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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/25060-0.txt b/25060-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ce69b90 --- /dev/null +++ b/25060-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1119 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Officer And Man, by Louis Becke + +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: Officer And Man + 1901s + +Author: Louis Becke + +Release Date: April 12, 2008 [EBook #25060] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +OFFICER AND MAN + +From “The Tapu Of Banderah and Other Stories” + +By Louis Becke + +C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. + +1901 + +The anchor of her Majesty's ship _Hannibal_ was underfoot and the +captain on the bridge, and Rear-Admiral Garnet had shaken hands with +the last of the “leading” Fijian white residents, who always did the +welcoming and farewelling when distinguished persons visited Levuka, +when Lieutenant Bollard approached him and intimated that “a person” + from the shore had just come alongside in a boat and desired to see “his +Excellency on private and important business.” + +“What the devil does the fellow want?” said the Admiral irascibly, not +a whit softened by the “his Excellency” style of address; “I'm going on +the bridge, and can't see any one now; we can't delay the ship and get +into a mess going through the passage.” + +“Told him so, sir; but he says he wants to see you upon an important--a +most pressing matter.” + +“Oh, well! Confound him! Let the sentry show him to my cabin, and tell +Captain Bracely I shall be up in five minutes.” + +The “person,” conducted by the sentry, was shown into the cabin, where +the Admiral, without taking a seat or offering one to his visitor, +inquired with a cold, cautious politeness born of much experience of +island visitors with “important and private Service matters of great +urgency,” what he might be pleased to want? + +The stranger was a short, fat, coarse-looking man with little pig-like +eyes and scanty tufts of black beard and whiskers growing in irregular +patches on his cheeks and chin, like clumps of gorse on clayey banks. +He was dressed--in a manner--in an ill-fitting black cloth suit imported +from Sydney. His hair was very black and shiny, plastered down over +his temples and beautifully parted at the back of his bullet head. +Altogether he was an unpleasantly sleek, oleaginous creature, and as +he stood bowing and smirking with a catlike grin, the Admiral felt +an almost irresistible impulse to kick him out of the cabin. +Notwithstanding his haste, however, he began to recollect the man as an +individual who had been introduced to him a few days previously at some +municipal function. + +“Can't recollect the fellow's name,” he muttered to himself. “I wonder +what the devil the creature wants! Got a complaint against the Consul +very likely--every one has a complaint against a Consul--it's a disease +in the South Seas. Confound their twopenny-halfpenny squabbles!” Then +the little fat man, with another servile grin, spoke. + +“I wish, your Excellency, to see you upon a matter which I think, as +a loyal subject, it is my duty--my painful duty--to bring under your +notice.” + +“Thought as much,” said the Admiral to himself. “Some row about a +trader insulting a native teacher, or _vice-versa_.” Then smothering an +exclamation of impatience, he said-- + +“What is it, sir? I have no time to lose. By the way, who are you, sir?” + +“My name, your Excellency, is Obadiah Howl-man. I had the distinguished +honour, your Excellency, of showing your Excellency over the grounds of +the new Mission College. I was the contractor for the erection of that +ornament to our little town.” And again the oily creature smirked and +bowed and did the invisible soap business. + +“Surely _you_ are not a missionary, sir?” asked the Admiral, with +undisguised contempt. + +“I am not, your Excellency. That is, I am not yet an ordained labourer +in the Vineyard, your Excellency; but I hope soon to be one. Meanwhile, +all the time that is left to me from my business (I am a storekeeper and +contractor) is given to the cause of spreading the Light I was once a +lost soul, your----” + +“I see, I see,” interrupted the Admiral, with ill-disguised disgust +and open impatience, “but do, for Heaven's sake, tell me what is your +complaint. I am due in Sydney on the tenth of this month, and the ship +is already under way. As it is, we shall have to stop outside the reef +to let you get into your boat.” + +“I am aware of it, your Excellency, and I should not have ventured to +detain you, but this is a very serious matter--I may say, a criminal +matter. When I had the honour of meeting your Excellency, on the +occasion of your Excellency's visit to the College, I would have spoken +of this matter then; but my poor, weak nature was so torn by conflicting +emotions that I _could_ not And for the past two nights have I struggled +and wrestled in spirit, and sought Divine guidance. 'Tis indeed hard for +one man to reveal the sins and wickedness of a fellow-sinner--knowing +that we are all but weak vessels. But yet in this case it is my bounden +duty as a loyal----” + +“Go on--go on, for Heaven's sake! What on earth is the matter? And what +the deuce do you want?” + +“Your Excellency, I wish, in all sorrow and tribulation of spirit, +to give you information as to the whereabouts of a deserter from her +Majesty's Navy.” + +“What do you mean, sir? None of my men are missing, and if any were, I'd +tell the Fijian police about it, and not delay the _Hannibal_,” and with +a curt nod the Admiral turned on his heel and was about to leave the +cabin, when the man stepped forward and interrupted him, saying-- + +“One word more, your Excellency. There is in connection with this +case----” + +“The reward. Yes, of course. I forgot all about that. If there is a +deserter from any of her Majesty's ships living ashore here, you will +get the usual reward, I have no doubt. But really, sir, this is a matter +that you must arrange with the police when the next man-of-war comes +here, or go to the Consul”--and then, _sotto voce_--“or the devil, +confound you!” and the Admiral more than ever felt inclined to kick his +visitor out. + +“You quite mistake me, Admiral Garnet I have no wish to claim an earthly +reward for doing my duty to my Queen and country. Since I have lived in +these islands the Lord has prospered me in my worldly affairs, and I am +in a position far above taking payment in money for doing my duty. I am, +I trust, walking in the Light, and do not want to obtain wealth--which +is but of this world--for performing such duty.” + +“Well, well, I am sure I beg your pardon, Mr. Howlman. But now I really +cannot talk any longer here, so please do not keep me. At the same time +if there is a deserter here I don't see what business it is of yours to +interest yourself in his capture. Don't you think you have enough to do +to look after your store, and contracting, and your _alleged_ missionary +business, without running after deserters?” And inwardly the Admiral +cursed his visitor for a meddlesome ass. He was in a hurry to get to +sea, and yet this fellow might make it necessary for the ship to be +delayed till the deserter was apprehended. + +“My humble connection with missionaries, Admiral, has taught me that, at +whatever cost to my own feelings, my duty as a loyal subject must, next +to my duty as a Christian, be performed honestly.” + +“Oh, yes, yes. That's all right, I meant no disrespect to the +missionaries. Many of the _gentlemen_ engaged in missionary work in +these islands have rendered very valuable services to her Majesty's +ships on many occasions,” and then to himself, “and given us a devil of +a lot of trouble as well.” + +“Now, sir,” the Admiral resumed, “having explained that the Consul +or police will attend to this deserter, you will allow me to say +'Good-day.'” + +“One moment more, sir,” and a spiteful green lit up the little piggish +eyes. “I desire, as a British subject, to speak to you privately on +this matter, and to you alone. There are reasons--very particular +reasons--why her Majesty's Consul or the Fiji police here cannot deal +with this case.” + +“Oh, well,” sighed the Admiral resignedly; “sit down, Mr. Howlman. I see +I am in for it, and so I'll send for my secretary and----” + +“Cannot this matter be arranged without a third party?” + +“No, sir; it CANNOT!” + +The Admiral said this with so much emphasis, and rang the bell with so +much force at the same moment, that the sentry almost jumped into the +cabin to see what was the matter. + +“Pass the word for Mr. Hayling to come to my cabin, and to the captain +that I shall not be with him for ten minutes yet. Ten minutes will do +your business, Mr. Howlman, eh?” + +“Certainly, your Excellency,” and an evil smile crossed the man's +repulsive features. + +The marine saluted, the secretary appeared, and the Admiral, nodding +towards Mr. Howlman in anything but a friendly manner, growled: “My +secretary, Mr. Hayling. This is Mr. Howlman, Mr. Hayling; he has a +communication to make about a deserter. Now, sir, proceed.” + +“This,” said the man, producing a photograph and laying it on the table, +“is a portrait of a person named George Barcom, who, I have every reason +to believe, was a sergeant of marines on the _Flycatcher_ when she was +on this station five years ago.” + +“Take charge of that photograph, Mr. Hayling. Go ahead, Mr. Howlman.” + +“This man, after deserting from the _Flycatcher_ at a place in this +group called Yasawa, managed to make his way to the island of +Niuafou, where at that time I was in temporary charge of the Christian +Cultivation Association's trading station. He came to the island in +an open boat from the Yasawa Group, and was not suspected until quite +recently.” + +“Deuced long time finding him out. But proceed, sir.” + +“Guilty as the man was of the crime of desertion, I must yet, perforce, +say that he behaved himself very well. He was kindly received by the +King Tepuaka (a very earnest seeker after the Light), and all went well +for the space of four years.” + +“Well, what happened then? Five minutes left,” and the Admiral looked at +his watch. + +“My story will soon be told, your Excellency. The man, who calls +himself George Barcom, gained the affections of Tuilagi,{*} the youngest +daughter of the King. She, although not a seeker after the truth, was +yet beginning to display some interest in the teachings of Christianity, +and was an exceedingly comely young woman.” Here Mr. Howlman clasped +his fat hands together and cast up his eyes. “But her father, at my +suggestion, objected to their union. One night Barcom and the poor, +misguided girl were missing. They had fled in an open boat to another +island called Anuda--one of those dark places of the earth where the +good seed has not yet been sown.” + + * Tuilagi--“Queen of the Sky”; a name common in Polynesia. + +“And what was the nature and reason of your objection to their +marriage?” said the Admiral quietly. + +“I had every reason by this time to believe that the man was a deserter, +and in my capacity as a preacher of the Gospel--though not ordained as +such--I----” + +“Confine yourself to the subject, if you please,” interrupted the +Admiral, with a mingled look of impatience and disgust. “You are not +a missionary, you tell me, and I'm hanged if I'm going to listen to a +sermon in my own cabin just now. Yet I have already given you as much +of my time as if you were one. But don't trespass on my good nature too +much.” + +“I thought it my duty to interfere and prevent such a wicked and +improper marriage. And, your Excellency, this carrying away the young +woman against her father's wishes was very detrimental to the progress +of the Mission work. As I have said, she was beginning to evince a +certain concern for her soul----” + +“Confound it, man! why will you so persistently harp upon irrevelant +matters that do not, as far as I can see, possibly concern what you +really want to tell me? Have you a brief to speak for the missionaries? +I am acquainted with the principal _gentlemen_ (again he emphasised the +word) who conduct mission work in the South Seas, but I'll be hanged if +I ever heard your name before--not even as a house-builder, or whatever +your vocation is.” And then, with a quick glance at the cunning +visage of Howlman, he added, “I suppose you knew this young woman very +well--perhaps were a particular friend of hers?” + +Mr. Obadiah Howlman coughed. “Hm--er. Well, your Excellency, my dear +wife, who has now departed to her rest--an indeed well-earned rest--when +alive, took much interest in this young girl, and, before she was called +away, besought me to cherish and protect her. And, as time went on, +there _was_ formed, I may say, an attachment between this young creature +and myself--that is, of course, such an attachment as could exist +between a young woman of this kind, yearning for instruction, and her +spiritual adviser and guide.” + +“Yes, yes; I quite understand, Mr. Howlman. Mr. Hayling has notes of +your statement, and the photograph. Now, if you will kindly keep your +own counsel on the matter, you will hear in due course that we have +arrested this man, and then, I think, you will be satisfied.” + +Then turning to his secretary, the Admiral said, “The _Spitfire_ is due +at Levuka about the 8th. Write a letter to Commander Arness, and tell +him to call at Anuda and arrest a deserter from the marines, calling +himself George Barcom, and who can be identified by this photograph. He +is the only white man on the island, so this Mr. Howlman says, and +there should be no difficulty in finding him. That will satisfy you, I +presume, Mr. Howlman?” + +“Quite, sir, I assure you. I have done my duty and----” + +“Good-day, sir. You will just have time to get into your boat and get +ashore while we are in smooth water, and before we start the engines.” + +The Admiral did not seem to notice the little fat man's outstretched +hand. The secretary bowed him out of the cabin, holding the photograph +in one hand and his notebook in the other. Neither of them liked his +look well enough to shake hands with him. + +The Admiral, however, did not give the order to start the engines +immediately, for the sentry, in accordance with orders received from +the secretary, waited till Mr. Obadiah Howlman was at the foot of the +accommodation-ladder, and then called out, “Hold on that boat a minute +or two; the Admiral wants to send a letter ashore.” + +For twenty minutes Mr. Howlman waited impatiently in the boat, and +then a big, official-looking letter was handed down the ladder to the +boatman, addressed: “O.H.M.S.--Commander Arness, H.M.S. _Spitfire_ care +of H.B.M. Consul, Levuka, Fiji.” + +Mr. Howlman smiled to himself with the satisfied air of a man who +has done his duty. He knew the contents of the letter, and recognised +through its envelope the hard cardboard of the photograph of George +Barcom enclosed therein. There was also a smaller note, addressed to +Commander Arness by name, and marked, “Private letter.” + +Five minutes later the _Hannibal_ steamed through the passage, and +shaped a course for Sydney. + +***** + +The _Spitfire_ was steaming full speed E.S.E. from Levuka. On the bridge +was Commander Arness talking to the navigating lieutenant, a young and +almost effeminate-looking officer. + +The land had just been sighted, and lay right ahead. + +“Will there be daylight enough left for us to get there and have this +wretched thing over, Carteret?” asked Commander Arness. + +“Plenty, sir, if this weather keeps up and you don't want to stay there +more than a couple of hours.” + +“No. Two hours should be ample time. This letter from Hayling explains +the whole business,” and he handed, the lieutenant the despatch from +the Admiral's secretary, which duly set forth that the _Spitfire_ was to +take on board a certain white trader living on Anuda--otherwise, Cherry +Island--and bring him prisoner to Sydney. His wife was to be returned +to her father at Niuafou. The last paragraph in the letter was to this +effect-- + +“Be careful to identify beyond doubt this alleged deserter. The +Rear-Admiral has received this information at the instant of sailing, +and he is by no means certain that the statements of his informant +can be depended upon. A photograph of the reputed deserter is enclosed +herewith. The Admiral thinks that Mr. Carteret may know the man, as he +was serving in the _Flycatcher_ five years ago.” + +“This rascal Howlman has informed upon the poor devil for spite,” said +the Commander; “here's a private note from Hayling to myself about the +fellow.” + +The lieutenant took the note and read-- + + “My dear Arness,--Just a line on my own account. Be careful + what you are doing in this business. The fellow who informed + is a sort of hanger-on to the missionaries here. They don't + think much of him, but seem to put up with the swab as a + necessary evil. He confessed that jealousy had something to + do with the matter, and I could see the Admiral wanted to + kick him out of the cabin. Make sure that this man Barcom + _is_ a deserter, or there will be the devil to pay if he + should prove to be an American citizen, or anything of that + kind.--Yours, CHARLES Hayling.” + +“You see why they have left the matter to us, Carteret. You were on the +_Flycatcher_ five years ago, and the Admiral thinks you may be able to +identify this fellow. Of course Barcom is not his name.” + +Mr. Carteret at this moment was very busy with the chart, over which he +bent his head a moment, and then turned sharply to the man at the wheel, +who was not out of earshot. + +“Keep your course,” he said sharply; “why don't you attend to your +steering!” Then he turned to the commander: “I beg your pardon, sir; you +were saying?----” + +“I was saying that you ought to remember such an incident as a sergeant +of marines deserting from the _Flycatcher_ when she was down here five +years ago.” + +“I do remember it. The man's name was Charles Parker.” + +“Is that the man?” And Arness handed him a photograph of a man dressed +in white ducks and a straw hat, evidently taken by an amateur. + +Carteret looked at the photograph for fully a couple of minutes before +he answered slowly-- + +“No, I don't think that this is the man.” + +A few hours later the _Spitfire_ had steamed in close to the land, and +a boat was lowered. In this boat were Lieutenant Carteret, a sergeant of +marines, with three privates and half a dozen bluejackets. + +“I have force enough to take a boat-load of deserters,” remarked the +lieutenant to his commander, as he descended the poop ladder on his way +to the boat. + +Commander Arness laughed. “Oh, well, you know the natives might take +it into their heads to resist his arrest. But be careful what you are +doing: make perfectly sure that he _is_ the man. You don't know what +complications might arise if we carried off the wrong person.” + +* * * * * + +The moment the boat touched the shore, she was surrounded by a crowd +of friendly, brown-skinned islanders, who seemed delighted to see the +strangers. + +“Any one of you fellows speak English?” asked Mr. Carteret + +“Yes, sir,” and a big, burly fellow with a fine open countenance +advanced to the officer. “Me speak English, and plenty more men here +speak it, too. What you want, sir?” + +“Any white men living here?” asked Carteret quietly. + +“Oh, yes--one, a very good man; his name is Joajai” [George]. + +“Take me to his house,” said the officer. “I want to see him.” + +In a few minutes Mr. Carteret and his marines were being conducted up +a steep and rugged path towards the white trader's house, which was +situated quite apart from the native village, while the bluejackets were +left in the boat, remarking to each other that this white man was a most +cursed unfriendly sort of a chap not to come down to the beach when he +saw a man-of-war's boat ashore. + +“Don't you be such a fool, Tom,” said the coxswain to one of the men. +“You're always a-jumpin' at conclusions too rapid. Just you wait a bit +and see. It's my belief that this chap has been up to something, and the +marines have gone with Carteret to scruff him and bring him aboard. I +saw the sergeant had a pair of darbies, and what do you suppose that +Carteret's come ashore with a regular escort for?” + +A ten minutes' walk and Lieutenant Carteret and his men, guided by a +number of natives, reached the white man's thatched dwelling, which +stood amid a grove of banana and bread-fruit trees. When within a few +yards, the lieutenant saw a tall, graceful young native girl, clad in +semi-European style, advance to the open door, and then with a terrified +exclamation withdraw again. + +“That is Tui,{*} Joajai's wife,” said one of the natives, pointing to +the girl, who now again appeared, and, with her full dark eyes dilated +with alarm, timidly held out her hand to the officer and murmured +something in the native tongue. + + * The diminutive of Tuilagi. + +“She speaks English, but she is afraid of the men with the guns,” + explained the native guide. + +“Where is your husband?” said Lieutenant Carteret, motioning to the girl +to seat herself, and the marines to stand back. + +She only shook her head, and turned inquiringly to the natives who +accompanied the officer. + +“The white man is away on the other side of the island, sir. He be here +in 'bout one half-hour,” said the English-speaking native. “Suppose you +like, sir, I send some one go tell him come quick?” + +Carteret hesitated a moment, then answered “No.” Then turning to the +sergeant of marines, he said, “Let your men fall still further back, +sergeant This is a delicate matter, and I don't want this confounded +crowd of natives, many of whom understand English, to hear what I have +to say to this woman. Send a man down to the boat, and tell the coxswain +that I shall have to wait for some time. If the ship makes a signal, the +boat can go off and tell the captain that I shall have to wait; then she +can come back for me.” + +All this time the trader's young wife sat trembling upon a rude couch +that stretched across one side of the room; and her eyes never left +the officer's face for an instant, save when for a moment she gave a +terrified glance at the rifles and bayonets of the marine escort. + +The moment that the marines had fallen back the lieutenant stepped +forward and took the young woman by the hand. + +“Tui,” he said hurriedly, drawing her to the further end of the room +with firm but gentle hand, and speaking so low and without motion of his +lips that none but she knew that he spoke at all, “for God's sake and +for mine and your husband's, do not be frightened, but listen to me and +do exactly as I tell you.” + +Still trembling like a startled fawn, the girl raised her lustrous eyes +to the young officer's face. His earnest, sincere manner and expression +of deep concern seemed to reassure her, and though her bosom heaved and +her breath came in quick, short gasps, she turned her face to him in the +confidence of dawning hope. + +“Who are you, sir, and what do you wan' my husban' for?” + +“Tell these natives to go,” said the lieutenant “Have no fear. I am your +husband's friend; but, _be quick_!” + +Still, with a wondering look upon her beautiful face, the girl advanced +to the door, said something in the island tongue to the crowd of curious +natives, and then gently closed the door. + +“This is a rum go!” said the sergeant of marines to himself, as he +saw the door shut to. “What the devil has the girl been doing? Are the +bracelets for her, I wonder?” + +“Tui,” said Lieutenant Carteret, the moment they were alone, “time +presses. You speak English so well as to thoroughly understand that +which I am now about to tell you?” + +“Yes, sir,” she answered, standing before him with clasped hands, “I +think so. A white woman who is dead now taught me to read and write +English, and my husban' always talk English to me.” + +“Good. Then listen to me, my girl. I am Lieutenant Carteret, of H.M.S. +_Spitfire_--that ship out there--sent here with the ship's police to +arrest a deserter from the _Flycatcher_ on this station five years ago. +This is the man's photograph. He is said to be your husband, and calls +himself George Barcom. Now, when I was an officer of the _Flycatcher_, +I knew a man named Charles Parker”--her face went a deadly pallor--“who +deserted the ship at the Yasawa Group in Fiji. I can, without doubt, +identify this man. But, Tui, I have looked at this photograph when it +was held in the hand of my captain, and said that this is _not_ the man +whom I knew as Charles Parker. But look at it yourself and tell me--is +this the photograph of your husband, and is this man on this island?” + +With shaking fingers she took it from him, looked at it, and then raised +her face to the officer. + +“Is this the doin' of a man called Obadiah Howlman?” + +“Yes,” answered the lieutenant, “it _is_ the work of Obadiah Howlman. He +brought this photograph to the Admiral only a few days ago.” + +A savage gleam came into her eyes. “The brute! I kill him for _this_ +some day!” + +“That will not save your husband, my girl,” said Carteret; then he +waited a moment and added, “whatever it might do later on.” + +Suddenly the girl's dark eyes filled with tears, and she laid her hand +on the officer's sleeve. + +“What is to be done, sir? For God's sake don' you take my husband from +me, sir.” + +“_This_ can be done. You have seen this photograph. You say that it is +not that of your husband, don't you? But, Tui, I must do my duty, do you +understand? I must see your husband.” + +“And you are the man whose life he saved--for now I 'member your name +and the story he told me long ago--you who say you are his friend, +you would do this thing, you who in the ship gave him money so that he +might----” + +“Wait, my girl, till I have finished; then you will understand. Listen +now. I will remain here, and you will yourself find your husband and +bring him here to this house so that I may see him. Bring him here +quickly, and by some way that my men cannot see his face. And then, Tui, +when I have spoken to him, then for your sake and for his sake I will +lie, and swear he is not the man I have been sent to take. Then, when +my ship has gone, you--you and he--you must promise me this, Tui--must +leave this island as quickly as possible; so that when Obadiah Howlman +sends another warship here--as he will do--they may not discover that I +am a liar and have been false to my duty.” + +“Oh, sir, is this true? Surely you would not tell a lie to a poor native +girl like me?” + +“Go, my girl”--and Carteret placed a kindly hand on her shoulder--“go +quickly to Parker--I know very well that he is not far off. _He_ will +believe what I say.” + +For a moment she gazed intently into his face, as if she would read his +soul; and then seizing his hand pressed it to her lips, and went out by +the door that opened at the rear of the house. + +Then the lieutenant opened the front door and walked slowly across to +where the marines were standing. + +“Take your men out of sight, sergeant. I don't want this fellow +frightened until I know who he is. If he's the man we want, we'll have +no trouble in getting him. I've induced his wife to go and bring him.” + +Whistling softly in an unconcerned manner, he turned back and stood at +the door of the house and waited there for perhaps ten minutes, until +he saw the girl returning with a white man, who appeared to be ill and +weak, for he had on a heavy top-coat, and a shawl wrapped round his neck +in such a way that his features were almost entirely hidden. + +***** + +Lieutenant Carteret allowed the man and woman to enter, and then +followed, closing the door after him. + +As soon as he was inside, the white man threw off his muffler and turned +towards the officer. + +“You must take me, sir,” he said, speaking calmly. “I cannot let you do +this for me. I know, sir, that you cannot help yourself.” + +“No, by Heavens! Parker, I cannot take you. You jumped overboard and +saved my life. I tell you, man, that I _can't_ do it. Do you think I can +ever forget that awful thirty minutes, nearly six years ago, when you +kept me afloat off the Bampton Shoal? Now, Parker, just listen. I have a +plan; the whole thing is arranged as soon as we leave here. But you and +your wife _must_ get away from this island soon after the _Spitfire_ +leaves. That infernal sweep, Howlman, will be sure to send another +man-of-war after you----” + +“Listen to me, sir. I, too, have a plan. You shall not ruin yourself for +me. You are only a very young man, sir, and have the world before you. +I dread nothing but the temporary separation from Tui here. To me my +arrest means only dismissal from the service and a couple of years +in gaol; and likely enough, I shall get back here again without much +trouble.” + +“No, I----” + +“Don't waste time, sir. Call the escort, but for God's sake, sir, do the +thing quickly; look at my girl, sir, and let me get away before I break +down too, and act the coward. If you don't call the escort at once, I +will.” + +“You madman, Parker,” began Carteret, and then Tui threw her arms round +her husband. + +“Are you tired of me?” she sobbed. “Is this how you would leave the +woman who loves you, and who will be the mother of your child?” + +The deserter caught her in his arms, and looking over his shoulder at +the lieutenant, said, “For God's sake, sir, don't wait. Call in your men +and get it over.” + +“Parker, for Heaven's sake take this chance. I tell you, man, that I +have no fear for myself. I don't care a straw about the Service if this +is discovered.” + +“Stand aside, sir. I'm not the man to let you sacrifice yourself for +me----” And unloosing his wife's arms from his neck, he advanced to the +door. + +“Very well; it is your own fault.” + +The next instant the lieutenant threw open the door. + +“Sergeant, bring your men here.” + +* * * * * + +Half an hour later Lieutenant Carteret reported to Commander Arness. + +“I have brought the prisoner on board, sir. He is a man named Charles +Parker, and was sergeant of marines on the _Flycatcher?_” + +“Very good, Mr. Carteret What have you done with his wife?” + +“She refused to leave, sir, and when we brought the man away, went off +to the other side of the island.” + +* * * * * + +When the _Spitfire_ reached Sydney, Charles Parker was duly tried by +court-martial, and in consequence of the friendly exertions of the +principal witness against him, Lieutenant Neil Carteret, was let +off lightly. He was dismissed from the service, and sentenced to +imprisonment in a Sydney jail for eighteen months. + +When his time had expired, he managed, after a few months of waiting +about in Sydney, to work his way back to Anuda Island. And scarce had +the boat touched the beach when he was seized by the welcoming arms of +his native friends and carried ashore. + +“Is it well with my wife, O friends?” he asked. + +“It is well with her,” they answered; “in a little while we will take +you to her, but first let us tell thee of that which has befallen her on +this island.” + +Then they told him. + +***** + +“One day after the warship had gone,” they said, “there came here a +trading schooner from Niuafou. On the ship were Tepuaka, the King of +Niuafou--the father of thy wife--and many of his men. And with him there +came also the little fat white man named Opataia [Obadiah]. All those +men that came with Tepuaka, the King, were _lotu_ [Christians]. No +sooner did they land, than Tepuaka and his friend, the fat little white +man, Opataia, walked to the house of his daughter, thy wife, Tui, but +all of his men he bade remain here in the village. + +“'See,' said one of these men of Niuafou to us vauntingly, 'see what has +come to pass! Tuilagi refused to take for her husband the good and pious +man Opataia, but fled with this common white man, who is no better than +a heathen. And then what comes? This bad white man is caught by his +countrymen and put in a prison with chains upon his body. So now the +King comes for his daughter, for even now is Opataia willing to take +her, though she is but of little worth, to my mind.' + +“While they spoke thus to us, Tepuaka and his white friend had gone to +thy house, and there did Tui, thy wife, meet them with smiles to hide +what lay in her heart. + +“'Get thee ready, thou wicked woman,' said her father roughly to her; +'get thee ready quickly to leave this heathen land and return to thy own +country, where thou shalt be wife to this good man, Opataia, who desires +thee still.' + +“'It is well, my father,' said Tui; 'but yet leave us now for a little. +Surely if this man desires me for his house he can speak to me with his +own mouth, and not through thine.' + +“So her father went without the house, and Opataia, the white man, +remained with Tui. + +“Then said the evil-faced white man to Tui: 'For the wrong that thou +did'st me by running away with that evil white man do I forgive thee, +for I love thee well.' And then he put his arms about her, and sought to +embrace her after the manner of a lover. + +“And then from beneath her gown did Tui take out a little gun that fires +six bullets; and as the fat man, Opataia, pressed her to his bosom and +heeded not what she did, she placed the mouth of the little gun to the +side of his fat head. Then she said-- + +“'This do I, dog, for the husband of whom thou hast robbed me,' and then +there came a flash and a cry, and the white man sprang to his feet and +fell forward on his face--dead. + +“Then Tui ran from the house. She fled from her father and came towards +the village, and Tepuaka the King followed her with death in his face. + +“'Kill her!' he called to the men of Niuafou. + +“But then we men of Anuda sprang to her aid with our clubs in our hands, +and she ran into our midst and called to us to save her from her father. + +“So there was much talk, and then her father's wrath began to subside, +for we made him many presents of food for his journey back, and he went +away in peace. + +“That is all. And see, Jaojai, hither comes thy wife with her son in her +arms to welcome thee home.” + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Officer And Man, by Louis Becke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + +***** This file should be named 25060-0.txt or 25060-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/0/6/25060/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Officer And Man + 1901 + +Author: Louis Becke + +Release Date: April 12, 2008 [EBook #25060] +Last Updated: March 8, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + OFFICER AND MAN + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + From “The Tapu Of Banderah and Other Stories” + </h3> + <h2> + By Louis Becke + </h2> + <h5> + C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. <br /> <br /> 1901 + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + The anchor of her Majesty's ship <i>Hannibal</i> was underfoot and the + captain on the bridge, and Rear-Admiral Garnet had shaken hands with the + last of the “leading” Fijian white residents, who always did the welcoming + and farewelling when distinguished persons visited Levuka, when Lieutenant + Bollard approached him and intimated that “a person” from the shore had + just come alongside in a boat and desired to see “his Excellency on + private and important business.” + </p> + <p> + “What the devil does the fellow want?” said the Admiral irascibly, not a + whit softened by the “his Excellency” style of address; “I'm going on the + bridge, and can't see any one now; we can't delay the ship and get into a + mess going through the passage.” + </p> + <p> + “Told him so, sir; but he says he wants to see you upon an important—a + most pressing matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well! Confound him! Let the sentry show him to my cabin, and tell + Captain Bracely I shall be up in five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + The “person,” conducted by the sentry, was shown into the cabin, where the + Admiral, without taking a seat or offering one to his visitor, inquired + with a cold, cautious politeness born of much experience of island + visitors with “important and private Service matters of great urgency,” + what he might be pleased to want? + </p> + <p> + The stranger was a short, fat, coarse-looking man with little pig-like + eyes and scanty tufts of black beard and whiskers growing in irregular + patches on his cheeks and chin, like clumps of gorse on clayey banks. He + was dressed—in a manner—in an ill-fitting black cloth suit + imported from Sydney. His hair was very black and shiny, plastered down + over his temples and beautifully parted at the back of his bullet head. + Altogether he was an unpleasantly sleek, oleaginous creature, and as he + stood bowing and smirking with a catlike grin, the Admiral felt an almost + irresistible impulse to kick him out of the cabin. Notwithstanding his + haste, however, he began to recollect the man as an individual who had + been introduced to him a few days previously at some municipal function. + </p> + <p> + “Can't recollect the fellow's name,” he muttered to himself. “I wonder + what the devil the creature wants! Got a complaint against the Consul very + likely—every one has a complaint against a Consul—it's a + disease in the South Seas. Confound their twopenny-halfpenny squabbles!” + Then the little fat man, with another servile grin, spoke. + </p> + <p> + “I wish, your Excellency, to see you upon a matter which I think, as a + loyal subject, it is my duty—my painful duty—to bring under + your notice.” + </p> + <p> + “Thought as much,” said the Admiral to himself. “Some row about a trader + insulting a native teacher, or <i>vice-versa</i>.” Then smothering an + exclamation of impatience, he said— + </p> + <p> + “What is it, sir? I have no time to lose. By the way, who are you, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “My name, your Excellency, is Obadiah Howl-man. I had the distinguished + honour, your Excellency, of showing your Excellency over the grounds of + the new Mission College. I was the contractor for the erection of that + ornament to our little town.” And again the oily creature smirked and + bowed and did the invisible soap business. + </p> + <p> + “Surely <i>you</i> are not a missionary, sir?” asked the Admiral, with + undisguised contempt. + </p> + <p> + “I am not, your Excellency. That is, I am not yet an ordained labourer in + the Vineyard, your Excellency; but I hope soon to be one. Meanwhile, all + the time that is left to me from my business (I am a storekeeper and + contractor) is given to the cause of spreading the Light I was once a lost + soul, your——” + </p> + <p> + “I see, I see,” interrupted the Admiral, with ill-disguised disgust and + open impatience, “but do, for Heaven's sake, tell me what is your + complaint. I am due in Sydney on the tenth of this month, and the ship is + already under way. As it is, we shall have to stop outside the reef to let + you get into your boat.” + </p> + <p> + “I am aware of it, your Excellency, and I should not have ventured to + detain you, but this is a very serious matter—I may say, a criminal + matter. When I had the honour of meeting your Excellency, on the occasion + of your Excellency's visit to the College, I would have spoken of this + matter then; but my poor, weak nature was so torn by conflicting emotions + that I <i>could</i> not And for the past two nights have I struggled and + wrestled in spirit, and sought Divine guidance. 'Tis indeed hard for one + man to reveal the sins and wickedness of a fellow-sinner—knowing + that we are all but weak vessels. But yet in this case it is my bounden + duty as a loyal——” + </p> + <p> + “Go on—go on, for Heaven's sake! What on earth is the matter? And + what the deuce do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Excellency, I wish, in all sorrow and tribulation of spirit, to give + you information as to the whereabouts of a deserter from her Majesty's + Navy.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, sir? None of my men are missing, and if any were, I'd + tell the Fijian police about it, and not delay the <i>Hannibal</i>,” and + with a curt nod the Admiral turned on his heel and was about to leave the + cabin, when the man stepped forward and interrupted him, saying— + </p> + <p> + “One word more, your Excellency. There is in connection with this case——” + </p> + <p> + “The reward. Yes, of course. I forgot all about that. If there is a + deserter from any of her Majesty's ships living ashore here, you will get + the usual reward, I have no doubt. But really, sir, this is a matter that + you must arrange with the police when the next man-of-war comes here, or + go to the Consul”—and then, <i>sotto voce</i>—“or the devil, + confound you!” and the Admiral more than ever felt inclined to kick his + visitor out. + </p> + <p> + “You quite mistake me, Admiral Garnet I have no wish to claim an earthly + reward for doing my duty to my Queen and country. Since I have lived in + these islands the Lord has prospered me in my worldly affairs, and I am in + a position far above taking payment in money for doing my duty. I am, I + trust, walking in the Light, and do not want to obtain wealth—which + is but of this world—for performing such duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, I am sure I beg your pardon, Mr. Howlman. But now I really + cannot talk any longer here, so please do not keep me. At the same time if + there is a deserter here I don't see what business it is of yours to + interest yourself in his capture. Don't you think you have enough to do to + look after your store, and contracting, and your <i>alleged</i> missionary + business, without running after deserters?” And inwardly the Admiral + cursed his visitor for a meddlesome ass. He was in a hurry to get to sea, + and yet this fellow might make it necessary for the ship to be delayed + till the deserter was apprehended. + </p> + <p> + “My humble connection with missionaries, Admiral, has taught me that, at + whatever cost to my own feelings, my duty as a loyal subject must, next to + my duty as a Christian, be performed honestly.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, yes. That's all right, I meant no disrespect to the + missionaries. Many of the <i>gentlemen</i> engaged in missionary work in + these islands have rendered very valuable services to her Majesty's ships + on many occasions,” and then to himself, “and given us a devil of a lot of + trouble as well.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, sir,” the Admiral resumed, “having explained that the Consul or + police will attend to this deserter, you will allow me to say 'Good-day.'” + </p> + <p> + “One moment more, sir,” and a spiteful green lit up the little piggish + eyes. “I desire, as a British subject, to speak to you privately on this + matter, and to you alone. There are reasons—very particular reasons—why + her Majesty's Consul or the Fiji police here cannot deal with this case.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” sighed the Admiral resignedly; “sit down, Mr. Howlman. I see I + am in for it, and so I'll send for my secretary and——” + </p> + <p> + “Cannot this matter be arranged without a third party?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; it CANNOT!” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral said this with so much emphasis, and rang the bell with so + much force at the same moment, that the sentry almost jumped into the + cabin to see what was the matter. + </p> + <p> + “Pass the word for Mr. Hayling to come to my cabin, and to the captain + that I shall not be with him for ten minutes yet. Ten minutes will do your + business, Mr. Howlman, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, your Excellency,” and an evil smile crossed the man's + repulsive features. + </p> + <p> + The marine saluted, the secretary appeared, and the Admiral, nodding + towards Mr. Howlman in anything but a friendly manner, growled: “My + secretary, Mr. Hayling. This is Mr. Howlman, Mr. Hayling; he has a + communication to make about a deserter. Now, sir, proceed.” + </p> + <p> + “This,” said the man, producing a photograph and laying it on the table, + “is a portrait of a person named George Barcom, who, I have every reason + to believe, was a sergeant of marines on the <i>Flycatcher</i> when she + was on this station five years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Take charge of that photograph, Mr. Hayling. Go ahead, Mr. Howlman.” + </p> + <p> + “This man, after deserting from the <i>Flycatcher</i> at a place in this + group called Yasawa, managed to make his way to the island of Niuafou, + where at that time I was in temporary charge of the Christian Cultivation + Association's trading station. He came to the island in an open boat from + the Yasawa Group, and was not suspected until quite recently.” + </p> + <p> + “Deuced long time finding him out. But proceed, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Guilty as the man was of the crime of desertion, I must yet, perforce, + say that he behaved himself very well. He was kindly received by the King + Tepuaka (a very earnest seeker after the Light), and all went well for the + space of four years.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what happened then? Five minutes left,” and the Admiral looked at + his watch. + </p> + <p> + “My story will soon be told, your Excellency. The man, who calls himself + George Barcom, gained the affections of Tuilagi,{*} the youngest daughter + of the King. She, although not a seeker after the truth, was yet beginning + to display some interest in the teachings of Christianity, and was an + exceedingly comely young woman.” Here Mr. Howlman clasped his fat hands + together and cast up his eyes. “But her father, at my suggestion, objected + to their union. One night Barcom and the poor, misguided girl were + missing. They had fled in an open boat to another island called Anuda—one + of those dark places of the earth where the good seed has not yet been + sown.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Tuilagi—“Queen of the Sky”; a name common in Polynesia. +</pre> + <p> + “And what was the nature and reason of your objection to their marriage?” + said the Admiral quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I had every reason by this time to believe that the man was a deserter, + and in my capacity as a preacher of the Gospel—though not ordained + as such—I——” + </p> + <p> + “Confine yourself to the subject, if you please,” interrupted the Admiral, + with a mingled look of impatience and disgust. “You are not a missionary, + you tell me, and I'm hanged if I'm going to listen to a sermon in my own + cabin just now. Yet I have already given you as much of my time as if you + were one. But don't trespass on my good nature too much.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it my duty to interfere and prevent such a wicked and improper + marriage. And, your Excellency, this carrying away the young woman against + her father's wishes was very detrimental to the progress of the Mission + work. As I have said, she was beginning to evince a certain concern for + her soul——” + </p> + <p> + “Confound it, man! why will you so persistently harp upon irrevelant + matters that do not, as far as I can see, possibly concern what you really + want to tell me? Have you a brief to speak for the missionaries? I am + acquainted with the principal <i>gentlemen</i> (again he emphasised the + word) who conduct mission work in the South Seas, but I'll be hanged if I + ever heard your name before—not even as a house-builder, or whatever + your vocation is.” And then, with a quick glance at the cunning visage of + Howlman, he added, “I suppose you knew this young woman very well—perhaps + were a particular friend of hers?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Obadiah Howlman coughed. “Hm—er. Well, your Excellency, my dear + wife, who has now departed to her rest—an indeed well-earned rest—when + alive, took much interest in this young girl, and, before she was called + away, besought me to cherish and protect her. And, as time went on, there + <i>was</i> formed, I may say, an attachment between this young creature + and myself—that is, of course, such an attachment as could exist + between a young woman of this kind, yearning for instruction, and her + spiritual adviser and guide.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; I quite understand, Mr. Howlman. Mr. Hayling has notes of your + statement, and the photograph. Now, if you will kindly keep your own + counsel on the matter, you will hear in due course that we have arrested + this man, and then, I think, you will be satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning to his secretary, the Admiral said, “The <i>Spitfire</i> is + due at Levuka about the 8th. Write a letter to Commander Arness, and tell + him to call at Anuda and arrest a deserter from the marines, calling + himself George Barcom, and who can be identified by this photograph. He is + the only white man on the island, so this Mr. Howlman says, and there + should be no difficulty in finding him. That will satisfy you, I presume, + Mr. Howlman?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite, sir, I assure you. I have done my duty and——” + </p> + <p> + “Good-day, sir. You will just have time to get into your boat and get + ashore while we are in smooth water, and before we start the engines.” + </p> + <p> + The Admiral did not seem to notice the little fat man's outstretched hand. + The secretary bowed him out of the cabin, holding the photograph in one + hand and his notebook in the other. Neither of them liked his look well + enough to shake hands with him. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, however, did not give the order to start the engines + immediately, for the sentry, in accordance with orders received from the + secretary, waited till Mr. Obadiah Howlman was at the foot of the + accommodation-ladder, and then called out, “Hold on that boat a minute or + two; the Admiral wants to send a letter ashore.” + </p> + <p> + For twenty minutes Mr. Howlman waited impatiently in the boat, and then a + big, official-looking letter was handed down the ladder to the boatman, + addressed: “O.H.M.S.—Commander Arness, H.M.S. <i>Spitfire</i> care + of H.B.M. Consul, Levuka, Fiji.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Howlman smiled to himself with the satisfied air of a man who has done + his duty. He knew the contents of the letter, and recognised through its + envelope the hard cardboard of the photograph of George Barcom enclosed + therein. There was also a smaller note, addressed to Commander Arness by + name, and marked, “Private letter.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later the <i>Hannibal</i> steamed through the passage, and + shaped a course for Sydney. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The <i>Spitfire</i> was steaming full speed E.S.E. from Levuka. On the + bridge was Commander Arness talking to the navigating lieutenant, a young + and almost effeminate-looking officer. + </p> + <p> + The land had just been sighted, and lay right ahead. + </p> + <p> + “Will there be daylight enough left for us to get there and have this + wretched thing over, Carteret?” asked Commander Arness. + </p> + <p> + “Plenty, sir, if this weather keeps up and you don't want to stay there + more than a couple of hours.” + </p> + <p> + “No. Two hours should be ample time. This letter from Hayling explains the + whole business,” and he handed, the lieutenant the despatch from the + Admiral's secretary, which duly set forth that the <i>Spitfire</i> was to + take on board a certain white trader living on Anuda—otherwise, + Cherry Island—and bring him prisoner to Sydney. His wife was to be + returned to her father at Niuafou. The last paragraph in the letter was to + this effect— + </p> + <p> + “Be careful to identify beyond doubt this alleged deserter. The + Rear-Admiral has received this information at the instant of sailing, and + he is by no means certain that the statements of his informant can be + depended upon. A photograph of the reputed deserter is enclosed herewith. + The Admiral thinks that Mr. Carteret may know the man, as he was serving + in the <i>Flycatcher</i> five years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “This rascal Howlman has informed upon the poor devil for spite,” said the + Commander; “here's a private note from Hayling to myself about the + fellow.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant took the note and read— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “My dear Arness,—Just a line on my own account. Be careful + what you are doing in this business. The fellow who informed + is a sort of hanger-on to the missionaries here. They don't + think much of him, but seem to put up with the swab as a + necessary evil. He confessed that jealousy had something to + do with the matter, and I could see the Admiral wanted to + kick him out of the cabin. Make sure that this man Barcom + <i>is</i> a deserter, or there will be the devil to pay if he + should prove to be an American citizen, or anything of that + kind.—Yours, CHARLES Hayling.” + </pre> + <p> + “You see why they have left the matter to us, Carteret. You were on the <i>Flycatcher</i> + five years ago, and the Admiral thinks you may be able to identify this + fellow. Of course Barcom is not his name.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Carteret at this moment was very busy with the chart, over which he + bent his head a moment, and then turned sharply to the man at the wheel, + who was not out of earshot. + </p> + <p> + “Keep your course,” he said sharply; “why don't you attend to your + steering!” Then he turned to the commander: “I beg your pardon, sir; you + were saying?——” + </p> + <p> + “I was saying that you ought to remember such an incident as a sergeant of + marines deserting from the <i>Flycatcher</i> when she was down here five + years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “I do remember it. The man's name was Charles Parker.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that the man?” And Arness handed him a photograph of a man dressed in + white ducks and a straw hat, evidently taken by an amateur. + </p> + <p> + Carteret looked at the photograph for fully a couple of minutes before he + answered slowly— + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think that this is the man.” + </p> + <p> + A few hours later the <i>Spitfire</i> had steamed in close to the land, + and a boat was lowered. In this boat were Lieutenant Carteret, a sergeant + of marines, with three privates and half a dozen bluejackets. + </p> + <p> + “I have force enough to take a boat-load of deserters,” remarked the + lieutenant to his commander, as he descended the poop ladder on his way to + the boat. + </p> + <p> + Commander Arness laughed. “Oh, well, you know the natives might take it + into their heads to resist his arrest. But be careful what you are doing: + make perfectly sure that he <i>is</i> the man. You don't know what + complications might arise if we carried off the wrong person.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The moment the boat touched the shore, she was surrounded by a crowd of + friendly, brown-skinned islanders, who seemed delighted to see the + strangers. + </p> + <p> + “Any one of you fellows speak English?” asked Mr. Carteret + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” and a big, burly fellow with a fine open countenance advanced + to the officer. “Me speak English, and plenty more men here speak it, too. + What you want, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Any white men living here?” asked Carteret quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes—one, a very good man; his name is Joajai” [George]. + </p> + <p> + “Take me to his house,” said the officer. “I want to see him.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Mr. Carteret and his marines were being conducted up a + steep and rugged path towards the white trader's house, which was situated + quite apart from the native village, while the bluejackets were left in + the boat, remarking to each other that this white man was a most cursed + unfriendly sort of a chap not to come down to the beach when he saw a + man-of-war's boat ashore. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you be such a fool, Tom,” said the coxswain to one of the men. + “You're always a-jumpin' at conclusions too rapid. Just you wait a bit and + see. It's my belief that this chap has been up to something, and the + marines have gone with Carteret to scruff him and bring him aboard. I saw + the sergeant had a pair of darbies, and what do you suppose that + Carteret's come ashore with a regular escort for?” + </p> + <p> + A ten minutes' walk and Lieutenant Carteret and his men, guided by a + number of natives, reached the white man's thatched dwelling, which stood + amid a grove of banana and bread-fruit trees. When within a few yards, the + lieutenant saw a tall, graceful young native girl, clad in semi-European + style, advance to the open door, and then with a terrified exclamation + withdraw again. + </p> + <p> + “That is Tui,{*} Joajai's wife,” said one of the natives, pointing to the + girl, who now again appeared, and, with her full dark eyes dilated with + alarm, timidly held out her hand to the officer and murmured something in + the native tongue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * The diminutive of Tuilagi. +</pre> + <p> + “She speaks English, but she is afraid of the men with the guns,” + explained the native guide. + </p> + <p> + “Where is your husband?” said Lieutenant Carteret, motioning to the girl + to seat herself, and the marines to stand back. + </p> + <p> + She only shook her head, and turned inquiringly to the natives who + accompanied the officer. + </p> + <p> + “The white man is away on the other side of the island, sir. He be here in + 'bout one half-hour,” said the English-speaking native. “Suppose you like, + sir, I send some one go tell him come quick?” + </p> + <p> + Carteret hesitated a moment, then answered “No.” Then turning to the + sergeant of marines, he said, “Let your men fall still further back, + sergeant This is a delicate matter, and I don't want this confounded crowd + of natives, many of whom understand English, to hear what I have to say to + this woman. Send a man down to the boat, and tell the coxswain that I + shall have to wait for some time. If the ship makes a signal, the boat can + go off and tell the captain that I shall have to wait; then she can come + back for me.” + </p> + <p> + All this time the trader's young wife sat trembling upon a rude couch that + stretched across one side of the room; and her eyes never left the + officer's face for an instant, save when for a moment she gave a terrified + glance at the rifles and bayonets of the marine escort. + </p> + <p> + The moment that the marines had fallen back the lieutenant stepped forward + and took the young woman by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “Tui,” he said hurriedly, drawing her to the further end of the room with + firm but gentle hand, and speaking so low and without motion of his lips + that none but she knew that he spoke at all, “for God's sake and for mine + and your husband's, do not be frightened, but listen to me and do exactly + as I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Still trembling like a startled fawn, the girl raised her lustrous eyes to + the young officer's face. His earnest, sincere manner and expression of + deep concern seemed to reassure her, and though her bosom heaved and her + breath came in quick, short gasps, she turned her face to him in the + confidence of dawning hope. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, sir, and what do you wan' my husban' for?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell these natives to go,” said the lieutenant “Have no fear. I am your + husband's friend; but, <i>be quick</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Still, with a wondering look upon her beautiful face, the girl advanced to + the door, said something in the island tongue to the crowd of curious + natives, and then gently closed the door. + </p> + <p> + “This is a rum go!” said the sergeant of marines to himself, as he saw the + door shut to. “What the devil has the girl been doing? Are the bracelets + for her, I wonder?” + </p> + <p> + “Tui,” said Lieutenant Carteret, the moment they were alone, “time + presses. You speak English so well as to thoroughly understand that which + I am now about to tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” she answered, standing before him with clasped hands, “I think + so. A white woman who is dead now taught me to read and write English, and + my husban' always talk English to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. Then listen to me, my girl. I am Lieutenant Carteret, of H.M.S. <i>Spitfire</i>—that + ship out there—sent here with the ship's police to arrest a deserter + from the <i>Flycatcher</i> on this station five years ago. This is the + man's photograph. He is said to be your husband, and calls himself George + Barcom. Now, when I was an officer of the <i>Flycatcher</i>, I knew a man + named Charles Parker”—her face went a deadly pallor—“who + deserted the ship at the Yasawa Group in Fiji. I can, without doubt, + identify this man. But, Tui, I have looked at this photograph when it was + held in the hand of my captain, and said that this is <i>not</i> the man + whom I knew as Charles Parker. But look at it yourself and tell me—is + this the photograph of your husband, and is this man on this island?” + </p> + <p> + With shaking fingers she took it from him, looked at it, and then raised + her face to the officer. + </p> + <p> + “Is this the doin' of a man called Obadiah Howlman?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the lieutenant, “it <i>is</i> the work of Obadiah Howlman. + He brought this photograph to the Admiral only a few days ago.” + </p> + <p> + A savage gleam came into her eyes. “The brute! I kill him for <i>this</i> + some day!” + </p> + <p> + “That will not save your husband, my girl,” said Carteret; then he waited + a moment and added, “whatever it might do later on.” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the girl's dark eyes filled with tears, and she laid her hand on + the officer's sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “What is to be done, sir? For God's sake don' you take my husband from me, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>This</i> can be done. You have seen this photograph. You say that it + is not that of your husband, don't you? But, Tui, I must do my duty, do + you understand? I must see your husband.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are the man whose life he saved—for now I 'member your name + and the story he told me long ago—you who say you are his friend, + you would do this thing, you who in the ship gave him money so that he + might——” + </p> + <p> + “Wait, my girl, till I have finished; then you will understand. Listen + now. I will remain here, and you will yourself find your husband and bring + him here to this house so that I may see him. Bring him here quickly, and + by some way that my men cannot see his face. And then, Tui, when I have + spoken to him, then for your sake and for his sake I will lie, and swear + he is not the man I have been sent to take. Then, when my ship has gone, + you—you and he—you must promise me this, Tui—must leave + this island as quickly as possible; so that when Obadiah Howlman sends + another warship here—as he will do—they may not discover that + I am a liar and have been false to my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sir, is this true? Surely you would not tell a lie to a poor native + girl like me?” + </p> + <p> + “Go, my girl”—and Carteret placed a kindly hand on her shoulder—“go + quickly to Parker—I know very well that he is not far off. <i>He</i> + will believe what I say.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment she gazed intently into his face, as if she would read his + soul; and then seizing his hand pressed it to her lips, and went out by + the door that opened at the rear of the house. + </p> + <p> + Then the lieutenant opened the front door and walked slowly across to + where the marines were standing. + </p> + <p> + “Take your men out of sight, sergeant. I don't want this fellow frightened + until I know who he is. If he's the man we want, we'll have no trouble in + getting him. I've induced his wife to go and bring him.” + </p> + <p> + Whistling softly in an unconcerned manner, he turned back and stood at the + door of the house and waited there for perhaps ten minutes, until he saw + the girl returning with a white man, who appeared to be ill and weak, for + he had on a heavy top-coat, and a shawl wrapped round his neck in such a + way that his features were almost entirely hidden. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Lieutenant Carteret allowed the man and woman to enter, and then followed, + closing the door after him. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was inside, the white man threw off his muffler and turned + towards the officer. + </p> + <p> + “You must take me, sir,” he said, speaking calmly. “I cannot let you do + this for me. I know, sir, that you cannot help yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “No, by Heavens! Parker, I cannot take you. You jumped overboard and saved + my life. I tell you, man, that I <i>can't</i> do it. Do you think I can + ever forget that awful thirty minutes, nearly six years ago, when you kept + me afloat off the Bampton Shoal? Now, Parker, just listen. I have a plan; + the whole thing is arranged as soon as we leave here. But you and your + wife <i>must</i> get away from this island soon after the <i>Spitfire</i> + leaves. That infernal sweep, Howlman, will be sure to send another + man-of-war after you——” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, sir. I, too, have a plan. You shall not ruin yourself for + me. You are only a very young man, sir, and have the world before you. I + dread nothing but the temporary separation from Tui here. To me my arrest + means only dismissal from the service and a couple of years in gaol; and + likely enough, I shall get back here again without much trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I——” + </p> + <p> + “Don't waste time, sir. Call the escort, but for God's sake, sir, do the + thing quickly; look at my girl, sir, and let me get away before I break + down too, and act the coward. If you don't call the escort at once, I + will.” + </p> + <p> + “You madman, Parker,” began Carteret, and then Tui threw her arms round + her husband. + </p> + <p> + “Are you tired of me?” she sobbed. “Is this how you would leave the woman + who loves you, and who will be the mother of your child?” + </p> + <p> + The deserter caught her in his arms, and looking over his shoulder at the + lieutenant, said, “For God's sake, sir, don't wait. Call in your men and + get it over.” + </p> + <p> + “Parker, for Heaven's sake take this chance. I tell you, man, that I have + no fear for myself. I don't care a straw about the Service if this is + discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Stand aside, sir. I'm not the man to let you sacrifice yourself for me——” + And unloosing his wife's arms from his neck, he advanced to the door. + </p> + <p> + “Very well; it is your own fault.” + </p> + <p> + The next instant the lieutenant threw open the door. + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant, bring your men here.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Half an hour later Lieutenant Carteret reported to Commander Arness. + </p> + <p> + “I have brought the prisoner on board, sir. He is a man named Charles + Parker, and was sergeant of marines on the <i>Flycatcher?</i>” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, Mr. Carteret What have you done with his wife?” + </p> + <p> + “She refused to leave, sir, and when we brought the man away, went off to + the other side of the island.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When the <i>Spitfire</i> reached Sydney, Charles Parker was duly tried by + court-martial, and in consequence of the friendly exertions of the + principal witness against him, Lieutenant Neil Carteret, was let off + lightly. He was dismissed from the service, and sentenced to imprisonment + in a Sydney jail for eighteen months. + </p> + <p> + When his time had expired, he managed, after a few months of waiting about + in Sydney, to work his way back to Anuda Island. And scarce had the boat + touched the beach when he was seized by the welcoming arms of his native + friends and carried ashore. + </p> + <p> + “Is it well with my wife, O friends?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is well with her,” they answered; “in a little while we will take you + to her, but first let us tell thee of that which has befallen her on this + island.” + </p> + <p> + Then they told him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “One day after the warship had gone,” they said, “there came here a + trading schooner from Niuafou. On the ship were Tepuaka, the King of + Niuafou—the father of thy wife—and many of his men. And with + him there came also the little fat white man named Opataia [Obadiah]. All + those men that came with Tepuaka, the King, were <i>lotu</i> [Christians]. + No sooner did they land, than Tepuaka and his friend, the fat little white + man, Opataia, walked to the house of his daughter, thy wife, Tui, but all + of his men he bade remain here in the village. + </p> + <p> + “'See,' said one of these men of Niuafou to us vauntingly, 'see what has + come to pass! Tuilagi refused to take for her husband the good and pious + man Opataia, but fled with this common white man, who is no better than a + heathen. And then what comes? This bad white man is caught by his + countrymen and put in a prison with chains upon his body. So now the King + comes for his daughter, for even now is Opataia willing to take her, + though she is but of little worth, to my mind.' + </p> + <p> + “While they spoke thus to us, Tepuaka and his white friend had gone to thy + house, and there did Tui, thy wife, meet them with smiles to hide what lay + in her heart. + </p> + <p> + “'Get thee ready, thou wicked woman,' said her father roughly to her; 'get + thee ready quickly to leave this heathen land and return to thy own + country, where thou shalt be wife to this good man, Opataia, who desires + thee still.' + </p> + <p> + “'It is well, my father,' said Tui; 'but yet leave us now for a little. + Surely if this man desires me for his house he can speak to me with his + own mouth, and not through thine.' + </p> + <p> + “So her father went without the house, and Opataia, the white man, + remained with Tui. + </p> + <p> + “Then said the evil-faced white man to Tui: 'For the wrong that thou + did'st me by running away with that evil white man do I forgive thee, for + I love thee well.' And then he put his arms about her, and sought to + embrace her after the manner of a lover. + </p> + <p> + “And then from beneath her gown did Tui take out a little gun that fires + six bullets; and as the fat man, Opataia, pressed her to his bosom and + heeded not what she did, she placed the mouth of the little gun to the + side of his fat head. Then she said— + </p> + <p> + “'This do I, dog, for the husband of whom thou hast robbed me,' and then + there came a flash and a cry, and the white man sprang to his feet and + fell forward on his face—dead. + </p> + <p> + “Then Tui ran from the house. She fled from her father and came towards + the village, and Tepuaka the King followed her with death in his face. + </p> + <p> + “'Kill her!' he called to the men of Niuafou. + </p> + <p> + “But then we men of Anuda sprang to her aid with our clubs in our hands, + and she ran into our midst and called to us to save her from her father. + </p> + <p> + “So there was much talk, and then her father's wrath began to subside, for + we made him many presents of food for his journey back, and he went away + in peace. + </p> + <p> + “That is all. And see, Jaojai, hither comes thy wife with her son in her + arms to welcome thee home.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Officer And Man, by Louis Becke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + +***** This file should be named 25060-h.htm or 25060-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/0/6/25060/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Officer And Man + 1901 + +Author: Louis Becke + +Release Date: April 12, 2008 [EBook #25060] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +OFFICER AND MAN + +From "The Tapu Of Banderah and Other Stories" + +By Louis Becke + +C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. + +1901 + +The anchor of her Majesty's ship _Hannibal_ was underfoot and the +captain on the bridge, and Rear-Admiral Garnet had shaken hands with +the last of the "leading" Fijian white residents, who always did the +welcoming and farewelling when distinguished persons visited Levuka, +when Lieutenant Bollard approached him and intimated that "a person" +from the shore had just come alongside in a boat and desired to see "his +Excellency on private and important business." + +"What the devil does the fellow want?" said the Admiral irascibly, not +a whit softened by the "his Excellency" style of address; "I'm going on +the bridge, and can't see any one now; we can't delay the ship and get +into a mess going through the passage." + +"Told him so, sir; but he says he wants to see you upon an important--a +most pressing matter." + +"Oh, well! Confound him! Let the sentry show him to my cabin, and tell +Captain Bracely I shall be up in five minutes." + +The "person," conducted by the sentry, was shown into the cabin, where +the Admiral, without taking a seat or offering one to his visitor, +inquired with a cold, cautious politeness born of much experience of +island visitors with "important and private Service matters of great +urgency," what he might be pleased to want? + +The stranger was a short, fat, coarse-looking man with little pig-like +eyes and scanty tufts of black beard and whiskers growing in irregular +patches on his cheeks and chin, like clumps of gorse on clayey banks. +He was dressed--in a manner--in an ill-fitting black cloth suit imported +from Sydney. His hair was very black and shiny, plastered down over +his temples and beautifully parted at the back of his bullet head. +Altogether he was an unpleasantly sleek, oleaginous creature, and as +he stood bowing and smirking with a catlike grin, the Admiral felt +an almost irresistible impulse to kick him out of the cabin. +Notwithstanding his haste, however, he began to recollect the man as an +individual who had been introduced to him a few days previously at some +municipal function. + +"Can't recollect the fellow's name," he muttered to himself. "I wonder +what the devil the creature wants! Got a complaint against the Consul +very likely--every one has a complaint against a Consul--it's a disease +in the South Seas. Confound their twopenny-halfpenny squabbles!" Then +the little fat man, with another servile grin, spoke. + +"I wish, your Excellency, to see you upon a matter which I think, as +a loyal subject, it is my duty--my painful duty--to bring under your +notice." + +"Thought as much," said the Admiral to himself. "Some row about a +trader insulting a native teacher, or _vice-versa_." Then smothering an +exclamation of impatience, he said-- + +"What is it, sir? I have no time to lose. By the way, who are you, sir?" + +"My name, your Excellency, is Obadiah Howl-man. I had the distinguished +honour, your Excellency, of showing your Excellency over the grounds of +the new Mission College. I was the contractor for the erection of that +ornament to our little town." And again the oily creature smirked and +bowed and did the invisible soap business. + +"Surely _you_ are not a missionary, sir?" asked the Admiral, with +undisguised contempt. + +"I am not, your Excellency. That is, I am not yet an ordained labourer +in the Vineyard, your Excellency; but I hope soon to be one. Meanwhile, +all the time that is left to me from my business (I am a storekeeper and +contractor) is given to the cause of spreading the Light I was once a +lost soul, your----" + +"I see, I see," interrupted the Admiral, with ill-disguised disgust +and open impatience, "but do, for Heaven's sake, tell me what is your +complaint. I am due in Sydney on the tenth of this month, and the ship +is already under way. As it is, we shall have to stop outside the reef +to let you get into your boat." + +"I am aware of it, your Excellency, and I should not have ventured to +detain you, but this is a very serious matter--I may say, a criminal +matter. When I had the honour of meeting your Excellency, on the +occasion of your Excellency's visit to the College, I would have spoken +of this matter then; but my poor, weak nature was so torn by conflicting +emotions that I _could_ not And for the past two nights have I struggled +and wrestled in spirit, and sought Divine guidance. 'Tis indeed hard for +one man to reveal the sins and wickedness of a fellow-sinner--knowing +that we are all but weak vessels. But yet in this case it is my bounden +duty as a loyal----" + +"Go on--go on, for Heaven's sake! What on earth is the matter? And what +the deuce do you want?" + +"Your Excellency, I wish, in all sorrow and tribulation of spirit, +to give you information as to the whereabouts of a deserter from her +Majesty's Navy." + +"What do you mean, sir? None of my men are missing, and if any were, I'd +tell the Fijian police about it, and not delay the _Hannibal_," and with +a curt nod the Admiral turned on his heel and was about to leave the +cabin, when the man stepped forward and interrupted him, saying-- + +"One word more, your Excellency. There is in connection with this +case----" + +"The reward. Yes, of course. I forgot all about that. If there is a +deserter from any of her Majesty's ships living ashore here, you will +get the usual reward, I have no doubt. But really, sir, this is a matter +that you must arrange with the police when the next man-of-war comes +here, or go to the Consul"--and then, _sotto voce_--"or the devil, +confound you!" and the Admiral more than ever felt inclined to kick his +visitor out. + +"You quite mistake me, Admiral Garnet I have no wish to claim an earthly +reward for doing my duty to my Queen and country. Since I have lived in +these islands the Lord has prospered me in my worldly affairs, and I am +in a position far above taking payment in money for doing my duty. I am, +I trust, walking in the Light, and do not want to obtain wealth--which +is but of this world--for performing such duty." + +"Well, well, I am sure I beg your pardon, Mr. Howlman. But now I really +cannot talk any longer here, so please do not keep me. At the same time +if there is a deserter here I don't see what business it is of yours to +interest yourself in his capture. Don't you think you have enough to do +to look after your store, and contracting, and your _alleged_ missionary +business, without running after deserters?" And inwardly the Admiral +cursed his visitor for a meddlesome ass. He was in a hurry to get to +sea, and yet this fellow might make it necessary for the ship to be +delayed till the deserter was apprehended. + +"My humble connection with missionaries, Admiral, has taught me that, at +whatever cost to my own feelings, my duty as a loyal subject must, next +to my duty as a Christian, be performed honestly." + +"Oh, yes, yes. That's all right, I meant no disrespect to the +missionaries. Many of the _gentlemen_ engaged in missionary work in +these islands have rendered very valuable services to her Majesty's +ships on many occasions," and then to himself, "and given us a devil of +a lot of trouble as well." + +"Now, sir," the Admiral resumed, "having explained that the Consul +or police will attend to this deserter, you will allow me to say +'Good-day.'" + +"One moment more, sir," and a spiteful green lit up the little piggish +eyes. "I desire, as a British subject, to speak to you privately on +this matter, and to you alone. There are reasons--very particular +reasons--why her Majesty's Consul or the Fiji police here cannot deal +with this case." + +"Oh, well," sighed the Admiral resignedly; "sit down, Mr. Howlman. I see +I am in for it, and so I'll send for my secretary and----" + +"Cannot this matter be arranged without a third party?" + +"No, sir; it CANNOT!" + +The Admiral said this with so much emphasis, and rang the bell with so +much force at the same moment, that the sentry almost jumped into the +cabin to see what was the matter. + +"Pass the word for Mr. Hayling to come to my cabin, and to the captain +that I shall not be with him for ten minutes yet. Ten minutes will do +your business, Mr. Howlman, eh?" + +"Certainly, your Excellency," and an evil smile crossed the man's +repulsive features. + +The marine saluted, the secretary appeared, and the Admiral, nodding +towards Mr. Howlman in anything but a friendly manner, growled: "My +secretary, Mr. Hayling. This is Mr. Howlman, Mr. Hayling; he has a +communication to make about a deserter. Now, sir, proceed." + +"This," said the man, producing a photograph and laying it on the table, +"is a portrait of a person named George Barcom, who, I have every reason +to believe, was a sergeant of marines on the _Flycatcher_ when she was +on this station five years ago." + +"Take charge of that photograph, Mr. Hayling. Go ahead, Mr. Howlman." + +"This man, after deserting from the _Flycatcher_ at a place in this +group called Yasawa, managed to make his way to the island of +Niuafou, where at that time I was in temporary charge of the Christian +Cultivation Association's trading station. He came to the island in +an open boat from the Yasawa Group, and was not suspected until quite +recently." + +"Deuced long time finding him out. But proceed, sir." + +"Guilty as the man was of the crime of desertion, I must yet, perforce, +say that he behaved himself very well. He was kindly received by the +King Tepuaka (a very earnest seeker after the Light), and all went well +for the space of four years." + +"Well, what happened then? Five minutes left," and the Admiral looked at +his watch. + +"My story will soon be told, your Excellency. The man, who calls +himself George Barcom, gained the affections of Tuilagi,{*} the youngest +daughter of the King. She, although not a seeker after the truth, was +yet beginning to display some interest in the teachings of Christianity, +and was an exceedingly comely young woman." Here Mr. Howlman clasped +his fat hands together and cast up his eyes. "But her father, at my +suggestion, objected to their union. One night Barcom and the poor, +misguided girl were missing. They had fled in an open boat to another +island called Anuda--one of those dark places of the earth where the +good seed has not yet been sown." + + * Tuilagi--"Queen of the Sky"; a name common in Polynesia. + +"And what was the nature and reason of your objection to their +marriage?" said the Admiral quietly. + +"I had every reason by this time to believe that the man was a deserter, +and in my capacity as a preacher of the Gospel--though not ordained as +such--I----" + +"Confine yourself to the subject, if you please," interrupted the +Admiral, with a mingled look of impatience and disgust. "You are not +a missionary, you tell me, and I'm hanged if I'm going to listen to a +sermon in my own cabin just now. Yet I have already given you as much +of my time as if you were one. But don't trespass on my good nature too +much." + +"I thought it my duty to interfere and prevent such a wicked and +improper marriage. And, your Excellency, this carrying away the young +woman against her father's wishes was very detrimental to the progress +of the Mission work. As I have said, she was beginning to evince a +certain concern for her soul----" + +"Confound it, man! why will you so persistently harp upon irrevelant +matters that do not, as far as I can see, possibly concern what you +really want to tell me? Have you a brief to speak for the missionaries? +I am acquainted with the principal _gentlemen_ (again he emphasised the +word) who conduct mission work in the South Seas, but I'll be hanged if +I ever heard your name before--not even as a house-builder, or whatever +your vocation is." And then, with a quick glance at the cunning +visage of Howlman, he added, "I suppose you knew this young woman very +well--perhaps were a particular friend of hers?" + +Mr. Obadiah Howlman coughed. "Hm--er. Well, your Excellency, my dear +wife, who has now departed to her rest--an indeed well-earned rest--when +alive, took much interest in this young girl, and, before she was called +away, besought me to cherish and protect her. And, as time went on, +there _was_ formed, I may say, an attachment between this young creature +and myself--that is, of course, such an attachment as could exist +between a young woman of this kind, yearning for instruction, and her +spiritual adviser and guide." + +"Yes, yes; I quite understand, Mr. Howlman. Mr. Hayling has notes of +your statement, and the photograph. Now, if you will kindly keep your +own counsel on the matter, you will hear in due course that we have +arrested this man, and then, I think, you will be satisfied." + +Then turning to his secretary, the Admiral said, "The _Spitfire_ is due +at Levuka about the 8th. Write a letter to Commander Arness, and tell +him to call at Anuda and arrest a deserter from the marines, calling +himself George Barcom, and who can be identified by this photograph. He +is the only white man on the island, so this Mr. Howlman says, and +there should be no difficulty in finding him. That will satisfy you, I +presume, Mr. Howlman?" + +"Quite, sir, I assure you. I have done my duty and----" + +"Good-day, sir. You will just have time to get into your boat and get +ashore while we are in smooth water, and before we start the engines." + +The Admiral did not seem to notice the little fat man's outstretched +hand. The secretary bowed him out of the cabin, holding the photograph +in one hand and his notebook in the other. Neither of them liked his +look well enough to shake hands with him. + +The Admiral, however, did not give the order to start the engines +immediately, for the sentry, in accordance with orders received from +the secretary, waited till Mr. Obadiah Howlman was at the foot of the +accommodation-ladder, and then called out, "Hold on that boat a minute +or two; the Admiral wants to send a letter ashore." + +For twenty minutes Mr. Howlman waited impatiently in the boat, and +then a big, official-looking letter was handed down the ladder to the +boatman, addressed: "O.H.M.S.--Commander Arness, H.M.S. _Spitfire_ care +of H.B.M. Consul, Levuka, Fiji." + +Mr. Howlman smiled to himself with the satisfied air of a man who +has done his duty. He knew the contents of the letter, and recognised +through its envelope the hard cardboard of the photograph of George +Barcom enclosed therein. There was also a smaller note, addressed to +Commander Arness by name, and marked, "Private letter." + +Five minutes later the _Hannibal_ steamed through the passage, and +shaped a course for Sydney. + +***** + +The _Spitfire_ was steaming full speed E.S.E. from Levuka. On the bridge +was Commander Arness talking to the navigating lieutenant, a young and +almost effeminate-looking officer. + +The land had just been sighted, and lay right ahead. + +"Will there be daylight enough left for us to get there and have this +wretched thing over, Carteret?" asked Commander Arness. + +"Plenty, sir, if this weather keeps up and you don't want to stay there +more than a couple of hours." + +"No. Two hours should be ample time. This letter from Hayling explains +the whole business," and he handed, the lieutenant the despatch from +the Admiral's secretary, which duly set forth that the _Spitfire_ was to +take on board a certain white trader living on Anuda--otherwise, Cherry +Island--and bring him prisoner to Sydney. His wife was to be returned +to her father at Niuafou. The last paragraph in the letter was to this +effect-- + +"Be careful to identify beyond doubt this alleged deserter. The +Rear-Admiral has received this information at the instant of sailing, +and he is by no means certain that the statements of his informant +can be depended upon. A photograph of the reputed deserter is enclosed +herewith. The Admiral thinks that Mr. Carteret may know the man, as he +was serving in the _Flycatcher_ five years ago." + +"This rascal Howlman has informed upon the poor devil for spite," said +the Commander; "here's a private note from Hayling to myself about the +fellow." + +The lieutenant took the note and read-- + + "My dear Arness,--Just a line on my own account. Be careful + what you are doing in this business. The fellow who informed + is a sort of hanger-on to the missionaries here. They don't + think much of him, but seem to put up with the swab as a + necessary evil. He confessed that jealousy had something to + do with the matter, and I could see the Admiral wanted to + kick him out of the cabin. Make sure that this man Barcom + _is_ a deserter, or there will be the devil to pay if he + should prove to be an American citizen, or anything of that + kind.--Yours, CHARLES Hayling." + +"You see why they have left the matter to us, Carteret. You were on the +_Flycatcher_ five years ago, and the Admiral thinks you may be able to +identify this fellow. Of course Barcom is not his name." + +Mr. Carteret at this moment was very busy with the chart, over which he +bent his head a moment, and then turned sharply to the man at the wheel, +who was not out of earshot. + +"Keep your course," he said sharply; "why don't you attend to your +steering!" Then he turned to the commander: "I beg your pardon, sir; you +were saying?----" + +"I was saying that you ought to remember such an incident as a sergeant +of marines deserting from the _Flycatcher_ when she was down here five +years ago." + +"I do remember it. The man's name was Charles Parker." + +"Is that the man?" And Arness handed him a photograph of a man dressed +in white ducks and a straw hat, evidently taken by an amateur. + +Carteret looked at the photograph for fully a couple of minutes before +he answered slowly-- + +"No, I don't think that this is the man." + +A few hours later the _Spitfire_ had steamed in close to the land, and +a boat was lowered. In this boat were Lieutenant Carteret, a sergeant of +marines, with three privates and half a dozen bluejackets. + +"I have force enough to take a boat-load of deserters," remarked the +lieutenant to his commander, as he descended the poop ladder on his way +to the boat. + +Commander Arness laughed. "Oh, well, you know the natives might take +it into their heads to resist his arrest. But be careful what you are +doing: make perfectly sure that he _is_ the man. You don't know what +complications might arise if we carried off the wrong person." + +* * * * * + +The moment the boat touched the shore, she was surrounded by a crowd +of friendly, brown-skinned islanders, who seemed delighted to see the +strangers. + +"Any one of you fellows speak English?" asked Mr. Carteret + +"Yes, sir," and a big, burly fellow with a fine open countenance +advanced to the officer. "Me speak English, and plenty more men here +speak it, too. What you want, sir?" + +"Any white men living here?" asked Carteret quietly. + +"Oh, yes--one, a very good man; his name is Joajai" [George]. + +"Take me to his house," said the officer. "I want to see him." + +In a few minutes Mr. Carteret and his marines were being conducted up +a steep and rugged path towards the white trader's house, which was +situated quite apart from the native village, while the bluejackets were +left in the boat, remarking to each other that this white man was a most +cursed unfriendly sort of a chap not to come down to the beach when he +saw a man-of-war's boat ashore. + +"Don't you be such a fool, Tom," said the coxswain to one of the men. +"You're always a-jumpin' at conclusions too rapid. Just you wait a bit +and see. It's my belief that this chap has been up to something, and the +marines have gone with Carteret to scruff him and bring him aboard. I +saw the sergeant had a pair of darbies, and what do you suppose that +Carteret's come ashore with a regular escort for?" + +A ten minutes' walk and Lieutenant Carteret and his men, guided by a +number of natives, reached the white man's thatched dwelling, which +stood amid a grove of banana and bread-fruit trees. When within a few +yards, the lieutenant saw a tall, graceful young native girl, clad in +semi-European style, advance to the open door, and then with a terrified +exclamation withdraw again. + +"That is Tui,{*} Joajai's wife," said one of the natives, pointing to +the girl, who now again appeared, and, with her full dark eyes dilated +with alarm, timidly held out her hand to the officer and murmured +something in the native tongue. + + * The diminutive of Tuilagi. + +"She speaks English, but she is afraid of the men with the guns," +explained the native guide. + +"Where is your husband?" said Lieutenant Carteret, motioning to the girl +to seat herself, and the marines to stand back. + +She only shook her head, and turned inquiringly to the natives who +accompanied the officer. + +"The white man is away on the other side of the island, sir. He be here +in 'bout one half-hour," said the English-speaking native. "Suppose you +like, sir, I send some one go tell him come quick?" + +Carteret hesitated a moment, then answered "No." Then turning to the +sergeant of marines, he said, "Let your men fall still further back, +sergeant This is a delicate matter, and I don't want this confounded +crowd of natives, many of whom understand English, to hear what I have +to say to this woman. Send a man down to the boat, and tell the coxswain +that I shall have to wait for some time. If the ship makes a signal, the +boat can go off and tell the captain that I shall have to wait; then she +can come back for me." + +All this time the trader's young wife sat trembling upon a rude couch +that stretched across one side of the room; and her eyes never left +the officer's face for an instant, save when for a moment she gave a +terrified glance at the rifles and bayonets of the marine escort. + +The moment that the marines had fallen back the lieutenant stepped +forward and took the young woman by the hand. + +"Tui," he said hurriedly, drawing her to the further end of the room +with firm but gentle hand, and speaking so low and without motion of his +lips that none but she knew that he spoke at all, "for God's sake and +for mine and your husband's, do not be frightened, but listen to me and +do exactly as I tell you." + +Still trembling like a startled fawn, the girl raised her lustrous eyes +to the young officer's face. His earnest, sincere manner and expression +of deep concern seemed to reassure her, and though her bosom heaved and +her breath came in quick, short gasps, she turned her face to him in the +confidence of dawning hope. + +"Who are you, sir, and what do you wan' my husban' for?" + +"Tell these natives to go," said the lieutenant "Have no fear. I am your +husband's friend; but, _be quick_!" + +Still, with a wondering look upon her beautiful face, the girl advanced +to the door, said something in the island tongue to the crowd of curious +natives, and then gently closed the door. + +"This is a rum go!" said the sergeant of marines to himself, as he +saw the door shut to. "What the devil has the girl been doing? Are the +bracelets for her, I wonder?" + +"Tui," said Lieutenant Carteret, the moment they were alone, "time +presses. You speak English so well as to thoroughly understand that +which I am now about to tell you?" + +"Yes, sir," she answered, standing before him with clasped hands, "I +think so. A white woman who is dead now taught me to read and write +English, and my husban' always talk English to me." + +"Good. Then listen to me, my girl. I am Lieutenant Carteret, of H.M.S. +_Spitfire_--that ship out there--sent here with the ship's police to +arrest a deserter from the _Flycatcher_ on this station five years ago. +This is the man's photograph. He is said to be your husband, and calls +himself George Barcom. Now, when I was an officer of the _Flycatcher_, +I knew a man named Charles Parker"--her face went a deadly pallor--"who +deserted the ship at the Yasawa Group in Fiji. I can, without doubt, +identify this man. But, Tui, I have looked at this photograph when it +was held in the hand of my captain, and said that this is _not_ the man +whom I knew as Charles Parker. But look at it yourself and tell me--is +this the photograph of your husband, and is this man on this island?" + +With shaking fingers she took it from him, looked at it, and then raised +her face to the officer. + +"Is this the doin' of a man called Obadiah Howlman?" + +"Yes," answered the lieutenant, "it _is_ the work of Obadiah Howlman. He +brought this photograph to the Admiral only a few days ago." + +A savage gleam came into her eyes. "The brute! I kill him for _this_ +some day!" + +"That will not save your husband, my girl," said Carteret; then he +waited a moment and added, "whatever it might do later on." + +Suddenly the girl's dark eyes filled with tears, and she laid her hand +on the officer's sleeve. + +"What is to be done, sir? For God's sake don' you take my husband from +me, sir." + +"_This_ can be done. You have seen this photograph. You say that it is +not that of your husband, don't you? But, Tui, I must do my duty, do you +understand? I must see your husband." + +"And you are the man whose life he saved--for now I 'member your name +and the story he told me long ago--you who say you are his friend, +you would do this thing, you who in the ship gave him money so that he +might----" + +"Wait, my girl, till I have finished; then you will understand. Listen +now. I will remain here, and you will yourself find your husband and +bring him here to this house so that I may see him. Bring him here +quickly, and by some way that my men cannot see his face. And then, Tui, +when I have spoken to him, then for your sake and for his sake I will +lie, and swear he is not the man I have been sent to take. Then, when +my ship has gone, you--you and he--you must promise me this, Tui--must +leave this island as quickly as possible; so that when Obadiah Howlman +sends another warship here--as he will do--they may not discover that I +am a liar and have been false to my duty." + +"Oh, sir, is this true? Surely you would not tell a lie to a poor native +girl like me?" + +"Go, my girl"--and Carteret placed a kindly hand on her shoulder--"go +quickly to Parker--I know very well that he is not far off. _He_ will +believe what I say." + +For a moment she gazed intently into his face, as if she would read his +soul; and then seizing his hand pressed it to her lips, and went out by +the door that opened at the rear of the house. + +Then the lieutenant opened the front door and walked slowly across to +where the marines were standing. + +"Take your men out of sight, sergeant. I don't want this fellow +frightened until I know who he is. If he's the man we want, we'll have +no trouble in getting him. I've induced his wife to go and bring him." + +Whistling softly in an unconcerned manner, he turned back and stood at +the door of the house and waited there for perhaps ten minutes, until +he saw the girl returning with a white man, who appeared to be ill and +weak, for he had on a heavy top-coat, and a shawl wrapped round his neck +in such a way that his features were almost entirely hidden. + +***** + +Lieutenant Carteret allowed the man and woman to enter, and then +followed, closing the door after him. + +As soon as he was inside, the white man threw off his muffler and turned +towards the officer. + +"You must take me, sir," he said, speaking calmly. "I cannot let you do +this for me. I know, sir, that you cannot help yourself." + +"No, by Heavens! Parker, I cannot take you. You jumped overboard and +saved my life. I tell you, man, that I _can't_ do it. Do you think I can +ever forget that awful thirty minutes, nearly six years ago, when you +kept me afloat off the Bampton Shoal? Now, Parker, just listen. I have a +plan; the whole thing is arranged as soon as we leave here. But you and +your wife _must_ get away from this island soon after the _Spitfire_ +leaves. That infernal sweep, Howlman, will be sure to send another +man-of-war after you----" + +"Listen to me, sir. I, too, have a plan. You shall not ruin yourself for +me. You are only a very young man, sir, and have the world before you. +I dread nothing but the temporary separation from Tui here. To me my +arrest means only dismissal from the service and a couple of years +in gaol; and likely enough, I shall get back here again without much +trouble." + +"No, I----" + +"Don't waste time, sir. Call the escort, but for God's sake, sir, do the +thing quickly; look at my girl, sir, and let me get away before I break +down too, and act the coward. If you don't call the escort at once, I +will." + +"You madman, Parker," began Carteret, and then Tui threw her arms round +her husband. + +"Are you tired of me?" she sobbed. "Is this how you would leave the +woman who loves you, and who will be the mother of your child?" + +The deserter caught her in his arms, and looking over his shoulder at +the lieutenant, said, "For God's sake, sir, don't wait. Call in your men +and get it over." + +"Parker, for Heaven's sake take this chance. I tell you, man, that I +have no fear for myself. I don't care a straw about the Service if this +is discovered." + +"Stand aside, sir. I'm not the man to let you sacrifice yourself for +me----" And unloosing his wife's arms from his neck, he advanced to the +door. + +"Very well; it is your own fault." + +The next instant the lieutenant threw open the door. + +"Sergeant, bring your men here." + +* * * * * + +Half an hour later Lieutenant Carteret reported to Commander Arness. + +"I have brought the prisoner on board, sir. He is a man named Charles +Parker, and was sergeant of marines on the _Flycatcher?_" + +"Very good, Mr. Carteret What have you done with his wife?" + +"She refused to leave, sir, and when we brought the man away, went off +to the other side of the island." + +* * * * * + +When the _Spitfire_ reached Sydney, Charles Parker was duly tried by +court-martial, and in consequence of the friendly exertions of the +principal witness against him, Lieutenant Neil Carteret, was let +off lightly. He was dismissed from the service, and sentenced to +imprisonment in a Sydney jail for eighteen months. + +When his time had expired, he managed, after a few months of waiting +about in Sydney, to work his way back to Anuda Island. And scarce had +the boat touched the beach when he was seized by the welcoming arms of +his native friends and carried ashore. + +"Is it well with my wife, O friends?" he asked. + +"It is well with her," they answered; "in a little while we will take +you to her, but first let us tell thee of that which has befallen her on +this island." + +Then they told him. + +***** + +"One day after the warship had gone," they said, "there came here a +trading schooner from Niuafou. On the ship were Tepuaka, the King of +Niuafou--the father of thy wife--and many of his men. And with him there +came also the little fat white man named Opataia [Obadiah]. All those +men that came with Tepuaka, the King, were _lotu_ [Christians]. No +sooner did they land, than Tepuaka and his friend, the fat little white +man, Opataia, walked to the house of his daughter, thy wife, Tui, but +all of his men he bade remain here in the village. + +"'See,' said one of these men of Niuafou to us vauntingly, 'see what has +come to pass! Tuilagi refused to take for her husband the good and pious +man Opataia, but fled with this common white man, who is no better than +a heathen. And then what comes? This bad white man is caught by his +countrymen and put in a prison with chains upon his body. So now the +King comes for his daughter, for even now is Opataia willing to take +her, though she is but of little worth, to my mind.' + +"While they spoke thus to us, Tepuaka and his white friend had gone to +thy house, and there did Tui, thy wife, meet them with smiles to hide +what lay in her heart. + +"'Get thee ready, thou wicked woman,' said her father roughly to her; +'get thee ready quickly to leave this heathen land and return to thy own +country, where thou shalt be wife to this good man, Opataia, who desires +thee still.' + +"'It is well, my father,' said Tui; 'but yet leave us now for a little. +Surely if this man desires me for his house he can speak to me with his +own mouth, and not through thine.' + +"So her father went without the house, and Opataia, the white man, +remained with Tui. + +"Then said the evil-faced white man to Tui: 'For the wrong that thou +did'st me by running away with that evil white man do I forgive thee, +for I love thee well.' And then he put his arms about her, and sought to +embrace her after the manner of a lover. + +"And then from beneath her gown did Tui take out a little gun that fires +six bullets; and as the fat man, Opataia, pressed her to his bosom and +heeded not what she did, she placed the mouth of the little gun to the +side of his fat head. Then she said-- + +"'This do I, dog, for the husband of whom thou hast robbed me,' and then +there came a flash and a cry, and the white man sprang to his feet and +fell forward on his face--dead. + +"Then Tui ran from the house. She fled from her father and came towards +the village, and Tepuaka the King followed her with death in his face. + +"'Kill her!' he called to the men of Niuafou. + +"But then we men of Anuda sprang to her aid with our clubs in our hands, +and she ran into our midst and called to us to save her from her father. + +"So there was much talk, and then her father's wrath began to subside, +for we made him many presents of food for his journey back, and he went +away in peace. + +"That is all. And see, Jaojai, hither comes thy wife with her son in her +arms to welcome thee home." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Officer And Man, by Louis Becke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OFFICER AND MAN *** + +***** This file should be named 25060.txt or 25060.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/0/6/25060/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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