be for the captain of the</i> 'Swift' <i>to see that he gives no further
+trouble.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>A wicked gleam came into the captain's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"If you fail in that which you are instructed to do&mdash;and which I know
+nothing of at present&mdash;this is your death-warrant?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is."</p>
+
+<p>"Then see you fail not."</p>
+
+<p>"Rely on it, I shall not fail!"</p>
+
+<p>The words were spoken in such cold, deliberate tones that the captain&mdash;a
+man who boasted he knew not fear&mdash;shivered as though from the touch of
+an icy hand.</p>
+
+<p>"What are your orders?" presently asked the captain, eyeing him keenly.</p>
+
+<p>"To pilot the lugger to the head of Port Creek, where friends await her
+cargo. The old landings are played out; but who would suspect a lugger
+to effect a run in the creek <i>after dark</i>?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p><p>"No human hand could steer that course!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yet I am here."</p>
+
+<p>"The thing is impossible!"</p>
+
+<p>"The tide flows at midnight. My orders are to go in with the rising tide
+and bring you out on the ebb, that you may make a good offing before
+dawn."</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be done! I'll not have the risk&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You have your commands, I my orders," coldly interrupted the pilot.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll execute mine to the letter!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I&mdash;we shall see."</p>
+
+<p>He bent low over the binnacle, afterwards glancing swiftly shoreward.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep her away a couple of points. We'll come about presently and fetch
+the creek on the other tack, just after dark, and with the tide half
+made."</p>
+
+<p>Long and intently the captain studied the boy's fearless face. Then he
+began to recall an almost forgotten memory.</p>
+
+<p>"Boy," said he suddenly, "you remind me of some one I have known."</p>
+
+<p>The pilot's gaze remained as steady as his own, but there was a slight
+expression of cynicism playing about his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay!" continued the captain, seeming to speak his thoughts aloud. "The
+eyes are the same, just as they looked that night when I&mdash;&mdash; Bah!"
+recovering himself. "What a fool I am! This new venture unmans me."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p><p>The pilot did not seem to hear, but his eyes seemed to glow with a
+green sheen, as the gathering gloom obscured his face. A violent emotion
+was possessing him.</p>
+
+<p>"Boy!" again cried the captain, "you interest me. How comes it that one
+so young holds so responsible a position in the cause?"</p>
+
+<p>"By past services have I been judged."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, tell me the story."</p>
+
+<p>"As you will."</p>
+
+<p>"You will find me a ready listener."</p>
+
+<p>"Be it so; but not yet. Now set the course north-west. A single light
+here at the binnacle, and no other to show from anywhere on board. As
+soon as we are in the creek, see that the sails are smartly trimmed to
+my order. There'll be little time to spare."</p>
+
+<p>The captain passed the word, and began to moodily pace the deck. He had
+never thought to question the genuineness of the two papers. There stood
+the pilot, his life forfeited by any failure tending to bring disaster
+upon the lugger; and it was a good guarantee.</p>
+
+<p>Anon the captain glanced at the pale, set face of the pilot, on which
+the diffused light from the binnacle lantern feebly shone. For the
+second time that evening the captain shivered, and without being able to
+define the cause. He felt strangely ill at ease. Accustomed to daring
+ventures, the present seemed sheer recklessness. Who was this determined
+boy? Why did his presence bring back a fateful memory of the past?</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p><p>The darkness deepened, and was further intensified by the cold, grey
+fog. The wind was light, but a steady up-Channel draught. The lugger was
+creeping in under mainsail and jib, her other sails being furled.</p>
+
+<p>The pilot took over the helm, and ordered the man he relieved to go
+forward. At the same time the captain came and stood by the binnacle.</p>
+
+<p>"What is our position?" shortly asked he.</p>
+
+<p>"We are within the creek," replied the pilot. "Hark! Don't you hear the
+grinding of the shingle away over the port bow? As soon as the sound
+comes from windward we'll have her on the port tack, and thus we'll
+clear Boulder Ledge."</p>
+
+<p>"It sounds fair sailing; but I liken it to going blindly into a trap,"
+retorted the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Haul on the main-sheet! Steady, forward, with the jib!" And the pilot
+starboarded his helm.</p>
+
+<p>Again the captain shivered. Who was this, who held death so lightly? His
+own gloomy forebodings came upon him with redoubled force. What manner
+of pilot was this, to whom night was as day?</p>
+
+<p>"Boy!" he cried shortly, "why are you here?"</p>
+
+<p>"You read my orders."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Again the pilot caused an interruption by shifting helm.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" hoarsely cried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sixteen years ago to-night&mdash;steady,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> cap'n!" for the man had
+staggered as though from the effect of a mortal blow.</p>
+
+<p>"Avast! Who and what are you?" The captain's voice was deep and
+menacing.</p>
+
+<p>"The pilot of Port Creek. I have no other name&mdash;at least, it suits me to
+forget it."</p>
+
+<p>"What was your father?"</p>
+
+<p>"A mariner."</p>
+
+<p>"His name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait!" and the pilot luffed till the sails shook. A peculiar vibration
+passed throughout the lugger's timbers, and her way was gently arrested.</p>
+
+<p>"We're aground! You have failed!" cried the captain, and drew a pistol
+from his belt.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait!" And again the pilot spoke in cold, disdainful tones. One might
+have counted a hundred. It was terrible suspense. The captain's finger
+was toying with the trigger of his pistol. The pilot stood immovable,
+the disdainful smile deepening upon his lips. "Ease off the main-sheet!"
+cried he, as he turned his ear to windward. There came a stronger puff
+of wind, a bigger wave rolled up under the lugger's stern, she lifted,
+and immediately glided forward&mdash;free!</p>
+
+<p>"You lost your reckoning, my lad!" cried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"A slight error of judgment. The tide has made somewhat less than I
+anticipated."</p>
+
+<p>"What is our position?"</p>
+
+<p>"We scraped on the Sandstone Ledge," grimly. "'Twas a close shave&mdash;for
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>"And did you doubt&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p><p>"No. But put up your pistol and I'll get on with my story&mdash;unless you'd
+rather not listen."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! Go on!"</p>
+
+<p>The pilot stood steady at the helm, his eyes fixed on the binnacle, each
+movement of the compass-needle a sign for his ready hands to obey. Anon
+a concise order to shift a sail fell from his lips, for in spite of his
+interrupted conversation with the captain his every action showed a
+trained alertness.</p>
+
+<p>Again he took up the thread of his story&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Twas my father's death made me&mdash;what I am." The pause was ominous. "He
+was one of us&mdash;a smuggler."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!"</p>
+
+<p>"A run had been planned&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"My father was young and daring. To him was entrusted the most
+venturesome part of the night's work. But I am anticipating. He had a
+rival&mdash;a man who sought my mother. But she was true to my father."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, cap'n! You may have known him&mdash;perchance he was once your
+friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no!" hoarsely. "He&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>A bright light suddenly flashed through the fog, and from right ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"A signal?" cried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"From a friend," and the pilot ported helm. "'Tis a dangerous spot
+hereabouts, so nothing has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> been left to chance. We're now abreast of
+Green Point. Steady, lads, for the next tack!"</p>
+
+<p>Shortly another light flashed right upon the lugger's bows. The pilot
+jammed over the helm to starboard. There was a slight shock, and
+something grated along the lugger's side.</p>
+
+<p>"All clear now, cap'n; but 'twas a narrow go. We grazed Rudder Rock! The
+fool stationed there with the light flashed it a full minute too late!"</p>
+
+<p>"Boy, you must have dealings with&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, cap'n! Your nerves are unstrung. Perhaps the conclusion of my
+story 'll steady them. Well, the venture that was planned was no less
+than to take the goods in under Black Rock, and have them hauled up the
+face of the cliff. In the end 'twas safely done&mdash;to all but my father.
+He had been lowered down to fasten on the bales. Those who were out that
+night came back saying he had fallen from the cliff. They recovered his
+body the next day, and they found the piece of rope around the mangled
+corpse had been cut."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, by the rocks."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no! A poor fellow who witnessed the act was shot by the hand that
+cut the rope; but he lived long enough to tell my mother the truth."</p>
+
+<p>"Or a parcel of lies."</p>
+
+<p>"Dying men don't lie, cap'n! I was born that same night. Years
+afterwards, when I was old enough to understand&mdash;when my mother was on
+her deathbed&mdash;she told me the story; and my last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> word to her was a
+promise to hunt down my father's murderer."</p>
+
+<p>"And you have failed!" cried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>"Let go the anchor!" cried the pilot. "See, cap'n, I'll bring her head
+up into the wind, and she'll ride with her sails set. Off with the
+hatches, my lads!"</p>
+
+<p>A bright light flashed three times from left to right. The pilot took
+the lantern and waved responsive signals.</p>
+
+<p>"All's well!" cried he. "Cap'n, you will see to the getting up of the
+goods."</p>
+
+<p>Taken off his guard, the captain stepped to the hatchway, gave a few
+orders, and seemed to recollect something. But the binnacle light was
+out, and the pilot had disappeared! The captain caught at the rope by
+which his boat had been towing astern. It came in without resistance; it
+had been cut!</p>
+
+<p>"We are betrayed!" cried the captain. "Hark! Friends or foes!" as a
+number of boats came quickly alongside.</p>
+
+<p>"Surrender in the King's name!" was the response.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p>The desperate encounter that ensued is written in the history of those
+lawless times. Suffice it that the captain and his crew paid the full
+penalty of their many crimes.</p>
+
+<p>The pilot, having fulfilled his vow, was no more seen upon that part of
+the coast. To have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> remained would have been to forfeit his life, for
+the betrayed smugglers had many friends.</p>
+
+<p>But the old chronicles from which I have compiled this story go on to
+say that he secured a berth in the navy, and years afterwards trod the
+quarter-deck of a man-of-war.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<p class="center"><i>Richard Clay &amp; Sons, Limited, London and Bungay.</i></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="ADVERTISEMENTS" id="ADVERTISEMENTS"></a>ADVERTISEMENTS</h2>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>The Boy's Library of Adventure &amp; Heroism.</h2>
+
+<p class="center"><i>An attractive series of books for boys, well printed and illustrated,
+and handsomely bound.</i><br /><i>Large crown 8vo, cloth, full gilt, 3s. 6d. per volume.</i></p>
+
+<p><b>THE GOLDSMITH OF CHEPE. A Tale of the Plague Year.</b> By TOM BEVAN, Author
+of 'A Hero in Wolf-Skin.' With eight illustrations by J. <span class="smcap">Jellicoe</span>. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>An exciting and interesting story of the time of the Great Plague
+of 1665; it recites the many adventures through which the hero
+passed in London, and later in Dorsetshire, where a number of
+sensational encounters with smugglers and pirates are described.
+Mr. Bevan knows how to win the attention of boys, and this story
+will be found to be written in his happiest vein.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>FOR QUEEN AND EMPEROR. A Story of Valour and Adventure.</b> By ERNEST
+PROTHEROE, Author of 'Myddleton's Treasure,' 'From Scapegrace to Hero,'
+&amp;c. With coloured frontispiece and title-page, and eight other
+illustrations by J. <span class="smcap">Finnemore</span>, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The days of the early Britons always have a fascination for
+youthful readers, and this story is well calculated to sustain
+their interest. The struggles against the Roman invader supply the
+hero with the earlier adventures in the story; but after a time the
+scene changes to Rome, and then to Palestine in the days of the
+fall of Jerusalem. Whilst passing from one moving scene to another,
+the reader learns a good deal as to conditions of life under
+review; but the information so conveyed is never obtrusive, and
+never diverts attention from the outstanding scenes and figures in
+this splendid romance.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE CRUISE OF THE 'GOLDEN FLEECE.' A Story of Adventure in the Days of
+Philip and Mary.</b> By SARDIUS HANCOCK. With coloured frontispiece and
+eight other illustrations by J. <span class="smcap">Finnemore</span>, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth
+gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>This is a stirring story of the days of Queen Mary, and is full of
+exciting adventure. It opens with the ill-fated expedition led by
+Sir Thomas Wyatt. Philip St. Ledger, one of Wyatt's followers,
+falls in love with Barbara Lillingworth, and is shipped on board
+the 'Golden Fleece' by his rival, to get him out of the way. Then
+follow many adventures in the West Indies, where the rivals meet.
+There are battles at sea and on the land, both in the West Indies
+and in the Netherlands, where Philip's rival tries to effect his
+death and ruin, finally invoking the aid of the Inquisition.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>The Boy's Library of Adventure &amp; Heroism.</h2>
+
+<p><b>THAT BOY OF FRASER'S.</b> By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'For Queen and
+Emperor,' 'St. Merville's Scholarship Boys,' &amp;c. With coloured
+frontispiece and eight other illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred Pearse</span>. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A vigorous and vivid story of boy life in a London slum. The young
+hero will win the sympathy and regard of every reader. His courage,
+his love for his mother and sister, his faithfulness to his trust,
+make the story of his family fortunes irresistibly attractive to
+boy readers.</p>
+
+<p><i>The School Guardian</i> says: 'An excellent prize-book for boys, and
+one which they would thoroughly enjoy.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The British Weekly</i> says: 'A clever story of pluck and manliness
+on the part of a little boy.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>A COLLEGIAN IN KHAKI.</b> By WILLIAM JOHNSTON, with four coloured
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">Ernest Prater</span>, and coloured title-page. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The doings of Charlie Winter, expelled from college for misconduct,
+form a story abounding in adventure. Ashamed to return home, he
+enlists and is sent to South Africa, and is taken prisoner at an
+early stage. Escaping from Pretoria, he takes part in many battles
+and forms a member of the Ladysmith relief force. Warned by his
+early fall, he redeems his character and wins the Victoria Cross.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Yorkshire Post</i> says: 'It is a rattling good story, which will
+appeal strongly to boys.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The English Churchman</i> says: 'The story is full of interest for
+boys.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>WITH RIFLE AND KUKRI.</b> By FREDERICK P. GIBBON, Author of 'Comrades Under
+Canvas,' 'The Disputed V.C.,' &amp;c. With four coloured illustrations by <span class="smcap">J.
+Finnemore</span>, R.I., and coloured title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Boys who love stories of plucky deeds will find 'With Rifle and
+Kukri' altogether to their taste. The heroic deeds called forth by
+England's 'little wars' along the Indian frontier&mdash;the dashing
+exploits of the Gurkhas and others of our native allies&mdash;the
+coolness with which the handful of Englishmen in India met the
+outbreak of the Great Mutiny&mdash;all these are narrated in stirring
+language by an author whose local knowledge is extensive and exact.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>The Boy's Library of Adventure &amp; Heroism.</h2>
+
+<p><b>MELTONIANS ALL!</b> By F. COWLEY WHITEHOUSE. With three coloured
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Finnemore</span>, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A capital boy's book, giving a stirring account of life in a great
+public school. All three heroes of the tale are very attractive to
+the reader, while the touch of tragedy describing the noble
+self-sacrifice of one of them further deepens the interest of this
+lively story.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Daily Mail</i> says: 'A thoroughly healthy school story, which
+touches neither too lightly nor too heavily upon the
+responsibilities of boyhood.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The Globe</i> says: 'A splendid schoolboy's story, in which pluck,
+honesty and steadfastness are winners every time.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The English Churchman</i> says: 'A very well written story-book for
+boys, dealing with school life in a lively style.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>MYDDLETON'S TREASURE.</b> By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'That Boy of
+Fraser's,' 'Bob Marchant's Scholarship,' &amp;c. With three coloured
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Macfarlane</span>. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Entering the railway service, Jasper Myddleton worked his way up to
+the footplate only for the past to rise up against him and cause
+his dismissal. But his grit and dogged pertinacity carried him
+safely through various adventures at sea and in Central Africa. He
+discovered the 'Real King Solomon's Mines,' but in 'Kiddy,' a
+little girl-friend, he found the greatest treasure of all. The plot
+is particularly attractive, and the reader will follow Myddleton's
+vigorous, moving career with sustained interest.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE BAYMOUTH SCOUTS.</b> By TOM BEVAN, Author of 'The Goldsmith of Chepe,'
+'A Trooper of the Finns,' &amp;c. With four coloured illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon
+Browne</span>. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>This is a story of the days of Napoleon, and his threatened
+invasion of England. Two boys are kidnapped and carried to France,
+from where, after many adventures, they escape and return to
+England, bringing with them a lady and her daughter, who had been
+ruined by the Revolution. It is especially suited for Boy Scouts.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>STORIES FOR BOYS.</h2>
+
+<h3>By TALBOT BAINES REED.</h3>
+
+<p><i>The name of Talbot Baines Reed will always be associated with
+fascinating, healthy stories for boys, dealing with public school life,
+and early business careers. No writer has been able more skilfully to
+give his characters a real personality, or to portray more faithfully
+their failures, sharp struggles and final successes.</i></p>
+
+<p><b>THE ADVENTURES OF A THREE-GUINEA WATCH.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page and Sixteen other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A straightforward story of school-life, and of the duties and
+temptations of young men entering upon the work of life. The kind
+of book to rejoice the heart of the boy who gets it as a Christmas
+or Birthday present.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE COCK HOUSE AT FELLSGARTH. A Public School Story.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page Illustrations by Alfred Pearse. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A splendid story of school life. The rollicking fun of the juniors,
+the rivalry among the seniors, the school elections, the football
+match, are told in such a forcible manner that the tale will prove
+a source of delight to all boys&mdash;young and old.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE FIFTH FORM AT ST. DOMINIC'S. A Public School Story.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page and Eight other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A lively story, abounding in stirring incident and in humorous
+descriptions. A thoroughly healthy tale to place in the hands of a
+boy. It ought to become popular both as a gift and prize book.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>A DOG WITH A BAD NAME.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred Pearse</span>. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The story of a big ungainly youth who seemed fated to be
+misunderstood and to be made the butt of his comrades. His trials
+at school, and as a tutor, and the unsympathetic treatment by his
+guardian are delightfully told.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>STORIES FOR BOYS.</h2>
+
+<h3>By TALBOT BAINES REED.</h3>
+
+<p><b>ROGER INGLETON, MINOR.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Finnemore</span>, R.I. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Guardian</i> says:&mdash;"Mr. Talbot Baines Reed knows how to tell a
+story, and he does himself justice in 'Roger Ingleton, Minor,' in
+which he makes an excellent book out of the return of a long-lost
+half-brother who had gone out alone into the world, many years
+previously, after a bitter quarrel with his father. The discovery
+of the missing brother is not accomplished without many exciting
+incidents, out of which Mr. Reed weaves his plot."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Aberdeen Free Press</i> says:&mdash;"This story has a modern
+atmosphere. The plot is very skilfully constructed and the interest
+is maintained up to the last page."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>SIR LUDAR: A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Eleven Full-page Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s.
+6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Guardian</i> says:&mdash;"This stirring tale, which is played in the
+days of Queen Elizabeth, and tells of the wonderful adventures of a
+sturdy prentice-lad who contrived to crowd into a few years as much
+danger and fighting and hairbreadth escapes as would have lasted an
+army of ordinary folk for their whole lives. It is a capital book
+for boys which those who begin reading will have to finish. Mr.
+Pearse's illustrations, too, are very good."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Aberdeen Free Press</i> says:&mdash;"This is a stirring tale of
+adventure with plenty of fighting."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>PARKHURST BOYS, and other Stories of School Life.</b></p>
+
+<p>With Seven Full-page and many other Illustrations. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In this volume are brought together a large number of the
+miscellaneous stories written from time to time for the <i>Boy's Own
+Paper</i> by Talbot Baines Reed. The collection is prefaced by an
+appreciation of Mr. Reed as boy and man, and it contains some of
+his best work and his brightest wit. There are seven sketches of
+life at Parkhurst School; eleven character delineations of "Boys we
+have known"&mdash;such as "The Bully," "The Sneak"; twelve
+representations of "Boys of English History"; and seven other short
+stories of boy life and interest.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>The Boy's Own Series.</h2>
+
+<p><i>A Series of Books for Boys by well-known Writers, containing Stories of
+School Life, Adventures on Sea and Land, Stories of Old England, &amp;c.
+Well illustrated, handsomely bound, cloth gilt, large crown 8vo, 2s.
+6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><b>BOB MARCHANT'S SCHOLARSHIP.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ernest Protheroe</span>. With seven
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred Pearse</span>. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The School Guardian</i> says: 'A very readable tale with plenty of
+"go" in it.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The Manchester Courier</i> says: 'An attractive story of schoolboy
+life.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The Spectator</i> says: 'Here we have a story of adventure, the scene
+of action being what is called the educational ladder. Bob Marchant
+wins a scholarship ... which takes him to Orville College, a
+first-grade school.... The subject is worth treating, and should
+not be less interesting than the perils by flood and field which
+commonly form the themes of these stories.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE HEROISM OF LANCELOT.</b> By JEANIE FERRY. With three coloured
+illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>This book will be read with eager interest and profit by all boys
+and girls. The author has produced quite a number of beautiful
+characters, and some the reverse of beautiful. Lancelot is
+undoubtedly the hero, and a splendid one, too, but there are
+several heroines who run him close in the race of unselfishness and
+purity of character. Boys will vote the book 'jolly' and
+'stunning,' and unconsciously they will have themselves imbibed a
+wholesome draught from a carefully written and good story.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>JACK SAFFORD: A Tale of the East Coast.</b> By WILLIAM WEBSTER. With three
+coloured illustrations by <span class="smcap">Ernest Prater</span>. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A breezy boy's book of adventures in the North Sea. It will be sure
+to interest lads who are leaving school, and are wondering what the
+future holds in store for them. Honesty, bravery, and a readiness
+to seize opportunities for advancement are upheld in this
+well-written story.</p>
+
+<p><i>The British Weekly</i> says: 'The book is full of adventure, and is
+most readable.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The Liverpool Daily Post</i> says: 'A story of adventure on sea and
+land, which boys will read with avidity, for Jack, among other
+things, had to find the way out of a very awkward predicament.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>The Boy's Own Series.</h2>
+
+<p><b>FROM SLUM TO QUARTER-DECK.</b> By GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N., Author of
+'Wild Life in Sunny Lands,' 'The Voyage of the "Blue Vega,"' &amp;c. With
+six illustrations by <span class="smcap">Alfred Pearse</span>. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The hero of Dr. Gordon Stables' new work is a London boy about
+whose origin there is a mystery, which is skilfully dealt with and
+satisfactorily solved. A story of the sea, which the author's many
+admirers will be eager to read.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Record</i> says: 'It is a bright and breezy volume, and will
+please boys immensely.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The Schoolmaster</i> says: 'This is a good rattling story of a street
+arab who has a series of interesting and exciting adventures.'</p>
+
+<p><i>The United Methodist</i> says: 'Real stirring adventures are sprung
+upon us in such unique fashion that we hesitate to give prospective
+readers an inkling as to their sequence.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>ALLAN ADAIR; or, Here and There in Many Lands.</b> By GORDON STABLES, M.D.,
+R.N., Author of 'In the Land of the Lion and the Ostrich.' With coloured
+frontispiece and title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Examiner</i> says: 'Allan Adair, the only son of his widowed
+mother, distinguishes himself as a lad in helping to save a vessel
+in distress, and in return is offered a berth by the owners in one
+of their ships. Of course he accepts, and a life of world-wide
+travel and incident is the result. Among many exciting episodes may
+be mentioned shooting "rattlers" in the Sierras, encounters with
+narwhals and bears in the Arctic regions, a hairbreadth escape on
+the terrible ice-river of Spitzbergen, and adventures among the
+savages of Patagonia.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>GALLANT SIR JOHN.</b> By SARDIUS HANCOCK, Author of 'The Cruise of the
+Golden Fleece,' &amp;c. With three coloured illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Finnemore</span>,
+R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>'Gallant Sir John' is a stirring, exciting tale of the days when
+Henry V. was gaining successive victories in France. At the same
+time Wyckliffe's Bible was being circulated by the Lollards, who
+were being hounded to exile, outlawry and death by the priests of
+Rome. Once begun this story will hold the reader to the end, for he
+will be taken into the very heart of those troublous times, and
+will witness many a thrilling scene.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.</h2>
+
+<p><b>THE SHELL-HUNTERS: Their Wild Adventures by Land and Sea.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Gordon Stables</span>, author of "Allan Adair," etc. Illustrated. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>This is one of Dr. Gordon Stables' stories of adventure. A
+middle-aged man and a couple of boys make a voyage of discovery in
+the South Seas. The tale is full of exciting incidents and
+hairbreadth escapes so dear to the heart of all boys; and it has
+the advantage of being cleverly illustrated by <span class="smcap">Alfred Pearse</span>.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>HAROLD, THE BOY EARL. A Story of Old England.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">J. F. Hodgetts</span>, author of "Kormak the Viking," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<p><b>ILDERIM, THE AFGHAN. A Tale of the Indian Border.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">David Ker</span>. Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>David Ker, the author of "The Lonely Island," has here written a
+stirring and highly imaginative tale of India and the North-West
+Frontier. The heroes are men of high character, and a bright,
+healthy moral tone is maintained throughout.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">One who was Born There</span>, author of "Annie Carr," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Guardian</i> says:&mdash;"The pictures of the South Sea Islanders are
+evidently drawn from life, and the accounts of the kidnappers, both
+cannibal and slave-hunting, are well told and full of grim
+interest."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Methodist Times</i> says:&mdash;"The book is a true record of the
+adventures of the son of a South Sea Island Missionary. The writer
+begins at the beginning&mdash;at his earliest whippings&mdash;and goes on
+through escapades by land and sea. He narrowly escapes poisoning by
+<i>carea</i> and is in an awful tornado. Perils by famine, by murder, by
+heathen superstition, by sharks, by pestilence, by white
+slave-traders, bring before the reader vividly, life as it is in
+the savage islands of the South."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.</h2>
+
+<p><b>UNTRUE TO HIS TRUST; or, Plotters and Patriots.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Henry Johnson</span>, author of "Turf and Table," "A Book of Heroes," etc.
+With Five Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Times</i> says:&mdash;"A tale that is well-conceived and interesting."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Sheffield Independent</i> says:&mdash;"A piece of masterly historical
+painting."</p>
+
+<p><i>The British Weekly</i> says:&mdash;"A well written and readable book that
+conveys a great deal of instruction. The period of Charles II. has
+been very carefully studied."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE VOYAGE OF THE STORMY PETREL.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">W. C. Metcalf</span>. With Three Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Lancelot Speed.</span> Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Glasgow Herald</i> says:&mdash;"Possesses all the qualities which
+young readers for whom it is intended can best appreciate. These
+are narrow escapes and strange experiences, and adventures full of
+excitement both on land and sea. The volume has some exciting
+illustrations."</p>
+
+<p><i>The English Churchman</i> says:&mdash;"A good story of adventure."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Liverpool Courier</i> says:&mdash;"This is a stirring tale of an
+adventurous voyage in which exciting incidents follow one another
+in rapid succession."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>DUCK-LAKE. Stories of the Canadian Backwoods.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">E. Ryerson Young</span>, With Seven Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Macfarlane</span>. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Sheffield Daily Independent</i> says:&mdash;"It is a spirited story of
+the Canadian backwoods, in three sections. The characters include
+Canadian settlers and North American Indians. A number of
+well-drawn illustrations assist the young reader to realise the
+physical type of the people who move in the story."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Dundee Courier</i> says:&mdash;"A sectional story of the Canadian
+backwoods and admirably told. The bush life of the settlers is
+pictured with a graphic pen, and there are a number of sensational
+episodes, a bear hunt among the number."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.</h2>
+
+<p><b>THE SETTLERS OF KAROSSA CREEK, and Other Stories of Australian Bush
+Life.</b></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>By <span class="smcap">Louis Becke</span>, author of "Tom Wallis," "Wild Life in the Southern
+Seas," etc., etc. With Three Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. Finnemore</span>, R.I.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<p>"The Settlers of Karossa Creek" is a rattling yarn which proves
+conclusively that the right hand of Louis Becke has not lost its
+cunning. It is a book that all healthy-minded boys will revel in,
+full of stirring adventures relating to the bush life of Australia
+and the islands of the Pacific. "The Settlers of Karossa Creek"
+will stir the blood of every lad and stimulate the impulses to
+patience, endurance, brave daring, and true knightliness. The
+health-giving fragrance of the sea and the free, glad, open life of
+new lands are in it from first page to last.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE SPECIMEN HUNTERS.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">J. Macdonald Oxley</span>, B.A., author of "North Overland with Franklin,"
+"Archie Mackenzie." Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Mr. Macdonald Oxley, who knows so well how to tell a story of
+adventure and peril&mdash;here takes his young heroes out to India and
+the Far East, with a learned Professor whose duty it is to obtain
+specimens of beasts and birds. Their ramblings and the Professor's
+tasks bring them into a succession of highly critical situations,
+in which their lives are often in extreme peril. The qualities of
+self-control, manliness and courage are in constant demand. Boys
+and girls&mdash;more especially those with a taste for travel and
+natural history&mdash;should find the book "irresistible."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>THE ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">E. C. Kenyon</span>. With Four Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A story of adventure during the great Civil War, when King Charles
+I. and his Parliament resorted to the arbitrament of the sword to
+decide who should have the mastery. The hero is a Roundhead, and
+the heroine is a charming young person, whose hand a hard-hearted
+guardian seeks to dispose of in a manner to which her heart
+consents not. The author is not carried into any excess of
+partisanship, though his sympathies are obvious, and we can
+confidently recommend the story as a very good specimen of grand
+historical romance. The air resounds to the clashing of swords&mdash;so
+to say&mdash;but the love element occupies the place of supreme interest
+throughout, and will hold the interest of the reader without fail.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>STORIES FOR BOYS.</h2>
+
+<p><b>THROUGH FIRE and THROUGH WATER. A Story of Adventure and Peril.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">T. S. Millington</span>, author of "Straight to the Mark," etc. With Sixteen
+Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, 2s.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The School Guardian</i> says:&mdash;"To boys who like plenty in their
+books and that of a decidedly stirring order, 'Through Fire and
+Through Water' may be highly commended. Jack Smith's ambition to be
+a sailor and how it was finally gratified notwithstanding the
+obstacles that intervene, his capture by Algerian pirates, and his
+subsequent rescue.... The story never flags for a moment; it goes
+with a swing from start to finish."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center"><i>The Story of Chalmers' Adventurous Life told for Boys.</i></p>
+
+<p><b>TAMATE: The Life and Adventures of a Christian Hero.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Richard Lovett</span>, M.A., author of "James Chalmers: his Autobiography
+and Letters," etc. With Two Maps and Fifteen Illustrations by <span class="smcap">J.
+Finnemore</span>, R.I., printed in double tone ink. "Christian Heroes" Series,
+No. 1. Large crown 8vo, Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Christian Leader</i> says:&mdash;"The story of the great New Guinea
+missionary and explorer cannot be told too often. Here it is told
+to boys, and it will be strange indeed if it does not at once prove
+a real success. James Chalmers was as brave a man as ever lived.
+His exploits and hairbreadth escapes were legion, and it is
+practically a series of these that are narrated in the present
+volume, with all the rapidity and spirit that the boyish temper
+loves. The writer has to some extent made use of the materials
+already drawn up for his biography, but he has had access also to
+letters and diaries hitherto unpublished, and from these vivid
+pages we gain a clearer idea than ever of his hero. A lion-hearted
+soul! The boy reader will find him irresistible."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><b>CONDEMNED TO THE GALLEYS. The Adventures of a French Protestant.</b></p>
+
+<p>By <span class="smcap">Jean Marteilhe</span>. With Seven Illustrations by E. Barnard Lintott.
+"Christian Heroes" Series, No. 2. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p><i>The Expository Times</i> says:&mdash;"Let the boy who wants authentic
+history and excitement combined read 'Condemned to the Galleys,' by
+Jean Marteilhe."</p>
+
+<p><i>The Northern Whig</i> says:&mdash;"It is a most interesting and reliable
+work, giving a story which reads like the most fascinating fiction,
+but is really the genuine history of the sufferings and adventures
+of a young Protestant."</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+<hr class="smler" />
+
+<h2>Every Boy's Bookshelf.</h2>
+
+<p><i>A New Series of Eighteenpenny Stories for Boys, full of stirring
+adventure. Each with two illustrations in colours and coloured medallion
+on cover. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+
+<p><b>SKYLARK: His Deeds and Adventures.</b> By M. GENESTE. With two coloured
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">W. E. Wigfull</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Skylark, so named from his propensity for 'larking' and practical
+joking, is not only a favourite at school on account of his sunny
+disposition, but a real influence for good because of the uniform
+'straightness' of his conduct. His adventures include a fire at the
+school, in which he nearly perishes, and being kidnapped and
+carried off to France, having stumbled on evidence tending to
+identify the authors of a burglary. Altogether the book is full of
+incident.</p></blockquote>
+
+
+<p><b>CAVE PERILOUS: A Tale of the Bread Riots.</b> By L. T. MEADE. With two
+coloured illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A very brightly written tale, full of incident and adventure, of
+English life nearly a century ago.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Scotsman</i> says: 'A spirited and interesting tale of adventure
+in which a boy and girl, shut up in a wild cave, but sustained by a
+sturdy piety, contrive not only to extricate themselves, but to
+discover and recover a lost parent who had been kidnapped. It is
+written with a catching vivacity, and is sure to be a favourite
+with young readers.'</p></blockquote>
+
+
+<p><b>THE TURQUOISE RING.</b> By IDA LEMON. With two coloured illustrations. Crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A brightly written story that will hold the boy reader's attention
+all through. It is full of incident, and is told with the author's
+well-known skill.</p></blockquote>
+
+
+<p><b>OLD SCHOOLFELLOWS AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM.</b> With two coloured
+illustrations by <span class="smcap">J. H. Valda</span>. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A book that will delight both old and new schoolfellows. A number
+of old schoolfellows find themselves established not far from each
+other, and form a society for relating their own adventures and the
+adventures of schoolmates known to them. The stories are capitally
+told, and in the Captain's Story, the Lawyer's Story, the Doctor's
+Story, &amp;c., &amp;c., we are given striking examples of what the boy may
+become if he starts with the right motives. Also several disastrous
+failures give necessary warnings against laxity of conduct and
+morals.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="center">LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS ***
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,8578 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
+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: Adventures in Many Lands
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: F. Gillett
+
+Release Date: November 17, 2007 [EBook #23530]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BRAVE DEEDS SERIES
+
+
+_UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_
+
+
+THE BLACK TROOPERS, AND OTHER STORIES
+
+A RACE FOR LIFE, AND OTHER TALES
+
+NOBLE DEEDS OF THE WORLD'S HEROINES. By Henry Charles Moore.
+
+THROUGH FLOOD AND FLAME. Adventures and Perils of Protestant Heroes. By
+Henry Charles Moore.
+
+HEROES OF THE GOODWIN SANDS. By the Rev. T. S. Treanor, M.A.
+
+ON THE INDIAN TRAIL, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE CREE AND SALTEAUX INDIANS.
+By Egerton R. Young.
+
+REMARKABLE ADVENTURES FROM REAL LIFE.
+
+THROUGH FIRE AND THROUGH WATER. By T. S. Millington.
+
+FRANK LAYTON. An Australian Story. By George E. Sargent.
+
+THE REALM OF THE ICE-KING. A Narrative of Arctic Exploration. By T.
+Frost.
+
+THE FOSTER-BROTHERS OF DOON. A Tale of the Irish Rebellion. By E. H.
+Walshe.
+
+THE CAPTAIN'S STORY. By Captain E. F. Brooke-Knight.
+
+STEADFAST AND TRUE. By L. C. Silke.
+
+ADVENTURE STORIES: DARING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
+
+HISTORICAL TALES FOR YOUNG PROTESTANTS.
+
+BRAVE SONS OF THE EMPIRE. By Henry Charles Moore.
+
+THE LOG OF A SKY-PILOT; or, Work and Adventure around the Goodwin Sands.
+By T. S. Treanor, M.A.
+
+SAXBY. A Tale of the Commonwealth Time. By Emma Leslie.
+
+WITHIN SEA WALLS. By E. H. Walshe and G. E. Sargent.
+
+THE HEROES OF MOSS HALL SCHOOL. A Public School Story. By E. C. Kenyon.
+
+A GREAT MISTAKE. A Story of Adventure in the Franco-German War. By T. S.
+Millington.
+
+THE TREASURE OF CHIN-LOO.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: THE WOUNDED ANIMAL SUDDENLY SPRANG OUT AT ME.
+  _See page 59._]
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+Told by
+
+ALGERNON BLACKWOOD, WILLIAM WEBSTER, ALFRED COLBECK, A. LEE KNIGHT,
+And Other Writers.
+
+_WITH THREE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS BY F. GILLETT_
+
+LONDON
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
+4 Bouverie Street & 65 St. Paul's Churchyard
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+                                            PAGE
+I
+
+A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE WITH HYENAS               5
+   _By C. Randolph Lichfield_
+
+II
+
+THE VEGA VERDE MINE                           10
+   _By Charles Edwardes_
+
+III
+
+A VERY NARROW SHAVE                           20
+   _By John Lang_
+
+IV
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY                         31
+   _By J. Kinchin Smith_
+
+V
+
+THE TAPU-TREE                                 38
+   _By A. Ferguson_
+
+VI
+
+SOME PANTHER STORIES                          49
+   _By Various Writers_
+
+VII
+
+A MIDNIGHT RIDE ON A CALIFORNIAN RANCH        69
+   _By A. F. Walker_
+
+VIII
+
+O'DONNELL'S REVENGE                           84
+   _By Frank Maclean_
+
+IX
+
+MY ADVENTURE WITH A LION                     105
+   _By Algernon Blackwood_
+
+X
+
+THE SECRET CAVE OF HYDAS                     116
+   _By F. Barford_
+
+XI
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF MALAY-LAND      155
+   _By Alexander Macdonald, F.R.G.S._
+
+XII
+
+A WEEK-END ADVENTURE                         171
+   _By William Webster_
+
+XIII
+
+THE DEFLECTED COMPASS                        193
+   _By Alfred Colbeck_
+
+XIV
+
+IN PERIL IN AFRICA                           214
+   _By Maurice Kerr_
+
+XV
+
+KEEPING THE TRYST                            227
+   _By E. Cockburn Reynolds_
+
+XVI
+
+WHO GOES THERE?                              245
+   _By Rowland W. Cater_
+
+XVII
+
+A DROWNING MESSMATE                          257
+   _By A. Lee Knight_
+
+XVIII
+
+THE PILOT OF PORT CREEK                      266
+   _By Burnett Fallow_
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN MANY LANDS
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE WITH HYENAS
+
+
+There are many mighty hunters, and most of them can tell of many very
+thrilling adventures personally undergone with wild beasts; but probably
+none of them ever went through an experience equalling that which Arthur
+Spencer, the famous trapper, suffered in the wilds of Africa.
+
+As the right-hand man of Carl Hagenbach, the great Hamburg dealer in
+wild animals, for whom Spencer trapped some of the finest and rarest
+beasts ever seen in captivity, thrilling adventures were everyday
+occurrences to him. The trapper's life is infinitely more exciting and
+dangerous than the hunter's, inasmuch as the latter hunts to kill, while
+the trapper hunts to capture, and the relative risks are not, therefore,
+comparable; but Spencer's adventure with the "scavenger of the wilds,"
+as the spotted hyena is sometimes aptly called, was something so
+terrible that even he could not recollect it without shuddering.
+
+He was out with his party on an extended trapping expedition, and one
+day he chanced to get separated from his followers; and, partly overcome
+by the intense heat and his fatigue, he lay down and fell asleep--about
+the most dangerous thing a solitary traveller in the interior of Africa
+can do. Some hours later, when the scorching sun was beginning to settle
+down in the west, he was aroused by the sound of laughter not far away.
+
+For the moment he thought his followers had found him, and were amused
+to find him taking his difficulties so comfortably; but hearing the
+laugh repeated he realised at once that no human being ever gave
+utterance to quite such a sound; in fact, his trained ear told him it
+was the cry of the spotted hyena. Now thoroughly awake, he sat up and
+saw a couple of the ugly brutes about fifty yards away on his left. They
+were sniffing at the air, and calling. He knew that they had scented
+him, but had not yet perceived him.
+
+In such a position, as sure a shot and one so well armed as Spencer was,
+a man who knew less about wild animals and their habits would doubtless
+have sent the two brutes to earth in double quick time, and thus
+destroyed himself. But Spencer very well knew from their manner that
+they were but the advance-guard of a pack. The appearance of the pack,
+numbering about one hundred, coincided with his thought. To tackle the
+whole party was, of course, utterly out of the question; to escape by
+flight was equally out of the question, for hyenas are remarkably fast
+travellers.
+
+His only possible chance of escape, therefore, was to hoodwink them, if
+he could, by feigning to be dead; for it is a characteristic of the
+hyena to reject flesh that is not putrid. He threw himself down again,
+and remained motionless, hoping the beasts would think him, though dead,
+yet unfit for food. It was an off-chance, and he well knew it; but there
+was nothing else to be done.
+
+In a couple of seconds the advance-guard saw him, and, calling to their
+fellows, rushed to him. The pack answered the cry and instantly
+followed. Spencer felt the brutes running over him, felt their foul
+breath on his neck, as they sniffed at him, snapping, snarling,
+laughing; but he did not move. One of them took a critical bite at his
+arm; but he did not stir. They seemed nonplussed. Another tried the
+condition of his leg, while many of them pulled at his clothes, as if in
+impotent rage at finding him so fresh. But he did not move; in an agony
+of suspense he waited motionless.
+
+Presently, to his amazement, he was lifted up by two hyenas, which fixed
+their teeth in his ankle and his wrist, and, accompanied by the rest,
+his bearers set off with him swinging between them, sometimes fairly
+carrying him, sometimes simply dragging him, now and again dropping him
+for a moment to refix their teeth more firmly in his flesh. Believing
+him to be dead, they were conveying him to their retreat, there to
+devour him when he was in a fit condition. He fully realised this, but
+he was powerless to defend himself from such a fate.
+
+How far they carried him Spencer could not tell, for from the pain he
+was suffering from his wounds, and the dreadful strain of being carried
+in such a manner, he fell into semi-consciousness from time to time; but
+the distance must have been considerable, for night was over the land
+and the sky sparkling with stars before the beasts finally halted; and
+then they dropped him in what he knew, by the horrible and overpowering
+smell peculiar to hyenas, was the cavern home of the pack. Here he lay
+throughout the awful night, surrounded by his captors, suffering acutely
+from his injuries, thirst, and the vile smell of the place.
+
+When morning broke he found that the pack had already gone out in search
+of more ready food, leaving him in charge of two immense brutes, which
+watched him narrowly all through the day; for, unarmed as he was, and
+exhausted, he knew it would be suicide to attempt to tackle his
+janitors. He could only wait on chance. Once or twice during the day the
+beasts tried him with their teeth, giving unmistakable signs of disgust
+at the poor progress he was making. At nightfall they tried him again,
+and, being apparently hungry, one of them deserted its post and went
+off, like the others, in search of food.
+
+This gave the wretched man a glimmering of hope, for he knew that the
+hyena dislikes its own company, and that the remaining beast would
+certainly desert if the pack remained away long enough. But for hour
+after hour the animal stayed on duty, never going farther than the mouth
+of the cave. When the second morning broke, however, the hyena grew very
+restless, going out and remaining away for brief periods. But it always
+returned, and every time it did so Spencer naturally imagined it had
+seen the pack returning, and that the worst was in store for him. But at
+length, about noon, the brute went out and did not come back.
+
+Spencer waited and waited, fearing to move lest the creature should only
+be outside, fearing to tarry lest he should miss his only chance of
+escaping. After about an hour of this suspense he crept to the mouth of
+the cave. No living creature was within sight. He got upon his faltering
+feet, and hurried away as fast as his weakness would permit; but his
+condition was so deplorable that he had not covered a mile when he
+collapsed in a faint.
+
+Fortune, however, favours the brave; and although he fell where he might
+easily have remained for years without being discovered, he was found
+the same day by a party of Boers, who dressed his wounds, gave him food
+and drink (which he had not touched for two days), and helped him by
+easy stages to the coast.
+
+Being a man of iron constitution, he made a rapid and complete recovery,
+but his wrist, ankle, arms, and thigh still bear the marks of the
+hideous teeth which, but for his marvellous strength of will, would have
+torn him, living, to shreds.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE VEGA VERDE MINE
+
+
+Jim Cayley clambered over the refuse-heaps of the mine, rejoicing in a
+tremendous appetite which he was soon to have the pleasure of
+satisfying.
+
+There was also something else.
+
+Little Toro, the kiddy from Cuba--"Somebody's orphan," the Spaniards of
+the mine called him, with a likely hit at the truth--little Toro had
+been to the Lago Frio with Jim, to see that he didn't drown of cramp or
+get eaten by one of the mammoth trout, and had hinted at dark doings to
+be wrought that very day, at closing time or thereabouts.
+
+Hitherto, Jim had not quite justified his presence at the Vega Verde
+mine, some four thousand feet above sea-level in these wilds of
+Asturias. To be sure, he was there for his health. But Mr. Summerfield,
+the other engineer in partnership with Alfred Cayley, Jim's brother,
+had, in a thoughtless moment, termed Jim "an idle young dog," and the
+phrase had stuck. Jim hadn't liked it, and tried to say so.
+Unfortunately, he stammered, and Don Ferdinando (Mr. Summerfield) had
+laughed and gone off, saying he couldn't wait.
+
+_Now_ it was Jim's chance. He felt that this was so, and he rejoiced in
+the sensation as well as in his appetite and the thought of the
+excellent soup, omelette, cutlets, and other things which it was Mrs.
+Jumbo's privilege to be serving to the three Englishmen (reckoning Jim
+in the three) at half-past one o'clock precisely.
+
+Toro had made a great fuss about his news. He was drying Jim at the
+time, and Jim was saying that he didn't suppose any other English fellow
+of fifteen had had such a splendid bathe. There were snow-peaks in the
+distance, slowly melting into that lake, which well deserved its name of
+"Cold."
+
+"Don Jimmy," said young Toro, pausing with the towel, "what do you
+think?"
+
+"Think?" said Jimmy. "That I--I--I--I'll punch your black head for you
+if you don't finish this j--j--j--job, and b--b--b--be quick about it."
+
+He wasn't really fierce with the Cuban kiddy. The Cuban kiddy himself
+knew that, and grinned as he made for Jim's shoulder.
+
+"Yes, Don Jimmy," he said; "don't you worry about that. But I'm telling
+you a straight secret this time--no figs about it."
+
+Toro had picked up some peculiar English by association with the
+Americans who had swamped his native land after the great war. Still, it
+was quite understandable English.
+
+"A s--s--s--straight secret! Then j--j--just out with it, or I'll
+p--p--p--punch your head for that as well," said Jimmy, rushing his
+words.
+
+He often achieved remarkable victories over his affliction by rushing
+his words. He could do this best with his inferiors, when he hadn't to
+trouble to think what words he ought to use. At school he made howling
+mistakes just because of his respectful regard for the masters and that
+sort of thing. They didn't seem to see how he suffered in his kindly
+consideration of them.
+
+It was same with Don Ferdinando. Mr. Summerfield was a very great
+engineering swell when he was at home in London. Jimmy couldn't help
+feeling rather awed by him. And so his stammering to Don Ferdinando was
+something "so utterly utter" (as his brother said) that no fellow could
+listen to it without manifest pain, mirth, or impatience. In Don
+Ferdinando's case, it was generally impatience. His time was worth
+pounds a minute or so.
+
+"All right," said Toro. "And my throat ain't drier than your back now,
+Don Jimmy; so you can put your clothes on and listen. They're going to
+bust the mine this afternoon--that's what they're going to do; and
+they'd knife me if they knew I was letting on."
+
+"What?" cried Jimmy.
+
+"It's a fact," said Toro, dropping the towel and feeling for a
+cigarette. "They're all so mighty well sure they won't be let go down to
+Bavaro for the Saint Gavino kick-up to-morrow that they've settled to do
+that. If there ain't no portering to do, they'll be _let_ go. That's how
+they look at it. They don't care, not a peseta between 'em, how much it
+costs the company to get the machine put right again; not them skunks
+don't. What they want is to have a twelve-hour go at the wine in the
+valley. You won't tell of me, Don Jimmy?"
+
+"S--s--snakes!" said Jimmy.
+
+Then he had started to run from the Lago Frio, with his coat on his arm.
+Dressing was a quick job in those wilds, where at midday in summer one
+didn't want much clothing.
+
+"No, I won't let on!" he had cried back over his shoulder.
+
+Toro, the Cuban kiddy, sat down on the margin of the cold blue lake and
+finished his cigarette reflectively. White folks, especially white
+English-speaking ones, were rather unsatisfactory. He liked them,
+because as a rule he could trust them. But Don Jimmy needn't have
+hurried away like that. He, Toro, hoped to have had licence to draw his
+pay for fully another hour's enjoyable idleness. As things were,
+however, Don Alonso, the foreman, would be sure to be down on him if he
+were two minutes after Don Jimmy among the red-earth heaps and the
+galvanised shanties of the calamine mine on its perch eight hundred feet
+sheer above the Vega Verde.
+
+Jim Cayley was a few moments late for the soup after all.
+
+"I s--s--say!" he began, as he bounced into the room.
+
+"Say nothing, my lad!" exclaimed Don Alfredo, looking up from his
+newspaper.
+
+[Words missing in original] mail had just arrived--an eight-mile climb,
+made daily, both ways, by one of the gang.
+
+Mrs. Jumbo, the moustached old Spanish lady who looked after the house,
+put his soup before Jimmy.
+
+"Eat, my dear," she said in Spanish, caressing his damp hair--one of her
+many amiable yet detested little tricks, to signify her admiration of
+Jim's fresh complexion and general style of beauty.
+
+"But it's--it's--it's most imp--p--p----"
+
+Don Ferdinando set down his spoon. He also let the highly grave letter
+from London which he was reading slip into his soup.
+
+"I tell you what, Cayley," he said, "if you don't crush this young
+brother of yours, I will. This is a matter of life or death, and I
+_must_ have a clear head to think it out."
+
+"I was only saying," cried Jim desperately. But his brother stopped him.
+
+"Hold your tongue, Jim," he said. "We've worry enough to go on with just
+at present. I mean it, my lad. If you've anything important to proclaim,
+leave it to me to give you the tip when to splutter at it. I'm solemn."
+
+When Don Alfredo said he was "solemn," it often meant that he was on the
+edge of a most unbrotherly rage. And so Jim concentrated upon his
+dinner. He made wry faces at Mrs. Jumbo and her strokings, and even
+found fault with the soup when she asked him sweetly if it were not
+excellent. All this to relieve his feelings.
+
+The two engineers left Jim to finish his dinner by himself. Jim's
+renewed effort of "I say, Alf!" was quenched by the upraised hands of
+both engineers.
+
+Outside they were met by Don Alonso, the foreman, a very smart and
+go-ahead fellow indeed, considering that he was a Spaniard.
+
+"They'll strike, senores!" said Don Alonso, with a shrug. "It can't be
+helped, I'm afraid. It's all Domecq's doing, the scoundrel! Why didn't
+you dismiss him, Don Alfredo, after that affair of Moreno's death?
+There's not a doubt he killed Moreno, and he hasn't a spark of gratitude
+or goodness in his nature."
+
+"He's a capable hand," said Alfred Cayley.
+
+"Too much so, by half," said Don Ferdinando. "If he were off the mine,
+Elgos, we should run smoothly, eh?"
+
+"I'll answer for that, senor," replied the foreman. "As it is, he plays
+his cards against mine. His influence is extraordinary. There'll not be
+a man here to-morrow; Saint Gavino will have all their time and money."
+
+"You don't expect any active mischief, I hope?" suggested Don
+Ferdinando.
+
+The foreman thought not. He had heard no word of any.
+
+"Very well, then. I'll settle Domecq straight off," said Don Ferdinando.
+
+He returned to the house and pocketed his revolver. They had to be
+prepared for all manner of emergencies in these wilds of Asturias,
+especially on the eves and morrows of Saints' days. But it didn't at all
+follow that because Don Ferdinando pocketed his shooter he was likely to
+be called upon to use it.
+
+The three were separating after this when a lad in a blue cotton jacket
+rose lazily from behind a heap of calamine just to the rear of them, and
+swung off towards the machinery on the edge of the precipice.
+
+"Pedro!" called the foreman, and, returning, the lad was asked if he had
+been listening.
+
+He vowed that such a thought had not entered his head. He had been
+asleep; that was all.
+
+"Very good!" said the foreman. "You may go, and it's fifty cents off
+your wage list that your sleep out of season has cost you."
+
+Discipline at the mine had to be of the strictest. Any laxity, and the
+laziest man was bound to start an epidemic of laziness.
+
+Don Ferdinando set off for the Vega, eight hundred feet sheer below the
+mine. It was a ticklish zigzag, just to the left of the transporting
+machinery, with twenty places in which a slip would mean death.
+
+Domecq was working down below, lading the stuff into bullock-carts.
+
+Alfred Cayley disappeared into one of the upper galleries, to see how
+they were panning out.
+
+The snow mountains and the afternoon sun looked down upon a very
+pleasing scene of industry--blue-jacketed workers and heaps of ore; and
+upon Jim Cayley also, who had enjoyed his dinner so thoroughly that he
+didn't think so much as before about his rejected information.
+
+But now again the Cuban kiddy drifted towards him, making for the
+zigzag.
+
+Jim hailed him.
+
+"Can't stop, Don Jimmy!" said Toro. But when he was some yards down, he
+beckoned to Jim, who quickly joined him.
+
+They conferred on the edge of a ghastly precipice.
+
+"I'm off down to tell Domecq that it's going to be done at two-thirty
+prompt," said Toro.
+
+"What's going to be d--done?" asked Jimmy.
+
+"What I told you about. They've cut the 'phone down to the 'llano' as a
+start. But that's nothing. You just go and squat by the engine and see
+what happens. Guess they'll not mind you."
+
+To tell the truth, Jim was a trifle dazed. He didn't grapple the ins and
+outs of a conspiracy of Spanish miners just for the sake of a holiday.
+And as Toro couldn't wait (it was close on half-past two), Jim thought
+he might as well act on his advice. He liked to see the big buckets of
+ore swinging off into space from the mine level and making their fearful
+journey at a thrilling angle, down, down until, as mere specks, they
+reached the transport and washing department of the mine in the Vega.
+Two empty buckets came up as two full ones went down, travelling with a
+certain sublimity along the double rope of woven wire.
+
+Jim sat down at a distance. He saw one cargo get right off--no more.
+
+Then he noticed that the men engaged at the engine were confabulating.
+He saw a gleam of instruments. Also he saw another full bucket hitched
+on and sent down at the run. And then he saw the men furtively at work
+at something.
+
+Suddenly the cable snapped, flew out, yards high!
+
+Jim saw this--and something more. Looking instantly towards the Vega he
+saw the return bucket, hundreds of feet above the level, toss a
+somersault as it was freed of its tension and--this was horrible!--pitch
+a man head-foremost into the air.
+
+He cried out at the sight, and so did the rascals who had done their
+rattening for a comparatively innocent purpose.
+
+But when he and a dozen others had made the desperate descent of the
+zigzag, they found that the dead man was Domecq. Even the miners had no
+love for this arch-troubler, and, in trying to avoid Don Ferdinando, the
+sight of whom, coming down the track, had warned him of danger, Domecq
+had done the mine the best turn possible.
+
+Toro's own warning was of course much too late.
+
+The tragedy had a great effect. Saint Gavino was neglected after all,
+and it was in very humble spirits that the ringleaders of the plot
+confessed their sins and agreed to suffer the consequences.
+
+Jim by-and-by tried to tell his brother and Don Ferdinando that if only
+they had listened to him at dinner the "accident" might not have
+happened. But he stammered so much again (Don Ferdinando was as stern as
+a headmaster) that he shut up.
+
+"It's--it's--nothing particu--ticu--_ticular_, Mr. Summerfield!" he
+explained.
+
+Don Ferdinando was anything but depressed about Domecq's death; and Jim
+didn't want to damp his spirits. Of course, if Domecq had really killed
+another fellow only a few weeks ago, as was rumoured, he deserved the
+fate that had overtaken him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+A VERY NARROW SHAVE
+
+
+One winter's day in San Francisco my friend Halley, an enthusiastic shot
+who had killed bears in India, came to me and said, "Let's go south. I'm
+tired of towns. Let's go south and have some real tip-top shooting."
+
+In the matter of sport, California in those days--thirty years
+ago--differed widely from the California of to-day. Then, the sage brush
+of the foot-hills teemed with quail, and swans, geese, duck
+(canvas-back, mallard, teal, widgeon, and many other varieties)
+literally filled the lagoons and reed-beds, giving magnificent shooting
+as they flew in countless strings to and fro between the sea and the
+fresh water; whilst, farther inland, snipe were to be had in the swamps
+almost "for the asking." On the plains were antelope, and in the hills
+and in the Sierra Nevadas, deer and bears, both cinnamon and grizzly.
+Verily a sportsman's paradise!
+
+The next day saw us on board the little _Arizona_, bound for San Pedro,
+a forty-hours' trip down the coast. We took with us only shot-guns,
+meaning to try for nothing but small game. At San Pedro, the port for
+Los Angeles (Puebla de los Angeles, the "Town of the Angels"), we
+landed, and after a few days' camping by some lagoons near the sea,
+where we shot more duck than could easily be disposed of, we made our
+way to that little old Spanish settlement, where we hired a horse and
+buggy to take us inland.
+
+Our first stopping-place was at a sheep-ranche, about fifty miles from
+Los Angeles, a very beautiful property, well grassed and watered, and
+consisting chiefly of great plains through which flowed a crystal-clear
+river, and surrounded on very side by the most picturesque of hills,
+1,000 to 1,500 feet in height.
+
+The ranche was owned by a Scotsman, and his "weather-board" house was
+new and comfortable, but we found ourselves at the mercy of the most
+conservative of Chinese cooks, whom no blandishments could induce to
+give us at our meals any of the duck or snipe we shot, but who stuck
+with unwearying persistency to boiled pork and beans. And on boiled pork
+and beans he rang the changes, morning, noon, and night; that is to say,
+sometimes it was hot, and sometimes it was cold, but it was ever boiled
+pork and beans. At its best it is not a diet to dream about (though I
+found that a good deal of dreaming could be done _upon_ it), and as we
+fancied, after a few days, that any attraction which it might originally
+have possessed had quite faded and died, we resolved to push on
+elsewhere.
+
+The following night we reached a little place at the foot of the higher
+mountains called Temescal, a very diminutive place, consisting, indeed,
+of but one small house. The surroundings, however, were very beautiful,
+and the presence of a hot sulphur-spring, bubbling up in the scrub not
+one hundred yards from the house, and making a most inviting natural
+bath, coupled with the favourable reports of game of all kinds to be
+got, induced us to stop. And life was very pleasant there in the crisp
+dry air, for the quail shooting was good, the scenery and weather
+perfect, everything fresh and green and newly washed by a two days'
+rain, the food well cooked, and, nightly, after our day's shooting, we
+rolled into the sulphur-spring and luxuriated in the hot water.
+
+But Halley's soul began to pine for higher things, for bigger game than
+quail and duck. "Look here," he said to me one day, "this is all very
+well, you know, but why shouldn't we go after the deer amongst the
+hills? We've got some cartridges loaded with buckshot. And, my word! we
+_might_ get a grizzly."
+
+"All right," I said, "I'm on, as far as deer are concerned, but hang
+your grizzlies. I'm not going to tackle _them_ with a shot-gun."
+
+So it was arranged that next morning, before daylight, we should go,
+with a boy to guide us, up one of the numerous canons in the mountains,
+to a place where we were assured deer came down to drink.
+
+It was a cold, clear, frosty morning when we started, the stars
+throbbing and winking as they seem to do only during frost, and we
+toiled, not particularly gaily, up the bed of a creek, stumbling in the
+darkness and barking our shins over more boulders and big stones than
+one would have believed existed in all creation. Just before dawn, when
+the grey light was beginning to show us more clearly where we were
+going, we saw in the sand of the creek fresh tracks of a large bear, the
+water only then beginning to ooze into the prints left by his great
+feet, and I can hardly say that I gazed on them with the amount of
+enthusiasm that Halley professed to feel.
+
+But bear was not in our contract, and we hurried on another half-mile or
+so, for already we were late if we meant to get the deer as they came to
+drink; and presently, on coming to a likely spot, where the canon
+forked, Halley said, "This looks good enough. I'll stop here and send
+the boy back; you can go up the fork about half a mile and try there."
+
+And on I went, at last squatting down to wait behind a clump of
+manzanita scrub, close to a small pool where the creek widened.
+
+It was as gloomy and impressive a spot as one could find anywhere out of
+a picture by Dore. The sombre pines crowded in on the little stream,
+elbowing and whispering, leaving overhead but a gap of clear sky; on
+either hand the rugged sides of the canon sloped steeply up amongst the
+timber and thick undergrowth, and never the note of a bird broke a
+silence which seemed only to be emphasised by the faint sough of the
+wind in the tree tops. Minute dragged into minute, yet no deer came
+stealing down to drink, and rapidly the stillness and heart-chilling
+gloom were getting on my nerves; when, far up the steep side of the
+canon opposite to me there came a faint sound, and a small stone
+trickled hurriedly down into the water.
+
+"At last!" I thought. "At last!" And with a thumping heart and eager eye
+I crouched forward, ready to fire, yet feeling somewhat of a sneak and a
+coward at the thought that the poor beast had no chance of escape. Lower
+and nearer came the sound of the something still to me invisible, but
+the sound, slight though it was, gave, somehow, the impression of bulk,
+and the strange, subdued, half-grunting snuffle was puzzling to senses
+on the alert for deer. Lower and nearer, and then--out into the open by
+the shallow water he strolled--no deer, but a great grizzly.
+
+My first instinct was to fire and "chance it," but then in stepped
+discretion (funk, if you will), and I remembered that at fifteen or
+twenty yards buckshot would serve no end but to wound and rouse to fury
+such an animal as a grizzly, who, perhaps of all wild beasts, is the
+most tenacious of life; and I remembered, too, tales told by
+Californians of death, or ghastly wounds, inflicted by grizzlies.
+
+My finger left the trigger, and I sat down--discreetly, and with no
+unnecessary noise. He was not in a hurry, but rooted about sedately
+amongst the undergrowth, now and again throwing up his muzzle and
+sniffing the air in a way that made me not unthankful that the faint
+breeze blew from him to me, and not in the contrary direction.
+
+In due time--an age it seemed--after a false start or two, he went off
+up stream, and I, wisely concluding that this particular spot was, for
+the present, an unlikely one for deer, followed his example, and
+rejoined Halley, who was patiently waiting where we had parted.
+
+"I've just seen a grizzly, Halley," I said.
+
+"_Have_ you?" he almost yelled in his excitement. "Come on! We'll get
+him."
+
+"I don't think I want any more of him," said I, with becoming modesty.
+"_I'm_ going to see if I can't stalk a deer amongst the hills. They're
+more in my line, I think."
+
+Halley looked at me--pity, a rather galling pity, in his eye--and,
+turning, went off alone after the bear, muttering to himself, whilst I
+kept on my course downstream, over the boulders, certain in my own mind
+that no more would be seen of that bear, and keeping a sharp look-out on
+the surrounding country in case any deer should show themselves.
+
+I had gone barely half a mile when, on the spur of a hill, a long way
+off, I spotted a couple of deer browsing on the short grass, and I was
+on the point of starting what would have been a long and difficult, but
+very pretty, stalk when I heard a noise behind me.
+
+Looking back, I saw Halley flying from boulder to boulder, travelling
+as if to "make time" were the one and only object of his life--running
+after a fashion that a man does but seldom.
+
+I waited till he was close to me, till his wild eyes and gasping mouth
+bred in me some of his panic, and then, after a hurried glance up the
+creek, I, too, turned and fled for my life.
+
+For there, lumbering and rolling heavily along, came the bear, gaining
+at every stride, though evidently sorely hurt in one shoulder. But my
+flight ended almost as it began, for a boulder, more rugged than its
+fellows, caught my toe and sent me sprawling, gun and cartridge-bag and
+self in an evil downfall.
+
+I picked myself up and grabbed for my gun, and, even as I got to my
+feet, the racing Halley tripped and rolled over like a shot rabbit. It
+was too late for flight now, and I jumped for the nearest big boulder,
+scrambling up and facing round just in time to see the bear, fury in his
+eyes, raise his huge bulk and close with Halley, who was struggling to
+his feet. Before I could fire down came the great paw, and poor Halley
+collapsed, his head, mercifully, untouched, but the bone of the upper
+arm showing through the torn cloth and streaming blood.
+
+I fired ere the brute could damage him further, fired my second barrel
+almost with the first, but with no apparent result except to rouse the
+animal to yet greater fury, and he turned, wild with rage, and came at
+me. A miserably insignificant pebble my boulder seemed then, and I
+remember vaguely and hopelessly wondering why I hadn't climbed a
+tree. But there was small time for speculation, as I hurriedly, and with
+hands that seemed to be "all thumbs," tried to slip in a couple of fresh
+cartridges.
+
+As is generally the case when one is in a tight place, one of the old
+cases jammed and would not come out--they had been refilled, and had,
+besides, been wet a few days before, and my hands were clumsy in my
+haste--and so, finally, I had to snap up the breech on but one fresh
+cartridge, throw up the gun, and fire, as the bear was within ten feet
+of me.
+
+I fired, more by good luck, I think, than anything else, down his great,
+red, gaping mouth, and jumped for life as he crashed on to the rock
+where I had stood, crashed and lay, furiously struggling, the blood
+pouring from his mouth and throat, for the buckshot, at quarters so
+close, had inflicted a wound ten times more severe than would have been
+caused by a bullet.
+
+[Illustration: I FIRED DOWN HIS GREAT, RED, GAPING MOUTH AND JUMPED FOR
+LIFE.]
+
+It was quite evident that the bear was done, but, for the sake of
+safety--it does not do to leave anything to chance with such an
+animal--I put two more shots into his head, and he ceased to struggle, a
+great shudder passed over his enormous bulk, the muscles relaxed, and he
+lay dead.
+
+Then I hurried to where Halley lay. Poor chap! He was far spent, and
+quite unconscious, nor was I doctor enough to know whether his wounds
+were likely to be fatal, and my very ignorance made them seem the more
+terrible. I tore my shirt into bandages, and did what I could for him,
+succeeding after a time in stopping the worst of the bleeding; but I
+could see very plainly that the left shoulder was terribly shattered,
+and I thought, with a groan, of the fifty weary miles that one must send
+for a doctor.
+
+Presently he began to come to, and I got him to swallow a little brandy
+from his flask, which revived him, and before long, after putting my
+coat beneath his head, I left him and started for help.
+
+It was a nightmare, that run. Remorse tore me for having let him start
+after the bear alone, and never could I get from my mind the horrible
+dread that the slipping of one of my amateur bandages might re-start the
+bleeding, and that I should return to find only the lifeless body of my
+friend; ever the fear was present that in the terribly rough bed of the
+creek I might sprain my ankle, and so fail to bring help ere it was too
+late. At times, too, my overstrung nerves were jarred by some sudden
+sound in the undergrowth, or the stump of a tree on a hillside would
+startle me by so exact a likeness to a bear, sitting up watching me, as
+to suggest to my mind the probability of another bear finding and
+mauling Halley whilst he lay helpless and alone.
+
+But if my nerves were shaken, my muscles and wind were in good order,
+and not even the most morbid self-consciousness could find fault with
+the time spent on the journey. Luck favoured me, too, to this extent,
+that almost as I got on to the road, or, rather, track, about a mile
+from the inn, I met, driving a buggy, and bound for Los Angeles, a man
+whose acquaintance we had made a few days before, and who, with much
+lurid language, had warned us against going after bear.
+
+His remarks now were more forcible than soothing or complimentary when I
+explained the matter to him during the drive to the inn, where he
+dropped me, himself going on for the doctor as fast as two horses could
+travel.
+
+It did not take us long to improvise a stretcher, and, with the willing
+help of two men and of the landlady, in about three hours we had Halley
+in his room. But a hideous walk it was down the canon, every step we
+made wringing a groan from the poor fellow except when he fainted from
+pain.
+
+The doctor did not arrive till the following morning, by which time the
+wounds were in a dreadful condition, and it was touch and go for life,
+while the doctor at first had no hope of saving the arm. But youth, and
+time, and a strong constitution pulled him through, and in a couple of
+weeks he was strong enough to describe to me how he had fallen in with
+the bear.
+
+He had gone, it seemed, not to where I had seen the animal, but up a
+branch canon. At no great distance up he met the beast, making its way
+leisurely across the creek, and, in his excitement, he fired both
+barrels into the bear's shoulder; and then the same thing happened that
+had happened to me--those refilled cartridges had jammed, and there was
+nothing for it but to run for his life. Luckily he had badly lamed the
+animal, or his chance of escape would have been _nil_, and, as it was,
+in another two hundred yards the bear would have been into him.
+
+Some days after the accident, the first day that I could leave Halley's
+bedside, I went out to see if it was possible to get the skin of the
+bear, but I found it badly torn, maybe by coyotes, and all that could be
+got as trophies were his claws.
+
+There they are now, hanging over the pipe-rack by the fireplace in my
+snuggery in dear old England.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY
+
+_A Fourth-form Boy's Holiday Yarn_
+
+
+Last winter I had a stroke of real good luck. As a rule I'm not one of
+the lucky ones; but this time, for once, Fortune smiled on me--as old
+Crabtree says, when he twigs some slip in my exercise, but can't be
+quite sure that I had borrowed another fellow's, just to see how much
+better mine was than his!
+
+It was this way. It was a beastly wet afternoon, and the Head wouldn't
+give me leave to go to the village. But I was bound to go, for I wanted
+some wire to finish a cage I was making for my dormouse, who was running
+loose in my play-box and making everything in an awful mess. So I
+slipped out, and, of course, got soaked.
+
+I couldn't go and change when I came back with the wire, as Crabtree
+would then have twigged that I'd been out in the rain. So the end of it
+was that I caught a chill and had to go into the infirmary. I was
+awfully bad for a bit, and went off my head, I suppose--for the mater
+came and I didn't know her till I got better, and then she told me that
+the doctor had said I must go to Italy for the winter, as my lungs were
+very weak, and she was going with me, and we should be there till April
+or May.
+
+The Head told me he hoped I would take some books with me, and do a
+little reading when I was better. You bet I did! The mater packed them,
+but they weren't much, the worse for wear when I brought them back to
+St. Margaret's again.
+
+The Head also hoped I would use the opportunity to study Italian
+antiquities. I did take a look at some, but didn't think much of them.
+They took me at Rome to the Tarpeian Rock, but it wouldn't hurt a kid to
+be chucked down there, let alone a traitor; and the Coliseum wanted
+livening up with Buffalo Bill. The only antiquities I really cared for
+were the old corpses and bones of the Capucini, which everybody knows
+about, but has not had the luck to see as I did.
+
+But I had a walk round so as to be able to say I'd seen the other
+things, and brag about them when they turned up in Virgil or Livy, and
+set old Crabtree right when he came a cropper over them, presuming on
+our knowing less than he did. There was too much for a fellow to do for
+him to waste time over such rot as antiquities. You can always find as
+many antiquities as you want in Smith's Dictionary.
+
+Before I went I swapped my dormouse with Jones ma. for his revolver. I
+couldn't take the dormouse with me, and I knew you were bound to have a
+revolver when you risked your life among foreigners and brigands, which
+Italy is full of, as everybody knows. Where should I be if I fell in
+with a crew of them and hadn't a revolver? Besides, I was responsible
+for the mater.
+
+Jones ma.'s revolver wouldn't shoot, but it looked all right, and no
+brigand will wait to see if your revolver will go off when you present
+it at his head. All you have to do is to shout "Hands up!" and he either
+lets you take all the diamonds and things he has stolen from fools who
+hadn't revolvers, or runs away. I cut a slit in my trousers behind, and
+sewed in a pocket, and practised lugging the revolver out in a jiffy,
+and getting a bead on an imaginary brigand. I was pretty spry at it, and
+knew I should be all right. And it was just that revolver which saved
+me, as you will see.
+
+We travelled through Paris and a lot of other places, stopping at most
+of them, for I was still rather weak, and the mater was fussy about my
+overdoing it till we settled down at Sorrento. That's a place on the Bay
+of Naples, and just the loveliest bit of it--oranges everywhere. It's
+ten miles from Castellamare, the nearest railway-station, but the drive
+along the edge of the bay, on a road cut into the cliffs hundreds of
+feet up, makes you feel like heaven.
+
+Vesuvius is quite near too, only that was no good, for the mater
+wouldn't let me go there, which was a most aggravating shame, and a
+terrible waste of opportunity, which I told her she would regret ever
+after. The crater was as jolly as could be, making no end of a smoke,
+and pouring out lava like a regular old smelting-furnace; but she said
+she wasn't going to bring me out to Italy to cure a cold, only to have
+me burnt up like one of those Johnnies they show you at Pompeii who were
+caught years and years ago. As if I should have been such an ass as to
+get caught myself.
+
+What I was going to tell you about, however, was this. We had been at
+Sorrento six or seven weeks, and I'd got to know the places round that
+were worth seeing, and a lot of the people too, who jabbered at you
+thirteen to the dozen, and only laughed when you couldn't make out what
+they were saying. I'd picked up some of their words--enough to get what
+I wanted with, and that's the best way to learn a language; a jolly
+sight better than fagging along with a grammar and stupid exercises,
+which are only full of things no fellow wants.
+
+So the mater had got used to letting me go about alone, and one morning
+she found she wanted some things from Naples, and wasn't feeling up to
+the journey. She wondered at breakfast if she could dare to let me go
+for her. I didn't seem eager, for if they think you particularly want to
+do a thing, they are sure to try to stop you. So I sat quiet, though I
+could hardly swallow my coffee--I was so keen to go.
+
+However, she wanted the things badly, and at last she had to ask me if I
+would go for her. It's always so: it doesn't matter how badly _you_ want
+a thing, but when the mater or sister or aunt think they want some
+idiotic trash that everybody in his senses would rather be without,
+you've simply got to fetch it for them, or they'll die.
+
+She rather spoilt it by giving me half an hour's jawing as to what I was
+to do, to take care of this or that, and not to get lost or miss the
+train--you know how they go on and spoil a fellow's pleasure--as if I
+couldn't go to Naples and back without a woman having to tell me how to
+do it. I stood it all patiently though, for the sake of what was coming,
+and a high old time I had in Naples that day, I can tell you.
+
+I nearly missed my train back, catching it only by the skin of my teeth,
+and when I reached Castellamare I bargained with a driver-fellow to take
+me to Sorrento for seven francs. He could speak English a bit. The mater
+had told me the fare for a carriage and two mules would be eight or ten
+francs; but I soon let him see that I wasn't going to be put on like
+that, and as I was firm he had to come down to seven, and a _pourboire_,
+which is what we call a tip. So, ordering him to wake his mules up and
+drive quick, for the January afternoon was getting on, I settled down
+thoroughly to enjoy the ride home.
+
+I have already told you how the road follows the coast-line, high up the
+cliffs, so that you look down hundreds of feet, almost sheer on to the
+waves dashing against the rocks below. There's nothing but a low wall to
+prevent you pitching bang over and dashing yourself to bits, if you had
+an accident. There are two or three villages between Castellamare and
+Sorrento, and generally a lot of traffic; but, as it happened, we
+didn't pass or meet much that afternoon; I suppose because it was
+getting late.
+
+The driver was chattering like a magpie about the swell villas and
+places we could see here and there white against the dark trees, but I
+wasn't paying much attention, and at last he shut up.
+
+There's one bit of the road which always gave me the creeps, for it's
+where a man cut his son's throat and threw him over the cliff, two or
+three years ago, for the sake of his insurance money. I was thinking
+about this, and almost wishing some one was with me after all--for there
+wasn't a soul in sight--when my heart gave a jump as the driver
+suddenly, at this very bit, pulled up, and, turning round, said with a
+fiendish grin--
+
+"You pay me 'leven francs for ze drive, signor."
+
+"Eleven? No, seven. You said seven."
+
+"Signor meestakes. 'Leven francs, signor," and he opened the dirty
+fingers of his left hand twice, and held up a thumb that looked as if it
+hadn't been washed since he was born.
+
+"Seven," I firmly replied. "Not a centime more. Drive on!"
+
+"Ze signor will pay 'leven francs," he fiercely persisted, "seven for ze
+driver and four for ze cicerone, ze guide."
+
+"What guide? I've had no guide."
+
+"Me, signor. I am ze guide. 'Ave I not been telling of ze beautiful
+villas and ze countrie?"
+
+"You weren't asked to," I retorted. "Nobody wanted it."
+
+"Zat does not mattaire. Ze signor will pay for ze cicerone."
+
+"I'll see you hanged first."
+
+"Zen we shall see."
+
+He turned his mules to the side of the road next the precipice. I caught
+a glimpse of an ugly knife in the handkerchief round his waist. In a
+moment I had whipped out my revolver, and levelled it straight for his
+head. My word, how startled he was!
+
+"Now drive on," I said.
+
+He did, without a word, but turning as white as a sheet,--and made his
+old mules fly as if they'd got Vesuvius a foot behind them all the way.
+I kept my revolver ready till we came to Meta, after which there are
+plenty of houses.
+
+When we drew up at the hotel I gave him his seven francs, and told him
+to think himself lucky that I didn't hand him over to the police. He had
+partly recovered by then, and had the cheek to grin and say--
+
+"Ah, ze signor ees a genteelman,--he will give a poor Italiano a
+_pourboire_."
+
+But I didn't.
+
+I've often wondered since if he really meant to do for me. Anyhow, my
+revolver saved me, and was worth a dormouse.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE TAPU-TREE
+
+
+"The fish is just about cooked," announced Fred Elliot, peering into the
+big "billy" slung over their camp fire. "Now, if Dick would only hurry
+up with the water for the tea, I'd have supper ready in no time."
+
+"I wish supper were over and we well on our way to the surveyor's camp
+at the other side of the lake," was the impatient rejoinder of Hugh
+Jervois, Dick's big brother. "This place isn't healthy for us after what
+happened to-day." And he applied himself still more vigorously to his
+task of putting into marching order the tent and various other
+accessories of their holiday "camping out" beside a remote and rarely
+visited New Zealand lake.
+
+"But surely that Maori Johnny wouldn't dare to do any of us a mischief
+in cold blood?" cried Fred.
+
+"The police aren't exactly within coo-ee in these wilds, and you must
+remember that your Maori Johnny happens to be Horoeka the _tohunga_
+(tohunga = wizard priest), who has got the Aohanga Maoris at his beck
+and call. The surveyors say he is stirring up his tribe to make trouble
+over the survey of the Ngotu block, and they had some hair-raising
+stories to tell me of his superstitious cruelty. He is really
+half-crazed with fanaticism, they say, and if you bump up against any of
+his rotten notions, he'll stick at nothing in the way of vengeance. As
+you saw yourself, he'd have killed Dick this afternoon hadn't we two
+been there to chip in."
+
+"There's no doubt about that," allowed Fred. "It was no end unlucky that
+he should have caught Dick in the very act."
+
+"Oh, if I had only come in time to prevent the youngster hacking out his
+name on that tree of all trees in the bush," groaned Hugh. "The most
+tremendously _tapu_ (tapu = sacred) thing in all New Zealand, in the
+Aohanga Maoris' eyes!"
+
+"But how was Dick to know?" urged Fred. "It just looked like any other
+tree; and who was to guess the meaning of the rubbishy bits of sticks
+and stones lying at the bottom of it? Oh, it's just too beastly that for
+such a trifle we've got to skip out of this jolly place! And there are
+those monster trout in the bay below almost fighting to be first on
+one's hook! And there's----"
+
+"I say, what on earth _can_ be keeping Dick?" broke in Hugh with
+startling abruptness. "Suppose that Maori ruffian----" and a sudden fear
+sent him racing down the bush-covered slope with Fred Elliot at his
+heels.
+
+"Dick! Coo-ee! Dick!" Their voices woke echoes in the silent bush, but
+no answer came to them. And there was no Dick at the little spring
+trickling into the lake.
+
+But the boy's hat lay on the ground beside his upturned "billy," and
+the fern about the spring looked as if it had been much trampled upon.
+
+"There has been a struggle here," said Hugh Jervois, his face showing
+white beneath its tan. Stooping, he picked up a scrap of dyed flax and
+held it out to Fred Elliot.
+
+"It's a bit of the fringe of the mat Horoeka was wearing this
+afternoon," he said quietly. "The Maori must have stolen on Dick while
+he was filling his 'billy,' and carried him off. A thirteen-year-old boy
+would be a mere baby in the hands of that big, strong savage, and he
+could easily stifle his cries."
+
+"He would not dare to harm Dick!" cried Fred passionately.
+
+Dick's brother said nothing, but his eyes eagerly searched the trampled
+ground and the undergrowth about the spring.
+
+"Look! There is where the scoundrel has gone back into the bush with
+Dick," he cried. "The trail is distinct." And he dashed forward into the
+dense undergrowth, followed by Fred.
+
+The trail was of the shortest and landed them on a well-beaten Maori
+track leading up through the bush.
+
+The two young men, following this track at a run, found that it brought
+them, at the end of a mile or so, to the chief _kainga_, or village, of
+the Aohanga Maoris.
+
+"It looks as if we had run our fox to earth," cried Fred exultingly, as
+they made for the gateway of the high wooden stockade--relic of the old
+fighting days--which surrounded the _kainga_.
+
+The Maoris within the _kainga_ met them with sullen looks, for their
+soreness of feeling over the Government surveys now going on in their
+district had made them unfriendly to white faces. But it was impossible
+to doubt that they were speaking truth when, in answer to Hugh's anxious
+questioning, they declared that no _pakeha_ (white man) had been near
+the _kainga_, and that they had seen nothing of Horoeka, their
+_tohunga_, since noon that day. They suggested indifferently that the
+white boy must have lost himself in the bush, and, at the same time,
+gave a sullen refusal to assist in searching for him.
+
+Before the two young men wrathfully turned their backs on the _kainga_,
+Hugh, who had a very fair knowledge of the Maori tongue, warned the
+natives that the _pakeha_ law would punish them severely if they
+knowingly allowed his young brother to be harmed. But they only replied
+with insolent laughter.
+
+For the next two hours Hugh and Fred desperately scoured the bush,
+shouting aloud at intervals on the off-chance that Dick might hear and
+be able to send them some guiding cry in answer. But the only result of
+their labours was that they nearly got "bushed" themselves, and at last
+the fall of night made the absurdity of further search clear to them.
+
+Groping their way back to their broken-up camp, they lighted the lantern
+and got together a meal of sorts. But Hugh Jervois could not eat while
+racked by the horrible uncertainty of his brother's fate, and he waited
+impatiently for the moon to rise to let him renew his apparently
+hopeless quest.
+
+Then, while Fred Elliot was speeding on a seven miles' tramp round the
+shore of the lake to the surveyors' camp to invoke the aid of the only
+other white men in that remote part of the country, Hugh Jervois had
+made his way to the Maori _kainga_. "It's my best chance of finding
+Dick," he had said to Fred. "Horoeka is sure to have returned to the
+_kainga_ by this time, and, by cunning or by force, I'll get out of that
+crazy ruffian what he has done with my brother."
+
+Reconnoitring the _kainga_ in the light of the risen moon Hugh
+stealthily approached the palisade surrounding it. This was very old and
+broken in many places, and, peering through a hole in it, the young man
+saw a group of women and children lounging about the cooking-place in
+the centre of the _marae_ or open space around which the _whares_ (huts)
+were ranged. From the biggest of those _whares_ came the sound of men's
+voices, one at a time, in loud and eager talk. At once Hugh realised
+that a council was being held in the _whare-runanga_, the assembly-hall
+of the village, and he instinctively divined that the subjects under
+discussion were poor little Dick's "crime" and his punishment, past or
+to come.
+
+Noiselessly skirting the palisade, Hugh came to a gap big enough to let
+him squeeze through. Then he crept along between the palisade and the
+backs of the scattered _whares_--very cautiously, for he dreaded being
+seen by the group about the fire--until at last he stood behind the big
+_whare-runanga_. With his ear glued to its wall he listened to the
+excited speeches being delivered within, and to sounds indicating that
+drinking was also going on--whisky supplied from some illicit still,
+doubtless.
+
+To his unspeakable thankfulness the young man gathered from the chance
+remarks of one of the speakers that Dick, alive and uninjured, had been
+brought by Horoeka into the _kainga_ at nightfall, and was now shut up
+in one of the _whares_. But a fierce speech of Horoeka's presently told
+the painfully interested eavesdropper that nothing less than death,
+attended by heathenish and gruesome ceremonies, would expiate the boy's
+outrage on the _tapu_-tree, in the _tohunga's_ opinion.
+
+The other Maori speakers would evidently have been satisfied to seek
+satisfaction in the shape of a money-compensation from the offender's
+family, or the paternally minded New Zealand Government. But, half-mad
+though he was, Horoeka's influence with his fellow-tribesmen was very
+great. The rude eloquence with which he painted the terrible evils that
+would certainly fall on them and theirs if the violation of so mighty a
+_tapu_ was not avenged in blood, very soon had its effect on his
+superstitious hearers.
+
+When he went on to assure them that the _pakehas_ would be unable to
+prove that the boy had not lost himself and perished in the bush, they
+withdrew all opposition to Horoeka's bloodthirsty demands, though these
+were rather dictated by his own crack-brained fancy than by Maori custom
+and tradition. Presently, indeed, it became evident to Hugh that, what
+with drink and their _tohunga's_ wild oratory, the men were working
+themselves up into a fanatical frenzy that must speedily find vent in
+horrible action.
+
+If Dick's life were to be saved he must be rescued at once! No time now
+to await Fred Elliot's return with the surveyors and their men! Hugh
+must save his brother single-handed. But how was he to do it? For him,
+unarmed and unbacked by an authoritative show of numbers, to attempt an
+open rescue would merely mean, in the natives' present state of mind,
+the death of both brothers.
+
+"If the worst comes, I won't let Dick die alone," Hugh Jervois avowed.
+"But the worst shan't come. I must save Dick somehow."
+
+He cast desperate glances around. They showed him that the _marae_ was
+completely deserted now, the group about the cooking-place having
+retired into the _whares_ for the night. If he only knew which of those
+silent _whares_ held Dick, a rescue was possible. To blunder on the
+wrong _whare_ would only serve to arouse the _kainga_.
+
+"Oh, if I only knew which! If I only knew which!" Hugh groaned in agony
+of mind. "And any moment those fiends may come and drag him out to his
+death."
+
+Just then, as if in answer to his unspoken prayer, an unexpected sound
+arose. Poor little Dick, in sore straits, was striving to keep up his
+courage by whistling "Soldiers of Our Queen!"
+
+Hugh's heart leaped within him. The quavering boyish whistle came from
+the third _whare_ on his left, and, in an instant, he had reached the
+hut and was gently tapping on the door. Dick might not be alone, but
+that chance had to be risked, for time was very precious.
+
+"It's Hugh, Dick," he whispered.
+
+"Hugh! Oh, Hugh!" and in that choking cry Hugh could read the measure of
+his young brother's mental sufferings since he had last seen him.
+
+In a moment he had severed the flax fastening of the door, and burst in
+to find Dick, securely tied hand and foot to a post in the centre of the
+_whare_. Again Hugh's pocket-knife came into play, and Dick, freed of
+his bonds, fell, sobbing and crying, into his brother's arms.
+
+"Hush, Dick! No crying now!" whispered Hugh imperatively. "You've got to
+play the man a little longer yet. Follow me."
+
+And the youngster, making a brave effort, pulled himself together and
+noiselessly stole out of the _whare_ after his brother.
+
+But evil chance chose that moment for the breaking up of the excited
+council in the _whare-runanga_. Horoeka, stepping out into the _marae_
+to fetch his victim to the sacrifice, was just in time to see that
+victim disappearing round the corner of his prison-house. With a yell of
+rage and surprise he gave chase, his colleagues running and shouting at
+his heels.
+
+Hugh Jervois, hearing them coming, abandoned hope for one instant. The
+next, he took heart again, for there beside him was the hole in the
+palisade through which he had crept into the _kainga_ an hour before. In
+a twinkling he had pushed Dick through and followed himself. And as they
+crouched unseen outside, they heard the pursuit go wildly rushing past
+inside, heedless of the low gap in the stockade which had been the
+brothers' salvation.
+
+"They'll be out upon us in a moment," cried Hugh. "Run, Dick! Run!"
+
+Hand in hand they raced down the slope and plunged into the cover of the
+bush. Only just in time, however, for the next instant the moonlit slope
+beneath the _kainga_ was alive with Maoris--men, women, and
+children--shouting and rushing about in a state of tremendous
+excitement. It was for Dick alone they hunted, not knowing he had a
+companion, and they were evidently mystified by the boy's swift
+disappearance.
+
+Presently the brothers, lying low in a dense tangle of ferns and
+creepers, saw a number of the younger men, headed by Horoeka, streaming
+down the track leading to the lake. But after a little time they
+returned, somewhat sobered and crestfallen, and rejoined the others,
+who had meanwhile gone inside the _kainga_.
+
+Then, feeling sure that the coast was clear, the brothers ventured to
+steal cautiously out of earshot of the enemy and make their way down
+through the bush to the shores of the lake. There they were greeted with
+the welcome sound of oars, and, shooting swiftly towards them through
+the moonlit waters, they saw the surveyors' boat, with Fred Elliot and
+half a dozen others in her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"You see they are trying to carry off the thing just in the way I told
+you they'd do," said the head surveyor to Hugh Jervois after their
+denunciatory visit to the _kainga_ in the early morning. "Horoeka, the
+arch-offender, has disappeared into remoter wilds, and the others lay
+the blame of it all on Horoeka."
+
+"Yes," responded Hugh, "and even then the beggars have the impudence to
+swear, in the teeth of their talk last night in their _whare-runanga_,
+that Horoeka only meant to give the _pakeha_ boy a good fright because
+he had done a mischief to the very _tapu_-tree in which lives the spirit
+of the tribe's great ancestor."
+
+"Well," said the surveyor, "we've managed to give the tribe's young men
+and elders a good fright to-day, anyhow. My word! but their faces were a
+picture as we lovingly dwelt on the pains and penalties awaiting them
+for their share in their _tohunga's_ outrage on your brother. I'll tell
+you what it is, Jervois. Horoeka has to keep in hiding for his own
+sake, and these beggars will have their hands so full, with a nice
+little charge like this to meet, that they won't care to make trouble
+for us when we come to the survey of the Ngotu block."
+
+"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," laughed Hugh. "But, all the
+same, Dick may be excused for thinking that your unobstructed survey has
+been dearly bought with the most horrid experience he is likely ever to
+have in his life."
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SOME PANTHER STORIES
+
+
+The pages of literature devoted to sport and the hunting of wild game
+teem with stories and instances of occasions when the hunted, driven to
+desperation and enraged to ferocity by wounds, turns, and itself becomes
+the hunter and the avenger of its own hurts.
+
+Of all wild animals perhaps the most vindictive, the most cunning, and
+the most dangerous to hunt is the panther; indeed, nine out of ten who
+have had experience of shooting in all parts of the world will concede
+that the pursuit of these animals is really more fraught with danger and
+hazard than that of even the tiger, lion, and elephant; and the
+following is one of many instances, of yearly occurrence, of the man
+behind the rifle not having it all his own way when drawn in actual
+combat against the denizens of the jungles.
+
+It was drawing on towards the hot weather when my friend Blake, who had
+been very seedy, thought that I might try to get a few days' leave and
+join him in a small shooting expedition into the jungles of southern
+India, where he was sure he would recover his lost strength and
+vitality, and so face the coming hot weather with a fair amount of
+equanimity.
+
+The necessary leave being forthcoming, we consulted maps, arranged ways
+and means for a fortnight's camp--always a considerable thing in
+India--and, accompanied by two Sikhs and a Rajput orderly, with horses,
+guns, rifles, and dogs galore, after a day's journey in the train
+reached the place from whence the remainder of our journey was to be
+done by road.
+
+Our destination was a place called Bokeir, and constituted what is known
+in India as a _jargir_, that is a tract of land which, together with the
+rent roll and tribute of the villages therein comprised, is given to men
+whose services have deserved well of their State. Such are known as
+jargirdars, and enjoy almost sovereign state in their little domains,
+receiving absolutely feudal devotion from their tenantry and dependants.
+
+We pitched our camp in the midst of a magnificent grove of mango-trees,
+which at the time of the year were covered with the green fruit. I was
+told that before the famine of 1898-99 the grove comprised over two
+thousand trees; but at present there are about half that number.
+
+We then received and returned visits with the jargirdar, a Mahratta, and
+an exceedingly courteous and dignified man. We asked for and received
+permission to shoot in his country, and in addition everything possible
+was done for our comfort, supplies of every description being at once
+forthcoming. So tenacious were the people of the villages in their
+devotion to their chief that not a hand would have been raised to help
+us nor a blade of grass given without an order from the head of this
+tiny State.
+
+Then we commenced our jungle campaign. The footmarks of a tiger and
+tigress, of a very large panther, of bear, sambar, and blue bull
+abounded in a wooded valley some six miles from the camp. We tied up
+young buffalo-calves, to attract the large Felidae, and ultimately met
+with success, for one morning we were having breakfast early when in
+trotted one of our Sikhs who had gone before the peep of dawn to look at
+the "kills." He reported that one of the calves had been killed at five
+that morning; so, putting a hasty conclusion to our breakfast, we called
+for horses, saw to our rifles and cartridges, and rode away to the scene
+of the early morning tragedy.
+
+Arrived at a village called Sirpali, we left our horses and proceeded on
+foot up a lovely wooded valley filled with the bastard teak, the
+strong-smelling moha-tree (from which the bears of these parts receive
+their chief sustenance), the giant mango, pipal and banyan.
+
+The awesome silence of the dense forest reigned supreme in the noonday
+heat. The whispered consultations and the occasional footfall of some
+one of the party on a dry teak-leaf seemed to echo for miles and to
+break rudely the well-nigh appalling quiet of the jungle. Here and
+there, sometimes crossing our path, were the fresh footprints of deer
+and of antelope, of pig and the lordly sambar stag that had passed this
+way last night to drink at a time when the presence of man does not
+disturb the domain of the beasts of the forest. Here was a tree with
+deep, clean marks all the way up its trunk, from which the sap was still
+oozing, showing us that for some purpose a bear had climbed up it in the
+early morning, though why we could not tell, as there was neither fruit
+nor leaf on its bare branches.
+
+And then a turn in the path brought us to the kill, to the tragedy of a
+few hours ago. Surely this is the work of a tiger--the broken neck, the
+tail bitten off and flung aside, the hind-quarters partly consumed? No,
+for there are only the marks of a panther's pads and none of any tiger.
+They lead away into some dense jungle in front, and from here we decide
+to work.
+
+Leaving the beaters here, we went by a circuitous way until we arrived
+two or three hundred yards ahead of the direction the beat would take.
+Here we were nonplussed, for the jungle was so dense and the
+configuration of the ground such that there were many chances in favour
+of any animal that might be before the beat being able to make a very
+good bid for eluding the enemy.
+
+However, we came to a place which appeared as good as any, and, as both
+of us seemed to think that it would suit himself exceedingly well, we
+drew lots, and, contrary to my usual luck, I drew the longer of the two
+pieces of grass and decided to remain, while Blake took up his position
+about fifty yards to my left.
+
+When shooting in the jungle, it is the practice of most to shoot from a
+tree, not so much from a sense of added security--as both bears and
+panthers think little of running up a tree and mauling you there--but
+from the better field of view you get. Accordingly, as there was a small
+tree near, I ascended, and, because the footing was precarious and the
+position unfavourable for a good shot, I buckled myself to a bough by
+means of one of my stirrup-leathers. This is a device, by the way, which
+I can most thoroughly recommend to all, for it as often as not gives you
+free use of your arms, and even enables you to swing right round to
+score a shot at a running object.
+
+I had not long disposed myself thus, when the beat sprang into life with
+a suddenness and intensity which made me pretty sure that they had
+disturbed some animal. The shouting, cat-calling, and tom-tomming
+increased in violence, when all at once I heard a quick and rather
+hurried tread, tread, tread over the dry teak-leaves, and, looking that
+way, out of the dense jungle into the sunlit glade before me came a
+large panther.
+
+I put up my rifle. It saw me, and crouched head on in some long, dry
+grass. It was a difficult shot, but I hazarded it.
+
+The beast turned and went up the bank to my right. "Missed," thought I,
+and let it have my left barrel as it was moving past. "Missed again," I
+thought, and growled inwardly.
+
+I caught another glimpse of the brute as it went behind me, and to my
+relief a crimson patch had appeared on its right side. I howled to the
+beaters, who had now approached, to be careful, as a wounded panther was
+in front of them, and, Blake joining me, we made them all sit down to
+keep them out of harm's way.
+
+Accompanied by the two Sikhs, Blake and I began to stalk the wounded
+animal. Where had it gone? Into that dense bit of jungle in front,
+apparently. So we began to cast around among the leaves. They at first
+yielded no betraying footmarks, but at last a leaf was found with a
+large spot of frothy blood, showing the animal's injury to have been
+through the lungs.
+
+"Put a man up that tree," I said; "the animal is badly hit and cannot
+have gone far." But my advice was ignored.
+
+Then from a spot over which I had walked not a minute before there came
+a rush and a roar. Swinging round, I saw ten paces off Blake raise his
+rifle and fire two barrels, but, alas! apparently without result. Down
+he went before the savage rush of the beast, which began to worry him.
+
+Blake had fallen back on his elbows, and in the curve of his neck and
+right shoulder I could just see, though so near, the dark-spotted body
+of the panther. There was no time to lose. "Can I hit it without killing
+Blake?" I thought in an agony of uncertainty, but the hazard followed
+quick upon the thought, and bang, bang, went my two barrels. At the same
+time the Sikh dafadar, Gopal Singh, with all the characteristic bravery
+of this magnificent race, ran in and beat the animal about the head with
+the butt-end of Blake's shot-gun, which he was carrying at the time.
+
+All this was too much for the panther, who then left Blake and shambled
+away. I threw down my own rifle and ran to Blake's assistance, when the
+panther stopped and half turned towards us.
+
+"He's coming at me again," Blake cried, and covered his face with his
+hands. We were all unarmed; like a fool I had left my rifle ten paces
+behind me, the Sikh's shot-gun was smashed to splinters, and Blake's
+rifle had fallen nobody knew where during the _melee_. But, fortunately
+for us, and more especially for me, who was then nearest her, the
+panther seemed to think better of it, and tumbled off into the jungle,
+as far as I could see very badly knocked about.
+
+Then we attended to Blake's injuries, which consisted of a large piece
+torn from his left forearm, three great teeth-marks in his left thigh,
+and claw-marks all over his left calf. He was very brave, though
+bleeding a lot, and walked with our assistance towards the village until
+one of the orderlies galloped up with the "charpai," or native bed, I
+had sent for immediately the accident had occurred. Then on to camp,
+where I re-dressed his wounds, sprinkling them with boracic acid, which
+was, foolishly, all we had provided in the way of antiseptics.
+
+Then a "palki" or palankin arrived, lent by the jargirdar, who had also
+sent his ten private carriers, and, accompanied by the dafadar, we
+started for the railway, the nearest point of which was forty miles
+away, and reached it at five the next morning, having experienced
+thirteen hours of anxiety, dead weariness, exhausted palankin men, bad
+and in some places non-existent roads, and, to crown all, one river to
+ford.
+
+Blake has happily survived his injuries--always severe when inflicted by
+panthers, as these animals' teeth and claws, from their habit of killing
+their prey and leaving it exposed for a day to the Indian sun, seldom
+fails to induce blood-poisoning, which few, if any, have been known to
+survive.
+
+The panther was found next day, quite dead, with three bullet-wounds in
+her--one in the chest, one through the ribs, and one through the body
+from the front left ribs to the left haunch; and that she was able to do
+all the damage she did testifies to the proverbial tenacity of life and
+ferocity of these animals. The native of India will tell you, "The tiger
+is a janwar (animal), but the panther he is a shaitan (devil)."
+
+
+Mr. Dickson Price, who had a narrow escape from a panther in 1905, thus
+described the occurrence--
+
+Owing to the stricter preservation of the jungles round Marpha, beasts
+of prey appear to have greatly increased in number the last year or so.
+
+Last November a travelling pedlar was killed on a path close by; while
+this year more than twenty head of cattle have been killed by tigers
+and panthers at Marpha and near by. This is a very serious loss to the
+people, who depend entirely upon their cattle for ploughing, etc.
+
+On February 22, just after the mela, some villagers from Kareli--a
+village close to us--came to me asking me to shoot a tiger that had
+killed a fine plough-ox, and was causing great havoc.
+
+On arriving at the spot where the kill was, an examination of the marks
+on the bullock showed that it was a panther and not a tiger that had
+been at work. The place was in sight of the village and on the skirt of
+a forest. We had a "machan" (platform) in a tree made, and at three
+o'clock in the afternoon I climbed up with my native shikari or hunter
+and watched and waited until dark.
+
+About 8 p.m. it was pitch dark, and the animal could be heard munching
+beneath. I fired at a black object twice with no result, for we still
+heard the beast going on with his dinner. I found later I had fired at a
+bush, mistaking it for a panther in the darkness. The animal was either
+too hungry to notice the shot, or had mistaken the sound for thunder.
+Later on the moon rose, and at half-past three in the morning a third
+shot took effect, for the animal went off badly wounded. Some time
+before that a heavy thunderstorm had come on, but, sheltered beneath our
+rugs, we did not get really wet. We now slept, feeling our work was
+done. At sunrise the native hunter and I got down and examined the spot.
+
+While we were looking at the blood-marks a tremendous roar was heard
+close by, and my native shikari calling out, "Tiger! tiger! tiger!"
+bolted and ran off to the village as fast as his heels could carry him.
+I climbed back into the machan, to watch the development of events.
+After some time about sixteen villagers came out to help, and we slowly
+followed up the blood-trail.
+
+After piercing the thick jungle for about two hundred yards, at times
+having to creep under the brushwood, we came to a narrow nala, or
+shallow watercourse with sandy bed, and we found out the cause of the
+constant growling we had heard. A tiger also was tracking the panther,
+who every now and then stood at bay and attacked it. After some time the
+tiger, no doubt hearing us, turned aside. Suddenly I saw the wounded
+animal scaling a tall and almost branchless tree, which appeared as
+though it must have been at some time struck by lightning. The panther,
+no doubt, hoped to escape all its enemies in that way. It went to the
+tip-top, about forty feet or fifty feet from the ground.
+
+I fired, but the range was too long for my shot and ball gun. The firing
+frightened the panther, which fell in descending when some fifteen feet
+from the ground. We all tracked on, hoping to get a chance of a further
+shot.
+
+At last we came to a deep and thickly wooded nala, or watercourse, which
+curved like a horseshoe. The panther entered the watercourse at the
+centre and turned along the bed to the left. We turned to the right and
+skirted along the outside of the course, as it was not safe to go
+nearer. We all advanced until we nearly reached the right limit of the
+horseshoe bend, and then, leaving the trackers, I approached the
+watercourse, hearing the beast at the other end about two hundred yards
+away.
+
+After waiting about twenty minutes looking for a spot to cross the deep
+nala it appears that the wounded animal slowly and silently doubled back
+along the densely wooded watercourse and suddenly sprang out at me. I
+fired and stepped back, falling, as I did so, into the watercourse. The
+next thing I remember was the panther seizing me by the arm and pulling
+me down as I arose, and beginning to claw my head.
+
+Then I saw on top of the panther my little fox-terrier Toby, tearing
+hard at the neck of the beast. The panther then left mauling me to
+attack the dog. I somehow jumped up, leaped out of the watercourse, ran
+towards the villagers, and fell down. They placed me on a charpoi, or
+native bed, and carried me to my bungalow three miles away. Express
+messengers were at once despatched through the jungle and across the
+hills to Mandla, sixty miles away, for a doctor, who arrived on the
+fourth day after the accident.
+
+Meanwhile, all that could be done was done, and my wounds, of which
+there were fourteen, were dressed. Our good Dr. Hogan had me carried
+into Mandla, the journey taking two and a half days, and since then, I
+am glad to say, I have been making a wonderful recovery. It is a great
+mercy that my arm had not to be amputated, as I feared at first I should
+certainly lose it. But though it is still much swollen, and so stiff
+that I can only bend it a few inches, all is progressing well.
+
+My little dog escaped with a few scratches, having saved my life. The
+panther has either been eaten by the tiger, or has died of its wounds.
+The villagers were far too scared to follow it up after my fall. Its
+bones, if not devoured by tigers or porcupines, will most likely be
+found higher up the nala than where we last saw it.
+
+
+A Panther-hunt, which had a somewhat unexpected conclusion, is narrated
+by the Rev. T. Fuller Bryant:--
+
+At the outset I may explain that strictly it was not a panther that
+figures in this story, but that is the name--or more commonly
+"painter"--given to the puma, or cougar, of North America. At one time
+this animal was as common all the country over as the fox is in England
+at present, and even more so, but as the result of the increase and
+spread of population it is now found only in remote parts, and is
+becoming increasingly rare.
+
+Thirty years ago, however, when I resided in America, and when the
+incident happened which I am about to relate, there were considerable
+numbers to be found in parts of the Alleghany Mountains, and not
+infrequently an odd one would travel farther afield on a marauding
+expedition.
+
+At the time of which I write I was residing at Brookfield, about thirty
+miles north of Utica. It was near the end of October, when, according to
+custom, all were busy banking up the sides of their houses, and in other
+ways preparing for winter, when complaints began to be made by the
+farmers of depredations among their sheep, by, as was supposed, some dog
+or dogs unknown. Hardly a morning came but some farmer or other found
+his flock reduced in this way, until the whole neighbourhood was roused
+to excited indignation against the whole dog tribe. Suspicion fell in
+turn upon almost every poor cur of the neighbourhood, and many a poor
+canine innocent was done to death, some by drowning, others by poison,
+and more by shooting; until it seemed as if all the sheep and dogs of
+the countryside would be wiped out.
+
+What served only to deepen the mystery was the fact that here and there
+a calf was killed and partly eaten, indicating that if it were the work
+of a dog it must be one of unusual size, strength, and ferocity. So
+exasperated did the farmers become at length, that a meeting was held at
+Brookfield, at which it was resolved to offer a reward of two hundred
+dollars, "to any one killing the dog, _or other animal_, or giving such
+information as would lead to its discovery." The words "or other animal"
+had been inserted at the suggestion of a man who had heard unusual
+noises at night proceeding from the Oneida Swamp, a desolate, densely
+wooded tract of country, extending to within a mile or so of his
+dwelling. This circumstance had created in his mind the suspicion that
+the cause of all the trouble might not, after all, be a dog, but this he
+kept to himself.
+
+One morning my brother and I, with three others, started early for a
+day's shooting and hunting in some woods three or four miles north of
+the village; but having an engagement at home in the afternoon, I left
+the party soon after one o'clock. When within about two miles of the
+village I left the main road to take a short cut across the land of a
+man named John Vidler, an Englishman.
+
+During the early morning there had been a slight fall of snow, barely
+sufficient to cover the ground, but as it was so early in the season
+Vidler had not taken his few sheep into winter quarters. These I found
+apparently in a state of alarm, huddled together in a corner of a "lot"
+through which I had to pass.
+
+As I was about to climb the fence and leave the "lot," I observed blood
+on the ground, which probably would not have attracted my further
+attention but for recent events. On looking more closely, I could
+distinctly trace in the snow the footmarks of an animal resembling those
+of a dog, and which enabled me to follow the direction in which he had
+gone. It occurred to me at once that this was probably the work of the
+mysterious marauder. I knew of the reward of two hundred dollars, and
+my finances were not such as to render me indifferent to the chance of
+winning it, so, with the spirit of the hunter strong within me, I
+started off upon the trail, which quickly led me to the edge of the
+wood, where it disappeared.
+
+It was clear that the animal had entered the wood. I suddenly reflected
+upon the extraordinary size of the animal's foot, and when I coupled
+that fact with the words in the offer of reward--"or other animal"--it
+occurred to me that I might be hunting bigger and more formidable game
+than a dog.
+
+I confess to a strange feeling which made me pause. True, I had my
+trusty gun with me, and a good supply of ammunition, but after a moment
+or two of reflection I decided to suspend the pursuit and go and tell
+John Vidler, and seek to associate him with me in further proceedings.
+
+In this I had no difficulty, for though Vidler, whose farm and abode
+were remote and lonely, had heard only rumours of the events which had
+so stirred the surrounding neighbourhood, it was enough for him that he
+was now among the victims, so he quickly went to the stables, or "barn,"
+and brought out his old mare, and, throwing a buffalo skin, or "robe,"
+as such are called, across her back, he mounted, and away we went.
+
+I travelled afoot by his side. We picked up the trail where I had left
+it--at the edge of the wood; but here our difficulty began, it being
+broken and indistinct, owing to the leaves which the snow was not thick
+enough to cover.
+
+We proceeded with great caution, and the trees being fairly wide apart,
+and the brush not very thick, Vidler remained mounted, whilst I
+continued at his side. It was evident from the tremulous excitement and
+frequent sniffing of the mare that she was aware that something unusual
+was up, and from this we inferred the need of a keen look-out.
+
+We had thus proceeded some three hundred yards, when we suddenly came
+upon a dip in the ground. We each lifted our eyes from the land, which
+we had continued to closely scan for traces of the trail, when we were
+startled by a snarl, and just ahead, lying under the trunk of a big tree
+which had fallen across the dip, was a huge panther, apparently just
+awakened from its sleep by our approach. The brute was lashing its tail
+and quivering with rage, and was evidently preparing to spring upon us.
+
+Here, then, undoubtedly was the cause of all the recent trouble. For a
+moment the mare stood trembling with alarm, and the next she swung
+round, almost hurling Vidler from her back, and flew like the wind along
+the way by which we had come. Though it all took place in much less time
+than it takes to record, every detail is indelibly registered on my mind
+till this day.
+
+There was no time, even had I had the necessary self-possession, for me
+to take aim and fire, and had I done so it would almost certainly have
+increased the danger, for my gun was loaded only with a charge for a
+partridge or woodchuck.
+
+As the mare swung round away from me, I seized Vidler's foot, which was
+most fortunate both for him and myself, for it was my weight that
+prevented him from being thrown, and, holding on for dear life, I was
+dragged clear of danger. The suddenness of the movement jerked my gun
+from my grasp, and as Vidler possessed no weapon we were defenceless,
+and it would have been madness to think of returning for mine.
+
+It seemed but a moment before we reached the open "lot," where with
+difficulty we reined the mare in. After a brief deliberation we decided
+to make our way to the village and organise a hunting-party. We made our
+way to the store of Wack Stillman, a favourite rendezvous for the
+loafers and off-works. Here we found Orson Clark, one of the best
+hunters in all the countryside, with two others with a large strain of
+the swashbuckler in their characters, who were always ready for
+excitement and adventure.
+
+As we agreed to divide the reward should we win, and believing that we
+five were equal to it, we decided to keep the information and to confine
+operations to ourselves.
+
+It was not long before we were off, each of us now armed either with his
+own or a borrowed weapon. Reaching the wood, we agreed that, after we
+had indicated the direction of the trail, Orson Clark, as the most
+experienced, should lead the way, the rest of us following at his
+heels.
+
+As we approached the tree under which we had left the panther lying, the
+tension became so oppressive that each felt that he could hardly
+breathe, nor were we much relieved to find our quarry gone, as we could
+not tell at what step we might come across him. "Keep close, men,"
+whispered Orson, as we continued to creep on, each with his finger on
+the trigger of his gun.
+
+He had scarcely spoken the words when a most terrific roar, which seemed
+to come from the tree-tops near by, rent the air, and at the same time a
+shot rang out. As neither of our band had fired, we were puzzled to know
+what it all meant, when a shrill, boyish voice shouted, from a little
+distance ahead, "I've got him, father. He's dead!"
+
+Rushing to the spot whence the shout proceeded, we were astonished to
+find the thirteen-year-old son of Orson Clark standing, with an old
+blunderbuss in his hands, in a triumphant attitude by the panther, which
+lay as dead as a door-nail on the ground before him!
+
+"What on earth does this mean?" exclaimed his father, as he took in the
+scene.
+
+It transpired that when Orson went home to get his rifle he told his
+wife of the projected adventure, and the boy, who was in an adjoining
+room, overheard. The spirit of adventure inherited from his father was
+immediately aroused, and he determined to seek a share in the
+enterprise. Unobserved he took the old blunderbuss from its
+resting-place and slipped out of the house, but, fearing that his father
+might forbid should his intentions be known, he made his way to the
+wood, keeping the hunting-party within his view whilst concealing
+himself from theirs.
+
+Entering the wood, the daring youngster hunted on his own account.
+Keeping a little ahead and wide of the party, he came across the panther
+up in a tree. He had no difficulty in attracting its attention, and,
+after contemplating each other for some moments, the savage brute was
+about to spring upon the boy as it gave the tremendous roar referred to.
+At the same moment the boy fired, the charge landing full in the heart,
+and bringing the great beast tumbling dead at his feet.
+
+When the father realised the situation, his feelings may be imagined.
+His first look at the boy indicated vexation at his recklessness,
+followed by admiration at his pluck and thankfulness for his escape from
+almost certain death had the shot failed to reach a vital part. However,
+matters were soon arranged. A rail from a snake-fence was procured, the
+panther's legs were tied to it, and in this way he was borne to the
+village.
+
+The news quickly spread, and all the population, apparently, of the
+village assembled to see the sight and to hear the story. When the
+question came to be considered as to who was entitled to the reward of
+two hundred dollars, the verdict was unanimous that no one deserved it
+so much as Orson Clark's boy, and to him it was awarded.
+
+The skin of the panther was presented to the landlord of the hotel in
+the village. He had it stuffed and placed in a large room in his house.
+For all I know, it remains there till this day.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+A MIDNIGHT RIDE ON A CALIFORNIAN RANCHE
+
+
+It was in San Benito County, California, or, to be more explicit, in the
+Hernandez Valley, the nearest station to which is King City, "up
+country" from Los Angeles. My friend, Tom Bain, owned a cattle-ranche up
+there, right in the valley which lies between the hills forming the
+coastal range of California.
+
+It is high up, this beautiful valley. I arrived at King City over-night,
+and my old school pal, who had asked me to pay him a visit, met me at
+the Central Saloon early next morning--so early, that we had breakfasted
+and were off in a pair-horse buckboard by seven o'clock. And then we had
+a fourteen hours' drive, climbing, ever climbing, with a dip here and
+there as we negotiated the irregularities of the high country, the air
+becoming cooler and crisper every hour, and so clear that you could see
+for miles over the plains beneath.
+
+It is rather wonderful, this clearness of the atmosphere in Western
+America. In Arizona, I believe, the phenomenon is even more noticeable,
+at times. The trees stand out distinctly and almost individually on
+hills miles and miles away, and a camera speedily proves how really free
+is the atmosphere of all visionary obstruction. A photograph of a horse,
+a bullock, or of any such object out on the hills, will secure a
+reproduction of a background quite extraordinary in the extent and
+clearness of the picture.
+
+And it is a sweet, pure air to breathe--life-giving, and capable of
+making the heart glad for the very joy of things. Driving over these
+hills, although it took us from seven in the morning until nine o'clock
+at night to complete the journey, was anything but tiring to the human
+physique. Around and beyond, Nature spread herself in a delightful
+panorama of scenic beauty--
+
+
+     "And every living thing did joy in life,
+     And every thing of beauty did seem living."
+
+
+There were two or three other fellows on the ranche with my friend Bain.
+Fine, big fellows they were, too; loose-limbed and strong featured.
+Scarcely one of them was over five-and-twenty, yet you would have vowed
+that such development in face, feature, and limb could not have been
+attained before the age of thirty-five years. Silent, unassuming
+fellows, too, not welcoming me with a smile even, nor with the slightest
+demonstration of friendliness beyond a grip of the hand that made me
+begin to feel glad that I had brought my "Elliman's" with me.
+
+It is a peculiarity--at least, we think it a peculiarity--of the Western
+man, that he rarely smiles. Perhaps it would be fairer to say that he
+never smiles unless there is something very positive to smile at. He
+seems to have such large ideas concerning all things, and to suggest by
+his manner, especially when you are out on the plains with him, that he
+cares more for his cattle, and for his horse particularly, than he does
+for you. Yet no man is more ready with a helping hand--and a hand that
+is capable of doing most things a man's hand can do--than he; none more
+full of sympathy and sincere kindliness.
+
+But he is an undemonstrative being, this man of the West, and you take a
+long time to find out whether he likes you or not. If you are a
+"tenderfoot" you can't do better than hold your tongue about the wonders
+of Europe and its cities, about your own various exploits here and
+there. You will learn a lot by not talking, and if you don't mind
+soiling your hands a little, and keeping an eye lifted to discover the
+way in which things are done, you will get on very well on a Western
+cattle-ranche.
+
+There was another ranche not far away, owned by an old settler, who had
+his wife and daughter with him. These were the only women within our
+immediate ken. She was a real child of the West, this old settler's
+daughter, and as sweet and dainty as she was capable; about twenty years
+of age, I should think, and looked after as much by every man on my
+friend's ranche as she was by her own father. In fact, my friend Bain
+seemed to take more than a fatherly interest in her. She called him
+Tom, and he called her Edna, though in this particular respect Tom was
+not privileged more than any of the other fellows. But her eyes were
+always bright when Tom was near, and--but there, it was none of my
+business. Only, as I said before, I kept one eye lifted for most things.
+
+Very soon I began really to enjoy the life very much, for its own sake.
+There were many things lacking in the matter of house accommodation and
+comfort, compared with my English home; but it was jolly, real jolly. I
+never felt so well and strong in all my life as when I was galloping
+over those hills, on occasion of a general inspection of the ranche. And
+it was a lark, I tell you, rounding up the cattle.
+
+Of course, all the fellows on the ranche could ride like--well, they
+could ride anything. I got out of the road when there was any of the
+expert business on, such as "cutting out," and "corralling." But I began
+gradually to feel my way in accomplishing their many tricks of
+horsemanship, and I was able, in course of time, to take a small part in
+the work of the corral.
+
+I essayed to throw the lasso, or lariat, of course, as one of the very
+first experiences in ranche life. It is one of the many interesting
+things you must learn on a cattle-ranche--to use the lasso. Every man
+carries his rope on his saddle, as a necessary--in fact, there, _the_
+most necessary--part of his equipment. A ranchero would as soon think of
+riding off without his lasso as an English sportsman would think of
+going partridge-shooting without his gun.
+
+It looks so easy, throwing the lasso. You begin first on foot, and try
+to throw the rope over a post or something, not very far away. After
+many hours, at the end of which time you know what it is to have an
+arm-ache--it may be many days, even many weeks, before you are able to
+do it--you succeed in lassoing your object two or three times in
+succession. Ha! ha! You have conquered. You have discovered the knack at
+last. And you hastily mount your horse to see if you can manage the real
+thing.
+
+You throw aside your practice rope, unwind the lasso from the horn of
+the saddle, and essay a "mounted" throw. Your patient animal remains
+perfectly still and quiet. He seems to know you are a tenderfoot, and to
+feel quite sure what is going to happen. You whirl your lasso round your
+head, and aim it at the horns of a harmless steer in the corral some
+yards away. But you look in vain to see the rope curl round your
+particular objective. Instead, it flops over your horse's ears, or
+smacks you on the side of your own head. Oh, it was so easy on the
+ground, too, when you left off!
+
+And your horse is patient still. He even seems to be smiling quietly to
+himself. After many more attempts, and with an arm that acheth much, you
+succeed in affixing your rope round something, throwing from the saddle.
+At last you have managed it.
+
+Later on an opportunity occurs for the display of your prowess. You are
+in the corral with a bunch of moving beasts. You single out one as your
+particular victim. This time the beast is not standing still, and you
+throw your lasso, carefully watching the fall as it whirls through the
+air. Poor animal! Instead of roping it by the horns, you nearly jerk its
+tail off! There are very many accomplishments that seem easy in the
+hands of an expert and which prove most difficult to the uninitiated,
+but I think the throwing of the lasso can claim more mysteries than most
+others.
+
+When out on an inspection of the ranche, reckoning up the stock, and
+seeing that all are able to secure sufficient food, it frequently
+happens that some of the cattle will be missing. They get away into all
+sorts of places, some almost inaccessible among the hills, and if they
+are not found and brought back to the pastures within easy reach of the
+corral, they become wild, and then there is mischief to pay. They sneak
+down late at night or in the small hours of the morning to the corn and
+wheat fields, break the fences, and trample the crops in a way that
+spells disaster to many a settler.
+
+Some of the cattle belonging to my friend's ranche had gone astray in
+this way, and we were unable to locate them.
+
+I remember we were sitting in our adobe house one evening, three or four
+of us together. It was about seven o'clock, and we had been talking over
+matters in connection with the decision of the "boss" to drive a bunch
+of cattle down to King City, where they would be entrained for 'Frisco.
+The "boss" was up at the other ranche. He had gone to ask the old
+settler to give us a hand with the cattle next day at the rodeo, or
+"round-up."
+
+He hadn't offered to take me with him. I suppose that was Edna's fault.
+Anyhow, we had been sitting there discussing things, when we heard Bain
+coming in, after unsaddling his horse, in quite a noisy mood. He was
+muttering hard, and I wondered what Edna had been saying to him. But it
+wasn't Edna at all. He had come down from the other ranche, higher up
+the valley, and had passed the cornfields, in which he had noticed
+unusual movement. He had investigated, and had found that a bunch of
+wild cattle had broken down the fences, and were eating and trampling
+down the corn.
+
+A hasty consultation decided that we should make a midnight raid on the
+beasts, and take as many of them as we could capture down to King City
+with our own bunch. We had been feeling rather sleepy, but this news
+made us at once very much alive. However, we decided not to undertake
+the raid until the next night. The wild cattle would be gone with the
+morning light, but they would return at dark.
+
+We went to bed, which meant simply rolling ourselves up in our blankets
+on the floor. I lay awake for some time anticipating the excitement of
+the next evening. It is not all play, this raiding of wild cattle. It is
+a risky business, and you must have expert lassoers to lead the way, or
+there will be trouble.
+
+Next day we went up to the old settler's ranche, "Edna's house," as we
+called it, up the valley, and there we secured the help of some of our
+neighbour's men. We were there all the evening, waiting for the hour of
+midnight at which to sally forth. Edna had expressed a desire to come
+too! She was a fine horsewoman, and fearless, and she loved excitement
+of this sort. Tom promised to take care of her, so she was permitted to
+join our party. Lucky Tom!
+
+As the little clock on the settler's mantelpiece struck twelve, we
+saddled our horses and set off for the corn-brake. I was keen on seeing
+how these fellows were going to capture the wild cattle, but I was too
+inexperienced to take a very active part at the time.
+
+The corn-patch was right in the hollow of the valley, on a flat on the
+eastern bank of the dry bed of the river. We rode down together--never a
+word being spoken on the way--to where a group of oak-trees raised their
+stately heads, and there we held our final council of war. Bain, anxious
+to give a tenderfoot a chance of seeing as much of the proceedings as
+possible, directed me to get off my horse and climb the bank, from which
+I should obtain a view of the field and of the cattle as they were
+feeding. I was very quiet, for the beasts have ears rather sharper than
+anything. Tom had given me his directions in a whisper.
+
+So I climbed the bank and looked over the cornfield, and there in the
+centre I could see a small black mass of moving things, about three
+hundred yards away. I went quietly back to the river-bed, and found that
+most of the fellows had dismounted and were "cinching" up their saddles.
+
+A moment later I was told off with a vaquero (cowboy) to ride up the bed
+of a creek that ran at right-angles to the river and parallel with the
+cornfield. We were to try to "head" the cattle, and so prevent them from
+breaking out of the field, up the hillside, and getting away into the
+mountains again, where we should have had to leave them.
+
+The creek-bed was low, and afforded us good cover for three parts of the
+way. Then it shallowed, and we soon were able to see, from our horses,
+the cattle in the corn. We thought we had been very quiet indeed, but we
+noticed a hurried movement among the beasts, and with a cry "They're
+off!" my companion dug his spurs into his horse and was off like the
+wind himself. And I after him.
+
+We dashed into the corn, and raced like mad to head the stampeding
+beasts. It was the strangest sensation in the world, galloping in the
+moonlight through the waving corn, which was up to our horses'
+shoulders. It made me quite giddy for a second or two, but I galloped
+madly on after my companion, who, with his shrill cowboy yells, helped
+the roaring cattle to wake the midnight silences of the valley. I
+joined in the yelling, too, and, so soon as our voices were heard, there
+was a chorus in reply from where we had left the rest of our party.
+
+"We shall never head them," I cried.
+
+"Perhaps not, but we'll try," answered the vaquero, as we tore onward. I
+thought we had not the slightest hope of heading them. Up the hillside
+we tore to keep them on the flat ground, and at every leap over a rough
+incline I thought my horse would break his neck and mine too. But as
+surefooted as goats are those horses of the hills. At length, for some
+reason or other, the cattle wheeled and went back down towards the
+river, and we, of course, followed.
+
+Suddenly, two of them broke away to the right, and I after them. I
+thought I might be of some little use, even if I were not an expert
+lassoer. But those two wild cattle knew too much for me. They tore
+across a gully, dashed up the other side and away at full gallop into
+the hills. I let them go. If I had pursued them farther most probably I
+should not be writing this now. As it was, it was a marvel I had not
+broken my neck. Only my splendid horse had saved me.
+
+So I rode back to the oak-trees, and there--there was not a sign of
+life. All was as silent and still as if nothing had ever disturbed
+Nature's quiet. I remember how beautiful was the night. A half-moon
+shone out in a clear sky, like a semicircle of pure, bright silver, the
+tops of the mountains were silhouetted against the sky as if they were
+cut out of cardboard, and all was so calm just then. You don't get such
+lovely nights elsewhere. The moon has not the sterling brightness; the
+air not the clearness nor the stillness that it has there.
+
+Where were my companions? I did not know. My panting horse was glad to
+get breathing-space, so I sat there in the saddle, waiting. I pulled my
+coat around my shoulders, for the air was chilly. It was then about 2
+A.M.
+
+A sharp sound disturbed my reverie--the sound of a horse's hoofs
+galloping over the rocky river-bed. The rattle was so clear, so
+distinct, in that atmosphere and at that hour, that I could hear it long
+before my eyes could detect anything, even in that bright moonlight.
+Then, in a few moments, there approached a horse at full gallop, with
+his head low down and neck extended--at first apparently riderless, but
+as he came nearer I was startled to discover a black shape, hanging over
+the off-side, and, as the frightened steed tore past me, I saw it was a
+woman.
+
+It was Edna. Who else could it be? Her left foot, still in the stirrup,
+had come right over the saddle with her as she fell, and she was
+clinging desperately with her hands to the horse's long mane, but so low
+down that, at the pace, it seemed to be impossible for her to recover.
+
+Without a moment's thought of how I should save her, I galloped after
+her maddened steed as hard as I could go. I was on an English saddle and
+without a lasso--since to me such a thing would have been of little use
+on such a risky expedition as we had undertaken; but I urged my horse
+onwards and galloped him at his utmost in an endeavour to head the
+other, when perhaps I might be able to clutch a rein and stop the
+runaway. But Edna's horse was the fleetest of any on the ranche;
+moreover, her light weight was a comparative advantage, and so I gained
+not a whit on the horse with his imperilled burden. It was terrible. How
+long could the poor girl hang on like that? Not much longer, I was sure,
+yet prayed that she might have strength.
+
+Then, ahead of us, in the distant moonlight, I discerned other galloping
+figures. A horseman was pursuing at full speed along the bank a huge
+steer that bellowed as it endeavoured to secure a free run up into the
+hills, there to be safe from its mortal enemy. I yelled at the top of my
+voice, with all the breath I had left.
+
+Immediately the horseman pulled his horse back on its haunches and from
+the bank stared down at pursued and pursuer. In a twinkling he seemed to
+realise the situation, wheeled, and galloped down the bank at an angle
+calculated to make it easier for him to get within reach of Edna's
+horse. Then I saw it was Tom, and he must have guessed that it was Edna
+ahead of him, in a position of direst peril. How we had all become
+separated I could not guess, and there was no time to wonder now.
+
+I saw Tom gather his loop in his right hand, holding the coil in his
+left, and begin to swing the loop round his head. What! was he going to
+take such a risk? To lasso the horse and check it suddenly when at a mad
+gallop like that? Surely the animal would come to earth with a fearful
+crash, most probably on the side on which it was weighed down with its
+burden.
+
+Then I saw the rope whirl through the air, and though it could have been
+but a moment, it seemed to hang there for minutes without falling. This
+was the time for skill. If ever Tom should throw his lariat well, it
+must be now. With unerring aim the rope was cast, and the loop settled
+over the head of the runaway, though the maddened animal was galloping
+with neck stretched full length and head low down.
+
+Gradually the rope tightened round its shoulders, Tom galloping his own
+horse hard behind. By the most skilful manipulation of the lariat,
+Edna's horse was compelled to slacken its pace, Tom getting nearer and
+nearer by degrees and taking in the slack until he was right alongside.
+He soon brought the runaway to a stand-still, and directed me to release
+Edna's foot from the stirrup, which I did. She sank to the ground,
+completely exhausted. And little wonder. Her hands were cut and bleeding
+with the tenacious grip she had kept on the horse's mane, and it was
+some time before she recovered sufficient strength to move.
+
+As soon as she was able, she told us that she had become separated from
+the other riders when galloping through the cornbrake, and a wild steer
+had gored her horse in the side. This had so startled the animal that he
+reared, and then dashed off madly up the valley in the way I had seen
+her coming. She had fallen over, and as her foot had caught in the
+stirrup, she clutched her horse's long mane, and so saved herself from
+being dragged along the ground, and, probably, from a horrible death.
+
+We now were able to see that her horse had been badly ripped on the near
+side, and from loss of blood and as the result of his long, mad gallop,
+the poor animal was in a bad way. He was led back to the ranche and
+there cared for.
+
+It appeared that the others had galloped along on the other side of the
+field until they had found that the cattle had turned. Then they waited
+until they could get behind them, and, when this was managed, they
+secured half a dozen of them with their lariats.
+
+One man had let go his lasso. This sometimes happens. In cases of
+emergency a man has to let go his rope, and that is why the cowboys
+practise picking up things from the ground at full gallop. It is not
+done there for show; there is no gallery to play to. It is a necessary
+accomplishment. A man has lost his rope, the other end of it, perhaps,
+being round the horns of a steer. He gallops after it, as soon as he is
+clear of the bunch, and picks up the end at full speed. At the proper
+time he gives the lasso a turn round the horn of the saddle, pulls up
+his well-trained horse, and the steer is jerked to his feet. It is
+neatly done--and it takes doing.
+
+Next day the cattle were all in the corrals, and the wild ones were
+placed in the bunch to be travelled down to King City. But the newcomers
+were too unruly. They continually broke away _en route_, and gave so
+much trouble that before our destination was reached we shot every one
+of them.
+
+I left my friend's ranche shortly after this. I had had some experience
+that was worth winning, and I had gained a little knowledge of ranche
+life of the West.
+
+Lately I received a delicate little wedding-card, neatly inscribed, and
+figured with a design representing a coiled lariat. And from out of the
+coil there peeped the daintily written words--"Tom and Edna."
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+O'DONNELL'S REVENGE
+
+
+Engineer Trevannion was annoyed; for the Works Committee at Berthwer,
+who managed the affairs of the new wharf in course of construction
+there, had written to announce that they had appointed an assistant
+engineer, and had added an expression of opinion that "Mr. Garstin would
+prove of exceptional aid in the theoretical department, leaving Mr.
+Trevannion more time for the practical work in the execution of which he
+had given such satisfactory proof of his ability."
+
+Notwithstanding the sop to his feelings, Trevannion had grasped the
+significance of this communication, and resented it. He had been here,
+in sole charge, since the beginning; the chief engineer, who lived at
+the other end of the town, only came round once a fortnight, so
+trustworthy did he consider his subordinate. He had laboured at the
+detailed plans, wrestled with measurements to scale, until his eyes
+ached. He had stood about the works in all weathers, had exercised a
+personal supervision over the men, and had never made a slip in his
+weekly reports.
+
+To write the latter correctly, to keep the Committee informed of the
+amount of cement used, of fresh piles driven, of water pumped out, of
+concrete put in, to notify casualties, as they occurred, in a manner
+that might suggest the Committee's obligations under employers'
+liability, but did not harrow their feelings; to be at the works by nine
+o'clock every morning and not to leave till five; to be either in the
+iron shanty called the engineer's office, or supervising the making of
+concrete, or clambering about the massive beams and piles, or shouting
+through the telephone, or interviewing the ganger, or doing one of the
+hundred other things that were in the day's work; surely this was all
+that was required to be done, and he flattered himself that he had done
+it very well.
+
+And now the Works Committee were going to foist an assistant on him.
+Assistant! The very name was a slight upon his capabilities, a slur on
+his independence. Why had they treated him thus?
+
+He thought he knew the reason, ridiculous as it appeared to him. The new
+wharf, which was to increase the already considerable importance of
+Berthwer as a river port, had not proceeded very rapidly during the past
+few weeks. There had been difficulties--difficulties which Trevannion
+had attributed to unforeseen circumstances. It was possible that the
+Committee had attributed the difficulties to circumstances which ought
+to have been foreseen.
+
+Herein lay the gist of his resentment at the new appointment. The
+Committee, while recognising his diligence, energy, and pluck,
+considered that he lacked some of the finer qualities of insight that
+enable a man to forestall such difficulties and, when they occur, to
+meet them with as small an expenditure of capital and labour as
+possible. So they had appointed Garstin to help him; in other words, to
+supply the brain qualities which they imagined he lacked. It was unfair
+and humiliating.
+
+"Some puling theoretician!" he muttered to himself, as he walked to the
+works one winter morning. "Some dandy who can draw cubes and triangles
+and cannot do anything else except come here--late probably--in an
+overcoat and comforter. One of those sickly office-desk beggars who are
+ill half the time and useless the rest. Absolutely sickening!"
+
+He strode along in a temper with which the weather harmonised. It was
+gusty, bleak, and wet. Great pools of water lay on the rough roads in
+the poor quarter of the town through which lay his route. In order to
+reach the works, he had to cross the river by means of a ferry-boat.
+When he reached the landing-stage on this particular morning, he could
+see the boat moored against the opposite bank, but there was no ferryman
+in sight, and there was no response when he shouted.
+
+He shouted again and again. Then he turned up the collar of his
+jacket--he disdained a greatcoat--and pulled his cap over his eyes, and
+used strong language to relieve his feelings. He was still blaming the
+river, the ferryman, and anything else he could think of, when he
+became conscious of a light footfall, and, turning, saw a young man
+standing by his side.
+
+"I can't make the ferryman hear," he remarked in an aggrieved tone to
+the newcomer, as if the latter was in some way responsible for the fact.
+"It's an awful nuisance--I am already late. I've never known him play
+this trick before."
+
+"And I've been here ten minutes," was the answer. "The man has either
+gone away or gone to sleep. Hadn't we better get across some other way?
+There is a boat a few yards down. We might borrow it and scull ourselves
+across, that is, if you think----"
+
+"Good idea!" exclaimed Trevannion. Then he hesitated. "You--you are not
+going to the wharf, are you?" he asked.
+
+"Yes--for the first time in my life."
+
+"Is your name Garstin?"
+
+"That's it. Perhaps you can tell me----"
+
+"I'm Trevannion," briefly. "I didn't expect you quite so soon. Er--I'm
+glad to meet you."
+
+His eyes went to the heavy coat in which the lad--he was little
+more--was encased, to the fashionable bowler that contrasted with his
+own tweed cap, to the umbrella that protected the bowler from the
+dripping rain--ay, even to the comforter. It was as he had feared.
+Garstin was an office-desk weakling, and a mere boy into the bargain.
+The Works Committee had added insult to the injury they did him.
+
+"Oh, you're Mr. Trevannion," said the "insult," shyly holding out a
+gloved right hand. Trevannion took it limply and quickly let it drop.
+"Come on," he said. "We will get across first and talk afterwards."
+
+The gruffness of his tone did not tend to encourage expansiveness on the
+other's part, and little more was said whilst they unmoored the boat and
+rowed across, so the engineer had good opportunity for taking stock of
+his companion. The water was rough, and he judged from the clumsy way in
+which Garstin handled his oar and his apparent powerlessness to impart
+vigour to the stroke that muscular development had not formed part of
+his education. Trevannion stood six-foot-one in his stockings, and his
+frame was well knit with muscles that were supple as well as strong;
+naturally, he believed that physical fitness was essential to a good
+engineer, especially to an engineer in charge of a rather rough crew of
+workmen. He resolved by-and-by to recommend a course of Sandow to the
+new hand.
+
+"Mind how you get out," he said, when the boat bumped against the slimy
+ladder that did duty for a stairway. "The steps are greasy, and those
+togs of yours are hardly suited to this job."
+
+Garstin flushed but made no remark, and Trevannion flattered himself
+that the hint would not be wasted. He had already decided that the new
+engineer would have to be taught many things. This was Lesson No. 1.
+
+Hardly had they scrambled on to the wharf when Trevannion's ganger came
+up.
+
+"'Morning, sir. Can I speak to you a moment? There has been trouble
+between O'Donnell and Peters. O'Donnell was drunk--leastways so Peters
+says. Any'ow they got fighting and mauled each other pretty severe; in
+fact Peters is in hospital. Thought you'd better hear of it, sir."
+
+"Quite right," said Trevannion judicially. It was a common enough story
+on the wharf, and he had heard it before without paying much attention,
+but now--he glanced at the slight figure beside him, who evidently
+required as many object-lessons as could be given--and decided that here
+lay the opportunity for giving Lesson No. 2. "Pay O'Donnell and sack
+him," he commanded.
+
+"Very good, sir," said the ganger, moving away.
+
+"That's the way we have to treat our fellows here," said Trevannion.
+"Summary justice, you know. They're a rough lot. Now come and see the
+office and the plans."
+
+Whatever Garstin may have thought of these proceedings, he said nothing,
+but followed submissively along the wharf. Perhaps, without knowing the
+peculiar authority which had at the contractor's desire been vested in
+Trevannion, he wondered that any engineer should wield such powers.
+However, he had not much time for wondering, or indeed for anything
+except the task of keeping pace with his nimble, long-legged comrade. He
+kept stumbling over little heaps of granite and sand, over rails, along
+which the travelling cranes moved ponderously, over bits of tarpaulin
+and old iron instruments, over every object, in fact, that Trevannion
+avoided with such apparent ease.
+
+Garstin was rather a distressful youth by the time the shanty was
+reached, for the pace had been hot, and he had been impeded by the fatal
+greatcoat and muffler. After divesting himself of these he stood still
+and breathed hard in front of a cheerful coke fire, while Trevannion
+unrolled the plans and pinned them to the long, sloping desk occupying
+one side of the room.
+
+When all was ready the engineer began to explain the plans in detail,
+elaborating the explanation with simpler explanation, getting through
+the sections one by one with slow precision, repeating his elucidation
+of black lines, red lines, and green lines, of the length, breadth, and
+numbers of the piles, of the soil, subsoil, and sub-subsoil, that
+received them; all this in the manner of one who is instructing a child
+in the rudiments of engineering science, for he had made up his mind
+that Garstin would want a lot of instructing.
+
+Garstin seemed a patient listener, and Trevannion had almost begun to
+enjoy himself, when the former suddenly laid his finger on a certain
+spot and asked a question connected with water-pressure and the strength
+of resisting force. Trevannion was surprised into returning what he
+thought was the correct answer. He was still more surprised when the
+other proceeded to prove by figures that that answer was incontestably
+incorrect.
+
+This was the beginning. Garstin quickly found more questions to put on
+other points, more criticisms of Trevannion's replies. The latter at
+first made desperate efforts to crush him by assuming the calm
+superiority of the older hand. But with Garstin's logic it was useless
+to be calm. It was worse than useless to try to be superior. The
+intruder stuck to his guns with respectful pertinacity. Perhaps the fire
+had warmed his brain into unwonted activity; Trevannion found himself
+wondering whether this was so, or whether it was a normal state--the
+last thought was horrible!
+
+At any rate, there was no doubt that within these four stuffy walls
+Garstin was in his element. Trevannion clearly was not. In half an hour
+his treasured theories had been picked to pieces and his stock of
+argument was exhausted, whilst his rival appeared as fresh as the
+woodwork.
+
+But the climax was reached when Section D came up for discussion. Things
+had not gone well with Section D in practice. Trevannion incautiously
+admitted as much when he said that Section D represented a point on the
+wharf where the river persistently--more persistently than at other
+points--forced its way into the cavity intended for good concrete.
+Garstin promptly demonstrated the probable reason why. This was too
+much. Trevannion shut up the demonstration by opening the door.
+
+"Phew!" he said. "Let's go out and get a little fresh air. We'll have a
+look at the section itself."
+
+He stepped out, followed by the other--meekly.
+
+It was still raining. Under the leaden sky the works looked more dismal
+than ever. Lakes of water lay where there had been pools; rails and
+machinery glistened as if they had been carefully oiled. A thick
+light-brown river raced past. The echoing wind and the hoarse murmur of
+the gang at work on Section D mingled with the groaning and clattering
+of the cranes. Garstin missed the warmth of the fire and shivered; he
+had forgotten his overcoat; and he experienced only the mildest
+curiosity in the surroundings. Trevannion walked rapidly and in silence.
+He was thinking mainly of how he could get his own back from this
+usurper.
+
+They came to the edge of Section D. Below them yawned a huge pit with
+uneven walls sheer from top to bottom. Fronting them, on the river side,
+solid piles went down into an abyss that ended in black water; these
+were a barrier--a support to the wedge of earth that the mighty river
+pressed against their backs. From the land side to the tops of the piles
+stretched transverse beams, two and three yards apart; more beams lower
+down, constituting stays against the piles buckling; the whole a giant
+scaffolding embedded in the bowels of the earth. A few rough blocks of
+concrete peeped from the water below. Fountains spurted from between the
+piles and splashed into the basin.
+
+Trevannion looked at the fountains and frowned. There would be work for
+the pumps very shortly; there was always too much work for the pumps in
+Section D, and so too little time and opportunity for more progressive
+labour. Then, disregarding the obviously slippery state of the
+transverse beams, he stepped on to one of them, and stood poised for a
+moment over sixty feet of hungry voidness.
+
+"Come over to the other side," he said to Garstin. "You cannot see what
+is going on below from where you are. Why, what----?"
+
+Garstin, after placing one foot on the beam, had drawn back, a leaden
+pallor showing unmistakably under his skin.
+
+Trevannion stared at him. The laugh, the jeer, that had risen in his
+heart at this sudden failure of nerve never found expression. There was
+something in the young fellow's face that spoke of more than a qualm of
+nervousness. It was a pitiful terror that met Trevannion's eyes--the
+pleading terror of a dumb, helpless animal before a human tormentor.
+
+For a moment the engineer stood irresolute. Two men, engaged in mixing
+cement a few yards distant, had laid down their spades, and, having
+heard Trevannion's invitation to cross the beam, were looking at "the
+new bloke" in mild wonder as to why he hesitated. A third was slowly
+trundling a wheelbarrow full of sand towards them. Trevannion took in
+these details in a flash--and realised their significance. Here was an
+easy chance of shaming Garstin before the gang, of convicting him of
+rank and unprofessional cowardice, of getting his own back again from
+the office-desk theoretician, yet--an uncontrollable impulse of
+generosity prevented his seizing it. He stepped on to the bank and stood
+beside the fear-struck figure.
+
+"You _must_ come on," he said in a whisper that was little more than a
+breath. "Pull yourself together. I'll hold you."
+
+An instant later, and for an instant only, the two stood together on the
+narrow beam, Garstin a shrinking form, his every limb shaken by
+something more potent than the gusty wind, his face turned anywhere but
+downwards. Trevannion did not hold him, but his hand rested reassuringly
+on the other's quivering arm. For an instant only, and then Garstin was
+pushed on to the firm bank again and hurried towards the office.
+
+Trevannion talked jerkily as soon as they were out of earshot of the
+gang. "Sudden attack of funk--rather a bogie place on a slippery
+day--might happen to anybody--get used to it--dance a jig on top of the
+king pile one day, and wonder how you could ever have been such a----"
+
+"Coward," finished Garstin quietly.
+
+"No-o, that's not exactly the word," said Trevannion lamely, and waited
+for explanation or extenuation.
+
+But none came. It was as if the boy was quite aware of the cowardice,
+and did not wish his companion to consider it anything else.
+Trevannion's mind marvelled at the seeming abasement.
+
+A few days later Trevannion reported progress to his wife anent the new
+assistant, whom for some strange reason he had grown positively to like.
+
+"Wonderfully brainy chap, Garstin. He has helped me no end with Section
+D--you know, where we have had all the trouble. With luck we shall have
+it finished in a week or two. At the same time"--with conviction--"he
+will never make a practical engineer. Wouldn't be any good in an
+emergency. No nerve--no nerve at all. Seems to go to bits directly he
+gets outside the office. Can't even look down into the section without
+holding on to something. If a crane starts anywhere near, it makes him
+jump, and as to being any good with the gang, why, he daren't speak to
+one of them. Only this afternoon, when O'Donnell came and blustered----"
+
+"O'Donnell?" said his wife.
+
+"Yes--a man I sacked for being drunk and fighting. He came to the office
+this afternoon and asked to be taken on again. He said he could get no
+other job, and his wife and children were starving. I told him that the
+regulations would not admit of his re-employment; besides, I had
+reported him as dismissed and filled up the vacancy. Then he started
+cursing and threatening that he would do for the wharf and for me too,
+unless I relented. Of course I didn't relent. I turned him out--he was
+half-drunk. And there--what do you think?--there was Garstin with his
+hands covering his face, shivering and shaking as if he had seen a
+ghost.
+
+"'I am sure that fellow means mischief, Mr. Trevannion,' he muttered.
+'I'm sure he does--I read it in his eyes. Hadn't you better take him
+back--just for the sake of his wife?'
+
+"Of course I couldn't--wouldn't. But Garstin's a brainy beggar--oh,
+wonderfully brainy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+There came a certain Friday evening when the two men sat late in their
+office, compiling the weekly report. Trevannion was in high good-humour;
+for had not their joint efforts, as he liked to call Garstin's useful
+suggestions, proved successful in ousting the river finally from Section
+D? and was not that troublesome part of the wharf ready for good
+concrete as soon as it could be made? He had to record this gratifying
+intelligence for the Committee's benefit, and he did it with a relish.
+
+"Nothing to fear now for the old section," he remarked cheerfully.
+
+"Nothing but the unexpected collapse of a pile," said Garstin.
+
+"Oh, that's impossible."
+
+"It's improbable."
+
+The report was finished and placed in its long envelope, and they
+prepared to go home. Trevannion began to busy himself with a heavy oil
+lantern. "I am going to have a look at the section on the way," he said;
+"just to see that the river has not come over the top," he added
+jestingly. "It's a whim of mine. But don't come if you'd rather not. I
+can join you at the steps."
+
+"Oh, I'll come," said Garstin--without enthusiasm.
+
+The pair stepped out into the night, Trevannion locking the door behind
+him. It was pitch-dark on the wharf. They could feel the presence of,
+rather than see, the river that flowed silently in front of them, and
+they could roughly locate the far bank by the myriads of starry lights
+that showed Berthwer town beyond. A single red lamp glowed dully far to
+the west; it belonged to a steamer that they had seen come to her
+moorings in the afternoon. There were no other vessels showing lights.
+The rest was black with a blackness sentient of vague forms--an
+impenetrable wall of darkness that seemed to stand between them and the
+outer world.
+
+Picking their way carefully between debris and other impedimenta, they
+made their way towards the section, and had covered half the distance
+when Garstin stopped. "Don't you hear something?" he asked. "I am almost
+sure I was not mistaken. It was like the sound of blows. There cannot be
+anybody there now, can there?"
+
+Trevannion halted and listened.
+
+"I don't hear anything," he said presently. "Besides, who could be on
+the wharf now? You know the regulations, and the watchman is there to
+enforce them."
+
+"I think--the noise has stopped."
+
+Trevannion flashed the lantern on him suspiciously. "Nerves again" had
+come into his mind. However, he said nothing, but resumed his march,
+swinging his lantern this way and that, so as to gain a larger
+circumference of light. But suddenly he again stopped, as an unexpected
+sound fell on his ears.
+
+"By jove--water!" he exclaimed, and broke into a run.
+
+Garstin followed as fast as he could, but, deprived of the light, he
+quickly came to grief over some old metal. When he picked himself up,
+the other was yards ahead, and after that he had to content himself with
+keeping the lantern in view.
+
+The engineer reached Section D and stopped breathless on the brink. He
+had forgotten Garstin--had forgotten everything save that water was
+again forcing its way into the unhappy section. But how and where?
+Anxiously examining the opposite side with his lantern, he soon
+discovered what the matter was, and the discovery caused him a thrill of
+amazed horror. The "improbable thing" had happened. One of the piles was
+buckling--bending inwards--and the earth dam was surely, if slowly,
+giving way at this point. He turned to shout to Garstin.
+
+Then something hit him on the shoulder and he fell backwards into
+Section D, wildly and vainly clutching at a beam to save himself.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Trevannion! Trevannion!"
+
+The voice of Garstin, office-desk theoretician,
+assistant-engineer--Trevannion was clear about that. What he did not
+realise so clearly was what had happened to himself. He was lying face
+downwards on something, with his arm under his breast--his left arm,
+that is--his right seemed to have disappeared. Likewise, though he was
+conscious of a weight hanging downwards from his middle, he wondered
+vaguely what had become of his legs. He felt a curious disinclination to
+stir.
+
+Yet the voice went on calling, and presently he was impelled to answer
+"Hello, Garstin." Then, while he was still listening to the unfamiliar
+echo of his own voice, he heard just behind him a _splash, splash,
+splash_, and his left arm jerked itself spasmodically from beneath his
+breast, the hand simultaneously touching a substance that was hard,
+cold, and slimy.
+
+Then he realised.
+
+He was somewhere near the bottom of Section D. His body lay across one
+of the lowest beams; his legs dangled in the water. Garstin was
+somewhere above him, and the river was pouring steadily into the
+section, splashing now with monotonous regularity. And the water was
+rising--creeping up towards the level of the beam where he lay.
+
+Trevannion tried to raise himself by his right arm, but the limb gave
+way with an agonising shoot of pain; it was broken. He remained still
+and considered. Was the broken arm the extent of his injuries? The cold
+water had numbed his legs beyond all feeling. They were so much dead
+weight attached to his body. Both might be fractured for all he knew.
+
+The main fact was that he was incapable of moving, of helping himself,
+at any rate until assistance came. And the water was rising, of course.
+Would rescue or the water arrive first?
+
+He looked up painfully through the clammy gloom. Nothing save patches of
+sky, seen between the black beams, greeted his eyes. There was no sound
+save that of the water--_splash, splash, drip, drip_. For an instant the
+fear of death conquered him, and he almost shrieked.
+
+However, as physical exhaustion renewed its hold upon him, he grew
+calmer. He began to recall what had happened. He had fallen into the
+section--no--he had been pushed in. There flashed upon him the vision of
+a sullen, black-haired labourer, whom he had refused to reinstate; this
+act was O'Donnell's revenge.
+
+What had happened after that? The man would scarcely have had time to
+make his escape before Garstin came up. Well, it did not matter--he had
+heard Garstin's voice since in proof that he had survived any possible
+encounter. And the absence of Garstin, the oppressive silence now?
+Garstin had gone for help, of course. A boy like that could do nothing
+by himself even if he had the nerve; and Garstin had none. However, he
+would not be long in finding the watchman, and bringing him to the
+rescue. They ought to be here now. They certainly ought to be here now.
+
+Nervously anxious, he listened for any sound of footfall or voice. Did
+Garstin realise the danger of the black water that was rising, ever
+rising? Had he by any evil chance failed to find the watchman at his
+post?
+
+A smooth wave flowed slowly over the beam, and he shuddered.
+
+Suddenly--after hours, as it seemed--something flickered on the surface
+of the water in front of him. A shadowy white gleam it was. It danced
+before his eyes like a mocking spirit--and was gone. But shortly it
+reappeared, and with it a lantern and a rope, with somebody clinging to
+the end of the rope. Trevannion had just time to recognise the figure of
+Garstin, swaying slowly above him, before he lost consciousness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Garstin got him out, of course. But it was many days before Trevannion
+learned the details of the rescue.
+
+It appeared that Garstin had arrived just in time to witness O'Donnell's
+treacherous attack, and to confront the infuriated man as he turned to
+retreat. In a blind frenzy the boy sprang at his enemy, and the latter,
+taken by surprise, went down with a crash, striking his head on a heap
+of stones, and lay senseless.
+
+Thereupon Garstin, with the one idea of rescuing Trevannion in his mind,
+hurried off to the watchman's hut--only to find that the fellow had left
+his post. However, he discovered there a lantern and a coil of rope,
+and, taking these, he returned to Section D, resolved to attempt the
+rescue by himself. Having shouted and received a reply, he hitched one
+end of the rope to a beam, and was about to lower himself down, when he
+discovered that the rope was so badly frayed in its centre that it could
+not be trusted to bear even his slight weight.
+
+There was nothing to be done save to postpone the attempt till he had
+found a more substantial cable. He remembered that there was a length or
+two in the office, and thither he set out at once. The door being locked
+and Trevannion having the key is his pocket, he had to force the lock as
+best he could with the first implement he could lay hands on.
+
+This occupied several minutes, and when he returned to the section, he
+was tormented by the fear that he might find Trevannion drowned. He
+hastily affixed the new rope, and let himself down into the abyss, where
+he discovered Trevannion insensible, with his forehead almost touching
+the water.
+
+It did not take long to make a noose and slip it over the latter's
+shoulders, but he had hardly done so when a gush of water swept over the
+beam, carrying away the lantern and plunging them into total darkness.
+For some subsequent seconds the boy clutched the rope and Trevannion's
+lifeless body in an agony of terror and doubt.
+
+Then he started to climb up. The process proved exceedingly laborious,
+for the hemp was thin and damp, and it was difficult to obtain a grip.
+However, he managed to reach the summit and clambered over the brink,
+then paused awhile for some little breath and strength before essaying
+the hardest task of all--the hauling of Trevannion into safety.
+
+How his puny strength enabled him to do this, he never could say. His
+foothold was none too secure, and the only available leverage was a
+narrow piece of masonry that jutted from the side. Yet, working inch by
+inch, he accomplished it, and when Trevannion had been brought
+sufficiently near the top, he made the rope fast to a convenient block
+of granite, and, kneeling down, regardless of his own peril, lifted him
+over the side. It was quite ten minutes before he could stagger with his
+burden to the office.
+
+Safely inside, he made up the fire and telephoned for the doctor. Then
+he remembered O'Donnell, and spoke a message to the police-station,
+whence were presently despatched a couple of constables who found the
+man, stunned and considerably bruised. Neither did he forget Section
+D--with the result that there was a breakdown gang on the spot before
+midnight.
+
+The buckled pile was found to have been nearly chopped through a few
+feet from the top, and there was no doubt that if O'Donnell had been
+undisturbed, he would have done the most serious mischief to the work.
+As it was, the completion of the section was delayed for two months.
+
+Trevannion heard this story during his convalescence--a lengthy period,
+since two ribs were broken as well as the arm, and he had suffered
+severely from shock and exposure. In answer to a question Garstin said
+that at the time he had scarcely noticed the physical strain. The thing
+that was uppermost in his mind was the fear that Trevannion might drown
+before he could get to him. No, he had experienced no personal sensation
+of nervousness, when preparing to descend into the section. Whereupon
+Trevannion thought deeply.
+
+"I owe my life to your pluck, and I was a fool to faint at the critical
+moment," was all he said.
+
+But, as has been remarked, his thoughts were many and profound. Nor was
+he ever again heard to reflect on Garstin's "want of nerve."
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+MY ADVENTURE WITH A LION
+
+
+I once served an apprenticeship on a New York newspaper, and some of my
+experiences as a reporter on the _Evening Smile_ I shall never forget.
+
+A reporter on an American newspaper is like a soldier--he is expected to
+obey orders implicitly, even at the risk of his life. For this reason he
+is paid well, but a nervous reporter often goes out of the office with
+his heart in his mouth and an "assignment" that makes him think
+seriously of taking out another insurance policy on his life.
+
+One gloomy winter's morning I got down to the office at eight o'clock as
+usual, and had hardly reached my desk when the news editor--a kind man,
+who was always giving me opportunities of distinguishing myself--came up
+and began to speak at once in a very mysterious voice.
+
+"Got a dandy assignment for you this morning," he said.
+
+I looked up gratefully.
+
+"I guess you carry a six-shooter, don't you?" he asked. "You may need it
+this trip."
+
+"Oh!" I managed to gasp.
+
+"A lion's escaped," he went on, in the quick, nervous American way of
+an American news editor.
+
+"Has it really?" I said, wondering what was coming next.
+
+"Jaffray's Circus came to town last night, the lion somehow got out, and
+they've been chasing it all night. Got it cornered in a stable at last,
+somewhere in East 19th Street; but it attacked and mauled a valuable
+horse there, and I understand is still at bay. That's all I know. Get up
+there as quick as you like, and get us a regular blazing story of it.
+You can run to a column," he added over his shoulder, as he returned to
+his desk to distribute the other morning assignments, "and let's have
+your copy down by messenger in time for the first edition."
+
+No one ever disputed with the news editor, or asked unnecessary
+questions, but many a reporter did a lot of steady thinking when he got
+outside the office and safely on to the doorstep.
+
+I crammed my pocket full of paper from the big heap at the middle table,
+and swaggered out of the room with my nose in the air, as though hunting
+escaped lions was a little matter I attended to every day of my life,
+and that did not disturb me an atom.
+
+An overhead train soon rattled me up to East 19th Street, but it was
+some time before I found the stable where the lion awaited me, for 19th
+Street runs from Broadway down to the East River, and is a mile or two
+in length, and full of stables. Not far from the corner of Irving
+Place, however, I got on to the scent of my quarry, and I had hardly
+joined the group that had collected at the corner before a noise like
+distant thunder rose on the air, and every single person in the group
+turned tail and began to run for safety.
+
+"What's the trouble?" I asked of a man as he dashed past me.
+
+"Lion in that stable!" he shouted, pointing to the big wooden doors
+across the road. "Escaped from the circus. Savage as they make 'em.
+Killed a trotting-horse in there, and no one can get near it. They say
+it's a man-eater, too!"
+
+Another roar burst out as he spoke, and the crowd that had begun to
+collect again scattered in an instant in all directions. There was no
+doubt about that sound: it was a genuine lion's roar, and it sounded
+deeper, I thought, than any roar I had ever heard before.
+
+But news was news, and in this case news was bread-and-butter. I must
+get the facts, and be quick about it, too, for my copy had to be written
+out and in the office of the _Evening Smile_ in time for the first
+edition. There was barely an hour in which to do the whole business.
+
+I forced my way through the crowd now gathering again on the corner, and
+made my way across the road to where a group of men was standing not far
+from the stable doors. They moved about a bit when the roars came, but
+none of them ran, and I noticed some of them had pistols in their hands,
+and some heavy crowbars, and other weapons. Evidently, I judged, they
+were men connected with the circus, and I joined the group and
+explained my mission.
+
+"Well, that's right enough," said one of them. "You've got a grand
+newspaper story this time. Old Yellow Hair's in there, sure pop! And,
+what's more, I don't see how we're ever going to get him out again."
+
+"The horse must be stiff by now," said another. "He was mauled half to
+death an hour ago."
+
+"It'd be a shame to have to shoot him," added a third, meaning the lion.
+"He's the best animal in the whole circus; but he is awful savage."
+
+"That's a fact," chimed in a fourth. "There's no flies on old Yellow
+Hair."
+
+Some one touched me on the arm and introduced himself as a reporter from
+the _Evening Grin_--a fellow-worker in distress. He said he didn't like
+the job at all. He wanted us to go off and concoct a "fake story." But I
+wouldn't agree to this, and it fell through; for unless all the evening
+papers conspire to write the same story there's always trouble at the
+office when the reporters get back.
+
+Other reporters kept joining the group, and in twenty minutes from the
+time of my arrival on the scene there must have been a good dozen of us.
+Every paper in town was represented. It was a first-class news story,
+and the men who were paid by space were already working hard to improve
+its value by getting new details, such as the animal's history and
+pedigree, names of previous victims, human or otherwise, the
+description and family history of its favourite keeper, and every other
+imaginable detail under the sun.
+
+"There's an empty loft above the stable," said one of the circus men,
+pointing to a smaller door on the storey above; and before ten minutes
+had passed some one arrived with a ladder, and the string of unwilling
+reporters was soon seen climbing up the rungs and disappearing like rats
+into a hole through the door of the loft. We drew lots for places, and I
+came fifth.
+
+Before going up, however, I had got a messenger-boy stationed in the
+street below to catch my "copy" and hurry off with it to the _Evening
+Smile_ as soon as I could compose the wonderful story and throw it down
+to him. The reporter on an evening paper in New York has to write his
+"stuff," as we called it, in wonderful and terrible places, and under
+all sorts of conditions. The only rules he must bear in mind are: Get
+the news, and get it _quick_. Accuracy is a mere detail for later
+editions--or not at all.
+
+The loft was dark and small, and we only just managed to squeeze in. It
+smelt pleasantly of hay. But there was another odour besides, that no
+one understood at first, and that was decidedly unpleasant. Overhead
+were thick rafters. I think every one of us noticed these before he
+noticed anything else, for the instant the roar of that lion sounded up
+through the boards under our feet the reporters scattered like chaff
+before the wind, and scuttled up into those rafters with a speed, and
+dust, and clatter I have never seen equalled. It was like sparrows
+flying from the sudden onslaught of a cat.
+
+Fat men, lean men, long men, short men--I never saw such a collection of
+news-gatherers; smart men from the big papers, shabby fellows from the
+gutter press, hats flying, papers fluttering; and in less than a second
+after the roar was heard there was not a solitary figure to be seen on
+the floor. Every single man had gone aloft.
+
+We all came down again when the roar ceased, and with subsequent roars
+we got a little more accustomed to the shaking of the boards under our
+feet. But the first time at such close quarters, with only a shaky
+wooden roof between us and "old Yellow Hair," was no joke, and we all
+behaved naturally and without pose or affectation, and ran for safety,
+or rather climbed for it.
+
+There was a trap-door in the floor through which, I suppose, the hay was
+passed down to the horses under normal circumstances. One by one we
+crawled on all-fours to this trap-door and peered through. The scene
+below I can see to this day. As soon as one's eyes got a little
+accustomed to the gloom the outline of the stalls became first visible.
+Then a human figure seated on the top of an old refrigerator, with a
+pistol in one hand, pointed at a corner opposite, came into view. Then
+another man, seated astride the division between the stalls, could be
+seen. And last, but not least, I saw the dark mass on the floor in the
+far corner, where the dead horse lay mangled and the monster of a lion
+sprawled across his carcass, with great paws outstretched, and shining
+eyes.
+
+From time to time the man on the ice-box fired his pistol, and every
+time he did this the lion roared, and the reporters flew and climbed
+aloft. The trap-door was never occupied a single second after the roar
+began, and as the number of persons in the loft increased and the thin
+wooden floor began to bend and shake, a number of these adventurous
+news-gatherers remained aloft and never put foot to ground. Braver
+reporters threw their copy out of the door to the messenger-boys below,
+and every time this feat was accomplished the crowd, safely watching on
+the corners opposite, cheered and clapped their hands. A steady stream
+of writing dropped from that loft-door and poured all the morning into
+the offices of the evening newspapers; while the morning-newspaper men
+sat quietly and looked on, knowing that they could write up their own
+account later from the reports in the evening sheets.
+
+The men in the stable below, occupying positions of great peril, were,
+of course, connected with the travelling circus. We shouted down
+questions to them, but more often got a pistol-shot instead of a voice
+by way of reply. Where all those bullets went to was a matter for
+anxious speculation amongst us, and the roaring of the lion combined
+with the reports of the six-shooter to keep us fairly dancing on that
+wooden floor as if we were practising a cake-walk.
+
+A sound of cheering from the crowd outside, swelling momentarily as the
+neighbourhood awoke to the situation, brought us with a rush to the top
+of the ladder.
+
+"It's the strong man!" cried several voices. "The strong man of the
+circus. He'll fix up the lion quick enough. Give him a chance!"
+
+A huge man, who, rightly enough, proved to be the performing strong man
+of the circus, was seen making his way through the crowd, asking
+questions as he went. A pathway opened up for him as if by magic, and,
+carrying a mighty iron crowbar, he reached the foot of the ladder and
+began to climb up.
+
+Thrilled by the sight of this monster with the determined-looking jaw, a
+dozen men rushed forward to hold the bottom of the ladder while he
+ascended; but when he was about half-way up, the lion was inconsiderate
+enough to give forth a most terrifying roar, with the immediate result
+that the men holding the ladder turned tail with one accord and fled.
+The ladder slipped a few inches, and the ascending Samson, crowbar and
+all, very neatly came to the ground with a crash. Fortunately, however,
+he just managed to grab the ledge of the door, and a dozen reporters
+seized him by the shoulders and dragged him, safe, but a trifle
+undignified, into the loft.
+
+Talking very loud, and referring to the lion with a richness of epithets
+I have never heard equalled before or since, he crossed the floor and
+began to squeeze through the hole into the dangerous region below. In a
+moment he was hanging with legs dangling, and a second later had
+dropped heavily into a pile of hay underneath him. We lowered the
+crowbar to him, breathless with admiration; and then a strange thing
+happened. For, while the lion roared and the pistols banged, and we
+reporters tumbled over each other to get a glimpse of the attack of the
+lion on the strong man, or _vice versa_, lo! a voice below shouted to
+close the trap, and the same instant a board from below shot across the
+opening and completely obliterated our view.
+
+"We'll have to fake that part of the fight," said a reporter. "Must all
+agree on the same yarn."
+
+The sounds from below prevented the details being agreed upon just at
+that moment, for such a hoolabaloo as we then heard is simply
+indescribable--shooting, lion roaring, strong man shouting, crowbar
+clanging, and the sound of breaking wood and heavy bodies falling.
+
+Outside the crowd heard it too, and remained absolutely silent. Most of
+them, indeed, had vanished! Every minute they expected to see the doors
+burst open and the enraged animal rush out with the strong man between
+his jaws, and their silence was accordingly explained by their absence.
+
+At least half of the reporters were still among the rafters when the
+trap-door shot back in the floor, and a voice cried breathlessly that
+the strong man had caged the lion.
+
+It was, indeed, a thrilling moment. We clambered down the ladder and out
+into the street just in time to see the great doors open and a
+procession emerge that was worth all the travelling circuses in the
+world put together to see.
+
+First came the trainer, with a pistol in either hand. Following him was
+the man with the small crowbar who had sat on the division between the
+stalls. Then came a great iron cage, which had been in the stable all
+the time, but a little out of our line of vision in a dark corner, so
+that no one had observed it.
+
+In this cage lay the huge exhausted lion, panting, on its side, with
+lather dripping from its great jaws.
+
+And on the top of the cage, seated tailor-wise, dressed in a very loud
+check ulster, and wearing a bell-shaped opera-hat on the side of his
+head, was the proud figure of the victorious strong man. The expression
+on his face was worth painting, but it is wholly beyond me to describe
+it. Such exultation and glorious pride was worthy of the mightiest
+gladiator that ever fought in an arena.
+
+His long curly hair, shining with oil, escaped in disorder from his
+marvellously shaped top hat, and the massive crowbar that had brought
+him his hard-won victory stood upright on one end, grasped in his
+gigantic hand. He smiled round on the gathering crowd, and the
+procession moved proudly up the streets till within half an hour the
+people following and cheering must have numbered many thousands.
+
+We reporters rushed off to our various offices, and the streets were
+soon afterwards lively with newspaper-boys shouting the news and waving
+sheets of terrible and alarming headlines about the "escaped lion and
+its fearful ravages," and the "strong man who had captured it after a
+ghastly battle for his life."
+
+Next day the morning papers did not publish a solitary line about the
+great event; but in the advertising columns of every newspaper appeared
+the prospectus of the travelling circus just come to town, and in
+particularly bold type the public were told to be sure and see Yellow
+Hair, the savage man-eating lion, that had escaped the day before and
+killed a valuable horse in a private stable where it had been chased by
+the terrified keepers; and, in the paragraph below, the details followed
+of the wonderful strong man, Samson, who had caught and caged the lion
+single-handed, armed only with a crowbar.
+
+It was the best advertisement a circus ever had; and most of it was not
+paid for!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Guess you knew it was all a fake?" queried the news editor next
+morning, as he gave me the usual assignment.
+
+It was my first week on an American paper, and I stared at him, waiting
+for the rest.
+
+"That lion hasn't a tooth in its head. They dragged in a dead horse in
+the night. You wrote a good story, though. Cleaned your pistol yet?"
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+THE SECRET CAVE OF HYDAS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.--THE FIGHT AND THEFT IN THE MUSEUM
+
+
+A tall, muscular, black-bearded, dark-eyed, beak-nosed native strolled
+into the Lahore Museum, in the Punjab; he carried a massive
+five-foot-long stick with a crook handle, and studded with short
+brass-headed nails from handle to ferrule. He sauntered about until he
+came to a case containing ancient daggers and swords, which arrested his
+attention for some time.
+
+About a dozen other visitors were in the room, and of these a couple
+strolled together from one object of interest to another; they were fine
+stalwart natives, and each possessed a stick of ordinary size.
+
+These two men quietly walked about exchanging opinions on the various
+curios until they came face to face with the solitary man gazing at the
+antique weapons.
+
+"What! art thou here, thou badmash (scoundrel)?" exclaimed one of the
+two.
+
+"Ah, thou son of a swine, take that!" replied the tall man, and, with a
+quickness which proved him to be an expert in the handling of a stick,
+struck the native who had addressed him a vicious blow on the head, but,
+the said head being protected by many folds of his puggari, the stroke
+merely knocked him down without doing any serious injury.
+
+In an instant the fallen man's friend struck at the assailant, and, the
+other man springing up, a fierce fight was quickly in full swing, two
+against one, and the noise of the sticks rattling together in powerful
+strokes, and the insulting taunts thrown at each other by the
+combatants, soon attracted the other sight-seers and the Museum
+attendants.
+
+In a few minutes the fighters had been turned out of the building; they
+had done no damage except to themselves, and neither party would bring a
+charge against the other, so they scowlingly went in opposite directions
+as soon as they were outside.
+
+"A family feud," said a bystander.
+
+"Yes, I expect it is a vendetta," responded another.
+
+These remarks, however, were very far from the truth, for the apparent
+enemies were the greatest friends and bound together by the most solemn
+vows, and in fact the realistic fight had been pre-arranged with a
+definite object, which was successfully attained, as indeed the Museum
+officials discovered later.
+
+The day after the fracas Doctor Mullen, Government geologist, called at
+the Museum; he was accompanied by his son Mark, a sturdily built lad of
+about eighteen, who was preparing to follow his father's profession, and
+with them was Tom Ellison, the Doctor's assistant, a young man of
+twenty-four, tall and extremely active.
+
+"Well, Ramji Daji, what's this I hear about a robbery at the Museum
+yesterday?" asked the doctor of the assistant curator.
+
+"Ah, Sahib, I am very sorry, but the badmashes stole those pieces of
+strangely carved stones you found on the Salt Range mountains, and also
+another piece, which was lying near them on the table here," answered
+Ramji Daji.
+
+"But what in the world did they carry them off for? They can be of no
+value to anybody," remarked the Doctor.
+
+"I don't know, Sahib. There was a fight here yesterday, and some hours
+after we missed the five fragments of inscribed stone and one piece
+belonging to another set. Had they taken any of the gold or silver
+things we could have understood, but----" and Ramji Daji made a gesture
+expressive of the puzzled state of his own mind.
+
+"There can be only two reasons for the strange theft--it is either a
+practical joke, or some one saw the stones who was able to decipher
+them--which we could not--but the joke theory seems the more probable,"
+said the Doctor.
+
+The pieces of stone referred to consisted of five irregular fragments of
+a slab, an inch or so thick, the largest being about seven inches long
+by four or five wide, and the smallest some four inches by two. These
+five parts would not fit evenly together, and in the Doctor's opinion
+they formed about half of the original slab.
+
+The Doctor had taken a careful rubbing on paper of the letters on the
+stones, and sent it to a friend for the purpose of deciphering it if
+possible.
+
+"I wonder, Doctor, whether any one from the Salt Range stole the stones?
+Do you remember that your tent was surreptitiously searched a few nights
+after you had found the pieces?" remarked Tom Ellison.
+
+"I remember my things having been ransacked, and we concluded some thief
+had been disturbed, but we never for a moment thought they were after
+the bits of inscribed slab, which, by the way, I had sent off the day
+before when sending for stores for the camp," he replied.
+
+"Well, if he was after the stones he may have followed us to Lahore and
+you to the Museum, when you came to take a rubbing of the lettering,"
+said Tom.
+
+"There must be a clue to something written on them, if any one took all
+the trouble to come so far for them," suggested Mark Mullen.
+
+"To-morrow I hope to hear from Professor Muirson, and he will probably
+throw some light on the meaning of the inscription," said the Doctor.
+"But come, we must get back to work, for I have to finish my report
+before we start into camp again in a couple of days' time," he added,
+and they hurried away to their own office, but at least Mark's mind was
+full of thoughts concerning the stolen stones, and conjuring up all
+sorts of strange mysteries connected with them.
+
+Doctor Mullen duly received from the Professor the expected letter, a
+part of which read as follows--
+
+"There can be no doubt that the ruins in which you found the fragments
+of inscribed slab are those of a Greek settlement which was most
+probably founded on the Salt Range by camp followers, and possibly
+soldiers, of Alexander the Great's army who were left behind on his
+return from India.
+
+"I can only conclude from the rubbing you have sent me that it is not
+from the original inspection, but that the slab of which you have found
+parts was inscribed from memory at a much later period, it being made up
+of three languages. The original sense may or may not have been
+retained, and as far as I am able to understand it the incomplete
+wording would in English read--' ... into thy charge ... guarded ...
+descendants with life ... of Hydas ... sacrifice ... the gods.'
+
+"I have made no attempt to guess at the missing words, for, as you will
+see at a glance, the incomplete sentences allow of a variety of
+renderings, thereby causing great uncertainty with regard to the
+original meaning."
+
+"I wish we had the other parts of the slab," exclaimed Mark, as soon as
+his father had read out the letter.
+
+"Yes, it is rather interesting. Well, we start to-morrow for the Salt
+Range to continue our work, and I will show you the exact spot where I
+found the pieces, and a diligent search there may be rewarded by the
+discovery of at least some of the other portion," said the Doctor; and
+both Mark and Tom Ellison hoped such might prove to be the case, little
+thinking what dangers they would be led into on account of those
+fragments of an old, broken slab.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.--MARK MULLEN DISAPPEARS
+
+
+"Now then, Mark, down you come," said Tom Ellison, as he shook the lad,
+who had lowered the upper sleeping-berth in the train and gone to sleep.
+
+"What time is it? Where are we?" Mark asked drowsily.
+
+"Near midnight, and we are at Gunjyal," answered Tom.
+
+"What a beastly hour to turn out!" grumbled Mark as he scrambled down.
+
+In half an hour the servants and a camel--which had been waiting--had
+started for the Doctor's destination, a place on the Salt Range some
+twelve miles away.
+
+At daybreak three horses arrived, and the Doctor and his two companions
+started for their camp.
+
+After breakfast the Doctor took his son and Tom Ellison, accompanied by
+a servant, to a small valley about a quarter of a mile from the camp.
+
+"Here you are," said the Doctor; "this is the exact spot where I found
+the pieces of slab."
+
+"Then I should say the rest can't be far away," remarked Tom, and they
+commenced poking around with the ends of iron-shod sticks. They had been
+twenty minutes at their task when a boy in charge of some goats planted
+himself on a rock not far away and keenly watched the Sahibs at work.
+
+"Don't you think it would be a good plan, Doctor, if we got a few
+coolies to loosen the subsoil and turn over some of these loose stones
+about here?--it would be easier for us to search," suggested Tom.
+
+"Yes, we may as well make a thorough search now we are at it," replied
+the Doctor, who at once sent the servant to the village near the camp
+for some coolies and tools.
+
+The boy had disappeared before the coolies arrived, for he had received
+a signal from a man who was secretly watching the search-party from the
+top of a cliff some seventy yards away.
+
+The natives had not been long at work when one of them slipped, and his
+puggari pitched off exactly on to the spot where the next coolie had
+turned over a stone. The man picked up his puggari and moved a few yards
+off to wind it round his head again, and almost immediately the goat-boy
+appeared and asked him if he had seen a stray goat.
+
+Tom Ellison happened to be standing up examining a strange fossil he had
+found, and as he casually glanced at the boy he saw the coolie hand him
+something, which he promptly hid in the folds of a kind of scarf hanging
+over his shoulder.
+
+In a moment a suspicion flashed into Tom's mind, and he rushed forward
+and seized the boy before he could make off, and no sooner had he felt
+the lad's kupra (cloth) than he discovered that the youngster had hidden
+a newly found piece of the slab which had been picked up by the coolie.
+
+The Doctor and Mark were at once by Tom's side examining the fragment
+and listening to Tom's explanation. In their excitement they forgot
+about the boy, and when they looked round became aware that both he and
+the coolie had disappeared.
+
+The sides of the hills all about were covered with low shrubs, large
+stones, and nullahs, or ravines, and, although a quick search was made,
+neither man nor boy could be seen.
+
+When the day was over they had met with no further success as regards
+finding parts of the slab, but they took away several other stones which
+they thought might possibly prove to be of some interest, and most of
+the evening after dinner was spent in discussing the reason which
+prompted the theft from the Museum, and the attempt to steal the stone
+found during the day.
+
+"There can be no doubt I was seen examining the fragments I found," said
+the Doctor. "I remember now that three or four natives were watching me
+trying to place the several pieces together in my attempts to get an
+idea of the whole. Strange that these natives should take so keen an
+interest in an old, broken slab, for the pieces must have been lying
+there for years."
+
+"I expect we shall have to keep a sharp eye on this piece, for they are
+sure to have a try for it, judging by what they have already done," said
+Tom.
+
+"They seem to have a sharp eye on us. I shouldn't be surprised if they
+thought we came here purposely to hunt for the stones," said Mark.
+
+"Well, I will take a copy of the letters on it at once, in case anything
+happens to the stone," said the Doctor.
+
+Next day an official letter arrived which necessitated either the Doctor
+or Tom returning to Lahore for a few hours, and it was decided the
+letter should go.
+
+"Now listen," said the Doctor as Tom was about to start on his journey.
+"Take the stone to the Museum and tell them to place it where they can
+watch any one who takes any peculiar interest in it. Further, get a
+description of those men who were fighting there on the day the stones
+were stolen; and don't forget to post my letter to the Professor, for it
+contains a rubbing from the last piece."
+
+With these parting instructions Tom started on his ride to Gunjyal
+station so as to arrive there before dark, there being practically no
+road from the foot of the Salt Range across the miles of dismal tract of
+sandy plain to the station, although his train did not leave until
+midnight; but it was the only train in the twenty-four hours.
+
+Tom was half-asleep when he got into the train; he had the compartment
+to himself, and he thought it likely he would remain alone until he
+arrived at Lala Musa, about eight o'clock, where he would have to change
+to get on to the main line, so he quickly spread his bedding, and,
+drawing the green-baize shade over the lamp, he was soon asleep.
+
+He could not say where it happened, but when he roused up the train was
+in motion and he was just conscious he was not alone; but the instant he
+attempted to move, a rug was thrown over his face, and he knew he was
+being held down by at least two powerful assailants. In a very short
+time, notwithstanding his fierce struggles, he was bound hand and foot,
+a gag in his mouth, and blindfolded, without having the slightest idea
+of the appearance of those who had attacked him.
+
+Whilst Tom was in this condition the train stopped several times, but no
+one entered the compartment, and, as the Venetian shutters were down, it
+was impossible for any one to peer through the window and so become
+aware of his position.
+
+He tried to knock his feet against the side of the carriage at the first
+station, but he was bound too securely to the seat which formed his bed
+to allow of the slightest movement, so wearily and painfully the hours
+dragged on until the guard discovered him and set him free at Lala Musa
+station.
+
+The moment he was released he found that the only thing missing was the
+fragment of slab he was to have taken to the Museum.
+
+"They followed me to Gunjyal and then slipped into my carriage at some
+station whilst I was asleep, and quietly slipped out at the next station
+when they had got what they wanted," mused Tom.
+
+By the time he had given an account of what had happened to him he had
+only a few minutes in which to rush over to the refreshment-room and get
+some breakfast before his train was due.
+
+When Tom arrived in Lahore he went straight to his office, and in a
+couple of hours he had completed the special work which had necessitated
+his journey; then he went over to the Museum.
+
+"The thief has been caught, Sahib," said one of the attendants as Tom
+entered the building.
+
+"When? Who is he?" asked Tom, in considerable surprise, for he had
+concluded that his late assailants were the men who had robbed the
+Museum.
+
+"They caught him during last night, but I don't know much about it yet,"
+replied the man.
+
+Tom at once hurried off to the police-station to learn full particulars.
+
+"Yes, we found a piece of stone with some strange device on it," said
+the Superintendent of Police. "This is it. Do you recognise it?" he
+added, as he handed Tom the stone.
+
+"No, this is not the one the Doctor found," said Tom, after a moment's
+examination.
+
+"Well, it is the only bit we got, and we are told it was stolen from
+the Museum with some others, during a fight," said the officer.
+
+"How did you get this?" asked Tom.
+
+"Well, in rather a strange way. The night after the stones had
+disappeared three clever burglaries took place in Lahore, and the
+thieves made valuable hauls in each case, but we could get no clue. Last
+night an anonymous letter came to us, and we decided to act upon it, so
+we searched a house in the bazaar and recovered this stone together with
+some gold and silver ornaments which had been stolen; we found them in
+the exact spot where we were told to look for them. The man says he is
+innocent, and that they were placed where we found them unknown to him.
+Now you know the whole case," said the police-officer.
+
+"And the man you have arrested, do you think he is connected with the
+men who were fighting in the Museum?" asked Tom.
+
+"He says not. He certainly is not one of the fighters. He does not bear
+the best of characters, however," was the reply.
+
+Tom related what had happened to him in the train; several theories were
+advanced to account for the keen interest taken in the stones, and the
+police began exerting themselves to fathom the mystery.
+
+The morning after Tom Ellison had left the camp a shikari went to Mark
+with the information that some oorial (wild sheep) were feeding about
+half a mile away, and Mark, who was a keen sportsman, promptly got his
+rifle and went with the shikari.
+
+Mark was able to get a long shot, but missed, so sat down while the
+shikari climbed the peaks around to try and find the oorial again. In
+about ten minutes Mark heard a slight rustling in the bushes some twenty
+yards away, and he got a glimpse of a porcupine. He did not wish to fire
+at it lest he should startle the oorial if they had halted anywhere
+near, so he picked up a stone and threw it at the animal when next he
+saw it.
+
+"I have hit it," he muttered, as he heard a peculiar cry, and he hurried
+forward, but he could find no sign of the porcupine, and he concluded it
+had entered a small cave he discovered.
+
+Mark struck a match and went in a few feet, but it appeared to be very
+low, and when his match went out he decided to go no farther, for he had
+no desire to stumble on the top of a porcupine.
+
+In a short time the shikari returned, and Mark thought no more about the
+animal until he had been back at the camp some time.
+
+While Mark had been away on his shooting expedition, Harry Burton, the
+Superintendent of Police, had called, and during the afternoon Mark
+casually mentioned the incident of the porcupine.
+
+"I think you are mistaken about it being a porcupine, my boy," said
+Burton.
+
+"I don't think so. I saw it twice and hit it with the stone, for I
+distinctly heard it make a peculiar noise as though hurt," persisted
+Mark.
+
+"That is exactly what makes me certain it was not a porcupine, for it
+is one of the animals without vocal cords, therefore cannot make a vocal
+sound. It was more likely a wild pig, for there are a number about
+here," said Burton, who was a great sportsman.
+
+Mark, however, felt certain he had distinctly seen the animal's quills,
+so a little later he quietly left the camp without saying a word to any
+one as to where he was going.
+
+At nine o'clock that night Mark had not returned to camp, and Burton,
+who had remained to dinner, suggested that he might have got lost, or
+met with an accident; so a search was at once commenced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.--THE MYSTERIOUS FAKIR
+
+
+"Well, Burton, what is your opinion now?" asked Doctor Mullen on their
+return to camp about three o'clock in the morning, after an unsuccessful
+search for Mark.
+
+"I am sorry to say I think he has met with a serious accident and is
+unable to help himself. Listen to those natives shouting 'Sahib! Sahib!'
+and far beyond them others are calling, and the boy would have replied
+if he could have done so. You are sure he went alone?" asked Burton.
+
+"Yes. He took his gun, which seems to suggest that he started for that
+lake about a mile from here after duck. Had he gone after oorial he
+would have taken his rifle and would have been accompanied by the
+shikari," said the Doctor, who was greatly distressed about his son's
+disappearance.
+
+"As soon as it is light I will have every nullah and bush searched for
+miles round," said Burton, and then he mused without giving expression
+to his thoughts. "He may have fallen over a kud (precipice), or his gun
+may have burst, or he may have been bitten by a snake, or he may have
+run against those--well, fragments of slab"; and he left the tent and
+sent off messages to the headmen of the villages around.
+
+Harry Burton was one of the cleverest officers in the Indian police; he
+was a few years over thirty, a dark-complexioned man of medium height,
+very agile and powerful, and was known to the Salt Range natives as Koj
+(tracker) Burton Sahib, owing to his smartness in following up the
+slightest clue.
+
+Burton, at the Doctor's request, went to occupy Mark's empty tent for an
+hour or two, and as he stretched himself on the camp bed his busy brain
+was engaged in trying to form a connection between the broken slab and
+Mark's absence, and these thoughts kept him awake, so he was the first
+to hear the footsteps of an approaching horse.
+
+"Hello! Is that you, Ellison?" greeted Burton, as the new arrival
+dismounted.
+
+"Yes. I heard at Gunjyal about Mark, so, instead of waiting for
+daylight, I hunted up a horse, and, by all this shouting, I conclude
+Mark is still missing," said Tom, and in a very few minutes he had
+related to Burton and the Doctor his experience in the train and what he
+had learnt in Lahore.
+
+"Ah, things are getting a bit more complicated," said Burton aloud, and
+then muttered to himself, "But I begin to get a better hold of the
+idea."
+
+"Now you clearly understand me," said Burton when instructing the
+headmen. "You are to send out every available man and boy from your
+villages, and they are to search every nullah until they meet the men
+from the next village. We think the young Sahib has met with an
+accident, and if you find him you are to send word here immediately; and
+you, Appoyas, instruct your men to be most careful in searching those
+cliffs near your village."
+
+"What's that man's name?" asked the Doctor as soon as the men had gone.
+
+"Appoyas. It is an unusual name--certainly not a Punjabi one," replied
+Burton.
+
+"I never heard the name before. He is a fine-looking man," remarked the
+Doctor.
+
+"And a very wealthy man, according to report. That is his village on the
+very edge of those cliffs about a mile away. It is the most prosperous
+village on the Salt Range, and celebrated for its stamped-cloth work.
+Appoyas and his brother Atlasul--another uncommon name--buy up all the
+cloth made and stamped in the place, and give a good price too, and
+their camels frequently go off laden with bales. But come over here a
+minute," and Burton led the Doctor some short distance from the camp.
+
+"I can scarcely credit it; surely it is too improbable, how----" began
+the Doctor when he had heard what Burton had to say.
+
+"Never mind; kindly act in the manner I suggest," interrupted Burton,
+"and I think you will find I am right. Now I must be off, and--well,
+expect me when you see me, as they say"; and in a couple of minutes he
+was riding from the camp on a secret and dangerous expedition.
+
+The search was continued all day, but not the slightest sign of Mark
+could be discovered.
+
+
+If any one, about sunset, had been near the place where Mark was resting
+at the time he thought he saw the porcupine, a Fakir might have been
+seen sitting on the identical spot. He appeared to be in deep
+meditation, but, as soon as it was dark, he crept cautiously to the
+entrance of the cave into which Mark thought the porcupine had
+disappeared.
+
+The Fakir paused, and after listening intently for a few moments he
+scrambled in; and after again listening he produced a bull's-eye lamp--a
+most unusual thing for a native to possess--and carefully lit it.
+
+He next examined a revolver and a knife he carried in a girdle under a
+loose garment he had wrapped round him, and in addition to these weapons
+he had an iron rod about three feet and a-half long, similar to what
+many Fakirs carry.
+
+He now advanced along a narrow passage which widened into a large cave,
+from which opened another narrow passage, and this he proceeded
+cautiously to explore, but when he had gone about a hundred yards it
+came to an abrupt end, the roof here being exceedingly high, and as he
+flashed his light around he could not see the top.
+
+For the space of an hour he probed about with his iron rod, and felt in
+the cracks and crevices in the walls; then suddenly he sat down, and,
+had any one been near enough, they would have heard him chuckling to
+himself, for he had made a great discovery.
+
+In a short time he made his way out of the cave and disappeared into the
+darkness of the night.
+
+
+"What do you make of this, Ellison?" said the Doctor early next morning.
+"I have just found this note in my tent; it is written in Punjabi, and
+in English it reads: 'If the Sahib wishes to learn where his son is he
+will be told if you promise to give up the other pieces of stone you
+found. Let the Sahib write his promise on the blank part of this paper
+and place it on the small olive-tree near the salt spring. The Sahib's
+men need not watch, for they will not see who fetches it.'
+
+"Do you think it is a hoax?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"I don't know. I scarcely think so. I wish Burton was back," said Tom,
+who thought that Burton's experience might enable him to get something
+of a clue from the strange message. "They have got all the stones," he
+added.
+
+"We took others that did not belong to the slab," said the Doctor.
+
+"Of course, I had forgotten; and the writer of this is under the
+impression they are parts of the slab," remarked Tom.
+
+"If this is genuine, then Mark is a prisoner, which is Burton's opinion;
+and I believe he is acting in some secret manner on his opinion," said
+the Doctor.
+
+After a long consultation the Doctor tore off the blank piece of paper
+and wrote on it in the native language: "You must first give me some
+proof that you know where my son is before I promise to comply with your
+request. Let him write to me."
+
+"We both know where the salt spring is, Tom, so I will take the paper
+there, and you go to some place where you can watch the spring through
+your field-glasses," said the Doctor.
+
+"Very good. By the time we get a reply Burton may be back," said Tom,
+and they left the camp.
+
+Tom watched patiently all day, but, with the exception of a boy in
+charge of some goats, no one went near the spring, and the boy did not
+go within a hundred yards of it, though his goats were feeding all round
+and close to it.
+
+"Glad to see you back, Burton," exclaimed Tom when he returned to camp
+and found the officer there.
+
+"What luck, Tom?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"Bad. I waited until it was too dark to see, and the message had not
+been taken when I came away," he replied.
+
+"You are wrong, Tom, my boy, for I saw it taken," said Burton.
+
+"How? Where were you?" asked Tom, in surprise.
+
+"Not far from you, and I saw a goat sniff it and quickly walk off with
+the paper in its mouth, and five minutes later the boy had it in his
+hand. Here, smell this," and Burton held out the paper containing the
+message to the Doctor.
+
+"A peculiar smell," said Tom.
+
+"Yes, and the goat is trained to carry anything impregnated with that
+subtle odour," explained Burton.
+
+"Do you believe the writer of this knows where Mark is, Burton? Have you
+discovered anything?" asked Tom.
+
+"Yes, the man knows well enough, and I know to half a mile," said
+Burton.
+
+"They why not try to release him at once?" exclaimed Tom.
+
+"Easier said than done, and I am fully convinced it would be dangerous
+to force matters without careful arrangements. I practically know with
+whom we have to deal, and, if I am any judge of native character, I
+believe we are in conflict with some of the most cunning and fearless
+men in India--men who had been carrying on their work for many years,
+and that, too, without raising suspicion, and who will not hesitate to
+risk life and cause death to accomplish their purpose, and----" Burton
+suddenly stopped speaking; then, almost in a whisper, he hurriedly said,
+"Go on talking about Mark," and noiselessly he left the tent.
+
+In a few moments there was a sound of a scuffle at the back of the tent,
+followed by a thud and an exclamation from Burton; so they rushed out to
+see what had happened, the Doctor taking the lamp from the tent-pole as
+he passed.
+
+"What's the matter, Burton?" asked Tom.
+
+"Bring the lamp here," he answered, rubbing his knees. "They were too
+smart for me, and I got the worst of it this time," he added.
+
+"What is that rope doing there?" asked the Doctor, as the light revealed
+a long rope extending from a tent-peg to a considerable distance into
+the darkness.
+
+"Oh, it is there for a purpose, and it answers too well to suit me, for
+it has given me one of the heaviest falls I have had for a long time. A
+man was there listening to us, and it would have made no difference
+which way I had come round the tent, for the eavesdropper would have
+gone in the opposite direction. When I heard him making off I dashed
+after him, and his comrade, who was at the far end of the rope, jerked
+it taut when it was between me and the man I was after, with the result
+that I came a most terrific cropper; then they promptly fled, and are
+safely away by this time," explained Burton.
+
+"But how did you know there was any one outside?" asked Tom. "I never
+heard a sound."
+
+"I saw the side of the tent shake, and there is not a breath of air
+stirring. The man who was listening must know English, I feel sure; and
+I am afraid we have made a terrible mistake in not taking precautionary
+measures against being overheard. If they understood what I said about
+suspecting who they are, I may make up my mind to having a rather lively
+time." Burton said in a whisper, for he did not know but some one might
+still be listening screened in the darkness.
+
+"They may have only come to watch us, and probably did not grasp the
+meaning of our conversation," said the Doctor, in a low voice.
+
+"Let us hope so, for it may mean life or death," was Burton's serious
+reply, and that night guards were set over the camp.
+
+Early next morning Burton left, but before going he slipped a letter
+into the Doctor's hand, saying as he did so, "Don't open it unless I am
+not back by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Inside you will find full
+instructions what to do if I have not returned."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.--A CAPTURE
+
+
+Soon after Burton had left the camp the Doctor received a letter from
+Professor Muirson in which he said, "The only word on the rubbing you
+sent me from the last fragment of slab you found means 'Cave,' and I
+think it should be placed before the words 'of Hydas'; thus you have a
+reference to the 'Cave of Hydas,' in which there is, or was, something
+to be carefully guarded."
+
+"Then, putting two and two together, the men who hold Mark a prisoner
+are either anxious to learn where this Cave of Hydas is, or they know
+where it is and do not wish any one else to obtain the knowledge," said
+the Doctor.
+
+"I am inclined to think that Mark is in that very cave at the present
+moment," said Tom.
+
+"Quite possible. By the way, Tom, tell the natives who are crowding
+about the camp to continue the search for Mark. Burton wishes it to be
+kept up for some reason or other," said the Doctor as he went into his
+tent.
+
+"Hi! Tom; come here a moment," almost immediately shouted the Doctor;
+and as soon as Tom had joined him he said, "I have just found
+this--listen: 'I have been asked to say that I am all right, and to
+advise you to do what my captors have requested you. Your reply is to be
+written on the blank part of this paper and placed where you put the
+last. Mark.' There can be no doubt about the writing--it is Mark's, and
+my mind is greatly relieved," said the Doctor.
+
+"Mark knows one of his captors understands English or he would have
+written more; he was only allowed to write what he was told," said Tom.
+
+The Doctor at once wrote the following reply: "Mark, you are to tell
+them that if one of their number will come with you here he may take
+away any of the stones we have found."
+
+This answer was written with the object of delay until Burton's return;
+and, as before, the Doctor took the paper to the salt spring, while Tom
+went to a position where he could watch the goat carry away the message
+to the boy; and he had not long to wait, for within a couple of hours
+the boy and his goats appeared and slowly passed the place, and, as they
+quietly went along from bush to bush cropping the leaves, one took the
+letter, and in a few minutes the boy had taken it from the goat.
+
+That night, as soon as it was dark, the mysterious Fakir again entered
+the cave he had examined a couple of nights previously. He lit his lamp
+as soon as he was inside, and went straight to the far end.
+
+Here he stood for a time and listened; then he flashed his light up the
+chimney-shaped opening high above him, the top of which extended far
+beyond the reach of his light; then, having satisfied himself that all
+was quiet, he put his arm into a narrow crack in the side of the cave
+and his fingers grasped two thin ropes; he gave them a sharp jerk, and
+instantly there was a rustling, swishing noise as a rope-ladder came
+tumbling down.
+
+The Fakir tugged at the ladder, and, finding that it was securely
+fastened above, he at once climbed up. When he had gone about forty feet
+he found the entrance to another passage; but before venturing to
+explore it he carefully drew up the ladder as it had been before.
+
+The Fakir cautiously made his way, frequently stopping to put his ear to
+the floor to listen, and keeping a sharp look-out for any side
+galleries, of which he passed three, but they were much narrower than
+the one he was following.
+
+He had proceeded about three hundred yards when he suddenly closed the
+shutter of his lamp; then, after listening a while, he went on in the
+dark, and it was well he had turned off his light, for the passage took
+an abrupt turn, and he saw the glimmer of a light in the distance and
+faintly heard the sound of voices.
+
+Slowly and noiselessly he approached the light, for he concluded it came
+from some side cave, and this proved to be the case when he had gone a
+little farther.
+
+"I tell you again that you have got all the stones if, as you say, you
+have stolen the one Ellison Sahib was taking to Lahore."
+
+The words were spoken in a loud voice, and so suddenly had they broken
+the stillness of the dismal place that the Fakir started with surprise,
+and then crouched closer to listen.
+
+"What the Sahib says is not true, for we have only got one of the last
+you found the other day," said another speaker.
+
+"Then get the rest if you can, for I know nothing about any more. How
+long is this farce going to last? My father says he will let you have
+any stones he has found if one of you will go with me for them, but I
+told you when you first captured me that you would get nothing of value
+by keeping me a prisoner," replied Mark, for he it was.
+
+"Then you shall not leave this cave until the other parts of the broken
+slab are discovered and in our hands, and I may tell you that it is more
+than a hundred years since the slab was broken and some of the parts
+stolen and lost. Take him back to his cave"; and the Fakir could hear
+footsteps ascending steps and then die away in the distance.
+
+"Now, brothers, hearken," began the speaker who had addressed Mark. "We
+have learnt that Koj Burton has almost guessed who we are, and if he
+follows up his idea he will surely track us down. Our forefathers
+through many generations protected the secret of their work and amassed
+wealth in the way we are doing, and, with the exception of the man who
+accidentally found his way into this cave and stole the inscribed slab,
+no outsider has ever known the secret of the Cave of Hydas--and that man
+met his death without having an opportunity of revealing what he had
+learnt, although he caused us to lose part of that on which was written
+the command to guard the secret of the cave with our lives.
+
+"Are we now going to allow this Koj Burton to bring destruction upon us
+and thereby destroy our method of obtaining wealth?" asked the speaker
+fiercely.
+
+"Never! never! never!" shouted fully half a dozen voices.
+
+"Then he must die, and I will see that he does so, and in such a manner
+that his death cannot in any way be traced to us"; and as the Fakir
+heard these words he gripped his revolver more tightly, and a grim
+smile played about his mouth.
+
+"If this Koj Burton suspects who we are, do you not think, Appoyas, that
+he may also have gained some idea of the Cave of Hydas?" a voice asked.
+
+"It may be so, and we will have the cave well guarded. Do not forget
+that to-morrow night at ten o'clock it will be, according to the
+records, exactly fifty years since the offerings in the Temple of Atlas
+were removed to the Temple of Hydas. This has been done every fifty
+years, and only on those occasions is the inner temple opened, and----"
+the speaker stopped abruptly, and then, after a moment's pause,
+continued--"and, brothers, you may now go."
+
+On hearing the last words so suddenly spoken the Fakir began quickly and
+noiselessly to retreat along the passage, but, as no one appeared to be
+following, he stopped.
+
+For some minutes he heard men talking, and dimly saw some figures come
+into the passage and go in the opposite direction, and in a short time
+the sound of footsteps died away and the Fakir was left alone in the
+silent darkness.
+
+More than a quarter of an hour he remained motionless; then he felt his
+way to the entrance of the side cave in which he had heard the men, and,
+finding all still, he turned on his light.
+
+It was a cave-chamber, about twelve feet square; the walls were fairly
+smooth, but the roof was uneven--it was evidently an enlarged cave.
+From this cave-chamber there was a flight of steps to a passage above,
+and the Fakir was on the point of ascending them when he heard quick
+footsteps coming along the passage towards him, which caused him to
+hurry back into the passage he had left; then, turning off his light, he
+waited and listened.
+
+"One of the brothers must have come back for something," the Fakir heard
+some one mutter. "It is all right, though; I will return to my
+prisoner," and then he went away.
+
+Without venturing to turn on his light the Fakir started for the
+rope-ladder; every few paces he paused to listen; he appeared extremely
+suspicious, for at times he would halt for three or four minutes and was
+constantly feeling his revolver.
+
+At last he had nearly reached the ladder, when suddenly he saw a faint
+glimmer as though from a light in the passage below, so, inch by inch,
+he approached the edge until he was able to peer down, and almost at the
+instant he did so the light below went out; but he had learnt much in
+that one glance, and, as the sound of a severe struggle from below
+reached him, he quickly lowered the ladder and quietly slipped down.
+
+No sooner had he reached the bottom than he turned on his light for an
+instant, which revealed Tom Ellison and a powerful native trying to get
+the better of each other, the latter having a knife in his hand, but Tom
+was holding him by the wrist and preventing him using it.
+
+In a moment the Fakir had twisted the knife from the man's grasp, and
+in a few seconds the man was bound and gagged.
+
+"Well I'm----" began Tom, but the Fakir put his hand over Tom's mouth
+and, taking him by the arm, led him to the cave-entrance.
+
+"Speak low, Tom," said the Fakir in a low voice.
+
+"Marvellous! Is it you, Burton? I should never have known you in that
+get-up," whispered the surprised Tom.
+
+"Seems like it. But quick's the word, my boy. We must have that man out
+before any of his comrades come along, and this must be done without his
+discovering who I am. We must blindfold him, for there is a rope-ladder
+hanging near him, and on no account must he learn that it is down, and
+that we are aware of its existence; as soon as we have him here I will
+return and place the ladder as I found it," said Burton.
+
+"Ah, now I understand why you so promptly put out your light when you
+had secured the knife," said Tom. "But where shall you take the man? His
+comrades will hear about his capture if you take him to the camp," he
+added.
+
+"That is the very last thing I wish them to learn. About an hour's walk
+from here--but two hours for us to-night, I am afraid--there is a
+salt-mine, and to-day I arranged--in case I needed it--to use part of it
+as a temporary prison until we make a grand coup on the rest of the
+gang. I have a couple of my men waiting near the mine now," explained
+Burton.
+
+It was a difficult tramp they had with their prisoner. They kept him
+blindfolded, and his hands bound; and each held him by an arm as they
+stumbled over the rough ground in the dark, for Burton would not risk
+using his lamp lest the light, at that unusual hour, should attract the
+attention of the man's friends and cause them to try and discover what
+it meant.
+
+When they had safely lodged their prisoner they started for the camp.
+
+"What caused you to go to that cave, Tom?" asked Burton, as they walked
+along.
+
+"Oh, the word on that last piece of stone turns out to be 'cave,' and
+when thinking the matter over I thought of the place Mark had entered
+after the porcupine, so I spotted the place before dark, and then
+quietly left the camp after dinner on a private exploring expedition.
+That man suddenly sprang upon me just before you so opportunely appeared
+on the scene," explained Tom.
+
+"Then that's all right--you were followed from the camp; I was afraid
+they had placed a guard over that entrance," said Burton. "I branch off
+here, for I cannot enter the camp in this disguise; I want to use it
+again, and as a Fakir I do not wish to be seen near the camp; but I hope
+to turn up early in the--or rather this morning. I advise you to get all
+the rest you can, for I think I can promise you a very lively time
+before many hours are over."
+
+As Burton went on alone, he muttered, "Yes, I must have all arrangements
+carefully made. I expect we shall have a dangerous tussle, for they are
+not the class of men to give in quietly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.--A VALUABLE FIND IN THE TEMPLE OF ATLAS
+
+
+"It's what I call a tall order, Burton," exclaimed Tom Ellison, who,
+with the Doctor, had been listening to the police officer's plan to raid
+the Cave of Hydas.
+
+"I am glad you turned up before eight o'clock, Burton, for it would be
+difficult to enter the cave and find our way about without your
+guidance. It seems a likely place to get one's head cracked in the
+dark," remarked the Doctor.
+
+"It would not be easy for you to get in, but had I been caught last
+night you would have found a clue to my whereabouts in the letter I gave
+you. However, we are all here yet, and I expect we shall get the better
+of Appoyas and his gang if our plans work out properly, and if they
+don't, then, well--look out for yourselves," said Burton, and he
+shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"What led you to suspect Appoyas, who you say is supposed to be one the
+wealthiest and most respected men on the Salt Range, Burton?" asked the
+Doctor.
+
+"Well, I saw him with that long brass-studded stick, and his general
+description answers to the tall man who fought the other two in the
+museum. Then I followed the goat-boy who got the message from the goat,
+and the boy handed the message to a man, and this man took it to
+Appoyas, and finally my suspicions were confirmed when I heard Appoyas
+addressed by name in the cave last night," explained Burton.
+
+"It must have been pleasant listening to your own death-sentence!"
+remarked the Doctor.
+
+"I am glad I heard it," said Burton, "for never was it more true than in
+my case that to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. Two traps have been
+already laid this morning to get me away from the Salt Range, and--I
+believe here is another," he said, as a coolie came at the trot with a
+telegram in his hand.
+
+"Come at once. Most serious. Mirkwort," read out Burton, as soon as the
+coolie had retired. "This pretends to be a message ordering my speedy
+return to headquarters, and I shall make a pretence of going, but I
+shall soon be back in this neighbourhood in disguise," he added.
+
+"How do you know it is an attempt to get you away?" asked the Doctor.
+
+"Because I requested Mirkwort to use a cypher in all his communications
+for some days, and this is not in cypher," replied Burton. "But to
+persist in staying here would only cause Appoyas to suspect that I am
+about to take some decisive steps. I have twenty men around here now,
+and as soon as it is dark to-night some of them will watch the house of
+Appoyas in the village on the top of the cliffs, for I feel convinced
+there is an entrance to the cave from his house.
+
+"At the foot of the cliffs and immediately under the village there is
+another entrance through a house built against the rocks, and other men
+will watch there. I shall be near the camp at nightfall, together with
+some specially picked men who will have arrived by that time, and we
+shall enter the cave by what I will call the porcupine entrance, and,
+once inside--well, we have to rescue Mark and capture as many of the
+gang as we can. We must take all precautionary measures, for I do not
+know how many rascals we shall have to contend with, and that cave is
+like a rabbit-warren. Expect me as a Fakir at dusk. I will send for you
+when the time comes," and as Burton clattered away on his horse the camp
+understood that he had been called to headquarters on important
+business.
+
+It was about nine o'clock and very dark when Burton, with a number of
+his men, though not in uniform, were sitting under the bushes a couple
+of hundred yards or so from the cave entrance.
+
+"Ali Khan, go and meet the party from the camp and see that they make as
+little noise as possible," said Burton to one of his men; and then to
+another he said, "Sergeant, come with me; we must find out whether there
+is a guard placed at the entrance; if there is, we must secure him."
+
+The two crept stealthily along, and, when some twenty yards from the
+cave, a man sprang up within a few feet of them and dashed off towards
+the cave, but he had not taken many steps when he tripped, and before he
+could recover himself Burton pounced upon him, and in a few moments the
+man was gagged and bound.
+
+By the time the Doctor and Tom with the rest of the men had arrived,
+Burton had explored the cave as far as the rope-ladder without any
+further encounter.
+
+Two men were left at the entrance of the cave with the prisoner, another
+was stationed at the foot of the ladder and two more at the top, and a
+man was left at each of the side passages opening from the main gallery.
+
+"Now, Doctor," said Burton, when he had led the party some distance into
+the cave beyond the ladder, "will you remain here with the men whilst
+Tom goes with me to try and discover where Appoyas and his gang are, and
+how many we have to deal with? They have some special work on at ten
+o'clock in what they call the Temple of Atlas, and I don't know where it
+is. If you hear me whistle, then light your lamps and come on as quickly
+as possible. Now quietly, Tom," and they went ahead.
+
+"She--e--e! See, there's a light. Some of them are in the cave-chamber
+where I heard them last night," whispered Burton to Tom.
+
+Hearing voices, they silently crept nearer until they could hear what
+was said.
+
+"I sent no message to the Doctor Sahib to-day, lest Koj Burton should
+remain to inquire into it. Brothers, Koj Burton is far away, and at the
+bottom of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum), I hope, if our men did their
+duty. Now, brothers, follow me to the Temple of Atlas and we will take
+the fifty years' offerings to the inner Temple of Hydas. By giving
+liberal offerings to the gods they bless us and we get much wealth.
+Come, it is the time."
+
+The speaker was Appoyas, and under cover of the noise made in the
+chamber as his men lighted torches and prepared to follow him, Burton
+and Tom slipped some distance back along the passage, for they knew not
+which direction the men would take.
+
+"Seven," whispered Burton as Appoyas and his men came into the passage
+and fortunately went the opposite way to where the Englishmen were
+watching.
+
+Cautiously they followed; suddenly the men disappeared down a flight of
+steps, and when Burton and Tom peered below they were amazed at what
+they saw.
+
+They were gazing into a large cave-temple, and at the far end was an
+enormous statute of a figure evidently representing Atlas with a large
+globe on his shoulders.
+
+Burton and Tom were intently watching the men in the temple, when they
+were startled by hearing some on rapidly approaching along the passage.
+The man carried no light, and as the two Englishmen crouched close to
+the side of the cave to allow him to pass he knocked against Tom's arm.
+
+"Strangers in the cave!" shouted the man, and he turned and fled.
+
+For a moment the men in the temple were too amazed to move; then,
+simultaneously, they stamped out their torches.
+
+"We have them trapped below if they have no other exit but the steps.
+That man's gone for help," said Burton, and blew his whistle. "We will
+have a look at them," he added, and turned on his lamp.
+
+In an instant something flashed in the light and the lamp was knocked
+out of his hand and fell with a clatter down the steps, for Appoyas had
+crept up with his long brass-studded stick.
+
+Next moment Tom felt himself hooked by the ankle, and before he could
+free himself his legs were jerked from under him and he fell on his
+back; then he felt a bare foot placed on his chest as some one trod on
+him and dashed down the passage.
+
+No one else was able to pass, for Burton stood on the top of the steps,
+swinging his iron rod to and fro, and at the same time holding his
+whistle in his mouth and blowing until some of his men arrived with
+lights.
+
+"Tom, you stop here with some of the men, and don't let any of these
+rascals escape. Listen! The Doctor is having a tussle; there is a fight
+going on all over the place, and I must discover where Mark is lest they
+should try to injure him." Taking a couple of men, he hurried away in
+the direction of the shouts which were ringing through the galleries.
+
+"Hi! This way, Bur--r--r----" some one tried to shout in English.
+
+"That's Mark's voice, and they are strangling him," said Burton. "Quick
+with your lamp, Sergeant, this way," he added.
+
+Burton found Mark in the grasp of two men, who dashed the lad to the
+ground and then fled in the darkness, after showing fight for a few
+seconds, Burton pursuing them hotly, received a terrific blow on the
+head after being tripped by Appoyas, who was waiting in a side passage,
+and Burton lay partly stunned for some time.
+
+Appoyas fought like a fiend, doing great damage with his stick, but at
+last he fled along a side passage.
+
+In half an hour the fight was over, and Burton found they had eight
+prisoners; among whom was Atlasul, but Appoyas and some of the others
+had escaped.
+
+Burton and Tom were exploring one of the narrow galleries when they
+suddenly came face to face with Appoyas, who, after throwing a knife at
+Burton, dashed down the passage followed by the two Englishmen.
+
+They had gone about a hundred yards when Appoyas stopped, and his
+pursuers could see that he was standing on the very edge of a black
+chasm. For a moment he stood and faced them, his eyes flashing fiercely
+in the light of the lamp.
+
+"You cannot escape us now, Appoyas," said Burton, covering him with a
+revolver.
+
+"I will have a bitter revenge on you, Koj Burton. Here is the end of the
+passage, below is the Cave of Doom, but you have not got me yet," and,
+to the astonishment of Burton and Tom, Appoyas shouted a fierce cry of
+"Revenge!" and sprang into the fearsome black abyss.
+
+"He must be dashed to pieces. I can't see the bottom," said Tom, holding
+his lamp over the gulf.
+
+"I am doubtful. We will get a rope and make a search," said Burton.
+
+Some time later a lamp was lowered, and far below, about six feet from
+the bottom, could be seen a strong net stretched the full width of the
+chasm.
+
+"He dropped into that, and escaped by a secret exit," said Burton.
+
+They proceeded to thoroughly explore the cave, and were astonished at
+the extent and number of side passages.
+
+"I say, Burton, this globe on the shoulders of old Atlas is hollow and
+has a big slit in it like a letter-box, and has a lock on it," exclaimed
+Mark as they were examining the Temple of Atlas.
+
+When the globe was opened it proved to be nearly full of gold and silver
+ornaments, precious stones, and coins.
+
+"Ah, these are the offerings to the gods, a portion of the things stolen
+by these thieves during the last fifty years. A system of theft and
+sacrifice which has been handed down from father to son for many
+generations," exclaimed Burton.
+
+The prisoners proved to be connected with burglaries which had taken
+place all over the Punjab and far beyond. The villains had been in the
+habit of placing a few of the things stolen in some innocent person's
+house, and had employed a variety of tricks to avoid suspicion resting
+on themselves.
+
+The valuables recovered in the Temple of Atlas were restored to their
+rightful owners where they could be traced, and the balance was
+ultimately considered as treasure-trove, the Government claiming four
+annas in the rupee, thus leaving three-fourths of the value to be
+divided amongst those who had discovered it.
+
+Many hours did the Englishmen spend in trying to discover the inner
+Temple of Hydas, but its secret baffled all their efforts, neither were
+they able to find any parts of the broken slab which might have aided
+them in their search. They were equally unsuccessful in getting any
+trace of Appoyas, who had so suddenly disappeared while his cry of
+revenge was ringing through the Cave of Hydas.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN THE HEART OF MALAY-LAND
+
+
+To the world-wanderer the confines of our little planet seem very
+limited indeed, and to him there are few regions within its boundaries
+which remain long unknown. Yet to the vast majority of people Old Mother
+Earth abounds in many a _terra incognita_.
+
+Away in the East, where the Indian Ocean merges into the China Sea,
+where the sunny waters of the Malacca Straits are being ceaselessly
+furrowed by giant steamers and merchantmen, lies a land, which though
+spoken of glibly by every schoolboy, is to-day one of the least explored
+countries of the globe. The Malay Peninsula is a familiar enough name,
+and so it ought to be, for it skirts the ocean highway to the Flowery
+Kingdom and to some of our most valuable island possessions; still, it
+is a strange fact that this narrow neck of land is, geographically
+speaking, one of the world's darkest areas.
+
+Its seaboard is generally flat and overgrown with mangroves to a depth
+of several miles, but the interior is an extremely mountainous region,
+containing elevations of over eight thousand feet. An irregular
+backbone connects all these great heights, and it itself is of no mean
+dimensions, being throughout well over three thousand feet above
+sea-level. Between the mountain-peaks, as may be imagined, there is
+little room for fertile plateaus, and the most settled districts in
+consequence are those farthest away from the towering ranges; of these
+Selangor is, perhaps, the most noteworthy. Here vast forests and jungle
+scrub extend everywhere, though the trees are being rapidly cut down by
+the numerous Chinese tin-miners in the settlement; and here also is the
+capital of the Federated Malay States, whose petty rulers within recent
+years have united their forces under a British Protectorate.
+
+Perak, towards the north-west, and Pahang, stretching over to the sea on
+the eastern side, are the two most mountainous divisions in the
+Confederacy, and to the traveller they are also the most interesting
+because of the immunity of their interior fastnesses from the visits of
+white men. Numerous rivers reach the coast on both sides of the central
+watershed, many of those rising in the highlands of Pahang and Kelantan
+being absolutely untraced and unnamed. The entire country near the
+coast, on the east as on the west, may be said to be given over to rank
+jungles, in which the lordly tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the wild
+pig, and tapir have their homes, and monkeys of almost every species are
+abundant in the wooded slopes.
+
+One-half of the world's tin is produced in the Malay States; it is
+mined chiefly in Selangor and Malacca, and forms the mainstay of the
+country's prosperity, though, curiously enough, little or no
+stanniferous deposits have been found on the eastern side of the
+dividing range. But though very few people know it, the most valuable of
+all metals has been discovered on the upper waters of the Pahang River
+and tributaries. The Chinese swarm in their thousands on the western
+slopes, and outnumber the Malays by more than three to one. They are
+surely the bane of the wanderer's existence.
+
+The Malays are not the aboriginal race of the Peninsula, though they
+have lived on the coast for centuries, and are descended from the
+bloodthirsty pirates who terrorised the Straits of Malacca. The real
+owners of the country are the Sakis, a wild race who in appearance vie
+with their brethren in Central Australia, and are very little different
+from the chimpanzees which infest the forests. They hold no intercourse
+with the coast-dwellers, and are rarely seen unless by the adventurous
+traveller, for their retreat is among the mountains, and as far away
+from John Chinaman's presence as it is possible to get.
+
+The Sakis are a rude and miserably backward people. Like the Papuans of
+New Guinea, they build their huts in the branches of trees; but for this
+they have good reason--the prowling animals of the forest would
+otherwise soon obliterate the slowly dying tribe. Their only weapons are
+the _sumpitan_, or blow-pipe, and a club, which is not unlike the
+"waddie" of the Australian aboriginal; but with these they can do quite
+enough damage to deter all but the reckless from visiting their chosen
+haunts.
+
+The charm of far-off countries has ever had a great power over all
+Britons; the true traveller's instinct is in their blood, and the noble
+array of red markings on our maps amply testify to the brilliance of
+their achievements. Knowing this, I speak with care of a country that I
+have traversed in my wanderings, so that if others who read these words
+may feel impelled to take up the pilgrim staff, they may at least rely
+upon my humble observations.
+
+A few years back, after journeying through Achin in Sumatra--another
+little-known "corner" jealously guarded by the Dutch--I, with my five
+companions, found it necessary to betake ourselves to British Dominions,
+having given offence to the Holland Government by our peregrinations
+through the hostile Achinese territory. So we embarked on a Malay trader
+bound for Klang, the port of Selangor, and commenced an expedition which
+I can recall now as being one of the most interesting of all my travels.
+The details of our progress across the Peninsula could not be given
+here, but I will relate one of our first experiences with the
+tree-dwellers of Kelantan, when we were camped on the head-waters of the
+Lebah River in that province, where, I believe, no white man had ever
+been before.
+
+We had systematically prospected the various mountain-streams in the
+west for gold without result; but here we had discovered unmistakable
+traces of the precious metal; and our hearts being gladdened
+accordingly, we prepared to explore still farther into the mountains in
+search of the mother-lode.
+
+"It's rather a curious thing," said Phil at this time, "that we have met
+none of the Sakis so far. I should like to see a specimen of the tribe
+before we leave their confounded country."
+
+"They're like oorsel's," grunted Mac, "they canna abide the smell o'
+Cheeniemen; but A'm thinkin' we're near their special habitation noo."
+
+There was considerable truth in Mac's observation. All along the Perak
+River, which we had followed for nearly a hundred miles before branching
+off across an inviting pass in the dividing ranges, we had met the
+almond-eyed Celestials in great bands clearing the forest growths and
+prospecting for tin in the most unlikely places. Perak, I should
+mention, is the Malay word for silver, it having been supposed that vast
+lodes of that metal abounded in the river valley; but, as a matter of
+fact, there has been very little silver located anywhere near its
+vicinity.
+
+We had managed to shake off the yellow-skinned Mongols immediately we
+diverged into the mountains, and since that time we had been crossing
+luxurious upland forests, and struggling through long stretches of
+jungle country in turn. It was quite possible that the Sakis had seen
+us, though we had not seen them, for our time had been more occupied in
+evading reptiles and wild animals than in scanning the tree-tops for
+their imp-like denizens.
+
+"I vote," said the Captain, who was the dead-shot of our party, "that we
+leave the Sakis alone. We're in their country now, you know, and there's
+such a thing as tempting Providence."
+
+Phil smiled; he was young and enthusiastic, and he was also an ardent
+ethnographist. "We'll take things as we find them, Captain," said he,
+"but we usually manage to run across some odd specimens of humanity in
+our travels. Now, what did you think of the Achinese?"
+
+"A thocht them wonderfu' bloodthirsty folk," grumbled Stewart, tenderly
+patting a slowly healing scar on his cheek. "They vera near feenished
+me, an' if Mac hadna come along in time A wad hae been cut into
+sausages----"
+
+I interrupted his ruminations, and saved the company a harrowing
+description of what had happened in Sumatra. "We've heard that so often
+now, Stewart," I said, "that we think you might give us a rest."
+
+Mac cackled harshly in agreement, but Skelton, the stalwart Devonian,
+who was doctor of our outfit, said rather grimly, "If you get a similar
+smash in this country, Stewart, my boy, I'm afraid you won't live to
+tell of it, for we don't seem to be getting into a healthier atmosphere,
+though we are a good few thousand feet above sea-level."
+
+Stewart subsided gloomily, feeling his pulse the while.
+
+"A believe ye're richt," he replied lugubriously, "what wi' malaria an'
+muskitties, an' Cheeniemen----"
+
+He broke down, and sought sympathy from his compatriot, who was
+leisurely chewing quinine tabloids with an air of relish.
+
+"Dinna be nervish, ma man," cheerfully spoke that worthy, "an' aye keep
+in mind that A'll mak' ye a bonnie moniment when A gang hame; a rale
+bonnie moniment, wi' a maist splendiferous inscreeption. Hoo would this
+look, for instance?" Here he struck an attitude, and recited solemnly:
+"Errected tae the memory o' puir auld Stewart----"
+
+At this stage Stewart smote his Job's comforter with a force and fervour
+that showed him to be possessed of considerable muscular powers; then
+there was peace.
+
+Our hammocks were swung near the river, on the edge of a dense forest in
+which areca and apia palms raised their stately heads among ebony and
+camphor trees, and a plentiful sprinkling of wiry bamboo growths. The
+foliage was so thick in places as to be almost impenetrable, and amid
+the clinging underscrub the guttapercha plant and numerous others with
+names unknown to us struggled for existence.
+
+The river was here a fairly broad and oily stream, with rather a
+dangerous current; below us it surged and roared over a series of jagged
+limestone rocks, but higher up its course led across a plateau which
+extended farther than we could guess, for the mountains faded back into
+the far distance and reared their gaunt peaks above a bewildering sea of
+luxurious tropical vegetation. It was these mountains we were anxious to
+reach now, but how to do it promised to be a question not easily
+answered.
+
+After some consideration we decided to follow the river-channel as far
+as possible, and cut off the curves by blazing a way through the thicket
+with our axes. And so, on the morning following our discovery of gold,
+we packed a fortnight's stores in our kits and trudged off, first taking
+the precaution to sling our remaining provisions in an odd hammock from
+the limb of a tall palm, where we hoped to find them on our return.
+Travelling is not an easy matter in these latitudes, and we had
+succeeded so far only with great difficulty and much perseverance. Where
+the rivers were navigable we had usually progressed by means of hastily
+constructed rafts, but the stream now flowed too swiftly to allow of
+that form of transport, and we had therefore to work our passage in the
+strictest sense of the word.
+
+For three days we forged ahead, now clambering along the banks of the
+swirling torrent, and again crashing through the darkened forest, using
+our axes energetically. More than once, in the stiller waters between
+the curves, huge crocodiles were seen disporting themselves cumbrously,
+and when we approached they fixed their baleful eyes on us, and came
+steadily on until the Captain stopped their leader by a well-directed
+bullet. The crocodiles of this region seemed extremely ferocious, and
+no sooner had one of their number been rendered _hors de combat_ than
+the horrible carcass was carried off in triumph by a school of the late
+saurian's neighbours.
+
+"They appear tae have vera healthy appetites," murmured Stewart
+thoughtfully, as he gazed at the ravenous monsters, after an exhibition
+of this sort. "A wunner," he continued, addressing Skelton, "if they
+bastes are affected by the climate?"
+
+"You've got me there, Stewart," replied Skelton, with a laugh; "but they
+don't seem to need quinine to aid their digestion, anyhow."
+
+Birds of the most beautiful plumage fluttered among the branches, and I
+had the good fortune to bring down a gorgeous bird of paradise with my
+rifle. Mac, like the ancient mariner, insisted on carrying this bird
+round his neck rather than leave it for the tigers and bisons, though he
+repented of his resolution before he had gone far. Of the wild animals
+encountered on this march I could write much. Fortunately the lordly
+tiger seldom met us in an aggressive mood, but we had several
+experiences with "Old Stripes," nevertheless--at long range; and we were
+constantly stumbling over squeaking pigs and venomous reptiles of many
+kinds. Little brown animals of the bear family were especially
+ubiquitous, so that our time was kept rather fully employed on our long
+trail towards the supposed land of El Dorado.
+
+As we neared the shadowy mountains, the river-channel narrowed
+gradually until it formed a deep gorge, in which the swirling waters
+dashed like the flood of some gigantic mill-race; and we were forced to
+keep the shelter of the forest rather than risk stumbling into the
+apparently bottomless abysses.
+
+"I'm afraid we cannot go much farther, boys," I said, when we were
+struggling through the thicket, steering by compass, and with the river
+thundering noisily away to our left.
+
+"The gold in the mountains won't help us much if we have to transport
+our goods over this sort of country," spoke Phil; and there was much
+truth in his words.
+
+"I have been noticing," remarked Skelton, "that instead of reaching a
+finer climate we seem to be coming into a very poisonous atmosphere,
+judging by the odour of the vegetation."
+
+It was certainly strange that the air should continue so dank and
+depressing at our high altitude, and several times a most extraordinary
+stench, as of decaying carcasses, would assail our nostrils and cause us
+to grow faint and sickly. Soon we began to notice that these poisonous
+vapours were most pungent in the vicinity of certain enormous
+cactus-like growths which we encountered here and there; but these huge
+plants looked so picturesque and beautiful that we found it hard to
+believe that they could taint the air so frightfully.
+
+"It's rather odd," said Skelton doubtfully, "that where these giant
+spiky lilies grow there is always an open space clear around, as if
+nothing could live in their presence."
+
+"Ah, mon!" howled Mac at that moment, sniffing the ether in disgust.
+"Could onybody believe---- A'll gang an' investeegate this meenit. Come
+on, Stewart."
+
+They rushed off at once, and we followed hastily, for the evil
+exhalations were overpowering, and we meant to trace the cause. Sure
+enough one of the cacti, with wide-spreading leaves which trailed on the
+ground for several yards, proved to be the seat of the virulent fumes.
+None of us had ever met such a plant before. A vast bulb was suspended
+on a thick stem, which rose from the heart of the leathery leaves, and
+this we prepared to examine intently, though we were all but overcome by
+the foul gases given off.
+
+"It's a big an' a bonnie flooer," muttered Stewart, extending his hand,
+and thrusting it into the massive blossom. Then he emitted a yell that
+would have done credit to a full-grown grizzly bear. "It's living!" he
+bellowed, "an' it's biting me. Cut its heid aff! Quick! Ough!"
+
+"A carnivorous plant!" cried Skelton, decapitating the stem with one
+stroke of his axe; and Stewart hurriedly drew back his hand with the
+clinging flower attached. It was indeed a carnivorous plant, and when we
+had rescued our companion from its clutches, we held our nostrils and
+examined the depths of the odoriferous flower.
+
+"No wonder it smells," said Phil, as the carcasses of birds and insects
+innumerable were tumbled out.
+
+"What a grand thing it would be for Cheeniemen!" commented Mac.
+
+"Let's go on, boys, for mercy's sake," implored the Captain. "I'd rather
+meet a tiger any day than one of these vile vegetable traps."
+
+Stewart's wrist had been squeezed so tightly that it was some time
+before he could move it freely. "It would hae nippit ma hand clean off
+if you hadna beheided it sae quick," said the sufferer gratefully to
+Skelton as we resumed our march; and I think he was not far wrong.
+
+Our progress now became slower and slower, and our first intention of
+reaching the mountain-range beyond the forest was in a similar degree
+growing less definite. I could not see how we were to gain our
+objective, judging by the myriad obstructions in our track, and on the
+fourth day after leaving camp we had almost decided to retrace our
+steps.
+
+"I have given up hope of seeing the natives of this peculiar country,"
+said Phil, as we tied up our hammocks after breakfast, "and if we go
+much farther we will cross down the Malacca slope, where there is
+nothing but Chinamen."
+
+"If we do not reach a break in the forest before the day is finished," I
+said, when we had again got on the move, "we'll turn and get down the
+river to our old camp."
+
+"What on earth is that?" suddenly cried the Captain, seizing his rifle
+and gazing into the gently swaying branches overhead. We looked, and
+saw an ungainly creature huddled among the spreading fronds, glaring at
+us with eyes that were half-human, half-catlike in expression.
+
+"A chimpanzee, most likely," I said. "Don't shoot, Captain; it is but a
+sample of what man looked like once."
+
+"I think it is an orang-outang," remarked Phil, "and he would make short
+work of us if he came down."
+
+Mac gazed dubiously at the animal. "A'll slauchter him," said he,
+raising his deadly blunderbuss; but the huge ape seemed to understand
+the action, and with half a dozen bounds he had vanished, swinging from
+tree to tree like a living pendulum.
+
+Again we went on, but we had not proceeded fifty yards when a harsh
+howling all around caused us to halt and examine our firearms nervously.
+Then a shower of needle-like darts whizzed close to our ears, and a
+renewed commotion among the branches arrested our attention. Looking up,
+we saw fully a score of wild shaggy heads thrust out from the clustering
+foliage; but before we had time to collect ourselves, another fusilade
+of feather-like missiles descended upon us, penetrating our thin
+clothing, and pricking us most painfully.
+
+"Monkeys!" roared Mac.
+
+"No. Sakis!" corrected Phil, as we hurriedly sought safety in retreat.
+
+"If these arrows are poisoned, we're dead 'uns, sure," groaned the
+Captain, squirming on the ground, and endeavouring to sight his rifle on
+the impish creatures.
+
+"They're not poisoned; they are merely pointed reeds blown through
+bamboo tubes," said Skelton, after a hasty examination. "They won't hurt
+much; but if they get near us with their clubs----"
+
+Another hail of the pigmy arrows rustled through the branches to rear of
+us. "Give them the small shot of your gun, Mac, just to scare them," I
+cried.
+
+"Sma' shot indeed!" retorted that fiery individual, and the boom of his
+artillery filled my ears as he spoke.
+
+An unearthly yell of terror and surprise broke from the aborigines at
+the sound of the heavy discharge, followed by a series of piercing
+shrieks as a few stray pellets touched them.
+
+"Make for the river, boys!" I shouted. "Get clear of the trees!"
+
+The air was now filled with the tiny darts, and my thick pith helmet
+intercepted so many of them that, as Mac said afterwards, it looked like
+a miniature reed-plantation. Far on our left the deep rumble of the
+river was heard, and towards it we rushed blindly, closely followed by a
+yelling horde who sprang like squirrels from tree to tree.
+
+"Where is the Captain?" roared Stewart suddenly, as we ran; and then I
+noticed that there were but four of us together. Without a word we
+turned and dashed back into the midst of the Sakis' camp; and there we
+saw the Captain lying on his face, with his gun resting loosely at his
+shoulder. A perfect inferno raged around as we reached his side, and my
+companions, roused to a pitch of frenzy, fired volley after volley among
+the yelping band.
+
+"Get back, ye wretches," roared Mac; "A'll carry him masel'."
+
+Skelton calmly picked several darts from the Captain's neck, then felt
+his pulse. "He has only fainted," he said. "These darts have gone pretty
+deep."
+
+The Captain was a heavy man, but Mac gathered him in his strong arms
+like a child. "Tak' ma gun, Stewart," he directed, "and see that ye dae
+guid work wi' it if driven to it." Then we made a second break for the
+open by the river. The whole forest seemed to be alive with Sakis now;
+they yelled at us from every other tree, and shot their irritating
+arrows from every sheltered clump of brushwood. Luckily the range of
+their odd weapons was not extensive, and by skilful manoeuvring we
+managed to save ourselves greatly, otherwise we should have been
+perforated from head to foot.
+
+When we neared the river and could see the welcome light of day shining
+through the trees, our pursuers, probably deterred by our guns, grew
+less enthusiastic in the chase; and when the edge of the forest was
+reached they had apparently drawn off altogether.
+
+"To think that we should hae to run like that, frae--frae monkeys!"
+snorted Stewart indignantly as we halted. "It's fair disgracefu'."
+
+The Captain slowly opened his eyes, and looked at me reproachfully.
+
+"That chimpanzee that we didn't shoot," said he feebly, "is one of the
+same family, for the brute must have given the alarm----"
+
+"There he is noo!" cried Mac. "Gie me ma gun, Stewart, an' A'll
+obleeterate him, nae matter wha's grandfaither he is."
+
+I caught a glimpse of the huge ape swinging backwards into the thicket,
+then Mac's vengeful weapon spoke, and the Sakis' strange scout came
+tumbling to the ground. A yell of rage issued from the forest, and
+instantly a number of our late pursuers appeared and dragged the
+orang-outang back whence they came.
+
+"I haven't had much opportunity of studying the beggars," said Phil,
+"but I'm not growling. They are the most apish people I could ever have
+imagined."
+
+"Instead of gold," commented Skelton grimly, "we've all got a fair-sized
+dose of malaria----"
+
+"And various other trifles," added Mac, as he extracted the darts from
+the more fleshy portions of his anatomy.
+
+"We'll leave the gold alone this time, boys," I climaxed; "but we'll
+have another try when we can get a stronger party together. Meanwhile,
+we had better make tracks for the coast, and recuperate our energies."
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+A WEEK-END ADVENTURE
+
+
+For several years it has been my habit to spend my week-ends during the
+summer and autumn months in a small yacht called the _Thelma_, of about
+five tons, as a welcome change from the confined life of the City.
+
+Many and many a happy, lazy time have I spent in her, sometimes by
+myself, at others with a companion, at various delightful spots round
+our eastern and southern coasts, occasionally taking short cruises along
+the seaboard, but more often lounging about harbours and estuaries, or
+even exploring inland waters.
+
+On these occasions many little incidents and adventures have occurred,
+which, though full of interest to any one fond of yachting, yet are
+hardly worthy of print, and it was not until about a year and a half ago
+that the following events took place, and seemed to me of sufficient
+interest to record.
+
+The _Thelma_ was at the time at an anchorage in one of my favourite
+spots, a somewhat lonely East-coast estuary, within easy reach of the
+open sea, and, more important still in a way, fairly close to a
+main-line railway-station, so that I could get to her from town without
+wasting much of my precious time on the way. I had run down late on a
+Friday night early in September, rejoicing, as only a hard-worked City
+man can rejoice, in the thought of a good forty-eight hours of freedom
+and fresh air. I was alone, as my exit from town was rather unexpected,
+and I had no time to find a friend to keep me company; but that did not
+worry me, as I felt fully able to enjoy myself in solitary peace.
+
+I found everything prepared for my arrival, having wired to the
+longshoreman and his wife, in whose charge I had left the yacht, and I
+should much like to describe in full detail all my enjoyment, but must
+pass over the little events of my first day--the Saturday--as they have
+nothing to do with my "adventure," though to me the day was brimful of
+thorough happiness.
+
+It was one of those splendid bright days which are happily so frequent
+on the East coast in September--so calm, indeed, that sailing was out of
+the question, and I spent my time in the small boat or dinghy out in the
+open sea a mile or more, fishing in an indolent way for whiting, etc.,
+and basking in the sun.
+
+I saw no one all day, and there was little shipping about. A private
+wherry anchored opposite the village above the _Thelma_ was the only
+craft in the river, and a few trawlers and coasting steamers far out
+were the only vessels to be seen at sea.
+
+Nothing could have less suggested the likelihood of anything in the
+shape of "adventure," and I caught my whiting and dabs in blissful peace
+of mind.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon, however, I was roused from my
+fishing by feeling the air suddenly begin to get chill, and on looking
+out to sea saw that a breeze was springing up from the eastward, and
+bringing with it a bank of thick white sea-fog, which had already
+blotted out the horizon, and was coming in rapidly.
+
+This meant rowing home as quickly as possible, as I did not want to be
+caught in the "thick" before reaching my temporary home, as it might
+mean an hour or two's search for such a small yacht in a half-mile wide
+estuary.
+
+So, hastily laying aside my fishing-tackle and hauling up the little
+anchor, I put my back into the task of "racing the fog," feeling
+intensely thankful that the tide was on the flood, and, therefore, an
+immense help to me.
+
+Even as it was, I was in a glowing heat by the time I reached the
+_Thelma_, and only just in time at that, as the first chilly wreaths of
+mist were closing round me by the time I got on board. When all was
+"snug," and I was ready to go below into my little cabin for tea, a last
+glance round showed me that already the low hills on each side of the
+river were blotted out, and I could hardly distinguish the wherry
+anchored away up above me, or the houses of the village off which she
+lay.
+
+Oh, how cosy and bright the little cabin looked when I settled down for
+a nondescript meal, half-tea, half-dinner, about an hour later!
+
+The lamp, hung from the deck above, gave a mellow light, the kettle sang
+on the stove, and the fresh-caught whiting were simply delicious (I
+pride myself on my cooking on these occasions), whilst London, work, and
+my fellow-beings seemed far away in some other sphere.
+
+This feeling of isolation was considerably increased later on, when,
+after a hearty meal and a dip into a story, I put my head out of the
+hatch to take a customary "last look round" before turning in.
+
+I suppose it was about 10 p.m.; there was no moon, and I never remember
+a denser fog. At first, after the lighted cabin, I could distinguish
+absolutely nothing, except where the beam of light from the cabin lamp
+struggled past me through the open hatch into a white thickness which I
+can only liken to vaporous cotton-wool.
+
+Even when my eyes got a little accustomed to the change from light to
+darkness, I could only just make out the mizzen-mast astern and the
+lower part of the main-mast forward; beyond these was nothing but
+impenetrable thickness.
+
+Not a sound reached me, except the mournful muffled hooting of a
+steamer's syren at intervals; no doubt some wretched collier, nosing her
+way at half-speed through the fog, in momentary terror of collision.
+
+I don't think I ever felt so cut off from humanity in my life as in that
+tiny yacht, surrounded as I was by impenetrable density above and
+around, and the deep rushing tide below in a lonely water-way.
+
+No doubt this eerie feeling of loneliness had a great deal to do with my
+sensations later on, which, on looking back in after-days, have often
+struck me as being more acute and nervous than they had any right to be.
+
+Be that as it may, I was not nervous when I closed the hatch and "turned
+in," for I recollect congratulating myself that I was in a safe
+anchorage, out of the way of traffic, and not on board the steamer which
+I had heard so mournfully making known her whereabouts in the open sea.
+
+I think my "nerves" had their first real unsettling about half an hour
+afterwards, just as I was sinking off into a peaceful, profound slumber,
+for it seemed to me that I had been roused by a sound like a scream of
+pain or fear, coming muffled and distant through the fog; but from what
+direction, whether up or down the river, or from the shore, I could not
+tell.
+
+I raised myself on my elbow and listened intently, but heard nothing
+more, and reflecting that, even if what I had heard was more than fancy,
+I was helpless, shut in on every hand by impenetrable fog, to render
+aid; I could do no more than utter a fervent hope, amounting to a
+prayer, that no poor soul had strayed into the water on such a night. It
+is easy, too, when roused out of a doze, to imagine one has only
+_fancied_ a thing, and I had soon persuaded myself that what I had
+heard was no more than the shriek of a syren or cry of a disturbed
+sea-gull, and sank once more into a doze, which this time merged into
+that solid sleep which comes to those who have had a long day in
+sea-air.
+
+Somewhere in that vague period we are apt to call "the middle of the
+night," and which may mean any time between our falling asleep and
+daybreak, I dreamt that I was in bed in my London lodgings, that a chum
+of mine had come in to arouse me, and to do so had gently kicked the
+bedpost, sending a jarring sensation up my spine.
+
+At first I was merely angry, and only stirred in my sleep; but he did it
+again, and I awoke, intending to administer a scathing rebuke to the
+disturber of my peace.
+
+But I awoke on board the _Thelma_, and realised, with a feeling akin to
+alarm, that the sensation of "jarring" had been real, and the knocking
+which caused it came from something or _some one outside the boat_.
+
+At first I could hardly believe my senses, and raised myself on my
+elbow, my whole being strained as it were into the one faculty for
+listening.
+
+Again, this time close to my head, against the starboard bulkhead, came
+the sound, like two gentle "thuds" on the planking, causing a distinct
+tremor to thrill through the yacht.
+
+I cannot imagine any more "eerie" sensation than to go to sleep as I had
+done, with a profound sense of isolation and loneliness, cut off from
+humanity by a waste of fog and darkness and far-stretching water, and to
+be awakened in the dead of night by the startling knowledge that outside
+there, in that very loneliness, only divided from my little cabin by a
+thin planking--was _something_--and that something not shouting as any
+human being would shout at such a time--but _knocking_--as if wishing to
+be let in to warmth and comfort, out of the chill and darkness.
+
+Can I be blamed if my suddenly aroused and somewhat bemused senses
+played tricks with me, and my startled imagination began to conjure up
+the gruesome stories I had heard of weird visitants, and ghostly beings,
+heard but seldom seen, on the East Anglian meres and broads? Then again
+came the remembrance of the shriek or cry I had fancied I heard earlier
+in the night, and with a shudder I thought: "How ghastly if it should be
+the drowned body of him whose cry I had heard, knocking thus in grisly
+fashion to be taken in before the tide carried it away to sea!"
+
+So far had my excited imagination carried me, when again the yacht shook
+with the thud of something striking her, and a great revulsion of relief
+came over me as I recognised the dull sound of wood striking wood, this
+time farther aft, and I laughed aloud at my cowardice.
+
+No doubt a log of driftwood, bumping its way along the side of the
+yacht, as logs will, as the ebbing tide carried it seawards.
+
+However, by this time I had lighted the lamp; so, to satisfy my still
+perturbed though much ashamed mind, I thrust my feet into sea-boots and
+my body into a pea-jacket over my clothes, and went on deck, lamp in
+hand, to see what my unwelcome visitor really was.
+
+Through the mist, dimly illumined by the lamp, I made out the shadowy
+outline of a boat, drifting slowly towards the stern of the yacht, and
+occasionally bumping gently against her side.
+
+Another moment or two and the derelict would have vanished into the
+night. But the long boathook lay at my feet along the bulwark, and,
+almost instinctively, I caught it up with one hand, whilst setting the
+lamp down with the other, ran to the stern and made a wild grab in the
+dark towards where I thought she would be.
+
+The hook caught, and I hauled my prize alongside; stooping down, I felt
+for the painter, which I naturally expected to find trailing in the
+water, thinking the boat had broken loose from somewhere through
+carelessness in making her fast.
+
+To my surprise it was coiled up _inside_ the bows. Puzzling over this, I
+made the end fast to a cleat on the yacht, then took the lamp and turned
+the light over the side, so that it shone fairly into the boat.
+
+Then, for the second time that night, my pulses beat fast, and my scalp
+tingled with something approaching fear, and I wished I had a friend on
+board with me.
+
+It seemed as if my foolish idea of a dead body asking for compassion
+was coming true. For there was a huddled-up form lying on the bottom of
+the boat, its head inclined half on and half off the stern thwart, its
+whole attitude suggestive of the helplessness of death.
+
+I stood as if paralysed for a few seconds, filled with a craven longing
+to get back to the cosy cabin, shut the hatch, and wait till daylight
+before approaching any nearer that still form, dreading what horrors an
+examination might reveal. But more humane and reasonable thoughts soon
+came; perhaps this poor drifting bit of humanity was not dead, but had
+been sent my way in the dead of night to revive and shelter.
+
+Feeling that I must act at once, or I might not act at all--or at least
+till daybreak--I put a great restraint upon my feelings of repugnance,
+caught up the lamp, stepped into the boat, and raised the drooping head
+on to my arm.
+
+As I did so, the hood-like covering which had concealed the face fell
+back, and in a moment all my shrinking and horror vanished once for
+all--swallowed up in pity, compassion, and amazement--for on my arm
+rested the sweet face of a young and very pretty girl, marred only by
+its pallor and a bad bruise on the right temple.
+
+Even in the lamplight I could see she was a lady born and bred; her face
+alone told me that, and the rich material of fur-lined cloak and hood
+merely confirmed it.
+
+Here was no horrible midnight visitor, then; but certainly what seemed
+to me a great mystery--far more so than the dead body of labourer or
+wherry-man floating down with the tide would have furnished.
+
+A lady, insensible apparently from a blow on the forehead, floating
+alone in an open boat at midnight, on a lonely tidal water, far from any
+resort of the class to which she seemed to belong, and saved from long
+hours of exposure--perhaps death--by the marvellous chance (if it could
+be called so) of colliding with my yacht on the way to the open sea.
+
+It was too great a puzzle to attempt to solve on the spur of the moment,
+and I had first to apply myself to the evident duty of getting my fair
+and mysterious visitor into my cabin, there to try to undo the effects
+of whatever untoward accidents had befallen her.
+
+It was no easy matter, single-handed and in darkness, except for the
+hazy beam of light from the lamp on deck, to get her from the swinging,
+lurching boat to the yacht. But, luckily for me, my burden was light and
+slender, and I did it without mishap, I hardly know how, and then soon
+had her in the little cabin, laid carefully upon my blankets and rugs,
+with a pillow under her head.
+
+I soon knew she was alive, for there was a distinct, though slight, rise
+and fall of her bosom as she breathed, but my difficulty was to know
+what remedies to apply. I have a little experience in resuscitating the
+half-drowned, but in this case insensibility seemed to have been caused
+by the blow on her forehead, if it was not from shock or fear.
+
+So all I could do was to force a few drops of brandy between the white
+teeth, and bathe the forehead patiently, and hope that nature would soon
+reassert itself with these aids.
+
+After what seemed a long while to me, but which I suppose was not more
+than a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes, one of the little white
+hands moved, a deep sigh came from the lips, and I thought she was
+"coming to."
+
+But it was merely a change from one state of insensibility to another;
+for, though a colour came back into the cheeks and the breathing grew
+stronger and more regular, the warmth of the cabin had its effect, and
+she sank into a natural and peaceful sleep.
+
+My greatest anxiety being now relieved, and my fair young visitor
+restored to animation and resting peacefully enough, my mind naturally
+turned to the consideration of the strange position I was so
+unexpectedly placed in; but in my state of absolute ignorance as to the
+identity of my charge, where she came from, what had happened, and of
+the whole chain of circumstances which led up to her strange visit, I
+came to the conclusion that I could only wait for her to awake and
+enlighten me before taking any steps whatever. It might mean losing
+valuable time to try to find out anything by going off in the fog and
+darkness; whilst, meanwhile, the poor girl might awake and find herself
+deserted, instead of finding me ready and waiting to take her
+instructions for her safe restoration to her friends.
+
+So there was nothing for me to do but wait, and having made up the fire
+in the stove and put the kettle on in readiness for a cup of tea, I made
+myself as comfortable as I could in a corner and longed for daylight.
+
+As I watched the face of the sleeping girl, now rather flushed from the
+warmth of the cabin and the unaccustomed drops of spirit I had given
+her, I thought I had never before seen a fairer and sweeter countenance,
+and even then began to bless the chance which had allowed me to become
+her protector.
+
+Once she stirred, and a look of dread, almost terror, came into her
+face, and I heard her utter in an agonised voice the single word
+"Harold."
+
+It may sound ridiculous, but, coming so soon after my feelings of tender
+"protectiveness," I felt quite a pang of jealousy against the unknown
+owner of the name, and wondered in what relation she stood to him and
+why her thought of him should bring such evident pain. However, she did
+not awake as yet, and I had to possess my soul in patience for this and
+all the other enlightenment I longed for.
+
+I must have slept at last, for the next thing I remember was seeing a
+faint daylight struggling through the skylight and realising that the
+fire was nearly out, in spite of my resolve to keep a watch over it. In
+making it up I clumsily dropped a lump of coal, and the girl stirred,
+opened her eyes, and sat up at once, evidently refreshed by her sleep
+and in full possession of all her faculties, and, of course, utterly
+bewildered at her surroundings and at finding a perfect stranger in
+charge of her.
+
+It made my heart ache to see, as memory came back and she recalled the
+(to me unknown) events of the night, a cloud of dread and anxiety come
+over her, and her eyes fill with tears at the recollection; and if I had
+felt drawn to her before, I was doubly so now, when I saw her bravely
+brace herself to talk of them, and even smile up at me as she said--
+
+"Will you tell me where I am, and how I got here? It seems to me I have
+a lot to thank you for!"
+
+I told her as briefly as I could the happenings of the night as far as I
+knew them, and then said--
+
+"Now I am burning to hear your adventures, and longing to help you to
+get back to your friends; but I beg of you not to tell me more than you
+feel inclined, nor to put any strain on yourself at present, but just
+tell me sufficient for me to know how to act for you."
+
+She assured me she felt quite well, except for a headache (which
+certainly was only to be expected with such a bruise on her poor white
+forehead), and would like to tell me everything, as it would be a relief
+to her mind to do so, and with the most charming little blush she
+added--
+
+"I feel so sure you will know just what is best to be done, and I
+should like to confide my fears to you."
+
+So, whilst I busied myself in getting a sort of hasty breakfast ready,
+partly because we both needed it, but more for the sake of making it
+easier for her to speak of things which might be painful for her to
+mention with my eyes upon her, she told me all, and it was quite amazing
+how simply everything was explained.
+
+Her name--which she mentioned no doubt because I had carefully told her
+mine--was Lilian Burfield, and she and her brother Harold (I felt
+foolishly relieved to hear it was her _brother's_ name she had called on
+in her sleep) lived with their father at a large house some three miles
+from the village up the river. A day or two before these events, some
+friends of theirs, a Mr. and Mrs. Small, had brought their wherry up the
+river to visit them, whilst on a cruise. On the Friday they had spent
+the afternoon on board, and she and her brother had been induced to stay
+to dinner, and play a game or two afterwards; but her father had been
+obliged to leave earlier on account of some engagement.
+
+About 10.30 they left (although the Smalls pressed them to stop on board
+all night when they saw how thick the fog had become), feeling confident
+that they could not well miss the landing-stage, as it was not more than
+a hundred yards from the yacht.
+
+However, it seemed that they _had_ done so, as the boat took the ground
+on a mud-bank, and stuck fast.
+
+Her brother was unable to push off, and asked her to help, so she stood
+up and, with the other oar, moved to assist him. The shifting of her
+weight must have loosened the boat, as at that very moment her brother
+gave a shove and they shot off the mud with a lurch, sending her with
+great violence into the bottom of the boat and stunning her.
+
+As she fell (and here I heard a break in the low, sweet voice which was
+telling me the tale) she remembered seeing her brother disappear
+overboard, upset by the sudden movement of the boat beneath him, and
+believed she gave a cry at the sight; but knew no more till she awakened
+in the cabin of the _Thelma_.
+
+The simple narrative ceased, and I wondered that when trying to puzzle
+out where she could have come from, I had never thought to connect the
+wherry I had seen in the morning with my visitor's sudden appearance.
+
+How marvellous it seemed, though, that the boat with its helpless
+freight should have been carried by the ebbing tide straight into my
+care, and how deeply thankful I was that it had been so ordered, saving
+the poor girl from a terrible, lonely drift out to sea, from many hours'
+exposure, perhaps from being run down by a passing vessel, certainly
+from grave danger in many ways!
+
+Now I could see my way at last as to my next move, and hastened to
+assure my anxious visitor that I had little fear for her brother's
+safety, as I knew there were no mudbanks in that part of the river
+except those along the edge of the shore, and therefore he would almost
+certainly have been able to scramble out.
+
+There were still one or two things I did not quite understand, however,
+so, whilst we ate a fairly hearty meal off the remainder of my whiting,
+I plied her with a question or two, and by-and-by we got very friendly
+and cheerful, and I quite disliked the idea of going out into the misty
+morning to make arrangements for giving up my fair and charming visitor.
+
+As for Miss Burfield (as I now must call her), her spirits rose with my
+hopeful words, and as the food had its effect on her physically.
+
+But in my mind was a sinister fear, which I carefully kept from her.
+
+I had heard no shouts, no sound of any search, either in the night nor
+since daybreak, which seemed strange; and it had occurred to me that
+_if_ the young fellow had been drowned this would be explained, for
+those on the wherry might know nothing, thinking their visitors had
+reached the shore, while those ashore might think they had stopped
+overnight on board on account of the fog, and so no search would be
+made, no alarm taken.
+
+I asked whose was the boat they were in and which I had secured,
+wondering if it would be missed.
+
+"It belonged to a man in the village," she said. "We borrowed it because
+the man who works the wherry for the Smalls was away for the night, and
+we thought we would save Mr. Small the trouble of rowing us ashore so
+late at night in his own boat."
+
+"Was the owner waiting up for you to bring the boat back?" I asked.
+
+"No, we promised to tie it up safely, so that he need not worry about
+it," she answered.
+
+So, there again, they would not be missed till the man failed to find
+his boat, which might not be for hours yet. It seemed to me that I might
+have the terrible duty of breaking the bad news of the loss of the young
+man, instead of, as I had thought, the good tidings of the finding of
+the lost girl.
+
+But that remained to be proved, and I could only hope for the best.
+
+In any case my duty was now plain, and with a few cheering words to my
+companion, telling her that I was going to the village to report her
+safety, and to send a messenger to her home that they might come and
+fetch her, and would be back as soon as possible with (I hoped) the good
+news of her brother's safety, I set off, early as it was, and rowed
+myself ashore in the dinghy. I was glad to see that the fog was thinning
+even then, and by the time I had landed and run along the towing-path to
+the village, the sun was just visible through the haze, giving every
+hope of a lovely day.
+
+With mingled feelings of dread and hope I approached the scattered
+houses of the little hamlet, half fearing to see groups of men by the
+river-side searching for some gruesome object, and, again, when all
+seemed still and peaceful, fearing that the absence of movement might
+mean the very thing I dreaded--namely, that the catastrophe had
+happened, and no one any the wiser.
+
+There lay the wherry, without sight or sound of any living person on
+board; no one was moving in the little straggling street; not a dog
+barked.
+
+I went straight to the old inn, which stood about a hundred yards from
+the landing-stage, opposite the wherry's anchorage, and knocked loudly
+at the door. No one answered, so I tried the latch, the door opened to
+my hand, and I walked into the brick-floored bar, and at first thought
+it was empty.
+
+Then I heard a slight movement and the sound of a yawn, and, looking
+towards the large settle by the side of the hearth, saw my old
+acquaintance, the innkeeper, evidently aroused by my knocking from a
+sound sleep, rubbing his eyes and stiffly getting to his feet.
+
+Much astonished he looked when he saw who his visitor was, as he did not
+know I had come down to the yacht, and certainly was not accustomed to
+such early rising on my part.
+
+His first words gave me a cold feeling of apprehension, for on
+recognising me he said--
+
+"Oh, sir, I am glad you are here; perhaps you will be able to help us in
+this dreadful business."
+
+"What dreadful business?" I said, sharply enough, for I feared his
+answer, and dared not ask a more direct question, for the thought of
+the sweet girl I had left behind in the _Thelma_, and the news it
+seemed I was to take back to her, was almost too much for me.
+
+"Dear, dear, haven't you heard, sir?" went on the old man, thoroughly
+awake now in his eagerness to impart the news. "There's that poor, dear
+Miss Burfield, the sweetest young lady as ever I knew, gone floating
+down the river last night in the fog all alone, and goodness knows what
+has become of her, poor dear, by now--and her young brother, too, wet
+through as he was, gone off with the gentleman from yonder wherry in a
+boat to look for her, hours ago--and a poor chance of finding her, _I_
+say, till the fog blows off, even if they don't lose themselves as well
+as her. And the poor old squire, too, he be in a dreadful way, and
+sendin' messengers to all the coastguards for miles, he is, to look out
+for the lady----"
+
+Here the old man paused for want of breath, and I--completely relieved
+by his rambling statement from my fear about the girl's brother,
+hastened to relieve him with my astonishing news that Miss Burfield was
+safe and sound in my yacht, and had been so for some hours.
+
+Eager as I was to get back to the _Thelma_ with my good news, I could
+not get away till I had told the good old fellow how it had happened
+that I had rescued her, and he in return told me how young Burfield had
+rushed, muddy and dripping, into the inn as they were all going to bed,
+and demanded help in the search for his sister. No boat was to be had at
+the moment, and so they had shouted till Mr. Small came ashore in his
+own boat, and had at once rowed away with young Burfield down the river,
+in the thick darkness, with the faint hope of finding the missing girl
+before she drifted into the open sea.
+
+"I told 'em it warn't much good," ended the old man, "and that they'd
+best wait till daylight, but they would go. As for me, I reckon I've
+done the best thing, for I druv' over at once to the coastguards down
+yonder, and told 'em to keep a look out at the mouth o' the river. I
+ain't been back long, and was just takin' a nap when you found me, as I
+hadn't the 'art to go to bed."
+
+Having arranged with him to send the good news to all concerned,
+especially to the Hall, where old Mr. Burfield must doubtless be in a
+terrible state of anxiety, I hurried back along the towing-path,
+rejoicing in the thought that I should now be able to relieve my fair
+visitor's mind of her anxiety.
+
+I found her on deck, looking anxious, indeed, but so pretty and fresh in
+spite of her trying night's experiences, that my impressions of the
+night were greatly intensified, and I began to bless the unusual
+circumstances that had brought us together and made us friends, as it
+were, from the first moment of our acquaintance; and I registered a
+mental vow that the bond thus created between us should never be broken,
+if it lay in my power to prevent it.
+
+And when I had told her the good news, and we had at last an opportunity
+of friendly converse unclouded by forebodings and anxious thoughts, I
+for one thoroughly enjoyed the companionship, and allowed myself to hope
+that it was not altogether disagreeable to my charming visitor.
+
+It did not seem long, therefore, to me before the arrival of Mr.
+Burfield, who overwhelmed me with far more thanks and gratitude than I
+deserved, and insisted on my spending the rest of that week-end at the
+Hall--an invitation backed up in irresistible fashion by his daughter.
+To complete the general satisfaction, whilst we were talking we heard
+the sound of oars, and saw a boat approaching, containing two of the
+most weary and dispirited-looking men I ever saw.
+
+They proved to be Mr. Small and Mr. Harold Burfield, returning dead-beat
+and miserable after a fruitless and wretched search for the missing
+boat, to get food and to make arrangements for a further expedition. How
+can I describe their intense relief and astonishment when--summoned by a
+mighty shout--they pulled to shore, and saw the girl they imagined
+drifting helplessly miles out at sea standing on shore, safe and sound,
+and in infinitely better case than themselves, and heard that she had
+never been farther than where she now was from the scene of the accident
+the night before?
+
+Later on I asked Harold Burfield why he had not shouted as he rowed down
+the river after his sister in the darkness, when I might have heard and
+answered.
+
+He said that at first he thought it no use, as he knew his sister's
+boat must have had a long start of them; and later, when they had rowed
+some way, and considered they must have caught up with it, they had done
+so at intervals all night long, on the chance of her hearing.
+
+So I suppose that, either they were past the _Thelma_ before they began
+to call, or else in the fog had got so far over on the other side of the
+channel that their voices had not reached me, as I was shut up in my
+cabin.
+
+So all the little mysteries were cleared up, and everything had "come
+right in the end," as such things should.
+
+I have spent many a happy week-end since then at the Hall and on board
+the _Thelma_, and to my dying day I shall bless the fog of that
+September night, for Lilian has promised shortly to fix the day of our
+wedding, and we have both decided that part of the honeymoon at least is
+to be spent on board the _Thelma_; and I really believe that we shall
+both be rather disappointed if we do not get a bit of foggy weather to
+remind us how we first made each other's acquaintance, and made friends
+over "whiting and tea" in the little cabin at six o'clock in the
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE DEFLECTED COMPASS
+
+
+The paddle-steamer _Queen of the Isles_ was alongside the quay at St.
+Mary's, and had already given one shrill intimation that she was
+prepared to leave the harbour. Sydney and I were ready, with our
+portmanteaux strapped and our caps on, but the Honourable John had not
+yet appeared. We were impatient. Very important was it that we should
+catch the mail out of Penzance that same evening, for the following
+morning we were all due in London. Any delay in our return would be
+taken from the holidays of the next batch, and we should never hear the
+last of it if we were late, to say nothing of the unfairness of reducing
+the well-earned rest of the next batch by our dilatoriness and lack of
+consideration. We had taken the precaution to settle the hotel accounts,
+because we knew the habits of the Honourable John, and we stood in the
+hall with the thunder gathering upon our brows, and threatening to peal
+forth in tones more loud than complimentary.
+
+"If he isn't down in two minutes, Syd, I'm off," said I, pulling out my
+watch, and nervously noting the jerky springs of the spidery second-hand
+that seemed to be in a much greater hurry than usual.
+
+"John!" bawled Syd up the stairway. "Do you hear? You'll miss the
+steamer."
+
+"What's the fellow doing?" I asked, with irritation, as I observed that
+half a minute had passed.
+
+"Waxing the ends of his ridiculous moustache," answered Syd; then,
+turning again to the foot of the stairs, "John! We're going. Hurry up!"
+
+A door opened on the landing, and a voice drawled, "I say, you chaps,
+have you paid the bill?"
+
+"Certainly," said I. "Come along. We've barely time to catch the
+steamer. Didn't you hear the whistle?"
+
+"I heard something a little while ago, a sort of an ear-piercing shriek
+that startled me, and caused me to nick my chin with the razor. I shall
+have to put a bit of flesh-coloured plaster over it. Was that the
+whistle?" asked the Honourable John in the most tantalising, nonchalant
+way, as if he had all the day before him.
+
+We looked up the stairway, and there he was on the landing, in his
+shirt-sleeves, slowly adjusting the ends of a salmon-coloured tie.
+
+"The two minutes are up," said I, replacing my watch, and stooping for
+my portmanteau. At that moment the whistle sounded again, and I hurried
+away, followed by Syd, both of us muttering that the dawdler deserved to
+be left, but none the less hoping in our hearts that he would be in
+time.
+
+The hotel was near the harbour, and we were soon aboard. On the bridge,
+between the paddle-boxes, the captain stood with the string attached to
+the syren in his hand; beside him, glancing at the compass-card,
+grasping the spokes of the wheel, and silently awaiting instructions,
+was one of the men; the mate was for'ard with his whistle; and two
+little knots of islanders were gathered about the moorings on the quay,
+ready to cast off the hawsers as soon as the paddles moved and the
+captain gave the word.
+
+Loungers and holiday-makers were stirred into mild excitement by our
+expected departure. Exchanges of farewells, amid occasional shouts and a
+continuous ripple of laughter, were passing between those on board and
+those ashore. The usually quiet life of St. Mary's was bubbling up in
+its periodical agitation. By the outgoing and incoming of the steamer
+the islanders touched the great world without, and thrilled at the touch
+and felt its importance.
+
+It was a pleasant scene, or it would have been but for the inexcusable
+delay of the Honourable John. We began to fear that he would be left.
+The captain pulled the string again, and the syren sounded, with a
+peculiar urgency, as it seemed to me, ending in a despairing wail; then,
+stepping to the indicator, he signalled to the engineer, and the paddles
+began to revolve. The forward hawser was thrown off and fell with a
+splash into the sea; astern we were yet alongside the quay.
+
+The Honourable John appeared, resplendent in all the glory of a silk
+hat and frock coat, with a flower in his buttonhole, his hands gloved in
+lemon-coloured kids, and his feet shiny with patent leather; the people
+parted to let him pass, and stared at him as if he were a marquis at the
+very least, but the porter flung his portmanteau over the bulwarks like
+that of any other common tourist; John himself, with more agility than I
+gave him credit for, sprang aboard only just in time, as the men shouted
+"All clear aft, sir."
+
+Once more we heard the click of the bells in the engine-room, and away
+we went through the clear waters, with the white foam mingling in our
+wake and the other islands gliding rapidly into view.
+
+"You donkey!" said I, surveying the delinquent from head to foot, and
+noticing particularly the round spot of plaster on his chin. "Why didn't
+you come earlier?"
+
+"Call him a parrakeet," said Syd. "That will better describe him."
+
+"He's both," I replied--"slow as the one and gay as the other. But we've
+got him, and we'll see that he does not defraud young Clifton of a
+single minute of the holiday he's waiting for--ay, and well deserves."
+
+"You're always in such a desperate hurry," observed the Honourable John,
+ignoring the epithets with which we assailed him. He was never offended,
+and never perturbed. When the vials of our wrath were poured upon him,
+as they had been pretty freely during the holiday, they ran off him
+like the proverbial water from the duck's back. We simply could not have
+endured his foppishness and dandyism, combined with a temper always
+serene, if we had not known that at heart he was a very good fellow. "I
+was in time," said he.
+
+"You were," returned Syd significantly--"nearly in time to be late."
+
+"But I wasn't late," drawled John, "so what's the good of making a fuss
+about it. One of the pleasures of life is to take things easily; as my
+friend the Irishman once remarked, 'If ye cannot be happy, be aisy; and
+if ye cannot be aisy, be as aisy as ye can.' But, I say, I don't call
+this a specially bright morning; do you? Look there! We're running into
+a bank of fog."
+
+So we were. A dense white barrier, clean and straight as a wall, rose
+from the sea to the sky, and in another minute we had plunged into it.
+We did not anticipate so sudden a change. Fog was far from our thoughts,
+for the morning had been bright and sunny all around the islands, and
+the air was very still. For two or three days scarcely a breath of wind
+had wandered across the brilliant summer atmosphere. Now, with the fog,
+came a softly moving breeze out of the north-east. The fog drifted
+before it in one immense mass; there was no ripple upon the sea.
+
+Upon the passengers the effect was very curious; where, a few moments
+before, there had been ready repartee, interspersed with laughter, now
+there was low-toned commonplace conversation, or a dead silence. We were
+wrapped in a cloud; moisture began to form in tiny drops upon the
+stanchions and the deck, upon the beards and moustaches of the male part
+of the voyagers, upon the woolly texture of the garments of all, even
+upon the smoothly brushed silk of the Honourable John's top hat; save
+for the swish of the paddles and the running of the engines, with a
+whispered exclamation here and there, we could hear nothing; and we
+could scarcely see the length of the ship.
+
+It was the first bit of objectionable weather we had experienced during
+the holiday. We had spent a fortnight in the "Delectable Duchy." From
+Looe to Sennen we had not missed a single place worth seeing, and we had
+finished up with a week in the Scilly Isles. Making St. Mary's our
+centre, we had rowed and waded to St. Martin's and St. Agnes', to Tresco
+and Bryer and Samson and Annet, to Great Ganilly and Great Arthur, to
+Gweal and Illiswilgis, and a host of other places in that shattered and
+scattered heap of granite which forms the outstanding sentinel of our
+far western coast. The weather had been perfect. But now, having cleared
+the road and rounded St. Mary's, we were met by this thick mist, swaying
+down upon us like a vast curtain, and quickly enveloping us in its
+vapoury folds.
+
+"You'll want a new topper, John, when we reach Penzance," said Syd, as
+he noted how the moisture was ruffling the silk and dimming its gloss.
+He laughed as he said it, but, in the silence, his laugh seemed to be an
+intrusion.
+
+"You're mistaken, Syd," he replied; and, as he took off his hat and
+surveyed it, he continued, "In all weathers, there's no head gear so
+durable, and therefore so economical, as a good silk chimney-pot; and
+certainly there's nothing in the way of a _chapeau_ so comfortable and
+becoming."
+
+"Tastes differ," said I.
+
+"They do," answered John, "and I speak about my own. I've tried others.
+Oh, yes, I have," said he, as we looked at him incredulously, "and I
+speak from experience. I tell you, they're cheap, if you will only give
+enough for them. Why, I know an old fellow who has worn the very same
+tile, in all weathers, for fifteen years; it has been in the height of
+fashion twice in that time, and it will soon come in again; and it is a
+very decent thing yet when it has been newly pressed and ironed."
+
+"I prefer my deerstalker," said Syd.
+
+"And I my golfer," said I.
+
+"Which shows very plainly that your sartorial education has been
+neglected," returned John, "and I pity you. You are not living up to
+your privileges, and, worse still, you are unaware of the privileges you
+might live up to. But, I say, this is a sneezer!" and he looked about
+him into the fog, which was becoming denser every minute. "They're
+lessening the pace. I suppose it wouldn't do to drive along through this
+thick stuff. We might reach an unexpected terminus. What say you? Shall
+we go on the bridge?"
+
+"The captain may not allow us," said I.
+
+"Pooh! I know the cap. He's a forty-second cousin of mine. Come along.
+I'll introduce you now that we are out of the narrows and in the open
+sea."
+
+"It seems to me as if the sea were shut," whispered Syd, as we followed
+the Honourable John to the bridge.
+
+"Closed, at any rate," said I, "and with very moist curtains, through
+which we must push our way unpleasantly enough into the harbour."
+
+We reached the upper deck, which was dotted with bulgy figures in cloaks
+and capes, damp, and silent, and melancholy. The bridge formed the
+forward part of the upper deck, where it terminated amidships; the
+helmsman, with his hands upon the spokes, shifted his eyes alternately
+between the binnacle and the bows, and gave the wheel a turn now this
+way and now that, while the captain paced cross-wise between the
+paddle-boxes, and searched the mirk above and ahead to see whether there
+was any likelihood that the weather would clear.
+
+Abaft the funnel the deck was free to those of the passengers who held
+saloon tickets, but afore the funnel--that is, on the bridge itself--no
+one was allowed without the captain's special permission. This space was
+railed off, with a hinged lift in the mahogany on either side, both of
+which were now down and barred. We were not quite sure whether the
+captain were really the Honourable John's relative, or whether our
+comrade's proposal to join the captain was only one of those erratic
+notions which visited his aristocratic brain, and were often carried
+through with a confidence so complete as to be rarely unsuccessful. He
+was unmercifully snubbed sometimes, and he richly deserved it; but the
+curious thing about him was that the snubs were wasted. Where others
+would have retired crestfallen, the Honourable John held his head high
+and heeded not.
+
+We were prepared to find that the forty-second cousinship was a fiction,
+and that the captain would quietly ignore him; but we were in the
+background, and it mattered very little to us; the deck would be as
+welcome as the bridge.
+
+"Well, cousin cap.," said John familiarly, placing his hand upon the wet
+mahogany rail, "and how are you?"
+
+"Hallo!" exclaimed the captain, facing round. "Where have you tumbled
+from?"
+
+"Hughtown, St. Mary's, was the last bit of mother earth I touched before
+I sprang aboard the _Queen of Paddlers_. May we venture within your
+private domain?"
+
+"Why, certainly, John," and he lifted the rail and beckoned us forward.
+
+"Two chums of mine," said John, naming us, and then he named the captain
+as his respected cousin forty-two times removed. The captain smiled at
+him, shook his head, and observed that the relationship was a little
+closer than that, but a puzzle, nevertheless, to work out exactly.
+
+"I must have missed you when you came aboard," said he, "and yet in your
+usual get-up I don't see how I could very well. You look as if you had
+just stepped out of a band-box, except for the dampness, of course."
+
+"Oh, you were busy when I joined you," said John, evidently pleased with
+the captain's remarks about his appearance. "I had to jump for it. But
+you haven't answered my question. How are you?"
+
+"Tol'able, thank'e. And your folks--how are they? I need not ask how
+_you_ are," and, while John answered him, he placed camp-stools for us,
+and said to Syd and me, "Sit down, gentlemen; and excuse me if I address
+myself mainly to this eccentric cousin of mine, and, I am sure, your
+very good friend. I do not see him often, and he never will let me know
+when he is coming my way"--a statement which Syd and I could easily
+believe. For, with all John's faults, and he had many of them, he was
+one of the least obtrusive of men where hospitality came in, and one of
+the most reticent about himself and his own affairs; and we, who worked
+with him, knew him almost exclusively as a good fellow in the
+department, and a capital companion for a holiday.
+
+The captain placed John's camp-stool on the starboard side of the
+binnacle. Their conversation was broken into snatches by the captain's
+movements. As he paced the bridge, backwards and forwards, he halted
+each time just for a moment when he came to where John had propped his
+back against the binnacle and tilted his stool at an angle that
+threatened collapse. Syd and I sat quite apart, and left them alone to
+their semi-private conversation. We noticed, however, that the captain
+appeared to be uneasy about the vessel's course and progress; he glanced
+more than once at the compass-card, and several times, in his
+perambulations, he lingered over the paddle-boxes, and intently watched
+the water as it slipped by. So that his conversation with the Honourable
+John became more fragmentary, and was more frequently interrupted the
+nearer we approached the land.
+
+After some time the captain came to a sudden stand over the port
+paddle-box, and curved his left hand round his ear. For a minute or more
+he stood like a statue, perfectly motionless, and with his whole being
+absorbed in an effort to catch a faint and expected sound across the
+water. Satisfied with the effort, he stepped briskly to the indicator,
+and signalled to the engineer to increase the speed of the steamer.
+
+"What is it, cap.?" asked John.
+
+"The bell on the Runnel Stone," he replied. "Cannot you hear it?"
+
+The captain's statuesque figure, intently listening, had been observed
+by the passengers, and there was a dead silence aboard, broken only by
+the thumping of the engines and the splash of the paddle-blades as they
+pounded the still waters. Presently the dreary clang of the bell,
+struck by the clapper as the sea rocked it, came to us in uncertain and
+fitful tones. It was a melancholy sound, but its effect was cheering,
+because it gave the people some idea of our whereabouts, and was an
+indication that we had crossed the intervening space between the islands
+and the mainland. We were making fair progress despite the fog, and
+should soon be ashore again.
+
+A babble of talk began and ran the round of the passengers, breaking out
+among a group of younger people into a ripple of laughter. For a quarter
+of an hour this went on, then, to the amazement of all on board, the
+captain, after glancing anxiously at the compass-card, sternly called
+out "Silence!" Meanwhile the sound of the bell had become clearer, but
+was now growing less distinct; and, as the captain's order was instantly
+obeyed, we became aware of another sound--the breaking of the waves upon
+the shore.
+
+For a moment the captain listened, straining his eyes at the same time
+to pierce the dense mist ahead; the man on the look-out, perched in the
+bows, who had been leaning forward with his hand shading his eyes,
+turned about with a startled gesture, throwing his arms aloft, and
+shouted to the captain that we were close in shore, and heading for it
+directly; the captain sprang to the indicator, and signalled for the
+reversal of the engines; but it was too late. With a thud that threw us
+all forward the steamer grounded.
+
+Instantly all was confusion. Some lost their heads, and began to rush
+about wildly. A few screamed. Nearly every one became visibly paler. Syd
+and I started from our seats, and gazed bewilderedly at an expanse of
+yellow sand softly revealed beneath the mist, and stretching ahead and
+on either hand into the white moisture by which we were encompassed.
+John walked over to us apparently unmoved.
+
+"Well, this is a go," said he.
+
+Before we could reply, the captain bawled out his orders that all the
+passengers must retire to the after-part of the ship, and help, so far
+as their collected weight might do so, to raise the bows now sunk in the
+soft sand. He assured them that there was not the slightest danger; the
+vessel was uninjured; we were ashore on a yielding and shelving beach;
+and that, if they would remain perfectly quiet, and obey orders, he had
+some hope that he might get the vessel afloat again.
+
+There was a general move aft, and although signs of distress, and even
+of terror, were not wanting on some faces, the people gathered quietly
+enough into one solid mass. We three stood on the outer edge of the
+company. Syd and I were considerably excited, but John was as calm as a
+man could be. With tremendous uproar the reversed paddles began to churn
+the shallow water, but not an inch did we move.
+
+The captain stepped to the binnacle, and read the compass-card. A swift
+change passed over his face; in mingled surprise and anger he pointed
+within the binnacle, and began to question the man at the wheel; but he
+was more surprised than the captain--so utterly amazed, in fact, that he
+could not be angry, and only protested that he had kept the vessel true
+to the course which had been given him, and could not explain why the
+card had veered three to four points farther westward since the vessel
+had touched the ground. It was no use contending about the matter then.
+The paddles began to throw up the sand as well as the water, and the
+captain saw that the vessel would have to remain where she was until the
+next tide.
+
+"We are fast, sure 'nough," sang out the captain. "You had better gather
+your traps together, and prepare to leave the vessel. There will be
+conveyances in the villages to take you to Penzance."
+
+The company dispersed and scattered about the boat, merrily collecting
+their belongings now that they knew the worst, and that the worst was
+not very bad after all. We rejoined the captain.
+
+"What's the name of this new port of discharge?" asked John.
+
+"Not port, but Porth," answered the captain grimly, for it was no
+laughing matter to him. "Porth Curnow. And you may thank your stars that
+we have run clear in upon the sand, and not a few furlongs south or
+north, for then we should have been laid up either under Tol-Pedn or
+beneath the Logan Rock."
+
+"I can follow your location admirably, cap.," said John. "We are eight
+or nine miles from Penzance--is not that so? Yes!" as the captain
+nodded gloomily; "and Porth Curnow is the place where the submarine
+telegraph chaps live. But, I say, why did you bring us here? We booked
+for Penzance."
+
+"Goodness knows--I don't. Something's gone wrong with the compass. We
+were on the right course, and the compass was true until we grounded;
+then it swerved most unaccountably nearly four points to the westward,
+and there it remains."
+
+"That's a curious freak, cap. You'll be interviewed by all the
+scientific folk in the kingdom, and I shouldn't wonder if you are not
+summoned to appear, and give evidence, before a select committee of the
+Royal Society. Four points out! Why, man, you're immortalised. I call it
+a most lucky deflection."
+
+"Do you? I don't," growled the captain. "Others are welcome to the
+immortality. I prefer to do without, and steer by a compass that's true.
+And it _has_ been true up to now."
+
+"That's where it comes in," exclaimed John. "That's what makes it
+remarkable. If the compass _hadn't_ been true, you would have gained
+nothing by this little adventure; but, as you say, it _has_ been true,
+therefore---- Oh! dear, it takes a lot to satisfy some people. And you
+cannot account for it? Do you think the telegraph station has had
+anything to do with it--electricity, you know? Electricity is a queer
+thing, and plays pranks sometimes. No! Well, perhaps the hills are
+magnetic."
+
+"Come, John, you're losing your head; and I have these people to see
+to," remarked the captain somewhat tartly.
+
+"I believe I am," said John. "It's a habit I have, but I generally find
+it again. Well, cap., if you require any assistance in the unloading of
+the cargo, say the word, and here I am, your cousin to command"; and the
+captain was obliged to smile, notwithstanding the disaster--an effect
+which John had been trying for all the while.
+
+"Your suggestion about the telegraph station has put a practical idea
+into my brain, and I am thankful for that, John. I'll sound the syren,
+and bring the fellows down. They'll be willing to help in a mess like
+this, anyhow; and, if there are not enough conveyances to run the people
+down to Penzance, they can wire for a few to fetch them"; and, pulling
+the cord, he sent the shriek of the syren through the mist in resounding
+and ear-splitting tones.
+
+By this time, the passengers had all pressed forward into the bows, with
+the easily transferable part of their luggage about them. The water had
+receded, and left the bows clear; but it was too long a drop into the
+wet sand for any one to venture down without assistance. The ladies
+especially were looking wistfully over the bulwarks. We three went
+forward also, but we left our portmanteaux to take care of themselves.
+
+Soon two young fellows dashed down the sands, halloing in answer to the
+syren, and stood with wondering eyes beneath the bows.
+
+"Who are you?" shouted one of them.
+
+"Scilly people," piped a shrill female voice from our midst.
+
+"That we are--very," said John drily; at which, notwithstanding our
+plight, there was a general laugh.
+
+The two were speedily increased to half a dozen, and these were joined
+by quite a group of farm-servants and villagers, attracted by the
+unwonted sound of a syren floating across their fields. Some of the
+latter, scenting substantial gain, ran off to harness their horses to
+such conveyances as they could command in readiness for the drive to
+Penzance, while the rest remained, having also a view to the needful, to
+act as porters and guides.
+
+One of the men, by the captain's orders, came forward with a
+rope-ladder, fastened one end securely within the bulwarks, and threw
+the other over the side. It hung about four feet from the ground.
+Immediately the passengers swarmed about the head of the ladder, and,
+although there was no real danger, pushed and jostled each other in the
+attempt to secure an early descent. A few thoughtless young fellows were
+claiming the first chance when the Honourable John interfered.
+
+"Here," said he, "ladies first, and one at a time," and he shouldered
+the too eager males aside. He took off his hat, turned to the crowd
+below, and, picking out a telegraph clerk, said, "Catch my tile, will
+you? And, mind, don't sit on it! It may collapse. Thank you!" as the man
+caught it cleverly, and smiled at the instructions. Then he slipped out
+of his frock-coat, and flung it aside; undid his cuff-links, and rolled
+up his sleeves; bowed to the nearest woman of the party, who happened to
+be a stout Scillonian in a peasant's dress, and said, "Ready! Allow me,
+madam." As he helped her to the top of the bulwarks, and down the rungs,
+he sang out, "Below there! Steady this lady down, and help her to the
+ground."
+
+Syd and I handed up the other ladies, and the Honourable John, balanced
+upon the bulwarks, gallantly helped them down the ladder as far as his
+arms would reach, where they were taken in charge by the telegraph
+clerks, and landed upon the wet sand. The captain watched the
+proceedings from the bridge with an amused expression. Before long all
+the ladies were disposed of, and we left the men to scramble down as
+best they could. John picked up his coat, and I held it by the collar
+while he slipped his arms through the arm-holes and drew it on.
+
+When he flung the coat aside I noticed a peculiarity of the collar as it
+fell and lay upon the ground. While the waist and all the lower part was
+limp, the collar preserved an unnatural stiffness--a stiffness that
+extended to the breast; this part stood up as if within it there were
+some invisible form. Several times as I turned to assist the lady whose
+turn came next I noticed this peculiarity; and when I held the collar to
+help the Honourable John into this fashionable frock-coat, there was a
+hardness about it which made me wonder whether his tailor had stitched
+into it several strips of buckram, or cleverly inserted beneath the
+collar, and down the breast, a piece of flexible whalebone. Whatever it
+was that gave this part of his coat its rigidity, I dismissed it from my
+mind with the thought that the Honourable John was a greater fop than
+either Syd or I supposed.
+
+Bareheaded he went to bid his cousin good-bye. We also shook the
+captain's hand, and expressed our regret, with John, at the misfortune
+which had befallen him because of the deflection of the compass. We were
+the last to leave by the rope-ladder, handing down our portmanteaux
+before we descended ourselves; and the captain waved his hand to us from
+the bows before we vanished into the mist. The heavy luggage would have
+to wait until the steamer floated off with the next tide, and made her
+way round to Penzance; but negotiations had begun before we left for the
+conveyance of the mails in time to catch the up train, by which we also
+intended travelling to London.
+
+John recovered his hat, and we pushed through the yielding shell beach,
+preceded by our improvised porters, to the broken ramparts of Treryn
+Dinas; these we climbed, and made our way across the fields to the
+village of Treryn; and here we hired a trap, which ran us into Penzance
+in time to discuss a good dinner before we started on our journey by
+rail.
+
+We were well on the way to Plymouth, and I was reading a newspaper of
+the day before, when a curious paragraph caught my eye.
+
+"Listen to this!" said I to the other two, and I read: "'It has
+frequently happened that ships have got out of their course at sea by
+some unaccountable means, and a warning just issued by the Admiralty may
+perhaps have some bearing on the matter. Their Lordships say that their
+attention has been called to the practice of seamen wearing steel
+stretchers in their caps, and to the danger which may result from these
+stretchers becoming strongly magnetised, and being worn by men close to
+the ship's compasses. Instances have been reported of compasses being
+considerably deflected in this manner, and their Lordships have now
+directed that the use of steel stretchers in caps is to be immediately
+discontinued.' I wonder if the deflection of the compass of the _Queen
+of the Isles_ can be explained in a similar way. Possibly the helmsman
+may have been wearing one of these stretchers."
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the Honourable John, giving his knee a tremendous
+slap. "I have it. I must write to my cousin. It is my fault--my fault,
+entirely. But I never thought of it."
+
+"Thought of what?" asked Syd.
+
+"What do you mean?" inquired I.
+
+"This----" and the Honourable John for once exhibited a rueful face.
+"You saw where the cap. placed me; and how I tilted my stool and leaned
+against the binnacle. Well, look here!" and he folded back the lappets
+of his coat, and showed us a narrow band of flat spring steel that
+passed under his collar and down either side to keep it from creasing
+and to help it to fit closely to his body. "That patent thing has done
+the mischief, without a doubt. Oh, what a fool I am! I might have sent
+the whole ship-load of us to Davy Jones. I'll forswear this fashionable
+toggery henceforth when I'm away on holiday, and follow the innocent
+example of sensible chaps like you."
+
+We made no comment, but we both observed that our companion was
+singularly quiet all the way from Plymouth to London.
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+IN PERIL IN AFRICA
+
+
+The attempt to open up new countries, the natives of which object to the
+process, naturally leads to adventures, often of a very dangerous kind.
+Nevertheless, explorers and traders take their lives in their hands,
+considering the possible results well worth the risk.
+
+So does the missionary. In place of worldly fame and wealth, his efforts
+are likely to bring him suffering and death; but, while facing these, he
+may spread the faith which is dearer to him than life; he may bring the
+news of the love of God, with its uplifting power, to those who, sunk in
+ignorance and degradation, tremble before idols; and he, too, feels that
+personal dangers are not worth weighing in comparison with the glorious
+cause in which they are dared. As Bishop Hannington said just before
+going out as a missionary--
+
+"If I lose my life in Africa, no one must think it has been wasted. The
+lives that have been already given for the cause are not lost. They are
+_filling up the trench so that others may the more easily pass over to
+take the fort in the name of the Lord_!"
+
+That is the spirit in which he went out and in turn laid down his
+life--helping to fill the trench to such good purpose that his own son,
+in after years, baptised the son of his murderer! Hannington's life in
+Africa was a constant succession of dangers faced, difficulties
+overcome, and hardships endured, all of which his intense faith, and his
+gift of humour, enabled him to go through cheerfully.
+
+He was a keen sportsman, ever eager to add to his collection of rare
+creatures, and his letters home give vivid account of some of his
+adventures. On one or two occasions he had narrow escapes from death--
+
+"This part of the country abounds with game. On one occasion a herd of
+antelopes crossed the path as tamely as if they had been sheep, and
+tracks of giraffe and larger game were frequently seen. Guinea-fowl were
+so plentiful that one of the white men at Mpwapwa told us that he did
+not trouble to fire at them unless he could ensure killing two or three
+at a shot.
+
+"I had two narrow escapes in one of my walks with a gun in search of
+game. I came to a belt of jungle so dense that the only way to get
+through it was to creep on all fours along the tracks made by hyenas and
+smaller game; and as I was crawling along I saw close in front of me a
+deadly puff-adder; in another second I should have been on it.
+
+"The same day, on my return, I espied in one of these same tracks a
+peculiar arrangement of grass, which I at once recognised to be over a
+pitfall; but though I had seen it I had already gone too far, and fell
+with a tremendous crash, my double-barrel gun full-cocked in my hand. I
+had the presence of mind to let myself go and look out only for my gun,
+which fortunately did not explode. On arriving at the bottom I called
+out to my terrified boy, 'Mikuke Hapana,' 'There are no spears,' a most
+merciful providence; for they often stake these pitfalls in order to
+ensure the death of animals that fall into them. The pitfall could not
+have been less than ten feet deep, for when I proceeded to extricate
+myself I found that I could not reach the top with my uplifted hands.
+
+"Undaunted by my adventures, and urged on by the monotony of nothing but
+tough goat on the sideboard, I started before the break of next morning
+in pursuit of game, and was soon to be seen crawling on hands and knees
+after antelope, I am afraid unmindful of puff-adders and pitfalls.
+
+"By and by the path followed the bed of a narrow stream, which was
+completely ploughed with the tracks of buffalo and giraffe, as fresh as
+fresh could be. Our impression was, and probably it was right, that the
+former were lurking in the dense thicket close by. The breathless
+excitement that such a position keeps you in does much to help along the
+weary miles of the march, and to ward off attacks of fever. All
+experienced hands out here recommend that men should, while not losing
+sight of their one grand object, keep themselves amused.
+
+"Your cousin Gordon and I, with our boys, had led the van all the
+morning. He, having lately had fever, complained of being tired, and
+begged me to continue in pursuit of game alone, merely taking my one
+faithful boy with me to carry my gun; but I refused to leave him, for
+never had I complained of an ache or pain but what he was at my side to
+help and comfort me. We sat down and rested, and the other brethren,
+with a party of a dozen or fourteen, marched on ahead. They had not gone
+many hundred yards before I heard the whiz of a bullet. 'They have found
+game,' said I. Bang went a second shot. 'It's a herd.' Then another.
+'Yes, it must be a herd.' Then a fourth, and it dawned on me that they
+were attacked by robbers--the far-famed Ruga-Ruga.
+
+"'Stay where' you are,' I cried, and dashed off, closely followed by my
+boys. The bangs had now reached seven, and we had not the slightest
+doubt it was an attack of robbers, and so it proved to be. My anxiety
+was relieved by seeing our men all intact, standing together at bay with
+a foe that was nowhere to be beheld. I soon learnt that as they were
+quietly proceeding a party of the savage Wahumba tribe had swooped down
+upon them; but seeing white men with rifles had fled with the utmost
+precipitation, without even discharging a poisoned arrow. To make their
+flight more rapid the white men had fired their rifles in the air; and
+one in grabbing his gun from his boy had managed to discharge it in
+such a manner as to blow off the sight of his neighbour's rifle. Finding
+that danger was at an end for the time being, I begged them to remain as
+they were, ready to receive an attack, while I returned with my boys to
+Gordon, and got the stragglers together, after which we all proceeded in
+a body. I have always thought that it was I who had the greatest escape
+of all; for had I gone on, as Gordon proposed, with only one, or at the
+outside two boys, I should most probably have been attacked."
+
+A little later the Bishop had an even narrower escape from a
+justly-enraged lion and lioness--
+
+"Presently, while hunting for insects in short mimosa tangle up to the
+knee, I disturbed a strange-looking animal, about the size of a sheep,
+brownish colour, long tail, short legs, feline in aspect and movement,
+but quite strange to me. I took my gun and shot it dead--yes, quite
+dead. Away tore my boy as fast as his legs would carry him, terrified
+beyond measure at what I had done! What, indeed? you may well ask. I had
+killed the cub of a lioness! Terror was written on every line and
+feature of the lad, and dank beads of perspiration stood on his face. I
+saw it as he passed me in his flight, and his fear for the moment
+communicated itself to me. I turned to flee, and had gone a few paces,
+when I heard a savage growl, and a tremendous lioness--I say advisedly a
+tremendous one--bounded straight at me.
+
+"In spite of the loaded gun in my hand, it seemed to me that I was
+lost. The boy knew more about lions than I did, and his fear knew no
+bounds. I began to realise that I was in a dangerous situation, for a
+lioness robbed of her whelp is not the most gentle creature to deal
+with. I retreated hastily. No; I will out with it, children, in plain
+language--I ran five or six steps; every step she gained upon me, and
+the growls grew fiercer and louder. Do I say _she_ gained?--_they_
+gained, for the lion was close behind her, and both were making straight
+for me. They will pause at the dead cub? No; they take no notice of it;
+they come at me. What is to be done?
+
+"It now struck me that retreat was altogether wrong. Like a cat with a
+mouse, it induced them to follow. Escape in this manner was impossible.
+I halted, and just at that moment came a parting yell from my boy,
+'Hakuna! Kimbia!'
+
+"I thought he had seen and heard the lion and lioness, and that,
+speaking as he does bad Kiswahili, he had said, 'Kakuna Kimbia!' which
+might be roughly, though wrongly, translated, 'Don't run away!' instead
+of which he meant to say--in fact, did say--'No! Run away!'
+
+"I have no hesitation in saying that a stop wrongly read but rightly
+made saved my life. I had in the second or two that had elapsed
+determined to face it out; and now, strengthened as I thought by his
+advice, I made a full stop and turned sharply on them. This new policy
+on my part caused them to check instantly. They now stood lashing their
+tails and growling, and displaying unfeigned wrath, but a few paces from
+me.
+
+"I then had time to inspect them. They were a right royal pair of the
+pale sandy variety, a species which is noted for its fierceness, the
+knowledge of which by no means made my situation more pleasant. There we
+stood; both parties evidently feeling that there was no direct solution
+to the matter in hand. I cannot tell you exactly what passed through
+their minds, but they evidently thought that it was unsafe to advance
+upon this strange and new being, the like of which they had never seen
+before. I cannot tell you either how long a time we stood face to face.
+Minutes seemed hours, and perhaps the minutes were only seconds; but
+this I know, my boy was out of hearing when the drama was concluded.
+
+"And this is how it ended: After an interval I decided not to fire at
+them, but to try instead what a little noise would do. So I suddenly
+threw up my arms in the air, and set up a yell, and danced and shouted
+like a madman. Do you know, the lions were so astonished to see your
+sober old uncle acting in such a strange way that they both bounded into
+the bushes as if they had been shot, and I saw them no more!
+
+"As the coast was now clear I thought I might as well secure my prize, a
+real little beauty. So I seized it by its hind legs and dragged it as
+quickly as I could along the ground, the bushes quite keeping it out of
+sight. When I had gone what I had deemed a sufficient distance I took it
+up and swung it over my back, and beat a hasty retreat, keeping a sharp
+eye open in case the parents should lay claim to the body, for I should
+not have been dishonest enough not to let them have it had they really
+come to ask for it!
+
+"I soon found the cub was heavier than I bargained for, being about the
+size of a South Down sheep, so I shouted for my boy. It was a long time,
+however, before I could make him hear. I began to be afraid I must
+abandon my spoil. At length I saw him in the far distance. Fortunately
+for me he did not know his way back to the camp, otherwise his intention
+was to return to the camp, and ask the men to come and look for my
+remains.
+
+"The arrival of the cub caused a tremendous sensation among the natives;
+dozens of men came to see it, nor would they believe until they had seen
+the skin that I had dared to kill a 'child of the lioness,' it being
+more dangerous than killing a lion itself. I do not think that I was
+wise in shooting; but the fact was it was done, and I was in the scrape
+before I knew where I was, and having got into trouble, of course the
+question then was how best to get out of it."
+
+"In some of the places I passed through they had never seen a white man
+before. They would gather round me in dozens, and gaze upon me in the
+utmost astonishment. One would suggest that I was not beautiful--in
+plainer language, that I was amazingly ugly. Fancy a set of hideous
+savages regarding a white man, regarding your uncle, as a strange
+outlandish creature frightful to behold. You little boys that run after
+a black man in the park and laugh at him, think what you may come to
+when you grow old! The tables may be turned on you if you take to
+travelling, just as they were with me.
+
+"As with other travellers, my boots hardly ever failed to attract
+attention.
+
+"'Are those your feet, white man?'
+
+"'No, gentlemen, they are not. They are my sandals.'
+
+"'But do they grow to your feet?'
+
+"'No, gentlemen, they do not, I will show you.'
+
+"So forthwith I would proceed to unlace a boot. A roar of astonishment
+followed when they beheld my blue sock, as they generally surmised that
+my feet were blue and toeless. Greater astonishment still followed the
+withdrawal of the sock, and the revelation of a white five-toed foot. I
+frequently found that they considered that only the visible parts of me
+were white, namely, my face and hands, and that the rest of me was as
+black as they were. An almost endless source of amusement was the
+immense amount of clothing, according to their calculation, that I
+possessed. That I should have waistcoat and shirt and jersey underneath
+a coat, seemed almost incredible, and the more so when I told them that
+it was chiefly on account of the sun I wore so much.
+
+"My watch, too, was an unfailing attraction: 'There's a man in it,' 'It
+is Lubari; it is witch-craft,' they would cry.' He talks; he says, Teek,
+teek, teek,' My nose they would compare to a spear; it struck them as so
+sharp and thin compared to the African production, and ofttimes one
+bolder than the rest would give my hair and my beard a sharp pull,
+imagining them to be wigs worn for ornament. Many of them had a potent
+horror for this white ghost, and a snap of the fingers or a stamp of the
+foot was enough to send them flying helter-skelter from my tent, which
+they generally crowded round in ranks five deep. For once in a way this
+was amusing enough; but when it came to be repeated every day and all
+day, one had really a little too much of a good thing."
+
+Of the discomforts of an African march the Bishop made light, his sense
+of humour often enabling him to enjoy a good laugh at occurrences which
+would have irritated some men almost beyond endurance. Of some of the
+hardships, however, his letters and diary give glimpses--
+
+"Our first experience in this region was not a pleasant one. We had sent
+our men on before while we dallied with our friends at Mpwapwa. When we
+reached the summit of the pass we could see various villages with their
+fires in the plains below, but nowhere was the camp to be discerned. It
+was a weary time before we could alight on it, and when we did, what a
+scene presented itself to our gaze!
+
+"The wind was so high that the camp fires were extinguished, and the men
+had betaken themselves to a deep trench cut through the sandy plain by
+a mountain torrent, but now perfectly dry; hence our difficulty in
+making out where the camp was. Two of the tents were in a prostrate
+condition, while the others were fast getting adrift. Volumes of dust
+were swamping beds, blankets, boxes, buckets, and in fact everything;
+and a more miserable scene could scarcely be beheld by a party of
+benighted pilgrims. It was no use staring at it. I seized a hammer and
+tent pegs, forgot I was tired, and before very long had things fairly to
+rights; but I slept that night in a dust-heap.
+
+"Nor did the morning mend matters, and to encourage us the Mpwapwa
+brethren prophesied this state of things all through Ugogo. It is bad
+enough in a hot climate to have dust in your hair and down your neck,
+and filling your boxes; but when it comes to food, and every mouthful
+you take grates your teeth, I leave you to imagine the pleasure of
+tent-life in a sandy plain.
+
+"A day or two after this we arrived at a camp where the water was
+excessively bad. We had to draw it for everybody from one deep hole, and
+probably rats, mice, lizards, and other small animals had fallen in and
+been drowned, and allowed to remain and putrefy. The water smelt most
+dreadfully, no filtering or boiling seemed to have any effect upon it,
+and soup, coffee, and all food were flavoured by it.
+
+"That afternoon I went for a stroll with my boy and two guns to
+endeavour to supply the table with a little better meat than tough goat.
+I soon struck on the dry bed of a masika (wet season) torrent.
+Following this up a little way I saw a fine troop of monkeys, and
+wanting the skin of one of them for my collection I sent a bullet flying
+amongst them, without, however, producing any effect beyond a tremendous
+scamper. My boy then said to me, 'If you want to kill monkey, master,
+you should try buck-shot'; so returning him my rifle I took my
+fowling-piece.
+
+"Perhaps it was fortunate I did so, for about a hundred yards farther on
+the river bed took a sharp turn, and coming round the corner I lighted
+on three fine tawny lions. They were quite close to me, and had I had my
+rifle my first impulse might have been too strong for me to resist
+speeding the parting guest with a bullet. As it was, I came to a sudden
+halt, and they ran away. In vain my boy begged me to retreat. I seized
+the rifle and ran after them as fast as my legs would carry me; but they
+were soon hid in the dense jungle that lines the river banks; and
+although I could hear one growling and breathing hard about ten yards
+from me, I could not get a shot."
+
+Like Moses of old, Bishop Hannington did not enter the land he had come
+so far to reach. The people of Uganda were alarmed and angry at his
+approaching their country from the north-east, which they called the
+back door to their land. Worn out with fever he was seized, dragged
+backwards over stony ground, and kept a prisoner for some days. On
+October 29, 1885, he was conducted to an open space outside the village
+and placed among his followers, having been falsely told on the previous
+day that King Mwanga had sent word that the party was to be allowed to
+proceed.
+
+But he was soon undeceived. With a wild shout the savage warriors fell
+upon the Bishop's enfeebled followers, and their flashing spears
+speedily covered the ground with dead and dying. As the natives told off
+to murder him closed round, Hannington drew himself up and bade them
+tell the king that he was about to die for the people of Uganda, and
+that he had purchased the road to their country with his life. Then as
+they still hesitated he pointed to his own gun, which one of them fired
+and Hannington fell dead.
+
+His last words to his friends--scribbled by the light of some
+camp-fire--were--
+
+"If this is the last chapter of my earthly history, then the next will
+be the first page of the heavenly--no blots and smudges, no incoherence,
+but sweet converse in the presence of the Lamb!"
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+KEEPING THE TRYST
+
+
+Maharaj was a very big elephant and Alec was a half-grown boy--an
+insignificant human pigmy--in spite of which disparity they were great
+pals, for Alec admired that mountain of strength as only an imaginative
+boy can, and elephants can appreciate admiration.
+
+When Alec came across Maharaj he had taken up his quarters temporarily
+in the mango tope opposite the bungalow. He was pouring dust upon his
+head and blowing it over his back, both because he enjoyed a dust bath
+and because it helped to keep off the flies. With the quick perception
+of a boy, Alec noticed he had used up all the dust within reach, so he
+got him a few hatfuls from the roadside, for which he was very grateful,
+and immediately sent a sand blast over his back that annihilated quite a
+colony of mosquitoes. Then he admitted Alec to his friendship, and they
+became pals.
+
+Hard by the mahout was cooking his dinner under a tamarind-tree.
+
+"Did the Sahib ask if he was clever? Wait, and the Sahib shall see. Here
+are his six chapaties of flour that I am baking. Out of one only I
+shall keep back a handful of meal. How should he detect so small a
+quantity missing? But we shall see."
+
+The elephant driver put on the cakes to bake--pancake-shaped things,
+eighteen inches across and an inch thick. They took their time to cook,
+for the fireplace was small, being only three bricks standing on the
+ground. When they were ready he placed the cakes before Maharaj, who
+eyed them suspiciously.
+
+"He has been listening," explained the driver. "Those big ears of his
+can hear talk a mile away. Go on, my son, eat. What is there wrong with
+the food?"
+
+Maharaj slowly took up a chapatie in his trunk, carefully weighed it and
+put it on one side, took up another and did the same. The fourth
+chapatie was the light one; this he found out at once and indignantly
+threw it at the feet of the mahout, grumbling and gurgling and swinging
+his head from side to side and stamping his forefoot in anger.
+
+"What! son of a pig! is not the flour I eat good enough for thee also?
+Well, starve then, for there is no better in the bazaar."
+
+They walked away; the small restless eyes followed anxiously; yet the
+elephant made no attempt to eat, but swung angrily from side to side in
+his pickets. Presently they returned, but he had not touched a chapatie.
+
+"It is no use, Sahib," said the mahout, "to try and cheat one so wise as
+he, and yet folks say that we mahouts keep our families on the
+elephants' food, which words are base lies, for is he not more precious
+to me than many children?"
+
+Then the mahout drew out an extra chapatie he had hidden in his clothes.
+
+"Oh! Maharajah, King of Kings, who can deceive thee, my pearl of wisdom,
+my mountain of might?" and the mahout caressed the huge trunk as it
+wound itself lovingly around him and gently extracted the chapatie from
+his hands. Having swallowed this, the elephant picked up the scattered
+cakes and, piling them up before him, gave himself up to enjoying his
+midday meal.
+
+After that Maharaj and Alec grew great friends. Alec used to bring him
+bazaar sweets, of which he was very fond, and sugar-cane. He was a great
+wonder to the elephant, who could never understand why his pockets were
+full of all sorts of uneatable things. He loved to go through them,
+slowly considering each in his elephantine way. The bright metal handle
+of Alec's pocket-knife pleased Maharaj, and it was always the first
+thing he abstracted from the pocket and the last he returned, but the
+bits of string and the ball of wax he worried over. The key of the
+pigeon-house, a peg-top, marbles, etc., I believe made him long to have
+pockets of his own, for he used to hide them away in the recesses of his
+mouth for a time, then, finding they were not very comfortable, he used
+to put them all back into Alec's pockets. The day the boy came with
+sweets Maharaj was delighted, for he smelt them a long way off, and
+never made a mistake as to which pocket they were in.
+
+It was wonderful to see how gently he could play with the little brown
+baby of the mahout. He loved to have it lying between his great
+fore-feet, and would tickle it with the tip of his trunk for the
+pleasure of hearing it laugh, then pour dust upon it till it was buried,
+always being careful not to cover the face. But like a great big selfish
+child he always kept his sweets to himself, and would pretend not to see
+the little outstretched hand, and little voice crying for them, till he
+had finished the last tit-bit.
+
+Tippoo--the cook's son, Alec's fag and constant companion, who was
+mostly a pair of huge pyjamas, was also admitted to the friendship of
+Maharaj. But there was one man that the elephant disliked, and that was
+the mahout's nephew, one Piroo, who was a young elephant-driver seeking
+a situation--a man not likely to be successful, for he was morose and
+lazy, and drank heavily whenever the opportunity came his way, and was
+very cruel to the beast he rode.
+
+Sometimes the mahout would take Alec down to the river-side, he driving,
+while Alec lay luxuriously on the pad. There Maharaj had his bath, and
+the boy used to help the mahout to rub him over with a lump of jhama,
+which is something like pumice-stone, only much harder and rougher, and
+the old skin rolled off under the friction in astonishing quantities,
+till the look of dried tree-bark was gone, and the dusty grey had become
+a shining black. After the bath there was usually a struggle with
+Maharaj, who, directly he was clean, wanted to plaster himself all over
+with wet mud to keep cool and defy mosquitoes. This he was not allowed
+to do, so he tore a branch from a neem-tree instead, and fanned himself
+all the way home.
+
+Now there was to be a marriage among some of the mahout's friends who
+lived in a village a day's journey from the station, across the river,
+and he promised that Alec, Tippoo, and his nephew were to accompany him.
+When the day came the mahout had a slight touch of fever and couldn't
+go, but he told his nephew to drive the boys there instead. Maharaj
+didn't like Piroo at all, and made a fuss at having to go without the
+mahout, for which he got a hot scolding. Then there were tears and pet
+names and much coaxing before Maharaj consented to go.
+
+"Thou art indeed nothing but a great child that will go nowhere unless I
+lead thee by the hand, with no more heart in thy big carcase than my
+babe, who without doubt shall grow big and thrash thee soundly. Now
+hearken, my son, thou art going with Piroo to the village of Charhunse,
+one day's journey; thou art to stay there one day, when there will be
+great feasting, and they will give thee surap wine in thy food; and on
+the day following thou must return (for we start the next morning for
+the Cawnpore elephant lines); bring the boys back safely--very
+safely--or there will be very many angry words from me, and no food.
+Now, adieu, my son, salaam Sahib, Khoda bunah rhukha" (God preserve
+you). And the mahout passed into his hut with a shiver that told of the
+coming ague.
+
+It was a grand day and the road was full of people of all sorts and
+conditions; and the boys, proud to be so high above the heads of the
+passing groups, greeted them with all the badinage of the bazaar they
+could remember, which the natives answered with good-natured chaff. The
+road was one long avenue, and in the branches overhead the monkeys
+sported and chased each other from tree to tree; birds sang, for it was
+nesting-time; and the day was as happy as it was long.
+
+At nightfall they reached the village, and the head man made them very
+comfortable. The next day the wedding feast was spread, and quite two
+hundred people sat down to it. After the feast there was racing,
+wrestling, and dancing to amuse the guests.
+
+They enjoyed themselves very much. The wedding feast was to last several
+days, and instead of returning the following day as they had promised
+the mahout, Piroo determined to stay a day longer, in spite of all that
+Alec had to say against it.
+
+Piroo was in his element, and sang and danced with great success, for
+the arrack was in his veins, and at such times he could be the antipodes
+of his morose self. His dancing was much applauded. But there was
+Bhuggoo, the sweeper, from the city, who had a reputation for dancing,
+and was in great request at weddings in consequence, and he danced
+against Piroo, and so elegant and ingenious were his contortions that he
+was voted the better. Then he changed his dance to one in which he
+caricatured Piroo so cleverly in every turn and gesture that the people
+yelled and laughed.
+
+This so incensed Piroo that he struck the man; but the sweeper, who was
+generally accustomed to winding up his performance by a grand broom
+fight with some brother of the same craft, was quite ready for an affair
+that could only increase his popularity. Catching up his jharroo, or
+broom, he began to shower blows upon the unfortunate Piroo, yet never
+ceasing to dance round him so grotesquely that the fight was too much of
+a farce for any one to think of interfering. Yet the blows went home
+pretty hard, and as the broom was a sort of besom made of the springy
+ribs of the palm-leaf it stung sharply where it found the naked flesh.
+
+It is a great indignity to be beaten by the broom of a sweeper, and
+Piroo, maddened with rage, flew at the throat of his rival. But Bhuggoo,
+the sweeper, was very nimble, and as the end of a jharroo in the face
+feels like the back of a porcupine, you may guess it is the most
+effective way of stopping a rush. So Piroo, baffled and humiliated, left
+the sweeper victor of the field and fled amid great shouts of laughter.
+But his rage had not died in him, and more arrack made him mad; else
+why should he have done the foolish thing that followed?
+
+Finding Maharaj had pulled up one of his picket pins, he took a heavy
+piece of firewood and dashed it upon his tender toe-nails, while he
+shouted all the abuse that elephants know only accompanies severe
+punishment. Now Maharaj, who would take punishment quietly from Buldeo,
+the old mahout, would not stand it from any other; besides, he was
+already excited with all the shouting and tamasha going on, and he had
+had a good bit of arrack in his cakes that evening; so when the log
+crashed down on his feet he trumpeted with pain, and, seizing Piroo in
+his trunk, lifted him on high, preparatory to dashing him to earth and
+stamping his life out.
+
+[Illustration: SEIZING PIROO IN HIS TRUNK, HE LIFTED HIM ON HIGH.]
+
+But fortune was in favour of Piroo for a time, and the big cummerbund he
+wore had got loose with dancing, so it came undone, and Piroo slipped
+down its length to the ground, while Maharaj was left holding the loose
+cloth in his trunk.
+
+Then Piroo fled for his life, and ran into a grass-thatched hut that
+stood close by; but the elephant, pulling out his picket pins like a
+couple of toothpicks, reached the hut in a stride, and, putting his
+trunk through the thatch as if it had been a sheet of paper, felt round
+for the man inside and, seizing him, dragged him forth. The people
+yelled, and some came running with fire-brands to scare him, but before
+any could reach him Maharaj had knocked one of his great fore-feet
+against the head of the unfortunate Piroo, and he fell to the ground
+lifeless.
+
+The villagers were terror-stricken and ran to hide in their huts.
+Tippoo, who was nearest the elephant, ran also, and Alec was about to
+run when he saw Maharaj single out Tippoo and chase him. The boy fled,
+and his flying feet hardly seemed to touch the earth, but Maharaj with
+long swinging strides covered the ground much faster, and in a few
+moments there followed a shriek of despair and Tippoo was struggling
+helplessly fifteen feet in the air in the grasp of that terrible trunk.
+
+"Save me! Sahib, save me!" he shrieked, while Alec looked on powerless
+to help.
+
+Maharaj seemed undecided whether to dash him to pieces or not. Alec
+seized the opportunity to imitate the driver's voice and cry, "Bring the
+boys home safely--very safely--my son." The elephant's great fan-shaped
+ears bent forward to listen, and he lowered Tippoo till he hung swinging
+at the end of the huge proboscis. Alec felt he dared not repeat the
+words, as the elephant would find out the cheat.
+
+The great beast stood a few minutes thinking, and then, swinging Tippoo
+up, placed him on his neck, and came straight for the tree behind which
+Alec was hiding.
+
+For a moment a wild desire to escape came to the boy, and the next he
+saw how hopeless it would be. The sal-tree he had sheltered behind was
+too thick to climb, and the lowest branch was twenty feet from the
+ground. To run would be just madness, for Maharaj would have caught him
+before he could get to the nearest hut. So, taking confidence from the
+fact that he had not hurt Tippoo, Alec came out from behind the tree and
+ordered Maharaj to take him up.
+
+He was surprised at the exceeding gentleness with which he did so, but
+when Alec was once seated astride of his neck with Tippoo behind him, he
+did not know what to do. He thought he would walk the elephant round the
+village and then tie him up in his pickets again. So he cried, "Chalo!
+Bata!" (Go on, my son), and tried to guide him with his knees; but
+Maharaj would not budge an inch, and stood stock still, considering.
+Then he seemed to have made up his mind, and started forward suddenly
+with a lurch that nearly threw the boys off.
+
+He walked straight to the dead mahout and, carefully gathering him up in
+his trunk, wheeled round and set off stationwards. He had remembered his
+master's commands, and the journey to Cawnpore he must commence on the
+morrow.
+
+It was about eight o'clock in the evening, and Alec had no desire to
+start travelling homeward at that hour. Besides, he had no food with
+him, and the pad was not on the back of Maharaj. It is almost impossible
+to ride an elephant bare back, and though these were only slips of boys
+there wasn't room enough for two to sit comfortably on the neck. Alec
+drove his knees into the elephant's head behind the ears and tried to
+turn him round, shouting, "Dhutt, dhutt, arrea!" (Go back!), but it was
+no use; the elephant had made up his mind to go home, and took not the
+least notice of the boy's commands.
+
+The head man of the village ran after them, crying--
+
+"Where are you taking him, Sahib?"
+
+"We take him nowhere," Alec answered. "He is master to-night, and
+carries us home, I believe."
+
+"But you cannot ride without the pad, Sahib, or the driving-hook, and
+there are other things you leave behind."
+
+"We will stick on his neck till we drop," he answered (for an elephant
+is worth many thousand rupees to the Government, and must not get lost).
+
+"At least command him to drop the dead body before he mangles it, so
+that we may burn it with decent ceremony," was the last request of the
+head man.
+
+But Maharaj would not listen to the command, and made certain noises in
+his throat by which he meant Alec to understand that he was going to
+carry the dead man home whether he liked it or no.
+
+The lights of the village were soon lost in the distance, and Maharaj
+strode into the empty darkness, trailing a picket pin behind him and
+carrying that horror in his trunk.
+
+Till that day Alec had loved Maharaj for his great strength and
+docility, his wisdom, and his endearing ways with children, but when he
+saw him in anger extinguish the life of a man as easily as one could
+pulp a gooseberry in the fingers, the elephant changed at once in his
+eyes, and Alec saw in him nothing but the grim executioner of the
+Moguls, and stamping out lives his daily task. The boy felt the touch of
+the beast almost loathsome, and longed to escape from his situation on
+its neck.
+
+Soon the cramped position began to tell, for they were jammed together,
+and Tippoo felt like a mustard-plaster upon Alec's back. Alec tried to
+vary the discomfort by lying forward on the head of the elephant, and
+Tippoo tried leaning back as far as he could without being in danger of
+falling off, but they both felt they could not hold on the eight hours
+that the journey would take.
+
+By-and-by they noticed that something was making Maharaj restive; twice
+he swung his trunk as if trying to drive away that something, after
+which he quickened his pace, then he turned round once in his tracks and
+faced his unseen tormentor. Alec wondered greatly what was worrying him,
+but he heard and saw nothing in the blackness that reigned. The
+elephant's restiveness increased, and again he swung round suddenly and
+charged that invisible thing in the dark; again Alec strained both eyes
+and ears to no avail. The only sound on the air came from the trailing
+picket pin.
+
+"Whatever is worrying Maharaj?" he said anxiously.
+
+"He sees that which our eyes can't see--an evil thing," answered
+Tippoo.
+
+"What! do you mean the ghost of Piroo?" Alec asked.
+
+"No, Sahib," said Tippoo. "It is a churail, an evil spirit that eats
+dead men, and it wants the body of Piroo."
+
+"Nonsense," Alec replied.
+
+"It is true, Sahib. Many have seen it at work in the graveyards of the
+Mussulman, but to-night no one may see it but the elephant."
+
+Alec laughed. Yet, ghoul or not, there was something the huge beast
+seemed afraid of and hurried to get away from, or attempted to frighten
+back, without success.
+
+It was a most weird and uncanny situation, and the boys longed for it to
+end.
+
+But a pleasant change was at hand. The heavens were rapidly lighting,
+and soon the moon commenced to rise on the scene. A feeling of relief
+grew with the strengthening light, for they were sure the ghostly terror
+would disappear with the dark. The moon had partly risen when Tippoo
+said, "Look, Sahib, there is the thing."
+
+Alec looked, and in the uncertain light saw a shadowy something keeping
+pace with the elephant, but what it was he could not say.
+
+Then on the other side of the road they saw there was another moving
+shadow as mysterious as the first. But they were not kept in suspense
+much longer, for the light suddenly brightened, and they saw each weird
+shadow transform itself into a number of jackals. The smell of blood
+had attracted the pack, and they had made an attempt to get the dead
+body away from Maharaj. The reaction on their strained nerves was so
+great that the boys laughed aloud in pure joy at the sense of relief,
+and wondered they had not guessed the cause of the elephant's
+restlessness before.
+
+For nearly four hours they had been on that apology for a neck, and
+their limbs were painful and stiff from the discomfort of sitting so
+close, when, without any warning, Maharaj came to a stop under a big
+neem-tree, and they recognised it as the place at which they had taken
+their midday meal going down to the village. Maharaj carefully placed
+the body of Piroo on the ground and knelt down beside it, and the boys,
+only too pleased at the chance, scrambled off as fast as their cramped
+legs would permit. It needed some walking up and down to get rid of
+their stiffness, so they chased the jackals and pelted them with stones,
+which restored their circulation quickly, whilst Maharaj stood sentry
+over the dead man.
+
+Tired out and exhausted, the boys were anxious for a little sleep, but
+they could not lie under the same tree as that gruesome thing, so they
+lay down under a neighbouring sal. Alec was on the way to dreamland when
+he felt he was being carried gently in some one's arms. He woke up and
+found that Maharaj had lifted him in his trunk and that he was taking
+him back to the tree where the dead lay. Here he placed Alec on the
+ground alongside the mahout, on the other side of which was Tippoo
+snoring peacefully. How he had managed to move the boy without waking
+him was a marvel. As soon as Alec was released he tried to get away, but
+Maharaj would not allow it, and forced him to lie down again while he
+stood guard over all three.
+
+They say boys have no nerves, but even at this distance of time Alec
+shudders to recollect his sensations on that night of horror caused by
+the poor crushed thing he lay shoulder to shoulder with. He feigned
+sleep and tried to roll a foot or two away, but Maharaj had grown
+suspicious, and rolled him back, so that he lay flat on his
+shoulder-blades between the forelegs of the elephant, watching the
+restless swing of the trunk above him. This was better than looking at
+what lay beside him, and he wanted no inducement to keep his gaze
+averted. A hyena laughed like an exultant fiend. Great flying foxes
+slowly flapped across the face of the moon, like Eblis and his
+satellites scanning the earth for prey, and the pack of jackals sat
+silently waiting for the body of the dead.
+
+Maharaj was very quiet and vigilant, and seemed to understand the
+seriousness of his crime. The usual gurgling, grunting, and rocking with
+which he amused himself at night were wanting, and though there was a
+large field of sugar-cane near by, and he must have been hungry, he
+never tried to help himself as he would have done on any other occasion.
+In spite of the feeling of repulsion Alec began to feel a little pity
+for the remorseful giant, for it was most probable he would be shot for
+killing Piroo, whose drunken madness had brought about his own death.
+
+But all things have an end, and even that night passed away like the
+passing of a strange delirium. About four o'clock Maharaj became very
+restless, thinking it was time to start, and pulled and pushed Tippoo
+till he sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking about in a dazed way. The
+elephant went down on his knees, and the boys took advantage of the
+invitation and were soon in their places. Then Maharaj slowly picked up
+his burden and they recommenced their journey home. The jackals were
+much disappointed, and followed listlessly for a short distance, then
+slunk off down a nullah to avoid the light of day.
+
+A sleepy policeman was the first to notice the dead man in the trunk of
+the elephant. With a yell of alarm he sprang from the footpath where he
+stood, panting and staring till Maharaj had passed; then some confused
+notion that he should make an arrest seemed to occur to him, and he made
+a few steps forward, but the magnitude of the task made him halt again,
+dazed and bewildered, and thus they left him. The consternation they
+caused in the bazaar is beyond words to describe. It is sufficient to
+say that the better part of the population followed Maharaj at a safe
+distance, looking like some huge procession, wending its way to the hut
+of the mahout. Maharaj walked slowly to the door of the hut and laid
+the corpse down.
+
+"Hast thou brought them back safely, my son?" cried a fever-stricken
+voice from the depths of the hut.
+
+"Goor-r-r," said Maharaj in his throat.
+
+"That is well; but why didst thou not arrive last evening? Didst travel
+all night? Piroo, thou wilt find his sugar-cane in the shed; give him a
+double measure and drive his pickets in under the mango-tree."
+
+But there was no answer from Piroo, only the frightened whisperings of a
+great number of people assembled outside. The old mahout, in alarm,
+staggered to the door, and saw the body at the feet of Maharaj and the
+crimson stains upon the trunk and feet of the elephant.
+
+"Ahhi! ahhi! ahhi!" cried the old man aloud, "what madness is this? What
+hast thou done, my son? Now they will shoot thee without doubt--thy life
+for his, and he was not worth his salt. Ahhi! ahhi!"
+
+Then the old man wept, embracing the trunk of the elephant, which was
+coiled round his master, while the people looked on, and the boys, worn
+and tired by the strain of that awful night, could barely cling to their
+seats on the neck of Maharaj.
+
+Then the mahout, weak as he was, helped them off, and set about washing
+the dark red stains away.
+
+"Ahhi! ahhi!" he sobbed. "I have lost a nephew. I have lost also my
+son, who will surely be shot by the sirkar for this deed. My Maharaj, my
+greatest of kings! What shall I do without thee! I will return to my
+country and drive no more. Ahhi! ahhi!"
+
+But this happily was not to be, for a strange thing happened. The nephew
+recovered. Piroo had only been stunned by the blow, and the blood that
+covered his face had come from his nose. He was, after a time, himself
+again, but a wiser man, and Maharaj was not shot after all. Yet the boys
+do not like to think of that adventure even to-day.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+WHO GOES THERE?
+
+
+The world is but a huge playground, after all; and just as the sympathy
+of those who witness a fight between two boys--one of whom is a big
+fellow and a reputed bully, while the other is a plucky youngster but
+one-half his opponent's size--invariably goes with the smaller and
+weaker combatant, so it is even amongst nations. Thus, early in the past
+century, when the tiny States of Spanish America were keenly struggling
+with the mother-country in their endeavour to cast off the Spanish yoke,
+practically the whole world wished them the success which eventually
+crowned their efforts.
+
+It seems ridiculous to call them "tiny" States when the smallest of
+those of which we are treating--the Republics of _Central_
+America--could find room for all the counties of Wales; while, if we
+were able to set down the whole of England upon the largest, we should
+find not only that it fitted in comfortably, but that the foreign State
+would yet have a goodly slice of land to spare--sufficient, at any rate,
+to accommodate three or four cities of the size of London. I call them
+tiny, therefore, solely because they are such when compared with other
+countries on the American Continent, such as Canada, the United States,
+and Brazil.
+
+During the years 1820 and 1821 a very keen spirit of independence was
+manifested in those regions, and by 1823 the last link of the rusty
+chain which had bound those colonies to Spain was snapped altogether
+beyond repair; and then, for a time, Central America became part of the
+State of Mexico. One by one, however, the colonies withdrew, and in 1824
+the independent Republic of Central America was formed, which, in its
+turn, was dissolved; and ever since the States have been continually at
+war--either with their neighbours or amongst themselves.
+
+It is these incessant wars and revolutions which have given the country
+its present rather bad name, and have convinced those who happened to
+sympathise with the inhabitants when they were fighting for their
+independence that, after all, they had fared better even under the lame
+government of Spain than they have done under their own.
+
+The present-day native of Central America can scarcely be said to be an
+improvement on the inhabitant of 1824. He still retains the fire and ire
+of the Spaniard in his blood--in fact, he is nothing short of an
+unfortunate mixture of the fiery Spaniard and the extremely restless
+Indian. Small wonder, then, that "peace" is quite a luxury in those
+parts, and that revolutions break out periodically.
+
+In Nicaragua--the country with which my tale is concerned--this is
+especially the case. One year passed without a revolution is a rarity;
+and I have gone through certainly not less than four such outbreaks.
+While the trouble exists it is decidedly inconvenient and uncomfortable
+for the foreigner, but the real danger is often sadly exaggerated.
+During one of these disturbances, nevertheless, I narrowly escaped
+coming into serious conflict with the authorities--and all through a
+boyish freak, which at any time would have been boyish, but amounted
+almost to madness when played in the very heart of a town under martial
+law. When I first set foot on Central American soil, however, my
+majority was still many months ahead of me, and I had not yet done with
+that period of puerile frivolity through which most youths have to pass.
+Thus I will offer no other excuse, but will merely relate what took
+place.
+
+A pig--a common or garden pig--was at the bottom of it all. The natives
+are very fond of pork indeed, and nearly every household boasts of at
+least one porker, which is allowed the entire run of the house and
+looked upon almost as "one of the family." The air in the town where I
+was staying at the time had suddenly thickened with rumours of war; and
+it was a well-known fact that some thousands of men were ready to
+shoulder their rifles at a given signal and, with a few well-tried
+veterans at their head, to make a mad and murderous rush upon anything
+and everything belonging to the Government.
+
+In such cases nothing is too bad for either party, excepting perhaps
+interference with foreigners, whom, owing to one or two severe lessons
+received of late years, the natives have now learned to respect.
+Fusillades in the centre of a town, a sudden charge with the bayonet in
+a thronged market-place, the unexpected firing of a mine, and similar
+proofs of the "patriotism" of one party or the other, may be expected at
+any moment; and although pretending to inclusion in the list of
+civilised nations, either party will spurn the idea of notice or warning
+previous to the bombardment of a town. Every one is on the alert, and
+the tension is trying indeed if it happens to be one's first
+"revolution."
+
+Bloodthirsty natives, speaking scarcely above a whisper, may be seen in
+small groups at almost every street corner, and in such quarters of the
+town where reside known sympathisers with the attacking party much
+military movement is noticeable. Every few hundred yards are stationed
+pickets of gendarmes or barefooted _soldados_; and after dusk, no matter
+who you be or what your errand, you stand every chance of a bullet
+should you fail to give prompt satisfaction on being challenged with the
+usual _quien vive?_
+
+And so it was on the occasion to which I have alluded. Everybody's
+nerves were strung up to a painful pitch, and any unusual noise--any
+sound, almost, above a half-smothered cough--would bring fifty or sixty
+reckless gendarmes, with fixed bayonets, to the spot in a very brief
+interval. It was generally looked upon as certain that an assault upon
+the town--in which one half the inhabitants were willing, nay, even
+anxious to join--would commence before morning; and an ominous silence
+prevailed.
+
+Then it was that my "little joke" or scheme was hatched. I was indulging
+in a quiet game of "cannons" on a small French billiard-table in my
+hotel, and during the game had been several times annoyed by the
+proprietor's favourite pig, which insisted every now and then on
+strolling beneath the table, to emerge on the other side quite
+unexpectedly and bump heavily against my legs just as I was squaring for
+some difficult shot. The brute had done this at least four times, with
+the result that my opponent was many points to the good. I had often
+licked him at the same game before, so the reader must not imagine that
+I am merely excusing my own play--it was the pig's fault, without a
+doubt, and I was beginning to lose my temper.
+
+"I'll teach that pig a lesson when the game is over," I remarked to my
+opponent; and, in effect, I had soon put away my cue, and, cornering the
+porker, fastened a piece of cord to his hind trotter. A large empty
+biscuit-tin and a bunch of Chinese crackers did the rest--the tin being
+secured to the other end of the line and the crackers nestling snugly
+inside the tin.
+
+The natives who stood around watching these preparations evidently
+foresaw certain results which my boyish vision failed to reach, for
+they whispered and laughed to one another, and at intervals, rubbing
+their hands together with glee, would exclaim, "A good joke." "Eh! a
+good joke, you see!"
+
+The whole town was startled a few minutes later by the uproar, and the
+shouts and laughter of those who witnessed the porker's departure from
+the hotel.
+
+Lighting the tiny fuse attached to the crackers, I put them back again
+into the tin, and a kick at the latter was sufficient to startle the hog
+off at a gallop down the street.
+
+The slight pull on his hind leg caused by the weight of the tin
+evidently annoyed him, and, wishing to get away from it, he ran the
+faster.
+
+Boom! boom! The biscuit-tin swung from side to side at every pace, and
+each time it struck the ground with a noisy report which in itself was
+sufficient to arouse the already alarmed town.
+
+Then, the fuse having burned down, the crackers commenced business.
+Bang! bang! Burr-rr--bang! Burr-rr--bang-bang-BANG! they went, the
+vibrations of the tin adding volume to each detonation; and it would be
+difficult indeed to imagine a better imitation of a distant fusillade.
+The frightened hog only went the faster.
+
+I was running behind, endeavouring to keep up with the pig, for I did
+not wish to lose any of the fun; but he soon out-distanced me, although
+I was fortunate enough to be within ear-shot when the crackers gave
+their final kick.
+
+Bang! bang! Burr--rr--bang! Bang! BANG!
+
+Then began the fun. The inhabitants crowded to their doors to inquire
+in which direction the attack on the town had commenced, and the
+military were tearing hither and thither, like so many madmen. Big
+generals in their shirt-sleeves galloped through the streets on little
+horses, collecting their men; pieces of artillery were rushed out of the
+barracks and held in readiness; scouts went out to reconnoitre in every
+conceivable direction, and the military band, playing all the national
+airs within their ken, paraded the public square, halting every now and
+then so that an officer might read to the public the Commandante's
+orders to the effect that all the inhabitants must remain indoors under
+pain of all sorts of outrageous and impossible penalties.
+
+In view of the latter, however, I deemed it wise to give up my chase and
+return to my hotel, there to await developments; and as I retraced my
+steps cries of _El enemigo! El enemigo!_ hailed me at almost every pace.
+Hundreds of questions as to the whereabouts of the attacking forces were
+hurled at me as I went, but I dared not stop to respond, or without a
+doubt I should have betrayed myself. At the onset, boylike, I had
+considered this a "splendid joke," but now the alarm was so widespread
+that I did not know whether to feel startled by the result or flattered
+to think I had succeeded in putting an entire town in an uproar.
+
+I thought of the pleasure that would be experienced by the ordinary
+"romp" at home were he able to make so vast an impression with his
+everyday practical jokes; and it was to me a matter of tremendous wonder
+that a harmless biscuit-tin, a common or garden firework, and a
+"domestic" pig could possibly combine to cause such intense excitement.
+
+With very great difficulty I managed to pass the various pickets
+stationed along the streets, being detained by each one for
+cross-examination; and ere I reached my hotel I was overtaken by half a
+company of _soldados_ returning to barracks with a prisoner. Then my
+conscience began to prick me.
+
+"This has gone rather too far," I thought. "I did not intend to do any
+one an injury, but only desired to teach that wretched porker a lesson."
+In fact, I felt distinctly uncomfortable as I trudged along, and
+somewhat alarmed at this new turn of events; and I resolved that in the
+future I would look ahead before attempting even the commonest practical
+joke.
+
+When I reached the spot where the next picket was stationed, I was
+surprised to find that the men failed to challenge me. I was getting
+quite used to the "Who goes there?" which had met me at every street
+corner, and the absence of it in this case made me somewhat suspicious.
+The explanation was not long in coming. I found them all in fits of
+laughter; and, availing myself of the opportunity which their mirth
+afforded me, I made inquiries as to the name of the prisoner who had
+been marched past me a few minutes ago. My question provoked more
+mirth, but I eventually secured the information, which had the effect of
+adding my mirth to theirs, for I learned that the prisoner was--_a pig
+with a tin tied to his leg_.
+
+This pig, I was informed, was the cause of the whole alarm. There was no
+attack--in fact, there was no enemy near enough to the town, as yet, to
+indulge in an assault. All was a practical joke--some one had let this
+pig loose with a biscuit-tin tied to his leg, and this had started the
+alarm. The porker had been run down and lassoed by the military on the
+outskirts of the town, so that it was all over now--_excepting that the
+authorities were looking for the perpetrator_, or the originator of the
+scare.
+
+Realising now the extent of my folly, I, who hitherto had been laughing
+up my sleeve at the discomfiture and alarm of others, was in my turn
+genuinely alarmed, and all the way back to my hotel I was wondering as
+to what would be my best course of action--foreseeing, whichever way I
+turned for a solution, visions of heavy fines, probable imprisonment,
+and possible banishment from the country altogether.
+
+On reaching the hotel I was hailed by many of those who had witnessed
+"the start," and consequently knew my connection with the affair. They
+soon posted me as to what had happened during my absence.
+
+Ere the pig and myself had been gone five minutes, a picket of soldiers
+made a rush upon the hotel, went inside, and, closing every exit,
+informed the occupants that every one must consider himself under arrest
+until the real originator of the "scare" was discovered. The officer
+remarked that he knew for a fact that the matter began there, and
+although the pig had not yet been caught it had been recognised as
+"_belonging to the proprietor's family_."
+
+Then, to the surprise of every one concerned, a certain Colonel Moyal, a
+native keenly opposed to the Government and a suspected revolutionist,
+stepped forward and declared that he had carried the whole thing through
+from beginning to end, so was prepared to take the consequences.
+
+Needless to say, my champion was arrested and marched off to the
+Cabildo; and I was informed that the plucky fellow had done this to
+shield me, merely to keep me out of trouble because he had taken a fancy
+to me.
+
+Not for this, however, would I let him remain in his unenviable
+position. It did not take me long to resolve that, to be honourable, I
+must myself bear the consequences of my own folly; and in a very short
+time afterward I was interviewing the Commandante. That official, in
+whose favour I had long since made it my business to firmly establish
+myself, informed me that it was then too late at night to take any
+evidence, or, in fact, to move at all in the matter; but that he would
+attend to me at eight o'clock next morning.
+
+The following day at the appointed hour I waited on him, told him I was
+the real culprit, secured the colonel's release, paid a fine of a few
+dollars, and by nine o'clock was back again in my hotel; and when I sat
+down with the Colonel that night to a special _cena_ to which I had
+invited him--intending in some measure to prove to him my gratitude for
+his generosity and esteem--I made a rather boyish speech in which I
+regretted tremendously the Colonel's having passed an exceedingly
+uncomfortable night in prison on my account, and my inability to release
+him the night before.
+
+Moyal, to my intense surprise, replied that he had to _thank me_ for the
+opportunity I had given him. "Of course," said he, "I should not like to
+see you in trouble, and would have done anything in my power to keep you
+out of it, but I must admit that my motive was not the generous one that
+has been attributed to me. It was a rather selfish motive, you see,
+between you and me. I am a moving spirit in this revolution which is
+brewing, and I have important business with the Government soldiers
+inside the Cabildo. In the ordinary course, since I am known as a
+revolutionist, I cannot possibly get into open or secret communication
+with them--so of course I had to get arrested, and you gave me that
+chance!"
+
+I was about to ask him, boylike, whether he was successful in his
+mission, when he added, "The only pity is that you didn't let me stay
+there a bit longer--but you were not to know, so I appreciate your
+promptness."
+
+However, I had reason to believe afterwards that he had not succeeded
+in his object, which, I have no doubt, was to "buy" all the _soldados_
+over to his side, for up to this day the political party to which the
+Colonel belonged is out of power, though it has repeatedly made efforts
+to get in.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+A DROWNING MESSMATE
+
+
+It is as one of the most popular sea-novelists of all times that Captain
+Marryat is best known to his countrymen--oldsters and youngsters alike.
+The whole life of this gallant seaman, however, was made up of one long
+series of exciting adventures, both on land and sea, many of these
+experiences being made use of in after years to supply material for his
+sea-romances.
+
+One of Marryat's most characteristic acts of self-devotion was his
+springing overboard into the waters of Malta Harbour in order to save
+the life of a middy messmate, Cobbett by name, who had accidentally
+fallen overboard. What made this action an especially noble one was the
+fact that Cobbett was one of the greatest bullies in the midshipmen's
+berth, and had specially singled out Marryat for cowardly and brutal
+treatment. Again, we must remember that sharks are often seen in Malta
+Harbour, and any one rash enough to enter its waters takes his life in
+his hands.
+
+Thank God the gunroom of a British man-of-war of the present day is
+managed in an entirely different manner from what it was in Marryat's
+day. Says that gallant officer: "There was no species of tyranny,
+injustice, and persecution to which youngsters were not compelled to
+submit from those who were their superiors in bodily strength."
+
+The entire management and organisation of the Royal Navy at that period
+was rotten to the core, and it speaks volumes for the devotion, skill,
+and bravery of the gallant officers of the fleet that they so
+magnificently upheld the glory and honour of the flag in every quarter
+of the globe in spite of the shortcomings of the Admiralty Board.
+
+As an instance of this general mismanagement of naval affairs, Marryat,
+who had been sent to join the _Imperieuse_ frigate as a young middy,
+thus writes in his private log--
+
+"The _Imperieuse_ sailed; the admiral of the port was one who _would_ be
+obeyed, but _would not_ listen always to reason or common-sense. The
+signal for sailing was enforced by gun after gun; the anchor was hove
+up, and, with all her stores on deck, her guns not even mounted, in a
+state of confusion unparalleled from her being obliged to hoist in
+faster than it was possible she could stow away, she was driven out of
+harbour to encounter a heavy gale. A few hours more would have enabled
+her to proceed to sea with security, but they were denied; the
+consequences were appalling, and might have been fatal.
+
+"In the general confusion, some iron too near the binnacles had
+attracted the needle of the compasses; the ship was steered out of her
+course. At midnight, in a heavy gale at the close of the month of
+November, so dark that you could not distinguish any object, however
+close, the _Imperieuse_ dashed upon the rocks between Ushant and the
+Main. The cry of terror which ran through the lower deck; the grating of
+the keel as she was forced in; the violence of the shocks which
+convulsed the frame of the vessel; the hurrying up of the ship's company
+without their clothes; and then the enormous waves which again bore her
+up and carried her clean over the reef, will never be effaced from my
+memory.
+
+"Our escape was miraculous. With the exception of her false keel having
+been torn off, the ship had suffered little injury; but she had beat
+over a reef, and was riding by her anchors, surrounded by rocks, some of
+them as high out of water as her lower-yards, and close to her. How
+nearly were the lives of a fine ship's company, and of Lord Cochrane and
+his officers, sacrificed in this instance to the despotism of an admiral
+who _would_ be obeyed!
+
+"The cruises of the _Imperieuse_ were periods of continual excitement,
+from the hour in which she hove up her anchor till she dropped it again
+in port; the day that passed without a shot being fired in anger was
+with us a blank day; the boats were hardly secured on the booms than
+they were cast loose and out again; the yard and stay tackles were for
+ever hoisting up and lowering down.
+
+"The expedition with which parties were formed for service; the rapidity
+of the frigate's movements, night and day; the hasty sleep, snatched at
+all hours; the waking up at the report of the guns, which seemed the
+only key-note to the hearts of those on board; the beautiful precision
+of our fire, obtained by constant practice; the coolness and courage of
+our captain inoculating the whole of the ship's company; the suddenness
+of our attacks, the gathering after the combat, the killed lamented, the
+wounded almost envied; the powder so burnt into our faces that years
+could not remove it; the proved character of every man and officer on
+board; the implicit trust and the adoration we felt for our commander;
+the ludicrous situations which would occur even in the extremest danger
+and create mirth when death was staring you in the face; the hairbreadth
+escapes, and the indifference to life shown by all--when memory sweeps
+along those years of excitement even now, my pulse beats more quickly
+with the reminiscence."
+
+A middy's life was no child's play in those days, was it?
+
+But it is time that I told you the story of how Marryat saved the life
+of his messmate Cobbett, in the Mediterranean.
+
+The _Imperieuse_ was lying at anchor in Malta Harbour at the time the
+incident happened. It was about the hour of sunset, and the officer on
+duty had turned the men of the second dog watch up to hoist the boats to
+the davits. The men ran away smartly with the falls, and soon had the
+cutters clear of the water and swung high in the air.
+
+At this moment, Cobbett, who was off duty, went into the main-chains
+with some lines and bait in order to fish. In endeavouring to get on one
+of the ratlines of the lower-rigging his foot unfortunately slipped, and
+he fell headlong overboard into the waters of the Grand Harbour. Several
+persons witnessed the accident, and the prodigious splash the middy's
+body made in striking the water immediately made known to every one else
+that a struggle for life had commenced.
+
+Cobbett could not swim a stroke, and was much hampered by his heavy
+clothes and boots. At the first plunge he was carried far beneath the
+surface, but quickly rose again, puffing and blowing like a grampus, and
+making desperate efforts to keep himself afloat.
+
+The officer of the watch promptly called away the lifeboat's crew, and
+these men quickly scrambled into one of the quarter-boats, which by this
+time had been run up to the davits. Life-buoys too had been thrown
+overboard, but not one of them had fallen near enough to the struggling
+boy to enable him to grasp it. Young Marryat happened at the time of the
+accident to be standing in the waist of the ship conversing with the
+captain of the main-top of the watch below. Hearing the splash and the
+excited cries of "Man overboard!" which rang out fore-and-aft, he rushed
+to the gangway to see if he could be of any assistance in the emergency.
+
+One can imagine his feelings on beholding his arch-enemy, the bully of
+the midshipmen's berth, struggling desperately for life under the
+frigate's counter. Being an admirable swimmer himself, Marryat saw at a
+glance that his messmate was helpless in the water, and indeed was on
+the point of sinking. Without a moment's hesitation, and without waiting
+to throw off coat or boots, the plucky youngster boldly plunged
+overboard, and quickly rising to the surface, struck out for his now
+almost unconscious enemy, and fortunately managed to seize him and keep
+him afloat, whilst he shouted to those on board to lower the cutter as
+quickly as possible. The men were only too eager to go to his
+assistance, and the instant the lifeboat was safely in the water, her
+crew got their oars out, and, pulling vigorously to the spot, soon
+hauled both midshipmen, wet and dripping, inboard.
+
+Cobbett was unconscious, his face being as pale as death, but it was
+only a matter now of a few seconds to get him aboard the frigate, where
+he soon revived under the care of the surgeons, and was able to return
+to duty in the course of a day or two, much humbled in spirit, and very
+grateful to the courageous young messmate who had so gallantly saved his
+life at the risk of his own.
+
+Writing home to his mother on the subject of this adventure, Marryat
+concluded his account by saying: "From that moment I have loved the
+fellow as I never loved friend before. All my hate is forgotten. I have
+saved his life."
+
+A ludicrous adventure in the water once befell Captain Marryat. In the
+gallant officer's private log occurs this entry: "July 10th.--Anchored
+in Carrick Roads, Falmouth. Gig upset with captain."
+
+Florence Marryat in her father's memoirs thus relates the incident:
+"When this gig was capsized, it contained, besides Captain Marryat, a
+middy and an old bumboat woman. The woman could swim like a fish, but
+the boy could not, and as Captain Marryat, upon rising to the surface of
+the water and preparing to strike out for the ship, found himself most
+needlessly clutched and borne up by this lady, he shook her off
+impatiently, saying: 'Go to the boy! Go to the boy! He can't swim!'
+
+"'_Go to the boy!_' she echoed above the winds and waves. 'What! hold up
+a midshipman when I can save the life of a captain! Not I indeed!' And
+no entreaties could prevail on her to relinquish her impending honours.
+Who eventually did the 'dirty work' on this occasion is not recorded,
+but it is certain that no one was drowned."
+
+As is well known, sailors are devoted to animals, and Marryat was no
+exception to the rule. He has left on record a story of a pet baboon,
+which was on board the _Tees_ with him--
+
+"I had on board a ship which I commanded a very large Cape baboon, who
+was a pet of mine, and also a little boy, who was a son of mine. When
+the baboon sat down on his hams he was about as tall as the boy when he
+walked. The boy, having a tolerable appetite, received about noon a
+considerable slice of bread-and-butter to keep him quiet till
+dinner-time. I was on one of the carronades, busy with the sun's lower
+limb, bringing it into contact with the horizon, when the boy's lower
+limbs brought him into contact with the baboon, who, having, as well as
+the boy, a strong predilection for bread-and-butter, and a stronger arm
+to take it withal, thought proper to help himself to that to which the
+boy had already been helped. In short, he snatched the bread-and-butter,
+and made short work of it, for it was in his pouch in a moment.
+
+"Upon this the boy set up a yell, which attracted my notice to this
+violation of the articles of war, to which the baboon was equally
+amenable as any other person in the ship, for it is expressly stated in
+the preamble of every article, 'all who are _in_, or _belonging_ to.'
+Whereupon I jumped off the carronade and, by way of assisting his
+digestion, I served out to the baboon _monkey's allowance_, which is
+more kicks than halfpence! The master reported that the heavens
+intimated that it was twelve o'clock, and, with all the humility of a
+captain of a man-of-war, I ordered him to 'make it so'; whereupon it was
+made, and so passed that day.
+
+"I do not remember how many days it was afterwards that I was on the
+carronade as usual, about the same time, and all parties were precisely
+in the same situations--the master by my side, the baboon under the
+booms, and the boy walking out of the cabin with his bread-and-butter.
+As before, he again passed the baboon, who again snatched the
+bread-and-butter from the boy, who again set up a squall, which again
+attracted my attention. I looked round, and the baboon caught my eye,
+which told him plainly that he'd soon catch what was not at all _my
+eye_; and he proved that he actually thought so, for he at once put the
+bread-and-butter back into the boy's hands!
+
+"It was the only instance of which I ever knew or heard of a monkey
+being capable of self-denial where his stomach was concerned, and I
+record it accordingly. This poor fellow, when the ship's company were
+dying of the cholera, took that disease, went through all its
+gradations, and died apparently in great agony."
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+THE PILOT OF PORT CREEK
+
+
+The sun, low in the west, was sinking behind a heavy cloudbank, which,
+to nautical eyes, portended fog at sea.
+
+A mariner, far out in the Channel, in a small boat, was shading his eyes
+with his hand and gazing towards the south-western horizon.
+
+The lad--he was not more than eighteen--was calculated to attract
+attention. He was of fine physique. His hair shone like burnished gold.
+His eyes were deep blue, clear, and bright. A marked firmness was about
+his mouth and chin; and when he seized the oars and rowed to counteract
+the boat's leeway caused by the tide, the grip of his hands was as that
+of a vice.
+
+He was the pilot of Port Creek--no official title, but one given him by
+a lawless set of men amongst whom, for many years, his lot had been
+cast.
+
+Astern, faint and indistinct, loomed the low-lying coast-line. One could
+only judge it to be a wild, inhospitable shore.
+
+The sun disappeared, and the shades of night began to fall. Suddenly the
+clouds parted, and a ray of sunshine shot obliquely down towards the
+south-west.
+
+The pilot immediately muttered: "That's well!"
+
+The bright ray had struck the dark sails of a lugger, and in her he had
+recognised the craft he had come out to pilot to a fateful destination.
+
+Smartly he ran up a small lugsail, and set his boat's head towards the
+stranger. She was black hulled, and with a rakish rig that gave her the
+appearance of being a fast sailer.
+
+At the critical moment, when it appeared the lugger was about to cut him
+down, the pilot suddenly ported helm, and ran his boat under the
+lugger's side. Smartly he lowered his sail and fastened on the vessel
+with his boathook.
+
+"Heave a rope!" called he. "I'm coming on board."
+
+"And who are you?" asked a swarthy man, who had been watching from the
+lugger's bows.
+
+"I bring a message to your captain."
+
+"Catch, then!" and a coil of rope went curling through the air.
+
+The pilot deftly caught it, and hitched the end to the bow of his boat.
+
+"Carry it astern, and make fast!" ordered he, like one accustomed to
+command. "She'll tow till I want her."
+
+The boat dropped astern, but the pilot nimbly boarded the lugger.
+
+A powerful man in reefer jacket, sou'-wester, and sea-boots greeted him
+with--
+
+"You seem pretty free with strangers, my lad."
+
+The pilot held out a piece of paper. The captain took it and read--
+
+"_It is by our order and for the good of the cause that the bearer is
+authorised to act._"
+
+The signature was a rude hieroglyphic. The captain's manner immediately
+showed that he recognised it, and respected it.
+
+"Am I to understand that you take command?"
+
+The pilot bowed, and tendered a second paper. The captain read--
+
+"_Should the bearer fail to accomplish that which he has undertaken, it
+will be for the captain of the_ 'Swift' _to see that he gives no further
+trouble._"
+
+A wicked gleam came into the captain's eyes.
+
+"If you fail in that which you are instructed to do--and which I know
+nothing of at present--this is your death-warrant?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Then see you fail not."
+
+"Rely on it, I shall not fail!"
+
+The words were spoken in such cold, deliberate tones that the captain--a
+man who boasted he knew not fear--shivered as though from the touch of
+an icy hand.
+
+"What are your orders?" presently asked the captain, eyeing him keenly.
+
+"To pilot the lugger to the head of Port Creek, where friends await her
+cargo. The old landings are played out; but who would suspect a lugger
+to effect a run in the creek _after dark_?"
+
+"No human hand could steer that course!"
+
+"Yet I am here."
+
+"The thing is impossible!"
+
+"The tide flows at midnight. My orders are to go in with the rising tide
+and bring you out on the ebb, that you may make a good offing before
+dawn."
+
+"It cannot be done! I'll not have the risk----"
+
+"You have your commands, I my orders," coldly interrupted the pilot.
+
+"Then I'll execute mine to the letter!"
+
+"And I--we shall see."
+
+He bent low over the binnacle, afterwards glancing swiftly shoreward.
+
+"Keep her away a couple of points. We'll come about presently and fetch
+the creek on the other tack, just after dark, and with the tide half
+made."
+
+Long and intently the captain studied the boy's fearless face. Then he
+began to recall an almost forgotten memory.
+
+"Boy," said he suddenly, "you remind me of some one I have known."
+
+The pilot's gaze remained as steady as his own, but there was a slight
+expression of cynicism playing about his mouth.
+
+"Ay!" continued the captain, seeming to speak his thoughts aloud. "The
+eyes are the same, just as they looked that night when I---- Bah!"
+recovering himself. "What a fool I am! This new venture unmans me."
+
+The pilot did not seem to hear, but his eyes seemed to glow with a
+green sheen, as the gathering gloom obscured his face. A violent emotion
+was possessing him.
+
+"Boy!" again cried the captain, "you interest me. How comes it that one
+so young holds so responsible a position in the cause?"
+
+"By past services have I been judged."
+
+"Come, tell me the story."
+
+"As you will."
+
+"You will find me a ready listener."
+
+"Be it so; but not yet. Now set the course north-west. A single light
+here at the binnacle, and no other to show from anywhere on board. As
+soon as we are in the creek, see that the sails are smartly trimmed to
+my order. There'll be little time to spare."
+
+The captain passed the word, and began to moodily pace the deck. He had
+never thought to question the genuineness of the two papers. There stood
+the pilot, his life forfeited by any failure tending to bring disaster
+upon the lugger; and it was a good guarantee.
+
+Anon the captain glanced at the pale, set face of the pilot, on which
+the diffused light from the binnacle lantern feebly shone. For the
+second time that evening the captain shivered, and without being able to
+define the cause. He felt strangely ill at ease. Accustomed to daring
+ventures, the present seemed sheer recklessness. Who was this determined
+boy? Why did his presence bring back a fateful memory of the past?
+
+The darkness deepened, and was further intensified by the cold, grey
+fog. The wind was light, but a steady up-Channel draught. The lugger was
+creeping in under mainsail and jib, her other sails being furled.
+
+The pilot took over the helm, and ordered the man he relieved to go
+forward. At the same time the captain came and stood by the binnacle.
+
+"What is our position?" shortly asked he.
+
+"We are within the creek," replied the pilot. "Hark! Don't you hear the
+grinding of the shingle away over the port bow? As soon as the sound
+comes from windward we'll have her on the port tack, and thus we'll
+clear Boulder Ledge."
+
+"It sounds fair sailing; but I liken it to going blindly into a trap,"
+retorted the captain.
+
+"Haul on the main-sheet! Steady, forward, with the jib!" And the pilot
+starboarded his helm.
+
+Again the captain shivered. Who was this, who held death so lightly? His
+own gloomy forebodings came upon him with redoubled force. What manner
+of pilot was this, to whom night was as day?
+
+"Boy!" he cried shortly, "why are you here?"
+
+"You read my orders."
+
+"Yes; but----"
+
+Again the pilot caused an interruption by shifting helm.
+
+"Who are you?" hoarsely cried the captain.
+
+"Well, sixteen years ago to-night--steady, cap'n!" for the man had
+staggered as though from the effect of a mortal blow.
+
+"Avast! Who and what are you?" The captain's voice was deep and
+menacing.
+
+"The pilot of Port Creek. I have no other name--at least, it suits me to
+forget it."
+
+"What was your father?"
+
+"A mariner."
+
+"His name?"
+
+"Wait!" and the pilot luffed till the sails shook. A peculiar vibration
+passed throughout the lugger's timbers, and her way was gently arrested.
+
+"We're aground! You have failed!" cried the captain, and drew a pistol
+from his belt.
+
+"Wait!" And again the pilot spoke in cold, disdainful tones. One might
+have counted a hundred. It was terrible suspense. The captain's finger
+was toying with the trigger of his pistol. The pilot stood immovable,
+the disdainful smile deepening upon his lips. "Ease off the main-sheet!"
+cried he, as he turned his ear to windward. There came a stronger puff
+of wind, a bigger wave rolled up under the lugger's stern, she lifted,
+and immediately glided forward--free!
+
+"You lost your reckoning, my lad!" cried the captain.
+
+"A slight error of judgment. The tide has made somewhat less than I
+anticipated."
+
+"What is our position?"
+
+"We scraped on the Sandstone Ledge," grimly. "'Twas a close shave--for
+me!"
+
+"And did you doubt----"
+
+"No. But put up your pistol and I'll get on with my story--unless you'd
+rather not listen."
+
+"No, no! Go on!"
+
+The pilot stood steady at the helm, his eyes fixed on the binnacle, each
+movement of the compass-needle a sign for his ready hands to obey. Anon
+a concise order to shift a sail fell from his lips, for in spite of his
+interrupted conversation with the captain his every action showed a
+trained alertness.
+
+Again he took up the thread of his story--
+
+"'Twas my father's death made me--what I am." The pause was ominous. "He
+was one of us--a smuggler."
+
+"Ah!"
+
+"A run had been planned----"
+
+"I----"
+
+"My father was young and daring. To him was entrusted the most
+venturesome part of the night's work. But I am anticipating. He had a
+rival--a man who sought my mother. But she was true to my father."
+
+"I remember----"
+
+"Steady, cap'n! You may have known him--perchance he was once your
+friend?"
+
+"No, no!" hoarsely. "He--I----"
+
+A bright light suddenly flashed through the fog, and from right ahead.
+
+"A signal?" cried the captain.
+
+"From a friend," and the pilot ported helm. "'Tis a dangerous spot
+hereabouts, so nothing has been left to chance. We're now abreast of
+Green Point. Steady, lads, for the next tack!"
+
+Shortly another light flashed right upon the lugger's bows. The pilot
+jammed over the helm to starboard. There was a slight shock, and
+something grated along the lugger's side.
+
+"All clear now, cap'n; but 'twas a narrow go. We grazed Rudder Rock! The
+fool stationed there with the light flashed it a full minute too late!"
+
+"Boy, you must have dealings with----"
+
+"Steady, cap'n! Your nerves are unstrung. Perhaps the conclusion of my
+story 'll steady them. Well, the venture that was planned was no less
+than to take the goods in under Black Rock, and have them hauled up the
+face of the cliff. In the end 'twas safely done--to all but my father.
+He had been lowered down to fasten on the bales. Those who were out that
+night came back saying he had fallen from the cliff. They recovered his
+body the next day, and they found the piece of rope around the mangled
+corpse had been cut."
+
+"Ay, by the rocks."
+
+"No, no! A poor fellow who witnessed the act was shot by the hand that
+cut the rope; but he lived long enough to tell my mother the truth."
+
+"Or a parcel of lies."
+
+"Dying men don't lie, cap'n! I was born that same night. Years
+afterwards, when I was old enough to understand--when my mother was on
+her deathbed--she told me the story; and my last word to her was a
+promise to hunt down my father's murderer."
+
+"And you have failed!" cried the captain.
+
+"Let go the anchor!" cried the pilot. "See, cap'n, I'll bring her head
+up into the wind, and she'll ride with her sails set. Off with the
+hatches, my lads!"
+
+A bright light flashed three times from left to right. The pilot took
+the lantern and waved responsive signals.
+
+"All's well!" cried he. "Cap'n, you will see to the getting up of the
+goods."
+
+Taken off his guard, the captain stepped to the hatchway, gave a few
+orders, and seemed to recollect something. But the binnacle light was
+out, and the pilot had disappeared! The captain caught at the rope by
+which his boat had been towing astern. It came in without resistance; it
+had been cut!
+
+"We are betrayed!" cried the captain. "Hark! Friends or foes!" as a
+number of boats came quickly alongside.
+
+"Surrender in the King's name!" was the response.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The desperate encounter that ensued is written in the history of those
+lawless times. Suffice it that the captain and his crew paid the full
+penalty of their many crimes.
+
+The pilot, having fulfilled his vow, was no more seen upon that part of
+the coast. To have remained would have been to forfeit his life, for
+the betrayed smugglers had many friends.
+
+But the old chronicles from which I have compiled this story go on to
+say that he secured a berth in the navy, and years afterwards trod the
+quarter-deck of a man-of-war.
+
+
+_Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay._
+
+
+
+
+ADVERTISEMENTS
+
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
+_An attractive series of books for boys, well printed and illustrated,
+and handsomely bound._
+
+_Large crown 8vo, cloth, full gilt, 3s. 6d. per volume._
+
+
++THE GOLDSMITH OF CHEPE. A Tale of the Plague Year.+ By TOM BEVAN, Author
+of 'A Hero in Wolf-Skin.' With eight illustrations by J. JELLICOE. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     An exciting and interesting story of the time of the Great Plague
+     of 1665; it recites the many adventures through which the hero
+     passed in London, and later in Dorsetshire, where a number of
+     sensational encounters with smugglers and pirates are described.
+     Mr. Bevan knows how to win the attention of boys, and this story
+     will be found to be written in his happiest vein.
+
+
++FOR QUEEN AND EMPEROR. A Story of Valour and Adventure.+ By ERNEST
+PROTHEROE, Author of 'Myddleton's Treasure,' 'From Scapegrace to Hero,'
+&c. With coloured frontispiece and title-page, and eight other
+illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The days of the early Britons always have a fascination for
+     youthful readers, and this story is well calculated to sustain
+     their interest. The struggles against the Roman invader supply the
+     hero with the earlier adventures in the story; but after a time the
+     scene changes to Rome, and then to Palestine in the days of the
+     fall of Jerusalem. Whilst passing from one moving scene to another,
+     the reader learns a good deal as to conditions of life under
+     review; but the information so conveyed is never obtrusive, and
+     never diverts attention from the outstanding scenes and figures in
+     this splendid romance.
+
+
++THE CRUISE OF THE 'GOLDEN FLEECE.' A Story of Adventure in the Days of
+Philip and Mary.+ By SARDIUS HANCOCK. With coloured frontispiece and
+eight other illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth
+gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is a stirring story of the days of Queen Mary, and is full of
+     exciting adventure. It opens with the ill-fated expedition led by
+     Sir Thomas Wyatt. Philip St. Ledger, one of Wyatt's followers,
+     falls in love with Barbara Lillingworth, and is shipped on board
+     the 'Golden Fleece' by his rival, to get him out of the way. Then
+     follow many adventures in the West Indies, where the rivals meet.
+     There are battles at sea and on the land, both in the West Indies
+     and in the Netherlands, where Philip's rival tries to effect his
+     death and ruin, finally invoking the aid of the Inquisition.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
++THAT BOY OF FRASER'S.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'For Queen and
+Emperor,' 'St. Merville's Scholarship Boys,' &c. With coloured
+frontispiece and eight other illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A vigorous and vivid story of boy life in a London slum. The young
+     hero will win the sympathy and regard of every reader. His courage,
+     his love for his mother and sister, his faithfulness to his trust,
+     make the story of his family fortunes irresistibly attractive to
+     boy readers.
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says: 'An excellent prize-book for boys, and
+     one which they would thoroughly enjoy.'
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says: 'A clever story of pluck and manliness
+     on the part of a little boy.'
+
+
++A COLLEGIAN IN KHAKI.+ By WILLIAM JOHNSTON, with four coloured
+illustrations by ERNEST PRATER, and coloured title-page. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The doings of Charlie Winter, expelled from college for misconduct,
+     form a story abounding in adventure. Ashamed to return home, he
+     enlists and is sent to South Africa, and is taken prisoner at an
+     early stage. Escaping from Pretoria, he takes part in many battles
+     and forms a member of the Ladysmith relief force. Warned by his
+     early fall, he redeems his character and wins the Victoria Cross.
+
+     _The Yorkshire Post_ says: 'It is a rattling good story, which will
+     appeal strongly to boys.'
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says: 'The story is full of interest for
+     boys.'
+
+
++WITH RIFLE AND KUKRI.+ By FREDERICK P. GIBBON, Author of 'Comrades Under
+Canvas,' 'The Disputed V.C.,' &c. With four coloured illustrations by J.
+FINNEMORE, R.I., and coloured title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+3s. 6d.
+
+
+     Boys who love stories of plucky deeds will find 'With Rifle and
+     Kukri' altogether to their taste. The heroic deeds called forth by
+     England's 'little wars' along the Indian frontier--the dashing
+     exploits of the Gurkhas and others of our native allies--the
+     coolness with which the handful of Englishmen in India met the
+     outbreak of the Great Mutiny--all these are narrated in stirring
+     language by an author whose local knowledge is extensive and exact.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Library of Adventure & Heroism.
+
+
++MELTONIANS ALL!+ By F. COWLEY WHITEHOUSE. With three coloured
+illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A capital boy's book, giving a stirring account of life in a great
+     public school. All three heroes of the tale are very attractive to
+     the reader, while the touch of tragedy describing the noble
+     self-sacrifice of one of them further deepens the interest of this
+     lively story.
+
+     _The Daily Mail_ says: 'A thoroughly healthy school story, which
+     touches neither too lightly nor too heavily upon the
+     responsibilities of boyhood.'
+
+     _The Globe_ says: 'A splendid schoolboy's story, in which pluck,
+     honesty and steadfastness are winners every time.'
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says: 'A very well written story-book for
+     boys, dealing with school life in a lively style.'
+
+
++MYDDLETON'S TREASURE.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE, Author of 'That Boy of
+Fraser's,' 'Bob Marchant's Scholarship,' &c. With three coloured
+illustrations by J. MACFARLANE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     Entering the railway service, Jasper Myddleton worked his way up to
+     the footplate only for the past to rise up against him and cause
+     his dismissal. But his grit and dogged pertinacity carried him
+     safely through various adventures at sea and in Central Africa. He
+     discovered the 'Real King Solomon's Mines,' but in 'Kiddy,' a
+     little girl-friend, he found the greatest treasure of all. The plot
+     is particularly attractive, and the reader will follow Myddleton's
+     vigorous, moving career with sustained interest.
+
+
++THE BAYMOUTH SCOUTS.+ By TOM BEVAN, Author of 'The Goldsmith of Chepe,'
+'A Trooper of the Finns,' &c. With four coloured illustrations by GORDON
+BROWNE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is a story of the days of Napoleon, and his threatened
+     invasion of England. Two boys are kidnapped and carried to France,
+     from where, after many adventures, they escape and return to
+     England, bringing with them a lady and her daughter, who had been
+     ruined by the Revolution. It is especially suited for Boy Scouts.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+
+
+_The name of Talbot Baines Reed will always be associated with
+fascinating, healthy stories for boys, dealing with public school life,
+and early business careers. No writer has been able more skilfully to
+give his characters a real personality, or to portray more faithfully
+their failures, sharp struggles and final successes._
+
+
++THE ADVENTURES OF A THREE-GUINEA WATCH.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and Sixteen other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A straightforward story of school-life, and of the duties and
+     temptations of young men entering upon the work of life. The kind
+     of book to rejoice the heart of the boy who gets it as a Christmas
+     or Birthday present.
+
+
++THE COCK HOUSE AT FELLSGARTH. A Public School Story.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by Alfred Pearse. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A splendid story of school life. The rollicking fun of the juniors,
+     the rivalry among the seniors, the school elections, the football
+     match, are told in such a forcible manner that the tale will prove
+     a source of delight to all boys--young and old.
+
+
++THE FIFTH FORM AT ST. DOMINIC'S. A Public School Story.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and Eight other Illustrations in the Text. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     A lively story, abounding in stirring incident and in humorous
+     descriptions. A thoroughly healthy tale to place in the hands of a
+     boy. It ought to become popular both as a gift and prize book.
+
+
++A DOG WITH A BAD NAME.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     The story of a big ungainly youth who seemed fated to be
+     misunderstood and to be made the butt of his comrades. His trials
+     at school, and as a tutor, and the unsympathetic treatment by his
+     guardian are delightfully told.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+By TALBOT BAINES REED.
+
+
++ROGER INGLETON, MINOR.+
+
+With Seven Full-page Illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I. Large crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"Mr. Talbot Baines Reed knows how to tell a
+     story, and he does himself justice in 'Roger Ingleton, Minor,' in
+     which he makes an excellent book out of the return of a long-lost
+     half-brother who had gone out alone into the world, many years
+     previously, after a bitter quarrel with his father. The discovery
+     of the missing brother is not accomplished without many exciting
+     incidents, out of which Mr. Reed weaves his plot."
+
+     _The Aberdeen Free Press_ says:--"This story has a modern
+     atmosphere. The plot is very skilfully constructed and the interest
+     is maintained up to the last page."
+
+
++SIR LUDAR: A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess.+
+
+With Eleven Full-page Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s.
+6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"This stirring tale, which is played in the
+     days of Queen Elizabeth, and tells of the wonderful adventures of a
+     sturdy prentice-lad who contrived to crowd into a few years as much
+     danger and fighting and hairbreadth escapes as would have lasted an
+     army of ordinary folk for their whole lives. It is a capital book
+     for boys which those who begin reading will have to finish. Mr.
+     Pearse's illustrations, too, are very good."
+
+     _The Aberdeen Free Press_ says:--"This is a stirring tale of
+     adventure with plenty of fighting."
+
+
++PARKHURST BOYS, and other Stories of School Life.+
+
+With Seven Full-page and many other Illustrations. Large crown 8vo,
+cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     In this volume are brought together a large number of the
+     miscellaneous stories written from time to time for the _Boy's Own
+     Paper_ by Talbot Baines Reed. The collection is prefaced by an
+     appreciation of Mr. Reed as boy and man, and it contains some of
+     his best work and his brightest wit. There are seven sketches of
+     life at Parkhurst School; eleven character delineations of "Boys we
+     have known"--such as "The Bully," "The Sneak"; twelve
+     representations of "Boys of English History"; and seven other short
+     stories of boy life and interest.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Own Series.
+
+
+_A Series of Books for Boys by well-known Writers, containing Stories of
+School Life, Adventures on Sea and Land, Stories of Old England, &c.
+Well illustrated, handsomely bound, cloth gilt, large crown 8vo, 2s.
+6d._
+
+
++BOB MARCHANT'S SCHOLARSHIP.+ By ERNEST PROTHEROE. With seven
+illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says: 'A very readable tale with plenty of
+     "go" in it.'
+
+     _The Manchester Courier_ says: 'An attractive story of schoolboy
+     life.'
+
+     _The Spectator_ says: 'Here we have a story of adventure, the scene
+     of action being what is called the educational ladder. Bob Marchant
+     wins a scholarship ... which takes him to Orville College, a
+     first-grade school.... The subject is worth treating, and should
+     not be less interesting than the perils by flood and field which
+     commonly form the themes of these stories.'
+
+
++THE HEROISM OF LANCELOT.+ By JEANIE FERRY. With three coloured
+illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     This book will be read with eager interest and profit by all boys
+     and girls. The author has produced quite a number of beautiful
+     characters, and some the reverse of beautiful. Lancelot is
+     undoubtedly the hero, and a splendid one, too, but there are
+     several heroines who run him close in the race of unselfishness and
+     purity of character. Boys will vote the book 'jolly' and
+     'stunning,' and unconsciously they will have themselves imbibed a
+     wholesome draught from a carefully written and good story.
+
+
++JACK SAFFORD: A Tale of the East Coast.+ By WILLIAM WEBSTER. With three
+coloured illustrations by ERNEST PRATER. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.
+
+
+     A breezy boy's book of adventures in the North Sea. It will be sure
+     to interest lads who are leaving school, and are wondering what the
+     future holds in store for them. Honesty, bravery, and a readiness
+     to seize opportunities for advancement are upheld in this
+     well-written story.
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says: 'The book is full of adventure, and is
+     most readable.'
+
+     _The Liverpool Daily Post_ says: 'A story of adventure on sea and
+     land, which boys will read with avidity, for Jack, among other
+     things, had to find the way out of a very awkward predicament.'
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boy's Own Series.
+
+
++FROM SLUM TO QUARTER-DECK.+ By GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N., Author of
+'Wild Life in Sunny Lands,' 'The Voyage of the "Blue Vega,"' &c. With
+six illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     The hero of Dr. Gordon Stables' new work is a London boy about
+     whose origin there is a mystery, which is skilfully dealt with and
+     satisfactorily solved. A story of the sea, which the author's many
+     admirers will be eager to read.
+
+     _The Record_ says: 'It is a bright and breezy volume, and will
+     please boys immensely.'
+
+     _The Schoolmaster_ says: 'This is a good rattling story of a street
+     arab who has a series of interesting and exciting adventures.'
+
+     _The United Methodist_ says: 'Real stirring adventures are sprung
+     upon us in such unique fashion that we hesitate to give prospective
+     readers an inkling as to their sequence.'
+
+
++ALLAN ADAIR; or, Here and There in Many Lands.+ By GORDON STABLES, M.D.,
+R.N., Author of 'In the Land of the Lion and the Ostrich.' With coloured
+frontispiece and title-page. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Examiner_ says: 'Allan Adair, the only son of his widowed
+     mother, distinguishes himself as a lad in helping to save a vessel
+     in distress, and in return is offered a berth by the owners in one
+     of their ships. Of course he accepts, and a life of world-wide
+     travel and incident is the result. Among many exciting episodes may
+     be mentioned shooting "rattlers" in the Sierras, encounters with
+     narwhals and bears in the Arctic regions, a hairbreadth escape on
+     the terrible ice-river of Spitzbergen, and adventures among the
+     savages of Patagonia.'
+
+
++GALLANT SIR JOHN.+ By SARDIUS HANCOCK, Author of 'The Cruise of the
+Golden Fleece,' &c. With three coloured illustrations by J. FINNEMORE,
+R.I. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     'Gallant Sir John' is a stirring, exciting tale of the days when
+     Henry V. was gaining successive victories in France. At the same
+     time Wyckliffe's Bible was being circulated by the Lollards, who
+     were being hounded to exile, outlawry and death by the priests of
+     Rome. Once begun this story will hold the reader to the end, for he
+     will be taken into the very heart of those troublous times, and
+     will witness many a thrilling scene.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++THE SHELL-HUNTERS: Their Wild Adventures by Land and Sea.+
+
+By GORDON STABLES, author of "Allan Adair," etc. Illustrated. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     This is one of Dr. Gordon Stables' stories of adventure. A
+     middle-aged man and a couple of boys make a voyage of discovery in
+     the South Seas. The tale is full of exciting incidents and
+     hairbreadth escapes so dear to the heart of all boys; and it has
+     the advantage of being cleverly illustrated by ALFRED PEARSE.
+
+
++HAROLD, THE BOY EARL. A Story of Old England.+
+
+By J. F. HODGETTS, author of "Kormak the Viking," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
++ILDERIM, THE AFGHAN. A Tale of the Indian Border.+
+
+By DAVID KER. Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     David Ker, the author of "The Lonely Island," has here written a
+     stirring and highly imaginative tale of India and the North-West
+     Frontier. The heroes are men of high character, and a bright,
+     healthy moral tone is maintained throughout.
+
+
++ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.+
+
+By ONE WHO WAS BORN THERE, author of "Annie Carr," etc. Illustrated.
+Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Guardian_ says:--"The pictures of the South Sea Islanders are
+     evidently drawn from life, and the accounts of the kidnappers, both
+     cannibal and slave-hunting, are well told and full of grim
+     interest."
+
+     _The Methodist Times_ says:--"The book is a true record of the
+     adventures of the son of a South Sea Island Missionary. The writer
+     begins at the beginning--at his earliest whippings--and goes on
+     through escapades by land and sea. He narrowly escapes poisoning by
+     _carea_ and is in an awful tornado. Perils by famine, by murder, by
+     heathen superstition, by sharks, by pestilence, by white
+     slave-traders, bring before the reader vividly, life as it is in
+     the savage islands of the South."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++UNTRUE TO HIS TRUST; or, Plotters and Patriots.+
+
+By HENRY JOHNSON, author of "Turf and Table," "A Book of Heroes," etc.
+With Five Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Times_ says:--"A tale that is well-conceived and interesting."
+
+     _The Sheffield Independent_ says:--"A piece of masterly historical
+     painting."
+
+     _The British Weekly_ says:--"A well written and readable book that
+     conveys a great deal of instruction. The period of Charles II. has
+     been very carefully studied."
+
+
++THE VOYAGE OF THE STORMY PETREL.+
+
+By W. C. METCALF. With Three Illustrations by LANCELOT SPEED. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Glasgow Herald_ says:--"Possesses all the qualities which
+     young readers for whom it is intended can best appreciate. These
+     are narrow escapes and strange experiences, and adventures full of
+     excitement both on land and sea. The volume has some exciting
+     illustrations."
+
+     _The English Churchman_ says:--"A good story of adventure."
+
+     _The Liverpool Courier_ says:--"This is a stirring tale of an
+     adventurous voyage in which exciting incidents follow one another
+     in rapid succession."
+
+
++DUCK-LAKE. Stories of the Canadian Backwoods.+
+
+By E. RYERSON YOUNG, With Seven Illustrations by J. MACFARLANE. Large
+crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Sheffield Daily Independent_ says:--"It is a spirited story of
+     the Canadian backwoods, in three sections. The characters include
+     Canadian settlers and North American Indians. A number of
+     well-drawn illustrations assist the young reader to realise the
+     physical type of the people who move in the story."
+
+     _The Dundee Courier_ says:--"A sectional story of the Canadian
+     backwoods and admirably told. The bush life of the settlers is
+     pictured with a graphic pen, and there are a number of sensational
+     episodes, a bear hunt among the number."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOY'S OWN SERIES.
+
+
++THE SETTLERS OF KAROSSA CREEK, and Other Stories of Australian Bush
+Life.+
+
+
+     By LOUIS BECKE, author of "Tom Wallis," "Wild Life in the Southern
+     Seas," etc., etc. With Three Illustrations by J. FINNEMORE, R.I.
+     Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+     "The Settlers of Karossa Creek" is a rattling yarn which proves
+     conclusively that the right hand of Louis Becke has not lost its
+     cunning. It is a book that all healthy-minded boys will revel in,
+     full of stirring adventures relating to the bush life of Australia
+     and the islands of the Pacific. "The Settlers of Karossa Creek"
+     will stir the blood of every lad and stimulate the impulses to
+     patience, endurance, brave daring, and true knightliness. The
+     health-giving fragrance of the sea and the free, glad, open life of
+     new lands are in it from first page to last.
+
+
++THE SPECIMEN HUNTERS.+
+
+By J. MACDONALD OXLEY, B.A., author of "North Overland with Franklin,"
+"Archie Mackenzie." Illustrated. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. 6d.
+
+
+     Mr. Macdonald Oxley, who knows so well how to tell a story of
+     adventure and peril--here takes his young heroes out to India and
+     the Far East, with a learned Professor whose duty it is to obtain
+     specimens of beasts and birds. Their ramblings and the Professor's
+     tasks bring them into a succession of highly critical situations,
+     in which their lives are often in extreme peril. The qualities of
+     self-control, manliness and courage are in constant demand. Boys
+     and girls--more especially those with a taste for travel and
+     natural history--should find the book "irresistible."
+
+
++THE ADVENTURES OF TIMOTHY.+
+
+By E. C. KENYON. With Four Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt,
+2s. 6d.
+
+
+     A story of adventure during the great Civil War, when King Charles
+     I. and his Parliament resorted to the arbitrament of the sword to
+     decide who should have the mastery. The hero is a Roundhead, and
+     the heroine is a charming young person, whose hand a hard-hearted
+     guardian seeks to dispose of in a manner to which her heart
+     consents not. The author is not carried into any excess of
+     partisanship, though his sympathies are obvious, and we can
+     confidently recommend the story as a very good specimen of grand
+     historical romance. The air resounds to the clashing of swords--so
+     to say--but the love element occupies the place of supreme interest
+     throughout, and will hold the interest of the reader without fail.
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+STORIES FOR BOYS.
+
+
++THROUGH FIRE and THROUGH WATER. A Story of Adventure and Peril.+
+
+By T. S. MILLINGTON, author of "Straight to the Mark," etc. With Sixteen
+Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, 2s.
+
+
+     _The School Guardian_ says:--"To boys who like plenty in their
+     books and that of a decidedly stirring order, 'Through Fire and
+     Through Water' may be highly commended. Jack Smith's ambition to be
+     a sailor and how it was finally gratified notwithstanding the
+     obstacles that intervene, his capture by Algerian pirates, and his
+     subsequent rescue.... The story never flags for a moment; it goes
+     with a swing from start to finish."
+
+
+_The Story of Chalmers' Adventurous Life told for Boys._
+
++TAMATE: The Life and Adventures of a Christian Hero.+
+
+By RICHARD LOVETT, M.A., author of "James Chalmers: his Autobiography
+and Letters," etc. With Two Maps and Fifteen Illustrations by J.
+FINNEMORE, R.I., printed in double tone ink. "Christian Heroes" Series,
+No. 1. Large crown 8vo, Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Christian Leader_ says:--"The story of the great New Guinea
+     missionary and explorer cannot be told too often. Here it is told
+     to boys, and it will be strange indeed if it does not at once prove
+     a real success. James Chalmers was as brave a man as ever lived.
+     His exploits and hairbreadth escapes were legion, and it is
+     practically a series of these that are narrated in the present
+     volume, with all the rapidity and spirit that the boyish temper
+     loves. The writer has to some extent made use of the materials
+     already drawn up for his biography, but he has had access also to
+     letters and diaries hitherto unpublished, and from these vivid
+     pages we gain a clearer idea than ever of his hero. A lion-hearted
+     soul! The boy reader will find him irresistible."
+
+
++CONDEMNED TO THE GALLEYS. The Adventures of a French Protestant.+
+
+By JEAN MARTEILHE. With Seven Illustrations by E. Barnard Lintott.
+"Christian Heroes" Series, No. 2. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.
+
+
+     _The Expository Times_ says:--"Let the boy who wants authentic
+     history and excitement combined read 'Condemned to the Galleys,' by
+     Jean Marteilhe."
+
+     _The Northern Whig_ says:--"It is a most interesting and reliable
+     work, giving a story which reads like the most fascinating fiction,
+     but is really the genuine history of the sufferings and adventures
+     of a young Protestant."
+
+
+THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, LONDON.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Every Boy's Bookshelf.
+
+
+_A New Series of Eighteenpenny Stories for Boys, full of stirring
+adventure. Each with two illustrations in colours and coloured medallion
+on cover. Large crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d._
+
+
++SKYLARK: His Deeds and Adventures.+ By M. GENESTE. With two coloured
+illustrations by W. E. WIGFULL. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     Skylark, so named from his propensity for 'larking' and practical
+     joking, is not only a favourite at school on account of his sunny
+     disposition, but a real influence for good because of the uniform
+     'straightness' of his conduct. His adventures include a fire at the
+     school, in which he nearly perishes, and being kidnapped and
+     carried off to France, having stumbled on evidence tending to
+     identify the authors of a burglary. Altogether the book is full of
+     incident.
+
+
++CAVE PERILOUS: A Tale of the Bread Riots.+ By L. T. MEADE. With two
+coloured illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A very brightly written tale, full of incident and adventure, of
+     English life nearly a century ago.
+
+     _The Scotsman_ says: 'A spirited and interesting tale of adventure
+     in which a boy and girl, shut up in a wild cave, but sustained by a
+     sturdy piety, contrive not only to extricate themselves, but to
+     discover and recover a lost parent who had been kidnapped. It is
+     written with a catching vivacity, and is sure to be a favourite
+     with young readers.'
+
+
++THE TURQUOISE RING.+ By IDA LEMON. With two coloured illustrations. Crown
+8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A brightly written story that will hold the boy reader's attention
+     all through. It is full of incident, and is told with the author's
+     well-known skill.
+
+
++OLD SCHOOLFELLOWS AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM.+ With two coloured
+illustrations by J. H. VALDA. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 1s. 6d.
+
+
+     A book that will delight both old and new schoolfellows. A number
+     of old schoolfellows find themselves established not far from each
+     other, and form a society for relating their own adventures and the
+     adventures of schoolmates known to them. The stories are capitally
+     told, and in the Captain's Story, the Lawyer's Story, the Doctor's
+     Story, &c., &c., we are given striking examples of what the boy may
+     become if he starts with the right motives. Also several disastrous
+     failures give necessary warnings against laxity of conduct and
+     morals.
+
+
+LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures in Many Lands, by Various
+
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