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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/29667-8.txt b/29667-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d8323e --- /dev/null +++ b/29667-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7955 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrift on the Pacific, by Edward S. Ellis + +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: Adrift on the Pacific + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 11, 2009 [EBook #29667] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC + +A Boys Story of the Sea and its Perils + +By EDWARD S. ELLIS + +Author of + +"The Young Pioneers," "Fighting to Win," "Adrift in the Wilds," +"The Boy Patriot," Etc. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY; PUBLISHERS + +NEW YORK + + + + +Copyright, 1911 + +By A. L. BURT COMPANY + +Adrift on the Pacific + + + + +ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC + +CHAPTER I + +CAPTAIN STRATHMORE'S PASSENGER + + +A few hours before the sailing of the steamer _Polynesia_, from San +Francisco to Japan, and while Captain Strathmore stood on deck +watching the bustle and hurry, he was approached by a nervous, +well-dressed gentleman, who was leading a little girl by the hand. + +"I wish you to take a passenger to Tokio for me, Captain Strathmore," +said the stranger. + +The honest, bluff old captain, although tender of the feelings of +others, never forgot the dignity and respect due to his position, and, +looking sternly at the stranger, said: + +"You should know, sir, that it is the purser and not the captain whom +you should see." + +"I have seen him, and cannot make a satisfactory arrangement." + +"And that is no reason, sir, why you should approach me." + +The captain was about moving away, when the stranger placed his hand +on his arm, and said, in a hurried, anxious voice: + +"It is not I who wish to go--it is this little girl. It is a case of +life and death; she must go! You, as captain, can take her in your own +cabin, and no one will be inconvenienced." + +For the first time Captain Strathmore looked down at the little girl, +who was staring around her with the wondering curiosity of childhood. + +She was apparently about six years of age, and the picture of +infantile innocence and loveliness. She was dressed with good taste, +her little feet being incased in Cinderella-like slippers, while the +pretty stockings and dress set off the figure to perfection. She wore +a fashionable straw hat, with a gay ribbon, and indeed looked like a +child of wealthy parents, who had let her out for a little jaunt along +some shady avenue. + +When Captain Strathmore looked down upon this sweet child, a great +pang went through his heart, for she was the picture of the little +girl that once called him father. + +Her mother died while little Inez was an infant, and, as soon as the +cherished one could dispense with the care of a nurse, she joined her +father, the captain, and henceforth was not separated from him. She +was always on ship or steamer, sharing his room and becoming the pet +of every one who met her, no less from her loveliness than from her +childish, winning ways. + +But there came one awful dark day, away out in the Pacific, when the +sweet voice was hushed forever, and the rugged old captain was bowed +by a grief such as that which smites the mountain-oak to the earth. + +The little girl who now looked up in the face of Captain Strathmore +was the image of Inez, who years before had sunk to the bottom of the +sea, carrying with her all the sunshine, music and loveliness that +cheered her father's heart. With an impulse he could not resist, the +captain reached out his arms and the little stranger instantly ran +into them. Then she was lifted up, and the captain kissed her, +saying: + +"You look so much like the little girl I buried at sea that I could +not help kissing you." + +The child was not afraid of him, for her fairy-like fingers began +playing with the grizzled whiskers, while the honest blue eyes of the +old sailor grew dim and misty for the moment. + +The gentleman who had brought the child to the steamer saw that this +was a favorable time for him to urge his plea. + +"That is the little girl whom I wished to send to Tokio by you." + +"Have you no friend or acquaintance on board in whose care you can +place her?" + +"I do not know a soul." + +"Is she any relative of yours?" + +"She is my niece. Her father and mother are missionaries in Japan, and +have been notified of her coming on this steamer." + +"If that were so, why then were not preparations made for sending her +in the care of some one, instead of waiting until the last minute, and +then rushing down here and making application in such an irregular +manner?" + +"Her uncle, the brother of my wife, expected to make the voyage with +her, and came to San Francisco for that purpose. He was taken +dangerously ill at the hotel, and when I reached there, a few hours +ago, he was dead, and my niece was in the care of the landlord's +family. My wife, who is out yonder in a carriage, had prepared to +accompany me East to-morrow. Her brother had made no arrangements for +taking the little one on the steamer, so I was forced into this +unusual application." + +While the gentleman was making this explanation, the captain was +holding the child in his arms, and admiring the beautiful countenance +and loveliness of face and manner. + +"She does look exactly like my poor little Inez," was his thought, as +he gently placed her on her feet again. + +"If we take her to Japan, what then?" + +"Her parents will be in Tokio, waiting for her. You, as captain, have +the right, which no one would dare question, of taking her into your +cabin with you, and I will compensate you in any manner you may +wish." + +"What is her name?" asked Captain Strathmore. + +"Inez." + +"She shall go," said the sailor, in a husky voice. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE CAPTAIN AND INEZ + + +The steamer _Polynesia_ was steaming swiftly across the Pacific, in +the direction of Japan--bravely plunging out into the mightiest +expanse of water which spans the globe, and heading for the port that +loomed up from the ocean almost ten thousand miles away. + +Although but a few days out, little Inez had become the pet of the +whole ship. She was full of high spirits, bounding health--a laughing, +merry sprite, who made every portion of the steamer her home, and who +was welcome wherever she went. + +To the bronzed and rugged Captain Strathmore she was such a reminder +of his own lost Inez that she became a second daughter to him, and +something like a pang stirred his heart when he reflected upon his +arrival at his destination and his parting from the little one. + +Inez, as nearly as the captain could gather, had been living for +several years with her uncle and aunt in San Francisco, from which +port her parents had sailed a considerable time before. The stranger +gave a very common name as his own--George Smith--and said he would +await the return of the _Polynesia_ with great anxiety, in order to +learn the particulars of the arrival of his niece in Japan. + +However, the captain did not allow his mind to be annoyed by any +speculations as to the past of the little girl; but he could not avoid +a strong yearning which was growing in his heart that something would +turn up--something possibly in the shape of a social revolution or +earthquake--that would place the little girl in his possession again. + +And yet he trembled as he muttered the wish. + +"How long would I keep her? I had such a girl once--her very +counterpart--the sweet Inez, my own; and yet she is gone, and who +shall say how long this one shall be mine?" + +The weather remained all that could be wished for a number of days +after steaming out of the Golden Gate. It was in the month of +September, when a mild, dreamy languor seemed to rest upon everything, +and the passage across the Pacific was like one long-continued dream +of the Orient--excepting, perhaps, when the cyclone or hurricane, +roused from its sleep, swept over the deep with a fury such as strews +the shores with wrecks and the bottom with multitudes of bodies. + +What more beautiful than a moonlight night on the Pacific? + +The _Polynesia_ was plowing the vast waste of waters which separates +the two worlds, bearing upon her decks and in her cabins passengers +from the four quarters of the globe. + +They came from, and were going to, every portion of the wide world. +Some were speeding toward their homes in Asia or Africa or the islands +of the sea; and others living in Europe or America, or the remote +corners of the earth, would finally return, after wandering over +strange places, seeing singular sights, and treading in the footsteps +of the armies who had gone before them in the dim ages of the past. + +Now and then the great ship rose from some mighty swell, and then, +settling down, drove ahead, cleaving the calm water and leaving a wide +wake of foam behind. The black smoke poured out of the broad funnels, +and sifted upward through the scant rigging, and was dissipated in the +clear air above. The throbbing of the engine made its pulsations felt +through the ponderous craft from stem to stern, as a giant breathes +more powerfully when gathering his energy for the final effort of the +race. A few drifting clouds moved along the sky, while, now and then, +a starlike point of light, far away against the horizon, showed where +some other caravansary of the sea was moving toward its destination, +thousands of leagues away. + +Although Captain Strathmore was on duty, and it was against the rules +for any passenger to approach or address him, yet there was one who +was unrestrained by rules or regulations, no matter how sternly they +were enforced in other cases. + +The captain was standing on the bridge, when he felt some one tugging +at his coat, and he looked down. + +There was Inez demanding his attention. + +"Take me up, pop," said she. + +"Bless your heart!" laughed the captain as he obeyed the little +empress; "you would ruin the discipline of a man-of-war in a month." + +While speaking, he perched her on his shoulder, as was a favorite +custom with him. + +The day had been unusually warm, and the night was so mild that the +steady breeze made by the motion of the steamer was scarcely +sufficient to keep one cool. Little Inez had thrown aside her hat with +the setting of the sun, and now her wealth of golden hair streamed and +fluttered in fleecy masses about her shoulders. + +The steamer was plowing straight to the westward, cutting the waves so +keenly that a thin parabola of water continually curved over in front +of her from the knife-like prow. + +Perched aloft on the shoulder of the captain, Inez naturally gazed +ahead, and the figure was a striking one of innocence and infancy +peering forward through the mists and clouds toward the unknown +future. But Inez was too young to have any such poetical thoughts, +and the captain was too practical to be troubled by "ęsthetic +meditations." + +He chatted with her about their arrival in Japan, saying that she +would be glad to see no more of him, when she replied: + +"If you talk that way, I'll cry. You must go home and live with us. +Uncle Con says papa has a big dog, and if we haven't room in the +house, you can sleep with him, and I'll feed you each morning--oh, +look!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN ACCIDENT + + +That which arrested the attention of the little girl in the arms of +Captain Strathmore, was a sight--unique, rare and impressively +beautiful. + +All around the steamer stretched the vast Pacific, melting away into +darkness, with here and there a star-like twinkle, showing where some +ship was moving over the waste of waters. Overhead, the sky was clear, +with a few stars faintly gleaming, while the round, full moon, for +whose rising so many on the steamer had been watching, had just come +up, its disk looking unusually large, as it always does when so close +to the horizon. + +Just when the moon was half above the ocean, and when the narrowing +path of the illumination stretched from the ship to the outer edge of +the world, a vessel under full sail slowly passed over the face of the +moon. + +The partial eclipse was so singular that it arrested the attention of +Inez, who uttered the exclamation we have recorded. It was seen by +nearly all the passengers, too, most of whom were looking toward the +horizon for the rising of the orb, and expressions of delight were +heard from every quarter, for such a sight, we say, is rare. + +When observed by the passengers on board the _Polynesia_, the moon had +barely cleared the horizon, as we have stated, and the top of the +mainmast just reached the uppermost portion of the periphery, while +spars, rigging and hull were marked against the yellow disk as +distinctly as if painted in India ink. + +Such an obscuration, like a total one of the sun, could last but a few +seconds, for the _Polynesia_ and the other ship were moving in +opposite directions, while the moon itself was creeping upward toward +the zenith. Slowly the black ship glided toward its destination--hull, +masts and rigging gradually mingled with the gloom beyond, until the +moon, as if shaking off the eclipse, mounted upward with its face +unmarred, excepting by the peculiar figures stamped there when it was +first launched into space. + +When the wonderful exhibition was over there were murmurs of +admiration from the passengers, who, grouped here and there, or +promenading back and forth, had stood spellbound, as may be said, +while it was in progress. + +Captain Strathmore and two of his officers had seen the same thing +once or twice before, but they had been favored in this respect above +others, and could hardly expect anything of the kind again. + +The captain now prepared for an interesting and novel ceremony, which +he had announced would take place that evening by moonlight. + +Descending to the deck, and approaching the stern, where the expectant +passengers had gathered together, the group were silent a minute, +while he stood among them holding little Inez by the hand. A few +minutes later the purser came aft, carrying a parcel in his hand, +which he carefully placed upon the taffrail. Then he spoke in a +sepulchral voice. + +"Ladies and gentlemen, we all have lost minutes and hours, but it is +seldom that we deliberately throw away a day. But we are to do so now. +We are about to bury a day. To-day is the Twentieth, to-morrow will be +the Twenty-second, and where, then, is the Twenty-first? There it +lies" (pointing to the parcel on the taffrail). "Life is short enough, +without deliberately casting an entire day into the sea; but there is +the consolation of knowing, on your return, that it shall be restored +to you, and thus beautifully does nature preserve the equilibrium +throughout the world. What more fitting than that the day should be +buried by the hands of one whose life is as spotless as the snow upon +the peaks of the Sierras we have left behind us?" + +All now uncovered their heads--that is, the gentlemen did--and the +captain advanced, leading Inez Hawthorne by the hand. Holding her up a +short distance from the deck, she called out: + +"Good-by, Twenty-first of September!" + +She repeated the words correctly, for the captain whispered them in +her ear, and as she spoke she gave the parcel a slight shove, and +overboard it went, striking the water with a splash, and instantly +sinking out of sight. The package was nothing but some old iron, +wrapped about with coarse brown paper. + +The ceremony of burying a day, as the reader knows, is a common, and +it may be said, a necessary, one with vessels sailing westward over +the Pacific, as the picking up of a day is necessary on the return. At +first sight it seems incongruous, but it is in fact the only way in +which the reckoning of time can be kept correctly. + +The little ceremony naturally caused the matter itself to become one +of discussion, and probably a goodly number of young ladies and +gentlemen picked up more knowledge of the matter than they had ever +dreamed of before. + +Two curious things happened within a half hour of this novel +ceremony. + +The _Polynesia_ was driving along with that steady motion in which the +throbbing of the vessel can only be detected by carefully standing +still and watching for it, when every passenger, and especially the +captain and his officers, suddenly felt an alarming jar, which shook +the steamer from stem to stern. It was noticed that the engine +instantly stopped and the enormous ship gradually came to rest upon +the long, heaving swell of the Pacific. + +In a few minutes it was ascertained that the steamer had broken the +shaft of her propeller, thus rendering the all-important screw +useless. This necessitated the hoisting of her sails, and a monotonous +voyage to her destination, a return to San Francisco, or a long +deviation to Honolulu for repairs. + +While the necessary investigation was going on, a sail had been +sighted bearing down upon them, and in half an hour it came-to, a +short distance off, in the hope of being able to afford some +assistance--as the sight of a steamer lying motionless on the water +meant that something was amiss. + +This new craft was the schooner _Coral_, a stanchly-built, sharp-bowed +little vessel of forty tons burden, built for the Honolulu trade. She +was about seven years old, very fast, and constructed as strongly as +iron and wood could make her. The forecastle, cook's quarters and +cabin were all under deck, so that in heavy weather there was no +danger of being washed from one's bunk whenever a big sea came +thundering over the rail. + +The skipper or captain of this trim little craft was Jack Bergen, of +Boston, and he with his mate, Abram Storms, had made the trip across +the continent by rail to San Francisco--thus saving the long, +dangerous and expensive voyage around Cape Horn. + +In the Golden Gate City they--for the mate and captain were joint +partners--bought the _Coral_ at auction, paying just two-thirds the +sum they expected to give for the vessel they needed. However, when +she was fitted up and provisioned, they found very little of their +funds left, and they could but feel some anxiety as to the result of +the extraordinary enterprise upon which they were engaged. The crew of +the little schooner consisted of the two sailors, Hyde Brazzier, +Alfredo Redvignez, and a huge African, Pomp Cooper, who shipped as +cook and steward, with the liability of being called upon to do duty +in an emergency. + +But of these, more hereafter. + +Captain Bergen, after his craft came-to, was rowed across the short, +intervening distance with his mate, and they were assisted upon deck, +where they were received most courteously. + +"Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked after he and his +brother officer were received by Captain Strathmore. + +"I'm obliged to you, but I'm afraid not," was the courteous response. +"You know, there's no way of telling when a piece of iron is going to +fracture, and so there is no way of providing against such an +accident." + +"Is the shaft broke?" + +"Yes; broken clean off." + +"Where?" + +The captain of the steamer smiled, for he saw no need of such a +question, since he considered the damage irremediable. + +"Quite a distance from the screw, and it's a curious fracture. Would +you like to look at it?" + +"I would, indeed. You see, we have got considerable out of our +course--being too far west--and we shall make a pretty sharp turn to +the south, toward Honolulu." + +"I am debating whether to go there, turn back to San Francisco, or +keep on under sail to Tokio." + +"This is my mate, Abram Storms, from Enfield, Connecticut," said +Captain Bergen, introducing the two. "I bring him along because he is +the most ingenious man ever turned out by that home of ingenuity; and +when I saw that something was the matter with you, I came alongside, +more because I believed he could help you, than in the expectation +that I could be of any service." + +"Captain Bergen does me too much honor," protested the stoop-shouldered +New Englander, who, had there been more of daylight, would have been +seen to blush under the compliment. + +"I have no doubt he speaks the truth," replied Captain Strathmore, +leading the way below to where the broken shaft rested motionless; +"but this trouble is too much like a broken neck for any surgery to +help." + +A minute later, a group of half a dozen stood about and stooped over +the broken shaft, and examined it by the aid of lanterns, the chief +engineer showing a more courteous spirit than is usual under such +circumstances. + +As one looked at the huge cylinder of solid iron, gleaming with a +silvery whiteness all over the jagged face where it had been twisted +off, the wonder was how it could be possible for any force to be +tremendous enough to do such damage. The peculiarity about the +breakage, however, was that, instead of snapping nearly squarely off, +the fracture extended longitudinally for fully eighteen inches, so +that the face of each part was a great deal broader and longer than is +generally the case in such accidents. + +The group surveyed it a minute or two in silence, stooping down and +feeling of the innumerable jagged protuberances, the indentations, and +the exceedingly rough surface, the minute particles gleaming in the +lamp-light like a mass of silver ore split apart. + +The first remark came from the New Englander, Abe Storms. + +"That is curious, for there are no signs of crystallization, nor can I +detect a flaw." + +"Nevertheless, it must be there, for perfect iron would not have +broken in that manner," said the chief engineer. + +"I beg your pardon," said the mate, courteously, "but it frequently +happens. There has been some peculiar combination of the movement of +the steamer on the swell of the sea, with the position of the screw at +that moment--a convergence of a hundred conditions--some almost +infinitesimal, but necessary, and which convergence is not likely to +take place in a million revolutions of the screw--that has brought an +irresistible strain upon the shaft--one that would have wrenched it +off, had the diameter been twice what it is." + +The group looked wonderingly at the speaker, for every intelligent man +felt that the theory of the New Englander had a stratum of truth +beneath it. It was hard to make clear what the mate meant, but all to +a certain extent understood, and no one ventured to gainsay it. + +"However," added Abe Storms, "there's one good thing about this; it +will be easy to mend it." + +Captain Bergen smiled, for he expected something of the kind, and he +knew that that wonderful Yankee mate of his never boasted, and would +demonstrate every assertion he made. But the others stared at the +speaker with something like consternation, and seemed to be debating +whether he was crazy or a natural born idiot. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MISSING + + +"Mend a broken shaft?" repeated the chief engineer, in amazement. "How +do you expect to do that?" + +"I will show you," replied the mate of the little schooner, who +immediately proceeded to business. + +The first thing he asked for was several coils of wire, which were +immediately furnished him. Then, with great labor, the two parts of +the shaft were fitted together and the wire was twisted tightly around +the fractured portion over and over again. + +As the tenacity of iron is tremendous, the shaft was securely +fastened, but this was not enough. Ropes and chains were bound around +the iron in turn, until there was really no room to bandage the broken +shaft further. + +"There, sir!" exclaimed Storms, as he stepped back and viewed his +work. "That is as secure as before, though, if you can possibly do so, +you should avoid reversing the screw until you reach Tokio, for you +can understand that to reverse and start will wrench the shaft to a +dangerous degree." + +The captain now told the engineer, who had been assisting in the +operation, to start the engine slowly and with great care. + +Captain Bergen ran on deck to see that the _Coral_ was in position to +receive no harm from the forward motion, while the rest of the group +watched the movements with intense interest, standing away from the +shaft so as to escape the "splinters," that more than one thought +might be flying about their heads the next minute. + +There came the sound of steam, of plunging rods and cylinders from +ahead, then there was heard a furious splash at the stern, and all saw +that the shaft in its entirety was revolving. + +The keen eyes of Abe Storms, who had leaned directly over his +handiwork, lamp in hand, his nose almost touching the gleaming chains, +detected the very yielding which he had prophesied. He heard the +creaking of the chains, the faint gasping, as it may be called, of the +rope, and the soft grinding of the fine wire beneath. + +All this showed what an enormous strain was brought upon them, and +almost any other person detecting the rasping of the ragged edges of +iron against each other would have started back appalled, believing +that everything was about to fly apart. But it was precisely what the +mate expected, and what was inevitable under the circumstances. Then, +at his request, the engineer was ordered to put on a full head of +steam, and the _Polynesia_ plowed forward, cleaving the water before +her. + +Abe Storms knelt down and bent almost lovingly over the round mass +revolving on its axis. Then he beckoned to the engineer to approach +and do the same. He obeyed, as did several others, and placing their +ears close, they listened intently to the revolution of the shaft. + +Not even the faintest noise could be detected to show that there was +anything but a normal movement of the shaft. Every one saw, too, that +the revolutions were not only going on regularly, but would continue +so for an indefinite time. The shaft was practically whole again, with +the exception that a reverse movement would be likely to undo +everything, and by scraping the corrugated surfaces of the fractures, +render it impossible to do anything of the kind again. + +Captain Strathmore and his officers stood for a full hour more +steadily watching the revolving shaft, and at the end of that time +they were satisfied. Then the new acquaintances saluted and bade each +other good-by, the officers of the _Coral_ passing over the rail, and +were rowed back to their own vessel, which had followed in the wake of +the steamer, as may be said. + +By this time it was midnight, and the captain returned to his +station on the bridge, reflecting to himself that some of the most +insurmountable difficulties, apparently, are overcome by the simplest +means, and that there are some persons in the world who really +seem capable of inventing anything. + +The hour was so late that all the passengers had retired, and little +Inez, as a matter of course, had become invisible long before. She had +declared several times that she was going to sit up with the captain, +and she tried it, but, like most children under such circumstances, +she dropped off into slumber by the time it was fairly dark, and was +carried below to the cabin. + +The child was like so much sunshine flitting hither and thither upon +the steamer, and whose presence would be sorely missed when the hour +came for her to go. But Captain Strathmore was a disciplinarian, who +could never forget his duty, and he remained at his post until the +time came for him to go below to gain the few hours' sleep which +cannot be safely dispensed with by any one, no matter how rugged his +frame. + +Tumbling into his berth, he stretched out with a sigh of comfort, and +went to sleep. + +"Inez will be in here bright and early to wake me," was his +conclusion, as he closed his eyes in slumber. + +But he was disappointed, for when he was called from his couch, it was +not by the little one whom he expected to see. At the breakfast-table +she did not appear, and then Captain Strathmore, fearing that she was +ill, made inquiries. He heard nothing, and filled with a growing +alarm, he instituted a thorough search of the vessel from stem to +stern and high and low. Not a spot or corner was omitted where a cat +could have been concealed, but she was not found. + +And then the startling truth was established that little Inez +Hawthorne was not on board the steamer. + +"Oh!" groaned poor Captain Strathmore, "she became my own child! Now I +have lost her a second time!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE NEW PASSENGER + + +Captain Strathmore rewarded Abe Storms liberally for the service he +had rendered them, and the mate and captain of the schooner, as we +have said, were rowed back to the boat by Hyde Brazzier. + +Reaching the deck of the _Coral_, they watched the progress of the +great steamer until she vanished from sight in the moonlight, and then +the two friends went into the cabin to "study the chart," as they +expressed it. + +It may be said that this had been the principal business of the two +since leaving the States, though the statement is not strictly +correct. The hum of conversation went on for hours; the night +gradually wore away, but still the two men sat talking in low tones, +and looking at the roll of paper spread out between them, and which +was covered with numerous curious drawings. The theme must have been +an absorbing one, since it banished all thought of the passage of time +from their minds. + +"I tell you," said the captain, as he leaned back in his chair, "there +isn't the remotest doubt that a colossal fortune is awaiting us, and +unless some extraordinary accident intervenes, we shall gather it +up." + +"So it would seem," replied the mate, with a weary look, "and yet I +sometimes feel certain that it will never be ours--Good gracious!" + +The two men almost leaped out of their chairs, and their hair fairly +rose on end. They were absolutely certain that no one else was in the +cabin besides themselves. Redvignez was at the wheel, and Brazzier +awaited his call in turn at the end of the watch. But just then both +heard a rustling, and saw a movement in the berth of Captain Bergen, +which showed something was there. It couldn't be a dog or cat, for +there was nothing of the kind on board. Besides which, just then, the +two men caught sight of the little white hand which clearly belonged +to some one of their own species. Then the covering was thrown back; a +mass of tangled golden hair was observed, and instantly after, the +fair face of a young child peered wonderingly out, as if seeking to +learn where she was. + +Of course the little one was Inez Hawthorne, though neither of the two +men had ever seen or heard of her before, and it is, therefore, idle +to attempt to picture their overwhelming astonishment when they +became aware so suddenly of her presence in the cabin. + +Neither of the two men was superstitious; but there was good excuse +for their being wonder-struck. If an individual in the middle of a +desert should suddenly become aware of the appearance of a strange +person at his elbow, a situation apparently in which he could only be +placed by supernatural means, it would be a very mild word to say he +would be surprised. + +Flinging the coverlet from her shoulders and throwing back her mass of +rich golden hair, Inez assumed the sitting position, with her dimpled +legs swinging over the side, and her little hands resting on the rail, +as if to steady herself during the long swells of the sea, while she +looked at the two men as if trying to recollect where she was and who +they were. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything that was ever heard or read of +before!" exclaimed the captain, turning about and staring at her. +"Where in the name of the seven wonders did you come from?" + +Abe Storms, the mate, did not speak, but seemed to be waiting to see +whether the child had a voice, and thus settle the question in his +mind as to whether it was mortal or not. + +The problem was quickly solved, for Inez was never backward in +asserting her individuality. + +"How did I come here? That's a great question to ask! I got tired and +lay down to sleep, and have just woke up. I think this is a real nice +boat. Are you the captain? My name is Inez Hawthorne--what is yours?" + +These questions, uttered with childish rapidity and ingenuousness, +threw some light upon the apparent mystery. + +"She belongs to the steamer," said Abe Storms, with his eyes fixed +wonderingly upon her. "She has managed to get in our boat in some way, +and we have carried her off. Did you ever see anything so pretty?" + +As the reader has learned, there was good cause for this admiring +question. Both of the men were bachelors, but they possessed natural +refinement, and they could reverence the innocence and loveliness of +childhood. With the discovery that she was an actual human being, the +awe-struck wonder of the two men vanished, though their curiosity was +great to learn how it was she was carried away from the steamer. + +"Won't you come here and talk with me?" asked Storms, reaching out his +arms invitingly, but a little doubtful whether she would respond, +though the stoop-shouldered inventor was always popular with children. +The answer of Inez was a sudden spring, which landed her plump into +the lap of the mate, while she flung her arms around his neck with a +merry laugh, and then wheeled about on his knee, so that she could +look in the face of either of the men, who, not unnaturally, felt a +strange and strong attraction toward the beautiful child. + +Then the two began a series of questions that were answered in the +characteristic fashion of childhood, but from which the friends +succeeded in extracting something like a clear explanation of her +presence on board the _Coral_--so many miles from the steamer on which +she had set sail at San Francisco. + +They learned that Inez--who was such a pet on the _Polynesia_ that she +was allowed to do as she chose--was invited by one of the crew to +visit the _Coral_, while she lay so close to the disabled steamer. The +one who gave this invitation was Hyde Brazzier, and he was struck with +the wonderful loveliness of the child, when she questioned him about +the schooner. + +There is no nature, however steeped in crime, in which there is not a +divine spark which may be fanned into a flame--which, perchance, may +illumine the whole soul; and but for the subsequent strange events, +little Inez Hawthorne might have proved, in the most literal sense, a +heaven-sent messenger upon that craft, which carried so much +wickedness in the forecastle. + +Brazzier rowed the short intervening distance, and then took the child +by the hand and showed her through the schooner, there being little to +exhibit. Finally she was led into the cabin, where she said she was +tired and wished to lie down. Thereupon Brazzier lifted her upon the +captain's berth and drew the coverlet over her. A minute later the +weary eyes closed in slumber and he left the cabin. + +Brazzier had no intention, up to this time, of using any deception in +the matter; but, under the persuasion of Redvignez, he gave way to the +innate wickedness of his nature, and chuckled over the lamentable +occurrence. They felt pleasure in the certainty that what they were +doing was sure to make other hearts ache. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +"PORT YOUR HELM!" + + +When a thorough search of the steamer _Polynesia_ made known the truth +that little Inez Hawthorne was nowhere upon it, the sorrowful +conclusion was that she had fallen overboard in some manner and been +drowned. + +But the belief was scarcely formed, when the discovery was made that +such was not the case; that in fact she had been taken away by the +schooner _Coral_, whose mate performed such good service in mending +the broken shaft of the _Polynesia_. + +The story as told Captain Strathmore was as follows: + +The two officers of the schooner were rowed to the steamer by one of +the crew, who climbed up the ladder at the side of the _Polynesia_, +and spent a few minutes in inspecting the broken shaft. He then came +back. His attention was attracted to little Inez, whose childish +curiosity was excited by the appearance of a stranger who had but one +eye, and who looked so different from the trim-looking members of the +steamer's crew. The two fell into conversation, and Inez asked so many +questions about the schooner that the stranger invited her to take a +look at it. He was heard to say that the captain and mate would be +engaged for two or three hours, and there would be plenty of time to +row the child over the intervening distance, explore the _Coral_, and +come back before Captain Bergen and his mate would be ready to leave. + +Naturally, Inez gladly accepted the invitation, and the sinister-looking +man, picking her up, carefully descended the ladder to his small boat, +and rowed away to the schooner. + +This story, it will be observed, corresponded with that told by +Brazzier himself. + +No one thought anything of the proceeding, which was one of the most +natural in the world, and there was nothing to arouse misgiving on the +part of those who witnessed it. + +Inez was almost a spoiled child from the indulgence shown her by every +one with whom she came in contact. She distrusted no one, because she +had never had any reason to do so. It was night when the officers of +the schooner were rowed back, and those who had seen Inez taken away +did not observe that the boat returned without her. Holding no thought +of anything wrong, they gave no further attention to the strange +sailor. + +The moment Captain Strathmore learned these facts, he caused an abrupt +change to be made in the course of the _Polynesia_. For he was +determined that no effort should be spared to recover the lost child, +who had so endeared herself to every one on board the steamer. + +The precise point where the accident had befallen the shaft was +recorded on the log, as a matter of course, and it was within the +power of the chief officer to return wonderfully close to that spot. +If the schooner _Coral_ should remain anywhere in that latitude and +longitude, she could be found and Inez recovered. + +"But it is not likely the schooner is near there," reflected Captain +Strathmore, as he swept the horizon with his glass and failed to catch +sight of a sail. "They could not have taken away the child ignorantly, +and instead of remaining there or attempting to find us, the captain +has headed in some direction which is not the one he named, as if by +accident, when he was aboard." + +The captain was in that mood that it would have been dangerous for him +to come upon the daring thieves. He could conceive of no explanation +that would relieve them from his wrath, and as the steamer described +a huge curve in the sea and headed toward the point where he hoped to +gain sight of the sail, full steam was put on, and she ran at a rate +of speed which, in the condition of her shaft, was certainly dangerous +to a high degree. + +It may be said there was not a heart on board the _Polynesia_ that did +not share in the general anxiety, and there was scarcely an eye that +did not scan the broad ocean again and again in the hope of catching +sight of the schooner. + +Several sails were descried in the course of the day, but not one was +that of the _Coral_, and when the night descended not only had there +been a complete failure, but the captain was convinced that it was +useless for him to delay the steamer by hunting further. + +With an angry and sad heart he gave over the search, and the +_Polynesia_ was headed once more toward the far-off imperial Japanese +city of Tokio. + +"I would give a thousand dollars to know what it all means," said +Captain Strathmore, as he stood on the bridge debating the matter with +himself. "There is something about the whole business which I don't +understand. In the first place, Inez came under my charge in an +extraordinary way. I don't believe that that man who brought her down +to the wharf told the truth, and I very much doubt whether the parents +of the little one have ever been in Japan. She may have been stolen +from some one, and this means has been resorted to in order to get her +out of the way. I wish I had questioned her more closely," continued +the perplexed captain, following up the train of thought, "for she let +drop an expression or two now and then that showed she had some +remembrances which it would have been interesting to call up. It's too +late now," added the old sailor, with a sigh, "and probably I shall +never see her again. She had nestled down into that spot in my heart +which was left vacant many weary years ago, when my own Inez died and +my only boy became as one dead, and there is no sacrifice I would not +make would it but bring this one back to me. It is curious, but the +feeling is strong upon me that somewhere at some time we shall meet +again." + +"Port your helm!" + +This was the startling order which the quartermaster sent to the +wheel-house at that moment, and which was obeyed with as much +promptness as is possible on such a gigantic craft as an ocean +steamer. + +The night, for a rarity, was dark and misty, a peculiar fog resting +upon the water, and shutting out the view in every direction. It would +seem that there could be little danger of a collision on the broad +bosom of the mightiest ocean of the globe, but there must always be a +certain ratio of danger, and none realized this more than Captain +Strathmore. + +The _Polynesia_ had been running at half speed ever since the sun went +down, and her whistle blew at irregular intervals. At the moment the +startling order was communicated to the man at the wheel, the lights +of another steamer were discerned directly ahead. And these were +scarcely observed when the mountainous hull loomed up to view in +appalling proximity, and a cold shudder ran through every officer and +sailor at the sight, for there was just a single second or two when it +seemed certain that the two crafts would come together with an +earthquake shock and such an irresistible momentum as would crash the +two prodigious hulls to splinters, and send the crews and passengers +to join the multitudes who have gone before them to the bottom of the +sea. + +Signals and commands were rapidly exchanged, and the slight +misunderstanding which existed between the two steamers at first was +quickly removed. The shouts and orders, the tinkling of the engineer's +bell, and even the sound of hurrying feet, were heard on one ship as +distinctly as on the other. + +Most fortunately the officers of each were sensible men, who enforced +discipline, and who, therefore, did not lose their heads when sudden +peril came upon them. + +There was desperate need of haste on the part of all, but the haste +was intelligent, and something was accomplished. + +The stranger instantly reversed her screw, while the _Polynesia_ was +equally prompt in her backward movement. They escaped by a chance so +narrow that it was terrifying. The bow of the _Polynesia_ grazed the +side of the stranger as they passed upon their diagonal courses, and +every one on the two ships who understood the dreadful peril drew a +deep breath and uttered a prayer of thankfulness when it swept by, and +the two steamers vanished from each other's sight in the misty +darkness. + +The engineer of the _Polynesia_ was signaled to go forward again, and +the screw was started; but, if the one who uttered the order had +forgotten the contingency against which they had been warned, the one +who executed that order had not, and he gave the engine just enough +steam to start the shaft. + +As he did so, listening intently the meanwhile, he heard an ominous +crunching, grinding and jarring in the after hold, and he knew too +well what it meant. He instantly shut off steam, and with the captain +hastened to make the investigation. As they feared, the broken shaft +had been wrenched apart again, and it looked as if it were injured +beyond repair. + +But what man has done, man can do, and the ingenious recourse of Abe +Storms was resorted to again. With great care the fractured pieces +were reunited and bound, but the task was, in reality, harder than +before, since the terrific grinding and wrenching to which it had been +subjected broke off much of the corrugated surface. + +The work was completed after many long hours of hard work, and once +more the _Polynesia_ started slowly under steam for the strange +island-empire of Asia. This unexpected delay, as the reader will see, +doubtless had much to do with the failure of the schooner to find the +steamer, since it threw out all possibility of calculating where the +larger craft could be. + +"Now, if we have no more vessels trying to run into us," muttered the +captain, as he resumed his place on the bridge, "we stand a chance of +reaching Japan after all, without calling on our sails to help us." + +But, standing at his post, with everything going well, his thoughts +naturally reverted to the strange mischance by which little Inez +Hawthorne was lost to him. + +"I don't believe Captain Bergen or his mate, Abe Storms, would +knowingly take off the child in that fashion, though the girl was +enough to tempt any one to steal her. There is something about the +whole business which I don't understand. We ought to have found each +other, though, if he is still hunting for me. This second breakage of +the shaft will tend to keep us apart." + +The long voyage of the steamer to Japan terminated without any +incident worth the recording, and Captain Strathmore naturally became +anxious to meet the parents of Inez, though sorrowing very much over +the story he would be forced to tell them. But no one appeared at +Tokio to claim the child, and the wondering captain proceeded to make +inquiries. + +It was easy to obtain from the church authorities a list of the names +of the Christian missionaries in Japan, and they were scanned +carefully by the captain, who was given such assistance by the +officials themselves that there could be no mistake. Among them was no +one by the name of Hawthorne. It was plain then that deception had +been used when the man in San Francisco declared that the parents of +Inez were missionaries in Japan. + +As day after day passed and the steamer _Polynesia_ was gradually +prepared for her return voyage to California, there was one strong, +harrowing conviction which forced itself upon the distressed captain: + +"Had Inez not been stolen from the steamer, no one would have come to +claim her, and she would have been mine." + +His heart thrilled at the thought of how close he had come to +obtaining such a priceless prize for his possession, and then he +added, as if to cheer himself: + +"Never mind; the earth is far and wide. She is alive somewhere upon +its face, and at some time, at heaven's own pleasure, she and I shall +meet again." + +Brave and rugged Captain Strathmore! Was the spirit of prophecy upon +you when you muttered the cheering words? + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE REASON WHY THE VOYAGE WAS UNDERTAKEN + + +At this point it is necessary that the reader should be made +acquainted with what has been only hinted up to this point. We mean +the reason why it was that the little schooner _Coral_, under the +charge of Captain Bergen and Abram Storms, the mate, was on the +Pacific Ocean, voyaging toward the South Seas. + +The skipper was fond of telling the strange story, and the mate heard +it many times, as repeated to him one stormy night, around the roaring +fire of Captain Bergen's hearthstone in New England. It ran thus: + +"You see, Abe, I was going down Washington Street, in Boston, one day, +when I came upon a drunken sailor, who was suffering a terrible +beating at the hands of a couple of land-sharks, that were were +evidently determined to rob him, if they had not already done so. + +"It r'iled my blood to see such scandalous proceedings going on, and I +sailed in. + +"Then I helped pick up Jack tar, and he was taken to the hospital, +where his wounds were found to be of a dangerous nature. His +assailants were so badly hurt that they went to the hospital, and when +they came out they were shifted to the penitentiary, where they're +likely to stay for a good many years to come. + +"Having taken the part of Bill Grebbens, as he told me his name was, I +called at the hospital to see him every day, for I wasn't busy just +then. The poor fellow was very grateful for the service I had done +him, though sad to say I was too late. + +"Bill had been on such a terrible spree that his system wasn't in +condition to resist disease, and before long it was plain he was going +to make a die of it. He was a plucky fellow, and when the doctor told +him he had to go, he didn't weaken. + +"Just before he died, he took me by the hand, and told me he hadn't a +living relative in the world, nor one who had been such a friend to +him as I had proved to be. By that time my own eyes were getting +misty, and I begged him to say nothing about it. + +"I told him I would see that he had a decent burial, and would attend +to anything he wanted me to do. He said there wasn't anything, for it +could make no difference to him what became of his body after his +death, and for his part he would as lief the doctors should have it. + +"However, he took this paper from under his pillow and showed it to +me, and told me all about it. I thought at first his mind was +wandering, but I soon saw that his head was level, and he knew what he +was talking about." + +The paper which Captain Bergen produced at this point of his narrative +was covered with some well-executed drawings, which, having been done +by the sailor himself, showed that he was a man of education. + +"Those dots there represent the King George Islands of the South +Pacific, lying in about fifteen degrees south latitude and one hundred +and forty-three degrees west longitude. To the north here is Mendina +Archipelago, and here to the east are the Paumotu Islands, sometimes +known as the Pearl Islands. There are a good many of them, and away to +the northeast of the group is another island, which, although much the +larger on the map, is really a small coral island, with a lagoon, and +so unimportant that it has no name, and cannot be found on any map I +ever saw. + +"You will observe the figure and directions marked on this paper," +added Captain Bergen, who invariably became excited at this point in +his narration, "which, with his explanations, are so easily understood +that no one can go astray. + +"Well, Bill Grebbens once belonged to a party of mutineers of a +British vessel, who found it growing so hot for them that they put in +to this island, scuttled and sunk their ship, and lived there two +years. It was uninhabited, and they led a lazy, vagabond life in that +charming climate till a strange sort of sickness broke out among them +and carried off eight, leaving only Grebbens and a single shipmate. + +"These two spent several months longer in wandering about the island +looking for and yet dreading to see a sail, when one day they +discovered a bed of pearl-oysters, which they examined and found to be +of surpassing richness. The majority of the shells contained pearls, +many of them of great size, and the two men saw that an immense +fortune lay only a few fathoms under the surface. + +"They instantly set to work with great eagerness; but it is seldom +that a man obtains wealth in this world by walking over a path of +roses. + +"Within the first half-hour, a huge man-eating shark glided into the +clear water, and with one snap of his enormous jaws actually bit the +body of the other sailor in two. The horrified Grebbens managed to get +out just in time to save himself. + +"He had enough of pearl-diving, and he shudderingly turned his back +upon the spot, and began looking out to sea again for a sail, +determined now to leave, no matter if he should be carried to England +and executed. + +"He managed to set up the topmast of the wreck, and to catch the +attention of a whaler a few days later, and was taken off. Before +going, however, he made a careful drawing of the place, and by +studying other charts on the American whaler which took him away he +was able to locate the island with such correctness that he could +return to it at any time, his intention, of course, being to do so at +some period when he could go provided with means to prosecute his +search without such frightful risk. + +"But Bill never saw the time, for he was too fond of liquor when +ashore. He met his death just as I told you, and he gave me this chart +or map of the locality, telling me that a fortune lay at that point +where my finger is resting to whosoever should go after it." + +Such was the story of Captain Bergen, as he related it to his friend, +Abe Storms, to whom he proposed that they should fit out an expedition +to go to the South Seas in quest of the fortune that awaited them in +the shape of pearls. + +Abe was slower and more deliberate, but he finally fell in with the +scheme, and the two, as we have already stated, became joint partners +in the grand enterprise. + +Both were frugal men, and they now decided to invest all their funds +in the scheme, which promised to make or break them. Instead of +sailing from the port of Boston, they took an important cut "across +lots" by going by rail to San Francisco, thus saving the longest and +most dangerous portion of the voyage, which otherwise would be +necessary. In San Francisco, at a sale of bankrupt property, they +bought the schooner, which has already been described, and shipped +their crew. + +The wonder was that two men possessing the shrewdness of Storms and +Bergen should have been so deceived respecting their men. + +Hyde Brazzier was an American sailor, with blotched, bleared face, +with one eye gone, while over the sunken, sightless cavity he wore a +green patch, his face covered by a scraggly beard, and his single eye, +small and deep-set, added to the sinister expression of his +countenance. + +He had the reputation of being a good seaman, and undoubtedly he was, +and being strong and vigorous, in the prime of life, he was considered +an especially valuable man to Captain Bergen, who paid him five +dollars more per month than he expected. + +Since Captain Bergen had pursued a rather original course from the +beginning, he continued to do so. He engaged his men without any help +from the shipping-master, and had hardly reached an understanding +with the American when Alfredo Redvignez put in an appearance and +applied for a berth, saying that he had heard the best kinds of +accounts of the captain's seamanship and humanity--even in far-away +Boston. + +Redvig--so called for convenience--said that he had been employed in +the East India trade, and was a sailor of nearly twenty years' +experience. It struck both Captain Bergen and Mate Storms that, as +they were going to the tropics, he was likely to prove a useful man, +and he was engaged. + +The captain ventured to ask Brazzier's opinion of the other sailor, +but the American said he had never heard of him before--though he +liked the cut of his jib, and was glad he had been hired. But had any +one been watching the faces of the American and Spaniard, he would +have detected several suspicious signals which passed between them; +and this, added to the fact that, in a very short time, they became +intimately acquainted, as may be said, looked as if there had been +deception on that point. + +The fact was, the two had arranged the matter beforehand, so as to go +together in this business--somewhat on the same principle that their +employers entered into partnership. They were both serving under +assumed names, and were obliged to take no little precaution to keep +their identity concealed, for they were "wanted" for serious crimes in +more than one port. + +Redvig was a small, swarthy, muscular man, with coal-black, curling +hair, short, curly beard and mustache, black eyes, with an aquiline +nose, and both he and Brazzier had a fashion of wearing small gold +ear-rings. Their arms and breast were plentifully tattooed, so that +but for the great exception of their evil dispositions, they might +well have passed for good specimens of the proverbial Jack tar. + +It was different with the huge colored man, Pomp Cooper, who had been +known about the wharves of San Francisco for a number of years. He was +jolly and good-natured, possessed of prodigious strength, and had been +on shipboard enough to acquire a fair knowledge of navigating a +coasting vessel. + +While many believed he possessed the proverbial loyalty of his race, +and could not be induced to commit any grave crime, yet it must be +admitted that there were ugly rumors afloat concerning him. It was +asserted by more than one that he was a river and harbor pirate, and +belonged to one of the worst gangs that ever infested the harbor of +San Francisco. + +While Captain Bergen was not ignorant of these rumors, yet he placed +no credence in them, and believed Pomp to be one of the most valuable +men he could obtain. Such in brief was the crew of the _Coral_, when +she sailed on her long voyage to the South Seas, in quest of +pearls--the location of which had been given by the dying sailor in +the Boston hospital. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +VOYAGING SOUTHWARD + + +It was certainly very wonderful that little Inez Hawthorne should have +been transferred from the steamer to the schooner, and that many hours +should have passed before the discovery was made by the respective +captains of the craft. + +Yet such was the fact, and Captain Bergen and Mate Storms had no +sooner learned the real situation than Hyde Brazzier was sent for to +tell how it occurred. As he was the one who rowed the small boat, +there could be no doubt that he knew. The story he told was the true +one, with the exception of the supplement--that he actually forgot +about the little girl after she went into the cabin and fell asleep. + +It was impossible, it may be said, that such could be the fact, and +the officers looked knowingly at each other. They knew he was +falsifying, but they made no comment, except to declare that she must +be taken back to the steamer without an hour's delay. + +Captain Bergen learned from Inez that she had no relatives on board +the steamer, and she did not show any special distress over being +where she was. But, for all that, the honest New Englander felt that +she should be restored, and he immediately took every means for doing +so. + +His supposition was that she would be speedily missed from the +_Polynesia_, which would at once make search for the schooner. +Accordingly, the _Coral_ was headed northwest, under all sail, the sun +just rising at the time this change of course was made. + +"The steamer will go so much faster than we," said the captain, "that +there is no possibility of overhauling her, unless her shaft should +give out again." + +"There's no danger of that. More likely she'll turn about and look for +us." + +As the sun climbed the heavens, the horizon was anxiously scanned for +some point where the black column of a steamer's smokestack could be +seen staining the clear sky. Far away to the northward, a vapor was +observed, which at first was set down as the sight for which they were +searching; but it was soon learned that it was a peculiarly-formed +cloud, resting almost upon the water. + +The upper rigging and sails of possibly an American whaler were +descried a long distance to the northward, and a full-rigged ship was +detected closer in, and further to the eastward. But no sign of the +_Polynesia_ was discovered through the powerful binocular glasses +with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon. There was strong hope, in +spite of this, that she would be seen before sunset, and the _Coral_ +held to her course toward the southwest, not only for that day and +night, but for the two succeeding ones. But it is useless to dwell +upon the search made by the smaller vessel, which was without the +faintest glimmer of success. + +Captain Bergen and Mate Storms did their utmost to undo the wrong act +of their sailors, but at the end of the third day they held an anxious +consultation as to what was the right course left to pursue. They had +given up hope of meeting the _Polynesia_ except by chasing her all the +way to Japan, they having learned that Tokio was her destination. + +Should the _Coral_ follow her there, or first fulfil its own destiny +in the Paumotu Islands? This was the all-important matter to be +settled. + +When a man makes a great invention or discovery, his first dread is +that some one else will anticipate him and gather to himself all the +glory and profit. This had been a constant fear in the case of the +captain and mate of the schooner _Coral_ ever since they began their +preparations for the journey to the South Seas. It cost them a pang of +dread when, therefore, they headed the schooner about in the hunt for +the steamer, for, as will be readily understood, the apprehension of +which we have spoken intensifies the nearer one gets to the goal. + +There were other considerations which entered into the question as to +whether they should go on or turn about. Inez Hawthorne had, as might +have been expected, adapted herself to her new position as passenger +on the schooner, and ran hither and thither at will, just as she did +on the _Polynesia_, and she climbed all over the captain and mate, as +if they were Captain Strathmore and his officer, or some of the +passengers. + +She occasionally expressed a longing to see the grizzled old +sea-captain, whom she called her second, or new "papa," but there was +no one else for whom she particularly longed. Her affection was +distributed so equally and spontaneously that among several hundred it +could not be very profound. Only in the case of the brave old Captain +Strathmore was it deep and steadfast. + +It would delay the voyage to the Pearl Islands not for weeks, but for +months, to sail away to Asia, and then turn about and put back to the +southern seas, and during that interval what might not take place? +What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed would not be +devastated? + +With the plans which Abe Storms had perfected on the way from home, it +was believed that a week's time after their arrival at their +destination would be sufficient to make them enormously wealthy, and +thus the voyage which they would afterward take to Japan would be +delayed only a month or two, perhaps. Furthermore, the parents and +friends of Inez would have every reason to believe she was in safe +hands, and would soon be restored to them. All these were weighty +considerations, it must be confessed, and they decided the question. + +"We have done all that can be done," said Captain Bergen, standing at +the stern with his hand upon the wheel, while Abe Storms, thoughtfully +smoking his pipe, was at his elbow, with his arms folded and his eyes +gazing dreamily toward the western horizon, where the sun was about to +dip into the ocean. + +"I agree with you," was the reply of his mate, who was as conscientious +in everything he did as was the captain. "I consider that the chance is +as one in a thousand that we shall meet the steamer this side of +Tokio, and if we undertake to follow, we shall lose several months +of most precious time, without accomplishing any commensurate good. The +child is contented and happy here." + +As if to emphasize this assertion, the laugh of Inez was heard at that +moment as she came bounding up the steps of the cabin, and ran toward +the bow, where the giant negro, Pomp, was leaning against the +gunwale, his arms also folded, and an expression of contentment upon +his broad, shiny countenance. + +The instant he caught sight of Inez his face lighted up and his white, +even teeth were displayed with pleasure, as she ran toward him. + +It was singular, indeed, that, ever since her first awaking on board +the _Coral_, Inez had shown not a positive dislike of Redvig and +Brazzier, but what may be called a lack of friendship toward them. She +was trusting and loving to Pomp and the two officers, but it was +evident that she avoided the others. Possibly she could not have told +the reason had she tried, and it is equally possible that she was not +aware of it herself. But every one else on board saw it plainly. + +When two men in authority talk as did the captain and mate of the +schooner _Coral_, the conclusion is inevitable. The decision was made +to go on to the Paumotu Islands, after which the voyage would be made +to Japan, and, alas! that it was so. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +GROPING IN THE DARK + + +Life on board the schooner _Coral_, bound for the South Seas, now +became like one delightful dream. + +The sails, fanned by the steady trade-wind, hardly ever required +attention, since the course of the craft never varied more than a few +points for days at a time, and whoever it was at the wheel, he might +as well have lashed it fast and gone to sleep, for all the necessity +there was of keeping awake. + +There had been some elemental disturbances which required seamanship +to weather, but nothing like that usually encountered in the Atlantic. +But there came a long spell of weather, faultless in every respect, +and whose only drawback was the dread that each day would be the last +of such delight. The sun rose clear and bright, and at high noon, as +they approached the equator, it was sometimes hot, but the breeze +which continually swept the deck tempered it to the crew and +passenger. Had they been caught in a calm the heat would have been +suffocating; but Providence favored them, and they sped along like a +seagull toward their destination. There seemed to be times when the +green surface of the sea was at perfect rest; but the regular rising +and sinking of the _Coral_ showed that the bosom of the great deep was +heaving as it always does, though the long swells came only at +extended intervals. + +The water was of crystalline clearness, and, looking over the gunwale, +one could see far into the depths, where strange-looking fish were +sporting, sometimes coming to the surface and then shooting far down +beyond the reach of human vision. Now and then, too, as little Inez +leaned over the side of the vessel and peered downward, she caught +sight of something like a shadow, gliding hither and thither, +apparently without the slightest effort to keep pace with the +schooner, which was bowling along at a rapid rate. It was one of those +monstrous sharks, that will snap a man in two as quickly as if he were +but an apple, should he fall overboard. + +Not a day passed without descrying one or more sails at varying +distances, but our friends did not hail or approach any. Both Captain +Bergen and Mate Storms were in a nervous condition, and were morbidly +apprehensive of being anticipated by some one in dredging for the +invaluable pearl-oysters. They were afraid their errand would be +suspected, or they would be attacked after they should secure their +prize. + +One day, under the pretense of wanting medicine, Hyde Brazzier +suddenly appeared at the cabin door. The mate and captain were, as +usual, studying the chart, and while the mate was ransacking the +medicine chest for the drug, that single eye of the sailor secured +five minutes' sharp scrutiny of the all-important map. + +Redvignez and Brazzier were not much together, as a matter of course, +for one was in the captain's watch and the other in the mate's, but +during the long, pleasant days and nights when they were voyaging +toward the South Seas, they obtained many opportunities for +confidential talks. All this might have been in the natural order of +things on board the schooner, where the discipline was not strict, but +Abe Storms had become pretty well satisfied that harm was meant, and +mischief was brewing. He saw it in the looks and manner of these two +men, who, while they were watching others, did not suspect they were +watched in turn. + +About Pomp he was not so certain. The steward and cook seemed to be on +good terms with the two sailors, and he frequently sat with them as +they formed a little group forward, on the bright moonlight nights, +when they preferred to sit thus and smoke and spin yarns to going +below and catching slumber, when it was their privilege to do so. + +"I believe he is in with them," was the conclusion which Storms, the +mate, finally reached, after watching and listening as best he could +for several days. "They're hatching some conspiracy--most likely a +mutiny to take possession of the ship. Captain Bergen doesn't suspect +it--he is so absorbed in the pearl business; and I'll let him alone +for the present, though it may be best to give him a hint or two to +keep him on his guard." + +It never can be known what the restraining power of little Inez +Hawthorne was on board that vessel on her extraordinary voyage to the +Paumotu Islands, in the South Seas. She lived over again the same life +that was hers during the few days spent on the _Polynesia_. She ran +hither and thither, climbing into dangerous places at times, but with +such grace and command of her limbs that she never once fell or even +lost her balance. She chatted and laughed with Brazzier and Redvig, +but she preferred the others, and showed it so plainly in her manner, +that, unfortunately, the two could not avoid noticing it. + +"See here," said Captain Bergen, one evening while sitting in the +cabin with the child on his knee, "I want you to try and think hard +and answer me all the questions I ask you. Will you?" + +"Of course I will, if you don't ask too hard ones." + +"Well, I will be easy as I can. You have told me all about the big +steamer that you were on when we found you, and you said that you +lived with your Uncle Con in San Francisco, and that it was he and +your Aunt Jemima that put you on board." + +"I didn't say any such thing!" indignantly protested Inez. "I haven't +got any Aunt Jemima--it was my Aunt Letitia." + +The captain and mate smiled, for a little piece of strategy had +succeeded. They had never before got the girl to give the name of her +aunt, though she mentioned that of her uncle. But she now spoke it, +her memory refreshed by the slight teasing to which she was +subjected. + +"That's very good. I'm glad to learn that your uncle and aunt had two +such pretty names as Con and Letitia Bumblebee." + +"Ain't you ashamed of yourself?" demanded Inez, turning upon him with +flashing eyes. "I never heard of such a funny name as that." + +"I beg pardon. What, then, is their name?" + +The little head was bent and the fair brow wrinkled with thought. She +had tried the same thing before, though it must be believed that she +could not have tried very hard, or she would not have failed to +remember the name of those with whom she lived but a short time +before. But she used her brain to its utmost now, and it did not take +her long to solve the question. In a few seconds she looked up and +laughed. + +"Of course I know their name. It was Hermann, though he sometimes +called himself George Smith." + +"The other sounds German," remarked Storms, in a lower voice. "Go +ahead and get all you can from her." + +"How long did you live with them?" + +"Let me see," said Inez, as she turned her lustrous blue eyes toward +the roof of the cabin, as if she expected to read the answer there. "I +guess it was about two--three hundred years." + +She was in earnest, and Storms observed: + +"She must be a little off on that; but take another tack." + +The captain did so. + +"Do you remember living with any one excepting your Uncle George and +Aunt Letitia?" + +Inez thought hard again, and replied, after a few seconds: + +"I don't know. Sometimes he was Uncle George and sometimes Uncle Con. +We lived in the city a good while, where there were, oh, such lots of +houses! but there was a time before that when we come such a long, +long way in the cars. We rode and rode, and I guess we must have come +from the moon, for we was ten years on the road." + +"Do you remember what sort of looking place the moon was?" + +"It was just like San Francisco--that is, it was full of houses." + +The officers looked at each other with a smile, and the mate said: + +"It's plain enough what that means. She has come from New York, over +the Union Pacific, and her trip was probably the longest of her +life." + +"Do you remember your father and mother?" + +"I don't know," said Inez, with a look of perplexity on her young face +which it was not pleasant to see. "Sometimes I remember or dream of +them, before we took such a long ride on the cars. My mother used to +hold me on her lap and kiss me, and so did my father, and then there +was crying, and something dreadful happened in the house, and then I +can't remember anything more until I was on the cars." + +"It may be all right," said Captain Bergen to his mate, "for this +could occur without anything being amiss." + +"It is possible; but I have a conviction that there is something wrong +about the whole business. I believe, in short, that the person who +placed her on board the steamer _Polynesia_ had no claim upon her at +all." + +"That, in fact, the man stole her?" + +"That's it, exactly; and still further, I don't believe she has any +father or mother in Japan, and that if we had gone thither we should +have lost all the time and accomplished nothing." + +"It may be, Abe, that you are right," said the captain, who held a +great admiration for his mate, "but I must say you can build a fraud +and conspiracy on the smallest foundation of any man I ever knew. But, +Abe, you may be right, I say, and if you are, it's just as well that +we didn't go on a fool's errand to Tokio, after all." + +"The truth will soon be known, captain." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE MUTINEERS + + +A few degrees south of the equator, the schooner _Coral_ ran into a +tempest of such fury that with all the skilful seamanship of her +captain and crew, and the admirable qualities of the schooner itself, +she narrowly escaped foundering. + +There were two days when she was in such imminent peril that not an +eye was closed in slumber, excepting in the case of little Inez +Hawthorne, who felt the situation only to the extent that it compelled +her to stay close in the cabin, while the vessel pitched and tossed +from the crest of one tremendous billow, down, seemingly, into the +fathomless depths between, and then laboriously climbed the mountain +in front, with the spray and mist whirling about the deck and rigging +like millions of fine shot. But the gallant _Coral_ rode it out +safely, and the steady breeze caught her and she sped swiftly in the +direction of the Pearl Islands. + +The little girl had run hither and thither, until, tired out, she had +flung herself upon the berth in the cabin, where she was sleeping +soundly, while the captain was doing the same; Abe Storms, the mate, +being on deck at the wheel. It was yet early in the evening, and Hyde +Brazzier and Alfredo Redvignez were sitting close together, forward, +smoking their pipes and conversing in low tones. The breeze was almost +directly abeam, so that the sails carried the craft along at a rapid +rate, the water foaming and curling from the bow, while the rising and +sinking of the schooner on the enormous swells were at such long +intervals as almost to be imperceptible. As far as the eye could +extend in every direction, no glimpse of a sail or light could be +perceived, nor had any been observed through the day, which confirmed +what Bill Grebbens, the sailor in the Boston hospital, said, to the +effect that, despite the location of the Paumotu Islands, the approach +to them from the direction of California took one in a section where +the sails of commerce were rarely seen. + +The captain and mate had been consulting their chart, and had taken +their reckoning more frequently and with greater care than ever +before. The conclusion at which they arrived was that they were +already south of the northernmost island of the Paumotu group, and +were close to the Coral Island, along whose shore were to be found the +precious pearls which were to make them all, or rather the two, +wealthy. + +"It's a curious business," reflected Abe Storms, while holding the +wheel motionless. "When I consider the matter fairly, I don't see why +the expedition should not succeed. But it is so different from the +coasting business, in which the captain and I have been engaged for +years, that it is hard to believe we're going to make anything out of +it." + +He listened a minute to the murmur of the voices forward, and then he +added, pursuing the same train of thought: + +"What an extraordinary thing it is that we should have this little +girl for a passenger! Suppose we carry her back to Tokio after this +pearl hunt, and fail to find her parents?" + +He took but a minute to consider the question, when he answered: + +"It can never make any difference to Inez herself, for her sweet face +and winning ways will secure her a welcome and a home in a hundred +different places." + +While the mate was indulging in these fancies and reveries, Brazzier +and Redvignez were holding an important conference forward. + +"I'm sure we won't have much further to sail," observed the Spaniard, +with a slightly broken accent. "We're in the latitude of the +Paumotus." + +"Have you ever been there?" asked his companion. + +"No; but I know something about them, and then you had a glimpse of +the chart, which they're continually looking at, and I'm certain from +what you said that the particular spot we're after isn't far off." + +"I conclude you're right, more from the way they're acting than +anything else. I wish I could get hold of that chart." + +"What would you do?" asked Redvignez, with a significant side-glance +at his companion. + +"What would I do? Why, I wouldn't wait--that's all." + +"I don't see as it will make much difference," said the other, in the +most matter-of-fact voice, as he coolly puffed his pipe. "We might as +well take them there and make sure of the spot, before we knock them +in the head." + +Brazzier gave a contemptuous sniff and a vicious puff of his pipe, and +remarked: + +"Did you ever see two such fools, Redvig?" He continued, with mock +solemnity: "Beware of the temptations of wealth. Behold those two +specimens, who have come all the way from Boston to fish for pearls in +the Paumotu Islands. Some old sailor had the secret, and told the +captain about it, and he has told his friend, and they have formed a +partnership and hired us to go with them to dredge up the oysters." + +"What is there so foolish in all that?" asked the Spaniard, with a +grin, which showed his white teeth in the moonlight. + +"Nothing; for you or I would have done the same had we been placed in +their shoes. But we would have shown more sense than they. They +believe we do not suspect what their business is; and yet we both +understand the whole thing. Here we are within a few hours' sail of +the spot, and what's to be done?" + +The Spaniard indulged in a light laugh, and replied: + +"To think that we should consent to take twenty-five dollars a month, +while they scooped in their thousands--their millions--it strikes me +sometimes as the greatest joke I ever heard. But, Brazzier, the best +plan is for us to be good boys, and go on to the island and help take +up the pearls; for then we shall be sure of the right spot, and there +shall be no mistake; whereas, if we should take possession now, we +might miss the place, even with the help of the chart." + +"I don't know but what you're right, Redvig, though it galls me to +wait. You know a lot of us took charge of the _Spitfire_, and set the +captain and first-mate adrift, off Valparaiso. You were in favor of +waiting, and it was well if we had done so, for we came nearer +running our necks into the halter that time than we ever did since, +and there wasn't anything aboard the old hulk that was worth the +saving." + +"But what about Pomp?" asked Redvig, in a half-whisper, and with an +accent which showed that he considered the question of the highest +importance. "Is he all right?" + +"You needn't have any fear about him. I had a long talk with him last +night, and we shook hands on the question." + +The negro was an important factor in this business, for, a giant in +stature and strength, whichever side he precipitated himself and his +prowess upon was sure to win--judging from the ordinary human +standpoint. + +Pomp, as we have hinted further back, was not an African with a +perfectly clear record. The rumors about his belonging to a gang of +river pirates in San Francisco were correct, and he had been engaged +in some deeds which were of a character that the law puts the severest +ban upon. He was known to be daring, and possessed such prodigious +power, united to activity, that, beyond a doubt, if he were placed +upon an even footing, he could have conquered the captain, mate and +the two sailors, without any special effort upon his own part. + +The importance of his declaring himself can therefore be understood. +He was a far better man than either of the two Caucasians, who +hesitated about approaching him. As it had to be done, however, the +matter was skilfully broached, after they had left San Francisco and +were sailing southward. + +It was agreed by the two mutineers that, if the negro held off, he was +to be gotten rid of by some treachery, though it was such a serious +matter that they hesitated long as to how it could be safely +accomplished. To their surprise and delight, however, Pomp listened +eagerly to the project and expressed his willingness to go into it, +though he insisted there should be no murdering done, as he was not +base enough at heart to wish the death of either of the officers. + +Brazzier consented; but in doing so he deceived the negro. A mutiny, +such as he contemplated, could never be carried to a successful +conclusion without disposing finally and forever of the two officers +themselves. If they should be spared, the mutineers would never be +safe. But Pomp was misled from the first, because it was believed he +could be won over before the time came to strike the blow. Redvignez +set himself very skilfully to do so, for Pomp was ignorant and +exceedingly greedy for wealth. Redvignez began by telling him of a +large number of fictitious mutinies, in which the mutineers had made +their fortunes and lived happy and respected afterwards, and the +narrator made certain to impress upon the African the fact that the +job was rendered a perfect one by following out the proverb that dead +men tell no tales. Then he incidentally mentioned others in which the +mutineers came to grief, all from the fact that they allowed +themselves to be controlled by a foolish sentiment of mercy. The evil +seed thus sown did not fail to take root and bring forth its fruit, +just as the sower intended. + +These little incidents were multiplied, and by-and-by Pomp was told +that there was but one way in which to secure the enormous riches that +lay in the little bay in the South Seas, awaiting their coming, and +that was by making themselves complete masters of the situation. The +negro could not mistake the meaning of this, and, after a feeble +opposition, he gave his assent, and said he would help carry out the +terrible programme, as it had been arranged from the first. + +It was certainly very curious how the coming of little Inez Hawthorne +upon the ship threatened for awhile to disarrange every plan; but so +it was. There was a time when the better nature of the two evil men +asserted itself, and they began to consider the question in the light +of their awakened consciences; but these divine monitors were only +roused into temporary wakefulness and speedily dropped asleep again. +The manifest distrust which Inez showed toward them seemed to fill +their hearts with the most atrocious feelings, and neither of them +would have hesitated to fling her overboard, had the opportunity been +given. Incredible as it may seem, it is the fact that they would have +preferred to do so, being restrained by the simple question of policy. +They saw that Pomp had grown very fond of her, and any such action on +their part might alienate him--a catastrophe which they were anxious +to avert above everything else. + +"You say he shook hands with you upon it?" repeated Redvignez. "What +does all that mean?" + +"It means that he is with us heart and soul. He sees the necessity of +putting the captain and mate out of the way, and he will help do it." + +"But what about the little girl--the viper?" + +"It was a bad thing for us, Redvig, when we played that little trick, +for I have been ready to despair more than once, but the remedy is so +simple that I wonder we have not thought of it before." + +"How is that?" + +"We will spare her, for Pomp gave me to understand that on no other +conditions would he go into it. She will be a pleasant playmate for +him, and will help keep him true to us. She is so young and +simple-hearted that we can make her believe that some accident has +befallen the other two, by which they came to their death, so there +will be no danger from anything she ever can tell. When we have +gathered in all the pearls we will set sail for South America. At +Valparaiso or some of the ports we will place the girl in some convent +or school, with enough money to take care of her, and then we will +land at another port, sell the schooner, divide up the proceeds and +separate, each taking a different route home, if we choose to go +there, and then all we'll have to do, Redvig, is to enjoy the wealth +which shall be ours." + +"How much do you think it will be?" asked the Spaniard, with sparkling +eyes. + +"There is no telling," was the reply. "I hardly dare think, but I know +it runs into the hundreds of thousands, and it is not at all +impossible that it touches the millions." + +Redvignez drew a deep breath and his heart gave a great throb, as +would be the case with the most phlegmatic being who contemplated the +near possession of such vast wealth. Visions of the wild round of +dissipation and excesses in which they would indulge came up before +the two evil men, and it was no wonder that they were impatient for +the hour to come when they should strike the blow for the prize. Like +the officers, they were so full of the scheme that they had no desire +to sleep; and while the figure of Mr. Storms was visible at the wheel, +and the _Coral_ sped on to the southward over the calm, moonlit sea, +these two men talked about and agreed upon the particulars of the +frightful crime which had been in their hearts, as may be said, from +the moment they hoisted sail and passed out of San Francisco harbor. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CAPTAIN BERGEN MAKES TWO IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES + + +Before the faintest streak of light appeared in the eastern horizon, +Captain Bergen was awake and in the rigging, with the binocular +glasses in his hand. + +The most careful computation showed they were in latitude about 19 +south and longitude 140 west. They had passed to the eastward of the +Mendina Archipelago, catching a glimpse of one of the islands, where +the mate proposed they should touch and obtain some supplies. But the +captain was too eager to push ahead, and Grebbens had told him that +one peculiarity about the little island which was their destination +was that it contained fresh water, with some tropical fruit, while +there could be no difficulty in catching all the fish they wished. + +Since the island was altogether uninhabited, and very rarely +visited, it would have been a good thing for the party could the +suggestion of the mate have been carried out. But it was the +conviction of Captain Bergen that they would not spend more than +two weeks at the fishery--if such it might be called--and, under +the circumstances, it cannot be said he was imprudent. Steadying +himself with one arm about the mast, the captain stood firmly in his +elevated position, and, as the sun came slowly up and the golden +radiance spread over the sky and sea, he swept the arch of the +horizon to the south, east and west, straining his keen vision for the +first sight of the eagerly-wished-for land. + +"Water, water," he murmured, despondingly. "Water everywhere, and no +sight of the haven! Hello!" + +His heart gave a great bound, for, just in the edge of the horizon--at +the very point where ocean and sky met--he saw a dark substance, like +a fleecy vapor, no bigger than a man's hand. + +"It may be a cloud," said the captain to himself, as he carefully +scrutinized it, "and it may be land; and, by the great horn spoon, it +is land! Land ho!" + +"Where away?" called back Storms, from below, quite confident what the +answer would be. + +"Two points on the weather-bow." + +The mate headed toward the point indicated, and then silence reigned +for awhile on board, excepting in the case of Inez, who bounded up on +deck, and was here, there and everywhere. + +The captain was left to himself, for Abe Storms knew he would come +down and report as soon as he had anything definite; and, in the +nature of things, he could know nothing positive for a considerable +time to come. + +As the _Coral_ sped forward--sometimes on the long, sloping crest of +an immense swell, and then again in the valley between--the captain +saw and thought of nothing else but the little island ahead, which was +slowly rising out of the ocean. He had discovered that it was circular +in shape, quite small, and fringed with vegetation. This corresponded, +in a general way, with the description given by the sailor in the +hospital; but there are hundreds of other islands in the South Seas to +which the same description will apply, and it was not impossible that +the _Coral_ was many a long league astray. + +"When I was on the island, ten years ago," said Grebbens, "I found +remains of a ship that had been wrecked there but a short time before. +There was a portion of the mast, which we managed to erect by scooping +a deep hole in the beach and then packing the sand about the base. On +the top of this we kept our signal of distress flying, in the hope of +catching the notice of some passing vessel, as was the case after a +long while. It was my jacket which fluttered from the top of that +mast, and the old garment has been blown away long ago; but I don't +know any reason why the pole itself shouldn't be standing, and if it +is, you will find it on the right of the entrance to the lagoon." + +The island, it will be understood, was an atoll--that is, a circular +fringe of coral, with a lagoon of the sea inside which was entered +through a comparatively narrow passage from the ocean. The atoll to +which the old sailor referred was extensive enough to furnish fresh +water and fruit, while at the entrance, and in other places, there was +a sufficient depth of sand to afford secure "anchorage" for the pole +which they erected. Peering through the spy-glass, Captain Bergen +could see the white line where the sea beat against the coral shores +and was rolled back again in foam. And while he was gazing, his +practiced eye detected a gap in the line of breakers--that is, a spot +where the white foam did not show itself. This must necessarily be the +opening through which the ocean flowed into the lagoon within the +island. Since it met with no opposition, it swept inward with a +smooth, grand sweep, which proved that the water was deep and without +any obstruction. + +"Suppose he deceived me?" + +Captain Bergen asked himself the question while he was scanning the +island. + +It was the first time the thought suggested that maybe the sailor, +dying in the Boston hospital, had told him an untruth, and such a +shuddering, overwhelming feeling of disappointment came over the poor +fellow at that moment that he grew dizzy and sick at heart, and came +nigh losing his balance. + +"No, it cannot be," he repeated, rallying himself, with a great +effort. "I have a better opinion of human nature than that." + +His glasses were still pointed in the direction of the island, and he +was peering with an intensity that was painful at the spot where the +dark break in the foamy breakers showed the entrance to the atoll, +when he detected a black, needle-like column which rose from the beach +at one side of the entrance. It was so thin that he could not make +sure it was not some trick of his straining vision, and in doubt as to +its reality, he relieved his aching eye by removing the glass for a +moment and looking down on the deck beneath him. + +He saw Redvignez and Brazzier standing at the bow, also gazing toward +the island, which was plainly visible from the deck. They occasionally +spoke, but their tones were so low that no word could be distinguished +by any ears excepting those for which they were intended. Mr. Storms +was at his post, and as Pomp and Inez were invisible, the conclusion +was inevitable that they were in the cabin, whence issued the +appetizing odor of cooking fish, and where no doubt the young lady +was receiving the attention which she expected as her right. + +At this instant a peculiar experience came to the captain of the yacht +_Coral_. A slight flaw in the breeze, which was bearing the vessel +forward, caused the sails to flap, and must have made a sort of funnel +of one of them for the moment; or rather, as may be said, it made a +temporary whispering gallery of the deck and rigging of the craft. And +being such, it bore the following ominous words to Captain Bergen, +uttered, as they were, by Hyde Brazzier in a most guarded undertone: + +"We shall be the two richest men in America!" + +Captain Bergen was in that state of intense nervous sensibility in +which his perceptions were unnaturally acute, and he felt, on the +instant the words struck his ear, that they had a frightful meaning. + +The two continued their cautious conference, but the sail favored +acoustics no longer, and the listener did not catch another syllable. + +"They mean to kill Abe and me," he said to himself, "and run away with +the pearls. If they had determined to be honest men, and we had +secured any particular amount of wealth, they would have been rewarded +liberally. Forewarned is forearmed." + +Captain Bergen was a brave man, and there was no fear of his +displaying any shrinking in the crisis which was evidently close at +hand. + +Once more he raised the glass to his eye and gazed toward the inlet of +the atoll. During the few minutes that he had spent in looking down +upon the deck and listening, the schooner had made good speed, and the +island was less than a half mile distant. When the instrument was +pointed toward the place, he saw clearly and unmistakably the figure +of the mast standing beside the inlet, where it had been placed years +before by Grebbens and his companions. + +This, then, was Pearl Island, as the New Englanders had named it; and +here it was that the bed of pearl oysters of fabulous richness was to +be found. + +Something like a feeling of depression came over the captain when he +realized that the land of promise had risen on his vision at last. For +days, weeks and months this had been the one absorbing theme of his +mind. He had dreamed of it until he was almost, if not quite, a +monomaniac, and he had built air-castles until the whole sky of his +vision was filled with gorgeous structures. And it should be added, in +justice to both Bergen and Storms, that these structures were +creditable to the builders; for, realizing in the fullest sense that +about all they could extract personally from riches was their own +board and lodging, they had perfected a number of colossal schemes +for benefiting humanity; indeed, charity was the foundation-stone of +all these castles. And now, after these long months of waiting, he +seemed to see the wealth lying within his grasp, and something like a +reaction came to him. + +"Is it worth all this?" he asked himself. "Is the gain likely to pay +for the peril in which we have placed ourselves?" + +Still further, the ominous words which he had overheard impressed him +vividly with the impending danger in which he and his mate were +placed. He saw now that in taking Brazzier and Redvignez he had taken +two mutineers aboard, and two who, in all probability, had won the +giant African, Pomp, over to their side. + +What was to be the outcome of all this? + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN THE HAVEN AT LAST + + +As Captain Bergen descended the rigging to the deck of the schooner he +was greatly depressed, for the conviction was strong upon him that in +entering this promised land--as he had sometimes termed the little +circle of coral and earth which he had named Pearl Island--he would +never leave it. The immense wealth which lay hidden along its coast, +awaiting the coming of some one to gather it, would never be carried +away by those who had already come more than half-way round the globe +to garner it. + +As the captain stepped upon deck, Redvignez and Brazzier respectfully +saluted him, and looked as if they were the most loyal of sailors. + +Captain Bergen forced himself to respond to their salute, and then he +walked quietly over to where Abe stood at the wheel. + +"Well, what do you make of it?" asked the mate, in a low voice. + +"It's the island!" replied Bergen. + +"Are you sure of it?" + +"Yes; there can be no doubt. I made out the landmark that Grebbens +told me would identify it beyond all question. That's the mast which +they erected on the shore, close to the inlet. You can see it without +the glass," added the captain, turning about and looking in that +direction. + +Such was the case, and Storms observed it plainly. + +"What's the matter, captain?" asked the mate, bringing his gaze back +to the face of his friend, and scrutinizing him keenly. "You look pale +and agitated. Have your nerves given out after this strain?" + +"Abe," said the captain, in a carefully-guarded voice, and glancing +over his shoulder, "I learned, a few minutes ago, that those two men +forward intend to mutiny and run away with the pearls." + +"Is that all? Why, I knew that weeks ago!" + +"You did?" demanded the astounded captain. "Why, then, didn't you tell +me?" + +"I thought it was better to wait till we reached the island, by which +time their plans were likely to be more fully developed." + +"That sort of reasoning I don't understand," said the captain, +anything but pleased with his mate. "But never mind about it now. Tell +me what you have learned." + +"Not a great deal more than you have told. Those two men, I am +satisfied, are old acquaintances, who have been partners in more than +one crime, though we supposed them strangers at the time we shipped +them; and I have no doubt they began planning our deaths from the day +we sailed out of San Francisco harbor." + +"What about Pomp?" + +"They had a hard time, but they have won him over, and he is pledged +to go with them." + +"And you have tried to gain the good will of Pomp?" + +"I have done my utmost, and have treated him with unusual leniency, +making him many presents, some of which I gave him to understand came +from you. But they've got him, for all that. There's our greatest +safeguard." + +As the mate spoke, he pointed to Inez, who, at that moment, came +bounding up the steps of the cabin and ran laughing forward. + +"Pomp thinks all the world of her, and she will be the peacemaker, +perhaps." + +"But don't they like her as well?" + +"No; they wouldn't hesitate any more over killing her than they would +in killing us." + +"The villains!" muttered the horrified captain. "I never conceived it +possible that any human being could fail to love such beauty and +innocence as hers." + +"There is no immediate danger," said the mate, somewhat surprised to +observe how completely the discovery had taken possession of the mind +of the captain. "Let's give our attention now to the business upon +which we came, and there will be time enough to think of the other +matter between now and nightfall." + +Captain Bergen was sorely perplexed, but the circumstances were such +that he was able to follow the suggestion of his faithful mate. They +were now close to the island, which was of that singular formation so +frequently seen in the Pacific. Countless millions of tiny insects, +toiling through many years, had gradually lifted the foundations of +coral from the depths of the ocean, until the mass, in the form of a +gigantic ring or horse-shoe, was above the surface. Upon this had +gradually gathered sand, seeds and vegetable matter, in the usual way, +until beneath the tropical sun and the balmy climate the "desert +blossomed like the rose." This took a long while, but the process it +went through was similar to that of hundreds of much larger islands +which to-day rest like nosegays upon the bosom of the vast Pacific. + +Among these fruits were the banana, plantain, breadfruit, and a sort +of mango, found in Farther India, and which, at first disliked, +becomes in time a great favorite with every one. Most singular of all +was the fact that at two widely-separated points burst forth a spring +of clear, fresh water. + +One might well wonder where the supply for this came from, since the +whole island had its foundation in salt water--but there are many +strange distillations going on at all times in nature's laboratory +beyond the power of man to fathom. + +These were probably stored away in some of the hidden vaults of the +island, and bubbled forth, the fountain being renewed before the +precious contents were exhausted. + +The entrance to the interior was through a deep passage, toward which +Mr. Storms directed the vessel. As the _Coral_ glided into this +"inland sea," Captain Bergen took the helm, being as familiar with the +contour of the atoll as if he had spent a dozen years upon it. He knew +where the best anchorage was to be found, and he headed over toward +the eastern shore, where it was safe to run close enough in to spring +from the deck to the land. He was a good seaman, and he brought his +craft to with as much skill as a stage-driver brings his team to a +halt before the door of an inn. The anchor was let go at the proper +moment, and the _Coral_ slowly swung at her mooring in the very +position her master desired, both bow and stern being so close to +shore that there would be no occasion to use the small boat which is +generally called into requisition on such occasions. + +The scenery and situation were peculiar and novel in the highest +degree. These atolls are the natural harbors of the ocean, and if any +vessel can run through the openings into the calm waters within, she +may ride in safety from the severest tempest. + +The water within the lagoon was as calm as the surface of a mill-pond. +On every hand rose the trees and vegetation so dense that the only +portion where a glimpse of the ocean could be caught was at the +entrance, which, it would seem, the builders of the island had left on +purpose for the ingress and exit of endangered shipping. + +Despite the alarming discovery which Captain Bergen had made but a +short time previous, he carried out the purpose formed weeks before, +and which the mate urged him to fulfil. The schooner having been +secured in position and everything put in ship-shape order, he +addressed the three men who composed the crew: + +"My friends, when I engaged you to go upon this voyage, I did not tell +you whither, and you may think it is late in the day to give you such +information, now that we have reached our destination. Some time ago, +before I sailed, I received information that a bed of oysters existed +at a certain portion of this island unusually rich in pearls. It is +to obtain them I have come, and now I wish to say, what I determined +to say from the first, that if you work faithfully, and give me all +the assistance you can, each of you three shall receive enough to make +you rich for life. In an enterprise of this kind the business is a +partnership, and you shall be liberally treated, provided you prove +worthy." + +During the utterance of these words, both the captain and the mate +carefully watched the faces of the three men to see the effect +produced. + +Had the African been alone he would have been won over, and as it was +he turned about in an inquiring way, and looked toward the two men as +if seeking to see how they took it. Their countenances were so +immobile that he gained no information from the looks there; but both +the officers did. Abe Storms, especially, was a skilful physiognomist, +and that which he saw convinced him that the speech, coming as it did, +was a mistake. As is frequently the case, it was accepted as an +evidence of timidity on the part of the officers, and the conspirators +were given a confidence which otherwise would not have been theirs. + +"It was a blunder," whispered Storms, when the captain stepped beside +him. "Those wretches mean mischief, and it is coming within +twenty-four hours." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE OYSTER BED + + +Little Inez Hawthorne was overrunning with delight at the prospect of +a romp on shore, after having been confined so long in the cramped +quarters of the schooner, and she was darting hither and thither, +eager to start upon her frolic. + +"I say, captain," said Hyde Brazzier, bowing profoundly and with +great humility, "we be greatly surprised by what you tell us about +the pearls, and we are very much obliged for your kindness, which +the same is a great deal more than we expected; but it has set us +all topsy-turvy, as we may say. If it's all the same, we would like +to go and take a look at that same pearl-oyster bed, if it isn't +inconvenient." + +The captain and mate both understood the meaning of this, for it +showed only too clearly how impatient the men were to commit the crime +which they had in mind. Still, there was no excuse for refusal, and +the officers were anxious enough to see the place for themselves. Each +had his revolver carefully shoved into his pocket, and each knew that +the six chambers were fully charged, when they sprang over the +vessel's side and started toward the northernmost part of the island. +The captain and mate led the way, for they were sure they were in no +personal danger so long as the oyster-bed remained undiscovered. + +The fringe of coral trees was quite broad, but, as the little party +made their way through them, they could catch the gleam of the water +on each side, while the roar and boom of the breakers never ceased. + +The sun seemed to linger in the horizon to their left, as if to guide +them in the search they were making. + +As they advanced, all observed that the outer rim of this fringe was +very irregular, as if it had been broken up and changed by the action +of fierce tempests for many decades. This peculiarity, if such it may +be termed, left many places where the ocean was as calm as within the +atoll, and it was in one of these that the oyster-bed for which they +were searching was to be found. + +Mate and captain advanced quite spiritedly for some distance, until +they were close to the northernmost portion, when they hesitated, +slackened their gait, looked to the right and left, conferred in low +tones, and then the captain suddenly exclaimed: + +"This looks like the spot!" + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the two men dashed down +the slight slope, ran a short distance, and then abruptly halted close +to the water's edge, at a point where the sea was locked in so that it +was only slightly disturbed by the ordinary swell. Close behind them +were Redvignez and Brazzier, while Pomp brought up the rear. The three +men exchanged only a word or two while following, and those were heard +by the leaders, because they were of no significance, but it is safe +to conclude they did a great deal of thinking. + +The five grouped themselves along the water, standing side by side and +peering down into the depths before them. This perhaps averaged three +fathoms, and the water itself was as clear as crystal, without even +the tinge of green generally seen in the ocean. The bottom was quite +even and flat, resting upon a substratum of coral. The glinting rays +of the sun helped, so that a marble could have been distinguished many +fathoms down. And looking downward, the quintette saw the bottom +strewn with oysters of unusual size, lying so close together that in +many places they seemed to touch each other. + +For a full minute the five stood motionless and speechless. It was +Pomp who was the first to recover his voice: + +"My gracious! am dem 'isters full of pearls?" + +"That can only be told by examination," was the quiet reply of Mr. +Storms. + +"Dat's ruther deep to dive down, an' how 'bout sharks?" + +The mate smiled. + +"We thought of all that before we left home, Pomp." + +"Well, what good did all de thinkin' do? Dat won't drive away de +shark, dat would as lief bite a man in two as to swaller a fish." + +"If you and Redvig will return to the vessel and get that coat of mail +on deck, I will agree to go down there and take all the risks." + +The three mutineers, as they may be called, exchanged glances, but +said nothing. The captain and mate noted this telegraphy of the eyes, +and they, too, were silent, but it was a little test which they had +determined upon before leaving the _Coral_, lying some distance away, +safely moored close inshore. Evidently the three could think of no +valid excuse, and Brazzier said, in a low voice, which was heard by +all: + +"Go, men, and hurry back." + +Pomp started off at once, Redvignez following close behind him. The +mate and captain saw they were speaking together; but, of course, it +could only be conjectured what they were talking about. + +The three who remained behind were in an embarrassing situation, for +there could be no doubt that Brazzier, the leader in the plot, had had +his suspicions aroused by this little incident, and it was hard work +for him to conceal a certain uneasiness at the thought that he had +lost the confidence of the two officers of the _Coral_. + +With a view of strengthening his position, Captain Bergen took out his +revolver, looked at it in an inquiring way, and then shoved it back +into his hip-pocket. Abe Storms did precisely the same thing, +excepting that he perhaps made a little more display about it. + +Not one of the three as yet had spoken a word; but Brazzier, as if to +conceal his uneasiness, advanced to the edge of the water and peered +down into the crystal depths at the supposed wealth which lay +scattered over the bottom, awaiting the hour when some one should draw +it forth from the hiding-place it had occupied for so many years. + +"If they've got pearls in 'em," observed Brazzier, "it'll make a good +haul for us." + +"There is reason to think so," replied the captain, holding his peace, +for he began to suspect that too much deference had already been paid +to the crew. + +Since Pomp and Redvignez were making good time, they soon reappeared, +bearing between them the coat of armor which Abe Storms had +constructed before leaving his New England home. This, it may be said, +was an invention peculiarly his own, containing some conveniences not +generally attributed to diving-bells or armor, and which, if they +withstood the test to which they were sure to be subjected, would be a +great step forward in the rapid improvements that have been made in +submarine armor during the last few years. A superficial examination +would not discover anything out of the usual order in the make of the +armor, with its bulging glass eyes and general resemblance to the +coats of mail such as were used by the crusaders and knights of the +middle ages. There were the two pipes, one of which went in at the +top of the helmet, as if the man were going to breathe through the crown +of his head, while the other was adjusted so as to come nearer the +front of the face. One of these was for the admission of fresh air, and +the other for the expulsion of that which was exhaled. Besides this, +there was the rope, fastened around the waist of the diver, to assist +him to the surface should a sudden necessity arise. But, without +going into any detailed description, we may say that the ingenious New +Englander had so constructed it that he required the assistance of no +second person at any portion of the work. + +Storms immediately began adjusting the apparatus, the others standing +off and looking on, for he had declined their proffers of service. +The armor had never been tested, and the man might well pause, now +that he was going to stake his life upon the issue, as may be said. + +But it was not that fact which caused the mate the most uneasiness, +for his confidence in his own invention was so strong that he would +not have hesitated a moment to trust himself in water of twice the +depth. Indeed, the pearls were so near at hand that a very ordinary +diver would have found no difficulty in bringing them up without the +help of any armor at all--the latter being required by other +considerations. + +"Now, all I want done is to allow the two upper ends of the pipes to +be kept clear," said Storms, when he had adjusted the "harness" about +him. "I will do the breathing for myself, provided I am not interfered +with." + +The two ends were secured among the coral in such a way that there was +no danger of their being drawn in by any action of the armor itself, +and then Storms, taking an immense sheath-knife in his hand, promptly +stepped off from the shore, and as promptly sank under water. + +It was a singular sight the four companions whom he left behind saw, +when they approached to the edge of the water and looked over. + +The mate, incased in his armor, looked like some huge, curiously-shaped +shellfish or monster, whose weight was such that he went as straight +down as an arrow, and, a few seconds later, was seen bent over and +moving about the bottom, loosening up the oysters. + +This first venture of Storms' was more in the nature of an experiment +or preliminary reconnoissance. He wished to find how the land lay, as +the expression goes. If everything should prove to be in good shape, +he would venture down again, with a basket, and the real work of +gathering the pearl-oysters would begin. + +As we have intimated, Abe Storms felt no misgivings concerning his +armor when he moved off from solid land and was submerged in the edge +of the Pacific, for he had constructed so many contrivances and +machines that he had learned to understand fully what they would do +before they were put to work. He carried the enormous sheath-knife in +his right hand, and when his feet lightly touched the shells on the +bottom, he began turning them over with the point of his knife. The +depth of the water being so moderate, he found no difficulty in +breathing, and indeed the conditions were such that whoever chose to +collect the oysters in this armor was not likely to experience the +slightest difficulty. + +Down where he was at work the water seemed to be of a light-yellowish +tint, caused by the refraction of the sunlight as it made its way to +him. He noticed the mild glow, which, of course, would steadily +diminish as the sun went down, when all at once it was eclipsed so +suddenly by a dark shadow that he instantly suspected the true cause. + +Looking upward, he saw an immense shark, certainly a dozen feet in +length, that had halted and was evidently surveying with some +curiosity this intruder upon his domains. + +The man-eater being directly over the diver, was not in the best +position to use his fearful jaws with effect, but he was evidently +reconnoitering with a view to hostilities. Abe observed that this +shadowy figure was motionless, its fins slightly moving back and forth +as if it were using them like a balancing-pole, to maintain itself +motionless in position, and he marked the horridly-shaped mouth which +yawned over his head. Reaching upward with his long-bladed knife, he +touched it against the white belly of the monster, and then gave it a +strong push. + +It was so keen and sharp that it entered deep into the yielding flesh +and inflicted a severe wound. Just then the gigantic man-eater +suspected he had committed a blunder, and with a lightning-like whirl +of his huge body, he dashed out to sea, leaving a crimson trail after +him. + +Indeed, his charge was so sudden that the huge knife was wrenched from +the grasp of Abe Storms, and he was drawn forward off his balance. +Had it been in the open air, he would have been hurled to the ground +with great force. But he managed to recover himself, and caught a +shadowy glimpse of the great shark darting off, as the knife dropped +from the wound and sank to the bottom. Not wishing to lose the +valuable weapon, Storms walked forward, and seeing it lying on the +bottom, at a point which seemed to be the edge of the oyster-bed, he +stooped over and recovered it. + +He had now been down a considerable while, and muttered: + +"The captain promised to signal me if trouble came, and he hasn't done +so. But, for all that, I don't believe it will be safe for me to stay +down here much longer. I may as well----" + +The sentence was never finished, for it received a startling +interruption. The rubber pipes by which he breathed were suddenly +closed, and Abe Storms knew it had been done purposely by some one +above. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE REVOLT + + +For a brief while after the descent of the mate of the _Coral_, +incased in his new diving armor, the four men above did nothing more +than merely wait for his coming up. But all the time the parties were +watching each other, for Captain Bergen was convinced that the crisis +was at hand. The mutineers had learned where the oyster-bed was, and +therefore could be no longer restrained by that consideration. They +could get on without the diving-armor, though they saw how convenient +it might be to have it; but, since it was connected with the shore, it +could be drawn in and recovered if they should need it. + +The mate was down in the ocean, and the captain was standing on terra +firma. What more favorable separation was likely to present itself? +Here were three men against one, and the three had gained the secret +which had restrained them so long. + +"I say," said Hyde Brazzier, "does the mate down there find things as +he expected?" + +"We can tell that better after he comes up," was the reply of the +captain, who kept his hand at his hip, where it could rest on the butt +of his revolver. "But there is reason to believe that he isn't +disappointed." + +"And he breathes through these pipes that lie here?" pursued Brazzier, +while the expression on the face of Pomp and Redvignez convinced +Skipper Bergen that serious mischief was coming. + +"You can see that without asking me," replied he, stepping back a pace +or two so as to keep the men before him. + +"Well, if a man can't get what air he wants, what is likely to +happen?" continued Brazzier, with an insolent swagger that was +exasperating, following upon his fawning sycophancy. + +"Any fool would know that he would die." + +"Well, now that we've landed, I don't see as there is any need of a +mate or a captain neither, with this crew--do you, boys?" + +And he turned toward his companions with a laugh. + +"Of course not. The best place for him is in Davy Jones' locker!" said +Redvignez. + +"Now you is talkin' right!" was the characteristic comment of the +negro, Pomp, who seemed the most eager of the three, when the mutiny +had come to a head. + +It was evident that Brazzier had determined to drown the mate while he +was below the surface. + +"The first man who interferes with those pipes I will shoot dead!" + +Captain Bergen spoke the words in a low voice, but there could be no +mistaking his deadly earnestness. Feeling that the crisis had come, +the captain determined to give the signal agreed upon with Abe Storms, +which was a sudden jerk of the rope fastened to the one around the +waist of the mate. The latter would understand that his presence above +was needed at once. + +The captain was in the act of stooping over, when Redvignez sprang +behind him with the stealth and agility of a cat, and struck his arm a +violent blow. His purpose was to knock the revolver out of the +captain's hand, so that he and his friends could secure the use of it. +But he overdid the matter, for the revolver went spinning out of the +captain's hand and dropped into the water, where it sank out of sight. +Startled and shocked, he straightened up without giving the signal to +Abe Storms below the surface. + +None of the party had any firearms, but Captain Bergen saw it would be +madness for him to make any resistance. Without a moment's hesitation, +therefore, he wheeled about and ran with all the speed of which he was +capable. + +His flight was not altogether an aimless one, for he hoped to reach +the schooner, lying an eighth of a mile away, far enough in advance of +his pursuers to seize one of the rifles carefully concealed there, and +to make defense against his foes. The instant he broke into a run, his +pursuers did the same, uttering loud shouts, as if they were American +Indians who were certain of their prey. + +For the time, it was a question of speed between pursuers and pursued. +If the latter could reach the craft considerably ahead of the others, +there was a chance of his making a successful defense against the +three who were seeking his life. If he failed to attain the goal, he +felt it would be all over with him, for they were not the men to show +any mercy. + +Darting among the palm-trees, therefore, he strained every nerve to +draw away from his enemies, while they strove, with equal desperation, +to overtake him. + +It was a straight run, and comparatively an unobstructed one, for the +palm-trees were far enough apart to give him a pretty fair course, +which was of equal advantage to all parties. Perhaps it is possible, +therefore, to imagine the anxiety with which, after running a short +distance, Captain Bergen glanced over his shoulder to see how his +pursuers were making out. But it is not possible to appreciate his +consternation when he saw that two of them were outrunning him, and, +as he had striven to his very utmost, the frightful truth was manifest +that he was sure to be overtaken before he could reach the _Coral_. + +Those who were gaining upon him were Pomp, the negro, and Brazzier +himself. But the fact that they were gaining upon him was no cause for +the fugitive falling down and yielding without a struggle. He still +had his sheath-knife, which he grasped with a despairing feeling as he +realized, during those awful seconds, that complete, disastrous +failure, instead of the brilliant success he had counted upon, had +overtaken him at last. + +The pursuers gained rapidly, and not one-half the distance was passed, +when all three of the men were almost within striking distance, for +Redvignez was at the elbow of his companions. Captain Bergen looked +over his shoulder, and was about to throw his back against a +palm-tree, with the view of turning at bay and fighting to the last, +when, like the historical John Smith of our own earlier times, his +lack of attention to his feet precipitated the very fate against which +he was struggling. His feet struck some obstruction, and being +exhausted from his extraordinary exertion, he pitched forward and fell +on his face. As he went down he was conscious of hearing two widely +different sounds--one the exultant cries of the pursuers, and the +other the terrified scream of a little girl. + +Captain Bergen attempted to rise, but Redvignez and Brazzier were upon +him, and the knife of the latter was upraised with the purpose of +ending the matter then and there forever, when the cry of the child +was heard the second time, and little Inez sprang, like Pocahontas, +between the uplifted arm and the intended victim. + +"Oh, don't hurt him! Please don't hurt him! Please, please don't hurt +him, 'cause I love him!" pleaded the agonized child, with all the +earnestness of her nature. + +The position of the prostrate captain attempting to rise, and the +little one interceding for him, was such that the mutineer hesitated +for the moment, for he could not strike without endangering her life. +Seeing this, with the wonderful quickness which sometimes comes over +the youngest child in such a crisis, Inez persistently forced her body +with amazing quickness in the way of the poised knife as it started to +descend more than once--the other two holding back for their leader to +finish the work. + +Brazzier was a man of tigerish temper, and he became infuriated in a +few seconds at this repeated baffling of his purpose. + +"Confound you!" he suddenly exclaimed, with a fierce execration. "If +you will keep in the way, then you must take it!" + +The arm was drawn still further back, with the intention of carrying +out this dreadful threat, when the wrist was seized in the iron grip +of Black Pomp, who said: + +"Hold on, dere! None ob dat! De man dat hurts a ha'r ob dat little +gal's head will got sot down on by me, an' mashed so flat dat he'll +neber rose ag'in. Does you hear me, sah?" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE FRIEND IN NEED + + +There was no excuse for not hearing this warning, for it was uttered +in a voice loud enough to reach over the whole extent of the atoll. + +Both Redvignez and Brazzier were enraged at the interference, and +there was an instant of time when the two were on the point of +attacking him. But he was a terrible foe for any one to assail, and he +would have made warm work, as they well knew, for he was not afraid of +the two together. + +Brazzier was quick to comprehend the situation, and he refrained. + +"Take away the girl, then," he commanded, "so I can get at him." + +"I will not leave him," declared Inez, throwing her arms about the +neck of the captain, who was rising to his feet. "You mean to hurt +him, and you shan't hurt him without hurting me. He has been kind, and +he's a good man." + +"Take her away," commanded Brazzier, with difficulty repressing his +anger at the repeated delay. + +"Oh, Pomp! You won't let him hurt the captain?" pleaded Inez, turning +toward him, and ready to throw her arms about his dusky neck, were it +not that she was afraid to leave the captain for the moment--he having +risen to his feet, while he held her hand and looked at his enemies, +panting from his own great exertion, though he did not speak a word. + +Even in the dreadful peril which enveloped him, he was too proud to +ask for mercy from such wretches. + +But the appeal of Inez to Pomp had produced its effect. When she +turned her misty eyes upon him, and pleaded in such piteous tones for +mercy, the mouth of the huge African twitched, and any one could see +that a hard struggle was going on within. + +"If you don't keep those bad men from hurting Captain Bergen," she +added, in the same impassioned manner, "I'll never speak to +you--never, never, never--there!" + +This was accompanied by a stamp of her tiny foot, and then she burst +into weeping--sobbing as if her heart would break. + +Hyde Brazzier stood irresolute, and seemed on the point of leaping, +knife in hand, upon the captain. But the prayer of the innocent child +had settled the question, and the sable Hercules sprang in front of +the endangered man. + +"Dis 'ere thing hab gone fur 'nough; let de cap'in alone. If dere's +any killin' to be done, why I'm de one dat's gwine to do it." + +The two mutineers were wild with fury, for this unexpected show of +mercy promised to upset the whole scheme they had been hatching for +weeks. Both Redvignez and Brazzier protested vehemently, seeking to +show that it was imperatively necessary that both the officers should +be put out of the way, and that since the mate was gone, it was the +sheerest folly to allow the captain to remain. + +But the words were thrown away. + +The prayer of little Inez Hawthorne had reached the heart of the +gigantic African, and the sight of the child standing there weeping +was more than he could bear, although it but served to add to the +exasperation of the other two savages. + +Captain Bergen did not stand mute and motionless during all this rush +of events, which really occupied but a few seconds. As soon as he saw +the way open, he took the hand of little Inez and began moving in the +direction of the schooner, his purpose being to secure refuge upon +that if possible. As he moved away he saw Pomp and the two mutineers +in conference, for Brazzier and Redvignez at that moment would have +given a large share of their prospective wealth for the purpose of +disposing finally and forever of the captain. + +"We have been in mutinies before, Pomp, and the only safe course--and +that ain't safe by any means--is to follow the rule that dead men tell +no tales." + +"Dat may be de rule, but it ain't gwine to work in dis case; an' de +reason am 'cause de little gal dere don't want it done. You can talk +an' argufy fo' fourteen years, but it won't do no good. De only way +you can finish up de job am by killin' me fust." + +The foregoing is the substance of the protests and replies of the two +parties to the angry discussion. It so happened, as we have shown, +that the African held the balance of power. He was strong and +courageous, and he was armed and ready to fight, and they knew it. +They did not dare to attack him openly, where the result was so likely +to be disastrous to both, and they were compelled to fall in with his +scheme of saving the captain, though it can well be understood that it +was the most distasteful thing to which they could consent. + +This discussion lasted but a few minutes; but, as we have said, it was +improved by Captain Bergen, who saw that the wisest course for him to +pursue was to remove the cause as far as practical. He walked backward +a few steps until he was some way off, when he turned about, still +holding the hand of Inez in his, and they continued until a number of +palm-trees intervened, when he sped so rapidly that the child was kept +on a run to maintain her place at his side. She had ceased her crying, +but her face and eyes were red, and she was in an apprehensive, +nervous and almost hysterical condition from the terrible scene she +had witnessed--a scene such as should never be looked upon by one of +her tender years. + +A minute later Captain Bergen caught sight of the trimly-built +schooner lying at rest in the lagoon, close to the shore, and his +heart gave a throb of hope, that, if he could once secure position on +her deck, he would be able to hold his own against the mutineers. + +During the next few hurried minutes occupied in the passage to the +schooner, the conviction had grown upon him that this mercy which had +spared his life for a brief while would not be continued. Pomp Cooper +would not continue to be his friend after his spasm of affection for +Inez should spend itself, and devoid as the African was of intellect, +he was likely to understand that the true course of the party who had +entered upon the villainy was to make thorough work of it. + +The captain saw the three men still talking and gesticulating angrily +when he reached the schooner. + +In a twinkling he had lifted Inez upon the deck, and then he sprang +after her. He ran into the cabin, reappearing in an instant with the +three loaded rifles. + +"Now," said he, with a sigh of relief, "let them come! I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A STRANGE VISITOR + + +But the mutineers took good care not to show themselves just then; and +the captain, deeming such a course prudent, tugged at the anchor until +it was lifted, when he managed to shove the craft off, and reaching +the middle of the lagoon, the anchor was dropped. + +"Now they won't be likely to approach without my seeing them," was his +conclusion; "and so long as I can keep awake, I can hold them at bay. +I hate to shoot a man, but if ever a person had justification for +doing so, I have. I am rather inclined to think that if either +Brazzier or Redvignez should wander into range, one of these rifles +would be likely to go off!" + +Seeing no immediate danger, Captain Bergen descended into the cabin +for a few minutes. Poor, tired Inez had thrown herself on the hammock +and was sound asleep. + +"Sleep, little one," murmured the captain, as he lingered for a minute +to look at the sweet, infantile face, in the gathering twilight. "It +is a sad fate which orders you to witness so much violence, and sorry +I am that it is so; but where would I have been excepting for you?" + +Then he softly left the cabin and took his position on deck. The moon +was full, which was gratefully noticed by the captain, for he could +easily keep awake all night, and thus detect the approach of his +enemies. In fact, his nerves were so unstrung that he would not be +able to sleep for many hours to come. + +"But what is to be done hereafter?" + +This was the question he put to himself, and which had to be +answered. + +The mutineers kept carefully out of sight, and, as night settled over +the scene, the captain remained wide awake and vigilant. There was +ample food for thought and reflection--the cutting of the hose-pipes +of the diving apparatus, the attack by the mutineers, the terrible +flight and pursuit, the interference of Inez--all these and more +surged through the brain of the captain, while he slowly paced back +and forth, with eyes and ears wide open. Inez still slumbered, and all +was silent, excepting the boom of the ocean against the coral-reef; +while, as the night wore on, the captain maintained his lonely watch. + +Captain Bergen scanned the fringe of shore which circled about him, +like a great wall thrown up between the lagoon and the Pacific, that +steadily broke on the outside. But turn his keen eyes wheresoever he +chose, he could detect not the slightest sign of the mutineers. He +thought it likely they would start a fire somewhere, but no starlike +point of light twinkled from beneath the palm-trees, and he was left +to conjecture where they were and what they were doing. + +"They will probably wait till they think I am asleep," was his +thought, "and then they will swim quietly out and try to board." + +He believed it would be either that way or they would construct a raft +and paddle themselves out to the schooner. Knowing the captain was on +the Coral, and knowing how important it was that he should not be +allowed to run away and leave them there, they would neglect no +precaution to prevent his going off. They, too, would understand what +it was he was waiting for, and they were seamen enough to know the +hour when he would be able to sail, and, consequently, what they were +to do to prevent it. + +"They have no way of closing the channel, or they would do so, and it +remains----Hello!" + +He was standing at the prow, looking carefully about him, and with all +his senses alert, and he stood thus fully twenty minutes, expecting +something whose precise nature he had already conjectured. + +"That splash meant something, and I think----" + +Just then he heard a commotion in the water directly under the prow, +and, looking over, he saw a strange-looking object, like one of the +uncouth monsters of the deep, come to the surface and begin climbing +up by aid of the fore-chains. + +"I say, cap'n, can't you give a fellow a lift?" + +It was the mate, Abe Storms, who asked the question, and, as the +captain extended his hand, he said, in a low, fervent voice: + +"Thank heaven! I was about giving you up for lost!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ON THE CORAL + + +Captain Bergen and Abe Storms, as may be supposed, greeted each other +ardently when the latter stepped upon the deck of the schooner, clad +in his diving-suit. + +"I was growing very anxious about you," said the captain, "for I could +not understand what kept you away so long." + +The eccentric New Englander, removing his headgear, but leaving the +rest of his armor on, laughed and asked: + +"Tell me what took place after I went down." + +The captain hurriedly related his experience, which has been already +told the reader. + +"We took a good deal of risk, as you know," said the mate, "and when I +went down in the water, I was a great deal more uneasy than I seemed +to be. I was expecting a signal from you, and when it did not come I +started for the surface. The shore is rough and craggy, you know, so +that it was something like climbing up stairs. + +"Well, I had got pretty well up when the pipes were cut. I understood +what it meant, and, holding my breath, with the water rushing down the +two hose-pipes, I scrambled for the top. + +"It may have been a perilous thing for you that the rascals pursued +you with such enthusiasm, but it was fortunate for me, for, although I +had a dry revolver under my armor, it was several minutes before I was +in a condition to use it. + +"As soon as possible, however, I made ready, believing you were in +sore need of help. Crawling forward on my hands and knees, I took a +quick look over the bank, and saw you and Inez walking off in the +direction of the schooner, with the three scamps sullenly watching +you. + +"I suspected what you tell me was the truth, and I was on the point of +rushing forward and making short work of them with my revolver, but it +flashed upon me that they possessed a fearful advantage over us. +Redvignez and Brazzier are as cunning as serpents, and one of them, +more than likely, would have caught up the little girl and held her in +front of him as a screen. + +"Inez would have proved an effectual armor, indeed, and, with her in +their possession, they would have been masters of the situation, and +could have dictated whatever terms they chose to us. Pomp would have +been transformed into a bitter enemy at once, and the chances of +disaster to us all were so great that I remained quiet, but watchful, +ready to dash forward to your assistance should it become necessary. + +"I lay down in a secluded place to rest, when--shall I confess it?--I +fell asleep, and did not wake up until half an hour ago. After +thinking the matter over, I decided still to deceive the rascals. I +was quite certain that the water in the lagoon was not very deep, so I +fastened the upper ends of the hose to floats, and walked out here on +the bottom." + +"Did you see anything of them?" + +"No; I don't know where they are; but you can feel sure they'll never +take their eyes off the schooner." + +After further discussing the exciting events of the day, they +considered the all-important question as to what should be their own +line of action. The decision which they reached was a most remarkable +one, being no less than to make a direct proposition to the mutineers +to turn over the schooner to them, with a portion of the oysters, and +to allow them to depart, while the captain, mate and little girl were +left upon the island. + +The captain was not convinced that this was altogether wise, and he +said: + +"Since your plan is for us to stay on the island, and allow them to +leave with the schooner, will you tell me how we are to depart, when +ready?" + +The mate indicated the inlet, where the mast was still pointing toward +the sky. + +"We've got to run our chances. We may be taken off in a week, and +possibly not for years; but, with all these probabilities before us, I +am in favor of surrendering the schooner, and allowing them to leave +us forever, if they will agree to do so." + +"But, if we make the proposition, will they not suspect our purpose, +or take it as a confession of weakness on our part?" + +"We must prevent that. But, captain, I've had all the sleep I want, +and you are in need of it. Better secure it, therefore, while you can. +Go below in the cabin and take your rest. I will stand guard here, and +you need have no fear of my dropping into slumber again." + +The captain remained some time longer, and even then was loth to +leave, but he consented to do so, and finally descended into the +cabin, where he threw himself upon his hammock without removing his +clothes. + +The incidents of the day were exciting enough to keep him awake, and, +despite the exhaustion of his body, he lay a long time before he +closed his eyes in slumber. Even then his sleep was haunted by +horrible dreams, in which he lived over again the scenes through which +he had passed, when, but for the piteous pleadings of little Inez, he +would have fallen a victim to the ferocity of the mutineers, and he +awoke more than once with a gasp and a start, which showed how +disturbed his mind was. + +He had not slept long when he suddenly awoke again, and looked around +in the gloom. The lamp overhead had been extinguished, and he was in +utter darkness, though the silvery glow of the moonlight outside was +perceptible through the windows and partly-open door. He could hear +the dull booming of the breakers on the outside of the atoll, but all +else was quiet, except the gentle breathing of Inez, in the berth +beneath his. + +"God protect her and us all!" he prayed, his heart, in the solemn +stillness and solitude, ascending to the only being who could assist +him and his friend in their dire extremity; for Captain Bergen was +sure that no one could be placed in greater peril than were he and Abe +Storms, so long as they remained among the Pearl Islands. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A VISIT FROM SHORE + + +In the meantime Abram Storms was acting the part of a vigilant +sentinel at his station on deck. + +There was no doubt in his mind that the mutineers were fearful the +schooner would sail away and leave them on the lonely coral island, +and they were certain, as he viewed it, to make some effort to prevent +such a disaster to them. But precisely how this was to be done was a +serious question. They knew that the captain, having reached the +_Coral_, had several rifles at command, and would not hesitate to +shoot them the instant any attempt was made against him or little +Inez, under his charge. + +Nothing was more certain than that an unremitting watch would be kept +upon the _Coral_, and, though they might believe there was but the +single man there, yet unquestionably he commanded the situation. + +"They will try some trick," muttered the mate; "but I shall have a +very small opinion of myself if they win. Pomp Cooper's affection for +Inez led him to interfere, when his interference accomplished a good +deal more than he imagined. Ah!" + +At that moment the mate heard a ghostly "Halloo!" from the shore, and +he recognized the voice as belonging to Pomp. + +"Just as I suspected," said Storms, to himself; "they're using the +negro as a cat's-paw. Well, I'll see what they are driving at." + +Imitating the tones of Captain Bergen as closely as possible, the mate +shouted: + +"What do you want?" + +"Am you dere?" was the rather superfluous question. + +"Yes." + +"Won't you let me come on board?" + +"What for?" + +"I'm sick ob dis business. I hab quarreled wid Redvig an' Brazzier, +an' I want to jine you an' git away from dis place." + +Abe Storms was not deceived for a moment by this transparent story. He +knew there had been no quarrel, but that the mutineers had planned to +get the negro on the schooner with the hope of deceiving the captain +and gaining a chance to overpower him when off his guard. + +"Come on out here, then," replied the mate, who quickly determined his +course of action. + +Almost at the same instant a loud splash was heard, and the head of +Pomp was descried in the moonlight, swimming toward the boat. The mate +kept himself concealed as much as he could, stepping back when the +negro began clambering up the fore-chains. Panting from his exertion, +he speedily came over the gunwale upon the deck. + +"Yes, cap'in, I's tired ob dem willains, an' I'm gwine----Oh! oh! +oh!" + +At that instant his eyes fell upon the figure of the mate, clad in his +diving-armor, with the exception of his face, which was so clearly +revealed in the moonlight that there could be no mistaking his +identity. + +Worse than that, the mate, standing as rigid as iron, had a gleaming +revolver pointed straight at him. Pomp sank on his knees in the most +abject terror. + +"Oh, my heben!" he chattered, clasping his hands, "I t'ought dat you +was drowned. Am you sartin dat you ain't?" + +"I am quite well satisfied on that point. But, Pomp, get up; I've got +a word or two to say to you." + +"I will, I will; but please p'int dat weepon some oder way." + +The mate complied, and the African, somewhat reassured, though still +considerably frightened, listened to the words of the man who he +supposed was drowned hours before. + +"I am alive and well, Pomp, as you can see, and so is the captain, who +is taking a short nap in the cabin. We are well armed, as you +know----" + +"Yas! yas! yas!" chattered the negro. + +"And we can sail away in the morning, at the turning of the tide, and +leave you here----" + +"Dat's what I want you to do, an' I'll go wid you." + +"You can't go! I know well enough what you came out here for. You +thought you would find a chance to get the upper hand of the captain, +and would let the other villains on board. There! you needn't deny it. +I understand the matter too well to be deceived." + +"Didn't I sabe de cap'in's life?" quavered Pomp, still fearful of the +cold, measured tones of the mate. + +"You befriended him at a critical moment, and therefore I won't shoot +you, when I have such a good chance to do so. But you have regretted +your interference more than once, and you are seeking now to undo all +the good you have done. We have it in our power not only to go away, +but to bring back a force which shall hang every one of you three, as +you deserve to be, but----" + +"Oh! oh-o-o-o!" + +"But we don't propose to do it. We are not going away to leave you +here. To-morrow we shall have a proposal to offer to your mates, which +they will be glad to accept. That is about all I have to say to you." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE DEPARTURE + + +As Mate Storms said, he had but little more communication to make with +the negro. + +"You may now swim back to your friends and say that we will be ready +to negotiate to-morrow morning. If they will come down to the shore, +we will have a talk and arrange the whole business. Now, perhaps, you +had better go back." + +Pomp Cooper was quick-witted enough to understand that this utterance +was in the nature of a hint for him to depart, and he stood not on the +order of his going. + +"Good-by, sah," he called out. "Much obleege fo' your kindness, dat I +shall remember a good while." + +Mate Storms stood motionless, watching him until he was perhaps a +hundred feet from the craft, when he said, just loud enough to be +heard: + +"Sharks are mighty plenty hereabout, and I saw a big one yesterday. +Shouldn't wonder if he has a leg bit off before he gets back." + +Pomp heard the words, and they "disturbed" him, to put it mildly. +Evidently he had forgotten the peril to which all persons are exposed +in tropical waters, and, as the truth was impressed upon him with such +suddenness, he uttered a "whiff" like a porpoise and began swimming +with fierce energy toward the shore. In fact, he never put forth so +much effort in all his life. The expectation of feeling a huge +man-eating monster gliding beneath you when in the water is enough to +shake the nerves of the strongest swimmer. He kept diving and swimming +as far as he could below the surface, and then came up and continued +his desperate efforts until he reached the land, where he joined his +companions. + +Abe Storms stood looking and listening, his face expanded in a broad +smile, when he heard a light laugh at his elbow. Turning his head, he +found the captain there. + +"I heard your summons to him," said the captain, by way of explanation, +"and I came up to hear what it meant. I must admit, you managed the +case well." + +"It might have been worse. My only fear is that the imps won't believe +we honestly intend to hold the conference with them, and offer a +compromise." + +"They will find it out at daylight, and meanwhile they can't help +themselves. It is useless for me to stay below, Abe," added the +nervous captain. "There's too much on my mind to sleep." + +Therefore, the two remained on watch until the sun rose, at which time +there was nothing to be seen of the mutineers. + +"They're suspicious," concluded the mate, who called out, in a loud +voice that reached every portion of the island: + +"Hello, men! come and show yourselves. We want to have a talk with +you!" + +A few minutes later Hyde Brazzier appeared on the shore and answered +back again. It was deemed best to give the mutineers a proof of their +sincerity, and instead, therefore, of holding the conversation from +the deck of the schooner, the small boat was lowered, and both the +captain and mate entered it and rowed ashore, where all three awaited +them, as may be supposed, with some degree of astonishment. + +Storms and Captain Bergen were not without some misgivings, and they +did not venture unprepared into the lion's den. Both carried a loaded +revolver at command, and in case of an attack the business would have +been lively. But it was unreasonable to suppose that our friends would +be assailed under the peculiar circumstances. Furthermore, as the +parties understood each other, there was no time wasted in reproaches +or recriminations, but Captain Bergen came directly to the point. + +"This state of things can't last," said he; "we are deadly enemies, +and we would kill each other on the slightest pretext. The island is +too small to contain us all. Either you three or we two must leave +before the sun reaches meridian, or we shall go to fighting like caged +tigers. Neither can we go away together, for I would not trust any of +you again, nor would you trust either of us; therefore, one party must +go, and the other must stay--which shall it be? We were prepared to +leave, when we reflected that if we should be caught in some of the +storms which sweep over this region, the mate and I would hardly be +able to manage the schooner, and we are anxious to take care of the +little girl, to whom we are greatly attached. There are three of you, +all able-bodied seamen, and in case of a tempest you would be able to +navigate the _Coral_. It would be safer, therefore, for you to take +the vessel and go to some of the ports, secure assistance and send +them after us. We make, therefore, this proposition: We will turn over +the schooner to you, on condition that you leave with us such stores +as we may choose to take, and that you proceed at once to the nearest +of the inhabited Paumotu Islands and send assistance to us. +Furthermore, as you know all about the pearl-oysters, we will agree +to divide with you. You can take up half of what are on the bed out +yonder, and you may carry them away with you, leaving a moiety to us. +You are to sail just as soon as the oysters are placed on board. +That's our proposition--what do you say?" + +There could be no doubt that the mutineers were astonished by the +generosity of the offer, coming, as it did, from those who were in +reality masters of the situation. + +Had they been a little more cunning, they might have suspected there +was something behind it all, which was kept carefully out of sight; +but the terms were so good that Brazzier answered, the instant the +question was put to him: + +"We'll do it, and carry out our part fair and square." + +"Very well; there's no need of delay. We'll bring the schooner inshore +and take out what we want, and then turn the craft over to you." + +This amazing programme was carried out to the letter. Captain and +mate, accompanied by Pomp, rowed back in the small boat, and the +schooner was carefully worked toward the shore. + +Abe Storms and Captain Bergen saw that among the possibilities of the +future was a long stay on the lonely island, and they therefore +prepared for such a contingency, having an eye mainly to securing +that which little Inez would be likely to need. Pomp informed the +officers that there was a small cabin a short distance away, which had +no doubt been put up by the sailors of whom Grebbens had told the +captain. It was made of planking that had come ashore from the wreck, +and the fact that it had stood so long proved that it must have been +built with much skill as well as strength. + +It was found just as represented by Pomp--there being two compartments, +each a dozen feet or so square, and one of these was so well put +together that it seemed to be waterproof. Our friends were greatly +surprised and pleased over the discovery, for Grebbens had never said +anything about the structure. + +The goods from the _Coral_ were carried to this building and deposited +in the rear room, which was so tight that one would have almost +suffocated had he remained in it during the tropical weather which +prevails among the Paumotu Islands most of the time. + +The goods stowed there were of a varied assortment, including the +three breech-loading rifles, ammunition, tool-chest and contents, a +portion of the medicine-chest, some biscuits, cooking utensils, and a +trunk of calicoes, linens and materials such as are used in the making +of feminine costumes. It was a singular coincidence that Abe Storms +had provided a considerable quantity of this before leaving San +Francisco, knowing as he did the fondness of savages for such finery, +and having a suspicion that it might be turned to good account in the +way of barter in some of the South Sea islands. Little did he suspect +the use to which it would be put, and thankful indeed was he that it +was at his command, when it was so likely to be needed for Inez +Hawthorne. + +There was a goodly amount of stock, which was transferred to the +cabin, the mutineers assisting with the rest, for all felt there was +no time to lose. There was mistrust at first, each party seeming to be +suspicious of the other, but it soon wore off, and any one looking +upon them could not have been made to believe they were deadly +enemies. + +When the transfer was completed, it was evident that the current was +close upon its turn, and unless they should leave the island soon, +they would be compelled to wait perhaps twelve or twenty-four hours +longer. + +Since the sea was very calm, Hyde Brazzier proposed that the schooner +should be taken outside and anchored directly over the pearl-oyster +bed, so that sail could be hoisted as soon as they were ready. There +was a slight risk in the action, but it was done, and after some +careful maneuvering the _Coral_ was secured in position. + +It looked very magnanimous and somewhat stupid for Abe Storms to +volunteer to go down in his coat of armor and scoop the oysters into a +huge basket, for the very parties who had tried so hard to drown him +when similarly engaged the day before. Nothing, it would seem, could +be more absurd, and yet the reader is requested to suspend judgment +until he shall have read the following chapter. + +All this was done, and in the course of the succeeding two hours fully +three-fourths of the oysters scattered over that particular bed were +dumped upon the deck of the _Coral_, and Abe Storms, pretty well +exhausted, was pulled to the surface. The captain and mate, with the +armor, rowed themselves the short distance ashore in the small boat. +The _Coral_ hoisted sail, and, heading out to sea, rapidly sped away +over the Pacific. + +And all this time the three mutineers felicitated themselves upon the +manner in which they had gotten the best of the bargain. And yet, +never in all their lives had they been so completely outwitted as they +were by Abe Storms and Captain Jack Bergen, as we shall now proceed to +show. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND + + +The three mutineers on board the schooner Coral had sailed away and +disappeared from view on the face of the vast Pacific, and the captain +and mate were left with little Inez alone upon a small, lonely member +of the Paumotu Group, in the distant South Seas. + +Inez was too young to realize the gravity of the situation, and she +ran hither and thither, delighted with her new home, though she found +the cabin too warm inside to be comfortable, and she made frequent +draughts upon the spring of cool, clear water near which the former +residents of the atoll had built the cabin. Then, too, she had found +that there was considerable tropical fruit growing in the place, and +she made such havoc among it that Captain Bergen felt impelled to +caution her, if she should become sick on their hands, she would be +apt to fare ill, for they had little medicine at command. + +While she was thus engaged, captain and mate were reclining on the +ground, in the shade of the palm-trees. They spoke only now and then, +but there was a peculiar expression on their faces as they watched the +schooner gradually disappearing in the distance, for it was a long +while in sight. The time came at last, however, when even their +straining vision could not detect the faintest resemblance to a sail +in the horizon, though it was still visible, as a matter of course, +through their glasses. + +"I believe she is gone," said Storms, looking toward the captain. + +"Yes; I see nothing of her." + +"Then it's about time to shake." + +The two brawny hands clasped, and the friends greeted each other with +remarkable cordiality; and, as they did so, they laughed heartily, and +the mate almost shouted: + +"Captain, but it was a good trick!" + +"So it was; and I give you the credit of inventing it. I never would +have thought of it." + +"Shake again; and now to work." + +The mate had deposited some of the oysters brought up on the bank, and +they were carefully opened. They were eight in number, and there was +not found a single pearl among them. + +In all probability the entire lot which were carried away upon the +schooner were not worth as much as the same quantity of bivalves from +Chesapeake Bay. In short, this was not the pearl-oyster bed which had +brought the two friends the greater part of the way around the globe. +Suspecting--or, rather, knowing--the evil intentions of the mutineers, +Abe Storms proposed the ruse, by which the visit was made to the wrong +place. The mutineers themselves were outwitted, and, under the belief +that they were carrying away a cargo of fabulous wealth, they did not +wait to make an examination of the mollusks until they were well out +to sea. + +When they should open and examine them they were not likely to suspect +the trick, but would think that the whole journey was a failure, and +the three left on the island were, in reality, worse off than +themselves. + +And yet the true bed of oyster-pearls remained to be visited. + +"It is possible they may suspect something and come back again," said +the mate, "but it is hardly probable." + +"Are they likely to send any friends to take us off?" asked the +captain, with a quizzical look. + +"Not to any great extent. They will be sure to give us as wide a +berth hereafter as possible. In the meantime, I propose that we +investigate." + +The two rose to their feet, and, lugging the armor between them, +moved off toward a point whose location was as well known to them as +if they had spent years upon the atoll. + +While they were thus walking, the mate, who was much the better-educated +man, said: + +"This pearl-hunting is a curious business. Those specimens that I +brought up were the genuine species, and yet they have very few or no +pearls among them. It must be because the conditions are not favorable +for their creation or development, while, at the place we are about to +visit, the mollusks are the same, and yet there are conditions +existing there which cause an abnormal growth of the precious +jewels." + +"Did you make a careful examination of those other oysters?" + +"Yes. As I told you, they are genuine, but they have no pearls of any +account, the conditions being unfavorable for their formation. You +know the pearls grow within the oysters, being composed of slimy +secretions deposited around some foreign substance that enters them. +It may be that a peculiar action of the tide drives a grain of sand +into the mollusks, where we are to visit--though that is all +conjecture." + +But Mate Storms, who was only fairly launched out in the discourse +upon pearls, was here interrupted by the captain exclaiming: + +"This must be the spot." + +The particular bank had been designated so clearly that there could be +no mistake, and had the chart, or map, fallen into the hands of the +mutineers, they would have discovered the trick played on them in an +instant. The spot was a peculiar one where the two friends stopped. +Instead of being partly landlocked like the other, it opened out +fairly upon the sea, and appeared to be entirely unprotected from the +force of the breakers, which boomed against the beach. + +It would have been supposed naturally that the true course was for the +fishermen to go out in a small boat, and make their explorations from +that, but Grebbens had instructed the captain that the formation was +so peculiar that nothing would be gained by this course. The shore +sank like the side of a wall to a considerable depth, and the oysters +lay on the bottom, with some clusters clinging to the rocks, where +they could be torn off like sponges. + +It can be understood that the work of removing these would be almost +impossible for any one excepting a professional diver, unless, as was +the case with our friends, he should have some artificial assistance. +But for the diving-armor, it is hardly possible that Abe Storms would +have made a serious attempt to secure anything, knowing the danger +from sharks, and the difficulty of retaining his breath for any +extended time below the surface of the water. + +It was near the middle of the afternoon when this spot was reached. +The sea was calm, but there were signs in the sky ominous of a coming +storm, so that the two were anxious to make a beginning without any +unnecessary delay. Stooping almost upon their faces, when the swell +had receded enough to permit them, they peered down into the crystal +depths, and caught shadowy glimpses of the prizes. They saw the craggy +clusters, big and brown, clinging to the rocks, while others were +outlined on the floor of the bank. + +"They're there, beyond a doubt," said Storms, "and it now remains to +see whether they are worth the gathering. Help me get on this suit." + +Both worked deftly, and it was soon adjusted. The main thing was the +breathing apparatus, Storms having some fear that at such a depth the +pressure would be so great as to close the pipes, and thus shut out +the air. However, the only way to learn was by experiment, and he did +not wait. Carefully coiling his pipe, he took the rope in his hand and +began descending, the two having arranged the signals so that with +ordinary care no accident need result. Captain Bergen held one end of +the rope in his hand, ready to draw his friend to the surface the +instant he should receive notice that it was necessary. + +"It is a long way to the bottom!" exclaimed the captain, standing like +the harpooner in a whale-boat, and saw the line steadily paying out. + +"It won't do for him to go much further," was his conclusion, +noticing, with some alarm, that but little more of the hose was left +on the ground. "I wish those pearls had fixed themselves not +quite----Hello!" + +He knew from the instant cessation of the weight on the rope, and the +motionless condition of the hose, that the bottom had been reached by +Abe Storms, and none too soon, either. Peering carefully into the +clear depths, Captain Bergen saw, too, that his mate was attending to +business. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AT LAST + + +Mate Storms, so far as could be seen, looked like an immense crab at +work on the bottom of the pearl bank and along the rough rocks. He was +so far below the surface that he was insensible to the long, heavy +swells, which at intervals broke upon the beach with a thunderous +boom, and so long as the breathing apparatus kept right he could +pursue his labor without difficulty. + +As he anticipated, he had not been long at work when several sharks +made their appearance and reconnoitered the mysterious intruder upon +their domains. They were evidently puzzled over the appearance of the +strange visitor, and when Storms gave one of them an ugly prod with +the point of his knife, he darted out of sight, instantly followed by +the others, who seemed to suspect they were in danger from the +monster, whose slightest touch was so emphatic. + +It did not take long for the diver to fill his basket, and when he +gave the signal, Captain Bergen pulled with might and main, and, a +few minutes after, the man in his armor scrambled upon shore, tumbled +over by a huge swell, which broke at that moment. The basket was full, +and catching it up, Captain Bergen left his friend to himself and +began hurriedly prying open the mollusks with his sheath-knife. His +heart throbbed, for they were the largest oysters he had ever seen, +and he was full of high hope. + +The first bivalve opened disclosed a pearl almost as large as a +robin's egg. It possessed the faint yellowish tinge which is +recognized in the East as belonging to the most valuable species. + +With trembling, eager hands, Captain Bergen opened the second, and +discovered another, nearly as large as the first. Half beside himself, +he snatched up the largest oyster in the heap, and forced it apart +with such precipitancy that he cut his hand. There lay a pearl before +him fully a third larger than the first, with the purest tint, oval in +form, and worth thousands of dollars. + +Captain Bergen could contain himself no longer, but springing to his +feet he threw his hat in the air, and shouted, and danced about like a +madman. + +Mr. Storms did not remove his armor, for he intended to go down again. +His laugh, muffled and sounding strangely from within the visor, was +heard as he joined in the demonstrations of his companion. + +When, encumbered as he was with his awkward armor, he began executing +a double shuffle on the beach, the sight was so grotesque that the +captain came near going into convulsions. But the exercise was too +exhausting, and the mate speedily sat down on the shore and also began +opening oysters. His ardor was somewhat dampened when he failed to +discover anything in the first, and he became quite solemn when the +second was equally barren of results; but the third yielded a +beautiful pearl, fully equal to the first which the captain brought +forth. There could be no doubt now that the men had struck a pearl +bank of marvelous richness. + +"There are plenty more down there," said the mate, preparing to +descend with his knife and basket again. + +Captain Bergen allowed him to go, while he took the rope in hand, +restraining his excitement with difficulty, for he was now sure that +the wildest dreams in which he had indulged promised to be more than +realized, and he considered the fortune of himself and friend +assured. + +"The fools," he muttered, referring to the mutineers; "if they had +acted the part of honest men they might have shared this, but they +chose to be scoundrels, and truly they have had their reward." + +He noticed this time that the mate drew more upon the hose than +before--so much so, indeed, that he threatened to draw the upper ends +under water--and the captain gave a warning tug at the rope, to +apprise him that he must venture no further. The warning was heeded, +and when, a few minutes later, the diver was helped to terra firma +again, his basket was filled heaping full. + +This was dumped out, and he prepared to descend once more. Captain +Bergen was so occupied in attending to his friend that he gained +little time to open the oysters, and could only look longingly at +them. Now and then, while the diver was cautiously working below, the +captain snatched one up and pried the shells apart, and the success he +met with was enough to turn the head of the coolest and most +unconcerned of men. Beyond question, as we have said, the bank +contained oysters of astonishing richness, fully three-fourths +possessing pearls of extraordinary size and value. + +Abe Storms went down and came up with the basket heaped to the top six +separate times, and then doffed his armor. + +"What's the matter?" asked the captain, in surprise. + +"That's all!" + +"What! are there no more?" + +"Not another one, so far as I can see." + +"That's too bad," observed the captain, in a tone of disappointment. +"I supposed there was enough to keep us employed several days." + +"Ah, Jack," replied the mate, in a reproving tone, "see the emptiness +of riches, and how little they can do to satisfy the cravings of the +human heart. There is enough wealth there at your feet to make you and +me independently rich for life, and yet you complain because you have +so little." + +"It was wrong," said the captain, meekly. "I am in such a nervous +condition that I'm hardly myself. I am truly grateful for what we have +here, and glad that we made the long voyage to secure them. We have +enough--to crave more is wicked." + +They now set to work opening the shells between which were nestling +the pearls, and the result was simply astonishing. It was hard work to +get some of the thick, ridgy bivalves apart, but when they succeeded +they rarely failed to be rewarded munificently. Some of the pearls +were small, the majority large, and about twenty of enormous size and +clearness. When the entire lot was placed in a little pile, there were +found to be one hundred and twenty-odd; and, although it was +impossible to estimate their value, Mate Storms--who was the better +informed--believed they were worth at least a quarter of a million of +dollars. All these had been taken in a few hours, though the +preparations and the voyage thither had occupied many long, long +months. + +"I think I will go down and take a farewell look," said Abe, when the +task was finished. "I have a suspicion that I may have missed +something." + +"I am quite sure you have," replied the captain, assisting him with +his armor; "and you have but a short time at your disposal, either, +for I think a storm is brewing." + +This time the mate meant to proceed differently. In descending along +the rocks the first time, he paused to break off some of the clusters, +and he thought he caught the shadowy glimpse of an enormous oyster, +further in; but there were so many closer at hand, and he was so +excited--despite his natural coolness--that he forgot about it until +now, when he determined to look further, half hoping, more than +believing, that it might possess a still larger pearl than any he had +seen. He was confident that this was the only one he had missed, for +the search he made during his last descent, in other respects, was +thorough and left nothing to be done over again. + +Carefully he sank into the depths of the ocean, with one hand grasping +the rope, ready to give the signal to stop lowering the instant it +should become necessary. He passed several yawning crevices in the +rocks, which, of course, were of coral formation, and all at once he +tugged smartly at the rope. He recognized the spot, and his feet were +still about three yards from the bank upon which he had walked back +and forth so many times. Captain Bergen responded at once, and held +him suspended where he was, which was anything but a comfortable +position, inasmuch as he could find no support for his feet, and his +left hand was of little use. + +Immediately before his face the rock made an inward sweep, showing an +abrupt ledge, a yard in width and depth. Scanning this as closely as +he could in the dim twilight of the ocean-cavern, Storms thought he +saw something resembling an oyster, which was fully a foot in length. +Uncertain as to its identity, he shoved his hand in and found it was +suspended to the rock above, and after two or three violent wrenches, +and by using his knife as well as he could, he broke it loose and drew +it out. + +It was an oyster, indeed, of prodigious size, and he instantly +signaled to the captain to draw him up. The latter did so with a vigor +that threatened to dislocate the armor itself. + +"Here it is," he exclaimed, the moment he reached the air. "But I +don't know whether there is anything in it or not." + +"My stars! Is that an oyster?" asked the captain, picking it up and +turning it over like a huge stone, with inquiring eyes. + +Little Inez Hawthorne had come to the spot while the mate was down the +last time, and she danced with delight at the sight of the beautiful +pearls piled upon the ground like a heap of tiny cannon balls. + +"What are you going to do with that?" she asked, surveying the big +bivalve, with an expression of disgust on her pretty face. + +"That is yours," said the captain, earnestly. + +The mate looked at him and said: + +"Do you mean that, captain?" + +"I do. Whatever we find inside of that shall be consecrated to the use +of Inez Hawthorne--to be hers absolutely. There may be nothing at all, +but if there be a pearl, it will possess a value which we cannot +estimate." + +The mate reached out his hand. + +"The proposition does credit to your heart, captain, and I join it +without reservation. Now do you open it." + +The captain hesitated a moment and looked at the big shell curiously, +as if afraid to make the investigation. + +While thus employed, Storms called attention to the fact that the two +shells were already slightly separated, as if the mollusk were gasping +for air, which could not be the case. Captain Bergen held up the huge +shell and peeped inside. He did so but an instant, when he dropped it +upon the sand, and exclaimed, with a pale face and trembling voice: + +"It's there!" + +Mate Storms knew what it meant, and he in turn raised the oyster, ran +his knife in carefully, worked hard for a minute, and then managed to +get the two shells apart. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PEARL OF THE PACIFIC + + +There, at the front of the oyster, and slightly to one side, was the +most marvelous pearl upon which the eyes of the men had ever rested. +It was the size of an ordinary hen's egg, clear and pure, and worth a +sum of money which neither of the astounded men dared attempt to +guess. + +For a few seconds they were speechless, and then Inez clapped her +hands with delight, and asked: + +"Is that for me?" + +"Yes, that is yours," replied Captain Bergen. "The mate and I give it +to you, to be yours and no one's else." + +"Isn't it splendid?" cried Inez, catching it up, passing it from one +hand to the other, holding it up in the sunlight, and showing as much +genuine pleasure as if she were a veritable South Sea Islander, +presented with some new trinket. + +"That," said Mate Storms, "may be called The Pearl of the Pacific!" + +"No," objected the captain, "it is she who is the pearl of this great +ocean, for it was upon its surface that we first saw her, and she has +proved herself far above the worth of pearls or diamonds or rubies. To +her, under heaven, my life, and not impossibly yours, is owing. The +greatest pleasure of this voyage has come from her companionship, and +all that I ask now is that we shall be able to preserve this wealth +for her, and that the opportunity may be ours to do our full duty +toward her." + +Mate Storms looked admiringly at the captain, who had so eloquently +expressed his own sentiments. + +"You are right, Jack," said he, speaking in his familiar way. "It is +she who is the Pearl of the Pacific!" + +The men surveyed, with the greatest pleasure, the frolicsome delight +of the little one, who was all unmindful of the immense treasure which +had fallen to her lot, and of the title of honor which her friends had +given her. Naturally, the entire party were so absorbed that for a +time they hardly glanced beyond their immediate surroundings; but when +Abe Storms came up for the last time, he glanced, by the merest +accident, out to sea, and exclaimed: + +"Oh, my goodness! Just look there, Jack!" + +No more than half a mile distant, a flying proa was seen, speeding +with great swiftness over the water, while a number of dark figures +were discovered on the deck, evidently looking with no little +curiosity at the white men. + +The singular craft, however, came no nearer, and soon vanished in the +distance. Its appearance caused some apprehension and uneasiness on +the part of our friends, and after discussing the matter they decided, +as a matter of precaution, to bury the pearls. + +Inez was persuaded, without difficulty, to trust hers to the keeping +of her friends, who dug a small well in the sand, and inclosing the +entire number of pearls in strong canvas bags, made for that purpose, +buried them out of sight, there to remain until one or both of the men +should choose to dig them up again, and it was agreed that that should +not be done until the way opened for them to leave the island. + +The long afternoon was well advanced when this task was completed, +they fixing the precise spot so clearly in their minds that there was +no necessity of landmarks, either being sure of finding it whenever it +should become necessary. + +"It seems to me the swells are larger than usual, and they make more +noise when they break upon the beach," observed Mr. Storms, looking +curiously at the sky. + +They had just dumped back the remains of the pearl-oysters into the +sea, so as to leave no trace of their work, and Captain Bergen +straightened up and surveyed the sky. + +"There's a storm coming--a regular screamer! Look, by the great horn +spoon!" he added, in no little excitement. + +There was good cause for the emotion of the captain, for the light of +the sun was obscured by a thick, yellow haze, which was fast +overspreading the sky, and, far out to sea, the long line of mist +seemed to be churning the water into foam, and to be advancing rapidly +toward the island, where stood the two men contemplating the coming +fury of the elements. + +The light of the sun was obscured, and there was a perceptible +chilliness in the air, and the barometer--which they had brought from +the _Coral_--showed a most startling change. One of the fiercest of +the tropical tempests was gathering, and was sure to break upon the +island in a few minutes. + +This was alarming to contemplate, for the men knew well what kind of +elemental disturbances spring up on the shortest notice in the South +Seas. But it was not this alone which startled them. + +Looking directly out to sea, toward the yeasty waters, they saw a +schooner sinking and rising upon the long swells, and certain to be +caught, in the very vortex, as may be said, of the hurricane, or +tornado, or typhoon, or whatever it should be termed. The craft was +not an unfamiliar one--both knew it well--for it was the _Coral_, with +the mutineers on board. + +Unarmed as they were, they would not dare place themselves in the +power of those toward whom they had shown such enmity, but that they +were literally forced to do so to escape almost certain destruction +from the impending tempest. + +If they should run into the lagoon to wait until the storm should +subside, neither the captain nor mate would disturb them--provided +they took their departure as soon as it became safe. Still, knowing +their treacherous character so well, Bergen and Storms did not mean to +trust them at all. Inez was therefore placed within the cabin, while +her protectors made certain they were armed and ready for any +contingency. + +Now that the sun was shut out from sight, a darkness like that of +night overspread land and water, while the strong gale howled among +the palms, which swayed and bent as if they would soon be uprooted and +flung out into the boiling sea. The swells were topped with foam, and +large drops of rain, sweeping almost horizontally across the island, +struck against the face like pebbles. + +The mutineers were heading, so far as was possible, towards the +opening in the atoll, but they were not in position to strike it, and, +with the deepening darkness and increasing tempest, the task was +becoming more difficult every minute. Suddenly a vivid flash of +lightning illumined the gloom, and the schooner _Coral_ was observed +on the crest of a high wave, heading toward the island; but the two +men who saw her, saw also, that she missed the opening and was too +close in to make it. + +The rumble of thunder continued for some minutes, when once more a +blinding flash swept across the murky sky, lighting up sea and island +for the instant, as if with the glare of the noonday sun. Captain +Bergen and Mate Storms were straining their eyes to catch sight of the +little schooner and its crew, but it was invisible. In that single +searching glance, they could not have failed to see her had she been +afloat. The conclusion, therefore, was inevitable. She and her crew +had gone to the bottom of the sea. + +Such was the fact. The mutineers had met a frightful though merited +fate, and could trouble our friends no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A DISMAL HOME + + +Captain Bergen and his mate were not certain that one or more of the +mutineers had not survived the foundering of the schooner _Coral_, and +had managed to reach the island. + +If such were the case, they considered it important that it should be +known as soon as possible, and on the morrow, therefore, they made +careful search, but none of the three men was ever seen again. A few +fragments of spars, floating here and there, were all the signs that +such a craft had ever sailed over the Pacific. + +Since the captain and mate were now given the opportunity to think of +their own situation, they did so like men of gravity and sense. They +were safely upon Pearl Island, as they had named it. They had secured +the prize for which they had come so many thousand miles, and they +were, as the world goes, wealthy men. More than that, they had found a +pearl of such marvelous size and purity that, being dedicated to +little Inez Hawthorne, it was a great fortune indeed to her. + +And yet, in one sense, the little party were paupers; that is, so long +as they were held prisoners upon the atoll, for the treasure of pearls +could not purchase them food, clothing, friends, happiness--nor, in +fact, were they anything more than so many valueless pebbles. They +must reach civilization again to realize anything from the riches +which had come into their possession. + +But how were they to leave the island? This was the one great question +which faced them, and which they were called upon to solve, for now +that there was no further cause for staying, the homesickness of the +men increased, and it was not long before they felt they would give +half their wealth for the means of getting back to Boston. + +Since they were absolutely without this means, it was evident they +could do nothing but rely upon Providence to send some vessel to their +relief. It was not impossible that Abe Storms, gifted as he was with +so much wonderful ingenuity, might have attempted to construct some +sort of craft from the palm trees, and it is quite likely he would +have succeeded in making something that could be utilized. But the +awful blotting out of the _Coral_, before their eyes, had alarmed +both, and made them more timid than they otherwise would have been. + +It was a good many miles to the nearest inhabited island, as laid down +on their chart, and they might succeed in reaching it, provided they +could be assured of a week of good weather. But there could be no such +assurance, and a disturbance meant the same fate that overtook the +mutineers. + +It is not at all unlikely, too, that the presence of little Inez +Hawthorne increased this timidity. Had they been without her, they +would not have hesitated to take great risks, but, somehow or other, +her life was inestimably precious in their eyes, and they would never +have forgiven themselves had any ill befallen her through their +dereliction of duty. + +"There is a mystery about her life which shall yet be cleared up," Abe +Storms frequently remarked; "and we must not do aught that shall +endanger or delay the solution of the question." + +There were comparatively few stores which the schooner had left them +before its final departure, and the survivors were forced to rely +mainly upon what the island afforded. Of course there were fish in +abundance, and they frequently rowed out in the lagoon in the tender, +or small boat, or cast out their lines from shore, and never failed in +a short time to catch all they wanted. + +The spring of clear, cool water bubbled and trickled steadily, and +never failed them. And the several species of tropical fruits about +them were used sparingly, the men having the prudence to seek to +prevent the supply giving out. + +It was a great relief to Storms and Bergen to find, after the most +thorough exploration they could make, that there were no poisonous +reptiles upon the island. + +"We may as well face the situation," said Captain Bergen, after they +had held frequent consultations; "we have been here five weeks now, +and we haven't caught sight of the first sail, with the exception of +our own, which has gone to the bottom, and it may be that weeks and +months more may pass before we shall see another." + +"It is not unlikely that it may be years," added Storms, gravely; +"for, according to the narrative of Grebbens himself, he was here a +long time before he was taken away. The wisest thing we can do is to +prepare ourselves for an indefinite stay." + +A long time before, the captain had laboriously climbed the mast which +was erected in the sand by the inlet, and had securely fastened an old +garment to the highest point. There it was still, fluttering in the +wind, when there was enough breeze to raise the irregular folds, but, +alas! it had not brought the friendly sail which they longed for, and +they had been forced at last to look upon an extended residence upon +the island as not only possible, but very probable. + +Like philosophers, they governed themselves accordingly. The signal +was kept flying and they busied themselves fishing, talking or doing +odd things which were done simply to pass away time. But the two felt +that a most urgent duty was upon them, respecting Inez Hawthorne. + +"We must do what we can for her," said Storms. "With the material +which I have on hand we can construct garments that will keep her clad +with comeliness, though she may not be in the fashion; and yet I don't +know but what she will," he added, with a smile, "for we may strike +some of the vagaries without knowing it. Then, too, she must be +educated." + +"I'm not well up in the line of an education," said the captain, with +some embarrassment, "being as I never attended any other than a +district school, but I believe you graduated, didn't you, Abe?" + +"Yes, I went through Harvard three years ago, and stood second in my +class. I haven't any fear that I won't be able to teach her, for she +is a child of unusual brightness." + +And, as may be supposed, the mate went to work thoroughly in the +instruction of Inez Hawthorne, who proved herself one of the most apt +of pupils, and advanced with a rapidity which delighted her teacher. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THREE YEARS + + +Three years have passed, and still Captain Bergen, Mate Storms and +Inez Hawthorne are upon the lonely Pearl Island in the South Sea. + +Could they have believed when they left Boston that they would be +doomed to such an imprisonment, it may well be doubted whether they +would have made the voyage, even if assured of the vast fortune which +thereby came into their hands. + +The three years had been dismally monotonous to them, and their +courage had been tried to the utmost, for there had been times when +both agreed that they would probably stay there until released by +death, and then they fell to speculating as to which would be the last +one to survive. According to human logic, it would seem that that lot +would fall to Inez, and their hearts sank at the thought of her being +left to perish in the lonely spot. + +When the coat fluttering from the top of the mast was blown away by +the gale, Captain Bergen climbed up and nailed another in its place, +grimly remarking that it looked as if they were going down with their +colors flying. + +It was surprising what was done by Mate Storms, whose ingenuity was +almost incredible. With the material at his command, he kept Inez +clothed in a tasteful manner. + +She wore dresses and shoes which fitted her well, and her hat was +renewed with extraordinary skill, from material obtained from the +palm-trees. + +Those three years, although of indescribable weariness at times, were +marked by some startling incidents, and by many worthy of record. The +great object of Storms was to educate Inez, and he did his utmost in +that direction, assisted by the bright intellect of the girl and her +own ardent desire to explore the wonders of knowledge. + +There were few facilities in the way of furniture, considered so +indispensable in these later days. He had no pens or ink, and only a +Bible in the way of books. He had some blank paper and a single lead +pencil, which were utilized to their fullest extent. For a slate or +blackboard, he used the beach, as did Archimedes of the olden time. + +Selecting a place where the water had left it hard and smooth, Storms, +with a sharp-pointed stick, made his characters and gave his +instruction in the mysteries of mathematics. + +It would sound incredible were we to say that, during those three +years, the dwellers on the lonely atoll had never descried a sail; and +such was not a fact, for there are few shores on this globe where a +human being can bury himself so long from sight of the white-winged +birds of commerce. They had seen many ships, but it looked very much +as if they themselves had not been seen, nor had their presence been +suspected by any of them. + +"The idea of our being so nervous lest some one should get here ahead +of us," remarked Storms, more than once, "when we might have delayed +our coming a dozen years without any danger from that cause." + +They had discovered the cloud-like picture of the canvas sail as it +came up over the horizon, and their hearts swelled as it expanded and +came closer. But all hope faded again when it grew less in the +distance and finally passed from view altogether. + +This had happened repeatedly, and more than once Captain Bergen had +laboriously made his way up the smooth mast to the very top, where he +swung his hat wildly; but it must have been that the little island in +the South Seas possessed slight interest in the eyes of the navigators +who occasionally drifted in that direction, for had they seen the +signal of distress, or caught sight of the man frantically waving his +hat from the top, they would have learned what its meaning was. + +The greatest dejection which took possession of the couple was when +they, through the glass, saw the Stars and Stripes fluttering from the +mizzen of the ship which came the nearest and then made off again. The +sight of that most beautiful banner in the world was like a glimpse of +their distant New England home, and they seemed to feel the cool +breeze fanning their hot brows as it bore steadily toward them. + +When it went over the convex sea out of sight, Captain Bergen covered +his face with his hands and wept, and when, after awhile, he looked up +again, he saw the tears on the cheeks of Abe Storms, who stood +motionless and gazing silently off upon the deep, as if he expected +the vessel would come back to them. It was a severe blow, and it was a +long time before they recovered from it. + +The exact age of Inez Hawthorne when she became, by an extraordinary +turn of the wheel of fortune, the protégée of the two sailors, was, as +given by herself, six years, but both the captain and mate were +confident that she was fully one, if not two years older. + +Now, at the termination of the period named, she was a girl as fully +developed mentally and physically as one of a dozen years, and she was +growing into a woman of striking beauty. She was still a child, with +all the innocence and simplicity which distinguished her at the time +she was taken from the deck of the steamer _Polynesia_, but in a few +years more, should she be spared, she would become a woman. + +Captain Bergen and Mate Storms were honest, conscientious men, and +Christians, and they performed their full duty in that most important +respect to Inez Hawthorne. Never passed a day in which Storms did not +read, in an impressive voice, from the great Book of all books, and +the sublime passages, the wonderful precepts, the divine truths and +the sacred instruction from that volume were seed which fell upon good +ground and bore its fruit in due season. + +If ever there was a good, pure, devout Christian, Inez Hawthorne +became one, and her greatest desire, as she repeatedly expressed it, +was that she might go out in the great world among all people, and do +her utmost to carry the glad tidings to them. + +"The time will come," replied Abe Storms, when he listened to these +glowing wishes. "God never intended you should live and die upon this +lonely island when there is such need for missionaries like you. I +don't see that we are of much account, but I believe He has something +for us, too, and we shall be given the opportunity to do it." + +"Ah," said the skipper, with a sigh, "you have been saying that for +three years, and the sails that come go again and care nothing for +us. I am beginning to believe we are to stay here for the rest of our +lives, and that I am to be the first one to take the long, last sleep +that awaits us all." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AN ARRIVAL + + +When Captain Bergen was inclined to become pessimistic, the mate +treated it lightly, for he feared the strong sailor would break before +long from sheer homesickness. + +It was fortunate that neither had any family, the mate being one of +those who are without any close living relative, while the captain had +a sister in New England, and his aged mother was in San Francisco, +living with a nephew, of whom she was very fond. + +Thus the three years passed away, and the second era in their lives +approached. There was something curious in the fact that all the +inhabitants of the lonely Pearl Island had lost their reckoning. No +two could agree on the day of the week, and when they compromised on +one, which was called Sunday, and observed as such, they were much in +doubt whether they were right, and, as it afterward proved, they were +not. + +One afternoon, when the sun had hardly passed the meridian, the mate +and captain were stretched upon the beach under the shade of a +palm-tree, and looking out upon the sea, over which they had come to +this desolate spot so long before. The day was cooler than usual, and +a steady breeze blew, rendering the position of the friends in that +respect as pleasant as they could wish, though their weary, homesick +feeling was telling upon them. Both the ragged sailors were thinner, +and there was a yearning, far-away look in their eyes, especially in +those of the captain, which presaged the approach of insanity or death +at no distant day, unless a change were made in their condition and +surroundings. This lamentable state was partly due, no doubt, to the +diet to which they had been subjected for many months. + +Inez, who seemed happy everywhere and at all times, was busying +herself in the cabin, where she could find plenty to do; and ever and +anon the sound of her voice could be heard, as she sang some snatch of +song, which came through the mist of memory from her infancy. + +"I tell you what it is," said Captain Bergen, in his low, determined +voice, "this thing cannot continue much longer." + +"You are no more weary of it than I, Jack; but show me the way in +which it can be ended." + +"We've got to take the risk. The tender there is large enough to +carry us and a good supply of provisions--that is, enough water, to +last several days. We can rig some sort of sail, and, in less than a +week, by keeping to the northwest, we shall reach some inhabited +island, unless we should be picked up before that time, which I +consider quite likely." + +"I've thought a good deal of it, Jack," said the mate, in a voice of +equal seriousness. "We have been restrained heretofore by the fear +that it would endanger too greatly the safety of Inez, and mainly by +the feeling that we couldn't stay here long without assistance being +summoned by that signal fluttering up there. And yet, three years have +come and gone," continued the mate, "and not a living soul has come to +us. There have been hundreds of days within this long period when we +might have embarked on board the little boat and safely made our way +to some other port, but we could not know it, and the result is--here +we are." + +"And the situation is very different from what it was when we first +landed, for it is now a choice between staying here with the certainty +of miserably perishing--every one of us--and of starting boldly out +upon an unknown sea, as it may be called, with the chances between +life and death about even." + +"You have stated the case correctly," assented Mr. Storms; "and though +it is your place to command, yet as you have deferred to me, I give +you my promise that to-morrow we shall begin rigging the best sort of +sail we can, and at daylight on the next day we will start for +whatever port Providence directs us." + +"That has put new life into me, Abe. I feel now as I did three years +ago, when we first caught sight of those pearls. I am ten years +younger. I prefer a bold stroke for life to a weak submission to fate, +with this dismal waiting for help to come to us. By the great horn +spoon! a thousand such pearl banks as we cleaned out wouldn't tempt me +to spend another year on this hated island----" + +At this instant the voice of Inez was heard, excitedly calling to +them, and while they rose to the sitting position and looked +inquiringly in that direction, she was seen to spring through the open +door of the cabin, and to come running toward them on the beach, +bareheaded and with her long, yellow hair streaming in the wind. + +"What can be the matter with her?" exclaimed the captain, rising to +his feet. "What is she saying?" + +"Hark!" + +The distance was so short that the girl was at their side a second or +two later. She was laughing, and uttering something in her excitement, +which, until that moment, they did not understand. + +"Who ever saw any one so stupid?" she called out, cheerily. "What are +your eyes for? Why don't you look out to sea?" + +The two obeyed, and an exclamation of amazement escaped both, for +there, while they had lain on the beach talking in such disconsolate +tones, and looking dreamily out upon the ocean, a craft had been +steadily approaching, and neither of the two saw it. + +At the furthest, it was no more than a mile distant, and, since it was +heading straight in toward the atoll, the chances were a hundred to +one that the signal of distress had been seen, and the lonely island +at last was going to have a visitor. + +Captain Bergen muttered something about the "great horn spoon," under +his breath, while Storms said nothing, but gazed steadily at the +craft, upon which his hopes were so suddenly and strongly fixed. It +might be that the hearts of all three bounded with hope at this sight +of a vessel, but the hope was mixed with apprehension, for the sailors +saw it was not the sort of vessel for which they had been praying so +long. + +Instead of a gallant ship, with the Stars and Stripes streaming from +the fore, it was what is termed a flying proa, which is the name +applied to the narrow canoes used principally in the Ladrone Islands. +They are about thirty feet long, three feet wide, and are steered by a +paddle at either end. The sail is lateen, with a boom upon one mast; +the prow and stern curve to a high point, and the depth being +considerably greater than the width, the proa would, if unsupported, +capsize instantly, but a hollow log or heavy-pointed spar rests on the +water, parallel with the windward side, and, being secured in place, +acts as an outrigger and removes the danger of overturning. The same +name is applied to the boats used by the Malays, and which are +propelled by both oars and sails. + +But the one which greeted the astonished eyes of Storms and Bergen had +its huge lateen sail spread, and was moving with great velocity, for +the proas of the Indian and Pacific oceans are probably the fastest +boats in the world. It rode the waters like a bird, and would soon +enter the lagoon within the island, for there could be no doubt that +the men on board had seen not only the signal, but the persons +themselves who were waiting for them. + +Inasmuch as a couple of men were discernible with the naked eye on the +proa, it followed that the latter must descry the three individuals +who were standing out in full view upon the shore of the island. + +"How about this?" asked Captain Bergen, stepping to the side of his +mate, and speaking in an undertone. "Shall we rejoice or not?" + +"It's uncertain," was the dubious reply. "Those boats generally carry +the vagabonds of the ocean, and the last motive which, as a rule, +brings them to a spot like this is humanity." + +"Where's your glass?" + +"I declare, I never thought of that--I was so surprised!" + +Storms carried it with him always, and he now brought it to bear upon +the singular-looking craft approaching. It was so close inshore that, +with the aid of the instrument, he was able to see everything +distinctly, especially as the boat at that moment bore off a little +and then headed toward the entrance again. + +So far as could be ascertained, there were three persons on the boat, +and the captain reached the same conclusion after using the glass. + +"If that's the case," said Captain Bergen, "we haven't anything to +fear from them, for, with our guns and ammunition, we can hold our own +against a dozen South Sea Islanders." + +"There may be others concealed about the craft, but I incline to think +not. However, it's best to be prepared. So let's get to the house and +make ready to receive them--whether they come as enemies or friends." + +The suggestion was a prudent one, and the two men hurried up the beach +in the direction of the cabin, while Inez remained to watch the proa. +The men examined their rifles and saw they were loaded and ready for +instant use, and then, bearing one apiece, they came forth again. As +they did so, something like a shadow seemed to shoot through the +trees, and, looking toward the lagoon, they saw the cause. The proa +had entered the quiet waters within, and was coming to rest as +gracefully as a sea gull stops in its flight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE FLYING PROA AND ITS COMMANDER + + +The lateen sail of the proa descended with a rattle and bang, the man +at the oar gave it several vigorous sweeps, and the strange-looking +but astonishingly swift craft came to rest almost in the same position +that the schooner _Coral_ occupied three years before. + +"Helloa, there! How are you? How long have you been here?" + +When it is stated that this hail came from aboard the proa, it is +unnecessary to say that our two friends were surprised, for they +supposed that the visitors were natives, who at the best could not +speak more than a few words of broken English. + +This astonishment was turned to literal amazement when they saw that +the speaker was a Caucasian like themselves, one of the two standing +at the prow, and looking out upon them with a smiling countenance. +There was no mistaking the ruddy, sunburned face, the curling hair, +and the regular, European features of the young man, whose expanded +smile showed a set of white, even teeth, and he seemed to enjoy their +astonishment after hearing his words. + +It was curious that they had failed to notice him before, inasmuch as +his dress was dissimilar from the others, he having the usual +tarpaulin hat and the broad trowsers of the American and English +sailor. It was plain, too, that he was scarcely a man, being, in fact, +a boy, who by some strange means was adrift in this part of the +world. + +As soon as the proa was within reach of land, the youth sprang ashore, +and, walking straight up to Captain Bergen, extended his right hand to +him and his left to Mr. Storms, shaking both warmly, while, as he +spoke, he looked from the face of one to the other. + +"How long have you been in this place? Judging from your clothes and +looks, I should say about twenty years? Do you want to emigrate? Where +are you from? What are your names? How came you here? My name is Fred +Sanders, and I've been knocking about among the South Sea Islands for +the last five years." + +There was no resisting the jolly good-nature of the young man, who had +a habit of laughing heartily, when no one else could see anything to +laugh at, and whose high spirits always infected others with whom he +came in contact. But it would not have required much study for any one +to discover that he was a wild, reckless youth, who had probably run +away from home, and taken to bad ways from a natural inclination in +that direction. + +While this interview was going on, Inez Hawthorne was absent, she +having withdrawn at the suggestion of her friends, though of course +the visitors knew of her presence, from having seen her on the beach. + +Captain Bergen replied to the greeting of his friend: + +"We have been here full three years. If I'm not mistaken, it is three +years and two weeks this very Thursday." + +"Then that's just where you _are_ mistaken!" broke in Fred Sanders, +with his ringing laugh, "for it so happens that to-day isn't Thursday, +by a long shot!" + +"Of course not," Mr. Storms hastened to say. "I don't know how many +arguments I have had with the captain to prove he was wrong, and that +this is Friday----" + +And Fred threw back his head and roared louder than ever. + +"It's a toss up between you. I don't wonder that you got muddled when +you were forced to stay in such an outlandish place as this so long. I +think I would have got mixed myself." + +"Pray tell me what day of the week it is." + +"This is Tuesday afternoon, with a half-dozen hours of daylight left +to you yet." + +While this brief conversation was going on, the two natives were upon +the boat, waiting as if for permission to land. They sat as meekly as +children, in a partly crouching position, intently watching, with +their glittering black eyes, the three figures before them. They +appeared to listen with absorbing attention to the words, as if they +understood them--which they did not, excepting so far as they were +interpreted by the vigorous gestures. + +Inez Hawthorne, as we have stated, had withdrawn to the house, when +requested to do so by her teacher, but her curiosity led her to step +forth and look upon the parties and listen to the conversation--the +distance being so short that she could hear all that was said. The +natives saw her, and so did Fred Sanders, who occasionally glanced +over the shoulders of the two men with whom he was talking, in a way +which they understood. The visitors could not fail to be greatly +interested in her, but Fred refrained for a time from referring to the +girl. + +Mate Storms explained that the craft in which they came to this +portion of the world was wrecked, and that three of the crew were +lost, and the captain, mate and a single passenger saved. Since then +they had looked in vain for the coming of some friendly sail; plenty +enough, however, having appeared, only to depart again and leave them +in greater depths of gloom than before. + +"Where are you from?" asked the captain, putting the question directly +to the young man. + +"I'm an American, born in New England, and am seventeen years old, and +it is a long time since I have seen my home." + +"How came you in this part of the world?" + +"Why not here as well as anywhere else?" asked Fred Sanders, in reply. +"I left home when I was only ten years of age, and have knocked about +the world ever since." + +"But you are now among the Paumotu Islands." + +"Where I have been for a good while. Some time, perhaps, I will give +you the whole history, but it is too long to tell now." + +It was apparent, from the manner of the boy, that he wished to conceal +some facts of his previous life, and neither the captain nor mate +pressed him--for, in truth, it was of no special interest to them, +their all-absorbing subject of mental anxiety being as to how they +were to get away from the hated place. + +"Where are you directly from?" asked Mr. Storms. + +"From an island, the name of which I have never heard in English, +though its native name is something like Wauparmur." + +"Inhabited, of course?" + +"Yes. There are four or five hundred natives and their families. The +island is a dozen miles in extent, is very fertile, and has several +native towns. At one place is a good harbor, and nearly always some +foreign vessel is there. Sometimes I have seen three or more, and when +I left, four days ago, a trading-ship from Boston had arrived." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Abe Storms. "So near and yet so far!" + +"I think it will probably stay a week longer, for they are doing a +good trade with the islanders." + +"You have awakened a hope that is really painful," said Captain +Bergen, while the pale face of Mr. Storms showed he was affected fully +as profoundly. + +"I don't know why it need be painful," said the young man, in his +off-hand manner, which was so captivating; "for we were going on a +little cruise, when we caught sight of your signal flying, and we put +in to find out what the trouble was." + +"And are you willing to take us off?" asked Storms, who, while he felt +the question was unnecessary, was still trembling with anxiety lest +something should prevent their going. + +"Will we take you off?" asked Fred, with a ringing laugh. "That's a +pretty question to ask us, when we came for the express purpose of +doing so. Of course, we'll take you straight away to the island we +came from, and, of course, we'll put you in the way of getting back to +Boston as soon as possible, and we only regret that we hadn't the +chance to get here three years sooner, so as to save you this dreary +waste of time." + +Tears came to the eyes of both the men, and, as Captain Bergen took +the hand of the youth, he said: + +"We will thank you forever, and will pay you well." + +It was an unfortunate speech, and the cooler-headed mate would never +have uttered it. + +It might result in no harm; but why let the reckless youth know that +they possessed the ability to pay him well? It would be time enough to +present him with some of their valuable pearls after reaching +Wauparmur, when no possible complication could result from Sanders +knowing that these two ragged sailors were very wealthy men. But the +words had been said, and could not be recalled, though a vague +uneasiness shot through the mind of Abe Storms when he saw a sudden +flash of the dark eyes of the youth, who said, in the cheeriest of +voices, slapping the captain on the shoulder with a vigor that +staggered him: + +"Who talks of paying one for doing his simple duty? If you or your +friend repeats that insult, there will be war between us; and +then--excuse me, but ain't you joking when you talk of paying well? +For, begging pardon again, you don't look like millionaires with a +very heavy bank account." + +Storms trembled, but he could not restrain the captain. + +"Of course, we wouldn't insult you, but you will be remembered; and +though we are not very extravagant in the way of dress, and don't look +like very wealthy men, yet I can promise you you shall be well +recompensed, and, what is more, we can carry out the promise, too, in +a way that will open your eyes." + +Having uttered these compromising words, Captain Bergen laughed in a +way which alarmed the mate still more; for there was a peculiarity in +his friend's actions which he had never noticed before. + +"I know we are dressed very poorly," added the captain, "and we +wouldn't be very popular in a drawing-room, but if you set us down as +poor men you will make a great mistake. Won't he, Abe--eh, boy?" + +And he facetiously punched the astonished and grieved mate in the +side, and danced about as if he had perpetrated the best joke of his +life. + +Just then Storms caught the eye of Fred Sanders, and he significantly +tapped his own forehead to signify that the captain was not exactly +right, mentally. And, when he did so, the kind-hearted mate spoke the +truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +FRED SANDERS + + +Captain Bergen was so affected by the joyful awakening to the fact +that his long, dismal sojourn on the lonely island in the Pacific had +reached the end at last, and by the belief that now he would be +carried as rapidly as wind and sail could take him to his beloved New +England again, that his mind was unsettled and he behaved in a way +that pained, as much as it astonished, his companion. + +Inasmuch as such was the fact, Mr. Storms hoped that it would be +accepted as an explanation of the strange utterances in which he had +indulged, for he believed that the cupidity of the young man had +already been excited, and a most unfortunate complication threatened. + +"You will excuse the excitement of my friend," said he to Sanders, +"though mine is nearly as great; but he had almost settled into the +belief that we were doomed to perish in this desolate spot, and the +reaction caused by your joyous tidings is too much for him." + +"Oh, that's all right!" was the cheery response. "I understand how +that is. But, begging pardon, I believe you have another companion?" + +Fred looked so earnestly at the figure of Inez Hawthorne, standing a +short distance off, that his meaning could not be mistaken. + +"It is I who should beg your pardon," said Storms, in turn, beckoning +to Inez to approach; "but we were so much interested in you that we +forgot her for the time." + +While the girl was approaching the group, Captain Bergen turned about, +and without a word, walked slowly away in the direction of the cabin, +his manner showing still more clearly than ever that his mind was +unbalanced--a fact which caused Storms great discomfort. Aside from +his love for the good, honest man, he saw that he had already +imperiled, and was likely still further to imperil, their great +possessions by his rambling, and yet significant, talk. + +The pearls still lay some distance away, buried in the sand in their +canvas bags, and must be procured before leaving the island. + +Since the captain had already awakened suspicion respecting the truth, +the difficulty of getting the prizes away without detection was +immeasurably increased, while the likelihood of his making still +further disclosures remained. + +Storms was fearful that this sudden movement on the part of Bergen +meant something of the kind, but the situation was such that he could +not interfere, and all he could do during the few minutes remaining of +the trying interview, was to keep a furtive watch, so far as possible, +upon the movements of the captain. + +"Mr. Sanders," said the mate, "this is Inez Hawthorne--a little girl +who became a companion of ours through no fault of hers or of either +of us. She has been here during the three years we have spent on the +island, and though she has stood it so much better than we, she is +fully as anxious to get away. Inez, this is Mr. Fred Sanders, who has +come to take us off." + +The handsome young fellow doffed his hat and bowed with a certain +grace and deferential regard in his manner, which led Storms, who was +narrowly watching him, to suspect that he was of high birth and had +moved in good circles before he had made his début in this strange +part of the world. Inez possessed the same charming simplicity which +had distinguished her in her earlier years, though she was more +reserved, as was natural with her. She extended her hand to Sanders, +who gave it a gentle pressure, while he said: + +"When I saw the signal fluttering up there I suspected there were +persons here who wanted help, but I never dreamed that we should find +you." + +"And why not me as well as any one else?" asked Inez, with a smile. +"Is there any reason why I shouldn't have misfortune the same as other +persons? If there is any such rule, I have never heard of it." + +"I know of none; but shipwreck, as a general thing--and certainly in +the case of your companions--has been a great injury to them. They +look emaciated and ill, and the captain is surely injured in the mind. +But you--why--well, never mind." + +Fred laughed and broke down, for he really meant to say nothing that +could be construed into flattery or impertinence. There was an air of +goodness and refinement about the girl which compelled the respect, +for the time at least, of the wild youth. + +"I am so glad you have come," said Inez, without commenting upon his +last words; "for though I have been as cheerful as I could, it has +been mainly on account of the captain and Mr. Storms. I saw how +dejected they were, and tried to cheer them as best I could." + +"Which was very kind in you. But, thank heaven! it is all over now, +and I hope we shall soon bear you away from this place, that no doubt +has become so detestable in your eyes that you never want to see it +again." + +"I cannot say how dreadful it is and how much I dislike it. The ship +which ought to have taken us away as it brought us, was broken to +pieces on the beach, and the mutineers, who thirsted for our lives, +were drowned when almost in reach, as may be said, of the shore." + +Here was some more unexpected information that greatly interested Fred +Sanders, who began to think he would get at all the facts by +interviewing each member of the little company. + +Mr. Storms heard the remark of Inez; but, while he regretted it--on +the ground that it might raise some more uncomfortable suspicions--he +did not care particularly, for the sad story was one that could easily +be told, and upon which he was ready for cross-examination. But what +more interested him at that moment was the fact that Captain Bergen +just then reached the cabin, and, instead of stopping within, passed +on beyond. + +The conclusion of Storms was natural that he had gone to the upper +part of the island to dig up the pearls; in which case, in his +peculiar mental condition, he would, most likely, lose them all. This +would never do, and the mate excused himself, saying: + +"I am a little uneasy respecting the captain, and I will leave you two +here while I look after him." + +Fred Sanders saluted him, and told the truth when he said he would +forgive his departure with pleasure; with which the ragged mate went +hurrying after the ragged captain. + +"Won't you step on board the proa for a little while?" asked Fred, who +was rather tired of standing on the sand under the palm-trees. "As it +is to be your dwelling-place for a few days, you may like to select +your apartments." + +Inez said she would be glad to do so, and Fred uttered some sharp +exclamation, which caused both of the dusky natives to spring to +their feet and hasten to the side of the proa nearest the shore, where +they waited the chance to help her aboard. Inez noticed that the +islanders were muscular, athletic fellows, with such a peculiar +appearance that she could not avoid staring at them for a few seconds. +Each was fully six feet in height--an unusual stature among the South +Sea Islanders--and their breasts, arms and legs were tattooed with +all sorts of figures and representations. Since these portions of +their anatomy were uncovered, the singular ornamentation was very +prominent. + +They had the curious tattooing on their cheeks, noses and foreheads, +so that their appearance was repellent. Besides this, their teeth were +black, their noses large and flat, and their mouths wider than there +was any necessity for. Their heads were bare, and, indeed, were +furnished by nature with all the covering they could need. The hair +was very long, but frizzly, so that as it curled up about their ears +and crowns, it formed an immense bushy screen, which gave their heads +prodigious size. Their hands and feet were very large, and it would +have been hard, in short, to discover anything in their looks that +could attract a person toward them. Surveying them dispassionately, +one could not help suspecting they belonged to a tribe of cannibals. + +However, Inez did not show any repulsion which she might have felt, +but stepping close to the proa took the extended hand, and sprang +lightly aboard of the strange craft. The natives immediately withdrew, +leaving the young captain, as he appeared to be, to conduct the fair +visitor around the "ship," whose dimensions did not require much time +to investigate. + +Fred explained that the proa was a vessel peculiar to the Indian and +Central Pacific oceans, and that it could sail with great swiftness, +going either forward or backward with equal readiness. It is a +favorite boat used for inter-communication between hundreds of the +islands of the South Seas, and the Malays employ them in a different +form for their piratical expeditions. They owe their swiftness mainly +to the fact that they stand so high out of the water, are very narrow, +and present such a large surface to the wind. + +"They are good for short voyages," said Fred, "but I shouldn't want to +start for New York or Liverpool in one of them." + +"How long will it take us to reach the island from which you came?" +asked Inez. + +"If we start early to-morrow morning, with a good wind, we ought to be +there at the end of two days." + +This was shorter time than he had given Mate Storms, but he was now +striving to speak the truth. + +"And suppose we are overtaken by one of those terrible tempests which +sometimes visit this part of the world?" + +"We cannot escape the risk, no matter where we are. The storm that +would sink a proa might cause a seventy-four to founder, and the only +way you can shun danger is to stay here all your life. I hardly think +that such is your wish, Miss Inez." + +"No; I am as anxious to leave as are Mr. Storms and the captain. +Indeed, I think I am more so, for I understand that they expect to +wait until to-morrow morning, while if I had my wish I would start +this very hour." + +"We are at the disposal of yourself and friends," Sanders courteously +responded; "but the reason for delay is that thereby we expect to be +compelled to spend but a single night on the voyage, while if we +started now we should have two." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE MATE BECOMES CAPTAIN + + +"Poor Jack!" murmured Abe Storms, hastening after him. "I have been +fearing this very thing. He has taken the matter more to heart than I, +and there has been a look in his eye in the last few weeks which +showed he was not right; but I thought, when he found he was going +back to his home again, he would almost instantly regain his mental +equipoise. + +"But it has operated the other way, and I shouldn't wonder if he is as +wild as a loon. When we get him away, dress him up, change his food, +and give him a sight of a Boston vessel, he will be sure to come +around; but, he has said too much already. + +"I wonder what sort of a fellow that Fred Sanders is?" added Storms, +whose intellect seemed to be sharpened by the same cause which +overturned that of the captain. "I would be glad to trust him fully, +but somehow, I can't. While he is courteous and kind--and, no doubt, +means to carry us all to the inhabited island, where we shall be able +to take care of ourselves--there is something about him that awakens +distrust. The fact of his having been five years, as he says, in these +South Sea Islands, shows that all is not right, which is confirmed by +his dislike of saying anything about his earlier history. + +"The best thing in his favor is his youth, and yet," continued Storms, +thoughtfully, "that, after all, may be the worst. It would seem that +he is too young to have done a great deal of evil; and yet, if he has +committed many transgressions, it is a woful record for such a lad. It +was too bad that the captain hinted that we have so much means, and he +wouldn't have done it had he been in his right mind; but it has +produced an effect upon Sanders, as I could see by the flash of his +eyes, and the apparently indifferent questions he asked afterwards. + +"But we have saved our ammunition," muttered Storms, a minute later, +compressing his lips; "and I know how to use my revolver, and it is +only for a short time that I shall have to maintain watch." + +While Abe Storms was talking to himself in this fashion, he had his +eye on the captain, who was walking slowly toward that portion of the +island where the pearls had been concealed so carefully, and there +could be no doubt of his errand. He did not hear the soft footstep +behind him, which was so regulated that it came up with him just as +the latter paused at the all-important spot. + +The captain first looked out to sea, and then behind him, catching +sight, as he did so, of the smiling countenance of his mate--so far as +his countenance could be seen through the wealth of beard. + +"Hello! What are you doing here?" asked the captain, in a voice which +showed some perplexity, if not displeasure. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Storms, in turn, slapping him +familiarly on the shoulder. "I suppose we came upon the same errand, +as we are so soon to leave for home. The pearls are buried here, and +we must carry them away with us." + +"How do you know that's what I came for, Abe?" + +"I'm only saying I suspect it's your business. I know it's mine." + +Captain Bergen was a little bewildered by the sharp manner in which +the good-natured mate caught him up, and, while he seemed to be +debating with himself what to say, Storms took his arm and led him a +short distance off, and, seating him on the beach, said: + +"There's no hurry about the business, Jack, for we won't start until +to-morrow morning at daylight, so as to have as few nights on the +voyage as possible, and we had better decide on the proper course for +us to take." + +"That is correct," replied the captain, assenting so quietly that his +friend hoped he would remain easily manageable. + +"You remember, Jack, that when we buried the pearls there, we divided +them--your half is in a strong canvas bag, so packed that they won't +rub together, or make any noise; and mine are in another sack. The +single pearl which belongs to Inez is also carefully covered; and now +we must manage to get away with them, without letting Sanders know +they are in our possession." + +"What do you want to do that for?" demanded the captain, turning +fiercely upon the mate. "I like that fellow. He's going to put me on a +ship and send me back to Boston; and any one who does that does me a +service worth more than all the pearls in the world. I am going to +give him all mine, and I hope Inez will do the same. I shall do my +best to persuade her, and if you don't, Abe, you and I are deadly +enemies, and I'll kill you the first chance!" + +Storms showed his shrewdness by the manner in which he managed the +poor fellow. + +"That's all right, Jack," he replied, assuming a look and expression +of anger, as he glared upon the lunatic, well aware that he must make +him afraid of him. "If it's any fun for you to talk in that style, +I'll let you do it once, but don't you try it again. Did I ever tell +you about those sixteen persons that I killed up in New Hampshire +before we started out with the _Coral?_" + +"No!" gasped the captain, looking at him with awe. + +"Well, I won't tell you now," said the mate, with the same frightful +earnestness, "for it would make you feel too bad. If they hadn't made +me mad, I wouldn't have killed them, and I'll let up on you if you do +not say anything of the kind again. If you do, I'll get mad, Jack." + +"By the great horn spoon!" exclaimed the alarmed captain, "I'll let +the matter drop, if you will." + +"All right," said the mate, relenting somewhat. "And, mind you, don't +you go to talking to Sanders about it. Don't you tell him another +thing, and never mention the word pearls." + +"I won't--I won't!" was the meek rejoinder of poor Captain Bergen, who +had been completely cowed by the fierceness of his mate. + +"I'm an awful man when my wrath is roused!" Abe Storms thought it best +to add; "and it was just rising to the boiling-point when you were +lucky enough to take back your foolish expression." + +"What are we going to do now?" asked the captain, apparently anxious +to turn the current of conversation into a more agreeable channel. + +"We'll go back and make ready to leave on the proa. We have +considerable to do before we depart. There are a number of things in +the cabin that we must carry with us." + +"Yes, that's so; I forgot that. But, Abe--don't you get mad!--what +about them?" + +"Just never you mind," replied the mate with an important wave of the +hand. "I'll attend to them." + +"All right. I was afraid you would forget 'em!" + +It pained Storms to tyrannize over his superior officer in this +fashion, but stern necessity compelled him to become the real captain. +The intention of the mate when he first followed his friend was to dig +up the pearls and give him his share, but he saw that that would never +do. It would precipitate a tragedy to allow the lunatic any option in +the matter. So, without any further reference to the pearls, the two +rose to their feet and walked slowly back in the direction of the +proa, talking on no particular subject, since the mate was desirous of +diverting the mind of the captain as much as possible. + +The discoveries of the next few minutes did not serve to lighten the +apprehension of Storms, for when he reached the proa the two islanders +seemed to be enjoying a siesta, while neither Fred Sanders nor Inez +was in sight. + +Suspecting what was wanted, one of the natives roused up and pointed +toward the sea, jabbering some odd words, which could not be +understood, but which Storms concluded were meant to indicate the +direction taken by the couple. + +"That's almost the path to the spot where we were," he thought, as he +turned and walked away, holding the arm of the captain within his +own. + +Sure enough, they had not gone far when they caught sight of Fred and +Inez sitting on the beach, just as if they were at some fashionable +seaside resort in summer time, and were chattering no particular sense +at all. Storms noticed that the place was such as to command a view of +that where he and the captain had held their conversation, and where +their precious possessions were buried. + +"I wonder whether that was done on purpose?" he thought. "It may be he +meant nothing, but I fear he took Inez along merely to hide the fact +that he was playing the spy upon us." + +It was not pleasant to believe this, and yet the suspicion was rooted +pretty firmly in the mind of the mate, who, perhaps, was becoming +over-suspicious. + +"Ah, how are you?" asked Sanders, with a laugh, changing his lounging +to the sitting position. "I conducted Miss Inez over the proa, so as +to make her acquainted with the craft, as you may say, and since that +didn't take long, we thought we would try a little stroll down here, +where we could have a talk without those natives staring at us. How is +your friend?" asked the young man, suddenly lowering his voice to +such a sympathetic key that Storms felt guilty for the moment for ever +having suspected him capable of wrong. + +"I'm a little uneasy about him," was the reply, as both glanced at the +captain, who sat down beside Inez and began talking to her, "for he +seems to have broken up all at once. He was such a strong man, just in +the prime of vigorous manhood, that it would hardly be supposed he +would give away so suddenly." + +"I think he will soon recover, for the change will be so radical, and +the awakened hope so strong, that he will be sure to rally in the +course of a few days." + +"I hope so," was the response, "but he must be watched very +carefully." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +FAREWELL TO THE ISLAND + + +The weather remained enchanting. The tropical heat was tempered by the +ocean breeze, which stole among the palms, and across the island, and +where the crew, and those who had lived there so long, lounged in the +shadow, or sauntered in the sunshine, when the orb sank low in the +western sky. + +It was curious that now, after the coming of the proa, when no other +help was needed, the signal at the masthead, as it may be called, +seemed to have acquired an unusual potency; for, on two separate +occasions during the afternoon, the island was approached by vessels, +who were given to understand that the parties on shore were provided +for. Mate Storms, now the captain, very much doubted whether he did a +wise thing in declining this proffered assistance, but the main reason +for doing so was the fact that the pearls were still buried, and he +knew of no way of getting them without discovery. + +One of the ships was a Dutch one, from Java, and the other was +British, bound for Ceylon--neither very desirable, as they would have +compelled a long, roundabout voyage home. But Storms would have +accepted the offer of one on account of his distrust of the young man, +Fred Sanders, but for the reason given. + +Captain Bergen, after the "setting back" given him by Storms, became +quiet and tractable, and stayed almost entirely with Inez, for whom he +showed the greatest affection. Since she was tenderly attached to him, +and sympathized in his affliction, this kept the two together almost +continually--an arrangement which it was plain to see was not +agreeable to Fred Sanders, though he was too courteous to make any +mention of it. + +During the afternoon such goods as were deemed necessary were +transferred to the proa, which lay at anchor in the lagoon. These were +not very numerous or valuable, and consisted mostly of garments which +Storms had manufactured for Inez. + +When night came, after a meal had been eaten on shore close to where +the proa lay, it was arranged that Sanders should sleep on board with +his crew--if two men might be termed such--while the others should +stay in their cabin, as was their wont. + +Storms contrived this on the plea that his companion, the captain, +would be more tractable. His real purpose was to gain a chance to +secure the pearls unnoticed. The young man made not the slightest +objection to the plan, for he had too good sense to do so; nor did his +silence in that respect lull the suspicions of Storms himself. + +"I wish there was not such a bright moon," said the mate to himself, +not far from midnight, "for I need all the quiet and darkness I can +get; and I don't see any use of waiting longer," he added. + +Captain Bergen had been sleeping quietly for several hours, while the +silence in the apartment of Inez showed that she, too, was wrapped in +slumber, and possibly dreaming of far-away scenes, of which her memory +was so misty and indistinct. + +As to those upon the proa, everything must necessarily be conjecture; +but, in the middle of the night, with his senses on the alert, and his +imagination excited, Abe Storms conjured up all sorts of fancies and +suspicions. There were many times when he believed that these men, +including the boyish leader, were the worst kind of pirates, who were +only waiting the chance to secure the pearls, when they would either +desert or treacherously slay them. But, since meditation and idleness +could avail nothing, he rose from his couch upon the floor, and, +making sure that his loaded revolver was in place, he stole out from +among the palm trees, and began moving in the direction of the spot +where his treasures lay hid. + +He did this with the utmost precaution, glancing in every direction at +each step, frequently pausing and changing the course he was pursuing, +and, in short, doing everything he could think of to prevent +detection. The full moon rode high in an almost unclouded sky, and the +air was as charming as that of Italy. The solemn roar of the ocean and +the irregular boom of the long, immense swells breaking against the +shore and sending the thin sheets of foam sliding swiftly up the bank, +were the only sounds that greeted his ears. + +"That is wonderful!" exclaimed the searcher, for all at once he +descried a ship, under full sail, seemingly within two hundred yards +of shore. "If these parties hadn't arrived to-day this craft wouldn't +have come within a score of miles of us." + +The ship looked like a vast bird, when with all sail set and her black +hull careening to one side under the wind, she drove the foaming water +away from her bows, and sped forward as if pursuing or fleeing from +some enemy. + +Whether the watch saw the signal of distress in the moonlight, cannot +be known, but the vessel speedily passed on, and vanished in the +night, while Mate Storms, recalling his thoughts, and seeing no one +near him, moved directly to where he had deposited his riches such a +long time before, and to which he only made an occasional visit. + +He had advanced too far to retreat, whether he was seen or not, and he +stooped down and began digging with his hands and sheath-knife. It was +only a short distance, when he struck something, and a moment after +drew up a small, strong canvas bag. Soon came another, and then a +smaller one, which contained the wonderful pearl that belonged to Inez +Hawthorne. They were all there, and had not been disturbed. + +"Now, it only remains to keep these in my possession," was his +thought, as he straightened up and started to return. "I would give +half of them if they were at home and safe in the bank--Hello!" + +Perhaps the vision of the sailor was unusually keen just then, for +when he paused with a start he caught sight of a shadowy figure, which +seemed to glide, without any effort of its own, over the sand, and +immediately disappeared among the palm trees. There was something so +peculiar in its movements that Abe was chilled with awe as he stood +still and watched it for the few seconds it remained in view. But +there could be no doubt of its identity. It was Fred Sanders, who had +been on the watch, and who must have seen the mate dig up the +treasures, and knew they were now in his possession. + +Storms was in anything but a comfortable frame of mind while walking +thoughtfully back to the cabin, which he entered. + +"What more likely than that he will steal up here in the night, +believing I am asleep, and try to shoot me? Well, if he does so, he +shall find me prepared for him, anyway." + +The first proceeding of the mate was to deposit the pearls contained +in the three diminutive canvas sacks in a small valise, which he had +carefully preserved all through the years, and which now held a few +necessities that he meant to take away with him. The addition of these +precious contents taxed the receptacle to its fullest capacity, but, +after all, this was the best thing to do, and he believed he would be +able to keep it under his eye during the comparatively short time they +would be on the voyage to Wauparmur Island. + +It may be said, indeed, that there was nothing else to be done, which +rendered it unfortunate that he could not secure a few hours' sleep +before venturing away in the proa. But the nerves of the mate were too +unstrung by his position to feel easy, and he placed himself by the +opening of the cabin, with his hand upon the weapon, prepared to watch +until daylight. + +As might have been supposed, in spite of his uneasiness, he gradually +became drowsy, and it was not long before his head sank on his breast, +and he, too, was asleep. It was well he did so, for he gained the rest +so necessary, and as it was, he might have slept longer had he not +been awakened by outside causes. + +Captain Bergen slept on, but Inez was on her feet at an early hour, +and seeing that Storms was unconscious, she passed out without +disturbing him, and made her way to the spring, where she always +performed her morning ablutions. + +It was natural that the mate, going to sleep as he did, with his mind +filled with the most dismal of fancies, should find his slumbers +visited by horrible phantasies. He was struggling with the figure of a +man, who had the face of Fred Sanders, and they were bearing each +other over an immense cliff, when his opponent got the upper hand, +and, holding him suspended for the moment, began to laugh at his +calamity. The laugh grew louder, until it awoke the startled sleeper, +who, opening wide his eyes, saw the veritable figure of Fred Sanders +before him, laughing as heartily as he had been doing in the struggle +in sleep. + +"Mercy! where's the valise?" gasped the bewildered Storms, clutching +at the receptacle which lay at his side. "I thought you had stolen +it----" + +Just then the quick-witted sailor recalled his situation, and he, too, +broke into mirth, in which there was not much heartiness. + +"What a curious dream I had, Sanders! I really believe I have been +asleep!" + +"And what is strange about that, since a full night has passed since +we last met? I hope you have had a good rest, even though your awaking +was not so pleasant." + +Abe Storms was excessively chagrined, for his very action, when +aroused so unexpectedly, would, of itself, have turned suspicion to +the satchel, which he snatched up like a startled miser. This action, +united with what Captain Bergen had said, and with what the young man +himself had witnessed the preceding night, could not have failed to +tell him that that rusty-looking valise--about which the owner was so +careful--contained a great amount of wealth in some form. + +But what of it? + +This was the question Storms put to himself as he sprang up and called +to Inez--who immediately appeared--and began the preparation for the +last meal they expected to eat upon the detested island. + +Captain Bergen was quiet and thoughtful, but the others were in high +spirits. + +The two natives made their meal on board the proa, where they stolidly +awaited the coming of the passengers, the "baggage" having been +transferred the day before. And the sun was no more than fairly above +the horizon when the proa started on her eventful voyage to Wauparmur +Island--a voyage destined to be marked by events of which no one on +board dreamed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +ON THE FLYING PROA + + +At last the friends who had been left on Pearl Island three years +before, and whose hearts had been bowed with despair more than once, +saw the atoll gradually fade from view, until the top of the tallest +palm-tree dipped out of sight in the blue Pacific and vanished from +view forever. + +"It seems hardly possible," said Abe Storms, when at last his +straining vision could detect no shadow of the spot, "that we have +been rescued. I'm so full of joy and hope at the prospect before me +that it is hard work to restrain myself from shouting and jumping +overboard." + +"What is your idea in jumping overboard?" asked Sanders, with a laugh, +in which Inez Hawthorne joined. + +"Merely to give expression to my exuberance of joy; after I should +cool off, I would be cooler, of course." + +Captain Bergen, to the grief of his friends, showed no signs of +mental improvement, though his hallucination took a different form. +Instead of being talkative, like he was the day before, he became +reserved, saying nothing to any one, not even to answer a simple +question when it was put to him. He ensconced himself at the stern in +such a position that he was out of the way of the man with the +steering oar, where he curled up like one who wished neither to be +seen nor heard. + +"Humor his fancies," said Sanders, "for it will only aggravate him to +notice them. It was the same with Redvignez and Brazzier that I was +speaking about last night." + +"Redvignez and Brazzier?" repeated Inez; "where did you ever see +them?" + +"I sailed a voyage with them once from Liverpool, and I was telling +Mr. Storms last night that I saw them both so frightened without cause +that their minds were upset for a while. And may I ask whether you +know them?" asked the young man, with a flush of surprise, addressing +the girl. + +"Why, they and a negro, Pomp, were the three mutineers who were the +means of our staying on the island. They tried to kill the captain and +mate, but----" + +"She saved us," broke in Storms, who thereupon gave the narrative told +long ago to the reader, omitting the attempt that was made upon his +own life by cutting the hose-pipes which let the air down to him, +inasmuch as that would have caused the telling of the pearl fishing +also. + +Fred Sanders listened with great interest, for he had known the men +well, and it may as well be stated that the danger to which the +scoundrels were exposed, as referred to by him, was that of being +executed for mutiny; and, as it was, the part of Sanders himself was +such that he would have been strung up at the yard-arm in short order +had it not been his extreme youth, which pleaded in his favor. + +Since Storms and his companions had revealed some things that might +have been better concealed, so Fred Sanders himself felt he had hinted +at a little story which was likely to injure his standing in the eyes +of those toward whom he was playing the part of the good Samaritan. + +The proa was arranged as comfortably as possible, Inez Hawthorne being +given a place in front, where a sort of compartment was made for her, +by means of stretching awnings of cocoa-matting and a portion of the +reserve fund of lateen on hand. The others disposed themselves so that +she was left undisturbed whenever she chose to withdraw to her "state +room," as Captain Fred Sanders facetiously termed it. + +The two natives had little to say, and they obeyed orders like the +veritable slaves they were. There could be no doubt they understood +the management of the proa to perfection, and the strange craft spun +through the water with astonishing speed. + +Mr. Storms deposited his valise, with its valuable contents, forward, +where he seemed to bestow little attention on it, though, as may well +be supposed, it was ever present in his thoughts, and quite often in +his eye. + +Several times in the course of the day they caught sight of sails in +the distance, but approached none; for, as Sanders said, the +all-important thing now was to make the most speed possible, while the +opportunity remained to them. There was a freshening of the breeze and +a haziness which spread through the northern horizon that caused some +misgiving on the part of all, for the proa would be a poor shelter in +case they were overtaken by one of those terrific tempests they had +seen more than once. + +Toward the middle of the afternoon something like a low bank of clouds +appeared to the left, or in the west, which, being scrutinized through +the glasses, proved to be a low-lying island. Sanders knew of it, and +said they passed it still closer on their way to the atoll. + +It was also an atoll like that, but much smaller in size, and, of +course, uninhabited. It might do for a refuge in case of the coming of +a violent storm, while in the vicinity; but otherwise it would only +be a loss of time to pause at it. The fact that such a place existed +so near them caused something like a feeling of security upon the part +of Mate Storms, such as comes over one on learning he has a good +friend at his elbow in face of some coming trouble. + +As the afternoon advanced, and the proa bounded forward before a +strong, steady breeze, Storms thought the occasion a good one to +obtain some sleep, with a view of keeping awake during the coming +night, and he assumed an easy position, where, his mind being +comparatively free from apprehension, he soon sank into slumber. + +This left Inez Hawthorne with no one to talk to excepting Fred +Sanders, who seemed in better spirits than usual. When they had +discussed the voyage, and he had given her as good an account as he +could of the island toward which they were hastening, and after she +had answered all his questions as best she could, she turned upon him +and asked: + +"How long did you say you had spent in these islands?" + +"As nearly as I can recollect, it is about five years." + +"And, as you are now seventeen, you must have been only twelve years +old when you first came here." + +"That agrees with my figuring," said Sanders, with a nod of his head. +"You can't be far out of the way." + +"Where did you live before that?" + +"Well, I lived in a good many places--that is, for two years. I was on +the Atlantic and on the Pacific and--well, it would take me a good +long while to tell of all that I passed through. I may as well own up +to you, Inez, that it was a wild, rough life for a man, even without +taking into account the fact that I was a boy." + +"Then you went to sea when you were only ten years old?" + +"That also coincides with my mathematical calculations," replied +Sanders, somewhat embarrassed, for he saw they were approaching +delicate ground. + +"Then before you were ten years of age?" + +"I lived at home, of course." + +"And where was that?" + +"You will excuse me, Inez, from answering that question. I have +reasons for doing so. Let me say that I stayed at home for the first +ten years of my existence, and was as bad a boy as can be imagined. I +fell into the worst kind of habits, and it was through the two +men--Redvignez and Brazzier--whom I've heard you speak of, that I was +persuaded to go to sea with them, when I ought to have been at home +with my father." + +"Is your mother living, Mr. Sanders?" + +The youth turned his head away, so she could not see his face, and +when he moved it back and spoke again there was a tear on his cheek, +and he replied, in a voice of sadness: + +"My mother is in heaven, where her son will never be." + +Inez was inexpressibly shocked. + +"Why, Mr. Sanders, what do you mean by that?" + +"A better woman than she never lived, nor a worse boy than I. You +can't understand, Inez. You are too young and too good yourself to +realize what a wretch I was. I deliberately ran away from home seven +years ago, and have never been within a thousand miles of it since, +and I never expected to do so, until within the last day or so; +somehow or other, I've fallen to thinking more than before." + +"Have you a father?" + +"I don't know. I think he is dead, too, for I was enough to break his +heart, and I have never heard of him since. I hadn't any brothers or +sisters when I came away. I'm all that's left, and now there is a +longing coming over me to hunt up my father again before he dies, that +is--if--he--isn't--already--gone!" + +It was no use. Fred Sanders, the wild, reckless youth, who had passed +through many a scene that would have made a man shudder, suddenly put +his hands to his face, and his whole frame shook with emotion. The +memories of his early childhood came back to him, and he saw again the +forms of those who loved him so fondly, and whose affection he +returned with such piercing ingratitude. Conscience had slept for many +years, but the gentle words of Inez had awakened its voice again. The +goodness of the girl, who was already like a loved sister to Sanders, +had stirred up the better part of his nature, and he looked upon +himself with a shudder, that one so young as he should have committed +his many transgressions. + +No wonder that he felt so pressed down that he cried out in the +bitterness of his spirit that heaven was shut from him. It was hard +for Inez to keep back the sympathizing tears herself when she +witnessed the overwhelming grief of the strong youth. + +The latter sat silent for some minutes, holding his face partly +averted, as if ashamed of this evidence of weakness--an evidence which +it is safe to say he had not shown for years, young as he was. + +Ah, there were memories that had slumbered long which came crowding +upon the boy--memories whose import no one on board that strange craft +could suspect but himself, and whose work was soon to appear in a form +and with a force that neither Inez Hawthorne nor Mate Storms so much +as dreamed of. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +A STRANGE CRAFT + + +"I tell you a boy who uses his mother bad is sure to suffer for it +some time. I've seen so many cases that I know there's such a law that +governs the whole world. I thank heaven that I never brought a tear to +my mother's eyes." + +The speaker was Captain Bergen, who was talking to Fred Sanders while +the two sat together on the proa, near midnight succeeding the +conversation mentioned between Inez and the youth Fred. + +The latter might have believed, as he had jocosely remarked, that he +had captured a small party of missionaries, who were making a dead set +at him; but his feelings had been touched in a most tender manner, and +he had done more thinking during the last few hours than in all his +previous life. + +The only one on the proa who was on duty was Fred, who held the +steering-oar in place, while the curiously-shaped vessel sped through +the water. The sea was very calm and the wind so slight that they +were in reality going slower than at any previous time, and the task +of guiding the boat was hardly a task at all. + +Fred sat looking up at the stars half the time, with his memory and +conscience doing their work. His two men had lain down, and were +asleep, for they were regular in all their habits, and he had seen +nothing of Inez since she had withdrawn to her "apartment." + +Mate Storms kept up a fragmentary conversation with the young captain +until quite late, when he withdrew, and Fred was left with himself for +fully two hours, when Mr. Bergen crept softly forth and took a seat +near him, even getting in such a position that he would have been very +much in the way had any emergency arisen. The captain was disposed to +talk--somewhat to Fred's dislike--for he was in that mood when he +desired to be alone; but he was also in a more gracious and charitable +temper than usual, and he answered the old captain quite kindly. + +"You've a good deal to be thankful for," said he, in reply to the +remark above given. "But my mother has been in heaven for many a +year." + +"She is fortunate, after all," said the captain, with a sigh, and a +far-away look over the moonlit sea. + +"Yes, a great deal more fortunate than her son will ever be." + +"It all depends on you, young man," said the captain, severely. +"Heaven is reached step by step, and there's no one who cannot make +it. If you haven't started in the right direction, now's the time to +do so." + +Fred Sanders may have assented to this, but he was silent, and he, +too, looked off over the sea as if his thoughts were running in a new +and unaccustomed channel. "My mother must be a very old woman by this +time," added the captain, after a minute or more of silence, during +which nothing but the rushing of the water was heard. + +"How old is she?" asked Fred. + +"She must be close on to eighty; and I think she's dead, for she was +very feeble when I saw her, three years ago, in San Francisco. But I'm +going to see her very soon; yes, very soon--very soon." + +"It's a long way to 'Frisco," ventured Fred, mildly; "but I hope you +will have a quick voyage." + +"I am not going to wait till we get there." + +"How are you going to manage it, then?" + +"This way. I'm coming, mother!" + +And Captain Jack Bergen sprang overboard and went out of sight. + +"Heavens! what was that?" exclaimed Mate Storms, leaping forward from +where he had been dozing upon his couch. + +"The captain has jumped overboard!" was the horrified reply of Fred +Sanders, who was bringing the proa around as fast as he could. + +Without another word, Mate Storms made a bounding plunge after him, +leaving the young captain to manage the craft as best he could. The +latter uttered a sharp command which brought the crew to their feet in +an instant, and, in an incredibly short space of time, the proa came +around, and, scarcely losing any headway, moved back toward the spot +where the demented man had sprung into the sea, which was now a long +distance astern. + +It was a startling awaking for Abram Storms, who did his utmost for +his unfortunate captain. The mate was a splendid swimmer, and, +plunging forward with a powerful stroke, he called to his friend again +and again, frequently lifting himself far out of the water, when on +the crest of a swell, and straining his eyes to pierce the moonlight +about him, hoping to catch sight of the figure of the captain, who was +also a strong swimmer. But if he had jumped overboard with the +intention of suicide, it was not to be supposed he would continue +swimming. The mate, however, was hopeful that in that awful minute +when he went beneath the waters, something like a realizing sense of +what he had done would come to him and he would struggle to save +himself. + +But, alas, for poor Captain Jack Bergen, who had journeyed so many +thousand miles, and had endured such a long imprisonment upon a lonely +island! He sent back no answering shout to the repeated calls of his +mate, whose eyes failed to catch sight of his gray head as he rose and +sank for a brief while on the water. + +When Fred Sanders got the proa about he guided its movements by +the sound of the mate's voice, and, in a short while, he ran +alongside and assisted him on board. Nothing had been seen nor +heard of the captain, and there could be no doubt now that he was +gone forever. Nevertheless, the proa continued cruising around the +place for fully an hour, in widening circles, until all were convinced +that not a particle of hope remained, when they filled away again, +and a long, last farewell was uttered to Captain Jack Bergen. + +He had procured a fortune in a comparatively easy manner, and it +looked for a time as if the payment was small; but the price demanded +now was his life, and what more can a man give, excepting his +soul?--which, most happily, was not the case with him. + +During these minutes of excitement, Inez Hawthorne slept soundly, and +she never knew anything of the sad occurrence until the morrow was +well advanced. Her grief prostrated her for many hours, for she was a +child unusually affectionate by nature, and she had been tenderly +attached to the captain, who had been such a father to her. + +It spread a gloom over the boat, as may be said, the only ones who +showed no sorrow in their countenances being the dusky islanders, who +seemed to take everything as it came along as a matter of course, and +who obeyed the Caucasian captain like so many machines under the +control of an engineer. + +Fred Sanders was thoughtful, and, what was rather curious, had little +to say to Inez during the first portion of the day. He uttered a few +words of sympathy when she sought to restrain her tears, but after +that he kept very much to himself, as if there was some new and +important matter on his mind, as was indeed the case. + +It will be remembered that the expectation was that the voyage of the +proa would terminate that night by their arrival at their destination, +but the delay caused by the moderate wind and the search for the lost +captain led Mate Storms to feel some doubt, and he asked Captain +Sanders his view of the matter. + +"I can't tell you anything about it!" + +It was not these words alone, so much as the abrupt manner, which set +the mate somewhat back. He had received nothing of the kind from the +youth since their meeting, and it astonished him. + +A hot reply rose to the lips of Abe Storms, but he suppressed it and +moved away. + +"I wonder whether he doesn't feel soured at the thought that the death +of the captain will prevent his getting such a large reward for his +services?" said the mate to himself, who, after thinking over the +matter for a few minutes longer, reached a conclusion. "We expected to +reach Wauparmur Island to-night, before dark. We shall be late, but, +as it is, I shall have no trouble in keeping awake the rest of the +voyage, and I've little fear that I will not be able to protect my +property as well as myself." + +With this, he moved back to the youth, and said, in a cheery voice: + +"You recall, sir, that poor Captain Bergen made some promises to you +about rewarding you liberally for your services. My friend was a +little wild in what he said, but he was right when he declared we had +the means, and I wish simply to say that his wishes and intentions in +that respect, which accorded with my own from the start, shall be +carried out to the letter." + +Mr. Storms immediately joined Inez, while the captain made no reply, +much to the discomfiture of the mate, who said to Inez: + +"What's the matter with Sanders?" + +"He is watching an object over the sea yonder. He has been expecting +to discover something, and he has caught sight of it at last." + +The mate instantly produced his glasses, and leveled them in the +direction the young captain was looking. + +There was something, indeed. + +As revealed by the instrument, it was what might be termed a double +canoe, or proa--that is, two narrow canoes were joined together, side +by side, and connected by a sort of framework, while an enormous +lateen sail towered above them, and carried it forward with remarkable +speed. + +The surprised mate carefully scrutinized the strange craft, and saw +that it contained a large crew, there being, as he estimated, fully +twenty men on board. It was to the westward of the smaller proa, and +like that was pursuing almost a northerly course, though the +experienced eyes of the sailor told him that the paths of the two were +converging, and that, unless changed, they undoubtedly would meet +before nightfall. + +The double canoe was about two miles distant, and as it rose on the +crest of a swell the glass revealed the white foam which curled away +from the bows, and there could be no doubt of its remarkable +swiftness. + +After watching this strange craft for a few minutes, Mr. Storms +devoted some time to a furtive but careful study of the face of Fred +Sanders, who was on the most elevated portion of the proa, and was +carefully noting the course of the two vessels. + +The alarming conclusion reached by Abram Storms was that the other +craft contained a gang of pirates; that Fred Sanders knew them, and he +was guiding his own proa by an understanding previously had with +them. + +And Abram Storms was right. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES + + +The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of +twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu +Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained +Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne. + +The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last +day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which +enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty. The strong +suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the +appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in +accordance with some prearranged plan. This was an alarming conclusion +to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was +right. + +"He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first." + +The New Englander took another look at the double canoe, and he saw, +even in the few minutes that had passed, that they were closer +together. And now that his suspicions were aroused, he detected +several other little things which only confirmed all that had entered +his mind. The two islanders who composed the crew were continually +glancing off at their brothers, and frequently spoke in low tones, and +showed by the gleam of their swarthy faces that they were on the +tip-toe of expectation. + +From one corner of the lateen sail, Storms now noticed that a large +crimson handkerchief was fluttering in the wind. + +"It is put there as a signal," was the decision respecting that, "and +doubtless signifies that they have us on board and all is going +right." + +Fred Sanders was so occupied with this business that he never once +suspected that he himself was being watched in turn. + +"Inez," said the mate, "go to the captain and speak a few words to +him." + +"But he is so occupied that he will not wish to be disturbed." + +"Never mind about that; I wish you to go and say a few pleasant words +to him. Let them be sympathetic." + +"What shall I say?" + +"I can give you no further directions." + +"I am loth to do so, but if you wish it----" + +"I wish it very much." + +That was enough, and the girl, with some natural hesitation of manner, +advanced to the young captain, who did not notice her until she was at +his elbow. + +"Good-day, Captain Fred," she said; "you have been busy so long that +you must be tired, for you slept none last night." + +He looked toward her with a quick, curious expression. There was a +half-smile on his face, while his forehead was wrinkled with +displeasure. Inez noticed this, and would have withdrawn had she not +recalled the strange earnestness with which Storms made the request +for her to utter a few pleasant words to the youth. She therefore +determined to carry out his wishes. + +"Can't we relieve you of your work?" continued she. + +Sanders was in reality doing nothing in the way of physical labor, +since the steering oar was in the hands of one of the crew, but he was +absorbed in "watching things," as the expression goes. + +"I am sure there is no way in which you can relieve me," said Fred, +unbending somewhat from his reserve. + +"We are in such deep water, and the wind is so fair, that there can be +no danger, I suppose. But tell me, what sort of a boat is that yonder +which is pursuing nearly the same course with us?" + +"That--I presume," was the hesitating response, as the young man +glanced in that direction, "is one of the double canoes or proas which +are often seen among these islands." + +"And who are the crew?" + +"Islanders, like my own." + +"Are we going to meet them?" + +"I hardly know what to answer to that," said Fred, looking inquiringly +toward the large proa again, as if he had not seen it before. + +"Well, Captain Sanders, they must be pirates," said Inez, stepping +close to him, and speaking in a low, tremulous voice; "but whether +they are or not, my faith in God and in you cannot be changed. I know +you will do all you can for us----" + +"There! there!" protested the young captain, with an expression of +pain on his face, "say no more. Please go away, Inez, and leave me +alone." + +"Of course I will leave you, if you do not wish me here, but gratitude +would not let me keep silent. I know, from what you said last night, +that you have a good heart, and henceforth conscience is to be your +master and guide." + +And without looking to see the effect of her words, Inez left the +captain to his own thoughts. + +Abram Storms, with folded arms, was intently watching him, and he +carefully studied his countenance. He was still doing so, when Inez +turned her back upon Sanders. Mr. Storms noted the strange expression +on the handsome countenance, and just then Sanders turned and looked +straight at the man before the latter could withdraw his gaze. As +their eyes met, he signaled to Storms to approach, and the latter, +with no little wonderment and some misgiving, did so. + +"Mr. Storms," said he, "that double canoe off yonder has twenty-three +pirates on board." + +"I suspected as much," coolly replied the other. + +"And a set of worse villains cannot be found in the South Seas." + +"I am sure you are quite right." + +"These two men that I have on board belong to the same crew." + +"Indeed! I hadn't thought of that." + +"I belong to the same gang." + +"I suspected that!" + +"You did, eh? Did you suspect that I was in the plot to obtain +possession of your pearls?" + +"I did not suspect it; I was sure of it, which is why I have carried +my loaded revolver with me." + +"That wouldn't have defeated the plan we had laid, for when +twenty-three odd savages, with their spears, war-clubs and a few +muskets, had stolen up to the island in the darkness, and crept +silently into your cabin, what good would your guns and revolvers have +done you?" + +"Was that the plan?" + +"That was it precisely. By some means or other, which I never could +understand, rumors reached Wauparmur, months ago, that two men and a +child were on an island to the south of us, and that they had an +immense lot of the most valuable pearls. I cannot comprehend how it +was the natives gained such knowledge, for it must have had some basis +of truth, inasmuch as it proved to be true." + +"There was a proa which passed close to the island while we were +opening the pearl-oysters," said Storms. "We all saw it." + +"The rumor came from them, then," continued Sanders, "and a party was +formed to go down there, and find out whether it was true, and, in +case it was, the white men were to be overcome by treachery, and their +possessions in the shape of pearls taken. Since there is no more +desperate and wicked member of the gang than am I, of course I was one +of the first chosen. + +"We started in two boats, and, as we went along, I could see +difficulties in the way which never occurred to them. It was not +likely you carried the pearls about with you, as a person wears his +jewelry; but most likely they were buried, so that if we came down +upon you and made an overwhelming attack, as was first intended, we +might put you all to death, and then be unable to find where you had +hidden your treasures. Besides that, I saw that it was more than +probable you had firearms, with which you could successfully hold out +against a large force, and it would prove no easy thing to subdue +you." + +"You were correct in both your surmises," said Storms. "We were always +prepared to make a fight, and, with our guns against your spears, we +would have beaten you off. The pearls, too, were carefully concealed +where you never would have found them." + +"I was well convinced of that, so we resorted to strategy. I was to go +with a couple of the men and bring you away, trying all the time if I +could to secure the pearls, which, of course, were afterwards to be +disposed of and the proceeds divided among us--the intention being +that when we got you on the proa, you would be pitched overboard, for +then the situation would be so changed that we could manage it without +trouble. If I thought it unsafe to make the attempt, I had only to +wait until reinforcements should come up; for the larger boat, knowing +the course I was to take on my return, had only to be on the lookout +for us, and we would be sure to descry each other." + +"And that was to be your signal that you had us aboard?" said Storms, +pointing to the fluttering handkerchief. + +"That's it precisely," assented Sanders. "But there was one force +which we did not think to provide against," added the young man, in a +low voice, in which Storms detected a slight tremor. + +"What was that?" + +"An awakened conscience," was the impressive answer. "And it was she +who aroused the sleeper. There was something in the goodness of the +girl--the faith which she showed not only in heaven but in me as +well--that upset all my calculations. Then, too, she seemed to say the +right words just at the right time; and you saw how I suffered." + +"Yes; and it gave me great hope; for, Fred, I distrusted you from the +beginning. I saw many little things which you never supposed I nor any +one else would notice. And I may add," said the mate, with a sly +twinkle, "that I endeavored always to be prepared for you." + +The face of Sanders flushed, but he added, with the same seriousness: + +"Matters now are going in accordance with the program arranged days +ago. The large proa yonder has been waiting for us, and we are now to +keep on converging lines until we meet to-night." + +"Do you intend to follow out your agreement?" + +"No; I had an awful struggle with my conscience last night, after my +talk with Inez and with the poor captain, but the evil triumphed in +me, despite all I could do. The fight was still going on, being +renewed this morning, and I had about yielded to Satan, when she came +and spoke to me. That," said Fred Sanders, with a compression of the +lips, "has settled it forever. I am now your friend, and I am ready to +give up my life for the safety of you and her, hoping that heaven will +take it, with my repentance, as some atonement for the many sins I +have committed." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE PURSUIT + + +There are two angels within us forever struggling for the mastery: One +is the angel of darkness, and the other of light--of evil and of +good. + +They had waged their battle in the heart of Fred Sanders for a long +time, and too often did the restraining spirit fold her hands over her +face and withdraw in sorrow at the triumph of the other. But the final +struggle--the decisive warfare--was now ended, and the beauteous +countenance of the good angel was radiant with hope and courage, for a +soul had been saved. + +Abram Storms smiled with pleasure as he looked upon the manly young +fellow, and he was filled with delight at the resolution shown by +him. + +"There is no shrinking or trembling there," said Storms to himself. +"He means every word he says, and he will stick to the end." + +The man tried to look calm and self-possessed, when he moved forward +and extended his hand, but there were tears in his eyes, and he could +only murmur: + +"God bless you, my boy! You have chosen the better part." + +They were silent for a minute or so, each one's thoughts active, when +Fred said: + +"If you please, I would rather that Inez should know nothing of +this." + +"She never shall know a word of it from me." + +"One of these days, perhaps, I will tell her what a villain she was +the means of saving from destruction." + +Fred appreciated the skill, seamanship and shrewdness of Storms, and +consulted fully with him, saying that, as he himself was captain, he +would appoint the other to his old position--that of mate. + +The whole scheme had already been made clear by the youth. The large +proa was in sight, by appointment, having been cruising back and forth +for several days, on the lookout for the smaller boat with the party +who it was expected would be robbed and killed for the valuable pearls +in their possession. The signal of the fluttering handkerchief from +the triangular sail meant that the party were on board, and the +original program was to be carried out. That is, the pursuing boat was +to hold off until after dark. She was to keep on a converging course, +so as not to lose sight of the small proa, and gradually approaching, +overhaul and attack her at the time when the chances of success were +at the best. + +The plan decided upon by Captain Sanders was simply to keep away from +the larger craft, and to do his utmost to prevent being overhauled; +and he showed his earnestness in this respect by taking the steering +oar and bearing away from the other, so that, instead of being +converging, they became parallel. + +The two natives displayed some surprise when they observed this +action, but they said nothing, and most likely felt no suspicion as +yet of their captain, whose desperation and heartlessness on more than +one previous occasion had won the confidence of the islanders. + +It was not long before the change was noticed on board the pursuer, +where, most likely, it was accepted as the proper thing, possibly on +account of the fear from the passengers. + +"I have no revolver like you," said Captain Fred, after they had kept +this up for a couple of hours, "but I have a double-barreled pistol +which is loaded to the muzzle. You have your six-chambered weapon, and +you must keep it ready, for, when the two islanders here become +certain of the truth, it is more than probable they will make a savage +attack on us, for two more desperate demons never lived." + +"I should hardly think so," said the mate, glancing furtively at +them. + +"No; they are as meek looking as lambs, but they were sent with me on +account of their fierce courage. Why, they were ready and eager, when +we visited you upon the island, to make an open attack, where the +chances of their defeat were about even. They would rather fight and +kill any moment than eat, and I had to be pretty sharp to restrain +them." + +"I shan't forget your warning." + +"It won't do for either of us to sleep to-night, for they are as +treacherous as cobras. They would feign slumber on purpose to put us +off our guard, and then stab us to death in our sleep." + +"Will we not reach Wauparmur to-night?" + +"It is doubtful, for the change we have made in the course is taking +us away from the true direction and gives the advantage to them, as +they are closer in than we. We have lost some good ground from the +lightness of the wind, and we shall be fortunate if we catch sight of +the place before to-morrow's sunrise." + +"After all, Captain Fred, it must be a question of speed between us +and our pursuer. Which, therefore, is the faster, the double canoe +yonder or ourselves?" + +A troubled expression came over the face of the young captain, as he +answered: + +"I don't know, for there has never been a test. We kept company most +of the way out, but we rattled along without any thought of speed, +sometimes together and sometimes apart; but my opinion is that in +moderate weather like the present there is little difference between +us, or if there is any it is in our favor. In a strong wind, the other +would he apt to outspeed us." + +"We are going to have more wind," said the mate, looking anxiously +about him. "I think I perceive it freshening already." + +"I fear the same thing," said Fred, who was manifestly very uneasy. +"We are now about two miles apart, and the prospect is that that will +be cut down one-half by sunset." + +"And then?" + +Fred shrugged his shoulders. + +"All is not lost. When the sun goes down, with us a mile apart, we +shall be invisible; but they will crowd all speed, and stand a good +chance of coming up with us again." + +"But we gain a chance to maneuver." + +"There is hope and yet great risk in that, for if we can throw them +off the track we shall be safe, for we can easily get beyond their +range of vision long before sunrise; but at the same time, in making +these sharp turns, we shall lose a great deal of ground, provided we +don't succeed, and if they once get in sight of us after the moon +rises, the race will be ended, for we won't gain a chance to dodge +them again." + +"And then?" + +"There will be the worst fight you ever saw. We shall have to begin by +shooting these two, or pitching them overboard, if they don't happen +to get their work in ahead of us, and then we shall have more than +twenty savage islanders to keep off--if we can." + +"We are pretty well armed, Captain Fred." + +"Yes, we have our pistols, and there is a musket apiece for you, me +and Inez--for she will have to take a hand in the fight." + +"And there will be no braver than she. Have they any firearms on +board?" + +"I'm sorry to say they have, and that's what makes me more anxious +than anything else. There are spears, knives, battle-axes and at least +six loaded muskets, and what is more, the men who have them in hand +know how to use them." + +Mate Storms looked anxious, as well he might, for this was a phase of +the question which had not presented itself to him. The case being as +it was, the pursuers would be likely to begin firing as soon as they +came within range, and when close in, the matter would be entirely +within their hands. + +Everything seemed to augur ill for the fugitives. The wind was +steadily increasing and the flying proa was dashing through the water +at a tremendous rate. The pursuing one had already shifted its course, +so that this early in the afternoon the struggle had begun and +settled down to a virtual test of speed. + +"What do you suppose they think of the whole business?" asked Mate +Storms, looking back at the double canoe as it rose on a huge swell at +the same moment that they themselves sank in the vast, watery waste. + +"I don't know whether they think anything is wrong yet or not, but +imagine I am trying to keep off until after dark." + +"Why, then, don't they respect your purpose and work with you?" + +"The leader of that company is an islander who is somewhat jealous of +me. He believes he knows more about such business than I do, and he +has made up his mind to keep this in hand, no matter what my wishes +are. So, though he may think I mean all right, yet he is sure he knows +better, and governs himself accordingly." + +"These two men here on board try to look indifferent, but they act +suspiciously to me." + +"And they are suspicious, too." + +Fred Sanders might have added further that they were not only +suspicious, but had actually discovered the truth. + +They understood the purpose which had brought all three to the lonely +island, and they knew that that purpose had been changed. + +Inez Hawthorne, the girl of his own race, had caused this wonderful +transformation in the heart of the young captain, and instead of being +her enemy, he had become the devoted friend of herself and companion. +While they could not understand the English tongue as they heard it +spoken, they could read the meaning of looks and gestures and the +confidential talks which they saw going on around them. They were +convinced that their captain intended to betray them, and prevent the +wealth from falling into their hands. + +Would they submit? + +Far from it. They would not only refuse to give their assent to any +such perfidy, but they would use their utmost endeavors to defeat it. +Such was their purpose, and Fred Sanders knew it, for he understood +the character of the wretches; well, therefore, was it that he +whispered the warning in the ear of Mate Abram Storms. + +Inez Hawthorne sat at the front of the proa, in the place that had +been assigned her, for something seemed to tell her that the men were +so occupied with their duties that it would be better for her to keep +away from them. It was with much reluctance that she consented to +exchange the few words with Captain Fred Sanders, and little did she +dream that it was those same few words which turned the young man from +a deadly enemy into the most devoted ally, and gave some promise of +life to herself and her companion. Yet, as we have shown, such was the +fact. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +CLOSING IN + + +When the sun sank in the western horizon, the situation of the two +craft had not materially changed. The larger had perceptibly gained +upon the smaller; but a good distance still separated them, and both +parties were doing their utmost. The wind was blowing stronger than at +mid-day, but it was not such a gale as had been feared, and our +friends were not without hope of eluding the natives, who were +endeavoring to overtake them. + +Inez Hawthorne could not avoid seeing how matters stood, though she +was far from suspecting the whole truth. Mr. Storms told her that the +other boat contained pirates, who were doing their utmost to overtake +them, and they were striving their hardest to prevent it. As it stood, +there was a prospect of a fight, in which she would likely be called +upon to take part. She smiled, looked reverently upward, and said she +was ready whenever needed, and then she remained as cool and watchful +as either of her friends. + +Mr. Storms advised her not to go to sleep, as the coming night must +decide the case one way or the other for them. + +"No fear of my sleeping," she said. "I realize our position too well +to do that." + +"And Inez," whispered Storms, "these two savages on board are the +worst sort of men. Keep watch, and do not place yourself in too +dangerous a position respecting them." + +"I have been alarmed more than once at their looks and mutterings." + +As the sun went down, it was a curious sight when the double canoe +rose on a swell and was outlined against the flaming disc behind, as +we have described the ship and the moon more than three years before. + +The sight was a strange one, though it lasted but a moment, when the +craft went down, and the smaller proa swiftly climbed the long slope +of the watery mountain in front. The round moon speedily rose in the +sky, and it was so bright that it was hard to tell when twilight ended +and its light began. + +Never did Storms and Sanders long for utter darkness more than on the +present occasion. Had the moon been obscured, they would have made a +sharp turn in their flight, with every prospect of throwing the others +completely off their trail, and with every reason to hope for a clean +escape before sunrise. + +But the flood of moon light prevented either proa losing sight of the +other. + +"There's only one thing left to us now," said the young captain. + +"And that's to fight." + +Fred nodded his head. + +"Well, we can do that. But I wish we were well rid of these fellows +with us. It puts us between two fires, and there can be no doubt they +suspect the truth." + +"I am sure of that. Hello!" + +Mr. Storms had hold of the steering-oar, and Fred was sitting close to +him when he uttered the last exclamation, and, springing forward, +hastily drew his pistol, took a quick aim and fired. + +A frenzied howl followed, and one of the crew made a furious plunge +far out into the sea, and, going down like a log, never came up +again. + +"Over with you, too!" shouted Sanders, in their native tongue, his +eyes flashing; "not an instant, or I'll shoot!" + +The savage did not hesitate, with his knife clenched in his hand, and +the young captain leveled his pistol at him. + +The sight of the muzzle so close to his skull, and the finger +resolutely pressing the trigger, were too much, and the savage made a +tremendous leap, like a tiger springing from his hiding-place, went +far out into the sea, and, quickly coming to the surface, blew the +water from his mouth, and began swimming with a swift, powerful stroke +in the direction of the pursuing boat. + +"Did you see that?" inquired Sanders, beginning coolly to reload his +pistol. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Did you know why I fired as quickly as I did?" + +"No." + +"That wretch had drawn his knife, and was moving in the direction of +the unsuspecting Inez, sitting there. I overheard him say something +which aroused my suspicion, and he was in the very act of raising his +knife when I fired." + +"Is it possible? He deserved death, then, and you finished him. But +what purpose could they have in killing an innocent girl like her?" + +"Pure fiendishness--that's all. Then they meant to make their attack +upon us, and they would have made things lively." + +"But how much better it would have been had they waited until the +others attacked, when they could have made a fatal diversion?" + +"Most certainly; but their course shows the nature of the wretches. +They are so fiendish and so eager to fight that they have no +judgment." + +"Are we heading toward Wauparmur, Fred?" + +"No; we are steering wide of it." + +"Since, then, we are engaged in a regular chase for that port, why not +head straight for the island, so as to have that advantage, at +least?" + +"You are right, for there is nothing to be gained by maneuvering to +throw them off the track." + +Fred Sanders took a small compass from his pocket, and studied it +carefully for a minute or two by the light of the moon. Then he gave +directions to Storms to bear more to the left, or the westward, until +finally he informed him that they were heading directly for the port +where all their hopes were now centered. + +The wind fell slightly, but the pursuing boat steadily gained, and it +was impossible to see how our friends could escape a hand-to-hand +fight with the pirates, and there could be but one issue to such an +encounter. + +The islanders were thoughtful enough to lower their immense sail, and +stand by until they could pick up their comrade struggling in the +water, actuated probably as much by curiosity to know the facts as by +humanity. + +This gave our friends a show once more, and they drew away from their +pursuers; but, alas! not to an extent to leave them out of sight, and +until they could do so, they could not hope to accomplish anything. + +Mr. Storms was not without a strong hope of seeing some friendly +sail, to which they could hasten for assistance, and he continually +searched the horizon, telling Inez to do the same. + +Captain Fred did not expect anything of that nature, and, since the +glasses were in his hands, he kept them turned most of the time in the +direction of the double canoe, and called out his information and +orders to his mate at the helm. + +Of course the distance was much less than a mile, or the proa would +scarcely have been discernible, but the moonlight was strong, such as +those who live in temperate zones can hardly realize, and the +illumination of the sea was wonderfully brilliant. + +Both Fred and Storms, who had spent years in the South Seas, agreed +that they had never seen anything like it before, and, for all +purposes, it might as well have been broad day. The finest print could +have been read with ease, and the glasses leveled at the approaching +boat showed the crowds of swarthy pirates on board, all as eager as +wolves to come up with the craft, which they were gaining so steadily +upon. + +And the fugitives knew well enough what the sequel would be. The rival +of Captain Fred would want no better excuse for cutting him and his +companions to pieces, and the wealth in their possession would be more +"loot" than the same parties could obtain in a dozen piratical +expeditions. + +"But they shall never get a pennyworth of it!" said Abe Storms to +Fred. + +The latter lowered his glass and looked inquiringly at him. + +"When it becomes absolutely certain that they have got us, I shall +throw all the pearls overboard, so that they shall gain nothing more +than our lives." + +"That's right; only," said the young captain, with a smile, "I advise +you not to be in too much of a hurry about it, for you will feel +somewhat mortified if we reach Wauparmur, after all, and you find you +have cast your whole wealth into the sea." + +"I shan't lose my head," said the mate, with a laugh, "unless one of +them takes it off." + +Inez Hawthorne was silent at the prow of the proa, where she was +looking for the longed-for sail, which, alas! was never to appear, for +she, too, had come to believe there was no other hope for her and her +friends. + +Mate Storms and Captain Fred happened to turn their heads at the same +moment, and were looking at the double proa coming up with them very +rapidly, when each uttered an exclamation, for they suddenly saw a red +flash at the prow of the boat, a puff of smoke, and then the report of +a musket reached them almost at the same instant that the whistle of +the bullet through the rigging was heard. + +"By George, they are firing at us!" said Fred, as if it was not the +most natural thing in the world for them to do. + +"Yes, and they're aiming pretty well, too, for that shot went through +the sail!" + +"I hardly supposed they were near enough to do that, but they are in +earnest. Wouldn't it be a good idea to reply to their hail?" + +"It would, most undoubtedly!" + +Putting up his glass, Captain Fred dived forward, brought out one of +the muskets, and taking deliberate aim, fired at the approaching +craft. + +His shot was a fortunate one, too, for the cry which instantly +followed showed that some one was struck. The others did not fire +again for some time, but seemed to concentrate all their energies and +attention upon the pursuit, which was turning more and more every +minute in their favor. + +"I don't see any escaping a fight," said Fred Sanders. "Inez says she +hasn't caught a glimpse of a sail, and I am sure she won't. We may as +well bring our guns here and be ready to repel boarders." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +WAUPARMUR + + +Oftener than we suppose does heaven interfere directly in the affairs +of men. Minutes had passed since Sanders and Storms had agreed that no +earthly occurrence could avert a fight with the dusky demons, with +scarcely a grain of hope for escape from them, when Inez uttered the +astounding exclamation: + +"We are gaining on them!" + +It was inconceivable, and the two looked again to the rear to learn +the cause of her unaccountable delusion. Five minutes later Sanders +added in a husky gasp: + +"She is right; we are not only gaining, but we are gaining fast." + +"How do you account for it?" + +"I can't account for it." + +"I can." + +"How?" asked the amazed youth. + +"God interposes many times when mortals do not see it," said the New +Englander reverently; "there is joy in heaven over one sinner that +repenteth. You have repented, and He has extended his hand to help +you." + +"Perhaps you are right," replied Sanders, much impressed. + +"I _know_ I am right." + +"And I hope to prove worthy of such undeserved kindness. All I ask is +the opportunity." + +"It shall be granted you. But, humanly speaking, there has been some +accident on board that craft yonder." + +"It must be that; as a sailor, you know any one of a half dozen things +would be sufficient to throw them out of the race. A ripping of the +sail, a fracture of the mast, the breaking of the steering gear, or +some sudden quarrel would do the trick. Sufficient for us is it to +know that it has been done." + +"God helps them that helps themselves," added Storms, "and we must +improve to the utmost the chance thrown in our way." + +Naturally the fear of the two was that their pursuers might repair the +accident which was throwing them to the rear for the time, and regain +what was lost. They steadily fell behind, and, as soon as invisible, +the proa made an abrupt change in her course, with the view of +defeating the calamity that they feared threatened them. When this had +lasted for an hour, another change was effected, with the result, as +Sanders announced, that they were now heading directly for Wauparmur. + +The eyes peering backward through the vivid moonlight failed to bring +the dreaded craft to view, and it was not yet midnight when Sanders +announced the thrilling fact that the twinkling lights, which appeared +in front like a constellation in the horizon, were made by the +dwellings in the native South Sea town of Wauparmur. All danger was +past, and about an hour later the proa glided in among the shipping in +that excellent harbor, made fast to the wharf, and the three +disembarked. + +Fred led the way to a house of entertainment near the harbor, in which +he found good lodging for his friends. + +Abram Storms carried all the precious pearls to his room and carefully +secured the door, after which he threw himself upon the bed and slept +as soundly as an infant. + +Inez Hawthorne, in the solitude of her apartment, devoutly thanked her +Heavenly Father for His care, and then she, too, slept the sleep of +exhaustion and perfect health. + +It was near noon on the succeeding day when both rose and found Fred +Sanders awaiting them. The young man had not slept at all, and was +uneasy. + +"It won't do to stay here another night," said he, in explanation, as +soon as the meal was concluded. + +"I am sure we have no wish to do so," replied Storms. "But wherein +lies the particular peril?" + +"That whole crew of the double canoe are scattered through town, and +they only await the chance to kill us. They will find the chance, too, +to-night, if we remain here." + +"But what is the prospect of getting away?" + +"I was in despair nearly all the forenoon; but a little while ago I +came upon a schooner which sails for San Francisco at three o'clock +this afternoon. I have engaged passage on it for us three, for you +know I go with you." + +"How can we ever repay you for your kindness?" said Inez, her lustrous +eyes speaking eloquently her gratitude to the youth. + +"There's no service on earth that I can render you which will compare +with what you have done for me," was the reply of Captain Fred, whose +manner showed his sincerity. Inez Hawthorne did not understand what +all this meant, but the speaker ventured upon no explanation at the +time. + +As the three were about to start upon a long voyage, it was decided +that some indispensable articles should be procured, and, since they +had little spare time at command, the three set out immediately after +dinner. + +Wauparmur, as we have already intimated, is a town numbering several +hundreds--perhaps more than a thousand--in population. Among these are +a number of foreign shopkeepers, whose places are close along shore, +so as to be the more readily accessible to their customers, who are +almost exclusively confined to those on board the vessels which stop +at the island. + +Back from the town the land rises into hills, and the settlement +becomes straggling and scattered. In these portions it is composed +entirely of rude huts and cabins, in which none but natives live, and +they are a bad lot. + +It was from among those who lived in the "suburbs" that the wretches +were gathered with which to attempt to capture and murder the little +party of Europeans for the sake of the invaluable pearls they had in +their possession. + +Fred Sanders shuddered when he thought of the risk he and his friends +ran by going straight to the inn and taking quarters for the night, +for these miscreants must, after all, have reached Wauparmur only a +few hours after the proa, and the wonder was that they did not manage +to slay the fugitives in their beds. + +The first thing Fred did in the morning was to slip out and buy a +revolver, and his second act was to load it. + +While engaged in hunting a vessel upon which to take passage, he +encountered his own acquaintances continually, and he needed not their +black faces and scowling eyes to tell how they thirsted to kill him +for his treachery. It was only by his bold front and constant +watchfulness that he kept the dusky demons at a distance. Some of them +were seen when the three ventured out, and though the pirates dared +not attack them in open daylight, they were on the verge of doing so +more than once. But their fury was directed principally against +Captain Fred Sanders, and there can be no doubt the youth spoke the +truth when he declared that if he attempted to stay on land until +morning, he would not live till midnight. + +Mr. Storms laid in a good supply of clothing, shoes and knick-knacks +for himself and Inez, and with as little delay as possible. When they +reached the wharf and approached the plank leading to the deck of the +schooner, Mr. Storms noticed a small man standing a few feet off, with +a blanket drawn up about his shoulders and neck like an Indian. His +legs, feet and head were bare, but a huge bandage was bound around his +forehead, giving him a grotesque appearance. + +His position was like a statue, and he held the blanket so high that +little could be seen except his black, glittering eyes. Some distance +off, on the street close to the shop-houses, was a group of other +natives, who looked as if they were expecting some important event. + +So they were, indeed! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +HOMEWARD BOUND + + +"Storms, do you notice that fellow?" asked Fred Sanders, as they +approached the plank. + +"Yes; it looks odd to see him standing there so motionless, and yet +with his eyes fixed upon us." + +"He's Weroo, the man who led that gang of pirates last night, and he +hates me with such a consuming hate that he sent out his men to kill +me, and in case they fail to do so, he has stationed himself there +with the determination to assassinate me, for he is ready to run any +risk rather than allow me to get away." + +"Are you prepared?" asked Storms, with no little anxiety. + +"I rather guess so! Walk ahead with Inez and leave him to me." + +With some hesitation, Storms did as requested, though he placed his +hand on his revolver, so as to be ready for any emergency, the crew of +the _Albatross_, who were busying themselves around, seeming to hold +no suspicion of the situation. + +Just as Captain Fred put his foot on the plank, the islander took a +short step forward, like a panther gathering himself for the leap upon +its victim. At that very instant, as if by intuition, Captain Fred +turned about and leveled his revolver at the muffled figure, which +paused. Every one who was looking on supposed, of course, the boy was +going to fire, but, though his finger pressed the trigger, he did not +discharge his weapon. With the pistol pointed straight at the savage, +Fred slowly backed up the plank, keeping his foe covered until he +himself was on the deck of the schooner. + +The barbarian seemed paralyzed. After taking the slight step forward, +he paused and stood motionless, staring and transfixed, until his +victim was beyond his reach. Then, without a word or exclamation, he +turned about, and strode away to where his infuriated and discomfited +comrades were watching him with not the slightest doubt he would +prevent the escape of the white boy. Within the succeeding hour the +_Albatross_ was standing down the bay, with all sail spread; and her +long voyage to distant California was begun. + +Ah, that journey from the South Seas across the equator and northward +into the stern climate of the Temperate Zone! + +Not one of those who participated in it can forget it to his dying +day. They had many hours of fierce, wild weather, in which the +_Albatross_ was more than once in danger, but Captain Hardy was a good +sailor, he had a good crew, and he safely rode through it all. + +Then came those delightful nights which seem peculiar to the Pacific, +when the moonlight takes on a witchery of its own, and the calm sea +becomes like an enchanted lake as the vessel glides over it. + +Captain Hardy was a kind man as well as a skilful sailor, and, since +he received a most liberal price for the passage of the three persons +who joined him at Wauparmur, the best treatment was given them. + +It was on this homeward voyage that Captain Fred Sanders told to Mate +Storms and Inez Hawthorne the story of his life, the main points of +which have already been hinted to the reader. He ran away from his +home in San Francisco when but a mere boy, scarcely ten years old. He +was led into all sorts of evil, and was so deeply implicated in a +fierce mutiny that, as we have said, he would have been strung up at +the yard-arm, excepting for his extreme youth. + +He then joined a trading vessel in the South Seas, but the crew were +attacked and massacred by a band of pirates, and he was taken off a +prisoner. These pirates belonged to the Wauparmur settlement, and they +were so pleased with the bravery displayed by the boy that they +adopted him among them. There was something in the life which was +attractive to the wild American lad, and he embraced it eagerly, and +spent five years among them. His bravery, skill, and natural +"smartness," advanced him rapidly along the line of promotion, until, +while yet a boy, he became an acknowledged leader. + +Captain Fred spent a portion of his time in the settlement, where he +showed his good sense, in one respect at least, by picking up all the +education he could from the instructors who were to be found there. He +succeeded well--which will explain the intelligence he displayed in +this respect while conversing with his friends. + +He confessed all this, and said further that his mother died before he +ran away, and he had no idea where his father was; but, if he were +alive, the son determined to find him, no matter where he might be on +the broad earth. Now that his conscience had been awakened, his +affection came back with it, and his great fear was that he would not +see his parent alive. + +It was a source of never-ending wonder to Fred Sanders how it was he +could have been so wicked a lad, and how it was that his moral sense +could have been so totally eclipsed for years. The gentle, winning +words of Inez Hawthorne had first aroused his conscience, until +finally it would not allow him to rest until he had made his peace +with it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +CONCLUSION + + +Many a long hour did the two--Fred and Inez--spend in talking together +of the past and their future. They were as brother and sister to each +other, and their prospects were discussed as if it were fixed that +they should never lose sight of each other again. + +It was on this voyage, too, that Abram Storms disclosed the plan of +action he had decided upon. + +"The pearls which I have in my possession I shall dispose of in San +Francisco--or at least a portion of them. Those which were my share, +according to the original agreement, I shall keep. The single pearl, +which will doubtless bring a large price in New York, is the property +of Inez, and shall be devoted to her benefit. I intend to place her in +a school and make a systematic effort to trace her parentage. The +pearls left by Captain Bergen go to you, Fred." + +But here occurred the first stumbling-block. Fred Sanders refused +pointedly, but firmly, to accept a single one of them. He declared he +had no claim upon any one of that little party, and he would not +suffer himself to be dissuaded from his position. + +He was yet young, vigorous and ambitious, and with the help of heaven +he would carve out his own fortune. Seeing it was useless to argue the +question, Storms fell back upon the original intention of Captain +Bergen, which was to devote the greater portion of his wealth to +charity. + +In due time, the _Albatross_ glided through the Golden Gate, and our +friends found themselves in San Francisco, whose streets all had trod +years before. + +The first thing Storms did after establishing Inez in pleasant +quarters was to hunt up the mother of Captain Bergen, and he +prosecuted his search with a heavy heart, bearing the bad news which +he did. He was relieved to find that she had been dead fully two +years, and the nearest relative of the captain remaining was his +cousin, who was in such affluent circumstances that Storms decided not +to give him any portion of the wealth left by the deceased captain. + +While Abe Storms was engaged upon his duty, young Fred Sanders was +busy. + +Although he had revealed a great deal of his past life, there remained +one great secret, which he had reserved as a final surprise, +especially to Inez Hawthorne, who, as yet, had not formed the +slightest idea of what was coming. And what this secret was, and the +particulars of not one but two astounding discoveries, we will now +proceed to relate. + +The grim old sailor, Captain Strathmore, of the steamer _Polynesia_, +has made many voyages between San Francisco and the Imperial Japanese +city of Tokio since we last saw him, more than three years ago. There +is little change, however, in his appearance, and the same kindly +heart, tempered in the furnace of affliction and sorrow, throbs +beneath his rough exterior. There are few officers holding such a +responsible position as he who are greater favorites with the +multitudes that go down to the sea in ships, and he promises to +perform many valuable years of service to his employers, who +appreciate the sterling worth of the brave, noble man. + +The steamer has been at the dock several days, and soon is to leave +for her long voyage across the Pacific. The captain is sitting in his +cabin, reading and writing some letters. By-and-by he lays down his +pen, and wheeling his chair around, gives utterance to his thoughts, +as he has grown in the habit of doing of late. + +"I shall keep in harness till I die, for idleness would take me off +in a short time. I have striven to do my duty to God and my +fellow-man--and though much sorrow has come to me, yet I shall never +murmur nor complain, when I see so much around me and know that no +race and no place in society is exempt from it. + +"Years ago I placed away my beloved wife in the distant New England +hills, and then when the fair bud which she left behind blossomed, +that, too, was gathered by the angels and I was left alone. + +"The darling son upon whom I centered all my hopes was a wild, wayward +boy, and he left my roof and has never come back again. Whether he is +or is not, I cannot tell, but I fear that, if he still treads the +earth, he is sowing the wind and will reap the whirlwind. I have +striven to forget that I was ever afflicted in being the parent of +such a child. But alas, the roots of affection are planted so deep +that it is hard to withdraw them. + +"Then there came to me a second Inez, and I loved her as I did the +first. Just as she nestled around my heart, she was taken away in the +most surprising manner. I believed then that I should see and clasp +her again in my arms. But the years have come and gone, and still she +comes not to me. Ah! could I but hear the music of that voice--could I +but feel those dimpled arms about my neck as I used to do----Helloa!" + +Just then Fred Sanders walked briskly into the cabin, doffed his hat, +made a bow, laughed and said: + +"Helloa, pop! how are you?" + +Captain Strathmore gasped, stared and replied: + +"No--no--no--Fred. Is that you, my own boy?" + +And Fred laughed, and then, with tears in his eyes, leaped forward and +threw his arms about the old captain's neck and cried like a child, +while the parent, fondly caressing him, cried too, and for a minute +neither could speak an intelligible word. + +"Pop," finally said the youth, raising his head and sitting upon the +strong knee, "I have been a bad boy. I have brought trouble to you, +but I have come thousands of miles to ask your forgiveness and to try +to cheer your declining years." + +"What are you talking about declining years for, you young rascal? I +never was so strong and hearty in my life. You have made me twenty +years younger! Ah, if your mother could but see this! But she is +smiling in heaven over it, and so is our darling Inez, who joined her +long ago. God be thanked! my boy is dead but is alive again!" + +And, laughing and crying, they shook hands, and talked and talked. + +"Tell me everything that has befallen you, my dear son." + +And Fred did so, as we have already told the reader, adding that he +never so far forgot himself as to dishonor his father by bearing his +name. He was known everywhere as Frederic Sanders, whereas his full +name was Frederic Sanders Strathmore--which he was now proud to +assume, and which, with God's help, he meant to honor. + +They sat a long time in loving converse, and, finally, Captain +Strathmore told the story of Inez Hawthorne, who came to and went from +him in such an extraordinary manner, and for whom he sighed and longed +as he had for his own child, taken from him years before. + +Fred smiled in an odd way, while this story was being told, and then +asked his father to walk down to the Occidental Hotel with him. + +"I have some very particular business," he added, "and will take it as +a great favor if you will so so." + +"Of course I will," responded the cheery old captain, springing to his +feet. "I will walk if I can, but I feel more like flying; and if +there's any more good news, I'll set up a dancing and yelling +carnival." + +"Well, there is good news awaiting you, so you had better get ready to +put on the brakes." + +"What do you mean, Fred?" + +"Wait, and you will see." + +A few minutes later there was a gentle tap on the door of Inez +Hawthorne's room at the Occidental. She was busy sewing, and she +called out in a somewhat startled voice: + +"Come in!" + +Fred Strathmore threw the door wide open, and, taking hold of his +father's arm, gave him such a vigorous shove that he was forced +several steps into the apartment before he could stop himself. + +He caught sight of a beautiful, scared face, which stared with +something like terror at him for a moment; and then there was a +scream, and she made one bound forward. + +"Oh, father, father! my own dear father! I am so glad!" + +Again the arms were about the neck of the weather-beaten sea-dog; +again the kisses were showered upon his bronzed face; again his own +lost Inez was in his arms. + +Poor Captain Strathmore broke down completely. Instead of shouting and +dancing, as he threatened to do, he sat in his chair, and, with Inez +on his knee, overrunning with joy, delight and supreme happiness, he +could do nothing but cry, cry, cry, and murmur his gratitude and +thankfulness. + +But, after a time, he did recover himself; and then he became aware +for the first time, as did the others, that a fourth party was +present. This was Mate Storms, who suspected the situation before he +was introduced to the happy captain of the _Polynesia_. Since they all +had such an extraordinary story to relate, the captain had an equally +remarkable one to tell them. + +The persistent and never-ending investigation which he set on foot +concerning the lost Inez had resulted, not in finding her, but in +unearthing her entire history. + +She was a native of the city of New York, and her father died there +before she was a year old. A former suitor of her mother, angered +because she would not become his wife, even after her husband was +deceased, resorted to the atrocious revenge of stealing Inez when she +was but an infant, and he hastened across the continent with her. + +When he had kept her there a brief time, he sought to open negotiations +with the mother, with a view of delivering back her child on condition +that the parent should become his wife; but he was shocked to learn +that the poor, heartbroken mother had died from grief, and the child was +upon his hands. + +This man finally married a woman in San Francisco, but neither of them +could ever feel any affection for the little girl (whom, however, they +treated quite fairly), and the wife insisted that she should be gotten +rid of in some way. Through some whim or other, the abductor had +always called her by her right name--Inez Hawthorne--and, seeing some +mention of it in the newspapers, he resorted to the means which we +described, at the opening of this story, for ridding himself forever +of her. + +As soon as Inez was safely placed on the steamer, this wicked couple +disappeared, and no further trace of them could be found. Captain +Strathmore, who was anxious to punish them, believed they had left the +country. Inez, therefore, was an orphan, and while a gentle sadness +filled her affectionate heart--as she heard the particulars of her own +history for the first time, and reflected upon that poor, heartbroken +mother, who had gone to her rest long ago--she could not feel any +poignant grief, for her memory of the lost one was too shadowy and +faint. But she had found a home and friends for life. + +Abram Storms explained that he had met three English gentlemen who +were making a tour of the world in a large steam yacht; and, since +they possessed abundant means, and were very social, he had shown them +the pearls in his possession and offered to dispose of them all. They +were delighted with the specimens, and especially with the enormous +one belonging to Inez. They offered twenty-five thousand dollars for +the single one, and just one hundred thousand for the rest. This was +less than Storms had counted upon--and doubtless less than he could +have secured by consulting leading lapidaries in other parts of the +world--but he was inclined to end the transaction by accepting it, and +he asked the advice of his friends. After fully discussing the matter, +it was agreed to close with the offer, and the exchange was completed +that afternoon, and the money belonging to Inez was placed in the bank +the next morning. + +Since Storms was anxious to return to his home, and since there was no +call for his remaining longer in San Francisco, it was arranged that +Inez should enter an excellent school in the Golden Gate City, where +she should spend several years, while Captain Strathmore was to act as +her guardian until she should attain her legal majority. The captain's +position enabled him to find a berth under him for Fred on the steamer +_Polynesia_, and the boy sailed with him on the next voyage to Tokio, +and on many a subsequent one. + +Abe Storms is as poor as he was before he made his voyage to the South +Seas, for, having dedicated the wealth left by Captain Bergen to +charitable purposes, he felt it his duty to do the same with his own, +and, since he has no one besides himself dependent upon him, he is not +troubled by fears of not being able to make a comfortable living. + +THE END + + + + +A. L. BURT'S CATALOGUE OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY POPULAR WRITERS + +52-58 Duane Street, New York + +BOOKS FOR BOYS. + +Joe's Luck: A Boy's Adventures in California. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The story is chock full of stirring incidents, while the amusing +situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and the +fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike Co., +Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck" is +certainly one of his best. + +Tom the Bootblack; or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all +ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better +himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr. Grey, +the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. The plan +failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a comfortable +fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories. + +Dan the Newsboy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is +pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of New +York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the +Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house +where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little +heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that +she adopts him as her heir. + +Tony the Hero: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By Horatio Alger, Jr. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of +Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and gets +a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large estate. +Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down a deep well. +Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, and by a brave act, +a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is prosperous. A very +entertaining book. + +The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart +country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named +Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent +troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of +errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend. + +Tom Temple's Career. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village to +seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to +California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that +the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have +been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for himself +and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a situation as +cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a wealthy old +gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter helps the lad to +gain success and fortune. + +Tom Thatcher's Fortune. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, +price $1.00. + +Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his mother +and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John Simpson's +factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts overland for +California. He meets with many adventures. The story is told in a way +which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so many homes. + +The Train Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and +sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad. +He detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a young lady. +In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul is fortunate +enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude takes him into +his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and is well started on +the road to business prominence. + +Mark Mason's Victory. The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By +Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily won +his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many difficulties. +This story will please the very large class of boys who regard Mr. Alger +as a favorite author. + +A Debt of Honor. The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West. By +Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and +disappointments which he passed through before he attained success, will +interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful +author. + +Ben Bruce. Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts, and +many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success, are most +interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most +fascinating style. + +The Castaways; or, On the Florida Reefs. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen +leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the +coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through her +rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the leeward. +The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the cook, +cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis is +a prime favorite. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Wrecked on Spider Island; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Ned Rogers, a "down-east" plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn a +livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there discovers a +wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable amount of treasure. +The capture of the treasure and the incidents of the voyage serve to make +as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most captious boy could desire. + +The Search for the Silver City: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yacht Day Dream +for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed by fire, and then the +boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They bear of the wonderful Silver +City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians, and with the help of a faithful +Indian ally carry off a number of the golden images from the temples. +Pursued with relentless vigor at last their escape is effected in an +astonishing manner. The story is so full of exciting incidents that the +reader is quite carried away with the novelty and realism of the +narrative. + +A Runaway Brig; or, An Accidental Cruise. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide shimmering +sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with Harry +Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, Bob Brace, on +the brig Bonita. The boys discover a mysterious document which enables +them to find a buried treasure. They are stranded on an island and at last +are rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure to be fascinated with +this entertaining story. + +The Treasure Finders: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father's indigo +plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The boys +eagerly explore the temples of an extinct race and discover three golden +images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the greatest difficulty. +Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. We doubt if there +ever was written a more entertaining story than "The Treasure Finders." + +Jack, the Hunchback. A Story of the Coast of Maine. By James Otis. Price +$1.00. + +This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape Elizabeth, on +the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are most interesting. From +first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us +along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses +its force. + +With Washington at Monmouth: A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By James +Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make regular and +frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while the British occupied +the city. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully +drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given show that +the work has not been hastily done, or without considerable study. The +story is wholesome and patriotic in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis' works. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +With Lafayette at Yorktown: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the Continental +Army. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, +price $1.50. + +Two lads from Portsmouth, N. H., attempt to enlist in the Colonial Army, +and are given employment as spies. There is no lack of exciting incidents +which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful excitement brimming +with facts which every boy should be familiar with, and while the reader +is following the adventures of Ben Jaffrays and Ned Allen he is acquiring +a fund of historical lore which will remain in his memory long after that +which he has memorized from textbooks has been forgotten. + +At the Siege of Havana. Being the Experiences of Three Boys Serving under +Israel Putnam in 1762. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine +edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"At the Siege of Havana" deals with that portion of the island's history +when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the assistance given +by the troops from New England, led in part by Col. Israel Putnam. + +The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who, represented as +telling the story, and his comrades, Robert Clement and Nicholas Vallet. +Colonel Putnam also figures to considerable extent, necessarily, in the +tale, and the whole forms one of the most readable stories founded on +historical facts. + +The Defense of Fort Henry. A Story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By James +Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or +thrilling incidents than in the story of those brave men and women who +founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of Virginia. The recital +of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as heroic a story as can be +imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed by Major McCulloch and his +gallant comrades, the sufferings of the colonists and their sacrifice of +blood and life, stir the blood of old as well as young readers. + +The Capture of the Laughing Mary. A Story of Three New York Boys in 1776. +By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. + +"During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the +Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General Washington's +person, and calls in two companions to assist the patriot cause. They do +some astonishing things, and, incidentally, lay the way for an American +navy later, by the exploit which gives its name to the work. Mr. Otis' +books are too well known to require any particular commendation to the +young."--Evening Post. + +With Warren at Bunker Hill. A Story of the Siege of Boston. By James Otis. +12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"This is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day after the +doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of home life in +Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at Charlestown, shows +Gen. Warren at home, describes what a boy thought of the battle of Bunker +Hill, and closes with the raising of the siege. The three heroes, George +Wentworth, Ben Scarlett and an old ropemaker, incur the enmity of a young +Tory, who causes them many adventures the boys will like to +read."--Detroit Free Press. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +With the Swamp Fox. The Story of General Marion's Spies. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story deals with General Francis Marion's heroic struggle in the +Carolinas. General Marion's arrival to take command of these brave men and +rough riders is pictured as a boy might have seen it, and although the +story is devoted to what the lads did, the Swamp Fox is ever present in +the mind of the reader. + +On the Kentucky Frontier. A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West. By +James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +In the history of our country there is no more thrilling story than that +of the work done on the Mississippi river by a handful of frontiersmen. +Mr. Otis takes the reader on that famous expedition from the arrival of +Major Clarke's force at Corn Island, until Kaskaskia was captured. He +relates that part of Simon Kenton's life history which is not usually +touched upon either by the historian or the story teller. This is one of +the most entertaining books for young people which has been published. + +Sarah Dillard's Ride. A Story of South Carolina in 1780. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This book deals with the Carolinas in 1780, giving a wealth of detail of +the Mountain Men who struggled so valiantly against the king's troops. +Major Ferguson is the prominent British officer of the story, which is +told as though coming from a youth who experienced these adventures. In +this way the famous ride of Sarah Dillard is brought out as an incident of +the plot."--Boston Journal. + +A Tory Plot. A Story of the Attempt to Kill General Washington. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"'A Tory Plot' is the story of two lads who overhear something of the +plot originated during the Revolution by Gov. Tryon to capture or murder +Washington. They communicate their knowledge to Gen. Putnam and are +commissioned by him to play the role of detectives in the matter. They do +so, and meet with many adventures and hairbreadth escapes. The boys are, +of course, mythical, but they serve to enable the author to put into very +attractive shape much valuable knowledge concerning one phase of the +Revolution."--Pittsburgh Times. + +A Traitor's Escape. A Story of the Attempt to Seize Benedict Arnold. By +James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This is a tale with stirring scenes depicted in each chapter, bringing +clearly before the mind the glorious deeds of the early settlers in this +country. In an historical work dealing with this country's past, no plot +can hold the attention closer than this one, which describes the attempt +and partial success of Benedict Arnold's escape to New York, where he +remained as the guest of Sir Henry Clinton. All those who actually figured +in the arrest of the traitor, as well as Gen. Washington, are included as +characters."--Albany Union. + +A Cruise with Paul Jones. A Story of Naval Warfare in 1776. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This story takes up that portion of Paul Jones' adventurous life when he +was hovering off the British coast, watching for an opportunity to strike +the enemy a blow. It deals more particularly with his descent upon +Whitehaven, the seizure of Lady Selkirk's plate, and the famous battle +with the Drake. The boy who figures in the tale is one who was taken from +a derelict by Paul Jones shortly after this particular cruise was +begun."--Chicago Inter-Ocean. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Corporal Lige's Recruit. A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"In 'Corporal Lige's Recruit,' Mr. Otis tells the amusing story of an old +soldier, proud of his record, who had served the king in '58, and who +takes the lad, Isaac Rice, as his 'personal recruit.' The lad acquits +himself superbly. Col. Ethan Allen 'in the name of God and the continental +congress,' infuses much martial spirit into the narrative, which will +arouse the keenest interest as it proceeds. Crown Point, Ticonderoga, +Benedict Arnold and numerous other famous historical names appear in this +dramatic tale."--Boston Globe. + +Morgan, the Jersey Spy. A Story of the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"The two lads who are utilized by the author to emphasize the details of +the work done during that memorable time were real boys who lived on the +banks of the York river, and who aided the Jersey spy in his dangerous +occupation. In the guise of fishermen the lads visit Yorktown, are +suspected of being spies, and put under arrest. Morgan risks his life to +save them. The final escape, the thrilling encounter with a squad of red +coats, when they are exposed equally to the bullets of friends and foes, +told in a masterly fashion, makes of this volume one of the most +entertaining books of the year."--Inter-Ocean. + +The Young Scout: The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By Edward S. Ellis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the most terrible +scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven, in a tale of +thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's last raid. The hero is +Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point. Ambitious to +distinguish himself the young man takes many a desperate chance against +the enemy and on more than one occasion narrowly escapes with his life. In +our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of Indian stories now before the +public. + +Adrift in the Wilds: The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys. By Edward S. +Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence are en route for San Francisco. Off the +coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys reach the shore +with several of the passengers. Young Brandon becomes separated from his +party and is captured by hostile Indians, but is afterwards rescued. This +is a very entertaining narrative of Southern California. + +A Young Hero; or, Fighting to Win. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from the +Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred Sheldon, +the hero of this story, undertakes to discover the thieves and have them +arrested. After much time spent in detective work, he succeeds in +discovering the silver plate and winning the reward. The story is told in +Mr. Ellis' most fascinating style. Every boy will be glad to read this +delightful book. + +Lost in the Rockies. A Story of Adventure in the Rocky Mountains. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure, and at +the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced breathless +enjoyment in this romantic story describing many adventures in the Rockies +and among the Indians. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +A Jaunt Through Java: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures of two +cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across the island of +Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where the Royal +Bengal tiger, the rhinoceros, and other fierce beasts are to be met with, +it is but natural that the heroes of this book should have a lively +experience. There is not a dull page in the book. + +The Boy Patriot. A Story of Jack, the Young Friend of Washington. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"There are adventures of all kinds for the hero and his friends, whose +pluck and ingenuity in extricating themselves from awkward fixes are +always equal to the occasion. It is an excellent story full of honest, +manly, patriotic efforts on the part of the hero. A very vivid description +of the battle of Trenton is also found in this story."--Journal of +Education. + +A Yankee Lad's Pluck. How Bert Larkin Saved his Father's Ranch in Porto +Rico. By Wm. P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"Bert Larkin, the hero of the story, early excites our admiration, and is +altogether a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the story +of his numerous adventures is very graphically told. This will, we think, +prove one of the most popular boys' books this season."--Gazette. + +A Brave Defense. A Story of the Massacre at Fort Griswold in 1781. By +William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Perhaps no more gallant fight against fearful odds took place during the +Revolutionary War than that at Fort Griswold, Groton Heights, Conn., in +1781. The boys are real boys who were actually on the muster rolls, either +at Fort Trumbull on the New London side, or of Fort Griswold on the Groton +side of the Thames. The youthful reader who follows Halsey Sanford and +Levi Dart and Tom Malleson, and their equally brave comrades, through +their thrilling adventures will be learning something more than historical +facts; they will be imbibing lessons of fidelity, of bravery, of heroism, +and of manliness, which must prove serviceable in the arena of life. + +The Young Minuteman. A Story of the Capture of General Prescott in 1777. +By William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story is based upon actual events which occurred during the British +occupation of the waters of Narragansett Bay. Darius Wale and William +Northrop belong to "the coast patrol." The story is a strong one, +dealing only with actual events. There is, however, no lack of thrilling +adventure, and every lad who is fortunate enough to obtain the book will +find not only that his historical knowledge is increased, but that his own +patriotism and love of country are deepened. + +For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY. With +illustrations by S. J. Solomon. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"Mr. Henty's graphic prose picture of the hopeless Jewish resistance to +Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the +world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest efforts."--Graphic. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Roy Gilbert's Search: A Tale of the Great Lakes. By Wm. P. Chipman. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges with +two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam launch. The +three boys visit many points of interest on the lakes. Afterwards the lads +rescue an elderly gentleman and a lady from a sinking yacht. Later on the +boys narrowly escape with their lives. The hero is a manly, self-reliant +boy, whose adventures will be followed with interest. + +The Slate Picker: The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal Mines. By Harry +Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Ben +Burton, the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he +advanced step by step until he found himself called upon to fill the +position of chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. This is a book of +extreme interest to every boy reader. + +The Boy Cruisers; or, Paddling in Florida. By St. George Rathborne. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Andrew George and Rowland Carter start on a canoe trip along the Gulf +coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. Their first adventure is with a +pair of rascals who steal their boats. Next they run into a gale in the +Gulf. After that they have a lively time with alligators and Andrew gets +into trouble with a band of Seminole Indians. Mr. Rathborne knows just how +to interest the boys, and lads who are in search of a rare treat will do +well to read this entertaining story. + +Captured by Zulus: A Story of Trapping in Africa. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and Bob +Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa. By stratagem the Zulus capture Dick +and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The lads escape +death by digging their way out of the prison hut by night. They are +pursued, but the Zulus finally give up pursuit. Mr. Prentice tells exactly +how wild-beast collectors secure specimens on their native stamping +grounds, and these descriptions make very entertaining reading. + +Tom the Ready; or, Up from the Lowest. By Randolph Hill. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless, ambitious +boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder to wealth and the +governorship of his native State. Tom Seacomb begins life with a purpose, +and eventually overcomes those who oppose him. How he manages to win the +battle is told by Mr. Hill in a masterful way that thrills the reader and +holds his attention and sympathy to the end. + +Captain Kidd's Gold: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy. By James +Franklin Fitts. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea of +buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy Portuguese and +Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming eyes. There were many +famous sea rovers, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Paul Jones +Garry inherits a document which locates a considerable treasure buried by +two of Kidd's crew. The hero of this book is an ambitious, persevering +lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, and his efforts to reach the +island and secure the money form one of the most absorbing tales for our +youth that has come from the press. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +The Boy Explorers: The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By Harry +Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel to Alaska to join their +father in search of their uncle. On their arrival at Sitka the boys with +an Indian guide set off across the mountains. The trip is fraught with +perils that test the lads' courage to the utmost. All through their +exciting adventures the lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck +and resolution, and their experience makes one of the most interesting +tales ever written. + +The Island Treasure; or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By Frank H. Converse. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a school-ship, is +bent on going to sea. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry saves +Dr. Gregg from drowning and afterward becomes sailing-master of a sloop +yacht. Mr. Converse's stories possess a charm of their own which is +appreciated by lads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt +water. + +Guy Harris: The Runaway. By Harry Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, +price $1.00. + +Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great Lakes. +He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a glimpse of the rough side of life +in a sailor's boarding house. He ships on a vessel and for five months +leads a hard life. The book will interest boys generally on account of its +graphic style. This is one of Castlemon's most attractive stories. + +Julian Mortimer: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune. By Harry +Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days +when emigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the land +of gold. There is an attack upon the wagon train by a large party of +Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon nerve and pluck. Befriended by a +stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the most happy +results. + +By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Maynard Brown. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the +book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be students in spite +of themselves."--St. James's Gazette. + +St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible style the +author has endeavored to show that determination and enthusiasm can +accomplish marvellous results; and that courage is generally accompanied +by magnanimity and gentleness."--Pall Mall Gazette. + +Captain Bayley's Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment; and the +humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the Westminster +dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled."--Christian Leader. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Budd Boyd's Triumph; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. By William P. +Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay, and +the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. The two boys, Budd +Boyd and Judd Floyd, being ambitious and clear sighted, form a partnership +to catch and sell fish. Budd's pluck and good sense carry him through many +troubles. In following the career of the boy firm of Boyd & Floyd, the +youthful reader will find a useful lesson--that industry and perseverance +are bound to lead to ultimate success. + +Lost in the Canyon: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado. By +Alfred R. Calhoun. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the fact +that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before he +shall have reached his majority. The story of his father's peril and of +Sam's desperate trip down the great canyon on a raft, and how the party +finally escape from their perils is described in a graphic style that +stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master of his art. + +Captured by Apes: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal Trainer. By +Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, sets sail for +Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. The vessel is +wrecked off the coast of Borneo, and young Garland is cast ashore on a +small island, and captured by the apes that overrun the place. Very novel +indeed is the way by which the young man escapes death. Mr. Prentice is a +writer of undoubted skill. + +Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the book; but +the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the exciting deeds +of his heroes are never incongruous nor absurd."--Observer. + +By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details of +the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. + +"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories. 'By +Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--Athenęum. + +With Lee in Virginia: A Story of the American Civil War. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. The +picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and romantic incidents +are skillfully blended with the personal interest and charm of the +story."--Standard. + +By England's Aid; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604). By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Alfred Pearse. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring +incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the scene +are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to its +attractiveness."--Boston Gazette. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +By Right of Conquest; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by W. S. Stacey. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. + +"The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the +magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightfully ranked among the +most romantic and daring exploits in history. 'By Right of Conquest' is +the nearest approach to a perfectly successful historical tale that Mr. +Henty has yet published."--Academy. + +For Name and Fame; or, Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of +excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account of a +territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess a supreme +interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian Empire."--Glasgow +Herald. + +The Bravest of the Brave; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to enforce +the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness, as +indispensable to the making of a gentleman. Boys will read 'The Bravest of +the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite sure."--Daily +Telegraph. + +The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to +the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skillfully +constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is admirably +illustrated."--Saturday Review. + +Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The lad's +journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, makes up as good a +narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and +variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."--Spectator. + +With Clive in India; or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance, +and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself is +deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be delighted with the +volume."--Scotsman. + +In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by J. Schönberg. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. +Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and peril +they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--Saturday Review. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of +Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schönberg. 12mo, +cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds of +the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey, Hepburn, and +Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve to live whose +disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern British +army."--Athenęum. + +The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle between +Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of +the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of the +sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish +reader."--Athenęum. + +The Young Carthaginian. A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays the +interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose current +varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday Review. + +In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and most +remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once +he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The Schoolmaster. + +With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great +power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no pains +are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his books supply +useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School Guardian. + +True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers +during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son of +an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the +hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us +by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times. + +A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The +episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting, realistic; +and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the formation of an +honorable, manly, and even heroic character."--Birmingham Post. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Adrift on the Pacific, by Edward S. 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Ellis + +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: Adrift on the Pacific + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 11, 2009 [EBook #29667] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class='tp' style='margin-top:40px;font-size:2.2em;margin-bottom:40px;'>Adrift on the Pacific</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-bottom:40px;'>A Boys Story of the Sea and its Perils</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:20px;'>By EDWARD S. ELLIS</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;'>Author of<br />“The Young Pioneers,” “Fighting to Win,” “Adrift in the<br />Wilds,” “The Boy Patriot,” Etc.</p> +<div style='margin:40px auto; text-align:center;'><img alt='emblem' src='images/illus-emb.jpg' /></div> +<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:40px;font-size:1.2em;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY; PUBLISHERS<br />NEW YORK</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='center'>Copyright, 1911<br /> +<span class='smcap'>By A. L. BURT COMPANY</span></p> +<hr class='p17' /> +<p class='center'><span class='smcap'>Adrift on the Pacific</span></p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h1>Adrift on the Pacific</h1> +<div class='chsp' style='padding-top:0'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_CAPTAIN_STRATHMORES_PASSENGER' id='CHAPTER_I_CAPTAIN_STRATHMORES_PASSENGER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>CAPTAIN STRATHMORE’S PASSENGER</h3> +</div> +<p>A few hours before the sailing of the steamer <i>Polynesia</i>, +from San Francisco to Japan, and while Captain +Strathmore stood on deck watching the bustle and +hurry, he was approached by a nervous, well-dressed +gentleman, who was leading a little girl by the hand.</p> +<p>“I wish you to take a passenger to Tokio for me, +Captain Strathmore,” said the stranger.</p> +<p>The honest, bluff old captain, although tender of +the feelings of others, never forgot the dignity and +respect due to his position, and, looking sternly at the +stranger, said:</p> +<p>“You should know, sir, that it is the purser and not +the captain whom you should see.”</p> +<p>“I have seen him, and cannot make a satisfactory +arrangement.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span></div> +<p>“And that is no reason, sir, why you should approach +me.”</p> +<p>The captain was about moving away, when the +stranger placed his hand on his arm, and said, in a +hurried, anxious voice:</p> +<p>“It is not I who wish to go––it is this little girl. +It is a case of life and death; she must go! You, as +captain, can take her in your own cabin, and no one +will be inconvenienced.”</p> +<p>For the first time Captain Strathmore looked down +at the little girl, who was staring around her with the +wondering curiosity of childhood.</p> +<p>She was apparently about six years of age, and the +picture of infantile innocence and loveliness. She +was dressed with good taste, her little feet being incased +in Cinderella-like slippers, while the pretty +stockings and dress set off the figure to perfection. +She wore a fashionable straw hat, with a gay ribbon, +and indeed looked like a child of wealthy parents, who +had let her out for a little jaunt along some shady +avenue.</p> +<p>When Captain Strathmore looked down upon this +sweet child, a great pang went through his heart, for +she was the picture of the little girl that once called +him father.</p> +<p>Her mother died while little Inez was an infant, +and, as soon as the cherished one could dispense with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +the care of a nurse, she joined her father, the captain, +and henceforth was not separated from him. She +was always on ship or steamer, sharing his room and +becoming the pet of every one who met her, no less +from her loveliness than from her childish, winning +ways.</p> +<p>But there came one awful dark day, away out in +the Pacific, when the sweet voice was hushed forever, +and the rugged old captain was bowed by a grief such +as that which smites the mountain-oak to the earth.</p> +<p>The little girl who now looked up in the face of +Captain Strathmore was the image of Inez, who years +before had sunk to the bottom of the sea, carrying +with her all the sunshine, music and loveliness that +cheered her father’s heart. With an impulse he could +not resist, the captain reached out his arms and the +little stranger instantly ran into them. Then she was +lifted up, and the captain kissed her, saying:</p> +<p>“You look so much like the little girl I buried at +sea that I could not help kissing you.”</p> +<p>The child was not afraid of him, for her fairy-like +fingers began playing with the grizzled whiskers, +while the honest blue eyes of the old sailor grew dim +and misty for the moment.</p> +<p>The gentleman who had brought the child to the +steamer saw that this was a favorable time for him to +urge his plea.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span></div> +<p>“That is the little girl whom I wished to send to +Tokio by you.”</p> +<p>“Have you no friend or acquaintance on board +in whose care you can place her?”</p> +<p>“I do not know a soul.”</p> +<p>“Is she any relative of yours?”</p> +<p>“She is my niece. Her father and mother are missionaries +in Japan, and have been notified of her coming +on this steamer.”</p> +<p>“If that were so, why then were not preparations +made for sending her in the care of some one, instead +of waiting until the last minute, and then rushing +down here and making application in such an irregular +manner?”</p> +<p>“Her uncle, the brother of my wife, expected to +make the voyage with her, and came to San Francisco +for that purpose. He was taken dangerously ill at the +hotel, and when I reached there, a few hours ago, he +was dead, and my niece was in the care of the landlord’s +family. My wife, who is out yonder in a carriage, +had prepared to accompany me East to-morrow. +Her brother had made no arrangements for taking +the little one on the steamer, so I was forced into +this unusual application.”</p> +<p>While the gentleman was making this explanation, +the captain was holding the child in his arms, and admiring +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +the beautiful countenance and loveliness of +face and manner.</p> +<p>“She does look exactly like my poor little Inez,” +was his thought, as he gently placed her on her feet +again.</p> +<p>“If we take her to Japan, what then?”</p> +<p>“Her parents will be in Tokio, waiting for her. +You, as captain, have the right, which no one would +dare question, of taking her into your cabin with you, +and I will compensate you in any manner you may +wish.”</p> +<p>“What is her name?” asked Captain Strathmore.</p> +<p>“Inez.”</p> +<p>“She shall go,” said the sailor, in a husky voice.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_THE_CAPTAIN_AND_INEZ' id='CHAPTER_II_THE_CAPTAIN_AND_INEZ'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>THE CAPTAIN AND INEZ</h3> +</div> +<p>The steamer <i>Polynesia</i> was steaming swiftly across +the Pacific, in the direction of Japan––bravely plunging +out into the mightiest expanse of water which +spans the globe, and heading for the port that loomed +up from the ocean almost ten thousand miles away.</p> +<p>Although but a few days out, little Inez had become +the pet of the whole ship. She was full of high +spirits, bounding health––a laughing, merry sprite, +who made every portion of the steamer her home, and +who was welcome wherever she went.</p> +<p>To the bronzed and rugged Captain Strathmore +she was such a reminder of his own lost Inez that she +became a second daughter to him, and something like +a pang stirred his heart when he reflected upon his +arrival at his destination and his parting from the +little one.</p> +<p>Inez, as nearly as the captain could gather, had +been living for several years with her uncle and aunt +in San Francisco, from which port her parents had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +sailed a considerable time before. The stranger gave +a very common name as his own––George Smith––and +said he would await the return of the <i>Polynesia</i> +with great anxiety, in order to learn the particulars +of the arrival of his niece in Japan.</p> +<p>However, the captain did not allow his mind to be +annoyed by any speculations as to the past of the little +girl; but he could not avoid a strong yearning which +was growing in his heart that something would turn +up––something possibly in the shape of a social revolution +or earthquake––that would place the little girl +in his possession again.</p> +<p>And yet he trembled as he muttered the wish.</p> +<p>“How long would I keep her? I had such a girl +once––her very counterpart––the sweet Inez, my +own; and yet she is gone, and who shall say how long +this one shall be mine?”</p> +<p>The weather remained all that could be wished for +a number of days after steaming out of the Golden +Gate. It was in the month of September, when a +mild, dreamy languor seemed to rest upon everything, +and the passage across the Pacific was like one long-continued +dream of the Orient––excepting, perhaps, +when the cyclone or hurricane, roused from its sleep, +swept over the deep with a fury such as strews the +shores with wrecks and the bottom with multitudes of +bodies.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></div> +<p>What more beautiful than a moonlight night on the +Pacific?</p> +<p>The <i>Polynesia</i> was plowing the vast waste of waters +which separates the two worlds, bearing upon her +decks and in her cabins passengers from the four +quarters of the globe.</p> +<p>They came from, and were going to, every portion +of the wide world. Some were speeding toward their +homes in Asia or Africa or the islands of the sea; and +others living in Europe or America, or the remote +corners of the earth, would finally return, after wandering +over strange places, seeing singular sights, and +treading in the footsteps of the armies who had gone +before them in the dim ages of the past.</p> +<p>Now and then the great ship rose from some mighty +swell, and then, settling down, drove ahead, cleaving +the calm water and leaving a wide wake of foam behind. +The black smoke poured out of the broad funnels, +and sifted upward through the scant rigging, and +was dissipated in the clear air above. The throbbing +of the engine made its pulsations felt through the ponderous +craft from stem to stern, as a giant breathes +more powerfully when gathering his energy for the +final effort of the race. A few drifting clouds moved +along the sky, while, now and then, a starlike point +of light, far away against the horizon, showed where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +some other caravansary of the sea was moving toward +its destination, thousands of leagues away.</p> +<p>Although Captain Strathmore was on duty, and +it was against the rules for any passenger to approach +or address him, yet there was one who was unrestrained +by rules or regulations, no matter how +sternly they were enforced in other cases.</p> +<p>The captain was standing on the bridge, when he +felt some one tugging at his coat, and he looked down.</p> +<p>There was Inez demanding his attention.</p> +<p>“Take me up, pop,” said she.</p> +<p>“Bless your heart!” laughed the captain as he +obeyed the little empress; “you would ruin the discipline +of a man-of-war in a month.”</p> +<p>While speaking, he perched her on his shoulder, as +was a favorite custom with him.</p> +<p>The day had been unusually warm, and the night +was so mild that the steady breeze made by the motion +of the steamer was scarcely sufficient to keep one cool. +Little Inez had thrown aside her hat with the setting +of the sun, and now her wealth of golden hair +streamed and fluttered in fleecy masses about her +shoulders.</p> +<p>The steamer was plowing straight to the westward, +cutting the waves so keenly that a thin parabola of +water continually curved over in front of her from the +knife-like prow.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></div> +<p>Perched aloft on the shoulder of the captain, Inez +naturally gazed ahead, and the figure was a striking +one of innocence and infancy peering forward through +the mists and clouds toward the unknown future. But +Inez was too young to have any such poetical thoughts, +and the captain was too practical to be troubled by +“æsthetic meditations.”</p> +<p>He chatted with her about their arrival in Japan, +saying that she would be glad to see no more of him, +when she replied:</p> +<p>“If you talk that way, I’ll cry. You must go home +and live with us. Uncle Con says papa has a big dog, +and if we haven’t room in the house, you can sleep +with him, and I’ll feed you each morning––oh, look!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_AN_ACCIDENT' id='CHAPTER_III_AN_ACCIDENT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>AN ACCIDENT</h3> +</div> +<p>That which arrested the attention of the little girl +in the arms of Captain Strathmore, was a sight––unique, +rare and impressively beautiful.</p> +<p>All around the steamer stretched the vast Pacific, +melting away into darkness, with here and there a +star-like twinkle, showing where some ship was moving +over the waste of waters. Overhead, the sky was +clear, with a few stars faintly gleaming, while the +round, full moon, for whose rising so many on the +steamer had been watching, had just come up, its disk +looking unusually large, as it always does when so +close to the horizon.</p> +<p>Just when the moon was half above the ocean, and +when the narrowing path of the illumination stretched +from the ship to the outer edge of the world, a vessel +under full sail slowly passed over the face of the +moon.</p> +<p>The partial eclipse was so singular that it arrested +the attention of Inez, who uttered the exclamation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +we have recorded. It was seen by nearly all the passengers, +too, most of whom were looking toward the +horizon for the rising of the orb, and expressions of +delight were heard from every quarter, for such a +sight, we say, is rare.</p> +<p>When observed by the passengers on board the +<i>Polynesia</i>, the moon had barely cleared the horizon, +as we have stated, and the top of the mainmast just +reached the uppermost portion of the periphery, while +spars, rigging and hull were marked against the yellow +disk as distinctly as if painted in India ink.</p> +<p>Such an obscuration, like a total one of the sun, +could last but a few seconds, for the <i>Polynesia</i> and the +other ship were moving in opposite directions, while +the moon itself was creeping upward toward the +zenith. Slowly the black ship glided toward its destination––hull, +masts and rigging gradually mingled +with the gloom beyond, until the moon, as if shaking +off the eclipse, mounted upward with its face unmarred, +excepting by the peculiar figures stamped +there when it was first launched into space.</p> +<p>When the wonderful exhibition was over there were +murmurs of admiration from the passengers, who, +grouped here and there, or promenading back and +forth, had stood spellbound, as may be said, while it +was in progress.</p> +<p>Captain Strathmore and two of his officers had seen +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +the same thing once or twice before, but they had been +favored in this respect above others, and could hardly +expect anything of the kind again.</p> +<p>The captain now prepared for an interesting and +novel ceremony, which he had announced would take +place that evening by moonlight.</p> +<p>Descending to the deck, and approaching the stern, +where the expectant passengers had gathered together, +the group were silent a minute, while he stood among +them holding little Inez by the hand. A few minutes +later the purser came aft, carrying a parcel in his +hand, which he carefully placed upon the taffrail. +Then he spoke in a sepulchral voice.</p> +<p>“Ladies and gentlemen, we all have lost minutes +and hours, but it is seldom that we deliberately throw +away a day. But we are to do so now. We are about +to bury a day. To-day is the Twentieth, to-morrow +will be the Twenty-second, and where, then, is the +Twenty-first? There it lies” (pointing to the parcel +on the taffrail). “Life is short enough, without deliberately +casting an entire day into the sea; but there +is the consolation of knowing, on your return, that it +shall be restored to you, and thus beautifully does nature +preserve the equilibrium throughout the world. +What more fitting than that the day should be buried +by the hands of one whose life is as spotless as the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +snow upon the peaks of the Sierras we have left behind +us?”</p> +<p>All now uncovered their heads––that is, the gentlemen +did––and the captain advanced, leading Inez +Hawthorne by the hand. Holding her up a short distance +from the deck, she called out:</p> +<p>“Good-by, Twenty-first of September!”</p> +<p>She repeated the words correctly, for the captain +whispered them in her ear, and as she spoke she gave +the parcel a slight shove, and overboard it went, striking +the water with a splash, and instantly sinking +out of sight. The package was nothing but some old +iron, wrapped about with coarse brown paper.</p> +<p>The ceremony of burying a day, as the reader +knows, is a common, and it may be said, a necessary, +one with vessels sailing westward over the Pacific, as +the picking up of a day is necessary on the return. +At first sight it seems incongruous, but it is in fact +the only way in which the reckoning of time can be +kept correctly.</p> +<p>The little ceremony naturally caused the matter +itself to become one of discussion, and probably a +goodly number of young ladies and gentlemen picked +up more knowledge of the matter than they had ever +dreamed of before.</p> +<p>Two curious things happened within a half hour +of this novel ceremony.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span></div> +<p>The <i>Polynesia</i> was driving along with that steady +motion in which the throbbing of the vessel can only +be detected by carefully standing still and watching +for it, when every passenger, and especially the captain +and his officers, suddenly felt an alarming jar, +which shook the steamer from stem to stern. It was +noticed that the engine instantly stopped and the enormous +ship gradually came to rest upon the long, heaving +swell of the Pacific.</p> +<p>In a few minutes it was ascertained that the +steamer had broken the shaft of her propeller, thus +rendering the all-important screw useless. This necessitated +the hoisting of her sails, and a monotonous +voyage to her destination, a return to San Francisco, +or a long deviation to Honolulu for repairs.</p> +<p>While the necessary investigation was going on, a +sail had been sighted bearing down upon them, and +in half an hour it came-to, a short distance off, in the +hope of being able to afford some assistance––as the +sight of a steamer lying motionless on the water meant +that something was amiss.</p> +<p>This new craft was the schooner <i>Coral</i>, a stanchly-built, +sharp-bowed little vessel of forty tons burden, +built for the Honolulu trade. She was about seven +years old, very fast, and constructed as strongly as +iron and wood could make her. The forecastle, cook’s +quarters and cabin were all under deck, so that in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +heavy weather there was no danger of being washed +from one’s bunk whenever a big sea came thundering +over the rail.</p> +<p>The skipper or captain of this trim little craft was +Jack Bergen, of Boston, and he with his mate, Abram +Storms, had made the trip across the continent by rail +to San Francisco––thus saving the long, dangerous +and expensive voyage around Cape Horn.</p> +<p>In the Golden Gate City they––for the mate and +captain were joint partners––bought the <i>Coral</i> at auction, +paying just two-thirds the sum they expected to +give for the vessel they needed. However, when she +was fitted up and provisioned, they found very little +of their funds left, and they could but feel some +anxiety as to the result of the extraordinary enterprise +upon which they were engaged. The crew of the little +schooner consisted of the two sailors, Hyde Brazzier, +Alfredo Redvignez, and a huge African, Pomp +Cooper, who shipped as cook and steward, with the liability +of being called upon to do duty in an emergency.</p> +<p>But of these, more hereafter.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen, after his craft came-to, was rowed +across the short, intervening distance with his mate, +and they were assisted upon deck, where they were received +most courteously.</p> +<p>“Is there anything I can do to help you?” he asked +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +after he and his brother officer were received by Captain +Strathmore.</p> +<p>“I’m obliged to you, but I’m afraid not,” was the +courteous response. “You know, there’s no way of telling +when a piece of iron is going to fracture, and so +there is no way of providing against such an accident.”</p> +<p>“Is the shaft broke?”</p> +<p>“Yes; broken clean off.”</p> +<p>“Where?”</p> +<p>The captain of the steamer smiled, for he saw no +need of such a question, since he considered the damage +irremediable.</p> +<p>“Quite a distance from the screw, and it’s a curious +fracture. Would you like to look at it?”</p> +<p>“I would, indeed. You see, we have got considerable +out of our course––being too far west––and we +shall make a pretty sharp turn to the south, toward +Honolulu.”</p> +<p>“I am debating whether to go there, turn back to +San Francisco, or keep on under sail to Tokio.”</p> +<p>“This is my mate, Abram Storms, from Enfield, +Connecticut,” said Captain Bergen, introducing the +two. “I bring him along because he is the most ingenious +man ever turned out by that home of ingenuity; +and when I saw that something was the matter +with you, I came alongside, more because I believed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +he could help you, than in the expectation that I could +be of any service.”</p> +<p>“Captain Bergen does me too much honor,” protested +the stoop-shouldered New Englander, who, had +there been more of daylight, would have been seen to +blush under the compliment.</p> +<p>“I have no doubt he speaks the truth,” replied +Captain Strathmore, leading the way below to where +the broken shaft rested motionless; “but this trouble +is too much like a broken neck for any surgery to +help.”</p> +<p>A minute later, a group of half a dozen stood about +and stooped over the broken shaft, and examined it +by the aid of lanterns, the chief engineer showing a +more courteous spirit than is usual under such circumstances.</p> +<p>As one looked at the huge cylinder of solid iron, +gleaming with a silvery whiteness all over the jagged +face where it had been twisted off, the wonder was +how it could be possible for any force to be tremendous +enough to do such damage. The peculiarity +about the breakage, however, was that, instead of +snapping nearly squarely off, the fracture extended +longitudinally for fully eighteen inches, so that the +face of each part was a great deal broader and longer +than is generally the case in such accidents.</p> +<p>The group surveyed it a minute or two in silence, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +stooping down and feeling of the innumerable jagged +protuberances, the indentations, and the exceedingly +rough surface, the minute particles gleaming in the +lamp-light like a mass of silver ore split apart.</p> +<p>The first remark came from the New Englander, +Abe Storms.</p> +<p>“That is curious, for there are no signs of crystallization, +nor can I detect a flaw.”</p> +<p>“Nevertheless, it must be there, for perfect iron +would not have broken in that manner,” said the chief +engineer.</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon,” said the mate, courteously, +“but it frequently happens. There has been some peculiar +combination of the movement of the steamer on +the swell of the sea, with the position of the screw at +that moment––a convergence of a hundred conditions––some +almost infinitesimal, but necessary, and which +convergence is not likely to take place in a million +revolutions of the screw––that has brought an irresistible +strain upon the shaft––one that would have +wrenched it off, had the diameter been twice what +it is.”</p> +<p>The group looked wonderingly at the speaker, for +every intelligent man felt that the theory of the New +Englander had a stratum of truth beneath it. It was +hard to make clear what the mate meant, but all to a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +certain extent understood, and no one ventured to +gainsay it.</p> +<p>“However,” added Abe Storms, “there’s one good +thing about this; it will be easy to mend it.”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen smiled, for he expected something +of the kind, and he knew that that wonderful Yankee +mate of his never boasted, and would demonstrate +every assertion he made. But the others stared at the +speaker with something like consternation, and +seemed to be debating whether he was crazy or a natural +born idiot.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_MISSING' id='CHAPTER_IV_MISSING'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>MISSING</h3> +</div> +<p>“Mend a broken shaft?” repeated the chief engineer, +in amazement. “How do you expect to do +that?”</p> +<p>“I will show you,” replied the mate of the little +schooner, who immediately proceeded to business.</p> +<p>The first thing he asked for was several coils of +wire, which were immediately furnished him. Then, +with great labor, the two parts of the shaft were fitted +together and the wire was twisted tightly around the +fractured portion over and over again.</p> +<p>As the tenacity of iron is tremendous, the shaft was +securely fastened, but this was not enough. Ropes +and chains were bound around the iron in turn, until +there was really no room to bandage the broken shaft +further.</p> +<p>“There, sir!” exclaimed Storms, as he stepped back +and viewed his work. “That is as secure as before, +though, if you can possibly do so, you should avoid reversing +the screw until you reach Tokio, for you can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +understand that to reverse and start will wrench the +shaft to a dangerous degree.”</p> +<p>The captain now told the engineer, who had been +assisting in the operation, to start the engine slowly +and with great care.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen ran on deck to see that the <i>Coral</i> +was in position to receive no harm from the forward +motion, while the rest of the group watched the movements +with intense interest, standing away from the +shaft so as to escape the “splinters,” that more than +one thought might be flying about their heads the next +minute.</p> +<p>There came the sound of steam, of plunging rods +and cylinders from ahead, then there was heard a +furious splash at the stern, and all saw that the shaft +in its entirety was revolving.</p> +<p>The keen eyes of Abe Storms, who had leaned directly +over his handiwork, lamp in hand, his nose almost +touching the gleaming chains, detected the very +yielding which he had prophesied. He heard the +creaking of the chains, the faint gasping, as it may be +called, of the rope, and the soft grinding of the fine +wire beneath.</p> +<p>All this showed what an enormous strain was +brought upon them, and almost any other person detecting +the rasping of the ragged edges of iron against +each other would have started back appalled, believing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +that everything was about to fly apart. But it was +precisely what the mate expected, and what was inevitable +under the circumstances. Then, at his request, +the engineer was ordered to put on a full head +of steam, and the <i>Polynesia</i> plowed forward, cleaving +the water before her.</p> +<p>Abe Storms knelt down and bent almost lovingly +over the round mass revolving on its axis. Then he +beckoned to the engineer to approach and do the same. +He obeyed, as did several others, and placing their +ears close, they listened intently to the revolution of +the shaft.</p> +<p>Not even the faintest noise could be detected to +show that there was anything but a normal movement +of the shaft. Every one saw, too, that the revolutions +were not only going on regularly, but would continue +so for an indefinite time. The shaft was practically +whole again, with the exception that a reverse movement +would be likely to undo everything, and by +scraping the corrugated surfaces of the fractures, render +it impossible to do anything of the kind again.</p> +<p>Captain Strathmore and his officers stood for a full +hour more steadily watching the revolving shaft, and +at the end of that time they were satisfied. Then the +new acquaintances saluted and bade each other good-by, +the officers of the <i>Coral</i> passing over the rail, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +were rowed back to their own vessel, which had followed +in the wake of the steamer, as may be said.</p> +<p>By this time it was midnight, and the captain returned +to his station on the bridge, reflecting to himself +that some of the most insurmountable difficulties, +apparently, are overcome by the simplest means, and +that there are some persons in the world who really +seem capable of inventing anything.</p> +<p>The hour was so late that all the passengers had retired, +and little Inez, as a matter of course, had become +invisible long before. She had declared several +times that she was going to sit up with the captain, +and she tried it, but, like most children under such +circumstances, she dropped off into slumber by the +time it was fairly dark, and was carried below to the +cabin.</p> +<p>The child was like so much sunshine flitting hither +and thither upon the steamer, and whose presence +would be sorely missed when the hour came for her +to go. But Captain Strathmore was a disciplinarian, +who could never forget his duty, and he remained at +his post until the time came for him to go below to +gain the few hours’ sleep which cannot be safely dispensed +with by any one, no matter how rugged his +frame.</p> +<p>Tumbling into his berth, he stretched out with a +sigh of comfort, and went to sleep.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></div> +<p>“Inez will be in here bright and early to wake me,” +was his conclusion, as he closed his eyes in slumber.</p> +<p>But he was disappointed, for when he was called +from his couch, it was not by the little one whom he +expected to see. At the breakfast-table she did not +appear, and then Captain Strathmore, fearing that +she was ill, made inquiries. He heard nothing, and +filled with a growing alarm, he instituted a thorough +search of the vessel from stem to stern and high and +low. Not a spot or corner was omitted where a cat +could have been concealed, but she was not found.</p> +<p>And then the startling truth was established that +little Inez Hawthorne was not on board the steamer.</p> +<p>“Oh!” groaned poor Captain Strathmore, “she became +my own child! Now I have lost her a second +time!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_THE_NEW_PASSENGER' id='CHAPTER_V_THE_NEW_PASSENGER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>THE NEW PASSENGER</h3> +</div> +<p>Captain Strathmore rewarded Abe Storms liberally +for the service he had rendered them, and the +mate and captain of the schooner, as we have said, +were rowed back to the boat by Hyde Brazzier.</p> +<p>Reaching the deck of the <i>Coral</i>, they watched the +progress of the great steamer until she vanished from +sight in the moonlight, and then the two friends went +into the cabin to “study the chart,” as they expressed +it.</p> +<p>It may be said that this had been the principal +business of the two since leaving the States, though +the statement is not strictly correct. The hum of conversation +went on for hours; the night gradually wore +away, but still the two men sat talking in low tones, +and looking at the roll of paper spread out between +them, and which was covered with numerous curious +drawings. The theme must have been an absorbing +one, since it banished all thought of the passage of +time from their minds.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></div> +<p>“I tell you,” said the captain, as he leaned back in +his chair, “there isn’t the remotest doubt that a colossal +fortune is awaiting us, and unless some extraordinary +accident intervenes, we shall gather it up.”</p> +<p>“So it would seem,” replied the mate, with a weary +look, “and yet I sometimes feel certain that it will +never be ours––Good gracious!”</p> +<p>The two men almost leaped out of their chairs, and +their hair fairly rose on end. They were absolutely +certain that no one else was in the cabin besides themselves. +Redvignez was at the wheel, and Brazzier +awaited his call in turn at the end of the watch. But +just then both heard a rustling, and saw a movement +in the berth of Captain Bergen, which showed something +was there. It couldn’t be a dog or cat, for there +was nothing of the kind on board. Besides which, +just then, the two men caught sight of the little white +hand which clearly belonged to some one of their own +species. Then the covering was thrown back; a mass +of tangled golden hair was observed, and instantly +after, the fair face of a young child peered wonderingly +out, as if seeking to learn where she was.</p> +<p>Of course the little one was Inez Hawthorne, +though neither of the two men had ever seen or heard +of her before, and it is, therefore, idle to attempt to +picture their overwhelming astonishment when they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +became aware so suddenly of her presence in the +cabin.</p> +<p>Neither of the two men was superstitious; but there +was good excuse for their being wonder-struck. If +an individual in the middle of a desert should suddenly +become aware of the appearance of a strange +person at his elbow, a situation apparently in which +he could only be placed by supernatural means, it +would be a very mild word to say he would be surprised.</p> +<p>Flinging the coverlet from her shoulders and throwing +back her mass of rich golden hair, Inez assumed +the sitting position, with her dimpled legs swinging +over the side, and her little hands resting on the rail, +as if to steady herself during the long swells of the +sea, while she looked at the two men as if trying to +recollect where she was and who they were.</p> +<p>“Well, if that doesn’t beat anything that was ever +heard or read of before!” exclaimed the captain, turning +about and staring at her. “Where in the name of +the seven wonders did you come from?”</p> +<p>Abe Storms, the mate, did not speak, but seemed +to be waiting to see whether the child had a voice, and +thus settle the question in his mind as to whether it +was mortal or not.</p> +<p>The problem was quickly solved, for Inez was never +backward in asserting her individuality.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span></div> +<p>“How did I come here? That’s a great question +to ask! I got tired and lay down to sleep, and have +just woke up. I think this is a real nice boat. Are +you the captain? My name is Inez Hawthorne––what +is yours?”</p> +<p>These questions, uttered with childish rapidity and +ingenuousness, threw some light upon the apparent +mystery.</p> +<p>“She belongs to the steamer,” said Abe Storms, +with his eyes fixed wonderingly upon her. “She has +managed to get in our boat in some way, and we have +carried her off. Did you ever see anything so pretty?”</p> +<p>As the reader has learned, there was good cause for +this admiring question. Both of the men were bachelors, +but they possessed natural refinement, and they +could reverence the innocence and loveliness of childhood. +With the discovery that she was an actual human +being, the awe-struck wonder of the two men +vanished, though their curiosity was great to learn +how it was she was carried away from the steamer.</p> +<p>“Won’t you come here and talk with me?” asked +Storms, reaching out his arms invitingly, but a little +doubtful whether she would respond, though the +stoop-shouldered inventor was always popular with +children. The answer of Inez was a sudden spring, +which landed her plump into the lap of the mate, +while she flung her arms around his neck with a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +merry laugh, and then wheeled about on his knee, so +that she could look in the face of either of the men, +who, not unnaturally, felt a strange and strong attraction +toward the beautiful child.</p> +<p>Then the two began a series of questions that were +answered in the characteristic fashion of childhood, +but from which the friends succeeded in extracting +something like a clear explanation of her presence on +board the <i>Coral</i>––so many miles from the steamer on +which she had set sail at San Francisco.</p> +<p>They learned that Inez––who was such a pet on +the <i>Polynesia</i> that she was allowed to do as she chose––was +invited by one of the crew to visit the <i>Coral</i>, +while she lay so close to the disabled steamer. The +one who gave this invitation was Hyde Brazzier, and +he was struck with the wonderful loveliness of the +child, when she questioned him about the schooner.</p> +<p>There is no nature, however steeped in crime, in +which there is not a divine spark which may be fanned +into a flame––which, perchance, may illumine the +whole soul; and but for the subsequent strange events, +little Inez Hawthorne might have proved, in the most +literal sense, a heaven-sent messenger upon that craft, +which carried so much wickedness in the forecastle.</p> +<p>Brazzier rowed the short intervening distance, and +then took the child by the hand and showed her +through the schooner, there being little to exhibit. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +Finally she was led into the cabin, where she said she +was tired and wished to lie down. Thereupon Brazzier +lifted her upon the captain’s berth and drew the +coverlet over her. A minute later the weary eyes +closed in slumber and he left the cabin.</p> +<p>Brazzier had no intention, up to this time, of using +any deception in the matter; but, under the persuasion +of Redvignez, he gave way to the innate wickedness +of his nature, and chuckled over the lamentable +occurrence. They felt pleasure in the certainty that +what they were doing was sure to make other hearts +ache.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_PORT_YOUR_HELM' id='CHAPTER_VI_PORT_YOUR_HELM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>“PORT YOUR HELM!”</h3> +</div> +<p>When a thorough search of the steamer <i>Polynesia</i> +made known the truth that little Inez Hawthorne was +nowhere upon it, the sorrowful conclusion was that +she had fallen overboard in some manner and been +drowned.</p> +<p>But the belief was scarcely formed, when the discovery +was made that such was not the case; that in +fact she had been taken away by the schooner <i>Coral</i>, +whose mate performed such good service in mending +the broken shaft of the <i>Polynesia</i>.</p> +<p>The story as told Captain Strathmore was as +follows:</p> +<p>The two officers of the schooner were rowed to the +steamer by one of the crew, who climbed up the ladder +at the side of the <i>Polynesia</i>, and spent a few minutes +in inspecting the broken shaft. He then came back. +His attention was attracted to little Inez, whose +childish curiosity was excited by the appearance of a +stranger who had but one eye, and who looked so different +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +from the trim-looking members of the steamer’s +crew. The two fell into conversation, and Inez asked +so many questions about the schooner that the stranger +invited her to take a look at it. He was heard to say +that the captain and mate would be engaged for two or +three hours, and there would be plenty of time to row +the child over the intervening distance, explore the +<i>Coral</i>, and come back before Captain Bergen and his +mate would be ready to leave.</p> +<p>Naturally, Inez gladly accepted the invitation, and +the sinister-looking man, picking her up, carefully descended +the ladder to his small boat, and rowed away +to the schooner.</p> +<p>This story, it will be observed, corresponded with +that told by Brazzier himself.</p> +<p>No one thought anything of the proceeding, which +was one of the most natural in the world, and there +was nothing to arouse misgiving on the part of those +who witnessed it.</p> +<p>Inez was almost a spoiled child from the indulgence +shown her by every one with whom she came in contact. +She distrusted no one, because she had never +had any reason to do so. It was night when the officers +of the schooner were rowed back, and those who +had seen Inez taken away did not observe that the +boat returned without her. Holding no thought of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +anything wrong, they gave no further attention to the +strange sailor.</p> +<p>The moment Captain Strathmore learned these +facts, he caused an abrupt change to be made in the +course of the <i>Polynesia</i>. For he was determined that +no effort should be spared to recover the lost child, +who had so endeared herself to every one on board the +steamer.</p> +<p>The precise point where the accident had befallen +the shaft was recorded on the log, as a matter of +course, and it was within the power of the chief officer +to return wonderfully close to that spot. If the +schooner <i>Coral</i> should remain anywhere in that latitude +and longitude, she could be found and Inez +recovered.</p> +<p>“But it is not likely the schooner is near there,” reflected +Captain Strathmore, as he swept the horizon +with his glass and failed to catch sight of a sail. +“They could not have taken away the child ignorantly, +and instead of remaining there or attempting to find +us, the captain has headed in some direction which is +not the one he named, as if by accident, when he was +aboard.”</p> +<p>The captain was in that mood that it would have +been dangerous for him to come upon the daring +thieves. He could conceive of no explanation that +would relieve them from his wrath, and as the steamer +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +described a huge curve in the sea and headed toward +the point where he hoped to gain sight of the sail, full +steam was put on, and she ran at a rate of speed +which, in the condition of her shaft, was certainly +dangerous to a high degree.</p> +<p>It may be said there was not a heart on board the +<i>Polynesia</i> that did not share in the general anxiety, +and there was scarcely an eye that did not scan the +broad ocean again and again in the hope of catching +sight of the schooner.</p> +<p>Several sails were descried in the course of the day, +but not one was that of the <i>Coral</i>, and when the night +descended not only had there been a complete failure, +but the captain was convinced that it was useless for +him to delay the steamer by hunting further.</p> +<p>With an angry and sad heart he gave over the +search, and the <i>Polynesia</i> was headed once more toward +the far-off imperial Japanese city of Tokio.</p> +<p>“I would give a thousand dollars to know what it +all means,” said Captain Strathmore, as he stood on +the bridge debating the matter with himself. “There +is something about the whole business which I don’t +understand. In the first place, Inez came under my +charge in an extraordinary way. I don’t believe that +that man who brought her down to the wharf told the +truth, and I very much doubt whether the parents of +the little one have ever been in Japan. She may have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +been stolen from some one, and this means has been +resorted to in order to get her out of the way. I wish +I had questioned her more closely,” continued the +perplexed captain, following up the train of thought, +“for she let drop an expression or two now and then +that showed she had some remembrances which it +would have been interesting to call up. It’s too late +now,” added the old sailor, with a sigh, “and probably +I shall never see her again. She had nestled down +into that spot in my heart which was left vacant many +weary years ago, when my own Inez died and my only +boy became as one dead, and there is no sacrifice I +would not make would it but bring this one back to +me. It is curious, but the feeling is strong upon me +that somewhere at some time we shall meet again.”</p> +<p>“Port your helm!”</p> +<p>This was the startling order which the quartermaster +sent to the wheel-house at that moment, and which +was obeyed with as much promptness as is possible +on such a gigantic craft as an ocean steamer.</p> +<p>The night, for a rarity, was dark and misty, a peculiar +fog resting upon the water, and shutting out +the view in every direction. It would seem that there +could be little danger of a collision on the broad bosom +of the mightiest ocean of the globe, but there must always +be a certain ratio of danger, and none realized +this more than Captain Strathmore.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span></div> +<p>The <i>Polynesia</i> had been running at half speed ever +since the sun went down, and her whistle blew at +irregular intervals. At the moment the startling order +was communicated to the man at the wheel, the +lights of another steamer were discerned directly +ahead. And these were scarcely observed when the +mountainous hull loomed up to view in appalling +proximity, and a cold shudder ran through every officer +and sailor at the sight, for there was just a single +second or two when it seemed certain that the two +crafts would come together with an earthquake shock +and such an irresistible momentum as would crash +the two prodigious hulls to splinters, and send the +crews and passengers to join the multitudes who have +gone before them to the bottom of the sea.</p> +<p>Signals and commands were rapidly exchanged, and +the slight misunderstanding which existed between the +two steamers at first was quickly removed. The +shouts and orders, the tinkling of the engineer’s bell, +and even the sound of hurrying feet, were heard on +one ship as distinctly as on the other.</p> +<p>Most fortunately the officers of each were sensible +men, who enforced discipline, and who, therefore, did +not lose their heads when sudden peril came upon +them.</p> +<p>There was desperate need of haste on the part of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +all, but the haste was intelligent, and something was +accomplished.</p> +<p>The stranger instantly reversed her screw, while the +<i>Polynesia</i> was equally prompt in her backward movement. +They escaped by a chance so narrow that it +was terrifying. The bow of the <i>Polynesia</i> grazed the +side of the stranger as they passed upon their diagonal +courses, and every one on the two ships who understood +the dreadful peril drew a deep breath and uttered +a prayer of thankfulness when it swept by, and +the two steamers vanished from each other’s sight in +the misty darkness.</p> +<p>The engineer of the <i>Polynesia</i> was signaled to go +forward again, and the screw was started; but, if the +one who uttered the order had forgotten the contingency +against which they had been warned, the one +who executed that order had not, and he gave the engine +just enough steam to start the shaft.</p> +<p>As he did so, listening intently the meanwhile, he +heard an ominous crunching, grinding and jarring +in the after hold, and he knew too well what it meant. +He instantly shut off steam, and with the captain +hastened to make the investigation. As they feared, +the broken shaft had been wrenched apart again, and +it looked as if it were injured beyond repair.</p> +<p>But what man has done, man can do, and the ingenious +recourse of Abe Storms was resorted to again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +With great care the fractured pieces were reunited +and bound, but the task was, in reality, harder than +before, since the terrific grinding and wrenching to +which it had been subjected broke off much of the corrugated +surface.</p> +<p>The work was completed after many long hours of +hard work, and once more the <i>Polynesia</i> started slowly +under steam for the strange island-empire of Asia. +This unexpected delay, as the reader will see, doubtless +had much to do with the failure of the schooner +to find the steamer, since it threw out all possibility of +calculating where the larger craft could be.</p> +<p>“Now, if we have no more vessels trying to run into +us,” muttered the captain, as he resumed his place on +the bridge, “we stand a chance of reaching Japan +after all, without calling on our sails to help us.”</p> +<p>But, standing at his post, with everything going +well, his thoughts naturally reverted to the strange +mischance by which little Inez Hawthorne was lost to +him.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe Captain Bergen or his mate, Abe +Storms, would knowingly take off the child in that +fashion, though the girl was enough to tempt any one +to steal her. There is something about the whole business +which I don’t understand. We ought to have +found each other, though, if he is still hunting for me. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +This second breakage of the shaft will tend to keep us +apart.”</p> +<p>The long voyage of the steamer to Japan terminated +without any incident worth the recording, and Captain +Strathmore naturally became anxious to meet the +parents of Inez, though sorrowing very much over the +story he would be forced to tell them. But no one +appeared at Tokio to claim the child, and the wondering +captain proceeded to make inquiries.</p> +<p>It was easy to obtain from the church authorities +a list of the names of the Christian missionaries in +Japan, and they were scanned carefully by the captain, +who was given such assistance by the officials +themselves that there could be no mistake. Among +them was no one by the name of Hawthorne. It was +plain then that deception had been used when the man +in San Francisco declared that the parents of Inez +were missionaries in Japan.</p> +<p>As day after day passed and the steamer <i>Polynesia</i> +was gradually prepared for her return voyage to California, +there was one strong, harrowing conviction +which forced itself upon the distressed captain:</p> +<p>“Had Inez not been stolen from the steamer, no one +would have come to claim her, and she would have +been mine.”</p> +<p>His heart thrilled at the thought of how close he +had come to obtaining such a priceless prize for his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +possession, and then he added, as if to cheer himself:</p> +<p>“Never mind; the earth is far and wide. She is +alive somewhere upon its face, and at some time, at +heaven’s own pleasure, she and I shall meet again.”</p> +<p>Brave and rugged Captain Strathmore! Was the +spirit of prophecy upon you when you muttered the +cheering words?</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_THE_REASON_WHY_THE_VOYAGE_WAS_UNDERTAKEN' id='CHAPTER_VII_THE_REASON_WHY_THE_VOYAGE_WAS_UNDERTAKEN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>THE REASON WHY THE VOYAGE WAS UNDERTAKEN</h3> +</div> +<p>At this point it is necessary that the reader should +be made acquainted with what has been only hinted +up to this point. We mean the reason why it was that +the little schooner <i>Coral</i>, under the charge of Captain +Bergen and Abram Storms, the mate, was on the Pacific +Ocean, voyaging toward the South Seas.</p> +<p>The skipper was fond of telling the strange story, +and the mate heard it many times, as repeated to him +one stormy night, around the roaring fire of Captain +Bergen’s hearthstone in New England. It ran thus:</p> +<p>“You see, Abe, I was going down Washington +Street, in Boston, one day, when I came upon a +drunken sailor, who was suffering a terrible beating +at the hands of a couple of land-sharks, that were +were evidently determined to rob him, if they had +not already done so.</p> +<p>“It r’iled my blood to see such scandalous proceedings +going on, and I sailed in.</p> +<p>“Then I helped pick up Jack tar, and he was taken +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +to the hospital, where his wounds were found to be of +a dangerous nature. His assailants were so badly +hurt that they went to the hospital, and when they +came out they were shifted to the penitentiary, where +they’re likely to stay for a good many years to come.</p> +<p>“Having taken the part of Bill Grebbens, as he told +me his name was, I called at the hospital to see him +every day, for I wasn’t busy just then. The poor fellow +was very grateful for the service I had done him, +though sad to say I was too late.</p> +<p>“Bill had been on such a terrible spree that his system +wasn’t in condition to resist disease, and before +long it was plain he was going to make a die of it. +He was a plucky fellow, and when the doctor told him +he had to go, he didn’t weaken.</p> +<p>“Just before he died, he took me by the hand, and +told me he hadn’t a living relative in the world, nor +one who had been such a friend to him as I had proved +to be. By that time my own eyes were getting misty, +and I begged him to say nothing about it.</p> +<p>“I told him I would see that he had a decent burial, +and would attend to anything he wanted me to do. He +said there wasn’t anything, for it could make no difference +to him what became of his body after his +death, and for his part he would as lief the doctors +should have it.</p> +<p>“However, he took this paper from under his pillow +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +and showed it to me, and told me all about it. I +thought at first his mind was wandering, but I soon +saw that his head was level, and he knew what he was +talking about.”</p> +<p>The paper which Captain Bergen produced at this +point of his narrative was covered with some well-executed +drawings, which, having been done by the +sailor himself, showed that he was a man of education.</p> +<p>“Those dots there represent the King George +Islands of the South Pacific, lying in about fifteen +degrees south latitude and one hundred and forty-three +degrees west longitude. To the north here is +Mendina Archipelago, and here to the east are the +Paumotu Islands, sometimes known as the Pearl +Islands. There are a good many of them, and away +to the northeast of the group is another island, which, +although much the larger on the map, is really a small +coral island, with a lagoon, and so unimportant that +it has no name, and cannot be found on any map I +ever saw.</p> +<p>“You will observe the figure and directions marked +on this paper,” added Captain Bergen, who invariably +became excited at this point in his narration, “which, +with his explanations, are so easily understood that +no one can go astray.</p> +<p>“Well, Bill Grebbens once belonged to a party of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +mutineers of a British vessel, who found it growing so +hot for them that they put in to this island, scuttled +and sunk their ship, and lived there two years. It was +uninhabited, and they led a lazy, vagabond life in +that charming climate till a strange sort of sickness +broke out among them and carried off eight, leaving +only Grebbens and a single shipmate.</p> +<p>“These two spent several months longer in wandering +about the island looking for and yet dreading to +see a sail, when one day they discovered a bed of +pearl-oysters, which they examined and found to be of +surpassing richness. The majority of the shells contained +pearls, many of them of great size, and the two +men saw that an immense fortune lay only a few +fathoms under the surface.</p> +<p>“They instantly set to work with great eagerness; +but it is seldom that a man obtains wealth in this +world by walking over a path of roses.</p> +<p>“Within the first half-hour, a huge man-eating +shark glided into the clear water, and with one snap of +his enormous jaws actually bit the body of the other +sailor in two. The horrified Grebbens managed to get +out just in time to save himself.</p> +<p>“He had enough of pearl-diving, and he shudderingly +turned his back upon the spot, and began looking +out to sea again for a sail, determined now to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +leave, no matter if he should be carried to England +and executed.</p> +<p>“He managed to set up the topmast of the wreck, +and to catch the attention of a whaler a few days +later, and was taken off. Before going, however, he +made a careful drawing of the place, and by studying +other charts on the American whaler which took him +away he was able to locate the island with such correctness +that he could return to it at any time, his intention, +of course, being to do so at some period when +he could go provided with means to prosecute his +search without such frightful risk.</p> +<p>“But Bill never saw the time, for he was too fond +of liquor when ashore. He met his death just as I +told you, and he gave me this chart or map of the +locality, telling me that a fortune lay at that point +where my finger is resting to whosoever should go +after it.”</p> +<p>Such was the story of Captain Bergen, as he related +it to his friend, Abe Storms, to whom he proposed +that they should fit out an expedition to go to +the South Seas in quest of the fortune that awaited +them in the shape of pearls.</p> +<p>Abe was slower and more deliberate, but he finally +fell in with the scheme, and the two, as we have already +stated, became joint partners in the grand +enterprise.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></div> +<p>Both were frugal men, and they now decided to invest +all their funds in the scheme, which promised to +make or break them. Instead of sailing from the port +of Boston, they took an important cut “across lots” by +going by rail to San Francisco, thus saving the longest +and most dangerous portion of the voyage, which +otherwise would be necessary. In San Francisco, at +a sale of bankrupt property, they bought the schooner, +which has already been described, and shipped their +crew.</p> +<p>The wonder was that two men possessing the +shrewdness of Storms and Bergen should have been +so deceived respecting their men.</p> +<p>Hyde Brazzier was an American sailor, with +blotched, bleared face, with one eye gone, while over +the sunken, sightless cavity he wore a green patch, his +face covered by a scraggly beard, and his single eye, +small and deep-set, added to the sinister expression of +his countenance.</p> +<p>He had the reputation of being a good seaman, and +undoubtedly he was, and being strong and vigorous, +in the prime of life, he was considered an especially +valuable man to Captain Bergen, who paid him five +dollars more per month than he expected.</p> +<p>Since Captain Bergen had pursued a rather original +course from the beginning, he continued to do so. +He engaged his men without any help from the shipping-master, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +and had hardly reached an understanding +with the American when Alfredo Redvignez put +in an appearance and applied for a berth, saying that +he had heard the best kinds of accounts of the captain’s +seamanship and humanity––even in far-away +Boston.</p> +<p>Redvig––so called for convenience––said that he +had been employed in the East India trade, and was +a sailor of nearly twenty years’ experience. It struck +both Captain Bergen and Mate Storms that, as they +were going to the tropics, he was likely to prove a useful +man, and he was engaged.</p> +<p>The captain ventured to ask Brazzier’s opinion of +the other sailor, but the American said he had never +heard of him before––though he liked the cut of his +jib, and was glad he had been hired. But had any one +been watching the faces of the American and Spaniard, +he would have detected several suspicious signals +which passed between them; and this, added to the +fact that, in a very short time, they became intimately +acquainted, as may be said, looked as if there had been +deception on that point.</p> +<p>The fact was, the two had arranged the matter beforehand, +so as to go together in this business––somewhat +on the same principle that their employers entered +into partnership. They were both serving under +assumed names, and were obliged to take no little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +precaution to keep their identity concealed, for they +were “wanted” for serious crimes in more than one +port.</p> +<p>Redvig was a small, swarthy, muscular man, with +coal-black, curling hair, short, curly beard and mustache, +black eyes, with an aquiline nose, and both he +and Brazzier had a fashion of wearing small gold +ear-rings. Their arms and breast were plentifully +tattooed, so that but for the great exception of their +evil dispositions, they might well have passed for good +specimens of the proverbial Jack tar.</p> +<p>It was different with the huge colored man, Pomp +Cooper, who had been known about the wharves of +San Francisco for a number of years. He was jolly +and good-natured, possessed of prodigious strength, +and had been on shipboard enough to acquire a fair +knowledge of navigating a coasting vessel.</p> +<p>While many believed he possessed the proverbial +loyalty of his race, and could not be induced to commit +any grave crime, yet it must be admitted that +there were ugly rumors afloat concerning him. It +was asserted by more than one that he was a river and +harbor pirate, and belonged to one of the worst gangs +that ever infested the harbor of San Francisco.</p> +<p>While Captain Bergen was not ignorant of these +rumors, yet he placed no credence in them, and believed +Pomp to be one of the most valuable men he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +could obtain. Such in brief was the crew of the +<i>Coral</i>, when she sailed on her long voyage to the South +Seas, in quest of pearls––the location of which had +been given by the dying sailor in the Boston hospital.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_VOYAGING_SOUTHWARD' id='CHAPTER_VIII_VOYAGING_SOUTHWARD'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>VOYAGING SOUTHWARD</h3> +</div> +<p>It was certainly very wonderful that little Inez +Hawthorne should have been transferred from the +steamer to the schooner, and that many hours should +have passed before the discovery was made by the +respective captains of the craft.</p> +<p>Yet such was the fact, and Captain Bergen and +Mate Storms had no sooner learned the real situation +than Hyde Brazzier was sent for to tell how it occurred. +As he was the one who rowed the small boat, +there could be no doubt that he knew. The story he +told was the true one, with the exception of the supplement––that +he actually forgot about the little girl +after she went into the cabin and fell asleep.</p> +<p>It was impossible, it may be said, that such could +be the fact, and the officers looked knowingly at each +other. They knew he was falsifying, but they made +no comment, except to declare that she must be taken +back to the steamer without an hour’s delay.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen learned from Inez that she had no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +relatives on board the steamer, and she did not show +any special distress over being where she was. But, +for all that, the honest New Englander felt that she +should be restored, and he immediately took every +means for doing so.</p> +<p>His supposition was that she would be speedily +missed from the <i>Polynesia</i>, which would at once make +search for the schooner. Accordingly, the <i>Coral</i> was +headed northwest, under all sail, the sun just rising +at the time this change of course was made.</p> +<p>“The steamer will go so much faster than we,” said +the captain, “that there is no possibility of overhauling +her, unless her shaft should give out again.”</p> +<p>“There’s no danger of that. More likely she’ll +turn about and look for us.”</p> +<p>As the sun climbed the heavens, the horizon was +anxiously scanned for some point where the black column +of a steamer’s smokestack could be seen staining +the clear sky. Far away to the northward, a vapor +was observed, which at first was set down as the sight +for which they were searching; but it was soon learned +that it was a peculiarly-formed cloud, resting almost +upon the water.</p> +<p>The upper rigging and sails of possibly an American +whaler were descried a long distance to the northward, +and a full-rigged ship was detected closer in, +and further to the eastward. But no sign of the <i>Polynesia</i> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +was discovered through the powerful binocular +glasses with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon. +There was strong hope, in spite of this, that she would +be seen before sunset, and the <i>Coral</i> held to her course +toward the southwest, not only for that day and night, +but for the two succeeding ones. But it is useless to +dwell upon the search made by the smaller vessel, +which was without the faintest glimmer of success.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen and Mate Storms did their utmost +to undo the wrong act of their sailors, but at the end +of the third day they held an anxious consultation as +to what was the right course left to pursue. They +had given up hope of meeting the <i>Polynesia</i> except +by chasing her all the way to Japan, they having +learned that Tokio was her destination.</p> +<p>Should the <i>Coral</i> follow her there, or first fulfil its +own destiny in the Paumotu Islands? This was the +all-important matter to be settled.</p> +<p>When a man makes a great invention or discovery, +his first dread is that some one else will anticipate him +and gather to himself all the glory and profit. This +had been a constant fear in the case of the captain +and mate of the schooner <i>Coral</i> ever since they began +their preparations for the journey to the South Seas. +It cost them a pang of dread when, therefore, they +headed the schooner about in the hunt for the steamer, +for, as will be readily understood, the apprehension of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +which we have spoken intensifies the nearer one gets +to the goal.</p> +<p>There were other considerations which entered into +the question as to whether they should go on or turn +about. Inez Hawthorne had, as might have been expected, +adapted herself to her new position as passenger +on the schooner, and ran hither and thither at +will, just as she did on the <i>Polynesia</i>, and she climbed +all over the captain and mate, as if they were Captain +Strathmore and his officer, or some of the passengers.</p> +<p>She occasionally expressed a longing to see the +grizzled old sea-captain, whom she called her second, +or new “papa,” but there was no one else for whom +she particularly longed. Her affection was distributed +so equally and spontaneously that among several +hundred it could not be very profound. Only in the +case of the brave old Captain Strathmore was it deep +and steadfast.</p> +<p>It would delay the voyage to the Pearl Islands not +for weeks, but for months, to sail away to Asia, and +then turn about and put back to the southern seas, +and during that interval what might not take place? +What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed +would not be devastated?</p> +<p>With the plans which Abe Storms had perfected +on the way from home, it was believed that a week’s +time after their arrival at their destination would be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +sufficient to make them enormously wealthy, and thus +the voyage which they would afterward take to Japan +would be delayed only a month or two, perhaps. Furthermore, +the parents and friends of Inez would +have every reason to believe she was in safe hands, +and would soon be restored to them. All these were +weighty considerations, it must be confessed, and they +decided the question.</p> +<p>“We have done all that can be done,” said Captain +Bergen, standing at the stern with his hand upon +the wheel, while Abe Storms, thoughtfully smoking +his pipe, was at his elbow, with his arms folded and +his eyes gazing dreamily toward the western horizon, +where the sun was about to dip into the ocean.</p> +<p>“I agree with you,” was the reply of his mate, who +was as conscientious in everything he did as was the +captain. “I consider that the chance is as one in a +thousand that we shall meet the steamer this side of +Tokio, and if we undertake to follow, we shall lose +several months of most precious time, without accomplishing +any commensurate good. The child is contented +and happy here.”</p> +<p>As if to emphasize this assertion, the laugh of Inez +was heard at that moment as she came bounding up +the steps of the cabin, and ran toward the bow, where +the giant negro, Pomp, was leaning against the gunwale, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +his arms also folded, and an expression of contentment +upon his broad, shiny countenance.</p> +<p>The instant he caught sight of Inez his face lighted +up and his white, even teeth were displayed with +pleasure, as she ran toward him.</p> +<p>It was singular, indeed, that, ever since her first +awaking on board the <i>Coral</i>, Inez had shown not a +positive dislike of Redvig and Brazzier, but what may +be called a lack of friendship toward them. She was +trusting and loving to Pomp and the two officers, but +it was evident that she avoided the others. Possibly +she could not have told the reason had she tried, and +it is equally possible that she was not aware of it herself. +But every one else on board saw it plainly.</p> +<p>When two men in authority talk as did the captain +and mate of the schooner <i>Coral</i>, the conclusion is inevitable. +The decision was made to go on to the Paumotu +Islands, after which the voyage would be made +to Japan, and, alas! that it was so.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_GROPING_IN_THE_DARK' id='CHAPTER_IX_GROPING_IN_THE_DARK'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>GROPING IN THE DARK</h3> +</div> +<p>Life on board the schooner <i>Coral</i>, bound for the +South Seas, now became like one delightful dream.</p> +<p>The sails, fanned by the steady trade-wind, hardly +ever required attention, since the course of the craft +never varied more than a few points for days at a +time, and whoever it was at the wheel, he might as +well have lashed it fast and gone to sleep, for all the +necessity there was of keeping awake.</p> +<p>There had been some elemental disturbances which +required seamanship to weather, but nothing like that +usually encountered in the Atlantic. But there came +a long spell of weather, faultless in every respect, and +whose only drawback was the dread that each day +would be the last of such delight. The sun rose clear +and bright, and at high noon, as they approached the +equator, it was sometimes hot, but the breeze which +continually swept the deck tempered it to the crew +and passenger. Had they been caught in a calm the +heat would have been suffocating; but Providence +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +favored them, and they sped along like a seagull toward +their destination. There seemed to be times +when the green surface of the sea was at perfect rest; +but the regular rising and sinking of the <i>Coral</i> showed +that the bosom of the great deep was heaving as it always +does, though the long swells came only at extended +intervals.</p> +<p>The water was of crystalline clearness, and, looking +over the gunwale, one could see far into the depths, +where strange-looking fish were sporting, sometimes +coming to the surface and then shooting far down beyond +the reach of human vision. Now and then, too, +as little Inez leaned over the side of the vessel and +peered downward, she caught sight of something like +a shadow, gliding hither and thither, apparently without +the slightest effort to keep pace with the schooner, +which was bowling along at a rapid rate. It was one +of those monstrous sharks, that will snap a man in +two as quickly as if he were but an apple, should he +fall overboard.</p> +<p>Not a day passed without descrying one or more +sails at varying distances, but our friends did not hail +or approach any. Both Captain Bergen and Mate +Storms were in a nervous condition, and were morbidly +apprehensive of being anticipated by some one +in dredging for the invaluable pearl-oysters. They +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +were afraid their errand would be suspected, or they +would be attacked after they should secure their prize.</p> +<p>One day, under the pretense of wanting medicine, +Hyde Brazzier suddenly appeared at the cabin door. +The mate and captain were, as usual, studying the +chart, and while the mate was ransacking the medicine +chest for the drug, that single eye of the sailor +secured five minutes’ sharp scrutiny of the all-important +map.</p> +<p>Redvignez and Brazzier were not much together, +as a matter of course, for one was in the captain’s +watch and the other in the mate’s, but during the +long, pleasant days and nights when they were voyaging +toward the South Seas, they obtained many +opportunities for confidential talks. All this might +have been in the natural order of things on board the +schooner, where the discipline was not strict, but Abe +Storms had become pretty well satisfied that harm +was meant, and mischief was brewing. He saw it in +the looks and manner of these two men, who, while +they were watching others, did not suspect they were +watched in turn.</p> +<p>About Pomp he was not so certain. The steward +and cook seemed to be on good terms with the two +sailors, and he frequently sat with them as they +formed a little group forward, on the bright moonlight +nights, when they preferred to sit thus and smoke +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +and spin yarns to going below and catching slumber, +when it was their privilege to do so.</p> +<p>“I believe he is in with them,” was the conclusion +which Storms, the mate, finally reached, after watching +and listening as best he could for several days. +“They’re hatching some conspiracy––most likely a +mutiny to take possession of the ship. Captain Bergen +doesn’t suspect it––he is so absorbed in the pearl +business; and I’ll let him alone for the present, +though it may be best to give him a hint or two to +keep him on his guard.”</p> +<p>It never can be known what the restraining power +of little Inez Hawthorne was on board that vessel on +her extraordinary voyage to the Paumotu Islands, in +the South Seas. She lived over again the same life +that was hers during the few days spent on the <i>Polynesia</i>. +She ran hither and thither, climbing into dangerous +places at times, but with such grace and command +of her limbs that she never once fell or even lost +her balance. She chatted and laughed with Brazzier +and Redvig, but she preferred the others, and showed +it so plainly in her manner, that, unfortunately, the +two could not avoid noticing it.</p> +<p>“See here,” said Captain Bergen, one evening while +sitting in the cabin with the child on his knee, “I want +you to try and think hard and answer me all the questions +I ask you. Will you?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></div> +<p>“Of course I will, if you don’t ask too hard ones.”</p> +<p>“Well, I will be easy as I can. You have told me +all about the big steamer that you were on when we +found you, and you said that you lived with your +Uncle Con in San Francisco, and that it was he and +your Aunt Jemima that put you on board.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t say any such thing!” indignantly protested +Inez. “I haven’t got any Aunt Jemima––it +was my Aunt Letitia.”</p> +<p>The captain and mate smiled, for a little piece of +strategy had succeeded. They had never before got +the girl to give the name of her aunt, though she +mentioned that of her uncle. But she now spoke it, +her memory refreshed by the slight teasing to which +she was subjected.</p> +<p>“That’s very good. I’m glad to learn that your +uncle and aunt had two such pretty names as Con and +Letitia Bumblebee.”</p> +<p>“Ain’t you ashamed of yourself?” demanded Inez, +turning upon him with flashing eyes. “I never heard +of such a funny name as that.”</p> +<p>“I beg pardon. What, then, is their name?”</p> +<p>The little head was bent and the fair brow wrinkled +with thought. She had tried the same thing before, +though it must be believed that she could not have +tried very hard, or she would not have failed to remember +the name of those with whom she lived but a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +short time before. But she used her brain to its utmost +now, and it did not take her long to solve the +question. In a few seconds she looked up and laughed.</p> +<p>“Of course I know their name. It was Hermann, +though he sometimes called himself George Smith.”</p> +<p>“The other sounds German,” remarked Storms, in +a lower voice. “Go ahead and get all you can from +her.”</p> +<p>“How long did you live with them?”</p> +<p>“Let me see,” said Inez, as she turned her lustrous +blue eyes toward the roof of the cabin, as if she expected +to read the answer there. “I guess it was about +two––three hundred years.”</p> +<p>She was in earnest, and Storms observed:</p> +<p>“She must be a little off on that; but take another +tack.”</p> +<p>The captain did so.</p> +<p>“Do you remember living with any one excepting +your Uncle George and Aunt Letitia?”</p> +<p>Inez thought hard again, and replied, after a few +seconds:</p> +<p>“I don’t know. Sometimes he was Uncle George +and sometimes Uncle Con. We lived in the city a +good while, where there were, oh, such lots of houses! +but there was a time before that when we come such +a long, long way in the cars. We rode and rode, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +I guess we must have come from the moon, for we was +ten years on the road.”</p> +<p>“Do you remember what sort of looking place the +moon was?”</p> +<p>“It was just like San Francisco––that is, it was +full of houses.”</p> +<p>The officers looked at each other with a smile, and +the mate said:</p> +<p>“It’s plain enough what that means. She has come +from New York, over the Union Pacific, and her trip +was probably the longest of her life.”</p> +<p>“Do you remember your father and mother?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” said Inez, with a look of perplexity +on her young face which it was not pleasant to see. +“Sometimes I remember or dream of them, before we +took such a long ride on the cars. My mother used to +hold me on her lap and kiss me, and so did my father, +and then there was crying, and something dreadful +happened in the house, and then I can’t remember +anything more until I was on the cars.”</p> +<p>“It may be all right,” said Captain Bergen to his +mate, “for this could occur without anything being +amiss.”</p> +<p>“It is possible; but I have a conviction that there is +something wrong about the whole business. I believe, +in short, that the person who placed her on board +the steamer <i>Polynesia</i> had no claim upon her at all.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></div> +<p>“That, in fact, the man stole her?”</p> +<p>“That’s it, exactly; and still further, I don’t believe +she has any father or mother in Japan, and that +if we had gone thither we should have lost all the time +and accomplished nothing.”</p> +<p>“It may be, Abe, that you are right,” said the +captain, who held a great admiration for his mate, +“but I must say you can build a fraud and conspiracy +on the smallest foundation of any man I ever knew. +But, Abe, you may be right, I say, and if you are, +it’s just as well that we didn’t go on a fool’s errand +to Tokio, after all.”</p> +<p>“The truth will soon be known, captain.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_THE_MUTINEERS' id='CHAPTER_X_THE_MUTINEERS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE MUTINEERS</h3> +</div> +<p>A few degrees south of the equator, the schooner +<i>Coral</i> ran into a tempest of such fury that with all +the skilful seamanship of her captain and crew, and +the admirable qualities of the schooner itself, she narrowly +escaped foundering.</p> +<p>There were two days when she was in such imminent +peril that not an eye was closed in slumber, excepting +in the case of little Inez Hawthorne, who felt +the situation only to the extent that it compelled her +to stay close in the cabin, while the vessel pitched and +tossed from the crest of one tremendous billow, down, +seemingly, into the fathomless depths between, and +then laboriously climbed the mountain in front, with +the spray and mist whirling about the deck and rigging +like millions of fine shot. But the gallant <i>Coral</i> +rode it out safely, and the steady breeze caught her +and she sped swiftly in the direction of the Pearl +Islands.</p> +<p>The little girl had run hither and thither, until, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +tired out, she had flung herself upon the berth in the +cabin, where she was sleeping soundly, while the captain +was doing the same; Abe Storms, the mate, being +on deck at the wheel. It was yet early in the evening, +and Hyde Brazzier and Alfredo Redvignez were sitting +close together, forward, smoking their pipes and +conversing in low tones. The breeze was almost directly +abeam, so that the sails carried the craft along +at a rapid rate, the water foaming and curling from +the bow, while the rising and sinking of the schooner +on the enormous swells were at such long intervals as +almost to be imperceptible. As far as the eye could +extend in every direction, no glimpse of a sail or light +could be perceived, nor had any been observed through +the day, which confirmed what Bill Grebbens, the +sailor in the Boston hospital, said, to the effect that, +despite the location of the Paumotu Islands, the approach +to them from the direction of California took +one in a section where the sails of commerce were +rarely seen.</p> +<p>The captain and mate had been consulting their +chart, and had taken their reckoning more frequently +and with greater care than ever before. The conclusion +at which they arrived was that they were already +south of the northernmost island of the Paumotu +group, and were close to the Coral Island, along +whose shore were to be found the precious pearls +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +which were to make them all, or rather the two, +wealthy.</p> +<p>“It’s a curious business,” reflected Abe Storms, +while holding the wheel motionless. “When I consider +the matter fairly, I don’t see why the expedition +should not succeed. But it is so different from the +coasting business, in which the captain and I have +been engaged for years, that it is hard to believe +we’re going to make anything out of it.”</p> +<p>He listened a minute to the murmur of the voices +forward, and then he added, pursuing the same train +of thought:</p> +<p>“What an extraordinary thing it is that we should +have this little girl for a passenger! Suppose we +carry her back to Tokio after this pearl hunt, and fail +to find her parents?”</p> +<p>He took but a minute to consider the question, +when he answered:</p> +<p>“It can never make any difference to Inez herself, +for her sweet face and winning ways will secure her +a welcome and a home in a hundred different places.”</p> +<p>While the mate was indulging in these fancies and +reveries, Brazzier and Redvignez were holding an important +conference forward.</p> +<p>“I’m sure we won’t have much further to sail,” observed +the Spaniard, with a slightly broken accent. +“We’re in the latitude of the Paumotus.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span></div> +<p>“Have you ever been there?” asked his companion.</p> +<p>“No; but I know something about them, and then +you had a glimpse of the chart, which they’re continually +looking at, and I’m certain from what you said +that the particular spot we’re after isn’t far off.”</p> +<p>“I conclude you’re right, more from the way they’re +acting than anything else. I wish I could get hold of +that chart.”</p> +<p>“What would you do?” asked Redvignez, with a +significant side-glance at his companion.</p> +<p>“What would I do? Why, I wouldn’t wait––that’s +all.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see as it will make much difference,” said +the other, in the most matter-of-fact voice, as he +coolly puffed his pipe. “We might as well take them +there and make sure of the spot, before we knock them +in the head.”</p> +<p>Brazzier gave a contemptuous sniff and a vicious +puff of his pipe, and remarked:</p> +<p>“Did you ever see two such fools, Redvig?” He +continued, with mock solemnity: “Beware of the +temptations of wealth. Behold those two specimens, +who have come all the way from Boston to fish for +pearls in the Paumotu Islands. Some old sailor had +the secret, and told the captain about it, and he has +told his friend, and they have formed a partnership +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +and hired us to go with them to dredge up the +oysters.”</p> +<p>“What is there so foolish in all that?” asked the +Spaniard, with a grin, which showed his white teeth +in the moonlight.</p> +<p>“Nothing; for you or I would have done the same +had we been placed in their shoes. But we would +have shown more sense than they. They believe we do +not suspect what their business is; and yet we both +understand the whole thing. Here we are within a +few hours’ sail of the spot, and what’s to be done?”</p> +<p>The Spaniard indulged in a light laugh, and +replied:</p> +<p>“To think that we should consent to take twenty-five +dollars a month, while they scooped in their thousands––their +millions––it strikes me sometimes as the +greatest joke I ever heard. But, Brazzier, the best +plan is for us to be good boys, and go on to the island +and help take up the pearls; for then we shall be sure +of the right spot, and there shall be no mistake; +whereas, if we should take possession now, we might +miss the place, even with the help of the chart.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know but what you’re right, Redvig, +though it galls me to wait. You know a lot of us took +charge of the <i>Spitfire</i>, and set the captain and first-mate +adrift, off Valparaiso. You were in favor of +waiting, and it was well if we had done so, for we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +came nearer running our necks into the halter that +time than we ever did since, and there wasn’t anything +aboard the old hulk that was worth the saving.”</p> +<p>“But what about Pomp?” asked Redvig, in a +half-whisper, and with an accent which showed that +he considered the question of the highest importance. +“Is he all right?”</p> +<p>“You needn’t have any fear about him. I had a +long talk with him last night, and we shook hands on +the question.”</p> +<p>The negro was an important factor in this business, +for, a giant in stature and strength, whichever side he +precipitated himself and his prowess upon was sure to +win––judging from the ordinary human standpoint.</p> +<p>Pomp, as we have hinted further back, was not an +African with a perfectly clear record. The rumors +about his belonging to a gang of river pirates in San +Francisco were correct, and he had been engaged in +some deeds which were of a character that the law +puts the severest ban upon. He was known to be daring, +and possessed such prodigious power, united to +activity, that, beyond a doubt, if he were placed upon +an even footing, he could have conquered the captain, +mate and the two sailors, without any special effort +upon his own part.</p> +<p>The importance of his declaring himself can therefore +be understood. He was a far better man than +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +either of the two Caucasians, who hesitated about +approaching him. As it had to be done, however, the +matter was skilfully broached, after they had left San +Francisco and were sailing southward.</p> +<p>It was agreed by the two mutineers that, if the negro +held off, he was to be gotten rid of by some treachery, +though it was such a serious matter that they hesitated +long as to how it could be safely accomplished. +To their surprise and delight, however, Pomp listened +eagerly to the project and expressed his willingness to +go into it, though he insisted there should be no murdering +done, as he was not base enough at heart to +wish the death of either of the officers.</p> +<p>Brazzier consented; but in doing so he deceived the +negro. A mutiny, such as he contemplated, could +never be carried to a successful conclusion without +disposing finally and forever of the two officers themselves. +If they should be spared, the mutineers would +never be safe. But Pomp was misled from the first, +because it was believed he could be won over before +the time came to strike the blow. Redvignez set himself +very skilfully to do so, for Pomp was ignorant +and exceedingly greedy for wealth. Redvignez began +by telling him of a large number of fictitious mutinies, +in which the mutineers had made their fortunes +and lived happy and respected afterwards, and the +narrator made certain to impress upon the African +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +the fact that the job was rendered a perfect one by +following out the proverb that dead men tell no tales. +Then he incidentally mentioned others in which the +mutineers came to grief, all from the fact that they +allowed themselves to be controlled by a foolish sentiment +of mercy. The evil seed thus sown did not fail +to take root and bring forth its fruit, just as the sower +intended.</p> +<p>These little incidents were multiplied, and by-and-by +Pomp was told that there was but one way in +which to secure the enormous riches that lay in the +little bay in the South Seas, awaiting their coming, +and that was by making themselves complete masters +of the situation. The negro could not mistake the +meaning of this, and, after a feeble opposition, he +gave his assent, and said he would help carry out the +terrible programme, as it had been arranged from the +first.</p> +<p>It was certainly very curious how the coming of little +Inez Hawthorne upon the ship threatened for +awhile to disarrange every plan; but so it was. There +was a time when the better nature of the two evil men +asserted itself, and they began to consider the question +in the light of their awakened consciences; but these +divine monitors were only roused into temporary +wakefulness and speedily dropped asleep again. The +manifest distrust which Inez showed toward them +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +seemed to fill their hearts with the most atrocious feelings, +and neither of them would have hesitated to +fling her overboard, had the opportunity been given. +Incredible as it may seem, it is the fact that they +would have preferred to do so, being restrained by +the simple question of policy. They saw that Pomp +had grown very fond of her, and any such action on +their part might alienate him––a catastrophe which +they were anxious to avert above everything else.</p> +<p>“You say he shook hands with you upon it?” repeated +Redvignez. “What does all that mean?”</p> +<p>“It means that he is with us heart and soul. He +sees the necessity of putting the captain and mate out +of the way, and he will help do it.”</p> +<p>“But what about the little girl––the viper?”</p> +<p>“It was a bad thing for us, Redvig, when we +played that little trick, for I have been ready to despair +more than once, but the remedy is so simple that +I wonder we have not thought of it before.”</p> +<p>“How is that?”</p> +<p>“We will spare her, for Pomp gave me to understand +that on no other conditions would he go into it. +She will be a pleasant playmate for him, and will +help keep him true to us. She is so young and simple-hearted +that we can make her believe that some accident +has befallen the other two, by which they came +to their death, so there will be no danger from anything +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +she ever can tell. When we have gathered in +all the pearls we will set sail for South America. At +Valparaiso or some of the ports we will place the girl +in some convent or school, with enough money to take +care of her, and then we will land at another port, +sell the schooner, divide up the proceeds and separate, +each taking a different route home, if we choose to go +there, and then all we’ll have to do, Redvig, is to +enjoy the wealth which shall be ours.”</p> +<p>“How much do you think it will be?” asked the +Spaniard, with sparkling eyes.</p> +<p>“There is no telling,” was the reply. “I hardly +dare think, but I know it runs into the hundreds of +thousands, and it is not at all impossible that it +touches the millions.”</p> +<p>Redvignez drew a deep breath and his heart gave +a great throb, as would be the case with the most +phlegmatic being who contemplated the near possession +of such vast wealth. Visions of the wild round +of dissipation and excesses in which they would indulge +came up before the two evil men, and it was no +wonder that they were impatient for the hour to come +when they should strike the blow for the prize. Like +the officers, they were so full of the scheme that they +had no desire to sleep; and while the figure of Mr. +Storms was visible at the wheel, and the <i>Coral</i> sped +on to the southward over the calm, moonlit sea, these +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +two men talked about and agreed upon the particulars +of the frightful crime which had been in their +hearts, as may be said, from the moment they hoisted +sail and passed out of San Francisco harbor.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_CAPTAIN_BERGEN_MAKES_TWO_IMPORTANT_DISCOVERIES' id='CHAPTER_XI_CAPTAIN_BERGEN_MAKES_TWO_IMPORTANT_DISCOVERIES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>CAPTAIN BERGEN MAKES TWO IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES</h3> +</div> +<p>Before the faintest streak of light appeared in the +eastern horizon, Captain Bergen was awake and in the +rigging, with the binocular glasses in his hand.</p> +<p>The most careful computation showed they were in +latitude about 19 south and longitude 140 west. They +had passed to the eastward of the Mendina Archipelago, +catching a glimpse of one of the islands, where +the mate proposed they should touch and obtain some +supplies. But the captain was too eager to push +ahead, and Grebbens had told him that one peculiarity +about the little island which was their destination +was that it contained fresh water, with some tropical +fruit, while there could be no difficulty in catching all +the fish they wished.</p> +<p>Since the island was altogether uninhabited, and +very rarely visited, it would have been a good thing +for the party could the suggestion of the mate have +been carried out. But it was the conviction of Captain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +Bergen that they would not spend more than two +weeks at the fishery––if such it might be called––and, +under the circumstances, it cannot be said he was +imprudent. Steadying himself with one arm about +the mast, the captain stood firmly in his elevated position, +and, as the sun came slowly up and the golden +radiance spread over the sky and sea, he swept the +arch of the horizon to the south, east and west, straining +his keen vision for the first sight of the eagerly-wished-for +land.</p> +<p>“Water, water,” he murmured, despondingly. +“Water everywhere, and no sight of the haven! +Hello!”</p> +<p>His heart gave a great bound, for, just in the edge +of the horizon––at the very point where ocean and +sky met––he saw a dark substance, like a fleecy vapor, +no bigger than a man’s hand.</p> +<p>“It may be a cloud,” said the captain to himself, as +he carefully scrutinized it, “and it may be land; and, +by the great horn spoon, it is land! Land ho!”</p> +<p>“Where away?” called back Storms, from below, +quite confident what the answer would be.</p> +<p>“Two points on the weather-bow.”</p> +<p>The mate headed toward the point indicated, and +then silence reigned for awhile on board, excepting +in the case of Inez, who bounded up on deck, and was +here, there and everywhere.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span></div> +<p>The captain was left to himself, for Abe Storms +knew he would come down and report as soon as he +had anything definite; and, in the nature of things, +he could know nothing positive for a considerable +time to come.</p> +<p>As the <i>Coral</i> sped forward––sometimes on the long, +sloping crest of an immense swell, and then again in +the valley between––the captain saw and thought of +nothing else but the little island ahead, which was +slowly rising out of the ocean. He had discovered +that it was circular in shape, quite small, and fringed +with vegetation. This corresponded, in a general way, +with the description given by the sailor in the hospital; +but there are hundreds of other islands in the +South Seas to which the same description will apply, +and it was not impossible that the <i>Coral</i> was many +a long league astray.</p> +<p>“When I was on the island, ten years ago,” said +Grebbens, “I found remains of a ship that had been +wrecked there but a short time before. There was a +portion of the mast, which we managed to erect by +scooping a deep hole in the beach and then packing +the sand about the base. On the top of this we kept +our signal of distress flying, in the hope of catching +the notice of some passing vessel, as was the case after +a long while. It was my jacket which fluttered from +the top of that mast, and the old garment has been +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +blown away long ago; but I don’t know any reason +why the pole itself shouldn’t be standing, and if it is, +you will find it on the right of the entrance to the +lagoon.”</p> +<p>The island, it will be understood, was an atoll––that +is, a circular fringe of coral, with a lagoon of the +sea inside which was entered through a comparatively +narrow passage from the ocean. The atoll to which +the old sailor referred was extensive enough to furnish +fresh water and fruit, while at the entrance, and in +other places, there was a sufficient depth of sand to afford +secure “anchorage” for the pole which they +erected. Peering through the spy-glass, Captain Bergen +could see the white line where the sea beat against +the coral shores and was rolled back again in foam. +And while he was gazing, his practiced eye detected a +gap in the line of breakers––that is, a spot where the +white foam did not show itself. This must necessarily +be the opening through which the ocean flowed +into the lagoon within the island. Since it met with +no opposition, it swept inward with a smooth, grand +sweep, which proved that the water was deep and +without any obstruction.</p> +<p>“Suppose he deceived me?”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen asked himself the question while +he was scanning the island.</p> +<p>It was the first time the thought suggested that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +maybe the sailor, dying in the Boston hospital, had +told him an untruth, and such a shuddering, overwhelming +feeling of disappointment came over the +poor fellow at that moment that he grew dizzy and +sick at heart, and came nigh losing his balance.</p> +<p>“No, it cannot be,” he repeated, rallying himself, +with a great effort. “I have a better opinion of human +nature than that.”</p> +<p>His glasses were still pointed in the direction of +the island, and he was peering with an intensity that +was painful at the spot where the dark break in the +foamy breakers showed the entrance to the atoll, when +he detected a black, needle-like column which rose +from the beach at one side of the entrance. It was so +thin that he could not make sure it was not some trick +of his straining vision, and in doubt as to its reality, +he relieved his aching eye by removing the glass for +a moment and looking down on the deck beneath him.</p> +<p>He saw Redvignez and Brazzier standing at the +bow, also gazing toward the island, which was plainly +visible from the deck. They occasionally spoke, but +their tones were so low that no word could be distinguished +by any ears excepting those for which they +were intended. Mr. Storms was at his post, and as +Pomp and Inez were invisible, the conclusion was +inevitable that they were in the cabin, whence issued +the appetizing odor of cooking fish, and where no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +doubt the young lady was receiving the attention +which she expected as her right.</p> +<p>At this instant a peculiar experience came to the +captain of the yacht <i>Coral</i>. A slight flaw in the +breeze, which was bearing the vessel forward, caused +the sails to flap, and must have made a sort of funnel +of one of them for the moment; or rather, as may be +said, it made a temporary whispering gallery of the +deck and rigging of the craft. And being such, it bore +the following ominous words to Captain Bergen, uttered, +as they were, by Hyde Brazzier in a most +guarded undertone:</p> +<p>“We shall be the two richest men in America!”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen was in that state of intense nervous +sensibility in which his perceptions were unnaturally +acute, and he felt, on the instant the words +struck his ear, that they had a frightful meaning.</p> +<p>The two continued their cautious conference, but +the sail favored acoustics no longer, and the listener +did not catch another syllable.</p> +<p>“They mean to kill Abe and me,” he said to himself, +“and run away with the pearls. If they had determined +to be honest men, and we had secured any +particular amount of wealth, they would have been +rewarded liberally. Forewarned is forearmed.”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen was a brave man, and there was no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +fear of his displaying any shrinking in the crisis +which was evidently close at hand.</p> +<p>Once more he raised the glass to his eye and gazed +toward the inlet of the atoll. During the few minutes +that he had spent in looking down upon the deck and +listening, the schooner had made good speed, and the +island was less than a half mile distant. When the +instrument was pointed toward the place, he saw +clearly and unmistakably the figure of the mast standing +beside the inlet, where it had been placed years +before by Grebbens and his companions.</p> +<p>This, then, was Pearl Island, as the New Englanders +had named it; and here it was that the bed of pearl +oysters of fabulous richness was to be found.</p> +<p>Something like a feeling of depression came over +the captain when he realized that the land of promise +had risen on his vision at last. For days, weeks +and months this had been the one absorbing theme of +his mind. He had dreamed of it until he was almost, +if not quite, a monomaniac, and he had built air-castles +until the whole sky of his vision was filled with +gorgeous structures. And it should be added, in justice +to both Bergen and Storms, that these structures +were creditable to the builders; for, realizing in the +fullest sense that about all they could extract personally +from riches was their own board and lodging, +they had perfected a number of colossal schemes for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +benefiting humanity; indeed, charity was the foundation-stone +of all these castles. And now, after these +long months of waiting, he seemed to see the wealth +lying within his grasp, and something like a reaction +came to him.</p> +<p>“Is it worth all this?” he asked himself. “Is the +gain likely to pay for the peril in which we have +placed ourselves?”</p> +<p>Still further, the ominous words which he had +overheard impressed him vividly with the impending +danger in which he and his mate were placed. He saw +now that in taking Brazzier and Redvignez he had +taken two mutineers aboard, and two who, in all probability, +had won the giant African, Pomp, over to +their side.</p> +<p>What was to be the outcome of all this?</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_IN_THE_HAVEN_AT_LAST' id='CHAPTER_XII_IN_THE_HAVEN_AT_LAST'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>IN THE HAVEN AT LAST</h3> +</div> +<p>As Captain Bergen descended the rigging to the +deck of the schooner he was greatly depressed, for the +conviction was strong upon him that in entering this +promised land––as he had sometimes termed the little +circle of coral and earth which he had named Pearl +Island––he would never leave it. The immense +wealth which lay hidden along its coast, awaiting the +coming of some one to gather it, would never be carried +away by those who had already come more than +half-way round the globe to garner it.</p> +<p>As the captain stepped upon deck, Redvignez and +Brazzier respectfully saluted him, and looked as if +they were the most loyal of sailors.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen forced himself to respond to their +salute, and then he walked quietly over to where Abe +stood at the wheel.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you make of it?” asked the mate, in +a low voice.</p> +<p>“It’s the island!” replied Bergen.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span></div> +<p>“Are you sure of it?”</p> +<p>“Yes; there can be no doubt. I made out the landmark +that Grebbens told me would identify it beyond +all question. That’s the mast which they erected on +the shore, close to the inlet. You can see it without +the glass,” added the captain, turning about and looking +in that direction.</p> +<p>Such was the case, and Storms observed it plainly.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter, captain?” asked the mate, +bringing his gaze back to the face of his friend, and +scrutinizing him keenly. “You look pale and agitated. +Have your nerves given out after this strain?”</p> +<p>“Abe,” said the captain, in a carefully-guarded +voice, and glancing over his shoulder, “I learned, a +few minutes ago, that those two men forward intend +to mutiny and run away with the pearls.”</p> +<p>“Is that all? Why, I knew that weeks ago!”</p> +<p>“You did?” demanded the astounded captain. +“Why, then, didn’t you tell me?”</p> +<p>“I thought it was better to wait till we reached the +island, by which time their plans were likely to be +more fully developed.”</p> +<p>“That sort of reasoning I don’t understand,” said +the captain, anything but pleased with his mate. “But +never mind about it now. Tell me what you have +learned.”</p> +<p>“Not a great deal more than you have told. Those +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +two men, I am satisfied, are old acquaintances, who +have been partners in more than one crime, though +we supposed them strangers at the time we shipped +them; and I have no doubt they began planning our +deaths from the day we sailed out of San Francisco +harbor.”</p> +<p>“What about Pomp?”</p> +<p>“They had a hard time, but they have won him +over, and he is pledged to go with them.”</p> +<p>“And you have tried to gain the good will of +Pomp?”</p> +<p>“I have done my utmost, and have treated him with +unusual leniency, making him many presents, some of +which I gave him to understand came from you. But +they’ve got him, for all that. There’s our greatest +safeguard.”</p> +<p>As the mate spoke, he pointed to Inez, who, at that +moment, came bounding up the steps of the cabin and +ran laughing forward.</p> +<p>“Pomp thinks all the world of her, and she will be +the peacemaker, perhaps.”</p> +<p>“But don’t they like her as well?”</p> +<p>“No; they wouldn’t hesitate any more over killing +her than they would in killing us.”</p> +<p>“The villains!” muttered the horrified captain. “I +never conceived it possible that any human being +could fail to love such beauty and innocence as hers.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></div> +<p>“There is no immediate danger,” said the mate, +somewhat surprised to observe how completely the +discovery had taken possession of the mind of the captain. +“Let’s give our attention now to the business +upon which we came, and there will be time enough +to think of the other matter between now and nightfall.”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen was sorely perplexed, but the circumstances +were such that he was able to follow the +suggestion of his faithful mate. They were now close +to the island, which was of that singular formation so +frequently seen in the Pacific. Countless millions of +tiny insects, toiling through many years, had gradually +lifted the foundations of coral from the depths +of the ocean, until the mass, in the form of a gigantic +ring or horse-shoe, was above the surface. Upon this +had gradually gathered sand, seeds and vegetable matter, +in the usual way, until beneath the tropical sun +and the balmy climate the “desert blossomed like the +rose.” This took a long while, but the process it went +through was similar to that of hundreds of much +larger islands which to-day rest like nosegays upon +the bosom of the vast Pacific.</p> +<p>Among these fruits were the banana, plantain, +breadfruit, and a sort of mango, found in Farther +India, and which, at first disliked, becomes in time a +great favorite with every one. Most singular of all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +was the fact that at two widely-separated points burst +forth a spring of clear, fresh water.</p> +<p>One might well wonder where the supply for this +came from, since the whole island had its foundation +in salt water––but there are many strange distillations +going on at all times in nature’s laboratory beyond the +power of man to fathom.</p> +<p>These were probably stored away in some of the +hidden vaults of the island, and bubbled forth, the +fountain being renewed before the precious contents +were exhausted.</p> +<p>The entrance to the interior was through a deep +passage, toward which Mr. Storms directed the vessel. +As the <i>Coral</i> glided into this “inland sea,” Captain +Bergen took the helm, being as familiar with the +contour of the atoll as if he had spent a dozen years +upon it. He knew where the best anchorage was to be +found, and he headed over toward the eastern shore, +where it was safe to run close enough in to spring +from the deck to the land. He was a good seaman, +and he brought his craft to with as much skill as a +stage-driver brings his team to a halt before the door +of an inn. The anchor was let go at the proper moment, +and the <i>Coral</i> slowly swung at her mooring in +the very position her master desired, both bow and +stern being so close to shore that there would be no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +occasion to use the small boat which is generally +called into requisition on such occasions.</p> +<p>The scenery and situation were peculiar and novel +in the highest degree. These atolls are the natural +harbors of the ocean, and if any vessel can run through +the openings into the calm waters within, she may +ride in safety from the severest tempest.</p> +<p>The water within the lagoon was as calm as the +surface of a mill-pond. On every hand rose the trees +and vegetation so dense that the only portion where a +glimpse of the ocean could be caught was at the entrance, +which, it would seem, the builders of the island +had left on purpose for the ingress and exit of endangered +shipping.</p> +<p>Despite the alarming discovery which Captain Bergen +had made but a short time previous, he carried +out the purpose formed weeks before, and which the +mate urged him to fulfil. The schooner having been +secured in position and everything put in ship-shape +order, he addressed the three men who composed the +crew:</p> +<p>“My friends, when I engaged you to go upon this +voyage, I did not tell you whither, and you may think +it is late in the day to give you such information, now +that we have reached our destination. Some time ago, +before I sailed, I received information that a bed of +oysters existed at a certain portion of this island unusually +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +rich in pearls. It is to obtain them I have +come, and now I wish to say, what I determined to +say from the first, that if you work faithfully, and +give me all the assistance you can, each of you three +shall receive enough to make you rich for life. In an +enterprise of this kind the business is a partnership, +and you shall be liberally treated, provided you prove +worthy.”</p> +<p>During the utterance of these words, both the captain +and the mate carefully watched the faces of the +three men to see the effect produced.</p> +<p>Had the African been alone he would have been +won over, and as it was he turned about in an inquiring +way, and looked toward the two men as if seeking +to see how they took it. Their countenances were +so immobile that he gained no information from the +looks there; but both the officers did. Abe Storms, +especially, was a skilful physiognomist, and that +which he saw convinced him that the speech, coming +as it did, was a mistake. As is frequently the case, it +was accepted as an evidence of timidity on the part +of the officers, and the conspirators were given a confidence +which otherwise would not have been theirs.</p> +<p>“It was a blunder,” whispered Storms, when the +captain stepped beside him. “Those wretches mean +mischief, and it is coming within twenty-four hours.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_THE_OYSTER_BED' id='CHAPTER_XIII_THE_OYSTER_BED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>THE OYSTER BED</h3> +</div> +<p>Little Inez Hawthorne was overrunning with delight +at the prospect of a romp on shore, after having +been confined so long in the cramped quarters of the +schooner, and she was darting hither and thither, +eager to start upon her frolic.</p> +<p>“I say, captain,” said Hyde Brazzier, bowing profoundly +and with great humility, “we be greatly surprised +by what you tell us about the pearls, and we +are very much obliged for your kindness, which the +same is a great deal more than we expected; but it +has set us all topsy-turvy, as we may say. If it’s all +the same, we would like to go and take a look at that +same pearl-oyster bed, if it isn’t inconvenient.”</p> +<p>The captain and mate both understood the meaning +of this, for it showed only too clearly how impatient +the men were to commit the crime which they had in +mind. Still, there was no excuse for refusal, and the +officers were anxious enough to see the place for themselves. +Each had his revolver carefully shoved into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +his pocket, and each knew that the six chambers were +fully charged, when they sprang over the vessel’s side +and started toward the northernmost part of the +island. The captain and mate led the way, for they +were sure they were in no personal danger so long as +the oyster-bed remained undiscovered.</p> +<p>The fringe of coral trees was quite broad, but, as +the little party made their way through them, they +could catch the gleam of the water on each side, while +the roar and boom of the breakers never ceased.</p> +<p>The sun seemed to linger in the horizon to their +left, as if to guide them in the search they were making.</p> +<p>As they advanced, all observed that the outer +rim of this fringe was very irregular, as if it had +been broken up and changed by the action of fierce +tempests for many decades. This peculiarity, if such +it may be termed, left many places where the ocean +was as calm as within the atoll, and it was in one of +these that the oyster-bed for which they were searching +was to be found.</p> +<p>Mate and captain advanced quite spiritedly for +some distance, until they were close to the northernmost +portion, when they hesitated, slackened their +gait, looked to the right and left, conferred in low +tones, and then the captain suddenly exclaimed:</p> +<p>“This looks like the spot!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></div> +<p>The words were scarcely out of his mouth when +the two men dashed down the slight slope, ran a short +distance, and then abruptly halted close to the water’s +edge, at a point where the sea was locked in so that +it was only slightly disturbed by the ordinary swell. +Close behind them were Redvignez and Brazzier, +while Pomp brought up the rear. The three men exchanged +only a word or two while following, and +those were heard by the leaders, because they were of +no significance, but it is safe to conclude they did a +great deal of thinking.</p> +<p>The five grouped themselves along the water, standing +side by side and peering down into the depths before +them. This perhaps averaged three fathoms, and +the water itself was as clear as crystal, without even +the tinge of green generally seen in the ocean. The +bottom was quite even and flat, resting upon a substratum +of coral. The glinting rays of the sun helped, +so that a marble could have been distinguished many +fathoms down. And looking downward, the quintette +saw the bottom strewn with oysters of unusual size, +lying so close together that in many places they +seemed to touch each other.</p> +<p>For a full minute the five stood motionless and +speechless. It was Pomp who was the first to recover +his voice:</p> +<p>“My gracious! am dem ’isters full of pearls?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></div> +<p>“That can only be told by examination,” was the +quiet reply of Mr. Storms.</p> +<p>“Dat’s ruther deep to dive down, an’ how ’bout +sharks?”</p> +<p>The mate smiled.</p> +<p>“We thought of all that before we left home, +Pomp.”</p> +<p>“Well, what good did all de thinkin’ do? Dat +won’t drive away de shark, dat would as lief bite a +man in two as to swaller a fish.”</p> +<p>“If you and Redvig will return to the vessel and +get that coat of mail on deck, I will agree to go down +there and take all the risks.”</p> +<p>The three mutineers, as they may be called, exchanged +glances, but said nothing. The captain and +mate noted this telegraphy of the eyes, and they, too, +were silent, but it was a little test which they had determined +upon before leaving the <i>Coral</i>, lying some +distance away, safely moored close inshore. Evidently +the three could think of no valid excuse, and +Brazzier said, in a low voice, which was heard by all:</p> +<p>“Go, men, and hurry back.”</p> +<p>Pomp started off at once, Redvignez following close +behind him. The mate and captain saw they were +speaking together; but, of course, it could only be conjectured +what they were talking about.</p> +<p>The three who remained behind were in an embarrassing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +situation, for there could be no doubt that +Brazzier, the leader in the plot, had had his suspicions +aroused by this little incident, and it was hard +work for him to conceal a certain uneasiness at the +thought that he had lost the confidence of the two +officers of the <i>Coral</i>.</p> +<p>With a view of strengthening his position, Captain +Bergen took out his revolver, looked at it in an inquiring +way, and then shoved it back into his hip-pocket. +Abe Storms did precisely the same thing, excepting +that he perhaps made a little more display +about it.</p> +<p>Not one of the three as yet had spoken a word; but +Brazzier, as if to conceal his uneasiness, advanced to +the edge of the water and peered down into the crystal +depths at the supposed wealth which lay scattered over +the bottom, awaiting the hour when some one should +draw it forth from the hiding-place it had occupied +for so many years.</p> +<p>“If they’ve got pearls in ’em,” observed Brazzier, +“it’ll make a good haul for us.”</p> +<p>“There is reason to think so,” replied the captain, +holding his peace, for he began to suspect that too +much deference had already been paid to the crew.</p> +<p>Since Pomp and Redvignez were making good time, +they soon reappeared, bearing between them the coat +of armor which Abe Storms had constructed before +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +leaving his New England home. This, it may be said, +was an invention peculiarly his own, containing some +conveniences not generally attributed to diving-bells +or armor, and which, if they withstood the test to +which they were sure to be subjected, would be a great +step forward in the rapid improvements that have +been made in submarine armor during the last few +years. A superficial examination would not discover +anything out of the usual order in the make of the +armor, with its bulging glass eyes and general resemblance +to the coats of mail such as were used by the +crusaders and knights of the middle ages. There were +the two pipes, one of which went in at the top of the +helmet, as if the man were going to breathe through +the crown of his head, while the other was adjusted so +as to come nearer the front of the face. One of these +was for the admission of fresh air, and the other for +the expulsion of that which was exhaled. Besides this, +there was the rope, fastened around the waist of the +diver, to assist him to the surface should a sudden necessity +arise. But, without going into any detailed description, +we may say that the ingenious New Englander +had so constructed it that he required the assistance +of no second person at any portion of the +work.</p> +<p>Storms immediately began adjusting the apparatus, +the others standing off and looking on, for he had declined +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +their proffers of service. The armor had never +been tested, and the man might well pause, now that +he was going to stake his life upon the issue, as may be +said.</p> +<p>But it was not that fact which caused the mate the +most uneasiness, for his confidence in his own invention +was so strong that he would not have hesitated a +moment to trust himself in water of twice the depth. +Indeed, the pearls were so near at hand that a very +ordinary diver would have found no difficulty in +bringing them up without the help of any armor at +all––the latter being required by other considerations.</p> +<p>“Now, all I want done is to allow the two upper +ends of the pipes to be kept clear,” said Storms, when +he had adjusted the “harness” about him. “I will do +the breathing for myself, provided I am not interfered +with.”</p> +<p>The two ends were secured among the coral in such +a way that there was no danger of their being drawn +in by any action of the armor itself, and then Storms, +taking an immense sheath-knife in his hand, promptly +stepped off from the shore, and as promptly sank under +water.</p> +<p>It was a singular sight the four companions whom +he left behind saw, when they approached to the edge +of the water and looked over.</p> +<p>The mate, incased in his armor, looked like some +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +huge, curiously-shaped shellfish or monster, whose +weight was such that he went as straight down as an +arrow, and, a few seconds later, was seen bent over +and moving about the bottom, loosening up the oysters.</p> +<p>This first venture of Storms’ was more in the nature +of an experiment or preliminary reconnoissance. He +wished to find how the land lay, as the expression +goes. If everything should prove to be in good shape, +he would venture down again, with a basket, and the +real work of gathering the pearl-oysters would begin.</p> +<p>As we have intimated, Abe Storms felt no misgivings +concerning his armor when he moved off from +solid land and was submerged in the edge of the Pacific, +for he had constructed so many contrivances +and machines that he had learned to understand fully +what they would do before they were put to work. +He carried the enormous sheath-knife in his right +hand, and when his feet lightly touched the shells on +the bottom, he began turning them over with the point +of his knife. The depth of the water being so moderate, +he found no difficulty in breathing, and indeed +the conditions were such that whoever chose to collect +the oysters in this armor was not likely to experience +the slightest difficulty.</p> +<p>Down where he was at work the water seemed to +be of a light-yellowish tint, caused by the refraction +of the sunlight as it made its way to him. He noticed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +the mild glow, which, of course, would steadily +diminish as the sun went down, when all at once it +was eclipsed so suddenly by a dark shadow that he +instantly suspected the true cause.</p> +<p>Looking upward, he saw an immense shark, certainly +a dozen feet in length, that had halted and was +evidently surveying with some curiosity this intruder +upon his domains.</p> +<p>The man-eater being directly over the diver, was +not in the best position to use his fearful jaws with +effect, but he was evidently reconnoitering with a view +to hostilities. Abe observed that this shadowy figure +was motionless, its fins slightly moving back and forth +as if it were using them like a balancing-pole, to maintain +itself motionless in position, and he marked the +horridly-shaped mouth which yawned over his head. +Reaching upward with his long-bladed knife, he +touched it against the white belly of the monster, and +then gave it a strong push.</p> +<p>It was so keen and sharp that it entered deep into +the yielding flesh and inflicted a severe wound. Just +then the gigantic man-eater suspected he had committed +a blunder, and with a lightning-like whirl of +his huge body, he dashed out to sea, leaving a crimson +trail after him.</p> +<p>Indeed, his charge was so sudden that the huge +knife was wrenched from the grasp of Abe Storms, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +and he was drawn forward off his balance. Had it +been in the open air, he would have been hurled to the +ground with great force. But he managed to recover +himself, and caught a shadowy glimpse of the great +shark darting off, as the knife dropped from the +wound and sank to the bottom. Not wishing to lose +the valuable weapon, Storms walked forward, and seeing +it lying on the bottom, at a point which seemed +to be the edge of the oyster-bed, he stooped over and +recovered it.</p> +<p>He had now been down a considerable while, and +muttered:</p> +<p>“The captain promised to signal me if trouble came, +and he hasn’t done so. But, for all that, I don’t believe +it will be safe for me to stay down here much +longer. I may as well–––”</p> +<p>The sentence was never finished, for it received a +startling interruption. The rubber pipes by which +he breathed were suddenly closed, and Abe Storms +knew it had been done purposely by some one above.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_REVOLT' id='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_REVOLT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>THE REVOLT</h3> +</div> +<p>For a brief while after the descent of the mate of +the <i>Coral</i>, incased in his new diving armor, the four +men above did nothing more than merely wait for his +coming up. But all the time the parties were watching +each other, for Captain Bergen was convinced that +the crisis was at hand. The mutineers had learned +where the oyster-bed was, and therefore could be no +longer restrained by that consideration. They could +get on without the diving-armor, though they saw how +convenient it might be to have it; but, since it was connected +with the shore, it could be drawn in and recovered +if they should need it.</p> +<p>The mate was down in the ocean, and the captain +was standing on terra firma. What more favorable +separation was likely to present itself? Here were +three men against one, and the three had gained the +secret which had restrained them so long.</p> +<p>“I say,” said Hyde Brazzier, “does the mate down +there find things as he expected?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></div> +<p>“We can tell that better after he comes up,” was the +reply of the captain, who kept his hand at his hip, +where it could rest on the butt of his revolver. “But +there is reason to believe that he isn’t disappointed.”</p> +<p>“And he breathes through these pipes that lie +here?” pursued Brazzier, while the expression on the +face of Pomp and Redvignez convinced Skipper Bergen +that serious mischief was coming.</p> +<p>“You can see that without asking me,” replied he, +stepping back a pace or two so as to keep the men before +him.</p> +<p>“Well, if a man can’t get what air he wants, what +is likely to happen?” continued Brazzier, with an insolent +swagger that was exasperating, following upon +his fawning sycophancy.</p> +<p>“Any fool would know that he would die.”</p> +<p>“Well, now that we’ve landed, I don’t see as there +is any need of a mate or a captain neither, with this +crew––do you, boys?”</p> +<p>And he turned toward his companions with a laugh.</p> +<p>“Of course not. The best place for him is in Davy +Jones’ locker!” said Redvignez.</p> +<p>“Now you is talkin’ right!” was the characteristic +comment of the negro, Pomp, who seemed the most +eager of the three, when the mutiny had come to a +head.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></div> +<p>It was evident that Brazzier had determined to +drown the mate while he was below the surface.</p> +<p>“The first man who interferes with those pipes I +will shoot dead!”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen spoke the words in a low voice, but +there could be no mistaking his deadly earnestness. +Feeling that the crisis had come, the captain determined +to give the signal agreed upon with Abe Storms, +which was a sudden jerk of the rope fastened to the +one around the waist of the mate. The latter would +understand that his presence above was needed at +once.</p> +<p>The captain was in the act of stooping over, when +Redvignez sprang behind him with the stealth and +agility of a cat, and struck his arm a violent blow. +His purpose was to knock the revolver out of the captain’s +hand, so that he and his friends could secure +the use of it. But he overdid the matter, for the revolver +went spinning out of the captain’s hand and +dropped into the water, where it sank out of sight. +Startled and shocked, he straightened up without giving +the signal to Abe Storms below the surface.</p> +<p>None of the party had any firearms, but Captain +Bergen saw it would be madness for him to make any +resistance. Without a moment’s hesitation, therefore, +he wheeled about and ran with all the speed of which +he was capable.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></div> +<p>His flight was not altogether an aimless one, for +he hoped to reach the schooner, lying an eighth of a +mile away, far enough in advance of his pursuers to +seize one of the rifles carefully concealed there, and to +make defense against his foes. The instant he broke +into a run, his pursuers did the same, uttering loud +shouts, as if they were American Indians who were +certain of their prey.</p> +<p>For the time, it was a question of speed between +pursuers and pursued. If the latter could reach the +craft considerably ahead of the others, there was a +chance of his making a successful defense against the +three who were seeking his life. If he failed to attain +the goal, he felt it would be all over with him, for +they were not the men to show any mercy.</p> +<p>Darting among the palm-trees, therefore, he +strained every nerve to draw away from his enemies, +while they strove, with equal desperation, to overtake +him.</p> +<p>It was a straight run, and comparatively an unobstructed +one, for the palm-trees were far enough apart +to give him a pretty fair course, which was of equal +advantage to all parties. Perhaps it is possible, therefore, +to imagine the anxiety with which, after running +a short distance, Captain Bergen glanced over his +shoulder to see how his pursuers were making out. +But it is not possible to appreciate his consternation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +when he saw that two of them were outrunning him, +and, as he had striven to his very utmost, the frightful +truth was manifest that he was sure to be overtaken +before he could reach the <i>Coral</i>.</p> +<p>Those who were gaining upon him were Pomp, the +negro, and Brazzier himself. But the fact that they +were gaining upon him was no cause for the fugitive +falling down and yielding without a struggle. He +still had his sheath-knife, which he grasped with a +despairing feeling as he realized, during those awful +seconds, that complete, disastrous failure, instead of +the brilliant success he had counted upon, had overtaken +him at last.</p> +<p>The pursuers gained rapidly, and not one-half the +distance was passed, when all three of the men were +almost within striking distance, for Redvignez was at +the elbow of his companions. Captain Bergen looked +over his shoulder, and was about to throw his back +against a palm-tree, with the view of turning at bay +and fighting to the last, when, like the historical John +Smith of our own earlier times, his lack of attention +to his feet precipitated the very fate against which he +was struggling. His feet struck some obstruction, and +being exhausted from his extraordinary exertion, he +pitched forward and fell on his face. As he went +down he was conscious of hearing two widely different +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +sounds––one the exultant cries of the pursuers, and +the other the terrified scream of a little girl.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen attempted to rise, but Redvignez +and Brazzier were upon him, and the knife of the latter +was upraised with the purpose of ending the matter +then and there forever, when the cry of the child +was heard the second time, and little Inez sprang, like +Pocahontas, between the uplifted arm and the intended +victim.</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t hurt him! Please don’t hurt him! +Please, please don’t hurt him, ’cause I love him!” +pleaded the agonized child, with all the earnestness of +her nature.</p> +<p>The position of the prostrate captain attempting to +rise, and the little one interceding for him, was such +that the mutineer hesitated for the moment, for he +could not strike without endangering her life. Seeing +this, with the wonderful quickness which sometimes +comes over the youngest child in such a crisis, +Inez persistently forced her body with amazing quickness +in the way of the poised knife as it started to descend +more than once––the other two holding back for +their leader to finish the work.</p> +<p>Brazzier was a man of tigerish temper, and he became +infuriated in a few seconds at this repeated +baffling of his purpose.</p> +<p>“Confound you!” he suddenly exclaimed, with a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +fierce execration. “If you will keep in the way, then +you must take it!”</p> +<p>The arm was drawn still further back, with the intention +of carrying out this dreadful threat, when the +wrist was seized in the iron grip of Black Pomp, who +said:</p> +<p>“Hold on, dere! None ob dat! De man dat hurts a +ha’r ob dat little gal’s head will got sot down on by me, +an’ mashed so flat dat he’ll neber rose ag’in. Does +you hear me, sah?”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_THE_FRIEND_IN_NEED' id='CHAPTER_XV_THE_FRIEND_IN_NEED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>THE FRIEND IN NEED</h3> +</div> +<p>There was no excuse for not hearing this warning, +for it was uttered in a voice loud enough to reach +over the whole extent of the atoll.</p> +<p>Both Redvignez and Brazzier were enraged at the +interference, and there was an instant of time when +the two were on the point of attacking him. But he +was a terrible foe for any one to assail, and he would +have made warm work, as they well knew, for he was +not afraid of the two together.</p> +<p>Brazzier was quick to comprehend the situation, +and he refrained.</p> +<p>“Take away the girl, then,” he commanded, “so I +can get at him.”</p> +<p>“I will not leave him,” declared Inez, throwing her +arms about the neck of the captain, who was rising to +his feet. “You mean to hurt him, and you shan’t hurt +him without hurting me. He has been kind, and he’s +a good man.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></div> +<p>“Take her away,” commanded Brazzier, with difficulty +repressing his anger at the repeated delay.</p> +<p>“Oh, Pomp! You won’t let him hurt the captain?” +pleaded Inez, turning toward him, and ready to throw +her arms about his dusky neck, were it not that she +was afraid to leave the captain for the moment––he +having risen to his feet, while he held her hand and +looked at his enemies, panting from his own great +exertion, though he did not speak a word.</p> +<p>Even in the dreadful peril which enveloped him, he +was too proud to ask for mercy from such wretches.</p> +<p>But the appeal of Inez to Pomp had produced its +effect. When she turned her misty eyes upon him, +and pleaded in such piteous tones for mercy, the +mouth of the huge African twitched, and any one +could see that a hard struggle was going on within.</p> +<p>“If you don’t keep those bad men from hurting +Captain Bergen,” she added, in the same impassioned +manner, “I’ll never speak to you––never, never, never––there!”</p> +<p>This was accompanied by a stamp of her tiny foot, +and then she burst into weeping––sobbing as if her +heart would break.</p> +<p>Hyde Brazzier stood irresolute, and seemed on the +point of leaping, knife in hand, upon the captain. +But the prayer of the innocent child had settled the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +question, and the sable Hercules sprang in front of +the endangered man.</p> +<p>“Dis ’ere thing hab gone fur ’nough; let de cap’in +alone. If dere’s any killin’ to be done, why I’m de +one dat’s gwine to do it.”</p> +<p>The two mutineers were wild with fury, for this +unexpected show of mercy promised to upset the whole +scheme they had been hatching for weeks. Both Redvignez +and Brazzier protested vehemently, seeking to +show that it was imperatively necessary that both the +officers should be put out of the way, and that since +the mate was gone, it was the sheerest folly to allow +the captain to remain.</p> +<p>But the words were thrown away.</p> +<p>The prayer of little Inez Hawthorne had reached +the heart of the gigantic African, and the sight of the +child standing there weeping was more than he could +bear, although it but served to add to the exasperation +of the other two savages.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen did not stand mute and motionless +during all this rush of events, which really occupied +but a few seconds. As soon as he saw the way open, +he took the hand of little Inez and began moving in +the direction of the schooner, his purpose being to +secure refuge upon that if possible. As he moved +away he saw Pomp and the two mutineers in conference, +for Brazzier and Redvignez at that moment +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +would have given a large share of their prospective +wealth for the purpose of disposing finally and forever +of the captain.</p> +<p>“We have been in mutinies before, Pomp, and the +only safe course––and that ain’t safe by any means––is +to follow the rule that dead men tell no tales.”</p> +<p>“Dat may be de rule, but it ain’t gwine to work in +dis case; an’ de reason am ’cause de little gal dere +don’t want it done. You can talk an’ argufy fo’ fourteen +years, but it won’t do no good. De only way you +can finish up de job am by killin’ me fust.”</p> +<p>The foregoing is the substance of the protests and +replies of the two parties to the angry discussion. It +so happened, as we have shown, that the African held +the balance of power. He was strong and courageous, +and he was armed and ready to fight, and they knew +it. They did not dare to attack him openly, where the +result was so likely to be disastrous to both, and they +were compelled to fall in with his scheme of saving +the captain, though it can well be understood that it +was the most distasteful thing to which they could +consent.</p> +<p>This discussion lasted but a few minutes; but, as +we have said, it was improved by Captain Bergen, +who saw that the wisest course for him to pursue was +to remove the cause as far as practical. He walked +backward a few steps until he was some way off, when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +he turned about, still holding the hand of Inez in his, +and they continued until a number of palm-trees intervened, +when he sped so rapidly that the child was +kept on a run to maintain her place at his side. She +had ceased her crying, but her face and eyes were red, +and she was in an apprehensive, nervous and almost +hysterical condition from the terrible scene she had +witnessed––a scene such as should never be looked +upon by one of her tender years.</p> +<p>A minute later Captain Bergen caught sight of the +trimly-built schooner lying at rest in the lagoon, close +to the shore, and his heart gave a throb of hope, that, +if he could once secure position on her deck, he would +be able to hold his own against the mutineers.</p> +<p>During the next few hurried minutes occupied in +the passage to the schooner, the conviction had grown +upon him that this mercy which had spared his life +for a brief while would not be continued. Pomp +Cooper would not continue to be his friend after his +spasm of affection for Inez should spend itself, and +devoid as the African was of intellect, he was likely +to understand that the true course of the party who +had entered upon the villainy was to make thorough +work of it.</p> +<p>The captain saw the three men still talking and gesticulating +angrily when he reached the schooner.</p> +<p>In a twinkling he had lifted Inez upon the deck, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +and then he sprang after her. He ran into the cabin, +reappearing in an instant with the three loaded rifles.</p> +<p>“Now,” said he, with a sigh of relief, “let them +come! I am ready.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_A_STRANGE_VISITOR' id='CHAPTER_XVI_A_STRANGE_VISITOR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>A STRANGE VISITOR</h3> +</div> +<p>But the mutineers took good care not to show +themselves just then; and the captain, deeming such a +course prudent, tugged at the anchor until it was +lifted, when he managed to shove the craft off, and +reaching the middle of the lagoon, the anchor was +dropped.</p> +<p>“Now they won’t be likely to approach without my +seeing them,” was his conclusion; “and so long as I +can keep awake, I can hold them at bay. I hate to +shoot a man, but if ever a person had justification for +doing so, I have. I am rather inclined to think that if +either Brazzier or Redvignez should wander into +range, one of these rifles would be likely to go off!”</p> +<p>Seeing no immediate danger, Captain Bergen descended +into the cabin for a few minutes. Poor, tired +Inez had thrown herself on the hammock and was +sound asleep.</p> +<p>“Sleep, little one,” murmured the captain, as he +lingered for a minute to look at the sweet, infantile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +face, in the gathering twilight. “It is a sad fate +which orders you to witness so much violence, and +sorry I am that it is so; but where would I have been +excepting for you?”</p> +<p>Then he softly left the cabin and took his position +on deck. The moon was full, which was gratefully +noticed by the captain, for he could easily keep awake +all night, and thus detect the approach of his enemies. +In fact, his nerves were so unstrung that he would not +be able to sleep for many hours to come.</p> +<p>“But what is to be done hereafter?”</p> +<p>This was the question he put to himself, and which +had to be answered.</p> +<p>The mutineers kept carefully out of sight, and, as +night settled over the scene, the captain remained +wide awake and vigilant. There was ample food for +thought and reflection––the cutting of the hose-pipes +of the diving apparatus, the attack by the mutineers, +the terrible flight and pursuit, the interference of +Inez––all these and more surged through the brain of +the captain, while he slowly paced back and forth, +with eyes and ears wide open. Inez still slumbered, +and all was silent, excepting the boom of the ocean +against the coral-reef; while, as the night wore on, the +captain maintained his lonely watch.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen scanned the fringe of shore which +circled about him, like a great wall thrown up between +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +the lagoon and the Pacific, that steadily broke +on the outside. But turn his keen eyes wheresoever +he chose, he could detect not the slightest sign of the +mutineers. He thought it likely they would start a +fire somewhere, but no starlike point of light twinkled +from beneath the palm-trees, and he was left to conjecture +where they were and what they were doing.</p> +<p>“They will probably wait till they think I am +asleep,” was his thought, “and then they will swim +quietly out and try to board.”</p> +<p>He believed it would be either that way or they +would construct a raft and paddle themselves out to +the schooner. Knowing the captain was on the Coral, +and knowing how important it was that he should not +be allowed to run away and leave them there, they +would neglect no precaution to prevent his going off. +They, too, would understand what it was he was waiting +for, and they were seamen enough to know the +hour when he would be able to sail, and, consequently, +what they were to do to prevent it.</p> +<p>“They have no way of closing the channel, or they +would do so, and it remains–––Hello!”</p> +<p>He was standing at the prow, looking carefully +about him, and with all his senses alert, and he stood +thus fully twenty minutes, expecting something whose +precise nature he had already conjectured.</p> +<p>“That splash meant something, and I think–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></div> +<p>Just then he heard a commotion in the water +directly under the prow, and, looking over, he saw a +strange-looking object, like one of the uncouth monsters +of the deep, come to the surface and begin climbing +up by aid of the fore-chains.</p> +<p>“I say, cap’n, can’t you give a fellow a lift?”</p> +<p>It was the mate, Abe Storms, who asked the question, +and, as the captain extended his hand, he said, +in a low, fervent voice:</p> +<p>“Thank heaven! I was about giving you up for +lost!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_ON_THE_CORAL' id='CHAPTER_XVII_ON_THE_CORAL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>ON THE CORAL</h3> +</div> +<p>Captain Bergen and Abe Storms, as may be supposed, +greeted each other ardently when the latter +stepped upon the deck of the schooner, clad in his +diving-suit.</p> +<p>“I was growing very anxious about you,” said the +captain, “for I could not understand what kept you +away so long.”</p> +<p>The eccentric New Englander, removing his headgear, +but leaving the rest of his armor on, laughed and +asked:</p> +<p>“Tell me what took place after I went down.”</p> +<p>The captain hurriedly related his experience, which +has been already told the reader.</p> +<p>“We took a good deal of risk, as you know,” said +the mate, “and when I went down in the water, I was +a great deal more uneasy than I seemed to be. I was +expecting a signal from you, and when it did not +come I started for the surface. The shore is rough +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +and craggy, you know, so that it was something like +climbing up stairs.</p> +<p>“Well, I had got pretty well up when the pipes +were cut. I understood what it meant, and, holding +my breath, with the water rushing down the two hose-pipes, +I scrambled for the top.</p> +<p>“It may have been a perilous thing for you that +the rascals pursued you with such enthusiasm, but it +was fortunate for me, for, although I had a dry revolver +under my armor, it was several minutes before +I was in a condition to use it.</p> +<p>“As soon as possible, however, I made ready, believing +you were in sore need of help. Crawling forward +on my hands and knees, I took a quick look over the +bank, and saw you and Inez walking off in the direction +of the schooner, with the three scamps sullenly +watching you.</p> +<p>“I suspected what you tell me was the truth, and +I was on the point of rushing forward and making +short work of them with my revolver, but it flashed +upon me that they possessed a fearful advantage over +us. Redvignez and Brazzier are as cunning as serpents, +and one of them, more than likely, would have +caught up the little girl and held her in front of him +as a screen.</p> +<p>“Inez would have proved an effectual armor, indeed, +and, with her in their possession, they would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +have been masters of the situation, and could have +dictated whatever terms they chose to us. Pomp +would have been transformed into a bitter enemy at +once, and the chances of disaster to us all were so +great that I remained quiet, but watchful, ready to +dash forward to your assistance should it become +necessary.</p> +<p>“I lay down in a secluded place to rest, when––shall +I confess it?––I fell asleep, and did not wake up until +half an hour ago. After thinking the matter over, I +decided still to deceive the rascals. I was quite certain +that the water in the lagoon was not very deep, +so I fastened the upper ends of the hose to floats, and +walked out here on the bottom.”</p> +<p>“Did you see anything of them?”</p> +<p>“No; I don’t know where they are; but you can +feel sure they’ll never take their eyes off the +schooner.”</p> +<p>After further discussing the exciting events of the +day, they considered the all-important question as to +what should be their own line of action. The decision +which they reached was a most remarkable one, being +no less than to make a direct proposition to the mutineers +to turn over the schooner to them, with a portion +of the oysters, and to allow them to depart, while +the captain, mate and little girl were left upon the +island.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></div> +<p>The captain was not convinced that this was altogether +wise, and he said:</p> +<p>“Since your plan is for us to stay on the island, and +allow them to leave with the schooner, will you tell +me how we are to depart, when ready?”</p> +<p>The mate indicated the inlet, where the mast was +still pointing toward the sky.</p> +<p>“We’ve got to run our chances. We may be taken +off in a week, and possibly not for years; but, with all +these probabilities before us, I am in favor of surrendering +the schooner, and allowing them to leave +us forever, if they will agree to do so.”</p> +<p>“But, if we make the proposition, will they not suspect +our purpose, or take it as a confession of weakness +on our part?”</p> +<p>“We must prevent that. But, captain, I’ve had +all the sleep I want, and you are in need of it. Better +secure it, therefore, while you can. Go below in the +cabin and take your rest. I will stand guard here, +and you need have no fear of my dropping into slumber +again.”</p> +<p>The captain remained some time longer, and even +then was loth to leave, but he consented to do so, and +finally descended into the cabin, where he threw himself +upon his hammock without removing his clothes.</p> +<p>The incidents of the day were exciting enough to +keep him awake, and, despite the exhaustion of his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +body, he lay a long time before he closed his eyes in +slumber. Even then his sleep was haunted by horrible +dreams, in which he lived over again the scenes +through which he had passed, when, but for the piteous +pleadings of little Inez, he would have fallen a +victim to the ferocity of the mutineers, and he awoke +more than once with a gasp and a start, which showed +how disturbed his mind was.</p> +<p>He had not slept long when he suddenly awoke +again, and looked around in the gloom. The lamp +overhead had been extinguished, and he was in utter +darkness, though the silvery glow of the moonlight +outside was perceptible through the windows and +partly-open door. He could hear the dull booming of +the breakers on the outside of the atoll, but all else +was quiet, except the gentle breathing of Inez, in the +berth beneath his.</p> +<p>“God protect her and us all!” he prayed, his heart, +in the solemn stillness and solitude, ascending to the +only being who could assist him and his friend in +their dire extremity; for Captain Bergen was sure +that no one could be placed in greater peril than were +he and Abe Storms, so long as they remained among +the Pearl Islands.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_A_VISIT_FROM_SHORE' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_A_VISIT_FROM_SHORE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>A VISIT FROM SHORE</h3> +</div> +<p>In the meantime Abram Storms was acting the +part of a vigilant sentinel at his station on deck.</p> +<p>There was no doubt in his mind that the mutineers +were fearful the schooner would sail away and leave +them on the lonely coral island, and they were certain, +as he viewed it, to make some effort to prevent +such a disaster to them. But precisely how this was to +be done was a serious question. They knew that the +captain, having reached the <i>Coral</i>, had several rifles +at command, and would not hesitate to shoot them +the instant any attempt was made against him or little +Inez, under his charge.</p> +<p>Nothing was more certain than that an unremitting +watch would be kept upon the <i>Coral</i>, and, though +they might believe there was but the single man there, +yet unquestionably he commanded the situation.</p> +<p>“They will try some trick,” muttered the mate; +“but I shall have a very small opinion of myself if +they win. Pomp Cooper’s affection for Inez led him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +to interfere, when his interference accomplished a +good deal more than he imagined. Ah!”</p> +<p>At that moment the mate heard a ghostly “Halloo!” +from the shore, and he recognized the voice as belonging +to Pomp.</p> +<p>“Just as I suspected,” said Storms, to himself; +“they’re using the negro as a cat’s-paw. Well, I’ll see +what they are driving at.”</p> +<p>Imitating the tones of Captain Bergen as closely +as possible, the mate shouted:</p> +<p>“What do you want?”</p> +<p>“Am you dere?” was the rather superfluous question.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Won’t you let me come on board?”</p> +<p>“What for?”</p> +<p>“I’m sick ob dis business. I hab quarreled wid +Redvig an’ Brazzier, an’ I want to jine you an’ git +away from dis place.”</p> +<p>Abe Storms was not deceived for a moment by this +transparent story. He knew there had been no quarrel, +but that the mutineers had planned to get the negro +on the schooner with the hope of deceiving the captain +and gaining a chance to overpower him when off +his guard.</p> +<p>“Come on out here, then,” replied the mate, who +quickly determined his course of action.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></div> +<p>Almost at the same instant a loud splash was heard, +and the head of Pomp was descried in the moonlight, +swimming toward the boat. The mate kept himself +concealed as much as he could, stepping back when the +negro began clambering up the fore-chains. Panting +from his exertion, he speedily came over the gunwale +upon the deck.</p> +<p>“Yes, cap’in, I’s tired ob dem willains, an’ I’m +gwine–––Oh! oh! oh!”</p> +<p>At that instant his eyes fell upon the figure of the +mate, clad in his diving-armor, with the exception +of his face, which was so clearly revealed in the moonlight +that there could be no mistaking his identity.</p> +<p>Worse than that, the mate, standing as rigid as +iron, had a gleaming revolver pointed straight at him. +Pomp sank on his knees in the most abject terror.</p> +<p>“Oh, my heben!” he chattered, clasping his hands, +“I t’ought dat you was drowned. Am you sartin dat +you ain’t?”</p> +<p>“I am quite well satisfied on that point. But, +Pomp, get up; I’ve got a word or two to say to you.”</p> +<p>“I will, I will; but please p’int dat weepon some +oder way.”</p> +<p>The mate complied, and the African, somewhat reassured, +though still considerably frightened, listened +to the words of the man who he supposed was drowned +hours before.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span></div> +<p>“I am alive and well, Pomp, as you can see, and so +is the captain, who is taking a short nap in the cabin. +We are well armed, as you know–––”</p> +<p>“Yas! yas! yas!” chattered the negro.</p> +<p>“And we can sail away in the morning, at the +turning of the tide, and leave you here–––”</p> +<p>“Dat’s what I want you to do, an’ I’ll go wid you.”</p> +<p>“You can’t go! I know well enough what you came +out here for. You thought you would find a chance +to get the upper hand of the captain, and would let the +other villains on board. There! you needn’t deny it. +I understand the matter too well to be deceived.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t I sabe de cap’in’s life?” quavered Pomp, +still fearful of the cold, measured tones of the mate.</p> +<p>“You befriended him at a critical moment, and +therefore I won’t shoot you, when I have such a good +chance to do so. But you have regretted your interference +more than once, and you are seeking now to +undo all the good you have done. We have it in our +power not only to go away, but to bring back a force +which shall hang every one of you three, as you deserve +to be, but–––”</p> +<p>“Oh! oh-o-o-o!”</p> +<p>“But we don’t propose to do it. We are not going +away to leave you here. To-morrow we shall have a +proposal to offer to your mates, which they will be +glad to accept. That is about all I have to say to you.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_THE_DEPARTURE' id='CHAPTER_XIX_THE_DEPARTURE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>THE DEPARTURE</h3> +</div> +<p>As Mate Storms said, he had but little more communication +to make with the negro.</p> +<p>“You may now swim back to your friends and say +that we will be ready to negotiate to-morrow morning. +If they will come down to the shore, we will have a +talk and arrange the whole business. Now, perhaps, +you had better go back.”</p> +<p>Pomp Cooper was quick-witted enough to understand +that this utterance was in the nature of a hint +for him to depart, and he stood not on the order of his +going.</p> +<p>“Good-by, sah,” he called out. “Much obleege fo’ +your kindness, dat I shall remember a good while.”</p> +<p>Mate Storms stood motionless, watching him until +he was perhaps a hundred feet from the craft, when +he said, just loud enough to be heard:</p> +<p>“Sharks are mighty plenty hereabout, and I saw a +big one yesterday. Shouldn’t wonder if he has a leg +bit off before he gets back.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span></div> +<p>Pomp heard the words, and they “disturbed” him, +to put it mildly. Evidently he had forgotten the +peril to which all persons are exposed in tropical waters, +and, as the truth was impressed upon him with +such suddenness, he uttered a “whiff” like a porpoise +and began swimming with fierce energy toward the +shore. In fact, he never put forth so much effort in +all his life. The expectation of feeling a huge +man-eating monster gliding beneath you when in +the water is enough to shake the nerves of the strongest +swimmer. He kept diving and swimming as far as he +could below the surface, and then came up and continued +his desperate efforts until he reached the land, +where he joined his companions.</p> +<p>Abe Storms stood looking and listening, his face expanded +in a broad smile, when he heard a light laugh +at his elbow. Turning his head, he found the captain +there.</p> +<p>“I heard your summons to him,” said the captain, +by way of explanation, “and I came up to hear what +it meant. I must admit, you managed the case well.”</p> +<p>“It might have been worse. My only fear is that +the imps won’t believe we honestly intend to hold the +conference with them, and offer a compromise.”</p> +<p>“They will find it out at daylight, and meanwhile +they can’t help themselves. It is useless for me to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +stay below, Abe,” added the nervous captain. “There’s +too much on my mind to sleep.”</p> +<p>Therefore, the two remained on watch until the sun +rose, at which time there was nothing to be seen of the +mutineers.</p> +<p>“They’re suspicious,” concluded the mate, who +called out, in a loud voice that reached every portion +of the island:</p> +<p>“Hello, men! come and show yourselves. We want +to have a talk with you!”</p> +<p>A few minutes later Hyde Brazzier appeared on +the shore and answered back again. It was deemed +best to give the mutineers a proof of their sincerity, +and instead, therefore, of holding the conversation +from the deck of the schooner, the small boat was +lowered, and both the captain and mate entered it and +rowed ashore, where all three awaited them, as may +be supposed, with some degree of astonishment.</p> +<p>Storms and Captain Bergen were not without some +misgivings, and they did not venture unprepared into +the lion’s den. Both carried a loaded revolver at command, +and in case of an attack the business would +have been lively. But it was unreasonable to suppose +that our friends would be assailed under the peculiar +circumstances. Furthermore, as the parties understood +each other, there was no time wasted in reproaches +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +or recriminations, but Captain Bergen came +directly to the point.</p> +<p>“This state of things can’t last,” said he; “we are +deadly enemies, and we would kill each other on the +slightest pretext. The island is too small to contain +us all. Either you three or we two must leave before +the sun reaches meridian, or we shall go to fighting +like caged tigers. Neither can we go away +together, for I would not trust any of you again, nor +would you trust either of us; therefore, one party +must go, and the other must stay––which shall it be? +We were prepared to leave, when we reflected that if +we should be caught in some of the storms which +sweep over this region, the mate and I would hardly +be able to manage the schooner, and we are anxious to +take care of the little girl, to whom we are greatly +attached. There are three of you, all able-bodied +seamen, and in case of a tempest you would be able to +navigate the <i>Coral</i>. It would be safer, therefore, for +you to take the vessel and go to some of the ports, +secure assistance and send them after us. We make, +therefore, this proposition: We will turn over the +schooner to you, on condition that you leave with us +such stores as we may choose to take, and that you +proceed at once to the nearest of the inhabited Paumotu +Islands and send assistance to us. Furthermore, +as you know all about the pearl-oysters, we will agree +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +to divide with you. You can take up half of what are +on the bed out yonder, and you may carry them away +with you, leaving a moiety to us. You are to sail just +as soon as the oysters are placed on board. That’s +our proposition––what do you say?”</p> +<p>There could be no doubt that the mutineers were +astonished by the generosity of the offer, coming, as +it did, from those who were in reality masters of the +situation.</p> +<p>Had they been a little more cunning, they might +have suspected there was something behind it all, +which was kept carefully out of sight; but the terms +were so good that Brazzier answered, the instant the +question was put to him:</p> +<p>“We’ll do it, and carry out our part fair and +square.”</p> +<p>“Very well; there’s no need of delay. We’ll bring +the schooner inshore and take out what we want, and +then turn the craft over to you.”</p> +<p>This amazing programme was carried out to the letter. +Captain and mate, accompanied by Pomp, rowed +back in the small boat, and the schooner was carefully +worked toward the shore.</p> +<p>Abe Storms and Captain Bergen saw that among +the possibilities of the future was a long stay on the +lonely island, and they therefore prepared for such a +contingency, having an eye mainly to securing that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +which little Inez would be likely to need. Pomp informed +the officers that there was a small cabin a +short distance away, which had no doubt been put up +by the sailors of whom Grebbens had told the captain. +It was made of planking that had come ashore from +the wreck, and the fact that it had stood so long +proved that it must have been built with much skill +as well as strength.</p> +<p>It was found just as represented by Pomp––there +being two compartments, each a dozen feet or so +square, and one of these was so well put together that +it seemed to be waterproof. Our friends were greatly +surprised and pleased over the discovery, for Grebbens +had never said anything about the structure.</p> +<p>The goods from the <i>Coral</i> were carried to this building +and deposited in the rear room, which was so +tight that one would have almost suffocated had he remained +in it during the tropical weather which prevails +among the Paumotu Islands most of the time.</p> +<p>The goods stowed there were of a varied assortment, +including the three breech-loading rifles, ammunition, +tool-chest and contents, a portion of the medicine-chest, +some biscuits, cooking utensils, and a trunk of +calicoes, linens and materials such as are used +in the making of feminine costumes. It was a +singular coincidence that Abe Storms had provided +a considerable quantity of this before leaving +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +San Francisco, knowing as he did the fondness +of savages for such finery, and having a suspicion +that it might be turned to good account in the way +of barter in some of the South Sea islands. Little did +he suspect the use to which it would be put, and +thankful indeed was he that it was at his command, +when it was so likely to be needed for Inez +Hawthorne.</p> +<p>There was a goodly amount of stock, which was +transferred to the cabin, the mutineers assisting with +the rest, for all felt there was no time to lose. There +was mistrust at first, each party seeming to be suspicious +of the other, but it soon wore off, and any one +looking upon them could not have been made to believe +they were deadly enemies.</p> +<p>When the transfer was completed, it was evident +that the current was close upon its turn, and unless +they should leave the island soon, they would be compelled +to wait perhaps twelve or twenty-four hours +longer.</p> +<p>Since the sea was very calm, Hyde Brazzier proposed +that the schooner should be taken outside and +anchored directly over the pearl-oyster bed, so that +sail could be hoisted as soon as they were ready. +There was a slight risk in the action, but it was done, +and after some careful maneuvering the <i>Coral</i> was +secured in position.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></div> +<p>It looked very magnanimous and somewhat stupid +for Abe Storms to volunteer to go down in his coat of +armor and scoop the oysters into a huge basket, for +the very parties who had tried so hard to drown him +when similarly engaged the day before. Nothing, it +would seem, could be more absurd, and yet the reader +is requested to suspend judgment until he shall have +read the following chapter.</p> +<p>All this was done, and in the course of the succeeding +two hours fully three-fourths of the oysters scattered +over that particular bed were dumped upon the +deck of the <i>Coral</i>, and Abe Storms, pretty well exhausted, +was pulled to the surface. The captain and +mate, with the armor, rowed themselves the short distance +ashore in the small boat. The <i>Coral</i> hoisted +sail, and, heading out to sea, rapidly sped away over +the Pacific.</p> +<p>And all this time the three mutineers felicitated +themselves upon the manner in which they had gotten +the best of the bargain. And yet, never in all their +lives had they been so completely outwitted as they +were by Abe Storms and Captain Jack Bergen, as we +shall now proceed to show.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_HOW_DIAMOND_CUT_DIAMOND' id='CHAPTER_XX_HOW_DIAMOND_CUT_DIAMOND'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND</h3> +</div> +<p>The three mutineers on board the schooner Coral +had sailed away and disappeared from view on the +face of the vast Pacific, and the captain and mate +were left with little Inez alone upon a small, lonely +member of the Paumotu Group, in the distant South +Seas.</p> +<p>Inez was too young to realize the gravity of the +situation, and she ran hither and thither, delighted +with her new home, though she found the cabin too +warm inside to be comfortable, and she made frequent +draughts upon the spring of cool, clear water near +which the former residents of the atoll had built +the cabin. Then, too, she had found that there was +considerable tropical fruit growing in the place, and +she made such havoc among it that Captain Bergen +felt impelled to caution her, if she should become sick +on their hands, she would be apt to fare ill, for they +had little medicine at command.</p> +<p>While she was thus engaged, captain and mate were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +reclining on the ground, in the shade of the palm-trees. +They spoke only now and then, but there was +a peculiar expression on their faces as they watched +the schooner gradually disappearing in the distance, +for it was a long while in sight. The time came at +last, however, when even their straining vision could +not detect the faintest resemblance to a sail in the +horizon, though it was still visible, as a matter of +course, through their glasses.</p> +<p>“I believe she is gone,” said Storms, looking toward +the captain.</p> +<p>“Yes; I see nothing of her.”</p> +<p>“Then it’s about time to shake.”</p> +<p>The two brawny hands clasped, and the friends +greeted each other with remarkable cordiality; and, +as they did so, they laughed heartily, and the mate +almost shouted:</p> +<p>“Captain, but it was a good trick!”</p> +<p>“So it was; and I give you the credit of inventing +it. I never would have thought of it.”</p> +<p>“Shake again; and now to work.”</p> +<p>The mate had deposited some of the oysters brought +up on the bank, and they were carefully opened. +They were eight in number, and there was not found +a single pearl among them.</p> +<p>In all probability the entire lot which were carried +away upon the schooner were not worth as much as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +the same quantity of bivalves from Chesapeake Bay. +In short, this was not the pearl-oyster bed which +had brought the two friends the greater part of the +way around the globe. Suspecting––or, rather, knowing––the +evil intentions of the mutineers, Abe Storms +proposed the ruse, by which the visit was made to the +wrong place. The mutineers themselves were outwitted, +and, under the belief that they were carrying +away a cargo of fabulous wealth, they did not wait +to make an examination of the mollusks until they +were well out to sea.</p> +<p>When they should open and examine them they +were not likely to suspect the trick, but would think +that the whole journey was a failure, and the three +left on the island were, in reality, worse off than +themselves.</p> +<p>And yet the true bed of oyster-pearls remained to +be visited.</p> +<p>“It is possible they may suspect something and +come back again,” said the mate, “but it is hardly +probable.”</p> +<p>“Are they likely to send any friends to take us +off?” asked the captain, with a quizzical look.</p> +<p>“Not to any great extent. They will be sure to give +us as wide a berth hereafter as possible. In the meantime, +I propose that we investigate.”</p> +<p>The two rose to their feet, and, lugging the armor +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +between them, moved off toward a point whose location +was as well known to them as if they had spent +years upon the atoll.</p> +<p>While they were thus walking, the mate, who was +much the better-educated man, said:</p> +<p>“This pearl-hunting is a curious business. Those +specimens that I brought up were the genuine species, +and yet they have very few or no pearls among them. +It must be because the conditions are not favorable for +their creation or development, while, at the place we +are about to visit, the mollusks are the same, and yet +there are conditions existing there which cause an +abnormal growth of the precious jewels.”</p> +<p>“Did you make a careful examination of those other +oysters?”</p> +<p>“Yes. As I told you, they are genuine, but they +have no pearls of any account, the conditions being +unfavorable for their formation. You know the +pearls grow within the oysters, being composed of +slimy secretions deposited around some foreign substance +that enters them. It may be that a peculiar +action of the tide drives a grain of sand into the mollusks, +where we are to visit––though that is all conjecture.”</p> +<p>But Mate Storms, who was only fairly launched +out in the discourse upon pearls, was here interrupted +by the captain exclaiming:</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></div> +<p>“This must be the spot.”</p> +<p>The particular bank had been designated so clearly +that there could be no mistake, and had the chart, or +map, fallen into the hands of the mutineers, they +would have discovered the trick played on them in an +instant. The spot was a peculiar one where the two +friends stopped. Instead of being partly landlocked +like the other, it opened out fairly upon the sea, and +appeared to be entirely unprotected from the force of +the breakers, which boomed against the beach.</p> +<p>It would have been supposed naturally that the true +course was for the fishermen to go out in a small boat, +and make their explorations from that, but Grebbens +had instructed the captain that the formation was so +peculiar that nothing would be gained by this course. +The shore sank like the side of a wall to a considerable +depth, and the oysters lay on the bottom, with some +clusters clinging to the rocks, where they could be +torn off like sponges.</p> +<p>It can be understood that the work of removing +these would be almost impossible for any one excepting +a professional diver, unless, as was the case with +our friends, he should have some artificial assistance. +But for the diving-armor, it is hardly possible that +Abe Storms would have made a serious attempt to secure +anything, knowing the danger from sharks, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +the difficulty of retaining his breath for any extended +time below the surface of the water.</p> +<p>It was near the middle of the afternoon when this +spot was reached. The sea was calm, but there were +signs in the sky ominous of a coming storm, so that +the two were anxious to make a beginning without any +unnecessary delay. Stooping almost upon their faces, +when the swell had receded enough to permit them, +they peered down into the crystal depths, and caught +shadowy glimpses of the prizes. They saw the craggy +clusters, big and brown, clinging to the rocks, while +others were outlined on the floor of the bank.</p> +<p>“They’re there, beyond a doubt,” said Storms, “and +it now remains to see whether they are worth the +gathering. Help me get on this suit.”</p> +<p>Both worked deftly, and it was soon adjusted. The +main thing was the breathing apparatus, Storms having +some fear that at such a depth the pressure would +be so great as to close the pipes, and thus shut out +the air. However, the only way to learn was by experiment, +and he did not wait. Carefully coiling his +pipe, he took the rope in his hand and began descending, +the two having arranged the signals so that with +ordinary care no accident need result. Captain Bergen +held one end of the rope in his hand, ready to +draw his friend to the surface the instant he should +receive notice that it was necessary.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></div> +<p>“It is a long way to the bottom!” exclaimed the captain, +standing like the harpooner in a whale-boat, and +saw the line steadily paying out.</p> +<p>“It won’t do for him to go much further,” was his +conclusion, noticing, with some alarm, that but little +more of the hose was left on the ground. “I wish +those pearls had fixed themselves not quite–––Hello!”</p> +<p>He knew from the instant cessation of the weight +on the rope, and the motionless condition of the hose, +that the bottom had been reached by Abe Storms, and +none too soon, either. Peering carefully into the clear +depths, Captain Bergen saw, too, that his mate was +attending to business.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_AT_LAST' id='CHAPTER_XXI_AT_LAST'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>AT LAST</h3> +</div> +<p>Mate Storms, so far as could be seen, looked like +an immense crab at work on the bottom of the pearl +bank and along the rough rocks. He was so far below +the surface that he was insensible to the long, heavy +swells, which at intervals broke upon the beach with a +thunderous boom, and so long as the breathing apparatus +kept right he could pursue his labor without +difficulty.</p> +<p>As he anticipated, he had not been long at work +when several sharks made their appearance and reconnoitered +the mysterious intruder upon their domains. +They were evidently puzzled over the appearance of +the strange visitor, and when Storms gave one of +them an ugly prod with the point of his knife, he +darted out of sight, instantly followed by the others, +who seemed to suspect they were in danger from the +monster, whose slightest touch was so emphatic.</p> +<p>It did not take long for the diver to fill his basket, +and when he gave the signal, Captain Bergen pulled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +with might and main, and, a few minutes after, the +man in his armor scrambled upon shore, tumbled over +by a huge swell, which broke at that moment. The +basket was full, and catching it up, Captain Bergen +left his friend to himself and began hurriedly prying +open the mollusks with his sheath-knife. His heart +throbbed, for they were the largest oysters he had +ever seen, and he was full of high hope.</p> +<p>The first bivalve opened disclosed a pearl almost as +large as a robin’s egg. It possessed the faint yellowish +tinge which is recognized in the East as belonging to +the most valuable species.</p> +<p>With trembling, eager hands, Captain Bergen +opened the second, and discovered another, nearly as +large as the first. Half beside himself, he snatched +up the largest oyster in the heap, and forced it apart +with such precipitancy that he cut his hand. There +lay a pearl before him fully a third larger than the +first, with the purest tint, oval in form, and worth +thousands of dollars.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen could contain himself no longer, +but springing to his feet he threw his hat in the air, +and shouted, and danced about like a madman.</p> +<p>Mr. Storms did not remove his armor, for he intended +to go down again. His laugh, muffled and +sounding strangely from within the visor, was heard +as he joined in the demonstrations of his companion.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></div> +<p>When, encumbered as he was with his awkward armor, +he began executing a double shuffle on the beach, +the sight was so grotesque that the captain came near +going into convulsions. But the exercise was too exhausting, +and the mate speedily sat down on the shore +and also began opening oysters. His ardor was somewhat +dampened when he failed to discover anything +in the first, and he became quite solemn when the second +was equally barren of results; but the third +yielded a beautiful pearl, fully equal to the first which +the captain brought forth. There could be no doubt +now that the men had struck a pearl bank of marvelous +richness.</p> +<p>“There are plenty more down there,” said the mate, +preparing to descend with his knife and basket again.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen allowed him to go, while he took +the rope in hand, restraining his excitement with difficulty, +for he was now sure that the wildest dreams +in which he had indulged promised to be more than +realized, and he considered the fortune of himself and +friend assured.</p> +<p>“The fools,” he muttered, referring to the mutineers; +“if they had acted the part of honest men they +might have shared this, but they chose to be scoundrels, +and truly they have had their reward.”</p> +<p>He noticed this time that the mate drew more upon +the hose than before––so much so, indeed, that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +threatened to draw the upper ends under water––and +the captain gave a warning tug at the rope, to apprise +him that he must venture no further. The warning +was heeded, and when, a few minutes later, the diver +was helped to terra firma again, his basket was filled +heaping full.</p> +<p>This was dumped out, and he prepared to descend +once more. Captain Bergen was so occupied in attending +to his friend that he gained little time to open the +oysters, and could only look longingly at them. Now +and then, while the diver was cautiously working below, +the captain snatched one up and pried the shells +apart, and the success he met with was enough to turn +the head of the coolest and most unconcerned of men. +Beyond question, as we have said, the bank contained +oysters of astonishing richness, fully three-fourths +possessing pearls of extraordinary size and value.</p> +<p>Abe Storms went down and came up with the basket +heaped to the top six separate times, and then +doffed his armor.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked the captain, in +surprise.</p> +<p>“That’s all!”</p> +<p>“What! are there no more?”</p> +<p>“Not another one, so far as I can see.”</p> +<p>“That’s too bad,” observed the captain, in a tone +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +of disappointment. “I supposed there was enough +to keep us employed several days.”</p> +<p>“Ah, Jack,” replied the mate, in a reproving tone, +“see the emptiness of riches, and how little they can +do to satisfy the cravings of the human heart. There +is enough wealth there at your feet to make you and +me independently rich for life, and yet you complain +because you have so little.”</p> +<p>“It was wrong,” said the captain, meekly. “I am +in such a nervous condition that I’m hardly myself. +I am truly grateful for what we have here, and glad +that we made the long voyage to secure them. We +have enough––to crave more is wicked.”</p> +<p>They now set to work opening the shells between +which were nestling the pearls, and the result was +simply astonishing. It was hard work to get some of +the thick, ridgy bivalves apart, but when they succeeded +they rarely failed to be rewarded munificently. +Some of the pearls were small, the majority large, +and about twenty of enormous size and clearness. +When the entire lot was placed in a little pile, there +were found to be one hundred and twenty-odd; and, +although it was impossible to estimate their value, +Mate Storms––who was the better informed––believed +they were worth at least a quarter of a million of dollars. +All these had been taken in a few hours, though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +the preparations and the voyage thither had occupied +many long, long months.</p> +<p>“I think I will go down and take a farewell look,” +said Abe, when the task was finished. “I have a suspicion +that I may have missed something.”</p> +<p>“I am quite sure you have,” replied the captain, +assisting him with his armor; “and you have but a +short time at your disposal, either, for I think a storm +is brewing.”</p> +<p>This time the mate meant to proceed differently. +In descending along the rocks the first time, he paused +to break off some of the clusters, and he thought he +caught the shadowy glimpse of an enormous oyster, +further in; but there were so many closer at hand, +and he was so excited––despite his natural coolness––that +he forgot about it until now, when he determined +to look further, half hoping, more than believing, that +it might possess a still larger pearl than any he had +seen. He was confident that this was the only one +he had missed, for the search he made during his last +descent, in other respects, was thorough and left nothing +to be done over again.</p> +<p>Carefully he sank into the depths of the ocean, with +one hand grasping the rope, ready to give the signal +to stop lowering the instant it should become necessary. +He passed several yawning crevices in the +rocks, which, of course, were of coral formation, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +all at once he tugged smartly at the rope. He recognized +the spot, and his feet were still about three +yards from the bank upon which he had walked back +and forth so many times. Captain Bergen responded +at once, and held him suspended where he was, which +was anything but a comfortable position, inasmuch as +he could find no support for his feet, and his left hand +was of little use.</p> +<p>Immediately before his face the rock made an inward +sweep, showing an abrupt ledge, a yard in width +and depth. Scanning this as closely as he could in +the dim twilight of the ocean-cavern, Storms thought +he saw something resembling an oyster, which was +fully a foot in length. Uncertain as to its identity, +he shoved his hand in and found it was suspended to +the rock above, and after two or three violent +wrenches, and by using his knife as well as he could, +he broke it loose and drew it out.</p> +<p>It was an oyster, indeed, of prodigious size, and he +instantly signaled to the captain to draw him up. The +latter did so with a vigor that threatened to dislocate +the armor itself.</p> +<p>“Here it is,” he exclaimed, the moment he reached +the air. “But I don’t know whether there is anything +in it or not.”</p> +<p>“My stars! Is that an oyster?” asked the captain, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +picking it up and turning it over like a huge stone, +with inquiring eyes.</p> +<p>Little Inez Hawthorne had come to the spot while +the mate was down the last time, and she danced with +delight at the sight of the beautiful pearls piled upon +the ground like a heap of tiny cannon balls.</p> +<p>“What are you going to do with that?” she asked, +surveying the big bivalve, with an expression of disgust +on her pretty face.</p> +<p>“That is yours,” said the captain, earnestly.</p> +<p>The mate looked at him and said:</p> +<p>“Do you mean that, captain?”</p> +<p>“I do. Whatever we find inside of that shall be +consecrated to the use of Inez Hawthorne––to be hers +absolutely. There may be nothing at all, but if there +be a pearl, it will possess a value which we cannot +estimate.”</p> +<p>The mate reached out his hand.</p> +<p>“The proposition does credit to your heart, captain, +and I join it without reservation. Now do you +open it.”</p> +<p>The captain hesitated a moment and looked at the +big shell curiously, as if afraid to make the investigation.</p> +<p>While thus employed, Storms called attention to the +fact that the two shells were already slightly separated, +as if the mollusk were gasping for air, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +could not be the case. Captain Bergen held up the +huge shell and peeped inside. He did so but an instant, +when he dropped it upon the sand, and exclaimed, +with a pale face and trembling voice:</p> +<p>“It’s there!”</p> +<p>Mate Storms knew what it meant, and he in turn +raised the oyster, ran his knife in carefully, worked +hard for a minute, and then managed to get the two +shells apart.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_THE_PEARL_OF_THE_PACIFIC' id='CHAPTER_XXII_THE_PEARL_OF_THE_PACIFIC'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>THE PEARL OF THE PACIFIC</h3> +</div> +<p>There, at the front of the oyster, and slightly to +one side, was the most marvelous pearl upon which +the eyes of the men had ever rested. It was the size +of an ordinary hen’s egg, clear and pure, and worth +a sum of money which neither of the astounded men +dared attempt to guess.</p> +<p>For a few seconds they were speechless, and then +Inez clapped her hands with delight, and asked:</p> +<p>“Is that for me?”</p> +<p>“Yes, that is yours,” replied Captain Bergen. “The +mate and I give it to you, to be yours and no one’s +else.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t it splendid?” cried Inez, catching it up, +passing it from one hand to the other, holding it up in +the sunlight, and showing as much genuine pleasure as +if she were a veritable South Sea Islander, presented +with some new trinket.</p> +<p>“That,” said Mate Storms, “may be called The +Pearl of the Pacific!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></div> +<p>“No,” objected the captain, “it is she who is the +pearl of this great ocean, for it was upon its surface +that we first saw her, and she has proved herself far +above the worth of pearls or diamonds or rubies. To +her, under heaven, my life, and not impossibly yours, +is owing. The greatest pleasure of this voyage has +come from her companionship, and all that I ask now +is that we shall be able to preserve this wealth for her, +and that the opportunity may be ours to do our full +duty toward her.”</p> +<p>Mate Storms looked admiringly at the captain, who +had so eloquently expressed his own sentiments.</p> +<p>“You are right, Jack,” said he, speaking in his familiar +way. “It is she who is the Pearl of the +Pacific!”</p> +<p>The men surveyed, with the greatest pleasure, the +frolicsome delight of the little one, who was all unmindful +of the immense treasure which had fallen to +her lot, and of the title of honor which her friends had +given her. Naturally, the entire party were so absorbed +that for a time they hardly glanced beyond +their immediate surroundings; but when Abe Storms +came up for the last time, he glanced, by the merest +accident, out to sea, and exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Oh, my goodness! Just look there, Jack!”</p> +<p>No more than half a mile distant, a flying proa was +seen, speeding with great swiftness over the water, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +while a number of dark figures were discovered on the +deck, evidently looking with no little curiosity at the +white men.</p> +<p>The singular craft, however, came no nearer, and +soon vanished in the distance. Its appearance caused +some apprehension and uneasiness on the part of our +friends, and after discussing the matter they decided, +as a matter of precaution, to bury the pearls.</p> +<p>Inez was persuaded, without difficulty, to trust hers +to the keeping of her friends, who dug a small well in +the sand, and inclosing the entire number of pearls +in strong canvas bags, made for that purpose, buried +them out of sight, there to remain until one or both of +the men should choose to dig them up again, and it +was agreed that that should not be done until the +way opened for them to leave the island.</p> +<p>The long afternoon was well advanced when this +task was completed, they fixing the precise spot so +clearly in their minds that there was no necessity of +landmarks, either being sure of finding it whenever it +should become necessary.</p> +<p>“It seems to me the swells are larger than usual, +and they make more noise when they break upon the +beach,” observed Mr. Storms, looking curiously at the +sky.</p> +<p>They had just dumped back the remains of the +pearl-oysters into the sea, so as to leave no trace of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +their work, and Captain Bergen straightened up and +surveyed the sky.</p> +<p>“There’s a storm coming––a regular screamer! +Look, by the great horn spoon!” he added, in no little +excitement.</p> +<p>There was good cause for the emotion of the captain, +for the light of the sun was obscured by a thick, +yellow haze, which was fast overspreading the sky, +and, far out to sea, the long line of mist seemed to +be churning the water into foam, and to be advancing +rapidly toward the island, where stood the two men +contemplating the coming fury of the elements.</p> +<p>The light of the sun was obscured, and there was +a perceptible chilliness in the air, and the barometer––which +they had brought from the <i>Coral</i>––showed +a most startling change. One of the fiercest of the +tropical tempests was gathering, and was sure to break +upon the island in a few minutes.</p> +<p>This was alarming to contemplate, for the men +knew well what kind of elemental disturbances spring +up on the shortest notice in the South Seas. But it +was not this alone which startled them.</p> +<p>Looking directly out to sea, toward the yeasty +waters, they saw a schooner sinking and rising upon +the long swells, and certain to be caught, in the very +vortex, as may be said, of the hurricane, or tornado, +or typhoon, or whatever it should be termed. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +craft was not an unfamiliar one––both knew it well––for +it was the <i>Coral</i>, with the mutineers on board.</p> +<p>Unarmed as they were, they would not dare place +themselves in the power of those toward whom they +had shown such enmity, but that they were literally +forced to do so to escape almost certain destruction +from the impending tempest.</p> +<p>If they should run into the lagoon to wait until the +storm should subside, neither the captain nor mate +would disturb them––provided they took their departure +as soon as it became safe. Still, knowing their +treacherous character so well, Bergen and Storms did +not mean to trust them at all. Inez was therefore +placed within the cabin, while her protectors made +certain they were armed and ready for any contingency.</p> +<p>Now that the sun was shut out from sight, a darkness +like that of night overspread land and water, +while the strong gale howled among the palms, which +swayed and bent as if they would soon be uprooted +and flung out into the boiling sea. The swells were +topped with foam, and large drops of rain, sweeping +almost horizontally across the island, struck against +the face like pebbles.</p> +<p>The mutineers were heading, so far as was possible, +towards the opening in the atoll, but they were not in +position to strike it, and, with the deepening darkness +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +and increasing tempest, the task was becoming more +difficult every minute. Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning +illumined the gloom, and the schooner <i>Coral</i> was +observed on the crest of a high wave, heading toward +the island; but the two men who saw her, saw also, +that she missed the opening and was too close in to +make it.</p> +<p>The rumble of thunder continued for some minutes, +when once more a blinding flash swept across the +murky sky, lighting up sea and island for the instant, +as if with the glare of the noonday sun. Captain Bergen +and Mate Storms were straining their eyes to +catch sight of the little schooner and its crew, but it +was invisible. In that single searching glance, they +could not have failed to see her had she been afloat. +The conclusion, therefore, was inevitable. She and +her crew had gone to the bottom of the sea.</p> +<p>Such was the fact. The mutineers had met a +frightful though merited fate, and could trouble our +friends no more.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_A_DISMAL_HOME' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_A_DISMAL_HOME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>A DISMAL HOME</h3> +</div> +<p>Captain Bergen and his mate were not certain +that one or more of the mutineers had not survived +the foundering of the schooner <i>Coral</i>, and had managed +to reach the island.</p> +<p>If such were the case, they considered it important +that it should be known as soon as possible, and on +the morrow, therefore, they made careful search, but +none of the three men was ever seen again. A few +fragments of spars, floating here and there, were all +the signs that such a craft had ever sailed over the +Pacific.</p> +<p>Since the captain and mate were now given the +opportunity to think of their own situation, they did +so like men of gravity and sense. They were safely +upon Pearl Island, as they had named it. They had +secured the prize for which they had come so many +thousand miles, and they were, as the world goes, +wealthy men. More than that, they had found a pearl +of such marvelous size and purity that, being dedicated +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +to little Inez Hawthorne, it was a great fortune +indeed to her.</p> +<p>And yet, in one sense, the little party were paupers; +that is, so long as they were held prisoners upon +the atoll, for the treasure of pearls could not purchase +them food, clothing, friends, happiness––nor, in fact, +were they anything more than so many valueless pebbles. +They must reach civilization again to realize +anything from the riches which had come into their +possession.</p> +<p>But how were they to leave the island? This was +the one great question which faced them, and which +they were called upon to solve, for now that there was +no further cause for staying, the homesickness of the +men increased, and it was not long before they felt +they would give half their wealth for the means of getting +back to Boston.</p> +<p>Since they were absolutely without this means, it +was evident they could do nothing but rely upon Providence +to send some vessel to their relief. It was not +impossible that Abe Storms, gifted as he was with so +much wonderful ingenuity, might have attempted to +construct some sort of craft from the palm trees, and +it is quite likely he would have succeeded in making +something that could be utilized. But the awful blotting +out of the <i>Coral</i>, before their eyes, had alarmed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +both, and made them more timid than they otherwise +would have been.</p> +<p>It was a good many miles to the nearest inhabited +island, as laid down on their chart, and they might +succeed in reaching it, provided they could be assured +of a week of good weather. But there could be no such +assurance, and a disturbance meant the same fate that +overtook the mutineers.</p> +<p>It is not at all unlikely, too, that the presence of +little Inez Hawthorne increased this timidity. Had +they been without her, they would not have hesitated +to take great risks, but, somehow or other, her life was +inestimably precious in their eyes, and they would +never have forgiven themselves had any ill befallen +her through their dereliction of duty.</p> +<p>“There is a mystery about her life which shall yet +be cleared up,” Abe Storms frequently remarked; +“and we must not do aught that shall endanger or delay +the solution of the question.”</p> +<p>There were comparatively few stores which the +schooner had left them before its final departure, and +the survivors were forced to rely mainly upon what +the island afforded. Of course there were fish in +abundance, and they frequently rowed out in the +lagoon in the tender, or small boat, or cast out their +lines from shore, and never failed in a short time to +catch all they wanted.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></div> +<p>The spring of clear, cool water bubbled and trickled +steadily, and never failed them. And the several +species of tropical fruits about them were used sparingly, +the men having the prudence to seek to prevent +the supply giving out.</p> +<p>It was a great relief to Storms and Bergen to find, +after the most thorough exploration they could make, +that there were no poisonous reptiles upon the island.</p> +<p>“We may as well face the situation,” said Captain +Bergen, after they had held frequent consultations; +“we have been here five weeks now, and we haven’t +caught sight of the first sail, with the exception of +our own, which has gone to the bottom, and it may be +that weeks and months more may pass before we shall +see another.”</p> +<p>“It is not unlikely that it may be years,” added +Storms, gravely; “for, according to the narrative of +Grebbens himself, he was here a long time before he +was taken away. The wisest thing we can do is to prepare +ourselves for an indefinite stay.”</p> +<p>A long time before, the captain had laboriously +climbed the mast which was erected in the sand by the +inlet, and had securely fastened an old garment to the +highest point. There it was still, fluttering in the +wind, when there was enough breeze to raise the irregular +folds, but, alas! it had not brought the friendly +sail which they longed for, and they had been forced +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +at last to look upon an extended residence upon the +island as not only possible, but very probable.</p> +<p>Like philosophers, they governed themselves accordingly. +The signal was kept flying and they busied +themselves fishing, talking or doing odd things which +were done simply to pass away time. But the two +felt that a most urgent duty was upon them, respecting +Inez Hawthorne.</p> +<p>“We must do what we can for her,” said Storms. +“With the material which I have on hand we can construct +garments that will keep her clad with comeliness, +though she may not be in the fashion; and yet +I don’t know but what she will,” he added, with a +smile, “for we may strike some of the vagaries without +knowing it. Then, too, she must be educated.”</p> +<p>“I’m not well up in the line of an education,” said +the captain, with some embarrassment, “being as I +never attended any other than a district school, but I +believe you graduated, didn’t you, Abe?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I went through Harvard three years ago, and +stood second in my class. I haven’t any fear that I +won’t be able to teach her, for she is a child of unusual +brightness.”</p> +<p>And, as may be supposed, the mate went to work +thoroughly in the instruction of Inez Hawthorne, who +proved herself one of the most apt of pupils, and advanced +with a rapidity which delighted her teacher.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_THREE_YEARS' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_THREE_YEARS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>THREE YEARS</h3> +</div> +<p>Three years have passed, and still Captain Bergen, +Mate Storms and Inez Hawthorne are upon the lonely +Pearl Island in the South Sea.</p> +<p>Could they have believed when they left Boston +that they would be doomed to such an imprisonment, +it may well be doubted whether they would have made +the voyage, even if assured of the vast fortune which +thereby came into their hands.</p> +<p>The three years had been dismally monotonous to +them, and their courage had been tried to the utmost, +for there had been times when both agreed that they +would probably stay there until released by death, +and then they fell to speculating as to which would +be the last one to survive. According to human logic, +it would seem that that lot would fall to Inez, and +their hearts sank at the thought of her being left to +perish in the lonely spot.</p> +<p>When the coat fluttering from the top of the mast +was blown away by the gale, Captain Bergen climbed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +up and nailed another in its place, grimly remarking +that it looked as if they were going down with their +colors flying.</p> +<p>It was surprising what was done by Mate Storms, +whose ingenuity was almost incredible. With the material +at his command, he kept Inez clothed in a tasteful +manner.</p> +<p>She wore dresses and shoes which fitted her well, +and her hat was renewed with extraordinary skill, +from material obtained from the palm-trees.</p> +<p>Those three years, although of indescribable weariness +at times, were marked by some startling incidents, +and by many worthy of record. The great object +of Storms was to educate Inez, and he did his utmost +in that direction, assisted by the bright intellect +of the girl and her own ardent desire to explore the +wonders of knowledge.</p> +<p>There were few facilities in the way of furniture, +considered so indispensable in these later days. He +had no pens or ink, and only a Bible in the way of +books. He had some blank paper and a single lead +pencil, which were utilized to their fullest extent. +For a slate or blackboard, he used the beach, as did +Archimedes of the olden time.</p> +<p>Selecting a place where the water had left it hard +and smooth, Storms, with a sharp-pointed stick, made +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +his characters and gave his instruction in the mysteries +of mathematics.</p> +<p>It would sound incredible were we to say that, during +those three years, the dwellers on the lonely atoll +had never descried a sail; and such was not a fact, for +there are few shores on this globe where a human +being can bury himself so long from sight of the +white-winged birds of commerce. They had seen +many ships, but it looked very much as if they themselves +had not been seen, nor had their presence been +suspected by any of them.</p> +<p>“The idea of our being so nervous lest some one +should get here ahead of us,” remarked Storms, more +than once, “when we might have delayed our coming +a dozen years without any danger from that cause.”</p> +<p>They had discovered the cloud-like picture of the +canvas sail as it came up over the horizon, and their +hearts swelled as it expanded and came closer. But +all hope faded again when it grew less in the distance +and finally passed from view altogether.</p> +<p>This had happened repeatedly, and more than once +Captain Bergen had laboriously made his way up the +smooth mast to the very top, where he swung his hat +wildly; but it must have been that the little island in +the South Seas possessed slight interest in the eyes of +the navigators who occasionally drifted in that direction, +for had they seen the signal of distress, or caught +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +sight of the man frantically waving his hat from the +top, they would have learned what its meaning was.</p> +<p>The greatest dejection which took possession of the +couple was when they, through the glass, saw the Stars +and Stripes fluttering from the mizzen of the ship +which came the nearest and then made off again. The +sight of that most beautiful banner in the world was +like a glimpse of their distant New England home, +and they seemed to feel the cool breeze fanning their +hot brows as it bore steadily toward them.</p> +<p>When it went over the convex sea out of sight, Captain +Bergen covered his face with his hands and wept, +and when, after awhile, he looked up again, he saw +the tears on the cheeks of Abe Storms, who stood motionless +and gazing silently off upon the deep, as if he +expected the vessel would come back to them. It was +a severe blow, and it was a long time before they +recovered from it.</p> +<p>The exact age of Inez Hawthorne when she became, +by an extraordinary turn of the wheel of fortune, the +protégée of the two sailors, was, as given by herself, +six years, but both the captain and mate were confident +that she was fully one, if not two years older.</p> +<p>Now, at the termination of the period named, she +was a girl as fully developed mentally and physically +as one of a dozen years, and she was growing into a +woman of striking beauty. She was still a child, with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +all the innocence and simplicity which distinguished +her at the time she was taken from the deck of the +steamer <i>Polynesia</i>, but in a few years more, should +she be spared, she would become a woman.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen and Mate Storms were honest, conscientious +men, and Christians, and they performed +their full duty in that most important respect to Inez +Hawthorne. Never passed a day in which Storms +did not read, in an impressive voice, from the great +Book of all books, and the sublime passages, the wonderful +precepts, the divine truths and the sacred instruction +from that volume were seed which fell upon +good ground and bore its fruit in due season.</p> +<p>If ever there was a good, pure, devout Christian, +Inez Hawthorne became one, and her greatest desire, +as she repeatedly expressed it, was that she might go +out in the great world among all people, and do her +utmost to carry the glad tidings to them.</p> +<p>“The time will come,” replied Abe Storms, when +he listened to these glowing wishes. “God never intended +you should live and die upon this lonely island +when there is such need for missionaries like you. I +don’t see that we are of much account, but I believe +He has something for us, too, and we shall be given +the opportunity to do it.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” said the skipper, with a sigh, “you have been +saying that for three years, and the sails that come go +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +again and care nothing for us. I am beginning to believe +we are to stay here for the rest of our lives, and +that I am to be the first one to take the long, last +sleep that awaits us all.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_AN_ARRIVAL' id='CHAPTER_XXV_AN_ARRIVAL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>AN ARRIVAL</h3> +</div> +<p>When Captain Bergen was inclined to become pessimistic, +the mate treated it lightly, for he feared the +strong sailor would break before long from sheer +homesickness.</p> +<p>It was fortunate that neither had any family, the +mate being one of those who are without any close living +relative, while the captain had a sister in New +England, and his aged mother was in San Francisco, +living with a nephew, of whom she was very fond.</p> +<p>Thus the three years passed away, and the second +era in their lives approached. There was something +curious in the fact that all the inhabitants of the +lonely Pearl Island had lost their reckoning. No two +could agree on the day of the week, and when they +compromised on one, which was called Sunday, and +observed as such, they were much in doubt whether +they were right, and, as it afterward proved, they +were not.</p> +<p>One afternoon, when the sun had hardly passed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +the meridian, the mate and captain were stretched +upon the beach under the shade of a palm-tree, and +looking out upon the sea, over which they had come +to this desolate spot so long before. The day was +cooler than usual, and a steady breeze blew, rendering +the position of the friends in that respect as pleasant +as they could wish, though their weary, homesick feeling +was telling upon them. Both the ragged sailors +were thinner, and there was a yearning, far-away look +in their eyes, especially in those of the captain, which +presaged the approach of insanity or death at no distant +day, unless a change were made in their condition +and surroundings. This lamentable state was partly +due, no doubt, to the diet to which they had been subjected +for many months.</p> +<p>Inez, who seemed happy everywhere and at all +times, was busying herself in the cabin, where she +could find plenty to do; and ever and anon the sound +of her voice could be heard, as she sang some snatch +of song, which came through the mist of memory from +her infancy.</p> +<p>“I tell you what it is,” said Captain Bergen, in his +low, determined voice, “this thing cannot continue +much longer.”</p> +<p>“You are no more weary of it than I, Jack; but +show me the way in which it can be ended.”</p> +<p>“We’ve got to take the risk. The tender there is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +large enough to carry us and a good supply of provisions––that +is, enough water, to last several days. We +can rig some sort of sail, and, in less than a week, by +keeping to the northwest, we shall reach some inhabited +island, unless we should be picked up before that +time, which I consider quite likely.”</p> +<p>“I’ve thought a good deal of it, Jack,” said the +mate, in a voice of equal seriousness. “We have been +restrained heretofore by the fear that it would endanger +too greatly the safety of Inez, and mainly by +the feeling that we couldn’t stay here long without assistance +being summoned by that signal fluttering up +there. And yet, three years have come and gone,” continued +the mate, “and not a living soul has come to us. +There have been hundreds of days within this long +period when we might have embarked on board the +little boat and safely made our way to some other +port, but we could not know it, and the result is––here +we are.”</p> +<p>“And the situation is very different from what it +was when we first landed, for it is now a choice between +staying here with the certainty of miserably +perishing––every one of us––and of starting boldly +out upon an unknown sea, as it may be called, with +the chances between life and death about even.”</p> +<p>“You have stated the case correctly,” assented Mr. +Storms; “and though it is your place to command, yet +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +as you have deferred to me, I give you my promise +that to-morrow we shall begin rigging the best sort of +sail we can, and at daylight on the next day we will +start for whatever port Providence directs us.”</p> +<p>“That has put new life into me, Abe. I feel now as +I did three years ago, when we first caught sight of +those pearls. I am ten years younger. I prefer a +bold stroke for life to a weak submission to fate, with +this dismal waiting for help to come to us. By the +great horn spoon! a thousand such pearl banks as we +cleaned out wouldn’t tempt me to spend another year +on this hated island–––”</p> +<p>At this instant the voice of Inez was heard, excitedly +calling to them, and while they rose to the +sitting position and looked inquiringly in that direction, +she was seen to spring through the open door of +the cabin, and to come running toward them on the +beach, bareheaded and with her long, yellow hair +streaming in the wind.</p> +<p>“What can be the matter with her?” exclaimed the +captain, rising to his feet. “What is she saying?”</p> +<p>“Hark!”</p> +<p>The distance was so short that the girl was at their +side a second or two later. She was laughing, and +uttering something in her excitement, which, until +that moment, they did not understand.</p> +<p>“Who ever saw any one so stupid?” she called out, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +cheerily. “What are your eyes for? Why don’t you +look out to sea?”</p> +<p>The two obeyed, and an exclamation of amazement +escaped both, for there, while they had lain on +the beach talking in such disconsolate tones, and looking +dreamily out upon the ocean, a craft had been +steadily approaching, and neither of the two saw it.</p> +<p>At the furthest, it was no more than a mile distant, +and, since it was heading straight in toward the atoll, +the chances were a hundred to one that the signal of +distress had been seen, and the lonely island at last +was going to have a visitor.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen muttered something about the +“great horn spoon,” under his breath, while Storms +said nothing, but gazed steadily at the craft, upon +which his hopes were so suddenly and strongly fixed. +It might be that the hearts of all three bounded +with hope at this sight of a vessel, but the hope was +mixed with apprehension, for the sailors saw it was +not the sort of vessel for which they had been praying +so long.</p> +<p>Instead of a gallant ship, with the Stars and Stripes +streaming from the fore, it was what is termed a +flying proa, which is the name applied to the narrow +canoes used principally in the Ladrone Islands. They +are about thirty feet long, three feet wide, and are +steered by a paddle at either end. The sail is lateen, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +with a boom upon one mast; the prow and stern curve +to a high point, and the depth being considerably +greater than the width, the proa would, if unsupported, +capsize instantly, but a hollow log or heavy-pointed +spar rests on the water, parallel with the windward +side, and, being secured in place, acts as an outrigger +and removes the danger of overturning. The +same name is applied to the boats used by the Malays, +and which are propelled by both oars and sails.</p> +<p>But the one which greeted the astonished eyes of +Storms and Bergen had its huge lateen sail spread, +and was moving with great velocity, for the proas of +the Indian and Pacific oceans are probably the fastest +boats in the world. It rode the waters like a bird, and +would soon enter the lagoon within the island, for +there could be no doubt that the men on board had +seen not only the signal, but the persons themselves +who were waiting for them.</p> +<p>Inasmuch as a couple of men were discernible with +the naked eye on the proa, it followed that the latter +must descry the three individuals who were standing +out in full view upon the shore of the island.</p> +<p>“How about this?” asked Captain Bergen, stepping +to the side of his mate, and speaking in an undertone. +“Shall we rejoice or not?”</p> +<p>“It’s uncertain,” was the dubious reply. “Those +boats generally carry the vagabonds of the ocean, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +the last motive which, as a rule, brings them to a spot +like this is humanity.”</p> +<p>“Where’s your glass?”</p> +<p>“I declare, I never thought of that––I was so surprised!”</p> +<p>Storms carried it with him always, and he now +brought it to bear upon the singular-looking craft +approaching. It was so close inshore that, with the +aid of the instrument, he was able to see everything +distinctly, especially as the boat at that moment bore +off a little and then headed toward the entrance again.</p> +<p>So far as could be ascertained, there were three persons +on the boat, and the captain reached the same conclusion +after using the glass.</p> +<p>“If that’s the case,” said Captain Bergen, “we +haven’t anything to fear from them, for, with our guns +and ammunition, we can hold our own against a dozen +South Sea Islanders.”</p> +<p>“There may be others concealed about the craft, but +I incline to think not. However, it’s best to be prepared. +So let’s get to the house and make ready to +receive them––whether they come as enemies or +friends.”</p> +<p>The suggestion was a prudent one, and the two men +hurried up the beach in the direction of the cabin, +while Inez remained to watch the proa. The men +examined their rifles and saw they were loaded and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +ready for instant use, and then, bearing one apiece, +they came forth again. As they did so, something like +a shadow seemed to shoot through the trees, and, looking +toward the lagoon, they saw the cause. The proa +had entered the quiet waters within, and was coming +to rest as gracefully as a sea gull stops in its flight.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_THE_FLYING_PROA_AND_ITS_COMMANDER' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_THE_FLYING_PROA_AND_ITS_COMMANDER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>THE FLYING PROA AND ITS COMMANDER</h3> +</div> +<p>The lateen sail of the proa descended with a rattle +and bang, the man at the oar gave it several vigorous +sweeps, and the strange-looking but astonishingly +swift craft came to rest almost in the same position +that the schooner <i>Coral</i> occupied three years before.</p> +<p>“Helloa, there! How are you? How long have +you been here?”</p> +<p>When it is stated that this hail came from aboard +the proa, it is unnecessary to say that our two friends +were surprised, for they supposed that the visitors +were natives, who at the best could not speak more +than a few words of broken English.</p> +<p>This astonishment was turned to literal amazement +when they saw that the speaker was a Caucasian like +themselves, one of the two standing at the prow, and +looking out upon them with a smiling countenance. +There was no mistaking the ruddy, sunburned face, +the curling hair, and the regular, European features +of the young man, whose expanded smile showed a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +set of white, even teeth, and he seemed to enjoy their +astonishment after hearing his words.</p> +<p>It was curious that they had failed to notice him +before, inasmuch as his dress was dissimilar from the +others, he having the usual tarpaulin hat and the +broad trowsers of the American and English sailor. +It was plain, too, that he was scarcely a man, being, +in fact, a boy, who by some strange means was adrift +in this part of the world.</p> +<p>As soon as the proa was within reach of land, the +youth sprang ashore, and, walking straight up to Captain +Bergen, extended his right hand to him and his +left to Mr. Storms, shaking both warmly, while, as he +spoke, he looked from the face of one to the other.</p> +<p>“How long have you been in this place? Judging +from your clothes and looks, I should say about +twenty years? Do you want to emigrate? Where are +you from? What are your names? How came +you here? My name is Fred Sanders, and I’ve been +knocking about among the South Sea Islands for the +last five years.”</p> +<p>There was no resisting the jolly good-nature of the +young man, who had a habit of laughing heartily, +when no one else could see anything to laugh at, and +whose high spirits always infected others with whom +he came in contact. But it would not have required +much study for any one to discover that he was a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +wild, reckless youth, who had probably run away +from home, and taken to bad ways from a natural +inclination in that direction.</p> +<p>While this interview was going on, Inez Hawthorne +was absent, she having withdrawn at the suggestion of +her friends, though of course the visitors knew of her +presence, from having seen her on the beach.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen replied to the greeting of his +friend:</p> +<p>“We have been here full three years. If I’m not +mistaken, it is three years and two weeks this very +Thursday.”</p> +<p>“Then that’s just where you <i>are</i> mistaken!” broke +in Fred Sanders, with his ringing laugh, “for it so +happens that to-day isn’t Thursday, by a long shot!”</p> +<p>“Of course not,” Mr. Storms hastened to say. “I +don’t know how many arguments I have had with the +captain to prove he was wrong, and that this is +Friday–––”</p> +<p>And Fred threw back his head and roared louder +than ever.</p> +<p>“It’s a toss up between you. I don’t wonder that +you got muddled when you were forced to stay in such +an outlandish place as this so long. I think I would +have got mixed myself.”</p> +<p>“Pray tell me what day of the week it is.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></div> +<p>“This is Tuesday afternoon, with a half-dozen +hours of daylight left to you yet.”</p> +<p>While this brief conversation was going on, the two +natives were upon the boat, waiting as if for permission +to land. They sat as meekly as children, in a +partly crouching position, intently watching, with +their glittering black eyes, the three figures before +them. They appeared to listen with absorbing attention +to the words, as if they understood them––which +they did not, excepting so far as they were interpreted +by the vigorous gestures.</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne, as we have stated, had withdrawn +to the house, when requested to do so by her teacher, +but her curiosity led her to step forth and look upon +the parties and listen to the conversation––the distance +being so short that she could hear all that was +said. The natives saw her, and so did Fred Sanders, +who occasionally glanced over the shoulders of the two +men with whom he was talking, in a way which they +understood. The visitors could not fail to be greatly +interested in her, but Fred refrained for a time from +referring to the girl.</p> +<p>Mate Storms explained that the craft in which they +came to this portion of the world was wrecked, and +that three of the crew were lost, and the captain, mate +and a single passenger saved. Since then they had +looked in vain for the coming of some friendly sail; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +plenty enough, however, having appeared, only to depart +again and leave them in greater depths of gloom +than before.</p> +<p>“Where are you from?” asked the captain, putting +the question directly to the young man.</p> +<p>“I’m an American, born in New England, and am +seventeen years old, and it is a long time since I have +seen my home.”</p> +<p>“How came you in this part of the world?”</p> +<p>“Why not here as well as anywhere else?” asked +Fred Sanders, in reply. “I left home when I was +only ten years of age, and have knocked about the +world ever since.”</p> +<p>“But you are now among the Paumotu Islands.”</p> +<p>“Where I have been for a good while. Some time, +perhaps, I will give you the whole history, but it is +too long to tell now.”</p> +<p>It was apparent, from the manner of the boy, that +he wished to conceal some facts of his previous life, +and neither the captain nor mate pressed him––for, in +truth, it was of no special interest to them, their all-absorbing +subject of mental anxiety being as to how +they were to get away from the hated place.</p> +<p>“Where are you directly from?” asked Mr. Storms.</p> +<p>“From an island, the name of which I have never +heard in English, though its native name is something +like Wauparmur.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></div> +<p>“Inhabited, of course?”</p> +<p>“Yes. There are four or five hundred natives and +their families. The island is a dozen miles in extent, +is very fertile, and has several native towns. At one +place is a good harbor, and nearly always some foreign +vessel is there. Sometimes I have seen three or more, +and when I left, four days ago, a trading-ship from +Boston had arrived.”</p> +<p>“Oh!” exclaimed Abe Storms. “So near and yet +so far!”</p> +<p>“I think it will probably stay a week longer, for +they are doing a good trade with the islanders.”</p> +<p>“You have awakened a hope that is really painful,” +said Captain Bergen, while the pale face of Mr. +Storms showed he was affected fully as profoundly.</p> +<p>“I don’t know why it need be painful,” said the +young man, in his off-hand manner, which was so captivating; +“for we were going on a little cruise, when +we caught sight of your signal flying, and we put in +to find out what the trouble was.”</p> +<p>“And are you willing to take us off?” asked Storms, +who, while he felt the question was unnecessary, was +still trembling with anxiety lest something should prevent +their going.</p> +<p>“Will we take you off?” asked Fred, with a ringing +laugh. “That’s a pretty question to ask us, when we +came for the express purpose of doing so. Of course, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +we’ll take you straight away to the island we came +from, and, of course, we’ll put you in the way of getting +back to Boston as soon as possible, and we only +regret that we hadn’t the chance to get here three +years sooner, so as to save you this dreary waste of +time.”</p> +<p>Tears came to the eyes of both the men, and, as +Captain Bergen took the hand of the youth, he said:</p> +<p>“We will thank you forever, and will pay you +well.”</p> +<p>It was an unfortunate speech, and the cooler-headed +mate would never have uttered it.</p> +<p>It might result in no harm; but why let the reckless +youth know that they possessed the ability to pay +him well? It would be time enough to present him +with some of their valuable pearls after reaching +Wauparmur, when no possible complication could result +from Sanders knowing that these two ragged +sailors were very wealthy men. But the words had +been said, and could not be recalled, though a vague +uneasiness shot through the mind of Abe Storms when +he saw a sudden flash of the dark eyes of the youth, +who said, in the cheeriest of voices, slapping the captain +on the shoulder with a vigor that staggered him:</p> +<p>“Who talks of paying one for doing his simple +duty? If you or your friend repeats that insult, there +will be war between us; and then––excuse me, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +ain’t you joking when you talk of paying well? For, +begging pardon again, you don’t look like millionaires +with a very heavy bank account.”</p> +<p>Storms trembled, but he could not restrain the +captain.</p> +<p>“Of course, we wouldn’t insult you, but you will be +remembered; and though we are not very extravagant +in the way of dress, and don’t look like very wealthy +men, yet I can promise you you shall be well recompensed, +and, what is more, we can carry out the promise, +too, in a way that will open your eyes.”</p> +<p>Having uttered these compromising words, Captain +Bergen laughed in a way which alarmed the mate +still more; for there was a peculiarity in his friend’s +actions which he had never noticed before.</p> +<p>“I know we are dressed very poorly,” added the +captain, “and we wouldn’t be very popular in a drawing-room, +but if you set us down as poor men you will +make a great mistake. Won’t he, Abe––eh, boy?”</p> +<p>And he facetiously punched the astonished and +grieved mate in the side, and danced about as if he +had perpetrated the best joke of his life.</p> +<p>Just then Storms caught the eye of Fred Sanders, +and he significantly tapped his own forehead to signify +that the captain was not exactly right, mentally. +And, when he did so, the kind-hearted mate spoke the +truth.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_FRED_SANDERS' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_FRED_SANDERS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>FRED SANDERS</h3> +</div> +<p>Captain Bergen was so affected by the joyful +awakening to the fact that his long, dismal sojourn +on the lonely island in the Pacific had reached the +end at last, and by the belief that now he would be +carried as rapidly as wind and sail could take him to +his beloved New England again, that his mind was +unsettled and he behaved in a way that pained, as +much as it astonished, his companion.</p> +<p>Inasmuch as such was the fact, Mr. Storms hoped +that it would be accepted as an explanation of the +strange utterances in which he had indulged, for he +believed that the cupidity of the young man had +already been excited, and a most unfortunate complication +threatened.</p> +<p>“You will excuse the excitement of my friend,” +said he to Sanders, “though mine is nearly as great; +but he had almost settled into the belief that we were +doomed to perish in this desolate spot, and the reaction +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +caused by your joyous tidings is too much for +him.”</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s all right!” was the cheery response. “I +understand how that is. But, begging pardon, I believe +you have another companion?”</p> +<p>Fred looked so earnestly at the figure of Inez Hawthorne, +standing a short distance off, that his meaning +could not be mistaken.</p> +<p>“It is I who should beg your pardon,” said Storms, +in turn, beckoning to Inez to approach; “but we were +so much interested in you that we forgot her for the +time.”</p> +<p>While the girl was approaching the group, Captain +Bergen turned about, and without a word, walked +slowly away in the direction of the cabin, his manner +showing still more clearly than ever that his mind was +unbalanced––a fact which caused Storms great +discomfort. Aside from his love for the good, honest +man, he saw that he had already imperiled, and was +likely still further to imperil, their great possessions +by his rambling, and yet significant, talk.</p> +<p>The pearls still lay some distance away, buried in +the sand in their canvas bags, and must be procured +before leaving the island.</p> +<p>Since the captain had already awakened suspicion +respecting the truth, the difficulty of getting the prizes +away without detection was immeasurably increased, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span> +while the likelihood of his making still further disclosures +remained.</p> +<p>Storms was fearful that this sudden movement on +the part of Bergen meant something of the kind, but +the situation was such that he could not interfere, and +all he could do during the few minutes remaining of +the trying interview, was to keep a furtive watch, so +far as possible, upon the movements of the captain.</p> +<p>“Mr. Sanders,” said the mate, “this is Inez Hawthorne––a +little girl who became a companion of ours +through no fault of hers or of either of us. She has +been here during the three years we have spent on +the island, and though she has stood it so much better +than we, she is fully as anxious to get away. Inez, +this is Mr. Fred Sanders, who has come to take us +off.”</p> +<p>The handsome young fellow doffed his hat and +bowed with a certain grace and deferential regard in +his manner, which led Storms, who was narrowly +watching him, to suspect that he was of high birth and +had moved in good circles before he had made his +début in this strange part of the world. Inez possessed +the same charming simplicity which had distinguished +her in her earlier years, though she was more reserved, +as was natural with her. She extended her hand to +Sanders, who gave it a gentle pressure, while he said:</p> +<p>“When I saw the signal fluttering up there I suspected +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +there were persons here who wanted help, but +I never dreamed that we should find you.”</p> +<p>“And why not me as well as any one else?” asked +Inez, with a smile. “Is there any reason why I +shouldn’t have misfortune the same as other persons? +If there is any such rule, I have never heard of it.”</p> +<p>“I know of none; but shipwreck, as a general thing––and +certainly in the case of your companions––has +been a great injury to them. They look emaciated +and ill, and the captain is surely injured in the mind. +But you––why––well, never mind.”</p> +<p>Fred laughed and broke down, for he really meant +to say nothing that could be construed into flattery or +impertinence. There was an air of goodness and refinement +about the girl which compelled the respect, +for the time at least, of the wild youth.</p> +<p>“I am so glad you have come,” said Inez, without +commenting upon his last words; “for though I have +been as cheerful as I could, it has been mainly on account +of the captain and Mr. Storms. I saw how +dejected they were, and tried to cheer them as best I +could.”</p> +<p>“Which was very kind in you. But, thank heaven! +it is all over now, and I hope we shall soon bear you +away from this place, that no doubt has become so +detestable in your eyes that you never want to see it +again.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span></div> +<p>“I cannot say how dreadful it is and how much I +dislike it. The ship which ought to have taken us +away as it brought us, was broken to pieces on the +beach, and the mutineers, who thirsted for our lives, +were drowned when almost in reach, as may be said, +of the shore.”</p> +<p>Here was some more unexpected information that +greatly interested Fred Sanders, who began to think +he would get at all the facts by interviewing each +member of the little company.</p> +<p>Mr. Storms heard the remark of Inez; but, while +he regretted it––on the ground that it might raise +some more uncomfortable suspicions––he did not care +particularly, for the sad story was one that could +easily be told, and upon which he was ready for cross-examination. +But what more interested him at that +moment was the fact that Captain Bergen just then +reached the cabin, and, instead of stopping within, +passed on beyond.</p> +<p>The conclusion of Storms was natural that he had +gone to the upper part of the island to dig up the +pearls; in which case, in his peculiar mental condition, +he would, most likely, lose them all. This would +never do, and the mate excused himself, saying:</p> +<p>“I am a little uneasy respecting the captain, and I +will leave you two here while I look after him.”</p> +<p>Fred Sanders saluted him, and told the truth when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +he said he would forgive his departure with pleasure; +with which the ragged mate went hurrying after the +ragged captain.</p> +<p>“Won’t you step on board the proa for a little +while?” asked Fred, who was rather tired of standing +on the sand under the palm-trees. “As it is to be your +dwelling-place for a few days, you may like to select +your apartments.”</p> +<p>Inez said she would be glad to do so, and Fred +uttered some sharp exclamation, which caused both of +the dusky natives to spring to their feet and hasten +to the side of the proa nearest the shore, where they +waited the chance to help her aboard. Inez noticed +that the islanders were muscular, athletic fellows, +with such a peculiar appearance that she could not +avoid staring at them for a few seconds. Each was +fully six feet in height––an unusual stature among +the South Sea Islanders––and their breasts, arms and +legs were tattooed with all sorts of figures and representations. +Since these portions of their anatomy +were uncovered, the singular ornamentation was very +prominent.</p> +<p>They had the curious tattooing on their cheeks, +noses and foreheads, so that their appearance was repellent. +Besides this, their teeth were black, their +noses large and flat, and their mouths wider than +there was any necessity for. Their heads were bare, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +and, indeed, were furnished by nature with all the +covering they could need. The hair was very long, +but frizzly, so that as it curled up about their ears +and crowns, it formed an immense bushy screen, +which gave their heads prodigious size. Their hands +and feet were very large, and it would have been hard, +in short, to discover anything in their looks that could +attract a person toward them. Surveying them dispassionately, +one could not help suspecting they belonged +to a tribe of cannibals.</p> +<p>However, Inez did not show any repulsion which +she might have felt, but stepping close to the proa took +the extended hand, and sprang lightly aboard of the +strange craft. The natives immediately withdrew, +leaving the young captain, as he appeared to be, to +conduct the fair visitor around the “ship,” whose +dimensions did not require much time to investigate.</p> +<p>Fred explained that the proa was a vessel peculiar +to the Indian and Central Pacific oceans, and that it +could sail with great swiftness, going either forward +or backward with equal readiness. It is a favorite +boat used for inter-communication between hundreds +of the islands of the South Seas, and the Malays +employ them in a different form for their piratical +expeditions. They owe their swiftness mainly to the +fact that they stand so high out of the water, are very +narrow, and present such a large surface to the wind.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></div> +<p>“They are good for short voyages,” said Fred, “but +I shouldn’t want to start for New York or Liverpool +in one of them.”</p> +<p>“How long will it take us to reach the island from +which you came?” asked Inez.</p> +<p>“If we start early to-morrow morning, with a good +wind, we ought to be there at the end of two days.”</p> +<p>This was shorter time than he had given Mate +Storms, but he was now striving to speak the truth.</p> +<p>“And suppose we are overtaken by one of those +terrible tempests which sometimes visit this part of +the world?”</p> +<p>“We cannot escape the risk, no matter where we +are. The storm that would sink a proa might cause +a seventy-four to founder, and the only way you can +shun danger is to stay here all your life. I hardly +think that such is your wish, Miss Inez.”</p> +<p>“No; I am as anxious to leave as are Mr. Storms +and the captain. Indeed, I think I am more so, for +I understand that they expect to wait until to-morrow +morning, while if I had my wish I would start this +very hour.”</p> +<p>“We are at the disposal of yourself and friends,” +Sanders courteously responded; “but the reason for +delay is that thereby we expect to be compelled to +spend but a single night on the voyage, while if we +started now we should have two.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII_THE_MATE_BECOMES_CAPTAIN' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII_THE_MATE_BECOMES_CAPTAIN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>THE MATE BECOMES CAPTAIN</h3> +</div> +<p>“Poor Jack!” murmured Abe Storms, hastening +after him. “I have been fearing this very thing. He +has taken the matter more to heart than I, and there +has been a look in his eye in the last few weeks which +showed he was not right; but I thought, when he +found he was going back to his home again, he would +almost instantly regain his mental equipoise.</p> +<p>“But it has operated the other way, and I shouldn’t +wonder if he is as wild as a loon. When we get him +away, dress him up, change his food, and give him a +sight of a Boston vessel, he will be sure to come +around; but, he has said too much already.</p> +<p>“I wonder what sort of a fellow that Fred Sanders +is?” added Storms, whose intellect seemed to be sharpened +by the same cause which overturned that of the +captain. “I would be glad to trust him fully, but +somehow, I can’t. While he is courteous and kind––and, +no doubt, means to carry us all to the inhabited +island, where we shall be able to take care of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +ourselves––there is something about him that awakens distrust. +The fact of his having been five years, as he says, in +these South Sea Islands, shows that all is not right, +which is confirmed by his dislike of saying anything +about his earlier history.</p> +<p>“The best thing in his favor is his youth, and yet,” +continued Storms, thoughtfully, “that, after all, may +be the worst. It would seem that he is too young to +have done a great deal of evil; and yet, if he has committed +many transgressions, it is a woful record for +such a lad. It was too bad that the captain hinted +that we have so much means, and he wouldn’t have +done it had he been in his right mind; but it has produced +an effect upon Sanders, as I could see by the +flash of his eyes, and the apparently indifferent questions +he asked afterwards.</p> +<p>“But we have saved our ammunition,” muttered +Storms, a minute later, compressing his lips; “and I +know how to use my revolver, and it is only for a short +time that I shall have to maintain watch.”</p> +<p>While Abe Storms was talking to himself in this +fashion, he had his eye on the captain, who was walking +slowly toward that portion of the island where the +pearls had been concealed so carefully, and there could +be no doubt of his errand. He did not hear the soft +footstep behind him, which was so regulated that it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +came up with him just as the latter paused at the all-important +spot.</p> +<p>The captain first looked out to sea, and then behind +him, catching sight, as he did so, of the smiling countenance +of his mate––so far as his countenance could +be seen through the wealth of beard.</p> +<p>“Hello! What are you doing here?” asked the captain, +in a voice which showed some perplexity, if not +displeasure.</p> +<p>“What are you doing here?” asked Storms, in turn, +slapping him familiarly on the shoulder. “I suppose +we came upon the same errand, as we are so soon to +leave for home. The pearls are buried here, and we +must carry them away with us.”</p> +<p>“How do you know that’s what I came for, Abe?”</p> +<p>“I’m only saying I suspect it’s your business. I +know it’s mine.”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen was a little bewildered by the sharp +manner in which the good-natured mate caught him +up, and, while he seemed to be debating with himself +what to say, Storms took his arm and led him a short +distance off, and, seating him on the beach, said:</p> +<p>“There’s no hurry about the business, Jack, for we +won’t start until to-morrow morning at daylight, so as +to have as few nights on the voyage as possible, and we +had better decide on the proper course for us to take.”</p> +<p>“That is correct,” replied the captain, assenting so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +quietly that his friend hoped he would remain easily +manageable.</p> +<p>“You remember, Jack, that when we buried the +pearls there, we divided them––your half is in a +strong canvas bag, so packed that they won’t rub together, +or make any noise; and mine are in another +sack. The single pearl which belongs to Inez is also +carefully covered; and now we must manage to get +away with them, without letting Sanders know they +are in our possession.”</p> +<p>“What do you want to do that for?” demanded the +captain, turning fiercely upon the mate. “I like that +fellow. He’s going to put me on a ship and send me +back to Boston; and any one who does that does me +a service worth more than all the pearls in the world. +I am going to give him all mine, and I hope Inez will +do the same. I shall do my best to persuade her, and +if you don’t, Abe, you and I are deadly enemies, and +I’ll kill you the first chance!”</p> +<p>Storms showed his shrewdness by the manner in +which he managed the poor fellow.</p> +<p>“That’s all right, Jack,” he replied, assuming a +look and expression of anger, as he glared upon the +lunatic, well aware that he must make him afraid of +him. “If it’s any fun for you to talk in that style, +I’ll let you do it once, but don’t you try it again. Did +I ever tell you about those sixteen persons that I killed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +up in New Hampshire before we started out with the +<i>Coral?</i>”</p> +<p>“No!” gasped the captain, looking at him with awe.</p> +<p>“Well, I won’t tell you now,” said the mate, with +the same frightful earnestness, “for it would make +you feel too bad. If they hadn’t made me mad, I +wouldn’t have killed them, and I’ll let up on you if +you do not say anything of the kind again. If you do, +I’ll get mad, Jack.”</p> +<p>“By the great horn spoon!” exclaimed the alarmed +captain, “I’ll let the matter drop, if you will.”</p> +<p>“All right,” said the mate, relenting somewhat. +“And, mind you, don’t you go to talking to Sanders +about it. Don’t you tell him another thing, and never +mention the word pearls.”</p> +<p>“I won’t––I won’t!” was the meek rejoinder of +poor Captain Bergen, who had been completely cowed +by the fierceness of his mate.</p> +<p>“I’m an awful man when my wrath is roused!” +Abe Storms thought it best to add; “and it was just +rising to the boiling-point when you were lucky +enough to take back your foolish expression.”</p> +<p>“What are we going to do now?” asked the captain, +apparently anxious to turn the current of conversation +into a more agreeable channel.</p> +<p>“We’ll go back and make ready to leave on the proa. +We have considerable to do before we depart. There +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +are a number of things in the cabin that we must +carry with us.”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s so; I forgot that. But, Abe––don’t +you get mad!––what about them?”</p> +<p>“Just never you mind,” replied the mate with an +important wave of the hand. “I’ll attend to them.”</p> +<p>“All right. I was afraid you would forget ’em!”</p> +<p>It pained Storms to tyrannize over his superior officer +in this fashion, but stern necessity compelled +him to become the real captain. The intention of the +mate when he first followed his friend was to dig up +the pearls and give him his share, but he saw that that +would never do. It would precipitate a tragedy to +allow the lunatic any option in the matter. So, without +any further reference to the pearls, the two rose +to their feet and walked slowly back in the direction +of the proa, talking on no particular subject, since the +mate was desirous of diverting the mind of the captain +as much as possible.</p> +<p>The discoveries of the next few minutes did not +serve to lighten the apprehension of Storms, for when +he reached the proa the two islanders seemed to be +enjoying a siesta, while neither Fred Sanders nor +Inez was in sight.</p> +<p>Suspecting what was wanted, one of the natives +roused up and pointed toward the sea, jabbering some +odd words, which could not be understood, but which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +Storms concluded were meant to indicate the direction +taken by the couple.</p> +<p>“That’s almost the path to the spot where we were,” +he thought, as he turned and walked away, holding +the arm of the captain within his own.</p> +<p>Sure enough, they had not gone far when they +caught sight of Fred and Inez sitting on the beach, +just as if they were at some fashionable seaside resort +in summer time, and were chattering no particular +sense at all. Storms noticed that the place was such as +to command a view of that where he and the captain +had held their conversation, and where their precious +possessions were buried.</p> +<p>“I wonder whether that was done on purpose?” he +thought. “It may be he meant nothing, but I fear +he took Inez along merely to hide the fact that he was +playing the spy upon us.”</p> +<p>It was not pleasant to believe this, and yet the suspicion +was rooted pretty firmly in the mind of the +mate, who, perhaps, was becoming over-suspicious.</p> +<p>“Ah, how are you?” asked Sanders, with a laugh, +changing his lounging to the sitting position. “I conducted +Miss Inez over the proa, so as to make her acquainted +with the craft, as you may say, and since +that didn’t take long, we thought we would try a little +stroll down here, where we could have a talk without +those natives staring at us. How is your friend?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +asked the young man, suddenly lowering his voice to +such a sympathetic key that Storms felt guilty for +the moment for ever having suspected him capable of +wrong.</p> +<p>“I’m a little uneasy about him,” was the reply, as +both glanced at the captain, who sat down beside Inez +and began talking to her, “for he seems to have broken +up all at once. He was such a strong man, just in the +prime of vigorous manhood, that it would hardly be +supposed he would give away so suddenly.”</p> +<p>“I think he will soon recover, for the change will +be so radical, and the awakened hope so strong, that +he will be sure to rally in the course of a few days.”</p> +<p>“I hope so,” was the response, “but he must be +watched very carefully.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX_FAREWELL_TO_THE_ISLAND' id='CHAPTER_XXIX_FAREWELL_TO_THE_ISLAND'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>FAREWELL TO THE ISLAND</h3> +</div> +<p>The weather remained enchanting. The tropical +heat was tempered by the ocean breeze, which stole +among the palms, and across the island, and where the +crew, and those who had lived there so long, lounged +in the shadow, or sauntered in the sunshine, when the +orb sank low in the western sky.</p> +<p>It was curious that now, after the coming of the +proa, when no other help was needed, the signal at the +masthead, as it may be called, seemed to have acquired +an unusual potency; for, on two separate occasions +during the afternoon, the island was approached by +vessels, who were given to understand that the parties +on shore were provided for. Mate Storms, now the +captain, very much doubted whether he did a wise +thing in declining this proffered assistance, but the +main reason for doing so was the fact that the pearls +were still buried, and he knew of no way of getting +them without discovery.</p> +<p>One of the ships was a Dutch one, from Java, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +the other was British, bound for Ceylon––neither very +desirable, as they would have compelled a long, roundabout +voyage home. But Storms would have accepted +the offer of one on account of his distrust of the young +man, Fred Sanders, but for the reason given.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen, after the “setting back” given him +by Storms, became quiet and tractable, and stayed almost +entirely with Inez, for whom he showed the +greatest affection. Since she was tenderly attached +to him, and sympathized in his affliction, this kept the +two together almost continually––an arrangement +which it was plain to see was not agreeable to Fred +Sanders, though he was too courteous to make any +mention of it.</p> +<p>During the afternoon such goods as were deemed +necessary were transferred to the proa, which lay at +anchor in the lagoon. These were not very numerous +or valuable, and consisted mostly of garments which +Storms had manufactured for Inez.</p> +<p>When night came, after a meal had been eaten on +shore close to where the proa lay, it was arranged +that Sanders should sleep on board with his crew––if +two men might be termed such––while the others +should stay in their cabin, as was their wont.</p> +<p>Storms contrived this on the plea that his companion, +the captain, would be more tractable. His real +purpose was to gain a chance to secure the pearls unnoticed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +The young man made not the slightest objection +to the plan, for he had too good sense to do so; +nor did his silence in that respect lull the suspicions +of Storms himself.</p> +<p>“I wish there was not such a bright moon,” said the +mate to himself, not far from midnight, “for I need +all the quiet and darkness I can get; and I don’t see +any use of waiting longer,” he added.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen had been sleeping quietly for several +hours, while the silence in the apartment of Inez +showed that she, too, was wrapped in slumber, and +possibly dreaming of far-away scenes, of which her +memory was so misty and indistinct.</p> +<p>As to those upon the proa, everything must necessarily +be conjecture; but, in the middle of the night, +with his senses on the alert, and his imagination excited, +Abe Storms conjured up all sorts of fancies and +suspicions. There were many times when he believed +that these men, including the boyish leader, were the +worst kind of pirates, who were only waiting the +chance to secure the pearls, when they would either +desert or treacherously slay them. But, since meditation +and idleness could avail nothing, he rose from his +couch upon the floor, and, making sure that his loaded +revolver was in place, he stole out from among the +palm trees, and began moving in the direction of the +spot where his treasures lay hid.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span></div> +<p>He did this with the utmost precaution, glancing in +every direction at each step, frequently pausing and +changing the course he was pursuing, and, in short, +doing everything he could think of to prevent detection. +The full moon rode high in an almost unclouded +sky, and the air was as charming as that of Italy. +The solemn roar of the ocean and the irregular boom +of the long, immense swells breaking against the shore +and sending the thin sheets of foam sliding swiftly up +the bank, were the only sounds that greeted his ears.</p> +<p>“That is wonderful!” exclaimed the searcher, for +all at once he descried a ship, under full sail, seemingly +within two hundred yards of shore. “If these +parties hadn’t arrived to-day this craft wouldn’t have +come within a score of miles of us.”</p> +<p>The ship looked like a vast bird, when with all +sail set and her black hull careening to one side under +the wind, she drove the foaming water away from her +bows, and sped forward as if pursuing or fleeing from +some enemy.</p> +<p>Whether the watch saw the signal of distress in the +moonlight, cannot be known, but the vessel speedily +passed on, and vanished in the night, while Mate +Storms, recalling his thoughts, and seeing no one near +him, moved directly to where he had deposited his +riches such a long time before, and to which he only +made an occasional visit.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span></div> +<p>He had advanced too far to retreat, whether he was +seen or not, and he stooped down and began digging +with his hands and sheath-knife. It was only a short +distance, when he struck something, and a moment +after drew up a small, strong canvas bag. Soon came +another, and then a smaller one, which contained the +wonderful pearl that belonged to Inez Hawthorne. +They were all there, and had not been disturbed.</p> +<p>“Now, it only remains to keep these in my possession,” +was his thought, as he straightened up and +started to return. “I would give half of them if they +were at home and safe in the bank––Hello!”</p> +<p>Perhaps the vision of the sailor was unusually keen +just then, for when he paused with a start he caught +sight of a shadowy figure, which seemed to glide, +without any effort of its own, over the sand, and +immediately disappeared among the palm trees. +There was something so peculiar in its movements +that Abe was chilled with awe as he stood still and +watched it for the few seconds it remained in view. +But there could be no doubt of its identity. It was +Fred Sanders, who had been on the watch, and who +must have seen the mate dig up the treasures, and +knew they were now in his possession.</p> +<p>Storms was in anything but a comfortable frame of +mind while walking thoughtfully back to the cabin, +which he entered.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></div> +<p>“What more likely than that he will steal up here +in the night, believing I am asleep, and try to shoot +me? Well, if he does so, he shall find me prepared for +him, anyway.”</p> +<p>The first proceeding of the mate was to deposit the +pearls contained in the three diminutive canvas sacks +in a small valise, which he had carefully preserved all +through the years, and which now held a few necessities +that he meant to take away with him. The addition +of these precious contents taxed the receptacle +to its fullest capacity, but, after all, this was the best +thing to do, and he believed he would be able to keep +it under his eye during the comparatively short time +they would be on the voyage to Wauparmur Island.</p> +<p>It may be said, indeed, that there was nothing else +to be done, which rendered it unfortunate that he +could not secure a few hours’ sleep before venturing +away in the proa. But the nerves of the mate were +too unstrung by his position to feel easy, and he placed +himself by the opening of the cabin, with his hand +upon the weapon, prepared to watch until daylight.</p> +<p>As might have been supposed, in spite of his uneasiness, +he gradually became drowsy, and it was not +long before his head sank on his breast, and he, too, +was asleep. It was well he did so, for he gained the +rest so necessary, and as it was, he might have slept +longer had he not been awakened by outside causes.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span></div> +<p>Captain Bergen slept on, but Inez was on her feet +at an early hour, and seeing that Storms was unconscious, +she passed out without disturbing him, and +made her way to the spring, where she always performed +her morning ablutions.</p> +<p>It was natural that the mate, going to sleep as he +did, with his mind filled with the most dismal of +fancies, should find his slumbers visited by horrible +phantasies. He was struggling with the figure of a +man, who had the face of Fred Sanders, and they +were bearing each other over an immense cliff, when +his opponent got the upper hand, and, holding him +suspended for the moment, began to laugh at his +calamity. The laugh grew louder, until it awoke the +startled sleeper, who, opening wide his eyes, saw the +veritable figure of Fred Sanders before him, laughing +as heartily as he had been doing in the struggle in +sleep.</p> +<p>“Mercy! where’s the valise?” gasped the bewildered +Storms, clutching at the receptacle which lay at +his side. “I thought you had stolen it–––”</p> +<p>Just then the quick-witted sailor recalled his situation, +and he, too, broke into mirth, in which there was +not much heartiness.</p> +<p>“What a curious dream I had, Sanders! I really +believe I have been asleep!”</p> +<p>“And what is strange about that, since a full night +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +has passed since we last met? I hope you have had +a good rest, even though your awaking was not so +pleasant.”</p> +<p>Abe Storms was excessively chagrined, for his +very action, when aroused so unexpectedly, would, of +itself, have turned suspicion to the satchel, which he +snatched up like a startled miser. This action, united +with what Captain Bergen had said, and with what +the young man himself had witnessed the preceding +night, could not have failed to tell him that that rusty-looking +valise––about which the owner was so careful––contained +a great amount of wealth in some form.</p> +<p>But what of it?</p> +<p>This was the question Storms put to himself as he +sprang up and called to Inez––who immediately appeared––and +began the preparation for the last meal +they expected to eat upon the detested island.</p> +<p>Captain Bergen was quiet and thoughtful, but the +others were in high spirits.</p> +<p>The two natives made their meal on board the proa, +where they stolidly awaited the coming of the passengers, +the “baggage” having been transferred the day +before. And the sun was no more than fairly above +the horizon when the proa started on her eventful +voyage to Wauparmur Island––a voyage destined to +be marked by events of which no one on board +dreamed.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX_ON_THE_FLYING_PROA' id='CHAPTER_XXX_ON_THE_FLYING_PROA'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>ON THE FLYING PROA</h3> +</div> +<p>At last the friends who had been left on Pearl +Island three years before, and whose hearts had been +bowed with despair more than once, saw the atoll +gradually fade from view, until the top of the tallest +palm-tree dipped out of sight in the blue Pacific and +vanished from view forever.</p> +<p>“It seems hardly possible,” said Abe Storms, when +at last his straining vision could detect no shadow of +the spot, “that we have been rescued. I’m so full of +joy and hope at the prospect before me that it is hard +work to restrain myself from shouting and jumping +overboard.”</p> +<p>“What is your idea in jumping overboard?” asked +Sanders, with a laugh, in which Inez Hawthorne +joined.</p> +<p>“Merely to give expression to my exuberance of +joy; after I should cool off, I would be cooler, of +course.”</p> +<p>Captain Bergen, to the grief of his friends, showed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +no signs of mental improvement, though his hallucination +took a different form. Instead of being talkative, +like he was the day before, he became reserved, saying +nothing to any one, not even to answer a simple question +when it was put to him. He ensconced himself at +the stern in such a position that he was out of the +way of the man with the steering oar, where he curled +up like one who wished neither to be seen nor heard.</p> +<p>“Humor his fancies,” said Sanders, “for it will +only aggravate him to notice them. It was the same +with Redvignez and Brazzier that I was speaking +about last night.”</p> +<p>“Redvignez and Brazzier?” repeated Inez; “where +did you ever see them?”</p> +<p>“I sailed a voyage with them once from Liverpool, +and I was telling Mr. Storms last night that I saw +them both so frightened without cause that their +minds were upset for a while. And may I ask whether +you know them?” asked the young man, with a flush +of surprise, addressing the girl.</p> +<p>“Why, they and a negro, Pomp, were the three mutineers +who were the means of our staying on the +island. They tried to kill the captain and mate, +but–––”</p> +<p>“She saved us,” broke in Storms, who thereupon +gave the narrative told long ago to the reader, omitting +the attempt that was made upon his own life by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +cutting the hose-pipes which let the air down to him, +inasmuch as that would have caused the telling of the +pearl fishing also.</p> +<p>Fred Sanders listened with great interest, for he +had known the men well, and it may as well be stated +that the danger to which the scoundrels were exposed, +as referred to by him, was that of being executed for +mutiny; and, as it was, the part of Sanders himself +was such that he would have been strung up at the +yard-arm in short order had it not been his extreme +youth, which pleaded in his favor.</p> +<p>Since Storms and his companions had revealed +some things that might have been better concealed, so +Fred Sanders himself felt he had hinted at a little +story which was likely to injure his standing in the +eyes of those toward whom he was playing the part of +the good Samaritan.</p> +<p>The proa was arranged as comfortably as possible, +Inez Hawthorne being given a place in front, where a +sort of compartment was made for her, by means of +stretching awnings of cocoa-matting and a portion of +the reserve fund of lateen on hand. The others disposed +themselves so that she was left undisturbed +whenever she chose to withdraw to her “state room,” +as Captain Fred Sanders facetiously termed it.</p> +<p>The two natives had little to say, and they obeyed +orders like the veritable slaves they were. There could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +be no doubt they understood the management of the +proa to perfection, and the strange craft spun through +the water with astonishing speed.</p> +<p>Mr. Storms deposited his valise, with its valuable +contents, forward, where he seemed to bestow little +attention on it, though, as may well be supposed, it +was ever present in his thoughts, and quite often in +his eye.</p> +<p>Several times in the course of the day they caught +sight of sails in the distance, but approached none; +for, as Sanders said, the all-important thing now was +to make the most speed possible, while the opportunity +remained to them. There was a freshening of the +breeze and a haziness which spread through the northern +horizon that caused some misgiving on the part +of all, for the proa would be a poor shelter in case +they were overtaken by one of those terrific tempests +they had seen more than once.</p> +<p>Toward the middle of the afternoon something like +a low bank of clouds appeared to the left, or in the +west, which, being scrutinized through the glasses, +proved to be a low-lying island. Sanders knew of it, +and said they passed it still closer on their way to the +atoll.</p> +<p>It was also an atoll like that, but much smaller in +size, and, of course, uninhabited. It might do for a +refuge in case of the coming of a violent storm, while +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +in the vicinity; but otherwise it would only be a loss +of time to pause at it. The fact that such a place existed +so near them caused something like a feeling of +security upon the part of Mate Storms, such as comes +over one on learning he has a good friend at his elbow +in face of some coming trouble.</p> +<p>As the afternoon advanced, and the proa bounded +forward before a strong, steady breeze, Storms thought +the occasion a good one to obtain some sleep, with a +view of keeping awake during the coming night, and +he assumed an easy position, where, his mind being +comparatively free from apprehension, he soon sank +into slumber.</p> +<p>This left Inez Hawthorne with no one to talk to +excepting Fred Sanders, who seemed in better spirits +than usual. When they had discussed the voyage, and +he had given her as good an account as he could of the +island toward which they were hastening, and after +she had answered all his questions as best she could, +she turned upon him and asked:</p> +<p>“How long did you say you had spent in these +islands?”</p> +<p>“As nearly as I can recollect, it is about five years.”</p> +<p>“And, as you are now seventeen, you must have +been only twelve years old when you first came here.”</p> +<p>“That agrees with my figuring,” said Sanders, with +a nod of his head. “You can’t be far out of the way.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span></div> +<p>“Where did you live before that?”</p> +<p>“Well, I lived in a good many places––that is, for +two years. I was on the Atlantic and on the Pacific +and––well, it would take me a good long while to tell +of all that I passed through. I may as well own up +to you, Inez, that it was a wild, rough life for a man, +even without taking into account the fact that I was a +boy.”</p> +<p>“Then you went to sea when you were only ten +years old?”</p> +<p>“That also coincides with my mathematical calculations,” +replied Sanders, somewhat embarrassed, for +he saw they were approaching delicate ground.</p> +<p>“Then before you were ten years of age?”</p> +<p>“I lived at home, of course.”</p> +<p>“And where was that?”</p> +<p>“You will excuse me, Inez, from answering that +question. I have reasons for doing so. Let me say +that I stayed at home for the first ten years of my +existence, and was as bad a boy as can be imagined. +I fell into the worst kind of habits, and it was through +the two men––Redvignez and Brazzier––whom I’ve +heard you speak of, that I was persuaded to go to sea +with them, when I ought to have been at home with +my father.”</p> +<p>“Is your mother living, Mr. Sanders?”</p> +<p>The youth turned his head away, so she could not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +see his face, and when he moved it back and spoke +again there was a tear on his cheek, and he replied, +in a voice of sadness:</p> +<p>“My mother is in heaven, where her son will never +be.”</p> +<p>Inez was inexpressibly shocked.</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. Sanders, what do you mean by that?”</p> +<p>“A better woman than she never lived, nor a worse +boy than I. You can’t understand, Inez. You are +too young and too good yourself to realize what a +wretch I was. I deliberately ran away from home +seven years ago, and have never been within a thousand +miles of it since, and I never expected to do so, +until within the last day or so; somehow or other, I’ve +fallen to thinking more than before.”</p> +<p>“Have you a father?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. I think he is dead, too, for I was +enough to break his heart, and I have never heard of +him since. I hadn’t any brothers or sisters when I +came away. I’m all that’s left, and now there is a +longing coming over me to hunt up my father again +before he dies, that is––if––he––isn’t––already––gone!”</p> +<p>It was no use. Fred Sanders, the wild, reckless +youth, who had passed through many a scene that +would have made a man shudder, suddenly put his +hands to his face, and his whole frame shook with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +emotion. The memories of his early childhood came +back to him, and he saw again the forms of those who +loved him so fondly, and whose affection he returned +with such piercing ingratitude. Conscience had slept +for many years, but the gentle words of Inez had +awakened its voice again. The goodness of the girl, +who was already like a loved sister to Sanders, had +stirred up the better part of his nature, and he looked +upon himself with a shudder, that one so young as he +should have committed his many transgressions.</p> +<p>No wonder that he felt so pressed down that he +cried out in the bitterness of his spirit that heaven +was shut from him. It was hard for Inez to keep +back the sympathizing tears herself when she witnessed +the overwhelming grief of the strong youth.</p> +<p>The latter sat silent for some minutes, holding his +face partly averted, as if ashamed of this evidence of +weakness––an evidence which it is safe to say he had +not shown for years, young as he was.</p> +<p>Ah, there were memories that had slumbered long +which came crowding upon the boy––memories whose +import no one on board that strange craft could suspect +but himself, and whose work was soon to appear +in a form and with a force that neither Inez Hawthorne +nor Mate Storms so much as dreamed of.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI_A_STRANGE_CRAFT' id='CHAPTER_XXXI_A_STRANGE_CRAFT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3>A STRANGE CRAFT</h3> +</div> +<p>“I tell you a boy who uses his mother bad is sure +to suffer for it some time. I’ve seen so many cases +that I know there’s such a law that governs the whole +world. I thank heaven that I never brought a tear +to my mother’s eyes.”</p> +<p>The speaker was Captain Bergen, who was talking +to Fred Sanders while the two sat together on the +proa, near midnight succeeding the conversation mentioned +between Inez and the youth Fred.</p> +<p>The latter might have believed, as he had jocosely +remarked, that he had captured a small party of missionaries, +who were making a dead set at him; but his +feelings had been touched in a most tender manner, +and he had done more thinking during the last few +hours than in all his previous life.</p> +<p>The only one on the proa who was on duty was +Fred, who held the steering-oar in place, while the +curiously-shaped vessel sped through the water. The +sea was very calm and the wind so slight that they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +were in reality going slower than at any previous +time, and the task of guiding the boat was hardly a +task at all.</p> +<p>Fred sat looking up at the stars half the time, with +his memory and conscience doing their work. His two +men had lain down, and were asleep, for they were +regular in all their habits, and he had seen nothing of +Inez since she had withdrawn to her “apartment.”</p> +<p>Mate Storms kept up a fragmentary conversation +with the young captain until quite late, when he +withdrew, and Fred was left with himself for fully +two hours, when Mr. Bergen crept softly forth and +took a seat near him, even getting in such a position +that he would have been very much in the way had +any emergency arisen. The captain was disposed to +talk––somewhat to Fred’s dislike––for he was in that +mood when he desired to be alone; but he was also in +a more gracious and charitable temper than usual, and +he answered the old captain quite kindly.</p> +<p>“You’ve a good deal to be thankful for,” said he, in +reply to the remark above given. “But my mother has +been in heaven for many a year.”</p> +<p>“She is fortunate, after all,” said the captain, with +a sigh, and a far-away look over the moonlit sea.</p> +<p>“Yes, a great deal more fortunate than her son will +ever be.”</p> +<p>“It all depends on you, young man,” said the captain, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +severely. “Heaven is reached step by step, and +there’s no one who cannot make it. If you haven’t +started in the right direction, now’s the time to do so.”</p> +<p>Fred Sanders may have assented to this, but he was +silent, and he, too, looked off over the sea as if his +thoughts were running in a new and unaccustomed +channel. “My mother must be a very old woman by +this time,” added the captain, after a minute or more +of silence, during which nothing but the rushing of +the water was heard.</p> +<p>“How old is she?” asked Fred.</p> +<p>“She must be close on to eighty; and I think she’s +dead, for she was very feeble when I saw her, three +years ago, in San Francisco. But I’m going to see +her very soon; yes, very soon––very soon.”</p> +<p>“It’s a long way to ’Frisco,” ventured Fred, mildly; +“but I hope you will have a quick voyage.”</p> +<p>“I am not going to wait till we get there.”</p> +<p>“How are you going to manage it, then?”</p> +<p>“This way. I’m coming, mother!”</p> +<p>And Captain Jack Bergen sprang overboard and +went out of sight.</p> +<p>“Heavens! what was that?” exclaimed Mate +Storms, leaping forward from where he had been +dozing upon his couch.</p> +<p>“The captain has jumped overboard!” was the horrified +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +reply of Fred Sanders, who was bringing the +proa around as fast as he could.</p> +<p>Without another word, Mate Storms made a bounding +plunge after him, leaving the young captain to +manage the craft as best he could. The latter uttered +a sharp command which brought the crew to their feet +in an instant, and, in an incredibly short space of +time, the proa came around, and, scarcely losing any +headway, moved back toward the spot where the demented +man had sprung into the sea, which was now +a long distance astern.</p> +<p>It was a startling awaking for Abram Storms, who +did his utmost for his unfortunate captain. The mate +was a splendid swimmer, and, plunging forward with +a powerful stroke, he called to his friend again and +again, frequently lifting himself far out of the water, +when on the crest of a swell, and straining his eyes +to pierce the moonlight about him, hoping to catch +sight of the figure of the captain, who was also a +strong swimmer. But if he had jumped overboard +with the intention of suicide, it was not to be supposed +he would continue swimming. The mate, however, +was hopeful that in that awful minute when he went +beneath the waters, something like a realizing sense +of what he had done would come to him and he would +struggle to save himself.</p> +<p>But, alas, for poor Captain Jack Bergen, who had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +journeyed so many thousand miles, and had endured +such a long imprisonment upon a lonely island! He +sent back no answering shout to the repeated calls of +his mate, whose eyes failed to catch sight of his gray +head as he rose and sank for a brief while on the +water.</p> +<p>When Fred Sanders got the proa about he guided +its movements by the sound of the mate’s voice, and, +in a short while, he ran alongside and assisted him +on board. Nothing had been seen nor heard of the +captain, and there could be no doubt now that he was +gone forever. Nevertheless, the proa continued cruising +around the place for fully an hour, in widening +circles, until all were convinced that not a particle of +hope remained, when they filled away again, and a +long, last farewell was uttered to Captain Jack +Bergen.</p> +<p>He had procured a fortune in a comparatively +easy manner, and it looked for a time as if the payment +was small; but the price demanded now was his +life, and what more can a man give, excepting his +soul?––which, most happily, was not the case with +him.</p> +<p>During these minutes of excitement, Inez Hawthorne +slept soundly, and she never knew anything of +the sad occurrence until the morrow was well advanced. +Her grief prostrated her for many hours, for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +she was a child unusually affectionate by nature, and +she had been tenderly attached to the captain, who +had been such a father to her.</p> +<p>It spread a gloom over the boat, as may be said, +the only ones who showed no sorrow in their countenances +being the dusky islanders, who seemed to take +everything as it came along as a matter of course, and +who obeyed the Caucasian captain like so many machines +under the control of an engineer.</p> +<p>Fred Sanders was thoughtful, and, what was rather +curious, had little to say to Inez during the first portion +of the day. He uttered a few words of sympathy +when she sought to restrain her tears, but after that he +kept very much to himself, as if there was some new +and important matter on his mind, as was indeed the +case.</p> +<p>It will be remembered that the expectation was that +the voyage of the proa would terminate that night by +their arrival at their destination, but the delay caused +by the moderate wind and the search for the lost captain +led Mate Storms to feel some doubt, and he asked +Captain Sanders his view of the matter.</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you anything about it!”</p> +<p>It was not these words alone, so much as the abrupt +manner, which set the mate somewhat back. He had +received nothing of the kind from the youth since +their meeting, and it astonished him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></div> +<p>A hot reply rose to the lips of Abe Storms, but he +suppressed it and moved away.</p> +<p>“I wonder whether he doesn’t feel soured at the +thought that the death of the captain will prevent his +getting such a large reward for his services?” said the +mate to himself, who, after thinking over the matter +for a few minutes longer, reached a conclusion. “We +expected to reach Wauparmur Island to-night, before +dark. We shall be late, but, as it is, I shall have no +trouble in keeping awake the rest of the voyage, and +I’ve little fear that I will not be able to protect my +property as well as myself.”</p> +<p>With this, he moved back to the youth, and said, in +a cheery voice:</p> +<p>“You recall, sir, that poor Captain Bergen made +some promises to you about rewarding you liberally +for your services. My friend was a little wild in what +he said, but he was right when he declared we had the +means, and I wish simply to say that his wishes and +intentions in that respect, which accorded with my +own from the start, shall be carried out to the letter.”</p> +<p>Mr. Storms immediately joined Inez, while the captain +made no reply, much to the discomfiture of the +mate, who said to Inez:</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with Sanders?”</p> +<p>“He is watching an object over the sea yonder. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +has been expecting to discover something, and he has +caught sight of it at last.”</p> +<p>The mate instantly produced his glasses, and leveled +them in the direction the young captain was +looking.</p> +<p>There was something, indeed.</p> +<p>As revealed by the instrument, it was what might +be termed a double canoe, or proa––that is, two narrow +canoes were joined together, side by side, and connected +by a sort of framework, while an enormous +lateen sail towered above them, and carried it forward +with remarkable speed.</p> +<p>The surprised mate carefully scrutinized the +strange craft, and saw that it contained a large crew, +there being, as he estimated, fully twenty men on +board. It was to the westward of the smaller proa, +and like that was pursuing almost a northerly course, +though the experienced eyes of the sailor told him +that the paths of the two were converging, and that, +unless changed, they undoubtedly would meet before +nightfall.</p> +<p>The double canoe was about two miles distant, and +as it rose on the crest of a swell the glass revealed the +white foam which curled away from the bows, and +there could be no doubt of its remarkable swiftness.</p> +<p>After watching this strange craft for a few minutes, +Mr. Storms devoted some time to a furtive but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +careful study of the face of Fred Sanders, who was on +the most elevated portion of the proa, and was carefully +noting the course of the two vessels.</p> +<p>The alarming conclusion reached by Abram Storms +was that the other craft contained a gang of pirates; +that Fred Sanders knew them, and he was guiding his +own proa by an understanding previously had with +them.</p> +<p>And Abram Storms was right.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXII_A_FRIEND_AMONG_ENEMIES' id='CHAPTER_XXXII_A_FRIEND_AMONG_ENEMIES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> +<h3>A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES</h3> +</div> +<p>The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail +and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down +from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and +was now gradually approaching the proa which contained +Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.</p> +<p>The experience of the preceding few years, and +especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms +an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to +detect the truth without difficulty. The strong suspicion +he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting +the appearance of the craft, and that he was +guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged +plan. This was an alarming conclusion to +reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that +he was right.</p> +<p>“He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so +from the first.”</p> +<p>The New Englander took another look at the double +canoe, and he saw, even in the few minutes that had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +passed, that they were closer together. And now that +his suspicions were aroused, he detected several other +little things which only confirmed all that had entered +his mind. The two islanders who composed the crew +were continually glancing off at their brothers, and +frequently spoke in low tones, and showed by the +gleam of their swarthy faces that they were on the +tip-toe of expectation.</p> +<p>From one corner of the lateen sail, Storms now noticed +that a large crimson handkerchief was fluttering +in the wind.</p> +<p>“It is put there as a signal,” was the decision respecting +that, “and doubtless signifies that they have +us on board and all is going right.”</p> +<p>Fred Sanders was so occupied with this business +that he never once suspected that he himself was being +watched in turn.</p> +<p>“Inez,” said the mate, “go to the captain and speak +a few words to him.”</p> +<p>“But he is so occupied that he will not wish to be +disturbed.”</p> +<p>“Never mind about that; I wish you to go and say +a few pleasant words to him. Let them be sympathetic.”</p> +<p>“What shall I say?”</p> +<p>“I can give you no further directions.”</p> +<p>“I am loth to do so, but if you wish it–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></div> +<p>“I wish it very much.”</p> +<p>That was enough, and the girl, with some natural +hesitation of manner, advanced to the young captain, +who did not notice her until she was at his elbow.</p> +<p>“Good-day, Captain Fred,” she said; “you have +been busy so long that you must be tired, for you +slept none last night.”</p> +<p>He looked toward her with a quick, curious expression. +There was a half-smile on his face, while his +forehead was wrinkled with displeasure. Inez noticed +this, and would have withdrawn had she not +recalled the strange earnestness with which Storms +made the request for her to utter a few pleasant words +to the youth. She therefore determined to carry out +his wishes.</p> +<p>“Can’t we relieve you of your work?” continued +she.</p> +<p>Sanders was in reality doing nothing in the way of +physical labor, since the steering oar was in the hands +of one of the crew, but he was absorbed in “watching +things,” as the expression goes.</p> +<p>“I am sure there is no way in which you can relieve +me,” said Fred, unbending somewhat from his +reserve.</p> +<p>“We are in such deep water, and the wind is so fair, +that there can be no danger, I suppose. But tell me, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +what sort of a boat is that yonder which is pursuing +nearly the same course with us?”</p> +<p>“That––I presume,” was the hesitating response, +as the young man glanced in that direction, “is one of +the double canoes or proas which are often seen among +these islands.”</p> +<p>“And who are the crew?”</p> +<p>“Islanders, like my own.”</p> +<p>“Are we going to meet them?”</p> +<p>“I hardly know what to answer to that,” said Fred, +looking inquiringly toward the large proa again, as if +he had not seen it before.</p> +<p>“Well, Captain Sanders, they must be pirates,” said +Inez, stepping close to him, and speaking in a low, +tremulous voice; “but whether they are or not, my +faith in God and in you cannot be changed. I know +you will do all you can for us–––”</p> +<p>“There! there!” protested the young captain, with +an expression of pain on his face, “say no more. +Please go away, Inez, and leave me alone.”</p> +<p>“Of course I will leave you, if you do not wish me +here, but gratitude would not let me keep silent. I +know, from what you said last night, that you have a +good heart, and henceforth conscience is to be your +master and guide.”</p> +<p>And without looking to see the effect of her words, +Inez left the captain to his own thoughts.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></div> +<p>Abram Storms, with folded arms, was intently +watching him, and he carefully studied his countenance. +He was still doing so, when Inez turned her +back upon Sanders. Mr. Storms noted the strange expression +on the handsome countenance, and just then +Sanders turned and looked straight at the man before +the latter could withdraw his gaze. As their eyes met, +he signaled to Storms to approach, and the latter, with +no little wonderment and some misgiving, did so.</p> +<p>“Mr. Storms,” said he, “that double canoe off yonder +has twenty-three pirates on board.”</p> +<p>“I suspected as much,” coolly replied the other.</p> +<p>“And a set of worse villains cannot be found in the +South Seas.”</p> +<p>“I am sure you are quite right.”</p> +<p>“These two men that I have on board belong to the +same crew.”</p> +<p>“Indeed! I hadn’t thought of that.”</p> +<p>“I belong to the same gang.”</p> +<p>“I suspected that!”</p> +<p>“You did, eh? Did you suspect that I was in the +plot to obtain possession of your pearls?”</p> +<p>“I did not suspect it; I was sure of it, which is why +I have carried my loaded revolver with me.”</p> +<p>“That wouldn’t have defeated the plan we had laid, +for when twenty-three odd savages, with their spears, +war-clubs and a few muskets, had stolen up to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +island in the darkness, and crept silently into your +cabin, what good would your guns and revolvers have +done you?”</p> +<p>“Was that the plan?”</p> +<p>“That was it precisely. By some means or other, +which I never could understand, rumors reached Wauparmur, +months ago, that two men and a child were +on an island to the south of us, and that they had an +immense lot of the most valuable pearls. I cannot +comprehend how it was the natives gained such +knowledge, for it must have had some basis of truth, +inasmuch as it proved to be true.”</p> +<p>“There was a proa which passed close to the island +while we were opening the pearl-oysters,” said Storms. +“We all saw it.”</p> +<p>“The rumor came from them, then,” continued +Sanders, “and a party was formed to go down there, +and find out whether it was true, and, in case it was, +the white men were to be overcome by treachery, and +their possessions in the shape of pearls taken. Since +there is no more desperate and wicked member of the +gang than am I, of course I was one of the first +chosen.</p> +<p>“We started in two boats, and, as we went along, I +could see difficulties in the way which never occurred +to them. It was not likely you carried the pearls +about with you, as a person wears his jewelry; but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +most likely they were buried, so that if we came +down upon you and made an overwhelming attack, as +was first intended, we might put you all to death, and +then be unable to find where you had hidden your +treasures. Besides that, I saw that it was more than +probable you had firearms, with which you could successfully +hold out against a large force, and it would +prove no easy thing to subdue you.”</p> +<p>“You were correct in both your surmises,” said +Storms. “We were always prepared to make a fight, +and, with our guns against your spears, we would +have beaten you off. The pearls, too, were carefully +concealed where you never would have found them.”</p> +<p>“I was well convinced of that, so we resorted to +strategy. I was to go with a couple of the men and +bring you away, trying all the time if I could to secure +the pearls, which, of course, were afterwards to +be disposed of and the proceeds divided among us––the +intention being that when we got you on the proa, +you would be pitched overboard, for then the situation +would be so changed that we could manage it without +trouble. If I thought it unsafe to make the attempt, +I had only to wait until reinforcements should come +up; for the larger boat, knowing the course I was to +take on my return, had only to be on the lookout for +us, and we would be sure to descry each other.”</p> +<p>“And that was to be your signal that you had us +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +aboard?” said Storms, pointing to the fluttering handkerchief.</p> +<p>“That’s it precisely,” assented Sanders. “But there +was one force which we did not think to provide +against,” added the young man, in a low voice, in +which Storms detected a slight tremor.</p> +<p>“What was that?”</p> +<p>“An awakened conscience,” was the impressive answer. +“And it was she who aroused the sleeper. +There was something in the goodness of the girl––the +faith which she showed not only in heaven but in +me as well––that upset all my calculations. Then, +too, she seemed to say the right words just at the right +time; and you saw how I suffered.”</p> +<p>“Yes; and it gave me great hope; for, Fred, I distrusted +you from the beginning. I saw many little +things which you never supposed I nor any one else +would notice. And I may add,” said the mate, with +a sly twinkle, “that I endeavored always to be prepared +for you.”</p> +<p>The face of Sanders flushed, but he added, with the +same seriousness:</p> +<p>“Matters now are going in accordance with the program +arranged days ago. The large proa yonder has +been waiting for us, and we are now to keep on converging +lines until we meet to-night.”</p> +<p>“Do you intend to follow out your agreement?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></div> +<p>“No; I had an awful struggle with my conscience +last night, after my talk with Inez and with the poor +captain, but the evil triumphed in me, despite all I +could do. The fight was still going on, being renewed +this morning, and I had about yielded to Satan, when +she came and spoke to me. That,” said Fred Sanders, +with a compression of the lips, “has settled it forever. +I am now your friend, and I am ready to give up my +life for the safety of you and her, hoping that heaven +will take it, with my repentance, as some atonement +for the many sins I have committed.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIII_THE_PURSUIT' id='CHAPTER_XXXIII_THE_PURSUIT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2> +<h3>THE PURSUIT</h3> +</div> +<p>There are two angels within us forever struggling +for the mastery: One is the angel of darkness, and +the other of light––of evil and of good.</p> +<p>They had waged their battle in the heart of Fred +Sanders for a long time, and too often did the restraining +spirit fold her hands over her face and +withdraw in sorrow at the triumph of the other. But +the final struggle––the decisive warfare––was now +ended, and the beauteous countenance of the good +angel was radiant with hope and courage, for a soul +had been saved.</p> +<p>Abram Storms smiled with pleasure as he looked +upon the manly young fellow, and he was filled with +delight at the resolution shown by him.</p> +<p>“There is no shrinking or trembling there,” said +Storms to himself. “He means every word he says, +and he will stick to the end.”</p> +<p>The man tried to look calm and self-possessed, when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +he moved forward and extended his hand, but there +were tears in his eyes, and he could only murmur:</p> +<p>“God bless you, my boy! You have chosen the +better part.”</p> +<p>They were silent for a minute or so, each one’s +thoughts active, when Fred said:</p> +<p>“If you please, I would rather that Inez should +know nothing of this.”</p> +<p>“She never shall know a word of it from me.”</p> +<p>“One of these days, perhaps, I will tell her what a +villain she was the means of saving from destruction.”</p> +<p>Fred appreciated the skill, seamanship and shrewdness +of Storms, and consulted fully with him, saying +that, as he himself was captain, he would appoint the +other to his old position––that of mate.</p> +<p>The whole scheme had already been made clear by +the youth. The large proa was in sight, by appointment, +having been cruising back and forth for several +days, on the lookout for the smaller boat with the +party who it was expected would be robbed and killed +for the valuable pearls in their possession. The signal +of the fluttering handkerchief from the triangular sail +meant that the party were on board, and the original +program was to be carried out. That is, the pursuing +boat was to hold off until after dark. She was to keep +on a converging course, so as not to lose sight of the +small proa, and gradually approaching, overhaul and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +attack her at the time when the chances of success +were at the best.</p> +<p>The plan decided upon by Captain Sanders was +simply to keep away from the larger craft, and to do +his utmost to prevent being overhauled; and he +showed his earnestness in this respect by taking the +steering oar and bearing away from the other, so that, +instead of being converging, they became parallel.</p> +<p>The two natives displayed some surprise when they +observed this action, but they said nothing, and most +likely felt no suspicion as yet of their captain, whose +desperation and heartlessness on more than one previous +occasion had won the confidence of the islanders.</p> +<p>It was not long before the change was noticed on +board the pursuer, where, most likely, it was accepted +as the proper thing, possibly on account of the fear +from the passengers.</p> +<p>“I have no revolver like you,” said Captain Fred, +after they had kept this up for a couple of hours, “but +I have a double-barreled pistol which is loaded to the +muzzle. You have your six-chambered weapon, and +you must keep it ready, for, when the two islanders +here become certain of the truth, it is more than probable +they will make a savage attack on us, for two +more desperate demons never lived.”</p> +<p>“I should hardly think so,” said the mate, glancing +furtively at them.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span></div> +<p>“No; they are as meek looking as lambs, but they +were sent with me on account of their fierce courage. +Why, they were ready and eager, when we visited you +upon the island, to make an open attack, where the +chances of their defeat were about even. They would +rather fight and kill any moment than eat, and I had +to be pretty sharp to restrain them.”</p> +<p>“I shan’t forget your warning.”</p> +<p>“It won’t do for either of us to sleep to-night, for +they are as treacherous as cobras. They would feign +slumber on purpose to put us off our guard, and then +stab us to death in our sleep.”</p> +<p>“Will we not reach Wauparmur to-night?”</p> +<p>“It is doubtful, for the change we have made in +the course is taking us away from the true direction +and gives the advantage to them, as they are closer in +than we. We have lost some good ground from the +lightness of the wind, and we shall be fortunate if we +catch sight of the place before to-morrow’s sunrise.”</p> +<p>“After all, Captain Fred, it must be a question of +speed between us and our pursuer. Which, therefore, +is the faster, the double canoe yonder or ourselves?”</p> +<p>A troubled expression came over the face of the +young captain, as he answered:</p> +<p>“I don’t know, for there has never been a test. We +kept company most of the way out, but we rattled +along without any thought of speed, sometimes together +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +and sometimes apart; but my opinion is that in +moderate weather like the present there is little difference +between us, or if there is any it is in our favor. +In a strong wind, the other would he apt to outspeed +us.”</p> +<p>“We are going to have more wind,” said the mate, +looking anxiously about him. “I think I perceive it +freshening already.”</p> +<p>“I fear the same thing,” said Fred, who was manifestly +very uneasy. “We are now about two miles +apart, and the prospect is that that will be cut down +one-half by sunset.”</p> +<p>“And then?”</p> +<p>Fred shrugged his shoulders.</p> +<p>“All is not lost. When the sun goes down, with us +a mile apart, we shall be invisible; but they will crowd +all speed, and stand a good chance of coming up with +us again.”</p> +<p>“But we gain a chance to maneuver.”</p> +<p>“There is hope and yet great risk in that, for if we +can throw them off the track we shall be safe, for we +can easily get beyond their range of vision long before +sunrise; but at the same time, in making these sharp +turns, we shall lose a great deal of ground, provided +we don’t succeed, and if they once get in sight of us +after the moon rises, the race will be ended, for we +won’t gain a chance to dodge them again.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></div> +<p>“And then?”</p> +<p>“There will be the worst fight you ever saw. We +shall have to begin by shooting these two, or pitching +them overboard, if they don’t happen to get their work +in ahead of us, and then we shall have more than +twenty savage islanders to keep off––if we can.”</p> +<p>“We are pretty well armed, Captain Fred.”</p> +<p>“Yes, we have our pistols, and there is a musket +apiece for you, me and Inez––for she will have to take +a hand in the fight.”</p> +<p>“And there will be no braver than she. Have they +any firearms on board?”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry to say they have, and that’s what makes +me more anxious than anything else. There are +spears, knives, battle-axes and at least six loaded muskets, +and what is more, the men who have them in +hand know how to use them.”</p> +<p>Mate Storms looked anxious, as well he might, for +this was a phase of the question which had not presented +itself to him. The case being as it was, the +pursuers would be likely to begin firing as soon as +they came within range, and when close in, the matter +would be entirely within their hands.</p> +<p>Everything seemed to augur ill for the fugitives. +The wind was steadily increasing and the flying proa +was dashing through the water at a tremendous rate. +The pursuing one had already shifted its course, so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +that this early in the afternoon the struggle had begun +and settled down to a virtual test of speed.</p> +<p>“What do you suppose they think of the whole +business?” asked Mate Storms, looking back at the +double canoe as it rose on a huge swell at the same +moment that they themselves sank in the vast, watery +waste.</p> +<p>“I don’t know whether they think anything is +wrong yet or not, but imagine I am trying to keep off +until after dark.”</p> +<p>“Why, then, don’t they respect your purpose and +work with you?”</p> +<p>“The leader of that company is an islander who is +somewhat jealous of me. He believes he knows more +about such business than I do, and he has made up his +mind to keep this in hand, no matter what my wishes +are. So, though he may think I mean all right, yet he +is sure he knows better, and governs himself accordingly.”</p> +<p>“These two men here on board try to look indifferent, +but they act suspiciously to me.”</p> +<p>“And they are suspicious, too.”</p> +<p>Fred Sanders might have added further that they +were not only suspicious, but had actually discovered +the truth.</p> +<p>They understood the purpose which had brought all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +three to the lonely island, and they knew that that +purpose had been changed.</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne, the girl of his own race, had +caused this wonderful transformation in the heart of +the young captain, and instead of being her enemy, +he had become the devoted friend of herself and companion. +While they could not understand the English +tongue as they heard it spoken, they could read +the meaning of looks and gestures and the confidential +talks which they saw going on around them. They +were convinced that their captain intended to betray +them, and prevent the wealth from falling into their +hands.</p> +<p>Would they submit?</p> +<p>Far from it. They would not only refuse to give +their assent to any such perfidy, but they would use +their utmost endeavors to defeat it. Such was their +purpose, and Fred Sanders knew it, for he understood +the character of the wretches; well, therefore, was it +that he whispered the warning in the ear of Mate +Abram Storms.</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne sat at the front of the proa, in the +place that had been assigned her, for something +seemed to tell her that the men were so occupied with +their duties that it would be better for her to keep +away from them. It was with much reluctance that +she consented to exchange the few words with Captain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +Fred Sanders, and little did she dream that it was +those same few words which turned the young man +from a deadly enemy into the most devoted ally, and +gave some promise of life to herself and her companion. +Yet, as we have shown, such was the fact.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIV_CLOSING_IN' id='CHAPTER_XXXIV_CLOSING_IN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2> +<h3>CLOSING IN</h3> +</div> +<p>When the sun sank in the western horizon, the +situation of the two craft had not materially changed. +The larger had perceptibly gained upon the smaller; +but a good distance still separated them, and +both parties were doing their utmost. The wind was +blowing stronger than at mid-day, but it was not such +a gale as had been feared, and our friends were not +without hope of eluding the natives, who were endeavoring +to overtake them.</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne could not avoid seeing how matters +stood, though she was far from suspecting the whole +truth. Mr. Storms told her that the other boat contained +pirates, who were doing their utmost to overtake +them, and they were striving their hardest to prevent +it. As it stood, there was a prospect of a fight, in +which she would likely be called upon to take part. +She smiled, looked reverently upward, and said she +was ready whenever needed, and then she remained as +cool and watchful as either of her friends.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></div> +<p>Mr. Storms advised her not to go to sleep, as the +coming night must decide the case one way or the +other for them.</p> +<p>“No fear of my sleeping,” she said. “I realize our +position too well to do that.”</p> +<p>“And Inez,” whispered Storms, “these two savages +on board are the worst sort of men. Keep watch, and +do not place yourself in too dangerous a position +respecting them.”</p> +<p>“I have been alarmed more than once at their looks +and mutterings.”</p> +<p>As the sun went down, it was a curious sight when +the double canoe rose on a swell and was outlined +against the flaming disc behind, as we have described +the ship and the moon more than three years before.</p> +<p>The sight was a strange one, though it lasted but a +moment, when the craft went down, and the smaller +proa swiftly climbed the long slope of the watery +mountain in front. The round moon speedily rose in +the sky, and it was so bright that it was hard to tell +when twilight ended and its light began.</p> +<p>Never did Storms and Sanders long for utter darkness +more than on the present occasion. Had the +moon been obscured, they would have made a sharp +turn in their flight, with every prospect of throwing +the others completely off their trail, and with every +reason to hope for a clean escape before sunrise.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span></div> +<p>But the flood of moon light prevented either proa +losing sight of the other.</p> +<p>“There’s only one thing left to us now,” said the +young captain.</p> +<p>“And that’s to fight.”</p> +<p>Fred nodded his head.</p> +<p>“Well, we can do that. But I wish we were well +rid of these fellows with us. It puts us between two +fires, and there can be no doubt they suspect the +truth.”</p> +<p>“I am sure of that. Hello!”</p> +<p>Mr. Storms had hold of the steering-oar, and Fred +was sitting close to him when he uttered the last exclamation, +and, springing forward, hastily drew his +pistol, took a quick aim and fired.</p> +<p>A frenzied howl followed, and one of the crew made +a furious plunge far out into the sea, and, going down +like a log, never came up again.</p> +<p>“Over with you, too!” shouted Sanders, in their +native tongue, his eyes flashing; “not an instant, or +I’ll shoot!”</p> +<p>The savage did not hesitate, with his knife clenched +in his hand, and the young captain leveled his pistol +at him.</p> +<p>The sight of the muzzle so close to his skull, and the +finger resolutely pressing the trigger, were too much, +and the savage made a tremendous leap, like a tiger +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +springing from his hiding-place, went far out into the +sea, and, quickly coming to the surface, blew the water +from his mouth, and began swimming with a swift, +powerful stroke in the direction of the pursuing boat.</p> +<p>“Did you see that?” inquired Sanders, beginning +coolly to reload his pistol.</p> +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> +<p>“Did you know why I fired as quickly as I did?”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“That wretch had drawn his knife, and was moving +in the direction of the unsuspecting Inez, sitting there. +I overheard him say something which aroused my suspicion, +and he was in the very act of raising his knife +when I fired.”</p> +<p>“Is it possible? He deserved death, then, and you +finished him. But what purpose could they have in +killing an innocent girl like her?”</p> +<p>“Pure fiendishness––that’s all. Then they meant +to make their attack upon us, and they would have +made things lively.”</p> +<p>“But how much better it would have been had they +waited until the others attacked, when they could have +made a fatal diversion?”</p> +<p>“Most certainly; but their course shows the nature +of the wretches. They are so fiendish and so eager to +fight that they have no judgment.”</p> +<p>“Are we heading toward Wauparmur, Fred?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></div> +<p>“No; we are steering wide of it.”</p> +<p>“Since, then, we are engaged in a regular chase for +that port, why not head straight for the island, so as +to have that advantage, at least?”</p> +<p>“You are right, for there is nothing to be gained +by maneuvering to throw them off the track.”</p> +<p>Fred Sanders took a small compass from his pocket, +and studied it carefully for a minute or two by the +light of the moon. Then he gave directions to Storms +to bear more to the left, or the westward, until finally +he informed him that they were heading directly for +the port where all their hopes were now centered.</p> +<p>The wind fell slightly, but the pursuing boat +steadily gained, and it was impossible to see how +our friends could escape a hand-to-hand fight with the +pirates, and there could be but one issue to such an +encounter.</p> +<p>The islanders were thoughtful enough to lower +their immense sail, and stand by until they could pick +up their comrade struggling in the water, actuated +probably as much by curiosity to know the facts as by +humanity.</p> +<p>This gave our friends a show once more, and they +drew away from their pursuers; but, alas! not to an +extent to leave them out of sight, and until they could +do so, they could not hope to accomplish anything.</p> +<p>Mr. Storms was not without a strong hope of seeing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +some friendly sail, to which they could hasten for assistance, +and he continually searched the horizon, telling +Inez to do the same.</p> +<p>Captain Fred did not expect anything of that nature, +and, since the glasses were in his hands, he kept +them turned most of the time in the direction of the +double canoe, and called out his information and orders +to his mate at the helm.</p> +<p>Of course the distance was much less than a mile, +or the proa would scarcely have been discernible, but +the moonlight was strong, such as those who live in +temperate zones can hardly realize, and the illumination +of the sea was wonderfully brilliant.</p> +<p>Both Fred and Storms, who had spent years in the +South Seas, agreed that they had never seen anything +like it before, and, for all purposes, it might as well +have been broad day. The finest print could have +been read with ease, and the glasses leveled at the approaching +boat showed the crowds of swarthy pirates +on board, all as eager as wolves to come up with the +craft, which they were gaining so steadily upon.</p> +<p>And the fugitives knew well enough what the sequel +would be. The rival of Captain Fred would want no +better excuse for cutting him and his companions to +pieces, and the wealth in their possession would be +more “loot” than the same parties could obtain in a +dozen piratical expeditions.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span></div> +<p>“But they shall never get a pennyworth of it!” said +Abe Storms to Fred.</p> +<p>The latter lowered his glass and looked inquiringly +at him.</p> +<p>“When it becomes absolutely certain that they have +got us, I shall throw all the pearls overboard, so that +they shall gain nothing more than our lives.”</p> +<p>“That’s right; only,” said the young captain, with +a smile, “I advise you not to be in too much of a hurry +about it, for you will feel somewhat mortified if we +reach Wauparmur, after all, and you find you have +cast your whole wealth into the sea.”</p> +<p>“I shan’t lose my head,” said the mate, with a +laugh, “unless one of them takes it off.”</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne was silent at the prow of the proa, +where she was looking for the longed-for sail, which, +alas! was never to appear, for she, too, had come to believe +there was no other hope for her and her friends.</p> +<p>Mate Storms and Captain Fred happened to turn +their heads at the same moment, and were looking at +the double proa coming up with them very rapidly, +when each uttered an exclamation, for they suddenly +saw a red flash at the prow of the boat, a puff of +smoke, and then the report of a musket reached them +almost at the same instant that the whistle of the bullet +through the rigging was heard.</p> +<p>“By George, they are firing at us!” said Fred, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +if it was not the most natural thing in the world for +them to do.</p> +<p>“Yes, and they’re aiming pretty well, too, for that +shot went through the sail!”</p> +<p>“I hardly supposed they were near enough to do +that, but they are in earnest. Wouldn’t it be a good +idea to reply to their hail?”</p> +<p>“It would, most undoubtedly!”</p> +<p>Putting up his glass, Captain Fred dived forward, +brought out one of the muskets, and taking deliberate +aim, fired at the approaching craft.</p> +<p>His shot was a fortunate one, too, for the cry which +instantly followed showed that some one was struck. +The others did not fire again for some time, but +seemed to concentrate all their energies and attention +upon the pursuit, which was turning more and more +every minute in their favor.</p> +<p>“I don’t see any escaping a fight,” said Fred Sanders. +“Inez says she hasn’t caught a glimpse of a sail, +and I am sure she won’t. We may as well bring our +guns here and be ready to repel boarders.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXV_WAUPARMUR' id='CHAPTER_XXXV_WAUPARMUR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2> +<h3>WAUPARMUR</h3> +</div> +<p>Oftener than we suppose does heaven interfere directly +in the affairs of men. Minutes had passed since +Sanders and Storms had agreed that no earthly occurrence +could avert a fight with the dusky demons, with +scarcely a grain of hope for escape from them, when +Inez uttered the astounding exclamation:</p> +<p>“We are gaining on them!”</p> +<p>It was inconceivable, and the two looked again to +the rear to learn the cause of her unaccountable delusion. +Five minutes later Sanders added in a husky +gasp:</p> +<p>“She is right; we are not only gaining, but we are +gaining fast.”</p> +<p>“How do you account for it?”</p> +<p>“I can’t account for it.”</p> +<p>“I can.”</p> +<p>“How?” asked the amazed youth.</p> +<p>“God interposes many times when mortals do not +see it,” said the New Englander reverently; “there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. You +have repented, and He has extended his hand to help +you.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you are right,” replied Sanders, much +impressed.</p> +<p>“I <i>know</i> I am right.”</p> +<p>“And I hope to prove worthy of such undeserved +kindness. All I ask is the opportunity.”</p> +<p>“It shall be granted you. But, humanly speaking, +there has been some accident on board that craft +yonder.”</p> +<p>“It must be that; as a sailor, you know any one of +a half dozen things would be sufficient to throw them +out of the race. A ripping of the sail, a fracture of +the mast, the breaking of the steering gear, or some +sudden quarrel would do the trick. Sufficient for us +is it to know that it has been done.”</p> +<p>“God helps them that helps themselves,” added +Storms, “and we must improve to the utmost the +chance thrown in our way.”</p> +<p>Naturally the fear of the two was that their pursuers +might repair the accident which was throwing +them to the rear for the time, and regain what was +lost. They steadily fell behind, and, as soon as invisible, +the proa made an abrupt change in her course, +with the view of defeating the calamity that they +feared threatened them. When this had lasted for an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +hour, another change was effected, with the result, as +Sanders announced, that they were now heading +directly for Wauparmur.</p> +<p>The eyes peering backward through the vivid moonlight +failed to bring the dreaded craft to view, and it +was not yet midnight when Sanders announced the +thrilling fact that the twinkling lights, which appeared +in front like a constellation in the horizon, +were made by the dwellings in the native South Sea +town of Wauparmur. All danger was past, and about +an hour later the proa glided in among the shipping in +that excellent harbor, made fast to the wharf, and the +three disembarked.</p> +<p>Fred led the way to a house of entertainment near +the harbor, in which he found good lodging for his +friends.</p> +<p>Abram Storms carried all the precious pearls to his +room and carefully secured the door, after which he +threw himself upon the bed and slept as soundly as an +infant.</p> +<p>Inez Hawthorne, in the solitude of her apartment, +devoutly thanked her Heavenly Father for His care, +and then she, too, slept the sleep of exhaustion and +perfect health.</p> +<p>It was near noon on the succeeding day when both +rose and found Fred Sanders awaiting them. The +young man had not slept at all, and was uneasy.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></div> +<p>“It won’t do to stay here another night,” said he, in +explanation, as soon as the meal was concluded.</p> +<p>“I am sure we have no wish to do so,” replied +Storms. “But wherein lies the particular peril?”</p> +<p>“That whole crew of the double canoe are scattered +through town, and they only await the chance to kill +us. They will find the chance, too, to-night, if we +remain here.”</p> +<p>“But what is the prospect of getting away?”</p> +<p>“I was in despair nearly all the forenoon; but a +little while ago I came upon a schooner which sails +for San Francisco at three o’clock this afternoon. I +have engaged passage on it for us three, for you know +I go with you.”</p> +<p>“How can we ever repay you for your kindness?” +said Inez, her lustrous eyes speaking eloquently her +gratitude to the youth.</p> +<p>“There’s no service on earth that I can render you +which will compare with what you have done for me,” +was the reply of Captain Fred, whose manner showed +his sincerity. Inez Hawthorne did not understand +what all this meant, but the speaker ventured upon no +explanation at the time.</p> +<p>As the three were about to start upon a long voyage, +it was decided that some indispensable articles should +be procured, and, since they had little spare time at +command, the three set out immediately after dinner.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span></div> +<p>Wauparmur, as we have already intimated, is a +town numbering several hundreds––perhaps more +than a thousand––in population. Among these are +a number of foreign shopkeepers, whose places are +close along shore, so as to be the more readily accessible +to their customers, who are almost exclusively +confined to those on board the vessels which stop at the +island.</p> +<p>Back from the town the land rises into hills, and +the settlement becomes straggling and scattered. In +these portions it is composed entirely of rude huts and +cabins, in which none but natives live, and they are a +bad lot.</p> +<p>It was from among those who lived in the “suburbs” +that the wretches were gathered with which to attempt +to capture and murder the little party of Europeans +for the sake of the invaluable pearls they had in their +possession.</p> +<p>Fred Sanders shuddered when he thought of the +risk he and his friends ran by going straight to the +inn and taking quarters for the night, for these miscreants +must, after all, have reached Wauparmur only +a few hours after the proa, and the wonder was that +they did not manage to slay the fugitives in their +beds.</p> +<p>The first thing Fred did in the morning was to slip +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +out and buy a revolver, and his second act was to +load it.</p> +<p>While engaged in hunting a vessel upon which to +take passage, he encountered his own acquaintances +continually, and he needed not their black faces and +scowling eyes to tell how they thirsted to kill him +for his treachery. It was only by his bold front and +constant watchfulness that he kept the dusky demons +at a distance. Some of them were seen when the three +ventured out, and though the pirates dared not attack +them in open daylight, they were on the verge of doing +so more than once. But their fury was directed principally +against Captain Fred Sanders, and there can +be no doubt the youth spoke the truth when he declared +that if he attempted to stay on land until morning, +he would not live till midnight.</p> +<p>Mr. Storms laid in a good supply of clothing, shoes +and knick-knacks for himself and Inez, and with as +little delay as possible. When they reached the wharf +and approached the plank leading to the deck of the +schooner, Mr. Storms noticed a small man standing a +few feet off, with a blanket drawn up about his +shoulders and neck like an Indian. His legs, feet and +head were bare, but a huge bandage was bound around +his forehead, giving him a grotesque appearance.</p> +<p>His position was like a statue, and he held the +blanket so high that little could be seen except his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +black, glittering eyes. Some distance off, on the street +close to the shop-houses, was a group of other natives, +who looked as if they were expecting some important +event.</p> +<p>So they were, indeed!</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVI_HOMEWARD_BOUND' id='CHAPTER_XXXVI_HOMEWARD_BOUND'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2> +<h3>HOMEWARD BOUND</h3> +</div> +<p>“Storms, do you notice that fellow?” asked Fred +Sanders, as they approached the plank.</p> +<p>“Yes; it looks odd to see him standing there so motionless, +and yet with his eyes fixed upon us.”</p> +<p>“He’s Weroo, the man who led that gang of pirates +last night, and he hates me with such a consuming +hate that he sent out his men to kill me, and in case +they fail to do so, he has stationed himself there with +the determination to assassinate me, for he is ready +to run any risk rather than allow me to get away.”</p> +<p>“Are you prepared?” asked Storms, with no little +anxiety.</p> +<p>“I rather guess so! Walk ahead with Inez and +leave him to me.”</p> +<p>With some hesitation, Storms did as requested, +though he placed his hand on his revolver, so as to +be ready for any emergency, the crew of the <i>Albatross</i>, +who were busying themselves around, seeming to hold +no suspicion of the situation.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span></div> +<p>Just as Captain Fred put his foot on the plank, the +islander took a short step forward, like a panther +gathering himself for the leap upon its victim. At +that very instant, as if by intuition, Captain Fred +turned about and leveled his revolver at the muffled +figure, which paused. Every one who was looking on +supposed, of course, the boy was going to fire, but, +though his finger pressed the trigger, he did not discharge +his weapon. With the pistol pointed straight +at the savage, Fred slowly backed up the plank, keeping +his foe covered until he himself was on the deck +of the schooner.</p> +<p>The barbarian seemed paralyzed. After taking the +slight step forward, he paused and stood motionless, +staring and transfixed, until his victim was beyond his +reach. Then, without a word or exclamation, he +turned about, and strode away to where his infuriated +and discomfited comrades were watching him with not +the slightest doubt he would prevent the escape of the +white boy. Within the succeeding hour the <i>Albatross</i> +was standing down the bay, with all sail spread; and +her long voyage to distant California was begun.</p> +<p>Ah, that journey from the South Seas across the +equator and northward into the stern climate of the +Temperate Zone!</p> +<p>Not one of those who participated in it can forget +it to his dying day. They had many hours of fierce, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span> +wild weather, in which the <i>Albatross</i> was more than +once in danger, but Captain Hardy was a good sailor, +he had a good crew, and he safely rode through it all.</p> +<p>Then came those delightful nights which seem peculiar +to the Pacific, when the moonlight takes on a +witchery of its own, and the calm sea becomes like an +enchanted lake as the vessel glides over it.</p> +<p>Captain Hardy was a kind man as well as a skilful +sailor, and, since he received a most liberal price for +the passage of the three persons who joined him at +Wauparmur, the best treatment was given them.</p> +<p>It was on this homeward voyage that Captain Fred +Sanders told to Mate Storms and Inez Hawthorne the +story of his life, the main points of which have +already been hinted to the reader. He ran away from +his home in San Francisco when but a mere boy, +scarcely ten years old. He was led into all sorts of +evil, and was so deeply implicated in a fierce mutiny +that, as we have said, he would have been strung up +at the yard-arm, excepting for his extreme youth.</p> +<p>He then joined a trading vessel in the South Seas, +but the crew were attacked and massacred by a band +of pirates, and he was taken off a prisoner. These +pirates belonged to the Wauparmur settlement, and +they were so pleased with the bravery displayed by the +boy that they adopted him among them. There was +something in the life which was attractive to the wild +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span> +American lad, and he embraced it eagerly, and spent +five years among them. His bravery, skill, and natural +“smartness,” advanced him rapidly along the line +of promotion, until, while yet a boy, he became an +acknowledged leader.</p> +<p>Captain Fred spent a portion of his time in the +settlement, where he showed his good sense, in one +respect at least, by picking up all the education he +could from the instructors who were to be found there. +He succeeded well––which will explain the intelligence +he displayed in this respect while conversing +with his friends.</p> +<p>He confessed all this, and said further that his +mother died before he ran away, and he had no idea +where his father was; but, if he were alive, the son +determined to find him, no matter where he might be +on the broad earth. Now that his conscience had +been awakened, his affection came back with it, and +his great fear was that he would not see his parent +alive.</p> +<p>It was a source of never-ending wonder to Fred +Sanders how it was he could have been so wicked a +lad, and how it was that his moral sense could have +been so totally eclipsed for years. The gentle, winning +words of Inez Hawthorne had first aroused his +conscience, until finally it would not allow him to rest +until he had made his peace with it.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVII_CONCLUSION' id='CHAPTER_XXXVII_CONCLUSION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2> +<h3>CONCLUSION</h3> +</div> +<p>Many a long hour did the two––Fred and Inez––spend +in talking together of the past and their future. +They were as brother and sister to each other, and +their prospects were discussed as if it were fixed that +they should never lose sight of each other again.</p> +<p>It was on this voyage, too, that Abram Storms disclosed +the plan of action he had decided upon.</p> +<p>“The pearls which I have in my possession I shall +dispose of in San Francisco––or at least a portion of +them. Those which were my share, according to the +original agreement, I shall keep. The single pearl, +which will doubtless bring a large price in New York, +is the property of Inez, and shall be devoted to her +benefit. I intend to place her in a school and make +a systematic effort to trace her parentage. The pearls +left by Captain Bergen go to you, Fred.”</p> +<p>But here occurred the first stumbling-block. Fred +Sanders refused pointedly, but firmly, to accept a +single one of them. He declared he had no claim +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +upon any one of that little party, and he would not +suffer himself to be dissuaded from his position.</p> +<p>He was yet young, vigorous and ambitious, and +with the help of heaven he would carve out his own +fortune. Seeing it was useless to argue the question, +Storms fell back upon the original intention of Captain +Bergen, which was to devote the greater portion +of his wealth to charity.</p> +<p>In due time, the <i>Albatross</i> glided through the +Golden Gate, and our friends found themselves in +San Francisco, whose streets all had trod years before.</p> +<p>The first thing Storms did after establishing Inez +in pleasant quarters was to hunt up the mother of +Captain Bergen, and he prosecuted his search with a +heavy heart, bearing the bad news which he did. He +was relieved to find that she had been dead fully two +years, and the nearest relative of the captain remaining +was his cousin, who was in such affluent circumstances +that Storms decided not to give him any portion +of the wealth left by the deceased captain.</p> +<p>While Abe Storms was engaged upon his duty, +young Fred Sanders was busy.</p> +<p>Although he had revealed a great deal of his past +life, there remained one great secret, which he had +reserved as a final surprise, especially to Inez Hawthorne, +who, as yet, had not formed the slightest idea +of what was coming. And what this secret was, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +the particulars of not one but two astounding discoveries, +we will now proceed to relate.</p> +<p>The grim old sailor, Captain Strathmore, of the +steamer <i>Polynesia</i>, has made many voyages between +San Francisco and the Imperial Japanese city of +Tokio since we last saw him, more than three years +ago. There is little change, however, in his appearance, +and the same kindly heart, tempered in the furnace +of affliction and sorrow, throbs beneath his rough +exterior. There are few officers holding such a responsible +position as he who are greater favorites with +the multitudes that go down to the sea in ships, and he +promises to perform many valuable years of service +to his employers, who appreciate the sterling worth of +the brave, noble man.</p> +<p>The steamer has been at the dock several days, and +soon is to leave for her long voyage across the Pacific. +The captain is sitting in his cabin, reading and writing +some letters. By-and-by he lays down his pen, +and wheeling his chair around, gives utterance to his +thoughts, as he has grown in the habit of doing of late.</p> +<p>“I shall keep in harness till I die, for idleness would +take me off in a short time. I have striven to do my +duty to God and my fellow-man––and though much +sorrow has come to me, yet I shall never murmur nor +complain, when I see so much around me and know +that no race and no place in society is exempt from it.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span></div> +<p>“Years ago I placed away my beloved wife in the +distant New England hills, and then when the fair +bud which she left behind blossomed, that, too, was +gathered by the angels and I was left alone.</p> +<p>“The darling son upon whom I centered all my +hopes was a wild, wayward boy, and he left my roof +and has never come back again. Whether he is +or is not, I cannot tell, but I fear that, if he still +treads the earth, he is sowing the wind and will reap +the whirlwind. I have striven to forget that I was +ever afflicted in being the parent of such a child. But +alas, the roots of affection are planted so deep that it +is hard to withdraw them.</p> +<p>“Then there came to me a second Inez, and I loved +her as I did the first. Just as she nestled around my +heart, she was taken away in the most surprising manner. +I believed then that I should see and clasp her +again in my arms. But the years have come and +gone, and still she comes not to me. Ah! could I but +hear the music of that voice––could I but feel those +dimpled arms about my neck as I used to do–––Helloa!”</p> +<p>Just then Fred Sanders walked briskly into the +cabin, doffed his hat, made a bow, laughed and said:</p> +<p>“Helloa, pop! how are you?”</p> +<p>Captain Strathmore gasped, stared and replied:</p> +<p>“No––no––no––Fred. Is that you, my own boy?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span></div> +<p>And Fred laughed, and then, with tears in his eyes, +leaped forward and threw his arms about the old captain’s +neck and cried like a child, while the parent, +fondly caressing him, cried too, and for a minute +neither could speak an intelligible word.</p> +<p>“Pop,” finally said the youth, raising his head and +sitting upon the strong knee, “I have been a bad boy. +I have brought trouble to you, but I have come thousands +of miles to ask your forgiveness and to try to +cheer your declining years.”</p> +<p>“What are you talking about declining years for, +you young rascal? I never was so strong and hearty +in my life. You have made me twenty years younger! +Ah, if your mother could but see this! But she is +smiling in heaven over it, and so is our darling Inez, +who joined her long ago. God be thanked! my boy is +dead but is alive again!”</p> +<p>And, laughing and crying, they shook hands, and +talked and talked.</p> +<p>“Tell me everything that has befallen you, my dear +son.”</p> +<p>And Fred did so, as we have already told the +reader, adding that he never so far forgot himself as +to dishonor his father by bearing his name. He was +known everywhere as Frederic Sanders, whereas his +full name was Frederic Sanders Strathmore––which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +he was now proud to assume, and which, with God’s +help, he meant to honor.</p> +<p>They sat a long time in loving converse, and, +finally, Captain Strathmore told the story of Inez +Hawthorne, who came to and went from him in such +an extraordinary manner, and for whom he sighed +and longed as he had for his own child, taken from +him years before.</p> +<p>Fred smiled in an odd way, while this story was +being told, and then asked his father to walk down to +the Occidental Hotel with him.</p> +<p>“I have some very particular business,” he added, +“and will take it as a great favor if you will so so.”</p> +<p>“Of course I will,” responded the cheery old captain, +springing to his feet. “I will walk if I can, but +I feel more like flying; and if there’s any more good +news, I’ll set up a dancing and yelling carnival.”</p> +<p>“Well, there is good news awaiting you, so you had +better get ready to put on the brakes.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean, Fred?”</p> +<p>“Wait, and you will see.”</p> +<p>A few minutes later there was a gentle tap on the +door of Inez Hawthorne’s room at the Occidental. +She was busy sewing, and she called out in a somewhat +startled voice:</p> +<p>“Come in!”</p> +<p>Fred Strathmore threw the door wide open, and, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +taking hold of his father’s arm, gave him such a vigorous +shove that he was forced several steps into the +apartment before he could stop himself.</p> +<p>He caught sight of a beautiful, scared face, which +stared with something like terror at him for a moment; +and then there was a scream, and she made one +bound forward.</p> +<p>“Oh, father, father! my own dear father! I am so +glad!”</p> +<p>Again the arms were about the neck of the weather-beaten +sea-dog; again the kisses were showered upon +his bronzed face; again his own lost Inez was in his +arms.</p> +<p>Poor Captain Strathmore broke down completely. +Instead of shouting and dancing, as he threatened to +do, he sat in his chair, and, with Inez on his knee, +overrunning with joy, delight and supreme happiness, +he could do nothing but cry, cry, cry, and murmur +his gratitude and thankfulness.</p> +<p>But, after a time, he did recover himself; and then +he became aware for the first time, as did the others, +that a fourth party was present. This was Mate +Storms, who suspected the situation before he was introduced +to the happy captain of the <i>Polynesia</i>. +Since they all had such an extraordinary story to relate, +the captain had an equally remarkable one to tell +them.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span></div> +<p>The persistent and never-ending investigation +which he set on foot concerning the lost Inez had resulted, +not in finding her, but in unearthing her entire +history.</p> +<p>She was a native of the city of New York, and her +father died there before she was a year old. A former +suitor of her mother, angered because she would not +become his wife, even after her husband was deceased, +resorted to the atrocious revenge of stealing Inez +when she was but an infant, and he hastened across +the continent with her.</p> +<p>When he had kept her there a brief time, he sought +to open negotiations with the mother, with a view +of delivering back her child on condition that the parent +should become his wife; but he was shocked to +learn that the poor, heartbroken mother had died +from grief, and the child was upon his hands.</p> +<p>This man finally married a woman in San Francisco, +but neither of them could ever feel any affection +for the little girl (whom, however, they treated quite +fairly), and the wife insisted that she should be gotten +rid of in some way. Through some whim or other, the +abductor had always called her by her right name––Inez +Hawthorne––and, seeing some mention of it in +the newspapers, he resorted to the means which we +described, at the opening of this story, for ridding +himself forever of her.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span></div> +<p>As soon as Inez was safely placed on the steamer, +this wicked couple disappeared, and no further trace +of them could be found. Captain Strathmore, who +was anxious to punish them, believed they had left the +country. Inez, therefore, was an orphan, and while +a gentle sadness filled her affectionate heart––as she +heard the particulars of her own history for the first +time, and reflected upon that poor, heartbroken +mother, who had gone to her rest long ago––she could +not feel any poignant grief, for her memory of the +lost one was too shadowy and faint. But she had +found a home and friends for life.</p> +<p>Abram Storms explained that he had met three +English gentlemen who were making a tour of the +world in a large steam yacht; and, since they possessed +abundant means, and were very social, he had +shown them the pearls in his possession and offered to +dispose of them all. They were delighted with the +specimens, and especially with the enormous one belonging +to Inez. They offered twenty-five thousand +dollars for the single one, and just one hundred thousand +for the rest. This was less than Storms had +counted upon––and doubtless less than he could have +secured by consulting leading lapidaries in other parts +of the world––but he was inclined to end the transaction +by accepting it, and he asked the advice of his +friends. After fully discussing the matter, it was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span> +agreed to close with the offer, and the exchange was +completed that afternoon, and the money belonging to +Inez was placed in the bank the next morning.</p> +<p>Since Storms was anxious to return to his home, +and since there was no call for his remaining longer in +San Francisco, it was arranged that Inez should enter +an excellent school in the Golden Gate City, where +she should spend several years, while Captain Strathmore +was to act as her guardian until she should +attain her legal majority. The captain’s position enabled +him to find a berth under him for Fred on the +steamer <i>Polynesia</i>, and the boy sailed with him on the +next voyage to Tokio, and on many a subsequent one.</p> +<p>Abe Storms is as poor as he was before he made his +voyage to the South Seas, for, having dedicated the +wealth left by Captain Bergen to charitable purposes, +he felt it his duty to do the same with his own, and, +since he has no one besides himself dependent upon +him, he is not troubled by fears of not being able to +make a comfortable living.</p> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>THE END</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad01.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad02.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad03.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad04.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad05.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad06.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad07.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad08.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad09.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad10.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad11.jpg' /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='ad page' src='images/illus-ad12.jpg' /> +</div> + +<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: ppg0809 --> +<!-- timestamp: Mon Aug 10 21:07:35 -0600 2009 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Adrift on the Pacific, by Edward S. 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Ellis + +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: Adrift on the Pacific + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 11, 2009 [EBook #29667] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC + +A Boys Story of the Sea and its Perils + +By EDWARD S. ELLIS + +Author of + +"The Young Pioneers," "Fighting to Win," "Adrift in the Wilds," +"The Boy Patriot," Etc. + +A. L. BURT COMPANY; PUBLISHERS + +NEW YORK + + + + +Copyright, 1911 + +By A. L. BURT COMPANY + +Adrift on the Pacific + + + + +ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC + +CHAPTER I + +CAPTAIN STRATHMORE'S PASSENGER + + +A few hours before the sailing of the steamer _Polynesia_, from San +Francisco to Japan, and while Captain Strathmore stood on deck +watching the bustle and hurry, he was approached by a nervous, +well-dressed gentleman, who was leading a little girl by the hand. + +"I wish you to take a passenger to Tokio for me, Captain Strathmore," +said the stranger. + +The honest, bluff old captain, although tender of the feelings of +others, never forgot the dignity and respect due to his position, and, +looking sternly at the stranger, said: + +"You should know, sir, that it is the purser and not the captain whom +you should see." + +"I have seen him, and cannot make a satisfactory arrangement." + +"And that is no reason, sir, why you should approach me." + +The captain was about moving away, when the stranger placed his hand +on his arm, and said, in a hurried, anxious voice: + +"It is not I who wish to go--it is this little girl. It is a case of +life and death; she must go! You, as captain, can take her in your own +cabin, and no one will be inconvenienced." + +For the first time Captain Strathmore looked down at the little girl, +who was staring around her with the wondering curiosity of childhood. + +She was apparently about six years of age, and the picture of +infantile innocence and loveliness. She was dressed with good taste, +her little feet being incased in Cinderella-like slippers, while the +pretty stockings and dress set off the figure to perfection. She wore +a fashionable straw hat, with a gay ribbon, and indeed looked like a +child of wealthy parents, who had let her out for a little jaunt along +some shady avenue. + +When Captain Strathmore looked down upon this sweet child, a great +pang went through his heart, for she was the picture of the little +girl that once called him father. + +Her mother died while little Inez was an infant, and, as soon as the +cherished one could dispense with the care of a nurse, she joined her +father, the captain, and henceforth was not separated from him. She +was always on ship or steamer, sharing his room and becoming the pet +of every one who met her, no less from her loveliness than from her +childish, winning ways. + +But there came one awful dark day, away out in the Pacific, when the +sweet voice was hushed forever, and the rugged old captain was bowed +by a grief such as that which smites the mountain-oak to the earth. + +The little girl who now looked up in the face of Captain Strathmore +was the image of Inez, who years before had sunk to the bottom of the +sea, carrying with her all the sunshine, music and loveliness that +cheered her father's heart. With an impulse he could not resist, the +captain reached out his arms and the little stranger instantly ran +into them. Then she was lifted up, and the captain kissed her, +saying: + +"You look so much like the little girl I buried at sea that I could +not help kissing you." + +The child was not afraid of him, for her fairy-like fingers began +playing with the grizzled whiskers, while the honest blue eyes of the +old sailor grew dim and misty for the moment. + +The gentleman who had brought the child to the steamer saw that this +was a favorable time for him to urge his plea. + +"That is the little girl whom I wished to send to Tokio by you." + +"Have you no friend or acquaintance on board in whose care you can +place her?" + +"I do not know a soul." + +"Is she any relative of yours?" + +"She is my niece. Her father and mother are missionaries in Japan, and +have been notified of her coming on this steamer." + +"If that were so, why then were not preparations made for sending her +in the care of some one, instead of waiting until the last minute, and +then rushing down here and making application in such an irregular +manner?" + +"Her uncle, the brother of my wife, expected to make the voyage with +her, and came to San Francisco for that purpose. He was taken +dangerously ill at the hotel, and when I reached there, a few hours +ago, he was dead, and my niece was in the care of the landlord's +family. My wife, who is out yonder in a carriage, had prepared to +accompany me East to-morrow. Her brother had made no arrangements for +taking the little one on the steamer, so I was forced into this +unusual application." + +While the gentleman was making this explanation, the captain was +holding the child in his arms, and admiring the beautiful countenance +and loveliness of face and manner. + +"She does look exactly like my poor little Inez," was his thought, as +he gently placed her on her feet again. + +"If we take her to Japan, what then?" + +"Her parents will be in Tokio, waiting for her. You, as captain, have +the right, which no one would dare question, of taking her into your +cabin with you, and I will compensate you in any manner you may +wish." + +"What is her name?" asked Captain Strathmore. + +"Inez." + +"She shall go," said the sailor, in a husky voice. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE CAPTAIN AND INEZ + + +The steamer _Polynesia_ was steaming swiftly across the Pacific, in +the direction of Japan--bravely plunging out into the mightiest +expanse of water which spans the globe, and heading for the port that +loomed up from the ocean almost ten thousand miles away. + +Although but a few days out, little Inez had become the pet of the +whole ship. She was full of high spirits, bounding health--a laughing, +merry sprite, who made every portion of the steamer her home, and who +was welcome wherever she went. + +To the bronzed and rugged Captain Strathmore she was such a reminder +of his own lost Inez that she became a second daughter to him, and +something like a pang stirred his heart when he reflected upon his +arrival at his destination and his parting from the little one. + +Inez, as nearly as the captain could gather, had been living for +several years with her uncle and aunt in San Francisco, from which +port her parents had sailed a considerable time before. The stranger +gave a very common name as his own--George Smith--and said he would +await the return of the _Polynesia_ with great anxiety, in order to +learn the particulars of the arrival of his niece in Japan. + +However, the captain did not allow his mind to be annoyed by any +speculations as to the past of the little girl; but he could not avoid +a strong yearning which was growing in his heart that something would +turn up--something possibly in the shape of a social revolution or +earthquake--that would place the little girl in his possession again. + +And yet he trembled as he muttered the wish. + +"How long would I keep her? I had such a girl once--her very +counterpart--the sweet Inez, my own; and yet she is gone, and who +shall say how long this one shall be mine?" + +The weather remained all that could be wished for a number of days +after steaming out of the Golden Gate. It was in the month of +September, when a mild, dreamy languor seemed to rest upon everything, +and the passage across the Pacific was like one long-continued dream +of the Orient--excepting, perhaps, when the cyclone or hurricane, +roused from its sleep, swept over the deep with a fury such as strews +the shores with wrecks and the bottom with multitudes of bodies. + +What more beautiful than a moonlight night on the Pacific? + +The _Polynesia_ was plowing the vast waste of waters which separates +the two worlds, bearing upon her decks and in her cabins passengers +from the four quarters of the globe. + +They came from, and were going to, every portion of the wide world. +Some were speeding toward their homes in Asia or Africa or the islands +of the sea; and others living in Europe or America, or the remote +corners of the earth, would finally return, after wandering over +strange places, seeing singular sights, and treading in the footsteps +of the armies who had gone before them in the dim ages of the past. + +Now and then the great ship rose from some mighty swell, and then, +settling down, drove ahead, cleaving the calm water and leaving a wide +wake of foam behind. The black smoke poured out of the broad funnels, +and sifted upward through the scant rigging, and was dissipated in the +clear air above. The throbbing of the engine made its pulsations felt +through the ponderous craft from stem to stern, as a giant breathes +more powerfully when gathering his energy for the final effort of the +race. A few drifting clouds moved along the sky, while, now and then, +a starlike point of light, far away against the horizon, showed where +some other caravansary of the sea was moving toward its destination, +thousands of leagues away. + +Although Captain Strathmore was on duty, and it was against the rules +for any passenger to approach or address him, yet there was one who +was unrestrained by rules or regulations, no matter how sternly they +were enforced in other cases. + +The captain was standing on the bridge, when he felt some one tugging +at his coat, and he looked down. + +There was Inez demanding his attention. + +"Take me up, pop," said she. + +"Bless your heart!" laughed the captain as he obeyed the little +empress; "you would ruin the discipline of a man-of-war in a month." + +While speaking, he perched her on his shoulder, as was a favorite +custom with him. + +The day had been unusually warm, and the night was so mild that the +steady breeze made by the motion of the steamer was scarcely +sufficient to keep one cool. Little Inez had thrown aside her hat with +the setting of the sun, and now her wealth of golden hair streamed and +fluttered in fleecy masses about her shoulders. + +The steamer was plowing straight to the westward, cutting the waves so +keenly that a thin parabola of water continually curved over in front +of her from the knife-like prow. + +Perched aloft on the shoulder of the captain, Inez naturally gazed +ahead, and the figure was a striking one of innocence and infancy +peering forward through the mists and clouds toward the unknown +future. But Inez was too young to have any such poetical thoughts, +and the captain was too practical to be troubled by "aesthetic +meditations." + +He chatted with her about their arrival in Japan, saying that she +would be glad to see no more of him, when she replied: + +"If you talk that way, I'll cry. You must go home and live with us. +Uncle Con says papa has a big dog, and if we haven't room in the +house, you can sleep with him, and I'll feed you each morning--oh, +look!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +AN ACCIDENT + + +That which arrested the attention of the little girl in the arms of +Captain Strathmore, was a sight--unique, rare and impressively +beautiful. + +All around the steamer stretched the vast Pacific, melting away into +darkness, with here and there a star-like twinkle, showing where some +ship was moving over the waste of waters. Overhead, the sky was clear, +with a few stars faintly gleaming, while the round, full moon, for +whose rising so many on the steamer had been watching, had just come +up, its disk looking unusually large, as it always does when so close +to the horizon. + +Just when the moon was half above the ocean, and when the narrowing +path of the illumination stretched from the ship to the outer edge of +the world, a vessel under full sail slowly passed over the face of the +moon. + +The partial eclipse was so singular that it arrested the attention of +Inez, who uttered the exclamation we have recorded. It was seen by +nearly all the passengers, too, most of whom were looking toward the +horizon for the rising of the orb, and expressions of delight were +heard from every quarter, for such a sight, we say, is rare. + +When observed by the passengers on board the _Polynesia_, the moon had +barely cleared the horizon, as we have stated, and the top of the +mainmast just reached the uppermost portion of the periphery, while +spars, rigging and hull were marked against the yellow disk as +distinctly as if painted in India ink. + +Such an obscuration, like a total one of the sun, could last but a few +seconds, for the _Polynesia_ and the other ship were moving in +opposite directions, while the moon itself was creeping upward toward +the zenith. Slowly the black ship glided toward its destination--hull, +masts and rigging gradually mingled with the gloom beyond, until the +moon, as if shaking off the eclipse, mounted upward with its face +unmarred, excepting by the peculiar figures stamped there when it was +first launched into space. + +When the wonderful exhibition was over there were murmurs of +admiration from the passengers, who, grouped here and there, or +promenading back and forth, had stood spellbound, as may be said, +while it was in progress. + +Captain Strathmore and two of his officers had seen the same thing +once or twice before, but they had been favored in this respect above +others, and could hardly expect anything of the kind again. + +The captain now prepared for an interesting and novel ceremony, which +he had announced would take place that evening by moonlight. + +Descending to the deck, and approaching the stern, where the expectant +passengers had gathered together, the group were silent a minute, +while he stood among them holding little Inez by the hand. A few +minutes later the purser came aft, carrying a parcel in his hand, +which he carefully placed upon the taffrail. Then he spoke in a +sepulchral voice. + +"Ladies and gentlemen, we all have lost minutes and hours, but it is +seldom that we deliberately throw away a day. But we are to do so now. +We are about to bury a day. To-day is the Twentieth, to-morrow will be +the Twenty-second, and where, then, is the Twenty-first? There it +lies" (pointing to the parcel on the taffrail). "Life is short enough, +without deliberately casting an entire day into the sea; but there is +the consolation of knowing, on your return, that it shall be restored +to you, and thus beautifully does nature preserve the equilibrium +throughout the world. What more fitting than that the day should be +buried by the hands of one whose life is as spotless as the snow upon +the peaks of the Sierras we have left behind us?" + +All now uncovered their heads--that is, the gentlemen did--and the +captain advanced, leading Inez Hawthorne by the hand. Holding her up a +short distance from the deck, she called out: + +"Good-by, Twenty-first of September!" + +She repeated the words correctly, for the captain whispered them in +her ear, and as she spoke she gave the parcel a slight shove, and +overboard it went, striking the water with a splash, and instantly +sinking out of sight. The package was nothing but some old iron, +wrapped about with coarse brown paper. + +The ceremony of burying a day, as the reader knows, is a common, and +it may be said, a necessary, one with vessels sailing westward over +the Pacific, as the picking up of a day is necessary on the return. At +first sight it seems incongruous, but it is in fact the only way in +which the reckoning of time can be kept correctly. + +The little ceremony naturally caused the matter itself to become one +of discussion, and probably a goodly number of young ladies and +gentlemen picked up more knowledge of the matter than they had ever +dreamed of before. + +Two curious things happened within a half hour of this novel +ceremony. + +The _Polynesia_ was driving along with that steady motion in which the +throbbing of the vessel can only be detected by carefully standing +still and watching for it, when every passenger, and especially the +captain and his officers, suddenly felt an alarming jar, which shook +the steamer from stem to stern. It was noticed that the engine +instantly stopped and the enormous ship gradually came to rest upon +the long, heaving swell of the Pacific. + +In a few minutes it was ascertained that the steamer had broken the +shaft of her propeller, thus rendering the all-important screw +useless. This necessitated the hoisting of her sails, and a monotonous +voyage to her destination, a return to San Francisco, or a long +deviation to Honolulu for repairs. + +While the necessary investigation was going on, a sail had been +sighted bearing down upon them, and in half an hour it came-to, a +short distance off, in the hope of being able to afford some +assistance--as the sight of a steamer lying motionless on the water +meant that something was amiss. + +This new craft was the schooner _Coral_, a stanchly-built, sharp-bowed +little vessel of forty tons burden, built for the Honolulu trade. She +was about seven years old, very fast, and constructed as strongly as +iron and wood could make her. The forecastle, cook's quarters and +cabin were all under deck, so that in heavy weather there was no +danger of being washed from one's bunk whenever a big sea came +thundering over the rail. + +The skipper or captain of this trim little craft was Jack Bergen, of +Boston, and he with his mate, Abram Storms, had made the trip across +the continent by rail to San Francisco--thus saving the long, +dangerous and expensive voyage around Cape Horn. + +In the Golden Gate City they--for the mate and captain were joint +partners--bought the _Coral_ at auction, paying just two-thirds the +sum they expected to give for the vessel they needed. However, when +she was fitted up and provisioned, they found very little of their +funds left, and they could but feel some anxiety as to the result of +the extraordinary enterprise upon which they were engaged. The crew of +the little schooner consisted of the two sailors, Hyde Brazzier, +Alfredo Redvignez, and a huge African, Pomp Cooper, who shipped as +cook and steward, with the liability of being called upon to do duty +in an emergency. + +But of these, more hereafter. + +Captain Bergen, after his craft came-to, was rowed across the short, +intervening distance with his mate, and they were assisted upon deck, +where they were received most courteously. + +"Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked after he and his +brother officer were received by Captain Strathmore. + +"I'm obliged to you, but I'm afraid not," was the courteous response. +"You know, there's no way of telling when a piece of iron is going to +fracture, and so there is no way of providing against such an +accident." + +"Is the shaft broke?" + +"Yes; broken clean off." + +"Where?" + +The captain of the steamer smiled, for he saw no need of such a +question, since he considered the damage irremediable. + +"Quite a distance from the screw, and it's a curious fracture. Would +you like to look at it?" + +"I would, indeed. You see, we have got considerable out of our +course--being too far west--and we shall make a pretty sharp turn to +the south, toward Honolulu." + +"I am debating whether to go there, turn back to San Francisco, or +keep on under sail to Tokio." + +"This is my mate, Abram Storms, from Enfield, Connecticut," said +Captain Bergen, introducing the two. "I bring him along because he is +the most ingenious man ever turned out by that home of ingenuity; and +when I saw that something was the matter with you, I came alongside, +more because I believed he could help you, than in the expectation +that I could be of any service." + +"Captain Bergen does me too much honor," protested the stoop-shouldered +New Englander, who, had there been more of daylight, would have been +seen to blush under the compliment. + +"I have no doubt he speaks the truth," replied Captain Strathmore, +leading the way below to where the broken shaft rested motionless; +"but this trouble is too much like a broken neck for any surgery to +help." + +A minute later, a group of half a dozen stood about and stooped over +the broken shaft, and examined it by the aid of lanterns, the chief +engineer showing a more courteous spirit than is usual under such +circumstances. + +As one looked at the huge cylinder of solid iron, gleaming with a +silvery whiteness all over the jagged face where it had been twisted +off, the wonder was how it could be possible for any force to be +tremendous enough to do such damage. The peculiarity about the +breakage, however, was that, instead of snapping nearly squarely off, +the fracture extended longitudinally for fully eighteen inches, so +that the face of each part was a great deal broader and longer than is +generally the case in such accidents. + +The group surveyed it a minute or two in silence, stooping down and +feeling of the innumerable jagged protuberances, the indentations, and +the exceedingly rough surface, the minute particles gleaming in the +lamp-light like a mass of silver ore split apart. + +The first remark came from the New Englander, Abe Storms. + +"That is curious, for there are no signs of crystallization, nor can I +detect a flaw." + +"Nevertheless, it must be there, for perfect iron would not have +broken in that manner," said the chief engineer. + +"I beg your pardon," said the mate, courteously, "but it frequently +happens. There has been some peculiar combination of the movement of +the steamer on the swell of the sea, with the position of the screw at +that moment--a convergence of a hundred conditions--some almost +infinitesimal, but necessary, and which convergence is not likely to +take place in a million revolutions of the screw--that has brought an +irresistible strain upon the shaft--one that would have wrenched it +off, had the diameter been twice what it is." + +The group looked wonderingly at the speaker, for every intelligent man +felt that the theory of the New Englander had a stratum of truth +beneath it. It was hard to make clear what the mate meant, but all to +a certain extent understood, and no one ventured to gainsay it. + +"However," added Abe Storms, "there's one good thing about this; it +will be easy to mend it." + +Captain Bergen smiled, for he expected something of the kind, and he +knew that that wonderful Yankee mate of his never boasted, and would +demonstrate every assertion he made. But the others stared at the +speaker with something like consternation, and seemed to be debating +whether he was crazy or a natural born idiot. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MISSING + + +"Mend a broken shaft?" repeated the chief engineer, in amazement. "How +do you expect to do that?" + +"I will show you," replied the mate of the little schooner, who +immediately proceeded to business. + +The first thing he asked for was several coils of wire, which were +immediately furnished him. Then, with great labor, the two parts of +the shaft were fitted together and the wire was twisted tightly around +the fractured portion over and over again. + +As the tenacity of iron is tremendous, the shaft was securely +fastened, but this was not enough. Ropes and chains were bound around +the iron in turn, until there was really no room to bandage the broken +shaft further. + +"There, sir!" exclaimed Storms, as he stepped back and viewed his +work. "That is as secure as before, though, if you can possibly do so, +you should avoid reversing the screw until you reach Tokio, for you +can understand that to reverse and start will wrench the shaft to a +dangerous degree." + +The captain now told the engineer, who had been assisting in the +operation, to start the engine slowly and with great care. + +Captain Bergen ran on deck to see that the _Coral_ was in position to +receive no harm from the forward motion, while the rest of the group +watched the movements with intense interest, standing away from the +shaft so as to escape the "splinters," that more than one thought +might be flying about their heads the next minute. + +There came the sound of steam, of plunging rods and cylinders from +ahead, then there was heard a furious splash at the stern, and all saw +that the shaft in its entirety was revolving. + +The keen eyes of Abe Storms, who had leaned directly over his +handiwork, lamp in hand, his nose almost touching the gleaming chains, +detected the very yielding which he had prophesied. He heard the +creaking of the chains, the faint gasping, as it may be called, of the +rope, and the soft grinding of the fine wire beneath. + +All this showed what an enormous strain was brought upon them, and +almost any other person detecting the rasping of the ragged edges of +iron against each other would have started back appalled, believing +that everything was about to fly apart. But it was precisely what the +mate expected, and what was inevitable under the circumstances. Then, +at his request, the engineer was ordered to put on a full head of +steam, and the _Polynesia_ plowed forward, cleaving the water before +her. + +Abe Storms knelt down and bent almost lovingly over the round mass +revolving on its axis. Then he beckoned to the engineer to approach +and do the same. He obeyed, as did several others, and placing their +ears close, they listened intently to the revolution of the shaft. + +Not even the faintest noise could be detected to show that there was +anything but a normal movement of the shaft. Every one saw, too, that +the revolutions were not only going on regularly, but would continue +so for an indefinite time. The shaft was practically whole again, with +the exception that a reverse movement would be likely to undo +everything, and by scraping the corrugated surfaces of the fractures, +render it impossible to do anything of the kind again. + +Captain Strathmore and his officers stood for a full hour more +steadily watching the revolving shaft, and at the end of that time +they were satisfied. Then the new acquaintances saluted and bade each +other good-by, the officers of the _Coral_ passing over the rail, and +were rowed back to their own vessel, which had followed in the wake of +the steamer, as may be said. + +By this time it was midnight, and the captain returned to his +station on the bridge, reflecting to himself that some of the most +insurmountable difficulties, apparently, are overcome by the simplest +means, and that there are some persons in the world who really +seem capable of inventing anything. + +The hour was so late that all the passengers had retired, and little +Inez, as a matter of course, had become invisible long before. She had +declared several times that she was going to sit up with the captain, +and she tried it, but, like most children under such circumstances, +she dropped off into slumber by the time it was fairly dark, and was +carried below to the cabin. + +The child was like so much sunshine flitting hither and thither upon +the steamer, and whose presence would be sorely missed when the hour +came for her to go. But Captain Strathmore was a disciplinarian, who +could never forget his duty, and he remained at his post until the +time came for him to go below to gain the few hours' sleep which +cannot be safely dispensed with by any one, no matter how rugged his +frame. + +Tumbling into his berth, he stretched out with a sigh of comfort, and +went to sleep. + +"Inez will be in here bright and early to wake me," was his +conclusion, as he closed his eyes in slumber. + +But he was disappointed, for when he was called from his couch, it was +not by the little one whom he expected to see. At the breakfast-table +she did not appear, and then Captain Strathmore, fearing that she was +ill, made inquiries. He heard nothing, and filled with a growing +alarm, he instituted a thorough search of the vessel from stem to +stern and high and low. Not a spot or corner was omitted where a cat +could have been concealed, but she was not found. + +And then the startling truth was established that little Inez +Hawthorne was not on board the steamer. + +"Oh!" groaned poor Captain Strathmore, "she became my own child! Now I +have lost her a second time!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE NEW PASSENGER + + +Captain Strathmore rewarded Abe Storms liberally for the service he +had rendered them, and the mate and captain of the schooner, as we +have said, were rowed back to the boat by Hyde Brazzier. + +Reaching the deck of the _Coral_, they watched the progress of the +great steamer until she vanished from sight in the moonlight, and then +the two friends went into the cabin to "study the chart," as they +expressed it. + +It may be said that this had been the principal business of the two +since leaving the States, though the statement is not strictly +correct. The hum of conversation went on for hours; the night +gradually wore away, but still the two men sat talking in low tones, +and looking at the roll of paper spread out between them, and which +was covered with numerous curious drawings. The theme must have been +an absorbing one, since it banished all thought of the passage of time +from their minds. + +"I tell you," said the captain, as he leaned back in his chair, "there +isn't the remotest doubt that a colossal fortune is awaiting us, and +unless some extraordinary accident intervenes, we shall gather it +up." + +"So it would seem," replied the mate, with a weary look, "and yet I +sometimes feel certain that it will never be ours--Good gracious!" + +The two men almost leaped out of their chairs, and their hair fairly +rose on end. They were absolutely certain that no one else was in the +cabin besides themselves. Redvignez was at the wheel, and Brazzier +awaited his call in turn at the end of the watch. But just then both +heard a rustling, and saw a movement in the berth of Captain Bergen, +which showed something was there. It couldn't be a dog or cat, for +there was nothing of the kind on board. Besides which, just then, the +two men caught sight of the little white hand which clearly belonged +to some one of their own species. Then the covering was thrown back; a +mass of tangled golden hair was observed, and instantly after, the +fair face of a young child peered wonderingly out, as if seeking to +learn where she was. + +Of course the little one was Inez Hawthorne, though neither of the two +men had ever seen or heard of her before, and it is, therefore, idle +to attempt to picture their overwhelming astonishment when they +became aware so suddenly of her presence in the cabin. + +Neither of the two men was superstitious; but there was good excuse +for their being wonder-struck. If an individual in the middle of a +desert should suddenly become aware of the appearance of a strange +person at his elbow, a situation apparently in which he could only be +placed by supernatural means, it would be a very mild word to say he +would be surprised. + +Flinging the coverlet from her shoulders and throwing back her mass of +rich golden hair, Inez assumed the sitting position, with her dimpled +legs swinging over the side, and her little hands resting on the rail, +as if to steady herself during the long swells of the sea, while she +looked at the two men as if trying to recollect where she was and who +they were. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything that was ever heard or read of +before!" exclaimed the captain, turning about and staring at her. +"Where in the name of the seven wonders did you come from?" + +Abe Storms, the mate, did not speak, but seemed to be waiting to see +whether the child had a voice, and thus settle the question in his +mind as to whether it was mortal or not. + +The problem was quickly solved, for Inez was never backward in +asserting her individuality. + +"How did I come here? That's a great question to ask! I got tired and +lay down to sleep, and have just woke up. I think this is a real nice +boat. Are you the captain? My name is Inez Hawthorne--what is yours?" + +These questions, uttered with childish rapidity and ingenuousness, +threw some light upon the apparent mystery. + +"She belongs to the steamer," said Abe Storms, with his eyes fixed +wonderingly upon her. "She has managed to get in our boat in some way, +and we have carried her off. Did you ever see anything so pretty?" + +As the reader has learned, there was good cause for this admiring +question. Both of the men were bachelors, but they possessed natural +refinement, and they could reverence the innocence and loveliness of +childhood. With the discovery that she was an actual human being, the +awe-struck wonder of the two men vanished, though their curiosity was +great to learn how it was she was carried away from the steamer. + +"Won't you come here and talk with me?" asked Storms, reaching out his +arms invitingly, but a little doubtful whether she would respond, +though the stoop-shouldered inventor was always popular with children. +The answer of Inez was a sudden spring, which landed her plump into +the lap of the mate, while she flung her arms around his neck with a +merry laugh, and then wheeled about on his knee, so that she could +look in the face of either of the men, who, not unnaturally, felt a +strange and strong attraction toward the beautiful child. + +Then the two began a series of questions that were answered in the +characteristic fashion of childhood, but from which the friends +succeeded in extracting something like a clear explanation of her +presence on board the _Coral_--so many miles from the steamer on which +she had set sail at San Francisco. + +They learned that Inez--who was such a pet on the _Polynesia_ that she +was allowed to do as she chose--was invited by one of the crew to +visit the _Coral_, while she lay so close to the disabled steamer. The +one who gave this invitation was Hyde Brazzier, and he was struck with +the wonderful loveliness of the child, when she questioned him about +the schooner. + +There is no nature, however steeped in crime, in which there is not a +divine spark which may be fanned into a flame--which, perchance, may +illumine the whole soul; and but for the subsequent strange events, +little Inez Hawthorne might have proved, in the most literal sense, a +heaven-sent messenger upon that craft, which carried so much +wickedness in the forecastle. + +Brazzier rowed the short intervening distance, and then took the child +by the hand and showed her through the schooner, there being little to +exhibit. Finally she was led into the cabin, where she said she was +tired and wished to lie down. Thereupon Brazzier lifted her upon the +captain's berth and drew the coverlet over her. A minute later the +weary eyes closed in slumber and he left the cabin. + +Brazzier had no intention, up to this time, of using any deception in +the matter; but, under the persuasion of Redvignez, he gave way to the +innate wickedness of his nature, and chuckled over the lamentable +occurrence. They felt pleasure in the certainty that what they were +doing was sure to make other hearts ache. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +"PORT YOUR HELM!" + + +When a thorough search of the steamer _Polynesia_ made known the truth +that little Inez Hawthorne was nowhere upon it, the sorrowful +conclusion was that she had fallen overboard in some manner and been +drowned. + +But the belief was scarcely formed, when the discovery was made that +such was not the case; that in fact she had been taken away by the +schooner _Coral_, whose mate performed such good service in mending +the broken shaft of the _Polynesia_. + +The story as told Captain Strathmore was as follows: + +The two officers of the schooner were rowed to the steamer by one of +the crew, who climbed up the ladder at the side of the _Polynesia_, +and spent a few minutes in inspecting the broken shaft. He then came +back. His attention was attracted to little Inez, whose childish +curiosity was excited by the appearance of a stranger who had but one +eye, and who looked so different from the trim-looking members of the +steamer's crew. The two fell into conversation, and Inez asked so many +questions about the schooner that the stranger invited her to take a +look at it. He was heard to say that the captain and mate would be +engaged for two or three hours, and there would be plenty of time to +row the child over the intervening distance, explore the _Coral_, and +come back before Captain Bergen and his mate would be ready to leave. + +Naturally, Inez gladly accepted the invitation, and the sinister-looking +man, picking her up, carefully descended the ladder to his small boat, +and rowed away to the schooner. + +This story, it will be observed, corresponded with that told by +Brazzier himself. + +No one thought anything of the proceeding, which was one of the most +natural in the world, and there was nothing to arouse misgiving on the +part of those who witnessed it. + +Inez was almost a spoiled child from the indulgence shown her by every +one with whom she came in contact. She distrusted no one, because she +had never had any reason to do so. It was night when the officers of +the schooner were rowed back, and those who had seen Inez taken away +did not observe that the boat returned without her. Holding no thought +of anything wrong, they gave no further attention to the strange +sailor. + +The moment Captain Strathmore learned these facts, he caused an abrupt +change to be made in the course of the _Polynesia_. For he was +determined that no effort should be spared to recover the lost child, +who had so endeared herself to every one on board the steamer. + +The precise point where the accident had befallen the shaft was +recorded on the log, as a matter of course, and it was within the +power of the chief officer to return wonderfully close to that spot. +If the schooner _Coral_ should remain anywhere in that latitude and +longitude, she could be found and Inez recovered. + +"But it is not likely the schooner is near there," reflected Captain +Strathmore, as he swept the horizon with his glass and failed to catch +sight of a sail. "They could not have taken away the child ignorantly, +and instead of remaining there or attempting to find us, the captain +has headed in some direction which is not the one he named, as if by +accident, when he was aboard." + +The captain was in that mood that it would have been dangerous for him +to come upon the daring thieves. He could conceive of no explanation +that would relieve them from his wrath, and as the steamer described +a huge curve in the sea and headed toward the point where he hoped to +gain sight of the sail, full steam was put on, and she ran at a rate +of speed which, in the condition of her shaft, was certainly dangerous +to a high degree. + +It may be said there was not a heart on board the _Polynesia_ that did +not share in the general anxiety, and there was scarcely an eye that +did not scan the broad ocean again and again in the hope of catching +sight of the schooner. + +Several sails were descried in the course of the day, but not one was +that of the _Coral_, and when the night descended not only had there +been a complete failure, but the captain was convinced that it was +useless for him to delay the steamer by hunting further. + +With an angry and sad heart he gave over the search, and the +_Polynesia_ was headed once more toward the far-off imperial Japanese +city of Tokio. + +"I would give a thousand dollars to know what it all means," said +Captain Strathmore, as he stood on the bridge debating the matter with +himself. "There is something about the whole business which I don't +understand. In the first place, Inez came under my charge in an +extraordinary way. I don't believe that that man who brought her down +to the wharf told the truth, and I very much doubt whether the parents +of the little one have ever been in Japan. She may have been stolen +from some one, and this means has been resorted to in order to get her +out of the way. I wish I had questioned her more closely," continued +the perplexed captain, following up the train of thought, "for she let +drop an expression or two now and then that showed she had some +remembrances which it would have been interesting to call up. It's too +late now," added the old sailor, with a sigh, "and probably I shall +never see her again. She had nestled down into that spot in my heart +which was left vacant many weary years ago, when my own Inez died and +my only boy became as one dead, and there is no sacrifice I would not +make would it but bring this one back to me. It is curious, but the +feeling is strong upon me that somewhere at some time we shall meet +again." + +"Port your helm!" + +This was the startling order which the quartermaster sent to the +wheel-house at that moment, and which was obeyed with as much +promptness as is possible on such a gigantic craft as an ocean +steamer. + +The night, for a rarity, was dark and misty, a peculiar fog resting +upon the water, and shutting out the view in every direction. It would +seem that there could be little danger of a collision on the broad +bosom of the mightiest ocean of the globe, but there must always be a +certain ratio of danger, and none realized this more than Captain +Strathmore. + +The _Polynesia_ had been running at half speed ever since the sun went +down, and her whistle blew at irregular intervals. At the moment the +startling order was communicated to the man at the wheel, the lights +of another steamer were discerned directly ahead. And these were +scarcely observed when the mountainous hull loomed up to view in +appalling proximity, and a cold shudder ran through every officer and +sailor at the sight, for there was just a single second or two when it +seemed certain that the two crafts would come together with an +earthquake shock and such an irresistible momentum as would crash the +two prodigious hulls to splinters, and send the crews and passengers +to join the multitudes who have gone before them to the bottom of the +sea. + +Signals and commands were rapidly exchanged, and the slight +misunderstanding which existed between the two steamers at first was +quickly removed. The shouts and orders, the tinkling of the engineer's +bell, and even the sound of hurrying feet, were heard on one ship as +distinctly as on the other. + +Most fortunately the officers of each were sensible men, who enforced +discipline, and who, therefore, did not lose their heads when sudden +peril came upon them. + +There was desperate need of haste on the part of all, but the haste +was intelligent, and something was accomplished. + +The stranger instantly reversed her screw, while the _Polynesia_ was +equally prompt in her backward movement. They escaped by a chance so +narrow that it was terrifying. The bow of the _Polynesia_ grazed the +side of the stranger as they passed upon their diagonal courses, and +every one on the two ships who understood the dreadful peril drew a +deep breath and uttered a prayer of thankfulness when it swept by, and +the two steamers vanished from each other's sight in the misty +darkness. + +The engineer of the _Polynesia_ was signaled to go forward again, and +the screw was started; but, if the one who uttered the order had +forgotten the contingency against which they had been warned, the one +who executed that order had not, and he gave the engine just enough +steam to start the shaft. + +As he did so, listening intently the meanwhile, he heard an ominous +crunching, grinding and jarring in the after hold, and he knew too +well what it meant. He instantly shut off steam, and with the captain +hastened to make the investigation. As they feared, the broken shaft +had been wrenched apart again, and it looked as if it were injured +beyond repair. + +But what man has done, man can do, and the ingenious recourse of Abe +Storms was resorted to again. With great care the fractured pieces +were reunited and bound, but the task was, in reality, harder than +before, since the terrific grinding and wrenching to which it had been +subjected broke off much of the corrugated surface. + +The work was completed after many long hours of hard work, and once +more the _Polynesia_ started slowly under steam for the strange +island-empire of Asia. This unexpected delay, as the reader will see, +doubtless had much to do with the failure of the schooner to find the +steamer, since it threw out all possibility of calculating where the +larger craft could be. + +"Now, if we have no more vessels trying to run into us," muttered the +captain, as he resumed his place on the bridge, "we stand a chance of +reaching Japan after all, without calling on our sails to help us." + +But, standing at his post, with everything going well, his thoughts +naturally reverted to the strange mischance by which little Inez +Hawthorne was lost to him. + +"I don't believe Captain Bergen or his mate, Abe Storms, would +knowingly take off the child in that fashion, though the girl was +enough to tempt any one to steal her. There is something about the +whole business which I don't understand. We ought to have found each +other, though, if he is still hunting for me. This second breakage of +the shaft will tend to keep us apart." + +The long voyage of the steamer to Japan terminated without any +incident worth the recording, and Captain Strathmore naturally became +anxious to meet the parents of Inez, though sorrowing very much over +the story he would be forced to tell them. But no one appeared at +Tokio to claim the child, and the wondering captain proceeded to make +inquiries. + +It was easy to obtain from the church authorities a list of the names +of the Christian missionaries in Japan, and they were scanned +carefully by the captain, who was given such assistance by the +officials themselves that there could be no mistake. Among them was no +one by the name of Hawthorne. It was plain then that deception had +been used when the man in San Francisco declared that the parents of +Inez were missionaries in Japan. + +As day after day passed and the steamer _Polynesia_ was gradually +prepared for her return voyage to California, there was one strong, +harrowing conviction which forced itself upon the distressed captain: + +"Had Inez not been stolen from the steamer, no one would have come to +claim her, and she would have been mine." + +His heart thrilled at the thought of how close he had come to +obtaining such a priceless prize for his possession, and then he +added, as if to cheer himself: + +"Never mind; the earth is far and wide. She is alive somewhere upon +its face, and at some time, at heaven's own pleasure, she and I shall +meet again." + +Brave and rugged Captain Strathmore! Was the spirit of prophecy upon +you when you muttered the cheering words? + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE REASON WHY THE VOYAGE WAS UNDERTAKEN + + +At this point it is necessary that the reader should be made +acquainted with what has been only hinted up to this point. We mean +the reason why it was that the little schooner _Coral_, under the +charge of Captain Bergen and Abram Storms, the mate, was on the +Pacific Ocean, voyaging toward the South Seas. + +The skipper was fond of telling the strange story, and the mate heard +it many times, as repeated to him one stormy night, around the roaring +fire of Captain Bergen's hearthstone in New England. It ran thus: + +"You see, Abe, I was going down Washington Street, in Boston, one day, +when I came upon a drunken sailor, who was suffering a terrible +beating at the hands of a couple of land-sharks, that were were +evidently determined to rob him, if they had not already done so. + +"It r'iled my blood to see such scandalous proceedings going on, and I +sailed in. + +"Then I helped pick up Jack tar, and he was taken to the hospital, +where his wounds were found to be of a dangerous nature. His +assailants were so badly hurt that they went to the hospital, and when +they came out they were shifted to the penitentiary, where they're +likely to stay for a good many years to come. + +"Having taken the part of Bill Grebbens, as he told me his name was, I +called at the hospital to see him every day, for I wasn't busy just +then. The poor fellow was very grateful for the service I had done +him, though sad to say I was too late. + +"Bill had been on such a terrible spree that his system wasn't in +condition to resist disease, and before long it was plain he was going +to make a die of it. He was a plucky fellow, and when the doctor told +him he had to go, he didn't weaken. + +"Just before he died, he took me by the hand, and told me he hadn't a +living relative in the world, nor one who had been such a friend to +him as I had proved to be. By that time my own eyes were getting +misty, and I begged him to say nothing about it. + +"I told him I would see that he had a decent burial, and would attend +to anything he wanted me to do. He said there wasn't anything, for it +could make no difference to him what became of his body after his +death, and for his part he would as lief the doctors should have it. + +"However, he took this paper from under his pillow and showed it to +me, and told me all about it. I thought at first his mind was +wandering, but I soon saw that his head was level, and he knew what he +was talking about." + +The paper which Captain Bergen produced at this point of his narrative +was covered with some well-executed drawings, which, having been done +by the sailor himself, showed that he was a man of education. + +"Those dots there represent the King George Islands of the South +Pacific, lying in about fifteen degrees south latitude and one hundred +and forty-three degrees west longitude. To the north here is Mendina +Archipelago, and here to the east are the Paumotu Islands, sometimes +known as the Pearl Islands. There are a good many of them, and away to +the northeast of the group is another island, which, although much the +larger on the map, is really a small coral island, with a lagoon, and +so unimportant that it has no name, and cannot be found on any map I +ever saw. + +"You will observe the figure and directions marked on this paper," +added Captain Bergen, who invariably became excited at this point in +his narration, "which, with his explanations, are so easily understood +that no one can go astray. + +"Well, Bill Grebbens once belonged to a party of mutineers of a +British vessel, who found it growing so hot for them that they put in +to this island, scuttled and sunk their ship, and lived there two +years. It was uninhabited, and they led a lazy, vagabond life in that +charming climate till a strange sort of sickness broke out among them +and carried off eight, leaving only Grebbens and a single shipmate. + +"These two spent several months longer in wandering about the island +looking for and yet dreading to see a sail, when one day they +discovered a bed of pearl-oysters, which they examined and found to be +of surpassing richness. The majority of the shells contained pearls, +many of them of great size, and the two men saw that an immense +fortune lay only a few fathoms under the surface. + +"They instantly set to work with great eagerness; but it is seldom +that a man obtains wealth in this world by walking over a path of +roses. + +"Within the first half-hour, a huge man-eating shark glided into the +clear water, and with one snap of his enormous jaws actually bit the +body of the other sailor in two. The horrified Grebbens managed to get +out just in time to save himself. + +"He had enough of pearl-diving, and he shudderingly turned his back +upon the spot, and began looking out to sea again for a sail, +determined now to leave, no matter if he should be carried to England +and executed. + +"He managed to set up the topmast of the wreck, and to catch the +attention of a whaler a few days later, and was taken off. Before +going, however, he made a careful drawing of the place, and by +studying other charts on the American whaler which took him away he +was able to locate the island with such correctness that he could +return to it at any time, his intention, of course, being to do so at +some period when he could go provided with means to prosecute his +search without such frightful risk. + +"But Bill never saw the time, for he was too fond of liquor when +ashore. He met his death just as I told you, and he gave me this chart +or map of the locality, telling me that a fortune lay at that point +where my finger is resting to whosoever should go after it." + +Such was the story of Captain Bergen, as he related it to his friend, +Abe Storms, to whom he proposed that they should fit out an expedition +to go to the South Seas in quest of the fortune that awaited them in +the shape of pearls. + +Abe was slower and more deliberate, but he finally fell in with the +scheme, and the two, as we have already stated, became joint partners +in the grand enterprise. + +Both were frugal men, and they now decided to invest all their funds +in the scheme, which promised to make or break them. Instead of +sailing from the port of Boston, they took an important cut "across +lots" by going by rail to San Francisco, thus saving the longest and +most dangerous portion of the voyage, which otherwise would be +necessary. In San Francisco, at a sale of bankrupt property, they +bought the schooner, which has already been described, and shipped +their crew. + +The wonder was that two men possessing the shrewdness of Storms and +Bergen should have been so deceived respecting their men. + +Hyde Brazzier was an American sailor, with blotched, bleared face, +with one eye gone, while over the sunken, sightless cavity he wore a +green patch, his face covered by a scraggly beard, and his single eye, +small and deep-set, added to the sinister expression of his +countenance. + +He had the reputation of being a good seaman, and undoubtedly he was, +and being strong and vigorous, in the prime of life, he was considered +an especially valuable man to Captain Bergen, who paid him five +dollars more per month than he expected. + +Since Captain Bergen had pursued a rather original course from the +beginning, he continued to do so. He engaged his men without any help +from the shipping-master, and had hardly reached an understanding +with the American when Alfredo Redvignez put in an appearance and +applied for a berth, saying that he had heard the best kinds of +accounts of the captain's seamanship and humanity--even in far-away +Boston. + +Redvig--so called for convenience--said that he had been employed in +the East India trade, and was a sailor of nearly twenty years' +experience. It struck both Captain Bergen and Mate Storms that, as +they were going to the tropics, he was likely to prove a useful man, +and he was engaged. + +The captain ventured to ask Brazzier's opinion of the other sailor, +but the American said he had never heard of him before--though he +liked the cut of his jib, and was glad he had been hired. But had any +one been watching the faces of the American and Spaniard, he would +have detected several suspicious signals which passed between them; +and this, added to the fact that, in a very short time, they became +intimately acquainted, as may be said, looked as if there had been +deception on that point. + +The fact was, the two had arranged the matter beforehand, so as to go +together in this business--somewhat on the same principle that their +employers entered into partnership. They were both serving under +assumed names, and were obliged to take no little precaution to keep +their identity concealed, for they were "wanted" for serious crimes in +more than one port. + +Redvig was a small, swarthy, muscular man, with coal-black, curling +hair, short, curly beard and mustache, black eyes, with an aquiline +nose, and both he and Brazzier had a fashion of wearing small gold +ear-rings. Their arms and breast were plentifully tattooed, so that +but for the great exception of their evil dispositions, they might +well have passed for good specimens of the proverbial Jack tar. + +It was different with the huge colored man, Pomp Cooper, who had been +known about the wharves of San Francisco for a number of years. He was +jolly and good-natured, possessed of prodigious strength, and had been +on shipboard enough to acquire a fair knowledge of navigating a +coasting vessel. + +While many believed he possessed the proverbial loyalty of his race, +and could not be induced to commit any grave crime, yet it must be +admitted that there were ugly rumors afloat concerning him. It was +asserted by more than one that he was a river and harbor pirate, and +belonged to one of the worst gangs that ever infested the harbor of +San Francisco. + +While Captain Bergen was not ignorant of these rumors, yet he placed +no credence in them, and believed Pomp to be one of the most valuable +men he could obtain. Such in brief was the crew of the _Coral_, when +she sailed on her long voyage to the South Seas, in quest of +pearls--the location of which had been given by the dying sailor in +the Boston hospital. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +VOYAGING SOUTHWARD + + +It was certainly very wonderful that little Inez Hawthorne should have +been transferred from the steamer to the schooner, and that many hours +should have passed before the discovery was made by the respective +captains of the craft. + +Yet such was the fact, and Captain Bergen and Mate Storms had no +sooner learned the real situation than Hyde Brazzier was sent for to +tell how it occurred. As he was the one who rowed the small boat, +there could be no doubt that he knew. The story he told was the true +one, with the exception of the supplement--that he actually forgot +about the little girl after she went into the cabin and fell asleep. + +It was impossible, it may be said, that such could be the fact, and +the officers looked knowingly at each other. They knew he was +falsifying, but they made no comment, except to declare that she must +be taken back to the steamer without an hour's delay. + +Captain Bergen learned from Inez that she had no relatives on board +the steamer, and she did not show any special distress over being +where she was. But, for all that, the honest New Englander felt that +she should be restored, and he immediately took every means for doing +so. + +His supposition was that she would be speedily missed from the +_Polynesia_, which would at once make search for the schooner. +Accordingly, the _Coral_ was headed northwest, under all sail, the sun +just rising at the time this change of course was made. + +"The steamer will go so much faster than we," said the captain, "that +there is no possibility of overhauling her, unless her shaft should +give out again." + +"There's no danger of that. More likely she'll turn about and look for +us." + +As the sun climbed the heavens, the horizon was anxiously scanned for +some point where the black column of a steamer's smokestack could be +seen staining the clear sky. Far away to the northward, a vapor was +observed, which at first was set down as the sight for which they were +searching; but it was soon learned that it was a peculiarly-formed +cloud, resting almost upon the water. + +The upper rigging and sails of possibly an American whaler were +descried a long distance to the northward, and a full-rigged ship was +detected closer in, and further to the eastward. But no sign of the +_Polynesia_ was discovered through the powerful binocular glasses +with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon. There was strong hope, in +spite of this, that she would be seen before sunset, and the _Coral_ +held to her course toward the southwest, not only for that day and +night, but for the two succeeding ones. But it is useless to dwell +upon the search made by the smaller vessel, which was without the +faintest glimmer of success. + +Captain Bergen and Mate Storms did their utmost to undo the wrong act +of their sailors, but at the end of the third day they held an anxious +consultation as to what was the right course left to pursue. They had +given up hope of meeting the _Polynesia_ except by chasing her all the +way to Japan, they having learned that Tokio was her destination. + +Should the _Coral_ follow her there, or first fulfil its own destiny +in the Paumotu Islands? This was the all-important matter to be +settled. + +When a man makes a great invention or discovery, his first dread is +that some one else will anticipate him and gather to himself all the +glory and profit. This had been a constant fear in the case of the +captain and mate of the schooner _Coral_ ever since they began their +preparations for the journey to the South Seas. It cost them a pang of +dread when, therefore, they headed the schooner about in the hunt for +the steamer, for, as will be readily understood, the apprehension of +which we have spoken intensifies the nearer one gets to the goal. + +There were other considerations which entered into the question as to +whether they should go on or turn about. Inez Hawthorne had, as might +have been expected, adapted herself to her new position as passenger +on the schooner, and ran hither and thither at will, just as she did +on the _Polynesia_, and she climbed all over the captain and mate, as +if they were Captain Strathmore and his officer, or some of the +passengers. + +She occasionally expressed a longing to see the grizzled old +sea-captain, whom she called her second, or new "papa," but there was +no one else for whom she particularly longed. Her affection was +distributed so equally and spontaneously that among several hundred it +could not be very profound. Only in the case of the brave old Captain +Strathmore was it deep and steadfast. + +It would delay the voyage to the Pearl Islands not for weeks, but for +months, to sail away to Asia, and then turn about and put back to the +southern seas, and during that interval what might not take place? +What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed would not be +devastated? + +With the plans which Abe Storms had perfected on the way from home, it +was believed that a week's time after their arrival at their +destination would be sufficient to make them enormously wealthy, and +thus the voyage which they would afterward take to Japan would be +delayed only a month or two, perhaps. Furthermore, the parents and +friends of Inez would have every reason to believe she was in safe +hands, and would soon be restored to them. All these were weighty +considerations, it must be confessed, and they decided the question. + +"We have done all that can be done," said Captain Bergen, standing at +the stern with his hand upon the wheel, while Abe Storms, thoughtfully +smoking his pipe, was at his elbow, with his arms folded and his eyes +gazing dreamily toward the western horizon, where the sun was about to +dip into the ocean. + +"I agree with you," was the reply of his mate, who was as conscientious +in everything he did as was the captain. "I consider that the chance is +as one in a thousand that we shall meet the steamer this side of +Tokio, and if we undertake to follow, we shall lose several months +of most precious time, without accomplishing any commensurate good. The +child is contented and happy here." + +As if to emphasize this assertion, the laugh of Inez was heard at that +moment as she came bounding up the steps of the cabin, and ran toward +the bow, where the giant negro, Pomp, was leaning against the +gunwale, his arms also folded, and an expression of contentment upon +his broad, shiny countenance. + +The instant he caught sight of Inez his face lighted up and his white, +even teeth were displayed with pleasure, as she ran toward him. + +It was singular, indeed, that, ever since her first awaking on board +the _Coral_, Inez had shown not a positive dislike of Redvig and +Brazzier, but what may be called a lack of friendship toward them. She +was trusting and loving to Pomp and the two officers, but it was +evident that she avoided the others. Possibly she could not have told +the reason had she tried, and it is equally possible that she was not +aware of it herself. But every one else on board saw it plainly. + +When two men in authority talk as did the captain and mate of the +schooner _Coral_, the conclusion is inevitable. The decision was made +to go on to the Paumotu Islands, after which the voyage would be made +to Japan, and, alas! that it was so. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +GROPING IN THE DARK + + +Life on board the schooner _Coral_, bound for the South Seas, now +became like one delightful dream. + +The sails, fanned by the steady trade-wind, hardly ever required +attention, since the course of the craft never varied more than a few +points for days at a time, and whoever it was at the wheel, he might +as well have lashed it fast and gone to sleep, for all the necessity +there was of keeping awake. + +There had been some elemental disturbances which required seamanship +to weather, but nothing like that usually encountered in the Atlantic. +But there came a long spell of weather, faultless in every respect, +and whose only drawback was the dread that each day would be the last +of such delight. The sun rose clear and bright, and at high noon, as +they approached the equator, it was sometimes hot, but the breeze +which continually swept the deck tempered it to the crew and +passenger. Had they been caught in a calm the heat would have been +suffocating; but Providence favored them, and they sped along like a +seagull toward their destination. There seemed to be times when the +green surface of the sea was at perfect rest; but the regular rising +and sinking of the _Coral_ showed that the bosom of the great deep was +heaving as it always does, though the long swells came only at +extended intervals. + +The water was of crystalline clearness, and, looking over the gunwale, +one could see far into the depths, where strange-looking fish were +sporting, sometimes coming to the surface and then shooting far down +beyond the reach of human vision. Now and then, too, as little Inez +leaned over the side of the vessel and peered downward, she caught +sight of something like a shadow, gliding hither and thither, +apparently without the slightest effort to keep pace with the +schooner, which was bowling along at a rapid rate. It was one of those +monstrous sharks, that will snap a man in two as quickly as if he were +but an apple, should he fall overboard. + +Not a day passed without descrying one or more sails at varying +distances, but our friends did not hail or approach any. Both Captain +Bergen and Mate Storms were in a nervous condition, and were morbidly +apprehensive of being anticipated by some one in dredging for the +invaluable pearl-oysters. They were afraid their errand would be +suspected, or they would be attacked after they should secure their +prize. + +One day, under the pretense of wanting medicine, Hyde Brazzier +suddenly appeared at the cabin door. The mate and captain were, as +usual, studying the chart, and while the mate was ransacking the +medicine chest for the drug, that single eye of the sailor secured +five minutes' sharp scrutiny of the all-important map. + +Redvignez and Brazzier were not much together, as a matter of course, +for one was in the captain's watch and the other in the mate's, but +during the long, pleasant days and nights when they were voyaging +toward the South Seas, they obtained many opportunities for +confidential talks. All this might have been in the natural order of +things on board the schooner, where the discipline was not strict, but +Abe Storms had become pretty well satisfied that harm was meant, and +mischief was brewing. He saw it in the looks and manner of these two +men, who, while they were watching others, did not suspect they were +watched in turn. + +About Pomp he was not so certain. The steward and cook seemed to be on +good terms with the two sailors, and he frequently sat with them as +they formed a little group forward, on the bright moonlight nights, +when they preferred to sit thus and smoke and spin yarns to going +below and catching slumber, when it was their privilege to do so. + +"I believe he is in with them," was the conclusion which Storms, the +mate, finally reached, after watching and listening as best he could +for several days. "They're hatching some conspiracy--most likely a +mutiny to take possession of the ship. Captain Bergen doesn't suspect +it--he is so absorbed in the pearl business; and I'll let him alone +for the present, though it may be best to give him a hint or two to +keep him on his guard." + +It never can be known what the restraining power of little Inez +Hawthorne was on board that vessel on her extraordinary voyage to the +Paumotu Islands, in the South Seas. She lived over again the same life +that was hers during the few days spent on the _Polynesia_. She ran +hither and thither, climbing into dangerous places at times, but with +such grace and command of her limbs that she never once fell or even +lost her balance. She chatted and laughed with Brazzier and Redvig, +but she preferred the others, and showed it so plainly in her manner, +that, unfortunately, the two could not avoid noticing it. + +"See here," said Captain Bergen, one evening while sitting in the +cabin with the child on his knee, "I want you to try and think hard +and answer me all the questions I ask you. Will you?" + +"Of course I will, if you don't ask too hard ones." + +"Well, I will be easy as I can. You have told me all about the big +steamer that you were on when we found you, and you said that you +lived with your Uncle Con in San Francisco, and that it was he and +your Aunt Jemima that put you on board." + +"I didn't say any such thing!" indignantly protested Inez. "I haven't +got any Aunt Jemima--it was my Aunt Letitia." + +The captain and mate smiled, for a little piece of strategy had +succeeded. They had never before got the girl to give the name of her +aunt, though she mentioned that of her uncle. But she now spoke it, +her memory refreshed by the slight teasing to which she was +subjected. + +"That's very good. I'm glad to learn that your uncle and aunt had two +such pretty names as Con and Letitia Bumblebee." + +"Ain't you ashamed of yourself?" demanded Inez, turning upon him with +flashing eyes. "I never heard of such a funny name as that." + +"I beg pardon. What, then, is their name?" + +The little head was bent and the fair brow wrinkled with thought. She +had tried the same thing before, though it must be believed that she +could not have tried very hard, or she would not have failed to +remember the name of those with whom she lived but a short time +before. But she used her brain to its utmost now, and it did not take +her long to solve the question. In a few seconds she looked up and +laughed. + +"Of course I know their name. It was Hermann, though he sometimes +called himself George Smith." + +"The other sounds German," remarked Storms, in a lower voice. "Go +ahead and get all you can from her." + +"How long did you live with them?" + +"Let me see," said Inez, as she turned her lustrous blue eyes toward +the roof of the cabin, as if she expected to read the answer there. "I +guess it was about two--three hundred years." + +She was in earnest, and Storms observed: + +"She must be a little off on that; but take another tack." + +The captain did so. + +"Do you remember living with any one excepting your Uncle George and +Aunt Letitia?" + +Inez thought hard again, and replied, after a few seconds: + +"I don't know. Sometimes he was Uncle George and sometimes Uncle Con. +We lived in the city a good while, where there were, oh, such lots of +houses! but there was a time before that when we come such a long, +long way in the cars. We rode and rode, and I guess we must have come +from the moon, for we was ten years on the road." + +"Do you remember what sort of looking place the moon was?" + +"It was just like San Francisco--that is, it was full of houses." + +The officers looked at each other with a smile, and the mate said: + +"It's plain enough what that means. She has come from New York, over +the Union Pacific, and her trip was probably the longest of her +life." + +"Do you remember your father and mother?" + +"I don't know," said Inez, with a look of perplexity on her young face +which it was not pleasant to see. "Sometimes I remember or dream of +them, before we took such a long ride on the cars. My mother used to +hold me on her lap and kiss me, and so did my father, and then there +was crying, and something dreadful happened in the house, and then I +can't remember anything more until I was on the cars." + +"It may be all right," said Captain Bergen to his mate, "for this +could occur without anything being amiss." + +"It is possible; but I have a conviction that there is something wrong +about the whole business. I believe, in short, that the person who +placed her on board the steamer _Polynesia_ had no claim upon her at +all." + +"That, in fact, the man stole her?" + +"That's it, exactly; and still further, I don't believe she has any +father or mother in Japan, and that if we had gone thither we should +have lost all the time and accomplished nothing." + +"It may be, Abe, that you are right," said the captain, who held a +great admiration for his mate, "but I must say you can build a fraud +and conspiracy on the smallest foundation of any man I ever knew. But, +Abe, you may be right, I say, and if you are, it's just as well that +we didn't go on a fool's errand to Tokio, after all." + +"The truth will soon be known, captain." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE MUTINEERS + + +A few degrees south of the equator, the schooner _Coral_ ran into a +tempest of such fury that with all the skilful seamanship of her +captain and crew, and the admirable qualities of the schooner itself, +she narrowly escaped foundering. + +There were two days when she was in such imminent peril that not an +eye was closed in slumber, excepting in the case of little Inez +Hawthorne, who felt the situation only to the extent that it compelled +her to stay close in the cabin, while the vessel pitched and tossed +from the crest of one tremendous billow, down, seemingly, into the +fathomless depths between, and then laboriously climbed the mountain +in front, with the spray and mist whirling about the deck and rigging +like millions of fine shot. But the gallant _Coral_ rode it out +safely, and the steady breeze caught her and she sped swiftly in the +direction of the Pearl Islands. + +The little girl had run hither and thither, until, tired out, she had +flung herself upon the berth in the cabin, where she was sleeping +soundly, while the captain was doing the same; Abe Storms, the mate, +being on deck at the wheel. It was yet early in the evening, and Hyde +Brazzier and Alfredo Redvignez were sitting close together, forward, +smoking their pipes and conversing in low tones. The breeze was almost +directly abeam, so that the sails carried the craft along at a rapid +rate, the water foaming and curling from the bow, while the rising and +sinking of the schooner on the enormous swells were at such long +intervals as almost to be imperceptible. As far as the eye could +extend in every direction, no glimpse of a sail or light could be +perceived, nor had any been observed through the day, which confirmed +what Bill Grebbens, the sailor in the Boston hospital, said, to the +effect that, despite the location of the Paumotu Islands, the approach +to them from the direction of California took one in a section where +the sails of commerce were rarely seen. + +The captain and mate had been consulting their chart, and had taken +their reckoning more frequently and with greater care than ever +before. The conclusion at which they arrived was that they were +already south of the northernmost island of the Paumotu group, and +were close to the Coral Island, along whose shore were to be found the +precious pearls which were to make them all, or rather the two, +wealthy. + +"It's a curious business," reflected Abe Storms, while holding the +wheel motionless. "When I consider the matter fairly, I don't see why +the expedition should not succeed. But it is so different from the +coasting business, in which the captain and I have been engaged for +years, that it is hard to believe we're going to make anything out of +it." + +He listened a minute to the murmur of the voices forward, and then he +added, pursuing the same train of thought: + +"What an extraordinary thing it is that we should have this little +girl for a passenger! Suppose we carry her back to Tokio after this +pearl hunt, and fail to find her parents?" + +He took but a minute to consider the question, when he answered: + +"It can never make any difference to Inez herself, for her sweet face +and winning ways will secure her a welcome and a home in a hundred +different places." + +While the mate was indulging in these fancies and reveries, Brazzier +and Redvignez were holding an important conference forward. + +"I'm sure we won't have much further to sail," observed the Spaniard, +with a slightly broken accent. "We're in the latitude of the +Paumotus." + +"Have you ever been there?" asked his companion. + +"No; but I know something about them, and then you had a glimpse of +the chart, which they're continually looking at, and I'm certain from +what you said that the particular spot we're after isn't far off." + +"I conclude you're right, more from the way they're acting than +anything else. I wish I could get hold of that chart." + +"What would you do?" asked Redvignez, with a significant side-glance +at his companion. + +"What would I do? Why, I wouldn't wait--that's all." + +"I don't see as it will make much difference," said the other, in the +most matter-of-fact voice, as he coolly puffed his pipe. "We might as +well take them there and make sure of the spot, before we knock them +in the head." + +Brazzier gave a contemptuous sniff and a vicious puff of his pipe, and +remarked: + +"Did you ever see two such fools, Redvig?" He continued, with mock +solemnity: "Beware of the temptations of wealth. Behold those two +specimens, who have come all the way from Boston to fish for pearls in +the Paumotu Islands. Some old sailor had the secret, and told the +captain about it, and he has told his friend, and they have formed a +partnership and hired us to go with them to dredge up the oysters." + +"What is there so foolish in all that?" asked the Spaniard, with a +grin, which showed his white teeth in the moonlight. + +"Nothing; for you or I would have done the same had we been placed in +their shoes. But we would have shown more sense than they. They +believe we do not suspect what their business is; and yet we both +understand the whole thing. Here we are within a few hours' sail of +the spot, and what's to be done?" + +The Spaniard indulged in a light laugh, and replied: + +"To think that we should consent to take twenty-five dollars a month, +while they scooped in their thousands--their millions--it strikes me +sometimes as the greatest joke I ever heard. But, Brazzier, the best +plan is for us to be good boys, and go on to the island and help take +up the pearls; for then we shall be sure of the right spot, and there +shall be no mistake; whereas, if we should take possession now, we +might miss the place, even with the help of the chart." + +"I don't know but what you're right, Redvig, though it galls me to +wait. You know a lot of us took charge of the _Spitfire_, and set the +captain and first-mate adrift, off Valparaiso. You were in favor of +waiting, and it was well if we had done so, for we came nearer +running our necks into the halter that time than we ever did since, +and there wasn't anything aboard the old hulk that was worth the +saving." + +"But what about Pomp?" asked Redvig, in a half-whisper, and with an +accent which showed that he considered the question of the highest +importance. "Is he all right?" + +"You needn't have any fear about him. I had a long talk with him last +night, and we shook hands on the question." + +The negro was an important factor in this business, for, a giant in +stature and strength, whichever side he precipitated himself and his +prowess upon was sure to win--judging from the ordinary human +standpoint. + +Pomp, as we have hinted further back, was not an African with a +perfectly clear record. The rumors about his belonging to a gang of +river pirates in San Francisco were correct, and he had been engaged +in some deeds which were of a character that the law puts the severest +ban upon. He was known to be daring, and possessed such prodigious +power, united to activity, that, beyond a doubt, if he were placed +upon an even footing, he could have conquered the captain, mate and +the two sailors, without any special effort upon his own part. + +The importance of his declaring himself can therefore be understood. +He was a far better man than either of the two Caucasians, who +hesitated about approaching him. As it had to be done, however, the +matter was skilfully broached, after they had left San Francisco and +were sailing southward. + +It was agreed by the two mutineers that, if the negro held off, he was +to be gotten rid of by some treachery, though it was such a serious +matter that they hesitated long as to how it could be safely +accomplished. To their surprise and delight, however, Pomp listened +eagerly to the project and expressed his willingness to go into it, +though he insisted there should be no murdering done, as he was not +base enough at heart to wish the death of either of the officers. + +Brazzier consented; but in doing so he deceived the negro. A mutiny, +such as he contemplated, could never be carried to a successful +conclusion without disposing finally and forever of the two officers +themselves. If they should be spared, the mutineers would never be +safe. But Pomp was misled from the first, because it was believed he +could be won over before the time came to strike the blow. Redvignez +set himself very skilfully to do so, for Pomp was ignorant and +exceedingly greedy for wealth. Redvignez began by telling him of a +large number of fictitious mutinies, in which the mutineers had made +their fortunes and lived happy and respected afterwards, and the +narrator made certain to impress upon the African the fact that the +job was rendered a perfect one by following out the proverb that dead +men tell no tales. Then he incidentally mentioned others in which the +mutineers came to grief, all from the fact that they allowed +themselves to be controlled by a foolish sentiment of mercy. The evil +seed thus sown did not fail to take root and bring forth its fruit, +just as the sower intended. + +These little incidents were multiplied, and by-and-by Pomp was told +that there was but one way in which to secure the enormous riches that +lay in the little bay in the South Seas, awaiting their coming, and +that was by making themselves complete masters of the situation. The +negro could not mistake the meaning of this, and, after a feeble +opposition, he gave his assent, and said he would help carry out the +terrible programme, as it had been arranged from the first. + +It was certainly very curious how the coming of little Inez Hawthorne +upon the ship threatened for awhile to disarrange every plan; but so +it was. There was a time when the better nature of the two evil men +asserted itself, and they began to consider the question in the light +of their awakened consciences; but these divine monitors were only +roused into temporary wakefulness and speedily dropped asleep again. +The manifest distrust which Inez showed toward them seemed to fill +their hearts with the most atrocious feelings, and neither of them +would have hesitated to fling her overboard, had the opportunity been +given. Incredible as it may seem, it is the fact that they would have +preferred to do so, being restrained by the simple question of policy. +They saw that Pomp had grown very fond of her, and any such action on +their part might alienate him--a catastrophe which they were anxious +to avert above everything else. + +"You say he shook hands with you upon it?" repeated Redvignez. "What +does all that mean?" + +"It means that he is with us heart and soul. He sees the necessity of +putting the captain and mate out of the way, and he will help do it." + +"But what about the little girl--the viper?" + +"It was a bad thing for us, Redvig, when we played that little trick, +for I have been ready to despair more than once, but the remedy is so +simple that I wonder we have not thought of it before." + +"How is that?" + +"We will spare her, for Pomp gave me to understand that on no other +conditions would he go into it. She will be a pleasant playmate for +him, and will help keep him true to us. She is so young and +simple-hearted that we can make her believe that some accident has +befallen the other two, by which they came to their death, so there +will be no danger from anything she ever can tell. When we have +gathered in all the pearls we will set sail for South America. At +Valparaiso or some of the ports we will place the girl in some convent +or school, with enough money to take care of her, and then we will +land at another port, sell the schooner, divide up the proceeds and +separate, each taking a different route home, if we choose to go +there, and then all we'll have to do, Redvig, is to enjoy the wealth +which shall be ours." + +"How much do you think it will be?" asked the Spaniard, with sparkling +eyes. + +"There is no telling," was the reply. "I hardly dare think, but I know +it runs into the hundreds of thousands, and it is not at all +impossible that it touches the millions." + +Redvignez drew a deep breath and his heart gave a great throb, as +would be the case with the most phlegmatic being who contemplated the +near possession of such vast wealth. Visions of the wild round of +dissipation and excesses in which they would indulge came up before +the two evil men, and it was no wonder that they were impatient for +the hour to come when they should strike the blow for the prize. Like +the officers, they were so full of the scheme that they had no desire +to sleep; and while the figure of Mr. Storms was visible at the wheel, +and the _Coral_ sped on to the southward over the calm, moonlit sea, +these two men talked about and agreed upon the particulars of the +frightful crime which had been in their hearts, as may be said, from +the moment they hoisted sail and passed out of San Francisco harbor. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CAPTAIN BERGEN MAKES TWO IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES + + +Before the faintest streak of light appeared in the eastern horizon, +Captain Bergen was awake and in the rigging, with the binocular +glasses in his hand. + +The most careful computation showed they were in latitude about 19 +south and longitude 140 west. They had passed to the eastward of the +Mendina Archipelago, catching a glimpse of one of the islands, where +the mate proposed they should touch and obtain some supplies. But the +captain was too eager to push ahead, and Grebbens had told him that +one peculiarity about the little island which was their destination +was that it contained fresh water, with some tropical fruit, while +there could be no difficulty in catching all the fish they wished. + +Since the island was altogether uninhabited, and very rarely +visited, it would have been a good thing for the party could the +suggestion of the mate have been carried out. But it was the +conviction of Captain Bergen that they would not spend more than +two weeks at the fishery--if such it might be called--and, under +the circumstances, it cannot be said he was imprudent. Steadying +himself with one arm about the mast, the captain stood firmly in his +elevated position, and, as the sun came slowly up and the golden +radiance spread over the sky and sea, he swept the arch of the +horizon to the south, east and west, straining his keen vision for the +first sight of the eagerly-wished-for land. + +"Water, water," he murmured, despondingly. "Water everywhere, and no +sight of the haven! Hello!" + +His heart gave a great bound, for, just in the edge of the horizon--at +the very point where ocean and sky met--he saw a dark substance, like +a fleecy vapor, no bigger than a man's hand. + +"It may be a cloud," said the captain to himself, as he carefully +scrutinized it, "and it may be land; and, by the great horn spoon, it +is land! Land ho!" + +"Where away?" called back Storms, from below, quite confident what the +answer would be. + +"Two points on the weather-bow." + +The mate headed toward the point indicated, and then silence reigned +for awhile on board, excepting in the case of Inez, who bounded up on +deck, and was here, there and everywhere. + +The captain was left to himself, for Abe Storms knew he would come +down and report as soon as he had anything definite; and, in the +nature of things, he could know nothing positive for a considerable +time to come. + +As the _Coral_ sped forward--sometimes on the long, sloping crest of +an immense swell, and then again in the valley between--the captain +saw and thought of nothing else but the little island ahead, which was +slowly rising out of the ocean. He had discovered that it was circular +in shape, quite small, and fringed with vegetation. This corresponded, +in a general way, with the description given by the sailor in the +hospital; but there are hundreds of other islands in the South Seas to +which the same description will apply, and it was not impossible that +the _Coral_ was many a long league astray. + +"When I was on the island, ten years ago," said Grebbens, "I found +remains of a ship that had been wrecked there but a short time before. +There was a portion of the mast, which we managed to erect by scooping +a deep hole in the beach and then packing the sand about the base. On +the top of this we kept our signal of distress flying, in the hope of +catching the notice of some passing vessel, as was the case after a +long while. It was my jacket which fluttered from the top of that +mast, and the old garment has been blown away long ago; but I don't +know any reason why the pole itself shouldn't be standing, and if it +is, you will find it on the right of the entrance to the lagoon." + +The island, it will be understood, was an atoll--that is, a circular +fringe of coral, with a lagoon of the sea inside which was entered +through a comparatively narrow passage from the ocean. The atoll to +which the old sailor referred was extensive enough to furnish fresh +water and fruit, while at the entrance, and in other places, there was +a sufficient depth of sand to afford secure "anchorage" for the pole +which they erected. Peering through the spy-glass, Captain Bergen +could see the white line where the sea beat against the coral shores +and was rolled back again in foam. And while he was gazing, his +practiced eye detected a gap in the line of breakers--that is, a spot +where the white foam did not show itself. This must necessarily be the +opening through which the ocean flowed into the lagoon within the +island. Since it met with no opposition, it swept inward with a +smooth, grand sweep, which proved that the water was deep and without +any obstruction. + +"Suppose he deceived me?" + +Captain Bergen asked himself the question while he was scanning the +island. + +It was the first time the thought suggested that maybe the sailor, +dying in the Boston hospital, had told him an untruth, and such a +shuddering, overwhelming feeling of disappointment came over the poor +fellow at that moment that he grew dizzy and sick at heart, and came +nigh losing his balance. + +"No, it cannot be," he repeated, rallying himself, with a great +effort. "I have a better opinion of human nature than that." + +His glasses were still pointed in the direction of the island, and he +was peering with an intensity that was painful at the spot where the +dark break in the foamy breakers showed the entrance to the atoll, +when he detected a black, needle-like column which rose from the beach +at one side of the entrance. It was so thin that he could not make +sure it was not some trick of his straining vision, and in doubt as to +its reality, he relieved his aching eye by removing the glass for a +moment and looking down on the deck beneath him. + +He saw Redvignez and Brazzier standing at the bow, also gazing toward +the island, which was plainly visible from the deck. They occasionally +spoke, but their tones were so low that no word could be distinguished +by any ears excepting those for which they were intended. Mr. Storms +was at his post, and as Pomp and Inez were invisible, the conclusion +was inevitable that they were in the cabin, whence issued the +appetizing odor of cooking fish, and where no doubt the young lady +was receiving the attention which she expected as her right. + +At this instant a peculiar experience came to the captain of the yacht +_Coral_. A slight flaw in the breeze, which was bearing the vessel +forward, caused the sails to flap, and must have made a sort of funnel +of one of them for the moment; or rather, as may be said, it made a +temporary whispering gallery of the deck and rigging of the craft. And +being such, it bore the following ominous words to Captain Bergen, +uttered, as they were, by Hyde Brazzier in a most guarded undertone: + +"We shall be the two richest men in America!" + +Captain Bergen was in that state of intense nervous sensibility in +which his perceptions were unnaturally acute, and he felt, on the +instant the words struck his ear, that they had a frightful meaning. + +The two continued their cautious conference, but the sail favored +acoustics no longer, and the listener did not catch another syllable. + +"They mean to kill Abe and me," he said to himself, "and run away with +the pearls. If they had determined to be honest men, and we had +secured any particular amount of wealth, they would have been rewarded +liberally. Forewarned is forearmed." + +Captain Bergen was a brave man, and there was no fear of his +displaying any shrinking in the crisis which was evidently close at +hand. + +Once more he raised the glass to his eye and gazed toward the inlet of +the atoll. During the few minutes that he had spent in looking down +upon the deck and listening, the schooner had made good speed, and the +island was less than a half mile distant. When the instrument was +pointed toward the place, he saw clearly and unmistakably the figure +of the mast standing beside the inlet, where it had been placed years +before by Grebbens and his companions. + +This, then, was Pearl Island, as the New Englanders had named it; and +here it was that the bed of pearl oysters of fabulous richness was to +be found. + +Something like a feeling of depression came over the captain when he +realized that the land of promise had risen on his vision at last. For +days, weeks and months this had been the one absorbing theme of his +mind. He had dreamed of it until he was almost, if not quite, a +monomaniac, and he had built air-castles until the whole sky of his +vision was filled with gorgeous structures. And it should be added, in +justice to both Bergen and Storms, that these structures were +creditable to the builders; for, realizing in the fullest sense that +about all they could extract personally from riches was their own +board and lodging, they had perfected a number of colossal schemes +for benefiting humanity; indeed, charity was the foundation-stone of +all these castles. And now, after these long months of waiting, he +seemed to see the wealth lying within his grasp, and something like a +reaction came to him. + +"Is it worth all this?" he asked himself. "Is the gain likely to pay +for the peril in which we have placed ourselves?" + +Still further, the ominous words which he had overheard impressed him +vividly with the impending danger in which he and his mate were +placed. He saw now that in taking Brazzier and Redvignez he had taken +two mutineers aboard, and two who, in all probability, had won the +giant African, Pomp, over to their side. + +What was to be the outcome of all this? + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN THE HAVEN AT LAST + + +As Captain Bergen descended the rigging to the deck of the schooner he +was greatly depressed, for the conviction was strong upon him that in +entering this promised land--as he had sometimes termed the little +circle of coral and earth which he had named Pearl Island--he would +never leave it. The immense wealth which lay hidden along its coast, +awaiting the coming of some one to gather it, would never be carried +away by those who had already come more than half-way round the globe +to garner it. + +As the captain stepped upon deck, Redvignez and Brazzier respectfully +saluted him, and looked as if they were the most loyal of sailors. + +Captain Bergen forced himself to respond to their salute, and then he +walked quietly over to where Abe stood at the wheel. + +"Well, what do you make of it?" asked the mate, in a low voice. + +"It's the island!" replied Bergen. + +"Are you sure of it?" + +"Yes; there can be no doubt. I made out the landmark that Grebbens +told me would identify it beyond all question. That's the mast which +they erected on the shore, close to the inlet. You can see it without +the glass," added the captain, turning about and looking in that +direction. + +Such was the case, and Storms observed it plainly. + +"What's the matter, captain?" asked the mate, bringing his gaze back +to the face of his friend, and scrutinizing him keenly. "You look pale +and agitated. Have your nerves given out after this strain?" + +"Abe," said the captain, in a carefully-guarded voice, and glancing +over his shoulder, "I learned, a few minutes ago, that those two men +forward intend to mutiny and run away with the pearls." + +"Is that all? Why, I knew that weeks ago!" + +"You did?" demanded the astounded captain. "Why, then, didn't you tell +me?" + +"I thought it was better to wait till we reached the island, by which +time their plans were likely to be more fully developed." + +"That sort of reasoning I don't understand," said the captain, +anything but pleased with his mate. "But never mind about it now. Tell +me what you have learned." + +"Not a great deal more than you have told. Those two men, I am +satisfied, are old acquaintances, who have been partners in more than +one crime, though we supposed them strangers at the time we shipped +them; and I have no doubt they began planning our deaths from the day +we sailed out of San Francisco harbor." + +"What about Pomp?" + +"They had a hard time, but they have won him over, and he is pledged +to go with them." + +"And you have tried to gain the good will of Pomp?" + +"I have done my utmost, and have treated him with unusual leniency, +making him many presents, some of which I gave him to understand came +from you. But they've got him, for all that. There's our greatest +safeguard." + +As the mate spoke, he pointed to Inez, who, at that moment, came +bounding up the steps of the cabin and ran laughing forward. + +"Pomp thinks all the world of her, and she will be the peacemaker, +perhaps." + +"But don't they like her as well?" + +"No; they wouldn't hesitate any more over killing her than they would +in killing us." + +"The villains!" muttered the horrified captain. "I never conceived it +possible that any human being could fail to love such beauty and +innocence as hers." + +"There is no immediate danger," said the mate, somewhat surprised to +observe how completely the discovery had taken possession of the mind +of the captain. "Let's give our attention now to the business upon +which we came, and there will be time enough to think of the other +matter between now and nightfall." + +Captain Bergen was sorely perplexed, but the circumstances were such +that he was able to follow the suggestion of his faithful mate. They +were now close to the island, which was of that singular formation so +frequently seen in the Pacific. Countless millions of tiny insects, +toiling through many years, had gradually lifted the foundations of +coral from the depths of the ocean, until the mass, in the form of a +gigantic ring or horse-shoe, was above the surface. Upon this had +gradually gathered sand, seeds and vegetable matter, in the usual way, +until beneath the tropical sun and the balmy climate the "desert +blossomed like the rose." This took a long while, but the process it +went through was similar to that of hundreds of much larger islands +which to-day rest like nosegays upon the bosom of the vast Pacific. + +Among these fruits were the banana, plantain, breadfruit, and a sort +of mango, found in Farther India, and which, at first disliked, +becomes in time a great favorite with every one. Most singular of all +was the fact that at two widely-separated points burst forth a spring +of clear, fresh water. + +One might well wonder where the supply for this came from, since the +whole island had its foundation in salt water--but there are many +strange distillations going on at all times in nature's laboratory +beyond the power of man to fathom. + +These were probably stored away in some of the hidden vaults of the +island, and bubbled forth, the fountain being renewed before the +precious contents were exhausted. + +The entrance to the interior was through a deep passage, toward which +Mr. Storms directed the vessel. As the _Coral_ glided into this +"inland sea," Captain Bergen took the helm, being as familiar with the +contour of the atoll as if he had spent a dozen years upon it. He knew +where the best anchorage was to be found, and he headed over toward +the eastern shore, where it was safe to run close enough in to spring +from the deck to the land. He was a good seaman, and he brought his +craft to with as much skill as a stage-driver brings his team to a +halt before the door of an inn. The anchor was let go at the proper +moment, and the _Coral_ slowly swung at her mooring in the very +position her master desired, both bow and stern being so close to +shore that there would be no occasion to use the small boat which is +generally called into requisition on such occasions. + +The scenery and situation were peculiar and novel in the highest +degree. These atolls are the natural harbors of the ocean, and if any +vessel can run through the openings into the calm waters within, she +may ride in safety from the severest tempest. + +The water within the lagoon was as calm as the surface of a mill-pond. +On every hand rose the trees and vegetation so dense that the only +portion where a glimpse of the ocean could be caught was at the +entrance, which, it would seem, the builders of the island had left on +purpose for the ingress and exit of endangered shipping. + +Despite the alarming discovery which Captain Bergen had made but a +short time previous, he carried out the purpose formed weeks before, +and which the mate urged him to fulfil. The schooner having been +secured in position and everything put in ship-shape order, he +addressed the three men who composed the crew: + +"My friends, when I engaged you to go upon this voyage, I did not tell +you whither, and you may think it is late in the day to give you such +information, now that we have reached our destination. Some time ago, +before I sailed, I received information that a bed of oysters existed +at a certain portion of this island unusually rich in pearls. It is +to obtain them I have come, and now I wish to say, what I determined +to say from the first, that if you work faithfully, and give me all +the assistance you can, each of you three shall receive enough to make +you rich for life. In an enterprise of this kind the business is a +partnership, and you shall be liberally treated, provided you prove +worthy." + +During the utterance of these words, both the captain and the mate +carefully watched the faces of the three men to see the effect +produced. + +Had the African been alone he would have been won over, and as it was +he turned about in an inquiring way, and looked toward the two men as +if seeking to see how they took it. Their countenances were so +immobile that he gained no information from the looks there; but both +the officers did. Abe Storms, especially, was a skilful physiognomist, +and that which he saw convinced him that the speech, coming as it did, +was a mistake. As is frequently the case, it was accepted as an +evidence of timidity on the part of the officers, and the conspirators +were given a confidence which otherwise would not have been theirs. + +"It was a blunder," whispered Storms, when the captain stepped beside +him. "Those wretches mean mischief, and it is coming within +twenty-four hours." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE OYSTER BED + + +Little Inez Hawthorne was overrunning with delight at the prospect of +a romp on shore, after having been confined so long in the cramped +quarters of the schooner, and she was darting hither and thither, +eager to start upon her frolic. + +"I say, captain," said Hyde Brazzier, bowing profoundly and with +great humility, "we be greatly surprised by what you tell us about +the pearls, and we are very much obliged for your kindness, which +the same is a great deal more than we expected; but it has set us +all topsy-turvy, as we may say. If it's all the same, we would like +to go and take a look at that same pearl-oyster bed, if it isn't +inconvenient." + +The captain and mate both understood the meaning of this, for it +showed only too clearly how impatient the men were to commit the crime +which they had in mind. Still, there was no excuse for refusal, and +the officers were anxious enough to see the place for themselves. Each +had his revolver carefully shoved into his pocket, and each knew that +the six chambers were fully charged, when they sprang over the +vessel's side and started toward the northernmost part of the island. +The captain and mate led the way, for they were sure they were in no +personal danger so long as the oyster-bed remained undiscovered. + +The fringe of coral trees was quite broad, but, as the little party +made their way through them, they could catch the gleam of the water +on each side, while the roar and boom of the breakers never ceased. + +The sun seemed to linger in the horizon to their left, as if to guide +them in the search they were making. + +As they advanced, all observed that the outer rim of this fringe was +very irregular, as if it had been broken up and changed by the action +of fierce tempests for many decades. This peculiarity, if such it may +be termed, left many places where the ocean was as calm as within the +atoll, and it was in one of these that the oyster-bed for which they +were searching was to be found. + +Mate and captain advanced quite spiritedly for some distance, until +they were close to the northernmost portion, when they hesitated, +slackened their gait, looked to the right and left, conferred in low +tones, and then the captain suddenly exclaimed: + +"This looks like the spot!" + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the two men dashed down +the slight slope, ran a short distance, and then abruptly halted close +to the water's edge, at a point where the sea was locked in so that it +was only slightly disturbed by the ordinary swell. Close behind them +were Redvignez and Brazzier, while Pomp brought up the rear. The three +men exchanged only a word or two while following, and those were heard +by the leaders, because they were of no significance, but it is safe +to conclude they did a great deal of thinking. + +The five grouped themselves along the water, standing side by side and +peering down into the depths before them. This perhaps averaged three +fathoms, and the water itself was as clear as crystal, without even +the tinge of green generally seen in the ocean. The bottom was quite +even and flat, resting upon a substratum of coral. The glinting rays +of the sun helped, so that a marble could have been distinguished many +fathoms down. And looking downward, the quintette saw the bottom +strewn with oysters of unusual size, lying so close together that in +many places they seemed to touch each other. + +For a full minute the five stood motionless and speechless. It was +Pomp who was the first to recover his voice: + +"My gracious! am dem 'isters full of pearls?" + +"That can only be told by examination," was the quiet reply of Mr. +Storms. + +"Dat's ruther deep to dive down, an' how 'bout sharks?" + +The mate smiled. + +"We thought of all that before we left home, Pomp." + +"Well, what good did all de thinkin' do? Dat won't drive away de +shark, dat would as lief bite a man in two as to swaller a fish." + +"If you and Redvig will return to the vessel and get that coat of mail +on deck, I will agree to go down there and take all the risks." + +The three mutineers, as they may be called, exchanged glances, but +said nothing. The captain and mate noted this telegraphy of the eyes, +and they, too, were silent, but it was a little test which they had +determined upon before leaving the _Coral_, lying some distance away, +safely moored close inshore. Evidently the three could think of no +valid excuse, and Brazzier said, in a low voice, which was heard by +all: + +"Go, men, and hurry back." + +Pomp started off at once, Redvignez following close behind him. The +mate and captain saw they were speaking together; but, of course, it +could only be conjectured what they were talking about. + +The three who remained behind were in an embarrassing situation, for +there could be no doubt that Brazzier, the leader in the plot, had had +his suspicions aroused by this little incident, and it was hard work +for him to conceal a certain uneasiness at the thought that he had +lost the confidence of the two officers of the _Coral_. + +With a view of strengthening his position, Captain Bergen took out his +revolver, looked at it in an inquiring way, and then shoved it back +into his hip-pocket. Abe Storms did precisely the same thing, +excepting that he perhaps made a little more display about it. + +Not one of the three as yet had spoken a word; but Brazzier, as if to +conceal his uneasiness, advanced to the edge of the water and peered +down into the crystal depths at the supposed wealth which lay +scattered over the bottom, awaiting the hour when some one should draw +it forth from the hiding-place it had occupied for so many years. + +"If they've got pearls in 'em," observed Brazzier, "it'll make a good +haul for us." + +"There is reason to think so," replied the captain, holding his peace, +for he began to suspect that too much deference had already been paid +to the crew. + +Since Pomp and Redvignez were making good time, they soon reappeared, +bearing between them the coat of armor which Abe Storms had +constructed before leaving his New England home. This, it may be said, +was an invention peculiarly his own, containing some conveniences not +generally attributed to diving-bells or armor, and which, if they +withstood the test to which they were sure to be subjected, would be a +great step forward in the rapid improvements that have been made in +submarine armor during the last few years. A superficial examination +would not discover anything out of the usual order in the make of the +armor, with its bulging glass eyes and general resemblance to the +coats of mail such as were used by the crusaders and knights of the +middle ages. There were the two pipes, one of which went in at the +top of the helmet, as if the man were going to breathe through the crown +of his head, while the other was adjusted so as to come nearer the +front of the face. One of these was for the admission of fresh air, and +the other for the expulsion of that which was exhaled. Besides this, +there was the rope, fastened around the waist of the diver, to assist +him to the surface should a sudden necessity arise. But, without +going into any detailed description, we may say that the ingenious New +Englander had so constructed it that he required the assistance of no +second person at any portion of the work. + +Storms immediately began adjusting the apparatus, the others standing +off and looking on, for he had declined their proffers of service. +The armor had never been tested, and the man might well pause, now +that he was going to stake his life upon the issue, as may be said. + +But it was not that fact which caused the mate the most uneasiness, +for his confidence in his own invention was so strong that he would +not have hesitated a moment to trust himself in water of twice the +depth. Indeed, the pearls were so near at hand that a very ordinary +diver would have found no difficulty in bringing them up without the +help of any armor at all--the latter being required by other +considerations. + +"Now, all I want done is to allow the two upper ends of the pipes to +be kept clear," said Storms, when he had adjusted the "harness" about +him. "I will do the breathing for myself, provided I am not interfered +with." + +The two ends were secured among the coral in such a way that there was +no danger of their being drawn in by any action of the armor itself, +and then Storms, taking an immense sheath-knife in his hand, promptly +stepped off from the shore, and as promptly sank under water. + +It was a singular sight the four companions whom he left behind saw, +when they approached to the edge of the water and looked over. + +The mate, incased in his armor, looked like some huge, curiously-shaped +shellfish or monster, whose weight was such that he went as straight +down as an arrow, and, a few seconds later, was seen bent over and +moving about the bottom, loosening up the oysters. + +This first venture of Storms' was more in the nature of an experiment +or preliminary reconnoissance. He wished to find how the land lay, as +the expression goes. If everything should prove to be in good shape, +he would venture down again, with a basket, and the real work of +gathering the pearl-oysters would begin. + +As we have intimated, Abe Storms felt no misgivings concerning his +armor when he moved off from solid land and was submerged in the edge +of the Pacific, for he had constructed so many contrivances and +machines that he had learned to understand fully what they would do +before they were put to work. He carried the enormous sheath-knife in +his right hand, and when his feet lightly touched the shells on the +bottom, he began turning them over with the point of his knife. The +depth of the water being so moderate, he found no difficulty in +breathing, and indeed the conditions were such that whoever chose to +collect the oysters in this armor was not likely to experience the +slightest difficulty. + +Down where he was at work the water seemed to be of a light-yellowish +tint, caused by the refraction of the sunlight as it made its way to +him. He noticed the mild glow, which, of course, would steadily +diminish as the sun went down, when all at once it was eclipsed so +suddenly by a dark shadow that he instantly suspected the true cause. + +Looking upward, he saw an immense shark, certainly a dozen feet in +length, that had halted and was evidently surveying with some +curiosity this intruder upon his domains. + +The man-eater being directly over the diver, was not in the best +position to use his fearful jaws with effect, but he was evidently +reconnoitering with a view to hostilities. Abe observed that this +shadowy figure was motionless, its fins slightly moving back and forth +as if it were using them like a balancing-pole, to maintain itself +motionless in position, and he marked the horridly-shaped mouth which +yawned over his head. Reaching upward with his long-bladed knife, he +touched it against the white belly of the monster, and then gave it a +strong push. + +It was so keen and sharp that it entered deep into the yielding flesh +and inflicted a severe wound. Just then the gigantic man-eater +suspected he had committed a blunder, and with a lightning-like whirl +of his huge body, he dashed out to sea, leaving a crimson trail after +him. + +Indeed, his charge was so sudden that the huge knife was wrenched from +the grasp of Abe Storms, and he was drawn forward off his balance. +Had it been in the open air, he would have been hurled to the ground +with great force. But he managed to recover himself, and caught a +shadowy glimpse of the great shark darting off, as the knife dropped +from the wound and sank to the bottom. Not wishing to lose the +valuable weapon, Storms walked forward, and seeing it lying on the +bottom, at a point which seemed to be the edge of the oyster-bed, he +stooped over and recovered it. + +He had now been down a considerable while, and muttered: + +"The captain promised to signal me if trouble came, and he hasn't done +so. But, for all that, I don't believe it will be safe for me to stay +down here much longer. I may as well----" + +The sentence was never finished, for it received a startling +interruption. The rubber pipes by which he breathed were suddenly +closed, and Abe Storms knew it had been done purposely by some one +above. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE REVOLT + + +For a brief while after the descent of the mate of the _Coral_, +incased in his new diving armor, the four men above did nothing more +than merely wait for his coming up. But all the time the parties were +watching each other, for Captain Bergen was convinced that the crisis +was at hand. The mutineers had learned where the oyster-bed was, and +therefore could be no longer restrained by that consideration. They +could get on without the diving-armor, though they saw how convenient +it might be to have it; but, since it was connected with the shore, it +could be drawn in and recovered if they should need it. + +The mate was down in the ocean, and the captain was standing on terra +firma. What more favorable separation was likely to present itself? +Here were three men against one, and the three had gained the secret +which had restrained them so long. + +"I say," said Hyde Brazzier, "does the mate down there find things as +he expected?" + +"We can tell that better after he comes up," was the reply of the +captain, who kept his hand at his hip, where it could rest on the butt +of his revolver. "But there is reason to believe that he isn't +disappointed." + +"And he breathes through these pipes that lie here?" pursued Brazzier, +while the expression on the face of Pomp and Redvignez convinced +Skipper Bergen that serious mischief was coming. + +"You can see that without asking me," replied he, stepping back a pace +or two so as to keep the men before him. + +"Well, if a man can't get what air he wants, what is likely to +happen?" continued Brazzier, with an insolent swagger that was +exasperating, following upon his fawning sycophancy. + +"Any fool would know that he would die." + +"Well, now that we've landed, I don't see as there is any need of a +mate or a captain neither, with this crew--do you, boys?" + +And he turned toward his companions with a laugh. + +"Of course not. The best place for him is in Davy Jones' locker!" said +Redvignez. + +"Now you is talkin' right!" was the characteristic comment of the +negro, Pomp, who seemed the most eager of the three, when the mutiny +had come to a head. + +It was evident that Brazzier had determined to drown the mate while he +was below the surface. + +"The first man who interferes with those pipes I will shoot dead!" + +Captain Bergen spoke the words in a low voice, but there could be no +mistaking his deadly earnestness. Feeling that the crisis had come, +the captain determined to give the signal agreed upon with Abe Storms, +which was a sudden jerk of the rope fastened to the one around the +waist of the mate. The latter would understand that his presence above +was needed at once. + +The captain was in the act of stooping over, when Redvignez sprang +behind him with the stealth and agility of a cat, and struck his arm a +violent blow. His purpose was to knock the revolver out of the +captain's hand, so that he and his friends could secure the use of it. +But he overdid the matter, for the revolver went spinning out of the +captain's hand and dropped into the water, where it sank out of sight. +Startled and shocked, he straightened up without giving the signal to +Abe Storms below the surface. + +None of the party had any firearms, but Captain Bergen saw it would be +madness for him to make any resistance. Without a moment's hesitation, +therefore, he wheeled about and ran with all the speed of which he was +capable. + +His flight was not altogether an aimless one, for he hoped to reach +the schooner, lying an eighth of a mile away, far enough in advance of +his pursuers to seize one of the rifles carefully concealed there, and +to make defense against his foes. The instant he broke into a run, his +pursuers did the same, uttering loud shouts, as if they were American +Indians who were certain of their prey. + +For the time, it was a question of speed between pursuers and pursued. +If the latter could reach the craft considerably ahead of the others, +there was a chance of his making a successful defense against the +three who were seeking his life. If he failed to attain the goal, he +felt it would be all over with him, for they were not the men to show +any mercy. + +Darting among the palm-trees, therefore, he strained every nerve to +draw away from his enemies, while they strove, with equal desperation, +to overtake him. + +It was a straight run, and comparatively an unobstructed one, for the +palm-trees were far enough apart to give him a pretty fair course, +which was of equal advantage to all parties. Perhaps it is possible, +therefore, to imagine the anxiety with which, after running a short +distance, Captain Bergen glanced over his shoulder to see how his +pursuers were making out. But it is not possible to appreciate his +consternation when he saw that two of them were outrunning him, and, +as he had striven to his very utmost, the frightful truth was manifest +that he was sure to be overtaken before he could reach the _Coral_. + +Those who were gaining upon him were Pomp, the negro, and Brazzier +himself. But the fact that they were gaining upon him was no cause for +the fugitive falling down and yielding without a struggle. He still +had his sheath-knife, which he grasped with a despairing feeling as he +realized, during those awful seconds, that complete, disastrous +failure, instead of the brilliant success he had counted upon, had +overtaken him at last. + +The pursuers gained rapidly, and not one-half the distance was passed, +when all three of the men were almost within striking distance, for +Redvignez was at the elbow of his companions. Captain Bergen looked +over his shoulder, and was about to throw his back against a +palm-tree, with the view of turning at bay and fighting to the last, +when, like the historical John Smith of our own earlier times, his +lack of attention to his feet precipitated the very fate against which +he was struggling. His feet struck some obstruction, and being +exhausted from his extraordinary exertion, he pitched forward and fell +on his face. As he went down he was conscious of hearing two widely +different sounds--one the exultant cries of the pursuers, and the +other the terrified scream of a little girl. + +Captain Bergen attempted to rise, but Redvignez and Brazzier were upon +him, and the knife of the latter was upraised with the purpose of +ending the matter then and there forever, when the cry of the child +was heard the second time, and little Inez sprang, like Pocahontas, +between the uplifted arm and the intended victim. + +"Oh, don't hurt him! Please don't hurt him! Please, please don't hurt +him, 'cause I love him!" pleaded the agonized child, with all the +earnestness of her nature. + +The position of the prostrate captain attempting to rise, and the +little one interceding for him, was such that the mutineer hesitated +for the moment, for he could not strike without endangering her life. +Seeing this, with the wonderful quickness which sometimes comes over +the youngest child in such a crisis, Inez persistently forced her body +with amazing quickness in the way of the poised knife as it started to +descend more than once--the other two holding back for their leader to +finish the work. + +Brazzier was a man of tigerish temper, and he became infuriated in a +few seconds at this repeated baffling of his purpose. + +"Confound you!" he suddenly exclaimed, with a fierce execration. "If +you will keep in the way, then you must take it!" + +The arm was drawn still further back, with the intention of carrying +out this dreadful threat, when the wrist was seized in the iron grip +of Black Pomp, who said: + +"Hold on, dere! None ob dat! De man dat hurts a ha'r ob dat little +gal's head will got sot down on by me, an' mashed so flat dat he'll +neber rose ag'in. Does you hear me, sah?" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE FRIEND IN NEED + + +There was no excuse for not hearing this warning, for it was uttered +in a voice loud enough to reach over the whole extent of the atoll. + +Both Redvignez and Brazzier were enraged at the interference, and +there was an instant of time when the two were on the point of +attacking him. But he was a terrible foe for any one to assail, and he +would have made warm work, as they well knew, for he was not afraid of +the two together. + +Brazzier was quick to comprehend the situation, and he refrained. + +"Take away the girl, then," he commanded, "so I can get at him." + +"I will not leave him," declared Inez, throwing her arms about the +neck of the captain, who was rising to his feet. "You mean to hurt +him, and you shan't hurt him without hurting me. He has been kind, and +he's a good man." + +"Take her away," commanded Brazzier, with difficulty repressing his +anger at the repeated delay. + +"Oh, Pomp! You won't let him hurt the captain?" pleaded Inez, turning +toward him, and ready to throw her arms about his dusky neck, were it +not that she was afraid to leave the captain for the moment--he having +risen to his feet, while he held her hand and looked at his enemies, +panting from his own great exertion, though he did not speak a word. + +Even in the dreadful peril which enveloped him, he was too proud to +ask for mercy from such wretches. + +But the appeal of Inez to Pomp had produced its effect. When she +turned her misty eyes upon him, and pleaded in such piteous tones for +mercy, the mouth of the huge African twitched, and any one could see +that a hard struggle was going on within. + +"If you don't keep those bad men from hurting Captain Bergen," she +added, in the same impassioned manner, "I'll never speak to +you--never, never, never--there!" + +This was accompanied by a stamp of her tiny foot, and then she burst +into weeping--sobbing as if her heart would break. + +Hyde Brazzier stood irresolute, and seemed on the point of leaping, +knife in hand, upon the captain. But the prayer of the innocent child +had settled the question, and the sable Hercules sprang in front of +the endangered man. + +"Dis 'ere thing hab gone fur 'nough; let de cap'in alone. If dere's +any killin' to be done, why I'm de one dat's gwine to do it." + +The two mutineers were wild with fury, for this unexpected show of +mercy promised to upset the whole scheme they had been hatching for +weeks. Both Redvignez and Brazzier protested vehemently, seeking to +show that it was imperatively necessary that both the officers should +be put out of the way, and that since the mate was gone, it was the +sheerest folly to allow the captain to remain. + +But the words were thrown away. + +The prayer of little Inez Hawthorne had reached the heart of the +gigantic African, and the sight of the child standing there weeping +was more than he could bear, although it but served to add to the +exasperation of the other two savages. + +Captain Bergen did not stand mute and motionless during all this rush +of events, which really occupied but a few seconds. As soon as he saw +the way open, he took the hand of little Inez and began moving in the +direction of the schooner, his purpose being to secure refuge upon +that if possible. As he moved away he saw Pomp and the two mutineers +in conference, for Brazzier and Redvignez at that moment would have +given a large share of their prospective wealth for the purpose of +disposing finally and forever of the captain. + +"We have been in mutinies before, Pomp, and the only safe course--and +that ain't safe by any means--is to follow the rule that dead men tell +no tales." + +"Dat may be de rule, but it ain't gwine to work in dis case; an' de +reason am 'cause de little gal dere don't want it done. You can talk +an' argufy fo' fourteen years, but it won't do no good. De only way +you can finish up de job am by killin' me fust." + +The foregoing is the substance of the protests and replies of the two +parties to the angry discussion. It so happened, as we have shown, +that the African held the balance of power. He was strong and +courageous, and he was armed and ready to fight, and they knew it. +They did not dare to attack him openly, where the result was so likely +to be disastrous to both, and they were compelled to fall in with his +scheme of saving the captain, though it can well be understood that it +was the most distasteful thing to which they could consent. + +This discussion lasted but a few minutes; but, as we have said, it was +improved by Captain Bergen, who saw that the wisest course for him to +pursue was to remove the cause as far as practical. He walked backward +a few steps until he was some way off, when he turned about, still +holding the hand of Inez in his, and they continued until a number of +palm-trees intervened, when he sped so rapidly that the child was kept +on a run to maintain her place at his side. She had ceased her crying, +but her face and eyes were red, and she was in an apprehensive, +nervous and almost hysterical condition from the terrible scene she +had witnessed--a scene such as should never be looked upon by one of +her tender years. + +A minute later Captain Bergen caught sight of the trimly-built +schooner lying at rest in the lagoon, close to the shore, and his +heart gave a throb of hope, that, if he could once secure position on +her deck, he would be able to hold his own against the mutineers. + +During the next few hurried minutes occupied in the passage to the +schooner, the conviction had grown upon him that this mercy which had +spared his life for a brief while would not be continued. Pomp Cooper +would not continue to be his friend after his spasm of affection for +Inez should spend itself, and devoid as the African was of intellect, +he was likely to understand that the true course of the party who had +entered upon the villainy was to make thorough work of it. + +The captain saw the three men still talking and gesticulating angrily +when he reached the schooner. + +In a twinkling he had lifted Inez upon the deck, and then he sprang +after her. He ran into the cabin, reappearing in an instant with the +three loaded rifles. + +"Now," said he, with a sigh of relief, "let them come! I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A STRANGE VISITOR + + +But the mutineers took good care not to show themselves just then; and +the captain, deeming such a course prudent, tugged at the anchor until +it was lifted, when he managed to shove the craft off, and reaching +the middle of the lagoon, the anchor was dropped. + +"Now they won't be likely to approach without my seeing them," was his +conclusion; "and so long as I can keep awake, I can hold them at bay. +I hate to shoot a man, but if ever a person had justification for +doing so, I have. I am rather inclined to think that if either +Brazzier or Redvignez should wander into range, one of these rifles +would be likely to go off!" + +Seeing no immediate danger, Captain Bergen descended into the cabin +for a few minutes. Poor, tired Inez had thrown herself on the hammock +and was sound asleep. + +"Sleep, little one," murmured the captain, as he lingered for a minute +to look at the sweet, infantile face, in the gathering twilight. "It +is a sad fate which orders you to witness so much violence, and sorry +I am that it is so; but where would I have been excepting for you?" + +Then he softly left the cabin and took his position on deck. The moon +was full, which was gratefully noticed by the captain, for he could +easily keep awake all night, and thus detect the approach of his +enemies. In fact, his nerves were so unstrung that he would not be +able to sleep for many hours to come. + +"But what is to be done hereafter?" + +This was the question he put to himself, and which had to be +answered. + +The mutineers kept carefully out of sight, and, as night settled over +the scene, the captain remained wide awake and vigilant. There was +ample food for thought and reflection--the cutting of the hose-pipes +of the diving apparatus, the attack by the mutineers, the terrible +flight and pursuit, the interference of Inez--all these and more +surged through the brain of the captain, while he slowly paced back +and forth, with eyes and ears wide open. Inez still slumbered, and all +was silent, excepting the boom of the ocean against the coral-reef; +while, as the night wore on, the captain maintained his lonely watch. + +Captain Bergen scanned the fringe of shore which circled about him, +like a great wall thrown up between the lagoon and the Pacific, that +steadily broke on the outside. But turn his keen eyes wheresoever he +chose, he could detect not the slightest sign of the mutineers. He +thought it likely they would start a fire somewhere, but no starlike +point of light twinkled from beneath the palm-trees, and he was left +to conjecture where they were and what they were doing. + +"They will probably wait till they think I am asleep," was his +thought, "and then they will swim quietly out and try to board." + +He believed it would be either that way or they would construct a raft +and paddle themselves out to the schooner. Knowing the captain was on +the Coral, and knowing how important it was that he should not be +allowed to run away and leave them there, they would neglect no +precaution to prevent his going off. They, too, would understand what +it was he was waiting for, and they were seamen enough to know the +hour when he would be able to sail, and, consequently, what they were +to do to prevent it. + +"They have no way of closing the channel, or they would do so, and it +remains----Hello!" + +He was standing at the prow, looking carefully about him, and with all +his senses alert, and he stood thus fully twenty minutes, expecting +something whose precise nature he had already conjectured. + +"That splash meant something, and I think----" + +Just then he heard a commotion in the water directly under the prow, +and, looking over, he saw a strange-looking object, like one of the +uncouth monsters of the deep, come to the surface and begin climbing +up by aid of the fore-chains. + +"I say, cap'n, can't you give a fellow a lift?" + +It was the mate, Abe Storms, who asked the question, and, as the +captain extended his hand, he said, in a low, fervent voice: + +"Thank heaven! I was about giving you up for lost!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ON THE CORAL + + +Captain Bergen and Abe Storms, as may be supposed, greeted each other +ardently when the latter stepped upon the deck of the schooner, clad +in his diving-suit. + +"I was growing very anxious about you," said the captain, "for I could +not understand what kept you away so long." + +The eccentric New Englander, removing his headgear, but leaving the +rest of his armor on, laughed and asked: + +"Tell me what took place after I went down." + +The captain hurriedly related his experience, which has been already +told the reader. + +"We took a good deal of risk, as you know," said the mate, "and when I +went down in the water, I was a great deal more uneasy than I seemed +to be. I was expecting a signal from you, and when it did not come I +started for the surface. The shore is rough and craggy, you know, so +that it was something like climbing up stairs. + +"Well, I had got pretty well up when the pipes were cut. I understood +what it meant, and, holding my breath, with the water rushing down the +two hose-pipes, I scrambled for the top. + +"It may have been a perilous thing for you that the rascals pursued +you with such enthusiasm, but it was fortunate for me, for, although I +had a dry revolver under my armor, it was several minutes before I was +in a condition to use it. + +"As soon as possible, however, I made ready, believing you were in +sore need of help. Crawling forward on my hands and knees, I took a +quick look over the bank, and saw you and Inez walking off in the +direction of the schooner, with the three scamps sullenly watching +you. + +"I suspected what you tell me was the truth, and I was on the point of +rushing forward and making short work of them with my revolver, but it +flashed upon me that they possessed a fearful advantage over us. +Redvignez and Brazzier are as cunning as serpents, and one of them, +more than likely, would have caught up the little girl and held her in +front of him as a screen. + +"Inez would have proved an effectual armor, indeed, and, with her in +their possession, they would have been masters of the situation, and +could have dictated whatever terms they chose to us. Pomp would have +been transformed into a bitter enemy at once, and the chances of +disaster to us all were so great that I remained quiet, but watchful, +ready to dash forward to your assistance should it become necessary. + +"I lay down in a secluded place to rest, when--shall I confess it?--I +fell asleep, and did not wake up until half an hour ago. After +thinking the matter over, I decided still to deceive the rascals. I +was quite certain that the water in the lagoon was not very deep, so I +fastened the upper ends of the hose to floats, and walked out here on +the bottom." + +"Did you see anything of them?" + +"No; I don't know where they are; but you can feel sure they'll never +take their eyes off the schooner." + +After further discussing the exciting events of the day, they +considered the all-important question as to what should be their own +line of action. The decision which they reached was a most remarkable +one, being no less than to make a direct proposition to the mutineers +to turn over the schooner to them, with a portion of the oysters, and +to allow them to depart, while the captain, mate and little girl were +left upon the island. + +The captain was not convinced that this was altogether wise, and he +said: + +"Since your plan is for us to stay on the island, and allow them to +leave with the schooner, will you tell me how we are to depart, when +ready?" + +The mate indicated the inlet, where the mast was still pointing toward +the sky. + +"We've got to run our chances. We may be taken off in a week, and +possibly not for years; but, with all these probabilities before us, I +am in favor of surrendering the schooner, and allowing them to leave +us forever, if they will agree to do so." + +"But, if we make the proposition, will they not suspect our purpose, +or take it as a confession of weakness on our part?" + +"We must prevent that. But, captain, I've had all the sleep I want, +and you are in need of it. Better secure it, therefore, while you can. +Go below in the cabin and take your rest. I will stand guard here, and +you need have no fear of my dropping into slumber again." + +The captain remained some time longer, and even then was loth to +leave, but he consented to do so, and finally descended into the +cabin, where he threw himself upon his hammock without removing his +clothes. + +The incidents of the day were exciting enough to keep him awake, and, +despite the exhaustion of his body, he lay a long time before he +closed his eyes in slumber. Even then his sleep was haunted by +horrible dreams, in which he lived over again the scenes through which +he had passed, when, but for the piteous pleadings of little Inez, he +would have fallen a victim to the ferocity of the mutineers, and he +awoke more than once with a gasp and a start, which showed how +disturbed his mind was. + +He had not slept long when he suddenly awoke again, and looked around +in the gloom. The lamp overhead had been extinguished, and he was in +utter darkness, though the silvery glow of the moonlight outside was +perceptible through the windows and partly-open door. He could hear +the dull booming of the breakers on the outside of the atoll, but all +else was quiet, except the gentle breathing of Inez, in the berth +beneath his. + +"God protect her and us all!" he prayed, his heart, in the solemn +stillness and solitude, ascending to the only being who could assist +him and his friend in their dire extremity; for Captain Bergen was +sure that no one could be placed in greater peril than were he and Abe +Storms, so long as they remained among the Pearl Islands. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A VISIT FROM SHORE + + +In the meantime Abram Storms was acting the part of a vigilant +sentinel at his station on deck. + +There was no doubt in his mind that the mutineers were fearful the +schooner would sail away and leave them on the lonely coral island, +and they were certain, as he viewed it, to make some effort to prevent +such a disaster to them. But precisely how this was to be done was a +serious question. They knew that the captain, having reached the +_Coral_, had several rifles at command, and would not hesitate to +shoot them the instant any attempt was made against him or little +Inez, under his charge. + +Nothing was more certain than that an unremitting watch would be kept +upon the _Coral_, and, though they might believe there was but the +single man there, yet unquestionably he commanded the situation. + +"They will try some trick," muttered the mate; "but I shall have a +very small opinion of myself if they win. Pomp Cooper's affection for +Inez led him to interfere, when his interference accomplished a good +deal more than he imagined. Ah!" + +At that moment the mate heard a ghostly "Halloo!" from the shore, and +he recognized the voice as belonging to Pomp. + +"Just as I suspected," said Storms, to himself; "they're using the +negro as a cat's-paw. Well, I'll see what they are driving at." + +Imitating the tones of Captain Bergen as closely as possible, the mate +shouted: + +"What do you want?" + +"Am you dere?" was the rather superfluous question. + +"Yes." + +"Won't you let me come on board?" + +"What for?" + +"I'm sick ob dis business. I hab quarreled wid Redvig an' Brazzier, +an' I want to jine you an' git away from dis place." + +Abe Storms was not deceived for a moment by this transparent story. He +knew there had been no quarrel, but that the mutineers had planned to +get the negro on the schooner with the hope of deceiving the captain +and gaining a chance to overpower him when off his guard. + +"Come on out here, then," replied the mate, who quickly determined his +course of action. + +Almost at the same instant a loud splash was heard, and the head of +Pomp was descried in the moonlight, swimming toward the boat. The mate +kept himself concealed as much as he could, stepping back when the +negro began clambering up the fore-chains. Panting from his exertion, +he speedily came over the gunwale upon the deck. + +"Yes, cap'in, I's tired ob dem willains, an' I'm gwine----Oh! oh! +oh!" + +At that instant his eyes fell upon the figure of the mate, clad in his +diving-armor, with the exception of his face, which was so clearly +revealed in the moonlight that there could be no mistaking his +identity. + +Worse than that, the mate, standing as rigid as iron, had a gleaming +revolver pointed straight at him. Pomp sank on his knees in the most +abject terror. + +"Oh, my heben!" he chattered, clasping his hands, "I t'ought dat you +was drowned. Am you sartin dat you ain't?" + +"I am quite well satisfied on that point. But, Pomp, get up; I've got +a word or two to say to you." + +"I will, I will; but please p'int dat weepon some oder way." + +The mate complied, and the African, somewhat reassured, though still +considerably frightened, listened to the words of the man who he +supposed was drowned hours before. + +"I am alive and well, Pomp, as you can see, and so is the captain, who +is taking a short nap in the cabin. We are well armed, as you +know----" + +"Yas! yas! yas!" chattered the negro. + +"And we can sail away in the morning, at the turning of the tide, and +leave you here----" + +"Dat's what I want you to do, an' I'll go wid you." + +"You can't go! I know well enough what you came out here for. You +thought you would find a chance to get the upper hand of the captain, +and would let the other villains on board. There! you needn't deny it. +I understand the matter too well to be deceived." + +"Didn't I sabe de cap'in's life?" quavered Pomp, still fearful of the +cold, measured tones of the mate. + +"You befriended him at a critical moment, and therefore I won't shoot +you, when I have such a good chance to do so. But you have regretted +your interference more than once, and you are seeking now to undo all +the good you have done. We have it in our power not only to go away, +but to bring back a force which shall hang every one of you three, as +you deserve to be, but----" + +"Oh! oh-o-o-o!" + +"But we don't propose to do it. We are not going away to leave you +here. To-morrow we shall have a proposal to offer to your mates, which +they will be glad to accept. That is about all I have to say to you." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE DEPARTURE + + +As Mate Storms said, he had but little more communication to make with +the negro. + +"You may now swim back to your friends and say that we will be ready +to negotiate to-morrow morning. If they will come down to the shore, +we will have a talk and arrange the whole business. Now, perhaps, you +had better go back." + +Pomp Cooper was quick-witted enough to understand that this utterance +was in the nature of a hint for him to depart, and he stood not on the +order of his going. + +"Good-by, sah," he called out. "Much obleege fo' your kindness, dat I +shall remember a good while." + +Mate Storms stood motionless, watching him until he was perhaps a +hundred feet from the craft, when he said, just loud enough to be +heard: + +"Sharks are mighty plenty hereabout, and I saw a big one yesterday. +Shouldn't wonder if he has a leg bit off before he gets back." + +Pomp heard the words, and they "disturbed" him, to put it mildly. +Evidently he had forgotten the peril to which all persons are exposed +in tropical waters, and, as the truth was impressed upon him with such +suddenness, he uttered a "whiff" like a porpoise and began swimming +with fierce energy toward the shore. In fact, he never put forth so +much effort in all his life. The expectation of feeling a huge +man-eating monster gliding beneath you when in the water is enough to +shake the nerves of the strongest swimmer. He kept diving and swimming +as far as he could below the surface, and then came up and continued +his desperate efforts until he reached the land, where he joined his +companions. + +Abe Storms stood looking and listening, his face expanded in a broad +smile, when he heard a light laugh at his elbow. Turning his head, he +found the captain there. + +"I heard your summons to him," said the captain, by way of explanation, +"and I came up to hear what it meant. I must admit, you managed the +case well." + +"It might have been worse. My only fear is that the imps won't believe +we honestly intend to hold the conference with them, and offer a +compromise." + +"They will find it out at daylight, and meanwhile they can't help +themselves. It is useless for me to stay below, Abe," added the +nervous captain. "There's too much on my mind to sleep." + +Therefore, the two remained on watch until the sun rose, at which time +there was nothing to be seen of the mutineers. + +"They're suspicious," concluded the mate, who called out, in a loud +voice that reached every portion of the island: + +"Hello, men! come and show yourselves. We want to have a talk with +you!" + +A few minutes later Hyde Brazzier appeared on the shore and answered +back again. It was deemed best to give the mutineers a proof of their +sincerity, and instead, therefore, of holding the conversation from +the deck of the schooner, the small boat was lowered, and both the +captain and mate entered it and rowed ashore, where all three awaited +them, as may be supposed, with some degree of astonishment. + +Storms and Captain Bergen were not without some misgivings, and they +did not venture unprepared into the lion's den. Both carried a loaded +revolver at command, and in case of an attack the business would have +been lively. But it was unreasonable to suppose that our friends would +be assailed under the peculiar circumstances. Furthermore, as the +parties understood each other, there was no time wasted in reproaches +or recriminations, but Captain Bergen came directly to the point. + +"This state of things can't last," said he; "we are deadly enemies, +and we would kill each other on the slightest pretext. The island is +too small to contain us all. Either you three or we two must leave +before the sun reaches meridian, or we shall go to fighting like caged +tigers. Neither can we go away together, for I would not trust any of +you again, nor would you trust either of us; therefore, one party must +go, and the other must stay--which shall it be? We were prepared to +leave, when we reflected that if we should be caught in some of the +storms which sweep over this region, the mate and I would hardly be +able to manage the schooner, and we are anxious to take care of the +little girl, to whom we are greatly attached. There are three of you, +all able-bodied seamen, and in case of a tempest you would be able to +navigate the _Coral_. It would be safer, therefore, for you to take +the vessel and go to some of the ports, secure assistance and send +them after us. We make, therefore, this proposition: We will turn over +the schooner to you, on condition that you leave with us such stores +as we may choose to take, and that you proceed at once to the nearest +of the inhabited Paumotu Islands and send assistance to us. +Furthermore, as you know all about the pearl-oysters, we will agree +to divide with you. You can take up half of what are on the bed out +yonder, and you may carry them away with you, leaving a moiety to us. +You are to sail just as soon as the oysters are placed on board. +That's our proposition--what do you say?" + +There could be no doubt that the mutineers were astonished by the +generosity of the offer, coming, as it did, from those who were in +reality masters of the situation. + +Had they been a little more cunning, they might have suspected there +was something behind it all, which was kept carefully out of sight; +but the terms were so good that Brazzier answered, the instant the +question was put to him: + +"We'll do it, and carry out our part fair and square." + +"Very well; there's no need of delay. We'll bring the schooner inshore +and take out what we want, and then turn the craft over to you." + +This amazing programme was carried out to the letter. Captain and +mate, accompanied by Pomp, rowed back in the small boat, and the +schooner was carefully worked toward the shore. + +Abe Storms and Captain Bergen saw that among the possibilities of the +future was a long stay on the lonely island, and they therefore +prepared for such a contingency, having an eye mainly to securing +that which little Inez would be likely to need. Pomp informed the +officers that there was a small cabin a short distance away, which had +no doubt been put up by the sailors of whom Grebbens had told the +captain. It was made of planking that had come ashore from the wreck, +and the fact that it had stood so long proved that it must have been +built with much skill as well as strength. + +It was found just as represented by Pomp--there being two compartments, +each a dozen feet or so square, and one of these was so well put +together that it seemed to be waterproof. Our friends were greatly +surprised and pleased over the discovery, for Grebbens had never said +anything about the structure. + +The goods from the _Coral_ were carried to this building and deposited +in the rear room, which was so tight that one would have almost +suffocated had he remained in it during the tropical weather which +prevails among the Paumotu Islands most of the time. + +The goods stowed there were of a varied assortment, including the +three breech-loading rifles, ammunition, tool-chest and contents, a +portion of the medicine-chest, some biscuits, cooking utensils, and a +trunk of calicoes, linens and materials such as are used in the making +of feminine costumes. It was a singular coincidence that Abe Storms +had provided a considerable quantity of this before leaving San +Francisco, knowing as he did the fondness of savages for such finery, +and having a suspicion that it might be turned to good account in the +way of barter in some of the South Sea islands. Little did he suspect +the use to which it would be put, and thankful indeed was he that it +was at his command, when it was so likely to be needed for Inez +Hawthorne. + +There was a goodly amount of stock, which was transferred to the +cabin, the mutineers assisting with the rest, for all felt there was +no time to lose. There was mistrust at first, each party seeming to be +suspicious of the other, but it soon wore off, and any one looking +upon them could not have been made to believe they were deadly +enemies. + +When the transfer was completed, it was evident that the current was +close upon its turn, and unless they should leave the island soon, +they would be compelled to wait perhaps twelve or twenty-four hours +longer. + +Since the sea was very calm, Hyde Brazzier proposed that the schooner +should be taken outside and anchored directly over the pearl-oyster +bed, so that sail could be hoisted as soon as they were ready. There +was a slight risk in the action, but it was done, and after some +careful maneuvering the _Coral_ was secured in position. + +It looked very magnanimous and somewhat stupid for Abe Storms to +volunteer to go down in his coat of armor and scoop the oysters into a +huge basket, for the very parties who had tried so hard to drown him +when similarly engaged the day before. Nothing, it would seem, could +be more absurd, and yet the reader is requested to suspend judgment +until he shall have read the following chapter. + +All this was done, and in the course of the succeeding two hours fully +three-fourths of the oysters scattered over that particular bed were +dumped upon the deck of the _Coral_, and Abe Storms, pretty well +exhausted, was pulled to the surface. The captain and mate, with the +armor, rowed themselves the short distance ashore in the small boat. +The _Coral_ hoisted sail, and, heading out to sea, rapidly sped away +over the Pacific. + +And all this time the three mutineers felicitated themselves upon the +manner in which they had gotten the best of the bargain. And yet, +never in all their lives had they been so completely outwitted as they +were by Abe Storms and Captain Jack Bergen, as we shall now proceed to +show. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND + + +The three mutineers on board the schooner Coral had sailed away and +disappeared from view on the face of the vast Pacific, and the captain +and mate were left with little Inez alone upon a small, lonely member +of the Paumotu Group, in the distant South Seas. + +Inez was too young to realize the gravity of the situation, and she +ran hither and thither, delighted with her new home, though she found +the cabin too warm inside to be comfortable, and she made frequent +draughts upon the spring of cool, clear water near which the former +residents of the atoll had built the cabin. Then, too, she had found +that there was considerable tropical fruit growing in the place, and +she made such havoc among it that Captain Bergen felt impelled to +caution her, if she should become sick on their hands, she would be +apt to fare ill, for they had little medicine at command. + +While she was thus engaged, captain and mate were reclining on the +ground, in the shade of the palm-trees. They spoke only now and then, +but there was a peculiar expression on their faces as they watched the +schooner gradually disappearing in the distance, for it was a long +while in sight. The time came at last, however, when even their +straining vision could not detect the faintest resemblance to a sail +in the horizon, though it was still visible, as a matter of course, +through their glasses. + +"I believe she is gone," said Storms, looking toward the captain. + +"Yes; I see nothing of her." + +"Then it's about time to shake." + +The two brawny hands clasped, and the friends greeted each other with +remarkable cordiality; and, as they did so, they laughed heartily, and +the mate almost shouted: + +"Captain, but it was a good trick!" + +"So it was; and I give you the credit of inventing it. I never would +have thought of it." + +"Shake again; and now to work." + +The mate had deposited some of the oysters brought up on the bank, and +they were carefully opened. They were eight in number, and there was +not found a single pearl among them. + +In all probability the entire lot which were carried away upon the +schooner were not worth as much as the same quantity of bivalves from +Chesapeake Bay. In short, this was not the pearl-oyster bed which had +brought the two friends the greater part of the way around the globe. +Suspecting--or, rather, knowing--the evil intentions of the mutineers, +Abe Storms proposed the ruse, by which the visit was made to the wrong +place. The mutineers themselves were outwitted, and, under the belief +that they were carrying away a cargo of fabulous wealth, they did not +wait to make an examination of the mollusks until they were well out +to sea. + +When they should open and examine them they were not likely to suspect +the trick, but would think that the whole journey was a failure, and +the three left on the island were, in reality, worse off than +themselves. + +And yet the true bed of oyster-pearls remained to be visited. + +"It is possible they may suspect something and come back again," said +the mate, "but it is hardly probable." + +"Are they likely to send any friends to take us off?" asked the +captain, with a quizzical look. + +"Not to any great extent. They will be sure to give us as wide a +berth hereafter as possible. In the meantime, I propose that we +investigate." + +The two rose to their feet, and, lugging the armor between them, +moved off toward a point whose location was as well known to them as +if they had spent years upon the atoll. + +While they were thus walking, the mate, who was much the better-educated +man, said: + +"This pearl-hunting is a curious business. Those specimens that I +brought up were the genuine species, and yet they have very few or no +pearls among them. It must be because the conditions are not favorable +for their creation or development, while, at the place we are about to +visit, the mollusks are the same, and yet there are conditions +existing there which cause an abnormal growth of the precious +jewels." + +"Did you make a careful examination of those other oysters?" + +"Yes. As I told you, they are genuine, but they have no pearls of any +account, the conditions being unfavorable for their formation. You +know the pearls grow within the oysters, being composed of slimy +secretions deposited around some foreign substance that enters them. +It may be that a peculiar action of the tide drives a grain of sand +into the mollusks, where we are to visit--though that is all +conjecture." + +But Mate Storms, who was only fairly launched out in the discourse +upon pearls, was here interrupted by the captain exclaiming: + +"This must be the spot." + +The particular bank had been designated so clearly that there could be +no mistake, and had the chart, or map, fallen into the hands of the +mutineers, they would have discovered the trick played on them in an +instant. The spot was a peculiar one where the two friends stopped. +Instead of being partly landlocked like the other, it opened out +fairly upon the sea, and appeared to be entirely unprotected from the +force of the breakers, which boomed against the beach. + +It would have been supposed naturally that the true course was for the +fishermen to go out in a small boat, and make their explorations from +that, but Grebbens had instructed the captain that the formation was +so peculiar that nothing would be gained by this course. The shore +sank like the side of a wall to a considerable depth, and the oysters +lay on the bottom, with some clusters clinging to the rocks, where +they could be torn off like sponges. + +It can be understood that the work of removing these would be almost +impossible for any one excepting a professional diver, unless, as was +the case with our friends, he should have some artificial assistance. +But for the diving-armor, it is hardly possible that Abe Storms would +have made a serious attempt to secure anything, knowing the danger +from sharks, and the difficulty of retaining his breath for any +extended time below the surface of the water. + +It was near the middle of the afternoon when this spot was reached. +The sea was calm, but there were signs in the sky ominous of a coming +storm, so that the two were anxious to make a beginning without any +unnecessary delay. Stooping almost upon their faces, when the swell +had receded enough to permit them, they peered down into the crystal +depths, and caught shadowy glimpses of the prizes. They saw the craggy +clusters, big and brown, clinging to the rocks, while others were +outlined on the floor of the bank. + +"They're there, beyond a doubt," said Storms, "and it now remains to +see whether they are worth the gathering. Help me get on this suit." + +Both worked deftly, and it was soon adjusted. The main thing was the +breathing apparatus, Storms having some fear that at such a depth the +pressure would be so great as to close the pipes, and thus shut out +the air. However, the only way to learn was by experiment, and he did +not wait. Carefully coiling his pipe, he took the rope in his hand and +began descending, the two having arranged the signals so that with +ordinary care no accident need result. Captain Bergen held one end of +the rope in his hand, ready to draw his friend to the surface the +instant he should receive notice that it was necessary. + +"It is a long way to the bottom!" exclaimed the captain, standing like +the harpooner in a whale-boat, and saw the line steadily paying out. + +"It won't do for him to go much further," was his conclusion, +noticing, with some alarm, that but little more of the hose was left +on the ground. "I wish those pearls had fixed themselves not +quite----Hello!" + +He knew from the instant cessation of the weight on the rope, and the +motionless condition of the hose, that the bottom had been reached by +Abe Storms, and none too soon, either. Peering carefully into the +clear depths, Captain Bergen saw, too, that his mate was attending to +business. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +AT LAST + + +Mate Storms, so far as could be seen, looked like an immense crab at +work on the bottom of the pearl bank and along the rough rocks. He was +so far below the surface that he was insensible to the long, heavy +swells, which at intervals broke upon the beach with a thunderous +boom, and so long as the breathing apparatus kept right he could +pursue his labor without difficulty. + +As he anticipated, he had not been long at work when several sharks +made their appearance and reconnoitered the mysterious intruder upon +their domains. They were evidently puzzled over the appearance of the +strange visitor, and when Storms gave one of them an ugly prod with +the point of his knife, he darted out of sight, instantly followed by +the others, who seemed to suspect they were in danger from the +monster, whose slightest touch was so emphatic. + +It did not take long for the diver to fill his basket, and when he +gave the signal, Captain Bergen pulled with might and main, and, a +few minutes after, the man in his armor scrambled upon shore, tumbled +over by a huge swell, which broke at that moment. The basket was full, +and catching it up, Captain Bergen left his friend to himself and +began hurriedly prying open the mollusks with his sheath-knife. His +heart throbbed, for they were the largest oysters he had ever seen, +and he was full of high hope. + +The first bivalve opened disclosed a pearl almost as large as a +robin's egg. It possessed the faint yellowish tinge which is +recognized in the East as belonging to the most valuable species. + +With trembling, eager hands, Captain Bergen opened the second, and +discovered another, nearly as large as the first. Half beside himself, +he snatched up the largest oyster in the heap, and forced it apart +with such precipitancy that he cut his hand. There lay a pearl before +him fully a third larger than the first, with the purest tint, oval in +form, and worth thousands of dollars. + +Captain Bergen could contain himself no longer, but springing to his +feet he threw his hat in the air, and shouted, and danced about like a +madman. + +Mr. Storms did not remove his armor, for he intended to go down again. +His laugh, muffled and sounding strangely from within the visor, was +heard as he joined in the demonstrations of his companion. + +When, encumbered as he was with his awkward armor, he began executing +a double shuffle on the beach, the sight was so grotesque that the +captain came near going into convulsions. But the exercise was too +exhausting, and the mate speedily sat down on the shore and also began +opening oysters. His ardor was somewhat dampened when he failed to +discover anything in the first, and he became quite solemn when the +second was equally barren of results; but the third yielded a +beautiful pearl, fully equal to the first which the captain brought +forth. There could be no doubt now that the men had struck a pearl +bank of marvelous richness. + +"There are plenty more down there," said the mate, preparing to +descend with his knife and basket again. + +Captain Bergen allowed him to go, while he took the rope in hand, +restraining his excitement with difficulty, for he was now sure that +the wildest dreams in which he had indulged promised to be more than +realized, and he considered the fortune of himself and friend +assured. + +"The fools," he muttered, referring to the mutineers; "if they had +acted the part of honest men they might have shared this, but they +chose to be scoundrels, and truly they have had their reward." + +He noticed this time that the mate drew more upon the hose than +before--so much so, indeed, that he threatened to draw the upper ends +under water--and the captain gave a warning tug at the rope, to +apprise him that he must venture no further. The warning was heeded, +and when, a few minutes later, the diver was helped to terra firma +again, his basket was filled heaping full. + +This was dumped out, and he prepared to descend once more. Captain +Bergen was so occupied in attending to his friend that he gained +little time to open the oysters, and could only look longingly at +them. Now and then, while the diver was cautiously working below, the +captain snatched one up and pried the shells apart, and the success he +met with was enough to turn the head of the coolest and most +unconcerned of men. Beyond question, as we have said, the bank +contained oysters of astonishing richness, fully three-fourths +possessing pearls of extraordinary size and value. + +Abe Storms went down and came up with the basket heaped to the top six +separate times, and then doffed his armor. + +"What's the matter?" asked the captain, in surprise. + +"That's all!" + +"What! are there no more?" + +"Not another one, so far as I can see." + +"That's too bad," observed the captain, in a tone of disappointment. +"I supposed there was enough to keep us employed several days." + +"Ah, Jack," replied the mate, in a reproving tone, "see the emptiness +of riches, and how little they can do to satisfy the cravings of the +human heart. There is enough wealth there at your feet to make you and +me independently rich for life, and yet you complain because you have +so little." + +"It was wrong," said the captain, meekly. "I am in such a nervous +condition that I'm hardly myself. I am truly grateful for what we have +here, and glad that we made the long voyage to secure them. We have +enough--to crave more is wicked." + +They now set to work opening the shells between which were nestling +the pearls, and the result was simply astonishing. It was hard work to +get some of the thick, ridgy bivalves apart, but when they succeeded +they rarely failed to be rewarded munificently. Some of the pearls +were small, the majority large, and about twenty of enormous size and +clearness. When the entire lot was placed in a little pile, there were +found to be one hundred and twenty-odd; and, although it was +impossible to estimate their value, Mate Storms--who was the better +informed--believed they were worth at least a quarter of a million of +dollars. All these had been taken in a few hours, though the +preparations and the voyage thither had occupied many long, long +months. + +"I think I will go down and take a farewell look," said Abe, when the +task was finished. "I have a suspicion that I may have missed +something." + +"I am quite sure you have," replied the captain, assisting him with +his armor; "and you have but a short time at your disposal, either, +for I think a storm is brewing." + +This time the mate meant to proceed differently. In descending along +the rocks the first time, he paused to break off some of the clusters, +and he thought he caught the shadowy glimpse of an enormous oyster, +further in; but there were so many closer at hand, and he was so +excited--despite his natural coolness--that he forgot about it until +now, when he determined to look further, half hoping, more than +believing, that it might possess a still larger pearl than any he had +seen. He was confident that this was the only one he had missed, for +the search he made during his last descent, in other respects, was +thorough and left nothing to be done over again. + +Carefully he sank into the depths of the ocean, with one hand grasping +the rope, ready to give the signal to stop lowering the instant it +should become necessary. He passed several yawning crevices in the +rocks, which, of course, were of coral formation, and all at once he +tugged smartly at the rope. He recognized the spot, and his feet were +still about three yards from the bank upon which he had walked back +and forth so many times. Captain Bergen responded at once, and held +him suspended where he was, which was anything but a comfortable +position, inasmuch as he could find no support for his feet, and his +left hand was of little use. + +Immediately before his face the rock made an inward sweep, showing an +abrupt ledge, a yard in width and depth. Scanning this as closely as +he could in the dim twilight of the ocean-cavern, Storms thought he +saw something resembling an oyster, which was fully a foot in length. +Uncertain as to its identity, he shoved his hand in and found it was +suspended to the rock above, and after two or three violent wrenches, +and by using his knife as well as he could, he broke it loose and drew +it out. + +It was an oyster, indeed, of prodigious size, and he instantly +signaled to the captain to draw him up. The latter did so with a vigor +that threatened to dislocate the armor itself. + +"Here it is," he exclaimed, the moment he reached the air. "But I +don't know whether there is anything in it or not." + +"My stars! Is that an oyster?" asked the captain, picking it up and +turning it over like a huge stone, with inquiring eyes. + +Little Inez Hawthorne had come to the spot while the mate was down the +last time, and she danced with delight at the sight of the beautiful +pearls piled upon the ground like a heap of tiny cannon balls. + +"What are you going to do with that?" she asked, surveying the big +bivalve, with an expression of disgust on her pretty face. + +"That is yours," said the captain, earnestly. + +The mate looked at him and said: + +"Do you mean that, captain?" + +"I do. Whatever we find inside of that shall be consecrated to the use +of Inez Hawthorne--to be hers absolutely. There may be nothing at all, +but if there be a pearl, it will possess a value which we cannot +estimate." + +The mate reached out his hand. + +"The proposition does credit to your heart, captain, and I join it +without reservation. Now do you open it." + +The captain hesitated a moment and looked at the big shell curiously, +as if afraid to make the investigation. + +While thus employed, Storms called attention to the fact that the two +shells were already slightly separated, as if the mollusk were gasping +for air, which could not be the case. Captain Bergen held up the huge +shell and peeped inside. He did so but an instant, when he dropped it +upon the sand, and exclaimed, with a pale face and trembling voice: + +"It's there!" + +Mate Storms knew what it meant, and he in turn raised the oyster, ran +his knife in carefully, worked hard for a minute, and then managed to +get the two shells apart. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE PEARL OF THE PACIFIC + + +There, at the front of the oyster, and slightly to one side, was the +most marvelous pearl upon which the eyes of the men had ever rested. +It was the size of an ordinary hen's egg, clear and pure, and worth a +sum of money which neither of the astounded men dared attempt to +guess. + +For a few seconds they were speechless, and then Inez clapped her +hands with delight, and asked: + +"Is that for me?" + +"Yes, that is yours," replied Captain Bergen. "The mate and I give it +to you, to be yours and no one's else." + +"Isn't it splendid?" cried Inez, catching it up, passing it from one +hand to the other, holding it up in the sunlight, and showing as much +genuine pleasure as if she were a veritable South Sea Islander, +presented with some new trinket. + +"That," said Mate Storms, "may be called The Pearl of the Pacific!" + +"No," objected the captain, "it is she who is the pearl of this great +ocean, for it was upon its surface that we first saw her, and she has +proved herself far above the worth of pearls or diamonds or rubies. To +her, under heaven, my life, and not impossibly yours, is owing. The +greatest pleasure of this voyage has come from her companionship, and +all that I ask now is that we shall be able to preserve this wealth +for her, and that the opportunity may be ours to do our full duty +toward her." + +Mate Storms looked admiringly at the captain, who had so eloquently +expressed his own sentiments. + +"You are right, Jack," said he, speaking in his familiar way. "It is +she who is the Pearl of the Pacific!" + +The men surveyed, with the greatest pleasure, the frolicsome delight +of the little one, who was all unmindful of the immense treasure which +had fallen to her lot, and of the title of honor which her friends had +given her. Naturally, the entire party were so absorbed that for a +time they hardly glanced beyond their immediate surroundings; but when +Abe Storms came up for the last time, he glanced, by the merest +accident, out to sea, and exclaimed: + +"Oh, my goodness! Just look there, Jack!" + +No more than half a mile distant, a flying proa was seen, speeding +with great swiftness over the water, while a number of dark figures +were discovered on the deck, evidently looking with no little +curiosity at the white men. + +The singular craft, however, came no nearer, and soon vanished in the +distance. Its appearance caused some apprehension and uneasiness on +the part of our friends, and after discussing the matter they decided, +as a matter of precaution, to bury the pearls. + +Inez was persuaded, without difficulty, to trust hers to the keeping +of her friends, who dug a small well in the sand, and inclosing the +entire number of pearls in strong canvas bags, made for that purpose, +buried them out of sight, there to remain until one or both of the men +should choose to dig them up again, and it was agreed that that should +not be done until the way opened for them to leave the island. + +The long afternoon was well advanced when this task was completed, +they fixing the precise spot so clearly in their minds that there was +no necessity of landmarks, either being sure of finding it whenever it +should become necessary. + +"It seems to me the swells are larger than usual, and they make more +noise when they break upon the beach," observed Mr. Storms, looking +curiously at the sky. + +They had just dumped back the remains of the pearl-oysters into the +sea, so as to leave no trace of their work, and Captain Bergen +straightened up and surveyed the sky. + +"There's a storm coming--a regular screamer! Look, by the great horn +spoon!" he added, in no little excitement. + +There was good cause for the emotion of the captain, for the light of +the sun was obscured by a thick, yellow haze, which was fast +overspreading the sky, and, far out to sea, the long line of mist +seemed to be churning the water into foam, and to be advancing rapidly +toward the island, where stood the two men contemplating the coming +fury of the elements. + +The light of the sun was obscured, and there was a perceptible +chilliness in the air, and the barometer--which they had brought from +the _Coral_--showed a most startling change. One of the fiercest of +the tropical tempests was gathering, and was sure to break upon the +island in a few minutes. + +This was alarming to contemplate, for the men knew well what kind of +elemental disturbances spring up on the shortest notice in the South +Seas. But it was not this alone which startled them. + +Looking directly out to sea, toward the yeasty waters, they saw a +schooner sinking and rising upon the long swells, and certain to be +caught, in the very vortex, as may be said, of the hurricane, or +tornado, or typhoon, or whatever it should be termed. The craft was +not an unfamiliar one--both knew it well--for it was the _Coral_, with +the mutineers on board. + +Unarmed as they were, they would not dare place themselves in the +power of those toward whom they had shown such enmity, but that they +were literally forced to do so to escape almost certain destruction +from the impending tempest. + +If they should run into the lagoon to wait until the storm should +subside, neither the captain nor mate would disturb them--provided +they took their departure as soon as it became safe. Still, knowing +their treacherous character so well, Bergen and Storms did not mean to +trust them at all. Inez was therefore placed within the cabin, while +her protectors made certain they were armed and ready for any +contingency. + +Now that the sun was shut out from sight, a darkness like that of +night overspread land and water, while the strong gale howled among +the palms, which swayed and bent as if they would soon be uprooted and +flung out into the boiling sea. The swells were topped with foam, and +large drops of rain, sweeping almost horizontally across the island, +struck against the face like pebbles. + +The mutineers were heading, so far as was possible, towards the +opening in the atoll, but they were not in position to strike it, and, +with the deepening darkness and increasing tempest, the task was +becoming more difficult every minute. Suddenly a vivid flash of +lightning illumined the gloom, and the schooner _Coral_ was observed +on the crest of a high wave, heading toward the island; but the two +men who saw her, saw also, that she missed the opening and was too +close in to make it. + +The rumble of thunder continued for some minutes, when once more a +blinding flash swept across the murky sky, lighting up sea and island +for the instant, as if with the glare of the noonday sun. Captain +Bergen and Mate Storms were straining their eyes to catch sight of the +little schooner and its crew, but it was invisible. In that single +searching glance, they could not have failed to see her had she been +afloat. The conclusion, therefore, was inevitable. She and her crew +had gone to the bottom of the sea. + +Such was the fact. The mutineers had met a frightful though merited +fate, and could trouble our friends no more. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +A DISMAL HOME + + +Captain Bergen and his mate were not certain that one or more of the +mutineers had not survived the foundering of the schooner _Coral_, and +had managed to reach the island. + +If such were the case, they considered it important that it should be +known as soon as possible, and on the morrow, therefore, they made +careful search, but none of the three men was ever seen again. A few +fragments of spars, floating here and there, were all the signs that +such a craft had ever sailed over the Pacific. + +Since the captain and mate were now given the opportunity to think of +their own situation, they did so like men of gravity and sense. They +were safely upon Pearl Island, as they had named it. They had secured +the prize for which they had come so many thousand miles, and they +were, as the world goes, wealthy men. More than that, they had found a +pearl of such marvelous size and purity that, being dedicated to +little Inez Hawthorne, it was a great fortune indeed to her. + +And yet, in one sense, the little party were paupers; that is, so long +as they were held prisoners upon the atoll, for the treasure of pearls +could not purchase them food, clothing, friends, happiness--nor, in +fact, were they anything more than so many valueless pebbles. They +must reach civilization again to realize anything from the riches +which had come into their possession. + +But how were they to leave the island? This was the one great question +which faced them, and which they were called upon to solve, for now +that there was no further cause for staying, the homesickness of the +men increased, and it was not long before they felt they would give +half their wealth for the means of getting back to Boston. + +Since they were absolutely without this means, it was evident they +could do nothing but rely upon Providence to send some vessel to their +relief. It was not impossible that Abe Storms, gifted as he was with +so much wonderful ingenuity, might have attempted to construct some +sort of craft from the palm trees, and it is quite likely he would +have succeeded in making something that could be utilized. But the +awful blotting out of the _Coral_, before their eyes, had alarmed +both, and made them more timid than they otherwise would have been. + +It was a good many miles to the nearest inhabited island, as laid down +on their chart, and they might succeed in reaching it, provided they +could be assured of a week of good weather. But there could be no such +assurance, and a disturbance meant the same fate that overtook the +mutineers. + +It is not at all unlikely, too, that the presence of little Inez +Hawthorne increased this timidity. Had they been without her, they +would not have hesitated to take great risks, but, somehow or other, +her life was inestimably precious in their eyes, and they would never +have forgiven themselves had any ill befallen her through their +dereliction of duty. + +"There is a mystery about her life which shall yet be cleared up," Abe +Storms frequently remarked; "and we must not do aught that shall +endanger or delay the solution of the question." + +There were comparatively few stores which the schooner had left them +before its final departure, and the survivors were forced to rely +mainly upon what the island afforded. Of course there were fish in +abundance, and they frequently rowed out in the lagoon in the tender, +or small boat, or cast out their lines from shore, and never failed in +a short time to catch all they wanted. + +The spring of clear, cool water bubbled and trickled steadily, and +never failed them. And the several species of tropical fruits about +them were used sparingly, the men having the prudence to seek to +prevent the supply giving out. + +It was a great relief to Storms and Bergen to find, after the most +thorough exploration they could make, that there were no poisonous +reptiles upon the island. + +"We may as well face the situation," said Captain Bergen, after they +had held frequent consultations; "we have been here five weeks now, +and we haven't caught sight of the first sail, with the exception of +our own, which has gone to the bottom, and it may be that weeks and +months more may pass before we shall see another." + +"It is not unlikely that it may be years," added Storms, gravely; +"for, according to the narrative of Grebbens himself, he was here a +long time before he was taken away. The wisest thing we can do is to +prepare ourselves for an indefinite stay." + +A long time before, the captain had laboriously climbed the mast which +was erected in the sand by the inlet, and had securely fastened an old +garment to the highest point. There it was still, fluttering in the +wind, when there was enough breeze to raise the irregular folds, but, +alas! it had not brought the friendly sail which they longed for, and +they had been forced at last to look upon an extended residence upon +the island as not only possible, but very probable. + +Like philosophers, they governed themselves accordingly. The signal +was kept flying and they busied themselves fishing, talking or doing +odd things which were done simply to pass away time. But the two felt +that a most urgent duty was upon them, respecting Inez Hawthorne. + +"We must do what we can for her," said Storms. "With the material +which I have on hand we can construct garments that will keep her clad +with comeliness, though she may not be in the fashion; and yet I don't +know but what she will," he added, with a smile, "for we may strike +some of the vagaries without knowing it. Then, too, she must be +educated." + +"I'm not well up in the line of an education," said the captain, with +some embarrassment, "being as I never attended any other than a +district school, but I believe you graduated, didn't you, Abe?" + +"Yes, I went through Harvard three years ago, and stood second in my +class. I haven't any fear that I won't be able to teach her, for she +is a child of unusual brightness." + +And, as may be supposed, the mate went to work thoroughly in the +instruction of Inez Hawthorne, who proved herself one of the most apt +of pupils, and advanced with a rapidity which delighted her teacher. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THREE YEARS + + +Three years have passed, and still Captain Bergen, Mate Storms and +Inez Hawthorne are upon the lonely Pearl Island in the South Sea. + +Could they have believed when they left Boston that they would be +doomed to such an imprisonment, it may well be doubted whether they +would have made the voyage, even if assured of the vast fortune which +thereby came into their hands. + +The three years had been dismally monotonous to them, and their +courage had been tried to the utmost, for there had been times when +both agreed that they would probably stay there until released by +death, and then they fell to speculating as to which would be the last +one to survive. According to human logic, it would seem that that lot +would fall to Inez, and their hearts sank at the thought of her being +left to perish in the lonely spot. + +When the coat fluttering from the top of the mast was blown away by +the gale, Captain Bergen climbed up and nailed another in its place, +grimly remarking that it looked as if they were going down with their +colors flying. + +It was surprising what was done by Mate Storms, whose ingenuity was +almost incredible. With the material at his command, he kept Inez +clothed in a tasteful manner. + +She wore dresses and shoes which fitted her well, and her hat was +renewed with extraordinary skill, from material obtained from the +palm-trees. + +Those three years, although of indescribable weariness at times, were +marked by some startling incidents, and by many worthy of record. The +great object of Storms was to educate Inez, and he did his utmost in +that direction, assisted by the bright intellect of the girl and her +own ardent desire to explore the wonders of knowledge. + +There were few facilities in the way of furniture, considered so +indispensable in these later days. He had no pens or ink, and only a +Bible in the way of books. He had some blank paper and a single lead +pencil, which were utilized to their fullest extent. For a slate or +blackboard, he used the beach, as did Archimedes of the olden time. + +Selecting a place where the water had left it hard and smooth, Storms, +with a sharp-pointed stick, made his characters and gave his +instruction in the mysteries of mathematics. + +It would sound incredible were we to say that, during those three +years, the dwellers on the lonely atoll had never descried a sail; and +such was not a fact, for there are few shores on this globe where a +human being can bury himself so long from sight of the white-winged +birds of commerce. They had seen many ships, but it looked very much +as if they themselves had not been seen, nor had their presence been +suspected by any of them. + +"The idea of our being so nervous lest some one should get here ahead +of us," remarked Storms, more than once, "when we might have delayed +our coming a dozen years without any danger from that cause." + +They had discovered the cloud-like picture of the canvas sail as it +came up over the horizon, and their hearts swelled as it expanded and +came closer. But all hope faded again when it grew less in the +distance and finally passed from view altogether. + +This had happened repeatedly, and more than once Captain Bergen had +laboriously made his way up the smooth mast to the very top, where he +swung his hat wildly; but it must have been that the little island in +the South Seas possessed slight interest in the eyes of the navigators +who occasionally drifted in that direction, for had they seen the +signal of distress, or caught sight of the man frantically waving his +hat from the top, they would have learned what its meaning was. + +The greatest dejection which took possession of the couple was when +they, through the glass, saw the Stars and Stripes fluttering from the +mizzen of the ship which came the nearest and then made off again. The +sight of that most beautiful banner in the world was like a glimpse of +their distant New England home, and they seemed to feel the cool +breeze fanning their hot brows as it bore steadily toward them. + +When it went over the convex sea out of sight, Captain Bergen covered +his face with his hands and wept, and when, after awhile, he looked up +again, he saw the tears on the cheeks of Abe Storms, who stood +motionless and gazing silently off upon the deep, as if he expected +the vessel would come back to them. It was a severe blow, and it was a +long time before they recovered from it. + +The exact age of Inez Hawthorne when she became, by an extraordinary +turn of the wheel of fortune, the protegee of the two sailors, was, as +given by herself, six years, but both the captain and mate were +confident that she was fully one, if not two years older. + +Now, at the termination of the period named, she was a girl as fully +developed mentally and physically as one of a dozen years, and she was +growing into a woman of striking beauty. She was still a child, with +all the innocence and simplicity which distinguished her at the time +she was taken from the deck of the steamer _Polynesia_, but in a few +years more, should she be spared, she would become a woman. + +Captain Bergen and Mate Storms were honest, conscientious men, and +Christians, and they performed their full duty in that most important +respect to Inez Hawthorne. Never passed a day in which Storms did not +read, in an impressive voice, from the great Book of all books, and +the sublime passages, the wonderful precepts, the divine truths and +the sacred instruction from that volume were seed which fell upon good +ground and bore its fruit in due season. + +If ever there was a good, pure, devout Christian, Inez Hawthorne +became one, and her greatest desire, as she repeatedly expressed it, +was that she might go out in the great world among all people, and do +her utmost to carry the glad tidings to them. + +"The time will come," replied Abe Storms, when he listened to these +glowing wishes. "God never intended you should live and die upon this +lonely island when there is such need for missionaries like you. I +don't see that we are of much account, but I believe He has something +for us, too, and we shall be given the opportunity to do it." + +"Ah," said the skipper, with a sigh, "you have been saying that for +three years, and the sails that come go again and care nothing for +us. I am beginning to believe we are to stay here for the rest of our +lives, and that I am to be the first one to take the long, last sleep +that awaits us all." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +AN ARRIVAL + + +When Captain Bergen was inclined to become pessimistic, the mate +treated it lightly, for he feared the strong sailor would break before +long from sheer homesickness. + +It was fortunate that neither had any family, the mate being one of +those who are without any close living relative, while the captain had +a sister in New England, and his aged mother was in San Francisco, +living with a nephew, of whom she was very fond. + +Thus the three years passed away, and the second era in their lives +approached. There was something curious in the fact that all the +inhabitants of the lonely Pearl Island had lost their reckoning. No +two could agree on the day of the week, and when they compromised on +one, which was called Sunday, and observed as such, they were much in +doubt whether they were right, and, as it afterward proved, they were +not. + +One afternoon, when the sun had hardly passed the meridian, the mate +and captain were stretched upon the beach under the shade of a +palm-tree, and looking out upon the sea, over which they had come to +this desolate spot so long before. The day was cooler than usual, and +a steady breeze blew, rendering the position of the friends in that +respect as pleasant as they could wish, though their weary, homesick +feeling was telling upon them. Both the ragged sailors were thinner, +and there was a yearning, far-away look in their eyes, especially in +those of the captain, which presaged the approach of insanity or death +at no distant day, unless a change were made in their condition and +surroundings. This lamentable state was partly due, no doubt, to the +diet to which they had been subjected for many months. + +Inez, who seemed happy everywhere and at all times, was busying +herself in the cabin, where she could find plenty to do; and ever and +anon the sound of her voice could be heard, as she sang some snatch of +song, which came through the mist of memory from her infancy. + +"I tell you what it is," said Captain Bergen, in his low, determined +voice, "this thing cannot continue much longer." + +"You are no more weary of it than I, Jack; but show me the way in +which it can be ended." + +"We've got to take the risk. The tender there is large enough to +carry us and a good supply of provisions--that is, enough water, to +last several days. We can rig some sort of sail, and, in less than a +week, by keeping to the northwest, we shall reach some inhabited +island, unless we should be picked up before that time, which I +consider quite likely." + +"I've thought a good deal of it, Jack," said the mate, in a voice of +equal seriousness. "We have been restrained heretofore by the fear +that it would endanger too greatly the safety of Inez, and mainly by +the feeling that we couldn't stay here long without assistance being +summoned by that signal fluttering up there. And yet, three years have +come and gone," continued the mate, "and not a living soul has come to +us. There have been hundreds of days within this long period when we +might have embarked on board the little boat and safely made our way +to some other port, but we could not know it, and the result is--here +we are." + +"And the situation is very different from what it was when we first +landed, for it is now a choice between staying here with the certainty +of miserably perishing--every one of us--and of starting boldly out +upon an unknown sea, as it may be called, with the chances between +life and death about even." + +"You have stated the case correctly," assented Mr. Storms; "and though +it is your place to command, yet as you have deferred to me, I give +you my promise that to-morrow we shall begin rigging the best sort of +sail we can, and at daylight on the next day we will start for +whatever port Providence directs us." + +"That has put new life into me, Abe. I feel now as I did three years +ago, when we first caught sight of those pearls. I am ten years +younger. I prefer a bold stroke for life to a weak submission to fate, +with this dismal waiting for help to come to us. By the great horn +spoon! a thousand such pearl banks as we cleaned out wouldn't tempt me +to spend another year on this hated island----" + +At this instant the voice of Inez was heard, excitedly calling to +them, and while they rose to the sitting position and looked +inquiringly in that direction, she was seen to spring through the open +door of the cabin, and to come running toward them on the beach, +bareheaded and with her long, yellow hair streaming in the wind. + +"What can be the matter with her?" exclaimed the captain, rising to +his feet. "What is she saying?" + +"Hark!" + +The distance was so short that the girl was at their side a second or +two later. She was laughing, and uttering something in her excitement, +which, until that moment, they did not understand. + +"Who ever saw any one so stupid?" she called out, cheerily. "What are +your eyes for? Why don't you look out to sea?" + +The two obeyed, and an exclamation of amazement escaped both, for +there, while they had lain on the beach talking in such disconsolate +tones, and looking dreamily out upon the ocean, a craft had been +steadily approaching, and neither of the two saw it. + +At the furthest, it was no more than a mile distant, and, since it was +heading straight in toward the atoll, the chances were a hundred to +one that the signal of distress had been seen, and the lonely island +at last was going to have a visitor. + +Captain Bergen muttered something about the "great horn spoon," under +his breath, while Storms said nothing, but gazed steadily at the +craft, upon which his hopes were so suddenly and strongly fixed. It +might be that the hearts of all three bounded with hope at this sight +of a vessel, but the hope was mixed with apprehension, for the sailors +saw it was not the sort of vessel for which they had been praying so +long. + +Instead of a gallant ship, with the Stars and Stripes streaming from +the fore, it was what is termed a flying proa, which is the name +applied to the narrow canoes used principally in the Ladrone Islands. +They are about thirty feet long, three feet wide, and are steered by a +paddle at either end. The sail is lateen, with a boom upon one mast; +the prow and stern curve to a high point, and the depth being +considerably greater than the width, the proa would, if unsupported, +capsize instantly, but a hollow log or heavy-pointed spar rests on the +water, parallel with the windward side, and, being secured in place, +acts as an outrigger and removes the danger of overturning. The same +name is applied to the boats used by the Malays, and which are +propelled by both oars and sails. + +But the one which greeted the astonished eyes of Storms and Bergen had +its huge lateen sail spread, and was moving with great velocity, for +the proas of the Indian and Pacific oceans are probably the fastest +boats in the world. It rode the waters like a bird, and would soon +enter the lagoon within the island, for there could be no doubt that +the men on board had seen not only the signal, but the persons +themselves who were waiting for them. + +Inasmuch as a couple of men were discernible with the naked eye on the +proa, it followed that the latter must descry the three individuals +who were standing out in full view upon the shore of the island. + +"How about this?" asked Captain Bergen, stepping to the side of his +mate, and speaking in an undertone. "Shall we rejoice or not?" + +"It's uncertain," was the dubious reply. "Those boats generally carry +the vagabonds of the ocean, and the last motive which, as a rule, +brings them to a spot like this is humanity." + +"Where's your glass?" + +"I declare, I never thought of that--I was so surprised!" + +Storms carried it with him always, and he now brought it to bear upon +the singular-looking craft approaching. It was so close inshore that, +with the aid of the instrument, he was able to see everything +distinctly, especially as the boat at that moment bore off a little +and then headed toward the entrance again. + +So far as could be ascertained, there were three persons on the boat, +and the captain reached the same conclusion after using the glass. + +"If that's the case," said Captain Bergen, "we haven't anything to +fear from them, for, with our guns and ammunition, we can hold our own +against a dozen South Sea Islanders." + +"There may be others concealed about the craft, but I incline to think +not. However, it's best to be prepared. So let's get to the house and +make ready to receive them--whether they come as enemies or friends." + +The suggestion was a prudent one, and the two men hurried up the beach +in the direction of the cabin, while Inez remained to watch the proa. +The men examined their rifles and saw they were loaded and ready for +instant use, and then, bearing one apiece, they came forth again. As +they did so, something like a shadow seemed to shoot through the +trees, and, looking toward the lagoon, they saw the cause. The proa +had entered the quiet waters within, and was coming to rest as +gracefully as a sea gull stops in its flight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE FLYING PROA AND ITS COMMANDER + + +The lateen sail of the proa descended with a rattle and bang, the man +at the oar gave it several vigorous sweeps, and the strange-looking +but astonishingly swift craft came to rest almost in the same position +that the schooner _Coral_ occupied three years before. + +"Helloa, there! How are you? How long have you been here?" + +When it is stated that this hail came from aboard the proa, it is +unnecessary to say that our two friends were surprised, for they +supposed that the visitors were natives, who at the best could not +speak more than a few words of broken English. + +This astonishment was turned to literal amazement when they saw that +the speaker was a Caucasian like themselves, one of the two standing +at the prow, and looking out upon them with a smiling countenance. +There was no mistaking the ruddy, sunburned face, the curling hair, +and the regular, European features of the young man, whose expanded +smile showed a set of white, even teeth, and he seemed to enjoy their +astonishment after hearing his words. + +It was curious that they had failed to notice him before, inasmuch as +his dress was dissimilar from the others, he having the usual +tarpaulin hat and the broad trowsers of the American and English +sailor. It was plain, too, that he was scarcely a man, being, in fact, +a boy, who by some strange means was adrift in this part of the +world. + +As soon as the proa was within reach of land, the youth sprang ashore, +and, walking straight up to Captain Bergen, extended his right hand to +him and his left to Mr. Storms, shaking both warmly, while, as he +spoke, he looked from the face of one to the other. + +"How long have you been in this place? Judging from your clothes and +looks, I should say about twenty years? Do you want to emigrate? Where +are you from? What are your names? How came you here? My name is Fred +Sanders, and I've been knocking about among the South Sea Islands for +the last five years." + +There was no resisting the jolly good-nature of the young man, who had +a habit of laughing heartily, when no one else could see anything to +laugh at, and whose high spirits always infected others with whom he +came in contact. But it would not have required much study for any one +to discover that he was a wild, reckless youth, who had probably run +away from home, and taken to bad ways from a natural inclination in +that direction. + +While this interview was going on, Inez Hawthorne was absent, she +having withdrawn at the suggestion of her friends, though of course +the visitors knew of her presence, from having seen her on the beach. + +Captain Bergen replied to the greeting of his friend: + +"We have been here full three years. If I'm not mistaken, it is three +years and two weeks this very Thursday." + +"Then that's just where you _are_ mistaken!" broke in Fred Sanders, +with his ringing laugh, "for it so happens that to-day isn't Thursday, +by a long shot!" + +"Of course not," Mr. Storms hastened to say. "I don't know how many +arguments I have had with the captain to prove he was wrong, and that +this is Friday----" + +And Fred threw back his head and roared louder than ever. + +"It's a toss up between you. I don't wonder that you got muddled when +you were forced to stay in such an outlandish place as this so long. I +think I would have got mixed myself." + +"Pray tell me what day of the week it is." + +"This is Tuesday afternoon, with a half-dozen hours of daylight left +to you yet." + +While this brief conversation was going on, the two natives were upon +the boat, waiting as if for permission to land. They sat as meekly as +children, in a partly crouching position, intently watching, with +their glittering black eyes, the three figures before them. They +appeared to listen with absorbing attention to the words, as if they +understood them--which they did not, excepting so far as they were +interpreted by the vigorous gestures. + +Inez Hawthorne, as we have stated, had withdrawn to the house, when +requested to do so by her teacher, but her curiosity led her to step +forth and look upon the parties and listen to the conversation--the +distance being so short that she could hear all that was said. The +natives saw her, and so did Fred Sanders, who occasionally glanced +over the shoulders of the two men with whom he was talking, in a way +which they understood. The visitors could not fail to be greatly +interested in her, but Fred refrained for a time from referring to the +girl. + +Mate Storms explained that the craft in which they came to this +portion of the world was wrecked, and that three of the crew were +lost, and the captain, mate and a single passenger saved. Since then +they had looked in vain for the coming of some friendly sail; plenty +enough, however, having appeared, only to depart again and leave them +in greater depths of gloom than before. + +"Where are you from?" asked the captain, putting the question directly +to the young man. + +"I'm an American, born in New England, and am seventeen years old, and +it is a long time since I have seen my home." + +"How came you in this part of the world?" + +"Why not here as well as anywhere else?" asked Fred Sanders, in reply. +"I left home when I was only ten years of age, and have knocked about +the world ever since." + +"But you are now among the Paumotu Islands." + +"Where I have been for a good while. Some time, perhaps, I will give +you the whole history, but it is too long to tell now." + +It was apparent, from the manner of the boy, that he wished to conceal +some facts of his previous life, and neither the captain nor mate +pressed him--for, in truth, it was of no special interest to them, +their all-absorbing subject of mental anxiety being as to how they +were to get away from the hated place. + +"Where are you directly from?" asked Mr. Storms. + +"From an island, the name of which I have never heard in English, +though its native name is something like Wauparmur." + +"Inhabited, of course?" + +"Yes. There are four or five hundred natives and their families. The +island is a dozen miles in extent, is very fertile, and has several +native towns. At one place is a good harbor, and nearly always some +foreign vessel is there. Sometimes I have seen three or more, and when +I left, four days ago, a trading-ship from Boston had arrived." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Abe Storms. "So near and yet so far!" + +"I think it will probably stay a week longer, for they are doing a +good trade with the islanders." + +"You have awakened a hope that is really painful," said Captain +Bergen, while the pale face of Mr. Storms showed he was affected fully +as profoundly. + +"I don't know why it need be painful," said the young man, in his +off-hand manner, which was so captivating; "for we were going on a +little cruise, when we caught sight of your signal flying, and we put +in to find out what the trouble was." + +"And are you willing to take us off?" asked Storms, who, while he felt +the question was unnecessary, was still trembling with anxiety lest +something should prevent their going. + +"Will we take you off?" asked Fred, with a ringing laugh. "That's a +pretty question to ask us, when we came for the express purpose of +doing so. Of course, we'll take you straight away to the island we +came from, and, of course, we'll put you in the way of getting back to +Boston as soon as possible, and we only regret that we hadn't the +chance to get here three years sooner, so as to save you this dreary +waste of time." + +Tears came to the eyes of both the men, and, as Captain Bergen took +the hand of the youth, he said: + +"We will thank you forever, and will pay you well." + +It was an unfortunate speech, and the cooler-headed mate would never +have uttered it. + +It might result in no harm; but why let the reckless youth know that +they possessed the ability to pay him well? It would be time enough to +present him with some of their valuable pearls after reaching +Wauparmur, when no possible complication could result from Sanders +knowing that these two ragged sailors were very wealthy men. But the +words had been said, and could not be recalled, though a vague +uneasiness shot through the mind of Abe Storms when he saw a sudden +flash of the dark eyes of the youth, who said, in the cheeriest of +voices, slapping the captain on the shoulder with a vigor that +staggered him: + +"Who talks of paying one for doing his simple duty? If you or your +friend repeats that insult, there will be war between us; and +then--excuse me, but ain't you joking when you talk of paying well? +For, begging pardon again, you don't look like millionaires with a +very heavy bank account." + +Storms trembled, but he could not restrain the captain. + +"Of course, we wouldn't insult you, but you will be remembered; and +though we are not very extravagant in the way of dress, and don't look +like very wealthy men, yet I can promise you you shall be well +recompensed, and, what is more, we can carry out the promise, too, in +a way that will open your eyes." + +Having uttered these compromising words, Captain Bergen laughed in a +way which alarmed the mate still more; for there was a peculiarity in +his friend's actions which he had never noticed before. + +"I know we are dressed very poorly," added the captain, "and we +wouldn't be very popular in a drawing-room, but if you set us down as +poor men you will make a great mistake. Won't he, Abe--eh, boy?" + +And he facetiously punched the astonished and grieved mate in the +side, and danced about as if he had perpetrated the best joke of his +life. + +Just then Storms caught the eye of Fred Sanders, and he significantly +tapped his own forehead to signify that the captain was not exactly +right, mentally. And, when he did so, the kind-hearted mate spoke the +truth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +FRED SANDERS + + +Captain Bergen was so affected by the joyful awakening to the fact +that his long, dismal sojourn on the lonely island in the Pacific had +reached the end at last, and by the belief that now he would be +carried as rapidly as wind and sail could take him to his beloved New +England again, that his mind was unsettled and he behaved in a way +that pained, as much as it astonished, his companion. + +Inasmuch as such was the fact, Mr. Storms hoped that it would be +accepted as an explanation of the strange utterances in which he had +indulged, for he believed that the cupidity of the young man had +already been excited, and a most unfortunate complication threatened. + +"You will excuse the excitement of my friend," said he to Sanders, +"though mine is nearly as great; but he had almost settled into the +belief that we were doomed to perish in this desolate spot, and the +reaction caused by your joyous tidings is too much for him." + +"Oh, that's all right!" was the cheery response. "I understand how +that is. But, begging pardon, I believe you have another companion?" + +Fred looked so earnestly at the figure of Inez Hawthorne, standing a +short distance off, that his meaning could not be mistaken. + +"It is I who should beg your pardon," said Storms, in turn, beckoning +to Inez to approach; "but we were so much interested in you that we +forgot her for the time." + +While the girl was approaching the group, Captain Bergen turned about, +and without a word, walked slowly away in the direction of the cabin, +his manner showing still more clearly than ever that his mind was +unbalanced--a fact which caused Storms great discomfort. Aside from +his love for the good, honest man, he saw that he had already +imperiled, and was likely still further to imperil, their great +possessions by his rambling, and yet significant, talk. + +The pearls still lay some distance away, buried in the sand in their +canvas bags, and must be procured before leaving the island. + +Since the captain had already awakened suspicion respecting the truth, +the difficulty of getting the prizes away without detection was +immeasurably increased, while the likelihood of his making still +further disclosures remained. + +Storms was fearful that this sudden movement on the part of Bergen +meant something of the kind, but the situation was such that he could +not interfere, and all he could do during the few minutes remaining of +the trying interview, was to keep a furtive watch, so far as possible, +upon the movements of the captain. + +"Mr. Sanders," said the mate, "this is Inez Hawthorne--a little girl +who became a companion of ours through no fault of hers or of either +of us. She has been here during the three years we have spent on the +island, and though she has stood it so much better than we, she is +fully as anxious to get away. Inez, this is Mr. Fred Sanders, who has +come to take us off." + +The handsome young fellow doffed his hat and bowed with a certain +grace and deferential regard in his manner, which led Storms, who was +narrowly watching him, to suspect that he was of high birth and had +moved in good circles before he had made his debut in this strange +part of the world. Inez possessed the same charming simplicity which +had distinguished her in her earlier years, though she was more +reserved, as was natural with her. She extended her hand to Sanders, +who gave it a gentle pressure, while he said: + +"When I saw the signal fluttering up there I suspected there were +persons here who wanted help, but I never dreamed that we should find +you." + +"And why not me as well as any one else?" asked Inez, with a smile. +"Is there any reason why I shouldn't have misfortune the same as other +persons? If there is any such rule, I have never heard of it." + +"I know of none; but shipwreck, as a general thing--and certainly in +the case of your companions--has been a great injury to them. They +look emaciated and ill, and the captain is surely injured in the mind. +But you--why--well, never mind." + +Fred laughed and broke down, for he really meant to say nothing that +could be construed into flattery or impertinence. There was an air of +goodness and refinement about the girl which compelled the respect, +for the time at least, of the wild youth. + +"I am so glad you have come," said Inez, without commenting upon his +last words; "for though I have been as cheerful as I could, it has +been mainly on account of the captain and Mr. Storms. I saw how +dejected they were, and tried to cheer them as best I could." + +"Which was very kind in you. But, thank heaven! it is all over now, +and I hope we shall soon bear you away from this place, that no doubt +has become so detestable in your eyes that you never want to see it +again." + +"I cannot say how dreadful it is and how much I dislike it. The ship +which ought to have taken us away as it brought us, was broken to +pieces on the beach, and the mutineers, who thirsted for our lives, +were drowned when almost in reach, as may be said, of the shore." + +Here was some more unexpected information that greatly interested Fred +Sanders, who began to think he would get at all the facts by +interviewing each member of the little company. + +Mr. Storms heard the remark of Inez; but, while he regretted it--on +the ground that it might raise some more uncomfortable suspicions--he +did not care particularly, for the sad story was one that could easily +be told, and upon which he was ready for cross-examination. But what +more interested him at that moment was the fact that Captain Bergen +just then reached the cabin, and, instead of stopping within, passed +on beyond. + +The conclusion of Storms was natural that he had gone to the upper +part of the island to dig up the pearls; in which case, in his +peculiar mental condition, he would, most likely, lose them all. This +would never do, and the mate excused himself, saying: + +"I am a little uneasy respecting the captain, and I will leave you two +here while I look after him." + +Fred Sanders saluted him, and told the truth when he said he would +forgive his departure with pleasure; with which the ragged mate went +hurrying after the ragged captain. + +"Won't you step on board the proa for a little while?" asked Fred, who +was rather tired of standing on the sand under the palm-trees. "As it +is to be your dwelling-place for a few days, you may like to select +your apartments." + +Inez said she would be glad to do so, and Fred uttered some sharp +exclamation, which caused both of the dusky natives to spring to +their feet and hasten to the side of the proa nearest the shore, where +they waited the chance to help her aboard. Inez noticed that the +islanders were muscular, athletic fellows, with such a peculiar +appearance that she could not avoid staring at them for a few seconds. +Each was fully six feet in height--an unusual stature among the South +Sea Islanders--and their breasts, arms and legs were tattooed with +all sorts of figures and representations. Since these portions of +their anatomy were uncovered, the singular ornamentation was very +prominent. + +They had the curious tattooing on their cheeks, noses and foreheads, +so that their appearance was repellent. Besides this, their teeth were +black, their noses large and flat, and their mouths wider than there +was any necessity for. Their heads were bare, and, indeed, were +furnished by nature with all the covering they could need. The hair +was very long, but frizzly, so that as it curled up about their ears +and crowns, it formed an immense bushy screen, which gave their heads +prodigious size. Their hands and feet were very large, and it would +have been hard, in short, to discover anything in their looks that +could attract a person toward them. Surveying them dispassionately, +one could not help suspecting they belonged to a tribe of cannibals. + +However, Inez did not show any repulsion which she might have felt, +but stepping close to the proa took the extended hand, and sprang +lightly aboard of the strange craft. The natives immediately withdrew, +leaving the young captain, as he appeared to be, to conduct the fair +visitor around the "ship," whose dimensions did not require much time +to investigate. + +Fred explained that the proa was a vessel peculiar to the Indian and +Central Pacific oceans, and that it could sail with great swiftness, +going either forward or backward with equal readiness. It is a +favorite boat used for inter-communication between hundreds of the +islands of the South Seas, and the Malays employ them in a different +form for their piratical expeditions. They owe their swiftness mainly +to the fact that they stand so high out of the water, are very narrow, +and present such a large surface to the wind. + +"They are good for short voyages," said Fred, "but I shouldn't want to +start for New York or Liverpool in one of them." + +"How long will it take us to reach the island from which you came?" +asked Inez. + +"If we start early to-morrow morning, with a good wind, we ought to be +there at the end of two days." + +This was shorter time than he had given Mate Storms, but he was now +striving to speak the truth. + +"And suppose we are overtaken by one of those terrible tempests which +sometimes visit this part of the world?" + +"We cannot escape the risk, no matter where we are. The storm that +would sink a proa might cause a seventy-four to founder, and the only +way you can shun danger is to stay here all your life. I hardly think +that such is your wish, Miss Inez." + +"No; I am as anxious to leave as are Mr. Storms and the captain. +Indeed, I think I am more so, for I understand that they expect to +wait until to-morrow morning, while if I had my wish I would start +this very hour." + +"We are at the disposal of yourself and friends," Sanders courteously +responded; "but the reason for delay is that thereby we expect to be +compelled to spend but a single night on the voyage, while if we +started now we should have two." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE MATE BECOMES CAPTAIN + + +"Poor Jack!" murmured Abe Storms, hastening after him. "I have been +fearing this very thing. He has taken the matter more to heart than I, +and there has been a look in his eye in the last few weeks which +showed he was not right; but I thought, when he found he was going +back to his home again, he would almost instantly regain his mental +equipoise. + +"But it has operated the other way, and I shouldn't wonder if he is as +wild as a loon. When we get him away, dress him up, change his food, +and give him a sight of a Boston vessel, he will be sure to come +around; but, he has said too much already. + +"I wonder what sort of a fellow that Fred Sanders is?" added Storms, +whose intellect seemed to be sharpened by the same cause which +overturned that of the captain. "I would be glad to trust him fully, +but somehow, I can't. While he is courteous and kind--and, no doubt, +means to carry us all to the inhabited island, where we shall be able +to take care of ourselves--there is something about him that awakens +distrust. The fact of his having been five years, as he says, in these +South Sea Islands, shows that all is not right, which is confirmed by +his dislike of saying anything about his earlier history. + +"The best thing in his favor is his youth, and yet," continued Storms, +thoughtfully, "that, after all, may be the worst. It would seem that +he is too young to have done a great deal of evil; and yet, if he has +committed many transgressions, it is a woful record for such a lad. It +was too bad that the captain hinted that we have so much means, and he +wouldn't have done it had he been in his right mind; but it has +produced an effect upon Sanders, as I could see by the flash of his +eyes, and the apparently indifferent questions he asked afterwards. + +"But we have saved our ammunition," muttered Storms, a minute later, +compressing his lips; "and I know how to use my revolver, and it is +only for a short time that I shall have to maintain watch." + +While Abe Storms was talking to himself in this fashion, he had his +eye on the captain, who was walking slowly toward that portion of the +island where the pearls had been concealed so carefully, and there +could be no doubt of his errand. He did not hear the soft footstep +behind him, which was so regulated that it came up with him just as +the latter paused at the all-important spot. + +The captain first looked out to sea, and then behind him, catching +sight, as he did so, of the smiling countenance of his mate--so far as +his countenance could be seen through the wealth of beard. + +"Hello! What are you doing here?" asked the captain, in a voice which +showed some perplexity, if not displeasure. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Storms, in turn, slapping him +familiarly on the shoulder. "I suppose we came upon the same errand, +as we are so soon to leave for home. The pearls are buried here, and +we must carry them away with us." + +"How do you know that's what I came for, Abe?" + +"I'm only saying I suspect it's your business. I know it's mine." + +Captain Bergen was a little bewildered by the sharp manner in which +the good-natured mate caught him up, and, while he seemed to be +debating with himself what to say, Storms took his arm and led him a +short distance off, and, seating him on the beach, said: + +"There's no hurry about the business, Jack, for we won't start until +to-morrow morning at daylight, so as to have as few nights on the +voyage as possible, and we had better decide on the proper course for +us to take." + +"That is correct," replied the captain, assenting so quietly that his +friend hoped he would remain easily manageable. + +"You remember, Jack, that when we buried the pearls there, we divided +them--your half is in a strong canvas bag, so packed that they won't +rub together, or make any noise; and mine are in another sack. The +single pearl which belongs to Inez is also carefully covered; and now +we must manage to get away with them, without letting Sanders know +they are in our possession." + +"What do you want to do that for?" demanded the captain, turning +fiercely upon the mate. "I like that fellow. He's going to put me on a +ship and send me back to Boston; and any one who does that does me a +service worth more than all the pearls in the world. I am going to +give him all mine, and I hope Inez will do the same. I shall do my +best to persuade her, and if you don't, Abe, you and I are deadly +enemies, and I'll kill you the first chance!" + +Storms showed his shrewdness by the manner in which he managed the +poor fellow. + +"That's all right, Jack," he replied, assuming a look and expression +of anger, as he glared upon the lunatic, well aware that he must make +him afraid of him. "If it's any fun for you to talk in that style, +I'll let you do it once, but don't you try it again. Did I ever tell +you about those sixteen persons that I killed up in New Hampshire +before we started out with the _Coral?_" + +"No!" gasped the captain, looking at him with awe. + +"Well, I won't tell you now," said the mate, with the same frightful +earnestness, "for it would make you feel too bad. If they hadn't made +me mad, I wouldn't have killed them, and I'll let up on you if you do +not say anything of the kind again. If you do, I'll get mad, Jack." + +"By the great horn spoon!" exclaimed the alarmed captain, "I'll let +the matter drop, if you will." + +"All right," said the mate, relenting somewhat. "And, mind you, don't +you go to talking to Sanders about it. Don't you tell him another +thing, and never mention the word pearls." + +"I won't--I won't!" was the meek rejoinder of poor Captain Bergen, who +had been completely cowed by the fierceness of his mate. + +"I'm an awful man when my wrath is roused!" Abe Storms thought it best +to add; "and it was just rising to the boiling-point when you were +lucky enough to take back your foolish expression." + +"What are we going to do now?" asked the captain, apparently anxious +to turn the current of conversation into a more agreeable channel. + +"We'll go back and make ready to leave on the proa. We have +considerable to do before we depart. There are a number of things in +the cabin that we must carry with us." + +"Yes, that's so; I forgot that. But, Abe--don't you get mad!--what +about them?" + +"Just never you mind," replied the mate with an important wave of the +hand. "I'll attend to them." + +"All right. I was afraid you would forget 'em!" + +It pained Storms to tyrannize over his superior officer in this +fashion, but stern necessity compelled him to become the real captain. +The intention of the mate when he first followed his friend was to dig +up the pearls and give him his share, but he saw that that would never +do. It would precipitate a tragedy to allow the lunatic any option in +the matter. So, without any further reference to the pearls, the two +rose to their feet and walked slowly back in the direction of the +proa, talking on no particular subject, since the mate was desirous of +diverting the mind of the captain as much as possible. + +The discoveries of the next few minutes did not serve to lighten the +apprehension of Storms, for when he reached the proa the two islanders +seemed to be enjoying a siesta, while neither Fred Sanders nor Inez +was in sight. + +Suspecting what was wanted, one of the natives roused up and pointed +toward the sea, jabbering some odd words, which could not be +understood, but which Storms concluded were meant to indicate the +direction taken by the couple. + +"That's almost the path to the spot where we were," he thought, as he +turned and walked away, holding the arm of the captain within his +own. + +Sure enough, they had not gone far when they caught sight of Fred and +Inez sitting on the beach, just as if they were at some fashionable +seaside resort in summer time, and were chattering no particular sense +at all. Storms noticed that the place was such as to command a view of +that where he and the captain had held their conversation, and where +their precious possessions were buried. + +"I wonder whether that was done on purpose?" he thought. "It may be he +meant nothing, but I fear he took Inez along merely to hide the fact +that he was playing the spy upon us." + +It was not pleasant to believe this, and yet the suspicion was rooted +pretty firmly in the mind of the mate, who, perhaps, was becoming +over-suspicious. + +"Ah, how are you?" asked Sanders, with a laugh, changing his lounging +to the sitting position. "I conducted Miss Inez over the proa, so as +to make her acquainted with the craft, as you may say, and since that +didn't take long, we thought we would try a little stroll down here, +where we could have a talk without those natives staring at us. How is +your friend?" asked the young man, suddenly lowering his voice to +such a sympathetic key that Storms felt guilty for the moment for ever +having suspected him capable of wrong. + +"I'm a little uneasy about him," was the reply, as both glanced at the +captain, who sat down beside Inez and began talking to her, "for he +seems to have broken up all at once. He was such a strong man, just in +the prime of vigorous manhood, that it would hardly be supposed he +would give away so suddenly." + +"I think he will soon recover, for the change will be so radical, and +the awakened hope so strong, that he will be sure to rally in the +course of a few days." + +"I hope so," was the response, "but he must be watched very +carefully." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +FAREWELL TO THE ISLAND + + +The weather remained enchanting. The tropical heat was tempered by the +ocean breeze, which stole among the palms, and across the island, and +where the crew, and those who had lived there so long, lounged in the +shadow, or sauntered in the sunshine, when the orb sank low in the +western sky. + +It was curious that now, after the coming of the proa, when no other +help was needed, the signal at the masthead, as it may be called, +seemed to have acquired an unusual potency; for, on two separate +occasions during the afternoon, the island was approached by vessels, +who were given to understand that the parties on shore were provided +for. Mate Storms, now the captain, very much doubted whether he did a +wise thing in declining this proffered assistance, but the main reason +for doing so was the fact that the pearls were still buried, and he +knew of no way of getting them without discovery. + +One of the ships was a Dutch one, from Java, and the other was +British, bound for Ceylon--neither very desirable, as they would have +compelled a long, roundabout voyage home. But Storms would have +accepted the offer of one on account of his distrust of the young man, +Fred Sanders, but for the reason given. + +Captain Bergen, after the "setting back" given him by Storms, became +quiet and tractable, and stayed almost entirely with Inez, for whom he +showed the greatest affection. Since she was tenderly attached to him, +and sympathized in his affliction, this kept the two together almost +continually--an arrangement which it was plain to see was not +agreeable to Fred Sanders, though he was too courteous to make any +mention of it. + +During the afternoon such goods as were deemed necessary were +transferred to the proa, which lay at anchor in the lagoon. These were +not very numerous or valuable, and consisted mostly of garments which +Storms had manufactured for Inez. + +When night came, after a meal had been eaten on shore close to where +the proa lay, it was arranged that Sanders should sleep on board with +his crew--if two men might be termed such--while the others should +stay in their cabin, as was their wont. + +Storms contrived this on the plea that his companion, the captain, +would be more tractable. His real purpose was to gain a chance to +secure the pearls unnoticed. The young man made not the slightest +objection to the plan, for he had too good sense to do so; nor did his +silence in that respect lull the suspicions of Storms himself. + +"I wish there was not such a bright moon," said the mate to himself, +not far from midnight, "for I need all the quiet and darkness I can +get; and I don't see any use of waiting longer," he added. + +Captain Bergen had been sleeping quietly for several hours, while the +silence in the apartment of Inez showed that she, too, was wrapped in +slumber, and possibly dreaming of far-away scenes, of which her memory +was so misty and indistinct. + +As to those upon the proa, everything must necessarily be conjecture; +but, in the middle of the night, with his senses on the alert, and his +imagination excited, Abe Storms conjured up all sorts of fancies and +suspicions. There were many times when he believed that these men, +including the boyish leader, were the worst kind of pirates, who were +only waiting the chance to secure the pearls, when they would either +desert or treacherously slay them. But, since meditation and idleness +could avail nothing, he rose from his couch upon the floor, and, +making sure that his loaded revolver was in place, he stole out from +among the palm trees, and began moving in the direction of the spot +where his treasures lay hid. + +He did this with the utmost precaution, glancing in every direction at +each step, frequently pausing and changing the course he was pursuing, +and, in short, doing everything he could think of to prevent +detection. The full moon rode high in an almost unclouded sky, and the +air was as charming as that of Italy. The solemn roar of the ocean and +the irregular boom of the long, immense swells breaking against the +shore and sending the thin sheets of foam sliding swiftly up the bank, +were the only sounds that greeted his ears. + +"That is wonderful!" exclaimed the searcher, for all at once he +descried a ship, under full sail, seemingly within two hundred yards +of shore. "If these parties hadn't arrived to-day this craft wouldn't +have come within a score of miles of us." + +The ship looked like a vast bird, when with all sail set and her black +hull careening to one side under the wind, she drove the foaming water +away from her bows, and sped forward as if pursuing or fleeing from +some enemy. + +Whether the watch saw the signal of distress in the moonlight, cannot +be known, but the vessel speedily passed on, and vanished in the +night, while Mate Storms, recalling his thoughts, and seeing no one +near him, moved directly to where he had deposited his riches such a +long time before, and to which he only made an occasional visit. + +He had advanced too far to retreat, whether he was seen or not, and he +stooped down and began digging with his hands and sheath-knife. It was +only a short distance, when he struck something, and a moment after +drew up a small, strong canvas bag. Soon came another, and then a +smaller one, which contained the wonderful pearl that belonged to Inez +Hawthorne. They were all there, and had not been disturbed. + +"Now, it only remains to keep these in my possession," was his +thought, as he straightened up and started to return. "I would give +half of them if they were at home and safe in the bank--Hello!" + +Perhaps the vision of the sailor was unusually keen just then, for +when he paused with a start he caught sight of a shadowy figure, which +seemed to glide, without any effort of its own, over the sand, and +immediately disappeared among the palm trees. There was something so +peculiar in its movements that Abe was chilled with awe as he stood +still and watched it for the few seconds it remained in view. But +there could be no doubt of its identity. It was Fred Sanders, who had +been on the watch, and who must have seen the mate dig up the +treasures, and knew they were now in his possession. + +Storms was in anything but a comfortable frame of mind while walking +thoughtfully back to the cabin, which he entered. + +"What more likely than that he will steal up here in the night, +believing I am asleep, and try to shoot me? Well, if he does so, he +shall find me prepared for him, anyway." + +The first proceeding of the mate was to deposit the pearls contained +in the three diminutive canvas sacks in a small valise, which he had +carefully preserved all through the years, and which now held a few +necessities that he meant to take away with him. The addition of these +precious contents taxed the receptacle to its fullest capacity, but, +after all, this was the best thing to do, and he believed he would be +able to keep it under his eye during the comparatively short time they +would be on the voyage to Wauparmur Island. + +It may be said, indeed, that there was nothing else to be done, which +rendered it unfortunate that he could not secure a few hours' sleep +before venturing away in the proa. But the nerves of the mate were too +unstrung by his position to feel easy, and he placed himself by the +opening of the cabin, with his hand upon the weapon, prepared to watch +until daylight. + +As might have been supposed, in spite of his uneasiness, he gradually +became drowsy, and it was not long before his head sank on his breast, +and he, too, was asleep. It was well he did so, for he gained the rest +so necessary, and as it was, he might have slept longer had he not +been awakened by outside causes. + +Captain Bergen slept on, but Inez was on her feet at an early hour, +and seeing that Storms was unconscious, she passed out without +disturbing him, and made her way to the spring, where she always +performed her morning ablutions. + +It was natural that the mate, going to sleep as he did, with his mind +filled with the most dismal of fancies, should find his slumbers +visited by horrible phantasies. He was struggling with the figure of a +man, who had the face of Fred Sanders, and they were bearing each +other over an immense cliff, when his opponent got the upper hand, +and, holding him suspended for the moment, began to laugh at his +calamity. The laugh grew louder, until it awoke the startled sleeper, +who, opening wide his eyes, saw the veritable figure of Fred Sanders +before him, laughing as heartily as he had been doing in the struggle +in sleep. + +"Mercy! where's the valise?" gasped the bewildered Storms, clutching +at the receptacle which lay at his side. "I thought you had stolen +it----" + +Just then the quick-witted sailor recalled his situation, and he, too, +broke into mirth, in which there was not much heartiness. + +"What a curious dream I had, Sanders! I really believe I have been +asleep!" + +"And what is strange about that, since a full night has passed since +we last met? I hope you have had a good rest, even though your awaking +was not so pleasant." + +Abe Storms was excessively chagrined, for his very action, when +aroused so unexpectedly, would, of itself, have turned suspicion to +the satchel, which he snatched up like a startled miser. This action, +united with what Captain Bergen had said, and with what the young man +himself had witnessed the preceding night, could not have failed to +tell him that that rusty-looking valise--about which the owner was so +careful--contained a great amount of wealth in some form. + +But what of it? + +This was the question Storms put to himself as he sprang up and called +to Inez--who immediately appeared--and began the preparation for the +last meal they expected to eat upon the detested island. + +Captain Bergen was quiet and thoughtful, but the others were in high +spirits. + +The two natives made their meal on board the proa, where they stolidly +awaited the coming of the passengers, the "baggage" having been +transferred the day before. And the sun was no more than fairly above +the horizon when the proa started on her eventful voyage to Wauparmur +Island--a voyage destined to be marked by events of which no one on +board dreamed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +ON THE FLYING PROA + + +At last the friends who had been left on Pearl Island three years +before, and whose hearts had been bowed with despair more than once, +saw the atoll gradually fade from view, until the top of the tallest +palm-tree dipped out of sight in the blue Pacific and vanished from +view forever. + +"It seems hardly possible," said Abe Storms, when at last his +straining vision could detect no shadow of the spot, "that we have +been rescued. I'm so full of joy and hope at the prospect before me +that it is hard work to restrain myself from shouting and jumping +overboard." + +"What is your idea in jumping overboard?" asked Sanders, with a laugh, +in which Inez Hawthorne joined. + +"Merely to give expression to my exuberance of joy; after I should +cool off, I would be cooler, of course." + +Captain Bergen, to the grief of his friends, showed no signs of +mental improvement, though his hallucination took a different form. +Instead of being talkative, like he was the day before, he became +reserved, saying nothing to any one, not even to answer a simple +question when it was put to him. He ensconced himself at the stern in +such a position that he was out of the way of the man with the +steering oar, where he curled up like one who wished neither to be +seen nor heard. + +"Humor his fancies," said Sanders, "for it will only aggravate him to +notice them. It was the same with Redvignez and Brazzier that I was +speaking about last night." + +"Redvignez and Brazzier?" repeated Inez; "where did you ever see +them?" + +"I sailed a voyage with them once from Liverpool, and I was telling +Mr. Storms last night that I saw them both so frightened without cause +that their minds were upset for a while. And may I ask whether you +know them?" asked the young man, with a flush of surprise, addressing +the girl. + +"Why, they and a negro, Pomp, were the three mutineers who were the +means of our staying on the island. They tried to kill the captain and +mate, but----" + +"She saved us," broke in Storms, who thereupon gave the narrative told +long ago to the reader, omitting the attempt that was made upon his +own life by cutting the hose-pipes which let the air down to him, +inasmuch as that would have caused the telling of the pearl fishing +also. + +Fred Sanders listened with great interest, for he had known the men +well, and it may as well be stated that the danger to which the +scoundrels were exposed, as referred to by him, was that of being +executed for mutiny; and, as it was, the part of Sanders himself was +such that he would have been strung up at the yard-arm in short order +had it not been his extreme youth, which pleaded in his favor. + +Since Storms and his companions had revealed some things that might +have been better concealed, so Fred Sanders himself felt he had hinted +at a little story which was likely to injure his standing in the eyes +of those toward whom he was playing the part of the good Samaritan. + +The proa was arranged as comfortably as possible, Inez Hawthorne being +given a place in front, where a sort of compartment was made for her, +by means of stretching awnings of cocoa-matting and a portion of the +reserve fund of lateen on hand. The others disposed themselves so that +she was left undisturbed whenever she chose to withdraw to her "state +room," as Captain Fred Sanders facetiously termed it. + +The two natives had little to say, and they obeyed orders like the +veritable slaves they were. There could be no doubt they understood +the management of the proa to perfection, and the strange craft spun +through the water with astonishing speed. + +Mr. Storms deposited his valise, with its valuable contents, forward, +where he seemed to bestow little attention on it, though, as may well +be supposed, it was ever present in his thoughts, and quite often in +his eye. + +Several times in the course of the day they caught sight of sails in +the distance, but approached none; for, as Sanders said, the +all-important thing now was to make the most speed possible, while the +opportunity remained to them. There was a freshening of the breeze and +a haziness which spread through the northern horizon that caused some +misgiving on the part of all, for the proa would be a poor shelter in +case they were overtaken by one of those terrific tempests they had +seen more than once. + +Toward the middle of the afternoon something like a low bank of clouds +appeared to the left, or in the west, which, being scrutinized through +the glasses, proved to be a low-lying island. Sanders knew of it, and +said they passed it still closer on their way to the atoll. + +It was also an atoll like that, but much smaller in size, and, of +course, uninhabited. It might do for a refuge in case of the coming of +a violent storm, while in the vicinity; but otherwise it would only +be a loss of time to pause at it. The fact that such a place existed +so near them caused something like a feeling of security upon the part +of Mate Storms, such as comes over one on learning he has a good +friend at his elbow in face of some coming trouble. + +As the afternoon advanced, and the proa bounded forward before a +strong, steady breeze, Storms thought the occasion a good one to +obtain some sleep, with a view of keeping awake during the coming +night, and he assumed an easy position, where, his mind being +comparatively free from apprehension, he soon sank into slumber. + +This left Inez Hawthorne with no one to talk to excepting Fred +Sanders, who seemed in better spirits than usual. When they had +discussed the voyage, and he had given her as good an account as he +could of the island toward which they were hastening, and after she +had answered all his questions as best she could, she turned upon him +and asked: + +"How long did you say you had spent in these islands?" + +"As nearly as I can recollect, it is about five years." + +"And, as you are now seventeen, you must have been only twelve years +old when you first came here." + +"That agrees with my figuring," said Sanders, with a nod of his head. +"You can't be far out of the way." + +"Where did you live before that?" + +"Well, I lived in a good many places--that is, for two years. I was on +the Atlantic and on the Pacific and--well, it would take me a good +long while to tell of all that I passed through. I may as well own up +to you, Inez, that it was a wild, rough life for a man, even without +taking into account the fact that I was a boy." + +"Then you went to sea when you were only ten years old?" + +"That also coincides with my mathematical calculations," replied +Sanders, somewhat embarrassed, for he saw they were approaching +delicate ground. + +"Then before you were ten years of age?" + +"I lived at home, of course." + +"And where was that?" + +"You will excuse me, Inez, from answering that question. I have +reasons for doing so. Let me say that I stayed at home for the first +ten years of my existence, and was as bad a boy as can be imagined. I +fell into the worst kind of habits, and it was through the two +men--Redvignez and Brazzier--whom I've heard you speak of, that I was +persuaded to go to sea with them, when I ought to have been at home +with my father." + +"Is your mother living, Mr. Sanders?" + +The youth turned his head away, so she could not see his face, and +when he moved it back and spoke again there was a tear on his cheek, +and he replied, in a voice of sadness: + +"My mother is in heaven, where her son will never be." + +Inez was inexpressibly shocked. + +"Why, Mr. Sanders, what do you mean by that?" + +"A better woman than she never lived, nor a worse boy than I. You +can't understand, Inez. You are too young and too good yourself to +realize what a wretch I was. I deliberately ran away from home seven +years ago, and have never been within a thousand miles of it since, +and I never expected to do so, until within the last day or so; +somehow or other, I've fallen to thinking more than before." + +"Have you a father?" + +"I don't know. I think he is dead, too, for I was enough to break his +heart, and I have never heard of him since. I hadn't any brothers or +sisters when I came away. I'm all that's left, and now there is a +longing coming over me to hunt up my father again before he dies, that +is--if--he--isn't--already--gone!" + +It was no use. Fred Sanders, the wild, reckless youth, who had passed +through many a scene that would have made a man shudder, suddenly put +his hands to his face, and his whole frame shook with emotion. The +memories of his early childhood came back to him, and he saw again the +forms of those who loved him so fondly, and whose affection he +returned with such piercing ingratitude. Conscience had slept for many +years, but the gentle words of Inez had awakened its voice again. The +goodness of the girl, who was already like a loved sister to Sanders, +had stirred up the better part of his nature, and he looked upon +himself with a shudder, that one so young as he should have committed +his many transgressions. + +No wonder that he felt so pressed down that he cried out in the +bitterness of his spirit that heaven was shut from him. It was hard +for Inez to keep back the sympathizing tears herself when she +witnessed the overwhelming grief of the strong youth. + +The latter sat silent for some minutes, holding his face partly +averted, as if ashamed of this evidence of weakness--an evidence which +it is safe to say he had not shown for years, young as he was. + +Ah, there were memories that had slumbered long which came crowding +upon the boy--memories whose import no one on board that strange craft +could suspect but himself, and whose work was soon to appear in a form +and with a force that neither Inez Hawthorne nor Mate Storms so much +as dreamed of. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +A STRANGE CRAFT + + +"I tell you a boy who uses his mother bad is sure to suffer for it +some time. I've seen so many cases that I know there's such a law that +governs the whole world. I thank heaven that I never brought a tear to +my mother's eyes." + +The speaker was Captain Bergen, who was talking to Fred Sanders while +the two sat together on the proa, near midnight succeeding the +conversation mentioned between Inez and the youth Fred. + +The latter might have believed, as he had jocosely remarked, that he +had captured a small party of missionaries, who were making a dead set +at him; but his feelings had been touched in a most tender manner, and +he had done more thinking during the last few hours than in all his +previous life. + +The only one on the proa who was on duty was Fred, who held the +steering-oar in place, while the curiously-shaped vessel sped through +the water. The sea was very calm and the wind so slight that they +were in reality going slower than at any previous time, and the task +of guiding the boat was hardly a task at all. + +Fred sat looking up at the stars half the time, with his memory and +conscience doing their work. His two men had lain down, and were +asleep, for they were regular in all their habits, and he had seen +nothing of Inez since she had withdrawn to her "apartment." + +Mate Storms kept up a fragmentary conversation with the young captain +until quite late, when he withdrew, and Fred was left with himself for +fully two hours, when Mr. Bergen crept softly forth and took a seat +near him, even getting in such a position that he would have been very +much in the way had any emergency arisen. The captain was disposed to +talk--somewhat to Fred's dislike--for he was in that mood when he +desired to be alone; but he was also in a more gracious and charitable +temper than usual, and he answered the old captain quite kindly. + +"You've a good deal to be thankful for," said he, in reply to the +remark above given. "But my mother has been in heaven for many a +year." + +"She is fortunate, after all," said the captain, with a sigh, and a +far-away look over the moonlit sea. + +"Yes, a great deal more fortunate than her son will ever be." + +"It all depends on you, young man," said the captain, severely. +"Heaven is reached step by step, and there's no one who cannot make +it. If you haven't started in the right direction, now's the time to +do so." + +Fred Sanders may have assented to this, but he was silent, and he, +too, looked off over the sea as if his thoughts were running in a new +and unaccustomed channel. "My mother must be a very old woman by this +time," added the captain, after a minute or more of silence, during +which nothing but the rushing of the water was heard. + +"How old is she?" asked Fred. + +"She must be close on to eighty; and I think she's dead, for she was +very feeble when I saw her, three years ago, in San Francisco. But I'm +going to see her very soon; yes, very soon--very soon." + +"It's a long way to 'Frisco," ventured Fred, mildly; "but I hope you +will have a quick voyage." + +"I am not going to wait till we get there." + +"How are you going to manage it, then?" + +"This way. I'm coming, mother!" + +And Captain Jack Bergen sprang overboard and went out of sight. + +"Heavens! what was that?" exclaimed Mate Storms, leaping forward from +where he had been dozing upon his couch. + +"The captain has jumped overboard!" was the horrified reply of Fred +Sanders, who was bringing the proa around as fast as he could. + +Without another word, Mate Storms made a bounding plunge after him, +leaving the young captain to manage the craft as best he could. The +latter uttered a sharp command which brought the crew to their feet in +an instant, and, in an incredibly short space of time, the proa came +around, and, scarcely losing any headway, moved back toward the spot +where the demented man had sprung into the sea, which was now a long +distance astern. + +It was a startling awaking for Abram Storms, who did his utmost for +his unfortunate captain. The mate was a splendid swimmer, and, +plunging forward with a powerful stroke, he called to his friend again +and again, frequently lifting himself far out of the water, when on +the crest of a swell, and straining his eyes to pierce the moonlight +about him, hoping to catch sight of the figure of the captain, who was +also a strong swimmer. But if he had jumped overboard with the +intention of suicide, it was not to be supposed he would continue +swimming. The mate, however, was hopeful that in that awful minute +when he went beneath the waters, something like a realizing sense of +what he had done would come to him and he would struggle to save +himself. + +But, alas, for poor Captain Jack Bergen, who had journeyed so many +thousand miles, and had endured such a long imprisonment upon a lonely +island! He sent back no answering shout to the repeated calls of his +mate, whose eyes failed to catch sight of his gray head as he rose and +sank for a brief while on the water. + +When Fred Sanders got the proa about he guided its movements by +the sound of the mate's voice, and, in a short while, he ran +alongside and assisted him on board. Nothing had been seen nor +heard of the captain, and there could be no doubt now that he was +gone forever. Nevertheless, the proa continued cruising around the +place for fully an hour, in widening circles, until all were convinced +that not a particle of hope remained, when they filled away again, +and a long, last farewell was uttered to Captain Jack Bergen. + +He had procured a fortune in a comparatively easy manner, and it +looked for a time as if the payment was small; but the price demanded +now was his life, and what more can a man give, excepting his +soul?--which, most happily, was not the case with him. + +During these minutes of excitement, Inez Hawthorne slept soundly, and +she never knew anything of the sad occurrence until the morrow was +well advanced. Her grief prostrated her for many hours, for she was a +child unusually affectionate by nature, and she had been tenderly +attached to the captain, who had been such a father to her. + +It spread a gloom over the boat, as may be said, the only ones who +showed no sorrow in their countenances being the dusky islanders, who +seemed to take everything as it came along as a matter of course, and +who obeyed the Caucasian captain like so many machines under the +control of an engineer. + +Fred Sanders was thoughtful, and, what was rather curious, had little +to say to Inez during the first portion of the day. He uttered a few +words of sympathy when she sought to restrain her tears, but after +that he kept very much to himself, as if there was some new and +important matter on his mind, as was indeed the case. + +It will be remembered that the expectation was that the voyage of the +proa would terminate that night by their arrival at their destination, +but the delay caused by the moderate wind and the search for the lost +captain led Mate Storms to feel some doubt, and he asked Captain +Sanders his view of the matter. + +"I can't tell you anything about it!" + +It was not these words alone, so much as the abrupt manner, which set +the mate somewhat back. He had received nothing of the kind from the +youth since their meeting, and it astonished him. + +A hot reply rose to the lips of Abe Storms, but he suppressed it and +moved away. + +"I wonder whether he doesn't feel soured at the thought that the death +of the captain will prevent his getting such a large reward for his +services?" said the mate to himself, who, after thinking over the +matter for a few minutes longer, reached a conclusion. "We expected to +reach Wauparmur Island to-night, before dark. We shall be late, but, +as it is, I shall have no trouble in keeping awake the rest of the +voyage, and I've little fear that I will not be able to protect my +property as well as myself." + +With this, he moved back to the youth, and said, in a cheery voice: + +"You recall, sir, that poor Captain Bergen made some promises to you +about rewarding you liberally for your services. My friend was a +little wild in what he said, but he was right when he declared we had +the means, and I wish simply to say that his wishes and intentions in +that respect, which accorded with my own from the start, shall be +carried out to the letter." + +Mr. Storms immediately joined Inez, while the captain made no reply, +much to the discomfiture of the mate, who said to Inez: + +"What's the matter with Sanders?" + +"He is watching an object over the sea yonder. He has been expecting +to discover something, and he has caught sight of it at last." + +The mate instantly produced his glasses, and leveled them in the +direction the young captain was looking. + +There was something, indeed. + +As revealed by the instrument, it was what might be termed a double +canoe, or proa--that is, two narrow canoes were joined together, side +by side, and connected by a sort of framework, while an enormous +lateen sail towered above them, and carried it forward with remarkable +speed. + +The surprised mate carefully scrutinized the strange craft, and saw +that it contained a large crew, there being, as he estimated, fully +twenty men on board. It was to the westward of the smaller proa, and +like that was pursuing almost a northerly course, though the +experienced eyes of the sailor told him that the paths of the two were +converging, and that, unless changed, they undoubtedly would meet +before nightfall. + +The double canoe was about two miles distant, and as it rose on the +crest of a swell the glass revealed the white foam which curled away +from the bows, and there could be no doubt of its remarkable +swiftness. + +After watching this strange craft for a few minutes, Mr. Storms +devoted some time to a furtive but careful study of the face of Fred +Sanders, who was on the most elevated portion of the proa, and was +carefully noting the course of the two vessels. + +The alarming conclusion reached by Abram Storms was that the other +craft contained a gang of pirates; that Fred Sanders knew them, and he +was guiding his own proa by an understanding previously had with +them. + +And Abram Storms was right. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES + + +The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of +twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu +Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained +Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne. + +The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last +day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which +enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty. The strong +suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the +appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in +accordance with some prearranged plan. This was an alarming conclusion +to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was +right. + +"He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first." + +The New Englander took another look at the double canoe, and he saw, +even in the few minutes that had passed, that they were closer +together. And now that his suspicions were aroused, he detected +several other little things which only confirmed all that had entered +his mind. The two islanders who composed the crew were continually +glancing off at their brothers, and frequently spoke in low tones, and +showed by the gleam of their swarthy faces that they were on the +tip-toe of expectation. + +From one corner of the lateen sail, Storms now noticed that a large +crimson handkerchief was fluttering in the wind. + +"It is put there as a signal," was the decision respecting that, "and +doubtless signifies that they have us on board and all is going +right." + +Fred Sanders was so occupied with this business that he never once +suspected that he himself was being watched in turn. + +"Inez," said the mate, "go to the captain and speak a few words to +him." + +"But he is so occupied that he will not wish to be disturbed." + +"Never mind about that; I wish you to go and say a few pleasant words +to him. Let them be sympathetic." + +"What shall I say?" + +"I can give you no further directions." + +"I am loth to do so, but if you wish it----" + +"I wish it very much." + +That was enough, and the girl, with some natural hesitation of manner, +advanced to the young captain, who did not notice her until she was at +his elbow. + +"Good-day, Captain Fred," she said; "you have been busy so long that +you must be tired, for you slept none last night." + +He looked toward her with a quick, curious expression. There was a +half-smile on his face, while his forehead was wrinkled with +displeasure. Inez noticed this, and would have withdrawn had she not +recalled the strange earnestness with which Storms made the request +for her to utter a few pleasant words to the youth. She therefore +determined to carry out his wishes. + +"Can't we relieve you of your work?" continued she. + +Sanders was in reality doing nothing in the way of physical labor, +since the steering oar was in the hands of one of the crew, but he was +absorbed in "watching things," as the expression goes. + +"I am sure there is no way in which you can relieve me," said Fred, +unbending somewhat from his reserve. + +"We are in such deep water, and the wind is so fair, that there can be +no danger, I suppose. But tell me, what sort of a boat is that yonder +which is pursuing nearly the same course with us?" + +"That--I presume," was the hesitating response, as the young man +glanced in that direction, "is one of the double canoes or proas which +are often seen among these islands." + +"And who are the crew?" + +"Islanders, like my own." + +"Are we going to meet them?" + +"I hardly know what to answer to that," said Fred, looking inquiringly +toward the large proa again, as if he had not seen it before. + +"Well, Captain Sanders, they must be pirates," said Inez, stepping +close to him, and speaking in a low, tremulous voice; "but whether +they are or not, my faith in God and in you cannot be changed. I know +you will do all you can for us----" + +"There! there!" protested the young captain, with an expression of +pain on his face, "say no more. Please go away, Inez, and leave me +alone." + +"Of course I will leave you, if you do not wish me here, but gratitude +would not let me keep silent. I know, from what you said last night, +that you have a good heart, and henceforth conscience is to be your +master and guide." + +And without looking to see the effect of her words, Inez left the +captain to his own thoughts. + +Abram Storms, with folded arms, was intently watching him, and he +carefully studied his countenance. He was still doing so, when Inez +turned her back upon Sanders. Mr. Storms noted the strange expression +on the handsome countenance, and just then Sanders turned and looked +straight at the man before the latter could withdraw his gaze. As +their eyes met, he signaled to Storms to approach, and the latter, +with no little wonderment and some misgiving, did so. + +"Mr. Storms," said he, "that double canoe off yonder has twenty-three +pirates on board." + +"I suspected as much," coolly replied the other. + +"And a set of worse villains cannot be found in the South Seas." + +"I am sure you are quite right." + +"These two men that I have on board belong to the same crew." + +"Indeed! I hadn't thought of that." + +"I belong to the same gang." + +"I suspected that!" + +"You did, eh? Did you suspect that I was in the plot to obtain +possession of your pearls?" + +"I did not suspect it; I was sure of it, which is why I have carried +my loaded revolver with me." + +"That wouldn't have defeated the plan we had laid, for when +twenty-three odd savages, with their spears, war-clubs and a few +muskets, had stolen up to the island in the darkness, and crept +silently into your cabin, what good would your guns and revolvers have +done you?" + +"Was that the plan?" + +"That was it precisely. By some means or other, which I never could +understand, rumors reached Wauparmur, months ago, that two men and a +child were on an island to the south of us, and that they had an +immense lot of the most valuable pearls. I cannot comprehend how it +was the natives gained such knowledge, for it must have had some basis +of truth, inasmuch as it proved to be true." + +"There was a proa which passed close to the island while we were +opening the pearl-oysters," said Storms. "We all saw it." + +"The rumor came from them, then," continued Sanders, "and a party was +formed to go down there, and find out whether it was true, and, in +case it was, the white men were to be overcome by treachery, and their +possessions in the shape of pearls taken. Since there is no more +desperate and wicked member of the gang than am I, of course I was one +of the first chosen. + +"We started in two boats, and, as we went along, I could see +difficulties in the way which never occurred to them. It was not +likely you carried the pearls about with you, as a person wears his +jewelry; but most likely they were buried, so that if we came down +upon you and made an overwhelming attack, as was first intended, we +might put you all to death, and then be unable to find where you had +hidden your treasures. Besides that, I saw that it was more than +probable you had firearms, with which you could successfully hold out +against a large force, and it would prove no easy thing to subdue +you." + +"You were correct in both your surmises," said Storms. "We were always +prepared to make a fight, and, with our guns against your spears, we +would have beaten you off. The pearls, too, were carefully concealed +where you never would have found them." + +"I was well convinced of that, so we resorted to strategy. I was to go +with a couple of the men and bring you away, trying all the time if I +could to secure the pearls, which, of course, were afterwards to be +disposed of and the proceeds divided among us--the intention being +that when we got you on the proa, you would be pitched overboard, for +then the situation would be so changed that we could manage it without +trouble. If I thought it unsafe to make the attempt, I had only to +wait until reinforcements should come up; for the larger boat, knowing +the course I was to take on my return, had only to be on the lookout +for us, and we would be sure to descry each other." + +"And that was to be your signal that you had us aboard?" said Storms, +pointing to the fluttering handkerchief. + +"That's it precisely," assented Sanders. "But there was one force +which we did not think to provide against," added the young man, in a +low voice, in which Storms detected a slight tremor. + +"What was that?" + +"An awakened conscience," was the impressive answer. "And it was she +who aroused the sleeper. There was something in the goodness of the +girl--the faith which she showed not only in heaven but in me as +well--that upset all my calculations. Then, too, she seemed to say the +right words just at the right time; and you saw how I suffered." + +"Yes; and it gave me great hope; for, Fred, I distrusted you from the +beginning. I saw many little things which you never supposed I nor any +one else would notice. And I may add," said the mate, with a sly +twinkle, "that I endeavored always to be prepared for you." + +The face of Sanders flushed, but he added, with the same seriousness: + +"Matters now are going in accordance with the program arranged days +ago. The large proa yonder has been waiting for us, and we are now to +keep on converging lines until we meet to-night." + +"Do you intend to follow out your agreement?" + +"No; I had an awful struggle with my conscience last night, after my +talk with Inez and with the poor captain, but the evil triumphed in +me, despite all I could do. The fight was still going on, being +renewed this morning, and I had about yielded to Satan, when she came +and spoke to me. That," said Fred Sanders, with a compression of the +lips, "has settled it forever. I am now your friend, and I am ready to +give up my life for the safety of you and her, hoping that heaven will +take it, with my repentance, as some atonement for the many sins I +have committed." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE PURSUIT + + +There are two angels within us forever struggling for the mastery: One +is the angel of darkness, and the other of light--of evil and of +good. + +They had waged their battle in the heart of Fred Sanders for a long +time, and too often did the restraining spirit fold her hands over her +face and withdraw in sorrow at the triumph of the other. But the final +struggle--the decisive warfare--was now ended, and the beauteous +countenance of the good angel was radiant with hope and courage, for a +soul had been saved. + +Abram Storms smiled with pleasure as he looked upon the manly young +fellow, and he was filled with delight at the resolution shown by +him. + +"There is no shrinking or trembling there," said Storms to himself. +"He means every word he says, and he will stick to the end." + +The man tried to look calm and self-possessed, when he moved forward +and extended his hand, but there were tears in his eyes, and he could +only murmur: + +"God bless you, my boy! You have chosen the better part." + +They were silent for a minute or so, each one's thoughts active, when +Fred said: + +"If you please, I would rather that Inez should know nothing of +this." + +"She never shall know a word of it from me." + +"One of these days, perhaps, I will tell her what a villain she was +the means of saving from destruction." + +Fred appreciated the skill, seamanship and shrewdness of Storms, and +consulted fully with him, saying that, as he himself was captain, he +would appoint the other to his old position--that of mate. + +The whole scheme had already been made clear by the youth. The large +proa was in sight, by appointment, having been cruising back and forth +for several days, on the lookout for the smaller boat with the party +who it was expected would be robbed and killed for the valuable pearls +in their possession. The signal of the fluttering handkerchief from +the triangular sail meant that the party were on board, and the +original program was to be carried out. That is, the pursuing boat was +to hold off until after dark. She was to keep on a converging course, +so as not to lose sight of the small proa, and gradually approaching, +overhaul and attack her at the time when the chances of success were +at the best. + +The plan decided upon by Captain Sanders was simply to keep away from +the larger craft, and to do his utmost to prevent being overhauled; +and he showed his earnestness in this respect by taking the steering +oar and bearing away from the other, so that, instead of being +converging, they became parallel. + +The two natives displayed some surprise when they observed this +action, but they said nothing, and most likely felt no suspicion as +yet of their captain, whose desperation and heartlessness on more than +one previous occasion had won the confidence of the islanders. + +It was not long before the change was noticed on board the pursuer, +where, most likely, it was accepted as the proper thing, possibly on +account of the fear from the passengers. + +"I have no revolver like you," said Captain Fred, after they had kept +this up for a couple of hours, "but I have a double-barreled pistol +which is loaded to the muzzle. You have your six-chambered weapon, and +you must keep it ready, for, when the two islanders here become +certain of the truth, it is more than probable they will make a savage +attack on us, for two more desperate demons never lived." + +"I should hardly think so," said the mate, glancing furtively at +them. + +"No; they are as meek looking as lambs, but they were sent with me on +account of their fierce courage. Why, they were ready and eager, when +we visited you upon the island, to make an open attack, where the +chances of their defeat were about even. They would rather fight and +kill any moment than eat, and I had to be pretty sharp to restrain +them." + +"I shan't forget your warning." + +"It won't do for either of us to sleep to-night, for they are as +treacherous as cobras. They would feign slumber on purpose to put us +off our guard, and then stab us to death in our sleep." + +"Will we not reach Wauparmur to-night?" + +"It is doubtful, for the change we have made in the course is taking +us away from the true direction and gives the advantage to them, as +they are closer in than we. We have lost some good ground from the +lightness of the wind, and we shall be fortunate if we catch sight of +the place before to-morrow's sunrise." + +"After all, Captain Fred, it must be a question of speed between us +and our pursuer. Which, therefore, is the faster, the double canoe +yonder or ourselves?" + +A troubled expression came over the face of the young captain, as he +answered: + +"I don't know, for there has never been a test. We kept company most +of the way out, but we rattled along without any thought of speed, +sometimes together and sometimes apart; but my opinion is that in +moderate weather like the present there is little difference between +us, or if there is any it is in our favor. In a strong wind, the other +would he apt to outspeed us." + +"We are going to have more wind," said the mate, looking anxiously +about him. "I think I perceive it freshening already." + +"I fear the same thing," said Fred, who was manifestly very uneasy. +"We are now about two miles apart, and the prospect is that that will +be cut down one-half by sunset." + +"And then?" + +Fred shrugged his shoulders. + +"All is not lost. When the sun goes down, with us a mile apart, we +shall be invisible; but they will crowd all speed, and stand a good +chance of coming up with us again." + +"But we gain a chance to maneuver." + +"There is hope and yet great risk in that, for if we can throw them +off the track we shall be safe, for we can easily get beyond their +range of vision long before sunrise; but at the same time, in making +these sharp turns, we shall lose a great deal of ground, provided we +don't succeed, and if they once get in sight of us after the moon +rises, the race will be ended, for we won't gain a chance to dodge +them again." + +"And then?" + +"There will be the worst fight you ever saw. We shall have to begin by +shooting these two, or pitching them overboard, if they don't happen +to get their work in ahead of us, and then we shall have more than +twenty savage islanders to keep off--if we can." + +"We are pretty well armed, Captain Fred." + +"Yes, we have our pistols, and there is a musket apiece for you, me +and Inez--for she will have to take a hand in the fight." + +"And there will be no braver than she. Have they any firearms on +board?" + +"I'm sorry to say they have, and that's what makes me more anxious +than anything else. There are spears, knives, battle-axes and at least +six loaded muskets, and what is more, the men who have them in hand +know how to use them." + +Mate Storms looked anxious, as well he might, for this was a phase of +the question which had not presented itself to him. The case being as +it was, the pursuers would be likely to begin firing as soon as they +came within range, and when close in, the matter would be entirely +within their hands. + +Everything seemed to augur ill for the fugitives. The wind was +steadily increasing and the flying proa was dashing through the water +at a tremendous rate. The pursuing one had already shifted its course, +so that this early in the afternoon the struggle had begun and +settled down to a virtual test of speed. + +"What do you suppose they think of the whole business?" asked Mate +Storms, looking back at the double canoe as it rose on a huge swell at +the same moment that they themselves sank in the vast, watery waste. + +"I don't know whether they think anything is wrong yet or not, but +imagine I am trying to keep off until after dark." + +"Why, then, don't they respect your purpose and work with you?" + +"The leader of that company is an islander who is somewhat jealous of +me. He believes he knows more about such business than I do, and he +has made up his mind to keep this in hand, no matter what my wishes +are. So, though he may think I mean all right, yet he is sure he knows +better, and governs himself accordingly." + +"These two men here on board try to look indifferent, but they act +suspiciously to me." + +"And they are suspicious, too." + +Fred Sanders might have added further that they were not only +suspicious, but had actually discovered the truth. + +They understood the purpose which had brought all three to the lonely +island, and they knew that that purpose had been changed. + +Inez Hawthorne, the girl of his own race, had caused this wonderful +transformation in the heart of the young captain, and instead of being +her enemy, he had become the devoted friend of herself and companion. +While they could not understand the English tongue as they heard it +spoken, they could read the meaning of looks and gestures and the +confidential talks which they saw going on around them. They were +convinced that their captain intended to betray them, and prevent the +wealth from falling into their hands. + +Would they submit? + +Far from it. They would not only refuse to give their assent to any +such perfidy, but they would use their utmost endeavors to defeat it. +Such was their purpose, and Fred Sanders knew it, for he understood +the character of the wretches; well, therefore, was it that he +whispered the warning in the ear of Mate Abram Storms. + +Inez Hawthorne sat at the front of the proa, in the place that had +been assigned her, for something seemed to tell her that the men were +so occupied with their duties that it would be better for her to keep +away from them. It was with much reluctance that she consented to +exchange the few words with Captain Fred Sanders, and little did she +dream that it was those same few words which turned the young man from +a deadly enemy into the most devoted ally, and gave some promise of +life to herself and her companion. Yet, as we have shown, such was the +fact. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +CLOSING IN + + +When the sun sank in the western horizon, the situation of the two +craft had not materially changed. The larger had perceptibly gained +upon the smaller; but a good distance still separated them, and both +parties were doing their utmost. The wind was blowing stronger than at +mid-day, but it was not such a gale as had been feared, and our +friends were not without hope of eluding the natives, who were +endeavoring to overtake them. + +Inez Hawthorne could not avoid seeing how matters stood, though she +was far from suspecting the whole truth. Mr. Storms told her that the +other boat contained pirates, who were doing their utmost to overtake +them, and they were striving their hardest to prevent it. As it stood, +there was a prospect of a fight, in which she would likely be called +upon to take part. She smiled, looked reverently upward, and said she +was ready whenever needed, and then she remained as cool and watchful +as either of her friends. + +Mr. Storms advised her not to go to sleep, as the coming night must +decide the case one way or the other for them. + +"No fear of my sleeping," she said. "I realize our position too well +to do that." + +"And Inez," whispered Storms, "these two savages on board are the +worst sort of men. Keep watch, and do not place yourself in too +dangerous a position respecting them." + +"I have been alarmed more than once at their looks and mutterings." + +As the sun went down, it was a curious sight when the double canoe +rose on a swell and was outlined against the flaming disc behind, as +we have described the ship and the moon more than three years before. + +The sight was a strange one, though it lasted but a moment, when the +craft went down, and the smaller proa swiftly climbed the long slope +of the watery mountain in front. The round moon speedily rose in the +sky, and it was so bright that it was hard to tell when twilight ended +and its light began. + +Never did Storms and Sanders long for utter darkness more than on the +present occasion. Had the moon been obscured, they would have made a +sharp turn in their flight, with every prospect of throwing the others +completely off their trail, and with every reason to hope for a clean +escape before sunrise. + +But the flood of moon light prevented either proa losing sight of the +other. + +"There's only one thing left to us now," said the young captain. + +"And that's to fight." + +Fred nodded his head. + +"Well, we can do that. But I wish we were well rid of these fellows +with us. It puts us between two fires, and there can be no doubt they +suspect the truth." + +"I am sure of that. Hello!" + +Mr. Storms had hold of the steering-oar, and Fred was sitting close to +him when he uttered the last exclamation, and, springing forward, +hastily drew his pistol, took a quick aim and fired. + +A frenzied howl followed, and one of the crew made a furious plunge +far out into the sea, and, going down like a log, never came up +again. + +"Over with you, too!" shouted Sanders, in their native tongue, his +eyes flashing; "not an instant, or I'll shoot!" + +The savage did not hesitate, with his knife clenched in his hand, and +the young captain leveled his pistol at him. + +The sight of the muzzle so close to his skull, and the finger +resolutely pressing the trigger, were too much, and the savage made a +tremendous leap, like a tiger springing from his hiding-place, went +far out into the sea, and, quickly coming to the surface, blew the +water from his mouth, and began swimming with a swift, powerful stroke +in the direction of the pursuing boat. + +"Did you see that?" inquired Sanders, beginning coolly to reload his +pistol. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Did you know why I fired as quickly as I did?" + +"No." + +"That wretch had drawn his knife, and was moving in the direction of +the unsuspecting Inez, sitting there. I overheard him say something +which aroused my suspicion, and he was in the very act of raising his +knife when I fired." + +"Is it possible? He deserved death, then, and you finished him. But +what purpose could they have in killing an innocent girl like her?" + +"Pure fiendishness--that's all. Then they meant to make their attack +upon us, and they would have made things lively." + +"But how much better it would have been had they waited until the +others attacked, when they could have made a fatal diversion?" + +"Most certainly; but their course shows the nature of the wretches. +They are so fiendish and so eager to fight that they have no +judgment." + +"Are we heading toward Wauparmur, Fred?" + +"No; we are steering wide of it." + +"Since, then, we are engaged in a regular chase for that port, why not +head straight for the island, so as to have that advantage, at +least?" + +"You are right, for there is nothing to be gained by maneuvering to +throw them off the track." + +Fred Sanders took a small compass from his pocket, and studied it +carefully for a minute or two by the light of the moon. Then he gave +directions to Storms to bear more to the left, or the westward, until +finally he informed him that they were heading directly for the port +where all their hopes were now centered. + +The wind fell slightly, but the pursuing boat steadily gained, and it +was impossible to see how our friends could escape a hand-to-hand +fight with the pirates, and there could be but one issue to such an +encounter. + +The islanders were thoughtful enough to lower their immense sail, and +stand by until they could pick up their comrade struggling in the +water, actuated probably as much by curiosity to know the facts as by +humanity. + +This gave our friends a show once more, and they drew away from their +pursuers; but, alas! not to an extent to leave them out of sight, and +until they could do so, they could not hope to accomplish anything. + +Mr. Storms was not without a strong hope of seeing some friendly +sail, to which they could hasten for assistance, and he continually +searched the horizon, telling Inez to do the same. + +Captain Fred did not expect anything of that nature, and, since the +glasses were in his hands, he kept them turned most of the time in the +direction of the double canoe, and called out his information and +orders to his mate at the helm. + +Of course the distance was much less than a mile, or the proa would +scarcely have been discernible, but the moonlight was strong, such as +those who live in temperate zones can hardly realize, and the +illumination of the sea was wonderfully brilliant. + +Both Fred and Storms, who had spent years in the South Seas, agreed +that they had never seen anything like it before, and, for all +purposes, it might as well have been broad day. The finest print could +have been read with ease, and the glasses leveled at the approaching +boat showed the crowds of swarthy pirates on board, all as eager as +wolves to come up with the craft, which they were gaining so steadily +upon. + +And the fugitives knew well enough what the sequel would be. The rival +of Captain Fred would want no better excuse for cutting him and his +companions to pieces, and the wealth in their possession would be more +"loot" than the same parties could obtain in a dozen piratical +expeditions. + +"But they shall never get a pennyworth of it!" said Abe Storms to +Fred. + +The latter lowered his glass and looked inquiringly at him. + +"When it becomes absolutely certain that they have got us, I shall +throw all the pearls overboard, so that they shall gain nothing more +than our lives." + +"That's right; only," said the young captain, with a smile, "I advise +you not to be in too much of a hurry about it, for you will feel +somewhat mortified if we reach Wauparmur, after all, and you find you +have cast your whole wealth into the sea." + +"I shan't lose my head," said the mate, with a laugh, "unless one of +them takes it off." + +Inez Hawthorne was silent at the prow of the proa, where she was +looking for the longed-for sail, which, alas! was never to appear, for +she, too, had come to believe there was no other hope for her and her +friends. + +Mate Storms and Captain Fred happened to turn their heads at the same +moment, and were looking at the double proa coming up with them very +rapidly, when each uttered an exclamation, for they suddenly saw a red +flash at the prow of the boat, a puff of smoke, and then the report of +a musket reached them almost at the same instant that the whistle of +the bullet through the rigging was heard. + +"By George, they are firing at us!" said Fred, as if it was not the +most natural thing in the world for them to do. + +"Yes, and they're aiming pretty well, too, for that shot went through +the sail!" + +"I hardly supposed they were near enough to do that, but they are in +earnest. Wouldn't it be a good idea to reply to their hail?" + +"It would, most undoubtedly!" + +Putting up his glass, Captain Fred dived forward, brought out one of +the muskets, and taking deliberate aim, fired at the approaching +craft. + +His shot was a fortunate one, too, for the cry which instantly +followed showed that some one was struck. The others did not fire +again for some time, but seemed to concentrate all their energies and +attention upon the pursuit, which was turning more and more every +minute in their favor. + +"I don't see any escaping a fight," said Fred Sanders. "Inez says she +hasn't caught a glimpse of a sail, and I am sure she won't. We may as +well bring our guns here and be ready to repel boarders." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +WAUPARMUR + + +Oftener than we suppose does heaven interfere directly in the affairs +of men. Minutes had passed since Sanders and Storms had agreed that no +earthly occurrence could avert a fight with the dusky demons, with +scarcely a grain of hope for escape from them, when Inez uttered the +astounding exclamation: + +"We are gaining on them!" + +It was inconceivable, and the two looked again to the rear to learn +the cause of her unaccountable delusion. Five minutes later Sanders +added in a husky gasp: + +"She is right; we are not only gaining, but we are gaining fast." + +"How do you account for it?" + +"I can't account for it." + +"I can." + +"How?" asked the amazed youth. + +"God interposes many times when mortals do not see it," said the New +Englander reverently; "there is joy in heaven over one sinner that +repenteth. You have repented, and He has extended his hand to help +you." + +"Perhaps you are right," replied Sanders, much impressed. + +"I _know_ I am right." + +"And I hope to prove worthy of such undeserved kindness. All I ask is +the opportunity." + +"It shall be granted you. But, humanly speaking, there has been some +accident on board that craft yonder." + +"It must be that; as a sailor, you know any one of a half dozen things +would be sufficient to throw them out of the race. A ripping of the +sail, a fracture of the mast, the breaking of the steering gear, or +some sudden quarrel would do the trick. Sufficient for us is it to +know that it has been done." + +"God helps them that helps themselves," added Storms, "and we must +improve to the utmost the chance thrown in our way." + +Naturally the fear of the two was that their pursuers might repair the +accident which was throwing them to the rear for the time, and regain +what was lost. They steadily fell behind, and, as soon as invisible, +the proa made an abrupt change in her course, with the view of +defeating the calamity that they feared threatened them. When this had +lasted for an hour, another change was effected, with the result, as +Sanders announced, that they were now heading directly for Wauparmur. + +The eyes peering backward through the vivid moonlight failed to bring +the dreaded craft to view, and it was not yet midnight when Sanders +announced the thrilling fact that the twinkling lights, which appeared +in front like a constellation in the horizon, were made by the +dwellings in the native South Sea town of Wauparmur. All danger was +past, and about an hour later the proa glided in among the shipping in +that excellent harbor, made fast to the wharf, and the three +disembarked. + +Fred led the way to a house of entertainment near the harbor, in which +he found good lodging for his friends. + +Abram Storms carried all the precious pearls to his room and carefully +secured the door, after which he threw himself upon the bed and slept +as soundly as an infant. + +Inez Hawthorne, in the solitude of her apartment, devoutly thanked her +Heavenly Father for His care, and then she, too, slept the sleep of +exhaustion and perfect health. + +It was near noon on the succeeding day when both rose and found Fred +Sanders awaiting them. The young man had not slept at all, and was +uneasy. + +"It won't do to stay here another night," said he, in explanation, as +soon as the meal was concluded. + +"I am sure we have no wish to do so," replied Storms. "But wherein +lies the particular peril?" + +"That whole crew of the double canoe are scattered through town, and +they only await the chance to kill us. They will find the chance, too, +to-night, if we remain here." + +"But what is the prospect of getting away?" + +"I was in despair nearly all the forenoon; but a little while ago I +came upon a schooner which sails for San Francisco at three o'clock +this afternoon. I have engaged passage on it for us three, for you +know I go with you." + +"How can we ever repay you for your kindness?" said Inez, her lustrous +eyes speaking eloquently her gratitude to the youth. + +"There's no service on earth that I can render you which will compare +with what you have done for me," was the reply of Captain Fred, whose +manner showed his sincerity. Inez Hawthorne did not understand what +all this meant, but the speaker ventured upon no explanation at the +time. + +As the three were about to start upon a long voyage, it was decided +that some indispensable articles should be procured, and, since they +had little spare time at command, the three set out immediately after +dinner. + +Wauparmur, as we have already intimated, is a town numbering several +hundreds--perhaps more than a thousand--in population. Among these are +a number of foreign shopkeepers, whose places are close along shore, +so as to be the more readily accessible to their customers, who are +almost exclusively confined to those on board the vessels which stop +at the island. + +Back from the town the land rises into hills, and the settlement +becomes straggling and scattered. In these portions it is composed +entirely of rude huts and cabins, in which none but natives live, and +they are a bad lot. + +It was from among those who lived in the "suburbs" that the wretches +were gathered with which to attempt to capture and murder the little +party of Europeans for the sake of the invaluable pearls they had in +their possession. + +Fred Sanders shuddered when he thought of the risk he and his friends +ran by going straight to the inn and taking quarters for the night, +for these miscreants must, after all, have reached Wauparmur only a +few hours after the proa, and the wonder was that they did not manage +to slay the fugitives in their beds. + +The first thing Fred did in the morning was to slip out and buy a +revolver, and his second act was to load it. + +While engaged in hunting a vessel upon which to take passage, he +encountered his own acquaintances continually, and he needed not their +black faces and scowling eyes to tell how they thirsted to kill him +for his treachery. It was only by his bold front and constant +watchfulness that he kept the dusky demons at a distance. Some of them +were seen when the three ventured out, and though the pirates dared +not attack them in open daylight, they were on the verge of doing so +more than once. But their fury was directed principally against +Captain Fred Sanders, and there can be no doubt the youth spoke the +truth when he declared that if he attempted to stay on land until +morning, he would not live till midnight. + +Mr. Storms laid in a good supply of clothing, shoes and knick-knacks +for himself and Inez, and with as little delay as possible. When they +reached the wharf and approached the plank leading to the deck of the +schooner, Mr. Storms noticed a small man standing a few feet off, with +a blanket drawn up about his shoulders and neck like an Indian. His +legs, feet and head were bare, but a huge bandage was bound around his +forehead, giving him a grotesque appearance. + +His position was like a statue, and he held the blanket so high that +little could be seen except his black, glittering eyes. Some distance +off, on the street close to the shop-houses, was a group of other +natives, who looked as if they were expecting some important event. + +So they were, indeed! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +HOMEWARD BOUND + + +"Storms, do you notice that fellow?" asked Fred Sanders, as they +approached the plank. + +"Yes; it looks odd to see him standing there so motionless, and yet +with his eyes fixed upon us." + +"He's Weroo, the man who led that gang of pirates last night, and he +hates me with such a consuming hate that he sent out his men to kill +me, and in case they fail to do so, he has stationed himself there +with the determination to assassinate me, for he is ready to run any +risk rather than allow me to get away." + +"Are you prepared?" asked Storms, with no little anxiety. + +"I rather guess so! Walk ahead with Inez and leave him to me." + +With some hesitation, Storms did as requested, though he placed his +hand on his revolver, so as to be ready for any emergency, the crew of +the _Albatross_, who were busying themselves around, seeming to hold +no suspicion of the situation. + +Just as Captain Fred put his foot on the plank, the islander took a +short step forward, like a panther gathering himself for the leap upon +its victim. At that very instant, as if by intuition, Captain Fred +turned about and leveled his revolver at the muffled figure, which +paused. Every one who was looking on supposed, of course, the boy was +going to fire, but, though his finger pressed the trigger, he did not +discharge his weapon. With the pistol pointed straight at the savage, +Fred slowly backed up the plank, keeping his foe covered until he +himself was on the deck of the schooner. + +The barbarian seemed paralyzed. After taking the slight step forward, +he paused and stood motionless, staring and transfixed, until his +victim was beyond his reach. Then, without a word or exclamation, he +turned about, and strode away to where his infuriated and discomfited +comrades were watching him with not the slightest doubt he would +prevent the escape of the white boy. Within the succeeding hour the +_Albatross_ was standing down the bay, with all sail spread; and her +long voyage to distant California was begun. + +Ah, that journey from the South Seas across the equator and northward +into the stern climate of the Temperate Zone! + +Not one of those who participated in it can forget it to his dying +day. They had many hours of fierce, wild weather, in which the +_Albatross_ was more than once in danger, but Captain Hardy was a good +sailor, he had a good crew, and he safely rode through it all. + +Then came those delightful nights which seem peculiar to the Pacific, +when the moonlight takes on a witchery of its own, and the calm sea +becomes like an enchanted lake as the vessel glides over it. + +Captain Hardy was a kind man as well as a skilful sailor, and, since +he received a most liberal price for the passage of the three persons +who joined him at Wauparmur, the best treatment was given them. + +It was on this homeward voyage that Captain Fred Sanders told to Mate +Storms and Inez Hawthorne the story of his life, the main points of +which have already been hinted to the reader. He ran away from his +home in San Francisco when but a mere boy, scarcely ten years old. He +was led into all sorts of evil, and was so deeply implicated in a +fierce mutiny that, as we have said, he would have been strung up at +the yard-arm, excepting for his extreme youth. + +He then joined a trading vessel in the South Seas, but the crew were +attacked and massacred by a band of pirates, and he was taken off a +prisoner. These pirates belonged to the Wauparmur settlement, and they +were so pleased with the bravery displayed by the boy that they +adopted him among them. There was something in the life which was +attractive to the wild American lad, and he embraced it eagerly, and +spent five years among them. His bravery, skill, and natural +"smartness," advanced him rapidly along the line of promotion, until, +while yet a boy, he became an acknowledged leader. + +Captain Fred spent a portion of his time in the settlement, where he +showed his good sense, in one respect at least, by picking up all the +education he could from the instructors who were to be found there. He +succeeded well--which will explain the intelligence he displayed in +this respect while conversing with his friends. + +He confessed all this, and said further that his mother died before he +ran away, and he had no idea where his father was; but, if he were +alive, the son determined to find him, no matter where he might be on +the broad earth. Now that his conscience had been awakened, his +affection came back with it, and his great fear was that he would not +see his parent alive. + +It was a source of never-ending wonder to Fred Sanders how it was he +could have been so wicked a lad, and how it was that his moral sense +could have been so totally eclipsed for years. The gentle, winning +words of Inez Hawthorne had first aroused his conscience, until +finally it would not allow him to rest until he had made his peace +with it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +CONCLUSION + + +Many a long hour did the two--Fred and Inez--spend in talking together +of the past and their future. They were as brother and sister to each +other, and their prospects were discussed as if it were fixed that +they should never lose sight of each other again. + +It was on this voyage, too, that Abram Storms disclosed the plan of +action he had decided upon. + +"The pearls which I have in my possession I shall dispose of in San +Francisco--or at least a portion of them. Those which were my share, +according to the original agreement, I shall keep. The single pearl, +which will doubtless bring a large price in New York, is the property +of Inez, and shall be devoted to her benefit. I intend to place her in +a school and make a systematic effort to trace her parentage. The +pearls left by Captain Bergen go to you, Fred." + +But here occurred the first stumbling-block. Fred Sanders refused +pointedly, but firmly, to accept a single one of them. He declared he +had no claim upon any one of that little party, and he would not +suffer himself to be dissuaded from his position. + +He was yet young, vigorous and ambitious, and with the help of heaven +he would carve out his own fortune. Seeing it was useless to argue the +question, Storms fell back upon the original intention of Captain +Bergen, which was to devote the greater portion of his wealth to +charity. + +In due time, the _Albatross_ glided through the Golden Gate, and our +friends found themselves in San Francisco, whose streets all had trod +years before. + +The first thing Storms did after establishing Inez in pleasant +quarters was to hunt up the mother of Captain Bergen, and he +prosecuted his search with a heavy heart, bearing the bad news which +he did. He was relieved to find that she had been dead fully two +years, and the nearest relative of the captain remaining was his +cousin, who was in such affluent circumstances that Storms decided not +to give him any portion of the wealth left by the deceased captain. + +While Abe Storms was engaged upon his duty, young Fred Sanders was +busy. + +Although he had revealed a great deal of his past life, there remained +one great secret, which he had reserved as a final surprise, +especially to Inez Hawthorne, who, as yet, had not formed the +slightest idea of what was coming. And what this secret was, and the +particulars of not one but two astounding discoveries, we will now +proceed to relate. + +The grim old sailor, Captain Strathmore, of the steamer _Polynesia_, +has made many voyages between San Francisco and the Imperial Japanese +city of Tokio since we last saw him, more than three years ago. There +is little change, however, in his appearance, and the same kindly +heart, tempered in the furnace of affliction and sorrow, throbs +beneath his rough exterior. There are few officers holding such a +responsible position as he who are greater favorites with the +multitudes that go down to the sea in ships, and he promises to +perform many valuable years of service to his employers, who +appreciate the sterling worth of the brave, noble man. + +The steamer has been at the dock several days, and soon is to leave +for her long voyage across the Pacific. The captain is sitting in his +cabin, reading and writing some letters. By-and-by he lays down his +pen, and wheeling his chair around, gives utterance to his thoughts, +as he has grown in the habit of doing of late. + +"I shall keep in harness till I die, for idleness would take me off +in a short time. I have striven to do my duty to God and my +fellow-man--and though much sorrow has come to me, yet I shall never +murmur nor complain, when I see so much around me and know that no +race and no place in society is exempt from it. + +"Years ago I placed away my beloved wife in the distant New England +hills, and then when the fair bud which she left behind blossomed, +that, too, was gathered by the angels and I was left alone. + +"The darling son upon whom I centered all my hopes was a wild, wayward +boy, and he left my roof and has never come back again. Whether he is +or is not, I cannot tell, but I fear that, if he still treads the +earth, he is sowing the wind and will reap the whirlwind. I have +striven to forget that I was ever afflicted in being the parent of +such a child. But alas, the roots of affection are planted so deep +that it is hard to withdraw them. + +"Then there came to me a second Inez, and I loved her as I did the +first. Just as she nestled around my heart, she was taken away in the +most surprising manner. I believed then that I should see and clasp +her again in my arms. But the years have come and gone, and still she +comes not to me. Ah! could I but hear the music of that voice--could I +but feel those dimpled arms about my neck as I used to do----Helloa!" + +Just then Fred Sanders walked briskly into the cabin, doffed his hat, +made a bow, laughed and said: + +"Helloa, pop! how are you?" + +Captain Strathmore gasped, stared and replied: + +"No--no--no--Fred. Is that you, my own boy?" + +And Fred laughed, and then, with tears in his eyes, leaped forward and +threw his arms about the old captain's neck and cried like a child, +while the parent, fondly caressing him, cried too, and for a minute +neither could speak an intelligible word. + +"Pop," finally said the youth, raising his head and sitting upon the +strong knee, "I have been a bad boy. I have brought trouble to you, +but I have come thousands of miles to ask your forgiveness and to try +to cheer your declining years." + +"What are you talking about declining years for, you young rascal? I +never was so strong and hearty in my life. You have made me twenty +years younger! Ah, if your mother could but see this! But she is +smiling in heaven over it, and so is our darling Inez, who joined her +long ago. God be thanked! my boy is dead but is alive again!" + +And, laughing and crying, they shook hands, and talked and talked. + +"Tell me everything that has befallen you, my dear son." + +And Fred did so, as we have already told the reader, adding that he +never so far forgot himself as to dishonor his father by bearing his +name. He was known everywhere as Frederic Sanders, whereas his full +name was Frederic Sanders Strathmore--which he was now proud to +assume, and which, with God's help, he meant to honor. + +They sat a long time in loving converse, and, finally, Captain +Strathmore told the story of Inez Hawthorne, who came to and went from +him in such an extraordinary manner, and for whom he sighed and longed +as he had for his own child, taken from him years before. + +Fred smiled in an odd way, while this story was being told, and then +asked his father to walk down to the Occidental Hotel with him. + +"I have some very particular business," he added, "and will take it as +a great favor if you will so so." + +"Of course I will," responded the cheery old captain, springing to his +feet. "I will walk if I can, but I feel more like flying; and if +there's any more good news, I'll set up a dancing and yelling +carnival." + +"Well, there is good news awaiting you, so you had better get ready to +put on the brakes." + +"What do you mean, Fred?" + +"Wait, and you will see." + +A few minutes later there was a gentle tap on the door of Inez +Hawthorne's room at the Occidental. She was busy sewing, and she +called out in a somewhat startled voice: + +"Come in!" + +Fred Strathmore threw the door wide open, and, taking hold of his +father's arm, gave him such a vigorous shove that he was forced +several steps into the apartment before he could stop himself. + +He caught sight of a beautiful, scared face, which stared with +something like terror at him for a moment; and then there was a +scream, and she made one bound forward. + +"Oh, father, father! my own dear father! I am so glad!" + +Again the arms were about the neck of the weather-beaten sea-dog; +again the kisses were showered upon his bronzed face; again his own +lost Inez was in his arms. + +Poor Captain Strathmore broke down completely. Instead of shouting and +dancing, as he threatened to do, he sat in his chair, and, with Inez +on his knee, overrunning with joy, delight and supreme happiness, he +could do nothing but cry, cry, cry, and murmur his gratitude and +thankfulness. + +But, after a time, he did recover himself; and then he became aware +for the first time, as did the others, that a fourth party was +present. This was Mate Storms, who suspected the situation before he +was introduced to the happy captain of the _Polynesia_. Since they all +had such an extraordinary story to relate, the captain had an equally +remarkable one to tell them. + +The persistent and never-ending investigation which he set on foot +concerning the lost Inez had resulted, not in finding her, but in +unearthing her entire history. + +She was a native of the city of New York, and her father died there +before she was a year old. A former suitor of her mother, angered +because she would not become his wife, even after her husband was +deceased, resorted to the atrocious revenge of stealing Inez when she +was but an infant, and he hastened across the continent with her. + +When he had kept her there a brief time, he sought to open negotiations +with the mother, with a view of delivering back her child on condition +that the parent should become his wife; but he was shocked to learn +that the poor, heartbroken mother had died from grief, and the child was +upon his hands. + +This man finally married a woman in San Francisco, but neither of them +could ever feel any affection for the little girl (whom, however, they +treated quite fairly), and the wife insisted that she should be gotten +rid of in some way. Through some whim or other, the abductor had +always called her by her right name--Inez Hawthorne--and, seeing some +mention of it in the newspapers, he resorted to the means which we +described, at the opening of this story, for ridding himself forever +of her. + +As soon as Inez was safely placed on the steamer, this wicked couple +disappeared, and no further trace of them could be found. Captain +Strathmore, who was anxious to punish them, believed they had left the +country. Inez, therefore, was an orphan, and while a gentle sadness +filled her affectionate heart--as she heard the particulars of her own +history for the first time, and reflected upon that poor, heartbroken +mother, who had gone to her rest long ago--she could not feel any +poignant grief, for her memory of the lost one was too shadowy and +faint. But she had found a home and friends for life. + +Abram Storms explained that he had met three English gentlemen who +were making a tour of the world in a large steam yacht; and, since +they possessed abundant means, and were very social, he had shown them +the pearls in his possession and offered to dispose of them all. They +were delighted with the specimens, and especially with the enormous +one belonging to Inez. They offered twenty-five thousand dollars for +the single one, and just one hundred thousand for the rest. This was +less than Storms had counted upon--and doubtless less than he could +have secured by consulting leading lapidaries in other parts of the +world--but he was inclined to end the transaction by accepting it, and +he asked the advice of his friends. After fully discussing the matter, +it was agreed to close with the offer, and the exchange was completed +that afternoon, and the money belonging to Inez was placed in the bank +the next morning. + +Since Storms was anxious to return to his home, and since there was no +call for his remaining longer in San Francisco, it was arranged that +Inez should enter an excellent school in the Golden Gate City, where +she should spend several years, while Captain Strathmore was to act as +her guardian until she should attain her legal majority. The captain's +position enabled him to find a berth under him for Fred on the steamer +_Polynesia_, and the boy sailed with him on the next voyage to Tokio, +and on many a subsequent one. + +Abe Storms is as poor as he was before he made his voyage to the South +Seas, for, having dedicated the wealth left by Captain Bergen to +charitable purposes, he felt it his duty to do the same with his own, +and, since he has no one besides himself dependent upon him, he is not +troubled by fears of not being able to make a comfortable living. + +THE END + + + + +A. L. BURT'S CATALOGUE OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY POPULAR WRITERS + +52-58 Duane Street, New York + +BOOKS FOR BOYS. + +Joe's Luck: A Boy's Adventures in California. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The story is chock full of stirring incidents, while the amusing +situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and the +fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike Co., +Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck" is +certainly one of his best. + +Tom the Bootblack; or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all +ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better +himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr. Grey, +the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. The plan +failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a comfortable +fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories. + +Dan the Newsboy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is +pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of New +York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the +Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house +where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little +heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that +she adopts him as her heir. + +Tony the Hero: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By Horatio Alger, Jr. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of +Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and gets +a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large estate. +Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down a deep well. +Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, and by a brave act, +a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is prosperous. A very +entertaining book. + +The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart +country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named +Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent +troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of +errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend. + +Tom Temple's Career. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village to +seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to +California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that +the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have +been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for himself +and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a situation as +cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a wealthy old +gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter helps the lad to +gain success and fortune. + +Tom Thatcher's Fortune. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, +price $1.00. + +Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his mother +and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John Simpson's +factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts overland for +California. He meets with many adventures. The story is told in a way +which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so many homes. + +The Train Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price +$1.00. + +Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and +sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad. +He detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a young lady. +In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul is fortunate +enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude takes him into +his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and is well started on +the road to business prominence. + +Mark Mason's Victory. The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By +Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily won +his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many difficulties. +This story will please the very large class of boys who regard Mr. Alger +as a favorite author. + +A Debt of Honor. The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West. By +Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and +disappointments which he passed through before he attained success, will +interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful +author. + +Ben Bruce. Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts, and +many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success, are most +interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most +fascinating style. + +The Castaways; or, On the Florida Reefs. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen +leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the +coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through her +rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the leeward. +The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the cook, +cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis is +a prime favorite. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Wrecked on Spider Island; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Ned Rogers, a "down-east" plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn a +livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there discovers a +wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable amount of treasure. +The capture of the treasure and the incidents of the voyage serve to make +as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most captious boy could desire. + +The Search for the Silver City: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yacht Day Dream +for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed by fire, and then the +boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They bear of the wonderful Silver +City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians, and with the help of a faithful +Indian ally carry off a number of the golden images from the temples. +Pursued with relentless vigor at last their escape is effected in an +astonishing manner. The story is so full of exciting incidents that the +reader is quite carried away with the novelty and realism of the +narrative. + +A Runaway Brig; or, An Accidental Cruise. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide shimmering +sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with Harry +Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, Bob Brace, on +the brig Bonita. The boys discover a mysterious document which enables +them to find a buried treasure. They are stranded on an island and at last +are rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure to be fascinated with +this entertaining story. + +The Treasure Finders: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father's indigo +plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The boys +eagerly explore the temples of an extinct race and discover three golden +images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the greatest difficulty. +Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. We doubt if there +ever was written a more entertaining story than "The Treasure Finders." + +Jack, the Hunchback. A Story of the Coast of Maine. By James Otis. Price +$1.00. + +This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape Elizabeth, on +the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are most interesting. From +first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us +along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses +its force. + +With Washington at Monmouth: A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By James +Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make regular and +frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while the British occupied +the city. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully +drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given show that +the work has not been hastily done, or without considerable study. The +story is wholesome and patriotic in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis' works. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +With Lafayette at Yorktown: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the Continental +Army. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, +price $1.50. + +Two lads from Portsmouth, N. H., attempt to enlist in the Colonial Army, +and are given employment as spies. There is no lack of exciting incidents +which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful excitement brimming +with facts which every boy should be familiar with, and while the reader +is following the adventures of Ben Jaffrays and Ned Allen he is acquiring +a fund of historical lore which will remain in his memory long after that +which he has memorized from textbooks has been forgotten. + +At the Siege of Havana. Being the Experiences of Three Boys Serving under +Israel Putnam in 1762. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine +edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"At the Siege of Havana" deals with that portion of the island's history +when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the assistance given +by the troops from New England, led in part by Col. Israel Putnam. + +The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who, represented as +telling the story, and his comrades, Robert Clement and Nicholas Vallet. +Colonel Putnam also figures to considerable extent, necessarily, in the +tale, and the whole forms one of the most readable stories founded on +historical facts. + +The Defense of Fort Henry. A Story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By James +Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or +thrilling incidents than in the story of those brave men and women who +founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of Virginia. The recital +of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as heroic a story as can be +imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed by Major McCulloch and his +gallant comrades, the sufferings of the colonists and their sacrifice of +blood and life, stir the blood of old as well as young readers. + +The Capture of the Laughing Mary. A Story of Three New York Boys in 1776. +By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. + +"During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the +Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General Washington's +person, and calls in two companions to assist the patriot cause. They do +some astonishing things, and, incidentally, lay the way for an American +navy later, by the exploit which gives its name to the work. Mr. Otis' +books are too well known to require any particular commendation to the +young."--Evening Post. + +With Warren at Bunker Hill. A Story of the Siege of Boston. By James Otis. +12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"This is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day after the +doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of home life in +Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at Charlestown, shows +Gen. Warren at home, describes what a boy thought of the battle of Bunker +Hill, and closes with the raising of the siege. The three heroes, George +Wentworth, Ben Scarlett and an old ropemaker, incur the enmity of a young +Tory, who causes them many adventures the boys will like to +read."--Detroit Free Press. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +With the Swamp Fox. The Story of General Marion's Spies. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story deals with General Francis Marion's heroic struggle in the +Carolinas. General Marion's arrival to take command of these brave men and +rough riders is pictured as a boy might have seen it, and although the +story is devoted to what the lads did, the Swamp Fox is ever present in +the mind of the reader. + +On the Kentucky Frontier. A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West. By +James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +In the history of our country there is no more thrilling story than that +of the work done on the Mississippi river by a handful of frontiersmen. +Mr. Otis takes the reader on that famous expedition from the arrival of +Major Clarke's force at Corn Island, until Kaskaskia was captured. He +relates that part of Simon Kenton's life history which is not usually +touched upon either by the historian or the story teller. This is one of +the most entertaining books for young people which has been published. + +Sarah Dillard's Ride. A Story of South Carolina in 1780. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This book deals with the Carolinas in 1780, giving a wealth of detail of +the Mountain Men who struggled so valiantly against the king's troops. +Major Ferguson is the prominent British officer of the story, which is +told as though coming from a youth who experienced these adventures. In +this way the famous ride of Sarah Dillard is brought out as an incident of +the plot."--Boston Journal. + +A Tory Plot. A Story of the Attempt to Kill General Washington. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"'A Tory Plot' is the story of two lads who overhear something of the +plot originated during the Revolution by Gov. Tryon to capture or murder +Washington. They communicate their knowledge to Gen. Putnam and are +commissioned by him to play the role of detectives in the matter. They do +so, and meet with many adventures and hairbreadth escapes. The boys are, +of course, mythical, but they serve to enable the author to put into very +attractive shape much valuable knowledge concerning one phase of the +Revolution."--Pittsburgh Times. + +A Traitor's Escape. A Story of the Attempt to Seize Benedict Arnold. By +James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This is a tale with stirring scenes depicted in each chapter, bringing +clearly before the mind the glorious deeds of the early settlers in this +country. In an historical work dealing with this country's past, no plot +can hold the attention closer than this one, which describes the attempt +and partial success of Benedict Arnold's escape to New York, where he +remained as the guest of Sir Henry Clinton. All those who actually figured +in the arrest of the traitor, as well as Gen. Washington, are included as +characters."--Albany Union. + +A Cruise with Paul Jones. A Story of Naval Warfare in 1776. By James Otis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"This story takes up that portion of Paul Jones' adventurous life when he +was hovering off the British coast, watching for an opportunity to strike +the enemy a blow. It deals more particularly with his descent upon +Whitehaven, the seizure of Lady Selkirk's plate, and the famous battle +with the Drake. The boy who figures in the tale is one who was taken from +a derelict by Paul Jones shortly after this particular cruise was +begun."--Chicago Inter-Ocean. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Corporal Lige's Recruit. A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"In 'Corporal Lige's Recruit,' Mr. Otis tells the amusing story of an old +soldier, proud of his record, who had served the king in '58, and who +takes the lad, Isaac Rice, as his 'personal recruit.' The lad acquits +himself superbly. Col. Ethan Allen 'in the name of God and the continental +congress,' infuses much martial spirit into the narrative, which will +arouse the keenest interest as it proceeds. Crown Point, Ticonderoga, +Benedict Arnold and numerous other famous historical names appear in this +dramatic tale."--Boston Globe. + +Morgan, the Jersey Spy. A Story of the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. By James +Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"The two lads who are utilized by the author to emphasize the details of +the work done during that memorable time were real boys who lived on the +banks of the York river, and who aided the Jersey spy in his dangerous +occupation. In the guise of fishermen the lads visit Yorktown, are +suspected of being spies, and put under arrest. Morgan risks his life to +save them. The final escape, the thrilling encounter with a squad of red +coats, when they are exposed equally to the bullets of friends and foes, +told in a masterly fashion, makes of this volume one of the most +entertaining books of the year."--Inter-Ocean. + +The Young Scout: The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By Edward S. Ellis. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the most terrible +scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven, in a tale of +thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's last raid. The hero is +Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point. Ambitious to +distinguish himself the young man takes many a desperate chance against +the enemy and on more than one occasion narrowly escapes with his life. In +our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of Indian stories now before the +public. + +Adrift in the Wilds: The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys. By Edward S. +Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence are en route for San Francisco. Off the +coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys reach the shore +with several of the passengers. Young Brandon becomes separated from his +party and is captured by hostile Indians, but is afterwards rescued. This +is a very entertaining narrative of Southern California. + +A Young Hero; or, Fighting to Win. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from the +Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred Sheldon, +the hero of this story, undertakes to discover the thieves and have them +arrested. After much time spent in detective work, he succeeds in +discovering the silver plate and winning the reward. The story is told in +Mr. Ellis' most fascinating style. Every boy will be glad to read this +delightful book. + +Lost in the Rockies. A Story of Adventure in the Rocky Mountains. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure, and at +the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced breathless +enjoyment in this romantic story describing many adventures in the Rockies +and among the Indians. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +A Jaunt Through Java: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures of two +cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across the island of +Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where the Royal +Bengal tiger, the rhinoceros, and other fierce beasts are to be met with, +it is but natural that the heroes of this book should have a lively +experience. There is not a dull page in the book. + +The Boy Patriot. A Story of Jack, the Young Friend of Washington. By +Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. + +"There are adventures of all kinds for the hero and his friends, whose +pluck and ingenuity in extricating themselves from awkward fixes are +always equal to the occasion. It is an excellent story full of honest, +manly, patriotic efforts on the part of the hero. A very vivid description +of the battle of Trenton is also found in this story."--Journal of +Education. + +A Yankee Lad's Pluck. How Bert Larkin Saved his Father's Ranch in Porto +Rico. By Wm. P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +"Bert Larkin, the hero of the story, early excites our admiration, and is +altogether a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the story +of his numerous adventures is very graphically told. This will, we think, +prove one of the most popular boys' books this season."--Gazette. + +A Brave Defense. A Story of the Massacre at Fort Griswold in 1781. By +William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Perhaps no more gallant fight against fearful odds took place during the +Revolutionary War than that at Fort Griswold, Groton Heights, Conn., in +1781. The boys are real boys who were actually on the muster rolls, either +at Fort Trumbull on the New London side, or of Fort Griswold on the Groton +side of the Thames. The youthful reader who follows Halsey Sanford and +Levi Dart and Tom Malleson, and their equally brave comrades, through +their thrilling adventures will be learning something more than historical +facts; they will be imbibing lessons of fidelity, of bravery, of heroism, +and of manliness, which must prove serviceable in the arena of life. + +The Young Minuteman. A Story of the Capture of General Prescott in 1777. +By William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story is based upon actual events which occurred during the British +occupation of the waters of Narragansett Bay. Darius Wale and William +Northrop belong to "the coast patrol." The story is a strong one, +dealing only with actual events. There is, however, no lack of thrilling +adventure, and every lad who is fortunate enough to obtain the book will +find not only that his historical knowledge is increased, but that his own +patriotism and love of country are deepened. + +For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY. With +illustrations by S. J. Solomon. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"Mr. Henty's graphic prose picture of the hopeless Jewish resistance to +Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the +world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest efforts."--Graphic. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Roy Gilbert's Search: A Tale of the Great Lakes. By Wm. P. Chipman. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges with +two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam launch. The +three boys visit many points of interest on the lakes. Afterwards the lads +rescue an elderly gentleman and a lady from a sinking yacht. Later on the +boys narrowly escape with their lives. The hero is a manly, self-reliant +boy, whose adventures will be followed with interest. + +The Slate Picker: The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal Mines. By Harry +Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Ben +Burton, the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he +advanced step by step until he found himself called upon to fill the +position of chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. This is a book of +extreme interest to every boy reader. + +The Boy Cruisers; or, Paddling in Florida. By St. George Rathborne. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Andrew George and Rowland Carter start on a canoe trip along the Gulf +coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. Their first adventure is with a +pair of rascals who steal their boats. Next they run into a gale in the +Gulf. After that they have a lively time with alligators and Andrew gets +into trouble with a band of Seminole Indians. Mr. Rathborne knows just how +to interest the boys, and lads who are in search of a rare treat will do +well to read this entertaining story. + +Captured by Zulus: A Story of Trapping in Africa. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, +cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and Bob +Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa. By stratagem the Zulus capture Dick +and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The lads escape +death by digging their way out of the prison hut by night. They are +pursued, but the Zulus finally give up pursuit. Mr. Prentice tells exactly +how wild-beast collectors secure specimens on their native stamping +grounds, and these descriptions make very entertaining reading. + +Tom the Ready; or, Up from the Lowest. By Randolph Hill. 12mo, cloth, +illustrated, price $1.00. + +This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless, ambitious +boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder to wealth and the +governorship of his native State. Tom Seacomb begins life with a purpose, +and eventually overcomes those who oppose him. How he manages to win the +battle is told by Mr. Hill in a masterful way that thrills the reader and +holds his attention and sympathy to the end. + +Captain Kidd's Gold: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy. By James +Franklin Fitts. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea of +buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy Portuguese and +Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming eyes. There were many +famous sea rovers, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Paul Jones +Garry inherits a document which locates a considerable treasure buried by +two of Kidd's crew. The hero of this book is an ambitious, persevering +lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, and his efforts to reach the +island and secure the money form one of the most absorbing tales for our +youth that has come from the press. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +The Boy Explorers: The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By Harry +Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel to Alaska to join their +father in search of their uncle. On their arrival at Sitka the boys with +an Indian guide set off across the mountains. The trip is fraught with +perils that test the lads' courage to the utmost. All through their +exciting adventures the lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck +and resolution, and their experience makes one of the most interesting +tales ever written. + +The Island Treasure; or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By Frank H. Converse. +12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a school-ship, is +bent on going to sea. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry saves +Dr. Gregg from drowning and afterward becomes sailing-master of a sloop +yacht. Mr. Converse's stories possess a charm of their own which is +appreciated by lads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt +water. + +Guy Harris: The Runaway. By Harry Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, +price $1.00. + +Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great Lakes. +He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a glimpse of the rough side of life +in a sailor's boarding house. He ships on a vessel and for five months +leads a hard life. The book will interest boys generally on account of its +graphic style. This is one of Castlemon's most attractive stories. + +Julian Mortimer: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune. By Harry +Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days +when emigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the land +of gold. There is an attack upon the wagon train by a large party of +Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon nerve and pluck. Befriended by a +stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the most happy +results. + +By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Maynard Brown. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the +book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be students in spite +of themselves."--St. James's Gazette. + +St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible style the +author has endeavored to show that determination and enthusiasm can +accomplish marvellous results; and that courage is generally accompanied +by magnanimity and gentleness."--Pall Mall Gazette. + +Captain Bayley's Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment; and the +humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the Westminster +dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled."--Christian Leader. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +Budd Boyd's Triumph; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. By William P. +Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay, and +the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. The two boys, Budd +Boyd and Judd Floyd, being ambitious and clear sighted, form a partnership +to catch and sell fish. Budd's pluck and good sense carry him through many +troubles. In following the career of the boy firm of Boyd & Floyd, the +youthful reader will find a useful lesson--that industry and perseverance +are bound to lead to ultimate success. + +Lost in the Canyon: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado. By +Alfred R. Calhoun. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the fact +that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before he +shall have reached his majority. The story of his father's peril and of +Sam's desperate trip down the great canyon on a raft, and how the party +finally escape from their perils is described in a graphic style that +stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master of his art. + +Captured by Apes: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal Trainer. By +Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. + +Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, sets sail for +Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. The vessel is +wrecked off the coast of Borneo, and young Garland is cast ashore on a +small island, and captured by the apes that overrun the place. Very novel +indeed is the way by which the young man escapes death. Mr. Prentice is a +writer of undoubted skill. + +Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the book; but +the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the exciting deeds +of his heroes are never incongruous nor absurd."--Observer. + +By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details of +the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. + +"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories. 'By +Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--Athenaeum. + +With Lee in Virginia: A Story of the American Civil War. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. The +picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and romantic incidents +are skillfully blended with the personal interest and charm of the +story."--Standard. + +By England's Aid; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604). By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Alfred Pearse. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring +incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the scene +are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to its +attractiveness."--Boston Gazette. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +By Right of Conquest; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by W. S. Stacey. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. + +"The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the +magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightfully ranked among the +most romantic and daring exploits in history. 'By Right of Conquest' is +the nearest approach to a perfectly successful historical tale that Mr. +Henty has yet published."--Academy. + +For Name and Fame; or, Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of +excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account of a +territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess a supreme +interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian Empire."--Glasgow +Herald. + +The Bravest of the Brave; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to enforce +the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness, as +indispensable to the making of a gentleman. Boys will read 'The Bravest of +the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite sure."--Daily +Telegraph. + +The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to +the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skillfully +constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is admirably +illustrated."--Saturday Review. + +Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The lad's +journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, makes up as good a +narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and +variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."--Spectator. + +With Clive in India; or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance, +and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself is +deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be delighted with the +volume."--Scotsman. + +In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by J. Schoenberg. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. +Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and peril +they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--Saturday Review. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + +BOOKS FOR BOYS + +The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of +Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schoenberg. 12mo, +cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds of +the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey, Hepburn, and +Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve to live whose +disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern British +army."--Athenaeum. + +The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle between +Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of +the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of the +sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish +reader."--Athenaeum. + +The Young Carthaginian. A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A. Henty. +With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price +$1.00. + +"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays the +interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose current +varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday Review. + +In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and most +remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, once +he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The Schoolmaster. + +With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great +power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no pains +are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his books supply +useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School Guardian. + +True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G. A. +Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, +price $1.00. + +"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers +during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son of +an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the +hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us +by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times. + +A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty. With +illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. + +"All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The +episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting, realistic; +and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the formation of an +honorable, manly, and even heroic character."--Birmingham Post. + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Adrift on the Pacific, by Edward S. 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