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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/39019-8.txt b/39019-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8196402 --- /dev/null +++ b/39019-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11660 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Long Odds, by Harold Bindloss + + +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: Long Odds + + +Author: Harold Bindloss + + + +Release Date: March 1, 2012 [eBook #39019] +Most recently updated: May 6, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONG ODDS*** + + +E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 39019-h.htm or 39019-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39019/39019-h/39019-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39019/39019-h.zip) + + + + + +[Illustration: "He watched her go down the stairway."--See page 279.] + + +LONG ODDS + +by + +HAROLD BINDLOSS + +Author of "Alton of Somasco," "The Cattle-Baron's +Daughter," "The Mistress of Bonaventure," +"Winston of The Prairie," "Delilah of +The Snows," etc. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: SCIRE QVOD SCIENDVM] + +Boston +Small, Maynard & Company +1908 + +Copyright, 1908, by +Small, Maynard & Company +(Incorporated) + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I THOMAS ORMSGILL 1 + II RESTITUTION 16 + III HIS OWN PEOPLE 29 + IV THE SUMMONS 44 + V A DETERMINED MAN 60 + VI DESMOND MAKES AN ADMISSION 73 + VII ORMSGILL KEEPS HIS WORD 86 + VIII THE BONDSWOMAN 97 + IX ANITA BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY 108 + X ORMSGILL ASKS A FAVOR 118 + XI DESMOND VENTURES A HINT 129 + XII LISTER OFFERS SATISFACTION 141 + XIII HIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE 152 + XIV HERRERO'S IMPRUDENCE 165 + XV NARES COUNTS THE COST 176 + XVI NEGRO DIPLOMACY 189 + XVII THE AMBUSCADE 201 + XVIII DOM CLEMENTE LOOKS ON 213 + XIX THE DELAYED MESSAGE 225 + XX DESMOND GOES ASHORE 237 + XXI ON THE BEACH 250 + XXII UNDER STRESS 264 + XXIII THE SLACKENING OF RESTRAINT 280 + XXIV BENICIA MAKES A BARGAIN 294 + XXV DOMINGO APPEARS 307 + XXVI THE DAY OF RECKONING 320 + XXVII AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT 332 + XXVIII THE CHEFE STANDS FAST 344 + XXIX DOM CLEMENTE STRIKES 356 + XXX ORMSGILL BEARS THE TEST 369 + XXXI ON HIS TRIAL 381 + XXXII BENICIA UNDERTAKES AN OBLIGATION 392 + + + + +LONG ODDS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THOMAS ORMSGILL + + +It was towards the middle of a sweltering afternoon when Commandant +Dom Erminio roused himself to wakefulness as he lay in his Madeira +chair on the veranda of Fort San Roque, which stands beside a muddy +river of Western Africa. As a rule Dom Erminio slept all the +afternoon, which was not astonishing, since there was very little else +for him to do, and if there had been he would conscientiously have +refrained from doing it as long as possible. It is also very probable +that any other intelligent white man similarly circumstanced would +have been glad to spend part, at least, of the weary day in merciful +oblivion. San Roque is one of the hottest places in Africa, which is +saying a good deal, and at night a sour white steam, heavy with the +exhalations of putrefaction, rises from the muddy river. They usually +bring the white man who breathes them fever of one or several kinds, +while even if he endures them scatheless the steamy heat melts the +vigor out of him, and the black dejection born of it and the monotony +crushes his courage down. San Roque is scorched with pitiless +sunshine during part of the year, but it is walled in by never-lifting +shadow, for all round the dark forest creeps close up to it. + +On the afternoon in question the Commandant's rest was prematurely +broken, because his dusky major-domo had not had the basket chair +placed where it would remain in shadow, and a slanting shaft of +sunlight struck hotly upon the sleeper's face. A dull throbbing sound +also crept softly out of the heavy stillness, and it was a sound which +usually promised at least an hour or two's distraction. Dom Erminio +recognized it as the thud of canoe paddles, and sat upright in his +chair looking about him drowsily, a little, haggard, yellow-faced man +in white uniform, with claw-like hands whose fingers-ends were stained +by tobacco. He lived remote from even such civilization as may be met +with on the coast of Western Africa, with a handful of black soldiers +and one white companion, distinctly on sufferance, since the fever and +certain tribesmen who showed signs of resenting the white men's +encroachments might at any time snuff him out. He was, however, of +Iberian extraction, and it was characteristic of him that he did not +concern himself greatly about the possibility of such a catastrophe or +consider it worth while to take any steps to avert it which he might +perhaps have done. + +As he glanced round he saw the straggling line of stockade which was +falling down in places, for, being what he was, it had not occurred to +him to mend it; the black soldiers' thatched quarters; and the +ramshackle residency, which was built in part of wood and in part of +well rammed mud. Beyond them rose the forest, black and mysterious, +cleft by the river's dazzling pathway, and a faint look of +anticipation crept into Dom Erminio's eyes as the thud of paddles grew +louder. The river was one stage of the road to civilization, and he +could not quite give up the hope that certain political friends in his +own country would remember him some day. Then his look of interest +died away, for it became evident from the beat of paddles that the +occupants of the approaching canoe were traveling faster than any one +in the Government service usually thought it worth while to do. +Besides that, the Government's messengers were not addicted to +traveling at all in the heat of the afternoon. + +"Ah," he said, with a wave of his unlighted cigarette which was +vaguely expressive of resignation, "it is the Englishman Ormsgill or +the American missionary. Perhaps, by a special misfortune, it may be +both of them." + +His companion, who leaned upon the balustrade, nodded, for Englishmen +and Americans are not held in great esteem in that country, nor are +missionaries of any kind. They see too much, and some of them report +it afterwards, which, when now and then the outer world pricks up its +ears in transient interest or indignation, is apt to make trouble for +everybody. Still, the Lieutenant Luiz was a lethargic man and a +philosopher in his way, so he said nothing, though he waved the comely +brown-skinned girl who had been sitting near him back into the house. +There was, at least, no occasion to provide a weapon for the enemy, +and Marietta had made several attempts to run away lately. + +Commandant Erminio smiled approvingly. "What one suspects does not +count," he said. "In this land of the shadow one suspects everything +and everybody. There are even envious and avaricious men on the coast +down yonder who fling aspersions at me." + +If Lieutenant Luiz had been an Englishman he would probably have +grinned, but he was too dignified a gentleman to do anything of that +kind, though there was a faint twinkle in his languid dark eyes. Then +a canoe swung into sight round a bend, and slid on towards the landing +with wet paddles flashing dazzlingly. Four almost naked negroes swung +them, but another man, who wore white duck and a wide gray hat also +plied a dripping blade just clear of the awning astern, which was a +very unusual thing in that region. + +"It is certainly the Englishman Ormsgill," said Dom Erminio. "That is +a man the fever cannot kill, which is, perhaps, a pity." Then he waved +his cigarette again. "Still, it is possible that Headman Domingo will +settle with him some day." + +The canoe slid up to the pile-bound bank, and the two white men who +got out strode towards the residency, which was characteristic, since +on a day of that kind an Iberian would certainly have sauntered. The +first of them was tall, and thinner even than most white men are who +have had the flesh melted from them in tropical Africa. His face was +hollow, though he was apparently only some thirty years of age, but +it was the face of a strong-willed man, and there was a certain +suggestion of optimism in it and his eyes, which was singularly +unusual in the case of a man who had spent several years in that +country. Even nature is malignant there, and man is steeped in lust +and avarice and cruelty, but in spite of this Watson Nares was an +optimist as well as an American medical missionary. + +He returned the Commandant's greeting, which was punctiliously +courteous, and sitting down in the chair a negro brought for him, +waited until his companion, who had turned to give an order to the +canoe boys, came up. The latter was of average height, a strongly +built man of about the missionary's age, with a brick red face, fair +hair thinned by fever, and wrinkles about his gray eyes. They were +steady, observant eyes, though a half-cynical, half-whimsical twinkle +crept into them now and then, as it did when he glanced towards the +Commandant. The latter would have clapped his shoulder, but he avoided +the effusive greeting with a certain quiet tactfulness which was usual +with him. + +"The padre and I are going back to the concession," he said in +Portuguese. "If you have any hammock boys we would like to borrow +them." + +The Commandant said that this was unfortunately not the case. Two of +his carriers had dysentery, and another a guinea worm in his leg; and +there was only the little twinkle in Ormsgill's eyes to show that he +did not believe him. + +"Besides," said Lieutenant Luiz, "the country is not safe. There is a +rumor that the Abbatava men are watching the lower road." + +Ormsgill laughed, though he fancied that Dom Erminio had flashed a +quick glance at his subordinate before the latter spoke. + +"Still, I scarcely think the Abbatava people will trouble me, and in +any case some of them would be sorry if they did," he said. "Well, +since you have no carriers we will get on again. It is a long way to +the concession, and Lamartine is very ill. I brought up the padre to +see if he could do anything for him." + +Dom Erminio shrugged his shoulders. "It is a wasted effort, which is a +thing to be regretted in this land, where an effort is difficult to +make. Lamartine has been ill too often, and if he is ill again he will +certainly die. As you have heard, the bushmen are in an unsettled +state, and there are several sick men here. It is, perhaps, convenient +that the Seņor Nares should stay at San Roque." + +He made a little suggestive gesture which seemed to indicate that the +road was unsafe, turning towards his subordinate as though for +confirmation, but once more Ormsgill fancied there was a warning in +his glance. + +"Of a surety!" said the Lieutenant Luiz. "Lamartine is probably not +alive by now. Still, if the Seņor Nares insists on going it is well +that he should take the higher road." + +In the meantime the canoe boys had unrolled a canvas hammock and +lashed it to its pole. Nares stood up as they approached the veranda +stairway with the pole upon their wooly crowns. + +"I will come back and look at your sick," he said. "We have only the +one hammock, Ormsgill." + +Ormsgill smiled. "There is nothing very wrong with my feet, and I +haven't had a dose of fever for some time. It isn't your fault that +you have one now." + +He made the two officers a little inclination as he took off his hat, +and Nares, who shook hands with them, crawled into his hammock. He, at +least, had the fever every two or three months or so. Then the boys +struck up a marching song as they swung away with their burden into +the steamy shadow, and the Commandant leaned on the balustrade +listening with a little dry smile until the crackle of trampled +undergrowth and sighing refrain died away. + +"When one desires to encourage such men it is generally wise to point +out the difficulties," he said. "One would fancy that they were fond +of them, especially the Seņor Ormsgill, who is of the kind the customs +of this world make rebels of." + +"And the other?" asked Lieutenant Luiz, who had, not without reason, a +respect for the wisdom of his superior. He had found that it was, in +some ways at least, warranted. + +The Commandant lighted his cigarette, and watched the first smoke +wreath float straight up into the stagnant air. "He would be a martyr. +It is a desire that is incomprehensible to you and me, but there are +others besides him who seem to cherish it--and in this land of the +devil opportunities of satisfying it are generally offered them." + +He looked at Lieutenant Luiz, and once more the latter's face relaxed +into the nearest approach to a grin his sense of dignity allowed. One +could have fancied there was an understanding of some kind between the +men. + +In the meanwhile Nares' bearers were plodding down a two-foot trail +walled in by thorny underbrush and festoons of as thorny creepers that +flowed down in tangled luxuriance between the towering cottonwood +trunks. There was dim shade all about them, and the atmosphere was +like that of a Turkish bath, steamy and almost insufferably hot, only +that there was in it something which checked instead of accelerated +the cooling perspiration. Now and then the bearers gasped, and +Ormsgill's face was flushed as he walked beside the hammock. + +"We should get through by to-morrow night if we take the lower road," +he said. "I believe that would be advisable, though I'm not quite sure +of it. At least, it's the nearer one, and Lamartine was going down +hill very fast when I left him. In fact, he sent two of the boys to +the Mission for Father Tiebout. In one way, the thing's a trifle +invidious, but, you see, Lamartine is of his persuasion." + +Nares smiled. "I'm to have the care of his body, and Father Tiebout of +his soul. Well, we have fought as allies on those terms before, and I +guess I don't mind." + +"You're quite sure? After all, in one way, the soul of Lamartine would +be something of a trophy." + +The American looked up at him with a faint kindling in his eyes. +"Tiebout has so many to his credit--and he could afford to spare me +this one. Still, at least, I can heal the body, if I am called in in +time." + +"Which is a good deal. Especially in a land where it is singularly +difficult to believe that men have souls at all." + +Nares shook his head. "If I didn't feel quite so played out I'd take +your challenge up," he said. "Guess we'll join issue on that point +another time. You mentioned once or twice that Lamartine was very +sick?" + +"There's about one chance in twenty we get there before he's dead. +It's one of the reasons I'm taking the lower road. It's the nearest." + +It was characteristic that Ormsgill did not state that it was also one +of the reasons he had traveled for four days and most of four nights +under an enervating heat. Lamartine was an alien of dubious character, +and in some respects distinctly uncongenial habits, but Ormsgill had +not spared himself to give his comrade that one chance for his life. + +"Didn't Lieutenant Luiz' recommendation count?" asked Nares. + +"No," said Ormsgill, reflectively. "I don't think it did. At least, +not as he meant it to, though I've been trying to worry out what he +did mean exactly. One thing's certain. He wasn't prompted by any +solicitude for our safety. You see, he might have been counting on my +distrust of him, or my usual obstinacy, and wanted me to take the +higher road after all. Or he may have been playing another game. I +don't know. That's why we'll take the nearest way and not worry. When +you're in doubt, it's generally wisest to do the obvious thing." + +Nares made a little drowsy gesture of concurrence. "Straight to the +mark--and you get there now and then. At least, it can't be the wrong +path--and if one doesn't finish the journey it's only a falling out by +the way. A good many of us have done that in this country." + +Ormsgill said nothing. He had somewhere buried deep in him a vague, +unformulated faith which, however, seldom found expression of any kind +in words, and was tinged with a bitterness against all conventional +creeds, which was not altogether astonishing in the case of a man who +had lived as he had done in the dark land. Still, he had traveled four +days and nights to bring his sick comrade the assistance he felt would +arrive too late and now, when he dragged himself along dead weary +through the steamy shade, he had reasons for surmising that there was +peril somewhere down the winding trail. + +Nares was asleep when they passed the forking and held on by the lower +road, and Ormsgill did not tell the boys that he had seen a huddled +black figure lying a few yards back among the undergrowth. He did not +even stop to look at it. Labor is in demand in that country, and when +it is supplied by a dusky contractor who collects the raw material in +the bush the unfortunate who sickens on the long march from the +interior usually dies. Transport on the human head makes provisions +costly in a devastated country, and it is not economy to feed a man +who will bring one nothing in. A white man, as everybody knows, may +not own or sell a slave in any part of Africa under European control, +but he must have labor, and there are in practice ways of getting over +the obvious difficulty. They are not ways which are discussed openly, +and, so far as one can ascertain, are by no means satisfactory to the +negro for whose benefit they are sometimes said to be devised. In +this, and a few other matters, the negro's opinion is not, however, +deferred to. It is his particular business to gather rubber for the +white man and grow his cocoa, and the fact that he is not as a rule +content to recognize this obligation is very seldom taken into +consideration. + +It had been dark two hours, and the bearers could go no further +without a rest, when Ormsgill camped on a ridge beneath tall tufted +palms at least a hundred yards from the trail. There was a reason for +this, and also for the fact that he allowed no fires to be made, +though of all things the negro loves a cheerful blaze. The powers of +evil are very real to him, which is by no means astonishing +considering the land he lives in. The boys sat huddled about the empty +hammock among the palms, while the two white men lay upon a waterproof +ground sheet some fifty yards apart from them and nearer the trail. +Ormsgill had had very little sleep during the last four nights, but +he was very wide awake then, and a good magazine rifle, which had been +smuggled through San Roque without the Commandant's notice, lay across +his knees. + +He was listening intently, but could hear nothing except an occasional +rustling among the creepers and the heavy splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nor could he see very much, for though here and there a star +shown down between the towering trunks, a sour white steam hung almost +a man's height about the dripping undergrowth. Save for the splash of +moisture it was so still that Nares, with imagination quickened by the +tension the fever had laid upon his nerves, could almost fancy he +could hear things growing. The growth, at least was characteristic of +the country in that it was untrammeled, luxuriant, and destructive +rather than beneficent. Orchids and parasites sucked the life blood +from the trees, and throve upon their ruin; creepers strangled them +and tore them down half-rotten. It was a mad, cruel struggle for +existence, and Ormsgill, whose hot hands were clenched upon the rifle, +clearly recognized that man must take his part in it. As a matter of +fact, he was not averse to doing so. There was a vein of combativeness +in him, and circumstances had hitherto usually forced him well to the +front when there was trouble anywhere in his vicinity. + +What he and Nares talked about was of no particular consequence. They +were men whose inner thoughts only became apparent now and then, and +their conversation largely concerned the merits of certain Congolese +cigars. By and by, however, Nares stopped abruptly, as a hand that +evidently did not belong to his companion touched his arm, but it was +characteristic of him that he did not start. He looked round instead, +and saw an indistinct and shadowy figure rise out of the undergrowth. +It pointed up the trail, and Ormsgill, who seemed to listen for a +moment or two, nodded. + +"I really think Lieutenant Luiz meant us to take the other road," he +said. "That must be Domingo bringing down another drove, and as it is +evidently a big one it is just as well we didn't meet him on the +trail. Domingo doesn't like either of us, and he has been getting +truculent lately." + +Nares said nothing, and a faint patter of naked feet that grew +steadily louder crept out of the silence. It was dragging and +listless, the shuffle of weary and hopeless men; and it was evident +that the hammock boy who sank down again into the undergrowth close +beside Ormsgill was badly afraid. Five minutes later a shadowy figure +appeared among the trees below them where the mist was thinner, grew a +trifle plainer as it slipped across an opening and vanished again, but +there were others behind, and for several minutes a row of half-seen +men flitted by. Here and there one of them draped in white cotton +carried a flintlock gun, but the rest were half-naked, and last of all +a few plodded behind a lurching hammock. They went by without a sound +but the confused patter of weary feet upon the quaggy trail, and left +an impressive silence behind them when they plunged into the gloom +again. + +Then Ormsgill smiled grimly as he tapped the breech of his rifle. + +"If homicide is ever justifiable it would have been to-night," he +said. "One could hardly have missed that bulge in Domingo's hammock, +and the longing to drive a bullet through it was almost too much for +me." + +Nares made no attempt to rebuke him. "That man," he said, "is +permitted to be--one must suppose as part of a great purpose. The +mills of the gods grind slowly, but they do their work thoroughly." + +"It seems so," and Ormsgill laughed a little bitter laugh. "Anyway, +the stones are wet with blood, and a good many of us have passed +between them. One wonders now and then how long the downtrodden will +endure that terrible grinding." + +"It is for a time only. Day and night the cry goes up in many +tongues." + +"And the gods of the heathen cannot hear; and those of the white men +may, it seems, be propitiated by masses in the cathedral and stained +windows bought with cocoa and rubber dividends. Well, one must try to +believe that Domingo's laborers enlisted for the purpose of being +taught agriculture by the white men of their own free will. At least, +that is the comfortable assurance usually furnished the civilized +powers, and as they have their own little problems to grapple with +they complacently shut one eye. I only wonder how many played-out +niggers' throats Domingo has cut on the way. In the meanwhile, +Lamartine is dying, and we may as well get on again." + +He called to the hammock boys, who still seemed afraid, and in another +five minutes the little party was once more floundering onwards +through the silence of the steamy bush. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RESTITUTION + + +Darkness had closed down suddenly on the forest, but it was hotter +than ever in the primitively furnished general room of Lamartine's +house, where the lamp further raised the already almost insupportable +temperature. There was also a deep, impressive silence in the bush +that shut the rickety dwelling in, though now and then the sound of a +big drop splashing upon a quivering leaf came in through the open +window with startling distinctness. Lamartine, the French trader, was +dead, and had been buried that afternoon, as was customary, within an +hour or two after the breath has left his body. His career, like that +of most men in his business, had not been a very exemplary one, but he +had, at least, now and then shown that he possessed certain somewhat +fantastic and elementary notions of ethics, which he was in the habit +of alluding to as his code of honor. It was, as Father Tiebout, who +had once or twice given him spiritual advice when he was very sick of +fever, admitted, a rather indifferent one, but very few white men in +that country had any code at all, and, as the good padre said, it was +possible that too much would not be expected from any one who had +lived in that forest long. + +In any case, Lamartine had gone to answer for the deeds that he had +done, and the three men who had buried him and had constituted +themselves his executors sat about his little table with the +perspiration dripping from them. There was Nares, gaunt and +hollow-faced, weak from fever and worn with watching; Father Tiebout, +the Belgian priest, little, and also haggard; and Ormsgill, the +gray-eyed, brown-faced Englishman, who sat looking at them with set +lips and furrowed forehead. Their creeds were widely different, but +men acquire a certain wide toleration in the land of the shadow, where +it is exceedingly difficult to believe in any thing beyond the +omnipotence of evil. + +It was, perhaps, characteristic that it was the priest who tore up +certain papers Ormsgill had selected from the pile upon the table. + +"I do not think that anything would be gained by allowing them to come +under the notice of the authorities," he said. "I am not sure that +they might not consider they invalidated the trifling bequest to the +Mission, which with good management should enable us to rescue a few +more of the heathen." + +"A very few!" and Ormsgill smiled. "The market's stiff now Domingo has +practically a monopoly as purveyor. Converts will be dearer. One +understands that you buy most of yours." + +Father Tiebout's eyes twinkled good-humoredly. "One must use the means +available, and it is, at least, something if we can save their bodies. +But to proceed, our companion will agree with me that repentance must +be followed by restitution or reparation. In the case of the friend we +have buried one must take the will for the deed, and the will was +there. Restitution may also be efficacious if it is vicarious. As you +know, it was the thought of the woman from the interior that most +troubled Lamartine." + +Ormsgill glanced at Nares, for both had heard some, at least, of the +dying man's words on that subject, but for a time the American looked +straight in front of him. Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"He seemed to expect you to make that restitution for him. Tell us +what you know. Most of it will not be news to Father Tiebout, but I +haven't his advantages." + +"The affair is easily understood. Lamartine bought the girl from the +man who ran the labor supply business before Domingo. She was +decidedly good-looking, a pretty warm brown in color, and had the most +intelligent eyes I've ever seen in an African. The curious thing is +that I believe Lamartine was genuinely fond of her. In any case, he +was furious when one of the boys laid what looked like very conclusive +evidence of her unfaithfulness before him. He meant to administer the +usual penalty." + +Father Tiebout made a little gesture. "Ah," he said, "these things +happen. One can only protest." + +"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "as you know, they didn't in this case. I +nearly broke his wrist, but I took the pistol from him. You see, I +rather believed in the girl's innocence. Lamartine compromised the +thing by handing her on to Herrero--though he would take no money for +her. He had, as he was rather fond of mentioning, his code of honor. +There was a trying scene when Herrero sent for her. The girl flung +herself down and clung to Lamartine's knees. It seemed she was fond of +the man, and didn't want to go away, which was, as it happens, wise of +her. Though she was probably not aware of this, Herrero trains the +women who take his fancy with the whip." + +He stopped a moment and glared at Nares. "I have no doubt the padre +knows the rest. Lamartine found out not long ago that the boy had +lied, and remembered a little too late that Herrero would in all +probability beat the girl to death in one of his outbreaks. He made +him a very tempting offer if he would send her back, but Herrero +apparently wanted to keep her, and while negotiations were in progress +Lamartine fell sick. I naturally don't know what he told the padre, +but he once or twice assured me that if he knew she could be sent back +safe to her people in the bush he would die more contentedly. In fact, +improbable as it may seem in this country, the thing was worrying him +badly." + +It was significant that Nares, who was something of an optimist, +appeared by his expression to consider the fact that such a thing +should have troubled Lamartine very improbable indeed, but Father +Tiebout smiled contemplatively. His profession gave him, as had been +suggested, advantages which Nares did not enjoy, and he was a wise man +in his way. + +"Lamartine," he said, "desired to make restitution--but to do it in +his own person was not permitted him." + +Then he turned, and sat still with his eyes fixed on Ormsgill, as +though waiting. It was, in fact, an occupation he was accustomed to, +for one who would see the result of his efforts must as a rule wait a +long while in Africa. + +Ormsgill met his gaze thoughtfully, with steady gray eyes, and it was +a moment or two before he spoke. + +"Whether a vicarious reparation will be of any benefit to the soul of +Lamartine I naturally do not know," he said. "It is enough for me that +he and the padre seemed to fancy it might be, and, as it happens, I +owe Lamartine a good deal. This is why I practically promised to +undertake his responsibility. I am not sure that either of you know I +first arrived in this Colony trimming coal among the niggers in a +steamer's stokehold." + +Father Tiebout made a little gesture with his hands which seemed to +imply that there was very little he was not acquainted with, and +Ormsgill went on-- + +"Still, I do not think you know I was quietly compelled to abandon the +service of a British Colony for a fault I never committed. My friends +at home very naturally turned against me. I had brought them +discredit--and it did not matter greatly whether I was guilty. How I +made a living afterwards along this coast does not concern you; but I +went down in one sense as far as a white man may, and the struggle has +left a mark that will never quite come out on me. Still, I met with +kindness from other outcasts and benighted heathen, as one usually +does from the outcast and the trodden on, and, when I was flung ashore +after nearly pounding the life out of a brutal second engineer, +Lamartine, who had gone down to the coast on business, held out a hand +to me. As I said, I feel that I owe him a little." + +He stopped for a moment with a little grim smile. "Herrero has gone +South somewhere, taking the girl with him, but if she is alive I think +I can promise that he will give her up. After that it would not be so +very difficult to send her back to where she comes from in the bush." + +"For the repose of the soul of Lamartine!" and Nares glanced at Father +Tiebout, with a challenge in his eyes. + +The little priest's gesture seemed to imply that he declined to be +drawn into a controversy, and it was Ormsgill who answered the +American. + +"To discharge a debt--among other reasons--and as a protest. I have +been driven to exhaustion myself more than once. Have you any hope at +all to offer these African people, I mean in this world, padre?" + +Father Tiebout smiled. "Yes," he said simply. "One does what one can, +and waits patiently. How long, I do not know, but slowly or suddenly, +in our time, or in the time of these people's children, the change +will come." + +He looked at Nares, the man of action, who bore with waiting ill, and +he, flushed with fever, laid a hand that was clenched hard upon the +table. + +"You expect them to endure to the second generation. I tell you that +they are forging spears in the interior now. A little more, and they +will come down and wipe out every bush mission and garrison, and can +we blame them, who stand by and tolerate the abominable traffic in +black men's souls and bodies? There was more excuse for the old-time +slavery. Horrible as it would be, one could almost welcome the +catastrophe which would force the outside world to recognize what +white men are doing here." + +There were, perhaps, men in the outside world who knew it already, and +could suggest no remedy. After all, labor is essential to the +prosperity of any African colony, and while in some which are ruled as +justly as circumstances permit the negro is offered wages for his +services, and can go home with his earnings when he likes, there are +others where more drastic measures are adopted. There the labor +purveyor collects the white man's servants in the bush, and it is not +the business of the Administration to inquire whether they are +prisoners of war or have been sold by their friends. They are bound +down to toil for a term of years, and if they die off during it few +troublesome questions are asked. The African climate is an unhealthy +one, as everybody knows. + +In the meanwhile neither of Nares' companions said anything for a +space. They were thinking of the same thing, each in his own way, +while the dense steamy blackness of the African night shut them in. +Ormsgill, who had been driven until the sweat of anguished effort +dripped from him, wondered vaguely what a man with brains and nerve +and money might do on the negroes' behalf in spite of the opposition +of a corrupt administration. The priest was also wondering how much +he could accomplish with Lamartine's bequest, very little of which +would, however, in all probability, be allowed to remain in his +hands, though he knew that it would in any case not go very far, +for he was one who recognized that the new beneficent order must be +evolved slowly, here a little and there a little, with other men to +carry out what he had begun. Father Tiebout seldom rode a tilt at +impossibilities, as Nares and Ormsgill occasionally did. He was a wise +man, and knew the world too well. At last Nares made a little gesture +of weariness. + +"Well, the thing may happen, but that hardly concerns us in the +meanwhile, and our work here is done. I wonder if you remember that +you haven't read the letters Father Tiebout brought up, Ormsgill?" + +Ormsgill had, as it happened, quite forgotten them. He had arrived +worn out with a long and hasty journey, and Nares and he had then kept +close watch beside his comrade's bed. When at last their watch was +over there was still much to be done, and now for the first time he +had leisure to open the packet the priest had handed him. He took out +a stiff blue envelope with an English postmark, and gazed at it heavy +eyed and vacantly before he broke the cover. Then he slowly +straightened himself in his chair, and incredulity gave place to +bewilderment as he read the letter he shook out. Lamartine's death had +left him an outcast and one obnoxious to constituted authority again. +Five minutes ago he had not known what his next step would be, but the +stiff legal writing held out before him dazzling possibilities. Then +he laid down the letter, and turned to his companions with a curious +little laugh. + +"The thing is almost incredible," he said. "A man who I was told would +never forgive the discredit I brought upon the family has died in +England and left me what looks very like a fortune. The other letters +may bear upon it. You'll excuse me." + +They watched him in silence for ten minutes, and there was a faint +flush in his bronzed face when he quietly rose and took out a +photograph from a little tin box. + +"Padre," he said, "you are the wisest man I know, and, though +distinctions are invidious, Nares is, I think, the honestest. That is +why I am going to put a case before you. Well, I had a good +upbringing, and I think my English friends expected something from me +before I was flung out of the British service and became a pariah. +After that I never troubled them again, which was no doubt a cause of +satisfaction to everybody. There was, however, a thing I had to do +which was not easy, and this picture should make it clear to you. It +was arranged that we should be married when I had brought my laurels +home from Africa." + +He handed Nares the photograph. "When I was made a scapegoat I gave +her back her liberty. It is now intimated that she has not so far +profited by it." + +Nares bent over the portrait of a young and very comely English girl, +and saw only the fresh, innocent face, and the smiling eyes. Then he +handed it to the little haggard priest, who had a deeper +understanding, and saw a good deal more than that. + +"It is a beautiful face," he said when Father Tiebout had gazed at it +steadily, but the latter said nothing, and turned towards Ormsgill, as +though still ready to give him his attention, which he seemed to +understand. + +"It is more than four years since I saw her, and I have spent them +with the outcasts," he said. "You can realize what effect that has +upon one, padre. The stamp this country sets on the white man is plain +on you, but you have not lived here as I have been forced to do. Well, +I think the woman is still the same, and I have greatly changed. I do +not know my duty." + +Father Tiebout sat silent for at least a minute, looking reflectively +at the man before him. Ormsgill was young still, but his lean face was +furrowed, and there was a suggestiveness in the lines on it. He had +seen death and pestilence, human nature stripped naked, and +unmentionable cruelty; and the priest was quite aware that one cannot +live with the outcast, in Africa, and remain unchanged. Then he looked +at the photograph again, for he knew that the four years had also had +their effect upon the woman. + +"Ah," he said, "we all grow, some towards the beneficent light, and +some in the blighting shadow. The training and the pruning we are +subjected to also has its effect. Her people?" + +"I almost think you would consider them children of this world," said +Ormsgill dryly. + +"And you have been left a good deal of money?" + +Ormsgill told him what the amount was, and once more the priest said +nothing for awhile. Quiet and unobtrusive as he was, he never forgot +that he was one of the vanguard of the Church militant, and was ready +to use with skill any weapon that was offered him. It was also +necessary to thrust hard now and then, and he knew that in his hands +the man who had lived with the outcast and the oppressed would prove a +reliable blade. Ormsgill, as he recognized, had capacities. Still, his +counsel had been asked, and he would answer honestly, knowing that he +could afford to do it if his knowledge of human nature, and the girl's +face, had not deceived him. After all, he fancied, whatever he said +the result would be the same, and he was playing a skillful game of +which the stakes were black men's bodies, and, perhaps, human souls. + +"With a sum like that there is so much that one could do," he said. +"With discretion--you understand--here and there a little. Domingo put +down, women dying at their tasks redeemed and enfolded in the shelter +of the Mission, men with brutal masters set at liberty, and +concessions where they are driven to death suppressed. One could also +bring about a reckoning with corrupt authority. When admonition is of +no service one may try the scourge." + +He saw the little glint in Ormsgill's eyes, and made a deprecatory +gesture with his hands. "Still, you have asked for counsel, and you +have another duty. With us marriage is not a social contract, and the +promise that precedes it is almost as sacred. You are pledged to this +Englishwoman if she has not released you, and that you are changed +will not matter if she loves you. It is your duty to go back to her." + +Nares looked up and nodded. "Of course!" he said. "You must go." + +Ormsgill's forehead was furrowed, and the perspiration stood in beads +on it. The love that had driven him out to win his spurs in the land +of shadow still in some degree, at least, remained with him; but he +was conscious of the change in him which the girl with her upbringing +might well shrink from. He had lived with the outcasts until he had +become one of them, a hater of conventional formulas and shams, while +there had crept into his nature a trace of the somberness of the dark +land. What, he wondered, would the sunny-tempered English girl he had +left make of such a man. Still, as the priest had said, his duty was +clear, and, what was perhaps more, his inclination marched with it. He +straightened himself suddenly with a little resolute jerk of his +shoulders. + +"I will start for the coast to-morrow, and go to Grand Canary," he +said. "As it happens, she is there now with her people. Still, before +I go, padre, I will arrange with the casa Sarraminho to hand you the +equivalent of Ģ200 sterling. With that you can buy the liberty of the +woman Lamartine gave Herrero, and use what is left over as you and +Nares think fit. If Herrero will not part with her, or you find the +thing too difficult, I will come back for a while and undertake it +myself. After all, it is my affair. I owe it to Lamartine." + +Then he took the little photograph and replaced it in the tin box, +after which he walked quietly past them and out of the room while, +when they heard him go down the veranda stairway, Father Tiebout +looked at his companion with a curious smile. + +"Four years!" he said. "It is a space in a woman's lifetime, and every +year leaves its mark on us. It is decreed that we must grow, but we do +not all grow the same." + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill stood in the little compound with the sour +white steam drifting past him. The forest rose out of it, a great +black wall, and its hot, damp smell was in his nostrils. It was a +heady savor, for something that goes with the smell of the wilderness +sinks deep into the hearts of those who once allow it to enter, and is +always afterwards a cause of disquietude and restlessness to some of +them. Ormsgill had had his endurance and all the courage he was born +with taxed to the uttermost in that steamy shade, but now when he was +about to leave it he found the smell of its tall white lilies and the +acrid odors of corruption stirring and shaking him. At last, with a +little jerk of his shoulders, which was a trick he had acquired from +Lamartine, he turned and went back to the lighted room again. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HIS OWN PEOPLE + + +The velvet dusk that crept up from the eastwards was held in check by +the brightening flood of moonlight on the sea when Ormsgill leaned on +the balustrade of the veranda outside the _Hotel Catalina_ in Grand +Canary. Close in front of him the long Atlantic swell broke upon the +hammered beach with a drowsy rumbling, and flung a pungent freshness +into the listless air, for the Trade breeze had fallen dead away. The +fringe of surf ran southwards beside the dim white road to where the +lights of Las Palmas blinked and twinkled in the shadow the great +black peaks flung out upon the sparkling sea. + +Ormsgill, who had turned from its contemplation at the sound of a +voice he recognized, had, however, no longer any eyes for the +prospect. He had arrived on an African mail-boat two hours earlier, +and had somehow missed the girl whose voice had sent a little thrill +through him. She had, it seemed, gone in through one of the long, +lighted windows instead of by the door, but the horse she had just +dismounted from was still standing with another, which carried a man's +saddle, just below the veranda. Ormsgill could see that it was one of +the sorry beasts the Spaniards hire to Englishmen, but it was also +jaded and white with lather. + +"These English have no consideration," said the peon who held its +bridle, to a comrade. "This horse is old, but when I brought it here +it was not more than a very little lame. Now it is certain I cannot +hire it to anybody to-morrow. They were at Arucas, which for a horse +of this kind is a long way, but they came home by the barranco and +across the sand heaps at the gallop. The Seņorita must not be late for +dinner. _Vaya!_ it is a cruelty." + +The matter was, perhaps, not a great one in itself, but it had a +somewhat unpleasant effect upon Ormsgill, who knew that the Iberian is +not as a rule squeamish about any cruelty that the lust of gain +renders it necessary to inflict upon his beast. The horse, as he could +see, had certainly been ridden hard, and was very lame. The thing +jarred on him, and as he leaned on the veranda waiting until the +message he had left to announce his arrival should be delivered, a +scene he had looked upon in the dark land forced itself upon his +recollection. It was a line of jaded men staggering under the burdens +on their heads through an apparently interminable sea of scorched and +dusty grass. There was little water in that country at the season, and +they dragged themselves along, grimed with the fibrous dust, in +torments of thirst, with limbs that were reddened by the stabbing of +the flinty grass stems. Then rousing himself he drove the suggestive +vision from his brain and entered the hall of the big hotel. + +It blazed with light, there was music somewhere, and already +conventionally attired men and elaborately dressed women were +descending the stairway, and appearing by twos and threes from the +corridors. They were for the most part Englishmen and women, but +Ormsgill was a little astonished to feel that instead of arousing +sympathy their voices and bearing jarred on him. Their conversation +appeared to have no point in it, and their smiles were meaningless. +They seemed shallow and artificial, and he had lived at high pressure, +face to face with grim realities, in the land of the shadow. He stood +a little apart, quietly regarding them, a lonely figure in plain white +duck with a lined brown face, until a burly man in the conventional +black and white strode up to him. + +"I'm uncommonly glad to see you, Tom," he said. "Ada will be down in a +minute. I left her and her mother almost too startled to understand +that you had arrived. The man you gave your message to had just +brought it in. You should have let us know what boat you were sailing +by. But I mustn't keep you talking. You have just time to change your +things." + +Ormsgill shook hands with him, but was conscious of a lack of +enthusiasm as he did it that irritated him. He had once considered +Major Chillingham a very good fellow, but now there seemed to be +something wanting in his characteristic bluff geniality. Ormsgill +could not tell what it was, but he felt the lack of it. + +"I suppose there is," he said with a smile. "Still, you see, I haven't +anything to change into. In fact, my present outfit is a considerably +smarter one than the get-up I have been accustomed to dining in." + +Chillingham's gaze was at first expressive of blank astonishment, and +there was a sardonic gleam in Ormsgill's eyes. "You must try to +remember that I've got out of the way of wearing evening clothes. I +think I'd made it clear that I have been down in the depths the past +four years." + +His companion's red face flushed a trifle, but he laughed. "Well," he +said, "that's one of the things we needn't talk about, and I'm not +sure that everybody would be so ready to mention it." Then he drew +back a trifle. "Tom, you're greatly changed." + +Ormsgill nodded. "Yes," he said, "I dare say I am. In several ways the +thing's not unnatural." + +After that Chillingham discoursed about English affairs, and though it +appeared to cost him a slight effort Ormsgill made no attempt to help +him. He stood still, perfectly at his ease, but for all that conscious +that he was an anachronism in such surroundings, while the men and +women who smiled or nodded to his companion as they came into the hall +cast curious glances at him. This duck-clad man with the lined face +and steady eyes was clearly not of their world, which was, in the case +of most of them, an essentially frivolous one. + +At last he turned, and strode forward impulsively as the girl he +waited for came down the stairway in a filmy dress of lace-like +texture that rustled softly as it flowed about her. She was +brown-haired and brown-eyed, warm in coloring, and her face, which was +as comely as ever, had a certain hint of disdain in it. That, however, +did not strike Ormsgill then, for she flushed a little at the sight +of him, and laid a slim white hand in his. + +"Tom," she said, "I am very glad, but why didn't you cable? Still, you +must tell me afterwards. We are stopping the others, and mother is +waiting to speak to you." + +Ormsgill was conscious of a faint relief as he turned to the tall lady +who stood beside the girl, imposing and formal in somber garments. The +meeting he had looked forward to with longing, and at the same time a +vague apprehension, was over. He had, he felt, been reinstated, +permitted to resume his former footing, and the manner of the elder +lady, which was quietly gracious, conveyed the same impression. Then +Mrs. Ratcliffe sent her brother, the Major, on to see that places were +kept for them together, and Ormsgill was thankful that the dinner +which was waiting would render any confidential conversation out of +the question for the next hour. He wanted time to adjust himself to +the changed conditions, for a man can not cut himself adrift from all +that he has been accustomed to and then resume his former life just as +he left it, especially if he has dwelt with the outcast in the +meanwhile. + +A chair had been placed for him between Ada Ratcliffe and her mother, +while Major Chillingham sat almost opposite him across the long table. +The glow of light, glitter of glass and silver, scent of flowers and +perfumes, and hum of voices had a curious effect on him after the +silence of the shadowy forest and the primitive fashion in which he +had lived with Lamartine, and some minutes had passed before he +turned to the girl at his side. + +"I was a little astonished to hear that you were in Las Palmas," he +said. + +Ada Ratcliffe looked at him with a smile, and a slight lifting of her +brows. She was perfectly composed, and in one way he was glad of that, +though he vaguely felt that her attitude was not quite what he had +expected. + +"Astonished only?" she said. "As you would have had to change steamers +here and wait a few days it would probably have taken you two weeks +more to join us in England. At least, so the Major said." + +Ormsgill felt he had deserved this, for he had recognized the inanity +of the observation when he made it. It was evident that his companion +had recognized it, too. Still, it is difficult to express oneself +feelingly to order. + +"I should have said delighted," he ventured. + +The girl smiled again, and he felt that he had chosen an injudicious +word. "In any case, it isn't in the least astonishing that we are +here. It is becoming a recognized thing to come out to Las Palmas in +the winter, and I believe it is a good deal cheaper than Egypt or +Algeria. That is, of course, a consideration." + +"It certainly is," broke in the lady at her side. "When they are +always finding a new way to tax us in, and incomes persist in going +down. Tom is fortunate. It will scarcely be necessary for him to +trouble himself very much about such considerations." + +Ormsgill for the first time noticed the signs of care in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's face, and the wrinkles about her eyes. Neither had, he +fancied, been there when he had last seen her in England nearly five +years earlier, but the change in her was as nothing compared to that +in her daughter. Ada Ratcliffe was no longer a fresh and somewhat +simple-minded English girl. She was a self-possessed and dignified +woman of the world, but what else she might be he could not at the +moment tell. He blamed himself for the desire to ascertain it, since +he felt it was more fitting that he should accept her without question +as the embodiment of all that was adorable. Still, he could not do it. +The four years he had spent apart from her had given him too keen an +insight. + +"Well," he said, "there are people who believe that the possession of +even a very small fortune is something of a responsibility." + +"That," said Mrs. Ratcliffe, "is a mistake nowadays. There are so many +excellent organized charities ready to undertake one's duties for one. +They are in a position to discharge them so much more efficiently." + +Ormsgill did not reply to this, though there was a faint sardonic +twinkle in his eyes. He was not, as a rule, addicted to passing on a +responsibility, but he remembered then that he had handed a little +Belgian priest Ģ200 to carry out a duty that had been laid on him. The +fact that he had done so vaguely troubled him. Mrs. Ratcliffe, +however, went on again. + +"One of the disadvantages of living here is the number of invalids one +is thrown into contact with," she said. "I find it depressing. You +will notice the woman in the singularly unbecoming black dress yonder. +She insists on drinking thick cocoa with a spoon at dinner." + +One could have fancied that she felt this breach of custom to be an +enormity, and Ormsgill wondered afterwards what malignant impulse +suddenly possessed him. Still, the worthy lady's coldly even voice and +formal manner jarred upon him, while the pleasure of meeting the girl +he had thought of for four long years was much less than he felt it +should have been. He resented the fact, and most men's tempers grow a +trifle sharp in tropical Africa. + +"Well," he said dryly, "one understands that it is nourishing, and, +after all, we are to some extent cannibals." + +"Cannibals?" said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a swift suspicious glance which +seemed to suggest that she was wondering whether the African climate +had been too much for him. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill, "cocoa, or, at least, that grown in parts of +Africa where the choicest comes from, could almost be considered human +flesh and blood. Any way, both are expended lavishly to produce it. I +fancy you will bear me out in this, Seņor?" + +He looked at the little, olive-faced gentleman in plain white duck who +sat not far away across the table. He had grave dark eyes with a +little glint in them, and slim yellow hands with brown tips to some of +the fingers, and was just then twisting a cigarette between them. +Ormsgill surmised that it cost him an effort to refrain from lighting +it, since men usually smoke between the courses of a dinner in his +country. There was a certain likeness between him and the Commandant +of San Roque, sufficient at least, to indicate that they were of the +same nationality, but the man at the table in the _Catalina_ had been +cast in a finer mold, and there was upon him the unmistakable stamp of +authority. + +"One is assured that what is done is necessary," he said in slow +deliberate English. "I am, however, not a commercialist." + +"You, of course, believe those assurances?" + +The little white-clad gentleman smiled in a somewhat curious fashion. +"A wise man believes what is told him--while it is expedient. Some +day, perhaps, the time comes when it is no longer so." + +"And then?" + +A faint, suggestive glint replaced the smile in the keen dark eyes. +"Then he acts on what he thinks himself. Though I can not remember +when, it seems to me, senhor, that I have had the pleasure of meeting +you before." + +"You have," said Ormsgill dryly. "It was one very hot morning in the +rainy season, and you were sitting at breakfast outside a tent beneath +a great rock. Two files of infantry accompanied me." + +"I recollect perfectly. Still, as it happens, I had just finished +breakfast, which was, I think, in some respects fortunate. One is +rather apt to proceed summarily before it--in the rainy season." + +Ormsgill laughed, and the girl who sat beside the man he had spoken +to flashed a swift glance at him. She was dressed in some thin, soft +fabric, of a pale gold tint, and the firm, round modeling of the +figure it clung about proclaimed her a native of the Iberian +peninsula, the Peninsula, as those who are born there love to call it. +Still, there was no tinge of olive in her face, which, like her arms +and shoulders, was of the whiteness of ivory. Her eyes, which had a +faint scintillation in them, were of a violet black, and her hair of +the tint of ebony, though it was lustrous, too. She, however, said +nothing, and Major Chillingham, who seemed to feel himself neglected, +broke in. + +"I'm afraid you were at your old tricks again, Tom," he said. "What +had you been up to then?" + +"Interfering with two or three black soldiers, who resented it. They +were trying to burn up a native hut with a couple of wounded niggers +inside it. I believe there was a woman inside it, too." + +Chillingham shook his head reproachfully. "One can't help these things +now and then, and I don't know where you got your notions from," he +said. "It certainly wasn't from your father. He was a credit to the +service, and a sensible man. You can only expect trouble when you kick +against authority." + +Ormsgill looked at Ada Ratcliffe, but there was only a faint +suggestion of impatience in her face. Then, without exactly knowing +why, he glanced across the table, and caught the little gleam of +sardonic amusement in the other girl's violet eyes. She, at least, it +seemed, had comprehension, and that vaguely displeased him, since he +had expected it from the woman he had come back to marry, instead of +a stranger. Then the man with the olive face looked up again. + +"You have it in contemplation to go back to Africa?" + +"No," said Ormsgill, who felt that Mrs. Ratcliffe was listening. "At +least, I scarcely think it will be necessary." + +"Ah," said the other, with a little dry smile, "It is, one might, +perhaps, suggest, not advisable. There are several men who do not bear +you any great good will in that country." + +Ormsgill laughed. "One," he said, "is forced to do a good many things +which do not seem advisable yonder, and I have one or two very +excellent friends." + +Then he turned to Ada Ratcliffe, and discoursed with her and her +mother on subjects he found it difficult to take much interest in, +which was a fresh surprise to him, for he had considered them subjects +of importance before he left England. The effort he made to display a +becoming attention was not apparent, but it was a slight relief to two +of the party when the dinner was over. Another hour had, however, +passed before he had the girl to himself, and they sauntered down +through the dusty garden and along the dim white road until they +reached a little mole that ran out into the harbor. The moon had just +dipped behind the black peaks, and they sat down in the soft darkness +on a ledge of stone, and listened for a while to the rumble of the +long Atlantic swell that edged to the strip of shadowy coast with a +fringe of spouting foam. Both felt there was a good deal to be said, +but the commencement was difficult, and it was significant that the +man gazed westwards--towards Africa--across the dusky heaven, until he +looked round when his companion spoke to him. + +"Tom," she said quietly, "you have not come back the same as when you +went away." + +"I believe I haven't," and Ormsgill's voice was gentle. "My dear, you +must bear with me awhile. You see, there are so many things I have +lost touch with, and it will take me a little time to pick it up +again. Still, if you will wait and humor me, I will try." + +He turned, and glanced towards a great block of hotel buildings that +cut harsh and square against the soft blueness of the night not far +away. The long rows of open windows blazed, and the music that came +out from them reached the two who sat listening through the deep-toned +rumble of the surf. It was evident that an entertainment of some kind +was going on, but Ormsgill found the signs of it vaguely disquieting. + +"One feels that building shouldn't be there," he said. "They should +have placed it in the city. It's too new and aggressive where it is, +and the ways of the folks who stay in it are almost as out of place." + +He stopped a moment with a little laugh. "I expect I'm talking +nonsense, and it's really not so very long since that kind of thing +used to appeal to me. After all, there must be a certain amount of +satisfaction to be got out of purposeless flirtation, cards, dining, +and dancing." + +It was not very dark, and, when he looked round, the shapely form of +his companion was silhouetted blackly against the sky on the step +above him. There was something vaguely suggestive of an impatience +that was, perhaps, excusable in her attitude. + +"Oh," she said, "there is not a great deal. I admit that, but one must +live as the others do, and have these things to pass the time. You +know there is nothing to be gained by making oneself singular." + +Ormsgill smiled, though once more the smell of the wilderness, the +odors of lilies and spices, and the sourness of corruption, was in his +nostrils. Men grappled for dear life with stern and occasionally +appalling realities there, and he was one in whom the love of conflict +had been born. + +"No," he said, "I suppose there isn't. At least, it usually involves +one in trouble, and, as you say, one must have something to pass the +time away. Still, Ada, for a while you will try to put up with my +little impatiences and idiosyncrasies. No doubt I shall fit myself to +my surroundings by and by." + +Ada Ratcliffe had a face that was almost beautiful, and a slim, +delicately modeled form in keeping with it, but perhaps they had been +given her as makeweights and a counterbalance for the lack of more +important things. At times, when her own interests were concerned, she +could show herself almost clever but she fell short of average +intelligence just then, when a sympathetic word or a sign of +comprehension would have bound the man to her. + +Leaning a little towards him she laid her hand on the sleeve of his +duck jacket. "I would like you to do it soon," she said. "Tom, to +please me, you won't come in to dinner dressed this way again." + +There was a suggestion of harshness in Ormsgill's laugh, but he +checked himself. "Of course not, if you don't wish it. If there is a +tailor in Las Palmas I will try to set that right to-morrow. Now we +will talk of something else. You want to live in England?" + +It appeared that Ada did, and she was disposed to talk at length upon +that topic. She also drew closer to him, and while the man's arm +rested on her shoulder discussed the house he was to buy in the +country, and how far his means, which were, after all, not very large, +would permit the renting of another in town each season. He listened +gravely, and saw that there were no aspirations in the scheme. Their +lives were evidently to be spent in a round of conventional +frivolities, and all the time he heard the boom of the restless sea, +and the smell of the wilderness, pungent and heady, grew stronger in +his nostrils. Then he closed a hand tighter on the shoulder of the +girl, in a fashion that suggested he felt the need of something to +hold fast by, as perhaps he did. + +"There is one point we have to keep in view, for the thing may be +remembered against me still," he said. "I was turned out of the +service of a British Colony." + +"Ah," said the girl, "I felt it cruelly at the time, but, after all, +it happened more than four years ago--and not very many people heard +of it." + +Ormsgill sat still a minute, and his grasp grew a trifle slacker on +her arm. "I told you I didn't do the thing they accused me of," he +said. + +"Of course! Still, everybody believed you did, and that was almost as +hard to bear. The great thing is that it was quite a long while ago. +Tom," and she turned to him quickly, "I believe you are smiling." + +"I almost think I was," said Ormsgill. "Still, I don't know why I +should do so. Well, I understand we are to stay here a month or two, +and we will have everything arranged before we go back to England." + +It was half an hour later when his companion rose. "The time is +slipping by," she said. "There is to be some singing, and one or two +of the people we have met lately are coming round to-night. I must go +in and talk to them. These things are in a way one's duty. One has to +do one's part." + +Ormsgill made no protest. He rose and walked quietly back with her to +the hotel, but his face was a trifle grave, and he was troubled by +vague misgivings. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE SUMMONS + + +The month Ormsgill spent at Las Palmas was a time of some anxiety to +Mrs. Ratcliffe. He had, as she complained to her brother, no sense of +the responsibility that devolved upon a man of his means, and was +addicted to making friends with all kinds of impossible people, grimy +English coaling clerks, and the skippers of Spanish schooners, and, +what was more objectionable, now and then bringing them to the hotel. +He expressed his regret when she pointed out the undesirability of +such proceedings, but, for all that, made no very perceptible change +in his conduct. + +Major Chillingham as a rule listened gravely, and said very little, +for his sister was one who seldom welcomed advice from anybody, and +though not a brilliant man he was by no means a fool. On the last +occasion he, however, showed a little impatience. + +"Well," he said, "he seems to have got hold of a few first-class +people, too. There is that Ayutante fellow on the Governor's staff, +and the Senhor Figuera, the little, quiet man with the yellow hands, +is evidently a person of some consequence in his own country. You +can't mistake the stamp of authority. After all, it's no doubt just +as well he and the girl have gone. Tom seemed on excellent terms with +them." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe looked indignant. "A Portuguese with a powdered face, +and no notion of what is fitting!" + +"An uncommonly good-looking one," and the Major grinned. "A woman with +brains enough to get the thing she sets her mind on, too, and I have +rather a fancy that she was pleased with Tom. Still, that's not the +question, and anyway she's back again in Africa. Now, if you'll take +advice from me you'll keep a light hand on him, and not touch the +curb. If you do he's quite capable of making a bolt of it." + +"That," said the lady, "would be so disgraceful as to be +inconceivable--when Ada has waited more than four years for him." + +Her brother's eyes twinkled. "In one way, I suppose she did. Still, of +course, Urmston didn't get the Colonial appointment he expected, and, +one has to be candid, young Hatherly seemed proof against the +blandishments you wasted on him." + +"A marriageable daughter is a heavy responsibility," said Mrs. +Ratcliffe with a sigh. + +"No doubt," said the Major. "That is precisely why I recommended the +judicious handling of Tom Ormsgill. If he hasn't quite as much as you +would like, it's enough to keep them comfortably, and in several ways +he's worth the other two put together. The man's straight, and quiet. +In fact, I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer him with a few more +gentlemanly dissipations. They act as a safety valve occasionally." + +His sister raised her hands in protest, and Chillingham withdrew with +a chuckle, but she was rather more gracious to Ormsgill than usual +that day, and during the next one accompanied him with her daughter +and one or two acquaintances in a launch he had borrowed to look at +the wreck of a steamer which had gone ashore a night or two earlier. +The unfortunate vessel afforded a somewhat impressive spectacle as she +lay grinding on the reef with the long yeasty seas washing over her, +and the little party spent some time watching her from the launch +which swung with the steep, green swell. + +It was, however, very hot and dazzling bright, and no protests were +made when Ormsgill, who it seemed knew all about steam launches, +leaned forward from the helm and started the engines. The little +propeller thudded, and they slid away with a long, smooth lurch across +the slopes of glittering water that were here and there flecked with +foam, for the beach they skirted lies open to the heave of the +Atlantic. The Trade breeze fanned their faces pleasantly, and Ada +Ratcliffe sat almost contented for the time being at Ormsgill's side. +It was refreshing that hot day, to listen to the swish of sliding +brine, and there was a certain exhilaration in the swift smooth +motion, while she realized that the man she was to marry appeared to +greater advantage than he did as a rule in the drawing room of the big +hotel. + +He was never awkward, or ill at ease, but she had noticed--and +resented--the air of aloofness he sometimes wore when he listened to +her companions' pointless badinage and vapid conversation. Now as he +sat with a lean brown hand on the tiller controlling the little +hissing craft he seemed curiously at home. There was also, as +generally happened when he was occupied, a suggestion of reserved +force in his face and attitude. He was, she realized, a man one could +have confidence in when there were difficult things to be done. This +however, brought her presently a vague dissatisfaction, for she felt +there were certain aspects of his character which had never been +revealed to her, and she was faintly conscious of the antagonism to +and shrinking from what one cannot quite understand which is not +infrequently a characteristic of people with imperfectly developed +minds. + +The fresh Trade breeze which blew down out of the harbor from the +black Isleta hill was, however, evidently much less pleasant to the +Spanish peons who toiled at the ponderous sweeps of an empty coal +lighter the launch was rapidly drawing level with. She was floating +high above the flaming swell, and the perspiration dripped from the +men's grimy faces as they labored, two of them at each of the huge +oars. Indeed Ormsgill could see the swollen veins stand out on their +wet foreheads, and the overtaxed muscles swell on their half-covered +chests and naked arms, for the barge was of some forty tons, and it +was very heavy work pulling her against the wind. She had evidently +been to a Spanish steamer lying well out beyond the mole, and there +was, as he noticed, no tug available to tow her back again, while the +sea foamed whitely on a reef close astern of her. It was only by a +strenuous effort that the men were propelling the big clumsy craft +clear of the reef, and there were signs that they could not keep it up +much longer. + +He glanced at the little group of daintily attired, soft-handed men +and women on board the launch, to whom the stress of physical labor +was an unknown thing, and then looked back towards the coal-grimed +toilers on the lighter. As yet they worked on stubbornly, with tense +furrowed faces, under a scorching sun, taxing to the uttermost every +muscle in their bodies, but it seemed to him that the lighter was no +further from the reef. He flung an arm up, and hailed them, for he had +acquired a working acquaintance with several Latin languages on the +fever coast. + +"You can't clear that point," he said. "Have you no anchor?" + +"No, seņor," cried one of the peons breathlessly. "The tug should have +come for us, but she is taking the water boat to the English steamer." + +Ormsgill turned to his companions. "You won't mind if I pull them in? +They're almost worn out, and it will not detain us more than ten +minutes." + +One of the men made a little gesture of concurrence which had a hint +of good-humored toleration in it, but Mrs. Ratcliffe appeared +displeased, and Ada flushed a trifle. One could have fancied she did +not wish the man who belonged to her to display his little +idiosyncrasies before her friends. + +"One understands that all Spaniards avoid exertion when they can," she +said. "Perhaps a little hard work wouldn't hurt them very much." + +There was a slight change in Ormsgill's expression. "I fancy the men +can do no more." + +Then he waved his hand to the peons. "Get your hawser ready." + +He was alongside the lighter in another minute, but she rolled wildly +above the launch, big and empty, and the sea broke whitely about her, +for now the men had ceased rowing she was drifting towards the reef. +The hawser was also dripping and smeared with coal dust when Ormsgill, +who seemed to understand such matters, hauled it in, and while the sea +splashed on board the launch, streams of gritty brine ran from it over +everything. Then he stirred the little furnace with an iron bar before +he pulled over the starting lever, and a rush of sparks and thin hot +smoke poured down upon his companions as the little craft went full +speed ahead. Ada, perhaps half-consciously, drew herself a little +farther away from him. There was coal grit on his wet duck jacket, and +he had handled hawser and furnace rubble like one accustomed to them, +in fact as a fireman or a sailor would have done. That was a thing +which did not please her, and she wondered if the others had noticed +it. It became evident that one of them had. + +"You did that rather smartly," he said. + +Ormsgill's smile was a trifle dry. "I have," he said, "done much the +same thing before professionally." + +There was a struggle for the next few minutes. Launch and lighter had +drifted into shoal water while they made the hawser fast, and the +swell had piled itself up and was breaking whitely. The little launch +plunged through it with flame at her funnel and a spray-cloud blowing +from her bows, and as she hauled the big lighter out yard by yard a +little glint crept into Ormsgill's eyes. Ada Ratcliffe almost resented +it, for he had never looked like that at any of the social functions +she had insisted on his taking a part in, but her forbearance was +further taxed when they crept slowly beneath the side of a big white +steam yacht. A little cluster of men and daintily dressed women sat +beneath the awning on her deck, and one or two of them were people her +mother had taken pains to cultivate an acquaintance with. + +One man leaned upon her rail and looked down with a little smile. +"Have you been going into the coal business, Fernside?" he said. +"Considering the figure they charged Desmond it ought to be a +profitable one." + +The man in the launch he addressed laughed, and Ormsgill towed the +lighter on until at last he cast the tow rope off, and a very grimy +peon stood upon her deck. He took off his big, shapeless hat, and as +he swung, cut in black against the dazzling sea, there was in his +poise a lithe gracefulness and a certain elaborate courtesy. + +"Seņor," he said, "our thanks are yours, and everything else that +belongs to us. May the saints watch over you, and send you a friend if +ever your task is too heavy and the breakers are close beneath your +lee." + +Ormsgill took off his hat gravely, as equal to equal, but he smiled a +little as the launch swept on. + +"Well," he said, "after all, I may need one some day." + +They were back in the hotel in another half-hour, and Mrs. Ratcliffe +took him to task as they sat on the shady veranda. Ormsgill lay back +in his big Madeira chair, with half-closed eyes, and listened +dutifully. He felt he could afford it, for the few minutes of tense +uncertainty when he had hauled the lighter out of the grasp of the +breakers had been curiously pleasant to him. + +"There was, of course, no harm in the thing itself," she said at last. + +"No," said Ormsgill with an air of deep reflection, "I almost think +that to save a fellow creature who is badly worn out an effort he is +scarcely fit to make isn't really very wrong. Still, the men were +certainly very dirty--I suppose that is the point?" + +The lady, who looked very stiff and formal in the black she persisted +in wearing, favored him with a searching glance, but there was only +grave inquiry in his steady eyes. + +"The point is that things which may be commendable in themselves are +not always--appropriate," she said. + +"Expedient--isn't it?" suggested Ormsgill languidly. + +"Expedient," said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a little flush in her face. +"In this world one has to be guided by circumstances, and must +endeavor to fit oneself to that station in life to which one has +been--appointed." + +"I suppose so," said Ormsgill. "The trouble is that I really don't +know what particular station I have been appointed to. I was thrown +out of the Colonial service, you see, and afterwards drove a steam +launch for a very dissolute mahogany trader. Then I floated the same +kind of trees down another river with the niggers, and followed a few +other somewhat unusual occupations. In fact, I've been in so many +stations that it's almost bewildering." + +His companion got away from the point. She did not like having the +fact that he had been, as he expressed it, thrown out of the Colonial +service forced upon her recollection. + +"One has, at least, to consider one's friends," she said. "We are on +rather good terms with two or three of the people who came out with +Mr. Desmond, whom I have not met yet, in the _Palestrina_. In fact, +Ada is a little anxious that you should make their acquaintance. You +will probably come across them in England." + +"Well," said Ormsgill cheerfully, "I really don't think Dick Desmond +would mind if I took up coal heaving as an amusement. He isn't a +particularly conventional man himself." + +"You know him?" + +"Oh, yes. I know him tolerably well." + +"Then didn't you consider it your duty to go off and call upon him?" + +"I suppose it was," said Ormsgill meditatively. "Still, as a rule, I +rather like my friends to call on me. I've no doubt that Dick will do +it presently. He only arrived here yesterday, as you know. The people +he brought out came on from Teneriffe, I think. Somebody told me the +_Palestrina_ lay a week there with something wrong with her engines." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe smiled approvingly at last. "Yes," she said, "in one +way the course you mention is usually preferable. It places one on a +surer footing." + +Then she discussed other subjects, and supplied him with a good deal +of excellent advice to which he listened patiently, though he was +sensible of a certain weariness and there was a little dry smile in +his eyes when she went away. As it happened, Desmond, who owned the +_Palestrina_, came ashore that evening and was received by Mrs. +Ratcliffe very graciously. The two men had also a good deal to say to +each other, and the meeting was not without its results to both of +them. + +It was late the following afternoon when a little yellow-funneled +mail-boat with poop and forecastle painted white steamed into the +harbor with awnings spread, and an hour or two later a waiter handed +Ormsgill a letter. His face grew intent as he read it, and the curious +little glint that Ada Ratcliffe had noticed when he towed the coal +lighter clear of the surf crept back into his eyes. It was also +significant that, although she and her mother were sitting near him on +the veranda, he appeared oblivious of them when he rose and stepped +back through an open window into the hotel. Five minutes later they +saw him stride through the garden and down the long white road. + +"I think he is going to the little mole," said Ada. "I don't know why +he does so, but when anything seems to ruffle him he generally goes +there." + +Then she flashed a quick questioning glance at her mother. "That +letter was from Africa. I saw the stamp on it." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe shook her head. "I don't think there is any reason why +you should disturb yourself," she said. "After all, one has to excuse +a good deal in the case of men who live in the tropics, and though the +ways Tom has evidently acquired there now and then jar on me I venture +to believe he will grow out of them and become a credit to you with +judicious management. It would, perhaps, be wiser not to mention that +letter, my dear." + +Ada said nothing, though she was a trifle uneasy. She had seen the +sudden intentness of Ormsgill's face, and was far from sure that he +would submit to management of any kind. Nobody acquainted with her +considered her a clever woman, but, after all, her intelligence was +keener than her mother's. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill sat down on the steps of the little mole. It +was pleasantly cool there, and he had already found the rush and +rumble of frothing brine tranquilizing, though he was scarcely +conscious of it as he took out the letter and read it again. It was +from the missionary Nares. + +"Father Tiebout has just come in very shaky with fever," he read. "It +appears that Herrero, who will not let her go, has gone back towards +the interior with the woman Lamartine gave him, and has been +systematically ill-using her. There is another matter to mention. +Soon after you went Domingo seized the opportunity of raiding +Lamartine's station, and took all the boys away while we were +arranging to send them home as you asked us to do. It will, in view of +the feeling against us, be difficult or impossible to bring the thing +home to him, but I understand from Father Tiebout that you engaged the +boys for Lamartine and pledged your word to send them home when the +time agreed upon expired. Father Tiebout merely asked me to tell you. +He said that if you recognized any responsibility in the matter you +would not shrink from it." + +Ormsgill crumpled up the letter and sat very still, gazing into the +dimness that was creeping up from Africa across the sea. The message +was terse, and though the writing was that of Nares he saw the wisdom +of Father Tiebout in it. Nares when he was moved spoke at length and +plainly, but the little priest had a way of making other folks do what +he wanted, as it were, of their own accord, and without his prompting +them. + +It grew rapidly darker, but Ormsgill did not notice it. The deep +rumble of the surf was in his ears, and the restlessness of the sea +crept in on him. He had heard that thunderous booming on sweltering +African beaches, and had watched the filmy spray-cloud float far +inland athwart the dingy mangroves, and a curious gravity crept into +his eyes as he gazed at the Eastern haze beyond which lay the shadowy +land. Life was intense and primitive there, and his sojourn in the big +hotel had left him with a growing weariness. Then there was the debt +he owed Lamartine, and the promise he had made, and he wondered +vaguely what Ada Ratcliffe would say when he told her he was going +back again. She would protest, but, for all that, he fancied she would +not feel his absence very much, though there were times when her +manner to him had been characterized by a certain tenderness. As he +thought of it he sighed. + +By and by a boat from the white steam yacht slid up to the foot of the +steps, and a man who ascended them started when he came upon Ormsgill. +He was tall and long-limbed, and his voice rang pleasantly. + +"What in the name of wonder are you doing here alone?" he asked. + +"I think I'm worrying, Dick," said Ormsgill. "The fact is, I'm going +back yonder." + +Desmond looked hard at him--but it was already almost dark. "Well," he +said, "we're rather old friends. Would it be too much if I asked you +why?" + +"Sit down," said Ormsgill. "I'll try to tell you." + +He did so concisely and quietly, and Desmond made a little sign of +comprehension. "Well," he said, "if you feel yourself under an +obligation to that Frenchman I'm not sure it isn't just as binding now +he's dead." + +"I was on my beam-ends, without a dollar in my pocket, when he held +out his hand to me. Of course, neither of us know much about these +questions, and, as a matter of fact, it's scarcely likely that +Lamartine did, but he seemed to believe what the padre told him, and +there's no doubt it was a load off his mind when he understood I'd +have the woman set at liberty." + +Desmond sat silent for a minute. Then he said, "There are two points +that occur to me. Since you are willing to supply the money, can't the +priest and the missionary arrange the thing?" + +"Nares says they can't. After all, they're there on sufferance, and +every official keeps a jealous eye on them. You couldn't expect them +to throw away all they've done for several years, and that's very much +what it would amount to if they were run out of the Colony." + +"Then suppose you bought the woman back, and got those boys set free? +From what I've heard about the country somebody else would probably +lay hands on them again. Since the Frenchman has broken them in they'd +be desirable property." + +"That's one of the things I'm worrying over," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "I had thought of running them up the coast and turning +them loose in British Nigeria. They'd be reasonably well treated, and +get wages at the factories there. Still, I'd have some trouble in +getting them out of the country, especially as I'm not greatly tempted +to buy the boys. If I was it's quite likely that Domingo, who is not a +friend of mine, wouldn't let me have them. You see, I'd have to get +papers at the port, though there are plenty of lonely beaches where +one could get a surf-boat off. I had a notion of trying to pick up a +schooner at Sierra Leone or Lagos." + +Again Desmond said nothing for a few moments. Then he laughed. "Well," +he said, "there's the _Palestrina_, and when we shake her up she can +do her fourteen knots. You can have her for a shooting expedition at a +pound a month. Now don't raise any--nonsensical objections. I'm about +sick of loafing. The thing would be a relief to me." + +"There's your father," said Ormsgill suggestively. + +"Just so! There's also the whole estimable family, who have made up +their minds I'm to go into Parliament whether I'm willing or not. +Well, it seems to me that if I'm to have a hand in governing my +country it will be an education to see how they mismanage things in +other ones." + +Then the scion of a political family who could talk like a fireman, +and frequently did so, laughed again. "If I get into trouble over it +it will be a big advertisement. Besides, it's two years since I had a +frolic of any kind. Been nursing the constituency, taking a benevolent +interest in everything from women's rights to village cricket clubs, +and I'm coming with you to rake up brimstone now. After all, though +I've had no opportunity of displaying my abilities in that direction +lately, it's one of the few things I really excel in." + +Ormsgill was far from sure that this was what he desired, but he knew +his man, and that, for all his apparent inconsequence, he was one who +when the pinch came could be relied upon. Then Desmond's effervescence +usually vanished, and gave place to a cold determined quietness that +had carried him through a good many difficulties. This was fortunate, +since he was addicted to involving himself in them rather frequently. + +"Well," said Ormsgill, "I'll be glad to have you, but it's rather a +big thing. I think they're expecting you at the hotel. We'll talk of +it again." + +He rose, and as they went back together Desmond said reflectively. "I +suppose you understand that it's scarcely likely your prospective +mother-in-law will be pleased with you?" + +"I wasn't aware that you knew her until you came across her here," +said Ormsgill. + +"I didn't. My cousins do. Perhaps you won't mind my saying that they +seem a little sorry for you. From what they have said about Mrs. +Ratcliffe it seems to me that you may have trouble in convincing her +of the disinterestedness of your intentions." + +Ormsgill felt that this was very probable, though he said nothing. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A DETERMINED MAN + + +It was the following afternoon when Ormsgill stood on the wide veranda +outside Mrs. Ratcliffe's room. That lady sat somewhat stiffly facing +him in a big basket chair, while her daughter lay close by in one of +canvas with her eyes also fixed upon the man languidly. She was +dressed in white, and looked very cool and dainty, though her face was +almost expressionless. In fact, her attitude was characterized by a +certain well-bred serenity which is seldom without its effect when it +is an essential part of the person who exhibits it, though a passable +imitation of it may be cultivated. + +Then one sometimes wonders what may lie behind it, though an attempt +to ascertain is not always advisable. In some cases there is nothing, +and in others things which it is wiser to leave unseen. + +Ormsgill had, as it happened, been busy that morning with an English +lawyer whom he had met at the hotel, and had taken him over to the +office of the Vice-Consul, who signed a document the lawyer drew out. +He had also made other preparations for a journey, but he had sent the +priest no word that he was going back to Africa. This, he felt, was +not necessary, since Father Tiebout would expect him. He leaned +bareheaded against the rails, with the furrows showing plainly on his +bronzed face, while the Trade breeze, which was fresh that afternoon, +swept the cool veranda and piled the long Atlantic swell rumbling on +the beach. He could see the spray fly high and white, and the dust +whirl down the glaring road that led to the Spanish city, and once +more he felt his blood stir in harmony with the throb of restless life +in the frothing sea. Still, the task before him was difficult, and he +set about it diffidently. + +It was, as he realized, a very lame story and one open to serious +misconception that fell from his lips. He could, of course, say +nothing in favor of Lamartine's mode of life, though it was by no +means an unusual one, and he had to mention it. The subject was a +somewhat delicate one in itself, but it was not that alone which +brought a faint flush to his face. Mrs. Ratcliffe's pose grew +perceptibly primmer as he proceeded, and he recognized that any +confidence she might have had in him was being severely shaken. Still, +he had not expected her to understand, and he glanced at her daughter +with a certain anxiety. The girl's languid indifference was less +marked now, for there was a spot of color in her cheek, and her lips +were set disdainfully. Ormsgill closed one lean hand a trifle, for +these things had their significance, and he had expected that she, at +least, would have found his assurance sufficient. + +"I think you will agree with me that I must go," he said. + +Mrs. Ratcliffe's tone was sharp and she looked at him steadily. + +"I'm afraid I don't," she said. "The man was on your own showing an +altogether depraved person." + +"No," said Ormsgill dryly. "I should be sorry to admit as much. But if +he had been, would that have rendered a promise to him less binding?" + +"Yes," said the elder lady sturdily. "If he really felt any remorse at +all--of which I am very dubious--he brought it upon himself. One +cannot do wrong without bearing the consequences. Still, I do not +suppose it was penitence. It was more probably pagan fear of death. +The man, you admit, was under priestly influence. Of course, if he had +been brought up differently----" + +Ormsgill could not help a little smile. "He would have considered +repentance sufficient, and left the woman to bear the consequences? +Somehow I have a hazy notion that restitution is insisted on. But if +we dismiss that subject there are still the boys. You see, I pledged +myself to send them home again." + +Ada Ratcliffe looked up, and her expression was quietly disdainful. +"Half-naked, thick-lipped niggers. Would it hurt them very much to +work a little and become a trifle civilized? One understands that +there is no actual slavery in any part of Africa under European +control." + +Ormsgill winced, and it was, perhaps, only natural that Mrs. Ratcliffe +should not understand why he did so. Then his face grew a trifle hard, +but he answered quietly. + +"I have no doubt there are folks who would tell you so, but there is, +at least, something very like it in one or two colonies," he said. +"Still, that is not quite the point." + +The girl laughed. "I am a little afraid there is no point at all." + +She rose languidly, and the way she did so suggested collusion, though +Ormsgill had not noticed that her mother made her any sign. She swept +past him with a swish of filmy fabric, and he turned to the elder +lady, who made a little gesture of resignation. + +"It seems," she said, "you are determined to go, and in that case +there is something to be said. As you are bent on exposing yourself to +the hazards of a climate I have heard described as deadly, one has to +consider--eventualities." + +"Exactly!" and Ormsgill found it difficult to repress a sardonic +smile. "I have endeavored to provide against them in the one way +possible to me. An hour ago I handed Major Chillingham a document +which will place Ada in possession of a considerable proportion of my +property in six months from my death. The absence of any word from me +for that period is to be considered as proof of it. I have no +relatives with any claim on me, and I think I am only carrying out an +obligation." + +"You are very generous," and his companion's tone was expressive of +sincere satisfaction. "Though it is, of course, painful, one is +reluctantly compelled to take these things into consideration." + +She said rather more to the same effect, and the man's face, which was +a trifle hard when she went away, suggested that some, at least, of +her observations had jarred on him. He was also somewhat astonished +to find Ada waiting for him when he strolled moodily into the big +drawing-room. + +"Tom," she said, "you won't go back there, after all. I don't want you +to." + +There was a tinge of color in her cheeks and a tense appeal in her +eyes, and for a moment Ormsgill was almost tempted to forget his +promise and break his word. It seemed that she did care, though he had +scarcely fancied that she would feel the parting with him very much a +little while ago, and something suggested that she was apprehensive, +too. He stood very still, and she saw him slowly close one of his +hands. + +"My dear," he said, "I have to go." + +The girl looked at him steadily a moment, and then made a little +hopeless gesture of resignation. + +"In that case I should gain nothing by attempting to urge you," she +said with a curious quietness. "Still, Tom, you will write to me when +you can." + +Ormsgill was stirred, as well as a trifle astonished. She had seldom +shown him very much tenderness, and he had said nothing that might +lead her to believe that he was undertaking a somewhat dangerous thing +or that the country was especially unhealthy. Still, he could not help +feeling that she was afraid of something. Then, as it happened, they +heard her mother speaking to somebody in the corridor, and making him +a little sign she slipped out softly. Ormsgill sat where he was, +wondering why she had done so, until a rustle of dresses suggested +that she and the people she had apparently spoken to had moved away. +Then he went out, and met Desmond in front of the hotel. + +"Been having it out with Mrs. Ratcliffe?" he said. "I saw you on the +veranda. Found it rather difficult? I couldn't stand that old woman." + +"It was not exactly pleasant," said Ormsgill, dryly. + +Desmond grinned. "Told her what you were going back for--and she +didn't believe a word of it? As a matter of fact, you could hardly +expect her to. Still, you needn't be unduly anxious. It wouldn't +matter very much what you did out there. She might be horrified when +she heard of it, but she wouldn't let you go." + +The blood rose to Ormsgill's face. He fancied his companion was right +in this, but it suggested another thought, and it appeared impossible +that the girl's views should coincide with her mother's. It was +painful to feel that she might have placed an unfavorable construction +upon his narrative, but that she should believe him a libertine and +still be willing to marry him because he was rich was a thing he +shrank with horror from admitting. He was aware that women now and +then made such marriages, but although he did not as a rule expect too +much of human nature, he looked for a good deal from the woman he +meant to make his wife. He could not quite disguise the fact that +there were aspects of her character which did not altogether please +him. + +"Well," he said grimly, "we will talk about something else. You are +still determined on going with me?" + +"Of course," said Desmond. + +Ormsgill took him into his room, and by and by unrolled a chart upon +the table. + +"There's shelter off this beach in about six fathoms under the point," +he said. "She will roll rather wildly, but the holding's excellent, +and a surf-boat could get off most days in the week. As some of the +mail-boat skippers will probably see you and mention it, you will call +and report yourself to the Commandant and the customs on your way down +the coast. Bring one or two of them off to dinner and inquire about +the sport to be had. As a matter of fact, there is something to shoot +a few days' march back from the beach, and there is no reason why you +shouldn't go after it." + +"You haven't said very much about yourself," observed his companion. + +"I'm going direct by mail-boat. There is to be no apparent connection +between us. If you are at the beach by the date I mentioned and wait +there fourteen days, it will be sufficient. If I don't join you by +that time something will have gone radically wrong." + +"Then," said Desmond cheerfully, "I'll fit the whole crowd out down to +the firemen with elephant guns and rifles, and go ashore to fetch you, +if we have to sack every bush fort in the country." + +Ormsgill only laughed, and going out together they swung themselves on +a passing steam tram and were whirled away to the steamship offices in +the Spanish city through a blinding cloud of dust. + +Two days later Ormsgill boarded a yellow-funneled steamer, which crept +out of harbor presently with the Portuguese flag at the fore, and +faded into a streak of hull and a smoke trail low down on the dazzling +sea. From the veranda of the hotel, Ada Ratcliffe watched it slowly +melt, with her lips tight set and a curious look in her eyes, until +when the blue expanse was once more empty she rose with a little sigh. +There was, of course, nothing to be gained by sitting there +disconsolate, and she had to array herself becomingly for an excursion +to a village among the black volcanic hills. She also took a prominent +part in it very gracefully, while a quiet brown-faced man leaned on a +little wildly-rolling steamer's rail, looking southwest across the +dazzling white-flecked combers towards the shadowy land. + +He reached it in due time, and one afternoon two or three days after +he arrived at a little decadent city, sat talking to the olive-faced +gentleman he had met at the Las Palmas hotel. The latter now wore a +very tight white uniform, and a rather high and cumbrous kepi lay on +the chair at his side. He was singularly spare in figure; his face, +which was a trifle worn and hollow, was in no way suggestive of +physical virility, and the brown-tipped fingers of the hand which +rested on his knee very much resembled claws; but, as Major +Chillingham had noticed, he wore the unmistakable stamp of high +authority. + +"Ah," he said in Portuguese, "you are not as most of your countrymen, +and seem to understand that haste is not always advisable--especially +in this land." + +Ormsgill smiled a little as he gazed down on the straggling city. The +room he and his companion sat in had no front to it. A row of slender +pillars with crude whitewashed arches between them served instead, and +he could look out on the curiously jumbled buildings below. Some were +of wood and had red iron roofs and broad verandas, others of stone, or +what appeared to be blocks of sun-baked mud, and these were mostly +glaringly whitewashed and roofed with tiles, though a few were flat +topped. Some stood in clusters, but as a rule there were wide spaces, +strewn with ruins and rubbish, between them. Scarcely a sound rose +from any of them. Here and there a white-clad figure reclined in a big +chair on a veranda, and odd clusters of negroes, some loosely draped +in raw colors, and some half-naked, slept in the shadow. Everything +was so still that one could have fancied the place was peopled by the +dead. Beyond the long strip of land across the harbor the glaring +levels of the Atlantic stretched away, and the hot air quivered with +the dull insistent roar and rumble of the surf. + +"It is certainly as I suggested," said the little olive-faced +gentleman. "You have been here three days, and I do not even know what +you expect from me yet." + +"It is very little. A concession of exploitation in the country +inland." + +"In which district?" + +Ormsgill mentioned it, and his companion looked at him with a little +smile. "The request can be granted, but I gave you good advice once +before, and I venture to offer it again. This Africa is not a healthy +country, and it is not, I think, advisable that you should stay here, +especially up yonder in the bush. There are gentlemen of some +importance there whom you have offended, and we are, it seems, not all +forgiving. It is, perhaps, a fact to be deprecated, but one to be +counted on." + +"One has occasionally to do a thing that doesn't seem advisable," said +Ormsgill reflectively. + +"In this case the reasons cannot be financial. I heard of your good +fortune in Las Palmas." + +Ormsgill was not pleased at this, but he laughed. "A little money is +not always a fortune. Perhaps it would be permissible for me to +express my pleasure that your administrative genius has been +recognized?" + +Dom Clemente made him a little grave inclination. "I hold authority, +but the man who does so seldom sleeps on roses, especially in this +country. Well, you still want the concession of exploitation, though +the region you mention is not a productive one?" + +"There are articles of commerce which come down that way from the +interior." + +Dom Clemente looked at him steadily. "Ah," he said, "if one could tell +what went on there. Still, as you say, there are things we have need +of that come down from the interior." + +Ormsgill's face was expressionless, though he was not pleased to see a +little smile creep into his companion's eyes, but just then another +man of very dusky color came up the outside stairway with a big +clanking sword strapped on to him, and Dom Clemente rose. + +"I make my excuses, but the permit will be ready to-morrow," he said. +"In the meanwhile my daughter, who is in the patio, would thank you +for several courtesies at Las Palmas." + +Ormsgill turned away, and went down to the little pink-washed patio +which was filled with straggling flowers and was, at least, +comparatively cool. The girl who lay in a big chair did not rise, but +signed to him to take another near her side, and then looked up at him +with big violet eyes. It did not occur to Ormsgill that there was any +significance in the fact that the only two chairs in the patio should +be close together, but it struck him that Benicia Figuera was a very +well-favored young woman, and very much in harmony with her +surroundings. Colorless as her face was, there was a scintillation in +her eyes, and a depth of hue in her somewhat full red lips, which with +the sweeping lines of her lightly-draped, rounded form suggested that +there was in her a full measure of the warm and vivid life of the +tropics. Her voice was low and quiet, and her English passable. + +"I believe my father has been giving you good advice," she said. + +"Why should you think that?" asked Ormsgill, lightly. + +His companion's gesture might have meant anything. "You feel the +advice is excellent, but you do not mean to take it? It is not a thing +you often do. In one way I am sorry." + +Ormsgill laughed. "Might one ask why you should take so much interest +in an obstinate stranger?" + +The girl moved her hands, which were white and very shapely, in a +fashion which seemed to imply a protest. Ormsgill noticed that they +had also the appearance of capable hands, and he fancied that their +grasp could be tenacious. + +"Ah," she said, "there were little courtesies shown us at Las Palmas, +things that made our stay there pleasanter, and I think there was, +perhaps, no great reason why you should have done them for my father." +Then her eyes twinkled. "I am not sure that all your friends were very +pleased with you." + +Ormsgill did not smile this time. He recollected now that Ada +Ratcliffe had been distinctly less gracious and her mother more formal +than usual after one or two of the trifling courtesies he had shown +Dom Clemente and the girl, but it had not occurred to him to put the +two things together. + +"I wonder," he said reflectively "how you come to speak such excellent +English." + +The girl laughed. + +"My mother's name was O'Donnel, though she was rather more Portuguese +than I am. She was born in the Peninsula. It seems I have gone back +two or three generations. They assured me of it once in Wicklow. +Still, all that does not interest you. You are going into the +interior." + +Ormsgill said he was, and the girl appeared thoughtful for a moment or +two. + +"Then one might again advise you to be careful. There are, at least, +two men who do not wish you well. One of them is a certain Commandant, +and the other the trader Herrero." + +"I wonder if you could tell me where the trader Herrero is?" + +"If I can I will send you word to-morrow." + +Ormsgill thanked her and took his leave ceremoniously, but he was a +little annoyed to find that his thoughts would wander back to the cool +patio as he strolled through the dazzling, sun-scorched town. He felt +it would have been pleasant to stay there a little in the shadow, and +that Benicia Figuera would not have resented it. There was something +vaguely attractive about her, and she had Irish eyes in which he had +seen a hint of the reckless inconsequent courage of that people. This, +he reflected, did not concern him, and dismissing all further thought +of her he went about his business. Still, when the concession was sent +to him next morning the negro who brought it also handed him a little +note. It had no signature, and merely contained the name of a certain +village on the fringe of the hills that cut off the coast levels from +the island plateaux. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DESMOND MAKES AN ADMISSION + + +Two months had slipped by since Ormsgill and his carefully chosen +carriers had vanished into the steamy bush which climbs the slopes of +the inland plateaux, when the _Palestrina_ steamed in towards the +straggling, sun-scorched town. She came on at half-speed, gleaming +ivory white, in a blaze of brightness, with a man strapped outside her +bridge swinging the heavy lead, until Desmond, who swept the shore +line with his glasses, raised his hand. Then the propeller whirled +hard astern and she stopped amidst a roar of running chain. Next the +awnings were stretched across her aft, and after a beautiful white gig +sank down her side, a trimly uniformed crew pulled Desmond ashore to +interview the men in authority. + +He found them courteous. Though that is not a coast which English +yachts frequent, one had called there not very long before, and they +had a pleasant recollection of the hospitality they had enjoyed on +board her. Besides, it was very soon evident that this red-faced +yachtsman was not one of the troublesome Englishmen who demand +information about social and political matters which do not concern +them. Desmond took the authorities off to dinner, and showed them his +sporting rifles and one or two letters given him by gentlemen of +their own nationality whom he had similarly entertained at Funchal +Madeira. His young companion with the heavy sea-bronzed face was even +more ingenuous, and there was no doubt that the wine and cigars were +excellent. + +Strangers with any means were also singularly scarce in that town, and +its rulers finding Desmond friendly made much of him, and supplied him +freely with the information he required respecting the localities +where one might still come across big game. He was, in fact, a social +success, and contrived to spend a fortnight there very pleasantly. +Still, there was one of his new friends who considered it advisable to +take certain precautions, which came indirectly to the knowledge of +the latter's daughter. + +It also happened that Desmond's companion, Lister, who went ashore +alone now and then, enjoyed himself in his own fashion. He was a young +man whose tastes and idiosyncrasies had caused his friends at home +some anxiety, and they had for certain reasons prevailed upon Desmond +to take him to sea for a few months out of harm's way. Lister +submitted unwillingly, but he discovered that even that sweltering +African town had pleasures to offer him, and determined on making the +most of them. + +It was a very hot evening when he sat in the patio of a little +flat-topped house which bore a legend outside announcing that it was a +_caffee_. A full moon hung above the city and flooded half the little +square round which the building rose with silvery light. The summit of +the white walls cut sharply against the cloudless blue, and the land +breeze flowed in through a low archway heavy with heat and smells. Now +and then the roar of the Atlantic surf swelled in volume and rolled +across the roofs in a deep-toned rumbling. Lister, however, naturally +noticed very little of this. + +He lay in a Madeira chair near a little table upon which stood several +flasks of wine and glasses, as well as a bundle of cigarettes. A lamp +hung above him, and his light white clothing displayed the fleshiness +of his big, loosely-hung frame. His face was a trifle flushed, and +there was a suggestive gleam in his eyes when he glanced towards the +unglazed square of lighted window behind which a comely damsel of +somewhat dusky skin was singing to a mandolin, but the occasional +bursts of hoarse laughter made it evident that the lady had other +companions, and there was then a little but rather painful punctured +wound in one of Lister's hands. She had made it that afternoon with a +slender silver-headed strip of steel which she wore in her dusky hair, +and Lister could take a hint when it was plain enough. + +As it happened, a partial acquaintance with one or two Latin languages +had been drilled into him in preparation for a certain branch of his +country's service to which prejudiced persons had eventually denied +him admission, and he had afterwards acquired sundry scraps of +Portuguese in Madeiran wine-shops. As the result of this, his +companions understood part, at least, of what he said. Two of them who +had very yellow hands and somewhat crisp black hair were shaking dice +upon the table, while a third lay quietly in a basket lounge watching +the Englishman with keen dark eyes. The latter threw a piece of paper +money down on the table. + +"It's against me," he said. "I'll double on the same odds you don't +shake as high again. Pass your friend the wine, Dom Domingo." + +The quiet man made this a trifle plainer, and thrust the wine flask +across the table, but Lister did not notice that one of the others +looked at him as if for permission or instructions before he flung the +dice back into the box. + +"One who knows the game would not give quite such odds," he said in +passable French. "It is the cards you play on board the steamer?" + +"No," said Lister, who had consumed a good deal of wine, "not often. I +wish we did. It would pass the time while we lie waiting off your +blazing beaches." + +"Ah," said the little man, "you wait for somebody, then?" + +Lister's little start was quite perceptible, but he grinned. "You +can't go inland without taking somebody who knows the way. I think I +told you we were going up country to kill big game." + +"But certainly!" and the other spread out his hands. "This is, +however, not the season when one usually sets out on such a journey. +It would be wiser to make it in a month or two. For good heads you +must also go inland a long way. You start from--?" + +"The Bahia Santiago," but Lister recollected next moment, and looked +at his companion truculently with half-closed eyes. "It seems to me +you have a good many questions to ask. Besides, you stop the game." + +The little man waved his hand deprecatingly, and answered one of the +others' inquiring glance with a just perceptible motion of his head. + +"Your pardon, seņor," he said. "It was good advice I gave you about +the odds." + +He rose and slowly sauntered across the patio, but Lister did not +notice that he stopped in the black shadow of the archway. Neither did +the other men, one of whom shook the dice again. + +"Ah!" he said. "The luck is once more against you." + +Lister poured himself out another glass of wine. He was feeling a +trifle drowsy, and the patio was very hot, but he wished to rouse +himself enough to watch one of the player's thick-fingered yellow +hands. Then flinging down another piece of paper money he reached out +and took the box himself. His lips had shut tight, and though his face +had flushed more deeply his eyes were keen. + +They threw twice more while the other man, who appeared to relinquish +his share in the proceedings, good-humoredly looked on, and then +Lister leaned forward suddenly and seized the yellow hand. The box +fell with a clatter, and Lister clutched one of the little spotted +cubes that rolled out upon the table. Then the player's companion +swung out his right arm with a flick of his sleeve, and Lister caught +the gleam of steel. Loosely hung and a trifle slouching as he was, he +was big, and had, at least, no lack of animal courage. He said +nothing, but he flung the man whose hand he held backward upon the +table, which overturned in front of his companion, and snatching a +heavy wine flask from one close by, swung it by the neck. + +The man with the knife was a moment recovering his footing, and then +he moved forward, half-crouching, with a cat-like gait. The veins rose +swollen on Lister's forehead, but he stood still, and his big red hand +tightened savagely on the neck of the heavy vessel, which held a quart +or two. The tinkle of the mandolin had ceased abruptly, and for a few +moments there was not a sound in the little patio. Then there was a +sharp command, and the man with the knife slunk backward, as a figure +moved quietly out of the shadow beneath the archway. It was the man +who had questioned Lister, and he laid his hand upon the flask the +latter held. + +"With permission I will take it from you," he said. "It is, I think, +convenient that you go back to your steamer." + +Lister fancied that he was right, and when three or four men who had +now come out from the lighted room made way for them he followed his +companion out through the archway. The latter called to a man in +dilapidated white uniform, and they proceeded together to where a boat +was waiting. They put Lister on board her, and stood still a minute or +two watching while a couple of negroes rowed him off to the +_Palestrina_. Then one of them laughed. + +"There are many fools in this world but one has perhaps no cause to +pity them," he said. "It is as a rule their friends they bring to +grief." + +Twenty minutes later he called at Dom Clemente's residence, and was +not exactly pleased when he was shown into the presence of Benicia +Figuera. + +"My father is on board the yacht. You have come about the Englishman +you have been watching?" she said. + +The man made a little deprecatory gesture. "It is not permissible to +contradict the seņorita." + +Benicia laughed. "It would not be worth while, my friend. You will +leave your message." + +"It is a report for Dom Clemente," and again the man spread out his +hands. One could have fancied he felt it necessary to excuse himself +for such an answer. + +"Then," said the girl, "it is, as I think you know, quite safe with +me." + +There was no smile in her eyes this time, and her companion thought +rapidly. Then, after another gesture which expressed resignation, he +spoke for some three or four minutes until the girl checked him with a +sign. + +"If Dom Clemente has any questions to ask he will send for you," she +said. "If not, you must not trouble him about the matter. I think you +understand?" + +It was evident that the man did so, for he went out with a respectful +gesture of comprehension, and then turned and shook a yellow fist at +the door which closed behind him. He could foresee that to do as he +was bidden might involve him in difficulties, but Benicia Figuera was +something of a power in that country, and he knew it was seldom +advisable to thwart her. She, as it happened, sat still thinking for a +time, and as the result of it when Desmond's gig went ashore next +morning a negro handed one of her crew a little note. That afternoon +Desmond dressed himself with somewhat unusual care before he was rowed +ashore, and on being ushered into a white house by a uniformed negro +was not altogether astonished to find Benicia Figuera waiting for him +alone in a big cool room. He had met her in Las Palmas, and she smiled +at him graciously as she pointed to a little table where wine and +cigarettes were laid out. + +"They are at your disposal. Here one smokes at all times and +everywhere," she said. + +Desmond sat down some distance away from her, for as he said +afterwards, she was astonishingly pretty as well as most artistically +got up, and he was on his guard. + +"I almost fancy it is advisable that I should keep my head just now, +and it already promises to be sufficiently difficult," he said with a +twinkle in his eyes. "Dom Clemente is presumably not at home. That is +why you sent for me?" + +Now the compliments men offer a lady in the Iberian Peninsula are as a +rule artistically involved, but the girl laughed. + +"He will not be back until this evening, but the excellent Seņora +Castro in whose charge I am is now sitting on the veranda," she said. +"You need not put your armor on, my friend. It would be useless +anyway." + +"Yes," said the man reflectively, "I almost think it would be." + +"And my intentions are friendly." + +Desmond spread his hands out as the men of her own nationality did. +"The assurance is a relief to me, but I should feel easier if you told +me what you wanted. After all, it could not have been merely the +pleasure of seeing me." + +Benicia nodded approvingly. His keenness and good-humored candor +appealed to her. It was also in some respects a pleasure to meet a man +who could come straight to the point. Her Portuguese friends usually +spent an unreasonable time going around it. + +"Well," she said, leaning forward and looking at him with eyes which +he afterwards told Ormsgill were worth risking a fortune for, "I will +tell you what I know, and I leave you to decide how far it is +desirable for you to be frank with me. In the first place, you are not +going inland to shoot big game. You are going to wait at the Bahia +Santiago for somebody." + +Desmond's face grew a trifle red. "If I had Lister here I think I +should feel tempted to twist his neck for him." + +The girl laughed. "It would be an interesting spectacle. I suppose you +know that last night he broke a man's wrist?" + +"I did not," said Desmond dryly. "When he amuses himself in that way +he seldom tells me--but, to be quite frank, I've almost had enough of +him. It's rather a pity the other fellow didn't break his head. +Still, perhaps, that's a little outside the question." + +"The question is--who are you going to wait for at the Bahia +Santiago?" + +"Ah," said Desmond, "I almost think you know." + +Benicia smiled. "It is, of course, Mr. Ormsgill. He is a friend of +yours. Now, as you can recognize, it is in my power or that of my +father to involve you in a good many difficulties. I wish to know what +Ormsgill went inland for. It was certainly not on a commercial +venture." + +Desmond thought hard for the next half-minute. He was a man who could +face a responsibility, and it was quite clear to him that Miss Figuera +already knew quite enough to ruin his comrade's project if she thought +fit to do so. Still, he felt that she would not think fit. He did not +know how she conveyed this impression, or even if she meant to convey +it, for Benicia Figuera was a lady of some importance in that country, +and, as he reflected, no doubt recognized the fact. She sat +impassively still, with her dark eyes fixed on him, and there was a +certain hint of imperiousness in her manner, until he suddenly made +his mind up. + +"Well," he said, "I will try to tell you, though there are, I think, +people who would scarcely understand the thing." + +He spoke for some ten minutes, and Benicia sat silent a while when at +last he stopped abruptly. Then she made a little gesture of +comprehension. + +"Yes," she said simply, "I think your friend is one of the few men who +could be expected to do such things." Then she laughed. "The girl he +is to marry, the one I saw in Las Palmas, is naturally very vexed with +him?" + +"That," said Desmond gravely, "is a subject I scarcely feel warranted +in going into. Besides, as a matter of fact, I don't know. There is, +however, another point I am a little anxious about." + +"The course I am likely to take?" and Benicia rose. "Well, it is +scarcely likely to be to your disadvantage, and I think you are wise +in telling me. Still, as you see, I do not bind myself to anything." + +Desmond stood up in turn, and made her a little grave inclination. "I +leave it in your hands with confidence. After all, that is the only +course open to me." + +"Yes," said Benicia, "I believe it is. Still, you seem to have no +great fear of me betraying you." + +"I certainly haven't," said Desmond. "I don't know why." + +His companion laughed, and held out her hand to him, and in a few more +minutes Desmond was striding down the hot street towards the beach. +When he reached the boat he turned a moment and looked back towards +the big white house. + +"It looks very much as if I'd made a fool of myself, and spoiled the +whole thing, but I don't think I have," he said. + +It was two or three hours later, and darkness had suddenly closed down +on the sweltering town, when the scream of a whistle broke through the +drowsy roar of the surf as a mail-boat ringed with blinking lights +crept up to the anchorage. Then Desmond sent for Lister, and drew him +into the room beneath the bridge. + +"There doesn't appear to be anything very much for that boat, and +she'll probably clear for the north to-morrow," he said. "You had +better get your things together." + +Lister gazed at him with astonishment in his heavy face. "I don't +quite understand you," he said. + +"The thing's perfectly simple. You're going north in her. In one or +two respects I'm sorry I have to turn you out, but, to be quite +straight, you're not the kind of man I want beside me now. You're too +fond of company, and have a--inconvenient habit of talking in your +cups." + +Lister flushed. "I presume you are referring to my conversation with +that slinking yellow-handed fellow I came across last night? He was a +little inquisitive, but I didn't tell him anything." + +"No," said Desmond dryly, "I don't suppose you did. It's often the +points a man of your capacity doesn't mention one deduces the most +from. He generally makes it evident that he's working away from them. +That, however, wouldn't strike you, and any way it doesn't affect the +case. I'm sorry I can't offer to accommodate you on board the +_Palestrina_ any longer. I told your folks I'd keep an eye on you, but +it's becoming too big a responsibility." + +Lister gazed at him almost incredulously. "Of course, I'll have to go +if you really mean it. Still, I would like to point out that in some +respects you're not exactly a model yourself." + +"That," said Desmond dryly, "is a fact I'm naturally quite aware of. I +like a frolic now and then as well as most other men, but I've sense +enough not to indulge in it when I'm out on business. The trouble is +that what you have done you will very probably do again, and that +wouldn't suit either me or Ormsgill. I'm afraid you'll have to take +the boat north to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +ORMSGILL KEEPS HIS WORD + + +Forest and compound were wrapped in obscurity, and the night was +almost insufferably hot, when Nares, who had arrived there during the +afternoon, sat in a room of the Mission of Our Lady of Pity. The +little, heavily thatched dwelling stood with the mud-built church and +rows of adherents' huts on the shadowy frontier of the debatable land +whose dusky inhabitants were then plotting a grim retribution for +their wrongs, and on the night in question black, impenetrable +darkness shut it in. Though the smell of wood smoke was still in the +steamy air, the cooking-fires had died out an hour ago, and there was +no sound from any of the clustering huts. Nares, who sat, gaunt and +worn in face, by an open window, could not see one of them. Still, he +was looking out into the compound, and his attitude suggested +expectancy. One could have fancied that he was listening for +something. + +"My boys heard in the last village we stopped at that there was +another party coming up behind us, and it's quite likely that there +is," he said. "The bushmen are generally right in these things. I've +seen a whole village clear out half a day before a section or two of +troops arrived, though it's hard to understand how they could possibly +have known." + +Father Tiebout, who lay in a canvas chair with the perspiration +trickling down his forehead, smiled. "There are many other things +beyond our comprehension in this country," he said, with a trace of +dryness. "We have our senses and our reason. The negro has them, too, +but he has something more--shall we call it the blind instinct of +self-preservation? It is, at least, certain that it is now and then +necessary to him. So you did not come by San Roque or the new +outpost?" + +"I did not. Still, how did you deduce it?" + +The priest spread out his hands. "It is simple. One does not find an +inhabited village within easy reach of a fort, my friend. The cause +for that is obvious. You are listening for the other party?" + +"Anyway, I was wondering whose it could be." + +Father Tiebout smiled. "If there is a white man with the boys it is +Thomas Ormsgill. I have been expecting him the last week. He will be +here within the next two--if he is alive." + +He spoke with a quiet certainty, as though the matter admitted of no +doubt, and Nares added, + +"Yes," he said, "that is a man who keeps his promise, but you could +give him another week. One knows when the mail-boats arrive, but there +might be difficulties when he got ashore. Anybody who wishes to go +inland is apt to meet with a good many, especially if he isn't looked +upon with favor by the Administration." + +Father Tiebout said nothing further. It was almost too hot to talk, +though the silence that brooded over the little gap in the forest was +unpleasantly impressive. It would not be broken until the moon rose +and the beasts awoke. There were also times when Nares, who was not a +nervous man, felt a curious instinctive shrinking from the blackness +of the bush. It was too suggestive. One wondered what it hid, for that +is a land where the Powers of Darkness are apparently omnipotent. It +is filled with rapine and murder, and pestilence stalks through it +unchecked. + +At last a faint sighing refrain stole out of the silence, sank into +it, and rose again, and Nares glanced at his companion, for he +recognized that a band of carriers were marching towards the mission +and singing to keep their courage up. + +"I think you're right. They're coast boys," Father Tiebout said. + +It was some ten minutes later when there was a patter of naked feet in +the compound, and a clamor from the huts. Then a white man walked +somewhat wearily up the veranda stairway into the feeble stream of +light. It was characteristic that Nares was the first to shake hands +with him, while Father Tiebout waited with a little quiet smile. +Ormsgill turned towards the latter. + +"Have you a hut I can put the boys in? That's all they want," he said. +"They're fed. We stopped to light our fires at sunset." + +The greeting was not an effusive one in view of the difficulties and +privations of the journey, but neither of Ormsgill's companions had +expected anything of that kind from him. It was also noticeable that +there was none of the confusion and bustle that usually follows the +arrival of a band of carriers. This was a man who went about all he +did quietly, and was willing to save his host inconvenience. The +priest went with him to a hut, and the boys were disposed of in five +minutes, and when they came back Ormsgill dropped into a chair. + +"Well," he said, "I'm here. Caught the first boat after I got your +letter. I think it was your letter, padre, though Nares signed it." + +"At least," said Father Tiebout, "we both foresaw the result of it. +But you have had a long march. Is there anything I can offer you?" + +"A little cup of your black coffee," said Ormsgill. + +Nares laughed softly. "He's a priest, as well as a Belgian. I believe +they teach them self-restraint," he added. "Still, when I saw you +walking up that stairway I felt I could have forgiven him if he had +flung his arms about your neck." + +"You see I had expected him," and Father Tiebout set about lighting a +spirit lamp. + +"With a little contrivance one can burn rum in it," he added. "There +are times when I wish it was a furnace." + +Ormsgill smiled and shook his head. "You and other well meaning +persons occasionally go the wrong way to work, padre," he said. "Would +you pile up the Hamburg gin merchants' profits, or encourage the folks +here to build new sugar factories? You can't stop the trade in +question while the soil is fruitful and the African is what he is." + +"What the white man has made him," said Father Tiebout. + +"I believe the nigger knew how to produce tolerably heady liquors and +indulged in them before the white man brought his first gin case in," +said Ormsgill reflectively. "In any case, Lamartine was a trader, +which is, after all, a slightly less disastrous profession to the +niggers here than a government officer, and I did what I could for +him. From your point of view I've no doubt I acquired a certain +responsibility. Could you do anything useful with Ģ200 or Ģ300 +sterling, padre?" + +"Ah," said the little priest, "one cannot buy absolution." + +Nares smiled. It was seldom he let slip an opportunity of inveigling +Father Tiebout into a good-humored discussion on a point of this kind. +"I fancied it was only we others who held that view," he said. Then he +turned to Ormsgill. "He is forgetting, or, perhaps, breaking loose +from his traditions. After all, one does break away in Africa. It is +possible it was intended that one should do so." + +"Still," persisted Ormsgill, "with Ģ300 sterling one could, no doubt, +do something." + +Father Tiebout, who ignored Nares' observations, tinkered with his +lamp before he turned to Ormsgill with a little light in his eyes. +"Taking the value of a man's body at just what it is just now one +could, perhaps, win twenty human souls. Of these three or four could +be sent back into the darkness when we were sure of them. Ah," and +there was a little thrill in his voice, "if one had only two or three +to continue the sowing with." + +"In this land," said Ormsgill, "the reaper is Death. Their comrades +would certainly sell them to somebody or spear them in the bush. The +priests of the Powers of Darkness would see they did it." + +"Where that seed is once sown there must be a propagation. One can +burn the plant with fire or cut it down, but it springs from the root +again, or a grain or two with the germ of life indestructible in it +remains. Flung far by scorching winds or swept by bitter floods, one +of those grains finds a resting place where the soil is fertile. Here +a little and there a little, that crop is always spreading." + +Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You could do something with the sum alluded +to?" + +Nares shook his head, and there was a shadow of pain in his lean face. +"I am not fixed as Father Tiebout is," he said. "His faith is the +official one. They dare not steal his followers from him. Besides, I +have never bought the body of a man. Sometimes I heal them, and if +they are grateful they are driven away from me." He broke off for a +moment with a curious little laugh. "I am an empty voice in the +darkness that very few dare listen to. Still, I will take a case of +London packed drugs from you." + +The Belgian spread his thin hands out. "Four villages snatched from +the pestilence! It was his care that saved them. How many men's bodies +he has healed he can not tell you, but I think that a careful count is +kept of all of them." + +"Well," said Ormsgill quietly, "there is Ģ600 to your joint credit in +Lisbon. You should get the bank advices when the next mail comes in. +You can apportion it between you." + +Nares stood up with a flush in his worn face, and spoke awkwardly, but +Father Tiebout sat very still. A little glow crept into his eyes, and +he said a few words in the Latin tongue. Then Ormsgill thrust his +chair back noisily and moved towards the lamp. + +"I almost think that coffee should be ready," he said. + +Father Tiebout served it out, and when the cups were laid aside Nares +looked at Ormsgill with a little smile. + +"You have not been long away, but one could fancy you were glad to get +back again," he said. + +Ormsgill's face hardened. "In some respects I am. The folks I belonged +to were not the same. My views seemed to pain them. It cost them an +effort to bear with me. Still, that was perhaps no more than natural. +One loses touch with the things he has been used to in this country." + +"Sometimes," said Father Tiebout, "one grows out of it, and that is a +little different. Our friend yonder once went home, too, but now I +think he will stay here altogether, as I shall do, unless I am sent +elsewhere." + +Nares smiled. "The padre is right, as usual. I went home--and the +folks I had longed for 'most broke my heart between them. It seemed +that I was a failure, and that hurt me. They wanted results, the tale +of souls, and I hadn't one that I was sure of to offer as a trophy. +One, they said, could heal men's bodies in America. As you say, one +falls out of line in Africa." + +There was a wistfulness which he could not quite repress in his voice, +and Ormsgill nodded sympathetically. + +"Oh," he said, "I know. It hurts hard for awhile. We are most of us +the cast-offs and the mutineers here. Still, in one respect, I +sometimes think Father Tiebout's people are wiser. They don't ask for +results." + +The little priest once more spread his hands out. "The results," he +said, "will appear some day, but that is not our concern. It is +sufficient that a man should do the work that is set out for him. And +now we will be practical. Have you any news of Herrero?" + +"He is a hundred miles north of us in Ugalla's country, and I am going +on there. You will have to find me a few more carriers. It was Miss +Figuera told me." + +"Perhaps one can expect a little now Dom Clemente is in authority. He +is honest as men go in Africa, and at least he is a soldier. Well, you +shall have the carriers in a week or so." + +Ormsgill laughed. "I want them to-morrow. There is a good deal to do. +I have the boys Domingo stole to trace when I have bought the woman +back from Herrero." + +"Bought!" said Father Tiebout with a twinkle in his eyes. "If Herrero +is not willing to sell?" + +"Then," said Ormsgill dryly, "I shall have considerable pleasure in +making him." + +He stretched himself wearily with a little yawn. "And now we will talk +about other matters." + +It was an hour later when he retired to rest and, hot as it was, sank +into sound sleep within ten minutes, but although he rose early and +roused the little priest to somewhat unusual activity, several days +had passed before his new carriers were collected and ready to march. +They were sturdy, half-naked pagans, and appeared astonished when he +gave them instructions in a few words of the bush tongue and bore with +their slow comprehension instead of applying the stick to their dusky +skin, which was what they had somewhat naturally expected from a white +man. + +He shook hands with Nares and Father Tiebout in the sloppy compound +early one morning when the mists were streaming from the dripping +forest, and looked at the little priest with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"I haven't asked you how you got those boys," he said. "Still, it must +have cost you something to secure the good will of whoever had the +privilege of supplying them." + +He turned to Nares as if to invite his opinion, which was +unhesitatingly offered him. The latter, at least, would make no +compromise. + +"It certainly did," he said. "I am glad you did not ask me to hire you +the boys. The system under which he obtained them is an iniquity." + +Father Tiebout smiled. "The object, I think, was a pious one. One has +to use the means available." + +"Anyway," said Ormsgill, "the responsibility and the cost is mine." + +The priest shook his head. "At least, you can take this gift from me," +he said. "It is not much, but one does with pleasure what he can." + +It was offered in such a fashion that Ormsgill could only make his +grateful acknowledgments, though he had grounds for surmising that the +gift would cost the giver months of stringent self-denial, and there +was already very little sign of luxury at the Mission. Then he called +to his carriers, who swung out of the compound with their burdens in +single file, slipping and splashing in the mire. The two men he had +left behind stood watching them until the last strip of fluttering +cotton had vanished into the misty forest when Father Tiebout looked +at his companion with a little smile. + +"One could consider the venture our friend has undertaken a folly, but +still I think he will succeed," he said. "One could almost fancy that +the Powers above us hold the men who attempt such follies in their +special keeping." + +Nares, as it happened, had been almost uncomfortably stirred during +the last ten minutes, but he was Puritan to the backbone, and usually +endeavored, at least, to prevent what he felt carrying him away. He +was also as a rule ready to join issue with the little priest on any +point that afforded him an opportunity. + +"There is a difficulty," he said. "I'm not sure he would admit the +existence of all the Powers you believe in. There are so many of them. +One would fancy that faith was necessary." + +Father Tiebout smiled at him again. "Ah," he said, "they who know +everything have doubtless a wide charity." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE BONDSWOMAN + + +A small fire burned on the edge of the ravine, flinging out pale red +flashes and an intolerable smoke, for the wood was green and wet. It +had been raining heavily, and the whole forest that rolled down the +slopes of the plateau was filled with a thick white steam. Filmy wisps +of it drifted out of the darkness which hid the towering trunks, and +streamed by the girl who crouched beside the fire cooking her white +lord's evening meal. She was comely, though her face and uncovered +arms were of a warm brown. A wide strip of white cotton fell from one +shoulder, and half revealed the slenderness of her shapely form. It +also covered certain significant discolored bruises on the soft brown +skin. The look in her eyes just then, perhaps, accounted for them, for +it vaguely suggested intelligence, and a protest against her fate, in +place of the hopeless apathy which, after all, saves the native of +that country a great deal of trouble. He has been taught drastically +that any objection he might reasonably make would certainly be futile +and very apt to produce unwished-for results. + +A wall of dripping forest rose above the fire, but behind the girl the +ground sloped sharply to the brink of a swollen river which rose in +the plateaux of the interior, and a little, tattered tent was pitched +on the edge of the declivity. In front of it two somewhat ragged white +men lay listlessly upon a strip of waterproof ground sheeting. They +were worn with travel and a long day's labor, for they had been +engaged since sunrise in raft building and ferrying their equipment +and trade goods across the river, and, as it happened, had lost most +of their provisions in the process. They were of widely different +birth and character, and cordially disliked each other, though they +had both first seen the light in Africa and community of interest held +them together. + +Gavin was tall and lean and hard, with an expressionless bronzed face, +the son of an English ostrich farmer who had married a Boer woman. He +had come into that country on foot with one other survivor of the +party he had started with after a difference of opinion with the Boer +administration. The others had died with their oxen during their two +years' wandering in the wilderness. His companion Herrero passed for a +Portuguese, though his hair would curl and his lips were a trifle +thick. He was spare in form, and his face was of a muddy yellow with +the stamp of sensuality and cruelty in it. He had also been drinking +freely, though that is not as a rule a Latin vice, and was still very +wet from his labors in the river. He had lower legs like broomsticks, +and his torn, drenched trousers clung tightly about his protuberant +knees. + +"One could fancy that we have been bewitched," he said. "Trouble has +followed us all the journey. There was a native woman who looked at +us as we left San Roque, and she made a sign." + +Gavin laughed contemptuously. "The loads," he said, "were too heavy. +It is not economical to overdrive these cattle. One must remember the +trek-ox's back." + +Herrero blinked at the forest with something that suggested +apprehension in his eyes, and it was not difficult to fancy that it +and all it held was hostile to the white man. It seemed to crowd in +upon him menacingly as the fire leapt up, vague, black, and +impenetrable, an abode of unformulated terror and everlasting shadow. + +"I have brought up the same loads with fewer boys before," he said. +"They did not fall lame or die, as some of these have done. It is +known that there is black witchcraft in this bush. There are white men +who have gone into it and did not come out again." + +"They were probably easier with their carriers than is advisable," and +Gavin smiled grimly as he dropped a big hand on a cartridge in his +bandolier. "This is a certain witchcraft cure. Still, you have to make +your mind up. We can not go on, and take all the trade goods, without +provisions." + +His companion raised one shoulder in protest against the trouble fate +had heaped upon them, for the trade goods were worth a good deal in +the country that lay before them. + +"It takes almost as much to keep a man in strength whether he marches +light or loaded," he said. "It would ruin me if we left any more +behind. Boys are scarce just now. One could, perhaps, get provisions +in another week's march." + +"The boys can not make it," and it was evident that Gavin was +languidly contemptuous of his comrade's indecision. "You must leave a +few here or you will lose half of them on the way." + +He, at least, could face a crisis resolutely, but it was clear that +he, too, regarded the carriers as chattels that had a commercial value +only, for he was quite aware that, since that was one of the sterile +belts, those who were left behind would in all probability die. The +men whose fate they were discussing lay among the wet undergrowth +apart from them, and Herrero, who appeared to be glancing towards +them, raised himself a trifle suddenly. + +"Something moves. There in the bush," he said. + +"One of the boys," said Gavin, who saw nothing, though his eyes were +keen. "Lie down. You have been taking more cognac than is wise +lately." + +Herrero shrugged his shoulders. "There is always something in the +bush. It comes and goes when the boys are asleep," he said. "It is not +pleasant that one should see it." + +Gavin scarcely smiled. He was growing a trifle impatient with his +comrade, who could not recognize when it was necessary to make a +sacrifice, and he was ready for his meal. By and by Herrero called to +the girl, who filled a calabash from the iron cooking pot hung above +the fire, and laid it down in front of him with two basins. The trader +lifted a portion of the savory preparation in a wooden spoon and +smelled it. + +"The pepper is insufficient. How often must one tell you that?" he +said, and rising laid a yellow hand upon her arm. + +The girl shrank back from him, but he followed her, still holding her +arm, and nipped it deeply between the nails of his thumb and +forefinger. He did it slowly, and with a certain relish, while his +face contracted into a malicious grin. For a moment a fierce light +leapt into the girl's eyes, but the torturing grip grew sharper, and +it faded again. The man dropped his hand when at last she broke into a +little cry, and stooping for the calabash she went back towards the +fire. Gavin, who had looked on with an expressionless face, turned to +his comrade. + +"If you do that too often I think you will be sorry, my friend," he +said. "She will cut your throat for you some day." + +"No," said Herrero, "it is not a thing that is likely to happen if one +uses the stick sufficiently." + +His companion smiled in a curious fashion, but said nothing. His +mother's people had long ruled the native with a heavy hand, and he +had no hesitation in admitting that leniency is seldom advisable. +Still, he recognized that in spite of his apathetic patience one may +now and then drive the negro over hard, so that when life becomes +intolerable he somewhat logically grows reckless and turns upon his +oppressors in his desperation, which was a thing that Herrero +apparently did not understand. + +In the meanwhile the girl crouched silently by the fire, stirring the +blistering peppers into the cooking pot, a huddled figure robed in +white with meekly bent head and the marks of the white man's brutality +upon her dusky body. Every line of the limp figure was suggestive of +hopelessness. She might have posed for a statue of Africa in bondage. +Still, as it happened, she and the boys who lay apart among the +dripping undergrowth glanced now and then towards the forest with +apathetic curiosity. Gavin's ears were good, but, after all, he had +not depended upon his hearing for life and liberty, as the others had +often done, and their keenness of perception was not in him. They knew +that strangers were approaching stealthily through the bush. Indeed, +they knew that one had flitted about the camp for some little while, +but they said nothing. It was the white man's business, and nothing +that was likely to result from it could matter much to them. + +The fire blazed up a little, but, save for its snapping and the roar +of the swollen river, there was silence in the camp, until Gavin rose +to one knee with a little exclamation. He had heard nothing, but at +last his trained senses had given him a sub-conscious warning that +there was something approaching. Just then the girl stirred the fire, +and the uncertain radiance flickered upon the towering trunks. It +drove an elusive track of brightness back into the shadow, and Herrero +scrambled to his feet as a man strode into the light. + +He stopped and stood near the fire, dressed in thorn-rent duck, with +the wet dripping from him and a little grim smile in his face, and it +was significant that although he had nothing in his hands Gavin +reached out for the heavy rifle that lay near his side. Strangers +are usually received with caution in that part of Africa, and he +recognized the man. As it happened, the girl by the fire recognized +him, too, and ran forward with a little cry. After all, he had been +kind to her while she lived with Lamartine, and it may have been that +some vague hope of deliverance sprang up in her mind, for she stopped +again and crouched in mute appeal close at his side. Ormsgill laid a +hand reassuringly upon her brown shoulder. + +[Illustration: "Ormsgill laid a hand reassuringly upon her brown +shoulder."--See page 103.] + +He had not spoken a word yet, and there was silence for a moment or +two while the firelight flared up. It showed Gavin watching him +motionless with the rifle that glinted now and then on his knee, +Herrero standing with closed hands and an unpleasant scowl on his +yellow face, and the boys clustering waist-deep in the underbrush. +Then the trader spoke. + +"What do you want?" he said. + +"This woman," said Ormsgill simply. "I am willing to buy her from +you." + +Herrero laughed maliciously. "She is not for sale. You should not have +let her slip through your fingers. It is possible you could have made +terms with Lamartine." + +Ormsgill disregarded the gibe. Indeed, it was one he had expected. + +"That," he said, "is not quite the point. Besides, one could hardly +fancy that you are quite correct. Everything is for sale in this part +of Africa. It is only a question of the figure. You have not heard my +offer." + +"In this case it would not be a great temptation," and Herrero's grin +was plainer. "The girl is now and then mutinous, and that lends the +affair a certain piquancy. When she has been taught submission I shall +probably grow tired of her and will give her to you. Until then the +breaking of her in will afford me pleasure. In fact, as I have never +been defied by a native yet I feel that to fail in this case would be +a stain on my self-respect." + +"I almost think my offer would cover that," said Ormsgill dryly. "It +seems to me your self-respect has been sold once or twice before." + +Herrero disregarded him, though his face grew a trifle flushed. +"Anita," he said, "come here." + +The girl rose when Ormsgill let his hand drop from her shoulder, and +gazed at him appealingly. Then as he made no sign she turned away with +a little hopeless gesture, moved forward a few paces, and stopped +again when the trader reached out for a withe that lay on the ground +sheet not far from where he stood. + +"It would," he said with a vindictive smile, "have saved her trouble +if you had stayed away." + +"Stop," said Ormsgill sharply, and striding forward stood looking at +him. "You have shown how far you would go, which was in one way most +unwise of you since you have made it a duty to take the girl from you. +What is more to the purpose, it will certainly be done. There are two +ways of obtaining anything in this country. One is to buy it, and the +other to fight for it. I am willing to use either." + +Herrero who saw the glint in his eyes, backed away from him, and +flashed a warning glance at Gavin, who turned to Ormsgill quietly. + +"I am," he said in English, "willing to stand by, and see fair play, +since it does not seem to be altogether a question of business. Still, +if it seems likely that you will deprive me of my comrade's services I +shall probably feel compelled to take a hand in. He has a few good +points though they're not particularly evident, and I can't altogether +afford to lose him." + +Herrero, who glanced round the camp, waved his hand towards the boys. +"I will call them to beat you back into the bush." + +Ormsgill raised his voice, and there was a sharp crackling of +undergrowth, while here and there a dusky figure materialized out of +the shadow. + +"As you see, they have guns," he said. + +Gavin smiled and tapped his rifle. "Still, they can't shoot as I can. +Hadn't you better send them away again, and if you have any offer to +make Mr. Herrero get on with it? One naturally expected something of +this kind." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture with his hand, and the men sank into +the gloom again. + +"Well," he said, "for the last week I have been trailing you, and as I +did not know how long I might be coming up with you, I have plenty of +provisions. Yours, it is evident from one or two things I noticed, are +running out, and you can't get through the sterile belt without a +supply. It was rather a pity the San Roque people burned the village +where you expected to get some. I'm open to hand you over all the +loads I can spare in return for the girl Anita." + +"How many loads?" + +Ormsgill told him, and Gavin nodded, "It is a reasonable offer," he +said. "I will engage that our friend makes terms with you. Bring in +the provisions, and you shall have the girl." + +Herrero protested savagely until his companion dryly pointed that +since his objections had no weight he was wasting his breath. Then +Ormsgill turned away into the bush, and came back with a line of +half-naked carrier boys who laid down the loads they carried before +the tent. After that he touched the girl's shoulder, and pointed to +the hammock two of the boys lowered. + +"You are going back to your own village," he said. + +The girl gazed at him a moment in evident astonishment, and then waved +her little brown hands. + +"I have none," she said. "It was burned several moons ago." + +It was evident that this was something Ormsgill had not expected, and +was troubled at, and Gavin, who watched him, smiled. + +"If she belongs to the Lutanga people, as one would fancy from her +looks, what she says is very likely correct," he said. "One of the +plateau tribes came down not long ago and wiped several villages out. +Domingo told me, and from what he said the tribe in question is +certainly not one I'd care about handing over a woman to. She would +probably have to put up with a good deal of unpleasantness if she +went back there. Besides, it seems to me that what you had in view +would scarcely be flattering to the lady. It isn't altogether what she +would expect from her rescuer." + +Ormsgill had already an unpleasant suspicion of the latter fact, for +woman's favor is not sought but purchased or commanded in most parts +of Africa. Still, he once more pointed to the hammock, and walked +behind it without a word when the bearers hove the pole to their wooly +crowns. + +Then as they flitted into the shadowy bush Gavin turned to Herrero +with a little laugh. "There are a few men like him, men with views +that bring them trouble," he said. "My father was one. He threw away a +big farm on account of them. He would not make obeisance to his new +masters when his nation turned its back on him. That, however, is a +thing one could scarcely expect you to understand." + +Then he called one of the boys and sent him to the fire. "And now we +will have supper. After all, I'm not very sorry you lost that girl, my +friend." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ANITA BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY + + +It was two weeks later when Ormsgill reached the Mission with his +boys, footsore, ragged, and worn with travel. He had avoided Anita's +hammock as far as possible on the way, and it was with a certain +relief he saw her safely installed in one of the dusky adherents' +huts. Then he arrayed himself in whole, clean clothes, and when he had +eaten sat on the shadowy veranda talking with his host, a somewhat +ludicrous figure since Father Tiebout's garments were several sizes +too small for him. It was then the hottest part of the afternoon. The +perspiration trickled down their faces, and the little priest blinked +when he met the blazing sunlight with dazzled eyes. + +They spoke in disjointed sentences, sometimes mixing words of three +languages, but it was significant that although neither expressed +himself with clearness his companion seldom failed in comprehension, +for priest and rash adventurer were in curious sympathy. Both of them +had borne heat, and fever, and bodily pain, and proved their courage +in a land where the white man often sinks into limp dejection. Each +had also in his own way done what he could for the oppressed, and had, +perhaps, accomplished a little here and there. It was, however, +inevitable that their conversation should turn upon the girl Anita. + +"I had not heard of the raid up yonder," said the priest. "I am not +sure that I am sorry. After all, one hears enough. Still, it no doubt +took place. Herrero's companion would have no motive for deceiving +you. The question is what is to be done with the woman. To be frank, +she cannot stay here." + +"Why?" and Ormsgill's face grew a trifle grave, for Anita was rapidly +becoming a cause of anxiety to him. + +His companion made a little gesture. "She would prove an apple of +discord; she is too pretty. One must not expect too much of human +nature, and one wife alone is permitted. There is not now a boy she +could marry. In the second place, Herrero would probably attempt to +seize her here." + +It occurred to Ormsgill that Anita might not be anxious or even +willing to marry anybody. In fact, he felt it would be an almost +astonishing thing if she was. Still, he realized with a vague +uneasiness that it is, after all, very often difficult to foresee the +course a woman would adopt. + +"Then," he said, "I don't know what can be done with her." + +"You are not one who would leave a task half finished?" + +"At least, I cannot turn this woman adrift." + +Father Tiebout wrinkled his brows. "There is, I think, only one place +where she would be safe, and that is on the coast. There are also +friends of mine who could be trusted to take good care of her in the +city, and she could be sent down from the San Thome Mission. It is, +however, a long journey." + +"If it is necessary," said Ormsgill, "I must make it." + +His companion's little gesture seemed to indicate that he believed it +was, and Ormsgill dismissed the subject with a smile. + +"In that case I will start again to-morrow," he said. + +He set out in the early morning, taking two letters from Father +Tiebout, one for the man who directed the San Thome Mission, and one +to be sent on from there to certain friends of his host's on the +coast, and it was two days later when he lay a little apart from his +carriers in a glade in the bush. Blazing sunshine beat down into it. +There was an overpowering heat, and a deep stillness pervaded the +encircling forest, for the beasts had slunk into their darkest lairs +in the burning afternoon. The snapping of the fire made it the more +perceptible, and Ormsgill could see the blue smoke curl up above a +belt of grass behind which the boys were cooking a meal. Anita, who +was with them, would, he knew, bring him his portion, and in the +meanwhile he felt it was advisable to keep away from her. She had +talked very little with him during the last two days, but that was his +fault, and he fancied that she failed to understand his reticence. In +fact, the signs of favor she had once or twice shown him had rendered +him a little uncomfortable. + +For all that, his face relaxed into a little dry smile as he wondered +what the very formal Mrs. Ratcliffe would think of that journey. He +remembered that he had always been more or less of a trial to his +conventional friends even before he had been dismissed from his +country's service for an offense he had not committed, but he was one +of the men who do not greatly trouble themselves about being +misunderstood. It is a misfortune which those who undertake anything +worth doing have usually to bear with. + +He was, however, a little drowsy, for they had started at sunrise and +marched a long way since then. There was only one hammock, which +somewhat to the carriers' astonishment Anita had occupied, for this +was distinctly at variance with the customs of a country in which +nobody concerns himself about the comfort of a native woman. It would +also be an hour before the boys went on again, and he stretched +himself out among the grass wearily, but, for all that, with a little +sigh of content. He had found the restraints of civilization galling, +and the untrammeled life of the wilderness appealed to him. The need +of constant vigilance, and the recognition of the hazards he had +exposed himself to, had a bracing effect. It roused the combativeness +that was in his nature, and left him intent, strung up, and resolute. +The task he had saddled himself with had become more engrossing since +it promised to be difficult. + +He did not think he slept, for he was conscious of the pungent smell +of the wood smoke all the time, but at last he roused himself to +attention suddenly, and looked about him with dazzled eyes. He could +see the faint blue vapor hanging about the trunks, and hear the boys' +low voices, but except for that the bush was very still. Yet he was +certainly leaning on one elbow with every sense strung up, and he knew +that there must be some cause for it. What had roused him he could not +tell, but he had, perhaps, lived long enough in that land to acquire a +little of the bushman's unreasoning recognition of an approaching +peril. There was, he knew, something that menaced him not far away. + +For a moment or two his heart beat faster than usual, and the +perspiration trickled down his set face, and then laying a restraint +upon himself he rose a trifle higher, and swept his eyes steadily +round the glade. There was one spot where it seemed to him that the +outer leaves of a screen of creepers moved. He did not waste a moment +in watching them, but letting his arm fall under him rolled over +amidst the grass which covered him, for it was evidently advisable to +take precautions promptly. Just as the crackling stems closed about +him there was a pale flash and a detonation, and a puff of smoke +floated out from the creepers. + +Ormsgill was on his feet in another moment, and running his hardest +plunged into them, but when he had smashed through the tangled, thorny +stems there was nobody there, and except for the clamor of the boys +the bush was very still. Still, this was very much what he had +expected, and looking round he saw the print of naked toes and a knee +in the damp soil before his eyes rested on the brass shell of a spent +cartridge. He picked it up and turned it over in his hand, +recognizing it as one made for a heavy, single-shot rifle of old +fashioned type, which had its significance for him. He fancied his +would-be assassin had been lent the rifle by a white man who in all +probability knew what he meant to do with it. Then he glanced at the +cartridge again, and noticed a slight outward bending of its rim. +There was a portentous little glint in his eyes as he slipped it into +his pocket. + +"Some day I may come across the man who owns that rifle," he said. + +He stood still for another few moments, grim in face, with his jacket +rent, and a little trickle of blood running from one hand which a +thorn had gashed. Every nerve in him tingled with fierce anger, but he +knew that the man who runs counter to established customs has usually +more than misconception to face in Africa, especially if he +sympathizes with the oppressed, and he was one who could wait. Then +the boys came floundering through the undergrowth, one or two with +heavy matchets, and one or two with long flintlock guns, but Ormsgill, +who recognized that pursuit would certainly prove futile even if they +were willing to undertake it, drove them back to the fire again. + +"We will start when I have eaten," was all he said. + +Anita brought him his meal, and stood watching him curiously while he +ate, but Ormsgill said nothing, and in half an hour they went on again +and spent the rest of that day and a number of others floundering +amidst and hacking a way through tangled creepers in the dim shadow of +the bush. It was a relief to all of them when at last the thatched +roofs of San Thome Mission rose out of a little opening into which the +dazzling sunlight shone. Ormsgill was received by an emaciated priest +with a dead white face and the intolerant eyes of a fanatic, who +supplied him and the boys with a very frugal meal and took Anita away +from him. Then he read Father Tiebout's letters, and after he had done +so sat with Ormsgill on the veranda. + +"Father Tiebout vouches for you--and your purpose," he said, watching +his companion with doubt in his eyes. + +"If he had not done so I should probably not have been welcome?" said +Ormsgill, smiling. + +The priest made a little gesture which seemed to imply that he did not +intend to discuss that point. "The girl would be safe with the people +he mentions. They are good Catholics." + +"I am not sure that is quite sufficient in itself," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "Still, Father Tiebout would scarcely have suggested +sending her to them unless he had felt reasonably certain that they +would show her kindness." + +His companion's face hardened. "They are people of blameless lives. +There are, perhaps, two or three such in that city. You could count +upon the woman receiving kindness from them, but one would have you +quite clear about the fact that my recommendation is necessary. It is, +of course, in my power to withhold it, and if it is given you will +undertake not to claim the woman again?" + +Ormsgill looked at him with a little smile. "I have no wish to claim +her, though I have only that assurance to offer you, and I must tell +you that I am going to the coast. There are, however, one or two +conditions. She must be treated well, and paid for her services." + +"That would be arranged. It is convenient that she should understand +what would be required of her. I will send for her." + +Ormsgill made a sign of concurrence, and in another five minutes Anita +stood before them, slight and lithe in form, and very comely, but with +apprehension and anxiety in her brown face. The priest spoke to her +concisely in a coldly even voice, and it was evident that the course +he mentioned was one she had no wish to take. Then he turned from her +to Ormsgill as she stretched out her hands with a little gesture of +appeal towards the latter. + +"It is your will that I should go away and live with these people?" +she said. + +Ormsgill knew that the priest was watching him, and that there was +only one answer, but he shrank from uttering it. The girl's eyes were +beseeching, and she looked curiously forlorn. She was a castaway +without kindred or country, one who had lived the untrammeled life of +the bush, and he feared that she would find the restraints of the city +intolerably galling. + +"It is," he said gravely. + +The girl stood very still a moment or two looking at him, and Ormsgill +felt the blood creep into his face. He was, in all probability, the +only man who had ever shown her kindness, and he recognized that she +too had misunderstood his motives and regarded him as rather more than +her rescuer. Then as he made no sign she flung out her hands again, +hopelessly this time, and slowly straightened herself. + +"I go," she said simply and turned away from them. + +Ormsgill watched her cross the compound, a forlorn object, with the +white cotton robe that flowed about her gleaming in the dazzling +sunlight, and then turn for a moment in the shadowy entrance of a +palm-thatched hut. He was stirred with a vague compassion, but putting +a firm restraint upon himself he sat still, and the girl turning +suddenly once more vanished into the dark gap. It also happened that +he never met her again. + +"One's powers are limited, Father. After all, there is not much one +can do for another," he said. + +The priest looked hard at him, and then made a little grave gesture. +"It is something if one can ease for a moment another's burden. I +have, it seems, to ask your pardon for a misconception that was, +perhaps, not altogether an unnatural one, Seņor." + +Ormsgill saw little more of him during the day, and started for the +coast early next morning. He had only accomplished half his purpose, +and that in some respects the easier half, but it was necessary for +him to procure further supplies and communicate with Desmond. Before +he started, however, he sent home most of the boys Father Tiebout had +obtained for him, keeping only two or three of them, for these and +the others he had brought up with him could, he fancied, be relied +upon. They were thick-lipped, wooly-haired heathen, stupid in all +matters beyond their acquaintance, but after the first few weeks they +had, at least, done his bidding unquestioningly. + +This quiet white man with the lined face had never used the stick on +one of them, and did not, so far as they were aware, even carry a +pistol. When they slept at a bush village or obtained provisions there +he made the headman a due return before he went away, which was not +the invariable custom of other white men they had traveled with. In +fact, they looked upon him as somewhat of an anachronism in that +country, but since the one attempt a few of them had made to disregard +his authority had signally failed they obeyed him, and little by +little became sensible of a curious confidence in him. What he said he +did, and, what was rather more to the purpose, when he told them that +a certain course was expected from them they usually adopted it, even +when it was far from coinciding with their wishes. + +There are a few men of Ormsgill's kind and one or two women who have +made adventurous journeys in the shadowy land unarmed, and carried +away with them the dusky tribesmen's good will, while others have +found it necessary to march with a band of hired swashbucklers and +mark their trail with burnt villages and cartridge shells. As usual, a +good deal depended upon how they set about it. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ORMSGILL ASKS A FAVOR + + +A silver lamp burned on the little table where two diminutive cups of +bitter coffee were set out, but its indifferent light was scarcely +needed in the open-fronted upper room of Dom Clemente's house. A full +moon hung above the Atlantic, and the clear radiance that rested on +the glittering harbor streamed in between the fretted arches and +slender pillars. Throughout tropical Africa all there is of grace and +beauty in man's handiwork bears the stamp of the unchanging East, and +one finds something faintly suggestive of the art of olden days where +the eye rests with pleasure on any of its sweltering towns, which is, +however, not often the case. It is incontrovertible that most of the +towns are characterized by native squalor and that some of them are +unpleasantly filthy, but, after all, filth and squalor are usual in +the East, and serve by contrast to enhance the elusive beauty of its +cities. + +It was almost cool that evening, and Ormsgill, looking down between +the slim pillars across the white walls and flat roofs, though some +were ridged and tiled, towards the blaze of moonlight on the harbor, +was well content to be where he was after his journey through the +steamy bush and across the sun-scorched littoral. He had arrived that +afternoon, and had spent the last hour with Benicia Figuera, who had +shown herself gracious to him. She lay not far away from him in a big +Madeira chair, loosely draped in diaphanous white attire which +enhanced the violet depths of her eyes and the duskiness of her hair, +and her face showed in the moonlight the clear pallor of ivory. +Ormsgill fancied that her attendant the Seņora Castro sat in the room +behind them from which a soft light streamed out through quaintly +patterned wooden lattices, though he had seen nothing of the latter +lady since the comida had been cleared away. + +He had said very little about his journey, though he intended to tell +Dom Clemente rather more, but he presently became conscious that +Benicia was regarding him with a little smile. He also noticed, and +was somewhat annoyed with himself for thinking of it, that she had +lips like the crimson pulp of the pomegranate, the grandadilla which +figures in the imagery of the Iberian Peninsula as well as in that of +parts of Africa, where it is seldom grown. Ormsgill was quite aware of +this, and it had its associations of Eastern mysticism and sensuality, +for he was a man of education and the outcasts he had lived with had +not all been of low degree. Among them there had been a certain +green-turbaned Moslem who had taught him things unknown to his kind at +home. He felt that it was advisable to put a restraint upon himself. + +"You are not sorry you have come back to us?" said Benicia. + +Ormsgill was by no means sorry, and permitted himself to admit as +much. He had accomplished part, at least, of his purpose +successfully, and that in itself had a tranquilizing effect on him, +while after the weary marches through tall grass and tangled bush +under scorching heat it was distinctly pleasant to sit there cleanly +clad, in the cool air with such a companion. Benicia, it almost +seemed, guessed his thoughts, for she laughed softly. + +"It is comforting to feel that one has done what he has undertaken," +she said. "Still, you were, at least, not alone by those campfires in +the bush." + +Ormsgill flushed a little, though he contrived not to start. He had +naturally not considered it necessary to tell Miss Figuera anything +about Anita. + +"No," he said simply. "I don't know how you could have heard about it, +but I was not alone." + +It was characteristic of him that he offered no explanation, and was +content to leave what he had done open to misconception. In fact, he +had a vague but unpleasant feeling that the latter course might be the +wiser one. Benicia turned her dark eyes full upon him, and there was a +faint sparkle in the depths of them. + +"My friend, I hear of almost everything," she said. "As it happens, I +know what you went up into the bush for." + +"Well," said Ormsgill reflectively, "perhaps, I should not be +surprised at that. It was only natural that I should be watched." + +He met her gaze without wavering, and, though he was not aware of +this, his eyes had a question in them. It was one he could not have +asked directly even if he had wished, but remembering that Anita was +to live in that city he took a bold course. + +"I wonder if one could venture to mention that your interest in the +woman I brought down from the bush would go a long way?" he said. "It +is, I think, deserved, and in case of any difficulty would ensure her +being left in quietness here, though, perhaps, the favor is too much +to expect." + +"No," said the girl, "not when you make the request. Frankly, in the +case of others I should have found what I have heard incredible. It +suggests the Knight of La Mancha. Are there many in your country who +would do such things?" + +Ormsgill felt his face grow a trifle hot. After all, Benicia Figuera +was, in that land, at least, a great lady, and he remembered that his +own people had doubted him. He laughed somewhat bitterly. + +"If I remember correctly, the famous cavalier was more or less crazy," +he said. + +The girl turned a trifle in her chair, and he saw a little gleam +kindle in her dark eyes. + +"Ah," she said, "perhaps it is a pity there are so many who are wholly +sensible." + +She sat very close to him, dressed in filmy white which flowed in +sweeping lines about a form of the statuesque modeling that is one of +the characteristics of the women of The Peninsula, but it was +something in her eyes which held Ormsgill's attention. They were Irish +eyes, with the inconsequent daring of the Celt in them, though she had +also the lips of the Iberian, full and red and passionate. The hot +blood of the South was in her, and, though she never forgot wholly +who and what she was, and there was a certain elusive stateliness in +her pose, it was clear to the man that she was one who could on +occasion fling petty prudence to the winds and ride as reckless a tilt +at conventionalities and cramping customs as he had done. Such a woman +he felt would not expect to be safeguarded by a man, but would bear +the stress of the conflict with him, if she loved him, not because his +quarrel might be an honorable one but because it was his. Then she +made him a little grave inclination. + +"I venture to make you my compliments, Seņor Ormsgill," she said. + +The man set his lips for a moment, and she saw it with a little thrill +of triumph. It was borne in upon her that she desired the love of this +quiet Englishman who for a whimsical idea had undertaken such a task. +She also felt that she could take it, for she had seen the woman he +was pledged to, and knew, if he did not, that he would never be +satisfied with her. Then she suddenly remembered her pride, and +quietly straightened herself again. Ormsgill sat still looking at her, +and though the signs of restraint were plain on his lined face, she +saw a curious little glint creep into his eyes. Still, she felt that +he did not know it was there. + +"What shall I say?" he asked. "I don't think there are many people who +would see anything commendable in what I have done. In fact, those who +heard about it would probably consider it a piece of futile rashness, +and it is very likely that they would be right. After all, the +restraints of the city may become intolerable to the girl." + +"Then why did you undertake it?" + +Ormsgill laughed, though there was a faint ring in his voice, for he +saw that she had not asked out of idle curiosity. "I don't exactly +know. For one thing, I had made a promise, but to be candid I think +there were other reasons. You see, I have borne the burden myself. I +have been plundered of my earnings, driven to exhaustion, and have +fought against long odds for my life. It left me with a bitterness +against any custom which makes the grinding of the helpless possible. +One can't help a natural longing to strike back now and then." + +Benicia nodded. It was not surprising that there was a certain vein of +vindictiveness in her, which rendered it easy for her to sympathize +with him, and once more the man noticed that where Ada Ratcliffe would +in all probability have listened with half-disdainful impatience she +showed comprehension. + +"Still," she said, "in a struggle of this kind you have so much +against you. After all, you are only one man." + +"I almost think there are a few more of us even in Africa and, as +Father Tiebout says, it is, perhaps, possible that one man may be +permitted to do--something--here and there." + +He spoke with a grave simplicity which curiously stirred the girl. It +is possible that the sorrows of the oppressed did not in themselves +greatly interest her, for she had certainly never borne the burden, +but the attitude of this quiet man who, it seemed, had taken up their +cause, and was ready to ride a tilt against the powers that be, +appealed to her. She had, at least, courage and imagination, and there +was Irish blood in her. + +"Ah," she said, "the fight is an unequal one, but though there will be +so many against you I think you have also a few good friends--as well +as the Seņor Desmond." + +Ormsgill started. Her knowledge of his affairs was disconcerting, but +he forgot his annoyance at it when she leaned forward a trifle looking +at him. Her mere physical beauty had its effect on him, and the soft +moonlight and her clinging white draperies enhanced and etherealized +it, but it was not that which set his heart beating a trifle faster +and sent a faint thrill through him. It was once more her eyes he +looked at, and what he saw there made it clear that the reckless, +all-daring something that was in her nature was wholly in sympathy +with him. He also understood that she had asked him to count her as +one of his friends. His manner was, however, a little quieter than +usual. + +"It is a matter of gratification to me to feel that I have," he said. +"Still, what do you know about Desmond?" + +Benicia laughed. "Not a great deal, but I can guess rather more. +Still, I do not think you need fear that I will betray you. In the +meantime I venture to believe that this is another of your friends." + +She rose and turned towards the door as her father came in. He shook +hands with Ormsgill, and then taking off his kepi drew forward a +chair. Benicia said nothing further, but went out and left them +together. Dom Clemente lighted a cigarette before he turned to his +guest with a little dry smile. + +"Trade," he said, "is not brisk up yonder?" + +"I do not know if it is or not," said Ormsgill simply. + +"Then, perhaps, you have accomplished the purpose that took you +there?" + +"A part of it. Because I have ventured to ask your daughter's interest +in a native woman I brought down I will tell you what it was." + +He did so, and the olive-faced soldier nodded. "I think you have done +wisely in making me your confidant," he said. "At least, the woman +will be safe here. It is also possible that I shall have a few words +to speak to our friend Herrero some day." Then his tone grew a trifle +sharper. "I have heard that there are rifles in the hands of some of +the bushmen up yonder." + +Ormsgill took a cartridge from his pocket and pointed to the dint in +the rim. "One might consider this as a proof of it. You will notice +the caliber, and I fancy I should recognize the rifle it was fired out +of. In that case the man who carries it will have an account to render +me." + +"Ah," said the little soldier quietly, "it is a confirmation of +several things I have heard of lately. I think I mentioned that the +bush was not a desirable place for you to wander in. Still, you are +probably going back there again?" + +"I believe I am." + +His companion looked at him with a little smile. "It is what one would +expect from you. One may, perhaps, venture to recall the circumstances +under which I first met you. Two soldiers brought you before me--and, +as it happened, I had, fortunately, finished breakfast. You made +certain damaging admissions with a candor which, though it might have +had a different effect a little earlier, saved you a good deal of +unpleasantness. I said here is an unwise man whose word can be +depended on. You know what the people of this city say of me?" + +"That you are a great soldier." + +Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled. "Also that like the rest I am willing to +abuse my office if it will line my pockets. The latter, it seems, is +the purpose which influences me in the unpopular things I do. I make +no protestations, but after all it is possible that I may have another +one. In any case, I have received you into my house, and admitted a +certain indebtedness to you. In return, I ask for your usual +frankness. You have heard of a native rising up yonder?" + +The question was sharp and incisive, and Ormsgill nodded. + +"To be precise," he said, "I heard of two." + +"Then we will have your views about the first one. It is not what one +could call spontaneous?" + +"At least, it is scarcely likely to take place without a little +judicious encouragement. The results, it is expected, would be +repression and reprisal. It seems that a lenient native policy does +not please everybody." + +This time Dom Clemente nodded with the twinkle a trifle plainer in his +eyes. "There are, one may admit, certain trading gentlemen in this +city who do not like it, but I will tell you a secret," he said. +"There are also a few well meaning people of some influence in my +country who can not be brought to believe that commercial interests +should count for everything. They seem to consider one has a certain +responsibility towards the negro. I do not say how far my views +coincide with theirs. That may become apparent some day. But the +second rising?" + +"Will, at least, be genuine, and, I almost fancy, formidable. It is a +little curious that the people who are most interested in the other do +not seem to foresee it. It may break upon them before they are quite +ready with the bogus one." + +Dom Clemente smoked out his cigarette before he answered, and then he +waved one of his hands. + +"Now and then," he said, "things happen that way. Perhaps, the Powers +who direct our little comedy can smile on occasion. At least, we +frequently afford them the opportunity. It is certain that there is no +fool like the over-cunning man. But we will talk of something else. In +the meantime, and while you stay here, you will consider this house of +mine your home, and those in it your friends and servants." + +"Thanks," said Ormsgill. "And when I go away?" + +His host made a little gesture. "Then it will depend upon where you go +and what you do. We may be friends still, or our ideas of what is +expected from us may render that impossible. Perhaps, it is +unfortunate when one has any ideas upon that point at all. Still, that +is a subject one must leave to the priests and those who reckon our +work up afterwards. Being simply a soldier, I do not know." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +DESMOND VENTURES A HINT + + +It was blowing hard, and the deluge which had blotted out the dingy +daylight and beaten flat the white spouting along the hammered beach +had just ceased suddenly when Desmond lay upon a settee at the head of +the _Palestrina_'s companion stairway. Though the long, sandy point to +the north of her afforded a partial shelter, she was rolling savagely +with a half-steam ready and two anchors down. Desmond had wedged +himself fast with his feet against the balustrade, but he found it +somewhat difficult to remain where he was, and the little room was +uncomfortably hot, though one door and the lee ports were open. The +two that looked forward were swept by spray that beat on them like a +shot, and overhead funnel-guy and wire rigging screamed in wild +arpeggios under the impact of the muggy gale. + +The _Palestrina_'s owner was, however, used to that. It rains and +blows somewhat hard on that coast at certain seasons, and he had lain +there several weeks growling at the heat and the weather, for he was +also one of the men who can keep a promise. Just then he had an +unlighted pipe and a letter which he had received from Las Palmas a +month earlier in one hand. It was from an Englishman he had brought +out to Grand Canary, and though its contents did not directly concern +him he had given it a good deal of thought once or twice already. His +forehead grew a trifle furrowed as he opened it again. + +"We have been wondering what Lister came back for, and the general +notion is that you had had enough of him," said his friend. "In any +case, he seems quite content with Las Palmas, and the British colony +are watching his proceedings with quiet interest. After cleaning out +several Spaniards at the casino he has apparently devoted himself to +Miss Ratcliffe's service. It is not evident that he receives a great +deal of encouragement from the lady herself, but her mother is +ostentatiously gracious to him. She may have a purpose in this." + +Desmond crumpled the letter in one hand. "Crosbie always was +a--tattler, but it's more than possible that he's right," he said. +Then he sighed. "And I put Lister on board the mail-boat and sent him +there! If I'd only known what the result would be I'd have drowned +him." + +He lay still for another few moments filling his pipe, and then flung +the tobacco pouch across the room, for a sojourn off those beaches +would probably try the temper of most white men, and the Hibernian +nature now and then came uppermost in him. + +"Damp," he said. "Reeking, dripping, putrid, like everything else on +this forlorn coast! It would be a boon to humanity if somebody bought +the besotted continent and scuttled it." + +He rose to his feet as a man in bedraggled white uniform appeared in +the doorway. + +"You were speaking, sir?" he said. + +"I was," said Desmond. "I suggested that it was a pity somebody +couldn't torpedo this benighted continent. Any word from the men you +sent ashore?" + +"They've signaled from the rise," said the _Palestrina_'s mate. "No +sign of him yet. I don't expect them off until to-morrow. The surf's +running steep." Desmond made a gesture of concurrence as he glanced at +the filmy spray-cloud that drove like smoke up the wet and glistening +beach. It was flung aloft by a wild white welter of crumbling seas, +and he realized that the boat's crew who had gone ashore could not +rejoin the _Palestrina_ before the morning, at least. They went every +day to watch for a lumbering ox team or a band of carriers plodding +seaward across the littoral, and it seemed they had once more signaled +that there was no sign of either. Then he moved towards the door +bareheaded, with only an unbuttoned duck jacket over his thin singlet, +and the mate ventured a deprecatory protest. + +"She's throwing it over her in sheets forward," he said. + +Desmond disregarded him, and staggering clear of the deck-house stood +with feet spread well apart gazing at the stretch of leaden sea while, +as the _Palestrina_'s bows went up, the spray that whirled in over her +weather rail wet him to the skin. He saw the livid tops of the combers +that rolled by the point and heard the jarring cables ring, and then +turned his eyes shorewards and gazed across the waste of misty +littoral. + +"It's a cheerful place, but now and then you feel you might get to +like it," he said. "Perhaps it's the uncertainty as to when the fever +will get you that gives living here a zest. When you come to think of +it, some of us have curious notions." + +He appeared to be considering the point as they edged back under the +lee of the deck-house, and the mate grinned. + +"The men don't take kindly to it, sir," he said. "They've been +worrying me lately as to how long we're stopping here." + +"A week," said Desmond. "Ormsgill's time is running out, and he'll be +here or send us word by then. He said he would, and what that man says +you can count on being done." + +Something in his tone suggested that the question might be considered +as closed, and they discussed other matters while the deck heaved and +slanted under them until a man forward flung up an arm and turned +towards them with a cry which the wind swept away. In another moment +Desmond scrambled half-way up the bridge ladder, and clung there with +the mate close beneath him gazing at the white welter where the seas +swept by the point. There was a sail just outshore of it, a little +strip of gray canvas that appeared and vanished amidst the serried +ranks of tumbling combers. It drew out of them and drove furiously +towards the _Palestrina_, and when a strip of white hull grew into +visibility beneath it Desmond looked down at his mate. + +"A big surf-boat. It's Ormsgill," he said. + +There was certainty in his tone, as well as a little ring of +satisfaction which was, perhaps, warranted, for it is, after all, +something to be the friend of a man who does just what he has promised +and never arrives too late. In the meanwhile the object they were +watching had grown into a bellying lug-sail that reeled to lee and to +weather with the sea streaming from the foot of it, and a patch of +foam-swept hull. The boat came on furiously, and when the mate sprang +from the ladder roaring orders Desmond could see three or four black +figures through the spray that whirled over her. There was also +another man in white garments standing upright in her stern, and +Desmond was wholly sure of his identity. Then she was lost for awhile, +and only swept into sight again abreast of the _Palestrina_'s dipping +bows, hove high with half her length lifted out of the crest of a +breaking sea. + +She drove forward with it, the foam standing half a man's height above +her stern and the foot of the slanted lug-sail washing in the brine, +while a bent white figure struggled with the great steering oar. She +swooped like a toboggan plunging down an icy slide when she was level +with the _Palestrina_'s bridge, and some of the men who watched her +from the latter's rail held their breath as the smoking sea passed on +and another gathered itself together astern of her. The helmsman, they +knew, must bring the dripping, half-swamped boat on the wind to reach +the strip of lee beneath the steamer's stern, and when he did it +there was every prospect of her rolling over. + +In another moment several black objects rose and grappled with the +lug-sail sheet, and the big boat tilted until all one side of her was +in the air. Then she went up in the midst of a white spouting as the +slope of water behind fell upon her. Still, the slanted lug-sail rose +out of it, and then came down thrashing furiously while naked black +figures half-seen in the spray bent from her gunwale with swinging +paddles as she drove towards the _Palestrina_'s quarter. After that +there was a hoarse shouting, and the lines flew from the reeling +taffrail as she slid under the steamer's stern. + +In another minute or two Ormsgill swung himself on board through the +gangway. He had no hat, and the water ran from him, but he shook hands +with Desmond unconcernedly. + +"Ask them to hand that fellow up," he said pointing to a man who sat +huddled in the water that swirled up and down inside the plunging +boat. "We took rather a heavy one over two or three hours ago, and he +brought up on the after thwart when the big oar jumped its crutch. As +he's the only Kroo among them, I took the helm myself after that. I +don't fancy he has broken anything." + +Desmond hustled him into the deck-house when the negro had been +brought on deck and the dripping boat rode astern, and an hour later +he sat at dinner with his comrade in the little white saloon. Darkness +had closed down in the meanwhile, and the lamp that swung above their +heads flung a soft light across the table, where dainty glassware and +silver glittered on the snowy cloth. Ormsgill smiled as he glanced at +it and the glowing blotch of color in his wine glass. + +"After all, this kind of thing has its advantages, especially when one +has been accustomed to squatting in the wood smoke over a calabash of +palm oil or some other unhallowed nigger compound," he said. "It's a +trifle pleasant to wear clothes that fit you, too. Father Tiebout's +and those Dom Clemente lent me didn't. I had to cut the wrists off the +latter's jacket." + +Desmond looked at him reflectively over his cigar, for he had +something to say, and was a trifle uncertain as to how he should set +about it. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose it is nice for a while, especially, as you +say, when it's a change. The point is, would it satisfy you long?" + +"A dinner like this one is generally acceptable." + +"We'll admit it. The trouble is that these civilized comforts are apt +to cost you something. I mean one has usually to give up something +else for the sake of them. You begin to understand?" + +"I'm not sure that I do," said Ormsgill. "I'll ask you to go on." + +Desmond laughed, though he did not feel quite at ease. He remembered +the letter in his pocket, and felt that there was a responsibility on +him, and that was a thing which, inconsequent as he was, he seldom +shrank from. This was not a man who talked about his duty; in fact, +any reference to the subject usually roused in him a sense of +opposition. He contented himself with doing it when he recognized it, +and since singleness of purpose is not invariably an efficient +substitute for mental ability, it was not altogether his fault when at +times he did it clumsily. There was also a subtle bond between him and +the man who sat opposite him. Affection was not the right term, and it +was more than _camaraderie_, an elusive something that could not be +defined and was yet in their case a compelling force. + +"Well," he said, "those quagmires and forests up yonder appeal to you. +It's a little difficult for any reasonable person to see why they +should, but they certainly do. So does the sea. The love of it's in +both of us." + +He stopped with a lifted hand, and, for the ports were open, Ormsgill +heard the deep rumble of the eternal surf on the hammered beach. He +also heard the onward march of the white hosts of tumbling seas, and +the shrill scream of the wire rigging singing to the gale. It was the +turmoil of the elemental conflict that must rage in one form or +another by sea and in the wilderness while the world endures, and +there is a theme in its clashing harmonies that stirs the hearts of +men. Ormsgill felt the thrill of it, and Desmond's eyes glistened. + +"Lord," he said, "we're curiously made. What in the name of wonder is +it that appeals to us in driving a swamping surf-boat over those +combers, or standing on the bridge ramming her full speed into it with +the green seas going over her forward and everything battened down? +Still, there is something. While we can do that kind of thing we can't +stay at home." + +Ormsgill smiled curiously. He was acquainted with some of the +characteristics of the wild Celtic strain, and knew that his comrade +now and then let himself go. "I think," he said, "considering where +you come from, you should understand it more readily than I can do." + +"You're not exempt," said Desmond, "you cold-blooded Saxons. What did +you run that boat down the coast under the whole lug-sail for when +she'd have gone nearly dry with two reefs tied down?" + +"I don't know. Still, she lost the wind in the hollows. One had to +keep her ahead of the seas." + +Desmond laughed scornfully. "Is that it? When the boy went down with +the breath knocked out of him as she took in a green sea, something +came over you as you grabbed the steering oar. You went suddenly +crazy, fighting crazy. You'd have rolled her over or run her under +before you tied a reef in." + +He stopped a moment, and made a little gesture as of one throwing +something away. "Still, you'll have to give all that up when you marry +and settle down, though it's a little difficult to imagine you going +round in a frock coat and tight patent boots, growing fat, and +overfeeding yourself like a--Strasburg goose. I suppose it is your +intention to be married some day?" + +"I believe it is," said Ormsgill quietly. + +Desmond laid down his cigar and looked at him. "Well, I may be on +dangerous ground, but when I get steam up I seldom allow a thing like +that to influence me. Anyway, I've been worrying over you lately. The +question is--are you going to marry the right girl, one who would take +you as you are and encourage you to be more so? It isn't every woman +who could put up with a man of your kind, but there are a few." + +His comrade's expression might have warned another man, but Desmond +went on. + +"I don't know if my views are worth anything, and some of my friends +doubt it, but you shall have them. After all, the matter's rather an +important one. The wife for you is one who would sympathize with your +notions even if she knew they were crazy ones, because they were +yours, and when they led you into lumber, as such notions generally +do, stand beside you smiling to face the world and the devil. There +are such women. I've met one or two." + +There was silence for a moment or two when he stopped, and Ormsgill, +gazing straight before him with vacant eyes, saw a dark-eyed girl with +dusky hair and a face of the pale ivory tint sitting where the +moonlight streamed in between a colonnade of slender pillars. As it +happened, Desmond saw her, too, and sighed. Then Ormsgill seemed to +rouse himself. + +"I am," he said, "going to marry Miss Ratcliffe, as I think you must +be quite aware." + +Desmond could have laughed. He fancied that it would have been almost +warranted, but he laid a restraint upon himself. "Then," he said, "if +you have both made up your minds and the thing is settled what in the +name of wonder are you wandering about Africa for? The fact that you +like it doesn't count. Why don't you go back--now--to her? It would +be considerably wiser." + +Ormsgill looked at him with half-closed eyes. "I'll have to ask you to +speak plainly." + +"I'll try," and Desmond made a little deprecatory gesture. "There are +women it isn't wise to leave too long alone. They were not made to +live that way, and if they find it insupportable you can't blame them. +How many years is it since Miss Ratcliffe has had more than a few +weeks of your company, and is it natural that a young woman should be +quietly content while the man she is to marry wanders through these +forests endeavoring to throw his life away? Besides that, the thing +might very possibly not commend itself to her mother." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's forehead, and his eyes +were grave. "I have," he said, "been a little afraid of what her +mother might do myself." + +"Then why don't you go across to Grand Canary and make sure she +doesn't try to influence the girl? Isn't it only reasonable that she +should expect you to be there and save her all unpleasantness in case +of anything of that kind happening?" + +Ormsgill said nothing for several minutes, but it was borne in upon +his comrade that his efforts had been thrown away. He had, however, +after all, not expected them to be successful. At length Ormsgill +spoke quietly. + +"I can't go," he said. "Domingo has carried those boys away into the +interior and I pledged myself that they should go home when their +time was up. As it is, unless I can take them from him they will be +driven to death in a few years. For that, I think, I should be held +responsible." + +He rose with a little sigh. "Dick," he said, "I have this thing to do, +and even if it costs me a good deal it must be done. I am going back +inland, and may be three or four months away. You can't stay here. +After all, I don't know that I shall have much difficulty in getting +the boys out of the country when I come down again." + +Desmond smiled. "I may go to Las Palmas or Madeira, but I'll be here +when you want me. We can fix that later. It seems to me I've said +quite enough to-night." + +Then they went up the companion, and Ormsgill talked of other matters +as they sat under the lee of the deck-house, and watched the white +seas sweep out of the darkness and vanish into it again. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +LISTER OFFERS SATISFACTION + + +Desmond's informant had, as it happened, been quite warranted in +mentioning that Lister's proceedings had aroused the interest of the +English colony in Las Palmas. He provided those who belonged to it +with something to talk about as they lounged on the hotel verandas, +which was a cause for gratification, since a good many of them had no +more profitable occupation. That dusty city has, like others in the +south, distractions to offer the idler with liberal views, though a +certain proportion of them are of distinctly doubtful character. There +are also in it gentlemen of easy morality who are willing to act as +cicerone to the stranger with means, that is, provided he possesses a +generous disposition. Spaniards of the old régime call them the _Sin +Verguenza_, "men without shame," and there are one or two coarsely +forceful Anglo-Saxon terms that might be aptly applied to them. It is, +unfortunately, a fact that there are Englishmen among them. + +Lister, who was young, and had never imposed much restraint upon +himself, profited by the opportunities they provided him. He had the +command of more money than was, perhaps, desirable, and for several +weeks the pace he made was hot. He was naturally preyed upon and +victimized, though, after all, the latter happened less frequently +than those who watched his proceedings supposed. The lad was careless +and generous, but there was a certain shrewdness in him as well as a +vein of cold British stubbornness which made him a trifle difficult to +handle when once his dislike was aroused. Indeed, one or two of his +acquaintances fancied he had not gone so very deep in the mire, after +all. How much Mrs. Ratcliffe knew about his doings did not appear. One +desires to be charitable, and since Major Chillingham had gone back to +England, it is possible, though far from likely, that she had not +heard of them at all. In any case, she took him up, and was gracious +to him in a motherly fashion, and there was suddenly a change in him. + +Lister henceforward spent his evenings at the hotel, generally near +the piano when Ada Ratcliffe sang. He also planned excursions for her +and her mother to little palm-shrouded villages among the volcanic +hills, and, since there was nobody who understood exactly how Miss +Ratcliffe stood with regard to the man who had gone to Africa, the +onlookers chuckled, and said that the girl's mother was a clever +woman. She said that Lister was a very likable young man, who had no +mother of his own, which was always a misfortune, and that it was +almost a duty to look after him. + +It was, in any case, one she discharged efficiently, and for a time +his former companions had very little of Lister's company. Several of +them were also sorry he had, apparently, as the result of their +persistent efforts to undermine her authority, flung off the +restraints Mrs. Ratcliffe had gradually imposed on him when at last he +spent a night with them again. + +They had reasonable cause for dissatisfaction when they sat in a +certain _caffee_ which stood near the cathedral. The latter fact has a +significance for those acquainted with Spanish cities, but, after all, +the Church is needed most where sinners abound. The _caffee_ had wide +unglazed windows, and clear moonlight streamed down into the hot, +unsavory street, which under that pure radiance looked for once +curiously clean and white. Tall limewashed walls rose above it, and, +for the flat roofs lay beneath their crests, cut against the strip of +velvety indigo, while a little cool breeze swept between them with a +welcome freshness. There was no gleam of light behind any of the green +lattices that broke their flat monotony and, save for the deep rumble +of the surf, the city was very still. Once a measured tramp of feet +rang across the flat roofs and indicated that two of the armed +_civiles_ were patroling a neighboring _calle_ where the principal +shops stand, but their business would not take them near the _caffee_. +It is, in fact, not often that authority obtrudes itself unadvisedly +into certain parts of most Spanish towns. + +The moonlight also streamed into the _caffee_ where a big lamp in +which the oil was running low burned dimly. The table beneath it was +stained with cheap red wine, and a good many bottles stood upon it +among a litter of Spanish cards. Four men sat about it, and two more +lounged upon the settee which ran along the discolored wall. The place +was filled with tobacco smoke and the sickly odor of anisado, which +was, however, no great disadvantage, since the natural reek of a +Spanish Alsatia is more unpleasant still. The men had been there four +or five hours when Lister flung down a card and noisily pushed back +his chair. His face was a trifle flushed, and his hands were not quite +steady, but his half-closed eyes were, as one or two of the others +noticed, almost unpleasantly calm. There was a pile of silver at his +side on the table, for he had, as the red-faced English skipper +opposite him had once or twice observed, been favored with an +astonishing run of luck. It is, however, possible that the skipper did +not go quite far enough. Lister had certainly been fortunate, but he +had also a nice judgment in such matters, and his nerve was unusually +good. He looked round at his companions with a little dry smile. + +"You should have left me alone," he said. "I didn't want to come here, +but when you insisted I did it to oblige you. As you pointed out, +considering what I took out of some of you on another occasion, it +seemed the fair thing. Now I hope you're satisfied." + +He indicated the pile of silver with a little wave of his hand, and +the others, among whom there were two Englishmen beside the skipper, +waited in some astonishment, with very little sign of content in their +faces, until he went on again. + +"Well," he said, "I'm still willing to do the fair thing, though, +while I don't wish to be unduly personal, that is a point which has +evidently not caused one or two of you any undue anxiety. You can +explain that, Walters, to the Spanish gentlemen, though I don't +altogether confine my remarks to them." + +An Englishman straightened himself suddenly, and one of the Spaniard's +eyes flashed when the man Lister turned to did his bidding. Lister, +however, grinned at them. + +"The question," he said, "is simply do you feel I owe you any further +satisfaction, or have you had enough? I want you to understand that +I'm never coming here again, and if you care to double the stakes I'll +play you another round." + +There was no doubt that they had had enough, and while three of them +might have taken another hand with a view to getting back the pile of +silver by certain means they were acquainted with they refrained, +perhaps because they felt that the man called Walters and the burly +steamboat skipper would in case of necessity stand by Lister. The +silence that lasted a moment or two grew uncomfortable, but it did not +seem to trouble Lister, who sat still looking at them with a little +sardonic smile. + +"Well," he said, "it's evident that you don't expect anything more +from me. Will you and Captain Wilson come with me, Walters?" + +He rose when the men addressed reached out for their hats, and then +clapped his hands until a girl came in. She was very young, and looked +jaded, which was not particularly astonishing considering that she +had been keeping the party supplied with refreshment for more than +half the night. The smudgy patches of powder on it emphasized the +weariness of her olive-tinted face, but there was for all that a +certain suggestion of daintiness and freshness about her which was not +what one would have expected in such surroundings. + +Lister stood looking at her with half-closed eyes, while the others +watched them both until he made a little abrupt gesture. + +"It is not you, but your father, the patron, the man who owns this +place, I want, but you can stop here and call him," he said in a +half-intelligible muddle of Castilian and Portuguese. + +Walters made it a little plainer, and the girl spread out her hands. +"The patron does not live here," she said. "My father, he is only in +charge." + +"Call him!" said Lister. + +The man came in, and his dark eyes as well as those of all the others +were fixed expectantly on Lister when he once more turned to the girl. + +"You like waiting on and singing for these pigs?" he asked. + +Walters rendered the word _puerco_, which is not a complimentary term +in Spain, but the men it was applied to forgot to resent it in their +expectancy. A flicker of color swept into the girl's face, and it was +evident that her task was not a congenial one. She was, however, about +to retreat when Lister raised his hand in protest, and turned to the +man. + +"What do you mean," he said, "by keeping a girl of that kind in a +place like this?" + +Again Walters translated, and the little flicker of color grew a +trifle plainer in the girl's olive-tinted cheek. One could have +fancied that she had suddenly realized how others might regard her +occupation and surroundings. The man, however, spread his hands out. + +"It is certainly not what one would wish for her, and she would be a +modista," he said. "But what would you--when one is very poor?" + +Lister caught up a double handful of the silver which still lay upon +the table and signed to the girl. + +"That should make it a little easier. It's for you," he said. "If it +is not enough you can let me know. You will go and learn to make hats +and dresses to-morrow. If your father makes any more objections I'll +send the little fat priest after him. You know the one I mean. He has +a cross eye and likes a good dinner as well as any man. He is a friend +of mine." + +The others gazed at Lister in blank astonishment when Walters made +this clear, until the Spaniard became suddenly profuse. Lister, +however, disregarded him, and picking up the rest of the silver turned +towards the door. He went out, and Walters looked at him curiously +when he stopped and stood still a moment, apparently reflecting, with +the moonlight on his face. The combativeness with which he had +regarded his gaming companions had faded out of it, and left it, as it +usually was, heavy and inanimate. Lister was skillful at games of +chance, where his impassiveness served him well, but Walters fancied +he was by no means likely to shine at anything else. He was a young +man of no mental capacity, and his tastes were not refined, but there +was hidden in his dull nature a germ of the rudimentary chivalry which +now and then rouses such men as he was to deeds which astonish their +friends. It had lain inert until the dew of a beneficent influence had +rested on it, and then there was a sudden growth that was to result in +the production of unlooked for fruit. Because of the love he bore one +woman he had become compassionate, and, perhaps, it did not matter +greatly that she was unworthy, since the gracious impulse was merely +brought him by, and not born of, the reverence he had for her. After +all, its source was higher than that. It was, however, not to be +expected that he should realize such a fact, and he stood wrinkling +his brows as though ruminating over his proceedings, until he became +conscious that his companion was looking at him inquiringly. + +"I don't know what made me do that," he said. "It's quite certain I +wouldn't have thought of it a month or two ago." + +"No," said Walters, a trifle drily, "one would not have expected it +from you. Still, you have made a few changes lately. What has come over +you?" + +Lister did not answer him. "If that blamed ass of a skipper means to +stop I'm not going to wait for him. He'll get a knife slipped into him +some night and it will serve him right," he said. "We'll get out of +this place. Once we strike the big calle it will be fresher." + +They strode on down the hot, stale smelling street, and Lister +appeared to draw in a deep breath of relief when they turned into the +broad road that runs close by the surf-swept beach to the harbor. +Though there were tall white stores and houses on its seaward side the +night breeze swept down it exhilaratingly fresh and cool, and Lister +bared his hot forehead to it. + +"Well," he said, "I've been down among the swine in a number of +places, and, though I suppose it sometimes falls out differently, I've +scratched some of the bristles off a few of them. Now I want to forget +the tricks they've taught me. You see, I'm never going back to any of +the--stys again. It's a thing I owe myself and somebody else." + +He had certainly consumed a good deal of wine, but it was clear that +he was fully in command of his senses, and Walters endeavored to check +his laugh as comprehension suddenly dawned upon him. Still, he was not +quite successful, and his companion turned on him. + +"I meant it," he said. "There'll probably be trouble between us if you +attempt to work off any of your assinine witticisms." + +Walters said nothing. He had seen his companion calmly insult four men +whose dollars he had pocketed, and he did not consider it advisable to +explain what he thought about Mrs. Ratcliffe and the interest she had +taken in his friend. Still, like most of the English residents who had +made her acquaintance, he had his views upon the subject. Lister was, +at least, rich enough to make a desirable son-in-law, and if he +fancied it was essential that he should reform before he offered +himself as a candidate there was nothing to be gained by undeceiving +him. + +They walked on until they left the tall white houses and little rows +of flat-topped dwellings that replaced them behind, and the dim, dusty +road stretched away before them with a filmy spray-cloud and +glistening Atlantic heave on one side of it. Lister glanced at the +fringe of crumbling combers with slow appreciation. + +"In one way that's inspiriting," he said. "I might have sat and +watched them half the evening from the veranda of the hotel. In that +case I'd have had a clearer head and been considerably fresher +to-morrow. Still, those hogs would have me out. It's a consolation to +realize that it has cost them something." + +Walters stopped when they reached the hotel and glanced at his +companion. "Aren't you going in?" he said. "You could still get a +little sleep before it's breakfast time." + +"No," said Lister simply, "I'm going for a swim. It's no doubt an +assinine notion, but the smell of the sty seems to cling to me." + +Walters laughed. "Is that a custom you mean to adopt invariably after +a night of this kind?" + +"No," said Lister. "It won't be necessary. You see there will never be +another one." + +They went on, and Walters sat down on the little mole not far away +while his comrade stripped off his thin attire. Then Lister stood a +moment, gleaming white in the moonlight, a big, loose-limbed figure, +on the head of the mole before he went down with flung-out hands and +stiffened body into the cool Atlantic swell. It closed about him +glittering, and he was well out in the harbor when he came up again +and slid away down the blaze of radiance with left arm swinging. The +chill of the deep sea water, at least, cooled his slightly fevered +skin, and, perhaps, there was something in his half pagan fancy that +it also washed a stain off him. In any case, the desire to escape from +the most unusual sense of contamination was a wholesome one. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE + + +There is a certain aldea, a little straggling village of flat-topped +houses, among the black volcanic hills of Grand Canary which has like +one or two others of its kind a good deal to offer the discerning +traveler who will take the trouble to visit it. It is certainly a +trifle difficult to reach, which is, perhaps, in one sense not +altogether a misfortune, since the Englishmen and Englishwomen who +visit that island in the winter seldom leave such places exactly as +they find them. One goes up by slippery bridle paths on horse or mule +back over hot sand and wastes of dust and ashes into a rift between +the hills, and when once the tremendous gateway of fire-rent rock has +been passed discovers that it costs one an effort to go away again. + +In the bottom of the barranco lie maize-fields and vines. Tall green +palms fling streaks of shadow over them, and close beneath the black +crags stands a little ancient church and odd cubes of lava houses +tinted with delicate pink or ochre or whitewashed dazzlingly. They +nestle among their fig trees shut in by tall aloes, and oleanders, and +a drowsy quietness which is intensified by the murmur of running water +pervades the rock-walled hollow. It is the stillness of a land where +nothing matters greatly, and there is in it the essence of the +resignation which regards haste and effort and protest as futile, that +is characteristic of old world Spain, for Spain was never until lately +bounded by the confines of the Peninsula. + +Las Palmas down beside the smoking beach is no longer Spanish. It is +filled with bustle and a rampant commercialism, and English is spoken +there; but the quietness of the ages lingers among the hills where the +grapes of Moscatel are still trodden in the winepress by barelegged +men in unstarched linen who live very much as one fancies the +patriarchs did, plowing with oxen and wooden plows, and beating out +their corn on wind-swept threshing floors. They also comport +themselves, even towards the wandering Briton, who does not always +deserve it, with an almost stately courtesy, and seldom trouble +themselves about the morrow. All that is essentially Spanish is +Eastern, too. The life in the hill pueblos is that portrayed in the +Jewish scriptures, and the olive-skinned men whose forefathers once +ruled half the world have also like the Hebrew the remembrance of +their departed glory to sadden them. + +It is, however, scarcely probable that any fancies of this kind +occurred to Mrs. Ratcliffe as she lay in a somewhat rickety chair +under a vine-draped pergola outside a pink-washed house in that aldea +one afternoon. She was essentially modern, and usually practical, in +which respects Ada, who sat not far away, was not unlike her. A man, +at least, seldom expects to find the commercial instinct and a shrewd +capacity for estimating and balancing worldly advantages in a young +woman of prepossessing appearance with innocent eyes, which is, +perhaps, a pity, since it now and then happens that the fact that she +possesses a reasonable share of both of them is made clear to him in +due time. Then it is apt to cause him pain, for man being vain prefers +to believe that it is personal merit that counts for most where he is +concerned. + +Ada Ratcliffe was listening to the drowsy splash of falling water, and +looking down through the rocky gateway over tall palms and creeping +vines, blackened hillslopes, and gleaming sands, on the vast plain of +the Atlantic which lay, a sheet of turquoise, very far below. Above +her, tremendous fire-rent pinnacles ran up into the upper sweep of +ethereal blue, but all this scarcely roused her interest. She had seen +it already, and had said it was very pretty. Besides, she was thinking +of other things which appealed to her considerably more, a London +house, an acknowledged station in smart society, and the command of +money. These were things she greatly desired to have, and it was +evident that Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them in a certain +measure. It was, in some respects, only natural that her mother should +set a high value on them too, and desire them for her daughter. She +had made a long and gallant fight against adverse circumstances since +her husband died, and there was in her face the hardness of one who +has more than once been almost beaten. There were, she knew, women who +would freely give themselves with all that had been given them to the +man they loved, but Mrs. Ratcliffe had never had much sympathy with +them. It was, she felt, a much more sensible thing to make a bargain, +and secure something in return. + +Still, nobody would have fancied that Ada Ratcliffe had any such ideas +just then. Her face was quietly tranquil, and the pose she had fallen +into in the big basket chair was, if not quite unstudied, a singularly +graceful one. In her hands lay a Spanish fan, a beautiful, costly +thing of silk and feathers and fretted ebony which Lister had given +her a few days earlier. He sat on a block of lava watching her with a +little significant gleam that she was perfectly conscious of in his +usually apathetic eyes. Still, though he had a heavy face of the kind +one seldom associates with self-restraint, there was nothing in his +expression which could have jarred upon a woman of the most sensitive +temperament. There were not many things which Albert Lister had much +reverence for, but during the last few weeks a change had been going +on in him, and it was a blind, unreasoning devotion which none of his +friends would have believed him capable of that he offered this girl. + +His pleasures had been coarse ones, and there was much in him that she +might have shrunk from, but he had, at least, of late fought with the +desires of his lower nature, and, for the time being, trampled on one +or two of them. Slow of thought, and of very moderate intelligence, as +he was, he had yet endeavored to purge himself of grossness before he +ventured into her presence. He had not spoken for awhile when Mrs. +Ratcliffe turned to him. + +"You were not in the drawing-room last night," she said, and her +manner subtly conveyed the impression that she had expected him. "No +doubt you had something more interesting on hand?" + +"No," said Lister slowly, "I don't think I had. In fact, I was playing +cards!" + +Mrs. Ratcliffe was a trifle perplexed, for she had now and then +ventured to express her disapproval of one or two of his favorite +distractions in a motherly fashion, and she could not quite understand +his candor. It was, perhaps, natural that she should not credit him +with a simple desire for honesty, since this was a motive which would +not have had much weight with her. + +"Ah," she said, with an air of playful reproach, "everybody plays +cards nowadays, and I suppose one must not be too hard on you. Still, +I think you know what my views are upon that subject." + +They were scarcely likely to be very charitable ones, since she owed +her own long struggle to the fact that there were few forms of gaming +her husband had not unsuccessfully experimented with, and she +continued feelingly, "If one had no graver objections, it is apt to +prove expensive." + +Lister laughed a little. "It proved so--to the other people--last +night, but I think you are right. In fact, it's scarcely likely I'll +touch a card again. In one way,"--and he appeared to reflect +laboriously, "it's a waste of life." + +His companions were both a trifle astonished. They had scarcely +expected a sentiment of this kind from him, and though the elder lady +would probably not have admitted it, gaming did not appear to her so +objectionable a thing provided that one won and had the sense to leave +off when that was the case. Ada Ratcliffe, however, smiled. + +"To be candid, one would hardly have fancied you would look at it in +that light," she said. "Still, you seem to have been changing your +views lately." + +"I have," said the man slowly, with a faint flush in his heavy face. +"After all, one comes to look at these things differently, and I dare +say those fellows are right who lay it down that one ought to do +something for his country or his living. Once I had the opportunity, +but I let it go, or rather I flung it away. I often wish I hadn't, but +I'm not quite sure it's altogether too late now." + +He spoke with an awkward diffidence, for though he was very young, +ideas of this kind were quite new to him. The love of the girl he +looked at appealingly had stirred his slow coarse nature, and +something that had sprung up in its depths was growing towards the +light. It might have grown to grace and beauty had the light been a +benignant one, for, after all, it is not upon the soil alone that +growth of any kind depends. Ada Ratcliffe, however, did not recognize +in the least that this laid upon her a heavy responsibility. + +"No," she said with an encouraging smile, "there is no reason why you +shouldn't make a career yet. I almost think you could if you wanted +to." + +It was a bold assertion, but she made it unblushingly, and Lister +appeared to consider. + +"There are not many things I'm good at--that is, useful ones," he +said. "You have to be able to talk sensibly, anyway, before you can +make your mark at politics, and some of them don't do it under twenty +years." + +He stopped for a moment with a little sigh. "Still, I suppose there +must be something worth while for one to do, even if it's not exactly +what one would like." + +"One's duty is usually made clear to one," said Mrs. Ratcliffe +encouragingly. + +"Well," said Lister, "I'm not sure it is, though it's probably his own +fault if he doesn't want to recognize it. As I mentioned, you can look +at the same thing differently. There was Desmond's friend Ormsgill. A +little while ago I thought he was a trifle crazy. Now I begin to see +it's a big thing he's doing, something to look back on afterwards even +if he never does anything worth while again." + +He saw the faint flush of color in Ada Ratcliffe's face, though he did +not in the least understand it. There was a good deal this man could +give her, and she knew that he would in due time press it upon her, +but she was naturally aware that his mental capacity was painfully +small. This made the fact that he should look upon Ormsgill's errand +as one a man could take pride in a reproach to her. Mrs. Ratcliffe's +face was, however, if anything, expressive of anxiety, for she had +asked herself frequently if Lister could by any chance have heard that +the girl's pledge to Ormsgill had never been retracted. She did not +think he had, but this was a point it was well to be sure upon. + +"I didn't think you had met him," she said. + +"I haven't. You see, I stayed behind in Madeira while the _Palestrina_ +came on, and when I got here Ormsgill had gone. Desmond told me about +him. I understood he was to marry somebody when he had done his +errand, though, if he knew, Desmond never mentioned who she was." + +He stopped, and Mrs. Ratcliffe sighed with sheer relief when he turned +and looked eastwards towards Africa across the vast stretch of sea +with a vague longing in his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "when he comes back again he will have done something +that should make the girl look up to him." + +Again the flicker of color crept into Ada Ratcliffe's cheek, for she +was conscious just then of a curious resentment against the man who +had gone to Africa for an idea. It was singularly galling that a man +of Lister's caliber should make her ashamed. Still, she smiled at him. + +"I believe we have all more than one opportunity, and another one will +no doubt present itself," she said. + +Lister sat still looking at her in a fashion she found almost +embarrassing, and for a moment or two none of them spoke. Then there +were footsteps on the lava blocks outside the pergola, and a man +appeared in an opening between the vines. He was dressed in white +duck, and his face was bronzed by wind and spray, while Mrs. +Ratcliffe found it difficult to refrain from starting at the sight of +him. He stood where he was for a moment looking at the group with +grave inquiry, and Ada Ratcliffe felt that she hated him for the +little smile of comprehension that crept into his eyes. Then he moved +quietly forward, and Lister rose with a faint flush in his face. + +"I'm glad to see you, Desmond. I mean it, in spite of what passed the +night you packed me off," he said. + +It was an awkward meeting, though Lister was the only one whose +embarrassment was noticeable. His companions were watching Desmond +quietly, though Mrs. Ratcliffe was sensible that this was the last man +she would have desired to see. He had come back from Africa and might +spoil everything, for at the back of her mind she was not quite sure +of her daughter. Still, though it cost her an effort, she asked him a +few questions. + +"Ormsgill didn't want me for some time and I ran across for coal and +other things. That coast isn't one it's judicious to stay on," he +said, and looked at Ada steadily. "You will be pleased to hear that he +was in excellent health--though he was still bent on carrying out his +purpose--when he left me." + +The girl's gesture was apparently expressive of relief, and Desmond +who sat down on the lava parapet proceeded to relate what he knew of +Ormsgill's projects and adventures. He felt the constraint that was +upon all of them except Lister, whose embarrassment was rapidly +disappearing, and though it afforded him certain grim satisfaction he +talked to dissipate it. + +"We ran in this morning, and as the folks at the hotel told me you +were here I came on," he said at length. + +They asked him a few more questions, and it said a good deal for Mrs. +Ratcliffe's courage that she invited him to stay there for comida and +then to ride back to their hotel with them. Still it would, as she +recognized, be useless to separate the men, since they would come +across each other continually in Las Palmas, and she was one who knew +that the boldest course is now and then the wisest. Desmond stayed, +and it was some little time later when he sat alone with Lister among +the tumbled lava by the watercourse. Feathery palm tufts drooped above +them, and looking out between the fringed and fretted greenery they +could see the blue expanse of sea. Beyond its sharp-cut eastern rim, +as both of them were conscious, lay the shadowy land. Desmond turned +from its contemplation and regarded his companion with a little smile. + +"I heard a good deal about you in the hotel smoking room," he said. "I +suppose I ought to compliment you on the possession of a certain +amount of sense. Presumably you have now a motive for going steady?" + +Lister flushed, but he met his companion's gaze without wavering. "As +a matter of fact you are quite correct," he said. "Anyway, the motive +is a sufficient one." + +"Ah," said Desmond dryly, "it is in that case a lady, Miss Ratcliffe +most probably? You no doubt recognize that she is several years older +than you, and that it is more than possible her affections have been +engaged before?" + +His companion resolutely straightened himself. "It isn't as a rule +advisable to go too far, but I don't mind informing you that they are +not engaged now." + +"You seem sure," said Desmond with more than a trace of his former +dryness. "She has presumably told you so?" + +"She has not," said Lister. "That is, however, quite sufficient in +itself, because if there had been anyone else with the slightest claim +on her she and her mother would certainly have found means of making +it clear to me." + +Desmond saw the glint in the lad's eyes, and could not quite repress a +little sardonic smile. What he had heard in the hotel had at first +been almost incomprehensible to him, but, as he listened to what the +men he met there had to tell, it became clear that Lister had in +reality turned from his former courses. Then came his own admission +that it was Ada Ratcliffe who had inspired him. Desmond could have +found it a relief to laugh. The woman who, it seemed, was willing to +throw over his comrade and break her pledge to him that she might be +free to marry a richer man was the one who had stirred the lad to what +was probably a stern and valiant encounter with his baser nature. It +seemed that she could not even be honest with him. + +"Am I to understand that you have made up your mind to marry Miss +Ratcliffe?" he asked. + +"Yes," said Lister slowly, "I have; that is, if she will have me, +which is doubtful. It is, however, in no sense your business, and you +needn't trouble to remind me that it would be a very indifferent match +for her." + +Desmond sat still for several minutes, and thought as hard as he had +in all probability ever done in his life. He had given Ormsgill a hint +which had not been taken, and now he found it had been fully +warranted, he had ventured on giving Lister another which had also +been disregarded. The lad's faith in the woman who was deceiving both +of them was evidently sincere and generous, as well as in one respect +pitiable, and under the circumstances Desmond could not tell what +course he ought to take. He was aware that the man who rashly meddles +in his friends' affairs seldom either confers any real benefit upon +them or earns their thanks, and he doubted if Lister would listen to +any advice or information he might offer him. To say nothing meant +that he must leave Mrs. Ratcliffe a free hand, but he had sufficient +knowledge of that lady's capabilities to feel reasonably sure that she +would succeed in marrying the girl to one of the men in spite of him. +That being so, it seemed to him preferable that the one in question +should not be his friend. Then he looked at Lister gravely. + +"Well," he said, "I almost think she'll have you, and I'm not sure +that you need worry yourself too much about not being good enough for +her. That's a point you could be content with her mother's opinion +on." + +He left the lad, and five minutes later came upon Ada Ratcliffe in the +patio of the adjacent house. "You will make my excuses to your +mother," he said. "After all, I think I had better ride back to Las +Palmas alone." + +The girl met his eyes, but for a moment her face flushed crimson. She +said nothing, and he quietly turned away, while in another few minutes +she heard his horse stumbling down the slippery path beside the +watercourse. When they reached the hotel that evening they were also +told that he did not intend to live ashore while the yacht was in the +harbor, which was a piece of information that afforded Mrs. Ratcliffe +considerable relief. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +HERRERO'S IMPRUDENCE + + +Though it was, at least, as hot as it usually is at San Roque and the +heavy, stagnant atmosphere made exertion of any kind impossible to a +white man, Dom Erminio had not gone to sleep that afternoon, as he +generally did. He had, after all, some shadowy notions of duty, and +would now and then rouse himself to carry them out; that is, at least, +when he stood to obtain some advantage by doing so. In this he was, +perhaps, not altogether singular, since it is possible that there are +other men who recognize a duty most clearly under similar +circumstances. He lay in a low hung hammock where the veranda roof +flung a grateful shadow over him, with a cigar in his hand, +meditatively watching a row of half-naked negroes toiling in the +burning sun, and the fashion in which he did so suggested that it +afforded him a certain quiet satisfaction. He had grave objections to +physical exertion personally, and as a rule succeeded in avoiding it, +for there are, as he recognized, advantages in being a white man, in +that country, at least. Dom Erminio invariably made the most of them. + +It must be admitted that the negro is by no means addicted to toiling +assiduously under scorching heat, especially when, as sometimes +happens, he works for a white man who requisitions his services +without any intention of rewarding him for them, but though the baked +and trampled soil of the compound flung back an intolerable heat and +glare, the half-naked men were diligent that afternoon. Dom Erminio +had his shifty black eyes on them, and certain dusky men with sticks +stood ready to spur the laggards to fresh endeavor. So while the sweat +of strenuous effort dripped from them some trotted to and fro with +baskets of soil upon their woolly heads and the rest plied saw and +hammer persistently. They were strengthening the fort stockade and +digging a ditch, and incidentally riveting the shackles of the white +man's bondage more firmly on their limbs. The Commandant, or Chefe as +he was usually called, appeared to recognize that fact, for he smiled +a little as he watched them. + +By and by he turned and blinked at the forest which hemmed in the +stockaded compound as with an impenetrable wall. It was dim and +shadowy, even under that burning glare suggestively so, and he was +aware that just then whispers of a coming rising were flying through +its unlifting gloom, though the fact caused him no great concern. A +few white friends of his were playing a game that has been played +before in other regions, and he was quite willing to gain fresh renown +as an administrator by the suppression of a futile rebellion. It is +also possible that his friends looked for more tangible advantages, +and would have been willing to offer him a certain share of them. +That, however, is not quite a matter of certainty, and there were, at +least, men in that country who said they regarded Dom Erminio as all +an administrator ought to be. Perhaps he was, from their point of +view. + +The Lieutenant Luiz, who had just come back from a native village with +a handful of dusky soldiers and a band of carriers loaded with fresh +provisions, sat in a basket chair close by, also regarding the +stockade builders with a little smile. The natural reluctance of +certain negroes to part with their possessions had occasioned him a +good deal of trouble during the last few days. A negro who served as +messenger stood waiting a few paces behind him. + +"It is an advantage when one can teach the trek-ox to harness +himself," he said reflectively. "I do not think those men like what +they are doing. Every pile that they are driving makes our rule a +little surer. It is not astonishing that some of them should be a +trifle mutinous now and then." + +"You had a difficulty about those provisions?" said Dom Erminio. + +His companion laughed. "One would scarcely call it that. It was merely +advisable to use the stick, and a hut or two was burnt. In times like +the present one profits by a little judicious firmness." + +"I think one could even go a trifle further than that." + +Lieutenant Luiz made a little gesture. He had a certain shrewdness, +and the Chefe was only cunning, which is, after all, a different thing +from being clever. It seemed that Dom Erminio failed to recognize +that it is always somewhat dangerous to play with fire. One can as a +rule start a conflagration without much difficulty, but it is now and +then quite another matter to put it out. + +"I am not sure," he said. "There are men in this country who seem to +enjoy scattering sparks, and they are rather busy just now. It is, +perhaps, not very hazardous when it is done judiciously and one knows +there is only a little tinder here and there, but when one flings them +broadcast it is possible that two or three may fall on powder." He +turned and stretched out a dainty, olive-tinted hand towards the +forest. "After all, we do not know much about what goes on there." + +"Bah!" said Dom Erminio, who had courage, at least, "if the blaze is a +little larger than one expected what does it matter? The stockade will +be a strong one." + +His companion glanced at the gap in the row of well stiffened piles. +"It would certainly be difficult to storm that gate, but these bushmen +who are building the stockade will have the sense to realize it and +tell their friends. If there is an attack it will not be made that +way." + +"Exactly!" and the Chefe's eyes twinkled as he waved a yellow hand. +"It is a little idea that occurred to me while you were away. The +bushmen would come by the rear of the stockade which we leave lower, +and when they do I think we shall also be ready for them there. There +are certain defenses which will be substituted when their friends +have gone away again." + +They both laughed at this and neither of them said anything further +for awhile until a negro swathed in white cotton strode out of the +forest with a little stick in his hand. He was challenged by a sentry +who sent him on, and presently stood on the veranda holding out the +stick. Dom Erminio glanced at it languidly. + +"Our injudicious friend Herrero has some word for us," he said. "He is +a man who lets his dislikes run away with him, and he is not always +wise in his messages." He stopped a moment with a little reflective +smile. "Still, a message is always a difficulty in this part of +Africa. If one teaches the messenger what he is to say he may tell it +to somebody else, and it happens now and then that to write is not +advisable. One must choose, however, and I wonder which our friend has +done." + +The man decided the question by holding out a strip of paper, and the +Chefe who took it from him nodded as he read. + +"It appears that Herrero is not pleased with the doings of the +Englishman who is now in the bush country," he said. "Herrero seems to +consider that he and a few others are capable of rousing all the ill +will against us among the natives that is desirable, and I am almost +tempted to believe that he is right in this. He is, however, imprudent +enough to supply me with a few particulars which might with advantage +have been made less explicit. He fancies we shall have a rebellion, +and if we do not I almost think it will be no fault of his." + +"There is no doubt a little more," observed Lieutenant Luiz. "When +that man writes a letter he has something to ask for." + +The Commandant nodded. "It is in this case a thing we can oblige him +in," he said. "It seems the crazy Englishman Ormsgill is causing +trouble up yonder and inciting the natives to mutiny. Further, it is +evidently his intention to deprive Domingo of some of the boys who +have engaged themselves under him. The man is one who could, I think, +be called dangerous. It is not a favor to Herrero, but a duty to place +some check on him." + +They looked at one another, and Dom Luiz grinned. "Ah," he said, "our +imprudent friend no doubt mentions how it could most readily be done." + +The Commandant raised one hand. "The thing is simple. You will start, +we will say the day after to-morrow, with several men, and you will +come upon Ormsgill in a village in Cavalho's country. Domingo, it +seems, is there now, and it is expected that Ormsgill will attempt to +take the boys from him, but this will cause no difficulty. The +Headman, who is a friend of Domingo's will, if it appears advisable, +disarm Ormsgill. The latter will no doubt not permit this to be done +quietly, and it is possible that there will be a disturbance in the +village, as the result of which you will arrest him for raiding +natives under our protection. We shall know what to do when you bring +him here." + +They had, after sending Herrero's messenger away, spoken in Portuguese +of which the negro who remained on the veranda understood no more than +a word or two. He stood still, statuesque, with his white draperies +flowing about his dusky limbs, and as disregarded by the white men as +the native girl with the big bedizened fan who crouched in the shadowy +doorway just behind them. Yet both had intelligence, and noticed that +the Chefe instead of destroying the letter laid it carelessly on the +edge of his hammock, from which it dropped when he raised himself a +little. The girl's eyes glistened, but she said nothing, and the man +moved slightly as though his pose had grown irksome. It was +unfortunate that Dom Erminio had considered it advisable to keep him +there waiting his pleasure, for when he stood still again he was a +foot or two nearer the strip of paper than he had been a few moments +earlier. + +Then the girl in the doorway rose, and the Chefe turned sharply in his +hammock as a little haggard man in plain white duck walked quietly out +of the house. He saw the question in the glance Dom Erminio flashed at +his Lieutenant, and smiled as he seated himself in the nearest chair. +Father Tiebout was always unobtrusive, and what he did was as a rule +done very quietly, but he was quite aware that neither of the two +white men were exactly pleased to see him. + +"I came in from the east by the rear of the stockade where they are +mending it," he said. "It was a little nearer. One would suppose that +you did not see me." + +The residency veranda, as is usual in that country, ran round the +building, which had several doors and two stairways, and it was +therefore perfectly natural that the priest should have arrived +unnoticed, but the fact that he had done so was disconcerting just +then, and it left the question how long he might have been in the +house. Still, there were reasons why the Chefe could not ask it or +treat his guest with any discourtesy. + +"In any case you are welcome," he said. "There is presumably something +I can do for you?" + +Father Tiebout nodded. "A little matter," he said. "I was going to San +Thome, and as my road led near the fort I thought I would mention it. +My people have a complaint against the soldiers you lately sent into +our neighborhood under the Sergeant Orticho. Some of them have been +beaten." + +"Dom Luiz will go over and look into it," said the Chefe. "That is, +presently." + +"Ah," said Father Tiebout, "then Dom Luiz is busy now? He will, no +doubt, be at liberty in a day or two?" + +It was not a question Dom Erminio wished to answer, and he waved his +hand. "At the moment one cannot say. In the meanwhile you will make +your complaint a little more definite." + +He had apparently forgotten the messenger, but Father Tiebout had been +quietly watching him, and now saw him stretch out a dusky foot towards +the strip of paper which lay not far away. He touched it with a +prehensile toe, and in another moment it had vanished altogether, +though the man did not stand exactly where he had stood before. +Lieutenant Luiz, as it happened, sat with his back to him, and Dom +Erminio lay in his hammock where he could not see, but two people had +noticed every motion, and though neither of them made any sign the +dusky man was quite aware that the girl who had retired to one of the +windows was watching him. About Father Tiebout he was far from +certain, but he was a bold man, and turning a little away from him he +stooped and apparently touched a scratch a thorn or broken grass stalk +had made on his foot. When he straightened himself again there was, +however, something in his hand. Then the Chefe appeared to remember +him. + +"You will go back to the Lieutenant Castro," he said. "You can tell +him there is no answer. Start to-morrow." + +"It is a long journey," said the man. "I go back now." + +Dom Erminio made a little gesture which seemed to indicate that it was +a matter of indifference to him, and Father Tiebout put a check on his +impatience. He had, as it happened, been in the house at least a +minute before any one had noticed him, and was anxious for reasons of +his own to discover what was in the letter. He did not know what the +messenger meant to do with it, but he was aware that those entrusted +with authority in that country were frequently at variance and spied +on one another. It was possible that the man who could not read the +note might expect to sell it. + +Still, the missionary was one who seldom spoiled anything by undue +haste, and he reflected that while he had traveled in a hammock +leisurely the man was probably worn by a long journey, since San Roque +lay at some distance from the camp where the officer the Chefe had +mentioned was stationed then. So he supplied his hosts with +particulars concerning his complaint, and then talked of other matters +for an hour or more, and it was not until the comida was laid out that +he set out on his journey. This was a somewhat unusual course in the +case of a guest who had a long march still in front of him, but +although the messenger, who might also have been expected to spend the +night there, had evinced the same desire to get on his way, it never +occurred to Dom Erminio to put the two facts together. There are, +however, other cunning men who now and then fail to see a very obvious +thing. + +Still, Father Tiebout did not go by the nearest way to San Thome, +though he urged his hammock boys through the bush all night at their +utmost speed. The path was smoothly trodden, and they had no great +difficulty in following it through the drifting steam, while when the +red sun leapt up and here and there a ray of brightness streamed down, +they came upon a weary man who turned and stood still when he saw +them. He made a little gesture of comprehension when the priest +dropped from his hammock and looked at him. + +Father Tiebout touched his shoulder and led him back a few paces into +the bush. The man was big and muscular, as well as a pagan, but the +priest had the letter when they came out again. He did not tell any +one how he induced the messenger to part with it, but, as he now and +then admitted, he was one who did not hesitate to use the means +available. It was, in fact, a favorite expression of his, and, though +he usually left the latter point an open question, in his case, at +least, the results generally justified the means. He spoke a word or +two sharply to the hammock boys, and they left the man sitting wearily +beside the trail when they went on again. + +It was three weeks later when the priest in charge of the San Thome +Mission, who was a privileged person, sent on the letter to Dom +Clemente Figuera by the hands of a Government messenger, but Father +Tiebout, who requested him to do so, had made one or two other +arrangements in connection with it in the meanwhile. Ormsgill, as he +had once said, had a few good friends in Africa. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +NARES COUNTS THE COST + + +It was getting late and the night was very hot, but Nares was still +busy in his palm-thatched hut. The creed he taught was not regarded +with any great favor by the authorities, and, perhaps, was also by +virtue of its very simplicity a little beyond the comprehension of the +negro, who not unnaturally finds it a good deal easier to believe in a +pantheon of mostly malevolent deities, but if his precepts produced no +very visible result, there were, at least, many sick who flocked to +him. It was significant that the door of his hut stood wide open, as +it always did, though there were men in that forest who had little +love for him. The priests of the heathen also practice the art of +healing, and it is not in human nature to be very tolerant towards a +rival who works without a fee. + +He sat with the perspiration trickling down his worn face beside a +little silver reading lamp, a gift from somebody in the land he came +from. Now and then there was a faint stirring of the muggy air, and +the light flickered a little, while the blue flame of a spirit lamp +that burned beneath a test tube was deflected a trifle, but the weary +man scarcely noticed it as he pored over a medical treatise. Nor did +he notice the crackling that unseen creatures made in the thatch +above his head, the steamy dampness that soaked his thin duck jacket, +or the sickly smell of lilies that now and then flowed into the room. +He was too intent upon the symbols of certain equations, letters and +figures, and crosses of materialistic significance, with the aid of +which he could, at least, mitigate bodily suffering and fight disease. +They were always present, and it was a valiant fight he made in a land +where the white man's courage melts and his faith grows dim. + +At last there were voices and footsteps in the compound, which he +heard but scarcely heeded, and he only looked up when a man stood in +the doorway smiling at him. + +"Ah," he said, "I scarcely expected to see you, Father. What has +become of your hammock boys, and where have you sprung from?" + +Father Tiebout waved his hand, and dropped into the nearest chair. +"The boys are already in the guest hut," he said. "I have come from +San Roque, but not directly. In fact, I found it advisable to make a +little detour." + +"In your case that is not a very unusual thing," and Nares laughed. +"Still, you appear to get there, arrive, as you express it, at least +as frequently as I do." + +The priest made a little gesture. "When one finds a wall he can not +get over across his path it is generally wiser to go round. Why should +one waste his strength and bruise his hands endeavoring to tear it +down? It may be a misfortune, but I think we were not all intended to +be battering rams. The metaphor, however, is not a very excellent +one, since it is in this case a lion that stands in the path of our +friend Ormsgill. For a minute or two you will give me your attention." + +Nares listened with wrinkled forehead, leaning forward with both arms +on the table, and then there was a faint twinkle in his eyes as he +looked at his companion. It was, after all, not very astonishing that +he should smile, for he was accustomed to disconcerting news. + +"I wonder if one could ask how you learned so much?" he said. "It is +scarcely likely that the Chefe or his Lieutenant would tell it you." + +"For one thing, I heard a few words that were not exactly meant for +me; for another, I laid unauthorized hands upon a certain letter. One, +as I have pointed out, must use the means available." + +"The results justify it--when he is successful, which is, no doubt, +why you so seldom fail? Under the circumstances you can not afford to. +There may be something to say for that point of view, but our fathers +were not so liberal in Geneva." + +Father Tiebout smiled good-humoredly. "We will not discuss the point +just now. The question is what must be done? We have a friend who will +walk straight into the jaws of the lion unless--some one--warns him." + +"It is not impossible that he will do so then." + +The priest spread his hands out. "Ah," he said, "how can one teach the +men who delight in stone walls and lions a little sense? Still, +perhaps, it would be a pity if one could. It is possible that folly +was the greatest thing bestowed on them when they were sent into this +world. That, however, is not quite the question." + +"It is--who shall go?" and Nares, who closed one hand, thrust his +chair back noisily. "There are you and I alone available, padre, and +we know that the one of us who ventures to do this thing will be laid +under the ban of Authority, openly proscribed or, at least, quietly +thwarted here and there until he is driven from his work and out of +the country. There are many ways in which those who hold power in +these forests can trouble us." + +Father Tiebout said nothing, but he made a gesture of concurrence, +with his eyes fixed steadily on his companion, and Nares, who could +not help it, smiled a trifle bitterly. + +"Well," he said, "you have your adherents--a band of them--and what +you teach them must be a higher thing than their own idolatry. If they +lost their shepherd they would fall away again. I, as you know, have +none. My call, it seems, is never listened to--and it is plain that +circumstances point to me. Well, I am ready." + +His companion nodded gravely. "It is a hard thing I have to say, but +you are right in this," he said. "I have a flock, and some of them +would perish if I left them. For their sake I can not go. It is not +for me to take my part in a splendid folly, but"--and he spread his +thin hands out--"because it is so I am sorry." + +It was clear that Nares believed him, though he said nothing. He knew +what the thing he was about to do would in all probability cost him, +but he also realized that had circumstances permitted it the little +fever-wasted priest would have gladly undertaken it in place of him. +Father Tiebout was one who recognized his duty, but there was also the +Latin fire in him, and Nares did not think it was merely because he +liked it he submitted to Authority and walked circumspectly, +contenting himself with quietly accomplishing a little here and there. + +Then Father Tiebout made a gesture which seemed to imply that there +was nothing further to be said on that subject, as he pointed through +the open door to the steamy bush. + +"You and I have, perhaps, another duty," he said. "We know what is +going on up yonder, and, as usual, those in authority seem a trifle +blind. If nothing is done there will be bloodshed when the men with +the spears come down." + +Nares was by no means perfect, and his face grew suddenly hard. +"That," he said, "is the business of those who rule. They would not +believe my warning, and I should not offer it if they would. There are +wrongs which can only be set right by the shedding of blood, and I +would not raise a hand if those who have suffered long enough swept +the whole land clean." + +Father Tiebout smiled curiously. "There is, I think, one man who would +have justice done. It is possible there are also others behind him, +but that I do not know. He is not a man who takes many into his +confidence or explains his intentions beforehand. I will venture to +send him Herrero's letter--and a warning." + +He rose with a soft chuckle. "I almost think he will do--something by +and by, but in the meanwhile it is late, and you start to-morrow." + +"No," said Nares simply. "I am starting as soon as the hammock boys +are ready." + +He extinguished the spirit lamp, and lighting a lantern went out into +the darkness which shrouded the compound. He spent a few minutes in a +big whitened hut where two or three sick men lay and a half-naked +negro sat half-asleep. There was, as he realized, not much that he +could do for any of them, and after all, his most strenuous efforts +were of very slight avail against the pestilence that swept those +forests. He had not spared himself, and had done what he could, but +that night he recognized the uselessness of the struggle, as other men +have done in the land of unlifting shadow. Still, he gave the negro a +few simple instructions, and then went out and stood still a few +moments in the compound before he roused the hammock boys. + +There was black darkness about him, and the thicker obscurity of the +steamy forest that shut him in seemed to emphasize the desolation of +the little station. He had borne many sorrows there, and had fought +for weeks together, with the black, pessimistic dejection the fever +breeds, but now it hurt him to leave it, for he knew that in all +probability he would never come back again. He sighed a little as he +moved towards one of the huts, and standing in the entrance called +until a drowsy voice answered him. + +"Get the hammock ready with all the provisions the boys can carry. We +start on a long journey in half an hour," he said. + +Then he went back to his hut, and set out food for himself and his +guest. They had scarcely finished eating when there was a patter of +feet in the compound and a shadowy figure appeared in the dim light +that streamed out from the door. + +"The boys wait," it said. "The hammock is ready." + +Nares rose and shook hands with his companion. "If I do not come +back," he said, "you know what I would wish done." + +The priest was stirred, but he merely nodded. "In that case I will see +to it," he said. + +Then Nares climbed into the hammock, and once more turned to his +companion. + +"I have," he said, "failed here as a teacher. At first it hurt a +little to admit it, but the thing is plain. I may have wasted time in +wondering where my duty lay, but I think I was waiting for a sign. +Now, when the life of the man you and I brought back here is in peril +I think it has been given me." + +"Ah," said the little priest quietly, "when one has faith enough the +sign is sometimes given. There are, I think, other men waiting on the +coast yonder, and one of them is a man who moves surely when the time +is ripe." + +Nares called to the hammock boys, who slipped away into the darkness +with a soft patter of naked feet, while Father Tiebout stood still in +the doorway with a curious look in his eyes. He remembered how Nares +had first walked out of that forest and unobtrusively set about the +building of his station several years ago. Now he had as quietly gone +away again, and in a few more months the encroaching forest would +spread across the compound and enfold the crumbling huts, but for all +that, the man he had left behind could not believe that what he had +done there would be wholly thrown away. + +It was a long and hasty march the woolly-haired bearers made, and they +did not spare themselves. It is believed in some quarters that the +African will only exert himself when he is driven with the stick, and +there are certainly white men in whose case the belief is more or less +warranted, but Nares, like Ormsgill, used none, and the boys plodded +onwards uncomplainingly under burning heat and through sour white +steam. They hewed a way through tangled creepers, and plunged knee and +sometimes waist deep in foul morasses. The sweat of tense effort +dripped from them, and thorns rent their skin, but they would have +done more had he asked it for the man who lay in the hammock that +lurched above them. + +Nares on his part knew that Ormsgill was well in front of him, and +Ormsgill as a rule traveled fast, but it was evident that he must have +made a long journey already, and the Mission boys were fresh. That, at +least, was clear by the pace they made, but it did not greatly slacken +when weariness laid hold on them. They pushed on without flagging +through the unlifting shade, and the ashes of their cooking fires +marked their track across leagues of forest, until late one night they +stopped suddenly in a more open glade, and Nares, flung forward in his +hammock, seized the pole and swung himself down. + +He alighted in black shadow, but he could dimly see one of the boys in +front of him leaning forward as though listening. A blaze of moonlight +fell upon the trail some forty yards away, and two great trunks rose +athwart it in towering columns, but there was nothing else visible. +Still, the boy, who now crouched a trifle, was clearly intent and +apprehensive. He stood rigid and motionless, gazing at the bush, until +he slowly turned his head. + +Nares, who could hear no sound, felt his heart beat, for the man's +attitude was unpleasantly suggestive. It seemed that he was following +something that moved behind the festooned creepers with eyes which +could see more than those of a white man, and Nares felt the tension +becoming unendurable as he watched him until the negro flung out a +pointing hand. Then a voice rose sharply. + +"Move forward a few paces out of the shadow," it said in a native +tongue. + +Nares laughed from sheer relief, for the voice was familiar. + +"We'll move as far as you wish, but we're quite harmless," he said. + +There was a crackle of undergrowth, and a white-clad figure stepped +out of the bush with something that caught the moonlight and glinted +in its hand. Nares moved forward, and in another moment or two stopped +by Ormsgill's side. + +"I might have expected something of the kind, but I scarcely fancied +you were so near," he said. "Anyway, I should not have supposed a +white man could have crept up on us as you have done." + +Ormsgill's smile was a trifle grim. "Most white men have not been +hunted for their life," he said. "As a rule it's prudent to take +precautions in the bush. It was not you I expected to see." + +"Still, I have come a long way after you." + +"Then we'll go back to camp," said Ormsgill. "Bring your boys along." + +He sent a hoarse call ringing through the shadows of the bush, and +then turned to his companion as if in explanation. + +"One or two of the boys have Sniders, and their nerves might be a +trifle unsteady," he said, "I can't get them to keep their finger off +the trigger." + +"Sniders?" said Nares. + +Ormsgill laughed. "There are, it seems, a few of them in the country. +I have now and then come across American rifles, too. I don't know how +they got here, and it's not my business, but it is generally believed +that officials now and then acquire a competence by keeping a hand +open and their eyes shut." + +Nares, who asked no more questions, followed him through the creepers +and undergrowth until he turned and pointed to a stalwart negro +standing close against a mighty trunk, who lowered his heavy rifle +with a grin. Then the faint glow of a smoldering fire became visible, +and Ormsgill stopped where the moonlight streamed down upon the ground +sheet spread outside a little tent. + +"Your boys can camp among my carriers," he said. "You will probably +have fed them, but I can offer you a few biscuits and some coffee. +It's Liberian." + +The coffee was made and brought them by a splendid grinning negro with +blue-striped forehead, who hailed from the land where it was grown, +and while they drank it Nares made his errand clear. When he had done +this Ormsgill laid down his cup and looked at him. + +"There is one thing you have to do, and that is to go back to the +Mission as fast as you can," he said. "Our friends in authority will +make things singularly uncomfortable for you if they hear that you +have taken the trouble to spoil their plan by warning me." + +Nares smiled and shook his head. "You ought to be acquainted with the +customs of this country by now," he said. "I couldn't keep clear of +all the villages on my way up, and, if I had, news of what I have done +would have reached San Roque already." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is probably correct. It is +unfortunate. I won't attempt to thank you--under the circumstances it +would be a trifle difficult to do it efficiently. Well, since you +can't go back to the Mission, you must come on with me." + +Nares looked at him in some astonishment. "After what I told you, you +are going on?" + +"Of course!" and Ormsgill laughed softly. "I have been trailing +Domingo for a long while, and he is, as you know, in the village a few +days' march in front of us with most of the boys. It is scarcely +likely that I shall have a more favorable opportunity." + +"Haven't I made it clear to you that the Headman is a friend of his, +and they are supposed to have arms there? Can't you understand yet +that Domingo will embroil you with him, and arrange that you will have +to fight your way out? Even if you manage it Dom Luiz is close behind +with several files of infantry, and will certainly lay hands on you. +You will have fired upon natives under official protection, and taken +a labor purveyor's boys away from him. It would not be difficult to +make out that you were inciting the natives to rebellion. Do you +expect a fair hearing at San Roque?" + +"I don't," and Ormsgill smiled. "In fact, I don't purpose to go there +at all. I expect to be clear again with the boys before Dom Luiz +arrives. From what I know of his habits on the march I should be able +to manage it." + +"But it is likely that Domingo, who knows he is expected to keep you +here until Dom Luiz turns up, will sell the boys?" + +Ormsgill smiled again. "I don't purpose to afford him the opportunity. +He stole the boys, and I am merely going to make him give them up +again. With a little resolution I believe it can be done. Still, I am +sorry to drag you into the thing." + +Nares said nothing for a moment or two. He felt that it would be +useless, and his companion's quiet cold-blooded daring had its effect +on him. After all, check it as he would, there was in him a vague +pride and belief in the white man's destiny, and in the land he came +from the term white man does not include the Latins. This world, it +seems, was made for Americans and Englishmen to rule. A little gleam +crept into his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "I don't think I'm going to blame you now I am in." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +NEGRO DIPLOMACY + + +The glare was almost intolerable when Ormsgill and his carriers walked +into the space of trampled dust round which straggled the heavily +thatched huts of the native village. The afternoon sun flooded it with +a pitiless heat and dazzling brilliancy, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant atmosphere. Beyond the clustering huts the forest rose +impressively still, and there was a deep silence for a few moments +after the line of weary men appeared. Then as they came on with a soft +patter of naked feet a murmur rose from the groups of half-naked +negroes squatting in the dust under the shadow flung by a great tree. +It was not articulate, but there was a hint of anger in it, for white +men were not regarded with any great favor in that village, which was +not astonishing. + +They moved quietly forward across the glaring dust, with a guard of +dusky men in white cotton marching rifle on shoulder behind them. +Indeed, the carriers only stopped when they reached the shadow of the +tree under which the Headman and the elders of the village had +assembled. Then as Ormsgill raised his hand the men with rifles swung +out to left and right, and stood fast, an inconsequent handful of +motionless figures with the unarmed carriers clustering behind them. +Their white cotton draperies, which they had put on half an hour ago, +gleamed in the sun glare dazzlingly. + +Ormsgill was quite aware that a good deal depended on his composure +and steadiness of bearing, but he had just come out of the shadow of +the forest and he blinked as he looked about him. Close in front of +him the fat village Headman sat on a carved stool, but there was +another older man of somewhat lighter color and dignified presence who +was seated a little higher, and this promised to complicate the +affair, since Ormsgill recognized him as a man of some importance in +those forests, and one who claimed a certain domination over the +villages in them. It was known that he bore the white men little good +will, but his presence there suggested that he had some complaint +against the villagers, or was disposed as their suzerain to listen to +their grievances, and Ormsgill realized that he had arrived at a +somewhat unfortunate time. Then his eyes rested on another man he had +expected to see. He stood among the elders, big and brown-skinned, +with loose robes of white and blue flowing about him, smiling +maliciously, though Ormsgill fancied that for some not very evident +reason he was not quite at ease. Nares, who now stood beside his +comrade, recognized him as Domingo, the labor purveyor. + +"I'm 'most afraid you are going to find it difficult to get those +boys," he said. "One could fancy these people had affairs of their own +to discuss, and it's by no means certain that they'll even listen to +us in the meanwhile." + +Ormsgill, who did not answer him, glanced round at his boys. He +fancied that none of them felt exactly comfortable, but they, at +least, kept still, and he sent forward two of them with the presents +he had brought before he turned to the Headman. + +"I have come here to justice," he said in a bush tongue, and Nares who +had a closer acquaintance with it amplified his observations. "That +man," and he pointed to Domingo, "has with him boys who belonged to my +friend the trader Lamartine. He stole them, and I have made a long +journey to get them back again." + +"If they belonged to Lamartine, who is dead, they can not be yours," +said the Headman shrewdly. "You do not say you bought them from him." + +"In one sense it's almost a pity you hadn't. He has made a point," +Nares said quietly. + +It was evident that the rest of the assembly recognized the fact, for +there was laughter and a murmur of concurrence. Ormsgill, who did not +expect to be believed, flung a hand up. + +"If you will listen you shall hear why I claim them," he said, and he +spoke for some minutes tersely while Nares now and then flung in a +word or two. + +Another laugh rang along the rows of squatting men, and there was +blank incredulity in the dusky faces. This was, however, by no means +astonishing, since the motives he professed to have been actuated by +were distinctly unusual in that part of Africa. It was inconceivable +to those who heard him that a man should trouble himself greatly about +a promise he need not have kept, as this one said he had done. They +were too well acquainted with the white men's habits to believe a +thing of that kind could be possible. The fat Headman looked round and +grinned. + +"I think," he observed, "we should now hear what Domingo has to say." + +Domingo had a good deal to say, and framed it cunningly, playing upon +the dislike of the white men that was in those who heard him, but as +Ormsgill noticed, it was the old man of lighter color he chiefly +watched. The latter sat silent and motionless, regarding him with +expressionless eyes, until he ceased, and Ormsgill realized that if it +depended upon the opinion of the assembly Domingo had won his case. +Still, though he was by no means sure what he would do, he was, at +least, determined it should not depend on that, and there was a trace +of grimness in his smile when Nares turned to him. + +"I'm afraid it has gone against us," he said. + +"Against me, you mean," said Ormsgill dryly. + +"No," and Nares's gesture was expressive, "what I said stands without +the correction." + +Before Ormsgill could answer, the old man made a sign, and there was +no mistaking his tone of authority. + +"Bring the boys," he said. + +They were led in some minutes later, eight of them, and three or four +ran towards Ormsgill with eager cries. He waved them back, and there +was silence for a moment or two until the old man rose up slowly with +a curious smile in his eyes. + +"It seems that this man has not beaten them too often," he said. "You +have seen that they would sooner be his men than Domingo's. Let one of +them speak." + +One of them did so, and what he said bore out some, at least, of +Ormsgill's assertions. Then the grave figure in the plain white robe +raised a hand, and there was a sudden silence of attention. + +"After all," he said, "this is my village, and it is by my permission +your Headman rules here. Now, this stranger has told us a thing which +appears impossible. We have not heard anything like it from a white +man before, but when a man would deceive you he is careful to tell you +what you can believe." + +There was a little murmur which suggested that the listeners grasped +the point of this, and the old man went on. + +"I know that Lamartine was an honest man, for I have bought trade +goods from him. They were what I bought them for, and I got the weight +and count in full. Lamartine was honest, and it is likely that this +man is honest, too, or he would not have been his friend." + +He stopped a moment, and smiled a trifle dryly. "Now, we know that +Domingo is a thief, for he has often cheated you, and it is certain +that he is a friend of the white men. I have told you at other times +that you are fools to trade with him. If a man is in debt or has done +some wrong you part with him for this trader's goods. The rum is +drunk, the cloth wears out, but the man lives on, and every day's work +he does on the white men's plantations makes them richer and +stronger. As they grow richer they grow greedier, and by and by they +will not be satisfied with a man or two from among you. You will have +made them strong enough to take you all. That, however, is not the +question in the meanwhile. I think it may have happened, as this +stranger says, that Domingo stole these boys from Lamartine, but even +in that case there is a difficulty. The boys are with him, and in this +country what a man holds in his hand is his. Perhaps the white man +will offer him goods for them. I do not think he would ask too much, +at least, if he is wise." + +He looked at Ormsgill, who shook his head. + +"Not a piece of cloth or a bottle of gin," he said. + +There was a little murmur of resentment from the assembly, but +Ormsgill saw that his boldness had the effect he had expected upon the +man whose suggestion he had disregarded, and he had not acted +inadvisedly when he dismissed all idea of compromise. Domingo had +influential friends in that village, while, save for the handful of +carriers, he and his companion stood alone. He also knew that if +misfortune befell them no troublesome questions would be asked by the +authorities. The whole enterprise was in one sense a folly, and that +being so it was only by a continuance of the rashness he could expect +to carry it through. Half measures were, as he realized, generally +useless, and often perilous, in an affair of the kind, for there are +occasions when one must face disastrous failure or bid boldly for +success. Nares also seemed to recognize that fact, for he smiled as he +turned to his companion. + +"I think you were right," he said. + +Then the Headman said something to his Suzerain who made a sign that +the audience was over. + +"It is a thing that must be talked over," he announced. "We shall, +perhaps, know what must be done to-morrow." + +Ormsgill acknowledged his gesture, swinging off his shapeless hat, and +then led his boys away to the hut one of the Headman's servants +pointed out to him. It was old, and had apparently been built for a +person of importance for, though this was more usual further east +among the dusky Moslem, there was a tall mud wall about it, and a +smaller building probably intended for the occupation of the women +inside the latter. It was dusty and empty save for the rats and +certain great spiders, and during the rest of the hot afternoon +Ormsgill sat with Nares in the little enclosed space under the +lengthening shadow of the wall. The boys had curled themselves up +amidst the dust and quietly gone to sleep. + +There was nothing they could see but the ridge of forest beyond the +huts, and though now and then a clamor of voices reached them from +outside, it supplied them with no clue to what was going on. Ormsgill +smoked his pipe out several times before he said anything, and then he +glanced at the wall meditatively. + +"It seems thick, and there's only one entrance," he observed. "I +almost fancy we could hold the place, though I don't anticipate the +necessity. Still, Domingo, who does a good trade here, has a certain +following, and it might be an advantage if I knew a little more about +our friends' affair. Their Suzerain seems to have some notion of fair +play. I wonder what he is doing here." + +"I have been asking myself the same question," said Nares. "It seems +to me these folks have been a little slack in recognizing his +authority, and he has been making them a visitation. In one respect +they're somewhat unfortunately fixed. The Portuguese consider they +belong to them though they have made no attempt to occupy the country, +and it's a little rough on the Headman who has to keep the peace with +both." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture of concurrence. "No doubt you're +correct. The question is who the Headman would sooner not offend, and +it's rather an important one because we are somewhat awkwardly +circumstanced if it's the Portuguese. Our friend from the Interior +naturally doesn't like them, but it's uncertain how far we could count +on him, and Dom Luiz will probably turn up to-morrow night or the next +day, and then there would be fresh complications." + +"In that case we should never get the boys." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper in Ormsgill's forehead, but he smiled. +"I wouldn't go quite so far, though if Domingo still had the boys it +might delay things. As it is, I don't think he will have them. How I'm +going to take them from him I don't quite know, but I expect to make +an attempt of some kind to-morrow. You see, these folks have no +particular fondness for the Portuguese, and that will probably count +for a little." + +Nares said nothing further on that subject, and Ormsgill talked about +other matters while the shadows crept across the little dusty +enclosure and the forest cut more darkly against the dazzling glare. +Then it stood out for a brief few minutes fretted hard and sharp in +ebony against a blaze of transcendent splendor, and vanished with an +almost bewildering suddenness as darkness swept down. The smell of +wood smoke crept into the stagnant air, and a cheerful hum of voices +rose from the huts beyond the wall, through which odd bursts of +laughter broke. It would not have been astonishing if it had jarred +upon the susceptibilities of the two men who heard it, but, as it +happened, they listened tranquilly. They had both faced too many +perils in the shadowy land to concern themselves greatly as to what +might befall them. In one was the sure belief that all he was to bear +was appointed for him, and the other thought of little but the task in +hand. They were simple men, impatient often, and now and then driven +into folly by human bitterness, but there is, perhaps, nothing taught +in all the creeds and philosophies greater than their desire to do a +little good. The formulas change, and lose their authority, but the +down-trodden and those who groan beneath a heavy burden always remain. + +By and by one of the Headman's retainers brought in food and a native +lamp. He had nothing to tell the white men, and they, recognizing it, +judiciously refrained from useless questions. When they had eaten they +sat awhile talking of matters that did not greatly interest them until +Ormsgill, who had already stationed his sentries, extinguished the +light. + +"Whether the boys can be depended on to watch I don't know, and it's +probably very doubtful," he said. "Anyway, I think we shall be safe +until to-morrow, and I'm going to sleep. After all, I fancy we could +leave the thing to the Headman. He's a cunning rascal, and it's to +some extent his business to find a way out of the difficulty. As you +suggest, he stands between his Suzerain and the Portuguese, and can't +afford to offend either of them." + +He stretched himself out on his hard native couch, and apparently sank +into tranquil slumber, but it was some time before Nares' eyes closed. +He was of different temperament, and, though he was not unduly +anxious, the surroundings had their effect on him. There was, as +usual, no door to the hut, and he could see the soft blue darkness +beyond the entrance. The figure of a big, half-naked man who carried a +heavy rifle cut against it shadowily now and then. The village was +silent, and he could hear a little hot breeze sweep through it and +stir the invisible trees. At last, however, he sank into sleep, and +was awakened suddenly some time later. He did not know what had roused +him, but as he raised himself he dimly saw Ormsgill slip across the +room. Then there was a footfall outside, and he made out the sentry +half-crouching in the entrance. + +He rose, and stood still, quivering a little, while, perhaps, a +quarter of a minute slipped by. The stillness was very impressive, and +seemed emphasized by the footsteps outside. They were soft and +cautious, and it was evident that the man who made them was desirous +of slipping into the hut unseen. Then there was a thud in the +entrance, and a scuffle during which Ormsgill hurled himself upon the +pair of struggling men. + +"Let him go," he said in a bush tone. "Take your hand off his neck. +Now get up." + +A man who gasped heavily staggered to his feet, and Ormsgill laughed +as he turned to Nares. + +"I believe he's a messenger, but he can hardly blame us for welcoming +him as we did," he said. "Now if you have anything to say go on with +it." + +Nares could only just see the negro, who was probably attempting to +recover his senses, for he said nothing. + +"Who sent you?" asked Ormsgill, who gripped his arm tightly, in the +native tongue. + +"It is a thing I am not to tell," said the man. "I have a message. +Domingo left our village with the boys an hour ago. He heads for the +west." + +Nares turned to Ormsgill. "Well," he said, "I am not altogether +astonished, and the Headman's hint is plain enough. Of course, the +thing may be a trap, but it is quite possible he is not unnaturally +anxious to get rid of us and Domingo." + +Ormsgill looked at the negro. "If he has gone an hour ago how are we +to come up with him?" + +"The road twists across the high land," said the man. "There is a +shorter path through a swamp." + +"Then if you will lead us across the swamp so we can reach firm ground +in front of Domingo you shall have as much cloth as you can carry." + +It was a tempting offer, and though the negro appeared to have +misgivings he profited by it, and in another few minutes Ormsgill had +roused the boys in the compound. + +"If we have no trouble in getting out I think we can feel reasonably +sure that the Headman doesn't care whether we worry Domingo or not," +he said. + +"Well," said Nares reflectively, "I almost think you're right. Still, +he may, after all, have something different in his mind. As you said, +we could probably hold the hut, and we are not out of the village +yet." + +Ormsgill seemed to smile. "In that case," he said, "he may have reason +to be sorry he ever entertained a notion of that kind." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE AMBUSCADE + + +A thin crescent moon hung low in the western sky when they slipped out +into the sleeping village, and shadowy huts and encircling forest were +dimly distinguishable. The place was very silent, and though the negro +as a rule sleeps lightly no one appeared in a doorway, and no voice +was raised to challenge them. In fact, Nares, who walked beside his +comrade with his heart beating a good deal faster than usual, felt the +silence almost oppressive, for he was conscious that it might at any +moment be rudely broken. He had very little confidence in the dusky +Headman, and knew that if treachery was intended they were affording +him the opportunity he probably desired. + +Now and then there was a faint clatter and jingle of arms, and at +times the soft patter of naked feet in the trampled dust was flung +back with what appeared to be a startling distinctness by the huts +they passed, but there was no other sound, and the boys flitted +steadily on, a line of vague, shadowy figures, in front of him. Then +he drew a deep breath of relief as they left the village behind them +and plunged into the gloom of the forest. He looked back a moment +towards the clustering huts which rose faintly black against the dim +bush, and wondered how the Headman would explain matters to his +Suzerain on the morrow. That, however, was the Headman's affair, and +Nares fancied he would be equal to the occasion, since the negro is +usually a very shrewd diplomatist. + +By and by the darkness beneath the trees grew a little less intense, +and they came out on the brink of a morass. It stretched away before +them smeared with drifting wisps of sour white steam, and it was not +astonishing that they halted and looked at it apprehensively. An +African swamp is not, as a rule, considered impassable so long as one +does not sink beyond the hips in it, and there are places where +British forest officers flounder through them more or less cheerfully +for days together, but it is, for all that, a thing the average white +man has a natural shrinking from. Ormsgill significantly tapped the +rifle he now carried before he exchanged a few words with their guide. + +"He says we can get through, but I'll take the precaution of walking +close beside him," he said to Nares. "It's an excellent rule in this +country not to let your guide get too far in front of you." + +They went in, and the tall grass near the verge crackled about them as +they sank in the plastic mire out of which they could scarcely drag +their feet. It was a little easier where there was only foul slime and +water, and in places there were signs of a path, that is, they could +see where somebody else had floundered through the quaggy waste of +corruption. The smell was a thing to shudder at, but they were all of +them more or less used to that, and the emanations of such places do +not invariably prostrate the white man who is accustomed to the +country. In some cases, at least, the results of inhaling them only +appear some time afterwards, but there are very few white men who +escape them altogether. + +In due time they came out, bemired from head to foot, with scum and +slimy water draining from them, and they diffused sour odors as they +once more plunged into the forest which just there was permeated with +the sickly scent of lilies. Still, it was a consolation to Ormsgill +that they had, at least, left nobody behind, and he acquired a certain +confidence in their guide. They pushed on for most of the night, +smashing and hacking a way through creepers, and stumbling in loose +white sand, and at last came out upon a well beaten trail. The negro +who crawled up and down it said that Domingo had not reached that spot +yet, but Ormsgill did not content himself with his assurance. With +difficulty, he made a little fire and while it flickered feebly +stooped over the loose sand. Then he stamped it out before he turned +to Nares. + +"I almost think he is right, and as the Headman doesn't expect us to +compromise him we'll let him go," he said. + +The man, it was evident, had no desire to stay, and when he went away +content with his load of cotton cloth Ormsgill made the most of his +forces. Two men with Sniders whom he fancied he could to some extent +depend upon were sent back to crouch beside the trail; a few more took +up their stations a little distance ahead; and the white men lay down +with the carriers between the two parties, and a few yards back from +the path. It was now a trifle cooler, for the night was wearing +through, and the mysterious voices of the forest had died away and +left a deep silence intensified by the splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nares shivered a little as the all pervading damp crept +through his thin garments, though the lower half of them was still +foul with the mire of the swamp. + +"I suppose we shall meet Domingo if we wait long enough?" he said. +"After all, we have only the Headman's word to warrant us believing +it." + +Ormsgill laughed. "It depends a good deal upon the kind of bargains +Domingo has made with him lately. The thing will probably work out +just as we would like it if he hasn't been quite satisfied with them. +It's an arrangement that would commend itself to the average African. +Still, as I said already, I'm a trifle sorry that you are mixed up in +it." + +Nares sat silent a moment or two. He had borne a good deal, perhaps +rather more than could have been expected of him, from those whom he +considered with some reason as workers of iniquity, and, after all, +excessive meekness has seldom been a characteristic of the Puritan. + +"Well," he said slowly, "I'm not sure that I am. It is very probable +that I have been proscribed already, and, perhaps, it was not patience +but cowardice that made me submit so long. After all, patience +accomplishes very little in Africa." + +"I'm afraid it was never one of my strong points," and Ormsgill +smiled. "In fact, if Domingo made any kind of fight it would be a +certain relief to me, although because one can't always afford to be +guided by his personal likes I've taken every precaution against it. +Now, suppose we get the boys back, what do you propose to do?" + +"Go back to my station," said Nares quietly. + +"And if you hear that Dom Luiz is there with several files of infantry +to arrest you?" + +"In that case I will go down to the coast with you." + +Ormsgill dropped a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "I shall be glad to +have you wherever I go, though I'm not sure that you wouldn't be safer +if you pushed on alone. You don't mention what it has cost you to warn +me, but I think I can understand." + +Nares slowly shook his head. "I don't think I have much to regret," he +said without a trace of bitterness. "I was sent here to save men's +souls, and it seems that I have failed. Still, I think I should have +stayed and healed their bodies--had it been permitted--but there is, +perhaps, work I can do elsewhere since that is not the case." He +stopped a moment with the faintest sigh. "We will not mention this +again." + +Ormsgill said nothing, probably because he was more than a trifle +stirred. He knew that it requires self-restraint and courage to face +the fact that one's efforts have been thrown away, but there are men +like him who now and then shrink from expressing their sympathy. +Leaning forward a little with the rifle across his knees he set +himself to listen. + +It was almost an hour before he heard anything at all, and in the +meanwhile the faint coolness increased, and the tops of the trees +above him became dimly visible. They cut with a growing sharpness +against the eastern sky, and here and there a massy trunk grew out of +the obscurity. Then there was a faint pearly flush beyond them, and in +the cold of the sudden dawn he heard the men he was waiting for. A +soft patter of footsteps and a murmur of voices came up the winding +trail. He knew the boys had also heard, for the undergrowth behind him +crackled and then was still again. + +In another few minutes there was dim light in the forest, and he could +see indistinct figures moving towards him through the narrow gap in +the leaves. They became more visible, and he could make out the +uncovered ebony skin of some and the fluttering cotton that flowed +about the others' limbs. There were burdens upon most of their heads, +but a few carried what seemed to be long flintlock guns. Then, for +dawn comes with startling swiftness in that land, the shadowy trunks +became sharp and clear, and the men who plodded among them seemed to +emerge from a blurring obscurity. Black limbs, impassive faces, raw +white draperies, and gray gun barrels were forced up in the sudden +light, but Ormsgill raising himself a trifle fixed his eyes upon the +man of lighter color who walked a little apart from the others. His +voice rang harshly as he flung menaces in a native tongue at one or +two of those who lagged under their burdens, and perhaps he was, in +one respect, warranted in this, since, for economic reasons, the negro +whose labor somebody else has sold for him is seldom loaded beyond +his strength on his march to the coast, at least, so long as +provisions are plentiful. + +They had almost reached the spot where the white men lay when Ormsgill +quietly walked out into the trail, and stood there with left foot +forward and the rifle at his hip. He had left his shapeless hat +behind, and his thin, thorn-rent garments clung about him damp with +dew and foul with mire. Still, he looked curiously resolute, and the +men with the burdens stopped and recoiled at the sight of him, until +one group of them flung down what they carried and ran towards him +clamoring. Then there was a harsh cry from the rear of the line, and +swinging round they scattered into the underbrush as the tall man of +lighter color sprang forward with something that glinted in his hand. + +Ormsgill's rifle went up and came in to the shoulder. With the same +motion his cheek dropped upon the stock. He said nothing, but the +labor purveyor stopped. Ormsgill swung down the rifle. + +"Look behind you," he said in Portuguese. + +Domingo turned, and saw two half-naked men with Sniders standing in +the trail. Then looking round again he saw several more ahead, while +other dusky figures had risen here and there among the undergrowth. +They appeared resolute, and it was evident that he could get no +further without their permission. He was credited with being a daring +as well as an unscrupulous man, but he knew when the odds were too +heavy against him, and he made a sign to Ormsgill. + +"You want something from me?" he said. + +"I do," said Ormsgill. "The boys you stole from Lamartine. It will +save you trouble if you give them up." + +Domingo glanced once more at the men with the rifles, who stood still, +one or two of them regarding him with a sardonic grin. Then he glanced +at his startled carriers, who had thrown down their burdens and +huddled together. There was, of course, nothing to be expected from +them, and his few armed retainers were evidently not to be relied +upon. In fact, they were gazing longingly at the bush, and it was +clear that they were ready to make a dash for its shelter. They had +done his bidding truculently when it was a question of overawing +down-trodden bushmen and keeping defenseless carriers on the march, +but to face resolute men with rifles was a different matter, and their +courage was not equal to the task. Domingo seemed to recognize it, for +he made a little scornful gesture. + +"If I had a few men who could be depended on I would fight you for the +boys," he said. "As it is they are yours." + +"I see eight," said Ormsgill. "Where are the others?" + +Domingo smiled maliciously. "In the hands of the Ugalla Headman. I am +afraid it will be a little difficult to induce him to part with them: +Lamartine, it seems, had taught them enough to make them useful to a +Headman who is copying the white men's habits." + +"In that case he no doubt gave you something worth while for them, and +since you stole them it does not belong to you. Are you willing to +tell me what he offered you?" + +"No," said Domingo resolutely. + +"It wouldn't be difficult to estimate it at the usual figure, and you +will understand that the Headman will ask me, at least, as much as he +gave for them, but I will be reasonable. If you will let me have the +arms your boys carry I shall be satisfied." + +"How can I drive these men to the coast if we have no arms?" + +"I don't know," said Ormsgill with a little laugh. "It is your affair, +but, perhaps, I can simplify the thing for you. I will take the arms +in exchange for the boys in the Headman's possession, and hand you +over what trade goods I have and paper bills for the rest of the men, +except the eight boys, for whom you will get nothing. I think I can +calculate what they cost you, and the fact that the transaction is +probably illegal does not trouble me." + +There was still silence for a moment or two, and a dazzling ray of +sunlight beat down into the bush. It made a sudden brightness, and +showed the malice in Domingo's dusky face. Then it touched the huddled +carriers' naked skin, and Nares glanced from them to the group of +Lamartine's boys who had appeared again. It seemed they understood a +little of what was going on, and were watching Ormsgill expectantly. +He stood quietly in the middle of the trail, with a rifle at his hip +and a little grim smile in his eyes. All round rose the forest, +impressive in its stillness, dim and shadowy, and the scene had a +curious effect on Nares. He felt it had its symbolism, and its motive +was that of all the old world legends and dramas, the triumph of the +right over evil which man has from forgotten times vaguely believed +in. It is, perhaps, especially difficult to be an optimist in Africa, +but Nares who had borne a good deal in its steamy shadow held fast to +his faith, and it did not matter greatly to him that the latter day +champion of the oppressed was a most unknightly figure in burst shoes +and tattered garments and carried an American rifle. At last, however, +Domingo made a little gesture. + +"I am in your hands," he said. "You shall have them." + +They were not long in making the bargain, and when the arms and all +the boys except the few who had carried the long guns had been handed +over Ormsgill turned once more to Domingo. + +"Now," he said, "you can go where you please, but I scarcely think it +will be back towards the interior. Your friends up yonder would +probably profit by the opportunity if you appeared among them with a +few unarmed men." + +Domingo called to his few remaining followers, who took up some of the +loads the men released had carried for them. Then there was a soft +patter of feet and one by one the dusky figures flitted by and +vanished into the gloom. Ormsgill armed Lamartine's boys, and +afterwards drew Nares aside. + +"In the first case I have to make sure of these men, and it is a +question if I can reach the coast before Domingo's friends head me +off," he said. "Considering everything it seems to me that haste is +distinctly advisable." + +They started in another half-hour, and pushed on through the forest +for a week or two. Then Ormsgill made a traverse which cost him +several days to reach the vicinity of Nares' station. He stopped at a +bush village, and was told there that the station was occupied by +black soldiers from San Roque. When they heard it Ormsgill quietly +looked at Nares. + +"You can't go back," he said. "The Chefe holds summary authority, and +no doubt has his views concerning you. It's scarcely worth while +pointing out what they would probably be, but if you succeed in +getting out of his hands you would be a discredited man who had only +met with his deserts." + +Nares made a little gesture, for that was a very bitter moment, but +his face was tranquil. + +"It's a thing I was prepared for. We'll push on," he said. + +They stayed an hour or two in the village, and then started once more +on their long journey to the coast. It was clear that they could +afford no delay in reaching it, but there was no road to the Bahia +Santiago, and day by day they floundered through swamp and forest +under an intolerable heat, with garments rent to tatters, worn out, +gasping now and then, but always pushing on. They drank putrid water, +and when provisions commenced to run out lived on a few daily handfuls +of equally divided food. Nature was also against them, and barred +their path with fallen trees and thorny creepers, and the march they +made was a test of what man could bear. Still, there was no discord, +and no negro raised his voice in protest. The boys recognized that +haste was advisable, and they had confidence in the white man with the +quiet lined face who marched at the head of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOM CLEMENTE LOOKS ON + + +A little breeze blew in between the slender pillars delightfully fresh +and cool, and Dom Clemente Figuera, who had taken off his heavy kepi, +lay in a cane chair with a smile in his half-closed eyes. The ten +o'clock breakfast had just been cleared away, but two cups of bitter +black coffee still stood upon the table beside a bundle of cigars and +a flask of light red wine. He was, as he now and then laughingly +admitted, usually in an excellent humor after breakfast, and one could +have fancied just then that he had not a care in the world. There +were, however, men who said that in the case of Dom Clemente +tranquillity was not always a favorable sign. + +Opposite him sat the trader Herrero, who was not quite so much at ease +as he desired to be. His manners were usually characterized by a +certain truculence, which as a rule served him well in the bush, but +he had sense enough to realize that it was not likely to have much +effect upon his companion. There was something about the little +smiling gentleman in the immaculate white uniform on the other side of +the table which would have made it difficult for one to adopt an +aggressive attitude towards him, even if he had not been one who held +authority. Herrero had therefore laid a somewhat unusual restraint +upon himself while he expressed his views, and now sat watching his +companion anxiously. Dom Clemente lighted a cigar before he answered +him. + +"This Englishman," he said, "is apparently a turbulent person. I have +just received a letter concerning him from the Chefe at San Roque, as +you are, no doubt, aware." + +There was a question in his glance which Herrero could not ignore, +though he would have liked to do so. He felt it was unfortunate that +he did not know exactly what was in the letter. + +"I addressed my complaint to the Chefe in the first case," he said. +"Since Ormsgill is believed to have traveled towards the coast it was +to be expected that Dom Erminio should communicate with you." + +"Exactly!" and Dom Clemente smiled. "The complaint, it seems, is a +double one. The Englishman Ormsgill has, I am informed, abducted a +native girl who was in your company, but one can not quite understand +how he has offended in this, since it appears that she was content to +go with him. In one case only you have a remedy. If you have any +record of a marriage with this woman the affair shall be looked into." + +"I have none," and Herrero made a little gesture. "There are, you +understand, certain customs in the bush." + +Dom Clemente reproachfully shook his head. "They are," he said, "not +recognized by the law, and that being so your grievance against the +Englishman is a purely personal one. It is no doubt exasperating that +the woman should prefer him, and she is probably unwise in this, but +it is not a matter that concerns any one else." + +"It is not alleged that she preferred him," and the trader's face +flushed a trifle. + +"Still," said his companion, "she went with him. Now you do not wish +to tell me that you had laid any restraint upon her to keep her with +you, or that there was anything to warrant you doing so. For instance, +you do not wish me to believe that you had bought her?" + +Herrero did not, at least, consider it prudent. The law, as he was +aware, did not countenance such transactions, and while he sat silent +his companion smiled at him. + +"Then," he said, "I am afraid I can only offer you my sympathy, and we +will proceed to the next complaint. This Englishman, it is alleged, +has also stolen certain boys from Domingo. Now the law allows a native +to bind himself to labor for a specified time, and while the +engagement lasts he is in a sense the property of the man he makes it +with. The engagement, of course, can only be made in due form on the +coast, but the man who brings the boys down and feeds them on the +strength of their promise may be considered to have some claim on +them. It seems to me that person was Domingo. Why did he not make the +complaint himself?" + +"He is busy, and it would necessitate a long journey. Besides, I have +a share in his business ventures." + +"That," said Dom Clemente reflectively, "is a sufficient reason. This +Domingo seems to be an enterprising man. One wonders if he has many +business associates up yonder." + +Again Herrero did not answer. He did not like the little shrewd smile +in his companion's eyes, for, as he was aware, the only white men in +the forests Domingo frequented were missionaries and administrators, +who were, at least, not supposed to participate in purely commercial +ventures. He could not understand Dom Clemente at all, for it was very +natural that it should not occur to him that he was an honest man, as +well as an astute one who had been entrusted with a difficult task. He +would, in fact, have been startled had he known what was in his +companion's mind. Seeing he did not speak, Dom Clemente waved his +hand. + +"It seems," he said, "that Ormsgill will make for the coast with the +boys in question, and you have come to warn me, partly because it is +to your interest, and partly from the sense of duty. Well, with this +knowledge in my possession it should be difficult for him to get them +away." + +He stopped a moment, but Herrero saw nothing significant in the fact +that he glanced languidly towards the _Palestrina_. She lay gleaming +white like ivory on the glittering stretch of water he could see +across the roofs of the city, and, as it happened, he was going off +that evening to a function which Desmond, who had brought her in the +day before, had arranged. + +"Steps will be taken to intercept him when we have news of his +whereabouts, and in the meanwhile I have another question," he said. +"There is discontent up yonder among the bushmen?" + +His manner was indifferent, but Herrero was on his guard. "A little," +he said. "If it becomes more serious it will be due to this Ormsgill, +and, perhaps, to the missionaries. He and the American are teaching +the bushmen to be mutinous." + +Dom Clemente took up a letter which had, as it happened, been sent him +by Father Tiebout, from the table, and read it meditatively. Then he +rose with a little smile. + +"The affair shall be looked into," he said. + +Herrero withdrew, not altogether satisfied. Dom Clemente had been +uniformly courteous, but now and then a just perceptible hardness had +crept into his eyes. The latter, however, smiled as he poured himself +out another glass of wine, and then turned quietly, as his daughter +appeared in the doorway. She came nearer, and stood looking down at +him. + +"That man has gone away?" she said. "He is an infamous person." + +Dom Clemente glanced at the little green lattice on the white wall +behind her with a faint twinkle in his eyes. It was not very far away, +and he remembered that Herrero had spoken distinctly. + +"One would admit that he is not a particularly estimable man, but he +has, like most of us, his little rôle to play," he said. "He does not, +however, play it brilliantly." + +Benicia made a gesture of impatience. "The Englishman is on his way +to the coast. You are going to arrest him?" + +"When we know where he is. What would you have me do? A man in +authority has his duty." + +"Is it a duty to bring trouble on a man who has done no wrong?" + +Dom Clemente leaned forward with his arms on the table, and looked at +her with a curious little smile. + +"I almost think," he said reflectively, "if I was a great friend of +this Englishman's I would prefer him to fall into the hands of--such a +man as I am. In that case, he would, at least, be prevented from going +back to the bush, which is just now unsafe for him." + +Benicia felt her face grow hot under his steady gaze. "The difficulty +is that there are men without scruples who would blame him for +whatever trouble may be going on up yonder in the forest," she said. +"You would have to listen to them. If their complaints were serious +what would you do?" + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is rather more than I can tell. When +one is young one feels that he is always expected to do something. +Afterwards, however, one becomes content to leave it to the others now +and then. It is sometimes wiser to--look on. That may be my attitude +in this case, but I am not sure that the affair is one that concerns +you." + +He made a little deprecatory gesture as he turned to the papers in +front of him, and Benicia went out quietly. It was an affair that +concerned her very much indeed, but she knew that Dom Clemente could +be reticent, and she fancied that he had something in his mind. As it +happened, this was the case with her. In the meanwhile he sat still, +gazing thoughtfully at the sun-scorched town while he smoked another +cigar. Then he rose with a little jerk of his shoulders, and buckling +on his big sword went down the stairway. + +When evening came he went off to the _Palestrina_ with his daughter, +her attendant Seņora Castro, and one or two officials and their wives, +and enjoyed an excellent dinner on board the yacht. He fancied Benicia +was rather silent during part of it, and glanced at her once or twice, +which she naturally noticed, and as the result of it roused herself to +join in the conversation. Still, she was a trifle relieved when the +dinner was over and Desmond led them up on deck. Clear moonlight +streamed in between the awnings, and, as it happened, Desmond seated +himself beside the rail at some distance from her Madeira chair. Twice +she ventured to make him a little sign, which he apparently +disregarded, but at last he rose and walked forward, and she turned to +the black-robed Seņora Castro, who had clung persistently to her side. + +"The dew is rather heavy. I brought a wrap or two, but I think I left +them in the saloon," she said. + +The little portly lady waddled away, and a minute or two later Benicia +rose languidly, and moved towards the companion door through which she +had disappeared. Instead of descending the stairway, the girl slipped +out by the other door, and flitted forward in the shadow of the +deckhouse until she came upon Desmond standing beneath the bridge. + +"You do not seem to notice things to-night. I signed to you twice," +she said. + +Desmond smiled. "I saw you," he said. "Still, I wasn't quite sure that +another of my guests did not do so, too. You have something to say to +me." + +Benicia turned and glanced down the long deck. There was nobody +visible on that part of it. + +"Yes," she said a trifle breathlessly. "But nobody must know that I +have talked to you alone." + +Desmond opened the door of the little room beneath the bridge. A lamp +burned in it, and he flung a shade across the port before he drew the +girl in, and then closing the door, leaned with his back against it. + +"I do not think we shall be disturbed," he said. + +Benicia stood still a moment looking at him. It was in the case of a +young woman from The Peninsula a very unusual thing she had done, but +there was inconsequent courage in her, and a certain quiet +imperiousness in her manner. + +"You have coal and water on board?" she said. + +"I have," said Desmond. "I have also clearance papers for British +Nigeria, but we haven't steam up. You see, I expected to stay here at +least a day or two." + +"Then you must raise it. You must sail for the Bahia Santiago before +to-morrow." + +"You have word of Ormsgill?" and Desmond became suddenly intent. "He +is a man who is never late, but on this occasion he is a week or two +before his time. Well, I dare say we can sail to-morrow. You will tell +me what you know?" + +He leaned against the door with a quiet thoughtful face while she did +so, and then the Celtic temperament revealed itself in the flash in +his eyes. + +"It will evidently be a tight fit, but we'll get him if I have to arm +every man on board and bring him off," he said. "That there may be +complications afterwards doesn't in the least matter." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "you are one who would do a good deal for a +friend." + +Desmond looked at her with a little wry smile. "Miss Figuera," he said +slowly, "I think I would gladly do a very great deal for you." + +A just perceptible flicker of color crept into the girl's face. "But +what you are about to do now is for your friend Ormsgill." + +"Yes," said Desmond, still with the curious little smile. "In one way, +at least, I suppose it is." + +Benicia turned and faced him, with the color growing plainer in her +cheeks, and for a moment there was hot anger in her, for she knew what +he meant. Then the fierce resentment vanished suddenly, as she once +more met his eyes. There was something that suggested a deep regret in +them, and his manner was wholly deferential. + +"I only wish you to understand that if I fail it will not be because I +have not done all I can," he said. "You see, I would, at least, like +to keep your good opinion, and in spite of every effort one can't +always be successful. Still, if it is possible, I will bring Ormsgill +safely off. As you say, he is my friend." + +There was silence for, perhaps, half a minute, and during it each knew +what the other was thinking. Then Benicia made this clear. + +"Ah," she said, "you are a very generous man." She stopped a moment, +and there was a faint tremble in her voice when she turned to him +again. "You have come from Las Palmas?" + +"I have," said Desmond. "I saw Miss Ratcliffe there. I think I may +venture to tell you that Ormsgill will never marry her." + +Benicia's face flamed, but the color died out of it again, and she +looked at him quietly. "To no one else could I have forgiven that. +Still, one can forgive everything to one who has your courage--and +devotion." + +Desmond made a little gesture. "Well," he said simply, "we sail before +to-morrow, and I will do what I can. There is this in my favor--your +friends probably don't know where Ormsgill is heading for." + +Then the girl started suddenly with consternation in her eyes, for +there was a tapping at the door, but Desmond's hand fell on her +shoulder and she felt that he would do what was most advisable. Next +moment he leaned forward and turned the lamp out before he threw the +door open. + +"Well," he said, "what do you want? I am, as you see, just coming +out." + +There was moonlight outside, though the awnings dimmed it, and just +there the bridge flung a shadow on the deck, and he recognized with +the first glance that it was one of his guests who had tapped upon +the door which he flung carelessly to behind him. + +"One wondered where you had gone to," said the man. + +Desmond laughed, and slipping his hand beneath the inquirer's arm +strolled aft with him, but he sighed with relief when, as they joined +the others on the opposite side of the deck-house, he saw Benicia +already sitting there. He did not know how she had contrived it, until +he remembered that to slip through the companion would shorten the +distance. It was, however, half an hour later when she found an +opportunity of standing beside him for a moment or two. + +"It seems that one is watched," she said. "You must be careful." + +Desmond was on the whole not sorry when his guests took themselves +away, and he laughed as he stood at the gangway shaking hands with +them. + +"I am afraid I shall not be ashore to-morrow," he said. "It is very +likely that we shall be out at sea by then." + +One or two of them expressed their regret, and the boat slid away, +while some little time afterwards Dom Clemente glanced at his daughter +as they stood on the outer stairway of his house. Beneath them they +could see the _Palestrina_ dotted here and there with blinking lights, +and a dingy smear of smoke was steaming from her funnel. + +"So he is going away again to-morrow," he said reflectively. "Well, I +suppose one is always permitted to change his mind." + +Benicia made no answer, and Dom Clemente stood still, glancing +towards the steamer with a somewhat curious expression when she went +into the house. Then he made a little abrupt gesture, as of one who +resigns himself, before he turned away and went in after her. + +"In the meanwhile I look on," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE DELAYED MESSAGE + + +It was a few days after the _Palestrina_ had sailed when Dom Clemente +once more sat behind the pillars in a basket chair looking +thoughtfully at his unlighted cigar. He could when it appeared +advisable move energetically and to some effect, but he was not fond +of action, or conversation, for its own sake, and he seldom told +anybody else what was in his mind. There are men who apparently find a +pleasure in doing so, and in their case the task is as a rule a +particularly easy one, but Dom Clemente had no sympathy with them. +When the time was ripe he acted on his opinions, but otherwise he was +placid, tolerantly courteous, and inscrutable. Still, there were men +concerned in the government of his country who had confidence in him. + +It happened that a little cargo steamer on her way north had crept in +that morning with engines broken down, and her British skipper, who +had certain favors to ask, had been sent to Dom Clemente. He had gone +away contented a few minutes earlier, but he had incidentally supplied +Dom Clemente with a piece of information which, although he was not +altogether astonished at it, had made him thoughtful. At last he rose, +and laying down his cigar strolled forward leisurely to where, +looking down between the pillars, he could see his daughter in the +patio below. She did not see him, for she was sitting with a book +turned back upwards upon her knee and apparently gazing straight +before her at a trellis draped with flowers. He would have greatly +liked to know what she was thinking, but since he recognized that this +was one of the wishes that must remain ungratified he turned away +again with a little gesture which was chiefly expressive of +resignation. He could deal with men, but he had already found that the +charge of a motherless daughter was something of a responsibility. +Then he called a negro whom he dispatched with a message, and leaned +against one of the pillars until a man in uniform with a big sword +belted to him came in. + +"Sit down," he said, pointing to the table. "Write what I tell you." + +The man did as he was bidden, and Dom Clemente nodded when he was +shown the letter. "You will take it across to the Lieutenant Frequillo +and tell him to send a few men direct to the Bahia if he considers it +advisable," he said. "Then you will see the messenger Pacheco +dispatched with it. The matter, as you will understand, is urgent. As +you go down say that I should like a word with the Seņorita Benicia if +she is at liberty." + +His companion went out with the letter of instructions which was +directed to the officer in command of the handful of dusky soldiers +who had been sent up to inquire for news of Ormsgill, and Dom Clemente +who sat down again waited until his daughter came in. She stood +looking at him expectantly until he turned and pointed to the little +British steamer. + +"The captain of that vessel has just been in," he said. "He told me +with some resentment that a white steam yacht went by him two days +ago, and took no notice of his signals. The captain, it seems, was +very anxious to be towed in here." + +"I do not think that concerns me," said Benicia. + +"The yacht," said Dom Clemente, "had a single funnel, a long +deck-house, and two masts, which, of course, is not unusual, but it is +most unlikely that there are two yachts of that description anywhere +near this coast. The point is that she was steaming very fast, and +heading south, which is certainly not the way to Nigeria." + +Benicia appeared to straighten herself a trifle, but save for the +little movement she was very quiet, and she looked at her father with +eyes that were almost as inscrutable as his own. Still, she recognized +that she was at a disadvantage, since it was evident that the course +he meant to take was clear to him, and she was in a state of anxious +uncertainty. + +"It is," he continued tranquilly, "a little astonishing how these +Englishmen recognize the natural facilities of a country. There is +down the coast a little bay which I have long had my eyes upon. Some +day, perhaps, we will build a deep water pier there and make a railway +across the littoral. No other place has so many advantages. It offers, +among others, a natural road to the interior." + +The girl could have faced a direct question better than this +preamble, which Dom Clemente no doubt guessed. + +"The Seņor Desmond is not a commercialist," she said. "Why should this +interest him?" + +"Well," said Dom Clemente, "one could fancy that it does, for he is +certainly going there." He stopped for a moment, and then his tone was +sharp and incisive. "The question is, who sent him?" + +Benicia saw the little glint in his dark eyes, but she met his gaze. +She was clever enough to realize that there was only one course open +to her. + +"Ah," she said, "I almost think you know." + +The man made a little gesture. "At least, I do not know how the affair +concerns you." + +Benicia sat down in the nearest chair, and a faint warmth crept into +her face, for this was the last point she desired to make clear, and +Dom Clemente's eyes were still fixed upon her. It was evident that he +expected an answer, and it said a good deal for her courage that her +voice was steady. + +"You are aware that I have spoiled your plans?" she said. + +"That," said Dom Clemente dryly, "is another matter. I am not sure +that you have spoiled them. I would, however, like to hear your +reasons for meddling with them." + +It was the same question in a different guise, and she nerved herself +to face it. + +"The Seņor Ormsgill is doing a very chivalrous thing," she said. "It +is one in which he has my sympathy--one could almost fancy that he +has yours, too." + +This was a bold venture, but she saw the man's faint smile. "I have a +duty here, and that counts for most," he said. "Then it was sympathy +with this man Ormsgill that influenced you?" + +"Not altogether. I hate the Chefe at San Roque. You know why that is +natural, and, after all, it was you who had him sent there. Apart from +that, is it not clear that he and the trader Herrero and Domingo play +into each other's hands up yonder? The traffic they are engaged in is +authorized, but the way in which it is carried out is an iniquity." + +There were, as it happened, men in that country who held similar +views, but the other reason the girl had proffered seemed to Dom +Clemente the most obvious one, though he fancied it did not go quite +far enough. It was conceivable that she should hate Dom Erminio, who +had been sent up into the bush after bringing discredit upon himself +as well as certain friends of hers. Still, he realized that this was a +matter on which she would never fully enlighten him, and he recognized +his disabilities. It was, perhaps, one of his strong points that he +usually did recognize them, and seldom attempted the impossible. As +the result of this he generally carried out what he took in hand. Dom +Clemente was first of all a soldier, and not one who shone in +civilized society or cared to scheme for preferment by social +influence, which was probably why he had been sent out to a secondary +command in Africa. He had friends who said he might have gone further +had he been less faithful to his dead wife's memory. + +"Well," he said, "it was certainly my intention to arrest this man +Ormsgill. I admit that I have a certain sympathy with him, and that is +partly why I am a little anxious to keep him from involving himself in +useless difficulties." + +"Do you think a man of his kind would be grateful for that?" + +Dom Clemente made a little gesture of indifference. "I do not know. It +is, after all, not a point that very much concerns me, though he is +doing a perilous thing by meddling with our affairs, especially in the +bush yonder." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "then is nobody to meddle, and is this iniquity to +go on?" + +Dom Clemente smiled dryly. "I almost think," he said, "that when the +time is ripe there will, as usual, be a man ready to take the affair +in hand. In the meanwhile it would be a very undesirable thing that +any one should point to you as a friend of this rash Englishman." + +He rose, and buckling on his sword went down the outer stairway, while +Benicia sat still with her cheeks burning. She fancied Dom Clemente +had meant a good deal more than he had said, but, after all, that did +not greatly trouble her. She was not one who counted the cost, and it +was not quite clear that she had failed, though she knew troops had +been dispatched to head off Ormsgill from the coast. It was possible +that he had slipped past them, and the _Palestrina_ would be waiting +at the Bahia Santiago, and then it flashed upon her that it would not +be difficult for her father to send the man in command of the troops +instructions to proceed direct to the Bahia by a fast messenger. While +she considered the point it happened that the officer he had handed +the instructions to came up the stairway. + +"I wonder if you know where the messenger Pacheco is, Seņorita?" he +said. "I have an urgent errand for him." + +Benicia saw that he had a packet in his hand, and a swift glance at +the table showed her that the writing materials were not exactly as +they had been laid out an hour or two earlier. Somebody, it seemed, +had written a letter, and she could make a shrewd guess at its +purport. For a moment she stood looking at the officer, and thinking +hard. It was evident that her father had a certain liking for +Ormsgill, but she felt that he would probably not allow it to +influence him to any great extent. He was apparently working out some +cleverly laid plan of his own, and it was evident that she would incur +a heavy responsibility by meddling with it, but after all Ormsgill's +safety stood first with her. + +"I am not sure, but I think he is in the house," she said. + +She left the officer waiting, and entering her own room hastily wrote +a note. Then she went down the inner stairway with it in her hand, and +crossing the patio glanced up for a moment at the balustrade above. +Fortunately, the officer was not leaning over it, and did not see her +slip into a store room where a big dusky man was talking to the +negress cook, with whom, as it happened, he was a favorite. Western +Africa is indifferently supplied with telegraphic and postal +facilities and messages are still usually carried by native runners. +There were none of them anywhere about that city as fast or trusty as +Pacheco, and Benicia smiled as she looked at him. He was lean and hard +and muscular, a man who had made famous journeys in the service of the +Government, which was exactly why she did not wish him to be available +for another one. + +"I have a message for the Seņora Blanco," she said. "I should like her +to get it before she goes to sleep in the afternoon, and you will +start now, but if it is very hot you need make no great haste in +bringing me back the answer." + +Pacheco rose with a grin. "It is only two leagues to the plantation," +he said. "Though the road is rough, that is nothing to me." + +Then the plump negro woman caught Benicia's eyes, and, though she said +nothing, there was comprehension in her dusky face. The girl went out +in the patio satisfied, and stood waiting behind a creeper-covered +trellis. She felt she could leave the matter in the hands of the +negress with confidence. The latter turned to the messenger with a +compassionate smile. + +"You have the sense of a trek-ox. It is in your legs," she said. "The +Seņorita does not wish you to distress yourself if the day is hot." + +"But," said Pacheco, "it is always hot, and no journey of that kind +could weary me." + +The woman made a little grimace. "The trek-ox is slow to understand +and one teaches it with the stick. Sometimes the same thing is done +with a man. It seems the Seņorita does not wish to see how fast you +could go." + +At last Pacheco seemed to understand. "Ah," he said, "there are thorns +in this country. Now and then one gets one in his foot." + +"The Seņorita would be sorry if you came home limping. Once or twice I +have cut my hand with the chopper, and she was kind to me." + +The man chuckled softly and went out, and Benicia standing in the +shadow felt her heart beat as she watched him slip across the patio. +There would probably be complications if the officer saw him from +above. Nobody, however, appeared among the pillars, and the shadowy +arch that led through the building was not far away. The negro's feet +fell softly on the hot stones, and though the slight patter sounded +horribly distinct to her nobody called out to stop him. He had almost +reached the arch when a uniformed figure appeared between two of the +pillars, and for a moment the girl held her breath. If the man moved +another foot it was evident that he must see the messenger, but, as it +happened, he stood where he was, and next moment Pacheco, who turned +and looked back at her with a grin, slipped into the shadow of the +arch. Then Benicia went back into the house a little quiver of relief +running through her. It would, she knew, be possible to obtain other +messengers, but none of them were so well acquainted with the native +paths which traverse the littoral or so speedy as Pacheco, and she did +not think he would be available until the evening. + +In the meantime the officer waited above, until growing impatient, he +summoned the major domo, who sent for the negress. + +"Pacheco was certainly in the house because he talked to me, but he +went out with a message, and I do not know when he will be back +again," she said. + +The officer asked her several questions without, however, eliciting +much further information, and went away somewhat perplexed. He could +not help a fancy that Benicia was somehow connected with the +messenger's disappearance, but there was nothing to suggest what her +object could have been. She was also a lady of influence, and he +wisely decided to keep his thoughts to himself. As it happened, +Pacheco did not arrive until late that night, and another messenger +was dispatched in the meanwhile. He, however, became involved amidst a +waste of tall grass which Pacheco would have skirted, and afterwards +wasted a day or two endeavoring to carry out the directions certain +villagers who bore the Government no great good-will had given him. As +the result of this the handful of black soldiers had wandered a good +deal further inland before he came up with them. + +In the meantime it happened the morning after he set out that Dom +Clemente sent for Pacheco who was just then sitting in the cook's +store nursing an injured foot. They exchanged glances when the +major-domo informed him that his presence would be required in a few +minutes, and after the latter had gone out the negress handed Pacheco +a sharp-pointed knife. + +"It is wise to make certain when one has to answer a man like Dom +Clemente, and the scratch the thorn made was not a very large one," +she said. + +Pacheco took the knife, and looked at it hesitatingly. + +"The thing would be easier if it was some other person's foot. It +will, no doubt, hurt," he said. + +"It will hurt less than what Dom Clemente may order you," and the +negress grinned. "A man is always afraid of bearing a little pain." + +Pacheco decided that she was probably right, and set his thick lips as +he laid the knife point against the ball of his big toe. Still, for it +is probable that there are respects in which the negro's +susceptibilities are less than those of the civilized white man, he +steadily pressed the blade in. After that he wrapped up his foot +again, and rose with a wry face. + +"I was given a bottle of anisado and a small piece of silver +yesterday," he said. "I almost think I deserve a little more for +this." + +Then he limped up the stairway leaving red marks behind him, and made +a little deprecatory gesture when he appeared before Dom Clemente. The +latter looked at him in a fashion which sent a thrill of dismay +through him. + +"I hear you have hurt your foot," he said. "Take that bandage off." + +Pacheco, who dare not hesitate, sat down and unrolled the rag. Then +with considerable misgivings he did as he was bidden and held up his +foot. + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente dryly, "a thorn did that. The wound a thorn +makes seems to keep curiously fresh. Well, you can put on the rag +again." + +Pacheco did it as hastily as he could while he wondered with a growing +uneasiness what the man who regarded him with a little sardonic smile +would ask him next. Dom Clemente, however, made him a sign to get up. + +"One would recommend you to be more careful," he said. "You will have +reason to regret it if the next time I have an errand for you you have +a--thorn--in your foot." + +Pacheco limped away with sincere relief, and Dom Clemente who sat +still contemplatively smoked a cigar. While he did it he once more +decided that it is now and then advisable to content oneself with +simply looking on, and it was characteristic of him that when he next +met Benicia he asked her no questions. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DESMOND GOES ASHORE + + +It was a thick black night when Desmond brought the _Palestrina_ into +the Bahia, steaming at half-speed with the big smooth swell heaving in +vast undulations behind her. The blinding deluge which had delayed him +for half an hour had just ceased, and at every roll boat and deckhouse +shook off streams of lukewarm water. A dripping man stood strapped +outside the bridge swinging the heavy lead, and his sing-song cry +which rose at regular intervals broke through the throb of slowly +turning engines. A yard or two away from him Desmond leaned upon the +rails peering into the darkness athwart which there ran a dim black +line of bluff. A filmy haze that glimmered faintly white leapt up +between him and it, and the stagnant air was filled with a great, +deep-toned rumbling. It rolled along the half-seen bluff like the +muttering of distant thunder, for, though the Bahia was partly +sheltered, the vast heave of the Southern Ocean was crumbling upon the +hammered beach that night. It does so now and then when there is not a +breath of wind. + +"It isn't exactly encouraging," he said to his mate. "The surf seems +running unpleasantly steep. There's a weight in it. I'm rather glad +the boat's a big one since we have to face it. Well, you had better +get forward, and stand by your anchors. I'll bring her up in another +few minutes." + +The mate went forward with a handful of dripping men behind him, and +left Desmond quietly intent upon the bridge. The latter was quite +aware that it would have been prudent to wait for daylight, and +recognized that he was doing a reckless thing, but that rather +appealed to him. It is also possible to do a reckless thing carefully, +and he was, at least, proceeding with a certain circumspection. When +the bluff grew a trifle plainer he seized his telegraph, and raised a +warning hand to the helmsman. + +"Starboard!" he said. "Let her swing when she goes astern." + +A gong tinkled beneath him, there was a sharper clank of engines, and +the _Palestrina_ swinging round rolled from rail to rail. Then a +strident roar of running cable jarred through the rumbling of the +surf, and was succeeded by a trumpeting blast of blown off steam when +he rang the telegraph again. When this slackened a little he raised +his voice. + +"If you're ready there, Mr. Winthrop, will you bring your men along," +he said. + +There was a tramp of feet forward, and when half-seen figures +clustered beneath the bridge Desmond leaned over the rails and +addressed them. + +"Boys," he said, "what we are going to do is in some respects a crazy +thing, and while I don't know that we'll have trouble it's very +probable. Now there'll be a bonus for the men who come with me, but I +don't want any one to go against his will. If any of you would sooner +stay here all he has to do is to walk forward, and I'll admit that +he's sensible." + +There was a little laughter, but nobody moved. Among those who heard +him were shrewd, cold-blooded Scots from the Clyde, and level-headed +Solent Englishmen, as well as boys from Kingston and Belfast Lough. Of +these latter Desmond had no doubt. A hint that the thing was rash and +might lead to trouble was naturally enough for them, but he recognized +that there might be occasions when the colder temperament of the +others was likely to prove, at least, as serviceable. It was not +astonishing that these, too, evidently meant to go with him, for there +are men who can apparently with no great effort bend others to their +will, and, after all, one can not invariably be sensible. Perhaps, it +would be a misfortune if this were possible. + +"Sure," said one of them, and he was a Kingston man, "all ye have to +do, sir, is to go straight ahead. We're coming with ye, if we have to +swim, an' if we have to it's more than I can." + +One or two of his comrades laughed, and Desmond raised a hand. "It's +very probable that you'll have to try. We'll get the surfboat over, +Mr. Winthrop." + +It would have been a difficult task in the daylight, for the +_Palestrina_ rolled wickedly and the long slopes of water lapped to +her rail, but they accomplished it in the dark, and when the big boat +hove up beneath them dropped into her one by one. They had a few Accra +and Liberia boys for the paddles, but not enough and white seamen +perched among them on the froth-licked gunwale as they reeled away on +the back of a swell. It swept them out from the steamer, and let them +drop into a black hollow while the negro at the steering oar yelled as +another dark ridge hove itself aloft behind them. They drove on with +this one and several others that succeeded it, careering amidst a +turmoil of spouting froth that boiled round the high, pointed stern, +and there was spray all about them, stinging their eyes and in their +nostrils, when at last the beach was close at hand. They could not, +however, see it. There was nothing visible now but a dim filmy cloud, +out of which came a thunderous rumbling that has its effect upon the +stoutest nerves, for there are probably few men who can listen to the +crashing charge of the great combers on an African beach quite +unmoved, especially if it is their business to face them in the dark. + +Desmond glanced astern a moment when the sable helmsman shouted, and +then resolutely turned his eyes ahead. He had seen all he wished to, +and it was with vague relief he felt the boat rush upwards under him, +for that waiting in the hollow was not a thing one could bear easily. +She went forward reeling, half-buried in tumbling foam, twisting in +spite of the gasping helmsman in peril of rolling over, and out of the +spray and darkness the dim line of bluff came rushing back to them. +Then there was a crash that flung half of them from the gunwale, and +the boat went up the beach with a seething white turmoil washing over +her, until they swung themselves over and clung to her waist-deep in +the wild welter when the sea sucked back. Straining every muscle they +held her somehow, and a voice rose strained and harsh through the din. + +"Where are those--rollers, boys?" it said. + +Somebody produced them, and gasping and floundering they ran her up +with another comber thundering out of the darkness behind them, and +then flung themselves down breathless and dripping on the hot sand. +Desmond let them lie awhile, and then leaving the negroes behind, the +white men clambered up the face of the bluff. After that they stumbled +amidst loose sand and tufts of harsh grass that now and then cut +through their thin duck garments and twined about their legs, but they +plodded on steadily, and when morning broke had made about a league +which was, all things considered, excellent traveling. With the +daylight, however, came the rain that beat the soil into a pulp and +filled the steamy air. The grass they found in places bent beneath it, +and the water flowed about their feet. Still, they held on, drenched, +and bleeding from odd scars and scratches, until there broke out +dazzling, blistering sunshine which in a few minutes sucked the +moisture from their clothing. + +Then Desmond, who had heard that littoral described as dry and +parched, bade them lie down in the scanty strip of shadow behind a +clump of thorns, and a twinkle crept into his eyes as he glanced at +them. They were already freely plastered with mire. A few of them had +sporting rifles--he carried one himself--and bandoliers, while some of +the rest had the gig's ash stretchers, and one a big pointed iron +bar, but he fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition. For one thing, they had no carriers. Desmond desired only +men who could be relied upon to say as well as do what he bade them, +for he could without any great effort foresee that he might have to +grapple with more than physical difficulties. He let them lie for half +an hour, and then the rain came and drove them on again. + +[Illustration: "He fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition."--Page 242.] + +They floundered through it all that afternoon, lay down in wet sand +when the sudden darkness blotted out the misty littoral, and rose with +the swift dawn, cramped and wet and aching, to plunge into a thick +white steam. There was a muggy warmth in it which relaxed their +muscles and insidiously slackened the domination of their will. They +wanted to lie down, and wondered vaguely why they did not do so, for +there are times when man's resolution melts out of him in that land, +and nothing seems worth the trouble of accomplishing. Still, they went +on, and evening found them wearied in body and limp of will, as well +as very wet and miry, on the edge of a belt of thorny vegetation +amidst which there wound a native path. They slept beside it as best +they could, and went on again for two more days under scorching +sunshine until at last they reached a ridge of higher ground. There +were a few palms on the crest of it, and they lay down between them +amidst a maze of thorny vines. + +Darkness was creeping up from the eastwards when Desmond sat poring +over a section of a large-scale chart which had proved to be a +reasonably accurate guide to the physical features of that +littoral. The elevation of which the ridge formed a portion was duly +marked, as was the creek they had cautiously waded through, and not +far away there stood another rise which might be made out from a +steamer's bridge. The dots that ran through them both indicated +Ormsgill's path. He was a man who, at least, endeavored to provide for +contingencies, and he had for Desmond's benefit plotted out the last +stages of his march to the coast. The latter, however, remained in +unpleasant uncertainty as to when he would arrive, which, in view of +the fact that a handful of dusky troops were in all probability not +very far away, was a question of some consequence. + +When darkness swept down he posted two sentries and then lay down near +the smoldering cooking fire. The strip of rubber sheeting he spread +beneath him did not make a very efficient mattress, but worn-out as he +was he fell asleep in spite of the mosquitoes, and so far as he could +afterwards ascertain the men he had left on watch in due time did the +same. When he awakened there was a half-moon in the sky, and a faint +silvery light shone down upon the ridge. He could see the palm shafts +cut against it darkly in delicately proportioned columns, and the +ebony tracery of their great curved leaves. Now and then a big drop +that fell from them splashed heavily upon the straggling undergrowth, +but save for that everything was very still. The fire was red and low, +but the smell of wood smoke and hot wet soil was in his nostrils. He +was wondering drowsily why he had awakened when he fancied that a +shadowy figure flitted behind a palm, and turning cautiously he +reached out for the rifle that lay by his side. As his hand closed +upon it another figure moved towards him quietly. The moonlight fell +upon it and his grasp relaxed on the rifle as he saw that it was +dressed in tattered duck. He scrambled to his feet, and Ormsgill +stopped a pace or two away. + +"You are a little ahead of time, but considering everything it's +fortunate," he said. + +Desmond blinked at him for a moment or two. The man's face was lean +and worn, and his thin, dew-drenched garments were torn by thorns. One +of his boots had also burst, his wide hat was shapeless, and sunbaked +mire clung about him to the knees. + +"There were reasons why it seemed advisable to divide my party and +push on," he proceeded. "My few personal belongings are now reposing +in a swamp." + +Desmond shook hands with him. "Well," he said, "it's like you. Where +are your niggers, and what's the matter with my--sentries? Still +that's not exactly what I meant to say." + +Ormsgill laughed, and sent a shrill call ringing across the belt of +mist below. There was an answer from it, and while the men from the +_Palestrina_ rose clamoring to their feet a row of weary, half-naked +negroes plodded into camp. Some of them had red scars upon their dusky +skin, some of them limped, and when they stopped at a sign from +Ormsgill the seaman clustered round and gazed at them. They were +woolly-haired and thick-lipped, and their weariness had worn all sign +of intelligence out of their dusky faces. They looked at the +clustering seamen vacantly and without curiosity. + +"Lord," said Desmond, "and these are the fellows you have done so much +for! Well, it's evidently my turn. I suppose they can eat?" + +Ormsgill laughed. "A good deal just now. We started soon after +sunrise, and have scarcely stopped all day. In fact, we have been +marching rather hard the last week or two." + +Desmond turned to one of the men he had brought with him. "Stir that +fire," he said. "Make these images something, then take them away and +stuff them." + +He touched Ormsgill, and pointed to the strip of sheeting. "Get off +your feet. We have a good deal to talk about." + +They sat down, and by and by one of the _Palestrina_'s stewards served +them with coffee and canned stuff while his comrades sat in a ring +about the negroes patting them on their naked shoulders and +encouraging them to eat. The black men's stolidity vanished, and they +grinned widely, while by degrees odd snatches of different languages +and bursts of hoarse laughter rose from them. In the midst of it one +big man chanted a monotonous song. Ormsgill laid down his cup and +listened with a little smile. + +"He's improvising rather cleverly," he said. "It's almost a pity you +don't know enough of the language to hear your praises sung. You see, +he has so far only come across two white men who have even spoken to +him decently." + +Desmond grinned, and raised his voice. "If they understand what +tobacco is let them have what you have with you, boys," he said. "You +can come to me for more when we get back on board." + +"That's all right, sir," said one man. "It's our dinner party. We've +got most of a hatful for them ready." + +"Sailors," said Desmond reflectively, "have some curious notions on +the subject of making pets. So have you, for that matter, but, after +all, that's not quite the question. Did you see anything that would +lead you to believe Herrero's friends were after you?" + +"I did," said Ormsgill. "Smoke, for one thing, and that was why I +pushed on for the coast. Nares who was a little feverish and found it +difficult to march fast insisted on turning back inland with half the +carriers. I left two men I could rely on behind to investigate, and I +expect some news before the morning. In the meanwhile what are you +doing here? It's at least a week before I was due." + +Desmond looked at him steadily, and, as it happened, the firelight +fell upon them both. "Miss Figuera sent me." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill, and a curious little glint crept into his eyes +and faded out of them again. "Well, you have, no doubt, a little more +to tell." + +His companion told it tersely, and afterwards Ormsgill sat silent for +awhile with a half-filled pipe in his hand. Many a time during his +wanderings he had seen in fancy Benicia Figuera sitting in the shady +patio, and on each occasion the longing to hear her voice and once +more stand face to face had grown stronger. He had fought against it +on weary march and when the boys were sleeping in the silent camp, but +it had conquered him. + +"It was very kind of her," he said at last. "Still, considering her +father's status, one could wonder why she did it." + +Desmond smiled curiously as he leaned forward and stirred the fire. +"That," he said with an air of reflection, "is naturally one of the +things I don't know. Still, there is a certain chivalrous rashness in +the adventure you have undertaken which, although sensible folks would +probably consider it misguided, might appeal to a young woman of Miss +Figuera's description. You see, she is by no means a conventional +person herself. Perhaps, it's fortunate there are young women like her +with courage and intelligence enough to form their own opinions." + +"Miss Figuera has certainly courage," said Ormsgill slowly. + +Desmond laughed. "She has. She has also a wholesome pride, and sense +as well as imagination, though the two don't always go together. With +her at his side a man crazy enough to be pleased with that kind of +thing might set himself to straighten up half the wrongs perpetrated +by our civilization, and she'd see he was never wholly beaten. +Somehow, she would, at least, bring him off with honor, and that is, +after all, the most any one with such notions could reasonably look +for." + +He stopped for a moment, and when he went on again the firelight +showed the little flush in his cheeks and the gleam in his eyes. + +"Lord," he said, "how little some of us are content with when we +marry--a woman to sit at the head of out table, and talk prettily, one +who asks for everything that isn't worth while, and sees you never do +anything her friends don't consider quite fitting. Still, there is +another kind, the ones who give instead of asking, and who would, for +the man they loved, face the malice of the world with a smile in their +eyes. I think," and he made a little vague gesture, "I have said +something of the kind before, but I have to let myself go now and +then. I can't help it." + +"One would almost fancy you were in love with the girl yourself," said +Ormsgill quietly. + +Desmond leaned forward a trifle, and looked hard at him. "No. I might +have been had things been different. At least, she is certainly not in +love with me." + +Ormsgill said nothing, but he was sensible of a curious stirring of +his blood. He would not ask himself exactly what his comrade meant, or +if, indeed, he meant anything in particular, for it was a consolation +to remember that Desmond now and then talked inconsequently. He sat +still, vacantly watching the blue smoke wreaths curl up between the +palms. The boys had lain down now, and only an occasional faint +rustle as one moved broke the heavy silence. Then, and, perhaps he was +a trifle overwrought and fanciful, as he watched the drifting smoke +wreaths a figure seemed to materialize out of them. It was filmy and +unsubstantial, etherealized by the moonlight, but it grew plainer, and +once more he saw Benicia Figuera as he had talked with her in the +shady patio. She seemed to be looking at him with reposeful eyes that +had nevertheless a little glint in the depths of them, and now the +desire to see her in the flesh took him by the throat and shook the +resolution out of him. At last he knew. There could no longer be any +brushing of disconcerting facts aside. There was one woman in the +world whom he desired, and he had pledged himself to marry another +one. Still, his duty remained, and he sat silent with one lean hand +closed tightly and the lines on his worn face deepening until at last +he became conscious that Desmond was watching him, and he roused +himself with an effort. + +"Well," he said quietly, "she has laid me under a heavy obligation, +but we have other things to talk of." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE BEACH + + +Desmond was asleep when the men his comrade had left behind came in, +but the negroes' sense of hearing was quicker than his, and when he +rose drowsily to his feet there was already a bustle in the camp. +Ormsgill, who was giving terse directions, turned to him. + +"These boys have brought me word that there is a handful of troops in +a village a few hours' march away," he said, pointing towards two +half-seen men who were talking excitedly to the dusky carriers. "As +they know where we are heading for they will probably be upon our +trail as soon as the sun is up." He did not seem very much concerned, +and when he once more turned to the negroes, Desmond, reassured by his +quietness, glanced about him. The fire had died out, and there was no +longer any moonlight, but the palms cut with a sharp black +distinctness against the eastern sky. It was also a little cooler. +Indeed, Desmond shivered, for he was stiff and clammy with the dew. +The negroes were hurrying to and fro, apparently getting their loads +together, and the seamen were asking each other disjointed questions +as they scrambled to their feet. Desmond could see their faces faintly +white which he had not been able to do when he went to sleep. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose we'll have to make a move of some kind?" + +"It would be advisable," said Ormsgill. "Fortunately, it will be +daylight in a few minutes. You will start for the coast as soon as you +are ready, and take most of the boys I brought down along. It would be +wiser to push on as fast as possible, though it's scarcely likely that +the troops will come up with you. If they do, you will give the boys +up to them, but in that case one of the carriers will slip away and +bring me word. Any resistance you could make would be useless and very +apt to involve you in serious difficulties." + +Desmond smiled dryly, and did not pledge himself. He was not a man who +invariably did the most prudent thing. + +"You are not coming with us?" he said. + +"No," said Ormsgill. "There are six boys not accounted for yet. I am +going back inland for them. The troops will, of course, pick up your +trail, and they will probably be content with that. It's scarcely +likely to occur to them that there might be another." + +Desmond exerted all his powers of persuasion during the next minute or +two, and it was not his fault if his comrade did not realize that it +was a folly he was undertaking. Desmond, at least made a strenuous +attempt to impress that point on him, in spite of the fact that it was +a folly he would in all probability have been guilty of himself. +Ormsgill, however, only smiled. + +"As you have pointed out, anything I can do to straighten out things +in this country is scarcely worth while," he said. "I'm also willing +to admit that it's not exactly my business, and I'm far from sure that +the rôle of professional philanthropist is one that fits me. Still, +you see, I have undertaken the thing, and I can't very well leave it +half done." He stopped a moment, and laughed, a trifle harshly. +"Especially as it's scarcely probable that I shall have an opportunity +of doing anything of the kind again." + +Then he turned to the negroes, and spoke to them for several minutes +in scraps of Portuguese and a native tongue. Their villages on the +inland plateau had been burned, he said, and there was, so far as he +knew, no one he could trust them to in the country. If they stayed in +it some white man would in all probability claim them, and they would +be sent to toil for a term of years upon the plantations. They knew +what that meant. + +They certainly appeared to do so by the murmurs that rose from them, +and Ormsgill pointed to Desmond. He had pledged himself to set them at +liberty, he said, and his friend would take them to a country where +negroes were reasonably paid for their services, and, unless they +deserved it, very seldom beaten. What was more to the purpose, if they +did not like the factory they worked at they could leave it and go to +another, which was a thing that appeared incomprehensible to them, +until a man with a blue stripe down his forehead stood up and told +them it certainly was as Ormsgill had said. He had himself earned as +much by twelve months' labor at a white man's factory as would have +kept him several years in luxury. Then one of the boys, a +thick-lipped, woolly-haired pagan with nothing about him that +suggested intelligence or sensibility asked Ormsgill a question in the +native tongue, and the latter looked at Desmond. + +"He asks if I can give my word that they will not be ill-used in +Nigeria, and it's a good deal to assure them of," he said. "Still, I +think it could be done. There are outcasts in those factories, men +outside the pale, and it's possible that some of them occasionally +belabor a nigger with a wooden kernel-shovel, but considering what the +negro is accustomed to in this country that is a little thing, and +they usually stop at it. After all, it is not men of their kind who +practice systematic oppression or grind the toiler down. When I was a +ragged outcast it was the men outside the pale who held out their +hands to me." + +He turned to the negro saying a few words quietly, and there was a low +murmuring until one of the boys pointed to Desmond. + +"Then," he said, "we are ready to go with him." + +Even Desmond could understand all that this implied, and it stirred +the hot Celtic blood in him. It was a crucial test of faith, for it +seemed that these half-naked bushmen had a confidence in his comrade +which no one acquainted with the customs of the country could +reasonably have expected of them. They knew how their fellows were +driven by men of his color, but in face of that his word that it +should not be so with them was, it seemed, sufficient. + +"You already understand my wishes, and here are the letters for the +two traders in Nigeria," said Ormsgill quietly. "There is nothing more +to say." + +"There's just this," said Desmond turning towards the _Palestrina_'s +men, who had naturally been listening. "If it costs me the yacht to do +it I'll see these boys safe into the right hands." + +The men from Belfast Lough and Kingston grinned approvingly. They and +their leader were, after all, of the same temperament, and one of them +carried a sharp-pointed iron bar and others stout ash stretchers which +they had, somewhat to their regret, not been called upon to do +anything with yet. Desmond, however, walked a little apart with +Ormsgill. + +"When will you be back?" he asked. + +"I don't know," said Ormsgill. "There is a good deal against me just +now. In any case, I expect nothing further from you. You have done +more than I would have asked of anybody else already." + +"Will two months see you through?" + +"It may be four, very probably longer." + +"Exactly," said Desmond with a little smile. "In the meantime the +_Palestrina_ is going to Nigeria. I don't quite know where she'll go +after that." + +They said very little more until Ormsgill shook hands with him and +calling to his carriers marched out of camp. The sun had just lifted +itself above a rise to the east, and for awhile Desmond watched the +line of dusky men with eyes dazzled by the fierce light, and then +turned to give instructions to his seamen. They had already been busy, +and in another few minutes they and the boys that had been +Lamartine's had started for the coast. + +It proved an arduous march, for before the sun had risen its highest +it was blotted out by leaden cloud and the wide littoral was wrapped +in dimness until the lightning blazed. It ceased in a few minutes, but +the men crouched bewildered for another half hour ankle-deep in water +while a pitiless blinding deluge thrashed them. Then they went on +again dripping, and every league or so were lashed by tremendous rain +while mad gusts of wind rioted across the waste in between. The next +day there was scorching sunshine, and the men were worn-out, parched, +and savage, when at last one of the boys who had served Lamartine, +climbing a low elevation, assured his comrades that there were soldiers +behind them. He said they would be, at least, an hour in reaching that +spot, but there was haste and bustle when the information was conveyed +to Desmond. The latter fancied it would be several hours before he +made the beach. + +He and the white men had occasion to remember the rest of that +journey. They strained every aching muscle as they plodded on with the +perspiration dripping from them and the baked mire crumbling and +slipping beneath their feet while a dingy haze once more crept across +the sky and the heat became intolerable. It was dark when they reached +the beach, and Desmond gasped with relief when the roar of the +_Palestrina_'s whistle rang through the thunder of the surf in answer +to a rifle shot. It was evident that she had steam up. He sent two +men back to keep watch on the crest of the bluff, and then set about +getting the boat down with the rest. + +She was big and heavy. The sand was soft, and the rollers instead of +running over it bedded themselves in it. The boys from the interior +were also of little use at that task, and though the seamen toiled +desperately it was almost beyond their accomplishing. The tide was at +low ebb, and the sand grew softer as they ran her down a yard at a +time, until at last they stopped gasping. Then one of the men came +running from the bluff. + +"The soldiers are not far away," he said. + +Desmond asked him no questions, but turned to the seamen. "We have got +to do it, boys," he said. "Shift that after roller under her nose." + +They drew breath, and toiled on again. Their progress was not +reassuring in view of the fact that the troops were close at hand, but +they made a little, and in front of them the spray beyond which lay +the _Palestrina_ whirled in a filmy cloud. Every now and then there +was a thunderous roar in the midst of it, and part of the beach was +hidden in a tumultuous swirl of foam. Gasping, straining, slipping, +but grimly silent, they toiled on, moving her a foot with every +desperate effort, until at last a yeasty flood surged past them +knee-deep, and hove her away from them grinding one bilge in the sand. +Then Desmond raised a hoarse voice. + +"Hang on to her," he said. "Oh, hang on. Down on her bilge, and let +her go when the sea sucks out again." + +They went out with her and it amidst a sliding mass of sand, and +somehow contrived to hold her when the next sea came in. It broke +across her, and some of them went down, but when the seething flood +swept on up the beach she was there still, and they went out again +waist-deep in the downward swirl of it. Then they were up to the +shoulders with a great hissing wall of water close in front of them, +and black man and white scrambled in over the gunwale and floundered +furiously in the water inside her, groping for oar and paddle. Still, +they were perched on the gunwale, and the man with the blue-striped +forehead had the big steering oar before the sea fell upon them, and +straining every muscle they drove her through the breaking crest of +it. + +She lurched out, half-full and loaded heavily, to face the next, and +Desmond was never certain how she got over it, but at least, he was +not washed out of her as he had half expected. He fancied there was a +faint shouting on the bluff, but nobody could have been sure of that +through the din of the surf, and all his attention was occupied by his +paddle. Very slowly, fighting for every fathom, they drove her +outshore, until the combers grew less steep and their crests ceased to +break, and Desmond gazing seawards could see the _Palestrina_ when she +lifted. She swung with the swell, a dim, blurred shape, without a +light on board her, but a sharp jarring rattle told him that his +instructions were being carried out. Winthrop the mate was already +heaving his anchor. That was satisfactory, for Desmond knew that +nobody could see the yacht through the spray that floated over bluff +and beach. + +They were alongside in some twenty minutes with another troublesome +task before them. The yacht was rolling heavily, and the big +half-swamped boat swung up to her rail one moment and sank down +beneath a fathom of streaming side the next. It was a difficult matter +to reach her deck, and Lamartine's boys were bushmen who knew nothing +of the sea. They crouched in the boat's bottom stupidly until their +white companions who found thumps and pushes of no avail seized them +by their woolly hair and dragged them to their feet. They were sent up +one by one, and when at last the boat was hove in by the banging winch +Desmond scrambled with the brine running from him to his bridge. The +windlass rattled furiously for another minute or two, and then with a +quickening throb of engines the _Palestrina_ swept out into the night. +A little while later Winthrop the mate climbed to the bridge, and +Desmond laughed when he asked him a few questions. + +"I don't think those folks ashore got a sight of the yacht or boat," +he said. "It will be morning before they find out where we've gone, +and we should be a good many miles to the north by then. I don't +suppose they know Ormsgill isn't with us either, and that will +probably put them off his trail for a time, at least. In the meanwhile +you'll head her out a point or two more to the westwards for another +hour, and have me called at daylight. I'm going down to change my +clothes." + +He had just dressed himself in dry garments when a steward tapped at +the door of his room. + +"I don't know what's to be done with those niggers, sir," he said. +"The men won't have them in the forecastle." + +"Ah," said Desmond a trifle sharply, "that's a thing I hadn't thought +of, though, of course, it might have struck me. They're on deck still? +Bring me a lantern." + +The man got one, and Desmond who went out with him held it up when +they stood beside the little group of dusky men who sat huddled +together upon the sloppy deck. A seaman stood not far away from them, +and he turned to Desmond. + +"We can't have them down forward with us, sir," he said. + +There was a certain deference in his tone, but it was very resolute, +and Desmond made a little gesture of comprehension as he glanced at +the huddled negroes. Most of them were naked save for a strip of +tattered waistcloth, and their thick lips, wooly hair, and heavy faces +were revealed in the lantern light. He realized that there was +something to be said for the seaman's attitude. They had done what +they could for these Africans, and had done it gallantly, but now they +were afloat again they would not eat with them or sleep in their +vicinity. Color is only skin-deep, a question of climate and +surroundings, but Desmond, who admitted that, felt that, after all, +there was a wide distinction between himself and the seamen and these +aliens. It was one that could not be ignored. The theory of the +brotherhood of humanity went so far, and then broke down. + +"We have a few strips of pine scantling among the stores," he said, +after a moment's thought. "You can screw one or two of them down on +deck--but I can't have more than a couple of screws in each. Then if +you ranged a bass warp in between it would keep them off the wet. +There's an old staysail they can have to sleep in. We could toss it +overboard when they have done with it." + +He turned away, and, soon after a meal was brought him, went to sleep +while the _Palestrina_ sped on as fast as her engines could drive her +towards the north. In due time she also crept into one of the many +miry waterways which wind through the mangrove forests of Lower +Nigeria, and Desmond sent a boat up it with a letter Ormsgill had +given him to a certain white trader. An hour or two later a big gaunt +man in white duck came back with the boat and drank a good deal of +Desmond's wine. Then after asking the latter a few questions he looked +at him with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "Ormsgill is rather a friend of mine, and what you +have been telling me is certainly the kind of thing one would expect +from him. It is by no means what I would do myself, but he always +had--curious notions. Most of us have, for that matter, though, +perhaps, it's fortunate they're not all the same. Well, I'll be glad +to have the boys, especially as it's difficult to get Kroos enough +from Liberia just now." + +"I think there were certain conditions laid down in Ormsgill's +letter," said Desmond reflectively. + +The trader laughed. "There were," he said. "Well, I'm willing to admit +that I have once or twice pitched a nigger who was a trifle impudent +over the veranda rails. It's one of the things you have to do, and if +you do it in one way they don't seem to mind. No doubt they understand +it's only natural the climate and the fever should make you a trifle +hasty. Still, I don't think a Kroo was ever done out of his earnings, +or had things thrown at him when he didn't deserve it, in my factory." + +Desmond fancied that this was probable, for he liked the man's face. +There was rough good-humor in it, and the twinkle in his eyes was +reassuring. As a matter of fact, he was, like most of those who +followed his occupation in those swamps, one who lived a trifle hard +and grimly held his own with a good deal against him. His code of +ethics was, perhaps, slightly vague, but there were things he would +not stoop to, and though now and then he might in a fit of +exasperation hurl anything that was convenient as well as hard words +at his boys, they knew that such action was not infrequently followed +by a fit of inconsequent generosity. There are men of his kind in +those factories whose boys will not leave them even when a rival +offers them more gin cases and pieces of cloth for their services. In +a moment or two Desmond made up his mind. + +"Shall I send the boys ashore with you?" he asked. + +"No," said the trader reflectively. "After what you've told me it +might be wiser if I ran them up river in the launch to our factory +higher up after dark. You see, nobody would worry about where they +came from there. In the meantime you had better go up and ask the +Consul down to dinner. You needn't mention the boys to him, and it's +fortunate that a yacht owner escapes most of the usual formalities. +I'll be back with the launch by sunset." + +He kept his word, but while he was getting the boys on board his +launch just after darkness closed down a little white steamer swept +suddenly round a bend, and before the launch was clear two white +officers stepped on board the _Palestrina_. A thick white mist rose +from the river, but Desmond was a trifle anxious when one of the +officers leaned over the yacht's rail looking down on the launch. + +"You seem to have a crowd of boys with you, Brinsley," he said. + +The trader stepped back on to the _Palestrina_'s ladder. "I could do +with more. Those folks up river are loading me up with oil. Anyway, +I'd like a talk with you about that gin duty your clerk has +overcharged me." + +Then he turned to a man in the launch below. "Go ahead," he said. "You +can tell Nevin he must send me that oil down if he works all to-morrow +night." + +A negro shouted something back to him, and with engines clanking the +launch swept away up the misty river, while it was with relief Desmond +led Brinsley and his guests into the saloon where dinner was set out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +UNDER STRESS + + +When Desmond left him Ormsgill did not march directly east towards the +interior, but headed northwards for several days. There were reasons +which rendered the detour advisable, especially as he desired to avoid +the few scattered villages as much as possible, but he had occasion to +regret that he had made it. He pushed on as fast as possible until one +hot afternoon when the boys wearied with the march since early morning +lay down in the grass, and he wandered listlessly out of camp. Their +presence was irksome, and he wanted to be alone just then. + +There are times when an unpleasant dejection fastens upon the white +man in that climate, and when he is in that state a very little is +usually sufficient to exasperate him. The boys were muttering drowsily +to one another, and Ormsgill felt he could not lie still and listen to +them. He had also a tangible reason for the bitterness he was troubled +with. Desmond had brought him no message from Ada Ratcliffe, and +though she had as he knew no sympathy with what he was doing and had +never shown him very much tenderness, it seemed to him that she might, +at least, have sent him a cheering word. It was, in view of what it +would cost him to keep faith with her, and that was a thing he +resolutely meant to do, a little disconcerting to feel that she did +not think of him at all. + +In the meanwhile it was oppressively hot, and the air was very still. +His muscles seemed slack and powerless, his head ached, and the +perspiration dripped from him, but he wandered on until he reached a +spot where a little patch of jungle rose amidst a strip of tall grass +in the mouth of a shallow ravine. Ormsgill stood still in its shadow +and looked about him. Not a leaf shook, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant air. In front of him the patch of jungle cut harshly +green against the glaring blue of the sky, and beyond it there was +sun-baked soil and sand on the slopes of the ravine. + +Then there was a flash in the shadow and one of his legs gave away. He +staggered and reeled crashing into a thicket, and when a minute later +he strove to raise himself out of it one leg felt numb beneath the +knee except for the spot where there was a stinging pain. Ormsgill +also felt more than a little faint and dizzy, and for a few moments +lay still again blinking about him. A wisp of blue smoke still hung +about the leaves, and he could hear a low crackling that grew fainter +as he listened. It was evident that the man who had shot him was bent +on getting away, and he made shift to roll up his thin duck trousers, +and looked down at his leg. There was a bluish mark in the middle of +the big muscle with a little dark blood about it, and he took out his +knife. He set his lips as he felt the point of it grate on something +hard, and then closed the knife and sat still again with a little +gasp of pain. + +There was, he knew, a piece of the broken cooking pot the West African +usually loads his flintlock gun with embedded in his leg. That, at +least, was evident, but he did not know who had shot him, and, indeed, +was never any wiser on that point. It was, perhaps, a negro who had +supposed him to be a trader or official against whom he had some +grievance, but, after all, that seemed scarcely likely, and Ormsgill +fancied it was some dusky sportsman who had fired at a venture when he +heard a movement, and had then gone away as fast as possible when he +saw that he had hit a white man. This appeared the more probable +because they were not very far from the coast, where men do not often +attempt each other's life, and Ormsgill had only been struck by one +piece of iron. + +In any case, the faintness was leaving him by the time the startled +boys came up and found him sitting in the shadow. It was evident that +the wound was not very serious in itself, but he realized that a man +could not expect to travel far in that climate with a piece of iron +rankling in his leg. Somebody must cut it out for him, and he did not +care to entrust any of his thick-headed carriers with the operation. +Without being much of a physiologist he knew that there are arteries +in one's leg which it is highly undesirable to sever. He also +recognized that while the thing was, perhaps, possible to one with +nerve enough, he could not get it out himself, which was, however, +rather more than one could reasonably have expected of a man born and +brought up in a state of civilization, for there are a few points on +which the primitive peoples excel us. Still, the life he had led had +made him hard, and when he had quieted the boys he bound up the wound, +and filling his pipe with hands that were tolerably steady, lay still +awhile to consider. + +He could not push on towards the interior as he was, and there were, +he believed, one or two doctors in the city, which was not very far +away. He was aware that he was liable to be arrested there, but it +seemed possible that he might enter it unobserved at night and +purchase secrecy from any one who took him in. In such a case he would +be the safer because it was about the last spot in which those +interested in his capture would expect to come across him, and in a +few more minutes he had made up his mind. Though the hammock is not so +frequently used as a means of conveyance in that country where the +trek-ox is generally available as it is in most other parts of Western +Africa, he had provided himself with one. + +"Get the hammock slung," he said. "We will go on towards the west when +you are ready." + +Half an hour later the bearers hove the pole to their woolly crowns, +and plodded on again. They were not men of any great intelligence, and +were usually content to do what they were told without asking +questions, which was a custom that had its advantages. They had also +an unreasoning and half-instinctive confidence in the man who led +them, and in due time they plodded into sight of the town one night +when the muggy land breeze was blowing. Like other West African +towns, the place straggles up and back from the seaboard bluff, with +wide spaces between the houses, and nobody seemed stirring when +Ormsgill's boys marched into the outskirts of it. Remembering what the +priest of San Thome had told him of the man whose wife he had sent the +girl Anita to, he presently bade them stop outside the building which +stood well apart from the rest. Some of them were roofed with +corrugated iron, and some with picturesque tiles, but the top of this +one was flat, which Ormsgill was pleased to see. He recognized that it +was built in the older Iberian style which is not uncommon in Western +Africa and ensures the inmates privacy. There are no outbuildings +where this plan is adopted. The house stands four-square and +self-contained, presenting an almost unbroken wall to the outer world, +though there is usually an open patio in the midst of it. One of the +boys rapped upon a door, and when it was opened by a negro his +comrades unceremoniously marched down an arched passage under the +building until they reached the enclosed patio. Ormsgill had impressed +them with the fact that the most important thing was to get in. + +Then lights appeared at one or two windows, and when a little, +olive-faced gentleman in white linen with a broad sash about his waist +came down the stairway from a veranda Ormsgill raised himself in the +lowered hammock. + +"You will forgive this intrusion, Seņor," he said. + +The other man made him a little formal salutation. "I," he said dryly, +"await an explanation." + +Ormsgill offered him one, and the little gentleman looked at him +thoughtfully for a moment or two. + +"I have heard of you--from the fathers up yonder who are friends of +mine," he said. "Perhaps it is my duty to inform the Authorities that +you are here, but in the meanwhile that is a point on which I am not +quite certain. You can, at least, consider this house as yours until +we talk the matter over. The boys may sleep in the patio to-night, but +they will first carry you in." + +They did it at Ormsgill's bidding, and left him sitting in a basket +chair in a big, cool room, after which his host brought in a few +cigars and a flask of wine. + +"They are at your service, seņor," he said. "I would suggest that you +give me a little more information. I am one who can, at least, now and +then respect a confidence." + +Ormsgill looked at him steadily, and made up his mind. It was clear +that if his host meant to hand him over to the Authorities there was +nothing to prevent him doing so, and reticence did not appear likely +to serve any purpose, since he was wholly in his hands. He spoke for a +few minutes, and the other nodded. + +"I think it was wise of you to tell me this," he said. "There are, I +may mention, others besides myself who desire to see certain changes +made in our administration, and they would, I think, sympathize with +you. Some of them are gentlemen of influence, but we have confidence +in Dom Clemente and another man of greater importance--and we are +waiting. To proceed, I think it would not be difficult to keep you +here awhile without anyone we would not wish to know becoming aware of +it. The thing is made easier by the fact that my wife and the girl +Anita are away, and my sister, who is very deaf and does not like +society, rules the household. Now if it is permissible I will examine +your leg." + +He did so, and looked a trifle grave after it. "I know a little of +these matters, and it is advisable that this should be seen to," he +said. "Now the Portuguese doctor is not exactly a friend of mine, and +might ask questions as to how you got hurt and where you came from, +but there is a half-breed who I think is clever, and he would probably +refrain from mentioning anything that appeared unusual if he is +remunerated sufficiently. It is"--and he made a little expressive +gesture, "a thing he is accustomed to doing." + +Ormsgill suggested that the man should be sent for early next morning, +and went to sleep an hour later in greater comfort than he had enjoyed +for a considerable time. He did not, however, sleep soundly, and was +awake when the half-breed doctor came into his room next morning. The +latter set to work and managed to extract the piece of iron, but +before nightfall the fever which had left him alone of late had +Ormsgill in its grip. It shook him severely during several days, and +then, as sometimes happens, left him suddenly, limp and nerveless in +mind and body. He was content to lie still and wait almost +unconcernedly. Nothing seemed to matter, and he felt that effort of +any kind was futile. + +He lay one morning in this frame of mind when there were footsteps on +the veranda outside his door, and he heard a voice that sounded +curiously familiar. Then the door opened, and Benicia Figuera who came +into the room started when she saw him. Ormsgill, however, betrayed no +astonishment. He was too languid, and he lay still gravely watching +her. The sunlight that streamed in through the open door fell full +upon her, gleaming on her trailing white draperies and forcing up +bronze lights in her dusky hair. He did not see the faint tinge of +color that crept into the ivory of her cheek, but he vaguely noticed +the pity shining in her eyes. She seemed to him refreshingly cool and +reposeful. + +He did not remember exactly what she said, though he fancied she +mentioned that she had some business with his host's sister, and he +had no recollection of his own observations, but he sank into tranquil +sleep when she went away and awoke refreshed, to wonder when she would +come back again. As it happened, she came next day, bringing him +choice fruits and wine, and it was by her instructions he was carried +out on the veranda above the patio where she sat and talked to him. +Her voice was low and tranquil, her mere presence soothing, and she +did not seem to mind when he grew drowsy. Once or twice again, when +she was not aware that he was watching her, he saw compassion in her +eyes. Afterwards, though this was not quite in accordance with Iberian +customs, she came for an hour or two frequently, and Ormsgill grew +curiously restless when she stayed away. Sometimes his host sat with +them and discoursed on politics, but more often he left his deaf +sister, who would wander away to superintend the dusky servants' lax +activities. + +The house, like others of the same type, might have been built for a +fortress, and afforded those within it all the seclusion any one could +desire. One arched entrance pierced the tall white walls, which had a +few little windows with heavy green lattices set high in them. Within, +the building rose, tinted a faint pink and terraced with verandas +supported by tottering wooden pillars, about a quadrangular patio, and +it was characteristic that it was more or less ruinous. When the outer +windows were open the sea breeze blew through it, and sitting in cool +shadow one could hear the drowsy murmur of the surf. Ormsgill found +the latter inexpressibly soothing when Benicia sat near him, and he +would lie still contentedly listening to her and watching the shadow +creep across the patio. Weak as he was in body, with his mind relaxed, +he allowed no misgivings to trouble him. He was vaguely grateful for +her presence as a boon that had been sent him without his request, and +whether Benicia understood his attitude, or what she thought of it, +did not appear. + +That was at first, however, and by degrees he took himself to task as +his strength came back, until in the hot darkness of one sleepless +night he realized towards what all this was leading him. As it +happened, Benicia did not appear the next day, and he had nerved +himself for an effort by the one that followed. He had an interview +with his host and the half-breed doctor, who both protested, and then +lay waiting for the girl in a state of tense expectancy. He recognized +now what it was most fitting that he should do, but that, after all, +is a good deal less than half the battle. It was late in the afternoon +when she came, and the first glance showed her that there was a change +in Ormsgill. + +He lay in a canvas lounge smiling gravely, but he had dressed himself +more precisely than usual, and there was a suggestion of resolution in +his haggard face which had not been there before. There was also +something in his eyes which conveyed the impression that the +resolution had cost him an effort, and Benicia laid a certain +restraint upon herself, for she knew what had happened. The days in +which he had leaned upon her and permitted her unquestioningly to +minister to his comfort had, undoubtedly been pleasant, but, after +all, she had not expected them to continue. + +"You are stronger to-day," she said, with a composure that was a +little difficult to assume, as she took a chair beside him. + +"I am," said Ormsgill quietly. "In fact I have been getting stronger +rapidly of late, and I am glad of it. You see, I have been blissfully +idle for a while and I have a good deal to do." + +Benicia knew what was coming, but she smiled. "You are sure of that?" +she said. "I mean, you still think it is your business?" + +"Perhaps it's a little absurd of me, but I do. Anyway, I don't know of +anybody else who is willing to undertake it." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "would it matter greatly if it was not done, after +all? There are so many things one would have altered in Africa--and +they still go on. It is possible that nobody will ever succeed in +changing them." + +It was, though she was, perhaps, not aware of this, a very strong +argument she used, one whose force is now and then instinctively +realized by every thinking white man in the western half of Africa, +and in other parts as well. It is a land that has absorbed many +civilizations and continued in its barbarism. Nature unsubdued is +against the white man there, and against her tremendous forces his +most strenuous efforts are of little avail. Where the air reeks with +germs of pestilence and there are countless leagues of swamps breeding +corruption, one can expect very little from a few scattered hospitals +and an odd mile of drains. Besides, there is in the lassitude born of +its steamy heat something that insidiously saps away the white man's +will until he feels that effort of any kind is futile, and that in the +land of the shadow it is wiser to leave things as they are. + +Ormsgill nodded gravely. "Yes," he said, "one recognizes that, but, +you see, I don't expect to do very much--merely to keep a promise, and +set a few thick-headed heathen at liberty. I think I could accomplish +that." + +"Why should you wish to set them at liberty?" + +"It's a trifle difficult to answer," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, +the motive is probably to some extent a personal one. Anyway, it's not +a thing I have any occasion to inflict on you. There was a time when +you didn't adopt this attitude, but sympathized with me." + +The girl made a little gesture. "I would like to understand. You and +Desmond have all that most men wish for. Why are you risking your life +and health in Africa?" + +A curious little smile crept into Ormsgill's eyes. "Well," he said +reflectively, "there are respects in which one's possessions are apt +to become burdensome. They seem to carry so many obligations along +with them that one falls into bondage under them, and I think some of +us are rebels born. We feel we must make our little protest, if it's +only by doing the thing everybody else considers reprehensible." + +He stopped a moment, and his face grew a trifle grim when he went on +again. "In my case it must be made now since I shall probably never +have an opportunity of doing anything of the kind again." + +Benicia understood him, for she had watched Miss Ratcliffe carefully +at Las Palmas. In fact, she had understood him all along. That he +should shrink from any claim to philanthropy was only what she had +expected from him, and it was also characteristic that he should have +made as little as possible of his motives. Admitting that he had to +some extent been swayed by the rebellious impulse he had mentioned, +she knew there was beneath it a chivalrous purpose that was likely to +prove the more effective from its practical simplicity. The Latins can +appreciate chivalry, though they do not invariably practice it now, +and she realized vaguely that there is nothing in man more knightly +than the desire to strike a blow for the oppressed or at his peril to +redress a wrong. Ormsgill's sentiments and methods were, perhaps, a +trifle crude, and, from one point of view, somewhat old fashioned. He +did not preach a crusade, but couched the lance himself. After all, he +belonged to a nation which had once, using crude effective means, +swept the slavers off that coast, and still stamps its coinage with +the George and Dragon. + +It was, however, after all, not so much as a redresser of grievances +and a friend of the oppressed, but as a man that Benicia regarded her +companion, for she knew that she loved him. She said nothing, and in a +minute or two he spoke again. + +"There is a thing that has been on my mind the last few days," he +said. "The fever must have left me too shaky to think of it before. I +am afraid, though it was very pleasant to see you, I haven't quite +kept faith with your father in allowing you to come and talk with me. +You, of course, don't understand exactly how the Authorities regard +me." + +Benicia smiled a little, for she understood very well. "I don't think +that counts," she said, "and what is, perhaps, more to the purpose, my +father is not here; he has gone, I believe, on business of the State, +into the bush country. If you had remembered earlier you would have +been anxious to send me away?" + +She leaned forward looking at him, and saw the tension in his face. It +told her a good deal, and she felt that for all his resolution she +could, if she wished, bend him to her will. + +"No," he said, "I'm not sure I could have done it if I had wished. In +fact, the week--is it a week?--I have lain here has been such a one as +I have never spent before. Now I am horribly sorry that it is over." + +There was something in his voice which fully bore out what he had +said, but Benicia was aware that it was she who had forced the +admission from him without his quite realizing its significance. She +knew that he would speak more plainly still if she kept her eyes on +him. + +"It is over? You can countenance no more of my visits, then?" she +asked. + +"I am," said Ormsgill gravely, "going away again before to-morrow." + +Benicia sat very quiet, and contrived that he did not see her face for +a moment or two. She had, at least, not expected this, and it sent a +thrill of dismay through her. Steady as his voice was, she was aware +that the simple announcement had cost the man a good deal. + +"You are not strong enough for the journey yet," she said at length. +"It would not be safe." + +Ormsgill smiled in a curious wry fashion. "It does not require much +strength to lie still in a hammock, and I shall no doubt get a little +more every day. Besides, I almost think there is a certain danger +here. In fact, it would be safer for me up yonder in the bush." + +Benicia was quite aware that he was not thinking chiefly of the danger +of arrest, and again a little thrill that was no longer altogether one +of dismay ran through her. He was, it seemed, afraid of sinking wholly +under her influence. Again she leaned a little forward, and laid her +hand upon his arm. + +"You must go? Would nothing keep you here--at least until you are fit +to travel?" she asked. + +She saw his lips set for a moment, and the tinge of grayness creep +into his face. Then, with a visible effort, he laid a restraint upon +himself. + +"If I do not go," he said simply, "I should be ashamed the rest of my +life. Perhaps, that would not matter so much, but, as it happens, one +can't always bear his shame himself." + +Benicia turned a little in her chair, and let her hand fall back +again. She knew that if she chose to exert her power he would not go +at all, but it was probably fortunate that she did not choose. After +all, she was a lady of importance in that land, and had the pride of +her station in her. Though he loved her, she would not stoop to claim +him against his will, and, what was more, she had a vague perception +of the fact that he was right. A wrong done could not be wiped out by +the mere wish to obliterate it, and she felt that if he broke faith +with the Englishwoman in Las Palmas and slackly turned back from the +task which he, at least, fancied was an obligation upon him, there +might come a time when the fact would stand between them and she would +remember the stain upon his shield. She hated the Englishwoman with +Latin sincerity, but in this case her pride saved her from a fall. +There are other people who owe their pride a good deal. + +"Then," she said slowly, "one can only tell you to go. Some time, +perhaps, you will come back again?" + +She rose, and Ormsgill with an effort stood up awkwardly, and taking +the hand she held out held it a moment. "I do not know," he said with +a faint trace of hoarseness. "It is not often possible for one to do +what one would wish, and there are--duties--laid on me. Still, if it +should be possible--" He broke off for a moment, and then went on +again in a different tone very quietly, "In the meanwhile I must thank +you. I owe you a good deal." + +He watched her go down the stairway, and then leaned on the balustrade +for awhile wondering vaguely what would have happened if he had flung +off all restraint and let himself go. He did not know that while he +was nearest to doing so Benicia Figuera had laid a restraint on him, +and that had she permitted it he would have rushed headlong to a fall. +There are times when the strength of a usually resolute man is apt to +prove a snare to him. Then he sat down wearily in the canvas chair +again, and when the land breeze swept through the city that night he +and his handful of carriers slipped quietly out of it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SLACKENING OF RESTRAINT + + +A half moon had just sailed up above the shoulder of a hill, and its +pale light streamed into the veranda of the little mission house which +stood in a rift of the great scarp where the high inland plateau +breaks down to the levels of the sun-scorched littoral. The barren +hillslopes round about it were streaked with belts of gleaming sand, +and above them scrubby forests, destitute of anything that man or +beast could eat, rolled back to the vast marshes of the western +watershed, but the bottom of the deep valley was green and fertile as +a garden. It had, however, only been made so by patient labor, for +even in the tropics there is no escape from the primeval ban. It is by +somebody's tense effort that man is provided with his daily bread, and +where he labors least he lives most like the animals, for nature +unsubdued is very rarely bountiful. She sends thorns and creepers to +choke the young plantations, and the forest invades the clearing when +the planter stays his hand. But in Western Africa the white man sees +that the negro fights the ceaseless battle for him. It is, in his +opinion, what the black man was made for, and those who know by what +methods he obtains and controls his dusky laborers in certain tracts +of the dark land wonder now and then why such things are permitted +and if there will never be a reckoning. That is, however, only one +aspect of a very old question, and it is admittedly difficult to be an +optimist in Africa. + +Still, there was, for the time being, at least, quietness and good +will in that lonely rift among the hills, and Nares, sitting on the +mission house veranda in the moonlight, felt its beneficent influence, +though he was suffering from that most exasperating thing the prickly +heat, which had, as it frequently does, followed a slight attack of +fever. Two patient men from his own country sat with him, and it was +clear that their toil had not been in vain. He could see the +sprinkling of white blossom on the trees beneath him that bore green +limes, and beyond these were rows of mangoes, coffee plants, and sweet +potato vines, but the huts of the dusky converts were silent and +hidden among the leaves. There was no sound but the soft murmur of +running water. A deep serenity brooded over it all. + +"A garden!" he said. "In this country one could call it a garden of +the Lord." + +The elder of his two companions smiled, for he had shrewdness as well +as faith. + +"Thanks in part, at least, to our mountain wall," he said. "We lie +several leagues from the only road, and that is not a much frequented +one. There is, most fortunately, little commerce in this strip of +country, and the great roads lie as you know far to the south of us. +Still, I sometimes wonder how we have been left alone so long, and we +have had our warnings." + +"Herrero now and then comes up this way?" + +The missionary nodded. "He is the thorn in our side," he said. +"Domingo, his associate, as of course you know, rambles through the +back country. There is no one else to cause us anxiety, but Herrero +has an old grudge against us. There were villages in these valleys +when he first came here, and he swept them almost clean. We gathered +up the remnant of the people, and now they will not buy his rum from +him." + +"If the news we got with our last supplies is correct he can not be +more than a few days' march away," the younger man broke in. "I have +been wondering how often he will pass us by. Some day he will come +down on us. It's a sure thing." + +Nares straightened himself a trifle. He had for several years borne +almost all a man could bear and live through in that land, and after +he left Ormsgill had fled inland, proscribed, finding no safety +anywhere until his countrymen at their peril had offered him shelter +at the mission. Besides, he had fever and prickly heat, which tries +the meekest white man's patience, and it was New England stock he +sprang from. He was a Puritan by birth as well as training, of the old +grim Calvinistic strain, and his forbears had believed that the sword +of the Lord is now and then entrusted to human hands. In that faith +they had faced their king at Naseby, and in later days and another +land held their own at Bunker Hill, and again crushed the Southern +slave-owners' riflemen. It awoke once more deep down in the heart of +their descendant as he sat on the mission veranda that night. + +"What will you do then?" he said. "It sometimes seems to me that we +have borne enough. One could almost wonder if there is anything more +than prudence in our non-resistance. That alone seldom carries one +very far." + +A faint sparkle crept into the eyes of the younger man, for there was +also a capacity for righteous wrath in him, but his elder companion +raised a restraining hand. + +"What can we do that will not bring down trouble on our followers' +heads?" he asked. + +Nares had not slept for several nights, and that coming on top of his +other troubles had its effect on him, for he was, after all, very +human, and the white man's self-restraint is apt to grow feeble in +that land where his passions usually grow strong. Now and then, +indeed, it breaks down altogether suddenly. + +"Somebody must suffer for every reform," he said. "It seems that a +sacrifice is demanded, and the ban is upon us still. Here, at least, +the cost of man's progress is the shedding of blood." Then he made a +little forceful gesture. "They are arming in the bush. In another +month or two there will be very grim doings at San Roque." + +The older man changed the subject abruptly. "You have your own course +to consider. Have you come to a decision yet? I almost think if you +surrendered to a responsible officer the Society has influence enough +to secure your acquittal. After all, there are a few honest men upon +the coast." + +Nares looked at him with a curious little smile. "It is possible that +I might escape with my liberty, but not until those who hate us had +blackened my character and flung discredit upon the aims and methods +of the men who sent me here. Is my acquittal worth what it would cost +your Society? Would the folks down yonder miss such an opportunity as +my trial would afford them of making us out political intriguers and +destroyers of authority?" + +He broke off for a moment, and laughed softly. "Still, they can't very +well have a trial without a prisoner, and I shall wait in the bush +until Ormsgill overtakes me. I have left word for him here and there +with men who I think will not betray me." + +"Why shouldn't you stay here?" asked the younger man. + +"And bring the authorities down upon you? You know the cost of +harboring me. Still, I will wait a day or two. Ormsgill must go inland +by the road through the next valley, and if he has escaped the troops, +there should be news of him any hour now." + +The others said nothing further. They knew those in authority had, +perhaps, naturally little love for them, and would make the most of +the opportunity if it became evident that they had sheltered a +proscribed man. After all, they had a duty to their flock and the men +who had sent them out. Nares, who guessed their thoughts, smiled at +them. + +"It is all decided," he said. "When Ormsgill comes up I, believing as +I do in the straitest teaching of the Geneva fathers, am going into +the interior with him to accomplish the work he has undertaken for +the repose of the soul of the rum trader Lamartine." + +Again his companions made no answer. After all, the creeds now and +then grow vague in Africa, or, perhaps, in the anguish of life in the +dark land they are purged of their narrowness and amplified. Besides +this, it was evident that Nares was a trifle off his balance. There +was silence for the next half hour. One of the men had toiled with the +hoe among his flock that day, and the other had come back from a long +march to a native village. The night was clear and cool and +wonderfully still, and the peace of the garden valley crept in on +them. One could almost have fancied the mission had been translated +far from Africa, where tranquillity that is not tempered with +apprehension seldom lasts very long. Then a sharp cry, harsh with +human pain and terror, rang out of the soft darkness, and the man in +charge of the station rose quietly from his chair. + +"Herrero's men are here. Our time has come at last," he said. + +The others rose with him, and stood very still for a moment or two +listening until the cry arose again more shrilly, and there was a +clamor among the unseen huts. The crash of a long flintlock gun broke +through it, and in the midst of the uproar they heard a patter of +naked feet. Half-seen shadowy figures swept past among the leaves, and +a red glare that grew momentarily brighter leapt up behind the mango +trees. + +"Herrero's men," said the older man again, as though in the bitterness +of the moment that was all that occurred to him. + +They followed him down the stairway, though none of them knew what +they meant to do, and, while now and then a half-naked figure dashed +past them, down a narrow path between the trees, until the thatched +roofs of the village rose close in front of them. One of them was +blazing fiercely, and in another few minutes they saw a little group +of dusky figures scurrying to and fro with burdens in the glare. A man +among the latter also saw the newcomers, for apparently in drunken +bravado he flung up a long gun, and there was a flash and a detonation +as he fired at random. Nares saw him clearly, a big, brawny man +swaying half-naked on his feet with short cotton draperies hanging +from his waist, and his truculence was a guide to his profession. He +was one of the hired ruffians who escort the labor recruits to the +coast, and the African has no more grievous oppressor than the negro +who acts as the white man's deputy. + +Still, the missionaries saw very little more just then, for at the +flash of the gun a swarm of terror-stricken boys who had been lurking +there broke out from the shadow of the outlying huts, and swept madly +up the path. Nares ran forward to meet them, calling to them in a +native tongue, but it was not evident that they understood him, for +they ran on. He felt one of his comrade's hands upon his shoulder, but +he shook it off, and clutched at one of the flying men nearest him. He +was overwrought that night, and his patience had gone. An unreasoning +fury of indignation came upon him, and in the midst of it he +remembered that it was most unlikely Herrero's boys would do more +than attempt to overawe any one who might venture to resist them with +their guns. Yet here was a flock of sturdy men flying in wild panic +from a handful of ruffians. Perhaps this was natural. The men had seen +what came of resistance, and had been taught drastically that it was +wisest to submit to the white man and those whom he permitted to +persecute them. + +In any case, Nares's efforts availed him nothing, for the crowd of +fugitives surged about him and his companions and bore them along. +They could neither make head against it nor struggle clear, and were +jostled against each other and driven forward until the crowd grew +thinner abreast of the mission house where several paths that led to +the hillslopes and the bush branched off. Then at last they reeled out +from among the negroes, and while they stood gasping, Nares looked at +the man in charge of the station with a question in his eyes. The +latter made a little gesture of resignation. + +"That is certainly Herrero's work, and I think he has given them rum, +but there is nothing we can do," he said. "They may burn a hut or two, +but they can be built again, and the boys--I am thankful--have taken +to the bush. We will go back to the house." + +This was not exactly to Nares' mind, but he recognized that there was +wisdom in it, and they went up the little stairway and sat down once +more upon the veranda. Now and then a hoarse shouting reached them, +and the glare of burning thatch grew brighter, but nobody came near to +trouble them. After all, a missionary's color counted for something, +and it was a perilous thing for a negro who had not direct authority +to meddle with him. Still, the older man's face was troubled. + +"They will go away by and by, and there is, fortunately, very little +in the huts," he said. "There is only one thing I am anxious about. +Our store shed stands in a thicket among the trees yonder close +beneath us. We built it there not to be conspicuous, and they may not +notice it, but it is only a few weeks since our supplies came +in--drugs and cloth, besides tools, and goods that we could not +replace." + +Nares made a little gesture of comprehension. He knew that the +finances of the stations in that country are usually somewhat +strained, and that when supplies went missing on the journey from the +coast, as they sometimes did, the efforts of those they were intended +for were apt to be crippled for many months. + +"The place is locked?" he said. + +"It is," said the younger man with a little smile. "After all, the +boys are human. The door and building are strong enough, and the roof +is iron. They can not burn it." + +Nares glanced at his older companion and saw that there was still +concern in his face. Half an hour dragged by, and they sat still +struggling with the uneasiness that grew upon them. There was less +shouting in the village, and the fire was evidently dying down, but +now and then a hoarse clamor reached them. Nares felt that to sit +there and do nothing was a very hard thing. At last the younger man +pushed his chair back sharply. + +"I think they have found where the store shed is. They are coming +here," he said. + +"I wonder who has told them," said his companion. + +A patter of feet grew nearer, and Nares felt his mouth grow dry as he +forced himself to sit still and listen, until several shadowy figures +flitted out from among the trees. Then the older man's question was +answered, for one of them dragged a Mission boy along with him. He +carried a hide whip in one hand, and turned towards the veranda with a +truculent laugh as he brought it down on his captive's quivering +limbs. + +"Ah," said the younger man with sharp incisiveness, "I do not think +one could blame that boy." + +More figures appeared behind the others, and they flitted across the +strip of open space towards the store shed, after which there were +hoarse shouts and a sound of hammering which ceased again. Then +Herrero's boys came back by twos and threes, big, muscular negroes +with short draperies fluttering from their hips, some of them lurching +drunkenly. Three or four also carried long flintlock guns, and the one +who had the whip still dragged the Mission boy along. They stopped in +the clear space beneath the house, and Nares, who felt his heart beat, +set his lips tight as one of them strode forward to the foot of the +short veranda stairway. He was almost naked, and for a moment or two +the white men sat still, and looked at him. It was, they felt, just +possible that at the last moment his assurance would fail him. +Perhaps, he understood what they were thinking, for he made a little +contemptuous gesture. + +"We want the key to the store," he said in halting Portuguese. + +Then Nares turned to the head of the station. "You mean to give it +him?" + +"No," said the older man simply. "If they are able to break into the +shed I can not help it, but, at least, I will do nothing to make it +easier for them. I am the Society's steward and these goods are +entrusted to me." + +Nares looked at his younger companion, and saw a little smile in his +eyes. It was clear that force would be useless, even if they had been +willing to resort to it, but passive resistance was not forbidden +them, and while apt to prove perilous it might avail, since it was +scarcely probable that Herrero's boys could find the key. Then the +younger man turned to the negro. + +"We will never give you the key," he said. + +"Then we will come and take it," said the man below. + +He signed to his companions, and when three or four of them gathered +about him clamoring excitedly Nares felt his blood tingle and his face +grow hot. Perhaps it was the fever working in him, and he was +certainly overwrought, and, perhaps, it was a subconscious awakening +of the white man's pride. After all, the men of his color held +dominion, and it was an intolerable thing that one of them should +submit to personal indignity at a negro's hand. A little quiver ran +through him, but his restraint did not break down until the big +truculent negro came up the stairway and laid a greasy black hand upon +the shoulder of the worn and haggard man who ruled the station. He +shook him roughly, grinning as he did it, and then Nares' self-control +suddenly left him. Swinging forward on his left foot he struck at the +middle of the heavy, animal face, and the negro staggering went +backwards down the stairway. Then with the sting of his knuckles a +change came over Nares, for the passions he had long held in stern +subjection were suddenly unloosed. At last he had broken down under a +tension that had been steadily growing intolerable, and he turned on +his persecutors as other men of his faith have done. When men of that +kind strike they strike shrewdly. + +There was also a change in the negroes' attitude. They had maltreated +their own countrymen at their will, but they had as yet never laid +hands upon a white man. Perhaps, it was the rum Herrero had given them +which had stirred their courage, and, perhaps, they regarded a +missionary as a good-humored fool who had for some inconceivable +reason flung the white man's prerogative away. In any case, they were +coming up the stairway, three or four of them, and now the first man +carried a matchet, an instrument which resembles an old-fashioned +cutlass. Nares, who asked for no directions, sprang into the room +behind him where one of the trestle cots not unusual in that country +stood. It had a stout wooden frame, and he rent one bar from the +canvas laced to it. In another moment he was back at the head of the +stairway where the man in charge of the station stood, frail, and +haggard, but very quiet, with his thin jacket rent open where the +negro had seized him. A foot or two below him the man with the matchet +was coming up, naked to the waist, and half-crazed with rum. Nares +could see his eyes in the moonlight, and that was enough. + +He swung the bar high with both hands, and it descended on the negro's +crown. The man went backwards, but another who carried a long gun +sprang over him, and the heavy bar came crashing down on his naked +arm. Then it whirled again, and there was a curious thud as it left +its mark upon a dusky face. There was a clamor from the men below, a +gasp behind Nares, and a folded canvas chair struck the next negro on +the breast. He, too, lost his balance, and in another moment the +stairway was empty except for one of the dusky men who lay still upon +the lower steps of it. Nares stood on the veranda, with a suffused +face, and the perspiration dripping from him, and smiled curiously +when the man in charge of the station glanced at him with wonder and a +vague reproof in his eyes. + +"I am not sure that I have anything to regret," he said. "They are +coming back again." + +Herrero's boys were once more at the foot of the stairway, trampling +on their comrade as they scrambled over him, but there were now two +men with extemporized weapons at the head of it who stood above them +and had them at a disadvantage. Nares was, however, never quite clear +as to what happened during the next few minutes, for an unreasoning +fury came upon him, and he saw only the woolly heads and dusky faces +as he gasped and smote, though he was vaguely conscious that now and +then a shattered chair somebody whirled by the legs swung above his +head. Then a long gun flashed, and the detonation was answered by a +sharper, ringing crash. One of Herrero's boys screamed shrilly, and +the half-naked figures went scrambling down the stairway. They had +scarcely floundered clear of it when a man in white duck appeared in +the space below, and flung up a rifle, and another of the boys who +went down headlong lay writhing horribly in the sand. After that there +was a shouting and a patter of flying feet, and further dusky men with +matchets and Snider rifles poured out of the path that wound down the +hillside. Nares quietly laid the bar he held against the wall, and +turned to the others with a gasp. + +"It's Ormsgill," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +BENICIA MAKES A BARGAIN + + +Except for the two unsightly objects that lay in the soft moonlight, +there was no sign of Herrero's boys when Ormsgill walked up the +stairway with a rifle in his hand. A little smoke curled from the +breech which he opened before he shook hands with Nares. + +"It's fortunate I knew where you were, and came round to pick you up," +he said, and turned to the head of the station, who leaned upon the +balustrade apparently shaken and bewildered by what had happened. + +"I came up behind Herrero most of the way, and when there were signs +that we were getting closer I sent one of my boys on to creep in upon +his camp two or three days ago. From what he told me when he came back +I fancied there was mischief on foot, and I pushed on as fast as +possible. Considering everything, it seems just as well I did." + +The other man appeared unwilling to let his gaze wander beyond the +veranda, which was in one way comprehensible. There was shrinking in +his face, and his voice was strained and hoarse. + +"It was so sudden--it has left me a trifle dazed," he said. "I am +almost afraid the trouble is not over yet." + +Ormsgill smiled reassuringly. "I scarcely think--you--have any cause +to worry. There is no doubt that Herrero inspired his boys, and +attempts of this kind, as no doubt you are aware, have been made on +mission stations before, but it's certain he would disclaim all +knowledge of what they meant to do, and will be quite content to let +the matter go no further. That is, at least, so far as anybody +connected with the Mission is concerned." + +"I am afraid he may find some means of laying the blame on you." + +"It is quite likely," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, it's a thing +I'm used to, and, you see, I'm proscribed already. As it happens, so +is Nares. He should never have left me. I have no doubt Herrero, who +has friends in authority, will endeavor to make him regret his share +in to-night's proceedings." + +Nares glanced at one of the rigid figures that lay beneath him in the +moonlight. He saw the naked black shoulders, and the soiled white +draperies that had fallen apart from the ebony limbs, and a little +shiver ran through him. The heat of the conflict had vanished now, and +the pale light showed that his face was drawn and gray. + +"I struck that man," he said. "I don't know what possessed me, but I +think I meant to kill him. In one way, the thing is horrible." + +"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "it is also very natural. The impulse you +seem to shrink from is lurking somewhere in most of us. In any case, +the man is certainly dead. I looked at him as I came up." + +He stopped a moment, and leaned somewhat heavily upon the balustrade +with his eyes fixed on the dusky form of the negro. "The meanest thing +upon this earth is the man who sides with the oppressor and tramples +on his own kind. Still, though I think what I did was warranted, that +was not why I shot those men. One doesn't always reason about these +matters, as I fancy you understand." + +He turned, and looked at Nares who, after a momentary shrinking, +steadily met his gaze. The man was wholly honest, and the thing was +clear to him. He had struck at last, shrewdly, in a righteous cause, +and nobody could have blamed him, but, as had happened in his +comrade's case, human bitterness had also nerved the blow. + +"Well," he said slowly, "you and I, at least, will probably have to +face the results of it." + +Again Ormsgill laughed, but a little glint crept into his eyes. "As I +pointed out, we are both of us outlawed, with the hand of every white +man in this country against us, but we have still a thing to do, and +somehow I almost think it will be done." + +Then he turned to the man in charge of the Mission. "Nares is coming +away with me. There are several reasons that make it advisable. It is +very unlikely that anybody will trouble you further about this affair, +and if the blame is laid on us it can't greatly matter. The score +against one of us is a tolerably long one already--and if my luck +holds out it may be longer. There is just another point. Shall I take +those two boys below away for you?" + +"No," said the other man quietly. "There is, at least, one duty we owe +them." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "The bones of their victims lie thick +along each trail to the interior, but, after all, that is probably a +thing for which they will not be held responsible. In the meanwhile, +there are one or two reasons why I should outmarch Herrero if it can +be done. When Nares is ready we will go on again." + +Nares was ready in a few minutes, and shaking hands with the two men +who went down the veranda stairway with them, they struck into the +path that led up the steep hillside. Ormsgill's boys plodded after +them, but when they reached the crest of the ridge that overhung the +valley Nares sat down, gasping, in the loose white sand, and looked +down on the shadowy mission. He could see its pale lights blinking +among the leaves. + +"It stands for a good deal that I have done with," he said. "It is a +strange and almost bewildering thing to feel oneself adrift." + +"Still," said Ormsgill, "now and then the bonds of service gall." + +Nares made a little gesture. "Often," he said. "Perhaps I was not +worthy to wear the uniform and march under orders with the rank and +file, but I think the Church Militant has, after all, a task for the +free companies which now and then push on ahead of her regular +fighting line." + +"They march light," said Ormsgill. "That counts for a good deal. It +has once or twice occurred to me that the authorized divisions are a +little cumbered by their commissariat and baggage wagons." + +Nares sighed. "Well," he said softly, "every one must, at least now +and then, leave a good deal that he values or has grown attached to +behind him." He stopped a moment, and then asked abruptly, "You have +heard from the girl at Las Palmas. Desmond would bring you letters?" + +"No," said Ormsgill, "not a word. She had no sympathy with my +project--that she should have was hardly to be expected. One must +endeavor to be reasonable." + +"There must have been a time when you expected--everything." + +Ormsgill sat silent a minute or two, and while he did so a moving +light blinked among the trees below. It stopped at length, and negro +voices came up faintly with the thud of hastily plied shovels. It +seemed that the terrified converts were coming back and the +missionaries had already set them a task. Ormsgill knew what it was, +but he looked down at the rifle that glinted in the moonlight across +his knee with eyes that were curiously steady. The thing he had done +had been forced upon him. Then he turned to his companion, and though +he was usually a reticent man he spoke what was in his mind that +night. + +"There certainly was such a time," he said. "No doubt it has come to +others. For five long years I held fast by the memory of the girl I +had left in England, and I think there were things it saved me from. +Somehow there was always a vague hope that one day I might go back to +her--and for that reason I kept above the foulest mire. One goes under +easily here in Africa. Then at last the thing became possible." + +He broke off, and laughed, a curious little laugh, before he went on +again. + +"I went back. Whether she was ever what I thought her I do not +know--perhaps, I had expected impossibilities--or those five years had +made a change. We had not an idea that was the same, and the world she +lives in is one that has grown strange to me. They think me slightly +crazy--and it is perfectly possible that they are right. Men do lose +their mental grip in Africa." + +Nares made a little gesture which vaguely suggested comprehension and +sympathy before he looked at his comrade with a question in his eyes. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, "I am going on. After all, I owe the +girl I thought she was a good deal--and to plain folks there is safety +in doing the obvious thing." His voice softened a little. "It may be +hard for her--in fact when I went back she probably had a good deal to +bear with too. One grows hard and bitter when he has lived with the +outcasts as I have done." + +Nares understood that he meant what other men called duty by the +obvious thing, but the definition, which he felt was characteristic of +the man, pleased him. He was one who could, at least, recognize the +task that was set before him, and, as it happened, he once more made +this clear when he rose and called to the boys who had flung +themselves down on the warm white sand. + +"Well," he said, "we have now to outmarch Herrero, and there is a good +deal to be done." + +They went on, Ormsgill limping a little, for his wound still pained +him, and vanished into the shadows of the bush, two weary, +climate-worn men who had malignant nature and, so far as they knew, +the malice of every white man holding authority in that country +against them. Still, at least, their course was clear, and in the +meanwhile they asked for nothing further. + +It also happened one afternoon while they pushed on through shadowy +forest and steaming morass that a little and very ancient gunboat +crept along the sun-scorched coast. Her white paint, although very far +from fresh, gleamed like ivory on the long dazzling swell that changed +to a shimmering sliding green in her slowly moving shadow, for she was +steaming eight knots, and rolling viciously. Benicia Figuera, who swung +in a hammock hung low beneath her awnings, did not, however, seem to +mind the erratic motion. She was watching the snowy fringe of +crumbling surf creep by, though now and then her eyes sought the far, +blue hills that cut the skyline. Her thoughts were with the man who +was wandering in the dim forests that crept through the marshes beyond +them. + +By and by she aroused herself, and looked up with a smile at the man +who strolled towards her along the deck. She had met him before at +brilliant functions in Portugal where he was a man of importance, and +he had come on board in state a few hours earlier from a little +sweltering town above a surf-swept beach whose citizens had seriously +strained its finances to do him honor. He was dressed simply in plain +white duck, a little, courtly gentleman, with the look of one who +rules in his olive-tinted face. He sat down in a deck chair near the +girl. + +"After all, it is a relief to be at sea," he said. "One has quietness +there." + +Benicia laughed. "Quietness," she said, "is a thing you can hardly be +accustomed to Seņor. Besides, you are in one way scarcely +complimentary to the citizens yonder." + +"Ah," said her companion, "it seems they expect something from me and +it is to be hoped that when they get it some of them will not be +disappointed. I almost think," and he waved a capable hand, "that +before I am recalled they will not find insults bad enough for me." + +Benicia felt that this was quite possible. Her companion was she knew +a strong man as well as an upright one, who had been sent out not long +ago with ample powers to grapple with one or two of the questions +which then troubled that country. It was also significant that while +he was known as a judicious and firm administrator his personal views +on the points at issue had not been proclaimed. Benicia had, however, +guessed them correctly, and she took it as a compliment that he had +given her a vague hint of them. Perhaps, he realized it, for he +watched her for a moment with a shrewd twinkle in his dark eyes. + +"Seņorita," he said, "I almost think you know what I was sent out here +to do. One could, however, depend upon Benicia Figuera considering it +a confidence." + +The girl glanced out beneath the awnings across the sun-scorched +littoral towards the blue ridge of the inland plateau before she +answered him. + +"Yes," she said, "it was to cleanse this stable. I almost think you +will find it a strong man's task." + +Her companion made a gesture of assent. "It is, at least, one for +which I need a reliable broom--and I am fortunate in having one +ready." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "you of course mean my father. Well, I do not +think he will fail you, and though he has not actually told me so, I +fancy he has, at least, been making preparations for the sweeping." + +The man looked at her and smiled, but when a moving shaft of sunlight +struck him as the steamer rolled she saw the deep lines on his face +and the gray in his hair. He, as it happened, saw the little gleam of +pride in her eyes, and then the light swung back again and they were +once more left in the shadow. Yet in that moment a subtle elusive +something that was both comprehension and confidence had been +established between them. + +"Dom Clemente," he said, "is a man I have a great regard for. There is +a good deal I owe him, as he may have told you." + +"He has told me nothing." + +The man spread his hands out. "After all, it was to be expected. He +and I were comrades, Seņorita, before you were born, and there was a +time when I made a blunder which it seemed must spoil my career. There +was only one man who could save me and that at the hazard of his own +future, but one would not expect such a fact to count with your +father. Dom Clemente smiled at the peril and the affair was arranged +satisfactorily." + +Again he made a little grave gesture. "It happened long ago, and now +it seems I am to bring trouble on him again. Still, the years have not +changed him. He does not hesitate, but I feel I must ask your +forbearance, Seņorita. You have, perhaps, seen what sometimes happens +when one does one's duty." + +Benicia smiled, a little bitterly. "Yes," she said, "I know that the +man who is so rash as to attempt it in this country is usually +recalled in disgrace. Still, it is not a thing that happens very +frequently. Dom Clemente is to be made the scapegoat." + +"I think," said the man gravely, "I may be strong enough to save him +that. It is possible, as I have told him, that he will be +recalled--but what he has done will stand." + +He spoke at last as a ruler, with authority, and a trace of sternness +in his eyes, but his face changed again. + +"Seņorita," he said, "if it happens, I think you will not grudge it, +or blame me." + +The girl saw the opportunity she had been waiting for. "As you have +admitted, you owe my father something, and now you have asked +something more. Is it not conceivable that you owe me a little, too. I +am an influence here--and it would be different in Lisbon if Dom +Clemente was sent home again. Besides, sometimes he will listen to me. +Now and then a woman has made a change in a man's policy, and, though +it is a little more difficult when the man is one's father, it might +be done again." + +"Ah," said her companion, "you wish to make a bargain." + +"It would be too great a condescension, Seņor," and Benicia laughed. +"I want a promise that is to be unconditional. Some day, perhaps, I +shall ask you to do something for me. Then you will do it whatever it +is." + +The man looked up at her with a little dry smile, but, as he admitted, +he owed her father a good deal, and he was not too old for gallantry. +Besides that, he had the gift of insight, and a curious confidence in +this girl. He felt she would not ask him anything that was not +fitting. + +"The request," he said, "is a little vague, and perhaps, I am a trifle +rash, but I almost think I can promise that what you ask shall be +done." + +Benicia, reaching out from the hammock, touched him with her fan. +"Now," she said, "I know what you think of me. How shall I make my +poor acknowledgments? Still, there is another thing. You will discover +presently that the brooms of the State are slow. There are two men not +among its servants who have commenced the sweeping already. I think +Dom Clemente knows this, but you will not mention it to him." + +Her companion glanced at her sharply with a sudden keenness in his +eyes, but he said nothing, and the girl smiled again. + +"When you hear of them I would like you to remember that they are +friends of mine," she said. "You will, of course, recognize that +nobody I said that of could do anything that was really +reprehensible." + +"I might admit that it was unlikely," said her companion. + +"Then," said Benicia, "when the time comes I would like you to +remember it. That is another thing you will promise." + +She flashed one swift glance at her companion, who smiled, and then +looked round as Dom Clemente and two of the gunboat's officers came +towards them along the deck. She roused herself to talk to them, and +succeeded brilliantly, now and then to the momentary embarrassment of +the officers, who were young, while the man with the gray hair lay in +a deck chair a little apart watching her over his cigar. She was +clever, and quick-witted, but he knew also that she was like her +father, one who at any cost stood by her friends. At the same time he +was a little puzzled, for, in the case of a young woman, friend is a +term of somewhat vague and comprehensive significance, and she had +mentioned that there were two of them. That appeared to complicate the +affair, but he had, at least, made a promise, and it was said of him +that when he did so he usually kept it, though it was now and then in +a somewhat grim fashion. There were also men in the sweltering towns +beside the surf-swept beach the gunboat crawled along who would have +felt uneasy had they known exactly why he had been sent out to them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +DOMINGO APPEARS + + +The carriers had stopped in a deserted village one morning after a +long and arduous march from the mission station, when Ormsgill, lying +in the hot white sand, looked quietly at Nares, who sat with his back +against one of the empty huts. + +"If I knew what the dusky image was thinking I should feel +considerably more at ease," he said. "Still, I don't, and there's very +little use in guessing. After all, we are a long way from grasping the +negro's point of view on most subjects yet. They very seldom look at +things as we do." + +Nares nodded. "Anyway, I almost fancy we could consider what he has +told us as correct," he said. "It's something to go upon." + +The man he referred to squatted close by them, naked to the waist, +though a few yards of cotton cloth hung from his hips. An old Snider +rifle lay at his side, and he was big and muscular with a heavy, +expressionless face. As Ormsgill had suggested, it certainly afforded +very little indication of what he was thinking, and left it a question +whether he was capable of intelligent thought at all. They had come +upon him in the deserted village on the edge of a great swamp an hour +earlier, and he had skillfully evaded their questions as to what he +was doing there. + +It was an oppressively hot morning, and a heavy, dingy sky hung over +the vast morass which they could see through the openings between the +scattered huts. It stretched back bare and level, a vast desolation, +towards the interior, with a little thin haze floating over it in +silvery belts here and there, and streaking the forest that crept up +to its edge. The carriers lay half-asleep in the warm sand, blotches +of white and blue and ebony, and the man with the rifle appeared +vacantly unconcerned. Time is of no value to the negro, and one could +have fancied that he was prepared to wait there all day for the white +men's next question. + +"It's not very much," said Ormsgill reflectively, referring to his +comrade's last observation. "Domingo, it seems, is up yonder--but +there are one or two other facts, which I think have their +significance, in our possession. Herrero is coming up behind us, and, +though there are no other Portuguese in the neighborhood, we find this +village empty. I should very much like to know why the folks who lived +in it have gone away, and I fancy our friend yonder could tell us. +Still, it's quite certain that he won't." + +"Herrero evidently means to join hands with Domingo," suggested Nares. +"It's quite possible, too, that he will do what he can to prevent us +buying the six boys from the Headman, who, it's generally believed, +does a good deal of business with him. It's a little unfortunate. In +another week the thing might have been done." + +Ormsgill nodded as one who makes his mind up. "When in doubt go +straight on--and, as a matter of fact, we can't afford to stop," he +said. "Provisions are going to be a consideration. We'll push on and +try what can be done with Domingo and the Headman before Herrero comes +up." + +He turned to the negro, and Nares amplified his question. + +"Yes," said the man, with the faintest suggestion of a grin, "I know +where Domingo is, and if you come to our village it is very likely +that you will see him. I will take you to the Headman for the pieces +of cloth you promise." + +He got up leisurely, and Ormsgill, who called to the boys, looked at +Nares as they plodded into the forest that skirted the swamp. + +"It's quite certain the man was waiting for somebody, and it wasn't +Herrero, or he wouldn't have gone away," he said. "That naturally +seems to suggest he might have been on the lookout for us. In that +case I should very much like to know what was amusing him." + +It was not to be made clear until some time later, and in the +meanwhile they pushed on for a week through straggling forest with all +the haste the boys were capable of, though Ormsgill's face grew +thoughtful when they twice passed an empty village. The fact had its +significance, for little labor recruiting had been done in that strip +of country. Still, its dusky inhabitants had apparently forsaken it, +and it became more evident that something unusual was going on. Once +only they met a native, or rather he blundered upon their camp when +they lay silent in the thin shadow of more open bush on a burning +afternoon, and their guide roused himself sharply to attention when a +patter of footsteps came out of the stillness. Somebody was evidently +approaching in haste, and Ormsgill glanced at Nares in warning when +the negro who lay close beside them rose to a crouching posture and +drew back the hammer of his old Snider rifle. It was clear that +strangers were regarded with suspicion in that country. Then the man +drew one foot under him, and sat upon it with the arm that supported +the rifle on his knee, and an unpleasantly suggestive look in his +heavy face. One could have fancied that he meant to kill, and Ormsgill +stretching out a hand laid it on his comrade's shoulder restrainingly. + +"Wait," he whispered. "In the meanwhile it's not our business." + +Nares waited, but he felt it become more difficult to do so as the +footsteps grew plainer. He could hear the little restless movements of +the boys, but he had eyes for little beyond the ominous half-naked +figure clutching the heavy rifle. It dominated the picture. Tall +trunks, trailing creepers, and clustering carriers grew indistinct, +but he was vaguely conscious that there was an opening between the +leaves some sixty yards in front of him, and his heart throbbed +painfully with the effort the restraint he laid upon himself cost him. +Then a dusky figure appeared in the opening, and stopped a moment, +apparently in astonishment or terror, while Ormsgill was sensible of a +sudden straining after recollection. The man was leanly muscular and +dressed as scantily as any native of the bush, but there was something +in his appearance that was vaguely familiar. In the meanwhile he was +also conscious that their guide's arms were stiffening rigidly, and +when the man's cheek sank a little lower on the rifle stock he let his +hand drop from Nares's shoulder. As it happened, he was close behind +the negro, and in another moment would have clutched him. + +Just then, however, the stranger sprang forward and a little acrid +smoke blew into Ormsgill's eyes. There was a detonation and he +contrived to fall with a hand on the ground instead of upon the +crouching negro with the rifle. When he looked up again the man who +had narrowly escaped from the peril by his quickness was running like +a deer, and vanished amidst a crash of displaced undergrowth, while +their guide flung back his rifle breech with clumsy haste. When he +turned round there was no sign of the stranger and Ormsgill was +quietly standing on his feet. Only a few seconds had elapsed since the +man had first appeared. + +The guide made a little grimace which was expressive of resignation as +he turned the rifle over and shook out the cartridge, and in another +minute or two they were going on again. When he moved a little away +from them Ormsgill looked at Nares. + +"It's probably just as well our friend does not know I meant to spoil +his aim," he said. "I haven't the least notion why he wished to shoot +that man, and very much wish I had, but I can't help fancying that +I've seen him before--at one of the Missions most likely. I should be +glad if anybody could tell me what he is doing here." + +There was nobody who could do it except, perhaps, their guide, but +Ormsgill surmised that he was not likely to supply him with any +information. He was not to know until some time later that the man in +question had once served Herrero, who had beaten him too frequently +and severely, and that as a result of this he met Pacheco the +Government messenger in a deserted village after another week's +arduous journey. In the meanwhile he pushed on, limping a little, +through marsh and forest until their guide led them into a large +native village where he expected to find the last of Lamartine's boys. +This one, at least, was not deserted. In fact, it appeared unusually +crowded and, as Ormsgill was quick to notice, most of its inhabitants +were armed. He had, however, little opportunity of noticing anything +else, for he was led straight into the presence of its ruler, who sat +on a low stool under a thatched roof raised on a few rickety pillars +in the middle of the village. He was dressed in a white man's duck +jacket, worn open, and a shirt; and every person of consequence in the +place had gathered about him. The guide presented the newcomers +tersely, and it seemed to Ormsgill that the manner in which he did it +was significant. + +"They are here," he said. "I have done as I was bidden." + +The Headman spent some time examining the collection of the sundries +they offered him and made a few indifferent attempts to restrain the +rapacity of his retainers, who desired something, too. Then he asked +Ormsgill his business, and nodded when the latter explained it +briefly. + +"The six boys are certainly here," he said. "Still, I do not know just +now if I can sell you them. That will depend--" Nares understood from +the next few words that he desired to be a little ambiguous on this +point. "You have, it seems, some business with Domingo, too?" + +Nares said it concerned the boys in question, but as the labor +purveyor had no claim upon them the matter could be arranged with the +Headman, who grinned very much as the guide had done, while a curious +little smile crept into the faces of some of the rest. + +"Then," he said, "I think he will be here in a day or two. Some of my +people have gone for him, but I am not sure that he will have much to +tell us when he comes. In the meanwhile you will stay with us a few +days, and when I am ready to talk about the boys again I will send for +you." + +He made a sign that the interview was over, and several of his +followers who were armed escorted the white men and their boys to the +hut set apart for them. They left them there with a plainly worded +hint that it would be wise of them not to come out of it, and when +they went away Ormsgill looked at Nares. + +"I suppose you're not sure what that Headman really meant," he said. +"A man naturally has you at a disadvantage when he doesn't wish to +make himself very clear and talks in a tongue you don't quite +understand. I wish I knew exactly why he chuckled." + +Nares looked thoughtful. "He seemed to know we meant to visit him." + +"It's evident. How I don't quite understand. We traveled fast. Still, +he did know. In the meanwhile we can only wait." + +They waited, somewhat anxiously, for several days, knowing that +Herrero, whose presence promised to complicate affairs, was drawing +nearer all the while. There was, however, no other course open to +them, for when they attempted to leave the hut a big man armed with a +matchet who kept watch outside informed them it was the Headman's +pleasure that they should stay there until he was at liberty to talk +to them. + +At last one morning word was brought them, and Ormsgill looked about +him in astonishment when they walked into the wide space in the midst +of the straggling village. All round it stood long rows of dusky men, +most of whom were armed, but only a small and apparently select +company sat under the thatched roof in the shadow of which the Headman +had previously received them. + +"There is something very unusual going on. Half these men seem to be +strangers, and they have Sniders," he said. "I expect Domingo could +tell how they got them, but I don't seem to see him." Then he touched +his comrade's shoulder. "I fancy we can expect something dramatic. +There's a man yonder we have met before." + +Nares felt that the scene was already sufficiently impressive. The +strip of empty sand in front of him flung up a dazzling glare. The sky +the palm tufts cut against was of a harsh blue that one could scarcely +look upon, and the village was flooded with an almost intolerable +brilliancy which flashed upon glittering matchets and Snider barrels. +It also smote the massed white draperies and flickered with an oily +gleam on ebony limbs and the sea of dusky faces turned expectantly +towards the group beneath the thatch. Most of the men there sat on the +ground, but there were two seated figures, the village Headman, and +the Suzerain lord of his country, the old man they had met already, on +a slightly higher stool. He, at least, was dressed in dignified +fashion in a long robe of spotless cotton, and a few men with tall +spears stood in state behind him. His face was impassively grim, and +Nares's heart beat a trifle faster as his eyes rested on him, but at +the same time he was sensible of an expectancy so tense that it drove +out personal anxiety. He almost felt that he was watching for the +opening of the drama from a place of safety. + +In the meanwhile he moved towards the thatch with his comrade until +they stopped a few yards' distance from the Suzerain, who leaned +forward a little and looked at Ormsgill steadily. He was of commanding +presence, but there was something in his attitude which suggested that +he regarded this stranger as an equal, though he was lord of that +country, and the other stood before him, a spare, lonely figure in +white duck, with nothing in his hands. + +"The Headman has told me your business, and it seems it is very much +the same as when I last talked to you," he said. "You are, I believe, +not a friend of those other white men who have persecuted me?" + +Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You can tell him that we are both +proscribed," he said. "Make it quite clear. I don't think there's any +reason to be anxious about his handing us over to the folks at San +Roque." + +Nares explained, and the old man made a little gesture. "Then," he +said, "you shall have the six boys, and it is not my will that you +offer the Headman anything for them. Domingo stole them--and we have +satisfied our claim on him. Still, I do not know yet whether you will +be permitted to go away with them. In the meanwhile there is another +matter." + +Nares made out the gist of it, and as he hastily explained the old man +raised his hand. "You have business with Domingo, and there are two +other white men who have come here to meet him. Let them come +forward." + +Somebody passed on the order, and there was a murmur of voices and a +stirring of the crowd as a little group of men strode out of it. In +front walked the Boer Gavin, a tall, lean figure in travel-stained +duck with a heavy rifle cradled in his arm, and his manner was +unconcerned. Behind him came Herrero, little, and yellow-faced, +looking about him furtively, while a line of dusky men half of whom +were armed plodded after them, obviously uneasy. The Suzerain sat +impassively still, and looked at them in a curious fashion when they +stopped not far from him. + +"You have come here to meet Domingo. You are friends of his?" he said. + +Herrero hesitated, but his companion laughed when an interpreter +repeated the question. + +"You can say we came to meet him, in any case," he replied. + +"Was that wise?" asked the old man, and his voice had a jarring ring. +"Still, as you have come you shall see him." + +Then he smiled grimly, and made a sign to some of those behind. Again +there was a stirring of the crowd, and Nares felt his nerves thrill +with expectancy. He looked at Ormsgill, who was standing very still +with empty hands at his side, and afterwards saw Gavin, the Boer, +glance sharply round and change his grip on the heavy rifle. In +another moment there was a very suggestive half-articulate murmur from +the assembly, and then an impressive stillness as two men came forward +bearing between them a heavy fiber package slung as a hammock usually +is beneath a pole. They laid it down, and while Ormsgill and Gavin +moved forward at the Headman's sign one of them took something out of +it. He held it up, and Nares gasped and struggled with a sense of +nausea, for it was a drawn and distorted human face that met his +shrinking gaze. + +"They've killed him!" he said hoarsely. + +Ormsgill stood rigidly still. "Yes," he said, "it's Domingo. +Considering everything one could hardly blame them." + +Then the stillness was sharply broken. A cry rose from the assembly as +Herrero's boys turned and fled. Their leader shrank back pace by pace +from the old man's gaze, and then wheeling round sped after them. As +he did so somebody shouted, and a couple of Sniders flashed. Their +crash was lost in a clamor, and odd groups of men sprang out into the +open space. Then Nares saw Gavin running hard come up with his comrade +and grasp his shoulder. He drove him before him towards one of the +larger huts while the Snider bullets struck up little spurts of sand +behind them. + +Nares set his lips, and held his breath as he watched them. The +shadowy entrance of the hut was not far away, but it seemed impossible +that they could reach it before one, at least, of them was struck. +Herrero, blind with fear, seemed to flag already, but Gavin drove him +on, and Nares could see that his face was set and grim. They went by a +cluster of negroes running to intercept them, and the tall man in the +white duck seemed to fling his comrade forward into the hut. Then he +spun round pitching up the heavy rifle. There was a flash and a +detonation, and Ormsgill heard a curious droning sound as if a bee had +passed above his head. In another second a man who stood close at his +Suzerain's side lurched forward with a strangled cry. Then Gavin +sprang into the hut, and when the old man made a sign four of his +retainers laid hands on Ormsgill and his companion. They were big +muscular men, and Nares looked at Ormsgill, who submitted quietly. + +"It's horrible," he said. + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "They brought it upon themselves. I'm +a little sorry for Gavin, but I can't get away." + +It was perfectly evident. Their captors held them fast, pinioning +their arms with greasy black hands, and there were two to each of +them, while there are very few white men who have the negro's physical +strength, at least if they have been any time in that climate. Nares +gasped and felt his heart throb furiously, as he waited with his eyes +fixed on the hut. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE DAY OF RECKONING + + +There was silence in the village for almost a minute after Gavin +vanished into the hut, and the men who had pursued him stood still, +apparently irresolute. The entrance was dark and narrow, and they +could not see inside, but it was evident that they recognized it was a +very determined man who awaited them in its shelter. He was also +white, which had no doubt its effect upon the negro mind, since it +usually happens that when a race or caste asserts its superiority +loudly enough its claims are admitted, especially when they are backed +by visible force. + +So while the seconds slipped away the negroes stood hesitating, and +glancing at one another as well as at the hut which lay in the shadow. +Their ebony limbs and scanty draperies were forced up against the +glaring dust and sand in a flood of searching brilliancy. Nares, who +felt his nerves tingle, could see the tension in their dusky faces and +the oily gleam of their bodies as the perspiration broke from them. +There was something curiously suggestive of pent up fury in the poses +they had fallen into. In the meanwhile he could not move. Indeed, the +big negro who held him fast had savagely drawn his arms behind his +back, and the strain in the muscles was becoming almost intolerably +painful. + +Then several men broke away from the others and ran towards the hut, +and once more Nares held his breath. He could have shouted as he saw +the first dark form bound on, clutching a long Snider rifle in both +hands, but he restrained himself. In another moment or two a thin +flash blazed from the doorway of the hut, and the man went down with a +shrill scream and lay clawing at the sand. Nares heard no detonation. +He was only conscious of the little curl of blue smoke in the entrance +of the hut, and the black object that writhed in the pitiless glare in +front of it. Then the fallen man's comrades stopped, and a little +shiver ran through him as he turned to Ormsgill, who nodded as if he +understood him. + +"You can only face it," said the latter. "They would scarcely listen +to their Headman, and I can't move a limb. It's a single-shot rifle. +They're bound to kill him." Then he broke off with a little gasp. +"Ah," he said a moment later, "two of them are trying it now." + +Nares did not wish to look, but he could not help it. The scene held +his gaze, and he saw the two figures move cautiously towards the hut, +keeping one wall of it between them and the doorway as far as they +could. This, however, did not serve them. The deadly fire flashed +again, and one negro who collapsed suddenly fell on his hands and +knees. Then there was another streak of sparks and smoke, and the +second man staggering forward went down headlong with a thud. Several +Sniders flashed, and there was silence again. + +"It's too much," said Ormsgill. "I can't stand this." + +He struggled furiously, and he and the men who held him swayed to and +fro, a cluster of scuffling, staggering figures for a moment or two. +The effort, however, was futile, and he stood still again with his +arms pinioned fast behind his back and the perspiration dripping from +him while the Suzerain looked at him from his stool with a little grim +smile. + +"It is not your affair," he said. + +Ormsgill said nothing, though the veins were swollen on his forehead +and his face was suffused with blood, and at a sign from the Headman +the negroes who held him relaxed their grasp a trifle. Nares also +stood still, with every nerve in him thrilling. The man inside the hut +no doubt deserved his fate, but that did not seem to count then, and +the missionary felt only a sympathy with him that was almost +overwhelming in its intensity. It was one man against a multitude, for +there was no sign that Herrero was making any effort, and, after all, +that man sprang from the same stock as he did. Then deep down in him +he felt a thrill of pride, for Gavin was making a very gallant fight +of it. It was in many ways a shameful work that he and his comrade had +done, selling proscribed arms to the people who had turned against him +now, fomenting discord between them and their neighbors, and +debauching them with villainous rum, but, at least, he made it clear +that the courage of his kind was in him. This was all at variance with +Nares' beneficent creed, but the man was dying, indomitable, a white +man. + +Those who meant to kill him drew back a little farther from the hut, +and standing and squatting flung up the long rifles. They were by no +means marksmen, but the hut was large and built of cane and branch +work. The heavy Snider bullets smashed through it, and for a few +minutes the stagnant air was filled with the jarring detonations. +There was no answering flash from the hut and Nares could see that its +shadowy entrance was empty. Then as the ringing of the Sniders died +away and a man here and there stole forward cautiously it seemed to +him that a dimly seen white object dragged itself towards the doorway +and crouched in it. He did not think it would be visible to the +assailants, for they were keeping a little behind the hut, but it was +clear to him that the one man against a multitude was bent on fighting +still. + +The straggling figures crept on, moving obliquely towards the perilous +entrance, that the hut might shelter them, until they massed together +for a dash at it. Then the flash blazed out again, and one of them +dropped. Another went down screaming a few seconds later, and then the +foremost broke and fled, and there was a sudden scattering of those +behind. There were a host of negroes, but they shrank from that +unerring rifle. They were evidently willing to face a hazard, but this +was certain death. Then the Suzerain of the village signed to the +negroes who held Ormsgill, and they led him forward. + +"It seems it may cost us a good deal to kill that man," he said. "Go +and see what terms he will make with me. An offer of a few good rifles +would have some weight just now." + +Ormsgill went, and crossing the hot space of dust and sand walked into +the hut. Dazzled as he was by the change from the glare outside, he +could see almost nothing for a moment or two. The place was also +filled with an acrid haze, but by degrees he became accustomed to the +dimness and made out Gavin lying against the wall. He looked up with a +little wry smile, but Ormsgill moving nearer saw that his face was +gray and drawn. There was dust on his thin duck clothing, and in two +spots a small dark-colored stain. + +"You are hit?" he said. + +"Yes," said Gavin, "I'm done." He gasped before he spoke again with +evident difficulty. "They plugged me twice before they made the last +attempt. I could just hold the rifle. If they'd kept it up they'd have +got in." + +"Where's Herrero?" + +Gavin appeared to glance across the hut, and Ormsgill saw a huddled +figure lying in the shadow. It did not move at all. + +"Yes," said Gavin, "I think the first bullet that came in quieted him, +and I wasn't sorry. He was worrying me. Lost his nerve, though he +never had very much. Well, I suppose you have come to make a bargain +with me?" + +"Something like that. Our friend yonder hinted that he would probably +do a good deal for a few rifles." + +Gavin smiled dryly. "It isn't worth while now. As you have no doubt +noticed, I can hardly talk to you." + +He stopped for a moment with a heavy gasp. "This was my last kick, you +see." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill, "is there any other little way in which I could +be of service? Any message you would like sent on?" + +The man made a painful effort, but Ormsgill had now some little +difficulty in hearing him. "None," he said. "They have forgotten me +yonder, and, perhaps, it's just as well. Our folks--my mother was Cape +Dutch, you know--believe in everything as it used to be, but I'm like +my father; there was always a kick in me. One of your Colonial +vacillations cost him his farm, for, though he said he was ashamed of +his country, he wouldn't recognize the Boers as his rulers. I, +however, got on with them until I vexed the authorities by something I +did in resentment of the--arrogance of certain mine-grabbing +Englishmen. I believe I might have made terms if I'd truckled to them +a little, but that was a thing I wouldn't do, and so I came out here. +There are probably more of us with the same nonsensical notions." + +Ormsgill said nothing for a moment or two. He had also lived among the +outcasts, and knew what comes of disdaining to regard things from the +conventional point of view. Something in him stirred in sympathy with +the dying man, and he sat down in the dust and laid a hand on his +shoulder. Gavin made no further observation that was intelligible, +until at last he feebly raised his head. + +"If you wouldn't mind I'd like a drink," he said. + +Ormsgill rose and walked out of the hut calling in the native tongue. +The men who squatted about it in the hot sand still clenching their +Sniders apparently failed to understand him, or were unwilling to do +what he asked, and some time had slipped by when at last one of them +brought a dripping calabash. Ormsgill went into the hut with it, and +then took off his shapeless hat as he poured out the water on the hot +soil. Gavin lay face downwards now, clutching his deadly rifle, but +there was no breath in him. Then Ormsgill went back quietly to where +the Headman and his Suzerain were sitting. + +"I am afraid you can not have those rifles. The man is dead," he said. + +After that he and Nares were led back to their hut, and when it was +made clear to them that they were expected to stay there Ormsgill sat +down in the shadow and pulled out his pipe. + +"We wondered what was going on, and now the thing's quite plain," he +said. "It's rebellion." + +"How was it they didn't creep round the hut from behind?" asked Nares, +who felt a trifle averse from facing the point that concerned them +most. + +"Lost their heads, most probably," said Ormsgill. "Didn't think of it. +Any way, they'd have had to make a dash for the door eventually. +Still, it would have saved them a man or two, and our friend the +Suzerain noticed it." + +"Why didn't he point it out to them?" + +"I fancy he wanted to see how they'd stand fire, and break them in. +Felt he could afford to throw a few of them away, as he certainly +could, and he only stepped in when the thing was commencing to +discourage them." + +"It's quite likely you're right," and Nares looked at his comrade with +a little wry smile. "Still, after all, I'm not sure it's very +material." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's worn face. "No," he said, +"the real question is what our dusky acquaintance means to do with us, +and we have to face it. Personally, I don't think he means us any +harm, but it's certain he won't let us go until he and his friends +have cleaned out San Roque. You see, in an affair of this kind the +first blow must be successful, and he has probably a lurking suspicion +that we might warn Dom Erminio. The trouble is that once the rebellion +breaks out it will be almost impossible for us to reach the coast." + +He spoke quietly, but there was a strain in his voice, and Nares +guessed what he felt. + +"I suppose he wouldn't be content with our assurance that we'd say +nothing?" he suggested. + +"Would you make it?" + +Nares sat very still for a few moments, with a curious look in his +eyes, and one hand closed, and his comrade once more recognized that +there had been a change in him of late. He had the fever on him +slightly, and while that is nothing unusual in those forests, he had +grown perceptibly harder and grimmer during the last few weeks. Now +and then he also gave way to outbreaks of indignation, which, so far +as Ormsgill knew, was not a thing he had hitherto been addicted to +doing. Still, the latter was aware that the white man's mental balance +is apt to become a trifle unsettled in that land. + +"I can't tell. It's a question I've grappled with in one shape or +other before," he said. "The land is full of iniquities and horrors, +and I think that some of them can only be washed out in blood. That +law stands as it has always done. The great trade road to the south of +us is paved with the bones of the victims, and they still come down to +die, worked out in a few years on the plantations. It is a thing that +can't go on." + +He opened and closed a thin hand savagely while his voice rose to a +harsher note. "For one man killed by the bullet if war breaks out a +hundred perish yearly under the driver's lash on the great roads and, +I think, among the coffee plants. They are dumb cattle, here and in +the Congo. They can not tell their troubles, and they have no friends. +How could they when the white man grows rich by their toil and +anguish? Still, this earth is the Lord's, and there are men in it who +will listen when once what is being done in this land of darkness is +clearly told them. One must believe it or throw away all faith in +humanity. I think if it rested with me I would let these bushmen come +down and crush their oppressors, since it seems there is no other way +of making their sorrows known." + +He broke off abruptly, and seemed to shrink back within himself, for +it was, after all, but seldom he spoke in that fashion. Ormsgill +nodded. + +"It's a very old way of claiming attention, and one that's sometimes +effective," he said. "They might have tried it before, but, you see, +those beneath the yoke have their hands tied, and those who aren't +somewhat naturally don't care. That's one of the things which have +hampered most attempts at emancipation. Only our friend the Suzerain +has sense enough to realize that if they sit still much longer the +yoke will be tolerably securely fastened on all of them. I think he +has the gifts of a leader, but there is another man of the same kind +on the coast. I mean Dom Clemente, and I'm not sure he'd be willing to +have the land swept out in that unceremonious fashion. In fact, one +could almost fancy that in due time he means to do the cleaning up, +tactfully, himself." + +He stopped a moment, and smiled somewhat grimly before he went on +again. "After all, this doesn't directly concern either of us. It's a +little hard that now when the thing we have in hand is in one sense +accomplished and neither Domingo nor Herrero can worry us, we should +be kept here indefinitely at the pleasure of this back-country +nigger." + +He glanced at the dusky men who squatted not far away in the shadow +watching the hut. They had Snider rifles, and it was evident they were +there to see that nobody came out. Then he sat moodily silent awhile, +with a curious hardness in his lined face. He was lame and worn-out. +The climate had sapped the physical strength out of him, and the wound +in his leg still caused him pain. Also, struggle against it as he +would, the black dejection which preys on the white man in that land +was fastening itself on him. The thing was hard, almost intolerably +so. He was a captive with the opportunity of accomplishing his task +receding every moment further away from him, for it was clear that +once the rebellion broke out it would be almost impossible for him to +convey his boys across the track of it to the wished-for coast. Some +time had slipped by when Nares roused himself to ask another question. + +"Are these people likely to meet with any opposition from the natives +when they march?" he said. + +"That," said Ormsgill reflectively, "is a thing I'm not quite sure +about. There is one Headman of some importance between them and the +littoral. You know whom I mean, and it would make things difficult for +our jailers if he remained on good terms with the authorities. In +fact, in that case it seems to me these folks would have a good deal +of trouble in getting any further. What he will do I naturally don't +know, but if I was in command of San Roque I would make every effort +to keep him quiet and content just now." + +After that he once more sat silent, apparently brooding heavily, +until the sudden darkness fell and the pungent smoke of the cooking +fires drifted about the village. Then, soon after food was brought +them, he sank into restless sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT + + +Fort San Roque stood, as Father Tiebout sometimes said, on the verge +of extinction in the shadow of the debatable land, but its Commandant +or Chefe, as he was usually termed, had become accustomed to the fact, +and, if he did not forget it altogether, seldom took it into serious +consideration. After all, the European only exists on sufferance in +the hotter parts of Africa, and as a rule, once he realizes it, ceases +to trouble himself about the matter and concentrates his attention on +the acquiring of riches by any means available. Dom Erminio was not an +exception, and being by no means particular, endeavored to make the +most of his opportunities, especially as his term of office was not a +long one. It was, perhaps, not astonishing that in his eagerness to do +so he became to some extent oblivious of everything else, since those +entrusted with authority over a discontented subject people have at +other times and in other places acted as though they were a trifle +blind to what was going on about them. Dom Erminio was cunning, but, +as occasionally happens in the case of cunning men, he was also +short-sighted. + +The evening meal had been cleared away when he lay in a canvas lounge, +yellow in face, as white men often become in that part of Africa, +with a cigar in his bony fingers. Darkness had just closed down on the +lonely station, but the little rickety residency had lain for twelve +hours under a burning sun, and now the big oil lamps raised the +already almost insupportable temperature. The Chefe, however, did not +seem to feel it. He lay in his chair apparently languidly content, a +spare figure in loose and somewhat soiled white uniform, looking at +his Lieutenant, who was fingering a glass of red Canary wine. Neither +of them troubled themselves about the fact that there were men in that +country who regarded them with a vindictive hatred. + +"I almost think we may as well call that man in," he said. + +The Lieutenant Luiz glanced towards the veranda, where a negro was +patiently squatting, as he had, in fact, been doing for most of the +day. He brought a message from a Headman of some importance in the +vicinity, and there was no reason why he should not have been listened +to several hours earlier, except that Dom Erminio preferred to keep +him waiting. It was in his opinion advisable that a negro should be +taught humbly to await the white man's pleasure, which is a policy +that has now and then brought trouble upon the white man. Dom Luiz, +who understood his companion's views on that subject, smiled. + +"He has, no doubt, complaints to make. They always have," he said. +"Considering everything, that is not astonishing. I wonder if the +Headman expects us to give them much consideration." + +Dom Erminio spread his yellow hands out. "One would have thought we +had taught him to expect nothing. He is, it seems, a little slow to +understand. Perhaps, we have not put the screw on quite hard enough. I +fancy another turn would make him restive." + +He looked at his Lieutenant, and both of them laughed. Then the Chefe +made a little sign. + +"Bring him in," he said. + +The negro came in, a big, heavily-built man, with an expressionless +face. When Dom Erminio made him a sign not to come too near he +squatted down, a huddled object with apathetic patience in its pose, +until the Lieutenant signified that he might deliver his message. + +"The Headman sends you greeting. He has a complaint to make," he said, +and another dusky man who had slipped in softly made his observations +plain. "The soldiers have been beating the people in one of his +villages, and carrying off things that did not belong to them again. +The Headman asks for justice in this matter." + +"He shall have it," said the Chefe. "His people have been insolent, +and they are certainly getting lazy. We will send him a requisition +for more provisions." + +Nobody could have told whether the messenger felt any resentment, but, +after all, very few white men ever quite understand what the African +is thinking. He crouched impassively still, with the lamplight on his +heavy face and his oily skin gleaming softly over the great knotted +muscles of his splendid arms and shoulders. There was something in his +attitude which vaguely suggested dormant force that might spread +destruction when it was unloosed, but that naturally did not occur to +the Chefe, who indicated by a little gesture that he might continue. + +"There is another matter," said the negro. "The Headman can not send +in the rubber demanded. Already we have cleared the forest of half the +trees. One has to go a long way to find any more. He will do what he +can, but he asks that you will be content with a little less than +usual." + +Dom Erminio shook his head reproachfully. "I have made this man +concessions, and this is the result," he said. "There are many duties +I have released him from, and I only ask a little rubber and a few +other things for the favor." + +Then he straightened himself in his chair. "Tell your Headman that not +a load of rubber will be excused him, and he must restrain his people +from provoking the soldiers. Also, the next time he has a complaint to +make let him come himself and lay it before me." + +The man stood up, splendid in his animal muscularity, but there was +for just a moment a little gleam in his eyes which suggested that hot +human passions were at work within him. The white men, however, as +usual, did not notice it, and the black interpreter, whose opinion was +seldom invited, said nothing. + +"I will tell him," said the messenger, and Dom Erminio looked at the +Lieutenant Luiz when he went out with the interpreter. + +"I think," he said reflectively, "we will give the screw that other +turn. It is supposed that our new rulers down yonder"--and he +apparently indicated the coast with a stretched out hand--"are in +favor of a more conciliatory policy, which is not what we would wish +for just now." + +"It is clearly out of the question," and Dom Luiz grinned. "I think it +would be advisable if I went out with a few files and made some +further trifling requisition to-morrow." + +"You will go, and do what appears desirable," said the Chefe, who +lighted another cigar. + +Dom Luiz set out on the morrow with a handful of dusky ruffians in +uniform, and left rage and shame behind him in the villages he +visited, which, as it happened, had results neither he nor Dom Erminio +had anticipated. The Headman did not come to San Roque to make his +humble complaint, but he sent an urgent message to the Suzerain of the +village Ormsgill was confined in, and at last one morning the old man +sent for the latter. + +"We march in a few hours, and as we can not leave you here you and the +boys you asked me for will come with us," he said. "What our business +is does not concern you, and you will go with us as prisoners. Just +now I do not know what we will do with you afterwards. It will +depend"--and he looked at Ormsgill with a little grim smile--"a good +deal upon your own behavior." + +Ormsgill, who grasped the gist of what he said, could take a hint, and +went back to Nares. The latter listened quietly when he told him what +he had heard. + +"I believe there is no other way. Their oppressors have brought it +upon their own heads," he said. + +His comrade noticed the curious hardness of his face, and the glint in +his eyes. It was very evident to him that Nares, who had been down +again with fever while they lay in the sweltering heat, had changed. +He had borne many troubles uncomplainingly for several weary years, +and, perhaps because of it, the events of the last few weeks had left +their mark on him. After all, there is a subtle concord between mind +and body, and in that land, at least, the fever-shaken white man who +persists in staggering on under a burden greater than he can +reasonably bear is apt to be suddenly crushed by it. Then his bodily +strength or mental faculties give way once for all beneath the strain. +Ormsgill could not define the change in his companion, but he +recognized it. It was a thing which he had seen happen to other men. + +They started in the heat of that afternoon, and Ormsgill, marching +with his boys, watched the long dusky column wind into the forest in +front of him. There were men with Snider rifles, which they were +indifferently accustomed to, men with glinting matchets, and men with +flintlock guns and spears, besides rows of plodding carriers. They +were half-naked most of them, men of primitive passions and no great +intelligence, but they had risen at last in their desperation to +strike for freedom. Behind them rose a tumultuous uproar of barbaric +music, insistent and deafening, that floated far over the forest. +Ormsgill smiled a little as it grew fainter. + +"I'm not sure there will be any music when they come back again," he +said. "Still, I almost think they will accomplish--something." + +Nares looked straight in front of him as he plodded on, but there was +a curious gleam in his eyes. + +"There is no other way," was all he said. + +The long dusky column pushed on steadily through dim forest, wide +morass, and tracts of hot white sand, and it happened one evening when +the advance guard were a considerable distance ahead that Dom Erminio +sat alone on the veranda at San Roque. It was then about eight +o'clock, and the night was very dark and hot. Now and then a little +fitful breeze crept up the misty river, and filled the forest that +rose above it with mysterious noises. Then it dropped away again, and +left a silence the Chefe commenced to find oppressive behind it. He +could hear the oily gurgle of sliding water, and at times a sharp +crackle in the crazy building behind him, out of which there drifted a +damp mildewy smell, but that merely emphasized the almost +disconcerting absence of any other sound. Indeed, it was so still that +the soft rustle his duck garments made as he moved jarred on him, and +he was glad when the little muggy breeze flowed into the veranda +again. + +There was nothing in all this to trouble a man who was accustomed to +it, but the Chefe was not quite at his ease. Dom Luiz, whom he had +sent out a few days earlier, should have been back that afternoon, but +there was no sign of him yet, nor had the three or four dusky soldiers +who had gone out on some business of their own with his consent as yet +made an appearance. There were very few men in the fort, and when nine +o'clock came Dom Erminio, who was quite aware that the natives had no +great cause to love him, admitted that he was a trifle anxious. Still, +he had, with what he considered a more sufficient reason, been anxious +rather frequently. It was a thing one became accustomed to in the +debatable land, and sitting still he lighted another cigar. He could +see the mists that rolled up from the river, and the forest cutting +faintly black against the sky, and wondered vaguely what was going on +in it. That there was something going on in it he now felt tolerably +certain, though he did not exactly know why. + +At last the hoarse cry of a sentry rose out of the night, and when it +was answered he went down to the gate of the stockade. It was not a +gate that opened in the usual fashion, but one that dropped, a stout +affair of logs copied from the form adopted by the inhabitants of the +plateaux to the south. When he reached it two or three black soldiers +were heaving it up, and there was a patter of feet outside. Then a +line of shadowy figures grew out of the darkness, and though there did +not seem to be as many as he had expected it was with a sense of +relief he saw Dom Luiz come in through the gap. The logs clashed down +behind the last of his men, and Dom Erminio straightened himself +suddenly when a sergeant came up with a lantern. + +Two of the row of barefooted men appeared scarcely fit to stand. Their +garments were rent to pieces, and there was blood and mire on them, +while neither of them carried rifles. Dom Luiz saw the question in the +Chefe's eyes, and nodded. + +"Yes," he said, "I should have been here earlier. It was these two who +detained me. I sent them on to the village in the thicker bush two +days ago, and they came back dragging themselves with difficulty--as +you see them. It seems the villagers had beaten them, and they did not +know what had become of their rifles." + +Dom Erminio's face became suddenly intent. "Ah," he said, "they shall +be beaten again to-morrow. You will hand them to the guard. I suppose +you saw nothing of the Sergeant Orticho?" + +"No," said Lieutenant Luiz, who was a trifle puzzled by the sudden +change in the Chefe's manner, "I saw no sign of him." + +He called to his men, and as they filed by him loaded heavily with +miscellaneous sundries, Dom Erminio smiled significantly. + +"They have, it seems, been successful, which is fortunate," he said. +"I almost think it will be some little time before they make any more +requisitions of the kind again." + +He turned back towards the house, and was once more sitting on the +veranda when the Lieutenant Luiz rejoined him. + +"It would no doubt be advisable that I should set out again in the +morning with a stronger party and chastise those villagers who have +beaten our men?" said the latter. + +"No," said the Chefe dryly, "you will probably be busy here. When the +natives venture to beat our men it is, I think, wiser to keep every +man we have inside the fort." + +"Ah," said his companion, "you believe they have courage enough to go +further?" + +Dom Erminio smiled. "I believe we both admitted that the natives might +resent our attitude. We were, I think, for several reasons not +unwilling that they should do something to make their resentment +evident." + +He stopped a moment, and the manner in which he spread out his yellow +hands was very expressive. "Now I fancy we have got what we wished +for--and, perhaps, a little more than could reasonably have been +expected. It is rather a pity that we have lost several men with +sickness lately." + +Dom Luiz straightened himself in his chair. "There are very few of us, +and I am not quite sure that one or two of the fresh draft could be +depended on. Still, Orticho has most of them well in hand." + +Dom Erminio made a little gesture. "I think we can not count upon +Orticho in this affair. It is scarcely likely that he and the men who +went out with him will come back again. What he has heard in the bush +I do not know, but it is evident that he regards this thing very much +as I do. In fact, I fancy he is heading as fast as possible for the +coast by now." + +"Ah," said Dom Luiz, and looked at his companion inquiringly. + +"The business we have in hand is perfectly simple," said Dom Erminio. +"We were sent here to hold San Roque, and it must be done. When these +bushmen call upon us we shall be ready. With that in view you will set +about moving the quick-firing gun from where it is now, and when that +is done you will open a loophole for it at the rear of the stockade. +It is not quite so strong at that point, and our friends, who know +where the gun stood, will probably attack us there. It would be +advisable to have it done before the dawn comes." + +Dom Luiz rose and set about it. There was no uneasiness in his +companion's manner, but there was a look which had not been there for +some little time in his eyes. He was, perhaps, in several respects a +rogue, but, like other men of that kind, he had his strong points, +too, and nobody had ever accused him of being deficient in manhood, +which, unfortunately, is not always quite the same thing as humanity. +He was also Chefe, Commandant and Administrator, which he never +forgot, and he sat on the veranda smoking cigarette after cigarette +while Dom Luiz toiled for once very strenuously half the night. It +was very dark and hot, the logs he handled were heavy, and the dusky +soldiers seemed unusually slow at understanding. Still, when the dawn +broke the little quick-firing gun stood at the rear of the stockade, +which had been strengthened wherever it was possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE CHEFE STANDS FAST + + +It was an hour after midnight when the Headman sent for Ormsgill, who +found him sitting with his overlord beside a little fire that burned +redly in the thin mist. The night was almost chilly, and the Suzerain +crouched close beside the blaze, huddled in his loose garments, with +the uncertain light on his impassive face. It seemed to Ormsgill that +he looked worn and old, and he became conscious for the first time of +a vague pity for him. The task he had undertaken was, the white man +felt, one he could not succeed in. It was merely another futile +protest, for the yoke that was being fastened on his people's necks +could not be flung off that way. Ormsgill stood silent a moment or two +until the old man turned to him. + +"You have no cause to love those white men in San Roque," he said. +"Well, I will give you forty boys with rifles. We want leaders who +know how the white men fight." + +Ormsgill shook his head. "No," he said, "I can not lead them. This +affair is no concern of mine." + +The negro appeared to ponder over his answer, for it was with +difficulty they understood each other, though another man crouching in +the wood smoke flung in a word or two. + +"Are you all against us because we are black?" he said. "Those men at +San Roque would shoot you if they could." + +"It is very likely," and Ormsgill smiled a little. "Still, I think we +are not all against you--though I can not lead your men. There are +white men among the Portuguese who know that you have wrongs. Some day +they will have justice done." + +The negro spread out a dusky hand. "That is what the missionaries tell +us, but we have waited a long time, and there is no sign of it yet. We +can not wait for ever, and very soon all my people will be at work +upon the white men's plantations. They get greedier and greedier. Now +at last we strike." + +Once more Ormsgill, standing still in the shadow watching him, was +stirred by a vague compassion. He knew that revolt was useless, and +wondered whether the old belief that there was a ban upon the negro +and that he was made to serve the white man was not, after all, +founded on more than superstition and self-interested sophistry. Other +primitive peoples had, he knew, died off before the white man, but the +Africans had thriven in their bondage, filling Brazil and the West +Indies and the cotton-growing States. They were prolific, cheerful, +adaptable to all conditions, and yet even where liberty had been +offered them they remained a subject people, and made no effort to +shake off the white man's yoke. + +"You may sack San Roque," he said. "Still, I think you will never +reach the coast." + +The Headman started at this boldness, and there was a vindictive +gleam in his eyes, but his overlord sat silent a space, apparently +brooding heavily, and gazing at the mist. Then he turned to Ormsgill +with a somewhat impressive deliberateness. + +"At least," he said, "I go on. You will not lead our men, but you can +not warn the white men at San Roque. When we have sacked the fort I +will send for you again." + +Ormsgill made him a little formal inclination before he turned away, +for the attitude of this negro was one he could understand. He had +himself attempted things that could not be done, expecting to be +defeated, but undertaking them because he felt that, at least, was an +obligation laid on him. Nares, and Father Tiebout, and no doubt +countless host of others, had also done the same, and Nares the +optimist had said that though they failed signally the protest of +their futile efforts would be listened to some day. It seemed that the +dusky man crouching beside the fire realized how much there was +against him, but, as he had said, he was going on. Perhaps it is +because men of all creeds and colors have pressed on downwards through +the ages to face ax and stake and firing platoon that there are not +even more of the overburdened in the world to-day. The cost of +progress is heavy, and the upward struggle is very grim and slow. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill went back past the long rows of weary men +lying in the sand to where his comrade was sitting in the clammy mist. +Nares was a little feverish that night. + +"Well?" he said. + +"I have been offered a command," said Ormsgill. "Naturally, I refused +it. I also ventured to tell our friend that he would fail. It says a +good deal for him that I escaped the usual fate of the prophets. He +did not even ask me for my reasons." + +"You have them?" + +"Yes," said Ormsgill. "The thing's quite evident in a general way and +to be precise he has to reckon with Dom Clemente. You remember the man +our guide fired at? I can't help thinking he has passed on any +information he may have picked up to the coast by now, and Dom +Clemente is a man who can move to some purpose when it's advisable. +Still, I have no doubt we shall sack San Roque before to-morrow. Our +friend hinted that measures would be taken to prevent us warning the +Chefe." + +Nares turned and pointed to several men with rifles who sat half-seen +not very far away. Then he seemed to shiver. + +"There was a time when I could have warned them in San Roque, though I +scarcely think they would have listened to me. Now I do not know that +I would do it if I had the opportunity." His voice grew sterner. "They +have brought it upon themselves. There are iniquities which can not be +borne." + +His companion said nothing further, but sat down gnawing at an empty +pipe until they started again. The Headman or his Suzerain had drilled +his followers into some kind of order, and Ormsgill found something +impressive in the silent flitting by of half-seen men. They came up +out of the soft darkness with a faint patter of naked feet in sand, +and were lost in it again ahead of him. Now and then there was a +crackle of undergrowth or a clash of arms, but for the most part the +long column went by like a crawling shadow, for these were men +accustomed to flit through dim forests thick with perils noiselessly, +and they did not proclaim their presence as white troops would have +done. When they struck it would be in silence, and Ormsgill fancied +that San Roque was not much more than a league away. + +Still, it was rough traveling through loose sand and tangled scrub, +and several hours had passed when the long sinuous column stopped +suddenly. The men in charge of Ormsgill handed him and Nares over to a +few others, who had only flintlock guns, and these led them forward to +a more open space, where they sat down. The night had grown a trifle +clearer, and Ormsgill could see a wide break in the bush in front of +him. A broad belt of mist hung about one side of it, and the gurgle of +sliding water came out of the vapor, against which there rose a +shadowy ridge. + +"The stockade," he said. "We have arrived. Dom Erminio has either no +vedettes out, or our vanguard has stalked them and cut their throats." + +He broke off, but in another moment or two he spoke again with a +little tension in his voice. "It's curious, and no doubt in one way +unreasonable, but I feel the desire to warn him getting almost too +much for me. I don't know how one could do it, and it certainly +wouldn't be any use, since I believe our friends are ringing the fort +in. Dom Erminio must fight for his life to-night." + +The clang of a rifle, a Portuguese rifle, cut him short, and a cry +rose out of the vapor. After that there was silence until a crackling +commenced in the bush, and the two sat still and waited while the +tension grew almost intolerable. Ormsgill, who felt his mouth grow +parched and dry, fancied he could see the stockade a trifle more +plainly, and the forest seemed to be growing blacker, though the mist +was a little thicker than it had been. It was also perceptibly colder. + +"It will be daylight in half an hour," he said, and his voice struck +on his companion's ears curiously strained and hoarse. + +Then another rifle flashed, there was a sudden shouting, and a +tumultuous patter of naked feet, and a shadowy mass of running figures +hurled themselves at the stockade. A good many of them never reached +it, for the dusky barrier blazed with twinkling points of light, and a +withering volley met them in the face. Then the drifting smoke was +rent by brighter snapping flashes in quick succession, and the jarring +thud of heavier reports broke through the crash of the rifles. This +lasted for perhaps two minutes, and then there was by contrast a +silence that was almost bewildering. It seemed emphasized when once or +twice the ringing of a rifle came out of the streaks of drifting vapor +that hung about the stockade. + +"They're going back," said Ormsgill hoarsely. "The Chefe's men will +stand." Then he laughed, a harsh, strained laugh. "They know they +have to. Our friends are not likely to have much consideration for any +of them who fall into their hands." + +Nares, who shivered a little, said nothing, and a minute or two later +a crackle of riflery broke out in the bush. It came from the +Suzerain's men, for there was no mistaking the crash of the heavy +Sniders. Once or twice the jarring thud of the machine gun broke in, +and here and there a twinkling flash leapt from the stockade, but with +that exception there was no answer from the fort. + +"It seems," said Ormsgill, "Dom Erminio has his men in hand. It's a +little more than I expected from him. Presumably our friend wishes to +keep him occupied while he seizes the canoes. Anyway, his boys will be +considerably more dangerous when they've wasted their ammunition." + +The fusillade continued, in all probability, harmlessly, for awhile, +and then Ormsgill rose to his feet. "I think they'll get in this time. +They're trying it again." + +Once more vague, shadowy objects flitted out of the bush, and swept +towards the stockade. They ran without order, furiously, while more of +their comrades emerged from the shadows behind them, until the narrow +strip of cleared space was filled with running figures. There appeared +to be swarms of them, and Ormsgill held his breath as he watched. He +saw them plunge into a crawling trail of low lying mist, that seemed +torn apart suddenly when once more the face of the stockade was +streaked with little spurts of flame. It closed on them again until +all was hidden but the intermittent flashing, and the jarring thud of +the machine gun rent the din. One could not tell what was going on, +and it was by a tense effort Ormsgill held himself still with every +nerve in him quivering. How long the tension lasted he did not know, +but at length the ringing of the rifles died away again, and as a +little puff of chilly breeze rolled the haze aside it became evident +that the space before the stockade was once more empty. He could see +the stockade clearly, and the edge of the forest now cut sharply +against the sky. + +"The Headman can't afford to fail again," he said. "It is breaking +day." + +Then there was silence for a space, while the light grew clearer until +the residency beyond the stockade grew into shape. A smear of pale +color widened in the eastern sky, and as Ormsgill turned his eyes +towards the house a limp bundle of fabric rose slowly up the lofty +staff above it. It blew out once on the faint breeze, and then hung +still again, but as he watched it, Ormsgill felt a little thrill run +through him. + +"Rather earlier than usual. Dom Erminio means to fight," he said. + +Just then, however, a negro who came up gasping with haste signed to +Nares. "The Headman sends for you," he said. "You are to take a +message to those people yonder." + +Ormsgill looked at his comrade, who smiled curiously. "Yes," he said, +"I shall certainly go. Whether I am in any way responsible for all +this I do not know, but I may, perhaps, save a few of them." + +He raised himself somewhat stiffly, and turned away, but two negroes +held Ormsgill fast when he would have gone with him. He sat down again +when they relaxed their grasp, and at last saw Nares appear again on +the edge of the bush some distance away. He was alone, and walked +quietly towards the stockade with his wide hat in his hand, and a +figure in white uniform appeared in the notch where the palisades had +been cut down for the quick-firing gun. Just then a ray of brightness +struck along the trampled sand, and Ormsgill saw his comrade stop and +stand still, spare and gaunt and ragged, with the widening sunlight +full upon him. What was said he did not know, but he did not blame Dom +Erminio afterwards for what followed. Perhaps, some black soldier's +over-taxed nerve gave way, or the man had flung off all restraint and +gone back to his primitive savagery, for a rifle flashed behind the +stockade, and Nares staggered, recovered his balance, and collapsed +into a blurred huddle of white garments on the trampled sand. + +Then as Ormsgill sprang to his feet the bush rang with a yell, and a +swarm of half-naked negroes poured tumultuously out of it. There was +no firing among them. They ran forward with glinting matchets and +spears and brandished flintlock guns, and Ormsgill knew that now, at +least, they would certainly get in. In another moment he was running +furiously towards them, and so far as he could remember afterwards +none of the men in whose charge he had been troubled themselves about +him. It was some way to the front of the stockade, and when he got +there he was hemmed in by a surging crowd. There was smoke in his +eyes, and a bewildering din through which he heard the thudding of the +quick-firing gun, but where Nares was he did not know. He could only +go forward with the press, and he ran on in a fit of hot vindictive +fury. + +Here and there a man about him screamed, and now and then a half-seen +figure collapsed in front of him, but this time no one stopped or +turned. They were all crazed with primitive passion, and were going +in. Ormsgill, pressing onwards with them, saw that he had now a +matchet in his hand, though he had no recollection of how it came +there. Then the thudding of the gun ceased suddenly and the air was +rent by a breathless gasping yell. The stockade rose right over him, +and he went headlong at the gap in it from which there protruded the +muzzle of the gun. Somebody behind him hurled him through the opening, +and he dropped inside. As he scrambled to his feet he saw a swarm of +men running towards the residency, and he went with them, partly +because he wished to get there and also because those who poured +through the gap behind him drove him along. He had afterwards a fancy +that he saw a white man lying not far from the gun, but he could not +be certain, for the negroes were thick about him, and he was not in a +mood to interest himself in anything of that kind just then. He was +possessed by an unreasoning fury, and an overwhelming desire to reach +the men who had treacherously shot his comrade. + +They came gasping to the foot of the outer stairway, and by this time +Ormsgill had almost come up with the foremost of his companions. A +glance showed him the barricade of bags and boxes apparently filled +with soil on the veranda, and the black faces and rifle barrels above +them. There seemed to be a good deal of smoke in the air, but he saw +Dom Erminio standing amidst it in white uniform. He had a naked sword +in his hand, and apparently saw Ormsgill, for his drawn face contorted +into a very curious smile. So far as the latter could make out, he had +still a handful of men under his command. Escape was out of the +question. The score he had run up was a long one, and now the +reckoning had come. + +Then several rifles flashed among the bags, and the negroes went up +the stairway with a yell. Ormsgill fancied that two or three men went +down about him, and had a vague remembrance of trampling on yielding +bodies, but he went up uninjured, and leapt up upon the barricade. The +veranda was thick with smoke now, but he saw Dom Erminio suddenly lean +forward with the long blade gleaming in his hand, and a black soldier +who crouched close beside his feet tearing at his rifle breech. That, +however, was all he saw, for in another moment he leapt down, and a +swarm of half-naked men with spears and matchets swept into the +veranda. What he did next he knew no more than those about him +probably did, but when at length he reeled out of the smoke-filled +building and down the stairway the matchet was no longer in his hand, +and he wondered vaguely that there was so far as he could discover not +a scratch on him. Still he felt a trifle dazed, and as his head ached +intolerably he sat down gasping. + +There was no firing in the residency now, and half-naked men were +pouring out of it, but Ormsgill felt no desire to go back and see what +had become of Dom Erminio and his soldiery. He sat still for several +minutes, and then rising with an effort walked stiffly across the +compound. He had some trouble in climbing the stockade, and when that +was done came upon Nares lying face downwards in the trampled sand. He +raised him a trifle with some difficulty, and saw a little hole in the +breast of his thin jacket. Then laying him gently down again he took +off his shapeless hat. He was still standing beside him vacantly when +one of the Headman's messengers laid a hand on his shoulder. Ormsgill +looked down once more on his comrade, and then turned away and went +with the man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +DOM CLEMENTE STRIKES + + +There was a chill in the air and the white mist crept in and out among +the shadowy trunks when the foremost of the rebels went slipping and +floundering down the side of a river gorge just before the dawn. +Ormsgill marching, well guarded, with his carriers and the six boys he +had liberated in the rear could just discern the dim figures flitting +on in front of him, and wondered if the next hour would see them +safely across the river. He had been subjected to no ill usage though +he had been carefully watched, and he fancied that the rebel leader +expected to find him useful when the time to make terms with the +authorities came, but that was a point he was never quite clear about. +In the meanwhile he was worn-out and badly jaded, for his leg still +pained him, and the rebels had pushed on as fast as possible after the +sacking of San Roque. + +Ormsgill fancied he understood the reasons for this. The body was not +a very strong one, and though there were petty Headmen on the inland +plateau who had long cherished grievances against the white men, they +were no doubt prudently waiting to see what their friends were likely +to accomplish before they joined them. In an affair of that kind a +prompt success counts for everything, since it brings the waverers +flocking in, and while the seizing of San Roque was scarcely +sufficient to do this in itself, the first of the white men's +plantations was now not so very far away. There was another fact that +made delay inadvisable. The river flowed rapidly between steep banks +just there, and Ormsgill felt it was just the place he would have +chosen had it been his business to dispute the rebels' passage. He +fancied their leader was anxious to get across before the news of the +fall of San Roque brought troops up from the coast. + +In the meanwhile he plodded onwards wearily, aching all over and wet +with the dew, while the sound of sliding water grew steadily louder. +Now and then the long straggling column stopped for a minute or two, +and there was a hoarse clamor which he fancied indicated that a scout +had come in, but the men promptly went on again, and his guards, who +carried flintlock guns, saw that he did not linger. The path grew +steadily steeper, and he stumbled in loose sand while the half-seen +trees went by until at last a sharp crackling mingled with the patter +of naked feet as the head of the column smashed through the thick +undergrowth and tall reeds in the river hollow. Then his guards made +it evident that he was to stay where he was, and he sat down among his +boys in the loose sand where he could look down on the men in front of +him. There was now a faint light, though the mist lay in thick white +belts in the hollow, and the air was very still. He could dimly see +dusky figures moving amidst the grass and reeds, and here and there a +faint gleam of water in front of them, while now and then a confused +clamor rose out of the haze. The rebels, he fancied, were disputing +about their orders, or urging some course upon their leaders, and he +wondered vaguely whether they were likely to do more than involve +themselves in disaster, and where Dom Clemente was. + +This was, however, as he recognized, no concern of his. He was a +prisoner, and he could see only difficulties in front of him. Had he +been free at that moment and the boys he had liberated safely sent +away, the outlook would not have been much brighter, for he would +still have to face a duty he shrank from. That Ada Ratcliffe had no +great love for him he now felt reasonably sure, but it was clear that +she and her mother expected him to marry her, and, since she had kept +faith with him, he could not break the pledge he had given her. After +all, he reflected grimly, she would probably not expect too much from +him, and be content with the material advantages he could offer her. +Then he thought of Benicia Figuera, and set his lips tight as he once +more strove to fix his attention on the men below. + +At last there was a soft splashing and he could dimly see them wade +into the river. Their disputes were over, and they were going across +in haste. Then the foremost of them plunged into a belt of mist, and +for several minutes he watched their comrades press onwards from the +tall grass and reeds. The water was gleaming faintly now, and they +looked like a long black snake crawling through the midst of it until +the filmy haze shut them in. At times a shouting came up through the +splashing and crackle of undergrowth. In the meanwhile the tail of the +straggling column still winding down the side of the gorge was +steadily growing plainer, and the haze commenced to slide and curl +upwards in long filmy wisps, until at last Ormsgill scrambled to his +feet with every nerve in him thrilling. The ringing of a bugle rose +from beyond the river and was answered by another blast apparently +from the rise behind him. + +Then the splashing ceased suddenly, and there was for a few moments a +tense and almost intolerable silence, during which he stood still with +one hand clenched until a clamor rose from the midst of the river, and +he heard the dull thud of a flintlock gun. It was answered by a clear +ringing crash of riflery, and then while the flintlocks and Sniders +joined in, thin pale flashes blazed amidst the reeds and in the +sliding mist. This lasted for, perhaps, a minute or two, until it +became evident that the rebels were splashing back again. Ormsgill +could see them streaming out of the mist, and as he watched them +another patter of riflery broke out upon the higher ground behind him. +A bugle rang shrilly, and he fancied he heard a white man's voice +calling in the bush. Then looking round as one of the boys touched +him, he saw that his guards were no longer there. They had evidently +fled and left him to shift for himself. He stood a minute considering, +with the boys clamoring about him, and then made up his mind. The +rebels were streaming back up the gorge, and it seemed to him just +possible that if he separated himself from them he might slip away +unobserved in the press of the pursuit. Once across the river he might +still reach the coast. + +Calling to the boys he set out at a stumbling run, and for awhile +skirted the ridge of bluff. The rebels were too intent on their own +affairs to trouble about him, even if any of them noticed him, which +appeared very doubtful. He struck the river half a mile below the spot +where the negroes had attempted the crossing, and plunged in with the +boys still about him. He could see them clearly now, and the bush +showed sharp and black against the sky. There was a desultory patter +of riflery behind him, but except for that he could hear very little, +and he pushed on with the water rising rapidly to his waist. It was as +much as he could do to keep his feet, for the stream ran strong. Then +one of the boys clutched him and held him up, and for the next few +minutes they struggled desperately in a swifter swirl of current until +the water sank again suddenly, and he stood, gasping, knee-deep in the +yellow stream, looking about him. + +It was broad daylight now, and he could see a steep bank clothed with +thick bush and brushwood close by. There was a little hollow in it up +which the mist that still drifted about the river was flowing, and +calling to his boys he headed for it. Nothing seemed to indicate that +there were any troops in the vicinity. They floundered dripping +through a belt of tall grass, and were clambering up the slope when +one of the boys laid a wet hand upon his arm and the rest stood still +suddenly. Ormsgill felt his heart beating a good deal faster than +usual, though he could see nothing but trees in front of him. He was +on the point of pushing on again when a voice came out of the sliding +haze. + +"Stand still," it said sharply in Portuguese. "We will shoot the first +who stirs." + +Ormsgill made a sign to the boys, and in another moment several black +soldiers appeared among the trees. A white sergeant in very soiled +uniform moved out from among them and stood surveying him with a +little sardonic grin. + +"There are half a dozen rifles here," he said. "You surrender +yourselves?" + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "Seņor," he said, "it is evident that +we are in your hands." + +The man beckoned him to come forward with the boys, and a few more +black soldiers who rose out of the undergrowth closed in on them. +Ormsgill turned quietly to the sergeant. + +"You have been too much for the bushmen," he said. "Who is commanding +you?" + +"Dom Clemente," said the sergeant. "He has trapped those pigs of the +forest. That is a wonderful man. You will wait here until I can send +you to him. Whether he will have you shot I do not know." + +In spite of this observation he appeared a good-humored person, and +presently offered Ormsgill a cigarette. The latter, who sat down near +the sergeant and smoked it, waited until a patrol came along, when the +black soldier in command marched him and the boys through the +undergrowth, and at length led him into the presence of Dom Clemente. +He sat in state at a little table, immaculate in trim white uniform, +with two black men with rifles standing behind him. Another white +officer and a dusky interpreter who stood close by had apparently been +interrogating a couple of rebel prisoners. They squatted upon the +ground gazing at the white men with apprehension in their eyes. Dom +Clemente made Ormsgill a little formal salutation, and then leaned +back in his chair. + +"This meeting reminds me of another occasion when you were brought +before me, Seņor and you were then frank with me," he said. "I might +suggest that candor would be equally advisable just now. I hear that +San Roque has fallen, and it appears that you were there. I must ask +you to tell me in what capacity." + +"As a prisoner in the hands of the rebels," said Ormsgill. + +Dom Clemente nodded. "It is on the whole fortunate that I think one +could take your word for it," he said. "You are desired to tell us +what happened at San Roque." + +Ormsgill did so quietly, though he said as little as possible about +his own share in the proceedings, and afterwards answered the +questions the other officer asked him until Dom Clemente turned to him +again. + +"It seems that Dom Erminio has, at least, acquitted himself creditably +in this affair," he observed. "All things considered, I do not know +that one has much occasion to be sorry for him. Dom Luiz, too, went +down beside his gun. Well, that is, after all, what one would have +expected from him." + +Then he made a little gesture. "You will understand that there are +matters which demand my attention, and I may have something more to +say later. In the meanwhile you will give me your parole. The boys +will be looked after." + +Ormsgill pledged himself to make no attempt at escape, and was led +away to a little tent where food was brought him and he was told he +was to stay. He realized that Dom Clemente had struck the rebels a +crushing blow, one from which there was little probability of their +recovering, but what was being done about the pursuit he did not know, +though he fancied that a body of troops had crossed the river. Still, +that did not greatly concern him, and worn-out and dejected as he was +he was glad to fall asleep. It was evening when he awakened as a black +soldier looked into the tent, and a few minutes later Dom Clemente +came in and sat down in the camp chair the soldier had brought. +Ormsgill sat on the ground sheet, heavy-eyed, tattered, and haggard, +and waited for him to speak. + +"I shall go on to-morrow when more troops come up, and you will come +with us. There are matters that require attention yonder," he said. +"In the meanwhile I have had the boys you brought down interrogated, +and the story they tell me is in some respects a fantastic one. It is, +I fancy, fortunate for your sake that I am acquainted with several +facts which seem to bear it out." + +Ormsgill was a trifle astonished, but Dom Clemente smiled. "It is," he +said, "advisable that one in authority should hear of everything, but +it is not always wise that he should make that fact apparent. One +waits until the time comes--and then, as was the case this morning, +one acts." + +He spread out one slender, faintly olive-tinted hand and then brought +it down upon the table closed with an unexpected sharpness that was +very expressive. + +"Seņor," he said, "though I have heard a little from the boys, you +have not told me yet exactly how you came to fall into those bushmen's +hands." + +Ormsgill, who did not think that reticence was likely to be of much +service, briefly related what had befallen him, and his companion +nodded. + +"I have the honor of your acquaintance, and it is perhaps, permissible +to point out that you have a troublesome fondness for meddling with +other people's business," he said. "Further, you are a trifle +impulsive and precipitate." + +"There was nobody else who seemed anxious to undertake the affair in +question," said Ormsgill dryly. + +Dom Clemente made a little gesture. "It is generally wiser to wait +until one is certain. Well, I think I may venture to take you into my +confidence to some extent. The doings of the trader Herrero--who has +lodged complaints against you--and his friend Domingo have long been +known to me. They were merely being permitted to involve themselves in +difficulties while we waited until the time was ripe. It is now very +probable that I shall suppress both of them." + +"One can sometimes wait longer than is advisable," said Ormsgill with +a little dry laugh. "Herrero and his friend are dead." + +Then for the first time he narrated all that had been done in the +inland village, and Dom Clemente, who listened carefully, smiled. + +"It only proves my point," he said. "One waits and the affair +regulates itself. Well, they are dead, and I do not think there is +anybody who will greatly regret them. It will clear the ground for +what we mean to do up yonder. There is, you understand, to be a change +in our native policy, and I"--he straightened himself a trifle--"have +been entrusted with its inauguration. From now we shall, at least, +endeavor to modify some of the difficulties which are, perhaps, not +inseparably connected with this question of the labor supply." + +"The whole system should be done away with." + +Dom Clemente spread his hands out. "In this country one is content +with accomplishing a little now and then. But there is another matter. +Certain complaints have been made against your friend the American, +and we have decided that there is nothing against him. I bring him +permission to go back to his station." + +"Nares," said Ormsgill quietly, "will not profit by it. He has been +promoted. He was killed endeavoring to make peace at San Roque." + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is a matter of regret to me. Perhaps, +he was a little imprudent. Some of these missionaries are sadly +deficient in diplomacy, and that may have been the case with him. I do +not know. Still, when all is said, he was a brave man, and I +think"--he made a little grave gesture--"what he has done for these +black men will be remembered where he is now." + +It was not a great deal, but Ormsgill who noticed the quick change in +the little soldier's voice was satisfied with it. After all, one can +not say much more of any man than that he has done what he could for +his fellow men. Then Dom Clemente turned to him again. + +"I have not asked you yet what you did during the attack on San +Roque," he said. + +"If you fancy I have done anything for which I could be held +accountable it is for you to establish it. It seems to me that would +be a little difficult since I believe every man in the fort is dead." + +"Still--if the thing appeared advisable--it might be possible." + +Ormsgill made no attempt to dispute this, but changed the subject. +"There is a thing I don't quite understand," he said. "I almost fancy +the man who led the rebels must have known you held the bank when he +pushed his men across." + +"Yes," said Dom Clemente, "I believe he did. Still, there are men who +can recognize when they must fight or fail ignominiously. One has a +certain respect for them. I do not think it was that negro's fault +that he was driven back. Flintlocks and matchets are not much use +against our rifles." + +Then he rose. "In the meanwhile you will be detained. My instructions +were to arrest you, and, as you know, I only hold subordinate +authority. Still, so far as my duty permits it, I think you can +regard me as a friend." + +He went out of the tent, and an hour or two later Ormsgill contrived +to go to sleep again. He was roused by the bugles at daylight, and +went back with the rear guard into the forests he had lately left, and +in due time marched with them into sight of the ruins of San Roque. It +was early morning when they reached the fort, but before the sun was +high the three white men who had fallen there were laid to rest in +state. The black troops who had with reversed rifles swung into hollow +square stood listening vacantly round the bank of raw steaming soil +where Father Tiebout recited words of ponderous import in the sonorous +Latin tongue. Then there was a crashing volley, and as the patter of +marching feet commenced again Ormsgill and the priest and Dom Clemente +stood looking on while a few black soldiers raised the three rude +crosses. On one of them a dusky armorer had under Ormsgill's +supervision cut the words, "_In hoc signo._" + +Father Tiebout glanced at them and nodded gravely. "It is fitting," he +said. "He did what he could--and we others do not know how much it +was. After all, it is only a grain of understanding that is now +vouchsafed us, but"--and he once more broke into the sonorous Latin, +"I look for the resurrection of the dead." + +Dom Clemente smiled. "There are men of your profession, Father, who +would not have ventured to do what you have done," he said. "Still, I +think when that day comes some of us may, perhaps, have cause to envy +this heretic." + +Then they turned away, and in another hour once more pushed on into +the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +ORMSGILL BEARS THE TEST + + +The black troops were coming home again when they halted at a +coffee-planter's fazienda within easy march of the coast to allow the +rear guard to come up. They had met with no resistance since they +crossed the river. The rebels had melted away before them and vanished +into the forests and marshes of the interior, and the troops had +pushed on into a waste and empty country finding only a few deserted +villages here and there. This was, however, very much what their +leader had expected, for he knew that in an affair of this kind +everything usually turns upon the first success, and he had made his +plans with that fact in view. Dom Clemente Figuera was, at least, a +capable soldier. + +The fazienda was old and somewhat ruinous. Its prosperity had +departed, though plantations of coffee and cocoa still stretched about +the rambling white house and dusky laborers' sheds, and a little +coarse sugar was made chiefly for the sake of the resultant rum. Cocoa +could no longer be grown there by antiquated methods at a profit, and +there had of late been trouble about the labor supply. Standing where +it did within easy reach of the coast, the fazienda was open to +inspection, and the rulers of that colony had of late been making +inquiries as to the way in which the legislation that permitted the +planters to engage the negroes brought down from the bush was carried +out. Indeed, its owners realized with concern that there was likely to +be a change in their ruler's views. Dom Clemente had, in fact, issued +one or two proclamations which filled them with alarm, for they knew +that what he said was usually done. + +Still, during the few days the troops halted there the white planters +had many guests, men who had, for the most part, axes to grind. They +wished to discover how the changes Dom Clemente appeared to be +contemplating might affect their trade, which like everything else in +that country depended upon the labor supply. Some of them wanted +concessions, and to be the first to benefit by any reprisals that +might be made upon the rebels, and others had grievances against the +inland officials whom they supposed Dom Clemente was not altogether +satisfied with. It was also, they felt, desirable to gain his ear, or, +at least, those of his subordinates, before affairs were debated +officially when he reached the coast, but perhaps, Dom Clemente was +aware of this, for he had most vexatiously remained behind, and those +under him had, it seemed, instructions to observe a judicious +reticence. In this case, at least, they also considered it advisable +to carry their instructions out. + +Ormsgill, however, knew very little about what was going on, and late +on the second afternoon after he reached the fazienda he sat +listlessly in a half-ruinous shed which was partly filled with bags +of coarse sugar. The door was shut, and he fancied there was a sentry +on guard outside it, but from where he sat he could look out through +an unglazed window across the tall green cane towards the wooded ridge +that shut the plantation in. It is also possible that he could have +got out that way and slipped into the cane without anybody noticing +him, for black sentries are not invariably watchful, but he had given +Dom Clemente his parole, and he would have had to leave behind the +boys he had brought down. Besides, he was utterly listless. He had for +several months overtaxed his physical strength, and the fever of the +country had rudely shaken him, and left behind it an apathetic +lassitude, as it frequently does. + +It was very hot in the shed which had lain since morning under a +scorching sun, and the glare that still streamed in through the window +hurt his heavy eyes. He sat on an empty case, ragged and +travel-stained, brooding heavily while the perspiration trickled from +his worn face. Nothing seemed to matter, and it would have afforded +him little pleasure had he been offered his liberty. He would, he +knew, leave all he valued behind him when he left that country, and +worn out in body as he was, and enervated in will, he shrank from the +duty that awaited him, for if he ever reached Las Palmas, which seemed +somewhat doubtful, Mrs. Ratcliffe would certainly expect him to carry +out his promise. He was in one way sorry for Ada Ratcliffe, but he +fancied that she would, after all, probably be satisfied with the +things he could offer her. Since that was the case, and she had kept +faith with him, it was evident that he could not draw back now. +Perhaps he was foolish, but he was one who kept his word, and at least +endeavored to live up to his severely simple code. + +At last the glare outside the window commenced to die away, and he +could see an odd palm tuft cut with a restful greenness against the +paling sky. It was very hot still, but evening was at hand and by and +by one of the younger lieutenants who had shown him some kindness on +the march would probably come in and talk to him. He fancied he heard +the man's footsteps when another half hour had slipped away, and then +his voice rose sharply as he said something to the black sentry, but +he did not come in, and Ormsgill rose with every nerve quivering when +he heard another voice he recognized. Still, he contrived to lay a +restraint upon himself when the door opened and Benicia Figuera stood +in the entrance. + +She was clad in thin draperies that gleamed immaculately white, and +the fine lines of the figure they flowed about were silhouetted +sharply against the light. Her face was in shadow, but Ormsgill saw +the sudden compassion in her eyes, and the blood crept to his +forehead. Then she turned for a moment towards the portly, black-robed +lady who appeared behind her, and apparently addressed the invisible +lieutenant. + +"It is very hot here, and I think the Seņora Castro would find it more +comfortable if you brought her a chair outside," she said. "You can +leave the door open. It is scarcely likely that I shall run away with +your prisoner." + +The man outside apparently made no demur and when the portly lady +disappeared Benicia turned towards Ormsgill. + +"Now we can talk," she said. "You are looking very ill." + +Ormsgill drew forward the empty case, and laid some matting on it. "A +prisoner's quarters are not usually very sumptuous, and that is the +only seat I can offer you," he said. "I was a little astonished when I +saw you." + +Benicia sat down, and smiled when he found a place among the sugar +bags. + +"Astonished--that was all?" she said. + +The man felt his forehead grow warm, but he laughed. "Well," he said, +"I'm not sure that quite expresses everything. Still, I certainly was +astonished. I wonder if one could ask what brought you here?" + +"I came to meet my father--for one thing," and the little pause might +have had its significance, though Benicia who unrolled her fan was +handicapped by the fact that she was speaking English and had to +choose her words carefully. "I am told that he is expected here some +time to-night--but you are ill. It is needless to say--is it +not?--that I am sorry." + +She looked sorry. In fact, her manner was exquisitely expressive of +sympathy, but Ormsgill contrived to answer lightly. + +"The thing is not altogether unnatural," he said. "A good many of your +father's troops are sick, too. After all, there are worse troubles +than a slight attack of African fever, and I shall no doubt get well +again presently." + +"And you are still--a very little--lame." + +It did not strike Ormsgill as significant that she should have noticed +this, though he had only moved a pace or two when she came in. Indeed, +nothing of that kind would have occurred to him then, for while his +blood stirred within him he was struggling fiercely to retain his +self-control. + +"It is possible that I shall always be a little lame," he said, and +laughed somewhat bitterly. "Still, I'm not sure that it matters. You +see, I don't even know what will be done with me when we reach the +coast." + +"You have certainly enemies there--as well as friends. There are +gentlemen of some influence who had an interest in Herrero's business, +and it seems they have made rather serious complaints against you. It +is even suggested that you brought about his death. We, of course, +know that such complaints are absurd." + +"I wonder why?" + +Benicia leaned forward a little with her eyes fixed on him. "It is +only strangers one wastes compliments upon," she said. "I think you +and I are friends." + +She had, it seemed to Ormsgill, not gone far enough, and there was an +elusive something in her manner which conveyed the impression that she +realized it. He felt his heart beat unpleasantly fast, but he +controlled himself, and while he sat silent Benicia's fan closed with +a curious little snap. One could have fancied that she had expected +him to speak. + +"Still," she said, "there are others who might believe those +complaints, and--though you have friends--justice is not always +certain in this country. Are you wise in staying here?" + +"I'm not sure that I can help it. You see there is a sentry yonder." + +Benicia laughed a little. "Pshaw!" she said, "that could be arranged +without any great difficulty. One could require, perhaps, two minutes +to slip away into the cane, and I think nothing would be discovered +until the morning." + +"On the contrary, there are several difficulties. For instance, it +would probably become evident that the thing had been--arranged. Could +I allow you to involve yourself in an affair of that kind?" + +"It is by no means certain that I should involve myself. In fact, it +is most unlikely," and Benicia laughed again, though she fixed her +eyes on him with a curious intentness. "Is it not worth the hazard, +Seņor, if it set you at liberty to go back to--Las Palmas?" + +"No," said Ormsgill with sudden vehemence, while the veins showed +swollen on his forehead. "It certainly isn't." + +A little gleam of exultation sprang into the girl's eyes, for she +recognized the thrill of passion in his voice, and she already knew it +was not the woman who awaited him at Las Palmas that he loved. Still, +it was, perhaps, fortunate he had answered her in that decisive +fashion, for the Latin nature is curiously complex and always a trifle +unstable. Though she could not have told exactly why she had led him +on, it is just possible that had he shown any eagerness to profit by +the suggestion she had made her tenderness would have changed to +vindictive anger. That she would be willing to restore him to the +other woman at her peril was, after all, rather more than one could +reasonably have expected from her. Benicia Figuera was in several +respects very human. + +"Ah," she said, with a curious slow incisiveness, "then you are not so +very anxious to go back--to her?" + +Ormsgill sat still for almost a minute with set lips while the +perspiration dewed his lined face. He read what the girl thought in +her eyes, and his passion came near shaking the resolution he strove +to cling to out of him. Ada Ratcliffe, who did not love him, was far +away, and this girl who he felt would, as Desmond had said, stand by +the man she loved through everything, sat within a yard of him. He +seemed to realize that if he flung aside every consideration that +restrained him and boldly claimed her she would listen. Her mere +physical beauty had also an almost overwhelming effect on him, and the +tinge of color in her cheeks and the softness in her eyes was very +suggestive. Then with a little strenuous effort he straightened +himself. + +"After all," he said, "that is scarcely the question?" + +"Still," the girl insisted, "I have offered you liberty, and you do +not seem to want it. Since that is so, one could almost fancy it would +not grieve you very much if you never went back." + +Ormsgill stood up. "Seņorita, that is a thing I can not very well +answer you. Besides, it does not seem to count. You see, I have +pledged myself to go." + +"Ah," said the girl, and, though this was no news to her, her fan +snapped to again. "Would nothing warrant one breaking such a pledge?" + +Then for a few seconds they looked at one another with no disguise +between them, and all their thoughts in their eyes. The girl's face +was white and intent, the man's drawn and furrowed, and the passion +that was fast overmastering all restraint was awake in both alike. It +is more than likely that Benicia did not remember that her companion +had borne as heavy a stress once before at least. When she came in she +had no intention of subjecting him to it again. She had possibly only +meant to do him a kindness, perhaps merely wished to see him, though +this was a point on which she was never sure; but the fiery Latin +nature had been too strong for her. Restraint is, after all, not a +characteristic of the people of the South. At length Ormsgill made an +effort. + +"The thing would be impossible," he said. "I am guarded. There is a +sentry at the door." + +The girl saw that his control was slackening, for she knew it was not +the pledge she had mentioned but the hazard she would run in setting +him at liberty he was referring to, and she laughed, almost +exultantly. + +"No," she said, "it would be so easy. The sentry is called away for a +few minutes. As I said--it could be arranged. Then you slip away into +the cane. It is not difficult to reach the city--and you have friends +there." + +She broke off abruptly, but Ormsgill saw that she had flung her pride +away, and, since it was clear that it was not that he might go back to +Las Palmas she was willing to connive at his escape, he felt it only +remained for him to supply what she had left unsaid. The desire to do +so shook him until he closed one hand in an intensity of effort, and +for almost half a minute there was a silence that grew almost +intolerable. + +Then the girl slowly straightened herself, and her eyes gleamed +curiously, though her face was very pale. + +"The hazard appears too great for you, Seņor?" she said. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, noticing the sudden change in her +attitude, "in one way it does." Then he made a little abrupt gesture. +"As I said, I am pledged to go back to Las Palmas if I am set at +liberty--but it is a matter in which I can not permit you to do +anything for me." + +Benicia stood up very straight, and her eyes had still a curious gleam +in them. "Then there is nothing more to be said. It seems you will not +listen to any suggestion I can make--and, perhaps, you are right." + +She spread out her hands in a vaguely forceful fashion as she turned +from him and moved towards the door, but before she reached it she +stopped and glanced at him again. Ormsgill who set his lips tight said +nothing at all. Then there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Dom +Clemente, who appeared in the entrance, stood still looking at them +curiously. It was a moment or two before he turned to Benicia. + +"Ah," he said, "I did not know you were here until a few minutes ago +and I will not keep you now. I think the Seņora is waiting for you." + +He stood aside when she swept past him and vanished with a rustle of +filmy draperies. Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"Seņor," he said, "I am inclined to fancy that you have something to +say to me." + +The blood rose to Ormsgill's face, and his voice was strained. It was +an almost intolerable duty that was laid upon him. + +"I am afraid your surmise is not correct," he said. "I have nothing to +say." + +Dom Clemente let one hand drop on the hilt of his sword. "Seņor," he +said, "I am informed by my Secretary that the Seņorita Benicia Figuera +has obtained certain concessions concerning you from a man whose +authority we submit to. You are, it seems, to be treated with every +consideration, and he will investigate the complaints made against you +personally. That," and he made a little impressive gesture, "is +evidently the result of the Seņorita Benicia's efforts on your behalf. +I am here to ask you why she has made them?" + +Ormsgill looked at him steadily, though it cost him an effort to +answer. + +"I have the honor of the Seņorita's acquaintance," he said. "It seems +she is one who does what she can for her friends. I can offer no other +explanation." + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente with incisive quietness, "I once informed you +that it seemed to me you were doing a perilous thing in going back to +Africa. It is possible you will shortly realize that what I said was +warranted." + +Then he turned and went out, and Ormsgill sat down again with a little +gasp, for the tension of the last few minutes had been almost +insupportable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ON HIS TRIAL + + +Several hours had passed since Dom Clemente left Ormsgill's quarters +when he sat with one of his staff under a lamp in a room of the +fazienda. He had laid his kepi on the table, and leaned back in his +chair looking at a strip of paper with a little grim smile in his +eyes. A negro swathed in white cotton squatted against the wall +watching him uneasily, and a black soldier who had led the man in +stood with ordered rifle at the door. At length Dom Clemente tossed +the paper across to the officer sitting opposite him. + +"I should be glad of your opinion," he said. + +"It is discreet," said his companion, who examined the paper +carefully. "The writer evidently foresaw the possibility of his +message falling into the wrong hands. It is also indifferent +Portuguese, but I think it is the writing of an educated man." + +"Exactly! The question is why should an educated man express himself +in that fashion?" + +The officer shook his head. "That," he said reflectively, "is a thing +I do not understand." + +Dom Clemente smiled a little, and took up another strip of paper. +"This," he said, "is a message of the same kind which has also fallen +into my hands. Does anything else occur to you when you put the two +together?" + +"They are from the same man," and then a light seemed to break in upon +the officer. "He does not write like a native of the Peninsula." + +"No," said Dom Clemente. "I do not think he has ever been there. +Still, he had, no doubt, reasons for attempting to write in +Portuguese." Then he turned sternly to the crouching negro. "Who gave +you this message. Where were you to take the answer?" + +"A man of a tribe I do not know," said the messenger who was evidently +in a state of terror. "I was to meet him before the morning at a spot +about a league away." + +"Then," said Dom Clemente, "there is a little service I want from you. +You will take some of my soldiers with you when you meet this man. If +you attempt to warn him you will probably be shot." + +He turned to his companion. "I think it would be advisable for you to +go yourself. You will take a reliable sergeant and several files, and +arrest the man who wrote this letter. I think you will find that he is +the leader of a big game expedition." + +The officer raised his eyebrows. "There is no big game in this part of +the country." + +"That," said Dom Clemente, "is a point the man in question has +probably forgotten. In any case, you will arrest him and bring him +here. It is, however, advisable that the thing should be done +quietly." + +The officer signed to the black soldier who moved forward and touched +the messenger's shoulder, and Dom Clemente smiled grimly as he once +more busied himself with the papers in front of him when they went +out. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill lay half-asleep upon a few empty sugar bags +in the ruinous shed. His head ached, for the fever still troubled him +now and then and the place was almost insufferably hot, but the strain +he had borne that afternoon had left him a trifle dazed and insensible +to physical discomforts, and at length he sank into fitful slumber. +Several times he wakened with a start and closed a hot hand as his +troubles returned to him, but he was too limp in mind to grapple with +them. It was rather late in the morning when a patter of naked feet +and the shouting of orders roused him. It suggested that the troops +were being paraded, and looking out through the window he saw Dom +Clemente and several officers descend from the planter's house. After +that there was a stir and bustle, and by and by he saw a man whom he +did not recognize being led towards the house by a group of +deferential officers. This, however, did not appear to concern +Ormsgill, and leaving the window when his breakfast was brought him he +sat down on the sugar bags for another hour or two. Then the door of +the shed was flung open and he saw a black sergeant who stood outside +beckoning to him. + +"Your presence is required," he said in Portuguese. + +Ormsgill stood still a moment blinking in the brightness when he left +the shed, for the glare of sunlight on trampled sand and white walls +set his heavy eyes aching, but when the sergeant made a sign he +followed him to the planter's house. He was led into a big scantily +furnished room which had green lattices drawn across two of the open +windows, but a dazzling shaft of sunlight streamed in through one that +was not covered, and he saw a grave-faced gentleman sitting in state +at a table. He was, though Ormsgill did not know this, the man who had +talked to Benicia on board the gunboat, and had arrived at the +fazienda that morning. Two black soldiers with ordered rifles stood +motionless behind him, and Dom Clemente sat on the opposite side of +the table. Beside him there were also two other officers, one of whom +seemed to be acting as secretary, for there was a handful of papers in +front of him, and several of Ormsgill's boys squatted, half-naked, +impassive figures, against the wall. + +Ormsgill stood still, looking at the men at the table with heavy eyes. +His thin duck garments were more than a trifle ragged and stained with +travel, and his face was haggard. He was, it seemed, to be tried, but +he felt no great concern. The result was almost a matter of +indifference to him since it only remained for him to go back to Las +Palmas if he was set at liberty. There was a momentary silence when he +was led in, and then Dom Clemente handed one or two more papers to the +secretary. + +"There are, as you are aware, several somewhat serious complaints +against you," he said in Portuguese. "It is now desirable that they +should be investigated. I will have them read to you." + +Ormsgill listened gravely while the officer read aloud. He was, it +appeared, charged with abducting a native woman from the trader +Herrero, and taking away by force labor recruits who had engaged +themselves to the latter's associate Domingo. There were also charges +of supplying the natives with arms and inciting them to mutiny. + +"You have heard?" said the man at the head of the table. "If you do +not admit the correctness of all this we will hear what you have to +say. You will, however, be required to substantiate it." + +Ormsgill roused himself for an effort. After all, liberty was worth +something, and it was a duty to attempt to secure it, and for the next +quarter of an hour he concisely related all that he had done since he +came back to the country after the death of Lamartine. None of those +who heard him made any comment, but he could see the little smile of +incredulity which now and then flickered into the eyes of the younger +officers. The man who sat in state at the head of the table, however, +listened gravely, and Dom Clemente's face was expressionless. + +"That is all," said Ormsgill at last. "It is very possible that what I +have told you may appear improbable, and I can not substantiate it. +Most of those concerned are dead. Still, you have some of my boys +here, and you can question them." + +There was a little silence until the man at the head of the table +leaned back in his chair. + +"It is a very astonishing story," he said. "There are one or two +points I should like made clearer, but in the meanwhile we will hear +the boys." + +An interpreter was brought in, and with his assistance two of the boys +told what they knew. Then he went out again, and Dom Clemente turned +to his companion. + +"I must admit that I have information which partly bears out what has +been said about the native woman Anita," he said. "If this assurance +is not sufficient she could be examined later. I have,"--and he looked +hard at Ormsgill--"at least no cause to be prejudiced in the +prisoner's favor. In the meanwhile one might ask if he can think of +nobody else who would support what he has said?" + +"No," said Ormsgill dryly, "as I mentioned, most of those concerned +are dead." + +He saw Dom Clemente glance at the man opposite him who smiled. + +"There is one point on which we have not touched," said the latter, +who turned to Ormsgill. "How did you get the first eight boys you say +you set free out of the country?" + +"That," said Ormsgill, "is a thing I can not tell you. It was, at +least, not with the connivance of anybody in the city." + +Dom Clemente made a little sign to his secretary, who went out, and +there was silence for a while. The room was very hot, and Ormsgill +felt himself aching in every limb. He had been standing for half an +hour now, and his leg was becoming painful. Then there were footsteps +outside, and he gasped with astonishment as a black soldier led +Desmond in. The latter, however, turned to the officers. + +"You have had me brought here against my will, gentlemen, and it is +very possible that you will have grounds for regretting it," he said +in English. "It would be a favor if you will tell me what you want?" + +The gentleman at the head of the table leaned forward in his chair. "A +little information--in the meanwhile," he said quietly. "You recognize +the prisoner yonder?" + +Dom Clemente translated, and Desmond carefully looked Ormsgill over. + +"Well," he said, "I have certainly met him before--in Las Palmas--and +other places. He doesn't seem to have thriven since then." + +"We would like to know what you were doing at the spot where the +soldiers arrested you?" + +"That," said Desmond sturdily, "is my own business; and a thing I have +not the least intention of telling you." + +Two of the officers frowned, but the man at the table waved his hand. + +"Well," he said, "we will try another question. It is desirable that +we should know how a certain eight boys whom the prisoner brought down +to the coast were smuggled out of the country." + +Desmond looked at Ormsgill, who nodded. "I think you may as well +tell him," he said. "There is reason for believing that our friend +yonder who speaks excellent English"--and he indicated Dom +Clemente--"is acquainted with it already. I don't think they can +hold--you--responsible." + +Then Desmond spoke boldly, answering their questions until almost +everything was explained. Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled, and his +companion leaned back in his chair with a curious little smile. + +"What I have heard is so extraordinary as to be almost +incomprehensible," he said. "It seems that you and your friend must +have spent a very large amount of money to set these fourteen boys at +liberty." + +He waved his hand towards the squatting negroes. "Seņores," he said +turning to the officers, "I would ask you to look at them, and tell me +if the thing appears reasonable." + +The manner in which the officers smiled was very expressive. It was, +they were assured, for these thick-lipped, woolly-haired bushmen +crouching half-naked against the wall, without a spark of intelligence +in their heavy animal-like faces, that the two English gentlemen had +spent money broadcast, faced fatigue and peril, and hazarded the anger +of the Government. The thing certainly appeared incomprehensible to +them. Desmond guessed their thoughts, and a red flush crept into his +sea-bronzed face and a little portentous glint into his eyes. + +"I admit that it sounds nonsensical," he said. "Still, Seņores, I have +the honor of offering you my word." + +Then somewhat to the astonishment of all except Dom Clemente, who +smiled, the man at the head of the table made Desmond a little +punctilious inclination. + +"Seņor," he said, "I think your word would go a long way. In the +meanwhile we will hear what the priest has to tell us." + +Ormsgill started a little when Father Tiebout was brought in a minute +or two later. He sat down and nodded when Dom Clemente had spoken to +him. + +"Most of what I know is at your service," he said. He commenced with +the death of the trader Lamartine, and told his tale quietly but with +a certain dramatic force. When he came to the point where he and Nares +had written to Ormsgill after Domingo's raid he stopped a moment, and +the pause was impressive. + +"You will understand, Seņores, that we had faith when we wrote to this +man," he said. + +"You believed he would come back and undertake the task at his peril?" + +"The thing," said Father Tiebout quietly, "was, to us at least, +absolutely certain." + +There was blank astonishment in two of the officers' faces, but the +man at the head of the table made a sign of concurrence, and once more +a little gleam crept into Dom Clemente's eyes. Then the priest went +on, and when at last he stopped there was a full minute's silence. +After that the man at the head of the table spoke to Ormsgill, and his +voice had a curious note in it. + +"How was it you did not ask us to send for this priest and hear him in +your defense?" he said. + +Ormsgill smiled dryly. "It is not as a rule advisable for a +missionary to meddle with affairs of State." + +"Ah," said the other man, "it would, I think, make our work easier if +none of them did. Well, you have given us a reason, and it is one I +could consider satisfactory--in your case." + +Then he turned to Desmond. "Seņor, I had the honor of asking you a +question a little while ago. Perhaps, it may not appear desirable to +withhold the information I desired any longer." + +Desmond laughed, and looked at him steadily. + +"Well," he said, "since you have no doubt guessed my purpose, I will +tell you. I came up here to take my friend out of your hands, and if +it hadn't been for the thick-headed boy who let the soldiers creep in +on us while we were asleep I think I would in all probability have +managed it." + +"Ah," said the other man spreading out his hands, "I almost believe it +is possible." + +Then he turned to his companions. "One naturally expects something +quite out of the usual course from men like these." + +After that he sat silent for at least a minute, until he leaned +forward and spoke awhile in a low voice with Dom Clemente who once or +twice made a sign of concurrence. + +Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"I shall probably have something to say to you again," he said. "This +is an affair that demands careful consideration, and in the meantime +there are other matters which can not be delayed." + +Dom Clemente spoke sharply, and a black sergeant at the door who +beckoned Ormsgill and Desmond to follow him went with them to their +quarters in the ruinous shed. + +"There are, I think, very few men in this country who would have +spoken to that man or Dom Clemente as you have done," he said. Then he +grinned in a very suggestive fashion. "It is probably fortunate that +he seemed to believe you, though if he had been any other man I would +have called him very foolish." + +Ormsgill said nothing, but sat down among the empty sugar bags, and he +and Desmond looked at one another when the patter of the sergeant's +feet grew indistinct. Both were glad they were alone, but for a minute +or two neither of them broke the silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +BENICIA UNDERTAKES AN OBLIGATION + + +Ormsgill, who reclined among the sugar bags, lighted a cigarette one +of the officers had given him before he turned to Desmond. + +"I don't know if you are comfortable on that case, but, as you see, I +haven't another seat to offer you, and these bags are a trifle +sticky," he said. "I understand that my jailers were instructed to +show me every consideration." + +Desmond laughed as he glanced around the half-ruinous shed. "It's +hardly worth while making excuses of that kind," he said. "I'm quite +willing to admit that the one thing that's worrying me is the question +what your friends mean to do with us." + +"It's possible they may set us at liberty, but in the meanwhile you +know as much as I do. How did you fall into their hands?" + +"I was at Las Palmas when I heard that they were having trouble in the +interior. The news wasn't very definite, but it seemed to me I might +be wanted and I brought the yacht across as hard as we could drive +her." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is, of course, very much the kind +of thing one would expect you to do. You were at Las Palmas--but go +on. I may ask you something later." + +Desmond understood him, and though he had driven the _Palestrina_ +mercilessly day after day under the uttermost pressure her boilers +would stand he was satisfied. He had not thought it worth while to +mention how they had shaken every rag of canvas out while the yacht +rolling viciously and shivering in every plate swept along with the +spray-clouds flying over her before the big trade breeze combers, or +the more arduous days when, while the firemen gasped beneath an almost +intolerable heat, they still drove her south at topmost speed over an +oily blazing sea across the line. He also fancied he knew what +Ormsgill wished to ask him, and a trace of uneasiness crept into his +face as he proceeded somewhat hastily. + +"Well," he said, "when we got the anchor down I heard that the +fighting was over and the troops were coming back again. Somebody told +me they had a white prisoner who had evidently been encouraging the +rebels, and it seemed to me advisable to set out up country on a +shooting trip. There was a rather capable boy among those I hired, and +he hadn't much difficulty in making friends with one of the camp +followers or carriers when we came up with the troops. After that we +followed their track, keeping about a league away from them for almost +a week, and I sent you two messages. I suppose you never got them?" + +"No," said Ormsgill. "I almost think it's evident that somebody else +did." + +Desmond made a little sign of concurrence. "The boy probably sold us, +or your friend Dom Clemente was too clever for him. One could fancy +that is a very capable man. Anyway, while I was considering how we +could arrange to get you off we went to sleep last night in a belt of +grass. I took the precaution of sending two sentries out, and I don't +know yet why they didn't warn me, but when I awakened early this +morning there was a white officer standing over me. As he had several +black soldiers with him and we were evidently at his mercy I came +along with him. I don't think there was any other course open to me." + +"You have done what you could. You brought me no message from Las +Palmas?" + +Desmond, who once more appeared uneasy, sat silent for a moment or +two. Then he leaned forward a trifle with a flush in his face. + +"I don't know how you'll take it, but, as a matter of fact, I did," he +said. "I brought a letter which Mrs. Ratcliffe gave me, and I believe +there was another from Miss Ratcliffe inside it. Unfortunately, one of +your friends here confiscated it not long ago as well as every other +scrap of paper in my possession." + +"They sent me no word when you left Las Palmas before," said Ormsgill +with a portentous quietness, though there were signs of tension in his +face. Then he straightened himself suddenly. "You are keeping +something back. It concerns Ada?" + +"It does, and I'm particularly sorry your friends seized that letter. +This is an affair I should greatly have preferred to leave in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's hands. She"--and Desmond made a little vague gesture--"is +a lady of considerable ability and has no doubt explained the thing +much more satisfactorily than I could do." + +"Go on," said Ormsgill with sharp incisiveness. + +Desmond, who still hesitated, looked at him in a curious deprecatory +fashion. + +"Well," he said, "the fact is Miss Ratcliffe was married the day +before I left Las Palmas." + +In another moment Ormsgill was on his feet, and his laugh jarred on +Desmond's ears. + +"Married!" he said hoarsely, clenching one hand tight. "And I've +thrown away everything to keep faith with her." + +Desmond made a little restraining gesture. "Well," he said, "it's not +my business, but I think I understand what you are referring to--and, +perhaps, it's scarcely wise to be too sure. With all deference to Mrs. +Ratcliffe I can't help fancying you are well out of the other matter. +After all, to mention no other reason, it would require a certain +amount of courage to recognize that lady as one's mother-in-law." + +Ormsgill, who made no answer, turned towards the door, and spoke a few +words to the sentry. The latter called to one of his comrades, and +Ormsgill, after giving the man a message came back again and sat down +quietly. + +"I have asked if I may have the letter," he said. + +It was brought him ten minutes later unopened, and he sat very still +for awhile after he had read it. Then there was bitterness in his +laugh. + +"It is in one sense a masterly production," he said. "In fact, both of +them are. I am assured that Mrs. Ratcliffe recognized all along that +we were never made for one another." He turned, and grasped his +companion's shoulder. "Can you tell me anything about this paragon +who, it seems, has married Ada?" + +A little twinkle crept into Desmond's eyes. "I never heard him called +anything of that kind before. Lister, you see, is an unlicked colt, +and nobody could have said very much to his credit until lately. +Still, he seems to be making an effort to rub out certain defects in +his character, and if Miss Ratcliffe can only keep it up they may get +along tolerably well together." + +"Keep it up?" + +Desmond smiled again. "It's probably somewhat delicate ground, but the +thing has its whimsical aspect. You see he, perhaps, naturally, +regards Miss Ratcliffe as the incarnation of honor and every other +estimable equality, which is apt to make her rôle rather a difficult +one. I have no doubt her mother has asked you very tactfully not to +say anything that might render it harder still if you ever come across +Lister, which, if she has any hand in his arrangements, is most +unlikely." + +"There is a suggestion of that kind here," and Ormsgill gazed at him +very grim in face. "You mean that they have not mentioned me to +Lister." + +"I should consider it very improbable," said Desmond dryly. "As I +ventured to suggest, you have, perhaps, after all, no very great cause +for regret." + +Ormsgill, who said nothing, rose and walked several times up and down +the shed, and then moved suddenly towards the door. He spoke a few +words to the sentry, after which he sat down and waited for some +little time, while Desmond smiled once or twice as he watched him. +Then the door was opened, and a black sergeant who appeared in the +entrance signed to Ormsgill. + +"Dom Clemente can spare you a few minutes," he said. + +Ormsgill rose and followed him across the compound and up the veranda +stairway into a room where Dom Clemente was sitting alone. He looked +up when Ormsgill came in. + +"You have some complaint--of the accommodation we have provided you +with?" he said. + +"No," said Ormsgill, "my business is of a very different nature. You +asked me last night, Seņor, if I had anything to say to you. I wonder +if you will now listen to me for a little while?" + +His companion's gesture signified compliance, and Ormsgill proceeded, +speaking with a terse directness which, as it happened, served him +well. When at last he stopped Dom Clemente looked at him with a little +dry smile. + +"Seņor," he said, "in one sense the explanation is sufficient, though +there are, you can understand, respects in which it leaves a little to +be desired." + +"I make no excuse," and a faint flush crept into Ormsgill's face. +"Only, in this case my mind will always be the same." + +The little officer sat still, looking at him steadily, while half a +minute slipped away, and Ormsgill felt the silence becoming +oppressive. Then he spread one hand out. + +"After all," he said, "there are, probably, very few among us who are +quite exempt from some folly of this kind, and I think it is to your +credit that when you recognized that it was a folly you were willing +to carry it out. I may mention that I had the honor of meeting the +lady." + +Then he made a little expressive gesture. "Seņor, you are, at least, +one whose word can be relied upon, and that counts for a good deal. It +is, however, to be remembered that you are not yet at liberty." + +"I think my liberty largely depends upon you. One could fancy that you +know how far the complaints against me are credible. In fact, I do not +understand why you ever gave them any consideration." + +Dom Clemente smiled. "One has usually a motive, Seņor, and it is +generally wiser not to make it too apparent until the time is ripe. In +this case I think the results have warranted everything I have done. +Herrero and Domingo, not to mention one or two others, have +accomplished their own destruction, though that is, after all, not +quite the question. The matter you have laid before me is, it seems to +me, one that Benicia must decide." + +He rose with the little twinkle still in his eyes. "I will leave you +to make it as clear as you can to her." + +He went out, and Ormsgill waited, with his heart beating a good deal +faster than usual, until Benicia came in. He stood looking at her a +moment, with a faint flush in his haggard face. + +"Seņorita," he said, "I would like you to listen to a story--though it +is a little difficult to tell." + +For a moment Benicia met his gaze, and saw the little glint in his +eyes. She also saw how worn his face was, and the gauntness of his +frame, and her compassion was stronger than her pride. + +"Ah," she said, "I know it already. I have known it all along." + +"Still," said Ormsgill, "there is a little more to be said. I am not +going back to Las Palmas if I am set at liberty." + +He saw the crimson creep into her forehead. "Benicia," he said, "the +woman I was pledged to has cast me off. I am going back to England, +and--after all you know--I wonder if I dare venture to ask you if you +will come with me." + +"Ah," said the girl with a simplicity that had a certain stateliness +in it, "I think I would go anywhere with you." + +Then Ormsgill strode forward masterfully, and it was a minute later +when she smiled up at him. "This," she said, "is not what I meant to +do--at least, just now--but when I saw you looking so worn and anxious +and remembered that you were still a prisoner I forgot how I hated +that Englishwoman. I only remembered how I loved you." + +A little later there were footsteps outside, and the black sergeant +once more appeared in the doorway, while when he led Ormsgill away +Benicia went straight to a room guarded by a dusky soldier, and +demanded to see the officer within. He sent his secretary away, and +then looked up at her with a little smile. + +"You have a promise to keep," she said. "I have come to ask you to set +these two Englishmen at liberty." + +"Ah," said the man, "there are, no doubt, one or two reasons for this +that you can suggest?" + +"You know they have done no wrong." + +"It is possible. Still, we have not altogether settled that question +yet. Is there nothing else that you can urge in their favor?" + +"They are friends of mine." + +The officer made a little grave gesture. "That," he said, "goes a long +way, but, after all, I am not sure that it goes quite far enough." + +Benicia's face grew a trifle warm, but she smiled. "One," she said, +"is the man I am going to marry." + +Her companion's eyes twinkled. "Well," he said, "in that case we must +certainly see what can be done before we march to-morrow." + +Benicia asked nothing further, for she was satisfied, and soon after +she left the officer Ormsgill sat down opposite Desmond in the +half-ruinous shed. He said a few disjointed words, and Desmond laughed +cheerfully. + +"I knew how it was as soon as I saw you," he said. "Well, I believe we +could get hold of an American missionary, and the _Palestrina_'s +ready." + +The rest of that day passed very slowly with them both, but early next +morning they were once more led into the presence of Dom Clemente and +the gray-haired officer. When they came in the latter signed to his +secretary, and Father Tiebout, who quietly went out. A few minutes +afterwards the secretary led Benicia in, and the officer turned to +Ormsgill. + +"We have," he said, "again carefully considered the complaints against +you. As the result of it I think I can venture to set the Seņor +Desmond at liberty, and to place you at the Seņorita Benicia's +disposal. She"--and he smiled gravely--"will be held accountable for +your behavior while you remain in this country. If it is permissible, +I might advise her not to countenance any further undertakings of the +kind that brought you back to Africa." + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The following typographical errors present in the original edtion +have been corrected: + +On the title page, "THE CATTLE-BARON S DAUGHTER" was changed to "THE +CATTLE-BARON'S DAUGHTER". + +In the Table of Contents, the page number for Chapter XVIII, DOM +CLEMENTE LOOKS ON, was changed from 231 to 213. + +In Chapter I, "Maderia chair on the veranda" was changed to "Madeira +chair on the veranda", "since you have no carries" was changed to "since +you have no carriers", "took of his hat" was changed to "took off his +hat", and commas were added after "a good magazine rifle" and "it was so +still that Nares". + +In Chapter II, a comma was added after "Herrero has gone South +somewhere". + +In Chapter III, a period was added after "almost too startled to +understand that you had arrived", and "I believe you are smilling" was +changed to "I believe you are smiling". + +In Chapter IV, a comma was changed to a period after "with a little +flush in her face", and a single quotation mark (') was changed to a +double quotation mark (") after "your prospective mother-in-law will be +pleased with you?". + +In Chapter V, a period was changed to a question mark after "become a +trifle civilized", and a period was changed to a comma after "you are +determined to go". + +In Chapter VI, "He could forsee that" was changed to "He could foresee +that", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It would be an +interesting spectacle." + +In Chapter VII, a period was changed to a comma after "and Nares added", +and a comma was deleted after "Anybody who wishes to go inland". + +In Chapter VIII, "two somewhat ragged white men lay listessly" was +changed to "two somewhat ragged white men lay listlessly", and "Still +they can't shoot as I can" was changed to "Still, they can't shoot as I +can". + +In Chapter IX, a single quotation mark (') was changed to a double +quotation mark (") after "I should probably not have been welcome?", and +"I am not sure that is quiet sufficient in itself" was changed to "I am +not sure that is quite sufficient in itself". + +In Chapter X, "statutesque modeling" was changed to "statuesque +modeling", and a comma was added after "while you stay here". + +In Chapter XI, a period was changed to a question mark after "try to +influence the girl". + +In Chapter XII, a comma was added after "though far from likely", and +"Still you have made a few changes lately" was changed to "Still, you +have made a few changes lately". + +In Chapter XIII, "Thomas Ormsgills could only offer her them" was +changed to "Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them". + +In Chapter XIV, "The Commandant or Chefe as he was usually called" was +changed to "The Commandant, or Chefe as he was usually called". + +In Chapter XV, a period was changed to a comma after "I have to say", +and also after "I will see to it", and "until Dom Luix turns up" was +changed to "until Dom Luiz turns up". + +In Chapter XVI, a quotation mark was added after "stands without the +correction", "and they recognizing it" was changed to "and they, +recognizing it", "Ormsgill who had already stationed his sentries +extinguished" was changed to "Ormsgill, who had already stationed his +sentries, extinguished" and a comma was changed to a period after "stir +the invisible trees". + +In Chapter XVIII, a comma was added after "as he now and then laughingly +admitted". + +In Chapter XIX, "'It is', he continued tranquilly" was changed to "'It +is,' he continued tranquilly", and a comma was added after "where the +messenger Pacheco is". + +In Chapter XXI, a comma was added after "climbing a low elevation". + +In Chapter XXIII, a comma was changed to a period after "changed the +subject abruptly", "one thing I am axious about" was changed to "one +thing I am anxious about", and "an intrument which resembles" was +changed to "an instrument which resembles". + +In Chapter XXIV, commas were added around "who swung in a hammock hung +low beneath her awnings", "one of two of the questions which then +troubled that country" was changed to "one or two of the questions which +then troubled that country", and a misformed quotation mark was fixed +after "I think". + +In Chapter XXV, a comma was added after "whose presence promised to +complicate affairs", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It's +probably just as well". + +In Chapter XXXII, a comma was changed to a period after "twinkle still +in his eyes", "the gauntess of his frame" was changed to "the gauntness +of his frame", and a quotation mark was deleted before "I have known it +all along." + +The punctuation in the original edition was erratic and often +ungrammatical, and many words were spelled inconsistently. Corrections +have been made where the author's intent seemed clear, or where the +original text was clearly incorrect or particularly confusing. Oddities +that did not affect the correctness or readability of the text have been +retained. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONG ODDS*** + + +******* This file should be named 39019-8.txt or 39019-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/0/1/39019 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Long Odds</p> +<p>Author: Harold Bindloss</p> +<p>Release Date: March 1, 2012 [eBook #39019]<br /> +Most recently updated: May 6, 2012</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONG ODDS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Steven desJardins<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="396" height="600" alt="cover of Long Odds" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<h1>LONG ODDS</h1> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"> +<img src="images/image-1.jpg" width="360" height="575" alt="He watched her go down the stairway." title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"He watched her go down the stairway."—<a href="#stairway">See page +279.</a></p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p class="center bigtext">LONG ODDS</p> + +<p class="center">By<br /><span class="bigtext">HAROLD BINDLOSS</span></p> + +<p class="center smalltext">AUTHOR OF "ALTON OF SOMASCO," "THE CATTLE-BARON'S +DAUGHTER," "THE MISTRESS OF BONAVENTURE," +"WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE," "DELILAH OF +THE SNOWS," ETC.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 237px;"> +<img src="images/logo.png" width="237" height="325" alt="SCIRE QVOD SCIENDVM" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">BOSTON<br /> +SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY<br /> +1908</p> + +<p class="center smalltext"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1908, by</span><br /> +SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY<br /> +(INCORPORATED)</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum smalltext">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="chapname smalltext"> </td> +<td class="chappage smalltext">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">I</td> +<td class="chapname">Thomas Ormsgill</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">II</td> +<td class="chapname">Restitution</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">III</td> +<td class="chapname">His Own People</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IV</td> +<td class="chapname">The Summons</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">44</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">V</td> +<td class="chapname">A Determined Man</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VI</td> +<td class="chapname">Desmond makes an Admission</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VII</td> +<td class="chapname">Ormsgill keeps his Word</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">86</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VIII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Bondswoman</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">97</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IX</td> +<td class="chapname">Anita becomes a Responsibility</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">108</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">X</td> +<td class="chapname">Ormsgill asks a Favor</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XI</td> +<td class="chapname">Desmond ventures a Hint</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">129</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XII</td> +<td class="chapname">Lister offers Satisfaction</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIII</td> +<td class="chapname">His Beneficent Influence</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">152</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIV</td> +<td class="chapname">Herrero's Imprudence</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">165</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XV</td> +<td class="chapname">Nares counts the Cost</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">176</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVI</td> +<td class="chapname">Negro Diplomacy</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Ambuscade</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">201</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVIII</td> +<td class="chapname">Dom Clemente looks on</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">213</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIX</td> +<td class="chapname">The Delayed Message</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">225</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XX</td> +<td class="chapname">Desmond goes Ashore</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">237</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXI</td> +<td class="chapname">On the Beach</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">250</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXII</td> +<td class="chapname">Under Stress</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">264</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Slackening of Restraint</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">280</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIV</td> +<td class="chapname">Benicia makes a Bargain</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">294</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXV</td> +<td class="chapname">Domingo appears</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">307</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVI</td> +<td class="chapname">The Day of Reckoning</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">320</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVII</td> +<td class="chapname">An Error of Judgment</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">332</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVIII</td> +<td class="chapname">The Chefe stands Fast</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">344</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIX</td> +<td class="chapname">Dom Clemente strikes</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">356</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXX</td> +<td class="chapname">Ormsgill bears the Test</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">369</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXI</td> +<td class="chapname">On his Trial</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">381</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXII</td> +<td class="chapname">Benicia undertakes an Obligation</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">392</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LONG_ODDS" id="LONG_ODDS"></a>LONG ODDS</h2> + +<h2 class="chapterone"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THOMAS ORMSGILL</span></h2> + + +<p>It was towards the middle of a sweltering afternoon when Commandant +Dom Erminio roused himself to wakefulness as he lay in his Madeira +chair on the veranda of Fort San Roque, which stands beside a muddy +river of Western Africa. As a rule Dom Erminio slept all the +afternoon, which was not astonishing, since there was very little else +for him to do, and if there had been he would conscientiously have +refrained from doing it as long as possible. It is also very probable +that any other intelligent white man similarly circumstanced would +have been glad to spend part, at least, of the weary day in merciful +oblivion. San Roque is one of the hottest places in Africa, which is +saying a good deal, and at night a sour white steam, heavy with the +exhalations of putrefaction, rises from the muddy river. They usually +bring the white man who breathes them fever of one or several kinds, +while even if he endures them scatheless the steamy heat melts the +vigor out of him, and the black dejection born of it and the monotony +crushes his courage down. San Roque is scorched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> with pitiless +sunshine during part of the year, but it is walled in by never-lifting +shadow, for all round the dark forest creeps close up to it.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon in question the Commandant's rest was prematurely +broken, because his dusky major-domo had not had the basket chair +placed where it would remain in shadow, and a slanting shaft of +sunlight struck hotly upon the sleeper's face. A dull throbbing sound +also crept softly out of the heavy stillness, and it was a sound which +usually promised at least an hour or two's distraction. Dom Erminio +recognized it as the thud of canoe paddles, and sat upright in his +chair looking about him drowsily, a little, haggard, yellow-faced man +in white uniform, with claw-like hands whose fingers-ends were stained +by tobacco. He lived remote from even such civilization as may be met +with on the coast of Western Africa, with a handful of black soldiers +and one white companion, distinctly on sufferance, since the fever and +certain tribesmen who showed signs of resenting the white men's +encroachments might at any time snuff him out. He was, however, of +Iberian extraction, and it was characteristic of him that he did not +concern himself greatly about the possibility of such a catastrophe or +consider it worth while to take any steps to avert it which he might +perhaps have done.</p> + +<p>As he glanced round he saw the straggling line of stockade which was +falling down in places, for, being what he was, it had not occurred to +him to mend it; the black soldiers' thatched quarters; and the +ramshackle residency, which was built in part of wood and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> in part of +well rammed mud. Beyond them rose the forest, black and mysterious, +cleft by the river's dazzling pathway, and a faint look of +anticipation crept into Dom Erminio's eyes as the thud of paddles grew +louder. The river was one stage of the road to civilization, and he +could not quite give up the hope that certain political friends in his +own country would remember him some day. Then his look of interest +died away, for it became evident from the beat of paddles that the +occupants of the approaching canoe were traveling faster than any one +in the Government service usually thought it worth while to do. +Besides that, the Government's messengers were not addicted to +traveling at all in the heat of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, with a wave of his unlighted cigarette which was +vaguely expressive of resignation, "it is the Englishman Ormsgill or +the American missionary. Perhaps, by a special misfortune, it may be +both of them."</p> + +<p>His companion, who leaned upon the balustrade, nodded, for Englishmen +and Americans are not held in great esteem in that country, nor are +missionaries of any kind. They see too much, and some of them report +it afterwards, which, when now and then the outer world pricks up its +ears in transient interest or indignation, is apt to make trouble for +everybody. Still, the Lieutenant Luiz was a lethargic man and a +philosopher in his way, so he said nothing, though he waved the comely +brown-skinned girl who had been sitting near him back into the house. +There was, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> least, no occasion to provide a weapon for the enemy, +and Marietta had made several attempts to run away lately.</p> + +<p>Commandant Erminio smiled approvingly. "What one suspects does not +count," he said. "In this land of the shadow one suspects everything +and everybody. There are even envious and avaricious men on the coast +down yonder who fling aspersions at me."</p> + +<p>If Lieutenant Luiz had been an Englishman he would probably have +grinned, but he was too dignified a gentleman to do anything of that +kind, though there was a faint twinkle in his languid dark eyes. Then +a canoe swung into sight round a bend, and slid on towards the landing +with wet paddles flashing dazzlingly. Four almost naked negroes swung +them, but another man, who wore white duck and a wide gray hat also +plied a dripping blade just clear of the awning astern, which was a +very unusual thing in that region.</p> + +<p>"It is certainly the Englishman Ormsgill," said Dom Erminio. "That is +a man the fever cannot kill, which is, perhaps, a pity." Then he waved +his cigarette again. "Still, it is possible that Headman Domingo will +settle with him some day."</p> + +<p>The canoe slid up to the pile-bound bank, and the two white men who +got out strode towards the residency, which was characteristic, since +on a day of that kind an Iberian would certainly have sauntered. The +first of them was tall, and thinner even than most white men are who +have had the flesh melted from them in tropical Africa. His face was +hollow, though he was apparently only some thirty years of age,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> but +it was the face of a strong-willed man, and there was a certain +suggestion of optimism in it and his eyes, which was singularly +unusual in the case of a man who had spent several years in that +country. Even nature is malignant there, and man is steeped in lust +and avarice and cruelty, but in spite of this Watson Nares was an +optimist as well as an American medical missionary.</p> + +<p>He returned the Commandant's greeting, which was punctiliously +courteous, and sitting down in the chair a negro brought for him, +waited until his companion, who had turned to give an order to the +canoe boys, came up. The latter was of average height, a strongly +built man of about the missionary's age, with a brick red face, fair +hair thinned by fever, and wrinkles about his gray eyes. They were +steady, observant eyes, though a half-cynical, half-whimsical twinkle +crept into them now and then, as it did when he glanced towards the +Commandant. The latter would have clapped his shoulder, but he avoided +the effusive greeting with a certain quiet tactfulness which was usual +with him.</p> + +<p>"The padre and I are going back to the concession," he said in +Portuguese. "If you have any hammock boys we would like to borrow +them."</p> + +<p>The Commandant said that this was unfortunately not the case. Two of +his carriers had dysentery, and another a guinea worm in his leg; and +there was only the little twinkle in Ormsgill's eyes to show that he +did not believe him.</p> + +<p>"Besides," said Lieutenant Luiz, "the country is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> not safe. There is a +rumor that the Abbatava men are watching the lower road."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed, though he fancied that Dom Erminio had flashed a +quick glance at his subordinate before the latter spoke.</p> + +<p>"Still, I scarcely think the Abbatava people will trouble me, and in +any case some of them would be sorry if they did," he said. "Well, +since you have no carriers we will get on again. It is a long way to +the concession, and Lamartine is very ill. I brought up the padre to +see if he could do anything for him."</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio shrugged his shoulders. "It is a wasted effort, which is a +thing to be regretted in this land, where an effort is difficult to +make. Lamartine has been ill too often, and if he is ill again he will +certainly die. As you have heard, the bushmen are in an unsettled +state, and there are several sick men here. It is, perhaps, convenient +that the Señor Nares should stay at San Roque."</p> + +<p>He made a little suggestive gesture which seemed to indicate that the +road was unsafe, turning towards his subordinate as though for +confirmation, but once more Ormsgill fancied there was a warning in +his glance.</p> + +<p>"Of a surety!" said the Lieutenant Luiz. "Lamartine is probably not +alive by now. Still, if the Señor Nares insists on going it is well +that he should take the higher road."</p> + +<p>In the meantime the canoe boys had unrolled a canvas hammock and +lashed it to its pole. Nares stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> up as they approached the veranda +stairway with the pole upon their wooly crowns.</p> + +<p>"I will come back and look at your sick," he said. "We have only the +one hammock, Ormsgill."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled. "There is nothing very wrong with my feet, and I +haven't had a dose of fever for some time. It isn't your fault that +you have one now."</p> + +<p>He made the two officers a little inclination as he took off his hat, +and Nares, who shook hands with them, crawled into his hammock. He, at +least, had the fever every two or three months or so. Then the boys +struck up a marching song as they swung away with their burden into +the steamy shadow, and the Commandant leaned on the balustrade +listening with a little dry smile until the crackle of trampled +undergrowth and sighing refrain died away.</p> + +<p>"When one desires to encourage such men it is generally wise to point +out the difficulties," he said. "One would fancy that they were fond +of them, especially the Señor Ormsgill, who is of the kind the customs +of this world make rebels of."</p> + +<p>"And the other?" asked Lieutenant Luiz, who had, not without reason, a +respect for the wisdom of his superior. He had found that it was, in +some ways at least, warranted.</p> + +<p>The Commandant lighted his cigarette, and watched the first smoke +wreath float straight up into the stagnant air. "He would be a martyr. +It is a desire that is incomprehensible to you and me, but there are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +others besides him who seem to cherish it—and in this land of the +devil opportunities of satisfying it are generally offered them."</p> + +<p>He looked at Lieutenant Luiz, and once more the latter's face relaxed +into the nearest approach to a grin his sense of dignity allowed. One +could have fancied there was an understanding of some kind between the +men.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Nares' bearers were plodding down a two-foot trail +walled in by thorny underbrush and festoons of as thorny creepers that +flowed down in tangled luxuriance between the towering cottonwood +trunks. There was dim shade all about them, and the atmosphere was +like that of a Turkish bath, steamy and almost insufferably hot, only +that there was in it something which checked instead of accelerated +the cooling perspiration. Now and then the bearers gasped, and +Ormsgill's face was flushed as he walked beside the hammock.</p> + +<p>"We should get through by to-morrow night if we take the lower road," +he said. "I believe that would be advisable, though I'm not quite sure +of it. At least, it's the nearer one, and Lamartine was going down +hill very fast when I left him. In fact, he sent two of the boys to +the Mission for Father Tiebout. In one way, the thing's a trifle +invidious, but, you see, Lamartine is of his persuasion."</p> + +<p>Nares smiled. "I'm to have the care of his body, and Father Tiebout of +his soul. Well, we have fought as allies on those terms before, and I +guess I don't mind."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>"You're quite sure? After all, in one way, the soul of Lamartine would +be something of a trophy."</p> + +<p>The American looked up at him with a faint kindling in his eyes. +"Tiebout has so many to his credit—and he could afford to spare me +this one. Still, at least, I can heal the body, if I am called in in +time."</p> + +<p>"Which is a good deal. Especially in a land where it is singularly +difficult to believe that men have souls at all."</p> + +<p>Nares shook his head. "If I didn't feel quite so played out I'd take +your challenge up," he said. "Guess we'll join issue on that point +another time. You mentioned once or twice that Lamartine was very +sick?"</p> + +<p>"There's about one chance in twenty we get there before he's dead. +It's one of the reasons I'm taking the lower road. It's the nearest."</p> + +<p>It was characteristic that Ormsgill did not state that it was also one +of the reasons he had traveled for four days and most of four nights +under an enervating heat. Lamartine was an alien of dubious character, +and in some respects distinctly uncongenial habits, but Ormsgill had +not spared himself to give his comrade that one chance for his life.</p> + +<p>"Didn't Lieutenant Luiz' recommendation count?" asked Nares.</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill, reflectively. "I don't think it did. At least, +not as he meant it to, though I've been trying to worry out what he +did mean exactly. One thing's certain. He wasn't prompted by any +solicitude for our safety. You see, he might have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> been counting on my +distrust of him, or my usual obstinacy, and wanted me to take the +higher road after all. Or he may have been playing another game. I +don't know. That's why we'll take the nearest way and not worry. When +you're in doubt, it's generally wisest to do the obvious thing."</p> + +<p>Nares made a little drowsy gesture of concurrence. "Straight to the +mark—and you get there now and then. At least, it can't be the wrong +path—and if one doesn't finish the journey it's only a falling out by +the way. A good many of us have done that in this country."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing. He had somewhere buried deep in him a vague, +unformulated faith which, however, seldom found expression of any kind +in words, and was tinged with a bitterness against all conventional +creeds, which was not altogether astonishing in the case of a man who +had lived as he had done in the dark land. Still, he had traveled four +days and nights to bring his sick comrade the assistance he felt would +arrive too late and now, when he dragged himself along dead weary +through the steamy shade, he had reasons for surmising that there was +peril somewhere down the winding trail.</p> + +<p>Nares was asleep when they passed the forking and held on by the lower +road, and Ormsgill did not tell the boys that he had seen a huddled +black figure lying a few yards back among the undergrowth. He did not +even stop to look at it. Labor is in demand in that country, and when +it is supplied by a dusky contractor who collects the raw material in +the bush<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> the unfortunate who sickens on the long march from the +interior usually dies. Transport on the human head makes provisions +costly in a devastated country, and it is not economy to feed a man +who will bring one nothing in. A white man, as everybody knows, may +not own or sell a slave in any part of Africa under European control, +but he must have labor, and there are in practice ways of getting over +the obvious difficulty. They are not ways which are discussed openly, +and, so far as one can ascertain, are by no means satisfactory to the +negro for whose benefit they are sometimes said to be devised. In +this, and a few other matters, the negro's opinion is not, however, +deferred to. It is his particular business to gather rubber for the +white man and grow his cocoa, and the fact that he is not as a rule +content to recognize this obligation is very seldom taken into +consideration.</p> + +<p>It had been dark two hours, and the bearers could go no further +without a rest, when Ormsgill camped on a ridge beneath tall tufted +palms at least a hundred yards from the trail. There was a reason for +this, and also for the fact that he allowed no fires to be made, +though of all things the negro loves a cheerful blaze. The powers of +evil are very real to him, which is by no means astonishing +considering the land he lives in. The boys sat huddled about the empty +hammock among the palms, while the two white men lay upon a waterproof +ground sheet some fifty yards apart from them and nearer the trail. +Ormsgill had had very little sleep during the last four nights, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +he was very wide awake then, and a good magazine rifle, which had been +smuggled through San Roque without the Commandant's notice, lay across +his knees.</p> + +<p>He was listening intently, but could hear nothing except an occasional +rustling among the creepers and the heavy splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nor could he see very much, for though here and there a star +shown down between the towering trunks, a sour white steam hung almost +a man's height about the dripping undergrowth. Save for the splash of +moisture it was so still that Nares, with imagination quickened by the +tension the fever had laid upon his nerves, could almost fancy he +could hear things growing. The growth, at least was characteristic of +the country in that it was untrammeled, luxuriant, and destructive +rather than beneficent. Orchids and parasites sucked the life blood +from the trees, and throve upon their ruin; creepers strangled them +and tore them down half-rotten. It was a mad, cruel struggle for +existence, and Ormsgill, whose hot hands were clenched upon the rifle, +clearly recognized that man must take his part in it. As a matter of +fact, he was not averse to doing so. There was a vein of combativeness +in him, and circumstances had hitherto usually forced him well to the +front when there was trouble anywhere in his vicinity.</p> + +<p>What he and Nares talked about was of no particular consequence. They +were men whose inner thoughts only became apparent now and then, and +their conversation largely concerned the merits of certain Congolese +cigars. By and by, however, Nares<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> stopped abruptly, as a hand that +evidently did not belong to his companion touched his arm, but it was +characteristic of him that he did not start. He looked round instead, +and saw an indistinct and shadowy figure rise out of the undergrowth. +It pointed up the trail, and Ormsgill, who seemed to listen for a +moment or two, nodded.</p> + +<p>"I really think Lieutenant Luiz meant us to take the other road," he +said. "That must be Domingo bringing down another drove, and as it is +evidently a big one it is just as well we didn't meet him on the +trail. Domingo doesn't like either of us, and he has been getting +truculent lately."</p> + +<p>Nares said nothing, and a faint patter of naked feet that grew +steadily louder crept out of the silence. It was dragging and +listless, the shuffle of weary and hopeless men; and it was evident +that the hammock boy who sank down again into the undergrowth close +beside Ormsgill was badly afraid. Five minutes later a shadowy figure +appeared among the trees below them where the mist was thinner, grew a +trifle plainer as it slipped across an opening and vanished again, but +there were others behind, and for several minutes a row of half-seen +men flitted by. Here and there one of them draped in white cotton +carried a flintlock gun, but the rest were half-naked, and last of all +a few plodded behind a lurching hammock. They went by without a sound +but the confused patter of weary feet upon the quaggy trail, and left +an impressive silence behind them when they plunged into the gloom +again.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>Then Ormsgill smiled grimly as he tapped the breech of his rifle.</p> + +<p>"If homicide is ever justifiable it would have been to-night," he +said. "One could hardly have missed that bulge in Domingo's hammock, +and the longing to drive a bullet through it was almost too much for +me."</p> + +<p>Nares made no attempt to rebuke him. "That man," he said, "is +permitted to be—one must suppose as part of a great purpose. The +mills of the gods grind slowly, but they do their work thoroughly."</p> + +<p>"It seems so," and Ormsgill laughed a little bitter laugh. "Anyway, +the stones are wet with blood, and a good many of us have passed +between them. One wonders now and then how long the downtrodden will +endure that terrible grinding."</p> + +<p>"It is for a time only. Day and night the cry goes up in many +tongues."</p> + +<p>"And the gods of the heathen cannot hear; and those of the white men +may, it seems, be propitiated by masses in the cathedral and stained +windows bought with cocoa and rubber dividends. Well, one must try to +believe that Domingo's laborers enlisted for the purpose of being +taught agriculture by the white men of their own free will. At least, +that is the comfortable assurance usually furnished the civilized +powers, and as they have their own little problems to grapple with +they complacently shut one eye. I only wonder how many played-out +niggers' throats Domingo has cut on the way. In the meanwhile, +Lamartine is dying, and we may as well get on again."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>He called to the hammock boys, who still seemed afraid, and in another +five minutes the little party was once more floundering onwards +through the silence of the steamy bush.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<span class="smalltext">RESTITUTION</span></h2> + + +<p>Darkness had closed down suddenly on the forest, but it was hotter +than ever in the primitively furnished general room of Lamartine's +house, where the lamp further raised the already almost insupportable +temperature. There was also a deep, impressive silence in the bush +that shut the rickety dwelling in, though now and then the sound of a +big drop splashing upon a quivering leaf came in through the open +window with startling distinctness. Lamartine, the French trader, was +dead, and had been buried that afternoon, as was customary, within an +hour or two after the breath has left his body. His career, like that +of most men in his business, had not been a very exemplary one, but he +had, at least, now and then shown that he possessed certain somewhat +fantastic and elementary notions of ethics, which he was in the habit +of alluding to as his code of honor. It was, as Father Tiebout, who +had once or twice given him spiritual advice when he was very sick of +fever, admitted, a rather indifferent one, but very few white men in +that country had any code at all, and, as the good padre said, it was +possible that too much would not be expected from any one who had +lived in that forest long.</p> + +<p>In any case, Lamartine had gone to answer for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> deeds that he had +done, and the three men who had buried him and had constituted +themselves his executors sat about his little table with the +perspiration dripping from them. There was Nares, gaunt and +hollow-faced, weak from fever and worn with watching; Father Tiebout, +the Belgian priest, little, and also haggard; and Ormsgill, the +gray-eyed, brown-faced Englishman, who sat looking at them with set +lips and furrowed forehead. Their creeds were widely different, but +men acquire a certain wide toleration in the land of the shadow, where +it is exceedingly difficult to believe in any thing beyond the +omnipotence of evil.</p> + +<p>It was, perhaps, characteristic that it was the priest who tore up +certain papers Ormsgill had selected from the pile upon the table.</p> + +<p>"I do not think that anything would be gained by allowing them to come +under the notice of the authorities," he said. "I am not sure that +they might not consider they invalidated the trifling bequest to the +Mission, which with good management should enable us to rescue a few +more of the heathen."</p> + +<p>"A very few!" and Ormsgill smiled. "The market's stiff now Domingo has +practically a monopoly as purveyor. Converts will be dearer. One +understands that you buy most of yours."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout's eyes twinkled good-humoredly. "One must use the means +available, and it is, at least, something if we can save their bodies. +But to proceed, our companion will agree with me that repentance must +be followed by restitution or reparation. In the case of the friend we +have buried one must take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> the will for the deed, and the will was +there. Restitution may also be efficacious if it is vicarious. As you +know, it was the thought of the woman from the interior that most +troubled Lamartine."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill glanced at Nares, for both had heard some, at least, of the +dying man's words on that subject, but for a time the American looked +straight in front of him. Then he turned to Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"He seemed to expect you to make that restitution for him. Tell us +what you know. Most of it will not be news to Father Tiebout, but I +haven't his advantages."</p> + +<p>"The affair is easily understood. Lamartine bought the girl from the +man who ran the labor supply business before Domingo. She was +decidedly good-looking, a pretty warm brown in color, and had the most +intelligent eyes I've ever seen in an African. The curious thing is +that I believe Lamartine was genuinely fond of her. In any case, he +was furious when one of the boys laid what looked like very conclusive +evidence of her unfaithfulness before him. He meant to administer the +usual penalty."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout made a little gesture. "Ah," he said, "these things +happen. One can only protest."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "as you know, they didn't in this case. I +nearly broke his wrist, but I took the pistol from him. You see, I +rather believed in the girl's innocence. Lamartine compromised the +thing by handing her on to Herrero—though he would take no money for +her. He had, as he was rather fond of mentioning, his code of honor. +There was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> trying scene when Herrero sent for her. The girl flung +herself down and clung to Lamartine's knees. It seemed she was fond of +the man, and didn't want to go away, which was, as it happens, wise of +her. Though she was probably not aware of this, Herrero trains the +women who take his fancy with the whip."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment and glared at Nares. "I have no doubt the padre +knows the rest. Lamartine found out not long ago that the boy had +lied, and remembered a little too late that Herrero would in all +probability beat the girl to death in one of his outbreaks. He made +him a very tempting offer if he would send her back, but Herrero +apparently wanted to keep her, and while negotiations were in progress +Lamartine fell sick. I naturally don't know what he told the padre, +but he once or twice assured me that if he knew she could be sent back +safe to her people in the bush he would die more contentedly. In fact, +improbable as it may seem in this country, the thing was worrying him +badly."</p> + +<p>It was significant that Nares, who was something of an optimist, +appeared by his expression to consider the fact that such a thing +should have troubled Lamartine very improbable indeed, but Father +Tiebout smiled contemplatively. His profession gave him, as had been +suggested, advantages which Nares did not enjoy, and he was a wise man +in his way.</p> + +<p>"Lamartine," he said, "desired to make restitution—but to do it in +his own person was not permitted him."</p> + +<p>Then he turned, and sat still with his eyes fixed on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> Ormsgill, as +though waiting. It was, in fact, an occupation he was accustomed to, +for one who would see the result of his efforts must as a rule wait a +long while in Africa.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill met his gaze thoughtfully, with steady gray eyes, and it was +a moment or two before he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Whether a vicarious reparation will be of any benefit to the soul of +Lamartine I naturally do not know," he said. "It is enough for me that +he and the padre seemed to fancy it might be, and, as it happens, I +owe Lamartine a good deal. This is why I practically promised to +undertake his responsibility. I am not sure that either of you know I +first arrived in this Colony trimming coal among the niggers in a +steamer's stokehold."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout made a little gesture with his hands which seemed to +imply that there was very little he was not acquainted with, and +Ormsgill went on—</p> + +<p>"Still, I do not think you know I was quietly compelled to abandon the +service of a British Colony for a fault I never committed. My friends +at home very naturally turned against me. I had brought them +discredit—and it did not matter greatly whether I was guilty. How I +made a living afterwards along this coast does not concern you; but I +went down in one sense as far as a white man may, and the struggle has +left a mark that will never quite come out on me. Still, I met with +kindness from other outcasts and benighted heathen, as one usually +does from the outcast and the trodden on, and, when I was flung ashore +after nearly pounding the life out of a brutal second<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> engineer, +Lamartine, who had gone down to the coast on business, held out a hand +to me. As I said, I feel that I owe him a little."</p> + +<p>He stopped for a moment with a little grim smile. "Herrero has gone +South somewhere, taking the girl with him, but if she is alive I think +I can promise that he will give her up. After that it would not be so +very difficult to send her back to where she comes from in the bush."</p> + +<p>"For the repose of the soul of Lamartine!" and Nares glanced at Father +Tiebout, with a challenge in his eyes.</p> + +<p>The little priest's gesture seemed to imply that he declined to be +drawn into a controversy, and it was Ormsgill who answered the +American.</p> + +<p>"To discharge a debt—among other reasons—and as a protest. I have +been driven to exhaustion myself more than once. Have you any hope at +all to offer these African people, I mean in this world, padre?"</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled. "Yes," he said simply. "One does what one can, +and waits patiently. How long, I do not know, but slowly or suddenly, +in our time, or in the time of these people's children, the change +will come."</p> + +<p>He looked at Nares, the man of action, who bore with waiting ill, and +he, flushed with fever, laid a hand that was clenched hard upon the +table.</p> + +<p>"You expect them to endure to the second generation. I tell you that +they are forging spears in the interior now. A little more, and they +will come down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> and wipe out every bush mission and garrison, and can +we blame them, who stand by and tolerate the abominable traffic in +black men's souls and bodies? There was more excuse for the old-time +slavery. Horrible as it would be, one could almost welcome the +catastrophe which would force the outside world to recognize what +white men are doing here."</p> + +<p>There were, perhaps, men in the outside world who knew it already, and +could suggest no remedy. After all, labor is essential to the +prosperity of any African colony, and while in some which are ruled as +justly as circumstances permit the negro is offered wages for his +services, and can go home with his earnings when he likes, there are +others where more drastic measures are adopted. There the labor +purveyor collects the white man's servants in the bush, and it is not +the business of the Administration to inquire whether they are +prisoners of war or have been sold by their friends. They are bound +down to toil for a term of years, and if they die off during it few +troublesome questions are asked. The African climate is an unhealthy +one, as everybody knows.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile neither of Nares' companions said anything for a +space. They were thinking of the same thing, each in his own way, +while the dense steamy blackness of the African night shut them in. +Ormsgill, who had been driven until the sweat of anguished effort +dripped from him, wondered vaguely what a man with brains and nerve +and money might do on the negroes' behalf in spite of the opposition +of a corrupt administration. The priest was also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> wondering how much +he could accomplish with Lamartine's bequest, very little of which +would, however, in all probability, be allowed to remain in his hands, +though he knew that it would in any case not go very far, for he was +one who recognized that the new beneficent order must be evolved +slowly, here a little and there a little, with other men to carry out +what he had begun. Father Tiebout seldom rode a tilt at +impossibilities, as Nares and Ormsgill occasionally did. He was a wise +man, and knew the world too well. At last Nares made a little gesture +of weariness.</p> + +<p>"Well, the thing may happen, but that hardly concerns us in the +meanwhile, and our work here is done. I wonder if you remember that +you haven't read the letters Father Tiebout brought up, Ormsgill?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill had, as it happened, quite forgotten them. He had arrived +worn out with a long and hasty journey, and Nares and he had then kept +close watch beside his comrade's bed. When at last their watch was +over there was still much to be done, and now for the first time he +had leisure to open the packet the priest had handed him. He took out +a stiff blue envelope with an English postmark, and gazed at it heavy +eyed and vacantly before he broke the cover. Then he slowly +straightened himself in his chair, and incredulity gave place to +bewilderment as he read the letter he shook out. Lamartine's death had +left him an outcast and one obnoxious to constituted authority again. +Five minutes ago he had not known what his next step would be, but the +stiff legal writing held out before him dazzling possibilities. Then +he laid down the let<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>ter, and turned to his companions with a curious +little laugh.</p> + +<p>"The thing is almost incredible," he said. "A man who I was told would +never forgive the discredit I brought upon the family has died in +England and left me what looks very like a fortune. The other letters +may bear upon it. You'll excuse me."</p> + +<p>They watched him in silence for ten minutes, and there was a faint +flush in his bronzed face when he quietly rose and took out a +photograph from a little tin box.</p> + +<p>"Padre," he said, "you are the wisest man I know, and, though +distinctions are invidious, Nares is, I think, the honestest. That is +why I am going to put a case before you. Well, I had a good +upbringing, and I think my English friends expected something from me +before I was flung out of the British service and became a pariah. +After that I never troubled them again, which was no doubt a cause of +satisfaction to everybody. There was, however, a thing I had to do +which was not easy, and this picture should make it clear to you. It +was arranged that we should be married when I had brought my laurels +home from Africa."</p> + +<p>He handed Nares the photograph. "When I was made a scapegoat I gave +her back her liberty. It is now intimated that she has not so far +profited by it."</p> + +<p>Nares bent over the portrait of a young and very comely English girl, +and saw only the fresh, innocent face, and the smiling eyes. Then he +handed it to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> little haggard priest, who had a deeper +understanding, and saw a good deal more than that.</p> + +<p>"It is a beautiful face," he said when Father Tiebout had gazed at it +steadily, but the latter said nothing, and turned towards Ormsgill, as +though still ready to give him his attention, which he seemed to +understand.</p> + +<p>"It is more than four years since I saw her, and I have spent them +with the outcasts," he said. "You can realize what effect that has +upon one, padre. The stamp this country sets on the white man is plain +on you, but you have not lived here as I have been forced to do. Well, +I think the woman is still the same, and I have greatly changed. I do +not know my duty."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout sat silent for at least a minute, looking reflectively +at the man before him. Ormsgill was young still, but his lean face was +furrowed, and there was a suggestiveness in the lines on it. He had +seen death and pestilence, human nature stripped naked, and +unmentionable cruelty; and the priest was quite aware that one cannot +live with the outcast, in Africa, and remain unchanged. Then he looked +at the photograph again, for he knew that the four years had also had +their effect upon the woman.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, "we all grow, some towards the beneficent light, and +some in the blighting shadow. The training and the pruning we are +subjected to also has its effect. Her people?"</p> + +<p>"I almost think you would consider them children of this world," said +Ormsgill dryly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>"And you have been left a good deal of money?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill told him what the amount was, and once more the priest said +nothing for awhile. Quiet and unobtrusive as he was, he never forgot +that he was one of the vanguard of the Church militant, and was ready +to use with skill any weapon that was offered him. It was also +necessary to thrust hard now and then, and he knew that in his hands +the man who had lived with the outcast and the oppressed would prove a +reliable blade. Ormsgill, as he recognized, had capacities. Still, his +counsel had been asked, and he would answer honestly, knowing that he +could afford to do it if his knowledge of human nature, and the girl's +face, had not deceived him. After all, he fancied, whatever he said +the result would be the same, and he was playing a skillful game of +which the stakes were black men's bodies, and, perhaps, human souls.</p> + +<p>"With a sum like that there is so much that one could do," he said. +"With discretion—you understand—here and there a little. Domingo put +down, women dying at their tasks redeemed and enfolded in the shelter +of the Mission, men with brutal masters set at liberty, and +concessions where they are driven to death suppressed. One could also +bring about a reckoning with corrupt authority. When admonition is of +no service one may try the scourge."</p> + +<p>He saw the little glint in Ormsgill's eyes, and made a deprecatory +gesture with his hands. "Still, you have asked for counsel, and you +have another duty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> With us marriage is not a social contract, and the +promise that precedes it is almost as sacred. You are pledged to this +Englishwoman if she has not released you, and that you are changed +will not matter if she loves you. It is your duty to go back to her."</p> + +<p>Nares looked up and nodded. "Of course!" he said. "You must go."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's forehead was furrowed, and the perspiration stood in beads +on it. The love that had driven him out to win his spurs in the land +of shadow still in some degree, at least, remained with him; but he +was conscious of the change in him which the girl with her upbringing +might well shrink from. He had lived with the outcasts until he had +become one of them, a hater of conventional formulas and shams, while +there had crept into his nature a trace of the somberness of the dark +land. What, he wondered, would the sunny-tempered English girl he had +left make of such a man. Still, as the priest had said, his duty was +clear, and, what was perhaps more, his inclination marched with it. He +straightened himself suddenly with a little resolute jerk of his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I will start for the coast to-morrow, and go to Grand Canary," he +said. "As it happens, she is there now with her people. Still, before +I go, padre, I will arrange with the casa Sarraminho to hand you the +equivalent of £200 sterling. With that you can buy the liberty of the +woman Lamartine gave Herrero, and use what is left over as you and +Nares think fit. If Herrero will not part with her, or you find the +thing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> too difficult, I will come back for a while and undertake it +myself. After all, it is my affair. I owe it to Lamartine."</p> + +<p>Then he took the little photograph and replaced it in the tin box, +after which he walked quietly past them and out of the room while, +when they heard him go down the veranda stairway, Father Tiebout +looked at his companion with a curious smile.</p> + +<p>"Four years!" he said. "It is a space in a woman's lifetime, and every +year leaves its mark on us. It is decreed that we must grow, but we do +not all grow the same."</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Ormsgill stood in the little compound with the sour +white steam drifting past him. The forest rose out of it, a great +black wall, and its hot, damp smell was in his nostrils. It was a +heady savor, for something that goes with the smell of the wilderness +sinks deep into the hearts of those who once allow it to enter, and is +always afterwards a cause of disquietude and restlessness to some of +them. Ormsgill had had his endurance and all the courage he was born +with taxed to the uttermost in that steamy shade, but now when he was +about to leave it he found the smell of its tall white lilies and the +acrid odors of corruption stirring and shaking him. At last, with a +little jerk of his shoulders, which was a trick he had acquired from +Lamartine, he turned and went back to the lighted room again.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HIS OWN PEOPLE</span></h2> + + +<p>The velvet dusk that crept up from the eastwards was held in check by +the brightening flood of moonlight on the sea when Ormsgill leaned on +the balustrade of the veranda outside the <i>Hotel Catalina</i> in Grand +Canary. Close in front of him the long Atlantic swell broke upon the +hammered beach with a drowsy rumbling, and flung a pungent freshness +into the listless air, for the Trade breeze had fallen dead away. The +fringe of surf ran southwards beside the dim white road to where the +lights of Las Palmas blinked and twinkled in the shadow the great +black peaks flung out upon the sparkling sea.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, who had turned from its contemplation at the sound of a +voice he recognized, had, however, no longer any eyes for the +prospect. He had arrived on an African mail-boat two hours earlier, +and had somehow missed the girl whose voice had sent a little thrill +through him. She had, it seemed, gone in through one of the long, +lighted windows instead of by the door, but the horse she had just +dismounted from was still standing with another, which carried a man's +saddle, just below the veranda. Ormsgill could see that it was one of +the sorry beasts the Spaniards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> hire to Englishmen, but it was also +jaded and white with lather.</p> + +<p>"These English have no consideration," said the peon who held its +bridle, to a comrade. "This horse is old, but when I brought it here +it was not more than a very little lame. Now it is certain I cannot +hire it to anybody to-morrow. They were at Arucas, which for a horse +of this kind is a long way, but they came home by the barranco and +across the sand heaps at the gallop. The Señorita must not be late for +dinner. <i>Vaya!</i> it is a cruelty."</p> + +<p>The matter was, perhaps, not a great one in itself, but it had a +somewhat unpleasant effect upon Ormsgill, who knew that the Iberian is +not as a rule squeamish about any cruelty that the lust of gain +renders it necessary to inflict upon his beast. The horse, as he could +see, had certainly been ridden hard, and was very lame. The thing +jarred on him, and as he leaned on the veranda waiting until the +message he had left to announce his arrival should be delivered, a +scene he had looked upon in the dark land forced itself upon his +recollection. It was a line of jaded men staggering under the burdens +on their heads through an apparently interminable sea of scorched and +dusty grass. There was little water in that country at the season, and +they dragged themselves along, grimed with the fibrous dust, in +torments of thirst, with limbs that were reddened by the stabbing of +the flinty grass stems. Then rousing himself he drove the suggestive +vision from his brain and entered the hall of the big hotel.</p> + +<p>It blazed with light, there was music somewhere,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> and already +conventionally attired men and elaborately dressed women were +descending the stairway, and appearing by twos and threes from the +corridors. They were for the most part Englishmen and women, but +Ormsgill was a little astonished to feel that instead of arousing +sympathy their voices and bearing jarred on him. Their conversation +appeared to have no point in it, and their smiles were meaningless. +They seemed shallow and artificial, and he had lived at high pressure, +face to face with grim realities, in the land of the shadow. He stood +a little apart, quietly regarding them, a lonely figure in plain white +duck with a lined brown face, until a burly man in the conventional +black and white strode up to him.</p> + +<p>"I'm uncommonly glad to see you, Tom," he said. "Ada will be down in a +minute. I left her and her mother almost too startled to understand +that you had arrived. The man you gave your message to had just +brought it in. You should have let us know what boat you were sailing +by. But I mustn't keep you talking. You have just time to change your +things."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill shook hands with him, but was conscious of a lack of +enthusiasm as he did it that irritated him. He had once considered +Major Chillingham a very good fellow, but now there seemed to be +something wanting in his characteristic bluff geniality. Ormsgill +could not tell what it was, but he felt the lack of it.</p> + +<p>"I suppose there is," he said with a smile. "Still, you see, I haven't +anything to change into. In fact, my present outfit is a considerably +smarter one than the get-up I have been accustomed to dining in."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>Chillingham's gaze was at first expressive of blank astonishment, and +there was a sardonic gleam in Ormsgill's eyes. "You must try to +remember that I've got out of the way of wearing evening clothes. I +think I'd made it clear that I have been down in the depths the past +four years."</p> + +<p>His companion's red face flushed a trifle, but he laughed. "Well," he +said, "that's one of the things we needn't talk about, and I'm not +sure that everybody would be so ready to mention it." Then he drew +back a trifle. "Tom, you're greatly changed."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill nodded. "Yes," he said, "I dare say I am. In several ways the +thing's not unnatural."</p> + +<p>After that Chillingham discoursed about English affairs, and though it +appeared to cost him a slight effort Ormsgill made no attempt to help +him. He stood still, perfectly at his ease, but for all that conscious +that he was an anachronism in such surroundings, while the men and +women who smiled or nodded to his companion as they came into the hall +cast curious glances at him. This duck-clad man with the lined face +and steady eyes was clearly not of their world, which was, in the case +of most of them, an essentially frivolous one.</p> + +<p>At last he turned, and strode forward impulsively as the girl he +waited for came down the stairway in a filmy dress of lace-like +texture that rustled softly as it flowed about her. She was +brown-haired and brown-eyed, warm in coloring, and her face, which was +as comely as ever, had a certain hint of disdain in it. That, however, +did not strike Ormsgill then, for she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> flushed a little at the sight +of him, and laid a slim white hand in his.</p> + +<p>"Tom," she said, "I am very glad, but why didn't you cable? Still, you +must tell me afterwards. We are stopping the others, and mother is +waiting to speak to you."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was conscious of a faint relief as he turned to the tall lady +who stood beside the girl, imposing and formal in somber garments. The +meeting he had looked forward to with longing, and at the same time a +vague apprehension, was over. He had, he felt, been reinstated, +permitted to resume his former footing, and the manner of the elder +lady, which was quietly gracious, conveyed the same impression. Then +Mrs. Ratcliffe sent her brother, the Major, on to see that places were +kept for them together, and Ormsgill was thankful that the dinner +which was waiting would render any confidential conversation out of +the question for the next hour. He wanted time to adjust himself to +the changed conditions, for a man can not cut himself adrift from all +that he has been accustomed to and then resume his former life just as +he left it, especially if he has dwelt with the outcast in the +meanwhile.</p> + +<p>A chair had been placed for him between Ada Ratcliffe and her mother, +while Major Chillingham sat almost opposite him across the long table. +The glow of light, glitter of glass and silver, scent of flowers and +perfumes, and hum of voices had a curious effect on him after the +silence of the shadowy forest and the primitive fashion in which he +had lived with Lamar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>tine, and some minutes had passed before he +turned to the girl at his side.</p> + +<p>"I was a little astonished to hear that you were in Las Palmas," he +said.</p> + +<p>Ada Ratcliffe looked at him with a smile, and a slight lifting of her +brows. She was perfectly composed, and in one way he was glad of that, +though he vaguely felt that her attitude was not quite what he had +expected.</p> + +<p>"Astonished only?" she said. "As you would have had to change steamers +here and wait a few days it would probably have taken you two weeks +more to join us in England. At least, so the Major said."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill felt he had deserved this, for he had recognized the inanity +of the observation when he made it. It was evident that his companion +had recognized it, too. Still, it is difficult to express oneself +feelingly to order.</p> + +<p>"I should have said delighted," he ventured.</p> + +<p>The girl smiled again, and he felt that he had chosen an injudicious +word. "In any case, it isn't in the least astonishing that we are +here. It is becoming a recognized thing to come out to Las Palmas in +the winter, and I believe it is a good deal cheaper than Egypt or +Algeria. That is, of course, a consideration."</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," broke in the lady at her side. "When they are +always finding a new way to tax us in, and incomes persist in going +down. Tom is fortunate. It will scarcely be necessary for him to +trouble himself very much about such considerations."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill for the first time noticed the signs of care<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's face, and the wrinkles about her eyes. Neither had, he +fancied, been there when he had last seen her in England nearly five +years earlier, but the change in her was as nothing compared to that +in her daughter. Ada Ratcliffe was no longer a fresh and somewhat +simple-minded English girl. She was a self-possessed and dignified +woman of the world, but what else she might be he could not at the +moment tell. He blamed himself for the desire to ascertain it, since +he felt it was more fitting that he should accept her without question +as the embodiment of all that was adorable. Still, he could not do it. +The four years he had spent apart from her had given him too keen an +insight.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "there are people who believe that the possession of +even a very small fortune is something of a responsibility."</p> + +<p>"That," said Mrs. Ratcliffe, "is a mistake nowadays. There are so many +excellent organized charities ready to undertake one's duties for one. +They are in a position to discharge them so much more efficiently."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill did not reply to this, though there was a faint sardonic +twinkle in his eyes. He was not, as a rule, addicted to passing on a +responsibility, but he remembered then that he had handed a little +Belgian priest £200 to carry out a duty that had been laid on him. The +fact that he had done so vaguely troubled him. Mrs. Ratcliffe, +however, went on again.</p> + +<p>"One of the disadvantages of living here is the number of invalids one +is thrown into contact with,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> she said. "I find it depressing. You +will notice the woman in the singularly unbecoming black dress yonder. +She insists on drinking thick cocoa with a spoon at dinner."</p> + +<p>One could have fancied that she felt this breach of custom to be an +enormity, and Ormsgill wondered afterwards what malignant impulse +suddenly possessed him. Still, the worthy lady's coldly even voice and +formal manner jarred upon him, while the pleasure of meeting the girl +he had thought of for four long years was much less than he felt it +should have been. He resented the fact, and most men's tempers grow a +trifle sharp in tropical Africa.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said dryly, "one understands that it is nourishing, and, +after all, we are to some extent cannibals."</p> + +<p>"Cannibals?" said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a swift suspicious glance which +seemed to suggest that she was wondering whether the African climate +had been too much for him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ormsgill, "cocoa, or, at least, that grown in parts of +Africa where the choicest comes from, could almost be considered human +flesh and blood. Any way, both are expended lavishly to produce it. I +fancy you will bear me out in this, Señor?"</p> + +<p>He looked at the little, olive-faced gentleman in plain white duck who +sat not far away across the table. He had grave dark eyes with a +little glint in them, and slim yellow hands with brown tips to some of +the fingers, and was just then twisting a cigarette between them. +Ormsgill surmised that it cost him an effort to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> refrain from lighting +it, since men usually smoke between the courses of a dinner in his +country. There was a certain likeness between him and the Commandant +of San Roque, sufficient at least, to indicate that they were of the +same nationality, but the man at the table in the <i>Catalina</i> had been +cast in a finer mold, and there was upon him the unmistakable stamp of +authority.</p> + +<p>"One is assured that what is done is necessary," he said in slow +deliberate English. "I am, however, not a commercialist."</p> + +<p>"You, of course, believe those assurances?"</p> + +<p>The little white-clad gentleman smiled in a somewhat curious fashion. +"A wise man believes what is told him—while it is expedient. Some +day, perhaps, the time comes when it is no longer so."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>A faint, suggestive glint replaced the smile in the keen dark eyes. +"Then he acts on what he thinks himself. Though I can not remember +when, it seems to me, senhor, that I have had the pleasure of meeting +you before."</p> + +<p>"You have," said Ormsgill dryly. "It was one very hot morning in the +rainy season, and you were sitting at breakfast outside a tent beneath +a great rock. Two files of infantry accompanied me."</p> + +<p>"I recollect perfectly. Still, as it happens, I had just finished +breakfast, which was, I think, in some respects fortunate. One is +rather apt to proceed summarily before it—in the rainy season."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed, and the girl who sat beside the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> man he had spoken +to flashed a swift glance at him. She was dressed in some thin, soft +fabric, of a pale gold tint, and the firm, round modeling of the +figure it clung about proclaimed her a native of the Iberian +peninsula, the Peninsula, as those who are born there love to call it. +Still, there was no tinge of olive in her face, which, like her arms +and shoulders, was of the whiteness of ivory. Her eyes, which had a +faint scintillation in them, were of a violet black, and her hair of +the tint of ebony, though it was lustrous, too. She, however, said +nothing, and Major Chillingham, who seemed to feel himself neglected, +broke in.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you were at your old tricks again, Tom," he said. "What +had you been up to then?"</p> + +<p>"Interfering with two or three black soldiers, who resented it. They +were trying to burn up a native hut with a couple of wounded niggers +inside it. I believe there was a woman inside it, too."</p> + +<p>Chillingham shook his head reproachfully. "One can't help these things +now and then, and I don't know where you got your notions from," he +said. "It certainly wasn't from your father. He was a credit to the +service, and a sensible man. You can only expect trouble when you kick +against authority."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill looked at Ada Ratcliffe, but there was only a faint +suggestion of impatience in her face. Then, without exactly knowing +why, he glanced across the table, and caught the little gleam of +sardonic amusement in the other girl's violet eyes. She, at least, it +seemed, had comprehension, and that vaguely displeased him, since he +had expected it from the woman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> he had come back to marry, instead of +a stranger. Then the man with the olive face looked up again.</p> + +<p>"You have it in contemplation to go back to Africa?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill, who felt that Mrs. Ratcliffe was listening. "At +least, I scarcely think it will be necessary."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the other, with a little dry smile, "It is, one might, +perhaps, suggest, not advisable. There are several men who do not bear +you any great good will in that country."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "One," he said, "is forced to do a good many things +which do not seem advisable yonder, and I have one or two very +excellent friends."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Ada Ratcliffe, and discoursed with her and her +mother on subjects he found it difficult to take much interest in, +which was a fresh surprise to him, for he had considered them subjects +of importance before he left England. The effort he made to display a +becoming attention was not apparent, but it was a slight relief to two +of the party when the dinner was over. Another hour had, however, +passed before he had the girl to himself, and they sauntered down +through the dusty garden and along the dim white road until they +reached a little mole that ran out into the harbor. The moon had just +dipped behind the black peaks, and they sat down in the soft darkness +on a ledge of stone, and listened for a while to the rumble of the +long Atlantic swell that edged to the strip of shadowy coast with a +fringe of spouting foam. Both felt there was a good deal to be said, +but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> the commencement was difficult, and it was significant that the +man gazed westwards—towards Africa—across the dusky heaven, until he +looked round when his companion spoke to him.</p> + +<p>"Tom," she said quietly, "you have not come back the same as when you +went away."</p> + +<p>"I believe I haven't," and Ormsgill's voice was gentle. "My dear, you +must bear with me awhile. You see, there are so many things I have +lost touch with, and it will take me a little time to pick it up +again. Still, if you will wait and humor me, I will try."</p> + +<p>He turned, and glanced towards a great block of hotel buildings that +cut harsh and square against the soft blueness of the night not far +away. The long rows of open windows blazed, and the music that came +out from them reached the two who sat listening through the deep-toned +rumble of the surf. It was evident that an entertainment of some kind +was going on, but Ormsgill found the signs of it vaguely disquieting.</p> + +<p>"One feels that building shouldn't be there," he said. "They should +have placed it in the city. It's too new and aggressive where it is, +and the ways of the folks who stay in it are almost as out of place."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment with a little laugh. "I expect I'm talking +nonsense, and it's really not so very long since that kind of thing +used to appeal to me. After all, there must be a certain amount of +satisfaction to be got out of purposeless flirtation, cards, dining, +and dancing."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>It was not very dark, and, when he looked round, the shapely form of +his companion was silhouetted blackly against the sky on the step +above him. There was something vaguely suggestive of an impatience +that was, perhaps, excusable in her attitude.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she said, "there is not a great deal. I admit that, but one must +live as the others do, and have these things to pass the time. You +know there is nothing to be gained by making oneself singular."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled, though once more the smell of the wilderness, the +odors of lilies and spices, and the sourness of corruption, was in his +nostrils. Men grappled for dear life with stern and occasionally +appalling realities there, and he was one in whom the love of conflict +had been born.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "I suppose there isn't. At least, it usually involves +one in trouble, and, as you say, one must have something to pass the +time away. Still, Ada, for a while you will try to put up with my +little impatiences and idiosyncrasies. No doubt I shall fit myself to +my surroundings by and by."</p> + +<p>Ada Ratcliffe had a face that was almost beautiful, and a slim, +delicately modeled form in keeping with it, but perhaps they had been +given her as makeweights and a counterbalance for the lack of more +important things. At times, when her own interests were concerned, she +could show herself almost clever but she fell short of average +intelligence just then, when a sympathetic word or a sign of +comprehension would have bound the man to her.</p> + +<p>Leaning a little towards him she laid her hand on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> the sleeve of his +duck jacket. "I would like you to do it soon," she said. "Tom, to +please me, you won't come in to dinner dressed this way again."</p> + +<p>There was a suggestion of harshness in Ormsgill's laugh, but he +checked himself. "Of course not, if you don't wish it. If there is a +tailor in Las Palmas I will try to set that right to-morrow. Now we +will talk of something else. You want to live in England?"</p> + +<p>It appeared that Ada did, and she was disposed to talk at length upon +that topic. She also drew closer to him, and while the man's arm +rested on her shoulder discussed the house he was to buy in the +country, and how far his means, which were, after all, not very large, +would permit the renting of another in town each season. He listened +gravely, and saw that there were no aspirations in the scheme. Their +lives were evidently to be spent in a round of conventional +frivolities, and all the time he heard the boom of the restless sea, +and the smell of the wilderness, pungent and heady, grew stronger in +his nostrils. Then he closed a hand tighter on the shoulder of the +girl, in a fashion that suggested he felt the need of something to +hold fast by, as perhaps he did.</p> + +<p>"There is one point we have to keep in view, for the thing may be +remembered against me still," he said. "I was turned out of the +service of a British Colony."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the girl, "I felt it cruelly at the time, but, after all, +it happened more than four years ago—and not very many people heard +of it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>Ormsgill sat still a minute, and his grasp grew a trifle slacker on +her arm. "I told you I didn't do the thing they accused me of," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Of course! Still, everybody believed you did, and that was almost as +hard to bear. The great thing is that it was quite a long while ago. +Tom," and she turned to him quickly, "I believe you are smiling."</p> + +<p>"I almost think I was," said Ormsgill. "Still, I don't know why I +should do so. Well, I understand we are to stay here a month or two, +and we will have everything arranged before we go back to England."</p> + +<p>It was half an hour later when his companion rose. "The time is +slipping by," she said. "There is to be some singing, and one or two +of the people we have met lately are coming round to-night. I must go +in and talk to them. These things are in a way one's duty. One has to +do one's part."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made no protest. He rose and walked quietly back with her to +the hotel, but his face was a trifle grave, and he was troubled by +vague misgivings.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE SUMMONS</span></h2> + + +<p>The month Ormsgill spent at Las Palmas was a time of some anxiety to +Mrs. Ratcliffe. He had, as she complained to her brother, no sense of +the responsibility that devolved upon a man of his means, and was +addicted to making friends with all kinds of impossible people, grimy +English coaling clerks, and the skippers of Spanish schooners, and, +what was more objectionable, now and then bringing them to the hotel. +He expressed his regret when she pointed out the undesirability of +such proceedings, but, for all that, made no very perceptible change +in his conduct.</p> + +<p>Major Chillingham as a rule listened gravely, and said very little, +for his sister was one who seldom welcomed advice from anybody, and +though not a brilliant man he was by no means a fool. On the last +occasion he, however, showed a little impatience.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "he seems to have got hold of a few first-class +people, too. There is that Ayutante fellow on the Governor's staff, +and the Senhor Figuera, the little, quiet man with the yellow hands, +is evidently a person of some consequence in his own country. You +can't mistake the stamp of authority. After all,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> it's no doubt just +as well he and the girl have gone. Tom seemed on excellent terms with +them."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ratcliffe looked indignant. "A Portuguese with a powdered face, +and no notion of what is fitting!"</p> + +<p>"An uncommonly good-looking one," and the Major grinned. "A woman with +brains enough to get the thing she sets her mind on, too, and I have +rather a fancy that she was pleased with Tom. Still, that's not the +question, and anyway she's back again in Africa. Now, if you'll take +advice from me you'll keep a light hand on him, and not touch the +curb. If you do he's quite capable of making a bolt of it."</p> + +<p>"That," said the lady, "would be so disgraceful as to be +inconceivable—when Ada has waited more than four years for him."</p> + +<p>Her brother's eyes twinkled. "In one way, I suppose she did. Still, of +course, Urmston didn't get the Colonial appointment he expected, and, +one has to be candid, young Hatherly seemed proof against the +blandishments you wasted on him."</p> + +<p>"A marriageable daughter is a heavy responsibility," said Mrs. +Ratcliffe with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"No doubt," said the Major. "That is precisely why I recommended the +judicious handling of Tom Ormsgill. If he hasn't quite as much as you +would like, it's enough to keep them comfortably, and in several ways +he's worth the other two put together. The man's straight, and quiet. +In fact, I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer him with a few more +gentlemanly dissipations. They act as a safety valve occasionally."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>His sister raised her hands in protest, and Chillingham withdrew with +a chuckle, but she was rather more gracious to Ormsgill than usual +that day, and during the next one accompanied him with her daughter +and one or two acquaintances in a launch he had borrowed to look at +the wreck of a steamer which had gone ashore a night or two earlier. +The unfortunate vessel afforded a somewhat impressive spectacle as she +lay grinding on the reef with the long yeasty seas washing over her, +and the little party spent some time watching her from the launch +which swung with the steep, green swell.</p> + +<p>It was, however, very hot and dazzling bright, and no protests were +made when Ormsgill, who it seemed knew all about steam launches, +leaned forward from the helm and started the engines. The little +propeller thudded, and they slid away with a long, smooth lurch across +the slopes of glittering water that were here and there flecked with +foam, for the beach they skirted lies open to the heave of the +Atlantic. The Trade breeze fanned their faces pleasantly, and Ada +Ratcliffe sat almost contented for the time being at Ormsgill's side. +It was refreshing that hot day, to listen to the swish of sliding +brine, and there was a certain exhilaration in the swift smooth +motion, while she realized that the man she was to marry appeared to +greater advantage than he did as a rule in the drawing room of the big +hotel.</p> + +<p>He was never awkward, or ill at ease, but she had noticed—and +resented—the air of aloofness he sometimes wore when he listened to +her companions'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> pointless badinage and vapid conversation. Now as he +sat with a lean brown hand on the tiller controlling the little +hissing craft he seemed curiously at home. There was also, as +generally happened when he was occupied, a suggestion of reserved +force in his face and attitude. He was, she realized, a man one could +have confidence in when there were difficult things to be done. This +however, brought her presently a vague dissatisfaction, for she felt +there were certain aspects of his character which had never been +revealed to her, and she was faintly conscious of the antagonism to +and shrinking from what one cannot quite understand which is not +infrequently a characteristic of people with imperfectly developed +minds.</p> + +<p>The fresh Trade breeze which blew down out of the harbor from the +black Isleta hill was, however, evidently much less pleasant to the +Spanish peons who toiled at the ponderous sweeps of an empty coal +lighter the launch was rapidly drawing level with. She was floating +high above the flaming swell, and the perspiration dripped from the +men's grimy faces as they labored, two of them at each of the huge +oars. Indeed Ormsgill could see the swollen veins stand out on their +wet foreheads, and the overtaxed muscles swell on their half-covered +chests and naked arms, for the barge was of some forty tons, and it +was very heavy work pulling her against the wind. She had evidently +been to a Spanish steamer lying well out beyond the mole, and there +was, as he noticed, no tug available to tow her back again, while the +sea foamed whitely on a reef close astern of her. It was only by a +strenuous effort<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> that the men were propelling the big clumsy craft +clear of the reef, and there were signs that they could not keep it up +much longer.</p> + +<p>He glanced at the little group of daintily attired, soft-handed men +and women on board the launch, to whom the stress of physical labor +was an unknown thing, and then looked back towards the coal-grimed +toilers on the lighter. As yet they worked on stubbornly, with tense +furrowed faces, under a scorching sun, taxing to the uttermost every +muscle in their bodies, but it seemed to him that the lighter was no +further from the reef. He flung an arm up, and hailed them, for he had +acquired a working acquaintance with several Latin languages on the +fever coast.</p> + +<p>"You can't clear that point," he said. "Have you no anchor?"</p> + +<p>"No, señor," cried one of the peons breathlessly. "The tug should have +come for us, but she is taking the water boat to the English steamer."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill turned to his companions. "You won't mind if I pull them in? +They're almost worn out, and it will not detain us more than ten +minutes."</p> + +<p>One of the men made a little gesture of concurrence which had a hint +of good-humored toleration in it, but Mrs. Ratcliffe appeared +displeased, and Ada flushed a trifle. One could have fancied she did +not wish the man who belonged to her to display his little +idiosyncrasies before her friends.</p> + +<p>"One understands that all Spaniards avoid exertion when they can," she +said. "Perhaps a little hard work wouldn't hurt them very much."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>There was a slight change in Ormsgill's expression. "I fancy the men +can do no more."</p> + +<p>Then he waved his hand to the peons. "Get your hawser ready."</p> + +<p>He was alongside the lighter in another minute, but she rolled wildly +above the launch, big and empty, and the sea broke whitely about her, +for now the men had ceased rowing she was drifting towards the reef. +The hawser was also dripping and smeared with coal dust when Ormsgill, +who seemed to understand such matters, hauled it in, and while the sea +splashed on board the launch, streams of gritty brine ran from it over +everything. Then he stirred the little furnace with an iron bar before +he pulled over the starting lever, and a rush of sparks and thin hot +smoke poured down upon his companions as the little craft went full +speed ahead. Ada, perhaps half-consciously, drew herself a little +farther away from him. There was coal grit on his wet duck jacket, and +he had handled hawser and furnace rubble like one accustomed to them, +in fact as a fireman or a sailor would have done. That was a thing +which did not please her, and she wondered if the others had noticed +it. It became evident that one of them had.</p> + +<p>"You did that rather smartly," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's smile was a trifle dry. "I have," he said, "done much the +same thing before professionally."</p> + +<p>There was a struggle for the next few minutes. Launch and lighter had +drifted into shoal water while they made the hawser fast, and the +swell had piled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> itself up and was breaking whitely. The little launch +plunged through it with flame at her funnel and a spray-cloud blowing +from her bows, and as she hauled the big lighter out yard by yard a +little glint crept into Ormsgill's eyes. Ada Ratcliffe almost resented +it, for he had never looked like that at any of the social functions +she had insisted on his taking a part in, but her forbearance was +further taxed when they crept slowly beneath the side of a big white +steam yacht. A little cluster of men and daintily dressed women sat +beneath the awning on her deck, and one or two of them were people her +mother had taken pains to cultivate an acquaintance with.</p> + +<p>One man leaned upon her rail and looked down with a little smile. +"Have you been going into the coal business, Fernside?" he said. +"Considering the figure they charged Desmond it ought to be a +profitable one."</p> + +<p>The man in the launch he addressed laughed, and Ormsgill towed the +lighter on until at last he cast the tow rope off, and a very grimy +peon stood upon her deck. He took off his big, shapeless hat, and as +he swung, cut in black against the dazzling sea, there was in his +poise a lithe gracefulness and a certain elaborate courtesy.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "our thanks are yours, and everything else that +belongs to us. May the saints watch over you, and send you a friend if +ever your task is too heavy and the breakers are close beneath your +lee."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill took off his hat gravely, as equal to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> equal, but he smiled a +little as the launch swept on.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "after all, I may need one some day."</p> + +<p>They were back in the hotel in another half-hour, and Mrs. Ratcliffe +took him to task as they sat on the shady veranda. Ormsgill lay back +in his big Madeira chair, with half-closed eyes, and listened +dutifully. He felt he could afford it, for the few minutes of tense +uncertainty when he had hauled the lighter out of the grasp of the +breakers had been curiously pleasant to him.</p> + +<p>"There was, of course, no harm in the thing itself," she said at last.</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill with an air of deep reflection, "I almost think +that to save a fellow creature who is badly worn out an effort he is +scarcely fit to make isn't really very wrong. Still, the men were +certainly very dirty—I suppose that is the point?"</p> + +<p>The lady, who looked very stiff and formal in the black she persisted +in wearing, favored him with a searching glance, but there was only +grave inquiry in his steady eyes.</p> + +<p>"The point is that things which may be commendable in themselves are +not always—appropriate," she said.</p> + +<p>"Expedient—isn't it?" suggested Ormsgill languidly.</p> + +<p>"Expedient," said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a little flush in her face. +"In this world one has to be guided by circumstances, and must +endeavor to fit oneself to that station in life to which one has +been—appointed."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>"I suppose so," said Ormsgill. "The trouble is that I really don't +know what particular station I have been appointed to. I was thrown +out of the Colonial service, you see, and afterwards drove a steam +launch for a very dissolute mahogany trader. Then I floated the same +kind of trees down another river with the niggers, and followed a few +other somewhat unusual occupations. In fact, I've been in so many +stations that it's almost bewildering."</p> + +<p>His companion got away from the point. She did not like having the +fact that he had been, as he expressed it, thrown out of the Colonial +service forced upon her recollection.</p> + +<p>"One has, at least, to consider one's friends," she said. "We are on +rather good terms with two or three of the people who came out with +Mr. Desmond, whom I have not met yet, in the <i>Palestrina</i>. In fact, +Ada is a little anxious that you should make their acquaintance. You +will probably come across them in England."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Ormsgill cheerfully, "I really don't think Dick Desmond +would mind if I took up coal heaving as an amusement. He isn't a +particularly conventional man himself."</p> + +<p>"You know him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I know him tolerably well."</p> + +<p>"Then didn't you consider it your duty to go off and call upon him?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose it was," said Ormsgill meditatively. "Still, as a rule, I +rather like my friends to call on me. I've no doubt that Dick will do +it presently. He only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> arrived here yesterday, as you know. The people +he brought out came on from Teneriffe, I think. Somebody told me the +<i>Palestrina</i> lay a week there with something wrong with her engines."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ratcliffe smiled approvingly at last. "Yes," she said, "in one +way the course you mention is usually preferable. It places one on a +surer footing."</p> + +<p>Then she discussed other subjects, and supplied him with a good deal +of excellent advice to which he listened patiently, though he was +sensible of a certain weariness and there was a little dry smile in +his eyes when she went away. As it happened, Desmond, who owned the +<i>Palestrina</i>, came ashore that evening and was received by Mrs. +Ratcliffe very graciously. The two men had also a good deal to say to +each other, and the meeting was not without its results to both of +them.</p> + +<p>It was late the following afternoon when a little yellow-funneled +mail-boat with poop and forecastle painted white steamed into the +harbor with awnings spread, and an hour or two later a waiter handed +Ormsgill a letter. His face grew intent as he read it, and the curious +little glint that Ada Ratcliffe had noticed when he towed the coal +lighter clear of the surf crept back into his eyes. It was also +significant that, although she and her mother were sitting near him on +the veranda, he appeared oblivious of them when he rose and stepped +back through an open window into the hotel. Five minutes later they +saw him stride through the garden and down the long white road.</p> + +<p>"I think he is going to the little mole," said Ada.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> "I don't know why +he does so, but when anything seems to ruffle him he generally goes +there."</p> + +<p>Then she flashed a quick questioning glance at her mother. "That +letter was from Africa. I saw the stamp on it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ratcliffe shook her head. "I don't think there is any reason why +you should disturb yourself," she said. "After all, one has to excuse +a good deal in the case of men who live in the tropics, and though the +ways Tom has evidently acquired there now and then jar on me I venture +to believe he will grow out of them and become a credit to you with +judicious management. It would, perhaps, be wiser not to mention that +letter, my dear."</p> + +<p>Ada said nothing, though she was a trifle uneasy. She had seen the +sudden intentness of Ormsgill's face, and was far from sure that he +would submit to management of any kind. Nobody acquainted with her +considered her a clever woman, but, after all, her intelligence was +keener than her mother's.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Ormsgill sat down on the steps of the little mole. It +was pleasantly cool there, and he had already found the rush and +rumble of frothing brine tranquilizing, though he was scarcely +conscious of it as he took out the letter and read it again. It was +from the missionary Nares.</p> + +<p>"Father Tiebout has just come in very shaky with fever," he read. "It +appears that Herrero, who will not let her go, has gone back towards +the interior with the woman Lamartine gave him, and has been +systematically ill-using her. There is another matter to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> mention. +Soon after you went Domingo seized the opportunity of raiding +Lamartine's station, and took all the boys away while we were +arranging to send them home as you asked us to do. It will, in view of +the feeling against us, be difficult or impossible to bring the thing +home to him, but I understand from Father Tiebout that you engaged the +boys for Lamartine and pledged your word to send them home when the +time agreed upon expired. Father Tiebout merely asked me to tell you. +He said that if you recognized any responsibility in the matter you +would not shrink from it."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill crumpled up the letter and sat very still, gazing into the +dimness that was creeping up from Africa across the sea. The message +was terse, and though the writing was that of Nares he saw the wisdom +of Father Tiebout in it. Nares when he was moved spoke at length and +plainly, but the little priest had a way of making other folks do what +he wanted, as it were, of their own accord, and without his prompting +them.</p> + +<p>It grew rapidly darker, but Ormsgill did not notice it. The deep +rumble of the surf was in his ears, and the restlessness of the sea +crept in on him. He had heard that thunderous booming on sweltering +African beaches, and had watched the filmy spray-cloud float far +inland athwart the dingy mangroves, and a curious gravity crept into +his eyes as he gazed at the Eastern haze beyond which lay the shadowy +land. Life was intense and primitive there, and his sojourn in the big +hotel had left him with a growing weariness. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> there was the debt +he owed Lamartine, and the promise he had made, and he wondered +vaguely what Ada Ratcliffe would say when he told her he was going +back again. She would protest, but, for all that, he fancied she would +not feel his absence very much, though there were times when her +manner to him had been characterized by a certain tenderness. As he +thought of it he sighed.</p> + +<p>By and by a boat from the white steam yacht slid up to the foot of the +steps, and a man who ascended them started when he came upon Ormsgill. +He was tall and long-limbed, and his voice rang pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"What in the name of wonder are you doing here alone?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I think I'm worrying, Dick," said Ormsgill. "The fact is, I'm going +back yonder."</p> + +<p>Desmond looked hard at him—but it was already almost dark. "Well," he +said, "we're rather old friends. Would it be too much if I asked you +why?"</p> + +<p>"Sit down," said Ormsgill. "I'll try to tell you."</p> + +<p>He did so concisely and quietly, and Desmond made a little sign of +comprehension. "Well," he said, "if you feel yourself under an +obligation to that Frenchman I'm not sure it isn't just as binding now +he's dead."</p> + +<p>"I was on my beam-ends, without a dollar in my pocket, when he held +out his hand to me. Of course, neither of us know much about these +questions, and, as a matter of fact, it's scarcely likely that +Lamartine did, but he seemed to believe what the padre told him, and +there's no doubt it was a load off his mind when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> he understood I'd +have the woman set at liberty."</p> + +<p>Desmond sat silent for a minute. Then he said, "There are two points +that occur to me. Since you are willing to supply the money, can't the +priest and the missionary arrange the thing?"</p> + +<p>"Nares says they can't. After all, they're there on sufferance, and +every official keeps a jealous eye on them. You couldn't expect them +to throw away all they've done for several years, and that's very much +what it would amount to if they were run out of the Colony."</p> + +<p>"Then suppose you bought the woman back, and got those boys set free? +From what I've heard about the country somebody else would probably +lay hands on them again. Since the Frenchman has broken them in they'd +be desirable property."</p> + +<p>"That's one of the things I'm worrying over," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "I had thought of running them up the coast and turning +them loose in British Nigeria. They'd be reasonably well treated, and +get wages at the factories there. Still, I'd have some trouble in +getting them out of the country, especially as I'm not greatly tempted +to buy the boys. If I was it's quite likely that Domingo, who is not a +friend of mine, wouldn't let me have them. You see, I'd have to get +papers at the port, though there are plenty of lonely beaches where +one could get a surf-boat off. I had a notion of trying to pick up a +schooner at Sierra Leone or Lagos."</p> + +<p>Again Desmond said nothing for a few moments. Then he laughed. "Well," +he said, "there's the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> <i>Palestrina</i>, and when we shake her up she can +do her fourteen knots. You can have her for a shooting expedition at a +pound a month. Now don't raise any—nonsensical objections. I'm about +sick of loafing. The thing would be a relief to me."</p> + +<p>"There's your father," said Ormsgill suggestively.</p> + +<p>"Just so! There's also the whole estimable family, who have made up +their minds I'm to go into Parliament whether I'm willing or not. +Well, it seems to me that if I'm to have a hand in governing my +country it will be an education to see how they mismanage things in +other ones."</p> + +<p>Then the scion of a political family who could talk like a fireman, +and frequently did so, laughed again. "If I get into trouble over it +it will be a big advertisement. Besides, it's two years since I had a +frolic of any kind. Been nursing the constituency, taking a benevolent +interest in everything from women's rights to village cricket clubs, +and I'm coming with you to rake up brimstone now. After all, though +I've had no opportunity of displaying my abilities in that direction +lately, it's one of the few things I really excel in."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was far from sure that this was what he desired, but he knew +his man, and that, for all his apparent inconsequence, he was one who +when the pinch came could be relied upon. Then Desmond's effervescence +usually vanished, and gave place to a cold determined quietness that +had carried him through a good many difficulties. This was fortunate, +since he was addicted to involving himself in them rather frequently.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>"Well," said Ormsgill, "I'll be glad to have you, but it's rather a +big thing. I think they're expecting you at the hotel. We'll talk of +it again."</p> + +<p>He rose, and as they went back together Desmond said reflectively. "I +suppose you understand that it's scarcely likely your prospective +mother-in-law will be pleased with you?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't aware that you knew her until you came across her here," +said Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"I didn't. My cousins do. Perhaps you won't mind my saying that they +seem a little sorry for you. From what they have said about Mrs. +Ratcliffe it seems to me that you may have trouble in convincing her +of the disinterestedness of your intentions."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill felt that this was very probable, though he said nothing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A DETERMINED MAN</span></h2> + + +<p>It was the following afternoon when Ormsgill stood on the wide veranda +outside Mrs. Ratcliffe's room. That lady sat somewhat stiffly facing +him in a big basket chair, while her daughter lay close by in one of +canvas with her eyes also fixed upon the man languidly. She was +dressed in white, and looked very cool and dainty, though her face was +almost expressionless. In fact, her attitude was characterized by a +certain well-bred serenity which is seldom without its effect when it +is an essential part of the person who exhibits it, though a passable +imitation of it may be cultivated.</p> + +<p>Then one sometimes wonders what may lie behind it, though an attempt +to ascertain is not always advisable. In some cases there is nothing, +and in others things which it is wiser to leave unseen.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill had, as it happened, been busy that morning with an English +lawyer whom he had met at the hotel, and had taken him over to the +office of the Vice-Consul, who signed a document the lawyer drew out. +He had also made other preparations for a journey, but he had sent the +priest no word that he was going back to Africa. This, he felt, was +not necessary, since Father Tiebout would expect him. He leaned +bareheaded against the rails, with the furrows showing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> plainly on his +bronzed face, while the Trade breeze, which was fresh that afternoon, +swept the cool veranda and piled the long Atlantic swell rumbling on +the beach. He could see the spray fly high and white, and the dust +whirl down the glaring road that led to the Spanish city, and once +more he felt his blood stir in harmony with the throb of restless life +in the frothing sea. Still, the task before him was difficult, and he +set about it diffidently.</p> + +<p>It was, as he realized, a very lame story and one open to serious +misconception that fell from his lips. He could, of course, say +nothing in favor of Lamartine's mode of life, though it was by no +means an unusual one, and he had to mention it. The subject was a +somewhat delicate one in itself, but it was not that alone which +brought a faint flush to his face. Mrs. Ratcliffe's pose grew +perceptibly primmer as he proceeded, and he recognized that any +confidence she might have had in him was being severely shaken. Still, +he had not expected her to understand, and he glanced at her daughter +with a certain anxiety. The girl's languid indifference was less +marked now, for there was a spot of color in her cheek, and her lips +were set disdainfully. Ormsgill closed one lean hand a trifle, for +these things had their significance, and he had expected that she, at +least, would have found his assurance sufficient.</p> + +<p>"I think you will agree with me that I must go," he said.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ratcliffe's tone was sharp and she looked at him steadily.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>"I'm afraid I don't," she said. "The man was on your own showing an +altogether depraved person."</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill dryly. "I should be sorry to admit as much. But if +he had been, would that have rendered a promise to him less binding?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the elder lady sturdily. "If he really felt any remorse at +all—of which I am very dubious—he brought it upon himself. One +cannot do wrong without bearing the consequences. Still, I do not +suppose it was penitence. It was more probably pagan fear of death. +The man, you admit, was under priestly influence. Of course, if he had +been brought up differently——"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill could not help a little smile. "He would have considered +repentance sufficient, and left the woman to bear the consequences? +Somehow I have a hazy notion that restitution is insisted on. But if +we dismiss that subject there are still the boys. You see, I pledged +myself to send them home again."</p> + +<p>Ada Ratcliffe looked up, and her expression was quietly disdainful. +"Half-naked, thick-lipped niggers. Would it hurt them very much to +work a little and become a trifle civilized? One understands that +there is no actual slavery in any part of Africa under European +control."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill winced, and it was, perhaps, only natural that Mrs. Ratcliffe +should not understand why he did so. Then his face grew a trifle hard, +but he answered quietly.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt there are folks who would tell you so, but there is, +at least, something very like it in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> one or two colonies," he said. +"Still, that is not quite the point."</p> + +<p>The girl laughed. "I am a little afraid there is no point at all."</p> + +<p>She rose languidly, and the way she did so suggested collusion, though +Ormsgill had not noticed that her mother made her any sign. She swept +past him with a swish of filmy fabric, and he turned to the elder +lady, who made a little gesture of resignation.</p> + +<p>"It seems," she said, "you are determined to go, and in that case +there is something to be said. As you are bent on exposing yourself to +the hazards of a climate I have heard described as deadly, one has to +consider—eventualities."</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" and Ormsgill found it difficult to repress a sardonic +smile. "I have endeavored to provide against them in the one way +possible to me. An hour ago I handed Major Chillingham a document +which will place Ada in possession of a considerable proportion of my +property in six months from my death. The absence of any word from me +for that period is to be considered as proof of it. I have no +relatives with any claim on me, and I think I am only carrying out an +obligation."</p> + +<p>"You are very generous," and his companion's tone was expressive of +sincere satisfaction. "Though it is, of course, painful, one is +reluctantly compelled to take these things into consideration."</p> + +<p>She said rather more to the same effect, and the man's face, which was +a trifle hard when she went away, suggested that some, at least, of +her observa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>tions had jarred on him. He was also somewhat astonished +to find Ada waiting for him when he strolled moodily into the big +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"Tom," she said, "you won't go back there, after all. I don't want you +to."</p> + +<p>There was a tinge of color in her cheeks and a tense appeal in her +eyes, and for a moment Ormsgill was almost tempted to forget his +promise and break his word. It seemed that she did care, though he had +scarcely fancied that she would feel the parting with him very much a +little while ago, and something suggested that she was apprehensive, +too. He stood very still, and she saw him slowly close one of his +hands.</p> + +<p>"My dear," he said, "I have to go."</p> + +<p>The girl looked at him steadily a moment, and then made a little +hopeless gesture of resignation.</p> + +<p>"In that case I should gain nothing by attempting to urge you," she +said with a curious quietness. "Still, Tom, you will write to me when +you can."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was stirred, as well as a trifle astonished. She had seldom +shown him very much tenderness, and he had said nothing that might +lead her to believe that he was undertaking a somewhat dangerous thing +or that the country was especially unhealthy. Still, he could not help +feeling that she was afraid of something. Then, as it happened, they +heard her mother speaking to somebody in the corridor, and making him +a little sign she slipped out softly. Ormsgill sat where he was, +wondering why she had done so, until a rustle of dresses suggested +that she and the people she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> apparently spoken to had moved away. +Then he went out, and met Desmond in front of the hotel.</p> + +<p>"Been having it out with Mrs. Ratcliffe?" he said. "I saw you on the +veranda. Found it rather difficult? I couldn't stand that old woman."</p> + +<p>"It was not exactly pleasant," said Ormsgill, dryly.</p> + +<p>Desmond grinned. "Told her what you were going back for—and she +didn't believe a word of it? As a matter of fact, you could hardly +expect her to. Still, you needn't be unduly anxious. It wouldn't +matter very much what you did out there. She might be horrified when +she heard of it, but she wouldn't let you go."</p> + +<p>The blood rose to Ormsgill's face. He fancied his companion was right +in this, but it suggested another thought, and it appeared impossible +that the girl's views should coincide with her mother's. It was +painful to feel that she might have placed an unfavorable construction +upon his narrative, but that she should believe him a libertine and +still be willing to marry him because he was rich was a thing he +shrank with horror from admitting. He was aware that women now and +then made such marriages, but although he did not as a rule expect too +much of human nature, he looked for a good deal from the woman he +meant to make his wife. He could not quite disguise the fact that +there were aspects of her character which did not altogether please +him.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said grimly, "we will talk about something else. You are +still determined on going with me?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>"Of course," said Desmond.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill took him into his room, and by and by unrolled a chart upon +the table.</p> + +<p>"There's shelter off this beach in about six fathoms under the point," +he said. "She will roll rather wildly, but the holding's excellent, +and a surf-boat could get off most days in the week. As some of the +mail-boat skippers will probably see you and mention it, you will call +and report yourself to the Commandant and the customs on your way down +the coast. Bring one or two of them off to dinner and inquire about +the sport to be had. As a matter of fact, there is something to shoot +a few days' march back from the beach, and there is no reason why you +shouldn't go after it."</p> + +<p>"You haven't said very much about yourself," observed his companion.</p> + +<p>"I'm going direct by mail-boat. There is to be no apparent connection +between us. If you are at the beach by the date I mentioned and wait +there fourteen days, it will be sufficient. If I don't join you by +that time something will have gone radically wrong."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Desmond cheerfully, "I'll fit the whole crowd out down to +the firemen with elephant guns and rifles, and go ashore to fetch you, +if we have to sack every bush fort in the country."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill only laughed, and going out together they swung themselves on +a passing steam tram and were whirled away to the steamship offices in +the Spanish city through a blinding cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>Two days later Ormsgill boarded a yellow-funneled steamer, which crept +out of harbor presently with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> the Portuguese flag at the fore, and +faded into a streak of hull and a smoke trail low down on the dazzling +sea. From the veranda of the hotel, Ada Ratcliffe watched it slowly +melt, with her lips tight set and a curious look in her eyes, until +when the blue expanse was once more empty she rose with a little sigh. +There was, of course, nothing to be gained by sitting there +disconsolate, and she had to array herself becomingly for an excursion +to a village among the black volcanic hills. She also took a prominent +part in it very gracefully, while a quiet brown-faced man leaned on a +little wildly-rolling steamer's rail, looking southwest across the +dazzling white-flecked combers towards the shadowy land.</p> + +<p>He reached it in due time, and one afternoon two or three days after +he arrived at a little decadent city, sat talking to the olive-faced +gentleman he had met at the Las Palmas hotel. The latter now wore a +very tight white uniform, and a rather high and cumbrous kepi lay on +the chair at his side. He was singularly spare in figure; his face, +which was a trifle worn and hollow, was in no way suggestive of +physical virility, and the brown-tipped fingers of the hand which +rested on his knee very much resembled claws; but, as Major +Chillingham had noticed, he wore the unmistakable stamp of high +authority.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said in Portuguese, "you are not as most of your countrymen, +and seem to understand that haste is not always advisable—especially +in this land."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled a little as he gazed down on the straggling city. The +room he and his companion sat in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> had no front to it. A row of slender +pillars with crude whitewashed arches between them served instead, and +he could look out on the curiously jumbled buildings below. Some were +of wood and had red iron roofs and broad verandas, others of stone, or +what appeared to be blocks of sun-baked mud, and these were mostly +glaringly whitewashed and roofed with tiles, though a few were flat +topped. Some stood in clusters, but as a rule there were wide spaces, +strewn with ruins and rubbish, between them. Scarcely a sound rose +from any of them. Here and there a white-clad figure reclined in a big +chair on a veranda, and odd clusters of negroes, some loosely draped +in raw colors, and some half-naked, slept in the shadow. Everything +was so still that one could have fancied the place was peopled by the +dead. Beyond the long strip of land across the harbor the glaring +levels of the Atlantic stretched away, and the hot air quivered with +the dull insistent roar and rumble of the surf.</p> + +<p>"It is certainly as I suggested," said the little olive-faced +gentleman. "You have been here three days, and I do not even know what +you expect from me yet."</p> + +<p>"It is very little. A concession of exploitation in the country +inland."</p> + +<p>"In which district?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill mentioned it, and his companion looked at him with a little +smile. "The request can be granted, but I gave you good advice once +before, and I venture to offer it again. This Africa is not a healthy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +country, and it is not, I think, advisable that you should stay here, +especially up yonder in the bush. There are gentlemen of some +importance there whom you have offended, and we are, it seems, not all +forgiving. It is, perhaps, a fact to be deprecated, but one to be +counted on."</p> + +<p>"One has occasionally to do a thing that doesn't seem advisable," said +Ormsgill reflectively.</p> + +<p>"In this case the reasons cannot be financial. I heard of your good +fortune in Las Palmas."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was not pleased at this, but he laughed. "A little money is +not always a fortune. Perhaps it would be permissible for me to +express my pleasure that your administrative genius has been +recognized?"</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente made him a little grave inclination. "I hold authority, +but the man who does so seldom sleeps on roses, especially in this +country. Well, you still want the concession of exploitation, though +the region you mention is not a productive one?"</p> + +<p>"There are articles of commerce which come down that way from the +interior."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente looked at him steadily. "Ah," he said, "if one could tell +what went on there. Still, as you say, there are things we have need +of that come down from the interior."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's face was expressionless, though he was not pleased to see a +little smile creep into his companion's eyes, but just then another +man of very dusky color came up the outside stairway with a big +clanking sword strapped on to him, and Dom Clemente rose.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>"I make my excuses, but the permit will be ready to-morrow," he said. +"In the meanwhile my daughter, who is in the patio, would thank you +for several courtesies at Las Palmas."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill turned away, and went down to the little pink-washed patio +which was filled with straggling flowers and was, at least, +comparatively cool. The girl who lay in a big chair did not rise, but +signed to him to take another near her side, and then looked up at him +with big violet eyes. It did not occur to Ormsgill that there was any +significance in the fact that the only two chairs in the patio should +be close together, but it struck him that Benicia Figuera was a very +well-favored young woman, and very much in harmony with her +surroundings. Colorless as her face was, there was a scintillation in +her eyes, and a depth of hue in her somewhat full red lips, which with +the sweeping lines of her lightly-draped, rounded form suggested that +there was in her a full measure of the warm and vivid life of the +tropics. Her voice was low and quiet, and her English passable.</p> + +<p>"I believe my father has been giving you good advice," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why should you think that?" asked Ormsgill, lightly.</p> + +<p>His companion's gesture might have meant anything. "You feel the +advice is excellent, but you do not mean to take it? It is not a thing +you often do. In one way I am sorry."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "Might one ask why you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> should take so much interest +in an obstinate stranger?"</p> + +<p>The girl moved her hands, which were white and very shapely, in a +fashion which seemed to imply a protest. Ormsgill noticed that they +had also the appearance of capable hands, and he fancied that their +grasp could be tenacious.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "there were little courtesies shown us at Las Palmas, +things that made our stay there pleasanter, and I think there was, +perhaps, no great reason why you should have done them for my father." +Then her eyes twinkled. "I am not sure that all your friends were very +pleased with you."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill did not smile this time. He recollected now that Ada +Ratcliffe had been distinctly less gracious and her mother more formal +than usual after one or two of the trifling courtesies he had shown +Dom Clemente and the girl, but it had not occurred to him to put the +two things together.</p> + +<p>"I wonder," he said reflectively "how you come to speak such excellent +English."</p> + +<p>The girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"My mother's name was O'Donnel, though she was rather more Portuguese +than I am. She was born in the Peninsula. It seems I have gone back +two or three generations. They assured me of it once in Wicklow. +Still, all that does not interest you. You are going into the +interior."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said he was, and the girl appeared thoughtful for a moment or +two.</p> + +<p>"Then one might again advise you to be careful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> There are, at least, +two men who do not wish you well. One of them is a certain Commandant, +and the other the trader Herrero."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you could tell me where the trader Herrero is?"</p> + +<p>"If I can I will send you word to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill thanked her and took his leave ceremoniously, but he was a +little annoyed to find that his thoughts would wander back to the cool +patio as he strolled through the dazzling, sun-scorched town. He felt +it would have been pleasant to stay there a little in the shadow, and +that Benicia Figuera would not have resented it. There was something +vaguely attractive about her, and she had Irish eyes in which he had +seen a hint of the reckless inconsequent courage of that people. This, +he reflected, did not concern him, and dismissing all further thought +of her he went about his business. Still, when the concession was sent +to him next morning the negro who brought it also handed him a little +note. It had no signature, and merely contained the name of a certain +village on the fringe of the hills that cut off the coast levels from +the island plateaux.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DESMOND MAKES AN ADMISSION</span></h2> + + +<p>Two months had slipped by since Ormsgill and his carefully chosen +carriers had vanished into the steamy bush which climbs the slopes of +the inland plateaux, when the <i>Palestrina</i> steamed in towards the +straggling, sun-scorched town. She came on at half-speed, gleaming +ivory white, in a blaze of brightness, with a man strapped outside her +bridge swinging the heavy lead, until Desmond, who swept the shore +line with his glasses, raised his hand. Then the propeller whirled +hard astern and she stopped amidst a roar of running chain. Next the +awnings were stretched across her aft, and after a beautiful white gig +sank down her side, a trimly uniformed crew pulled Desmond ashore to +interview the men in authority.</p> + +<p>He found them courteous. Though that is not a coast which English +yachts frequent, one had called there not very long before, and they +had a pleasant recollection of the hospitality they had enjoyed on +board her. Besides, it was very soon evident that this red-faced +yachtsman was not one of the troublesome Englishmen who demand +information about social and political matters which do not concern +them. Desmond took the authorities off to dinner, and showed them his +sporting rifles and one or two letters given<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> him by gentlemen of +their own nationality whom he had similarly entertained at Funchal +Madeira. His young companion with the heavy sea-bronzed face was even +more ingenuous, and there was no doubt that the wine and cigars were +excellent.</p> + +<p>Strangers with any means were also singularly scarce in that town, and +its rulers finding Desmond friendly made much of him, and supplied him +freely with the information he required respecting the localities +where one might still come across big game. He was, in fact, a social +success, and contrived to spend a fortnight there very pleasantly. +Still, there was one of his new friends who considered it advisable to +take certain precautions, which came indirectly to the knowledge of +the latter's daughter.</p> + +<p>It also happened that Desmond's companion, Lister, who went ashore +alone now and then, enjoyed himself in his own fashion. He was a young +man whose tastes and idiosyncrasies had caused his friends at home +some anxiety, and they had for certain reasons prevailed upon Desmond +to take him to sea for a few months out of harm's way. Lister +submitted unwillingly, but he discovered that even that sweltering +African town had pleasures to offer him, and determined on making the +most of them.</p> + +<p>It was a very hot evening when he sat in the patio of a little +flat-topped house which bore a legend outside announcing that it was a +<i>caffee</i>. A full moon hung above the city and flooded half the little +square round which the building rose with silvery light. The summit of +the white walls cut sharply against the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> cloudless blue, and the land +breeze flowed in through a low archway heavy with heat and smells. Now +and then the roar of the Atlantic surf swelled in volume and rolled +across the roofs in a deep-toned rumbling. Lister, however, naturally +noticed very little of this.</p> + +<p>He lay in a Madeira chair near a little table upon which stood several +flasks of wine and glasses, as well as a bundle of cigarettes. A lamp +hung above him, and his light white clothing displayed the fleshiness +of his big, loosely-hung frame. His face was a trifle flushed, and +there was a suggestive gleam in his eyes when he glanced towards the +unglazed square of lighted window behind which a comely damsel of +somewhat dusky skin was singing to a mandolin, but the occasional +bursts of hoarse laughter made it evident that the lady had other +companions, and there was then a little but rather painful punctured +wound in one of Lister's hands. She had made it that afternoon with a +slender silver-headed strip of steel which she wore in her dusky hair, +and Lister could take a hint when it was plain enough.</p> + +<p>As it happened, a partial acquaintance with one or two Latin languages +had been drilled into him in preparation for a certain branch of his +country's service to which prejudiced persons had eventually denied +him admission, and he had afterwards acquired sundry scraps of +Portuguese in Madeiran wine-shops. As the result of this, his +companions understood part, at least, of what he said. Two of them who +had very yellow hands and somewhat crisp black hair were shaking dice +upon the table, while a third lay quietly in a basket<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> lounge watching +the Englishman with keen dark eyes. The latter threw a piece of paper +money down on the table.</p> + +<p>"It's against me," he said. "I'll double on the same odds you don't +shake as high again. Pass your friend the wine, Dom Domingo."</p> + +<p>The quiet man made this a trifle plainer, and thrust the wine flask +across the table, but Lister did not notice that one of the others +looked at him as if for permission or instructions before he flung the +dice back into the box.</p> + +<p>"One who knows the game would not give quite such odds," he said in +passable French. "It is the cards you play on board the steamer?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Lister, who had consumed a good deal of wine, "not often. I +wish we did. It would pass the time while we lie waiting off your +blazing beaches."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the little man, "you wait for somebody, then?"</p> + +<p>Lister's little start was quite perceptible, but he grinned. "You +can't go inland without taking somebody who knows the way. I think I +told you we were going up country to kill big game."</p> + +<p>"But certainly!" and the other spread out his hands. "This is, +however, not the season when one usually sets out on such a journey. +It would be wiser to make it in a month or two. For good heads you +must also go inland a long way. You start from—?"</p> + +<p>"The Bahia Santiago," but Lister recollected next moment, and looked +at his companion truculently with half-closed eyes. "It seems to me +you have a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> many questions to ask. Besides, you stop the game."</p> + +<p>The little man waved his hand deprecatingly, and answered one of the +others' inquiring glance with a just perceptible motion of his head.</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, señor," he said. "It was good advice I gave you about +the odds."</p> + +<p>He rose and slowly sauntered across the patio, but Lister did not +notice that he stopped in the black shadow of the archway. Neither did +the other men, one of whom shook the dice again.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he said. "The luck is once more against you."</p> + +<p>Lister poured himself out another glass of wine. He was feeling a +trifle drowsy, and the patio was very hot, but he wished to rouse +himself enough to watch one of the player's thick-fingered yellow +hands. Then flinging down another piece of paper money he reached out +and took the box himself. His lips had shut tight, and though his face +had flushed more deeply his eyes were keen.</p> + +<p>They threw twice more while the other man, who appeared to relinquish +his share in the proceedings, good-humoredly looked on, and then +Lister leaned forward suddenly and seized the yellow hand. The box +fell with a clatter, and Lister clutched one of the little spotted +cubes that rolled out upon the table. Then the player's companion +swung out his right arm with a flick of his sleeve, and Lister caught +the gleam of steel. Loosely hung and a trifle slouching as he was, he +was big, and had, at least, no lack of animal courage. He said +nothing, but he flung the man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> whose hand he held backward upon the +table, which overturned in front of his companion, and snatching a +heavy wine flask from one close by, swung it by the neck.</p> + +<p>The man with the knife was a moment recovering his footing, and then +he moved forward, half-crouching, with a cat-like gait. The veins rose +swollen on Lister's forehead, but he stood still, and his big red hand +tightened savagely on the neck of the heavy vessel, which held a quart +or two. The tinkle of the mandolin had ceased abruptly, and for a few +moments there was not a sound in the little patio. Then there was a +sharp command, and the man with the knife slunk backward, as a figure +moved quietly out of the shadow beneath the archway. It was the man +who had questioned Lister, and he laid his hand upon the flask the +latter held.</p> + +<p>"With permission I will take it from you," he said. "It is, I think, +convenient that you go back to your steamer."</p> + +<p>Lister fancied that he was right, and when three or four men who had +now come out from the lighted room made way for them he followed his +companion out through the archway. The latter called to a man in +dilapidated white uniform, and they proceeded together to where a boat +was waiting. They put Lister on board her, and stood still a minute or +two watching while a couple of negroes rowed him off to the +<i>Palestrina</i>. Then one of them laughed.</p> + +<p>"There are many fools in this world but one has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> perhaps no cause to +pity them," he said. "It is as a rule their friends they bring to +grief."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later he called at Dom Clemente's residence, and was +not exactly pleased when he was shown into the presence of Benicia +Figuera.</p> + +<p>"My father is on board the yacht. You have come about the Englishman +you have been watching?" she said.</p> + +<p>The man made a little deprecatory gesture. "It is not permissible to +contradict the señorita."</p> + +<p>Benicia laughed. "It would not be worth while, my friend. You will +leave your message."</p> + +<p>"It is a report for Dom Clemente," and again the man spread out his +hands. One could have fancied he felt it necessary to excuse himself +for such an answer.</p> + +<p>"Then," said the girl, "it is, as I think you know, quite safe with +me."</p> + +<p>There was no smile in her eyes this time, and her companion thought +rapidly. Then, after another gesture which expressed resignation, he +spoke for some three or four minutes until the girl checked him with a +sign.</p> + +<p>"If Dom Clemente has any questions to ask he will send for you," she +said. "If not, you must not trouble him about the matter. I think you +understand?"</p> + +<p>It was evident that the man did so, for he went out with a respectful +gesture of comprehension, and then turned and shook a yellow fist at +the door which closed behind him. He could foresee that to do as he +was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> bidden might involve him in difficulties, but Benicia Figuera was +something of a power in that country, and he knew it was seldom +advisable to thwart her. She, as it happened, sat still thinking for a +time, and as the result of it when Desmond's gig went ashore next +morning a negro handed one of her crew a little note. That afternoon +Desmond dressed himself with somewhat unusual care before he was rowed +ashore, and on being ushered into a white house by a uniformed negro +was not altogether astonished to find Benicia Figuera waiting for him +alone in a big cool room. He had met her in Las Palmas, and she smiled +at him graciously as she pointed to a little table where wine and +cigarettes were laid out.</p> + +<p>"They are at your disposal. Here one smokes at all times and +everywhere," she said.</p> + +<p>Desmond sat down some distance away from her, for as he said +afterwards, she was astonishingly pretty as well as most artistically +got up, and he was on his guard.</p> + +<p>"I almost fancy it is advisable that I should keep my head just now, +and it already promises to be sufficiently difficult," he said with a +twinkle in his eyes. "Dom Clemente is presumably not at home. That is +why you sent for me?"</p> + +<p>Now the compliments men offer a lady in the Iberian Peninsula are as a +rule artistically involved, but the girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"He will not be back until this evening, but the excellent Señora +Castro in whose charge I am is now sitting on the veranda," she said. +"You need not put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> your armor on, my friend. It would be useless +anyway."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the man reflectively, "I almost think it would be."</p> + +<p>"And my intentions are friendly."</p> + +<p>Desmond spread his hands out as the men of her own nationality did. +"The assurance is a relief to me, but I should feel easier if you told +me what you wanted. After all, it could not have been merely the +pleasure of seeing me."</p> + +<p>Benicia nodded approvingly. His keenness and good-humored candor +appealed to her. It was also in some respects a pleasure to meet a man +who could come straight to the point. Her Portuguese friends usually +spent an unreasonable time going around it.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, leaning forward and looking at him with eyes which +he afterwards told Ormsgill were worth risking a fortune for, "I will +tell you what I know, and I leave you to decide how far it is +desirable for you to be frank with me. In the first place, you are not +going inland to shoot big game. You are going to wait at the Bahia +Santiago for somebody."</p> + +<p>Desmond's face grew a trifle red. "If I had Lister here I think I +should feel tempted to twist his neck for him."</p> + +<p>The girl laughed. "It would be an interesting spectacle. I suppose you +know that last night he broke a man's wrist?"</p> + +<p>"I did not," said Desmond dryly. "When he amuses himself in that way +he seldom tells me—but, to be quite frank, I've almost had enough of +him. It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> rather a pity the other fellow didn't break his head. +Still, perhaps, that's a little outside the question."</p> + +<p>"The question is—who are you going to wait for at the Bahia +Santiago?"</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Desmond, "I almost think you know."</p> + +<p>Benicia smiled. "It is, of course, Mr. Ormsgill. He is a friend of +yours. Now, as you can recognize, it is in my power or that of my +father to involve you in a good many difficulties. I wish to know what +Ormsgill went inland for. It was certainly not on a commercial +venture."</p> + +<p>Desmond thought hard for the next half-minute. He was a man who could +face a responsibility, and it was quite clear to him that Miss Figuera +already knew quite enough to ruin his comrade's project if she thought +fit to do so. Still, he felt that she would not think fit. He did not +know how she conveyed this impression, or even if she meant to convey +it, for Benicia Figuera was a lady of some importance in that country, +and, as he reflected, no doubt recognized the fact. She sat +impassively still, with her dark eyes fixed on him, and there was a +certain hint of imperiousness in her manner, until he suddenly made +his mind up.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I will try to tell you, though there are, I think, +people who would scarcely understand the thing."</p> + +<p>He spoke for some ten minutes, and Benicia sat silent a while when at +last he stopped abruptly. Then she made a little gesture of +comprehension.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said simply, "I think your friend is one of the few men who +could be expected to do such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> things." Then she laughed. "The girl he +is to marry, the one I saw in Las Palmas, is naturally very vexed with +him?"</p> + +<p>"That," said Desmond gravely, "is a subject I scarcely feel warranted +in going into. Besides, as a matter of fact, I don't know. There is, +however, another point I am a little anxious about."</p> + +<p>"The course I am likely to take?" and Benicia rose. "Well, it is +scarcely likely to be to your disadvantage, and I think you are wise +in telling me. Still, as you see, I do not bind myself to anything."</p> + +<p>Desmond stood up in turn, and made her a little grave inclination. "I +leave it in your hands with confidence. After all, that is the only +course open to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Benicia, "I believe it is. Still, you seem to have no +great fear of me betraying you."</p> + +<p>"I certainly haven't," said Desmond. "I don't know why."</p> + +<p>His companion laughed, and held out her hand to him, and in a few more +minutes Desmond was striding down the hot street towards the beach. +When he reached the boat he turned a moment and looked back towards +the big white house.</p> + +<p>"It looks very much as if I'd made a fool of myself, and spoiled the +whole thing, but I don't think I have," he said.</p> + +<p>It was two or three hours later, and darkness had suddenly closed down +on the sweltering town, when the scream of a whistle broke through the +drowsy roar of the surf as a mail-boat ringed with blinking lights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +crept up to the anchorage. Then Desmond sent for Lister, and drew him +into the room beneath the bridge.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't appear to be anything very much for that boat, and +she'll probably clear for the north to-morrow," he said. "You had +better get your things together."</p> + +<p>Lister gazed at him with astonishment in his heavy face. "I don't +quite understand you," he said.</p> + +<p>"The thing's perfectly simple. You're going north in her. In one or +two respects I'm sorry I have to turn you out, but, to be quite +straight, you're not the kind of man I want beside me now. You're too +fond of company, and have a—inconvenient habit of talking in your +cups."</p> + +<p>Lister flushed. "I presume you are referring to my conversation with +that slinking yellow-handed fellow I came across last night? He was a +little inquisitive, but I didn't tell him anything."</p> + +<p>"No," said Desmond dryly, "I don't suppose you did. It's often the +points a man of your capacity doesn't mention one deduces the most +from. He generally makes it evident that he's working away from them. +That, however, wouldn't strike you, and any way it doesn't affect the +case. I'm sorry I can't offer to accommodate you on board the +<i>Palestrina</i> any longer. I told your folks I'd keep an eye on you, but +it's becoming too big a responsibility."</p> + +<p>Lister gazed at him almost incredulously. "Of course, I'll have to go +if you really mean it. Still, I would like to point out that in some +respects you're not exactly a model yourself."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>"That," said Desmond dryly, "is a fact I'm naturally quite aware of. I +like a frolic now and then as well as most other men, but I've sense +enough not to indulge in it when I'm out on business. The trouble is +that what you have done you will very probably do again, and that +wouldn't suit either me or Ormsgill. I'm afraid you'll have to take +the boat north to-morrow."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ORMSGILL KEEPS HIS WORD</span></h2> + + +<p>Forest and compound were wrapped in obscurity, and the night was +almost insufferably hot, when Nares, who had arrived there during the +afternoon, sat in a room of the Mission of Our Lady of Pity. The +little, heavily thatched dwelling stood with the mud-built church and +rows of adherents' huts on the shadowy frontier of the debatable land +whose dusky inhabitants were then plotting a grim retribution for +their wrongs, and on the night in question black, impenetrable +darkness shut it in. Though the smell of wood smoke was still in the +steamy air, the cooking-fires had died out an hour ago, and there was +no sound from any of the clustering huts. Nares, who sat, gaunt and +worn in face, by an open window, could not see one of them. Still, he +was looking out into the compound, and his attitude suggested +expectancy. One could have fancied that he was listening for +something.</p> + +<p>"My boys heard in the last village we stopped at that there was +another party coming up behind us, and it's quite likely that there +is," he said. "The bushmen are generally right in these things. I've +seen a whole village clear out half a day before a section or two of +troops arrived, though it's hard to understand how they could possibly +have known."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>Father Tiebout, who lay in a canvas chair with the perspiration +trickling down his forehead, smiled. "There are many other things +beyond our comprehension in this country," he said, with a trace of +dryness. "We have our senses and our reason. The negro has them, too, +but he has something more—shall we call it the blind instinct of +self-preservation? It is, at least, certain that it is now and then +necessary to him. So you did not come by San Roque or the new +outpost?"</p> + +<p>"I did not. Still, how did you deduce it?"</p> + +<p>The priest spread out his hands. "It is simple. One does not find an +inhabited village within easy reach of a fort, my friend. The cause +for that is obvious. You are listening for the other party?"</p> + +<p>"Anyway, I was wondering whose it could be."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled. "If there is a white man with the boys it is +Thomas Ormsgill. I have been expecting him the last week. He will be +here within the next two—if he is alive."</p> + +<p>He spoke with a quiet certainty, as though the matter admitted of no +doubt, and Nares added,</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "that is a man who keeps his promise, but you could +give him another week. One knows when the mail-boats arrive, but there +might be difficulties when he got ashore. Anybody who wishes to go +inland is apt to meet with a good many, especially if he isn't looked +upon with favor by the Administration."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout said nothing further. It was almost too hot to talk, +though the silence that brooded over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> the little gap in the forest was +unpleasantly impressive. It would not be broken until the moon rose +and the beasts awoke. There were also times when Nares, who was not a +nervous man, felt a curious instinctive shrinking from the blackness +of the bush. It was too suggestive. One wondered what it hid, for that +is a land where the Powers of Darkness are apparently omnipotent. It +is filled with rapine and murder, and pestilence stalks through it +unchecked.</p> + +<p>At last a faint sighing refrain stole out of the silence, sank into +it, and rose again, and Nares glanced at his companion, for he +recognized that a band of carriers were marching towards the mission +and singing to keep their courage up.</p> + +<p>"I think you're right. They're coast boys," Father Tiebout said.</p> + +<p>It was some ten minutes later when there was a patter of naked feet in +the compound, and a clamor from the huts. Then a white man walked +somewhat wearily up the veranda stairway into the feeble stream of +light. It was characteristic that Nares was the first to shake hands +with him, while Father Tiebout waited with a little quiet smile. +Ormsgill turned towards the latter.</p> + +<p>"Have you a hut I can put the boys in? That's all they want," he said. +"They're fed. We stopped to light our fires at sunset."</p> + +<p>The greeting was not an effusive one in view of the difficulties and +privations of the journey, but neither of Ormsgill's companions had +expected anything of that kind from him. It was also noticeable that +there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> was none of the confusion and bustle that usually follows the +arrival of a band of carriers. This was a man who went about all he +did quietly, and was willing to save his host inconvenience. The +priest went with him to a hut, and the boys were disposed of in five +minutes, and when they came back Ormsgill dropped into a chair.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I'm here. Caught the first boat after I got your +letter. I think it was your letter, padre, though Nares signed it."</p> + +<p>"At least," said Father Tiebout, "we both foresaw the result of it. +But you have had a long march. Is there anything I can offer you?"</p> + +<p>"A little cup of your black coffee," said Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>Nares laughed softly. "He's a priest, as well as a Belgian. I believe +they teach them self-restraint," he added. "Still, when I saw you +walking up that stairway I felt I could have forgiven him if he had +flung his arms about your neck."</p> + +<p>"You see I had expected him," and Father Tiebout set about lighting a +spirit lamp.</p> + +<p>"With a little contrivance one can burn rum in it," he added. "There +are times when I wish it was a furnace."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled and shook his head. "You and other well meaning +persons occasionally go the wrong way to work, padre," he said. "Would +you pile up the Hamburg gin merchants' profits, or encourage the folks +here to build new sugar factories? You can't stop the trade in +question while the soil is fruitful and the African is what he is."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>"What the white man has made him," said Father Tiebout.</p> + +<p>"I believe the nigger knew how to produce tolerably heady liquors and +indulged in them before the white man brought his first gin case in," +said Ormsgill reflectively. "In any case, Lamartine was a trader, +which is, after all, a slightly less disastrous profession to the +niggers here than a government officer, and I did what I could for +him. From your point of view I've no doubt I acquired a certain +responsibility. Could you do anything useful with £200 or £300 +sterling, padre?"</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the little priest, "one cannot buy absolution."</p> + +<p>Nares smiled. It was seldom he let slip an opportunity of inveigling +Father Tiebout into a good-humored discussion on a point of this kind. +"I fancied it was only we others who held that view," he said. Then he +turned to Ormsgill. "He is forgetting, or, perhaps, breaking loose +from his traditions. After all, one does break away in Africa. It is +possible it was intended that one should do so."</p> + +<p>"Still," persisted Ormsgill, "with £300 sterling one could, no doubt, +do something."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout, who ignored Nares' observations, tinkered with his +lamp before he turned to Ormsgill with a little light in his eyes. +"Taking the value of a man's body at just what it is just now one +could, perhaps, win twenty human souls. Of these three or four could +be sent back into the darkness when we were sure of them. Ah," and +there was a little thrill in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> voice, "if one had only two or three +to continue the sowing with."</p> + +<p>"In this land," said Ormsgill, "the reaper is Death. Their comrades +would certainly sell them to somebody or spear them in the bush. The +priests of the Powers of Darkness would see they did it."</p> + +<p>"Where that seed is once sown there must be a propagation. One can +burn the plant with fire or cut it down, but it springs from the root +again, or a grain or two with the germ of life indestructible in it +remains. Flung far by scorching winds or swept by bitter floods, one +of those grains finds a resting place where the soil is fertile. Here +a little and there a little, that crop is always spreading."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You could do something with the sum alluded +to?"</p> + +<p>Nares shook his head, and there was a shadow of pain in his lean face. +"I am not fixed as Father Tiebout is," he said. "His faith is the +official one. They dare not steal his followers from him. Besides, I +have never bought the body of a man. Sometimes I heal them, and if +they are grateful they are driven away from me." He broke off for a +moment with a curious little laugh. "I am an empty voice in the +darkness that very few dare listen to. Still, I will take a case of +London packed drugs from you."</p> + +<p>The Belgian spread his thin hands out. "Four villages snatched from +the pestilence! It was his care that saved them. How many men's bodies +he has healed he can not tell you, but I think that a careful count is +kept of all of them."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>"Well," said Ormsgill quietly, "there is £600 to your joint credit in +Lisbon. You should get the bank advices when the next mail comes in. +You can apportion it between you."</p> + +<p>Nares stood up with a flush in his worn face, and spoke awkwardly, but +Father Tiebout sat very still. A little glow crept into his eyes, and +he said a few words in the Latin tongue. Then Ormsgill thrust his +chair back noisily and moved towards the lamp.</p> + +<p>"I almost think that coffee should be ready," he said.</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout served it out, and when the cups were laid aside Nares +looked at Ormsgill with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"You have not been long away, but one could fancy you were glad to get +back again," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's face hardened. "In some respects I am. The folks I belonged +to were not the same. My views seemed to pain them. It cost them an +effort to bear with me. Still, that was perhaps no more than natural. +One loses touch with the things he has been used to in this country."</p> + +<p>"Sometimes," said Father Tiebout, "one grows out of it, and that is a +little different. Our friend yonder once went home, too, but now I +think he will stay here altogether, as I shall do, unless I am sent +elsewhere."</p> + +<p>Nares smiled. "The padre is right, as usual. I went home—and the +folks I had longed for 'most broke my heart between them. It seemed +that I was a failure, and that hurt me. They wanted results, the tale +of souls, and I hadn't one that I was sure of to offer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> as a trophy. +One, they said, could heal men's bodies in America. As you say, one +falls out of line in Africa."</p> + +<p>There was a wistfulness which he could not quite repress in his voice, +and Ormsgill nodded sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Oh," he said, "I know. It hurts hard for awhile. We are most of us +the cast-offs and the mutineers here. Still, in one respect, I +sometimes think Father Tiebout's people are wiser. They don't ask for +results."</p> + +<p>The little priest once more spread his hands out. "The results," he +said, "will appear some day, but that is not our concern. It is +sufficient that a man should do the work that is set out for him. And +now we will be practical. Have you any news of Herrero?"</p> + +<p>"He is a hundred miles north of us in Ugalla's country, and I am going +on there. You will have to find me a few more carriers. It was Miss +Figuera told me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps one can expect a little now Dom Clemente is in authority. He +is honest as men go in Africa, and at least he is a soldier. Well, you +shall have the carriers in a week or so."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "I want them to-morrow. There is a good deal to do. +I have the boys Domingo stole to trace when I have bought the woman +back from Herrero."</p> + +<p>"Bought!" said Father Tiebout with a twinkle in his eyes. "If Herrero +is not willing to sell?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>"Then," said Ormsgill dryly, "I shall have considerable pleasure in +making him."</p> + +<p>He stretched himself wearily with a little yawn. "And now we will talk +about other matters."</p> + +<p>It was an hour later when he retired to rest and, hot as it was, sank +into sound sleep within ten minutes, but although he rose early and +roused the little priest to somewhat unusual activity, several days +had passed before his new carriers were collected and ready to march. +They were sturdy, half-naked pagans, and appeared astonished when he +gave them instructions in a few words of the bush tongue and bore with +their slow comprehension instead of applying the stick to their dusky +skin, which was what they had somewhat naturally expected from a white +man.</p> + +<p>He shook hands with Nares and Father Tiebout in the sloppy compound +early one morning when the mists were streaming from the dripping +forest, and looked at the little priest with a twinkle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I haven't asked you how you got those boys," he said. "Still, it must +have cost you something to secure the good will of whoever had the +privilege of supplying them."</p> + +<p>He turned to Nares as if to invite his opinion, which was +unhesitatingly offered him. The latter, at least, would make no +compromise.</p> + +<p>"It certainly did," he said. "I am glad you did not ask me to hire you +the boys. The system under which he obtained them is an iniquity."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled. "The object, I think, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> a pious one. One has +to use the means available."</p> + +<p>"Anyway," said Ormsgill, "the responsibility and the cost is mine."</p> + +<p>The priest shook his head. "At least, you can take this gift from me," +he said. "It is not much, but one does with pleasure what he can."</p> + +<p>It was offered in such a fashion that Ormsgill could only make his +grateful acknowledgments, though he had grounds for surmising that the +gift would cost the giver months of stringent self-denial, and there +was already very little sign of luxury at the Mission. Then he called +to his carriers, who swung out of the compound with their burdens in +single file, slipping and splashing in the mire. The two men he had +left behind stood watching them until the last strip of fluttering +cotton had vanished into the misty forest when Father Tiebout looked +at his companion with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"One could consider the venture our friend has undertaken a folly, but +still I think he will succeed," he said. "One could almost fancy that +the Powers above us hold the men who attempt such follies in their +special keeping."</p> + +<p>Nares, as it happened, had been almost uncomfortably stirred during +the last ten minutes, but he was Puritan to the backbone, and usually +endeavored, at least, to prevent what he felt carrying him away. He +was also as a rule ready to join issue with the little priest on any +point that afforded him an opportunity.</p> + +<p>"There is a difficulty," he said. "I'm not sure he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> would admit the +existence of all the Powers you believe in. There are so many of them. +One would fancy that faith was necessary."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled at him again. "Ah," he said, "they who know +everything have doubtless a wide charity."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE BONDSWOMAN</span></h2> + + +<p>A small fire burned on the edge of the ravine, flinging out pale red +flashes and an intolerable smoke, for the wood was green and wet. It +had been raining heavily, and the whole forest that rolled down the +slopes of the plateau was filled with a thick white steam. Filmy wisps +of it drifted out of the darkness which hid the towering trunks, and +streamed by the girl who crouched beside the fire cooking her white +lord's evening meal. She was comely, though her face and uncovered +arms were of a warm brown. A wide strip of white cotton fell from one +shoulder, and half revealed the slenderness of her shapely form. It +also covered certain significant discolored bruises on the soft brown +skin. The look in her eyes just then, perhaps, accounted for them, for +it vaguely suggested intelligence, and a protest against her fate, in +place of the hopeless apathy which, after all, saves the native of +that country a great deal of trouble. He has been taught drastically +that any objection he might reasonably make would certainly be futile +and very apt to produce unwished-for results.</p> + +<p>A wall of dripping forest rose above the fire, but behind the girl the +ground sloped sharply to the brink of a swollen river which rose in +the plateaux of the in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>terior, and a little, tattered tent was pitched +on the edge of the declivity. In front of it two somewhat ragged white +men lay listlessly upon a strip of waterproof ground sheeting. They +were worn with travel and a long day's labor, for they had been +engaged since sunrise in raft building and ferrying their equipment +and trade goods across the river, and, as it happened, had lost most +of their provisions in the process. They were of widely different +birth and character, and cordially disliked each other, though they +had both first seen the light in Africa and community of interest held +them together.</p> + +<p>Gavin was tall and lean and hard, with an expressionless bronzed face, +the son of an English ostrich farmer who had married a Boer woman. He +had come into that country on foot with one other survivor of the +party he had started with after a difference of opinion with the Boer +administration. The others had died with their oxen during their two +years' wandering in the wilderness. His companion Herrero passed for a +Portuguese, though his hair would curl and his lips were a trifle +thick. He was spare in form, and his face was of a muddy yellow with +the stamp of sensuality and cruelty in it. He had also been drinking +freely, though that is not as a rule a Latin vice, and was still very +wet from his labors in the river. He had lower legs like broomsticks, +and his torn, drenched trousers clung tightly about his protuberant +knees.</p> + +<p>"One could fancy that we have been bewitched," he said. "Trouble has +followed us all the journey.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> There was a native woman who looked at +us as we left San Roque, and she made a sign."</p> + +<p>Gavin laughed contemptuously. "The loads," he said, "were too heavy. +It is not economical to overdrive these cattle. One must remember the +trek-ox's back."</p> + +<p>Herrero blinked at the forest with something that suggested +apprehension in his eyes, and it was not difficult to fancy that it +and all it held was hostile to the white man. It seemed to crowd in +upon him menacingly as the fire leapt up, vague, black, and +impenetrable, an abode of unformulated terror and everlasting shadow.</p> + +<p>"I have brought up the same loads with fewer boys before," he said. +"They did not fall lame or die, as some of these have done. It is +known that there is black witchcraft in this bush. There are white men +who have gone into it and did not come out again."</p> + +<p>"They were probably easier with their carriers than is advisable," and +Gavin smiled grimly as he dropped a big hand on a cartridge in his +bandolier. "This is a certain witchcraft cure. Still, you have to make +your mind up. We can not go on, and take all the trade goods, without +provisions."</p> + +<p>His companion raised one shoulder in protest against the trouble fate +had heaped upon them, for the trade goods were worth a good deal in +the country that lay before them.</p> + +<p>"It takes almost as much to keep a man in strength whether he marches +light or loaded," he said. "It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> would ruin me if we left any more +behind. Boys are scarce just now. One could, perhaps, get provisions +in another week's march."</p> + +<p>"The boys can not make it," and it was evident that Gavin was +languidly contemptuous of his comrade's indecision. "You must leave a +few here or you will lose half of them on the way."</p> + +<p>He, at least, could face a crisis resolutely, but it was clear that +he, too, regarded the carriers as chattels that had a commercial value +only, for he was quite aware that, since that was one of the sterile +belts, those who were left behind would in all probability die. The +men whose fate they were discussing lay among the wet undergrowth +apart from them, and Herrero, who appeared to be glancing towards +them, raised himself a trifle suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Something moves. There in the bush," he said.</p> + +<p>"One of the boys," said Gavin, who saw nothing, though his eyes were +keen. "Lie down. You have been taking more cognac than is wise +lately."</p> + +<p>Herrero shrugged his shoulders. "There is always something in the +bush. It comes and goes when the boys are asleep," he said. "It is not +pleasant that one should see it."</p> + +<p>Gavin scarcely smiled. He was growing a trifle impatient with his +comrade, who could not recognize when it was necessary to make a +sacrifice, and he was ready for his meal. By and by Herrero called to +the girl, who filled a calabash from the iron cooking pot hung above +the fire, and laid it down in front of him with two basins. The trader +lifted a portion of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> savory preparation in a wooden spoon and +smelled it.</p> + +<p>"The pepper is insufficient. How often must one tell you that?" he +said, and rising laid a yellow hand upon her arm.</p> + +<p>The girl shrank back from him, but he followed her, still holding her +arm, and nipped it deeply between the nails of his thumb and +forefinger. He did it slowly, and with a certain relish, while his +face contracted into a malicious grin. For a moment a fierce light +leapt into the girl's eyes, but the torturing grip grew sharper, and +it faded again. The man dropped his hand when at last she broke into a +little cry, and stooping for the calabash she went back towards the +fire. Gavin, who had looked on with an expressionless face, turned to +his comrade.</p> + +<p>"If you do that too often I think you will be sorry, my friend," he +said. "She will cut your throat for you some day."</p> + +<p>"No," said Herrero, "it is not a thing that is likely to happen if one +uses the stick sufficiently."</p> + +<p>His companion smiled in a curious fashion, but said nothing. His +mother's people had long ruled the native with a heavy hand, and he +had no hesitation in admitting that leniency is seldom advisable. +Still, he recognized that in spite of his apathetic patience one may +now and then drive the negro over hard, so that when life becomes +intolerable he somewhat logically grows reckless and turns upon his +oppressors in his desperation, which was a thing that Herrero +apparently did not understand.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the girl crouched silently by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> fire, stirring the +blistering peppers into the cooking pot, a huddled figure robed in +white with meekly bent head and the marks of the white man's brutality +upon her dusky body. Every line of the limp figure was suggestive of +hopelessness. She might have posed for a statue of Africa in bondage. +Still, as it happened, she and the boys who lay apart among the +dripping undergrowth glanced now and then towards the forest with +apathetic curiosity. Gavin's ears were good, but, after all, he had +not depended upon his hearing for life and liberty, as the others had +often done, and their keenness of perception was not in him. They knew +that strangers were approaching stealthily through the bush. Indeed, +they knew that one had flitted about the camp for some little while, +but they said nothing. It was the white man's business, and nothing +that was likely to result from it could matter much to them.</p> + +<p>The fire blazed up a little, but, save for its snapping and the roar +of the swollen river, there was silence in the camp, until Gavin rose +to one knee with a little exclamation. He had heard nothing, but at +last his trained senses had given him a sub-conscious warning that +there was something approaching. Just then the girl stirred the fire, +and the uncertain radiance flickered upon the towering trunks. It +drove an elusive track of brightness back into the shadow, and Herrero +scrambled to his feet as a man strode into the light.</p> + +<p><a name="hand" id="hand"></a>He stopped and stood near the fire, dressed in thorn-rent duck, with +the wet dripping from him and a little grim smile in his face, and it +was significant that although he had nothing in his hands Gavin +reached out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> for the heavy rifle that lay near his side. Strangers +are usually received with caution in that part of Africa, and he +recognized the man. As it happened, the girl by the fire recognized +him, too, and ran forward with a little cry. After all, he had been +kind to her while she lived with Lamartine, and it may have been that +some vague hope of deliverance sprang up in her mind, for she stopped +again and crouched in mute appeal close at his side. Ormsgill laid a +hand reassuringly upon her brown shoulder.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 385px;"> +<img src="images/image-2.jpg" width="385" height="575" alt="Ormsgill laid a hand reassuringly upon her brown shoulder." title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"Ormsgill laid a hand reassuringly upon her brown +shoulder."—<a href="#hand">See page 103.</a></p> + +<p>He had not spoken a word yet, and there was silence for a moment or +two while the firelight flared up. It showed Gavin watching him +motionless with the rifle that glinted now and then on his knee, +Herrero standing with closed hands and an unpleasant scowl on his +yellow face, and the boys clustering waist-deep in the underbrush. +Then the trader spoke.</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" he said.</p> + +<p>"This woman," said Ormsgill simply. "I am willing to buy her from +you."</p> + +<p>Herrero laughed maliciously. "She is not for sale. You should not have +let her slip through your fingers. It is possible you could have made +terms with Lamartine."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill disregarded the gibe. Indeed, it was one he had expected.</p> + +<p>"That," he said, "is not quite the point. Besides, one could hardly +fancy that you are quite correct. Everything is for sale in this part +of Africa. It is only a question of the figure. You have not heard my +offer."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>"In this case it would not be a great temptation," and Herrero's grin +was plainer. "The girl is now and then mutinous, and that lends the +affair a certain piquancy. When she has been taught submission I shall +probably grow tired of her and will give her to you. Until then the +breaking of her in will afford me pleasure. In fact, as I have never +been defied by a native yet I feel that to fail in this case would be +a stain on my self-respect."</p> + +<p>"I almost think my offer would cover that," said Ormsgill dryly. "It +seems to me your self-respect has been sold once or twice before."</p> + +<p>Herrero disregarded him, though his face grew a trifle flushed. +"Anita," he said, "come here."</p> + +<p>The girl rose when Ormsgill let his hand drop from her shoulder, and +gazed at him appealingly. Then as he made no sign she turned away with +a little hopeless gesture, moved forward a few paces, and stopped +again when the trader reached out for a withe that lay on the ground +sheet not far from where he stood.</p> + +<p>"It would," he said with a vindictive smile, "have saved her trouble +if you had stayed away."</p> + +<p>"Stop," said Ormsgill sharply, and striding forward stood looking at +him. "You have shown how far you would go, which was in one way most +unwise of you since you have made it a duty to take the girl from you. +What is more to the purpose, it will certainly be done. There are two +ways of obtaining anything in this country. One is to buy it, and the +other to fight for it. I am willing to use either."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>Herrero who saw the glint in his eyes, backed away from him, and +flashed a warning glance at Gavin, who turned to Ormsgill quietly.</p> + +<p>"I am," he said in English, "willing to stand by, and see fair play, +since it does not seem to be altogether a question of business. Still, +if it seems likely that you will deprive me of my comrade's services I +shall probably feel compelled to take a hand in. He has a few good +points though they're not particularly evident, and I can't altogether +afford to lose him."</p> + +<p>Herrero, who glanced round the camp, waved his hand towards the boys. +"I will call them to beat you back into the bush."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill raised his voice, and there was a sharp crackling of +undergrowth, while here and there a dusky figure materialized out of +the shadow.</p> + +<p>"As you see, they have guns," he said.</p> + +<p>Gavin smiled and tapped his rifle. "Still, they can't shoot as I can. +Hadn't you better send them away again, and if you have any offer to +make Mr. Herrero get on with it? One naturally expected something of +this kind."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a little gesture with his hand, and the men sank into +the gloom again.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "for the last week I have been trailing you, and as I +did not know how long I might be coming up with you, I have plenty of +provisions. Yours, it is evident from one or two things I noticed, are +running out, and you can't get through the sterile belt without a +supply. It was rather a pity the San<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> Roque people burned the village +where you expected to get some. I'm open to hand you over all the +loads I can spare in return for the girl Anita."</p> + +<p>"How many loads?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill told him, and Gavin nodded, "It is a reasonable offer," he +said. "I will engage that our friend makes terms with you. Bring in +the provisions, and you shall have the girl."</p> + +<p>Herrero protested savagely until his companion dryly pointed that +since his objections had no weight he was wasting his breath. Then +Ormsgill turned away into the bush, and came back with a line of +half-naked carrier boys who laid down the loads they carried before +the tent. After that he touched the girl's shoulder, and pointed to +the hammock two of the boys lowered.</p> + +<p>"You are going back to your own village," he said.</p> + +<p>The girl gazed at him a moment in evident astonishment, and then waved +her little brown hands.</p> + +<p>"I have none," she said. "It was burned several moons ago."</p> + +<p>It was evident that this was something Ormsgill had not expected, and +was troubled at, and Gavin, who watched him, smiled.</p> + +<p>"If she belongs to the Lutanga people, as one would fancy from her +looks, what she says is very likely correct," he said. "One of the +plateau tribes came down not long ago and wiped several villages out. +Domingo told me, and from what he said the tribe in question is +certainly not one I'd care about handing over a woman to. She would +probably have to put up with a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> deal of unpleasantness if she +went back there. Besides, it seems to me that what you had in view +would scarcely be flattering to the lady. It isn't altogether what she +would expect from her rescuer."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill had already an unpleasant suspicion of the latter fact, for +woman's favor is not sought but purchased or commanded in most parts +of Africa. Still, he once more pointed to the hammock, and walked +behind it without a word when the bearers hove the pole to their wooly +crowns.</p> + +<p>Then as they flitted into the shadowy bush Gavin turned to Herrero +with a little laugh. "There are a few men like him, men with views +that bring them trouble," he said. "My father was one. He threw away a +big farm on account of them. He would not make obeisance to his new +masters when his nation turned its back on him. That, however, is a +thing one could scarcely expect you to understand."</p> + +<p>Then he called one of the boys and sent him to the fire. "And now we +will have supper. After all, I'm not very sorry you lost that girl, my +friend."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ANITA BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY</span></h2> + + +<p>It was two weeks later when Ormsgill reached the Mission with his +boys, footsore, ragged, and worn with travel. He had avoided Anita's +hammock as far as possible on the way, and it was with a certain +relief he saw her safely installed in one of the dusky adherents' +huts. Then he arrayed himself in whole, clean clothes, and when he had +eaten sat on the shadowy veranda talking with his host, a somewhat +ludicrous figure since Father Tiebout's garments were several sizes +too small for him. It was then the hottest part of the afternoon. The +perspiration trickled down their faces, and the little priest blinked +when he met the blazing sunlight with dazzled eyes.</p> + +<p>They spoke in disjointed sentences, sometimes mixing words of three +languages, but it was significant that although neither expressed +himself with clearness his companion seldom failed in comprehension, +for priest and rash adventurer were in curious sympathy. Both of them +had borne heat, and fever, and bodily pain, and proved their courage +in a land where the white man often sinks into limp dejection. Each +had also in his own way done what he could for the oppressed, and had, +perhaps, accomplished a little here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> and there. It was, however, +inevitable that their conversation should turn upon the girl Anita.</p> + +<p>"I had not heard of the raid up yonder," said the priest. "I am not +sure that I am sorry. After all, one hears enough. Still, it no doubt +took place. Herrero's companion would have no motive for deceiving +you. The question is what is to be done with the woman. To be frank, +she cannot stay here."</p> + +<p>"Why?" and Ormsgill's face grew a trifle grave, for Anita was rapidly +becoming a cause of anxiety to him.</p> + +<p>His companion made a little gesture. "She would prove an apple of +discord; she is too pretty. One must not expect too much of human +nature, and one wife alone is permitted. There is not now a boy she +could marry. In the second place, Herrero would probably attempt to +seize her here."</p> + +<p>It occurred to Ormsgill that Anita might not be anxious or even +willing to marry anybody. In fact, he felt it would be an almost +astonishing thing if she was. Still, he realized with a vague +uneasiness that it is, after all, very often difficult to foresee the +course a woman would adopt.</p> + +<p>"Then," he said, "I don't know what can be done with her."</p> + +<p>"You are not one who would leave a task half finished?"</p> + +<p>"At least, I cannot turn this woman adrift."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout wrinkled his brows. "There is, I think, only one place +where she would be safe, and that is on the coast. There are also +friends of mine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> who could be trusted to take good care of her in the +city, and she could be sent down from the San Thome Mission. It is, +however, a long journey."</p> + +<p>"If it is necessary," said Ormsgill, "I must make it."</p> + +<p>His companion's little gesture seemed to indicate that he believed it +was, and Ormsgill dismissed the subject with a smile.</p> + +<p>"In that case I will start again to-morrow," he said.</p> + +<p>He set out in the early morning, taking two letters from Father +Tiebout, one for the man who directed the San Thome Mission, and one +to be sent on from there to certain friends of his host's on the +coast, and it was two days later when he lay a little apart from his +carriers in a glade in the bush. Blazing sunshine beat down into it. +There was an overpowering heat, and a deep stillness pervaded the +encircling forest, for the beasts had slunk into their darkest lairs +in the burning afternoon. The snapping of the fire made it the more +perceptible, and Ormsgill could see the blue smoke curl up above a +belt of grass behind which the boys were cooking a meal. Anita, who +was with them, would, he knew, bring him his portion, and in the +meanwhile he felt it was advisable to keep away from her. She had +talked very little with him during the last two days, but that was his +fault, and he fancied that she failed to understand his reticence. In +fact, the signs of favor she had once or twice shown him had rendered +him a little uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>For all that, his face relaxed into a little dry smile as he wondered +what the very formal Mrs. Ratcliffe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> would think of that journey. He +remembered that he had always been more or less of a trial to his +conventional friends even before he had been dismissed from his +country's service for an offense he had not committed, but he was one +of the men who do not greatly trouble themselves about being +misunderstood. It is a misfortune which those who undertake anything +worth doing have usually to bear with.</p> + +<p>He was, however, a little drowsy, for they had started at sunrise and +marched a long way since then. There was only one hammock, which +somewhat to the carriers' astonishment Anita had occupied, for this +was distinctly at variance with the customs of a country in which +nobody concerns himself about the comfort of a native woman. It would +also be an hour before the boys went on again, and he stretched +himself out among the grass wearily, but, for all that, with a little +sigh of content. He had found the restraints of civilization galling, +and the untrammeled life of the wilderness appealed to him. The need +of constant vigilance, and the recognition of the hazards he had +exposed himself to, had a bracing effect. It roused the combativeness +that was in his nature, and left him intent, strung up, and resolute. +The task he had saddled himself with had become more engrossing since +it promised to be difficult.</p> + +<p>He did not think he slept, for he was conscious of the pungent smell +of the wood smoke all the time, but at last he roused himself to +attention suddenly, and looked about him with dazzled eyes. He could +see the faint blue vapor hanging about the trunks, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> hear the boys' +low voices, but except for that the bush was very still. Yet he was +certainly leaning on one elbow with every sense strung up, and he knew +that there must be some cause for it. What had roused him he could not +tell, but he had, perhaps, lived long enough in that land to acquire a +little of the bushman's unreasoning recognition of an approaching +peril. There was, he knew, something that menaced him not far away.</p> + +<p>For a moment or two his heart beat faster than usual, and the +perspiration trickled down his set face, and then laying a restraint +upon himself he rose a trifle higher, and swept his eyes steadily +round the glade. There was one spot where it seemed to him that the +outer leaves of a screen of creepers moved. He did not waste a moment +in watching them, but letting his arm fall under him rolled over +amidst the grass which covered him, for it was evidently advisable to +take precautions promptly. Just as the crackling stems closed about +him there was a pale flash and a detonation, and a puff of smoke +floated out from the creepers.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was on his feet in another moment, and running his hardest +plunged into them, but when he had smashed through the tangled, thorny +stems there was nobody there, and except for the clamor of the boys +the bush was very still. Still, this was very much what he had +expected, and looking round he saw the print of naked toes and a knee +in the damp soil before his eyes rested on the brass shell of a spent +cartridge. He picked it up and turned it over in his hand, +recog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>nizing it as one made for a heavy, single-shot rifle of old +fashioned type, which had its significance for him. He fancied his +would-be assassin had been lent the rifle by a white man who in all +probability knew what he meant to do with it. Then he glanced at the +cartridge again, and noticed a slight outward bending of its rim. +There was a portentous little glint in his eyes as he slipped it into +his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Some day I may come across the man who owns that rifle," he said.</p> + +<p>He stood still for another few moments, grim in face, with his jacket +rent, and a little trickle of blood running from one hand which a +thorn had gashed. Every nerve in him tingled with fierce anger, but he +knew that the man who runs counter to established customs has usually +more than misconception to face in Africa, especially if he +sympathizes with the oppressed, and he was one who could wait. Then +the boys came floundering through the undergrowth, one or two with +heavy matchets, and one or two with long flintlock guns, but Ormsgill, +who recognized that pursuit would certainly prove futile even if they +were willing to undertake it, drove them back to the fire again.</p> + +<p>"We will start when I have eaten," was all he said.</p> + +<p>Anita brought him his meal, and stood watching him curiously while he +ate, but Ormsgill said nothing, and in half an hour they went on again +and spent the rest of that day and a number of others floundering +amidst and hacking a way through tangled creepers in the dim shadow of +the bush. It was a relief to all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> of them when at last the thatched +roofs of San Thome Mission rose out of a little opening into which the +dazzling sunlight shone. Ormsgill was received by an emaciated priest +with a dead white face and the intolerant eyes of a fanatic, who +supplied him and the boys with a very frugal meal and took Anita away +from him. Then he read Father Tiebout's letters, and after he had done +so sat with Ormsgill on the veranda.</p> + +<p>"Father Tiebout vouches for you—and your purpose," he said, watching +his companion with doubt in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"If he had not done so I should probably not have been welcome?" said +Ormsgill, smiling.</p> + +<p>The priest made a little gesture which seemed to imply that he did not +intend to discuss that point. "The girl would be safe with the people +he mentions. They are good Catholics."</p> + +<p>"I am not sure that is quite sufficient in itself," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "Still, Father Tiebout would scarcely have suggested +sending her to them unless he had felt reasonably certain that they +would show her kindness."</p> + +<p>His companion's face hardened. "They are people of blameless lives. +There are, perhaps, two or three such in that city. You could count +upon the woman receiving kindness from them, but one would have you +quite clear about the fact that my recommendation is necessary. It is, +of course, in my power to withhold it, and if it is given you will +undertake not to claim the woman again?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>Ormsgill looked at him with a little smile. "I have no wish to claim +her, though I have only that assurance to offer you, and I must tell +you that I am going to the coast. There are, however, one or two +conditions. She must be treated well, and paid for her services."</p> + +<p>"That would be arranged. It is convenient that she should understand +what would be required of her. I will send for her."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a sign of concurrence, and in another five minutes Anita +stood before them, slight and lithe in form, and very comely, but with +apprehension and anxiety in her brown face. The priest spoke to her +concisely in a coldly even voice, and it was evident that the course +he mentioned was one she had no wish to take. Then he turned from her +to Ormsgill as she stretched out her hands with a little gesture of +appeal towards the latter.</p> + +<p>"It is your will that I should go away and live with these people?" +she said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill knew that the priest was watching him, and that there was +only one answer, but he shrank from uttering it. The girl's eyes were +beseeching, and she looked curiously forlorn. She was a castaway +without kindred or country, one who had lived the untrammeled life of +the bush, and he feared that she would find the restraints of the city +intolerably galling.</p> + +<p>"It is," he said gravely.</p> + +<p>The girl stood very still a moment or two looking at him, and Ormsgill +felt the blood creep into his face. He was, in all probability, the +only man who had ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> shown her kindness, and he recognized that she +too had misunderstood his motives and regarded him as rather more than +her rescuer. Then as he made no sign she flung out her hands again, +hopelessly this time, and slowly straightened herself.</p> + +<p>"I go," she said simply and turned away from them.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill watched her cross the compound, a forlorn object, with the +white cotton robe that flowed about her gleaming in the dazzling +sunlight, and then turn for a moment in the shadowy entrance of a +palm-thatched hut. He was stirred with a vague compassion, but putting +a firm restraint upon himself he sat still, and the girl turning +suddenly once more vanished into the dark gap. It also happened that +he never met her again.</p> + +<p>"One's powers are limited, Father. After all, there is not much one +can do for another," he said.</p> + +<p>The priest looked hard at him, and then made a little grave gesture. +"It is something if one can ease for a moment another's burden. I +have, it seems, to ask your pardon for a misconception that was, +perhaps, not altogether an unnatural one, Señor."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill saw little more of him during the day, and started for the +coast early next morning. He had only accomplished half his purpose, +and that in some respects the easier half, but it was necessary for +him to procure further supplies and communicate with Desmond. Before +he started, however, he sent home most of the boys Father Tiebout had +obtained for him, keeping only two or three of them, for these and +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> others he had brought up with him could, he fancied, be relied +upon. They were thick-lipped, wooly-haired heathen, stupid in all +matters beyond their acquaintance, but after the first few weeks they +had, at least, done his bidding unquestioningly.</p> + +<p>This quiet white man with the lined face had never used the stick on +one of them, and did not, so far as they were aware, even carry a +pistol. When they slept at a bush village or obtained provisions there +he made the headman a due return before he went away, which was not +the invariable custom of other white men they had traveled with. In +fact, they looked upon him as somewhat of an anachronism in that +country, but since the one attempt a few of them had made to disregard +his authority had signally failed they obeyed him, and little by +little became sensible of a curious confidence in him. What he said he +did, and, what was rather more to the purpose, when he told them that +a certain course was expected from them they usually adopted it, even +when it was far from coinciding with their wishes.</p> + +<p>There are a few men of Ormsgill's kind and one or two women who have +made adventurous journeys in the shadowy land unarmed, and carried +away with them the dusky tribesmen's good will, while others have +found it necessary to march with a band of hired swashbucklers and +mark their trail with burnt villages and cartridge shells. As usual, a +good deal depended upon how they set about it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ORMSGILL ASKS A FAVOR</span></h2> + + +<p>A silver lamp burned on the little table where two diminutive cups of +bitter coffee were set out, but its indifferent light was scarcely +needed in the open-fronted upper room of Dom Clemente's house. A full +moon hung above the Atlantic, and the clear radiance that rested on +the glittering harbor streamed in between the fretted arches and +slender pillars. Throughout tropical Africa all there is of grace and +beauty in man's handiwork bears the stamp of the unchanging East, and +one finds something faintly suggestive of the art of olden days where +the eye rests with pleasure on any of its sweltering towns, which is, +however, not often the case. It is incontrovertible that most of the +towns are characterized by native squalor and that some of them are +unpleasantly filthy, but, after all, filth and squalor are usual in +the East, and serve by contrast to enhance the elusive beauty of its +cities.</p> + +<p>It was almost cool that evening, and Ormsgill, looking down between +the slim pillars across the white walls and flat roofs, though some +were ridged and tiled, towards the blaze of moonlight on the harbor, +was well content to be where he was after his journey through the +steamy bush and across the sun-scorched littoral. He had arrived that +afternoon, and had spent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> the last hour with Benicia Figuera, who had +shown herself gracious to him. She lay not far away from him in a big +Madeira chair, loosely draped in diaphanous white attire which +enhanced the violet depths of her eyes and the duskiness of her hair, +and her face showed in the moonlight the clear pallor of ivory. +Ormsgill fancied that her attendant the Señora Castro sat in the room +behind them from which a soft light streamed out through quaintly +patterned wooden lattices, though he had seen nothing of the latter +lady since the comida had been cleared away.</p> + +<p>He had said very little about his journey, though he intended to tell +Dom Clemente rather more, but he presently became conscious that +Benicia was regarding him with a little smile. He also noticed, and +was somewhat annoyed with himself for thinking of it, that she had +lips like the crimson pulp of the pomegranate, the grandadilla which +figures in the imagery of the Iberian Peninsula as well as in that of +parts of Africa, where it is seldom grown. Ormsgill was quite aware of +this, and it had its associations of Eastern mysticism and sensuality, +for he was a man of education and the outcasts he had lived with had +not all been of low degree. Among them there had been a certain +green-turbaned Moslem who had taught him things unknown to his kind at +home. He felt that it was advisable to put a restraint upon himself.</p> + +<p>"You are not sorry you have come back to us?" said Benicia.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was by no means sorry, and permitted himself to admit as +much. He had accomplished part, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> least, of his purpose +successfully, and that in itself had a tranquilizing effect on him, +while after the weary marches through tall grass and tangled bush +under scorching heat it was distinctly pleasant to sit there cleanly +clad, in the cool air with such a companion. Benicia, it almost +seemed, guessed his thoughts, for she laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"It is comforting to feel that one has done what he has undertaken," +she said. "Still, you were, at least, not alone by those campfires in +the bush."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill flushed a little, though he contrived not to start. He had +naturally not considered it necessary to tell Miss Figuera anything +about Anita.</p> + +<p>"No," he said simply. "I don't know how you could have heard about it, +but I was not alone."</p> + +<p>It was characteristic of him that he offered no explanation, and was +content to leave what he had done open to misconception. In fact, he +had a vague but unpleasant feeling that the latter course might be the +wiser one. Benicia turned her dark eyes full upon him, and there was a +faint sparkle in the depths of them.</p> + +<p>"My friend, I hear of almost everything," she said. "As it happens, I +know what you went up into the bush for."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Ormsgill reflectively, "perhaps, I should not be +surprised at that. It was only natural that I should be watched."</p> + +<p>He met her gaze without wavering, and, though he was not aware of +this, his eyes had a question in them. It was one he could not have +asked directly even if he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> had wished, but remembering that Anita was +to live in that city he took a bold course.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if one could venture to mention that your interest in the +woman I brought down from the bush would go a long way?" he said. "It +is, I think, deserved, and in case of any difficulty would ensure her +being left in quietness here, though, perhaps, the favor is too much +to expect."</p> + +<p>"No," said the girl, "not when you make the request. Frankly, in the +case of others I should have found what I have heard incredible. It +suggests the Knight of La Mancha. Are there many in your country who +would do such things?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill felt his face grow a trifle hot. After all, Benicia Figuera +was, in that land, at least, a great lady, and he remembered that his +own people had doubted him. He laughed somewhat bitterly.</p> + +<p>"If I remember correctly, the famous cavalier was more or less crazy," +he said.</p> + +<p>The girl turned a trifle in her chair, and he saw a little gleam +kindle in her dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "perhaps it is a pity there are so many who are wholly +sensible."</p> + +<p>She sat very close to him, dressed in filmy white which flowed in +sweeping lines about a form of the statuesque modeling that is one of +the characteristics of the women of The Peninsula, but it was +something in her eyes which held Ormsgill's attention. They were Irish +eyes, with the inconsequent daring of the Celt in them, though she had +also the lips of the Iberian, full and red and passionate. The hot +blood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> of the South was in her, and, though she never forgot wholly +who and what she was, and there was a certain elusive stateliness in +her pose, it was clear to the man that she was one who could on +occasion fling petty prudence to the winds and ride as reckless a tilt +at conventionalities and cramping customs as he had done. Such a woman +he felt would not expect to be safeguarded by a man, but would bear +the stress of the conflict with him, if she loved him, not because his +quarrel might be an honorable one but because it was his. Then she +made him a little grave inclination.</p> + +<p>"I venture to make you my compliments, Señor Ormsgill," she said.</p> + +<p>The man set his lips for a moment, and she saw it with a little thrill +of triumph. It was borne in upon her that she desired the love of this +quiet Englishman who for a whimsical idea had undertaken such a task. +She also felt that she could take it, for she had seen the woman he +was pledged to, and knew, if he did not, that he would never be +satisfied with her. Then she suddenly remembered her pride, and +quietly straightened herself again. Ormsgill sat still looking at her, +and though the signs of restraint were plain on his lined face, she +saw a curious little glint creep into his eyes. Still, she felt that +he did not know it was there.</p> + +<p>"What shall I say?" he asked. "I don't think there are many people who +would see anything commendable in what I have done. In fact, those who +heard about it would probably consider it a piece of futile rashness, +and it is very likely that they would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> be right. After all, the +restraints of the city may become intolerable to the girl."</p> + +<p>"Then why did you undertake it?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed, though there was a faint ring in his voice, for he +saw that she had not asked out of idle curiosity. "I don't exactly +know. For one thing, I had made a promise, but to be candid I think +there were other reasons. You see, I have borne the burden myself. I +have been plundered of my earnings, driven to exhaustion, and have +fought against long odds for my life. It left me with a bitterness +against any custom which makes the grinding of the helpless possible. +One can't help a natural longing to strike back now and then."</p> + +<p>Benicia nodded. It was not surprising that there was a certain vein of +vindictiveness in her, which rendered it easy for her to sympathize +with him, and once more the man noticed that where Ada Ratcliffe would +in all probability have listened with half-disdainful impatience she +showed comprehension.</p> + +<p>"Still," she said, "in a struggle of this kind you have so much +against you. After all, you are only one man."</p> + +<p>"I almost think there are a few more of us even in Africa and, as +Father Tiebout says, it is, perhaps, possible that one man may be +permitted to do—something—here and there."</p> + +<p>He spoke with a grave simplicity which curiously stirred the girl. It +is possible that the sorrows of the oppressed did not in themselves +greatly interest her,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> for she had certainly never borne the burden, +but the attitude of this quiet man who, it seemed, had taken up their +cause, and was ready to ride a tilt against the powers that be, +appealed to her. She had, at least, courage and imagination, and there +was Irish blood in her.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "the fight is an unequal one, but though there will be +so many against you I think you have also a few good friends—as well +as the Señor Desmond."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill started. Her knowledge of his affairs was disconcerting, but +he forgot his annoyance at it when she leaned forward a trifle looking +at him. Her mere physical beauty had its effect on him, and the soft +moonlight and her clinging white draperies enhanced and etherealized +it, but it was not that which set his heart beating a trifle faster +and sent a faint thrill through him. It was once more her eyes he +looked at, and what he saw there made it clear that the reckless, +all-daring something that was in her nature was wholly in sympathy +with him. He also understood that she had asked him to count her as +one of his friends. His manner was, however, a little quieter than +usual.</p> + +<p>"It is a matter of gratification to me to feel that I have," he said. +"Still, what do you know about Desmond?"</p> + +<p>Benicia laughed. "Not a great deal, but I can guess rather more. +Still, I do not think you need fear that I will betray you. In the +meantime I venture to believe that this is another of your friends."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>She rose and turned towards the door as her father came in. He shook +hands with Ormsgill, and then taking off his kepi drew forward a +chair. Benicia said nothing further, but went out and left them +together. Dom Clemente lighted a cigarette before he turned to his +guest with a little dry smile.</p> + +<p>"Trade," he said, "is not brisk up yonder?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know if it is or not," said Ormsgill simply.</p> + +<p>"Then, perhaps, you have accomplished the purpose that took you +there?"</p> + +<p>"A part of it. Because I have ventured to ask your daughter's interest +in a native woman I brought down I will tell you what it was."</p> + +<p>He did so, and the olive-faced soldier nodded. "I think you have done +wisely in making me your confidant," he said. "At least, the woman +will be safe here. It is also possible that I shall have a few words +to speak to our friend Herrero some day." Then his tone grew a trifle +sharper. "I have heard that there are rifles in the hands of some of +the bushmen up yonder."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill took a cartridge from his pocket and pointed to the dint in +the rim. "One might consider this as a proof of it. You will notice +the caliber, and I fancy I should recognize the rifle it was fired out +of. In that case the man who carries it will have an account to render +me."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the little soldier quietly, "it is a confirmation of +several things I have heard of lately. I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> I mentioned that the +bush was not a desirable place for you to wander in. Still, you are +probably going back there again?"</p> + +<p>"I believe I am."</p> + +<p>His companion looked at him with a little smile. "It is what one would +expect from you. One may, perhaps, venture to recall the circumstances +under which I first met you. Two soldiers brought you before me—and, +as it happened, I had, fortunately, finished breakfast. You made +certain damaging admissions with a candor which, though it might have +had a different effect a little earlier, saved you a good deal of +unpleasantness. I said here is an unwise man whose word can be +depended on. You know what the people of this city say of me?"</p> + +<p>"That you are a great soldier."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled. "Also that like the rest I am willing to +abuse my office if it will line my pockets. The latter, it seems, is +the purpose which influences me in the unpopular things I do. I make +no protestations, but after all it is possible that I may have another +one. In any case, I have received you into my house, and admitted a +certain indebtedness to you. In return, I ask for your usual +frankness. You have heard of a native rising up yonder?"</p> + +<p>The question was sharp and incisive, and Ormsgill nodded.</p> + +<p>"To be precise," he said, "I heard of two."</p> + +<p>"Then we will have your views about the first one. It is not what one +could call spontaneous?"</p> + +<p>"At least, it is scarcely likely to take place without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> a little +judicious encouragement. The results, it is expected, would be +repression and reprisal. It seems that a lenient native policy does +not please everybody."</p> + +<p>This time Dom Clemente nodded with the twinkle a trifle plainer in his +eyes. "There are, one may admit, certain trading gentlemen in this +city who do not like it, but I will tell you a secret," he said. +"There are also a few well meaning people of some influence in my +country who can not be brought to believe that commercial interests +should count for everything. They seem to consider one has a certain +responsibility towards the negro. I do not say how far my views +coincide with theirs. That may become apparent some day. But the +second rising?"</p> + +<p>"Will, at least, be genuine, and, I almost fancy, formidable. It is a +little curious that the people who are most interested in the other do +not seem to foresee it. It may break upon them before they are quite +ready with the bogus one."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente smoked out his cigarette before he answered, and then he +waved one of his hands.</p> + +<p>"Now and then," he said, "things happen that way. Perhaps, the Powers +who direct our little comedy can smile on occasion. At least, we +frequently afford them the opportunity. It is certain that there is no +fool like the over-cunning man. But we will talk of something else. In +the meantime, and while you stay here, you will consider this house of +mine your home, and those in it your friends and servants."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Ormsgill. "And when I go away?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>His host made a little gesture. "Then it will depend upon where you go +and what you do. We may be friends still, or our ideas of what is +expected from us may render that impossible. Perhaps, it is +unfortunate when one has any ideas upon that point at all. Still, that +is a subject one must leave to the priests and those who reckon our +work up afterwards. Being simply a soldier, I do not know."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DESMOND VENTURES A HINT</span></h2> + + +<p>It was blowing hard, and the deluge which had blotted out the dingy +daylight and beaten flat the white spouting along the hammered beach +had just ceased suddenly when Desmond lay upon a settee at the head of +the <i>Palestrina</i>'s companion stairway. Though the long, sandy point to +the north of her afforded a partial shelter, she was rolling savagely +with a half-steam ready and two anchors down. Desmond had wedged +himself fast with his feet against the balustrade, but he found it +somewhat difficult to remain where he was, and the little room was +uncomfortably hot, though one door and the lee ports were open. The +two that looked forward were swept by spray that beat on them like a +shot, and overhead funnel-guy and wire rigging screamed in wild +arpeggios under the impact of the muggy gale.</p> + +<p>The <i>Palestrina</i>'s owner was, however, used to that. It rains and +blows somewhat hard on that coast at certain seasons, and he had lain +there several weeks growling at the heat and the weather, for he was +also one of the men who can keep a promise. Just then he had an +unlighted pipe and a letter which he had received from Las Palmas a +month earlier in one hand. It was from an Englishman he had brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +out to Grand Canary, and though its contents did not directly concern +him he had given it a good deal of thought once or twice already. His +forehead grew a trifle furrowed as he opened it again.</p> + +<p>"We have been wondering what Lister came back for, and the general +notion is that you had had enough of him," said his friend. "In any +case, he seems quite content with Las Palmas, and the British colony +are watching his proceedings with quiet interest. After cleaning out +several Spaniards at the casino he has apparently devoted himself to +Miss Ratcliffe's service. It is not evident that he receives a great +deal of encouragement from the lady herself, but her mother is +ostentatiously gracious to him. She may have a purpose in this."</p> + +<p>Desmond crumpled the letter in one hand. "Crosbie always was +a—tattler, but it's more than possible that he's right," he said. +Then he sighed. "And I put Lister on board the mail-boat and sent him +there! If I'd only known what the result would be I'd have drowned +him."</p> + +<p>He lay still for another few moments filling his pipe, and then flung +the tobacco pouch across the room, for a sojourn off those beaches +would probably try the temper of most white men, and the Hibernian +nature now and then came uppermost in him.</p> + +<p>"Damp," he said. "Reeking, dripping, putrid, like everything else on +this forlorn coast! It would be a boon to humanity if somebody bought +the besotted continent and scuttled it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>He rose to his feet as a man in bedraggled white uniform appeared in +the doorway.</p> + +<p>"You were speaking, sir?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I was," said Desmond. "I suggested that it was a pity somebody +couldn't torpedo this benighted continent. Any word from the men you +sent ashore?"</p> + +<p>"They've signaled from the rise," said the <i>Palestrina</i>'s mate. "No +sign of him yet. I don't expect them off until to-morrow. The surf's +running steep." Desmond made a gesture of concurrence as he glanced at +the filmy spray-cloud that drove like smoke up the wet and glistening +beach. It was flung aloft by a wild white welter of crumbling seas, +and he realized that the boat's crew who had gone ashore could not +rejoin the <i>Palestrina</i> before the morning, at least. They went every +day to watch for a lumbering ox team or a band of carriers plodding +seaward across the littoral, and it seemed they had once more signaled +that there was no sign of either. Then he moved towards the door +bareheaded, with only an unbuttoned duck jacket over his thin singlet, +and the mate ventured a deprecatory protest.</p> + +<p>"She's throwing it over her in sheets forward," he said.</p> + +<p>Desmond disregarded him, and staggering clear of the deck-house stood +with feet spread well apart gazing at the stretch of leaden sea while, +as the <i>Palestrina</i>'s bows went up, the spray that whirled in over her +weather rail wet him to the skin. He saw the livid tops of the combers +that rolled by the point and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> heard the jarring cables ring, and then +turned his eyes shorewards and gazed across the waste of misty +littoral.</p> + +<p>"It's a cheerful place, but now and then you feel you might get to +like it," he said. "Perhaps it's the uncertainty as to when the fever +will get you that gives living here a zest. When you come to think of +it, some of us have curious notions."</p> + +<p>He appeared to be considering the point as they edged back under the +lee of the deck-house, and the mate grinned.</p> + +<p>"The men don't take kindly to it, sir," he said. "They've been +worrying me lately as to how long we're stopping here."</p> + +<p>"A week," said Desmond. "Ormsgill's time is running out, and he'll be +here or send us word by then. He said he would, and what that man says +you can count on being done."</p> + +<p>Something in his tone suggested that the question might be considered +as closed, and they discussed other matters while the deck heaved and +slanted under them until a man forward flung up an arm and turned +towards them with a cry which the wind swept away. In another moment +Desmond scrambled half-way up the bridge ladder, and clung there with +the mate close beneath him gazing at the white welter where the seas +swept by the point. There was a sail just outshore of it, a little +strip of gray canvas that appeared and vanished amidst the serried +ranks of tumbling combers. It drew out of them and drove furiously +towards the <i>Palestrina</i>, and when a strip of white hull grew into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +visibility beneath it Desmond looked down at his mate.</p> + +<p>"A big surf-boat. It's Ormsgill," he said.</p> + +<p>There was certainty in his tone, as well as a little ring of +satisfaction which was, perhaps, warranted, for it is, after all, +something to be the friend of a man who does just what he has promised +and never arrives too late. In the meanwhile the object they were +watching had grown into a bellying lug-sail that reeled to lee and to +weather with the sea streaming from the foot of it, and a patch of +foam-swept hull. The boat came on furiously, and when the mate sprang +from the ladder roaring orders Desmond could see three or four black +figures through the spray that whirled over her. There was also +another man in white garments standing upright in her stern, and +Desmond was wholly sure of his identity. Then she was lost for awhile, +and only swept into sight again abreast of the <i>Palestrina</i>'s dipping +bows, hove high with half her length lifted out of the crest of a +breaking sea.</p> + +<p>She drove forward with it, the foam standing half a man's height above +her stern and the foot of the slanted lug-sail washing in the brine, +while a bent white figure struggled with the great steering oar. She +swooped like a toboggan plunging down an icy slide when she was level +with the <i>Palestrina</i>'s bridge, and some of the men who watched her +from the latter's rail held their breath as the smoking sea passed on +and another gathered itself together astern of her. The helmsman, they +knew, must bring the dripping, half-swamped boat on the wind to reach +the strip of lee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> beneath the steamer's stern, and when he did it +there was every prospect of her rolling over.</p> + +<p>In another moment several black objects rose and grappled with the +lug-sail sheet, and the big boat tilted until all one side of her was +in the air. Then she went up in the midst of a white spouting as the +slope of water behind fell upon her. Still, the slanted lug-sail rose +out of it, and then came down thrashing furiously while naked black +figures half-seen in the spray bent from her gunwale with swinging +paddles as she drove towards the <i>Palestrina</i>'s quarter. After that +there was a hoarse shouting, and the lines flew from the reeling +taffrail as she slid under the steamer's stern.</p> + +<p>In another minute or two Ormsgill swung himself on board through the +gangway. He had no hat, and the water ran from him, but he shook hands +with Desmond unconcernedly.</p> + +<p>"Ask them to hand that fellow up," he said pointing to a man who sat +huddled in the water that swirled up and down inside the plunging +boat. "We took rather a heavy one over two or three hours ago, and he +brought up on the after thwart when the big oar jumped its crutch. As +he's the only Kroo among them, I took the helm myself after that. I +don't fancy he has broken anything."</p> + +<p>Desmond hustled him into the deck-house when the negro had been +brought on deck and the dripping boat rode astern, and an hour later +he sat at dinner with his comrade in the little white saloon. Darkness +had closed down in the meanwhile, and the lamp that swung above their +heads flung a soft light across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> table, where dainty glassware and +silver glittered on the snowy cloth. Ormsgill smiled as he glanced at +it and the glowing blotch of color in his wine glass.</p> + +<p>"After all, this kind of thing has its advantages, especially when one +has been accustomed to squatting in the wood smoke over a calabash of +palm oil or some other unhallowed nigger compound," he said. "It's a +trifle pleasant to wear clothes that fit you, too. Father Tiebout's +and those Dom Clemente lent me didn't. I had to cut the wrists off the +latter's jacket."</p> + +<p>Desmond looked at him reflectively over his cigar, for he had +something to say, and was a trifle uncertain as to how he should set +about it.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I suppose it is nice for a while, especially, as you +say, when it's a change. The point is, would it satisfy you long?"</p> + +<p>"A dinner like this one is generally acceptable."</p> + +<p>"We'll admit it. The trouble is that these civilized comforts are apt +to cost you something. I mean one has usually to give up something +else for the sake of them. You begin to understand?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that I do," said Ormsgill. "I'll ask you to go on."</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed, though he did not feel quite at ease. He remembered +the letter in his pocket, and felt that there was a responsibility on +him, and that was a thing which, inconsequent as he was, he seldom +shrank from. This was not a man who talked about his duty; in fact, +any reference to the subject usually roused in him a sense of +opposition. He contented himself with doing it when he recognized it, +and since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> singleness of purpose is not invariably an efficient +substitute for mental ability, it was not altogether his fault when at +times he did it clumsily. There was also a subtle bond between him and +the man who sat opposite him. Affection was not the right term, and it +was more than <i>camaraderie</i>, an elusive something that could not be +defined and was yet in their case a compelling force.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "those quagmires and forests up yonder appeal to you. +It's a little difficult for any reasonable person to see why they +should, but they certainly do. So does the sea. The love of it's in +both of us."</p> + +<p>He stopped with a lifted hand, and, for the ports were open, Ormsgill +heard the deep rumble of the eternal surf on the hammered beach. He +also heard the onward march of the white hosts of tumbling seas, and +the shrill scream of the wire rigging singing to the gale. It was the +turmoil of the elemental conflict that must rage in one form or +another by sea and in the wilderness while the world endures, and +there is a theme in its clashing harmonies that stirs the hearts of +men. Ormsgill felt the thrill of it, and Desmond's eyes glistened.</p> + +<p>"Lord," he said, "we're curiously made. What in the name of wonder is +it that appeals to us in driving a swamping surf-boat over those +combers, or standing on the bridge ramming her full speed into it with +the green seas going over her forward and everything battened down? +Still, there is something. While we can do that kind of thing we can't +stay at home."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>Ormsgill smiled curiously. He was acquainted with some of the +characteristics of the wild Celtic strain, and knew that his comrade +now and then let himself go. "I think," he said, "considering where +you come from, you should understand it more readily than I can do."</p> + +<p>"You're not exempt," said Desmond, "you cold-blooded Saxons. What did +you run that boat down the coast under the whole lug-sail for when +she'd have gone nearly dry with two reefs tied down?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Still, she lost the wind in the hollows. One had to +keep her ahead of the seas."</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed scornfully. "Is that it? When the boy went down with +the breath knocked out of him as she took in a green sea, something +came over you as you grabbed the steering oar. You went suddenly +crazy, fighting crazy. You'd have rolled her over or run her under +before you tied a reef in."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and made a little gesture as of one throwing +something away. "Still, you'll have to give all that up when you marry +and settle down, though it's a little difficult to imagine you going +round in a frock coat and tight patent boots, growing fat, and +overfeeding yourself like a—Strasburg goose. I suppose it is your +intention to be married some day?"</p> + +<p>"I believe it is," said Ormsgill quietly.</p> + +<p>Desmond laid down his cigar and looked at him. "Well, I may be on +dangerous ground, but when I get steam up I seldom allow a thing like +that to influence me. Anyway, I've been worrying over you lately.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> The +question is—are you going to marry the right girl, one who would take +you as you are and encourage you to be more so? It isn't every woman +who could put up with a man of your kind, but there are a few."</p> + +<p>His comrade's expression might have warned another man, but Desmond +went on.</p> + +<p>"I don't know if my views are worth anything, and some of my friends +doubt it, but you shall have them. After all, the matter's rather an +important one. The wife for you is one who would sympathize with your +notions even if she knew they were crazy ones, because they were +yours, and when they led you into lumber, as such notions generally +do, stand beside you smiling to face the world and the devil. There +are such women. I've met one or two."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment or two when he stopped, and Ormsgill, +gazing straight before him with vacant eyes, saw a dark-eyed girl with +dusky hair and a face of the pale ivory tint sitting where the +moonlight streamed in between a colonnade of slender pillars. As it +happened, Desmond saw her, too, and sighed. Then Ormsgill seemed to +rouse himself.</p> + +<p>"I am," he said, "going to marry Miss Ratcliffe, as I think you must +be quite aware."</p> + +<p>Desmond could have laughed. He fancied that it would have been almost +warranted, but he laid a restraint upon himself. "Then," he said, "if +you have both made up your minds and the thing is settled what in the +name of wonder are you wandering about Africa for? The fact that you +like it doesn't count.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> Why don't you go back—now—to her? It would +be considerably wiser."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill looked at him with half-closed eyes. "I'll have to ask you to +speak plainly."</p> + +<p>"I'll try," and Desmond made a little deprecatory gesture. "There are +women it isn't wise to leave too long alone. They were not made to +live that way, and if they find it insupportable you can't blame them. +How many years is it since Miss Ratcliffe has had more than a few +weeks of your company, and is it natural that a young woman should be +quietly content while the man she is to marry wanders through these +forests endeavoring to throw his life away? Besides that, the thing +might very possibly not commend itself to her mother."</p> + +<p>The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's forehead, and his eyes +were grave. "I have," he said, "been a little afraid of what her +mother might do myself."</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you go across to Grand Canary and make sure she +doesn't try to influence the girl? Isn't it only reasonable that she +should expect you to be there and save her all unpleasantness in case +of anything of that kind happening?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing for several minutes, but it was borne in upon +his comrade that his efforts had been thrown away. He had, however, +after all, not expected them to be successful. At length Ormsgill +spoke quietly.</p> + +<p>"I can't go," he said. "Domingo has carried those boys away into the +interior and I pledged myself that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> they should go home when their +time was up. As it is, unless I can take them from him they will be +driven to death in a few years. For that, I think, I should be held +responsible."</p> + +<p>He rose with a little sigh. "Dick," he said, "I have this thing to do, +and even if it costs me a good deal it must be done. I am going back +inland, and may be three or four months away. You can't stay here. +After all, I don't know that I shall have much difficulty in getting +the boys out of the country when I come down again."</p> + +<p>Desmond smiled. "I may go to Las Palmas or Madeira, but I'll be here +when you want me. We can fix that later. It seems to me I've said +quite enough to-night."</p> + +<p>Then they went up the companion, and Ormsgill talked of other matters +as they sat under the lee of the deck-house, and watched the white +seas sweep out of the darkness and vanish into it again.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">LISTER OFFERS SATISFACTION</span></h2> + + +<p>Desmond's informant had, as it happened, been quite warranted in +mentioning that Lister's proceedings had aroused the interest of the +English colony in Las Palmas. He provided those who belonged to it +with something to talk about as they lounged on the hotel verandas, +which was a cause for gratification, since a good many of them had no +more profitable occupation. That dusty city has, like others in the +south, distractions to offer the idler with liberal views, though a +certain proportion of them are of distinctly doubtful character. There +are also in it gentlemen of easy morality who are willing to act as +cicerone to the stranger with means, that is, provided he possesses a +generous disposition. Spaniards of the old régime call them the <i>Sin +Verguenza</i>, "men without shame," and there are one or two coarsely +forceful Anglo-Saxon terms that might be aptly applied to them. It is, +unfortunately, a fact that there are Englishmen among them.</p> + +<p>Lister, who was young, and had never imposed much restraint upon +himself, profited by the opportunities they provided him. He had the +command of more money than was, perhaps, desirable, and for several +weeks the pace he made was hot. He was natu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>rally preyed upon and +victimized, though, after all, the latter happened less frequently +than those who watched his proceedings supposed. The lad was careless +and generous, but there was a certain shrewdness in him as well as a +vein of cold British stubbornness which made him a trifle difficult to +handle when once his dislike was aroused. Indeed, one or two of his +acquaintances fancied he had not gone so very deep in the mire, after +all. How much Mrs. Ratcliffe knew about his doings did not appear. One +desires to be charitable, and since Major Chillingham had gone back to +England, it is possible, though far from likely, that she had not +heard of them at all. In any case, she took him up, and was gracious +to him in a motherly fashion, and there was suddenly a change in him.</p> + +<p>Lister henceforward spent his evenings at the hotel, generally near +the piano when Ada Ratcliffe sang. He also planned excursions for her +and her mother to little palm-shrouded villages among the volcanic +hills, and, since there was nobody who understood exactly how Miss +Ratcliffe stood with regard to the man who had gone to Africa, the +onlookers chuckled, and said that the girl's mother was a clever +woman. She said that Lister was a very likable young man, who had no +mother of his own, which was always a misfortune, and that it was +almost a duty to look after him.</p> + +<p>It was, in any case, one she discharged efficiently, and for a time +his former companions had very little of Lister's company. Several of +them were also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> sorry he had, apparently, as the result of their +persistent efforts to undermine her authority, flung off the +restraints Mrs. Ratcliffe had gradually imposed on him when at last he +spent a night with them again.</p> + +<p>They had reasonable cause for dissatisfaction when they sat in a +certain <i>caffee</i> which stood near the cathedral. The latter fact has a +significance for those acquainted with Spanish cities, but, after all, +the Church is needed most where sinners abound. The <i>caffee</i> had wide +unglazed windows, and clear moonlight streamed down into the hot, +unsavory street, which under that pure radiance looked for once +curiously clean and white. Tall limewashed walls rose above it, and, +for the flat roofs lay beneath their crests, cut against the strip of +velvety indigo, while a little cool breeze swept between them with a +welcome freshness. There was no gleam of light behind any of the green +lattices that broke their flat monotony and, save for the deep rumble +of the surf, the city was very still. Once a measured tramp of feet +rang across the flat roofs and indicated that two of the armed +<i>civiles</i> were patroling a neighboring <i>calle</i> where the principal +shops stand, but their business would not take them near the <i>caffee</i>. +It is, in fact, not often that authority obtrudes itself unadvisedly +into certain parts of most Spanish towns.</p> + +<p>The moonlight also streamed into the <i>caffee</i> where a big lamp in +which the oil was running low burned dimly. The table beneath it was +stained with cheap red wine, and a good many bottles stood upon it +among a litter of Spanish cards. Four men sat about it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> and two more +lounged upon the settee which ran along the discolored wall. The place +was filled with tobacco smoke and the sickly odor of anisado, which +was, however, no great disadvantage, since the natural reek of a +Spanish Alsatia is more unpleasant still. The men had been there four +or five hours when Lister flung down a card and noisily pushed back +his chair. His face was a trifle flushed, and his hands were not quite +steady, but his half-closed eyes were, as one or two of the others +noticed, almost unpleasantly calm. There was a pile of silver at his +side on the table, for he had, as the red-faced English skipper +opposite him had once or twice observed, been favored with an +astonishing run of luck. It is, however, possible that the skipper did +not go quite far enough. Lister had certainly been fortunate, but he +had also a nice judgment in such matters, and his nerve was unusually +good. He looked round at his companions with a little dry smile.</p> + +<p>"You should have left me alone," he said. "I didn't want to come here, +but when you insisted I did it to oblige you. As you pointed out, +considering what I took out of some of you on another occasion, it +seemed the fair thing. Now I hope you're satisfied."</p> + +<p>He indicated the pile of silver with a little wave of his hand, and +the others, among whom there were two Englishmen beside the skipper, +waited in some astonishment, with very little sign of content in their +faces, until he went on again.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I'm still willing to do the fair<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> thing, though, +while I don't wish to be unduly personal, that is a point which has +evidently not caused one or two of you any undue anxiety. You can +explain that, Walters, to the Spanish gentlemen, though I don't +altogether confine my remarks to them."</p> + +<p>An Englishman straightened himself suddenly, and one of the Spaniard's +eyes flashed when the man Lister turned to did his bidding. Lister, +however, grinned at them.</p> + +<p>"The question," he said, "is simply do you feel I owe you any further +satisfaction, or have you had enough? I want you to understand that +I'm never coming here again, and if you care to double the stakes I'll +play you another round."</p> + +<p>There was no doubt that they had had enough, and while three of them +might have taken another hand with a view to getting back the pile of +silver by certain means they were acquainted with they refrained, +perhaps because they felt that the man called Walters and the burly +steamboat skipper would in case of necessity stand by Lister. The +silence that lasted a moment or two grew uncomfortable, but it did not +seem to trouble Lister, who sat still looking at them with a little +sardonic smile.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "it's evident that you don't expect anything more +from me. Will you and Captain Wilson come with me, Walters?"</p> + +<p>He rose when the men addressed reached out for their hats, and then +clapped his hands until a girl came in. She was very young, and looked +jaded, which was not particularly astonishing considering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> that she +had been keeping the party supplied with refreshment for more than +half the night. The smudgy patches of powder on it emphasized the +weariness of her olive-tinted face, but there was for all that a +certain suggestion of daintiness and freshness about her which was not +what one would have expected in such surroundings.</p> + +<p>Lister stood looking at her with half-closed eyes, while the others +watched them both until he made a little abrupt gesture.</p> + +<p>"It is not you, but your father, the patron, the man who owns this +place, I want, but you can stop here and call him," he said in a +half-intelligible muddle of Castilian and Portuguese.</p> + +<p>Walters made it a little plainer, and the girl spread out her hands. +"The patron does not live here," she said. "My father, he is only in +charge."</p> + +<p>"Call him!" said Lister.</p> + +<p>The man came in, and his dark eyes as well as those of all the others +were fixed expectantly on Lister when he once more turned to the girl.</p> + +<p>"You like waiting on and singing for these pigs?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Walters rendered the word <i>puerco</i>, which is not a complimentary term +in Spain, but the men it was applied to forgot to resent it in their +expectancy. A flicker of color swept into the girl's face, and it was +evident that her task was not a congenial one. She was, however, about +to retreat when Lister raised his hand in protest, and turned to the +man.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>"What do you mean," he said, "by keeping a girl of that kind in a +place like this?"</p> + +<p>Again Walters translated, and the little flicker of color grew a +trifle plainer in the girl's olive-tinted cheek. One could have +fancied that she had suddenly realized how others might regard her +occupation and surroundings. The man, however, spread his hands out.</p> + +<p>"It is certainly not what one would wish for her, and she would be a +modista," he said. "But what would you—when one is very poor?"</p> + +<p>Lister caught up a double handful of the silver which still lay upon +the table and signed to the girl.</p> + +<p>"That should make it a little easier. It's for you," he said. "If it +is not enough you can let me know. You will go and learn to make hats +and dresses to-morrow. If your father makes any more objections I'll +send the little fat priest after him. You know the one I mean. He has +a cross eye and likes a good dinner as well as any man. He is a friend +of mine."</p> + +<p>The others gazed at Lister in blank astonishment when Walters made +this clear, until the Spaniard became suddenly profuse. Lister, +however, disregarded him, and picking up the rest of the silver turned +towards the door. He went out, and Walters looked at him curiously +when he stopped and stood still a moment, apparently reflecting, with +the moonlight on his face. The combativeness with which he had +regarded his gaming companions had faded out of it, and left it, as it +usually was, heavy and inanimate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> Lister was skillful at games of +chance, where his impassiveness served him well, but Walters fancied +he was by no means likely to shine at anything else. He was a young +man of no mental capacity, and his tastes were not refined, but there +was hidden in his dull nature a germ of the rudimentary chivalry which +now and then rouses such men as he was to deeds which astonish their +friends. It had lain inert until the dew of a beneficent influence had +rested on it, and then there was a sudden growth that was to result in +the production of unlooked for fruit. Because of the love he bore one +woman he had become compassionate, and, perhaps, it did not matter +greatly that she was unworthy, since the gracious impulse was merely +brought him by, and not born of, the reverence he had for her. After +all, its source was higher than that. It was, however, not to be +expected that he should realize such a fact, and he stood wrinkling +his brows as though ruminating over his proceedings, until he became +conscious that his companion was looking at him inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what made me do that," he said. "It's quite certain I +wouldn't have thought of it a month or two ago."</p> + +<p>"No," said Walters, a trifle drily, "one would not have expected it +from you. Still, you have made a few changes lately. What has come over +you?"</p> + +<p>Lister did not answer him. "If that blamed ass of a skipper means to +stop I'm not going to wait for him. He'll get a knife slipped into him +some night and it will serve him right," he said. "We'll get out of +this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> place. Once we strike the big calle it will be fresher."</p> + +<p>They strode on down the hot, stale smelling street, and Lister +appeared to draw in a deep breath of relief when they turned into the +broad road that runs close by the surf-swept beach to the harbor. +Though there were tall white stores and houses on its seaward side the +night breeze swept down it exhilaratingly fresh and cool, and Lister +bared his hot forehead to it.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I've been down among the swine in a number of +places, and, though I suppose it sometimes falls out differently, I've +scratched some of the bristles off a few of them. Now I want to forget +the tricks they've taught me. You see, I'm never going back to any of +the—stys again. It's a thing I owe myself and somebody else."</p> + +<p>He had certainly consumed a good deal of wine, but it was clear that +he was fully in command of his senses, and Walters endeavored to check +his laugh as comprehension suddenly dawned upon him. Still, he was not +quite successful, and his companion turned on him.</p> + +<p>"I meant it," he said. "There'll probably be trouble between us if you +attempt to work off any of your assinine witticisms."</p> + +<p>Walters said nothing. He had seen his companion calmly insult four men +whose dollars he had pocketed, and he did not consider it advisable to +explain what he thought about Mrs. Ratcliffe and the interest she had +taken in his friend. Still, like most of the English residents who had +made her acquaintance, he had his views upon the subject. Lister was, +at least, rich<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> enough to make a desirable son-in-law, and if he +fancied it was essential that he should reform before he offered +himself as a candidate there was nothing to be gained by undeceiving +him.</p> + +<p>They walked on until they left the tall white houses and little rows +of flat-topped dwellings that replaced them behind, and the dim, dusty +road stretched away before them with a filmy spray-cloud and +glistening Atlantic heave on one side of it. Lister glanced at the +fringe of crumbling combers with slow appreciation.</p> + +<p>"In one way that's inspiriting," he said. "I might have sat and +watched them half the evening from the veranda of the hotel. In that +case I'd have had a clearer head and been considerably fresher +to-morrow. Still, those hogs would have me out. It's a consolation to +realize that it has cost them something."</p> + +<p>Walters stopped when they reached the hotel and glanced at his +companion. "Aren't you going in?" he said. "You could still get a +little sleep before it's breakfast time."</p> + +<p>"No," said Lister simply, "I'm going for a swim. It's no doubt an +assinine notion, but the smell of the sty seems to cling to me."</p> + +<p>Walters laughed. "Is that a custom you mean to adopt invariably after +a night of this kind?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Lister. "It won't be necessary. You see there will never be +another one."</p> + +<p>They went on, and Walters sat down on the little mole not far away +while his comrade stripped off his thin attire. Then Lister stood a +moment, gleaming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> white in the moonlight, a big, loose-limbed figure, +on the head of the mole before he went down with flung-out hands and +stiffened body into the cool Atlantic swell. It closed about him +glittering, and he was well out in the harbor when he came up again +and slid away down the blaze of radiance with left arm swinging. The +chill of the deep sea water, at least, cooled his slightly fevered +skin, and, perhaps, there was something in his half pagan fancy that +it also washed a stain off him. In any case, the desire to escape from +the most unusual sense of contamination was a wholesome one.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE</span></h2> + + +<p>There is a certain aldea, a little straggling village of flat-topped +houses, among the black volcanic hills of Grand Canary which has like +one or two others of its kind a good deal to offer the discerning +traveler who will take the trouble to visit it. It is certainly a +trifle difficult to reach, which is, perhaps, in one sense not +altogether a misfortune, since the Englishmen and Englishwomen who +visit that island in the winter seldom leave such places exactly as +they find them. One goes up by slippery bridle paths on horse or mule +back over hot sand and wastes of dust and ashes into a rift between +the hills, and when once the tremendous gateway of fire-rent rock has +been passed discovers that it costs one an effort to go away again.</p> + +<p>In the bottom of the barranco lie maize-fields and vines. Tall green +palms fling streaks of shadow over them, and close beneath the black +crags stands a little ancient church and odd cubes of lava houses +tinted with delicate pink or ochre or whitewashed dazzlingly. They +nestle among their fig trees shut in by tall aloes, and oleanders, and +a drowsy quietness which is intensified by the murmur of running water +pervades the rock-walled hollow. It is the stillness of a land where +nothing matters greatly, and there is in it the essence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> of the +resignation which regards haste and effort and protest as futile, that +is characteristic of old world Spain, for Spain was never until lately +bounded by the confines of the Peninsula.</p> + +<p>Las Palmas down beside the smoking beach is no longer Spanish. It is +filled with bustle and a rampant commercialism, and English is spoken +there; but the quietness of the ages lingers among the hills where the +grapes of Moscatel are still trodden in the winepress by barelegged +men in unstarched linen who live very much as one fancies the +patriarchs did, plowing with oxen and wooden plows, and beating out +their corn on wind-swept threshing floors. They also comport +themselves, even towards the wandering Briton, who does not always +deserve it, with an almost stately courtesy, and seldom trouble +themselves about the morrow. All that is essentially Spanish is +Eastern, too. The life in the hill pueblos is that portrayed in the +Jewish scriptures, and the olive-skinned men whose forefathers once +ruled half the world have also like the Hebrew the remembrance of +their departed glory to sadden them.</p> + +<p>It is, however, scarcely probable that any fancies of this kind +occurred to Mrs. Ratcliffe as she lay in a somewhat rickety chair +under a vine-draped pergola outside a pink-washed house in that aldea +one afternoon. She was essentially modern, and usually practical, in +which respects Ada, who sat not far away, was not unlike her. A man, +at least, seldom expects to find the commercial instinct and a shrewd +capacity for estimating and balancing worldly advantages in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> young +woman of prepossessing appearance with innocent eyes, which is, +perhaps, a pity, since it now and then happens that the fact that she +possesses a reasonable share of both of them is made clear to him in +due time. Then it is apt to cause him pain, for man being vain prefers +to believe that it is personal merit that counts for most where he is +concerned.</p> + +<p>Ada Ratcliffe was listening to the drowsy splash of falling water, and +looking down through the rocky gateway over tall palms and creeping +vines, blackened hillslopes, and gleaming sands, on the vast plain of +the Atlantic which lay, a sheet of turquoise, very far below. Above +her, tremendous fire-rent pinnacles ran up into the upper sweep of +ethereal blue, but all this scarcely roused her interest. She had seen +it already, and had said it was very pretty. Besides, she was thinking +of other things which appealed to her considerably more, a London +house, an acknowledged station in smart society, and the command of +money. These were things she greatly desired to have, and it was +evident that Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them in a certain +measure. It was, in some respects, only natural that her mother should +set a high value on them too, and desire them for her daughter. She +had made a long and gallant fight against adverse circumstances since +her husband died, and there was in her face the hardness of one who +has more than once been almost beaten. There were, she knew, women who +would freely give themselves with all that had been given them to the +man they loved, but Mrs. Ratcliffe had never had much sympathy with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +them. It was, she felt, a much more sensible thing to make a bargain, +and secure something in return.</p> + +<p>Still, nobody would have fancied that Ada Ratcliffe had any such ideas +just then. Her face was quietly tranquil, and the pose she had fallen +into in the big basket chair was, if not quite unstudied, a singularly +graceful one. In her hands lay a Spanish fan, a beautiful, costly +thing of silk and feathers and fretted ebony which Lister had given +her a few days earlier. He sat on a block of lava watching her with a +little significant gleam that she was perfectly conscious of in his +usually apathetic eyes. Still, though he had a heavy face of the kind +one seldom associates with self-restraint, there was nothing in his +expression which could have jarred upon a woman of the most sensitive +temperament. There were not many things which Albert Lister had much +reverence for, but during the last few weeks a change had been going +on in him, and it was a blind, unreasoning devotion which none of his +friends would have believed him capable of that he offered this girl.</p> + +<p>His pleasures had been coarse ones, and there was much in him that she +might have shrunk from, but he had, at least, of late fought with the +desires of his lower nature, and, for the time being, trampled on one +or two of them. Slow of thought, and of very moderate intelligence, as +he was, he had yet endeavored to purge himself of grossness before he +ventured into her presence. He had not spoken for awhile when Mrs. +Ratcliffe turned to him.</p> + +<p>"You were not in the drawing-room last night,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> she said, and her +manner subtly conveyed the impression that she had expected him. "No +doubt you had something more interesting on hand?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Lister slowly, "I don't think I had. In fact, I was playing +cards!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ratcliffe was a trifle perplexed, for she had now and then +ventured to express her disapproval of one or two of his favorite +distractions in a motherly fashion, and she could not quite understand +his candor. It was, perhaps, natural that she should not credit him +with a simple desire for honesty, since this was a motive which would +not have had much weight with her.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, with an air of playful reproach, "everybody plays +cards nowadays, and I suppose one must not be too hard on you. Still, +I think you know what my views are upon that subject."</p> + +<p>They were scarcely likely to be very charitable ones, since she owed +her own long struggle to the fact that there were few forms of gaming +her husband had not unsuccessfully experimented with, and she +continued feelingly, "If one had no graver objections, it is apt to +prove expensive."</p> + +<p>Lister laughed a little. "It proved so—to the other people—last +night, but I think you are right. In fact, it's scarcely likely I'll +touch a card again. In one way,"—and he appeared to reflect +laboriously, "it's a waste of life."</p> + +<p>His companions were both a trifle astonished. They had scarcely +expected a sentiment of this kind from him, and though the elder lady +would probably not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> have admitted it, gaming did not appear to her so +objectionable a thing provided that one won and had the sense to leave +off when that was the case. Ada Ratcliffe, however, smiled.</p> + +<p>"To be candid, one would hardly have fancied you would look at it in +that light," she said. "Still, you seem to have been changing your +views lately."</p> + +<p>"I have," said the man slowly, with a faint flush in his heavy face. +"After all, one comes to look at these things differently, and I dare +say those fellows are right who lay it down that one ought to do +something for his country or his living. Once I had the opportunity, +but I let it go, or rather I flung it away. I often wish I hadn't, but +I'm not quite sure it's altogether too late now."</p> + +<p>He spoke with an awkward diffidence, for though he was very young, +ideas of this kind were quite new to him. The love of the girl he +looked at appealingly had stirred his slow coarse nature, and +something that had sprung up in its depths was growing towards the +light. It might have grown to grace and beauty had the light been a +benignant one, for, after all, it is not upon the soil alone that +growth of any kind depends. Ada Ratcliffe, however, did not recognize +in the least that this laid upon her a heavy responsibility.</p> + +<p>"No," she said with an encouraging smile, "there is no reason why you +shouldn't make a career yet. I almost think you could if you wanted +to."</p> + +<p>It was a bold assertion, but she made it unblushingly, and Lister +appeared to consider.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>"There are not many things I'm good at—that is, useful ones," he +said. "You have to be able to talk sensibly, anyway, before you can +make your mark at politics, and some of them don't do it under twenty +years."</p> + +<p>He stopped for a moment with a little sigh. "Still, I suppose there +must be something worth while for one to do, even if it's not exactly +what one would like."</p> + +<p>"One's duty is usually made clear to one," said Mrs. Ratcliffe +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Lister, "I'm not sure it is, though it's probably his own +fault if he doesn't want to recognize it. As I mentioned, you can look +at the same thing differently. There was Desmond's friend Ormsgill. A +little while ago I thought he was a trifle crazy. Now I begin to see +it's a big thing he's doing, something to look back on afterwards even +if he never does anything worth while again."</p> + +<p>He saw the faint flush of color in Ada Ratcliffe's face, though he did +not in the least understand it. There was a good deal this man could +give her, and she knew that he would in due time press it upon her, +but she was naturally aware that his mental capacity was painfully +small. This made the fact that he should look upon Ormsgill's errand +as one a man could take pride in a reproach to her. Mrs. Ratcliffe's +face was, however, if anything, expressive of anxiety, for she had +asked herself frequently if Lister could by any chance have heard that +the girl's pledge to Ormsgill had never been retracted. She did not +think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> he had, but this was a point it was well to be sure upon.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think you had met him," she said.</p> + +<p>"I haven't. You see, I stayed behind in Madeira while the <i>Palestrina</i> +came on, and when I got here Ormsgill had gone. Desmond told me about +him. I understood he was to marry somebody when he had done his +errand, though, if he knew, Desmond never mentioned who she was."</p> + +<p>He stopped, and Mrs. Ratcliffe sighed with sheer relief when he turned +and looked eastwards towards Africa across the vast stretch of sea +with a vague longing in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "when he comes back again he will have done something +that should make the girl look up to him."</p> + +<p>Again the flicker of color crept into Ada Ratcliffe's cheek, for she +was conscious just then of a curious resentment against the man who +had gone to Africa for an idea. It was singularly galling that a man +of Lister's caliber should make her ashamed. Still, she smiled at him.</p> + +<p>"I believe we have all more than one opportunity, and another one will +no doubt present itself," she said.</p> + +<p>Lister sat still looking at her in a fashion she found almost +embarrassing, and for a moment or two none of them spoke. Then there +were footsteps on the lava blocks outside the pergola, and a man +appeared in an opening between the vines. He was dressed in white +duck, and his face was bronzed by wind and spray,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> while Mrs. +Ratcliffe found it difficult to refrain from starting at the sight of +him. He stood where he was for a moment looking at the group with +grave inquiry, and Ada Ratcliffe felt that she hated him for the +little smile of comprehension that crept into his eyes. Then he moved +quietly forward, and Lister rose with a faint flush in his face.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see you, Desmond. I mean it, in spite of what passed the +night you packed me off," he said.</p> + +<p>It was an awkward meeting, though Lister was the only one whose +embarrassment was noticeable. His companions were watching Desmond +quietly, though Mrs. Ratcliffe was sensible that this was the last man +she would have desired to see. He had come back from Africa and might +spoil everything, for at the back of her mind she was not quite sure +of her daughter. Still, though it cost her an effort, she asked him a +few questions.</p> + +<p>"Ormsgill didn't want me for some time and I ran across for coal and +other things. That coast isn't one it's judicious to stay on," he +said, and looked at Ada steadily. "You will be pleased to hear that he +was in excellent health—though he was still bent on carrying out his +purpose—when he left me."</p> + +<p>The girl's gesture was apparently expressive of relief, and Desmond +who sat down on the lava parapet proceeded to relate what he knew of +Ormsgill's projects and adventures. He felt the constraint that was +upon all of them except Lister, whose embarrassment was rapidly +disappearing, and though it afforded him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> certain grim satisfaction he +talked to dissipate it.</p> + +<p>"We ran in this morning, and as the folks at the hotel told me you +were here I came on," he said at length.</p> + +<p>They asked him a few more questions, and it said a good deal for Mrs. +Ratcliffe's courage that she invited him to stay there for comida and +then to ride back to their hotel with them. Still it would, as she +recognized, be useless to separate the men, since they would come +across each other continually in Las Palmas, and she was one who knew +that the boldest course is now and then the wisest. Desmond stayed, +and it was some little time later when he sat alone with Lister among +the tumbled lava by the watercourse. Feathery palm tufts drooped above +them, and looking out between the fringed and fretted greenery they +could see the blue expanse of sea. Beyond its sharp-cut eastern rim, +as both of them were conscious, lay the shadowy land. Desmond turned +from its contemplation and regarded his companion with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"I heard a good deal about you in the hotel smoking room," he said. "I +suppose I ought to compliment you on the possession of a certain +amount of sense. Presumably you have now a motive for going steady?"</p> + +<p>Lister flushed, but he met his companion's gaze without wavering. "As +a matter of fact you are quite correct," he said. "Anyway, the motive +is a sufficient one."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Desmond dryly, "it is in that case a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> lady, Miss Ratcliffe +most probably? You no doubt recognize that she is several years older +than you, and that it is more than possible her affections have been +engaged before?"</p> + +<p>His companion resolutely straightened himself. "It isn't as a rule +advisable to go too far, but I don't mind informing you that they are +not engaged now."</p> + +<p>"You seem sure," said Desmond with more than a trace of his former +dryness. "She has presumably told you so?"</p> + +<p>"She has not," said Lister. "That is, however, quite sufficient in +itself, because if there had been anyone else with the slightest claim +on her she and her mother would certainly have found means of making +it clear to me."</p> + +<p>Desmond saw the glint in the lad's eyes, and could not quite repress a +little sardonic smile. What he had heard in the hotel had at first +been almost incomprehensible to him, but, as he listened to what the +men he met there had to tell, it became clear that Lister had in +reality turned from his former courses. Then came his own admission +that it was Ada Ratcliffe who had inspired him. Desmond could have +found it a relief to laugh. The woman who, it seemed, was willing to +throw over his comrade and break her pledge to him that she might be +free to marry a richer man was the one who had stirred the lad to what +was probably a stern and valiant encounter with his baser nature. It +seemed that she could not even be honest with him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>"Am I to understand that you have made up your mind to marry Miss +Ratcliffe?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lister slowly, "I have; that is, if she will have me, +which is doubtful. It is, however, in no sense your business, and you +needn't trouble to remind me that it would be a very indifferent match +for her."</p> + +<p>Desmond sat still for several minutes, and thought as hard as he had +in all probability ever done in his life. He had given Ormsgill a hint +which had not been taken, and now he found it had been fully +warranted, he had ventured on giving Lister another which had also +been disregarded. The lad's faith in the woman who was deceiving both +of them was evidently sincere and generous, as well as in one respect +pitiable, and under the circumstances Desmond could not tell what +course he ought to take. He was aware that the man who rashly meddles +in his friends' affairs seldom either confers any real benefit upon +them or earns their thanks, and he doubted if Lister would listen to +any advice or information he might offer him. To say nothing meant +that he must leave Mrs. Ratcliffe a free hand, but he had sufficient +knowledge of that lady's capabilities to feel reasonably sure that she +would succeed in marrying the girl to one of the men in spite of him. +That being so, it seemed to him preferable that the one in question +should not be his friend. Then he looked at Lister gravely.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I almost think she'll have you, and I'm not sure +that you need worry yourself too much about not being good enough for +her. That's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> a point you could be content with her mother's opinion +on."</p> + +<p>He left the lad, and five minutes later came upon Ada Ratcliffe in the +patio of the adjacent house. "You will make my excuses to your +mother," he said. "After all, I think I had better ride back to Las +Palmas alone."</p> + +<p>The girl met his eyes, but for a moment her face flushed crimson. She +said nothing, and he quietly turned away, while in another few minutes +she heard his horse stumbling down the slippery path beside the +watercourse. When they reached the hotel that evening they were also +told that he did not intend to live ashore while the yacht was in the +harbor, which was a piece of information that afforded Mrs. Ratcliffe +considerable relief.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HERRERO'S IMPRUDENCE</span></h2> + + +<p>Though it was, at least, as hot as it usually is at San Roque and the +heavy, stagnant atmosphere made exertion of any kind impossible to a +white man, Dom Erminio had not gone to sleep that afternoon, as he +generally did. He had, after all, some shadowy notions of duty, and +would now and then rouse himself to carry them out; that is, at least, +when he stood to obtain some advantage by doing so. In this he was, +perhaps, not altogether singular, since it is possible that there are +other men who recognize a duty most clearly under similar +circumstances. He lay in a low hung hammock where the veranda roof +flung a grateful shadow over him, with a cigar in his hand, +meditatively watching a row of half-naked negroes toiling in the +burning sun, and the fashion in which he did so suggested that it +afforded him a certain quiet satisfaction. He had grave objections to +physical exertion personally, and as a rule succeeded in avoiding it, +for there are, as he recognized, advantages in being a white man, in +that country, at least. Dom Erminio invariably made the most of them.</p> + +<p>It must be admitted that the negro is by no means addicted to toiling +assiduously under scorching heat, especially when, as sometimes +happens, he works for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> white man who requisitions his services +without any intention of rewarding him for them, but though the baked +and trampled soil of the compound flung back an intolerable heat and +glare, the half-naked men were diligent that afternoon. Dom Erminio +had his shifty black eyes on them, and certain dusky men with sticks +stood ready to spur the laggards to fresh endeavor. So while the sweat +of strenuous effort dripped from them some trotted to and fro with +baskets of soil upon their woolly heads and the rest plied saw and +hammer persistently. They were strengthening the fort stockade and +digging a ditch, and incidentally riveting the shackles of the white +man's bondage more firmly on their limbs. The Commandant, or Chefe as +he was usually called, appeared to recognize that fact, for he smiled +a little as he watched them.</p> + +<p>By and by he turned and blinked at the forest which hemmed in the +stockaded compound as with an impenetrable wall. It was dim and +shadowy, even under that burning glare suggestively so, and he was +aware that just then whispers of a coming rising were flying through +its unlifting gloom, though the fact caused him no great concern. A +few white friends of his were playing a game that has been played +before in other regions, and he was quite willing to gain fresh renown +as an administrator by the suppression of a futile rebellion. It is +also possible that his friends looked for more tangible advantages, +and would have been willing to offer him a certain share of them. +That, however, is not quite a matter of certainty, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> there were, at +least, men in that country who said they regarded Dom Erminio as all +an administrator ought to be. Perhaps he was, from their point of +view.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant Luiz, who had just come back from a native village with +a handful of dusky soldiers and a band of carriers loaded with fresh +provisions, sat in a basket chair close by, also regarding the +stockade builders with a little smile. The natural reluctance of +certain negroes to part with their possessions had occasioned him a +good deal of trouble during the last few days. A negro who served as +messenger stood waiting a few paces behind him.</p> + +<p>"It is an advantage when one can teach the trek-ox to harness +himself," he said reflectively. "I do not think those men like what +they are doing. Every pile that they are driving makes our rule a +little surer. It is not astonishing that some of them should be a +trifle mutinous now and then."</p> + +<p>"You had a difficulty about those provisions?" said Dom Erminio.</p> + +<p>His companion laughed. "One would scarcely call it that. It was merely +advisable to use the stick, and a hut or two was burnt. In times like +the present one profits by a little judicious firmness."</p> + +<p>"I think one could even go a trifle further than that."</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Luiz made a little gesture. He had a certain shrewdness, +and the Chefe was only cunning, which is, after all, a different thing +from being clever. It seemed that Dom Erminio failed to recognize +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> it is always somewhat dangerous to play with fire. One can as a +rule start a conflagration without much difficulty, but it is now and +then quite another matter to put it out.</p> + +<p>"I am not sure," he said. "There are men in this country who seem to +enjoy scattering sparks, and they are rather busy just now. It is, +perhaps, not very hazardous when it is done judiciously and one knows +there is only a little tinder here and there, but when one flings them +broadcast it is possible that two or three may fall on powder." He +turned and stretched out a dainty, olive-tinted hand towards the +forest. "After all, we do not know much about what goes on there."</p> + +<p>"Bah!" said Dom Erminio, who had courage, at least, "if the blaze is a +little larger than one expected what does it matter? The stockade will +be a strong one."</p> + +<p>His companion glanced at the gap in the row of well stiffened piles. +"It would certainly be difficult to storm that gate, but these bushmen +who are building the stockade will have the sense to realize it and +tell their friends. If there is an attack it will not be made that +way."</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" and the Chefe's eyes twinkled as he waved a yellow hand. +"It is a little idea that occurred to me while you were away. The +bushmen would come by the rear of the stockade which we leave lower, +and when they do I think we shall also be ready for them there. There +are certain defenses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> which will be substituted when their friends +have gone away again."</p> + +<p>They both laughed at this and neither of them said anything further +for awhile until a negro swathed in white cotton strode out of the +forest with a little stick in his hand. He was challenged by a sentry +who sent him on, and presently stood on the veranda holding out the +stick. Dom Erminio glanced at it languidly.</p> + +<p>"Our injudicious friend Herrero has some word for us," he said. "He is +a man who lets his dislikes run away with him, and he is not always +wise in his messages." He stopped a moment with a little reflective +smile. "Still, a message is always a difficulty in this part of +Africa. If one teaches the messenger what he is to say he may tell it +to somebody else, and it happens now and then that to write is not +advisable. One must choose, however, and I wonder which our friend has +done."</p> + +<p>The man decided the question by holding out a strip of paper, and the +Chefe who took it from him nodded as he read.</p> + +<p>"It appears that Herrero is not pleased with the doings of the +Englishman who is now in the bush country," he said. "Herrero seems to +consider that he and a few others are capable of rousing all the ill +will against us among the natives that is desirable, and I am almost +tempted to believe that he is right in this. He is, however, imprudent +enough to supply me with a few particulars which might with advantage +have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> been made less explicit. He fancies we shall have a rebellion, +and if we do not I almost think it will be no fault of his."</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt a little more," observed Lieutenant Luiz. "When +that man writes a letter he has something to ask for."</p> + +<p>The Commandant nodded. "It is in this case a thing we can oblige him +in," he said. "It seems the crazy Englishman Ormsgill is causing +trouble up yonder and inciting the natives to mutiny. Further, it is +evidently his intention to deprive Domingo of some of the boys who +have engaged themselves under him. The man is one who could, I think, +be called dangerous. It is not a favor to Herrero, but a duty to place +some check on him."</p> + +<p>They looked at one another, and Dom Luiz grinned. "Ah," he said, "our +imprudent friend no doubt mentions how it could most readily be done."</p> + +<p>The Commandant raised one hand. "The thing is simple. You will start, +we will say the day after to-morrow, with several men, and you will +come upon Ormsgill in a village in Cavalho's country. Domingo, it +seems, is there now, and it is expected that Ormsgill will attempt to +take the boys from him, but this will cause no difficulty. The +Headman, who is a friend of Domingo's will, if it appears advisable, +disarm Ormsgill. The latter will no doubt not permit this to be done +quietly, and it is possible that there will be a disturbance in the +village, as the result of which you will arrest him for raiding +natives under our protection. We shall know what to do when you bring +him here."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>They had, after sending Herrero's messenger away, spoken in Portuguese +of which the negro who remained on the veranda understood no more than +a word or two. He stood still, statuesque, with his white draperies +flowing about his dusky limbs, and as disregarded by the white men as +the native girl with the big bedizened fan who crouched in the shadowy +doorway just behind them. Yet both had intelligence, and noticed that +the Chefe instead of destroying the letter laid it carelessly on the +edge of his hammock, from which it dropped when he raised himself a +little. The girl's eyes glistened, but she said nothing, and the man +moved slightly as though his pose had grown irksome. It was +unfortunate that Dom Erminio had considered it advisable to keep him +there waiting his pleasure, for when he stood still again he was a +foot or two nearer the strip of paper than he had been a few moments +earlier.</p> + +<p>Then the girl in the doorway rose, and the Chefe turned sharply in his +hammock as a little haggard man in plain white duck walked quietly out +of the house. He saw the question in the glance Dom Erminio flashed at +his Lieutenant, and smiled as he seated himself in the nearest chair. +Father Tiebout was always unobtrusive, and what he did was as a rule +done very quietly, but he was quite aware that neither of the two +white men were exactly pleased to see him.</p> + +<p>"I came in from the east by the rear of the stockade where they are +mending it," he said. "It was a little nearer. One would suppose that +you did not see me."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>The residency veranda, as is usual in that country, ran round the +building, which had several doors and two stairways, and it was +therefore perfectly natural that the priest should have arrived +unnoticed, but the fact that he had done so was disconcerting just +then, and it left the question how long he might have been in the +house. Still, there were reasons why the Chefe could not ask it or +treat his guest with any discourtesy.</p> + +<p>"In any case you are welcome," he said. "There is presumably something +I can do for you?"</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout nodded. "A little matter," he said. "I was going to San +Thome, and as my road led near the fort I thought I would mention it. +My people have a complaint against the soldiers you lately sent into +our neighborhood under the Sergeant Orticho. Some of them have been +beaten."</p> + +<p>"Dom Luiz will go over and look into it," said the Chefe. "That is, +presently."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Father Tiebout, "then Dom Luiz is busy now? He will, no +doubt, be at liberty in a day or two?"</p> + +<p>It was not a question Dom Erminio wished to answer, and he waved his +hand. "At the moment one cannot say. In the meanwhile you will make +your complaint a little more definite."</p> + +<p>He had apparently forgotten the messenger, but Father Tiebout had been +quietly watching him, and now saw him stretch out a dusky foot towards +the strip of paper which lay not far away. He touched it with a +prehensile toe, and in another moment it had vanished altogether, +though the man did not stand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> exactly where he had stood before. +Lieutenant Luiz, as it happened, sat with his back to him, and Dom +Erminio lay in his hammock where he could not see, but two people had +noticed every motion, and though neither of them made any sign the +dusky man was quite aware that the girl who had retired to one of the +windows was watching him. About Father Tiebout he was far from +certain, but he was a bold man, and turning a little away from him he +stooped and apparently touched a scratch a thorn or broken grass stalk +had made on his foot. When he straightened himself again there was, +however, something in his hand. Then the Chefe appeared to remember +him.</p> + +<p>"You will go back to the Lieutenant Castro," he said. "You can tell +him there is no answer. Start to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"It is a long journey," said the man. "I go back now."</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio made a little gesture which seemed to indicate that it was +a matter of indifference to him, and Father Tiebout put a check on his +impatience. He had, as it happened, been in the house at least a +minute before any one had noticed him, and was anxious for reasons of +his own to discover what was in the letter. He did not know what the +messenger meant to do with it, but he was aware that those entrusted +with authority in that country were frequently at variance and spied +on one another. It was possible that the man who could not read the +note might expect to sell it.</p> + +<p>Still, the missionary was one who seldom spoiled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> anything by undue +haste, and he reflected that while he had traveled in a hammock +leisurely the man was probably worn by a long journey, since San Roque +lay at some distance from the camp where the officer the Chefe had +mentioned was stationed then. So he supplied his hosts with +particulars concerning his complaint, and then talked of other matters +for an hour or more, and it was not until the comida was laid out that +he set out on his journey. This was a somewhat unusual course in the +case of a guest who had a long march still in front of him, but +although the messenger, who might also have been expected to spend the +night there, had evinced the same desire to get on his way, it never +occurred to Dom Erminio to put the two facts together. There are, +however, other cunning men who now and then fail to see a very obvious +thing.</p> + +<p>Still, Father Tiebout did not go by the nearest way to San Thome, +though he urged his hammock boys through the bush all night at their +utmost speed. The path was smoothly trodden, and they had no great +difficulty in following it through the drifting steam, while when the +red sun leapt up and here and there a ray of brightness streamed down, +they came upon a weary man who turned and stood still when he saw +them. He made a little gesture of comprehension when the priest +dropped from his hammock and looked at him.</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout touched his shoulder and led him back a few paces into +the bush. The man was big and muscular, as well as a pagan, but the +priest had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> the letter when they came out again. He did not tell any +one how he induced the messenger to part with it, but, as he now and +then admitted, he was one who did not hesitate to use the means +available. It was, in fact, a favorite expression of his, and, though +he usually left the latter point an open question, in his case, at +least, the results generally justified the means. He spoke a word or +two sharply to the hammock boys, and they left the man sitting wearily +beside the trail when they went on again.</p> + +<p>It was three weeks later when the priest in charge of the San Thome +Mission, who was a privileged person, sent on the letter to Dom +Clemente Figuera by the hands of a Government messenger, but Father +Tiebout, who requested him to do so, had made one or two other +arrangements in connection with it in the meanwhile. Ormsgill, as he +had once said, had a few good friends in Africa.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">NARES COUNTS THE COST</span></h2> + + +<p>It was getting late and the night was very hot, but Nares was still +busy in his palm-thatched hut. The creed he taught was not regarded +with any great favor by the authorities, and, perhaps, was also by +virtue of its very simplicity a little beyond the comprehension of the +negro, who not unnaturally finds it a good deal easier to believe in a +pantheon of mostly malevolent deities, but if his precepts produced no +very visible result, there were, at least, many sick who flocked to +him. It was significant that the door of his hut stood wide open, as +it always did, though there were men in that forest who had little +love for him. The priests of the heathen also practice the art of +healing, and it is not in human nature to be very tolerant towards a +rival who works without a fee.</p> + +<p>He sat with the perspiration trickling down his worn face beside a +little silver reading lamp, a gift from somebody in the land he came +from. Now and then there was a faint stirring of the muggy air, and +the light flickered a little, while the blue flame of a spirit lamp +that burned beneath a test tube was deflected a trifle, but the weary +man scarcely noticed it as he pored over a medical treatise. Nor did +he notice the crackling that unseen creatures made in the thatch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +above his head, the steamy dampness that soaked his thin duck jacket, +or the sickly smell of lilies that now and then flowed into the room. +He was too intent upon the symbols of certain equations, letters and +figures, and crosses of materialistic significance, with the aid of +which he could, at least, mitigate bodily suffering and fight disease. +They were always present, and it was a valiant fight he made in a land +where the white man's courage melts and his faith grows dim.</p> + +<p>At last there were voices and footsteps in the compound, which he +heard but scarcely heeded, and he only looked up when a man stood in +the doorway smiling at him.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, "I scarcely expected to see you, Father. What has +become of your hammock boys, and where have you sprung from?"</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout waved his hand, and dropped into the nearest chair. +"The boys are already in the guest hut," he said. "I have come from +San Roque, but not directly. In fact, I found it advisable to make a +little detour."</p> + +<p>"In your case that is not a very unusual thing," and Nares laughed. +"Still, you appear to get there, arrive, as you express it, at least +as frequently as I do."</p> + +<p>The priest made a little gesture. "When one finds a wall he can not +get over across his path it is generally wiser to go round. Why should +one waste his strength and bruise his hands endeavoring to tear it +down? It may be a misfortune, but I think we were not all intended to +be battering rams. The metaphor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> however, is not a very excellent +one, since it is in this case a lion that stands in the path of our +friend Ormsgill. For a minute or two you will give me your attention."</p> + +<p>Nares listened with wrinkled forehead, leaning forward with both arms +on the table, and then there was a faint twinkle in his eyes as he +looked at his companion. It was, after all, not very astonishing that +he should smile, for he was accustomed to disconcerting news.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if one could ask how you learned so much?" he said. "It is +scarcely likely that the Chefe or his Lieutenant would tell it you."</p> + +<p>"For one thing, I heard a few words that were not exactly meant for +me; for another, I laid unauthorized hands upon a certain letter. One, +as I have pointed out, must use the means available."</p> + +<p>"The results justify it—when he is successful, which is, no doubt, +why you so seldom fail? Under the circumstances you can not afford to. +There may be something to say for that point of view, but our fathers +were not so liberal in Geneva."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled good-humoredly. "We will not discuss the point +just now. The question is what must be done? We have a friend who will +walk straight into the jaws of the lion unless—some one—warns him."</p> + +<p>"It is not impossible that he will do so then."</p> + +<p>The priest spread his hands out. "Ah," he said, "how can one teach the +men who delight in stone walls and lions a little sense? Still, +perhaps, it would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> be a pity if one could. It is possible that folly +was the greatest thing bestowed on them when they were sent into this +world. That, however, is not quite the question."</p> + +<p>"It is—who shall go?" and Nares, who closed one hand, thrust his +chair back noisily. "There are you and I alone available, padre, and +we know that the one of us who ventures to do this thing will be laid +under the ban of Authority, openly proscribed or, at least, quietly +thwarted here and there until he is driven from his work and out of +the country. There are many ways in which those who hold power in +these forests can trouble us."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout said nothing, but he made a gesture of concurrence, +with his eyes fixed steadily on his companion, and Nares, who could +not help it, smiled a trifle bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "you have your adherents—a band of them—and what +you teach them must be a higher thing than their own idolatry. If they +lost their shepherd they would fall away again. I, as you know, have +none. My call, it seems, is never listened to—and it is plain that +circumstances point to me. Well, I am ready."</p> + +<p>His companion nodded gravely. "It is a hard thing I have to say, but +you are right in this," he said. "I have a flock, and some of them +would perish if I left them. For their sake I can not go. It is not +for me to take my part in a splendid folly, but"—and he spread his +thin hands out—"because it is so I am sorry."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>It was clear that Nares believed him, though he said nothing. He knew +what the thing he was about to do would in all probability cost him, +but he also realized that had circumstances permitted it the little +fever-wasted priest would have gladly undertaken it in place of him. +Father Tiebout was one who recognized his duty, but there was also the +Latin fire in him, and Nares did not think it was merely because he +liked it he submitted to Authority and walked circumspectly, +contenting himself with quietly accomplishing a little here and there.</p> + +<p>Then Father Tiebout made a gesture which seemed to imply that there +was nothing further to be said on that subject, as he pointed through +the open door to the steamy bush.</p> + +<p>"You and I have, perhaps, another duty," he said. "We know what is +going on up yonder, and, as usual, those in authority seem a trifle +blind. If nothing is done there will be bloodshed when the men with +the spears come down."</p> + +<p>Nares was by no means perfect, and his face grew suddenly hard. +"That," he said, "is the business of those who rule. They would not +believe my warning, and I should not offer it if they would. There are +wrongs which can only be set right by the shedding of blood, and I +would not raise a hand if those who have suffered long enough swept +the whole land clean."</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout smiled curiously. "There is, I think, one man who would +have justice done. It is possible there are also others behind him, +but that I do not know. He is not a man who takes many into his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +confidence or explains his intentions beforehand. I will venture to +send him Herrero's letter—and a warning."</p> + +<p>He rose with a soft chuckle. "I almost think he will do—something by +and by, but in the meanwhile it is late, and you start to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"No," said Nares simply. "I am starting as soon as the hammock boys +are ready."</p> + +<p>He extinguished the spirit lamp, and lighting a lantern went out into +the darkness which shrouded the compound. He spent a few minutes in a +big whitened hut where two or three sick men lay and a half-naked +negro sat half-asleep. There was, as he realized, not much that he +could do for any of them, and after all, his most strenuous efforts +were of very slight avail against the pestilence that swept those +forests. He had not spared himself, and had done what he could, but +that night he recognized the uselessness of the struggle, as other men +have done in the land of unlifting shadow. Still, he gave the negro a +few simple instructions, and then went out and stood still a few +moments in the compound before he roused the hammock boys.</p> + +<p>There was black darkness about him, and the thicker obscurity of the +steamy forest that shut him in seemed to emphasize the desolation of +the little station. He had borne many sorrows there, and had fought +for weeks together, with the black, pessimistic dejection the fever +breeds, but now it hurt him to leave it, for he knew that in all +probability he would never come back again. He sighed a little as he +moved towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> one of the huts, and standing in the entrance called +until a drowsy voice answered him.</p> + +<p>"Get the hammock ready with all the provisions the boys can carry. We +start on a long journey in half an hour," he said.</p> + +<p>Then he went back to his hut, and set out food for himself and his +guest. They had scarcely finished eating when there was a patter of +feet in the compound and a shadowy figure appeared in the dim light +that streamed out from the door.</p> + +<p>"The boys wait," it said. "The hammock is ready."</p> + +<p>Nares rose and shook hands with his companion. "If I do not come +back," he said, "you know what I would wish done."</p> + +<p>The priest was stirred, but he merely nodded. "In that case I will see +to it," he said.</p> + +<p>Then Nares climbed into the hammock, and once more turned to his +companion.</p> + +<p>"I have," he said, "failed here as a teacher. At first it hurt a +little to admit it, but the thing is plain. I may have wasted time in +wondering where my duty lay, but I think I was waiting for a sign. +Now, when the life of the man you and I brought back here is in peril +I think it has been given me."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the little priest quietly, "when one has faith enough the +sign is sometimes given. There are, I think, other men waiting on the +coast yonder, and one of them is a man who moves surely when the time +is ripe."</p> + +<p>Nares called to the hammock boys, who slipped away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> into the darkness +with a soft patter of naked feet, while Father Tiebout stood still in +the doorway with a curious look in his eyes. He remembered how Nares +had first walked out of that forest and unobtrusively set about the +building of his station several years ago. Now he had as quietly gone +away again, and in a few more months the encroaching forest would +spread across the compound and enfold the crumbling huts, but for all +that, the man he had left behind could not believe that what he had +done there would be wholly thrown away.</p> + +<p>It was a long and hasty march the woolly-haired bearers made, and they +did not spare themselves. It is believed in some quarters that the +African will only exert himself when he is driven with the stick, and +there are certainly white men in whose case the belief is more or less +warranted, but Nares, like Ormsgill, used none, and the boys plodded +onwards uncomplainingly under burning heat and through sour white +steam. They hewed a way through tangled creepers, and plunged knee and +sometimes waist deep in foul morasses. The sweat of tense effort +dripped from them, and thorns rent their skin, but they would have +done more had he asked it for the man who lay in the hammock that +lurched above them.</p> + +<p>Nares on his part knew that Ormsgill was well in front of him, and +Ormsgill as a rule traveled fast, but it was evident that he must have +made a long journey already, and the Mission boys were fresh. That, at +least, was clear by the pace they made, but it did not greatly slacken +when weariness laid hold on them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> They pushed on without flagging +through the unlifting shade, and the ashes of their cooking fires +marked their track across leagues of forest, until late one night they +stopped suddenly in a more open glade, and Nares, flung forward in his +hammock, seized the pole and swung himself down.</p> + +<p>He alighted in black shadow, but he could dimly see one of the boys in +front of him leaning forward as though listening. A blaze of moonlight +fell upon the trail some forty yards away, and two great trunks rose +athwart it in towering columns, but there was nothing else visible. +Still, the boy, who now crouched a trifle, was clearly intent and +apprehensive. He stood rigid and motionless, gazing at the bush, until +he slowly turned his head.</p> + +<p>Nares, who could hear no sound, felt his heart beat, for the man's +attitude was unpleasantly suggestive. It seemed that he was following +something that moved behind the festooned creepers with eyes which +could see more than those of a white man, and Nares felt the tension +becoming unendurable as he watched him until the negro flung out a +pointing hand. Then a voice rose sharply.</p> + +<p>"Move forward a few paces out of the shadow," it said in a native +tongue.</p> + +<p>Nares laughed from sheer relief, for the voice was familiar.</p> + +<p>"We'll move as far as you wish, but we're quite harmless," he said.</p> + +<p>There was a crackle of undergrowth, and a white-clad figure stepped +out of the bush with something that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> caught the moonlight and glinted +in its hand. Nares moved forward, and in another moment or two stopped +by Ormsgill's side.</p> + +<p>"I might have expected something of the kind, but I scarcely fancied +you were so near," he said. "Anyway, I should not have supposed a +white man could have crept up on us as you have done."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's smile was a trifle grim. "Most white men have not been +hunted for their life," he said. "As a rule it's prudent to take +precautions in the bush. It was not you I expected to see."</p> + +<p>"Still, I have come a long way after you."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go back to camp," said Ormsgill. "Bring your boys along."</p> + +<p>He sent a hoarse call ringing through the shadows of the bush, and +then turned to his companion as if in explanation.</p> + +<p>"One or two of the boys have Sniders, and their nerves might be a +trifle unsteady," he said, "I can't get them to keep their finger off +the trigger."</p> + +<p>"Sniders?" said Nares.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "There are, it seems, a few of them in the country. +I have now and then come across American rifles, too. I don't know how +they got here, and it's not my business, but it is generally believed +that officials now and then acquire a competence by keeping a hand +open and their eyes shut."</p> + +<p>Nares, who asked no more questions, followed him through the creepers +and undergrowth until he turned and pointed to a stalwart negro +standing close against a mighty trunk, who lowered his heavy rifle +with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> grin. Then the faint glow of a smoldering fire became visible, +and Ormsgill stopped where the moonlight streamed down upon the ground +sheet spread outside a little tent.</p> + +<p>"Your boys can camp among my carriers," he said. "You will probably +have fed them, but I can offer you a few biscuits and some coffee. +It's Liberian."</p> + +<p>The coffee was made and brought them by a splendid grinning negro with +blue-striped forehead, who hailed from the land where it was grown, +and while they drank it Nares made his errand clear. When he had done +this Ormsgill laid down his cup and looked at him.</p> + +<p>"There is one thing you have to do, and that is to go back to the +Mission as fast as you can," he said. "Our friends in authority will +make things singularly uncomfortable for you if they hear that you +have taken the trouble to spoil their plan by warning me."</p> + +<p>Nares smiled and shook his head. "You ought to be acquainted with the +customs of this country by now," he said. "I couldn't keep clear of +all the villages on my way up, and, if I had, news of what I have done +would have reached San Roque already."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is probably correct. It is +unfortunate. I won't attempt to thank you—under the circumstances it +would be a trifle difficult to do it efficiently. Well, since you +can't go back to the Mission, you must come on with me."</p> + +<p>Nares looked at him in some astonishment. "After what I told you, you +are going on?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" and Ormsgill laughed softly. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> have been trailing +Domingo for a long while, and he is, as you know, in the village a few +days' march in front of us with most of the boys. It is scarcely +likely that I shall have a more favorable opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Haven't I made it clear to you that the Headman is a friend of his, +and they are supposed to have arms there? Can't you understand yet +that Domingo will embroil you with him, and arrange that you will have +to fight your way out? Even if you manage it Dom Luiz is close behind +with several files of infantry, and will certainly lay hands on you. +You will have fired upon natives under official protection, and taken +a labor purveyor's boys away from him. It would not be difficult to +make out that you were inciting the natives to rebellion. Do you +expect a fair hearing at San Roque?"</p> + +<p>"I don't," and Ormsgill smiled. "In fact, I don't purpose to go there +at all. I expect to be clear again with the boys before Dom Luiz +arrives. From what I know of his habits on the march I should be able +to manage it."</p> + +<p>"But it is likely that Domingo, who knows he is expected to keep you +here until Dom Luiz turns up, will sell the boys?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled again. "I don't purpose to afford him the opportunity. +He stole the boys, and I am merely going to make him give them up +again. With a little resolution I believe it can be done. Still, I am +sorry to drag you into the thing."</p> + +<p>Nares said nothing for a moment or two. He felt that it would be +useless, and his companion's quiet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> cold-blooded daring had its effect +on him. After all, check it as he would, there was in him a vague +pride and belief in the white man's destiny, and in the land he came +from the term white man does not include the Latins. This world, it +seems, was made for Americans and Englishmen to rule. A little gleam +crept into his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I don't think I'm going to blame you now I am in."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">NEGRO DIPLOMACY</span></h2> + + +<p>The glare was almost intolerable when Ormsgill and his carriers walked +into the space of trampled dust round which straggled the heavily +thatched huts of the native village. The afternoon sun flooded it with +a pitiless heat and dazzling brilliancy, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant atmosphere. Beyond the clustering huts the forest rose +impressively still, and there was a deep silence for a few moments +after the line of weary men appeared. Then as they came on with a soft +patter of naked feet a murmur rose from the groups of half-naked +negroes squatting in the dust under the shadow flung by a great tree. +It was not articulate, but there was a hint of anger in it, for white +men were not regarded with any great favor in that village, which was +not astonishing.</p> + +<p>They moved quietly forward across the glaring dust, with a guard of +dusky men in white cotton marching rifle on shoulder behind them. +Indeed, the carriers only stopped when they reached the shadow of the +tree under which the Headman and the elders of the village had +assembled. Then as Ormsgill raised his hand the men with rifles swung +out to left and right, and stood fast, an inconsequent handful of +motionless figures with the unarmed carriers clustering behind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> them. +Their white cotton draperies, which they had put on half an hour ago, +gleamed in the sun glare dazzlingly.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was quite aware that a good deal depended on his composure +and steadiness of bearing, but he had just come out of the shadow of +the forest and he blinked as he looked about him. Close in front of +him the fat village Headman sat on a carved stool, but there was +another older man of somewhat lighter color and dignified presence who +was seated a little higher, and this promised to complicate the +affair, since Ormsgill recognized him as a man of some importance in +those forests, and one who claimed a certain domination over the +villages in them. It was known that he bore the white men little good +will, but his presence there suggested that he had some complaint +against the villagers, or was disposed as their suzerain to listen to +their grievances, and Ormsgill realized that he had arrived at a +somewhat unfortunate time. Then his eyes rested on another man he had +expected to see. He stood among the elders, big and brown-skinned, +with loose robes of white and blue flowing about him, smiling +maliciously, though Ormsgill fancied that for some not very evident +reason he was not quite at ease. Nares, who now stood beside his +comrade, recognized him as Domingo, the labor purveyor.</p> + +<p>"I'm 'most afraid you are going to find it difficult to get those +boys," he said. "One could fancy these people had affairs of their own +to discuss, and it's by no means certain that they'll even listen to +us in the meanwhile."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>Ormsgill, who did not answer him, glanced round at his boys. He +fancied that none of them felt exactly comfortable, but they, at +least, kept still, and he sent forward two of them with the presents +he had brought before he turned to the Headman.</p> + +<p>"I have come here to justice," he said in a bush tongue, and Nares who +had a closer acquaintance with it amplified his observations. "That +man," and he pointed to Domingo, "has with him boys who belonged to my +friend the trader Lamartine. He stole them, and I have made a long +journey to get them back again."</p> + +<p>"If they belonged to Lamartine, who is dead, they can not be yours," +said the Headman shrewdly. "You do not say you bought them from him."</p> + +<p>"In one sense it's almost a pity you hadn't. He has made a point," +Nares said quietly.</p> + +<p>It was evident that the rest of the assembly recognized the fact, for +there was laughter and a murmur of concurrence. Ormsgill, who did not +expect to be believed, flung a hand up.</p> + +<p>"If you will listen you shall hear why I claim them," he said, and he +spoke for some minutes tersely while Nares now and then flung in a +word or two.</p> + +<p>Another laugh rang along the rows of squatting men, and there was +blank incredulity in the dusky faces. This was, however, by no means +astonishing, since the motives he professed to have been actuated by +were distinctly unusual in that part of Africa. It was inconceivable +to those who heard him that a man should trouble himself greatly about +a promise he need<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> not have kept, as this one said he had done. They +were too well acquainted with the white men's habits to believe a +thing of that kind could be possible. The fat Headman looked round and +grinned.</p> + +<p>"I think," he observed, "we should now hear what Domingo has to say."</p> + +<p>Domingo had a good deal to say, and framed it cunningly, playing upon +the dislike of the white men that was in those who heard him, but as +Ormsgill noticed, it was the old man of lighter color he chiefly +watched. The latter sat silent and motionless, regarding him with +expressionless eyes, until he ceased, and Ormsgill realized that if it +depended upon the opinion of the assembly Domingo had won his case. +Still, though he was by no means sure what he would do, he was, at +least, determined it should not depend on that, and there was a trace +of grimness in his smile when Nares turned to him.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it has gone against us," he said.</p> + +<p>"Against me, you mean," said Ormsgill dryly.</p> + +<p>"No," and Nares's gesture was expressive, "what I said stands without +the correction."</p> + +<p>Before Ormsgill could answer, the old man made a sign, and there was +no mistaking his tone of authority.</p> + +<p>"Bring the boys," he said.</p> + +<p>They were led in some minutes later, eight of them, and three or four +ran towards Ormsgill with eager cries. He waved them back, and there +was silence for a moment or two until the old man rose up slowly with +a curious smile in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"It seems that this man has not beaten them too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> often," he said. "You +have seen that they would sooner be his men than Domingo's. Let one of +them speak."</p> + +<p>One of them did so, and what he said bore out some, at least, of +Ormsgill's assertions. Then the grave figure in the plain white robe +raised a hand, and there was a sudden silence of attention.</p> + +<p>"After all," he said, "this is my village, and it is by my permission +your Headman rules here. Now, this stranger has told us a thing which +appears impossible. We have not heard anything like it from a white +man before, but when a man would deceive you he is careful to tell you +what you can believe."</p> + +<p>There was a little murmur which suggested that the listeners grasped +the point of this, and the old man went on.</p> + +<p>"I know that Lamartine was an honest man, for I have bought trade +goods from him. They were what I bought them for, and I got the weight +and count in full. Lamartine was honest, and it is likely that this +man is honest, too, or he would not have been his friend."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and smiled a trifle dryly. "Now, we know that +Domingo is a thief, for he has often cheated you, and it is certain +that he is a friend of the white men. I have told you at other times +that you are fools to trade with him. If a man is in debt or has done +some wrong you part with him for this trader's goods. The rum is +drunk, the cloth wears out, but the man lives on, and every day's work +he does on the white men's plantations makes them richer and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +stronger. As they grow richer they grow greedier, and by and by they +will not be satisfied with a man or two from among you. You will have +made them strong enough to take you all. That, however, is not the +question in the meanwhile. I think it may have happened, as this +stranger says, that Domingo stole these boys from Lamartine, but even +in that case there is a difficulty. The boys are with him, and in this +country what a man holds in his hand is his. Perhaps the white man +will offer him goods for them. I do not think he would ask too much, +at least, if he is wise."</p> + +<p>He looked at Ormsgill, who shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Not a piece of cloth or a bottle of gin," he said.</p> + +<p>There was a little murmur of resentment from the assembly, but +Ormsgill saw that his boldness had the effect he had expected upon the +man whose suggestion he had disregarded, and he had not acted +inadvisedly when he dismissed all idea of compromise. Domingo had +influential friends in that village, while, save for the handful of +carriers, he and his companion stood alone. He also knew that if +misfortune befell them no troublesome questions would be asked by the +authorities. The whole enterprise was in one sense a folly, and that +being so it was only by a continuance of the rashness he could expect +to carry it through. Half measures were, as he realized, generally +useless, and often perilous, in an affair of the kind, for there are +occasions when one must face disastrous failure or bid boldly for +success. Nares also seemed to recognize that fact, for he smiled as he +turned to his companion.</p> + +<p>"I think you were right," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>Then the Headman said something to his Suzerain who made a sign that +the audience was over.</p> + +<p>"It is a thing that must be talked over," he announced. "We shall, +perhaps, know what must be done to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill acknowledged his gesture, swinging off his shapeless hat, and +then led his boys away to the hut one of the Headman's servants +pointed out to him. It was old, and had apparently been built for a +person of importance for, though this was more usual further east +among the dusky Moslem, there was a tall mud wall about it, and a +smaller building probably intended for the occupation of the women +inside the latter. It was dusty and empty save for the rats and +certain great spiders, and during the rest of the hot afternoon +Ormsgill sat with Nares in the little enclosed space under the +lengthening shadow of the wall. The boys had curled themselves up +amidst the dust and quietly gone to sleep.</p> + +<p>There was nothing they could see but the ridge of forest beyond the +huts, and though now and then a clamor of voices reached them from +outside, it supplied them with no clue to what was going on. Ormsgill +smoked his pipe out several times before he said anything, and then he +glanced at the wall meditatively.</p> + +<p>"It seems thick, and there's only one entrance," he observed. "I +almost fancy we could hold the place, though I don't anticipate the +necessity. Still, Domingo, who does a good trade here, has a certain +following, and it might be an advantage if I knew a little more about +our friends' affair. Their Suzerain seems<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> to have some notion of fair +play. I wonder what he is doing here."</p> + +<p>"I have been asking myself the same question," said Nares. "It seems +to me these folks have been a little slack in recognizing his +authority, and he has been making them a visitation. In one respect +they're somewhat unfortunately fixed. The Portuguese consider they +belong to them though they have made no attempt to occupy the country, +and it's a little rough on the Headman who has to keep the peace with +both."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a little gesture of concurrence. "No doubt you're +correct. The question is who the Headman would sooner not offend, and +it's rather an important one because we are somewhat awkwardly +circumstanced if it's the Portuguese. Our friend from the Interior +naturally doesn't like them, but it's uncertain how far we could count +on him, and Dom Luiz will probably turn up to-morrow night or the next +day, and then there would be fresh complications."</p> + +<p>"In that case we should never get the boys."</p> + +<p>The lines grew a trifle deeper in Ormsgill's forehead, but he smiled. +"I wouldn't go quite so far, though if Domingo still had the boys it +might delay things. As it is, I don't think he will have them. How I'm +going to take them from him I don't quite know, but I expect to make +an attempt of some kind to-morrow. You see, these folks have no +particular fondness for the Portuguese, and that will probably count +for a little."</p> + +<p>Nares said nothing further on that subject, and Ormsgill talked about +other matters while the shadows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> crept across the little dusty +enclosure and the forest cut more darkly against the dazzling glare. +Then it stood out for a brief few minutes fretted hard and sharp in +ebony against a blaze of transcendent splendor, and vanished with an +almost bewildering suddenness as darkness swept down. The smell of +wood smoke crept into the stagnant air, and a cheerful hum of voices +rose from the huts beyond the wall, through which odd bursts of +laughter broke. It would not have been astonishing if it had jarred +upon the susceptibilities of the two men who heard it, but, as it +happened, they listened tranquilly. They had both faced too many +perils in the shadowy land to concern themselves greatly as to what +might befall them. In one was the sure belief that all he was to bear +was appointed for him, and the other thought of little but the task in +hand. They were simple men, impatient often, and now and then driven +into folly by human bitterness, but there is, perhaps, nothing taught +in all the creeds and philosophies greater than their desire to do a +little good. The formulas change, and lose their authority, but the +down-trodden and those who groan beneath a heavy burden always remain.</p> + +<p>By and by one of the Headman's retainers brought in food and a native +lamp. He had nothing to tell the white men, and they, recognizing it, +judiciously refrained from useless questions. When they had eaten they +sat awhile talking of matters that did not greatly interest them until +Ormsgill, who had already stationed his sentries, extinguished the +light.</p> + +<p>"Whether the boys can be depended on to watch I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> don't know, and it's +probably very doubtful," he said. "Anyway, I think we shall be safe +until to-morrow, and I'm going to sleep. After all, I fancy we could +leave the thing to the Headman. He's a cunning rascal, and it's to +some extent his business to find a way out of the difficulty. As you +suggest, he stands between his Suzerain and the Portuguese, and can't +afford to offend either of them."</p> + +<p>He stretched himself out on his hard native couch, and apparently sank +into tranquil slumber, but it was some time before Nares' eyes closed. +He was of different temperament, and, though he was not unduly +anxious, the surroundings had their effect on him. There was, as +usual, no door to the hut, and he could see the soft blue darkness +beyond the entrance. The figure of a big, half-naked man who carried a +heavy rifle cut against it shadowily now and then. The village was +silent, and he could hear a little hot breeze sweep through it and +stir the invisible trees. At last, however, he sank into sleep, and +was awakened suddenly some time later. He did not know what had roused +him, but as he raised himself he dimly saw Ormsgill slip across the +room. Then there was a footfall outside, and he made out the sentry +half-crouching in the entrance.</p> + +<p>He rose, and stood still, quivering a little, while, perhaps, a +quarter of a minute slipped by. The stillness was very impressive, and +seemed emphasized by the footsteps outside. They were soft and +cautious, and it was evident that the man who made them was desirous +of slipping into the hut unseen. Then there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> was a thud in the +entrance, and a scuffle during which Ormsgill hurled himself upon the +pair of struggling men.</p> + +<p>"Let him go," he said in a bush tone. "Take your hand off his neck. +Now get up."</p> + +<p>A man who gasped heavily staggered to his feet, and Ormsgill laughed +as he turned to Nares.</p> + +<p>"I believe he's a messenger, but he can hardly blame us for welcoming +him as we did," he said. "Now if you have anything to say go on with +it."</p> + +<p>Nares could only just see the negro, who was probably attempting to +recover his senses, for he said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Who sent you?" asked Ormsgill, who gripped his arm tightly, in the +native tongue.</p> + +<p>"It is a thing I am not to tell," said the man. "I have a message. +Domingo left our village with the boys an hour ago. He heads for the +west."</p> + +<p>Nares turned to Ormsgill. "Well," he said, "I am not altogether +astonished, and the Headman's hint is plain enough. Of course, the +thing may be a trap, but it is quite possible he is not unnaturally +anxious to get rid of us and Domingo."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill looked at the negro. "If he has gone an hour ago how are we +to come up with him?"</p> + +<p>"The road twists across the high land," said the man. "There is a +shorter path through a swamp."</p> + +<p>"Then if you will lead us across the swamp so we can reach firm ground +in front of Domingo you shall have as much cloth as you can carry."</p> + +<p>It was a tempting offer, and though the negro ap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>peared to have +misgivings he profited by it, and in another few minutes Ormsgill had +roused the boys in the compound.</p> + +<p>"If we have no trouble in getting out I think we can feel reasonably +sure that the Headman doesn't care whether we worry Domingo or not," +he said.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Nares reflectively, "I almost think you're right. Still, +he may, after all, have something different in his mind. As you said, +we could probably hold the hut, and we are not out of the village +yet."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill seemed to smile. "In that case," he said, "he may have reason +to be sorry he ever entertained a notion of that kind."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE AMBUSCADE</span></h2> + + +<p>A thin crescent moon hung low in the western sky when they slipped out +into the sleeping village, and shadowy huts and encircling forest were +dimly distinguishable. The place was very silent, and though the negro +as a rule sleeps lightly no one appeared in a doorway, and no voice +was raised to challenge them. In fact, Nares, who walked beside his +comrade with his heart beating a good deal faster than usual, felt the +silence almost oppressive, for he was conscious that it might at any +moment be rudely broken. He had very little confidence in the dusky +Headman, and knew that if treachery was intended they were affording +him the opportunity he probably desired.</p> + +<p>Now and then there was a faint clatter and jingle of arms, and at +times the soft patter of naked feet in the trampled dust was flung +back with what appeared to be a startling distinctness by the huts +they passed, but there was no other sound, and the boys flitted +steadily on, a line of vague, shadowy figures, in front of him. Then +he drew a deep breath of relief as they left the village behind them +and plunged into the gloom of the forest. He looked back a moment +towards the clustering huts which rose faintly black against the dim +bush, and wondered how the Headman would explain mat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>ters to his +Suzerain on the morrow. That, however, was the Headman's affair, and +Nares fancied he would be equal to the occasion, since the negro is +usually a very shrewd diplomatist.</p> + +<p>By and by the darkness beneath the trees grew a little less intense, +and they came out on the brink of a morass. It stretched away before +them smeared with drifting wisps of sour white steam, and it was not +astonishing that they halted and looked at it apprehensively. An +African swamp is not, as a rule, considered impassable so long as one +does not sink beyond the hips in it, and there are places where +British forest officers flounder through them more or less cheerfully +for days together, but it is, for all that, a thing the average white +man has a natural shrinking from. Ormsgill significantly tapped the +rifle he now carried before he exchanged a few words with their guide.</p> + +<p>"He says we can get through, but I'll take the precaution of walking +close beside him," he said to Nares. "It's an excellent rule in this +country not to let your guide get too far in front of you."</p> + +<p>They went in, and the tall grass near the verge crackled about them as +they sank in the plastic mire out of which they could scarcely drag +their feet. It was a little easier where there was only foul slime and +water, and in places there were signs of a path, that is, they could +see where somebody else had floundered through the quaggy waste of +corruption. The smell was a thing to shudder at, but they were all of +them more or less used to that, and the emanations of such places do +not invariably prostrate the white man who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> is accustomed to the +country. In some cases, at least, the results of inhaling them only +appear some time afterwards, but there are very few white men who +escape them altogether.</p> + +<p>In due time they came out, bemired from head to foot, with scum and +slimy water draining from them, and they diffused sour odors as they +once more plunged into the forest which just there was permeated with +the sickly scent of lilies. Still, it was a consolation to Ormsgill +that they had, at least, left nobody behind, and he acquired a certain +confidence in their guide. They pushed on for most of the night, +smashing and hacking a way through creepers, and stumbling in loose +white sand, and at last came out upon a well beaten trail. The negro +who crawled up and down it said that Domingo had not reached that spot +yet, but Ormsgill did not content himself with his assurance. With +difficulty, he made a little fire and while it flickered feebly +stooped over the loose sand. Then he stamped it out before he turned +to Nares.</p> + +<p>"I almost think he is right, and as the Headman doesn't expect us to +compromise him we'll let him go," he said.</p> + +<p>The man, it was evident, had no desire to stay, and when he went away +content with his load of cotton cloth Ormsgill made the most of his +forces. Two men with Sniders whom he fancied he could to some extent +depend upon were sent back to crouch beside the trail; a few more took +up their stations a little distance ahead; and the white men lay down +with the carriers between the two parties, and a few yards back from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +the path. It was now a trifle cooler, for the night was wearing +through, and the mysterious voices of the forest had died away and +left a deep silence intensified by the splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nares shivered a little as the all pervading damp crept +through his thin garments, though the lower half of them was still +foul with the mire of the swamp.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we shall meet Domingo if we wait long enough?" he said. +"After all, we have only the Headman's word to warrant us believing +it."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "It depends a good deal upon the kind of bargains +Domingo has made with him lately. The thing will probably work out +just as we would like it if he hasn't been quite satisfied with them. +It's an arrangement that would commend itself to the average African. +Still, as I said already, I'm a trifle sorry that you are mixed up in +it."</p> + +<p>Nares sat silent a moment or two. He had borne a good deal, perhaps +rather more than could have been expected of him, from those whom he +considered with some reason as workers of iniquity, and, after all, +excessive meekness has seldom been a characteristic of the Puritan.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said slowly, "I'm not sure that I am. It is very probable +that I have been proscribed already, and, perhaps, it was not patience +but cowardice that made me submit so long. After all, patience +accomplishes very little in Africa."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it was never one of my strong points," and Ormsgill +smiled. "In fact, if Domingo made any kind of fight it would be a +certain relief to me, although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> because one can't always afford to be +guided by his personal likes I've taken every precaution against it. +Now, suppose we get the boys back, what do you propose to do?"</p> + +<p>"Go back to my station," said Nares quietly.</p> + +<p>"And if you hear that Dom Luiz is there with several files of infantry +to arrest you?"</p> + +<p>"In that case I will go down to the coast with you."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill dropped a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "I shall be glad to +have you wherever I go, though I'm not sure that you wouldn't be safer +if you pushed on alone. You don't mention what it has cost you to warn +me, but I think I can understand."</p> + +<p>Nares slowly shook his head. "I don't think I have much to regret," he +said without a trace of bitterness. "I was sent here to save men's +souls, and it seems that I have failed. Still, I think I should have +stayed and healed their bodies—had it been permitted—but there is, +perhaps, work I can do elsewhere since that is not the case." He +stopped a moment with the faintest sigh. "We will not mention this +again."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing, probably because he was more than a trifle +stirred. He knew that it requires self-restraint and courage to face +the fact that one's efforts have been thrown away, but there are men +like him who now and then shrink from expressing their sympathy. +Leaning forward a little with the rifle across his knees he set +himself to listen.</p> + +<p>It was almost an hour before he heard anything at all, and in the +meanwhile the faint coolness increased,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> and the tops of the trees +above him became dimly visible. They cut with a growing sharpness +against the eastern sky, and here and there a massy trunk grew out of +the obscurity. Then there was a faint pearly flush beyond them, and in +the cold of the sudden dawn he heard the men he was waiting for. A +soft patter of footsteps and a murmur of voices came up the winding +trail. He knew the boys had also heard, for the undergrowth behind him +crackled and then was still again.</p> + +<p>In another few minutes there was dim light in the forest, and he could +see indistinct figures moving towards him through the narrow gap in +the leaves. They became more visible, and he could make out the +uncovered ebony skin of some and the fluttering cotton that flowed +about the others' limbs. There were burdens upon most of their heads, +but a few carried what seemed to be long flintlock guns. Then, for +dawn comes with startling swiftness in that land, the shadowy trunks +became sharp and clear, and the men who plodded among them seemed to +emerge from a blurring obscurity. Black limbs, impassive faces, raw +white draperies, and gray gun barrels were forced up in the sudden +light, but Ormsgill raising himself a trifle fixed his eyes upon the +man of lighter color who walked a little apart from the others. His +voice rang harshly as he flung menaces in a native tongue at one or +two of those who lagged under their burdens, and perhaps he was, in +one respect, warranted in this, since, for economic reasons, the negro +whose labor somebody else has sold for him is seldom loaded be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>yond +his strength on his march to the coast, at least, so long as +provisions are plentiful.</p> + +<p>They had almost reached the spot where the white men lay when Ormsgill +quietly walked out into the trail, and stood there with left foot +forward and the rifle at his hip. He had left his shapeless hat +behind, and his thin, thorn-rent garments clung about him damp with +dew and foul with mire. Still, he looked curiously resolute, and the +men with the burdens stopped and recoiled at the sight of him, until +one group of them flung down what they carried and ran towards him +clamoring. Then there was a harsh cry from the rear of the line, and +swinging round they scattered into the underbrush as the tall man of +lighter color sprang forward with something that glinted in his hand.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill's rifle went up and came in to the shoulder. With the same +motion his cheek dropped upon the stock. He said nothing, but the +labor purveyor stopped. Ormsgill swung down the rifle.</p> + +<p>"Look behind you," he said in Portuguese.</p> + +<p>Domingo turned, and saw two half-naked men with Sniders standing in +the trail. Then looking round again he saw several more ahead, while +other dusky figures had risen here and there among the undergrowth. +They appeared resolute, and it was evident that he could get no +further without their permission. He was credited with being a daring +as well as an unscrupulous man, but he knew when the odds were too +heavy against him, and he made a sign to Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"You want something from me?" he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>"I do," said Ormsgill. "The boys you stole from Lamartine. It will +save you trouble if you give them up."</p> + +<p>Domingo glanced once more at the men with the rifles, who stood still, +one or two of them regarding him with a sardonic grin. Then he glanced +at his startled carriers, who had thrown down their burdens and +huddled together. There was, of course, nothing to be expected from +them, and his few armed retainers were evidently not to be relied +upon. In fact, they were gazing longingly at the bush, and it was +clear that they were ready to make a dash for its shelter. They had +done his bidding truculently when it was a question of overawing +down-trodden bushmen and keeping defenseless carriers on the march, +but to face resolute men with rifles was a different matter, and their +courage was not equal to the task. Domingo seemed to recognize it, for +he made a little scornful gesture.</p> + +<p>"If I had a few men who could be depended on I would fight you for the +boys," he said. "As it is they are yours."</p> + +<p>"I see eight," said Ormsgill. "Where are the others?"</p> + +<p>Domingo smiled maliciously. "In the hands of the Ugalla Headman. I am +afraid it will be a little difficult to induce him to part with them: +Lamartine, it seems, had taught them enough to make them useful to a +Headman who is copying the white men's habits."</p> + +<p>"In that case he no doubt gave you something worth while for them, and +since you stole them it does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> not belong to you. Are you willing to +tell me what he offered you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Domingo resolutely.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be difficult to estimate it at the usual figure, and you +will understand that the Headman will ask me, at least, as much as he +gave for them, but I will be reasonable. If you will let me have the +arms your boys carry I shall be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"How can I drive these men to the coast if we have no arms?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Ormsgill with a little laugh. "It is your affair, +but, perhaps, I can simplify the thing for you. I will take the arms +in exchange for the boys in the Headman's possession, and hand you +over what trade goods I have and paper bills for the rest of the men, +except the eight boys, for whom you will get nothing. I think I can +calculate what they cost you, and the fact that the transaction is +probably illegal does not trouble me."</p> + +<p>There was still silence for a moment or two, and a dazzling ray of +sunlight beat down into the bush. It made a sudden brightness, and +showed the malice in Domingo's dusky face. Then it touched the huddled +carriers' naked skin, and Nares glanced from them to the group of +Lamartine's boys who had appeared again. It seemed they understood a +little of what was going on, and were watching Ormsgill expectantly. +He stood quietly in the middle of the trail, with a rifle at his hip +and a little grim smile in his eyes. All round rose the forest, +impressive in its stillness, dim and shadowy, and the scene had a +curious effect on Nares.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> He felt it had its symbolism, and its motive +was that of all the old world legends and dramas, the triumph of the +right over evil which man has from forgotten times vaguely believed +in. It is, perhaps, especially difficult to be an optimist in Africa, +but Nares who had borne a good deal in its steamy shadow held fast to +his faith, and it did not matter greatly to him that the latter day +champion of the oppressed was a most unknightly figure in burst shoes +and tattered garments and carried an American rifle. At last, however, +Domingo made a little gesture.</p> + +<p>"I am in your hands," he said. "You shall have them."</p> + +<p>They were not long in making the bargain, and when the arms and all +the boys except the few who had carried the long guns had been handed +over Ormsgill turned once more to Domingo.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said, "you can go where you please, but I scarcely think it +will be back towards the interior. Your friends up yonder would +probably profit by the opportunity if you appeared among them with a +few unarmed men."</p> + +<p>Domingo called to his few remaining followers, who took up some of the +loads the men released had carried for them. Then there was a soft +patter of feet and one by one the dusky figures flitted by and +vanished into the gloom. Ormsgill armed Lamartine's boys, and +afterwards drew Nares aside.</p> + +<p>"In the first case I have to make sure of these men, and it is a +question if I can reach the coast before Domingo's friends head me +off," he said. "Consid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>ering everything it seems to me that haste is +distinctly advisable."</p> + +<p>They started in another half-hour, and pushed on through the forest +for a week or two. Then Ormsgill made a traverse which cost him +several days to reach the vicinity of Nares' station. He stopped at a +bush village, and was told there that the station was occupied by +black soldiers from San Roque. When they heard it Ormsgill quietly +looked at Nares.</p> + +<p>"You can't go back," he said. "The Chefe holds summary authority, and +no doubt has his views concerning you. It's scarcely worth while +pointing out what they would probably be, but if you succeed in +getting out of his hands you would be a discredited man who had only +met with his deserts."</p> + +<p>Nares made a little gesture, for that was a very bitter moment, but +his face was tranquil.</p> + +<p>"It's a thing I was prepared for. We'll push on," he said.</p> + +<p>They stayed an hour or two in the village, and then started once more +on their long journey to the coast. It was clear that they could +afford no delay in reaching it, but there was no road to the Bahia +Santiago, and day by day they floundered through swamp and forest +under an intolerable heat, with garments rent to tatters, worn out, +gasping now and then, but always pushing on. They drank putrid water, +and when provisions commenced to run out lived on a few daily handfuls +of equally divided food. Nature was also against them, and barred +their path with fallen trees and thorny creepers, and the march they +made was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> test of what man could bear. Still, there was no discord, +and no negro raised his voice in protest. The boys recognized that +haste was advisable, and they had confidence in the white man with the +quiet lined face who marched at the head of them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DOM CLEMENTE LOOKS ON</span></h2> + + +<p>A little breeze blew in between the slender pillars delightfully fresh +and cool, and Dom Clemente Figuera, who had taken off his heavy kepi, +lay in a cane chair with a smile in his half-closed eyes. The ten +o'clock breakfast had just been cleared away, but two cups of bitter +black coffee still stood upon the table beside a bundle of cigars and +a flask of light red wine. He was, as he now and then laughingly +admitted, usually in an excellent humor after breakfast, and one could +have fancied just then that he had not a care in the world. There +were, however, men who said that in the case of Dom Clemente +tranquillity was not always a favorable sign.</p> + +<p>Opposite him sat the trader Herrero, who was not quite so much at ease +as he desired to be. His manners were usually characterized by a +certain truculence, which as a rule served him well in the bush, but +he had sense enough to realize that it was not likely to have much +effect upon his companion. There was something about the little +smiling gentleman in the immaculate white uniform on the other side of +the table which would have made it difficult for one to adopt an +aggressive attitude towards him, even if he had not been one who held +authority. Herrero had therefore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> laid a somewhat unusual restraint +upon himself while he expressed his views, and now sat watching his +companion anxiously. Dom Clemente lighted a cigar before he answered +him.</p> + +<p>"This Englishman," he said, "is apparently a turbulent person. I have +just received a letter concerning him from the Chefe at San Roque, as +you are, no doubt, aware."</p> + +<p>There was a question in his glance which Herrero could not ignore, +though he would have liked to do so. He felt it was unfortunate that +he did not know exactly what was in the letter.</p> + +<p>"I addressed my complaint to the Chefe in the first case," he said. +"Since Ormsgill is believed to have traveled towards the coast it was +to be expected that Dom Erminio should communicate with you."</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" and Dom Clemente smiled. "The complaint, it seems, is a +double one. The Englishman Ormsgill has, I am informed, abducted a +native girl who was in your company, but one can not quite understand +how he has offended in this, since it appears that she was content to +go with him. In one case only you have a remedy. If you have any +record of a marriage with this woman the affair shall be looked into."</p> + +<p>"I have none," and Herrero made a little gesture. "There are, you +understand, certain customs in the bush."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente reproachfully shook his head. "They are," he said, "not +recognized by the law, and that being so your grievance against the +Englishman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> is a purely personal one. It is no doubt exasperating that +the woman should prefer him, and she is probably unwise in this, but +it is not a matter that concerns any one else."</p> + +<p>"It is not alleged that she preferred him," and the trader's face +flushed a trifle.</p> + +<p>"Still," said his companion, "she went with him. Now you do not wish +to tell me that you had laid any restraint upon her to keep her with +you, or that there was anything to warrant you doing so. For instance, +you do not wish me to believe that you had bought her?"</p> + +<p>Herrero did not, at least, consider it prudent. The law, as he was +aware, did not countenance such transactions, and while he sat silent +his companion smiled at him.</p> + +<p>"Then," he said, "I am afraid I can only offer you my sympathy, and we +will proceed to the next complaint. This Englishman, it is alleged, +has also stolen certain boys from Domingo. Now the law allows a native +to bind himself to labor for a specified time, and while the +engagement lasts he is in a sense the property of the man he makes it +with. The engagement, of course, can only be made in due form on the +coast, but the man who brings the boys down and feeds them on the +strength of their promise may be considered to have some claim on +them. It seems to me that person was Domingo. Why did he not make the +complaint himself?"</p> + +<p>"He is busy, and it would necessitate a long journey. Besides, I have +a share in his business ventures."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>"That," said Dom Clemente reflectively, "is a sufficient reason. This +Domingo seems to be an enterprising man. One wonders if he has many +business associates up yonder."</p> + +<p>Again Herrero did not answer. He did not like the little shrewd smile +in his companion's eyes, for, as he was aware, the only white men in +the forests Domingo frequented were missionaries and administrators, +who were, at least, not supposed to participate in purely commercial +ventures. He could not understand Dom Clemente at all, for it was very +natural that it should not occur to him that he was an honest man, as +well as an astute one who had been entrusted with a difficult task. He +would, in fact, have been startled had he known what was in his +companion's mind. Seeing he did not speak, Dom Clemente waved his +hand.</p> + +<p>"It seems," he said, "that Ormsgill will make for the coast with the +boys in question, and you have come to warn me, partly because it is +to your interest, and partly from the sense of duty. Well, with this +knowledge in my possession it should be difficult for him to get them +away."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, but Herrero saw nothing significant in the fact +that he glanced languidly towards the <i>Palestrina</i>. She lay gleaming +white like ivory on the glittering stretch of water he could see +across the roofs of the city, and, as it happened, he was going off +that evening to a function which Desmond, who had brought her in the +day before, had arranged.</p> + +<p>"Steps will be taken to intercept him when we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> have news of his +whereabouts, and in the meanwhile I have another question," he said. +"There is discontent up yonder among the bushmen?"</p> + +<p>His manner was indifferent, but Herrero was on his guard. "A little," +he said. "If it becomes more serious it will be due to this Ormsgill, +and, perhaps, to the missionaries. He and the American are teaching +the bushmen to be mutinous."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente took up a letter which had, as it happened, been sent him +by Father Tiebout, from the table, and read it meditatively. Then he +rose with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"The affair shall be looked into," he said.</p> + +<p>Herrero withdrew, not altogether satisfied. Dom Clemente had been +uniformly courteous, but now and then a just perceptible hardness had +crept into his eyes. The latter, however, smiled as he poured himself +out another glass of wine, and then turned quietly, as his daughter +appeared in the doorway. She came nearer, and stood looking down at +him.</p> + +<p>"That man has gone away?" she said. "He is an infamous person."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente glanced at the little green lattice on the white wall +behind her with a faint twinkle in his eyes. It was not very far away, +and he remembered that Herrero had spoken distinctly.</p> + +<p>"One would admit that he is not a particularly estimable man, but he +has, like most of us, his little rôle to play," he said. "He does not, +however, play it brilliantly."</p> + +<p>Benicia made a gesture of impatience. "The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> Englishman is on his way +to the coast. You are going to arrest him?"</p> + +<p>"When we know where he is. What would you have me do? A man in +authority has his duty."</p> + +<p>"Is it a duty to bring trouble on a man who has done no wrong?"</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente leaned forward with his arms on the table, and looked at +her with a curious little smile.</p> + +<p>"I almost think," he said reflectively, "if I was a great friend of +this Englishman's I would prefer him to fall into the hands of—such a +man as I am. In that case, he would, at least, be prevented from going +back to the bush, which is just now unsafe for him."</p> + +<p>Benicia felt her face grow hot under his steady gaze. "The difficulty +is that there are men without scruples who would blame him for +whatever trouble may be going on up yonder in the forest," she said. +"You would have to listen to them. If their complaints were serious +what would you do?"</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is rather more than I can tell. When +one is young one feels that he is always expected to do something. +Afterwards, however, one becomes content to leave it to the others now +and then. It is sometimes wiser to—look on. That may be my attitude +in this case, but I am not sure that the affair is one that concerns +you."</p> + +<p>He made a little deprecatory gesture as he turned to the papers in +front of him, and Benicia went out quietly. It was an affair that +concerned her very much indeed, but she knew that Dom Clemente could +be reticent, and she fancied that he had something in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> his mind. As it +happened, this was the case with her. In the meanwhile he sat still, +gazing thoughtfully at the sun-scorched town while he smoked another +cigar. Then he rose with a little jerk of his shoulders, and buckling +on his big sword went down the stairway.</p> + +<p>When evening came he went off to the <i>Palestrina</i> with his daughter, +her attendant Señora Castro, and one or two officials and their wives, +and enjoyed an excellent dinner on board the yacht. He fancied Benicia +was rather silent during part of it, and glanced at her once or twice, +which she naturally noticed, and as the result of it roused herself to +join in the conversation. Still, she was a trifle relieved when the +dinner was over and Desmond led them up on deck. Clear moonlight +streamed in between the awnings, and, as it happened, Desmond seated +himself beside the rail at some distance from her Madeira chair. Twice +she ventured to make him a little sign, which he apparently +disregarded, but at last he rose and walked forward, and she turned to +the black-robed Señora Castro, who had clung persistently to her side.</p> + +<p>"The dew is rather heavy. I brought a wrap or two, but I think I left +them in the saloon," she said.</p> + +<p>The little portly lady waddled away, and a minute or two later Benicia +rose languidly, and moved towards the companion door through which she +had disappeared. Instead of descending the stairway, the girl slipped +out by the other door, and flitted forward in the shadow of the +deckhouse until she came upon Desmond standing beneath the bridge.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>"You do not seem to notice things to-night. I signed to you twice," +she said.</p> + +<p>Desmond smiled. "I saw you," he said. "Still, I wasn't quite sure that +another of my guests did not do so, too. You have something to say to +me."</p> + +<p>Benicia turned and glanced down the long deck. There was nobody +visible on that part of it.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said a trifle breathlessly. "But nobody must know that I +have talked to you alone."</p> + +<p>Desmond opened the door of the little room beneath the bridge. A lamp +burned in it, and he flung a shade across the port before he drew the +girl in, and then closing the door, leaned with his back against it.</p> + +<p>"I do not think we shall be disturbed," he said.</p> + +<p>Benicia stood still a moment looking at him. It was in the case of a +young woman from The Peninsula a very unusual thing she had done, but +there was inconsequent courage in her, and a certain quiet +imperiousness in her manner.</p> + +<p>"You have coal and water on board?" she said.</p> + +<p>"I have," said Desmond. "I have also clearance papers for British +Nigeria, but we haven't steam up. You see, I expected to stay here at +least a day or two."</p> + +<p>"Then you must raise it. You must sail for the Bahia Santiago before +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You have word of Ormsgill?" and Desmond became suddenly intent. "He +is a man who is never late, but on this occasion he is a week or two +before his time. Well, I dare say we can sail to-morrow. You will tell +me what you know?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>He leaned against the door with a quiet thoughtful face while she did +so, and then the Celtic temperament revealed itself in the flash in +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"It will evidently be a tight fit, but we'll get him if I have to arm +every man on board and bring him off," he said. "That there may be +complications afterwards doesn't in the least matter."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Benicia, "you are one who would do a good deal for a +friend."</p> + +<p>Desmond looked at her with a little wry smile. "Miss Figuera," he said +slowly, "I think I would gladly do a very great deal for you."</p> + +<p>A just perceptible flicker of color crept into the girl's face. "But +what you are about to do now is for your friend Ormsgill."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Desmond, still with the curious little smile. "In one way, +at least, I suppose it is."</p> + +<p>Benicia turned and faced him, with the color growing plainer in her +cheeks, and for a moment there was hot anger in her, for she knew what +he meant. Then the fierce resentment vanished suddenly, as she once +more met his eyes. There was something that suggested a deep regret in +them, and his manner was wholly deferential.</p> + +<p>"I only wish you to understand that if I fail it will not be because I +have not done all I can," he said. "You see, I would, at least, like +to keep your good opinion, and in spite of every effort one can't +always be successful. Still, if it is possible, I will bring Ormsgill +safely off. As you say, he is my friend."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>There was silence for, perhaps, half a minute, and during it each knew +what the other was thinking. Then Benicia made this clear.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "you are a very generous man." She stopped a moment, +and there was a faint tremble in her voice when she turned to him +again. "You have come from Las Palmas?"</p> + +<p>"I have," said Desmond. "I saw Miss Ratcliffe there. I think I may +venture to tell you that Ormsgill will never marry her."</p> + +<p>Benicia's face flamed, but the color died out of it again, and she +looked at him quietly. "To no one else could I have forgiven that. +Still, one can forgive everything to one who has your courage—and +devotion."</p> + +<p>Desmond made a little gesture. "Well," he said simply, "we sail before +to-morrow, and I will do what I can. There is this in my favor—your +friends probably don't know where Ormsgill is heading for."</p> + +<p>Then the girl started suddenly with consternation in her eyes, for +there was a tapping at the door, but Desmond's hand fell on her +shoulder and she felt that he would do what was most advisable. Next +moment he leaned forward and turned the lamp out before he threw the +door open.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "what do you want? I am, as you see, just coming +out."</p> + +<p>There was moonlight outside, though the awnings dimmed it, and just +there the bridge flung a shadow on the deck, and he recognized with +the first glance that it was one of his guests who had tapped upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +the door which he flung carelessly to behind him.</p> + +<p>"One wondered where you had gone to," said the man.</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed, and slipping his hand beneath the inquirer's arm +strolled aft with him, but he sighed with relief when, as they joined +the others on the opposite side of the deck-house, he saw Benicia +already sitting there. He did not know how she had contrived it, until +he remembered that to slip through the companion would shorten the +distance. It was, however, half an hour later when she found an +opportunity of standing beside him for a moment or two.</p> + +<p>"It seems that one is watched," she said. "You must be careful."</p> + +<p>Desmond was on the whole not sorry when his guests took themselves +away, and he laughed as he stood at the gangway shaking hands with +them.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I shall not be ashore to-morrow," he said. "It is very +likely that we shall be out at sea by then."</p> + +<p>One or two of them expressed their regret, and the boat slid away, +while some little time afterwards Dom Clemente glanced at his daughter +as they stood on the outer stairway of his house. Beneath them they +could see the <i>Palestrina</i> dotted here and there with blinking lights, +and a dingy smear of smoke was steaming from her funnel.</p> + +<p>"So he is going away again to-morrow," he said reflectively. "Well, I +suppose one is always permitted to change his mind."</p> + +<p>Benicia made no answer, and Dom Clemente stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> still, glancing +towards the steamer with a somewhat curious expression when she went +into the house. Then he made a little abrupt gesture, as of one who +resigns himself, before he turned away and went in after her.</p> + +<p>"In the meanwhile I look on," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE DELAYED MESSAGE</span></h2> + + +<p>It was a few days after the <i>Palestrina</i> had sailed when Dom Clemente +once more sat behind the pillars in a basket chair looking +thoughtfully at his unlighted cigar. He could when it appeared +advisable move energetically and to some effect, but he was not fond +of action, or conversation, for its own sake, and he seldom told +anybody else what was in his mind. There are men who apparently find a +pleasure in doing so, and in their case the task is as a rule a +particularly easy one, but Dom Clemente had no sympathy with them. +When the time was ripe he acted on his opinions, but otherwise he was +placid, tolerantly courteous, and inscrutable. Still, there were men +concerned in the government of his country who had confidence in him.</p> + +<p>It happened that a little cargo steamer on her way north had crept in +that morning with engines broken down, and her British skipper, who +had certain favors to ask, had been sent to Dom Clemente. He had gone +away contented a few minutes earlier, but he had incidentally supplied +Dom Clemente with a piece of information which, although he was not +altogether astonished at it, had made him thoughtful. At last he rose, +and laying down his cigar strolled forward leis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>urely to where, +looking down between the pillars, he could see his daughter in the +patio below. She did not see him, for she was sitting with a book +turned back upwards upon her knee and apparently gazing straight +before her at a trellis draped with flowers. He would have greatly +liked to know what she was thinking, but since he recognized that this +was one of the wishes that must remain ungratified he turned away +again with a little gesture which was chiefly expressive of +resignation. He could deal with men, but he had already found that the +charge of a motherless daughter was something of a responsibility. +Then he called a negro whom he dispatched with a message, and leaned +against one of the pillars until a man in uniform with a big sword +belted to him came in.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," he said, pointing to the table. "Write what I tell you."</p> + +<p>The man did as he was bidden, and Dom Clemente nodded when he was +shown the letter. "You will take it across to the Lieutenant Frequillo +and tell him to send a few men direct to the Bahia if he considers it +advisable," he said. "Then you will see the messenger Pacheco +dispatched with it. The matter, as you will understand, is urgent. As +you go down say that I should like a word with the Señorita Benicia if +she is at liberty."</p> + +<p>His companion went out with the letter of instructions which was +directed to the officer in command of the handful of dusky soldiers +who had been sent up to inquire for news of Ormsgill, and Dom Clemente +who sat down again waited until his daughter came in. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> stood +looking at him expectantly until he turned and pointed to the little +British steamer.</p> + +<p>"The captain of that vessel has just been in," he said. "He told me +with some resentment that a white steam yacht went by him two days +ago, and took no notice of his signals. The captain, it seems, was +very anxious to be towed in here."</p> + +<p>"I do not think that concerns me," said Benicia.</p> + +<p>"The yacht," said Dom Clemente, "had a single funnel, a long +deck-house, and two masts, which, of course, is not unusual, but it is +most unlikely that there are two yachts of that description anywhere +near this coast. The point is that she was steaming very fast, and +heading south, which is certainly not the way to Nigeria."</p> + +<p>Benicia appeared to straighten herself a trifle, but save for the +little movement she was very quiet, and she looked at her father with +eyes that were almost as inscrutable as his own. Still, she recognized +that she was at a disadvantage, since it was evident that the course +he meant to take was clear to him, and she was in a state of anxious +uncertainty.</p> + +<p>"It is," he continued tranquilly, "a little astonishing how these +Englishmen recognize the natural facilities of a country. There is +down the coast a little bay which I have long had my eyes upon. Some +day, perhaps, we will build a deep water pier there and make a railway +across the littoral. No other place has so many advantages. It offers, +among others, a natural road to the interior."</p> + +<p>The girl could have faced a direct question better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> than this +preamble, which Dom Clemente no doubt guessed.</p> + +<p>"The Señor Desmond is not a commercialist," she said. "Why should this +interest him?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Dom Clemente, "one could fancy that it does, for he is +certainly going there." He stopped for a moment, and then his tone was +sharp and incisive. "The question is, who sent him?"</p> + +<p>Benicia saw the little glint in his dark eyes, but she met his gaze. +She was clever enough to realize that there was only one course open +to her.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "I almost think you know."</p> + +<p>The man made a little gesture. "At least, I do not know how the affair +concerns you."</p> + +<p>Benicia sat down in the nearest chair, and a faint warmth crept into +her face, for this was the last point she desired to make clear, and +Dom Clemente's eyes were still fixed upon her. It was evident that he +expected an answer, and it said a good deal for her courage that her +voice was steady.</p> + +<p>"You are aware that I have spoiled your plans?" she said.</p> + +<p>"That," said Dom Clemente dryly, "is another matter. I am not sure +that you have spoiled them. I would, however, like to hear your +reasons for meddling with them."</p> + +<p>It was the same question in a different guise, and she nerved herself +to face it.</p> + +<p>"The Señor Ormsgill is doing a very chivalrous thing," she said. "It +is one in which he has my sym<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>pathy—one could almost fancy that he +has yours, too."</p> + +<p>This was a bold venture, but she saw the man's faint smile. "I have a +duty here, and that counts for most," he said. "Then it was sympathy +with this man Ormsgill that influenced you?"</p> + +<p>"Not altogether. I hate the Chefe at San Roque. You know why that is +natural, and, after all, it was you who had him sent there. Apart from +that, is it not clear that he and the trader Herrero and Domingo play +into each other's hands up yonder? The traffic they are engaged in is +authorized, but the way in which it is carried out is an iniquity."</p> + +<p>There were, as it happened, men in that country who held similar +views, but the other reason the girl had proffered seemed to Dom +Clemente the most obvious one, though he fancied it did not go quite +far enough. It was conceivable that she should hate Dom Erminio, who +had been sent up into the bush after bringing discredit upon himself +as well as certain friends of hers. Still, he realized that this was a +matter on which she would never fully enlighten him, and he recognized +his disabilities. It was, perhaps, one of his strong points that he +usually did recognize them, and seldom attempted the impossible. As +the result of this he generally carried out what he took in hand. Dom +Clemente was first of all a soldier, and not one who shone in +civilized society or cared to scheme for preferment by social +influence, which was probably why he had been sent out to a secondary +command in Africa.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> He had friends who said he might have gone further +had he been less faithful to his dead wife's memory.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "it was certainly my intention to arrest this man +Ormsgill. I admit that I have a certain sympathy with him, and that is +partly why I am a little anxious to keep him from involving himself in +useless difficulties."</p> + +<p>"Do you think a man of his kind would be grateful for that?"</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente made a little gesture of indifference. "I do not know. It +is, after all, not a point that very much concerns me, though he is +doing a perilous thing by meddling with our affairs, especially in the +bush yonder."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Benicia, "then is nobody to meddle, and is this iniquity to +go on?"</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente smiled dryly. "I almost think," he said, "that when the +time is ripe there will, as usual, be a man ready to take the affair +in hand. In the meanwhile it would be a very undesirable thing that +any one should point to you as a friend of this rash Englishman."</p> + +<p>He rose, and buckling on his sword went down the outer stairway, while +Benicia sat still with her cheeks burning. She fancied Dom Clemente +had meant a good deal more than he had said, but, after all, that did +not greatly trouble her. She was not one who counted the cost, and it +was not quite clear that she had failed, though she knew troops had +been dispatched to head off Ormsgill from the coast. It was possible +that he had slipped past them, and the <i>Pales<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>trina</i> would be waiting +at the Bahia Santiago, and then it flashed upon her that it would not +be difficult for her father to send the man in command of the troops +instructions to proceed direct to the Bahia by a fast messenger. While +she considered the point it happened that the officer he had handed +the instructions to came up the stairway.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you know where the messenger Pacheco is, Señorita?" he +said. "I have an urgent errand for him."</p> + +<p>Benicia saw that he had a packet in his hand, and a swift glance at +the table showed her that the writing materials were not exactly as +they had been laid out an hour or two earlier. Somebody, it seemed, +had written a letter, and she could make a shrewd guess at its +purport. For a moment she stood looking at the officer, and thinking +hard. It was evident that her father had a certain liking for +Ormsgill, but she felt that he would probably not allow it to +influence him to any great extent. He was apparently working out some +cleverly laid plan of his own, and it was evident that she would incur +a heavy responsibility by meddling with it, but after all Ormsgill's +safety stood first with her.</p> + +<p>"I am not sure, but I think he is in the house," she said.</p> + +<p>She left the officer waiting, and entering her own room hastily wrote +a note. Then she went down the inner stairway with it in her hand, and +crossing the patio glanced up for a moment at the balustrade above. +Fortunately, the officer was not leaning over it, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> did not see her +slip into a store room where a big dusky man was talking to the +negress cook, with whom, as it happened, he was a favorite. Western +Africa is indifferently supplied with telegraphic and postal +facilities and messages are still usually carried by native runners. +There were none of them anywhere about that city as fast or trusty as +Pacheco, and Benicia smiled as she looked at him. He was lean and hard +and muscular, a man who had made famous journeys in the service of the +Government, which was exactly why she did not wish him to be available +for another one.</p> + +<p>"I have a message for the Señora Blanco," she said. "I should like her +to get it before she goes to sleep in the afternoon, and you will +start now, but if it is very hot you need make no great haste in +bringing me back the answer."</p> + +<p>Pacheco rose with a grin. "It is only two leagues to the plantation," +he said. "Though the road is rough, that is nothing to me."</p> + +<p>Then the plump negro woman caught Benicia's eyes, and, though she said +nothing, there was comprehension in her dusky face. The girl went out +in the patio satisfied, and stood waiting behind a creeper-covered +trellis. She felt she could leave the matter in the hands of the +negress with confidence. The latter turned to the messenger with a +compassionate smile.</p> + +<p>"You have the sense of a trek-ox. It is in your legs," she said. "The +Señorita does not wish you to distress yourself if the day is hot."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>"But," said Pacheco, "it is always hot, and no journey of that kind +could weary me."</p> + +<p>The woman made a little grimace. "The trek-ox is slow to understand +and one teaches it with the stick. Sometimes the same thing is done +with a man. It seems the Señorita does not wish to see how fast you +could go."</p> + +<p>At last Pacheco seemed to understand. "Ah," he said, "there are thorns +in this country. Now and then one gets one in his foot."</p> + +<p>"The Señorita would be sorry if you came home limping. Once or twice I +have cut my hand with the chopper, and she was kind to me."</p> + +<p>The man chuckled softly and went out, and Benicia standing in the +shadow felt her heart beat as she watched him slip across the patio. +There would probably be complications if the officer saw him from +above. Nobody, however, appeared among the pillars, and the shadowy +arch that led through the building was not far away. The negro's feet +fell softly on the hot stones, and though the slight patter sounded +horribly distinct to her nobody called out to stop him. He had almost +reached the arch when a uniformed figure appeared between two of the +pillars, and for a moment the girl held her breath. If the man moved +another foot it was evident that he must see the messenger, but, as it +happened, he stood where he was, and next moment Pacheco, who turned +and looked back at her with a grin, slipped into the shadow of the +arch. Then Benicia went back into the house a little quiver of relief +running through her. It would, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> knew, be possible to obtain other +messengers, but none of them were so well acquainted with the native +paths which traverse the littoral or so speedy as Pacheco, and she did +not think he would be available until the evening.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the officer waited above, until growing impatient, he +summoned the major domo, who sent for the negress.</p> + +<p>"Pacheco was certainly in the house because he talked to me, but he +went out with a message, and I do not know when he will be back +again," she said.</p> + +<p>The officer asked her several questions without, however, eliciting +much further information, and went away somewhat perplexed. He could +not help a fancy that Benicia was somehow connected with the +messenger's disappearance, but there was nothing to suggest what her +object could have been. She was also a lady of influence, and he +wisely decided to keep his thoughts to himself. As it happened, +Pacheco did not arrive until late that night, and another messenger +was dispatched in the meanwhile. He, however, became involved amidst a +waste of tall grass which Pacheco would have skirted, and afterwards +wasted a day or two endeavoring to carry out the directions certain +villagers who bore the Government no great good-will had given him. As +the result of this the handful of black soldiers had wandered a good +deal further inland before he came up with them.</p> + +<p>In the meantime it happened the morning after he set out that Dom +Clemente sent for Pacheco who was just then sitting in the cook's +store nursing an injured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> foot. They exchanged glances when the +major-domo informed him that his presence would be required in a few +minutes, and after the latter had gone out the negress handed Pacheco +a sharp-pointed knife.</p> + +<p>"It is wise to make certain when one has to answer a man like Dom +Clemente, and the scratch the thorn made was not a very large one," +she said.</p> + +<p>Pacheco took the knife, and looked at it hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"The thing would be easier if it was some other person's foot. It +will, no doubt, hurt," he said.</p> + +<p>"It will hurt less than what Dom Clemente may order you," and the +negress grinned. "A man is always afraid of bearing a little pain."</p> + +<p>Pacheco decided that she was probably right, and set his thick lips as +he laid the knife point against the ball of his big toe. Still, for it +is probable that there are respects in which the negro's +susceptibilities are less than those of the civilized white man, he +steadily pressed the blade in. After that he wrapped up his foot +again, and rose with a wry face.</p> + +<p>"I was given a bottle of anisado and a small piece of silver +yesterday," he said. "I almost think I deserve a little more for +this."</p> + +<p>Then he limped up the stairway leaving red marks behind him, and made +a little deprecatory gesture when he appeared before Dom Clemente. The +latter looked at him in a fashion which sent a thrill of dismay +through him.</p> + +<p>"I hear you have hurt your foot," he said. "Take that bandage off."</p> + +<p>Pacheco, who dare not hesitate, sat down and un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>rolled the rag. Then +with considerable misgivings he did as he was bidden and held up his +foot.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Dom Clemente dryly, "a thorn did that. The wound a thorn +makes seems to keep curiously fresh. Well, you can put on the rag +again."</p> + +<p>Pacheco did it as hastily as he could while he wondered with a growing +uneasiness what the man who regarded him with a little sardonic smile +would ask him next. Dom Clemente, however, made him a sign to get up.</p> + +<p>"One would recommend you to be more careful," he said. "You will have +reason to regret it if the next time I have an errand for you you have +a—thorn—in your foot."</p> + +<p>Pacheco limped away with sincere relief, and Dom Clemente who sat +still contemplatively smoked a cigar. While he did it he once more +decided that it is now and then advisable to content oneself with +simply looking on, and it was characteristic of him that when he next +met Benicia he asked her no questions.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DESMOND GOES ASHORE</span></h2> + + +<p>It was a thick black night when Desmond brought the <i>Palestrina</i> into +the Bahia, steaming at half-speed with the big smooth swell heaving in +vast undulations behind her. The blinding deluge which had delayed him +for half an hour had just ceased, and at every roll boat and deckhouse +shook off streams of lukewarm water. A dripping man stood strapped +outside the bridge swinging the heavy lead, and his sing-song cry +which rose at regular intervals broke through the throb of slowly +turning engines. A yard or two away from him Desmond leaned upon the +rails peering into the darkness athwart which there ran a dim black +line of bluff. A filmy haze that glimmered faintly white leapt up +between him and it, and the stagnant air was filled with a great, +deep-toned rumbling. It rolled along the half-seen bluff like the +muttering of distant thunder, for, though the Bahia was partly +sheltered, the vast heave of the Southern Ocean was crumbling upon the +hammered beach that night. It does so now and then when there is not a +breath of wind.</p> + +<p>"It isn't exactly encouraging," he said to his mate. "The surf seems +running unpleasantly steep. There's a weight in it. I'm rather glad +the boat's a big one since we have to face it. Well, you had better +get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> forward, and stand by your anchors. I'll bring her up in another +few minutes."</p> + +<p>The mate went forward with a handful of dripping men behind him, and +left Desmond quietly intent upon the bridge. The latter was quite +aware that it would have been prudent to wait for daylight, and +recognized that he was doing a reckless thing, but that rather +appealed to him. It is also possible to do a reckless thing carefully, +and he was, at least, proceeding with a certain circumspection. When +the bluff grew a trifle plainer he seized his telegraph, and raised a +warning hand to the helmsman.</p> + +<p>"Starboard!" he said. "Let her swing when she goes astern."</p> + +<p>A gong tinkled beneath him, there was a sharper clank of engines, and +the <i>Palestrina</i> swinging round rolled from rail to rail. Then a +strident roar of running cable jarred through the rumbling of the +surf, and was succeeded by a trumpeting blast of blown off steam when +he rang the telegraph again. When this slackened a little he raised +his voice.</p> + +<p>"If you're ready there, Mr. Winthrop, will you bring your men along," +he said.</p> + +<p>There was a tramp of feet forward, and when half-seen figures +clustered beneath the bridge Desmond leaned over the rails and +addressed them.</p> + +<p>"Boys," he said, "what we are going to do is in some respects a crazy +thing, and while I don't know that we'll have trouble it's very +probable. Now there'll be a bonus for the men who come with me, but I +don't want any one to go against his will. If any of you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> would sooner +stay here all he has to do is to walk forward, and I'll admit that +he's sensible."</p> + +<p>There was a little laughter, but nobody moved. Among those who heard +him were shrewd, cold-blooded Scots from the Clyde, and level-headed +Solent Englishmen, as well as boys from Kingston and Belfast Lough. Of +these latter Desmond had no doubt. A hint that the thing was rash and +might lead to trouble was naturally enough for them, but he recognized +that there might be occasions when the colder temperament of the +others was likely to prove, at least, as serviceable. It was not +astonishing that these, too, evidently meant to go with him, for there +are men who can apparently with no great effort bend others to their +will, and, after all, one can not invariably be sensible. Perhaps, it +would be a misfortune if this were possible.</p> + +<p>"Sure," said one of them, and he was a Kingston man, "all ye have to +do, sir, is to go straight ahead. We're coming with ye, if we have to +swim, an' if we have to it's more than I can."</p> + +<p>One or two of his comrades laughed, and Desmond raised a hand. "It's +very probable that you'll have to try. We'll get the surfboat over, +Mr. Winthrop."</p> + +<p>It would have been a difficult task in the daylight, for the +<i>Palestrina</i> rolled wickedly and the long slopes of water lapped to +her rail, but they accomplished it in the dark, and when the big boat +hove up beneath them dropped into her one by one. They had a few Accra +and Liberia boys for the paddles, but not enough and white seamen +perched among them on the froth-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>licked gunwale as they reeled away on +the back of a swell. It swept them out from the steamer, and let them +drop into a black hollow while the negro at the steering oar yelled as +another dark ridge hove itself aloft behind them. They drove on with +this one and several others that succeeded it, careering amidst a +turmoil of spouting froth that boiled round the high, pointed stern, +and there was spray all about them, stinging their eyes and in their +nostrils, when at last the beach was close at hand. They could not, +however, see it. There was nothing visible now but a dim filmy cloud, +out of which came a thunderous rumbling that has its effect upon the +stoutest nerves, for there are probably few men who can listen to the +crashing charge of the great combers on an African beach quite +unmoved, especially if it is their business to face them in the dark.</p> + +<p>Desmond glanced astern a moment when the sable helmsman shouted, and +then resolutely turned his eyes ahead. He had seen all he wished to, +and it was with vague relief he felt the boat rush upwards under him, +for that waiting in the hollow was not a thing one could bear easily. +She went forward reeling, half-buried in tumbling foam, twisting in +spite of the gasping helmsman in peril of rolling over, and out of the +spray and darkness the dim line of bluff came rushing back to them. +Then there was a crash that flung half of them from the gunwale, and +the boat went up the beach with a seething white turmoil washing over +her, until they swung themselves over and clung to her waist-deep in +the wild welter when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> the sea sucked back. Straining every muscle they +held her somehow, and a voice rose strained and harsh through the din.</p> + +<p>"Where are those—rollers, boys?" it said.</p> + +<p>Somebody produced them, and gasping and floundering they ran her up +with another comber thundering out of the darkness behind them, and +then flung themselves down breathless and dripping on the hot sand. +Desmond let them lie awhile, and then leaving the negroes behind, the +white men clambered up the face of the bluff. After that they stumbled +amidst loose sand and tufts of harsh grass that now and then cut +through their thin duck garments and twined about their legs, but they +plodded on steadily, and when morning broke had made about a league +which was, all things considered, excellent traveling. With the +daylight, however, came the rain that beat the soil into a pulp and +filled the steamy air. The grass they found in places bent beneath it, +and the water flowed about their feet. Still, they held on, drenched, +and bleeding from odd scars and scratches, until there broke out +dazzling, blistering sunshine which in a few minutes sucked the +moisture from their clothing.</p> + +<p><a name="expedition" id="expedition"></a>Then Desmond, who had heard that littoral described as dry and +parched, bade them lie down in the scanty strip of shadow behind a +clump of thorns, and a twinkle crept into his eyes as he glanced at +them. They were already freely plastered with mire. A few of them had +sporting rifles—he carried one himself—and bandoliers, while some of +the rest had the gig's ash stretchers, and one a big pointed iron +bar,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> but he fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition. For one thing, they had no carriers. Desmond desired only +men who could be relied upon to say as well as do what he bade them, +for he could without any great effort foresee that he might have to +grapple with more than physical difficulties. He let them lie for half +an hour, and then the rain came and drove them on again.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 388px;"> +<img src="images/image-3.jpg" width="388" height="575" alt="He fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game expedition." title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"He fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition."—<a href="#expedition">Page 242.</a></p> + +<p>They floundered through it all that afternoon, lay down in wet sand +when the sudden darkness blotted out the misty littoral, and rose with +the swift dawn, cramped and wet and aching, to plunge into a thick +white steam. There was a muggy warmth in it which relaxed their +muscles and insidiously slackened the domination of their will. They +wanted to lie down, and wondered vaguely why they did not do so, for +there are times when man's resolution melts out of him in that land, +and nothing seems worth the trouble of accomplishing. Still, they went +on, and evening found them wearied in body and limp of will, as well +as very wet and miry, on the edge of a belt of thorny vegetation +amidst which there wound a native path. They slept beside it as best +they could, and went on again for two more days under scorching +sunshine until at last they reached a ridge of higher ground. There +were a few palms on the crest of it, and they lay down between them +amidst a maze of thorny vines.</p> + +<p>Darkness was creeping up from the eastwards when Desmond sat poring +over a section of a large-scale chart which had proved to be a +reasonably accurate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> guide to the physical features of that +littoral. The elevation of which the ridge formed a portion was duly +marked, as was the creek they had cautiously waded through, and not +far away there stood another rise which might be made out from a +steamer's bridge. The dots that ran through them both indicated +Ormsgill's path. He was a man who, at least, endeavored to provide for +contingencies, and he had for Desmond's benefit plotted out the last +stages of his march to the coast. The latter, however, remained in +unpleasant uncertainty as to when he would arrive, which, in view of +the fact that a handful of dusky troops were in all probability not +very far away, was a question of some consequence.</p> + +<p>When darkness swept down he posted two sentries and then lay down near +the smoldering cooking fire. The strip of rubber sheeting he spread +beneath him did not make a very efficient mattress, but worn-out as he +was he fell asleep in spite of the mosquitoes, and so far as he could +afterwards ascertain the men he had left on watch in due time did the +same. When he awakened there was a half-moon in the sky, and a faint +silvery light shone down upon the ridge. He could see the palm shafts +cut against it darkly in delicately proportioned columns, and the +ebony tracery of their great curved leaves. Now and then a big drop +that fell from them splashed heavily upon the straggling undergrowth, +but save for that everything was very still. The fire was red and low, +but the smell of wood smoke and hot wet soil was in his nostrils. He +was wondering drowsily why he had awak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>ened when he fancied that a +shadowy figure flitted behind a palm, and turning cautiously he +reached out for the rifle that lay by his side. As his hand closed +upon it another figure moved towards him quietly. The moonlight fell +upon it and his grasp relaxed on the rifle as he saw that it was +dressed in tattered duck. He scrambled to his feet, and Ormsgill +stopped a pace or two away.</p> + +<p>"You are a little ahead of time, but considering everything it's +fortunate," he said.</p> + +<p>Desmond blinked at him for a moment or two. The man's face was lean +and worn, and his thin, dew-drenched garments were torn by thorns. One +of his boots had also burst, his wide hat was shapeless, and sunbaked +mire clung about him to the knees.</p> + +<p>"There were reasons why it seemed advisable to divide my party and +push on," he proceeded. "My few personal belongings are now reposing +in a swamp."</p> + +<p>Desmond shook hands with him. "Well," he said, "it's like you. Where +are your niggers, and what's the matter with my—sentries? Still +that's not exactly what I meant to say."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed, and sent a shrill call ringing across the belt of +mist below. There was an answer from it, and while the men from the +<i>Palestrina</i> rose clamoring to their feet a row of weary, half-naked +negroes plodded into camp. Some of them had red scars upon their dusky +skin, some of them limped, and when they stopped at a sign from +Ormsgill the seaman clustered round and gazed at them. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> were +woolly-haired and thick-lipped, and their weariness had worn all sign +of intelligence out of their dusky faces. They looked at the +clustering seamen vacantly and without curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Lord," said Desmond, "and these are the fellows you have done so much +for! Well, it's evidently my turn. I suppose they can eat?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill laughed. "A good deal just now. We started soon after +sunrise, and have scarcely stopped all day. In fact, we have been +marching rather hard the last week or two."</p> + +<p>Desmond turned to one of the men he had brought with him. "Stir that +fire," he said. "Make these images something, then take them away and +stuff them."</p> + +<p>He touched Ormsgill, and pointed to the strip of sheeting. "Get off +your feet. We have a good deal to talk about."</p> + +<p>They sat down, and by and by one of the <i>Palestrina</i>'s stewards served +them with coffee and canned stuff while his comrades sat in a ring +about the negroes patting them on their naked shoulders and +encouraging them to eat. The black men's stolidity vanished, and they +grinned widely, while by degrees odd snatches of different languages +and bursts of hoarse laughter rose from them. In the midst of it one +big man chanted a monotonous song. Ormsgill laid down his cup and +listened with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"He's improvising rather cleverly," he said. "It's almost a pity you +don't know enough of the language to hear your praises sung. You see, +he has so far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> only come across two white men who have even spoken to +him decently."</p> + +<p>Desmond grinned, and raised his voice. "If they understand what +tobacco is let them have what you have with you, boys," he said. "You +can come to me for more when we get back on board."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, sir," said one man. "It's our dinner party. We've +got most of a hatful for them ready."</p> + +<p>"Sailors," said Desmond reflectively, "have some curious notions on +the subject of making pets. So have you, for that matter, but, after +all, that's not quite the question. Did you see anything that would +lead you to believe Herrero's friends were after you?"</p> + +<p>"I did," said Ormsgill. "Smoke, for one thing, and that was why I +pushed on for the coast. Nares who was a little feverish and found it +difficult to march fast insisted on turning back inland with half the +carriers. I left two men I could rely on behind to investigate, and I +expect some news before the morning. In the meanwhile what are you +doing here? It's at least a week before I was due."</p> + +<p>Desmond looked at him steadily, and, as it happened, the firelight +fell upon them both. "Miss Figuera sent me."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Ormsgill, and a curious little glint crept into his eyes +and faded out of them again. "Well, you have, no doubt, a little more +to tell."</p> + +<p>His companion told it tersely, and afterwards Ormsgill sat silent for +awhile with a half-filled pipe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> in his hand. Many a time during his +wanderings he had seen in fancy Benicia Figuera sitting in the shady +patio, and on each occasion the longing to hear her voice and once +more stand face to face had grown stronger. He had fought against it +on weary march and when the boys were sleeping in the silent camp, but +it had conquered him.</p> + +<p>"It was very kind of her," he said at last. "Still, considering her +father's status, one could wonder why she did it."</p> + +<p>Desmond smiled curiously as he leaned forward and stirred the fire. +"That," he said with an air of reflection, "is naturally one of the +things I don't know. Still, there is a certain chivalrous rashness in +the adventure you have undertaken which, although sensible folks would +probably consider it misguided, might appeal to a young woman of Miss +Figuera's description. You see, she is by no means a conventional +person herself. Perhaps, it's fortunate there are young women like her +with courage and intelligence enough to form their own opinions."</p> + +<p>"Miss Figuera has certainly courage," said Ormsgill slowly.</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed. "She has. She has also a wholesome pride, and sense +as well as imagination, though the two don't always go together. With +her at his side a man crazy enough to be pleased with that kind of +thing might set himself to straighten up half the wrongs perpetrated +by our civilization, and she'd see he was never wholly beaten. +Somehow, she would,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> at least, bring him off with honor, and that is, +after all, the most any one with such notions could reasonably look +for."</p> + +<p>He stopped for a moment, and when he went on again the firelight +showed the little flush in his cheeks and the gleam in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Lord," he said, "how little some of us are content with when we +marry—a woman to sit at the head of out table, and talk prettily, one +who asks for everything that isn't worth while, and sees you never do +anything her friends don't consider quite fitting. Still, there is +another kind, the ones who give instead of asking, and who would, for +the man they loved, face the malice of the world with a smile in their +eyes. I think," and he made a little vague gesture, "I have said +something of the kind before, but I have to let myself go now and +then. I can't help it."</p> + +<p>"One would almost fancy you were in love with the girl yourself," said +Ormsgill quietly.</p> + +<p>Desmond leaned forward a trifle, and looked hard at him. "No. I might +have been had things been different. At least, she is certainly not in +love with me."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing, but he was sensible of a curious stirring of +his blood. He would not ask himself exactly what his comrade meant, or +if, indeed, he meant anything in particular, for it was a consolation +to remember that Desmond now and then talked inconsequently. He sat +still, vacantly watching the blue smoke wreaths curl up between the +palms. The boys had lain down now, and only an occasional faint<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +rustle as one moved broke the heavy silence. Then, and, perhaps he was +a trifle overwrought and fanciful, as he watched the drifting smoke +wreaths a figure seemed to materialize out of them. It was filmy and +unsubstantial, etherealized by the moonlight, but it grew plainer, and +once more he saw Benicia Figuera as he had talked with her in the +shady patio. She seemed to be looking at him with reposeful eyes that +had nevertheless a little glint in the depths of them, and now the +desire to see her in the flesh took him by the throat and shook the +resolution out of him. At last he knew. There could no longer be any +brushing of disconcerting facts aside. There was one woman in the +world whom he desired, and he had pledged himself to marry another +one. Still, his duty remained, and he sat silent with one lean hand +closed tightly and the lines on his worn face deepening until at last +he became conscious that Desmond was watching him, and he roused +himself with an effort.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said quietly, "she has laid me under a heavy obligation, +but we have other things to talk of."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ON THE BEACH</span></h2> + + +<p>Desmond was asleep when the men his comrade had left behind came in, +but the negroes' sense of hearing was quicker than his, and when he +rose drowsily to his feet there was already a bustle in the camp. +Ormsgill, who was giving terse directions, turned to him.</p> + +<p>"These boys have brought me word that there is a handful of troops in +a village a few hours' march away," he said, pointing towards two +half-seen men who were talking excitedly to the dusky carriers. "As +they know where we are heading for they will probably be upon our +trail as soon as the sun is up." He did not seem very much concerned, +and when he once more turned to the negroes, Desmond, reassured by his +quietness, glanced about him. The fire had died out, and there was no +longer any moonlight, but the palms cut with a sharp black +distinctness against the eastern sky. It was also a little cooler. +Indeed, Desmond shivered, for he was stiff and clammy with the dew. +The negroes were hurrying to and fro, apparently getting their loads +together, and the seamen were asking each other disjointed questions +as they scrambled to their feet. Desmond could see their faces faintly +white which he had not been able to do when he went to sleep.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>"Well," he said, "I suppose we'll have to make a move of some kind?"</p> + +<p>"It would be advisable," said Ormsgill. "Fortunately, it will be +daylight in a few minutes. You will start for the coast as soon as you +are ready, and take most of the boys I brought down along. It would be +wiser to push on as fast as possible, though it's scarcely likely that +the troops will come up with you. If they do, you will give the boys +up to them, but in that case one of the carriers will slip away and +bring me word. Any resistance you could make would be useless and very +apt to involve you in serious difficulties."</p> + +<p>Desmond smiled dryly, and did not pledge himself. He was not a man who +invariably did the most prudent thing.</p> + +<p>"You are not coming with us?" he said.</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill. "There are six boys not accounted for yet. I am +going back inland for them. The troops will, of course, pick up your +trail, and they will probably be content with that. It's scarcely +likely to occur to them that there might be another."</p> + +<p>Desmond exerted all his powers of persuasion during the next minute or +two, and it was not his fault if his comrade did not realize that it +was a folly he was undertaking. Desmond, at least made a strenuous +attempt to impress that point on him, in spite of the fact that it was +a folly he would in all probability have been guilty of himself. +Ormsgill, however, only smiled.</p> + +<p>"As you have pointed out, anything I can do to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> straighten out things +in this country is scarcely worth while," he said. "I'm also willing +to admit that it's not exactly my business, and I'm far from sure that +the rôle of professional philanthropist is one that fits me. Still, +you see, I have undertaken the thing, and I can't very well leave it +half done." He stopped a moment, and laughed, a trifle harshly. +"Especially as it's scarcely probable that I shall have an opportunity +of doing anything of the kind again."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the negroes, and spoke to them for several minutes +in scraps of Portuguese and a native tongue. Their villages on the +inland plateau had been burned, he said, and there was, so far as he +knew, no one he could trust them to in the country. If they stayed in +it some white man would in all probability claim them, and they would +be sent to toil for a term of years upon the plantations. They knew +what that meant.</p> + +<p>They certainly appeared to do so by the murmurs that rose from them, +and Ormsgill pointed to Desmond. He had pledged himself to set them at +liberty, he said, and his friend would take them to a country where +negroes were reasonably paid for their services, and, unless they +deserved it, very seldom beaten. What was more to the purpose, if they +did not like the factory they worked at they could leave it and go to +another, which was a thing that appeared incomprehensible to them, +until a man with a blue stripe down his forehead stood up and told +them it certainly was as Ormsgill had said. He had himself earned as +much by twelve months' labor at a white man's factory as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> would have +kept him several years in luxury. Then one of the boys, a +thick-lipped, woolly-haired pagan with nothing about him that +suggested intelligence or sensibility asked Ormsgill a question in the +native tongue, and the latter looked at Desmond.</p> + +<p>"He asks if I can give my word that they will not be ill-used in +Nigeria, and it's a good deal to assure them of," he said. "Still, I +think it could be done. There are outcasts in those factories, men +outside the pale, and it's possible that some of them occasionally +belabor a nigger with a wooden kernel-shovel, but considering what the +negro is accustomed to in this country that is a little thing, and +they usually stop at it. After all, it is not men of their kind who +practice systematic oppression or grind the toiler down. When I was a +ragged outcast it was the men outside the pale who held out their +hands to me."</p> + +<p>He turned to the negro saying a few words quietly, and there was a low +murmuring until one of the boys pointed to Desmond.</p> + +<p>"Then," he said, "we are ready to go with him."</p> + +<p>Even Desmond could understand all that this implied, and it stirred +the hot Celtic blood in him. It was a crucial test of faith, for it +seemed that these half-naked bushmen had a confidence in his comrade +which no one acquainted with the customs of the country could +reasonably have expected of them. They knew how their fellows were +driven by men of his color, but in face of that his word that it +should not be so with them was, it seemed, sufficient.</p> + +<p>"You already understand my wishes, and here are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> the letters for the +two traders in Nigeria," said Ormsgill quietly. "There is nothing more +to say."</p> + +<p>"There's just this," said Desmond turning towards the <i>Palestrina</i>'s +men, who had naturally been listening. "If it costs me the yacht to do +it I'll see these boys safe into the right hands."</p> + +<p>The men from Belfast Lough and Kingston grinned approvingly. They and +their leader were, after all, of the same temperament, and one of them +carried a sharp-pointed iron bar and others stout ash stretchers which +they had, somewhat to their regret, not been called upon to do +anything with yet. Desmond, however, walked a little apart with +Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"When will you be back?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Ormsgill. "There is a good deal against me just +now. In any case, I expect nothing further from you. You have done +more than I would have asked of anybody else already."</p> + +<p>"Will two months see you through?"</p> + +<p>"It may be four, very probably longer."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," said Desmond with a little smile. "In the meantime the +<i>Palestrina</i> is going to Nigeria. I don't quite know where she'll go +after that."</p> + +<p>They said very little more until Ormsgill shook hands with him and +calling to his carriers marched out of camp. The sun had just lifted +itself above a rise to the east, and for awhile Desmond watched the +line of dusky men with eyes dazzled by the fierce light, and then +turned to give instructions to his seamen. They had already been busy, +and in another few min<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>utes they and the boys that had been +Lamartine's had started for the coast.</p> + +<p>It proved an arduous march, for before the sun had risen its highest +it was blotted out by leaden cloud and the wide littoral was wrapped +in dimness until the lightning blazed. It ceased in a few minutes, but +the men crouched bewildered for another half hour ankle-deep in water +while a pitiless blinding deluge thrashed them. Then they went on +again dripping, and every league or so were lashed by tremendous rain +while mad gusts of wind rioted across the waste in between. The next +day there was scorching sunshine, and the men were worn-out, parched, +and savage, when at last one of the boys who had served Lamartine, +climbing a low elevation, assured his comrades that there were soldiers +behind them. He said they would be, at least, an hour in reaching that +spot, but there was haste and bustle when the information was conveyed +to Desmond. The latter fancied it would be several hours before he +made the beach.</p> + +<p>He and the white men had occasion to remember the rest of that +journey. They strained every aching muscle as they plodded on with the +perspiration dripping from them and the baked mire crumbling and +slipping beneath their feet while a dingy haze once more crept across +the sky and the heat became intolerable. It was dark when they reached +the beach, and Desmond gasped with relief when the roar of the +<i>Palestrina</i>'s whistle rang through the thunder of the surf in answer +to a rifle shot. It was evident that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> she had steam up. He sent two +men back to keep watch on the crest of the bluff, and then set about +getting the boat down with the rest.</p> + +<p>She was big and heavy. The sand was soft, and the rollers instead of +running over it bedded themselves in it. The boys from the interior +were also of little use at that task, and though the seamen toiled +desperately it was almost beyond their accomplishing. The tide was at +low ebb, and the sand grew softer as they ran her down a yard at a +time, until at last they stopped gasping. Then one of the men came +running from the bluff.</p> + +<p>"The soldiers are not far away," he said.</p> + +<p>Desmond asked him no questions, but turned to the seamen. "We have got +to do it, boys," he said. "Shift that after roller under her nose."</p> + +<p>They drew breath, and toiled on again. Their progress was not +reassuring in view of the fact that the troops were close at hand, but +they made a little, and in front of them the spray beyond which lay +the <i>Palestrina</i> whirled in a filmy cloud. Every now and then there +was a thunderous roar in the midst of it, and part of the beach was +hidden in a tumultuous swirl of foam. Gasping, straining, slipping, +but grimly silent, they toiled on, moving her a foot with every +desperate effort, until at last a yeasty flood surged past them +knee-deep, and hove her away from them grinding one bilge in the sand. +Then Desmond raised a hoarse voice.</p> + +<p>"Hang on to her," he said. "Oh, hang on. Down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> on her bilge, and let +her go when the sea sucks out again."</p> + +<p>They went out with her and it amidst a sliding mass of sand, and +somehow contrived to hold her when the next sea came in. It broke +across her, and some of them went down, but when the seething flood +swept on up the beach she was there still, and they went out again +waist-deep in the downward swirl of it. Then they were up to the +shoulders with a great hissing wall of water close in front of them, +and black man and white scrambled in over the gunwale and floundered +furiously in the water inside her, groping for oar and paddle. Still, +they were perched on the gunwale, and the man with the blue-striped +forehead had the big steering oar before the sea fell upon them, and +straining every muscle they drove her through the breaking crest of +it.</p> + +<p>She lurched out, half-full and loaded heavily, to face the next, and +Desmond was never certain how she got over it, but at least, he was +not washed out of her as he had half expected. He fancied there was a +faint shouting on the bluff, but nobody could have been sure of that +through the din of the surf, and all his attention was occupied by his +paddle. Very slowly, fighting for every fathom, they drove her +outshore, until the combers grew less steep and their crests ceased to +break, and Desmond gazing seawards could see the <i>Palestrina</i> when she +lifted. She swung with the swell, a dim, blurred shape, without a +light on board her, but a sharp jarring rattle told him that his +instructions were being carried out. Winthrop the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> mate was already +heaving his anchor. That was satisfactory, for Desmond knew that +nobody could see the yacht through the spray that floated over bluff +and beach.</p> + +<p>They were alongside in some twenty minutes with another troublesome +task before them. The yacht was rolling heavily, and the big +half-swamped boat swung up to her rail one moment and sank down +beneath a fathom of streaming side the next. It was a difficult matter +to reach her deck, and Lamartine's boys were bushmen who knew nothing +of the sea. They crouched in the boat's bottom stupidly until their +white companions who found thumps and pushes of no avail seized them +by their woolly hair and dragged them to their feet. They were sent up +one by one, and when at last the boat was hove in by the banging winch +Desmond scrambled with the brine running from him to his bridge. The +windlass rattled furiously for another minute or two, and then with a +quickening throb of engines the <i>Palestrina</i> swept out into the night. +A little while later Winthrop the mate climbed to the bridge, and +Desmond laughed when he asked him a few questions.</p> + +<p>"I don't think those folks ashore got a sight of the yacht or boat," +he said. "It will be morning before they find out where we've gone, +and we should be a good many miles to the north by then. I don't +suppose they know Ormsgill isn't with us either, and that will +probably put them off his trail for a time, at least. In the meanwhile +you'll head her out a point or two more to the westwards for another +hour, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> have me called at daylight. I'm going down to change my +clothes."</p> + +<p>He had just dressed himself in dry garments when a steward tapped at +the door of his room.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what's to be done with those niggers, sir," he said. +"The men won't have them in the forecastle."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Desmond a trifle sharply, "that's a thing I hadn't thought +of, though, of course, it might have struck me. They're on deck still? +Bring me a lantern."</p> + +<p>The man got one, and Desmond who went out with him held it up when +they stood beside the little group of dusky men who sat huddled +together upon the sloppy deck. A seaman stood not far away from them, +and he turned to Desmond.</p> + +<p>"We can't have them down forward with us, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>There was a certain deference in his tone, but it was very resolute, +and Desmond made a little gesture of comprehension as he glanced at +the huddled negroes. Most of them were naked save for a strip of +tattered waistcloth, and their thick lips, wooly hair, and heavy faces +were revealed in the lantern light. He realized that there was +something to be said for the seaman's attitude. They had done what +they could for these Africans, and had done it gallantly, but now they +were afloat again they would not eat with them or sleep in their +vicinity. Color is only skin-deep, a question of climate and +surroundings, but Desmond, who admitted that, felt that, after all, +there was a wide dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>tinction between himself and the seamen and these +aliens. It was one that could not be ignored. The theory of the +brotherhood of humanity went so far, and then broke down.</p> + +<p>"We have a few strips of pine scantling among the stores," he said, +after a moment's thought. "You can screw one or two of them down on +deck—but I can't have more than a couple of screws in each. Then if +you ranged a bass warp in between it would keep them off the wet. +There's an old staysail they can have to sleep in. We could toss it +overboard when they have done with it."</p> + +<p>He turned away, and, soon after a meal was brought him, went to sleep +while the <i>Palestrina</i> sped on as fast as her engines could drive her +towards the north. In due time she also crept into one of the many +miry waterways which wind through the mangrove forests of Lower +Nigeria, and Desmond sent a boat up it with a letter Ormsgill had +given him to a certain white trader. An hour or two later a big gaunt +man in white duck came back with the boat and drank a good deal of +Desmond's wine. Then after asking the latter a few questions he looked +at him with a twinkle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "Ormsgill is rather a friend of mine, and what you +have been telling me is certainly the kind of thing one would expect +from him. It is by no means what I would do myself, but he always +had—curious notions. Most of us have, for that matter, though, +perhaps, it's fortunate they're not all the same. Well, I'll be glad +to have the boys, es<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>pecially as it's difficult to get Kroos enough +from Liberia just now."</p> + +<p>"I think there were certain conditions laid down in Ormsgill's +letter," said Desmond reflectively.</p> + +<p>The trader laughed. "There were," he said. "Well, I'm willing to admit +that I have once or twice pitched a nigger who was a trifle impudent +over the veranda rails. It's one of the things you have to do, and if +you do it in one way they don't seem to mind. No doubt they understand +it's only natural the climate and the fever should make you a trifle +hasty. Still, I don't think a Kroo was ever done out of his earnings, +or had things thrown at him when he didn't deserve it, in my factory."</p> + +<p>Desmond fancied that this was probable, for he liked the man's face. +There was rough good-humor in it, and the twinkle in his eyes was +reassuring. As a matter of fact, he was, like most of those who +followed his occupation in those swamps, one who lived a trifle hard +and grimly held his own with a good deal against him. His code of +ethics was, perhaps, slightly vague, but there were things he would +not stoop to, and though now and then he might in a fit of +exasperation hurl anything that was convenient as well as hard words +at his boys, they knew that such action was not infrequently followed +by a fit of inconsequent generosity. There are men of his kind in +those factories whose boys will not leave them even when a rival +offers them more gin cases and pieces of cloth for their services. In +a moment or two Desmond made up his mind.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>"Shall I send the boys ashore with you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," said the trader reflectively. "After what you've told me it +might be wiser if I ran them up river in the launch to our factory +higher up after dark. You see, nobody would worry about where they +came from there. In the meantime you had better go up and ask the +Consul down to dinner. You needn't mention the boys to him, and it's +fortunate that a yacht owner escapes most of the usual formalities. +I'll be back with the launch by sunset."</p> + +<p>He kept his word, but while he was getting the boys on board his +launch just after darkness closed down a little white steamer swept +suddenly round a bend, and before the launch was clear two white +officers stepped on board the <i>Palestrina</i>. A thick white mist rose +from the river, but Desmond was a trifle anxious when one of the +officers leaned over the yacht's rail looking down on the launch.</p> + +<p>"You seem to have a crowd of boys with you, Brinsley," he said.</p> + +<p>The trader stepped back on to the <i>Palestrina</i>'s ladder. "I could do +with more. Those folks up river are loading me up with oil. Anyway, +I'd like a talk with you about that gin duty your clerk has +overcharged me."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to a man in the launch below. "Go ahead," he said. "You +can tell Nevin he must send me that oil down if he works all to-morrow +night."</p> + +<p>A negro shouted something back to him, and with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> engines clanking the +launch swept away up the misty river, while it was with relief Desmond +led Brinsley and his guests into the saloon where dinner was set out.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">UNDER STRESS</span></h2> + + +<p>When Desmond left him Ormsgill did not march directly east towards the +interior, but headed northwards for several days. There were reasons +which rendered the detour advisable, especially as he desired to avoid +the few scattered villages as much as possible, but he had occasion to +regret that he had made it. He pushed on as fast as possible until one +hot afternoon when the boys wearied with the march since early morning +lay down in the grass, and he wandered listlessly out of camp. Their +presence was irksome, and he wanted to be alone just then.</p> + +<p>There are times when an unpleasant dejection fastens upon the white +man in that climate, and when he is in that state a very little is +usually sufficient to exasperate him. The boys were muttering drowsily +to one another, and Ormsgill felt he could not lie still and listen to +them. He had also a tangible reason for the bitterness he was troubled +with. Desmond had brought him no message from Ada Ratcliffe, and +though she had as he knew no sympathy with what he was doing and had +never shown him very much tenderness, it seemed to him that she might, +at least, have sent him a cheering word. It was, in view of what it +would cost him to keep faith with her, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> that was a thing he +resolutely meant to do, a little disconcerting to feel that she did +not think of him at all.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile it was oppressively hot, and the air was very still. +His muscles seemed slack and powerless, his head ached, and the +perspiration dripped from him, but he wandered on until he reached a +spot where a little patch of jungle rose amidst a strip of tall grass +in the mouth of a shallow ravine. Ormsgill stood still in its shadow +and looked about him. Not a leaf shook, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant air. In front of him the patch of jungle cut harshly +green against the glaring blue of the sky, and beyond it there was +sun-baked soil and sand on the slopes of the ravine.</p> + +<p>Then there was a flash in the shadow and one of his legs gave away. He +staggered and reeled crashing into a thicket, and when a minute later +he strove to raise himself out of it one leg felt numb beneath the +knee except for the spot where there was a stinging pain. Ormsgill +also felt more than a little faint and dizzy, and for a few moments +lay still again blinking about him. A wisp of blue smoke still hung +about the leaves, and he could hear a low crackling that grew fainter +as he listened. It was evident that the man who had shot him was bent +on getting away, and he made shift to roll up his thin duck trousers, +and looked down at his leg. There was a bluish mark in the middle of +the big muscle with a little dark blood about it, and he took out his +knife. He set his lips as he felt the point of it grate on something +hard, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> then closed the knife and sat still again with a little +gasp of pain.</p> + +<p>There was, he knew, a piece of the broken cooking pot the West African +usually loads his flintlock gun with embedded in his leg. That, at +least, was evident, but he did not know who had shot him, and, indeed, +was never any wiser on that point. It was, perhaps, a negro who had +supposed him to be a trader or official against whom he had some +grievance, but, after all, that seemed scarcely likely, and Ormsgill +fancied it was some dusky sportsman who had fired at a venture when he +heard a movement, and had then gone away as fast as possible when he +saw that he had hit a white man. This appeared the more probable +because they were not very far from the coast, where men do not often +attempt each other's life, and Ormsgill had only been struck by one +piece of iron.</p> + +<p>In any case, the faintness was leaving him by the time the startled +boys came up and found him sitting in the shadow. It was evident that +the wound was not very serious in itself, but he realized that a man +could not expect to travel far in that climate with a piece of iron +rankling in his leg. Somebody must cut it out for him, and he did not +care to entrust any of his thick-headed carriers with the operation. +Without being much of a physiologist he knew that there are arteries +in one's leg which it is highly undesirable to sever. He also +recognized that while the thing was, perhaps, possible to one with +nerve enough, he could not get it out himself, which was, however, +rather more than one could reasonably have expected of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> man born and +brought up in a state of civilization, for there are a few points on +which the primitive peoples excel us. Still, the life he had led had +made him hard, and when he had quieted the boys he bound up the wound, +and filling his pipe with hands that were tolerably steady, lay still +awhile to consider.</p> + +<p>He could not push on towards the interior as he was, and there were, +he believed, one or two doctors in the city, which was not very far +away. He was aware that he was liable to be arrested there, but it +seemed possible that he might enter it unobserved at night and +purchase secrecy from any one who took him in. In such a case he would +be the safer because it was about the last spot in which those +interested in his capture would expect to come across him, and in a +few more minutes he had made up his mind. Though the hammock is not so +frequently used as a means of conveyance in that country where the +trek-ox is generally available as it is in most other parts of Western +Africa, he had provided himself with one.</p> + +<p>"Get the hammock slung," he said. "We will go on towards the west when +you are ready."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the bearers hove the pole to their woolly crowns, +and plodded on again. They were not men of any great intelligence, and +were usually content to do what they were told without asking +questions, which was a custom that had its advantages. They had also +an unreasoning and half-instinctive confidence in the man who led +them, and in due time they plodded into sight of the town one night +when the muggy land breeze was blowing. Like other West<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> African +towns, the place straggles up and back from the seaboard bluff, with +wide spaces between the houses, and nobody seemed stirring when +Ormsgill's boys marched into the outskirts of it. Remembering what the +priest of San Thome had told him of the man whose wife he had sent the +girl Anita to, he presently bade them stop outside the building which +stood well apart from the rest. Some of them were roofed with +corrugated iron, and some with picturesque tiles, but the top of this +one was flat, which Ormsgill was pleased to see. He recognized that it +was built in the older Iberian style which is not uncommon in Western +Africa and ensures the inmates privacy. There are no outbuildings +where this plan is adopted. The house stands four-square and +self-contained, presenting an almost unbroken wall to the outer world, +though there is usually an open patio in the midst of it. One of the +boys rapped upon a door, and when it was opened by a negro his +comrades unceremoniously marched down an arched passage under the +building until they reached the enclosed patio. Ormsgill had impressed +them with the fact that the most important thing was to get in.</p> + +<p>Then lights appeared at one or two windows, and when a little, +olive-faced gentleman in white linen with a broad sash about his waist +came down the stairway from a veranda Ormsgill raised himself in the +lowered hammock.</p> + +<p>"You will forgive this intrusion, Señor," he said.</p> + +<p>The other man made him a little formal salutation. "I," he said dryly, +"await an explanation."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>Ormsgill offered him one, and the little gentleman looked at him +thoughtfully for a moment or two.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of you—from the fathers up yonder who are friends of +mine," he said. "Perhaps it is my duty to inform the Authorities that +you are here, but in the meanwhile that is a point on which I am not +quite certain. You can, at least, consider this house as yours until +we talk the matter over. The boys may sleep in the patio to-night, but +they will first carry you in."</p> + +<p>They did it at Ormsgill's bidding, and left him sitting in a basket +chair in a big, cool room, after which his host brought in a few +cigars and a flask of wine.</p> + +<p>"They are at your service, señor," he said. "I would suggest that you +give me a little more information. I am one who can, at least, now and +then respect a confidence."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill looked at him steadily, and made up his mind. It was clear +that if his host meant to hand him over to the Authorities there was +nothing to prevent him doing so, and reticence did not appear likely +to serve any purpose, since he was wholly in his hands. He spoke for a +few minutes, and the other nodded.</p> + +<p>"I think it was wise of you to tell me this," he said. "There are, I +may mention, others besides myself who desire to see certain changes +made in our administration, and they would, I think, sympathize with +you. Some of them are gentlemen of influence, but we have confidence +in Dom Clemente and another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> man of greater importance—and we are +waiting. To proceed, I think it would not be difficult to keep you +here awhile without anyone we would not wish to know becoming aware of +it. The thing is made easier by the fact that my wife and the girl +Anita are away, and my sister, who is very deaf and does not like +society, rules the household. Now if it is permissible I will examine +your leg."</p> + +<p>He did so, and looked a trifle grave after it. "I know a little of +these matters, and it is advisable that this should be seen to," he +said. "Now the Portuguese doctor is not exactly a friend of mine, and +might ask questions as to how you got hurt and where you came from, +but there is a half-breed who I think is clever, and he would probably +refrain from mentioning anything that appeared unusual if he is +remunerated sufficiently. It is"—and he made a little expressive +gesture, "a thing he is accustomed to doing."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill suggested that the man should be sent for early next morning, +and went to sleep an hour later in greater comfort than he had enjoyed +for a considerable time. He did not, however, sleep soundly, and was +awake when the half-breed doctor came into his room next morning. The +latter set to work and managed to extract the piece of iron, but +before nightfall the fever which had left him alone of late had +Ormsgill in its grip. It shook him severely during several days, and +then, as sometimes happens, left him suddenly, limp and nerveless in +mind and body. He was content to lie still and wait almost +un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>concernedly. Nothing seemed to matter, and he felt that effort of +any kind was futile.</p> + +<p>He lay one morning in this frame of mind when there were footsteps on +the veranda outside his door, and he heard a voice that sounded +curiously familiar. Then the door opened, and Benicia Figuera who came +into the room started when she saw him. Ormsgill, however, betrayed no +astonishment. He was too languid, and he lay still gravely watching +her. The sunlight that streamed in through the open door fell full +upon her, gleaming on her trailing white draperies and forcing up +bronze lights in her dusky hair. He did not see the faint tinge of +color that crept into the ivory of her cheek, but he vaguely noticed +the pity shining in her eyes. She seemed to him refreshingly cool and +reposeful.</p> + +<p>He did not remember exactly what she said, though he fancied she +mentioned that she had some business with his host's sister, and he +had no recollection of his own observations, but he sank into tranquil +sleep when she went away and awoke refreshed, to wonder when she would +come back again. As it happened, she came next day, bringing him +choice fruits and wine, and it was by her instructions he was carried +out on the veranda above the patio where she sat and talked to him. +Her voice was low and tranquil, her mere presence soothing, and she +did not seem to mind when he grew drowsy. Once or twice again, when +she was not aware that he was watching her, he saw compassion in her +eyes. Afterwards, though this was not quite in accordance with Iberian +customs,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> she came for an hour or two frequently, and Ormsgill grew +curiously restless when she stayed away. Sometimes his host sat with +them and discoursed on politics, but more often he left his deaf +sister, who would wander away to superintend the dusky servants' lax +activities.</p> + +<p>The house, like others of the same type, might have been built for a +fortress, and afforded those within it all the seclusion any one could +desire. One arched entrance pierced the tall white walls, which had a +few little windows with heavy green lattices set high in them. Within, +the building rose, tinted a faint pink and terraced with verandas +supported by tottering wooden pillars, about a quadrangular patio, and +it was characteristic that it was more or less ruinous. When the outer +windows were open the sea breeze blew through it, and sitting in cool +shadow one could hear the drowsy murmur of the surf. Ormsgill found +the latter inexpressibly soothing when Benicia sat near him, and he +would lie still contentedly listening to her and watching the shadow +creep across the patio. Weak as he was in body, with his mind relaxed, +he allowed no misgivings to trouble him. He was vaguely grateful for +her presence as a boon that had been sent him without his request, and +whether Benicia understood his attitude, or what she thought of it, +did not appear.</p> + +<p>That was at first, however, and by degrees he took himself to task as +his strength came back, until in the hot darkness of one sleepless +night he realized towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> what all this was leading him. As it +happened, Benicia did not appear the next day, and he had nerved +himself for an effort by the one that followed. He had an interview +with his host and the half-breed doctor, who both protested, and then +lay waiting for the girl in a state of tense expectancy. He recognized +now what it was most fitting that he should do, but that, after all, +is a good deal less than half the battle. It was late in the afternoon +when she came, and the first glance showed her that there was a change +in Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>He lay in a canvas lounge smiling gravely, but he had dressed himself +more precisely than usual, and there was a suggestion of resolution in +his haggard face which had not been there before. There was also +something in his eyes which conveyed the impression that the +resolution had cost him an effort, and Benicia laid a certain +restraint upon herself, for she knew what had happened. The days in +which he had leaned upon her and permitted her unquestioningly to +minister to his comfort had, undoubtedly been pleasant, but, after +all, she had not expected them to continue.</p> + +<p>"You are stronger to-day," she said, with a composure that was a +little difficult to assume, as she took a chair beside him.</p> + +<p>"I am," said Ormsgill quietly. "In fact I have been getting stronger +rapidly of late, and I am glad of it. You see, I have been blissfully +idle for a while and I have a good deal to do."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>Benicia knew what was coming, but she smiled. "You are sure of that?" +she said. "I mean, you still think it is your business?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's a little absurd of me, but I do. Anyway, I don't know of +anybody else who is willing to undertake it."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Benicia, "would it matter greatly if it was not done, after +all? There are so many things one would have altered in Africa—and +they still go on. It is possible that nobody will ever succeed in +changing them."</p> + +<p>It was, though she was, perhaps, not aware of this, a very strong +argument she used, one whose force is now and then instinctively +realized by every thinking white man in the western half of Africa, +and in other parts as well. It is a land that has absorbed many +civilizations and continued in its barbarism. Nature unsubdued is +against the white man there, and against her tremendous forces his +most strenuous efforts are of little avail. Where the air reeks with +germs of pestilence and there are countless leagues of swamps breeding +corruption, one can expect very little from a few scattered hospitals +and an odd mile of drains. Besides, there is in the lassitude born of +its steamy heat something that insidiously saps away the white man's +will until he feels that effort of any kind is futile, and that in the +land of the shadow it is wiser to leave things as they are.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill nodded gravely. "Yes," he said, "one recognizes that, but, +you see, I don't expect to do very much—merely to keep a promise, and +set a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> thick-headed heathen at liberty. I think I could accomplish +that."</p> + +<p>"Why should you wish to set them at liberty?"</p> + +<p>"It's a trifle difficult to answer," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, +the motive is probably to some extent a personal one. Anyway, it's not +a thing I have any occasion to inflict on you. There was a time when +you didn't adopt this attitude, but sympathized with me."</p> + +<p>The girl made a little gesture. "I would like to understand. You and +Desmond have all that most men wish for. Why are you risking your life +and health in Africa?"</p> + +<p>A curious little smile crept into Ormsgill's eyes. "Well," he said +reflectively, "there are respects in which one's possessions are apt +to become burdensome. They seem to carry so many obligations along +with them that one falls into bondage under them, and I think some of +us are rebels born. We feel we must make our little protest, if it's +only by doing the thing everybody else considers reprehensible."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and his face grew a trifle grim when he went on +again. "In my case it must be made now since I shall probably never +have an opportunity of doing anything of the kind again."</p> + +<p>Benicia understood him, for she had watched Miss Ratcliffe carefully +at Las Palmas. In fact, she had understood him all along. That he +should shrink from any claim to philanthropy was only what she had +expected from him, and it was also characteristic that he should have +made as little as possible of his mo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>tives. Admitting that he had to +some extent been swayed by the rebellious impulse he had mentioned, +she knew there was beneath it a chivalrous purpose that was likely to +prove the more effective from its practical simplicity. The Latins can +appreciate chivalry, though they do not invariably practice it now, +and she realized vaguely that there is nothing in man more knightly +than the desire to strike a blow for the oppressed or at his peril to +redress a wrong. Ormsgill's sentiments and methods were, perhaps, a +trifle crude, and, from one point of view, somewhat old fashioned. He +did not preach a crusade, but couched the lance himself. After all, he +belonged to a nation which had once, using crude effective means, +swept the slavers off that coast, and still stamps its coinage with +the George and Dragon.</p> + +<p>It was, however, after all, not so much as a redresser of grievances +and a friend of the oppressed, but as a man that Benicia regarded her +companion, for she knew that she loved him. She said nothing, and in a +minute or two he spoke again.</p> + +<p>"There is a thing that has been on my mind the last few days," he +said. "The fever must have left me too shaky to think of it before. I +am afraid, though it was very pleasant to see you, I haven't quite +kept faith with your father in allowing you to come and talk with me. +You, of course, don't understand exactly how the Authorities regard +me."</p> + +<p>Benicia smiled a little, for she understood very well. "I don't think +that counts," she said, "and what is, perhaps, more to the purpose, my +father is not here;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> he has gone, I believe, on business of the State, +into the bush country. If you had remembered earlier you would have +been anxious to send me away?"</p> + +<p>She leaned forward looking at him, and saw the tension in his face. It +told her a good deal, and she felt that for all his resolution she +could, if she wished, bend him to her will.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "I'm not sure I could have done it if I had wished. In +fact, the week—is it a week?—I have lain here has been such a one as +I have never spent before. Now I am horribly sorry that it is over."</p> + +<p>There was something in his voice which fully bore out what he had +said, but Benicia was aware that it was she who had forced the +admission from him without his quite realizing its significance. She +knew that he would speak more plainly still if she kept her eyes on +him.</p> + +<p>"It is over? You can countenance no more of my visits, then?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"I am," said Ormsgill gravely, "going away again before to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Benicia sat very quiet, and contrived that he did not see her face for +a moment or two. She had, at least, not expected this, and it sent a +thrill of dismay through her. Steady as his voice was, she was aware +that the simple announcement had cost the man a good deal.</p> + +<p>"You are not strong enough for the journey yet," she said at length. +"It would not be safe."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled in a curious wry fashion. "It does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> not require much +strength to lie still in a hammock, and I shall no doubt get a little +more every day. Besides, I almost think there is a certain danger +here. In fact, it would be safer for me up yonder in the bush."</p> + +<p>Benicia was quite aware that he was not thinking chiefly of the danger +of arrest, and again a little thrill that was no longer altogether one +of dismay ran through her. He was, it seemed, afraid of sinking wholly +under her influence. Again she leaned a little forward, and laid her +hand upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"You must go? Would nothing keep you here—at least until you are fit +to travel?" she asked.</p> + +<p>She saw his lips set for a moment, and the tinge of grayness creep +into his face. Then, with a visible effort, he laid a restraint upon +himself.</p> + +<p>"If I do not go," he said simply, "I should be ashamed the rest of my +life. Perhaps, that would not matter so much, but, as it happens, one +can't always bear his shame himself."</p> + +<p>Benicia turned a little in her chair, and let her hand fall back +again. She knew that if she chose to exert her power he would not go +at all, but it was probably fortunate that she did not choose. After +all, she was a lady of importance in that land, and had the pride of +her station in her. Though he loved her, she would not stoop to claim +him against his will, and, what was more, she had a vague perception +of the fact that he was right. A wrong done could not be wiped out by +the mere wish to obliterate it, and she felt that if he broke faith +with the Englishwoman in Las<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> Palmas and slackly turned back from the +task which he, at least, fancied was an obligation upon him, there +might come a time when the fact would stand between them and she would +remember the stain upon his shield. She hated the Englishwoman with +Latin sincerity, but in this case her pride saved her from a fall. +There are other people who owe their pride a good deal.</p> + +<p>"Then," she said slowly, "one can only tell you to go. Some time, +perhaps, you will come back again?"</p> + +<p>She rose, and Ormsgill with an effort stood up awkwardly, and taking +the hand she held out held it a moment. "I do not know," he said with +a faint trace of hoarseness. "It is not often possible for one to do +what one would wish, and there are—duties—laid on me. Still, if it +should be possible—" He broke off for a moment, and then went on +again in a different tone very quietly, "In the meanwhile I must thank +you. I owe you a good deal."</p> + +<p><a name="stairway" id="stairway"></a>He watched her go down the stairway, and then leaned on the balustrade +for awhile wondering vaguely what would have happened if he had flung +off all restraint and let himself go. He did not know that while he +was nearest to doing so Benicia Figuera had laid a restraint on him, +and that had she permitted it he would have rushed headlong to a fall. +There are times when the strength of a usually resolute man is apt to +prove a snare to him. Then he sat down wearily in the canvas chair +again, and when the land breeze swept through the city that night he +and his handful of carriers slipped quietly out of it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE SLACKENING OF RESTRAINT</span></h2> + + +<p>A half moon had just sailed up above the shoulder of a hill, and its +pale light streamed into the veranda of the little mission house which +stood in a rift of the great scarp where the high inland plateau +breaks down to the levels of the sun-scorched littoral. The barren +hillslopes round about it were streaked with belts of gleaming sand, +and above them scrubby forests, destitute of anything that man or +beast could eat, rolled back to the vast marshes of the western +watershed, but the bottom of the deep valley was green and fertile as +a garden. It had, however, only been made so by patient labor, for +even in the tropics there is no escape from the primeval ban. It is by +somebody's tense effort that man is provided with his daily bread, and +where he labors least he lives most like the animals, for nature +unsubdued is very rarely bountiful. She sends thorns and creepers to +choke the young plantations, and the forest invades the clearing when +the planter stays his hand. But in Western Africa the white man sees +that the negro fights the ceaseless battle for him. It is, in his +opinion, what the black man was made for, and those who know by what +methods he obtains and controls his dusky laborers in certain tracts +of the dark land won<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>der now and then why such things are permitted +and if there will never be a reckoning. That is, however, only one +aspect of a very old question, and it is admittedly difficult to be an +optimist in Africa.</p> + +<p>Still, there was, for the time being, at least, quietness and good +will in that lonely rift among the hills, and Nares, sitting on the +mission house veranda in the moonlight, felt its beneficent influence, +though he was suffering from that most exasperating thing the prickly +heat, which had, as it frequently does, followed a slight attack of +fever. Two patient men from his own country sat with him, and it was +clear that their toil had not been in vain. He could see the +sprinkling of white blossom on the trees beneath him that bore green +limes, and beyond these were rows of mangoes, coffee plants, and sweet +potato vines, but the huts of the dusky converts were silent and +hidden among the leaves. There was no sound but the soft murmur of +running water. A deep serenity brooded over it all.</p> + +<p>"A garden!" he said. "In this country one could call it a garden of +the Lord."</p> + +<p>The elder of his two companions smiled, for he had shrewdness as well +as faith.</p> + +<p>"Thanks in part, at least, to our mountain wall," he said. "We lie +several leagues from the only road, and that is not a much frequented +one. There is, most fortunately, little commerce in this strip of +country, and the great roads lie as you know far to the south of us. +Still, I sometimes wonder how we have been left alone so long, and we +have had our warnings."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>"Herrero now and then comes up this way?"</p> + +<p>The missionary nodded. "He is the thorn in our side," he said. +"Domingo, his associate, as of course you know, rambles through the +back country. There is no one else to cause us anxiety, but Herrero +has an old grudge against us. There were villages in these valleys +when he first came here, and he swept them almost clean. We gathered +up the remnant of the people, and now they will not buy his rum from +him."</p> + +<p>"If the news we got with our last supplies is correct he can not be +more than a few days' march away," the younger man broke in. "I have +been wondering how often he will pass us by. Some day he will come +down on us. It's a sure thing."</p> + +<p>Nares straightened himself a trifle. He had for several years borne +almost all a man could bear and live through in that land, and after +he left Ormsgill had fled inland, proscribed, finding no safety +anywhere until his countrymen at their peril had offered him shelter +at the mission. Besides, he had fever and prickly heat, which tries +the meekest white man's patience, and it was New England stock he +sprang from. He was a Puritan by birth as well as training, of the old +grim Calvinistic strain, and his forbears had believed that the sword +of the Lord is now and then entrusted to human hands. In that faith +they had faced their king at Naseby, and in later days and another +land held their own at Bunker Hill, and again crushed the Southern +slave-owners' riflemen. It awoke once more deep down in the heart of +their descendant as he sat on the mission veranda that night.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>"What will you do then?" he said. "It sometimes seems to me that we +have borne enough. One could almost wonder if there is anything more +than prudence in our non-resistance. That alone seldom carries one +very far."</p> + +<p>A faint sparkle crept into the eyes of the younger man, for there was +also a capacity for righteous wrath in him, but his elder companion +raised a restraining hand.</p> + +<p>"What can we do that will not bring down trouble on our followers' +heads?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Nares had not slept for several nights, and that coming on top of his +other troubles had its effect on him, for he was, after all, very +human, and the white man's self-restraint is apt to grow feeble in +that land where his passions usually grow strong. Now and then, +indeed, it breaks down altogether suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Somebody must suffer for every reform," he said. "It seems that a +sacrifice is demanded, and the ban is upon us still. Here, at least, +the cost of man's progress is the shedding of blood." Then he made a +little forceful gesture. "They are arming in the bush. In another +month or two there will be very grim doings at San Roque."</p> + +<p>The older man changed the subject abruptly. "You have your own course +to consider. Have you come to a decision yet? I almost think if you +surrendered to a responsible officer the Society has influence enough +to secure your acquittal. After all, there are a few honest men upon +the coast."</p> + +<p>Nares looked at him with a curious little smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> "It is possible that +I might escape with my liberty, but not until those who hate us had +blackened my character and flung discredit upon the aims and methods +of the men who sent me here. Is my acquittal worth what it would cost +your Society? Would the folks down yonder miss such an opportunity as +my trial would afford them of making us out political intriguers and +destroyers of authority?"</p> + +<p>He broke off for a moment, and laughed softly. "Still, they can't very +well have a trial without a prisoner, and I shall wait in the bush +until Ormsgill overtakes me. I have left word for him here and there +with men who I think will not betray me."</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't you stay here?" asked the younger man.</p> + +<p>"And bring the authorities down upon you? You know the cost of +harboring me. Still, I will wait a day or two. Ormsgill must go inland +by the road through the next valley, and if he has escaped the troops, +there should be news of him any hour now."</p> + +<p>The others said nothing further. They knew those in authority had, +perhaps, naturally little love for them, and would make the most of +the opportunity if it became evident that they had sheltered a +proscribed man. After all, they had a duty to their flock and the men +who had sent them out. Nares, who guessed their thoughts, smiled at +them.</p> + +<p>"It is all decided," he said. "When Ormsgill comes up I, believing as +I do in the straitest teaching of the Geneva fathers, am going into +the interior with him to accomplish the work he has undertaken for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +the repose of the soul of the rum trader Lamartine."</p> + +<p>Again his companions made no answer. After all, the creeds now and +then grow vague in Africa, or, perhaps, in the anguish of life in the +dark land they are purged of their narrowness and amplified. Besides +this, it was evident that Nares was a trifle off his balance. There +was silence for the next half hour. One of the men had toiled with the +hoe among his flock that day, and the other had come back from a long +march to a native village. The night was clear and cool and +wonderfully still, and the peace of the garden valley crept in on +them. One could almost have fancied the mission had been translated +far from Africa, where tranquillity that is not tempered with +apprehension seldom lasts very long. Then a sharp cry, harsh with +human pain and terror, rang out of the soft darkness, and the man in +charge of the station rose quietly from his chair.</p> + +<p>"Herrero's men are here. Our time has come at last," he said.</p> + +<p>The others rose with him, and stood very still for a moment or two +listening until the cry arose again more shrilly, and there was a +clamor among the unseen huts. The crash of a long flintlock gun broke +through it, and in the midst of the uproar they heard a patter of +naked feet. Half-seen shadowy figures swept past among the leaves, and +a red glare that grew momentarily brighter leapt up behind the mango +trees.</p> + +<p>"Herrero's men," said the older man again, as though in the bitterness +of the moment that was all that occurred to him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>They followed him down the stairway, though none of them knew what +they meant to do, and, while now and then a half-naked figure dashed +past them, down a narrow path between the trees, until the thatched +roofs of the village rose close in front of them. One of them was +blazing fiercely, and in another few minutes they saw a little group +of dusky figures scurrying to and fro with burdens in the glare. A man +among the latter also saw the newcomers, for apparently in drunken +bravado he flung up a long gun, and there was a flash and a detonation +as he fired at random. Nares saw him clearly, a big, brawny man +swaying half-naked on his feet with short cotton draperies hanging +from his waist, and his truculence was a guide to his profession. He +was one of the hired ruffians who escort the labor recruits to the +coast, and the African has no more grievous oppressor than the negro +who acts as the white man's deputy.</p> + +<p>Still, the missionaries saw very little more just then, for at the +flash of the gun a swarm of terror-stricken boys who had been lurking +there broke out from the shadow of the outlying huts, and swept madly +up the path. Nares ran forward to meet them, calling to them in a +native tongue, but it was not evident that they understood him, for +they ran on. He felt one of his comrade's hands upon his shoulder, but +he shook it off, and clutched at one of the flying men nearest him. He +was overwrought that night, and his patience had gone. An unreasoning +fury of indignation came upon him, and in the midst of it he +remembered that it was most unlikely Herrero's boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> would do more +than attempt to overawe any one who might venture to resist them with +their guns. Yet here was a flock of sturdy men flying in wild panic +from a handful of ruffians. Perhaps this was natural. The men had seen +what came of resistance, and had been taught drastically that it was +wisest to submit to the white man and those whom he permitted to +persecute them.</p> + +<p>In any case, Nares's efforts availed him nothing, for the crowd of +fugitives surged about him and his companions and bore them along. +They could neither make head against it nor struggle clear, and were +jostled against each other and driven forward until the crowd grew +thinner abreast of the mission house where several paths that led to +the hillslopes and the bush branched off. Then at last they reeled out +from among the negroes, and while they stood gasping, Nares looked at +the man in charge of the station with a question in his eyes. The +latter made a little gesture of resignation.</p> + +<p>"That is certainly Herrero's work, and I think he has given them rum, +but there is nothing we can do," he said. "They may burn a hut or two, +but they can be built again, and the boys—I am thankful—have taken +to the bush. We will go back to the house."</p> + +<p>This was not exactly to Nares' mind, but he recognized that there was +wisdom in it, and they went up the little stairway and sat down once +more upon the veranda. Now and then a hoarse shouting reached them, +and the glare of burning thatch grew brighter, but nobody came near to +trouble them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> After all, a missionary's color counted for something, +and it was a perilous thing for a negro who had not direct authority +to meddle with him. Still, the older man's face was troubled.</p> + +<p>"They will go away by and by, and there is, fortunately, very little +in the huts," he said. "There is only one thing I am anxious about. +Our store shed stands in a thicket among the trees yonder close +beneath us. We built it there not to be conspicuous, and they may not +notice it, but it is only a few weeks since our supplies came +in—drugs and cloth, besides tools, and goods that we could not +replace."</p> + +<p>Nares made a little gesture of comprehension. He knew that the +finances of the stations in that country are usually somewhat +strained, and that when supplies went missing on the journey from the +coast, as they sometimes did, the efforts of those they were intended +for were apt to be crippled for many months.</p> + +<p>"The place is locked?" he said.</p> + +<p>"It is," said the younger man with a little smile. "After all, the +boys are human. The door and building are strong enough, and the roof +is iron. They can not burn it."</p> + +<p>Nares glanced at his older companion and saw that there was still +concern in his face. Half an hour dragged by, and they sat still +struggling with the uneasiness that grew upon them. There was less +shouting in the village, and the fire was evidently dying down, but +now and then a hoarse clamor reached them. Nares felt that to sit +there and do nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> was a very hard thing. At last the younger man +pushed his chair back sharply.</p> + +<p>"I think they have found where the store shed is. They are coming +here," he said.</p> + +<p>"I wonder who has told them," said his companion.</p> + +<p>A patter of feet grew nearer, and Nares felt his mouth grow dry as he +forced himself to sit still and listen, until several shadowy figures +flitted out from among the trees. Then the older man's question was +answered, for one of them dragged a Mission boy along with him. He +carried a hide whip in one hand, and turned towards the veranda with a +truculent laugh as he brought it down on his captive's quivering +limbs.</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the younger man with sharp incisiveness, "I do not think +one could blame that boy."</p> + +<p>More figures appeared behind the others, and they flitted across the +strip of open space towards the store shed, after which there were +hoarse shouts and a sound of hammering which ceased again. Then +Herrero's boys came back by twos and threes, big, muscular negroes +with short draperies fluttering from their hips, some of them lurching +drunkenly. Three or four also carried long flintlock guns, and the one +who had the whip still dragged the Mission boy along. They stopped in +the clear space beneath the house, and Nares, who felt his heart beat, +set his lips tight as one of them strode forward to the foot of the +short veranda stairway. He was almost naked, and for a moment or two +the white men sat still, and looked at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> him. It was, they felt, just +possible that at the last moment his assurance would fail him. +Perhaps, he understood what they were thinking, for he made a little +contemptuous gesture.</p> + +<p>"We want the key to the store," he said in halting Portuguese.</p> + +<p>Then Nares turned to the head of the station. "You mean to give it +him?"</p> + +<p>"No," said the older man simply. "If they are able to break into the +shed I can not help it, but, at least, I will do nothing to make it +easier for them. I am the Society's steward and these goods are +entrusted to me."</p> + +<p>Nares looked at his younger companion, and saw a little smile in his +eyes. It was clear that force would be useless, even if they had been +willing to resort to it, but passive resistance was not forbidden +them, and while apt to prove perilous it might avail, since it was +scarcely probable that Herrero's boys could find the key. Then the +younger man turned to the negro.</p> + +<p>"We will never give you the key," he said.</p> + +<p>"Then we will come and take it," said the man below.</p> + +<p>He signed to his companions, and when three or four of them gathered +about him clamoring excitedly Nares felt his blood tingle and his face +grow hot. Perhaps it was the fever working in him, and he was +certainly overwrought, and, perhaps, it was a subconscious awakening +of the white man's pride. After all, the men of his color held +dominion, and it was an intolerable thing that one of them should +submit to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> personal indignity at a negro's hand. A little quiver ran +through him, but his restraint did not break down until the big +truculent negro came up the stairway and laid a greasy black hand upon +the shoulder of the worn and haggard man who ruled the station. He +shook him roughly, grinning as he did it, and then Nares' self-control +suddenly left him. Swinging forward on his left foot he struck at the +middle of the heavy, animal face, and the negro staggering went +backwards down the stairway. Then with the sting of his knuckles a +change came over Nares, for the passions he had long held in stern +subjection were suddenly unloosed. At last he had broken down under a +tension that had been steadily growing intolerable, and he turned on +his persecutors as other men of his faith have done. When men of that +kind strike they strike shrewdly.</p> + +<p>There was also a change in the negroes' attitude. They had maltreated +their own countrymen at their will, but they had as yet never laid +hands upon a white man. Perhaps, it was the rum Herrero had given them +which had stirred their courage, and, perhaps, they regarded a +missionary as a good-humored fool who had for some inconceivable +reason flung the white man's prerogative away. In any case, they were +coming up the stairway, three or four of them, and now the first man +carried a matchet, an instrument which resembles an old-fashioned +cutlass. Nares, who asked for no directions, sprang into the room +behind him where one of the trestle cots not unusual in that country +stood. It had a stout wooden frame, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> he rent one bar from the +canvas laced to it. In another moment he was back at the head of the +stairway where the man in charge of the station stood, frail, and +haggard, but very quiet, with his thin jacket rent open where the +negro had seized him. A foot or two below him the man with the matchet +was coming up, naked to the waist, and half-crazed with rum. Nares +could see his eyes in the moonlight, and that was enough.</p> + +<p>He swung the bar high with both hands, and it descended on the negro's +crown. The man went backwards, but another who carried a long gun +sprang over him, and the heavy bar came crashing down on his naked +arm. Then it whirled again, and there was a curious thud as it left +its mark upon a dusky face. There was a clamor from the men below, a +gasp behind Nares, and a folded canvas chair struck the next negro on +the breast. He, too, lost his balance, and in another moment the +stairway was empty except for one of the dusky men who lay still upon +the lower steps of it. Nares stood on the veranda, with a suffused +face, and the perspiration dripping from him, and smiled curiously +when the man in charge of the station glanced at him with wonder and a +vague reproof in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I am not sure that I have anything to regret," he said. "They are +coming back again."</p> + +<p>Herrero's boys were once more at the foot of the stairway, trampling +on their comrade as they scrambled over him, but there were now two +men with extemporized weapons at the head of it who stood above<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> them +and had them at a disadvantage. Nares was, however, never quite clear +as to what happened during the next few minutes, for an unreasoning +fury came upon him, and he saw only the woolly heads and dusky faces +as he gasped and smote, though he was vaguely conscious that now and +then a shattered chair somebody whirled by the legs swung above his +head. Then a long gun flashed, and the detonation was answered by a +sharper, ringing crash. One of Herrero's boys screamed shrilly, and +the half-naked figures went scrambling down the stairway. They had +scarcely floundered clear of it when a man in white duck appeared in +the space below, and flung up a rifle, and another of the boys who +went down headlong lay writhing horribly in the sand. After that there +was a shouting and a patter of flying feet, and further dusky men with +matchets and Snider rifles poured out of the path that wound down the +hillside. Nares quietly laid the bar he held against the wall, and +turned to the others with a gasp.</p> + +<p>"It's Ormsgill," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">BENICIA MAKES A BARGAIN</span></h2> + + +<p>Except for the two unsightly objects that lay in the soft moonlight, +there was no sign of Herrero's boys when Ormsgill walked up the +stairway with a rifle in his hand. A little smoke curled from the +breech which he opened before he shook hands with Nares.</p> + +<p>"It's fortunate I knew where you were, and came round to pick you up," +he said, and turned to the head of the station, who leaned upon the +balustrade apparently shaken and bewildered by what had happened.</p> + +<p>"I came up behind Herrero most of the way, and when there were signs +that we were getting closer I sent one of my boys on to creep in upon +his camp two or three days ago. From what he told me when he came back +I fancied there was mischief on foot, and I pushed on as fast as +possible. Considering everything, it seems just as well I did."</p> + +<p>The other man appeared unwilling to let his gaze wander beyond the +veranda, which was in one way comprehensible. There was shrinking in +his face, and his voice was strained and hoarse.</p> + +<p>"It was so sudden—it has left me a trifle dazed,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> he said. "I am +almost afraid the trouble is not over yet."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled reassuringly. "I scarcely think—you—have any cause +to worry. There is no doubt that Herrero inspired his boys, and +attempts of this kind, as no doubt you are aware, have been made on +mission stations before, but it's certain he would disclaim all +knowledge of what they meant to do, and will be quite content to let +the matter go no further. That is, at least, so far as anybody +connected with the Mission is concerned."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid he may find some means of laying the blame on you."</p> + +<p>"It is quite likely," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, it's a thing +I'm used to, and, you see, I'm proscribed already. As it happens, so +is Nares. He should never have left me. I have no doubt Herrero, who +has friends in authority, will endeavor to make him regret his share +in to-night's proceedings."</p> + +<p>Nares glanced at one of the rigid figures that lay beneath him in the +moonlight. He saw the naked black shoulders, and the soiled white +draperies that had fallen apart from the ebony limbs, and a little +shiver ran through him. The heat of the conflict had vanished now, and +the pale light showed that his face was drawn and gray.</p> + +<p>"I struck that man," he said. "I don't know what possessed me, but I +think I meant to kill him. In one way, the thing is horrible."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "it is also very natural. The impulse you +seem to shrink from is lurk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>ing somewhere in most of us. In any case, +the man is certainly dead. I looked at him as I came up."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and leaned somewhat heavily upon the balustrade +with his eyes fixed on the dusky form of the negro. "The meanest thing +upon this earth is the man who sides with the oppressor and tramples +on his own kind. Still, though I think what I did was warranted, that +was not why I shot those men. One doesn't always reason about these +matters, as I fancy you understand."</p> + +<p>He turned, and looked at Nares who, after a momentary shrinking, +steadily met his gaze. The man was wholly honest, and the thing was +clear to him. He had struck at last, shrewdly, in a righteous cause, +and nobody could have blamed him, but, as had happened in his +comrade's case, human bitterness had also nerved the blow.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said slowly, "you and I, at least, will probably have to +face the results of it."</p> + +<p>Again Ormsgill laughed, but a little glint crept into his eyes. "As I +pointed out, we are both of us outlawed, with the hand of every white +man in this country against us, but we have still a thing to do, and +somehow I almost think it will be done."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the man in charge of the Mission. "Nares is coming +away with me. There are several reasons that make it advisable. It is +very unlikely that anybody will trouble you further about this affair, +and if the blame is laid on us it can't greatly matter. The score +against one of us is a tolerably long one already—and if my luck +holds out it may be longer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> There is just another point. Shall I take +those two boys below away for you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said the other man quietly. "There is, at least, one duty we owe +them."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a little gesture. "The bones of their victims lie thick +along each trail to the interior, but, after all, that is probably a +thing for which they will not be held responsible. In the meanwhile, +there are one or two reasons why I should outmarch Herrero if it can +be done. When Nares is ready we will go on again."</p> + +<p>Nares was ready in a few minutes, and shaking hands with the two men +who went down the veranda stairway with them, they struck into the +path that led up the steep hillside. Ormsgill's boys plodded after +them, but when they reached the crest of the ridge that overhung the +valley Nares sat down, gasping, in the loose white sand, and looked +down on the shadowy mission. He could see its pale lights blinking +among the leaves.</p> + +<p>"It stands for a good deal that I have done with," he said. "It is a +strange and almost bewildering thing to feel oneself adrift."</p> + +<p>"Still," said Ormsgill, "now and then the bonds of service gall."</p> + +<p>Nares made a little gesture. "Often," he said. "Perhaps I was not +worthy to wear the uniform and march under orders with the rank and +file, but I think the Church Militant has, after all, a task for the +free companies which now and then push on ahead of her regular +fighting line."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>"They march light," said Ormsgill. "That counts for a good deal. It +has once or twice occurred to me that the authorized divisions are a +little cumbered by their commissariat and baggage wagons."</p> + +<p>Nares sighed. "Well," he said softly, "every one must, at least now +and then, leave a good deal that he values or has grown attached to +behind him." He stopped a moment, and then asked abruptly, "You have +heard from the girl at Las Palmas. Desmond would bring you letters?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill, "not a word. She had no sympathy with my +project—that she should have was hardly to be expected. One must +endeavor to be reasonable."</p> + +<p>"There must have been a time when you expected—everything."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill sat silent a minute or two, and while he did so a moving +light blinked among the trees below. It stopped at length, and negro +voices came up faintly with the thud of hastily plied shovels. It +seemed that the terrified converts were coming back and the +missionaries had already set them a task. Ormsgill knew what it was, +but he looked down at the rifle that glinted in the moonlight across +his knee with eyes that were curiously steady. The thing he had done +had been forced upon him. Then he turned to his companion, and though +he was usually a reticent man he spoke what was in his mind that +night.</p> + +<p>"There certainly was such a time," he said. "No doubt it has come to +others. For five long years I held fast by the memory of the girl I +had left in Eng<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>land, and I think there were things it saved me from. +Somehow there was always a vague hope that one day I might go back to +her—and for that reason I kept above the foulest mire. One goes under +easily here in Africa. Then at last the thing became possible."</p> + +<p>He broke off, and laughed, a curious little laugh, before he went on +again.</p> + +<p>"I went back. Whether she was ever what I thought her I do not +know—perhaps, I had expected impossibilities—or those five years had +made a change. We had not an idea that was the same, and the world she +lives in is one that has grown strange to me. They think me slightly +crazy—and it is perfectly possible that they are right. Men do lose +their mental grip in Africa."</p> + +<p>Nares made a little gesture which vaguely suggested comprehension and +sympathy before he looked at his comrade with a question in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, "I am going on. After all, I owe the +girl I thought she was a good deal—and to plain folks there is safety +in doing the obvious thing." His voice softened a little. "It may be +hard for her—in fact when I went back she probably had a good deal to +bear with too. One grows hard and bitter when he has lived with the +outcasts as I have done."</p> + +<p>Nares understood that he meant what other men called duty by the +obvious thing, but the definition, which he felt was characteristic of +the man, pleased him. He was one who could, at least, recognize the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +task that was set before him, and, as it happened, he once more made +this clear when he rose and called to the boys who had flung +themselves down on the warm white sand.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "we have now to outmarch Herrero, and there is a good +deal to be done."</p> + +<p>They went on, Ormsgill limping a little, for his wound still pained +him, and vanished into the shadows of the bush, two weary, +climate-worn men who had malignant nature and, so far as they knew, +the malice of every white man holding authority in that country +against them. Still, at least, their course was clear, and in the +meanwhile they asked for nothing further.</p> + +<p>It also happened one afternoon while they pushed on through shadowy +forest and steaming morass that a little and very ancient gunboat +crept along the sun-scorched coast. Her white paint, although very far +from fresh, gleamed like ivory on the long dazzling swell that changed +to a shimmering sliding green in her slowly moving shadow, for she was +steaming eight knots, and rolling viciously. Benicia Figuera, who swung +in a hammock hung low beneath her awnings, did not, however, seem to +mind the erratic motion. She was watching the snowy fringe of +crumbling surf creep by, though now and then her eyes sought the far, +blue hills that cut the skyline. Her thoughts were with the man who +was wandering in the dim forests that crept through the marshes beyond +them.</p> + +<p>By and by she aroused herself, and looked up with a smile at the man +who strolled towards her along the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> deck. She had met him before at +brilliant functions in Portugal where he was a man of importance, and +he had come on board in state a few hours earlier from a little +sweltering town above a surf-swept beach whose citizens had seriously +strained its finances to do him honor. He was dressed simply in plain +white duck, a little, courtly gentleman, with the look of one who +rules in his olive-tinted face. He sat down in a deck chair near the +girl.</p> + +<p>"After all, it is a relief to be at sea," he said. "One has quietness +there."</p> + +<p>Benicia laughed. "Quietness," she said, "is a thing you can hardly be +accustomed to Señor. Besides, you are in one way scarcely +complimentary to the citizens yonder."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said her companion, "it seems they expect something from me and +it is to be hoped that when they get it some of them will not be +disappointed. I almost think," and he waved a capable hand, "that +before I am recalled they will not find insults bad enough for me."</p> + +<p>Benicia felt that this was quite possible. Her companion was she knew +a strong man as well as an upright one, who had been sent out not long +ago with ample powers to grapple with one or two of the questions +which then troubled that country. It was also significant that while +he was known as a judicious and firm administrator his personal views +on the points at issue had not been proclaimed. Benicia had, however, +guessed them correctly, and she took it as a compli<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>ment that he had +given her a vague hint of them. Perhaps, he realized it, for he +watched her for a moment with a shrewd twinkle in his dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"Señorita," he said, "I almost think you know what I was sent out here +to do. One could, however, depend upon Benicia Figuera considering it +a confidence."</p> + +<p>The girl glanced out beneath the awnings across the sun-scorched +littoral towards the blue ridge of the inland plateau before she +answered him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "it was to cleanse this stable. I almost think you +will find it a strong man's task."</p> + +<p>Her companion made a gesture of assent. "It is, at least, one for +which I need a reliable broom—and I am fortunate in having one +ready."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Benicia, "you of course mean my father. Well, I do not +think he will fail you, and though he has not actually told me so, I +fancy he has, at least, been making preparations for the sweeping."</p> + +<p>The man looked at her and smiled, but when a moving shaft of sunlight +struck him as the steamer rolled she saw the deep lines on his face +and the gray in his hair. He, as it happened, saw the little gleam of +pride in her eyes, and then the light swung back again and they were +once more left in the shadow. Yet in that moment a subtle elusive +something that was both comprehension and confidence had been +established between them.</p> + +<p>"Dom Clemente," he said, "is a man I have a great regard for. There is +a good deal I owe him, as he may have told you."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>"He has told me nothing."</p> + +<p>The man spread his hands out. "After all, it was to be expected. He +and I were comrades, Señorita, before you were born, and there was a +time when I made a blunder which it seemed must spoil my career. There +was only one man who could save me and that at the hazard of his own +future, but one would not expect such a fact to count with your +father. Dom Clemente smiled at the peril and the affair was arranged +satisfactorily."</p> + +<p>Again he made a little grave gesture. "It happened long ago, and now +it seems I am to bring trouble on him again. Still, the years have not +changed him. He does not hesitate, but I feel I must ask your +forbearance, Señorita. You have, perhaps, seen what sometimes happens +when one does one's duty."</p> + +<p>Benicia smiled, a little bitterly. "Yes," she said, "I know that the +man who is so rash as to attempt it in this country is usually +recalled in disgrace. Still, it is not a thing that happens very +frequently. Dom Clemente is to be made the scapegoat."</p> + +<p>"I think," said the man gravely, "I may be strong enough to save him +that. It is possible, as I have told him, that he will be +recalled—but what he has done will stand."</p> + +<p>He spoke at last as a ruler, with authority, and a trace of sternness +in his eyes, but his face changed again.</p> + +<p>"Señorita," he said, "if it happens, I think you will not grudge it, +or blame me."</p> + +<p>The girl saw the opportunity she had been waiting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> for. "As you have +admitted, you owe my father something, and now you have asked +something more. Is it not conceivable that you owe me a little, too. I +am an influence here—and it would be different in Lisbon if Dom +Clemente was sent home again. Besides, sometimes he will listen to me. +Now and then a woman has made a change in a man's policy, and, though +it is a little more difficult when the man is one's father, it might +be done again."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said her companion, "you wish to make a bargain."</p> + +<p>"It would be too great a condescension, Señor," and Benicia laughed. +"I want a promise that is to be unconditional. Some day, perhaps, I +shall ask you to do something for me. Then you will do it whatever it +is."</p> + +<p>The man looked up at her with a little dry smile, but, as he admitted, +he owed her father a good deal, and he was not too old for gallantry. +Besides that, he had the gift of insight, and a curious confidence in +this girl. He felt she would not ask him anything that was not +fitting.</p> + +<p>"The request," he said, "is a little vague, and perhaps, I am a trifle +rash, but I almost think I can promise that what you ask shall be +done."</p> + +<p>Benicia, reaching out from the hammock, touched him with her fan. +"Now," she said, "I know what you think of me. How shall I make my +poor acknowledgments? Still, there is another thing. You will discover +presently that the brooms of the State are slow. There are two men not +among its servants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> who have commenced the sweeping already. I think +Dom Clemente knows this, but you will not mention it to him."</p> + +<p>Her companion glanced at her sharply with a sudden keenness in his +eyes, but he said nothing, and the girl smiled again.</p> + +<p>"When you hear of them I would like you to remember that they are +friends of mine," she said. "You will, of course, recognize that +nobody I said that of could do anything that was really +reprehensible."</p> + +<p>"I might admit that it was unlikely," said her companion.</p> + +<p>"Then," said Benicia, "when the time comes I would like you to +remember it. That is another thing you will promise."</p> + +<p>She flashed one swift glance at her companion, who smiled, and then +looked round as Dom Clemente and two of the gunboat's officers came +towards them along the deck. She roused herself to talk to them, and +succeeded brilliantly, now and then to the momentary embarrassment of +the officers, who were young, while the man with the gray hair lay in +a deck chair a little apart watching her over his cigar. She was +clever, and quick-witted, but he knew also that she was like her +father, one who at any cost stood by her friends. At the same time he +was a little puzzled, for, in the case of a young woman, friend is a +term of somewhat vague and comprehensive significance, and she had +mentioned that there were two of them. That appeared to complicate the +affair, but he had, at least,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> made a promise, and it was said of him +that when he did so he usually kept it, though it was now and then in +a somewhat grim fashion. There were also men in the sweltering towns +beside the surf-swept beach the gunboat crawled along who would have +felt uneasy had they known exactly why he had been sent out to them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DOMINGO APPEARS</span></h2> + + +<p>The carriers had stopped in a deserted village one morning after a +long and arduous march from the mission station, when Ormsgill, lying +in the hot white sand, looked quietly at Nares, who sat with his back +against one of the empty huts.</p> + +<p>"If I knew what the dusky image was thinking I should feel +considerably more at ease," he said. "Still, I don't, and there's very +little use in guessing. After all, we are a long way from grasping the +negro's point of view on most subjects yet. They very seldom look at +things as we do."</p> + +<p>Nares nodded. "Anyway, I almost fancy we could consider what he has +told us as correct," he said. "It's something to go upon."</p> + +<p>The man he referred to squatted close by them, naked to the waist, +though a few yards of cotton cloth hung from his hips. An old Snider +rifle lay at his side, and he was big and muscular with a heavy, +expressionless face. As Ormsgill had suggested, it certainly afforded +very little indication of what he was thinking, and left it a question +whether he was capable of intelligent thought at all. They had come +upon him in the deserted village on the edge of a great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> swamp an hour +earlier, and he had skillfully evaded their questions as to what he +was doing there.</p> + +<p>It was an oppressively hot morning, and a heavy, dingy sky hung over +the vast morass which they could see through the openings between the +scattered huts. It stretched back bare and level, a vast desolation, +towards the interior, with a little thin haze floating over it in +silvery belts here and there, and streaking the forest that crept up +to its edge. The carriers lay half-asleep in the warm sand, blotches +of white and blue and ebony, and the man with the rifle appeared +vacantly unconcerned. Time is of no value to the negro, and one could +have fancied that he was prepared to wait there all day for the white +men's next question.</p> + +<p>"It's not very much," said Ormsgill reflectively, referring to his +comrade's last observation. "Domingo, it seems, is up yonder—but +there are one or two other facts, which I think have their +significance, in our possession. Herrero is coming up behind us, and, +though there are no other Portuguese in the neighborhood, we find this +village empty. I should very much like to know why the folks who lived +in it have gone away, and I fancy our friend yonder could tell us. +Still, it's quite certain that he won't."</p> + +<p>"Herrero evidently means to join hands with Domingo," suggested Nares. +"It's quite possible, too, that he will do what he can to prevent us +buying the six boys from the Headman, who, it's generally believed, +does a good deal of business with him. It's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> a little unfortunate. In +another week the thing might have been done."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill nodded as one who makes his mind up. "When in doubt go +straight on—and, as a matter of fact, we can't afford to stop," he +said. "Provisions are going to be a consideration. We'll push on and +try what can be done with Domingo and the Headman before Herrero comes +up."</p> + +<p>He turned to the negro, and Nares amplified his question.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the man, with the faintest suggestion of a grin, "I know +where Domingo is, and if you come to our village it is very likely +that you will see him. I will take you to the Headman for the pieces +of cloth you promise."</p> + +<p>He got up leisurely, and Ormsgill, who called to the boys, looked at +Nares as they plodded into the forest that skirted the swamp.</p> + +<p>"It's quite certain the man was waiting for somebody, and it wasn't +Herrero, or he wouldn't have gone away," he said. "That naturally +seems to suggest he might have been on the lookout for us. In that +case I should very much like to know what was amusing him."</p> + +<p>It was not to be made clear until some time later, and in the +meanwhile they pushed on for a week through straggling forest with all +the haste the boys were capable of, though Ormsgill's face grew +thoughtful when they twice passed an empty village. The fact had its +significance, for little labor recruiting had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> been done in that strip +of country. Still, its dusky inhabitants had apparently forsaken it, +and it became more evident that something unusual was going on. Once +only they met a native, or rather he blundered upon their camp when +they lay silent in the thin shadow of more open bush on a burning +afternoon, and their guide roused himself sharply to attention when a +patter of footsteps came out of the stillness. Somebody was evidently +approaching in haste, and Ormsgill glanced at Nares in warning when +the negro who lay close beside them rose to a crouching posture and +drew back the hammer of his old Snider rifle. It was clear that +strangers were regarded with suspicion in that country. Then the man +drew one foot under him, and sat upon it with the arm that supported +the rifle on his knee, and an unpleasantly suggestive look in his +heavy face. One could have fancied that he meant to kill, and Ormsgill +stretching out a hand laid it on his comrade's shoulder restrainingly.</p> + +<p>"Wait," he whispered. "In the meanwhile it's not our business."</p> + +<p>Nares waited, but he felt it become more difficult to do so as the +footsteps grew plainer. He could hear the little restless movements of +the boys, but he had eyes for little beyond the ominous half-naked +figure clutching the heavy rifle. It dominated the picture. Tall +trunks, trailing creepers, and clustering carriers grew indistinct, +but he was vaguely conscious that there was an opening between the +leaves some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> sixty yards in front of him, and his heart throbbed +painfully with the effort the restraint he laid upon himself cost him. +Then a dusky figure appeared in the opening, and stopped a moment, +apparently in astonishment or terror, while Ormsgill was sensible of a +sudden straining after recollection. The man was leanly muscular and +dressed as scantily as any native of the bush, but there was something +in his appearance that was vaguely familiar. In the meanwhile he was +also conscious that their guide's arms were stiffening rigidly, and +when the man's cheek sank a little lower on the rifle stock he let his +hand drop from Nares's shoulder. As it happened, he was close behind +the negro, and in another moment would have clutched him.</p> + +<p>Just then, however, the stranger sprang forward and a little acrid +smoke blew into Ormsgill's eyes. There was a detonation and he +contrived to fall with a hand on the ground instead of upon the +crouching negro with the rifle. When he looked up again the man who +had narrowly escaped from the peril by his quickness was running like +a deer, and vanished amidst a crash of displaced undergrowth, while +their guide flung back his rifle breech with clumsy haste. When he +turned round there was no sign of the stranger and Ormsgill was +quietly standing on his feet. Only a few seconds had elapsed since the +man had first appeared.</p> + +<p>The guide made a little grimace which was expressive of resignation as +he turned the rifle over and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> shook out the cartridge, and in another +minute or two they were going on again. When he moved a little away +from them Ormsgill looked at Nares.</p> + +<p>"It's probably just as well our friend does not know I meant to spoil +his aim," he said. "I haven't the least notion why he wished to shoot +that man, and very much wish I had, but I can't help fancying that +I've seen him before—at one of the Missions most likely. I should be +glad if anybody could tell me what he is doing here."</p> + +<p>There was nobody who could do it except, perhaps, their guide, but +Ormsgill surmised that he was not likely to supply him with any +information. He was not to know until some time later that the man in +question had once served Herrero, who had beaten him too frequently +and severely, and that as a result of this he met Pacheco the +Government messenger in a deserted village after another week's +arduous journey. In the meanwhile he pushed on, limping a little, +through marsh and forest until their guide led them into a large +native village where he expected to find the last of Lamartine's boys. +This one, at least, was not deserted. In fact, it appeared unusually +crowded and, as Ormsgill was quick to notice, most of its inhabitants +were armed. He had, however, little opportunity of noticing anything +else, for he was led straight into the presence of its ruler, who sat +on a low stool under a thatched roof raised on a few rickety pillars +in the middle of the village. He was dressed in a white man's duck +jacket, worn open, and a shirt; and every person of consequence in the +place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> had gathered about him. The guide presented the newcomers +tersely, and it seemed to Ormsgill that the manner in which he did it +was significant.</p> + +<p>"They are here," he said. "I have done as I was bidden."</p> + +<p>The Headman spent some time examining the collection of the sundries +they offered him and made a few indifferent attempts to restrain the +rapacity of his retainers, who desired something, too. Then he asked +Ormsgill his business, and nodded when the latter explained it +briefly.</p> + +<p>"The six boys are certainly here," he said. "Still, I do not know just +now if I can sell you them. That will depend—" Nares understood from +the next few words that he desired to be a little ambiguous on this +point. "You have, it seems, some business with Domingo, too?"</p> + +<p>Nares said it concerned the boys in question, but as the labor +purveyor had no claim upon them the matter could be arranged with the +Headman, who grinned very much as the guide had done, while a curious +little smile crept into the faces of some of the rest.</p> + +<p>"Then," he said, "I think he will be here in a day or two. Some of my +people have gone for him, but I am not sure that he will have much to +tell us when he comes. In the meanwhile you will stay with us a few +days, and when I am ready to talk about the boys again I will send for +you."</p> + +<p>He made a sign that the interview was over, and several of his +followers who were armed escorted the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> white men and their boys to the +hut set apart for them. They left them there with a plainly worded +hint that it would be wise of them not to come out of it, and when +they went away Ormsgill looked at Nares.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're not sure what that Headman really meant," he said. +"A man naturally has you at a disadvantage when he doesn't wish to +make himself very clear and talks in a tongue you don't quite +understand. I wish I knew exactly why he chuckled."</p> + +<p>Nares looked thoughtful. "He seemed to know we meant to visit him."</p> + +<p>"It's evident. How I don't quite understand. We traveled fast. Still, +he did know. In the meanwhile we can only wait."</p> + +<p>They waited, somewhat anxiously, for several days, knowing that +Herrero, whose presence promised to complicate affairs, was drawing +nearer all the while. There was, however, no other course open to +them, for when they attempted to leave the hut a big man armed with a +matchet who kept watch outside informed them it was the Headman's +pleasure that they should stay there until he was at liberty to talk +to them.</p> + +<p>At last one morning word was brought them, and Ormsgill looked about +him in astonishment when they walked into the wide space in the midst +of the straggling village. All round it stood long rows of dusky men, +most of whom were armed, but only a small and apparently select +company sat under the thatched roof in the shadow of which the Headman +had previously received them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>"There is something very unusual going on. Half these men seem to be +strangers, and they have Sniders," he said. "I expect Domingo could +tell how they got them, but I don't seem to see him." Then he touched +his comrade's shoulder. "I fancy we can expect something dramatic. +There's a man yonder we have met before."</p> + +<p>Nares felt that the scene was already sufficiently impressive. The +strip of empty sand in front of him flung up a dazzling glare. The sky +the palm tufts cut against was of a harsh blue that one could scarcely +look upon, and the village was flooded with an almost intolerable +brilliancy which flashed upon glittering matchets and Snider barrels. +It also smote the massed white draperies and flickered with an oily +gleam on ebony limbs and the sea of dusky faces turned expectantly +towards the group beneath the thatch. Most of the men there sat on the +ground, but there were two seated figures, the village Headman, and +the Suzerain lord of his country, the old man they had met already, on +a slightly higher stool. He, at least, was dressed in dignified +fashion in a long robe of spotless cotton, and a few men with tall +spears stood in state behind him. His face was impassively grim, and +Nares's heart beat a trifle faster as his eyes rested on him, but at +the same time he was sensible of an expectancy so tense that it drove +out personal anxiety. He almost felt that he was watching for the +opening of the drama from a place of safety.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile he moved towards the thatch with his comrade until +they stopped a few yards' distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> from the Suzerain, who leaned +forward a little and looked at Ormsgill steadily. He was of commanding +presence, but there was something in his attitude which suggested that +he regarded this stranger as an equal, though he was lord of that +country, and the other stood before him, a spare, lonely figure in +white duck, with nothing in his hands.</p> + +<p>"The Headman has told me your business, and it seems it is very much +the same as when I last talked to you," he said. "You are, I believe, +not a friend of those other white men who have persecuted me?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You can tell him that we are both +proscribed," he said. "Make it quite clear. I don't think there's any +reason to be anxious about his handing us over to the folks at San +Roque."</p> + +<p>Nares explained, and the old man made a little gesture. "Then," he +said, "you shall have the six boys, and it is not my will that you +offer the Headman anything for them. Domingo stole them—and we have +satisfied our claim on him. Still, I do not know yet whether you will +be permitted to go away with them. In the meanwhile there is another +matter."</p> + +<p>Nares made out the gist of it, and as he hastily explained the old man +raised his hand. "You have business with Domingo, and there are two +other white men who have come here to meet him. Let them come +forward."</p> + +<p>Somebody passed on the order, and there was a murmur of voices and a +stirring of the crowd as a little group of men strode out of it. In +front walked the Boer Gavin, a tall, lean figure in travel-stained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +duck with a heavy rifle cradled in his arm, and his manner was +unconcerned. Behind him came Herrero, little, and yellow-faced, +looking about him furtively, while a line of dusky men half of whom +were armed plodded after them, obviously uneasy. The Suzerain sat +impassively still, and looked at them in a curious fashion when they +stopped not far from him.</p> + +<p>"You have come here to meet Domingo. You are friends of his?" he said.</p> + +<p>Herrero hesitated, but his companion laughed when an interpreter +repeated the question.</p> + +<p>"You can say we came to meet him, in any case," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Was that wise?" asked the old man, and his voice had a jarring ring. +"Still, as you have come you shall see him."</p> + +<p>Then he smiled grimly, and made a sign to some of those behind. Again +there was a stirring of the crowd, and Nares felt his nerves thrill +with expectancy. He looked at Ormsgill, who was standing very still +with empty hands at his side, and afterwards saw Gavin, the Boer, +glance sharply round and change his grip on the heavy rifle. In +another moment there was a very suggestive half-articulate murmur from +the assembly, and then an impressive stillness as two men came forward +bearing between them a heavy fiber package slung as a hammock usually +is beneath a pole. They laid it down, and while Ormsgill and Gavin +moved forward at the Headman's sign one of them took something out of +it. He held it up, and Nares gasped and struggled with a sense of +nausea,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> for it was a drawn and distorted human face that met his +shrinking gaze.</p> + +<p>"They've killed him!" he said hoarsely.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill stood rigidly still. "Yes," he said, "it's Domingo. +Considering everything one could hardly blame them."</p> + +<p>Then the stillness was sharply broken. A cry rose from the assembly as +Herrero's boys turned and fled. Their leader shrank back pace by pace +from the old man's gaze, and then wheeling round sped after them. As +he did so somebody shouted, and a couple of Sniders flashed. Their +crash was lost in a clamor, and odd groups of men sprang out into the +open space. Then Nares saw Gavin running hard come up with his comrade +and grasp his shoulder. He drove him before him towards one of the +larger huts while the Snider bullets struck up little spurts of sand +behind them.</p> + +<p>Nares set his lips, and held his breath as he watched them. The +shadowy entrance of the hut was not far away, but it seemed impossible +that they could reach it before one, at least, of them was struck. +Herrero, blind with fear, seemed to flag already, but Gavin drove him +on, and Nares could see that his face was set and grim. They went by a +cluster of negroes running to intercept them, and the tall man in the +white duck seemed to fling his comrade forward into the hut. Then he +spun round pitching up the heavy rifle. There was a flash and a +detonation, and Ormsgill heard a curious droning sound as if a bee had +passed above his head. In another second a man who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> stood close at his +Suzerain's side lurched forward with a strangled cry. Then Gavin +sprang into the hut, and when the old man made a sign four of his +retainers laid hands on Ormsgill and his companion. They were big +muscular men, and Nares looked at Ormsgill, who submitted quietly.</p> + +<p>"It's horrible," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a little gesture. "They brought it upon themselves. I'm +a little sorry for Gavin, but I can't get away."</p> + +<p>It was perfectly evident. Their captors held them fast, pinioning +their arms with greasy black hands, and there were two to each of +them, while there are very few white men who have the negro's physical +strength, at least if they have been any time in that climate. Nares +gasped and felt his heart throb furiously, as he waited with his eyes +fixed on the hut.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE DAY OF RECKONING</span></h2> + + +<p>There was silence in the village for almost a minute after Gavin +vanished into the hut, and the men who had pursued him stood still, +apparently irresolute. The entrance was dark and narrow, and they +could not see inside, but it was evident that they recognized it was a +very determined man who awaited them in its shelter. He was also +white, which had no doubt its effect upon the negro mind, since it +usually happens that when a race or caste asserts its superiority +loudly enough its claims are admitted, especially when they are backed +by visible force.</p> + +<p>So while the seconds slipped away the negroes stood hesitating, and +glancing at one another as well as at the hut which lay in the shadow. +Their ebony limbs and scanty draperies were forced up against the +glaring dust and sand in a flood of searching brilliancy. Nares, who +felt his nerves tingle, could see the tension in their dusky faces and +the oily gleam of their bodies as the perspiration broke from them. +There was something curiously suggestive of pent up fury in the poses +they had fallen into. In the meanwhile he could not move. Indeed, the +big negro who held him fast had savagely drawn his arms behind his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +back, and the strain in the muscles was becoming almost intolerably +painful.</p> + +<p>Then several men broke away from the others and ran towards the hut, +and once more Nares held his breath. He could have shouted as he saw +the first dark form bound on, clutching a long Snider rifle in both +hands, but he restrained himself. In another moment or two a thin +flash blazed from the doorway of the hut, and the man went down with a +shrill scream and lay clawing at the sand. Nares heard no detonation. +He was only conscious of the little curl of blue smoke in the entrance +of the hut, and the black object that writhed in the pitiless glare in +front of it. Then the fallen man's comrades stopped, and a little +shiver ran through him as he turned to Ormsgill, who nodded as if he +understood him.</p> + +<p>"You can only face it," said the latter. "They would scarcely listen +to their Headman, and I can't move a limb. It's a single-shot rifle. +They're bound to kill him." Then he broke off with a little gasp. +"Ah," he said a moment later, "two of them are trying it now."</p> + +<p>Nares did not wish to look, but he could not help it. The scene held +his gaze, and he saw the two figures move cautiously towards the hut, +keeping one wall of it between them and the doorway as far as they +could. This, however, did not serve them. The deadly fire flashed +again, and one negro who collapsed suddenly fell on his hands and +knees. Then there was another streak of sparks and smoke, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> the +second man staggering forward went down headlong with a thud. Several +Sniders flashed, and there was silence again.</p> + +<p>"It's too much," said Ormsgill. "I can't stand this."</p> + +<p>He struggled furiously, and he and the men who held him swayed to and +fro, a cluster of scuffling, staggering figures for a moment or two. +The effort, however, was futile, and he stood still again with his +arms pinioned fast behind his back and the perspiration dripping from +him while the Suzerain looked at him from his stool with a little grim +smile.</p> + +<p>"It is not your affair," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing, though the veins were swollen on his forehead +and his face was suffused with blood, and at a sign from the Headman +the negroes who held him relaxed their grasp a trifle. Nares also +stood still, with every nerve in him thrilling. The man inside the hut +no doubt deserved his fate, but that did not seem to count then, and +the missionary felt only a sympathy with him that was almost +overwhelming in its intensity. It was one man against a multitude, for +there was no sign that Herrero was making any effort, and, after all, +that man sprang from the same stock as he did. Then deep down in him +he felt a thrill of pride, for Gavin was making a very gallant fight +of it. It was in many ways a shameful work that he and his comrade had +done, selling proscribed arms to the people who had turned against him +now, fomenting discord between them and their neighbors, and +debauching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> them with villainous rum, but, at least, he made it clear +that the courage of his kind was in him. This was all at variance with +Nares' beneficent creed, but the man was dying, indomitable, a white +man.</p> + +<p>Those who meant to kill him drew back a little farther from the hut, +and standing and squatting flung up the long rifles. They were by no +means marksmen, but the hut was large and built of cane and branch +work. The heavy Snider bullets smashed through it, and for a few +minutes the stagnant air was filled with the jarring detonations. +There was no answering flash from the hut and Nares could see that its +shadowy entrance was empty. Then as the ringing of the Sniders died +away and a man here and there stole forward cautiously it seemed to +him that a dimly seen white object dragged itself towards the doorway +and crouched in it. He did not think it would be visible to the +assailants, for they were keeping a little behind the hut, but it was +clear to him that the one man against a multitude was bent on fighting +still.</p> + +<p>The straggling figures crept on, moving obliquely towards the perilous +entrance, that the hut might shelter them, until they massed together +for a dash at it. Then the flash blazed out again, and one of them +dropped. Another went down screaming a few seconds later, and then the +foremost broke and fled, and there was a sudden scattering of those +behind. There were a host of negroes, but they shrank from that +unerring rifle. They were evidently willing to face a hazard, but this +was certain death. Then the Su<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>zerain of the village signed to the +negroes who held Ormsgill, and they led him forward.</p> + +<p>"It seems it may cost us a good deal to kill that man," he said. "Go +and see what terms he will make with me. An offer of a few good rifles +would have some weight just now."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill went, and crossing the hot space of dust and sand walked into +the hut. Dazzled as he was by the change from the glare outside, he +could see almost nothing for a moment or two. The place was also +filled with an acrid haze, but by degrees he became accustomed to the +dimness and made out Gavin lying against the wall. He looked up with a +little wry smile, but Ormsgill moving nearer saw that his face was +gray and drawn. There was dust on his thin duck clothing, and in two +spots a small dark-colored stain.</p> + +<p>"You are hit?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Gavin, "I'm done." He gasped before he spoke again with +evident difficulty. "They plugged me twice before they made the last +attempt. I could just hold the rifle. If they'd kept it up they'd have +got in."</p> + +<p>"Where's Herrero?"</p> + +<p>Gavin appeared to glance across the hut, and Ormsgill saw a huddled +figure lying in the shadow. It did not move at all.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Gavin, "I think the first bullet that came in quieted him, +and I wasn't sorry. He was worrying me. Lost his nerve, though he +never had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> very much. Well, I suppose you have come to make a bargain +with me?"</p> + +<p>"Something like that. Our friend yonder hinted that he would probably +do a good deal for a few rifles."</p> + +<p>Gavin smiled dryly. "It isn't worth while now. As you have no doubt +noticed, I can hardly talk to you."</p> + +<p>He stopped for a moment with a heavy gasp. "This was my last kick, you +see."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Ormsgill, "is there any other little way in which I could +be of service? Any message you would like sent on?"</p> + +<p>The man made a painful effort, but Ormsgill had now some little +difficulty in hearing him. "None," he said. "They have forgotten me +yonder, and, perhaps, it's just as well. Our folks—my mother was Cape +Dutch, you know—believe in everything as it used to be, but I'm like +my father; there was always a kick in me. One of your Colonial +vacillations cost him his farm, for, though he said he was ashamed of +his country, he wouldn't recognize the Boers as his rulers. I, +however, got on with them until I vexed the authorities by something I +did in resentment of the—arrogance of certain mine-grabbing +Englishmen. I believe I might have made terms if I'd truckled to them +a little, but that was a thing I wouldn't do, and so I came out here. +There are probably more of us with the same nonsensical notions."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>Ormsgill said nothing for a moment or two. He had also lived among the +outcasts, and knew what comes of disdaining to regard things from the +conventional point of view. Something in him stirred in sympathy with +the dying man, and he sat down in the dust and laid a hand on his +shoulder. Gavin made no further observation that was intelligible, +until at last he feebly raised his head.</p> + +<p>"If you wouldn't mind I'd like a drink," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill rose and walked out of the hut calling in the native tongue. +The men who squatted about it in the hot sand still clenching their +Sniders apparently failed to understand him, or were unwilling to do +what he asked, and some time had slipped by when at last one of them +brought a dripping calabash. Ormsgill went into the hut with it, and +then took off his shapeless hat as he poured out the water on the hot +soil. Gavin lay face downwards now, clutching his deadly rifle, but +there was no breath in him. Then Ormsgill went back quietly to where +the Headman and his Suzerain were sitting.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you can not have those rifles. The man is dead," he said.</p> + +<p>After that he and Nares were led back to their hut, and when it was +made clear to them that they were expected to stay there Ormsgill sat +down in the shadow and pulled out his pipe.</p> + +<p>"We wondered what was going on, and now the thing's quite plain," he +said. "It's rebellion."</p> + +<p>"How was it they didn't creep round the hut from behind?" asked Nares, +who felt a trifle averse from facing the point that concerned them +most.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>"Lost their heads, most probably," said Ormsgill. "Didn't think of it. +Any way, they'd have had to make a dash for the door eventually. +Still, it would have saved them a man or two, and our friend the +Suzerain noticed it."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't he point it out to them?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy he wanted to see how they'd stand fire, and break them in. +Felt he could afford to throw a few of them away, as he certainly +could, and he only stepped in when the thing was commencing to +discourage them."</p> + +<p>"It's quite likely you're right," and Nares looked at his comrade with +a little wry smile. "Still, after all, I'm not sure it's very +material."</p> + +<p>The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's worn face. "No," he said, +"the real question is what our dusky acquaintance means to do with us, +and we have to face it. Personally, I don't think he means us any +harm, but it's certain he won't let us go until he and his friends +have cleaned out San Roque. You see, in an affair of this kind the +first blow must be successful, and he has probably a lurking suspicion +that we might warn Dom Erminio. The trouble is that once the rebellion +breaks out it will be almost impossible for us to reach the coast."</p> + +<p>He spoke quietly, but there was a strain in his voice, and Nares +guessed what he felt.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he wouldn't be content with our assurance that we'd say +nothing?" he suggested.</p> + +<p>"Would you make it?"</p> + +<p>Nares sat very still for a few moments, with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> curious look in his +eyes, and one hand closed, and his comrade once more recognized that +there had been a change in him of late. He had the fever on him +slightly, and while that is nothing unusual in those forests, he had +grown perceptibly harder and grimmer during the last few weeks. Now +and then he also gave way to outbreaks of indignation, which, so far +as Ormsgill knew, was not a thing he had hitherto been addicted to +doing. Still, the latter was aware that the white man's mental balance +is apt to become a trifle unsettled in that land.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell. It's a question I've grappled with in one shape or +other before," he said. "The land is full of iniquities and horrors, +and I think that some of them can only be washed out in blood. That +law stands as it has always done. The great trade road to the south of +us is paved with the bones of the victims, and they still come down to +die, worked out in a few years on the plantations. It is a thing that +can't go on."</p> + +<p>He opened and closed a thin hand savagely while his voice rose to a +harsher note. "For one man killed by the bullet if war breaks out a +hundred perish yearly under the driver's lash on the great roads and, +I think, among the coffee plants. They are dumb cattle, here and in +the Congo. They can not tell their troubles, and they have no friends. +How could they when the white man grows rich by their toil and +anguish? Still, this earth is the Lord's, and there are men in it who +will listen when once what is being done in this land of darkness is +clearly told them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> One must believe it or throw away all faith in +humanity. I think if it rested with me I would let these bushmen come +down and crush their oppressors, since it seems there is no other way +of making their sorrows known."</p> + +<p>He broke off abruptly, and seemed to shrink back within himself, for +it was, after all, but seldom he spoke in that fashion. Ormsgill +nodded.</p> + +<p>"It's a very old way of claiming attention, and one that's sometimes +effective," he said. "They might have tried it before, but, you see, +those beneath the yoke have their hands tied, and those who aren't +somewhat naturally don't care. That's one of the things which have +hampered most attempts at emancipation. Only our friend the Suzerain +has sense enough to realize that if they sit still much longer the +yoke will be tolerably securely fastened on all of them. I think he +has the gifts of a leader, but there is another man of the same kind +on the coast. I mean Dom Clemente, and I'm not sure he'd be willing to +have the land swept out in that unceremonious fashion. In fact, one +could almost fancy that in due time he means to do the cleaning up, +tactfully, himself."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and smiled somewhat grimly before he went on +again. "After all, this doesn't directly concern either of us. It's a +little hard that now when the thing we have in hand is in one sense +accomplished and neither Domingo nor Herrero can worry us, we should +be kept here indefinitely at the pleasure of this back-country +nigger."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>He glanced at the dusky men who squatted not far away in the shadow +watching the hut. They had Snider rifles, and it was evident they were +there to see that nobody came out. Then he sat moodily silent awhile, +with a curious hardness in his lined face. He was lame and worn-out. +The climate had sapped the physical strength out of him, and the wound +in his leg still caused him pain. Also, struggle against it as he +would, the black dejection which preys on the white man in that land +was fastening itself on him. The thing was hard, almost intolerably +so. He was a captive with the opportunity of accomplishing his task +receding every moment further away from him, for it was clear that +once the rebellion broke out it would be almost impossible for him to +convey his boys across the track of it to the wished-for coast. Some +time had slipped by when Nares roused himself to ask another question.</p> + +<p>"Are these people likely to meet with any opposition from the natives +when they march?" he said.</p> + +<p>"That," said Ormsgill reflectively, "is a thing I'm not quite sure +about. There is one Headman of some importance between them and the +littoral. You know whom I mean, and it would make things difficult for +our jailers if he remained on good terms with the authorities. In +fact, in that case it seems to me these folks would have a good deal +of trouble in getting any further. What he will do I naturally don't +know, but if I was in command of San Roque I would make every effort +to keep him quiet and content just now."</p> + +<p>After that he once more sat silent, apparently brood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>ing heavily, +until the sudden darkness fell and the pungent smoke of the cooking +fires drifted about the village. Then, soon after food was brought +them, he sank into restless sleep.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT</span></h2> + + +<p>Fort San Roque stood, as Father Tiebout sometimes said, on the verge +of extinction in the shadow of the debatable land, but its Commandant +or Chefe, as he was usually termed, had become accustomed to the fact, +and, if he did not forget it altogether, seldom took it into serious +consideration. After all, the European only exists on sufferance in +the hotter parts of Africa, and as a rule, once he realizes it, ceases +to trouble himself about the matter and concentrates his attention on +the acquiring of riches by any means available. Dom Erminio was not an +exception, and being by no means particular, endeavored to make the +most of his opportunities, especially as his term of office was not a +long one. It was, perhaps, not astonishing that in his eagerness to do +so he became to some extent oblivious of everything else, since those +entrusted with authority over a discontented subject people have at +other times and in other places acted as though they were a trifle +blind to what was going on about them. Dom Erminio was cunning, but, +as occasionally happens in the case of cunning men, he was also +short-sighted.</p> + +<p>The evening meal had been cleared away when he lay in a canvas lounge, +yellow in face, as white men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> often become in that part of Africa, +with a cigar in his bony fingers. Darkness had just closed down on the +lonely station, but the little rickety residency had lain for twelve +hours under a burning sun, and now the big oil lamps raised the +already almost insupportable temperature. The Chefe, however, did not +seem to feel it. He lay in his chair apparently languidly content, a +spare figure in loose and somewhat soiled white uniform, looking at +his Lieutenant, who was fingering a glass of red Canary wine. Neither +of them troubled themselves about the fact that there were men in that +country who regarded them with a vindictive hatred.</p> + +<p>"I almost think we may as well call that man in," he said.</p> + +<p>The Lieutenant Luiz glanced towards the veranda, where a negro was +patiently squatting, as he had, in fact, been doing for most of the +day. He brought a message from a Headman of some importance in the +vicinity, and there was no reason why he should not have been listened +to several hours earlier, except that Dom Erminio preferred to keep +him waiting. It was in his opinion advisable that a negro should be +taught humbly to await the white man's pleasure, which is a policy +that has now and then brought trouble upon the white man. Dom Luiz, +who understood his companion's views on that subject, smiled.</p> + +<p>"He has, no doubt, complaints to make. They always have," he said. +"Considering everything, that is not astonishing. I wonder if the +Headman expects us to give them much consideration."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>Dom Erminio spread his yellow hands out. "One would have thought we +had taught him to expect nothing. He is, it seems, a little slow to +understand. Perhaps, we have not put the screw on quite hard enough. I +fancy another turn would make him restive."</p> + +<p>He looked at his Lieutenant, and both of them laughed. Then the Chefe +made a little sign.</p> + +<p>"Bring him in," he said.</p> + +<p>The negro came in, a big, heavily-built man, with an expressionless +face. When Dom Erminio made him a sign not to come too near he +squatted down, a huddled object with apathetic patience in its pose, +until the Lieutenant signified that he might deliver his message.</p> + +<p>"The Headman sends you greeting. He has a complaint to make," he said, +and another dusky man who had slipped in softly made his observations +plain. "The soldiers have been beating the people in one of his +villages, and carrying off things that did not belong to them again. +The Headman asks for justice in this matter."</p> + +<p>"He shall have it," said the Chefe. "His people have been insolent, +and they are certainly getting lazy. We will send him a requisition +for more provisions."</p> + +<p>Nobody could have told whether the messenger felt any resentment, but, +after all, very few white men ever quite understand what the African +is thinking. He crouched impassively still, with the lamplight on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> his +heavy face and his oily skin gleaming softly over the great knotted +muscles of his splendid arms and shoulders. There was something in his +attitude which vaguely suggested dormant force that might spread +destruction when it was unloosed, but that naturally did not occur to +the Chefe, who indicated by a little gesture that he might continue.</p> + +<p>"There is another matter," said the negro. "The Headman can not send +in the rubber demanded. Already we have cleared the forest of half the +trees. One has to go a long way to find any more. He will do what he +can, but he asks that you will be content with a little less than +usual."</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio shook his head reproachfully. "I have made this man +concessions, and this is the result," he said. "There are many duties +I have released him from, and I only ask a little rubber and a few +other things for the favor."</p> + +<p>Then he straightened himself in his chair. "Tell your Headman that not +a load of rubber will be excused him, and he must restrain his people +from provoking the soldiers. Also, the next time he has a complaint to +make let him come himself and lay it before me."</p> + +<p>The man stood up, splendid in his animal muscularity, but there was +for just a moment a little gleam in his eyes which suggested that hot +human passions were at work within him. The white men, however, as +usual, did not notice it, and the black interpreter, whose opinion was +seldom invited, said nothing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>"I will tell him," said the messenger, and Dom Erminio looked at the +Lieutenant Luiz when he went out with the interpreter.</p> + +<p>"I think," he said reflectively, "we will give the screw that other +turn. It is supposed that our new rulers down yonder"—and he +apparently indicated the coast with a stretched out hand—"are in +favor of a more conciliatory policy, which is not what we would wish +for just now."</p> + +<p>"It is clearly out of the question," and Dom Luiz grinned. "I think it +would be advisable if I went out with a few files and made some +further trifling requisition to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You will go, and do what appears desirable," said the Chefe, who +lighted another cigar.</p> + +<p>Dom Luiz set out on the morrow with a handful of dusky ruffians in +uniform, and left rage and shame behind him in the villages he +visited, which, as it happened, had results neither he nor Dom Erminio +had anticipated. The Headman did not come to San Roque to make his +humble complaint, but he sent an urgent message to the Suzerain of the +village Ormsgill was confined in, and at last one morning the old man +sent for the latter.</p> + +<p>"We march in a few hours, and as we can not leave you here you and the +boys you asked me for will come with us," he said. "What our business +is does not concern you, and you will go with us as prisoners. Just +now I do not know what we will do with you afterwards. It will +depend"—and he looked at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> Ormsgill with a little grim smile—"a good +deal upon your own behavior."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, who grasped the gist of what he said, could take a hint, and +went back to Nares. The latter listened quietly when he told him what +he had heard.</p> + +<p>"I believe there is no other way. Their oppressors have brought it +upon their own heads," he said.</p> + +<p>His comrade noticed the curious hardness of his face, and the glint in +his eyes. It was very evident to him that Nares, who had been down +again with fever while they lay in the sweltering heat, had changed. +He had borne many troubles uncomplainingly for several weary years, +and, perhaps because of it, the events of the last few weeks had left +their mark on him. After all, there is a subtle concord between mind +and body, and in that land, at least, the fever-shaken white man who +persists in staggering on under a burden greater than he can +reasonably bear is apt to be suddenly crushed by it. Then his bodily +strength or mental faculties give way once for all beneath the strain. +Ormsgill could not define the change in his companion, but he +recognized it. It was a thing which he had seen happen to other men.</p> + +<p>They started in the heat of that afternoon, and Ormsgill, marching +with his boys, watched the long dusky column wind into the forest in +front of him. There were men with Snider rifles, which they were +indifferently accustomed to, men with glinting matchets, and men with +flintlock guns and spears,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> besides rows of plodding carriers. They +were half-naked most of them, men of primitive passions and no great +intelligence, but they had risen at last in their desperation to +strike for freedom. Behind them rose a tumultuous uproar of barbaric +music, insistent and deafening, that floated far over the forest. +Ormsgill smiled a little as it grew fainter.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure there will be any music when they come back again," he +said. "Still, I almost think they will accomplish—something."</p> + +<p>Nares looked straight in front of him as he plodded on, but there was +a curious gleam in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"There is no other way," was all he said.</p> + +<p>The long dusky column pushed on steadily through dim forest, wide +morass, and tracts of hot white sand, and it happened one evening when +the advance guard were a considerable distance ahead that Dom Erminio +sat alone on the veranda at San Roque. It was then about eight +o'clock, and the night was very dark and hot. Now and then a little +fitful breeze crept up the misty river, and filled the forest that +rose above it with mysterious noises. Then it dropped away again, and +left a silence the Chefe commenced to find oppressive behind it. He +could hear the oily gurgle of sliding water, and at times a sharp +crackle in the crazy building behind him, out of which there drifted a +damp mildewy smell, but that merely emphasized the almost +disconcerting absence of any other sound. Indeed, it was so still that +the soft rustle his duck garments made as he moved jarred on him, and +he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> glad when the little muggy breeze flowed into the veranda +again.</p> + +<p>There was nothing in all this to trouble a man who was accustomed to +it, but the Chefe was not quite at his ease. Dom Luiz, whom he had +sent out a few days earlier, should have been back that afternoon, but +there was no sign of him yet, nor had the three or four dusky soldiers +who had gone out on some business of their own with his consent as yet +made an appearance. There were very few men in the fort, and when nine +o'clock came Dom Erminio, who was quite aware that the natives had no +great cause to love him, admitted that he was a trifle anxious. Still, +he had, with what he considered a more sufficient reason, been anxious +rather frequently. It was a thing one became accustomed to in the +debatable land, and sitting still he lighted another cigar. He could +see the mists that rolled up from the river, and the forest cutting +faintly black against the sky, and wondered vaguely what was going on +in it. That there was something going on in it he now felt tolerably +certain, though he did not exactly know why.</p> + +<p>At last the hoarse cry of a sentry rose out of the night, and when it +was answered he went down to the gate of the stockade. It was not a +gate that opened in the usual fashion, but one that dropped, a stout +affair of logs copied from the form adopted by the inhabitants of the +plateaux to the south. When he reached it two or three black soldiers +were heaving it up, and there was a patter of feet outside. Then a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> +line of shadowy figures grew out of the darkness, and though there did +not seem to be as many as he had expected it was with a sense of +relief he saw Dom Luiz come in through the gap. The logs clashed down +behind the last of his men, and Dom Erminio straightened himself +suddenly when a sergeant came up with a lantern.</p> + +<p>Two of the row of barefooted men appeared scarcely fit to stand. Their +garments were rent to pieces, and there was blood and mire on them, +while neither of them carried rifles. Dom Luiz saw the question in the +Chefe's eyes, and nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "I should have been here earlier. It was these two who +detained me. I sent them on to the village in the thicker bush two +days ago, and they came back dragging themselves with difficulty—as +you see them. It seems the villagers had beaten them, and they did not +know what had become of their rifles."</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio's face became suddenly intent. "Ah," he said, "they shall +be beaten again to-morrow. You will hand them to the guard. I suppose +you saw nothing of the Sergeant Orticho?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Lieutenant Luiz, who was a trifle puzzled by the sudden +change in the Chefe's manner, "I saw no sign of him."</p> + +<p>He called to his men, and as they filed by him loaded heavily with +miscellaneous sundries, Dom Erminio smiled significantly.</p> + +<p>"They have, it seems, been successful, which is fortunate," he said. +"I almost think it will be some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> little time before they make any more +requisitions of the kind again."</p> + +<p>He turned back towards the house, and was once more sitting on the +veranda when the Lieutenant Luiz rejoined him.</p> + +<p>"It would no doubt be advisable that I should set out again in the +morning with a stronger party and chastise those villagers who have +beaten our men?" said the latter.</p> + +<p>"No," said the Chefe dryly, "you will probably be busy here. When the +natives venture to beat our men it is, I think, wiser to keep every +man we have inside the fort."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said his companion, "you believe they have courage enough to go +further?"</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio smiled. "I believe we both admitted that the natives might +resent our attitude. We were, I think, for several reasons not +unwilling that they should do something to make their resentment +evident."</p> + +<p>He stopped a moment, and the manner in which he spread out his yellow +hands was very expressive. "Now I fancy we have got what we wished +for—and, perhaps, a little more than could reasonably have been +expected. It is rather a pity that we have lost several men with +sickness lately."</p> + +<p>Dom Luiz straightened himself in his chair. "There are very few of us, +and I am not quite sure that one or two of the fresh draft could be +depended on. Still, Orticho has most of them well in hand."</p> + +<p>Dom Erminio made a little gesture. "I think we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> can not count upon +Orticho in this affair. It is scarcely likely that he and the men who +went out with him will come back again. What he has heard in the bush +I do not know, but it is evident that he regards this thing very much +as I do. In fact, I fancy he is heading as fast as possible for the +coast by now."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Dom Luiz, and looked at his companion inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"The business we have in hand is perfectly simple," said Dom Erminio. +"We were sent here to hold San Roque, and it must be done. When these +bushmen call upon us we shall be ready. With that in view you will set +about moving the quick-firing gun from where it is now, and when that +is done you will open a loophole for it at the rear of the stockade. +It is not quite so strong at that point, and our friends, who know +where the gun stood, will probably attack us there. It would be +advisable to have it done before the dawn comes."</p> + +<p>Dom Luiz rose and set about it. There was no uneasiness in his +companion's manner, but there was a look which had not been there for +some little time in his eyes. He was, perhaps, in several respects a +rogue, but, like other men of that kind, he had his strong points, +too, and nobody had ever accused him of being deficient in manhood, +which, unfortunately, is not always quite the same thing as humanity. +He was also Chefe, Commandant and Administrator, which he never +forgot, and he sat on the veranda smoking cigarette after cigarette +while Dom Luiz toiled for once very strenuously half the night. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +was very dark and hot, the logs he handled were heavy, and the dusky +soldiers seemed unusually slow at understanding. Still, when the dawn +broke the little quick-firing gun stood at the rear of the stockade, +which had been strengthened wherever it was possible.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE CHEFE STANDS FAST</span></h2> + + +<p>It was an hour after midnight when the Headman sent for Ormsgill, who +found him sitting with his overlord beside a little fire that burned +redly in the thin mist. The night was almost chilly, and the Suzerain +crouched close beside the blaze, huddled in his loose garments, with +the uncertain light on his impassive face. It seemed to Ormsgill that +he looked worn and old, and he became conscious for the first time of +a vague pity for him. The task he had undertaken was, the white man +felt, one he could not succeed in. It was merely another futile +protest, for the yoke that was being fastened on his people's necks +could not be flung off that way. Ormsgill stood silent a moment or two +until the old man turned to him.</p> + +<p>"You have no cause to love those white men in San Roque," he said. +"Well, I will give you forty boys with rifles. We want leaders who +know how the white men fight."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill shook his head. "No," he said, "I can not lead them. This +affair is no concern of mine."</p> + +<p>The negro appeared to ponder over his answer, for it was with +difficulty they understood each other, though another man crouching in +the wood smoke flung in a word or two.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>"Are you all against us because we are black?" he said. "Those men at +San Roque would shoot you if they could."</p> + +<p>"It is very likely," and Ormsgill smiled a little. "Still, I think we +are not all against you—though I can not lead your men. There are +white men among the Portuguese who know that you have wrongs. Some day +they will have justice done."</p> + +<p>The negro spread out a dusky hand. "That is what the missionaries tell +us, but we have waited a long time, and there is no sign of it yet. We +can not wait for ever, and very soon all my people will be at work +upon the white men's plantations. They get greedier and greedier. Now +at last we strike."</p> + +<p>Once more Ormsgill, standing still in the shadow watching him, was +stirred by a vague compassion. He knew that revolt was useless, and +wondered whether the old belief that there was a ban upon the negro +and that he was made to serve the white man was not, after all, +founded on more than superstition and self-interested sophistry. Other +primitive peoples had, he knew, died off before the white man, but the +Africans had thriven in their bondage, filling Brazil and the West +Indies and the cotton-growing States. They were prolific, cheerful, +adaptable to all conditions, and yet even where liberty had been +offered them they remained a subject people, and made no effort to +shake off the white man's yoke.</p> + +<p>"You may sack San Roque," he said. "Still, I think you will never +reach the coast."</p> + +<p>The Headman started at this boldness, and there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> was a vindictive +gleam in his eyes, but his overlord sat silent a space, apparently +brooding heavily, and gazing at the mist. Then he turned to Ormsgill +with a somewhat impressive deliberateness.</p> + +<p>"At least," he said, "I go on. You will not lead our men, but you can +not warn the white men at San Roque. When we have sacked the fort I +will send for you again."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made him a little formal inclination before he turned away, +for the attitude of this negro was one he could understand. He had +himself attempted things that could not be done, expecting to be +defeated, but undertaking them because he felt that, at least, was an +obligation laid on him. Nares, and Father Tiebout, and no doubt +countless host of others, had also done the same, and Nares the +optimist had said that though they failed signally the protest of +their futile efforts would be listened to some day. It seemed that the +dusky man crouching beside the fire realized how much there was +against him, but, as he had said, he was going on. Perhaps it is +because men of all creeds and colors have pressed on downwards through +the ages to face ax and stake and firing platoon that there are not +even more of the overburdened in the world to-day. The cost of +progress is heavy, and the upward struggle is very grim and slow.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Ormsgill went back past the long rows of weary men +lying in the sand to where his comrade was sitting in the clammy mist. +Nares was a little feverish that night.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>"Well?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I have been offered a command," said Ormsgill. "Naturally, I refused +it. I also ventured to tell our friend that he would fail. It says a +good deal for him that I escaped the usual fate of the prophets. He +did not even ask me for my reasons."</p> + +<p>"You have them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ormsgill. "The thing's quite evident in a general way and +to be precise he has to reckon with Dom Clemente. You remember the man +our guide fired at? I can't help thinking he has passed on any +information he may have picked up to the coast by now, and Dom +Clemente is a man who can move to some purpose when it's advisable. +Still, I have no doubt we shall sack San Roque before to-morrow. Our +friend hinted that measures would be taken to prevent us warning the +Chefe."</p> + +<p>Nares turned and pointed to several men with rifles who sat half-seen +not very far away. Then he seemed to shiver.</p> + +<p>"There was a time when I could have warned them in San Roque, though I +scarcely think they would have listened to me. Now I do not know that +I would do it if I had the opportunity." His voice grew sterner. "They +have brought it upon themselves. There are iniquities which can not be +borne."</p> + +<p>His companion said nothing further, but sat down gnawing at an empty +pipe until they started again. The Headman or his Suzerain had drilled +his followers into some kind of order, and Ormsgill found something +impressive in the silent flitting by of half-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>seen men. They came up +out of the soft darkness with a faint patter of naked feet in sand, +and were lost in it again ahead of him. Now and then there was a +crackle of undergrowth or a clash of arms, but for the most part the +long column went by like a crawling shadow, for these were men +accustomed to flit through dim forests thick with perils noiselessly, +and they did not proclaim their presence as white troops would have +done. When they struck it would be in silence, and Ormsgill fancied +that San Roque was not much more than a league away.</p> + +<p>Still, it was rough traveling through loose sand and tangled scrub, +and several hours had passed when the long sinuous column stopped +suddenly. The men in charge of Ormsgill handed him and Nares over to a +few others, who had only flintlock guns, and these led them forward to +a more open space, where they sat down. The night had grown a trifle +clearer, and Ormsgill could see a wide break in the bush in front of +him. A broad belt of mist hung about one side of it, and the gurgle of +sliding water came out of the vapor, against which there rose a +shadowy ridge.</p> + +<p>"The stockade," he said. "We have arrived. Dom Erminio has either no +vedettes out, or our vanguard has stalked them and cut their throats."</p> + +<p>He broke off, but in another moment or two he spoke again with a +little tension in his voice. "It's curious, and no doubt in one way +unreasonable, but I feel the desire to warn him getting almost too +much for me. I don't know how one could do it, and it certainly +wouldn't be any use, since I believe our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> friends are ringing the fort +in. Dom Erminio must fight for his life to-night."</p> + +<p>The clang of a rifle, a Portuguese rifle, cut him short, and a cry +rose out of the vapor. After that there was silence until a crackling +commenced in the bush, and the two sat still and waited while the +tension grew almost intolerable. Ormsgill, who felt his mouth grow +parched and dry, fancied he could see the stockade a trifle more +plainly, and the forest seemed to be growing blacker, though the mist +was a little thicker than it had been. It was also perceptibly colder.</p> + +<p>"It will be daylight in half an hour," he said, and his voice struck +on his companion's ears curiously strained and hoarse.</p> + +<p>Then another rifle flashed, there was a sudden shouting, and a +tumultuous patter of naked feet, and a shadowy mass of running figures +hurled themselves at the stockade. A good many of them never reached +it, for the dusky barrier blazed with twinkling points of light, and a +withering volley met them in the face. Then the drifting smoke was +rent by brighter snapping flashes in quick succession, and the jarring +thud of heavier reports broke through the crash of the rifles. This +lasted for perhaps two minutes, and then there was by contrast a +silence that was almost bewildering. It seemed emphasized when once or +twice the ringing of a rifle came out of the streaks of drifting vapor +that hung about the stockade.</p> + +<p>"They're going back," said Ormsgill hoarsely. "The Chefe's men will +stand." Then he laughed, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> harsh, strained laugh. "They know they +have to. Our friends are not likely to have much consideration for any +of them who fall into their hands."</p> + +<p>Nares, who shivered a little, said nothing, and a minute or two later +a crackle of riflery broke out in the bush. It came from the +Suzerain's men, for there was no mistaking the crash of the heavy +Sniders. Once or twice the jarring thud of the machine gun broke in, +and here and there a twinkling flash leapt from the stockade, but with +that exception there was no answer from the fort.</p> + +<p>"It seems," said Ormsgill, "Dom Erminio has his men in hand. It's a +little more than I expected from him. Presumably our friend wishes to +keep him occupied while he seizes the canoes. Anyway, his boys will be +considerably more dangerous when they've wasted their ammunition."</p> + +<p>The fusillade continued, in all probability, harmlessly, for awhile, +and then Ormsgill rose to his feet. "I think they'll get in this time. +They're trying it again."</p> + +<p>Once more vague, shadowy objects flitted out of the bush, and swept +towards the stockade. They ran without order, furiously, while more of +their comrades emerged from the shadows behind them, until the narrow +strip of cleared space was filled with running figures. There appeared +to be swarms of them, and Ormsgill held his breath as he watched. He +saw them plunge into a crawling trail of low lying mist, that seemed +torn apart suddenly when once more the face of the stockade was +streaked with little spurts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> of flame. It closed on them again until +all was hidden but the intermittent flashing, and the jarring thud of +the machine gun rent the din. One could not tell what was going on, +and it was by a tense effort Ormsgill held himself still with every +nerve in him quivering. How long the tension lasted he did not know, +but at length the ringing of the rifles died away again, and as a +little puff of chilly breeze rolled the haze aside it became evident +that the space before the stockade was once more empty. He could see +the stockade clearly, and the edge of the forest now cut sharply +against the sky.</p> + +<p>"The Headman can't afford to fail again," he said. "It is breaking +day."</p> + +<p>Then there was silence for a space, while the light grew clearer until +the residency beyond the stockade grew into shape. A smear of pale +color widened in the eastern sky, and as Ormsgill turned his eyes +towards the house a limp bundle of fabric rose slowly up the lofty +staff above it. It blew out once on the faint breeze, and then hung +still again, but as he watched it, Ormsgill felt a little thrill run +through him.</p> + +<p>"Rather earlier than usual. Dom Erminio means to fight," he said.</p> + +<p>Just then, however, a negro who came up gasping with haste signed to +Nares. "The Headman sends for you," he said. "You are to take a +message to those people yonder."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill looked at his comrade, who smiled curiously. "Yes," he said, +"I shall certainly go.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> Whether I am in any way responsible for all +this I do not know, but I may, perhaps, save a few of them."</p> + +<p>He raised himself somewhat stiffly, and turned away, but two negroes +held Ormsgill fast when he would have gone with him. He sat down again +when they relaxed their grasp, and at last saw Nares appear again on +the edge of the bush some distance away. He was alone, and walked +quietly towards the stockade with his wide hat in his hand, and a +figure in white uniform appeared in the notch where the palisades had +been cut down for the quick-firing gun. Just then a ray of brightness +struck along the trampled sand, and Ormsgill saw his comrade stop and +stand still, spare and gaunt and ragged, with the widening sunlight +full upon him. What was said he did not know, but he did not blame Dom +Erminio afterwards for what followed. Perhaps, some black soldier's +over-taxed nerve gave way, or the man had flung off all restraint and +gone back to his primitive savagery, for a rifle flashed behind the +stockade, and Nares staggered, recovered his balance, and collapsed +into a blurred huddle of white garments on the trampled sand.</p> + +<p>Then as Ormsgill sprang to his feet the bush rang with a yell, and a +swarm of half-naked negroes poured tumultuously out of it. There was +no firing among them. They ran forward with glinting matchets and +spears and brandished flintlock guns, and Ormsgill knew that now, at +least, they would certainly get in. In another moment he was running +furiously towards them, and so far as he could remember afterwards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> +none of the men in whose charge he had been troubled themselves about +him. It was some way to the front of the stockade, and when he got +there he was hemmed in by a surging crowd. There was smoke in his +eyes, and a bewildering din through which he heard the thudding of the +quick-firing gun, but where Nares was he did not know. He could only +go forward with the press, and he ran on in a fit of hot vindictive +fury.</p> + +<p>Here and there a man about him screamed, and now and then a half-seen +figure collapsed in front of him, but this time no one stopped or +turned. They were all crazed with primitive passion, and were going +in. Ormsgill, pressing onwards with them, saw that he had now a +matchet in his hand, though he had no recollection of how it came +there. Then the thudding of the gun ceased suddenly and the air was +rent by a breathless gasping yell. The stockade rose right over him, +and he went headlong at the gap in it from which there protruded the +muzzle of the gun. Somebody behind him hurled him through the opening, +and he dropped inside. As he scrambled to his feet he saw a swarm of +men running towards the residency, and he went with them, partly +because he wished to get there and also because those who poured +through the gap behind him drove him along. He had afterwards a fancy +that he saw a white man lying not far from the gun, but he could not +be certain, for the negroes were thick about him, and he was not in a +mood to interest himself in anything of that kind just then. He was +possessed by an unreasoning fury, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> an overwhelming desire to reach +the men who had treacherously shot his comrade.</p> + +<p>They came gasping to the foot of the outer stairway, and by this time +Ormsgill had almost come up with the foremost of his companions. A +glance showed him the barricade of bags and boxes apparently filled +with soil on the veranda, and the black faces and rifle barrels above +them. There seemed to be a good deal of smoke in the air, but he saw +Dom Erminio standing amidst it in white uniform. He had a naked sword +in his hand, and apparently saw Ormsgill, for his drawn face contorted +into a very curious smile. So far as the latter could make out, he had +still a handful of men under his command. Escape was out of the +question. The score he had run up was a long one, and now the +reckoning had come.</p> + +<p>Then several rifles flashed among the bags, and the negroes went up +the stairway with a yell. Ormsgill fancied that two or three men went +down about him, and had a vague remembrance of trampling on yielding +bodies, but he went up uninjured, and leapt up upon the barricade. The +veranda was thick with smoke now, but he saw Dom Erminio suddenly lean +forward with the long blade gleaming in his hand, and a black soldier +who crouched close beside his feet tearing at his rifle breech. That, +however, was all he saw, for in another moment he leapt down, and a +swarm of half-naked men with spears and matchets swept into the +veranda. What he did next he knew no more than those about him +probably did, but when at length he reeled out of the smoke-filled +building and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> down the stairway the matchet was no longer in his hand, +and he wondered vaguely that there was so far as he could discover not +a scratch on him. Still he felt a trifle dazed, and as his head ached +intolerably he sat down gasping.</p> + +<p>There was no firing in the residency now, and half-naked men were +pouring out of it, but Ormsgill felt no desire to go back and see what +had become of Dom Erminio and his soldiery. He sat still for several +minutes, and then rising with an effort walked stiffly across the +compound. He had some trouble in climbing the stockade, and when that +was done came upon Nares lying face downwards in the trampled sand. He +raised him a trifle with some difficulty, and saw a little hole in the +breast of his thin jacket. Then laying him gently down again he took +off his shapeless hat. He was still standing beside him vacantly when +one of the Headman's messengers laid a hand on his shoulder. Ormsgill +looked down once more on his comrade, and then turned away and went +with the man.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">DOM CLEMENTE STRIKES</span></h2> + + +<p>There was a chill in the air and the white mist crept in and out among +the shadowy trunks when the foremost of the rebels went slipping and +floundering down the side of a river gorge just before the dawn. +Ormsgill marching, well guarded, with his carriers and the six boys he +had liberated in the rear could just discern the dim figures flitting +on in front of him, and wondered if the next hour would see them +safely across the river. He had been subjected to no ill usage though +he had been carefully watched, and he fancied that the rebel leader +expected to find him useful when the time to make terms with the +authorities came, but that was a point he was never quite clear about. +In the meanwhile he was worn-out and badly jaded, for his leg still +pained him, and the rebels had pushed on as fast as possible after the +sacking of San Roque.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill fancied he understood the reasons for this. The body was not +a very strong one, and though there were petty Headmen on the inland +plateau who had long cherished grievances against the white men, they +were no doubt prudently waiting to see what their friends were likely +to accomplish before they joined them. In an affair of that kind a +prompt success counts for everything, since it brings the waverers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +flocking in, and while the seizing of San Roque was scarcely +sufficient to do this in itself, the first of the white men's +plantations was now not so very far away. There was another fact that +made delay inadvisable. The river flowed rapidly between steep banks +just there, and Ormsgill felt it was just the place he would have +chosen had it been his business to dispute the rebels' passage. He +fancied their leader was anxious to get across before the news of the +fall of San Roque brought troops up from the coast.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile he plodded onwards wearily, aching all over and wet +with the dew, while the sound of sliding water grew steadily louder. +Now and then the long straggling column stopped for a minute or two, +and there was a hoarse clamor which he fancied indicated that a scout +had come in, but the men promptly went on again, and his guards, who +carried flintlock guns, saw that he did not linger. The path grew +steadily steeper, and he stumbled in loose sand while the half-seen +trees went by until at last a sharp crackling mingled with the patter +of naked feet as the head of the column smashed through the thick +undergrowth and tall reeds in the river hollow. Then his guards made +it evident that he was to stay where he was, and he sat down among his +boys in the loose sand where he could look down on the men in front of +him. There was now a faint light, though the mist lay in thick white +belts in the hollow, and the air was very still. He could dimly see +dusky figures moving amidst the grass and reeds, and here and there a +faint gleam of water in front of them, while now and then a con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>fused +clamor rose out of the haze. The rebels, he fancied, were disputing +about their orders, or urging some course upon their leaders, and he +wondered vaguely whether they were likely to do more than involve +themselves in disaster, and where Dom Clemente was.</p> + +<p>This was, however, as he recognized, no concern of his. He was a +prisoner, and he could see only difficulties in front of him. Had he +been free at that moment and the boys he had liberated safely sent +away, the outlook would not have been much brighter, for he would +still have to face a duty he shrank from. That Ada Ratcliffe had no +great love for him he now felt reasonably sure, but it was clear that +she and her mother expected him to marry her, and, since she had kept +faith with him, he could not break the pledge he had given her. After +all, he reflected grimly, she would probably not expect too much from +him, and be content with the material advantages he could offer her. +Then he thought of Benicia Figuera, and set his lips tight as he once +more strove to fix his attention on the men below.</p> + +<p>At last there was a soft splashing and he could dimly see them wade +into the river. Their disputes were over, and they were going across +in haste. Then the foremost of them plunged into a belt of mist, and +for several minutes he watched their comrades press onwards from the +tall grass and reeds. The water was gleaming faintly now, and they +looked like a long black snake crawling through the midst of it until +the filmy haze shut them in. At times a shouting came up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> through the +splashing and crackle of undergrowth. In the meanwhile the tail of the +straggling column still winding down the side of the gorge was +steadily growing plainer, and the haze commenced to slide and curl +upwards in long filmy wisps, until at last Ormsgill scrambled to his +feet with every nerve in him thrilling. The ringing of a bugle rose +from beyond the river and was answered by another blast apparently +from the rise behind him.</p> + +<p>Then the splashing ceased suddenly, and there was for a few moments a +tense and almost intolerable silence, during which he stood still with +one hand clenched until a clamor rose from the midst of the river, and +he heard the dull thud of a flintlock gun. It was answered by a clear +ringing crash of riflery, and then while the flintlocks and Sniders +joined in, thin pale flashes blazed amidst the reeds and in the +sliding mist. This lasted for, perhaps, a minute or two, until it +became evident that the rebels were splashing back again. Ormsgill +could see them streaming out of the mist, and as he watched them +another patter of riflery broke out upon the higher ground behind him. +A bugle rang shrilly, and he fancied he heard a white man's voice +calling in the bush. Then looking round as one of the boys touched +him, he saw that his guards were no longer there. They had evidently +fled and left him to shift for himself. He stood a minute considering, +with the boys clamoring about him, and then made up his mind. The +rebels were streaming back up the gorge, and it seemed to him just +possible that if he separated himself from them he might slip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> away +unobserved in the press of the pursuit. Once across the river he might +still reach the coast.</p> + +<p>Calling to the boys he set out at a stumbling run, and for awhile +skirted the ridge of bluff. The rebels were too intent on their own +affairs to trouble about him, even if any of them noticed him, which +appeared very doubtful. He struck the river half a mile below the spot +where the negroes had attempted the crossing, and plunged in with the +boys still about him. He could see them clearly now, and the bush +showed sharp and black against the sky. There was a desultory patter +of riflery behind him, but except for that he could hear very little, +and he pushed on with the water rising rapidly to his waist. It was as +much as he could do to keep his feet, for the stream ran strong. Then +one of the boys clutched him and held him up, and for the next few +minutes they struggled desperately in a swifter swirl of current until +the water sank again suddenly, and he stood, gasping, knee-deep in the +yellow stream, looking about him.</p> + +<p>It was broad daylight now, and he could see a steep bank clothed with +thick bush and brushwood close by. There was a little hollow in it up +which the mist that still drifted about the river was flowing, and +calling to his boys he headed for it. Nothing seemed to indicate that +there were any troops in the vicinity. They floundered dripping +through a belt of tall grass, and were clambering up the slope when +one of the boys laid a wet hand upon his arm and the rest stood still +suddenly. Ormsgill felt his heart beating a good deal faster than +usual, though he could see nothing but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> trees in front of him. He was +on the point of pushing on again when a voice came out of the sliding +haze.</p> + +<p>"Stand still," it said sharply in Portuguese. "We will shoot the first +who stirs."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a sign to the boys, and in another moment several black +soldiers appeared among the trees. A white sergeant in very soiled +uniform moved out from among them and stood surveying him with a +little sardonic grin.</p> + +<p>"There are half a dozen rifles here," he said. "You surrender +yourselves?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made a little gesture. "Señor," he said, "it is evident that +we are in your hands."</p> + +<p>The man beckoned him to come forward with the boys, and a few more +black soldiers who rose out of the undergrowth closed in on them. +Ormsgill turned quietly to the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"You have been too much for the bushmen," he said. "Who is commanding +you?"</p> + +<p>"Dom Clemente," said the sergeant. "He has trapped those pigs of the +forest. That is a wonderful man. You will wait here until I can send +you to him. Whether he will have you shot I do not know."</p> + +<p>In spite of this observation he appeared a good-humored person, and +presently offered Ormsgill a cigarette. The latter, who sat down near +the sergeant and smoked it, waited until a patrol came along, when the +black soldier in command marched him and the boys through the +undergrowth, and at length led him into the presence of Dom Clemente. +He sat in state at a little table, immaculate in trim white uniform,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> +with two black men with rifles standing behind him. Another white +officer and a dusky interpreter who stood close by had apparently been +interrogating a couple of rebel prisoners. They squatted upon the +ground gazing at the white men with apprehension in their eyes. Dom +Clemente made Ormsgill a little formal salutation, and then leaned +back in his chair.</p> + +<p>"This meeting reminds me of another occasion when you were brought +before me, Señor and you were then frank with me," he said. "I might +suggest that candor would be equally advisable just now. I hear that +San Roque has fallen, and it appears that you were there. I must ask +you to tell me in what capacity."</p> + +<p>"As a prisoner in the hands of the rebels," said Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente nodded. "It is on the whole fortunate that I think one +could take your word for it," he said. "You are desired to tell us +what happened at San Roque."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill did so quietly, though he said as little as possible about +his own share in the proceedings, and afterwards answered the +questions the other officer asked him until Dom Clemente turned to him +again.</p> + +<p>"It seems that Dom Erminio has, at least, acquitted himself creditably +in this affair," he observed. "All things considered, I do not know +that one has much occasion to be sorry for him. Dom Luiz, too, went +down beside his gun. Well, that is, after all, what one would have +expected from him."</p> + +<p>Then he made a little gesture. "You will under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>stand that there are +matters which demand my attention, and I may have something more to +say later. In the meanwhile you will give me your parole. The boys +will be looked after."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill pledged himself to make no attempt at escape, and was led +away to a little tent where food was brought him and he was told he +was to stay. He realized that Dom Clemente had struck the rebels a +crushing blow, one from which there was little probability of their +recovering, but what was being done about the pursuit he did not know, +though he fancied that a body of troops had crossed the river. Still, +that did not greatly concern him, and worn-out and dejected as he was +he was glad to fall asleep. It was evening when he awakened as a black +soldier looked into the tent, and a few minutes later Dom Clemente +came in and sat down in the camp chair the soldier had brought. +Ormsgill sat on the ground sheet, heavy-eyed, tattered, and haggard, +and waited for him to speak.</p> + +<p>"I shall go on to-morrow when more troops come up, and you will come +with us. There are matters that require attention yonder," he said. +"In the meanwhile I have had the boys you brought down interrogated, +and the story they tell me is in some respects a fantastic one. It is, +I fancy, fortunate for your sake that I am acquainted with several +facts which seem to bear it out."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill was a trifle astonished, but Dom Clemente smiled. "It is," he +said, "advisable that one in authority should hear of everything, but +it is not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> always wise that he should make that fact apparent. One +waits until the time comes—and then, as was the case this morning, +one acts."</p> + +<p>He spread out one slender, faintly olive-tinted hand and then brought +it down upon the table closed with an unexpected sharpness that was +very expressive.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "though I have heard a little from the boys, you +have not told me yet exactly how you came to fall into those bushmen's +hands."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, who did not think that reticence was likely to be of much +service, briefly related what had befallen him, and his companion +nodded.</p> + +<p>"I have the honor of your acquaintance, and it is perhaps, permissible +to point out that you have a troublesome fondness for meddling with +other people's business," he said. "Further, you are a trifle +impulsive and precipitate."</p> + +<p>"There was nobody else who seemed anxious to undertake the affair in +question," said Ormsgill dryly.</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente made a little gesture. "It is generally wiser to wait +until one is certain. Well, I think I may venture to take you into my +confidence to some extent. The doings of the trader Herrero—who has +lodged complaints against you—and his friend Domingo have long been +known to me. They were merely being permitted to involve themselves in +difficulties while we waited until the time was ripe. It is now very +probable that I shall suppress both of them."</p> + +<p>"One can sometimes wait longer than is advisable," said Ormsgill with +a little dry laugh. "Herrero and his friend are dead."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span>Then for the first time he narrated all that had been done in the +inland village, and Dom Clemente, who listened carefully, smiled.</p> + +<p>"It only proves my point," he said. "One waits and the affair +regulates itself. Well, they are dead, and I do not think there is +anybody who will greatly regret them. It will clear the ground for +what we mean to do up yonder. There is, you understand, to be a change +in our native policy, and I"—he straightened himself a trifle—"have +been entrusted with its inauguration. From now we shall, at least, +endeavor to modify some of the difficulties which are, perhaps, not +inseparably connected with this question of the labor supply."</p> + +<p>"The whole system should be done away with."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente spread his hands out. "In this country one is content +with accomplishing a little now and then. But there is another matter. +Certain complaints have been made against your friend the American, +and we have decided that there is nothing against him. I bring him +permission to go back to his station."</p> + +<p>"Nares," said Ormsgill quietly, "will not profit by it. He has been +promoted. He was killed endeavoring to make peace at San Roque."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is a matter of regret to me. Perhaps, +he was a little imprudent. Some of these missionaries are sadly +deficient in diplomacy, and that may have been the case with him. I do +not know. Still, when all is said, he was a brave man, and I +think"—he made a little grave gesture<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>—"what he has done for these +black men will be remembered where he is now."</p> + +<p>It was not a great deal, but Ormsgill who noticed the quick change in +the little soldier's voice was satisfied with it. After all, one can +not say much more of any man than that he has done what he could for +his fellow men. Then Dom Clemente turned to him again.</p> + +<p>"I have not asked you yet what you did during the attack on San +Roque," he said.</p> + +<p>"If you fancy I have done anything for which I could be held +accountable it is for you to establish it. It seems to me that would +be a little difficult since I believe every man in the fort is dead."</p> + +<p>"Still—if the thing appeared advisable—it might be possible."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill made no attempt to dispute this, but changed the subject. +"There is a thing I don't quite understand," he said. "I almost fancy +the man who led the rebels must have known you held the bank when he +pushed his men across."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dom Clemente, "I believe he did. Still, there are men who +can recognize when they must fight or fail ignominiously. One has a +certain respect for them. I do not think it was that negro's fault +that he was driven back. Flintlocks and matchets are not much use +against our rifles."</p> + +<p>Then he rose. "In the meanwhile you will be detained. My instructions +were to arrest you, and, as you know, I only hold subordinate +authority. Still,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> so far as my duty permits it, I think you can +regard me as a friend."</p> + +<p>He went out of the tent, and an hour or two later Ormsgill contrived +to go to sleep again. He was roused by the bugles at daylight, and +went back with the rear guard into the forests he had lately left, and +in due time marched with them into sight of the ruins of San Roque. It +was early morning when they reached the fort, but before the sun was +high the three white men who had fallen there were laid to rest in +state. The black troops who had with reversed rifles swung into hollow +square stood listening vacantly round the bank of raw steaming soil +where Father Tiebout recited words of ponderous import in the sonorous +Latin tongue. Then there was a crashing volley, and as the patter of +marching feet commenced again Ormsgill and the priest and Dom Clemente +stood looking on while a few black soldiers raised the three rude +crosses. On one of them a dusky armorer had under Ormsgill's +supervision cut the words, "<i>In hoc signo.</i>"</p> + +<p>Father Tiebout glanced at them and nodded gravely. "It is fitting," he +said. "He did what he could—and we others do not know how much it +was. After all, it is only a grain of understanding that is now +vouchsafed us, but"—and he once more broke into the sonorous Latin, +"I look for the resurrection of the dead."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente smiled. "There are men of your profession, Father, who +would not have ventured to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> do what you have done," he said. "Still, I +think when that day comes some of us may, perhaps, have cause to envy +this heretic."</p> + +<p>Then they turned away, and in another hour once more pushed on into +the forest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ORMSGILL BEARS THE TEST</span></h2> + + +<p>The black troops were coming home again when they halted at a +coffee-planter's fazienda within easy march of the coast to allow the +rear guard to come up. They had met with no resistance since they +crossed the river. The rebels had melted away before them and vanished +into the forests and marshes of the interior, and the troops had +pushed on into a waste and empty country finding only a few deserted +villages here and there. This was, however, very much what their +leader had expected, for he knew that in an affair of this kind +everything usually turns upon the first success, and he had made his +plans with that fact in view. Dom Clemente Figuera was, at least, a +capable soldier.</p> + +<p>The fazienda was old and somewhat ruinous. Its prosperity had +departed, though plantations of coffee and cocoa still stretched about +the rambling white house and dusky laborers' sheds, and a little +coarse sugar was made chiefly for the sake of the resultant rum. Cocoa +could no longer be grown there by antiquated methods at a profit, and +there had of late been trouble about the labor supply. Standing where +it did within easy reach of the coast, the fazienda was open to +inspection, and the rulers of that colony had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> of late been making +inquiries as to the way in which the legislation that permitted the +planters to engage the negroes brought down from the bush was carried +out. Indeed, its owners realized with concern that there was likely to +be a change in their ruler's views. Dom Clemente had, in fact, issued +one or two proclamations which filled them with alarm, for they knew +that what he said was usually done.</p> + +<p>Still, during the few days the troops halted there the white planters +had many guests, men who had, for the most part, axes to grind. They +wished to discover how the changes Dom Clemente appeared to be +contemplating might affect their trade, which like everything else in +that country depended upon the labor supply. Some of them wanted +concessions, and to be the first to benefit by any reprisals that +might be made upon the rebels, and others had grievances against the +inland officials whom they supposed Dom Clemente was not altogether +satisfied with. It was also, they felt, desirable to gain his ear, or, +at least, those of his subordinates, before affairs were debated +officially when he reached the coast, but perhaps, Dom Clemente was +aware of this, for he had most vexatiously remained behind, and those +under him had, it seemed, instructions to observe a judicious +reticence. In this case, at least, they also considered it advisable +to carry their instructions out.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, however, knew very little about what was going on, and late +on the second afternoon after he reached the fazienda he sat +listlessly in a half-ruinous shed which was partly filled with bags +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> coarse sugar. The door was shut, and he fancied there was a sentry +on guard outside it, but from where he sat he could look out through +an unglazed window across the tall green cane towards the wooded ridge +that shut the plantation in. It is also possible that he could have +got out that way and slipped into the cane without anybody noticing +him, for black sentries are not invariably watchful, but he had given +Dom Clemente his parole, and he would have had to leave behind the +boys he had brought down. Besides, he was utterly listless. He had for +several months overtaxed his physical strength, and the fever of the +country had rudely shaken him, and left behind it an apathetic +lassitude, as it frequently does.</p> + +<p>It was very hot in the shed which had lain since morning under a +scorching sun, and the glare that still streamed in through the window +hurt his heavy eyes. He sat on an empty case, ragged and +travel-stained, brooding heavily while the perspiration trickled from +his worn face. Nothing seemed to matter, and it would have afforded +him little pleasure had he been offered his liberty. He would, he +knew, leave all he valued behind him when he left that country, and +worn out in body as he was, and enervated in will, he shrank from the +duty that awaited him, for if he ever reached Las Palmas, which seemed +somewhat doubtful, Mrs. Ratcliffe would certainly expect him to carry +out his promise. He was in one way sorry for Ada Ratcliffe, but he +fancied that she would, after all, probably be satisfied with the +things he could offer her. Since that was the case, and she had kept +faith<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> with him, it was evident that he could not draw back now. +Perhaps he was foolish, but he was one who kept his word, and at least +endeavored to live up to his severely simple code.</p> + +<p>At last the glare outside the window commenced to die away, and he +could see an odd palm tuft cut with a restful greenness against the +paling sky. It was very hot still, but evening was at hand and by and +by one of the younger lieutenants who had shown him some kindness on +the march would probably come in and talk to him. He fancied he heard +the man's footsteps when another half hour had slipped away, and then +his voice rose sharply as he said something to the black sentry, but +he did not come in, and Ormsgill rose with every nerve quivering when +he heard another voice he recognized. Still, he contrived to lay a +restraint upon himself when the door opened and Benicia Figuera stood +in the entrance.</p> + +<p>She was clad in thin draperies that gleamed immaculately white, and +the fine lines of the figure they flowed about were silhouetted +sharply against the light. Her face was in shadow, but Ormsgill saw +the sudden compassion in her eyes, and the blood crept to his +forehead. Then she turned for a moment towards the portly, black-robed +lady who appeared behind her, and apparently addressed the invisible +lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"It is very hot here, and I think the Señora Castro would find it more +comfortable if you brought her a chair outside," she said. "You can +leave the door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> open. It is scarcely likely that I shall run away with +your prisoner."</p> + +<p>The man outside apparently made no demur and when the portly lady +disappeared Benicia turned towards Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"Now we can talk," she said. "You are looking very ill."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill drew forward the empty case, and laid some matting on it. "A +prisoner's quarters are not usually very sumptuous, and that is the +only seat I can offer you," he said. "I was a little astonished when I +saw you."</p> + +<p>Benicia sat down, and smiled when he found a place among the sugar +bags.</p> + +<p>"Astonished—that was all?" she said.</p> + +<p>The man felt his forehead grow warm, but he laughed. "Well," he said, +"I'm not sure that quite expresses everything. Still, I certainly was +astonished. I wonder if one could ask what brought you here?"</p> + +<p>"I came to meet my father—for one thing," and the little pause might +have had its significance, though Benicia who unrolled her fan was +handicapped by the fact that she was speaking English and had to +choose her words carefully. "I am told that he is expected here some +time to-night—but you are ill. It is needless to say—is it +not?—that I am sorry."</p> + +<p>She looked sorry. In fact, her manner was exquisitely expressive of +sympathy, but Ormsgill contrived to answer lightly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>"The thing is not altogether unnatural," he said. "A good many of your +father's troops are sick, too. After all, there are worse troubles +than a slight attack of African fever, and I shall no doubt get well +again presently."</p> + +<p>"And you are still—a very little—lame."</p> + +<p>It did not strike Ormsgill as significant that she should have noticed +this, though he had only moved a pace or two when she came in. Indeed, +nothing of that kind would have occurred to him then, for while his +blood stirred within him he was struggling fiercely to retain his +self-control.</p> + +<p>"It is possible that I shall always be a little lame," he said, and +laughed somewhat bitterly. "Still, I'm not sure that it matters. You +see, I don't even know what will be done with me when we reach the +coast."</p> + +<p>"You have certainly enemies there—as well as friends. There are +gentlemen of some influence who had an interest in Herrero's business, +and it seems they have made rather serious complaints against you. It +is even suggested that you brought about his death. We, of course, +know that such complaints are absurd."</p> + +<p>"I wonder why?"</p> + +<p>Benicia leaned forward a little with her eyes fixed on him. "It is +only strangers one wastes compliments upon," she said. "I think you +and I are friends."</p> + +<p>She had, it seemed to Ormsgill, not gone far enough, and there was an +elusive something in her manner which conveyed the impression that she +realized it. He felt his heart beat unpleasantly fast, but he +controlled himself, and while he sat silent Benicia's fan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> closed with +a curious little snap. One could have fancied that she had expected +him to speak.</p> + +<p>"Still," she said, "there are others who might believe those +complaints, and—though you have friends—justice is not always +certain in this country. Are you wise in staying here?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that I can help it. You see there is a sentry yonder."</p> + +<p>Benicia laughed a little. "Pshaw!" she said, "that could be arranged +without any great difficulty. One could require, perhaps, two minutes +to slip away into the cane, and I think nothing would be discovered +until the morning."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, there are several difficulties. For instance, it +would probably become evident that the thing had been—arranged. Could +I allow you to involve yourself in an affair of that kind?"</p> + +<p>"It is by no means certain that I should involve myself. In fact, it +is most unlikely," and Benicia laughed again, though she fixed her +eyes on him with a curious intentness. "Is it not worth the hazard, +Señor, if it set you at liberty to go back to—Las Palmas?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill with sudden vehemence, while the veins showed +swollen on his forehead. "It certainly isn't."</p> + +<p>A little gleam of exultation sprang into the girl's eyes, for she +recognized the thrill of passion in his voice, and she already knew it +was not the woman who awaited him at Las Palmas that he loved. Still, +it was, perhaps, fortunate he had answered her in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> that decisive +fashion, for the Latin nature is curiously complex and always a trifle +unstable. Though she could not have told exactly why she had led him +on, it is just possible that had he shown any eagerness to profit by +the suggestion she had made her tenderness would have changed to +vindictive anger. That she would be willing to restore him to the +other woman at her peril was, after all, rather more than one could +reasonably have expected from her. Benicia Figuera was in several +respects very human.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, with a curious slow incisiveness, "then you are not so +very anxious to go back—to her?"</p> + +<p>Ormsgill sat still for almost a minute with set lips while the +perspiration dewed his lined face. He read what the girl thought in +her eyes, and his passion came near shaking the resolution he strove +to cling to out of him. Ada Ratcliffe, who did not love him, was far +away, and this girl who he felt would, as Desmond had said, stand by +the man she loved through everything, sat within a yard of him. He +seemed to realize that if he flung aside every consideration that +restrained him and boldly claimed her she would listen. Her mere +physical beauty had also an almost overwhelming effect on him, and the +tinge of color in her cheeks and the softness in her eyes was very +suggestive. Then with a little strenuous effort he straightened +himself.</p> + +<p>"After all," he said, "that is scarcely the question?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span>"Still," the girl insisted, "I have offered you liberty, and you do +not seem to want it. Since that is so, one could almost fancy it would +not grieve you very much if you never went back."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill stood up. "Señorita, that is a thing I can not very well +answer you. Besides, it does not seem to count. You see, I have +pledged myself to go."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the girl, and, though this was no news to her, her fan +snapped to again. "Would nothing warrant one breaking such a pledge?"</p> + +<p>Then for a few seconds they looked at one another with no disguise +between them, and all their thoughts in their eyes. The girl's face +was white and intent, the man's drawn and furrowed, and the passion +that was fast overmastering all restraint was awake in both alike. It +is more than likely that Benicia did not remember that her companion +had borne as heavy a stress once before at least. When she came in she +had no intention of subjecting him to it again. She had possibly only +meant to do him a kindness, perhaps merely wished to see him, though +this was a point on which she was never sure; but the fiery Latin +nature had been too strong for her. Restraint is, after all, not a +characteristic of the people of the South. At length Ormsgill made an +effort.</p> + +<p>"The thing would be impossible," he said. "I am guarded. There is a +sentry at the door."</p> + +<p>The girl saw that his control was slackening, for she knew it was not +the pledge she had mentioned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> but the hazard she would run in setting +him at liberty he was referring to, and she laughed, almost +exultantly.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, "it would be so easy. The sentry is called away for a +few minutes. As I said—it could be arranged. Then you slip away into +the cane. It is not difficult to reach the city—and you have friends +there."</p> + +<p>She broke off abruptly, but Ormsgill saw that she had flung her pride +away, and, since it was clear that it was not that he might go back to +Las Palmas she was willing to connive at his escape, he felt it only +remained for him to supply what she had left unsaid. The desire to do +so shook him until he closed one hand in an intensity of effort, and +for almost half a minute there was a silence that grew almost +intolerable.</p> + +<p>Then the girl slowly straightened herself, and her eyes gleamed +curiously, though her face was very pale.</p> + +<p>"The hazard appears too great for you, Señor?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, noticing the sudden change in her +attitude, "in one way it does." Then he made a little abrupt gesture. +"As I said, I am pledged to go back to Las Palmas if I am set at +liberty—but it is a matter in which I can not permit you to do +anything for me."</p> + +<p>Benicia stood up very straight, and her eyes had still a curious gleam +in them. "Then there is nothing more to be said. It seems you will not +listen to any suggestion I can make—and, perhaps, you are right."</p> + +<p>She spread out her hands in a vaguely forceful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> fashion as she turned +from him and moved towards the door, but before she reached it she +stopped and glanced at him again. Ormsgill who set his lips tight said +nothing at all. Then there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Dom +Clemente, who appeared in the entrance, stood still looking at them +curiously. It was a moment or two before he turned to Benicia.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, "I did not know you were here until a few minutes ago +and I will not keep you now. I think the Señora is waiting for you."</p> + +<p>He stood aside when she swept past him and vanished with a rustle of +filmy draperies. Then he turned to Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "I am inclined to fancy that you have something to +say to me."</p> + +<p>The blood rose to Ormsgill's face, and his voice was strained. It was +an almost intolerable duty that was laid upon him.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid your surmise is not correct," he said. "I have nothing to +say."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente let one hand drop on the hilt of his sword. "Señor," he +said, "I am informed by my Secretary that the Señorita Benicia Figuera +has obtained certain concessions concerning you from a man whose +authority we submit to. You are, it seems, to be treated with every +consideration, and he will investigate the complaints made against you +personally. That," and he made a little impressive gesture, "is +evidently the result of the Señorita Benicia's efforts on your behalf. +I am here to ask you why she has made them?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>Ormsgill looked at him steadily, though it cost him an effort to +answer.</p> + +<p>"I have the honor of the Señorita's acquaintance," he said. "It seems +she is one who does what she can for her friends. I can offer no other +explanation."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Dom Clemente with incisive quietness, "I once informed you +that it seemed to me you were doing a perilous thing in going back to +Africa. It is possible you will shortly realize that what I said was +warranted."</p> + +<p>Then he turned and went out, and Ormsgill sat down again with a little +gasp, for the tension of the last few minutes had been almost +insupportable.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ON HIS TRIAL</span></h2> + + +<p>Several hours had passed since Dom Clemente left Ormsgill's quarters +when he sat with one of his staff under a lamp in a room of the +fazienda. He had laid his kepi on the table, and leaned back in his +chair looking at a strip of paper with a little grim smile in his +eyes. A negro swathed in white cotton squatted against the wall +watching him uneasily, and a black soldier who had led the man in +stood with ordered rifle at the door. At length Dom Clemente tossed +the paper across to the officer sitting opposite him.</p> + +<p>"I should be glad of your opinion," he said.</p> + +<p>"It is discreet," said his companion, who examined the paper +carefully. "The writer evidently foresaw the possibility of his +message falling into the wrong hands. It is also indifferent +Portuguese, but I think it is the writing of an educated man."</p> + +<p>"Exactly! The question is why should an educated man express himself +in that fashion?"</p> + +<p>The officer shook his head. "That," he said reflectively, "is a thing +I do not understand."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente smiled a little, and took up another strip of paper. +"This," he said, "is a message of the same kind which has also fallen +into my hands. Does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> anything else occur to you when you put the two +together?"</p> + +<p>"They are from the same man," and then a light seemed to break in upon +the officer. "He does not write like a native of the Peninsula."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dom Clemente. "I do not think he has ever been there. +Still, he had, no doubt, reasons for attempting to write in +Portuguese." Then he turned sternly to the crouching negro. "Who gave +you this message. Where were you to take the answer?"</p> + +<p>"A man of a tribe I do not know," said the messenger who was evidently +in a state of terror. "I was to meet him before the morning at a spot +about a league away."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Dom Clemente, "there is a little service I want from you. +You will take some of my soldiers with you when you meet this man. If +you attempt to warn him you will probably be shot."</p> + +<p>He turned to his companion. "I think it would be advisable for you to +go yourself. You will take a reliable sergeant and several files, and +arrest the man who wrote this letter. I think you will find that he is +the leader of a big game expedition."</p> + +<p>The officer raised his eyebrows. "There is no big game in this part of +the country."</p> + +<p>"That," said Dom Clemente, "is a point the man in question has +probably forgotten. In any case, you will arrest him and bring him +here. It is, however, advisable that the thing should be done +quietly."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>The officer signed to the black soldier who moved forward and touched +the messenger's shoulder, and Dom Clemente smiled grimly as he once +more busied himself with the papers in front of him when they went +out.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Ormsgill lay half-asleep upon a few empty sugar bags +in the ruinous shed. His head ached, for the fever still troubled him +now and then and the place was almost insufferably hot, but the strain +he had borne that afternoon had left him a trifle dazed and insensible +to physical discomforts, and at length he sank into fitful slumber. +Several times he wakened with a start and closed a hot hand as his +troubles returned to him, but he was too limp in mind to grapple with +them. It was rather late in the morning when a patter of naked feet +and the shouting of orders roused him. It suggested that the troops +were being paraded, and looking out through the window he saw Dom +Clemente and several officers descend from the planter's house. After +that there was a stir and bustle, and by and by he saw a man whom he +did not recognize being led towards the house by a group of +deferential officers. This, however, did not appear to concern +Ormsgill, and leaving the window when his breakfast was brought him he +sat down on the sugar bags for another hour or two. Then the door of +the shed was flung open and he saw a black sergeant who stood outside +beckoning to him.</p> + +<p>"Your presence is required," he said in Portuguese.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill stood still a moment blinking in the bright<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>ness when he left +the shed, for the glare of sunlight on trampled sand and white walls +set his heavy eyes aching, but when the sergeant made a sign he +followed him to the planter's house. He was led into a big scantily +furnished room which had green lattices drawn across two of the open +windows, but a dazzling shaft of sunlight streamed in through one that +was not covered, and he saw a grave-faced gentleman sitting in state +at a table. He was, though Ormsgill did not know this, the man who had +talked to Benicia on board the gunboat, and had arrived at the +fazienda that morning. Two black soldiers with ordered rifles stood +motionless behind him, and Dom Clemente sat on the opposite side of +the table. Beside him there were also two other officers, one of whom +seemed to be acting as secretary, for there was a handful of papers in +front of him, and several of Ormsgill's boys squatted, half-naked, +impassive figures, against the wall.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill stood still, looking at the men at the table with heavy eyes. +His thin duck garments were more than a trifle ragged and stained with +travel, and his face was haggard. He was, it seemed, to be tried, but +he felt no great concern. The result was almost a matter of +indifference to him since it only remained for him to go back to Las +Palmas if he was set at liberty. There was a momentary silence when he +was led in, and then Dom Clemente handed one or two more papers to the +secretary.</p> + +<p>"There are, as you are aware, several somewhat serious complaints +against you," he said in Portu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span>guese. "It is now desirable that they +should be investigated. I will have them read to you."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill listened gravely while the officer read aloud. He was, it +appeared, charged with abducting a native woman from the trader +Herrero, and taking away by force labor recruits who had engaged +themselves to the latter's associate Domingo. There were also charges +of supplying the natives with arms and inciting them to mutiny.</p> + +<p>"You have heard?" said the man at the head of the table. "If you do +not admit the correctness of all this we will hear what you have to +say. You will, however, be required to substantiate it."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill roused himself for an effort. After all, liberty was worth +something, and it was a duty to attempt to secure it, and for the next +quarter of an hour he concisely related all that he had done since he +came back to the country after the death of Lamartine. None of those +who heard him made any comment, but he could see the little smile of +incredulity which now and then flickered into the eyes of the younger +officers. The man who sat in state at the head of the table, however, +listened gravely, and Dom Clemente's face was expressionless.</p> + +<p>"That is all," said Ormsgill at last. "It is very possible that what I +have told you may appear improbable, and I can not substantiate it. +Most of those concerned are dead. Still, you have some of my boys +here, and you can question them."</p> + +<p>There was a little silence until the man at the head of the table +leaned back in his chair.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>"It is a very astonishing story," he said. "There are one or two +points I should like made clearer, but in the meanwhile we will hear +the boys."</p> + +<p>An interpreter was brought in, and with his assistance two of the boys +told what they knew. Then he went out again, and Dom Clemente turned +to his companion.</p> + +<p>"I must admit that I have information which partly bears out what has +been said about the native woman Anita," he said. "If this assurance +is not sufficient she could be examined later. I have,"—and he looked +hard at Ormsgill—"at least no cause to be prejudiced in the +prisoner's favor. In the meanwhile one might ask if he can think of +nobody else who would support what he has said?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill dryly, "as I mentioned, most of those concerned +are dead."</p> + +<p>He saw Dom Clemente glance at the man opposite him who smiled.</p> + +<p>"There is one point on which we have not touched," said the latter, +who turned to Ormsgill. "How did you get the first eight boys you say +you set free out of the country?"</p> + +<p>"That," said Ormsgill, "is a thing I can not tell you. It was, at +least, not with the connivance of anybody in the city."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente made a little sign to his secretary, who went out, and +there was silence for a while. The room was very hot, and Ormsgill +felt himself aching in every limb. He had been standing for half an +hour now, and his leg was becoming painful. Then there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> were footsteps +outside, and he gasped with astonishment as a black soldier led +Desmond in. The latter, however, turned to the officers.</p> + +<p>"You have had me brought here against my will, gentlemen, and it is +very possible that you will have grounds for regretting it," he said +in English. "It would be a favor if you will tell me what you want?"</p> + +<p>The gentleman at the head of the table leaned forward in his chair. "A +little information—in the meanwhile," he said quietly. "You recognize +the prisoner yonder?"</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente translated, and Desmond carefully looked Ormsgill over.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I have certainly met him before—in Las Palmas—and +other places. He doesn't seem to have thriven since then."</p> + +<p>"We would like to know what you were doing at the spot where the +soldiers arrested you?"</p> + +<p>"That," said Desmond sturdily, "is my own business; and a thing I have +not the least intention of telling you."</p> + +<p>Two of the officers frowned, but the man at the table waved his hand.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "we will try another question. It is desirable that +we should know how a certain eight boys whom the prisoner brought down +to the coast were smuggled out of the country."</p> + +<p>Desmond looked at Ormsgill, who nodded. "I think you may as well +tell him," he said. "There is reason for believing that our friend +yonder who speaks excellent English"—and he indicated Dom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +Clemente—"is acquainted with it already. I don't think they can +hold—you—responsible."</p> + +<p>Then Desmond spoke boldly, answering their questions until almost +everything was explained. Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled, and his +companion leaned back in his chair with a curious little smile.</p> + +<p>"What I have heard is so extraordinary as to be almost +incomprehensible," he said. "It seems that you and your friend must +have spent a very large amount of money to set these fourteen boys at +liberty."</p> + +<p>He waved his hand towards the squatting negroes. "Señores," he said +turning to the officers, "I would ask you to look at them, and tell me +if the thing appears reasonable."</p> + +<p>The manner in which the officers smiled was very expressive. It was, +they were assured, for these thick-lipped, woolly-haired bushmen +crouching half-naked against the wall, without a spark of intelligence +in their heavy animal-like faces, that the two English gentlemen had +spent money broadcast, faced fatigue and peril, and hazarded the anger +of the Government. The thing certainly appeared incomprehensible to +them. Desmond guessed their thoughts, and a red flush crept into his +sea-bronzed face and a little portentous glint into his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I admit that it sounds nonsensical," he said. "Still, Señores, I have +the honor of offering you my word."</p> + +<p>Then somewhat to the astonishment of all except Dom Clemente, who +smiled, the man at the head of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> the table made Desmond a little +punctilious inclination.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "I think your word would go a long way. In the +meanwhile we will hear what the priest has to tell us."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill started a little when Father Tiebout was brought in a minute +or two later. He sat down and nodded when Dom Clemente had spoken to +him.</p> + +<p>"Most of what I know is at your service," he said. He commenced with +the death of the trader Lamartine, and told his tale quietly but with +a certain dramatic force. When he came to the point where he and Nares +had written to Ormsgill after Domingo's raid he stopped a moment, and +the pause was impressive.</p> + +<p>"You will understand, Señores, that we had faith when we wrote to this +man," he said.</p> + +<p>"You believed he would come back and undertake the task at his peril?"</p> + +<p>"The thing," said Father Tiebout quietly, "was, to us at least, +absolutely certain."</p> + +<p>There was blank astonishment in two of the officers' faces, but the +man at the head of the table made a sign of concurrence, and once more +a little gleam crept into Dom Clemente's eyes. Then the priest went +on, and when at last he stopped there was a full minute's silence. +After that the man at the head of the table spoke to Ormsgill, and his +voice had a curious note in it.</p> + +<p>"How was it you did not ask us to send for this priest and hear him in +your defense?" he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill smiled dryly. "It is not as a rule ad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span>visable for a +missionary to meddle with affairs of State."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the other man, "it would, I think, make our work easier if +none of them did. Well, you have given us a reason, and it is one I +could consider satisfactory—in your case."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Desmond. "Señor, I had the honor of asking you a +question a little while ago. Perhaps, it may not appear desirable to +withhold the information I desired any longer."</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed, and looked at him steadily.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "since you have no doubt guessed my purpose, I will +tell you. I came up here to take my friend out of your hands, and if +it hadn't been for the thick-headed boy who let the soldiers creep in +on us while we were asleep I think I would in all probability have +managed it."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the other man spreading out his hands, "I almost believe it +is possible."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to his companions. "One naturally expects something +quite out of the usual course from men like these."</p> + +<p>After that he sat silent for at least a minute, until he leaned +forward and spoke awhile in a low voice with Dom Clemente who once or +twice made a sign of concurrence.</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"I shall probably have something to say to you again," he said. "This +is an affair that demands careful consideration, and in the meantime +there are other matters which can not be delayed."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span>Dom Clemente spoke sharply, and a black sergeant at the door who +beckoned Ormsgill and Desmond to follow him went with them to their +quarters in the ruinous shed.</p> + +<p>"There are, I think, very few men in this country who would have +spoken to that man or Dom Clemente as you have done," he said. Then he +grinned in a very suggestive fashion. "It is probably fortunate that +he seemed to believe you, though if he had been any other man I would +have called him very foolish."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill said nothing, but sat down among the empty sugar bags, and he +and Desmond looked at one another when the patter of the sergeant's +feet grew indistinct. Both were glad they were alone, but for a minute +or two neither of them broke the silence.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">BENICIA UNDERTAKES AN OBLIGATION</span></h2> + + +<p>Ormsgill, who reclined among the sugar bags, lighted a cigarette one +of the officers had given him before he turned to Desmond.</p> + +<p>"I don't know if you are comfortable on that case, but, as you see, I +haven't another seat to offer you, and these bags are a trifle +sticky," he said. "I understand that my jailers were instructed to +show me every consideration."</p> + +<p>Desmond laughed as he glanced around the half-ruinous shed. "It's +hardly worth while making excuses of that kind," he said. "I'm quite +willing to admit that the one thing that's worrying me is the question +what your friends mean to do with us."</p> + +<p>"It's possible they may set us at liberty, but in the meanwhile you +know as much as I do. How did you fall into their hands?"</p> + +<p>"I was at Las Palmas when I heard that they were having trouble in the +interior. The news wasn't very definite, but it seemed to me I might +be wanted and I brought the yacht across as hard as we could drive +her."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is, of course, very much the kind +of thing one would expect you to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> do. You were at Las Palmas—but go +on. I may ask you something later."</p> + +<p>Desmond understood him, and though he had driven the <i>Palestrina</i> +mercilessly day after day under the uttermost pressure her boilers +would stand he was satisfied. He had not thought it worth while to +mention how they had shaken every rag of canvas out while the yacht +rolling viciously and shivering in every plate swept along with the +spray-clouds flying over her before the big trade breeze combers, or +the more arduous days when, while the firemen gasped beneath an almost +intolerable heat, they still drove her south at topmost speed over an +oily blazing sea across the line. He also fancied he knew what +Ormsgill wished to ask him, and a trace of uneasiness crept into his +face as he proceeded somewhat hastily.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "when we got the anchor down I heard that the +fighting was over and the troops were coming back again. Somebody told +me they had a white prisoner who had evidently been encouraging the +rebels, and it seemed to me advisable to set out up country on a +shooting trip. There was a rather capable boy among those I hired, and +he hadn't much difficulty in making friends with one of the camp +followers or carriers when we came up with the troops. After that we +followed their track, keeping about a league away from them for almost +a week, and I sent you two messages. I suppose you never got them?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill. "I almost think it's evident that somebody else +did."</p> + +<p>Desmond made a little sign of concurrence. "The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> boy probably sold us, +or your friend Dom Clemente was too clever for him. One could fancy +that is a very capable man. Anyway, while I was considering how we +could arrange to get you off we went to sleep last night in a belt of +grass. I took the precaution of sending two sentries out, and I don't +know yet why they didn't warn me, but when I awakened early this +morning there was a white officer standing over me. As he had several +black soldiers with him and we were evidently at his mercy I came +along with him. I don't think there was any other course open to me."</p> + +<p>"You have done what you could. You brought me no message from Las +Palmas?"</p> + +<p>Desmond, who once more appeared uneasy, sat silent for a moment or +two. Then he leaned forward a trifle with a flush in his face.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how you'll take it, but, as a matter of fact, I did," he +said. "I brought a letter which Mrs. Ratcliffe gave me, and I believe +there was another from Miss Ratcliffe inside it. Unfortunately, one of +your friends here confiscated it not long ago as well as every other +scrap of paper in my possession."</p> + +<p>"They sent me no word when you left Las Palmas before," said Ormsgill +with a portentous quietness, though there were signs of tension in his +face. Then he straightened himself suddenly. "You are keeping +something back. It concerns Ada?"</p> + +<p>"It does, and I'm particularly sorry your friends seized that letter. +This is an affair I should greatly have preferred to leave in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span> She"—and Desmond made a little vague gesture—"is +a lady of considerable ability and has no doubt explained the thing +much more satisfactorily than I could do."</p> + +<p>"Go on," said Ormsgill with sharp incisiveness.</p> + +<p>Desmond, who still hesitated, looked at him in a curious deprecatory +fashion.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "the fact is Miss Ratcliffe was married the day +before I left Las Palmas."</p> + +<p>In another moment Ormsgill was on his feet, and his laugh jarred on +Desmond's ears.</p> + +<p>"Married!" he said hoarsely, clenching one hand tight. "And I've +thrown away everything to keep faith with her."</p> + +<p>Desmond made a little restraining gesture. "Well," he said, "it's not +my business, but I think I understand what you are referring to—and, +perhaps, it's scarcely wise to be too sure. With all deference to Mrs. +Ratcliffe I can't help fancying you are well out of the other matter. +After all, to mention no other reason, it would require a certain +amount of courage to recognize that lady as one's mother-in-law."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, who made no answer, turned towards the door, and spoke a few +words to the sentry. The latter called to one of his comrades, and +Ormsgill, after giving the man a message came back again and sat down +quietly.</p> + +<p>"I have asked if I may have the letter," he said.</p> + +<p>It was brought him ten minutes later unopened, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> he sat very still +for awhile after he had read it. Then there was bitterness in his +laugh.</p> + +<p>"It is in one sense a masterly production," he said. "In fact, both of +them are. I am assured that Mrs. Ratcliffe recognized all along that +we were never made for one another." He turned, and grasped his +companion's shoulder. "Can you tell me anything about this paragon +who, it seems, has married Ada?"</p> + +<p>A little twinkle crept into Desmond's eyes. "I never heard him called +anything of that kind before. Lister, you see, is an unlicked colt, +and nobody could have said very much to his credit until lately. +Still, he seems to be making an effort to rub out certain defects in +his character, and if Miss Ratcliffe can only keep it up they may get +along tolerably well together."</p> + +<p>"Keep it up?"</p> + +<p>Desmond smiled again. "It's probably somewhat delicate ground, but the +thing has its whimsical aspect. You see he, perhaps, naturally, +regards Miss Ratcliffe as the incarnation of honor and every other +estimable equality, which is apt to make her rôle rather a difficult +one. I have no doubt her mother has asked you very tactfully not to +say anything that might render it harder still if you ever come across +Lister, which, if she has any hand in his arrangements, is most +unlikely."</p> + +<p>"There is a suggestion of that kind here," and Ormsgill gazed at him +very grim in face. "You mean that they have not mentioned me to +Lister."</p> + +<p>"I should consider it very improbable," said Des<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span>mond dryly. "As I +ventured to suggest, you have, perhaps, after all, no very great cause +for regret."</p> + +<p>Ormsgill, who said nothing, rose and walked several times up and down +the shed, and then moved suddenly towards the door. He spoke a few +words to the sentry, after which he sat down and waited for some +little time, while Desmond smiled once or twice as he watched him. +Then the door was opened, and a black sergeant who appeared in the +entrance signed to Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"Dom Clemente can spare you a few minutes," he said.</p> + +<p>Ormsgill rose and followed him across the compound and up the veranda +stairway into a room where Dom Clemente was sitting alone. He looked +up when Ormsgill came in.</p> + +<p>"You have some complaint—of the accommodation we have provided you +with?" he said.</p> + +<p>"No," said Ormsgill, "my business is of a very different nature. You +asked me last night, Señor, if I had anything to say to you. I wonder +if you will now listen to me for a little while?"</p> + +<p>His companion's gesture signified compliance, and Ormsgill proceeded, +speaking with a terse directness which, as it happened, served him +well. When at last he stopped Dom Clemente looked at him with a little +dry smile.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "in one sense the explanation is sufficient, though +there are, you can understand, respects in which it leaves a little to +be desired."</p> + +<p>"I make no excuse," and a faint flush crept into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> Ormsgill's face. +"Only, in this case my mind will always be the same."</p> + +<p>The little officer sat still, looking at him steadily, while half a +minute slipped away, and Ormsgill felt the silence becoming +oppressive. Then he spread one hand out.</p> + +<p>"After all," he said, "there are, probably, very few among us who are +quite exempt from some folly of this kind, and I think it is to your +credit that when you recognized that it was a folly you were willing +to carry it out. I may mention that I had the honor of meeting the +lady."</p> + +<p>Then he made a little expressive gesture. "Señor, you are, at least, +one whose word can be relied upon, and that counts for a good deal. It +is, however, to be remembered that you are not yet at liberty."</p> + +<p>"I think my liberty largely depends upon you. One could fancy that you +know how far the complaints against me are credible. In fact, I do not +understand why you ever gave them any consideration."</p> + +<p>Dom Clemente smiled. "One has usually a motive, Señor, and it is +generally wiser not to make it too apparent until the time is ripe. In +this case I think the results have warranted everything I have done. +Herrero and Domingo, not to mention one or two others, have +accomplished their own destruction, though that is, after all, not +quite the question. The matter you have laid before me is, it seems to +me, one that Benicia must decide."</p> + +<p>He rose with the little twinkle still in his eyes. "I will leave you +to make it as clear as you can to her."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span>He went out, and Ormsgill waited, with his heart beating a good deal +faster than usual, until Benicia came in. He stood looking at her a +moment, with a faint flush in his haggard face.</p> + +<p>"Señorita," he said, "I would like you to listen to a story—though it +is a little difficult to tell."</p> + +<p>For a moment Benicia met his gaze, and saw the little glint in his +eyes. She also saw how worn his face was, and the gauntness of his +frame, and her compassion was stronger than her pride.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, "I know it already. I have known it all along."</p> + +<p>"Still," said Ormsgill, "there is a little more to be said. I am not +going back to Las Palmas if I am set at liberty."</p> + +<p>He saw the crimson creep into her forehead. "Benicia," he said, "the +woman I was pledged to has cast me off. I am going back to England, +and—after all you know—I wonder if I dare venture to ask you if you +will come with me."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the girl with a simplicity that had a certain stateliness +in it, "I think I would go anywhere with you."</p> + +<p>Then Ormsgill strode forward masterfully, and it was a minute later +when she smiled up at him. "This," she said, "is not what I meant to +do—at least, just now—but when I saw you looking so worn and anxious +and remembered that you were still a prisoner I forgot how I hated +that Englishwoman. I only remembered how I loved you."</p> + +<p>A little later there were footsteps outside, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> black sergeant +once more appeared in the doorway, while when he led Ormsgill away +Benicia went straight to a room guarded by a dusky soldier, and +demanded to see the officer within. He sent his secretary away, and +then looked up at her with a little smile.</p> + +<p>"You have a promise to keep," she said. "I have come to ask you to set +these two Englishmen at liberty."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said the man, "there are, no doubt, one or two reasons for this +that you can suggest?"</p> + +<p>"You know they have done no wrong."</p> + +<p>"It is possible. Still, we have not altogether settled that question +yet. Is there nothing else that you can urge in their favor?"</p> + +<p>"They are friends of mine."</p> + +<p>The officer made a little grave gesture. "That," he said, "goes a long +way, but, after all, I am not sure that it goes quite far enough."</p> + +<p>Benicia's face grew a trifle warm, but she smiled. "One," she said, +"is the man I am going to marry."</p> + +<p>Her companion's eyes twinkled. "Well," he said, "in that case we must +certainly see what can be done before we march to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Benicia asked nothing further, for she was satisfied, and soon after +she left the officer Ormsgill sat down opposite Desmond in the +half-ruinous shed. He said a few disjointed words, and Desmond laughed +cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"I knew how it was as soon as I saw you," he said. "Well, I believe we +could get hold of an American missionary, and the <i>Palestrina</i>'s +ready."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>The rest of that day passed very slowly with them both, but early next +morning they were once more led into the presence of Dom Clemente and +the gray-haired officer. When they came in the latter signed to his +secretary, and Father Tiebout, who quietly went out. A few minutes +afterwards the secretary led Benicia in, and the officer turned to +Ormsgill.</p> + +<p>"We have," he said, "again carefully considered the complaints against +you. As the result of it I think I can venture to set the Señor +Desmond at liberty, and to place you at the Señorita Benicia's +disposal. She"—and he smiled gravely—"will be held accountable for +your behavior while you remain in this country. If it is permissible, +I might advise her not to countenance any further undertakings of the +kind that brought you back to Africa."</p> + +<p> </p> +<hr class="wide" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Transcriber's Note:</p> + +<p>The following typographical errors present in the +original edtion have been corrected:</p> + +<p>On the title page, "THE CATTLE-BARON S DAUGHTER" was changed to "THE +CATTLE-BARON'S DAUGHTER".</p> + +<p>In the Table of Contents, the page number for Chapter XVIII, <span class="smcap">Dom +Clemente looks on</span>, was changed from 231 to 213.</p> + +<p>In Chapter I, "Maderia chair on the veranda" was changed to "Madeira +chair on the veranda", "since you have no carries" was changed to "since +you have no carriers", "took of his hat" was changed to "took off his +hat", and commas were added after "a good magazine rifle" and "it was so +still that Nares".</p> + +<p>In Chapter II, a comma was added after "Herrero has gone South +somewhere".</p> + +<p>In Chapter III, a period was added after "almost too startled to +understand that you had arrived", and "I believe you are smilling" was +changed to "I believe you are smiling".</p> + +<p>In Chapter IV, a comma was changed to a period after "with a little +flush in her face", and a single quotation mark (') was changed to a +double quotation mark (") after "your prospective mother-in-law will be +pleased with you?".</p> + +<p>In Chapter V, a period was changed to a question mark after "become a +trifle civilized", and a period was changed to a comma after "you are +determined to go".</p> + +<p>In Chapter VI, "He could forsee that" was changed to "He could foresee +that", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It would be an +interesting spectacle."</p> + +<p>In Chapter VII, a period was changed to a comma after "and Nares added", +and a comma was deleted after "Anybody who wishes to go inland".</p> + +<p>In Chapter VIII, "two somewhat ragged white men lay listessly" was +changed to "two somewhat ragged white men lay listlessly", and "Still +they can't shoot as I can" was changed to "Still, they can't shoot as I +can".</p> + +<p>In Chapter IX, a single quotation mark (') was changed to a double +quotation mark (") after "I should probably not have been welcome?", and +"I am not sure that is quiet sufficient in itself" was changed to "I am +not sure that is quite sufficient in itself".</p> + +<p>In Chapter X, "statutesque modeling" was changed to "statuesque +modeling", and a comma was added after "while you stay here".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XI, a period was changed to a question mark after "try to +influence the girl".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XII, a comma was added after "though far from likely", and +"Still you have made a few changes lately" was changed to "Still, you +have made a few changes lately".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XIII, "Thomas Ormsgills could only offer her them" was +changed to "Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XIV, "The Commandant or Chefe as he was usually called" was +changed to "The Commandant, or Chefe as he was usually called".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XV, a period was changed to a comma after "I have to say", +and also after "I will see to it", and "until Dom Luix turns up" was +changed to "until Dom Luiz turns up".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XVI, a quotation mark was added after "stands without the +correction", "and they recognizing it" was changed to "and they, +recognizing it", "Ormsgill who had already stationed his sentries +extinguished" was changed to "Ormsgill, who had already stationed his +sentries, extinguished" and a comma was changed to a period after "stir +the invisible trees".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XVIII, a comma was added after "as he now and then laughingly +admitted".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XIX, "'It is', he continued tranquilly" was changed to "'It is,' +he continued tranquilly", and a comma was added after "where the +messenger Pacheco is".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXI, a comma was added after "climbing a low elevation".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXIII, a comma was changed to a period after "changed the +subject abruptly", "one thing I am axious about" was changed to "one +thing I am anxious about", and "an intrument which resembles" was +changed to "an instrument which resembles".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXIV, commas were added around "who swung in a hammock hung +low beneath her awnings", "one of two of the questions which then +troubled that country" was changed to "one or two of the questions which +then troubled that country", and a misformed quotation mark was fixed +after "I think".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXV, a comma was added after "whose presence promised to +complicate affairs", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It's +probably just as well".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XXXII, a comma was changed to a period after "twinkle still +in his eyes", "the gauntess of his frame" was changed to "the gauntness +of his frame", and a quotation mark was deleted before "I have known it +all along."</p> + +<p>The punctuation in the original edition was erratic and often +ungrammatical, and many words were spelled inconsistently. Corrections +have been made where the author's intent seemed clear, or where the +original text was clearly incorrect or particularly confusing. Oddities that +did not affect the correctness or readability of the text have been +retained.</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONG ODDS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 39019-h.txt or 39019-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/0/1/39019">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/0/1/39019</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Long Odds + + +Author: Harold Bindloss + + + +Release Date: March 1, 2012 [eBook #39019] +Most recently updated: May 6, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONG ODDS*** + + +E-text prepared by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 39019-h.htm or 39019-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39019/39019-h/39019-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39019/39019-h.zip) + + + + + +[Illustration: "He watched her go down the stairway."--See page 279.] + + +LONG ODDS + +by + +HAROLD BINDLOSS + +Author of "Alton of Somasco," "The Cattle-Baron's +Daughter," "The Mistress of Bonaventure," +"Winston of The Prairie," "Delilah of +The Snows," etc. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: SCIRE QVOD SCIENDVM] + +Boston +Small, Maynard & Company +1908 + +Copyright, 1908, by +Small, Maynard & Company +(Incorporated) + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I THOMAS ORMSGILL 1 + II RESTITUTION 16 + III HIS OWN PEOPLE 29 + IV THE SUMMONS 44 + V A DETERMINED MAN 60 + VI DESMOND MAKES AN ADMISSION 73 + VII ORMSGILL KEEPS HIS WORD 86 + VIII THE BONDSWOMAN 97 + IX ANITA BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY 108 + X ORMSGILL ASKS A FAVOR 118 + XI DESMOND VENTURES A HINT 129 + XII LISTER OFFERS SATISFACTION 141 + XIII HIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE 152 + XIV HERRERO'S IMPRUDENCE 165 + XV NARES COUNTS THE COST 176 + XVI NEGRO DIPLOMACY 189 + XVII THE AMBUSCADE 201 + XVIII DOM CLEMENTE LOOKS ON 213 + XIX THE DELAYED MESSAGE 225 + XX DESMOND GOES ASHORE 237 + XXI ON THE BEACH 250 + XXII UNDER STRESS 264 + XXIII THE SLACKENING OF RESTRAINT 280 + XXIV BENICIA MAKES A BARGAIN 294 + XXV DOMINGO APPEARS 307 + XXVI THE DAY OF RECKONING 320 + XXVII AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT 332 + XXVIII THE CHEFE STANDS FAST 344 + XXIX DOM CLEMENTE STRIKES 356 + XXX ORMSGILL BEARS THE TEST 369 + XXXI ON HIS TRIAL 381 + XXXII BENICIA UNDERTAKES AN OBLIGATION 392 + + + + +LONG ODDS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THOMAS ORMSGILL + + +It was towards the middle of a sweltering afternoon when Commandant +Dom Erminio roused himself to wakefulness as he lay in his Madeira +chair on the veranda of Fort San Roque, which stands beside a muddy +river of Western Africa. As a rule Dom Erminio slept all the +afternoon, which was not astonishing, since there was very little else +for him to do, and if there had been he would conscientiously have +refrained from doing it as long as possible. It is also very probable +that any other intelligent white man similarly circumstanced would +have been glad to spend part, at least, of the weary day in merciful +oblivion. San Roque is one of the hottest places in Africa, which is +saying a good deal, and at night a sour white steam, heavy with the +exhalations of putrefaction, rises from the muddy river. They usually +bring the white man who breathes them fever of one or several kinds, +while even if he endures them scatheless the steamy heat melts the +vigor out of him, and the black dejection born of it and the monotony +crushes his courage down. San Roque is scorched with pitiless +sunshine during part of the year, but it is walled in by never-lifting +shadow, for all round the dark forest creeps close up to it. + +On the afternoon in question the Commandant's rest was prematurely +broken, because his dusky major-domo had not had the basket chair +placed where it would remain in shadow, and a slanting shaft of +sunlight struck hotly upon the sleeper's face. A dull throbbing sound +also crept softly out of the heavy stillness, and it was a sound which +usually promised at least an hour or two's distraction. Dom Erminio +recognized it as the thud of canoe paddles, and sat upright in his +chair looking about him drowsily, a little, haggard, yellow-faced man +in white uniform, with claw-like hands whose fingers-ends were stained +by tobacco. He lived remote from even such civilization as may be met +with on the coast of Western Africa, with a handful of black soldiers +and one white companion, distinctly on sufferance, since the fever and +certain tribesmen who showed signs of resenting the white men's +encroachments might at any time snuff him out. He was, however, of +Iberian extraction, and it was characteristic of him that he did not +concern himself greatly about the possibility of such a catastrophe or +consider it worth while to take any steps to avert it which he might +perhaps have done. + +As he glanced round he saw the straggling line of stockade which was +falling down in places, for, being what he was, it had not occurred to +him to mend it; the black soldiers' thatched quarters; and the +ramshackle residency, which was built in part of wood and in part of +well rammed mud. Beyond them rose the forest, black and mysterious, +cleft by the river's dazzling pathway, and a faint look of +anticipation crept into Dom Erminio's eyes as the thud of paddles grew +louder. The river was one stage of the road to civilization, and he +could not quite give up the hope that certain political friends in his +own country would remember him some day. Then his look of interest +died away, for it became evident from the beat of paddles that the +occupants of the approaching canoe were traveling faster than any one +in the Government service usually thought it worth while to do. +Besides that, the Government's messengers were not addicted to +traveling at all in the heat of the afternoon. + +"Ah," he said, with a wave of his unlighted cigarette which was +vaguely expressive of resignation, "it is the Englishman Ormsgill or +the American missionary. Perhaps, by a special misfortune, it may be +both of them." + +His companion, who leaned upon the balustrade, nodded, for Englishmen +and Americans are not held in great esteem in that country, nor are +missionaries of any kind. They see too much, and some of them report +it afterwards, which, when now and then the outer world pricks up its +ears in transient interest or indignation, is apt to make trouble for +everybody. Still, the Lieutenant Luiz was a lethargic man and a +philosopher in his way, so he said nothing, though he waved the comely +brown-skinned girl who had been sitting near him back into the house. +There was, at least, no occasion to provide a weapon for the enemy, +and Marietta had made several attempts to run away lately. + +Commandant Erminio smiled approvingly. "What one suspects does not +count," he said. "In this land of the shadow one suspects everything +and everybody. There are even envious and avaricious men on the coast +down yonder who fling aspersions at me." + +If Lieutenant Luiz had been an Englishman he would probably have +grinned, but he was too dignified a gentleman to do anything of that +kind, though there was a faint twinkle in his languid dark eyes. Then +a canoe swung into sight round a bend, and slid on towards the landing +with wet paddles flashing dazzlingly. Four almost naked negroes swung +them, but another man, who wore white duck and a wide gray hat also +plied a dripping blade just clear of the awning astern, which was a +very unusual thing in that region. + +"It is certainly the Englishman Ormsgill," said Dom Erminio. "That is +a man the fever cannot kill, which is, perhaps, a pity." Then he waved +his cigarette again. "Still, it is possible that Headman Domingo will +settle with him some day." + +The canoe slid up to the pile-bound bank, and the two white men who +got out strode towards the residency, which was characteristic, since +on a day of that kind an Iberian would certainly have sauntered. The +first of them was tall, and thinner even than most white men are who +have had the flesh melted from them in tropical Africa. His face was +hollow, though he was apparently only some thirty years of age, but +it was the face of a strong-willed man, and there was a certain +suggestion of optimism in it and his eyes, which was singularly +unusual in the case of a man who had spent several years in that +country. Even nature is malignant there, and man is steeped in lust +and avarice and cruelty, but in spite of this Watson Nares was an +optimist as well as an American medical missionary. + +He returned the Commandant's greeting, which was punctiliously +courteous, and sitting down in the chair a negro brought for him, +waited until his companion, who had turned to give an order to the +canoe boys, came up. The latter was of average height, a strongly +built man of about the missionary's age, with a brick red face, fair +hair thinned by fever, and wrinkles about his gray eyes. They were +steady, observant eyes, though a half-cynical, half-whimsical twinkle +crept into them now and then, as it did when he glanced towards the +Commandant. The latter would have clapped his shoulder, but he avoided +the effusive greeting with a certain quiet tactfulness which was usual +with him. + +"The padre and I are going back to the concession," he said in +Portuguese. "If you have any hammock boys we would like to borrow +them." + +The Commandant said that this was unfortunately not the case. Two of +his carriers had dysentery, and another a guinea worm in his leg; and +there was only the little twinkle in Ormsgill's eyes to show that he +did not believe him. + +"Besides," said Lieutenant Luiz, "the country is not safe. There is a +rumor that the Abbatava men are watching the lower road." + +Ormsgill laughed, though he fancied that Dom Erminio had flashed a +quick glance at his subordinate before the latter spoke. + +"Still, I scarcely think the Abbatava people will trouble me, and in +any case some of them would be sorry if they did," he said. "Well, +since you have no carriers we will get on again. It is a long way to +the concession, and Lamartine is very ill. I brought up the padre to +see if he could do anything for him." + +Dom Erminio shrugged his shoulders. "It is a wasted effort, which is a +thing to be regretted in this land, where an effort is difficult to +make. Lamartine has been ill too often, and if he is ill again he will +certainly die. As you have heard, the bushmen are in an unsettled +state, and there are several sick men here. It is, perhaps, convenient +that the Senor Nares should stay at San Roque." + +He made a little suggestive gesture which seemed to indicate that the +road was unsafe, turning towards his subordinate as though for +confirmation, but once more Ormsgill fancied there was a warning in +his glance. + +"Of a surety!" said the Lieutenant Luiz. "Lamartine is probably not +alive by now. Still, if the Senor Nares insists on going it is well +that he should take the higher road." + +In the meantime the canoe boys had unrolled a canvas hammock and +lashed it to its pole. Nares stood up as they approached the veranda +stairway with the pole upon their wooly crowns. + +"I will come back and look at your sick," he said. "We have only the +one hammock, Ormsgill." + +Ormsgill smiled. "There is nothing very wrong with my feet, and I +haven't had a dose of fever for some time. It isn't your fault that +you have one now." + +He made the two officers a little inclination as he took off his hat, +and Nares, who shook hands with them, crawled into his hammock. He, at +least, had the fever every two or three months or so. Then the boys +struck up a marching song as they swung away with their burden into +the steamy shadow, and the Commandant leaned on the balustrade +listening with a little dry smile until the crackle of trampled +undergrowth and sighing refrain died away. + +"When one desires to encourage such men it is generally wise to point +out the difficulties," he said. "One would fancy that they were fond +of them, especially the Senor Ormsgill, who is of the kind the customs +of this world make rebels of." + +"And the other?" asked Lieutenant Luiz, who had, not without reason, a +respect for the wisdom of his superior. He had found that it was, in +some ways at least, warranted. + +The Commandant lighted his cigarette, and watched the first smoke +wreath float straight up into the stagnant air. "He would be a martyr. +It is a desire that is incomprehensible to you and me, but there are +others besides him who seem to cherish it--and in this land of the +devil opportunities of satisfying it are generally offered them." + +He looked at Lieutenant Luiz, and once more the latter's face relaxed +into the nearest approach to a grin his sense of dignity allowed. One +could have fancied there was an understanding of some kind between the +men. + +In the meanwhile Nares' bearers were plodding down a two-foot trail +walled in by thorny underbrush and festoons of as thorny creepers that +flowed down in tangled luxuriance between the towering cottonwood +trunks. There was dim shade all about them, and the atmosphere was +like that of a Turkish bath, steamy and almost insufferably hot, only +that there was in it something which checked instead of accelerated +the cooling perspiration. Now and then the bearers gasped, and +Ormsgill's face was flushed as he walked beside the hammock. + +"We should get through by to-morrow night if we take the lower road," +he said. "I believe that would be advisable, though I'm not quite sure +of it. At least, it's the nearer one, and Lamartine was going down +hill very fast when I left him. In fact, he sent two of the boys to +the Mission for Father Tiebout. In one way, the thing's a trifle +invidious, but, you see, Lamartine is of his persuasion." + +Nares smiled. "I'm to have the care of his body, and Father Tiebout of +his soul. Well, we have fought as allies on those terms before, and I +guess I don't mind." + +"You're quite sure? After all, in one way, the soul of Lamartine would +be something of a trophy." + +The American looked up at him with a faint kindling in his eyes. +"Tiebout has so many to his credit--and he could afford to spare me +this one. Still, at least, I can heal the body, if I am called in in +time." + +"Which is a good deal. Especially in a land where it is singularly +difficult to believe that men have souls at all." + +Nares shook his head. "If I didn't feel quite so played out I'd take +your challenge up," he said. "Guess we'll join issue on that point +another time. You mentioned once or twice that Lamartine was very +sick?" + +"There's about one chance in twenty we get there before he's dead. +It's one of the reasons I'm taking the lower road. It's the nearest." + +It was characteristic that Ormsgill did not state that it was also one +of the reasons he had traveled for four days and most of four nights +under an enervating heat. Lamartine was an alien of dubious character, +and in some respects distinctly uncongenial habits, but Ormsgill had +not spared himself to give his comrade that one chance for his life. + +"Didn't Lieutenant Luiz' recommendation count?" asked Nares. + +"No," said Ormsgill, reflectively. "I don't think it did. At least, +not as he meant it to, though I've been trying to worry out what he +did mean exactly. One thing's certain. He wasn't prompted by any +solicitude for our safety. You see, he might have been counting on my +distrust of him, or my usual obstinacy, and wanted me to take the +higher road after all. Or he may have been playing another game. I +don't know. That's why we'll take the nearest way and not worry. When +you're in doubt, it's generally wisest to do the obvious thing." + +Nares made a little drowsy gesture of concurrence. "Straight to the +mark--and you get there now and then. At least, it can't be the wrong +path--and if one doesn't finish the journey it's only a falling out by +the way. A good many of us have done that in this country." + +Ormsgill said nothing. He had somewhere buried deep in him a vague, +unformulated faith which, however, seldom found expression of any kind +in words, and was tinged with a bitterness against all conventional +creeds, which was not altogether astonishing in the case of a man who +had lived as he had done in the dark land. Still, he had traveled four +days and nights to bring his sick comrade the assistance he felt would +arrive too late and now, when he dragged himself along dead weary +through the steamy shade, he had reasons for surmising that there was +peril somewhere down the winding trail. + +Nares was asleep when they passed the forking and held on by the lower +road, and Ormsgill did not tell the boys that he had seen a huddled +black figure lying a few yards back among the undergrowth. He did not +even stop to look at it. Labor is in demand in that country, and when +it is supplied by a dusky contractor who collects the raw material in +the bush the unfortunate who sickens on the long march from the +interior usually dies. Transport on the human head makes provisions +costly in a devastated country, and it is not economy to feed a man +who will bring one nothing in. A white man, as everybody knows, may +not own or sell a slave in any part of Africa under European control, +but he must have labor, and there are in practice ways of getting over +the obvious difficulty. They are not ways which are discussed openly, +and, so far as one can ascertain, are by no means satisfactory to the +negro for whose benefit they are sometimes said to be devised. In +this, and a few other matters, the negro's opinion is not, however, +deferred to. It is his particular business to gather rubber for the +white man and grow his cocoa, and the fact that he is not as a rule +content to recognize this obligation is very seldom taken into +consideration. + +It had been dark two hours, and the bearers could go no further +without a rest, when Ormsgill camped on a ridge beneath tall tufted +palms at least a hundred yards from the trail. There was a reason for +this, and also for the fact that he allowed no fires to be made, +though of all things the negro loves a cheerful blaze. The powers of +evil are very real to him, which is by no means astonishing +considering the land he lives in. The boys sat huddled about the empty +hammock among the palms, while the two white men lay upon a waterproof +ground sheet some fifty yards apart from them and nearer the trail. +Ormsgill had had very little sleep during the last four nights, but +he was very wide awake then, and a good magazine rifle, which had been +smuggled through San Roque without the Commandant's notice, lay across +his knees. + +He was listening intently, but could hear nothing except an occasional +rustling among the creepers and the heavy splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nor could he see very much, for though here and there a star +shown down between the towering trunks, a sour white steam hung almost +a man's height about the dripping undergrowth. Save for the splash of +moisture it was so still that Nares, with imagination quickened by the +tension the fever had laid upon his nerves, could almost fancy he +could hear things growing. The growth, at least was characteristic of +the country in that it was untrammeled, luxuriant, and destructive +rather than beneficent. Orchids and parasites sucked the life blood +from the trees, and throve upon their ruin; creepers strangled them +and tore them down half-rotten. It was a mad, cruel struggle for +existence, and Ormsgill, whose hot hands were clenched upon the rifle, +clearly recognized that man must take his part in it. As a matter of +fact, he was not averse to doing so. There was a vein of combativeness +in him, and circumstances had hitherto usually forced him well to the +front when there was trouble anywhere in his vicinity. + +What he and Nares talked about was of no particular consequence. They +were men whose inner thoughts only became apparent now and then, and +their conversation largely concerned the merits of certain Congolese +cigars. By and by, however, Nares stopped abruptly, as a hand that +evidently did not belong to his companion touched his arm, but it was +characteristic of him that he did not start. He looked round instead, +and saw an indistinct and shadowy figure rise out of the undergrowth. +It pointed up the trail, and Ormsgill, who seemed to listen for a +moment or two, nodded. + +"I really think Lieutenant Luiz meant us to take the other road," he +said. "That must be Domingo bringing down another drove, and as it is +evidently a big one it is just as well we didn't meet him on the +trail. Domingo doesn't like either of us, and he has been getting +truculent lately." + +Nares said nothing, and a faint patter of naked feet that grew +steadily louder crept out of the silence. It was dragging and +listless, the shuffle of weary and hopeless men; and it was evident +that the hammock boy who sank down again into the undergrowth close +beside Ormsgill was badly afraid. Five minutes later a shadowy figure +appeared among the trees below them where the mist was thinner, grew a +trifle plainer as it slipped across an opening and vanished again, but +there were others behind, and for several minutes a row of half-seen +men flitted by. Here and there one of them draped in white cotton +carried a flintlock gun, but the rest were half-naked, and last of all +a few plodded behind a lurching hammock. They went by without a sound +but the confused patter of weary feet upon the quaggy trail, and left +an impressive silence behind them when they plunged into the gloom +again. + +Then Ormsgill smiled grimly as he tapped the breech of his rifle. + +"If homicide is ever justifiable it would have been to-night," he +said. "One could hardly have missed that bulge in Domingo's hammock, +and the longing to drive a bullet through it was almost too much for +me." + +Nares made no attempt to rebuke him. "That man," he said, "is +permitted to be--one must suppose as part of a great purpose. The +mills of the gods grind slowly, but they do their work thoroughly." + +"It seems so," and Ormsgill laughed a little bitter laugh. "Anyway, +the stones are wet with blood, and a good many of us have passed +between them. One wonders now and then how long the downtrodden will +endure that terrible grinding." + +"It is for a time only. Day and night the cry goes up in many +tongues." + +"And the gods of the heathen cannot hear; and those of the white men +may, it seems, be propitiated by masses in the cathedral and stained +windows bought with cocoa and rubber dividends. Well, one must try to +believe that Domingo's laborers enlisted for the purpose of being +taught agriculture by the white men of their own free will. At least, +that is the comfortable assurance usually furnished the civilized +powers, and as they have their own little problems to grapple with +they complacently shut one eye. I only wonder how many played-out +niggers' throats Domingo has cut on the way. In the meanwhile, +Lamartine is dying, and we may as well get on again." + +He called to the hammock boys, who still seemed afraid, and in another +five minutes the little party was once more floundering onwards +through the silence of the steamy bush. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RESTITUTION + + +Darkness had closed down suddenly on the forest, but it was hotter +than ever in the primitively furnished general room of Lamartine's +house, where the lamp further raised the already almost insupportable +temperature. There was also a deep, impressive silence in the bush +that shut the rickety dwelling in, though now and then the sound of a +big drop splashing upon a quivering leaf came in through the open +window with startling distinctness. Lamartine, the French trader, was +dead, and had been buried that afternoon, as was customary, within an +hour or two after the breath has left his body. His career, like that +of most men in his business, had not been a very exemplary one, but he +had, at least, now and then shown that he possessed certain somewhat +fantastic and elementary notions of ethics, which he was in the habit +of alluding to as his code of honor. It was, as Father Tiebout, who +had once or twice given him spiritual advice when he was very sick of +fever, admitted, a rather indifferent one, but very few white men in +that country had any code at all, and, as the good padre said, it was +possible that too much would not be expected from any one who had +lived in that forest long. + +In any case, Lamartine had gone to answer for the deeds that he had +done, and the three men who had buried him and had constituted +themselves his executors sat about his little table with the +perspiration dripping from them. There was Nares, gaunt and +hollow-faced, weak from fever and worn with watching; Father Tiebout, +the Belgian priest, little, and also haggard; and Ormsgill, the +gray-eyed, brown-faced Englishman, who sat looking at them with set +lips and furrowed forehead. Their creeds were widely different, but +men acquire a certain wide toleration in the land of the shadow, where +it is exceedingly difficult to believe in any thing beyond the +omnipotence of evil. + +It was, perhaps, characteristic that it was the priest who tore up +certain papers Ormsgill had selected from the pile upon the table. + +"I do not think that anything would be gained by allowing them to come +under the notice of the authorities," he said. "I am not sure that +they might not consider they invalidated the trifling bequest to the +Mission, which with good management should enable us to rescue a few +more of the heathen." + +"A very few!" and Ormsgill smiled. "The market's stiff now Domingo has +practically a monopoly as purveyor. Converts will be dearer. One +understands that you buy most of yours." + +Father Tiebout's eyes twinkled good-humoredly. "One must use the means +available, and it is, at least, something if we can save their bodies. +But to proceed, our companion will agree with me that repentance must +be followed by restitution or reparation. In the case of the friend we +have buried one must take the will for the deed, and the will was +there. Restitution may also be efficacious if it is vicarious. As you +know, it was the thought of the woman from the interior that most +troubled Lamartine." + +Ormsgill glanced at Nares, for both had heard some, at least, of the +dying man's words on that subject, but for a time the American looked +straight in front of him. Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"He seemed to expect you to make that restitution for him. Tell us +what you know. Most of it will not be news to Father Tiebout, but I +haven't his advantages." + +"The affair is easily understood. Lamartine bought the girl from the +man who ran the labor supply business before Domingo. She was +decidedly good-looking, a pretty warm brown in color, and had the most +intelligent eyes I've ever seen in an African. The curious thing is +that I believe Lamartine was genuinely fond of her. In any case, he +was furious when one of the boys laid what looked like very conclusive +evidence of her unfaithfulness before him. He meant to administer the +usual penalty." + +Father Tiebout made a little gesture. "Ah," he said, "these things +happen. One can only protest." + +"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "as you know, they didn't in this case. I +nearly broke his wrist, but I took the pistol from him. You see, I +rather believed in the girl's innocence. Lamartine compromised the +thing by handing her on to Herrero--though he would take no money for +her. He had, as he was rather fond of mentioning, his code of honor. +There was a trying scene when Herrero sent for her. The girl flung +herself down and clung to Lamartine's knees. It seemed she was fond of +the man, and didn't want to go away, which was, as it happens, wise of +her. Though she was probably not aware of this, Herrero trains the +women who take his fancy with the whip." + +He stopped a moment and glared at Nares. "I have no doubt the padre +knows the rest. Lamartine found out not long ago that the boy had +lied, and remembered a little too late that Herrero would in all +probability beat the girl to death in one of his outbreaks. He made +him a very tempting offer if he would send her back, but Herrero +apparently wanted to keep her, and while negotiations were in progress +Lamartine fell sick. I naturally don't know what he told the padre, +but he once or twice assured me that if he knew she could be sent back +safe to her people in the bush he would die more contentedly. In fact, +improbable as it may seem in this country, the thing was worrying him +badly." + +It was significant that Nares, who was something of an optimist, +appeared by his expression to consider the fact that such a thing +should have troubled Lamartine very improbable indeed, but Father +Tiebout smiled contemplatively. His profession gave him, as had been +suggested, advantages which Nares did not enjoy, and he was a wise man +in his way. + +"Lamartine," he said, "desired to make restitution--but to do it in +his own person was not permitted him." + +Then he turned, and sat still with his eyes fixed on Ormsgill, as +though waiting. It was, in fact, an occupation he was accustomed to, +for one who would see the result of his efforts must as a rule wait a +long while in Africa. + +Ormsgill met his gaze thoughtfully, with steady gray eyes, and it was +a moment or two before he spoke. + +"Whether a vicarious reparation will be of any benefit to the soul of +Lamartine I naturally do not know," he said. "It is enough for me that +he and the padre seemed to fancy it might be, and, as it happens, I +owe Lamartine a good deal. This is why I practically promised to +undertake his responsibility. I am not sure that either of you know I +first arrived in this Colony trimming coal among the niggers in a +steamer's stokehold." + +Father Tiebout made a little gesture with his hands which seemed to +imply that there was very little he was not acquainted with, and +Ormsgill went on-- + +"Still, I do not think you know I was quietly compelled to abandon the +service of a British Colony for a fault I never committed. My friends +at home very naturally turned against me. I had brought them +discredit--and it did not matter greatly whether I was guilty. How I +made a living afterwards along this coast does not concern you; but I +went down in one sense as far as a white man may, and the struggle has +left a mark that will never quite come out on me. Still, I met with +kindness from other outcasts and benighted heathen, as one usually +does from the outcast and the trodden on, and, when I was flung ashore +after nearly pounding the life out of a brutal second engineer, +Lamartine, who had gone down to the coast on business, held out a hand +to me. As I said, I feel that I owe him a little." + +He stopped for a moment with a little grim smile. "Herrero has gone +South somewhere, taking the girl with him, but if she is alive I think +I can promise that he will give her up. After that it would not be so +very difficult to send her back to where she comes from in the bush." + +"For the repose of the soul of Lamartine!" and Nares glanced at Father +Tiebout, with a challenge in his eyes. + +The little priest's gesture seemed to imply that he declined to be +drawn into a controversy, and it was Ormsgill who answered the +American. + +"To discharge a debt--among other reasons--and as a protest. I have +been driven to exhaustion myself more than once. Have you any hope at +all to offer these African people, I mean in this world, padre?" + +Father Tiebout smiled. "Yes," he said simply. "One does what one can, +and waits patiently. How long, I do not know, but slowly or suddenly, +in our time, or in the time of these people's children, the change +will come." + +He looked at Nares, the man of action, who bore with waiting ill, and +he, flushed with fever, laid a hand that was clenched hard upon the +table. + +"You expect them to endure to the second generation. I tell you that +they are forging spears in the interior now. A little more, and they +will come down and wipe out every bush mission and garrison, and can +we blame them, who stand by and tolerate the abominable traffic in +black men's souls and bodies? There was more excuse for the old-time +slavery. Horrible as it would be, one could almost welcome the +catastrophe which would force the outside world to recognize what +white men are doing here." + +There were, perhaps, men in the outside world who knew it already, and +could suggest no remedy. After all, labor is essential to the +prosperity of any African colony, and while in some which are ruled as +justly as circumstances permit the negro is offered wages for his +services, and can go home with his earnings when he likes, there are +others where more drastic measures are adopted. There the labor +purveyor collects the white man's servants in the bush, and it is not +the business of the Administration to inquire whether they are +prisoners of war or have been sold by their friends. They are bound +down to toil for a term of years, and if they die off during it few +troublesome questions are asked. The African climate is an unhealthy +one, as everybody knows. + +In the meanwhile neither of Nares' companions said anything for a +space. They were thinking of the same thing, each in his own way, +while the dense steamy blackness of the African night shut them in. +Ormsgill, who had been driven until the sweat of anguished effort +dripped from him, wondered vaguely what a man with brains and nerve +and money might do on the negroes' behalf in spite of the opposition +of a corrupt administration. The priest was also wondering how much +he could accomplish with Lamartine's bequest, very little of which +would, however, in all probability, be allowed to remain in his +hands, though he knew that it would in any case not go very far, +for he was one who recognized that the new beneficent order must be +evolved slowly, here a little and there a little, with other men to +carry out what he had begun. Father Tiebout seldom rode a tilt at +impossibilities, as Nares and Ormsgill occasionally did. He was a wise +man, and knew the world too well. At last Nares made a little gesture +of weariness. + +"Well, the thing may happen, but that hardly concerns us in the +meanwhile, and our work here is done. I wonder if you remember that +you haven't read the letters Father Tiebout brought up, Ormsgill?" + +Ormsgill had, as it happened, quite forgotten them. He had arrived +worn out with a long and hasty journey, and Nares and he had then kept +close watch beside his comrade's bed. When at last their watch was +over there was still much to be done, and now for the first time he +had leisure to open the packet the priest had handed him. He took out +a stiff blue envelope with an English postmark, and gazed at it heavy +eyed and vacantly before he broke the cover. Then he slowly +straightened himself in his chair, and incredulity gave place to +bewilderment as he read the letter he shook out. Lamartine's death had +left him an outcast and one obnoxious to constituted authority again. +Five minutes ago he had not known what his next step would be, but the +stiff legal writing held out before him dazzling possibilities. Then +he laid down the letter, and turned to his companions with a curious +little laugh. + +"The thing is almost incredible," he said. "A man who I was told would +never forgive the discredit I brought upon the family has died in +England and left me what looks very like a fortune. The other letters +may bear upon it. You'll excuse me." + +They watched him in silence for ten minutes, and there was a faint +flush in his bronzed face when he quietly rose and took out a +photograph from a little tin box. + +"Padre," he said, "you are the wisest man I know, and, though +distinctions are invidious, Nares is, I think, the honestest. That is +why I am going to put a case before you. Well, I had a good +upbringing, and I think my English friends expected something from me +before I was flung out of the British service and became a pariah. +After that I never troubled them again, which was no doubt a cause of +satisfaction to everybody. There was, however, a thing I had to do +which was not easy, and this picture should make it clear to you. It +was arranged that we should be married when I had brought my laurels +home from Africa." + +He handed Nares the photograph. "When I was made a scapegoat I gave +her back her liberty. It is now intimated that she has not so far +profited by it." + +Nares bent over the portrait of a young and very comely English girl, +and saw only the fresh, innocent face, and the smiling eyes. Then he +handed it to the little haggard priest, who had a deeper +understanding, and saw a good deal more than that. + +"It is a beautiful face," he said when Father Tiebout had gazed at it +steadily, but the latter said nothing, and turned towards Ormsgill, as +though still ready to give him his attention, which he seemed to +understand. + +"It is more than four years since I saw her, and I have spent them +with the outcasts," he said. "You can realize what effect that has +upon one, padre. The stamp this country sets on the white man is plain +on you, but you have not lived here as I have been forced to do. Well, +I think the woman is still the same, and I have greatly changed. I do +not know my duty." + +Father Tiebout sat silent for at least a minute, looking reflectively +at the man before him. Ormsgill was young still, but his lean face was +furrowed, and there was a suggestiveness in the lines on it. He had +seen death and pestilence, human nature stripped naked, and +unmentionable cruelty; and the priest was quite aware that one cannot +live with the outcast, in Africa, and remain unchanged. Then he looked +at the photograph again, for he knew that the four years had also had +their effect upon the woman. + +"Ah," he said, "we all grow, some towards the beneficent light, and +some in the blighting shadow. The training and the pruning we are +subjected to also has its effect. Her people?" + +"I almost think you would consider them children of this world," said +Ormsgill dryly. + +"And you have been left a good deal of money?" + +Ormsgill told him what the amount was, and once more the priest said +nothing for awhile. Quiet and unobtrusive as he was, he never forgot +that he was one of the vanguard of the Church militant, and was ready +to use with skill any weapon that was offered him. It was also +necessary to thrust hard now and then, and he knew that in his hands +the man who had lived with the outcast and the oppressed would prove a +reliable blade. Ormsgill, as he recognized, had capacities. Still, his +counsel had been asked, and he would answer honestly, knowing that he +could afford to do it if his knowledge of human nature, and the girl's +face, had not deceived him. After all, he fancied, whatever he said +the result would be the same, and he was playing a skillful game of +which the stakes were black men's bodies, and, perhaps, human souls. + +"With a sum like that there is so much that one could do," he said. +"With discretion--you understand--here and there a little. Domingo put +down, women dying at their tasks redeemed and enfolded in the shelter +of the Mission, men with brutal masters set at liberty, and +concessions where they are driven to death suppressed. One could also +bring about a reckoning with corrupt authority. When admonition is of +no service one may try the scourge." + +He saw the little glint in Ormsgill's eyes, and made a deprecatory +gesture with his hands. "Still, you have asked for counsel, and you +have another duty. With us marriage is not a social contract, and the +promise that precedes it is almost as sacred. You are pledged to this +Englishwoman if she has not released you, and that you are changed +will not matter if she loves you. It is your duty to go back to her." + +Nares looked up and nodded. "Of course!" he said. "You must go." + +Ormsgill's forehead was furrowed, and the perspiration stood in beads +on it. The love that had driven him out to win his spurs in the land +of shadow still in some degree, at least, remained with him; but he +was conscious of the change in him which the girl with her upbringing +might well shrink from. He had lived with the outcasts until he had +become one of them, a hater of conventional formulas and shams, while +there had crept into his nature a trace of the somberness of the dark +land. What, he wondered, would the sunny-tempered English girl he had +left make of such a man. Still, as the priest had said, his duty was +clear, and, what was perhaps more, his inclination marched with it. He +straightened himself suddenly with a little resolute jerk of his +shoulders. + +"I will start for the coast to-morrow, and go to Grand Canary," he +said. "As it happens, she is there now with her people. Still, before +I go, padre, I will arrange with the casa Sarraminho to hand you the +equivalent of L200 sterling. With that you can buy the liberty of the +woman Lamartine gave Herrero, and use what is left over as you and +Nares think fit. If Herrero will not part with her, or you find the +thing too difficult, I will come back for a while and undertake it +myself. After all, it is my affair. I owe it to Lamartine." + +Then he took the little photograph and replaced it in the tin box, +after which he walked quietly past them and out of the room while, +when they heard him go down the veranda stairway, Father Tiebout +looked at his companion with a curious smile. + +"Four years!" he said. "It is a space in a woman's lifetime, and every +year leaves its mark on us. It is decreed that we must grow, but we do +not all grow the same." + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill stood in the little compound with the sour +white steam drifting past him. The forest rose out of it, a great +black wall, and its hot, damp smell was in his nostrils. It was a +heady savor, for something that goes with the smell of the wilderness +sinks deep into the hearts of those who once allow it to enter, and is +always afterwards a cause of disquietude and restlessness to some of +them. Ormsgill had had his endurance and all the courage he was born +with taxed to the uttermost in that steamy shade, but now when he was +about to leave it he found the smell of its tall white lilies and the +acrid odors of corruption stirring and shaking him. At last, with a +little jerk of his shoulders, which was a trick he had acquired from +Lamartine, he turned and went back to the lighted room again. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HIS OWN PEOPLE + + +The velvet dusk that crept up from the eastwards was held in check by +the brightening flood of moonlight on the sea when Ormsgill leaned on +the balustrade of the veranda outside the _Hotel Catalina_ in Grand +Canary. Close in front of him the long Atlantic swell broke upon the +hammered beach with a drowsy rumbling, and flung a pungent freshness +into the listless air, for the Trade breeze had fallen dead away. The +fringe of surf ran southwards beside the dim white road to where the +lights of Las Palmas blinked and twinkled in the shadow the great +black peaks flung out upon the sparkling sea. + +Ormsgill, who had turned from its contemplation at the sound of a +voice he recognized, had, however, no longer any eyes for the +prospect. He had arrived on an African mail-boat two hours earlier, +and had somehow missed the girl whose voice had sent a little thrill +through him. She had, it seemed, gone in through one of the long, +lighted windows instead of by the door, but the horse she had just +dismounted from was still standing with another, which carried a man's +saddle, just below the veranda. Ormsgill could see that it was one of +the sorry beasts the Spaniards hire to Englishmen, but it was also +jaded and white with lather. + +"These English have no consideration," said the peon who held its +bridle, to a comrade. "This horse is old, but when I brought it here +it was not more than a very little lame. Now it is certain I cannot +hire it to anybody to-morrow. They were at Arucas, which for a horse +of this kind is a long way, but they came home by the barranco and +across the sand heaps at the gallop. The Senorita must not be late for +dinner. _Vaya!_ it is a cruelty." + +The matter was, perhaps, not a great one in itself, but it had a +somewhat unpleasant effect upon Ormsgill, who knew that the Iberian is +not as a rule squeamish about any cruelty that the lust of gain +renders it necessary to inflict upon his beast. The horse, as he could +see, had certainly been ridden hard, and was very lame. The thing +jarred on him, and as he leaned on the veranda waiting until the +message he had left to announce his arrival should be delivered, a +scene he had looked upon in the dark land forced itself upon his +recollection. It was a line of jaded men staggering under the burdens +on their heads through an apparently interminable sea of scorched and +dusty grass. There was little water in that country at the season, and +they dragged themselves along, grimed with the fibrous dust, in +torments of thirst, with limbs that were reddened by the stabbing of +the flinty grass stems. Then rousing himself he drove the suggestive +vision from his brain and entered the hall of the big hotel. + +It blazed with light, there was music somewhere, and already +conventionally attired men and elaborately dressed women were +descending the stairway, and appearing by twos and threes from the +corridors. They were for the most part Englishmen and women, but +Ormsgill was a little astonished to feel that instead of arousing +sympathy their voices and bearing jarred on him. Their conversation +appeared to have no point in it, and their smiles were meaningless. +They seemed shallow and artificial, and he had lived at high pressure, +face to face with grim realities, in the land of the shadow. He stood +a little apart, quietly regarding them, a lonely figure in plain white +duck with a lined brown face, until a burly man in the conventional +black and white strode up to him. + +"I'm uncommonly glad to see you, Tom," he said. "Ada will be down in a +minute. I left her and her mother almost too startled to understand +that you had arrived. The man you gave your message to had just +brought it in. You should have let us know what boat you were sailing +by. But I mustn't keep you talking. You have just time to change your +things." + +Ormsgill shook hands with him, but was conscious of a lack of +enthusiasm as he did it that irritated him. He had once considered +Major Chillingham a very good fellow, but now there seemed to be +something wanting in his characteristic bluff geniality. Ormsgill +could not tell what it was, but he felt the lack of it. + +"I suppose there is," he said with a smile. "Still, you see, I haven't +anything to change into. In fact, my present outfit is a considerably +smarter one than the get-up I have been accustomed to dining in." + +Chillingham's gaze was at first expressive of blank astonishment, and +there was a sardonic gleam in Ormsgill's eyes. "You must try to +remember that I've got out of the way of wearing evening clothes. I +think I'd made it clear that I have been down in the depths the past +four years." + +His companion's red face flushed a trifle, but he laughed. "Well," he +said, "that's one of the things we needn't talk about, and I'm not +sure that everybody would be so ready to mention it." Then he drew +back a trifle. "Tom, you're greatly changed." + +Ormsgill nodded. "Yes," he said, "I dare say I am. In several ways the +thing's not unnatural." + +After that Chillingham discoursed about English affairs, and though it +appeared to cost him a slight effort Ormsgill made no attempt to help +him. He stood still, perfectly at his ease, but for all that conscious +that he was an anachronism in such surroundings, while the men and +women who smiled or nodded to his companion as they came into the hall +cast curious glances at him. This duck-clad man with the lined face +and steady eyes was clearly not of their world, which was, in the case +of most of them, an essentially frivolous one. + +At last he turned, and strode forward impulsively as the girl he +waited for came down the stairway in a filmy dress of lace-like +texture that rustled softly as it flowed about her. She was +brown-haired and brown-eyed, warm in coloring, and her face, which was +as comely as ever, had a certain hint of disdain in it. That, however, +did not strike Ormsgill then, for she flushed a little at the sight +of him, and laid a slim white hand in his. + +"Tom," she said, "I am very glad, but why didn't you cable? Still, you +must tell me afterwards. We are stopping the others, and mother is +waiting to speak to you." + +Ormsgill was conscious of a faint relief as he turned to the tall lady +who stood beside the girl, imposing and formal in somber garments. The +meeting he had looked forward to with longing, and at the same time a +vague apprehension, was over. He had, he felt, been reinstated, +permitted to resume his former footing, and the manner of the elder +lady, which was quietly gracious, conveyed the same impression. Then +Mrs. Ratcliffe sent her brother, the Major, on to see that places were +kept for them together, and Ormsgill was thankful that the dinner +which was waiting would render any confidential conversation out of +the question for the next hour. He wanted time to adjust himself to +the changed conditions, for a man can not cut himself adrift from all +that he has been accustomed to and then resume his former life just as +he left it, especially if he has dwelt with the outcast in the +meanwhile. + +A chair had been placed for him between Ada Ratcliffe and her mother, +while Major Chillingham sat almost opposite him across the long table. +The glow of light, glitter of glass and silver, scent of flowers and +perfumes, and hum of voices had a curious effect on him after the +silence of the shadowy forest and the primitive fashion in which he +had lived with Lamartine, and some minutes had passed before he +turned to the girl at his side. + +"I was a little astonished to hear that you were in Las Palmas," he +said. + +Ada Ratcliffe looked at him with a smile, and a slight lifting of her +brows. She was perfectly composed, and in one way he was glad of that, +though he vaguely felt that her attitude was not quite what he had +expected. + +"Astonished only?" she said. "As you would have had to change steamers +here and wait a few days it would probably have taken you two weeks +more to join us in England. At least, so the Major said." + +Ormsgill felt he had deserved this, for he had recognized the inanity +of the observation when he made it. It was evident that his companion +had recognized it, too. Still, it is difficult to express oneself +feelingly to order. + +"I should have said delighted," he ventured. + +The girl smiled again, and he felt that he had chosen an injudicious +word. "In any case, it isn't in the least astonishing that we are +here. It is becoming a recognized thing to come out to Las Palmas in +the winter, and I believe it is a good deal cheaper than Egypt or +Algeria. That is, of course, a consideration." + +"It certainly is," broke in the lady at her side. "When they are +always finding a new way to tax us in, and incomes persist in going +down. Tom is fortunate. It will scarcely be necessary for him to +trouble himself very much about such considerations." + +Ormsgill for the first time noticed the signs of care in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's face, and the wrinkles about her eyes. Neither had, he +fancied, been there when he had last seen her in England nearly five +years earlier, but the change in her was as nothing compared to that +in her daughter. Ada Ratcliffe was no longer a fresh and somewhat +simple-minded English girl. She was a self-possessed and dignified +woman of the world, but what else she might be he could not at the +moment tell. He blamed himself for the desire to ascertain it, since +he felt it was more fitting that he should accept her without question +as the embodiment of all that was adorable. Still, he could not do it. +The four years he had spent apart from her had given him too keen an +insight. + +"Well," he said, "there are people who believe that the possession of +even a very small fortune is something of a responsibility." + +"That," said Mrs. Ratcliffe, "is a mistake nowadays. There are so many +excellent organized charities ready to undertake one's duties for one. +They are in a position to discharge them so much more efficiently." + +Ormsgill did not reply to this, though there was a faint sardonic +twinkle in his eyes. He was not, as a rule, addicted to passing on a +responsibility, but he remembered then that he had handed a little +Belgian priest L200 to carry out a duty that had been laid on him. The +fact that he had done so vaguely troubled him. Mrs. Ratcliffe, +however, went on again. + +"One of the disadvantages of living here is the number of invalids one +is thrown into contact with," she said. "I find it depressing. You +will notice the woman in the singularly unbecoming black dress yonder. +She insists on drinking thick cocoa with a spoon at dinner." + +One could have fancied that she felt this breach of custom to be an +enormity, and Ormsgill wondered afterwards what malignant impulse +suddenly possessed him. Still, the worthy lady's coldly even voice and +formal manner jarred upon him, while the pleasure of meeting the girl +he had thought of for four long years was much less than he felt it +should have been. He resented the fact, and most men's tempers grow a +trifle sharp in tropical Africa. + +"Well," he said dryly, "one understands that it is nourishing, and, +after all, we are to some extent cannibals." + +"Cannibals?" said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a swift suspicious glance which +seemed to suggest that she was wondering whether the African climate +had been too much for him. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill, "cocoa, or, at least, that grown in parts of +Africa where the choicest comes from, could almost be considered human +flesh and blood. Any way, both are expended lavishly to produce it. I +fancy you will bear me out in this, Senor?" + +He looked at the little, olive-faced gentleman in plain white duck who +sat not far away across the table. He had grave dark eyes with a +little glint in them, and slim yellow hands with brown tips to some of +the fingers, and was just then twisting a cigarette between them. +Ormsgill surmised that it cost him an effort to refrain from lighting +it, since men usually smoke between the courses of a dinner in his +country. There was a certain likeness between him and the Commandant +of San Roque, sufficient at least, to indicate that they were of the +same nationality, but the man at the table in the _Catalina_ had been +cast in a finer mold, and there was upon him the unmistakable stamp of +authority. + +"One is assured that what is done is necessary," he said in slow +deliberate English. "I am, however, not a commercialist." + +"You, of course, believe those assurances?" + +The little white-clad gentleman smiled in a somewhat curious fashion. +"A wise man believes what is told him--while it is expedient. Some +day, perhaps, the time comes when it is no longer so." + +"And then?" + +A faint, suggestive glint replaced the smile in the keen dark eyes. +"Then he acts on what he thinks himself. Though I can not remember +when, it seems to me, senhor, that I have had the pleasure of meeting +you before." + +"You have," said Ormsgill dryly. "It was one very hot morning in the +rainy season, and you were sitting at breakfast outside a tent beneath +a great rock. Two files of infantry accompanied me." + +"I recollect perfectly. Still, as it happens, I had just finished +breakfast, which was, I think, in some respects fortunate. One is +rather apt to proceed summarily before it--in the rainy season." + +Ormsgill laughed, and the girl who sat beside the man he had spoken +to flashed a swift glance at him. She was dressed in some thin, soft +fabric, of a pale gold tint, and the firm, round modeling of the +figure it clung about proclaimed her a native of the Iberian +peninsula, the Peninsula, as those who are born there love to call it. +Still, there was no tinge of olive in her face, which, like her arms +and shoulders, was of the whiteness of ivory. Her eyes, which had a +faint scintillation in them, were of a violet black, and her hair of +the tint of ebony, though it was lustrous, too. She, however, said +nothing, and Major Chillingham, who seemed to feel himself neglected, +broke in. + +"I'm afraid you were at your old tricks again, Tom," he said. "What +had you been up to then?" + +"Interfering with two or three black soldiers, who resented it. They +were trying to burn up a native hut with a couple of wounded niggers +inside it. I believe there was a woman inside it, too." + +Chillingham shook his head reproachfully. "One can't help these things +now and then, and I don't know where you got your notions from," he +said. "It certainly wasn't from your father. He was a credit to the +service, and a sensible man. You can only expect trouble when you kick +against authority." + +Ormsgill looked at Ada Ratcliffe, but there was only a faint +suggestion of impatience in her face. Then, without exactly knowing +why, he glanced across the table, and caught the little gleam of +sardonic amusement in the other girl's violet eyes. She, at least, it +seemed, had comprehension, and that vaguely displeased him, since he +had expected it from the woman he had come back to marry, instead of +a stranger. Then the man with the olive face looked up again. + +"You have it in contemplation to go back to Africa?" + +"No," said Ormsgill, who felt that Mrs. Ratcliffe was listening. "At +least, I scarcely think it will be necessary." + +"Ah," said the other, with a little dry smile, "It is, one might, +perhaps, suggest, not advisable. There are several men who do not bear +you any great good will in that country." + +Ormsgill laughed. "One," he said, "is forced to do a good many things +which do not seem advisable yonder, and I have one or two very +excellent friends." + +Then he turned to Ada Ratcliffe, and discoursed with her and her +mother on subjects he found it difficult to take much interest in, +which was a fresh surprise to him, for he had considered them subjects +of importance before he left England. The effort he made to display a +becoming attention was not apparent, but it was a slight relief to two +of the party when the dinner was over. Another hour had, however, +passed before he had the girl to himself, and they sauntered down +through the dusty garden and along the dim white road until they +reached a little mole that ran out into the harbor. The moon had just +dipped behind the black peaks, and they sat down in the soft darkness +on a ledge of stone, and listened for a while to the rumble of the +long Atlantic swell that edged to the strip of shadowy coast with a +fringe of spouting foam. Both felt there was a good deal to be said, +but the commencement was difficult, and it was significant that the +man gazed westwards--towards Africa--across the dusky heaven, until he +looked round when his companion spoke to him. + +"Tom," she said quietly, "you have not come back the same as when you +went away." + +"I believe I haven't," and Ormsgill's voice was gentle. "My dear, you +must bear with me awhile. You see, there are so many things I have +lost touch with, and it will take me a little time to pick it up +again. Still, if you will wait and humor me, I will try." + +He turned, and glanced towards a great block of hotel buildings that +cut harsh and square against the soft blueness of the night not far +away. The long rows of open windows blazed, and the music that came +out from them reached the two who sat listening through the deep-toned +rumble of the surf. It was evident that an entertainment of some kind +was going on, but Ormsgill found the signs of it vaguely disquieting. + +"One feels that building shouldn't be there," he said. "They should +have placed it in the city. It's too new and aggressive where it is, +and the ways of the folks who stay in it are almost as out of place." + +He stopped a moment with a little laugh. "I expect I'm talking +nonsense, and it's really not so very long since that kind of thing +used to appeal to me. After all, there must be a certain amount of +satisfaction to be got out of purposeless flirtation, cards, dining, +and dancing." + +It was not very dark, and, when he looked round, the shapely form of +his companion was silhouetted blackly against the sky on the step +above him. There was something vaguely suggestive of an impatience +that was, perhaps, excusable in her attitude. + +"Oh," she said, "there is not a great deal. I admit that, but one must +live as the others do, and have these things to pass the time. You +know there is nothing to be gained by making oneself singular." + +Ormsgill smiled, though once more the smell of the wilderness, the +odors of lilies and spices, and the sourness of corruption, was in his +nostrils. Men grappled for dear life with stern and occasionally +appalling realities there, and he was one in whom the love of conflict +had been born. + +"No," he said, "I suppose there isn't. At least, it usually involves +one in trouble, and, as you say, one must have something to pass the +time away. Still, Ada, for a while you will try to put up with my +little impatiences and idiosyncrasies. No doubt I shall fit myself to +my surroundings by and by." + +Ada Ratcliffe had a face that was almost beautiful, and a slim, +delicately modeled form in keeping with it, but perhaps they had been +given her as makeweights and a counterbalance for the lack of more +important things. At times, when her own interests were concerned, she +could show herself almost clever but she fell short of average +intelligence just then, when a sympathetic word or a sign of +comprehension would have bound the man to her. + +Leaning a little towards him she laid her hand on the sleeve of his +duck jacket. "I would like you to do it soon," she said. "Tom, to +please me, you won't come in to dinner dressed this way again." + +There was a suggestion of harshness in Ormsgill's laugh, but he +checked himself. "Of course not, if you don't wish it. If there is a +tailor in Las Palmas I will try to set that right to-morrow. Now we +will talk of something else. You want to live in England?" + +It appeared that Ada did, and she was disposed to talk at length upon +that topic. She also drew closer to him, and while the man's arm +rested on her shoulder discussed the house he was to buy in the +country, and how far his means, which were, after all, not very large, +would permit the renting of another in town each season. He listened +gravely, and saw that there were no aspirations in the scheme. Their +lives were evidently to be spent in a round of conventional +frivolities, and all the time he heard the boom of the restless sea, +and the smell of the wilderness, pungent and heady, grew stronger in +his nostrils. Then he closed a hand tighter on the shoulder of the +girl, in a fashion that suggested he felt the need of something to +hold fast by, as perhaps he did. + +"There is one point we have to keep in view, for the thing may be +remembered against me still," he said. "I was turned out of the +service of a British Colony." + +"Ah," said the girl, "I felt it cruelly at the time, but, after all, +it happened more than four years ago--and not very many people heard +of it." + +Ormsgill sat still a minute, and his grasp grew a trifle slacker on +her arm. "I told you I didn't do the thing they accused me of," he +said. + +"Of course! Still, everybody believed you did, and that was almost as +hard to bear. The great thing is that it was quite a long while ago. +Tom," and she turned to him quickly, "I believe you are smiling." + +"I almost think I was," said Ormsgill. "Still, I don't know why I +should do so. Well, I understand we are to stay here a month or two, +and we will have everything arranged before we go back to England." + +It was half an hour later when his companion rose. "The time is +slipping by," she said. "There is to be some singing, and one or two +of the people we have met lately are coming round to-night. I must go +in and talk to them. These things are in a way one's duty. One has to +do one's part." + +Ormsgill made no protest. He rose and walked quietly back with her to +the hotel, but his face was a trifle grave, and he was troubled by +vague misgivings. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE SUMMONS + + +The month Ormsgill spent at Las Palmas was a time of some anxiety to +Mrs. Ratcliffe. He had, as she complained to her brother, no sense of +the responsibility that devolved upon a man of his means, and was +addicted to making friends with all kinds of impossible people, grimy +English coaling clerks, and the skippers of Spanish schooners, and, +what was more objectionable, now and then bringing them to the hotel. +He expressed his regret when she pointed out the undesirability of +such proceedings, but, for all that, made no very perceptible change +in his conduct. + +Major Chillingham as a rule listened gravely, and said very little, +for his sister was one who seldom welcomed advice from anybody, and +though not a brilliant man he was by no means a fool. On the last +occasion he, however, showed a little impatience. + +"Well," he said, "he seems to have got hold of a few first-class +people, too. There is that Ayutante fellow on the Governor's staff, +and the Senhor Figuera, the little, quiet man with the yellow hands, +is evidently a person of some consequence in his own country. You +can't mistake the stamp of authority. After all, it's no doubt just +as well he and the girl have gone. Tom seemed on excellent terms with +them." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe looked indignant. "A Portuguese with a powdered face, +and no notion of what is fitting!" + +"An uncommonly good-looking one," and the Major grinned. "A woman with +brains enough to get the thing she sets her mind on, too, and I have +rather a fancy that she was pleased with Tom. Still, that's not the +question, and anyway she's back again in Africa. Now, if you'll take +advice from me you'll keep a light hand on him, and not touch the +curb. If you do he's quite capable of making a bolt of it." + +"That," said the lady, "would be so disgraceful as to be +inconceivable--when Ada has waited more than four years for him." + +Her brother's eyes twinkled. "In one way, I suppose she did. Still, of +course, Urmston didn't get the Colonial appointment he expected, and, +one has to be candid, young Hatherly seemed proof against the +blandishments you wasted on him." + +"A marriageable daughter is a heavy responsibility," said Mrs. +Ratcliffe with a sigh. + +"No doubt," said the Major. "That is precisely why I recommended the +judicious handling of Tom Ormsgill. If he hasn't quite as much as you +would like, it's enough to keep them comfortably, and in several ways +he's worth the other two put together. The man's straight, and quiet. +In fact, I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer him with a few more +gentlemanly dissipations. They act as a safety valve occasionally." + +His sister raised her hands in protest, and Chillingham withdrew with +a chuckle, but she was rather more gracious to Ormsgill than usual +that day, and during the next one accompanied him with her daughter +and one or two acquaintances in a launch he had borrowed to look at +the wreck of a steamer which had gone ashore a night or two earlier. +The unfortunate vessel afforded a somewhat impressive spectacle as she +lay grinding on the reef with the long yeasty seas washing over her, +and the little party spent some time watching her from the launch +which swung with the steep, green swell. + +It was, however, very hot and dazzling bright, and no protests were +made when Ormsgill, who it seemed knew all about steam launches, +leaned forward from the helm and started the engines. The little +propeller thudded, and they slid away with a long, smooth lurch across +the slopes of glittering water that were here and there flecked with +foam, for the beach they skirted lies open to the heave of the +Atlantic. The Trade breeze fanned their faces pleasantly, and Ada +Ratcliffe sat almost contented for the time being at Ormsgill's side. +It was refreshing that hot day, to listen to the swish of sliding +brine, and there was a certain exhilaration in the swift smooth +motion, while she realized that the man she was to marry appeared to +greater advantage than he did as a rule in the drawing room of the big +hotel. + +He was never awkward, or ill at ease, but she had noticed--and +resented--the air of aloofness he sometimes wore when he listened to +her companions' pointless badinage and vapid conversation. Now as he +sat with a lean brown hand on the tiller controlling the little +hissing craft he seemed curiously at home. There was also, as +generally happened when he was occupied, a suggestion of reserved +force in his face and attitude. He was, she realized, a man one could +have confidence in when there were difficult things to be done. This +however, brought her presently a vague dissatisfaction, for she felt +there were certain aspects of his character which had never been +revealed to her, and she was faintly conscious of the antagonism to +and shrinking from what one cannot quite understand which is not +infrequently a characteristic of people with imperfectly developed +minds. + +The fresh Trade breeze which blew down out of the harbor from the +black Isleta hill was, however, evidently much less pleasant to the +Spanish peons who toiled at the ponderous sweeps of an empty coal +lighter the launch was rapidly drawing level with. She was floating +high above the flaming swell, and the perspiration dripped from the +men's grimy faces as they labored, two of them at each of the huge +oars. Indeed Ormsgill could see the swollen veins stand out on their +wet foreheads, and the overtaxed muscles swell on their half-covered +chests and naked arms, for the barge was of some forty tons, and it +was very heavy work pulling her against the wind. She had evidently +been to a Spanish steamer lying well out beyond the mole, and there +was, as he noticed, no tug available to tow her back again, while the +sea foamed whitely on a reef close astern of her. It was only by a +strenuous effort that the men were propelling the big clumsy craft +clear of the reef, and there were signs that they could not keep it up +much longer. + +He glanced at the little group of daintily attired, soft-handed men +and women on board the launch, to whom the stress of physical labor +was an unknown thing, and then looked back towards the coal-grimed +toilers on the lighter. As yet they worked on stubbornly, with tense +furrowed faces, under a scorching sun, taxing to the uttermost every +muscle in their bodies, but it seemed to him that the lighter was no +further from the reef. He flung an arm up, and hailed them, for he had +acquired a working acquaintance with several Latin languages on the +fever coast. + +"You can't clear that point," he said. "Have you no anchor?" + +"No, senor," cried one of the peons breathlessly. "The tug should have +come for us, but she is taking the water boat to the English steamer." + +Ormsgill turned to his companions. "You won't mind if I pull them in? +They're almost worn out, and it will not detain us more than ten +minutes." + +One of the men made a little gesture of concurrence which had a hint +of good-humored toleration in it, but Mrs. Ratcliffe appeared +displeased, and Ada flushed a trifle. One could have fancied she did +not wish the man who belonged to her to display his little +idiosyncrasies before her friends. + +"One understands that all Spaniards avoid exertion when they can," she +said. "Perhaps a little hard work wouldn't hurt them very much." + +There was a slight change in Ormsgill's expression. "I fancy the men +can do no more." + +Then he waved his hand to the peons. "Get your hawser ready." + +He was alongside the lighter in another minute, but she rolled wildly +above the launch, big and empty, and the sea broke whitely about her, +for now the men had ceased rowing she was drifting towards the reef. +The hawser was also dripping and smeared with coal dust when Ormsgill, +who seemed to understand such matters, hauled it in, and while the sea +splashed on board the launch, streams of gritty brine ran from it over +everything. Then he stirred the little furnace with an iron bar before +he pulled over the starting lever, and a rush of sparks and thin hot +smoke poured down upon his companions as the little craft went full +speed ahead. Ada, perhaps half-consciously, drew herself a little +farther away from him. There was coal grit on his wet duck jacket, and +he had handled hawser and furnace rubble like one accustomed to them, +in fact as a fireman or a sailor would have done. That was a thing +which did not please her, and she wondered if the others had noticed +it. It became evident that one of them had. + +"You did that rather smartly," he said. + +Ormsgill's smile was a trifle dry. "I have," he said, "done much the +same thing before professionally." + +There was a struggle for the next few minutes. Launch and lighter had +drifted into shoal water while they made the hawser fast, and the +swell had piled itself up and was breaking whitely. The little launch +plunged through it with flame at her funnel and a spray-cloud blowing +from her bows, and as she hauled the big lighter out yard by yard a +little glint crept into Ormsgill's eyes. Ada Ratcliffe almost resented +it, for he had never looked like that at any of the social functions +she had insisted on his taking a part in, but her forbearance was +further taxed when they crept slowly beneath the side of a big white +steam yacht. A little cluster of men and daintily dressed women sat +beneath the awning on her deck, and one or two of them were people her +mother had taken pains to cultivate an acquaintance with. + +One man leaned upon her rail and looked down with a little smile. +"Have you been going into the coal business, Fernside?" he said. +"Considering the figure they charged Desmond it ought to be a +profitable one." + +The man in the launch he addressed laughed, and Ormsgill towed the +lighter on until at last he cast the tow rope off, and a very grimy +peon stood upon her deck. He took off his big, shapeless hat, and as +he swung, cut in black against the dazzling sea, there was in his +poise a lithe gracefulness and a certain elaborate courtesy. + +"Senor," he said, "our thanks are yours, and everything else that +belongs to us. May the saints watch over you, and send you a friend if +ever your task is too heavy and the breakers are close beneath your +lee." + +Ormsgill took off his hat gravely, as equal to equal, but he smiled a +little as the launch swept on. + +"Well," he said, "after all, I may need one some day." + +They were back in the hotel in another half-hour, and Mrs. Ratcliffe +took him to task as they sat on the shady veranda. Ormsgill lay back +in his big Madeira chair, with half-closed eyes, and listened +dutifully. He felt he could afford it, for the few minutes of tense +uncertainty when he had hauled the lighter out of the grasp of the +breakers had been curiously pleasant to him. + +"There was, of course, no harm in the thing itself," she said at last. + +"No," said Ormsgill with an air of deep reflection, "I almost think +that to save a fellow creature who is badly worn out an effort he is +scarcely fit to make isn't really very wrong. Still, the men were +certainly very dirty--I suppose that is the point?" + +The lady, who looked very stiff and formal in the black she persisted +in wearing, favored him with a searching glance, but there was only +grave inquiry in his steady eyes. + +"The point is that things which may be commendable in themselves are +not always--appropriate," she said. + +"Expedient--isn't it?" suggested Ormsgill languidly. + +"Expedient," said Mrs. Ratcliffe with a little flush in her face. +"In this world one has to be guided by circumstances, and must +endeavor to fit oneself to that station in life to which one has +been--appointed." + +"I suppose so," said Ormsgill. "The trouble is that I really don't +know what particular station I have been appointed to. I was thrown +out of the Colonial service, you see, and afterwards drove a steam +launch for a very dissolute mahogany trader. Then I floated the same +kind of trees down another river with the niggers, and followed a few +other somewhat unusual occupations. In fact, I've been in so many +stations that it's almost bewildering." + +His companion got away from the point. She did not like having the +fact that he had been, as he expressed it, thrown out of the Colonial +service forced upon her recollection. + +"One has, at least, to consider one's friends," she said. "We are on +rather good terms with two or three of the people who came out with +Mr. Desmond, whom I have not met yet, in the _Palestrina_. In fact, +Ada is a little anxious that you should make their acquaintance. You +will probably come across them in England." + +"Well," said Ormsgill cheerfully, "I really don't think Dick Desmond +would mind if I took up coal heaving as an amusement. He isn't a +particularly conventional man himself." + +"You know him?" + +"Oh, yes. I know him tolerably well." + +"Then didn't you consider it your duty to go off and call upon him?" + +"I suppose it was," said Ormsgill meditatively. "Still, as a rule, I +rather like my friends to call on me. I've no doubt that Dick will do +it presently. He only arrived here yesterday, as you know. The people +he brought out came on from Teneriffe, I think. Somebody told me the +_Palestrina_ lay a week there with something wrong with her engines." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe smiled approvingly at last. "Yes," she said, "in one +way the course you mention is usually preferable. It places one on a +surer footing." + +Then she discussed other subjects, and supplied him with a good deal +of excellent advice to which he listened patiently, though he was +sensible of a certain weariness and there was a little dry smile in +his eyes when she went away. As it happened, Desmond, who owned the +_Palestrina_, came ashore that evening and was received by Mrs. +Ratcliffe very graciously. The two men had also a good deal to say to +each other, and the meeting was not without its results to both of +them. + +It was late the following afternoon when a little yellow-funneled +mail-boat with poop and forecastle painted white steamed into the +harbor with awnings spread, and an hour or two later a waiter handed +Ormsgill a letter. His face grew intent as he read it, and the curious +little glint that Ada Ratcliffe had noticed when he towed the coal +lighter clear of the surf crept back into his eyes. It was also +significant that, although she and her mother were sitting near him on +the veranda, he appeared oblivious of them when he rose and stepped +back through an open window into the hotel. Five minutes later they +saw him stride through the garden and down the long white road. + +"I think he is going to the little mole," said Ada. "I don't know why +he does so, but when anything seems to ruffle him he generally goes +there." + +Then she flashed a quick questioning glance at her mother. "That +letter was from Africa. I saw the stamp on it." + +Mrs. Ratcliffe shook her head. "I don't think there is any reason why +you should disturb yourself," she said. "After all, one has to excuse +a good deal in the case of men who live in the tropics, and though the +ways Tom has evidently acquired there now and then jar on me I venture +to believe he will grow out of them and become a credit to you with +judicious management. It would, perhaps, be wiser not to mention that +letter, my dear." + +Ada said nothing, though she was a trifle uneasy. She had seen the +sudden intentness of Ormsgill's face, and was far from sure that he +would submit to management of any kind. Nobody acquainted with her +considered her a clever woman, but, after all, her intelligence was +keener than her mother's. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill sat down on the steps of the little mole. It +was pleasantly cool there, and he had already found the rush and +rumble of frothing brine tranquilizing, though he was scarcely +conscious of it as he took out the letter and read it again. It was +from the missionary Nares. + +"Father Tiebout has just come in very shaky with fever," he read. "It +appears that Herrero, who will not let her go, has gone back towards +the interior with the woman Lamartine gave him, and has been +systematically ill-using her. There is another matter to mention. +Soon after you went Domingo seized the opportunity of raiding +Lamartine's station, and took all the boys away while we were +arranging to send them home as you asked us to do. It will, in view of +the feeling against us, be difficult or impossible to bring the thing +home to him, but I understand from Father Tiebout that you engaged the +boys for Lamartine and pledged your word to send them home when the +time agreed upon expired. Father Tiebout merely asked me to tell you. +He said that if you recognized any responsibility in the matter you +would not shrink from it." + +Ormsgill crumpled up the letter and sat very still, gazing into the +dimness that was creeping up from Africa across the sea. The message +was terse, and though the writing was that of Nares he saw the wisdom +of Father Tiebout in it. Nares when he was moved spoke at length and +plainly, but the little priest had a way of making other folks do what +he wanted, as it were, of their own accord, and without his prompting +them. + +It grew rapidly darker, but Ormsgill did not notice it. The deep +rumble of the surf was in his ears, and the restlessness of the sea +crept in on him. He had heard that thunderous booming on sweltering +African beaches, and had watched the filmy spray-cloud float far +inland athwart the dingy mangroves, and a curious gravity crept into +his eyes as he gazed at the Eastern haze beyond which lay the shadowy +land. Life was intense and primitive there, and his sojourn in the big +hotel had left him with a growing weariness. Then there was the debt +he owed Lamartine, and the promise he had made, and he wondered +vaguely what Ada Ratcliffe would say when he told her he was going +back again. She would protest, but, for all that, he fancied she would +not feel his absence very much, though there were times when her +manner to him had been characterized by a certain tenderness. As he +thought of it he sighed. + +By and by a boat from the white steam yacht slid up to the foot of the +steps, and a man who ascended them started when he came upon Ormsgill. +He was tall and long-limbed, and his voice rang pleasantly. + +"What in the name of wonder are you doing here alone?" he asked. + +"I think I'm worrying, Dick," said Ormsgill. "The fact is, I'm going +back yonder." + +Desmond looked hard at him--but it was already almost dark. "Well," he +said, "we're rather old friends. Would it be too much if I asked you +why?" + +"Sit down," said Ormsgill. "I'll try to tell you." + +He did so concisely and quietly, and Desmond made a little sign of +comprehension. "Well," he said, "if you feel yourself under an +obligation to that Frenchman I'm not sure it isn't just as binding now +he's dead." + +"I was on my beam-ends, without a dollar in my pocket, when he held +out his hand to me. Of course, neither of us know much about these +questions, and, as a matter of fact, it's scarcely likely that +Lamartine did, but he seemed to believe what the padre told him, and +there's no doubt it was a load off his mind when he understood I'd +have the woman set at liberty." + +Desmond sat silent for a minute. Then he said, "There are two points +that occur to me. Since you are willing to supply the money, can't the +priest and the missionary arrange the thing?" + +"Nares says they can't. After all, they're there on sufferance, and +every official keeps a jealous eye on them. You couldn't expect them +to throw away all they've done for several years, and that's very much +what it would amount to if they were run out of the Colony." + +"Then suppose you bought the woman back, and got those boys set free? +From what I've heard about the country somebody else would probably +lay hands on them again. Since the Frenchman has broken them in they'd +be desirable property." + +"That's one of the things I'm worrying over," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "I had thought of running them up the coast and turning +them loose in British Nigeria. They'd be reasonably well treated, and +get wages at the factories there. Still, I'd have some trouble in +getting them out of the country, especially as I'm not greatly tempted +to buy the boys. If I was it's quite likely that Domingo, who is not a +friend of mine, wouldn't let me have them. You see, I'd have to get +papers at the port, though there are plenty of lonely beaches where +one could get a surf-boat off. I had a notion of trying to pick up a +schooner at Sierra Leone or Lagos." + +Again Desmond said nothing for a few moments. Then he laughed. "Well," +he said, "there's the _Palestrina_, and when we shake her up she can +do her fourteen knots. You can have her for a shooting expedition at a +pound a month. Now don't raise any--nonsensical objections. I'm about +sick of loafing. The thing would be a relief to me." + +"There's your father," said Ormsgill suggestively. + +"Just so! There's also the whole estimable family, who have made up +their minds I'm to go into Parliament whether I'm willing or not. +Well, it seems to me that if I'm to have a hand in governing my +country it will be an education to see how they mismanage things in +other ones." + +Then the scion of a political family who could talk like a fireman, +and frequently did so, laughed again. "If I get into trouble over it +it will be a big advertisement. Besides, it's two years since I had a +frolic of any kind. Been nursing the constituency, taking a benevolent +interest in everything from women's rights to village cricket clubs, +and I'm coming with you to rake up brimstone now. After all, though +I've had no opportunity of displaying my abilities in that direction +lately, it's one of the few things I really excel in." + +Ormsgill was far from sure that this was what he desired, but he knew +his man, and that, for all his apparent inconsequence, he was one who +when the pinch came could be relied upon. Then Desmond's effervescence +usually vanished, and gave place to a cold determined quietness that +had carried him through a good many difficulties. This was fortunate, +since he was addicted to involving himself in them rather frequently. + +"Well," said Ormsgill, "I'll be glad to have you, but it's rather a +big thing. I think they're expecting you at the hotel. We'll talk of +it again." + +He rose, and as they went back together Desmond said reflectively. "I +suppose you understand that it's scarcely likely your prospective +mother-in-law will be pleased with you?" + +"I wasn't aware that you knew her until you came across her here," +said Ormsgill. + +"I didn't. My cousins do. Perhaps you won't mind my saying that they +seem a little sorry for you. From what they have said about Mrs. +Ratcliffe it seems to me that you may have trouble in convincing her +of the disinterestedness of your intentions." + +Ormsgill felt that this was very probable, though he said nothing. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A DETERMINED MAN + + +It was the following afternoon when Ormsgill stood on the wide veranda +outside Mrs. Ratcliffe's room. That lady sat somewhat stiffly facing +him in a big basket chair, while her daughter lay close by in one of +canvas with her eyes also fixed upon the man languidly. She was +dressed in white, and looked very cool and dainty, though her face was +almost expressionless. In fact, her attitude was characterized by a +certain well-bred serenity which is seldom without its effect when it +is an essential part of the person who exhibits it, though a passable +imitation of it may be cultivated. + +Then one sometimes wonders what may lie behind it, though an attempt +to ascertain is not always advisable. In some cases there is nothing, +and in others things which it is wiser to leave unseen. + +Ormsgill had, as it happened, been busy that morning with an English +lawyer whom he had met at the hotel, and had taken him over to the +office of the Vice-Consul, who signed a document the lawyer drew out. +He had also made other preparations for a journey, but he had sent the +priest no word that he was going back to Africa. This, he felt, was +not necessary, since Father Tiebout would expect him. He leaned +bareheaded against the rails, with the furrows showing plainly on his +bronzed face, while the Trade breeze, which was fresh that afternoon, +swept the cool veranda and piled the long Atlantic swell rumbling on +the beach. He could see the spray fly high and white, and the dust +whirl down the glaring road that led to the Spanish city, and once +more he felt his blood stir in harmony with the throb of restless life +in the frothing sea. Still, the task before him was difficult, and he +set about it diffidently. + +It was, as he realized, a very lame story and one open to serious +misconception that fell from his lips. He could, of course, say +nothing in favor of Lamartine's mode of life, though it was by no +means an unusual one, and he had to mention it. The subject was a +somewhat delicate one in itself, but it was not that alone which +brought a faint flush to his face. Mrs. Ratcliffe's pose grew +perceptibly primmer as he proceeded, and he recognized that any +confidence she might have had in him was being severely shaken. Still, +he had not expected her to understand, and he glanced at her daughter +with a certain anxiety. The girl's languid indifference was less +marked now, for there was a spot of color in her cheek, and her lips +were set disdainfully. Ormsgill closed one lean hand a trifle, for +these things had their significance, and he had expected that she, at +least, would have found his assurance sufficient. + +"I think you will agree with me that I must go," he said. + +Mrs. Ratcliffe's tone was sharp and she looked at him steadily. + +"I'm afraid I don't," she said. "The man was on your own showing an +altogether depraved person." + +"No," said Ormsgill dryly. "I should be sorry to admit as much. But if +he had been, would that have rendered a promise to him less binding?" + +"Yes," said the elder lady sturdily. "If he really felt any remorse at +all--of which I am very dubious--he brought it upon himself. One +cannot do wrong without bearing the consequences. Still, I do not +suppose it was penitence. It was more probably pagan fear of death. +The man, you admit, was under priestly influence. Of course, if he had +been brought up differently----" + +Ormsgill could not help a little smile. "He would have considered +repentance sufficient, and left the woman to bear the consequences? +Somehow I have a hazy notion that restitution is insisted on. But if +we dismiss that subject there are still the boys. You see, I pledged +myself to send them home again." + +Ada Ratcliffe looked up, and her expression was quietly disdainful. +"Half-naked, thick-lipped niggers. Would it hurt them very much to +work a little and become a trifle civilized? One understands that +there is no actual slavery in any part of Africa under European +control." + +Ormsgill winced, and it was, perhaps, only natural that Mrs. Ratcliffe +should not understand why he did so. Then his face grew a trifle hard, +but he answered quietly. + +"I have no doubt there are folks who would tell you so, but there is, +at least, something very like it in one or two colonies," he said. +"Still, that is not quite the point." + +The girl laughed. "I am a little afraid there is no point at all." + +She rose languidly, and the way she did so suggested collusion, though +Ormsgill had not noticed that her mother made her any sign. She swept +past him with a swish of filmy fabric, and he turned to the elder +lady, who made a little gesture of resignation. + +"It seems," she said, "you are determined to go, and in that case +there is something to be said. As you are bent on exposing yourself to +the hazards of a climate I have heard described as deadly, one has to +consider--eventualities." + +"Exactly!" and Ormsgill found it difficult to repress a sardonic +smile. "I have endeavored to provide against them in the one way +possible to me. An hour ago I handed Major Chillingham a document +which will place Ada in possession of a considerable proportion of my +property in six months from my death. The absence of any word from me +for that period is to be considered as proof of it. I have no +relatives with any claim on me, and I think I am only carrying out an +obligation." + +"You are very generous," and his companion's tone was expressive of +sincere satisfaction. "Though it is, of course, painful, one is +reluctantly compelled to take these things into consideration." + +She said rather more to the same effect, and the man's face, which was +a trifle hard when she went away, suggested that some, at least, of +her observations had jarred on him. He was also somewhat astonished +to find Ada waiting for him when he strolled moodily into the big +drawing-room. + +"Tom," she said, "you won't go back there, after all. I don't want you +to." + +There was a tinge of color in her cheeks and a tense appeal in her +eyes, and for a moment Ormsgill was almost tempted to forget his +promise and break his word. It seemed that she did care, though he had +scarcely fancied that she would feel the parting with him very much a +little while ago, and something suggested that she was apprehensive, +too. He stood very still, and she saw him slowly close one of his +hands. + +"My dear," he said, "I have to go." + +The girl looked at him steadily a moment, and then made a little +hopeless gesture of resignation. + +"In that case I should gain nothing by attempting to urge you," she +said with a curious quietness. "Still, Tom, you will write to me when +you can." + +Ormsgill was stirred, as well as a trifle astonished. She had seldom +shown him very much tenderness, and he had said nothing that might +lead her to believe that he was undertaking a somewhat dangerous thing +or that the country was especially unhealthy. Still, he could not help +feeling that she was afraid of something. Then, as it happened, they +heard her mother speaking to somebody in the corridor, and making him +a little sign she slipped out softly. Ormsgill sat where he was, +wondering why she had done so, until a rustle of dresses suggested +that she and the people she had apparently spoken to had moved away. +Then he went out, and met Desmond in front of the hotel. + +"Been having it out with Mrs. Ratcliffe?" he said. "I saw you on the +veranda. Found it rather difficult? I couldn't stand that old woman." + +"It was not exactly pleasant," said Ormsgill, dryly. + +Desmond grinned. "Told her what you were going back for--and she +didn't believe a word of it? As a matter of fact, you could hardly +expect her to. Still, you needn't be unduly anxious. It wouldn't +matter very much what you did out there. She might be horrified when +she heard of it, but she wouldn't let you go." + +The blood rose to Ormsgill's face. He fancied his companion was right +in this, but it suggested another thought, and it appeared impossible +that the girl's views should coincide with her mother's. It was +painful to feel that she might have placed an unfavorable construction +upon his narrative, but that she should believe him a libertine and +still be willing to marry him because he was rich was a thing he +shrank with horror from admitting. He was aware that women now and +then made such marriages, but although he did not as a rule expect too +much of human nature, he looked for a good deal from the woman he +meant to make his wife. He could not quite disguise the fact that +there were aspects of her character which did not altogether please +him. + +"Well," he said grimly, "we will talk about something else. You are +still determined on going with me?" + +"Of course," said Desmond. + +Ormsgill took him into his room, and by and by unrolled a chart upon +the table. + +"There's shelter off this beach in about six fathoms under the point," +he said. "She will roll rather wildly, but the holding's excellent, +and a surf-boat could get off most days in the week. As some of the +mail-boat skippers will probably see you and mention it, you will call +and report yourself to the Commandant and the customs on your way down +the coast. Bring one or two of them off to dinner and inquire about +the sport to be had. As a matter of fact, there is something to shoot +a few days' march back from the beach, and there is no reason why you +shouldn't go after it." + +"You haven't said very much about yourself," observed his companion. + +"I'm going direct by mail-boat. There is to be no apparent connection +between us. If you are at the beach by the date I mentioned and wait +there fourteen days, it will be sufficient. If I don't join you by +that time something will have gone radically wrong." + +"Then," said Desmond cheerfully, "I'll fit the whole crowd out down to +the firemen with elephant guns and rifles, and go ashore to fetch you, +if we have to sack every bush fort in the country." + +Ormsgill only laughed, and going out together they swung themselves on +a passing steam tram and were whirled away to the steamship offices in +the Spanish city through a blinding cloud of dust. + +Two days later Ormsgill boarded a yellow-funneled steamer, which crept +out of harbor presently with the Portuguese flag at the fore, and +faded into a streak of hull and a smoke trail low down on the dazzling +sea. From the veranda of the hotel, Ada Ratcliffe watched it slowly +melt, with her lips tight set and a curious look in her eyes, until +when the blue expanse was once more empty she rose with a little sigh. +There was, of course, nothing to be gained by sitting there +disconsolate, and she had to array herself becomingly for an excursion +to a village among the black volcanic hills. She also took a prominent +part in it very gracefully, while a quiet brown-faced man leaned on a +little wildly-rolling steamer's rail, looking southwest across the +dazzling white-flecked combers towards the shadowy land. + +He reached it in due time, and one afternoon two or three days after +he arrived at a little decadent city, sat talking to the olive-faced +gentleman he had met at the Las Palmas hotel. The latter now wore a +very tight white uniform, and a rather high and cumbrous kepi lay on +the chair at his side. He was singularly spare in figure; his face, +which was a trifle worn and hollow, was in no way suggestive of +physical virility, and the brown-tipped fingers of the hand which +rested on his knee very much resembled claws; but, as Major +Chillingham had noticed, he wore the unmistakable stamp of high +authority. + +"Ah," he said in Portuguese, "you are not as most of your countrymen, +and seem to understand that haste is not always advisable--especially +in this land." + +Ormsgill smiled a little as he gazed down on the straggling city. The +room he and his companion sat in had no front to it. A row of slender +pillars with crude whitewashed arches between them served instead, and +he could look out on the curiously jumbled buildings below. Some were +of wood and had red iron roofs and broad verandas, others of stone, or +what appeared to be blocks of sun-baked mud, and these were mostly +glaringly whitewashed and roofed with tiles, though a few were flat +topped. Some stood in clusters, but as a rule there were wide spaces, +strewn with ruins and rubbish, between them. Scarcely a sound rose +from any of them. Here and there a white-clad figure reclined in a big +chair on a veranda, and odd clusters of negroes, some loosely draped +in raw colors, and some half-naked, slept in the shadow. Everything +was so still that one could have fancied the place was peopled by the +dead. Beyond the long strip of land across the harbor the glaring +levels of the Atlantic stretched away, and the hot air quivered with +the dull insistent roar and rumble of the surf. + +"It is certainly as I suggested," said the little olive-faced +gentleman. "You have been here three days, and I do not even know what +you expect from me yet." + +"It is very little. A concession of exploitation in the country +inland." + +"In which district?" + +Ormsgill mentioned it, and his companion looked at him with a little +smile. "The request can be granted, but I gave you good advice once +before, and I venture to offer it again. This Africa is not a healthy +country, and it is not, I think, advisable that you should stay here, +especially up yonder in the bush. There are gentlemen of some +importance there whom you have offended, and we are, it seems, not all +forgiving. It is, perhaps, a fact to be deprecated, but one to be +counted on." + +"One has occasionally to do a thing that doesn't seem advisable," said +Ormsgill reflectively. + +"In this case the reasons cannot be financial. I heard of your good +fortune in Las Palmas." + +Ormsgill was not pleased at this, but he laughed. "A little money is +not always a fortune. Perhaps it would be permissible for me to +express my pleasure that your administrative genius has been +recognized?" + +Dom Clemente made him a little grave inclination. "I hold authority, +but the man who does so seldom sleeps on roses, especially in this +country. Well, you still want the concession of exploitation, though +the region you mention is not a productive one?" + +"There are articles of commerce which come down that way from the +interior." + +Dom Clemente looked at him steadily. "Ah," he said, "if one could tell +what went on there. Still, as you say, there are things we have need +of that come down from the interior." + +Ormsgill's face was expressionless, though he was not pleased to see a +little smile creep into his companion's eyes, but just then another +man of very dusky color came up the outside stairway with a big +clanking sword strapped on to him, and Dom Clemente rose. + +"I make my excuses, but the permit will be ready to-morrow," he said. +"In the meanwhile my daughter, who is in the patio, would thank you +for several courtesies at Las Palmas." + +Ormsgill turned away, and went down to the little pink-washed patio +which was filled with straggling flowers and was, at least, +comparatively cool. The girl who lay in a big chair did not rise, but +signed to him to take another near her side, and then looked up at him +with big violet eyes. It did not occur to Ormsgill that there was any +significance in the fact that the only two chairs in the patio should +be close together, but it struck him that Benicia Figuera was a very +well-favored young woman, and very much in harmony with her +surroundings. Colorless as her face was, there was a scintillation in +her eyes, and a depth of hue in her somewhat full red lips, which with +the sweeping lines of her lightly-draped, rounded form suggested that +there was in her a full measure of the warm and vivid life of the +tropics. Her voice was low and quiet, and her English passable. + +"I believe my father has been giving you good advice," she said. + +"Why should you think that?" asked Ormsgill, lightly. + +His companion's gesture might have meant anything. "You feel the +advice is excellent, but you do not mean to take it? It is not a thing +you often do. In one way I am sorry." + +Ormsgill laughed. "Might one ask why you should take so much interest +in an obstinate stranger?" + +The girl moved her hands, which were white and very shapely, in a +fashion which seemed to imply a protest. Ormsgill noticed that they +had also the appearance of capable hands, and he fancied that their +grasp could be tenacious. + +"Ah," she said, "there were little courtesies shown us at Las Palmas, +things that made our stay there pleasanter, and I think there was, +perhaps, no great reason why you should have done them for my father." +Then her eyes twinkled. "I am not sure that all your friends were very +pleased with you." + +Ormsgill did not smile this time. He recollected now that Ada +Ratcliffe had been distinctly less gracious and her mother more formal +than usual after one or two of the trifling courtesies he had shown +Dom Clemente and the girl, but it had not occurred to him to put the +two things together. + +"I wonder," he said reflectively "how you come to speak such excellent +English." + +The girl laughed. + +"My mother's name was O'Donnel, though she was rather more Portuguese +than I am. She was born in the Peninsula. It seems I have gone back +two or three generations. They assured me of it once in Wicklow. +Still, all that does not interest you. You are going into the +interior." + +Ormsgill said he was, and the girl appeared thoughtful for a moment or +two. + +"Then one might again advise you to be careful. There are, at least, +two men who do not wish you well. One of them is a certain Commandant, +and the other the trader Herrero." + +"I wonder if you could tell me where the trader Herrero is?" + +"If I can I will send you word to-morrow." + +Ormsgill thanked her and took his leave ceremoniously, but he was a +little annoyed to find that his thoughts would wander back to the cool +patio as he strolled through the dazzling, sun-scorched town. He felt +it would have been pleasant to stay there a little in the shadow, and +that Benicia Figuera would not have resented it. There was something +vaguely attractive about her, and she had Irish eyes in which he had +seen a hint of the reckless inconsequent courage of that people. This, +he reflected, did not concern him, and dismissing all further thought +of her he went about his business. Still, when the concession was sent +to him next morning the negro who brought it also handed him a little +note. It had no signature, and merely contained the name of a certain +village on the fringe of the hills that cut off the coast levels from +the island plateaux. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DESMOND MAKES AN ADMISSION + + +Two months had slipped by since Ormsgill and his carefully chosen +carriers had vanished into the steamy bush which climbs the slopes of +the inland plateaux, when the _Palestrina_ steamed in towards the +straggling, sun-scorched town. She came on at half-speed, gleaming +ivory white, in a blaze of brightness, with a man strapped outside her +bridge swinging the heavy lead, until Desmond, who swept the shore +line with his glasses, raised his hand. Then the propeller whirled +hard astern and she stopped amidst a roar of running chain. Next the +awnings were stretched across her aft, and after a beautiful white gig +sank down her side, a trimly uniformed crew pulled Desmond ashore to +interview the men in authority. + +He found them courteous. Though that is not a coast which English +yachts frequent, one had called there not very long before, and they +had a pleasant recollection of the hospitality they had enjoyed on +board her. Besides, it was very soon evident that this red-faced +yachtsman was not one of the troublesome Englishmen who demand +information about social and political matters which do not concern +them. Desmond took the authorities off to dinner, and showed them his +sporting rifles and one or two letters given him by gentlemen of +their own nationality whom he had similarly entertained at Funchal +Madeira. His young companion with the heavy sea-bronzed face was even +more ingenuous, and there was no doubt that the wine and cigars were +excellent. + +Strangers with any means were also singularly scarce in that town, and +its rulers finding Desmond friendly made much of him, and supplied him +freely with the information he required respecting the localities +where one might still come across big game. He was, in fact, a social +success, and contrived to spend a fortnight there very pleasantly. +Still, there was one of his new friends who considered it advisable to +take certain precautions, which came indirectly to the knowledge of +the latter's daughter. + +It also happened that Desmond's companion, Lister, who went ashore +alone now and then, enjoyed himself in his own fashion. He was a young +man whose tastes and idiosyncrasies had caused his friends at home +some anxiety, and they had for certain reasons prevailed upon Desmond +to take him to sea for a few months out of harm's way. Lister +submitted unwillingly, but he discovered that even that sweltering +African town had pleasures to offer him, and determined on making the +most of them. + +It was a very hot evening when he sat in the patio of a little +flat-topped house which bore a legend outside announcing that it was a +_caffee_. A full moon hung above the city and flooded half the little +square round which the building rose with silvery light. The summit of +the white walls cut sharply against the cloudless blue, and the land +breeze flowed in through a low archway heavy with heat and smells. Now +and then the roar of the Atlantic surf swelled in volume and rolled +across the roofs in a deep-toned rumbling. Lister, however, naturally +noticed very little of this. + +He lay in a Madeira chair near a little table upon which stood several +flasks of wine and glasses, as well as a bundle of cigarettes. A lamp +hung above him, and his light white clothing displayed the fleshiness +of his big, loosely-hung frame. His face was a trifle flushed, and +there was a suggestive gleam in his eyes when he glanced towards the +unglazed square of lighted window behind which a comely damsel of +somewhat dusky skin was singing to a mandolin, but the occasional +bursts of hoarse laughter made it evident that the lady had other +companions, and there was then a little but rather painful punctured +wound in one of Lister's hands. She had made it that afternoon with a +slender silver-headed strip of steel which she wore in her dusky hair, +and Lister could take a hint when it was plain enough. + +As it happened, a partial acquaintance with one or two Latin languages +had been drilled into him in preparation for a certain branch of his +country's service to which prejudiced persons had eventually denied +him admission, and he had afterwards acquired sundry scraps of +Portuguese in Madeiran wine-shops. As the result of this, his +companions understood part, at least, of what he said. Two of them who +had very yellow hands and somewhat crisp black hair were shaking dice +upon the table, while a third lay quietly in a basket lounge watching +the Englishman with keen dark eyes. The latter threw a piece of paper +money down on the table. + +"It's against me," he said. "I'll double on the same odds you don't +shake as high again. Pass your friend the wine, Dom Domingo." + +The quiet man made this a trifle plainer, and thrust the wine flask +across the table, but Lister did not notice that one of the others +looked at him as if for permission or instructions before he flung the +dice back into the box. + +"One who knows the game would not give quite such odds," he said in +passable French. "It is the cards you play on board the steamer?" + +"No," said Lister, who had consumed a good deal of wine, "not often. I +wish we did. It would pass the time while we lie waiting off your +blazing beaches." + +"Ah," said the little man, "you wait for somebody, then?" + +Lister's little start was quite perceptible, but he grinned. "You +can't go inland without taking somebody who knows the way. I think I +told you we were going up country to kill big game." + +"But certainly!" and the other spread out his hands. "This is, +however, not the season when one usually sets out on such a journey. +It would be wiser to make it in a month or two. For good heads you +must also go inland a long way. You start from--?" + +"The Bahia Santiago," but Lister recollected next moment, and looked +at his companion truculently with half-closed eyes. "It seems to me +you have a good many questions to ask. Besides, you stop the game." + +The little man waved his hand deprecatingly, and answered one of the +others' inquiring glance with a just perceptible motion of his head. + +"Your pardon, senor," he said. "It was good advice I gave you about +the odds." + +He rose and slowly sauntered across the patio, but Lister did not +notice that he stopped in the black shadow of the archway. Neither did +the other men, one of whom shook the dice again. + +"Ah!" he said. "The luck is once more against you." + +Lister poured himself out another glass of wine. He was feeling a +trifle drowsy, and the patio was very hot, but he wished to rouse +himself enough to watch one of the player's thick-fingered yellow +hands. Then flinging down another piece of paper money he reached out +and took the box himself. His lips had shut tight, and though his face +had flushed more deeply his eyes were keen. + +They threw twice more while the other man, who appeared to relinquish +his share in the proceedings, good-humoredly looked on, and then +Lister leaned forward suddenly and seized the yellow hand. The box +fell with a clatter, and Lister clutched one of the little spotted +cubes that rolled out upon the table. Then the player's companion +swung out his right arm with a flick of his sleeve, and Lister caught +the gleam of steel. Loosely hung and a trifle slouching as he was, he +was big, and had, at least, no lack of animal courage. He said +nothing, but he flung the man whose hand he held backward upon the +table, which overturned in front of his companion, and snatching a +heavy wine flask from one close by, swung it by the neck. + +The man with the knife was a moment recovering his footing, and then +he moved forward, half-crouching, with a cat-like gait. The veins rose +swollen on Lister's forehead, but he stood still, and his big red hand +tightened savagely on the neck of the heavy vessel, which held a quart +or two. The tinkle of the mandolin had ceased abruptly, and for a few +moments there was not a sound in the little patio. Then there was a +sharp command, and the man with the knife slunk backward, as a figure +moved quietly out of the shadow beneath the archway. It was the man +who had questioned Lister, and he laid his hand upon the flask the +latter held. + +"With permission I will take it from you," he said. "It is, I think, +convenient that you go back to your steamer." + +Lister fancied that he was right, and when three or four men who had +now come out from the lighted room made way for them he followed his +companion out through the archway. The latter called to a man in +dilapidated white uniform, and they proceeded together to where a boat +was waiting. They put Lister on board her, and stood still a minute or +two watching while a couple of negroes rowed him off to the +_Palestrina_. Then one of them laughed. + +"There are many fools in this world but one has perhaps no cause to +pity them," he said. "It is as a rule their friends they bring to +grief." + +Twenty minutes later he called at Dom Clemente's residence, and was +not exactly pleased when he was shown into the presence of Benicia +Figuera. + +"My father is on board the yacht. You have come about the Englishman +you have been watching?" she said. + +The man made a little deprecatory gesture. "It is not permissible to +contradict the senorita." + +Benicia laughed. "It would not be worth while, my friend. You will +leave your message." + +"It is a report for Dom Clemente," and again the man spread out his +hands. One could have fancied he felt it necessary to excuse himself +for such an answer. + +"Then," said the girl, "it is, as I think you know, quite safe with +me." + +There was no smile in her eyes this time, and her companion thought +rapidly. Then, after another gesture which expressed resignation, he +spoke for some three or four minutes until the girl checked him with a +sign. + +"If Dom Clemente has any questions to ask he will send for you," she +said. "If not, you must not trouble him about the matter. I think you +understand?" + +It was evident that the man did so, for he went out with a respectful +gesture of comprehension, and then turned and shook a yellow fist at +the door which closed behind him. He could foresee that to do as he +was bidden might involve him in difficulties, but Benicia Figuera was +something of a power in that country, and he knew it was seldom +advisable to thwart her. She, as it happened, sat still thinking for a +time, and as the result of it when Desmond's gig went ashore next +morning a negro handed one of her crew a little note. That afternoon +Desmond dressed himself with somewhat unusual care before he was rowed +ashore, and on being ushered into a white house by a uniformed negro +was not altogether astonished to find Benicia Figuera waiting for him +alone in a big cool room. He had met her in Las Palmas, and she smiled +at him graciously as she pointed to a little table where wine and +cigarettes were laid out. + +"They are at your disposal. Here one smokes at all times and +everywhere," she said. + +Desmond sat down some distance away from her, for as he said +afterwards, she was astonishingly pretty as well as most artistically +got up, and he was on his guard. + +"I almost fancy it is advisable that I should keep my head just now, +and it already promises to be sufficiently difficult," he said with a +twinkle in his eyes. "Dom Clemente is presumably not at home. That is +why you sent for me?" + +Now the compliments men offer a lady in the Iberian Peninsula are as a +rule artistically involved, but the girl laughed. + +"He will not be back until this evening, but the excellent Senora +Castro in whose charge I am is now sitting on the veranda," she said. +"You need not put your armor on, my friend. It would be useless +anyway." + +"Yes," said the man reflectively, "I almost think it would be." + +"And my intentions are friendly." + +Desmond spread his hands out as the men of her own nationality did. +"The assurance is a relief to me, but I should feel easier if you told +me what you wanted. After all, it could not have been merely the +pleasure of seeing me." + +Benicia nodded approvingly. His keenness and good-humored candor +appealed to her. It was also in some respects a pleasure to meet a man +who could come straight to the point. Her Portuguese friends usually +spent an unreasonable time going around it. + +"Well," she said, leaning forward and looking at him with eyes which +he afterwards told Ormsgill were worth risking a fortune for, "I will +tell you what I know, and I leave you to decide how far it is +desirable for you to be frank with me. In the first place, you are not +going inland to shoot big game. You are going to wait at the Bahia +Santiago for somebody." + +Desmond's face grew a trifle red. "If I had Lister here I think I +should feel tempted to twist his neck for him." + +The girl laughed. "It would be an interesting spectacle. I suppose you +know that last night he broke a man's wrist?" + +"I did not," said Desmond dryly. "When he amuses himself in that way +he seldom tells me--but, to be quite frank, I've almost had enough of +him. It's rather a pity the other fellow didn't break his head. +Still, perhaps, that's a little outside the question." + +"The question is--who are you going to wait for at the Bahia +Santiago?" + +"Ah," said Desmond, "I almost think you know." + +Benicia smiled. "It is, of course, Mr. Ormsgill. He is a friend of +yours. Now, as you can recognize, it is in my power or that of my +father to involve you in a good many difficulties. I wish to know what +Ormsgill went inland for. It was certainly not on a commercial +venture." + +Desmond thought hard for the next half-minute. He was a man who could +face a responsibility, and it was quite clear to him that Miss Figuera +already knew quite enough to ruin his comrade's project if she thought +fit to do so. Still, he felt that she would not think fit. He did not +know how she conveyed this impression, or even if she meant to convey +it, for Benicia Figuera was a lady of some importance in that country, +and, as he reflected, no doubt recognized the fact. She sat +impassively still, with her dark eyes fixed on him, and there was a +certain hint of imperiousness in her manner, until he suddenly made +his mind up. + +"Well," he said, "I will try to tell you, though there are, I think, +people who would scarcely understand the thing." + +He spoke for some ten minutes, and Benicia sat silent a while when at +last he stopped abruptly. Then she made a little gesture of +comprehension. + +"Yes," she said simply, "I think your friend is one of the few men who +could be expected to do such things." Then she laughed. "The girl he +is to marry, the one I saw in Las Palmas, is naturally very vexed with +him?" + +"That," said Desmond gravely, "is a subject I scarcely feel warranted +in going into. Besides, as a matter of fact, I don't know. There is, +however, another point I am a little anxious about." + +"The course I am likely to take?" and Benicia rose. "Well, it is +scarcely likely to be to your disadvantage, and I think you are wise +in telling me. Still, as you see, I do not bind myself to anything." + +Desmond stood up in turn, and made her a little grave inclination. "I +leave it in your hands with confidence. After all, that is the only +course open to me." + +"Yes," said Benicia, "I believe it is. Still, you seem to have no +great fear of me betraying you." + +"I certainly haven't," said Desmond. "I don't know why." + +His companion laughed, and held out her hand to him, and in a few more +minutes Desmond was striding down the hot street towards the beach. +When he reached the boat he turned a moment and looked back towards +the big white house. + +"It looks very much as if I'd made a fool of myself, and spoiled the +whole thing, but I don't think I have," he said. + +It was two or three hours later, and darkness had suddenly closed down +on the sweltering town, when the scream of a whistle broke through the +drowsy roar of the surf as a mail-boat ringed with blinking lights +crept up to the anchorage. Then Desmond sent for Lister, and drew him +into the room beneath the bridge. + +"There doesn't appear to be anything very much for that boat, and +she'll probably clear for the north to-morrow," he said. "You had +better get your things together." + +Lister gazed at him with astonishment in his heavy face. "I don't +quite understand you," he said. + +"The thing's perfectly simple. You're going north in her. In one or +two respects I'm sorry I have to turn you out, but, to be quite +straight, you're not the kind of man I want beside me now. You're too +fond of company, and have a--inconvenient habit of talking in your +cups." + +Lister flushed. "I presume you are referring to my conversation with +that slinking yellow-handed fellow I came across last night? He was a +little inquisitive, but I didn't tell him anything." + +"No," said Desmond dryly, "I don't suppose you did. It's often the +points a man of your capacity doesn't mention one deduces the most +from. He generally makes it evident that he's working away from them. +That, however, wouldn't strike you, and any way it doesn't affect the +case. I'm sorry I can't offer to accommodate you on board the +_Palestrina_ any longer. I told your folks I'd keep an eye on you, but +it's becoming too big a responsibility." + +Lister gazed at him almost incredulously. "Of course, I'll have to go +if you really mean it. Still, I would like to point out that in some +respects you're not exactly a model yourself." + +"That," said Desmond dryly, "is a fact I'm naturally quite aware of. I +like a frolic now and then as well as most other men, but I've sense +enough not to indulge in it when I'm out on business. The trouble is +that what you have done you will very probably do again, and that +wouldn't suit either me or Ormsgill. I'm afraid you'll have to take +the boat north to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +ORMSGILL KEEPS HIS WORD + + +Forest and compound were wrapped in obscurity, and the night was +almost insufferably hot, when Nares, who had arrived there during the +afternoon, sat in a room of the Mission of Our Lady of Pity. The +little, heavily thatched dwelling stood with the mud-built church and +rows of adherents' huts on the shadowy frontier of the debatable land +whose dusky inhabitants were then plotting a grim retribution for +their wrongs, and on the night in question black, impenetrable +darkness shut it in. Though the smell of wood smoke was still in the +steamy air, the cooking-fires had died out an hour ago, and there was +no sound from any of the clustering huts. Nares, who sat, gaunt and +worn in face, by an open window, could not see one of them. Still, he +was looking out into the compound, and his attitude suggested +expectancy. One could have fancied that he was listening for +something. + +"My boys heard in the last village we stopped at that there was +another party coming up behind us, and it's quite likely that there +is," he said. "The bushmen are generally right in these things. I've +seen a whole village clear out half a day before a section or two of +troops arrived, though it's hard to understand how they could possibly +have known." + +Father Tiebout, who lay in a canvas chair with the perspiration +trickling down his forehead, smiled. "There are many other things +beyond our comprehension in this country," he said, with a trace of +dryness. "We have our senses and our reason. The negro has them, too, +but he has something more--shall we call it the blind instinct of +self-preservation? It is, at least, certain that it is now and then +necessary to him. So you did not come by San Roque or the new +outpost?" + +"I did not. Still, how did you deduce it?" + +The priest spread out his hands. "It is simple. One does not find an +inhabited village within easy reach of a fort, my friend. The cause +for that is obvious. You are listening for the other party?" + +"Anyway, I was wondering whose it could be." + +Father Tiebout smiled. "If there is a white man with the boys it is +Thomas Ormsgill. I have been expecting him the last week. He will be +here within the next two--if he is alive." + +He spoke with a quiet certainty, as though the matter admitted of no +doubt, and Nares added, + +"Yes," he said, "that is a man who keeps his promise, but you could +give him another week. One knows when the mail-boats arrive, but there +might be difficulties when he got ashore. Anybody who wishes to go +inland is apt to meet with a good many, especially if he isn't looked +upon with favor by the Administration." + +Father Tiebout said nothing further. It was almost too hot to talk, +though the silence that brooded over the little gap in the forest was +unpleasantly impressive. It would not be broken until the moon rose +and the beasts awoke. There were also times when Nares, who was not a +nervous man, felt a curious instinctive shrinking from the blackness +of the bush. It was too suggestive. One wondered what it hid, for that +is a land where the Powers of Darkness are apparently omnipotent. It +is filled with rapine and murder, and pestilence stalks through it +unchecked. + +At last a faint sighing refrain stole out of the silence, sank into +it, and rose again, and Nares glanced at his companion, for he +recognized that a band of carriers were marching towards the mission +and singing to keep their courage up. + +"I think you're right. They're coast boys," Father Tiebout said. + +It was some ten minutes later when there was a patter of naked feet in +the compound, and a clamor from the huts. Then a white man walked +somewhat wearily up the veranda stairway into the feeble stream of +light. It was characteristic that Nares was the first to shake hands +with him, while Father Tiebout waited with a little quiet smile. +Ormsgill turned towards the latter. + +"Have you a hut I can put the boys in? That's all they want," he said. +"They're fed. We stopped to light our fires at sunset." + +The greeting was not an effusive one in view of the difficulties and +privations of the journey, but neither of Ormsgill's companions had +expected anything of that kind from him. It was also noticeable that +there was none of the confusion and bustle that usually follows the +arrival of a band of carriers. This was a man who went about all he +did quietly, and was willing to save his host inconvenience. The +priest went with him to a hut, and the boys were disposed of in five +minutes, and when they came back Ormsgill dropped into a chair. + +"Well," he said, "I'm here. Caught the first boat after I got your +letter. I think it was your letter, padre, though Nares signed it." + +"At least," said Father Tiebout, "we both foresaw the result of it. +But you have had a long march. Is there anything I can offer you?" + +"A little cup of your black coffee," said Ormsgill. + +Nares laughed softly. "He's a priest, as well as a Belgian. I believe +they teach them self-restraint," he added. "Still, when I saw you +walking up that stairway I felt I could have forgiven him if he had +flung his arms about your neck." + +"You see I had expected him," and Father Tiebout set about lighting a +spirit lamp. + +"With a little contrivance one can burn rum in it," he added. "There +are times when I wish it was a furnace." + +Ormsgill smiled and shook his head. "You and other well meaning +persons occasionally go the wrong way to work, padre," he said. "Would +you pile up the Hamburg gin merchants' profits, or encourage the folks +here to build new sugar factories? You can't stop the trade in +question while the soil is fruitful and the African is what he is." + +"What the white man has made him," said Father Tiebout. + +"I believe the nigger knew how to produce tolerably heady liquors and +indulged in them before the white man brought his first gin case in," +said Ormsgill reflectively. "In any case, Lamartine was a trader, +which is, after all, a slightly less disastrous profession to the +niggers here than a government officer, and I did what I could for +him. From your point of view I've no doubt I acquired a certain +responsibility. Could you do anything useful with L200 or L300 +sterling, padre?" + +"Ah," said the little priest, "one cannot buy absolution." + +Nares smiled. It was seldom he let slip an opportunity of inveigling +Father Tiebout into a good-humored discussion on a point of this kind. +"I fancied it was only we others who held that view," he said. Then he +turned to Ormsgill. "He is forgetting, or, perhaps, breaking loose +from his traditions. After all, one does break away in Africa. It is +possible it was intended that one should do so." + +"Still," persisted Ormsgill, "with L300 sterling one could, no doubt, +do something." + +Father Tiebout, who ignored Nares' observations, tinkered with his +lamp before he turned to Ormsgill with a little light in his eyes. +"Taking the value of a man's body at just what it is just now one +could, perhaps, win twenty human souls. Of these three or four could +be sent back into the darkness when we were sure of them. Ah," and +there was a little thrill in his voice, "if one had only two or three +to continue the sowing with." + +"In this land," said Ormsgill, "the reaper is Death. Their comrades +would certainly sell them to somebody or spear them in the bush. The +priests of the Powers of Darkness would see they did it." + +"Where that seed is once sown there must be a propagation. One can +burn the plant with fire or cut it down, but it springs from the root +again, or a grain or two with the germ of life indestructible in it +remains. Flung far by scorching winds or swept by bitter floods, one +of those grains finds a resting place where the soil is fertile. Here +a little and there a little, that crop is always spreading." + +Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You could do something with the sum alluded +to?" + +Nares shook his head, and there was a shadow of pain in his lean face. +"I am not fixed as Father Tiebout is," he said. "His faith is the +official one. They dare not steal his followers from him. Besides, I +have never bought the body of a man. Sometimes I heal them, and if +they are grateful they are driven away from me." He broke off for a +moment with a curious little laugh. "I am an empty voice in the +darkness that very few dare listen to. Still, I will take a case of +London packed drugs from you." + +The Belgian spread his thin hands out. "Four villages snatched from +the pestilence! It was his care that saved them. How many men's bodies +he has healed he can not tell you, but I think that a careful count is +kept of all of them." + +"Well," said Ormsgill quietly, "there is L600 to your joint credit in +Lisbon. You should get the bank advices when the next mail comes in. +You can apportion it between you." + +Nares stood up with a flush in his worn face, and spoke awkwardly, but +Father Tiebout sat very still. A little glow crept into his eyes, and +he said a few words in the Latin tongue. Then Ormsgill thrust his +chair back noisily and moved towards the lamp. + +"I almost think that coffee should be ready," he said. + +Father Tiebout served it out, and when the cups were laid aside Nares +looked at Ormsgill with a little smile. + +"You have not been long away, but one could fancy you were glad to get +back again," he said. + +Ormsgill's face hardened. "In some respects I am. The folks I belonged +to were not the same. My views seemed to pain them. It cost them an +effort to bear with me. Still, that was perhaps no more than natural. +One loses touch with the things he has been used to in this country." + +"Sometimes," said Father Tiebout, "one grows out of it, and that is a +little different. Our friend yonder once went home, too, but now I +think he will stay here altogether, as I shall do, unless I am sent +elsewhere." + +Nares smiled. "The padre is right, as usual. I went home--and the +folks I had longed for 'most broke my heart between them. It seemed +that I was a failure, and that hurt me. They wanted results, the tale +of souls, and I hadn't one that I was sure of to offer as a trophy. +One, they said, could heal men's bodies in America. As you say, one +falls out of line in Africa." + +There was a wistfulness which he could not quite repress in his voice, +and Ormsgill nodded sympathetically. + +"Oh," he said, "I know. It hurts hard for awhile. We are most of us +the cast-offs and the mutineers here. Still, in one respect, I +sometimes think Father Tiebout's people are wiser. They don't ask for +results." + +The little priest once more spread his hands out. "The results," he +said, "will appear some day, but that is not our concern. It is +sufficient that a man should do the work that is set out for him. And +now we will be practical. Have you any news of Herrero?" + +"He is a hundred miles north of us in Ugalla's country, and I am going +on there. You will have to find me a few more carriers. It was Miss +Figuera told me." + +"Perhaps one can expect a little now Dom Clemente is in authority. He +is honest as men go in Africa, and at least he is a soldier. Well, you +shall have the carriers in a week or so." + +Ormsgill laughed. "I want them to-morrow. There is a good deal to do. +I have the boys Domingo stole to trace when I have bought the woman +back from Herrero." + +"Bought!" said Father Tiebout with a twinkle in his eyes. "If Herrero +is not willing to sell?" + +"Then," said Ormsgill dryly, "I shall have considerable pleasure in +making him." + +He stretched himself wearily with a little yawn. "And now we will talk +about other matters." + +It was an hour later when he retired to rest and, hot as it was, sank +into sound sleep within ten minutes, but although he rose early and +roused the little priest to somewhat unusual activity, several days +had passed before his new carriers were collected and ready to march. +They were sturdy, half-naked pagans, and appeared astonished when he +gave them instructions in a few words of the bush tongue and bore with +their slow comprehension instead of applying the stick to their dusky +skin, which was what they had somewhat naturally expected from a white +man. + +He shook hands with Nares and Father Tiebout in the sloppy compound +early one morning when the mists were streaming from the dripping +forest, and looked at the little priest with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"I haven't asked you how you got those boys," he said. "Still, it must +have cost you something to secure the good will of whoever had the +privilege of supplying them." + +He turned to Nares as if to invite his opinion, which was +unhesitatingly offered him. The latter, at least, would make no +compromise. + +"It certainly did," he said. "I am glad you did not ask me to hire you +the boys. The system under which he obtained them is an iniquity." + +Father Tiebout smiled. "The object, I think, was a pious one. One has +to use the means available." + +"Anyway," said Ormsgill, "the responsibility and the cost is mine." + +The priest shook his head. "At least, you can take this gift from me," +he said. "It is not much, but one does with pleasure what he can." + +It was offered in such a fashion that Ormsgill could only make his +grateful acknowledgments, though he had grounds for surmising that the +gift would cost the giver months of stringent self-denial, and there +was already very little sign of luxury at the Mission. Then he called +to his carriers, who swung out of the compound with their burdens in +single file, slipping and splashing in the mire. The two men he had +left behind stood watching them until the last strip of fluttering +cotton had vanished into the misty forest when Father Tiebout looked +at his companion with a little smile. + +"One could consider the venture our friend has undertaken a folly, but +still I think he will succeed," he said. "One could almost fancy that +the Powers above us hold the men who attempt such follies in their +special keeping." + +Nares, as it happened, had been almost uncomfortably stirred during +the last ten minutes, but he was Puritan to the backbone, and usually +endeavored, at least, to prevent what he felt carrying him away. He +was also as a rule ready to join issue with the little priest on any +point that afforded him an opportunity. + +"There is a difficulty," he said. "I'm not sure he would admit the +existence of all the Powers you believe in. There are so many of them. +One would fancy that faith was necessary." + +Father Tiebout smiled at him again. "Ah," he said, "they who know +everything have doubtless a wide charity." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE BONDSWOMAN + + +A small fire burned on the edge of the ravine, flinging out pale red +flashes and an intolerable smoke, for the wood was green and wet. It +had been raining heavily, and the whole forest that rolled down the +slopes of the plateau was filled with a thick white steam. Filmy wisps +of it drifted out of the darkness which hid the towering trunks, and +streamed by the girl who crouched beside the fire cooking her white +lord's evening meal. She was comely, though her face and uncovered +arms were of a warm brown. A wide strip of white cotton fell from one +shoulder, and half revealed the slenderness of her shapely form. It +also covered certain significant discolored bruises on the soft brown +skin. The look in her eyes just then, perhaps, accounted for them, for +it vaguely suggested intelligence, and a protest against her fate, in +place of the hopeless apathy which, after all, saves the native of +that country a great deal of trouble. He has been taught drastically +that any objection he might reasonably make would certainly be futile +and very apt to produce unwished-for results. + +A wall of dripping forest rose above the fire, but behind the girl the +ground sloped sharply to the brink of a swollen river which rose in +the plateaux of the interior, and a little, tattered tent was pitched +on the edge of the declivity. In front of it two somewhat ragged white +men lay listlessly upon a strip of waterproof ground sheeting. They +were worn with travel and a long day's labor, for they had been +engaged since sunrise in raft building and ferrying their equipment +and trade goods across the river, and, as it happened, had lost most +of their provisions in the process. They were of widely different +birth and character, and cordially disliked each other, though they +had both first seen the light in Africa and community of interest held +them together. + +Gavin was tall and lean and hard, with an expressionless bronzed face, +the son of an English ostrich farmer who had married a Boer woman. He +had come into that country on foot with one other survivor of the +party he had started with after a difference of opinion with the Boer +administration. The others had died with their oxen during their two +years' wandering in the wilderness. His companion Herrero passed for a +Portuguese, though his hair would curl and his lips were a trifle +thick. He was spare in form, and his face was of a muddy yellow with +the stamp of sensuality and cruelty in it. He had also been drinking +freely, though that is not as a rule a Latin vice, and was still very +wet from his labors in the river. He had lower legs like broomsticks, +and his torn, drenched trousers clung tightly about his protuberant +knees. + +"One could fancy that we have been bewitched," he said. "Trouble has +followed us all the journey. There was a native woman who looked at +us as we left San Roque, and she made a sign." + +Gavin laughed contemptuously. "The loads," he said, "were too heavy. +It is not economical to overdrive these cattle. One must remember the +trek-ox's back." + +Herrero blinked at the forest with something that suggested +apprehension in his eyes, and it was not difficult to fancy that it +and all it held was hostile to the white man. It seemed to crowd in +upon him menacingly as the fire leapt up, vague, black, and +impenetrable, an abode of unformulated terror and everlasting shadow. + +"I have brought up the same loads with fewer boys before," he said. +"They did not fall lame or die, as some of these have done. It is +known that there is black witchcraft in this bush. There are white men +who have gone into it and did not come out again." + +"They were probably easier with their carriers than is advisable," and +Gavin smiled grimly as he dropped a big hand on a cartridge in his +bandolier. "This is a certain witchcraft cure. Still, you have to make +your mind up. We can not go on, and take all the trade goods, without +provisions." + +His companion raised one shoulder in protest against the trouble fate +had heaped upon them, for the trade goods were worth a good deal in +the country that lay before them. + +"It takes almost as much to keep a man in strength whether he marches +light or loaded," he said. "It would ruin me if we left any more +behind. Boys are scarce just now. One could, perhaps, get provisions +in another week's march." + +"The boys can not make it," and it was evident that Gavin was +languidly contemptuous of his comrade's indecision. "You must leave a +few here or you will lose half of them on the way." + +He, at least, could face a crisis resolutely, but it was clear that +he, too, regarded the carriers as chattels that had a commercial value +only, for he was quite aware that, since that was one of the sterile +belts, those who were left behind would in all probability die. The +men whose fate they were discussing lay among the wet undergrowth +apart from them, and Herrero, who appeared to be glancing towards +them, raised himself a trifle suddenly. + +"Something moves. There in the bush," he said. + +"One of the boys," said Gavin, who saw nothing, though his eyes were +keen. "Lie down. You have been taking more cognac than is wise +lately." + +Herrero shrugged his shoulders. "There is always something in the +bush. It comes and goes when the boys are asleep," he said. "It is not +pleasant that one should see it." + +Gavin scarcely smiled. He was growing a trifle impatient with his +comrade, who could not recognize when it was necessary to make a +sacrifice, and he was ready for his meal. By and by Herrero called to +the girl, who filled a calabash from the iron cooking pot hung above +the fire, and laid it down in front of him with two basins. The trader +lifted a portion of the savory preparation in a wooden spoon and +smelled it. + +"The pepper is insufficient. How often must one tell you that?" he +said, and rising laid a yellow hand upon her arm. + +The girl shrank back from him, but he followed her, still holding her +arm, and nipped it deeply between the nails of his thumb and +forefinger. He did it slowly, and with a certain relish, while his +face contracted into a malicious grin. For a moment a fierce light +leapt into the girl's eyes, but the torturing grip grew sharper, and +it faded again. The man dropped his hand when at last she broke into a +little cry, and stooping for the calabash she went back towards the +fire. Gavin, who had looked on with an expressionless face, turned to +his comrade. + +"If you do that too often I think you will be sorry, my friend," he +said. "She will cut your throat for you some day." + +"No," said Herrero, "it is not a thing that is likely to happen if one +uses the stick sufficiently." + +His companion smiled in a curious fashion, but said nothing. His +mother's people had long ruled the native with a heavy hand, and he +had no hesitation in admitting that leniency is seldom advisable. +Still, he recognized that in spite of his apathetic patience one may +now and then drive the negro over hard, so that when life becomes +intolerable he somewhat logically grows reckless and turns upon his +oppressors in his desperation, which was a thing that Herrero +apparently did not understand. + +In the meanwhile the girl crouched silently by the fire, stirring the +blistering peppers into the cooking pot, a huddled figure robed in +white with meekly bent head and the marks of the white man's brutality +upon her dusky body. Every line of the limp figure was suggestive of +hopelessness. She might have posed for a statue of Africa in bondage. +Still, as it happened, she and the boys who lay apart among the +dripping undergrowth glanced now and then towards the forest with +apathetic curiosity. Gavin's ears were good, but, after all, he had +not depended upon his hearing for life and liberty, as the others had +often done, and their keenness of perception was not in him. They knew +that strangers were approaching stealthily through the bush. Indeed, +they knew that one had flitted about the camp for some little while, +but they said nothing. It was the white man's business, and nothing +that was likely to result from it could matter much to them. + +The fire blazed up a little, but, save for its snapping and the roar +of the swollen river, there was silence in the camp, until Gavin rose +to one knee with a little exclamation. He had heard nothing, but at +last his trained senses had given him a sub-conscious warning that +there was something approaching. Just then the girl stirred the fire, +and the uncertain radiance flickered upon the towering trunks. It +drove an elusive track of brightness back into the shadow, and Herrero +scrambled to his feet as a man strode into the light. + +He stopped and stood near the fire, dressed in thorn-rent duck, with +the wet dripping from him and a little grim smile in his face, and it +was significant that although he had nothing in his hands Gavin +reached out for the heavy rifle that lay near his side. Strangers +are usually received with caution in that part of Africa, and he +recognized the man. As it happened, the girl by the fire recognized +him, too, and ran forward with a little cry. After all, he had been +kind to her while she lived with Lamartine, and it may have been that +some vague hope of deliverance sprang up in her mind, for she stopped +again and crouched in mute appeal close at his side. Ormsgill laid a +hand reassuringly upon her brown shoulder. + +[Illustration: "Ormsgill laid a hand reassuringly upon her brown +shoulder."--See page 103.] + +He had not spoken a word yet, and there was silence for a moment or +two while the firelight flared up. It showed Gavin watching him +motionless with the rifle that glinted now and then on his knee, +Herrero standing with closed hands and an unpleasant scowl on his +yellow face, and the boys clustering waist-deep in the underbrush. +Then the trader spoke. + +"What do you want?" he said. + +"This woman," said Ormsgill simply. "I am willing to buy her from +you." + +Herrero laughed maliciously. "She is not for sale. You should not have +let her slip through your fingers. It is possible you could have made +terms with Lamartine." + +Ormsgill disregarded the gibe. Indeed, it was one he had expected. + +"That," he said, "is not quite the point. Besides, one could hardly +fancy that you are quite correct. Everything is for sale in this part +of Africa. It is only a question of the figure. You have not heard my +offer." + +"In this case it would not be a great temptation," and Herrero's grin +was plainer. "The girl is now and then mutinous, and that lends the +affair a certain piquancy. When she has been taught submission I shall +probably grow tired of her and will give her to you. Until then the +breaking of her in will afford me pleasure. In fact, as I have never +been defied by a native yet I feel that to fail in this case would be +a stain on my self-respect." + +"I almost think my offer would cover that," said Ormsgill dryly. "It +seems to me your self-respect has been sold once or twice before." + +Herrero disregarded him, though his face grew a trifle flushed. +"Anita," he said, "come here." + +The girl rose when Ormsgill let his hand drop from her shoulder, and +gazed at him appealingly. Then as he made no sign she turned away with +a little hopeless gesture, moved forward a few paces, and stopped +again when the trader reached out for a withe that lay on the ground +sheet not far from where he stood. + +"It would," he said with a vindictive smile, "have saved her trouble +if you had stayed away." + +"Stop," said Ormsgill sharply, and striding forward stood looking at +him. "You have shown how far you would go, which was in one way most +unwise of you since you have made it a duty to take the girl from you. +What is more to the purpose, it will certainly be done. There are two +ways of obtaining anything in this country. One is to buy it, and the +other to fight for it. I am willing to use either." + +Herrero who saw the glint in his eyes, backed away from him, and +flashed a warning glance at Gavin, who turned to Ormsgill quietly. + +"I am," he said in English, "willing to stand by, and see fair play, +since it does not seem to be altogether a question of business. Still, +if it seems likely that you will deprive me of my comrade's services I +shall probably feel compelled to take a hand in. He has a few good +points though they're not particularly evident, and I can't altogether +afford to lose him." + +Herrero, who glanced round the camp, waved his hand towards the boys. +"I will call them to beat you back into the bush." + +Ormsgill raised his voice, and there was a sharp crackling of +undergrowth, while here and there a dusky figure materialized out of +the shadow. + +"As you see, they have guns," he said. + +Gavin smiled and tapped his rifle. "Still, they can't shoot as I can. +Hadn't you better send them away again, and if you have any offer to +make Mr. Herrero get on with it? One naturally expected something of +this kind." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture with his hand, and the men sank into +the gloom again. + +"Well," he said, "for the last week I have been trailing you, and as I +did not know how long I might be coming up with you, I have plenty of +provisions. Yours, it is evident from one or two things I noticed, are +running out, and you can't get through the sterile belt without a +supply. It was rather a pity the San Roque people burned the village +where you expected to get some. I'm open to hand you over all the +loads I can spare in return for the girl Anita." + +"How many loads?" + +Ormsgill told him, and Gavin nodded, "It is a reasonable offer," he +said. "I will engage that our friend makes terms with you. Bring in +the provisions, and you shall have the girl." + +Herrero protested savagely until his companion dryly pointed that +since his objections had no weight he was wasting his breath. Then +Ormsgill turned away into the bush, and came back with a line of +half-naked carrier boys who laid down the loads they carried before +the tent. After that he touched the girl's shoulder, and pointed to +the hammock two of the boys lowered. + +"You are going back to your own village," he said. + +The girl gazed at him a moment in evident astonishment, and then waved +her little brown hands. + +"I have none," she said. "It was burned several moons ago." + +It was evident that this was something Ormsgill had not expected, and +was troubled at, and Gavin, who watched him, smiled. + +"If she belongs to the Lutanga people, as one would fancy from her +looks, what she says is very likely correct," he said. "One of the +plateau tribes came down not long ago and wiped several villages out. +Domingo told me, and from what he said the tribe in question is +certainly not one I'd care about handing over a woman to. She would +probably have to put up with a good deal of unpleasantness if she +went back there. Besides, it seems to me that what you had in view +would scarcely be flattering to the lady. It isn't altogether what she +would expect from her rescuer." + +Ormsgill had already an unpleasant suspicion of the latter fact, for +woman's favor is not sought but purchased or commanded in most parts +of Africa. Still, he once more pointed to the hammock, and walked +behind it without a word when the bearers hove the pole to their wooly +crowns. + +Then as they flitted into the shadowy bush Gavin turned to Herrero +with a little laugh. "There are a few men like him, men with views +that bring them trouble," he said. "My father was one. He threw away a +big farm on account of them. He would not make obeisance to his new +masters when his nation turned its back on him. That, however, is a +thing one could scarcely expect you to understand." + +Then he called one of the boys and sent him to the fire. "And now we +will have supper. After all, I'm not very sorry you lost that girl, my +friend." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ANITA BECOMES A RESPONSIBILITY + + +It was two weeks later when Ormsgill reached the Mission with his +boys, footsore, ragged, and worn with travel. He had avoided Anita's +hammock as far as possible on the way, and it was with a certain +relief he saw her safely installed in one of the dusky adherents' +huts. Then he arrayed himself in whole, clean clothes, and when he had +eaten sat on the shadowy veranda talking with his host, a somewhat +ludicrous figure since Father Tiebout's garments were several sizes +too small for him. It was then the hottest part of the afternoon. The +perspiration trickled down their faces, and the little priest blinked +when he met the blazing sunlight with dazzled eyes. + +They spoke in disjointed sentences, sometimes mixing words of three +languages, but it was significant that although neither expressed +himself with clearness his companion seldom failed in comprehension, +for priest and rash adventurer were in curious sympathy. Both of them +had borne heat, and fever, and bodily pain, and proved their courage +in a land where the white man often sinks into limp dejection. Each +had also in his own way done what he could for the oppressed, and had, +perhaps, accomplished a little here and there. It was, however, +inevitable that their conversation should turn upon the girl Anita. + +"I had not heard of the raid up yonder," said the priest. "I am not +sure that I am sorry. After all, one hears enough. Still, it no doubt +took place. Herrero's companion would have no motive for deceiving +you. The question is what is to be done with the woman. To be frank, +she cannot stay here." + +"Why?" and Ormsgill's face grew a trifle grave, for Anita was rapidly +becoming a cause of anxiety to him. + +His companion made a little gesture. "She would prove an apple of +discord; she is too pretty. One must not expect too much of human +nature, and one wife alone is permitted. There is not now a boy she +could marry. In the second place, Herrero would probably attempt to +seize her here." + +It occurred to Ormsgill that Anita might not be anxious or even +willing to marry anybody. In fact, he felt it would be an almost +astonishing thing if she was. Still, he realized with a vague +uneasiness that it is, after all, very often difficult to foresee the +course a woman would adopt. + +"Then," he said, "I don't know what can be done with her." + +"You are not one who would leave a task half finished?" + +"At least, I cannot turn this woman adrift." + +Father Tiebout wrinkled his brows. "There is, I think, only one place +where she would be safe, and that is on the coast. There are also +friends of mine who could be trusted to take good care of her in the +city, and she could be sent down from the San Thome Mission. It is, +however, a long journey." + +"If it is necessary," said Ormsgill, "I must make it." + +His companion's little gesture seemed to indicate that he believed it +was, and Ormsgill dismissed the subject with a smile. + +"In that case I will start again to-morrow," he said. + +He set out in the early morning, taking two letters from Father +Tiebout, one for the man who directed the San Thome Mission, and one +to be sent on from there to certain friends of his host's on the +coast, and it was two days later when he lay a little apart from his +carriers in a glade in the bush. Blazing sunshine beat down into it. +There was an overpowering heat, and a deep stillness pervaded the +encircling forest, for the beasts had slunk into their darkest lairs +in the burning afternoon. The snapping of the fire made it the more +perceptible, and Ormsgill could see the blue smoke curl up above a +belt of grass behind which the boys were cooking a meal. Anita, who +was with them, would, he knew, bring him his portion, and in the +meanwhile he felt it was advisable to keep away from her. She had +talked very little with him during the last two days, but that was his +fault, and he fancied that she failed to understand his reticence. In +fact, the signs of favor she had once or twice shown him had rendered +him a little uncomfortable. + +For all that, his face relaxed into a little dry smile as he wondered +what the very formal Mrs. Ratcliffe would think of that journey. He +remembered that he had always been more or less of a trial to his +conventional friends even before he had been dismissed from his +country's service for an offense he had not committed, but he was one +of the men who do not greatly trouble themselves about being +misunderstood. It is a misfortune which those who undertake anything +worth doing have usually to bear with. + +He was, however, a little drowsy, for they had started at sunrise and +marched a long way since then. There was only one hammock, which +somewhat to the carriers' astonishment Anita had occupied, for this +was distinctly at variance with the customs of a country in which +nobody concerns himself about the comfort of a native woman. It would +also be an hour before the boys went on again, and he stretched +himself out among the grass wearily, but, for all that, with a little +sigh of content. He had found the restraints of civilization galling, +and the untrammeled life of the wilderness appealed to him. The need +of constant vigilance, and the recognition of the hazards he had +exposed himself to, had a bracing effect. It roused the combativeness +that was in his nature, and left him intent, strung up, and resolute. +The task he had saddled himself with had become more engrossing since +it promised to be difficult. + +He did not think he slept, for he was conscious of the pungent smell +of the wood smoke all the time, but at last he roused himself to +attention suddenly, and looked about him with dazzled eyes. He could +see the faint blue vapor hanging about the trunks, and hear the boys' +low voices, but except for that the bush was very still. Yet he was +certainly leaning on one elbow with every sense strung up, and he knew +that there must be some cause for it. What had roused him he could not +tell, but he had, perhaps, lived long enough in that land to acquire a +little of the bushman's unreasoning recognition of an approaching +peril. There was, he knew, something that menaced him not far away. + +For a moment or two his heart beat faster than usual, and the +perspiration trickled down his set face, and then laying a restraint +upon himself he rose a trifle higher, and swept his eyes steadily +round the glade. There was one spot where it seemed to him that the +outer leaves of a screen of creepers moved. He did not waste a moment +in watching them, but letting his arm fall under him rolled over +amidst the grass which covered him, for it was evidently advisable to +take precautions promptly. Just as the crackling stems closed about +him there was a pale flash and a detonation, and a puff of smoke +floated out from the creepers. + +Ormsgill was on his feet in another moment, and running his hardest +plunged into them, but when he had smashed through the tangled, thorny +stems there was nobody there, and except for the clamor of the boys +the bush was very still. Still, this was very much what he had +expected, and looking round he saw the print of naked toes and a knee +in the damp soil before his eyes rested on the brass shell of a spent +cartridge. He picked it up and turned it over in his hand, +recognizing it as one made for a heavy, single-shot rifle of old +fashioned type, which had its significance for him. He fancied his +would-be assassin had been lent the rifle by a white man who in all +probability knew what he meant to do with it. Then he glanced at the +cartridge again, and noticed a slight outward bending of its rim. +There was a portentous little glint in his eyes as he slipped it into +his pocket. + +"Some day I may come across the man who owns that rifle," he said. + +He stood still for another few moments, grim in face, with his jacket +rent, and a little trickle of blood running from one hand which a +thorn had gashed. Every nerve in him tingled with fierce anger, but he +knew that the man who runs counter to established customs has usually +more than misconception to face in Africa, especially if he +sympathizes with the oppressed, and he was one who could wait. Then +the boys came floundering through the undergrowth, one or two with +heavy matchets, and one or two with long flintlock guns, but Ormsgill, +who recognized that pursuit would certainly prove futile even if they +were willing to undertake it, drove them back to the fire again. + +"We will start when I have eaten," was all he said. + +Anita brought him his meal, and stood watching him curiously while he +ate, but Ormsgill said nothing, and in half an hour they went on again +and spent the rest of that day and a number of others floundering +amidst and hacking a way through tangled creepers in the dim shadow of +the bush. It was a relief to all of them when at last the thatched +roofs of San Thome Mission rose out of a little opening into which the +dazzling sunlight shone. Ormsgill was received by an emaciated priest +with a dead white face and the intolerant eyes of a fanatic, who +supplied him and the boys with a very frugal meal and took Anita away +from him. Then he read Father Tiebout's letters, and after he had done +so sat with Ormsgill on the veranda. + +"Father Tiebout vouches for you--and your purpose," he said, watching +his companion with doubt in his eyes. + +"If he had not done so I should probably not have been welcome?" said +Ormsgill, smiling. + +The priest made a little gesture which seemed to imply that he did not +intend to discuss that point. "The girl would be safe with the people +he mentions. They are good Catholics." + +"I am not sure that is quite sufficient in itself," said Ormsgill +reflectively. "Still, Father Tiebout would scarcely have suggested +sending her to them unless he had felt reasonably certain that they +would show her kindness." + +His companion's face hardened. "They are people of blameless lives. +There are, perhaps, two or three such in that city. You could count +upon the woman receiving kindness from them, but one would have you +quite clear about the fact that my recommendation is necessary. It is, +of course, in my power to withhold it, and if it is given you will +undertake not to claim the woman again?" + +Ormsgill looked at him with a little smile. "I have no wish to claim +her, though I have only that assurance to offer you, and I must tell +you that I am going to the coast. There are, however, one or two +conditions. She must be treated well, and paid for her services." + +"That would be arranged. It is convenient that she should understand +what would be required of her. I will send for her." + +Ormsgill made a sign of concurrence, and in another five minutes Anita +stood before them, slight and lithe in form, and very comely, but with +apprehension and anxiety in her brown face. The priest spoke to her +concisely in a coldly even voice, and it was evident that the course +he mentioned was one she had no wish to take. Then he turned from her +to Ormsgill as she stretched out her hands with a little gesture of +appeal towards the latter. + +"It is your will that I should go away and live with these people?" +she said. + +Ormsgill knew that the priest was watching him, and that there was +only one answer, but he shrank from uttering it. The girl's eyes were +beseeching, and she looked curiously forlorn. She was a castaway +without kindred or country, one who had lived the untrammeled life of +the bush, and he feared that she would find the restraints of the city +intolerably galling. + +"It is," he said gravely. + +The girl stood very still a moment or two looking at him, and Ormsgill +felt the blood creep into his face. He was, in all probability, the +only man who had ever shown her kindness, and he recognized that she +too had misunderstood his motives and regarded him as rather more than +her rescuer. Then as he made no sign she flung out her hands again, +hopelessly this time, and slowly straightened herself. + +"I go," she said simply and turned away from them. + +Ormsgill watched her cross the compound, a forlorn object, with the +white cotton robe that flowed about her gleaming in the dazzling +sunlight, and then turn for a moment in the shadowy entrance of a +palm-thatched hut. He was stirred with a vague compassion, but putting +a firm restraint upon himself he sat still, and the girl turning +suddenly once more vanished into the dark gap. It also happened that +he never met her again. + +"One's powers are limited, Father. After all, there is not much one +can do for another," he said. + +The priest looked hard at him, and then made a little grave gesture. +"It is something if one can ease for a moment another's burden. I +have, it seems, to ask your pardon for a misconception that was, +perhaps, not altogether an unnatural one, Senor." + +Ormsgill saw little more of him during the day, and started for the +coast early next morning. He had only accomplished half his purpose, +and that in some respects the easier half, but it was necessary for +him to procure further supplies and communicate with Desmond. Before +he started, however, he sent home most of the boys Father Tiebout had +obtained for him, keeping only two or three of them, for these and +the others he had brought up with him could, he fancied, be relied +upon. They were thick-lipped, wooly-haired heathen, stupid in all +matters beyond their acquaintance, but after the first few weeks they +had, at least, done his bidding unquestioningly. + +This quiet white man with the lined face had never used the stick on +one of them, and did not, so far as they were aware, even carry a +pistol. When they slept at a bush village or obtained provisions there +he made the headman a due return before he went away, which was not +the invariable custom of other white men they had traveled with. In +fact, they looked upon him as somewhat of an anachronism in that +country, but since the one attempt a few of them had made to disregard +his authority had signally failed they obeyed him, and little by +little became sensible of a curious confidence in him. What he said he +did, and, what was rather more to the purpose, when he told them that +a certain course was expected from them they usually adopted it, even +when it was far from coinciding with their wishes. + +There are a few men of Ormsgill's kind and one or two women who have +made adventurous journeys in the shadowy land unarmed, and carried +away with them the dusky tribesmen's good will, while others have +found it necessary to march with a band of hired swashbucklers and +mark their trail with burnt villages and cartridge shells. As usual, a +good deal depended upon how they set about it. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +ORMSGILL ASKS A FAVOR + + +A silver lamp burned on the little table where two diminutive cups of +bitter coffee were set out, but its indifferent light was scarcely +needed in the open-fronted upper room of Dom Clemente's house. A full +moon hung above the Atlantic, and the clear radiance that rested on +the glittering harbor streamed in between the fretted arches and +slender pillars. Throughout tropical Africa all there is of grace and +beauty in man's handiwork bears the stamp of the unchanging East, and +one finds something faintly suggestive of the art of olden days where +the eye rests with pleasure on any of its sweltering towns, which is, +however, not often the case. It is incontrovertible that most of the +towns are characterized by native squalor and that some of them are +unpleasantly filthy, but, after all, filth and squalor are usual in +the East, and serve by contrast to enhance the elusive beauty of its +cities. + +It was almost cool that evening, and Ormsgill, looking down between +the slim pillars across the white walls and flat roofs, though some +were ridged and tiled, towards the blaze of moonlight on the harbor, +was well content to be where he was after his journey through the +steamy bush and across the sun-scorched littoral. He had arrived that +afternoon, and had spent the last hour with Benicia Figuera, who had +shown herself gracious to him. She lay not far away from him in a big +Madeira chair, loosely draped in diaphanous white attire which +enhanced the violet depths of her eyes and the duskiness of her hair, +and her face showed in the moonlight the clear pallor of ivory. +Ormsgill fancied that her attendant the Senora Castro sat in the room +behind them from which a soft light streamed out through quaintly +patterned wooden lattices, though he had seen nothing of the latter +lady since the comida had been cleared away. + +He had said very little about his journey, though he intended to tell +Dom Clemente rather more, but he presently became conscious that +Benicia was regarding him with a little smile. He also noticed, and +was somewhat annoyed with himself for thinking of it, that she had +lips like the crimson pulp of the pomegranate, the grandadilla which +figures in the imagery of the Iberian Peninsula as well as in that of +parts of Africa, where it is seldom grown. Ormsgill was quite aware of +this, and it had its associations of Eastern mysticism and sensuality, +for he was a man of education and the outcasts he had lived with had +not all been of low degree. Among them there had been a certain +green-turbaned Moslem who had taught him things unknown to his kind at +home. He felt that it was advisable to put a restraint upon himself. + +"You are not sorry you have come back to us?" said Benicia. + +Ormsgill was by no means sorry, and permitted himself to admit as +much. He had accomplished part, at least, of his purpose +successfully, and that in itself had a tranquilizing effect on him, +while after the weary marches through tall grass and tangled bush +under scorching heat it was distinctly pleasant to sit there cleanly +clad, in the cool air with such a companion. Benicia, it almost +seemed, guessed his thoughts, for she laughed softly. + +"It is comforting to feel that one has done what he has undertaken," +she said. "Still, you were, at least, not alone by those campfires in +the bush." + +Ormsgill flushed a little, though he contrived not to start. He had +naturally not considered it necessary to tell Miss Figuera anything +about Anita. + +"No," he said simply. "I don't know how you could have heard about it, +but I was not alone." + +It was characteristic of him that he offered no explanation, and was +content to leave what he had done open to misconception. In fact, he +had a vague but unpleasant feeling that the latter course might be the +wiser one. Benicia turned her dark eyes full upon him, and there was a +faint sparkle in the depths of them. + +"My friend, I hear of almost everything," she said. "As it happens, I +know what you went up into the bush for." + +"Well," said Ormsgill reflectively, "perhaps, I should not be +surprised at that. It was only natural that I should be watched." + +He met her gaze without wavering, and, though he was not aware of +this, his eyes had a question in them. It was one he could not have +asked directly even if he had wished, but remembering that Anita was +to live in that city he took a bold course. + +"I wonder if one could venture to mention that your interest in the +woman I brought down from the bush would go a long way?" he said. "It +is, I think, deserved, and in case of any difficulty would ensure her +being left in quietness here, though, perhaps, the favor is too much +to expect." + +"No," said the girl, "not when you make the request. Frankly, in the +case of others I should have found what I have heard incredible. It +suggests the Knight of La Mancha. Are there many in your country who +would do such things?" + +Ormsgill felt his face grow a trifle hot. After all, Benicia Figuera +was, in that land, at least, a great lady, and he remembered that his +own people had doubted him. He laughed somewhat bitterly. + +"If I remember correctly, the famous cavalier was more or less crazy," +he said. + +The girl turned a trifle in her chair, and he saw a little gleam +kindle in her dark eyes. + +"Ah," she said, "perhaps it is a pity there are so many who are wholly +sensible." + +She sat very close to him, dressed in filmy white which flowed in +sweeping lines about a form of the statuesque modeling that is one of +the characteristics of the women of The Peninsula, but it was +something in her eyes which held Ormsgill's attention. They were Irish +eyes, with the inconsequent daring of the Celt in them, though she had +also the lips of the Iberian, full and red and passionate. The hot +blood of the South was in her, and, though she never forgot wholly +who and what she was, and there was a certain elusive stateliness in +her pose, it was clear to the man that she was one who could on +occasion fling petty prudence to the winds and ride as reckless a tilt +at conventionalities and cramping customs as he had done. Such a woman +he felt would not expect to be safeguarded by a man, but would bear +the stress of the conflict with him, if she loved him, not because his +quarrel might be an honorable one but because it was his. Then she +made him a little grave inclination. + +"I venture to make you my compliments, Senor Ormsgill," she said. + +The man set his lips for a moment, and she saw it with a little thrill +of triumph. It was borne in upon her that she desired the love of this +quiet Englishman who for a whimsical idea had undertaken such a task. +She also felt that she could take it, for she had seen the woman he +was pledged to, and knew, if he did not, that he would never be +satisfied with her. Then she suddenly remembered her pride, and +quietly straightened herself again. Ormsgill sat still looking at her, +and though the signs of restraint were plain on his lined face, she +saw a curious little glint creep into his eyes. Still, she felt that +he did not know it was there. + +"What shall I say?" he asked. "I don't think there are many people who +would see anything commendable in what I have done. In fact, those who +heard about it would probably consider it a piece of futile rashness, +and it is very likely that they would be right. After all, the +restraints of the city may become intolerable to the girl." + +"Then why did you undertake it?" + +Ormsgill laughed, though there was a faint ring in his voice, for he +saw that she had not asked out of idle curiosity. "I don't exactly +know. For one thing, I had made a promise, but to be candid I think +there were other reasons. You see, I have borne the burden myself. I +have been plundered of my earnings, driven to exhaustion, and have +fought against long odds for my life. It left me with a bitterness +against any custom which makes the grinding of the helpless possible. +One can't help a natural longing to strike back now and then." + +Benicia nodded. It was not surprising that there was a certain vein of +vindictiveness in her, which rendered it easy for her to sympathize +with him, and once more the man noticed that where Ada Ratcliffe would +in all probability have listened with half-disdainful impatience she +showed comprehension. + +"Still," she said, "in a struggle of this kind you have so much +against you. After all, you are only one man." + +"I almost think there are a few more of us even in Africa and, as +Father Tiebout says, it is, perhaps, possible that one man may be +permitted to do--something--here and there." + +He spoke with a grave simplicity which curiously stirred the girl. It +is possible that the sorrows of the oppressed did not in themselves +greatly interest her, for she had certainly never borne the burden, +but the attitude of this quiet man who, it seemed, had taken up their +cause, and was ready to ride a tilt against the powers that be, +appealed to her. She had, at least, courage and imagination, and there +was Irish blood in her. + +"Ah," she said, "the fight is an unequal one, but though there will be +so many against you I think you have also a few good friends--as well +as the Senor Desmond." + +Ormsgill started. Her knowledge of his affairs was disconcerting, but +he forgot his annoyance at it when she leaned forward a trifle looking +at him. Her mere physical beauty had its effect on him, and the soft +moonlight and her clinging white draperies enhanced and etherealized +it, but it was not that which set his heart beating a trifle faster +and sent a faint thrill through him. It was once more her eyes he +looked at, and what he saw there made it clear that the reckless, +all-daring something that was in her nature was wholly in sympathy +with him. He also understood that she had asked him to count her as +one of his friends. His manner was, however, a little quieter than +usual. + +"It is a matter of gratification to me to feel that I have," he said. +"Still, what do you know about Desmond?" + +Benicia laughed. "Not a great deal, but I can guess rather more. +Still, I do not think you need fear that I will betray you. In the +meantime I venture to believe that this is another of your friends." + +She rose and turned towards the door as her father came in. He shook +hands with Ormsgill, and then taking off his kepi drew forward a +chair. Benicia said nothing further, but went out and left them +together. Dom Clemente lighted a cigarette before he turned to his +guest with a little dry smile. + +"Trade," he said, "is not brisk up yonder?" + +"I do not know if it is or not," said Ormsgill simply. + +"Then, perhaps, you have accomplished the purpose that took you +there?" + +"A part of it. Because I have ventured to ask your daughter's interest +in a native woman I brought down I will tell you what it was." + +He did so, and the olive-faced soldier nodded. "I think you have done +wisely in making me your confidant," he said. "At least, the woman +will be safe here. It is also possible that I shall have a few words +to speak to our friend Herrero some day." Then his tone grew a trifle +sharper. "I have heard that there are rifles in the hands of some of +the bushmen up yonder." + +Ormsgill took a cartridge from his pocket and pointed to the dint in +the rim. "One might consider this as a proof of it. You will notice +the caliber, and I fancy I should recognize the rifle it was fired out +of. In that case the man who carries it will have an account to render +me." + +"Ah," said the little soldier quietly, "it is a confirmation of +several things I have heard of lately. I think I mentioned that the +bush was not a desirable place for you to wander in. Still, you are +probably going back there again?" + +"I believe I am." + +His companion looked at him with a little smile. "It is what one would +expect from you. One may, perhaps, venture to recall the circumstances +under which I first met you. Two soldiers brought you before me--and, +as it happened, I had, fortunately, finished breakfast. You made +certain damaging admissions with a candor which, though it might have +had a different effect a little earlier, saved you a good deal of +unpleasantness. I said here is an unwise man whose word can be +depended on. You know what the people of this city say of me?" + +"That you are a great soldier." + +Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled. "Also that like the rest I am willing to +abuse my office if it will line my pockets. The latter, it seems, is +the purpose which influences me in the unpopular things I do. I make +no protestations, but after all it is possible that I may have another +one. In any case, I have received you into my house, and admitted a +certain indebtedness to you. In return, I ask for your usual +frankness. You have heard of a native rising up yonder?" + +The question was sharp and incisive, and Ormsgill nodded. + +"To be precise," he said, "I heard of two." + +"Then we will have your views about the first one. It is not what one +could call spontaneous?" + +"At least, it is scarcely likely to take place without a little +judicious encouragement. The results, it is expected, would be +repression and reprisal. It seems that a lenient native policy does +not please everybody." + +This time Dom Clemente nodded with the twinkle a trifle plainer in his +eyes. "There are, one may admit, certain trading gentlemen in this +city who do not like it, but I will tell you a secret," he said. +"There are also a few well meaning people of some influence in my +country who can not be brought to believe that commercial interests +should count for everything. They seem to consider one has a certain +responsibility towards the negro. I do not say how far my views +coincide with theirs. That may become apparent some day. But the +second rising?" + +"Will, at least, be genuine, and, I almost fancy, formidable. It is a +little curious that the people who are most interested in the other do +not seem to foresee it. It may break upon them before they are quite +ready with the bogus one." + +Dom Clemente smoked out his cigarette before he answered, and then he +waved one of his hands. + +"Now and then," he said, "things happen that way. Perhaps, the Powers +who direct our little comedy can smile on occasion. At least, we +frequently afford them the opportunity. It is certain that there is no +fool like the over-cunning man. But we will talk of something else. In +the meantime, and while you stay here, you will consider this house of +mine your home, and those in it your friends and servants." + +"Thanks," said Ormsgill. "And when I go away?" + +His host made a little gesture. "Then it will depend upon where you go +and what you do. We may be friends still, or our ideas of what is +expected from us may render that impossible. Perhaps, it is +unfortunate when one has any ideas upon that point at all. Still, that +is a subject one must leave to the priests and those who reckon our +work up afterwards. Being simply a soldier, I do not know." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +DESMOND VENTURES A HINT + + +It was blowing hard, and the deluge which had blotted out the dingy +daylight and beaten flat the white spouting along the hammered beach +had just ceased suddenly when Desmond lay upon a settee at the head of +the _Palestrina_'s companion stairway. Though the long, sandy point to +the north of her afforded a partial shelter, she was rolling savagely +with a half-steam ready and two anchors down. Desmond had wedged +himself fast with his feet against the balustrade, but he found it +somewhat difficult to remain where he was, and the little room was +uncomfortably hot, though one door and the lee ports were open. The +two that looked forward were swept by spray that beat on them like a +shot, and overhead funnel-guy and wire rigging screamed in wild +arpeggios under the impact of the muggy gale. + +The _Palestrina_'s owner was, however, used to that. It rains and +blows somewhat hard on that coast at certain seasons, and he had lain +there several weeks growling at the heat and the weather, for he was +also one of the men who can keep a promise. Just then he had an +unlighted pipe and a letter which he had received from Las Palmas a +month earlier in one hand. It was from an Englishman he had brought +out to Grand Canary, and though its contents did not directly concern +him he had given it a good deal of thought once or twice already. His +forehead grew a trifle furrowed as he opened it again. + +"We have been wondering what Lister came back for, and the general +notion is that you had had enough of him," said his friend. "In any +case, he seems quite content with Las Palmas, and the British colony +are watching his proceedings with quiet interest. After cleaning out +several Spaniards at the casino he has apparently devoted himself to +Miss Ratcliffe's service. It is not evident that he receives a great +deal of encouragement from the lady herself, but her mother is +ostentatiously gracious to him. She may have a purpose in this." + +Desmond crumpled the letter in one hand. "Crosbie always was +a--tattler, but it's more than possible that he's right," he said. +Then he sighed. "And I put Lister on board the mail-boat and sent him +there! If I'd only known what the result would be I'd have drowned +him." + +He lay still for another few moments filling his pipe, and then flung +the tobacco pouch across the room, for a sojourn off those beaches +would probably try the temper of most white men, and the Hibernian +nature now and then came uppermost in him. + +"Damp," he said. "Reeking, dripping, putrid, like everything else on +this forlorn coast! It would be a boon to humanity if somebody bought +the besotted continent and scuttled it." + +He rose to his feet as a man in bedraggled white uniform appeared in +the doorway. + +"You were speaking, sir?" he said. + +"I was," said Desmond. "I suggested that it was a pity somebody +couldn't torpedo this benighted continent. Any word from the men you +sent ashore?" + +"They've signaled from the rise," said the _Palestrina_'s mate. "No +sign of him yet. I don't expect them off until to-morrow. The surf's +running steep." Desmond made a gesture of concurrence as he glanced at +the filmy spray-cloud that drove like smoke up the wet and glistening +beach. It was flung aloft by a wild white welter of crumbling seas, +and he realized that the boat's crew who had gone ashore could not +rejoin the _Palestrina_ before the morning, at least. They went every +day to watch for a lumbering ox team or a band of carriers plodding +seaward across the littoral, and it seemed they had once more signaled +that there was no sign of either. Then he moved towards the door +bareheaded, with only an unbuttoned duck jacket over his thin singlet, +and the mate ventured a deprecatory protest. + +"She's throwing it over her in sheets forward," he said. + +Desmond disregarded him, and staggering clear of the deck-house stood +with feet spread well apart gazing at the stretch of leaden sea while, +as the _Palestrina_'s bows went up, the spray that whirled in over her +weather rail wet him to the skin. He saw the livid tops of the combers +that rolled by the point and heard the jarring cables ring, and then +turned his eyes shorewards and gazed across the waste of misty +littoral. + +"It's a cheerful place, but now and then you feel you might get to +like it," he said. "Perhaps it's the uncertainty as to when the fever +will get you that gives living here a zest. When you come to think of +it, some of us have curious notions." + +He appeared to be considering the point as they edged back under the +lee of the deck-house, and the mate grinned. + +"The men don't take kindly to it, sir," he said. "They've been +worrying me lately as to how long we're stopping here." + +"A week," said Desmond. "Ormsgill's time is running out, and he'll be +here or send us word by then. He said he would, and what that man says +you can count on being done." + +Something in his tone suggested that the question might be considered +as closed, and they discussed other matters while the deck heaved and +slanted under them until a man forward flung up an arm and turned +towards them with a cry which the wind swept away. In another moment +Desmond scrambled half-way up the bridge ladder, and clung there with +the mate close beneath him gazing at the white welter where the seas +swept by the point. There was a sail just outshore of it, a little +strip of gray canvas that appeared and vanished amidst the serried +ranks of tumbling combers. It drew out of them and drove furiously +towards the _Palestrina_, and when a strip of white hull grew into +visibility beneath it Desmond looked down at his mate. + +"A big surf-boat. It's Ormsgill," he said. + +There was certainty in his tone, as well as a little ring of +satisfaction which was, perhaps, warranted, for it is, after all, +something to be the friend of a man who does just what he has promised +and never arrives too late. In the meanwhile the object they were +watching had grown into a bellying lug-sail that reeled to lee and to +weather with the sea streaming from the foot of it, and a patch of +foam-swept hull. The boat came on furiously, and when the mate sprang +from the ladder roaring orders Desmond could see three or four black +figures through the spray that whirled over her. There was also +another man in white garments standing upright in her stern, and +Desmond was wholly sure of his identity. Then she was lost for awhile, +and only swept into sight again abreast of the _Palestrina_'s dipping +bows, hove high with half her length lifted out of the crest of a +breaking sea. + +She drove forward with it, the foam standing half a man's height above +her stern and the foot of the slanted lug-sail washing in the brine, +while a bent white figure struggled with the great steering oar. She +swooped like a toboggan plunging down an icy slide when she was level +with the _Palestrina_'s bridge, and some of the men who watched her +from the latter's rail held their breath as the smoking sea passed on +and another gathered itself together astern of her. The helmsman, they +knew, must bring the dripping, half-swamped boat on the wind to reach +the strip of lee beneath the steamer's stern, and when he did it +there was every prospect of her rolling over. + +In another moment several black objects rose and grappled with the +lug-sail sheet, and the big boat tilted until all one side of her was +in the air. Then she went up in the midst of a white spouting as the +slope of water behind fell upon her. Still, the slanted lug-sail rose +out of it, and then came down thrashing furiously while naked black +figures half-seen in the spray bent from her gunwale with swinging +paddles as she drove towards the _Palestrina_'s quarter. After that +there was a hoarse shouting, and the lines flew from the reeling +taffrail as she slid under the steamer's stern. + +In another minute or two Ormsgill swung himself on board through the +gangway. He had no hat, and the water ran from him, but he shook hands +with Desmond unconcernedly. + +"Ask them to hand that fellow up," he said pointing to a man who sat +huddled in the water that swirled up and down inside the plunging +boat. "We took rather a heavy one over two or three hours ago, and he +brought up on the after thwart when the big oar jumped its crutch. As +he's the only Kroo among them, I took the helm myself after that. I +don't fancy he has broken anything." + +Desmond hustled him into the deck-house when the negro had been +brought on deck and the dripping boat rode astern, and an hour later +he sat at dinner with his comrade in the little white saloon. Darkness +had closed down in the meanwhile, and the lamp that swung above their +heads flung a soft light across the table, where dainty glassware and +silver glittered on the snowy cloth. Ormsgill smiled as he glanced at +it and the glowing blotch of color in his wine glass. + +"After all, this kind of thing has its advantages, especially when one +has been accustomed to squatting in the wood smoke over a calabash of +palm oil or some other unhallowed nigger compound," he said. "It's a +trifle pleasant to wear clothes that fit you, too. Father Tiebout's +and those Dom Clemente lent me didn't. I had to cut the wrists off the +latter's jacket." + +Desmond looked at him reflectively over his cigar, for he had +something to say, and was a trifle uncertain as to how he should set +about it. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose it is nice for a while, especially, as you +say, when it's a change. The point is, would it satisfy you long?" + +"A dinner like this one is generally acceptable." + +"We'll admit it. The trouble is that these civilized comforts are apt +to cost you something. I mean one has usually to give up something +else for the sake of them. You begin to understand?" + +"I'm not sure that I do," said Ormsgill. "I'll ask you to go on." + +Desmond laughed, though he did not feel quite at ease. He remembered +the letter in his pocket, and felt that there was a responsibility on +him, and that was a thing which, inconsequent as he was, he seldom +shrank from. This was not a man who talked about his duty; in fact, +any reference to the subject usually roused in him a sense of +opposition. He contented himself with doing it when he recognized it, +and since singleness of purpose is not invariably an efficient +substitute for mental ability, it was not altogether his fault when at +times he did it clumsily. There was also a subtle bond between him and +the man who sat opposite him. Affection was not the right term, and it +was more than _camaraderie_, an elusive something that could not be +defined and was yet in their case a compelling force. + +"Well," he said, "those quagmires and forests up yonder appeal to you. +It's a little difficult for any reasonable person to see why they +should, but they certainly do. So does the sea. The love of it's in +both of us." + +He stopped with a lifted hand, and, for the ports were open, Ormsgill +heard the deep rumble of the eternal surf on the hammered beach. He +also heard the onward march of the white hosts of tumbling seas, and +the shrill scream of the wire rigging singing to the gale. It was the +turmoil of the elemental conflict that must rage in one form or +another by sea and in the wilderness while the world endures, and +there is a theme in its clashing harmonies that stirs the hearts of +men. Ormsgill felt the thrill of it, and Desmond's eyes glistened. + +"Lord," he said, "we're curiously made. What in the name of wonder is +it that appeals to us in driving a swamping surf-boat over those +combers, or standing on the bridge ramming her full speed into it with +the green seas going over her forward and everything battened down? +Still, there is something. While we can do that kind of thing we can't +stay at home." + +Ormsgill smiled curiously. He was acquainted with some of the +characteristics of the wild Celtic strain, and knew that his comrade +now and then let himself go. "I think," he said, "considering where +you come from, you should understand it more readily than I can do." + +"You're not exempt," said Desmond, "you cold-blooded Saxons. What did +you run that boat down the coast under the whole lug-sail for when +she'd have gone nearly dry with two reefs tied down?" + +"I don't know. Still, she lost the wind in the hollows. One had to +keep her ahead of the seas." + +Desmond laughed scornfully. "Is that it? When the boy went down with +the breath knocked out of him as she took in a green sea, something +came over you as you grabbed the steering oar. You went suddenly +crazy, fighting crazy. You'd have rolled her over or run her under +before you tied a reef in." + +He stopped a moment, and made a little gesture as of one throwing +something away. "Still, you'll have to give all that up when you marry +and settle down, though it's a little difficult to imagine you going +round in a frock coat and tight patent boots, growing fat, and +overfeeding yourself like a--Strasburg goose. I suppose it is your +intention to be married some day?" + +"I believe it is," said Ormsgill quietly. + +Desmond laid down his cigar and looked at him. "Well, I may be on +dangerous ground, but when I get steam up I seldom allow a thing like +that to influence me. Anyway, I've been worrying over you lately. The +question is--are you going to marry the right girl, one who would take +you as you are and encourage you to be more so? It isn't every woman +who could put up with a man of your kind, but there are a few." + +His comrade's expression might have warned another man, but Desmond +went on. + +"I don't know if my views are worth anything, and some of my friends +doubt it, but you shall have them. After all, the matter's rather an +important one. The wife for you is one who would sympathize with your +notions even if she knew they were crazy ones, because they were +yours, and when they led you into lumber, as such notions generally +do, stand beside you smiling to face the world and the devil. There +are such women. I've met one or two." + +There was silence for a moment or two when he stopped, and Ormsgill, +gazing straight before him with vacant eyes, saw a dark-eyed girl with +dusky hair and a face of the pale ivory tint sitting where the +moonlight streamed in between a colonnade of slender pillars. As it +happened, Desmond saw her, too, and sighed. Then Ormsgill seemed to +rouse himself. + +"I am," he said, "going to marry Miss Ratcliffe, as I think you must +be quite aware." + +Desmond could have laughed. He fancied that it would have been almost +warranted, but he laid a restraint upon himself. "Then," he said, "if +you have both made up your minds and the thing is settled what in the +name of wonder are you wandering about Africa for? The fact that you +like it doesn't count. Why don't you go back--now--to her? It would +be considerably wiser." + +Ormsgill looked at him with half-closed eyes. "I'll have to ask you to +speak plainly." + +"I'll try," and Desmond made a little deprecatory gesture. "There are +women it isn't wise to leave too long alone. They were not made to +live that way, and if they find it insupportable you can't blame them. +How many years is it since Miss Ratcliffe has had more than a few +weeks of your company, and is it natural that a young woman should be +quietly content while the man she is to marry wanders through these +forests endeavoring to throw his life away? Besides that, the thing +might very possibly not commend itself to her mother." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's forehead, and his eyes +were grave. "I have," he said, "been a little afraid of what her +mother might do myself." + +"Then why don't you go across to Grand Canary and make sure she +doesn't try to influence the girl? Isn't it only reasonable that she +should expect you to be there and save her all unpleasantness in case +of anything of that kind happening?" + +Ormsgill said nothing for several minutes, but it was borne in upon +his comrade that his efforts had been thrown away. He had, however, +after all, not expected them to be successful. At length Ormsgill +spoke quietly. + +"I can't go," he said. "Domingo has carried those boys away into the +interior and I pledged myself that they should go home when their +time was up. As it is, unless I can take them from him they will be +driven to death in a few years. For that, I think, I should be held +responsible." + +He rose with a little sigh. "Dick," he said, "I have this thing to do, +and even if it costs me a good deal it must be done. I am going back +inland, and may be three or four months away. You can't stay here. +After all, I don't know that I shall have much difficulty in getting +the boys out of the country when I come down again." + +Desmond smiled. "I may go to Las Palmas or Madeira, but I'll be here +when you want me. We can fix that later. It seems to me I've said +quite enough to-night." + +Then they went up the companion, and Ormsgill talked of other matters +as they sat under the lee of the deck-house, and watched the white +seas sweep out of the darkness and vanish into it again. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +LISTER OFFERS SATISFACTION + + +Desmond's informant had, as it happened, been quite warranted in +mentioning that Lister's proceedings had aroused the interest of the +English colony in Las Palmas. He provided those who belonged to it +with something to talk about as they lounged on the hotel verandas, +which was a cause for gratification, since a good many of them had no +more profitable occupation. That dusty city has, like others in the +south, distractions to offer the idler with liberal views, though a +certain proportion of them are of distinctly doubtful character. There +are also in it gentlemen of easy morality who are willing to act as +cicerone to the stranger with means, that is, provided he possesses a +generous disposition. Spaniards of the old regime call them the _Sin +Verguenza_, "men without shame," and there are one or two coarsely +forceful Anglo-Saxon terms that might be aptly applied to them. It is, +unfortunately, a fact that there are Englishmen among them. + +Lister, who was young, and had never imposed much restraint upon +himself, profited by the opportunities they provided him. He had the +command of more money than was, perhaps, desirable, and for several +weeks the pace he made was hot. He was naturally preyed upon and +victimized, though, after all, the latter happened less frequently +than those who watched his proceedings supposed. The lad was careless +and generous, but there was a certain shrewdness in him as well as a +vein of cold British stubbornness which made him a trifle difficult to +handle when once his dislike was aroused. Indeed, one or two of his +acquaintances fancied he had not gone so very deep in the mire, after +all. How much Mrs. Ratcliffe knew about his doings did not appear. One +desires to be charitable, and since Major Chillingham had gone back to +England, it is possible, though far from likely, that she had not +heard of them at all. In any case, she took him up, and was gracious +to him in a motherly fashion, and there was suddenly a change in him. + +Lister henceforward spent his evenings at the hotel, generally near +the piano when Ada Ratcliffe sang. He also planned excursions for her +and her mother to little palm-shrouded villages among the volcanic +hills, and, since there was nobody who understood exactly how Miss +Ratcliffe stood with regard to the man who had gone to Africa, the +onlookers chuckled, and said that the girl's mother was a clever +woman. She said that Lister was a very likable young man, who had no +mother of his own, which was always a misfortune, and that it was +almost a duty to look after him. + +It was, in any case, one she discharged efficiently, and for a time +his former companions had very little of Lister's company. Several of +them were also sorry he had, apparently, as the result of their +persistent efforts to undermine her authority, flung off the +restraints Mrs. Ratcliffe had gradually imposed on him when at last he +spent a night with them again. + +They had reasonable cause for dissatisfaction when they sat in a +certain _caffee_ which stood near the cathedral. The latter fact has a +significance for those acquainted with Spanish cities, but, after all, +the Church is needed most where sinners abound. The _caffee_ had wide +unglazed windows, and clear moonlight streamed down into the hot, +unsavory street, which under that pure radiance looked for once +curiously clean and white. Tall limewashed walls rose above it, and, +for the flat roofs lay beneath their crests, cut against the strip of +velvety indigo, while a little cool breeze swept between them with a +welcome freshness. There was no gleam of light behind any of the green +lattices that broke their flat monotony and, save for the deep rumble +of the surf, the city was very still. Once a measured tramp of feet +rang across the flat roofs and indicated that two of the armed +_civiles_ were patroling a neighboring _calle_ where the principal +shops stand, but their business would not take them near the _caffee_. +It is, in fact, not often that authority obtrudes itself unadvisedly +into certain parts of most Spanish towns. + +The moonlight also streamed into the _caffee_ where a big lamp in +which the oil was running low burned dimly. The table beneath it was +stained with cheap red wine, and a good many bottles stood upon it +among a litter of Spanish cards. Four men sat about it, and two more +lounged upon the settee which ran along the discolored wall. The place +was filled with tobacco smoke and the sickly odor of anisado, which +was, however, no great disadvantage, since the natural reek of a +Spanish Alsatia is more unpleasant still. The men had been there four +or five hours when Lister flung down a card and noisily pushed back +his chair. His face was a trifle flushed, and his hands were not quite +steady, but his half-closed eyes were, as one or two of the others +noticed, almost unpleasantly calm. There was a pile of silver at his +side on the table, for he had, as the red-faced English skipper +opposite him had once or twice observed, been favored with an +astonishing run of luck. It is, however, possible that the skipper did +not go quite far enough. Lister had certainly been fortunate, but he +had also a nice judgment in such matters, and his nerve was unusually +good. He looked round at his companions with a little dry smile. + +"You should have left me alone," he said. "I didn't want to come here, +but when you insisted I did it to oblige you. As you pointed out, +considering what I took out of some of you on another occasion, it +seemed the fair thing. Now I hope you're satisfied." + +He indicated the pile of silver with a little wave of his hand, and +the others, among whom there were two Englishmen beside the skipper, +waited in some astonishment, with very little sign of content in their +faces, until he went on again. + +"Well," he said, "I'm still willing to do the fair thing, though, +while I don't wish to be unduly personal, that is a point which has +evidently not caused one or two of you any undue anxiety. You can +explain that, Walters, to the Spanish gentlemen, though I don't +altogether confine my remarks to them." + +An Englishman straightened himself suddenly, and one of the Spaniard's +eyes flashed when the man Lister turned to did his bidding. Lister, +however, grinned at them. + +"The question," he said, "is simply do you feel I owe you any further +satisfaction, or have you had enough? I want you to understand that +I'm never coming here again, and if you care to double the stakes I'll +play you another round." + +There was no doubt that they had had enough, and while three of them +might have taken another hand with a view to getting back the pile of +silver by certain means they were acquainted with they refrained, +perhaps because they felt that the man called Walters and the burly +steamboat skipper would in case of necessity stand by Lister. The +silence that lasted a moment or two grew uncomfortable, but it did not +seem to trouble Lister, who sat still looking at them with a little +sardonic smile. + +"Well," he said, "it's evident that you don't expect anything more +from me. Will you and Captain Wilson come with me, Walters?" + +He rose when the men addressed reached out for their hats, and then +clapped his hands until a girl came in. She was very young, and looked +jaded, which was not particularly astonishing considering that she +had been keeping the party supplied with refreshment for more than +half the night. The smudgy patches of powder on it emphasized the +weariness of her olive-tinted face, but there was for all that a +certain suggestion of daintiness and freshness about her which was not +what one would have expected in such surroundings. + +Lister stood looking at her with half-closed eyes, while the others +watched them both until he made a little abrupt gesture. + +"It is not you, but your father, the patron, the man who owns this +place, I want, but you can stop here and call him," he said in a +half-intelligible muddle of Castilian and Portuguese. + +Walters made it a little plainer, and the girl spread out her hands. +"The patron does not live here," she said. "My father, he is only in +charge." + +"Call him!" said Lister. + +The man came in, and his dark eyes as well as those of all the others +were fixed expectantly on Lister when he once more turned to the girl. + +"You like waiting on and singing for these pigs?" he asked. + +Walters rendered the word _puerco_, which is not a complimentary term +in Spain, but the men it was applied to forgot to resent it in their +expectancy. A flicker of color swept into the girl's face, and it was +evident that her task was not a congenial one. She was, however, about +to retreat when Lister raised his hand in protest, and turned to the +man. + +"What do you mean," he said, "by keeping a girl of that kind in a +place like this?" + +Again Walters translated, and the little flicker of color grew a +trifle plainer in the girl's olive-tinted cheek. One could have +fancied that she had suddenly realized how others might regard her +occupation and surroundings. The man, however, spread his hands out. + +"It is certainly not what one would wish for her, and she would be a +modista," he said. "But what would you--when one is very poor?" + +Lister caught up a double handful of the silver which still lay upon +the table and signed to the girl. + +"That should make it a little easier. It's for you," he said. "If it +is not enough you can let me know. You will go and learn to make hats +and dresses to-morrow. If your father makes any more objections I'll +send the little fat priest after him. You know the one I mean. He has +a cross eye and likes a good dinner as well as any man. He is a friend +of mine." + +The others gazed at Lister in blank astonishment when Walters made +this clear, until the Spaniard became suddenly profuse. Lister, +however, disregarded him, and picking up the rest of the silver turned +towards the door. He went out, and Walters looked at him curiously +when he stopped and stood still a moment, apparently reflecting, with +the moonlight on his face. The combativeness with which he had +regarded his gaming companions had faded out of it, and left it, as it +usually was, heavy and inanimate. Lister was skillful at games of +chance, where his impassiveness served him well, but Walters fancied +he was by no means likely to shine at anything else. He was a young +man of no mental capacity, and his tastes were not refined, but there +was hidden in his dull nature a germ of the rudimentary chivalry which +now and then rouses such men as he was to deeds which astonish their +friends. It had lain inert until the dew of a beneficent influence had +rested on it, and then there was a sudden growth that was to result in +the production of unlooked for fruit. Because of the love he bore one +woman he had become compassionate, and, perhaps, it did not matter +greatly that she was unworthy, since the gracious impulse was merely +brought him by, and not born of, the reverence he had for her. After +all, its source was higher than that. It was, however, not to be +expected that he should realize such a fact, and he stood wrinkling +his brows as though ruminating over his proceedings, until he became +conscious that his companion was looking at him inquiringly. + +"I don't know what made me do that," he said. "It's quite certain I +wouldn't have thought of it a month or two ago." + +"No," said Walters, a trifle drily, "one would not have expected it +from you. Still, you have made a few changes lately. What has come over +you?" + +Lister did not answer him. "If that blamed ass of a skipper means to +stop I'm not going to wait for him. He'll get a knife slipped into him +some night and it will serve him right," he said. "We'll get out of +this place. Once we strike the big calle it will be fresher." + +They strode on down the hot, stale smelling street, and Lister +appeared to draw in a deep breath of relief when they turned into the +broad road that runs close by the surf-swept beach to the harbor. +Though there were tall white stores and houses on its seaward side the +night breeze swept down it exhilaratingly fresh and cool, and Lister +bared his hot forehead to it. + +"Well," he said, "I've been down among the swine in a number of +places, and, though I suppose it sometimes falls out differently, I've +scratched some of the bristles off a few of them. Now I want to forget +the tricks they've taught me. You see, I'm never going back to any of +the--stys again. It's a thing I owe myself and somebody else." + +He had certainly consumed a good deal of wine, but it was clear that +he was fully in command of his senses, and Walters endeavored to check +his laugh as comprehension suddenly dawned upon him. Still, he was not +quite successful, and his companion turned on him. + +"I meant it," he said. "There'll probably be trouble between us if you +attempt to work off any of your assinine witticisms." + +Walters said nothing. He had seen his companion calmly insult four men +whose dollars he had pocketed, and he did not consider it advisable to +explain what he thought about Mrs. Ratcliffe and the interest she had +taken in his friend. Still, like most of the English residents who had +made her acquaintance, he had his views upon the subject. Lister was, +at least, rich enough to make a desirable son-in-law, and if he +fancied it was essential that he should reform before he offered +himself as a candidate there was nothing to be gained by undeceiving +him. + +They walked on until they left the tall white houses and little rows +of flat-topped dwellings that replaced them behind, and the dim, dusty +road stretched away before them with a filmy spray-cloud and +glistening Atlantic heave on one side of it. Lister glanced at the +fringe of crumbling combers with slow appreciation. + +"In one way that's inspiriting," he said. "I might have sat and +watched them half the evening from the veranda of the hotel. In that +case I'd have had a clearer head and been considerably fresher +to-morrow. Still, those hogs would have me out. It's a consolation to +realize that it has cost them something." + +Walters stopped when they reached the hotel and glanced at his +companion. "Aren't you going in?" he said. "You could still get a +little sleep before it's breakfast time." + +"No," said Lister simply, "I'm going for a swim. It's no doubt an +assinine notion, but the smell of the sty seems to cling to me." + +Walters laughed. "Is that a custom you mean to adopt invariably after +a night of this kind?" + +"No," said Lister. "It won't be necessary. You see there will never be +another one." + +They went on, and Walters sat down on the little mole not far away +while his comrade stripped off his thin attire. Then Lister stood a +moment, gleaming white in the moonlight, a big, loose-limbed figure, +on the head of the mole before he went down with flung-out hands and +stiffened body into the cool Atlantic swell. It closed about him +glittering, and he was well out in the harbor when he came up again +and slid away down the blaze of radiance with left arm swinging. The +chill of the deep sea water, at least, cooled his slightly fevered +skin, and, perhaps, there was something in his half pagan fancy that +it also washed a stain off him. In any case, the desire to escape from +the most unusual sense of contamination was a wholesome one. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HIS BENEFICENT INFLUENCE + + +There is a certain aldea, a little straggling village of flat-topped +houses, among the black volcanic hills of Grand Canary which has like +one or two others of its kind a good deal to offer the discerning +traveler who will take the trouble to visit it. It is certainly a +trifle difficult to reach, which is, perhaps, in one sense not +altogether a misfortune, since the Englishmen and Englishwomen who +visit that island in the winter seldom leave such places exactly as +they find them. One goes up by slippery bridle paths on horse or mule +back over hot sand and wastes of dust and ashes into a rift between +the hills, and when once the tremendous gateway of fire-rent rock has +been passed discovers that it costs one an effort to go away again. + +In the bottom of the barranco lie maize-fields and vines. Tall green +palms fling streaks of shadow over them, and close beneath the black +crags stands a little ancient church and odd cubes of lava houses +tinted with delicate pink or ochre or whitewashed dazzlingly. They +nestle among their fig trees shut in by tall aloes, and oleanders, and +a drowsy quietness which is intensified by the murmur of running water +pervades the rock-walled hollow. It is the stillness of a land where +nothing matters greatly, and there is in it the essence of the +resignation which regards haste and effort and protest as futile, that +is characteristic of old world Spain, for Spain was never until lately +bounded by the confines of the Peninsula. + +Las Palmas down beside the smoking beach is no longer Spanish. It is +filled with bustle and a rampant commercialism, and English is spoken +there; but the quietness of the ages lingers among the hills where the +grapes of Moscatel are still trodden in the winepress by barelegged +men in unstarched linen who live very much as one fancies the +patriarchs did, plowing with oxen and wooden plows, and beating out +their corn on wind-swept threshing floors. They also comport +themselves, even towards the wandering Briton, who does not always +deserve it, with an almost stately courtesy, and seldom trouble +themselves about the morrow. All that is essentially Spanish is +Eastern, too. The life in the hill pueblos is that portrayed in the +Jewish scriptures, and the olive-skinned men whose forefathers once +ruled half the world have also like the Hebrew the remembrance of +their departed glory to sadden them. + +It is, however, scarcely probable that any fancies of this kind +occurred to Mrs. Ratcliffe as she lay in a somewhat rickety chair +under a vine-draped pergola outside a pink-washed house in that aldea +one afternoon. She was essentially modern, and usually practical, in +which respects Ada, who sat not far away, was not unlike her. A man, +at least, seldom expects to find the commercial instinct and a shrewd +capacity for estimating and balancing worldly advantages in a young +woman of prepossessing appearance with innocent eyes, which is, +perhaps, a pity, since it now and then happens that the fact that she +possesses a reasonable share of both of them is made clear to him in +due time. Then it is apt to cause him pain, for man being vain prefers +to believe that it is personal merit that counts for most where he is +concerned. + +Ada Ratcliffe was listening to the drowsy splash of falling water, and +looking down through the rocky gateway over tall palms and creeping +vines, blackened hillslopes, and gleaming sands, on the vast plain of +the Atlantic which lay, a sheet of turquoise, very far below. Above +her, tremendous fire-rent pinnacles ran up into the upper sweep of +ethereal blue, but all this scarcely roused her interest. She had seen +it already, and had said it was very pretty. Besides, she was thinking +of other things which appealed to her considerably more, a London +house, an acknowledged station in smart society, and the command of +money. These were things she greatly desired to have, and it was +evident that Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them in a certain +measure. It was, in some respects, only natural that her mother should +set a high value on them too, and desire them for her daughter. She +had made a long and gallant fight against adverse circumstances since +her husband died, and there was in her face the hardness of one who +has more than once been almost beaten. There were, she knew, women who +would freely give themselves with all that had been given them to the +man they loved, but Mrs. Ratcliffe had never had much sympathy with +them. It was, she felt, a much more sensible thing to make a bargain, +and secure something in return. + +Still, nobody would have fancied that Ada Ratcliffe had any such ideas +just then. Her face was quietly tranquil, and the pose she had fallen +into in the big basket chair was, if not quite unstudied, a singularly +graceful one. In her hands lay a Spanish fan, a beautiful, costly +thing of silk and feathers and fretted ebony which Lister had given +her a few days earlier. He sat on a block of lava watching her with a +little significant gleam that she was perfectly conscious of in his +usually apathetic eyes. Still, though he had a heavy face of the kind +one seldom associates with self-restraint, there was nothing in his +expression which could have jarred upon a woman of the most sensitive +temperament. There were not many things which Albert Lister had much +reverence for, but during the last few weeks a change had been going +on in him, and it was a blind, unreasoning devotion which none of his +friends would have believed him capable of that he offered this girl. + +His pleasures had been coarse ones, and there was much in him that she +might have shrunk from, but he had, at least, of late fought with the +desires of his lower nature, and, for the time being, trampled on one +or two of them. Slow of thought, and of very moderate intelligence, as +he was, he had yet endeavored to purge himself of grossness before he +ventured into her presence. He had not spoken for awhile when Mrs. +Ratcliffe turned to him. + +"You were not in the drawing-room last night," she said, and her +manner subtly conveyed the impression that she had expected him. "No +doubt you had something more interesting on hand?" + +"No," said Lister slowly, "I don't think I had. In fact, I was playing +cards!" + +Mrs. Ratcliffe was a trifle perplexed, for she had now and then +ventured to express her disapproval of one or two of his favorite +distractions in a motherly fashion, and she could not quite understand +his candor. It was, perhaps, natural that she should not credit him +with a simple desire for honesty, since this was a motive which would +not have had much weight with her. + +"Ah," she said, with an air of playful reproach, "everybody plays +cards nowadays, and I suppose one must not be too hard on you. Still, +I think you know what my views are upon that subject." + +They were scarcely likely to be very charitable ones, since she owed +her own long struggle to the fact that there were few forms of gaming +her husband had not unsuccessfully experimented with, and she +continued feelingly, "If one had no graver objections, it is apt to +prove expensive." + +Lister laughed a little. "It proved so--to the other people--last +night, but I think you are right. In fact, it's scarcely likely I'll +touch a card again. In one way,"--and he appeared to reflect +laboriously, "it's a waste of life." + +His companions were both a trifle astonished. They had scarcely +expected a sentiment of this kind from him, and though the elder lady +would probably not have admitted it, gaming did not appear to her so +objectionable a thing provided that one won and had the sense to leave +off when that was the case. Ada Ratcliffe, however, smiled. + +"To be candid, one would hardly have fancied you would look at it in +that light," she said. "Still, you seem to have been changing your +views lately." + +"I have," said the man slowly, with a faint flush in his heavy face. +"After all, one comes to look at these things differently, and I dare +say those fellows are right who lay it down that one ought to do +something for his country or his living. Once I had the opportunity, +but I let it go, or rather I flung it away. I often wish I hadn't, but +I'm not quite sure it's altogether too late now." + +He spoke with an awkward diffidence, for though he was very young, +ideas of this kind were quite new to him. The love of the girl he +looked at appealingly had stirred his slow coarse nature, and +something that had sprung up in its depths was growing towards the +light. It might have grown to grace and beauty had the light been a +benignant one, for, after all, it is not upon the soil alone that +growth of any kind depends. Ada Ratcliffe, however, did not recognize +in the least that this laid upon her a heavy responsibility. + +"No," she said with an encouraging smile, "there is no reason why you +shouldn't make a career yet. I almost think you could if you wanted +to." + +It was a bold assertion, but she made it unblushingly, and Lister +appeared to consider. + +"There are not many things I'm good at--that is, useful ones," he +said. "You have to be able to talk sensibly, anyway, before you can +make your mark at politics, and some of them don't do it under twenty +years." + +He stopped for a moment with a little sigh. "Still, I suppose there +must be something worth while for one to do, even if it's not exactly +what one would like." + +"One's duty is usually made clear to one," said Mrs. Ratcliffe +encouragingly. + +"Well," said Lister, "I'm not sure it is, though it's probably his own +fault if he doesn't want to recognize it. As I mentioned, you can look +at the same thing differently. There was Desmond's friend Ormsgill. A +little while ago I thought he was a trifle crazy. Now I begin to see +it's a big thing he's doing, something to look back on afterwards even +if he never does anything worth while again." + +He saw the faint flush of color in Ada Ratcliffe's face, though he did +not in the least understand it. There was a good deal this man could +give her, and she knew that he would in due time press it upon her, +but she was naturally aware that his mental capacity was painfully +small. This made the fact that he should look upon Ormsgill's errand +as one a man could take pride in a reproach to her. Mrs. Ratcliffe's +face was, however, if anything, expressive of anxiety, for she had +asked herself frequently if Lister could by any chance have heard that +the girl's pledge to Ormsgill had never been retracted. She did not +think he had, but this was a point it was well to be sure upon. + +"I didn't think you had met him," she said. + +"I haven't. You see, I stayed behind in Madeira while the _Palestrina_ +came on, and when I got here Ormsgill had gone. Desmond told me about +him. I understood he was to marry somebody when he had done his +errand, though, if he knew, Desmond never mentioned who she was." + +He stopped, and Mrs. Ratcliffe sighed with sheer relief when he turned +and looked eastwards towards Africa across the vast stretch of sea +with a vague longing in his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "when he comes back again he will have done something +that should make the girl look up to him." + +Again the flicker of color crept into Ada Ratcliffe's cheek, for she +was conscious just then of a curious resentment against the man who +had gone to Africa for an idea. It was singularly galling that a man +of Lister's caliber should make her ashamed. Still, she smiled at him. + +"I believe we have all more than one opportunity, and another one will +no doubt present itself," she said. + +Lister sat still looking at her in a fashion she found almost +embarrassing, and for a moment or two none of them spoke. Then there +were footsteps on the lava blocks outside the pergola, and a man +appeared in an opening between the vines. He was dressed in white +duck, and his face was bronzed by wind and spray, while Mrs. +Ratcliffe found it difficult to refrain from starting at the sight of +him. He stood where he was for a moment looking at the group with +grave inquiry, and Ada Ratcliffe felt that she hated him for the +little smile of comprehension that crept into his eyes. Then he moved +quietly forward, and Lister rose with a faint flush in his face. + +"I'm glad to see you, Desmond. I mean it, in spite of what passed the +night you packed me off," he said. + +It was an awkward meeting, though Lister was the only one whose +embarrassment was noticeable. His companions were watching Desmond +quietly, though Mrs. Ratcliffe was sensible that this was the last man +she would have desired to see. He had come back from Africa and might +spoil everything, for at the back of her mind she was not quite sure +of her daughter. Still, though it cost her an effort, she asked him a +few questions. + +"Ormsgill didn't want me for some time and I ran across for coal and +other things. That coast isn't one it's judicious to stay on," he +said, and looked at Ada steadily. "You will be pleased to hear that he +was in excellent health--though he was still bent on carrying out his +purpose--when he left me." + +The girl's gesture was apparently expressive of relief, and Desmond +who sat down on the lava parapet proceeded to relate what he knew of +Ormsgill's projects and adventures. He felt the constraint that was +upon all of them except Lister, whose embarrassment was rapidly +disappearing, and though it afforded him certain grim satisfaction he +talked to dissipate it. + +"We ran in this morning, and as the folks at the hotel told me you +were here I came on," he said at length. + +They asked him a few more questions, and it said a good deal for Mrs. +Ratcliffe's courage that she invited him to stay there for comida and +then to ride back to their hotel with them. Still it would, as she +recognized, be useless to separate the men, since they would come +across each other continually in Las Palmas, and she was one who knew +that the boldest course is now and then the wisest. Desmond stayed, +and it was some little time later when he sat alone with Lister among +the tumbled lava by the watercourse. Feathery palm tufts drooped above +them, and looking out between the fringed and fretted greenery they +could see the blue expanse of sea. Beyond its sharp-cut eastern rim, +as both of them were conscious, lay the shadowy land. Desmond turned +from its contemplation and regarded his companion with a little smile. + +"I heard a good deal about you in the hotel smoking room," he said. "I +suppose I ought to compliment you on the possession of a certain +amount of sense. Presumably you have now a motive for going steady?" + +Lister flushed, but he met his companion's gaze without wavering. "As +a matter of fact you are quite correct," he said. "Anyway, the motive +is a sufficient one." + +"Ah," said Desmond dryly, "it is in that case a lady, Miss Ratcliffe +most probably? You no doubt recognize that she is several years older +than you, and that it is more than possible her affections have been +engaged before?" + +His companion resolutely straightened himself. "It isn't as a rule +advisable to go too far, but I don't mind informing you that they are +not engaged now." + +"You seem sure," said Desmond with more than a trace of his former +dryness. "She has presumably told you so?" + +"She has not," said Lister. "That is, however, quite sufficient in +itself, because if there had been anyone else with the slightest claim +on her she and her mother would certainly have found means of making +it clear to me." + +Desmond saw the glint in the lad's eyes, and could not quite repress a +little sardonic smile. What he had heard in the hotel had at first +been almost incomprehensible to him, but, as he listened to what the +men he met there had to tell, it became clear that Lister had in +reality turned from his former courses. Then came his own admission +that it was Ada Ratcliffe who had inspired him. Desmond could have +found it a relief to laugh. The woman who, it seemed, was willing to +throw over his comrade and break her pledge to him that she might be +free to marry a richer man was the one who had stirred the lad to what +was probably a stern and valiant encounter with his baser nature. It +seemed that she could not even be honest with him. + +"Am I to understand that you have made up your mind to marry Miss +Ratcliffe?" he asked. + +"Yes," said Lister slowly, "I have; that is, if she will have me, +which is doubtful. It is, however, in no sense your business, and you +needn't trouble to remind me that it would be a very indifferent match +for her." + +Desmond sat still for several minutes, and thought as hard as he had +in all probability ever done in his life. He had given Ormsgill a hint +which had not been taken, and now he found it had been fully +warranted, he had ventured on giving Lister another which had also +been disregarded. The lad's faith in the woman who was deceiving both +of them was evidently sincere and generous, as well as in one respect +pitiable, and under the circumstances Desmond could not tell what +course he ought to take. He was aware that the man who rashly meddles +in his friends' affairs seldom either confers any real benefit upon +them or earns their thanks, and he doubted if Lister would listen to +any advice or information he might offer him. To say nothing meant +that he must leave Mrs. Ratcliffe a free hand, but he had sufficient +knowledge of that lady's capabilities to feel reasonably sure that she +would succeed in marrying the girl to one of the men in spite of him. +That being so, it seemed to him preferable that the one in question +should not be his friend. Then he looked at Lister gravely. + +"Well," he said, "I almost think she'll have you, and I'm not sure +that you need worry yourself too much about not being good enough for +her. That's a point you could be content with her mother's opinion +on." + +He left the lad, and five minutes later came upon Ada Ratcliffe in the +patio of the adjacent house. "You will make my excuses to your +mother," he said. "After all, I think I had better ride back to Las +Palmas alone." + +The girl met his eyes, but for a moment her face flushed crimson. She +said nothing, and he quietly turned away, while in another few minutes +she heard his horse stumbling down the slippery path beside the +watercourse. When they reached the hotel that evening they were also +told that he did not intend to live ashore while the yacht was in the +harbor, which was a piece of information that afforded Mrs. Ratcliffe +considerable relief. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +HERRERO'S IMPRUDENCE + + +Though it was, at least, as hot as it usually is at San Roque and the +heavy, stagnant atmosphere made exertion of any kind impossible to a +white man, Dom Erminio had not gone to sleep that afternoon, as he +generally did. He had, after all, some shadowy notions of duty, and +would now and then rouse himself to carry them out; that is, at least, +when he stood to obtain some advantage by doing so. In this he was, +perhaps, not altogether singular, since it is possible that there are +other men who recognize a duty most clearly under similar +circumstances. He lay in a low hung hammock where the veranda roof +flung a grateful shadow over him, with a cigar in his hand, +meditatively watching a row of half-naked negroes toiling in the +burning sun, and the fashion in which he did so suggested that it +afforded him a certain quiet satisfaction. He had grave objections to +physical exertion personally, and as a rule succeeded in avoiding it, +for there are, as he recognized, advantages in being a white man, in +that country, at least. Dom Erminio invariably made the most of them. + +It must be admitted that the negro is by no means addicted to toiling +assiduously under scorching heat, especially when, as sometimes +happens, he works for a white man who requisitions his services +without any intention of rewarding him for them, but though the baked +and trampled soil of the compound flung back an intolerable heat and +glare, the half-naked men were diligent that afternoon. Dom Erminio +had his shifty black eyes on them, and certain dusky men with sticks +stood ready to spur the laggards to fresh endeavor. So while the sweat +of strenuous effort dripped from them some trotted to and fro with +baskets of soil upon their woolly heads and the rest plied saw and +hammer persistently. They were strengthening the fort stockade and +digging a ditch, and incidentally riveting the shackles of the white +man's bondage more firmly on their limbs. The Commandant, or Chefe as +he was usually called, appeared to recognize that fact, for he smiled +a little as he watched them. + +By and by he turned and blinked at the forest which hemmed in the +stockaded compound as with an impenetrable wall. It was dim and +shadowy, even under that burning glare suggestively so, and he was +aware that just then whispers of a coming rising were flying through +its unlifting gloom, though the fact caused him no great concern. A +few white friends of his were playing a game that has been played +before in other regions, and he was quite willing to gain fresh renown +as an administrator by the suppression of a futile rebellion. It is +also possible that his friends looked for more tangible advantages, +and would have been willing to offer him a certain share of them. +That, however, is not quite a matter of certainty, and there were, at +least, men in that country who said they regarded Dom Erminio as all +an administrator ought to be. Perhaps he was, from their point of +view. + +The Lieutenant Luiz, who had just come back from a native village with +a handful of dusky soldiers and a band of carriers loaded with fresh +provisions, sat in a basket chair close by, also regarding the +stockade builders with a little smile. The natural reluctance of +certain negroes to part with their possessions had occasioned him a +good deal of trouble during the last few days. A negro who served as +messenger stood waiting a few paces behind him. + +"It is an advantage when one can teach the trek-ox to harness +himself," he said reflectively. "I do not think those men like what +they are doing. Every pile that they are driving makes our rule a +little surer. It is not astonishing that some of them should be a +trifle mutinous now and then." + +"You had a difficulty about those provisions?" said Dom Erminio. + +His companion laughed. "One would scarcely call it that. It was merely +advisable to use the stick, and a hut or two was burnt. In times like +the present one profits by a little judicious firmness." + +"I think one could even go a trifle further than that." + +Lieutenant Luiz made a little gesture. He had a certain shrewdness, +and the Chefe was only cunning, which is, after all, a different thing +from being clever. It seemed that Dom Erminio failed to recognize +that it is always somewhat dangerous to play with fire. One can as a +rule start a conflagration without much difficulty, but it is now and +then quite another matter to put it out. + +"I am not sure," he said. "There are men in this country who seem to +enjoy scattering sparks, and they are rather busy just now. It is, +perhaps, not very hazardous when it is done judiciously and one knows +there is only a little tinder here and there, but when one flings them +broadcast it is possible that two or three may fall on powder." He +turned and stretched out a dainty, olive-tinted hand towards the +forest. "After all, we do not know much about what goes on there." + +"Bah!" said Dom Erminio, who had courage, at least, "if the blaze is a +little larger than one expected what does it matter? The stockade will +be a strong one." + +His companion glanced at the gap in the row of well stiffened piles. +"It would certainly be difficult to storm that gate, but these bushmen +who are building the stockade will have the sense to realize it and +tell their friends. If there is an attack it will not be made that +way." + +"Exactly!" and the Chefe's eyes twinkled as he waved a yellow hand. +"It is a little idea that occurred to me while you were away. The +bushmen would come by the rear of the stockade which we leave lower, +and when they do I think we shall also be ready for them there. There +are certain defenses which will be substituted when their friends +have gone away again." + +They both laughed at this and neither of them said anything further +for awhile until a negro swathed in white cotton strode out of the +forest with a little stick in his hand. He was challenged by a sentry +who sent him on, and presently stood on the veranda holding out the +stick. Dom Erminio glanced at it languidly. + +"Our injudicious friend Herrero has some word for us," he said. "He is +a man who lets his dislikes run away with him, and he is not always +wise in his messages." He stopped a moment with a little reflective +smile. "Still, a message is always a difficulty in this part of +Africa. If one teaches the messenger what he is to say he may tell it +to somebody else, and it happens now and then that to write is not +advisable. One must choose, however, and I wonder which our friend has +done." + +The man decided the question by holding out a strip of paper, and the +Chefe who took it from him nodded as he read. + +"It appears that Herrero is not pleased with the doings of the +Englishman who is now in the bush country," he said. "Herrero seems to +consider that he and a few others are capable of rousing all the ill +will against us among the natives that is desirable, and I am almost +tempted to believe that he is right in this. He is, however, imprudent +enough to supply me with a few particulars which might with advantage +have been made less explicit. He fancies we shall have a rebellion, +and if we do not I almost think it will be no fault of his." + +"There is no doubt a little more," observed Lieutenant Luiz. "When +that man writes a letter he has something to ask for." + +The Commandant nodded. "It is in this case a thing we can oblige him +in," he said. "It seems the crazy Englishman Ormsgill is causing +trouble up yonder and inciting the natives to mutiny. Further, it is +evidently his intention to deprive Domingo of some of the boys who +have engaged themselves under him. The man is one who could, I think, +be called dangerous. It is not a favor to Herrero, but a duty to place +some check on him." + +They looked at one another, and Dom Luiz grinned. "Ah," he said, "our +imprudent friend no doubt mentions how it could most readily be done." + +The Commandant raised one hand. "The thing is simple. You will start, +we will say the day after to-morrow, with several men, and you will +come upon Ormsgill in a village in Cavalho's country. Domingo, it +seems, is there now, and it is expected that Ormsgill will attempt to +take the boys from him, but this will cause no difficulty. The +Headman, who is a friend of Domingo's will, if it appears advisable, +disarm Ormsgill. The latter will no doubt not permit this to be done +quietly, and it is possible that there will be a disturbance in the +village, as the result of which you will arrest him for raiding +natives under our protection. We shall know what to do when you bring +him here." + +They had, after sending Herrero's messenger away, spoken in Portuguese +of which the negro who remained on the veranda understood no more than +a word or two. He stood still, statuesque, with his white draperies +flowing about his dusky limbs, and as disregarded by the white men as +the native girl with the big bedizened fan who crouched in the shadowy +doorway just behind them. Yet both had intelligence, and noticed that +the Chefe instead of destroying the letter laid it carelessly on the +edge of his hammock, from which it dropped when he raised himself a +little. The girl's eyes glistened, but she said nothing, and the man +moved slightly as though his pose had grown irksome. It was +unfortunate that Dom Erminio had considered it advisable to keep him +there waiting his pleasure, for when he stood still again he was a +foot or two nearer the strip of paper than he had been a few moments +earlier. + +Then the girl in the doorway rose, and the Chefe turned sharply in his +hammock as a little haggard man in plain white duck walked quietly out +of the house. He saw the question in the glance Dom Erminio flashed at +his Lieutenant, and smiled as he seated himself in the nearest chair. +Father Tiebout was always unobtrusive, and what he did was as a rule +done very quietly, but he was quite aware that neither of the two +white men were exactly pleased to see him. + +"I came in from the east by the rear of the stockade where they are +mending it," he said. "It was a little nearer. One would suppose that +you did not see me." + +The residency veranda, as is usual in that country, ran round the +building, which had several doors and two stairways, and it was +therefore perfectly natural that the priest should have arrived +unnoticed, but the fact that he had done so was disconcerting just +then, and it left the question how long he might have been in the +house. Still, there were reasons why the Chefe could not ask it or +treat his guest with any discourtesy. + +"In any case you are welcome," he said. "There is presumably something +I can do for you?" + +Father Tiebout nodded. "A little matter," he said. "I was going to San +Thome, and as my road led near the fort I thought I would mention it. +My people have a complaint against the soldiers you lately sent into +our neighborhood under the Sergeant Orticho. Some of them have been +beaten." + +"Dom Luiz will go over and look into it," said the Chefe. "That is, +presently." + +"Ah," said Father Tiebout, "then Dom Luiz is busy now? He will, no +doubt, be at liberty in a day or two?" + +It was not a question Dom Erminio wished to answer, and he waved his +hand. "At the moment one cannot say. In the meanwhile you will make +your complaint a little more definite." + +He had apparently forgotten the messenger, but Father Tiebout had been +quietly watching him, and now saw him stretch out a dusky foot towards +the strip of paper which lay not far away. He touched it with a +prehensile toe, and in another moment it had vanished altogether, +though the man did not stand exactly where he had stood before. +Lieutenant Luiz, as it happened, sat with his back to him, and Dom +Erminio lay in his hammock where he could not see, but two people had +noticed every motion, and though neither of them made any sign the +dusky man was quite aware that the girl who had retired to one of the +windows was watching him. About Father Tiebout he was far from +certain, but he was a bold man, and turning a little away from him he +stooped and apparently touched a scratch a thorn or broken grass stalk +had made on his foot. When he straightened himself again there was, +however, something in his hand. Then the Chefe appeared to remember +him. + +"You will go back to the Lieutenant Castro," he said. "You can tell +him there is no answer. Start to-morrow." + +"It is a long journey," said the man. "I go back now." + +Dom Erminio made a little gesture which seemed to indicate that it was +a matter of indifference to him, and Father Tiebout put a check on his +impatience. He had, as it happened, been in the house at least a +minute before any one had noticed him, and was anxious for reasons of +his own to discover what was in the letter. He did not know what the +messenger meant to do with it, but he was aware that those entrusted +with authority in that country were frequently at variance and spied +on one another. It was possible that the man who could not read the +note might expect to sell it. + +Still, the missionary was one who seldom spoiled anything by undue +haste, and he reflected that while he had traveled in a hammock +leisurely the man was probably worn by a long journey, since San Roque +lay at some distance from the camp where the officer the Chefe had +mentioned was stationed then. So he supplied his hosts with +particulars concerning his complaint, and then talked of other matters +for an hour or more, and it was not until the comida was laid out that +he set out on his journey. This was a somewhat unusual course in the +case of a guest who had a long march still in front of him, but +although the messenger, who might also have been expected to spend the +night there, had evinced the same desire to get on his way, it never +occurred to Dom Erminio to put the two facts together. There are, +however, other cunning men who now and then fail to see a very obvious +thing. + +Still, Father Tiebout did not go by the nearest way to San Thome, +though he urged his hammock boys through the bush all night at their +utmost speed. The path was smoothly trodden, and they had no great +difficulty in following it through the drifting steam, while when the +red sun leapt up and here and there a ray of brightness streamed down, +they came upon a weary man who turned and stood still when he saw +them. He made a little gesture of comprehension when the priest +dropped from his hammock and looked at him. + +Father Tiebout touched his shoulder and led him back a few paces into +the bush. The man was big and muscular, as well as a pagan, but the +priest had the letter when they came out again. He did not tell any +one how he induced the messenger to part with it, but, as he now and +then admitted, he was one who did not hesitate to use the means +available. It was, in fact, a favorite expression of his, and, though +he usually left the latter point an open question, in his case, at +least, the results generally justified the means. He spoke a word or +two sharply to the hammock boys, and they left the man sitting wearily +beside the trail when they went on again. + +It was three weeks later when the priest in charge of the San Thome +Mission, who was a privileged person, sent on the letter to Dom +Clemente Figuera by the hands of a Government messenger, but Father +Tiebout, who requested him to do so, had made one or two other +arrangements in connection with it in the meanwhile. Ormsgill, as he +had once said, had a few good friends in Africa. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +NARES COUNTS THE COST + + +It was getting late and the night was very hot, but Nares was still +busy in his palm-thatched hut. The creed he taught was not regarded +with any great favor by the authorities, and, perhaps, was also by +virtue of its very simplicity a little beyond the comprehension of the +negro, who not unnaturally finds it a good deal easier to believe in a +pantheon of mostly malevolent deities, but if his precepts produced no +very visible result, there were, at least, many sick who flocked to +him. It was significant that the door of his hut stood wide open, as +it always did, though there were men in that forest who had little +love for him. The priests of the heathen also practice the art of +healing, and it is not in human nature to be very tolerant towards a +rival who works without a fee. + +He sat with the perspiration trickling down his worn face beside a +little silver reading lamp, a gift from somebody in the land he came +from. Now and then there was a faint stirring of the muggy air, and +the light flickered a little, while the blue flame of a spirit lamp +that burned beneath a test tube was deflected a trifle, but the weary +man scarcely noticed it as he pored over a medical treatise. Nor did +he notice the crackling that unseen creatures made in the thatch +above his head, the steamy dampness that soaked his thin duck jacket, +or the sickly smell of lilies that now and then flowed into the room. +He was too intent upon the symbols of certain equations, letters and +figures, and crosses of materialistic significance, with the aid of +which he could, at least, mitigate bodily suffering and fight disease. +They were always present, and it was a valiant fight he made in a land +where the white man's courage melts and his faith grows dim. + +At last there were voices and footsteps in the compound, which he +heard but scarcely heeded, and he only looked up when a man stood in +the doorway smiling at him. + +"Ah," he said, "I scarcely expected to see you, Father. What has +become of your hammock boys, and where have you sprung from?" + +Father Tiebout waved his hand, and dropped into the nearest chair. +"The boys are already in the guest hut," he said. "I have come from +San Roque, but not directly. In fact, I found it advisable to make a +little detour." + +"In your case that is not a very unusual thing," and Nares laughed. +"Still, you appear to get there, arrive, as you express it, at least +as frequently as I do." + +The priest made a little gesture. "When one finds a wall he can not +get over across his path it is generally wiser to go round. Why should +one waste his strength and bruise his hands endeavoring to tear it +down? It may be a misfortune, but I think we were not all intended to +be battering rams. The metaphor, however, is not a very excellent +one, since it is in this case a lion that stands in the path of our +friend Ormsgill. For a minute or two you will give me your attention." + +Nares listened with wrinkled forehead, leaning forward with both arms +on the table, and then there was a faint twinkle in his eyes as he +looked at his companion. It was, after all, not very astonishing that +he should smile, for he was accustomed to disconcerting news. + +"I wonder if one could ask how you learned so much?" he said. "It is +scarcely likely that the Chefe or his Lieutenant would tell it you." + +"For one thing, I heard a few words that were not exactly meant for +me; for another, I laid unauthorized hands upon a certain letter. One, +as I have pointed out, must use the means available." + +"The results justify it--when he is successful, which is, no doubt, +why you so seldom fail? Under the circumstances you can not afford to. +There may be something to say for that point of view, but our fathers +were not so liberal in Geneva." + +Father Tiebout smiled good-humoredly. "We will not discuss the point +just now. The question is what must be done? We have a friend who will +walk straight into the jaws of the lion unless--some one--warns him." + +"It is not impossible that he will do so then." + +The priest spread his hands out. "Ah," he said, "how can one teach the +men who delight in stone walls and lions a little sense? Still, +perhaps, it would be a pity if one could. It is possible that folly +was the greatest thing bestowed on them when they were sent into this +world. That, however, is not quite the question." + +"It is--who shall go?" and Nares, who closed one hand, thrust his +chair back noisily. "There are you and I alone available, padre, and +we know that the one of us who ventures to do this thing will be laid +under the ban of Authority, openly proscribed or, at least, quietly +thwarted here and there until he is driven from his work and out of +the country. There are many ways in which those who hold power in +these forests can trouble us." + +Father Tiebout said nothing, but he made a gesture of concurrence, +with his eyes fixed steadily on his companion, and Nares, who could +not help it, smiled a trifle bitterly. + +"Well," he said, "you have your adherents--a band of them--and what +you teach them must be a higher thing than their own idolatry. If they +lost their shepherd they would fall away again. I, as you know, have +none. My call, it seems, is never listened to--and it is plain that +circumstances point to me. Well, I am ready." + +His companion nodded gravely. "It is a hard thing I have to say, but +you are right in this," he said. "I have a flock, and some of them +would perish if I left them. For their sake I can not go. It is not +for me to take my part in a splendid folly, but"--and he spread his +thin hands out--"because it is so I am sorry." + +It was clear that Nares believed him, though he said nothing. He knew +what the thing he was about to do would in all probability cost him, +but he also realized that had circumstances permitted it the little +fever-wasted priest would have gladly undertaken it in place of him. +Father Tiebout was one who recognized his duty, but there was also the +Latin fire in him, and Nares did not think it was merely because he +liked it he submitted to Authority and walked circumspectly, +contenting himself with quietly accomplishing a little here and there. + +Then Father Tiebout made a gesture which seemed to imply that there +was nothing further to be said on that subject, as he pointed through +the open door to the steamy bush. + +"You and I have, perhaps, another duty," he said. "We know what is +going on up yonder, and, as usual, those in authority seem a trifle +blind. If nothing is done there will be bloodshed when the men with +the spears come down." + +Nares was by no means perfect, and his face grew suddenly hard. +"That," he said, "is the business of those who rule. They would not +believe my warning, and I should not offer it if they would. There are +wrongs which can only be set right by the shedding of blood, and I +would not raise a hand if those who have suffered long enough swept +the whole land clean." + +Father Tiebout smiled curiously. "There is, I think, one man who would +have justice done. It is possible there are also others behind him, +but that I do not know. He is not a man who takes many into his +confidence or explains his intentions beforehand. I will venture to +send him Herrero's letter--and a warning." + +He rose with a soft chuckle. "I almost think he will do--something by +and by, but in the meanwhile it is late, and you start to-morrow." + +"No," said Nares simply. "I am starting as soon as the hammock boys +are ready." + +He extinguished the spirit lamp, and lighting a lantern went out into +the darkness which shrouded the compound. He spent a few minutes in a +big whitened hut where two or three sick men lay and a half-naked +negro sat half-asleep. There was, as he realized, not much that he +could do for any of them, and after all, his most strenuous efforts +were of very slight avail against the pestilence that swept those +forests. He had not spared himself, and had done what he could, but +that night he recognized the uselessness of the struggle, as other men +have done in the land of unlifting shadow. Still, he gave the negro a +few simple instructions, and then went out and stood still a few +moments in the compound before he roused the hammock boys. + +There was black darkness about him, and the thicker obscurity of the +steamy forest that shut him in seemed to emphasize the desolation of +the little station. He had borne many sorrows there, and had fought +for weeks together, with the black, pessimistic dejection the fever +breeds, but now it hurt him to leave it, for he knew that in all +probability he would never come back again. He sighed a little as he +moved towards one of the huts, and standing in the entrance called +until a drowsy voice answered him. + +"Get the hammock ready with all the provisions the boys can carry. We +start on a long journey in half an hour," he said. + +Then he went back to his hut, and set out food for himself and his +guest. They had scarcely finished eating when there was a patter of +feet in the compound and a shadowy figure appeared in the dim light +that streamed out from the door. + +"The boys wait," it said. "The hammock is ready." + +Nares rose and shook hands with his companion. "If I do not come +back," he said, "you know what I would wish done." + +The priest was stirred, but he merely nodded. "In that case I will see +to it," he said. + +Then Nares climbed into the hammock, and once more turned to his +companion. + +"I have," he said, "failed here as a teacher. At first it hurt a +little to admit it, but the thing is plain. I may have wasted time in +wondering where my duty lay, but I think I was waiting for a sign. +Now, when the life of the man you and I brought back here is in peril +I think it has been given me." + +"Ah," said the little priest quietly, "when one has faith enough the +sign is sometimes given. There are, I think, other men waiting on the +coast yonder, and one of them is a man who moves surely when the time +is ripe." + +Nares called to the hammock boys, who slipped away into the darkness +with a soft patter of naked feet, while Father Tiebout stood still in +the doorway with a curious look in his eyes. He remembered how Nares +had first walked out of that forest and unobtrusively set about the +building of his station several years ago. Now he had as quietly gone +away again, and in a few more months the encroaching forest would +spread across the compound and enfold the crumbling huts, but for all +that, the man he had left behind could not believe that what he had +done there would be wholly thrown away. + +It was a long and hasty march the woolly-haired bearers made, and they +did not spare themselves. It is believed in some quarters that the +African will only exert himself when he is driven with the stick, and +there are certainly white men in whose case the belief is more or less +warranted, but Nares, like Ormsgill, used none, and the boys plodded +onwards uncomplainingly under burning heat and through sour white +steam. They hewed a way through tangled creepers, and plunged knee and +sometimes waist deep in foul morasses. The sweat of tense effort +dripped from them, and thorns rent their skin, but they would have +done more had he asked it for the man who lay in the hammock that +lurched above them. + +Nares on his part knew that Ormsgill was well in front of him, and +Ormsgill as a rule traveled fast, but it was evident that he must have +made a long journey already, and the Mission boys were fresh. That, at +least, was clear by the pace they made, but it did not greatly slacken +when weariness laid hold on them. They pushed on without flagging +through the unlifting shade, and the ashes of their cooking fires +marked their track across leagues of forest, until late one night they +stopped suddenly in a more open glade, and Nares, flung forward in his +hammock, seized the pole and swung himself down. + +He alighted in black shadow, but he could dimly see one of the boys in +front of him leaning forward as though listening. A blaze of moonlight +fell upon the trail some forty yards away, and two great trunks rose +athwart it in towering columns, but there was nothing else visible. +Still, the boy, who now crouched a trifle, was clearly intent and +apprehensive. He stood rigid and motionless, gazing at the bush, until +he slowly turned his head. + +Nares, who could hear no sound, felt his heart beat, for the man's +attitude was unpleasantly suggestive. It seemed that he was following +something that moved behind the festooned creepers with eyes which +could see more than those of a white man, and Nares felt the tension +becoming unendurable as he watched him until the negro flung out a +pointing hand. Then a voice rose sharply. + +"Move forward a few paces out of the shadow," it said in a native +tongue. + +Nares laughed from sheer relief, for the voice was familiar. + +"We'll move as far as you wish, but we're quite harmless," he said. + +There was a crackle of undergrowth, and a white-clad figure stepped +out of the bush with something that caught the moonlight and glinted +in its hand. Nares moved forward, and in another moment or two stopped +by Ormsgill's side. + +"I might have expected something of the kind, but I scarcely fancied +you were so near," he said. "Anyway, I should not have supposed a +white man could have crept up on us as you have done." + +Ormsgill's smile was a trifle grim. "Most white men have not been +hunted for their life," he said. "As a rule it's prudent to take +precautions in the bush. It was not you I expected to see." + +"Still, I have come a long way after you." + +"Then we'll go back to camp," said Ormsgill. "Bring your boys along." + +He sent a hoarse call ringing through the shadows of the bush, and +then turned to his companion as if in explanation. + +"One or two of the boys have Sniders, and their nerves might be a +trifle unsteady," he said, "I can't get them to keep their finger off +the trigger." + +"Sniders?" said Nares. + +Ormsgill laughed. "There are, it seems, a few of them in the country. +I have now and then come across American rifles, too. I don't know how +they got here, and it's not my business, but it is generally believed +that officials now and then acquire a competence by keeping a hand +open and their eyes shut." + +Nares, who asked no more questions, followed him through the creepers +and undergrowth until he turned and pointed to a stalwart negro +standing close against a mighty trunk, who lowered his heavy rifle +with a grin. Then the faint glow of a smoldering fire became visible, +and Ormsgill stopped where the moonlight streamed down upon the ground +sheet spread outside a little tent. + +"Your boys can camp among my carriers," he said. "You will probably +have fed them, but I can offer you a few biscuits and some coffee. +It's Liberian." + +The coffee was made and brought them by a splendid grinning negro with +blue-striped forehead, who hailed from the land where it was grown, +and while they drank it Nares made his errand clear. When he had done +this Ormsgill laid down his cup and looked at him. + +"There is one thing you have to do, and that is to go back to the +Mission as fast as you can," he said. "Our friends in authority will +make things singularly uncomfortable for you if they hear that you +have taken the trouble to spoil their plan by warning me." + +Nares smiled and shook his head. "You ought to be acquainted with the +customs of this country by now," he said. "I couldn't keep clear of +all the villages on my way up, and, if I had, news of what I have done +would have reached San Roque already." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is probably correct. It is +unfortunate. I won't attempt to thank you--under the circumstances it +would be a trifle difficult to do it efficiently. Well, since you +can't go back to the Mission, you must come on with me." + +Nares looked at him in some astonishment. "After what I told you, you +are going on?" + +"Of course!" and Ormsgill laughed softly. "I have been trailing +Domingo for a long while, and he is, as you know, in the village a few +days' march in front of us with most of the boys. It is scarcely +likely that I shall have a more favorable opportunity." + +"Haven't I made it clear to you that the Headman is a friend of his, +and they are supposed to have arms there? Can't you understand yet +that Domingo will embroil you with him, and arrange that you will have +to fight your way out? Even if you manage it Dom Luiz is close behind +with several files of infantry, and will certainly lay hands on you. +You will have fired upon natives under official protection, and taken +a labor purveyor's boys away from him. It would not be difficult to +make out that you were inciting the natives to rebellion. Do you +expect a fair hearing at San Roque?" + +"I don't," and Ormsgill smiled. "In fact, I don't purpose to go there +at all. I expect to be clear again with the boys before Dom Luiz +arrives. From what I know of his habits on the march I should be able +to manage it." + +"But it is likely that Domingo, who knows he is expected to keep you +here until Dom Luiz turns up, will sell the boys?" + +Ormsgill smiled again. "I don't purpose to afford him the opportunity. +He stole the boys, and I am merely going to make him give them up +again. With a little resolution I believe it can be done. Still, I am +sorry to drag you into the thing." + +Nares said nothing for a moment or two. He felt that it would be +useless, and his companion's quiet cold-blooded daring had its effect +on him. After all, check it as he would, there was in him a vague +pride and belief in the white man's destiny, and in the land he came +from the term white man does not include the Latins. This world, it +seems, was made for Americans and Englishmen to rule. A little gleam +crept into his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "I don't think I'm going to blame you now I am in." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +NEGRO DIPLOMACY + + +The glare was almost intolerable when Ormsgill and his carriers walked +into the space of trampled dust round which straggled the heavily +thatched huts of the native village. The afternoon sun flooded it with +a pitiless heat and dazzling brilliancy, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant atmosphere. Beyond the clustering huts the forest rose +impressively still, and there was a deep silence for a few moments +after the line of weary men appeared. Then as they came on with a soft +patter of naked feet a murmur rose from the groups of half-naked +negroes squatting in the dust under the shadow flung by a great tree. +It was not articulate, but there was a hint of anger in it, for white +men were not regarded with any great favor in that village, which was +not astonishing. + +They moved quietly forward across the glaring dust, with a guard of +dusky men in white cotton marching rifle on shoulder behind them. +Indeed, the carriers only stopped when they reached the shadow of the +tree under which the Headman and the elders of the village had +assembled. Then as Ormsgill raised his hand the men with rifles swung +out to left and right, and stood fast, an inconsequent handful of +motionless figures with the unarmed carriers clustering behind them. +Their white cotton draperies, which they had put on half an hour ago, +gleamed in the sun glare dazzlingly. + +Ormsgill was quite aware that a good deal depended on his composure +and steadiness of bearing, but he had just come out of the shadow of +the forest and he blinked as he looked about him. Close in front of +him the fat village Headman sat on a carved stool, but there was +another older man of somewhat lighter color and dignified presence who +was seated a little higher, and this promised to complicate the +affair, since Ormsgill recognized him as a man of some importance in +those forests, and one who claimed a certain domination over the +villages in them. It was known that he bore the white men little good +will, but his presence there suggested that he had some complaint +against the villagers, or was disposed as their suzerain to listen to +their grievances, and Ormsgill realized that he had arrived at a +somewhat unfortunate time. Then his eyes rested on another man he had +expected to see. He stood among the elders, big and brown-skinned, +with loose robes of white and blue flowing about him, smiling +maliciously, though Ormsgill fancied that for some not very evident +reason he was not quite at ease. Nares, who now stood beside his +comrade, recognized him as Domingo, the labor purveyor. + +"I'm 'most afraid you are going to find it difficult to get those +boys," he said. "One could fancy these people had affairs of their own +to discuss, and it's by no means certain that they'll even listen to +us in the meanwhile." + +Ormsgill, who did not answer him, glanced round at his boys. He +fancied that none of them felt exactly comfortable, but they, at +least, kept still, and he sent forward two of them with the presents +he had brought before he turned to the Headman. + +"I have come here to justice," he said in a bush tongue, and Nares who +had a closer acquaintance with it amplified his observations. "That +man," and he pointed to Domingo, "has with him boys who belonged to my +friend the trader Lamartine. He stole them, and I have made a long +journey to get them back again." + +"If they belonged to Lamartine, who is dead, they can not be yours," +said the Headman shrewdly. "You do not say you bought them from him." + +"In one sense it's almost a pity you hadn't. He has made a point," +Nares said quietly. + +It was evident that the rest of the assembly recognized the fact, for +there was laughter and a murmur of concurrence. Ormsgill, who did not +expect to be believed, flung a hand up. + +"If you will listen you shall hear why I claim them," he said, and he +spoke for some minutes tersely while Nares now and then flung in a +word or two. + +Another laugh rang along the rows of squatting men, and there was +blank incredulity in the dusky faces. This was, however, by no means +astonishing, since the motives he professed to have been actuated by +were distinctly unusual in that part of Africa. It was inconceivable +to those who heard him that a man should trouble himself greatly about +a promise he need not have kept, as this one said he had done. They +were too well acquainted with the white men's habits to believe a +thing of that kind could be possible. The fat Headman looked round and +grinned. + +"I think," he observed, "we should now hear what Domingo has to say." + +Domingo had a good deal to say, and framed it cunningly, playing upon +the dislike of the white men that was in those who heard him, but as +Ormsgill noticed, it was the old man of lighter color he chiefly +watched. The latter sat silent and motionless, regarding him with +expressionless eyes, until he ceased, and Ormsgill realized that if it +depended upon the opinion of the assembly Domingo had won his case. +Still, though he was by no means sure what he would do, he was, at +least, determined it should not depend on that, and there was a trace +of grimness in his smile when Nares turned to him. + +"I'm afraid it has gone against us," he said. + +"Against me, you mean," said Ormsgill dryly. + +"No," and Nares's gesture was expressive, "what I said stands without +the correction." + +Before Ormsgill could answer, the old man made a sign, and there was +no mistaking his tone of authority. + +"Bring the boys," he said. + +They were led in some minutes later, eight of them, and three or four +ran towards Ormsgill with eager cries. He waved them back, and there +was silence for a moment or two until the old man rose up slowly with +a curious smile in his eyes. + +"It seems that this man has not beaten them too often," he said. "You +have seen that they would sooner be his men than Domingo's. Let one of +them speak." + +One of them did so, and what he said bore out some, at least, of +Ormsgill's assertions. Then the grave figure in the plain white robe +raised a hand, and there was a sudden silence of attention. + +"After all," he said, "this is my village, and it is by my permission +your Headman rules here. Now, this stranger has told us a thing which +appears impossible. We have not heard anything like it from a white +man before, but when a man would deceive you he is careful to tell you +what you can believe." + +There was a little murmur which suggested that the listeners grasped +the point of this, and the old man went on. + +"I know that Lamartine was an honest man, for I have bought trade +goods from him. They were what I bought them for, and I got the weight +and count in full. Lamartine was honest, and it is likely that this +man is honest, too, or he would not have been his friend." + +He stopped a moment, and smiled a trifle dryly. "Now, we know that +Domingo is a thief, for he has often cheated you, and it is certain +that he is a friend of the white men. I have told you at other times +that you are fools to trade with him. If a man is in debt or has done +some wrong you part with him for this trader's goods. The rum is +drunk, the cloth wears out, but the man lives on, and every day's work +he does on the white men's plantations makes them richer and +stronger. As they grow richer they grow greedier, and by and by they +will not be satisfied with a man or two from among you. You will have +made them strong enough to take you all. That, however, is not the +question in the meanwhile. I think it may have happened, as this +stranger says, that Domingo stole these boys from Lamartine, but even +in that case there is a difficulty. The boys are with him, and in this +country what a man holds in his hand is his. Perhaps the white man +will offer him goods for them. I do not think he would ask too much, +at least, if he is wise." + +He looked at Ormsgill, who shook his head. + +"Not a piece of cloth or a bottle of gin," he said. + +There was a little murmur of resentment from the assembly, but +Ormsgill saw that his boldness had the effect he had expected upon the +man whose suggestion he had disregarded, and he had not acted +inadvisedly when he dismissed all idea of compromise. Domingo had +influential friends in that village, while, save for the handful of +carriers, he and his companion stood alone. He also knew that if +misfortune befell them no troublesome questions would be asked by the +authorities. The whole enterprise was in one sense a folly, and that +being so it was only by a continuance of the rashness he could expect +to carry it through. Half measures were, as he realized, generally +useless, and often perilous, in an affair of the kind, for there are +occasions when one must face disastrous failure or bid boldly for +success. Nares also seemed to recognize that fact, for he smiled as he +turned to his companion. + +"I think you were right," he said. + +Then the Headman said something to his Suzerain who made a sign that +the audience was over. + +"It is a thing that must be talked over," he announced. "We shall, +perhaps, know what must be done to-morrow." + +Ormsgill acknowledged his gesture, swinging off his shapeless hat, and +then led his boys away to the hut one of the Headman's servants +pointed out to him. It was old, and had apparently been built for a +person of importance for, though this was more usual further east +among the dusky Moslem, there was a tall mud wall about it, and a +smaller building probably intended for the occupation of the women +inside the latter. It was dusty and empty save for the rats and +certain great spiders, and during the rest of the hot afternoon +Ormsgill sat with Nares in the little enclosed space under the +lengthening shadow of the wall. The boys had curled themselves up +amidst the dust and quietly gone to sleep. + +There was nothing they could see but the ridge of forest beyond the +huts, and though now and then a clamor of voices reached them from +outside, it supplied them with no clue to what was going on. Ormsgill +smoked his pipe out several times before he said anything, and then he +glanced at the wall meditatively. + +"It seems thick, and there's only one entrance," he observed. "I +almost fancy we could hold the place, though I don't anticipate the +necessity. Still, Domingo, who does a good trade here, has a certain +following, and it might be an advantage if I knew a little more about +our friends' affair. Their Suzerain seems to have some notion of fair +play. I wonder what he is doing here." + +"I have been asking myself the same question," said Nares. "It seems +to me these folks have been a little slack in recognizing his +authority, and he has been making them a visitation. In one respect +they're somewhat unfortunately fixed. The Portuguese consider they +belong to them though they have made no attempt to occupy the country, +and it's a little rough on the Headman who has to keep the peace with +both." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture of concurrence. "No doubt you're +correct. The question is who the Headman would sooner not offend, and +it's rather an important one because we are somewhat awkwardly +circumstanced if it's the Portuguese. Our friend from the Interior +naturally doesn't like them, but it's uncertain how far we could count +on him, and Dom Luiz will probably turn up to-morrow night or the next +day, and then there would be fresh complications." + +"In that case we should never get the boys." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper in Ormsgill's forehead, but he smiled. +"I wouldn't go quite so far, though if Domingo still had the boys it +might delay things. As it is, I don't think he will have them. How I'm +going to take them from him I don't quite know, but I expect to make +an attempt of some kind to-morrow. You see, these folks have no +particular fondness for the Portuguese, and that will probably count +for a little." + +Nares said nothing further on that subject, and Ormsgill talked about +other matters while the shadows crept across the little dusty +enclosure and the forest cut more darkly against the dazzling glare. +Then it stood out for a brief few minutes fretted hard and sharp in +ebony against a blaze of transcendent splendor, and vanished with an +almost bewildering suddenness as darkness swept down. The smell of +wood smoke crept into the stagnant air, and a cheerful hum of voices +rose from the huts beyond the wall, through which odd bursts of +laughter broke. It would not have been astonishing if it had jarred +upon the susceptibilities of the two men who heard it, but, as it +happened, they listened tranquilly. They had both faced too many +perils in the shadowy land to concern themselves greatly as to what +might befall them. In one was the sure belief that all he was to bear +was appointed for him, and the other thought of little but the task in +hand. They were simple men, impatient often, and now and then driven +into folly by human bitterness, but there is, perhaps, nothing taught +in all the creeds and philosophies greater than their desire to do a +little good. The formulas change, and lose their authority, but the +down-trodden and those who groan beneath a heavy burden always remain. + +By and by one of the Headman's retainers brought in food and a native +lamp. He had nothing to tell the white men, and they, recognizing it, +judiciously refrained from useless questions. When they had eaten they +sat awhile talking of matters that did not greatly interest them until +Ormsgill, who had already stationed his sentries, extinguished the +light. + +"Whether the boys can be depended on to watch I don't know, and it's +probably very doubtful," he said. "Anyway, I think we shall be safe +until to-morrow, and I'm going to sleep. After all, I fancy we could +leave the thing to the Headman. He's a cunning rascal, and it's to +some extent his business to find a way out of the difficulty. As you +suggest, he stands between his Suzerain and the Portuguese, and can't +afford to offend either of them." + +He stretched himself out on his hard native couch, and apparently sank +into tranquil slumber, but it was some time before Nares' eyes closed. +He was of different temperament, and, though he was not unduly +anxious, the surroundings had their effect on him. There was, as +usual, no door to the hut, and he could see the soft blue darkness +beyond the entrance. The figure of a big, half-naked man who carried a +heavy rifle cut against it shadowily now and then. The village was +silent, and he could hear a little hot breeze sweep through it and +stir the invisible trees. At last, however, he sank into sleep, and +was awakened suddenly some time later. He did not know what had roused +him, but as he raised himself he dimly saw Ormsgill slip across the +room. Then there was a footfall outside, and he made out the sentry +half-crouching in the entrance. + +He rose, and stood still, quivering a little, while, perhaps, a +quarter of a minute slipped by. The stillness was very impressive, and +seemed emphasized by the footsteps outside. They were soft and +cautious, and it was evident that the man who made them was desirous +of slipping into the hut unseen. Then there was a thud in the +entrance, and a scuffle during which Ormsgill hurled himself upon the +pair of struggling men. + +"Let him go," he said in a bush tone. "Take your hand off his neck. +Now get up." + +A man who gasped heavily staggered to his feet, and Ormsgill laughed +as he turned to Nares. + +"I believe he's a messenger, but he can hardly blame us for welcoming +him as we did," he said. "Now if you have anything to say go on with +it." + +Nares could only just see the negro, who was probably attempting to +recover his senses, for he said nothing. + +"Who sent you?" asked Ormsgill, who gripped his arm tightly, in the +native tongue. + +"It is a thing I am not to tell," said the man. "I have a message. +Domingo left our village with the boys an hour ago. He heads for the +west." + +Nares turned to Ormsgill. "Well," he said, "I am not altogether +astonished, and the Headman's hint is plain enough. Of course, the +thing may be a trap, but it is quite possible he is not unnaturally +anxious to get rid of us and Domingo." + +Ormsgill looked at the negro. "If he has gone an hour ago how are we +to come up with him?" + +"The road twists across the high land," said the man. "There is a +shorter path through a swamp." + +"Then if you will lead us across the swamp so we can reach firm ground +in front of Domingo you shall have as much cloth as you can carry." + +It was a tempting offer, and though the negro appeared to have +misgivings he profited by it, and in another few minutes Ormsgill had +roused the boys in the compound. + +"If we have no trouble in getting out I think we can feel reasonably +sure that the Headman doesn't care whether we worry Domingo or not," +he said. + +"Well," said Nares reflectively, "I almost think you're right. Still, +he may, after all, have something different in his mind. As you said, +we could probably hold the hut, and we are not out of the village +yet." + +Ormsgill seemed to smile. "In that case," he said, "he may have reason +to be sorry he ever entertained a notion of that kind." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE AMBUSCADE + + +A thin crescent moon hung low in the western sky when they slipped out +into the sleeping village, and shadowy huts and encircling forest were +dimly distinguishable. The place was very silent, and though the negro +as a rule sleeps lightly no one appeared in a doorway, and no voice +was raised to challenge them. In fact, Nares, who walked beside his +comrade with his heart beating a good deal faster than usual, felt the +silence almost oppressive, for he was conscious that it might at any +moment be rudely broken. He had very little confidence in the dusky +Headman, and knew that if treachery was intended they were affording +him the opportunity he probably desired. + +Now and then there was a faint clatter and jingle of arms, and at +times the soft patter of naked feet in the trampled dust was flung +back with what appeared to be a startling distinctness by the huts +they passed, but there was no other sound, and the boys flitted +steadily on, a line of vague, shadowy figures, in front of him. Then +he drew a deep breath of relief as they left the village behind them +and plunged into the gloom of the forest. He looked back a moment +towards the clustering huts which rose faintly black against the dim +bush, and wondered how the Headman would explain matters to his +Suzerain on the morrow. That, however, was the Headman's affair, and +Nares fancied he would be equal to the occasion, since the negro is +usually a very shrewd diplomatist. + +By and by the darkness beneath the trees grew a little less intense, +and they came out on the brink of a morass. It stretched away before +them smeared with drifting wisps of sour white steam, and it was not +astonishing that they halted and looked at it apprehensively. An +African swamp is not, as a rule, considered impassable so long as one +does not sink beyond the hips in it, and there are places where +British forest officers flounder through them more or less cheerfully +for days together, but it is, for all that, a thing the average white +man has a natural shrinking from. Ormsgill significantly tapped the +rifle he now carried before he exchanged a few words with their guide. + +"He says we can get through, but I'll take the precaution of walking +close beside him," he said to Nares. "It's an excellent rule in this +country not to let your guide get too far in front of you." + +They went in, and the tall grass near the verge crackled about them as +they sank in the plastic mire out of which they could scarcely drag +their feet. It was a little easier where there was only foul slime and +water, and in places there were signs of a path, that is, they could +see where somebody else had floundered through the quaggy waste of +corruption. The smell was a thing to shudder at, but they were all of +them more or less used to that, and the emanations of such places do +not invariably prostrate the white man who is accustomed to the +country. In some cases, at least, the results of inhaling them only +appear some time afterwards, but there are very few white men who +escape them altogether. + +In due time they came out, bemired from head to foot, with scum and +slimy water draining from them, and they diffused sour odors as they +once more plunged into the forest which just there was permeated with +the sickly scent of lilies. Still, it was a consolation to Ormsgill +that they had, at least, left nobody behind, and he acquired a certain +confidence in their guide. They pushed on for most of the night, +smashing and hacking a way through creepers, and stumbling in loose +white sand, and at last came out upon a well beaten trail. The negro +who crawled up and down it said that Domingo had not reached that spot +yet, but Ormsgill did not content himself with his assurance. With +difficulty, he made a little fire and while it flickered feebly +stooped over the loose sand. Then he stamped it out before he turned +to Nares. + +"I almost think he is right, and as the Headman doesn't expect us to +compromise him we'll let him go," he said. + +The man, it was evident, had no desire to stay, and when he went away +content with his load of cotton cloth Ormsgill made the most of his +forces. Two men with Sniders whom he fancied he could to some extent +depend upon were sent back to crouch beside the trail; a few more took +up their stations a little distance ahead; and the white men lay down +with the carriers between the two parties, and a few yards back from +the path. It was now a trifle cooler, for the night was wearing +through, and the mysterious voices of the forest had died away and +left a deep silence intensified by the splash of moisture on the +leaves. Nares shivered a little as the all pervading damp crept +through his thin garments, though the lower half of them was still +foul with the mire of the swamp. + +"I suppose we shall meet Domingo if we wait long enough?" he said. +"After all, we have only the Headman's word to warrant us believing +it." + +Ormsgill laughed. "It depends a good deal upon the kind of bargains +Domingo has made with him lately. The thing will probably work out +just as we would like it if he hasn't been quite satisfied with them. +It's an arrangement that would commend itself to the average African. +Still, as I said already, I'm a trifle sorry that you are mixed up in +it." + +Nares sat silent a moment or two. He had borne a good deal, perhaps +rather more than could have been expected of him, from those whom he +considered with some reason as workers of iniquity, and, after all, +excessive meekness has seldom been a characteristic of the Puritan. + +"Well," he said slowly, "I'm not sure that I am. It is very probable +that I have been proscribed already, and, perhaps, it was not patience +but cowardice that made me submit so long. After all, patience +accomplishes very little in Africa." + +"I'm afraid it was never one of my strong points," and Ormsgill +smiled. "In fact, if Domingo made any kind of fight it would be a +certain relief to me, although because one can't always afford to be +guided by his personal likes I've taken every precaution against it. +Now, suppose we get the boys back, what do you propose to do?" + +"Go back to my station," said Nares quietly. + +"And if you hear that Dom Luiz is there with several files of infantry +to arrest you?" + +"In that case I will go down to the coast with you." + +Ormsgill dropped a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "I shall be glad to +have you wherever I go, though I'm not sure that you wouldn't be safer +if you pushed on alone. You don't mention what it has cost you to warn +me, but I think I can understand." + +Nares slowly shook his head. "I don't think I have much to regret," he +said without a trace of bitterness. "I was sent here to save men's +souls, and it seems that I have failed. Still, I think I should have +stayed and healed their bodies--had it been permitted--but there is, +perhaps, work I can do elsewhere since that is not the case." He +stopped a moment with the faintest sigh. "We will not mention this +again." + +Ormsgill said nothing, probably because he was more than a trifle +stirred. He knew that it requires self-restraint and courage to face +the fact that one's efforts have been thrown away, but there are men +like him who now and then shrink from expressing their sympathy. +Leaning forward a little with the rifle across his knees he set +himself to listen. + +It was almost an hour before he heard anything at all, and in the +meanwhile the faint coolness increased, and the tops of the trees +above him became dimly visible. They cut with a growing sharpness +against the eastern sky, and here and there a massy trunk grew out of +the obscurity. Then there was a faint pearly flush beyond them, and in +the cold of the sudden dawn he heard the men he was waiting for. A +soft patter of footsteps and a murmur of voices came up the winding +trail. He knew the boys had also heard, for the undergrowth behind him +crackled and then was still again. + +In another few minutes there was dim light in the forest, and he could +see indistinct figures moving towards him through the narrow gap in +the leaves. They became more visible, and he could make out the +uncovered ebony skin of some and the fluttering cotton that flowed +about the others' limbs. There were burdens upon most of their heads, +but a few carried what seemed to be long flintlock guns. Then, for +dawn comes with startling swiftness in that land, the shadowy trunks +became sharp and clear, and the men who plodded among them seemed to +emerge from a blurring obscurity. Black limbs, impassive faces, raw +white draperies, and gray gun barrels were forced up in the sudden +light, but Ormsgill raising himself a trifle fixed his eyes upon the +man of lighter color who walked a little apart from the others. His +voice rang harshly as he flung menaces in a native tongue at one or +two of those who lagged under their burdens, and perhaps he was, in +one respect, warranted in this, since, for economic reasons, the negro +whose labor somebody else has sold for him is seldom loaded beyond +his strength on his march to the coast, at least, so long as +provisions are plentiful. + +They had almost reached the spot where the white men lay when Ormsgill +quietly walked out into the trail, and stood there with left foot +forward and the rifle at his hip. He had left his shapeless hat +behind, and his thin, thorn-rent garments clung about him damp with +dew and foul with mire. Still, he looked curiously resolute, and the +men with the burdens stopped and recoiled at the sight of him, until +one group of them flung down what they carried and ran towards him +clamoring. Then there was a harsh cry from the rear of the line, and +swinging round they scattered into the underbrush as the tall man of +lighter color sprang forward with something that glinted in his hand. + +Ormsgill's rifle went up and came in to the shoulder. With the same +motion his cheek dropped upon the stock. He said nothing, but the +labor purveyor stopped. Ormsgill swung down the rifle. + +"Look behind you," he said in Portuguese. + +Domingo turned, and saw two half-naked men with Sniders standing in +the trail. Then looking round again he saw several more ahead, while +other dusky figures had risen here and there among the undergrowth. +They appeared resolute, and it was evident that he could get no +further without their permission. He was credited with being a daring +as well as an unscrupulous man, but he knew when the odds were too +heavy against him, and he made a sign to Ormsgill. + +"You want something from me?" he said. + +"I do," said Ormsgill. "The boys you stole from Lamartine. It will +save you trouble if you give them up." + +Domingo glanced once more at the men with the rifles, who stood still, +one or two of them regarding him with a sardonic grin. Then he glanced +at his startled carriers, who had thrown down their burdens and +huddled together. There was, of course, nothing to be expected from +them, and his few armed retainers were evidently not to be relied +upon. In fact, they were gazing longingly at the bush, and it was +clear that they were ready to make a dash for its shelter. They had +done his bidding truculently when it was a question of overawing +down-trodden bushmen and keeping defenseless carriers on the march, +but to face resolute men with rifles was a different matter, and their +courage was not equal to the task. Domingo seemed to recognize it, for +he made a little scornful gesture. + +"If I had a few men who could be depended on I would fight you for the +boys," he said. "As it is they are yours." + +"I see eight," said Ormsgill. "Where are the others?" + +Domingo smiled maliciously. "In the hands of the Ugalla Headman. I am +afraid it will be a little difficult to induce him to part with them: +Lamartine, it seems, had taught them enough to make them useful to a +Headman who is copying the white men's habits." + +"In that case he no doubt gave you something worth while for them, and +since you stole them it does not belong to you. Are you willing to +tell me what he offered you?" + +"No," said Domingo resolutely. + +"It wouldn't be difficult to estimate it at the usual figure, and you +will understand that the Headman will ask me, at least, as much as he +gave for them, but I will be reasonable. If you will let me have the +arms your boys carry I shall be satisfied." + +"How can I drive these men to the coast if we have no arms?" + +"I don't know," said Ormsgill with a little laugh. "It is your affair, +but, perhaps, I can simplify the thing for you. I will take the arms +in exchange for the boys in the Headman's possession, and hand you +over what trade goods I have and paper bills for the rest of the men, +except the eight boys, for whom you will get nothing. I think I can +calculate what they cost you, and the fact that the transaction is +probably illegal does not trouble me." + +There was still silence for a moment or two, and a dazzling ray of +sunlight beat down into the bush. It made a sudden brightness, and +showed the malice in Domingo's dusky face. Then it touched the huddled +carriers' naked skin, and Nares glanced from them to the group of +Lamartine's boys who had appeared again. It seemed they understood a +little of what was going on, and were watching Ormsgill expectantly. +He stood quietly in the middle of the trail, with a rifle at his hip +and a little grim smile in his eyes. All round rose the forest, +impressive in its stillness, dim and shadowy, and the scene had a +curious effect on Nares. He felt it had its symbolism, and its motive +was that of all the old world legends and dramas, the triumph of the +right over evil which man has from forgotten times vaguely believed +in. It is, perhaps, especially difficult to be an optimist in Africa, +but Nares who had borne a good deal in its steamy shadow held fast to +his faith, and it did not matter greatly to him that the latter day +champion of the oppressed was a most unknightly figure in burst shoes +and tattered garments and carried an American rifle. At last, however, +Domingo made a little gesture. + +"I am in your hands," he said. "You shall have them." + +They were not long in making the bargain, and when the arms and all +the boys except the few who had carried the long guns had been handed +over Ormsgill turned once more to Domingo. + +"Now," he said, "you can go where you please, but I scarcely think it +will be back towards the interior. Your friends up yonder would +probably profit by the opportunity if you appeared among them with a +few unarmed men." + +Domingo called to his few remaining followers, who took up some of the +loads the men released had carried for them. Then there was a soft +patter of feet and one by one the dusky figures flitted by and +vanished into the gloom. Ormsgill armed Lamartine's boys, and +afterwards drew Nares aside. + +"In the first case I have to make sure of these men, and it is a +question if I can reach the coast before Domingo's friends head me +off," he said. "Considering everything it seems to me that haste is +distinctly advisable." + +They started in another half-hour, and pushed on through the forest +for a week or two. Then Ormsgill made a traverse which cost him +several days to reach the vicinity of Nares' station. He stopped at a +bush village, and was told there that the station was occupied by +black soldiers from San Roque. When they heard it Ormsgill quietly +looked at Nares. + +"You can't go back," he said. "The Chefe holds summary authority, and +no doubt has his views concerning you. It's scarcely worth while +pointing out what they would probably be, but if you succeed in +getting out of his hands you would be a discredited man who had only +met with his deserts." + +Nares made a little gesture, for that was a very bitter moment, but +his face was tranquil. + +"It's a thing I was prepared for. We'll push on," he said. + +They stayed an hour or two in the village, and then started once more +on their long journey to the coast. It was clear that they could +afford no delay in reaching it, but there was no road to the Bahia +Santiago, and day by day they floundered through swamp and forest +under an intolerable heat, with garments rent to tatters, worn out, +gasping now and then, but always pushing on. They drank putrid water, +and when provisions commenced to run out lived on a few daily handfuls +of equally divided food. Nature was also against them, and barred +their path with fallen trees and thorny creepers, and the march they +made was a test of what man could bear. Still, there was no discord, +and no negro raised his voice in protest. The boys recognized that +haste was advisable, and they had confidence in the white man with the +quiet lined face who marched at the head of them. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOM CLEMENTE LOOKS ON + + +A little breeze blew in between the slender pillars delightfully fresh +and cool, and Dom Clemente Figuera, who had taken off his heavy kepi, +lay in a cane chair with a smile in his half-closed eyes. The ten +o'clock breakfast had just been cleared away, but two cups of bitter +black coffee still stood upon the table beside a bundle of cigars and +a flask of light red wine. He was, as he now and then laughingly +admitted, usually in an excellent humor after breakfast, and one could +have fancied just then that he had not a care in the world. There +were, however, men who said that in the case of Dom Clemente +tranquillity was not always a favorable sign. + +Opposite him sat the trader Herrero, who was not quite so much at ease +as he desired to be. His manners were usually characterized by a +certain truculence, which as a rule served him well in the bush, but +he had sense enough to realize that it was not likely to have much +effect upon his companion. There was something about the little +smiling gentleman in the immaculate white uniform on the other side of +the table which would have made it difficult for one to adopt an +aggressive attitude towards him, even if he had not been one who held +authority. Herrero had therefore laid a somewhat unusual restraint +upon himself while he expressed his views, and now sat watching his +companion anxiously. Dom Clemente lighted a cigar before he answered +him. + +"This Englishman," he said, "is apparently a turbulent person. I have +just received a letter concerning him from the Chefe at San Roque, as +you are, no doubt, aware." + +There was a question in his glance which Herrero could not ignore, +though he would have liked to do so. He felt it was unfortunate that +he did not know exactly what was in the letter. + +"I addressed my complaint to the Chefe in the first case," he said. +"Since Ormsgill is believed to have traveled towards the coast it was +to be expected that Dom Erminio should communicate with you." + +"Exactly!" and Dom Clemente smiled. "The complaint, it seems, is a +double one. The Englishman Ormsgill has, I am informed, abducted a +native girl who was in your company, but one can not quite understand +how he has offended in this, since it appears that she was content to +go with him. In one case only you have a remedy. If you have any +record of a marriage with this woman the affair shall be looked into." + +"I have none," and Herrero made a little gesture. "There are, you +understand, certain customs in the bush." + +Dom Clemente reproachfully shook his head. "They are," he said, "not +recognized by the law, and that being so your grievance against the +Englishman is a purely personal one. It is no doubt exasperating that +the woman should prefer him, and she is probably unwise in this, but +it is not a matter that concerns any one else." + +"It is not alleged that she preferred him," and the trader's face +flushed a trifle. + +"Still," said his companion, "she went with him. Now you do not wish +to tell me that you had laid any restraint upon her to keep her with +you, or that there was anything to warrant you doing so. For instance, +you do not wish me to believe that you had bought her?" + +Herrero did not, at least, consider it prudent. The law, as he was +aware, did not countenance such transactions, and while he sat silent +his companion smiled at him. + +"Then," he said, "I am afraid I can only offer you my sympathy, and we +will proceed to the next complaint. This Englishman, it is alleged, +has also stolen certain boys from Domingo. Now the law allows a native +to bind himself to labor for a specified time, and while the +engagement lasts he is in a sense the property of the man he makes it +with. The engagement, of course, can only be made in due form on the +coast, but the man who brings the boys down and feeds them on the +strength of their promise may be considered to have some claim on +them. It seems to me that person was Domingo. Why did he not make the +complaint himself?" + +"He is busy, and it would necessitate a long journey. Besides, I have +a share in his business ventures." + +"That," said Dom Clemente reflectively, "is a sufficient reason. This +Domingo seems to be an enterprising man. One wonders if he has many +business associates up yonder." + +Again Herrero did not answer. He did not like the little shrewd smile +in his companion's eyes, for, as he was aware, the only white men in +the forests Domingo frequented were missionaries and administrators, +who were, at least, not supposed to participate in purely commercial +ventures. He could not understand Dom Clemente at all, for it was very +natural that it should not occur to him that he was an honest man, as +well as an astute one who had been entrusted with a difficult task. He +would, in fact, have been startled had he known what was in his +companion's mind. Seeing he did not speak, Dom Clemente waved his +hand. + +"It seems," he said, "that Ormsgill will make for the coast with the +boys in question, and you have come to warn me, partly because it is +to your interest, and partly from the sense of duty. Well, with this +knowledge in my possession it should be difficult for him to get them +away." + +He stopped a moment, but Herrero saw nothing significant in the fact +that he glanced languidly towards the _Palestrina_. She lay gleaming +white like ivory on the glittering stretch of water he could see +across the roofs of the city, and, as it happened, he was going off +that evening to a function which Desmond, who had brought her in the +day before, had arranged. + +"Steps will be taken to intercept him when we have news of his +whereabouts, and in the meanwhile I have another question," he said. +"There is discontent up yonder among the bushmen?" + +His manner was indifferent, but Herrero was on his guard. "A little," +he said. "If it becomes more serious it will be due to this Ormsgill, +and, perhaps, to the missionaries. He and the American are teaching +the bushmen to be mutinous." + +Dom Clemente took up a letter which had, as it happened, been sent him +by Father Tiebout, from the table, and read it meditatively. Then he +rose with a little smile. + +"The affair shall be looked into," he said. + +Herrero withdrew, not altogether satisfied. Dom Clemente had been +uniformly courteous, but now and then a just perceptible hardness had +crept into his eyes. The latter, however, smiled as he poured himself +out another glass of wine, and then turned quietly, as his daughter +appeared in the doorway. She came nearer, and stood looking down at +him. + +"That man has gone away?" she said. "He is an infamous person." + +Dom Clemente glanced at the little green lattice on the white wall +behind her with a faint twinkle in his eyes. It was not very far away, +and he remembered that Herrero had spoken distinctly. + +"One would admit that he is not a particularly estimable man, but he +has, like most of us, his little role to play," he said. "He does not, +however, play it brilliantly." + +Benicia made a gesture of impatience. "The Englishman is on his way +to the coast. You are going to arrest him?" + +"When we know where he is. What would you have me do? A man in +authority has his duty." + +"Is it a duty to bring trouble on a man who has done no wrong?" + +Dom Clemente leaned forward with his arms on the table, and looked at +her with a curious little smile. + +"I almost think," he said reflectively, "if I was a great friend of +this Englishman's I would prefer him to fall into the hands of--such a +man as I am. In that case, he would, at least, be prevented from going +back to the bush, which is just now unsafe for him." + +Benicia felt her face grow hot under his steady gaze. "The difficulty +is that there are men without scruples who would blame him for +whatever trouble may be going on up yonder in the forest," she said. +"You would have to listen to them. If their complaints were serious +what would you do?" + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is rather more than I can tell. When +one is young one feels that he is always expected to do something. +Afterwards, however, one becomes content to leave it to the others now +and then. It is sometimes wiser to--look on. That may be my attitude +in this case, but I am not sure that the affair is one that concerns +you." + +He made a little deprecatory gesture as he turned to the papers in +front of him, and Benicia went out quietly. It was an affair that +concerned her very much indeed, but she knew that Dom Clemente could +be reticent, and she fancied that he had something in his mind. As it +happened, this was the case with her. In the meanwhile he sat still, +gazing thoughtfully at the sun-scorched town while he smoked another +cigar. Then he rose with a little jerk of his shoulders, and buckling +on his big sword went down the stairway. + +When evening came he went off to the _Palestrina_ with his daughter, +her attendant Senora Castro, and one or two officials and their wives, +and enjoyed an excellent dinner on board the yacht. He fancied Benicia +was rather silent during part of it, and glanced at her once or twice, +which she naturally noticed, and as the result of it roused herself to +join in the conversation. Still, she was a trifle relieved when the +dinner was over and Desmond led them up on deck. Clear moonlight +streamed in between the awnings, and, as it happened, Desmond seated +himself beside the rail at some distance from her Madeira chair. Twice +she ventured to make him a little sign, which he apparently +disregarded, but at last he rose and walked forward, and she turned to +the black-robed Senora Castro, who had clung persistently to her side. + +"The dew is rather heavy. I brought a wrap or two, but I think I left +them in the saloon," she said. + +The little portly lady waddled away, and a minute or two later Benicia +rose languidly, and moved towards the companion door through which she +had disappeared. Instead of descending the stairway, the girl slipped +out by the other door, and flitted forward in the shadow of the +deckhouse until she came upon Desmond standing beneath the bridge. + +"You do not seem to notice things to-night. I signed to you twice," +she said. + +Desmond smiled. "I saw you," he said. "Still, I wasn't quite sure that +another of my guests did not do so, too. You have something to say to +me." + +Benicia turned and glanced down the long deck. There was nobody +visible on that part of it. + +"Yes," she said a trifle breathlessly. "But nobody must know that I +have talked to you alone." + +Desmond opened the door of the little room beneath the bridge. A lamp +burned in it, and he flung a shade across the port before he drew the +girl in, and then closing the door, leaned with his back against it. + +"I do not think we shall be disturbed," he said. + +Benicia stood still a moment looking at him. It was in the case of a +young woman from The Peninsula a very unusual thing she had done, but +there was inconsequent courage in her, and a certain quiet +imperiousness in her manner. + +"You have coal and water on board?" she said. + +"I have," said Desmond. "I have also clearance papers for British +Nigeria, but we haven't steam up. You see, I expected to stay here at +least a day or two." + +"Then you must raise it. You must sail for the Bahia Santiago before +to-morrow." + +"You have word of Ormsgill?" and Desmond became suddenly intent. "He +is a man who is never late, but on this occasion he is a week or two +before his time. Well, I dare say we can sail to-morrow. You will tell +me what you know?" + +He leaned against the door with a quiet thoughtful face while she did +so, and then the Celtic temperament revealed itself in the flash in +his eyes. + +"It will evidently be a tight fit, but we'll get him if I have to arm +every man on board and bring him off," he said. "That there may be +complications afterwards doesn't in the least matter." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "you are one who would do a good deal for a +friend." + +Desmond looked at her with a little wry smile. "Miss Figuera," he said +slowly, "I think I would gladly do a very great deal for you." + +A just perceptible flicker of color crept into the girl's face. "But +what you are about to do now is for your friend Ormsgill." + +"Yes," said Desmond, still with the curious little smile. "In one way, +at least, I suppose it is." + +Benicia turned and faced him, with the color growing plainer in her +cheeks, and for a moment there was hot anger in her, for she knew what +he meant. Then the fierce resentment vanished suddenly, as she once +more met his eyes. There was something that suggested a deep regret in +them, and his manner was wholly deferential. + +"I only wish you to understand that if I fail it will not be because I +have not done all I can," he said. "You see, I would, at least, like +to keep your good opinion, and in spite of every effort one can't +always be successful. Still, if it is possible, I will bring Ormsgill +safely off. As you say, he is my friend." + +There was silence for, perhaps, half a minute, and during it each knew +what the other was thinking. Then Benicia made this clear. + +"Ah," she said, "you are a very generous man." She stopped a moment, +and there was a faint tremble in her voice when she turned to him +again. "You have come from Las Palmas?" + +"I have," said Desmond. "I saw Miss Ratcliffe there. I think I may +venture to tell you that Ormsgill will never marry her." + +Benicia's face flamed, but the color died out of it again, and she +looked at him quietly. "To no one else could I have forgiven that. +Still, one can forgive everything to one who has your courage--and +devotion." + +Desmond made a little gesture. "Well," he said simply, "we sail before +to-morrow, and I will do what I can. There is this in my favor--your +friends probably don't know where Ormsgill is heading for." + +Then the girl started suddenly with consternation in her eyes, for +there was a tapping at the door, but Desmond's hand fell on her +shoulder and she felt that he would do what was most advisable. Next +moment he leaned forward and turned the lamp out before he threw the +door open. + +"Well," he said, "what do you want? I am, as you see, just coming +out." + +There was moonlight outside, though the awnings dimmed it, and just +there the bridge flung a shadow on the deck, and he recognized with +the first glance that it was one of his guests who had tapped upon +the door which he flung carelessly to behind him. + +"One wondered where you had gone to," said the man. + +Desmond laughed, and slipping his hand beneath the inquirer's arm +strolled aft with him, but he sighed with relief when, as they joined +the others on the opposite side of the deck-house, he saw Benicia +already sitting there. He did not know how she had contrived it, until +he remembered that to slip through the companion would shorten the +distance. It was, however, half an hour later when she found an +opportunity of standing beside him for a moment or two. + +"It seems that one is watched," she said. "You must be careful." + +Desmond was on the whole not sorry when his guests took themselves +away, and he laughed as he stood at the gangway shaking hands with +them. + +"I am afraid I shall not be ashore to-morrow," he said. "It is very +likely that we shall be out at sea by then." + +One or two of them expressed their regret, and the boat slid away, +while some little time afterwards Dom Clemente glanced at his daughter +as they stood on the outer stairway of his house. Beneath them they +could see the _Palestrina_ dotted here and there with blinking lights, +and a dingy smear of smoke was steaming from her funnel. + +"So he is going away again to-morrow," he said reflectively. "Well, I +suppose one is always permitted to change his mind." + +Benicia made no answer, and Dom Clemente stood still, glancing +towards the steamer with a somewhat curious expression when she went +into the house. Then he made a little abrupt gesture, as of one who +resigns himself, before he turned away and went in after her. + +"In the meanwhile I look on," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE DELAYED MESSAGE + + +It was a few days after the _Palestrina_ had sailed when Dom Clemente +once more sat behind the pillars in a basket chair looking +thoughtfully at his unlighted cigar. He could when it appeared +advisable move energetically and to some effect, but he was not fond +of action, or conversation, for its own sake, and he seldom told +anybody else what was in his mind. There are men who apparently find a +pleasure in doing so, and in their case the task is as a rule a +particularly easy one, but Dom Clemente had no sympathy with them. +When the time was ripe he acted on his opinions, but otherwise he was +placid, tolerantly courteous, and inscrutable. Still, there were men +concerned in the government of his country who had confidence in him. + +It happened that a little cargo steamer on her way north had crept in +that morning with engines broken down, and her British skipper, who +had certain favors to ask, had been sent to Dom Clemente. He had gone +away contented a few minutes earlier, but he had incidentally supplied +Dom Clemente with a piece of information which, although he was not +altogether astonished at it, had made him thoughtful. At last he rose, +and laying down his cigar strolled forward leisurely to where, +looking down between the pillars, he could see his daughter in the +patio below. She did not see him, for she was sitting with a book +turned back upwards upon her knee and apparently gazing straight +before her at a trellis draped with flowers. He would have greatly +liked to know what she was thinking, but since he recognized that this +was one of the wishes that must remain ungratified he turned away +again with a little gesture which was chiefly expressive of +resignation. He could deal with men, but he had already found that the +charge of a motherless daughter was something of a responsibility. +Then he called a negro whom he dispatched with a message, and leaned +against one of the pillars until a man in uniform with a big sword +belted to him came in. + +"Sit down," he said, pointing to the table. "Write what I tell you." + +The man did as he was bidden, and Dom Clemente nodded when he was +shown the letter. "You will take it across to the Lieutenant Frequillo +and tell him to send a few men direct to the Bahia if he considers it +advisable," he said. "Then you will see the messenger Pacheco +dispatched with it. The matter, as you will understand, is urgent. As +you go down say that I should like a word with the Senorita Benicia if +she is at liberty." + +His companion went out with the letter of instructions which was +directed to the officer in command of the handful of dusky soldiers +who had been sent up to inquire for news of Ormsgill, and Dom Clemente +who sat down again waited until his daughter came in. She stood +looking at him expectantly until he turned and pointed to the little +British steamer. + +"The captain of that vessel has just been in," he said. "He told me +with some resentment that a white steam yacht went by him two days +ago, and took no notice of his signals. The captain, it seems, was +very anxious to be towed in here." + +"I do not think that concerns me," said Benicia. + +"The yacht," said Dom Clemente, "had a single funnel, a long +deck-house, and two masts, which, of course, is not unusual, but it is +most unlikely that there are two yachts of that description anywhere +near this coast. The point is that she was steaming very fast, and +heading south, which is certainly not the way to Nigeria." + +Benicia appeared to straighten herself a trifle, but save for the +little movement she was very quiet, and she looked at her father with +eyes that were almost as inscrutable as his own. Still, she recognized +that she was at a disadvantage, since it was evident that the course +he meant to take was clear to him, and she was in a state of anxious +uncertainty. + +"It is," he continued tranquilly, "a little astonishing how these +Englishmen recognize the natural facilities of a country. There is +down the coast a little bay which I have long had my eyes upon. Some +day, perhaps, we will build a deep water pier there and make a railway +across the littoral. No other place has so many advantages. It offers, +among others, a natural road to the interior." + +The girl could have faced a direct question better than this +preamble, which Dom Clemente no doubt guessed. + +"The Senor Desmond is not a commercialist," she said. "Why should this +interest him?" + +"Well," said Dom Clemente, "one could fancy that it does, for he is +certainly going there." He stopped for a moment, and then his tone was +sharp and incisive. "The question is, who sent him?" + +Benicia saw the little glint in his dark eyes, but she met his gaze. +She was clever enough to realize that there was only one course open +to her. + +"Ah," she said, "I almost think you know." + +The man made a little gesture. "At least, I do not know how the affair +concerns you." + +Benicia sat down in the nearest chair, and a faint warmth crept into +her face, for this was the last point she desired to make clear, and +Dom Clemente's eyes were still fixed upon her. It was evident that he +expected an answer, and it said a good deal for her courage that her +voice was steady. + +"You are aware that I have spoiled your plans?" she said. + +"That," said Dom Clemente dryly, "is another matter. I am not sure +that you have spoiled them. I would, however, like to hear your +reasons for meddling with them." + +It was the same question in a different guise, and she nerved herself +to face it. + +"The Senor Ormsgill is doing a very chivalrous thing," she said. "It +is one in which he has my sympathy--one could almost fancy that he +has yours, too." + +This was a bold venture, but she saw the man's faint smile. "I have a +duty here, and that counts for most," he said. "Then it was sympathy +with this man Ormsgill that influenced you?" + +"Not altogether. I hate the Chefe at San Roque. You know why that is +natural, and, after all, it was you who had him sent there. Apart from +that, is it not clear that he and the trader Herrero and Domingo play +into each other's hands up yonder? The traffic they are engaged in is +authorized, but the way in which it is carried out is an iniquity." + +There were, as it happened, men in that country who held similar +views, but the other reason the girl had proffered seemed to Dom +Clemente the most obvious one, though he fancied it did not go quite +far enough. It was conceivable that she should hate Dom Erminio, who +had been sent up into the bush after bringing discredit upon himself +as well as certain friends of hers. Still, he realized that this was a +matter on which she would never fully enlighten him, and he recognized +his disabilities. It was, perhaps, one of his strong points that he +usually did recognize them, and seldom attempted the impossible. As +the result of this he generally carried out what he took in hand. Dom +Clemente was first of all a soldier, and not one who shone in +civilized society or cared to scheme for preferment by social +influence, which was probably why he had been sent out to a secondary +command in Africa. He had friends who said he might have gone further +had he been less faithful to his dead wife's memory. + +"Well," he said, "it was certainly my intention to arrest this man +Ormsgill. I admit that I have a certain sympathy with him, and that is +partly why I am a little anxious to keep him from involving himself in +useless difficulties." + +"Do you think a man of his kind would be grateful for that?" + +Dom Clemente made a little gesture of indifference. "I do not know. It +is, after all, not a point that very much concerns me, though he is +doing a perilous thing by meddling with our affairs, especially in the +bush yonder." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "then is nobody to meddle, and is this iniquity to +go on?" + +Dom Clemente smiled dryly. "I almost think," he said, "that when the +time is ripe there will, as usual, be a man ready to take the affair +in hand. In the meanwhile it would be a very undesirable thing that +any one should point to you as a friend of this rash Englishman." + +He rose, and buckling on his sword went down the outer stairway, while +Benicia sat still with her cheeks burning. She fancied Dom Clemente +had meant a good deal more than he had said, but, after all, that did +not greatly trouble her. She was not one who counted the cost, and it +was not quite clear that she had failed, though she knew troops had +been dispatched to head off Ormsgill from the coast. It was possible +that he had slipped past them, and the _Palestrina_ would be waiting +at the Bahia Santiago, and then it flashed upon her that it would not +be difficult for her father to send the man in command of the troops +instructions to proceed direct to the Bahia by a fast messenger. While +she considered the point it happened that the officer he had handed +the instructions to came up the stairway. + +"I wonder if you know where the messenger Pacheco is, Senorita?" he +said. "I have an urgent errand for him." + +Benicia saw that he had a packet in his hand, and a swift glance at +the table showed her that the writing materials were not exactly as +they had been laid out an hour or two earlier. Somebody, it seemed, +had written a letter, and she could make a shrewd guess at its +purport. For a moment she stood looking at the officer, and thinking +hard. It was evident that her father had a certain liking for +Ormsgill, but she felt that he would probably not allow it to +influence him to any great extent. He was apparently working out some +cleverly laid plan of his own, and it was evident that she would incur +a heavy responsibility by meddling with it, but after all Ormsgill's +safety stood first with her. + +"I am not sure, but I think he is in the house," she said. + +She left the officer waiting, and entering her own room hastily wrote +a note. Then she went down the inner stairway with it in her hand, and +crossing the patio glanced up for a moment at the balustrade above. +Fortunately, the officer was not leaning over it, and did not see her +slip into a store room where a big dusky man was talking to the +negress cook, with whom, as it happened, he was a favorite. Western +Africa is indifferently supplied with telegraphic and postal +facilities and messages are still usually carried by native runners. +There were none of them anywhere about that city as fast or trusty as +Pacheco, and Benicia smiled as she looked at him. He was lean and hard +and muscular, a man who had made famous journeys in the service of the +Government, which was exactly why she did not wish him to be available +for another one. + +"I have a message for the Senora Blanco," she said. "I should like her +to get it before she goes to sleep in the afternoon, and you will +start now, but if it is very hot you need make no great haste in +bringing me back the answer." + +Pacheco rose with a grin. "It is only two leagues to the plantation," +he said. "Though the road is rough, that is nothing to me." + +Then the plump negro woman caught Benicia's eyes, and, though she said +nothing, there was comprehension in her dusky face. The girl went out +in the patio satisfied, and stood waiting behind a creeper-covered +trellis. She felt she could leave the matter in the hands of the +negress with confidence. The latter turned to the messenger with a +compassionate smile. + +"You have the sense of a trek-ox. It is in your legs," she said. "The +Senorita does not wish you to distress yourself if the day is hot." + +"But," said Pacheco, "it is always hot, and no journey of that kind +could weary me." + +The woman made a little grimace. "The trek-ox is slow to understand +and one teaches it with the stick. Sometimes the same thing is done +with a man. It seems the Senorita does not wish to see how fast you +could go." + +At last Pacheco seemed to understand. "Ah," he said, "there are thorns +in this country. Now and then one gets one in his foot." + +"The Senorita would be sorry if you came home limping. Once or twice I +have cut my hand with the chopper, and she was kind to me." + +The man chuckled softly and went out, and Benicia standing in the +shadow felt her heart beat as she watched him slip across the patio. +There would probably be complications if the officer saw him from +above. Nobody, however, appeared among the pillars, and the shadowy +arch that led through the building was not far away. The negro's feet +fell softly on the hot stones, and though the slight patter sounded +horribly distinct to her nobody called out to stop him. He had almost +reached the arch when a uniformed figure appeared between two of the +pillars, and for a moment the girl held her breath. If the man moved +another foot it was evident that he must see the messenger, but, as it +happened, he stood where he was, and next moment Pacheco, who turned +and looked back at her with a grin, slipped into the shadow of the +arch. Then Benicia went back into the house a little quiver of relief +running through her. It would, she knew, be possible to obtain other +messengers, but none of them were so well acquainted with the native +paths which traverse the littoral or so speedy as Pacheco, and she did +not think he would be available until the evening. + +In the meantime the officer waited above, until growing impatient, he +summoned the major domo, who sent for the negress. + +"Pacheco was certainly in the house because he talked to me, but he +went out with a message, and I do not know when he will be back +again," she said. + +The officer asked her several questions without, however, eliciting +much further information, and went away somewhat perplexed. He could +not help a fancy that Benicia was somehow connected with the +messenger's disappearance, but there was nothing to suggest what her +object could have been. She was also a lady of influence, and he +wisely decided to keep his thoughts to himself. As it happened, +Pacheco did not arrive until late that night, and another messenger +was dispatched in the meanwhile. He, however, became involved amidst a +waste of tall grass which Pacheco would have skirted, and afterwards +wasted a day or two endeavoring to carry out the directions certain +villagers who bore the Government no great good-will had given him. As +the result of this the handful of black soldiers had wandered a good +deal further inland before he came up with them. + +In the meantime it happened the morning after he set out that Dom +Clemente sent for Pacheco who was just then sitting in the cook's +store nursing an injured foot. They exchanged glances when the +major-domo informed him that his presence would be required in a few +minutes, and after the latter had gone out the negress handed Pacheco +a sharp-pointed knife. + +"It is wise to make certain when one has to answer a man like Dom +Clemente, and the scratch the thorn made was not a very large one," +she said. + +Pacheco took the knife, and looked at it hesitatingly. + +"The thing would be easier if it was some other person's foot. It +will, no doubt, hurt," he said. + +"It will hurt less than what Dom Clemente may order you," and the +negress grinned. "A man is always afraid of bearing a little pain." + +Pacheco decided that she was probably right, and set his thick lips as +he laid the knife point against the ball of his big toe. Still, for it +is probable that there are respects in which the negro's +susceptibilities are less than those of the civilized white man, he +steadily pressed the blade in. After that he wrapped up his foot +again, and rose with a wry face. + +"I was given a bottle of anisado and a small piece of silver +yesterday," he said. "I almost think I deserve a little more for +this." + +Then he limped up the stairway leaving red marks behind him, and made +a little deprecatory gesture when he appeared before Dom Clemente. The +latter looked at him in a fashion which sent a thrill of dismay +through him. + +"I hear you have hurt your foot," he said. "Take that bandage off." + +Pacheco, who dare not hesitate, sat down and unrolled the rag. Then +with considerable misgivings he did as he was bidden and held up his +foot. + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente dryly, "a thorn did that. The wound a thorn +makes seems to keep curiously fresh. Well, you can put on the rag +again." + +Pacheco did it as hastily as he could while he wondered with a growing +uneasiness what the man who regarded him with a little sardonic smile +would ask him next. Dom Clemente, however, made him a sign to get up. + +"One would recommend you to be more careful," he said. "You will have +reason to regret it if the next time I have an errand for you you have +a--thorn--in your foot." + +Pacheco limped away with sincere relief, and Dom Clemente who sat +still contemplatively smoked a cigar. While he did it he once more +decided that it is now and then advisable to content oneself with +simply looking on, and it was characteristic of him that when he next +met Benicia he asked her no questions. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DESMOND GOES ASHORE + + +It was a thick black night when Desmond brought the _Palestrina_ into +the Bahia, steaming at half-speed with the big smooth swell heaving in +vast undulations behind her. The blinding deluge which had delayed him +for half an hour had just ceased, and at every roll boat and deckhouse +shook off streams of lukewarm water. A dripping man stood strapped +outside the bridge swinging the heavy lead, and his sing-song cry +which rose at regular intervals broke through the throb of slowly +turning engines. A yard or two away from him Desmond leaned upon the +rails peering into the darkness athwart which there ran a dim black +line of bluff. A filmy haze that glimmered faintly white leapt up +between him and it, and the stagnant air was filled with a great, +deep-toned rumbling. It rolled along the half-seen bluff like the +muttering of distant thunder, for, though the Bahia was partly +sheltered, the vast heave of the Southern Ocean was crumbling upon the +hammered beach that night. It does so now and then when there is not a +breath of wind. + +"It isn't exactly encouraging," he said to his mate. "The surf seems +running unpleasantly steep. There's a weight in it. I'm rather glad +the boat's a big one since we have to face it. Well, you had better +get forward, and stand by your anchors. I'll bring her up in another +few minutes." + +The mate went forward with a handful of dripping men behind him, and +left Desmond quietly intent upon the bridge. The latter was quite +aware that it would have been prudent to wait for daylight, and +recognized that he was doing a reckless thing, but that rather +appealed to him. It is also possible to do a reckless thing carefully, +and he was, at least, proceeding with a certain circumspection. When +the bluff grew a trifle plainer he seized his telegraph, and raised a +warning hand to the helmsman. + +"Starboard!" he said. "Let her swing when she goes astern." + +A gong tinkled beneath him, there was a sharper clank of engines, and +the _Palestrina_ swinging round rolled from rail to rail. Then a +strident roar of running cable jarred through the rumbling of the +surf, and was succeeded by a trumpeting blast of blown off steam when +he rang the telegraph again. When this slackened a little he raised +his voice. + +"If you're ready there, Mr. Winthrop, will you bring your men along," +he said. + +There was a tramp of feet forward, and when half-seen figures +clustered beneath the bridge Desmond leaned over the rails and +addressed them. + +"Boys," he said, "what we are going to do is in some respects a crazy +thing, and while I don't know that we'll have trouble it's very +probable. Now there'll be a bonus for the men who come with me, but I +don't want any one to go against his will. If any of you would sooner +stay here all he has to do is to walk forward, and I'll admit that +he's sensible." + +There was a little laughter, but nobody moved. Among those who heard +him were shrewd, cold-blooded Scots from the Clyde, and level-headed +Solent Englishmen, as well as boys from Kingston and Belfast Lough. Of +these latter Desmond had no doubt. A hint that the thing was rash and +might lead to trouble was naturally enough for them, but he recognized +that there might be occasions when the colder temperament of the +others was likely to prove, at least, as serviceable. It was not +astonishing that these, too, evidently meant to go with him, for there +are men who can apparently with no great effort bend others to their +will, and, after all, one can not invariably be sensible. Perhaps, it +would be a misfortune if this were possible. + +"Sure," said one of them, and he was a Kingston man, "all ye have to +do, sir, is to go straight ahead. We're coming with ye, if we have to +swim, an' if we have to it's more than I can." + +One or two of his comrades laughed, and Desmond raised a hand. "It's +very probable that you'll have to try. We'll get the surfboat over, +Mr. Winthrop." + +It would have been a difficult task in the daylight, for the +_Palestrina_ rolled wickedly and the long slopes of water lapped to +her rail, but they accomplished it in the dark, and when the big boat +hove up beneath them dropped into her one by one. They had a few Accra +and Liberia boys for the paddles, but not enough and white seamen +perched among them on the froth-licked gunwale as they reeled away on +the back of a swell. It swept them out from the steamer, and let them +drop into a black hollow while the negro at the steering oar yelled as +another dark ridge hove itself aloft behind them. They drove on with +this one and several others that succeeded it, careering amidst a +turmoil of spouting froth that boiled round the high, pointed stern, +and there was spray all about them, stinging their eyes and in their +nostrils, when at last the beach was close at hand. They could not, +however, see it. There was nothing visible now but a dim filmy cloud, +out of which came a thunderous rumbling that has its effect upon the +stoutest nerves, for there are probably few men who can listen to the +crashing charge of the great combers on an African beach quite +unmoved, especially if it is their business to face them in the dark. + +Desmond glanced astern a moment when the sable helmsman shouted, and +then resolutely turned his eyes ahead. He had seen all he wished to, +and it was with vague relief he felt the boat rush upwards under him, +for that waiting in the hollow was not a thing one could bear easily. +She went forward reeling, half-buried in tumbling foam, twisting in +spite of the gasping helmsman in peril of rolling over, and out of the +spray and darkness the dim line of bluff came rushing back to them. +Then there was a crash that flung half of them from the gunwale, and +the boat went up the beach with a seething white turmoil washing over +her, until they swung themselves over and clung to her waist-deep in +the wild welter when the sea sucked back. Straining every muscle they +held her somehow, and a voice rose strained and harsh through the din. + +"Where are those--rollers, boys?" it said. + +Somebody produced them, and gasping and floundering they ran her up +with another comber thundering out of the darkness behind them, and +then flung themselves down breathless and dripping on the hot sand. +Desmond let them lie awhile, and then leaving the negroes behind, the +white men clambered up the face of the bluff. After that they stumbled +amidst loose sand and tufts of harsh grass that now and then cut +through their thin duck garments and twined about their legs, but they +plodded on steadily, and when morning broke had made about a league +which was, all things considered, excellent traveling. With the +daylight, however, came the rain that beat the soil into a pulp and +filled the steamy air. The grass they found in places bent beneath it, +and the water flowed about their feet. Still, they held on, drenched, +and bleeding from odd scars and scratches, until there broke out +dazzling, blistering sunshine which in a few minutes sucked the +moisture from their clothing. + +Then Desmond, who had heard that littoral described as dry and +parched, bade them lie down in the scanty strip of shadow behind a +clump of thorns, and a twinkle crept into his eyes as he glanced at +them. They were already freely plastered with mire. A few of them had +sporting rifles--he carried one himself--and bandoliers, while some of +the rest had the gig's ash stretchers, and one a big pointed iron +bar, but he fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition. For one thing, they had no carriers. Desmond desired only +men who could be relied upon to say as well as do what he bade them, +for he could without any great effort foresee that he might have to +grapple with more than physical difficulties. He let them lie for half +an hour, and then the rain came and drove them on again. + +[Illustration: "He fancied they would scarcely pass for a big game +expedition."--Page 242.] + +They floundered through it all that afternoon, lay down in wet sand +when the sudden darkness blotted out the misty littoral, and rose with +the swift dawn, cramped and wet and aching, to plunge into a thick +white steam. There was a muggy warmth in it which relaxed their +muscles and insidiously slackened the domination of their will. They +wanted to lie down, and wondered vaguely why they did not do so, for +there are times when man's resolution melts out of him in that land, +and nothing seems worth the trouble of accomplishing. Still, they went +on, and evening found them wearied in body and limp of will, as well +as very wet and miry, on the edge of a belt of thorny vegetation +amidst which there wound a native path. They slept beside it as best +they could, and went on again for two more days under scorching +sunshine until at last they reached a ridge of higher ground. There +were a few palms on the crest of it, and they lay down between them +amidst a maze of thorny vines. + +Darkness was creeping up from the eastwards when Desmond sat poring +over a section of a large-scale chart which had proved to be a +reasonably accurate guide to the physical features of that +littoral. The elevation of which the ridge formed a portion was duly +marked, as was the creek they had cautiously waded through, and not +far away there stood another rise which might be made out from a +steamer's bridge. The dots that ran through them both indicated +Ormsgill's path. He was a man who, at least, endeavored to provide for +contingencies, and he had for Desmond's benefit plotted out the last +stages of his march to the coast. The latter, however, remained in +unpleasant uncertainty as to when he would arrive, which, in view of +the fact that a handful of dusky troops were in all probability not +very far away, was a question of some consequence. + +When darkness swept down he posted two sentries and then lay down near +the smoldering cooking fire. The strip of rubber sheeting he spread +beneath him did not make a very efficient mattress, but worn-out as he +was he fell asleep in spite of the mosquitoes, and so far as he could +afterwards ascertain the men he had left on watch in due time did the +same. When he awakened there was a half-moon in the sky, and a faint +silvery light shone down upon the ridge. He could see the palm shafts +cut against it darkly in delicately proportioned columns, and the +ebony tracery of their great curved leaves. Now and then a big drop +that fell from them splashed heavily upon the straggling undergrowth, +but save for that everything was very still. The fire was red and low, +but the smell of wood smoke and hot wet soil was in his nostrils. He +was wondering drowsily why he had awakened when he fancied that a +shadowy figure flitted behind a palm, and turning cautiously he +reached out for the rifle that lay by his side. As his hand closed +upon it another figure moved towards him quietly. The moonlight fell +upon it and his grasp relaxed on the rifle as he saw that it was +dressed in tattered duck. He scrambled to his feet, and Ormsgill +stopped a pace or two away. + +"You are a little ahead of time, but considering everything it's +fortunate," he said. + +Desmond blinked at him for a moment or two. The man's face was lean +and worn, and his thin, dew-drenched garments were torn by thorns. One +of his boots had also burst, his wide hat was shapeless, and sunbaked +mire clung about him to the knees. + +"There were reasons why it seemed advisable to divide my party and +push on," he proceeded. "My few personal belongings are now reposing +in a swamp." + +Desmond shook hands with him. "Well," he said, "it's like you. Where +are your niggers, and what's the matter with my--sentries? Still +that's not exactly what I meant to say." + +Ormsgill laughed, and sent a shrill call ringing across the belt of +mist below. There was an answer from it, and while the men from the +_Palestrina_ rose clamoring to their feet a row of weary, half-naked +negroes plodded into camp. Some of them had red scars upon their dusky +skin, some of them limped, and when they stopped at a sign from +Ormsgill the seaman clustered round and gazed at them. They were +woolly-haired and thick-lipped, and their weariness had worn all sign +of intelligence out of their dusky faces. They looked at the +clustering seamen vacantly and without curiosity. + +"Lord," said Desmond, "and these are the fellows you have done so much +for! Well, it's evidently my turn. I suppose they can eat?" + +Ormsgill laughed. "A good deal just now. We started soon after +sunrise, and have scarcely stopped all day. In fact, we have been +marching rather hard the last week or two." + +Desmond turned to one of the men he had brought with him. "Stir that +fire," he said. "Make these images something, then take them away and +stuff them." + +He touched Ormsgill, and pointed to the strip of sheeting. "Get off +your feet. We have a good deal to talk about." + +They sat down, and by and by one of the _Palestrina_'s stewards served +them with coffee and canned stuff while his comrades sat in a ring +about the negroes patting them on their naked shoulders and +encouraging them to eat. The black men's stolidity vanished, and they +grinned widely, while by degrees odd snatches of different languages +and bursts of hoarse laughter rose from them. In the midst of it one +big man chanted a monotonous song. Ormsgill laid down his cup and +listened with a little smile. + +"He's improvising rather cleverly," he said. "It's almost a pity you +don't know enough of the language to hear your praises sung. You see, +he has so far only come across two white men who have even spoken to +him decently." + +Desmond grinned, and raised his voice. "If they understand what +tobacco is let them have what you have with you, boys," he said. "You +can come to me for more when we get back on board." + +"That's all right, sir," said one man. "It's our dinner party. We've +got most of a hatful for them ready." + +"Sailors," said Desmond reflectively, "have some curious notions on +the subject of making pets. So have you, for that matter, but, after +all, that's not quite the question. Did you see anything that would +lead you to believe Herrero's friends were after you?" + +"I did," said Ormsgill. "Smoke, for one thing, and that was why I +pushed on for the coast. Nares who was a little feverish and found it +difficult to march fast insisted on turning back inland with half the +carriers. I left two men I could rely on behind to investigate, and I +expect some news before the morning. In the meanwhile what are you +doing here? It's at least a week before I was due." + +Desmond looked at him steadily, and, as it happened, the firelight +fell upon them both. "Miss Figuera sent me." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill, and a curious little glint crept into his eyes +and faded out of them again. "Well, you have, no doubt, a little more +to tell." + +His companion told it tersely, and afterwards Ormsgill sat silent for +awhile with a half-filled pipe in his hand. Many a time during his +wanderings he had seen in fancy Benicia Figuera sitting in the shady +patio, and on each occasion the longing to hear her voice and once +more stand face to face had grown stronger. He had fought against it +on weary march and when the boys were sleeping in the silent camp, but +it had conquered him. + +"It was very kind of her," he said at last. "Still, considering her +father's status, one could wonder why she did it." + +Desmond smiled curiously as he leaned forward and stirred the fire. +"That," he said with an air of reflection, "is naturally one of the +things I don't know. Still, there is a certain chivalrous rashness in +the adventure you have undertaken which, although sensible folks would +probably consider it misguided, might appeal to a young woman of Miss +Figuera's description. You see, she is by no means a conventional +person herself. Perhaps, it's fortunate there are young women like her +with courage and intelligence enough to form their own opinions." + +"Miss Figuera has certainly courage," said Ormsgill slowly. + +Desmond laughed. "She has. She has also a wholesome pride, and sense +as well as imagination, though the two don't always go together. With +her at his side a man crazy enough to be pleased with that kind of +thing might set himself to straighten up half the wrongs perpetrated +by our civilization, and she'd see he was never wholly beaten. +Somehow, she would, at least, bring him off with honor, and that is, +after all, the most any one with such notions could reasonably look +for." + +He stopped for a moment, and when he went on again the firelight +showed the little flush in his cheeks and the gleam in his eyes. + +"Lord," he said, "how little some of us are content with when we +marry--a woman to sit at the head of out table, and talk prettily, one +who asks for everything that isn't worth while, and sees you never do +anything her friends don't consider quite fitting. Still, there is +another kind, the ones who give instead of asking, and who would, for +the man they loved, face the malice of the world with a smile in their +eyes. I think," and he made a little vague gesture, "I have said +something of the kind before, but I have to let myself go now and +then. I can't help it." + +"One would almost fancy you were in love with the girl yourself," said +Ormsgill quietly. + +Desmond leaned forward a trifle, and looked hard at him. "No. I might +have been had things been different. At least, she is certainly not in +love with me." + +Ormsgill said nothing, but he was sensible of a curious stirring of +his blood. He would not ask himself exactly what his comrade meant, or +if, indeed, he meant anything in particular, for it was a consolation +to remember that Desmond now and then talked inconsequently. He sat +still, vacantly watching the blue smoke wreaths curl up between the +palms. The boys had lain down now, and only an occasional faint +rustle as one moved broke the heavy silence. Then, and, perhaps he was +a trifle overwrought and fanciful, as he watched the drifting smoke +wreaths a figure seemed to materialize out of them. It was filmy and +unsubstantial, etherealized by the moonlight, but it grew plainer, and +once more he saw Benicia Figuera as he had talked with her in the +shady patio. She seemed to be looking at him with reposeful eyes that +had nevertheless a little glint in the depths of them, and now the +desire to see her in the flesh took him by the throat and shook the +resolution out of him. At last he knew. There could no longer be any +brushing of disconcerting facts aside. There was one woman in the +world whom he desired, and he had pledged himself to marry another +one. Still, his duty remained, and he sat silent with one lean hand +closed tightly and the lines on his worn face deepening until at last +he became conscious that Desmond was watching him, and he roused +himself with an effort. + +"Well," he said quietly, "she has laid me under a heavy obligation, +but we have other things to talk of." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE BEACH + + +Desmond was asleep when the men his comrade had left behind came in, +but the negroes' sense of hearing was quicker than his, and when he +rose drowsily to his feet there was already a bustle in the camp. +Ormsgill, who was giving terse directions, turned to him. + +"These boys have brought me word that there is a handful of troops in +a village a few hours' march away," he said, pointing towards two +half-seen men who were talking excitedly to the dusky carriers. "As +they know where we are heading for they will probably be upon our +trail as soon as the sun is up." He did not seem very much concerned, +and when he once more turned to the negroes, Desmond, reassured by his +quietness, glanced about him. The fire had died out, and there was no +longer any moonlight, but the palms cut with a sharp black +distinctness against the eastern sky. It was also a little cooler. +Indeed, Desmond shivered, for he was stiff and clammy with the dew. +The negroes were hurrying to and fro, apparently getting their loads +together, and the seamen were asking each other disjointed questions +as they scrambled to their feet. Desmond could see their faces faintly +white which he had not been able to do when he went to sleep. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose we'll have to make a move of some kind?" + +"It would be advisable," said Ormsgill. "Fortunately, it will be +daylight in a few minutes. You will start for the coast as soon as you +are ready, and take most of the boys I brought down along. It would be +wiser to push on as fast as possible, though it's scarcely likely that +the troops will come up with you. If they do, you will give the boys +up to them, but in that case one of the carriers will slip away and +bring me word. Any resistance you could make would be useless and very +apt to involve you in serious difficulties." + +Desmond smiled dryly, and did not pledge himself. He was not a man who +invariably did the most prudent thing. + +"You are not coming with us?" he said. + +"No," said Ormsgill. "There are six boys not accounted for yet. I am +going back inland for them. The troops will, of course, pick up your +trail, and they will probably be content with that. It's scarcely +likely to occur to them that there might be another." + +Desmond exerted all his powers of persuasion during the next minute or +two, and it was not his fault if his comrade did not realize that it +was a folly he was undertaking. Desmond, at least made a strenuous +attempt to impress that point on him, in spite of the fact that it was +a folly he would in all probability have been guilty of himself. +Ormsgill, however, only smiled. + +"As you have pointed out, anything I can do to straighten out things +in this country is scarcely worth while," he said. "I'm also willing +to admit that it's not exactly my business, and I'm far from sure that +the role of professional philanthropist is one that fits me. Still, +you see, I have undertaken the thing, and I can't very well leave it +half done." He stopped a moment, and laughed, a trifle harshly. +"Especially as it's scarcely probable that I shall have an opportunity +of doing anything of the kind again." + +Then he turned to the negroes, and spoke to them for several minutes +in scraps of Portuguese and a native tongue. Their villages on the +inland plateau had been burned, he said, and there was, so far as he +knew, no one he could trust them to in the country. If they stayed in +it some white man would in all probability claim them, and they would +be sent to toil for a term of years upon the plantations. They knew +what that meant. + +They certainly appeared to do so by the murmurs that rose from them, +and Ormsgill pointed to Desmond. He had pledged himself to set them at +liberty, he said, and his friend would take them to a country where +negroes were reasonably paid for their services, and, unless they +deserved it, very seldom beaten. What was more to the purpose, if they +did not like the factory they worked at they could leave it and go to +another, which was a thing that appeared incomprehensible to them, +until a man with a blue stripe down his forehead stood up and told +them it certainly was as Ormsgill had said. He had himself earned as +much by twelve months' labor at a white man's factory as would have +kept him several years in luxury. Then one of the boys, a +thick-lipped, woolly-haired pagan with nothing about him that +suggested intelligence or sensibility asked Ormsgill a question in the +native tongue, and the latter looked at Desmond. + +"He asks if I can give my word that they will not be ill-used in +Nigeria, and it's a good deal to assure them of," he said. "Still, I +think it could be done. There are outcasts in those factories, men +outside the pale, and it's possible that some of them occasionally +belabor a nigger with a wooden kernel-shovel, but considering what the +negro is accustomed to in this country that is a little thing, and +they usually stop at it. After all, it is not men of their kind who +practice systematic oppression or grind the toiler down. When I was a +ragged outcast it was the men outside the pale who held out their +hands to me." + +He turned to the negro saying a few words quietly, and there was a low +murmuring until one of the boys pointed to Desmond. + +"Then," he said, "we are ready to go with him." + +Even Desmond could understand all that this implied, and it stirred +the hot Celtic blood in him. It was a crucial test of faith, for it +seemed that these half-naked bushmen had a confidence in his comrade +which no one acquainted with the customs of the country could +reasonably have expected of them. They knew how their fellows were +driven by men of his color, but in face of that his word that it +should not be so with them was, it seemed, sufficient. + +"You already understand my wishes, and here are the letters for the +two traders in Nigeria," said Ormsgill quietly. "There is nothing more +to say." + +"There's just this," said Desmond turning towards the _Palestrina_'s +men, who had naturally been listening. "If it costs me the yacht to do +it I'll see these boys safe into the right hands." + +The men from Belfast Lough and Kingston grinned approvingly. They and +their leader were, after all, of the same temperament, and one of them +carried a sharp-pointed iron bar and others stout ash stretchers which +they had, somewhat to their regret, not been called upon to do +anything with yet. Desmond, however, walked a little apart with +Ormsgill. + +"When will you be back?" he asked. + +"I don't know," said Ormsgill. "There is a good deal against me just +now. In any case, I expect nothing further from you. You have done +more than I would have asked of anybody else already." + +"Will two months see you through?" + +"It may be four, very probably longer." + +"Exactly," said Desmond with a little smile. "In the meantime the +_Palestrina_ is going to Nigeria. I don't quite know where she'll go +after that." + +They said very little more until Ormsgill shook hands with him and +calling to his carriers marched out of camp. The sun had just lifted +itself above a rise to the east, and for awhile Desmond watched the +line of dusky men with eyes dazzled by the fierce light, and then +turned to give instructions to his seamen. They had already been busy, +and in another few minutes they and the boys that had been +Lamartine's had started for the coast. + +It proved an arduous march, for before the sun had risen its highest +it was blotted out by leaden cloud and the wide littoral was wrapped +in dimness until the lightning blazed. It ceased in a few minutes, but +the men crouched bewildered for another half hour ankle-deep in water +while a pitiless blinding deluge thrashed them. Then they went on +again dripping, and every league or so were lashed by tremendous rain +while mad gusts of wind rioted across the waste in between. The next +day there was scorching sunshine, and the men were worn-out, parched, +and savage, when at last one of the boys who had served Lamartine, +climbing a low elevation, assured his comrades that there were soldiers +behind them. He said they would be, at least, an hour in reaching that +spot, but there was haste and bustle when the information was conveyed +to Desmond. The latter fancied it would be several hours before he +made the beach. + +He and the white men had occasion to remember the rest of that +journey. They strained every aching muscle as they plodded on with the +perspiration dripping from them and the baked mire crumbling and +slipping beneath their feet while a dingy haze once more crept across +the sky and the heat became intolerable. It was dark when they reached +the beach, and Desmond gasped with relief when the roar of the +_Palestrina_'s whistle rang through the thunder of the surf in answer +to a rifle shot. It was evident that she had steam up. He sent two +men back to keep watch on the crest of the bluff, and then set about +getting the boat down with the rest. + +She was big and heavy. The sand was soft, and the rollers instead of +running over it bedded themselves in it. The boys from the interior +were also of little use at that task, and though the seamen toiled +desperately it was almost beyond their accomplishing. The tide was at +low ebb, and the sand grew softer as they ran her down a yard at a +time, until at last they stopped gasping. Then one of the men came +running from the bluff. + +"The soldiers are not far away," he said. + +Desmond asked him no questions, but turned to the seamen. "We have got +to do it, boys," he said. "Shift that after roller under her nose." + +They drew breath, and toiled on again. Their progress was not +reassuring in view of the fact that the troops were close at hand, but +they made a little, and in front of them the spray beyond which lay +the _Palestrina_ whirled in a filmy cloud. Every now and then there +was a thunderous roar in the midst of it, and part of the beach was +hidden in a tumultuous swirl of foam. Gasping, straining, slipping, +but grimly silent, they toiled on, moving her a foot with every +desperate effort, until at last a yeasty flood surged past them +knee-deep, and hove her away from them grinding one bilge in the sand. +Then Desmond raised a hoarse voice. + +"Hang on to her," he said. "Oh, hang on. Down on her bilge, and let +her go when the sea sucks out again." + +They went out with her and it amidst a sliding mass of sand, and +somehow contrived to hold her when the next sea came in. It broke +across her, and some of them went down, but when the seething flood +swept on up the beach she was there still, and they went out again +waist-deep in the downward swirl of it. Then they were up to the +shoulders with a great hissing wall of water close in front of them, +and black man and white scrambled in over the gunwale and floundered +furiously in the water inside her, groping for oar and paddle. Still, +they were perched on the gunwale, and the man with the blue-striped +forehead had the big steering oar before the sea fell upon them, and +straining every muscle they drove her through the breaking crest of +it. + +She lurched out, half-full and loaded heavily, to face the next, and +Desmond was never certain how she got over it, but at least, he was +not washed out of her as he had half expected. He fancied there was a +faint shouting on the bluff, but nobody could have been sure of that +through the din of the surf, and all his attention was occupied by his +paddle. Very slowly, fighting for every fathom, they drove her +outshore, until the combers grew less steep and their crests ceased to +break, and Desmond gazing seawards could see the _Palestrina_ when she +lifted. She swung with the swell, a dim, blurred shape, without a +light on board her, but a sharp jarring rattle told him that his +instructions were being carried out. Winthrop the mate was already +heaving his anchor. That was satisfactory, for Desmond knew that +nobody could see the yacht through the spray that floated over bluff +and beach. + +They were alongside in some twenty minutes with another troublesome +task before them. The yacht was rolling heavily, and the big +half-swamped boat swung up to her rail one moment and sank down +beneath a fathom of streaming side the next. It was a difficult matter +to reach her deck, and Lamartine's boys were bushmen who knew nothing +of the sea. They crouched in the boat's bottom stupidly until their +white companions who found thumps and pushes of no avail seized them +by their woolly hair and dragged them to their feet. They were sent up +one by one, and when at last the boat was hove in by the banging winch +Desmond scrambled with the brine running from him to his bridge. The +windlass rattled furiously for another minute or two, and then with a +quickening throb of engines the _Palestrina_ swept out into the night. +A little while later Winthrop the mate climbed to the bridge, and +Desmond laughed when he asked him a few questions. + +"I don't think those folks ashore got a sight of the yacht or boat," +he said. "It will be morning before they find out where we've gone, +and we should be a good many miles to the north by then. I don't +suppose they know Ormsgill isn't with us either, and that will +probably put them off his trail for a time, at least. In the meanwhile +you'll head her out a point or two more to the westwards for another +hour, and have me called at daylight. I'm going down to change my +clothes." + +He had just dressed himself in dry garments when a steward tapped at +the door of his room. + +"I don't know what's to be done with those niggers, sir," he said. +"The men won't have them in the forecastle." + +"Ah," said Desmond a trifle sharply, "that's a thing I hadn't thought +of, though, of course, it might have struck me. They're on deck still? +Bring me a lantern." + +The man got one, and Desmond who went out with him held it up when +they stood beside the little group of dusky men who sat huddled +together upon the sloppy deck. A seaman stood not far away from them, +and he turned to Desmond. + +"We can't have them down forward with us, sir," he said. + +There was a certain deference in his tone, but it was very resolute, +and Desmond made a little gesture of comprehension as he glanced at +the huddled negroes. Most of them were naked save for a strip of +tattered waistcloth, and their thick lips, wooly hair, and heavy faces +were revealed in the lantern light. He realized that there was +something to be said for the seaman's attitude. They had done what +they could for these Africans, and had done it gallantly, but now they +were afloat again they would not eat with them or sleep in their +vicinity. Color is only skin-deep, a question of climate and +surroundings, but Desmond, who admitted that, felt that, after all, +there was a wide distinction between himself and the seamen and these +aliens. It was one that could not be ignored. The theory of the +brotherhood of humanity went so far, and then broke down. + +"We have a few strips of pine scantling among the stores," he said, +after a moment's thought. "You can screw one or two of them down on +deck--but I can't have more than a couple of screws in each. Then if +you ranged a bass warp in between it would keep them off the wet. +There's an old staysail they can have to sleep in. We could toss it +overboard when they have done with it." + +He turned away, and, soon after a meal was brought him, went to sleep +while the _Palestrina_ sped on as fast as her engines could drive her +towards the north. In due time she also crept into one of the many +miry waterways which wind through the mangrove forests of Lower +Nigeria, and Desmond sent a boat up it with a letter Ormsgill had +given him to a certain white trader. An hour or two later a big gaunt +man in white duck came back with the boat and drank a good deal of +Desmond's wine. Then after asking the latter a few questions he looked +at him with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"Well," he said, "Ormsgill is rather a friend of mine, and what you +have been telling me is certainly the kind of thing one would expect +from him. It is by no means what I would do myself, but he always +had--curious notions. Most of us have, for that matter, though, +perhaps, it's fortunate they're not all the same. Well, I'll be glad +to have the boys, especially as it's difficult to get Kroos enough +from Liberia just now." + +"I think there were certain conditions laid down in Ormsgill's +letter," said Desmond reflectively. + +The trader laughed. "There were," he said. "Well, I'm willing to admit +that I have once or twice pitched a nigger who was a trifle impudent +over the veranda rails. It's one of the things you have to do, and if +you do it in one way they don't seem to mind. No doubt they understand +it's only natural the climate and the fever should make you a trifle +hasty. Still, I don't think a Kroo was ever done out of his earnings, +or had things thrown at him when he didn't deserve it, in my factory." + +Desmond fancied that this was probable, for he liked the man's face. +There was rough good-humor in it, and the twinkle in his eyes was +reassuring. As a matter of fact, he was, like most of those who +followed his occupation in those swamps, one who lived a trifle hard +and grimly held his own with a good deal against him. His code of +ethics was, perhaps, slightly vague, but there were things he would +not stoop to, and though now and then he might in a fit of +exasperation hurl anything that was convenient as well as hard words +at his boys, they knew that such action was not infrequently followed +by a fit of inconsequent generosity. There are men of his kind in +those factories whose boys will not leave them even when a rival +offers them more gin cases and pieces of cloth for their services. In +a moment or two Desmond made up his mind. + +"Shall I send the boys ashore with you?" he asked. + +"No," said the trader reflectively. "After what you've told me it +might be wiser if I ran them up river in the launch to our factory +higher up after dark. You see, nobody would worry about where they +came from there. In the meantime you had better go up and ask the +Consul down to dinner. You needn't mention the boys to him, and it's +fortunate that a yacht owner escapes most of the usual formalities. +I'll be back with the launch by sunset." + +He kept his word, but while he was getting the boys on board his +launch just after darkness closed down a little white steamer swept +suddenly round a bend, and before the launch was clear two white +officers stepped on board the _Palestrina_. A thick white mist rose +from the river, but Desmond was a trifle anxious when one of the +officers leaned over the yacht's rail looking down on the launch. + +"You seem to have a crowd of boys with you, Brinsley," he said. + +The trader stepped back on to the _Palestrina_'s ladder. "I could do +with more. Those folks up river are loading me up with oil. Anyway, +I'd like a talk with you about that gin duty your clerk has +overcharged me." + +Then he turned to a man in the launch below. "Go ahead," he said. "You +can tell Nevin he must send me that oil down if he works all to-morrow +night." + +A negro shouted something back to him, and with engines clanking the +launch swept away up the misty river, while it was with relief Desmond +led Brinsley and his guests into the saloon where dinner was set out. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +UNDER STRESS + + +When Desmond left him Ormsgill did not march directly east towards the +interior, but headed northwards for several days. There were reasons +which rendered the detour advisable, especially as he desired to avoid +the few scattered villages as much as possible, but he had occasion to +regret that he had made it. He pushed on as fast as possible until one +hot afternoon when the boys wearied with the march since early morning +lay down in the grass, and he wandered listlessly out of camp. Their +presence was irksome, and he wanted to be alone just then. + +There are times when an unpleasant dejection fastens upon the white +man in that climate, and when he is in that state a very little is +usually sufficient to exasperate him. The boys were muttering drowsily +to one another, and Ormsgill felt he could not lie still and listen to +them. He had also a tangible reason for the bitterness he was troubled +with. Desmond had brought him no message from Ada Ratcliffe, and +though she had as he knew no sympathy with what he was doing and had +never shown him very much tenderness, it seemed to him that she might, +at least, have sent him a cheering word. It was, in view of what it +would cost him to keep faith with her, and that was a thing he +resolutely meant to do, a little disconcerting to feel that she did +not think of him at all. + +In the meanwhile it was oppressively hot, and the air was very still. +His muscles seemed slack and powerless, his head ached, and the +perspiration dripped from him, but he wandered on until he reached a +spot where a little patch of jungle rose amidst a strip of tall grass +in the mouth of a shallow ravine. Ormsgill stood still in its shadow +and looked about him. Not a leaf shook, and there was not a movement +in the stagnant air. In front of him the patch of jungle cut harshly +green against the glaring blue of the sky, and beyond it there was +sun-baked soil and sand on the slopes of the ravine. + +Then there was a flash in the shadow and one of his legs gave away. He +staggered and reeled crashing into a thicket, and when a minute later +he strove to raise himself out of it one leg felt numb beneath the +knee except for the spot where there was a stinging pain. Ormsgill +also felt more than a little faint and dizzy, and for a few moments +lay still again blinking about him. A wisp of blue smoke still hung +about the leaves, and he could hear a low crackling that grew fainter +as he listened. It was evident that the man who had shot him was bent +on getting away, and he made shift to roll up his thin duck trousers, +and looked down at his leg. There was a bluish mark in the middle of +the big muscle with a little dark blood about it, and he took out his +knife. He set his lips as he felt the point of it grate on something +hard, and then closed the knife and sat still again with a little +gasp of pain. + +There was, he knew, a piece of the broken cooking pot the West African +usually loads his flintlock gun with embedded in his leg. That, at +least, was evident, but he did not know who had shot him, and, indeed, +was never any wiser on that point. It was, perhaps, a negro who had +supposed him to be a trader or official against whom he had some +grievance, but, after all, that seemed scarcely likely, and Ormsgill +fancied it was some dusky sportsman who had fired at a venture when he +heard a movement, and had then gone away as fast as possible when he +saw that he had hit a white man. This appeared the more probable +because they were not very far from the coast, where men do not often +attempt each other's life, and Ormsgill had only been struck by one +piece of iron. + +In any case, the faintness was leaving him by the time the startled +boys came up and found him sitting in the shadow. It was evident that +the wound was not very serious in itself, but he realized that a man +could not expect to travel far in that climate with a piece of iron +rankling in his leg. Somebody must cut it out for him, and he did not +care to entrust any of his thick-headed carriers with the operation. +Without being much of a physiologist he knew that there are arteries +in one's leg which it is highly undesirable to sever. He also +recognized that while the thing was, perhaps, possible to one with +nerve enough, he could not get it out himself, which was, however, +rather more than one could reasonably have expected of a man born and +brought up in a state of civilization, for there are a few points on +which the primitive peoples excel us. Still, the life he had led had +made him hard, and when he had quieted the boys he bound up the wound, +and filling his pipe with hands that were tolerably steady, lay still +awhile to consider. + +He could not push on towards the interior as he was, and there were, +he believed, one or two doctors in the city, which was not very far +away. He was aware that he was liable to be arrested there, but it +seemed possible that he might enter it unobserved at night and +purchase secrecy from any one who took him in. In such a case he would +be the safer because it was about the last spot in which those +interested in his capture would expect to come across him, and in a +few more minutes he had made up his mind. Though the hammock is not so +frequently used as a means of conveyance in that country where the +trek-ox is generally available as it is in most other parts of Western +Africa, he had provided himself with one. + +"Get the hammock slung," he said. "We will go on towards the west when +you are ready." + +Half an hour later the bearers hove the pole to their woolly crowns, +and plodded on again. They were not men of any great intelligence, and +were usually content to do what they were told without asking +questions, which was a custom that had its advantages. They had also +an unreasoning and half-instinctive confidence in the man who led +them, and in due time they plodded into sight of the town one night +when the muggy land breeze was blowing. Like other West African +towns, the place straggles up and back from the seaboard bluff, with +wide spaces between the houses, and nobody seemed stirring when +Ormsgill's boys marched into the outskirts of it. Remembering what the +priest of San Thome had told him of the man whose wife he had sent the +girl Anita to, he presently bade them stop outside the building which +stood well apart from the rest. Some of them were roofed with +corrugated iron, and some with picturesque tiles, but the top of this +one was flat, which Ormsgill was pleased to see. He recognized that it +was built in the older Iberian style which is not uncommon in Western +Africa and ensures the inmates privacy. There are no outbuildings +where this plan is adopted. The house stands four-square and +self-contained, presenting an almost unbroken wall to the outer world, +though there is usually an open patio in the midst of it. One of the +boys rapped upon a door, and when it was opened by a negro his +comrades unceremoniously marched down an arched passage under the +building until they reached the enclosed patio. Ormsgill had impressed +them with the fact that the most important thing was to get in. + +Then lights appeared at one or two windows, and when a little, +olive-faced gentleman in white linen with a broad sash about his waist +came down the stairway from a veranda Ormsgill raised himself in the +lowered hammock. + +"You will forgive this intrusion, Senor," he said. + +The other man made him a little formal salutation. "I," he said dryly, +"await an explanation." + +Ormsgill offered him one, and the little gentleman looked at him +thoughtfully for a moment or two. + +"I have heard of you--from the fathers up yonder who are friends of +mine," he said. "Perhaps it is my duty to inform the Authorities that +you are here, but in the meanwhile that is a point on which I am not +quite certain. You can, at least, consider this house as yours until +we talk the matter over. The boys may sleep in the patio to-night, but +they will first carry you in." + +They did it at Ormsgill's bidding, and left him sitting in a basket +chair in a big, cool room, after which his host brought in a few +cigars and a flask of wine. + +"They are at your service, senor," he said. "I would suggest that you +give me a little more information. I am one who can, at least, now and +then respect a confidence." + +Ormsgill looked at him steadily, and made up his mind. It was clear +that if his host meant to hand him over to the Authorities there was +nothing to prevent him doing so, and reticence did not appear likely +to serve any purpose, since he was wholly in his hands. He spoke for a +few minutes, and the other nodded. + +"I think it was wise of you to tell me this," he said. "There are, I +may mention, others besides myself who desire to see certain changes +made in our administration, and they would, I think, sympathize with +you. Some of them are gentlemen of influence, but we have confidence +in Dom Clemente and another man of greater importance--and we are +waiting. To proceed, I think it would not be difficult to keep you +here awhile without anyone we would not wish to know becoming aware of +it. The thing is made easier by the fact that my wife and the girl +Anita are away, and my sister, who is very deaf and does not like +society, rules the household. Now if it is permissible I will examine +your leg." + +He did so, and looked a trifle grave after it. "I know a little of +these matters, and it is advisable that this should be seen to," he +said. "Now the Portuguese doctor is not exactly a friend of mine, and +might ask questions as to how you got hurt and where you came from, +but there is a half-breed who I think is clever, and he would probably +refrain from mentioning anything that appeared unusual if he is +remunerated sufficiently. It is"--and he made a little expressive +gesture, "a thing he is accustomed to doing." + +Ormsgill suggested that the man should be sent for early next morning, +and went to sleep an hour later in greater comfort than he had enjoyed +for a considerable time. He did not, however, sleep soundly, and was +awake when the half-breed doctor came into his room next morning. The +latter set to work and managed to extract the piece of iron, but +before nightfall the fever which had left him alone of late had +Ormsgill in its grip. It shook him severely during several days, and +then, as sometimes happens, left him suddenly, limp and nerveless in +mind and body. He was content to lie still and wait almost +unconcernedly. Nothing seemed to matter, and he felt that effort of +any kind was futile. + +He lay one morning in this frame of mind when there were footsteps on +the veranda outside his door, and he heard a voice that sounded +curiously familiar. Then the door opened, and Benicia Figuera who came +into the room started when she saw him. Ormsgill, however, betrayed no +astonishment. He was too languid, and he lay still gravely watching +her. The sunlight that streamed in through the open door fell full +upon her, gleaming on her trailing white draperies and forcing up +bronze lights in her dusky hair. He did not see the faint tinge of +color that crept into the ivory of her cheek, but he vaguely noticed +the pity shining in her eyes. She seemed to him refreshingly cool and +reposeful. + +He did not remember exactly what she said, though he fancied she +mentioned that she had some business with his host's sister, and he +had no recollection of his own observations, but he sank into tranquil +sleep when she went away and awoke refreshed, to wonder when she would +come back again. As it happened, she came next day, bringing him +choice fruits and wine, and it was by her instructions he was carried +out on the veranda above the patio where she sat and talked to him. +Her voice was low and tranquil, her mere presence soothing, and she +did not seem to mind when he grew drowsy. Once or twice again, when +she was not aware that he was watching her, he saw compassion in her +eyes. Afterwards, though this was not quite in accordance with Iberian +customs, she came for an hour or two frequently, and Ormsgill grew +curiously restless when she stayed away. Sometimes his host sat with +them and discoursed on politics, but more often he left his deaf +sister, who would wander away to superintend the dusky servants' lax +activities. + +The house, like others of the same type, might have been built for a +fortress, and afforded those within it all the seclusion any one could +desire. One arched entrance pierced the tall white walls, which had a +few little windows with heavy green lattices set high in them. Within, +the building rose, tinted a faint pink and terraced with verandas +supported by tottering wooden pillars, about a quadrangular patio, and +it was characteristic that it was more or less ruinous. When the outer +windows were open the sea breeze blew through it, and sitting in cool +shadow one could hear the drowsy murmur of the surf. Ormsgill found +the latter inexpressibly soothing when Benicia sat near him, and he +would lie still contentedly listening to her and watching the shadow +creep across the patio. Weak as he was in body, with his mind relaxed, +he allowed no misgivings to trouble him. He was vaguely grateful for +her presence as a boon that had been sent him without his request, and +whether Benicia understood his attitude, or what she thought of it, +did not appear. + +That was at first, however, and by degrees he took himself to task as +his strength came back, until in the hot darkness of one sleepless +night he realized towards what all this was leading him. As it +happened, Benicia did not appear the next day, and he had nerved +himself for an effort by the one that followed. He had an interview +with his host and the half-breed doctor, who both protested, and then +lay waiting for the girl in a state of tense expectancy. He recognized +now what it was most fitting that he should do, but that, after all, +is a good deal less than half the battle. It was late in the afternoon +when she came, and the first glance showed her that there was a change +in Ormsgill. + +He lay in a canvas lounge smiling gravely, but he had dressed himself +more precisely than usual, and there was a suggestion of resolution in +his haggard face which had not been there before. There was also +something in his eyes which conveyed the impression that the +resolution had cost him an effort, and Benicia laid a certain +restraint upon herself, for she knew what had happened. The days in +which he had leaned upon her and permitted her unquestioningly to +minister to his comfort had, undoubtedly been pleasant, but, after +all, she had not expected them to continue. + +"You are stronger to-day," she said, with a composure that was a +little difficult to assume, as she took a chair beside him. + +"I am," said Ormsgill quietly. "In fact I have been getting stronger +rapidly of late, and I am glad of it. You see, I have been blissfully +idle for a while and I have a good deal to do." + +Benicia knew what was coming, but she smiled. "You are sure of that?" +she said. "I mean, you still think it is your business?" + +"Perhaps it's a little absurd of me, but I do. Anyway, I don't know of +anybody else who is willing to undertake it." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "would it matter greatly if it was not done, after +all? There are so many things one would have altered in Africa--and +they still go on. It is possible that nobody will ever succeed in +changing them." + +It was, though she was, perhaps, not aware of this, a very strong +argument she used, one whose force is now and then instinctively +realized by every thinking white man in the western half of Africa, +and in other parts as well. It is a land that has absorbed many +civilizations and continued in its barbarism. Nature unsubdued is +against the white man there, and against her tremendous forces his +most strenuous efforts are of little avail. Where the air reeks with +germs of pestilence and there are countless leagues of swamps breeding +corruption, one can expect very little from a few scattered hospitals +and an odd mile of drains. Besides, there is in the lassitude born of +its steamy heat something that insidiously saps away the white man's +will until he feels that effort of any kind is futile, and that in the +land of the shadow it is wiser to leave things as they are. + +Ormsgill nodded gravely. "Yes," he said, "one recognizes that, but, +you see, I don't expect to do very much--merely to keep a promise, and +set a few thick-headed heathen at liberty. I think I could accomplish +that." + +"Why should you wish to set them at liberty?" + +"It's a trifle difficult to answer," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, +the motive is probably to some extent a personal one. Anyway, it's not +a thing I have any occasion to inflict on you. There was a time when +you didn't adopt this attitude, but sympathized with me." + +The girl made a little gesture. "I would like to understand. You and +Desmond have all that most men wish for. Why are you risking your life +and health in Africa?" + +A curious little smile crept into Ormsgill's eyes. "Well," he said +reflectively, "there are respects in which one's possessions are apt +to become burdensome. They seem to carry so many obligations along +with them that one falls into bondage under them, and I think some of +us are rebels born. We feel we must make our little protest, if it's +only by doing the thing everybody else considers reprehensible." + +He stopped a moment, and his face grew a trifle grim when he went on +again. "In my case it must be made now since I shall probably never +have an opportunity of doing anything of the kind again." + +Benicia understood him, for she had watched Miss Ratcliffe carefully +at Las Palmas. In fact, she had understood him all along. That he +should shrink from any claim to philanthropy was only what she had +expected from him, and it was also characteristic that he should have +made as little as possible of his motives. Admitting that he had to +some extent been swayed by the rebellious impulse he had mentioned, +she knew there was beneath it a chivalrous purpose that was likely to +prove the more effective from its practical simplicity. The Latins can +appreciate chivalry, though they do not invariably practice it now, +and she realized vaguely that there is nothing in man more knightly +than the desire to strike a blow for the oppressed or at his peril to +redress a wrong. Ormsgill's sentiments and methods were, perhaps, a +trifle crude, and, from one point of view, somewhat old fashioned. He +did not preach a crusade, but couched the lance himself. After all, he +belonged to a nation which had once, using crude effective means, +swept the slavers off that coast, and still stamps its coinage with +the George and Dragon. + +It was, however, after all, not so much as a redresser of grievances +and a friend of the oppressed, but as a man that Benicia regarded her +companion, for she knew that she loved him. She said nothing, and in a +minute or two he spoke again. + +"There is a thing that has been on my mind the last few days," he +said. "The fever must have left me too shaky to think of it before. I +am afraid, though it was very pleasant to see you, I haven't quite +kept faith with your father in allowing you to come and talk with me. +You, of course, don't understand exactly how the Authorities regard +me." + +Benicia smiled a little, for she understood very well. "I don't think +that counts," she said, "and what is, perhaps, more to the purpose, my +father is not here; he has gone, I believe, on business of the State, +into the bush country. If you had remembered earlier you would have +been anxious to send me away?" + +She leaned forward looking at him, and saw the tension in his face. It +told her a good deal, and she felt that for all his resolution she +could, if she wished, bend him to her will. + +"No," he said, "I'm not sure I could have done it if I had wished. In +fact, the week--is it a week?--I have lain here has been such a one as +I have never spent before. Now I am horribly sorry that it is over." + +There was something in his voice which fully bore out what he had +said, but Benicia was aware that it was she who had forced the +admission from him without his quite realizing its significance. She +knew that he would speak more plainly still if she kept her eyes on +him. + +"It is over? You can countenance no more of my visits, then?" she +asked. + +"I am," said Ormsgill gravely, "going away again before to-morrow." + +Benicia sat very quiet, and contrived that he did not see her face for +a moment or two. She had, at least, not expected this, and it sent a +thrill of dismay through her. Steady as his voice was, she was aware +that the simple announcement had cost the man a good deal. + +"You are not strong enough for the journey yet," she said at length. +"It would not be safe." + +Ormsgill smiled in a curious wry fashion. "It does not require much +strength to lie still in a hammock, and I shall no doubt get a little +more every day. Besides, I almost think there is a certain danger +here. In fact, it would be safer for me up yonder in the bush." + +Benicia was quite aware that he was not thinking chiefly of the danger +of arrest, and again a little thrill that was no longer altogether one +of dismay ran through her. He was, it seemed, afraid of sinking wholly +under her influence. Again she leaned a little forward, and laid her +hand upon his arm. + +"You must go? Would nothing keep you here--at least until you are fit +to travel?" she asked. + +She saw his lips set for a moment, and the tinge of grayness creep +into his face. Then, with a visible effort, he laid a restraint upon +himself. + +"If I do not go," he said simply, "I should be ashamed the rest of my +life. Perhaps, that would not matter so much, but, as it happens, one +can't always bear his shame himself." + +Benicia turned a little in her chair, and let her hand fall back +again. She knew that if she chose to exert her power he would not go +at all, but it was probably fortunate that she did not choose. After +all, she was a lady of importance in that land, and had the pride of +her station in her. Though he loved her, she would not stoop to claim +him against his will, and, what was more, she had a vague perception +of the fact that he was right. A wrong done could not be wiped out by +the mere wish to obliterate it, and she felt that if he broke faith +with the Englishwoman in Las Palmas and slackly turned back from the +task which he, at least, fancied was an obligation upon him, there +might come a time when the fact would stand between them and she would +remember the stain upon his shield. She hated the Englishwoman with +Latin sincerity, but in this case her pride saved her from a fall. +There are other people who owe their pride a good deal. + +"Then," she said slowly, "one can only tell you to go. Some time, +perhaps, you will come back again?" + +She rose, and Ormsgill with an effort stood up awkwardly, and taking +the hand she held out held it a moment. "I do not know," he said with +a faint trace of hoarseness. "It is not often possible for one to do +what one would wish, and there are--duties--laid on me. Still, if it +should be possible--" He broke off for a moment, and then went on +again in a different tone very quietly, "In the meanwhile I must thank +you. I owe you a good deal." + +He watched her go down the stairway, and then leaned on the balustrade +for awhile wondering vaguely what would have happened if he had flung +off all restraint and let himself go. He did not know that while he +was nearest to doing so Benicia Figuera had laid a restraint on him, +and that had she permitted it he would have rushed headlong to a fall. +There are times when the strength of a usually resolute man is apt to +prove a snare to him. Then he sat down wearily in the canvas chair +again, and when the land breeze swept through the city that night he +and his handful of carriers slipped quietly out of it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SLACKENING OF RESTRAINT + + +A half moon had just sailed up above the shoulder of a hill, and its +pale light streamed into the veranda of the little mission house which +stood in a rift of the great scarp where the high inland plateau +breaks down to the levels of the sun-scorched littoral. The barren +hillslopes round about it were streaked with belts of gleaming sand, +and above them scrubby forests, destitute of anything that man or +beast could eat, rolled back to the vast marshes of the western +watershed, but the bottom of the deep valley was green and fertile as +a garden. It had, however, only been made so by patient labor, for +even in the tropics there is no escape from the primeval ban. It is by +somebody's tense effort that man is provided with his daily bread, and +where he labors least he lives most like the animals, for nature +unsubdued is very rarely bountiful. She sends thorns and creepers to +choke the young plantations, and the forest invades the clearing when +the planter stays his hand. But in Western Africa the white man sees +that the negro fights the ceaseless battle for him. It is, in his +opinion, what the black man was made for, and those who know by what +methods he obtains and controls his dusky laborers in certain tracts +of the dark land wonder now and then why such things are permitted +and if there will never be a reckoning. That is, however, only one +aspect of a very old question, and it is admittedly difficult to be an +optimist in Africa. + +Still, there was, for the time being, at least, quietness and good +will in that lonely rift among the hills, and Nares, sitting on the +mission house veranda in the moonlight, felt its beneficent influence, +though he was suffering from that most exasperating thing the prickly +heat, which had, as it frequently does, followed a slight attack of +fever. Two patient men from his own country sat with him, and it was +clear that their toil had not been in vain. He could see the +sprinkling of white blossom on the trees beneath him that bore green +limes, and beyond these were rows of mangoes, coffee plants, and sweet +potato vines, but the huts of the dusky converts were silent and +hidden among the leaves. There was no sound but the soft murmur of +running water. A deep serenity brooded over it all. + +"A garden!" he said. "In this country one could call it a garden of +the Lord." + +The elder of his two companions smiled, for he had shrewdness as well +as faith. + +"Thanks in part, at least, to our mountain wall," he said. "We lie +several leagues from the only road, and that is not a much frequented +one. There is, most fortunately, little commerce in this strip of +country, and the great roads lie as you know far to the south of us. +Still, I sometimes wonder how we have been left alone so long, and we +have had our warnings." + +"Herrero now and then comes up this way?" + +The missionary nodded. "He is the thorn in our side," he said. +"Domingo, his associate, as of course you know, rambles through the +back country. There is no one else to cause us anxiety, but Herrero +has an old grudge against us. There were villages in these valleys +when he first came here, and he swept them almost clean. We gathered +up the remnant of the people, and now they will not buy his rum from +him." + +"If the news we got with our last supplies is correct he can not be +more than a few days' march away," the younger man broke in. "I have +been wondering how often he will pass us by. Some day he will come +down on us. It's a sure thing." + +Nares straightened himself a trifle. He had for several years borne +almost all a man could bear and live through in that land, and after +he left Ormsgill had fled inland, proscribed, finding no safety +anywhere until his countrymen at their peril had offered him shelter +at the mission. Besides, he had fever and prickly heat, which tries +the meekest white man's patience, and it was New England stock he +sprang from. He was a Puritan by birth as well as training, of the old +grim Calvinistic strain, and his forbears had believed that the sword +of the Lord is now and then entrusted to human hands. In that faith +they had faced their king at Naseby, and in later days and another +land held their own at Bunker Hill, and again crushed the Southern +slave-owners' riflemen. It awoke once more deep down in the heart of +their descendant as he sat on the mission veranda that night. + +"What will you do then?" he said. "It sometimes seems to me that we +have borne enough. One could almost wonder if there is anything more +than prudence in our non-resistance. That alone seldom carries one +very far." + +A faint sparkle crept into the eyes of the younger man, for there was +also a capacity for righteous wrath in him, but his elder companion +raised a restraining hand. + +"What can we do that will not bring down trouble on our followers' +heads?" he asked. + +Nares had not slept for several nights, and that coming on top of his +other troubles had its effect on him, for he was, after all, very +human, and the white man's self-restraint is apt to grow feeble in +that land where his passions usually grow strong. Now and then, +indeed, it breaks down altogether suddenly. + +"Somebody must suffer for every reform," he said. "It seems that a +sacrifice is demanded, and the ban is upon us still. Here, at least, +the cost of man's progress is the shedding of blood." Then he made a +little forceful gesture. "They are arming in the bush. In another +month or two there will be very grim doings at San Roque." + +The older man changed the subject abruptly. "You have your own course +to consider. Have you come to a decision yet? I almost think if you +surrendered to a responsible officer the Society has influence enough +to secure your acquittal. After all, there are a few honest men upon +the coast." + +Nares looked at him with a curious little smile. "It is possible that +I might escape with my liberty, but not until those who hate us had +blackened my character and flung discredit upon the aims and methods +of the men who sent me here. Is my acquittal worth what it would cost +your Society? Would the folks down yonder miss such an opportunity as +my trial would afford them of making us out political intriguers and +destroyers of authority?" + +He broke off for a moment, and laughed softly. "Still, they can't very +well have a trial without a prisoner, and I shall wait in the bush +until Ormsgill overtakes me. I have left word for him here and there +with men who I think will not betray me." + +"Why shouldn't you stay here?" asked the younger man. + +"And bring the authorities down upon you? You know the cost of +harboring me. Still, I will wait a day or two. Ormsgill must go inland +by the road through the next valley, and if he has escaped the troops, +there should be news of him any hour now." + +The others said nothing further. They knew those in authority had, +perhaps, naturally little love for them, and would make the most of +the opportunity if it became evident that they had sheltered a +proscribed man. After all, they had a duty to their flock and the men +who had sent them out. Nares, who guessed their thoughts, smiled at +them. + +"It is all decided," he said. "When Ormsgill comes up I, believing as +I do in the straitest teaching of the Geneva fathers, am going into +the interior with him to accomplish the work he has undertaken for +the repose of the soul of the rum trader Lamartine." + +Again his companions made no answer. After all, the creeds now and +then grow vague in Africa, or, perhaps, in the anguish of life in the +dark land they are purged of their narrowness and amplified. Besides +this, it was evident that Nares was a trifle off his balance. There +was silence for the next half hour. One of the men had toiled with the +hoe among his flock that day, and the other had come back from a long +march to a native village. The night was clear and cool and +wonderfully still, and the peace of the garden valley crept in on +them. One could almost have fancied the mission had been translated +far from Africa, where tranquillity that is not tempered with +apprehension seldom lasts very long. Then a sharp cry, harsh with +human pain and terror, rang out of the soft darkness, and the man in +charge of the station rose quietly from his chair. + +"Herrero's men are here. Our time has come at last," he said. + +The others rose with him, and stood very still for a moment or two +listening until the cry arose again more shrilly, and there was a +clamor among the unseen huts. The crash of a long flintlock gun broke +through it, and in the midst of the uproar they heard a patter of +naked feet. Half-seen shadowy figures swept past among the leaves, and +a red glare that grew momentarily brighter leapt up behind the mango +trees. + +"Herrero's men," said the older man again, as though in the bitterness +of the moment that was all that occurred to him. + +They followed him down the stairway, though none of them knew what +they meant to do, and, while now and then a half-naked figure dashed +past them, down a narrow path between the trees, until the thatched +roofs of the village rose close in front of them. One of them was +blazing fiercely, and in another few minutes they saw a little group +of dusky figures scurrying to and fro with burdens in the glare. A man +among the latter also saw the newcomers, for apparently in drunken +bravado he flung up a long gun, and there was a flash and a detonation +as he fired at random. Nares saw him clearly, a big, brawny man +swaying half-naked on his feet with short cotton draperies hanging +from his waist, and his truculence was a guide to his profession. He +was one of the hired ruffians who escort the labor recruits to the +coast, and the African has no more grievous oppressor than the negro +who acts as the white man's deputy. + +Still, the missionaries saw very little more just then, for at the +flash of the gun a swarm of terror-stricken boys who had been lurking +there broke out from the shadow of the outlying huts, and swept madly +up the path. Nares ran forward to meet them, calling to them in a +native tongue, but it was not evident that they understood him, for +they ran on. He felt one of his comrade's hands upon his shoulder, but +he shook it off, and clutched at one of the flying men nearest him. He +was overwrought that night, and his patience had gone. An unreasoning +fury of indignation came upon him, and in the midst of it he +remembered that it was most unlikely Herrero's boys would do more +than attempt to overawe any one who might venture to resist them with +their guns. Yet here was a flock of sturdy men flying in wild panic +from a handful of ruffians. Perhaps this was natural. The men had seen +what came of resistance, and had been taught drastically that it was +wisest to submit to the white man and those whom he permitted to +persecute them. + +In any case, Nares's efforts availed him nothing, for the crowd of +fugitives surged about him and his companions and bore them along. +They could neither make head against it nor struggle clear, and were +jostled against each other and driven forward until the crowd grew +thinner abreast of the mission house where several paths that led to +the hillslopes and the bush branched off. Then at last they reeled out +from among the negroes, and while they stood gasping, Nares looked at +the man in charge of the station with a question in his eyes. The +latter made a little gesture of resignation. + +"That is certainly Herrero's work, and I think he has given them rum, +but there is nothing we can do," he said. "They may burn a hut or two, +but they can be built again, and the boys--I am thankful--have taken +to the bush. We will go back to the house." + +This was not exactly to Nares' mind, but he recognized that there was +wisdom in it, and they went up the little stairway and sat down once +more upon the veranda. Now and then a hoarse shouting reached them, +and the glare of burning thatch grew brighter, but nobody came near to +trouble them. After all, a missionary's color counted for something, +and it was a perilous thing for a negro who had not direct authority +to meddle with him. Still, the older man's face was troubled. + +"They will go away by and by, and there is, fortunately, very little +in the huts," he said. "There is only one thing I am anxious about. +Our store shed stands in a thicket among the trees yonder close +beneath us. We built it there not to be conspicuous, and they may not +notice it, but it is only a few weeks since our supplies came +in--drugs and cloth, besides tools, and goods that we could not +replace." + +Nares made a little gesture of comprehension. He knew that the +finances of the stations in that country are usually somewhat +strained, and that when supplies went missing on the journey from the +coast, as they sometimes did, the efforts of those they were intended +for were apt to be crippled for many months. + +"The place is locked?" he said. + +"It is," said the younger man with a little smile. "After all, the +boys are human. The door and building are strong enough, and the roof +is iron. They can not burn it." + +Nares glanced at his older companion and saw that there was still +concern in his face. Half an hour dragged by, and they sat still +struggling with the uneasiness that grew upon them. There was less +shouting in the village, and the fire was evidently dying down, but +now and then a hoarse clamor reached them. Nares felt that to sit +there and do nothing was a very hard thing. At last the younger man +pushed his chair back sharply. + +"I think they have found where the store shed is. They are coming +here," he said. + +"I wonder who has told them," said his companion. + +A patter of feet grew nearer, and Nares felt his mouth grow dry as he +forced himself to sit still and listen, until several shadowy figures +flitted out from among the trees. Then the older man's question was +answered, for one of them dragged a Mission boy along with him. He +carried a hide whip in one hand, and turned towards the veranda with a +truculent laugh as he brought it down on his captive's quivering +limbs. + +"Ah," said the younger man with sharp incisiveness, "I do not think +one could blame that boy." + +More figures appeared behind the others, and they flitted across the +strip of open space towards the store shed, after which there were +hoarse shouts and a sound of hammering which ceased again. Then +Herrero's boys came back by twos and threes, big, muscular negroes +with short draperies fluttering from their hips, some of them lurching +drunkenly. Three or four also carried long flintlock guns, and the one +who had the whip still dragged the Mission boy along. They stopped in +the clear space beneath the house, and Nares, who felt his heart beat, +set his lips tight as one of them strode forward to the foot of the +short veranda stairway. He was almost naked, and for a moment or two +the white men sat still, and looked at him. It was, they felt, just +possible that at the last moment his assurance would fail him. +Perhaps, he understood what they were thinking, for he made a little +contemptuous gesture. + +"We want the key to the store," he said in halting Portuguese. + +Then Nares turned to the head of the station. "You mean to give it +him?" + +"No," said the older man simply. "If they are able to break into the +shed I can not help it, but, at least, I will do nothing to make it +easier for them. I am the Society's steward and these goods are +entrusted to me." + +Nares looked at his younger companion, and saw a little smile in his +eyes. It was clear that force would be useless, even if they had been +willing to resort to it, but passive resistance was not forbidden +them, and while apt to prove perilous it might avail, since it was +scarcely probable that Herrero's boys could find the key. Then the +younger man turned to the negro. + +"We will never give you the key," he said. + +"Then we will come and take it," said the man below. + +He signed to his companions, and when three or four of them gathered +about him clamoring excitedly Nares felt his blood tingle and his face +grow hot. Perhaps it was the fever working in him, and he was +certainly overwrought, and, perhaps, it was a subconscious awakening +of the white man's pride. After all, the men of his color held +dominion, and it was an intolerable thing that one of them should +submit to personal indignity at a negro's hand. A little quiver ran +through him, but his restraint did not break down until the big +truculent negro came up the stairway and laid a greasy black hand upon +the shoulder of the worn and haggard man who ruled the station. He +shook him roughly, grinning as he did it, and then Nares' self-control +suddenly left him. Swinging forward on his left foot he struck at the +middle of the heavy, animal face, and the negro staggering went +backwards down the stairway. Then with the sting of his knuckles a +change came over Nares, for the passions he had long held in stern +subjection were suddenly unloosed. At last he had broken down under a +tension that had been steadily growing intolerable, and he turned on +his persecutors as other men of his faith have done. When men of that +kind strike they strike shrewdly. + +There was also a change in the negroes' attitude. They had maltreated +their own countrymen at their will, but they had as yet never laid +hands upon a white man. Perhaps, it was the rum Herrero had given them +which had stirred their courage, and, perhaps, they regarded a +missionary as a good-humored fool who had for some inconceivable +reason flung the white man's prerogative away. In any case, they were +coming up the stairway, three or four of them, and now the first man +carried a matchet, an instrument which resembles an old-fashioned +cutlass. Nares, who asked for no directions, sprang into the room +behind him where one of the trestle cots not unusual in that country +stood. It had a stout wooden frame, and he rent one bar from the +canvas laced to it. In another moment he was back at the head of the +stairway where the man in charge of the station stood, frail, and +haggard, but very quiet, with his thin jacket rent open where the +negro had seized him. A foot or two below him the man with the matchet +was coming up, naked to the waist, and half-crazed with rum. Nares +could see his eyes in the moonlight, and that was enough. + +He swung the bar high with both hands, and it descended on the negro's +crown. The man went backwards, but another who carried a long gun +sprang over him, and the heavy bar came crashing down on his naked +arm. Then it whirled again, and there was a curious thud as it left +its mark upon a dusky face. There was a clamor from the men below, a +gasp behind Nares, and a folded canvas chair struck the next negro on +the breast. He, too, lost his balance, and in another moment the +stairway was empty except for one of the dusky men who lay still upon +the lower steps of it. Nares stood on the veranda, with a suffused +face, and the perspiration dripping from him, and smiled curiously +when the man in charge of the station glanced at him with wonder and a +vague reproof in his eyes. + +"I am not sure that I have anything to regret," he said. "They are +coming back again." + +Herrero's boys were once more at the foot of the stairway, trampling +on their comrade as they scrambled over him, but there were now two +men with extemporized weapons at the head of it who stood above them +and had them at a disadvantage. Nares was, however, never quite clear +as to what happened during the next few minutes, for an unreasoning +fury came upon him, and he saw only the woolly heads and dusky faces +as he gasped and smote, though he was vaguely conscious that now and +then a shattered chair somebody whirled by the legs swung above his +head. Then a long gun flashed, and the detonation was answered by a +sharper, ringing crash. One of Herrero's boys screamed shrilly, and +the half-naked figures went scrambling down the stairway. They had +scarcely floundered clear of it when a man in white duck appeared in +the space below, and flung up a rifle, and another of the boys who +went down headlong lay writhing horribly in the sand. After that there +was a shouting and a patter of flying feet, and further dusky men with +matchets and Snider rifles poured out of the path that wound down the +hillside. Nares quietly laid the bar he held against the wall, and +turned to the others with a gasp. + +"It's Ormsgill," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +BENICIA MAKES A BARGAIN + + +Except for the two unsightly objects that lay in the soft moonlight, +there was no sign of Herrero's boys when Ormsgill walked up the +stairway with a rifle in his hand. A little smoke curled from the +breech which he opened before he shook hands with Nares. + +"It's fortunate I knew where you were, and came round to pick you up," +he said, and turned to the head of the station, who leaned upon the +balustrade apparently shaken and bewildered by what had happened. + +"I came up behind Herrero most of the way, and when there were signs +that we were getting closer I sent one of my boys on to creep in upon +his camp two or three days ago. From what he told me when he came back +I fancied there was mischief on foot, and I pushed on as fast as +possible. Considering everything, it seems just as well I did." + +The other man appeared unwilling to let his gaze wander beyond the +veranda, which was in one way comprehensible. There was shrinking in +his face, and his voice was strained and hoarse. + +"It was so sudden--it has left me a trifle dazed," he said. "I am +almost afraid the trouble is not over yet." + +Ormsgill smiled reassuringly. "I scarcely think--you--have any cause +to worry. There is no doubt that Herrero inspired his boys, and +attempts of this kind, as no doubt you are aware, have been made on +mission stations before, but it's certain he would disclaim all +knowledge of what they meant to do, and will be quite content to let +the matter go no further. That is, at least, so far as anybody +connected with the Mission is concerned." + +"I am afraid he may find some means of laying the blame on you." + +"It is quite likely," and Ormsgill laughed. "After all, it's a thing +I'm used to, and, you see, I'm proscribed already. As it happens, so +is Nares. He should never have left me. I have no doubt Herrero, who +has friends in authority, will endeavor to make him regret his share +in to-night's proceedings." + +Nares glanced at one of the rigid figures that lay beneath him in the +moonlight. He saw the naked black shoulders, and the soiled white +draperies that had fallen apart from the ebony limbs, and a little +shiver ran through him. The heat of the conflict had vanished now, and +the pale light showed that his face was drawn and gray. + +"I struck that man," he said. "I don't know what possessed me, but I +think I meant to kill him. In one way, the thing is horrible." + +"Well," said Ormsgill dryly, "it is also very natural. The impulse you +seem to shrink from is lurking somewhere in most of us. In any case, +the man is certainly dead. I looked at him as I came up." + +He stopped a moment, and leaned somewhat heavily upon the balustrade +with his eyes fixed on the dusky form of the negro. "The meanest thing +upon this earth is the man who sides with the oppressor and tramples +on his own kind. Still, though I think what I did was warranted, that +was not why I shot those men. One doesn't always reason about these +matters, as I fancy you understand." + +He turned, and looked at Nares who, after a momentary shrinking, +steadily met his gaze. The man was wholly honest, and the thing was +clear to him. He had struck at last, shrewdly, in a righteous cause, +and nobody could have blamed him, but, as had happened in his +comrade's case, human bitterness had also nerved the blow. + +"Well," he said slowly, "you and I, at least, will probably have to +face the results of it." + +Again Ormsgill laughed, but a little glint crept into his eyes. "As I +pointed out, we are both of us outlawed, with the hand of every white +man in this country against us, but we have still a thing to do, and +somehow I almost think it will be done." + +Then he turned to the man in charge of the Mission. "Nares is coming +away with me. There are several reasons that make it advisable. It is +very unlikely that anybody will trouble you further about this affair, +and if the blame is laid on us it can't greatly matter. The score +against one of us is a tolerably long one already--and if my luck +holds out it may be longer. There is just another point. Shall I take +those two boys below away for you?" + +"No," said the other man quietly. "There is, at least, one duty we owe +them." + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "The bones of their victims lie thick +along each trail to the interior, but, after all, that is probably a +thing for which they will not be held responsible. In the meanwhile, +there are one or two reasons why I should outmarch Herrero if it can +be done. When Nares is ready we will go on again." + +Nares was ready in a few minutes, and shaking hands with the two men +who went down the veranda stairway with them, they struck into the +path that led up the steep hillside. Ormsgill's boys plodded after +them, but when they reached the crest of the ridge that overhung the +valley Nares sat down, gasping, in the loose white sand, and looked +down on the shadowy mission. He could see its pale lights blinking +among the leaves. + +"It stands for a good deal that I have done with," he said. "It is a +strange and almost bewildering thing to feel oneself adrift." + +"Still," said Ormsgill, "now and then the bonds of service gall." + +Nares made a little gesture. "Often," he said. "Perhaps I was not +worthy to wear the uniform and march under orders with the rank and +file, but I think the Church Militant has, after all, a task for the +free companies which now and then push on ahead of her regular +fighting line." + +"They march light," said Ormsgill. "That counts for a good deal. It +has once or twice occurred to me that the authorized divisions are a +little cumbered by their commissariat and baggage wagons." + +Nares sighed. "Well," he said softly, "every one must, at least now +and then, leave a good deal that he values or has grown attached to +behind him." He stopped a moment, and then asked abruptly, "You have +heard from the girl at Las Palmas. Desmond would bring you letters?" + +"No," said Ormsgill, "not a word. She had no sympathy with my +project--that she should have was hardly to be expected. One must +endeavor to be reasonable." + +"There must have been a time when you expected--everything." + +Ormsgill sat silent a minute or two, and while he did so a moving +light blinked among the trees below. It stopped at length, and negro +voices came up faintly with the thud of hastily plied shovels. It +seemed that the terrified converts were coming back and the +missionaries had already set them a task. Ormsgill knew what it was, +but he looked down at the rifle that glinted in the moonlight across +his knee with eyes that were curiously steady. The thing he had done +had been forced upon him. Then he turned to his companion, and though +he was usually a reticent man he spoke what was in his mind that +night. + +"There certainly was such a time," he said. "No doubt it has come to +others. For five long years I held fast by the memory of the girl I +had left in England, and I think there were things it saved me from. +Somehow there was always a vague hope that one day I might go back to +her--and for that reason I kept above the foulest mire. One goes under +easily here in Africa. Then at last the thing became possible." + +He broke off, and laughed, a curious little laugh, before he went on +again. + +"I went back. Whether she was ever what I thought her I do not +know--perhaps, I had expected impossibilities--or those five years had +made a change. We had not an idea that was the same, and the world she +lives in is one that has grown strange to me. They think me slightly +crazy--and it is perfectly possible that they are right. Men do lose +their mental grip in Africa." + +Nares made a little gesture which vaguely suggested comprehension and +sympathy before he looked at his comrade with a question in his eyes. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, "I am going on. After all, I owe the +girl I thought she was a good deal--and to plain folks there is safety +in doing the obvious thing." His voice softened a little. "It may be +hard for her--in fact when I went back she probably had a good deal to +bear with too. One grows hard and bitter when he has lived with the +outcasts as I have done." + +Nares understood that he meant what other men called duty by the +obvious thing, but the definition, which he felt was characteristic of +the man, pleased him. He was one who could, at least, recognize the +task that was set before him, and, as it happened, he once more made +this clear when he rose and called to the boys who had flung +themselves down on the warm white sand. + +"Well," he said, "we have now to outmarch Herrero, and there is a good +deal to be done." + +They went on, Ormsgill limping a little, for his wound still pained +him, and vanished into the shadows of the bush, two weary, +climate-worn men who had malignant nature and, so far as they knew, +the malice of every white man holding authority in that country +against them. Still, at least, their course was clear, and in the +meanwhile they asked for nothing further. + +It also happened one afternoon while they pushed on through shadowy +forest and steaming morass that a little and very ancient gunboat +crept along the sun-scorched coast. Her white paint, although very far +from fresh, gleamed like ivory on the long dazzling swell that changed +to a shimmering sliding green in her slowly moving shadow, for she was +steaming eight knots, and rolling viciously. Benicia Figuera, who swung +in a hammock hung low beneath her awnings, did not, however, seem to +mind the erratic motion. She was watching the snowy fringe of +crumbling surf creep by, though now and then her eyes sought the far, +blue hills that cut the skyline. Her thoughts were with the man who +was wandering in the dim forests that crept through the marshes beyond +them. + +By and by she aroused herself, and looked up with a smile at the man +who strolled towards her along the deck. She had met him before at +brilliant functions in Portugal where he was a man of importance, and +he had come on board in state a few hours earlier from a little +sweltering town above a surf-swept beach whose citizens had seriously +strained its finances to do him honor. He was dressed simply in plain +white duck, a little, courtly gentleman, with the look of one who +rules in his olive-tinted face. He sat down in a deck chair near the +girl. + +"After all, it is a relief to be at sea," he said. "One has quietness +there." + +Benicia laughed. "Quietness," she said, "is a thing you can hardly be +accustomed to Senor. Besides, you are in one way scarcely +complimentary to the citizens yonder." + +"Ah," said her companion, "it seems they expect something from me and +it is to be hoped that when they get it some of them will not be +disappointed. I almost think," and he waved a capable hand, "that +before I am recalled they will not find insults bad enough for me." + +Benicia felt that this was quite possible. Her companion was she knew +a strong man as well as an upright one, who had been sent out not long +ago with ample powers to grapple with one or two of the questions +which then troubled that country. It was also significant that while +he was known as a judicious and firm administrator his personal views +on the points at issue had not been proclaimed. Benicia had, however, +guessed them correctly, and she took it as a compliment that he had +given her a vague hint of them. Perhaps, he realized it, for he +watched her for a moment with a shrewd twinkle in his dark eyes. + +"Senorita," he said, "I almost think you know what I was sent out here +to do. One could, however, depend upon Benicia Figuera considering it +a confidence." + +The girl glanced out beneath the awnings across the sun-scorched +littoral towards the blue ridge of the inland plateau before she +answered him. + +"Yes," she said, "it was to cleanse this stable. I almost think you +will find it a strong man's task." + +Her companion made a gesture of assent. "It is, at least, one for +which I need a reliable broom--and I am fortunate in having one +ready." + +"Ah," said Benicia, "you of course mean my father. Well, I do not +think he will fail you, and though he has not actually told me so, I +fancy he has, at least, been making preparations for the sweeping." + +The man looked at her and smiled, but when a moving shaft of sunlight +struck him as the steamer rolled she saw the deep lines on his face +and the gray in his hair. He, as it happened, saw the little gleam of +pride in her eyes, and then the light swung back again and they were +once more left in the shadow. Yet in that moment a subtle elusive +something that was both comprehension and confidence had been +established between them. + +"Dom Clemente," he said, "is a man I have a great regard for. There is +a good deal I owe him, as he may have told you." + +"He has told me nothing." + +The man spread his hands out. "After all, it was to be expected. He +and I were comrades, Senorita, before you were born, and there was a +time when I made a blunder which it seemed must spoil my career. There +was only one man who could save me and that at the hazard of his own +future, but one would not expect such a fact to count with your +father. Dom Clemente smiled at the peril and the affair was arranged +satisfactorily." + +Again he made a little grave gesture. "It happened long ago, and now +it seems I am to bring trouble on him again. Still, the years have not +changed him. He does not hesitate, but I feel I must ask your +forbearance, Senorita. You have, perhaps, seen what sometimes happens +when one does one's duty." + +Benicia smiled, a little bitterly. "Yes," she said, "I know that the +man who is so rash as to attempt it in this country is usually +recalled in disgrace. Still, it is not a thing that happens very +frequently. Dom Clemente is to be made the scapegoat." + +"I think," said the man gravely, "I may be strong enough to save him +that. It is possible, as I have told him, that he will be +recalled--but what he has done will stand." + +He spoke at last as a ruler, with authority, and a trace of sternness +in his eyes, but his face changed again. + +"Senorita," he said, "if it happens, I think you will not grudge it, +or blame me." + +The girl saw the opportunity she had been waiting for. "As you have +admitted, you owe my father something, and now you have asked +something more. Is it not conceivable that you owe me a little, too. I +am an influence here--and it would be different in Lisbon if Dom +Clemente was sent home again. Besides, sometimes he will listen to me. +Now and then a woman has made a change in a man's policy, and, though +it is a little more difficult when the man is one's father, it might +be done again." + +"Ah," said her companion, "you wish to make a bargain." + +"It would be too great a condescension, Senor," and Benicia laughed. +"I want a promise that is to be unconditional. Some day, perhaps, I +shall ask you to do something for me. Then you will do it whatever it +is." + +The man looked up at her with a little dry smile, but, as he admitted, +he owed her father a good deal, and he was not too old for gallantry. +Besides that, he had the gift of insight, and a curious confidence in +this girl. He felt she would not ask him anything that was not +fitting. + +"The request," he said, "is a little vague, and perhaps, I am a trifle +rash, but I almost think I can promise that what you ask shall be +done." + +Benicia, reaching out from the hammock, touched him with her fan. +"Now," she said, "I know what you think of me. How shall I make my +poor acknowledgments? Still, there is another thing. You will discover +presently that the brooms of the State are slow. There are two men not +among its servants who have commenced the sweeping already. I think +Dom Clemente knows this, but you will not mention it to him." + +Her companion glanced at her sharply with a sudden keenness in his +eyes, but he said nothing, and the girl smiled again. + +"When you hear of them I would like you to remember that they are +friends of mine," she said. "You will, of course, recognize that +nobody I said that of could do anything that was really +reprehensible." + +"I might admit that it was unlikely," said her companion. + +"Then," said Benicia, "when the time comes I would like you to +remember it. That is another thing you will promise." + +She flashed one swift glance at her companion, who smiled, and then +looked round as Dom Clemente and two of the gunboat's officers came +towards them along the deck. She roused herself to talk to them, and +succeeded brilliantly, now and then to the momentary embarrassment of +the officers, who were young, while the man with the gray hair lay in +a deck chair a little apart watching her over his cigar. She was +clever, and quick-witted, but he knew also that she was like her +father, one who at any cost stood by her friends. At the same time he +was a little puzzled, for, in the case of a young woman, friend is a +term of somewhat vague and comprehensive significance, and she had +mentioned that there were two of them. That appeared to complicate the +affair, but he had, at least, made a promise, and it was said of him +that when he did so he usually kept it, though it was now and then in +a somewhat grim fashion. There were also men in the sweltering towns +beside the surf-swept beach the gunboat crawled along who would have +felt uneasy had they known exactly why he had been sent out to them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +DOMINGO APPEARS + + +The carriers had stopped in a deserted village one morning after a +long and arduous march from the mission station, when Ormsgill, lying +in the hot white sand, looked quietly at Nares, who sat with his back +against one of the empty huts. + +"If I knew what the dusky image was thinking I should feel +considerably more at ease," he said. "Still, I don't, and there's very +little use in guessing. After all, we are a long way from grasping the +negro's point of view on most subjects yet. They very seldom look at +things as we do." + +Nares nodded. "Anyway, I almost fancy we could consider what he has +told us as correct," he said. "It's something to go upon." + +The man he referred to squatted close by them, naked to the waist, +though a few yards of cotton cloth hung from his hips. An old Snider +rifle lay at his side, and he was big and muscular with a heavy, +expressionless face. As Ormsgill had suggested, it certainly afforded +very little indication of what he was thinking, and left it a question +whether he was capable of intelligent thought at all. They had come +upon him in the deserted village on the edge of a great swamp an hour +earlier, and he had skillfully evaded their questions as to what he +was doing there. + +It was an oppressively hot morning, and a heavy, dingy sky hung over +the vast morass which they could see through the openings between the +scattered huts. It stretched back bare and level, a vast desolation, +towards the interior, with a little thin haze floating over it in +silvery belts here and there, and streaking the forest that crept up +to its edge. The carriers lay half-asleep in the warm sand, blotches +of white and blue and ebony, and the man with the rifle appeared +vacantly unconcerned. Time is of no value to the negro, and one could +have fancied that he was prepared to wait there all day for the white +men's next question. + +"It's not very much," said Ormsgill reflectively, referring to his +comrade's last observation. "Domingo, it seems, is up yonder--but +there are one or two other facts, which I think have their +significance, in our possession. Herrero is coming up behind us, and, +though there are no other Portuguese in the neighborhood, we find this +village empty. I should very much like to know why the folks who lived +in it have gone away, and I fancy our friend yonder could tell us. +Still, it's quite certain that he won't." + +"Herrero evidently means to join hands with Domingo," suggested Nares. +"It's quite possible, too, that he will do what he can to prevent us +buying the six boys from the Headman, who, it's generally believed, +does a good deal of business with him. It's a little unfortunate. In +another week the thing might have been done." + +Ormsgill nodded as one who makes his mind up. "When in doubt go +straight on--and, as a matter of fact, we can't afford to stop," he +said. "Provisions are going to be a consideration. We'll push on and +try what can be done with Domingo and the Headman before Herrero comes +up." + +He turned to the negro, and Nares amplified his question. + +"Yes," said the man, with the faintest suggestion of a grin, "I know +where Domingo is, and if you come to our village it is very likely +that you will see him. I will take you to the Headman for the pieces +of cloth you promise." + +He got up leisurely, and Ormsgill, who called to the boys, looked at +Nares as they plodded into the forest that skirted the swamp. + +"It's quite certain the man was waiting for somebody, and it wasn't +Herrero, or he wouldn't have gone away," he said. "That naturally +seems to suggest he might have been on the lookout for us. In that +case I should very much like to know what was amusing him." + +It was not to be made clear until some time later, and in the +meanwhile they pushed on for a week through straggling forest with all +the haste the boys were capable of, though Ormsgill's face grew +thoughtful when they twice passed an empty village. The fact had its +significance, for little labor recruiting had been done in that strip +of country. Still, its dusky inhabitants had apparently forsaken it, +and it became more evident that something unusual was going on. Once +only they met a native, or rather he blundered upon their camp when +they lay silent in the thin shadow of more open bush on a burning +afternoon, and their guide roused himself sharply to attention when a +patter of footsteps came out of the stillness. Somebody was evidently +approaching in haste, and Ormsgill glanced at Nares in warning when +the negro who lay close beside them rose to a crouching posture and +drew back the hammer of his old Snider rifle. It was clear that +strangers were regarded with suspicion in that country. Then the man +drew one foot under him, and sat upon it with the arm that supported +the rifle on his knee, and an unpleasantly suggestive look in his +heavy face. One could have fancied that he meant to kill, and Ormsgill +stretching out a hand laid it on his comrade's shoulder restrainingly. + +"Wait," he whispered. "In the meanwhile it's not our business." + +Nares waited, but he felt it become more difficult to do so as the +footsteps grew plainer. He could hear the little restless movements of +the boys, but he had eyes for little beyond the ominous half-naked +figure clutching the heavy rifle. It dominated the picture. Tall +trunks, trailing creepers, and clustering carriers grew indistinct, +but he was vaguely conscious that there was an opening between the +leaves some sixty yards in front of him, and his heart throbbed +painfully with the effort the restraint he laid upon himself cost him. +Then a dusky figure appeared in the opening, and stopped a moment, +apparently in astonishment or terror, while Ormsgill was sensible of a +sudden straining after recollection. The man was leanly muscular and +dressed as scantily as any native of the bush, but there was something +in his appearance that was vaguely familiar. In the meanwhile he was +also conscious that their guide's arms were stiffening rigidly, and +when the man's cheek sank a little lower on the rifle stock he let his +hand drop from Nares's shoulder. As it happened, he was close behind +the negro, and in another moment would have clutched him. + +Just then, however, the stranger sprang forward and a little acrid +smoke blew into Ormsgill's eyes. There was a detonation and he +contrived to fall with a hand on the ground instead of upon the +crouching negro with the rifle. When he looked up again the man who +had narrowly escaped from the peril by his quickness was running like +a deer, and vanished amidst a crash of displaced undergrowth, while +their guide flung back his rifle breech with clumsy haste. When he +turned round there was no sign of the stranger and Ormsgill was +quietly standing on his feet. Only a few seconds had elapsed since the +man had first appeared. + +The guide made a little grimace which was expressive of resignation as +he turned the rifle over and shook out the cartridge, and in another +minute or two they were going on again. When he moved a little away +from them Ormsgill looked at Nares. + +"It's probably just as well our friend does not know I meant to spoil +his aim," he said. "I haven't the least notion why he wished to shoot +that man, and very much wish I had, but I can't help fancying that +I've seen him before--at one of the Missions most likely. I should be +glad if anybody could tell me what he is doing here." + +There was nobody who could do it except, perhaps, their guide, but +Ormsgill surmised that he was not likely to supply him with any +information. He was not to know until some time later that the man in +question had once served Herrero, who had beaten him too frequently +and severely, and that as a result of this he met Pacheco the +Government messenger in a deserted village after another week's +arduous journey. In the meanwhile he pushed on, limping a little, +through marsh and forest until their guide led them into a large +native village where he expected to find the last of Lamartine's boys. +This one, at least, was not deserted. In fact, it appeared unusually +crowded and, as Ormsgill was quick to notice, most of its inhabitants +were armed. He had, however, little opportunity of noticing anything +else, for he was led straight into the presence of its ruler, who sat +on a low stool under a thatched roof raised on a few rickety pillars +in the middle of the village. He was dressed in a white man's duck +jacket, worn open, and a shirt; and every person of consequence in the +place had gathered about him. The guide presented the newcomers +tersely, and it seemed to Ormsgill that the manner in which he did it +was significant. + +"They are here," he said. "I have done as I was bidden." + +The Headman spent some time examining the collection of the sundries +they offered him and made a few indifferent attempts to restrain the +rapacity of his retainers, who desired something, too. Then he asked +Ormsgill his business, and nodded when the latter explained it +briefly. + +"The six boys are certainly here," he said. "Still, I do not know just +now if I can sell you them. That will depend--" Nares understood from +the next few words that he desired to be a little ambiguous on this +point. "You have, it seems, some business with Domingo, too?" + +Nares said it concerned the boys in question, but as the labor +purveyor had no claim upon them the matter could be arranged with the +Headman, who grinned very much as the guide had done, while a curious +little smile crept into the faces of some of the rest. + +"Then," he said, "I think he will be here in a day or two. Some of my +people have gone for him, but I am not sure that he will have much to +tell us when he comes. In the meanwhile you will stay with us a few +days, and when I am ready to talk about the boys again I will send for +you." + +He made a sign that the interview was over, and several of his +followers who were armed escorted the white men and their boys to the +hut set apart for them. They left them there with a plainly worded +hint that it would be wise of them not to come out of it, and when +they went away Ormsgill looked at Nares. + +"I suppose you're not sure what that Headman really meant," he said. +"A man naturally has you at a disadvantage when he doesn't wish to +make himself very clear and talks in a tongue you don't quite +understand. I wish I knew exactly why he chuckled." + +Nares looked thoughtful. "He seemed to know we meant to visit him." + +"It's evident. How I don't quite understand. We traveled fast. Still, +he did know. In the meanwhile we can only wait." + +They waited, somewhat anxiously, for several days, knowing that +Herrero, whose presence promised to complicate affairs, was drawing +nearer all the while. There was, however, no other course open to +them, for when they attempted to leave the hut a big man armed with a +matchet who kept watch outside informed them it was the Headman's +pleasure that they should stay there until he was at liberty to talk +to them. + +At last one morning word was brought them, and Ormsgill looked about +him in astonishment when they walked into the wide space in the midst +of the straggling village. All round it stood long rows of dusky men, +most of whom were armed, but only a small and apparently select +company sat under the thatched roof in the shadow of which the Headman +had previously received them. + +"There is something very unusual going on. Half these men seem to be +strangers, and they have Sniders," he said. "I expect Domingo could +tell how they got them, but I don't seem to see him." Then he touched +his comrade's shoulder. "I fancy we can expect something dramatic. +There's a man yonder we have met before." + +Nares felt that the scene was already sufficiently impressive. The +strip of empty sand in front of him flung up a dazzling glare. The sky +the palm tufts cut against was of a harsh blue that one could scarcely +look upon, and the village was flooded with an almost intolerable +brilliancy which flashed upon glittering matchets and Snider barrels. +It also smote the massed white draperies and flickered with an oily +gleam on ebony limbs and the sea of dusky faces turned expectantly +towards the group beneath the thatch. Most of the men there sat on the +ground, but there were two seated figures, the village Headman, and +the Suzerain lord of his country, the old man they had met already, on +a slightly higher stool. He, at least, was dressed in dignified +fashion in a long robe of spotless cotton, and a few men with tall +spears stood in state behind him. His face was impassively grim, and +Nares's heart beat a trifle faster as his eyes rested on him, but at +the same time he was sensible of an expectancy so tense that it drove +out personal anxiety. He almost felt that he was watching for the +opening of the drama from a place of safety. + +In the meanwhile he moved towards the thatch with his comrade until +they stopped a few yards' distance from the Suzerain, who leaned +forward a little and looked at Ormsgill steadily. He was of commanding +presence, but there was something in his attitude which suggested that +he regarded this stranger as an equal, though he was lord of that +country, and the other stood before him, a spare, lonely figure in +white duck, with nothing in his hands. + +"The Headman has told me your business, and it seems it is very much +the same as when I last talked to you," he said. "You are, I believe, +not a friend of those other white men who have persecuted me?" + +Ormsgill turned to Nares. "You can tell him that we are both +proscribed," he said. "Make it quite clear. I don't think there's any +reason to be anxious about his handing us over to the folks at San +Roque." + +Nares explained, and the old man made a little gesture. "Then," he +said, "you shall have the six boys, and it is not my will that you +offer the Headman anything for them. Domingo stole them--and we have +satisfied our claim on him. Still, I do not know yet whether you will +be permitted to go away with them. In the meanwhile there is another +matter." + +Nares made out the gist of it, and as he hastily explained the old man +raised his hand. "You have business with Domingo, and there are two +other white men who have come here to meet him. Let them come +forward." + +Somebody passed on the order, and there was a murmur of voices and a +stirring of the crowd as a little group of men strode out of it. In +front walked the Boer Gavin, a tall, lean figure in travel-stained +duck with a heavy rifle cradled in his arm, and his manner was +unconcerned. Behind him came Herrero, little, and yellow-faced, +looking about him furtively, while a line of dusky men half of whom +were armed plodded after them, obviously uneasy. The Suzerain sat +impassively still, and looked at them in a curious fashion when they +stopped not far from him. + +"You have come here to meet Domingo. You are friends of his?" he said. + +Herrero hesitated, but his companion laughed when an interpreter +repeated the question. + +"You can say we came to meet him, in any case," he replied. + +"Was that wise?" asked the old man, and his voice had a jarring ring. +"Still, as you have come you shall see him." + +Then he smiled grimly, and made a sign to some of those behind. Again +there was a stirring of the crowd, and Nares felt his nerves thrill +with expectancy. He looked at Ormsgill, who was standing very still +with empty hands at his side, and afterwards saw Gavin, the Boer, +glance sharply round and change his grip on the heavy rifle. In +another moment there was a very suggestive half-articulate murmur from +the assembly, and then an impressive stillness as two men came forward +bearing between them a heavy fiber package slung as a hammock usually +is beneath a pole. They laid it down, and while Ormsgill and Gavin +moved forward at the Headman's sign one of them took something out of +it. He held it up, and Nares gasped and struggled with a sense of +nausea, for it was a drawn and distorted human face that met his +shrinking gaze. + +"They've killed him!" he said hoarsely. + +Ormsgill stood rigidly still. "Yes," he said, "it's Domingo. +Considering everything one could hardly blame them." + +Then the stillness was sharply broken. A cry rose from the assembly as +Herrero's boys turned and fled. Their leader shrank back pace by pace +from the old man's gaze, and then wheeling round sped after them. As +he did so somebody shouted, and a couple of Sniders flashed. Their +crash was lost in a clamor, and odd groups of men sprang out into the +open space. Then Nares saw Gavin running hard come up with his comrade +and grasp his shoulder. He drove him before him towards one of the +larger huts while the Snider bullets struck up little spurts of sand +behind them. + +Nares set his lips, and held his breath as he watched them. The +shadowy entrance of the hut was not far away, but it seemed impossible +that they could reach it before one, at least, of them was struck. +Herrero, blind with fear, seemed to flag already, but Gavin drove him +on, and Nares could see that his face was set and grim. They went by a +cluster of negroes running to intercept them, and the tall man in the +white duck seemed to fling his comrade forward into the hut. Then he +spun round pitching up the heavy rifle. There was a flash and a +detonation, and Ormsgill heard a curious droning sound as if a bee had +passed above his head. In another second a man who stood close at his +Suzerain's side lurched forward with a strangled cry. Then Gavin +sprang into the hut, and when the old man made a sign four of his +retainers laid hands on Ormsgill and his companion. They were big +muscular men, and Nares looked at Ormsgill, who submitted quietly. + +"It's horrible," he said. + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "They brought it upon themselves. I'm +a little sorry for Gavin, but I can't get away." + +It was perfectly evident. Their captors held them fast, pinioning +their arms with greasy black hands, and there were two to each of +them, while there are very few white men who have the negro's physical +strength, at least if they have been any time in that climate. Nares +gasped and felt his heart throb furiously, as he waited with his eyes +fixed on the hut. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE DAY OF RECKONING + + +There was silence in the village for almost a minute after Gavin +vanished into the hut, and the men who had pursued him stood still, +apparently irresolute. The entrance was dark and narrow, and they +could not see inside, but it was evident that they recognized it was a +very determined man who awaited them in its shelter. He was also +white, which had no doubt its effect upon the negro mind, since it +usually happens that when a race or caste asserts its superiority +loudly enough its claims are admitted, especially when they are backed +by visible force. + +So while the seconds slipped away the negroes stood hesitating, and +glancing at one another as well as at the hut which lay in the shadow. +Their ebony limbs and scanty draperies were forced up against the +glaring dust and sand in a flood of searching brilliancy. Nares, who +felt his nerves tingle, could see the tension in their dusky faces and +the oily gleam of their bodies as the perspiration broke from them. +There was something curiously suggestive of pent up fury in the poses +they had fallen into. In the meanwhile he could not move. Indeed, the +big negro who held him fast had savagely drawn his arms behind his +back, and the strain in the muscles was becoming almost intolerably +painful. + +Then several men broke away from the others and ran towards the hut, +and once more Nares held his breath. He could have shouted as he saw +the first dark form bound on, clutching a long Snider rifle in both +hands, but he restrained himself. In another moment or two a thin +flash blazed from the doorway of the hut, and the man went down with a +shrill scream and lay clawing at the sand. Nares heard no detonation. +He was only conscious of the little curl of blue smoke in the entrance +of the hut, and the black object that writhed in the pitiless glare in +front of it. Then the fallen man's comrades stopped, and a little +shiver ran through him as he turned to Ormsgill, who nodded as if he +understood him. + +"You can only face it," said the latter. "They would scarcely listen +to their Headman, and I can't move a limb. It's a single-shot rifle. +They're bound to kill him." Then he broke off with a little gasp. +"Ah," he said a moment later, "two of them are trying it now." + +Nares did not wish to look, but he could not help it. The scene held +his gaze, and he saw the two figures move cautiously towards the hut, +keeping one wall of it between them and the doorway as far as they +could. This, however, did not serve them. The deadly fire flashed +again, and one negro who collapsed suddenly fell on his hands and +knees. Then there was another streak of sparks and smoke, and the +second man staggering forward went down headlong with a thud. Several +Sniders flashed, and there was silence again. + +"It's too much," said Ormsgill. "I can't stand this." + +He struggled furiously, and he and the men who held him swayed to and +fro, a cluster of scuffling, staggering figures for a moment or two. +The effort, however, was futile, and he stood still again with his +arms pinioned fast behind his back and the perspiration dripping from +him while the Suzerain looked at him from his stool with a little grim +smile. + +"It is not your affair," he said. + +Ormsgill said nothing, though the veins were swollen on his forehead +and his face was suffused with blood, and at a sign from the Headman +the negroes who held him relaxed their grasp a trifle. Nares also +stood still, with every nerve in him thrilling. The man inside the hut +no doubt deserved his fate, but that did not seem to count then, and +the missionary felt only a sympathy with him that was almost +overwhelming in its intensity. It was one man against a multitude, for +there was no sign that Herrero was making any effort, and, after all, +that man sprang from the same stock as he did. Then deep down in him +he felt a thrill of pride, for Gavin was making a very gallant fight +of it. It was in many ways a shameful work that he and his comrade had +done, selling proscribed arms to the people who had turned against him +now, fomenting discord between them and their neighbors, and +debauching them with villainous rum, but, at least, he made it clear +that the courage of his kind was in him. This was all at variance with +Nares' beneficent creed, but the man was dying, indomitable, a white +man. + +Those who meant to kill him drew back a little farther from the hut, +and standing and squatting flung up the long rifles. They were by no +means marksmen, but the hut was large and built of cane and branch +work. The heavy Snider bullets smashed through it, and for a few +minutes the stagnant air was filled with the jarring detonations. +There was no answering flash from the hut and Nares could see that its +shadowy entrance was empty. Then as the ringing of the Sniders died +away and a man here and there stole forward cautiously it seemed to +him that a dimly seen white object dragged itself towards the doorway +and crouched in it. He did not think it would be visible to the +assailants, for they were keeping a little behind the hut, but it was +clear to him that the one man against a multitude was bent on fighting +still. + +The straggling figures crept on, moving obliquely towards the perilous +entrance, that the hut might shelter them, until they massed together +for a dash at it. Then the flash blazed out again, and one of them +dropped. Another went down screaming a few seconds later, and then the +foremost broke and fled, and there was a sudden scattering of those +behind. There were a host of negroes, but they shrank from that +unerring rifle. They were evidently willing to face a hazard, but this +was certain death. Then the Suzerain of the village signed to the +negroes who held Ormsgill, and they led him forward. + +"It seems it may cost us a good deal to kill that man," he said. "Go +and see what terms he will make with me. An offer of a few good rifles +would have some weight just now." + +Ormsgill went, and crossing the hot space of dust and sand walked into +the hut. Dazzled as he was by the change from the glare outside, he +could see almost nothing for a moment or two. The place was also +filled with an acrid haze, but by degrees he became accustomed to the +dimness and made out Gavin lying against the wall. He looked up with a +little wry smile, but Ormsgill moving nearer saw that his face was +gray and drawn. There was dust on his thin duck clothing, and in two +spots a small dark-colored stain. + +"You are hit?" he said. + +"Yes," said Gavin, "I'm done." He gasped before he spoke again with +evident difficulty. "They plugged me twice before they made the last +attempt. I could just hold the rifle. If they'd kept it up they'd have +got in." + +"Where's Herrero?" + +Gavin appeared to glance across the hut, and Ormsgill saw a huddled +figure lying in the shadow. It did not move at all. + +"Yes," said Gavin, "I think the first bullet that came in quieted him, +and I wasn't sorry. He was worrying me. Lost his nerve, though he +never had very much. Well, I suppose you have come to make a bargain +with me?" + +"Something like that. Our friend yonder hinted that he would probably +do a good deal for a few rifles." + +Gavin smiled dryly. "It isn't worth while now. As you have no doubt +noticed, I can hardly talk to you." + +He stopped for a moment with a heavy gasp. "This was my last kick, you +see." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill, "is there any other little way in which I could +be of service? Any message you would like sent on?" + +The man made a painful effort, but Ormsgill had now some little +difficulty in hearing him. "None," he said. "They have forgotten me +yonder, and, perhaps, it's just as well. Our folks--my mother was Cape +Dutch, you know--believe in everything as it used to be, but I'm like +my father; there was always a kick in me. One of your Colonial +vacillations cost him his farm, for, though he said he was ashamed of +his country, he wouldn't recognize the Boers as his rulers. I, +however, got on with them until I vexed the authorities by something I +did in resentment of the--arrogance of certain mine-grabbing +Englishmen. I believe I might have made terms if I'd truckled to them +a little, but that was a thing I wouldn't do, and so I came out here. +There are probably more of us with the same nonsensical notions." + +Ormsgill said nothing for a moment or two. He had also lived among the +outcasts, and knew what comes of disdaining to regard things from the +conventional point of view. Something in him stirred in sympathy with +the dying man, and he sat down in the dust and laid a hand on his +shoulder. Gavin made no further observation that was intelligible, +until at last he feebly raised his head. + +"If you wouldn't mind I'd like a drink," he said. + +Ormsgill rose and walked out of the hut calling in the native tongue. +The men who squatted about it in the hot sand still clenching their +Sniders apparently failed to understand him, or were unwilling to do +what he asked, and some time had slipped by when at last one of them +brought a dripping calabash. Ormsgill went into the hut with it, and +then took off his shapeless hat as he poured out the water on the hot +soil. Gavin lay face downwards now, clutching his deadly rifle, but +there was no breath in him. Then Ormsgill went back quietly to where +the Headman and his Suzerain were sitting. + +"I am afraid you can not have those rifles. The man is dead," he said. + +After that he and Nares were led back to their hut, and when it was +made clear to them that they were expected to stay there Ormsgill sat +down in the shadow and pulled out his pipe. + +"We wondered what was going on, and now the thing's quite plain," he +said. "It's rebellion." + +"How was it they didn't creep round the hut from behind?" asked Nares, +who felt a trifle averse from facing the point that concerned them +most. + +"Lost their heads, most probably," said Ormsgill. "Didn't think of it. +Any way, they'd have had to make a dash for the door eventually. +Still, it would have saved them a man or two, and our friend the +Suzerain noticed it." + +"Why didn't he point it out to them?" + +"I fancy he wanted to see how they'd stand fire, and break them in. +Felt he could afford to throw a few of them away, as he certainly +could, and he only stepped in when the thing was commencing to +discourage them." + +"It's quite likely you're right," and Nares looked at his comrade with +a little wry smile. "Still, after all, I'm not sure it's very +material." + +The lines grew a trifle deeper on Ormsgill's worn face. "No," he said, +"the real question is what our dusky acquaintance means to do with us, +and we have to face it. Personally, I don't think he means us any +harm, but it's certain he won't let us go until he and his friends +have cleaned out San Roque. You see, in an affair of this kind the +first blow must be successful, and he has probably a lurking suspicion +that we might warn Dom Erminio. The trouble is that once the rebellion +breaks out it will be almost impossible for us to reach the coast." + +He spoke quietly, but there was a strain in his voice, and Nares +guessed what he felt. + +"I suppose he wouldn't be content with our assurance that we'd say +nothing?" he suggested. + +"Would you make it?" + +Nares sat very still for a few moments, with a curious look in his +eyes, and one hand closed, and his comrade once more recognized that +there had been a change in him of late. He had the fever on him +slightly, and while that is nothing unusual in those forests, he had +grown perceptibly harder and grimmer during the last few weeks. Now +and then he also gave way to outbreaks of indignation, which, so far +as Ormsgill knew, was not a thing he had hitherto been addicted to +doing. Still, the latter was aware that the white man's mental balance +is apt to become a trifle unsettled in that land. + +"I can't tell. It's a question I've grappled with in one shape or +other before," he said. "The land is full of iniquities and horrors, +and I think that some of them can only be washed out in blood. That +law stands as it has always done. The great trade road to the south of +us is paved with the bones of the victims, and they still come down to +die, worked out in a few years on the plantations. It is a thing that +can't go on." + +He opened and closed a thin hand savagely while his voice rose to a +harsher note. "For one man killed by the bullet if war breaks out a +hundred perish yearly under the driver's lash on the great roads and, +I think, among the coffee plants. They are dumb cattle, here and in +the Congo. They can not tell their troubles, and they have no friends. +How could they when the white man grows rich by their toil and +anguish? Still, this earth is the Lord's, and there are men in it who +will listen when once what is being done in this land of darkness is +clearly told them. One must believe it or throw away all faith in +humanity. I think if it rested with me I would let these bushmen come +down and crush their oppressors, since it seems there is no other way +of making their sorrows known." + +He broke off abruptly, and seemed to shrink back within himself, for +it was, after all, but seldom he spoke in that fashion. Ormsgill +nodded. + +"It's a very old way of claiming attention, and one that's sometimes +effective," he said. "They might have tried it before, but, you see, +those beneath the yoke have their hands tied, and those who aren't +somewhat naturally don't care. That's one of the things which have +hampered most attempts at emancipation. Only our friend the Suzerain +has sense enough to realize that if they sit still much longer the +yoke will be tolerably securely fastened on all of them. I think he +has the gifts of a leader, but there is another man of the same kind +on the coast. I mean Dom Clemente, and I'm not sure he'd be willing to +have the land swept out in that unceremonious fashion. In fact, one +could almost fancy that in due time he means to do the cleaning up, +tactfully, himself." + +He stopped a moment, and smiled somewhat grimly before he went on +again. "After all, this doesn't directly concern either of us. It's a +little hard that now when the thing we have in hand is in one sense +accomplished and neither Domingo nor Herrero can worry us, we should +be kept here indefinitely at the pleasure of this back-country +nigger." + +He glanced at the dusky men who squatted not far away in the shadow +watching the hut. They had Snider rifles, and it was evident they were +there to see that nobody came out. Then he sat moodily silent awhile, +with a curious hardness in his lined face. He was lame and worn-out. +The climate had sapped the physical strength out of him, and the wound +in his leg still caused him pain. Also, struggle against it as he +would, the black dejection which preys on the white man in that land +was fastening itself on him. The thing was hard, almost intolerably +so. He was a captive with the opportunity of accomplishing his task +receding every moment further away from him, for it was clear that +once the rebellion broke out it would be almost impossible for him to +convey his boys across the track of it to the wished-for coast. Some +time had slipped by when Nares roused himself to ask another question. + +"Are these people likely to meet with any opposition from the natives +when they march?" he said. + +"That," said Ormsgill reflectively, "is a thing I'm not quite sure +about. There is one Headman of some importance between them and the +littoral. You know whom I mean, and it would make things difficult for +our jailers if he remained on good terms with the authorities. In +fact, in that case it seems to me these folks would have a good deal +of trouble in getting any further. What he will do I naturally don't +know, but if I was in command of San Roque I would make every effort +to keep him quiet and content just now." + +After that he once more sat silent, apparently brooding heavily, +until the sudden darkness fell and the pungent smoke of the cooking +fires drifted about the village. Then, soon after food was brought +them, he sank into restless sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT + + +Fort San Roque stood, as Father Tiebout sometimes said, on the verge +of extinction in the shadow of the debatable land, but its Commandant +or Chefe, as he was usually termed, had become accustomed to the fact, +and, if he did not forget it altogether, seldom took it into serious +consideration. After all, the European only exists on sufferance in +the hotter parts of Africa, and as a rule, once he realizes it, ceases +to trouble himself about the matter and concentrates his attention on +the acquiring of riches by any means available. Dom Erminio was not an +exception, and being by no means particular, endeavored to make the +most of his opportunities, especially as his term of office was not a +long one. It was, perhaps, not astonishing that in his eagerness to do +so he became to some extent oblivious of everything else, since those +entrusted with authority over a discontented subject people have at +other times and in other places acted as though they were a trifle +blind to what was going on about them. Dom Erminio was cunning, but, +as occasionally happens in the case of cunning men, he was also +short-sighted. + +The evening meal had been cleared away when he lay in a canvas lounge, +yellow in face, as white men often become in that part of Africa, +with a cigar in his bony fingers. Darkness had just closed down on the +lonely station, but the little rickety residency had lain for twelve +hours under a burning sun, and now the big oil lamps raised the +already almost insupportable temperature. The Chefe, however, did not +seem to feel it. He lay in his chair apparently languidly content, a +spare figure in loose and somewhat soiled white uniform, looking at +his Lieutenant, who was fingering a glass of red Canary wine. Neither +of them troubled themselves about the fact that there were men in that +country who regarded them with a vindictive hatred. + +"I almost think we may as well call that man in," he said. + +The Lieutenant Luiz glanced towards the veranda, where a negro was +patiently squatting, as he had, in fact, been doing for most of the +day. He brought a message from a Headman of some importance in the +vicinity, and there was no reason why he should not have been listened +to several hours earlier, except that Dom Erminio preferred to keep +him waiting. It was in his opinion advisable that a negro should be +taught humbly to await the white man's pleasure, which is a policy +that has now and then brought trouble upon the white man. Dom Luiz, +who understood his companion's views on that subject, smiled. + +"He has, no doubt, complaints to make. They always have," he said. +"Considering everything, that is not astonishing. I wonder if the +Headman expects us to give them much consideration." + +Dom Erminio spread his yellow hands out. "One would have thought we +had taught him to expect nothing. He is, it seems, a little slow to +understand. Perhaps, we have not put the screw on quite hard enough. I +fancy another turn would make him restive." + +He looked at his Lieutenant, and both of them laughed. Then the Chefe +made a little sign. + +"Bring him in," he said. + +The negro came in, a big, heavily-built man, with an expressionless +face. When Dom Erminio made him a sign not to come too near he +squatted down, a huddled object with apathetic patience in its pose, +until the Lieutenant signified that he might deliver his message. + +"The Headman sends you greeting. He has a complaint to make," he said, +and another dusky man who had slipped in softly made his observations +plain. "The soldiers have been beating the people in one of his +villages, and carrying off things that did not belong to them again. +The Headman asks for justice in this matter." + +"He shall have it," said the Chefe. "His people have been insolent, +and they are certainly getting lazy. We will send him a requisition +for more provisions." + +Nobody could have told whether the messenger felt any resentment, but, +after all, very few white men ever quite understand what the African +is thinking. He crouched impassively still, with the lamplight on his +heavy face and his oily skin gleaming softly over the great knotted +muscles of his splendid arms and shoulders. There was something in his +attitude which vaguely suggested dormant force that might spread +destruction when it was unloosed, but that naturally did not occur to +the Chefe, who indicated by a little gesture that he might continue. + +"There is another matter," said the negro. "The Headman can not send +in the rubber demanded. Already we have cleared the forest of half the +trees. One has to go a long way to find any more. He will do what he +can, but he asks that you will be content with a little less than +usual." + +Dom Erminio shook his head reproachfully. "I have made this man +concessions, and this is the result," he said. "There are many duties +I have released him from, and I only ask a little rubber and a few +other things for the favor." + +Then he straightened himself in his chair. "Tell your Headman that not +a load of rubber will be excused him, and he must restrain his people +from provoking the soldiers. Also, the next time he has a complaint to +make let him come himself and lay it before me." + +The man stood up, splendid in his animal muscularity, but there was +for just a moment a little gleam in his eyes which suggested that hot +human passions were at work within him. The white men, however, as +usual, did not notice it, and the black interpreter, whose opinion was +seldom invited, said nothing. + +"I will tell him," said the messenger, and Dom Erminio looked at the +Lieutenant Luiz when he went out with the interpreter. + +"I think," he said reflectively, "we will give the screw that other +turn. It is supposed that our new rulers down yonder"--and he +apparently indicated the coast with a stretched out hand--"are in +favor of a more conciliatory policy, which is not what we would wish +for just now." + +"It is clearly out of the question," and Dom Luiz grinned. "I think it +would be advisable if I went out with a few files and made some +further trifling requisition to-morrow." + +"You will go, and do what appears desirable," said the Chefe, who +lighted another cigar. + +Dom Luiz set out on the morrow with a handful of dusky ruffians in +uniform, and left rage and shame behind him in the villages he +visited, which, as it happened, had results neither he nor Dom Erminio +had anticipated. The Headman did not come to San Roque to make his +humble complaint, but he sent an urgent message to the Suzerain of the +village Ormsgill was confined in, and at last one morning the old man +sent for the latter. + +"We march in a few hours, and as we can not leave you here you and the +boys you asked me for will come with us," he said. "What our business +is does not concern you, and you will go with us as prisoners. Just +now I do not know what we will do with you afterwards. It will +depend"--and he looked at Ormsgill with a little grim smile--"a good +deal upon your own behavior." + +Ormsgill, who grasped the gist of what he said, could take a hint, and +went back to Nares. The latter listened quietly when he told him what +he had heard. + +"I believe there is no other way. Their oppressors have brought it +upon their own heads," he said. + +His comrade noticed the curious hardness of his face, and the glint in +his eyes. It was very evident to him that Nares, who had been down +again with fever while they lay in the sweltering heat, had changed. +He had borne many troubles uncomplainingly for several weary years, +and, perhaps because of it, the events of the last few weeks had left +their mark on him. After all, there is a subtle concord between mind +and body, and in that land, at least, the fever-shaken white man who +persists in staggering on under a burden greater than he can +reasonably bear is apt to be suddenly crushed by it. Then his bodily +strength or mental faculties give way once for all beneath the strain. +Ormsgill could not define the change in his companion, but he +recognized it. It was a thing which he had seen happen to other men. + +They started in the heat of that afternoon, and Ormsgill, marching +with his boys, watched the long dusky column wind into the forest in +front of him. There were men with Snider rifles, which they were +indifferently accustomed to, men with glinting matchets, and men with +flintlock guns and spears, besides rows of plodding carriers. They +were half-naked most of them, men of primitive passions and no great +intelligence, but they had risen at last in their desperation to +strike for freedom. Behind them rose a tumultuous uproar of barbaric +music, insistent and deafening, that floated far over the forest. +Ormsgill smiled a little as it grew fainter. + +"I'm not sure there will be any music when they come back again," he +said. "Still, I almost think they will accomplish--something." + +Nares looked straight in front of him as he plodded on, but there was +a curious gleam in his eyes. + +"There is no other way," was all he said. + +The long dusky column pushed on steadily through dim forest, wide +morass, and tracts of hot white sand, and it happened one evening when +the advance guard were a considerable distance ahead that Dom Erminio +sat alone on the veranda at San Roque. It was then about eight +o'clock, and the night was very dark and hot. Now and then a little +fitful breeze crept up the misty river, and filled the forest that +rose above it with mysterious noises. Then it dropped away again, and +left a silence the Chefe commenced to find oppressive behind it. He +could hear the oily gurgle of sliding water, and at times a sharp +crackle in the crazy building behind him, out of which there drifted a +damp mildewy smell, but that merely emphasized the almost +disconcerting absence of any other sound. Indeed, it was so still that +the soft rustle his duck garments made as he moved jarred on him, and +he was glad when the little muggy breeze flowed into the veranda +again. + +There was nothing in all this to trouble a man who was accustomed to +it, but the Chefe was not quite at his ease. Dom Luiz, whom he had +sent out a few days earlier, should have been back that afternoon, but +there was no sign of him yet, nor had the three or four dusky soldiers +who had gone out on some business of their own with his consent as yet +made an appearance. There were very few men in the fort, and when nine +o'clock came Dom Erminio, who was quite aware that the natives had no +great cause to love him, admitted that he was a trifle anxious. Still, +he had, with what he considered a more sufficient reason, been anxious +rather frequently. It was a thing one became accustomed to in the +debatable land, and sitting still he lighted another cigar. He could +see the mists that rolled up from the river, and the forest cutting +faintly black against the sky, and wondered vaguely what was going on +in it. That there was something going on in it he now felt tolerably +certain, though he did not exactly know why. + +At last the hoarse cry of a sentry rose out of the night, and when it +was answered he went down to the gate of the stockade. It was not a +gate that opened in the usual fashion, but one that dropped, a stout +affair of logs copied from the form adopted by the inhabitants of the +plateaux to the south. When he reached it two or three black soldiers +were heaving it up, and there was a patter of feet outside. Then a +line of shadowy figures grew out of the darkness, and though there did +not seem to be as many as he had expected it was with a sense of +relief he saw Dom Luiz come in through the gap. The logs clashed down +behind the last of his men, and Dom Erminio straightened himself +suddenly when a sergeant came up with a lantern. + +Two of the row of barefooted men appeared scarcely fit to stand. Their +garments were rent to pieces, and there was blood and mire on them, +while neither of them carried rifles. Dom Luiz saw the question in the +Chefe's eyes, and nodded. + +"Yes," he said, "I should have been here earlier. It was these two who +detained me. I sent them on to the village in the thicker bush two +days ago, and they came back dragging themselves with difficulty--as +you see them. It seems the villagers had beaten them, and they did not +know what had become of their rifles." + +Dom Erminio's face became suddenly intent. "Ah," he said, "they shall +be beaten again to-morrow. You will hand them to the guard. I suppose +you saw nothing of the Sergeant Orticho?" + +"No," said Lieutenant Luiz, who was a trifle puzzled by the sudden +change in the Chefe's manner, "I saw no sign of him." + +He called to his men, and as they filed by him loaded heavily with +miscellaneous sundries, Dom Erminio smiled significantly. + +"They have, it seems, been successful, which is fortunate," he said. +"I almost think it will be some little time before they make any more +requisitions of the kind again." + +He turned back towards the house, and was once more sitting on the +veranda when the Lieutenant Luiz rejoined him. + +"It would no doubt be advisable that I should set out again in the +morning with a stronger party and chastise those villagers who have +beaten our men?" said the latter. + +"No," said the Chefe dryly, "you will probably be busy here. When the +natives venture to beat our men it is, I think, wiser to keep every +man we have inside the fort." + +"Ah," said his companion, "you believe they have courage enough to go +further?" + +Dom Erminio smiled. "I believe we both admitted that the natives might +resent our attitude. We were, I think, for several reasons not +unwilling that they should do something to make their resentment +evident." + +He stopped a moment, and the manner in which he spread out his yellow +hands was very expressive. "Now I fancy we have got what we wished +for--and, perhaps, a little more than could reasonably have been +expected. It is rather a pity that we have lost several men with +sickness lately." + +Dom Luiz straightened himself in his chair. "There are very few of us, +and I am not quite sure that one or two of the fresh draft could be +depended on. Still, Orticho has most of them well in hand." + +Dom Erminio made a little gesture. "I think we can not count upon +Orticho in this affair. It is scarcely likely that he and the men who +went out with him will come back again. What he has heard in the bush +I do not know, but it is evident that he regards this thing very much +as I do. In fact, I fancy he is heading as fast as possible for the +coast by now." + +"Ah," said Dom Luiz, and looked at his companion inquiringly. + +"The business we have in hand is perfectly simple," said Dom Erminio. +"We were sent here to hold San Roque, and it must be done. When these +bushmen call upon us we shall be ready. With that in view you will set +about moving the quick-firing gun from where it is now, and when that +is done you will open a loophole for it at the rear of the stockade. +It is not quite so strong at that point, and our friends, who know +where the gun stood, will probably attack us there. It would be +advisable to have it done before the dawn comes." + +Dom Luiz rose and set about it. There was no uneasiness in his +companion's manner, but there was a look which had not been there for +some little time in his eyes. He was, perhaps, in several respects a +rogue, but, like other men of that kind, he had his strong points, +too, and nobody had ever accused him of being deficient in manhood, +which, unfortunately, is not always quite the same thing as humanity. +He was also Chefe, Commandant and Administrator, which he never +forgot, and he sat on the veranda smoking cigarette after cigarette +while Dom Luiz toiled for once very strenuously half the night. It +was very dark and hot, the logs he handled were heavy, and the dusky +soldiers seemed unusually slow at understanding. Still, when the dawn +broke the little quick-firing gun stood at the rear of the stockade, +which had been strengthened wherever it was possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE CHEFE STANDS FAST + + +It was an hour after midnight when the Headman sent for Ormsgill, who +found him sitting with his overlord beside a little fire that burned +redly in the thin mist. The night was almost chilly, and the Suzerain +crouched close beside the blaze, huddled in his loose garments, with +the uncertain light on his impassive face. It seemed to Ormsgill that +he looked worn and old, and he became conscious for the first time of +a vague pity for him. The task he had undertaken was, the white man +felt, one he could not succeed in. It was merely another futile +protest, for the yoke that was being fastened on his people's necks +could not be flung off that way. Ormsgill stood silent a moment or two +until the old man turned to him. + +"You have no cause to love those white men in San Roque," he said. +"Well, I will give you forty boys with rifles. We want leaders who +know how the white men fight." + +Ormsgill shook his head. "No," he said, "I can not lead them. This +affair is no concern of mine." + +The negro appeared to ponder over his answer, for it was with +difficulty they understood each other, though another man crouching in +the wood smoke flung in a word or two. + +"Are you all against us because we are black?" he said. "Those men at +San Roque would shoot you if they could." + +"It is very likely," and Ormsgill smiled a little. "Still, I think we +are not all against you--though I can not lead your men. There are +white men among the Portuguese who know that you have wrongs. Some day +they will have justice done." + +The negro spread out a dusky hand. "That is what the missionaries tell +us, but we have waited a long time, and there is no sign of it yet. We +can not wait for ever, and very soon all my people will be at work +upon the white men's plantations. They get greedier and greedier. Now +at last we strike." + +Once more Ormsgill, standing still in the shadow watching him, was +stirred by a vague compassion. He knew that revolt was useless, and +wondered whether the old belief that there was a ban upon the negro +and that he was made to serve the white man was not, after all, +founded on more than superstition and self-interested sophistry. Other +primitive peoples had, he knew, died off before the white man, but the +Africans had thriven in their bondage, filling Brazil and the West +Indies and the cotton-growing States. They were prolific, cheerful, +adaptable to all conditions, and yet even where liberty had been +offered them they remained a subject people, and made no effort to +shake off the white man's yoke. + +"You may sack San Roque," he said. "Still, I think you will never +reach the coast." + +The Headman started at this boldness, and there was a vindictive +gleam in his eyes, but his overlord sat silent a space, apparently +brooding heavily, and gazing at the mist. Then he turned to Ormsgill +with a somewhat impressive deliberateness. + +"At least," he said, "I go on. You will not lead our men, but you can +not warn the white men at San Roque. When we have sacked the fort I +will send for you again." + +Ormsgill made him a little formal inclination before he turned away, +for the attitude of this negro was one he could understand. He had +himself attempted things that could not be done, expecting to be +defeated, but undertaking them because he felt that, at least, was an +obligation laid on him. Nares, and Father Tiebout, and no doubt +countless host of others, had also done the same, and Nares the +optimist had said that though they failed signally the protest of +their futile efforts would be listened to some day. It seemed that the +dusky man crouching beside the fire realized how much there was +against him, but, as he had said, he was going on. Perhaps it is +because men of all creeds and colors have pressed on downwards through +the ages to face ax and stake and firing platoon that there are not +even more of the overburdened in the world to-day. The cost of +progress is heavy, and the upward struggle is very grim and slow. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill went back past the long rows of weary men +lying in the sand to where his comrade was sitting in the clammy mist. +Nares was a little feverish that night. + +"Well?" he said. + +"I have been offered a command," said Ormsgill. "Naturally, I refused +it. I also ventured to tell our friend that he would fail. It says a +good deal for him that I escaped the usual fate of the prophets. He +did not even ask me for my reasons." + +"You have them?" + +"Yes," said Ormsgill. "The thing's quite evident in a general way and +to be precise he has to reckon with Dom Clemente. You remember the man +our guide fired at? I can't help thinking he has passed on any +information he may have picked up to the coast by now, and Dom +Clemente is a man who can move to some purpose when it's advisable. +Still, I have no doubt we shall sack San Roque before to-morrow. Our +friend hinted that measures would be taken to prevent us warning the +Chefe." + +Nares turned and pointed to several men with rifles who sat half-seen +not very far away. Then he seemed to shiver. + +"There was a time when I could have warned them in San Roque, though I +scarcely think they would have listened to me. Now I do not know that +I would do it if I had the opportunity." His voice grew sterner. "They +have brought it upon themselves. There are iniquities which can not be +borne." + +His companion said nothing further, but sat down gnawing at an empty +pipe until they started again. The Headman or his Suzerain had drilled +his followers into some kind of order, and Ormsgill found something +impressive in the silent flitting by of half-seen men. They came up +out of the soft darkness with a faint patter of naked feet in sand, +and were lost in it again ahead of him. Now and then there was a +crackle of undergrowth or a clash of arms, but for the most part the +long column went by like a crawling shadow, for these were men +accustomed to flit through dim forests thick with perils noiselessly, +and they did not proclaim their presence as white troops would have +done. When they struck it would be in silence, and Ormsgill fancied +that San Roque was not much more than a league away. + +Still, it was rough traveling through loose sand and tangled scrub, +and several hours had passed when the long sinuous column stopped +suddenly. The men in charge of Ormsgill handed him and Nares over to a +few others, who had only flintlock guns, and these led them forward to +a more open space, where they sat down. The night had grown a trifle +clearer, and Ormsgill could see a wide break in the bush in front of +him. A broad belt of mist hung about one side of it, and the gurgle of +sliding water came out of the vapor, against which there rose a +shadowy ridge. + +"The stockade," he said. "We have arrived. Dom Erminio has either no +vedettes out, or our vanguard has stalked them and cut their throats." + +He broke off, but in another moment or two he spoke again with a +little tension in his voice. "It's curious, and no doubt in one way +unreasonable, but I feel the desire to warn him getting almost too +much for me. I don't know how one could do it, and it certainly +wouldn't be any use, since I believe our friends are ringing the fort +in. Dom Erminio must fight for his life to-night." + +The clang of a rifle, a Portuguese rifle, cut him short, and a cry +rose out of the vapor. After that there was silence until a crackling +commenced in the bush, and the two sat still and waited while the +tension grew almost intolerable. Ormsgill, who felt his mouth grow +parched and dry, fancied he could see the stockade a trifle more +plainly, and the forest seemed to be growing blacker, though the mist +was a little thicker than it had been. It was also perceptibly colder. + +"It will be daylight in half an hour," he said, and his voice struck +on his companion's ears curiously strained and hoarse. + +Then another rifle flashed, there was a sudden shouting, and a +tumultuous patter of naked feet, and a shadowy mass of running figures +hurled themselves at the stockade. A good many of them never reached +it, for the dusky barrier blazed with twinkling points of light, and a +withering volley met them in the face. Then the drifting smoke was +rent by brighter snapping flashes in quick succession, and the jarring +thud of heavier reports broke through the crash of the rifles. This +lasted for perhaps two minutes, and then there was by contrast a +silence that was almost bewildering. It seemed emphasized when once or +twice the ringing of a rifle came out of the streaks of drifting vapor +that hung about the stockade. + +"They're going back," said Ormsgill hoarsely. "The Chefe's men will +stand." Then he laughed, a harsh, strained laugh. "They know they +have to. Our friends are not likely to have much consideration for any +of them who fall into their hands." + +Nares, who shivered a little, said nothing, and a minute or two later +a crackle of riflery broke out in the bush. It came from the +Suzerain's men, for there was no mistaking the crash of the heavy +Sniders. Once or twice the jarring thud of the machine gun broke in, +and here and there a twinkling flash leapt from the stockade, but with +that exception there was no answer from the fort. + +"It seems," said Ormsgill, "Dom Erminio has his men in hand. It's a +little more than I expected from him. Presumably our friend wishes to +keep him occupied while he seizes the canoes. Anyway, his boys will be +considerably more dangerous when they've wasted their ammunition." + +The fusillade continued, in all probability, harmlessly, for awhile, +and then Ormsgill rose to his feet. "I think they'll get in this time. +They're trying it again." + +Once more vague, shadowy objects flitted out of the bush, and swept +towards the stockade. They ran without order, furiously, while more of +their comrades emerged from the shadows behind them, until the narrow +strip of cleared space was filled with running figures. There appeared +to be swarms of them, and Ormsgill held his breath as he watched. He +saw them plunge into a crawling trail of low lying mist, that seemed +torn apart suddenly when once more the face of the stockade was +streaked with little spurts of flame. It closed on them again until +all was hidden but the intermittent flashing, and the jarring thud of +the machine gun rent the din. One could not tell what was going on, +and it was by a tense effort Ormsgill held himself still with every +nerve in him quivering. How long the tension lasted he did not know, +but at length the ringing of the rifles died away again, and as a +little puff of chilly breeze rolled the haze aside it became evident +that the space before the stockade was once more empty. He could see +the stockade clearly, and the edge of the forest now cut sharply +against the sky. + +"The Headman can't afford to fail again," he said. "It is breaking +day." + +Then there was silence for a space, while the light grew clearer until +the residency beyond the stockade grew into shape. A smear of pale +color widened in the eastern sky, and as Ormsgill turned his eyes +towards the house a limp bundle of fabric rose slowly up the lofty +staff above it. It blew out once on the faint breeze, and then hung +still again, but as he watched it, Ormsgill felt a little thrill run +through him. + +"Rather earlier than usual. Dom Erminio means to fight," he said. + +Just then, however, a negro who came up gasping with haste signed to +Nares. "The Headman sends for you," he said. "You are to take a +message to those people yonder." + +Ormsgill looked at his comrade, who smiled curiously. "Yes," he said, +"I shall certainly go. Whether I am in any way responsible for all +this I do not know, but I may, perhaps, save a few of them." + +He raised himself somewhat stiffly, and turned away, but two negroes +held Ormsgill fast when he would have gone with him. He sat down again +when they relaxed their grasp, and at last saw Nares appear again on +the edge of the bush some distance away. He was alone, and walked +quietly towards the stockade with his wide hat in his hand, and a +figure in white uniform appeared in the notch where the palisades had +been cut down for the quick-firing gun. Just then a ray of brightness +struck along the trampled sand, and Ormsgill saw his comrade stop and +stand still, spare and gaunt and ragged, with the widening sunlight +full upon him. What was said he did not know, but he did not blame Dom +Erminio afterwards for what followed. Perhaps, some black soldier's +over-taxed nerve gave way, or the man had flung off all restraint and +gone back to his primitive savagery, for a rifle flashed behind the +stockade, and Nares staggered, recovered his balance, and collapsed +into a blurred huddle of white garments on the trampled sand. + +Then as Ormsgill sprang to his feet the bush rang with a yell, and a +swarm of half-naked negroes poured tumultuously out of it. There was +no firing among them. They ran forward with glinting matchets and +spears and brandished flintlock guns, and Ormsgill knew that now, at +least, they would certainly get in. In another moment he was running +furiously towards them, and so far as he could remember afterwards +none of the men in whose charge he had been troubled themselves about +him. It was some way to the front of the stockade, and when he got +there he was hemmed in by a surging crowd. There was smoke in his +eyes, and a bewildering din through which he heard the thudding of the +quick-firing gun, but where Nares was he did not know. He could only +go forward with the press, and he ran on in a fit of hot vindictive +fury. + +Here and there a man about him screamed, and now and then a half-seen +figure collapsed in front of him, but this time no one stopped or +turned. They were all crazed with primitive passion, and were going +in. Ormsgill, pressing onwards with them, saw that he had now a +matchet in his hand, though he had no recollection of how it came +there. Then the thudding of the gun ceased suddenly and the air was +rent by a breathless gasping yell. The stockade rose right over him, +and he went headlong at the gap in it from which there protruded the +muzzle of the gun. Somebody behind him hurled him through the opening, +and he dropped inside. As he scrambled to his feet he saw a swarm of +men running towards the residency, and he went with them, partly +because he wished to get there and also because those who poured +through the gap behind him drove him along. He had afterwards a fancy +that he saw a white man lying not far from the gun, but he could not +be certain, for the negroes were thick about him, and he was not in a +mood to interest himself in anything of that kind just then. He was +possessed by an unreasoning fury, and an overwhelming desire to reach +the men who had treacherously shot his comrade. + +They came gasping to the foot of the outer stairway, and by this time +Ormsgill had almost come up with the foremost of his companions. A +glance showed him the barricade of bags and boxes apparently filled +with soil on the veranda, and the black faces and rifle barrels above +them. There seemed to be a good deal of smoke in the air, but he saw +Dom Erminio standing amidst it in white uniform. He had a naked sword +in his hand, and apparently saw Ormsgill, for his drawn face contorted +into a very curious smile. So far as the latter could make out, he had +still a handful of men under his command. Escape was out of the +question. The score he had run up was a long one, and now the +reckoning had come. + +Then several rifles flashed among the bags, and the negroes went up +the stairway with a yell. Ormsgill fancied that two or three men went +down about him, and had a vague remembrance of trampling on yielding +bodies, but he went up uninjured, and leapt up upon the barricade. The +veranda was thick with smoke now, but he saw Dom Erminio suddenly lean +forward with the long blade gleaming in his hand, and a black soldier +who crouched close beside his feet tearing at his rifle breech. That, +however, was all he saw, for in another moment he leapt down, and a +swarm of half-naked men with spears and matchets swept into the +veranda. What he did next he knew no more than those about him +probably did, but when at length he reeled out of the smoke-filled +building and down the stairway the matchet was no longer in his hand, +and he wondered vaguely that there was so far as he could discover not +a scratch on him. Still he felt a trifle dazed, and as his head ached +intolerably he sat down gasping. + +There was no firing in the residency now, and half-naked men were +pouring out of it, but Ormsgill felt no desire to go back and see what +had become of Dom Erminio and his soldiery. He sat still for several +minutes, and then rising with an effort walked stiffly across the +compound. He had some trouble in climbing the stockade, and when that +was done came upon Nares lying face downwards in the trampled sand. He +raised him a trifle with some difficulty, and saw a little hole in the +breast of his thin jacket. Then laying him gently down again he took +off his shapeless hat. He was still standing beside him vacantly when +one of the Headman's messengers laid a hand on his shoulder. Ormsgill +looked down once more on his comrade, and then turned away and went +with the man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +DOM CLEMENTE STRIKES + + +There was a chill in the air and the white mist crept in and out among +the shadowy trunks when the foremost of the rebels went slipping and +floundering down the side of a river gorge just before the dawn. +Ormsgill marching, well guarded, with his carriers and the six boys he +had liberated in the rear could just discern the dim figures flitting +on in front of him, and wondered if the next hour would see them +safely across the river. He had been subjected to no ill usage though +he had been carefully watched, and he fancied that the rebel leader +expected to find him useful when the time to make terms with the +authorities came, but that was a point he was never quite clear about. +In the meanwhile he was worn-out and badly jaded, for his leg still +pained him, and the rebels had pushed on as fast as possible after the +sacking of San Roque. + +Ormsgill fancied he understood the reasons for this. The body was not +a very strong one, and though there were petty Headmen on the inland +plateau who had long cherished grievances against the white men, they +were no doubt prudently waiting to see what their friends were likely +to accomplish before they joined them. In an affair of that kind a +prompt success counts for everything, since it brings the waverers +flocking in, and while the seizing of San Roque was scarcely +sufficient to do this in itself, the first of the white men's +plantations was now not so very far away. There was another fact that +made delay inadvisable. The river flowed rapidly between steep banks +just there, and Ormsgill felt it was just the place he would have +chosen had it been his business to dispute the rebels' passage. He +fancied their leader was anxious to get across before the news of the +fall of San Roque brought troops up from the coast. + +In the meanwhile he plodded onwards wearily, aching all over and wet +with the dew, while the sound of sliding water grew steadily louder. +Now and then the long straggling column stopped for a minute or two, +and there was a hoarse clamor which he fancied indicated that a scout +had come in, but the men promptly went on again, and his guards, who +carried flintlock guns, saw that he did not linger. The path grew +steadily steeper, and he stumbled in loose sand while the half-seen +trees went by until at last a sharp crackling mingled with the patter +of naked feet as the head of the column smashed through the thick +undergrowth and tall reeds in the river hollow. Then his guards made +it evident that he was to stay where he was, and he sat down among his +boys in the loose sand where he could look down on the men in front of +him. There was now a faint light, though the mist lay in thick white +belts in the hollow, and the air was very still. He could dimly see +dusky figures moving amidst the grass and reeds, and here and there a +faint gleam of water in front of them, while now and then a confused +clamor rose out of the haze. The rebels, he fancied, were disputing +about their orders, or urging some course upon their leaders, and he +wondered vaguely whether they were likely to do more than involve +themselves in disaster, and where Dom Clemente was. + +This was, however, as he recognized, no concern of his. He was a +prisoner, and he could see only difficulties in front of him. Had he +been free at that moment and the boys he had liberated safely sent +away, the outlook would not have been much brighter, for he would +still have to face a duty he shrank from. That Ada Ratcliffe had no +great love for him he now felt reasonably sure, but it was clear that +she and her mother expected him to marry her, and, since she had kept +faith with him, he could not break the pledge he had given her. After +all, he reflected grimly, she would probably not expect too much from +him, and be content with the material advantages he could offer her. +Then he thought of Benicia Figuera, and set his lips tight as he once +more strove to fix his attention on the men below. + +At last there was a soft splashing and he could dimly see them wade +into the river. Their disputes were over, and they were going across +in haste. Then the foremost of them plunged into a belt of mist, and +for several minutes he watched their comrades press onwards from the +tall grass and reeds. The water was gleaming faintly now, and they +looked like a long black snake crawling through the midst of it until +the filmy haze shut them in. At times a shouting came up through the +splashing and crackle of undergrowth. In the meanwhile the tail of the +straggling column still winding down the side of the gorge was +steadily growing plainer, and the haze commenced to slide and curl +upwards in long filmy wisps, until at last Ormsgill scrambled to his +feet with every nerve in him thrilling. The ringing of a bugle rose +from beyond the river and was answered by another blast apparently +from the rise behind him. + +Then the splashing ceased suddenly, and there was for a few moments a +tense and almost intolerable silence, during which he stood still with +one hand clenched until a clamor rose from the midst of the river, and +he heard the dull thud of a flintlock gun. It was answered by a clear +ringing crash of riflery, and then while the flintlocks and Sniders +joined in, thin pale flashes blazed amidst the reeds and in the +sliding mist. This lasted for, perhaps, a minute or two, until it +became evident that the rebels were splashing back again. Ormsgill +could see them streaming out of the mist, and as he watched them +another patter of riflery broke out upon the higher ground behind him. +A bugle rang shrilly, and he fancied he heard a white man's voice +calling in the bush. Then looking round as one of the boys touched +him, he saw that his guards were no longer there. They had evidently +fled and left him to shift for himself. He stood a minute considering, +with the boys clamoring about him, and then made up his mind. The +rebels were streaming back up the gorge, and it seemed to him just +possible that if he separated himself from them he might slip away +unobserved in the press of the pursuit. Once across the river he might +still reach the coast. + +Calling to the boys he set out at a stumbling run, and for awhile +skirted the ridge of bluff. The rebels were too intent on their own +affairs to trouble about him, even if any of them noticed him, which +appeared very doubtful. He struck the river half a mile below the spot +where the negroes had attempted the crossing, and plunged in with the +boys still about him. He could see them clearly now, and the bush +showed sharp and black against the sky. There was a desultory patter +of riflery behind him, but except for that he could hear very little, +and he pushed on with the water rising rapidly to his waist. It was as +much as he could do to keep his feet, for the stream ran strong. Then +one of the boys clutched him and held him up, and for the next few +minutes they struggled desperately in a swifter swirl of current until +the water sank again suddenly, and he stood, gasping, knee-deep in the +yellow stream, looking about him. + +It was broad daylight now, and he could see a steep bank clothed with +thick bush and brushwood close by. There was a little hollow in it up +which the mist that still drifted about the river was flowing, and +calling to his boys he headed for it. Nothing seemed to indicate that +there were any troops in the vicinity. They floundered dripping +through a belt of tall grass, and were clambering up the slope when +one of the boys laid a wet hand upon his arm and the rest stood still +suddenly. Ormsgill felt his heart beating a good deal faster than +usual, though he could see nothing but trees in front of him. He was +on the point of pushing on again when a voice came out of the sliding +haze. + +"Stand still," it said sharply in Portuguese. "We will shoot the first +who stirs." + +Ormsgill made a sign to the boys, and in another moment several black +soldiers appeared among the trees. A white sergeant in very soiled +uniform moved out from among them and stood surveying him with a +little sardonic grin. + +"There are half a dozen rifles here," he said. "You surrender +yourselves?" + +Ormsgill made a little gesture. "Senor," he said, "it is evident that +we are in your hands." + +The man beckoned him to come forward with the boys, and a few more +black soldiers who rose out of the undergrowth closed in on them. +Ormsgill turned quietly to the sergeant. + +"You have been too much for the bushmen," he said. "Who is commanding +you?" + +"Dom Clemente," said the sergeant. "He has trapped those pigs of the +forest. That is a wonderful man. You will wait here until I can send +you to him. Whether he will have you shot I do not know." + +In spite of this observation he appeared a good-humored person, and +presently offered Ormsgill a cigarette. The latter, who sat down near +the sergeant and smoked it, waited until a patrol came along, when the +black soldier in command marched him and the boys through the +undergrowth, and at length led him into the presence of Dom Clemente. +He sat in state at a little table, immaculate in trim white uniform, +with two black men with rifles standing behind him. Another white +officer and a dusky interpreter who stood close by had apparently been +interrogating a couple of rebel prisoners. They squatted upon the +ground gazing at the white men with apprehension in their eyes. Dom +Clemente made Ormsgill a little formal salutation, and then leaned +back in his chair. + +"This meeting reminds me of another occasion when you were brought +before me, Senor and you were then frank with me," he said. "I might +suggest that candor would be equally advisable just now. I hear that +San Roque has fallen, and it appears that you were there. I must ask +you to tell me in what capacity." + +"As a prisoner in the hands of the rebels," said Ormsgill. + +Dom Clemente nodded. "It is on the whole fortunate that I think one +could take your word for it," he said. "You are desired to tell us +what happened at San Roque." + +Ormsgill did so quietly, though he said as little as possible about +his own share in the proceedings, and afterwards answered the +questions the other officer asked him until Dom Clemente turned to him +again. + +"It seems that Dom Erminio has, at least, acquitted himself creditably +in this affair," he observed. "All things considered, I do not know +that one has much occasion to be sorry for him. Dom Luiz, too, went +down beside his gun. Well, that is, after all, what one would have +expected from him." + +Then he made a little gesture. "You will understand that there are +matters which demand my attention, and I may have something more to +say later. In the meanwhile you will give me your parole. The boys +will be looked after." + +Ormsgill pledged himself to make no attempt at escape, and was led +away to a little tent where food was brought him and he was told he +was to stay. He realized that Dom Clemente had struck the rebels a +crushing blow, one from which there was little probability of their +recovering, but what was being done about the pursuit he did not know, +though he fancied that a body of troops had crossed the river. Still, +that did not greatly concern him, and worn-out and dejected as he was +he was glad to fall asleep. It was evening when he awakened as a black +soldier looked into the tent, and a few minutes later Dom Clemente +came in and sat down in the camp chair the soldier had brought. +Ormsgill sat on the ground sheet, heavy-eyed, tattered, and haggard, +and waited for him to speak. + +"I shall go on to-morrow when more troops come up, and you will come +with us. There are matters that require attention yonder," he said. +"In the meanwhile I have had the boys you brought down interrogated, +and the story they tell me is in some respects a fantastic one. It is, +I fancy, fortunate for your sake that I am acquainted with several +facts which seem to bear it out." + +Ormsgill was a trifle astonished, but Dom Clemente smiled. "It is," he +said, "advisable that one in authority should hear of everything, but +it is not always wise that he should make that fact apparent. One +waits until the time comes--and then, as was the case this morning, +one acts." + +He spread out one slender, faintly olive-tinted hand and then brought +it down upon the table closed with an unexpected sharpness that was +very expressive. + +"Senor," he said, "though I have heard a little from the boys, you +have not told me yet exactly how you came to fall into those bushmen's +hands." + +Ormsgill, who did not think that reticence was likely to be of much +service, briefly related what had befallen him, and his companion +nodded. + +"I have the honor of your acquaintance, and it is perhaps, permissible +to point out that you have a troublesome fondness for meddling with +other people's business," he said. "Further, you are a trifle +impulsive and precipitate." + +"There was nobody else who seemed anxious to undertake the affair in +question," said Ormsgill dryly. + +Dom Clemente made a little gesture. "It is generally wiser to wait +until one is certain. Well, I think I may venture to take you into my +confidence to some extent. The doings of the trader Herrero--who has +lodged complaints against you--and his friend Domingo have long been +known to me. They were merely being permitted to involve themselves in +difficulties while we waited until the time was ripe. It is now very +probable that I shall suppress both of them." + +"One can sometimes wait longer than is advisable," said Ormsgill with +a little dry laugh. "Herrero and his friend are dead." + +Then for the first time he narrated all that had been done in the +inland village, and Dom Clemente, who listened carefully, smiled. + +"It only proves my point," he said. "One waits and the affair +regulates itself. Well, they are dead, and I do not think there is +anybody who will greatly regret them. It will clear the ground for +what we mean to do up yonder. There is, you understand, to be a change +in our native policy, and I"--he straightened himself a trifle--"have +been entrusted with its inauguration. From now we shall, at least, +endeavor to modify some of the difficulties which are, perhaps, not +inseparably connected with this question of the labor supply." + +"The whole system should be done away with." + +Dom Clemente spread his hands out. "In this country one is content +with accomplishing a little now and then. But there is another matter. +Certain complaints have been made against your friend the American, +and we have decided that there is nothing against him. I bring him +permission to go back to his station." + +"Nares," said Ormsgill quietly, "will not profit by it. He has been +promoted. He was killed endeavoring to make peace at San Roque." + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente, "that is a matter of regret to me. Perhaps, +he was a little imprudent. Some of these missionaries are sadly +deficient in diplomacy, and that may have been the case with him. I do +not know. Still, when all is said, he was a brave man, and I +think"--he made a little grave gesture--"what he has done for these +black men will be remembered where he is now." + +It was not a great deal, but Ormsgill who noticed the quick change in +the little soldier's voice was satisfied with it. After all, one can +not say much more of any man than that he has done what he could for +his fellow men. Then Dom Clemente turned to him again. + +"I have not asked you yet what you did during the attack on San +Roque," he said. + +"If you fancy I have done anything for which I could be held +accountable it is for you to establish it. It seems to me that would +be a little difficult since I believe every man in the fort is dead." + +"Still--if the thing appeared advisable--it might be possible." + +Ormsgill made no attempt to dispute this, but changed the subject. +"There is a thing I don't quite understand," he said. "I almost fancy +the man who led the rebels must have known you held the bank when he +pushed his men across." + +"Yes," said Dom Clemente, "I believe he did. Still, there are men who +can recognize when they must fight or fail ignominiously. One has a +certain respect for them. I do not think it was that negro's fault +that he was driven back. Flintlocks and matchets are not much use +against our rifles." + +Then he rose. "In the meanwhile you will be detained. My instructions +were to arrest you, and, as you know, I only hold subordinate +authority. Still, so far as my duty permits it, I think you can +regard me as a friend." + +He went out of the tent, and an hour or two later Ormsgill contrived +to go to sleep again. He was roused by the bugles at daylight, and +went back with the rear guard into the forests he had lately left, and +in due time marched with them into sight of the ruins of San Roque. It +was early morning when they reached the fort, but before the sun was +high the three white men who had fallen there were laid to rest in +state. The black troops who had with reversed rifles swung into hollow +square stood listening vacantly round the bank of raw steaming soil +where Father Tiebout recited words of ponderous import in the sonorous +Latin tongue. Then there was a crashing volley, and as the patter of +marching feet commenced again Ormsgill and the priest and Dom Clemente +stood looking on while a few black soldiers raised the three rude +crosses. On one of them a dusky armorer had under Ormsgill's +supervision cut the words, "_In hoc signo._" + +Father Tiebout glanced at them and nodded gravely. "It is fitting," he +said. "He did what he could--and we others do not know how much it +was. After all, it is only a grain of understanding that is now +vouchsafed us, but"--and he once more broke into the sonorous Latin, +"I look for the resurrection of the dead." + +Dom Clemente smiled. "There are men of your profession, Father, who +would not have ventured to do what you have done," he said. "Still, I +think when that day comes some of us may, perhaps, have cause to envy +this heretic." + +Then they turned away, and in another hour once more pushed on into +the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +ORMSGILL BEARS THE TEST + + +The black troops were coming home again when they halted at a +coffee-planter's fazienda within easy march of the coast to allow the +rear guard to come up. They had met with no resistance since they +crossed the river. The rebels had melted away before them and vanished +into the forests and marshes of the interior, and the troops had +pushed on into a waste and empty country finding only a few deserted +villages here and there. This was, however, very much what their +leader had expected, for he knew that in an affair of this kind +everything usually turns upon the first success, and he had made his +plans with that fact in view. Dom Clemente Figuera was, at least, a +capable soldier. + +The fazienda was old and somewhat ruinous. Its prosperity had +departed, though plantations of coffee and cocoa still stretched about +the rambling white house and dusky laborers' sheds, and a little +coarse sugar was made chiefly for the sake of the resultant rum. Cocoa +could no longer be grown there by antiquated methods at a profit, and +there had of late been trouble about the labor supply. Standing where +it did within easy reach of the coast, the fazienda was open to +inspection, and the rulers of that colony had of late been making +inquiries as to the way in which the legislation that permitted the +planters to engage the negroes brought down from the bush was carried +out. Indeed, its owners realized with concern that there was likely to +be a change in their ruler's views. Dom Clemente had, in fact, issued +one or two proclamations which filled them with alarm, for they knew +that what he said was usually done. + +Still, during the few days the troops halted there the white planters +had many guests, men who had, for the most part, axes to grind. They +wished to discover how the changes Dom Clemente appeared to be +contemplating might affect their trade, which like everything else in +that country depended upon the labor supply. Some of them wanted +concessions, and to be the first to benefit by any reprisals that +might be made upon the rebels, and others had grievances against the +inland officials whom they supposed Dom Clemente was not altogether +satisfied with. It was also, they felt, desirable to gain his ear, or, +at least, those of his subordinates, before affairs were debated +officially when he reached the coast, but perhaps, Dom Clemente was +aware of this, for he had most vexatiously remained behind, and those +under him had, it seemed, instructions to observe a judicious +reticence. In this case, at least, they also considered it advisable +to carry their instructions out. + +Ormsgill, however, knew very little about what was going on, and late +on the second afternoon after he reached the fazienda he sat +listlessly in a half-ruinous shed which was partly filled with bags +of coarse sugar. The door was shut, and he fancied there was a sentry +on guard outside it, but from where he sat he could look out through +an unglazed window across the tall green cane towards the wooded ridge +that shut the plantation in. It is also possible that he could have +got out that way and slipped into the cane without anybody noticing +him, for black sentries are not invariably watchful, but he had given +Dom Clemente his parole, and he would have had to leave behind the +boys he had brought down. Besides, he was utterly listless. He had for +several months overtaxed his physical strength, and the fever of the +country had rudely shaken him, and left behind it an apathetic +lassitude, as it frequently does. + +It was very hot in the shed which had lain since morning under a +scorching sun, and the glare that still streamed in through the window +hurt his heavy eyes. He sat on an empty case, ragged and +travel-stained, brooding heavily while the perspiration trickled from +his worn face. Nothing seemed to matter, and it would have afforded +him little pleasure had he been offered his liberty. He would, he +knew, leave all he valued behind him when he left that country, and +worn out in body as he was, and enervated in will, he shrank from the +duty that awaited him, for if he ever reached Las Palmas, which seemed +somewhat doubtful, Mrs. Ratcliffe would certainly expect him to carry +out his promise. He was in one way sorry for Ada Ratcliffe, but he +fancied that she would, after all, probably be satisfied with the +things he could offer her. Since that was the case, and she had kept +faith with him, it was evident that he could not draw back now. +Perhaps he was foolish, but he was one who kept his word, and at least +endeavored to live up to his severely simple code. + +At last the glare outside the window commenced to die away, and he +could see an odd palm tuft cut with a restful greenness against the +paling sky. It was very hot still, but evening was at hand and by and +by one of the younger lieutenants who had shown him some kindness on +the march would probably come in and talk to him. He fancied he heard +the man's footsteps when another half hour had slipped away, and then +his voice rose sharply as he said something to the black sentry, but +he did not come in, and Ormsgill rose with every nerve quivering when +he heard another voice he recognized. Still, he contrived to lay a +restraint upon himself when the door opened and Benicia Figuera stood +in the entrance. + +She was clad in thin draperies that gleamed immaculately white, and +the fine lines of the figure they flowed about were silhouetted +sharply against the light. Her face was in shadow, but Ormsgill saw +the sudden compassion in her eyes, and the blood crept to his +forehead. Then she turned for a moment towards the portly, black-robed +lady who appeared behind her, and apparently addressed the invisible +lieutenant. + +"It is very hot here, and I think the Senora Castro would find it more +comfortable if you brought her a chair outside," she said. "You can +leave the door open. It is scarcely likely that I shall run away with +your prisoner." + +The man outside apparently made no demur and when the portly lady +disappeared Benicia turned towards Ormsgill. + +"Now we can talk," she said. "You are looking very ill." + +Ormsgill drew forward the empty case, and laid some matting on it. "A +prisoner's quarters are not usually very sumptuous, and that is the +only seat I can offer you," he said. "I was a little astonished when I +saw you." + +Benicia sat down, and smiled when he found a place among the sugar +bags. + +"Astonished--that was all?" she said. + +The man felt his forehead grow warm, but he laughed. "Well," he said, +"I'm not sure that quite expresses everything. Still, I certainly was +astonished. I wonder if one could ask what brought you here?" + +"I came to meet my father--for one thing," and the little pause might +have had its significance, though Benicia who unrolled her fan was +handicapped by the fact that she was speaking English and had to +choose her words carefully. "I am told that he is expected here some +time to-night--but you are ill. It is needless to say--is it +not?--that I am sorry." + +She looked sorry. In fact, her manner was exquisitely expressive of +sympathy, but Ormsgill contrived to answer lightly. + +"The thing is not altogether unnatural," he said. "A good many of your +father's troops are sick, too. After all, there are worse troubles +than a slight attack of African fever, and I shall no doubt get well +again presently." + +"And you are still--a very little--lame." + +It did not strike Ormsgill as significant that she should have noticed +this, though he had only moved a pace or two when she came in. Indeed, +nothing of that kind would have occurred to him then, for while his +blood stirred within him he was struggling fiercely to retain his +self-control. + +"It is possible that I shall always be a little lame," he said, and +laughed somewhat bitterly. "Still, I'm not sure that it matters. You +see, I don't even know what will be done with me when we reach the +coast." + +"You have certainly enemies there--as well as friends. There are +gentlemen of some influence who had an interest in Herrero's business, +and it seems they have made rather serious complaints against you. It +is even suggested that you brought about his death. We, of course, +know that such complaints are absurd." + +"I wonder why?" + +Benicia leaned forward a little with her eyes fixed on him. "It is +only strangers one wastes compliments upon," she said. "I think you +and I are friends." + +She had, it seemed to Ormsgill, not gone far enough, and there was an +elusive something in her manner which conveyed the impression that she +realized it. He felt his heart beat unpleasantly fast, but he +controlled himself, and while he sat silent Benicia's fan closed with +a curious little snap. One could have fancied that she had expected +him to speak. + +"Still," she said, "there are others who might believe those +complaints, and--though you have friends--justice is not always +certain in this country. Are you wise in staying here?" + +"I'm not sure that I can help it. You see there is a sentry yonder." + +Benicia laughed a little. "Pshaw!" she said, "that could be arranged +without any great difficulty. One could require, perhaps, two minutes +to slip away into the cane, and I think nothing would be discovered +until the morning." + +"On the contrary, there are several difficulties. For instance, it +would probably become evident that the thing had been--arranged. Could +I allow you to involve yourself in an affair of that kind?" + +"It is by no means certain that I should involve myself. In fact, it +is most unlikely," and Benicia laughed again, though she fixed her +eyes on him with a curious intentness. "Is it not worth the hazard, +Senor, if it set you at liberty to go back to--Las Palmas?" + +"No," said Ormsgill with sudden vehemence, while the veins showed +swollen on his forehead. "It certainly isn't." + +A little gleam of exultation sprang into the girl's eyes, for she +recognized the thrill of passion in his voice, and she already knew it +was not the woman who awaited him at Las Palmas that he loved. Still, +it was, perhaps, fortunate he had answered her in that decisive +fashion, for the Latin nature is curiously complex and always a trifle +unstable. Though she could not have told exactly why she had led him +on, it is just possible that had he shown any eagerness to profit by +the suggestion she had made her tenderness would have changed to +vindictive anger. That she would be willing to restore him to the +other woman at her peril was, after all, rather more than one could +reasonably have expected from her. Benicia Figuera was in several +respects very human. + +"Ah," she said, with a curious slow incisiveness, "then you are not so +very anxious to go back--to her?" + +Ormsgill sat still for almost a minute with set lips while the +perspiration dewed his lined face. He read what the girl thought in +her eyes, and his passion came near shaking the resolution he strove +to cling to out of him. Ada Ratcliffe, who did not love him, was far +away, and this girl who he felt would, as Desmond had said, stand by +the man she loved through everything, sat within a yard of him. He +seemed to realize that if he flung aside every consideration that +restrained him and boldly claimed her she would listen. Her mere +physical beauty had also an almost overwhelming effect on him, and the +tinge of color in her cheeks and the softness in her eyes was very +suggestive. Then with a little strenuous effort he straightened +himself. + +"After all," he said, "that is scarcely the question?" + +"Still," the girl insisted, "I have offered you liberty, and you do +not seem to want it. Since that is so, one could almost fancy it would +not grieve you very much if you never went back." + +Ormsgill stood up. "Senorita, that is a thing I can not very well +answer you. Besides, it does not seem to count. You see, I have +pledged myself to go." + +"Ah," said the girl, and, though this was no news to her, her fan +snapped to again. "Would nothing warrant one breaking such a pledge?" + +Then for a few seconds they looked at one another with no disguise +between them, and all their thoughts in their eyes. The girl's face +was white and intent, the man's drawn and furrowed, and the passion +that was fast overmastering all restraint was awake in both alike. It +is more than likely that Benicia did not remember that her companion +had borne as heavy a stress once before at least. When she came in she +had no intention of subjecting him to it again. She had possibly only +meant to do him a kindness, perhaps merely wished to see him, though +this was a point on which she was never sure; but the fiery Latin +nature had been too strong for her. Restraint is, after all, not a +characteristic of the people of the South. At length Ormsgill made an +effort. + +"The thing would be impossible," he said. "I am guarded. There is a +sentry at the door." + +The girl saw that his control was slackening, for she knew it was not +the pledge she had mentioned but the hazard she would run in setting +him at liberty he was referring to, and she laughed, almost +exultantly. + +"No," she said, "it would be so easy. The sentry is called away for a +few minutes. As I said--it could be arranged. Then you slip away into +the cane. It is not difficult to reach the city--and you have friends +there." + +She broke off abruptly, but Ormsgill saw that she had flung her pride +away, and, since it was clear that it was not that he might go back to +Las Palmas she was willing to connive at his escape, he felt it only +remained for him to supply what she had left unsaid. The desire to do +so shook him until he closed one hand in an intensity of effort, and +for almost half a minute there was a silence that grew almost +intolerable. + +Then the girl slowly straightened herself, and her eyes gleamed +curiously, though her face was very pale. + +"The hazard appears too great for you, Senor?" she said. + +"Yes," said Ormsgill quietly, noticing the sudden change in her +attitude, "in one way it does." Then he made a little abrupt gesture. +"As I said, I am pledged to go back to Las Palmas if I am set at +liberty--but it is a matter in which I can not permit you to do +anything for me." + +Benicia stood up very straight, and her eyes had still a curious gleam +in them. "Then there is nothing more to be said. It seems you will not +listen to any suggestion I can make--and, perhaps, you are right." + +She spread out her hands in a vaguely forceful fashion as she turned +from him and moved towards the door, but before she reached it she +stopped and glanced at him again. Ormsgill who set his lips tight said +nothing at all. Then there was a sound of footsteps outside, and Dom +Clemente, who appeared in the entrance, stood still looking at them +curiously. It was a moment or two before he turned to Benicia. + +"Ah," he said, "I did not know you were here until a few minutes ago +and I will not keep you now. I think the Senora is waiting for you." + +He stood aside when she swept past him and vanished with a rustle of +filmy draperies. Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"Senor," he said, "I am inclined to fancy that you have something to +say to me." + +The blood rose to Ormsgill's face, and his voice was strained. It was +an almost intolerable duty that was laid upon him. + +"I am afraid your surmise is not correct," he said. "I have nothing to +say." + +Dom Clemente let one hand drop on the hilt of his sword. "Senor," he +said, "I am informed by my Secretary that the Senorita Benicia Figuera +has obtained certain concessions concerning you from a man whose +authority we submit to. You are, it seems, to be treated with every +consideration, and he will investigate the complaints made against you +personally. That," and he made a little impressive gesture, "is +evidently the result of the Senorita Benicia's efforts on your behalf. +I am here to ask you why she has made them?" + +Ormsgill looked at him steadily, though it cost him an effort to +answer. + +"I have the honor of the Senorita's acquaintance," he said. "It seems +she is one who does what she can for her friends. I can offer no other +explanation." + +"Ah," said Dom Clemente with incisive quietness, "I once informed you +that it seemed to me you were doing a perilous thing in going back to +Africa. It is possible you will shortly realize that what I said was +warranted." + +Then he turned and went out, and Ormsgill sat down again with a little +gasp, for the tension of the last few minutes had been almost +insupportable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +ON HIS TRIAL + + +Several hours had passed since Dom Clemente left Ormsgill's quarters +when he sat with one of his staff under a lamp in a room of the +fazienda. He had laid his kepi on the table, and leaned back in his +chair looking at a strip of paper with a little grim smile in his +eyes. A negro swathed in white cotton squatted against the wall +watching him uneasily, and a black soldier who had led the man in +stood with ordered rifle at the door. At length Dom Clemente tossed +the paper across to the officer sitting opposite him. + +"I should be glad of your opinion," he said. + +"It is discreet," said his companion, who examined the paper +carefully. "The writer evidently foresaw the possibility of his +message falling into the wrong hands. It is also indifferent +Portuguese, but I think it is the writing of an educated man." + +"Exactly! The question is why should an educated man express himself +in that fashion?" + +The officer shook his head. "That," he said reflectively, "is a thing +I do not understand." + +Dom Clemente smiled a little, and took up another strip of paper. +"This," he said, "is a message of the same kind which has also fallen +into my hands. Does anything else occur to you when you put the two +together?" + +"They are from the same man," and then a light seemed to break in upon +the officer. "He does not write like a native of the Peninsula." + +"No," said Dom Clemente. "I do not think he has ever been there. +Still, he had, no doubt, reasons for attempting to write in +Portuguese." Then he turned sternly to the crouching negro. "Who gave +you this message. Where were you to take the answer?" + +"A man of a tribe I do not know," said the messenger who was evidently +in a state of terror. "I was to meet him before the morning at a spot +about a league away." + +"Then," said Dom Clemente, "there is a little service I want from you. +You will take some of my soldiers with you when you meet this man. If +you attempt to warn him you will probably be shot." + +He turned to his companion. "I think it would be advisable for you to +go yourself. You will take a reliable sergeant and several files, and +arrest the man who wrote this letter. I think you will find that he is +the leader of a big game expedition." + +The officer raised his eyebrows. "There is no big game in this part of +the country." + +"That," said Dom Clemente, "is a point the man in question has +probably forgotten. In any case, you will arrest him and bring him +here. It is, however, advisable that the thing should be done +quietly." + +The officer signed to the black soldier who moved forward and touched +the messenger's shoulder, and Dom Clemente smiled grimly as he once +more busied himself with the papers in front of him when they went +out. + +In the meanwhile Ormsgill lay half-asleep upon a few empty sugar bags +in the ruinous shed. His head ached, for the fever still troubled him +now and then and the place was almost insufferably hot, but the strain +he had borne that afternoon had left him a trifle dazed and insensible +to physical discomforts, and at length he sank into fitful slumber. +Several times he wakened with a start and closed a hot hand as his +troubles returned to him, but he was too limp in mind to grapple with +them. It was rather late in the morning when a patter of naked feet +and the shouting of orders roused him. It suggested that the troops +were being paraded, and looking out through the window he saw Dom +Clemente and several officers descend from the planter's house. After +that there was a stir and bustle, and by and by he saw a man whom he +did not recognize being led towards the house by a group of +deferential officers. This, however, did not appear to concern +Ormsgill, and leaving the window when his breakfast was brought him he +sat down on the sugar bags for another hour or two. Then the door of +the shed was flung open and he saw a black sergeant who stood outside +beckoning to him. + +"Your presence is required," he said in Portuguese. + +Ormsgill stood still a moment blinking in the brightness when he left +the shed, for the glare of sunlight on trampled sand and white walls +set his heavy eyes aching, but when the sergeant made a sign he +followed him to the planter's house. He was led into a big scantily +furnished room which had green lattices drawn across two of the open +windows, but a dazzling shaft of sunlight streamed in through one that +was not covered, and he saw a grave-faced gentleman sitting in state +at a table. He was, though Ormsgill did not know this, the man who had +talked to Benicia on board the gunboat, and had arrived at the +fazienda that morning. Two black soldiers with ordered rifles stood +motionless behind him, and Dom Clemente sat on the opposite side of +the table. Beside him there were also two other officers, one of whom +seemed to be acting as secretary, for there was a handful of papers in +front of him, and several of Ormsgill's boys squatted, half-naked, +impassive figures, against the wall. + +Ormsgill stood still, looking at the men at the table with heavy eyes. +His thin duck garments were more than a trifle ragged and stained with +travel, and his face was haggard. He was, it seemed, to be tried, but +he felt no great concern. The result was almost a matter of +indifference to him since it only remained for him to go back to Las +Palmas if he was set at liberty. There was a momentary silence when he +was led in, and then Dom Clemente handed one or two more papers to the +secretary. + +"There are, as you are aware, several somewhat serious complaints +against you," he said in Portuguese. "It is now desirable that they +should be investigated. I will have them read to you." + +Ormsgill listened gravely while the officer read aloud. He was, it +appeared, charged with abducting a native woman from the trader +Herrero, and taking away by force labor recruits who had engaged +themselves to the latter's associate Domingo. There were also charges +of supplying the natives with arms and inciting them to mutiny. + +"You have heard?" said the man at the head of the table. "If you do +not admit the correctness of all this we will hear what you have to +say. You will, however, be required to substantiate it." + +Ormsgill roused himself for an effort. After all, liberty was worth +something, and it was a duty to attempt to secure it, and for the next +quarter of an hour he concisely related all that he had done since he +came back to the country after the death of Lamartine. None of those +who heard him made any comment, but he could see the little smile of +incredulity which now and then flickered into the eyes of the younger +officers. The man who sat in state at the head of the table, however, +listened gravely, and Dom Clemente's face was expressionless. + +"That is all," said Ormsgill at last. "It is very possible that what I +have told you may appear improbable, and I can not substantiate it. +Most of those concerned are dead. Still, you have some of my boys +here, and you can question them." + +There was a little silence until the man at the head of the table +leaned back in his chair. + +"It is a very astonishing story," he said. "There are one or two +points I should like made clearer, but in the meanwhile we will hear +the boys." + +An interpreter was brought in, and with his assistance two of the boys +told what they knew. Then he went out again, and Dom Clemente turned +to his companion. + +"I must admit that I have information which partly bears out what has +been said about the native woman Anita," he said. "If this assurance +is not sufficient she could be examined later. I have,"--and he looked +hard at Ormsgill--"at least no cause to be prejudiced in the +prisoner's favor. In the meanwhile one might ask if he can think of +nobody else who would support what he has said?" + +"No," said Ormsgill dryly, "as I mentioned, most of those concerned +are dead." + +He saw Dom Clemente glance at the man opposite him who smiled. + +"There is one point on which we have not touched," said the latter, +who turned to Ormsgill. "How did you get the first eight boys you say +you set free out of the country?" + +"That," said Ormsgill, "is a thing I can not tell you. It was, at +least, not with the connivance of anybody in the city." + +Dom Clemente made a little sign to his secretary, who went out, and +there was silence for a while. The room was very hot, and Ormsgill +felt himself aching in every limb. He had been standing for half an +hour now, and his leg was becoming painful. Then there were footsteps +outside, and he gasped with astonishment as a black soldier led +Desmond in. The latter, however, turned to the officers. + +"You have had me brought here against my will, gentlemen, and it is +very possible that you will have grounds for regretting it," he said +in English. "It would be a favor if you will tell me what you want?" + +The gentleman at the head of the table leaned forward in his chair. "A +little information--in the meanwhile," he said quietly. "You recognize +the prisoner yonder?" + +Dom Clemente translated, and Desmond carefully looked Ormsgill over. + +"Well," he said, "I have certainly met him before--in Las Palmas--and +other places. He doesn't seem to have thriven since then." + +"We would like to know what you were doing at the spot where the +soldiers arrested you?" + +"That," said Desmond sturdily, "is my own business; and a thing I have +not the least intention of telling you." + +Two of the officers frowned, but the man at the table waved his hand. + +"Well," he said, "we will try another question. It is desirable that +we should know how a certain eight boys whom the prisoner brought down +to the coast were smuggled out of the country." + +Desmond looked at Ormsgill, who nodded. "I think you may as well +tell him," he said. "There is reason for believing that our friend +yonder who speaks excellent English"--and he indicated Dom +Clemente--"is acquainted with it already. I don't think they can +hold--you--responsible." + +Then Desmond spoke boldly, answering their questions until almost +everything was explained. Dom Clemente's eyes twinkled, and his +companion leaned back in his chair with a curious little smile. + +"What I have heard is so extraordinary as to be almost +incomprehensible," he said. "It seems that you and your friend must +have spent a very large amount of money to set these fourteen boys at +liberty." + +He waved his hand towards the squatting negroes. "Senores," he said +turning to the officers, "I would ask you to look at them, and tell me +if the thing appears reasonable." + +The manner in which the officers smiled was very expressive. It was, +they were assured, for these thick-lipped, woolly-haired bushmen +crouching half-naked against the wall, without a spark of intelligence +in their heavy animal-like faces, that the two English gentlemen had +spent money broadcast, faced fatigue and peril, and hazarded the anger +of the Government. The thing certainly appeared incomprehensible to +them. Desmond guessed their thoughts, and a red flush crept into his +sea-bronzed face and a little portentous glint into his eyes. + +"I admit that it sounds nonsensical," he said. "Still, Senores, I have +the honor of offering you my word." + +Then somewhat to the astonishment of all except Dom Clemente, who +smiled, the man at the head of the table made Desmond a little +punctilious inclination. + +"Senor," he said, "I think your word would go a long way. In the +meanwhile we will hear what the priest has to tell us." + +Ormsgill started a little when Father Tiebout was brought in a minute +or two later. He sat down and nodded when Dom Clemente had spoken to +him. + +"Most of what I know is at your service," he said. He commenced with +the death of the trader Lamartine, and told his tale quietly but with +a certain dramatic force. When he came to the point where he and Nares +had written to Ormsgill after Domingo's raid he stopped a moment, and +the pause was impressive. + +"You will understand, Senores, that we had faith when we wrote to this +man," he said. + +"You believed he would come back and undertake the task at his peril?" + +"The thing," said Father Tiebout quietly, "was, to us at least, +absolutely certain." + +There was blank astonishment in two of the officers' faces, but the +man at the head of the table made a sign of concurrence, and once more +a little gleam crept into Dom Clemente's eyes. Then the priest went +on, and when at last he stopped there was a full minute's silence. +After that the man at the head of the table spoke to Ormsgill, and his +voice had a curious note in it. + +"How was it you did not ask us to send for this priest and hear him in +your defense?" he said. + +Ormsgill smiled dryly. "It is not as a rule advisable for a +missionary to meddle with affairs of State." + +"Ah," said the other man, "it would, I think, make our work easier if +none of them did. Well, you have given us a reason, and it is one I +could consider satisfactory--in your case." + +Then he turned to Desmond. "Senor, I had the honor of asking you a +question a little while ago. Perhaps, it may not appear desirable to +withhold the information I desired any longer." + +Desmond laughed, and looked at him steadily. + +"Well," he said, "since you have no doubt guessed my purpose, I will +tell you. I came up here to take my friend out of your hands, and if +it hadn't been for the thick-headed boy who let the soldiers creep in +on us while we were asleep I think I would in all probability have +managed it." + +"Ah," said the other man spreading out his hands, "I almost believe it +is possible." + +Then he turned to his companions. "One naturally expects something +quite out of the usual course from men like these." + +After that he sat silent for at least a minute, until he leaned +forward and spoke awhile in a low voice with Dom Clemente who once or +twice made a sign of concurrence. + +Then he turned to Ormsgill. + +"I shall probably have something to say to you again," he said. "This +is an affair that demands careful consideration, and in the meantime +there are other matters which can not be delayed." + +Dom Clemente spoke sharply, and a black sergeant at the door who +beckoned Ormsgill and Desmond to follow him went with them to their +quarters in the ruinous shed. + +"There are, I think, very few men in this country who would have +spoken to that man or Dom Clemente as you have done," he said. Then he +grinned in a very suggestive fashion. "It is probably fortunate that +he seemed to believe you, though if he had been any other man I would +have called him very foolish." + +Ormsgill said nothing, but sat down among the empty sugar bags, and he +and Desmond looked at one another when the patter of the sergeant's +feet grew indistinct. Both were glad they were alone, but for a minute +or two neither of them broke the silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +BENICIA UNDERTAKES AN OBLIGATION + + +Ormsgill, who reclined among the sugar bags, lighted a cigarette one +of the officers had given him before he turned to Desmond. + +"I don't know if you are comfortable on that case, but, as you see, I +haven't another seat to offer you, and these bags are a trifle +sticky," he said. "I understand that my jailers were instructed to +show me every consideration." + +Desmond laughed as he glanced around the half-ruinous shed. "It's +hardly worth while making excuses of that kind," he said. "I'm quite +willing to admit that the one thing that's worrying me is the question +what your friends mean to do with us." + +"It's possible they may set us at liberty, but in the meanwhile you +know as much as I do. How did you fall into their hands?" + +"I was at Las Palmas when I heard that they were having trouble in the +interior. The news wasn't very definite, but it seemed to me I might +be wanted and I brought the yacht across as hard as we could drive +her." + +"Ah," said Ormsgill quietly, "that is, of course, very much the kind +of thing one would expect you to do. You were at Las Palmas--but go +on. I may ask you something later." + +Desmond understood him, and though he had driven the _Palestrina_ +mercilessly day after day under the uttermost pressure her boilers +would stand he was satisfied. He had not thought it worth while to +mention how they had shaken every rag of canvas out while the yacht +rolling viciously and shivering in every plate swept along with the +spray-clouds flying over her before the big trade breeze combers, or +the more arduous days when, while the firemen gasped beneath an almost +intolerable heat, they still drove her south at topmost speed over an +oily blazing sea across the line. He also fancied he knew what +Ormsgill wished to ask him, and a trace of uneasiness crept into his +face as he proceeded somewhat hastily. + +"Well," he said, "when we got the anchor down I heard that the +fighting was over and the troops were coming back again. Somebody told +me they had a white prisoner who had evidently been encouraging the +rebels, and it seemed to me advisable to set out up country on a +shooting trip. There was a rather capable boy among those I hired, and +he hadn't much difficulty in making friends with one of the camp +followers or carriers when we came up with the troops. After that we +followed their track, keeping about a league away from them for almost +a week, and I sent you two messages. I suppose you never got them?" + +"No," said Ormsgill. "I almost think it's evident that somebody else +did." + +Desmond made a little sign of concurrence. "The boy probably sold us, +or your friend Dom Clemente was too clever for him. One could fancy +that is a very capable man. Anyway, while I was considering how we +could arrange to get you off we went to sleep last night in a belt of +grass. I took the precaution of sending two sentries out, and I don't +know yet why they didn't warn me, but when I awakened early this +morning there was a white officer standing over me. As he had several +black soldiers with him and we were evidently at his mercy I came +along with him. I don't think there was any other course open to me." + +"You have done what you could. You brought me no message from Las +Palmas?" + +Desmond, who once more appeared uneasy, sat silent for a moment or +two. Then he leaned forward a trifle with a flush in his face. + +"I don't know how you'll take it, but, as a matter of fact, I did," he +said. "I brought a letter which Mrs. Ratcliffe gave me, and I believe +there was another from Miss Ratcliffe inside it. Unfortunately, one of +your friends here confiscated it not long ago as well as every other +scrap of paper in my possession." + +"They sent me no word when you left Las Palmas before," said Ormsgill +with a portentous quietness, though there were signs of tension in his +face. Then he straightened himself suddenly. "You are keeping +something back. It concerns Ada?" + +"It does, and I'm particularly sorry your friends seized that letter. +This is an affair I should greatly have preferred to leave in Mrs. +Ratcliffe's hands. She"--and Desmond made a little vague gesture--"is +a lady of considerable ability and has no doubt explained the thing +much more satisfactorily than I could do." + +"Go on," said Ormsgill with sharp incisiveness. + +Desmond, who still hesitated, looked at him in a curious deprecatory +fashion. + +"Well," he said, "the fact is Miss Ratcliffe was married the day +before I left Las Palmas." + +In another moment Ormsgill was on his feet, and his laugh jarred on +Desmond's ears. + +"Married!" he said hoarsely, clenching one hand tight. "And I've +thrown away everything to keep faith with her." + +Desmond made a little restraining gesture. "Well," he said, "it's not +my business, but I think I understand what you are referring to--and, +perhaps, it's scarcely wise to be too sure. With all deference to Mrs. +Ratcliffe I can't help fancying you are well out of the other matter. +After all, to mention no other reason, it would require a certain +amount of courage to recognize that lady as one's mother-in-law." + +Ormsgill, who made no answer, turned towards the door, and spoke a few +words to the sentry. The latter called to one of his comrades, and +Ormsgill, after giving the man a message came back again and sat down +quietly. + +"I have asked if I may have the letter," he said. + +It was brought him ten minutes later unopened, and he sat very still +for awhile after he had read it. Then there was bitterness in his +laugh. + +"It is in one sense a masterly production," he said. "In fact, both of +them are. I am assured that Mrs. Ratcliffe recognized all along that +we were never made for one another." He turned, and grasped his +companion's shoulder. "Can you tell me anything about this paragon +who, it seems, has married Ada?" + +A little twinkle crept into Desmond's eyes. "I never heard him called +anything of that kind before. Lister, you see, is an unlicked colt, +and nobody could have said very much to his credit until lately. +Still, he seems to be making an effort to rub out certain defects in +his character, and if Miss Ratcliffe can only keep it up they may get +along tolerably well together." + +"Keep it up?" + +Desmond smiled again. "It's probably somewhat delicate ground, but the +thing has its whimsical aspect. You see he, perhaps, naturally, +regards Miss Ratcliffe as the incarnation of honor and every other +estimable equality, which is apt to make her role rather a difficult +one. I have no doubt her mother has asked you very tactfully not to +say anything that might render it harder still if you ever come across +Lister, which, if she has any hand in his arrangements, is most +unlikely." + +"There is a suggestion of that kind here," and Ormsgill gazed at him +very grim in face. "You mean that they have not mentioned me to +Lister." + +"I should consider it very improbable," said Desmond dryly. "As I +ventured to suggest, you have, perhaps, after all, no very great cause +for regret." + +Ormsgill, who said nothing, rose and walked several times up and down +the shed, and then moved suddenly towards the door. He spoke a few +words to the sentry, after which he sat down and waited for some +little time, while Desmond smiled once or twice as he watched him. +Then the door was opened, and a black sergeant who appeared in the +entrance signed to Ormsgill. + +"Dom Clemente can spare you a few minutes," he said. + +Ormsgill rose and followed him across the compound and up the veranda +stairway into a room where Dom Clemente was sitting alone. He looked +up when Ormsgill came in. + +"You have some complaint--of the accommodation we have provided you +with?" he said. + +"No," said Ormsgill, "my business is of a very different nature. You +asked me last night, Senor, if I had anything to say to you. I wonder +if you will now listen to me for a little while?" + +His companion's gesture signified compliance, and Ormsgill proceeded, +speaking with a terse directness which, as it happened, served him +well. When at last he stopped Dom Clemente looked at him with a little +dry smile. + +"Senor," he said, "in one sense the explanation is sufficient, though +there are, you can understand, respects in which it leaves a little to +be desired." + +"I make no excuse," and a faint flush crept into Ormsgill's face. +"Only, in this case my mind will always be the same." + +The little officer sat still, looking at him steadily, while half a +minute slipped away, and Ormsgill felt the silence becoming +oppressive. Then he spread one hand out. + +"After all," he said, "there are, probably, very few among us who are +quite exempt from some folly of this kind, and I think it is to your +credit that when you recognized that it was a folly you were willing +to carry it out. I may mention that I had the honor of meeting the +lady." + +Then he made a little expressive gesture. "Senor, you are, at least, +one whose word can be relied upon, and that counts for a good deal. It +is, however, to be remembered that you are not yet at liberty." + +"I think my liberty largely depends upon you. One could fancy that you +know how far the complaints against me are credible. In fact, I do not +understand why you ever gave them any consideration." + +Dom Clemente smiled. "One has usually a motive, Senor, and it is +generally wiser not to make it too apparent until the time is ripe. In +this case I think the results have warranted everything I have done. +Herrero and Domingo, not to mention one or two others, have +accomplished their own destruction, though that is, after all, not +quite the question. The matter you have laid before me is, it seems to +me, one that Benicia must decide." + +He rose with the little twinkle still in his eyes. "I will leave you +to make it as clear as you can to her." + +He went out, and Ormsgill waited, with his heart beating a good deal +faster than usual, until Benicia came in. He stood looking at her a +moment, with a faint flush in his haggard face. + +"Senorita," he said, "I would like you to listen to a story--though it +is a little difficult to tell." + +For a moment Benicia met his gaze, and saw the little glint in his +eyes. She also saw how worn his face was, and the gauntness of his +frame, and her compassion was stronger than her pride. + +"Ah," she said, "I know it already. I have known it all along." + +"Still," said Ormsgill, "there is a little more to be said. I am not +going back to Las Palmas if I am set at liberty." + +He saw the crimson creep into her forehead. "Benicia," he said, "the +woman I was pledged to has cast me off. I am going back to England, +and--after all you know--I wonder if I dare venture to ask you if you +will come with me." + +"Ah," said the girl with a simplicity that had a certain stateliness +in it, "I think I would go anywhere with you." + +Then Ormsgill strode forward masterfully, and it was a minute later +when she smiled up at him. "This," she said, "is not what I meant to +do--at least, just now--but when I saw you looking so worn and anxious +and remembered that you were still a prisoner I forgot how I hated +that Englishwoman. I only remembered how I loved you." + +A little later there were footsteps outside, and the black sergeant +once more appeared in the doorway, while when he led Ormsgill away +Benicia went straight to a room guarded by a dusky soldier, and +demanded to see the officer within. He sent his secretary away, and +then looked up at her with a little smile. + +"You have a promise to keep," she said. "I have come to ask you to set +these two Englishmen at liberty." + +"Ah," said the man, "there are, no doubt, one or two reasons for this +that you can suggest?" + +"You know they have done no wrong." + +"It is possible. Still, we have not altogether settled that question +yet. Is there nothing else that you can urge in their favor?" + +"They are friends of mine." + +The officer made a little grave gesture. "That," he said, "goes a long +way, but, after all, I am not sure that it goes quite far enough." + +Benicia's face grew a trifle warm, but she smiled. "One," she said, +"is the man I am going to marry." + +Her companion's eyes twinkled. "Well," he said, "in that case we must +certainly see what can be done before we march to-morrow." + +Benicia asked nothing further, for she was satisfied, and soon after +she left the officer Ormsgill sat down opposite Desmond in the +half-ruinous shed. He said a few disjointed words, and Desmond laughed +cheerfully. + +"I knew how it was as soon as I saw you," he said. "Well, I believe we +could get hold of an American missionary, and the _Palestrina_'s +ready." + +The rest of that day passed very slowly with them both, but early next +morning they were once more led into the presence of Dom Clemente and +the gray-haired officer. When they came in the latter signed to his +secretary, and Father Tiebout, who quietly went out. A few minutes +afterwards the secretary led Benicia in, and the officer turned to +Ormsgill. + +"We have," he said, "again carefully considered the complaints against +you. As the result of it I think I can venture to set the Senor +Desmond at liberty, and to place you at the Senorita Benicia's +disposal. She"--and he smiled gravely--"will be held accountable for +your behavior while you remain in this country. If it is permissible, +I might advise her not to countenance any further undertakings of the +kind that brought you back to Africa." + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The following typographical errors present in the original edtion +have been corrected: + +On the title page, "THE CATTLE-BARON S DAUGHTER" was changed to "THE +CATTLE-BARON'S DAUGHTER". + +In the Table of Contents, the page number for Chapter XVIII, DOM +CLEMENTE LOOKS ON, was changed from 231 to 213. + +In Chapter I, "Maderia chair on the veranda" was changed to "Madeira +chair on the veranda", "since you have no carries" was changed to "since +you have no carriers", "took of his hat" was changed to "took off his +hat", and commas were added after "a good magazine rifle" and "it was so +still that Nares". + +In Chapter II, a comma was added after "Herrero has gone South +somewhere". + +In Chapter III, a period was added after "almost too startled to +understand that you had arrived", and "I believe you are smilling" was +changed to "I believe you are smiling". + +In Chapter IV, a comma was changed to a period after "with a little +flush in her face", and a single quotation mark (') was changed to a +double quotation mark (") after "your prospective mother-in-law will be +pleased with you?". + +In Chapter V, a period was changed to a question mark after "become a +trifle civilized", and a period was changed to a comma after "you are +determined to go". + +In Chapter VI, "He could forsee that" was changed to "He could foresee +that", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It would be an +interesting spectacle." + +In Chapter VII, a period was changed to a comma after "and Nares added", +and a comma was deleted after "Anybody who wishes to go inland". + +In Chapter VIII, "two somewhat ragged white men lay listessly" was +changed to "two somewhat ragged white men lay listlessly", and "Still +they can't shoot as I can" was changed to "Still, they can't shoot as I +can". + +In Chapter IX, a single quotation mark (') was changed to a double +quotation mark (") after "I should probably not have been welcome?", and +"I am not sure that is quiet sufficient in itself" was changed to "I am +not sure that is quite sufficient in itself". + +In Chapter X, "statutesque modeling" was changed to "statuesque +modeling", and a comma was added after "while you stay here". + +In Chapter XI, a period was changed to a question mark after "try to +influence the girl". + +In Chapter XII, a comma was added after "though far from likely", and +"Still you have made a few changes lately" was changed to "Still, you +have made a few changes lately". + +In Chapter XIII, "Thomas Ormsgills could only offer her them" was +changed to "Thomas Ormsgill could only offer her them". + +In Chapter XIV, "The Commandant or Chefe as he was usually called" was +changed to "The Commandant, or Chefe as he was usually called". + +In Chapter XV, a period was changed to a comma after "I have to say", +and also after "I will see to it", and "until Dom Luix turns up" was +changed to "until Dom Luiz turns up". + +In Chapter XVI, a quotation mark was added after "stands without the +correction", "and they recognizing it" was changed to "and they, +recognizing it", "Ormsgill who had already stationed his sentries +extinguished" was changed to "Ormsgill, who had already stationed his +sentries, extinguished" and a comma was changed to a period after "stir +the invisible trees". + +In Chapter XVIII, a comma was added after "as he now and then laughingly +admitted". + +In Chapter XIX, "'It is', he continued tranquilly" was changed to "'It +is,' he continued tranquilly", and a comma was added after "where the +messenger Pacheco is". + +In Chapter XXI, a comma was added after "climbing a low elevation". + +In Chapter XXIII, a comma was changed to a period after "changed the +subject abruptly", "one thing I am axious about" was changed to "one +thing I am anxious about", and "an intrument which resembles" was +changed to "an instrument which resembles". + +In Chapter XXIV, commas were added around "who swung in a hammock hung +low beneath her awnings", "one of two of the questions which then +troubled that country" was changed to "one or two of the questions which +then troubled that country", and a misformed quotation mark was fixed +after "I think". + +In Chapter XXV, a comma was added after "whose presence promised to +complicate affairs", and a missing quotation mark was added before "It's +probably just as well". + +In Chapter XXXII, a comma was changed to a period after "twinkle still +in his eyes", "the gauntess of his frame" was changed to "the gauntness +of his frame", and a quotation mark was deleted before "I have known it +all along." + +The punctuation in the original edition was erratic and often +ungrammatical, and many words were spelled inconsistently. 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